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1 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 4:23:38pm

Here’s a vocal version of this song by the great Shirley Horn.

Youtube Video

2 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 4:24:57pm

This is the version on Tokyo 96? Beautiful.

3 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 4:29:16pm
4 b_sharp  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 4:44:18pm

re: #3 Lidane

[Embedded content]

My cat climbs the tree.
And plays with the ornaments.

5 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 4:56:30pm

WOW! Barack Obama Honors Himself on Rosa Parks Day | the Gateway Pundit

WOWIE! WOW! WOWZER! INPEACH!!!

6 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:04:43pm
7 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:05:15pm
8 jaunte  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:07:59pm

re: #7 Charles Johnson

Photo: Gleb Garanich

I think that’s the photographer who got whacked over the head yesterday.

9 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:16:27pm

re: #6 Charles Johnson

Thailand is really heating up too. Protesters there might be able to topple the government. In Russia, I bet Putin is going to hold on.

11 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:17:28pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

Hmm got 60 minutes on now thanks for the heads up.

13 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:21:32pm

Looks like Iran is going to use the opportunity of eased sanctions to expand their nuclear program.
Russia, Iran Discuss New Nuclear Plant Project

themoscowtimes.com

AEOI asks for budget to expand nuclear plants: Salehi

presstv.ir

14 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:30:42pm

re: #13 Killgore Trout

I’m fine with all the power plants they want. That’s threading the nuclear weapon vs global warming gap.

15 jaunte  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:33:47pm
16 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:34:01pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

Amazon Experimenting With Drones That Will Deliver Packages In 30 Minutes

I saw that. It’s an interesting idea, but I wonder how it will work.

17 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:35:05pm

re: #14 Political Atheist

I’m fine with all the power plants they want. That’s threading the nuclear weapon vs global warming gap.

I’m still nervous about the deal. A lot of people (even hawks) seem to think it’s a great idea but I have my doubts. Iran has been working on a bomb in the past, they are still the largest state sponsor of terrorism. It’s also a backward theocracy with a terrible human rights record.

18 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:36:54pm

All I care about is, will drone delivery be covered by Amazon Prime?

19 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:38:47pm

And of course…

20 Justanotherhuman  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:38:59pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

Amazon Experimenting With Drones That Will Deliver Packages In 30 Minutes

Make sure the kids aren’t playing outside. Clear out, everyone, the drone is coming!

21 jaunte  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:39:52pm

re: #18 Charles Johnson

New Amazon PrimeAir service, with slight surcharges for fuel and accident insurance.

22 Justanotherhuman  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:41:26pm

re: #21 jaunte

New Amazon PrimeAir service, with slight surcharges for fuel and accident insurance.

Would probably double the price of that $18.98 item.

Youtube Video

23 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:44:01pm

re: #11 Political Atheist

Hmm got 60 minutes on now thanks for the heads up.

The Amazon drone thing is on 60 minutes? Anyone else think it’s strange a news program is doing a free advertisement for Amazon’s new service? A few weeks ago a lot of news outlets were running stories on Burger King’s new fries (not kidding).

24 jaunte  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:44:52pm

Fast, tentacled pirate drones are already being designed.

25 Belafon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:45:33pm

re: #23 Killgore Trout

Don’t you think lots of unmanned aircraft flying over the US would be a worthy news item?

26 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:48:04pm
27 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:48:40pm

re: #25 Belafon

Don’t you think lots of unmanned aircraft flying over the US would be a worthy news item?

Meh, I thought it was kinda cool two or three years ago when people started floating the idea. US companies had problems getting permits for it, maybe Amazon is big enough to pull some strings and get it done.

28 Amory Blaine  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:48:52pm

But can they deliver 55 gallon drums of lube in an emergency?

29 Justanotherhuman  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:48:54pm

BTW, if this is the way Jeff Bezos is going with the WAPO, he can kiss my old arse. Old news, but probably overlooked.

Washington Post Hires National Review Reporter Robert Costa

Read more: newsbusters.org

“Earlier today the Washington Post announced that it had hired National Review’s Washington Editor Robert Costa. This marks perhaps the first time in decades that a top-tier “mainstream” news outlet has hired away a reporter from a right-leaning publication.

“By contrast, left-leaning political magazines like the Nation, Mother Jones, or the New Republic have frequently been places where publications like the Post or the New York Times turn to for their reporter farm teams. Elite national media outlets have even taken somewhat frequently to hiring former Democratic political aides as their reporters as we’ve chronicled for years in our “Revolving Door” series.

“Costa’s achievement is thus all the more notable. Our congratulations to him in his new gig. And kudos to new Post owner Jeff Bezos for encouraging his staff to think outside the box like this.” (my emphasis)

Read more: newsbusters.org

30 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:51:28pm

re: #25 Belafon

Don’t you think lots of unmanned aircraft flying over the US would be a worthy news item?

That also reminds me that a few months ago I noticed a little drone hovering over my backyard. I looked around and found the pilot, talked to him a bit. He didn’t have a camera on his but they’re affordable toys now, it’s something we’re going to have to get used to.

31 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:52:09pm

The report’s online now…

cbsnews.com

32 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:53:14pm

Ukraine : Total War

Liveleak Video

It’s kinda tough to watch, Russian cops are pretty brutal.

33 RealityBasedSteve  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:59:18pm

re: #28 Amory Blaine

But can they deliver 55 gallon drums of lube in an emergency?

I don’t even, in my wildest dreams, image what kind of law-abiding use there is for 55 gallons of lube. (at at 1200+ dollars (not counting shipping) I’m not about to get it as a joke.

RBS

34 Belafon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 5:59:42pm

re: #27 Killgore Trout

Yes, but imagine the average American. And then imagine the average wingnut: Amazon flies armed drones to spy on American citizens. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that from some on the left.

35 Amory Blaine  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:00:52pm

re: #33 RealityBasedSteve

The reviews are hilarious.

36 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:01:53pm

re: #23 Killgore Trout

What airspace will they fly in? The USPO and UPS have had their issues but a delivery vehicle in your pool was not so likely. ;-)

37 darthstar  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:02:03pm

re: #28 Amory Blaine

But can they deliver 55 gallon drums of lube in an emergency?

Holy cow…that’s a $1200 savings!

38 sagehen  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:04:15pm

re: #33 RealityBasedSteve

I don’t even, in my wildest dreams, image what kind of law-abiding use there is for 55 gallons of lube. (at at 1200+ dollars (not counting shipping) I’m not about to get it as a joke.

RBS

Nightclub.

39 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:05:34pm

re: #36 Political Atheist

What airspace will they fly in? The USPO and UPS have had their issues but a delivery vehicle in your pool was not so likely. ;-)

Earliest is 2015 for drone delivery - Bezos mentioned the FAA issues.

40 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:08:08pm

re: #36 Political Atheist

What airspace will they fly in? The USPO and UPS have had their issues but a delivery vehicle in your pool was not so likely. ;-)

Didn’t Bezos say that the soonest they’d get any rules from the FAA would be 2015? Even he admits this idea is years away. Should be interesting to see how it unfolds.

Hell, I remember reading about Bill Gates driving around in a Ford prototype vehicle that had a previous version of Sync years before it ever launched on the market. It’s going to be a while before the dudebros and wingnuts start shooting down the Amazon drones. Heh.

41 Lord of the Pies  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:09:42pm
42 bratwurst  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:10:31pm

re: #9 Killgore Trout

Thailand is really heating up too. Protesters there might be able to topple the government. In Russia, I bet Putin is going to hold on.

re: #32 Killgore Trout

Ukraine : Total War

[Embedded content]


It’s kinda tough to watch, Russian cops are pretty brutal.

Russia ≠ Ukraine…they are two different countries for a long time now.

And while we’re at it:

43 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:13:23pm

re: #42 bratwurst

Russia ≠ Ukraine…they are two different countries for a long time now.

Yeah, that whole “collapse of the Soviet Union” thing seems to elude a lot of people.

44 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:13:36pm

re: #39 Charles Johnson

He must have some idea how he thinks it will work. Looking forward to the segment.

I just hope the FAA finds a way to regulate for safety with room for smaller operators to be in. The rules now are pretty overbearing. Even non drone craft like bigger toy quad copters become illegal as soon as you earn money with them. (What separates a drone from a toy is flying based on the camera onboard or GPS rather than eyeballing it from the ground.)

It’s one thing to imagine the odd craft coming along from time to time. But what about major popularity? FedEx, photographers, pharmacies, film makers all flying drones over our heads?

45 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:13:58pm

Amazon Prime Air

Youtube Video

46 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:23:04pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

We’re not living in the past or the present anymore. This is the future.

47 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:24:00pm

re: #42 bratwurst

Russia ≠ Ukraine…they are two different countries for a long time now.

And while we’re at it:

[Embedded content]

Ooops, my bad. My Ukrainian mom would kick my ass for that one.

48 RealityBasedSteve  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:31:38pm

re: #46 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

We’re not living in the past or the present anymore. This is the future.

Well, we aren’t all driving rocket ships, but there are a lot of people in the functional equivalent of soup lines. I’m not sure that the whole turquoise jewelry thing will ever hit again.

RBS
Who is waiting for his personal self driving flying car.

49 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:33:55pm

Gotta think it wont be too long before we see manned quad copters. Great design.

50 bratwurst  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:34:49pm

re: #47 Killgore Trout

Ooops, my bad. My Ukrainian mom would kick my ass for that one.

I have some roots there myself, was fortunate enough to visit my ancestral home town in modern-day Ukraine about two years ago. It was a very nice experience, but I left with a lot of gratitude toward my great grandparents who immigrated to North America from there.

51 Eclectic Cyborg  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:35:15pm

re: #45 Charles Johnson

Amazon Prime Air

[Embedded content]

Of note, the video depicts a transaction that seems to happen under clear skies and otherwise ideal weather conditions.

52 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:40:19pm

re: #51 Eclectic Cyborg

Of note, the video depicts a transaction that seems to happen under clear skies and otherwise ideal weather conditions.

Yes, we’re seeing a demo of a prototype there - but it’s clearly past the brainstorming stage into “how do we make this work in the real world?”

54 HoosierHoops  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:42:54pm

*** *** *** *** ***
Sports and Science
***___***___***_***

So I was watching the Science channel the other day. I’m getting to hate the producers of the Science channel ..
Stop all the fricking Bigfoot and UFO shows..Stick to what you are..Not reality based bullshit
Charles..Can you imagine how embarrassed Phil from Bad Astronomy and everybody it seems from the Nukker group are? Sure everybody got a big payday and a voice on all the Discovery Channels. It has to be hard on them..Money talks so good for them.. They deserve every penny. The Science channel is moving into the History channel syndrome.. pure BS to make ratings..

How does this relate to Sports Science? Read on..
This Scientist was showing how all things in the Universe..When Charted acts like a Fractal..Or so to say..A tree with a trunk and then branchs on the tree all the way to the Viens in the leaves..All things that exists from plants or animals or Man.. All our history with all things charted with math exists as a tree. Fractual math is why no snowflake is the same.
Amazing right? But wait,,, near the end he said Even Basketball is a fractual.. I’m thinking Bullsh*t..Winston! Grab me a beer! I don’t know what Ivory Tower this cat lives in..
He brought up a picture of a court and the players. Using a digital grease pencil he drew out the movements of each player. At the end it did look like trees and branches. The trunk is, of course, darker because of muliple player movements in that area then it branches out..
Amazing.. From the Instant of the Big Bang and time itself all things act as a fratual tree Darwin noted the biologic tree over time.
All things in the universe act as a tree.. including basketball games.

55 Mattand  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:49:38pm

re: #28 Amory Blaine

But can they deliver 55 gallon drums of lube in an emergency?

Most of the deliveries go to this guy:

Youtube Video

56 Mattand  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:52:50pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

Amazon Experimenting With Drones That Will Deliver Packages In 30 Minutes

Would it be ironic if a drone conspiracy theorist had their tinfoil delivered to them from Amazon via drone?

57 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:56:34pm

Quadcopter dance

Youtube Video

58 Eclectic Cyborg  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 6:58:01pm

My other question re: prime air is with regards to the plastic containers used to transport the packages. They’d have to be pretty sturdy to withstand the elements yet in the video, it’s just left there along with the package. Seems like something that could be pretty wasteful.

59 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:01:48pm

300 orders per second. 10% by air=30 per second

60 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:03:51pm

Already seeing some dudebros coming out strongly against Amazon Prime Air. Drones, you see. They are evil.

61 Eclectic Cyborg  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:04:22pm

re: #59 Political Atheist

300 orders per second. 10% by air=30 per second

Which works out to 108 000/hour. That’s a lot of unmanned drones flying around.

62 Eclectic Cyborg  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:04:49pm

re: #60 Charles Johnson

Already seeing some dudebros coming out strongly against Amazon Prime Air. Drones, you see. They are evil.

It’s an Obama communist plot!!

63 Charles Johnson  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:06:01pm

If you’re going to be the first one to grab the Twitter handle ‘AmazonDrone,’ maybe you should try to actually be funny, too.

64 Eclectic Cyborg  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:06:23pm

re: #63 Charles Johnson

If you’re going to be the first one to grab the Twitter handle ‘AmazonDrone,’ maybe you should try to actually be funny, too.

Twittersquatting?

65 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:08:37pm

So if I order a quadcopter via amazon, will it deliver itself?

66 sagehen  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:12:59pm

Walking Dead.

Whoa. Whoa.

(that doesn’t need to be behind a spoiler cut, right?)

WHOAAAAAA.

67 Political Atheist  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:18:48pm

re: #60 Charles Johnson

Already seeing some dudebros coming out strongly against Amazon Prime Air. Drones, you see. They are evil.

Okay I was already an Amazon Prime guy and a fan. Now I’m becoming a much bigger fan. Bezos rocks.

68 Lancelot Link  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:20:06pm

re: #46 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

We’re not living in the past or the present anymore. This is the future.

We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.

69 Tim TeaBro  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:20:18pm

Icksnay on the Walking Deadivay motherfuckeray.

Or I will drone strikivay your assinaye.

70 Tim TeaBro  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:23:21pm

Right on queue after my Dr Evil threat, some bonehead on FB drops a spoiler. Pretty heavy one too, my wife will be upset if true.

71 sagehen  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:26:47pm

actual Walking Dead spoilers, to test your willpower

Spoiler

the governor killed Hershel.
Michone killed the governor.
lots of people killed lots of people.
Daryl is the baddest badass of them all.

also,

Spoiler

Martinez had such a nice little camp, with so many decent people. And good weapons, etc. They would have been a fabulous addition to the prison.

It took the Governor only 2 episodes to get most of them killed, and the rest helpless. What an asshole.

72 SpaceJesus  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:26:51pm

anybody watch the walking dead tonight and see that commercial with the rats running around?

73 Kragar  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:28:07pm

Anyone else been watching that new show “Almost Human”?

74 Amory Blaine  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:30:34pm

I’m only following one show right now, Masters of Sex.

75 sagehen  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:30:46pm

re: #73 Kragar

Anyone else been watching that new show “Almost Human”?

I’m enjoying it… not loving it, not getting fannish about it, not going to be reading or writing fic (yet, but anything’s possible), but I’ll watch on hulu while making the next day’s dinner.

76 Tim TeaBro  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:32:31pm

I’m this close to starting Breaking Bad. I’ve watched 5 mins of one episode.

The classic ‘Wait for it… wait for it…’

77 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:34:17pm

re: #73 Kragar

Anyone else been watching that new show “Almost Human”?

Don’t have a TV so I googled it. Smells a lot like “Dark Angel” in certain ways. en.wikipedia.org I liked that show but, well, Fox and SF don’t get along. I didn’t like it but I liked what Fox did to Firefly even less. So I don’t expect it will last very long.

78 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:34:52pm

The Walking Dead. OMG. No words at all.

79 Kragar  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:35:33pm

re: #75 sagehen

I’m enjoying it… not loving it, not getting fannish about it, not going to be reading or writing fic (yet, but anything’s possible), but I’ll watch on hulu while making the next day’s dinner.

Liked it so far. I’m still watching after 3 episodes which is more than I can say for Agents of Shield

80 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:36:37pm

re: #76 Tim TeaBro

I’m this close to starting Breaking Bad. I’ve watched 5 mins of one episode.

The classic ‘Wait for it… wait for it…’

I’d say don’t bother. Everything good you can get from trailers. The rest is just a bunch of glorifying a murderous drug chemist who, in a just world, would have died in the pilot; end of series.

My wife who is a TV junkie (phrasing intentional) started it recently. She quit out of boredom before the end of the 1st season.

81 sagehen  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:36:53pm

Talking Dead just showed an awesome group photo of the WD main cast’s stunt doubles. Even standing still, full face, they’re a pretty convincing set of doppelgangers.

82 SpaceJesus  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:37:44pm

stupid mysterious rat commercial

83 Stanley Sea  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:45:35pm

Not watching till tomorrow. Now I’m scared.

84 Tim TeaBro  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:46:05pm

re: #83 Stanley Sea

Not watching till tomorrow. Now I’m scared.

It won’t happen if you don’t watch it.

85 Lord of the Pies  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:47:14pm
86 GlutenFreeJesus  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 7:47:52pm

Has GG said anything about this? Surely it’s Canada’s fault.

m.bbc.co.uk

87 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:17:59pm

re: #86 GlutenFreeJesus

Has GG said anything about this? Surely it’s Canada’s fault.

m.bbc.co.uk

One of Snowflake’s buddies?

88 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:21:04pm

re: #73 Kragar

Anyone else been watching that new show “Almost Human”?

Yes. I’ve been watching it. I like it so far, but I’m incredibly biased. I’ve been a Karl Urban fangirl since the Lord of the Rings films.

89 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:22:29pm

re: #88 Lidane

Yes. I’ve been watching it. I like it so far, but I’m incredibly biased. I’ve been a Karl Urban fangirl since the Lord of the Rings films.

He was Eros from Xena: Warrior Princess.

The wings look good.

I’ll shut up now.

90 Varek Raith  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:27:53pm

Who let these fangirls in???
/

91 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:28:54pm

re: #90 Varek Raith

Who let these fangirls in???
/

I’m just sharing information!

It’s like asking questions, but in reverse.

92 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:29:33pm

re: #89 dr. klys

He was Eros from Xena: Warrior Princess.

The wings look good.

I’ll shut up now.

He was also Caesar on Xena.

Funny thing about that— I used to watch Hercules and Xena back in the day because they were cheesy, goofy fun. It was only after the LOTR films that I realized he was the same actor. Heh.

93 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:30:35pm

re: #92 Lidane

He was also Caesar on Xena.

Funny thing about that— I used to watch Hercules and Xena back in the day because it was cheesy, goofy fun. It was only after the LOTR films that I realized he was the same actor. Heh.

I own the first two seasons of Xena on DVD mostly because it was really cheesy, goofy fun. Then it got weird and I liked it less. But it didn’t take itself too seriously back in the beginning.

He totally doesn’t look the same at ALL as in the LOTR films.

94 Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:36:20pm

re: #89 dr. klys

He was Eros from Xena: Warrior Princess.

The wings look good.

I’ll shut up now.

Also a pitch-perfect Leonard McCoy in the new Star Trek franchise. According to Nimoy,

When Karl Urban introduced himself as Leonard McCoy and shook hands with Chris Pine, I burst into tears. That performance of his is so moving, so touching and so powerful as Doctor McCoy, that I think Dee Kelley would be smiling, and maybe in tears as well.

95 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:39:09pm

re: #94 Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi

Also a pitch-perfect Leonard McCoy in the new Star Trek franchise. According to Nimoy,

Of all the core, he nailed McCoy the most. The others were damn good, don’t get me wrong, but his performance of McCoy put me into the “Ok, it’s ok, I can relax now” mode for rest of that movie.

96 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:40:46pm

re: #95 William Barnett-Lewis

Of all the core, he nailed McCoy the most. The others were damn good, don’t get me wrong, but his performance of McCoy put me into the “Ok, it’s ok, I can relax now” mode for rest of that movie.

I still haven’t seen the new Trek film. I’ll get around to it at some point, I’m sure.

97 teleskiguy  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:41:16pm
98 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:47:25pm

re: #29 Justanotherhuman

BTW, if this is the way Jeff Bezos is going with the WAPO, he can kiss my old arse. Old news, but probably overlooked.

Washington Post Hires National Review Reporter Robert Costa

Read more: newsbusters.org

“Earlier today the Washington Post announced that it had hired National Review’s Washington Editor Robert Costa. This marks perhaps the first time in decades that a top-tier “mainstream” news outlet has hired away a reporter from a right-leaning publication.

“By contrast, left-leaning political magazines like the Nation, Mother Jones, or the New Republic have frequently been places where publications like the Post or the New York Times turn to for their reporter farm teams. Elite national media outlets have even taken somewhat frequently to hiring former Democratic political aides as their reporters as we’ve chronicled for years in our “Revolving Door” series.

“Costa’s achievement is thus all the more notable. Our congratulations to him in his new gig. And kudos to new Post owner Jeff Bezos for encouraging his staff to think outside the box like this.” (my emphasis)

Read more: newsbusters.org

Costa was very firm in his opposition to Ted Cruz and the “Defund Brigade” back in October. He’s actually a pretty good choice for the WaPo.

99 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 8:50:30pm

re: #42 bratwurst

Russia ≠ Ukraine…they are two different countries for a long time now.

And while we’re at it:

[Embedded content]

The thing is that Russia has major influence in the Ukraine. The president of Ukraine’s refusal to sign an economic treaty (which was the trigger event for the protest) was due to pressure from Putin.

100 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:09:25pm

Here’s why I find the 60 minutes promotion for Amazon a little suspicious.
Here’s That Amazon Delivery Drone That You Won’t Actually See For A Long Time

If Amazon.com AMZN +1.9% CEO Jeff Bezos has anything to say about it, the world’s largest online retailer will be flying your packages to your house by aerial drone in a few years, according to a well-orchestrated story Sunday night on 60 Minutes.
….
Still, the drone has already delivered something for Amazon: buzz, and right on the first weekend of the holiday shopping season. And as both skeptics and admirers note, the announcement may even give Amazon even more runway before its investors demand that it make some real profits. After all, what investor won’t want to wait to see if Bezos can get his latest dream off the ground?

Yes, there’s some news value to the possibility of drone delivery but the free promotion on a news program just looks like one business doing a favor for another business.

101 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:11:47pm

re: #100 Killgore Trout

KT: Snore … Hrmf? What’s happening? … Oh, no young women being tear gassed. Nothing important. Snore…

102 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:19:11pm

re: #101 William Barnett-Lewis

KT: Snore … Hrmf? What’s happening? … Oh, no young women being tear gassed. Nothing important. Snore…

Are you referring to that protest in Kiev that got clubbed down?

103 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:30:07pm

re: #102 Dark_Falcon

Are you referring to that protest in Kiev that got clubbed down?

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it’s snark.

A really big, wide limb.

104 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:30:17pm

re: #102 Dark_Falcon

Are you referring to that protest in Kiev that Just got clubbed down?

KT has several things he’s complaining about this night. The Kiev protests are one example of the kind he usually likes - people being whacked for saying anything the bosses dislike - but because they are the wrong kind of leftist he must complain. Similarly, he complains about the “drones” amazon wants to use.

The Dudebros are proud of him.

I’ll remember standing in front of my parish leading Matins this morning instead, DF. I’d argue that did much more good than this.

But I’ll bet that the falangists love him… :(

105 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:32:31pm

re: #29 Justanotherhuman

BTW, if this is the way Jeff Bezos is going with the WAPO, he can kiss my old arse. Old news, but probably overlooked.

Washington Post Hires National Review Reporter Robert Costa

What’s next, Santorum as a columnist on women’s issues? 9_9

As if we needed more proof that traditional media is nothing but steaming corporatist crap.

106 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:33:03pm

re: #105 Interesting Times

What’s next, Santorum as a columnist on women’s issues? 9_9

As if we needed more proof that traditional media is nothing but steaming corporatist crap.

Tell me again about the liberal media…

107 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:36:02pm

re: #105 Interesting Times

So the Post hires someone whose tweets many people here were posting with approval during the shutdown and that makes them ‘corporatist crap’? Is a major newspaper automatically faulted in your mind if it hires a conservative?

108 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:41:33pm

re: #107 Dark_Falcon

So the Post hires someone whose tweets we were all posting with approval during the shutdown and that makes them ‘corporatist crap’? Is a major newspaper automatically faulted in your mind if it hires a conservative?

Be careful with that “we” in these circumstances DF. I have never retweeted him or any other person other than Charles.

Never.

Anyone.

I doubt I would retweet even Charles now. It goes against my ever evolving sense of personal honor

109 piratedan  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:42:36pm

re: #107 Dark_Falcon

So the Post hires someone whose tweets we were all posting with approval during the shutdown and that makes them ‘corporatist crap’? Is a major newspaper automatically faulted in your mind if it hires a conservative?

considering the plethora of Conservative voices and their place/domination of the narrative within the media, do we really need another one?

110 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:43:27pm

re: #108 William Barnett-Lewis

Understood. Post edited. Please refresh and let me know if the edit addressed your concern.

111 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:45:54pm

re: #107 Dark_Falcon

So the Post hires someone whose tweets we were all posting with approval during the shutdown and that makes them ‘corporatist crap’? Is a major newspaper automatically faulted in your mind if it hires a conservative?

Well, to be fair, I think the implication was that the media in this case was already corporatist crap.

re: #105 Interesting Times

What’s next, Santorum as a columnist on women’s issues? 9_9

As if we needed more proof that traditional media is nothing but steaming corporatist crap.

I’ve highlighted the relevant part for you.

112 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:47:21pm

re: #109 piratedan

considering the plethora of Conservative voices and their place/domination of the narrative within the media, do we really need another one?

I don’t see how you say they dominate the narrative. The Washington Post has for the most part hired liberals, excepting of course the racist Richard Cohen (who pretends to be a liberal). Hiring mainstream conservative like Costa is a departure for them, and he is competent and sane.

This is not a negative development.

113 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:48:53pm

re: #110 Dark_Falcon

I have a sneaking suspicion we are talking past each other tonight, DF. I won’t push this one, I”ve too much whiskey on board and we’re talking past each other. Perhaps, the lord willing, we’ll come to a place we can both discuss this in a better manner.

114 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:50:20pm

re: #111 dr. klys

Well, to be fair, I think the implication was that the media in this case was already corporatist crap.

I’ve highlighted the relevant part for you.

Yeah, but what I take issue with is comparing Robert Costa to Rick Santorum with the implication that Costa is unfit for the role he is being hired for.

And I still do not understand how his hiring constitutes “more proof that traditional media is nothing but steaming corporatist crap”.

115 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:52:35pm

re: #113 William Barnett-Lewis

I have a sneaking suspicion we are talking past each other tonight, DF. I won’t push this one, I”ve too much whiskey on board and we’re talking past each other. Perhaps, the lord willing, we’ll come to a place we can both discuss this in a better manner.

I’ll leave the matter for now, but I would also politely note that you might wish to invoke the Iron Fist Rule if you are being affected by whiskey to that degree.

116 piratedan  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:53:21pm

re: #112 Dark_Falcon

I don’t see how you say they dominate the narrative. The Washington Post has for the most part hired liberals, excepting of course the racist Richard Cohen (who pretends to be a liberal). Hiring mainstream conservative like Costa is a departure for them, and he is competent and sane.

This is not a negative development.

Ok DF, feel free to name all of the liberal OpEd Columnists and tell me when the last time you saw any of them on a Sunday national news show. I’m willing to stand corrected…..

117 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:53:40pm

re: #100 Killgore Trout

Here’s why I find the 60 minutes promotion for Amazon a little suspicious.
Here’s That Amazon Delivery Drone That You Won’t Actually See For A Long Time

Yes, there’s some news value to the possibility of drone delivery but the free promotion on a news program just looks like one business doing a favor for another business.

There’s probably a market for the service in the future, indicated independently by the announced Kozmo.com relaunch. For what should be obvious reasons it will be limited to the same kinds of things Kozmo delivered between 1998 to 2001, ice cream, chips / candy, movies and video games: Drones can only carry so much weight. One problem is that delivery of things like games and movies has shifted heavily towards the internet, where it will always be cheaper, so Prime Air will probably end up being a munchy delivery service for well funded potheads, and I’m not sure how much of a market there is for that. Along that line, in Seattle since it’s legal now someone could probably make a go of delivering pot and pot brownies. Also, while I’m thinking about it “Drone Strike” would be a good name for a strain.

Prescriptions are light so Amazon could expand into an online pharmacy, but then the delivery end point security needs to be very tight, and Amazon will need to keep live pharmacists on staff for consultations.

The other problem is that the highest density and thus most profitable urban areas are going to be some of the more difficult places for drones to make deliveries to. Not all apartment dwellers have balconies, especially those in older buildings. Also not many buildings allow roof access for all residents out of insurance liability concerns. Then there’s the infrastructure obstacles, overhead power and dc mass transit lines. So this might have to roll out into the suburbs first.

118 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:53:48pm

A month out from Japan and my husband has already started watching the reservations on the shinkansen. God help us when the appropriate dates on the Cassiopeia come into view. New Year’s in Tokyo.

I’m hoping I can convince him that we should do the temple near Tokyo Tower for the balloon release at midnight, but I may not win that discussion.

And hot springs! Fooooooooooooood. God, the food from the department stores in Tokyo, give me a tonkatsu bento and I am happy. And curry. Ramen. We will do shio ramen in Hakodate and I will be happy. And he will have beer. We’re going to try to get by Misawa to see the air force base where my aunt was born and my grandfather was stationed at twice. And snow in Sapporo. God, I want snow. Snow snow snow. Maybe Aoni Onsen in the snow.

119 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:54:27pm

re: #114 Dark_Falcon

And I still do not understand how his hiring constitutes “more proof that traditional media is nothing but steaming corporatist crap”.

The national review is a racist rag that harasses and defames climate scientists. I don’t give a fruit fly’s microscopic poop if one of their writers is slightly less derpy than the others.

My larger point is that his hiring proves the corporatist media is simply out for more sensationalism, more false balance, and less truth.

120 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:54:35pm

re: #116 piratedan

I don’t watch Sunday news shows.

121 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:55:21pm

re: #119 Interesting Times

Totally unrelated, but how did NaNo go???

122 Kragar  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:55:48pm

re: #118 dr. klys

A month out from Japan and my husband has already started watching the reservations on the shinkansen. God help us when the appropriate dates on the Cassiopeia come into view. New Year’s in Tokyo.

I’m hoping I can convince him that we should do the temple near Tokyo Tower for the balloon release at midnight, but I may not win that discussion.

And hot springs! Fooooooooooooood. God, the food from the department stores in Tokyo, give me a tonkatsu bento and I am happy. And curry. Ramen. We will do shio ramen in Hakodate and I will be happy. And he will have beer. We’re going to try to get by Misawa to see the air force base where my aunt was born and my grandfather was stationed at twice. And snow in Sapporo. God, I want snow. Snow snow snow. Maybe Aoni Onsen in the snow.

I was stationed in Yokosuka for about 18 months, then spent 6 months down in Okinawa.

123 piratedan  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:56:38pm

re: #120 Dark_Falcon

The only two folks that I have ever seen on any news show on MSNBC are Dionne and Robinson, With Krauthammer, Cohen, Millbank and Will, I’d suggest that there are already plenty of Conservative viewpoints being expressed.

124 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:56:48pm

re: #121 dr. klys

Totally unrelated, but how did NaNo go???

I lost :( Couldn’t write enough to fill the 50k quota. But on the bright side, in addition to my novel, I have what might be a pretty cool short story idea now (about 40% written in human-readable form, the rest, my rough outlines and notes)

125 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:57:55pm

re: #112 Dark_Falcon

I don’t see how you say they dominate the narrative. The Washington Post has for the most part hired liberals, excepting of course the racist Richard Cohen (who pretends to be a liberal). Hiring mainstream conservative like Costa is a departure for them

Um, have you forgotten about hack extraordinaire jennifer rubin?

127 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:58:32pm

re: #126 Kragar

Tucker Carlson defends Logan on Benghazi: ‘Sometimes the best stories have flaky sources’

Great! He’ll be hired by WaPo any day now!

128 gwangung  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 9:59:16pm

re: #120 Dark_Falcon

I don’t watch Sunday news shows.

That’s a rather evasive answer and doesn’t deal with the substance of pirate dan’s argument.

I would at least think you’d try a bit harder.

129 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:00:02pm

re: #124 Interesting Times

I lost :( Couldn’t write enough to fill the 50k quota. But on the bright side, in addition to my novel, I have what might be a pretty short story idea now (about 40% written in human-readable form, the rest, my rough outlines and notes)

You made it further than I did, where I abandoned all hope pre-Nov. 1 after the class seriously started kicking my butt. :(

re: #122 Kragar

I was stationed in Yokosuka for about 18 months, then spent 6 months down in Okinawa.

The husband may have visited Yokosuka when he lived in Tokyo in the 90s. We both want to see Okinawa yet, but not this trip: we’re definitely going north.

130 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:00:13pm

re: #123 piratedan

The only two folks that I have ever seen on any news show on MSNBC are Dionne and Robinson, With Krauthammer, Cohen, Millbank and Will, I’d suggest that there are already plenty of Conservative viewpoints being expressed.

Well, there is also Paul Krugman. He’s on the Sunday shows on a semi-regular basis and he’s a liberal columnist.

131 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:00:26pm

re: #125 Interesting Times

Um, have you gotten about hack extraordinaire jennifer rubin?

Also George Will and Fuckface Krauthammer.

132 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:01:17pm

I’d also point out that Robert Costa is being hired as a reporter, NOT a columnist. He’s being hired for his contacts and skills, not for his political views.

133 Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:03:14pm

re: #112 Dark_Falcon

I don’t see how you say they dominate the narrative. The Washington Post has for the most part hired liberals, excepting of course the racist Richard Cohen (who pretends to be a liberal). Hiring mainstream conservative like Costa is a departure for them, and he is competent and sane.

This is not a negative development.

Excepting only Cohen? When did Krauthammer and Rubin stop writing for the Post?

ETA: And Will, since I’m already echoing everyone else here. Sigh.

134 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:03:37pm

re: #132 Dark_Falcon

I’d also point out that Robert Costa is being hired as a reporter.

Wonderful! More atrociously sourced, made-up bullshit, BENGHAZI!!!11! Boogaloo style!

Crap, too late in the east coast time zone for me to continue this. But I will subscribe for replies

135 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:05:08pm

re: #132 Dark_Falcon

I’d also point out that Robert Costa is being hired as a reporter, NOT a columnist. He’s being hired for his contacts and skills, not for his political views.

You know, to be fair, I think I’d be more comfortable if he was hired as a columnist. At least be honest about the bias.

We’re talking about someone who has been writing things with a very particular spin for a long while, who now is going to have to step back and be neutral about it. Most humans don’t do that well.

136 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:05:09pm

re: #134 Interesting Times

And what in that vein has Mr. Costa written?

137 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:06:03pm

re: #135 dr. klys

You know, to be fair, I think I’d be more comfortable if he was hired as a columnist. At least be honest about the bias.

We’re talking about someone who has been writing things with a very particular spin for a long while, who now is going to have to step back and be neutral about it. Most humans don’t do that well.

But he does deserve a chance to do so, does he not?

138 piratedan  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:06:21pm

re: #130 Dark_Falcon

Well, there is also Paul Krugman. He’s on the Sunday shows on a semi-regular basis and he’s a liberal columnist.

yeah, but when I link over to WaPo, he’s not listed on their roster (neither was Rubin, hence why I excluded her), doesn’t mean that they don’t print him or run his syndicated column when it suits them. What I am trying to indicate here DF is there there are a boatload of conservative voices in the MSM and very few liberal ones. As a case in point, we’re just as bad about not posting the good ideas being written on Liberal sites and blogs as we are being perpetually outraged about the latest daily transgression against common sense and general asshattery that appears from the Conservative side of the aisle. As a rule, about the only Conservative who has apparently not succumbed to embracing complete feudalism is Larison.

139 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:07:10pm

re: #135 dr. klys

We’re talking about someone who has been writing things with a very particular spin for a long while, who now is going to have to step back and be neutral about it. Most humans don’t do that well.

I predict he’ll do no such thing - just find ways to sneak his agenda into everything, using “I’m just asking questions” as cover. Or the fox news tricks, where he gathers up all the opinion garbage, and presents it as a classic some-people-say “report”

140 goddamnedfrank  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:07:16pm

There’s probably a middle ground to be reached here. Robert Costa offers insightful coverage of the state of play within the conservative legislative caucus AND he’s a flaccid, wrinkly penis.

141 Ed E. Lishus  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:07:38pm

re: #137 Dark_Falcon

But he does deserve a chance to do so, does he not?

Why him in particular?

142 Interesting Times  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:07:51pm

re: #140 goddamnedfrank

There’s probably a middle ground to be reached here. Robert Costa offers insightful coverage of the state of play within the conservative legislative caucus AND he’s a flaccid, wrinkly penis.

And on that note, I really am out :D Good night all.

143 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:07:55pm

re: #122 Kragar

I was stationed in Yokosuka for about 18 months, then spent 6 months down in Okinawa.

What my husband took away from visiting Yokosuka: the commissary was apparently amazing, if you were a gaijin living in Tokyo, full of all the brands of American food you cannot find in Japan.

144 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:09:49pm

re: #141 Ed E. Lishus

Why him in particular?

Because he’s a politically and morally sane human being who is competent for the job he is taking.

145 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:13:03pm

re: #137 Dark_Falcon

But he does deserve a chance to do so, does he not?

Sure, he deserves a chance to do so. I’m not sure the Washington Post is the right place to give him that chance.

If the desired output is neutral journalism, someone coming from either side and used to writing for that side is going to need editing. Probably a lot of it. Again, these are different skills, different parts of the brain, a different style of writing. One does not translate into the other. It takes work to recognize our own bias and even more work to edit that out. That’s where an editor helps a lot.

Let’s just say the editors at the Washington Post have not inspired me to think that they’re up to the challenge in the past few months.

146 piratedan  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:14:30pm

re: #145 dr. klys

Sure, he deserves a chance to do so. I’m not sure the Washington Post is the right place to give him that chance.

If the desired output is neutral journalism, someone coming from either side and used to writing for that side is going to need editing. Probably a lot of it. Again, these are different skills, different parts of the brain, a different style of writing. One does not translate into the other. It takes work to recognize our own bias and even more work to edit that out. That’s where an editor helps a lot.

Let’s just say the editors at the Washington Post have not inspired me to think that they’re up to the challenge in the past few months.

hey, it’s not like the folks editing Rubin and Cohen are doing anything, I’m sure everything will be just fine… /////

147 Lidane  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:15:18pm

Oy. Two fundie RW friends of mine are having the “What good has ever come from atheism?” conversation with each other on FB.

I’m tired of the false choice that you’re either a good person who dutifully believes in a God or you’re a horrible, evil atheist. It’s annoying and insulting. It really IS possible to live an ethical life without needing a mythical sky father to keep you in line. I figured that out decades ago.

Ugh. That just irritates me.

148 gwangung  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:17:40pm

re: #132 Dark_Falcon

I’d also point out that Robert Costa is being hired as a reporter, NOT a columnist. He’s being hired for his contacts and skills, not for his political views.

Is there equivalents of Costa on the liberal side who who quote and report as well as he does? (This is a serious question, as it goes deeper to compare).

149 sagehen  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:18:09pm

re: #117 goddamnedfrank

Along that line, in Seattle since it’s legal now someone could probably make a go of delivering pot and pot brownies. Also, while I’m thinking about it “Drone Strike” would be a good name for a strain.

There’s been such a service in NYC (probably many of them, I only dealt with one) for decades.

Delivery guy rides a bike, has a fanny pack full of 1/8 and 1/4 oz bags, in the days before cell phones (or even beepers) became so common he’d have to call the office from each stop to ask where he’s going next….

Surprisingly competitive pricing, too — about the same price as the corner boys, better quality, and you don’t have to go out into the cold in the middle of the winter.

150 klys  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:18:11pm

re: #147 Lidane

Oy. Two fundie RW friends of mine are having the “What good has ever come from atheism?” conversation with each other on FB.

I’m tired of the false choice that you’re either a good person who dutifully believes in a God or you’re a horrible, evil atheist. It’s annoying and insulting. It really IS possible to live an ethical life without needing a mythical sky father to keep you in line. I figured that out decades ago.

Ugh. That just irritates me.

HEATHEN.

There’s a reason I only keep up with roughly 20 people on Facebook - the ones I can rely on not to post political shit (to which I return the favor). I’d much rather read about my vet friend’s caselist at work.

151 Ed E. Lishus  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:18:42pm

re: #144 Dark_Falcon

This hiring strikes me as rather “conventional,” sort of in the vain of NBC promoting Chuck Todd after the ‘08 elections. Which is fine I suppose, but I would hope for a little more from the supposed “Paper of Record.”

152 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:23:51pm

re: #148 gwangung

Is there equivalents of Costa on the liberal side who who quote and report as well as he does? (This is a serious question, as it goes deeper to compare).

I’m sure there are, but I read National Review and not The Nation.

153 Amory Blaine  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:26:40pm

Hmm Cyber Monday is starting off kind of boring.

154 gwangung  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:30:03pm

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

I’m sure there are, but I read >National Review and not >The Nation.

Might this suggest that you’re not well equipped to evaluate non-conservatives? Particularly when it comes to the original question, where it was suggested that Costa’s expertise may not be as valuable as you think?

155 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:33:42pm

re: #154 gwangung

No, it wouldn’t. It’s after midnight and I’m not going to look at the reporting of a whole bunch of people and then do a comparison. Good reporters can be both liberal and conservative. That was my point. It seemed to me that Robert Costa was being treated as if his name was “Generic Wingnut”.

156 Ed E. Lishus  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:39:30pm

Yeah, so here’s a blurb from a memo WaPo sent to its staff on the Costa hiring:

New York magazine, which called Bob the “golden boy of the government shutdown,” wrote this about him last month: “[H]is reporting from behind the closed doors of Republicans in Congress held up as indispensable, a shining beacon of the form in which a man tirelessly asks questions and prints answers without fluff or bluster.” In other words, our kind of guy.

Golly, a “shining beacon” even. Seriously this has “beltway insider” written all over it.

157 piratedan  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:49:11pm

re: #155 Dark_Falcon

No, it wouldn’t. It’s after midnight and I’m not going to look at the reporting of a whole bunch of people and then do a comparison. Good reporters can be both liberal and conservative. >That was my point. It seemed to me that Robert Costa was being treated as if his name was “Generic Wingnut”.

and that’s totally unfair of us, you’re right DF. He’s sounds like another Dave Weigel, probably with better framing as far as you’re concerned. Excuse the rest of us if we feel that we don’t need to be privy to which clique of the Republican Mickey Mouse chorus that currently walk among the halls of Congress is ready to impeach Obama or diss the ACA without merit, lacking the legislative nuance we all crave. I’d be just as happy if someone was hired who would be willing to call out the daily hypocrisy that encompasses the GOP on a daily basis, but thankfully we have Charlie Pierce for that.

158 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 10:51:55pm

Good Night, All.

159 freetoken  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 11:31:59pm

Google doodle celebrates Maria Callas 90th birthday… and so shall we, with her singing the prettiest song in the book:

MP3 Audio

160 freetoken  Sun, Dec 1, 2013 11:34:31pm

If that link breaks for you try this one:

MP3 Audio

161 Sol Berdinowitz  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 3:15:16am

re: #43 Lidane

Yeah, that whole “collapse of the Soviet Union” thing seems to elude a lot of people.

Although there is a large ethnic Russian minority there that makes things even more confusing.

162 Dr Lizardo  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 3:39:17am

re: #92 Lidane

He was also Caesar on Xena.

Funny thing about that— I used to watch Hercules and Xena back in the day because they were cheesy, goofy fun. It was only after the LOTR films that I realized he was the same actor. Heh.

Heh. Many, many years ago, when I saw “Star Trek III”, it took me a while to realize that the Klingon Commander Kruge was being played by Rev. Jim Ignatowski from “Taxi”.

I kept thinking, “That voice is so familiar……” Then it hit me: Christopher Lloyd.

John Larroquette of “Night Court” was also in that film as a Klingon as well.

163 Romantic Heretic  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 4:21:57am

re: #43 Lidane

Yeah, that whole “collapse of the Soviet Union” thing seems to elude a lot of people.

How are you going to know what to do if you don’t have an enemy? semi/

164 Backwoods_Sleuth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 4:51:25am
165 GlutenFreeJesus  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 5:14:28am

What, the curtains?

166 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 5:18:44am

Opposition Protestors in Ukraine Erect Tent City in Kiev Overnight

Predicted Killgore Trout Reaction: OH NOES!!1 A tent city means the protestors are hippies!!11 If they aren’t run off their gonna start with TEH RAPEY-STABBY!!!11 PUTIN HAS TO MAKE YANUKOVYCH DROP PEPPER SPRAY BOMBZ ON TEH TENTZ OR KIEV IZ DOOOOMED!!!111

167 Justanotherhuman  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 5:23:24am

Actually, I can see why this guy is getting a divorce. This was really a douche move in a crowded mall with a performance going on and all for his own ego gratification. No one in that mall needed a dollar here, a dollar there. Donating it to a charity, like a food bank, would not have garnered this attention. He’s just one more nobody trying to use bad behavior to fame-whore himself into the spotlight.

Man throws $1,000 in dollar bills from top floor of mall to ‘pay it forward,’ gets cited for disorderly conduct

freakoutnation.com

“He said in an explanation via YouTube, “I had a really tough year. My story is that I just threw out my last thousands dollars. I don’t have enough money for a lot of things and I’m going through a horrible divorce. She even took the cat and won’t tell me where it is.”
Vorbyov continued, “I thought I’d just spread some holiday cheer, be positive, and kind of like pay it forward and make it snow money. I thought it’d be fun.”

(snip)

“Vorobyov stamped each of the bills with his YouTube address and on his Facebook page he said the event a publicity stunt. When asked why he wanted the publicity, he said he wanted his cat back from his estranged wife.

“Mall of America spokeswoman Sarah Schmidt said it’s the first time anyone has ever done something like that in the mall. She said Vorobyov disrupted the performance and could have caused a serious situation, but he was released when it was confirmed there were no injuries.”

Jesushchrist, a lot of people are having a “tough” year, but they don’t draw attention to themselves by this kind of stunt. I’ll bet he’s lying that it’s his last thou, too.

It’s the cat’s fault, of course. : )

168 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 5:30:45am

re: #167 Justanotherhuman

He’s just acting randomly because he has been deprived of the direction and order previously imposed upon him by his Feline Overlord.

169 Justanotherhuman  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 5:34:15am

re: #168 Dark_Falcon

He’s just acting randomly because he has been deprived of the direction and order previously imposed upon him by his Feline Overlord.

The cat was probably glad to see the back of him.

170 Stoatly  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 5:45:06am

re: #49 Political Atheist

Gotta think it wont be too long before we see manned quad copters. Great design.

These guys aren’t far off
Octadecacopter?

I admit to knowing next to nothing about aerodynamics - but I’m surprised lots of little rotors can match or surpass one big one for efficiency and noise
(remembering the far-off days of building computer towers - one big fan always being quieter than lots of little ‘uns)

171 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:02:33am
172 Political Atheist  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:09:58am

re: #170 Stoatly

Paged that a few days ago. Looks very doable.

173 Justanotherhuman  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:16:23am

Skull find shows women were sacrificed in ancient China

google.com

Beijing — Archaeologists in China have unearthed the skulls of more than 80 young women who may have been sacrificed more than 4,000 years ago, state media reported Monday.

“The skulls were found in what appears to have been a mass grave at the Shimao Ruins, the site of a neolithic stone city in the northern province of Shaanxi.

“The women’s bodies were not present, the official news agency Xinhua said, adding that archaeologists concluded that the skulls were “likely to be related to the construction of the city wall” in “ancient religious activities or foundation ceremonies” before construction began.”

Not so much different than the sacrificing of women in modern society for the various projects and successes of men. We’re just not as directly brutal about it.

174 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:27:06am

re: #173 Justanotherhuman

No, its different. directly murdering someone like that is a major escalation from misogyny,

175 makeitstop  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:28:42am

‘Morning, Lizards,

For some reason, this screed telling about people who mocked God and died horrible, grisly deaths as a result showed up a few times on Facebook yesterday with thousands of comments, most of which consisted of ‘Amen.’

All I could think was these people see their God as a vindictive, punishing deity who will kill you if you talk shit about him. And they seem to be okay with that. Pretty depressing.

176 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:28:45am

Alright Back to the Future, it’s nearly 2014. Where’s those flying cars you promised? Seriously, there has got to be a cheaper and faster method of seeing my relatives besides a 12 hr car trip. Yegods.

177 Dr. Matt  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:31:34am

re: #176 Targetpractice

Alright Back to the Future, it’s nearly 2014. Where’s those flying cars you promised?

It’s Obama’s fault we don’t have them. His Marxist, Socialist, Commie, Big Gov policies are forcing the flying car industry to fail.

178 Political Atheist  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:31:38am

re: #176 Targetpractice

Alright Back to the Future, it’s nearly 2014. Where’s those flying cars you promised? Seriously, there has got to be a cheaper and faster method of seeing my relatives besides a 12 hr car trip. Yegods.

Skype.

179 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:33:10am

re: #178 Political Atheist

Skype.

I thought about that, then remembered I like my grandmother’s cooking too much to just give her a video call on Thanksgiving.

181 Backwoods_Sleuth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:37:30am

Sometimes a tree is just a tree..

182 Political Atheist  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:38:47am

re: #181 Backwoods_Sleuth

Palm Springs?

183 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:40:13am
184 lawhawk  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:41:19am

Greets and saluts from the Blackest of Black Mondays. An extended weekend can do that. Cyber Monday sales are going strong (or hoping that people spend big).

That wasn’t what caught my eye scanning morning news reports.

The unrest in Thailand is troubling - a soft coup appears underway against the regime there, which started after the current government sought to provide amnesty for a prior leader. Class warfare is playing a role there.

Then, there’s the violence in the Ukraine after the government there essentially scuttled a deal to work closer with the EU after Russian pressure. That didn’t sit well with many Ukranians, so there’s calls for a revolution/uprising against the regime there.

I found this photo essay pretty interesting as a glimpse into the way Saudi women live. Those interviewed don’t think that their lives are repressed, though this particular cross section appears to be better connected and more affluent so as to avoid the strictures that prohibit driving or other public acts. In particular, this passage is troubling:

Although Arthur certainly experienced the restrictive side of Saudi life—where women aren’t allowed to drive and must seek permission from a male guardian to do the most basic things, like attend school or travel—she said she also experienced pockets of a more liberal lifestyle, one in which girlfriends and boyfriends existed and women went to parties in compounds or private beach houses. In fact, Arthur said, many of her students didn’t see their lives as negative or oppressed. “They were often very defensive, saying, ‘We have our freedoms. We do what we like.’ They were almost entirely from middle to upper-middle class families. They mostly didn’t have to worry about money or work at all,” she said.

Arthur’s students often surprised her. After Arthur’s repeated encouragement, one of her least experienced students went to take pictures of Indian workers. One day, the police picked her up, and her father had to come to get her. “I was amazed when the next day she went back because there was a particular picture she wanted,” Arthur said. “They do lead very sheltered lives, but some of the women are quite tough despite it.”

185 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:42:51am

re: #183 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Yeah, but the critics have already set an impossible goal, namely 0% failure rate, and so will declare any improvements to be “insufficient.”

186 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:42:59am

re: #176 Targetpractice

Alright Back to the Future, it’s nearly 2014. Where’s those flying cars you promised? Seriously, there has got to be a cheaper and faster method of seeing my relatives besides a 12 hr car trip. Yegods.

8 1/2 - 9 hours for us. Really only a 7 1/2 hour drive, but once I-5 turns into a vehicular accordion, the only choice is to zoom and brake, zoom and brake, zoom and brake…for hours. I hate that kind of driving…just fucks with my head.

187 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:44:56am

re: #186 darthstar

8 1/2 - 9 hours for us. Really only a 7 1/2 hour drive, but once I-5 turns into a vehicular accordion, the only choice is to zoom and brake, zoom and brake, zoom and brake…for hours. I hate that kind of driving…just fucks with my head.

It was I-81 for us that was an absolute nightmare. Think we lost close to an hour with stop-and-go traffic. Note to self, next time I travel back, start the return trip either on Saturday or Monday.

188 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:49:48am
189 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 6:52:26am

re: #187 Targetpractice

We left at 4:30am Wednesday morning - made it to Palm Springs by 1pm - even taking mostly two lane highways around the LA basin. Coming back, we stayed on the major interstate - that made it take as long as the small road route we took going down.

I’d rather drive an extra hour where I was moving than sit idle by the Harris Ranch Cattle Death Camps.

190 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:05:07am

Went out and got my tree the old fashioned way yesterday…I bought it.

Image: 1457521_10152066815713024_1226143747_n.jpg

Wife puts down a beach mat to protect roof from the tree…roof just so happens to be covered with sand as I’d just taken the surfboards off after our afternoon ride with friends and hadn’t hosed the car down yet.

By the way…my hanging geraniums are doing quite well though this pic doesn’t do them justice.

191 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:06:07am

re: #187 Targetpractice

It was I-81 for us that was an absolute nightmare. Think we lost close to an hour with stop-and-go traffic. Note to self, next time I travel back, start the return trip either on Saturday or Monday.

6 hours for me yesterday. Traffic started getting thick around the I-80/PA Turnpike intersection. Heavy backup on I-76 going into Philly, but that was mainly due to an accident.

Very glad I opted to do the drive north last Monday. I dodged the Tuesday weather that would have made the 2-3 construction zones I drove through nightmares.

192 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:06:30am
193 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:07:10am

Good morning Lizards! Cloudy, 40F, and overcast in Philly.

The cats are prepping for the next holiday already.

Christmas Time

194 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:07:35am
195 Bulworth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:11:01am

So, what is the MSM upset with Obama for this week today?

196 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:11:22am

This will get the GOP conspiracy theorists all wee-wee’d up.

197 Bulworth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:12:26am

re: #192 darthstar

That pic of the Nuge is a libtard false flag as are all those songs and nasty lyrics about wang dang sweet pootang. //

198 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:13:34am

re: #197 Bulworth

That pic of the Nuge is a libtard false flag as are all those songs and nasty lyrics about wang dang sweet pootang. //

He just has a Stranglehold on the wingnuts.

199 Bulworth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:14:51am

re: #188 darthstar

This is a false flag, too. //

Moonie Times has an above the fold headline something like “Obamacare website fixed but image of failure persists”. OK, whatevs, man.

200 Justanotherhuman  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:16:03am

re: #190 darthstar

Went out and got my tree the old fashioned way yesterday…I bought it.

Image: 1457521_10152066815713024_1226143747_n.jpg

Wife puts down a beach mat to protect roof from the tree…roof just so happens to be covered with sand as I’d just taken the surfboards off after our afternoon ride with friends and hadn’t hosed the car down yet.

By the way…my hanging geraniums are doing quite well though this pic doesn’t do them justice.

Hope you put it in front of that nice picture window. : )

We’re looking at a fake tree with a one-time investment, even though I like real trees, buying one that’s already sat out for a couple of weeks already seems too much like a fire hazard. Might get some real garlands, though, just for the fresh greenery.

201 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:17:37am

re: #199 Bulworth

This is a false flag, too. //

Moonie Times has an above the fold headline something like “Obamacare website fixed but image of failure persists”. OK, whatevs, man.

They were really hoping that the artificial deadline set would come and the site would still be a mess, so they might have something to take into the coming budget/deficit ceiling showdown. “Yeah, we’re threatening another shutdown, but this time for good reason!!!”

202 Decatur Deb  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:18:19am

re: #194 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Love the donkey—that’s some serious inking.

203 Backwoods_Sleuth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:20:16am
204 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:21:29am

Nukes aside, Iran is working to extend its military reach:

Iran launches new submarine class

Iran has launched a new class of submarine that has never been seen before, satellite imagery obtained by IHS Jane’s reveals.

One of the boats can clearly be seen in the water at the Bostanu shipyard on the Strait of Hormuz in Astrium imagery taken on 27 October. It measures 40.5 m long and 4 m wide at the waterline.

A second can be seen under construction at the Bandar Anzali Naval Base on the Caspian Sea on 17 September. It is partially shrouded by scaffolding, but is approximately 48 m long and 6 m wide.

Senior Iranian officials have previously said that it is building a new class of 500 tonne submarines called the Fateh, although the timeline appears to have slipped repeatedly. In April, Deputy Defence Minister for Industrial and Research Affairs Mohammad Eslami said: “The first Iranian 500 tonne submarine will be unveiled by 31 Mordad [22 August 2013].”

Iran may now be planning to unveil the new submarines during its Navy Day, which is held on 28 November to mark a naval victory over Iraq in 1980.

I’m going to look and see if Iran showed off its new sub.

205 Backwoods_Sleuth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:22:53am

Scott High on lockdown on reports of suspect with gun in school
Read more at toledoblade.com

206 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:25:58am
207 Lancelot Link  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:26:01am

re: #176 Targetpractice

Alright Back to the Future, it’s nearly 2014. Where’s those flying cars you promised?

Here you go; one of the 5 original Aerocars, and at the bargain price of just 2.2 million dollars!

aerocarforsale.com

208 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:27:43am

re: #204 Dark_Falcon

Nukes aside, Iran is working to extend its military reach:

Iran launches new submarine class

I’m going to look and see if Iran showed off its new sub.

We should take away their apricots too, so they can’t make cyanide.
/facepalm at the fear of a functioning Iran.

209 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:30:08am

re: #206 darthstar

[Embedded content]

100,000 sign-ups in a month when every news report was “Millions turning away from Healthcare.Gov! How will Obama survive?!” I’d say whatever problems the media still sees in the site exist solely in their heads.

210 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:30:22am

re: #208 darthstar

We should take away their apricots too, so they can’t make cyanide.
/facepalm at the fear of a functioning Iran.

Why do you think I’m afraid?

211 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:36:33am

*sniff* What’s that smell? Oh right, desperation:

Erick Erickson On Obamacare: ‘We Must Deny Them The Opportunity To Fix The Law Itself’

212 lawhawk  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:36:41am

re: #209 Targetpractice

If the site’s functioning and people can now get plan information without requiring registration, that will do a whole lot to reduce the frustration with the site.

The next step is whether they’ve resolved the application process problems, along with the transmittal of data to insurers (834 reports). Finally, there’s the back end processing portion of the site - that portion of the puzzle that gets payments to insurers and deals with the subsidies.

Having easy access to the information is key and critical to the ACA’s long term success. I’d say that the revamp does just that, and undermines the GOP’s continued opposition. We’ll see how the application numbers pick up and how many more people are now covered.

213 Eventual Carrion  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:37:44am

re: #205 Backwoods_Sleuth

Scott High on lockdown on reports of suspect with gun in school
Read more at toledoblade.com

Here in PA today there are many school kids carrying guns. No school because of first day of deer season. Hope things are ok at that school.

214 lawhawk  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:38:41am
215 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:40:07am

re: #212 lawhawk

If the site’s functioning and people can now get plan information without requiring registration, that will do a whole lot to reduce the frustration with the site.

The next step is whether they’ve resolved the application process problems, along with the transmittal of data to insurers (834 reports). Finally, there’s the back end processing portion of the site - that portion of the puzzle that gets payments to insurers and deals with the subsidies.

Having easy access to the information is key and critical to the ACA’s long term success. I’d say that the revamp does just that, and undermines the GOP’s continued opposition. We’ll see how the application numbers pick up and how many more people are now covered.

The back-end bits, the real workings behind the scenes, will still take time to get properly fixed. But if the majority of people who go onto the site can view policies and apply with few or no problems, then the GOP’s criticisms start to fall flat. If anything, another shutdown fight would simply draw people’s attention to the site, further undermining their campaign against the law.

216 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:40:24am

re: #212 lawhawk

If the site’s functioning and people can now get plan information without requiring registration, that will do a whole lot to reduce the frustration with the site.

The next step is whether they’ve resolved the application process problems, along with the transmittal of data to insurers (834 reports). Finally, there’s the back end processing portion of the site - that portion of the puzzle that gets payments to insurers and deals with the subsidies.

Having easy access to the information is key and critical to the ACA’s long term success. I’d say that the revamp does just that, and undermines the GOP’s continued opposition. We’ll see how the application numbers pick up and how many more people are now covered.

I do begin to wonder whether the GOP sabotage and repeal efforts might eventually trigger a major backfire. At the public level it might be viewed as something that works and it is obvious that the GOP has done nothing productive to help the law help the citizenry. At the business level the insurance industry might start seeing the GOP work as counterproductive to their profit making since the GOP efforts are complicating their work, and the obvious next step is for the GOP to start throwing up roadblocks by adding “extras” to the ACA at the state and national level to make applying and using the law more bureaucratic and annoying.

217 lawhawk  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:49:21am
218 Justanotherhuman  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:50:24am

Taking advantage of the homeless—for money from the City and mega-profits.

Why Run a Slum If You Can Make More Money Housing the Homeless?
One notorious real-estate family has converted its run-down buildings into for-profit shelters, paid for by the city. The going rent per cubicle: $3,600 a month.

nymag.com

In a just society, these leeching Podolskys would be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law for fraud.

219 lawhawk  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:50:34am

re: #216 Feline Fearless Leader

People will forget that stuff, and it will fade into the background. Watch the GOP pivot from straight obstructionism to claiming that their efforts helped improve the exchange site faster than it would have otherwise done had Democrats had their way.

It will be pretzel logic at its crunchiest.

220 lawhawk  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:51:20am

BWHAHAHA

Put in more legal terms - the rule of 4 meant that not even the socon wing of the Court (Robert, Alito, Thomas, and Scalia) could agree that this merited a review.

The Court will still hear the Hobby Lobby case, but this does put a damper on the GOP assault on the ACA by any means necessary. Fact is that the GOP has pushed extremist legal arguments to get as far as they have, and trying to claim that a company has religious freedom rights under the 1st is a right that simply doesn’t exist anywhere - even among those who argued that corporations are people (a legal fiction).

221 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:57:01am

The GOP’s worst nightmare is slowly dawning, but won’t really get kicked into overdrive until next February, when millions go to work and find that their employer health benefits didn’t disappear, the economy didn’t collapse, and all the provisions of the law like wellness check-ups really begin to kick in.

222 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 7:59:11am

Well, I did find photos of what Iran showed off last week, and you can see them here and here.

They also claim to have put a new phased array radar into service. I take that with a teaspoon of salt, but if its functional it would still be a capability upgrade.


We’re still a lot better than Iran, but that amphibious warfare stuff Iran showed is likely to scare the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia. They worry quite a bit about Iran trying to annex Shia-majority parts of Arabia.

223 Sol Berdinowitz  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:01:14am

re: #222 Dark_Falcon

Well, I did find photos of what Iran showed off last week, and you can see them here and here.


We’re still a lot better than Iran, but that amphibious warfare stuff Iran showed is likely to scare the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia. They worry quite a bit about Iran trying to annex Shia-majority parts of Arabia.

It would be disturbing to see a feudal monarchy falling to an elected democracy…

224 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:03:03am

re: #220 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

BWHAHAHA

Put in more legal terms - the rule of 4 meant that not even the socon wing of the Court (Robert, Alito, Thomas, and Scalia) could agree that this merited a review.

The Court will still hear the Hobby Lobby case, but this does put a damper on the GOP assault on the ACA by any means necessary. Fact is that the GOP has pushed extremist legal arguments to get as far as they have, and trying to claim that a company has religious freedom rights under the 1st is a right that simply doesn’t exist anywhere - even among those who argued that corporations are people (a legal fiction).

That isn’t a surprise, though, since SCOTUS already ruled on the individual mandate last year, and the employer mandate uses the same tax penalty structure. The issue was already decided and you wouldn’t expect the Supreme Court to revisit it so soon.

225 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:04:57am

re: #219 lawhawk

People will forget that stuff, and it will fade into the background. Watch the GOP pivot from straight obstructionism to claiming that their efforts helped improve the exchange site faster than it would have otherwise done had Democrats had their way.

It will be pretzel logic at its crunchiest.

Probably. Given how the Twitterverse appears to not understand parties switching policy views in their constant search to find votes and influence. I’m surprised PPoZ doesn’t have that CRA vote breakdown and other data loaded in a short-cut accessible memory cache yet.

Since I have a running meme of referring to politics as a version of Calvinball I just refer to the mid-60s political scene as someone touching the opposite pole around 1965 or so.

(And, to an extent, the same sort of thing happened in the late 1850s. The Democratic Party split along state lines and the Whig Party disintegrated as the regional issues took precedence. Party loyalty held sway for a while, which is what allowed the GOP to coalesce as a union of relatively disparate groups and then start gaining notice as the obvious opposition party to the Democrats. And 1860 pretty much broke down as a regional election where the full-bore Democratic split left a plurality for the Republicans. And things snowballed from there as the radicals pushed things over the edge* in the South and made the following unpleasantness inevitable.)

* - I hold the firing on Fort Sumter one of those political/military events where the triggering event of the war was a war-losing action unto itself. The Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese was another.

226 Backwoods_Sleuth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:08:42am
227 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:09:24am

re: #223 Sol Berdinowitz

It would be disturbing to see a feudal monarchy falling to an elected democracy…

Iran isn’t an elected democracy. What Iran is, though, is a country whose military takes training and proper force balance seriously. Their naval personnel are generally better than those of the gulf states, and their ships’ crews definitely have more training in operating as part of a cohesive task group.

I do not fear Iran’s navy, but I do take it seriously. Their force is still relatively small, and their tech is nowhere near as good as ours, but what they have is staffed by well-trained sailors led by good-quality officers.

228 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:11:47am

re: #226 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

He was calling for domestic arms production, to ensure the USA would not have to depend on foreign suppliers. He was also calling for a sound plan for national defense.

Both of those points match Washington’s other historical words, deeds, and attitudes,

229 Sol Berdinowitz  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:12:08am

re: #227 Dark_Falcon

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is a feudal monarchy whose leaders stay in power by bribing its people with a share of its oil revenues. If they dry up or are disrupted, the people”s true feeling about their ruling family will start to come out.

230 Bulworth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:12:55am

re: #211 Targetpractice

“Conservatives need to keep their focus on the law overall. The website is a reflection of a terrible law. The law is causing millions to lose insurance, millions more to pay more for insurance, and the best the Democrats can do is claim it’d work well if the GOP didn’t think nasty thoughts about it,” Erickson wrote

Is something preventing Erick son of Erick from seeing the many more millions who will end up with insurance for the first time, millions who will pay less for insurance now, and the millions who will get better insurance because of the ACA?

231 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:14:46am

re: #230 Bulworth

Is something preventing Erick son of Erick from seeing the many more millions who will end up with insurance for the first time, millions who will pay less for insurance now, and the millions who will get better insurance because of the ACA?

Fanatical devotion to an outdated ideology.

232 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:18:31am

re: #229 Sol Berdinowitz

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is a feudal monarchy whose leaders stay in power by bribing its people with a share of its oil revenues. If they dry up or are disrupted, the people”s true feeling about their ruling family will start to come out.

I know, and the danger for the Saudis is that Iran is likely to have sufficient means to cause that disruption within the next decade, nuke or no nukes.

233 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:19:12am

re: #230 Bulworth

Is something preventing Erick son of Erick from seeing the many more millions who will end up with insurance for the first time, millions who will pay less for insurance now, and the millions who will get better insurance because of the ACA?

Idealogical blinders. Self-inflicted.

234 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:19:44am

re: #231 Targetpractice

Fanatical devotion to an outdated ideology.

He is still waiting to get his snazzy uniform.
//

235 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:20:43am

It’s morning.

236 Sol Berdinowitz  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:23:00am

re: #232 Dark_Falcon

I know, and the danger for the Saudis is that Iran is likely to have sufficient means to cause that disruption within the next decade, nuke or no nukes.

And we will be in the position of having to defend a regressive, Wahabite monarchy in order to protect our economic interests…

237 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:23:38am

re: #234 Feline Fearless Leader

He is still waiting to get his snazzy uniform.
//

For at least another 30 odd minutes here on the East Coast. How are ya?

238 b_sharp  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:24:23am

I once taught a frog to jump at the sound of my voice.
I cut one of its legs off and found it didn’t jump as well.
I cut the other leg off and found it didn’t jump at all.
I concluded a frog hears with its legs.

239 Backwoods_Sleuth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:26:26am

A 14-year-old who authorities said had a pellet gun inside Scott High School has been taken into custody without anyone being injured.

Lt. Mark King, a spokesman for Toledo police, said teachers did what they were supposed to do inside the school early today. The teenager, who had the weapon outside of a bag, was eventually isolated and brought to a first-floor hallway.
Read more at toledoblade.com

240 GunstarGreen  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:26:36am

re: #230 Bulworth

Is something preventing Erick son of Erick from seeing the many more millions who will end up with insurance for the first time, millions who will pay less for insurance now, and the millions who will get better insurance because of the ACA?

“Fuck You I Got Mine” syndrome.

Had thanksgiving with my father, his wife, my aunt and uncle (his siblings). Despite best efforts to the contrary, he still managed to bring up the ACA, cracking a joke about the website problems.

Big mistake to make when your son, the one that programs for a living, is at the table and everyone knows that he knows more about that subject than you do.

By the end of it, after he’d heard about the current insurance woes of his first wife (my mother) and his brother and sister, and how those didn’t really match up to his Privileged Southern White Male understanding of the world, he didn’t really have anything to respond with.

241 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:27:23am

re: #236 Sol Berdinowitz

And we will be in the position of having to defend a regressive, Wahabite monarchy in order to protect our economic interests…

Well, there is the matter of an attack on an ally, which will give us a fig leaf, but you’re right.

242 Backwoods_Sleuth  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:30:12am
243 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:33:23am
So it’s ridiculous for anyone to believe that a minimum wage of $10 per hour would suddenly leave millions unable to find work.

But comments like this show perfectly just how ignorant many Republicans are when it comes to living in poverty. Their two sides to this ridiculous defense against our minimum wage perpetuate the need to keep tens of millions of people in poverty so they can “climb that economic ladder,” while also insinuating this absurd notion that $10 per hour is some “highly-skilled” wage.

One thing I can say with a fair amount of certainty: Any ideas or dogma regarding economcs is a Theory.

244 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:34:30am

True or False?

245 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:34:33am

re: #237 Targetpractice

For at least another 30 odd minutes here on the East Coast. How are ya?

A little bit tired. Had a good week off and used the time to visit my brother up in western NY. Got 6” of snow Tuesday night and thus got a “White Thanksgiving”. Pretty quiet time since we were not hosting a dinner and had invites to two dinners for Thursday. We took a “wandering soul”* with us to the dinners and then to a bar to watch the late football game. Rest of the week was spent playing cards, home cooking, and helping sort through my sister-in-law’s possessions for donation or otherwise disposing of. Place was quiet since my niece did Thanksgiving with friends from school rather than traveling for the limited holiday. So it was just my brother and myself in the house.

Then six hour drive back yesterday. Cold and gray out as well, which is simply a little bit depressing.

* - The “wandering soul” was a geology grad my brother knew who was working in Ithaca and didn’t have time/ability to visit family in Long Island. So we was invited to come up and go to dinners with us since it was a much shorter drive.

246 nines09  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:35:10am

re: #28 Amory Blaine

But can they deliver 55 gallon drums of lube in an emergency?

Read the reviews!

247 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:38:32am

Things are topsy-turvy

I can’t get past the godwin. but that is just me.

249 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:42:48am

Chris Christie and Pope Francis Have the GOP on the Verge of Total Collapse

if only

250 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:43:53am

re: #245 Feline Fearless Leader

A little bit tired. Had a good week off and used the time to visit my brother up in western NY. Got 6” of snow Tuesday night and thus got a “White Thanksgiving”. Pretty quiet time since we were not hosting a dinner and had invites to two dinners for Thursday. We took a “wandering soul”* with us to the dinners and then to a bar to watch the late football game. Rest of the week was spent playing cards, home cooking, and helping sort through my sister-in-law’s possessions for donation or otherwise disposing of. Place was quiet since my niece did Thanksgiving with friends from school rather than traveling for the limited holiday. So it was just my brother and myself in the house.

Then six hour drive back yesterday. Cold and gray out as well, which is simply a little bit depressing.

* - The “wandering soul” was a geology grad my brother knew who was working in Ithaca and didn’t have time/ability to visit family in Long Island. So we was invited to come up and go to dinners with us since it was a much shorter drive.

Sounds sort of like my Thanksgiving. We had the big dinner on Sunday this year because our extended family has so many obligations to appear at one family gathering or another that the big gatherings of old at my grandmother’s apartment simply aren’t feasible anymore. Got to see most of my cousins and their new kids, enjoy some good food, and enjoy their company for at least a little while. The rest of the week was mostly just a study in absolute laziness, as there’s never really much to do in a small rural town. Slept late, watching TV or surfed the net, and marveled at how I’m related and yet so distant from the bunch of rednecks I call kin.

251 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:48:36am

WAY KEWL nature photography.

Tiger Stalking Deer

252 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:49:17am

re: #248 FemNaziBitch

TPP Exposed: WikiLeaks Publishes Secret Trade Text to Rewrite Copyright Laws, Limit Internet Freedom

Yeah, because I really believe stuff put out by that barf-bag Assange.

253 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:51:11am

re: #250 Targetpractice

The snow helped with the entertainment. My brother was going x-country skiing around the woods trail every morning. And we drove over and took a walk along the trail along one of the undeveloped small Finger Lakes*.

Also drove up to a Rochester suburb on Saturday to visit the annual Crafts Guild Fair. Very nice pottery, wood craft, cloth, and books. Bought a few handmade wooden toys for a friend’s daughter and also a very nice hand woven scarf made from bamboo. My response to Black Friday. :p

* - Hemlock and Canadice lakes are not developed. The former is part of the Rochester city water supply, so limited boating as well. We avoided one of the trails because hunters were out that way and went south along the lake via a trail in the woods and came back north along the lake shore with the wind at our backs. Snowy and a bit wet, but I was wearing wool socks inside my Wellington boots. :)

edit: Will get a photo of the scarf and post it tonight since I think sufficient Lizards have interest in handmade crafts.

254 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:52:42am

re: #247 FemNaziBitch

Things are topsy-turvy

I can’t get past the godwin. but that is just me.

He was reading from a Howard Zinn speech and Howard Zinn was a dishonest historian who routinely twisted or ignored facts to suit his own conclusions. He wasn’t as bad as David Barton, but he was more than bad enough to warrant opprobrium.

255 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:55:31am

One last thing from Iran, since I think this marine camo scheme is kinda cool:

Image: IMG13052170.jpg

256 Dr. Matt  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:56:21am

re: #205 Backwoods_Sleuth

Scott High on lockdown on reports of suspect with gun in school
Read more at toledoblade.com

And this is why schools must be gun-free zones because you have no clue whether such a person walking around with a firearm is exercising their 2A “Rights” or hell bent on a shooting spree.

257 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 8:59:55am

re: #138 piratedan

yeah, but when I link over to WaPo, he’s not listed on their roster (neither was Rubin, hence why I excluded her), doesn’t mean that they don’t print him or run his syndicated column when it suits them. What I am trying to indicate here DF is there there are a boatload of conservative voices in the MSM and very few liberal ones. As a case in point, we’re just as bad about not posting the good ideas being written on Liberal sites and blogs as we are being perpetually outraged about the latest daily transgression against common sense and general asshattery that appears from the Conservative side of the aisle. As a rule, about the only Conservative who has apparently not succumbed to embracing complete feudalism is Larison.

Larison is a member of the League of the South. Doesn’t get much more feudal than that.

258 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:06:01am

I really should include an excerpt for those who don’t click through. These are Larison’s own words, from the link above:

[…]

It is to be expected that the awful Max Boot and his ilk would find fault with an organisation dedicated to the preservation and restoration of American constitutional traditions, traditional Christianity and especially Southern culture and identity by all honourable means. All of these things are hateful to those who want to obliterate particular loyalties, federalism, political and cultural diversity (the historical sort that arises everywhere naturally, not the artificial, ‘multiculti’, coerced sort championed by neocon and liberal) and subjugate all men to a stale and fatal creed for homogenous slaves serving faceless masters in their anti-personal and anti-religious world of abstractions and social engineering.

Let me take this opportunity to say a few words about the League of the South, a group to which I am proud to belong for these past ten years. This group of ladies and gentlemen, for whom such terms still have their traditional meaning, endeavours to preserve their Southern, Christian cultural, religious and political heritage from the ravages of the same freethinking, Yankee spirit and empire that has gone on to devastate so many other societies, including that of those northern states gulled into the cause of Unionism.

[…]

259 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:07:56am

re: #258 wrenchwench

I really should include an excerpt for those who don’t click through. These are Larison’s own words, from the link above:

To which I reply:

Youtube Video

261 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:10:15am

re: #259 Dark_Falcon

To which I reply:

[Embedded content]

Splitter!

:)

262 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:13:04am

The tree is up, decorated and the house xmas-fied.

How did you spend yesterday?

263 Dr. Matt  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:13:37am

re: #262 FemNaziBitch

How did you spend yesterday?

Hung over on the couch.

I win.

264 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:14:16am

re: #262 FemNaziBitch

The tree is up, decorated and the house xmas-fied.

How did you spend yesterday?

Stuck in the back of a car for 12 hours. Tree is today’s task…just as soon as I can work up the energy.

265 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:14:44am

re: #262 FemNaziBitch

The tree is up, decorated and the house xmas-fied.

How did you spend yesterday?

I put up my parents’ new Christmas lawn ornaments.

266 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:14:49am

re: #263 Dr. Matt

Hung over on the couch.

I win.

Yes you do.

I spent some time assembling, decorating and shrink wrapping gifts for hubby’s clients. Making big red velvet bows is fun, but once a year is enough.

267 Varek Raith  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:15:18am

4 Recent Tech Stories That Were Total B.S.

#2. No, Tesla Cars Aren’t Suddenly Bursting into Flames
So how does a Tesla catch fire? If ABC had bothered to ask the driver, he could have told them the unspectacular answer: He hit something. Yes, bad things tend to happen to cars when they run into shit at high speed — in fact, car fires happen 152,000 times a year. The difference is that this dude’s Tesla politely warned him to pull over and get out of the car before going up in flames. When was the last time your shitty Toyota did that?

268 Decatur Deb  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:15:59am

”.. traditional Christianity and especially Southern culture and identity by all honourable means.”

Five best things about my state’s culture and identity, in descending order:

BBQ
Banana Pudding
Kudzu
Fire Ants
SEC Football

269 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:16:12am

re: #267 Varek Raith

4 Recent Tech Stories That Were Total B.S.

Damn, I knew it was a Monty Python skit!

No on believed me.

270 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:17:38am

I really look forward to the day when we are too old and feeble to set-up the tree and go thru the bru-ha-ha.

I should have been born a Reform Jew.

271 piratedan  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:20:04am

re: #258 wrenchwench

I really should include an excerpt for those who don’t click through. These are Larison’s own words, from the link above:

and he’s the “moderate” amongst Conservative voices.

272 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:20:41am

re: #268 Decatur Deb

”.. traditional Christianity and especially Southern culture and identity by all honourable means.”

Five best things about my state’s culture and identity, in descending order:

BBQ
Banana Pudding
Kudzu
Fire Ants
SEC Football

I usually can’t read the whole thing I linked to. Today, I just noticed there are 4 comments. 2 of them are from Larison. Here’s the second of his:

But what is his real gripe exactly? That instead of merely talking about the legitimacy of secession, I support a secessionist group? If I supported the Second Vermont Republic, would that be any different? Is the problem that they are secessionists, or is it that they sympathise with the Confederacy? Or is it both? Which of these is the “noxious” view that “respectable” people are supposed to find unacceptable?

No mention of BBQ whatsoever. I remain appalled. Not even banana pudding.

273 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:22:09am

Drones aren’t just for good guys:

Crooks use drug-dropping drone to smuggle contraband over prison walls (VIDEO)

Authorities apprehended a couple of clever crooks who tried smuggling contraband with a drone over a wall into Georgia’s Calhoun State prison last week.

The band of Georgians definitely deserve an “A” for effort, but their plans were thwarted by one watchful lieutenant who spotted the drug-dropping drone flying over the prison gates, WALB News reports.

“It is a surprise — I’ve never seen a helicopter,” Sheriff Josh Hilton said. “They were in the woods flying it. They had binoculars and stuff evidently so they could watch it.”

Here’s the video:

walb.com

274 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:22:18am

re: #210 Dark_Falcon

Why do you think I’m afraid?

See your 232.

275 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:23:39am

re: #272 wrenchwench

I usually can’t read the whole thing I linked to. Today, I just noticed there are 4 comments. 2 of them are from Larison. Here’s the second of his:

No mention of BBQ whatsoever. I remain appalled. Not even banana pudding.

I came understand all of those except kudzu, which i’ve heard can be quite the pest. Fire ants at least eat boll weevils.

276 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:24:48am

re: #274 darthstar

See your 232.

Saying “there is a likely danger” is not ‘fear’, Darthstar.

277 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:24:57am

re: #271 piratedan

and he’s the “moderate” amongst Conservative voices.

I seem to see a ton of liberals who call him that. He’s your basic dudebro, anti-interventionist libertarian type, plus that rabid Catholicism of Pat Buchanan and his ilk.

I think his appeal to liberals is the anti-interventionism, as it is with Ron and Rand Paul, although they also have the pot thing going for them.

I haven’t noticed conservatives calling Larison anything. I only notice the company he keeps over at TAC.

278 FemNaziBitch  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:25:26am

I have to get on with my day.

It’s Monday, I’m feeling it in every bone and sinew. I feel a migraine coming on.

Can we just skip ahead to 2014?

279 Varek Raith  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:29:52am

re: #278 FemNaziBitch

I have to get on with my day.

It’s Monday, I’m feeling it in every bone and sinew. I feel a migraine coming on.

Can we just skip ahead to 2014?

I propose we ban all Mondays.
Is there a second?

280 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:31:14am

re: #277 wrenchwench

I seem to see a ton of liberals who call him that. He’s your basic dudebro, anti-interventionist libertarian type, plus that rabid Catholicism of Pat Buchanan and his ilk.

I think his appeal to liberals is the anti-interventionism, as it is with Ron and Rand Paul, although they also have the pot thing going for them.

I haven’t noticed conservatives calling Larison anything. I only notice the company he keeps over at TAC.

I’m a conservative and I posted that video to call him a rebel curr.

281 Decatur Deb  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:31:19am

re: #275 Dark_Falcon

I came understand all of those except kudzu, which i’ve heard can be quite the pest. Fire ants at least eat boll weevils.

The Boll Weevil is our friend. A nearby town has a monument to it in the town square.

en.wikipedia.org

282 Dr. Matt  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:31:21am

re: #279 Varek Raith

I propose we ban all Mondays.
Is there a second?

Sharia law!

283 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:31:27am

re: #279 Varek Raith

I propose we ban all Mondays.
Is there a second?

I object.

284 Varek Raith  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:32:07am

re: #283 Dark_Falcon

I object.

*Throws pie*

285 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:33:12am

re: #281 Decatur Deb

The Boll Weevil is our friend. A nearby town has a monument to it in the town square.

en.wikipedia.org

Your people have weird ways.

This goes with the BBQ and banana pudding:

286 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:34:26am

re: #280 Dark_Falcon

I’m a conservative …

We’re working on that….

287 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:36:08am

re: #280 Dark_Falcon

I’m a conservative…

Nobody’s perfect.

//

288 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:38:54am

re: #281 Decatur Deb

The Boll Weevil is our friend. A nearby town has a monument to it in the town square.

en.wikipedia.org

Was a friend once, given the later efforts to eradicate the damn beetle. its actually been removed from Alabama entirely now.

289 Decatur Deb  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:40:08am

re: #288 Dark_Falcon

Was a friend once, given the later efforts to eradicate the damn beetle. its actually been removed from Alabama entirely now.

You should see how we treat our enemies.

290 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:50:17am

I guess Obama heard this caused consternation among the conservatives. He gave it an ‘ICYMI’:

291 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:54:53am

re: #290 wrenchwench

I guess Obama heard this caused consternation among the conservatives. He gave it an ‘ICYMI’:

[Embedded content]

And ‘when’ will need to be later. This issue won’t move forward legislatively until the budget is thrashed out. The president could help it along, though, if he agreed to a ‘hard’ border security trigger, one requiring quantified levels of improvement and not just a determination.

292 GeneJockey  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:54:55am

O whatever the T is, but on the way to work, I was listening to the radio. KGO has one remaining talk show left, Ronn Owens. Used to be liberal, became a moderate post-9/11. Now?

This morning the topic was the fast food workers upcoming strike for higher wages. He thinks it’s a bad idea. He worked for minimum wage back in college, you see, and he knows it’s just a stepping stone to higher paying jobs, not an endpoint. Someone called in and said, “Most economists recognize that minimum wage laws increase unemployment”, which went unchallenged.

By that measure, the 13th Fucking Amendment increased unemployment.

What do you call someone who routinely spouts Conservative talking points? I think it’s a measure of the penetrance of Right wing ‘thought’ that so many people hear this kind of thing, and say, “Yeah, he’s right!”

293 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:56:47am

re: #291 Dark_Falcon

and ‘when’ will need to be later. This issue won’t move forward legislatively until the budget is thrashed out. The president could help it along, though, if he agreed to a ‘hard’ border security trigger, one requiring quantified levels of improvement and not just a determination.

And if wishes were horses…

294 Decatur Deb  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:57:48am

re: #290 wrenchwench

I guess Obama heard this caused consternation among the conservatives. He gave it an ‘ICYMI’:

[Embedded content]

Troll-in-Chief. He’s just screwin’ wit em now.

(Are they under medical surveillance? That looks very much like an Army DEPMED inflatable, the successor to a MASH.)

295 Dancing along the light of day  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:59:40am

re: #279 Varek Raith

I propose we ban all Mondays.
Is there a second?

Youtube Video
I don’t like Mondays!

296 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 9:59:41am

re: #294 Decatur Deb

Troll-in-Chief. He’s just screwin’ wit em now.

(Are they under medical surveillance? That looks very much like an Army DEPMED inflatable, the successor to a MASH.)

Some large civilian tents are variations on models originally made for the military.

297 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:00:08am

re: #291 Dark_Falcon

and ‘when’ will need to be later. This issue won’t move forward legislatively until the budget is thrashed out. The president could help it along, though, if he agreed to a ‘hard’ border security trigger, one requiring quantified levels of improvement and not just a determination.

Border security should have absolutely nothing to do with immigration reform. It’s a distraction. Everything that was going to be required in terms of border security in the attempted immigration reform of 2007 has been done. Why is that not enough? There are so many BP agents around now, they have to harass citizens to stay busy. Come take a look.

298 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:00:55am

re: #295 Dancing along the light of day

[Embedded content]


I don’t like Mondays!

Image: grumpy-cat_0.jpg

299 klys  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:03:15am

re: #297 wrenchwench

Border security should have absolutely nothing to do with immigration reform. It’s a distraction. Everything that was going to be required in terms of border security in the attempted immigration reform of 2007 >has been done. Why is that not enough? There are so many BP agents around now, they have to harass citizens to stay busy. Come take a look.

Shhhh, that would require Dark to actually *think* about this and not just base his beliefs on ideological principles that contradict each other because RAH TEAM.

It’s a snarky Monday morning, Lizards.

300 GeneJockey  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:03:44am

re: #299 dr. klys

Shhhh, that would require Dark to actually *think* about this and not just base his beliefs on ideological principles that contradict each other because RAH TEAM.

It’s a snarky Monday morning, Lizards.

“I’d rather not answer that question just yet.”

301 Dancing along the light of day  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:06:15am

re: #298 Dark_Falcon

Youtube Video

Just another manic Monday!

302 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:06:20am

re: #297 wrenchwench

Border security should have absolutely nothing to do with immigration reform. It’s a distraction. Everything that was going to be required in terms of border security in the attempted immigration reform of 2007 >has been done. Why is that not enough? There are so many BP agents around now, they have to harass citizens to stay busy. Come take a look.

It is a distraction, but one that they’ve been able to successful sell to the low-information voter demographic. “If we don’t secure the border, a bunch more of them Mexicans will rush in to get in on the amnesty!!” Meanwhile, a white European man who overstays his visa deserves a second chance because “the bureaucracy is to blame!”

303 GeneJockey  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:08:14am

re: #297 wrenchwench

Border security should have absolutely nothing to do with immigration reform. It’s a distraction. Everything that was going to be required in terms of border security in the attempted immigration reform of 2007 >has been done. Why is that not enough? There are so many BP agents around now, they have to harass citizens to stay busy. Come take a look.

The problem that most Conservatives have with the security of the border is the person ultimately in charge of it. Because of him, there exists no other possibility beyond there being no fence, and no guards, and all the ICE agents out in the desert putting up signs showing the easiest routes in, stocking food and water stations, and handing new arrivals applications for TANF, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid as they cross the border.

Increased deportations? They don’t believe it.

Decreased immigration? They don’t believe it.

Increased enforcement of the laws against hiring undocumented workers? They don’t believe it.

The President is a Kenyan Muslim Socialist Bent On Destroying America, so only the worst case scenario is possible.

304 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:09:15am

re: #303 GeneJockey

The problem that most Conservatives have with the security of the border is the person ultimately in charge of it. Because of him, there exists no other possibility beyond there being no fence, and no guards, and all the ICE agents out in the desert putting up signs showing the easiest routes in, stocking food and water stations, and handing new arrivals applications for TANF, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid as they cross the border.

Increased deportations? They don’t believe it.

Decreased immigration? They don’t believe it.

Increased enforcement of the laws against hiring undocumented workers? They don’t believe it.

The President is a Kenyan Muslim Socialist Bent On Destroying America, so only the worst case scenario is possible.

Oh, there’s really two options. They either refuse to believe it, or shrug and go “It’s not enough!”

305 The Ghost of a Flea  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:09:40am

re: #302 Targetpractice

It is a distraction, but one that they’ve been able to successful sell to the low-information voter demographic. “If we don’t secure the border, a bunch more of them Mexicans will rush in to get in on the amnesty!!” Meanwhile, a white European man who overstays his visa deserves a second chance because “the bureaucracy is to blame!”

Expanded border security is also the next paradigm of wingnut welfare.

306 klys  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:10:15am

re: #303 GeneJockey

The problem that most Conservatives have with the security of the border is the person ultimately in charge of it. Because of him, there exists no other possibility beyond there being no fence, and no guards, and all the ICE agents out in the desert putting up signs showing the easiest routes in, stocking food and water stations, and handing new arrivals applications for TANF, SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid as they cross the border.

Increased deportations? They don’t believe it.

Decreased immigration? They don’t believe it.

Increased enforcement of the laws against hiring undocumented workers? They don’t believe it.

The President is a Kenyan Muslim Socialist Bent On Destroying America, so only the worst case scenario is possible.

Well, you forgot the part where the people coming in are …brown people. And how we already have enough of those people.

307 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:12:01am

re: #297 wrenchwench

Border security should have absolutely nothing to do with immigration reform. It’s a distraction. Everything that was going to be required in terms of border security in the attempted immigration reform of 2007 >has been done. Why is that not enough? There are so many BP agents around now, they have to harass citizens to stay busy. Come take a look.

Because Republicans need border security measures as political cover, is a large part of why. This is not only due to anti-immigration sentiments, but also due to the feeling among Republicans of the Far West and El Norte regions that they got tricked back in 1986. Thus they want assurances that illegal immigration has been throttled back before a pathway to citizenship is opened.

308 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:14:15am

re: #307 Dark_Falcon

Because Republicans need border security measures as political cover, is a large part of why. This is not only due to anti-immigration sentiments, but also due to the feeling among Republicans of the Far West and El Norte regions that they got tricked back in 1986. Thus they want assurances that illegal immigration has been throttled back before a pathway to citizenship is opened.

“Political cover” from whom? Their own fucking base, who’s absolutely convinced that there’s millions of Mexicans waiting to take their job, marry their daughter, steal their valuables, and amassing an army for “Reconquista”?

309 klys  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:15:18am

re: #308 Targetpractice

“Political cover” from whom? Their own fucking base, who’s absolutely convinced that there’s millions of Mexicans waiting to take their job, marry their daughter, steal their valuables, and amassing an army for “Reconquista”?

But don’t forget, the country is really run by the liberal elites on the coast, who are totally out of touch with Real AmericaTM.

//////

310 Lidane  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:17:06am

re: #307 Dark_Falcon

Because Republicans need border security measures as political cover, is a large part of why. This is not only due to anti-immigration sentiments, but also due to the feeling among Republicans of the Far West and El Norte regions that they got tricked back in 1986. Thus they want assurances that illegal immigration has been throttled back before a pathway to citizenship is opened.

Then those Republicans are fucking morons. Our immigration system is already throttled. Ask any immigration lawyer. Even people here legally have to go through ridiculous hoops and can easily fall through the cracks of the system despite doing everything right.

Just because the idiot base of the GOP wants to keep out all the brown people doesn’t mean that they can stall immigration reform. Something needs to give.

311 The Ghost of a Flea  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:18:29am

re: #306 dr. klys

Well, you forgot the part where the people coming in are …brown people. And how we already have enough of those people.

Except for the industries that rely on undocumented immigrant labor to produce stuff super cheap.

And anybody that wants some cheap landscaping. Or hanging sheetrock. Or…

312 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:22:54am

re: #310 Lidane

Then those Republicans are fucking morons. Our immigration system is already throttled. Ask any immigration lawyer. Even people here legally have to go through ridiculous hoops and can easily fall through the cracks of the system despite doing everything right.

Just because the idiot base of the GOP wants to keep out all the brown people doesn’t mean that they can stall immigration reform. Something needs to give.

Something is giving, it’s called demographics. In a generation, the GOP will be an isolated, regional party. Once Texas goes, that’s it, you’ll never see another Southern Republican voted to the White House again. The fuckheads sitting on Capital Hill today whining about the dangers of not “securing the border” will be in history textbooks next to the likes of Bull Connor and George Wallace.

313 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:24:43am

re: #308 Targetpractice

“Political cover” from whom? Their own fucking base, who’s absolutely convinced that there’s millions of Mexicans waiting to take their job, marry their daughter, steal their valuables, and amassing an army for “Reconquista”?

From base voters who don’t really understand the situation.

314 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:25:45am

re: #307 Dark_Falcon

Because Republicans need border security measures as political cover, is a large part of why. This is not only due to anti-immigration sentiments, but also due to the feeling among Republicans of the Far West and El Norte regions that they got tricked back in 1986. Thus they want assurances that illegal immigration has been throttled back before a pathway to citizenship is opened.

Republicans’ ‘political cover’ is fatal to humans.

I could not be more disgusted with their screwing around about immigration.

315 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:26:18am

re: #313 Dark_Falcon

From base voters who don’t really understand the situation.

So to save themselves from their own base, they must further push away minority voters.

Sure, that won’t come back to bite them in the ass.///

316 klys  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:26:57am

re: #313 Dark_Falcon

From base voters who don’t really understand the situation.

So how can you type things like that and yet say that you agreed with the Hanson article? Does the cognitive dissonance not make you stop and think for just a minute at all?

317 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:28:02am

re: #313 Dark_Falcon

From base voters who don’t really understand the situation.

They’ve been deliberately misled by fellow Republicans who understand the situation perfectly well, and have been gaming it for their own financial and political advantage for decades.

318 Schadenboner  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:29:02am

re: #312 Targetpractice

Something >is giving, it’s called demographics. In a generation, the GOP will be an isolated, regional party. Once Texas goes, that’s it, you’ll never see another Southern Republican voted to the White House again. The fuckheads sitting on Capital Hill today whining about the dangers of not “securing the border” will be in history textbooks next to the likes of Bull Connor and George Wallace.

2023 can’t come soon enough (2020 is a presidential election which means it should be a good year for Blue and a redistricting election, the legislatures elected will redraw borders starting for the November 2022).

Demographic irrelevance beckons, GOP.

319 wrenchwench  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:30:32am


Here’s the video:

Youtube Video

320 blueraven  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:30:53am

re: #313 Dark_Falcon

From base voters who don’t really understand the situation.

Isn’t it their responsibility to do the right thing, educate and convince their base instead of pandering to and exploiting irrational fears?

321 Charles Johnson  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:34:13am
322 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:34:51am

re: #321 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Cognitive dissonance at its finest.

323 Feline Fearless Leader  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:35:13am

re: #320 blueraven

Isn’t it their responsibility to do the right thing, educate and convince their base instead of pandering to and exploiting irrational fears?

The “right thing” to them is maintaining their reelectability and keeping their main political donors happy.
//

324 Schadenboner  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:36:19am

re: #320 blueraven

Isn’t it their responsibility to do the right thing, educate and convince their base instead of pandering to and exploiting irrational fears?

Even if they had such a responsibility (which may be arguable) what do you expect a median GOP office-holder to do, having watched everyone who has tried to “educate and convince their base instead of pandering to and exploiting irrational fears” get their ass stamped “RINO” and get kicked out?

At some point we have to consider the politicians as rational actors themselves is all I’m saying.

325 Interesting Times  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:36:24am

re: #323 Feline Fearless Leader

The “right thing” to them is maintaining their reelectability and keeping their main political donors happy.

I’ve removed your sarc tags because they’re not necessary when describing an obvious fact.

326 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:36:25am

re: #315 Targetpractice

So to save themselves from their own base, they must further push away minority voters.

Sure, that won’t come back to bite them in the ass.///

Republicans are going to get bitten on immigration no matter what they do.

Accepting comprehensive reform with border security enhancements is the least-worst option available. all the others either shatter the party or have even worse Latino blowback. Doubling down on white voters is not a viable long-term tactic. and in the wake of 2012, it is no longer a viable short-term tactic in presidential elections.

327 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:38:12am

re: #320 blueraven

Isn’t it their responsibility to do the right thing, educate and convince their base instead of pandering to and exploiting irrational fears?

That’s not how members of Congress generally operate.

328 klys  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:39:57am

re: #326 Dark_Falcon

Republicans are going to get bitten on immigration no matter what they do.

Accepting comprehensive reform with border security enhancements is the least-worst option available. all the others either shatter the party or have even worse Latino blowback. Doubling down on white voters is not a viable long-term tactic. and in the wake of 2012, it is no longer a viable short-term tactic in presidential elections.

And they have no one to blame for it but themselves. Really. They have painted themselves into this corner. They have pandered to the racism that is driving this. Why should that be rewarded?

329 klys  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:40:15am

Test. Test.

330 klys  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:41:00am

re: #329 dr. klys

>Test. Test.

Hey Charles, as you can see, there’s an extra greater-than sign added at the end of the opening strong when quoting a bold string. Showed up a few weeks ago? Doesn’t seem to happen on the italics.

331 Political Atheist  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:41:31am

Breaking SCOTUS news, and the news is good

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Obamacare by Christian University

332 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:41:44am

re: #326 Dark_Falcon

>Republicans are going to get bitten on immigration no matter what they do.

Accepting comprehensive reform with border security enhancements is the least-worst option available. all the others either shatter the party or have even worse Latino blowback. Doubling down on white voters is not a viable long-term tactic. and in the wake of 2012, it is no longer a viable short-term tactic in presidential elections.

What you fail to take into mind is that no amount of reassurance on their part that the border will be secured will save them from accusations of signing off on “amnesty” and “selling out.” You suggested they might be able to smooth it over if the President agreed to “hard” triggers, but how would the word of a man that their base hates with the passion burning hotter than the fire of a thousand suns win them over?

The GOP’s gonna have to bite the bullet and accept what’s on the table, there is no “better” deal where they get to keep the base happy and look good to minorities.

333 darthstar  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:51:02am

re: #321 Charles Johnson

Funny replies to Greenwald

334 Schadenboner  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:55:22am

re: #332 Targetpractice

What you fail to take into mind is that no amount of reassurance on their part that the border will be secured will save them from accusations of signing off on “amnesty” and “selling out.” You suggested they might be able to smooth it over if the President agreed to “hard” triggers, but how would the word of a man that their base hates with the passion burning hotter than the fire of a thousand suns win them over?

The GOP’s gonna have to bite the bullet and accept what’s on the table, there is no “better” deal where they get to keep the base happy >and look good to minorities.

I don’t disagree with this analysis. In fact, for all we know, the immigration lunacy we see *is* the GOP biting the bullet. They’re all aficionados of the Alamo and the Lost Cause and so forth. Show them a hill and they’ll rush to make a last stand atop it.

335 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:56:14am

re: #328 dr. klys

And they have no one to blame for it but themselves. Really. They have painted themselves into this corner. They have pandered to the racism that is driving this. Why should that be rewarded?

They can’t spend years arguing that anything short of removing every single “illegal” from US soil and turning the US/Mexico border into the Berlin Wall constitutes “amnesty” and then be shocked when their base holds them to it.

336 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:57:57am

re: #333 darthstar

Funny replies to Greenwald

[Embedded content]

337 blueraven  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:59:02am

re: #327 Dark_Falcon

That’s not how members of Congress generally operate.

Short term gain, long term disaster. Carry on GOP.

338 Lidane  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 10:59:17am

re: #331 Political Atheist

Breaking SCOTUS news, and the news is good

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Obamacare by Christian University

339 Dark_Falcon  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:00:20am

re: #337 blueraven

Short term gain, long term disaster. Carry on GOP.

Members of the House are elected for short terms.

340 Schadenboner  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:02:50am

re: #335 Targetpractice

They can’t spend years arguing that anything short of removing every single “illegal” from US soil and turning the US/Mexico border into the Berlin Wall constitutes “amnesty” and then be shocked when their base holds them to it.

Which is more scary: the possibility that the GOP believes the rhetoric they mouth to their followers or that they’re cynically exploiting such beliefs in their followers?

Which is worse: sangfroid or bug-fuck-crazy?

341 blueraven  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:03:39am

re: #339 Dark_Falcon

Members of the House are elected for short terms.

I guess the individual is more important than the republican party as a whole? Sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

342 Targetpractice  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:04:19am

re: #340 Schadenboner

Which is more scary: the possibility that the GOP believes the rhetoric they mouth to their followers or that they’re cynically exploiting such beliefs in their followers?

Which is worse: sangfroid or bug-fuck-crazy?

Yes.

343 Joanne  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:35:50am

re: #221 Targetpractice

The GOP’s worst nightmare is slowly dawning, but won’t really get kicked into overdrive until next February, when millions go to work and find that their employer health benefits didn’t disappear, the economy didn’t collapse, and all the provisions of the law like wellness check-ups really begin to kick in.

Like free flu and shingles shots, both of which I took advantage of. Flu shot is usually about $35 and the shingles shot was close to $250. Nice benefit of Obamacare.

344 Joanne  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:39:38am

re: #231 Targetpractice

Fanatical devotion to an outdated ideology.

If only it was called BoehnerCare it would be loved.

345 piratedan  Mon, Dec 2, 2013 11:55:54am

re: #338 Lidane

[Embedded content]

grifters gonna grift


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