Far Right Kooks Plan DC Rally, Warn Obama May Launch Drone Strikes

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Apparently there is now a group of far right crackpots calling themselves “Operation American Spring,” and they’re planning a rally in Washington DC with the goal of ousting President Obama from office, and they’re very concerned that Obama might launch drone strikes against them.

Can I get an ibuprofen?

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519 comments
1 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:03:17pm

2 Charles Johnson  May 7, 2014 6:04:54pm

That’s not a drone.

THIS is a drone.

Youtube Video

3 Kragar  May 7, 2014 6:05:24pm

Is “Operation American Spring” Planned As A Massive Sacrifice To Satan?

Youtube Video

It would be irresponsible not to speculate

Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely Stained By Past With Devil Worshiper! Washington March A Sacrifice To Satan?

4 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:06:19pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

That’s not a drone.

THIS is a drone.

[Embedded content]

Video

I thought that was a “I’m not getting in that freaking thing” drone. //

5 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:07:40pm

Ah, Operation American Spring. The fun part about this is that the planning is guaranteed to make it an epic fail. What’s the over/under on actual attendance, do you think?

6 Kragar  May 7, 2014 6:09:32pm

re: #5 thedopefishlives

Ah, Operation American Spring. The fun part about this is that the planning is guaranteed to make it an epic fail. What’s the over/under on actual attendance, do you think?

“1.8 Million Definite Militia Members” to March on DC, Install New Government

So figure a few dozen maybe

7 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 7, 2014 6:10:00pm

re: #2 Charles Johnson

That’s not a drone.

THIS is a drone.

Maybe I’m not getting it, but exactly what is that thing supposed to achieve? Looks like an overgrown science fair project.

8 Single-handed sailor  May 7, 2014 6:10:06pm

9 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:11:47pm

re: #6 Kragar

“1.8 Million Definite Militia Members” to March on DC, Install New Government

So figure a few dozen maybe

Yeah, I’ve seen the derpstream from a poster on the JREF, an Australian national who is a Birther and desperately anti-Obama. She seems to think that this is the big thing that is going to end Obama’s illegal trampling of our Constitution (why she should care, being an Australian, has yet to be determined). Needless to say, many hearty LOLs were had by all.

10 Justanotherhuman  May 7, 2014 6:12:01pm

Well, I plan to launch an attack of drone bees upon them. They’ll find the queen soon enough.

Image: 250px-Drone_24a.jpg

11 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 7, 2014 6:12:55pm

Additionally, we laugh at these nuts (and rightfully so), but you can bet some of them are dead serious about this shit, and I hope (am 99.9 percent certain) that some FBI, NSA, and ATF agents are going to be getting some overtime pay for that day.

12 Skip Intro  May 7, 2014 6:13:12pm

re: #6 Kragar

“1.8 Million Definite Militia Members” to March on DC, Install New Government

So figure a few dozen maybe

This should work out well for them.

“Those with the principles of a West, Cruz, Lee, DeMint, Paul, Gov Walker, Sessions, Gowdy, Jordan, Issa, will comprise a tribunal and assume positions of authority to convene investigations, recommend appropriate charges against politicians and government employees to the new U.S. Attorney General appointed by the new President.”

13 b.d.  May 7, 2014 6:14:04pm

They must be huge Biden fans.

//

15 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:15:59pm

re: #14 freetoken

DRONES! DRONES! DRONES!

easyJet develops drones to inspect planes

Deploying Drones for News Gathering in El Salvador

Navy giving its helicopter drones a Linux upgrade

Linux?

Yeah, we learned our lesson from the cruisers that (tried to) run Windows 2000.

16 b.d.  May 7, 2014 6:17:40pm

[bundy] CAN I BRING MY COWS TO COME AND GRAZE ON THE MALL? [/bundy]

17 TedStriker  May 7, 2014 6:19:19pm

re: #15 thedopefishlives

Yeah, we learned our lesson from the cruisers that (tried to) run Windows 2000.

Compared to WinME and Win9x, Win2000 was a dream, at least from a user’s POV.

18 The Ghost of a Flea  May 7, 2014 6:19:21pm

So, basically, if there weren’t so few of them, and if previous attempts hadn’t been so laughable, this would actually be terrifying.

The overthrow of a democratically-elected government with no justification or evidence, followed by a purge.

19 The Ghost of a Flea  May 7, 2014 6:19:47pm

re: #18 The Ghost of a Flea

Freedom!

20 freetoken  May 7, 2014 6:20:53pm

Will the “war on coal” doom the Democratic party majority in the Senate?

Obama administration set to unveil new limits on power plants in response to climate change

Meanwhile, conservative groups are ready to attack. The American Energy Alliance, which has spent more than $1 million on television criticizing Obama’s energy policies and candidates who support them, said it’s more than likely the emissions rules will wind up in the group’s ads this year.

Money makes the world go ‘round, and there’s no money like fossil fuels.

21 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:21:28pm

re: #17 TedStriker

Compared to WinME and Win9x, Win2000 was a dream, at least from a user’s POV.

Granted, but it didn’t go so well for the Navy. Let me see if I can find some more information.

22 TedStriker  May 7, 2014 6:22:12pm

re: #18 The Ghost of a Flea

So, basically, if there weren’t so few of them, and if previous attempts hadn’t been so laughable, this would actually be terrifying.

The overthrow of a democratically-elected government with no justification or evidence, followed by a purge.

They so want their Republic of Gilead scenario, but if they read The Handmaid’s Tale, they’d know that reign of terror didn’t last.

23 Kragar  May 7, 2014 6:22:16pm

re: #12 Skip Intro

This should work out well for them.

“Those with the principles of a West, Cruz, Lee, DeMint, Paul, Gov Walker, Sessions, Gowdy, Jordan, Issa, will comprise a tribunal and assume positions of authority to convene investigations, recommend appropriate charges against politicians and government employees to the new U.S. Attorney General appointed by the new President.”

“We love the Constitution so much we plan to overthrow the legally elected government and replace them with our hand picked fanatics.”

24 freetoken  May 7, 2014 6:22:23pm

It would no surprise me if many of the Democrats lose, in those fossil-fuel-extraction heavy states.

25 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 7, 2014 6:22:37pm

re: #20 freetoken

There was some “American Energy Institute” (?) shill on NPR this afternoon whinging about Stanford’s decision to divest itself of coal investments. Had all those bullet points lined up nice and neat in a row.

26 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:23:00pm

re: #21 thedopefishlives

Granted, but it didn’t go so well for the Navy. Let me see if I can find some more information.

Ah, that would be why. It was Windows NT. My point is somewhat lessened.

27 sagehen  May 7, 2014 6:23:01pm

re: #5 thedopefishlives

Ah, Operation American Spring. The fun part about this is that the planning is guaranteed to make it an epic fail. What’s the over/under on actual attendance, do you think?

Put me down for 150.

28 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:23:23pm

re: #26 thedopefishlives

archive.wired.com

29 freetoken  May 7, 2014 6:24:42pm

re: #25 Rev_Arthur_Belling

There was some “American Energy Institute” (?) shill on NPR this afternoon whinging about Stanford’s decision to divest itself of coal investments. Had all those bullet points lined up nice and neat in a row.

Nice and neat in a row:

Image: GP04EEY.jpg

30 Rightwingconspirator  May 7, 2014 6:27:07pm

re: #1 Gus

[Embedded image]

re: #2 Charles Johnson

Okay you guys win, but I’d still be happy to have one of these..

.Youtube Video

31 freetoken  May 7, 2014 6:27:36pm

Maybe the rally should be held in Yosemite, now that is is off limits to drones?

Drones banned from Yosemite, other parks

32 goddamnedfrank  May 7, 2014 6:27:50pm

re: #15 thedopefishlives

Yeah, we learned our lesson from the cruisers that (tried to) run Windows 2000.

It was Windows NT, aboard the Yorktown.

From 1996 Yorktown was used as the testbed for the Navy’s Smart Ship program. The ship was equipped with a network of 27 dual 200 MHz Pentium Pro-based machines running Windows NT 4.0 communicating over fiber-optic cable with a Pentium Pro-based server. This network was responsible for running the integrated control center on the bridge, monitoring condition assessment, damage control, machinery control and fuel control, monitoring the engines and navigating the ship. This system was predicted to save $2.8 million per year by reducing the ship’s complement by 10%.

On 21 September 1997, while on maneuvers off the coast of Cape Charles, Virginia, a crew member entered a zero into a database field causing an attempted division by zero in the ship’s Remote Data Base Manager, resulting in a buffer overflow which brought down all the machines on the network, causing the ship’s propulsion system to fail.

Atlantic Fleet officials acknowledged that the Yorktown experienced what they termed “an engineering local area network casualty.”[6] “We are putting equipment in the engine room that we cannot maintain and, when it fails, results in a critical failure,” DiGiorgio said.

Even though the problem was caused by programming error in the Remote Data Base Manager application and not by problems with the operating system itself, criticism of operating system choice ensued. Ron Redman, deputy technical director of the Fleet Introduction Division of the Aegis Program Executive Office, said there have been numerous software failures associated with NT aboard the Yorktown.

34 dog philosopher  May 7, 2014 6:28:32pm

re: #5 thedopefishlives

Ah, Operation American Spring. The fun part about this is that the planning is guaranteed to make it an epic fail. What’s the over/under on actual attendance, do you think?

the whole thing will be viciously sabotaged by a 2-for-1 Bad Boy Breakfast Special at denny’s

35 Decatur Deb  May 7, 2014 6:28:36pm
36 Kragar  May 7, 2014 6:28:38pm

re: #31 freetoken

Maybe the rally should be held in Yosemite, now that is is off limits to drones?

Drones banned from Yosemite, other parks

Those are private drones, not government operated.

37 dog philosopher  May 7, 2014 6:30:16pm

re: #32 goddamnedfrank

It was Windows NT, aboard the Yorktown.

don’t they know to NEVER RUN A SERVER ON WINDOWS???

38 Rightwingconspirator  May 7, 2014 6:30:18pm

re: #31 freetoken

I read up on that. I see they got to be so numerous and noisy there were complaints.

39 The Ghost of a Flea  May 7, 2014 6:30:30pm

re: #23 Kragar

“We love the Constitution so much we plan to overthrow the legally elected government and replace them with our hand picked fanatics.”

“We can’t actually prove any wrongdoing, but our hand-picked Star Chamber also feels strongly that somebody must be guilty of something.”

40 Lidane  May 7, 2014 6:30:43pm

re: #8 Single-handed sailor

Related:

41 b.d.  May 7, 2014 6:30:52pm

TAKE COVER!! THEY’RE COMING!!

I TRIED TO WARN YOU!

42 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 7, 2014 6:31:32pm

re: #36 Kragar

Those are private drones, not government operated.

I really wish some people writing about DROOOONNNNEEEESSSS would be more specific about what they are. Videographers have been using remote-control helicopters to shoot video for several years. Is it the range that makes something a drone? On-board visual sighting? What?

43 Kragar  May 7, 2014 6:31:42pm

re: #39 The Ghost of a Flea

“We can’t actually prove any wrongdoing, but our hand-picked Star Chamber also feels strongly that somebody must be guilty of something.”

“The government’s failure to answer our constantly changing barrage of insane questions proves they are hiding something!”

44 Decatur Deb  May 7, 2014 6:31:50pm

Don’t want a drone attack, but it really needs a lot of high-angle photography for crowd count. Some of these are the same people who faked the million man/million truck/million motorcycle frauds.

45 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:32:08pm

re: #44 Decatur Deb

Don’t want a drone attack, but it really needs a lot of high-angle photography for crowd count. some of these are the same people who faked the million man/million truck/million motorcycle frauds.

OBAMA DRONES!!!!!

46 freetoken  May 7, 2014 6:32:29pm

re: #42 Rev_Arthur_Belling

FREE THE DRONES FROM FAA OPPRESSION!!!

Was Use Of Drones At Marathon Legal?

47 thedopefishlives  May 7, 2014 6:32:44pm

On a serious note, how long before some asshat shoots down a drone (or kills somebody with a long range shot intended to shoot down a drone) that is flying for a totally innocuous purpose?

48 Kragar  May 7, 2014 6:33:27pm

re: #44 Decatur Deb

Don’t want a drone attack, but it really needs a lot of high-angle photography for crowd count. some of these are the same people who faked the million man/million truck/million motorcycle frauds.

We already have photos of the glorious revolution

49 freetoken  May 7, 2014 6:34:32pm
50 Lidane  May 7, 2014 6:34:59pm

re: #47 thedopefishlives

On a serious note, how long before some asshat shoots down a drone (or kills somebody with a long range shot intended to shoot down a drone) that is flying for a totally innocuous purpose?

Just wait until Amazon starts suing them for shooting down the delivery drones. Heh.

51 Decatur Deb  May 7, 2014 6:35:01pm

re: #47 thedopefishlives

On a serious note, how long before some asshat shoots down a drone (or kills somebody with a long range shot intended to shoot down a drone) that is flying for a totally innocuous purpose?

Any drone a clown could bring down was definably an innocuous toy.

52 Decatur Deb  May 7, 2014 6:36:05pm

re: #50 Lidane

Just wait until Amazon starts suing them for shooting down the delivery drones. Heh.

“I didn’t order 000 shot on my pizza.”

53 dog philosopher  May 7, 2014 6:36:23pm

re: #46 freetoken

FREE THE DRONES FROM FAA OPPRESSION!!!

Was Use Of Drones At Marathon Legal?

anything is allowed when the persians are invading the greek mainland

54 The Ghost of a Flea  May 7, 2014 6:37:50pm

re: #44 Decatur Deb

Don’t want a drone attack, but it really needs a lot of high-angle photography for crowd count. some of these are the same people who faked the million man/million truck/million motorcycle frauds.

There’s a strong chance at least some of the people organizing this are scamming in some manner. Behind every derpy event like this, there’s fundraising emails and demands for contributions.

55 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 7, 2014 6:38:27pm

I happen to have a passing acquaintance with one of the journalists who is really pushing drone journalism as a “thing” (one of the flavors of the week that will Save Journalism As We Know It (tm) ). I always thought he was a little too hepped up on it (he’s kind of a dudebro about it).

“Drones” can be another tool for journalists to use to tell compelling stories. It’s not going to Save Journalism, anymore than data journalism or cool infographics or video or whatever. It’s a tool.

/semi-related rant

56 Kragar  May 7, 2014 6:41:09pm

I find it funny that the same people who scream about regulating guns have such a stick up their ass about remote control tools.

57 Decatur Deb  May 7, 2014 6:41:23pm

re: #54 The Ghost of a Flea

There’s a strong chance at least some of the people organizing this are scamming in some manner. Behind every derpy event like this, there’s fundraising emails and demands for contributions.

The two ex-military involved are seriously bent nutcases. A good chunk of the nutcase-industrial complex are on board. (The two main Threeper factions both think it’s a Fed spookfest, however.)

58 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:42:57pm
59 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:45:11pm
60 The Ghost of a Flea  May 7, 2014 6:46:13pm

re: #56 Kragar

I find it funny that the same people who scream about regulating guns have such a stick up their ass about remote control tools.

They scream about people regulating their guns.

Give them power and suddenly they’re going to get super concerned about who else has guns.

61 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 7, 2014 6:49:05pm

re: #59 Gus

[Embedded content]

Oh, so now GG gets to lecture Western feminists as well. What an ass.

62 Rightwingconspirator  May 7, 2014 6:49:56pm

re: #60 The Ghost of a Flea

They scream about people regulating their guns.

re: #56 Kragar

I find it funny that the same people who scream about regulating guns have such a stick up their ass about remote control tools.

Give them power and suddenly they’re going to get super concerned about who else has guns.

Well just tell them they can buy a drone with a gun on it. Watch the brain lock, steam, stuttering and then collapse.

63 b_sharp  May 7, 2014 6:51:08pm

re: #59 Gus

[Embedded content]

Am I getting this right? GG thinks helping find these girls is a bad thing?

64 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:52:41pm

re: #63 b_sharp

Am I getting this right? GG thinks helping find these girls is a bad thing?

Knowing his propensity for snark I’d read the “impressive” bit as sarcasm. So, looks like it.

65 b.d.  May 7, 2014 6:53:13pm

re: #63 b_sharp

Am I getting this right? GG thinks helping find these girls is a bad thing?

Unless Russia does it.

66 Belafon  May 7, 2014 6:54:56pm

re: #63 b_sharp

What’s worse than kidnapping schoolgirls? Imperialist America rescuing them, obviously.

67 allegro  May 7, 2014 6:55:01pm

re: #63 b_sharp

Am I getting this right? GG thinks helping find these girls is a bad thing?

Apparently he doesn’t see a problem since girls have been kidnapped and sold into slavery, like, forever… or something. I’m failing to find another explanation for his accusation of history being ignored.

68 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:55:45pm

re: #63 b_sharp

Am I getting this right? GG thinks helping find these girls is a bad thing?

He links to an article by Teju Cole at the New Yorker with a lot of words.

69 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:56:30pm

One blames “capitalism” for Boko Haram. There’s a real Cultural Marxist.

70 Gus  May 7, 2014 6:58:56pm

BTW. Boko Haram murdered 300 people at a market in Nigeria today. Gunned down.

71 thatthatisis  May 7, 2014 7:01:31pm

BTW, wasn’t there supposed to be some major, earth shattering new evidence released by Sheriff Arpaio about Obama’s birth certificate back in March?

Maybe they’ll bring that report along to present it to the millions of people who show up in front of the Whote House on May 16.

//

72 Kragar  May 7, 2014 7:01:34pm
73 Decatur Deb  May 7, 2014 7:02:22pm

re: #63 b_sharp

Am I getting this right? GG thinks helping find these girls is a bad thing?

White Man’s Burden.

74 Gus  May 7, 2014 7:03:25pm

re: #63 b_sharp

Am I getting this right? GG thinks helping find these girls is a bad thing?

I guess if I were to be really fair I’d say I really don’t know. Something tells me he wouldn’t give a straight answer.

75 Pie-onist Overlord  May 7, 2014 7:05:15pm

Was that Sean Bean chewing the scenery on tonight’s episode of “Criminal Minds” or just some Hollywood dude who looks like him?

76 Gus  May 7, 2014 7:05:21pm
77 Killgore Trout  May 7, 2014 7:05:56pm

re: #70 Gus

BTW. Boko Haram murdered 300 people at a market in Nigeria today. Gunned down.

Yeah, that’s really bad. They lured the police out of town with a fake report about a possible sighting of the schoolgirls then went into the town for the slaughter.
I would really like to think that our involvement might go beyond the modest help we’re sending for the schoolgirl rescue. The country seriously needs help, I keep hoping the French might get involved. They’ve done well with conflicts in Africa lately.

78 Kragar  May 7, 2014 7:05:58pm
79 Romantic Heretic  May 7, 2014 7:09:16pm

re: #58 Gus

[Embedded content]

I think it’s really stupid that they’re taking those things out of service.

80 Lidane  May 7, 2014 7:10:12pm

re: #75 Pie-onist Overlord

Was that Sean Bean chewing the scenery on tonight’s episode of “Criminal Minds” or just some Hollywood dude who looks like him?

If he didn’t die on screen, it probably wasn’t him.

81 Skip Intro  May 7, 2014 7:10:15pm

re: #72 Kragar

You’re not going to trick me again into clicking on one of those things.

82 Gus  May 7, 2014 7:12:13pm

re: #79 Romantic Heretic

I think it’s really stupid that they’re taking those things out of service.

Frankly I think it’s part of the F-35 snowjob. One could call it the usual Military-Industrial-Complex song and dance. Now, I think the F-35 can keep going for several reasons. But there’s no way I see them using the F-35 like the A-10 until decades from now when the airframes are near their final sell date. Without the A-10 it increase an F/A-35 selling point.

83 Kragar  May 7, 2014 7:13:01pm

re: #81 Skip Intro

You’re not going to trick me again into clicking on one of those things.

Youtube Video

84 Lidane  May 7, 2014 7:13:05pm

So apparently Tom Cruise has decided to do a sci-fi version of Groundhog Day where he keeps dying over and over and over in an apocalyptic war which starts his day all over again. This allows him to train and train and train indefinitely until he can win.

I am not impressed.

85 Egregious Philbin  May 7, 2014 7:15:01pm

DERP-A-PALOOZA!

86 BongCrodny  May 7, 2014 7:15:54pm

re: #84 Lidane

So apparently Tom Cruise has decided to do a sci-fi version of Groundhog Day where he keeps dying over and over and over in an apocalyptic war which starts his day all over again. This allows him to train and train and train indefinitely until he can win.

I am not impressed.

I hear one of the aliens is named Klaatu Ryerson.

87 Pie-onist Overlord  May 7, 2014 7:16:58pm

GAH.
Asshole.

88 Kragar  May 7, 2014 7:17:10pm

re: #84 Lidane

So apparently Tom Cruise has decided to do a sci-fi version of Groundhog Day where he keeps dying over and over and over in an apocalyptic war which starts his day all over again. This allows him to train and train and train indefinitely until he can win.

I am not impressed.

I thought it looked interesting

Youtube Video

89 Single-handed sailor  May 7, 2014 7:17:53pm

re: #86 BongCrodny

I hear one of the aliens is named Klaatu Ryerson.

“Bing!”

90 Pie-onist Overlord  May 7, 2014 7:18:47pm

Here’s a brilliant military strategist and hostage negotiator.

91 jonhendry  May 7, 2014 7:19:34pm

re: #84 Lidane

That’s almost Scientological.

92 darthstar  May 7, 2014 7:20:04pm
93 Ed E. Lishus  May 7, 2014 7:20:39pm

re: #86 BongCrodny

I hear one of the aliens is named Klaatu Ryerson.

Klaatu? Klaatu Ryerson?! *pow*

94 Skip Intro  May 7, 2014 7:21:58pm

re: #84 Lidane

So apparently Tom Cruise has decided to do a sci-fi version of Groundhog Day where he keeps dying over and over and over in an apocalyptic war which starts his day all over again. This allows him to train and train and train indefinitely until he can win.

How come that never works in video games?

95 freetoken  May 7, 2014 7:24:50pm

I wonder if drones might be able to help me, to reach those loquats at the top of trees that are otherwise inaccessible?

96 Lidane  May 7, 2014 7:25:49pm

re: #88 Kragar

I thought it looked interesting

Could also just be me. I can’t stand Tom Cruise. I used to be a fan then he lost his mind. Now I can’t even look at him.

97 Pie-onist Overlord  May 7, 2014 7:27:34pm

re: #96 Lidane

Could also just be me. I can’t stand Tom Cruise. I used to be a fan then he lost his mind. Now I can’t even look at him.

I’m still pissed about the Jack Reacher movie.

98 Skip Intro  May 7, 2014 7:28:27pm

re: #97 Pie-onist Overlord

I’m still pissed about the Jack Reacher movie.

Isn’t he going to do another one?

99 Belafon  May 7, 2014 7:29:30pm

re: #94 Skip Intro

Actually, it works that way in a lot of video games. Borderlands, for example. You don’t lose your experience when you die, just money.

100 Kragar  May 7, 2014 7:30:12pm

re: #96 Lidane

Could also just be me. I can’t stand Tom Cruise. I used to be a fan then he lost his mind. Now I can’t even look at him.

I haven’t liked a lot of his recent movies, but I might check out this one.

101 Skip Intro  May 7, 2014 7:30:39pm

re: #99 Belafon

But I don’t get stronger, so I still get my ass kicked when I’m revived.

Probably my real problem is that I get most of my games from GOG, and they’re so old they don’t work that way.

102 Kragar  May 7, 2014 7:31:43pm

re: #101 Skip Intro

But I don’t get stronger, so I still get my ass kicked when I’m revived.

Keep earning XP, then go back in

103 Belafon  May 7, 2014 7:33:02pm

re: #92 darthstar

One of the TVs at the gym was on the Five. Their story on the report was titled “Climate change hysteria.”

104 TedStriker  May 7, 2014 7:58:45pm

re: #80 Lidane

If he didn’t die on screen, it probably wasn’t him.

I’m a fan of how he went out in GoldenEye: it’s hard to top getting dropped into the Arecibo Observatory dish from its superstructure by James Bond, then having said superstructure fall on you.

105 Lidane  May 7, 2014 8:08:46pm

re: #104 TedStriker

I’m a fan of how he went out in GoldenEye: it’s hard to top getting dropped into the Arecibo Observatory dish from its superstructure by James Bond, then having said superstructure fall on you.

Someone on the internet beat me to it:

106 Gus  May 7, 2014 8:09:27pm
107 psddluva4evah  May 7, 2014 8:09:47pm

Mentioned in previous thread about this FLOTUS tweet from earlier today:

I figured that this WH wouldn’t have allowed the FLOTUS pic to be posted thereby attaching the Obama “clout” to the issue unless they were planning more than just administative consultation on the issue.

I may be wrong, but this from ABC news seems like newer info that I’d heard before.

108 Kragar  May 7, 2014 8:21:38pm
109 freetoken  May 7, 2014 8:22:29pm


ↁℜℴℵℇℤ!

110 Jack Burton  May 7, 2014 8:31:48pm

re: #106 Gus

[Embedded content]

OH NOEZ!!!!1111!!

CREEPING SHARIA!!!111!!!!eleventy!!111cos2x + sin2x

111 freetoken  May 7, 2014 8:34:03pm

re: #110 Jack Burton

OH NOEZ!!!!1111!!

CREEPING SHARIA!!!111!!!!eleventy!!111cos2x + sin2x

And here I thought it was the invasion from Heaven headlines that would have grabbed everyone.

112 The Ghost of a Flea  May 7, 2014 8:34:14pm

re: #106 Gus

I’ll have a 12-inch fatwa, please.

113 GlutenFreeJesus  May 7, 2014 8:34:20pm

*sneaks into rally*

*laughing evilly as I fly a model airplane above and watch everyone scatter*

114 GlutenFreeJesus  May 7, 2014 8:35:55pm

re: #108 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Technically, it’s not his money. So by his logic, shouldn’t his employer have a say with what he does with THEIR money?

115 Kragar  May 7, 2014 8:35:57pm

re: #113 GlutenFreeJesus

*sneaks into rally*

*laughing evilly as I fly a model airplane above and watch everyone scatter*

All you need is a cellphone, binoculars, and look up a lot. They’ll freak out.

116 Jack Burton  May 7, 2014 8:38:45pm

re: #87 Pie-onist Overlord

GAH.
Asshole.

[Embedded content]

Anyone working in the “industry” (defense/govt contracting/etc) knows and has known this for decades. Those outside the industry with IQs above bean-dip and the slightest bit of insight could probably figure it out.

France does it too. All of our allies do to some extent. We do it back to them. It’s understood to be “the way things are”. It’s not a shock for people who don’t live in Greensnowdia, Greater Wingnuttia, or the Dudebro Antilles.

117 Amory Blaine  May 7, 2014 8:39:23pm

If them poor kidnapped girls were on a plane to Benghazi they’d already be telling their story to Barbara Walters. Disgraceful treatment by the media.

118 Killgore Trout  May 7, 2014 8:41:08pm

re: #106 Gus

[Embedded content]

Heh, some people are weird about this stuff. It’s not that different that some of the prayer issues we’ve been discussing. Some people are offended if they hear a prayer they don’t like or from a different religion. Some people are weird about eating food that’s been prayed over. Different religions tend to dislike each other for historical/theological reason but atheists should be better about this. If you don’t believe in the prayer being said (in your presence or over your food) then why should it matter? It’s harmless nonsense and causes no actual harm. It’s all imaginary.

119 Gus  May 7, 2014 8:42:31pm

Suddenly. Meat eaters. Fur aficionados. Trappers. Chicken drowning. Wolf hunt for wolves from a helicopter. Are. Concerned. About humane. Meat.

120 Gus  May 7, 2014 8:43:09pm

Halal. Become. The most dangerous meat.

121 Gus  May 7, 2014 8:44:40pm
122 Amory Blaine  May 7, 2014 8:45:52pm

Who are the chicken drowners?

123 freetoken  May 7, 2014 8:47:04pm

re: #118 Killgore Trout

It’s not that different that some of the prayer issues we’ve been discussing. Some people are offended if they hear a prayer they don’t like or from a different religion.

It’s sufficiently different that we ought to recognize the differences.

There is a difference between some person praying at any given locale, and an official government meeting ordaining the prayer of a particular sect.

There is a difference between business people - grocers, chefs - offering up Halal food to their customers, and the government legislating Halal food.

The distinctions are real.

124 Gus  May 7, 2014 8:48:01pm

re: #122 Amory Blaine

Who are the chicken drowners?

That’s how you kill excessive chicks.

125 Gus  May 7, 2014 8:48:30pm

They’re either drowned or thrown in a grinder alive.

126 freetoken  May 7, 2014 8:48:44pm

re: #124 Gus

That’s how you kill excessive chicks.

When they’re not fed to the vampire coyotes.

127 Gus  May 7, 2014 8:49:05pm

re: #126 freetoken

When they’re not fed to the vampire coyotes.

Nope.

128 freetoken  May 7, 2014 8:49:48pm

re: #127 Gus

Not even were-snakes?

129 Amory Blaine  May 7, 2014 8:50:29pm

re: #125 Gus

Based on market conditions I assume.

130 Jack Burton  May 7, 2014 8:51:26pm

I’m neither Jewish nor Muslim. When I see something labeled as Kosher or Halal, I tend to assume it’s better in some way than it would be if it wasn’t labeled so.

I’ve never felt a desire to stop eating pork, learn Hebrew or Arabic, or prey to Mecca after eating the labeled food.

So my question is:

Who Gives a Shit?

131 Mentis Fugit  May 7, 2014 8:53:04pm

re: #112 The Ghost of a Flea

I’ll have a 12-inch fatwa, please.

footlong/fatwa, tomatoh/tomatah

132 sagehen  May 7, 2014 9:09:29pm

re: #130 Jack Burton

I’m neither Jewish nor Muslim. When I see something labeled as Kosher or Halal, I tend to assume it’s better in some way than it would be if it wasn’t labeled so.

“Better” is relative.

If you like your steak bloody… kosher/halal is right out. The method of slaughter exanguinates it, then the buthering/prep involves salt to absorb most of whatever liquid that may be left.

On the other hand… kosher is guaranteed not to include downer cattle, and adrenaline and other hormones don’t get released into the meat through the bloodsteam at the time of death. Also, the processing plant to get K certified has to be cleaner than USDA requirements.

133 Gus  May 7, 2014 9:12:09pm
134 Amory Blaine  May 7, 2014 9:16:46pm

135 Jack Burton  May 7, 2014 9:27:08pm

re: #132 sagehen

On the other hand… kosher is guaranteed not to include downer cattle, and adrenaline and other hormones don’t get released into the meat through the bloodsteam at the time of death. Also, the processing plant to get K certified has to be cleaner than USDA requirements.

This is mainly what I meant.

136 Amory Blaine  May 7, 2014 9:29:05pm
137 Amory Blaine  May 7, 2014 9:52:59pm

138 Kragar  May 7, 2014 10:30:56pm
139 Kragar  May 7, 2014 10:39:58pm
140 Lidane  May 7, 2014 11:06:41pm

re: #139 Kragar

141 freetoken  May 7, 2014 11:56:25pm
142 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 1:09:55am

So as far as I can tell, the strategy of the American Spring March will be to needle and provoke the government until it has to respond to overt threats or even acts of violence, at which point the government response will be held up as proof that they are out to DRONEZ us all.

143 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 1:23:47am

re: #142 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

I expect the American Spring March will end up looking like the usual Tea Party get-together — maybe a hundred middle-aged, grumpy white people carrying poorly spelled, handwritten placards bewailing the reality of a sitting AA president.

144 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 1:34:11am

re: #143 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

I expect the American Spring March will end up looking like the usual Tea Party get-together — maybe a hundred middle-aged, grumpy white people carrying poorly spelled, handwritten placards bewailing the reality of a sitting AA president.

It would be irresponsible not to speculate, but just imagine if Putin arranges for some troublemakers to stir up a hornets’ nest of provocation and countermeasures…what could not go wrong in such a scenario?

It would guarantee media coverage far and beyond the scale of the protest and keep the US media well distracted from events elsewhere in the world, especially near the borders of Russia…

145 freetoken  May 8, 2014 2:15:34am
146 Dr Lizardo  May 8, 2014 2:35:43am

re: #22 TedStriker

They so want their Republic of Gilead scenario, but if they read The Handmaid’s Tale, they’d know that reign of terror didn’t last.

They obviously never read the epilogue to The Handmaid’s Tale, where it’s noted that the Republic of Gilead collapsed and a more equal society was re-established.

147 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 2:44:55am

Sort of surprised this isn’t getting a lot of attention:

A federal judge:

A) Oversteps his jurisdiction to put a halt to the “John Doe” state investigation, citing Citizen’s United amongst the cases he’s using as precedent
B) Orders the investigators to immediately destroy or return all evidence collected during the course of the investigation
C) Repeats the sentiment expressed by Roberts in the recent McCutcheon that only quid pro quo counts as bribery
D) Finally goes on to praise those under investigation for finding ways to circumvent state campaign finance laws, calling them a victory for “free speech.”

An appeals court has already put a halt on the part of the court ruling ordering the destruction/return of evidence, but the judge is still free to order the investigation halted until the appeals court rules on his order for it to be ended.

148 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 3:00:24am

re: #147 Targetpractice

Sort of surprised this isn’t getting a lot of attention:

A federal judge:

A) Oversteps his jurisdiction to put a halt to the “John Doe” state investigation, citing Citizen’s United amongst the cases he’s using as precedent
B) Orders the investigators to immediately destroy or return all evidence collected during the course of the investigation
C) Repeats the sentiment expressed by Roberts in the recent McCutcheon that only quid pro quo counts as bribery
D) Finally goes on to praise those under investigation for finding ways to circumvent state campaign finance laws, calling them a victory for “free speech.”

An appeals court has already put a halt on the part of the court ruling ordering the destruction/return of evidence, but the judge is still free to order the investigation halted until the appeals court rules on his order for it to be ended.

D_F and I were discussing this earlier. He’s supporting the judge’s decision, while I am questioning it. Dark claims the judge is ruling according the law, but my initial reaction, which I didn’t state earlier, was, “who bribed/pressured the judge?” Your points A and B especially bother me.

149 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 3:13:19am

re: #148 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

D_F and I were discussing this earlier. He’s supporting the judge’s decision, while I am questioning it. Dark claims the judge is ruling according the law, but my initial reaction, which I didn’t state earlier, was, “who bribed/pressured the judge?” Your points A and B especially bother me.

Yeah, B’s what has stood out to me more than anything in reading the response to this case, the idea that a federal judge can order evidence destroyed is just mind-boggling.

150 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 3:27:47am

re: #147 Targetpractice

littlegreenfootballs.com

The fact that he ordered all evidence to be immediately destroyed is outrageous.

151 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 3:55:12am

Perhaps the reason why Putin has suddenly changed his tune about Eastern Ukraine is because the polls show that even the Russian-speakers there are not looking for him to save them:

152 Dark_Falcon  May 8, 2014 4:21:46am

re: #150 Amory Blaine

littlegreenfootballs.com

The fact that he ordered all evidence to be immediately destroyed is outrageous.

The point of that was to keep prosecutors from retaining said evidence and then leaking it. It seems clear to me that Judge Randa feels that the investigation of Scott Walker’s recall campaign was at its core political in nature, and thus he likely fears leaks.

And he didn’t overstep his jurisdiction, given that the plantiffs in the lawsuit were being deprived of their 1st Amendment rights. The 14th Amendment, as enforced by the Civil Rights act of 1964, gives the federal courts the ability to step in when state agencies violate a person’s constitutional rights.

153 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 4:23:57am

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

The point of that was to keep prosecutors from retaining said evidence and then leaking it.

because leaking it would be violating the law in order to promote free speech, and we know how the judge feels about that…

154 Dark_Falcon  May 8, 2014 4:28:13am

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

because leaking it would be violating the law in order to promote free speech, and we know how the judge feels about that…

No, it wouldn’t. Prosecutors are not free to talk about evidence they have gathered in the same way that people are free to engage in political speech. There are rules on what may lawfully be disclosed outside and inside of a courtroom and for what purposes it may be disclosed. But sometimes when the prosecutors have an axe to grind those rules don’t get followed.

155 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 4:32:37am

re: #154 Dark_Falcon

No, it wouldn’t. Prosecutors are not free to talk about evidence they have gathered in the same way that people are free to engage in political speech. There are rules on what may lawfully be disclosed outside and inside of a courtroom and for what purposes it may be disclosed. But sometimes when the prosecutors have an axe to grind those rules don’t get followed.

You’re suggesting the prosecutors would purposefully violate the law? After the judge just got done patting the Club for Growth on the back for circumventing the law?

156 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 4:34:26am

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

What do you think about the actual ethics and morality of what Walker’s campaign did?

157 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 4:34:28am

re: #155 Targetpractice

You’re suggesting the prosecutors would purposefully violate the law? After the judge just got done patting the Club for Growth on the back for circumventing the law?

exctly - turnaround and fair play and all…

158 Dark_Falcon  May 8, 2014 4:43:40am

re: #156 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

What do you think about the actual ethics and morality of what Walker’s campaign did?

I have no problem with it at all.

159 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 4:45:38am

re: #158 Dark_Falcon

I have no problem with it at all.

The Mothers of Circumvention

160 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 4:46:17am

re: #158 Dark_Falcon

I have no problem with it at all.

Can you accurately describe what happened? I mean, without going to research it now?

161 ericblair  May 8, 2014 4:48:14am

re: #151 Targetpractice

Perhaps the reason why Putin has suddenly changed his tune about Eastern Ukraine is because the polls show that even the Russian-speakers there are not looking for him to save them:

[Embedded content]

The support isn’t there, and the insurgents don’t really control anything outside two towns and a few buildings, so it would be too much of an obvious farce even for Putin to sign off on. However, the bunch of local meatheads that constitute the pro-Russian insurgent leadership have decided to go ahead with it anyways.

So, foreign power uses local unaccountable violent thugs as cat’s-paw for deniable adventurism, and gets surprised when local unaccountable violent thugs decide to do whatever they fucking feel like to the local populace despite what the foreign power wants to do. I think I’ve seen this movie before.

162 Dark_Falcon  May 8, 2014 4:48:30am

re: #160 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

Can you accurately describe what happened? I mean, without going to research it now?

I haven’t time to do so before I leave for work.

163 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 4:49:13am

re: #161 ericblair

So, foreign power uses local unaccountable violent thugs as cat’s-paw for deniable adventurism, and gets surprised when local unaccountable violent thugs decide to do whatever they fucking feel like to the local populace despite what the foreign power wants to do. I think I’ve seen this movie before.

Northern Ireland for starters…

164 Dark_Falcon  May 8, 2014 4:49:53am

re: #161 ericblair

The support isn’t there, and the insurgents don’t really control anything outside two towns and a few buildings, so it would be too much of an obvious farce even for Putin to sign off on. However, the bunch of local meatheads that constitute the pro-Russian insurgent leadership have decided to go ahead with it anyways.

So, foreign power uses local unaccountable violent thugs as cat’s-paw for deniable adventurism, and gets surprised when local unaccountable violent thugs decide to do whatever they fucking feel like to the local populace despite what the foreign power wants to do. I think I’ve seen this movie before.

Yeah, this isn’t the first time Russia has been caught in that sand-trap.

165 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 4:52:20am

re: #162 Dark_Falcon

I haven’t time to do so before I leave for work.

I didn’t ask you to do it, I asked you if you could. Do you actually accurately know what happened?

166 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 4:53:17am

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

I don’t think the Appeals Court is taking that view.

167 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 4:55:50am

re: #166 Amory Blaine

I don’t think the Appeals Court is taking that view.

From the sounds of it, the appeals court is taking the view that, until the investigation is well and truly dead, the investigators cannot be ordered to destroy or return evidence seized during the course of the investigation.

168 Dark_Falcon  May 8, 2014 4:57:01am

re: #165 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

I didn’t ask you to do it, I asked you if you could. Do you actually accurately know what happened?

I believe so. but I can’t say more now.

BBT

169 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 4:58:09am

re: #168 Dark_Falcon

I believe so. but I can’t say more now.

BBT

I don’t think you actually can, that sounds more like a hopeful statement than a confident one. I think, as usual, you’re responding along partisan lines without actually analyzing the situation or having real knowledge of it.

170 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 5:12:35am

If the John Does had brought forth nothing, then I can understand skepticism towards the prosecutors motives. However 6 felony convictions have so far resulted and not of some outliers either. People very close to Walker politically and also physically. Everyday, crimes were going on right under his nose. In his office.

171 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 5:14:16am

re: #170 Amory Blaine

If the John Doe’s had brought forth nothing, then I can understand skepticism towards the prosecutors motives. However 6 felony convictions have so far resulted and not of some outliers either. People very close to Walker politically and also physically. Everyday, crimes were going on right under his nose. In his office.

And all you need now is a judge who will nod along to the argument that it’s not corruption if all they do is give you money with a wink and a nod.

172 A Mom Anon  May 8, 2014 5:18:34am

re: #170 Amory Blaine

That’s what I thought was happening here. There had been actual concrete convictions for people breaking the law. This judge stinks, he’s either being bought off or blackmailed or he’s just hyperpartisan. There’s really no other explaination, especially when you throw in ordering evidence destroyed that’s already involved convictions. That same evidence could yield more clues in unraveling this whole mess, why order it to the shredder unless you are scared of more arrests and convictions? It makes no sense at all.

173 Bubblehead II  May 8, 2014 5:21:46am
174 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 5:22:02am

re: #172 A Mom Anon

This is a different John Doe. I don’t know (think) there is evidence from the convictions of the other John Doe.

175 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 5:23:26am

In the post-Citizens United world, corruption only counts if I ask for something in exchange for giving money to a politician. It’s like saying that if I offer to bribe a cop, that’s breaking the law. But if I just hand him a $100 bill and he magically makes the speeding ticket disappear, then there’s nothing illegal there because I didn’t explicitly say the money was in exchange for special treatment.

176 A Mom Anon  May 8, 2014 5:23:51am

re: #174 Amory Blaine

Ahh, ok the whole thing is confusing unless you’ve been following it from early on. (I haven’t) But still, why destroy evidence in the first place? Something’s fishy there.

177 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 5:24:56am

BTW the 3 Chicago appeals judges:
2 GOP appt.
1 Dem appt.

178 A Mom Anon  May 8, 2014 5:25:35am

re: #175 Targetpractice

Why, one would almost think that the people interpreting the law in this way might gain from it somehow…..nah, couldn’t be.

179 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 5:27:28am

TCOT hates FLOTUS so much they will take the side of Boko Haram.

180 kirkspencer  May 8, 2014 5:33:06am

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

The point of that was to keep prosecutors from retaining said evidence and then leaking it. It seems clear to me that Judge Randa feels that the investigation of Scott Walker’s recall campaign was at its core political in nature, and thus he likely fears leaks.

And he didn’t overstep his jurisdiction, given that the plantiffs in the lawsuit were being deprived of their 1st Amendment rights. The 14th Amendment, as enforced by the Civil Rights act of 1964, gives the federal courts the ability to step in when state agencies violate a person’s constitutional rights.

Dark, you do know how extraordinary the order to destroy the evidence is, don’t you? I mean, even in a first amendment case?

“They might violate the law and leak it.” is an extraordinarily weak read upon which to lean. “might” only has standing at the supreme court level (only they use the word hypothetical), and Kennedy’s decisions of the past few years have been cutting even there.

That’s the red flag here. That’s pretty apparent from the appeal court order. District court failed to certify the appeal was frivolous so an injunction is applied to the whole, and even if they do the order to destroy evidence is blocked till the appeals court completes its hearing. (Note this does not stop them sustaining a continued injunction until the Supreme Court hears or denies cert.)

181 Dr Lizardo  May 8, 2014 5:33:24am

re: #179 Pie-onist Overlord

TCOT hates FLOTUS so much they will take the side of Boko Haram.

[Embedded content]

And why wouldn’t they? The wingnuts already have far more in common in Boko Haram than they do with the rest of human civilization.

182 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 5:40:58am

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

The point of that was to keep prosecutors from retaining said evidence and then leaking it. It seems clear to me that Judge Randa feels that the investigation of Scott Walker’s recall campaign was at its core political in nature, and thus he likely fears leaks.

[snip]

If they did nothing wrong, they have nothing to worry about.

183 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 5:42:36am

WTF Hillary caused OKC?

184 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 5:42:37am

Only Ibuprofen Charles?

Yes, it’s morning again.

you?

185 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 5:44:39am
186 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 5:45:12am

how do I delete a tweet again?

187 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 5:50:16am
188 Bubblehead II  May 8, 2014 5:59:29am
189 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 5:59:44am

Brunei is a minuscule country in Southeast Asia.

The Sultan of Brunei owns partial interest in a hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. He has instituted Taliban like laws in his country and now there is a call to boycott the hotel.

And they (well, the Sultan) have oil.

190 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 6:03:31am

bbl

191 Rightwingconspirator  May 8, 2014 6:06:17am

re: #187 NJDhockeyfan

[Embedded content]

I wonder if he thinks he is looking at the buffet.

192 Bubblehead II  May 8, 2014 6:11:35am

Wish I had known about this.

Raptor’s Release Is the Moment of Truth

ASHLEY SMITH • TIMES-NEWS Janie (Fink) Veltkamp, a raptor biologist, holds a peregrine falcon named Wiley as Larry Tate, middle, and College of Southern Idaho president Jeff Fox look on before it was released on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 on the campus. Tate, the grounds foreman for the college, found the bird in October and it spent the winter with Fink rehabilitating in Couer d’Alene .

193 makeitstop  May 8, 2014 6:18:49am

re: #192 Bubblehead II

Wish I had known about this.

Raptor’s Release Is the Moment of Truth

ASHLEY SMITH • TIMES-NEWS Janie (Fink) Veltkamp, a raptor biologist, holds a peregrine falcon named Wiley as Larry Tate

Darrin’s boss?

194 Bubblehead II  May 8, 2014 6:22:27am

re: #193 makeitstop

Darren’s boss?

Naw. If it was, Sam would have just wiggled her nose and cured the bird.

195 Rightwingconspirator  May 8, 2014 6:29:05am

I haz sample ballot!

I had to explain I can’t vote for Katz.

196 ObserverArt  May 8, 2014 6:29:17am

re: #192 Bubblehead II

Wish I had known about this.

Raptor’s Release Is the Moment of Truth

ASHLEY SMITH • TIMES-NEWS Janie (Fink) Veltkamp, a raptor biologist, holds a peregrine falcon named Wiley as Larry Tate, middle, and College of Southern Idaho president Jeff Fox look on before it was released on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 on the campus. Tate, the grounds foreman for the college, found the bird in October and it spent the winter with Fink rehabilitating in Couer d’Alene .

That was a nice feel-good story to get the day rolling.

We have some new hatches here in Columbus too. For quite a few years the State of Ohio Wildlife Department has maintained a nest on the 41st floor of the State Office in Downtown Columbus.

Here is a link to the two cameras checking them out. One viewing the ledge and one viewing the nest. The little fuzzballs are currently huddled together.

Columbus Ohio Live Falcon Cams

197 Dr Lizardo  May 8, 2014 6:36:52am

Looks like the world might be in for a big El Niño this year, if meteorologists worldwide are on the mark.

news.com.au

newscientist.com

198 Bubblehead II  May 8, 2014 6:37:17am

re: #196 ObserverArt

That was a nice feel-good story to get the day rolling.

We have some new hatches here in Columbus too. For quite a few years the State of Ohio Wildlife Department has maintained a nest on the 41st floor of the State Office in Downtown Columbus.

Here is a link to the two cameras checking them out. One viewing the ledge and one viewing the nest. The little fuzzballs are currently huddled together.

Columbus Ohio Live Falcon Cams

Thanks. Bookmarked.

This one is in Boise. Just finished feeding the chicks.

199 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 6:38:53am
200 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 6:39:53am

re: #193 makeitstop

Darrin’s boss?

Which Darrin?

201 darthstar  May 8, 2014 6:40:20am
202 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 6:41:40am

Heh Little Lord Ben.

203 darthstar  May 8, 2014 6:41:50am

Oh, Italy…I love you.

204 makeitstop  May 8, 2014 6:42:17am

re: #200 Eventual Carrion

Which Darrin?

Dick York will always be the Darrin. His takes were priceless.

205 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 6:42:23am

re: #199 Pie-onist Overlord

[Embedded content]

That’s actually a really good point and I think it gets at the right’s hypocrisy with wages and how they relate to prices.

206 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 6:42:24am

re: #196 ObserverArt

That was a nice feel-good story to get the day rolling.

We have some new hatches here in Columbus too. For quite a few years the State of Ohio Wildlife Department has maintained a nest on the 41st floor of the State Office in Downtown Columbus.

Here is a link to the two cameras checking them out. One viewing the ledge and one viewing the nest. The little fuzzballs are currently huddled together.

Columbus Ohio Live Falcon Cams

Was watching an osprey hunting over the river last night. When they just stop in midair and hover there with their tails down and huge wings holding them in place in air, it is just such a cool sight.

207 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 6:43:03am
208 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 6:44:07am

I’m pretty sure Rand Paul wears thongs too.

209 darthstar  May 8, 2014 6:44:25am

re: #203 darthstar

Oh, Italy…I love you.

[Embedded content]

Damn…it was shopped.

210 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 6:44:32am
211 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 6:45:07am

re: #207 Pie-onist Overlord

LOLWUT

[Embedded content]

Frankenstein never scared me!

212 darthstar  May 8, 2014 6:45:09am

re: #208 Amory Blaine

I’m pretty sure Rand Paul wears thongs too.

Backward.

213 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 6:45:18am

re: #207 Pie-onist Overlord

LOLWUT

[Embedded content]

I think that’s a complaint about the government setting a floor for wages.But I see he’s totally ignoring your point that prices did not skyrocket despite executives giving themselves their own generous pay raises.

214 Bubblehead II  May 8, 2014 6:46:23am

re: #203 darthstar

Oh, Italy…I love you.

[Embedded content]

Photoshop. Original here

215 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 6:46:45am

re: #213 HappyWarrior

I think that’s a complaint about the government setting a floor for wages.But I see he’s totally ignoring your point that prices did not skyrocket despite executives giving themselves their own generous pay raises.

Giving themselves huge bonuses & pay raises EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE DOING A SUCK JOB & PROFITS WERE PLUNGING

216 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 6:47:04am

re: #213 HappyWarrior

I think that’s a complaint about the government setting a floor for wages.But I see he’s totally ignoring your point that prices did not skyrocket despite executives giving themselves their own generous pay raises.

“Market forces,” dontchaknow? The market always accounts for millionaires giving each other pay raises and bonuses, but a minimum wage increase of $3 phased in over 3 years will totally unbalance everything and lead to economic chaos.

217 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 6:47:17am

re: #208 Amory Blaine

I’m pretty sure Rand Paul wears thongs too.

No, but one of his staffers did…

218 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 6:47:47am

IF A COMPANY IS DOING POORLY & LOOSING REVENUE TEH WORKERS & TEH YOONYUNZ HAVE TO TAKE TEH HAIRCUT NOT TEH TOP TALENTS!!!!!

219 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 6:48:21am

re: #218 Pie-onist Overlord

missed a bracket there…

220 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 6:50:10am

re: #216 Targetpractice

“Market forces,” dontchaknow? The market always accounts for millionaires giving each other pay raises and bonuses, but a minimum wage increase of $3 phased in over 3 years will totally unbalance everything and lead to economic chaos.

Yeah these guys aren’t very smart.

221 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 6:50:39am

re: #215 Pie-onist Overlord

Giving themselves huge bonuses & pay raises EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE DOING A SUCK JOB & PROFITS WERE PLUNGING

Yep. It’s stupid but wingnuts will be wingnuts.

222 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 6:51:03am

re: #208 Amory Blaine

I’m pretty sure Rand Paul wears thongs too.

I did not need that mental image.

223 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 6:51:30am

re: #220 HappyWarrior

Yeah these guys aren’t very smart.

Of course not, they long ago bought into the idea that the minimum wage is actually hurting job creation, despite every look into the matter showing the exact opposite. Only in their world does paying higher wages actually hurt a business.

224 ObserverArt  May 8, 2014 6:52:13am

re: #201 darthstar

[Embedded content]

He sure is a strange bird.

(Keeping with some of the morning topics…)

225 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 6:52:21am

re: #222 HappyWarrior

I did not need that mental image.

Be thankful Kragar isn’t around to read it…yet.

226 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 6:53:04am

re: #223 Targetpractice

Of course not, they long ago bought into the idea that the minimum wage is actually hurting job creation, despite every look into the matter showing the exact opposite. Only in their word does paying higher wages actually hurt a business.

Right, they’re convinced of it. Hell, if you increase wages, you’re going to increase productivity too. There’s lots of good reasons to raise the minimum wage that can’t be measured in numbers.

227 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 6:53:51am

re: #215 Pie-onist Overlord

Giving themselves huge bonuses & pay raises EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE DOING A SUCK JOB & PROFITS WERE PLUNGING

point is, to these guys, even a dysfunctional “free market” is better than anything the government can do.

228 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 6:54:07am
229 Backwoods_Sleuth  May 8, 2014 6:55:00am
230 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 6:55:01am

re: #226 HappyWarrior

Right, they’re convinced of it. Hell, if you increase wages, you’re going to increase productivity too. There’s lots of good reasons to raise the minimum wage that can’t be measured in numbers.

Indeed, Costco shows that you don’t have to pay piss-poor wages and short-change your employees to make a profit. That if you treat them like an asset rather than as a bunch of numbers on a balance sheet, you get your money’s worth.

231 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 6:56:05am

re: #230 Targetpractice

Indeed, Costco shows that you don’t have to pay piss-poor wages and short-change your employees to make a profit. That if you treat them like an asset rather than as a bunch of numbers on a balance sheet, you get your money’s worth.

Exactly, and that’s why the Costco CEO is happy to make “only” ten million or so a year.

232 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 6:57:21am

re: #226 HappyWarrior

Right, they’re convinced of it. Hell, if you increase wages, you’re going to increase productivity too. There’s lots of good reasons to raise the minimum wage that can’t be measured in numbers.

If you insist on seeing labor as just another cost to be minimized, like paper clips, toner or copier paper, then that view would apply.

But people are not just raw materials and cost factors.

Funny, but these people also like to preach to us about the “dignity of work”, but it seems that part of the dignity of work is the ability to support oneself and one’s family, perhaps even help them get a better education and better job…that is not gonna happen on the current minimum wage.

233 kirkspencer  May 8, 2014 6:58:03am

re: #231 HappyWarrior

Exactly, and that’s why the Costco CEO is happy to make “only” ten million or so a year.

I have felt for a long time that Bonfire of the Vanities and The Handmaid’s Tale should be mandatory reading in high school.

234 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 6:58:58am

re: #210 NJDhockeyfan

[Embedded content]

Interesting, that’s a new one. I found a video on liveleak of the tunnels from last week’s explosion. They were using huge noisy tunnel digging machines and they were digging through solid rock. Tunnels were big enough to comfortably walk through upright. Must have taken months to dig those tunnels and must have created a hell of a lot of noise.

235 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 7:00:24am

re: #232 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

If you insist on seeing labor as just another cost to be minimized, like paper clips, toner or copier paper, then that view would apply.

But people are not just raw materials and cost factors.

Funny, but these people also like to preach to us about the “dignity of work”, but it seems that part of the dignity of work is the ability to support oneself and one’s family, perhaps even help them get a better education and better job…that is not gonna happen on the current minimum wage.

There are two contradictory wingnut talking points on minimum wage:

IF WE RAISE TEH MINIMUM WAGE TEH PRICE OF EVERYTHING WILL GO WAY WAY UP!!!!!!

ONLY A VERY TINY PERCENTAGE OF TEENAGERS WORKING AFTER SCHOOL & IN SUMMERTIME EARN TEH MINIMUM WAGE!!!!!!

236 CuriousLurker  May 8, 2014 7:02:28am

Drive-by: If you were following my scientific literacy quiz Page, I updated the list of scores. There were lots of 2- and 3-way ties.

237 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 7:02:39am

re: #235 Pie-onist Overlord

There are two contradictory wingnut talking points on minimum wage:

IF WE RAISE TEH MINIMUM WAGE TEH PRICE OF EVERYTHING WILL GO WAY WAY UP!!!!!!

ONLY A VERY TINY PERCENTAGE OF TEENAGERS WORKING AFTER SCHOOL & IN SUMMERTIME EARN TEH MINIMUM WAGE!!!!!!

The first talking point deals with the idea that if you raise the “floor,” then everybody up the line will have to get a pay raise to keep things “fair,” such that the company will have no choice but to raise the cost of its products to keep the same level of profits. Thing is, wages have been stagnant or even fallen for decades now, but the price of things keeps rising. There’s more built into the cost of that hamburger and the bulk of it is not the pay going to the kid at the grill.

238 ObserverArt  May 8, 2014 7:03:11am

re: #206 Eventual Carrion

Was watching an osprey hunting over the river last night. When they just stop in midair and hover there with their tails down and huge wings holding them in place in air, it is just such a cool sight.

We have many red tail hawks in the Columbus Ohio area. Lots of times, I see them perched on telephone poles overlooking farmers fields outside of the city. Where I used to work it was suburbia, but only a mile in any direction there were fields and the Scioto river nearby, etc. The suburb had a water tower and one was always sitting up top.

One early morning I was just getting out of my car and saw a dove flying around. As I was walking toward our office I heard a ‘whap’ just above me, and as I turned to look up, feathers were floating down and the hawk from the water tower had just swept down and took the dove and flew off.

Sad for the dove, but the hawk was amazing. It all happened so fast.

I know they are a common bird, but I always liked their look. Such muscular bodies and that curved beak and those eyes give them a real warrior look.

239 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 7:03:54am

re: #237 Targetpractice

The first talking point deals with the idea that if you raise the “floor,” then everybody up the line will have to get a pay raise to keep things “fair,” such that the company will have no choice but to raise the cost of its products to keep the same level of profits. Thing is, wages have been stagnant or even fallen for decades now, but the price of things keeps rising. There’s more built into the cost of that hamburger and the bulk of it is not the pay going to the kid at the grill.

The price of fuel affects the price of everything else, more than worker pay.

240 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 7:04:37am

Kidnappings, Attacks Overshadow Nigerian Economic Forum

The U.S. military said Wednesday that U.S. advisers would arrive within days to help with communications, logistics and intelligence. Britain has promised to provide satellite imagery, while France says it will send security agents. China became the latest nation to offer help on Thursday.

Not sure of the meaning of “security agents” but looks like the muscle is coming from France.

241 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:05:09am

Here’s what I don’t get. They claim to have a problem with people being on public assistance yet if you refuse to raise the minimum wage, a lot more people will use things like food stamps and welfare. And a lot of those teens and college students working a minimum wage job are doing so to either support their families or help finance their college education too.

242 ObserverArt  May 8, 2014 7:07:08am

re: #230 Targetpractice

Indeed, Costco shows that you don’t have to pay piss-poor wages and short-change your employees to make a profit. That if you treat them like an asset rather than as a bunch of numbers on a balance sheet, you get your money’s worth.

So, what you are saying is a lot more of the first word and a lot less of the second word in ‘human resource.’

243 Alyosha  May 8, 2014 7:07:40am

re: #201 darthstar

The first thought that comes to mind is Lithgow-esque.

(With apologies to Mr. John Lithgow)

244 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 7:07:54am
245 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:08:50am

re: #241 HappyWarrior

Here’s what I don’t get. They claim to have a problem with people being on public assistance yet if you refuse to raise the minimum wage, a lot more people will use things like food stamps and welfare. And a lot of those teens and college students working a minimum wage job are doing so to either support their families or help finance their college education too.

They don’t have a problem with people being dirt poor, broke, and suffering. That is part of their moral order. They think large swathes of people should be in those conditions, and likewise that if you show certain moral attributes, you will never be in that situation.

It is not a position compatible with reality.

246 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 7:09:00am

France sends agents to Nigeria, boosts ties to fight Boko Haram

Having ousted al Qaeda-linked militants from Mali last year, France is planning to redeploy its forces across West Africa this summer to target Islamist groups taking advantage of porous borders between southern Libya, northern Chad and Niger.

“The president expressed his desire to increase intelligence cooperation with Nigeria, involving all regional countries, so that this terrorist group can no longer carry out such acts,” a statement on the telephone conversation said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told lawmakers: “In the face of such ignominy, France must react. This crime cannot be left unpunished.”

That looks promising.

247 makeitstop  May 8, 2014 7:09:53am

School Board Admits Holocaust Denial Project ‘Horribly Inappropriate’

Maybe they should be looking for the Holocaust Denier that came up with the idea and show whoever it is the door.

The whole situation looks like they’re going to supplicate themselves for a while, and then go on as if nothing happened after things die down.

Why is no one asking who’s responsible for this in the first place? Someone’s head should roll, IMO.

248 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:10:29am

re: #245 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

They don’t have a problem with people being dirt poor, broke, and suffering. That is part of their moral order. They think large swathes of people should be in those conditions, and likewise that if you show certain moral attributes, you will never be in that situation.

It is not a position compatible with reality.

So basically it’s modern Calvinism?

249 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 7:11:26am

re: #241 HappyWarrior

Here’s what I don’t get. They claim to have a problem with people being on public assistance yet if you refuse to raise the minimum wage, a lot more people will use things like food stamps and welfare. And a lot of those teens and college students working a minimum wage job are doing so to either support their families or help finance their college education too.

THEIR SHOULD BE NO MINIMUM WAGE & NO WELFARES!!!! IF PEOPLE DON’T GET TEH WELFARES THEY WILL GET OFF THERE LAZY ASSES & GET A REAL JRRB!!!!!!

What wingnuts really want is to make Teh Poors suffer because poverty is a symptom of moral turpitude.

250 darthstar  May 8, 2014 7:13:04am
251 blueraven  May 8, 2014 7:13:07am

re: #240 Killgore Trout

Kidnappings, Attacks Overshadow Nigerian Economic Forum

Not sure of the meaning of “security agents” but looks like the muscle is coming from France.

Seriously KT, if the US is thinking of something more “muscular,” do you think we are going to advertise it?

252 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:13:12am

re: #249 Pie-onist Overlord

THEIR SHOULD BE NO MINIMUM WAGE & NO WELFARES!!!! IF PEOPLE DON’T GET TEH WELFARES THEY WILL GET OFF THERE LAZY ASSES & GET A REAL JRRB!!!!!!

What wingnuts really want is to make Teh Poors suffer because poverty is a symptom of moral turpitude.

I get that they want to punish the poor but the fact that they don’t want to give people tools to improve their lot is just stupid and bad economics. Their mindset is some weird marriage of feudalism and objectivism.

253 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 7:13:54am

re: #248 HappyWarrior

So basically it’s modern Calvinism?

Pretty much. To them, poverty is not the result of forces beyond one’s control, but rather the natural result of “bad choices” one has made. You can live a good life, play by the rules, pay your bills on time, work hard and save your money…and still be guilty of some immorality that has led to sinking into poverty.

254 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:14:23am

re: #248 HappyWarrior

So basically it’s modern Calvinism?

Nah, because a Calvinist would say that you’re predestined to that path. instead, these people are clinging to the belief that if Latif Brown, who dropped out of school at 16 and has a felony conviction, just started displaying the proper virtues, he’d rise the ranks of capitalism and be rewarded.

There’s another view in which Latif should suffer for the rest of his life in poverty due to his ‘choices’ up until that point, and that it is right that he should work a low-paying, demeaning job.

255 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:14:41am

re: #250 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Yeah he’s a ghoulish asshole. US intervenes in Nigeria to help out kidnapped girls,horrifying! But Putin goes into the Crimea as some Greater Russia bs and crickets from Glenn.

256 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 7:15:28am

re: #195 Rightwingconspirator

I haz sample ballot!

I had to explain I can’t vote for Katz.

Silly person. Feline Overlords don’t need elections in order to hold power.

257 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:15:41am

Bee careful out there, folks!

This is an automatic Pollen and Mold Alert from the National Allergy Bureau, a service of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Station: Chicago Area (Melrose Park), IL
Joseph G. Leija, MD FAAAAI
Station Head(s): Joseph G. Leija, MD FAAAAI
Date of Pollen and Mold Count: 05/08/2014

*********************************
Pollen & Mold Summary
*********************************
Trees: High Concentration
Weeds: High Concentration
Grass: High Concentration
Mold: Low Concentration

*********************************
Pollen & Mold Detail

(Top three species per category)
*********************************

Trees
————————————————
1. Oak
2. Birch
3. Poplar, Cottonwood, Aspen

Weeds
————————————————
1. Nettle family, Pellitory
2. Plantain

Grass
————————————————
1. Grass Family, all types

Mold
————————————————
1. Smuts/Myxomycetes: includes Fuligo, grass smut, Urocystis, Ustilago, Tilletia, et al.
2. Basidiomycete/Basidiospore
3. Ascospores: includes Leptosphaeria, Venturia, Ascobolus, Diatrypaceae, Pleospora, Xylaria, Chaetomium, Sporomiella, Claviceps, Ascomycet

258 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:15:54am

re: #254 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

Nah, because a Calvinist would say that you’re predestined to that path. instead, these people are clinging to the belief that if Latif Brown, who dropped out of school at 16 and has a felony conviction, just started displaying the proper virtues, he’d rise the ranks of capitalism and be rewarded.

There’s another view in which Latif should suffer for the rest of his life in poverty due to his ‘choices’ up until that point, and that it is right that he should work a low-paying, demeaning job.

That’s right. I had forgotten Calvinism’s big tenet was predestination.

259 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 7:16:07am

re: #234 Killgore Trout

Interesting, that’s a new one. I found a video on liveleak of the tunnels from last week’s explosion. They were using huge noisy tunnel digging machines and they were digging through solid rock. Tunnels were big enough to comfortably walk through upright. Must have taken months to dig those tunnels and must have created a hell of a lot of noise.

That might have been a test explosion last week. This one destroyed a hotel that the Syrian army have been using. No number of casualties reported yet but it will be massive.

260 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 7:16:57am

No surprise here: Harry Reid’s claim that the Koch brothers are ‘one of the main causes’ of climate change

In making the case against the Koch Brothers, Reid claimed that they are one of the “main causes” of climate change, saying the statement twice. Then he inaccurately characterized the report from which he drew his information, wrongly saying Koch Industries produced more than three other companies combined in order to assert they are “the champions.”

Certainly, Koch industries contributes to climate change, but the relative impact falls well short of being a “major cause.” We understand Reid’s overall point, but it’s important to stick to the facts when making such claims. Given that Reid did not accurately describe the U-Mass report, our rating on this statement tips toward Three Pinocchios.

Three Pinocchios

261 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:17:57am

re: #199 Pie-onist Overlord

[Embedded content]

The company that published a budget for their employees to show how they couldn’t live on minimum wage?

“When the rich get too rich”

262 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 7:18:14am

re: #253 Targetpractice

Pretty much. To them, poverty is not the result of forces beyond one’s control, but rather the natural result of “bad choices” one has made. You can live a good life, play by the rules, pay your bills on time, work hard and save your money…and still be guilty of some immorality that has led to sinking into poverty.

There is a particularly cruel meme that keeps getting retweeted, MINIMUM WAGE MEANS MINIMUM EFFORT1!!!!!! which claims that someone working 2 part-time jobs doing strenuous physical labor does not “work as hard” as a CEO.

HURR HURR BUT TEH CEOS WORKS SMARTER NOT HARDER!!!!!!

and of course

HURR HURR UR JUST JEALOUS OF TEH SUCCESSFULS U COMMUNIST!!!!!!!

263 Romantic Heretic  May 8, 2014 7:18:24am

re: #156 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

What do you think about the actual ethics and morality of what Walker’s campaign did?

re: #158 Dark_Falcon

I have no problem with it at all.

Quelle surprise.

Now, how would you feel if it was Governor Cuomo who did those things and a federal judge ruled that way?

It would be irresponsible not to speculate after all.

264 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 7:18:27am

re: #251 blueraven

Seriously KT, if the US is thinking of something more “muscular,” do you think we are going to advertise it?

Yes. The French are open about their use of military force. If we decided to do the same I see no reason why we’d keep quiet about it.

265 b.d.  May 8, 2014 7:18:50am

NOT A PARANOID CROWD AT ALL!!!

enslaved

08 May 2014 at 9:33 am

Out of curiosity, how many TI readers, especially the active posters, have suddenly developed sleep related problems?

Stuff like restless sleep (tossing and turning all night). Bursts of energy that wake you up all throughout the night. Small “electric shock” sensations that occur throughout the night as soon as you’re about to pass over into sleep, denying you sleep. Painful burning sensations under the skin. Uncontrollable bouts of itchiness covering the body. Muscle spasms. Full blown convulsions.

Anyone that is getting less than 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, chime in.

firstlook.org

266 darthstar  May 8, 2014 7:18:57am
267 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 7:20:36am

re: #260 Killgore Trout

No surprise here: Harry Reid’s claim that the Koch brothers are ‘one of the main causes’ of climate change

Heh. The Koch brothers are also mostly responsible for world hunger, locust, and sun spots!

268 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:21:42am

re: #264 Killgore Trout

Yes. The French are open about their use of military force. If we decided to do the same I see no reason why we’d keep quiet about it.

But you don’t actually know anything about the subject, you’re arguing from your normal position of near-total ignorance, like when you said that you think ‘a couple dozen’ SEALs should be going in.

269 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:22:41am

re: #267 NJDhockeyfan

Heh. The Koch brothers are also mostly responsible for workd hunger, locust, and sun spots!

If you read the article, they concede that Reid did have a point. The Kochs do have their name in a lot of industries that do contribute to climate change and I believe that was the point that Reid was trying to make though he did it in a hyperbolic way.

270 darthstar  May 8, 2014 7:23:37am

re: #268 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

But you don’t actually know anything about the subject, you’re arguing from your normal position of near-total ignorance, like when you said that you think ‘a couple dozen’ SEALs should be going in.

Kill ‘em with cuteness.

271 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:24:39am

re: #258 HappyWarrior

That’s right. I had forgotten Calvinism’s big tenet was predestination.

How does free-will work with predestination?

Or is it just which level of hell you will go to is determined by your actions.

272 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:25:02am

re: #267 NJDhockeyfan

Heh. The Koch brothers are also mostly responsible for workd hunger, locust, and sun spots!

Weirdly, the ‘factcheckers’ decided to ignore the Koch’s work in contributing to climate change denial. They have effects far beyond their actual companies. When ‘factchecking’ other things, the ‘factcheckers’ take into account stuff like that, but not in this case. That’s the main problem of these self-appointed dudes checking facts; they don’t have anything approaching an actual framework, it’s all just seat-of-the-pants logic.

Are you still an AGW denier, by the way?

273 blueraven  May 8, 2014 7:25:14am

re: #264 Killgore Trout

Yes. The French are open about their use of military force. If we decided to do the same I see no reason why we’d keep quiet about it.

Just like we all knew ahead of time about the raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
/

274 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:25:50am

re: #271 FemNaziBitch

How does free-will work with predestination?

Or is it just which level of hell you will go to is determined by your actions.

As I recall, Calvinsts don’t accept free will. I think Calvinism’s big thing is your fate is known at birth.

275 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:26:26am

re: #271 FemNaziBitch

How does free-will work with predestination?

Or is it just which level of hell you will go to is determined by your actions.

The Calvinist view of free will is pretty incoherent. The short answer is that by aligning your will with the will of God, you achieve true ‘freedom’.

276 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 7:26:37am
277 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:27:45am

re: #272 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

Weirdly, the ‘factcheckers’ decided to ignore the Koch’s work in contributing to climate change denial. They have effects far beyond their actual companies. When ‘factchecking’ other things, the ‘factcheckers’ take into account stuff like that, but not in this case. That’s the main problem of these self-appointed dudes checking facts; they don’t have anything approaching an actual framework, it’s all just seat-of-the-pants logic.

Are you still an AGW denier, by the way?

Good point. I hadn’t thought about how the Kochs fund a lot of climate change deniers and the article did neglect to mention that as you point out.

278 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:28:03am
279 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 7:28:43am

re: #275 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

The Calvinist view of free will is pretty incoherent. The short answer is that by aligning your will with the will of God, you achieve true ‘freedom’.

Sounds like what they want - you’re free if you do and act as the priests* want you to act since they’re the ones interpreting what God’s will is.

* - Using “priest” as a generic term for religious hierarchy leader.

280 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:29:05am

re: #275 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

The Calvinist view of free will is pretty incoherent. The short answer is that by aligning your will with the will of God, you achieve true ‘freedom’.

Sounds Eastern —

281 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 7:29:10am
282 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:31:05am

re: #277 HappyWarrior

Good point. I hadn’t thought about how the Kochs fund a lot of climate change deniers and the article did neglect to mention that as you point out.

To be fair to the Factcheckers, Reid did say stuff that’s demonstrably untrue and innacurrate. He was wrong about Koch industries position on the pollution scale. i’d say that it’s a silly argument to make anyway, because the entire process is the problem, not just Koch Industries.

But the underlying point is absolutely true: The Koch Brothers make shitloads of money by polluting, and they don’t simply do this passively, they actively fund climate change denial.

As usual, the “fact” chosen to check shows as much bias and problems as the factchecking process. I’m still amazed that just by rebranding themselves ‘factcheckers’ the media has managed to hoodwink people into thinking they’re in some way actually being rigorously objective.

283 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 7:32:09am

re: #271 FemNaziBitch

How does free-will work with predestination?

Or is it just which level of hell you will go to is determined by your actions.

There was a deeply committed Calvinist who hung out at Dispatches from the Culture Wars, where i used to hang out, too. I’ve forgotten his name now, but the guy was completely impervious to logical arguments against predestination and how it contradicts the premise of free will. On the one hand, you’ve got the premise that God has granted all free will, but also the conviction that He has already decided our fate in the afterlife no matter WTF we do while we’re living. From square one, we are all born in sin and stay that way until we die, and if we’ve been especially pure and godly, maybe there will be a place in Heaven for us … maybe.

Many are called, few are chosen, you know?

It’s a doctrine that absolutely befuddles me, and even more baffling is why anyone would accept it.

284 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:32:22am

re: #281 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

Greenwald reminds me of a JFK quote in a speech that he was going to give the day he was shot. Basically JFK said that there will always be people who have no solutions to problems and just bitch and bitch. Paraphrasing obviously but I think of people like GG and others when I read that quote. GG doesn’t have a solution for the Nigerian crisis. He just has reaction.

285 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:33:08am

re: #279 Feline Fearless Leader

Sounds like what they want - you’re free if you do and act as the priests* want you to act since they’re the ones interpreting what God’s will is.

* - Using “priest” as a generic term for religious hierarchy leader.

Except Calvin was against religious hierarchy being binding, holding that the Bible itself contained all that was necessary for salvation. So instead of acting through a visible hierarchy, the moral scolds of Calvinism are exported to the community in general.

286 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 7:33:46am

re: #267 NJDhockeyfan

Heh. The Koch brothers are also mostly responsible for world hunger, locust, and sun spots!

Yeah, I don’t like the Koch Bros but I can’t take these accusations seriously. They almost never check out but this campaign isn’t designed to be true, it’s just to get people excited. It might work.

287 ObserverArt  May 8, 2014 7:33:50am

re: #251 blueraven

Seriously KT, if the US is thinking of something more “muscular,” do you think we are going to advertise it?

They should at the very least have a hot line direct to Kilgore to keep him informed.

“Hello, Killgore Trout…this is Barrack Obama…I just wanted to let you know before the rest of the world is informed, and before the Boko Haram dirtbags realize we know where they are…drones are going in first to light them up, and then our paratroopers and special forces will drop in and wipe them out at 10:45 GMT, May 9, 2014. Look out your window!”

: )

288 kirkspencer  May 8, 2014 7:35:16am

re: #283 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

There was a deeply committed Calvinist who hung out at Dispatches from the Culture Wars, where i used to hang out, too. I’ve forgotten his name now, but the guy was completely impervious to logical arguments against predestination and how it contradicts the premise of free will. On the one hand, you’ve got the premise that God has granted all free will, but also the conviction that He has already decided our fate in the afterlife no matter WTF we do while we’re living. From square one, we are all born in sin and stay that way until we die, and if we’ve been especially pure and godly, maybe there will be a place in Heaven for us … maybe.

Many are called, few are chosen, you know?

It’s a doctrine that absolutely befuddles me, and even more baffling is why anyone would accept it.

Hey, if they can explain the trinity they can explain how predestination does not conflict with free will.

(Seriously, pretty much nobody understands that argument unless they’ve got a lot of philosophical underpinning - and even then I’ve watched arguments break out over what it means.)

289 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 7:35:43am

re: #285 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

Except Calvin was against religious hierarchy being binding, holding that the Bible itself contained all that was necessary for salvation. So instead of acting through a visible hierarchy, the moral scolds of Calvinism are exported to the community in general.

The whole faith vs. works thing. One of many reasons why Calvinists didn’t get along well with Catholics, Quakers, Anglicans —- just about anyone, really.

The Puritans came to America because even the Dutch couldn’t stand them hanging around.

290 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:36:29am

re: #283 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

There was a deeply committed Calvinist who hung out at Dispatches from the Culture Wars, where i used to hang out, too. I’ve forgotten his name now, but the guy was completely impervious to logical arguments against predestination and how it contradicts the premise of free will. On the one hand, you’ve got the premise that God has granted all free will, but also the conviction that He has already decided our fate in the afterlife no matter WTF we do while we’re living. From square one, we are all born in sin and stay that way until we die, and if we’ve been especially pure and godly, maybe there will be a place in Heaven for us … maybe.

Many are called, few are chosen, you know?

It’s a doctrine that absolutely befuddles me, and even more baffling is why anyone would accept it.

Well, it’s ‘takes away a lot of personal responsibility. You know, bad things happen, not because of your bad decisions but because of G-d’s will. So, it’s ok to be greedy.

291 ObserverArt  May 8, 2014 7:36:49am

re: #260 Killgore Trout

No surprise here: Harry Reid’s claim that the Koch brothers are ‘one of the main causes’ of climate change

I feel faint.

And with that…the day’s work beckons. Have a good one all.

292 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 7:37:20am

re: #269 HappyWarrior

If you read the article, they concede that Reid did have a point. The Kochs do have their name in a lot of industries that do contribute to climate change and I believe that was the point that Reid was trying to make though he did it in a hyperbolic way.

Agreed, as oil magnates that doesn’t surprise me. It also doesn’t surprise me that Reid doesn’t even believe what he’s saying, he’d not dumb or crazy. These diatribes are focus group tested to get the target audience excited, they don’t have the be accurate.

293 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 7:37:25am

re: #282 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

To be fair to the Factcheckers, Reid did say stuff that’s demonstrably untrue and innacurrate. He was wrong about Koch industries position on the pollution scale. i’d say that it’s a silly argument to make anyway, because the entire process is the problem, not just Koch Industries.

But the underlying point is absolutely true: The Koch Brothers make shitloads of money by polluting, and they don’t simply do this passively, they actively fund climate change denial.

As usual, the “fact” chosen to check shows as much bias and problems as the factchecking process. I’m still amazed that just by rebranding themselves ‘factcheckers’ the media has managed to hoodwink people into thinking they’re in some way actually being rigorously objective.

Yeah, Reid did say stuff that was demonstratively untrue but I think the big picture here is tha the Kochs do contribute a lot directly and indirectly to climate change whether it’s through their businesses or funding deniers either in think tanks or in politics. We’re in agreement in short.

294 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 7:38:07am

re: #288 kirkspencer

Trying to explain the Trinity is like squaring the circle with just a ruler, pencil and compass.

No wonder the concept has created so many splinters of Christianity over the last two milennia.

295 kirkspencer  May 8, 2014 7:38:16am

re: #287 ObserverArt

They should at the very least have a hot line direct to Kilgore to keep him informed.

“Hello, Killgore Trout…this is Barrack Obama…I just wanted to let you know before the rest of the world is informed, and before the Boko Haram dirtbags realize we know where they are…drones are going in first to light them up, and then our paratroopers and special forces will drop in and wipe them out at 10:45 GMT, May 9, 2014. Look out your window!”

: )

1. Seals (and rangers and special forces and all the rest) are not a magic wand.
2. A lot of nations have SOCOM equivalent forces that are as good. (Man, that was hard to write.)
3. The US has assets other nations cannot provide.

Therefore for international operations, unless the numbers are necessary it’s better for the US to provide the special capabilities it has and let other nations pick up the more general support requirements.

296 Fairly Sure I'm Still Obdicut  May 8, 2014 7:38:25am

If the ‘factcheckers’ wanted to, they could fill their site every day with quotes from the GOP denying science of various kinds, or even just denying AGW. There is an unending stream of anti-science lies coming from the GOP. These are not just hyperbole, or innaccuracies, but absolute, the-truth-is-the-opposite, lies.

Instead, these ‘factcheckers’ have chosen to parse inaccurate Reid’s statement which, at most, is wrong in terms of scale. Koch Industries do put out an amazing amount of pollution.

So, an actual critical, thinking person, a real skeptic should ask “Why did they choose to look at that fact, and not the much larger and more important lies being told?”

297 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 7:38:33am

re: #284 HappyWarrior

His reaction is to question why and how the US is going to intervene; an intervention that Nigeria welcomes due to their inability to fight Boko Haram in the northeast. Intel the US gathers via the NSA and other sources will come in handy as well - by hopefully determining where Boko Haram is operating and holding those girls. That’s intel from the very kinds of sources that Greenwald repeatedly rails against, despite their utility.

They’re getting assistance from several countries, including Canada and France, so the US efforts aren’t alone, and they may help guide the Nigerians into shifting the fight onto the government’s terms and improve the safety of Nigerians in the northeast. It may also help improve the military’s operations and reduce the brutal way that the military has fought against the Boko Haram - undermining the efforts to root out the terror group. The foreign efforts will help refocus and improve Nigeria’s counterinsurgency tactics and methods, and while that takes time to develop, it can help direct the effort to rescuing those girls.

298 EmmaAnne  May 8, 2014 7:39:08am

re: #97 Pie-onist Overlord

I’m still pissed about the Jack Reacher movie.

I’m still pissed about Mission Impossible.

299 Alyosha  May 8, 2014 7:39:08am

re: #245 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

I’d have that much more respect for the Right if they used social Darwinism as the reason for their unrelenting dickishness.
But, then, the idea itself permits people from the lower stratus of society, through the application of personal energy, inspired by their privation-enhanced Wills, to join the folks up in their castles.
Which is just ridiculous.
They want helots.

300 darthstar  May 8, 2014 7:39:55am

re: #298 EmmaAnne

I’m still pissed about Mission Impossible.

I’m still pissed he got to fuck Rebecca DeMornay in Risky Business.

301 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:40:04am

re: #294 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Trying to explain the Trinity is like squaring the circle with just a ruler, pencil and compass.

No wonder the concept has created so many splinters of Christianity over the last two milennia.

Strangely enough, I don’t have a problem with the trinity. I think I just like the concept of 3. Helps with the whole balance concept. It’s a visual thing for me, don’t ask me to explain it.

302 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:40:40am

re: #300 darthstar

I’m still pissed he got to fuck Rebecca DeMornay in Risky Business.

I’m still upset about Spock.

303 Romantic Heretic  May 8, 2014 7:41:00am

re: #232 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

If you insist on seeing labor as just another cost to be minimized, like paper clips, toner or copier paper, then that view would apply.

But they do. That’s why the term ‘human resources’ was created. It makes people into things.

And you don’t need to be kind to things.

304 ObserverArt  May 8, 2014 7:41:39am

re: #264 Killgore Trout

Yes. The French are open about their use of military force. If we decided to do the same I see no reason why we’d keep quiet about it.

Still pissed that Obama didn’t let you know about Bin Laden aren’t you?

I thought I have seen you post some stupid stuff, but apparently you operate with a bottomless barrel.

Yeah, I was catching up before logging off…and saw it.

Later.

305 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 7:42:24am

MOAR wingnut mocking of Teh Poors
Also why do they keep shrinking the graphics?

306 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 7:42:48am
307 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 7:43:34am

re: #290 FemNaziBitch

Well, it’s ‘takes away a lot of personal responsibility. You know, bad things happen, not because of your bad decisions but because of G-d’s will. So, it’s ok to be greedy.

Indeed, and the 20th century manifestation were groups like the Pentecostals and the Assembly of God. There is a strong Calvinist streak in their theology (such as it is), which I argue explains a lot of the not-so-very-godly behavior within the Religious Right. If your starting premise is that everyone’s natural state is sinful, then there’s not too much shock when RR people go astray. Apologize, pray to God, beg forgiveness — wash, rinse, repeat.

308 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 7:44:50am

re: #297 lawhawk

His reaction is to question why and how the US is going to intervene; an intervention that Nigeria welcomes due to their inability to fight Boko Haram in the northeast. Intel the US gathers via the NSA and other sources will come in handy as well - by hopefully determining where Boko Haram is operating and holding those girls. That’s intel from the very kinds of sources that Greenwald repeatedly rails against, despite their utility.

They’re getting assistance from several countries, including Canada and France, so the US efforts aren’t alone, and they may help guide the Nigerians into shifting the fight onto the government’s terms and improve the safety of Nigerians in the northeast. It may also help improve the military’s operations and reduce the brutal way that the military has fought against the Boko Haram - undermining the efforts to root out the terror group. The foreign efforts will help refocus and improve Nigeria’s counterinsurgency tactics and methods, and while that takes time to develop, it can help direct the effort to rescuing those girls.

I think the French military effort is going to be very helpful. Nigerian forces are poorly trained and poorly disciplined. Since they’re so ineffective local militias have been trying to fill the void resulting in revenge attacks and vigilantism. It exacerbates ethnic, religious and notional tensions. If the French can manage to improve security and weaken Boko Haram the militias won’t be as necessary.

309 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)  May 8, 2014 7:45:19am

re: #305 Pie-onist Overlord

MOAR wingnut mocking of Teh Poors
Also why do they keep shrinking the graphics?

[Embedded content]

tell me what would happen to Bob if he tried to organize and strike for higher wages…

310 blueraven  May 8, 2014 7:45:29am

re: #264 Killgore Trout

Yes. The French are open about their use of military force. If we decided to do the same I see no reason why we’d keep quiet about it.

Well as long as you see no reason to keep any plans quiet, I guess they better get on it.

arrogance squared

311 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 7:45:43am

re: #302 FemNaziBitch

I’m still upset about Spock.

Forget rock, paper, scissors, lizard, spock. We’ve got Midichlorians, DeMornay, Mission Impossible

Midichlorians trumps Spock,
Spock trumps Mission Impossible
DeMornay trumps Mission Impossible.
Midichlorians trumps DeMornay.

312 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:45:47am

re: #307 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Indeed, and the 20th century manifestation were groups like the Pentecostals and the Assembly of God. There is a strong Calvinist streak in their theology (such as it is), which I argue explains a lot of the not-so-very-godly behavior within the Religious Right. If your starting premise is that everyone’s natural state is sinful, then there’s not too much shock when RR people go astray. Apologize, pray to God, beg forgiveness — wash, rinse, repeat.

One of my friends, a wise WOC, says “Life Happens”. I like this because, it translates to “no matter how hard you try, there are events that are out of your control—all you can do is the best you can do.”

By this, she does not mean predestination, but an acceptance of the random nature of life.

313 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 7:46:18am

re: #275 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

The Calvinist view of free will is pretty incoherent. The short answer is that by aligning your will with the will of God, you achieve true ‘freedom’.

Calvin himself was well aware of the contradictions and though he believed in predestination, he down played it because of the contradictions. John Knox, OTOH, took some thoughts of Calvin and ran with them giving the Scottish Presbyterians their strange version of predestination that Calvin himself would have disavowed.

314 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 7:46:45am

re: #309 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave to the waffle light)

tell me what would happen to Bob if he tried to organize and strike for higher wages…

HURR HURR!!! GO WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE IF U DON’T LIKE IT AT WALL MART!!!!!!

MINIMUM WAGE=MINIMUM SKILLS, MINIMUM EFFORTS!!!!!!

315 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:47:29am
316 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 7:49:54am

re: #313 William Barnett-Lewis

Calvin himself was well aware of the contradictions and though he believed in predestination, he down played it because of the contradictions. John Knox, OTOH, took some thoughts of Calvin and ran with them giving the Scottish Presbyterians their strange version of predestination that Calvin himself would have disavowed.

But that doesn’t explain how Hobbes fits in to the story!

317 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 7:50:45am

re: #314 Pie-onist Overlord

HURR HURR!!! GO WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE IF U DON’T LIKE IT AT WALL MART!!!!!!

MINIMUM WAGE=MINIMUM SKILLS, MINIMUM EFFORTS!!!!!!

Yet I’ll bet that every one of them worked at least one minimum wage job in their lives and sure as fuck didn’t think they were giving “minimum effort.”

318 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 7:50:51am
319 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 7:52:37am

re: #315 FemNaziBitch

Is the guy in the background calling it in?

Nice outfit, lieutenant.

320 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 7:53:29am

re: #283 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

It’s a doctrine that absolutely befuddles me, and even more baffling is why anyone would accept it.

Likewise there are a lot of Christians who’s view of the Crucifixion is wholly based on substitutionary atonement that only makes sense if you believe in Original Sin - a dogma that was invented out of whole cloth by Augustine and is totally a-biblical. The twists of freewill vs predestination are similar.

My belief is in universalism and freewill. God saves everyone though you can chose to walk away from that grace given to all.

321 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 7:54:00am

re: #294 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Trying to explain the Trinity is like squaring the circle with just a ruler, pencil and compass.

No wonder the concept has created so many splinters of Christianity over the last two milennia.

That’s one thing that make these wackaloon candidates that propose making the Bible and/or Christianity official in the US government. The immediate follow-up question is “which version?”.

Stonekettle Station’s most recent posting has a humdinger example of such a candidate.

322 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 7:54:43am
323 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 7:55:47am

re: #312 FemNaziBitch

One of my friends, a wise WOC, says “Life Happens”. I like this because, it translates to “no matter how hard you try, there are events that are out of your control—all you can do is the best you can do.”

By this, she does not mean predestination, but an acceptance of the random nature of life.

Good philosophy. The universe was not made specifically for us. It owes us nothing. The best we can do is cope with whatever is thrown at us, and try not to die too soon.

324 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 7:58:35am

re: #294 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Trying to explain the Trinity is like squaring the circle with just a ruler, pencil and compass.

No wonder the concept has created so many splinters of Christianity over the last two milennia.

God is indescribable. But as humans we desire, need, demand a description of the indescribable. The mystery of the Trinity does that as well as that of any other monotheism. For me it’s just that - a mystery. I don’t believe that it describes the physical or theological reality of god (in fact it’s based on the political structure of early Byzantium after Christianity was made the state religion - God/Emperor/Patriarch) so it’s useful as poetry or metaphor only and should be understood as such.

325 Romantic Heretic  May 8, 2014 7:58:38am

re: #258 HappyWarrior

That’s right. I had forgotten Calvinism’s big tenet was predestination.

It relieved its believers of responsibility for their actions, which is a pretty standard behaviour pattern. We have no choice! No, we don’t!

326 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 7:59:47am

re: #311 lawhawk

Forget rock, paper, scissors, lizard, spock. We’ve got Midichlorians, DeMornay, Mission Impossible

Midichlorians trumps Spock,
Spock trumps Mission Impossible
DeMornay trumps Mission Impossible.
Midichlorians trumps DeMornay.

What are these midichlorians you speak of?

327 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 7:59:58am

re: #320 William Barnett-Lewis

Likewise there are a lot of Christians who’s view of the Crucifixion is wholly based on substitutionary atonement that only makes sense if you believe in Original Sin - a dogma that was invented out of whole cloth by Augustine and is totally a-biblical. The twists of freewill vs predestination are similar.

My belief is in universalism and freewill. God saves everyone though you can chose to walk away from that grace given to all.

here is the deal. None of us is perfect. Now, you can view that is as:

-Only God is perfect, and by design he created us imperfect —not complete because (insert dogma).

-None of us is perfect (complete), we are the best that Natural Selection has thus evolved.

Either way, I don’t like the concept of “original sin”. Because, as a child I only heard “you are bad, were born bad and will always be bad”.

I’m not sure many adults have gone beyond that understanding. I think it is terribly destructive.

328 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:00:18am

re: #324 William Barnett-Lewis

God is indescribable. But as humans we desire, need, demand a description of the indescribable. The mystery of the Trinity does that as well as that of any other monotheism. For me it’s just that - a mystery. I don’t believe that it describes the physical or theological reality of god (in fact it’s based on the political structure of early Byzantium after Christianity was made the state religion - God/Emperor/Patriarch) so it’s useful as poetry or metaphor only and should be understood as such.

That than which nothing greater can be conceived.

329 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 8:00:26am

re: #321 Feline Fearless Leader

Which is why the Founding Fathers deliberately decided against imposing a State Religion. Once you have The Official Church, you will have dissenters, and hardliners who will want to suppress the dissenters, some of whom will fight back, etc., etc. Far better to skip the whole State Church thing and let people choose their own faith and practice.

330 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 8:00:40am

re: #305 Pie-onist Overlord

MOAR wingnut mocking of Teh Poors
Also why do they keep shrinking the graphics?

[Embedded content]

Tell them to come to my small town with a resume that has 8 years of stay at home parent in the last 10 years and see if you can get _any_ job other than Walmart or McDonald’s. I’m waiting for calls to go to orientation for part time work at both.

331 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 8:00:45am

re: #316 NJDhockeyfan

But that doesn’t explain how Hobbes fits in to the story!

Shh! The Feline Overlords prefer to remain in the background!

332 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 8:00:56am

This will surely be making the rounds today

Hillary’s State Department Refused to Brand Boko Haram as Terrorists

Under Hillary Clinton, the State Department repeatedly declined to fully go after the terror group responsible for kidnapping hundreds of girls.

333 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:02:36am

re: #319 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Is the guy in the background calling it in?

Nice outfit, lieutenant.

Not sure, I figure she has it under control.

334 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 8:03:55am

re: #327 FemNaziBitch

Original Sin seems to be the beginning premise of most, but not all Christian sects. The Quakers, for example, took the opposite view, that there was something of God in everyone, meaning that everyone was inherently good.

Non-Christians don’t seem to have the notion of Original Sin, as far as I know.

335 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:05:35am

re: #334 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Original Sin seems to be the beginning premise of most, but not all Christian sects. The Quakers, for example, took the opposite view, that there was something of God in everyone, meaning that everyone was inherently good.

Non-Christians don’t seem to have the notion of Original Sin, as far as I know.

I think the idea that humans are not “complete” is there in other religions. They just don’t have misunderstanding of the vocabulary word “perfect”.

336 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 8:05:43am

HURR HURR WHO NEEDS STUPID MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS!!!! REPLACE THEM ALL WITH TEH MACHINES!!!!!
Machines cost more than a minimum wage workers makes in a year, and service engineers make $40/hr.
And when the machines aren’t serviced they break down.
Also: that’s an ordering kiosk, not a burger making machine.

337 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 8:06:13am

re: #333 FemNaziBitch

Not sure, I figure she has it under control.

I reckon if she can put down Godzilla, she can handle anything. Pam Grier with a phaser.

338 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 8:07:01am

re: #336 Pie-onist Overlord

HURR HURR WHO NEEDS STUPID MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS!!!! REPLACE THEM ALL WITH TEH MACHINES!!!!!
Machines cost more than a minimum wage workers makes in a year, and service engineers make $40/hr.
And when the machines aren’t serviced they break down.

[Embedded content]

Because what I really want to do is argue with a vending machine when it gets my order wrong.

339 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 8:08:04am

re: #334 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Original Sin seems to be the beginning premise of most, but not all Christian sects. The Quakers, for example, took the opposite view, that there was something of God in everyone, meaning that everyone was inherently good.

Non-Christians don’t seem to have the notion of Original Sin, as far as I know.

It has become a terribly common error in Christianity. That Augustine was such a convincing writer, even though wrong, has had centuries of ill results.

340 Backwoods_Sleuth  May 8, 2014 8:10:07am

re: #336 Pie-onist Overlord

HURR HURR WHO NEEDS STUPID MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS!!!! REPLACE THEM ALL WITH TEH MACHINES!!!!!
Machines cost more than a minimum wage workers makes in a year, and service engineers make $40/hr.
And when the machines aren’t serviced they break down.

[Embedded content]

Because that’s exactly what happened in Australia where minimum wage is $16.37 and everyone has evil socialized medicine.

oh, wait…

341 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 8:10:48am

re: #340 Backwoods_Sleuth

Because that’s exactly what happened in Australia where minimum wage is $16.37 and everyone has evil socialized medicine.

oh, wait…

Oh and they also have gun control.

342 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:10:52am
343 Dr Lizardo  May 8, 2014 8:11:48am

re: #275 Fairly Sure I’m Still Obdicut

The Calvinist view of free will is pretty incoherent. The short answer is that by aligning your will with the will of God, you achieve true ‘freedom’.

Heh………old Calvin must’ve been reading the Qur’an or hanging out with imams, but that’s pretty much identical to Islamic doctrine.

344 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 8:12:05am

re: #339 William Barnett-Lewis

It has become a terribly common error in Christianity. That Augustine was such a convincing writer, even though wrong, has had centuries of ill results.

The trouble with being an Acknowledged Authority after one’s demise means you don’t have the ability to correct your errors or others’ errors in interpreting you.

See which: Jesus, Mohammed

345 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 8:12:06am

re: #338 Skip Intro

Because what I really want to do is argue with a vending machine when it gets my order wrong.

“The Fast Food Mandatory Nutrition and Corporate Farming Subsidization Act of 2018 requires that you have pickle and ketchup on your burger. Are you prepared to comply?”
//

346 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 8:14:32am

re: #345 Feline Fearless Leader

“The Fast Food Mandatory Nutrition and Corporate Farming Subsidization Act of 2018 requires that you have pickle and ketchup on your burger. Are you prepared to comply?”
//

Only citizens qualify for pickles and ketchup. Without military service, you can only get a plain soy patty on white bread. Please deposit 1 bitcoin.

347 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 8:14:44am

re: #265 b.d.

Anyone that is getting less than 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, chime in.

Some people (like myself) have NEVER had a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and many people do quite well on 6-7 hours sleep. The important thing is that you sleep and sleep deep enough for REM sleep to occur, not that you get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep (waking up to go to the bathroom, for instance).

348 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 8:14:46am
349 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 8:15:45am

re: #346 wheat-doggha — oo bird outside my window

Only citizens qualify for pickles and ketchup. Without military service, you can only get a plain soy patty on white bread. Please deposit 1 bitcoin.

“I’m sorry Dave. Would you like to learn more?”
;)

350 wheat-doggha -- oo bird outside my window  May 8, 2014 8:18:18am

re: #347 Rev_Arthur_Belling

Speaking of sleep, I’d like to stay longer, but I have four hours of class to teach in the morning. So, good night 晚安 from the middle of the Middle Kingdom.

351 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 8:19:45am

This asshole==>

352 wrenchwench  May 8, 2014 8:21:16am

re: #348 NJDhockeyfan

[Embedded content]

As big as that thing is, it still couldn’t make a phone call.

353 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 8:21:54am

re: #351 Pie-onist Overlord

This asshole==>

Kind of guy you’d like to see sorta tested like Job. Make him broke and destitute for a year or so in order to see if he develops any sense of empathy towards those less fortunate than himself. Though I expect that a decent number of them would learn nothing and just retreat further into a shell of blaming others for their own condition.

354 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:23:19am

re: #351 Pie-onist Overlord

This asshole==>

[Embedded content]

No asshole we prefer them having a chance to provide for themselves and their families. It is you who wants them dependent on government by refusing to give them a chance.

355 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 8:23:36am

re: #353 Feline Fearless Leader

Kind of guy you’d like to see sorta tested like Job. Make him broke and destitute for a year or so in order to see if he develops any sense of empathy towards those less fortunate than himself. Though I expect that a decent number of them would learn nothing and just retreat further into a shell of blaming others for their own condition.

He writes for Forbes, sucking up to TEH JRRB CREEYATERZ!!!!, that tells you all you need to know.

356 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:23:52am

re: #353 Feline Fearless Leader

Kind of guy you’d like to see sorta tested like Job. Make him broke and destitute for a year or so in order to see if he develops any sense of empathy towards those less fortunate than himself. Though I expect that a decent number of them would learn nothing and just retreat further into a shell of blaming others for their own condition.

That’s something I wish for every wealthy conservative asshole who tells the poor that they just need a better work ethic.

357 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 8:24:36am

re: #355 Pie-onist Overlord

He writes for Forbes, sucking up to TEH JRRB CREEYATERZ!!!!, that tells you all you need to know.

So he is just like most other media and writing to the expectations of his audience in order to attract eyeballs to their advertising.

358 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 8:25:25am

re: #352 wrenchwench

As big as that thing is, it still couldn’t make a phone call.

You couldn’t post you pictures on Facebook with it either.

359 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 8:27:06am

Back in FundyLand,

United States full of ‘witchcraft,’ bishop warns during conservative prayer event

Bishop Angel Nunez told members of Congress and others on Wednesday that the United States risked losing divine protection if the country continued to push God aside.

“Father, America the beautiful doesn’t look too beautiful right now,” the New York bishop said in Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol during a conservative prayer event. “Violence covers our land. Our streets are covered in blood and our prisons are crowded with our young people. Immorality and witchcraft are served to the masses as its daily bread and it is now the food of the day.”

“An economic tsunami is coming that threatens the very future of our nation,” Nunez continued. “The ground is shaking, the winds are blowing. Water and fire at every corner of this nation. Nature is screaming, yet no one is listening. We intellectually explain things away and justify our actions as the necessary pathway we must take because we are evolving. We have forgotten you, our God, and rejected your presence.”

The event, called “Washington — A Man of Prayer,” also featured Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), and Steve King (R-IA), along with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). The event commemorated the 225th anniversary of a prayer that George Washington delivered after being elected the country’s first president.

rawstory.com

360 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 8:27:25am
361 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 8:27:35am

re: #353 Feline Fearless Leader

Kind of guy you’d like to see sorta tested like Job. Make him broke and destitute for a year or so in order to see if he develops any sense of empathy towards those less fortunate than himself. Though I expect that a decent number of them would learn nothing and just retreat further into a shell of blaming others for their own condition.

I sort of agree with that, but the problem becomes that they will know somehow that there will be an end (short of death) to their misery. That is not at all like real poverty.

If there were a way, a la Trading Places, where they wouldn’t have that foreknowledge, it’s possible they would change. Or they would become old dudes yelling at clouds, clinging to their guns and religion.

362 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:29:55am

re: #359 Skip Intro

Bishop of what?

363 Bulworth  May 8, 2014 8:30:38am
The event, called “Washington — A Man of Prayer,” also featured Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), and Steve King (R-IA), along with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

The four horsemen of the derp apocalypse.

364 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 8:32:10am

re: #362 FemNaziBitch

Bishop of what?

bilingualchristianchurch.org

365 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:34:03am

re: #364 Skip Intro

bilingualchristianchurch.org

So, the Southern Baptists Bi-shopped him?

366 Romantic Heretic  May 8, 2014 8:34:18am

re: #312 FemNaziBitch

Makes me think of this character from Babylon 5.

I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, “Wouldn’t it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them?” So now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe.

Marcus Cole

367 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:34:22am

re: #364 Skip Intro

bilingualchristianchurch.org

Kinda a generic name for a church —no?

368 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 8:34:23am

Impressive.

369 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 8:34:48am

re: #362 FemNaziBitch

Bishop of what?

A quick google on him shows something called the Bilingual Christian Fellowship. Looks to be a Hispanic aimed fundamentalist “nondenominational” church that deals in the usual heresy of inerrantcy and the idolatry of certainty.

370 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 8:34:53am

Israel’s seeing significant flooding due to heavy rain (70mm, which is about 2.75 inches). Parts of Southern Israel are cut off, including roads leading to Masada, where a school group had to spend the night in tents because of flooding on the main road.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that about 70 tourists from the United States were stranded there since Wednesday night when the rain began. He said nobody was injured in the incident and that rescuers evacuated them with helicopters and jeeps on Thursday morning.

Rosenfeld said the tourists were on a field trip near Hulit when heavy rains prevented them from continuing the journey. Some 126 Thai tourists are also reportedly stranded in Tze’elim.

In the south, some 200 children were stuck in Masada National Park following flooding on Route 3199. The sixth graders from Hadera went out on a trip Wednesday, and stayed the night in tents at a parking lot. By Thursday morning, they were trapped in the park due to the flooding. The Arad emergency rescue unit was attempting to get them out of the park.

Tel Aviv has seen 16 millimeters of rainfall so far, while there has been 26 millimeters in Be’er Sheva, 32mm in Netanya, 22mm in Acre and 20mm in Kiryat Shmona.

The current weather system is a result of humidity originating in Africa. Heavy rains and thunderstorms are unusual but not unheard of in Israel this time of year.

371 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 8:36:22am

Daily Beast only hints at the State Dept rationale for not putting Boko Haram on the terror list. CNN from a few years ago has some more details
Why hasn’t the Obama administration labeled ‘Boko Haram’ a terrorist organization?

Possible explanations for reluctance to label the group can be found in a 2012 letter to then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from Nigeria experts, including John Campbell, the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria under President George Bush.

The letter claims that the foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designation would limit the State Department’s ability to shape “long-term” strategy and encourage the Nigerian government to use military action rather than diplomacy.

“We believe that an FTO designation for Boko Haram would limit American policy options to those least likely to work, and would undermine the domestic political conditions necessary in Nigeria for an enduring solution,” said the group in the letter.

In a recent interview with NPR, Campbell, the former ambassador, described Boko Haram as not an organization but a collection of loosely affiliated cells-which could make the enforcement of any lasting ceasefire difficult.

372 FemNaziBitch  May 8, 2014 8:36:39am

bbl

373 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:38:24am

re: #359 Skip Intro

Back in FundyLand,

United States full of ‘witchcraft,’ bishop warns during conservative prayer event

rawstory.com

See, this is why I think fundies are twisted fucks. They think God was blessing us when we permitted slavery and Jim Crow but will stop if we allow same sex marriage. Really, if you think gay marriage is among the worst things to happen in this country, you’re an asshole. I’m sorry but that makes you an asshole. If you think two strangers who happen to be the same gender having their love for each other recognized by the law and enjoying the same benefits as a husband and wife would, you’re an asshole.

374 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 8:38:51am

re: #361 Rev_Arthur_Belling

I sort of agree with that, but the problem becomes that they will know somehow that there will be an end (short of death) to their misery. That is not at all like real poverty.

If there were a way, a la Trading Places, where they wouldn’t have that foreknowledge, it’s possible they would change. Or they would become old dudes yelling at clouds, clinging to their guns and religion.

Lots of fictional solutions tossed about. Trading Places one, submerging people in a virtual reality or other simulator without their knowledge, etc. Sort of interesting as a thought experiment, but quickly lurches into civil rights violations, cruel and unusual punishment, and knowing that someone/ some government would implement some very nasty variations of it. Bank’s _Surface Detail_ explores this to some degree.

375 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 8:39:44am

re: #266 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Those worthless, pompous, self centered pieces of shit. Who is waging a war on religion now? Fuck those scumbags.

376 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:40:29am

re: #375 Eventual Carrion

Those worthless, pompous, self centered pieces of shit. Who is waging a war on religion now? Fuck those scumbags.

It’s okay to be an asshole as long as that person’s a different religion.

377 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 8:41:28am

re: #366 Romantic Heretic

Who are you? /Vorlons
What do you want? /Shadows
To hear the lamentation of the womens /Conan

378 Bulworth  May 8, 2014 8:46:16am

Happy Warrior posted:

They think God was blessing us when we permitted slavery and Jim Crow but will stop if we allow same sex marriage.

Yeah, this

379 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 8:46:43am

re: #373 HappyWarrior

This is the future they envision. Outlawing gay marriage, and being gay in public or private will get you a life sentence in prison. Just like in Uganda (with laws that social conservatives helped fever-dream up, and could only wish to enact here).

380 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:48:46am

re: #378 Bulworth

Happy Warrior posted:

Yeah, this

America’s moral decline! Really if anything, we’ve become better as a nation. Racism while far from extinct is much less prevalent than it was generations ago. Homophobia isn’t as acceptable as it used to be. Could go on and on. And I’ll also mention something that should tickle those fundies pink but teen pregnancies are at a low rate too.

381 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 8:48:46am

re: #374 Feline Fearless Leader

A few years back, some congresscritters vowed to live for a week (?) on just the money from food stamps for their food. I don’t recall how that came out. Didn’t receive a lot of coverage, but I do recall one congressman struggling as the week began. Of course, IIRC, it was all Democrats taking part.

It would be something to see all congresscritters take part in an exercise like that, or working a minimum wage job, for a week or two every year, just to remind them what life is like outside the bubble. Same for CEOs and upper management types.

382 Romantic Heretic  May 8, 2014 8:49:02am

re: #377 lawhawk

I always hear Lorien’s answer to the first question. “It’s quite a question, isn’t it? There’s never a good answer.”

For the second, This always comes to mind.

For the final, “Come get some!”

383 wrenchwench  May 8, 2014 8:49:09am

This one was the woman from eastern NM who crossed into the US at El Paso.

Attorneys have not released the terms of the settlement.

384 blueraven  May 8, 2014 8:49:48am

re: #360 lawhawk

#TreyGowdy gives away the game; he’s chief prosecutor against the administration in the GOP’s Benghazi show trial washingtonpost.com
10:27 AM - 8 May 2014
Dana Milbank: Meet the chief prosecutor in the GOP’s Benghazi show…
By Dana Milbank @Milbank
How Republicans have blunted the tea party threat.

Washington Post @washingtonpost

He thinks this is a trial.

Asked by MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough about the possibility that his panel’s work would continue into the 2016 election campaign, Gowdy replied that “if an administration is slow-walking document production, I can’t end a trial simply because the defense won’t cooperate.”

A trial? And the Obama administration is the defense? So much for that “serious investigation” House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) promised; his new chairman intends to play prosecutor, proving the administration’s guilt to the jury — in this case, the public.

385 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:50:00am

re: #379 lawhawk

This is the future they envision. Outlawing gay marriage, and being gay in public or private will get you a life sentence in prison. Just like in Uganda (with laws that social conservatives helped fever-dream up, and could only wish to enact here).

[Embedded content]

The American evangelical involvement in that bill scares the crap outta me and further solidifies my belief that we need to tax churches.

386 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:51:03am

re: #384 blueraven

He thinks this is a trial.

Well Gowdy is at least being honest here. They do want this to be a trial. So much for Gowdy not wanting to “politicize” this.

387 Rightwingconspirator  May 8, 2014 8:51:23am

re: #383 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

This one was the woman from eastern NM who crossed into the US at El Paso.

The hospital? Okay that something.

What about the agents from Border Patrol?!?

388 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 8:52:16am

re: #278 FemNaziBitch

[Embedded content]

How big are his calves?

389 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 8:54:11am

I really feel like we almost live in two different nations at times. One nation that accepts and lives with modernity. And another that believes in Satan being behind things like same sex marriage.

390 Backwoods_Sleuth  May 8, 2014 8:55:13am
391 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 8:55:25am

Federal judge stops Doe probe for second time

The investigation into Gov. Scott Walker’s 2012 recall campaign and conservative groups that supported him has been halted for the second time in as many days by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa on Thursday issued an order in a separate case that allows for his previous order halting the probe to be effective.

392 wrenchwench  May 8, 2014 8:56:46am

re: #387 Rightwingconspirator

The hospital? Okay that something.

What about the agents from Border Patrol?!?

Good question.

393 Backwoods_Sleuth  May 8, 2014 8:58:36am

Dover Air Force Base Placed On Lockdown

DOVER, Del. (CBS) - Dover Air Force Base along Route 1 in Dover, Kent County has been placed on lockdown as of 11 a.m. Thursday.
Authorities are investigating a suspicious person at the base.
Currently, no vehicles or personnel are allowed in or out of the base.

394 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 9:03:30am

re: #384 blueraven

He thinks this is a trial.

He views this as a “trial,” by which he means he and his cohorts are going to start from the position that a crime has occurred and demand the White House defend itself against the charges. Word also is that, in deciding who the GOP will nominate to the other six vacant seats, Boehner is looking for House Republicans with prosecutorial experience.

395 Rightwingconspirator  May 8, 2014 9:04:01am

re: #385 HappyWarrior

The American evangelical involvement in that bill scares the crap outta me and further solidifies my belief that we need to tax churches.

Is it too soon to call them Boko Republicans?

396 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 9:04:43am

re: #394 Targetpractice

He views this as a “trial,” by which he means he and his cohorts are going to start from the position that a crime has occurred and demand the White House defend itself against the charges. Word also is that, in deciding who the GOP will nominate to the other six vacant seats, Boehner is looking for House Republicans with prosecutorial experience.

Going to be very interesting to see who he chooses. Already showed that he doesn’t care about a real investigation by choosing Gowdy.

397 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 9:05:02am

re: #305 Pie-onist Overlord

MOAR wingnut mocking of Teh Poors
Also why do they keep shrinking the graphics?

[Embedded content]

Bob was working at a well paying mill job. One day his supervisor called all the workers together and told them they could keep their jobs if they moved to Mexico where the company was relocating. Bob, having a sick mother he had to take care of, children that didn’t want to move, a house that wouldn’t sell in this market, and friends and other family that he and his wife really didn’t want to leave had to turn down the move. So he had to go work for min wage at Walmart since all the other businesses had relocated as his job was doing, outsourced, or the smaller stores had been forced out by Walmart.

398 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 9:05:06am

re: #395 Rightwingconspirator

Is it too soon to call them Boko Republicans?

Well, we already have some who call them the American Taliban.

399 Rightwingconspirator  May 8, 2014 9:08:36am

re: #398 HappyWarrior

Well, we already have some who call them the American Taliban.

Keeping it current and maybe a bit more of a slap in the face. I’m likely to go with it from time to time. Harsh hashtag

#BokoRepublicans

400 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 9:08:54am

Why even minimum wage haters should be excited for Seattle’s $15 minimum wage

If Seattle’s phase-in proceeds without much job loss that’s more evidence that the economy can absorb a higher minimum wage. If, by contrast, Seattle sees sharp job losses compared to similar cities with lower minimum wages, or if low-wage employers begin moving outside the city lines, that will be evidence that the tradeoffs are more severe than the law’s supporters hoped.

Cities aren’t countries, of course. It’s a lot easier for an employer to move to another city than another country, so a federal minimum wage might have a bit more room than a citywide minimum wage. Nevertheless, this will be a good test. Both supporters and opponents of a higher minimum wage should be eager to see how it comes out.

401 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 9:11:38am

re: #399 Rightwingconspirator

Keeping it current and maybe a bit more of a slap in the face. I’m likely to go with it from time to time. Harsh hashtag

#BokoRepublicans

No, I get you. I’m just saying if we’ve called them American Taliban in the past. Not much of a stretch to call em Boko.

402 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 9:11:42am

re: #396 HappyWarrior

Going to be very interesting to see who he chooses. Already showed that he doesn’t care about a real investigation by choosing Gowdy.

The only thing I’ll find interesting is if Democrats decide not to boycott this farce.

403 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 9:16:38am

ET TU NEIL!!!

404 The Awkward Guy  May 8, 2014 9:17:29am

re: #403 Pie-onist Overlord

*headdesk*

405 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 9:19:14am

Neil Tyson is a Dudebro.

Now I haz a sad. :(

406 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 9:19:15am

re: #403 Pie-onist Overlord

ET TU NEIL!!!

[Embedded content]

Neil, no offense, but I’ll take statements like that seriously when the US gov’t follows Russia’s lead and requires bloggers to register with the government and their web servers to keep records available for government inspection.

407 Amory Blaine  May 8, 2014 9:22:25am

He can show concern without the hyperbole. He should know better.

408 brennant  May 8, 2014 9:23:58am

re: #403 Pie-onist Overlord

409 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 9:25:49am

re: #406 Targetpractice

Neil, no offense, but I’ll take statements like that seriously when the US gov’t follows Russia’s lead and requires bloggers to register with the government and their web servers to keep records available for government inspection.

Someone please tweet that back at him. He should know better.

410 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 9:26:34am

re: #403 Pie-onist Overlord

ET TU NEIL!!!

[Embedded content]

Not surprising. Skeptics and politics don’t mix well. I remember being really disappointed to see The Amazing Randy forums flooded with praise for Ron Paul. Penn Gillette was very active early on with the Tea Party. There’s a libertarian culture among skeptics and they become very susceptible to quack economics and absurd social views. For some reason a lot of skeptics have a huge blind spot when it comes to politics and international affairs.

411 Gus  May 8, 2014 9:26:37am

Weird.

412 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 9:28:03am

re: #411 Gus

Weird.

[Embedded content]

I think someone hit the sauce early today.

413 blueraven  May 8, 2014 9:29:05am

re: #403 Pie-onist Overlord

ET TU NEIL!!!

[Embedded content]

I don’t care. Unless he makes a crusade about it, my opinion of him is all about the science.

414 Gus  May 8, 2014 9:29:20am

re: #403 Pie-onist Overlord

ET TU NEIL!!!

[Embedded content]

“See ya’ Neil. Was nice meeting you. Good luck in your future endeavors.”

415 makeitstop  May 8, 2014 9:30:58am

Yeah, it’s Buzzfeed, but…

The 100 Most Important Cat Pics Ever

I’m OD-ing on cat cute as I type this.

416 jaunte  May 8, 2014 9:32:14am
417 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 9:35:12am
418 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 9:35:13am

Oh gee, shocker, this “Special Committee” will be open-ended, with no set end date, and no set budget. Whitewater, here we come!

419 Kragar  May 8, 2014 9:35:32am
420 Rightwingconspirator  May 8, 2014 9:36:03am

re: #416 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Lol. Getting mt cat shaved soon, that should be pic worthy.

421 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 9:37:13am

re: #409 William Barnett-Lewis

422 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 9:37:21am
423 Dr Lizardo  May 8, 2014 9:39:50am

re: #395 Rightwingconspirator

Is it too soon to call them Boko Republicans?

Bonkers Haram.

424 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 9:40:42am
425 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 9:41:24am

re: #381 Rev_Arthur_Belling

A few years back, some congresscritters vowed to live for a week (?) on just the money from food stamps for their food. I don’t recall how that came out. Didn’t receive a lot of coverage, but I do recall one congressman struggling as the week began. Of course, IIRC, it was all Democrats taking part.

It would be something to see all congresscritters take part in an exercise like that, or working a minimum wage job, for a week or two every year, just to remind them what life is like outside the bubble. Same for CEOs and upper management types.

But, as pointed out, it would only be a minor reminder since they would know that it would end in a relatively short period or could quit if they wanted to.

426 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 9:43:34am

re: #424 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

Jenny, if GOP voters follow your list, then they might as well give up on making any gains this November.

427 jaunte  May 8, 2014 9:44:02am
NEPHI, Utah (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is warning its workers in Utah to be on alert after two men threatened an agency wrangler on Interstate 15 about 90 miles south of Salt Lake City. The BLM says the incident occurred on I-15 near Nephi about 11 a.m. Tuesday when two men wearing hoods pulled up alongside a marked BLM truck and held up a sign that read, “You need to die.” KUTV-TV reports one of the suspects held what appeared to be a handgun.
mynews4.com
428 Dr. Matt  May 8, 2014 9:44:53am

re: #427 jaunte

Harry Reid was 100% correct for labeling these assholes “domestic terrorists”

429 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 9:46:01am

re: #424 lawhawk

I am amazed the Washington Post continues to allow her space on their web site. Of course, Fred Hiatt is the op-ed editor, so I’m not so much surprised as disgusted.

430 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 9:47:02am

re: #427 jaunte

That’s up the road from the Bundy ranch (270 miles up I-15). These sovereign citizen/anarchists aren’t going to be satisfied unless they kill some federal workers doing their job while enforcing the law.

431 Gus  May 8, 2014 9:47:31am
432 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 9:47:41am

re: #413 blueraven

I don’t care. Unless he makes a crusade about it, my opinion of him is all about the science.

His talents give him a wide audience. That was once true of Victoria Jackson, too.

433 blueraven  May 8, 2014 9:49:48am

re: #432 Decatur Deb

His talents give him a wide audience. That was once true of Victoria Jackson, too.

So far, it is one tweet. Jackson drags a barrel of crazy around. I will withhold judgement for now.

434 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 9:51:22am

re: #432 Decatur Deb

His talents give him a wide audience. That was once true of Victoria Jackson, too.

Hey now! NDT has more than talent. He’s got a showman’s streak, sure, but you don’t get to be director of the Hayden Planetarium without some serious chops. (fascinating biography, btw: en.wikipedia.org)

Jackson was/is a comedian, and, apparently, a nutcase.

IMHO, this is one of those cases where he’s speaking about something he hasn’t really thought through, doesn’t know enough about. I hope he reconsiders, and doesn’t make it some kind of crusade.

435 lawhawk  May 8, 2014 9:53:02am
436 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 9:54:11am

re: #434 Rev_Arthur_Belling

Hey now! NDT has more than talent. He’s got a showman’s streak, sure, but you don’t get to be director of the Hayden Planetarium without some serious chops.

Jackson was/is a comedian, and, apparently, a nutcase.

IMHO, this is one of those cases where he’s speaking about something he hasn’t really thought through, doesn’t know enough about. I hope he reconsiders, and doesn’t make it some kind of crusade.

Genius is a talent. He could go down the road of Linus Pauling. ‘Zat better?

437 Gus  May 8, 2014 9:54:15am

Added “H/T Alouette.”

438 blueraven  May 8, 2014 9:56:02am

re: #434 Rev_Arthur_Belling

Hey now! NDT has more than talent. He’s got a showman’s streak, sure, but you don’t get to be director of the Hayden Planetarium without some serious chops.

Jackson was/is a comedian, and, apparently, a nutcase.

IMHO, this is one of those cases where he’s speaking about something he hasn’t really thought through, doesn’t know enough about. I hope he reconsiders, and doesn’t make it some kind of crusade.

Maybe true, but even if he holds a counter opinion, so what? He is allowed that and we are allowed to condemn the tweet.

It is OK to disagree. I just don’t want to see this get out of control over one (admittedly hyperbolic) tweet.

If he starts pushing this hard, then that will be sad.

439 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 9:57:55am

re: #436 Decatur Deb

Genius is a talent. He could go down the road of Linus Pauling. ‘Zat better?

Interesting statement. I guess I never thought of genius as a “talent” before, but I suppose it would be. Not familiar with how Pauling ended up. I will stick with my earlier statement that NDT’s probably not thought through what he tweeted, and hope like hell he doesn’t end up a dudebro.

440 Bulworth  May 8, 2014 9:58:23am
WHITE MEN IN AFRICA WILL BE DRAGGED THRU AFRICAN STREETS-CUT INTO PIECES (LULUMBA)EATEN BBQUED IN MIDDLE F VILLAGES
— O-ButcherOFBENGHAZI (
@FastFuriousBOLD
)

These are very intriguing views. Have you considered pursuing a doctorate degree to further expound upon them?

//

441 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 9:58:44am

re: #438 blueraven

Maybe true, but even if he holds a counter opinion, so what? He is allowed that and we are allowed to condemn the tweet.

It is OK to disagree. I just don’t want to see this get out of control over one (admittedly hyperbolic) tweet.

If he starts pushing this hard, then that will be sad.

He’s stealing authority from his accomplishments in astrophysics. Don’t like it any more than pronouncements from the Baldwin brothers. Best he stop now.

442 wrenchwench  May 8, 2014 9:59:15am

re: #438 blueraven

Maybe true, but even if he holds a counter opinion, so what? He is allowed that and we are allowed to condemn the tweet.

It is OK to disagree. I just don’t want to see this get out of control over one (admittedly hyperbolic) tweet.

If he starts pushing this hard, then that will be sad.

Yeah, let’s not start # CancelCosmos. (Space added so it would not become an actual #hashtag.)

443 Killgore Trout  May 8, 2014 9:59:30am

Squeezing Putin’s buddies elsewhere is a good idea.
U.S. puts sanctions on Russian bank with Syria ties

The United States on Thursday for the first time imposed sanctions on a Russian bank for its dealings with the Syrian government, which has been engaged in a three-year civil war with opposition forces.

The U.S. Treasury, which so far had resisted pressure from lawmakers to sanction Russian banks over Syria dealings, put Tempbank, a small Moscow-based bank, on its list of sanctioned entities. This effectively cut the bank off from the U.S. financial system.

The Treasury also imposed sanctions on bank official Mikhail Gagloev as well as six Syrian government officials and two Syrian refinery companies, Banias and Homs.

444 jaunte  May 8, 2014 9:59:59am

re: #440 Bulworth

Good to see he put his main concern in the first word.

445 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 10:00:21am

re: #442 wrenchwench

Yeah, let’s not start # CancelCosmos. (Space added so it would not become an actual #hashtag.)

Quoted for truth.

446 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:00:26am

re: #442 wrenchwench

Yeah, let’s not start # CancelCosmos. (Space added so it would not become an actual #hashtag.)

#paleosaganistas

447 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 10:00:43am
448 jaunte  May 8, 2014 10:02:01am
449 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:03:18am

GET SOME SKILLS & PUT IN MORE EFFORT, U LAZY SLACKER!

450 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:04:44am

re: #449 Pie-onist Overlord

GET SOME SKILLS & PUT IN MORE EFFORT, U LAZY SLACKER!

[Embedded content]

He would actually likely get a raise. Still what a shitty argument.

451 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:04:55am

Wingnuts complain about alleged “death threats” against Trey Gowdy and post this shit:

452 iossarian  May 8, 2014 10:05:00am

re: #449 Pie-onist Overlord

GET SOME SKILLS & PUT IN MORE EFFORT, U LAZY SLACKER!

[Embedded content]

I don’t understand that at all. I don’t want to be paid more because I worked hard to get paid this little?

Makes no sense.

453 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:05:28am

re: #442 wrenchwench

Yeah, let’s not start # CancelCosmos. (Space added so it would not become an actual #hashtag.)

Yeah definitely. i think Degrasse-Tyson is being hyperbolic as hell here but he’s entitled to his opinion on this.

454 jaunte  May 8, 2014 10:05:48am

re: #449 Pie-onist Overlord

Is there a word for an astroturfing saboteur?

455 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:06:09am

re: #452 iossarian

I don’t understand that at all. I don’t want to be paid more because I worked hard to get paid this little?

Makes no sense.

I don’t either but then again I don’t understand how you can claim to be for small government and support the policies that many conservatives do.

456 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:06:33am

re: #454 jaunte

Is there a word for an astroturfing saboteur?

Stainless-steel Mole.

457 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:06:41am

re: #452 iossarian

I don’t understand that at all. I don’t want to be paid more because I worked hard to get paid this little?

Makes no sense.

I HAD TO WORK FOR YEARS TO WORK ALL THE WAY UP $10.10/HR & NOW THEY WANT TO GIVE IT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE INFERIOR TO ME!!!!!

I made $10/hr my first job after graduating college. But that was in 1986.

458 Bulworth  May 8, 2014 10:09:37am

I worked hard to get to $10/hr. Raising the
#MinimumWage
only puts me back at minimum wage.

I guess the “Raising Minimum wage will cost jrbbbs!!!11!1 line isn’t working so well. Kochs now trying to meme another one. But this one sux too.

459 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:10:17am

re: #458 Bulworth

I worked hard to get to $10/hr. Raising the
#MinimumWage
only puts me back at minimum wage.

I guess the “Raising Minimum wage will cost jrbbbs!!!11!1 line isn’t working so well. Kochs now trying to meme another one. But this one sux too.

This one’s even lamer.

460 kirkspencer  May 8, 2014 10:10:27am

re: #418 Targetpractice

Oh gee, shocker, this “Special Committee” will be open-ended, with no set end date, and no set budget. Whitewater, here we come!

Yep. It’s what I said yesterday: the intent is to produce the articles of impeachment for Obama and Clinton. Yes, both, because the sentence can include “you can never hold office again.”

Never mind that the senate does the conviction and that’s by a 2/3 vote.

(fwiw, the analogy I use when describing the process is: the House is the Grand Jury, the Senate is the actual trial. That analogy helps sooth panic over “OMG IMPEACHED” by Dems, and deflate the same statement by Republicans.)

461 Shiplord Kirel  May 8, 2014 10:10:29am

I am really, really disappointed with Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Does he not understand what will happen if he and fellow dudebros actually succeed in installing a libertarian government?
They will find out what tyranny truly is.
The glibertarians I know are not just monstrously callous, they are capable of rationalizing literally anything, and they will lie about a statement that was made 30 seconds earlier and is still visible for all to see. They would have no trouble accusing Tyson himself of interfering with religious freedom by advocating instruction in evolution in public schools, or, indeed, by advocating the existence of public schools in the first place.
As for the rest of us, have you spoken up to defend Israel against the charge that the Mossad blew up the WTC in 1993? That’s defending and therefore advocating state sponsored terrorism. Off to the private gulag with you.
Do you think there should be a minimum wage? Inciting state sanctioned theft. Five years in a labor camp, so you can learn the value of work and the need to respect your entrepreneurial betters.

462 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:10:34am

I am sad that Neil Tyson is a Dudebro but I don’t think he will start saying the Earth revolves around Glenn Greenwald.

463 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:10:44am

re: #457 Pie-onist Overlord

I HAD TO WORK FOR YEARS TO WORK ALL THE WAY UP $10.10/HR & NOW THEY WANT TO GIVE IT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE INFERIOR TO ME!!!!!

I made $10/hr my first job after graduating college. But that was in 1986.

Got $.80 when I dropped out of seminary—then a 20% raise when they raised the minimum to a buck.

464 b.d.  May 8, 2014 10:11:00am

Dudebros who I have respect for:

May 7, 2014 - 0
May 8, 2014 - 1

465 kirkspencer  May 8, 2014 10:12:06am

re: #449 Pie-onist Overlord

GET SOME SKILLS & PUT IN MORE EFFORT, U LAZY SLACKER!

[Embedded content]

What I call the hazing fallacy. “I suffered, so you too must suffer. Nevermind how wrong the suffering might have been.”

466 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:12:07am

re: #463 Decatur Deb

Got $.80 when I dropped out of seminary—then a 20% raise when they raised the minimum to a buck.

Well yeah but you are older than dirt.

467 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:13:17am

Todd go build a cross and nail yourself to it.

468 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:14:32am

re: #467 Pie-onist Overlord

Todd go build a cross and nail yourself to it.

[Embedded content]

lol says the guy who wants to criminalize being gay

469 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:14:35am

re: #466 Pie-onist Overlord

Well yeah but you are older than dirt.

Weirdest part was living in Manhattan and being able to take girls to Lincoln Center—still don’t know how that worked, but it involved a lot of peanut butter sandwiches.

470 b.d.  May 8, 2014 10:16:01am

re: #467 Pie-onist Overlord

Todd go build a cross and nail yourself to it.

[Embedded content]

Where would we deport Christians too?

471 Kragar  May 8, 2014 10:16:07am
472 Kragar  May 8, 2014 10:16:35am

re: #470 b.d.

Where would we deport Christians too?

I guess Russia, they seem to like it there.

473 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 10:16:36am

re: #470 b.d.

Where would we deport Christians too?

Somalia.

474 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:16:50am

re: #470 b.d.

Where would we deport Christians too?

UGANDA!
Or maybe Brunei.

475 Dr Lizardo  May 8, 2014 10:17:33am

re: #430 lawhawk

That’s up the road from the Bundy ranch (270 miles up I-15). These sovereign citizen/anarchists aren’t going to be satisfied unless they kill some federal workers doing their job while enforcing the law.

To which I say,

Youtube Video

476 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:17:59am

re: #450 HappyWarrior

He would actually likely get a raise. Still what a shitty argument.

It’s very “fuck you, I’ve got mine”, but coming from a position where you’d think they would be more empathy and understanding. It appears the most important criteria is being above others who can then be looked down upon.

477 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:20:11am

re: #476 Feline Fearless Leader

It’s very “fuck you, I’ve got mine”, but coming from a position where you’d think they would be more empathy and understanding. It appears the most important criteria is being above others who can then be looked down upon.

Relative Deprivation Theory works both ways:

en.wikipedia.org

478 jaunte  May 8, 2014 10:20:14am
479 Targetpractice  May 8, 2014 10:22:01am

In the idealized “free market,” people earn raises based upon hard work and experience, and the lowest paid workers are those who are putting in no effort or have no profitable job skills.

In the real “free market,” pay raises are on a schedule, depend on whether you’ve been a good boy and done whatever backbreaking labor the management has ordered you to do, and the lowest paid guy is the one whose number hasn’t come up yet.

About the only time you get a guaranteed, substantial raise in the real world is when the minimum wage goes up. The rest of the time, your raise depends on whether the manager likes you or not.

480 Bulworth  May 8, 2014 10:22:07am

I worked hard to get to $10/hr. Raising the #MinimumWage only puts me back at minimum wage.

——

1935:
I worked hard to get a pension from my job. Creating Social Security lets other people besides me retire now

1965:
I was really lucky worked hard to get healthcare from my job. Creating Medicare let other people get healed now, too.

1985:
I worked hard to get to $4/hr. Raising the minimum wage lets everyone else have $4/hr.

481 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:22:11am

Idiot wingnuts making a meme out of their FLOTUSphobia

482 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 10:22:42am

re: #461 Shiplord Kirel

One tweet and now he’s for installing a libertarian government?

Sometimes Free Republic has nothing on this place.

483 sagehen  May 8, 2014 10:22:57am

re: #457 Pie-onist Overlord

I HAD TO WORK FOR YEARS TO WORK ALL THE WAY UP $10.10/HR & NOW THEY WANT TO GIVE IT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE INFERIOR TO ME!!!!!

I made $10/hr my first job after graduating college. But that was in 1986.

I made that much working part-time in college (early 80’s) (more when I was willing to work night shift)… amusing to recall that word processing used to be a special skill, well-compensated. These days any 9-year-old can do it.

484 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:23:09am

re: #479 Targetpractice

In the idealized “free market,” people earn raises based upon hard work and experience, and the lowest paid workers are those who are putting in no effort or have no profitable job skills.

In the real “free market,” pay raises are on a schedule, depend on whether you’ve been a good boy and done whatever backbreaking labor the management has ordered you to do, and the lowest paid guy is the one whose number hasn’t come up yet.

About the only time you get a guaranteed, substantial raise in the real world is when the minimum wage goes up. The rest of the time, your raise depends on whether the manager likes you or not.

Or you’re a CEO and you know how to stack the deck.

485 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:23:18am

re: #478 jaunte

[Embedded content]

And the fragmentation is still under way. A Ron Paul fanboy site has been demonstrating a split between ‘Constitutional’ militias and the ‘militant’ militia types in the Bundy inner circle. The CM are pulling out, much like the Oathkeepers before the phantom drone strike.

486 Ian G.  May 8, 2014 10:23:55am

re: #359 Skip Intro

Back in FundyLand,

United States full of ‘witchcraft,’ bishop warns during conservative prayer event

rawstory.com

Note the line about “divine protection”. Even if they’ve never said it explicitly, wingnut Christianity absolutely believes that God has made a new covenant with America. We’re the new Israel. It’s blasphemous and idiotic, but it’s what they believe, hence their terror over secularization. They think it will earn God’s wrath.

Given this, I’m surprised Mormonism didn’t make more headway among right-wing Christians. After all, it just takes the “America as new Israel” and makes the implicit into the explicit.

487 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 10:25:10am

Charles Krauthammer: Climate Change Is A ‘Superstition’ Like A Native American ‘Rain Dance’

Know what else is a superstition, Charles?

No, I didn’t think so.

huffingtonpost.com

488 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 10:25:18am

re: #482 Skip Intro

One tweet and now he’s for installing a libertarian government?

Sometimes Free Republic has nothing on this place.

I wouldn’t go as far as your second statement, but I do think it’s unfair to characterize Tyson as a dudebro based on one tweet. And there are plenty of genuine progressive/liberal/left/whatever people who have genuine concerns about oversight and privacy.

There’s a line somewhere, and I don’t think Tyson has crossed it based on that tweet, even though it is hyperbolic.

489 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:25:26am

re: #486 Ian G.

Note the line about “divine protection”. Even if they’ve never said it explicitly, wingnut Christianity absolutely believes that God has made a new covenant with America. We’re the new Israel. It’s blasphemous and idiotic, but it’s what they believe, hence their terror over secularization. They think it will earn God’s wrath.

Given this, I’m surprised Mormonism didn’t make more headway among right-wing Christians. After all, it just takes the “America as new Israel” and makes the implicit into the explicit.

If this is the New Israel, why can’t I get a decent schwarma?

490 Bulworth  May 8, 2014 10:25:36am

Mooch Gets Involved!

Stay classy, #TCOT

491 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:25:45am

HURR HURR!!!! U DROOLING OBAMABOT MEANYHEAD!!!!!

492 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:26:33am

THAT’S NOT A THREAT BECAUSE IT HAS A SMILEY!!!!!!

493 Rev_Arthur_Belling  May 8, 2014 10:27:02am

re: #491 Pie-onist Overlord

Dudebro obviously knows nothing about defamation law in the U.S. Why am I not surprised?

494 NJDhockeyfan  May 8, 2014 10:27:48am
495 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:29:04am

re: #487 Skip Intro

Charles Krauthammer: Climate Change Is A ‘Superstition’ Like A Native American ‘Rain Dance’

Know what else is a superstition, Charles?

No, I didn’t think so.

huffingtonpost.com

Climate change is a superstition yet believing in demons controlling the gay rights movement is perfectly normal. No, Krauthammer doesn’t believe the latter but he has no problem throwing his lot in with people who do.

496 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:29:55am

re: #480 Bulworth

I worked hard to get to $10/hr. Raising the #MinimumWage only puts me back at minimum wage.

——

1935:
I worked hard to get a pension from my job. Creating Social Security lets other people besides me retire now

1965:
I was really lucky worked hard to get healthcare from my job. Creating Medicare let other people get healed now, too.

1985:
I worked hard to get to $4/hr. Raising the minimum wage lets everyone else have $4/hr.

Yep. Great point.

497 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:30:24am

nbcnews.com

Boehner isn’t going to tell the rank and file to stop using Benghazi as a fund-raising measure. It’s been the goal all along to continue using it as the fake scandal to rile up the base and squeeze more money out of them. The new “special committee” is simply another implementation of the same idea that acts as a combined attack on Obama and Clinton while also serving as a smokescreen for the do-nothing House on the days between votes to repeal the ACA.

498 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:30:42am

Um no Dim Jim Elizabeth Warren is in no way “mega rich” based on the criteria that you use.

499 William Barnett-Lewis  May 8, 2014 10:30:42am

re: #467 Pie-onist Overlord

Todd go build a cross and nail yourself to it.

[Embedded content]

Spit. No. Not Christians, Todd, just terrorists like you.

500 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 10:30:47am

re: #490 Bulworth

Mooch Gets Involved!

Stay classy, #TCOT

This whole “Mooch” thing, do they think it’s better than calling her a Wookie?

Or do they think it’s worse? My mind just doesn’t process data like theirs.

501 Gus  May 8, 2014 10:30:50am
502 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:32:03am

re: #495 HappyWarrior

Climate change is a superstition yet believing in demons controlling the gay rights movement is perfectly normal. No, Krauthammer doesn’t believe the latter but he has no problem throwing his lot in with people who do.

And how is the Native American “rain dance” different from Gov Perry calling for prayer sessions to get rain in Texas?
//

503 Gus  May 8, 2014 10:32:03am

Just testing.

504 Skip Intro  May 8, 2014 10:33:02am

re: #495 HappyWarrior

Climate change is a superstition yet believing in demons controlling the gay rights movement is perfectly normal. No, Krauthammer doesn’t believe the latter but he has no problem throwing his lot in with people who do.

I left out Krauthammer’s money shot, and the entire view of science held by the GOP:

“I’m not impressed by numbers,” he said.

505 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:33:07am

re: #503 Gus

Just testing.

If you posted a picture of a pistol early in the afternoon don’t you have to use it by the evening?

506 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:33:35am

re: #502 Feline Fearless Leader

And how is the Native American “rain dance” different for Gov Perry calling for prayer sessions to get rain in Texas?
//

It’s for one a lot more cool.

507 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:33:40am

re: #504 Skip Intro

I left out Krauthammer’s money shot, and the entire view of science held by the GOP:

“I’m not impressed by numbers,” he said.

Cut his salary by a couple of significant digits and see what he says then.
//

508 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:34:06am

re: #504 Skip Intro

I left out Krauthammer’s money shot, and the entire view of science held by the GOP:

“I’m not impressed by numbers,” he said.

Yeah ignore actual data Krauthammer, that’s the way.

509 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:34:14am

re: #502 Feline Fearless Leader

And how is the Native American “rain dance” different for Gov Perry calling for prayer sessions to get rain in Texas?
//


It has a nice beat. I’d give it a ‘7’.

510 HappyWarrior  May 8, 2014 10:34:38am

re: #507 Feline Fearless Leader

Cut his salary by a couple of significant digits and see what he says then.
//

I’d make it single digits if possible. He contributes nothing of substance to any intelligent conversation. He is and always was a right wing hack.

511 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:34:44am

re: #509 Decatur Deb


It has a nice beat. I’d give it a ‘7’.

It’s got a beat and you can dance to it.

;)

513 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:36:58am

nbcnews.com

India has more dancing frogs than the US! Get Michigan J Frog and KT working on this right away!
;)

514 Feline Fearless Leader  May 8, 2014 10:37:41am

re: #512 Rightwingconspirator

Shameless Page promo

[Embedded image]

Fake pic, real inside the tornado video from security cam

Is that what you get if a tornado hits a Skittles factory?

515 Decatur Deb  May 8, 2014 10:38:01am

re: #512 Rightwingconspirator

Shameless Page promo

[Embedded image]

Fake pic, real inside the tornado video from church security cam

The gays are causing tornadoes.

516 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:39:47am

re: #515 Decatur Deb

The gays are causing tornadoes.

IT’S A GAYNADO!!!!

Like a Sharknado, but IT’S RAINING MEN!!!

517 Pie-onist Overlord  May 8, 2014 10:42:13am

Awesome Wonkette bitchslapping of Glenn Greenwald.

518 Backwoods_Sleuth  May 8, 2014 10:50:53am

re: #504 Skip Intro

I left out Krauthammer’s money shot, and the entire view of science held by the GOP:

“I’m not impressed by numbers,” he said.

Math is HARD!!11!!

519 Eventual Carrion  May 8, 2014 10:59:49am

re: #467 Pie-onist Overlord

Todd go build a cross and nail yourself to it.

[Embedded content]

Isn’t that what you want to do to them (Todd, not Pie). Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So Todd must be worried that rule might come bite him and his ilk in the ass.


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