Scott Ritter Arrested in Sex Sting

US News • Views: 6,634

Former United Nations chief weapons inspector Scott Ritter was a fierce critic of President Clinton for not being tougher on Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but suddenly had a radical change of opinion about the dangers of Hussein immediately before the Iraq War. He became a very outspoken antiwar activist, turning up at events organized by International ANSWER.

As we noted back in January 2003, Ritter had been previously arrested in underage sex sting operations at least twice before, and today there’s news from Pennsylvania that he’s been caught red-handed once again, by a police officer posing as a 15-year old girl: Sex sting in Poconos nets former chief U.N. weapons inspector.

Pure speculation: could blackmail have been a reason for Ritter’s 180-degree turn on Iraq?

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316 comments
1 albusteve  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:09:35am

blackmail?....unconceivable!....
err, lets take another look here

2 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:09:51am

Funny, Funny, Funny.

Third time is a charm, wonder if they'll actually prosecute this time.

3 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:10:08am

even worse, IMO was his ignoring the children's prison he found in Iraq before the war.

4 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:11:48am

re: #3 Buck

even worse, IMO was his ignoring the children's prison he found in Iraq before the war.

What makes you think he ignored it? He could probably still tell you the visiting hours.

5 tradewind  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:13:01am
Pure speculation: could blackmail have been a reason for Ritter’s 180-degree turn on Iraq?

Oh, no, nevuh.//
Sometimes justice delayed is still justice, after all. Conservatives really took trash from him and his supporters who claimed ' nothing to see here'.

6 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:14:31am

"Pure speculation: could blackmail have been a reason for Ritter’s 180-degree turn on Iraq?"

By whom (who)?

7 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:14:59am

I still say toss the guy in jail before he hurts someone! I cannot abide by pervs like that walking the street unpunished! At the very least a conviction and some jail time will make him see that what he did and is still doing is WRONG!

8 researchok  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:15:05am

Didn't Ritter also take money from the Saudis?

9 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:15:29am

He was caught "red-handed"? What exactly was he doing on that web cam?

10 samsgran1948  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:15:37am

That's a very interesting idea there, Charles. How would one go about investigating that possibility?

11 albusteve  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:15:39am

re: #4 RogueOne

What makes you think he ignored it? He could probably still tell you the visiting hours.

yowch!...that's gonna leave a mark!

12 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:15:41am

I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that Saddam's people found out about his interest in kids and used it to their advantage. I'm also surprised that the earlier arrests never led anywhere. We'll see where this arrest ends up - in a conviction or he skates by. Again.

That he's been arrested 3 times in child sex stings is highly suggestive (since he hasn't been convicted in any prior instance) that he's a menace and prison time should be forthcoming if the evidence is there in this case. We'll just have to wait and see what the PA prosecutors have this time.

13 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:16:04am

Hat's off for calling it right in 2003 Charles

14 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:16:25am

re: #6 Bubblehead II

"Pure speculation: could blackmail have been a reason for Ritter’s 180-degree turn on Iraq?"

By whom (who)?

Iraq... supporters of Iraq.

He also took an obvious bribe when he took money from a supporter of Saddam to 'make a movie'.

15 Bob Dillon  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:16:36am

re: #8 researchok

Didn't Ritter also take money from the Saudis?

What was that old advice? "Follow the money?"

16 webevintage  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:16:39am

wow.

17 Baier  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:17:41am

re: #8 researchok

Didn't Ritter also take money from the Saudis?


Birds of a feather...

18 Ojoe  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:19:40am

What a great organization the UN is. The hopes of mankind ride on it.

/ 9

19 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:19:52am

The Albany Times Union has much more and it gets graphic as to what he is alleged to have done. It also notes what happened in one of the earlier cases:

In 2001, Ritter was caught in a similar Internet sex-sting operation after he tried to lure a 16-year-old girl to a Burger King in Menands. The teenager actually was an undercover investigator posing online as a minor as part of the Colonie Police Department's investigation of Internet sex crime, sources told the Times Union at the time.

Police charged Ritter with attempted endangerment of a child, a Class B misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in the county jail.

Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Preiser agreed to have the case adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, which means that charges would be dropped if Ritter stayed out of trouble for a period of time. The case was later sealed.

20 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:19:59am

re: #15 Bobibutu

What was that old advice? "Follow the money shot?"


FTFY

/I'll be here all day! Tip your waitress!

21 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:21:41am

re: #4 RogueOne

What makes you think he ignored it? He could probably still tell you the visiting hours.

Neither upding nor downding. Charles, can we have an 'ickding' button?

22 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:21:57am

re: #16 webevintage

wow.

Nice understatement!

23 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:22:43am

re: #14 Buck

Makes sense. Especially if he was filmed/taped engaging in questionable activities

24 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:22:51am

re: #19 lawhawk

It's going to be hard to weasel his way out of this one. (2 puns, one sentence=extra points) Having this all on video, including the good stuff after he found out how old she was, is going to be difficult to get around.

25 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:24:47am

He was framed by Bush and Cheney! Three times!!!!

////

26 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:25:33am

re: #24 RogueOne

It's going to be hard to weasel his way out of this one. (2 puns, one sentence=extra points)

You can't beat that!

27 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:25:42am

I'm sorry if it seems I'm taking too much enjoyment in this but like I said in the last thread, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy//.

28 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:26:07am

re: #24 RogueOne

It's going to be hard to weasel his way out of this one. (2 puns, one sentence=extra points) Having this all on video, including the good stuff after he found out how old she was, is going to be difficult to get around.

Nothing is difficult to get around if you have the right amount of money, contact, and holding some very impressive chips. You must be mistaking Ritter for some common slob like me.

29 Red Pencil  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:26:47am

Ritter appears on sites like antiwar.com. That to me is more of an indictment than the cop in Pennsylvania got on him. More legal, but more damning.

Also it suggests that he doesn't need to be blackmailed into liking people who don't like Israel or the joos, tho probably Saudi money makes him more comfortable spouting the kind of crap he spouts.

See below.

[Link: www.youtube.com...]

30 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:28:11am

re: #27 RogueOne

I'm sorry if it seems I'm taking too much enjoyment in this but like I said in the last thread, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy//.


Snicker*snicker*snicker

31 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:28:16am

re: #27 RogueOne

I'm sorry if it seems I'm taking too much enjoyment in this but like I said in the last thread, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy//.

No problem. We see it for Palin and others, seems like humans take real pleasure in others hurt. Happens all the time.

Ritter is a slime, but I don't enjoy this at all. Just the fact that this happened, and now it can be enjoyed, is disgusting, it shouldn't have happen at all. That's the only joy I would have, if it didn't happen at all.

32 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:30:01am

re: #31 Walter L. Newton

humans take real pleasure in others hurt

I am just happy he was caught by a police officer, instead of a real kid....

33 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:30:13am

re: #31 Walter L. Newton

No problem. We see it for Palin and others, seems like humans take real pleasure in others hurt. Happens all the time.

Ritter is a slime, but I don't enjoy this at all. Just the fact that this happened, and now it can be enjoyed, is disgusting, it shouldn't have happen at all. That's the only joy I would have, if it didn't happen at all.

I've had the (dis)pleasure of meeting mr. ritter. he's a jerk and a dirtbag. I'm getting enjoyment out of this that I otherwise wouldn't because the person on the other side of the camera was an adult and a cop. I don't want to think about all the times he's probably gotten away with this because then it's not so funny.

34 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:30:14am

"Caught red handed."

Heh.


Pure speculation: could blackmail have been a reason for Ritter’s 180-degree turn on Iraq?

The first thing I thought.

35 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:32:27am

re: #31 Walter L. Newton

No problem. We see it for Palin and others, seems like humans take real pleasure in others hurt. Happens all the time.

Ritter is a slime, but I don't enjoy this at all. Just the fact that this happened, and now it can be enjoyed, is disgusting, it shouldn't have happen at all. That's the only joy I would have, if it didn't happen at all.

The only person being hurt is the kids he's done this too and hasn't been caught for! You do something like this and you deserve what you get. He left himself open and now he hast to suffer the consequences alike all the rest of us.

36 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:32:54am

Considering the subject matter I don't think this is OT

Supreme Court debates right to commit sexual predators after prison terms.

A majority of Supreme Court justices seemed inclined Tuesday to accept that the federal government has the power to indefinitely hold prisoners who are deemed sexually dangerous, even if they have completed their sentences.

Things to, bbiaw

37 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:33:41am

I wonder how many times he didn't get caught.

38 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:34:52am

re: #33 RogueOne

re: #35 Dragon_Lady

The only person being hurt is the kids he's done this too and hasn't been caught for! You do something like this and you deserve what you get. He left himself open and now he hast to suffer the consequences alike all the rest of us.

But you take "joy" that he got caught? RogueOne said he/she was getting enjoyment out of this arrest. I wish the slime never tried something like this, I wish he never had the oppertunity to prey on anyone, I don't get no joy over the fact that this happened and he got caught. Really now.

39 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:37:01am

Is it going to turn out that every fierce critic of Clinton has sex scandals of their own?

40 teh flowah  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:37:24am

That's some speculation. Anything to suggest blackmail or was it just out of the blue?

41 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:37:38am

re: #36 Bubblehead II

Considering the subject matter I don't think this is OT

Supreme Court debates right to commit sexual predators after prison terms.

A majority of Supreme Court justices seemed inclined Tuesday to accept that the federal government has the power to indefinitely hold prisoners who are deemed sexually dangerous, even if they have completed their sentences.

Things to, bbiaw

What about those deemed dangerous for committing other crimes with high recidivism rates?

42 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:38:11am

re: #41 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

What about those deemed dangerous for committing other crimes with high recidivism rates?

They're sent to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

43 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:38:14am

re: #38 Walter L. Newton

re: #35 Dragon_Lady

But you take "joy" that he got caught? RogueOne said he/she was getting enjoyment out of this arrest. I wish the slime never tried something like this, I wish he never had the oppertunity to prey on anyone, I don't get no joy over the fact that this happened and he got caught. Really now.

I understand what you mean Walter. (A bit pleased about that, as usually I don't -jk) However that show on NBC that was all about catching slime like this was popular because of that 'joy' people feel when someone like this is caught.

44 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:38:56am

re: #41 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I think this is a mistake too. If you think they're that dangerous then you have the chance to put them away during sentencing. Once someone has completed their "debt" to continue to lock them away seems very wrong to me.

45 Political Atheist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:39:37am

re: #7 Dragon_Lady

Sure, but the national security issues if he was blackmailed are huge.
Plea deal? Fine with me.

46 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:40:04am

re: #38 Walter L. Newton

re: #43 Buck

Perhaps replace the word JOY with HAPPY or RELIEVED!?

47 exelwood  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:40:14am

In '03 he was still useful to the anti-war (anti-Bush) left/media so these little transgressions could be ignored in pursuit of the greater good but in 2010 he is of no use to anyone so off with his head!

48 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:40:40am

re: #44 RogueOne

I think this is a mistake too. If you think they're that dangerous then you have the chance to put them away during sentencing. Once someone has completed their "debt" to continue to lock them away seems very wrong to me.

Agreed. Either sentence them more severely (which I am in favor of) or let them go.

49 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:41:04am

I'm pleased that he's caught. The fact that he's been caught before and yet continues demonstrates that's he's unstoppable in his pursuit of underage girls. This eventually could have led to someone's daughter getting very seriously harmed.

50 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:41:05am

re: #40 teh flowah

That's some speculation. Anything to suggest blackmail or was it just out of the blue?

The situation surrounding his change of heart regarding WMD's and Saddam raises all kinds of red flags. He went from quitting to protest the lack of will in dealing with saddam to flipping 180 degrees in a very short time.

51 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:41:08am

re: #38 Walter L. Newton

re: #35 Dragon_Lady

But you take "joy" that he got caught? RogueOne said he/she was getting enjoyment out of this arrest. I wish the slime never tried something like this, I wish he never had the oppertunity to prey on anyone, I don't get no joy over the fact that this happened and he got caught. Really now.

No, joy is the wrong term for it. I would say satisfaction, because he will finally get whats coming to him for hurting children. No one has that right, no matter how much money and influence he or she may have. If he had any brains at all he would have learned from his mistake the first time he got caught and gotten some psychological help! I would lay my life down for any child, and I resent the fact that there are people out there that go out of their way to hurt them. Is that so wrong?

52 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:41:25am

re: #42 Ben Hur

They're sent to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Thanks for picking up on exactly what I meant.

53 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:43:11am

re: #51 Dragon_Lady

No, joy is the wrong term for it. I would say satisfaction, because he will finally get whats coming to him for hurting children. No one has that right, no matter how much money and influence he or she may have. If he had any brains at all he would have learned from his mistake the first time he got caught and gotten some psychological help! I would lay my life down for any child, and I resent the fact that there are people out there that go out of their way to hurt them. Is that so wrong?

No, on that I agree with you and that's exactly what I was saying above. Satisfaction is a very good word, enjoyment almost sound pathological.

54 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:43:22am

Could be an example of how dangerous the Lewinski episode was.

55 John Neverbend  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:43:35am

Looking at Ritter's photographs, and taking into account his UN role and his latest actions, the names "Fat Man" and "Little Boy" spring to mind.

56 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:43:46am

re: #41 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I think it's a really, really, really bad precedent to be able to commit people past their sentence. Imagine how this would have been used back in the days when blacks weren't allowed to have sex with whites.

I understand the gravity of the crimes and the desire to protect against them, but i feel it sets a very, very dangerous precedent, both in terms of federal power and simply in terms of governmental power.

57 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:43:50am

re: #44 RogueOne

I think this is a mistake too. If you think they're that dangerous then you have the chance to put them away during sentencing. Once someone has completed their "debt" to continue to lock them away seems very wrong to me.

A really good reason for supervised release.... but if they screw up, and don't hold to the requirements (no drinking, drugs, associations, and in the case of pedophiles being near kids) then it should be possible to yank em back for the protection of society.

58 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:44:38am

re: #57 Buck

My first upding ever for you, I believe.

59 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:44:51am

re: #53 Walter L. Newton

Then we're on the same page! Happy Thursday! :-)

60 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:46:10am

re: #56 Obdicut

I think it's a really, really, really bad precedent to be able to commit people past their sentence. Imagine how this would have been used back in the days when blacks weren't allowed to have sex with whites.

I understand the gravity of the crimes and the desire to protect against them, but i feel it sets a very, very dangerous precedent, both in terms of federal power and simply in terms of governmental power.

I agree, change the sentencing lengths by law for everyone if it's a concern, but don't allow arbitrary incarceration lengths. This is what goes on in China

61 albusteve  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:46:18am

re: #56 Obdicut

I think it's a really, really, really bad precedent to be able to commit people past their sentence. Imagine how this would have been used back in the days when blacks weren't allowed to have sex with whites.

I understand the gravity of the crimes and the desire to protect against them, but i feel it sets a very, very dangerous precedent, both in terms of federal power and simply in terms of governmental power.

reminds me of Holder stating he will hold terrorists even if they are found innocent in civil court

62 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:46:43am

re: #57 Buck

A really good reason for supervised release... but if they screw up, and don't hold to the requirements (no drinking, drugs, associations, and in the case of pedophiles being near kids) then it should be possible to yank em back for the protection of society.

That guy with a record who kept the girl in his backyard for 15+ years while on parole doesn't exactly say much for the whole supervised release scenario.

63 [deleted]  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:47:54am
64 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:48:12am

Pat Robertson’s Offense

65 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:48:39am

re: #62 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

That guy with a record who kept the girl in his backyard for 15+ years while on parole doesn't exactly say much for the whole supervised release scenario.

Of course. We all agree that no human system of justice can never be "perfect".

66 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:48:49am

re: #57 Buck

A really good reason for supervised release... but if they screw up, and don't hold to the requirements (no drinking, drugs, associations, and in the case of pedophiles being near kids) then it should be possible to yank em back for the protection of society.

I agree with that but I'd feel better about it if we didn't put every person convicted of "sexting" and other related issues on a sex offender list.

67 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:49:00am

re: #62 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

That guy with a record who kept the girl in his backyard for 15+ years while on parole doesn't exactly say much for the whole supervised release scenario.

But the thousands of supervises releases that do work speaks volumes against your position.

68 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:50:20am

I have a very simple philosophy regarding sexual predators:
1. Name them.
2. Shame them.
3. Lock them up and get them the fuck out of my sight for the duration of their term.
As far as rehab is concerned, some say they can be rehabilitated and some say they can't. It's something they have to prove to themselves for the rest of their lives. But me, I'm done with them...no matter what their views are on politics, religion, or the environment.

69 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:51:02am

re: #36 Bubblehead II

Considering the subject matter I don't think this is OT

Supreme Court debates right to commit sexual predators after prison terms.

A majority of Supreme Court justices seemed inclined Tuesday to accept that the federal government has the power to indefinitely hold prisoners who are deemed sexually dangerous, even if they have completed their sentences.

Things to, bbiaw

I'm about as far away from liberal hippie as you can get. But the idea "that the federal govt has the power to indefinitely hold prisoners who are deemed sexually dangerous, even if they have completed their sentences" is not cool.

If the issue is that they are still dangerous then make the sentencing rules such that they don't get out unless they are determined to be reformed.

70 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:51:36am

re: #64 Ben Hur

Pat Robertson’s Offense

I wonder if that fucktard has tried to qualify his statement since the response he's received has been pretty much unanimous in its disgust.

71 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:52:04am

re: #67 Walter L. Newton

But the thousands of supervises releases that do work speaks volumes against your position.

He was supposedly a model parolee. How many others are reported as working fine when in fact they are not?

72 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:52:20am

re: #70 darthstar

I wonder if that fucktard has tried to qualify his statement since the response he's received has been pretty much unanimous in its disgust.

I doubt it.

How can he?

73 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:52:52am

re: #66 RogueOne

I think it vastly diminishes the horror and the evil of sexual predators to lump young kids who are fooling around with each other in there with them.

Hell, at University of Chicago, high school students would crash the parties all the damn time. Some sixteen year olds really don't look sixteen. I never got into any sort of trouble around that, but some of my friends did-- and I just cannot see anything evil in an eighteen year old having sex with a sixteen year old. Sure, it can be a coercive situation, but it can just as easily be, well, just two kids getting it on.

74 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:53:06am

re: #48 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Agreed. Either sentence them more severely (which I am in favor of) or let them go.

Hi Kragar! I'm with you on that. If the sentences currently in place are insufficient to meet the need to protect, then change them. But to simply decide that it's okay to detain someone after a sentence has been served - is not a road I'm happy about taking.

It is also interesting that the article indicates that:

A majority of Supreme Court justices seemed inclined Tuesday to accept that the federal government has the power to indefinitely hold prisoners who are deemed sexually dangerous, even if they have completed their sentences.

But only mentions three justices specifically: Ginzburg, Breyer, and Stevens - all of whom are part of the more liberal side of the bench. I wonder who else (would need to be two) tends to think this way. It's clear Scalia does not, which would lead me to think that Roberts, Thomas, and Alioto probably don't either.

(The only mention of Chief Justice Roberts is in his agreement with the administration that the release of such prisoners should not happen until the SC case has been decided.)

So, I'd guess that Kennedy and Sotomeyer are the other two justices making up the "majority" cited in the article.

I find it odd that the more liberal justices would be inclined to support the idea of throwing out one of the fundamentals of our criminal justice system - paying your debt to society based on the laws in place, then being set free.

75 bluewater  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:53:44am

re: #49 Thanos

I am sure he has done this many times and not been caught, when it wasn't a police officer on the other line.

How could a reasonably smart person get caught in the same sting more than once? It demonstrates how truly sick and dangerous a guy like this can be.

76 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:54:12am

re: #70 darthstar

I wonder if that fucktard has tried to qualify his statement since the response he's received has been pretty much unanimous in its disgust.

Did he ever apologize for saying that 9/11 was caused by teh gaze?

77 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:54:59am

re: #68 darthstar

I have a very simple philosophy regarding sexual predators:
1. Name them.
2. Shame them.
3. Lock them up and get them the fuck out of my sight for the duration of their term.
As far as rehab is concerned, some say they can be rehabilitated and some say they can't. It's something they have to prove to themselves for the rest of their lives. But me, I'm done with them...no matter what their views are on politics, religion, or the environment.

I'm with you on that, just make the sentences a lot longer than 90 days! 5 years? 10? Now that makes sense, but a measly 90 days? Not nearly long enough!

78 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:55:37am

re: #76 Mad Al-Jaffee

Did he ever apologize for saying that 9/11 was caused by teh gaze?

Why would he?

79 Andrew Lazarus  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:56:23am

I doubt it, although he is a creep. I think it's more likely a reaction to the way Cheney (and the Administration) dissed the remaining UN workers after they reported that American WMD info (made up by the Chalabi gang) was inaccurate.

80 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:57:11am

re: #74 subsailor68

Sub, I think it's important to note that this already happens on the state level right now; I think the argument at the Supreme Court is just about the federal power to do it or not.

From the article:


because the power to authorize what is normally a state function cannot be found in the Constitution.

SNIP


[Scalia] rejected Kagan's argument that the federal government had a responsibility because the states were not taking on the task.

"This is a recipe for the federal government taking over everything," Scalia said. "The states won't do it, therefore we have to do it. It has to be done and therefore the federal government steps in and does it."

Scalia said a better -- and constitutional -- way to deal with the problem might be to make sure that a state knows a potentially dangerous person is about to be released, and set up a program to reimburse states for confining such people.

So Scalia does not appear to have a problem with the states doing this; he does not think it is unconstitutional to do this, just unconstitutional for the federal government to do this.

From my reading, anyway.

81 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:57:20am

Hey, I can't wait until we want to go after those who want to kill our children with as much passion and harshness as we want to go after those who want to touch our children.

82 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:57:54am
Pure speculation: could blackmail have been a reason for Ritter’s 180-degree turn on Iraq?

Could be but he seemed to be a pretty serious anti-war nut with appearances on al Jazeera etc. I suspect his motivation was personal and not coerced.

83 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:58:15am

re: #64 Ben Hur

Pat Robertson’s Offense

Let me explain what motivates people like Pat Robertson to make comments like this. It is a longing to see signs from G-d that "disappeared" after the era of the Old Testament. In the hebrew scriptures, we have political manifestations of the godhead, winning battles, smiting, and all those biblical things.

Most of that went "away" with Christianity. We even saw the Deist philosophy develop where there is a G-d, but he doesn't interfere in human events anymore.

Robertson faith is weak, and people like him are constantly looking for that Old Time Religion, a little smithing, a little revenge, something, some proof that his G-d is not dead, or just a myth.

Really, I'm not being sarcastic or satirical, this is really one of the bigger motivations for Robertson and his ilk.

84 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:58:33am

re: #74 subsailor68

When the same rule is applied to foreign enemy combatants the opinions are reversed. Very interesting.

85 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:59:44am

The gist of Robertson's statement was "Send me money so I can save Haiti from the devil and voodoo" - he's using human tragedy to raise funds. If you think much will make it to Haiti, here's a small corner view of some of what Pat has to maintain.

86 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:00:17am

Wow, I haven't thought about Scott Ritter in years. In time to come, his name will summon up memories of the aughties, so married is his image to those times.

87 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:00:25am

re: #82 Killgore Trout

There's also a bit of a sense, to me, that what with him being a critic of Clinton in the opposite direction, that he may be a contrarian, too, never able to say that whatever course is being taken is the correct one, always needing to think that he has a better idea than others.

It's a kind of permanent state of crying wolf, narcissisticly rather than dishonestly.

Pure speculation on my part, too, of course.

88 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:00:31am

re: #83 Walter L. Newton

Let me explain what motivates people like Pat Robertson to make comments like this. It is a longing to see signs from G-d that "disappeared" after the era of the Old Testament. In the hebrew scriptures, we have political manifestations of the godhead, winning battles, smiting, and all those biblical things.

Most of that went "away" with Christianity. We even saw the Deist philosophy develop where there is a G-d, but he doesn't interfere in human events anymore.

Robertson faith is weak, and people like him are constantly looking for that Old Time Religion, a little smithing, a little revenge, something, some proof that his G-d is not dead, or just a myth.

Really, I'm not being sarcastic or satirical, this is really one of the bigger motivations for Robertson and his ilk.

I mentioned yesterday that it's common in the Bible that any calamity falling on the People Israel is explained as punishment for various sins. Robertson, and some Rabbis I've heard, can't get out of this box.

89 jayzee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:00:33am

Does ANSWER run an elementary school?

90 albusteve  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:00:41am

re: #84 CommonCents

When the same rule is applied to foreign enemy combatants the opinions are reversed. Very interesting.

spooky huh?...just wtf is going on anyway?

91 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:00:45am

re: #85 Thanos

The gist of Robertson's statement was "Send me money so I can save Haiti from the devil and voodoo" - he's using human tragedy to raise funds. If you think much will make it to Haiti, here's a small corner view of some of what Pat has to maintain.

Is that his personal residence or the CBN headquarters?

92 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:01:32am

re: #91 CommonCents

Is that his personal residence or the CBN headquarters?

That's a corner of the campus, I posted a pic of his house last night

93 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:01:56am

re: #92 Thanos

That's a corner of the campus, I posted a pic of his housemansion last night

fixed

94 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:02:03am

re: #83 Walter L. Newton

Pat Robertson is about Pat Robertson's media empire. God is just a tool to him. A hook to get people to donate money. Sure, he'll quote the bible and discuss some of the lessons of Christ, but the bottom line is simply money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money.

95 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:02:14am

re: #80 Obdicut

Sub, I think it's important to note that this already happens on the state level right now; I think the argument at the Supreme Court is just about the federal power to do it or not.

Hi Obdicut. Hmmm, good point on Scalia. But he also seems to be thinking in terms of a state's using civil commitment process to deal with these cases, which may also be problematic, but doesn't turn the criminal justice system on its head. Good catch.

96 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:02:22am

re: #85 Thanos

The gist of Robertson's statement was "Send me money so I can save Haiti from the devil and voodoo" - he's using human tragedy to raise funds. If you think much will make it to Haiti, here's a small corner view of some of what Pat has to maintain.

None of the televangelists could fund raise like Jimmy Swaggart, though. I remember during one begathon, he took the trouble of sprouting a week's worth of beard stubble beforehand. To look more sleepless and desperate, you see...

97 Teh Flowah  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:02:24am

re: #50 RogueOne

The situation surrounding his change of heart regarding WMD's and Saddam raises all kinds of red flags. He went from quitting to protest the lack of will in dealing with saddam to flipping 180 degrees in a very short time.

That doesn't indicate blackmail at all.

The speculation just seems so out of place for a blog that likes evidence and proof and skepticism of unsupported claims. Show me one little thing that points to blackmail, not just something you find "fishy".

98 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:02:26am

re: #73 Obdicut

I think it vastly diminishes the horror and the evil of sexual predators to lump young kids who are fooling around with each other in there with them.

Hell, at University of Chicago, high school students would crash the parties all the damn time. Some sixteen year olds really don't look sixteen. I never got into any sort of trouble around that, but some of my friends did-- and I just cannot see anything evil in an eighteen year old having sex with a sixteen year old. Sure, it can be a coercive situation, but it can just as easily be, well, just two kids getting it on.

Yeah! Kids will be kids, and an eighteen year maybe legally an adult but they're still not fully mentally mature so labeling and eighteen year old a sexual predator for making it with a sixteen year old is ridiculous! Besides I know several sixteen year old girls and you can't tell to look at them if they're under age! Boys? Yes its much easier, but girls? Huh! Not likely

99 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:02:39am

re: #85 Thanos

I have a mansion, forget the price
Ain't never been there, they tell me it's nice
I live in hotels, tear out the walls
I have accountants pay for it all

They say I'm crazy but I have a good time
I'm just looking for clues at the scene of the crime
Life's been good to me so far

My Maserati does one-eighty-five
I lost my license, now I don't drive
I have a limo, ride in the back
I lock the doors in case I'm attacked

G-d's been good to me so far.......

/Apologies to Joe Walsh

100 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:02:56am

re: #87 Obdicut

That's a good theory too. It's pretty clear he has a loose screw somewhere.

101 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:03:24am

re: #90 albusteve

spooky huh?...just wtf is going on anyway?

When the Supreme Juctices determine that those that are supposed to have Constitutional protections can't have them, and those that aren't protected by the Constitution deserve those rights, something has to change. And it's not the Constitution.

102 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:03:58am

re: #85 Thanos

"It's true - I DO want your money, because GOD wants your money!"

-Reverend Larry, Repo Man

103 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:04:29am

re: #102 Mad Al-Jaffee

Youtube Video
104 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:05:03am

re: #96 The Sanity Inspector

None of the televangelists could fund raise like Jimmy Swaggart, though. I remember during one begathon, he took the trouble of sprouting a week's worth of beard stubble beforehand. To look more sleepless and desperate, you see...

What about Jim Baker?

105 badger1970  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:05:17am

re: #102 Mad Al-Jaffee

Unfortunately, my grandmother fell for it.

106 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:05:58am

re: #103 lawhawk

Isn't that the drummer from Genesis?

107 tradewind  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:06:01am

LOL, Ritter was arrested in the Poconos. Gives new meaning to the whole Dirty Dancing concept.

108 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:06:26am

re: #94 darthstar

Pat Robertson is about Pat Robertson's media empire. God is just a tool to him. A hook to get people to donate money. Sure, he'll quote the bible and discuss some of the lessons of Christ, but the bottom line is simply money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money.

Of course it is, but it's a trinity of himself, money and religion. None of it works if you eliminate any of those aspects or concentrate on one aspect over the other.

Above, I was talking about his flavor of theology that movitates the religious part of his trinity.

109 Stanghazi  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:06:27am

re: #104 Mad Al-Jaffee

What about Jim Baker?

And they ended up getting burned by "the sex"

110 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:06:58am

re: #106 Ben Hur

Isn't that the drummer from Genesis?

Joe Walsh was the drummer for the Eagles

111 Stanghazi  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:07:31am

re: #110 Dragon_Lady

Joe Walsh was the drummer for the Eagles

Uh, the guitarist.

112 albusteve  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:07:32am

re: #110 Dragon_Lady

Joe Walsh was the drummer for the Eagles

no

113 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:08:01am

re: #110 Dragon_Lady

Joe Walsh was the drummer for the Eagles

Spock was a drummer for the Dead.

114 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:08:02am

re: #94 darthstar

Pat Robertson is about Pat Robertson's media empire. God is just a tool to him. A hook to get people to donate money. Sure, he'll quote the bible and discuss some of the lessons of Christ, but the bottom line is simply money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money.

Since I can't access YouTube at work, I'll have to post the lyrics:

PRESENTER:
I've got ninety thousand pounds in my pyjamas.
I've got forty thousand French francs in my fridge.
I've got lots of lovely lire.
Now the Deutschmark's getting dearer,
And my dollar bills would buy the Brooklyn Bridge.

PRESENTER and CHORUS:

There is nothing quite as wonderful as money.
There is nothing quite as beautiful as cash.
Some people say it's folly,
But I'd rather have the lolly.
With money you can make a splash.

PRESENTER:

There is nothing quite as wonderful as money.

CHORUS:

...Money, money, money, money.
PRESENTER:

There is nothing like a newly minted pound.
CHORUS:

...Money, money, money, money.

PRESENTER and CHORUS:
Everyone must hanker
For the butchness of a banker.
It's accountancy that makes the world go 'round.

CHORUS:
'Round, 'round, 'round.

PRESENTER:
You can keep your Marxist ways,
For it's only just a phase,
For it's money, money, money makes the world go 'round.

CHORUS:
...Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, moneeeeey!

115 Ericus58  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:08:06am

I'm reminded of a movie that Steve Martin did.... Leap of Faith.
Based on my life experiences growing up and the churches/revivals and what not I was dragged to - Spot On.
And the mother of the girl in Carie? Mine channeled her I think....

I'm not sure I could truly relate just how 'out of touch' that world is folks.

117 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:08:37am

re: #98 Dragon_Lady

Yeah! Kids will be kids, and an eighteen year maybe legally an adult but they're still not fully mentally mature so labeling and eighteen year old a sexual predator for making it with a sixteen year old is ridiculous! Besides I know several sixteen year old girls and you can't tell to look at them if they're under age! Boys? Yes its much easier, but girls? Huh! Not likely

It's a conundrum. Physically, kids mature much faster nowadays. But societally, we keep them dependent much longer than formerly.

118 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:08:41am

re: #111 Stanley Sea

Uh, the guitarist.

Right, same band wrong instrument. I stand corrected.

119 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:09:19am

re: #115 Ericus58

I'm reminded of a movie that Steve Martin did... Leap of Faith.
Based on my life experiences growing up and the churches/revivals and what not I was dragged to - Spot On.
And the mother of the girl in Carie? Mine channeled her I think...

I'm not sure I could truly relate just how 'out of touch' that world is folks.

Ericus58, could you possibly "qoute" the comment you are replying to, so we can understand who you are addressing?

120 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:10:05am

re: #104 Mad Al-Jaffee

What about Jim Baker?

Jim Bakker? Yes, he did rake in the green. But he just didn't have the fire that Swaggart did. I'm talking style points only, mind.

121 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:10:09am

re: #103 lawhawk

I'm stealing that.

122 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:10:40am

re: #115 Ericus58

I'm not sure I could truly relate just how 'out of touch' that world is folks.

True, but I have friends who are fundamentalist and love The Simpsons, South Park and The Onion. And they have no problem with drinking and respect other people's beliefs. Maybe they're the exception.

123 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:10:53am

Tea Party Convention Approves Passes For Only Five News Orgs

Organizers had initially announced the event would be closed, but today Sarah Palin made known her request that her speech be open to media.

The five approved outlets are: Fox News, Breitbart.com, Townhall.com, World Net Daily and The Wall Street Journal. All five are widely considered to be Right-leaning organizations.

The press release explains that the requests for credentials have been overwhelming and that to preserve the nature of the event they are limiting press availability.

Heh.

124 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:10:58am

re: #116 Killgore Trout

I think she's trying to work Holders firm doing pro bono work for Gitmo detainees as a reason.

She's from Minnesota.

125 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:11:13am

re: #117 The Sanity Inspector

Heh. I'm only 32, but I keep thinking that college students are high school students-- not based on how they look, but how they act. Of course, I have no way of knowing whether college students these days are actually more immature than back in my day, or whether I'm just getting codgier as I age.

126 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:11:31am

re: #123 Killgore Trout

Tea Party Convention Approves Passes For Only Five News Orgs

Heh.

Now why am I not surprised? ///

127 abolitionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:12:12am

re: #89 jayzee

Does ANSWER run an elementary school?

Excellent question! Maybe check into daycare too. Seriously.

128 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:12:41am

re: #115 Ericus58

I'm reminded of a movie that Steve Martin did... Leap of Faith.
Based on my life experiences growing up and the churches/revivals and what not I was dragged to - Spot On.
And the mother of the girl in Carie? Mine channeled her I think...

I'm not sure I could truly relate just how 'out of touch' that world is folks.

And I know doctors and lawyers who are charismatics. You are being very narrow minded yourself if you think that all fundies are some sort of knuckle dragging back woods idiots.

129 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:12:50am

re: #123 Killgore Trout

Why invite negative press? They get enough of that already.

130 andres  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:13:07am

re: #39 Obdicut

Is it going to turn out that every fierce critic of Clinton has sex scandals of their own?

I think it's fairly save to start counting how many Clinton critics have not been caught in sex scandals so far.

131 tradewind  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:13:17am

re: #116 Killgore Trout
Silly of her.
But you have to wonder what Eric Holder has in his mind to pull such a stunt. I don't think Obama ever cared one way or the other, until now, though, since he's been forced to think about the whole dirty man-made incident business.
Holder is going to be a detriment to the administration, not to mention the country.

132 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:14:32am

re: #129 CommonCents

Why invite negative press? They get enough of that already.

Like not having a press conference since the summer.

Control the message.

Control the narrative.

133 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:14:34am

re: #120 The Sanity Inspector

Jim Bakker? Yes, he did rake in the green. But he just didn't have the fire that Swaggart did. I'm talking style points only, mind.

Swaggart and Jerry Lee Lewis are cousins. Maybe that gave Swaggart the advantage.

134 Donna Ballard  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:14:50am

Well, I've gotta get my day started. Have fun everyone! BBL

135 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:14:58am

re: #130 andres

I think it's fairly save to start counting how many Clinton critics have not been caught in sex scandals so far.

So have there been as many critics sex scandals as Clinton sex scandals? I wasn't counting.

136 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:15:24am

Blackmail could explain a lot of things. WTF do you suppose they have on Ramsey Clark? Or is he just genuinely moonbatty?

137 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:16:02am

re: #125 Obdicut

Heh. I'm only 32, but I keep thinking that college students are high school students-- not based on how they look, but how they act. Of course, I have no way of knowing whether college students these days are actually more immature than back in my day, or whether I'm just getting codgier as I age.

We don't notice immature behavior around us so much while we ourselves are still immature. Some people use college to prepare for adulthood, other use it to prolong their adolescence.

138 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:16:07am

re: #136 Cato the Elder

Blackmail could explain a lot of things. WTF do you suppose they have on Ramsey Clark? Or is he just genuinely moonbatty?

That guy is definitely straight up moonbatty.

139 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:16:52am

re: #136 Cato the Elder

Blackmail could explain a lot of things. WTF do you suppose they have on Ramsey Clark? Or is he just genuinely moonbatty?

Ramsey Clark has been picking up Radio Saturn on his bridgework for the past 35 years.

140 Ben Hur  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:17:10am

re: #123 Killgore Trout

Tea Party Convention Approves Passes For Only Five News Orgs

Heh.

I was going to write something clever about inviting those that were kicked off Air Force One.

Then I saw World Net Daily.

Not who I would invite if I wanted to be taken seriously.

141 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:17:28am

re: #137 The Sanity Inspector

We don't notice immature behavior around us so much while we ourselves are still immature. Some people use college to prepare for adulthood, other use it to prolong their adolescence.

/aaah, you can only be young once but you can be immature for ever...

142 Semper Fi  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:17:51am

re: #51 Dragon_Lady

No, joy is the wrong term for it. I would say satisfaction, because he will finally get whats coming to him for hurting children. No one has that right, no matter how much money and influence he or she may have. If he had any brains at all he would have learned from his mistake the first time he got caught and gotten some psychological help! I would lay my life down for any child, and I resent the fact that there are people out there that go out of their way to hurt them. Is that so wrong?

Good morning, I'm unusually late this morning and thought I'd like to weigh-in a little. Your post closely approximates my feelings that I describe as relief at their exposure. I too would do all I could to help a kid.
Good morning, Lizards

143 CommonCents  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:18:13am

re: #141 brookly red

/aaah, you can only be young once but you can be immature for ever...

I'm living proof. And enjoying every minute of it.

144 Ericus58  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:19:03am

re: #119 Walter L. Newton

Ericus58, could you possibly "qoute" the comment you are replying to, so we can understand who you are addressing?

It would be several poster actually - including you, Walter. The remarks about Roberts, Swaggard and such. IMO, much of it is about money, power and prestige.

and that's a real shame - there are many good faith-based groups and churches that have in their hearts good for all and work to help anyone in need. I'm afraid they are the losers in this at times.

145 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:19:20am

re: #133 Mad Al-Jaffee

Swaggart and Jerry Lee Lewis are cousins. Maybe that gave Swaggart the advantage.

"Do you know...who Jesus is? Heh...I said, do you KNOW...who JESUS is...?"

"Hey! We know who Jesus is. GET A #&$*IN' JOB!"

Youtube Video
146 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:19:41am

re: #137 The Sanity Inspector

We don't notice immature behavior around us so much while we ourselves are still immature. Some people use college to prepare for adulthood, other use it to prolong their adolescence.

In most cases college is just a holding pen for 18-to-22-year-olds so they can fool around in a relatively safe environment until their 'mones thin out enough to make them fit for what we in all seriousness call adult society.

147 RogueOne  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:20:47am

re: #97 Teh Flowah

That doesn't indicate blackmail at all.

The speculation just seems so out of place for a blog that likes evidence and proof and skepticism of unsupported claims. Show me one little thing that points to blackmail, not just something you find "fishy".

In order to get a TS clearance the gov't inspectors only care about the possibility of blackmail, that's my standard. You need evidence for a conviction not to ask questions.

How can you not be skeptical about a persons reasoning when they do a complete 180 and the facts on the ground didn't changed in the slightest? I'm more than a little skeptical about his honesty for more than just the apparent reasons, I'm skeptical about his sense of honor and, I'm skeptical about his sense of decency. I think the question of blackmail is entirely legitimate. He's never given a decent answer to his change of heart regarding Saddam's WMD's and instead took money to stand next to him.

148 Ericus58  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:21:08am

re: #122 Mad Al-Jaffee

True, but I have friends who are fundamentalist and love The Simpsons, South Park and The Onion. And they have no problem with drinking and respect other people's beliefs. Maybe they're the exception.

My upbringing being very Fundamentalist, I would have to say they are an exception. Good to hear they have a balance.

149 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:21:48am

re: #141 brookly red

/aaah, you can only be young once but you can be immature for ever...

Fun's fun, but pity the person who grows old without ever growing up.

150 shiplord kirel  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:22:19am

re: #136 Cato the Elder

Blackmail could explain a lot of things. WTF do you suppose they have on Ramsey Clark? Or is he just genuinely moonbatty?

I've speculated here about that very possibility. As LBJ's attorney-general, Clark was completely supportive of administration policy in Vietnam and of the FBI's domestic intelligence operations. He was essentially J. Edgar Hoover's boss and was almost certainly eyeball deep in the harassment of anti-war activists under Operation Cointelpro (the real, documented one, not the moonbat conspiracy version that is still current). After he left office, though, Clark became a left-wing shill and anti-war activist to a degree so slavish and consistent it has sometimes embarrassed other lefties. Wherever America has enemies, Clark has been there to defend and encourage them.

151 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:23:31am

re: #146 Cato the Elder

In most cases college is just a holding pen for 18-to-22-year-olds so they can fool around in a relatively safe environment until their 'mones thin out enough to make them fit for what we in all seriousness call adult society.

"Seven years of college, down the drain!"

152 Ericus58  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:24:25am

re: #128 Walter L. Newton

And I know doctors and lawyers who are charismatics. You are being very narrow minded yourself if you think that all fundies are some sort of knuckle dragging back woods idiots.

Walter, you know nothing of my life and experiences - as I have none of yours - but to say I don't know what I'm talking about is... your opinion, and your welcome to it. But it doesn't invalidate mine nor my experiences.

153 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:26:34am

re: #149 The Sanity Inspector

Fun's fun, but pity the person who grows old without ever growing up.

lemmie think about that...

154 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:26:42am

re: #151 The Sanity Inspector

"Seven years of college, down the drain!"

"Don't let schooling interfere with your education."

155 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:27:58am

re: #151 The Sanity Inspector

"Seven years of college, down the drain!"

maybe someday the economy will improve...

156 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:29:13am

re: #152 Ericus58

Walter, you know nothing of my life and experiences - as I have none of yours - but to say I don't know what I'm talking about is... your opinion, and your welcome to it. But it doesn't invalidate mine nor my experiences.

You comment indicated an all inclusive box that you put fundamentalist into. I am not saying that you have experienced otherwise. But what's wrong with broadening yourself and accepting that your experience is narrow and not the only experience.

And I have no dog in this fight, I'm an atheist.

157 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:29:43am

While we're speculating (re: Ritter)

Something in the back of my brain remembers something about him getting $100,000 that was somehow tied to Iraq/Saddam right around the time of him changing his opinion about WMD

Could the Iraqis have also been feeding him a steady stream of underage Iraqi girls for Quid Pro Quo also!?!?

158 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:30:37am

re: #156 Walter L. Newton

And I have no dog in this fight, I'm an atheist.

Do you have an dog thats an athiest !?!?!?

159 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:31:01am

re: #157 sattv4u2

Was that part of the "Oil for Food" scam?

160 Stuart Leviton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:31:20am

Are UN weapons inspectors required to pass security clearance? If so, how did Mr. Ritter slip through the system? And if not, does United States policy allow unsecured personnel in sensitive positions?

N.B.: To Charles critics, no one is making any claim about Mr. Ritter's history and motives.

161 WaveriderCA  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:31:24am

re: #74 subsailor68

But only mentions three justices specifically: Ginzburg, Breyer, and Stevens - all of whom are part of the more liberal side of the bench. I wonder who else (would need to be two) tends to think this way. It's clear Scalia does not, which would lead me to think that Roberts, Thomas, and Alioto probably don't either.

...

I find it odd that the more liberal justices would be inclined to support the idea of throwing out one of the fundamentals of our criminal justice system - paying your debt to society based on the laws in place, then being set free.

I'm not sure why this would surprise you. What determines a liberal judge vs a conservative judge isn't ideological on their system of beliefs on how the country should be run, but it is instead based on whether they think they rule on the law or adjust the law to fit the situation. This is why creative judges can be dangerous as they just make things up siphoning power from the other branches of government and really just ignoring what previous judges have ruled.

162 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:31:57am

Everyone has his weakness. If someone offered me a week on Pandora with a nine-foot blue alien chick, I wouldn't ask how old she was.

163 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:32:15am

OT

Shumer is calling for waiving the tax limit deductions for individuals and companies on donations, either money or food, that targets Haiti

This is the 1st time I applaud Shumer

164 badger1970  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:32:28am

re: #158 sattv4u2

And I have no dog in this fight, I'm an atheist.

Do you have an dog thats an athiest !?!?!?

I think there's a dyslexia joke in there somewhere.

165 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:33:10am

re: #159 Thanos

Was that part of the "Oil for Food" scam?

I don't think so, although it may have been. Something in the back of my head is making a Ritter/ Iraq/ $100,000 connection

166 Spare O'Lake  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:33:34am

re: #162 Cato the Elder

Everyone has his weakness. If someone offered me a week on Pandora with a nine-foot blue alien chick, I wouldn't ask how old she was.

Especially if you happen to have a foot fetish.
Welcome back.

167 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:34:27am

re: #163 sattv4u2

It makes sense too given that NYC is home to one of the largest Haitian communities outside Haiti. Florida also has a large Haitian community. Good on him to make that call. We'll see if that gets the necessary follow through from Congress to enact the necessary laws/IRS rules.

168 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:34:28am

Michelle Malkin has the outrageous outrage of the day.....
Everything’s staged: Michelle Obama’s garden food was fake (via google)


Except for one thing: As first reported on AOL’s Politics Daily blog, the fruits and vegetables used on the show weren’t from the White House. They were stunt produce. Ringers.

At the beginning of the two-hour special, the chefs were shown picking sweet potatoes, broccoli, fennel and tomatillos from the White House garden. Then the chefs were seen walking into Kitchen Stadium, produce in hand. One problem: The show is filmed in New York City.

No doubt they’ll argue it was “Fake but accurate.”

169 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:35:17am

re: #163 sattv4u2

OT

Shumer is calling for waiving the tax limit deductions for individuals and companies on donations, either money or food, that targets Haiti

This is the 1st time I applaud Shumer

There is a large Haitian community in Brooklyn, I suspect that he maybe doing the right thing for the wrong reason. let's see what he personally gives...

170 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:36:00am

re: #162 Cato the Elder

Welcome back

How was your meditation/ sabbatical/ trip/
And more important, you survived a Night With Walter!!!
/

171 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:36:02am

re: #165 sattv4u2

I don't think so, although it may have been. Something in the back of my head is making a Ritter/ Iraq/ $100,000 connection

According to the Washington Times, Ritter's 2000 documentary In Shifting Sands was partially financed by Iraqi American businessman Shakir al Khafaji.[28] Al-Khafaji pled guilty to multiple felony charges in 2004 for his relationship with U.N. Oil-for-Food scandal.[29] Christopher Hitchens notes that there was no direct transfer of money and "one cannot accuse Scott Ritter [...] of being in Iraqi pay."[30] Ritter denies any quid pro quo with Al-Khafaji, according to Laurie Mylroie, writing in the Financial Times. When Ritter was asked "how he would characterize anyone suggesting that Mr Khafaji was offering allocations in his name, Mr Ritter replied: "I'd say that person's a fucking liar...and tell him to come over here so I can kick his ass."[31]


That's from Wiki

172 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:36:38am

re: #150 shiplord kirel

I've speculated here about that very possibility. As LBJ's attorney-general, Clark was completely supportive of administration policy in Vietnam and of the FBI's domestic intelligence operations. He was essentially J. Edgar Hoover's boss and was almost certainly eyeball deep in the harassment of anti-war activists under Operation Cointelpro (the real, documented one, not the moonbat conspiracy version that is still current). After he left office, though, Clark became a left-wing shill and anti-war activist to a degree so slavish and consistent it has sometimes embarrassed other lefties. Wherever America has enemies, Clark has been there to defend and encourage them.

Indeed. The late Robert McNamara was a case I could understand. He was smart enough to see through his own bullshit, but he didn't go off in into the asteroid belt looking for things to blame on America. He shouldered his responsibility for Vietnam and moved on.

Clark is a mystery.

And Chomsky is plain nuts.

173 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:36:43am

re: #168 Killgore Trout

Malkin call it Veggie-gate!

174 Ericus58  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:36:53am

re: #156 Walter L. Newton

You comment indicated an all inclusive box that you put fundamentalist into. I am not saying that you have experienced otherwise. But what's wrong with broadening yourself and accepting that your experience is narrow and not the only experience.

And I have no dog in this fight, I'm an atheist.

Then perhaps this post would have been the one to lead with, rather than the "Narrow-Minded" post?

I respect and enjoy your posts - but try not to be condescending.

175 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:36:59am

re: #73 Obdicut

I think it vastly diminishes the horror and the evil of sexual predators to lump young kids who are fooling around with each other in there with them.

Hell, at University of Chicago, high school students would crash the parties all the damn time. Some sixteen year olds really don't look sixteen. I never got into any sort of trouble around that, but some of my friends did-- and I just cannot see anything evil in an eighteen year old having sex with a sixteen year old. Sure, it can be a coercive situation, but it can just as easily be, well, just two kids getting it on.

One of my college friends has a brother. He was sixteen when his big sister went off to college. He went to visit, and rapidly discovered that a women's college is a lovely place to be a really good-looking young man who likes girls. (He's gorgeous, BTW).

He visited a LOT over the next four years.

176 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:37:36am

re: #151 The Sanity Inspector

"Seven years of college, down the drain!"

Is that Sarah Palin you're quoting there?

177 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:37:45am

re: #168 Killgore Trout

Michelle Malkin has the outrageous outrage of the day...
Everything’s staged: Michelle Obama’s garden food was fake (via google)

/perhaps they flew the food to NYC at great taxpayer expense?

178 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:38:08am

re: #167 lawhawk

I'm certainly no fan of Shumer, but anyone that would oppsose it is an ass


re: #169 brookly red
I would imagine he wouldn;t have to pander to that community in the 1st place. i'll give him the benefit of the doubt on this one

179 Political Atheist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:38:25am

re: #177 brookly red

See what happens when reality (show) intrudes on the White House?

180 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:38:25am

re: #89 jayzee

Does ANSWER run an elementary school?

I don't think so, but I don't follow them that closely. Why do you ask?

181 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:38:47am

re: #171 Thanos

Thanks,,, I knew there was something rattling around in my skull about it

182 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:38:51am

re: #168 Killgore Trout

Iron Chefgate!

183 WaveriderCA  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:39:53am

re: #168 Killgore Trout

I thought I read an article a ways back that the obamas planted their garden ontop of where the clinton whitehouse used to dump sewage. I'm not sure about that.

That being said OH NO! Don't send a message to people to eat veggies and not be a bunch of fatties.

184 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:39:53am

re: #162 Cato the Elder

Everyone has his weakness. If someone offered me a week on Pandora with a nine-foot blue alien chick, I wouldn't ask how old she was.

I hope you're not one of those guys I read about who wants to die because Pandora doesn't really exist.

185 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:40:00am

re: #170 sattv4u2

Welcome back

How was your meditation/ sabbatical/ trip/
And more important, you survived a Night With Walter!!!
/

Two nights.

But for the record, I had my own room.

186 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:41:24am

re: #185 Cato the Elder

Two nights.

But for the record, I had my own room.

But he has a key to it, no!?!?!

///

187 redtickbeer  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:42:00am

re: #48 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Surgical castration, cheimal if you're squeamish. And jail time if they refuse to comply. Not sure of the science behind it, assuming it's been studied, but sounds like the right punishment to me.

188 SixDegrees  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:42:00am

re: #165 sattv4u2

I don't think so, although it may have been. Something in the back of my head is making a Ritter/ Iraq/ $100,000 connection

As I recall, Ritter received something like $400k to make a "documentary" on the inspection process. The money came from someone connected to Saddam Hussein. I don't recall the details, but there wasn't much to the video that fell out the other end of the transaction. It was just after the check cleared that Ritter started his leftward tack.

189 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:42:18am

re: #115 Ericus58

I'm reminded of a movie that Steve Martin did... Leap of Faith.
Based on my life experiences growing up and the churches/revivals and what not I was dragged to - Spot On.
And the mother of the girl in Carie? Mine channeled her I think...

I'm not sure I could truly relate just how 'out of touch' that world is folks.

Leap of Faith was a good movie.

190 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:42:42am

re: #125 Obdicut

Might be the latter. I was a college student in the 80s. And then did volunteer work with my fraternity from 1995-2005 that involved visiting different chapters on an annual basis, attending conventions and regional meetings, plus sitting in board meetings to deal with the various issues these young men inflicted upon themselves.

A lot of the issues remained the same while the access and use of electronic and computer technology changed. My broad brush characterization of the college youth of today is that a lot of them are still fairly immature, very short term in their viewpoint (and planning), not quite sure where they want to go, and seem to want the highly desirable option of being independent to do anything they want without having to deal with the potential consequences of said actions.

Wonderful people for the most part, but sometimes they just make you shake your head.

And what really burned me out on the experience was two things:
1. Lack of institutional memory. Saw the same silly/stupid errors occur again and again and again. I just got tired of having to repeat the same discussion/argument other the same talking points repeatedly.

2. Being treated as "the enemy". Nothing ever really hurt as much as visiting a chapter on a consultation as a volunteer and getting the cold shoulder from a group of undergraduates. I take my vow of brotherhood seriously, and having a group of men who have taken the same vow lie to me to cover something up leaves scars that heal very slowly.

191 redtickbeer  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:42:44am

chemical. not cheimal

192 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:44:01am

re: #158 sattv4u2

And I have no dog in this fight, I'm an atheist.

Do you have an dog thats an athiest !?!?!?

Dogs are not atheists. Dogs lack skepticism.

193 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:44:41am

re: #168 Killgore Trout

Michelle Malkin has the outrageous outrage of the day...
Everything’s staged: Michelle Obama’s garden food was fake (via google)

I'm outraged. Really.

194 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:44:48am

re: #188 SixDegrees

Thats what I thought. Now with this, i'm also wondering if some of his Iraqi contacts (he did spend time in country) may have provided him with what he clearly desires!

195 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:44:50am

re: #187 redtickbeer

Castration has not shown effectiveness in stopping many sexual predators, often the worst kind.

Here's a good analysis of it from pretty much every legal angle:

[Link: www.law.fsu.edu...]

196 Semper Fi  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:45:04am

10:45 and I'm way behind today. Much catching-up to do.
Enjoy your day lizards, it's looking good here.

197 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:45:27am

re: #177 brookly red

/perhaps they flew the food to NYC at great taxpayer expense?

LOL! Nah, the bottom of the actual article notes that the WH veggies went to a local food pantry, which was probably a really good idea if a couple of weeks or more passed between shooting the WH video and cookin' the stuff!

Alton Brown: "It looks like Chef Flay is working with some really wrinkled brown vegetable of some sort. Can you tell what it is??"

Floor Reporter: "Uh, Alton, it appears to be a sweet potato. Or was when it was picked three months ago."

What a silly not-rage!

198 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:45:33am

re: #146 Cato the Elder

I got an email once from an undergraduate I knew announcing his final graduation from university.

I replied, "Congratulations on finishing the mouse race. Welcome to the rat race."

A few years later I saw that he had recorded various quote that amused/impressed him and eventually he posted it on a web-page (or something like that.) The above quote was there. :)

199 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:46:11am

OT: just saw on CNN that Teddy Pendregrass has passed away...

200 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:46:36am

re: #183 WaveriderCA

I thought I read an article a ways back that the obamas planted their garden ontop of where the clinton whitehouse used to dump sewage. I'm not sure about that.


There have been a lot of conspiracies regarding the White House garden. Last spring Drudge was claiming it was fake because the vegetables were growing too fast. Wingnuts are silly.

201 redtickbeer  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:47:56am

re: #195 Obdicut

thanks for the link. I'll give it a read.

202 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:48:32am

re: #184 Mad Al-Jaffee

I hope you're not one of those guys I read about who wants to die because Pandora doesn't really exist.

That's how I felt about Middle-earth. But I was twelve then.

203 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:48:48am

re: #200 Killgore Trout

There have been a lot of conspiracies regarding the White House garden. Last spring Drudge was claiming it was fake because the vegetables were growing too fast. Wingnuts are silly.

Just my opinion. ITS A FUCKING VEGETABLE GARDEN! It really doesn't matter. Find some real news.

204 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:49:14am

Malkin's commenters....

On January 14th, 2010 at 1:08 pm, infidel4life said:

It’s all fake, it’s all phony, it’s all one long continuous lie. And what’s scary is how many people are falling for it without questioning anything.


.....


On January 14th, 2010 at 1:15 pm, TanyaB said:

Yahoo!! I was right!! As a person that has gardened for a long time, I told my daughter that all those veggies had to be fake, according to when they were planted, and the weather, and how soon they became so abundant!!
Don’t you feel good when you say something, and are proven right? I do!!

Outrage! Fraud! Vegetative impostors!

205 cineaste  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:49:26am

FWIW: While I believe he could have been blackmailed, wouldn't this mean that he was blackmailed into being right, not out of being right? His original position was that Saddam was a threat, then he felt he wasn't. The threat was largely based on the belief that Saddam had WMD. Saddam didn't (or at least 3/4 of a million troops and 6 years haven't found any). So he actually changed to the correct position.

206 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:49:38am

re: #201 redtickbeer

No problem. it's well-footnoted. One key passage I'll post in thread here:

MPA has been used successfully with only one type of sex offender, the paraphiliac, who demonstrates a pattern of sexual arousal, erection, and ejaculation that is accompanied by a distinctive fantasy or its achievement.[36] While MPA has proven successful for some paraphiliacs, there is considerable scientific opinion that the drug is not likely to have any meaningful influence on three other types of sex offenders who come within the purview of the new statute: defendants who deny the perpetration of the offense; defendants who admit the perpetration of the offense, but who blame their behavior on non-sexual or non-personal forces, such as drugs, alcohol, or job stress; and defendants who are violent and appear to be prompted by non-sexual factors, such as anger, power, or violence.[37] However, the new statute makes no distinction among the four different types of sex offenders.[38]

207 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:50:45am

re: #204 Killgore Trout

Malkin's commenters...

Outrage! Fraud! Vegetative impostors!

/something in the fine print about meals saved or created...

208 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:50:59am

re: #205 cineaste

Especially since Saddam was doing such a good job of broadcasting contradictory things-- claiming that he did and didn't have WMD simultaneously, really-- it'd be hard to discern what position Saddam would have wanted Ritter to take.

209 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:52:01am

re: #205 cineaste

FWIW: While I believe he could have been blackmailed, wouldn't this mean that he was blackmailed into being right, not out of being right? His original position was that Saddam was a threat, then he felt he wasn't. The threat was largely based on the belief that Saddam had WMD. Saddam didn't (or at least 3/4 of a million troops and 6 years haven't found any). So he actually changed to the correct position.

usually people are convinced into being right & don't have to be blackmailed...

210 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:52:05am

re: #168 Killgore Trout

Considering that Iron Chef (all versions) and pretty much all the food competition shows are staged in some fashion or another, I'm not surprised.

They're entertainment and the viewers wouldn't know the difference in any event.

211 Spare O'Lake  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:52:36am

re: #200 Killgore Trout

There have been a lot of conspiracies regarding the White House garden. Last spring Drudge was claiming it was fake because the vegetables were growing too fast. Wingnuts are silly.

Well there's no shortage of manure at the White House.

212 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:52:37am

Out of here for work... may be bac after 10:00 pm mountain, may be to tired after shlepping furniture all day...

213 cineaste  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:53:48am

re: #203 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Just my opinion. ITS A FUCKING VEGETABLE GARDEN! It really doesn't matter. Find some real news.

Wait, wait... so the outrage is that the used the TYPE of veggies that were growing in the garden but not the ACTUAL veggies that were growing in the garden? Wow, that is a scandal. IMPEACH EMERIL!

Also, wouldn't it be a bigger outrage if they used actual veggies from the garden? I mean, then the White House would be giving away things grown at tax payer expense to a private company (The Food Channel). BIG GOVERNMENT! SOCIALIZM!!! [run around screaming]

The real outrage? Food Network also owns HGTV. HGTV has Christopher Lowell's show. We (the wingnuts) are pretty sure that that guy might be one of teh gays... NEWS ALERT: WHITE HOUSE IS GIVING FREE FOOD TO TEH GAYZ!

/////

oh brother...

214 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:54:01am

re: #210 lawhawk

Considering that Iron Chef (all versions) and pretty much all the food competition shows are staged in some fashion or another, I'm not surprised.

They're entertainment and the viewers wouldn't know the difference in any event.

What!?! They're staged? Oh, gee thanks, lawhawk.

Next you're gonna tell me that "24" takes longer than one day to shoot!

;-)

215 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:54:01am

re: #212 Walter L. Newton

Out of here for work... may be bac after 10:00 pm mountain, may be to tired after shlepping furniture all day...

Moe, Larry and Shlepp

The Fine Brothers!

216 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:54:39am

re: #210 lawhawk

Agreed, everyone should understand that reality shows aren't real. There's always staged theater involved.

217 Varek Raith  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:54:58am

re: #204 Killgore Trout

Malkin's commenters...

Outrage! Fraud! Vegetative impostors!

Okay, that's some funny shit. ;)

218 cineaste  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:55:19am

re: #209 brookly red

usually people are convinced into being right & don't have to be blackmailed...

exactly - that's why I'm confused. No big deal, just not following...

219 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:55:42am

re: #204 Killgore Trout

Malkin's commenters...

Outrage! Fraud! Vegetative impostors!

That first one is registered here, but has not posted in two years.

220 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:55:51am

re: #217 Varek Raith

Okay, that's some funny shit. ;)

impersonating a yam is a serious offense...

221 Political Atheist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:56:33am

re: #178 sattv4u2

I'm certainly no fan of Shumer, but anyone that would oppsose it is an ass

re: #169 brookly red
I would imagine he wouldn;t have to pander to that community in the 1st place. i'll give him the benefit of the doubt on this one

Why Haiti now, rather than Katrina or (fill in domestic disaster of choice). It's not that new an idea.

222 cineaste  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:57:41am

re: #210 lawhawk

Considering that Iron Chef (all versions) and pretty much all the food competition shows are staged in some fashion or another, I'm not surprised.

They're entertainment and the viewers wouldn't know the difference in any event.

and wouldn't care either...

Do they really think that the actor Mark Dacascos who plays the Chairman is really the nephew of the Chairman on the Japanese version? Of course not... it's theater...

223 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:57:46am

re: #219 wrenchwench

Ah, I recognize the nic.

224 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:58:16am

re: #220 brookly red

Aren't sweet potatoes generically marketed as "yams" in the United States?

225 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:58:22am

OT:
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have ponied up $1 million for Haiti disaster relief; NY Yankees $500,000. (see updates).

Middle East countries other than Israel? *crickets*

226 shiplord kirel  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:58:47am

Speaking again of the detestable Ramsey Clark, keep in mind that he was AG at the time of both the Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy assassinations.
I am no friend of conspiracy theories, but some fo the speculation about the MLK murder in particular tops my list of conspiracy theories that just might be true.
Unlike the professional conspiracists, I am fairly certain the authorities got their man in James Earl Ray but there are many unanswered questions about him. Ray was a bigot to be sure, but he was also a barely literate petty criminal with no demonstrated involvement or interest in politics. He had also never been out of the United States, yet he managed to elude the biggest manhunt in history up to that time and escaped all the way to England, where he was finally arrested by Scotland Yard.

Speculation: Is it possible that some of the leftists of the period trumped the media and legitimate investigators, learned something that would implicate Clark in these events, and used it to blackmail him? Some of these people were quite young at the time and they could still be holding the sword over Clark's head.

227 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:58:55am

re: #222 cineaste

and wouldn't care either...

Do they really think that the actor Mark Dacascos who plays the Chairman is really the nephew of the Chairman on the Japanese version? Of course not... it's theater...

I'm pretty sure Alton Brown is a zionist agent of the New World Order.

228 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 10:59:45am

re: #220 brookly red

impersonating a yam is a serious offense...

"I yam what I yam, and that's all what I yam." - Popeye

AP - Popeye was arrested in downtown Toonville yesterday and charged with felony yam impersonation. Mr. Eye will be arraigned Monday.

229 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:00:27am

re: #213 cineaste

Did you ever notice that Alton Brown always uses KOSHER salt? The Jooooos are behind this one!!!!

230 Varek Raith  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:01:11am

re: #228 subsailor68

"I yam what I yam, and that's all what I yam." - Popeye

AP - Popeye was arrested in downtown Toonville yesterday and charged with felony yam impersonation. Mr. Eye will be arraigned Monday.

He was also in possession of an unknown green plant...

231 Political Atheist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:01:19am

re: #216 Killgore Trout

We had this neighbor, twenty something blond sports fan & hottie. Her job was to recruit people for reality shows. She would go to clubs and bars trolling for losers to recruit.

What a society our media makes!

232 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:01:29am

re: #224 oaktree

Aren't sweet potatoes generically marketed as "yams" in the United States?

I could be wrong but I think it is just a regional naming thing.

233 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:01:33am

re: #223 Killgore Trout

Ah, I recognize the nic.

I used to confuse that one with infidel4ever, who IIRC is a European who is generally more reasonable.

234 cineaste  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:01:59am

re: #229 Mad Al-Jaffee

Did you ever notice that Alton Brown always uses KOSHER salt? The Jooos are behind this one!!!

And he knows a lot. Really bookish. Definitely one of them...

235 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:02:28am

re: #231 Rightwingconspirator

We had this neighbor, twenty something blond sports fan & hottie. Her job was to recruit people for reality shows. She would go to clubs and bars trolling for losers to recruit.

What a society our media makes!

To be fair, if nobody watched, the media would alter!

236 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:03:16am

re: #228 subsailor68

"I yam what I yam, and that's all what I yam." - Popeye

AP - Popeye was arrested in downtown Toonville yesterday and charged with felony yam impersonation. Mr. Eye will be arraigned Monday.

maybe they will offer him immunity if he testifies about veggie-gate...

237 Ericus58  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:04:06am

re: #189 SanFranciscoZionist

Leap of Faith was a good movie.

I also liked him in My Blue Heaven.

Merengue!

Youtube Video
238 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:06:06am

re: #168 Killgore Trout

Michelle Malkin has the outrageous outrage of the day...
Everything’s staged: Michelle Obama’s garden food was fake (via google)

I've grown potatoes...you don't exactly "pick" them. But I will say that they are one of the most rewarding crops to grow. It's like a freakin' treasure hunt! I was living in England at the time and had great soil. After several weeks of clearing nettles, I planted a patch of different types of spuds. A few months later, when I went to dig them up, I started with a little disappointment...one or two oddly shaped runts...but as I went deeper, LORDY! I think I got 70lbs of potatoes out of that little garden.

239 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:06:58am

re: #228 subsailor68

"I yam what I yam, and that's all what I yam." - Popeye

AP - Popeye was arrested in downtown Toonville yesterday and charged with felony yam impersonation. Mr. Eye will be arraigned Monday.

I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

240 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:07:02am

re: #225 lawhawk

OT:
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have ponied up $1 million for Haiti disaster relief; NY Yankees $500,000. (see updates).

Middle East countries other than Israel? *crickets*

If I gambled, I would be putting money down that there's a Haitian orphan somewhere whose last name will soon be "Jolie-Pitt." She tends to see suffering on a very personal scale.

241 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:07:11am

re: #238 darthstar

I've grown potatoes...you don't exactly "pick" them. But I will say that they are one of the most rewarding crops to grow. It's like a freakin' treasure hunt! I was living in England at the time and had great soil. After several weeks of clearing nettles, I planted a patch of different types of spuds. A few months later, when I went to dig them up, I started with a little disappointment...one or two oddly shaped runts...but as I went deeper, LORDY! I think I got 70lbs of potatoes out of that little garden.

/and they hid your "other" plants nicely too...

242 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:07:14am

re: #229 Mad Al-Jaffee

Did you ever notice that Alton Brown always uses KOSHER salt? The Jooos are behind this one!!!

Alton Brown: Let's welcome today's guest, Ms. Paris Hilton.
Paris Hilton: Hi Alton!
Alton Brown. Okay, let's get started on our first dish.
Paris Hilton: What's that you're using?
Alton Brown: Sea salt.
Paris Hilton: Yeah, I see it. What's if for?
Alton Brown: Good grief, you're as stupid as they said you were.
Paris Hilton: Thanks!

243 Political Atheist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:08:01am

re: #235 sattv4u2

Too true. But better programming can inspire a better audience. But better cost lots of $.

244 Kragar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:09:04am

re: #243 Rightwingconspirator

Too true. But better programming can inspire a better audience. But better cost lots of $.

The lowest common denominator pays better.

245 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:09:30am

re: #243 Rightwingconspirator

Too true. But better programming can inspire a better audience. But better cost lots of $.

/how much does it cost to have someone sit in front of a camera and actually tell the truth?

246 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:09:40am

re: #238 darthstar

I like them french fried potaters with mustard. Hmmmmmmmm.

247 cineaste  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:10:03am

re: #240 EmmmieG

If I gambled, I would be putting money down that there's a Haitian orphan somewhere whose last name will soon be "Jolie-Pitt." She tends to see suffering on a very personal scale.

If that's how she wants to do it, who are we to begrudge it. She has the resources and more importantly, she and Brad just gave $1 million dollars to the relief effort. They deserve applause. Also, all accounts I've heard is that the housing projects they've been leading the redevelopment of in New Orleans have been very successful.

248 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:10:39am

re: #238 darthstar

I've grown potatoes...you don't exactly "pick" them. But I will say that they are one of the most rewarding crops to grow. It's like a freakin' treasure hunt! I was living in England at the time and had great soil. After several weeks of clearing nettles, I planted a patch of different types of spuds. A few months later, when I went to dig them up, I started with a little disappointment...one or two oddly shaped runts...but as I went deeper, LORDY! I think I got 70lbs of potatoes out of that little garden.

They are one of the most prolific things you can grow. They're quite amazing. you can even take a potato from the grocery store, stick it in the dirt and soon you'll have tons of them!

249 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:10:59am

Ha! That Weiner is funny...love his take on Harold Ford challenging Kirsten Gillibrand:

“If he thinks that its an appealing argument to position yourself as being somebody who will stand up to Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer, well I don’t think we need another Joe Lieberman,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.)
250 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:11:11am

re: #247 cineaste

If that's how she wants to do it, who are we to begrudge it. She has the resources and more importantly, she and Brad just gave $1 million dollars to the relief effort. They deserve applause. Also, all accounts I've heard is that the housing projects they've been leading the redevelopment of in New Orleans have been very successful.

I'm not begrudging. It's a very practical solution to the problem, and they are good people to do it. I'm just predicting.

251 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:11:26am

re: #248 Killgore Trout

They are one of the most prolific things you can grow. They're quite amazing. you can even take a potato from the grocery store, stick it in the dirt and soon you'll have tons of them!

Did that in college beneath the stairs at my apartment complex. Ha!

252 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:11:44am

re: #243 Rightwingconspirator

Too true. But better programming can inspire a better audience. But better cost lots of $.

Not really. There is lots of "better" programming at places like Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, et al that 'costs' (production and distribution wise) fractions of what Desperate Houswives et al do!

253 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:12:17am

re: #245 brookly red

/how much does it cost to have someone sit in front of a camera and actually tell the truth?

Probably would cost him/ her Senate seat!!

254 Slap  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:12:18am

re: #187 redtickbeer

Further, the biggest problem with the chemical variety is that it can be utterly cancelled by taking testosterone, which is nicely available on the black market -- and, I suspect, linked to the miscellaneous "they don't understand our love" mental wardsorganizations..

255 Cineaste  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:12:22am

re: #250 EmmmieG

I'm not begrudging. It's a very practical solution to the problem, and they are good people to do it. I'm just predicting.

Fair enough. I'll also say that she definitely seems pretty nutty but, again, they did a very good thing.

It's a fair site better than saying the Haitians had this happen because they did a deal with the devil... :)

256 Mad Al-Jaffee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:12:24am

re: #240 EmmmieG

If I gambled, I would be putting money down that there's a Haitian orphan somewhere whose last name will soon be "Jolie-Pitt." She tends to see suffering on a very personal scale.

A couple of times on the current season of SNL, Abbie Elliott has done a brilliant impersonation of Jolie and her obsession with babies. I would find and post a clip if I could at work.

257 McSpiff  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:12:28am

re: #247 cineaste

If that's how she wants to do it, who are we to begrudge it. She has the resources and more importantly, she and Brad just gave $1 million dollars to the relief effort. They deserve applause. Also, all accounts I've heard is that the housing projects they've been leading the redevelopment of in New Orleans have been very successful.

That's 1/5 what my country gave. Mind you they didn't send their navy or C-17s yet, but still pretty incredible.

258 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:13:13am

re: #247 cineaste

If that's how she wants to do it, who are we to begrudge it. She has the resources and more importantly, she and Brad just gave $1 million dollars to the relief effort. They deserve applause. Also, all accounts I've heard is that the housing projects they've been leading the redevelopment of in New Orleans have been very successful.

Brad Pitt is so popular due to his efforts in NOLA that he could run for mayor and do quite well. But he's smart enough not to want that job.

259 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:14:05am

re: #257 McSpiff

That's 1/5 what my country gave. Mind you they didn't send their navy or C-17s yet, but still pretty incredible.

Angelina Jolie has a navy? (Bet recruiting is a snap.)

260 jdog29  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:14:17am

re: #247 cineaste

If that's how she wants to do it, who are we to begrudge it. She has the resources and more importantly, she and Brad just gave $1 million dollars to the relief effort. They deserve applause. Also, all accounts I've heard is that the housing projects they've been leading the redevelopment of in New Orleans have been very successful.

The flack anyone will catch for trying to help anyone is the price of doing business. Those doing nothing think criticizing those trying to help will discourage those trying to help FROM DOING ANYTHING.

In too many cases it does discourage those trying to help. Some people can just eat the criticism and keep on helping people.

261 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:15:32am

re: #123 Killgore Trout

Perhaps they decided that the others who applied were not real news organizations, and re: #171 Thanos

The Christopher Hitchens quote is a little out of context. What I think he was saying is that no one can prove it based on the existing evidence.

However, a FOS (Friend of Saddam) gets illegal money from OFF (oil for food). He takes money (the exact same money?) and gives it to Ritter to make a movie.

Money is fungable, it is difficult to prove that Ritter knowingly accepted a bribe, but it looks to me to be the old "Officer, Can I buy tickets to the policeman's ball?" routine.

262 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:15:40am

re: #251 darthstar

Did that in college beneath the stairs at my apartment complex. Ha!

Yeah, you can do it anywhere. Even on you balcony or patio. Just buy a bag of potting soil, stick potatoes in and water it when they start to sprout. After a few months cut open the bag an collect your taters!

263 Ericus58  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:15:46am

"WASHINGTON (AP) - All civilian flights from the United States to Haiti were halted Thursday at the request of the Haitian government because there is no room at the earthquake damaged Port-au-Prince airport for more planes and no fuel to spare for departing aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the "ground stop" on flights Thursday morning after the Haitian government said it would not accept more flights into Haitian airspace, said a U.S. official who wasn't authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be named.

At the time, there were 11 flights circling the heavily damaged airport, but no more ramp room to store planes once they had landed, the official said.

There was also very limited jet fuel available for planes leaving Haiti, the official said.

The air traffic control tower at Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport was destroyed in Tuesday's earthquake."

264 avanti  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:16:07am

Watching the Fox financial network typical doom and gloom predictions even as the market is up yet again today. Just now, they were discussing the new fees Obama wants to impose on the 50 largest banks to recover all the tarp money. Obama is going after the big banks that were bailed out and are now making big money again, and paying million dollar bonuses.
The Fox spin was that the fees would cripple the big banks, and they would lend less. The talking head said "Lets look at the financial stocks and see how they are responding to the news" Screen flip, and all the stocks are up, I just had to grin as he he tried to spin that.
I can't wait to see the GOP support the big banks and their big bonuses against the proposed new tax to recover tarp money.

Here's the story on the new big bank tax.

265 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:17:08am

re: #262 Killgore Trout

Yeah, you can do it anywhere. Even on you balcony or patio. Just buy a bag of potting soil, stick potatoes in and water it when they start to sprout. After a few months cut open the bag an collect your taters!

Um, you only need one potato. Just cut it into pieces and make sure there's an "eye" or two on each piece. I did potatoes on my patio last summer, but I had better luck with the onions. The blueberries are the best of all.

266 jayzee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:17:41am

re: #180 SanFranciscoZionist

I don't think so, but I don't follow them that closely. Why do you ask?

Figured maybe they agreed to let Ritter teach there. /

267 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:18:18am

re: #264 avanti

Obama is going after the big banks that were bailed out and are now making big money again, and paying million dollar bonuses.

Would those be the same banks that already paid back the TARP loans WITH interest to the gov't?

Go to your local bank. Tell them you're willing to take out a loan, pay it back in full WITH interest ON time, then when they tell you after it's all done they are now going to tack on another "FEE", see how you react!

268 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:19:48am

re: #267 sattv4u2

Obama is going after the big banks that were bailed out and are now making big money again, and paying million dollar bonuses.

Would those be the same banks that already paid back the TARP loans WITH interest to the gov't?

Go to your local bank. Tell them you're willing to take out a loan, pay it back in full WITH interest ON time, then when they tell you after it's all done they are now going to tack on another "FEE", see how you react!

minor detail comrade...

269 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:20:19am

re: #266 jayzee

Figured maybe they agreed to let Ritter teach there. /

Joking about sexual predators is always in bad taste. If your first attempt falls flat, give it up.

270 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:22:09am

Some of these Obama haters seem to be in a persistent vegetative state.

271 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:23:07am

re: #266 jayzee

Ummm,,,,,, ,,,

Perhaps stepping away for awhile would be appropriate

272 generalsparky  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:23:19am

re: #270 Cato the Elder

Some of these Obama haters seem to be in a persistent vegetative state.

That has me rolling!

273 brookly red  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:23:20am

re: #270 Cato the Elder

Some of these Obama haters seem to be in a persistent vegetative state.

/ I still haven't gotten over the arugala thing....

274 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:25:32am

re: #265 EmmmieG

Be aware of the local wildlife however. My father attempted potatoes in the "lower 40" area of our yard by the gully twice. Both times the local whitetail deer population sniffed them out, dug them up, and ate them within a week.

For college apartments I think the main threat would be knowledgeable students coming home late from the bars with the munchies...

275 darthstar  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:25:46am

re: #270 Cato the Elder

Some of these Obama haters seem to be in a persistent vegetative state.

I got a crappy photoshopped picture of Barack and Michelle pledging the flag. It was reversed, so it looked like they were using their left hand instead of their right, and the subject of the email was "OMG You GOTTA SEE THIS!"...and it was from my parents (ugh). I bcc'd their entire mailing list saying, "That's a poor attempt at photoshop...the rings are blurry, and the flag lapel pin is also reversed. But at least our president is still black!" I have a feeling that won't go over well with them...which is why I bcc'd it.

276 avanti  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:26:09am

re: #267 sattv4u2

Obama is going after the big banks that were bailed out and are now making big money again, and paying million dollar bonuses.

Would those be the same banks that already paid back the TARP loans WITH interest to the gov't?

Go to your local bank. Tell them you're willing to take out a loan, pay it back in full WITH interest ON time, then when they tell you after it's all done they are now going to tack on another "FEE", see how you react!

Chances are, your local bank will not be included unless it's one of the biggest. The banking industry got itself in the mess we were forced to save them from. If the GOP wants to oppose a tax on the industry to recover my tax dollars while the banks make mad money and pay obscene bonuses after we've bailed them out, go for it. They could pay the fees with a modest cut in the billions in bonuses that they can continue to get after we saved their butts.

277 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:28:36am

re: #192 SanFranciscoZionist

Dogs are not atheists. Dogs lack skepticism.

Lock a dog and your wife in your truck for four hours. When you open it again, which one is glad to see you?

278 webevintage  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:29:24am

Growing taters on the patio.
I'd love to do that, but do they need a lot of sun?
We are pretty shady around here. I have to grow tomatoes and such out in the middle of the yard in containers so they can sit in the sun most of the day.

279 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:30:15am

re: #276 avanti

If the GOP wants to oppose a tax on the industry to recover my tax dollars while the banks make

ummm,, TARP was started under Bush. Now I'm not sure about much, but I am sure he was part of the GOP, and the deal from the beggining was the banks would pay back the moneis WITH interest, which some, if not most, have already done
But keep swinging!

280 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:31:13am

re: #276 avanti

Chances are, your local bank will not be included unless it's one of the biggest. The banking industry got itself in the mess we were forced to save them from. If the GOP wants to oppose a tax on the industry to recover my tax dollars while the banks make mad money and pay obscene bonuses after we've bailed them out, go for it. They could pay the fees with a modest cut in the billions in bonuses that they can continue to get after we saved their butts.

Hi avanti! I don't want to speak for sat, but I think you misread his post. If, as he writes, the administration is proposing this tax on banks who took the TARP money, lived under the terms and conditions of the loan, and repaid the loan on time (or before) the deadline, with interest - well, the taxpayers were repaid in full - and earned interest on the money. I think sat's point was that it isn't particularly appealing to see the administration demonize these particular banks because it seems like a politically viable strategy.

281 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:31:36am

re: #278 webevintage

Growing taters on the patio.
I'd love to do that, but do they need a lot of sun?
We are pretty shady around here. I have to grow tomatoes and such out in the middle of the yard in containers so they can sit in the sun most of the day.

They do like a bit of sun but they are really tough and very prolific plants. Give it a try, even if there's a bit too much shade there's still a good chance they'll produce a lot of food for you.

282 abolitionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:31:36am

Old news: UNMASKING CLINTON'S LATEST MOVES TOWARDS IRAQ
WHAT THE SCOTT RITTER REVELATIONS MEAN: An analysis of the most recent developments in the U.S./Iraq confrontation
September 14, 2000
By Brian Becker and Sarah Sloan for the International Action Center

With great fanfare, Madeleine Albright announced on September 12 that the United States would not use "military force" to try to force Iraq to allow a new weapons inspection operation (UNMOVIC) into Iraq.

The backdrop to this is the political bombshell dropped by the former lead U.S. weapons inspector, who has now confirmed that Washington has been lying about the status of Iraq's "disarmament."

The former inspector is none other than Scott Ritter, who had worked as a U.S. intelligence official and functioned throughout the 1990s as a key member of the UN weapons inspection team.

Ritter has broken with the administration and revealed that "Iraq had been disarmed" of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons capabilities and that this was known by the administration since early 1997.

Ritter's statement blows away the public position that the U.S. insists on economic sanctions as a condition for eliminating Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Sarah Sloan - discoverthenetworks.com

is the Washington, D.C., organizer of the anti-war group International ANSWER and a member of the Workers World Party (WWP), a Marxist-Leninist sect that was the sponsor and organizer of the major national demonstrations against the war in Iraq. Founded in 1959, the WWP is one of the most important organizations on the left. This group idolizes the former Soviet dictator and mass murderer Joseph Stalin and regards Fidel Castro as a hero of the common man. It has supported the Soviet invasions of Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan, as well as the regimes of Slobodan Milocevic in the former Yugoslavia and Kim Jong Il in North Korea - notwithstanding the barbarous atrocities and human rights violations they have committed. In the 1960s, the WWP called for the victory of the Vietcong over American troops in the Vietnam War. The WWP controls the activities of International ANSWER.

More on Sloan:

There can be little doubt about ANSWER’s ties to the WWP. ANSWER's September 23rd press release, for example, listed as "press contacts" Richard Becker and Sarah Sloan. A director of the West Coast IAC, Becker was one of the WWP leaders chosen to give a presentation honoring the memory of the WWP’s founder, Sam Marcy. As for Sarah Sloan, "Youth Coordinator for ANSWER," she is also the "Youth Coordinator" for the IAC. Wearing her WWP hat, Sloan gave a presentation on the evils of capitalism at a WWP conference held at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology on December 2nd and 3rd, 2000.

Hmmm.

283 The Sanity Inspector  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:32:20am

re: #204 Killgore Trout

Malkin's commenters...


Outrage! Fraud! Vegetative impostors!

48 hour rule. Don't want to be punk'd like the Left was with the Plastic Turkey That Wasn't.

284 Cato the Elder  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:35:30am

re: #275 darthstar

I got a crappy photoshopped picture of Barack and Michelle pledging the flag. It was reversed, so it looked like they were using their left hand instead of their right, and the subject of the email was "OMG You GOTTA SEE THIS!"...and it was from my parents (ugh). I bcc'd their entire mailing list saying, "That's a poor attempt at photoshop...the rings are blurry, and the flag lapel pin is also reversed. But at least our president is still black!" I have a feeling that won't go over well with them...which is why I bcc'd it.

Crap, if someone pledges the flag with the left hand, that would be a sign of satanism. It's all part of the black-people pact they made with the devil in Haïti. Obama was born in Port-au-Prince. If you listen carefully, you can hear his voudon accent.

285 jayzee  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:37:52am

re: #269 darthstar

Joking about sexual predators is always in bad taste. If your first attempt falls flat, give it up.

Came out wrong. I was showing disgust for the man and his actions and the actions of ANSWER. An organization that supports groups which represent people, that allow their 9 yr old girls marry adult men. Didn't mean to offend.

286 avanti  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:39:34am

re: #280 subsailor68

Hi avanti! I don't want to speak for sat, but I think you misread his post. If, as he writes, the administration is proposing this tax on banks who took the TARP money, lived under the terms and conditions of the loan, and repaid the loan on time (or before) the deadline, with interest - well, the taxpayers were repaid in full - and earned interest on the money. I think sat's point was that it isn't particularly appealing to see the administration demonize these particular banks because it seems like a politically viable strategy.

Simply put, all the banks get a sweetheart deal, and I don't think the public will object to a .015 % tax to get the tarp money back. When they get money to loan at almost zero interest, and charge 18% or more on your credit card, rape you on over drafts and late fees, they are not a sympathetic figure.
Then add in the record profits figures to be released next week and the big bonuses and it's a uphill fight to defend the banks from a tiny tax to recover our tax money.
If the GOP goes to bat for the biggest banks in the current environment, I think it'll hurt them in the end.

287 webevintage  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:39:42am

re: #281 Killgore Trout

They do like a bit of sun but they are really tough and very prolific plants. Give it a try, even if there's a bit too much shade there's still a good chance they'll produce a lot of food for you.

hmmmm, I'm gonna try thins.
I was just thinking today that it is probably time to get seeds for broccoli and spinach for early spring.

288 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:41:50am

re: #280 subsailor68

Articulated better than I

Thanks

289 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:43:26am

re: #287 webevintage

I was just thinking today that it is probably time to get seeds for broccoli and spinach for early spring.


Yup, it's just about that time. I started about 2 weeks ago.

290 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:44:48am

re: #286 avanti

Simply put, all the banks get a sweetheart deal, and I don't think the public will object to a .015 % tax to get the tarp money back

Jeeez louise

And you don;t think the banks will just reduce the interest they pay out, or increase the percenatge of a lolan to recoup the .015% "tax" (over and above the interest they already paid to the gov't) !?!?!?
"We" GOT the TARP money back ,, WITH interest from the banks

291 avanti  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:48:46am

re: #290 sattv4u2

Simply put, all the banks get a sweetheart deal, and I don't think the public will object to a .015 % tax to get the tarp money back

Jeeez louise

And you don;t think the banks will just reduce the interest they pay out, or increase the percenatge of a lolan to recoup the .015% "tax" (over and above the interest they already paid to the gov't) !?!?!?
"We" GOT the TARP money back ,, WITH interest from the banks

We got only part of it back and even with interest, we're still due over 150 billion. If you're comfortable with the banks spending part of those billions in multi million dollar bonuses rather than paying the tax payer back, then oppose the tax.

292 subsailor68  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:49:00am

re: #286 avanti

Simply put, all the banks get a sweetheart deal, and I don't think the public will object to a .015 % tax to get the tarp money back. When they get money to loan at almost zero interest, and charge 18% or more on your credit card, rape you on over drafts and late fees, they are not a sympathetic figure.
Then add in the record profits figures to be released next week and the big bonuses and it's a uphill fight to defend the banks from a tiny tax to recover our tax money.
If the GOP goes to bat for the biggest banks in the current environment, I think it'll hurt them in the end.

I guess we may be talking at cross-purposes here. Sat's post was about banks who had complied - and had paid the TARP money back with interest. Your concern appears to be over those banks that have not yet paid the funds back. I would agree with your basic point if we're looking at banks that haven't paid the loans back, are behind in their reimbursement schedules, yet are still paying huge bonus checks, etc. However, that said, for me it isn't about the size of the tax, it is about changing the rules in the middle of the game - particularly if the banks in question are playing by the rules set down, but haven't quite finished yet.

293 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:52:15am

re: #291 avanti

We got only part of it back and even with interest, we're still due over 150 billion. If you're comfortable with the banks spending part of those billions in multi million dollar bonuses rather than paying the tax payer back, then oppose the tax.

So penalize ALL the banks because several haven't complied yet with the original terms!

K ,,, tell you what. Lets me and you go down to the local branch of a big bank. We'll both take out loans. Same amount, same interest, same payback period

After you pay yours back ON time WITH the interest, 100%, and I do not, have the bank THEN add on a "FEE" to you

Fair !?!?!?!

294 califleftyb  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:58:37am

Ritter is a total freakazoid. Remember the NIE report that stated Iran had stopped trying to make a bomb in 2003. When Israel lit into that report this was Ritter's response:

"In threatening the world with war because America opted for once to embrace fact instead of fiction, Israel, sadly, has become like a cornered beast, lashing out at any and all it perceives to threaten its security interests. The current Israeli definition of what constitutes its security interests is so broad as to preclude any difference of opinion. Israel's shameless invocations of the Holocaust to defend its actions not only shames the memory of those murdered over 60 years ago, but ironically dilutes the impact of that memory by linking it with current policies that are cruel and intolerant"

Expect Ritter to blame Israel for his current troubles in 3...2...1...

295 avanti  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:58:42am

re: #293 sattv4u2

So penalize ALL the banks because several haven't complied yet with the original terms!

K ,,, tell you what. Lets me and you go down to the local branch of a big bank. We'll both take out loans. Same amount, same interest, same payback period

After you pay yours back ON time WITH the interest, 100%, and I do not, have the bank THEN add on a "FEE" to you

Fair !?!?!?!

Is it fair that banks are all required to pay for the deposit insurance that protects the depositors if they are not at risk of failure ? Is it fair that I have to pay for uninsured motorist coverage, when I have insurance ? Often fees are paid by those that are not part of the problem that caused the need for the fee.

296 generalsparky  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 11:59:15am

re: #290 sattv4u2

The banks will just raise the fees and reduce interest even further with this tax. Taxpayers that bank at those institutions will be the ones paying for it.

Shortly after TARP was passed, I called my bank and make sure they didn't receive any funds from TARP. The girl on the phone had to ask her supervisor but we were able to establish they didn't take any funds. If they had, my money would have been pulled out immediately.

297 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:02:41pm

re: #295 avanti

Answer quuestions with questions!

I nominate you for Captain of the Dodge Ball Team!

298 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:03:48pm

re: #296 generalsparky

The banks will just raise the fees and reduce interest even further with this tax. Taxpayers that bank at those institutions will be the ones paying for it

I stated that in #290

299 generalsparky  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:12:14pm

re: #298 sattv4u2

Sorry, "duh" moment! Obviously I agree with you then ;-)

300 rwdflynavy  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:24:57pm

re: #291 avanti

We got only part of it back and even with interest, we're still due over 150 billion. If you're comfortable with the banks spending part of those billions in multi million dollar bonuses rather than paying the tax payer back, then oppose the tax.

I always laugh about taxes on corporations. Like corporations ever pay taxes.

301 rwdflynavy  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:25:38pm

re: #297 sattv4u2

Answer quuestions with questions!

I nominate you for Captain of the Dodge Ball Team!

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!

302 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:26:20pm

re: #301 rwdflynavy

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!

Circular Firing Squad!

303 Bob Levin  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:33:07pm

re: #188 SixDegrees

That's how I recall it too. Which is much easier than actually doing the research. But, when I'm drinking coffee, research ain't happening.

304 abolitionist  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 12:35:05pm

re: #136 Cato the Elder

Blackmail could explain a lot of things. WTF do you suppose they have on Ramsey Clark? Or is he just genuinely moonbatty?

Clark is a hard case. Another article from 2000, by the youth coordinator:

SOLIDARITY DELEGATES IN BAGHDAD
Defy U.S. sanctions to bring medicine to Iraq

By Sarah Sloan
Baghdad, Iraq

A delegation of 60 people led by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark arrived in Iraq Jan. 15. They came to this beleaguered country nine years after the start of the 1991 Gulf war to show solidarity with the Iraqi people against U.S.-led sanctions and bombing.
[snip]

305 celticdragon  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 1:56:28pm

re: #36 Bubblehead II

Considering the subject matter I don't think this is OT

Supreme Court debates right to commit sexual predators after prison terms.

A majority of Supreme Court justices seemed inclined Tuesday to accept that the federal government has the power to indefinitely hold prisoners who are deemed sexually dangerous, even if they have completed their sentences.

Things to, bbiaw

I have to admit that the concept of involuntary civil commitment frightens me. When you set a precedent for one class of people, you open the door wide for anyone else. Most of us here have no problem with sending violent sex criminals away for as long as possible. However, confining people after their sentence is finished? Again, you open the door to the government civilly confining other people "for the good of the community".

306 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 2:22:39pm

re: #293 sattv4u2

So penalize ALL the banks because several haven't complied yet with the original terms!

K ,,, tell you what. Lets me and you go down to the local branch of a big bank. We'll both take out loans. Same amount, same interest, same payback period

After you pay yours back ON time WITH the interest, 100%, and I do not, have the bank THEN add on a "FEE" to you

Fair !?!?!?!

Almost all of it.
First they get to force him to take the loan in the first place. If he says he doesn't want it, the bank can threaten him.

THEN after he paid it back, the banks tells him that they can still control his investments. He still needs to get their approval on that gift to his wife (or children).

AND then they hit him with a new fee because you didn't your back (yet).

I think I got it all.

307 Buck  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 2:28:12pm

re: #295 avanti

Is it fair that banks are all required to pay for the deposit insurance that protects the depositors if they are not at risk of failure ?

Only if they want to take deposits. Insurance is just that. This would be like requiring you pay boat insurance, when you don't own a boat (but you did at one time). The loan is paid back. They no longer have a tarp loan.


Is it fair that I have to pay for uninsured motorist coverage, when I have insurance ? Often fees are paid by those that are not part of the problem that caused the need for the fee.

Only if you want to drive. If you want to avoid uninsured motorist coverage give up your drivers licence. Again, they repaid the Tarp loan, with interest.

308 jvic  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 2:42:26pm

re: #305 celticdragon

I have to admit that the concept of involuntary civil commitment frightens me. When you set a precedent for one class of people, you open the door wide for anyone else.

It brings Soviet psychiatric prisons to mind. Not in the immediate future of course. However, ambitious people in the government and government contractors are always on the alert for problems and crises that need intervention. Whether the problems and crises are real is often secondary.

Most of us here have no problem with sending violent sex criminals away for as long as possible.

Or executing them if the offense is severe enough.

However, confining people after their sentence is finished? Again, you open the door to the government civilly confining other people "for the good of the community".

How inspiring that, in this era of recycling, we're finding ways to squeeze even more government jobs and pork out of criminals. /
***
(afterthought) This issue should be considered in the context that, iirc, the US has a larger fraction of its population in the criminal justice system (jail, probation, or parole) than any other country. Sorry, don't have time to find a link.

309 Teh Flowah  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 5:05:29pm

re: #147 RogueOne

In order to get a TS clearance the gov't inspectors only care about the possibility of blackmail, that's my standard. You need evidence for a conviction not to ask questions.

How can you not be skeptical about a persons reasoning when they do a complete 180 and the facts on the ground didn't changed in the slightest? I'm more than a little skeptical about his honesty for more than just the apparent reasons, I'm skeptical about his sense of honor and, I'm skeptical about his sense of decency. I think the question of blackmail is entirely legitimate. He's never given a decent answer to his change of heart regarding Saddam's WMD's and instead took money to stand next to him.

Because we flayed right wing loons alive over the dead federal census worker who speculated he was gay or a child molester simply because something about the situation was "fishy" to him. Of course you can be skeptical of his sense of honor and decency. Why wouldn't you be? The facts of his history are there with children.

But there's nothing that hints at blackmail.

310 [deleted]  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 7:21:26pm
311 jaunte  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 7:23:51pm

re: #310 odkin

Why do you think an interest in evolution (and pointing out that there are people who want to deny that the scientific evidence for it exists) means that a deeply held worldview has changed?

312 jaunte  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 7:38:05pm

One more sock out the door.

313 Van Helsing  Thu, Jan 14, 2010 7:38:10pm

Not particularly relevant to Ritter, but business as usual for the UN.

Allegations of sex crimes:
ABC 2005 and Kofi Annan blathering about it NYT 2005.

314 hickph  Fri, Jan 15, 2010 12:09:06am

Based on his past and current actions, Ritter clearly is a sick and dangerous individual. If found guilty, he deserves the full punishment that the law allows.

In my little realm of "paradise," we all too frequently have cases of sexual abuse and statutory rape. I work for a small-town newspaper, and our lead story on Thursday involved a National Guardsman pleading guilty to statutory rape, along with man who is being retried for child abuse after performing a circumcision on his son with a box-cutter. He previously was convicted for prior instances of child abuse and neglect, and he had fathered 12 children with his two "wives" by the age of 31.

Two years ago, a man who had been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner with the family of his friend was caught later that evening trying to rape his friend's 9-year-old daughter.

Around the newspaper, we have a sort of gallows humor when it comes to these cases. We openly wonder which "sicko of the week" will be on trial. It's easy to become desensitized to the gravity of these situations. But having been married to and dated women who have been victims of sexual abuse as children, I can attest that the trauma NEVER goes away.

An attorney friend of mine often becomes the court-appointed counsel for these predators. He told me they often readily admit in court what they have done and don't believe they have done anything wrong.

This is a depravity of which I never will fully understand.

315 SaintGeorgeGentile  Fri, Jan 15, 2010 7:32:57pm

According to AP article at huffpo:

According to published interviews, Ritter has twin daughters who are about 16.

Thanks for screwing up their lives, Scott you breath-wasting POS.

316 Abdul Abulbul Amir  Tue, Jan 19, 2010 6:47:00am

I wonder how this guy kept his security clearance. When I was in the service they told me my TS clearance could be pulled if I did things that could cause me to be a blackmail target. Ritter's clearance had to be much higher than TS.


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