home

Sunday Night News and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 07:05:33 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

President Obama says al Qaeda is trying to acquire nuclear weapons and it's our biggest threat right now.

The next phase of airline fees: $45 for carry-on baggage. One airline, Spirit, announced the move, and Sen. Chuck Shumer is appealing to Treasury to stop it.

All my tivos will be busy tonight: Treme, about struggling musicians and other locals in post-Katrina New Orleans, by the creator of "The Wire" starts on HBO, which also has a new episode of "Pacific." Reviews for "Treme" are promising. There's a two hour Brothers and Sisters, a new "Breaking Bad" on AMC and a new "Celebrity Apprentice." Brett Michaels and Cindy Lauper make the show now that Blago is gone. I hope they stay tonight and uptight athlete Michael Johnson goes home.

What's on your agenda tonight? This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Sunday Morning Open Thread | New Details, New Suspect in Zazi NYC Terror Plot >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Sunday Night News and Open Thread | 120 comments (120 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    Is Sen. Schumer kidding? (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Democratic Cat on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 07:33:39 PM EST
    He says taxes should be assessed on the carry-on bag fee, just like they are assessed on fares. Who does he think pays the taxes on fares?

    Does he think Spirit will forgo a $45 carry-on bag fee because there will be a $3.38 tax assessed--much of which will get passed on to consumers anyway?  Even if Spirit ate the whole tax, the carry-on bag fee would likely be profitable for it.

    you think it's bad here (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:09:56 PM EST
    check out this airline in the UK charging a $1.00 toilet tax to use the bathroom and creating a "standing room only" section to be able to add mroe seats.

    Parent
    sounds like (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Jen M on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 09:05:45 PM EST
    The Mrs. Grace L Ferguson Airline and Stormdoor company

    Parent
    Standing room only on airplanes??? (none / 0) (#7)
    by gyrfalcon on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:39:48 PM EST
    WTF???

    Parent
    Oh (wo)man are they ever asking for pushback (none / 0) (#20)
    by Ellie on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:40:14 PM EST
    ... on both the standing room and toilet tax measures.

    Two birds, one stone file: With the help of FUDs (see below) females of all ages can now go wherever, though most of are too couth to push that envelope. (I'm not.) These new rules just beg to be disobeyed on principle.

    No doubt GoGirl and the growing throng of peeps will become part of the wave.

    No movement yet from the Number Two division, but it'll happen when the time's right.

    FUD: Female Urination Device

    Parent

    Depends.... Use 'em and hand 'em off to the (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:42:45 PM EST
    flight attendant for disposal.


    Parent
    I can think of even funkier stuff to hand them (none / 0) (#25)
    by Ellie on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 11:11:04 PM EST
    ... Depend(s)ing on which bodily fluid was being glorified by your particular attributed group during your social activist coming of age. I Venn into several circles.

    Those airlines really really don't want to rush in where angels fear to tread.

    Parent

    The airlines have just (none / 0) (#17)
    by ruffian on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:34:00 PM EST
    taken the money out of fares so they turn up lower in the search engines, then they charge us fees instead. I wonder if Shumer has stats on the lost tax revenue.

    I'd rather go back to higher fares and no fees for baggage, but I guess those days are gone.

    I want to try the United 'Fedex your baggage' plan sometime, but that would require that I pack sooner than 1 am the night before my trip.

    Parent

    Pretty soon it is going to cost more for (none / 0) (#21)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:40:53 PM EST
    one's luggage to travel than it is for the person.

    Next time I go visit friends, I'll bring a suitcase full of clothes to leave there and travel without luggage from then on.


    Parent

    Well, (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by ZtoA on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 11:44:11 PM EST
    if you travel without luggage you might be targeted as a terrorist. There's no winning.

    Parent
    Ah, yes, there's that (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 11:46:42 PM EST
    but, I think that will end up being more the norm after these fees go into effect.


    Parent
    Since we're paying for luggage to travel (none / 0) (#32)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:49:43 AM EST
    with us, do we get a refund when it gets lost?

    Parent
    Sure (none / 0) (#47)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:57:08 AM EST
    For a fee... lol

    Parent
    Like the banks did with fees to talk to a teller!! (none / 0) (#72)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:42:24 AM EST
    Next thing we know, we'll have to put a $20 in a slot to open the doors to the airport!

    Actually, you should have watched the video I linked to.

    Parent

    Funny (none / 0) (#78)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:51:07 AM EST
    This is a good one too:

    United Breaks Guitars

    Parent

    LOL!! (none / 0) (#80)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:30:23 PM EST
    Very catchy tune :)

    Parent
    WAIT!!! Women's Purses count as carry-on??? (none / 0) (#76)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:44:44 AM EST
    Would they dare take it that far?

    Parent
    England already has (none / 0) (#79)
    by CST on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:09:40 PM EST
    you only get 1 carry-on, and your purse better fit inside that bag, because that counts as number 2.

    Parent
    Leave it to Chuckie... (none / 0) (#73)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:42:43 AM EST
    when he's done it'll be a hundo per bag.

    Parent
    GOP Legislature Ends Teacher Tenure In Florida (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by john horse on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:37:56 PM EST
    Jeralyn,
    The GOP majority legislature has just passed a bill ending K-12 teacher tenure in Florida and paying teachers more for advanced degrees like Masters and Doctorates.  It looks like a power play by the Republicans and the Chamber of Commerce to destroy the teacher unions.

    I have a teacher friend of mine who has taught for over 20 years.  She told me that given what has been happening to education in Florida, she would not advise anyone to get into teaching.  People will no longer look at teaching in Florida as a career but as a waystation to some other job.

    School teacher, school administrators, parents, and students have all come out against this bill but only people the Republicans in Florida seem to listen to are the Chamber of Commerce and developers.  

    Hopefully, Charlie Crist will do the right thing and veto this bill.  

    Props to FLA Politics for its coverage, including this post by mentelibre "Jeb Bush's Waterloo".  

    Horrible (none / 0) (#8)
    by gyrfalcon on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:41:07 PM EST
    This kind of political crap is exactly why teachers need to have the protection of tenure, IMHO.

    Parent
    Sounds bad for the teachers (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 09:19:55 PM EST
    but will help the schools?

    After all, K-12's product has not been exactly good for the past 30 years and with the general public becoming more and more sensitive to teachers teaching political positions rather than the 3 R's this had to happen.

    Parent

    What Are You Talking About? (5.00 / 3) (#34)
    by john horse on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 05:57:42 AM EST
    PPJ,
    I am not aware of any K-12 school teachers in Florida who have been teaching their political positions.  Can you name any of these teachers?

    Regarding the myth that quality of education has been going down I suggest you read "The Manufactured Crisis" by past president of the American Educational Research Association David Berliner.  But lets say that Berliner, who is an expert in analyzing education statistics, is wrong.  In Florida, under the Republicans,we have had over 10 years of educational "reform" including vouchers, merit pay, comprehensive testing, and cuts to poor performing schools. If the K-12 education "product" is still down after these years of "reform", then what does that say about Republican ideas about education?

    Parent

    Oh, you know those (5.00 / 5) (#37)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 08:03:58 AM EST
    commie kindergarten teachers-- the ones that sing "it's a small world," and "the wheels on the bus". We know that one of these is a recruiting song and the other is about conservation and everyone being on the bus at the same time... commie stuff.

    Yep, chock full of Reds and fellow travellers are the schools in Florida. They all moved there to be closer to Castro, you know.

    Our reds in Alabama left and moved there, too.

    Geez.

    Parent

    Yeah (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by jbindc on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:00:42 AM EST
    My mom taught kindergarten for 45 years.  She taught such commie ideas as sharing, the "buddy system", and the fact that boys could play in the playhouse and girls could play with trucks.  Oh yeah, she also taught things like personal responsibility, time management, and that we should be kind to one another. My favorite, however, (and one she used st home frequently) - she has an invisible sign above her head that only kids can see - it says "No Whining Zone".  All her kindergartner could see it and knew what it meant (and so did my sisters and I!)

    Parent
    Come on... (none / 0) (#56)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:56:51 AM EST
    You folks need to quit your own whining. The national news has been full of high school, and some lower grades, involved in political stuff.

    And BION, people in FL actually watch the national news, use the Internet and speak with people who live outside the Sunshine State.

    Perception is everything.

    Especially when fueled by a teacher in St Louis having her young wards come marching into the classroom praising Obama.. widely shown on YouTube until it magically disappered... then the NJ children being led in "Barack Obama hmmm  hmmmm hmmm.." Then the Denver high school teacher... then the San Diegi schools providing time and special places for Muslim prayers and segregating the sexs...UK students punished for not taking part in Muslim prayers.. The teacher who had her students write on how they would illegally enter the country... and on and on and on...

    Like it or not, the great unwashed see the K-12 schools as a battleground for the minds of their children. And, as the schools demand more and more money with the above hanging over them and with the perception that they aren't graduating children educated in the basics....

    Well, people Hope that all this can be Changed.


    Parent

    Well, at least this part is true: (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:07:08 AM EST
    "Like it or not, the great unwashed see the K-12 schools as a battleground for the minds of their children."  That's why so many of them, with no understanding of our Constitution or of the political values on which this Nation was founded, want to teach their religious opinions (or faith) in the public schools through Bible reading and compulsory prayer, and as a substitute for scientific knowledge -- and in opposition to the scientific method -- in biology, geology, and other fields.

    Parent
    They may be all the things that (none / 0) (#63)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:16:08 AM EST
    you say they are, and they may want to turn the schools into churches, which I would resist, but it is their money and their children and they are tired of what they are seeing and hearing.

    The Tea Parties didn't just happen over night or for no reason. And I doubt that loss of tenure over teaching an approved curriculum will happen.

    If you believe in democracy then you have to believe that the local school boards will effectively manage the schools. That some may not is the price we pay for democracy.

    One thing is certain. People are demanding change.


    Parent

    "they see" "they think" (none / 0) (#66)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:23:35 AM EST
    when did you become this great, populist spokesperson, with his finger directly on the pulse of so many people, jim?

    Parent
    Why do you want to know? (none / 0) (#67)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:33:04 AM EST
    And what business is it of yours?

    Parent
    Im thinking about (none / 0) (#70)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:39:59 AM EST
    organizing my own rally to protest the teaching of evolution, the global warming hoax and fluoridation..

    I thought maybe you could give me some pointers.

    Parent

    Very shallow thinking on your part. (none / 0) (#95)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 02:31:33 PM EST
    On evolution you might start by noting that while it is proven that species evolve, there is no proof that one species evolve into another.

    In the meantime I will stick with my belief that God created Heaven and Earth and all the Creatures therein but we don't know how He did it or how long He took to do it.

    And if you still believe in man made GW, well, you don't believe in science so why am I surprised?

    lol

    Parent

    LOL indeed (none / 0) (#104)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 04:47:30 PM EST


    Parent
    left wing indocrination (none / 0) (#65)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:18:25 AM EST
    and multiculturalism..

    We've got trouble, my friends..right here in River City..with a capital T..

    Maybe the best thing "the great unwashed" can do at this point would be to take a bath - so to speak - and see if they can wash away the stink of fundamentalism and (white)right wing paranoia.

    Parent

    Yes we do have a problem (none / 0) (#68)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:35:40 AM EST
    Unfortunately you are part of it by refusing to acknowledge that others also have concerns and beliefs.

    Parent
    Concerns that we're (none / 0) (#74)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:42:49 AM EST
    not returning to the early 1800s quickly enough; the same way the Taliban wants to return to the 1300s.

    Parent
    jondee, you have been pushing that (2.00 / 2) (#94)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 02:26:01 PM EST
    same old song about me for years and years and years.... Yet you can find no comments to back it up.

    Being pro defense does not make one a Conservative. Being anti Obama does not make one a racist, no matter how many different slurs you toss out.

    For heaven's sake, grow up and see if you can actually debate what I say, not what you want me to say.

    Parent

    no comments to back it up (none / 0) (#96)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:00:11 PM EST
    just a lot of quacking, waddling and egg laying from a duck that is no duck.

    Lets see: "pro-defense" (as if anyone's against defending this country), pro-Bush tax cuts, pro-school vouchers, pro-teaparty culture, chronic minimizer of environmental issues, pro-intelligent design, defender of culture warriors..

    Now, why would anyone mistake you for a conservative?  

    Parent

    Why don't you provide some (none / 0) (#102)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:54:20 PM EST
    proof for these claims?

    Let me help you.

    Many on the Left are anti-war and this are for down sizing defense. Look what Obama is doing with our nuclear capability.

    Pro tax  cuts? Absolutely because the economy always takes off.

    Pro school vouchers? Yes. Condemning poor children to attend failed schools in failed school systems while the rich send their kids to private schools seems to serve not the children, but the teacher's unions and the school admins who are almost all way Left of center and vote Democrat.

    Pro tea party what??? That I believe in citizens right to assemble and redress their government? Wow. I seem to remember that in the Constitution.
    Tax cuts? Whatever works when it comes to getting people back to work and having a way up and out of poverty. Too bad you don't think that's important.

    Chronic what? Laughable, and here is your chance. Prove it.

    Pro intelligent design. You lie.

    Defender of who? Culture warriors? hahahahaa Who are these people? Show me, jondee.

    In the meantime I continue to be me. A believer in the rights of all minorities, including gay marriage. A believer in a woman's absolute right to chose, but always hopeful abortion is not used unless absolutely necessary. Someone who has commented time and again that our drug laws need to be rationalized.

    Obama? I have stated time and again that my single hope for him was that he would get a single paper health care system modeled on Medicare passed. Well, he didn't. Beyond that I see a Chicago politician with fascist/Marxist leanings.

    All of that seems pretty much like a social liberal to me. Sorry that you think everyone who disagrees with you is evil and twisted, but then that's just you.

    Parent

    What will help the schools? (none / 0) (#31)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:44:05 AM EST
    You made me think of one of my favorite Gallagher segments.

    Parent
    Vouchers (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:58:07 AM EST
    Vouchers and vouchers and vouchers.

    The current system is beyond saving. Tear it down and start over

    Parent

    Proven failure (none / 0) (#62)
    by waldenpond on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:11:51 AM EST
    The voucher system is a failure.  It does not improve test scores.  In fact, there have been some instances of minor decreases in test scores.  It wastes money.... in most cases, additional 'start-up' dollars are supplied.. for what?  Another failed Republican policy.

    Parent
    The first step... (none / 0) (#103)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:59:29 PM EST
    to improving education is to stop focusing on stupid freakin' test scores and start focusing on kids and their individual needs & talents...imo.  

    I was a master standardized test-taker...it allowed me to skate without even trying...that can't be what we call a good education.  Then there are the brilliant kids who suck at taking tests.

    Parent

    Sorry, Gallagher is much better (none / 0) (#69)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:39:18 AM EST
    and the idea of vouchers is disgusting. It's just an excuse to fail to bring our public school standards back to the level it once was. The one room schoolhouse put out more education than the public schools do now.


    Parent
    The beauty of the one-room schoolhouse (none / 0) (#101)
    by itscookin on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:47:51 PM EST
    was the ablility of the teacher to differentiate education from one student to the next. Kids got true individual attention and moved at their own pace. Today school is a one-size fits all education factory.

    Parent
    Don't agree on the tenure bit (none / 0) (#114)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:06:19 PM EST
    but the pay boost for those with advanced degree's is nice- getting taught all liberal arts courses (Civics, Gov, World Affairs, etc.)  taught by my high schools coaching staff was a joke.

    Parent
    What to do, what to do????? (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:55:30 PM EST
    "The recent financial crisis was not a natural disaster; it was a man-made economic assault," Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the subcommittee, said in a statement Friday. "People did it. Extreme greed was the driving force. And it will happen again unless we change the rules."

    Link

    WaMu Executives will be in front of congress this week, under oath.

    BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 05:43:43 PM EST
    well, egg announcement:

    the male arowana is carrying eggs in his mouth.
    thats so awsum!

    WOw (none / 0) (#107)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 06:07:08 PM EST
    That was fast..

    Parent
    So (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 07:23:33 PM EST
    Obama is now conceding that Cheney was right? Or Condi was right about the mushroom cloud?

    Wrong Country (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by squeaky on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 07:32:39 PM EST
    Wrong time period and no inflated rhetoric for bedwetters, Obama is including the world at a 47-nation summit in Washington aimed at thwarting nuclear terrorism, and the goal is to get nations to agree to secure vulnerable nuclear material within four years and to take specific steps to crack down on nuclear smuggling, rather that get congress to agree to bomb the sh*t out of a sovereign country, but other than that, yes it is exactly the same as what Cheney and Condi were trying to do..

     

    Parent

    Squeaks are you in the market for some yellowcake? (none / 0) (#35)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 06:19:02 AM EST


    Parent
    Huh? (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:55:32 AM EST
    This effort is not about creating a nation of bedwetters, but an effort to continue work on nuclear non-proliferation, but be my guest and join the tea baggers on a protest march. You can carry the sign that reads: JUST SAY NO TO NUKULAR NON PROLIFERATION TREATIES...

    Parent
    I agree with Obama on this one. (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by observed on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:31:16 PM EST
    Bush and Cheney totally dropped the ball on confronting the threat of nuclear terrorism by choosing to invade Iraq.

    Parent
    Based on what independently verified facts (none / 0) (#36)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 07:02:19 AM EST
    are we supposed to trust that this isn't WMD redux?

    From Reuters article:

    Obama says:"The central focus of this nuclear summit is the fact that the single biggest threat to U.S. security...would be the possibility of a terrorist organization obtaining a nuclear weapon...We know that organizations like al Qaeda are in the process of trying to secure a nuclear weapon -- a weapon of mass destruction that they have no compunction at using"...

    Nuclear non-proliferation experts say: there are no known instances of terrorist groups obtaining highly enriched uranium or plutonium that could be used to make a crude nuclear bomb but note there have been 18 cases of nuclear material being stolen or going missing since the early 1990s.

    Here we go again, down the yellowcake road.

    Parent

    They could buy a bomb. (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by observed on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 08:34:58 AM EST
    The difference is that, unlike Iraq, Al Qaeda WOULD use a nuclear device if it had one.

    Parent
    What makes ya think that? (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:18:22 AM EST
    Not for nothing AQ is still well behind the good ol' US of A in the use of truly heinous weapons.

    We know AQ has no druthers about sending poor slobs off to kill themselves, we don't know if the leadership is suicidal...I'd guess, like most cowardly leaders, they wanna live and send pawns to die over their bullsh*t.

    Parent

    if they nuked us (none / 0) (#44)
    by CST on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:28:16 AM EST
    there would be no "one" to nuke back.

    It's not like they are sitting together in a palace somewhere where we know where they are and are all hanging out for us to retaliate.

    Parent

    We could nuke... (none / 0) (#49)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:06:05 AM EST
    the Afghan-Pakistan border region....isn't that supposed to be where "they" are?

    Or we could nuke wherever we think AQ got the nuke from...Iran, N. Korea, Russia.

    One thing for sure...we get nuked, we're nuking somebody.

    Parent

    sure (none / 0) (#53)
    by CST on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:42:29 AM EST
    we might nuke "someone".  That doesn't mean it will be the right someone.  My guess is if they went that route, they would be spread out hiding somewhere that wasn't considered a huge target.  It's a lot easier to avoid something like that when you aren't out in the open.

    Parent
    I think bottom line... (none / 0) (#54)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:45:37 AM EST
    one nuke goes off, the game is over...start brushing up on your Mad Max survival skills.

    Hopefully even the looniest of loons doesn't want that.

    Parent

    hey, you were right (none / 0) (#59)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:04:23 AM EST
    FDA says studies on triclosan, used in sanitizers and soaps, raise concerns

    Parent
    Stay Healthy... (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:10:15 AM EST
    Get Dirty...Excercise your immune system!

    Just the name, triclosan...it just sounds like bad news, don't it?

    Parent

    either bad news (none / 0) (#64)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:16:28 AM EST
    good news.

    Parent
    Well let's see (none / 0) (#115)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:08:50 PM EST
    the primary cost factor which checks nation states is the fear of retaliation- when you've basically been a state of war for a decade (after you already launched the single deadliest attack on US soil ever by a foriegn power-- traitors are not foriegn hence confederacy is excepted).

    Parent
    If they can buy a bomb, don't you (none / 0) (#109)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 07:10:30 PM EST
    think a lot of 'terrorist organizations' have one by now? Assuming that nuclear bombs can and will be bought, or built by militant groups who have a resident nuclear physicist, should we double down and create more recruits as we've been doing for 10 years?

    Or should we maybe get with the United Nations Global Strategy for Fighting Terrorism, originally ratified by 192 member states in 2005 (update here). Never heard of it? Not surprising, since the first and fifth precepts are in direct opposition to the way the US fights terrorism. The UN Secretary General broke it down, here's a small excerpt:

    There are five elements, and I shall call them the "five D's". They are:

        * first, to dissuade disaffected groups from choosing terrorism as       a tactic to achieve their goals;
        * second, to deny terrorists the means to carry out their attacks;
        * third, to deter states from supporting terrorists;
        * fourth, to develop state capacity to prevent terrorism;
        * and fifth, to defend human rights in the struggle against
          terrorism.

    I doubt the UN Global Strategy for Fighting Terrorism got much play at the "unprecedented 47-nation summit in Washington" this weekend.

    When it comes to 'keeping us safe', it would be a good faith gesture for Obama to give a big speech telling the world how he intends to counter terrorism - not by killing or maiming  - but by dissuading disaffected groups from choosing terrorism - while also defending their human rights, and ours, in the process. Now, that might be the greatest speech ever.

    Parent

    give. me. a. break. (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by CST on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:09:39 AM EST
    this is not Iraq all over again.  Your first hint should have been that they are not using this as an excuse to invade a sovereign nation.  They are trying to gain control over the vast number of nuclear weapons that are available around the globe.  How you can compare that to what Bush/Cheney did with WMDs is beyond me.

    Then there is the common sense test.  Has Iraq ever tried to attack us?  No.  Did the gov't of Iraq have something to lose by attacking us with Nukes?  Absolutely, they could lose a country.  Are they crazy enough to use nukes anyway?  I seriously doubt it.  Has Al-Queda ever tried to attack us?  Yes.  Do they have something to lose by nuking us?  Not really, they don't have control over any "territory" they could lose, they are an organization that is spread all over the place.  Are they crazy enough to use nukes?  Probably.

    It's really not that complicated.

    Parent

    Not to mention (none / 0) (#75)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:43:06 AM EST
    doing a program to build a nuclear bomb from scratch is a whole different deal than AQ types angling to get hold of a single "suitcase" bomb.  I have no doubt whatsoever they are trying to do that, and no doubt whatsoever that these nihilists would use it.  They are sure and certain that whatever would rise from the ashes would be their dreamed-for Islamic state.

    Fanatics are fanatics.  Saddam Hussein was fanatic about nothing but his own survival.

    Parent

    We. Will. See. Won't. We. (none / 0) (#112)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 07:38:09 PM EST


    Parent
    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:01:30 AM EST

    The meeting is the largest gathering of world leaders hosted by a U.S. president since the 1945 San Francisco conference that founded the United Nations.

    Just like Bush. lol

    Did you skim the article you read, or did you just get the tea bagger cliff note version?

    It is amazing to watch the contortions of those who either apologize for Obama trying to paint his as a progressive or those who demonize him as either being a commie or worse than BushCo.

    Cults abound.  

    Parent

    Site Violator: Squeaky - ad hominem attack. (none / 0) (#111)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 07:35:48 PM EST


    Parent
    Waaaaaah! (none / 0) (#120)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:01:00 PM EST


    Parent
    Yellowcake Road???? (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:40:03 AM EST
    The summit is a key element in the U.S. administration's hopes -- laid out by Obama during a 2009 speech in Prague -- for significant nuclear reductions and a nuclear-weapons-free world. Last week, Washington and Moscow signed their first arms reduction treaty in nearly two decades. If that pact is ratified by the U.S. Senate and Russia's Duma, it would cut both countries' nuclear arsenals by almost one-third.

    During the conference, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to sign a long-delayed joint agreement with the U.S. under which both nations would dispose of 34 metric tons of arms-grade plutonium from Cold War-era nuclear weapons -- the type of preventive action Obama wants the summit to inspire.

    NPR Commies no doubt...lol

    BushCo Goal: Invade and Conquer Iraq

    Obama Goal: significant nuclear reductions and a nuclear-weapons-free world.

    Another case of Obama going farther to the right than BushCo..

    It always amazes me how far fanatics will go to hammer their message...   embarrassing, you'd think...  kool aid prevents any self reflection and limits awareness to the cult message of the day.  


    Parent

    You're ranting again - and to excess. (2.00 / 1) (#105)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 05:35:02 PM EST
    Save something for the rest of the day - or dominate every thread as always.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#108)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 06:15:20 PM EST
    I am sure that you are embarrassed, by now. Or do you still think that Obama is fixing intelligence around policy in order to execute a BushCo style nefarious plot.

    Calling Seymour Hersh... lol

    Parent

    Oh yes sweetie, your ineffable wit and wisdom (none / 0) (#110)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 07:27:57 PM EST
    has left me bare-bottomed and shame-faced, as always...lol, as you so often say. With friends like you, Obama doesn't need enemies...lol again. Oh you do crack most of us up...lol. Not Sher of course, she's  devoid of humor - and words, apparently...lol ad infinitum.

    Parent
    You engaging in (none / 0) (#116)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:13:13 PM EST
    illogical conflation that frankly is line with the one the Bush admin made-- Iraq=/= Al Queda, see Al Queda is the one who killed 3000+ Americans in the deadliest attack (by a foriegn power) on the US in history.  

    Parent
    uh, huh. (none / 0) (#117)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:36:13 PM EST


    Parent
    Sorry (none / 0) (#118)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:38:56 PM EST
    but unlike you I can grasp objective reality I'm not going to blame Bush, or the Mossad, or the NWO for 9-11.

    Parent
    uh, huh. (none / 0) (#119)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:46:46 PM EST


    Parent
    To use (none / 0) (#121)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:22:50 PM EST
    a parallel- essentially you're arguing that Al Queda buying a weapon on the black market (something that along with accidental launch has long been view by actual proliferation experts as by far the greatest danger to the US from Nuclear Weapons) is akin to the far, far more complex process of actually developing a Weapon (which is what we erroneously accused Iraq of), not only that, but your conflating Al Queda demonstrated willingness to launch a terrorist attack against American Civilians with Iraq's all but non-existant history of non-wartime attacks on the US (essentially limited to an assassination attempt of GHWBush and firing on Aircraft enforcing the No Fly Zone)- that's what the Bush admin did, but your doing it to argue that since Iraq was a puffed up threat, Al Queda must pose no threat as well- something that belies not just common sense but recent American History.

    Parent
    uh, huh. (none / 0) (#122)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:37:51 PM EST


    Parent
    I'm watching Villains (none / 0) (#9)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:42:03 PM EST
    In the Food Network Villain cake challenge.

    Then the Ultimate Recipe Challenge.

    And then I may skip Iron Chef America and go straight to Private Chefs of Beverly Hills.

    But I had a boring grilled hamburger for dinner....while dreaming of better food.

    I want nothing to do with the news.  This country is truly on a path to destruction, and I want nothing to do with it....in 10 years, my goal is to move with husband and canines to another country.

    which one? (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:44:36 PM EST
    I'm curious as to what countries might make your list.

    Parent
    Canada was (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 09:35:58 PM EST
    at the top of the list, but I'm now thinking of New Zealand.

    NZ has Universal health care and so consequent health results like  lower infant mortality rate than in the US.  Tax rate is lower than US (when you factor in the insurance premiums we have to pay), low crime rate (which to me means probably lower enforcement), police don't carry guns, WOMEN have held all of the highest levels of office at one time, high quality of life index via some arbitrary measures.

    But I haven't decided.  Issues like immigration barriers of course play a role ;-).  And I need to ensure that most of what I believe regarding the country I choose is about reality rather than idealism.  But I think I can do better than this country, so I'm going to try.

    Parent

    Ask the Maori (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Dadler on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 11:04:46 PM EST
    They may give you a different answer about the current state of NZ.  

    Ahem.  Lol.  Sort of.  

    Parent

    Good friends of mine are New Zealanders, but (none / 0) (#27)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 11:44:53 PM EST
    they won't leave Australia to return to NZ.

    I've traveled the entire North Island, and it is incredibly beautiful and well kept.

    Parent

    Or The Moas (none / 0) (#29)
    by squeaky on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 11:50:13 PM EST
    Well you can't ask the Moas because the Moriori ate all the Moas, and the Maori ate all the Moriori, and the europeans ate the Maori, so to speak.  

    Well, at least that is how the story used to go, now debunked but

    the (usually right-wing) European New Zealanders [are still] using the Maori's alleged extermination of the Moriori in New Zealand as   justification for the mistreatment of the Maori. I would note however, that these days the justification tends to be in terms of a rather guilty "The Maori were just as bad as the Europeans" rather than the more self-confident social-Darwinist survival-of-the-fittest justification that was prevalent at the beginning of this century.

    link

    Parent

    Funny, my daughter and I were discussing (none / 0) (#19)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:39:36 PM EST
    that very subject at dinner tonight. She and her husband are considering NZ, and St Lucia at the moment, but not wanting to leave grandparents (we are very actively involved in the fun of family). I said I'd happily move too, so now we're all seriously looking at countries (must have warmer climate than the PNW).

    I don't remember being afraid of the direction the country was heading when I was in the early years of raising my kids.

    Parent

    I hope they charge $100 for "carry" ons (none / 0) (#11)
    by seabos84 on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:47:04 PM EST
    2/3 of the people just are ridiculous abusers of what constitutes "carry" on - and the rule dodging and the rule argueing and the rule nonsense is just like the NFL --

    60 minutes of playing time,
    1 manager for every 3 employees who do anything useful,
    60 minutes of drooling stupid commercials,
    60 minutes of arguing over all the stupid rules.

    you know how fast we could get on and off those stupid airplanes IF we weren't waiting for every other jackass to squeeze 400 cu. in. into 300 cu. in. ... or whatever the math is.

    I HOPE they charge $500 a carry on.

    rmm.

    Well, instead of taking longer to get on (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 09:27:29 PM EST
    we would then spend more times in the check baggage lines....and waiting to get our bags after we get there.

    Pick your poison.

    Since I've retired I'm down to about 4-6 flights a year and cannot even imagine what it was like when I did 125 to 150 flights a year, even though 95% of those were FC.

    The last FC I did was on DL and wasn't all that bad. About equal to coach circa the mid 80's.

    Parent

    Travel's so awful in this alleged Age of Mobility (none / 0) (#30)
    by Ellie on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:43:58 AM EST
    ... AND the most paranoid culture I've ever experienced, AND the hands-down dumb@ssedly stupidest, that (ironically) being homebound is the sanest choice of all.

    I used to be able to go almost anywhere, anytime, within 6-12 hours notice and finally had it down to an art. I knew what stuff to send ahead, what to bring in a light carry-on, and how not to freak out my loved ones with worries that I was disappeared by the latest Uniter in Chief.

    Meh. I shelved my relocation for now and a suckah -- I mean a proxy -- can do where a warm body is required. Otherwise I'm down-teching quality facetime to grunting while waving a femur.

    You know it's bad when the madness has struck even West Holly.

    Parent

    heh (none / 0) (#50)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:28:40 AM EST
    West Hollywood has long being the craziest of them all!

    Parent
    been been (none / 0) (#51)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:29:30 AM EST
    been the craziest of them all!

    Parent
    Drives me nuts too (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by ruffian on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:39:29 PM EST
    I used to think people were at their worst when trying to drive out of the church parking lot after mass, but that was before I saw them fighting for overhead baggage space for what can be loosely termed 'luggage'.

    Parent
    If the airlines (5.00 / 4) (#38)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 08:30:52 AM EST
    didn't constantly lose checked baggage, people wouldn't be crazed about bringing stuff in carry-ons.

    Parent
    Sure they would (none / 0) (#41)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:10:03 AM EST
    It isn't only the risk of lost luggage that creates the carry-on choice. People have to spend so much extra time at the take-off end, they don't want to stand and wait at the arrival point. They want to get off the plane, and out of the airport without having to deal with the baggage claim delay.

    Parent
    Flyiing use to be about (none / 0) (#52)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:41:30 AM EST
    business people saving time. I use to do a lot of one day'ers. Catch a 7AM out, get to the meeting at 11AM, catch a 8-9ish departure back.. I always carried a fresh shirt, tie and underwear... this was in the days when suits and ties were in... in the event I needed to stay over for whatever reason.

    If I was gonna do a two day plus I always checked my luggage. But as time went by I discovered that I was waiting almost as long for the luggage as I was on the flight. I think the record was a Den-LAX in which it took me 1:15 to get my luggage.

    After 9/11 I just went 100% carry on.

    And it isn't going to get any better until we solve the terror issue.

    Parent

    Don't forget most airlines now charge (none / 0) (#81)
    by oculus on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:41:25 PM EST
    to check bags on domestic flights.  

    Parent
    Not forgetting that (none / 0) (#83)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:45:01 PM EST
    but, it seems carry-on bags are going to be charged a higher fee.

    Parent
    IMO, when airlines started charging (none / 0) (#89)
    by oculus on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:14:53 PM EST
    for checked luggage, bin space and congestion in the aisles became unmanageable.  

    Parent
    should have waited for national marriage first (none / 0) (#16)
    by diogenes on Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 10:31:16 PM EST
    From Yahoo:
    "LOS ANGELES - Protesters chanting slogans and carrying signs marched in Hollywood Sunday to demand equal Social Security benefits for same-sex couples..."
    What they should have done was to sneak in same-sex marriage on "love" and "equality" grounds before telling everyone that by the way that means that widowed spouses of higher earners (who got married, at times, two years ago) should get more cash.
    Actually, that's a relic of when women didn't work; given Social Security's financial problems maybe the best solution is to have EVERYONE get a benefit solely based on his or her own contributions rather than giving away extra money.

    that's a terrible idea (none / 0) (#43)
    by CST on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 09:23:14 AM EST
    "EVERYONE get a benefit solely based on his or her own contributions"

    You know women still make 70 cents on the dollar as compared to men and they tend to live much longer right?

    Not to mention one parent having to take some time off if you decide to have children, etc...

    And believe it or not, many of these couples you are referring to have been together significantly longer than two years, and would have been married that time if they had been able to.  So if you are whining that they haven't been married "that long" you should consider the why.  Plus if they do decide to have/raise children many of the same work/life decisions have to be made as opposite sex couples.

    Let's face it, marriage today is a financial as well as social construct.  And there is no reason it should be different for one set of couples as opposed to any other.  People make personal and financial decisions as a couple knowing that the income of their spouse is part of that decision.  Social security benefits are an important part of that.

    Parent

    "Unmasking the Commenters", NYT (none / 0) (#55)
    by KeysDan on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 10:54:31 AM EST
    Business Day Section.  There is a questioning by news organizations of whether anonymity should be a given on news sites.  WaPo plans to revise its comments policy, and one of the ideas under consideration is to give greater prominence to commenters who use their real names. William Grueskin, dean of academic affairs at Columbia's school of journalism, notes the value of letting people express opinions that may get them in trouble at work, or offend neighbors, but, he claims," a lot of comment boards turn into the equivalent of barroom brawls, with most of the participates having a blood-alcohol level of 0.l0 or higher."  Several industry executives (ironically, unnamed) cited a fundamental force working in favor of identifying commenters; through sites like Facebook and Twitter, people have become accustomed to posting with names, among other things, attached.  Some sites allow the posting of a picture along with a comment.  

    Today's Hot Topic... (none / 0) (#77)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 11:49:03 AM EST
    the continued spread of the tip jar into traditional no-tip sectors.

    I don't mind the jars...if I get really good service I'll throw a bone in 'em, I just did over the weekend at the local fried chicken spot when the clerk gave me extra chicken for free...but I just can't do it for standard service from a traditional no-tip position.  I understand people can't really live on what they make as sales clerks, but they really need to take that up with their boss, and not the customers.  But as long as there is no expectation of a tip, I don't mind the jar on the counter.

    As for traditional tip sectors, I quote Steve Martin in "My Blue Heaven"..."it's not tipping I believe in, it is over-tipping".  

    You are the perfect candidate to (none / 0) (#82)
    by oculus on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:42:34 PM EST
    visit Japan.  No tipping.  

    Parent
    Not the only country that doesn't (none / 0) (#84)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:46:25 PM EST
    allow tipping. There are many. We've gotten ridiculous about it here....stick a dollar in the jar even at the "serve yourself" line!!

    Parent
    Japan is the only country I have visited (none / 0) (#86)
    by oculus on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    in which there is no tipping.  Even in the countries where it used to be "round up" only, tipping seems to be expected.  In some, the tip is already added at 18%.  How did they arrive at that percentage.  0-18.  Pretty big jump.

    Parent
    I don't mind tipping... (none / 0) (#85)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 12:59:30 PM EST
    for service requiring a tip, in fact I'm big on the over-tip...wait staff, cab drivers, bellhops, bartenders, the barber, mailman and garbageman at Christmas, etc.

    The guy behind the counter at D&D otoh, the owner of the D&D should pay his full freight.  Now if I get a free donut, thats a different story:)

    Parent

    PS.... (none / 0) (#87)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:00:46 PM EST
    I only learned after the fact that cab drivers don't expect a tip in Mexico...no wonder they were so grateful for the tips!

    Parent
    I was in NY shipping a box for (none / 0) (#88)
    by oculus on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:01:42 PM EST
    my daughter at a postal store type place.  There was a line on the credit card slip for tip.  Astounding.

    Parent
    That is ballsy... (none / 0) (#90)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:15:47 PM EST
    a result of long stagnant wages in the service sector I guess...like I said I can sympathize, but I gotta save some to eat myself...if tips are gonna be expected I'll stop buying to-go coffee as much, same as I cut back on restaurants when ducats are tight.

    Parent
    More "hermitude." Love that word. (none / 0) (#91)
    by oculus on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:16:46 PM EST


    Parent
    Don't forget... (none / 0) (#92)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 01:42:27 PM EST
    the "self-imposed" prefix...and it's already beginning a new eff. next week, with a few must-see concert exceptions...gotta get southbound again fast, I miss her so much already. It Hurt So Bad.

    And one of my best friends is getting married down ruffian way 'round Orlando in June, hopefully I can swing that...an old partner in crime from back in the day that I can't believe is A)actually getting married & B) found a girl to marry his degenerate arse.  I feel I should attend in case he decides to bolt from the altar and needs a get-away driver:)

    Parent

    Racism, Porn, Bestiality (none / 0) (#93)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 02:25:09 PM EST
    Tea Party NY Gov Candidate's E-Mails Exposed:

    Finally Catching Up (none / 0) (#97)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:05:14 PM EST
    After taking the hallucinogen, Dr. Martin put on an eye mask and headphones, and lay on a couch listening to classical music as he contemplated the universe.

    "All of a sudden, everything familiar started evaporating," he recalled. "Imagine you fall off a boat out in the open ocean, and you turn around, and the boat is gone. And then the water's gone. And then you're gone."

    Today, more than a year later, Dr. Martin credits that six-hour experience with helping him overcome his depression and profoundly transforming his relationships with his daughter and friends. He ranks it among the most meaningful events of his life, which makes him a fairly typical member of a growing club of experimental subjects.

    NYT

    heh (none / 0) (#98)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:17:33 PM EST
    In one of Dr. Griffiths's first studies, involving 36 people with no serious physical or emotional problems, he and colleagues found that psilocybin could induce what the experimental subjects described as a profound spiritual experience with lasting positive effects for most of them.

    add a little Quicksilver Messenger Service and it would have worked for all of them.

    yeah,
    welcome to the party.

    Parent

    Wait till Doc Martin.... (none / 0) (#99)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:19:37 PM EST
    tries it with his eyes open, with good friends, at a Levon Helm show...he ain't seen nuthin' yet!

    All kidding aside, it is good to see the scientific community fighting through the hype to find the beauty and mind expanding healing power of the magic mushroom.  Of course it ain't for everybody, nuthin' is, but it can be the most rewarding of experiences that many could benefit from...not just the clinically depressed.

    Parent

    werd (none / 0) (#100)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 03:21:25 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    mdma (none / 0) (#113)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Mon Apr 12, 2010 at 07:59:52 PM EST


    Parent
    Sunday Night News and Open Thread | 120 comments (120 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment