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Thursday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 12:45:37 PM EST
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Afghan President Karzai has ordered that the prison at Bagram AFB be turned over to Afghan control within a month.

A presidential statement said that keeping Afghan citizens imprisoned without trial violates the country's constitution, as well as international human rights conventions.

President Obama outlined the new Pentagon budget today.

I am so done with the massive advertising on mainstream media sites. Over New Years, I installed a security program called Kaspersky Pure on my computers and I haven't seen an ad or pop-up or under-pop since. It even blocks affiliate ads on blogs (unless you tell it not to.) [More...]

It's also got virus and malware protection, and a password vault, but I find the password vault cumbersome. I may try one called DataVault. Other programs I'm getting seriously addicted to are System Mechanic and Microsoft's free Safety Scanner. Safety Scanner isn't a permanent program, it's a download that's good for 10 days and scans every file on your system (it takes hours) to find bad stuff and delete it.

It looks like 2012 is going to be a year of massive security breaches, so getting a little protection is probably a good idea.

Now if I could only figure out how to get the newest version of iTunes to properly install I'd be all set. I finally fixed the Bonjour issue, but iTunes still closes within 5 seconds of opening it.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Thursday Open Thread | 187 comments (187 topical)
    Newest NH GOP poll (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 12:59:20 PM EST
    gives the biggest post Iowa percentage boosts to Santorum and Paul.

    The biggest drop goes to Huntsman who now risks a possible 5th place finish in NH after staking his campaign there. It's a little like a mini-me version of Giuliani's Florida strategy without the name recognition.

    The evangelical side of the GOP doesn't look like they'll get Huntsman to yank many Romney votes in the Granite State.

    Romney can't go much higher (none / 0) (#38)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:19:09 PM EST
    With a still-crowded field.  Earlier this week, he was polling at 43%.

    Parent
    Let's see what happens with all of the (5.00 / 4) (#5)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:01:54 PM EST
    'adjustments.'

    I've got my tix to Europe to look for work, eastern Europe. That's how well the economy's chugging along, ABG... nobody's hiring professors or teachers. Or keeping/retaining them.

    At least in Romania i'll earn  about 500 per month teaching.

    How are you (5.00 / 10) (#6)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:06:02 PM EST
    feeling? I got good news this week as the rest of the tissue and lymph nodes they removed in surgery last week came back negative for cancer. I see the surgeon next week and I guess he'll release me.

    Parent
    Great news! Congratulations (5.00 / 4) (#104)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:33:33 PM EST


    Parent
    You sound like healthwise you are doing (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:08:59 PM EST
    better. I'm so happy Jeff.  Be happy, explore the world.

    Parent
    Ga6th and MT, (5.00 / 7) (#12)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:15:06 PM EST
    my insurance got cancelled, so I'm making the time to go to Europe this spring before moving to Colombia to teach in my son's school.

    So as my mortal coil winds down, I'll be doing what I do second best, teaching. First in Romania till end of may for about 500 per month (dollars, not Euros), then about the same in Colombia when I move there.

    So... the lovely macro spin of ABG falls on deaf ears here, and to most of the middle class. Middle, that is, defined sociologically-- in other words, rationally-- not the limosine liberal inside-the-beltway blather of 100k per year.

    More like 25-50k per year per family.

    But who wants to let reality get in the way of a good meme?

    Just like the president shocked at the language. What kind of sheltered life has he lived?

    My Army speak uses obscene words in complete sentences.

    Parent

    While in Europe will you seek care (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:33:51 PM EST
    in a more caring country?

    Parent
    And as an ex-smoker (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:41:10 PM EST
    Smokers never really appreciate cussing.  We like to use our stress as the next reason to light up.  Nicotine is so soothing, but it is better if you have something to soothe.

    The President really expects me to believe that he has quit smoking when he has not come to appreciate the role that cussing plays when under extreme stress :)

    Parent

    Jeff, I just want to (5.00 / 4) (#76)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:24:03 PM EST
    enfold you in my arms and give you lots and lots of hugs.  Sending all the positive thoughts, prayers, and energy your way that I can, my brother.  Be as well as you can possibly be, and all my best wishes.

    Parent
    Focusing on macro (3.00 / 2) (#99)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:26:00 PM EST
    does not mean that you do not care about the micro.  The changes the government can effect must be discussed in macro terms although their ultimate effects are micro.

    For every negative story about any issue there is a positive story about that same issue.  That's why individual stories are good for invoking emotion one way or another but bad for formulating actual policy.

    There are a few million people who gained insurance this year because of ACA and a number of them probably had their lives saved. Can I use one of their stories to say that there are few problems with our healthcare system? Course not.  Doesn't mean that the saved life isn't great.

    It just means that you don't create policy based on individual stories.  You look at what can help the most people and work towards that.

    Parent

    Your heinous comments today (5.00 / 4) (#113)
    by shoephone on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:46:29 PM EST
    cement your well-deserved reputation as dirty little troll from One Percentville, U.S.A., with sh*t for brains, and a scum-filled hole where a heart ought to be.

    Jeff isn't one of the macro statistics on your Excel spreadsheet being awarded health insurance through the kiss-insurance-industry-a$$ law. His reality is one of those "anecdotal stories" you keep thumbing your Wall Street nose at. But reality it is. HE DIDN'T GET HEALTH INSURANCE THIS YEAR. HE LOST HIS HEALTH INSURANCE. AND HE WILL BE PAYING FOR IT WITH HIS LIFE. But you don't seem to give a sh*t about that, because it doesn't fit your narrative of the "greater good" being served. Hey, if some people have to die, let them!! There's a greater good being served!! People under 26 can glom onto mommy's and daddy's insurance plan and now they have insurance too!! The Greater Good!! Let's not be confronted by reality!!

    So F*CK YOU, ABG. Just go crawl back under that rock and chew on some more mice.

    Jeff, I'll be happy to join you in the world of the TL blog-banned. This trollish nonsense isn't worth tolerating one more minute.

    Parent

    Please (3.00 / 2) (#143)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:12:12 PM EST
    The fact that you resort to name calling is silly. Nothing I said was at all offensive. I was simply stating the way that government, good or bad, works.

    Obviously people are individually impacted, but no policy impacting millions should be made based on the effect of any one story. That's the point.

    Can we get a moderator to put someone in their place please? I am keepingnthisncivil but that is a ridiculous response to a point respectfully made.

    Parent

    How many stories like Jeff's do there (5.00 / 3) (#187)
    by Anne on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:38:00 PM EST
    have to be before those stories should matter in the formation of policy?

    How many stories like Jeff's do you think there are?

    I'm pretty sure you not only don't have a clue, but you don't care to have one; it would get in the way of your ability to keep your lips firmly planted on Obama's butt.

    And, I beg to differ, but a lot of what you say is offensive, even if is couched in "respectful" terms; being polite about your opinions doesn't make them more credible.

    The truth is that people are over your BS, tired of doing the homework you should be doing for yourself, tired of constantly exposing your dishonesty, tired of having their comments and opinions completely misrepresented in a not-so-transparent effort to win an argument you couldn't make with actual facts.

    I can't speak for anyone else, but when you show up here, it's a lot like finding a hair in my salad.

    Parent

    Oh, hush. (none / 0) (#168)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:52:48 PM EST
    Grown-ups are talking.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#173)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:08:42 PM EST
    If you want to stop talking that is on you.

    Parent
    I think it would be inappropriate (none / 0) (#124)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:15:03 PM EST
    of me to uprate, since I'm in there, but let's have a couple of beers and bumps, and forget about latte liberals.

    Parent
    I don't think that ABG was wishing any ill will (none / 0) (#200)
    by MKS on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 10:29:55 PM EST
    towards Jeff.

    Sometimes, however, timing is more important than content.

    Parent

    christinep (5.00 / 2) (#188)
    by ZtoA on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:40:33 PM EST
    you might want to consider the timing of comments. ABG jumps in when he/she can get the maximum reaction. That is not your mo. Max reaction is troll behavior. It does not persuade. It is not compelling towards a policy, or POV. It actually drives people who would normally be willing to listen away because it is so often extremely insensitive. Trolls love being insensitive because it generates lots of attention. You might not want to tie your ship to this.

    Parent
    Thank you ZtoA (5.00 / 1) (#198)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 10:07:41 PM EST
    But, I am stating what I believe. It is not that I am opposed to good ol' debate. It is important...a wondrous part of our country even.  But, this discourse involving calling peopla human waste, etc. is something that calls for a recess. It is too ugly. We need to think about the fact that we are all humans; I'm sad, very very sad. We need to pull back a bit.

    Parent
    "I'm so happy Jeff" (5.00 / 3) (#77)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:27:47 PM EST
    ditto here

    Parent
    Me too (5.00 / 4) (#80)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:40:25 PM EST
    Best of luck to you - you deserve a break.

    Parent
    Happy Travels... (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:20:56 PM EST
    and good luck finding a gig old pal, and a nice Romanian lady friend:)  When do you shove off?

    Parent
    Add... (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:25:22 PM EST
    Sam your comment above, no offense to Romania but I'm waiting on your Colombia leg to visit your arse!

    Maybe with some ESL certification in hand...as much as I dislike that school-learning I'm debating sucking it up and taking the course when I get back from my next Mexico jaunt...to be better prepared to have a way to make some cashish if I decide to make an escape.

    Parent

    31 January (none / 0) (#19)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:30:36 PM EST
    on a roundabout flight... not even close to direct! I go to chicago then scandinavia, witha 21 hour layover in Scandinavia... Maybe I should bring socks.

    Parent
    At least two pairs... (none / 0) (#30)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:51:09 PM EST
    and a wool cap, the key to staying warm.

    Works for me anyway, I can still rock my shorts in the Winter League as long as I got the wool cap.  Not that I've needed it this year, knock on wood...the mildest NY winter in recent memory.

    Parent

    it has been shockingly warm (none / 0) (#31)
    by CST on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:54:47 PM EST
    I'm kind of done with it though.  I'm ready for snow!!!

    Parent
    Not that ready,,, (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:02:12 PM EST
    I'm loving that we're still on our first tank of heating oil since winter in name only arrived...home run!

    Using Pat Robertson logic, does this mean god is pleased with our region? :)

    Parent

    I dunno (none / 0) (#34)
    by CST on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:12:00 PM EST
    that pat robertson knows what "logic" is.  But if God controls the weather he must be really p*ssed at Vermont.  After the damage from Irene they could use all the ski season they can get.

    I will admit that I whined when the thermostat dropped below 40 though.  35 degrees in January is downright balmy, but it doesn't feel that way when you are still use to 50.

    So if God is taking wishes I would say the ideal winter is 60 degrees in Boston but 30 degrees and snowing all over northern new england.  You listening???

    Parent

    Maybe a sojourn in CA? (none / 0) (#72)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:55:19 PM EST
    LAT

    Parent
    Joseph Stieglitz had an article in Vanity Fair (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:13:29 PM EST
    last month (I know - I always read VF for the Joseph Stieglitz) in which he says one of the things we ought to be doing for the economy is a massive investment in education. And of course we are doing the exact opposite.

    what id instead of going to the moon or Mars we made it our goal to have the best educated populace in the world? Of course that would mean an acceptance of <gasp> science.

    Parent

    Education: A downer lesson from Colorado (none / 0) (#52)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:50:14 PM EST
    This past year, we had several issues in an off-year election. One issue involved a way to enhance funding for education. The plan, put forth by a member of the state senate & one-time Dem candidate for governor (Rollie Heath) involved a temporary but quite small increase in general tax to be funneled into the schools. A good idea for a system sadly, badly in need of additional funds...as everyone acknowledged the funding need. The voters soundly defeated it.

    Parent
    ((Sigh)) (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:53:02 PM EST
    "The voters soundly defeated it."
    Well, of course they did.  :-(


    Parent
    death spiral (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:42:09 PM EST


    Parent
    They are almost all too broke (5.00 / 2) (#102)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:31:15 PM EST
    I have a lot of family there.  Times are very very tough for the middle, they are slipping into the poor.  They can't afford it and it isn't their fault.

    Parent
    And interesting (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:08:12 PM EST
    It has been brought to senior leader attention that President Obama was viewing one of the combat vids from Afghanistan and soldiers were cussing like sailors and finally he couldn't take it anymore and he asked the leaders in the room if this was really the attitudes that the American taxpayers were paying for.

    I don't think it had ever occurred to any of them that it was possible for the President to actually be sitting on their shoulders as they do what they do.  At least not in the fashion that it is possible now.

    One of our friends is just now leaving.  He is now in a leadership role.  All these guys have his name on them in a sort of way.  He goes ashen white just thinking about the President being able to watch them like that.  At first I thought he was afraid of them all really messing up a task, but no, it's the cussing thing.

    He is a good Christian though, and would die before dishonoring his country and his President too.  He is mortified that the President would hear his troops cussing like sailors.  I shouldn't be laughing but I can't help it.  I think the President can handle a few cuss words under stress, it is probably only the cuss festival that can get to him.  Our friend just goes ashen white thinking about it though :)  These damned Christians, they really need to lighten up.  He told me that Karzai looks at all the tapes he wants to too, and his eyes get really big when he says that but at least he doesn't look like he's about to pass out :)

    Obama (5.00 / 4) (#10)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:13:43 PM EST
    apparently hasn't spent much time around the military if he's surprised about the cursing.

    Parent
    I think Obama's done some time in the hood (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:25:45 PM EST
    But, when the stress gets really high, you can't believe how much some of these modern soldiers can cuss.  Turn the stress off, cuss can completely go away and there stands a West Point graduate.  They can cuss every other word though and they have a filter developed that automatically crosses out the cuss words when it hits their ear so they all know what the intended statement was.  I've heard a few cuss festivals though and I missed half of what was important that was being said.

    Parent
    When did Obama spend time in any 'hood? (5.00 / 3) (#73)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:56:54 PM EST
    Oh, that's right, community organizer.  Or maybe checking up on Rezko's properties.

    Parent
    My dad (4.50 / 2) (#18)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:29:55 PM EST
    was in the military and so I know what the cussing is like. The cursing in the 'hood that I've heard is very different from what is in the military. It's like you say, it's so loaded with cursing that you can miss what's being said.

    Parent
    It's not cussing, it's (5.00 / 5) (#28)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:47:43 PM EST
    emphasis.

    I actually had some finance officer ask me to tone it down once... poor guy, he had the vapors after I got excited one time.

    It all started when I sent "Bring the {{cursed by the lord}} pain on that {{dungheap appearing, thus architecturally unsound house filled with scrofulus persons who afford a poor excuse for a pleasure/gentleman's consort}}. Let's have some steel rain  on those {{unpleasant adversaries, who seem to be natural born children, eaters of canine fertilizer, and people who have sexual congress with camels and goats.}} Light them up and {{ anyone in their immediate family, herd of sheep, or not yet born}}.  Ruck up, you {{progeny of cavalrymen whose names are unknown}}. Let's go get the {{fine fellows in the house whose ancestry is uncertain}}."

    {{edited for content}}

    I still don't see the bad words in that.


    Parent

    " I like your style, Dude" (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:16:43 PM EST
    "Well I like your style too man.  Got a whole cowboy thing goin'."

    "There's just one thing, Dude."

    "And what's that?"

    "Do you have to use so many cuss words?"

    "What the f*ck ya talkin' about?"

    "Ok Dude, have it your way."

    Parent

    Or in law firms (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:16:09 PM EST
    or politics

    Parent
    Or (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by lentinel on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:41:37 PM EST
    in a garage.
    Or in a bar.
    Or in a schoolyard.

    Or any-fking-where.

    Parent

    Evidently Obama didn't spend much (5.00 / 2) (#166)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:42:21 PM EST
    time around his former chief of staff either. IIRC Rahm couldn't say a complete sentence without using a form of the word f@ck.

    Guess he has different standards for the military vs his own staff.

    Parent

    Or the expression 'curse like sailors' (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:15:52 PM EST


    Parent
    Politicians (5.00 / 4) (#70)
    by lentinel on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:45:56 PM EST
    want to forbid the language of the streets because it is so expressive.

    There is absolutely no substitute for saying that someone, a politician for example, is full of sh*t.

    So they want to make it illegal to say so.


    Parent

    Redd Foxx (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by lentinel on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:35:55 PM EST
    had a reputation for saying f*ck and the rest in his act.
    To people who expressed their disapproval, he said that, "I'm not saying anything you wouldn't say if you dropped an anvil on your foot."


    Parent
    That is cute (5.00 / 4) (#112)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:46:12 PM EST
    I did not know any of that.  I think that living in a combat zone must be like having an anvil dropped on your foot everyday.

    Parent
    Terry Gross (Fresh Air) interviewed (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:16:43 PM EST
    an actress from "Californication" recently.  Gross sd. it was very difficult to find a scene from the show for playing audio on the radio.  

    Parent
    Things not looking so good for the 1%'ers (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:18:51 PM EST
    This apparently happened Tuesday in New York.

    Occupy began with MSM ignoring them till they couldn't any longer. And now... the 1% are wearing their fear on the sleeves...

    Occupy Wall Street is in the middle of one of its day-long marches in New York Tuesday, protesting the National Defense Authorization Act, but for those following along on the Global Revolution livestream, the real action is happening in the broadcast studio itself. That's because police have apparently just raided the Brooklyn studio of Globalrevolution.tv and taken some of the project's key volunteers into custody.

    The raid Tuesday follows a notice to vacate that police delivered to the Bushwick studio on Monday night. Victoria Sobel, a Global Revolution volunteer, said Vlad Teichberg and a guy named Spike, both of whom maintain the live feed aggregator, had been taken into custody by police, along with four or five others.

    -- Occupy Wall Street's Livestream Operators Arrested

    Apparently the city had the The Department of Buildings "determine" that "conditions in this premises are imminently perilous to life" the day before, and then the police arrested the LiveStream people while "enforcing" the Department of Buildings order to vacate the building.

    A pretty transparent set-up job if you ask me...

    Very nervous, they are, those (5.00 / 2) (#84)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:50:14 PM EST
    confident 1%'ers.

    Parent
    Heh! (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:10:18 PM EST
    I'm looking at from the perspective that they would be spending so much time and effort, and money, to silence OWS if they weren't scared.

    And the amount of time and effort and money they spend on trying, as well as the billions they spend propagandizing, are a good indication of just how nervous it makes them....

    "First they ignore you (1), then they laugh at you(2), then they fight you(3), then you win(4)."

    --Mahatma Gandhi

    Near as I can tell, we're in stage (3) ;-)

    Here's a theme song for it...

    Parent

    "WOULDN'T be spending so much time..." (none / 0) (#90)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:12:05 PM EST


    Parent
    For your listening enjoyment: (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:02:46 PM EST
    Racing in the Street.

    One of my top 5 Bruce songs. (none / 0) (#50)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:21:41 PM EST
    Appropriate for today since I just got back from having my car towed to the shop. Appears to have overheated.

    Parent
    I think I have a lead on a car you (none / 0) (#74)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:58:33 PM EST
    could borrow!  

    Parent
    Ya think? I would really appreciate it (none / 0) (#82)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:45:43 PM EST
    but hate to take advantage.....Hopefully would not need it much, but mine might not be fixed till Monday.

    Got the verdict - blown head gasket, blown engine. They are getting me a price on a used engine, after I had a heart attack at the price of a new one.

    any opinions out there? The car only has 67k miles on it. All the used engines I priced online have at least 100k miles on them. Should I spring for a new one if I can come up with the cashola? (Not a certainty)

    Parent

    What kind of car? (none / 0) (#116)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:55:48 PM EST


    Parent
    When this happened to my VW Rabbit, (none / 0) (#151)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:19:08 PM EST
    I ended up selling it for a pittance to "Peanuts for VWs" or some such.  

    Parent
    "Peanuts for Autos." (none / 0) (#161)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:31:57 PM EST


    Parent
    ouch. Stuck thermostat? (none / 0) (#79)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:39:17 PM EST


    Parent
    Bizarro World (5.00 / 3) (#65)
    by lentinel on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:30:15 PM EST
    In Afghanistan:

    A presidential statement said that keeping Afghan citizens imprisoned without trial violates the country's constitution, as well as international human rights conventions.

    In the USA:

    President Barack Obama signed a law on New Year's Eve granting himself absolute power to indefinitely detain, without charge or trial, American citizens suspected (by him) of being "belligerents."

    On December 31, 2011, with the President's signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the writ of habeas corpus -- a civil right so fundamental to Anglo-American common law history that it predates the Magna Carta -- is voidable upon the command of the President of the United States. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel is also revocable at his will.

    My question:

    Will Afghanistan send troops and drones to rid us of a tyrannical government and allow us to set up a democracy?

    Ummm, if Afghanistan did that (5.00 / 2) (#128)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:36:43 PM EST
    it would be, quote, "terrorism"....

    Parent
    Maybe (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by lentinel on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:45:01 PM EST
    they would call it "shock and awe".

    Parent
    It would certainly be (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:48:00 PM EST
    an awesome shock if they called it "delivering freedom and democracy(tm)"
    .
    .
    (whistles. looks at ceiling...)

    Parent
    Or maybe (5.00 / 2) (#138)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:02:38 PM EST
    a dictatorship.  Just saying.

    Parent
    So, who's got new year's resolutions? (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:35:41 PM EST
    Mine is to stop wallowing and think about looking for a boyfriend. Or maybe just a date would be a good baby step.

    Oh, and the usual lose 10 pounds and exercise more.

    Mine is to make it to St Petersburg, (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:42:27 PM EST
    Russia, after the snow melts. I gave up on a) the dating, and b) the 10 lbs... but illness caught up and I lost the 10 lbs anyway.

    Parent
    Good luck, hon! (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:44:27 PM EST
    You've been through a lot and I really wish you the best.

    Parent
    Speaking of St Petersburg.... (5.00 / 1) (#197)
    by desertswine on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:52:37 PM EST
    Here are some haunting images of St Petersburg in which the photographer has taken new images and melted them exactly into some old wartime photos.

    Parent
    Oh, I do hope you realize that goal. (none / 0) (#154)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:21:20 PM EST
    Some say it is beautiful when the snow is on the ground.  I prefer White Nights.  

    Parent
    Byeli nochi...incredible, unforgettable (none / 0) (#182)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:29:04 PM EST


    Parent
    A friend says it is a city of (none / 0) (#185)
    by ZtoA on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:33:13 PM EST
    "cold water flats and marble subways".

    Best wishes, btw. You are a wonderfully emotional and moving writer and human.

    Parent

    Wow I feel so angry right now (5.00 / 2) (#121)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:05:55 PM EST
    My spouses career manager told him today that part of the reason our orders were changed was that Fort Rucker is losing W5 slots and he has no place for him.  That is okay, that stuff happens sometimes but the story is bigger and has to do with the upcoming military cutbacks.

    My spouse made his final rank, but the board was brutal.  They only promoted 38%.  What happens in the military if it is your time to be promoted, the board will look at you for two years.  They have a certain percentage the Pentagon figures out each year that they will need to retain.  If you don't make the cut two years in a row you are out.  You are out of active duty military and on your own.

    With the shaving back of the force the promotion rates will go down to a crazy small percentage.  People who have been in uniform since 9/11 and fought in the two wars for almost a decade will be kicked out the service.  They will not receive their earned promotions.  They are screwed.

    Thank George Bush and your gorgeous tax cuts that have destroyed so much while the rich stole our retirements too and blew our economy up.  You are the first President to take this nation to war and say that nobody needed to pay for it, you are also a slob and I will go to my grave hating you.  Every time I think I can forget a little bit about the suffering you brought us all, another shockwave from your tsunami hits us and I'm back to hating you and having to spit every time I say your name just to get the taste out of my mouth.  

    that sucks (5.00 / 3) (#131)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:40:49 PM EST
    its a side of military cutbacks I must admit I had not considered.  thanks for enlightening.

    Parent
    What does this mean for you & your family, MT (none / 0) (#174)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:10:05 PM EST
    You indicated that your husband made his grade, but also indicated that the base would change? How does that work? It sounds like upheaval? When do you know? What about Josh?

    Parent
    We will move this fall (5.00 / 3) (#194)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:51:36 PM EST
    We will be working out of Atlanta though for Joshua's scoliosis from now on so anything East is good.  Bragg would be good and I like Bragg even though many spouses don't.  Bragg will probably stay busy for awhile too.

    We will be okay.  And we have achieved full promotion.  I just can't help thinking about all those people who are really going to take it in the shorts.  They pulled full strength in Iraq, even when things were miserable and a horror, they threw themselves into the traces again in Afghanistan for Obama, and they will not make their final promotions.

    Parent

    I just saw something remarkable (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:10:31 PM EST
    I caught the end of Tweety and saw his cutesy little "let me finish" segment.
    tonight, as is way to often the case, Tweety was on about being a catholic.  
    his point was how far we have all come using the example of how a group of bible thumpers once gathered to stop a candidate because he was catholic.  of course he was talking about his hero and meal ticket Kennedy.  he goes on to explain how this weekend a group of bible thumpers is gathering to, in his interpretation, decide which catholic - Santorum or Gingrich, to endorse and beamed with satisfaction about how wonderful it is that they are now "opening their doors" to catholics.  but isnt it just.

    ah but heres the rub.  

    what he did not mention.  ONCE. is that they are meeting to stop a Mormon.  IMO because he is a Mormon.  Tweety of course knows this but never mentioned it and chose instead to explain that they are trying to stop Mitt because of his "policies".

    wow.  just f*cking wow.  sometimes you need a shovel.

    Kinda typical Tweety (none / 0) (#127)
    by brodie on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:32:50 PM EST
    Ever since he completed his book and began promoting it nonstop on air, he's been working overtime to try to find an excuse to mention it on his show.  Even if that includes editing out some important facts and context in order to fit some simple, heartwarming Kennedy angle.

    Parent
    sure (none / 0) (#129)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:39:20 PM EST
    but you would think that he would consider mentioning that the same thing is happening again just to another religion.  the rancid stinking hypocrisy makes me want to blow chunks.  this is why I hate religion.

    Parent
    But that (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:03:55 PM EST
    is Tweety for you and it's one of the reasons I have not watched him in literally years. I think the last time I watched him, he was drooling over Bush prancing around on the flight deck.

    Parent
    no love for him (none / 0) (#162)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:34:46 PM EST
    or illusions about him but that was the most blatant over the top balls out hypocrisy I think I have ever seen.  ever.  I was amazed and its not easy to amaze me any more.
    you actually wonder if these people honestly dont understand that they are bigots.

    Parent
    With Tweety (none / 0) (#156)
    by brodie on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:24:24 PM EST
    the simple story, the political lesson wrapped around heavily edited facts and context, the self-serving peddling of a book have priority over niceties like accuracy and complete context.

    As for religious tolerance in this country I'd say it's only marginally improved with some once feared groups like Catholics being replaced by others like Muslims and possibly Mormons (though in the end the Mittster will overcome those obstacles owing to the dicey economy).

    As for myself I think we'd all be better off without organized religion, and in the end all the sharp differences and crazy ways of interpreting scripture are probably going to lead the world to many more disasters -- with dire crises in Europe over Islam and payback by Islamist extremists against the US next on the agenda.

    Parent

    I disagree about Mittster (none / 0) (#160)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:31:43 PM EST
    I believe it will be key to his defeat.  and strangely it is being done with stealth.  or maybe not so strangely.  
    after I wrote that comment I was thinking about a comment I made yesterday about how I talk thumpers who clearly hate his Mormonism but seem reluctant to admit it and just as Tweety did insist on couching it in his policies.   I dont think these people are smart enough to pull off some grand conspiracy but something strange is going on.  Mitt will lose because he is a Mormon in many places but it will not be discussed.
    its a strange thing

    Parent
    Stealth? (none / 0) (#172)
    by nycstray on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:07:28 PM EST
    Conservatives: Time to rally around a not-Romney

    Parent
    With the GOP (none / 0) (#192)
    by brodie on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:48:18 PM EST
    racial bigotry and deep personal unease with someone like the Kenyan socialist Obama in the WH will trump anti-Mormon bigotry.  Mitt will get the nom as the easily most viable candidate to defeat O, and the GOP mainstream establishment will get their way.  

    Romney will then eke out a win against Obama the old fashioned GOP way -- by stealing and suppressing enough votes in key swing states.

    Dire times ahead I'm afraid..

    Parent

    actually, the most viable candidate (none / 0) (#196)
    by The Addams Family on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:52:28 PM EST
    to defeat Obama is Jon Huntsman, but the GOP is too crazy for that - maybe they really do want to lose

    Parent
    Another civil liberties hero is gone (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:40:10 PM EST
    Gordon Hirabayashi, age 93.

    what a crazy entertaining thread. (5.00 / 1) (#169)
    by Lil on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:53:12 PM EST


    Don't do this. It's like the war on terror: (5.00 / 3) (#195)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:51:51 PM EST
    don't let ABG "win."  

    Oh Jeff (5.00 / 2) (#201)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 10:30:22 PM EST
    We need your voice, and I so hope there is no banning and that you'll return.  But no one can say you are going out with a whimper.  Fighting the good fight, you are.  May you always.

    I'm just reading this thread (5.00 / 1) (#203)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 06, 2012 at 06:10:08 PM EST
    I deleted one long comment by Jeff but he's not banned and I hope he returns too. I'll get to the rest of the thread soon.

    I will reply to his email over the weekend.

    Good news (none / 0) (#1)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 12:50:06 PM EST
    "The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell further last week, ending the year on a three-month run of declines that point to stronger hiring in 2012.

    Weekly applications dropped by 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000 last week, the Labor Department said. That's 11 percent lower than the same time last year and a positive sign ahead of Friday's important read on December job growth. The four-week average, which smooths fluctuations, fell to 373,250 -- the lowest level since June 2008. When applications drop below 375,000 -- consistently -- they generally signal that hiring is strong enough to reduce the unemployment rate.

    The downward trend in applications is one of several signs that show the economy ended the year with momentum. Retailers reported solid holiday sales, consumer confidence rose to the highest level since April and November and December were the strongest months of 2011 for U.S. auto sales."

    Link

    At some point people will (hopefully) be forced to acknowledged that the policies could be working.

    It's becoming clear that the uptick was not a one time bump.

    What policies? (5.00 / 6) (#2)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 12:55:13 PM EST
    The policies where the scorched people will figure out how to survive this one way or the other because that is what human beings do and is the first order of business every day after getting out of bed?  You are so goofy.  Unemployment is still insane, but I'm supposed to believe that a few thousand less unemployment applicants at this juncture of our economy redefining itself through sheer agony and suffering for the middle and the poor means some undeclared policy is working?  

    Parent
    I will try to respond to each of your points MT (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:14:56 PM EST
    "The policies where the scorched people will figure out how to survive this one way or the other because that is what human beings do and is the first order of business every day after getting out of bed?"

    - There is no response to this because it is an  unfair assertion I think.  When the unemployment rate was not going down quickly enough, "policies" were a prime reason (it was argued).  When the unemployment rate starts dropping, "policies" should also be the reason. Personally, I don't think the government can help as much as necessary in this particular situation so blaming or crediting policies without caveat is probably wrong.  I wrote that to ask for consistency more than anything else.

    "You are so goofy."  

    - I can't argue against that.

    "Unemployment is still insane"

    -Correct, but not the point.  The point is direction and trends and whether it is getting better.

    "I'm supposed to believe that a few thousand less unemployment applicants at this juncture of our economy redefining itself through sheer agony and suffering for the middle and the poor means some undeclared policy is working?"

    - Yes. Absolutely yes.  After the depression when things started getting better, this is how it started getting better.  You are asserting that progress without completely solving the issue means that the policies are not working.

    This is how policy successes look when they start.

    Parent

    "Stay the course" isn't a policy. (5.00 / 6) (#14)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:19:47 PM EST
    "Stay the course" demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of what has been happening. The recovery, what paltry recovery there is if any, occurs DESPITE the ham-handed 'policies.'

    The prez did nothing for 2 years-- what a great policy! Geez. Why not put a dog or a monkey in the oval office? A cat might be even more of a republican. And Ratbert already serves as an advisor.

    Parent

    What policies? (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:31:04 PM EST
    Define these policies you defend.

    I shouldn't even have read your comment because you said you would "try" to address each of my points.  "Try" is the copout word I was taught.  For instance, sit in a chair and then "try" to get up.  You don't get up, do you.

    My first point is that there are no policies.

    Parent

    Policies (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:40:26 PM EST
    1. Stimulus
    2. Payroll and other tax decreases aimed at the middle and lower class
    3. Spending prioritization
    4. Auto industry bailout

    I could give you dozens of others.  Is your point really that there has been no economic policy?

    That seems like the only incorrect answer. Either the policy is good or the policy is bad.  "There was no policy" seems like the least defensible choice.

    Parent

    All of these policies (5.00 / 3) (#29)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:48:17 PM EST
    Have only been employed to attempt to maintain the status quo.  And spending prioritization?  How is that helping?  Even soldiers with jobs are losing them.  None of these policies are growth and repair policies, and if the payroll tax increase leads to Social Security cutbacks what does that affect?  Aggregate demand becomes even more challenged, you just shifted what small people get phucked that most, that's what happens with that one.

    I think you are every bit as out of your mind as a Santorum supporter or a Ron Paul supporter with what you tout as success.

    Parent

    Really?? (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:26:52 PM EST
    1. Stimulus - didn't work.

    2. FICA cuts $1000 a year. WOW. Cash for clunkers. Didn't work. New home credit. Didn't work.

    3. Spending prioritization.  Say what????

    4. Auto bail out...??? Really?? The Volt has just been recalled. And how many will be sold at $40K each???


    Parent
    Good news (none / 0) (#23)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:34:29 PM EST
    It's been pouring rain here all day and night for the past three days.

    BUT! There was a patch of blue sky - a small one, mind you - that could be seen way out near the horizon over the ocean if we looked really closely through the downpour.

    Everybody is drenched. Some even have mold growing on them. Including the nut across the street who kept telling everyone what wonderful weather we've been having.

    Parent

    Until skilled jobs or (5.00 / 5) (#9)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:09:11 PM EST
    jobs requiring education start to grow, i am not impressed. "You want fries with this" is NOT a viable career option. Nor is temporary labor, nor is sales clerk.

    Minimum wage is so low, one can't live on it, much less buy insurance. Don't tell me about two years from now there will be help for such things... this is NOW.

    Parent

    San Fran (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:42:00 PM EST
    Just passed a bill to make the MW in the city limits over $10 and hour.  Not enough to live on or get insurance, but the city gave over a million people raises.  It's something.

    Parent
    Mayor Bloombucks says... (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:19:54 PM EST
    if NYC passed a living wage law all the burger-flipping would be outsourced to New Jersey...or some such nonsense.

    Parent
    "Mayor Bloombucks"! (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:54:44 PM EST
    I love that!

    Parent
    Buffalo $7.25 (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:07:43 PM EST
    Speaking of Fast Food outsourcing.  There is a company working on outsourcing the drive thru, instead of dealing with idiot A in the store, you get idiot B in India who takes orders for multiple locations and/or companies and sends the order via the internets to the store.

    I can't see it catching on, but I said that about text messaging, so who knows.

    And get this, my favorite salon just got a Jukebox upgrade.  Now I don't even have to get up to play it.  There is an app in which I can search and pay for tunes and send them to the Jukebox.  It even let's me store playlists.

    Cool concept, but I am wondering if I can play the Hanson Bros from my couch just mess with mi compadres.  Not sure if there is logic so you have to be at the establishment to play a tune.  I like it so far, namely because I hate searching for fresh tunes when I am jacked.

    Parent

    This ignore (none / 0) (#24)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:35:37 PM EST
    the fact that thousands of the jobs lost were unskilled jobs.  You dismiss those jobs as nothing but they are something.  A very big something.

    The fact that this recession also hit skilled jobs hard does not mean that the jobs being added mean nothing.  

    They mean a great deal and ultimately lead to increases in the skilled jobs.

    And in fact, a significant portion of the jobs added are likely skilled jobs.

    We have little information about the breakdown of skilled/unskilled or in fact how that relates to the ratio of skilled/unskilled jobs lost.

    If you have this information for the last few months, please provide it.  Otherwise, it appears that you have certain assumptions and biases that you are passing off as fact.

    Parent

    What a pathetic, pandering comment. (5.00 / 4) (#55)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:56:29 PM EST
    I dismiss YOU, ABG, because you are stuffed for christmas, but it's past time.

    there's plenty of information about the types of jobs out there. Just Google it.

    YOu pathetic shill, the information is out there. But like Swift's important people, you have 'flappers' surrounding you to keep you from hearing the bad news.

    I swear, I won't miss your ilk when I leave. ABG, you are as bad as Cheney was during the Bush Administration.

    Keep on livin' the macro dream. And when it reaches around and bites you on your a$$, I for one will so my best to blackball you from the pirate haven in south america. If I have one vote, and it's between you and Michelle Bachman, I'll put up with her raving, because she's not a Quisling-Whole-Foods-Obamafile.

    Parent

    and for a hint as to where to look... (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:00:12 PM EST
    'Google'
    'Google Scholar'

    'Job Creation'

    'temporary services'

    'job creation by state'

    Get back to me later... or not. I'm disgusted by your perpetual allegations of opinion as fact. Go into the real world for a change, and quit taking the obama hopium.

    YOu're lucky that out of the complete pantheon of terrible candidates for president this year, your champion,  as of january, is the least terrible. But that's open to change.

    Parent

    ABG (5.00 / 3) (#62)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:15:44 PM EST
    is emotionally invested in Obama. Obama can simply do no wrong and he works back from that.

    But I keep saying that he's one of the best advocated Mitt Romney has around here. That's a fact that you seem to be backing up with your post.

    Honestly, after a "conversation" with ABG about Obama, if someone gave me a ballot right then and there he would make me WANT to vote for Romney.

    Honestly, Obama's "supporters" are the worst advocates he has.

    Parent

    Obama (none / 0) (#148)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:16:05 PM EST
    Does plenty wrong. He was wrong on the abortion pill. He was wrong on a lot and will continue to be wrong.

    But that doesn't mean that all of his critics are right and those who blasted him and his policies when things were bad while pretending that his good moves are nonexistent are wrong.  

    And I'll continue to say so.  

    Parent

    And what are you saying on (none / 0) (#150)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:17:46 PM EST
    NDAA?

    Parent
    He was (none / 0) (#155)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:21:53 PM EST
    Wrong on that issue. Easy.


    Parent
    I look forward to your in-depth comments (none / 0) (#158)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:26:21 PM EST


    Parent
    I have none (none / 0) (#159)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:29:00 PM EST
    He was wrong.  If there was no one here making the point, I would.  But everyone is making the point so there is no need.

    What you want is for me to say that his flaws make him terrible generally and I just don't believe that.  His good outweighs his bad and you dont respect anyone who believes that.  Thats the issue.

    Parent

    Don't think you know my motives (5.00 / 1) (#165)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:40:21 PM EST
    What I really wanted is to see that ABG criticizing Obama sounds like.  Now I know.

    It's one sentence and then silence.

    Parent

    As if (none / 0) (#175)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:11:51 PM EST
    You have typed a thousand words on Obama's recess appointments, his intent to release a Gitmo detainee, the positive job numbers, etc.

    My few sentences on his bad moves are a few sentences more than you have used on his good ons.

    Not that webwould expect you to hold yourself to the same standard you hold me.

    That would be way too fair.

    Parent

    Your few sentences? (none / 0) (#199)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 10:17:24 PM EST
    There was one.  One.  And only when asked.  When O has done something I approved of, I've said so.  Without prompting.  Your usual attempt to change the subject, notwithstanding.

    Parent
    It's not in the "past" (5.00 / 3) (#167)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:48:53 PM EST
    It's not that he "was" wrong.

    He "is" wrong. And continues to be wrong. And maybe one day there will be a president who won't issue a signing statement complaining that it "restricted" his "options".

    Let's hope he never has you disappeared.

    Parent

    You sound rather Kafka-esque (none / 0) (#180)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:24:04 PM EST


    Parent
    I don't think ABG is really pirate (5.00 / 3) (#57)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:05:02 PM EST
    material. That whole "all for one and one for all" thing stands in direct opposition to ABG's "all for Obama" thing (which I suspect will morph into an "all for ABG" thing).

    And that whole anarcho-syndicalist model with which we seem to be building the pirate crew? Well, does that sound like a community where the likes of ABG would flourish? I think not.

    Parent

    To tell you the truth, casey, (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:28:25 PM EST
    When the pirate crew comes out to my place in Western Maryland to resupply and relax, if you have ABG with you, he's not welcome.  

    Parent
    You must install a webcam (dkog powered) (none / 0) (#71)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:49:34 PM EST
    as this group is getting more interesting by the second.  Caine Mutiny redux.  

    Parent
    Hmmm, maybe Roxy could be the new (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by nycstray on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:00:40 PM EST
    mascot. She's working on her Canine Mutiny at the moment . . .

    Parent
    Which fraternity is that? (none / 0) (#178)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:14:24 PM EST


    Parent
    A little over-the-top jeff (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:07:17 PM EST
    What I would argue about with ABG in this latest set of back & forth is: Hey, ABG, right now those whom you would address are not predisposed to listen or hear you or anyone who doesn't sing their song...but, so long as you realize ABG that you provide the punching bag for their venting, well....

    I do wish you well jeff. If I didn't, nothing would be said at all...if I thought that you were as cynical as these words on a blog would portray, I'd be silent.  But, let us hope that things change for the better. (Heck, with Ceaucescu & followers removal, even eastern European dictatorships change. Frying pans & fires even shift. But, for now, it is understandable.)

    Mostly, I wish you better health & full life.

    Parent

    Whoa, easy does it with the (5.00 / 7) (#60)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:12:45 PM EST
    sanctimonious ooze, christine. Talk about back-handed good wishes.

    And it is not so much people being unwilling to listen to ABG because he "doesn't sing their song" as it is people being unwilling to swallow the unsupported swill that ABG dishes out on such a regular basis.

    Parent

    Not backhanded (none / 0) (#63)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:24:37 PM EST
    I meant well; I mean well. But, none of us gets a license for such overt viciousness.

    Name calling (heh--Cheney? really?) and all-out venom. Where did that come from? Too bad we can't all--and I mean all of us--just cuss it out all at once. (MT has a point in her comment re: cussing.)  But, everyone should have the same privilege.

    To you, to jeff, to anyone within range.... Verbally p***ing on someone with whom we argue & even deeply disagree is beneath everyone here.

    Talk about sanctimonious....

    Parent

    So someone can pull nonsense out iof (5.00 / 9) (#85)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:50:51 PM EST
    his a$$ week in and week out, quote nothing, accuse others if not knowing facts, and it's sanctimonious to call him on it, or to get fed up with it?

    Cheney did nothing but tell people to shut up and go along. A strong analogy there. Not name calling. If I had wanted to name-call, I'd have said Chauvin, Quisling, Molotov, or Beria.

    To you, Christine, and all in range, it's one thing to disagree with what I post, but quite another to tell me I am making up facts-- or to infer it, either. And if you think I won't get damned upset by one who supports such a statement, you haven't been reading what I've written over the past four years.

    Especially when the person accusing me of making up sh!t has been fact-challenged for the past six months at least.

    I need neither a concern troll, an Obama apologist, nor some hyped up whole-foods shopper to tell me what I research or what I say needs support... the facts are there, so many I won't even bother posting links. Any semi-coherent individual whose computer accesses either Google or Yahoo can find the research-- not polls, not newspaper stories-- but research, that has been published in the area of the non-recovery 'recovery.'

    You want to buy into makee-nicee, Christine:? Go right ahead. Maybe you should run for the senate-- they are gentle there... and they accomplish little. But nobody gets hurt feelings.

    I am in actuality dying right now of an extremely treatable form of cancer, yet I. Have. No. Insurance. Why? Budget issues-- beginning with federal, and cascading to all of the states. Where does the buck stop? Obama. He's the man with the seat.

    So, before you decide to psychoanalyze me, let me tell you, I completely accept that I'll die because of a lack of treatment. That lack is not my fault.

    But I no longer have any inclination to tolerate the weak liberals who keep saying, "hold on, things are getting better. They'll improve at their own pace."

    ABG and you remind me of this paragraph from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from the Birmingham Jail:"

    We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was "well timed" in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word "Wait!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "Wait" has almost always meant "Never." We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied."

    I can tell you from personal experience, and a host of medical studies, that cancer treatment too long delayed is cancer treatment denied.

    So all this hopey-changey filth about how 'things are getting better' are a bunch of horse dung. and I never even got my pony.

    A phrase to remember-- I didn't coin it-- "The new normal." That's life outside of the upper class. And if one makes more than 100k per year, guess what? you're rich. i don't give a tinker's damm if you have 17 children you're sending to harvard.

    I'm more radicalized by a Democratic president who violates the Constitution at will AND who abandons the traditional democrats-- poor people, workers, and folks who actually build or make or teach-- than by a republican like Cheney or Bush. Those two republicans are cowards. their actions spoke loudly. Obama is a Quisling coward. Q.E.D.

    so don't lament my comments. Why? you have no right to marginalize me and those like me. No right whatsoever. Sometimes it's better to be silent, and suspected of being a condescending a$$, instead of commenting, and verifying for all to see what one is.

    So here it stands. I don't have the time for childishly ridiculous statements by ABG, nor conciliatory condescension from you.

    Jeralyn, if you have to ban me, that's the way it goes. Your site, your rules. Thanks for letting me play here.

    But don't ask me to make nice with the "crossfire redux" twins.

    There is no middle ground. Consensus? may as well call it giving up.

    Parent

    Believe it or not, I spent some years (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:13:39 PM EST
    near the bottom of the economic heap. My family did. My memory isn't dead yet.

    I'm not trying to psychoanalyze you. Right now, your health situation would define living-hell. You know that, and I have no need to act in a phony sweet manner.

    While it may seem that none of us solid Democrats (and Obama supporters) do not care, do not understand, and only have vapors & take smelling salts...that is not true. If there were anyway that I could provide leads, suggestions for health care, I will. (JERALYN: You have my persmission to release to jeff any info for contact that he may need.) Our health care system has sucked for many, many years...those of us who watched family members suffer through the bureaucracy (& worse) have seen it close-up. All I can say with every fiber in me is that the changes made under the ACA are a good first step...whether you regard it so or not.

    I'd love to help. But, I do not accept uncalled for namecalling & vituperation from anyone. Understand the situation, yes; accept scapegoating, no.

    Again, this is no shrinking violet here. If there is any way that I can help (e.g., my Romanian neighbor still has family there who visit from time to time), 'be glad to brainstorm or give & take.

    Parent

    Yours is a voice sorely needed, my friend (5.00 / 2) (#93)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:15:05 PM EST
    I wish I could do something to help you.

    Parent
    I hope (5.00 / 3) (#94)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:15:14 PM EST
    you can get some treatment when you get out of the country.

    Parent
    What's hilarious (2.33 / 3) (#163)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:36:45 PM EST
    Is that Jeff see,s furious that I implied he had facts wrong while he accuses me of that exact thing constantly and even within this very comment chain.

    What isngoodnfornthe goose is not good for the gander, clearly.

    The difference is that i can take questioning without invoking my inner five year old.

    Jeff and others throw a hissy fit when their tactics are used against them.

    And they don't have the self awareness to see it.

    All you can do is laugh.

    Parent

    I call you out, ABG. You are a liar. (5.00 / 1) (#171)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:59:11 PM EST
    You write lies here on Talkleft. In your follow-up comments. you know nothing of research, you know your pithy comments.

    You, sir, have no honor. I pity you.

    Parent

    Ok (none / 0) (#177)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:13:05 PM EST
    You are a liar too.

    Now what?

    Parent

    That's hilarious. (5.00 / 2) (#202)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 10:41:41 PM EST
    And Jeff is having a hissy fit.  uh-huh.  So you'll laugh.  

    Do you read yourself?  I know you don't edit yourself, but do you even read it?  

    Parent

    One person's truth (none / 0) (#157)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:25:39 PM EST
    Is another persons nonsense.  I think half of what some here say is completely unsupportable garbage.

    But I respect their opinions and beliefs at a basic level and generally don't curse them out or declare the stupid or what have you.

    I take the high road.

    Which in this forum increasingly and unfortunately  the road less traveled.

    Parent

    I had no idea (5.00 / 2) (#164)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:38:25 PM EST
    the high road went so low.  I guess I take the high road, too.

    Parent
    You respect nothing, ABG, (none / 0) (#183)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:29:33 PM EST
    except OBAMA UBER ALLES. I'm going away, stay here and try to pollute people with your filth.

    Parent
    Ok (none / 0) (#186)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:34:47 PM EST
    Will do. See ya later. Check back with us in November.  Good comment section then I bet.

    Best of luck to you.

    Parent

    Wow (5.00 / 3) (#83)
    by sj on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:47:32 PM EST
    You've outdone yourself on the sanctimony on this one.  Almost outdone yourself, anyway.

    It's interesting that you should mention Ceaușescu, though, who was overthrown after particularly harsh austerity measures were put into place.  And in spite of his control of the military.  Who fired into demonstrators.  

    Which reminds me, you and ABG were both conspicuous by your absence in the NDAA thread.

    And I wish all could enjoy better health and a full life.

    Parent

    Overthrown 22 years ago... (5.00 / 2) (#86)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:52:56 PM EST
    so relevant today.


    Parent
    The orphanages left behind are relevant (none / 0) (#95)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:16:06 PM EST


    Parent
    After 22 years, they have mostly closed. (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:28:32 PM EST
    However, the folks still alive are emotionally and socially stunted.

    Many of the orphans died of HIV, because the government under Ceaucescu, before AIDS awareness, gave blood transfusions to the orphans to try to increase their strength.

    A true disaster, and a true mess.

    But Romanian orphanages by and large are a thing of the past, as are Ukraniam and certain FRS ones, too. Horrible, they were.

    Parent

    I went there just a couple days after (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:53:03 PM EST
    Ceaucescu's overthrow. Still have several flags with the center hammer and sickle cut out.

    No experience with the orphanages, but did witness the 8 y/o gypsies sniffing glue and the first Hare Krishnas to set foot in the country.

    Traveled from Bucharest to Cluj, toured Vlad's castle, went to a wedding ("mail-order brides" from Russia), partied with actors, journos, college students, doctors, etc.

    Fascinating country.

    Parent

    I'll be in Galati, on the (none / 0) (#119)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:02:45 PM EST
    'Blue Danube.' I plan on visiting Cluj and Brasov while i'm there... a lot to see. I also want to get into Moldova and the Ukraine to see the ancient fortifications put up by the Dacians, or perhaps someone else. If I'm banned from here, I'll email someone;-P.


    Parent
    I have some friends (5.00 / 3) (#135)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:48:24 PM EST
    who adopted one of the Romanian orphans way back when.  Although they love him dearly, this child (now an adult) was so severely damaged psychologically, he's been a mess since they got him.  And they spent a whole lot of time, effort, love, and money getting him all the help they could possibly give him.  He's just now, in his 20's, beginning to climb out of the morass of emotional and psychological baggage that he came over here with.  But it's been a huge struggle, and he's not completely out of the woods yet.  Thank goodness for his adoptive parents- they never gave up on him.

    Parent
    If you haven't already done so, please read (none / 0) (#142)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:11:04 PM EST
    read "Dean's December" by Saul Bellow and compare and contrast with what you experience now.  Thanks.  

    Parent
    I hope (1.00 / 3) (#101)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:30:39 PM EST
    being able to vent against the evil scourge of the earth that is me provides you some level of relief.  Clearly I have assumed a role representing all that you hate.

    It makes little sense, but it's not sweat of me n**ts.

    Whatever is clever.

    I do wish you all the best regardless.

    Parent

    Nice to know you (5.00 / 2) (#107)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:39:40 PM EST
    think you're so important.

    Sorry, it ain't you, it's what you stand for. Personally, I give less than a d@mn about you. It would be nice if you could find a fact that had some meaning. If anything, you're the epitome of mediocre television. No more.

    Parent

    Hilarious (5.00 / 1) (#153)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:19:44 PM EST
    This is all kind of funny to me. It is amazing the way a person in any group who disagrees goes from legitimate dissent to evil so quickly.

    This is a perfect example of the sociology of crowds.  I wager that in a one on one discussion none of this animosity would be there. I'd just be a guy with different opinions.

    But crowds react differently and fuel each other.

    Fascinating.

    Parent

    As MT asks, "What policies?" (5.00 / 5) (#47)
    by Anne on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:14:39 PM EST
    Obama has implemented policies that are positively affecting the economy?  Huh.  Must have been the stealth kind no one knew about, I guess.

    When the unemployment rate was not going down quickly enough, "policies" were a prime reason (it was argued).  When the unemployment rate starts dropping, "policies" should also be the reason. Personally, I don't think the government can help as much as necessary in this particular situation so blaming or crediting policies without caveat is probably wrong.  I wrote that to ask for consistency more than anything else.

    Pure gobbledygook.  I think you might be saying - but am not sure because you seem to be saying three things at the same time (maybe that's what you mean by "multi-tasking") - that the economy is fixing itself, but I don't think that's a claim with much merit.  

    Not only are you seriously wrong about what the government can do to boost the economy - there has been endless discussion about that, here and elsewhere - but you might want to think about how the housing sector still has not been dealt with - that's going to be an albatross on this economy for a long time, absent the use of the many tools the government has at its disposal.  Yes, the government has some powerful tools that could have been helping, but not using them meant also not having to send anyone from Wall Street or banking/lending to prison.

    But, hey, on the brighter side, manufacturing jobs are coming back to the US - seems like good news, right?  But here's the catch, ABG, courtesy of the NYT:

    The wages for the new hires, however, are $10 to $15 an hour less than the pay scale for hourly employees already on staff -- with the additional concession that the newcomers will not catch up for the foreseeable future. Such union-endorsed contracts are also showing up in the auto industry, at steel and tire companies, and at manufacturers of farm implements and other heavy equipment, according to Gordon Pavy, president of the Labor and Employment Relations Association and, until recently, the A.F.L.-C.I.O.'s director of collective bargaining.

    "Some companies want to keep work here, or bring it back from Asia," Mr. Pavy said, "but in order to do that they have to be competitive in the final prices of their products, and one way to be competitive is to lower the compensation of their American workers."

     This is not an anomaly - this is what prolonged high unemployment does to wages and benefits - it puts downward pressure on them.  Towanda commented here the other day that her son, after a year of looking for work, finally got a job, but the money was less and the job itself was less, than had been advertised.  That is also not an anomaly.

    You are asserting that progress without completely solving the issue means that the policies are not working.

    Please, no one is asserting any such thing.  But I ask you again, what policies?  

    Honestly, you're like the resident TL Mobius strip.


    Parent

    Other military downsizing we see (none / 0) (#3)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 12:58:01 PM EST
    You can't turn your paperwork in to retire and then change your mind in a month and reverse the process.  They used to do that.  You could turn in your paperwork, go venture into the job market, see how bad that was and change your mind.  They would let you stay in uniform.  Not anymore, someone we know just did that and they told him that once that paperwork is in, you are gone.  He is on the gone list now, whether he likes that now or not.

    I love premium cable (none / 0) (#21)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:31:38 PM EST
    you get to see things you would never otherwise see.  
    I just saw one.  a movie called The Big Bang.
    never heard of it but it was awsum.  great cast. Antonio Banderas, Delroy Lindo, Sam Elliott, Snoop Dogg,  Robert Maillet (the giant from Sherlock Holmes in a great role) and lots of great support.
    it is beautiful stylized funny and smart.  with Shakespearean dialog like:

    you are an s$$hole.  you have always been an a$$hole.  if there was a contest you would be the second biggest a$$hole in the world.

    yeah, why not the first?

    because you are an a$$hole.
    The Taliban will be opening (none / 0) (#32)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 01:59:08 PM EST
    an office in Qatar.  No date set, so far, for the grand opening, but it soon will  be easier to locate the Number Two's with low-tech methods, such as a taxi rather than the more expensive drones.  The purpose of the new digs is to pursue peace negotiations directly with the United States--a process to which Karzai is only reluctantly warming.

    Some free advise for US negotiators: (l) Have a hat check--at the September peace talks, a negotiator representing himself as Taliban detonated a bomb in his turban killing the chief of the Afghan High Peace Council, and (2) Get, from President Obama, a written waiver from the indefinite detention, without trial provisions of NDAA, 2012--after all, if not this president, a future one, could determine that the US negotiators were suspected of supporting the terrorist Mullah Omar and the Taliban.

    How about the Senate races? (none / 0) (#41)
    by jbindc on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:41:19 PM EST
    The Dems are protecting 24 seats, while the Republicans are protecting 10.  The Republicans only need to pick up 4 to take control of the Senate (3 if Obama loses and the VP breaks ties).

    So far, the Dems look to pick up the seat in Massachusetts with Elizabeth Warren.  Good news.  However, the Republicans are likely to pick up the vacated seats in both Nebraska and North Dakota.  +1 Republicans.

    According to RCP, 8 seats are really in play - FL (Nelson), MA (Brown), MI (Stabenow), MO (McKaskill), MT (Tester), NV (Heller), VA (Open), and WI (Open).

    Seems to me that it wouldn't be hard for the Republicans to pick up 2-3 more of those seats and take control of the chamber.

    Did anyone see the goal Tim Howard scored (none / 0) (#43)
    by CST on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 02:57:54 PM EST
    when playing for the premier league?

    LOVE it!

    I use to love taking free kicks as a goalie since it was my only chance to maybe score.  And when I played indoor I use to take shots routinely just because a lot of times you can catch the other team sleeping.   This is the first time I've ever seen someone score on a professional level from that far away though.

    I only read about it... (none / 0) (#45)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:13:03 PM EST
    in the paper today...co-worker said it was # 2 on the ESPN Top Ten Plays.  What could have beat the longest goal in Premiership history?  Pretty cool that a bloody Yank owns that record.

    Way to go Howard!

    Man U v Man City in FA Cup action this weekend.

    Parent

    Anti-Virus (none / 0) (#51)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 03:25:42 PM EST
    If you would, follow up with your software additions.  I haven't had any big bombs, but it's always something.  I am tired of being a security expert at home and running down stuff Norton misses.  Mostly commercial cr*p that is somehow tiny, yet loves my RAM.

    I just want one product with little human interaction to make my PC secure at home.  I have everything backed-up, but that isn't the point.

    Awwww! (none / 0) (#67)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 04:36:07 PM EST
    Lucky you, to be able to witness such magnificence!  

    Romney is railing against (none / 0) (#87)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:55:51 PM EST
    Obamas appointment of "labor stooges" to the Labor Relations Board.

    oh man.

    Teh stupid, (5.00 / 2) (#88)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 05:56:57 PM EST
    it burns.

    Parent
    but seriously (none / 0) (#96)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:17:38 PM EST
    is this guy gods gift to Obama or what?

    Parent
    No (5.00 / 2) (#97)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:21:21 PM EST
    god's gift to Obama would be Newt. Mitt can't light a candle to Newt in the crazy department.

    Parent
    I'd like to think that before God (5.00 / 4) (#118)
    by Anne on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:59:47 PM EST
    makes something - or someone - a gift to Obama, He'd at least make sure that Obama was a worthy recipient, given that we are the ones who will be on the ultimate receiving end if Obama triumphs over the GOP candidate.

    But, maybe even God has to choose between the lesser of two evils, huh?

    Parent

    The best (5.00 / 3) (#92)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:14:26 PM EST
    description of November 2012 is it's going to be a painful life sucking election where your choice is to be an indentured servant to the 1% or a slave to the 1%. Whoopee.

    Parent
    Ow! (5.00 / 2) (#98)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:25:32 PM EST
    So painful, so true.  Unfortunately.

    Parent
    fyi (none / 0) (#106)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:36:49 PM EST
    if you havent yet you whould find and watch a vid of the town hall yesterday when gramps endorsed Willard.  I dont know what happened but the crowd is incredible hostile.  every question is more hostile than the last and it just goes on and on and on with gramps standing there looking like he is about to pass a brick.

    priceless.

    here (none / 0) (#108)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:40:22 PM EST
    But the crowd that greeted his New Hampshire kickoff asked more hostile questions than any he found in Iowa over the past two weeks -- or those in New Hampshire earlier in December.

    "I'm Mark from Occupy Boston and from Occupy New Hampshire," the first questioner said. "You've said that corporations are people." He drew Romney into an extended argument about whether the profits companies make help average Americans improve their lives.

    The second questioner read from a piece of paper as she asked why Romney defended his Massachusetts health law as a way to keep people from taking advantage of the system but opposed such a law for the nation. "Why did you want to hold people who could afford health insurance accountable in Massachusetts, but now you're okay with increasing costs for everyone else?" she asked.

    And third, a Chinese American woman stood to ask Romney how he would move away from Ronald Reagan-era economics that she said didn't help her. When he defended America as the wealthiest in the world, she responded: "I love this country . I hate all this degrading thing about China this, China that."



    Parent
    it doesnt have the full quote (5.00 / 2) (#114)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:47:05 PM EST
    "I'm Mark from Occupy Boston and from Occupy New Hampshire," the first questioner said. "You've said that corporations are people."

    he went on to say something like are you willing to admit that they are like abusive people?

    Parent

    I think (5.00 / 3) (#120)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:03:10 PM EST
    all politicians had better get prepared for this kind of stuff. I think Obama will be getting a lot of angry people talking to him too. People are really ticked off at everybody in Washington right now, D or R.

    Parent
    and this was good (none / 0) (#111)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 06:45:22 PM EST
    they finally sort of give up and call on an 8 year old:

    The kid reads from a piece of paper saying, "Now that the troops are out of Iraq, do you intend to form alliances there?"



    Parent
    We should also place questioners (none / 0) (#125)
    by brodie on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:21:10 PM EST
    to ask Romney when he's going to disclose his tax returns.

    We should also begin referring to him as "Mr .001%".

    Msnbc reports on Ed Schultz tonight that Mitt's income ranks him #3,140 on the list of top American incomes.

    Yet Mitt's tax proposals would result in a tax increase for those making less than $40k while upper income earners including Mitt would see an even larger tax decrease.

    Parent

    I need a little help (none / 0) (#133)
    by me only on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 07:47:45 PM EST
    On a scale of 1 to 10, how funny is this review?

    I just purchased two (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:00:17 PM EST
    One for each arm for the next time I visit a TL open thread for self preservation purposes. The advantage of two? I get free shipping.

    Parent
    But is the review (none / 0) (#141)
    by me only on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:11:02 PM EST
    as funny as I think it is?  I mean I am still giggling 30 minutes later.

    Parent
    You have obviously (none / 0) (#146)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:14:26 PM EST
    never suffered from 'repetitive ninjitsu stress disorder' :)

    Parent
    Well, now that you mention it (none / 0) (#152)
    by me only on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:19:32 PM EST
    ah, no, can't say that I have.

    I have had my light saber malfunction at an inopportune time, though.

    Parent

    My biggest problem has always been (5.00 / 1) (#189)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 09:44:15 PM EST
    when I try to whip out my blade while fighting to the front of the Walmart checkout line, and someone says "what's that?" And I try to pronounce NFMBFTKS while realizing my velcro must have come loose in aisle three, leaving me with less weaponry than George Costanza after leaving the pool.

    Parent
    damn (none / 0) (#170)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 08:55:03 PM EST
    the only whales I ever see are in Walmart

    Thursday Open Thread | 187 comments (187 topical)