Even Snowden’s Camp Now Acknowledges the Putin Puppet Show Was a Disaster

“Snowden’s camp wouldn’t get into the specifics of how his question made it onto Russian state television”
World • Views: 32,427

Imagine my surprise to learn that Edward Snowden was played like a violin by Vladimir Putin.

NSA leaker Edward Snowden instantly regretted asking Russian President Vladimir Putin a softball question on live television about the Kremlin’s mass surveillance effort, two sources close to the leaker tell The Daily Beast.

“It certainly didn’t go as he would’ve hoped,” one of these sources said. “I don’t think there’s any shame in saying that he made an error in judgment.”

“He basically viewed the question as his first foray into criticizing Russia. He was genuinely surprised that in reasonable corridors it was seen as the opposite,” added Ben Wizner, the American Civil Liberties Union attorney who serves as one of Snowden’s closest advisers.

According to Wizner and others, Snowden hadn’t realized how much last week’s Q&A—with Putin blithely assuring Snowden that Moscow had no such eavesdropping programs—would appear to be a Kremlin propaganda victory to Western eyes. And so the leaker quickly decided to write an op-ed for the Guardian to explain his actions and to all but label Putin a liar for his televised response.

As I wrote two days ago: Snowden’s Op-Ed: Desperately Spinning to Repair the Damage.

UPDATE at 4/20/14 8:33:46 pm

Remember the days when Edward Snowden praised Russia for their courageous stance against human rights violations?

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331 comments
1 Lidane  Apr 20, 2014 8:12:47pm
According to Wizner and others, Snowden hadn’t realized how much last week’s Q&A—with Putin blithely assuring Snowden that Moscow had no such eavesdropping programs—would appear to be a Kremlin propaganda victory to Western eyes.

Bitch plz. There is no goddamn way he didn’t realize how asking a softball question would be received. If Snowden really didn’t know, he’s a moron as well as a criminal and traitor.

2 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 8:13:14pm

re: #1 Lidane

Bitch plz. There is no goddamn way he didn’t realize how asking a softball question would be received. If Snowden really didn’t know, he’s a moron as well as a criminal and traitor.

They’re really scrambling.

3 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 8:14:13pm

4 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 8:14:33pm
5 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 8:17:00pm
6 Lidane  Apr 20, 2014 8:19:03pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

They’re really scrambling.

The curtain got pulled back. Grifters hate it when that happens.

7 goddamnedfrank  Apr 20, 2014 8:23:26pm

I immediately wondered how many Russian media outlets even published Snowden’s followup op ed? Seemed obvious to me that the QA session was intended for a Russian audience and that Snowden was allowed to publish the op-ed externally in order to salvage his usefulness as an idiot.

I very much doubt that Snowden had any choice about participating in the QA session. He was probably told it was either that or be sent back to the US.

8 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 8:26:13pm
9 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 8:26:58pm

This is probably just Act II, by the way.

10 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 8:27:34pm

re: #9 Charles Johnson

This is probably just Act II, by the way.

I expect a denial any minute now. “Oh, Daily Beast got that wrong.” Etc, etc.

11 fern01  Apr 20, 2014 8:28:10pm

Snowden has just discovered the 1st amendment doesn’t apply in Russia?

“But it wasn’t easy in Russia, where the press is controlled so tightly by the regime.”

12 William Barnett-Lewis  Apr 20, 2014 8:28:20pm

re: #7 goddamnedfrank

Snowflake didn’t need to be told. He’s not _that_ stupid. A useful idiot to be sure but even he can read the writing from his boss.

13 Lidane  Apr 20, 2014 8:30:12pm

re: #7 goddamnedfrank

I very much doubt that Snowden had any choice about participating in the QA session. He was probably told it was either that or be sent back to the US.

It’s generally bad form to piss off your hosts. Snowden was being an obedient little stooge and when even his own fanboys called bullshit, the dudebro industry had to scramble to try and make him look good.

14 Targetpractice  Apr 20, 2014 8:30:34pm

re: #9 Charles Johnson

This is probably just Act II, by the way.

Ayep, the intent seems to have been to silence suggestions of Snowden being Putin’s puppet by being seen as “questioning” the man whose good graces his continued freedom relies upon. It’s had the exact opposite reaction, cementing in the minds of many that the man is Vlad’s bitch while shaking the assurance many of his mindless minions had that their savior was the real deal and not just another self-serving dipshit.

15 Dark_Falcon  Apr 20, 2014 8:32:33pm

re: #13 Lidane

It’s generally bad form to piss off your hosts. Snowden was being an obedient little stooge and when even his own fanboys called bullshit, the dudebro industry had to scramble to try and make him look good.

They won’t succeed. It’s hard to look good when you’re Putin’s Poodle.

16 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 8:37:21pm

Last story at The Intercept dated 4/14. It’s not even a story. Just Passover greetings from Cook.

17 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 8:39:39pm

I want to say thanks to all you folks who’ve been doing battle with Greenwald’s army of flying monkeys on Twitter. It’s much appreciated.

18 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 8:41:48pm
19 Dark_Falcon  Apr 20, 2014 8:45:35pm

re: #18 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

News Flash: 4 1/2 years after leaving the Right, Charles Johnson still lives in the heads of butthurt wingnuts.

20 Lancelot Link  Apr 20, 2014 8:46:12pm

re: #16 Gus

Last story at The Intercept dated 4/14. It’s not even a story. Just Passover greetings from Cook.

What do you expect? The top of their hierarchy is out of town.

21 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 8:46:23pm
22 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 8:47:07pm

re: #20 Lancelot Link

What do you expect? The top of their hierarchy is out of town.

Out to lunch.

23 William Barnett-Lewis  Apr 20, 2014 8:48:13pm

Good night all.

24 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 8:48:24pm

re: #18 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

As you know. When you get down to brass tacks. This isn’t about you. They’re nuts.

25 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 8:51:26pm

re: #18 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Speaking of which…

26 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:00:24pm

I done killed the thread.

27 Charles Johnson  Apr 20, 2014 9:00:43pm

re: #26 Gus

I done killed the thread.

See how you are?

28 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:01:39pm

re: #27 Charles Johnson

See how you are?

I’m like a Jimi Hendrix song. //

29 TedStriker  Apr 20, 2014 9:09:26pm

re: #28 Gus

I’m like a Jimi Hendrix song. //

Like castles made of sand? ///

Youtube Video

Seriously though, “Castles Made of Sand” is one of my favorite Hendrix songs.

30 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:09:29pm
31 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:10:38pm

re: #29 TedStriker

Like castles made of sand?

[Embedded content]

///

Almost exactly. Good one. Wind cries Mary.

32 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:12:07pm
33 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:12:35pm
34 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:13:08pm
35 Targetpractice  Apr 20, 2014 9:14:29pm

re: #31 Gus

Almost exactly. Good one. Wind cries Mary.

Better than being Dust in the Wind.

/oh wait…

36 TedStriker  Apr 20, 2014 9:21:34pm

And now for something completely different:

Youtube Video

37 Ace-o-aces  Apr 20, 2014 9:23:12pm

I honestly think Snowden thought he was asking a tough question.

38 freetoken  Apr 20, 2014 9:23:49pm

Who could have guessed that a propaganda stunt disguised as “news” would have nasty blowback?

39 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:25:37pm

re: #38 freetoken

Who could have guessed that a propaganda stunt disguised as “news” would have nasty blowback?

I heard this is still the 2nd act.

40 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:27:38pm
41 freetoken  Apr 20, 2014 9:27:54pm

re: #39 Gus

I heard this is still the 2nd act.

Let’s just hope it’s not one of those 5-act plays like Macbeth.

42 Political Atheist  Apr 20, 2014 9:28:32pm

GDFrank, I just left a reply for you downstairs. Saw you are logged out of there.

43 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:29:26pm

Bzzt. //

44 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:39:46pm

This is a great anti-Koch story.

In mah opinion.

45 TedStriker  Apr 20, 2014 9:54:15pm

re: #44 Gus

This is a great anti-Koch story.

In mah opinion.

Koch-suckers, indeed…

46 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 9:55:03pm

re: #45 TedStriker

Koch-suckers, indeed…

Big time.

47 freetoken  Apr 20, 2014 10:02:05pm

Speaking of energy and alternatives to fossil fuels, there is a bit of attention being paid to a study that looked at corn field “waste”, such as the stover, and the impact of using such material to generate ethanol and how that figures in climate change.

Anyway, all sorts of misleading headlines on this one. For example, AP declares:

Biofuel falls short as an alternative, researchers report
White House says

The headline such an act of misdirection. An the article itself is a jumble of disconnected claims, counter claims, etc.

One of the downsides of the internet and the destruction of the traditional newspaper industry is that the loss of the editor as gatekeeper, as the controller on what is in a story and being responsible for headlines and story content.

There’s just no accountability these days.

We can point out clear cases of just crappy reporting and there seems to be no negative consequences to the promoter of the crap.

Indeed, if crap-monger demonstrates there is a market for the junk they spew out the invisible hand claps for them.

48 goddamnedfrank  Apr 20, 2014 10:11:51pm

re: #42 Political Atheist

GDFrank, I just left a reply for you downstairs. Saw you are logged out of there.

Saw that. Like I was saying I’d experiment with HDR and a tripod. I’d take a series of longer shutter speed shots using an ND filter and expose for the background. Maybe get some diffuse glow from the flames, maybe not. Then use layer masks to place those under your fast exposure shot of the flames using blending modes and brushing in the flames gradually. Use the “blend if” sliders to keep the black areas on the flame layer from filling in. Finally, if necessary throw a very mild vignette over the layered assemblage to kill any distracting blow outs near the borders.

49 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 10:13:55pm

Echo The Bunnymen Lips Like Sugar

Youtube Video

50 Gus  Apr 20, 2014 10:17:17pm

The Psychedelic Furs - Pretty In Pink

Youtube Video

51 freetoken  Apr 20, 2014 10:23:08pm

There’s a fake feeling to President Obama’s recorded Easter message that I find very off-putting. Not one of his better efforts.

These sort of perfunctory performances don’t really help anyone, I propose. He’d be better off not saying anything, or maybe just uttering a sentence or two while he and his family strode out of the White house.

Who knows what he really believes, but I think most people would have a greater appreciation for frankness than nothingness.

52 goddamnedfrank  Apr 20, 2014 11:10:26pm

Mona Holland might just be the most hollow, despicable, weaselly person I’ve ever communicated with. There’s just nothing there, no integrity, no sense of consistency, and not the tiniest bit of intellectual self respect to keep her in check. The only things I’ve seen that seems to matter to her at all is an absolute, unwavering devotion to Greenwald and the expediency of the moment.

53 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 20, 2014 11:12:38pm

re: #52 goddamnedfrank

Mona Holland might just be the most hollow, despicable, weaselly person I’ve ever communicated with. There’s just nothing there, no integrity, no sense of consistency, and not the tiniest bit of intellectual self respect to keep her in check. The only things I’ve seen that seems to matter to her at all is an absolute, unwavering devotion to Greenwald and the expediency of the moment.

Why bother dealing with her, then? Life is too short to waste time on such people.

54 freetoken  Apr 20, 2014 11:14:24pm

MP3 Audio

55 goddamnedfrank  Apr 20, 2014 11:20:03pm

re: #53 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Why bother dealing with her, then? Life is too short to waste time on such people.

I just tend to cut people slack until they remove all doubt about deserving it. I’ve actually been able to have enlightening communications with some people on Twitter, even #BundyRanch supporters. People who have proven to be very open to dialog after first spewing ignorance. Mona though, that lady is just an abyss.

56 Single-handed sailor  Apr 20, 2014 11:28:06pm

re: #54 freetoken

Japanese big band music?

57 freetoken  Apr 21, 2014 12:00:30am

re: #56 Single-handed sailor

ザ・ピーナッツ !!

One of the more unique groups in the history of Pop music.

MP3 Audio

58 fern01  Apr 21, 2014 12:07:43am

re: #51 freetoken

There’s a fake feeling to President Obama’s recorded Easter message that I find very off-putting. Not one of his better efforts.

These sort of perfunctory performances don’t really help anyone, I propose. He’d be better off not saying anything, or maybe just uttering a sentence or two while he and his family strode out of the White house.

Who knows what he really believes, but I think most people would have a greater appreciation for frankness than nothingness.

Outside of GOP ranters “most people” believe what the President says - he is the least “fake” (i.e. most honest) politician in the US at this point in time.

59 Single-handed sailor  Apr 21, 2014 12:30:55am

re: #57 freetoken

ザ・ピーナッツ !!

One of the more unique groups in the history of Pop music.

[Embedded content]

Thanks, I also noticed the 60’s sound too.

60 Single-handed sailor  Apr 21, 2014 12:43:46am

re: #57 freetoken

Ah, the girls from the movie Mothra.

61 freetoken  Apr 21, 2014 12:57:22am

Wonder what sort of reaction last night’s episode of Cosmos will bring.

Not only did Tyson go after again the young Earth creationists, but he added enough material to be accused of being a radical left-wing environut, as the terms are tossed out.

I found the episode a little light, again, on tying together the actual arguments and relationships involved (in this case radiometric dating.) I especially find frustrating the portrayal of atoms in this series.

In contrast, the concurrent PBS series Your Inner Fish episode 2 did a pretty good job in laying out some of the cases for the relationships between reptiles and mammals. More science content than Cosmos, less storytelling.

62 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 1:00:56am

re: #61 freetoken

If people insist on a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, they must not only reject modern science, but logic and reason as well.

Which means there is no arguing with them, we can only hope to limit the amount of damage they can do to society in spreading their beliefs.

63 freetoken  Apr 21, 2014 1:04:55am

Well, that didn’t take long. From a gun fetish site:

When I turn on a show called “Cosmos” I expect to see galaxies and black holes and shit. I don’t care about no stupid lead or evil oil companies. What is this, Earth Day? I mean I know Carl Sagan was some sort of anti-nuclear war guy back in the 80’s but give me a break.

***

This. The show has too much potential to be spoiled by the politics of a left wing ass bag.

64 freetoken  Apr 21, 2014 1:32:30am

MP3 Audio

65 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 1:44:14am

one freetoken over the line, sweet jesus

66 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 1:47:04am

This is what happens when we let the rich just keep getting richer. Create jobs? Heck no, build giant toys.

67 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 2:23:13am

re: #66 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

From the Beeb article:

The mining magnate from Queensland, who has strong business relations with China, has expanded into tourism. He owns a luxury resort on the Sunshine Coast and has plans to build a fleet of luxury liners.

I’d like to see his business plan. (Do billionaires need business plans?) Ocean liners are not what you’d call a growth industry. While there is a growing market for cruises in the Asia-Pacific region, existing cruise operators — like Costa Cruises — have already penetrated the market. By the time Palmer gets his ships built, operators who already have ships in the water will have cornered the area’s trade.

As for the Titanic II, it might break even, if he got all his Chinese billionaire friends to buy season tickets. Either that, or he’s going to have offer steerage tickets to the plebs to fill the boat.

A big toy, indeed.

68 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 2:28:40am

re: #67 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

It will create thousands of jobs a stevedores, cooks and cleaning personnel…

all at sub-minimum wages and from third-world countries, no doubt…

69 freetoken  Apr 21, 2014 2:48:03am

re: #68 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

It will create thousands of jobs a stevedores, cooks and cleaning personnel…

Not to mention the….um…. companions.

He could probably operate it as an ultra-luxury brothel, steaming between the islands of Hainan and Taiwan.

70 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 2:55:56am

re: #68 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

It will create thousands of jobs a stevedores, cooks and cleaning personnel…

all at sub-minimum wages and from third-world countries, no doubt…

I read a “how-to” article recently about getting jobs on cruise ships. There is legal crew segregation on these ships. Higher paid crew members live apart from the lower ranks, who usually don’t speak English or other European languages. Kitchen workers, cleaning staff, and similar grunt jobs are paid far below the US minimum wage, because none of these cruise ships are registered in the USA and by maritime law do not have to obey US labor laws. Basically, crew get paid wages similar to what they would make in their home countries. So Americans make many times more than Filipinos, for example.

Two of my students here, both with pretty good English and passable Japanese, will begin work this summer as wait staff on Costa Cruises’ new excursions from China. They’ll probably be better off than the cooks and dishwashers, just because they can communicate with non-Chinese.

71 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 2:56:59am

re: #69 freetoken

Not to mention the….um…. companions.

He could probably operate it as an ultra-luxury brothel, steaming between the islands of Hainan and Taiwan.

Well, the hookers fleeing police crackdowns in Guangdong province will have a place to work, then.

72 FemNaziBitch  Apr 21, 2014 2:57:57am

IT’S morning. You know I need help in the morning.

Has Snowden produced any documents yet?

73 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 3:37:23am

Palmer’s Titanic II is an interesting concept, but that being said, if I were doing it, I’d be having the Japanese build it, not CSC Jinling, who have no experience in building large ocean-going passenger ships. No disrespect meant to CSC Jinling, but personally, I’d go with a shipbuilder that knows what they’re doing in such matters.

en.wikipedia.org

titanic-ii.com

74 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 3:39:34am

re: #73 Dr Lizardo

I can deal with the concept of a billionaire investing in some cutting-edge technology that is not currently a profit-maker, but this is just a big toy

75 goddamnedfrank  Apr 21, 2014 3:43:53am
“Imagine your government as your iPhone.”

That was the message from Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, in the GOP’s weekly address Saturday.

In a call for free markets and open platforms, Alexander argued that government should be more like Apple, Inc. - working to give private citizens the means “to create a happier, safer, more prosperous life.”

It’s an idea that “Republican enablers” have fought for for years and that “Democrat mandators” have prevented, he said.

“Republicans want to enable and empower you. We want to be the iPhone party.”

What is this I don’t even

76 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 3:45:54am

re: #74 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I can deal with the concept of a billionaire investing in some cutting-edge technology that is not currently a profit-maker, but this is just a big toy

Yes, it is; it’s the worlds biggest bathtub toy without a doubt. The problem I foresee is that I doubt it would be a profitable endeavor - it looks cool, and certainly it’s up to par in terms of modern shipbuilding and safety, but this project seems to me to be more a whim of Mr. Palmer than a business investment.

And again, if it were myself that had the $$$ to blow on the world’s biggest bathtub toy, I’d be having it built by people who know how to do it.

Just chuckling to myself - if I had the billions to spare, yeah…..I’d be tempted to build something like that. “Bring back the days of the transatlantic voyage!” I personally enjoy taking cruises, even if its something as modest as a simple two-hour cruise up and down the Vltava River in Prague.

77 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 3:52:05am

re: #75 goddamnedfrank

What is this I don’t even

The government should be more like apple? the people who employ child labor at slave wages?

78 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Apr 21, 2014 3:54:24am

re: #77 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

The government should be more like apple? the people who employ child labor at slave wages?

They should lock you into a specific set of hardware and make it really difficult for you to fix the thing yourself?

79 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 3:54:30am

re: #73 Dr Lizardo

Palmer’s Titanic II is an interesting concept, but that being said, if I were doing it, I’d be having the Japanese build it, not CSC Jinling, who have no experience in building large ocean-going passenger ships. No disrespect meant to CSC Jinling, but personally, I’d go with a shipbuilder that knows what they’re doing in such matters.

en.wikipedia.org

titanic-ii.com

i suspect CSC Jinling are Palmer’s Chinese cronies business associates, and they’ve probably made a stellar sales pitch over copious draughts of baijiu.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

80 Justanotherhuman  Apr 21, 2014 4:01:11am

I have bad news to report. My son, 53, was up on Sat evening to stay the night and have dinner Sunday with the rest of my family. He and my grandson had been up very late watching movies, and I fell asleep on the couch. Shortly after 6 am, I heard a loud thump and looked over and saw my son on the floor, starting to drool and turning blue. He was suffering cardiac arrest. My grandson ran into the LR from his BR and I called 911 as he was not breathing and had no pulse; the operator talked him through CPR, the firemen and medics arrived very shortly after and defibbed him 3 times, got a pulse going, then transported him to the local hospital. We rushed over there and after about an hour, they transported him by helicopter to Charlotte. His condition is critical.

But he’s in a very excellent heart unit and they have lowered his body temp to around 92 or so and will assess him after they bring it back up to normal. His nurse has only 2 patients and he also has a respiratory therapist and nursing aide. His dr is a very young woman who seemed excellent. He’s in an induced coma of sorts (I didn’t quite understand the procedure; it’s something new they now use on those suffering cardiac arrest). They don’t know if he suffered any brain damage from lack of oxygen when he first passed out; right now they’re just trying to get his heart back to some sort of normal operation (he had a stent put in several years ago). His own father had a heart attack at age 39, years ago and let us know by passing through Charlotte about 25 yrs ago; my older son was home and would not talk to him, that’s how bitter he felt from how his dad had neglected him over the years.

I am very worried about my son and will be going back to Charlotte later today when they raise his temp. I will say that the local emergency people were fantastic (there were probably 6 of them in our LR). It was watching excellence in action the way those men worked on him. One of them said in leaving that my grandson had done a great job of CPR, also, before they got here.

None of us are resting very well here, but I did want to take a few minutes before I have to starting getting things done to check in. Even though I knew my son had heart disease, at my age you just don’t think your kids will be struck down by something like that before you are. So, I’ll be home for the next couple of hours getting ready; they don’t allow visitors before 8 am anyway, and I have to get the oil changed in my car as early as possible, too, before heading back into Charlotte.

81 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 4:03:36am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

{{{jah}}}

82 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 4:08:20am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Very sorry to hear that. My thoughts and prayers for you and your son and family.

83 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 4:11:30am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

OMG. My dad died suddenly of a heart attack at age 53…

84 A Mom Anon  Apr 21, 2014 4:12:35am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Oh No. I am so sorry. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Many, Many (((hugs))) to all of you.

85 goddamnedfrank  Apr 21, 2014 4:14:11am

re: #77 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

The government should be more like apple? the people who employ child labor at slave wages?

My mind went more to the fact that the iPhone / iOS is not an open platform, not by a mile. It’s designed specifically not to be, so that shit just works, so that only one company controls the App Store, the OS and the hardware. That’s what jailbreaking is designed to defeat, so the consumer can run unsigned apps and fuck things up if they want to.

If the GOP wants to represent open platforms they should start calling themselves the Android Party and deal with the shitty name. It would be appropriate too ‘cuz in the Android open platform model the domestic developer (i.e. Google) loses control over the project and most of the profits get gobbled up by overseas hardware companies (i.e. Samsung). In this model the consumer has more options, but the product ecosystem is heavily balkanized and antagonistic.

86 goddamnedfrank  Apr 21, 2014 4:17:03am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope your son has a full recovery.

87 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 4:19:32am

re: #85 goddamnedfrank

It’s just another variant of the old “we should run government like a business” meme, and just as lame

88 AntonSirius  Apr 21, 2014 4:34:43am

re: #51 freetoken

There’s a fake feeling to President Obama’s recorded Easter message that I find very off-putting. Not one of his better efforts.

These sort of perfunctory performances don’t really help anyone, I propose. He’d be better off not saying anything, or maybe just uttering a sentence or two while he and his family strode out of the White house.

Who knows what he really believes, but I think most people would have a greater appreciation for frankness than nothingness.

Presidents give holiday messages. It’s part of the job description.

What I propose is that these sorts of mind-reading efforts on the part of blog commentators don’t really help anyone.

89 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 4:36:22am

re: #75 goddamnedfrank

Alexander has no idea what he’s talking about.

If the GOP were the “iPhone party,” it would be proposing new, innovative ideas relevant to today’s world and today’s voters. It would be a progressive party. I don’t see much of that coming from the current slate of GOP leaders. They’d rather go back to the days of punch cards and room-sized computers.

Or abacuses.

Apple put iPhones, iPads, iPods, iWhatever on the market largely because Steve Jobs had an instinct for providing devices that did what people wanted and needed in a dependable and intuitive fashion.

The GOP, not so much.

90 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 4:36:40am

re: #88 AntonSirius

Presidents give holiday messages. It’s part of the job description.

What I propose is that these sorts of mind-reading efforts on the part of blog commentators don’t really help anyone.

Also, commenting on a traditional holiday that is both a secular and a Christian religious holiday without offending people is like walking on eggs. He basically said what he could say under the circumstances.

91 AntonSirius  Apr 21, 2014 4:40:09am

re: #75 goddamnedfrank

What is this I don’t even

Neither does he

92 AntonSirius  Apr 21, 2014 4:44:50am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I have bad news to report.

Prayers and/or positive energy (whichever is appropriate) being sent his way. Stay strong.

93 Flounder  Apr 21, 2014 4:48:38am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I’m very sorry to hear this. I hope everything works out for your son and your family. Sending well wishes and prayers your way.

94 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Apr 21, 2014 4:49:10am

Okay, you knew honey badgers were badasses, but did you know they’re also masterminds?

Youtube Video

95 freetoken  Apr 21, 2014 4:54:43am

re: #88 AntonSirius

What I propose is that these sorts of mind-reading efforts on the part of blog commentators don’t really help anyone.

I’m not reading his mind. I just thought is was sort of absent of something.

And I disagree about job description - it is not. It’s politics.

96 Targetpractice  Apr 21, 2014 4:57:15am

re: #89 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Alexander has no idea what he’s talking about.

If the GOP were the “iPhone party,” it would be proposing new, innovative ideas relevant to today’s world and today’s voters. It would be a progressive party. I don’t see much of that coming from the current slate of GOP leaders. They’d rather go back to the days of punch cards and room-sized computers.

Or abacuses.

Apple put iPhones, iPads, iPods, iWhatever on the market largely because Steve Jobs had an instinct for providing devices that did what people wanted and needed in a dependable and intuitive fashion.

The GOP, not so much.

The GOP trying to sell itself as the “iPhone party” is hilarious. The modern GOP doing that is like Apple trying to sell the Apple IIe as “this year’s model,” touting it’s “outreach” to minority customers by offering it in a variety colors but the exact same hardware under the hood. Or AT&T trying to sell customers looking for smartphones on the old “brick” cellphones because they’re “traditional.” Or Microsoft offering a “Lady’s Edition” of Windows 3.1 that comes pre-installed with cookbooks and parenting guides, but can’t support anything more complicated and requires a husband to log them in.

97 Justanotherhuman  Apr 21, 2014 5:04:34am

Thanks for all your kind thoughts, folks. It means a lot to me.

I’m off to my day now, so hold down the fort. : )

98 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 5:05:37am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Ugh. That’s horrible. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

{{{jah}}}

99 William Barnett-Lewis  Apr 21, 2014 5:06:19am

re: #97 Justanotherhuman

Thanks for all your kind thoughts, folks. It means a lot to me.

I’m off to my day now, so hold down the fort. : )

Take care and hold our thoughts in your heart. {{{JAH}}}

100 Fineday  Apr 21, 2014 5:17:17am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Sending hugs and best wishes across the Atlantic. I hope your son will be well soon. It is a good thing that he got help so quickly
{{{hugs}}}

101 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 5:26:02am

re: #61 freetoken

Wonder what sort of reaction last night’s episode of Cosmos will bring.

Not only did Tyson go after again the young Earth creationists, but he added enough material to be accused of being a radical left-wing environut, as the terms are tossed out.

I’m amazed the cries of blasphemy haven’t started yet.

I went back and watched the show again. Not only did they debunk the 6000 year old Earth by showing how arbitrary the math on that was, but when they got to the whole story of the effects of lead, there was a whole segment about the god Saturn. It’s practically a throwaway line, but Tyson points out that Christmas is just Saturnalia with Christian imagery thrown over it.

I can’t wait to see the fallout of this episode.

102 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 5:36:41am

re: #96 Targetpractice

The GOP trying to sell itself as the “iPhone party” is hilarious. The modern GOP doing that is like Apple trying to sell the Apple IIe as “this year’s model,” touting it’s “outreach” to minority customers by offering it in a variety colors but the exact same hardware under the hood. Or AT&T trying to sell customers looking for smartphones on the old “brick” cellphones because they’re “traditional.” Or Microsoft offering a “Lady’s Edition” of Windows 3.1 that comes pre-installed with cookbooks and parenting guides, but can’t support anything more complicated and requires a husband to log them in.

Alexander is clueless. His statement identifies him as an old guy with absolutely no connection to today’s technological world. He probably believes the Internet really is made of interconnecting tubes, like pipes.

103 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 5:42:10am

re: #52 goddamnedfrank

Mona Holland might just be the most hollow, despicable, weaselly person I’ve ever communicated with. There’s just nothing there, no integrity, no sense of consistency, and not the tiniest bit of intellectual self respect to keep her in check. The only things I’ve seen that seems to matter to her at all is an absolute, unwavering devotion to Greenwald and the expediency of the moment.

Careful, or she’ll have you placed in the comfy chair!

104 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 5:48:55am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Sorry to hear that, and I hope he makes a rapid and complete recovery.

105 Rocky-in-Connecticut  Apr 21, 2014 5:51:15am

It has been known to the FSB and Putin that an overwhelming narcissism and overreaching supermassive ego are the main components of Snowden, Greenwald, and the entire Dudebro collective. Their hunger to be included in major global events and discussions is all-powerful and defines their worldview.

Putin used this bit of knowledge to his complete advantage and it was just a matter of time before Putin decided to start cashing in chips on his Snowden investment. Being played like a fool is Snowden’s first small taste of the huge mistake he made in his moral equivalency game of USA vs. Russia.

For his next act, he will start to publicly back Putin and start putting Greenwald in more and more precarious positions twisting and turning trying to not to seem like an absolute joke and hack. Snowden will being to feel the walls closing in and being made to realize that his only means of staying out of prison will be to back Putin’s positions, whatever they may be. Putin is always eager to adopt various Dudebro positions whoever it converges or assists with Russia’s dreams of empire. I think finally Snowden is just starting to realize it.

106 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 5:51:20am

re: #96 Targetpractice

The GOP trying to sell itself as the “iPhone party” is hilarious. The modern GOP doing that is like Apple trying to sell the Apple IIe as “this year’s model,” touting it’s “outreach” to minority customers by offering it in a variety colors but the exact same hardware under the hood. Or AT&T trying to sell customers looking for smartphones on the old “brick” cellphones because they’re “traditional.” Or Microsoft offering a “Lady’s Edition” of Windows 3.1 that comes pre-installed with cookbooks and parenting guides, but can’t support anything more complicated and requires a husband to log them in.

Actually for the women they’d want a modified Win 8 with simple touch options — since you’d probably want them with limited literacy as well.
///

107 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 5:53:32am

nbcnews.com

I was wondering why I saw a news van and crew in front of the Philadelphia BSA HQ the other day. Figured they’d done something to draw notice. Though this might not be the actual reason.

108 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 5:54:17am
109 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 5:59:18am

re: #108 Lidane

[Embedded content]

Because in the new GOP, birtherism and trutherism, along with antivax and anti-science, are mainstream.

110 Mattand  Apr 21, 2014 5:59:24am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I have bad news to report. My son, 53, was up on Sat evening to stay the night and have dinner Sunday with the rest of my family. He and my grandson had been up very late watching movies, and I fell asleep on the couch. Shortly after 6 am, I heard a loud thump and looked over and saw my son on the floor, starting to drool and turning blue. He was suffering cardiac arrest. My grandson ran into the LR from his BR and I called 911 as he was not breathing and had no pulse; the operator talked him through CPR, the firemen and medics arrived very shortly after and defibbed him 3 times, got a pulse going, then transported him to the local hospital. We rushed over there and after about an hour, they transported him by helicopter to Charlotte. His condition is critical.

But he’s in a very excellent heart unit and they have lowered his body temp to around 92 or so and will assess him after they bring it back up to normal. His nurse has only 2 patients and he also has a respiratory therapist and nursing aide. His dr is a very young woman who seemed excellent. He’s in an induced coma of sorts (I didn’t quite understand the procedure; it’s something new they now use on those suffering cardiac arrest). They don’t know if he suffered any brain damage from lack of oxygen when he first passed out; right now they’re just trying to get his heart back to some sort of normal operation (he had a stent put in several years ago). His own father had a heart attack at age 39, years ago and let us know by passing through Charlotte about 25 yrs ago; my older son was home and would not talk to him, that’s how bitter he felt from how his dad had neglected him over the years.

I am very worried about my son and will be going back to Charlotte later today when they raise his temp. I will say that the local emergency people were fantastic (there were probably 6 of them in our LR). It was watching excellence in action the way those men worked on him. One of them said in leaving that my grandson had done a great job of CPR, also, before they got here.

None of us are resting very well here, but I did want to take a few minutes before I have to starting getting things done to check in. Even though I knew my son had heart disease, at my age you just don’t think your kids will be struck down by something like that before you are. So, I’ll be home for the next couple of hours getting ready; they don’t allow visitors before 8 am anyway, and I have to get the oil changed in my car as early as possible, too, before heading back into Charlotte.

So sorry to hear that. Hang in there.

111 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 6:18:07am
112 Political Atheist  Apr 21, 2014 6:32:01am

Go Boston runners! 4600 runners from last year showed up to finish. Everyone wins.

113 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 6:38:03am

Mother of the year:

114 andres  Apr 21, 2014 6:40:46am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

My prayers for your son’s full recovery.

115 b.d.  Apr 21, 2014 6:42:33am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Oh no, I am praying for the best justanotherhuman.

116 lawhawk  Apr 21, 2014 6:44:40am

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. Got to spend the afternoon yesterday in Branch Brook Park in Newark and enjoy the scenery, which includes on the nation’s and world’s largest and most diverse cherry tree collections. I’ll probably post a few photos up tonight.

In the meantime, I would say I told you so that Snowden was played by Putin. I’d also say I told you so that someone would eventually figure out how Snowden was put in a position to ask the questions in the first place (all with intent to inure benefit to Putin).

Neither would be particularly flattering to Snowden, his sycophants, or Greenwald and his minions.

117 FemNaziBitch  Apr 21, 2014 6:45:23am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I have bad news to report. My son, 53, was up on Sat evening to stay the night and have dinner Sunday with the rest of my family. He and my grandson had been up very late watching movies, and I fell asleep on the couch. Shortly after 6 am, I heard a loud thump and looked over and saw my son on the floor, starting to drool and turning blue. He was suffering cardiac arrest. My grandson ran into the LR from his BR and I called 911 as he was not breathing and had no pulse; the operator talked him through CPR, the firemen and medics arrived very shortly after and defibbed him 3 times, got a pulse going, then transported him to the local hospital. We rushed over there and after about an hour, they transported him by helicopter to Charlotte. His condition is critical.

But he’s in a very excellent heart unit and they have lowered his body temp to around 92 or so and will assess him after they bring it back up to normal. His nurse has only 2 patients and he also has a respiratory therapist and nursing aide. His dr is a very young woman who seemed excellent. He’s in an induced coma of sorts (I didn’t quite understand the procedure; it’s something new they now use on those suffering cardiac arrest). They don’t know if he suffered any brain damage from lack of oxygen when he first passed out; right now they’re just trying to get his heart back to some sort of normal operation (he had a stent put in several years ago). His own father had a heart attack at age 39, years ago and let us know by passing through Charlotte about 25 yrs ago; my older son was home and would not talk to him, that’s how bitter he felt from how his dad had neglected him over the years.

I am very worried about my son and will be going back to Charlotte later today when they raise his temp. I will say that the local emergency people were fantastic (there were probably 6 of them in our LR). It was watching excellence in action the way those men worked on him. One of them said in leaving that my grandson had done a great job of CPR, also, before they got here.

None of us are resting very well here, but I did want to take a few minutes before I have to starting getting things done to check in. Even though I knew my son had heart disease, at my age you just don’t think your kids will be struck down by something like that before you are. So, I’ll be home for the next couple of hours getting ready; they don’t allow visitors before 8 am anyway, and I have to get the oil changed in my car as early as possible, too, before heading back into Charlotte.

(((justanotherhuman)))))

118 lawhawk  Apr 21, 2014 6:45:57am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Hope that things progress well and he makes a full recovery. Thoughts and prayers to you and yours.

119 FemNaziBitch  Apr 21, 2014 6:46:28am

How is it now?

120 FemNaziBitch  Apr 21, 2014 6:48:02am
121 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 6:49:14am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I have bad news to report. My son, 53, was up on Sat evening to stay the night and have dinner Sunday with the rest of my family. He and my grandson had been up very late watching movies, and I fell asleep on the couch. Shortly after 6 am, I heard a loud thump and looked over and saw my son on the floor, starting to drool and turning blue. He was suffering cardiac arrest. My grandson ran into the LR from his BR and I called 911 as he was not breathing and had no pulse; the operator talked him through CPR, the firemen and medics arrived very shortly after and defibbed him 3 times, got a pulse going, then transported him to the local hospital. We rushed over there and after about an hour, they transported him by helicopter to Charlotte. His condition is critical.

But he’s in a very excellent heart unit and they have lowered his body temp to around 92 or so and will assess him after they bring it back up to normal. His nurse has only 2 patients and he also has a respiratory therapist and nursing aide. His dr is a very young woman who seemed excellent. He’s in an induced coma of sorts (I didn’t quite understand the procedure; it’s something new they now use on those suffering cardiac arrest). They don’t know if he suffered any brain damage from lack of oxygen when he first passed out; right now they’re just trying to get his heart back to some sort of normal operation (he had a stent put in several years ago). His own father had a heart attack at age 39, years ago and let us know by passing through Charlotte about 25 yrs ago; my older son was home and would not talk to him, that’s how bitter he felt from how his dad had neglected him over the years.

I am very worried about my son and will be going back to Charlotte later today when they raise his temp. I will say that the local emergency people were fantastic (there were probably 6 of them in our LR). It was watching excellence in action the way those men worked on him. One of them said in leaving that my grandson had done a great job of CPR, also, before they got here.

None of us are resting very well here, but I did want to take a few minutes before I have to starting getting things done to check in. Even though I knew my son had heart disease, at my age you just don’t think your kids will be struck down by something like that before you are. So, I’ll be home for the next couple of hours getting ready; they don’t allow visitors before 8 am anyway, and I have to get the oil changed in my car as early as possible, too, before heading back into Charlotte.

:(

Huge thoughts and prayers headed your way!

122 FemNaziBitch  Apr 21, 2014 6:56:33am

bbl

123 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 6:59:44am

Meanwhile, here in Ostrava, the local zoo is getting ready to open its latest section, which was under construction when I was last there in June of 2013. Here’s a photogallery.

Yes, that sign in photos #6 and #8 translates to “Evolution Pavilion”.

Heh, can you imagine the wingnut outcry if a zoo in certain parts of the US - I’m looking at you, Bible Belt - had an evolution pavilion?

moravskoslezsky.denik.cz

124 Killgore Trout  Apr 21, 2014 7:00:41am

Parents: 234 girls kidnapped from Nigeria school

Parents say 234 girls are missing from the northeast Nigerian school attacked last week by Islamic extremists, nearly three times the number reported by education officials.
…
Education officials have reported that 85 children had been taken from the school.

The discrepancy in the figures could not immediately be resolved

125 Killgore Trout  Apr 21, 2014 7:04:52am

CNN explains: Why the abduction of 100 school girls isn’t shocking

126 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 7:06:21am
127 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 7:08:34am

re: #125 Killgore Trout

CNN explains: Why the abduction of 100 school girls isn’t shocking

Because it doesn’t involve a missing plane?

128 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 7:10:21am

re: #127 NJDhockeyfan

Because it doesn’t involve a missing plane and black holes, UFO’s or other assorted fringe conspiracy theories?

FTFY.

129 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 7:10:45am

re: #126 NJDhockeyfan

David Brooks says Obama has ‘a manhood problem in the Middle East’

If your definition of “manhood” means “showing off who has the biggest dick”, then that may apply…

130 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 7:11:09am

re: #88 AntonSirius

Presidents give holiday messages. It’s part of the job description.

What I propose is that these sorts of mind-reading efforts on the part of blog commentators don’t really help anyone.

Damn if he does, damn if her doesn’t. If he keep his mouth shut, the right rages and rants that he’s a godless commie, something, something, something. If he provides the traditional and expected holiday message, someone(s) will find a problem with it.

131 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 7:11:57am
132 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 7:13:26am

re: #131 NJDhockeyfan

Snowden advisers: Staged Putin Q&A everything he has ever done ‘an error in judgment’

FTFY

133 Killgore Trout  Apr 21, 2014 7:15:11am

re: #127 NJDhockeyfan

Because it doesn’t involve a missing plane?

I thought the same thing. It’s just frustrating that some things get sensationalized and others ignored but that’s jus the way it goes. African tragedies are hard to market to American audiences anyways. The plane coverage is a safe story without too many political pitfalls but prolonged discussion of problems in Africa and religious fundamentalists can draw the attention of outrage activists. The plane is just a safer story.

134 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Apr 21, 2014 7:16:16am

re: #133 Killgore Trout

That was the most painful stretch I’ve seen in a long time.

135 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 7:18:52am

I think I have finally understood why y’all get so pissed off at KT.

136 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 7:20:23am
137 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Apr 21, 2014 7:22:39am

re: #135 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

I think I have finally understood why y’all get so pissed off at KT.

It’s legitimately half embarrassment on his regard. It’s weird watching someone humiliate themselves over and over again.

138 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 7:29:25am

re: #133 Killgore Trout

I thought the same thing. It’s just frustrating that some things get sensationalized and others ignored but that’s jus the way it goes. African tragedies are hard to market to American audiences anyways. The plane coverage is a safe story without too many political pitfalls but prolonged discussion of problems in Africa and religious fundamentalists can draw the attention of outrage activists. The plane is just a safer story.

It’s all about money. They know people will sit for hours watching so-called experts talking about a missing plane. It’s being treated like a reality show on A&E. CNN and the other news networks could, however, make this a major news story but they know people won’t sit on their asses and watch hours of repeated coverage of kidnapped children.

139 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 7:31:52am

re: #138 NJDhockeyfan

it is about fundamentalists trying to save children from the “horrors” of a secular education…I think it hits too close to home for a lot of their audience…

140 missliberties  Apr 21, 2014 7:32:50am

re: #12 William Barnett-Lewis

Snowflake didn’t need to be told. He’s not _that_ stupid. A useful idiot to be sure but even he can read the writing from his boss.

I think you are wrong. Snowden is THAT stupid and also very very naive. So I got to wonder who proposed this scheme re: exposing the elite NSA spy system to the light of day. I can never seem to separate, in my own mind eye, Snowden from Greenwald.

141 Suranis  Apr 21, 2014 7:32:55am

re: #101 Lidane

I’m amazed the cries of blasphemy haven’t started yet.

I went back and watched the show again. Not only did they debunk the 6000 year old Earth by showing how arbitrary the math on that was, but when they got to the whole story of the effects of lead, there was a whole segment about the god Saturn. It’s practically a throwaway line, but Tyson points out that Christmas is just Saturnalia with Christian imagery thrown over it.

I can’t wait to see the fallout of this episode.

No it isn’t.

I know I’m a lurker and I’m probably going to be laughed at for this but this is actually something I know something about, concidering my degree in Greek and Roman Civilisation. Saturanalia is NOT the bases for Christmass, and it pisses me off when people point that out. For one thing, Saturanalia was a weeks long festival that Started December 17th and ended December 21to 23rd depending ont he region, not a one day festival on December 25th. Some idiot got his dates mixed up and thought that it was on December 25th and said that this hedonistic festival was the basis for it, and all the “hurr hurr Athiests” latched onto it becasue it suited them as it gave them something to laugh at while feeling superior.

The most likely Roman festival on Dec 25th for a basis for Christianity was most likely Sol Invictus, which was “the Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun.” But even Sol Invictus was only celebrated in parts of the Empire and it as the basis for Christmass is of some debate. If Saturanalia was the basis of Christmas why would they have moved the date, and why would they have abandoned Saturanalia when the actual festival of Saturanalia was still celebrated for hundreds of years AFTER the Romans converted to Christianity. It makes no bloody sense to go for the cheap one day knock off when you still have the real week long deal, don’t you think?

So yeah, Cosmos got something wrong. I’m sorry.

142 William Barnett-Lewis  Apr 21, 2014 7:35:09am

re: #133 Killgore Trout

Please don’t feed the troll.

143 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Apr 21, 2014 7:36:16am

re: #141 Suranis

Regardless of the date, it’s pretty inarguable that a lot of the specific celebrations common to Saturnalia are also common to Christmas, especially the longer, multi-day Christmastide.

144 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 7:36:35am

re: #141 Suranis

Solstice festivals took many forms, but they were pretty universal. The bit with Saturnalia was a bit of an oversimplification, but it is clear that Christmas was simply superimposed over them, based on the early Church’s strategy of co-opting whatever they could not eradicate.

145 Romantic Heretic  Apr 21, 2014 7:39:45am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I have bad news to report. My son, 53, was up on Sat evening to stay the night and have dinner Sunday with the rest of my family. He and my grandson had been up very late watching movies, and I fell asleep on the couch. Shortly after 6 am, I heard a loud thump and looked over and saw my son on the floor, starting to drool and turning blue. He was suffering cardiac arrest. My grandson ran into the LR from his BR and I called 911 as he was not breathing and had no pulse; the operator talked him through CPR, the firemen and medics arrived very shortly after and defibbed him 3 times, got a pulse going, then transported him to the local hospital. We rushed over there and after about an hour, they transported him by helicopter to Charlotte. His condition is critical.

But he’s in a very excellent heart unit and they have lowered his body temp to around 92 or so and will assess him after they bring it back up to normal. His nurse has only 2 patients and he also has a respiratory therapist and nursing aide. His dr is a very young woman who seemed excellent. He’s in an induced coma of sorts (I didn’t quite understand the procedure; it’s something new they now use on those suffering cardiac arrest). They don’t know if he suffered any brain damage from lack of oxygen when he first passed out; right now they’re just trying to get his heart back to some sort of normal operation (he had a stent put in several years ago). His own father had a heart attack at age 39, years ago and let us know by passing through Charlotte about 25 yrs ago; my older son was home and would not talk to him, that’s how bitter he felt from how his dad had neglected him over the years.

I am very worried about my son and will be going back to Charlotte later today when they raise his temp. I will say that the local emergency people were fantastic (there were probably 6 of them in our LR). It was watching excellence in action the way those men worked on him. One of them said in leaving that my grandson had done a great job of CPR, also, before they got here.

None of us are resting very well here, but I did want to take a few minutes before I have to starting getting things done to check in. Even though I knew my son had heart disease, at my age you just don’t think your kids will be struck down by something like that before you are. So, I’ll be home for the next couple of hours getting ready; they don’t allow visitors before 8 am anyway, and I have to get the oil changed in my car as early as possible, too, before heading back into Charlotte.

Sending strength and healing vibes your way.

146 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 7:43:05am

re: #141 Suranis

Now we pack in all that Saturnalian hedonism into one night, on Dec. 31.

As to why the early church chose Dec. 25 to celebrate Jesus’ birth, I thought the church leaders wanted a Christian holiday to lure the heathens away from Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, and any other pagan celebrations of the winter solstice passing. You need to cut Cosmos some slack, though. It’s a science program, not an examination of the origins of religious holidays.

147 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 7:43:14am

re: #143 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

Regardless of the date, it’s pretty inarguable that a lot of the specific celebrations common to Saturnalia are also common to Christmas, especially the longer, multi-day Christmastide.

Exactly. A lot of the customs of Saturnalia were incorporated into Christmas. That’s the point. It came from somewhere. It’s impossible to deny the influence that Saturnalia had on Christmas, especially since both have their roots in Rome.

148 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 7:45:28am

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s request that it review a lower court ruling that his drug testing policy for state employees was unconstitutional.

The decision was a victory for labor unions and their legal advocates.

The court’s action leaves in place an 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that Scott’s executive order making consent to suspicionless drug testing a condition of employment was unconstitutional. A judge said it violated workers’ Fourth Amendment rights.

GOOD! Suck it, Ricky.

149 b.d.  Apr 21, 2014 7:46:30am
NBC News Hired Psychological Consultant To Talk To David Gregory’s Family, Friends

huffingtonpost.com

I guess I am more surprised that they didn’t fire him rather than surprised that he didn’t quit because of this.

150 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 7:47:25am

re: #146 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

You need to cut Cosmos some slack, though. It’s a science program, not an examination of the origins of religious holidays.

That and it was a throwaway line in a larger point about the use of lead. Many of the god Saturn’s negative qualities reflected the effects of lead poisoning. They used lead pipes in the aquedeucts even though they knew the dangers. And the story fed into the larger story about Patterson’s crusade to get rid of lead in things like paint and gasoline because of its negative effects.

151 ObserverArt  Apr 21, 2014 7:48:52am

Morning all.

Has anyone said lately: Google Chrome Sucks!?

This morning I open Chrome and all of a sudden everything I clicked on opened a new tab when I did not want a new tab. Very frustrating. So, I open Firefox to find out what is wrong with Chrome. Funny…I put Chrome on because Firefox was becoming problematic in it’s own way.

Anyway, looks to be a common problem when a Google search puts up all kinds of links to a ‘Chrome opening unwanted new tabs’ search. I saw all kinds of things to try, but I went with the simplest first and went into the Tools/Settings and hit restore all settings. It still wanted to open new tabs. Shut the dang computer down and bring her back up. Open Chrome…working again.

Anyway…Google…you started out so fine with Chrome and as it goes on the damn browser grows up it does stranger and stranger things.

The other night, I opened a side page here at LGF, and when I went back to the main page, Chrome had decided to redo the page. I had videos from other main articles out of place and photo/images flopped around.

Can someone just make a browser that lets a person see web sites and forget all the other crap. Just render the pages as the code says and get the hell out of the way.

Grrrr….thanks for allowing me to grumble. This is not the way to start the week.

152 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 7:51:13am

re: #151 ObserverArt

What version of Chrome have you got? Mine is v. 33 and it’s behaving normally.

153 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 7:51:39am

re: #150 Lidane

They used lead pipes in the aquedeucts even though they knew the dangers. And the story fed into the larger story about Patterson’s crusade to get rid of lead in things like paint and gasoline because of its negative effects.

The bit about lead pipes was also a bit overdone: they quickly became coated in scale, which sealed off the lead.

But in any case, where in the Bible does it say when Jesus’ birthday was? Most likely not in the dead of winter, if it coincided with an Imperial census that would have had so many people out travelling to their place of birth.
Nor would there have been shepherds out in the fields in the dead of winter.

It is bad enough when people insist on a selective-yet-literal interpretation of scripture, but when they get stodgy about non-biblical conventions as well, there is no talking to them.

154 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Apr 21, 2014 7:54:17am

re: #153 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

if it coincided with an Imperial census that would have had so many people out travelling to their place of birth.

And also, no census would require people to travel to the place of their birth. It makes no sense, and neither the Romans nor anyone else ever did it that way. You do a census to find out where people are living, not where they’re from.

155 ObserverArt  Apr 21, 2014 7:56:21am

Justanotherhuman…I just came across your comment about your son. I hope everything is going to work out for him. It is amazing the things they can do for heart conditions these days. I hope that he comes around and they can help him out.

Hang in there. My thoughts are with you.

(And I feel bad for jumping in and posting about Chrome browser issues before reading some of the current discussion.)

156 ObserverArt  Apr 21, 2014 7:58:20am

re: #152 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

What version of Chrome have you got? Mine is v. 33 and it’s behaving normally.

Version 34.0.1847.116 m on a Windows 7 system.

It’s working fine right now…just went bonkers on its own. It was fine last night. I guess maybe it just didn’t load properly when started this morning…or something.

157 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 7:58:26am

re: #154 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

And also, no census would require people to travel to the place of their birth. It makes no sense, and neither the Romans nor anyone else ever did it that way. You do a census to find out where people are living, not where they’re from.

I never could figure out the point of making people travel back to their birthplace for a census. Back then, it would have been an arduous journey for most people, taking days, if not longer. Why would any government mandate that when it would be faster and simpler to send out census takers, have them count up everyone, then travel back to the capital city?

158 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 7:59:33am

re: #157 Lidane

Why would any government mandate that when it would be faster and simpler to send out census takers, have them count up everyone, then travel back to the capital city?

Because it says so in the Holy Scriptures, which are God’s inerrant word, that’s why.

/

159 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 8:01:14am

re: #154 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

And also, no census would require people to travel to the place of their birth. It makes no sense, and neither the Romans nor anyone else ever did it that way. You do a census to find out where people are living, not where they’re from.

it would have been much easier to ask, “So, where is your hometown?” But that doesn’t make for a good story. No need to make a long trek across country, when everyone else is on the road. No problem with finding an inn, either, so no need for the whole manger sequence.

Boring, really.

Besides, wasn’t there some narrative requirement that Jesus be from David’s hometown?

160 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 8:03:04am

re: #159 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

it would have been much easier to ask, “So, where is your hometown?” But that doesn’t make for a good story. No need to make a long trek across country, when everyone else is on the road. No problem with finding an inn, either, so no need for the whole manger sequence.

Boring, really.

Such a glaring error, especially when everything else in the Bible is so consistent and historical.
//

161 GunstarGreen  Apr 21, 2014 8:04:48am

re: #51 freetoken

Maybe I’m a crazy person, but I don’t really feel that it’s the job of a non-religious government to remind people of any particular religion that Day X is a religious holiday for them.

If we wanted to do it properly, we should do that for every holiday for all possible religious sects. That, obviously, would be intractable, so IMO we should settle for “do nothing, and let people worship in whatever way they choose as it’s none of the government’s business”.

162 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 8:07:19am

re: #161 GunstarGreen

Maybe I’m a crazy person, but I don’t really feel that it’s the job of a non religious government to remind people of any particular religion that Day X is a religious holiday for them.

Easter is also a big secular celebration, and one with a history that predates Christianity, as has been the theme of this thread.

163 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 8:07:51am

re: #161 GunstarGreen

Maybe I’m a crazy person, but I don’t really feel that it’s the job of a non-religious government to remind people of any particular religion that Day X is a religious holiday for them.

If we wanted to do it properly, we should do that for every holiday for all possible religious sects. That, obviously, would be intractable, so IMO we should settle for “do nothing, and let people worship in whatever way they choose as it’s none of the government’s business”.

It’s one of those traditions that the President has to make some remarks about Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Now the President also acknowledges Ramadan, Eid al Fitr, Hanukkah, Passover and who knows what else. It’s Just Something That Presidents Do.

164 NJDhockeyfan  Apr 21, 2014 8:08:37am

Heh. He must think he’s relevant or something.

165 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 8:08:55am

re: #162 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Easter is also a big secular celebration, and one with a history that predates Christianity, as has been the theme of this thread.

Lots of fertility festivals, IIRC, which is why we have eggs and rabbits at Easter.

166 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 8:09:17am

re: #162 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Easter is also a big secular celebration, and one with a history that predates Christianity, as has been the theme of this thread.

It’s spring! Find a pretty lass and have a roll in the hay, me boys!

167 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 8:10:06am

re: #165 Lidane

Lots of fertility festivals, IIRC, which is why we have eggs and rabbits at Easter.

Seems to be the thing to do when spring comes around.

168 nines09  Apr 21, 2014 8:10:37am

Tool Bag

169 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 8:10:50am

Duck and cover! Obummer’s gonna control the weather!

Alex Jones was right! Eleventy!

170 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 8:11:10am

re: #164 NJDhockeyfan

Like it makes sense to tell Ukraine’s army to pull out of … Ukraine. He must be BFF with that Bundy guy in Nevada.

171 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 8:11:41am

re: #169 Lidane

Duck and cover! Obummer’s gonna control the weather!

Alex Jones was right! Eleventy!

Will the mobile mounting be on sharks? Otherwise, it shouldn’t be budgeted for!
//

172 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 8:12:21am

re: #168 nines09

Tool Bag

reach-around time?

173 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 8:13:01am

re: #171 Feline Fearless Leader

Will the mobile mounting be on sharks?
//

flying sharks!

174 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 8:13:24am

re: #173 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

flying sharks!

In tornadoes!

175 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 8:13:54am

re: #174 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

We’re gonna need a lot more chainsaws.

/////

176 nines09  Apr 21, 2014 8:17:04am

re: #172 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

“Hey Edward, you know pony has gear shift? Yes, A little more to the right and down and you feel it, no?”

177 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 8:18:03am

re: #175 Lidane

We’re gonna need a lot more chainsaws.

/////

But imagine the light show!
/

178 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 8:19:07am

re: #177 Feline Fearless Leader

But imagine the light show!
/

Will it be bigger than Laser Zeppelin?

179 calochortus  Apr 21, 2014 8:19:28am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope he will make a full recovery and that you’ll be able to find some relief from the stress in the meanwhile.
Please take care of yourself.
{{{justanotherhuman}}}

180 abolitionist  Apr 21, 2014 8:21:30am

re: #102 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Alexander is clueless. His statement identifies him as an old guy with absolutely no connection to today’s technological world. He probably believes the Internet really is made of interconnecting tubes, like pipes.

Fibre optics for signal transport is typically called light pipes. /being charitable

181 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  Apr 21, 2014 8:22:19am

re: #157 Lidane

I never could figure out the point of making people travel back to their birthplace for a census. Back then, it would have been an arduous journey for most people, taking days, if not longer. Why would any government mandate that when it would be faster and simpler to send out census takers, have them count up everyone, then travel back to the capital city?

You could even just ask people “Where were you born” if you’re that interested in it.

re: #159 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Besides, wasn’t there some narrative requirement that Jesus be from David’s hometown?

Yeah, it was to fulfill one of the prophecies.

182 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 8:23:09am

re: #181 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

You could even just ask people “Where were you born” if you’re that interested in it.

tattoo it on the back of their necks…

183 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 8:23:32am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

That’s just awful! Hopes and wishes for his full recovery!

184 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 8:26:28am

A robin just dropped in on our ‘garden’, gathered up a bunch of last summer’s Nasturtium vines (killed by the frost), and flew off. Somebody’s building a nest.

185 Suranis  Apr 21, 2014 8:28:12am

re: #147 Lidane

Exactly. A lot of the customs of Saturnalia were incorporated into Christmas. That’s the point. It came from somewhere. It’s impossible to deny the influence that Saturnalia had on Christmas, especially since both have their roots in Rome.

Actually mainly one custom was incorporated, gift giving. Somehow I’m not seeing the walking around with little clothing, wearing masks, servants dining with masters, totally liberated free speech where anyone can say what they like about anyone else without reprecusions, everyone wearing a conical cap that common laborers wore, a special place for women, and general fornication in our modern Christmas celebrations. *wink*

And saying that Saturanalia has some influence on Christmas over time is a lot different than saying that Christmas is Saturanalia with modern dressing. And that’s the point. Saturanalia and Christmas were different festivals that happened alongside one another and influenced one another for hundreds of years. Saying Christmass was just to con the Romans out of Saturanalia and that Christmas is Saturanalia is just flat out wrong.

186 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 8:30:43am

re: #181 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

You could even just ask people “Where were you born” if you’re that interested in it.

Yeah, it was to fulfill one of the prophecies.

Objectively speaking, it was (maybe) the first recorded written example of retconning - making the life of Jesus fit in with prophecies.

187 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 8:31:15am

re: #185 Suranis

science is easy: some letters, formulae, chemical signs, it all fits nicely.

social science, religion and customs is another matter…really messy, actually.

188 bratwurst  Apr 21, 2014 8:33:38am

re: #185 Suranis

And saying that Saturanalia has some influence on Christmas over time is a lot different than saying that Christmas is Saturanalia with modern dressing. And that’s the point. Saturanalia and Christmas were different festivals that happened alongside one another and influenced one another for hundreds of years. Saying Christmass was just to con the Romans out of Saturanalia and that Christmas is Saturanalia is just flat out wrong.

I agree with all of the above, but saying the dates were all wrong and claiming Christmas as just one day (when it is, in fact, a 3 day festival in most of the world plus the Advent period) is just flat out pedantic.

189 lawhawk  Apr 21, 2014 8:34:35am

A 2002 law passed by Congress and signed into law (with a signing statement by President Bush no less (38 Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents 1658 (Sept. 30, 2002))) made Jerusalem part of Israel. Bush indicated that the law would encroach on the Executive’s foreign policy options. The State Department has kept out of the fray thus far with passports to those born in Jerusalem stating that they are born in Jerusalem, but no indication of the country.

The Court will be deciding the limits of the Executive versus Congress over a foreign policy issue.

Petition for Cert.

190 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  Apr 21, 2014 8:37:00am

re: #188 bratwurst

I agree with all of the above, but saying the dates were all wrong and claiming Christmas as just one day (when it is, in fact, a 3 day festival in most of the world plus the Advent period) is just flat out pedantic.

In Sweden, the holiday really kicks in on Dec. 13, St. Lucia’s Day, for example.

191 ObserverArt  Apr 21, 2014 8:37:11am

re: #120 FemNaziBitch

Hannity Calls Nun A “Communist” For Acknowledging Paul Ryan’s Budget Hurts The Poor mm4a.org : #FoxLies #uniteblue

Imagine that. A nun is a communist. Funny how they give their lives to a common goal and good and live in a commune. Go figure Sean. Idiot.

192 Timothy Watson  Apr 21, 2014 8:40:00am

re: #191 ObserverArt

Imagine that. A nun is a communist. Funny how they give their lives to a common goal and good and live in a commune. Go figure Sean. Idiot.

Remember, this is the same party that thinks Obama believes in “Liberation” theology, a Catholic social-economic theology, but Obama is, of course, a Godless Marxist-Leninist who hates Catholics.

193 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 8:40:46am

re: #192 Timothy Watson

Remember, this is the same party that thinks Obama believes in “Liberation” theology, a Catholic social-economic theology, but Obama is, of course, a Godless Marxist-Leninist crypto-Muslim who hates Catholics.

Fixed that for you.

194 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 8:41:42am

re: #193 Dr Lizardo

Fixed that for you.

If it made any sense at all, it wouldn’t be Conservatism!

195 Dr Lizardo  Apr 21, 2014 8:43:31am

re: #194 GeneJockey

If it made any sense at all, it wouldn’t be Conservatism!

Yep. Exactly.

196 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 8:43:47am

PG&E to be arraigned in fatal pipeline blast

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas and Electric Co. officials are set to appear in court on Monday to face federal felony charges involving safety violations tied to a deadly 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion in the San Francisco Bay Area.
An indictment filed earlier this month charges the utility with 12 felony violations of federal pipeline safety laws, which could carry a total possible fine of $6 million, or more if the court decides it somehow benefited financially from the disaster.

197 lawhawk  Apr 21, 2014 8:45:54am

I’ve found it fascinating that for many other parts of the Christian calendar, it’s based on the Gregorian calendar and a set day - Christmas is always December 25 for Roman Catholic, Protestant and other Christian groups (non Eastern Orthodox/Russian Orthodox, etc.), but when it comes to Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter, there’s an adherence to a lunar cycle. Never quite understood why that was the case.

At the same time, if we’re trying to discern the day the events surrounding Easter or Christmas, then someone would have to reconcile the split in dates between the Eastern and Western Churches.

198 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 8:58:24am

re: #192 Timothy Watson

Remember, this is the same party that thinks Obama believes in “Liberation” theology, a Catholic social-economic theology, but Obama is, of course, a Godless Marxist-Leninist who hates Catholics.

This will be the GOP’s undoing. They have abandoned the notion of winning people over to their arguments: anyone who disagrees with them is a moocher, loser, fascist, communist, slut, parasite, terrorist, etc…

and they wonder why peolpe are turning away from them in droves.

199 Alyosha  Apr 21, 2014 8:59:55am

Surely Hannity is aware of liberation theology. This is the thing about Catholicism I’ve never quite understood; in many cases there is this tailwind which carries the faith along on a socially progressive crest. It seeks to improve the lot of the poor and to ensure the state provides a standard of living for the unfortunate. And yet there are these yahoos, who identify quite belligerently as Catholics, but whose ideology is more in line with the Protestant concept of affluence through Scripture. Can’t recall the precise term.
It’s bullshit, though. I’m an atheist, but in the De Botton tradition of acquiring good faith-based memes for one’s own personal world view, I’d say I’m more Christian than the best Pentacostalist I know.

200 ObserverArt  Apr 21, 2014 9:00:01am

What’s this about David Gregory and Meet The Press having ratings issues?

I have a fix. Get rid of Gregory, he’s terrible as an interviewer. I think he looks at himself in the mirror more often to check how good he looks in his suit than he checks his notes and questions.

And whatever you do…NO CHUCK TODD!

Hmmm. Rachel Maddow would be excellent, but most likely would scare many Republican’s from even being near the show. Hell, she’d probably scare off some Dems too. She is tough and not at all afraid to ask any questions and unlike so many others…she’d ask follow-ups and back-ups and ask for clarifications. In fact, I’d bet she’d ask leading questions to get an interview to go somewhere they interviewee would not be expecting.

201 ObserverArt  Apr 21, 2014 9:01:45am

re: #198 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

This will be the GOP’s undoing. They have abandoned the notion of winning people over to their arguments: anyone who disagrees with them is a moocher, loser, fascist, communist, slut, parasite, terrorist, etc…

and they wonder why peolpe are turning being driven away from them in droves.

Just a small tune up in that last line. No need to softball! Hope you don’t mind.

202 BeenHereAwhile  Apr 21, 2014 9:02:15am

re: #75 goddamnedfrank

“In a call for free markets and open platforms, Alexander argued that government should be more like Apple, Inc. - working to give private citizens the means “to create a happier, safer, more prosperous life.”

It’s an idea that “Republican enablers” have fought for for years and that “Democrat mandators” have prevented, he said.

“Republicans want to enable and empower you. We want to be the iPhone party.”

What is this I don’t even

If accurate, this is disappointing as Senator Alexander is considered to be one of the more thoughtful and moderate Republican senators.

Looks like Senator Alexander is already missing the counsel of long time Tennessee advisor and fund raiser Ted Welch.

203 Suranis  Apr 21, 2014 9:03:10am

One last thing before I go back to lurking. Mgr Georges Lemaître, An astronomer who formulated the Bog Bang theory and is known as “the father of modern Cosmology” for his pioneering work in formulating the theories about the formation and composition of the universe, was a Catholic Priest. In fact, the amount of scientists who were clerics and Christians through history is pretty embarrassing. This whole modern idea of this conflict between science and Religion is modern utter rot. Its the difference between how and why.

For example, how many of you were taught in school that everyone thought the earth was flat until Columbus? WRONG. The earth diameter was calculated around 300 BC by Eratosthenes of Cyrene. Columbus was actually a complete moron who thought he was smarter than everyone else and that the Earth was 1/4 the size it actually was. If America had not been in the way he and his crew would have starved to death, and indeed that’s why the Spanish packed his crews with prisoners and sent him off.

scienceblogs.com

If you want to accuse someone of LYING to children, you should start with Myths like that one. The biggest thing I found when I started looking at real history is how incredibly smart the people in the old world were, and how much lies from so called rationalism I had to deprogram myself out of.

For example, it took the Catholic Church 20 years to proscribe Copernicus;s book, and when they did they described it as of great scientific worth and still allowed it to be used as a calculating device. Before that they had supported Heliocentrisim. The reason they did was actually because of the firestorm generated by the Protestant churches, and it was getting to the point that the reprisals against the “godless” Catholics for believing in Heretical Copernicism were causing havoc and full blown wars. Nothing Happened to Copernicus for it. Indeed it solved a lot of problems in old Ptolomy Geocentisim that had been known about for centuries, becasue the planets had to orbit from a different point inside the Earth sphere to make the model work.

But what about Galileo I hear you cry? Galileo had one big problem. He was wrong. Galileo insisted on circular orbits for the planets, as that’s what Copernicus originally postulated and he insisted that he could predict the motions of the planets. The snag was the Inquisition put his maths against the maths of the other great mathematicians of the day and, shock and horror, Galileo maths failed.

The real reason for the second trial was that Galileo had gotten himself into hot water with the Jesuits, who had defended him in the first trial against the accusations of the Dominicans. The breaking point was when a Jesuit Astronomer calculated that Comets existed somewhere beyond the orbit of the Moon. Galileo, who thought that comments were clouds, publicly insulted and vilified him for DARING to say the Great Galileo was WRONG!!! This pissed off what was left of the scientific establishment that had any time for Galileo so they dragged him before the inquisition again to humiliate him. That’s why it took so long for the Catholic Church to apologies for their treatment of Galileo… because frankly they had zip to apologies for.

Defenders of Galileo gloss over this and lots of other incidents (such as writing a book which had the statements of his childhood friend Pope Urban coming out of a character literally called the vernacular for “idiot”) becasue it shows him up to be a colossal Glen Greenwald style dick.

And even today, a large proportion of the worlds observatories are owned and run by the Jesuits. ;)

And if you don’t believe me on a lot of this, the Wikipedia article on Heliocentrism will back me up and a little reading around the web will confirm it

Anyway, rant over. You all have a great day and week. Back to lurking. :)

204 Eclectic Cyborg  Apr 21, 2014 9:03:37am

re: #169 Lidane

Duck and cover! Obummer’s gonna control the weather!

Alex Jones was right! Eleventy!

[Embedded content]

Mounted on Sharks, right?

EDIT: Darn, I see I was beaten to that one!

205 William of Orange  Apr 21, 2014 9:04:06am

This week, 25 years ago, Maradona does an epic warm-up.

Youtube Video

From Wikipedia:

On 19 April 1989, during the warming up at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany, before the UEFA Cup semi-final return between FC Bayern Munich and SSC Napoli, Diego Maradona did a keepie uppie exhibition while the song was heard on the loudspeakers. This has become a classic among football fans.[4] The New York Islanders adopted it as their official goal song for the 2010-2011 NHL season.[5]

206 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 9:06:35am

re: #151 ObserverArt

I have problems with Chrome on this site posting articles, trying to upload pics, and using the formatting tools.

Chrome always deletes the ‘<’ from the closing marker, and in general just screws things up.

Too bad, because I like the speed.

207 Suranis  Apr 21, 2014 9:07:54am

re: #190 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

In Sweden, the holiday really kicks in on Dec. 13, St. Lucia’s Day, for example.

I’m email friends with a girl in Kazakhstan and they celebrate in on January 6th.

208 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 9:08:11am

re: #196 Backwoods_Sleuth

PG&E to be arraigned in fatal pipeline blast

PG&E will just pass that cost on to its customers, even though they’ve been charging those same customers for years for the maintenance they didn’t do.

209 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 9:09:49am

re: #203 Suranis

because religion and science have almost nothing to do with each other; put them in one room, throw in some partisan politics and economic interests for good measure and you have an ongoing, centuries-long clusterfuck of, well, Biblical proportions…

210 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 9:11:26am

re: #207 Suranis

I’m re: #190 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

In Sweden, the holiday really kicks in on Dec. 13, St. Lucia’s Day, for example.

See? The old Norse Jul celebrations went on for 12 days…

five…golden…rings….

211 Alyosha  Apr 21, 2014 9:12:19am

Gregor Mendel just happened to have a bit of spare time in which to unwittingly prove that God did not create anything in it’s present form.

Thank you, monasticism.

Seriously.

212 BeenHereAwhile  Apr 21, 2014 9:14:01am

re: #105 Rocky-in-Connecticut

Being played like a fool is Snowden’s first small taste of the huge mistake he made in his moral equivalency game of USA vs. Russia.

-Snip-

For his next act, he will start to publicly back Putin and start putting Greenwald in more and more precarious positions twisting and turning trying to not to seem like an absolute joke and hack. Snowden will being to feel the walls closing in and being made to realize that his only means of staying out of prison will be to back Putin’s positions, whatever they may be. Putin is always eager to adopt various Dudebro positions whoever it converges or assists with Russia’s dreams of empire. I think finally Snowden is just starting to realize it.

Welcome to the hotel Putin Russia.

You can check out, but you can never leave.

213 Snarknado!  Apr 21, 2014 9:14:26am

re: #203 Suranis

I’m not going to criticize this in detail, except to say that wikipedia isn’t the best primary source for enormously detailed and complex historical events with contemporary ramifications. (Also, if I got started on “they had nothing to apologize for,” I’d end up writing a book of my own.)

214 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 9:15:15am

re: #211 Alyosha

I’ve been wondering about the great scientific discoveries made by Christian fundamentalists, say Southern Baptists.

Can anybody help me out here?

215 Snarknado!  Apr 21, 2014 9:15:40am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I’m so sorry to hear about your son. I hope everything goes well for him.

216 Alyosha  Apr 21, 2014 9:18:00am

re: #214 Skip Intro

I’ve been wondering about the great scientific discoveries made by Christian fundamentalists, say Southern Baptists.

Can anybody help me out here?

Liberation can only come from a NIV Bible flung from the turret of an Abrams??

I got nothin’.

217 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 9:19:16am

First World Problems:
I finally decided to download the Win 8.1 update. The file size is over 3GB. It’s been a couple of hours so far and I’m at 4% downloaded.
The joys of a backwoods internet connection.

sigh

218 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 9:19:44am

re: #203 Suranis

Nothing Happened to Copernicus for it.

The reason for that is that Compernicus had the good sense to die right after he published On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres.

He was nobody’s fool.

219 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 9:22:00am

re: #217 Backwoods_Sleuth

First World Problems:
I finally decided to download the Win 8.1 update. The file size is over 3GB. It’s been a couple of hours so far and I’m at 4% downloaded.
The joys of a backwoods internet connection.

sigh

I’ve read that if you’re installing it over a Windows 8 installation, your installation key won’t work.

Keep us posted on how it goes. I’m still trying to convince myself that there must be some reason to move to Win 8, but I keep coming up empty.

220 Sionainn  Apr 21, 2014 9:24:12am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I have bad news to report. My son, 53, was up on Sat evening to stay the night and have dinner Sunday with the rest of my family. He and my grandson had been up very late watching movies, and I fell asleep on the couch. Shortly after 6 am, I heard a loud thump and looked over and saw my son on the floor, starting to drool and turning blue. He was suffering cardiac arrest. My grandson ran into the LR from his BR and I called 911 as he was not breathing and had no pulse; the operator talked him through CPR, the firemen and medics arrived very shortly after and defibbed him 3 times, got a pulse going, then transported him to the local hospital. We rushed over there and after about an hour, they transported him by helicopter to Charlotte. His condition is critical.

But he’s in a very excellent heart unit and they have lowered his body temp to around 92 or so and will assess him after they bring it back up to normal. His nurse has only 2 patients and he also has a respiratory therapist and nursing aide. His dr is a very young woman who seemed excellent. He’s in an induced coma of sorts (I didn’t quite understand the procedure; it’s something new they now use on those suffering cardiac arrest). They don’t know if he suffered any brain damage from lack of oxygen when he first passed out; right now they’re just trying to get his heart back to some sort of normal operation (he had a stent put in several years ago). His own father had a heart attack at age 39, years ago and let us know by passing through Charlotte about 25 yrs ago; my older son was home and would not talk to him, that’s how bitter he felt from how his dad had neglected him over the years.

I am very worried about my son and will be going back to Charlotte later today when they raise his temp. I will say that the local emergency people were fantastic (there were probably 6 of them in our LR). It was watching excellence in action the way those men worked on him. One of them said in leaving that my grandson had done a great job of CPR, also, before they got here.

None of us are resting very well here, but I did want to take a few minutes before I have to starting getting things done to check in. Even though I knew my son had heart disease, at my age you just don’t think your kids will be struck down by something like that before you are. So, I’ll be home for the next couple of hours getting ready; they don’t allow visitors before 8 am anyway, and I have to get the oil changed in my car as early as possible, too, before heading back into Charlotte.

I’m just now reading this. I hope your son pulls through this and makes a lifestyle change. There is a way to reverse heart disease (Ornish program), but it takes discipline. My dad has regrown more blood flow to his damaged heart after his massive heart attack. (((hugs))) This is such a tough thing to go through and I can only imagine how worried you are.

221 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 9:25:47am
222 Sionainn  Apr 21, 2014 9:25:59am

re: #219 Skip Intro

I’ve read that if you’re installing it over a Windows 8 installation, your installation key won’t work.

Keep us posted on how it goes. I’m still trying to convince myself that there must be some reason to move to Win 8, but I keep coming up empty.

The system I use for my medical transcription will not work with Windows 8. I even went so far as to buy a backup Windows 7 computer in case this one crashes on me.

223 William of Orange  Apr 21, 2014 9:28:14am
224 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 9:28:23am

re: #219 Skip Intro

I’ve read that if you’re installing it over a Windows 8 installation, your installation key won’t work.

Keep us posted on how it goes. I’m still trying to convince myself that there must be some reason to move to Win 8, but I keep coming up empty.

I think I’ve been trying to do the upgrade (over a Win8 installation) for a couple of weeks, but nothing ever happened once I downloaded the installer.
This morning (on the third try) it finally started to download. This time there was no installer to download, it just went straight to downloading.

225 Gus  Apr 21, 2014 9:29:14am

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

Hope everything turns out OK. May he get well soon. {{Justanotherhuman}}

226 darthstar  Apr 21, 2014 9:29:26am
227 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 9:30:29am

Whoa, dudebros actually found something about Snowden they can’t believe?!!?

228 darthstar  Apr 21, 2014 9:31:00am

re: #221 Lidane

Who could have predicted that an organization that prides itself in how well its members wear scarves would have gay members and leaders?

229 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 9:32:26am
230 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 9:33:55am

Well, that settles that.

Easter Proclamation Abolishes Papacy by Rev. Kevin Annett

An Easter Proclamation issued today legally and spiritually disestablishes the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church, under the laws of heaven and earth. It was issued jointly by The International Common Law Court of Justice and The Covenant of Free Congregational Christians (The Covenanters). The Proclamation was made in Rome, London, Maastricht and dozens of other centers, and was read by Rev. Kevin Annett at the oldest catholic church outside Italy, in Maastricht, Holland. It was accompanied by “the third and final spiritual exorcism of the dark spirit of Rome” held by spiritual elders across the planet. See accompanying texts at itccs.org and iclcj.com . Issued by The Court and The Covenant at Easter, April 20, 2014.

Youtube Video

231 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 9:34:57am

First American man to win Boston Marathon since 1983.

Meb Keflezighi, as old as the furniture in American distance running, just won the 2014 Boston Marathon. The 38-year-old outran one of the best fields ever assembled, becoming the first American man to win since 1983.

What did it take? An early break at mile 8, and running the fastest he ever has, finishing in a personal best 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 37 seconds.

232 Killgore Trout  Apr 21, 2014 9:35:07am

A little more info on the conflicting numbers….
Chibok abductions in Nigeria: ‘More than 230 seized’

Some 190 Nigerian schoolgirls remain missing after being abducted last week, their headmistress has told the BBC - far more than the official figure.

Asabe Kwambura said the parents of 230 girls had reported them missing but 40 had managed to escape.
….
Asked about the conflicting reports on the number of students kidnapped, she said: “Only reports that come from us is the truth and based on the register we have on paper.”

233 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 9:36:04am

re: #230 Skip Intro

Put religion and politics in one room, and you get one grand clusterfuck that goes on for centuries…

234 Killgore Trout  Apr 21, 2014 9:37:00am

re: #229 Lidane

[Embedded content]

Meanwhile 5 more kids were shot in Chicago last night bringing the weekend total to 45
9 dead, 36 injured in Chicago weekend shootings

235 Alyosha  Apr 21, 2014 9:38:00am

Imagine you lived in Hawaii, but you fucked up and now you exist in Russia.

How pissed are you that summer’s coming on a scale of one to furious?

236 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 9:42:03am

re: #234 Killgore Trout

So in other words, guns kill people. What a surprise.

Doesn’t matter anyway. We will never do anything to seriously address the issue of gun violence in this country. Guns are far too ingrained in our collective culture. Anyone who even brings up the subject ends up on the receiving end of a bunch of NRA gun fuckers screaming like stuck pigs.

237 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 9:42:39am

re: #235 Alyosha

Imagine you lived in Hawaii, but you fucked up and now you existin Russia.

How pissed are you that summer’s coming on a scale of one to furious?

Summer in Russia is fine, it’s the winters…

238 Alyosha  Apr 21, 2014 9:46:19am

re: #237 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

Summer in Russia is fine, it’s the winters…

I reckon the beaches leave much to be desired. Although the Crimea just became available, so….

239 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 9:47:09am

re: #236 Lidane

So in other words, guns kill people. What a surprise.

Doesn’t matter anyway. We will never do anything to seriously address the issue of gun violence in this country. Guns are far too ingrained in our collective culture. Anyone who even brings up the subject ends up on the receiving end of a bunch of NRA gun fuckers screaming like stuck pigs.

If only those kids were armed and wearing bullet-proof vests and backpacks.

That’s the solution, for sure.

240 The War TARDIS  Apr 21, 2014 9:50:54am

re: #238 Alyosha

I admit that my first response to the meteor over Murmansk last week was an awful one.

241 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 9:51:45am

re: #239 Skip Intro

If only those kids were armed and wearing bullet-proof vests and backpacks.

That’s the solution, for sure.

And if they all had high capacity magazines….

242 lawhawk  Apr 21, 2014 9:53:24am

re: #223 William of Orange

[Embedded content]

That’s either an impossibly low bar or high bar for conduct, depending on your POV.

243 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 9:54:00am

Patriotism! Molon Labe! Eleventy!

245 jaunte  Apr 21, 2014 9:57:26am

re: #243 Lidane

.”..As in the years leading up to 1776, when King George III had his redcoats break into our homes, steal our weapons of self-defense and other property, and rape and pillage the colonies in general, We the People will not stand by and submit to this modern-day despotism. Here, Obama’s henchmen at the BLM, without court order, sent in government goons to seize cattle that were legally grazing on state and not federal lands. “

Larry is a bit confused about what happened.

246 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 9:59:44am

re: #243 Lidane

Because there is no difference between a government freely and fairly elected by the people and a tyrant across the ocean…

247 Alyosha  Apr 21, 2014 9:59:55am

re: #240 The War TARDIS

So long as you admit the thought was an awful one, Murmansk has little to worry about.

248 lawhawk  Apr 21, 2014 10:02:54am

re: #245 jaunte

Larry is a bit confused about what happened.

Not confused at all. He simply refuses to acknowledge the facts because doing so would make the rest of his claims moot. This isn’t state land. It’s federal land. Always had been, and Bundy’s been squatting on it and allowing his herds to graze on it without paying for that privilege.

Now, he sees this as an opportunity to further an insane notion that this should lead to revolution because Obama is attempting to enforce a 20 year old series of cases/rulings against Bundy that show he’s been a deadbeat and stealing from all Americans for that period (by using federal resources without paying for them).

It’s not surprising either that these nuts are trying to roll back federal control of lands out west, particularly in Utah, where most of the state is federally controlled. It’s a longstanding historical fact, but an uncomfortable one at that.

That’s why there’s opposition to declaring lands federal lands (national parks/monuments) because there are some folks out there who think that they can and should have the right to exploit the land any way they see fit and don’t think the feds have a right to the land (even though that right is included in the state and federal constitutions, and numerous statutes governing land use).

250 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 10:06:30am

re: #248 lawhawk

state is better than federal, and private is better than public.

articles of faith.

251 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 10:07:31am

re: #250 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

state is better than federal, and private is better than public.

articles of faith.

And God is a Republican.

252 Mike Lamb  Apr 21, 2014 10:09:01am

re: #244 Dr. Matt

ESPN.com promotes movie with bombs going off along side 2014 Boston Marthon picture of winner

Facepalm

I wonder how much control ESPN has over the content of that ad space.

253 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 10:09:14am

re: #251 Dr. Matt

And God is a Republican.

And Jesus supports the free market

254 jaunte  Apr 21, 2014 10:09:23am

re: #248 lawhawk

Here’s what I got for pointing out the state constitution to someone on the Bundyranch twitters:

256 Decatur Deb  Apr 21, 2014 10:10:34am

re: #211 Alyosha

Gregor Mendel just happened to have a bit of spare time in which to unwittingly prove that God did not create anything in it’s present form.

Thank you, monasticism.

Seriously.

Waiting to see Sheldon Cooper wear a Fr. Lemaitre t-shirt:P

en.wikipedia.org

257 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:12:48am

I haz chili hot dogs.

258 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 10:14:19am

re: #255 Varek Raith

LOL.
NBC hired a ‘psychological consultant’ to find out what is wrong with David Gregory’s ratings

Someone is getting a bunch of billable hours to tell NBC “because he sucks and his show is a joke”.

How can I get that gig?

259 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:16:04am

re: #258 Lidane

Someone is getting a bunch of billable hours to tell NBC “because he sucks and his show is a joke”.

How can I get that gig?

Hey, at least it was a Psychologist and not a Psychic.

260 jaunte  Apr 21, 2014 10:16:10am

re: #255 Varek Raith

“… Last year, the network commissioned a psychological consultant to interview Gregory’s friends and wife.”

Maybe they should be talking to people who aren’t watching.

261 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:17:33am

re: #254 jaunte

Here’s what I got for pointing out the state constitution to someone on the Bundyranch twitters:

[Embedded image]

Hide behind the document till someone who has read it points out the flaws, then deny the validity of the document based on Argumentum Ad Nazium.

262 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 10:17:45am

re: #257 Varek Raith

I haz chili hot dogs.

With or without onions?

263 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:17:56am

re: #260 jaunte

Maybe they should be talking to people who aren’t watching.

There are too many of them.

264 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:18:29am

re: #262 Dr. Matt

With or without onions?

Without. They kill my stomach.

265 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:18:53am

NBC will replace DG with Chuck Todd.
Watch.

266 Bulworth  Apr 21, 2014 10:19:35am
Larry Klayman says the Bundy ranch standoff requires a new revolution to oust Obama from office

Because Obummer unconstitutionally created the BLM and started charging fees to ranchers and started stealing everybody’s land.

///

267 Bulworth  Apr 21, 2014 10:20:39am

Wait, people are still watching the Sunday talk shows?

268 Kragar  Apr 21, 2014 10:21:14am

I want to beat it into some people’s head that making everything “HIGH PRIORITY” doesn’t magically free up the resources to get it done, especially when every fucking thing they ask for is “HIGH PRIORITY!”

269 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 10:21:15am

re: #264 Varek Raith

Without. They kill my stomach.

Ugh. Too bad. Minced raw white onions on a chili dog (‘Coney Dog’ in Detroit) is my favorite

270 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:23:00am

re: #267 Bulworth

Wait, people are still watching the Sunday talk shows?

Watch? No.
Make fun of? Yes.

271 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 10:23:15am

re: #265 Varek Raith

NBC will replace DG with Chuck Todd.
Watch.

Between those two and Joe Scarborough, what’s up with the NBC family of networks’ affinity for frat boy dicks?

272 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:23:50am

re: #268 Kragar

I want to beat it into some people’s head that making everything “HIGH PRIORITY” doesn’t magically free up the resources to get it done, especially when every fucking thing they ask for is “HIGH PRIORITY!”

WORK FASTER, PEON!

273 kirkspencer  Apr 21, 2014 10:24:22am

re: #268 Kragar

I want to beat it into some people’s head that making everything “HIGH PRIORITY” doesn’t magically free up the resources to get it done, especially when every fucking thing they ask for is “HIGH PRIORITY!”

heh. If everything is, nothing is.

274 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:25:13am

re: #185 Suranis

Actually mainly one custom was incorporated, gift giving. Somehow I’m not seeing the walking around with little clothing, wearing masks, servants dining with masters, totally liberated free speech where anyone can say what they like about anyone else without reprecusions, everyone wearing a conical cap that common laborers wore, a special place for women, and general fornication in our modern Christmas celebrations. *wink*

And saying that Saturanalia has some influence on Christmas over time is a lot different than saying that Christmas is Saturanalia with modern dressing. And that’s the point. Saturanalia and Christmas were different festivals that happened alongside one another and influenced one another for hundreds of years. Saying Christmass was just to con the Romans out of Saturanalia and that Christmas is Saturanalia is just flat out wrong.

That explains the Lord of Misrule and such, doesn’t it?

en.wikipedia.org

275 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:25:30am

re: #268 Kragar

I want to beat it into some people’s head that making everything “HIGH PRIORITY” doesn’t magically free up the resources to get it done, especially when every fucking thing they ask for is “HIGH PRIORITY!”

I now label all IT Help requests ‘Urgent’ because if I don’t they NEVER GET FUCKING DONE!!! so, there’s that.

276 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 10:26:22am

re: #269 Dr. Matt

Ugh. Too bad. Minced raw white onions on a chili dog (‘Coney Dog’ in Detroit) is my favorite

I had that problem as well, but learned that Vidalia and other “sweet” onions don’t create the same gastric chaos.
Now I just need to figure out what particular soil amendments are needed so I can grow sweet onions here on the farm.

277 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:26:25am

re: #275 GeneJockey

I now label all IT Help requests ‘Urgent’ because if I don’t they NEVER GET FUCKING DONE!!! so, there’s that.

Reminds me of my short time at help desk.
People like you…
:P

278 Sionainn  Apr 21, 2014 10:27:28am

re: #248 lawhawk

Not confused at all. He simply refuses to acknowledge the facts because doing so would make the rest of his claims moot. This isn’t state land. It’s federal land. Always had been, and Bundy’s been squatting on it and allowing his herds to graze on it without paying for that privilege.

Now, he sees this as an opportunity to further an insane notion that this should lead to revolution because Obama is attempting to enforce a 20 year old series of cases/rulings against Bundy that show he’s been a deadbeat and stealing from all Americans for that period (by using federal resources without paying for them).

It’s not surprising either that these nuts are trying to roll back federal control of lands out west, particularly in Utah, where most of the state is federally controlled. It’s a longstanding historical fact, but an uncomfortable one at that.

That’s why there’s opposition to declaring lands federal lands (national parks/monuments) because there are some folks out there who think that they can and should have the right to exploit the land any way they see fit and don’t think the feds have a right to the land (even though that right is included in the state and federal constitutions, and numerous statutes governing land use).

Exactly. It’s the reason why I do not want the states to gain control of the federal lands. I like it just as it is right now. I can go camping and exploring and (if I hunted) hunting just about anywhere in Nevada. State control would fuck it all up.

279 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:28:11am

re: #277 Varek Raith

Reminds me of my short time at help desk.
People like you…
:P

Let me put it this way - when you have to cc your VP on correspondence with IT because they don’t respond otherwise, I’m pretty sure the problem does not originate with me.

280 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 10:28:28am

welp, it’s been three hours and my Win 8.1 download is now at 7% completed.

I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be worth it…

281 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:29:15am

re: #279 GeneJockey

Let me put it this way - when you have to cc your VP on correspondence with IT because they don’t respond otherwise, I’m pretty sure the problem does not originate with me.

See, that qualifies as urgent.

282 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:29:25am

re: #280 Backwoods_Sleuth

welp, it’s been three hours and my Win 8.1 download is now at 7% completed.

I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be worth it…

Lol, no.

283 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:29:39am

Further to last post - I’m used to IT being surly and effective. That, I can take. Surly and ineffective, not so much.

284 Lidane  Apr 21, 2014 10:33:22am

285 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:35:01am

re: #282 Varek Raith

Lol, no.

Then again, MS had to rip XP from my cold not so dead hands.

286 Bulworth  Apr 21, 2014 10:35:29am

Lidane posted:

Louie Gohmert wants to arrest Eric Holder, put him in Capitol jail cell

Holder doing that Attorney Generaling While Black thing?

//

287 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 10:35:32am

re: #285 Varek Raith

Then again, MS had to rip XP from my cold not so dead hands.

yep.

288 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:35:58am

re: #283 GeneJockey

Further to last post - I’m used to IT being surly and effective. That, I can take. Surly and ineffective, not so much.

I was surly and awesome.
Unless your problem was a missing desktop shortcut and badgered me to no end.
;)

289 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 10:36:00am
290 Dr. Matt  Apr 21, 2014 10:36:03am

re: #284 Lidane

[Embedded image]

Butthurt, level eleventy.

291 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:36:04am

re: #280 Backwoods_Sleuth

welp, it’s been three hours and my Win 8.1 download is now at 7% completed.

I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be worth it…

An updated version of a nightmare. I’ve concluded that Microsoft has given up completely on trying to make useful software and are now just pushing the envelope to see how user-hostile they can make their products before people stop buying them.

The latest versions of Office, for example. Who thought it was a good idea to change all the commands and shit around so that everyone who’s spent years learning how to use it now can’t even make a simple graph?

292 jaunte  Apr 21, 2014 10:36:44am

re: #284 Lidane

Sad authoritarian.

293 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:36:55am

re: #249 Varek Raith

Virginia white supremacists sneak Easter eggs filled with racist notes into kids’ celebration

Part of the new rebranding effort I presume.
//

294 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:37:20am

re: #293 Feline Fearless Leader

Part of the new rebranding effort I presume.
//

CNN BREAKING NEWS!

295 Mattand  Apr 21, 2014 10:37:20am

re: #234 Killgore Trout

Meanwhile 5 more kids were shot in Chicago last night bringing the weekend total to 45
9 dead, 36 injured in Chicago weekend shootings

Didn’t you spam that last night?

296 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:37:52am

re: #259 GeneJockey

Hey, at least it was a Psychologist and not a Psychic.

Maybe they should get CNN to investigate and see if they can find the missing ratings.
//

297 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:39:04am

re: #296 Feline Fearless Leader

Maybe they should get CNN to investigate and see if they can find the missing ratings.
//

CNN will need their own investigation once they run out of MH370 stories, unless a young blond woman goes missing someplace.

298 Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 21, 2014 10:40:20am

re: #291 GeneJockey

An updated version of a nightmare. I’ve concluded that Microsoft has given up completely on trying to make useful software and are now just pushing the envelope to see how user-hostile they can make their products before people stop buying them.

The latest versions of Office, for example. Who thought it was a good idea to change all the commands and shit around so that everyone who’s spent years learning how to use it now can’t even make a simple graph?

That’s why the last version of Office I had was (I think) Office 2006.
I moved to OpenOffice and never looked back.

299 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:40:56am

re: #275 GeneJockey

I now label all IT Help requests ‘Urgent’ because if I don’t they NEVER GET FUCKING DONE!!! so, there’s that.

Works just like grade inflation. If everything is an “A” than in actuality nothing is priority since there is no differential to identify what is really important. Until there is some triage by the people analyzing the ticket.

300 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:41:10am

re: #291 GeneJockey

An updated version of a nightmare. I’ve concluded that Microsoft has given up completely on trying to make useful software and are now just pushing the envelope to see how user-hostile they can make their products before people stop buying them.

The latest versions of Office, for example. Who thought it was a good idea to change all the commands and shit around so that everyone who’s spent years learning how to use it now can’t even make a simple graph?

Oh geez, Office. Yeah, wtf MS?

301 kirkspencer  Apr 21, 2014 10:41:23am

re: #219 Skip Intro

I’ve read that if you’re installing it over a Windows 8 installation, your installation key won’t work.

Keep us posted on how it goes. I’m still trying to convince myself that there must be some reason to move to Win 8, but I keep coming up empty.

I’m a windows fanboy and chant the benefits if W8 (now W8+1 - sorry, windows 8.1) Even so I’ll say that it’s not yet the best choice for everyone. In trying to read the tea leaves stuck between various lines I think that’ll change with +2 (whether it’s W8.2 or W9 remains to be seen - I’d go with .2 but that’s just me.) Like XPSP2 I think +2 will be when a bunch of things come together.

Anyway and that noted, if you’re a casual user using 7 and you’re happy, stay with it. If you’re a hard core gamer, upgrade within the next year. If you’re enterprise (more than 40 computers in various network configurations), start getting W8.x with all new purchases and plan an upgrade of remaining legacy within the next 18 months. If you’re a small shop don’t plan to upgrade unless (a) some software you’re using requires it, or (b) you buy new computers. If you’re using XP and anything but a computer tech, get a new computer and upgrade.

All the above is my general advice. There are plenty of exceptions.

Oh - and apple. I have this impression and am trying to pull together enough evidence to kill or support it: I think Apple is considering dropping any system bigger than a tablet within the long-range forecast cycle. In other words, if I’m right OSX may not see more than one more upgrade.

302 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 10:41:27am

re: #284 Lidane

Louie Gohmert wants to arrest Eric Holder, put him in Capitol jail cell

He understands enough to know that there are a lot of people who hate the Federal Gummint, especially in its acronymic manifestations: FBI, CIA, ATF, BLM, IRS, EPA, OSHA, etc. and is gonna milk it for all it’s worth.

303 jaunte  Apr 21, 2014 10:42:00am

re: #299 Feline Fearless Leader

Everything is High Priority. Order of tasks will now be determined by screaming.

304 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:45:00am

re: #303 jaunte

Everything is High Priority. Order of tasks will now be determined by screaming.

Switching from the software side to hardware side was the greatest thing I’ve ever done.
So much nicer.

305 kirkspencer  Apr 21, 2014 10:45:01am

re: #303 jaunte

Everything is High Priority. Order of tasks will now be determined by screaming.

One place I worked for a bit solved the problem by requiring documentation every time “high priority” was invoked. Abuses of the label were tied to job evaluations.

306 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:46:21am

re: #303 jaunte

Everything is High Priority. Order of tasks will now be determined by screaming.

Yep. Been there, done that. Job title has an effect as well since “VP” as part of it triggers double secret priority. Especially when the administrative assistant who you know you do not want to annoy indicates that he has a call with the corporate CEO later that morning.

307 GeneJockey  Apr 21, 2014 10:46:31am

re: #299 Feline Fearless Leader

Works just like grade inflation. If everything is an “A” than in actuality nothing is priority since there is no differential to identify what is really important. Until there is some triage by the people analyzing the ticket.

I’ve noted that the response time varies based on who puts in the request. If it’s me, it tends to be dealt with in a reasonable time. If it’s one of my minions, the response is more lackadaisical. I tested this by putting in a request from my new minion’s account. The response was slow and distinctly hinted at ‘Go away and stop bothering me’.

308 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 10:48:26am

re: #301 kirkspencer

Oh - and apple. I have this impression and am trying to pull together enough evidence to kill or support it: I think Apple is considering dropping any system bigger than a tablet within the long-range forecast cycle. In other words, if I’m right OSX may not see more than one more upgrade.

Apple still hasn’t, to my knowledge, started delivering the new Mac Pros in any quantity. If they have, there’s almost no buzz about them that I’ve found.

I do like their laptops, but I’m not sure how much farther they can take them. Same goes for the iMac.

So while I hope you’re wrong about OSX, I wouldn’t bet against you.

309 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:48:47am

re: #301 kirkspencer

We’re still using IE 8 here. And have machines that need to potentially support four different languages (and possibly supporting three different keyboards.) That I have a 4-year-old Dell laptop is possibly the least of my worries at the moment.

I expect we’ll see Win 8 creep in with the various execs switching over to tablets from laptops in their continual search for lighter and smaller equipment.

310 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:49:56am

Maybe we should start declaring every Monday afternoon “Cranky IT Person Time”.

;)

311 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 10:50:48am

re: #310 Feline Fearless Leader

Maybe we should start declaring every Monday afternoon “Cranky IT Person Time”.

;)

I am a user. I install software if I have to.

312 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:51:02am

re: #310 Feline Fearless Leader

Maybe we should start declaring every Monday afternoon “Cranky IT Person Time”.

;)

I recently found out that Dell has no clue on how to properly attach heatsinks.
All of my families pcs were affected.
Sheesh.

313 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  Apr 21, 2014 10:51:42am

re: #312 Varek Raith

I recently found out that Dell has no clue on how to properly attach heatsinks.
All of my families pcs were affected.
Sheesh.

oh dear, isn’t that a hardware problem?

314 kirkspencer  Apr 21, 2014 10:52:08am

re: #309 Feline Fearless Leader

We’re still using IE 8 here. And have machines that need to potentially support four different languages (and possibly supporting three different keyboards.) That I have a 4-year-old Dell laptop is possibly the least of my worries at the moment.

I expect we’ll see Win 8 creep in with the various execs switching over to tablets from laptops in their continual search for lighter and smaller equipment.

Legacy software is one of the “stay with what you’ve got” rules. That said, the W8 language/foreign keyboard support seems pretty solid. (Not fluent enough to give them hard tests, but feedback from non-English users never includes that complaint despite it being one of the satisfaction questions.)

315 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 10:52:45am

re: #313 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

oh dear, isn’t that a hardware problem?

Easy fix.
Just hope no lasting damage happened to the CPUs.

316 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:53:20am

re: #311 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I am a user. I install software if I have to.

Do you issue work tickets to yourself about installing software and then ignore them as your installer/ticket processor side? And if you then reject it back to yourself the question arises whether you are possibly related to Braxton Bragg.

;)

317 kirkspencer  Apr 21, 2014 10:54:18am

re: #308 Skip Intro

Apple still hasn’t, to my knowledge, started delivering the new Mac Pros in any quantity. If they have, there’s almost no buzz about them that I’ve found.

I do like their laptops, but I’m not sure how much farther they can take them. Same goes for the iMac.

So while I hope you’re wrong about OSX, I wouldn’t bet against you.

Another somewhat incidental cue. Apple stores have had minimal hires for computer staff for several months. More significant in the stores is that what staff there is, is being shifted from OSX to non-OSX positions. Phones, tablets, televisions, but not laptops.

318 Killgore Trout  Apr 21, 2014 10:56:01am

re: #295 Mattand

Didn’t you spam that last night?

Nope. Yesterday afternoon there were 39 shooting victims when I posted. 5-6 more kids were shot last night in a drive by shooting.

319 klys  Apr 21, 2014 10:56:28am

re: #317 kirkspencer

Another somewhat incidental cue. Apple stores have had minimal hires for computer staff for several months. More significant in the stores is that what staff there is, is being shifted from OSX to non-OSX positions. Phones, tablets, televisions, but not laptops.

The writing has been on the wall for a bit. Apple has done its share of “unifying” the desktop and tablet experience (what prompted my switch back to Win7).

320 Feline Fearless Leader  Apr 21, 2014 10:57:52am

re: #318 Killgore Trout

Nope. Yesterday afternoon there were 39 shooting victims when I posted. 5-6 more kids were shot last night in a drive by shooting.

So it’s new and improved Spam then.

321 Skip Intro  Apr 21, 2014 10:59:02am

re: #317 kirkspencer

Too bad. They still make the best laptops, period. I’ll hate to see them become a boutique item in the future.

322 Varek Raith  Apr 21, 2014 11:01:18am

The last time I used an Apple for a decent period of time was the IIgs.
Way back in elementary school.

323 kirkspencer  Apr 21, 2014 11:13:00am

re: #321 Skip Intro

Too bad. They still make the best laptops, period. I’ll hate to see them become a boutique item in the future.

Though I call myself a Windows fanboy, I /like/ apples for a lot of things. Specifically, I think it’s great for users who just ‘want something that works’, who don’t want to add a bit of this and that but not the other thing. I also think they’re the better choice for artistically oriented users - both writing and graphical design software for non-geeks tends to be better for the Apple users.

But right now I’m not recommending an apple computer to anyone. (pads? phones? Yes. computers? no.)

324 Sionainn  Apr 21, 2014 11:16:05am

re: #322 Varek Raith

The last time I used an Apple for a decent period of time was the IIgs.
Way back in elementary school.

I learned word processing in high school on an Apple IIe.

325 ObserverArt  Apr 21, 2014 12:10:38pm

re: #265 Varek Raith

NBC will replace DG with Chuck Todd.
Watch.

From my #200 above (when this was mentioned earlier…)

And whatever you do…NO CHUCK TODD!

I suggested Rachel Maddow. That’ll scare some politicians and probably a few members here at LGF.

326 CuriousLurker  Apr 21, 2014 1:50:06pm

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

I have bad news to report….

{{{JAH}}}

327 Swift2991  Apr 21, 2014 2:14:49pm

I think the problem was Snowden and Wikileaks, et. al., are so obsessed with the United States as the unipolar Axis of Evil that they totally missed the fact that, although we have done evil for time to time, there are other players here who are much more duplicitous. Who don’t have judges overlooking the use of the phone call database. These are the people who believe the Fox News-like RT because it’s not our “corporate media.” So it must be true.

328 Swift2991  Apr 21, 2014 2:16:57pm

re: #323 kirkspencer

Apple computers can run Windows, you know?

329 kirkspencer  Apr 21, 2014 2:25:38pm

re: #328 Swift2991

Apple computers can run Windows, you know?

Yes, and intels can run OSX.

None of which changes my concerns.

330 urbanmeemaw  Apr 21, 2014 3:13:50pm

re: #80 Justanotherhuman

{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

331 jonhendry  Apr 21, 2014 10:07:01pm

re: #301 kirkspencer

I have this impression and am trying to pull together enough evidence to kill or support it: I think Apple is considering dropping any system bigger than a tablet within the long-range forecast cycle. In other words, if I’m right OSX may not see more than one more upgrade.

1. What are people going to write iOS software on? Nobody’s going to write apps *on* iOS. The limitations on applications would be too restrictive. You’d need two iPads to debug an iPad app, which would be awkward at best. Development tools are notorious RAM and disk hogs, while Apple is notorious for skimping on RAM for iOS devices. And iOS doesn’t use swapfiles, so hardware RAM is all you got. And you often want multiple development tools running at once: Xcode and Instruments, for example.

I can’t see Apple telling people to use Visual Studio on Windows, either. Apple’s put a lot of effort into the toolchain, which is shared by both iOS and Mac OS X.

2. They only just set up their US manufacturing facility for the new Mac Pro. Seems like a weird thing to do if they aren’t going to continue putting out Mac hardware. I mean, Apple could certainly afford to ditch it at a moment’s notice without noticing the financial bite, but it seems odd to make that investment in the first place.

The more likely scenario could be something like the Macbook Air and small desktops moving to an ARM port of OS X, while Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, and high-end iMacs stay on Intel, also with OS X.


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