Hausdorff dimension looks to be about 1.3.

Seems like the photo was taken at sunrise.

What is big, soft, comfy and converges in every complete space?

A Couchy sequence.

John Mayer a racist too?

So much for seeing his songs on LGF.

re: #5 TheMatrix31

Good luck with the parsing.

re: #6 Slumbering Behemoth

Que?

re: #5 TheMatrix31

John Mayer a racist too?

So much for seeing his songs on LGF.

I'm not sure what he really thinks, but I do know he just made an ass of himself.

re: #8 Dark_Falcon

Yeah really. What a freakin' dumbass. I never even gave the guy a shot but kept seeing the music here. One night, I clicked "play" and liked what I heard.

Too bad he's a giant douchenozzle, apparently.

re: #3 Dark_Falcon

Seems like the photo was taken at sunrise.

That can't be right, I thought Charles only shot over night photos!

/Recalling a certain Youtube video he posted here a while back....

re: #9 TheMatrix31

Yeah really. What a freakin' dumbass. I never even gave the guy a shot but kept seeing the music here. One night, I clicked "play" and liked what I heard.

Too bad he's a giant douchenozzle, apparently.

His music may well be back here again, but not very soon. Mayer will fall out of sign for a short time, I predict. His really spoke poorly, and Playboy gave him enough rope to hang himself.

re: #11 Dark_Falcon

I guess if I cut out every musician I disagreed with or was disgusted with....my musical collection would be VERY small.

re: #12 TheMatrix31

I guess if I cut out every musician I disagreed with or was disgusted with...my musical collection would be VERY small.

That's about the size of it. I figure he'll be back soon enough, but he is going to lie low for a couple weeks.

re: #7 TheMatrix31

MAYER: Someone asked me the other day, "What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?" And by the way, it's sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a n****r pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, "I can't really have a hood pass. I've never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, 'We're full.'"

MAYER: What is being black? It's making the most of your life, not taking a single moment for granted. Taking something that's seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you'll die inside. Not to say that my struggle is like the collective struggle of black America. But maybe my struggle is similar to one black dude's.

MAYER: I don't think I open myself to it. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and a fuckin' David Duke cock. I'm going to start dating separately from my dick.

It's a mass of incoherent stupid. Especially that last bit. Parsing it seems fruitless to me.

re: #5 TheMatrix31

John Mayer a racist too?

So much for seeing his songs on LGF.

Thats just stupid, how can his dick be possessed by David Duke when he isn't even dead yet?

/(super secret grand dragon powers?)

re: #12 TheMatrix31

I guess if I cut out every musician I disagreed with or was disgusted with...my musical collection would be VERY small.

My collection would consist of me, alone, beating on a drum. Made from a discarded waste basket.

Time for me to get to bed. Goodnight, all.

re: #16 Slumbering Behemoth

My collection would consist of me, alone, beating on a drum. Made from a discarded waste basket.

"Music from the Circular File" by Slumber Biggie?

re: #17 Dark_Falcon

Quite concur.

/I tease.

re: #17 Dark_Falcon

Time for me to get to bed. Goodnight, all.

Goodnight!

re: #20 Bagua

Goodnight!

Thanks to RacerX, I am stuck on Goodnite.

re: #13 Dark_Falcon

That's about the size of it. I figure he'll be back soon enough, but he is going to lie low for a couple weeks.

Nah, he twitters all the time.

"Re: using the 'N word' in an interview: I am sorry that I used the word. And it's such a shame that I did because the point I was trying to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself. It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize using it, because I realize that there's no intellectualizing a word that is so emotionally charged. And while I'm using today for looking at myself under harsh light, I think it's time to stop trying to be so raw in interviews...It started as an attempt to not let the waves of criticism get to me, but it's gotten out of hand and I've created somewhat of a monster. I wanted to be a blues guitar player. And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don't have the stomach for it.
Again, because I don't want anyone to think I'm equivocating: I should have never said the word and I will never say it again."

[Link: twitter.com...]

re: #21 Slumbering Behemoth

Thanks to RacerX, I am stuck on Goodnite.

Darn, I kept clicking and forgot that I left my sound thingie at the office.

If there were an award for link mastery my vote would go to RacerX. My theory is that he has an entire team scouring the internet.

re: #23 Bagua

One of the first things I remember RacerX dropping on me? This!

re: #22 Summersong

Nah, he twitters all the time.

"Re: using the 'N word' in an interview: I am sorry that I used the word. And it's such a shame that I did because the point I was trying to make was in the exact opposite spirit of the word itself. It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize using it, because I realize that there's no intellectualizing a word that is so emotionally charged. And while I'm using today for looking at myself under harsh light, I think it's time to stop trying to be so raw in interviews...It started as an attempt to not let the waves of criticism get to me, but it's gotten out of hand and I've created somewhat of a monster. I wanted to be a blues guitar player. And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don't have the stomach for it.
Again, because I don't want anyone to think I'm equivocating: I should have never said the word and I will never say it again."

[Link: twitter.com...]

Can we create a celebrity apology mad lib?

re: #24 Slumbering Behemoth

One of the first things I remember RacerX dropping on me? This!

Yikes! Even without sound there is a sort of perverse fascination...

By the way I've got an etiquette question since as everyone probably already knows, I'm new to LGF.

What is the proper way to respond when you go back at a thread and notice that someone who hasn't posted anything at all in the thread seems to be serially down dinging you for thus no reason that you can comprehend?

I went with a quick "you know you can come on out I don't bite" bit of sarcasm which I figure was probably the second best course of action, the best being to just ignore it, but I wonder what other people hear have to say on the issue....

re: #25 jamesfirecat

Can we create a celebrity apology mad lib?

HA! I loved "Mad Libs". Almost as much as I loved, "Choose your own adventure".

re: #24 Slumbering Behemoth

One of the first things I remember RacerX dropping on me? This!

Why are there squids on her shoulders?

Nevermind, I probably don't want to know.

/

re: #27 jamesfirecat

What is the proper way to respond when you go back at a thread and notice that someone who hasn't posted anything at all in the thread seems to be serially down dinging you for thus no reason that you can comprehend?

Counterstrike?

re: #30 Slumbering Behemoth

Counterstrike?

As in ignore it and go play the game, or down ding their posts?

re: #27 jamesfirecat

theres nothing you can do, people taunt them sometimes, but they very rarely come out. Its just one of those super-bizarre LGF things.

re: #29 ausador

Shinee Cut-thulu Noms Ur Clavicles!

re: #32 windsagio

theres nothing you can do, people taunt them sometimes, but they very rarely come out. Its just one of those super-bizarre LGF things.

And to the left of the Stripped Biloogist Taunter you can see the rare Downdingious Maximus....

re: #34 jamesfirecat

And to the left of the Stripped Biloogist Taunter you can see the rare Downdingious Maximus...

Biologist Taunter...

re: #34 jamesfirecat

lol totally, thats about the long and the short of it.

They're under the illusion that dings mean something >>

also (lolspam) you usually can't retaliate because most of them never actually post. They just ding. :p

re: #37 windsagio

also (lolspam) you usually can't retaliate because most of them never actually post. They just ding. :p

Well given that I was getting down dinged for stuff dealing with Global Warming as opposed to the stuff that I look back at and say "wow I really put both feet my foot in my mouth then...." I'm not surprised that he/she/it doesn't post much...

re: #27 jamesfirecat

By the way I've got an etiquette question since as everyone probably already knows, I'm new to LGF.

What is the proper way to respond when you go back at a thread and notice that someone who hasn't posted anything at all in the thread seems to be serially down dinging you for thus no reason that you can comprehend?

I went with a quick "you know you can come on out I don't bite" bit of sarcasm which I figure was probably the second best course of action, the best being to just ignore it, but I wonder what other people hear have to say on the issue...

Responding to serial downdingers is about the same as responding to trolls, they win, you lose. Some folks just aren't going to like you and if it isn't someone who is willing to even post their views in the thread there isn't much you can do to change their opinion is there?

Of course then again maybe some of what was said honestly deserved to get digned...from that persons point of view. The best policy is never to comment on it at all, unless it is really persistant and follows multiple threads.

re: #31 jamesfirecat

As in ignore it and go play the game, or down ding their posts?

Well, you could spend some time down dinging their comments without posting a response, and see what they have to say about it. And as you have mentioned this anonymous person is doing, go back to older threads do the same.

Doubt it would result in anything significant, but it might be a fun experiment if you're feeling bored.

re: #40 Slumbering Behemoth

Well, you could spend some time down dinging their comments without posting a response, and see what they have to say about it. And as you have mentioned this anonymous person is doing, go back to older threads do the same.

Doubt it would result in anything significant, but it might be a fun experiment if you're feeling bored.

Well in this case I can't recall ever seeing a post by the person who down dinged me.

re: #26 Bagua

Thanks for the support, earlier tonight.
Hope all is well for you, and STAYS that way!

re: #41 jamesfirecat

Well in this case I can't recall ever seeing a post by the person who down dinged me.

Well no worries, you still have a positive karma to post ratio, you don't get to start complaining until you get to space jesus territory... ;)

re: #41 jamesfirecat

Well in this case I can't recall ever seeing a post by the person who down dinged me.

It ain't nothing today. There was a time when enormous herds of free range creationists roamed the plains of LGF They would anonymously, copiously, and without comment, downding every single post that displayed a measure of reason or scientific understanding that conflicted with their fictional dogmas.

It was a difficult time, with many casualties. The majority of those casualties being stupid sheep.

re: #44 Slumbering Behemoth

I like your description, its like talking about 'history back'

Aww crap...its started...Iran forces clash with protesters.

Let us just hope that not too many heads get broken today.

re: #45 windsagio

It's a new'un today. The bandy dogmatists, and their fictional fantasies, flushed from the Lizardverse like the intellectual effluvium they are. Gone and forgotten. Flotsam and jetsam floating about in the Sea of No Knowing. Wastrels among the waste.

Sometimes we remember them, sometimes we pity them. But most times...

Most times we count them as the single minded foolies they are. Sun focused without direction.

re: #45 windsagio

We kept it straight! Everything marked, everything 'membered!

Curse you, RacerX!

"What do you get for lettin' me win so ease-lee,
Put up your dukes bay-bay, what are you made of?"

I'll get you RacerX, and your little linky too!

re: #44 Slumbering Behemoth

It ain't nothing today. There was a time when enormous herds of free range creationists roamed the plains of LGF They would anonymously, copiously, and without comment, downding every single post that displayed a measure of reason or scientific understanding that conflicted with their fictional dogmas.

It was a difficult time, with many casualties. The majority of those casualties being stupid sheep.

and, occasionally, the casualties was among the fruitcup......

so, how the hell have y'all been? i've been unemployed, signed up with the senseless, but they've evidently got a limit on middle aged white males...

re: #51 redc1c4

No one wants to tell me that fairy tale. Not even the equine's orifice.

re: #52 redc1c4

Also on the unemployed side, but not signed up with any faction. Kinda just treading water in waterless climes.

Mandelbrot Set Trippin'

Cute Kid, Kitteh Trippin'

Later Lizards.

Morning folks

I fucking hate AOL.

re: #56 Cannadian Club Akbar

I didn't realize they were still around.

re: #57 RogueOne

I just use them for email. Have had my same name for 13 years. This AM, try to get to my mail, says password invalid.

Good Morning LGF.

I missed this yesterday, anyone else see this? The Challenger astronauts were alive after the explosion and during the fall back to earth. That's just a horrific thought.

They learned that at the instant of ignition of the main fuel tank, when a sheet of flame swept up past the window of pilot Mike Smith, there could be no question Smith knew — even in that single moment — that disaster had engulfed them. Something awful, something that had never before happened to a shuttle, was upon them like a great beast.

Mike Smith uttered his final words for history, preserved on a crew cabin recorder.

“Uh-oh!”

An ultimate epitaph.

Immediately after, all communications between the shuttle and the ground were lost. At first, many people watching the blast, and others in mission control, believed the astronauts had died instantly — a blessing in its own right.

But they were wrong.

[Link: www.reuters.com...]

Oh, goodie, talk of taxing smokes another dollar. And a majority of Americans support it. Go ahead. Once the gubment starts getting revenue, they want more. So all these people who want to single out one group will be next on the list in some way.

Dog saves family from fire that cat started

[Link: www.wlbz2.com...]

LAKE WORTH, Fla. (NBC) -- A Florida family's Golden Retriever is being called a canine hero, while the family's cat should probably be sent to the "dog house."
.....
Bubba's loud barks are being credited with waking everyone up and getting them out of the burning house.

They believe if not for him they would have died in the fire.

The occupants believe the fire may have started when the family cat knocked over a burning candle.

Your cats are trying to kill you.

BBL

[Link: southtampa2.tbo.com...]

Eventually, though, the company couldn't cope with a steep drop in consumer demand, brought on by the recession and a large new tax on tobacco products, McKenzie said.

Keep on taxing. Only 500 people lost jobs at this one plant that had been around since 1902.

re: #64 Cannadian Club Akbar

There are anti-smoking activists who are simply giddy over this news. This doesn't hurt their feelings a bit.

re: #62 RogueOne

Dog saves family from fire that cat started

[Link: www.wlbz2.com...]

Your cats are trying to kill you.

No. The cat was trying to assassinate the dog. The humans were merely collateral damage.

re: #61 Cannadian Club Akbar

Ever noticed that the people who say, "To make an omelet you must break a few eggs." are the ones who get to eat the omelet.

re: #67 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Ever noticed that the people who say, "To make an omelet you must break a few eggs." are the ones who get to eat the omelet.

Some people just enjoy breaking eggs. These are the ones to worry about.

re: #67 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

If taxes are so important spread it to everyone. Fucking liars.

re: #69 Cannadian Club Akbar

Keep in mind that the people who wanted to do that are a bunch of anti-smoking groups. I don't think the politicians are gonna do much else to the industry, or to the constituency.

I'll stop being in a bad mood. On a good note, I have a job interview today and I'm 80% sure I'll get it.

The taxman be insatiable.

re: #71 Cannadian Club Akbar

Job interview? A good one?

re: #73 RogueOne

Job interview? A good one?

Pay could be pretty good. I've learned to squeeze a nickel and make it a dime so whatever is offered I will add $2 an hour to it.:)

re: #74 Cannadian Club Akbar

Pay could be pretty good. I've learned to squeeze a nickel and make it a dime so whatever is offered I will add $2 an hour to it.:)

What kind of job? If it is okay to ask.

re: #75 imp_62

What kind of job? If it is okay to ask.

I'm going back into the restaurant industry after a 5 year break. Although, this isn't a management position.

Good morning, everyone!

Here's something interesting:

Ancient Greenland gene map has a surprise

This is the 4th consecutive day that the Federal Government has been "shut down" by the storms.... missed it yet?

re: #71 Cannadian Club Akbar

I'll stop being in a bad mood. On a good note, I have a job interview today and I'm 80% sure I'll get it.

That's the ticket! Great news- good show.

re: #76 Cannadian Club Akbar

With the economy the way it is, a job is a job.

re: #80 RogueOne

With the economy the way it is, a job is a job.

My thoughts exactly.

re: #76 Cannadian Club Akbar

I'm going back into the restaurant industry after a 5 year break. Although, this isn't a management position.

These days, it's good to get any kind of foothold and work from there. Good luck.

Thanks guys.

re: #78 Capitalist Tool

This is the 4th consecutive day that the Federal Government has been "shut down" by the storms... missed it yet?

I figure that's saved at least $40 billion. Send more storms.

re: #84 SixDegrees

I figure that's saved at least $40 billion. Send more storms.

Aren't they expecting more this weekend?

re: #84 SixDegrees

I figure that's saved at least $40 billion. Send more storms.

I read that it costs $100mm a day for the government to be shut down. They get you coming and going snowing...

re: #85 Cannadian Club Akbar

Aren't they expecting more this weekend?

I hadn't heard. Works for me.

re: #86 imp_62

I read that it costs $100mm a day for the government to be shut down. They get you coming and going snowing...

It's still a net gain.

Good morning, LGF!

Possibility of some snow flurries in the southern part of South Carolina tomorrow - shouldn't be much more than that, but being Southerners, we are obligated to *freak out* and shut down the entire state, and run to the nearest store and stock up on bread and milk. Personally I'd rather have beer and pizza, but it's a Southern tradition, so don't argue.

I'm flying to Florida tomorrow, where it is supposed to be a real mess. Cold and rainy. Hopefully the snow panic won't begin until after my flight has taken off.

*sings* There's no panic like snow panic...

re: #89 SteveC

Where ya flying into? If I may ask.

re: #89 SteveC

Dang, Ethel! That was loud!

More snow in the Northeast predicted for next week!

re: #90 Cannadian Club Akbar

Where ya flying into? If I may ask.

Tallahassee!

Last three weeks, I've been telling myself, "It's just for a weekend conference, but it will be warm!"

HAH!

re: #91 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Dang, Ethel! That was loud!

Oh shoot!

*Bangs on Wall and shouts* SORRY! WE'LL HOLD IT DOWN!

re: #93 SteveC

Tallahassee!

Last three weeks, I've been telling myself, "It's just for a weekend conference, but it will be warm!"

HAH!

Buy yourself a Gators shirt and wear it proud!!!!
/

re: #95 Cannadian Club Akbar

Buy yourself a Gators shirt and wear it proud!!!
/

M Cousin is a grad AND owns a T-shirt shop. I bet she can set me up! :)

I saw the tips of a daffodil peeking up through the dirt yesterday.

Peaking?

Peeking.

re: #98 MandyManners

Peaking?

re: #99 MandyManners

Peeking.

Peking!

Bye.

Oh, no....

THE TOP TEN INDICATORS THAT YOUR EMPLOYER HAS SWITCHED TO OBAMACARE:

10. Your annual breast exam is scheduled at Hooters.

9. Directions to your doctor instruct you to take a left after you enter the trailer park.

8. The tongue depressors your doctor uses taste faintly like Fudgesicles.

7. The only proctologist available in your new plan is Gus, moonlighting from Roto-Rooter.

6. The only item under preventative care in the handbook begins "An apple a day..."

5. Your primary care physician is wearing the pants you donated to Goodwill last month.

4. The line "Patient is responsible for 200% of out-of-network charges" is not a typographical error.

3. The only expense covered 100% is embalming.

2. Your Prozac comes in different colors with little 'M's printed on them.

1. You asked for Viagra. They gave you a Popsicle stick and some duct tape.

[Link: www.dailymail.co.uk...]

This just popped up on Drudge. Wonder if this is "The Punch."

re: #66 imp_62

Or the cat didn't want stupid staff that went to bed while leaving a candle burning. In a spot that apparently it was easy for a cat to knock over without setting itself on fire.

Morning!

Good morning Lizards!

Clear and just below freezing in sunny (and snowed in) Philadelphia. Streets are a mess and I got into work to discover the e-mail declaring the office would be closed today as well. D'oh! So I have the place and a fresh pot of coffee to myself it seems.

Dire Straits on the laptop speakers and away we go!

re: #106 oaktree

Dire Straits on the laptop speakers and away we go!

All Hail Dire Straits! (When Sultans of Swing begins to play, turn it up!)

Morning lizards. Cold and clear here, dawning at -11 degrees F (-24 degrees C) with no wind at all. Made the outdoors very lovely and crisp, although it was definitely no fun to be out in for very long. Were there any repercussions to the troll droppings from yesterday morning/afternoon?

re: #108 thedopefishlives

Who dropped?

gotta run, cya people. Good Luck today CC.

re: #109 Cannadian Club Akbar

Who dropped?

We had a big fight with drcordell at the end of yesterday's overnight thread, bleeding into the Huckabee thread.

re: #111 thedopefishlives

We had a big fight with drcordell at the end of yesterday's overnight thread, bleeding into the Huckabee thread.

Ah, I remember. I just sat and lurked. To bad it was so early. That was worth drinking beer while watching.

re: #111 thedopefishlives

He's been around for a while. Don't think I've ever agreed with him on anything substantive.

But, I don't think he's a troll.

Just someone with a completely different outlook (read HE'S WRONG!) than I have on the world.

re: #113 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I checked the bottom 10 yesterday afternoon. He had a strong showing.

re: #113 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

He's been around for a while. Don't think I've ever agreed with him on anything substantive.

But, I don't think he's a troll.

Just someone with a completely different outlook (read HE'S WRONG!) than I have on the world.

He's kinda like Gordon, really, from what little I remember of him. I came in at the end of his career. He does have his moments where he's deliberately trolling, like he did toward the end of the argument in the open thread.

re: #114 Cannadian Club Akbar

He's consistently in the bottom ten. He could say "Good Morning" and get down-dinged.

Alright kiddies. Gotta go shower and shave. See ya'll in a bit.

Well, I think I'm gonna be sitting inside today. Snowing like crazy right now and there's already 2-3 inches on the ground, and depending on which model the weatherman follows, another 3 inches possible.

This is in Dallas, BTW.

re: #116 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Given some of the pile-ons I've seen since I started lurking here it wouldn't be that hard to make Bottom 10 with a "Hello World" post if you riled folks up a bit first.

"Hello World"!!!

oh, I got the sequence backwards ;)

I am not in the mood to go back for context, but Sandbox had the hell downdinged out of him/her yesterday.

Asked some questions, and got ding-slammed.

Maybe was a jerk earlier.

Hello?

re: #60 RogueOne

I missed this yesterday, anyone else see this? The Challenger astronauts were alive after the explosion and during the fall back to earth. That's just a horrific thought.

[Link: www.msnbc.msn.com...]

It's not news, and hasn't been news for decades. They drag these stories out every year around the anniversary time.

This guy over-dramatizes a bit too... It wasn't an explosion, it was a disintegration. The bottom end of the external tank fell off at speed after being blowtorched by the SRB, and then the tank basically collapsed nose-to-tail under aerodynamic pressure. One booster rolled upwards, knocked the wing off, then the shuttle turned sideways in the cloud and kind of popped apart... It was a high-speed fly-apart scenario, not a "boom", although there were explosive effects.

Cause of death was hitting the ocean at 200+mph. There's no point in beating around the bush.

At least they didn't republish that fake tabloid "cockpit recorder transcript" which had everyone screaming and crying.

re: #124 Pawn of the Oppressor

I remember that day like it was yesterday.

re: #124 Pawn of the Oppressor

The excellent book "Darwin's Blade" contains a respectful and emotional retelling of the events as well.

re: #124 Pawn of the Oppressor

The "explosion" that everyone saw was the hydrogen and oxygen in the disintegrating external tank combining to form a big steam cloud. This is why most people think it blew up, when in reality, the explosive decompression of the tank's contents probably did very little to the orbiter, which had already been thrown to the violent upper-atmosphere winds by that point.

Good morning, Lizards -

I'm a little bummed today - my kitty of 17 years has gone blind. She has been missing jumps and bumping into things for a while now, but could still see. Last night, we confirmed that she can't see anything now except maybe some light and shadows.

Was it dopefish or oaktree that was telling me a few days ago of having a blind kitty? Any care advice would be appreciated. We already know not to rearrange anything, but anything beyond that would be helpful. Thanks!

re: #128 SasyMomaCat

I had a cat that was blind for several years, and the thing we noticed most about her was that she really appreciated routine. She got really anxious around feeding time, and if we gave her food at exactly the same time every day, it helped a lot.

Also, she started to really, really hate the smell of smoke-- I guess when you're blind and smoke comes along, it's like one of your last ways of 'seeing' the world gets blown away. Don't know if that was just her, though.

Best of luck.

re: #128 SasyMomaCat

Sorry to hear about your cat....that can be hard. Don't have any real advice, but cats are amazingly adaptable creatures.....Good Luck

Poor Little Man, he actually wants to go to daycare today (Valentine's Party) helped me make cookies, helped with his valentines cards....woke up this morning with a terrible cough and his eyes crusted shut....No school for him!

re: #129 Obdicut

Thanks - yes, we do keep a pretty strict routine. I've noticed in the past two weeks that if I'm late cleaning out the litter box she'll use the shower mat. I thought she was just making a statement, but maybe not.

re: #130 srb1976

thanks - I appreciate the well wishes

re: #131 srb1976

Aww, I hate to hear that - both that he's under the weather and that he's in for a disappointment. ((((srb 1976))))

re: #128 SasyMomaCat

Good morning, Lizards -

I'm a little bummed today - my kitty of 17 years has gone blind. She has been missing jumps and bumping into things for a while now, but could still see. Last night, we confirmed that she can't see anything now except maybe some light and shadows.

Was it dopefish or oaktree that was telling me a few days ago of having a blind kitty? Any care advice would be appreciated. We already know not to rearrange anything, but anything beyond that would be helpful. Thanks!

Caring for a blind cat

re: #135 reine.de.tout

Thanks, Reine - that will be helpful

re: #136 SasyMomaCat

Thanks, Reine - that will be helpful

A positive note:

A caring owner can think of other ways in which to help a disabled feline companion, but beware of being overprotective. A disabled cat still requires some semblance of independence to allow it to fulfill that inner 'catness' that we love in our feline friends. Most seem unaware of their disabilities and they do not expect life to make allowances, but a helping hand and some adjustments to their lifestyle and perhaps your own lifestyle will ensure a disabled cat has a healthy, happy and safe life.

This does not have to be the end of the world for your cat!

re: #134 SasyMomaCat

Thanks...I'm still taking the cookies to his class (we promised) but I will keep his share here......it will be alright I think....

re: #106 oaktree

Just finished shoveling my walk and my neighbors. At least 15 to 20 inches of snow where I live. I am going to spend the rest of the day resting on the internet.

re: #137 reine.de.tout

Thanks - we are making some minor adjustments, like speaking to her as we approach to be sure she knows who is coming toward her and I thought about making a ramp for her to walk up to get on the bed, but she probably wouldn't use it, knowing how fiercely independent she has always been.

re: #128 SasyMomaCat

Sorry to hear that. I don't have a blind cat, but a deaf one. So I can't be of any help. However, I'm seeing the vet today and I'll ask her about blind cats just as an informational thing, and then pass on anything I hear.

I would presume the cat wouldn't want the furniture rearranged much.

re: #137 reine.de.tout

Yeah, I'd add our blind cat was perfectly happy with her life, too. She still liked the warmth of sun on her face and liked to hear people talking. It just slowed her down a little, but she was getting old anyway.

I miss that cat.

Here's a cute/sad story about her:

She was really my older brother John's cat. John is a tough, tough guy-- he's an animal wildlife biologist who does things like crawling into the dens of mother bears and their cubs to set up video recording and/or simply tranq the mom and gather data on everyone. He's been bitten by a jaguar and chased by a polar bear. He is an intense, level-headed, unflappable guy who rarely shows his emotions.

When the cat-- Spencer-- died, we buried her on our property underneath this enormous pine tree. We spent some time digging a deep, deep hole for her, and then put her poor stiff body down at the bottom of the hole. John wedged a piece of stone above her to help prevent animals digging her up, and then turned to me, and said, simply, like a kid "Do you think she'll be comfortable down there?"

It was the sweetest thing.

And of course I said yes.

re: #140 SasyMomaCat

Thanks - we are making some minor adjustments, like speaking to her as we approach to be sure she knows who is coming toward her and I thought about making a ramp for her to walk up to get on the bed, but she probably wouldn't use it, knowing how fiercely independent she has always been.

Our dog has seizures.
Pets are amazing, especially one you've had for that long.
Our oldest cat is 19, and much weaker than she used to be, and I think she gets confused sometimes. She had lost weight and we switched her from dry food to soft food, thinking that perhaps the dry food was hard for her to digest. She has put weight back on. We just make whatever allowances we have to; all our pets bring so much into our life.

re: #141 oaktree

That's what it was - we were talking about how the cats hover in the kitchen when we're cooking chicken, etc. -

Thanks for putting in the inquiry.

re: #142 Obdicut

Aw, geez...

re: #142 Obdicut

aww - that made me mist up. Makes me think of Patches, as she's getting old. I'm fairly sure the blindness is age related.

re: #117 Cannadian Club Akbar

*whack* *whack* *whack*

YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA.

oooh. My hands are warmer from all that *whack* action.

re: #143 reine.de.tout

The blackest of my depressions can be erased by the weight of one of my purring monsters on my chest.

re: #143 reine.de.tout

Yes, they certainly do enrich our lives. We had to switch patches to wet food a couple of years ago because she was having trouble with a completely dry diet.

re: #146 SasyMomaCat

And, my condolences to you and your brother - even though it's probably been a while, they're always missed.

Morning Lizards. A balmy 31 degrees this morning here in Twinkie Flats. With the added plus of no snow.

[Link: www.1015themusicplace.com...]

Great radio station, y'all. Plays a very eclectic mix of music... streams online...

Bish'll hate it... Don't think I've ever heard them play Stones.

Nope! Don't work for them, or know anyone there...

re: #148 Obdicut

ain't it the truth? And they have an uncanny knack for knowing just when it's needed.

re: #147 MandyManners

*whack* *whack* *whack*

YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA.

oooh. My hands are warmer from all that *whack* action.

See? It is warmer down here///

Back to the larger picture

Blame China for Iran's Nukes

Of course mentioning Russia too, would be good.

re: #140 SasyMomaCat

I built "steps" for my one cat to use for a while when he was "sick" due to hyperthyroidism. He lost a lot of rear leg muscle mass due to that, and having a bad reaction to the thyroid medicine he was initially on.

For a while he essentially could not jump. He'd rear up to try it, and just keel over onto his back. So I took shoe boxes and other things to allow him to work up to couch or bed level by steps. And once there he could get around the two main rooms by hopping from piece of furniture to piece of furniture and using the window sills.

In the last year of so he has recovered the ability to get up onto surfaces a foot or two high, but he still prefers box to cooler to bed in the one room.

re: #142 Obdicut

Yeah, I'd add our blind cat was perfectly happy with her life, too. She still liked the warmth of sun on her face and liked to hear people talking. It just slowed her down a little, but she was getting old anyway.

I miss that cat.

Here's a cute/sad story about her:

She was really my older brother John's cat. John is a tough, tough guy-- he's an animal wildlife biologist who does things like crawling into the dens of mother bears and their cubs to set up video recording and/or simply tranq the mom and gather data on everyone. He's been bitten by a jaguar and chased by a polar bear. He is an intense, level-headed, unflappable guy who rarely shows his emotions.

When the cat-- Spencer-- died, we buried her on our property underneath this enormous pine tree. We spent some time digging a deep, deep hole for her, and then put her poor stiff body down at the bottom of the hole. John wedged a piece of stone above her to help prevent animals digging her up, and then turned to me, and said, simply, like a kid "Do you think she'll be comfortable down there?"

It was the sweetest thing.

And of course I said yes.

OMG that's a great story!
I'm about to cry *sniff*.
We have one corner of our yard reserved for our pet cemetary.
We had a feral mama cat die when her kittens were 3 weeks old - we raised those kittens - I would run home at lunch time to feed them with a bottle - had to put 2 in another room while I fed 2, then switch 'em. We bathed 'em. They grew up to be really great cats.
We've had to rescue two litters from the drainage pipe where another mama cat had put 'em - when it rained, the ditch would flood, and we'd be out there paddling the water to get them out of the pipe into the open ditch, then brought them in and wrapped them up in warm towels that had been in the dryer. We couldn't give them back to the mama cat because she kept bringing them into the ditch, so we put them by our back door and she would stand at the door and watch them (she was feral, wouldn't come in).
So many stories . . .

Celebrity Gaffes. Sure to draw the hypersensitives and ratings rabbits.
Mayer will be back soon enough. I look forward to a link here as his music & CJ's whim calls for it. He made a full candid apology, on the record. I respect that. Anyway he clearly had no angry or negative intent against black people. To me that makes all the difference.

Somebody should open a gaffe rehab center. Call it Kinder Grammar or something.

re: #148 Obdicut

The blackest of my depressions can be erased by the weight of one of my purring monsters on my chest.

Absolutely!
There's nothing quite like the feel and sound of a cat that's really happy.

re: #155 Naso Tang

Back to the larger picture

Blame China for Iran's Nukes

Of course mentioning Russia too, would be good.

Yep. At least we're wrestling with our consciences about fossil fuel dependence...China is selling their souls for it.

For all of the cat lovers at LGF, there is a book about a cat who makes rounds with doctors in a nursing home. "Making Rounds with Oscar."

re: #158 Rightwingconspirator

Celebrity Gaffes. Sure to draw the hypersensitives and ratings rabbits.
Mayer will be back soon enough. I look forward to a link here as his music & CJ's whim calls for it. He made a full candid apology, on the record. I respect that. Anyway he clearly had no angry or negative intent against black people. To me that makes all the difference.

Somebody should open a gaffe rehab center. Call it Kinder Grammar or something.

That interview stank more of dumb than racism, IMHO. Stupid people + good Scotch = inevitable foot dinner

re: #161 PhillyPretzel

I'll have to check that out

re: #163 SasyMomaCat

I know Barnes and Noble has it.

Keep the Iranian people in your thoughts and prayers, Lizards.

re: #165 MandyManners

Keep the Iranian people in your thoughts and prayers, Lizards.

Always do.

re: #155 Naso Tang

Back to the larger picture

Blame China for Iran's Nukes

Of course mentioning Russia too, would be good.

In the same paper, there's an interesting article on the divergent views of "corporations" that we commoners hold and how the two sides each apparently have a champion in Justices Scalia and Stevens.

[Link: online.wsj.com...]

re: #164 PhillyPretzel

I'll check the library, first - pinching pennies

re: #165 MandyManners

They are in my prayers.

re: #149 SasyMomaCat

When I adopted Cat II (also named "Patches" by the way) she was getting wet food for the first time after being under an almost total dry food diet with the original owners. She actually lost weight initially, along with a few other issues. (She has been diagnosed with hyperthyroid as well.) Turns out that the wet food has fewer calories than the dry for the most part. (And I was feeding more wet food since that is preferred for Cat I due to his age.)

Things have improved recently since I adjusted feeding patterns and have gotten both cats eating more dry food (specialized Hills Science Diet stuff for older cats for the most part.) Both cats have put on weight and Patches has put a pound back on since November. Still under 8 lbs though, and time to see if an alternate thyroid medication theory will work on her.

Cat I (Sherman) goes to the vet today for his checkup and rabies shot. Will have to see how the vet thinks he is doing. I have the impression that the thyroid will be fine, and his kidneys will be holding up well enough.

Aside: I've noticed something that might just apply to Siamese (whose fur color is related to body temp at that area of their body.) If they get sick and start losing fat and muscle mass, their coat color lightens as they have less insulation.

re: #168 SasyMomaCat

Most bookstores will let you read the book in the store. Just find a nice cozy little corner and sit down and read it.

I just got down to the kitty stories this morning. Awww. My respects to any and every animal/cat rescuer.

We had one of those Angora white cats. Deaf as a stump. We would pound the ground with a foot to call her for dinner. Her favorite place was on old big speakers for my stereo. If I put music on she hopped right up. Cats adapt very well to things. Takes a bit of time. But they do incredibly well.

re: #171 PhillyPretzel

That's good to know - is it a quick read?

re: #165 MandyManners

Keep the Iranian people in your thoughts and prayers, Lizards.

Viva la (nuevo) Revolucion!

re: #172 Rightwingconspirator

Cats adapt very well to things. Takes a bit of time. But they do incredibly well.

They are amazingly adaptive animals. I worry about how my cats are going to take the transition from my current house to my new house, but truthfully, they'll be just fine in a matter of weeks, if not less.

Important Safety Tip:

When you are confronted by a group of Abraham Lincoln impersonators and every one of them has an ax, there could be trouble.

re: #174 lazardo

Viva la (nuevo) Revolucion!

وعاشت قيادة !!

re: #170 oaktree

glad to hear that your feeding/weight/adjustment issues seem to have smoothed out. It's always a challenge introducing a new kitty to the family. Sounds like Sherman and Patches have adapted well.

Our Patches actually started eating better after we introduced Shadow to the family (and eventually her four kittens, of which only Mr. Nibbles remains with us). I think she felt a little more pressure to eat because she thought they would get it if she didn't.

That bit about a Siamese cat's fur changing color is interesting. That I did not know.

re: #173 SasyMomaCat

It is 240 pages. I don't know if that is quick but it is written by a doctor.

re: #142 Obdicut

Upding for the story... and for any cat named Spencer.

Good morning lizards! It's cold, windy, and sunny here in central Virginia. How goes it today?

re: #148 Obdicut

OBIDICUT:
I took this photo just this morning.
Our dog and 2 of our cats (including the 19-year-old).
Are they spoiled, or what?

re: #175 thedopefishlives

They do adjust pretty well to moving, assuming no other issues exist (like blindness). We had been talking of selling the house and getting an apartment to keep down the cost of upkeep, but with this latest development, I don't think we will for a bit yet.

re: #172 Rightwingconspirator

The cat hospital I use in Philly (VCA) also has a lot of people coming in there who rescue strays and do trap/neuter/release on the city's feral cat population. I believe the vets do check-ups and other necessary work on these animals pro bono (or with some subsidy from the city maybe.) One reason my pet bills here are higher, but I'm willing to pay for that reason.

The pet store a block from there also does cat adoptions. Always 3-4 cats in their window display there that are available. I stop in there on the way home from the vet pretty often. By a treat for the cat(s) just at the vet, pet the "store cat" (who is friendly is obviously in charge of the place), and talk ice hockey with the owner for a few minutes. ;)

re: #179 PhillyPretzel

Assuming it's not in his handwriting, that is a very quick read for me. (I read the Hobbit & LOTR in less than two weeks between working and caring for my family)

re: #165 MandyManners

All day long Mandy. Hey, I wonder if any of us Lizards are tapped into the net is a way that they could get a graph of the 'net flow out of Iran. Like the hit trackers web masters use... Any ideas anyone?

re: #182 reine.de.tout

They look precious!

re: #181 NJDhockeyfan

Good morning lizards! It's cold, windy, and sunny here in central Virginia. How goes it today?

Cold, windy, and sunny in North Florida, too.

It's cold on the atlantic front for more than one reason, though...

EU to USA: Drop Dead.

thanks for being team players, allies. sheesh.

President Obama now says he's 'agnostic' on possible taxe hikes for households below $250K a year

WASHINGTON - President Obama says he is now "agnostic" about raising taxes on households making under $250,000 a year to help cut budget deficits, signaling a possible retreat from a campaign pledge.

In an interview with Bloomberg BusinessWeek on newsstands Friday, Obama said a presidential budget commission needs to look at all options for deficit reduction - including tax increases and cuts in spending on such programs as Social Security and Medicare.

"The whole point of it is to make sure that all ideas are on the table," Obama said. "So what I want to do is to be completely agnostic, in terms of solutions."

Obama repeatedly vowed during the 2008 campaign to spare households earning less than $250,000 a year from tax increases.

Surprise!

re: #182 reine.de.tout

Good Morning! Good to see yur friends!

re: #185 SasyMomaCat

I read some of the reviews on line and most of reviewers said it was an easy read. If you have an ebook reader it costs $9 to download and read it.

re: #182 reine.de.tout

OBIDICUT:
I took this photo just this morning.
Our dog and 2 of our cats (including the 19-year-old).
Are they spoiled, or what?

Ha! Now that's a trio of happy.

re: #191 PhillyPretzel

Thanks, but I'm still in the dark ages of paper and ink. Would love to have an e-reader, though. Kindle is on my wish list.

re: #193 SasyMomaCat

I prefer old fashioned books myself.

re: #182 reine.de.tout

Aw. They're lovely. And they look utterly content. I miss having a dog; I had my childhood dog, and I really can't replace him until I have kids myself.

Once I fix my damned camera I'll take pictures of our furry little weirdos.

re: #193 SasyMomaCat

Thanks, but I'm still in the dark ages of paper and ink. Would love to have an e-reader, though. Kindle is on my wish list.

Same here! I was waiting to see what Apple came out with, but the iPad doesn't appeal to me, so I'm back to the Kindle.

re: #189 NJDhockeyfan

so if the government cops a feel while its hands are groping around in search of my wallet, is that harassment or just a free prostate exam under Obamacare?

re: #194 PhillyPretzel

Personally, I do, too - there's nothing that can replace curling up with a good page turner. But, when traveling, etc., the e-book reader could certainly be handy.

re: #178 SasyMomaCat

That bit about a Siamese cat's fur changing color is interesting. That I did not know.

I'm not 100% sure it's true. But Sherman's brother Thomas definitely lightened out in the last few years of his life. Both of them "greyed" a bit around the face (which are generally solid black in Siamese*), and I thought that Thomas was just doing that in general. However, as his kidneys failed he lost a lot of mass and fat, so I think that might be an alternate explanation for the color change. Another question for the vet I guess.

* - Sherman and Thomas were Siamese/Tabby cross I think. Siamese length with Tabby width. Nice sleek 11-12 lb cats in their prime. Sounded like a 10-year-old girl screaming when they got into fights.

re: #189 NJDhockeyfan

Not surprised at all.

Gosh, are you surprised?
/

re: #197 Aceofwhat?

yes.

re: #201 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

yes.

mooon riiiverrr...

re: #137 reine.de.tout

This does not have to be the end of the world for your cat!

I agree. I've never had a blind cat myself, but have met several over the years, and they seem quite content. Obviously, they need to be protected, but as long as everything is within easy reach (no jumping required) they seem to get along just fine with hearing, smell and touch.

I've noticed that they tend to hug the walls when moving, probably so they can use their whiskers as guides. And they'll jump up on things if they can stand up and reach, say, the chair seat before leaping.

We seem to react much more strongly to their lack of sight than they do.

Wife got me a bar of exfoliating peppermint soap and some peppermint oil lotion because it is obviously my molting season...

I smell like a gigantic, fat candy cane....

My skin is tingly....

(that burning sensation means, it's working)

And since I'm posting cat stories this morning -- avatar change.

That's a year-old picture of Cat I (Sherman). In full-on Cat Lord mode, "it amuses me to let you take my picture..."

re: #205 oaktree

And since I'm posting cat stories this morning -- avatar change.

That's a year-old picture of Cat I (Sherman). In full-on Cat Lord mode, "it amuses me to let you take my picture..."

I agree - that's a pure look of royal indifference. Well done.

re: #205 oaktree

Hmm. Is he lord of the manor?

Not a cat person.

I love all animals and love cats, just don't want one of my own (and really, do you ever really own a cat?).

Cats look sneaky and I'm gullible.

I had a blind cat once. She had been hit by a motorcycle. The cat was partially blind in one eye and fully blind in the other one. We saw her sitting under a tree one day. There was a bird nest in the tree and a bird was diving toward the cat. She just sat there motionless as the bird kept flying closer to her. Finally the bird got too close and she jumped up and with one claw snatched that bird from the air. It was an amazing thing to watch.

re: #209 NJDhockeyfan

That's exactly what I mean!

re: #208 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

And they would sense that and take full advantage.

re: #208 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I love all animals and love cats, just don't want one of my own (and really, do you ever really own a cat?).

Of course not. In Soviet Russia, you own cat. Everybody else knows that the cat is lord/lady of the house.

re: #209 NJDhockeyfan

I had a blind cat once. She had been hit by a motorcycle. The cat was partially blind in one eye and fully blind in the other one. We saw her sitting under a tree one day. There was a bird nest in the tree and a bird was diving toward the cat. She just sat there motionless as the bird kept flying closer to her. Finally the bird got too close and she jumped up and with one claw snatched that bird from the air. It was an amazing thing to watch.

Ninjacat.

Chilling aerial photos of 9/11 attack released

NEW YORK – A trove of aerial photographs of the collapsing World Trade Center was widely released this week, offering a rare and chilling view from the heavens of the burning twin towers and the apocalyptic shroud of smoke and dust that settled over the city.

The images were taken from a police helicopter — the only photographers allowed in the airspace near the skyscrapers on Sept. 11, 2001. They were obtained by ABC after it filed a Freedom of Information Act request last year with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the federal agency that investigated the collapse.

The chief curator of the planned Sept. 11 museum pronounced the pictures "a phenomenal body of work."

The photos are "absolutely core to understanding the visual phenomena of what was happening," said Jan Ramirez of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. They are "some of the most exceptional images in the world, I think, of this event."

In some of the pictures, the tops of the nearby Woolworth Building and other skyscrapers can just be seen above the enormous cloud of debris, gray against a clear blue sky. Gray clouds billow through the streets of the financial district and shroud the 16 acres where the towers had stood just moments before.

Buildings can hardly be seen at all in one image — just dust clouds hanging over the Hudson River at the southern tip of Manhattan.

One close-up shows orange flames and black smoke pouring from the upper floors of the north tower, the first hit by a hijacked plane.

"I almost didn't realize what I was seeing that day," Greg Semendinger, the former New York Police Department detective who took the 12 pictures posted on ABC's site, told The Associated Press. "Looking at it now it's amazing I took those pictures. The images are ... stunning."

NEVER FORGET

re: #207 PhillyPretzel

He's the boss and he knows it.

He is also achieving a Howard Hughes level of reclusivity. Once he notices anyone other than me in the apartment he's under the bed until the coast is clear. Given his deafness, that can sometimes be a while. And if he's too comfortable (he sleeps on a chair that is warmed with a low setting hot pad) he sort of lie there and watch people until they approach too close, or he just decides to bail out.

The forays into the hall of the apartment building are interesting since both cats will scramble for home if anyone arrives on the elevator or leave their own apartments. (Forays are supervised, I'm generally out in the hall myself, or simply running garbage/recycling to the proper place.)

re: #215 oaktree

As long as he's not bottling his own pee, it sounds manageable...

re: #214 NJDhockeyfan

GRRR (fucking) GRRR

re: #208 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I like both cats and dogs, but have cats and no dogs primarily due to the fairly low maintenance requirements for cats. Or, more accurately, the ability to leave cats on their own for 2-3 days without the requirement for boarding or have someone in the feed/walk them everyday.

There's also a difference between having a 9 lb cat climb on the bed telling you it's time to get up as compared to having a 125 lb German Shepherd do it. (My friends in northern NJ have the latter...)

re: #213 lazardo

Ninjacat.

The first house i bought was occasionally infiltrated by a disoriented bat. Solution? Throw norwegian forest cat into the room, close door, wait two minutes. The NFC had inevitably snatched the bat out of midair and begun to sniff a small mammal that was in stasis after having received the shock of its life...

Pick up the bat with a glove, and set it down outside. Problem solved, cat ninja status affirmed.

Dubai court annuls marriage to 'bearded lady'

An Arab country's ambassador to Dubai has had his marriage contract annulled after discovering the bride was cross-eyed and had facial hair.

The woman had worn an Islamic veil, known as the niqab, on the few occasions the couple had met.

The envoy, who has not been identified, told a Sharia court her mother had tricked him by showing him pictures of the bride's sister, Gulf News reported.

He only discovered the deception when he lifted the woman's veil to kiss her.

Ouch.

re: #219 Aceofwhat?

Is it really Ninjacat, or are ninja simply trying to achieve cat-ness? It's obvious that cats have Buddha nature, isn't it? Just watch one as it achieves meatloaf mode.

Good Morning and Happy Thursday Lizards! I trust everyone is well this beautiful day?

re: #220 Killgore Trout

Dubai court annuls marriage to 'bearded lady'

Ouch.

Seeeriously. Modesty is only admirable to a certain point. Call me shallow, but i want a peek at the mug before i drink the coffee...

re: #221 oaktree

Is it really Ninjacat, or are ninja simply trying to achieve cat-ness? It's obvious that cats have Buddha nature, isn't it? Just watch one as it achieves meatloaf mode.

Well done. You have it right-

re: #220 Killgore Trout

Mwahahahahahahaha!

To make things worse, it turns out that her mother showed him pictures of Jenna Jameson.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

re: #222 Dragon_Lady

Laughing at some of the cute cat stories.

re: #208 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

You don't own the cat. You have simply been selected to serve as staff. Now the dogs, you can own them. The fish, hamsters, and other small rodents are simply the game reserve and emergency cat food supplies.

re: #220 Killgore Trout

Dubai court annuls marriage to 'bearded lady'

Ouch.

"Dude, you just got punk'd. Wave for the camera."

Zedushka's credit card has been compromised. I just got a call from Nieman Marcus asking about a purchase made with his card.

I just knew he would not splurge like that on my Valentine's Day present. He is more of a Wal-Mart type of guy.

re: #218 oaktree

My dog weighs 5 and a half pounds...

re: #220 Killgore Trout

Dubai court annuls marriage to 'bearded lady'

Ouch.

I feel sorry for the poor girl that her mother had to resort to that kind of subterfuge to get her married. The poor thing must have no self esteem or sense of self worth at all.

so the idiots might be getting out sooner rather than later after all...

U.S. Missionaries' Case Gets a Boost

The children's relatives told Bernard Saint-Vil, the magistrate conducting the probe, that they handed over their children to Laura Silsby and the nine other American missionaries, according to a transcript of court hearings seen by The Wall Street Journal.

On Wednesday, one father who gave a 10-month-old baby to the group waited to testify before the magistrate. "She said she would help me, she has no reason to be in jail," said Johnny Antoine, referring to Laura Silsby, the group's leader.

re: #231 Dragon_Lady

I feel sorry for the poor girl that her mother had to resort to that kind of subterfuge to get her married. The poor thing must have no self esteem or sense of self worth at all.

How do we know it is a girl and not a guy?

re: #231 Dragon_Lady

You think so?

re: #232 Aceofwhat?

The relatives' intentions are somewhat irrelevant here. These tools were operating without proper clearance from the government. However well-intentioned things were on both sides, they were dumb and they are paying the price for it. Projects like this need proper planning.

re: #230 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My dog weighs 5 and a half pounds...

Chihuahua?
In the small dog department, I am a pug fan (we have 2 right now) closer to 20 pounds than 5 though....shed like crazy and snore like a freight train wouldn't trade them though = )

re: #230 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Does it try to act like a cat?

I had friends with a toy poodle that they said acted like it was a cat. They jokingly referred to it as the "cog".

re: #235 thedopefishlives

The relatives' intentions are somewhat irrelevant here. These tools were operating without proper clearance from the government. However well-intentioned things were on both sides, they were dumb and they are paying the price for it. Projects like this need proper planning.

Oh, i'm not arguing. whatever time they've spent in the Hatian pokey is well-earned. Just providing an update, since i hadn't seen anyone post a related link yet this morning.

re: #237 oaktree

Our vet said Rocky is a "cat in a dog suit".

Rocky was pissed.

re: #226 PhillyPretzel

Laughing at some of the cute cat stories.

I could have you laughing yourself silly at a few of the antics our furrbies we have! Our Maine Coon is the smartest cat I've ever had, she sits, stays rolls over and begs just like a dog. In other words we have a dog that purrs and has razor sharp claws that meows.

re: #208 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

No, the cat chooses you. There is definitely no owning a cat! :)

re: #236 srb1976

Chihuahua?
In the small dog department, I am a pug fan (we have 2 right now) closer to 20 pounds than 5 though...shed like crazy and snore like a freight train wouldn't trade them though = )

Pugs are awesome. We had one but gave it to a friend who we thought was quasi-suicidal a few years ago. Have a toy chihuahua now. Have held off on getting a cat because we're pretty sure it would end up eating the dog at some point.

re: #236 srb1976

Maltese/Powder-Puff Chinese Crested mix.

Lead-free. We had him checked.

re: #241 SasyMomaCat

No, the cat chooses you. There is definitely no owning a cat! :)

I have a cat-obsessed fangirl stalking me on my art site. That seems to explain it quite well.

re: #234 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

You think so?

Absolutely. Girls that homely are treated like garbage and told they're not worth the food they eat in many cultures. Many are killed or cast out of the family so that others won't know that that kind of genetics are in the family. Sad, so sad. It not as if they choose to look that way.

re: #242 Aceofwhat?

Pugs are awesome. We had one but gave it to a friend who we thought was quasi-suicidal a few years ago. Have a toy chihuahua now. Have held off on getting a cat because we're pretty sure it would end up eating the dog at some point.

Our older one (11 now) is the best pet ever....he absolutely lives to curl up in your lap or at your feet it's kind of sad that he is getting so old though, we're starting to see him having arthritis issues in his his....baby aspirin really seems to help though

No Valentine's: Saudi religious police see red

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The Saudi religious police launched Thursday a nationwide crackdown on stores selling items that are red or in any other way allude to the banned celebrations of Valentine's Day, a Saudi official said.

Members of the feared religious police were inspecting shops for red roses, heart-shaped products or gifts wrapped in red, and ordering storeowners to get rid of them, the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

Red-colored or heart-shaped items are legal at other times of the year, but as Feb. 14 nears they become contraband in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom bans celebration of Western holidays such as Valentine's Day, named after a Christian saint said to have been martyred by the Romans in the 3rd Century.

Most shops in Riyadh's upscale neighborhoods have removed all red items from their shelves. A statement by the religious police, informally known as the muttawa, was published in Saudi newspapers, warning shop owners against any violations.

"Those who don't comply will be punished," the statement said, without spelling out what measures would befall the offenders.

"What's up, Wastelanders?"
-Three Dog.

re: #245 Dragon_Lady

Uh... sarcasm... sorry. It is a terrible, primitive culture.

re: #229 Alouette

Ack - what a bummer! (the compromised part, of course). Wishing you well on getting that straightened out.

re: #240 Dragon_Lady

Our family cat when I was growing up didn't really beg. She just preferred that a chair be pulled out slightly at the table. You look down to the end and there'd be two ears and a pair of eyes at table level watching the goings on. And she'd beat you to the kitchen when you took the plates in since that was when she got scraps. And if you were slow doing that and no one was in the room you could catch her stealing chicken bones off of plates. Those rasp-like cat tongues are very good at working off those last few scraps of yummy meat.

re: #247 NJDhockeyfan

No Valentine's: Saudi religious police see red

Now that is a theocracy. Idiots.

re: #252 Aceofwhat?

That is how they are. Our way or our way.

re: #251 oaktree

You mean that their tongues were intelligently designed to clean meat off of bones///

(i keeed, i keeed)

re: #253 PhillyPretzel

That is how they are. Our way or our way.

Our way or "i keeel you!"

re: #241 SasyMomaCat

No, the cat chooses you. There is definitely no owning a cat! :)

As chief of staff and entertainment for our three cats I can verify that! Our smallest one, Peanut, just announced that she wants to use the box and wants an escort, she's still afraid of Pepper our 13 lb Maine Coon who likes to ambush her on a regular basis. :-)
*Sigh* another day of furry escort duty has started.

Good morning, everyone.

Ahoy, ahoy, there, my scaly amigos!

Week after week, I have been ostracized as a climate change denier, simply because I refuse to let good science be harmed by certain scientist who are more concerned with power, profit and prestige, and not interested in honest science.

Every time I bring up the subject of the questionable antics of Dr. Phil Jones at the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University I get called all sort of foul names from so called "scientists." Every time I link to a new article or report on the problems with the process, procedures and protocols of the IPCC and how they have compile their data I am told that I am calling climate change a "hoax."

Well, one of the High Priests of the Climate Change Temple has finally admitted that there are problems with the process and calling for drastic changes in how future United Nations climate reports are done.

"A lot of stuff in there was just not very good," said Kevin Trenberth, head of climate analysis at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and a lead author of the first report. "A chronic problem is that on the whole area of impacts, getting into the realm of social science, it is a softer science. The facts are not as good."

This article is from AP, posted on MSMBC's website and the lead scientist in the article is Kevin Trenberth. If anyone on LGF wants to imply that these sources and person mentioned are some conservative water carriers, go for it.

As far as I am concerned, this article exonerates me from all the snide-assed comments made to me from a good number of commenters on LGF.

Hopefully honest scientist will stayed concerned with the charlatans in their scientific community and start cleaning house, before it's to late.

re: #247 NJDhockeyfan

No Valentine's: Saudi religious police see red

One of the few things I agree with the Saudis on, if only for different reasons.

/yeah. Didn't get many cards growing up. ):