Overnight Open Thread
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Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good ground for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones.
— Bertrand Russell
272 comments
2 |
I Am Kreniigh! Thu, Jan 20, 2011 11:07:59pm |
When the truth is found to be lies
and all the joy within you dies
don’t you want somebody to love
don’t you need somebody to love
wouldn’t you love somebody to love
you better find somebody to love
?
3 |
WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Jan 20, 2011 11:29:46pm |
For everyone who thinks I only listen to heavy music
4 |
Eclectic Infidel Thu, Jan 20, 2011 11:35:19pm |
Heh. There’s an ad on LGF by Americans United for Life.
5 |
ClaudeMonet Fri, Jan 21, 2011 12:07:25am |
re: #4 eclectic infidel
Heh. There’s an ad on LGF by Americans United for Life.
Isn’t just about everyone “for Life”? Is anyone really “for Death”, other than a few psychos and right-wingers?
I love names like that. I’ve always wanted to form organizations with names opposite to them, but I think that most people wouldn’t get the joke. “Morons, don’t you get how insipid THEIR name is?”
6 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 12:29:52am |
I’ve not seen this story anywhere but from a local paper up north:
Pipe bomb found on Highway 36 west of Red Bluff
A CalFire Ishi crew doing brush clean-up on Highway 36W, west of Red Bluff, was in for a surprise Wednesday when they discovered a suspicious device about 1 p.m. that turned out to be a pipe bomb.
Caltrans was called out to look at the device and after agreeing that the suspicious device looked like a pipe bomb called the California Highway Patrol who asked for help from the Shasta County Bomb Squad.
A lot of things resemble a pipe bomb, but this thing has all indications of a pipe bomb so we’re going to treat it as such, said Shasta County Bomb Squad Sgt. Jason Barnhart. Our job is to render it safe.
CalFire had an engine from the Dibble Creek station standing by in case of an emergency and Caltrans and CHP set up a road block.
After closing Highway 36W for about half a mile in each direction from mile marker 31 about 4 p.m., the bomb squad set about disposing of the device, which they did by counter-charging it with explosives, Barnhart said.
The bomb was detonated about 4:30 p.m. and shortly after the road was re-opened to normal traffic.
There are no leads on how the device got there or how long it had been there, but signs of oxidation on it have led authorities to believe it had been there for some time, said CHP Sgt. Jeff Ross.
What is this country coming to, when pipe bombs are found in just about any old place?
8 |
SnowdenBaggerVance Fri, Jan 21, 2011 2:05:17am |
wow another article about my profession by a non-expert with a job writing for a newspaper.
I got three words: hire a pro.
12 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:09:17am |
13 |
rwdflynavy Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:13:28am |
Good Morning Honcos!
“Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.”
Dan Quayle
| 14 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:20:21am |
re: #13 rwdflynavy
Good Morning Honcos!
“Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.”
Dan Quayle
Quiet today.
I guess everyone has settled into orbit.
15 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:22:10am |
re: #13 rwdflynavy
Good Morning Honcos!
“Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.”
Dan Quayle
Always knew there was something spacey about that boy.
16 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:23:41am |
re: #14 researchok
Quiet today.
I guess everyone has settled into orbit.
Maybe I just don’t have anything to say
ESPECIALLY to you!!!
//
| 17 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:26:51am |
re: #16 sattv4u2
Maybe I just don’t have anything to say
ESPECIALLY to you!!!
//
Tell me something I don’t know!
//
| 18 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:32:23am |
| 19 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:32:59am |
re: #18 freetoken
Variety spices things up a bit.
I have a spice rack in the kitchen that does the same thing!
| 21 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:34:15am |
| 22 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:36:12am |
BTW, I looked at the Republican Study Committee proposal (now online).
100% ideological sales pitch to their funders/groupies, mostly composed of extreme social conservatives. Total avoidance of the real big budget items in federal dole.
| 23 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:38:20am |
re: #21 researchok
Mission accomplished.
I like to explore music genre’s from outside the US, as well as historical music.
| 24 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:39:32am |
re: #22 freetoken
BTW, I looked at the Republican Study Committee proposal (now online).
100% ideological sales pitch to their funders/groupies, mostly composed of extreme social conservatives. Total avoidance of the real big budget items in federal dole.
Good. Then they will have sympathy when their policies ultimately fail and they go scrape their wounds on a dungheap.
| 25 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:42:33am |
Looks like that Mafia crackdown did catch a pretty big fish after all
| 26 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:43:03am |
re: #24 Decatur Deb
Good. Then they will have sympathy when their policies ultimately fail and they go scrape their wounds on a dungheap.
And they wonder why Americans want a third party.
| 27 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:43:19am |
re: #24 Decatur Deb
Good. Then they will have sympathy when their policies ultimately fail and they go scrape their wounds on a dungheap.
I’m afraid it’s going to be us who are wounded.
Really, they’re attack either the trivially small budget items that are socially un-conservative, and a few big items like rail and government travel, the elimination of which will cause multiple follow on problems for companies which service those industries.
| 28 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:45:35am |
re: #25 sattv4u2
Looks like that Mafia crackdown did catch a pretty big fish after all
For now it might curb a tiny bit of crime.
But big fish become big fish by starting out as small fish who eat other (smaller) fish. The feds catch some big fish… so now some smaller fish will move in and take over, eat some other small fish, and then there will be big fish again.
| 29 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:46:15am |
re: #27 freetoken
I’m afraid it’s going to be us who are wounded.
Really, they’re attack either the trivially small budget items that are socially un-conservative, and a few big items like rail and government travel, the elimination of which will cause multiple follow on problems for companies which service those industries.
When both sides deal with SS, Medicare, etc., I’ll be impressed.
Until then, this is theater and not governance.
| 30 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:47:16am |
re: #27 freetoken
I’m afraid it’s going to be us who are wounded.
Really, they’re attack either the trivially small budget items that are socially un-conservative, and a few big items like rail and government travel, the elimination of which will cause multiple follow on problems for companies which service those industries.
I should have said “strategy” instead of “policies”. I don’t think they’ll get much passed. Inaction, like a shutdown, won’t be sustainable when the results start coming in.
| 31 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:49:26am |
re: #28 freetoken
For now it might curb a tiny bit of crime.
But big fish become big fish by starting out as small fish who eat other (smaller) fish. The feds catch some big fish… so now some smaller fish will move in and take over, eat some other small fish, and then there will be big fish again.
Gee,, thanks for the lesson in oprganized crime,,, or corporate America ,,or sports ,,, or ,,,,,,
Point being, at firct blush it looked as if it were just some foot soldiers in/ around NYC. This sweep was more wide ranging than that, although the “big fish” I mentioned is actually “retired”
AND ,,,, I’ll bet dollars to donuts he’ll never see a trial. Classic old Mafioso,,, he’s very old (83) and every time he has a date he’ll come up with a “medical issue” that forces a dealy
| 32 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:51:54am |
re: #31 sattv4u2
Gee,, thanks for the lesson in oprganized crime,,, or corporate America ,,or sports ,,, or ,,,
Point being, at firct blush it looked as if it were just some foot soldiers in/ around NYC. This sweep was more wide ranging than that, although the “big fish” I mentioned is actually “retired”
AND ,,, I’ll bet dollars to donuts he’ll never see a trial. Classic old Mafioso,,, he’s very old (83) and every time he has a date he’ll come up with a “medical issue” that forces a dealy
As a very old Kentucky mountaineer once told me: “you’d be surprised how little a life sentence means to someone my age”.
| 33 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:52:59am |
Here’s an example:
Well, that’ll make Glen Beck happy.
For reference:
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (or Wilson Center), located in Washington, D.C., is a United States Presidential Memorial that was established as part of the Smithsonian Institution by an act of Congress in 1968. Named in honor of President Woodrow Wilson (the only President of the United States with a Ph.D.), its mission is:
“to commemorate the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson by: providing a link between the world of ideas and the world of policy; and fostering research, study, discussion, and collaboration among a full spectrum of individuals concerned with policy and scholarship in national and world affairs.”[1]
| 34 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:53:52am |
After all, only Presidents who think like us deserve to have memorials.
| 35 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:55:30am |
re: #31 sattv4u2
Heh, don’t get me wrong. The crime bosses ought to be prosecuted. The FBI ought to continue its anti-mafia work (except, of course, with the RSC cuts the FBI won’t have the resources to do it…)
I just think such actions have very little deterrence to actual crime.
| 36 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:57:15am |
re: #33 freetoken
Here’s an example:
Well, that’ll make Glen Beck happy.
For reference:
Pennies. Here are the realities.
The NYT today broaches what was unthinkable only a few weeks ago;
Path Is Sought for States to Escape Debt Burdens
Policy makers are working behind the scenes to come up with a way to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts, including the pensions they have promised to retired public workers.
| 37 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:58:10am |
re: #35 freetoken
Heh, don’t get me wrong. The crime bosses ought to be prosecuted. The FBI ought to continue its anti-mafia work (except, of course, with the RSC cuts the FBI won’t have the resources to do it…)
I just think such actions have very little deterrence to actual crime.
It’s sort of encouraging that they had the resources to divert from national security work.
| 38 |
researchok Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:59:20am |
I’m outta here.
The beast needs to be fed.
Later, all.
| 39 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 4:59:32am |
re: #36 researchok
Pennies. Here are the realities.
The NYT today broaches what was unthinkable only a few weeks ago;
It’s possible that we don’t have the optimum number of states for a 21st century world.
| 40 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:00:44am |
re: #35 freetoken
I just think such actions have very little deterrence to actual crime.
Where did I say it did?
| 41 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:04:13am |
re: #39 Decatur Deb
It’s possible that we don’t have the optimum number of states for a 21st century world.
I would be in favor of the Feds bailing out states on a loan basis IF the state was to show a plan towards fiscal changes (much like a business under reorganization)
| 42 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:04:41am |
re: #36 researchok
Speaking of “pennies”, look at this significant cut by the RSC:
John C. Stennis Center Subsidy. $430,000 annual savings.
Wow. $430,000. That’s something like $.001 per person in this country.
For what sin did the John C. Stennis Center do to deserve being on the short list (less than two pages) of cuts listed by the RSC?
Why, it exists to train young people to be better leaders in government.
| 43 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:09:03am |
re: #42 freetoken
Speaking of “pennies”, look at this significant cut by the RSC:
Wow. $430,000. That’s something like $.001 per person in this country.For what sin did the John C. Stennis Center do to deserve being on the short list (less than two pages) of cuts listed by the RSC?
Why, it exists to train young people to be better leaders in government.
Sorry, but I’ve never understood the “it’s only $XX amount” mentality
When you’re hemorraging money, when you’re in debt up to your eyeballs (and trust me,,, I’ve Been There/ Done That/ Got the T-Shirt) every nickle counts
I’m sure there are other places that are NON Gov’t funded that can and do “train young people to be better leaders in government.
| 44 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:09:06am |
re: #39 Decatur Deb
Unfortunately history has weight, a lot of it, and the die is cast regarding states in this union.
Several states are too small for this day in age, but there is nothing that can be done to that as the State level is the fundamental organizational level of this country and one would need a whole new constitution to change things.
And in today’s climate the last thing we need is another constitutional convention.
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RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:11:50am |
re: #22 freetoken
BTW, I looked at the Republican Study Committee proposal (now online).
100% ideological sales pitch to their funders/groupies, mostly composed of extreme social conservatives. Total avoidance of the real big budget items in federal dole.
I see a lot of good stuff in there. I would agree with an argument that it didn’t go far enough in cutting social security/Medicare/Pentagon spending. I don’t think anyone is making the argument anymore that we aren’t going to cut spending. At least we now have a starting point for the argument.
| 46 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:12:13am |
re: #43 sattv4u2
Sorry, but I’ve never understood the “it’s only $XX amount” mentality
Because it demonstrates that the tea partying RSC are just engaged in demagogic tokenism.
| 47 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:12:45am |
re: #36 researchok
Pennies. Here are the realities.
The NYT today broaches what was unthinkable only a few weeks ago;
That story can’t be accurate. I’ve been assured many times that the pension crisis is a right wing fraud.
| 48 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:13:09am |
re: #46 freetoken
Because it demonstrates that the tea partying RSC are just engaged in demagogic tokenism.
{sigh}
| 49 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:13:43am |
re: #39 Decatur Deb
It’s possible that we don’t have the optimum number of states for a 21st century world.
That is an interesting thought.
| 50 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:14:41am |
And, btw, it wasn’t “$XX” per person, it was $.001 per person.
A tenth of a penny per American.
re: #48 sattv4u2
You can sigh all you want, but the RSC is out of its mind, and so are many of its supporters.
| 51 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:15:30am |
re: #50 freetoken
And, btw, it wasn’t “$XX” per person, it was $.001 per person.
A tenth of a penny per American.
You can sigh all you want, but the RSC is out of its mind, and so are many of its supporters.
waytomissthepoint!
| 52 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:19:00am |
re: #39 Decatur Deb
Indianapolis went to a consolidated form of government in the early 70’s that allowed the city to prosper while other large cities in the nation went through the decline of the 70’s/80’s so maybe a state consolidation might not be a bad idea. What states would you suggest we might not actually need?
53 |
Sionainn Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:22:24am |
re: #8 BigPapa
wow another article about my profession by a non-expert with a job writing for a newspaper.
I got three words: hire a pro.
That guy is out of his mind. We have some fancy remote that does absolutely everything (and my husband has 50 million things hooked up to our t.v. in some fantastic configuration of wires and connectors and stuff).
| 54 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:29:32am |
re: #53 Sionainn
That guy is out of his mind. We have some fancy remote that does absolutely everything (and my husband has 50 million things hooked up to our t.v. in some fantastic configuration of wires and connectors and stuff).
Can you have it drive over to my house and sweep/ mop the floors, vacuum the rugs and do the windows? Oh ,,and while it’s at it, have it fix me a Vodka Martini!!
| 55 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:38:07am |
Hi all. Morning.
It snowed a lot last night. I actually have to go somewhere today which means blowing out the driveway. Think I’m going to hold off for a bit and see if the magic snowblowing elf comes and takes care of it.
| 56 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:39:40am |
re: #44 freetoken
Unfortunately history has weight, a lot of it, and the die is cast regarding states in this union.
Several states are too small for this day in age, but there is nothing that can be done to that as the State level is the fundamental organizational level of this country and one would need a whole new constitution to change things.
And in today’s climate the last thing we need is another constitutional convention.
Jon Stewart had a discussion of mergers and acquisitions last night.
| 57 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:43:02am |
re: #55 Jadespring
Hi all. Morning.
It snowed a lot last night. I actually have to go somewhere today which means blowing out the driveway. Think I’m going to hold off for a bit and see if the magic snowblowing elf comes and takes care of it.
Sorry, but he’s busy skiing in Vermont!
| 58 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:43:25am |
re: #52 RogueOne
Indianapolis went to a consolidated form of government in the early 70’s that allowed the city to prosper while other large cities in the nation went through the decline of the 70’s/80’s so maybe a state consolidation might not be a bad idea. What states would you suggest we might not actually need?
In the ’60s, my college was looking at regionalization, proposing that there are actually about 11 natural super-states in the country. PA could easily be the focus of OH, PA, NJ, DE, NY. IIRC the biggest change was that the 18th century used rivers as boundaries, when they are actually integrating forces.
| 59 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:44:11am |
| 60 |
Sionainn Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:44:16am |
re: #55 Jadespring
Hi all. Morning.
It snowed a lot last night. I actually have to go somewhere today which means blowing out the driveway. Think I’m going to hold off for a bit and see if the magic snowblowing elf comes and takes care of it.
Just use my remote control.
| 61 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:45:38am |
re: #58 Decatur Deb
That’s what I was thinking, keeping the current boundaries would be a problem with consolidation. You couldn’t just merge two states, you would have to take specific areas and ignore the boundaries.
| 62 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:45:44am |
re: #58 Decatur Deb
That kind of idea came up during the Carter years, especially when he floated the idea of moving part of the federal government out of DC area.
The idea, IIRC, was that states would be grouped into regions, a kind of super-state area for purposes of some governance.
If NAFTA is on the ropes, and the yahoos are still screaming about NAU conspiracies, I suspect any idea to fudge over state borders is a no-go.
| 63 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:45:54am |
re: #52 RogueOne
What states would you suggest we might not actually need?
My fathers been pissed at Wisconsin ever since they stole the Boston Braves back in 1952, so we could start there!!!
| 64 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:46:08am |
re: #60 Sionainn
Just use my remote control.
Hey that’s an idea. I should invent a snow blowing machine that you can control from inside the house or make it like one of those vaccuming robot things.
| 65 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:49:23am |
| 66 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:50:40am |
re: #62 freetoken
That kind of idea came up during the Carter years, especially when he floated the idea of moving part of the federal government out of DC area.
The idea, IIRC, was that states would be grouped into regions, a kind of super-state area for purposes of some governance.
If NAFTA is on the ropes, and the yahoos are still screaming about NAU conspiracies, I suspect any idea to fudge over state borders is a no-go.
Those federal regions actually made it into use. Not all agencies use them much (DoD), but most do. Often a federal agency like Labor doesn’t seem to realize it is operating in the same regional mode as another, like HHS. Atlanta functions as a shadow federal “capitol” for our region (IV).
| 67 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:55:46am |
re: #64 Jadespring
Hey that’s an idea. I should invent a snow blowing machine that you can control from inside the house or make it like one of those vaccuming robot things.
My wife has one of those
It’s called ,, well,,, ME!!
| 68 |
andres Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:56:09am |
re: #43 sattv4u2
Sorry, but I’ve never understood the “it’s only $XX amount” mentality
When you’re hemorraging money, when you’re in debt up to your eyeballs (and trust me,,, I’ve Been There/ Done That/ Got the T-Shirt) every nickle counts
I’m sure there are other places that are NON Gov’t funded that can and do “train young people to be better leaders in government.
Every penny counts. I won’t question that. But when all budget cuts are done on penny-sized items only, to pay a huge debt (like the USA debt), you either need to cut A) thousands of penny-sized items or B) look hard at the bigger sized items to cut from.
Cutting penny-sized items is the easy way out: I doubt the USA budget has enough of these to balance it.
| 69 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:56:31am |
re: #66 Decatur Deb
Those federal regions actually made it into use. Not all agencies use them much (DoD), but most do. Often a federal agency like Labor doesn’t seem to realize it is operating in the same regional mode as another, like HHS. Atlanta functions as a shadow federal “capitol” for our region (IV).
I was going to ask whether there wasn’t already de-facto type regionalism already going on with gov’t agencies whether official or unofficial. Economic wise as well.
| 70 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:56:40am |
Anyone else impressed with the Wal-Mart PR win this week? These changes cost them nothing, 90% of suppliers will do whatever it takes to make Wal-Mart happy. They’ve already made it into chicago, finally, and now NYC is next. They have the best and most modern distribution system and loss control on the planet, they already make neighborhoods healthier, they had Hillary on their board and now the First Lady. Wal-Mart is a machine, bow down now!
| 71 |
freetoken Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:57:32am |
The Iowa caucuses are warming up:
DES MOINES, Iowa. (KTIV)—Expect at least five “potential” presidential candidates on one northwest Iowa college campus over the next few months.
The Family Leader, headed by Bob Vander Plaats, has announced Dordt College, in Sioux Center, will host its “presidential lecture series”.
So who has committed to the lecture series?
Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, who will speak at Dordt on Feb. 7th, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann, and businessman and radio host Herman Cain.
Dordt is actually one of three sites each speaker will fly to during their day long visits.
Those visits will come once a month through August.
The lecture series will wrap up with a debate on Nov. 19th in central Iowa.
Vander Plaats lost the GOP nomination for Iowa governor last year (the winner of the GOP race was a former governor also, and won the election.) He is among the most die-hard of dominionists. We’ve written about him before.
So he is now looking to steer Iowa politics via the GOP caucuses: desmoinesregister.com
His new group, The Family Leader, is a real piece of work. Their main purpose is to be an anti-gay organization, it appears. They want to get rid of the rest of the IA supreme court justices who went with the decision allowing gay marriages to proceed.
Here’s an example of what The Family Leader produces:
secondhandeffects.com [warning, bigoted material.]
Here’s their parent organization:
ifpcaction.org
So those GOP hopefuls in the quoted story above, now you know how and from whom they will get support to become president.
| 72 |
Sionainn Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:57:33am |
re: #65 sattv4u2
HEY ,, I have dibs on it 1st for my house cleaning!!!
Good luck with that. Between the two kids, husband, and a golden retriever (which has to be the most sheddingist dog ever), the remote is busy all the time.
| 73 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:58:06am |
re: #67 sattv4u2
My wife has one of those
It’s called ,, well,,, ME!!
Well then I need one of you too. Ever think about going into mass production and franchizing?
| 74 |
dmon Fri, Jan 21, 2011 5:58:53am |
re: #72 Sionainn
We had a golden that lived to 16…..he was the sheddingest dog I have ever seen.
| 75 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:00:27am |
re: #51 sattv4u2
waytomissthepoint!
I would respectfully suggest that it is you who miss the point.
The problem with suggestions like cutting the Stennis center (about which I have no opinion, since I have no idea whether what it does brings us as taxpayers good value) isn’t that we ought not cut, it is that a bunch of cuts that are, in sum, not financially meaningful are being presented as if they are meaningful. Cutting a bunch of .002 cent programs and declaring victory does not solve the problem, unless the problem you are trying to solve is purely a PR one.
Matching rhetoric to actions means, in the context of making meaningful progress against the Federal deficit, tackling entitlements, the military budget and the revenue side of the ledger. Proposals that fail to do so are exercises in political kubuki that deserve our contempt.
| 76 |
Sionainn Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:00:51am |
re: #74 dmon
We had a golden that lived to 16…he was the sheddingest dog I have ever seen.
Oh, she smells, too, within a couple of days after going to the groomer and by three weeks, it’s overwhelming. Anyone have any suggestions?
| 77 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:01:27am |
re: #69 Jadespring
I was going to ask whether there wasn’t already de-facto type regionalism already going on with gov’t agencies whether official or unofficial. Economic wise as well.
Here’s the regional map:
Image: File:Federal_Standard_Regions_map.png
And, yes, the black helicopter crowd are aware of the treason behind it (site is a cache for safety):
| 78 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:01:28am |
I can’t believe Miss Arkansas didn’t win. Yodeling puppets? that’s talent.
Is it wrong to be slightly aroused?
| 79 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:01:48am |
re: #68 andres
Every penny counts. I won’t question that. But when all budget cuts are done on penny-sized items only, to pay a huge debt (like the USA debt), you either need to cut A) thousands of penny-sized items or B) look hard at the bigger sized items to cut from.
Cutting penny-sized items is the easy way out: I doubt the USA budget has enough of these to balance it.
I agree. But I would do BOTH
I’m willing to bet lots of those “penny-sized items” are duplicated services, overlapping agencies, ect
When I was in my financial hard times, I did both small and large item cuts and eliminations and alterations. Thats my point
| 80 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:02:45am |
re: #78 RogueOne
I can’t believe Miss Arkansas didn’t win. Yodeling puppets? that’s talent.
[Video]Is it wrong to be slightly aroused?
Seemed a bit wooden to me.
| 81 |
BishopX Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:03:26am |
re: #79 sattv4u2
On a two page list any item under 10 billion is just propaganda.
| 83 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:04:21am |
re: #73 Jadespring
Well then I need one of you too. Ever think about going into mass production and franchizing?
Nope ,,, I’m a one-of-a-kind original!
84 |
Political Atheist Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:06:08am |
Good Morning
Gov. Jerry Brown simply must re-instate his personal security force, customarily CHP. There are explicit threats to kill him on a specific date in February. The threats were graffiti on a wall with a nazi symbol. Scary times.
| 85 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:07:11am |
re: #81 BishopX
On a two page list any item under 10 billion is just propaganda.
or a start
Point being, my #43 wasn’t talking about the RSC report. It was a general comment on how to trim/ save money. Again, when you’re hemorrhaging monies and in debt up to your assets, every cut counts
| 86 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:07:37am |
re: #77 Decatur Deb
Here’s the regional map:
Image: File:Federal_Standard_Regions_map.png
And, yes, the black helicopter crowd are aware of the treason behind it (site is a cache for safety):
[Link: www.google.com…]
You were right the first time: this is a political dead letter. The only way to do it is to amend the Constitution, and there is no way that happens. Imagine the Senate voting to cut its own size? NFW.
And a Constitutional Convention would be an incredible train wreck. Every tin foil hat dude in America would show up.
| 87 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:08:44am |
re: #77 Decatur Deb
Here’s the regional map:
Image: File:Federal_Standard_Regions_map.png
And, yes, the black helicopter crowd are aware of the treason behind it (site is a cache for safety):
Oh for Pete’s sake. Get lives people….or at least come into the real world.
I wondering if there’s any correlation or perhaps insight to some of the more economic ties in terms of the private sector function. I’m thinking of national companies like Walmart and their management divisions and regional supply chain centers. Not a Walmart bashing thing but it is one of the largest national economic actors right now. Their ‘economy’ is bigger them some states and heck a whole lot of countries.
Oil companies and distribution is another.
| 88 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:08:44am |
re: #75 garhighway
I agree that they need to go after everything including entitlements but there are some decent sized cuts in their proposal with cutting discretionary spending to 2006 numbers being the largest. The smaller programs might be red meat for their base but it does add up to $330B, that’s not small change. OTOH, had they added entitlements into their cuts you and I both know the accusations of “balancing the budget on the backs of the poor” would come raining down.
| 89 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:10:11am |
re: #86 garhighway
You were right the first time: this is a political dead letter. The only way to do it is to amend the Constitution, and there is no way that happens. Imagine the Senate voting to cut its own size? NFW.
And a Constitutional Convention would be an incredible train wreck. Every tin foil hat dude in America would show up.
Rhode Island is too big to fail.
90 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:12:09am |
| 91 |
BishopX Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:12:31am |
I do think that expanding the number of house seats might be a good idea. Reducing the constituent/representative ratio can be a good way of increasing peoples participation in government. 1001 seat house of representatives anyone?
| 92 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:12:55am |
re: #86 garhighway
It would never happen but consolidation is an interesting thought. I hadn’t considered that there would need to be changes to the constitution regarding representation. If it were a serious proposal that fight alone would take decades.
| 93 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:13:04am |
re: #87 Jadespring
Oh for Pete’s sake. Get lives people…or at least come into the real world.
I wondering if there’s any correlation or perhaps insight to some of the more economic ties in terms of the private sector function. I’m thinking of national companies like Walmart and their management divisions and regional supply chain centers. Not a Walmart bashing thing but it is one of the largest national economic actors right now. Their ‘economy’ is bigger them some states and heck a whole lot of countries.
Oil companies and distribution is another.
Yeah—it’s a technocrat’s wet dream. IIRC, we played an IBM-card based computer game called “River Valley” that simulated the operation of such a region.
| 94 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:15:57am |
re: #92 RogueOne
It would never happen but consolidation is an interesting thought. I hadn’t considered that there would need to be changes to the constitution regarding representation. If it were a serious proposal that fight alone would take decades.
Unless some future imbalance left the Executive Branch vastly powerful, while the impoverished state governments shrunk to bathtub size. Then all the constitutional trappings would stay in place while the Regional Coordinator made things happen. I have bad thoughts.
| 95 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:16:52am |
How much do you think the Chinese would credit us off the debt we owe them if we gave them California?
//
| 96 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:17:08am |
re: #94 Decatur Deb
Unless some future imbalance left the Executive Branch vastly powerful, while the impoverished state governments shrunk to bathtub size. Then all the constitutional trappings would stay in place while the Regional Coordinator made things happen. I have bad thoughts.
I claim region III in the name of Cthulhu!
97 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:19:46am |
re: #96 Varek Raith
I claim region III in the name of Cthulhu!
You have to role an 11 across both die before staking claims to regions greater than the size of X (if x-z+y/population density).
| 98 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:20:26am |
re: #95 sattv4u2
How much do you think the Chinese would credit us off the debt we owe them if we gave them California?
//
At this rate is looks like it would be a redo of the Louisiana Purchase. I’m willing to give them Kentucky although CA would be a better fit for them.
| 99 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:21:25am |
re: #97 wozzablog
You have to role an 11 across both die before staking claims to regions greater than the size of X (if x-z+y/population density).
Whoa, I think you just out-nerded Varek.//
| 100 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:22:05am |
re: #97 wozzablog
You have to role an 11 across both die before staking claims to regions greater than the size of X (if x-z+y/population density).
*Rolls 20 sided die*
2…
Dammit!
| 101 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:22:57am |
| 102 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:23:01am |
re: #93 Decatur Deb
Yeah—it’s a technocrat’s wet dream. IIRC, we played an IBM-card based computer game called “River Valley” that simulated the operation of such a region.
I guess though with the private sector the ‘economically’ tied regions wouldn’t just be based with the country borders but internationally. So RI for instance in terms of ‘economics’ could be tied to Asia/China and SA to some extent. I know for instance in the case of BC the economic region is tied more to Asia then say the Maritimes. I supposed that’s why there’s international orgs like APEC.
I wonder if anyone has taken the time to map this all out. Would be an interesting visual to see essentially a corporate/economic map of the world.
| 103 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:23:16am |
| 104 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:23:30am |
| 105 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:24:15am |
re: #88 RogueOne
OTOH, had they added entitlements into their cuts you and I both know the accusations of “balancing the budget on the backs of the poor” would come raining down.
Either they are serious about this or they aren’t. Being serious means proposing things that are going to be painful and then being willing to stand up for those ideas and suffer that pain.
A while back, Esquire magazine convened two Republicans and two Democrats to look at the problem, and they got it done. But they: 1> were willing to tackle the big issues, and 2> weren’t running for re-election.
They proposed some stuff I didn’t like, but as I said, there’s no honest way to get there that doesn’t kill somebody’s favorite deal.
Their article:
| 106 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:25:23am |
re: #103 wozzablog
Got to atleast try now and again ;-)
I didn’t think it was possible! I guess it’s like Rex Ryan being a better coach than bill belichick for just one day.
| 107 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:25:51am |
re: #102 Jadespring
I guess though with the private sector the ‘economically’ tied regions wouldn’t just be based with the country borders but internationally. So RI for instance in terms of ‘economics’ could be tied to Asia/China and SA to some extent. I know for instance in the case of BC the economic region is tied more to Asia then say the Maritimes. I supposed that’s why there’s international orgs like APEC.
I wonder if anyone has taken the time to map this all out. Would be an interesting visual to see essentially a corporate/economic map of the world.
“Cartographers for Social Responsibility”
—West Wing
| 108 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:25:53am |
re: #104 Varek Raith
Aw, come on!
Don’t I get a save or something?!
I can deal you a save card to be used for the increase of the bid by no greater than WY.
| 109 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:26:22am |
re: #92 RogueOne
It would never happen but consolidation is an interesting thought. I hadn’t considered that there would need to be changes to the constitution regarding representation. If it were a serious proposal that fight alone would take decades.
I have seen proposals that would consolidate some of the western states. (Four Senators for the two Dakotas no longer seems to make a lot of sense to me, as an example.) But the politics makes it impossible.
| 110 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:26:54am |
re: #108 wozzablog
I can deal you a save card to be used for the increase of the bid by no greater than WY.
Fair enough I suppose.
| 111 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:27:55am |
re: #106 RogueOne
I didn’t think it was possible! I guess it’s like Rex Ryan being a better coach than bill belichick for just one day.
I will take that as a copmpliment, i think.
Being a Miami Dolphins fan i know very little about the intricasies of football :p
| 112 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:28:45am |
re: #105 garhighway
I agree but we already started seeing the meme develop that they were going to cut programs important to the poor and minorities because they want school kids to starve…
I’m hoping this is a feint to force the hand of the opposition to make it seem like they were forced into cutting entitlements and the military. I have hope but I’m not holding my breath.
| 113 |
thedopefishlives Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:29:06am |
Morning Lizardim. Happy coldest day of the winter to everyone, as this year’s arctic blast finally arrives and bathes the Twin Cities in temperatures below -20 F (-28 C). And strangely enough, I actually kinda _like_ this kind of cold.
| 114 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:29:17am |
re: #102 Jadespring
I guess though with the private sector the ‘economically’ tied regions wouldn’t just be based with the country borders but internationally. So RI for instance in terms of ‘economics’ could be tied to Asia/China and SA to some extent. I know for instance in the case of BC the economic region is tied more to Asia then say the Maritimes. I supposed that’s why there’s international orgs like APEC.
I wonder if anyone has taken the time to map this all out. Would be an interesting visual to see essentially a corporate/economic map of the world.
I’ve heard that the Alaska crab caught in the real-life “Deadliest Catch” makes a processing trip to China on its way to Louisiana restaurants. Might even be true.
| 115 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:29:22am |
re: #110 Varek Raith
Fair enough I suppose.
Or exhange the save card - disown RI and role again for a chance to obtain Delaware or Oregon….
| 116 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:29:26am |
Not economic maps but kinda cool anyways.
| 117 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:30:12am |
re: #111 wozzablog
I will take that as a copmpliment, i think.
Being a Miami Dolphins fan i know very little about the intricasies of football :p
It was a backhanded compliment and a dig at Varek for being the nerd god he is, NTTAWWT.//
| 118 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:30:22am |
re: #107 Decatur Deb
“Cartographers for Social Responsibility”
—West Wing
I miss the West Wing. What a great show that was.
| 119 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:31:17am |
re: #117 RogueOne
It was a backhanded compliment and a dig at Varek for being the nerd god he is, NTTAWWT.//
Fair enough sir, fair enough.
| 121 |
sattv4u2 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:31:57am |
re: #118 garhighway
I miss the West Wing. What a great show that was.
Martin Sheen misses being the President!
| 122 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:32:34am |
I have a report to write on the spending of some £8,000 at my sports club.
Not enjoying dealing with the money, but no-one else wanted the responsibillity, and so we go.
| 123 |
Wozza Matter? Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:33:12am |
re: #122 wozzablog
That being the reason i am now exiting the thread forthwith and henceforth until later :0
| 124 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:34:08am |
re: #118 garhighway
I miss the West Wing. What a great show that was.
I’d expect a big overlap between LGF and West Wing fans.
| 125 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:34:23am |
re: #112 RogueOne
I agree but we already started seeing the meme develop that they were going to cut programs important to the poor and minorities because they want school kids to starve…
I’m hoping this is a feint to force the hand of the opposition to make it seem like they were forced into cutting entitlements and the military. I have hope but I’m not holding my breath.
I don’t think it is a bad thing to have an honest debate on the role of government in our society, and that includes an honest debate on our responsibilities to the less fortunate and how we pay for those responsibilities. (Remember “the safety net” that Reagan talked about?)
We’ll never have that debate if we dance around it. It will be a messy, noisy painful debate, but it is one we have to have. Ducking it accomplishes nothing.
| 126 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:35:59am |
re: #125 garhighway
I…snip…It will be a messy, noisy painful debate, but it is one we have to have. Ducking it accomplishes nothing.
Except re-election.
| 127 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:36:32am |
re: #124 Decatur Deb
I’d expect a big overlap between LGF and West Wing fans.
Aaron Sorkin writes the best dialogue. The Social Network was great. Sportsnight was great. I even liked Studio 60.
| 128 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:38:08am |
This morning’s Krugman:
It’s a little dry, unless you are into reading about the Chinese economy.
| 130 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:38:30am |
re: #122 wozzablog
I have a report to write on the spending of some £8,000 at my sports club.
Not enjoying dealing with the money, but no-one else wanted the responsibillity, and so we go.
Go out on a limb and propose putting it on the Chicago Bears.
| 131 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:41:04am |
re: #120 Decatur Deb
Bookmarked. Thanks.
This site is even better. Tons of different map.
mapsofworld.com
Like beer consumption. US and Canada not in the top ten. Biggest beer consumption? Czech Republic! The Ireland and Germany.
Frozen Food
Baked beans. Ireland wins!
| 132 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:41:41am |
re: #130 RogueOne
Speaking of which, what a great couple of games this weekend. The results should make for a great Super Bowl.
| 133 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:41:44am |
re: #128 garhighway
This morning’s Krugman:
[Link: www.nytimes.com…]
It’s a little dry, unless you are into reading about the Chinese economy.
Does it have a map that goes with it?
| 134 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:43:04am |
re: #133 Jadespring
Does it have a map that goes with it?
No. It’s dry.
No maps, no pie, no nothing.
| 135 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:46:55am |
Great, another opportunity for parents to teach their kids that it is acceptable to voluntarily give up their civil rights:
N.J. Town To Vote On Middle School Drug Tests
newyork.cbslocal.com
A proposal to conduct random drug tests of young students in one New Jersey town is raising some eyebrows.
….
The Board of Education will vote Wednesday on a plan to randomly test sixth, seventh and eighth graders to see if they are under the influence of drugs. School administrators said they were confident the proposal would pass.
….
The program is voluntary and both parents and students must consent. School officials said it was important to note that if a student tested positive, they would not be suspended or have the results sent to the police.
| 136 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:49:52am |
Woo found a Walmart map. The globe based on where products are sourced from. Not surprisingly China is fricken huge.
Top Five: China, US, Mexico, Pakistan(!) and Bangladesh.
The map is a few years old. I wonder if Pakistan is still in 4th place.
| 137 |
Decatur Deb Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:50:00am |
| 138 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:50:10am |
Update on the Mayor Calvo lawsuit against Prince George County:
Unnecessary Roughness
washingtonian.com
The 39-year-old Berwyn Heights mayor is bringing his grievance with the county back into the spotlight with a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office and police department. Unless the case settles before then, court proceedings begin on Monday, January 24. Though Calvo is seeking damages, he says the suit isn’t about financial restitution but about shedding light on and changing both departments’ policies when it comes to the use of SWAT teams and treatment of animals.***
What happened on the evening of July 29, 2008, at Calvo’s home was well covered by local and national media: After walking his dogs, Calvo brought in a package addressed to his wife, Trinity Tomsic, thinking it was a shipment of gardening supplies. He was wrong. The package contained 32 pounds of marijuana that had been intercepted by Prince George’s police and then delivered to his home. Calvo was upstairs changing when he heard his mother-in-law, Georgia Porter, scream. The Prince George’s Sheriff’s Office SWAT team had burst through the front door and fatally shot both dogs. Tomsic came home to find Calvo and Porter handcuffed, pleading their innocence.
| 139 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:51:30am |
re: #136 Jadespring
I’ve noticed a lot of tags in other stores lately from Pakistan and Vietnam. Not sure how I feel about trade with Vietnam.
140 |
Vicious Babushka Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:54:47am |
Oh hai honcos.
I iz a mass of pains. Last night I was too shocked to really feel it. I made an appt. to see my doctor this morning and popped a Vico.
It hurts the most where the steering wheel slammed into my rib cage. The piece of shit car had no airbags which could have caused a lot more damage.
I’m thinking Ford Escape for my new ride.
| 141 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:56:32am |
re: #139 RogueOne
I’ve noticed a lot of tags in other stores lately from Pakistan and Vietnam. Not sure how I feel about trade with Vietnam.
Why’s that?
142 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:58:14am |
re: #140 Alouette
Feel better… and I’ve been eyeing the Escape Hybrid for a while as a possible next lawmobile. Either that or a Subaru Outback - want something with good mileage and can move stuff..
143 |
Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut Fri, Jan 21, 2011 6:58:47am |
re: #140 Alouette
I hope your recovery is swift and complete.
| 144 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:00:47am |
re: #141 Jadespring
Why’s that?
For the same reason I have an issue with trading with China. What reforms, if any, are we getting for our dollars? China has the advantage of being another super power we want to make nice with but what does Vietnam bring to the table besides cheap labor? Plus that whole Vietnam war thing wasn’t that long ago and I don’t have a problem holding a grudge.
| 145 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:02:08am |
re: #142 lawhawk
Feel better… and I’ve been eyeing the Escape Hybrid for a while as a possible next lawmobile. Either that or a Subaru Outback - want something with good mileage and can move stuff..
That’s how I’m picking my next wife…
| 147 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:04:00am |
South Korean Navy frees crew of a hijacked chemical tanker, taking a bunch of pirates into custody in the Arabian Sea.
South Korean naval special forces stormed a hijacked ship early Friday and rescued 21 sailors and killed a number of pirates in the Arabian Sea.Five suspected kidnappers were captured.
President Lee Myung-bak went live on national television to announce the successful conclusion of the five-hour operation, 1,300 kilometers northeast of Somalia.
Mr. Lee told the country South Korea will not tolerate future attacks on any of its nationals.
| 148 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:05:58am |
B of A continues to struggle with the residue from Countrywide:
That may have been the dumbest deal Ken Lewis did. And he did some dumb ones.
| 149 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:06:12am |
re: #144 RogueOne
For the same reason I have an issue with trading with China. What reforms, if any, are we getting for our dollars? China has the advantage of being another super power we want to make nice with but what does Vietnam bring to the table besides cheap labor? Plus that whole Vietnam war thing wasn’t that long ago and I don’t have a problem holding a grudge.
In the world of economics cheap labor, cheap resources and cheaper stuff pretty much rules the day. So yeah you nailed it, that’s what it brings. It doesn’t really have to do much else but that.
| 150 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:10:52am |
re: #149 Jadespring
I think it should be more than that. If they want access to our markets and our money what are they willing to do for it? In almost all the areas I work if a developer wants to build something they have to add in some form of neighborhood improvements. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for some form of improvements in the area of civil rights for their citizens, even if it’s just token reforms at least it would be a start.
151 |
iossarian Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:13:54am |
re: #150 RogueOne
I think it should be more than that. If they want access to our markets and our money what are they willing to do for it? In almost all the areas I work if a developer wants to build something they have to add in some form of neighborhood improvements. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for some form of improvements in the area of civil rights for their citizens, even if it’s just token reforms at least it would be a start.
I am completely down with this.
| 152 |
iossarian Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:14:38am |
OT: Does anyone else think that the Rick Santorum pic from two threads ago has more than a touch of the Chevy Chases about it?
| 153 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:17:20am |
re: #150 RogueOne
I think it should be more than that. If they want access to our markets and our money what are they willing to do for it? In almost all the areas I work if a developer wants to build something they have to add in some form of neighborhood improvements. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for some form of improvements in the area of civil rights for their citizens, even if it’s just token reforms at least it would be a start.
Just be ready for the reciprocal requests: “you can’t sell to us if you don’t afford gays equal rights” (for example). That would give Air France a better reason than usual to buy Airbus and not Boeing.
154 |
Interesting Times Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:21:44am |
re: #153 garhighway
Just be ready for the reciprocal requests: “you can’t sell to us if you don’t afford gays equal rights” (for example). That would give Air France a better reason than usual to buy Airbus and not Boeing.
Along similar lines, here’s another potential risk the US faces, particularly if the GOP’s war on climate science continues to be successful:
Leading climate change economist warns U.S. of trade boycott
A British climate change economist at the heart of international negotiations seeking a greenhouse gas deal said Friday that the U.S. faces a trade boycott if it fails to rein in its carbon emissions.
How bitterly ironic would it be if China’s goods wind up being cleaner than America’s? :/
| 155 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:23:00am |
re: #150 RogueOne
I think it should be more than that. If they want access to our markets and our money what are they willing to do for it? In almost all the areas I work if a developer wants to build something they have to add in some form of neighborhood improvements. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for some form of improvements in the area of civil rights for their citizens, even if it’s just token reforms at least it would be a start.
Well I agree that would be nice and it’s a good argument but it’s an argument based on the assumption of who holds the power in the relationship basically that we’re doing them a favor. It’s a political argument. In the case of somewhere like Vietnam the fact that they can make stuff, cheap is a power position. It’s also not nescessarily them that is looking for access and saying “help us help us.” It’s big companies looking for access to their sources because it’s good for the bottom line, a two way street, so it’s them working out the deals, not the politicians and they lobby both governments to make sure they happen if there are any political issues that get in the way.
| 156 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:23:16am |
re: #153 garhighway
The reciprocation is the money involved. We have the biggest checkbook on the planet. I’m not suggesting we should insist on open and free elections or even religious freedoms but they could give us something. I mean, Come on!
| 157 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:28:15am |
OT:
Just had to rant a little about the idiocy witnessed this AM… was commuting into work by train as usual this morning and the snow had just let up. 5 inches of the white stuff were on the ground, and I had just crossed the train tracks to the boarding area when the crossing gates went down to signal that a train was coming through.
The crossing area was quite slippery as the snow was still there, along with ice and slush that had been swept around the side.
The train that was coming wasn’t a local that would stop in the station, but an express - meaning it was going at a pretty good clip - 50-60 mph.
Yet, this middle-aged woman decided to go under the gate to cross. I yelled at her to stop since it was an express but she pooh-poohed my warning and managed to cross with about 10 seconds to spare. One slip and she would have been a red stain for a mile down the track because there was no way for the train to slow and stop in time.
She walked past me and shrugged her shoulder.. Other people who saw this saw me and just shook their heads.
Oh, and the kicker was that the train we were waiting for was delayed, so there was no need to rush across anyway. What a frakking idiot.
/rant off.
| 158 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:32:51am |
re: #155 Jadespring
Their cheap labor isn’t a necessity. That’s what we have Mexico for…
I lost the site for a bit, anyone else?
| 159 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:33:28am |
re: #156 RogueOne
The reciprocation is the money involved. We have the biggest checkbook on the planet. I’m not suggesting we should insist on open and free elections or even religious freedoms but they could give us something. I mean, Come on!
[Link: www.southparkstudios.com…]
I think you’re under an illusion of who is holding the actual purse strings. It isn’t the the political state or the government. It’s the economic actors that have the money and thats where the power lies.
| 160 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:42:10am |
re: #158 RogueOne
Their cheap labor isn’t a necessity. That’s what we have Mexico for…
I lost the site for a bit, anyone else?
Yep I lost it.
I would disagree though, labor costs are a main factor coupled with the on in country regulatory regimes. If you look back at the history of sourcing and manufacture big companies have a history of moving around to take advantage of labor costs.
| 161 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:46:21am |
French Foreign Minister attacked entering Gaza by protesters who thought that she called the capture of an Israeli soldier (that would be Gilad Shalit) was a war crime. That statement, made by Shalit’s father, was misattributed to the French Foreign Minister.
| 162 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:51:44am |
re: #156 RogueOne
The reciprocation is the money involved. We have the biggest checkbook on the planet. I’m not suggesting we should insist on open and free elections or even religious freedoms but they could give us something. I mean, Come on!
[Link: www.southparkstudios.com…]
Do you really want the Federal Government making those sorts of decisions? “Sorry, you can’t expand your plant in Vietnam (or fill in the blank with some other country’s name) or you can’t buy from a favored supplier any more because they are on a list of countries we don’t like today.”
We do that now some: OFAC and such. But currently it is pretty manageable. The more political that gets, the weirder it gets. And remember, there is zero guarantee that the guys drawing up that list will share your political views and outlook. Sometimes they will, and you will think the list makes sense, and sometimes they won’t and you will be forbidden from doing business with someone you like for reasons you hate.
Be careful what you wish for.
| 163 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:56:11am |
re: #160 Jadespring
Our trade agreement with Vietnam was based strictly on tariffs and removal of certain subsidies. I don’t believe that is enough. Personally I think our trade policies should be tied to our national security goals. In the long run it’s a whole lot cheaper to affect change with trade than with military methods. I understand the demands of US businesses but if they don’t like it too damn bad. If we don’t want to outlaw companies doing business with certain governments then we’re well within our rights to make sure it’s costly for those companies that do.
| 164 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:58:38am |
From the Columbia Journalism Review:
In a year, Fox News has gone from the most trusted to least trusted source of TV news.
The survey methodology is a little shaky, but it is interesting nonetheless.
| 165 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 7:59:11am |
looking over the news this morning….
maybe it’s best the world end next year
| 166 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:00:31am |
re: #162 garhighway
Yes I do want our federal government to make these decisions. According to the constitution it’s part of their job. If we put these trade agreements up to a national debate on a case by case basis I think that would be wonderful. Let the people decide who we want to spend our money. I’m not an isolationist, I think trade agreements are important, I just want more for my money than prison labor.
| 168 |
Political Atheist Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:02:17am |
re: #140 Alouette
{{Alouette}}
Every crash I have been in hurt more after a day or two, then started to heal. Heal well Alouette, we wish you to be painless ASAP.
| 169 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:04:14am |
re: #163 RogueOne
Our trade agreement with Vietnam was based strictly on tariffs and removal of certain subsidies. I don’t believe that is enough. Personally I think our trade policies should be tied to our national security goals. In the long run it’s a whole lot cheaper to affect change with trade than with military methods. I understand the demands of US businesses but if they don’t like it too damn bad. If we don’t want to outlaw companies doing business with certain governments then we’re well within our rights to make sure it’s costly for those companies that do.
I’m not disagreeing. In fact I agree. It’s a reality vs desire thing though. And while it can happen to some extent if the political will is there the reality is that ‘he who has the cash’ holds the clout. Without getting too cliche the economic actors eg. massive international corporations hold the main power strings. They have way more control in determining what happens, when it happens and how it happens. And while they do hold interests in terms of security and stability of their sources their main interests are not political or at least not in ways that are not within the pervue of their interest which is ‘profit.” If taking more of a political course is good for the bottom line then yep they’ll do it. If not they’ll won’t and they’ll fight to shape things to make sure they won’t have too.
| 170 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:04:44am |
The World is sinking: Dubai islands ‘falling into the sea’
But the World, the ambitiously-constructed archipelago of islands shaped like the countries of the globe, is sinking back into the sea, according to evidence cited before a property tribunal.
by by…c’ya…adios!
| 171 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:06:09am |
Alouette…you better heal up fast…
we have a schedule to keep, you know
| 172 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:07:43am |
repost from last night…
doesn’t anybody besides me think this is hilarious?
173 |
Buck Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:10:06am |
There is a story going around that a conservative blogger called for Giffords resignation, and compared her to Brett Farve.
Only problem is that the blogger in question, John S. Wilson says he’s a Democrat. It seems there was no attempt by Think Progress (Lee Fang) to read any of John S. Wilson’s previous posts to even do a rudimentary check on what side of the political spectrum he is on.
The attempt to paint this as conservative ghoulishness is as lazy and unfair as it is predictable.
John S. Wilson says he’s a Democrat, and his piece was also carried by David Frum and The Huffington Post.
Any chance of correcting the title in the many LGF Pages posts? It would be a good start. Although the lie has spread around the world already.
| 175 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:14:19am |
re: #166 RogueOne
Yes I do want our federal government to make these decisions. According to the constitution it’s part of their job. If we put these trade agreements up to a national debate on a case by case basis I think that would be wonderful. Let the people decide who we want to spend our money. I’m not an isolationist, I think trade agreements are important, I just want more for my money than prison labor.
I agree but I don’t think that putting it up for people to decide is necessarily going to go the way of political good. Take China for instance. Lots of people moan and complain about China taking over and human rights etc etc. Talk the great talk. But put the daily reality of what life would be like without all of the cheap stuff from China and that’s likely the other story. Start telling people life is going to get more expensive and all the righteousness starts to waver.
Lots of bitching about Venezuela and politically lots of sniping back and forth. The economic reality is that the US is still (and growing) Venezulea’s largest trading partner.
176 |
reine.de.tout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:15:34am |
re: #172 albusteve
repost from last night…
doesn’t anybody besides me think this is hilarious?[Link: www.foxnews.com…]
Yes.
I saw that yesterday.
The video is hilarious. But the mall security guy who took it and put it out there shouldn’t have done that. On the other hand, this woman is taking this stuff wayyyyy too seriously, particularly considering she’s a thief herself.
| 177 |
reine.de.tout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:17:01am |
re: #173 Buck
There is a story going around that a conservative blogger called for Giffords resignation, and compared her to Brett Farve.
Only problem is that the blogger in question, John S. Wilson says he’s a Democrat. It seems there was no attempt by Think Progress (Lee Fang) to read any of John S. Wilson’s previous posts to even do a rudimentary check on what side of the political spectrum he is on.
The attempt to paint this as conservative ghoulishness is as lazy and unfair as it is predictable.
John S. Wilson says he’s a Democrat, and his piece was also carried by David Frum and The Huffington Post.
[Link: www.policydiary.com…]
Any chance of correcting the title in the many LGF Pages posts? It would be a good start. Although the lie has spread around the world already.
Put up your own page?
| 179 |
Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:19:01am |
re: #173 Buck
The ‘many’ pages posts? I see two.
Stupid mistake by TP identifying him as a conservative solely based on his contributions to one website.
His position is still asinine.
180 |
Ericus58 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:19:45am |
re: #175 Jadespring
I agree but I don’t think that putting it up for people to decide is necessarily going to go the way of political good. Take China for instance. Lots of people moan and complain about China taking over and human rights etc etc. Talk the great talk. But put the daily reality of what life would be like without all of the cheap stuff from China and that’s likely the other story. Start telling people life is going to get more expensive and all the righteousness starts to waver.
Lots of bitching about Venezuela and politically lots of sniping back and forth. The economic reality is that the US is still (and growing) Venezulea’s largest trading partner.
Beneficial trade and economic growth are the surest ways to improve lives and enhance peace relations.
Now, as to how the increase in money and prosperity is spread across a countries population is not within our ability to dictate - but it’s still an improvement.
Improvements are good.
| 181 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:21:36am |
re: #173 Buck
Go ahead and flag those posts if you like and Charles could possibly amend or take them down. Also, you can put up your own posting to rebut the claims.
| 182 |
Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:21:43am |
re: #180 Ericus58
Beneficial trade and economic growth are the surest ways to improve lives and enhance peace relations.
It entirely depends at what costs that economic growth comes at, though. Strip-mining and heavy pollution of the water table, for example, can hurt more lives than it helps. Both have been common in China.
| 183 |
SnowdenBaggerVance Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:22:06am |
re: #173 Buck
The attempt to paint this as conservative ghoulishness is as lazy and unfair as it is predictable.
Lazy, unfair? Sure. But there’s a reason why it’s so easy to believe.
| 184 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:23:54am |
the Today Show visited the Grand Rapids Art Museum to do a blurb on Princess Dianna….my daughter is special events director and got to hob nob with the producer and all the other techs etc….and she’s in the tape too!….daddy’s little girl
| 185 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:24:28am |
re: #180 Ericus58
Beneficial trade and economic growth are the surest ways to improve lives and enhance peace relations.
Now, as to how the increase in money and prosperity is spread across a countries population is not within our ability to dictate - but it’s still an improvement.
Improvements are good.
I have no problem agreeing on principle. However the devil is in the details and debates over what constitutes long term improvements and ‘prosperity’. Trade also has it’s down sides.
| 186 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:24:35am |
re: #183 BigPapa
Out of curiosity what are you grilling in that pic?
| 187 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:24:59am |
re: #176 reine.de.tout
Yes.
I saw that yesterday.
The video is hilarious. But the mall security guy who took it and put it out there shouldn’t have done that. On the other hand, this woman is taking this stuff wayyy too seriously, particularly considering she’s a thief herself.
yeah, some sort of bad juju going on with her…funny tho
| 188 |
reine.de.tout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:25:55am |
re: #187 albusteve
yeah, some sort of bad juju going on with her…funny tho
It could very easily have been ME in that video.
LOL. I get distracted by something and pay no attention to what’s around me, just like she did.
| 189 |
Ericus58 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:26:14am |
re: #182 Obdicut
It entirely depends at what costs that economic growth comes at, though. Strip-mining and heavy pollution of the water table, for example, can hurt more lives than it helps. Both have been common in China.
Oh, indeed and good points. That’s why I find China’s “green” initiatives - the world leader mantle - a bit ironic.
In regards to Vietnam, I think we should continue to engage in trade increases.
| 190 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:27:16am |
re: #188 reine.de.tout
It could very easily have been ME in that video.
LOL. I get distracted by something and pay no attention to what’s around me, just like she did.
I refuse to believe you’d fall into a pool…no way, don’t say that
| 191 |
Ericus58 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:27:19am |
re: #184 albusteve
the Today Show visited the Grand Rapids Art Museum to do a blurb on Princess Dianna…my daughter is special events director and got to hob nob with the producer and all the other techs etc…and she’s in the tape too!…daddy’s little girl
[Link: today.msnbc.msn.com…]
Ha! My wife just had that on the TV - congratulations!
Battle Creek guy myself ;)
| 192 |
Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:27:43am |
re: #189 Ericus58
China’s approach to green energy at the moment seems to be like Zhukov’s approach to beating the Nazis; they’re taking AGW as the biggest possible threat and ready to sacrifice other environmental issues while pursuing energy technologies to combat AGW.
| 193 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:29:47am |
re: #188 reine.de.tout
It could very easily have been ME in that video.
LOL. I get distracted by something and pay no attention to what’s around me, just like she did.
Me too.
I don’t think it would occur to me to sue though if someone caught me on video and posted it on youtube. I guess I just have a different sense of humor. I would think it’s hilarious. I do think it’s hilarious when I do stupid things. Like the time I was talking to someone on the sidewalk, realized I was late, turned in a hurry and ran smack into a lamppost. Hurt like the beejeezus but it was hysterical.
| 195 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:31:41am |
re: #191 Ericus58
Ha! My wife just had that on the TV - congratulations!
Battle Creek guy myself ;)
Richlander…raised my kids in the same village I was, same schools etc…a fine place, and Battle Creek schools was always our football nemesis…my mom played in their symphony for decades, and we always went out to the turkey farm for dinner and their little shows
| 196 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:32:46am |
China will bury the US…they will be our master in the coming decades
| 197 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:33:56am |
They’re moving Giffords to Davis-Monthan AFB to get her on her way to Houston.
| 198 |
reine.de.tout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:37:12am |
re: #193 Jadespring
Me too.
I don’t think it would occur to me to sue though if someone caught me on video and posted it on youtube. I guess I just have a different sense of humor. I would think it’s hilarious. I do think it’s hilarious when I do stupid things. Like the time I was talking to someone on the sidewalk, realized I was late, turned in a hurry and ran smack into a lamppost. Hurt like the beejeezus but it was hysterical.
I do things like that all the time.
And yes, I think it’s hilarious, even when it hurts.
I think I would have just enjoyed my 15 minutes
| 199 |
Ericus58 Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:37:17am |
re: #197 RogueOne
They’re moving Giffords to Davis-Monthan AFB to get her on her way to Houston.
Wife just remarked that Gabby was scrolling thru an iPod yesterday for selections. Amazing - I think of her everyday.
We should all cherish those moderate politicians trying to make a difference.
| 200 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:38:26am |
re: #199 Ericus58
Hearing the accounts of what they caught on video she’s incredibly lucky just to be alive.
| 201 |
reine.de.tout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:39:40am |
re: #199 Ericus58
Wife just remarked that Gabby was scrolling thru an iPod yesterday for selections. Amazing - I think of her everyday.
We should all cherish those moderate politicians trying to make a difference.
Agreed.
And how wonderful for her and her family that she survived; she has a tough rehab road ahead, I’m sure, but it seems she will be OK.
202 |
Big Steve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:42:03am |
re: #176 reine.de.tout
Yes.
I saw that yesterday.
The video is hilarious. But the mall security guy who took it and put it out there shouldn’t have done that. On the other hand, this woman is taking this stuff wayyy too seriously, particularly considering she’s a thief herself.
Son of Big Steve, was 16 yrs old and was driving his car and stopped at a red light in the museum district of Houston. While he sat at the light a woman was crossing the intersection while texting on her phone and instead of walking straight she drifted off and walked right into his stopped vehicle. She immediately started hollering that he had hit her and was injured. A cop walked up and hauled my son out of the car and cuffed him to a light post even though several witnesses insisted that he had been stopped and she was at fault. She was taken away in an ambulance and he was booked and charged. However several weeks later, the DA did have the police locate surveillance tapes from the museum that did show her walking into a stopped vehicle. She had filed against my auto insurance for medical costs but when the city dropped the case mysteriously her injuries cleared up.
| 203 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:43:02am |
re: #192 Obdicut
China’s approach to green energy at the moment seems to be like Zhukov’s approach to beating the Nazis; they’re taking AGW as the biggest possible threat and ready to sacrifice other environmental issues while pursuing energy technologies to combat AGW.
I was reading an article about this and the reasons why. Beyond the general realization about it’s practicalities and self interest it talked about general cultural differences in terms of time and time perception. Culturally in many Asian cultures Japan included ‘looking ahead’ conceptually tends to be a lot further then more Western conceptions. So a company while cognizent of next year, five year, and tens years there’s a tendency to recognize even further, like 50 to 100 years and actually act on a 50 year outlook in the present even if it hurts the present. It’s not the first time I’ve come across this so to me it makes sense that a place like China might really be taking a longer term viewpoint on the situation of climate change (once they’ve accepted it) and more easily accept and invest in finding solutions in the present.
| 204 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:46:28am |
Brad Manning is being tortured again….yawn
The lawyer for alleged government secrets leaker Bradley Manning is accusing military authorities of using punitive measures against Manning at the Marine Corps jail in Quantico, Va.
| 205 |
reine.de.tout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:53:58am |
re: #202 Big Steve
Son of Big Steve, was 16 yrs old and was driving his car and stopped at a red light in the museum district of Houston. While he sat at the light a woman was crossing the intersection while texting on her phone and instead of walking straight she drifted off and walked right into his stopped vehicle. She immediately started hollering that he had hit her and was injured. A cop walked up and hauled my son out of the car and cuffed him to a light post even though several witnesses insisted that he had been stopped and she was at fault. She was taken away in an ambulance and he was booked and charged. However several weeks later, the DA did have the police locate surveillance tapes from the museum that did show her walking into a stopped vehicle. She had filed against my auto insurance for medical costs but when the city dropped the case mysteriously her injuries cleared up.
OOH.
Thank goodness for the tapes, eh?
My daughter got a ticket in the mail for making a right turn on red without first coming to a complete stop.
She insisted, insisted, that she had come to a full stop, and the ticket was no fair! blah blah blah.
So we went to the website and found her ticket number, and there was a VIDEO from the traffic cam. We watched it. Not only did she not come to a complete stop, she barely slowed down before making that turn. That shut her up real quick.
| 206 |
Jadespring Fri, Jan 21, 2011 8:57:16am |
Anyways enjoyed the convo and everyones POV. Would love to stay longer but I have a meeting to get too.
Take care all. :)
| 207 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:02:48am |
Policy makers are working behind the scenes to come up with a way to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts, including the pensions they have promised to retired public workers.
Bankruptcy could permit a state to alter its contractual promises to retirees, which are often protected by state constitutions, and it could provide an alternative to a no-strings bailout. Along with retirees, however, investors in a state’s bonds could suffer, possibly ending up at the back of the line as unsecured creditors.
what a monumental mess these jerks have made for their citizens…it’s gonna be a long line before it’s over….and they have to appeal to the feds, who are staring at a multi trillion dollar debt!…the deaf leading the blind
208 |
Fozzie Bear Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:09:58am |
re: #135 RogueOne
Great, another opportunity for parents to teach their kids that it is acceptable to voluntarily give up their civil rights:
N.J. Town To Vote On Middle School Drug Tests
[Link: newyork.cbslocal.com…]
That’s… extremely fucked up.
| 209 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:10:55am |
re: #207 albusteve
It involves possibly changing Chapter 9 bankruptcies that are currently allowed for municipalities to be expanded to cover states.
That would have a domino effect, since state municipal bonds would drop to junk status since their credit is tied to state ratings and ability/responsibility to repay.
Bankruptcy would discharge some or all of the pension debts, but it isn’t a panacea.
A far better situation would be to regularize and adopt a municipal assistance corporation system that was used to help NY regain solvency in the 1970s early 1980s. Coupled with a pension benefit corporation that helps fund and reorganize the pension funds and obligations to balance competing interests - funding pensions promised and taxpayer burdens/obligations, the assistance will need to be a multi-pronged effort.
The ARRA of 2009 only delayed the situation by providing federal funding to cover massive deficits in FY 2010. With that money no longer available, the states are facing big holes in their budgets and no easy way to close them.
Even NY Gov. Cuomo is suggesting that massive state worker layoffs will be necessary - in the 10-15,000 range. That’s already got the unions stirring, and I expect Cuomo to spell out a couple of significant proposals - including a new pension tier that would actually shift new hires into a 401k system rather than a defined benefit system, and a worker buyout that lowers the workforce through attrition rather than a mass layoff.
| 210 |
Fozzie Bear Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:12:27am |
re: #158 RogueOne
Their cheap labor isn’t a necessity. That’s what we have Mexico for…
I lost the site for a bit, anyone else?
The problem is, Mexico isn’t politically stable. Wayyy too much crime to invest there. China, on the other hand, is much, much more stable.
| 211 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:14:43am |
re: #210 Fozzie Bear
China, on the other hand, is much, much more stable.
For now.
Remember, we thought the Soviet Union was stable, too.
| 212 |
Fozzie Bear Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:19:24am |
re: #211 garhighway
For now.
Remember, we thought the Soviet Union was stable, too.
The soviet union had an economy that was just this side of a turd sandwich for decades before it fell, and was far more oppressive of its citizens.
I don’t think there’s much of a comparison to be made. The USSR was a completely planned economy (poorly planned, that is.), where China is basically a capitalist dream state with an icing of totalitarian regime.
The two are extremely different.
| 213 |
Fozzie Bear Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:23:13am |
re: #208 Fozzie Bear
That’s… extremely fucked up.
The fourth amendment is toast. Stick a fork in it.
This upsets me viscerally. Randomly searching the bloodstream of children for banned substances is way beyond the bounds of where a government should be allowed to go, imho. That seems like the fucking definition of an unreasonable search to me.
| 214 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:25:56am |
re: #213 Fozzie Bear
I think you’re right. I can only imagine how many parents will tell their kids “if you have nothing to hide then it’s ok to give up your rights”.
| 215 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:28:59am |
Good Morning/Afternoon all!
I believe it is freakin’ cold outside.
How is everyone?
| 216 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:30:36am |
lawhawk,
Thanks for the book recommendations the other day. NOLO had one that was exactly what I needed.
| 217 |
Fozzie Bear Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:30:55am |
re: #214 RogueOne
I think you’re right. I can only imagine how many parents will tell their kids “if you have nothing to hide then it’s ok to give up your rights”.
I keep hearing that shit everywhere I go and talk about expansion of police powers, sneak and peek warrants, subpoenas coupled with gag orders, etc.
This whole “it could never happen here” meme, when mentioned in reference to oppressive government, is just so much flag waving bullshit. We are the land of the free precisely as long as we continually fight to remain so, and no longer.
On a slightly different point, the drug war has to end. It is a failed experiement. The black market created by it is crushing Mexico, and the cost of incarcerating a huge proportion of the population is crippling us here in the US. We incarcerate more people per capita than any other country in the world, and we still have a relatively high violent crime rate, much of it drug related. Not only is the drug war doomed to fail, it is causing far more problems than it solves.
218 |
Sol Berdinowitz Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:35:00am |
re: #217 Fozzie Bear
What bothers me is the notion that you are suspect - and therefore subject to search and seizure - without having to do anything specific to arouse suspicion, you can be treated as suspect by virtue of being somewhere (like in school) or belonging to a certain ethnic/demographic/professional/social group.
The other aspect that bothers me is that it totally ignores a basic civil right the right to petition for the redress of grievances. A lot of people being subjected to search or surveillance are not even aware of the fact that it is being done, and if there are any errors or abuses involved, they have to possibility of seeking redress.
| 219 |
MinisterO Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:35:16am |
re: #22 freetoken
BTW, I looked at the Republican Study Committee proposal (now online).
100% ideological sales pitch to their funders/groupies, mostly composed of extreme social conservatives. Total avoidance of the real big budget items in federal dole.
Three of my favorites:
Energy Star Program - $52 million annual savings.
Eliminate taxpayer subsidies to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - $12.5 million annual savings.
Applied Research at Department of Energy - $1.27 billion annual savings.
221 |
Charles Johnson Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:37:10am |
Every gibbering right wing loon on Twitter is spewing hatred at me today. Patterico is outright lying, and they know it, but they’re all gleefully reposting the link to his distorted piece of crap post accusing me of saying things I never said.
Just another day at LGF.
| 222 |
garhighway Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:38:12am |
re: #212 Fozzie Bear
The soviet union had an economy that was just this side of a turd sandwich for decades before it fell, and was far more oppressive of its citizens.
I don’t think there’s much of a comparison to be made. The USSR was a completely planned economy (poorly planned, that is.), where China is basically a capitalist dream state with an icing of totalitarian regime.
The two are extremely different.
They aren’t identical. But China’s combination of political repression, ethnic minorities and systemic corruption is potentially volatile.
| 223 |
Sol Berdinowitz Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:39:51am |
re: #222 garhighway
China learned a lot from the decline and fall of the USSR, and is being careful to avoid them as best it can.
| 224 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:39:55am |
re: #222 garhighway
They aren’t identical. But China’s combination of political repression, ethnic minorities and systemic corruption is potentially volatile.
add gender disparity to the list.
225 |
Killgore Trout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:41:40am |
re: #221 Charles
Every gibbering right wing loon on Twitter is spewing hatred at me today. Patterico is outright lying, and they know it, but they’re all gleefully reposting the link to his distorted piece of crap post accusing me of saying things I never said.
Just another day at LGF.
That story is all over the we, Fark, Reddit, Digg, etc. Rawsory picked it up: ‘You’re going to have to shoot them in the head,’ Beck said of Democratic leaders
I don’t know what the wingnuts think they’re going to accomplish by complaining about LGF.
| 226 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:43:08am |
And while the details of the shooting and the history of the suspect are still to be determined, early information suggests that investigators may discover evidence of untreated mental illness. It would be a mistake to conclude that incidents such as this are characteristic of people who have mental illness. In fact, these events are very rare.
Studies show that having a mental illness, in itself, does not increase one’s propensity to commit serious violence; other factors come into play, including co-occurring substance abuse, trauma and, perhaps in this instance, today’s vitriolic political climate.
a good read
227 |
Gus Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:43:46am |
Ugh. I think I have an intestinal flu. Have to be near the bathroom all day now. Had the heat up to 80 degrees in here and I was still cold and shivering.
| 228 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:44:52am |
re: #227 Gus 802
Ugh. I think I have an intestinal flu. Have to be near the bathroom all day now. Had the heat up to 80 degrees in here and I was still cold and shivering.
Been there, I am so sorry. Fortunately, it will pass.
| 229 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:45:26am |
Animals in the house are cold too! I can tell because they are friendly and want to cuddle.
| 230 |
Gus Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:46:17am |
re: #228 ggt
Been there, I am so sorry. Fortunately, it will pass.
Yeah. I have a 3:00 o’clock though for a potential project. Guess I’ll have to cancel that since if I did go I’d a) feel like crap and b) well, you know.
| 231 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:46:36am |
re: #221 Charles
Speaks volumes for the right wing “reality-based” community. They’ve come a long way (and not in a good way)- and now it is a story when their postings tangentially reflect the facts.
| 232 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:47:12am |
re: #230 Gus 802
Yeah. I have a 3:00 o’clock though for a potential project. Guess I’ll have to cancel that since if I did go I’d a) feel like crap and b) well, you know.
Can you reschedule?
| 233 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:47:22am |
re: #209 lawhawk
It involves possibly changing Chapter 9 bankruptcies that are currently allowed for municipalities to be expanded to cover states.
That would have a domino effect, since state municipal bonds would drop to junk status since their credit is tied to state ratings and ability/responsibility to repay.
Bankruptcy would discharge some or all of the pension debts, but it isn’t a panacea.
A far better situation would be to regularize and adopt a municipal assistance corporation system that was used to help NY regain solvency in the 1970s early 1980s. Coupled with a pension benefit corporation that helps fund and reorganize the pension funds and obligations to balance competing interests - funding pensions promised and taxpayer burdens/obligations, the assistance will need to be a multi-pronged effort.
The ARRA of 2009 only delayed the situation by providing federal funding to cover massive deficits in FY 2010. With that money no longer available, the states are facing big holes in their budgets and no easy way to close them.
Even NY Gov. Cuomo is suggesting that massive state worker layoffs will be necessary - in the 10-15,000 range. That’s already got the unions stirring, and I expect Cuomo to spell out a couple of significant proposals - including a new pension tier that would actually shift new hires into a 401k system rather than a defined benefit system, and a worker buyout that lowers the workforce through attrition rather than a mass layoff.
no matter what the solution is….people are going to suffer, and I know it’s easy to say, but the whole damn mess was avoidable…schools and services will pay the price for fat cat deals made for pensions, no the the entire problem but a large part of it….who are these people trying to kid?…their whole approach to governing has blown up in their faces…bunch of frauds
| 234 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:47:57am |
re: #231 lawhawk
Speaks volumes for the right wing “reality-based” community. They’ve come a long way (and not in a good way)- and now it is a story when their postings tangentially reflect the facts.
I wish the parties could come together on the money issue and leave all the social issues outside the conference room door.
| 235 |
Gus Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:48:13am |
re: #232 ggt
Can you reschedule?
I think so. Although there are two other people that are going to show. I guess I have no choice though. I feel awful.
| 236 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:51:05am |
re: #233 albusteve
no matter what the solution is…people are going to suffer, and I know it’s easy to say, but the whole damn mess was avoidable…schools and services will pay the price for fat cat deals made for pensions, no the the entire problem but a large part of it…who are these people trying to kid?…their whole approach to governing has blown up in their faces…bunch of frauds
I’ve come to the conclusion that my kid is going to have a much tougher time than I did and that I had a tougher time than my parents.
Frankly, I just want the WWII generation to be able to age gracefully. I think we can handle what comes our way. The younger generation doesn’t have the same expectations and will find their own way.
I don’t have to like it.
| 237 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:54:49am |
re: #235 Gus 802
I think so. Although there are two other people that are going to show. I guess I have no choice though. I feel awful.
Tamiflu?
| 238 |
lawhawk Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:55:02am |
While the lawsuit filed by the idiot who didn’t watch where she was walking and fell into a mall fountain ranks up there in the annals of stupid lawsuits (she’s suing the mall after the YouTube clip went viral and made the rounds on all media), this suit quite possibly ranks as the dumbest of the decade. Guy goes to Vegas, hires an escort, pays her for a strip tease and then for an undisclosed sex act. Supposed to last 1 hour. She left after 30 minutes. He tries to get refund and even goes to police who remind him that he was a participant in an illegal act - prostitution.
That wasn’t enough. He came back to NYC and has now filed suit claiming he suffered physical harm - and demands $1.8 million in damages, plus the $275 in monies paid.
| 239 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:55:28am |
re: #236 ggt
I’ve come to the conclusion that my kid is going to have a much tougher time than I did and that I had a tougher time than my parents.
Frankly, I just want the WWII generation to be able to age gracefully. I think we can handle what comes our way. The younger generation doesn’t have the same expectations and will find their own way.
I don’t have to like it.
I have supreme confidence in my two kids, but they will have to deal with stuff not in their control…they are both goal oriented, smart and hard workers…I just hope for the best but worry about the worst
| 241 |
Killgore Trout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:56:04am |
Dkos has the video too: Beck’s call to violence: “Shoot them in the head”
You can’t put shit back in the horse.
| 242 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:56:24am |
| 243 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:57:05am |
re: #238 lawhawk
While the lawsuit filed by the idiot who didn’t watch where she was walking and fell into a mall fountain ranks up there in the annals of stupid lawsuits (she’s suing the mall after the YouTube clip went viral and made the rounds on all media), this suit quite possibly ranks as the dumbest of the decade. Guy goes to Vegas, hires an escort, pays her for a strip tease and then for an undisclosed sex act. Supposed to last 1 hour. She left after 30 minutes. He tries to get refund and even goes to police who remind him that he was a participant in an illegal act - prostitution.
That wasn’t enough. He came back to NYC and has now filed suit claiming he suffered physical harm - and demands $1.8 million in damages, plus the $275 in monies paid.
guy is probably a millionaire just dicking around out of bordom….maybe not tho
| 244 |
Gus Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:57:10am |
re: #242 ggt
GATORADE! It helps replenish what you lose in the bathroom.
I’m drinking water.
Anyway, I have to get horizontal
Later.
| 245 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:57:39am |
re: #239 albusteve
I have supreme confidence in my two kids, but they will have to deal with stuff not in their control…they are both goal oriented, smart and hard workers…I just hope for the best but worry about the worst
Our kids will have to deal with stuff totally outside our realm of imagination. Freakin’ terrifies me. I keep my mouth shut and try to make sure he will have the tools that will help him.
| 246 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:58:07am |
re: #240 Gus 802
I’m taking nada.
Take 1 scorpion.
Grind it to dust.
Take some oregano leaves.
Grind them to dust.
Fill one glass hot water and put in two table spoons of salt.
Mix and enjoy!
/
| 247 |
albusteve Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:58:40am |
re: #246 Varek Raith
Take 1 scorpion.
Grind it to dust.
Take some oregano leaves.
Grind them to dust.
Fill one glass hot water and put in two table spoons of salt.
Mix and enjoy!
/
no potato juice?…wth?
| 248 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:59:02am |
re: #238 lawhawk
While the lawsuit filed by the idiot who didn’t watch where she was walking and fell into a mall fountain ranks up there in the annals of stupid lawsuits (she’s suing the mall after the YouTube clip went viral and made the rounds on all media), this suit quite possibly ranks as the dumbest of the decade. Guy goes to Vegas, hires an escort, pays her for a strip tease and then for an undisclosed sex act. Supposed to last 1 hour. She left after 30 minutes. He tries to get refund and even goes to police who remind him that he was a participant in an illegal act - prostitution.
That wasn’t enough. He came back to NYC and has now filed suit claiming he suffered physical harm - and demands $1.8 million in damages, plus the $275 in monies paid.
I have to wonder about the company he keeps. What kind of man would want his family and friends to know he hired a prostitute?
| 249 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:59:24am |
| 250 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:59:29am |
| 251 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 9:59:47am |
| 253 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:00:25am |
| 256 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:01:08am |
257 |
William Barnett-Lewis Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:01:56am |
re: #139 RogueOne
I’ve noticed a lot of tags in other stores lately from Pakistan and Vietnam. Not sure how I feel about trade with Vietnam.
Much as with Korea, the only way freedom stands a chance is on the back of economic progress. And even the sweatshop wage scales are progress.
It was funny, but when we were there in 2002 adopting our son, they were having elections for their congress. Even though there is only one Party, there were more contested races by percentage than in the US House elections the same year. It’s an interesting and complex country to put it mildly.
| 258 |
RogueOne Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:02:08am |
re: #248 ggt
I have to wonder about the company he keeps. What kind of man would want his family and friends to know he hired a prostitute?
| 260 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:03:38am |
re: #259 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)
Lol.
IE.
:P
| 261 |
William Barnett-Lewis Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:04:22am |
re: #257 wlewisiiiThis was referring to Vietnam.
262 |
Kragar Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:04:28am |
| 264 |
Killgore Trout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:06:18am |
More of Pamela Geller’s friends convicted of racial abuse….
EDL SUPPORTERS FINED FOR ON-TRAIN RACIST ABUSE
The court heard that, on Friday 25 June last year, the trio had attended an EDL march in Bradford and had been on their way home when they travelled from Manchester Victoria to Wigan on a Northern Rail service.During the journey they became abusive and intimidating, subjecting several passengers to a torrent of racist abuse.
The abuse began when the three sang songs relating to the EDL and Taliban. At Salford Crescent an Asian man boarded the train and was immediately targeted by the group who shouted derogatory remarks about Allah to the man.
PC Tony McGibbon, of British Transport Police, said: “The abuse continued for some time and was directed at anyone on board the train who the three perceived to be anything other than white British.
| 265 |
Pavlovian Hive Mind Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:06:25am |
| 266 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:07:13am |
| 267 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:07:55am |
re: #264 Killgore Trout
More of Pamela Geller’s friends convicted of racial abuse…
EDL SUPPORTERS FINED FOR ON-TRAIN RACIST ABUSE
They’ll find a way to spin it to make themselves the victims.
| 268 |
Killgore Trout Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:08:28am |
re: #267 ggt
They’ll find a way to spin it to make themselves the victims.
UK’s sharia courts convicts patriots!
/
| 269 |
Sol Berdinowitz Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:10:02am |
re: #267 ggt
They’ll find a way to spin it to make themselves the victims.
the spin will take two directions at once:
a) these people are in no way representative of the eEDL, its goals, methods or ideology
and b) they were victims of media/legal/PC persecution
| 270 |
FemNaziBitch Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:13:02am |
re: #269 ralphieboy
the spin will take two directions at once:
a) these people are in no way representative of the eEDL, its goals, methods or ideology
and b) they were victims of media/legal/PC persecution
IT’S NOT MY FAULT
271 |
MrSilverDragon Fri, Jan 21, 2011 10:17:50am |
Good afternoon, everyone.
I wish I could be a TV weatherman. I’d love to be able to get away with only having to be accurate 20% of the time while doing my job. This whole 99.9999% uptime thing gets to be draining after a while. The Internet… a blessing, and a curse.
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