Another “Massive Data Breach” of Federal Personnel - Originating in China

Yet another huge attack
Technology • Views: 60,449

Today we’re learning that the FBI is investigating a “massive data breach” of the federal Office of Personnel Management, involving the personal records of approximately four million people. Officials suspect hackers based in China are responsible for this wide-ranging penetration of federal data systems.

At this rate, China and Russia will have pretty much everything in our federal computer systems before much longer.

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168 comments
1 Great White Snark  Jun 4, 2015 4:06:01pm

Fortune cookie sez your internet firewalls suck.

2 Rev_Arthur_Icantbreatheing  Jun 4, 2015 4:07:14pm

I can’t *wait* for Snowden and Greenwald to weigh in on this.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

3 psddluva4evah  Jun 4, 2015 4:09:05pm

I’m just now getting off work but someone tweeted this photo of VP Biden today and it just broke my heart.

RIP!! Heartbreak in one picture!!

Beau Biden. t.co t.co

4 Rev_Arthur_Icantbreatheing  Jun 4, 2015 4:11:49pm

re: #3 psddluva4evah

Was just going to post it, so I’ll do it anyway.
Gawker - Today's gossip is tomorrow's news
So sad. RIP

5 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 4:14:59pm
Mom! Sis left the water running!
6 Higgs Boson's Mate  Jun 4, 2015 4:15:35pm

And here’s the NSA busy collecting and pre-packaging the rest of the world’s data for them.

7 Mike Lamb  Jun 4, 2015 4:17:40pm

Channeling a recently-banned-Twitter-troll:

INSIDE JOB!

8 VegasGolfer  Jun 4, 2015 4:20:38pm

Great, I’m in the OPM system.

9 Varek Raith  Jun 4, 2015 4:21:07pm

This is what happens when many in charge live in the past and/or have no clue about modern technology.

10 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2015 4:23:24pm

BREAKING: GOAT NEWS HAZ VERIFIED THAT CHINA DID KNOT THE HACK, OBUMMER DONE IT

11 Belafon  Jun 4, 2015 4:24:44pm

But what we need to defend the country is more jets and missiles.

12 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 4:24:59pm

Off topic so soon… but as I was out today I turned on AM hate radio and what’s the first thing I hear? None other than she-who-drinks-and-blogs warning us of Sharia and the Muslim threat to all or lives.

I turned the radio off.

But Geller and her cohorts are certainly all over the media today.

They want a religious war and are quite determined to make sure one gets going.

13 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2015 4:25:34pm

And here we have an awesome pic, caption, and POTUS

14 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 4:26:23pm

As for data breaches - this is the 21st century.

Welcome to it.

We don’t want to be too open but the option of living in a closed information-controlled society I find more scary.

15 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 4:26:57pm

re: #13 Dr. Matt

POTUS BOWING TO MECCA!!

16 EPR-radar  Jun 4, 2015 4:27:37pm

I may be showing my age here, but back in the day, it was axiomatic that no computer connected to the normal internet was secure.

It looks like everyone is learning that the hard way.

17 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 4:27:58pm

re: #13 Dr. Matt

POTUS TEACHING AMERICAN CHILDREN TO BOW TO MECCA!!

18 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2015 4:28:48pm
19 wrenchwench  Jun 4, 2015 4:29:15pm

re: #15 freetoken

POTUS BOWING TO MECCA!!

Is that her name? Looks like she’s going for his tie.

/

20 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2015 4:29:37pm

re: #16 EPR-radar

I may be showing my age here, but back in the day, it was axiomatic that no computer connected to the normal internet was secure.

It looks like everyone is learning that the hard way.

Three rules in life:
1. You will eventually die
2. If you dip your finger in the water and it tastes like salt, there are sharks
3. See above in bold

21 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2015 4:30:35pm
22 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 4, 2015 4:30:45pm

How long before Putin and the Chinese start fighting each other over the cyber-loot?

Chicom wheel: Hey, Vlad, it was our guys who hacked that IRS account. Lay off using it

Putin: Who cares? All’s fair etc.

Chicom: Now wait a damn minute…..

Putin: Do you want us to expose your contract for the secret WalMart tunnels?

Chicom: What nonsense. There is no such thing.

Putin: Of course not, but we have 100,000 American bloggers who will swear you built them.

Chicom: Goddamit, I knew we should have gone after those conspiracy fools first.

23 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2015 4:30:50pm
24 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 4:31:47pm

re: #21 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

She looks like a madwoman.

25 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 4:32:09pm

littlegreenfootballs.com

Page with a set of geyser photos. Enjoy!

26 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 4:32:19pm

re: #21 Charles Johnson

So, who will be the first clown in the GOP clown car to now jump on this and take up Geller’s cause?

27 Rev_Arthur_Icantbreatheing  Jun 4, 2015 4:32:25pm

Ugh. Just Ugh.

28 Rev_Arthur_Icantbreatheing  Jun 4, 2015 4:33:04pm

re: #25 Feline Fearless Leader

littlegreenfootballs.com

Page with a set of geyser photos. Enjoy!

Kaiser Soze?!

Oh, geyser photos!!

29 Kragar  Jun 4, 2015 4:34:06pm

re: #13 Dr. Matt

30 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 4:34:35pm

re: #26 freetoken

Geller: Wants apocalypse.

RWNJs: Want apocalypse.

Sounds like a match made in hell.

31 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 4:34:39pm

re: #24 Justanotherhuman

She looks like a madwoman.

I can’t help but think that here’s a woman of means who could do anything she wanted with her time. And she picks this?

32 unproven innocence  Jun 4, 2015 4:35:42pm

It’s not hard to see that we are in deep do-do.

FBI official: Companies should help us ‘prevent encryption above all else’
By Andrea Peterson June 4 at 2:20 PM

Michael Steinbach, assistant director in the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, speaks during a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee on Wedensday on Capitol Hill. (AFP photo/Brendan Smialowski)

The debate over encryption erupted on Capitol Hill again Wednesday, with an FBI official testifying that law enforcement’s challenge is working with tech companies “to build technological solutions to prevent encryption above all else.”

At first glance the comment from Michael B. Steinbach, assistant director in the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, might appear to go further than FBI Director James B. Comey. Encryption, a technology widely used to secure digital information by scrambling data so only authorized users can decode it, is “a good thing,” Comey has said, even if he wants the government to have the ability get around it.

There was a David Cameron who swallowed a fly…
By Cory Doctorow at 4:29 am Thu, Jun 4, 2015

In my latest Guardian column, I talk about the real danger from the UK Tories’ plan to ban effective cryptography: not the initial mandate forcing companies to help spy on their users, but all the things we’ll have to do when that doesn’t work. [snip]

I recall an old prime time live entertainment show called “I’ve Got a Secret”. At that time, nobody thought that people having secrets was subversive, or sinister, or a national security threat. It’s amazing how much we’ve changed.

33 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2015 4:36:20pm
34 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2015 4:36:48pm

re: #24 Justanotherhuman

She looks like a madwoman.

35 A Cranky One  Jun 4, 2015 4:39:01pm

So I’ve mentioned that Mrs Cranky’s garden puts on a show every spring. Here is glimpse at part of the latest show:

The garden show continues

In the middle is one of our unusual garden decorations, a fountain I made from a 100-year-old bandsaw. Thing weighs several hundred pounds. The birds absolutely love the fountain and we get more birds with it than we did putting out food.

Do you know how hard it is to be cranky when surrounded by beauty? Good thing I like a challenge. ;)

36 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 4:39:31pm

In consider all these religious taboos to be superstitions akin to throwing salt over your shoulder.

But I don’t go around trying to provoke believers in whatever taboo to violence.

I do engage religious folk from time to time, such as on creationism. But having done that for now almost 40 years I know quite well that progress is slow and people “believe” things usually not for the obvious reason.

As for Islam - I have no clue if there will ever be a “reformed” movement that dumps a lot of tradition, in the manner of some current nominal Christian denominations which no longer practice much older orthopraxy. I confess that I do hope that happens someday, but I’d say the same sort of thing to a fundamentalist Hindu or Christian.

Getting religious believers to give up taboos is such a slow process, as far as society wide. I don’t find it necessary to make it my task to push any individual along such path, though if an opportunity comes along I will engage someone if they really want to question their beliefs.

37 Rocky-in-Connecticut  Jun 4, 2015 4:40:52pm

it makes me wonder if a free, open democracy can exist along with worldwide computer networks. Autocracies like Russia and China use these networks to advance their nefarious agenda with great success. Far from fading, they appear to be strengthened by networks and receive tremendous nationalist internal support from their populations. From paid trolling, to advanced hacking into sensitive data, to outright stealing technology and production process information, it seems the contrary nature of technology and human norms of decency is being exposed. Otherwise intelligent and talented hackers are gleefully doing the dirty work of autocratic governments with no real regard for the promotion of democracy, human rights, or common decency. Perhaps Skynet doesn’t need soulless automatons. Skynet simply needs to humans to keep doing what they’re doing.

38 Belafon  Jun 4, 2015 4:41:33pm

re: #32 unproven innocence

I recall an old prime time live entertainment show called “I’ve Got a Secret”. At that time, nobody thought that people having secrets was subversive, or sinister, or a national security threat. It’s amazing how much we’ve changed.

I doubt it. We’ve had things like the McCarthy era.

39 wrenchwench  Jun 4, 2015 4:42:22pm
40 Dr. Matt  Jun 4, 2015 4:42:48pm

Geller really wants to be a martyr. It’s obvious at this point.

41 Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 4, 2015 4:43:57pm
42 Lord Of The Pies  Jun 4, 2015 4:44:38pm

Pamela is a Butterface.

43 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2015 4:45:17pm
44 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 4:46:55pm

re: #32 unproven innocence

Did you notice where Apple is now publicly confronting the drive by the US government to go along with the agencies, and that Apple is chiding Google and Facebook at the same time?

I guess I sort of side with Apple on this one.

45 unproven innocence  Jun 4, 2015 4:50:52pm

re: #44 freetoken

Yes, I’ve noticed.

46 Dave In Austin  Jun 4, 2015 4:53:42pm

Sooner or later, someone is going to get hurt.

…

47 Kid A  Jun 4, 2015 4:56:01pm

Pam looks like she’s drank a fifth of Stoli and smoked a pack of Luckys every night for the last thirty years.

48 wrenchwench  Jun 4, 2015 4:56:04pm

Later, lizards. Maybe much later.

49 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 4:56:47pm

re: #45 unproven innocence

The first case of encryption I ever heard publicly discussed was that of a thief of govt documents.

Most ordinary people don’t encrypt, do they? Maybe those who are very computer savvy, but most people who just use computers probably don’t, unless their work requires it.

50 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:01:25pm

re: #46 Dave In Austin

I can’t even watch these arrogant bastards without getting pissed off.

They’re lucky they weren’t jailed for verbally assaulting the cops, heh.

51 unproven innocence  Jun 4, 2015 5:01:43pm

re: #49 Justanotherhuman

If you use a computer for on-line banking, filing taxes, or just for visiting secure websites ( h t t p s : / / whatever ) such as yahoo[dot]com it’s a safe bet that you are using encryption.

52 Shiplord Kirel  Jun 4, 2015 5:03:32pm

re: #43 Charles Johnson

The actual attacks on Geller largely prove the opposite of what she, Spencer, and various other hysterics claim. There are not hordes of jihad crazed, professionally trained terrorists pouring over the border and hiding out in every mosque. Instead, we have three self recruited goofballs dead at the hands of police. That’s all this global menace can manage against a woman who has willfully made herself their prime target.
It’s as though Reagan had declared war on the Soviet Union only to find that their vaunted strategic force consisted of a single confiscated B-29 armed with home-made stink bombs.

53 Lord Of The Pies  Jun 4, 2015 5:04:55pm

It’s just as probable that a crazed gun fucker might shoot a random innocent Muslim as a “gift” for Pam.

54 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:05:41pm

re: #46 Dave In Austin

Sooner or later, someone is going to get hurt.

[Embedded content]

Imagine two black men doing the same thing… they’d be dead.

55 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 5:09:24pm

re: #52 Shiplord Kirel

It’s as though Reagan had declared war on the Soviet Union only to find that their vaunted strategic force consisted of a single confiscated B-29 armed with home-made stink bombs.

More than W found in Iraq.

56 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 5:10:35pm

re: #54 CuriousLurker

Imagine two black men doing the same thing… they’d be dead.

Black men don’t even need the guns.

57 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:10:36pm

re: #39 wrenchwench

[Embedded content]

I’m shocked.//

58 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:11:47pm

re: #54 CuriousLurker

Imagine two black men doing the same thing… they’d be dead.

Imagine two men of Middle Eastern like appearance. This ladies and gents is what is meant by white privilege where you can open carry a gun without fear of the police shooting you dead.

59 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:12:39pm

re: #51 unproven innocence

I don’t do anything involving money online. If I want to order something from Amazon, my grandson uses his account. I’ve never thought the internet was 100% safe, just as I don’t think my debit card is totally safe.

But the encryption is from the other end on secure sites, not from my end. I have no idea how the security of the country itself can be maintained while preserving privacy 100% of the time from the govt. I also don’t know how much of my personal information is mined from companies and individuals looking for it, either.

60 Jay C  Jun 4, 2015 5:14:58pm

re: #40 Dr. Matt

Geller really wants to be a martyr. It’s obvious at this point.

Here’s a suggestion: Maybe Pam should jump off the observation deck of the new One WTC with a sign around her neck reading: “WE ISIS DID THIS ITS ALL OUR FAULT ALLAHU AKBAR”. Voila! Instant martyrdom, and we won;t have to listen to her vile yap anymore. Win-win!

61 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2015 5:15:16pm

I know we have lizards of all ages and stripes here, but we all have family, friends and loved ones (not all mutually exclusive, of course). Some of us even know folks who are facing extraordinarily tough medical decisions and life/death decisions.

When things get to that point, it’s almost too late to discuss stuff like power of attorney or health care proxy or advance directives. It’s morbid enough when you’re young and strong (because who wants to think of mortality, and heck, I’m going to live forever) but when you’re staring mortality in the face, the best thing is to have this stuff planned in advance.

Don’t wait til the last minute to do these things - you might find that the person isn’t competent to issue the statements or declare their intentions.

Talk with your parents or siblings earlier rather than later - all to reassure them that this is so that everyone knows what they want to do, and that these papers can help with caregivers making the decisions - whether it’s arranging health care, financial decisions, or moving money around to address insurance needs.

And for gods sake, consider long term insurance care. If you ever have to deal with that nightmare, having the insurance (which aint cheap) can save you even more down the road - a whole lot more.

Sorry for the PSA downer, but seeing family and friends not taking advice like this for years is biting (or will bite) them in the ass bigtime.

62 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:20:06pm
63 A Cranky One  Jun 4, 2015 5:20:28pm

My daughter who is fostering a litter of kittens just sent me more pictures. So, just to lighten up things a bit, there are some kitteh pictures.

Baby cats
It’s so difficult being a kitteh
64 lawhawk  Jun 4, 2015 5:20:55pm

So, GOPers are willing to call an embryo or zygote a baby, but will only call Caitlyn Jenner Bruce. Hmmmm.

65 Nyet  Jun 4, 2015 5:20:56pm

If a terrorist ever targets David Duke, David Duke won’t become a free speech hero. Neither should Geller.

66 Dave In Austin  Jun 4, 2015 5:20:58pm

re: #61 lawhawk

Seconded on this….

My family was (and is, what’s left of us) very open about the end result. Everything was in order and easy to take care of when the time came. Death was discussed openly even in the early years.

Neptune Society here… Everything is taken care of. No muss, no fuss.

67 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:21:07pm

re: #62 CuriousLurker

[Embedded content]

Awesome. A new pancreas too sounds pretty revolutionary as well.

68 Bear  Jun 4, 2015 5:21:15pm

re: #61 lawhawk

Good advice.

69 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:22:51pm

re: #65 Nyet

If a terrorist ever targets David Duke, David Duke won’t become a free speech hero. Neither should Geller.

Exactly. And it’s flat out bullshit to call her a first amendment hero or activist when she wants to deny Muslims the first amendment. She’s no hero. She’s just as I’ve seen you say it David Duke in a skirt and no different from the Anti-Semitic propagandists of past and present that claimed Jews were disloyal and constantly scheming. I hate to bring her religion into this but she is practically the same hatred that has been used against her people for centuries.

70 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 5:23:06pm
Rocks - Wyoming

An outcrop picture for our geology Lizards.

71 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:23:13pm

re: #61 lawhawk

mr. klys and I formalized this last year and I will second it.

When my grandmother had a stroke while recovering from back surgery and it became clear that there was no recovery possible, my dad had to make the decision to withdraw all support other than pallative care. The one thing that gave him any comfort in it was that he was fulfilling her wishes, which he knew because he had talked about it with her.

When we formalized it, both mr. klys and I asked my dad if he would be willing to serve as one of the people listed for both of us, and had a conversation with him. We’ve also written a letter, just so our wishes are clear and on paper, and that will be included with the paperwork that I need to finish scanning and send on to the appropriate parties.

Don’t put it off.

72 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 5:23:47pm

re: #63 A Cranky One

My daughter who is fostering a litter of kittens just sent me more pictures. So, just to lighten up things a bit, there are some kitteh pictures.

[Embedded content]

That’s how I would end up with 6 cats for life.

73 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:24:09pm

re: #63 A Cranky One

You are a cruel, cruel man.

74 GlutenFreeJesus  Jun 4, 2015 5:24:36pm

re: #46 Dave In Austin

“Approach us with respect blah blah”… but black kids should be shot on sight.

75 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 5:24:44pm

re: #72 allegro

That’s how I would end up with 6 cats for life.

My apartment lease limiting me to two has been a saving grace on multiple occasions.

76 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:25:07pm

re: #72 allegro

That’s how I would end up with 6 cats for life.

I know, right? They’re all ridiculously cute.

77 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 5:25:16pm

re: #74 GlutenFreeJesus

“Approach us with respect blah blah”… but black kids should be shot on sight.

Not understanding that usually to get respect you must give it as well.

78 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:25:27pm

re: #61 lawhawk

Another thing to consider is cremation/burial.

79 GlutenFreeJesus  Jun 4, 2015 5:26:36pm

re: #77 Feline Fearless Leader

“I’m a law abiding citizen”… Ok, just because you say so?

“You have people with rifles here!” - says the guy hanging out with two of his buddies in plain clothes, with rifles.

80 A Cranky One  Jun 4, 2015 5:27:02pm

re: #61 lawhawk

Excellent advice. My parents made arrangements ahead of time to avoid any additional emotional trauma when the time came. Unfortunately, when my dad got sick his condition fell in the cracks that they hadn’t fully defined. However, since we had talked and understood his wishes, it was easier to make some of the difficult decisions that they hadn’t anticipated.

While it may seem morbid and uncomfortable to discuss, it’s far better to have the discussion than to not and find yourself trying to make hard decisions without knowing what people might have wanted.

81 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 5:27:16pm

In case you haven’t seen this:

City of Springdale Responds to Duggar Claims

The Fox attempt to make the Duggar scandal about the release of records is falling apart.

As if it was ever together in the first place.

82 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:27:26pm

These open carry people are trying to create an environment of fear and intimidation.

83 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:27:50pm

My son, who died last year, did not wish to be kept alive when there was no chance of recovery. We were advised that after his cardiac arrest, the brain has ceased to function for long enough to cause irreparable damage and his body would simply be kept alive, probably just short term since his organs were also failing. We went with the drs’ recommendations.

Another request he made was that he be buried, and we did that, rather than simply cremating his remains.

84 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:29:33pm

re: #81 freetoken

In case you haven’t seen this:

City of Springdale Responds to Duggar Claims

The Fox attempt to make the Duggar scandal about the release of records is falling apart.

As if it was ever together in the first place.

I am sure they have a back up plan.

85 Eric The Fruit Bat  Jun 4, 2015 5:30:14pm

So we have the FBI demanding that encryption be available via some magic golden key, yet at the same time the NSA can’t keep the Governments computers safe from Russia and China.

Can you say ‘Cognitive dissonance’? Or maybe, The United States should seriously think about designing and building Internet II, where security is a core baseline requirement, and start to wall off the rest of the old internetas we move forward.

86 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 5:31:00pm
Hey Dad! This rock looks different than the other ones!

(Actually a really good picture here. And if you ever get into northeastern Wyoming it is heartily recommended to stop here. Good campground with plenty of shade, and just an interesting site. We didn’t see any UFOs though.)

87 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:31:09pm

re: #84 HappyWarrior

Obviously, JB overlooked a couple of things:

“The requested record was not sealed or expunged, and at the time the report was filed, the person listed in the report was an adult. Any names of minors included in the report, as well as pronouns, were redacted from the report by the Springdale Police Department in compliance with Arkansas law prior to release.” — City of Springdale

88 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 5:31:27pm

re: #84 HappyWarrior

I am sure they have a back up plan.

It’s Obama’s fault. Of course.

89 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:32:12pm

re: #80 A Cranky One

Younger Lizards shouldn’t put it off either, because you never know what life is going to throw your way. Discussions with parents should go both ways, and you should ideally have it with 2-3 people in case someone is incapacitated/not present/unable to serve when the time comes and they have to fall to a back-up.

90 Charles Johnson  Jun 4, 2015 5:32:23pm
91 teleskiguy  Jun 4, 2015 5:34:00pm

Arkansas seems like a fun place.

92 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:35:02pm

re: #61 lawhawk

Also, because it should be said, {{ lawhawk and family }}

93 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:35:15pm

re: #87 Justanotherhuman

Obviously, JB overlooked a couple of things:

“The requested record was not sealed or expunged, and at the time the report was filed, the person listed in the report was an adult. Any names of minors included in the report, as well as pronouns, were redacted from the report by the Springdale Police Department in compliance with Arkansas law prior to release.” — City of Springdale

Somehow I doubt he knows the law or more likely thinks he’s above it.

94 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:35:16pm

re: #89 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Put it in writing.

95 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:35:51pm

re: #93 HappyWarrior

Probably both.

96 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 5:35:58pm

re: #91 teleskiguy

The states in yellow probably have their own state licensed liquor stores, which bring in revenues?

97 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:36:22pm

re: #91 teleskiguy

Arkansas seems like a fun place.

[Embedded content]

Kansas too.

98 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:36:31pm

re: #94 Justanotherhuman

Put it in writing.

Ours is. If nothing else, it’s the final fallback. But we have a series of folks’ designated to serve in the role, who have had discussions with us about what we want and know our views on things.

There’s also still a pile of things I need to do relating to all of that legal work from last year. I need to finish that.

99 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 5:37:05pm

When I was young, where I lived, hard liquor in bottles was only sold through the state regulated store. Grocery stores didn’t sell even beer or wine.

100 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 5:37:40pm

re: #75 Feline Fearless Leader

My apartment lease limiting me to two has been a saving grace on multiple occasions.

For years I rehabbed raptors (predatory birds like owls, hawks, golden eagles, etc.) that were injured or too young to go it alone yet. Except for those who could never be released, like my one wing owl Herman, I could not get too close or form a bond for their sakes. Man, it was hard especially with the little guys. Even then when it came time for their release I was about a basket case. I’d be sniffing for days and laying awake at night worrying about them.

Kittens? No fucking way.

101 A Cranky One  Jun 4, 2015 5:38:15pm

re: #89 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Younger Lizards shouldn’t put it off either, because you never know what life is going to throw your way. Discussions with parents should go both ways, and you should ideally have it with 2-3 people in case someone is incapacitated/not present/unable to serve when the time comes and they have to fall to a back-up.

Excellent point. Was just thinking about that after reading Justanotherhuman’s comment. Some decisions were so agonizing, I can’t even image if it was a child and not a parent. Just thinking about something happening to one of my kids makes me sick to my stomach; trying to make good decisions while traumatized isn’t a good idea so I may discuss this with my kids this weekend.

Then go visit the kittens to cheer up. ;)

102 Dave In Austin  Jun 4, 2015 5:39:38pm

neptunesociety.com

1 phone call and it’s done

103 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:39:55pm

In the past couple of weeks my cat has printed like 20 test pages on my b&w laser printer by stepping on a specific button when she traverses the desk behind my monitor. Every. Time. Then, the printer suddenly coming to life causes her to turn around and go back to watch the paper coming out—naturally, stepping on the same friggin’ button all over again as she leans over to watch.

I’ve gotta figure out how to protect that button.

104 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:40:00pm

re: #96 freetoken

The states in yellow probably have their own state licensed liquor stores, which bring in revenues?

I grew up in a yellow county, you had to go to a liquor store to buy beer/wine/liquor. It’s relaxed some now, and grocery stores can now sell beer and wine, but that’s since I moved away to college.

Now I live in CA, with its fantastically liberal policies, and I am so grateful for that.

Fun fact: there are 3 on-site/off-site licenses in the state of CA, where liquor can be sold for consumption on premise or to take home. One is in Pescadero (where mr. klys and I stopped by on a first date) and one is in Mendocino (where mr. klys and I got married).

I should figure out where the third is so we can avoid it like the plague.

105 Bear  Jun 4, 2015 5:40:15pm

Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a copy of the instructions posted on the refer door, as well as where your will may be found. Also posted there should be a list of medicines you are on.

106 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:41:08pm

re: #103 CuriousLurker

IN the past couple of weeks my cat has printed like 20 test pages on my b&w laser printer by stepping on a specific button when she traverses the desk behind my monitor. Every. Time. Then, the printer suddenly coming to life causes her to turn around and go back to watch the paper coming out—naturally, stepping on the same friggin’ button all over again as she leans over to watch.

I’ve gotta figure out how to protect that button.

There are some machines that I am increasingly convinced are designed by people who don’t own cats.

The biggest violator was my Macbook, because who the fuck puts the power button on the keyboard where the cat can easily walk across it?

107 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:41:41pm

Would I be correct in assuming the Duggars live in one of those red counties?

108 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 5:41:58pm

re: #103 CuriousLurker

IN the past couple of weeks my cat has printed like 20 test pages on my b&w laser printer by stepping on a specific button when she traverses the desk behind my monitor. Every. Time. Then, the printer suddenly coming to life causes her to turn around and go back to watch the paper coming out—naturally, stepping on the same friggin’ button all over again as she leans over to watch.

I’ve gotta figure out how to protect that button.

Tape a bottle or juice cap over it?

(Wouldn’t work with my cats. Tuxedo Cat *loves* playing with adhesive, so anything with tape on it draws her attention.)

109 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:43:09pm

re: #103 CuriousLurker

Make a circular “wall” from paper and insert it around the button?

You have Pavlov’s cat? : )

110 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 5:43:11pm

re: #96 freetoken

The states in yellow probably have their own state licensed liquor stores, which bring in revenues?

Here in Houston we have privately owned liquor stores but there are blue laws. Can’t buy anything but beer or wine on Sundays and that only after noon.

111 unproven innocence  Jun 4, 2015 5:43:32pm

re: #103 CuriousLurker

Can I suggest something to cover the button, held in place by velcro. The velcro probably can be attached by some kind of harmless adhesive.

112 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:43:57pm

re: #110 allegro

Here in Houston we have privately owned liquor stores but there are blue laws. Can’t buy anything but beer or wine on Sundays and that only after noon.

Fuck that shit.

113 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:45:20pm

re: #105 Bear

Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a copy of the instructions posted on the refer door, as well as where your will may be found. Also posted there should be a list of medicines you are on.

I worry sometimes about what to do with things, because we live far away from any family.

I still haven’t settled on a good plan, but I do need to finish scanning all the paperwork and put together a DVD to provide the folks who are on the executor list.

114 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:46:22pm

re: #112 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Fuck that shit.

We have ABC stores (state) only, for hard spirits and they’re closed on Sun. Retail outlets sell beer and wine, but only after noon on Sunday. It’s that Bible Belt thing—you have to wait until after church, so if you need the hair of the dog and didn’t stock up on Saturday, tough shit. : )

115 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:47:26pm

re: #108 Feline Fearless Leader

Tape a bottle or juice cap over it?

(Wouldn’t work with my cats. Tuxedo Cat *loves* playing with adhesive, so anything with tape on it draws her attention.)

Yeah, those would just look like toys and the cat in question loves “stickies” (any kind of adhesive), so tape is out.

Hmm… now that you mention it though, I have an old broken purple plastic ruler and some little Velcro squares & circles, so maybe those’ll work…

116 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:47:50pm

re: #114 Justanotherhuman

We have ABC stores (state) only, for hard spirits and they’re closed on Sun. Retail outlets sell beer and wine, but only after noon on Sunday. It’s that Bible Belt thing—you have to wait until after church, so if you need the hair of the dog and didn’t stock up on Saturday, tough shit. : )

My in-laws live in NC, so I have spent more time there than I would otherwise have been inclined to.

Fortunately, they are willing to stock a small bottle of gin for me, and tonic, so I cope with the visits (Christmas this year, sigh).

117 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:48:38pm

re: #111 unproven innocence

Ha! I was typing exactly that while you were responding.

118 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:49:05pm

re: #115 CuriousLurker

Yeah, those would just look like toys and the cat in question loves “stickies” (any kind of adhesive), so tape is out.

Hmm… now that you mention it though, I have an old broken purple plastic ruler and some little Velcro squares & circles, so maybe those’ll work…

What brand printer is it? Maybe there’s a way to disable/change the function of the button.

119 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:49:19pm

Virginia I think is similiar to NC. Beer and wine in our grocery stores and conveince stores but you have to go to the ABC Store for liquor. Not sure about Sunday rules since I usually get my booze on Friday or Saturday.

120 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:50:42pm

re: #118 klys (maker of Silmarils)

What brand printer is it? Maybe there’s a way to disable/change the function of the button.

Samsung. It’s a pretty basic wireless model, just for printing text & line art, so I don’t know if it has an option like that. I should probably check though.

121 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 5:51:19pm

re: #103 CuriousLurker

IN the past couple of weeks my cat has printed like 20 test pages on my b&w laser printer by stepping on a specific button when she traverses the desk behind my monitor. Every. Time. Then, the printer suddenly coming to life causes her to turn around and go back to watch the paper coming out—naturally, stepping on the same friggin’ button all over again as she leans over to watch.

I’ve gotta figure out how to protect that button.

My sheltie stepped on the door lock button on my truck arm rest while I was pumping gas. Keys in ignition, purse and phone on the seat. Christmas Eve at 7pm. Try to get a locksmith then.

122 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:51:56pm

re: #121 allegro

My sheltie stepped on the door lock button on my truck arm rest while I was pumping gas. Keys in ignition, purse and phone on the seat. Christmas Eve at 7pm. Try to get a locksmith then.

I’m sorry, but… LOLOLOL!

123 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:52:03pm

re: #119 HappyWarrior

I have about a bottle of wine a month. That’s it, so I usually have something in the cupboard. Usually have one glass; two glasses and I’m sloshed. : )

124 Rev_Arthur_Icantbreatheing  Jun 4, 2015 5:53:03pm

re: #103 CuriousLurker

In the past couple of weeks my cat has printed like 20 test pages on my b&w laser printer by stepping on a specific button when she traverses the desk behind my monitor. Every. Time. Then, the printer suddenly coming to life causes her to turn around and go back to watch the paper coming out—naturally, stepping on the same friggin’ button all over again as she leans over to watch.

I’ve gotta figure out how to protect that button.

hilarious. We’re laughing over here.

125 Great White Snark  Jun 4, 2015 5:53:27pm
126 HappyWarrior  Jun 4, 2015 5:53:37pm

re: #123 Justanotherhuman

I have about a bottle of wine a month. That’s it, so I usually have something in the cupboard. Usually have one glass; two glasses and I’m sloshed. : )

I’ve cut back on my drinking but I like getting a six pack ovef IPA or the weekend especially in the summer months.Always like to get something new at the ABC store since I like sampling new things. Ive found that I cannot get into gin.

127 Bear  Jun 4, 2015 5:54:21pm

When one gets older some sort of device that can be used to call for help would be a wise item to have with them. A medical emergency may happen when one is alone in the house as during the day when others are away as at work.

128 calochortus  Jun 4, 2015 5:54:37pm

re: #105 Bear

Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a copy of the instructions posted on the refer door, as well as where your will may be found. Also posted there should be a list of medicines you are on.

And maybe your doctor should have a copy. Kaiser had me give them a copy of my durable power of attorney for health care before I had knee surgery. A real confidence booster, that was.
/

But yes, no matter how old you are, everyone in the family needs to know everyone else’s wishes and if not everyone is on the same page, make sure you all know who is who, as it were. These things are difficult, but knowing what everyone wants is very helpful.

Also, I told my husband that if he were in the position of making a difficult choice and made the “wrong” one (oops, I wasn’t really brain dead after all…) I forgave him.

129 Belafon  Jun 4, 2015 5:55:34pm

There was an interesting commercial for Wells Fargo, though you don’t find that out until the end. You see two women learning and practicing sign language. At the end they enter a building, sit down with a woman and a girl and sign to the girl that they are her new mommies.

It was a good commercial, but if you want to see why conservatives are flipping out, think about how quickly these commercials are going mainstream.

130 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:56:41pm

re: #120 CuriousLurker

Samsung. It’s a pretty basic wireless model, just for printing text & line art, so I don’t know if it has an option like that. I should probably check though.

Doing a quick look, I’m not seeing anything that indicates that you’ll be able to. Was worth a thought though.

131 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 5:57:17pm

re: #128 calochortus

I think most hospitals are requiring those durable power of attorney forms now when one goes under anesthesia for anything. My dr’s office also has one since some patients are elderly and anything could happen there.

132 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 5:58:22pm

re: #110 allegro

Here in Houston we have privately owned liquor stores but there are blue laws. Can’t buy anything but beer or wine on Sundays and that only after noon.

re: #112 klys (maker of Silmarils)

Fuck that shit.

Same thing where I was from in TX. The first time I went to California I was totally bug-eyed at seeing hard liquor on convenience store shelves.

I don’t drink so I haven’t the slightest idea what the laws are in NJ/NY, but I don’t recall ever seeing hard liquor in grocery or convenience stores up here. I doubt they have any Sunday blue laws either.

133 Kragar  Jun 4, 2015 5:59:11pm

Note to self: Stop using the bitz box for models as a dumping ground for old exacto knife blades

134 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 5:59:22pm

re: #122 CuriousLurker

I’m sorry, but… LOLOLOL!

Yeah, I know. Even at the time I knew I’d be laughing about it later but I didn’t even have a jacket on and it was freezing out. The gas station attendant didn’t speak much English and there was no pay phone, even if I’d had change for one. Plus, I was covered with bourbon based BBQ sauce that looked like blood splatter on my leggings and sweatshirt.

Long story. LOL

135 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 5:59:44pm

re: #132 CuriousLurker

Same thing where I was from in TX. The first time I went to California I was totally bug-eyed at see hard liquor on convenience store shelves.

I don’t drink so I haven’t the slightest idea what the laws are in NJ/NY, but I don’t recall ever seeing hard liquor in grocery or convenience stores up here. I doubt they have any Sunday blue laws either.

I know in upstate NY you can buy things in the grocery store. Don’t remember if that was hard liquor inclusive or just beer/wine. Rules may differ in the city, of course.

NJ has just finally allowed beer/wine in grocery stores but I am not clear on the rules behind that.

136 A Cranky One  Jun 4, 2015 6:00:12pm
137 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 6:01:04pm

re: #134 allegro

Yeah, I know. Even at the time I knew I’d be laughing about it later but I didn’t even have a jacket on and it was freezing out. The gas station attendant didn’t speak much English and there was no pay phone, even if I’d had change for one. Plus, I was covered with bourbon based BBQ sauce that looked like blood splatter on my leggings and sweatshirt.

Long story. LOL

Sound like on helluva story!

138 Justanotherhuman  Jun 4, 2015 6:01:55pm

Later, Lizards.

Keep calm…

139 CuriousLurker  Jun 4, 2015 6:03:01pm

re: #135 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I know in upstate NY you can buy things in the grocery store. Don’t remember if that was hard liquor inclusive or just beer/wine. Rules may differ in the city, of course.

NJ has just finally allowed beer/wine in grocery stores but I am not clear on the rules behind that.

Yep, I’ve seen beer & wine in grocery & convenience stores, both in NYC and north/south Jersey. Never hard liquor though.

140 Jay C  Jun 4, 2015 6:03:02pm

re: #91 teleskiguy

That chart seems a little suspect to me: I live in NYC (of course, a nice healthy blue), but have a summer place in Western MA (Berkshire Cty), and neither Berkshire (nor Hampshire, Hampden or Franklin, the other counties in W MA) have, AFAICT, any significant or untoward restrictions on wine/beer/liquor sales (other than only after noon on Sundays, etc.) which might warrant a yellow designation.

141 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 6:03:12pm

re: #133 Kragar

Note to self: Stop using the bitz box for models as a dumping ground for old exacto knife blades

><
o

Ow.

142 Varek Raith  Jun 4, 2015 6:03:47pm

Officials now say nearly every federal government agency has been hit by hackers, and it is possible millions more government employees may be affected.

-Per CNN banner

143 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 6:04:00pm

re: #135 klys (maker of Silmarils)

I know in upstate NY you can buy things in the grocery store. Don’t remember if that was hard liquor inclusive or just beer/wine. Rules may differ in the city, of course.

NJ has just finally allowed beer/wine in grocery stores but I am not clear on the rules behind that.

Beer and wine available. Special stores for the harder stuff in NY.

144 klys (maker of Silmarils)  Jun 4, 2015 6:04:42pm

re: #143 Feline Fearless Leader

Beer and wine available. Special stores for the harder stuff in NY.

I only did two summers there, and only turned 21 at the end of the second. :)

Also gin was a grad school legacy.

145 freetoken  Jun 4, 2015 6:06:22pm

Back on the Duggar thing… sort of.

I keep bringing up the SBC as they are the largest single religious denomination in the US that falls under the “Protestant” category.

For those who don’t know American history, there was a split in Baptist denominations around the Civil War, including the issue of slavery.

You can easily guess where the Southern Baptist Conference fell on these issues.

Anyway, as the dominant religious groups in many places in this country, the SBC is part of society that is affecting the society as a whole.

In their largest seminary they installed Albert Mohler as the head, who cleansed it of heretical teachers and installed his own men. He has also influenced the leaders of the smaller seminaries and other heads of the SBC.

Anway, Mohler and his cadres are moving the SBC from the more traditional Baptist view of politics and society (i.e., separation of church and state) towards the more hard line portions of the staunchest southern Presbyterians, who are Dominionists and such.

Anyway, Mohler is more and more becoming a Fox outlet, complete with mutual love of Sean Hannity, etc.

Still nothing from the Mohler gang on Duggars, but sure enough Mohler’s worker-bee in the blogosphere, Denny Burk, jumps on the Jenner thing (note that Burk spends most of his time blogging about sex, for some reason):

Bruce or Caitlyn? He or she? Should Christians accomodate transgender naming?

Perhaps the most disturbing thing in this blog entry isn’t what you’d at first recognize.

Rather, it’s Burk’s linking to one Doug Wilson, a Presbyterian reactionary, which he has done so approvingly before.

Doug Wilson (who fled to the great white north) makes the Dominionists look soft (save for Rushdoony-ites.) For example, Wilson argues that slavery is still acceptable today, because it’s allowed in the Bible.

My point: America’s religious groups are undergoing a radicalization also. “Evangelical” Christians are dividing into two halves - progressives, and reactionaries (such as Wilson, Burk, and Mohler.) I don’t know how evenly the split will be in numbers.

So when you see Duggar-itis know that you are looking at a part of American society that is more than just a handful of people. We’re generating our own fundamentalists extremists (wouldn’t be the first time.) Look at the comments in Burk’s post, and of the previous ones during the past couple of weeks. Lots of not-quite-Freeper ugly, but very, very angry people hiding behind “Jesus”.

146 calochortus  Jun 4, 2015 6:07:25pm

re: #131 Justanotherhuman

I think most hospitals are requiring those durable power of attorney forms now when one goes under anesthesia for anything. My dr’s office also has one since some patients are elderly and anything could happen there.

It’s a wise policy, and no trouble for me-I just gave them a copy, but I’ve heard some people aren’t too happy to think about death before they have surgery.
We’ve never had any trouble discussing death in my family, so I count myself as lucky.

147 The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge  Jun 4, 2015 6:09:42pm

re: #110 allegro

Here in Houston we have privately owned liquor stores but there are blue laws. Can’t buy anything but beer or wine on Sundays and that only after noon.

Here in Washington we repealed the Blue Laws—I say “we”, I was 10 years old—in 1962, but we still had State Liquor Stores up until 3 or 4 years ago, when we voted to get the state out of the liquor business*. The prices now are at least double what they were, plus a 20.5% tax, plus a $4 and something per liter surcharge.

The Free Market™ (PBUI) was supposed to get us much better deals. Don’t fall for it if you have the choice offered you.

*Of course, grocery stores could always sell beer and wine, and I’ve even seen 40-proof sake and “rice wine” before the big change.

148 unproven innocence  Jun 4, 2015 6:10:25pm

re: #133 Kragar

Fridge magnets make good collection points for various things, and you can explore with eyes instead of fingers.

149 Maddies Mom  Jun 4, 2015 6:17:59pm

re: #63 A Cranky One

My daughter who is fostering a litter of kittens just sent me more pictures. So, just to lighten up things a bit, there are some kitteh pictures.

[Embedded content]

O.M.G. So fuzzy, so want.

150 Great White Snark  Jun 4, 2015 6:18:17pm

Hmm gotta cook dinner. Thinking taquitos, but got no roast. Ground beef taquitos? Heh only in LA.

151 calochortus  Jun 4, 2015 6:19:16pm

re: #150 Great White Snark

Hmm gotta cook dinner. Thinking taquitos, but got no roast. Ground beef taquitos? Heh only in LA.

I’ve got a potato and summer squash torte in the oven. Speaking of which, I’d best go take a look at it.

152 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 6:20:46pm

I got a burger and rum. I’m set. :D

153 allegro  Jun 4, 2015 6:21:53pm

Oh, and Hannibal season 3 premiere at 9.

154 Kragar  Jun 4, 2015 6:24:56pm

There are 4 parts I need if I want this conversion I’m thinking about to work.

I can only find 3.

GAHHH!

155 The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge  Jun 4, 2015 6:25:39pm

Has LGF ever had a David Mabus/Dennis Markuze infestation? He’s been sentenced to be told to knock it off, pretty please!

156 Varek Raith  Jun 4, 2015 6:26:07pm

re: #154 Kragar

There are 4 parts I need if I want this conversion I’m thinking about to work.

I can only find 3.

GAHHH!

Get some styrene and fabricate it!
/Model railroader

157 The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge  Jun 4, 2015 6:28:09pm

re: #150 Great White Snark

Hmm gotta cook dinner. Thinking taquitos, but got no roast. Ground beef taquitos? Heh only in LA.

Ha! I make hamburger stew all the time. It’s the umami-ingredients like soya sauce, Worcestershire, tomato paste, etc. that give you the flavor, anyhow.

158 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2015 6:38:48pm

re: #16 EPR-radar

I may be showing my age here, but back in the day, it was axiomatic that no computer connected to the normal internet was secure.

It looks like everyone is learning that the hard way.

We weren’t allowed to use IBM Selectric typewriters to produce classsified.

159 wheat-dogghazi-mailgate  Jun 4, 2015 6:44:04pm

re: #70 Feline Fearless Leader

[Embedded content]

An outcrop picture for our geology Lizards.

Do you remember where that was taken? Reminds me of the terrain around Casper and/or Lander/Riverton.

160 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2015 6:44:40pm

re: #128 calochortus

And maybe your doctor should have a copy. Kaiser had me give them a copy of my durable power of attorney for health care before I had knee surgery. A real confidence booster, that was.
/

But yes, no matter how old you are, everyone in the family needs to know everyone else’s wishes and if not everyone is on the same page, make sure you all know who is who, as it were. These things are difficult, but knowing what everyone wants is very helpful.

Also, I told my husband that if he were in the position of making a difficult choice and made the “wrong” one (oops, I wasn’t really brain dead after all…) I forgave him.

Could always have “DNR” tattooed on your forehead. That’s Hardcore Old.

161 CleverToad  Jun 4, 2015 6:46:13pm

re: #61 lawhawk

Spot on — agree with this and all the other lizards who posted. Make sure you have the medical directives, the powers of attorney, and for the love of heaven make sure you have a current will. The discomfort of talking about all that morbid stuff isn’t a patch on the pain of dealing with what happens when you don’t have those ducks in a row. I’ll bet most of us have stories we can tell on that, be it at first hand or second if you’re lucky.

Went with the Five Wishes form in our cases. Went to an eldercare lawyer a couple of years ago for the current will and the Power of Attorney that’s updated to include authority for all of her digital accounts. In semi-good shape here, but I need to get on my sister’s case to send me a copy of the will where she named me executor. She’s in Boston with about 8,000 books in her apartment, and I’m in Denver with not enough space for them. Going to be a chore if I outlive her…

{{thinking good thoughts, Lawhawk and family}}

162 Eric The Fruit Bat  Jun 4, 2015 7:04:11pm

re: #145 freetoken

The amazing thing is that when I looked at Leo Rosten’s Religion in America (published 1975) the section on Baptists was pretty much inline with conventional mainstream protestantism of the time when it came to abortion.

Now it’s become such a heinous monster its unregonizable.

163 Feline Fearless Leader  Jun 4, 2015 7:05:22pm

re: #159 wheat-dogghazi-mailgate

Do you remember where that was taken? Reminds me of the terrain around Casper and/or Lander/Riverton.

Near Devil’s Tower. So it’s northeastern Wyoming. Fishspear Formation with Gypsum Springs Formation on top. I recall the former vividly due to the red color when we drove through that area.

164 Eric The Fruit Bat  Jun 4, 2015 7:34:07pm

re: #158 Decatur Deb

Why that?

165 BlueSpotinAL  Jun 4, 2015 7:47:14pm

re: #155 The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge

Has LGF ever had a David Mabus/Dennis Markuze infestation? He’s been sentenced to be told to knock it off, pretty please!

That guy needs the mental help - I hope he learns to deal with reality just a bit.

166 dholmes32  Jun 4, 2015 7:49:38pm

re: #66 Dave In Austin

Seconded on this….

My family was (and is, what’s left of us) very open about the end result. Everything was in order and easy to take care of when the time came. Death was discussed openly even in the early years.

Neptune Society here… Everything is taken care of. No muss, no fuss.

My dad was entering his final decline right about this time a year ago. Thankfully both he and mom had taken care of the wills, the power of attorney, the advance directives and the burial arrangements years in advance. It made an upsetting time much easier just knowing my parents had put thought into this and gotten all the paperwork taken care of. That said, I will never forget my parents handing me the cards with the cremation information on them. That was a weird feeling.

167 dholmes32  Jun 4, 2015 7:56:15pm

re: #132 CuriousLurker

Same thing where I was from in TX. The first time I went to California I was totally bug-eyed at seeing hard liquor on convenience store shelves.

I don’t drink so I haven’t the slightest idea what the laws are in NJ/NY, but I don’t recall ever seeing hard liquor in grocery or convenience stores up here. I doubt they have any Sunday blue laws either.

I lived in Texas for 20 years, then moved to Utah for several more. Utah has state-owned liquor stores or licensed operations in small towns. Liquor licenses are a hot commodity and the monthly doings of the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (DABC) are news.

Then I moved to Arizona. OMG. I nearly fainted the first time I walked into a convenience store and there was hard liquor behind the cashier. Double when I walked into a pharmacy and there were two whole aisles of wine and spirits and a walk-in cooler full of beer. And this is in Mesa, which was founded by Mormons and still heavily influenced by same. I was gobsmacked.

168 Decatur Deb  Jun 4, 2015 8:24:15pm

re: #164 Eric The Fruit Bat

Why that?

Its distinctive sound for each character could be read acoustically. Sorry to ignore you—short naps are wonderful.


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