Defense Secretary Gates: US Should Never Have Another War Like Iraq

An unusually direct statement
US News • Views: 47,390

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday in a speech at West Point that getting into any more wars like Iraq or Afghanistan would be crazy.

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates bluntly told an audience of West Point cadets on Friday that it would be unwise for the United States to ever fight another war like Iraq or Afghanistan, and that the chances of carrying out a change of government in that fashion again were slim.

“In my opinion, any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should ‘have his head examined,’ as General MacArthur so delicately put it,” Mr. Gates told an assembly of Army cadets here.

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622 comments
1 albusteve  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:39:18pm

we have to see how the latest talks with the Taliban go…but as for me I’d pull out of Afghanistan tomorrow

2 teleskiguy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:42:35pm

We’re #1 or We’re All In This Together? Live Free Or Die or Famous Potatoes? I think somewhere in the middle of those lies the truth.

3 HappyWarrior  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:43:20pm

Gates gets reality. People like Bill Kristol who pine for wars with Iran don’t.

4 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:43:33pm

Yet we likely will. Korea or somewhere else. Our land armies are beat down by Iraq and Afghanistan. Equipment losses and wear are terrible. It will take billions of dollars just to return to pre war readiness. Secretary Gates understands how dependent we now are on naval and air power. So do our strategic opponents.

This also points out the obvious rush to develop and deploy wave rider/prompt global strike, missile defense and naval lasers.

We simply lack the ability to invade and win. Out developing technology is not an option, it is a requirement.

5 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:45:48pm

Dear Sec. Gates,

Thanks for pointing us out.

Regards,

The Obvious

6 recusancy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:47:17pm

Wait I’m confused. So I’m not a traitor anymore or is Gates a traitor now?

7 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:48:17pm

re: #6 recusancy

Wait I’m confused. So I’m not a traitor anymore or is Gates a traitor now?

You both are Trotskyite wreckers, as the objective investigation has shown.

8 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:48:30pm

[Link: costofwar.com…]

9 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:49:15pm

re: #8 Gus 802

Thx, Bush.

10 Ojoe  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:50:22pm

WInter paradise at the top of Mt. Wilson. Towercam, San Gabriel Mountains of California, Pacific time zone.

All wars are different anyway.

Best have small ones and avoid big ones, like WW2, which could have been avoided.

My 2 cents.

11 Sol Berdinowitz  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:50:59pm

Some people present the opinion that our invasion of Iraq helped stimulate the democratic upheavals taking place throughout the Middle East.

I thnk otherwise. For starters, I cannot imagine the people in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain or Libya saying “WOuldn’t it be great if we were more like Iraq right now?”

And the current violence against the Iraqi regime we helped put in place is very disconcertingly sobering.

So let us look at it the other way: what would Baghdad look like right now if we had not invaded? Would we be witnessing a popular uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime? Could we have spared the thousands of lives and the billions of dollars spent to achieve the end of toppling him and instituting democracy

if

of course

that was the reason we invaded in the first place?

12 bratwurst  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:51:11pm

re: #10 Ojoe

WInter paradise at the top of Mt. Wilson. Towercam, San Gabriel Mountains of California, Pacific time zone.

All wars are different anyway.

avoid big ones, like WW2, which could have been avoided.

My 2 cents.

Wrong.

13 McSpiff  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:52:07pm

re: #10 Ojoe

WInter paradise at the top of Mt. Wilson. Towercam, San Gabriel Mountains of California, Pacific time zone.

All wars are different anyway.

Best have small ones and avoid big ones, like WW2, which could have been avoided.

My 2 cents.

How do you measure the size of war? Casualties? Countries involved? Money spent? Time in active combat?

14 Sol Berdinowitz  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:52:17pm

re: #12 bratwurst

WWII could have been avoided, but that would have involved going back to 1919 and rewriting the Treaty of Versailles, which made it all but inevitable.

15 Ojoe  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:52:34pm

re: #12 bratwurst

Humanity’s not there yet.

16 recusancy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:53:18pm

re: #15 Ojoe

Humanity’s not there yet.

Not where?

17 bratwurst  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:54:05pm

re: #15 Ojoe

Humanity’s not there yet.

Not ready to make nice with Hitler? I’ll leave that to you and take a pass, thanks.

18 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:54:08pm

re: #14 ralphieboy

WWII could have been avoided, but that would have involved going back to 1919 and rewriting the Treaty of Versailles, which made it all but inevitable.

Going back in time and killing Hitler is not an option, unfortunately.

[Link: www.viruscomix.com…]

19 Ojoe  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:54:11pm

re: #14 ralphieboy

“This is not a peace treaty, it is a truce for 20 years.”

— Foch, speaking of the agreement worked out at Versailles.

20 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:55:44pm

re: #18 Sergey Romanov

Going back in time and killing Hitler is not an option, unfortunately.

[Link: www.viruscomix.com…]

Well of course but that’s not what he said.

21 Kronocide  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:55:50pm

re: #11 ralphieboy

Some people present the opinion that our invasion of Iraq helped stimulate the democratic upheavals taking place throughout the Middle East.

I think it has a lot to do with dynamic food pricing. RW talking heads want to make it about Islam because food price fluctuations might be caused by AGW.

I don’t have a lot of information gathered to support this but I’ve been chewing on it for a little while now. Still watching.

22 Sol Berdinowitz  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:56:36pm

re: #18 Sergey Romanov

Going back in time and killing Hitler is not an option, unfortunately.

[Link: www.viruscomix.com…]


Just giving him a scholarship to study art in Vienna might have been enough…but the point is that they would have found someone similar to put in power.

23 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:57:06pm

It’s hard not to notice that there’s barely any news of combat in Afghanistan/Pakistan except for the occasional reports of UAV strikes.

Violence in Afghanistan has been on the increase:

• The 31% rise in civilian casualties tells the story of a war that is evolving with few signs that it is easing.

• Women and children in particular are bearing the brunt, with an extraordinary 155% rise in the numbers of young people dying in insurgent bomb blasts.

This is not a sign of impending victory.

24 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:57:10pm

re: #9 Sergey Romanov

Blame him for Irag, but not 9/11 and Afghanistan. Nor the changing world as in China on the rise in Asia as a (gently so far) expansionist state.

25 recusancy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:57:25pm

re: #14 ralphieboy

WWII could have been avoided, but that would have involved going back to 1919 and rewriting the Treaty of Versailles, which made it all but inevitable.

Well if we’re going back and changing things, lets go back and do the obvious, kill Hitler, and then go back and build off of Pres Carter’s energy policies. Maybe we’d be close to being off oil by now and not enriching hostile regimes.

26 McSpiff  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:58:01pm

re: #21 BigPapa

I think it has a lot to do with dynamic food pricing. RW talking heads want to make it about Islam because food price fluctuations might be caused by AGW.

I don’t have a lot of information gathered to support this but I’ve been chewing on it for a little while now. Still watching.

I read a post basically stating the same thing. Egyptian demographics reached the point that domestic grain production became the minority, making food prices based more on international grain prices and the entire thing went to shit. Not sure how true it is, but there ya go.

27 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:59:02pm

re: #24 Rightwingconspirator

Yes, Afghanistan was justified.

28 recusancy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 1:59:11pm

re: #24 Rightwingconspirator

Blame him for Irag, but not 9/11 and Afghanistan. Nor the changing world as in China on the rise in Asia as a (gently so far) expansionist state.

I blame him for Afghanistan. He diverted resources from there to Iraq.

29 Sol Berdinowitz  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:01:05pm

re: #26 McSpiff

I read a post basically stating the same thing. Egyptian demographics reached the point that domestic grain production became the minority, making food prices based more on international grain prices and the entire thing went to shit. Not sure how true it is, but there ya go.

And population demographics: Middle Eastern countries simply cannot come up with enough jobs to keep all their young people employed, and certainly cannot keep them away from the Internet.

The results for any established, sluggish, ingrained, corrupt regime are inevitable.

30 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:03:54pm

re: #28 recusancy

We’ll never know if those resources would have made the difference. Bin Laden escaped Tora Bora into Pakistan long before we attacked Iraq. If out allies had picked up the slack as they promised to do… Well the road untaken always remains unknown. Bush may have invaded the tribal mountains of Pakistan. Who knows.

31 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:04:58pm

Iraq was, is, basically locked in by the nature of the surrounding countries. Afghanistan is surrounded by open country if you will allowing easy access for inter-border insurgent activity. Troop level in Iraq were nearly 4 times that of Afghanistan in 2008 — 160,000 vs. 40,000 respectively.

32 Tiberias  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:05:03pm

re: #11 ralphieboy

So let us look at it the other way: what would Baghdad look like right now if we had not invaded? Would we be witnessing a popular uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime? Could we have spared the thousands of lives and the billions of dollars spent to achieve the end of toppling him and instituting democracy

What would Baghdad look like? Probably a lot like what happened every other time Iraqis got together and stood up to Saddam:
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

It’s amazing how easy it is to brush off protesters in the town square when you don’t have any qualms about using helicopter gunships and nerve gas on as many women and children as necessary.

33 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:05:08pm

re: #28 recusancy

I blame him for Afghanistan. He diverted resources from there to Iraq.

And I must blame Obama for escalating and prolonging this absolute disaster. I understand he inherited this God-awful situation, but if he had had the stones to say “No way on my watch are we going to spill any more American blood for that piece of shit Karzai and these third-century throwbacks that treat their women like dogs,” there would be a framed picture of Obama in my office right now.

34 Renaissance_Man  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:05:58pm

re: #29 ralphieboy

And population demographics: Middle Eastern countries simply cannot come up with enough jobs to keep all their young people employed, and certainly cannot keep them away from the Internet.

The results for any established, sluggish, ingrained, corrupt regime are inevitable.

I frequently wonder if there are enough jobs in the world for the current population, especially given improvements in technology.

35 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:06:45pm

re: #30 Rightwingconspirator

We’ll never know if those resources would have made the difference. Bin Laden escaped Tora Bora into Pakistan long before we attacked Iraq. If out allies had picked up the slack as they promised to do… Well the road untaken always remains unknown. Bush may have invaded the tribal mountains of Pakistan. Who knows.

So it’s partially your allies fault?

Hmm….

36 recusancy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:06:55pm

re: #33 Kid A

And I must blame Obama for escalating and prolonging this absolute disaster. I understand he inherited this God-awful situation, but if he had had the stones to say “No way on my watch are we going to spill any more American blood for that piece of shit Karzai and these third-century throwbacks that treat their women like dogs,” there would be a framed picture of Obama in my office right now.

I kind of agree with you. He had a lose lose situation. I would be satisfied if we were sticking to our pull out date but it looks like we’re not. I agree. Let’s get the fuck out.

37 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:07:26pm

I am trying to read between the lines & gates being a Secretary of Defense is probably not exactly a pacifist. Taking that into consideration I get the feeling that he is predicting more hit & run type conflicts in the future. I could be wrong.

38 Sol Berdinowitz  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:07:58pm

re: #32 Tiberias

Any discussion of what might be happening is Baghdad is pure conjecture, but history has shown that at some point, soldiers often cease taking orders from the dictator and refuse to fire on their own countrymen.

39 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:08:09pm

re: #33 Kid A

The point has been made that if we (the west not just the US) had helped Afghanistan as promised after the Soviets left the Taliban could not have taken over. Shall we repeat that error? Leaver them to their stone age misery and again become a deadly hiding place? Not at all sure I find that wise, just selfish IMO.

40 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:08:24pm

re: #8 Gus 802

[Link: costofwar.com…]

We’re halfway there!!!
///
[Link: threetrilliondollarwar.org…]

41 recusancy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:08:42pm

re: #32 Tiberias

What would Baghdad look like? Probably a lot like what happened every other time Iraqis got together and stood up to Saddam:
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

It’s amazing how easy it is to brush off protesters in the town square when you don’t have any qualms about using helicopter gunships and nerve gas on as many women and children as necessary.

It’s always the same until it’s not. Everyone was saying the same thing about Libya just last week.

42 darthstar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:08:55pm

The English learned this lesson 80 plus years ago. The Russians learned this lesson 30 years ago. Fortunately for us, we’re so far superior to those two nations that we can say this aloud and then ignore it since it obviously doesn’t apply to us.

43 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:09:38pm

In fact for FY2010 there were still more troops in Iraq — 88,300 vs. 63,500. Afghanistan maxes out at 63,500. See this CRS Report (PDF) on page 14. My pedestrian opinion says that 63,500 troops is way below the required level. At a minimum it should be at Iraq levels in 2008 or 157,800. That is if one is to expect any victory of any sort and leave out the required “nation building” that seems to be going nowhere with the Karzai regime.

44 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:10:04pm

I do not understand why anyone attributes Obamas continuation of Bush policies as anything but a clarion necessity based on what he learned after he started getting classified PDB’s and took office.

45 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:10:15pm

re: #42 darthstar

The English learned this lesson 80 plus years ago. The Russians learned this lesson 30 years ago. Fortunately for us, we’re so far superior to those two nations that we can say this aloud and then ignore it since it obviously doesn’t apply to us.

I hear you, but at least over 80 years we have developed better toys…

46 Sol Berdinowitz  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:10:23pm

re: #34 Renaissance_Man

We have made work into just another commodity, and labor costs are seen as just another production cost to be minimized or eliminated entirely wherever possible.

As long as that view of labor is the predominant one, there will never be enough work in the world, and although there will be enough money, it will be so unevenly distributed as to assure some sort of social unrest somewhere at any given time.

47 darthstar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:11:10pm

re: #45 brookly red

I hear you, but at least over 80 years we have developed better toys…

Yep…and the desert is littered with them.

48 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:11:13pm

We were warned…

Youtube Video
49 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:11:17pm

re: #34 Renaissance_Man

I frequently wonder if there are enough jobs in the world for the current population, especially given improvements in technology.

There are if the amount of work that needs to be done, and the resulting fair pay, are well-distributed. Welcome to 20-hour week. Enjoy your new lesiure.

50 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:11:57pm

re: #47 darthstar

Yep…and the desert is littered with them.

well will make more I am sure…

51 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:12:23pm

re: #44 Rightwingconspirator

I do not understand why anyone attributes Obamas continuation of Bush policies as anything but a clarion necessity based on what he learned after he started getting classified PDB’s and took office.

One could debate the necessity part, but that Obama views it as that and acts accordingly is pretty obvious IMHO.

52 darthstar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:12:24pm

re: #50 brookly red

well will make more I am sure…

Jobs, jobs, jobs.

53 Kronocide  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:12:54pm

re: #26 McSpiff

I read a post basically stating the same thing. Egyptian demographics reached the point that domestic grain production became the minority, making food prices based more on international grain prices and the entire thing went to shit. Not sure how true it is, but there ya go.

The ME has most of it’s food shipped in so international price fluctuations are quicker and more severe during hiccups. Egypt has the Nile delta to support itself but I think they still need food imported. Other countries like Iran and Libya have almost all of their food shipped in.

It would probably take an objective and sustained effort to clarify this but I think that AGW/food supply shocks have played a part in this, if not a substantial part. If it becomes obvious that this is the case the RW Zombie talking heads are going to double down on the Beckstradamian Caliphatian/Marxian predictions to drown out more reality that AGW is real and here now directly affecting the world.

54 recusancy  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:13:19pm

re: #51 Sergey Romanov

One could debate the necessity part, but that Obama views it as that and acts accordingly is pretty obvious IMHO.

Also, changing course is really fucking hard, especially in a short time period.

55 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:13:45pm

re: #52 darthstar

Jobs, jobs, jobs.

35 billion for aerial tankers alone…
not that we don’t need them, we do.

56 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:14:40pm

re: #54 recusancy

Yep, and Obama doesn’t make drastic moves.

57 darthstar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:14:59pm

re: #55 brookly red

35 billion for aerial tankers alone…
not that we don’t need them, we do.

Okay, Jobs, bonuses, bonuses, bonuses, jobs, bonuses, bonuses, jobs…

58 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:15:42pm

Not only do we see differences in the borders but there’s also a huge difference in geography. Expansive mountainous terrain.

And some simple math. Afghanistan’s area is 251,772 square miles. There 63,500 troops in Afghanistan. 251,772/63,500 = 3.96 or 4 troops per square mile. Since not all troops are engaged in combat operations that number is possibly less than half. Therefore it’s probably closer to 2 soldiers per square mile. This also doesn’t take into consideration the area of northwest Pakistan.

59 Achilles Tang  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:16:44pm

re: #55 brookly red

35 billion for aerial tankers alone…
not that we don’t need them, we do.

Yes we do, since instead of invading in the future, we need to be able to bomb the shit out of them.

60 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:17:08pm
it would be unwise for the United States to ever fight another war like Iraq or Afghanistan


Uh, I’m not really sure there was a reasonable alternative solution to Afghanistan. He doesn’t seem to offer one.

61 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:17:52pm

re: #53 BigPapa

The ME has most of it’s food shipped in so international price fluctuations are quicker and more severe during hiccups. Egypt has the Nile delta to support itself but I think they still need food imported. Other countries like Iran and Libya have almost all of their food shipped in.

It would probably take an objective and sustained effort to clarify this but I think that AGW/food supply shocks have played a part in this, if not a substantial part. If it becomes obvious that this is the case the RW Zombie talking heads are going to double down on the Beckstradamian Caliphatian/Marxian predictions to drown out more reality that AGW is real and here now directly affecting the world.

Egypt is apparently one of largest if not the largest grain importer in the world.

62 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:19:12pm

re: #60 Killgore Trout

There was the option of a far larger force, one ready to roll right up the mountains in hot pursuit. Even if that meant Pakistan’s borders were crossed. Maybe that was not deemed reasonable, as we did rule out nuclear weapons in Tora Bora.

63 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:21:08pm

re: #57 darthstar

Okay so we should slowly just lose the ability to mid air refuel the navy and air force? How wise would that be? How would we send massive humanitarian help when needed? By ship?

64 Achilles Tang  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:22:45pm

re: #61 Jadespring

Egypt is apparently one of largest if not the largest grain importer in the world.

Staple food prices are subject to speculators among other things like oil (which is not in short supply right now, but the price goes up anyway) and countries like Egypt pay more of their income for food than we do (also we pay more for packaging and other costs and don’t feel the food price as much), so when the price of basics doubles it makes a much bigger dent in their pockets than ours.

65 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:22:50pm

re: #62 Rightwingconspirator

There was the option of a far larger force, one ready to roll right up the mountains in hot pursuit. Even if that meant Pakistan’s borders were crossed. Maybe that was not deemed reasonable, as we did rule out nuclear weapons in Tora Bora.

Agreed, but still there wasn’t an alternative to having boots on the ground.

66 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:23:23pm

re: #61 Jadespring

Egypt is apparently one of largest if not the largest grain importer in the world.

“They live in a desert. Send them U-hauls.”

Sam

67 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:24:40pm

re: #18 Sergey Romanov

Going back in time and killing Hitler is not an option, unfortunately.

[Link: www.viruscomix.com…]

Youtube Video
68 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:24:46pm

I think we are pretty close to having “Terminator” like weapons in play… technology changes everything so in the future we will probably be using less & less living troops.

69 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:25:20pm

re: #66 Decatur Deb

“They live in a desert. Send them U-hauls.”

Sam

West Wing?

70 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:25:38pm

re: #67 Varek Raith

Good one. And I finished this season last week.

71 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:26:26pm

re: #6 recusancy

Wait I’m confused. So I’m not a traitor anymore or is Gates a traitor now?

Seriously. Inquiring minds want to know.

72 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:26:30pm

re: #69 Jadespring

West Wing?

Sam Kineson, in standup re Ethiopia.

73 Achilles Tang  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:26:34pm

re: #68 brookly red

I think we are pretty close to having “Terminator” like weapons in play… technology changes everything so in the future we will probably be using less & less living troops.

Yeah, but then who is going to count the bodies and dispute the collateral women and children death claims?

74 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:28:37pm

re: #73 Naso Tang

Yeah, but then who is going to count the bodies and dispute the collateral women and children death claims?

/easy the next generation of drones will run off bodies & be very green too boot.

75 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:32:12pm

re: #35 Jadespring

The broken promises complicated things seriously. Of course Bin Laden may have escaped regardless. And leaving Afghanistan to the Taliban would have been be about as inhumane as ignoring Pol Pot turned out to be.
(ha ha managed to not Goodwin the thread)

76 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:32:25pm

re: #74 brookly red

/easy the next generation of drones will run off bodies & be very green too boot.

Smarter Than You Think
A Fight to Win the Future: Computers vs. Humans

[Link: www.nytimes.com…]

77 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:32:26pm

[Link: www.huffingtonpost.com…]

Rose promoted the edited video as proof that Planned Parenthood knew that a 13-year-old child was impregnated by a 31-year-old man but continued to counsel the patient. But in the full-length video, it becomes clear that Rose, who is pretending to be pregnant, tells a volunteer that she is 13 and later tells a nurse that her boyfriend is 31. Each person has only one piece of the information, though in the edited tape it appears as though Rose is talking to the same person the entire time. Rose was in fact over 18 at the time of the video, so the nurse would have little reason to suspect statutory rape. At the very end of the longer clip, Rose tells the nurse that she is 13, at which point the video cuts out and the nurse is seen giving no further counseling. An official affiliated with Planned Parenthood said that the nurse suspected that Rose was lying about her age and so ended the conversation. Had Rose gone forward with the process and become an official patient of the center, she would have then been required to show identification, said the official.

78 Kronocide  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:33:31pm

re: #64 Naso Tang

Staple food prices are subject to speculators among other things like oil (which is not in short supply right now, but the price goes up anyway) and countries like Egypt pay more of their income for food than we do (also we pay more for packaging and other costs and don’t feel the food price as much), so when the price of basics doubles it makes a much bigger dent in their pockets than ours.

Right, and more price fluctuation creates more speculative opportunity. There’s always been speculation in raw food supplies. I don’t see any evidence that speculation was a cause of these recent price fluctuations.

79 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:34:05pm

Sacrifice for one’s country has long been an elemental feature of combat. Sometime in the future if robots replace combat troops it will present many philosophical and moral questions. This would remove any level of sacrifice since it would be relegated to machinery. Operating a robot battalion for example to fight an enemy from the comfort of an air conditioned office in Fort Dix, NJ is not exactly fighting for one’s country in any sense of the word.

80 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:34:28pm

re: #77 Sergey Romanov

What is Church Latin for “Taquiyya”?

81 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:34:31pm

re: #76 Decatur Deb

Smarter Than You Think
A Fight to Win the Future: Computers vs. Humans

[Link: www.nytimes.com…]

just wait till it’s PFC Watson…

82 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:34:53pm

re: #79 Gus 802

Until the enemy goes for the control center. Which would be the tactical necessity.

83 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:35:13pm

re: #79 Gus 802

Sacrifice for one’s country has long been an elemental feature of combat. Sometime in the future if robots replace combat troops it will present many philosophical and moral questions. This would remove any level of sacrifice since it would be relegated to machinery. Operating a robot battalion for example to fight an enemy from the comfort of an air conditioned office in Fort Dix, NJ is not exactly fighting for one’s country in any sense of the word.

And then the machines become self-aware, at which point we’re boned.

84 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:35:22pm

re: #80 Decatur Deb

What is Church Latin for “Taquiyya”?

/Turdus maximus?

85 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:35:40pm

Additionally, the thought of sending in nano-robots to exterminate the enemy is somewhat discomforting. When that time comes we will have essentially become the alien race of science fiction.

86 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:36:01pm

re: #79 Gus 802

Sacrifice for one’s country has long been an elemental feature of combat. Sometime in the future if robots replace combat troops it will present many philosophical and moral questions. This would remove any level of sacrifice since it would be relegated to machinery. Operating a robot battalion for example to fight an enemy from the comfort of an air conditioned office in Fort Dix, NJ is not exactly fighting for one’s country in any sense of the word.

Who said the autonomous fighters would be under remote control?

87 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:36:22pm

re: #80 Decatur Deb

What is Church Latin for “Taquiyya”?

Pia fraus.

88 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:36:28pm

re: #85 Gus 802

Additionally, the thought of sending in nano-robots to exterminate the enemy is somewhat discomforting. When that time comes we will have essentially become the alien race of science fiction.

I can see it now…
“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU SET THE NANOBOTS TO CONSUME CARBON?!?!”

89 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:37:32pm

re: #86 Decatur Deb

Who said the autonomous fighters would be under remote control?

I’m talking the far off future here. Some would say it’s not far off. It would make sense to have them remotely controlled from at least behind enemy lines.

90 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:38:24pm

re: #88 Varek Raith

I can see it now…
“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU SET THE NANOBOTS TO CONSUME CARBON?!?!”

Al Gore: I’m ruined!

91 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:38:24pm

re: #75 Rightwingconspirator

The broken promises complicated things seriously. Of course Bin Laden may have escaped regardless. And leaving Afghanistan to the Taliban would have been be about as inhumane as ignoring Pol Pot turned out to be.
(ha ha managed to not Goodwin the thread)

Okay. Actually never mind though.

I can’t discuss this.

92 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:39:11pm

re: #89 Gus 802

I’m talking the far off future here. Some would say it’s not far off. It would make sense to have them remotely controlled from at least behind enemy lines.

I’m talking near future. There is an effort to give drones decision-making authority in order to defeat satellite latency.

93 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:39:12pm

re: #90 brookly red

Al Gore: I’m ruined!

We’d, along with everything else, be eaten by them.
;)

94 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:39:36pm

re: #91 Jadespring

I do respect your decision.

95 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:39:48pm

re: #37 brookly red

I am trying to read between the lines & gates being a Secretary of Defense is probably not exactly a pacifist. Taking that into consideration I get the feeling that he is predicting more hit & run type conflicts in the future. I could be wrong.

Iraq was meant to be a hit and run type conflict.

There was a memo, you may not have got it.

96 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:40:00pm

re: #93 Varek Raith

We’d, along with everything else, be eaten by them.
;)

ashes to ashes, dust to dust…

97 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:40:12pm

Somebody tell Glenn Beck that the Russians are too drunk to konspire with the krazy moozlims’ global kaliphate plan.

[Link: www.economist.com…]

98 celticdragon  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:40:28pm

re: #25 recusancy

Well if we’re going back and changing things, lets go back and do the obvious, kill Hitler, and then go back and build off of Pres Carter’s energy policies. Maybe we’d be close to being off oil by now and not enriching hostile regimes.

I think it would be amusing (and more morally defensible) to find Hitler as a kid and give him an art scholarship to some school in New York. Put him with a nice Jewish host family for five or six years, then get him doing commercial advertising schmaltz for the next 30 years or so.

That would absolutely not stop the rise of a right wing dictatorship in Germany (which was almost inevitable), but it would at least stop one particular right wing dictator.

99 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:40:53pm

re: #92 Decatur Deb

I’m talking near future. There is an effort to give drones decision-making authority in order to defeat satellite latency.

Oh, I see. Well, that would be even more troubling. I don’t know. I may be wrong but I think if we’re going to have wars then they should be fought by men and women. The day we relegate it to machines will signal the beginning of a most dangerous time.

100 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:41:01pm

re: #95 wozzablog

Iraq was meant to be a hit and run type conflict.

There was a memo, you may not have got it.

no the last one you sent me said we were there for the oil…

101 celticdragon  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:41:12pm

re: #88 Varek Raith

I can see it now…
“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU SET THE NANOBOTS TO CONSUME CARBON?!?!”

I set them to consume Justin Bieber.

102 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:42:27pm

re: #95 wozzablog

Iraq was meant to be a hit and run type conflict.

There was a memo, you may not have got it.

“Weeks, not months”

[Link: www.washingtonpost.com…]

103 albusteve  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:43:15pm

re: #99 Gus 802

Oh, I see. Well, that would be even more troubling. I don’t know. I may be wrong but I think if we’re going to have wars then they should be fought by men and women. The day we relegate it to machines will signal the beginning of a most dangerous time.

invincible nanobots…the next Pickets Charge will turn out much different

104 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:43:16pm

nanobots eat carbon, roaches eat nanobots… the Bronx is saved!

105 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:43:23pm

re: #100 brookly red

no the last one you sent me said we were there for the oil…

see

re: #102 Decatur Deb

“Weeks, not months”

[Link: www.washingtonpost.com…]

106 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:43:48pm

re: #101 celticdragon

I set them to consume Justin Bieber.

Harsh. But fair.

107 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:44:16pm

Nah, it will be a cakewalk. I mean, what can go wrong?

108 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:44:48pm

re: #102 Decatur Deb

“Weeks, not months”

[Link: www.washingtonpost.com…]

“Endless, not years.”

109 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:45:08pm

re: #107 Sergey Romanov

Nah, it will be a cakewalk. I mean, what can go wrong?

I ran out of beer…

bbiab

110 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:45:48pm

re: #109 brookly red

I ran out of beer…

bbiab

Good idea. I’ll go buy snacks too. BBL.

111 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:45:49pm

How close to biology would an automated lethal nano-robot be? If it is defined as a synthetic life form of sorts capable of intelligent thought would it not be synthetic life form and therefore a synthetic biological weapon?

If we could devise an airborne nano-robot that could infiltrate, locate, and terminate ALL Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan would you approve?

112 Tigger2  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:46:13pm

The Police in Wisconsin have joined the protesters in the State Capital.

“Hundreds of cops have just marched into the Wisconsin state capitol building to protest the anti-Union bill, to massive applause. They now join up to 600 people who are inside.”

“Police have just announced to the crowds inside the occupied State Capitol of Wisconsin: ‘We have been ordered by the legislature to kick you all out at 4:00 today. But we know what’s right from wrong. We will not be kicking anyone out, in fact, we will be sleeping here with you!

Video.
[Link: www.boingboing.net…]

113 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:46:48pm

re: #111 Gus 802

Before I go, there’s a whole episode about nanobots in Futurama. Varek knows. ;)

114 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:47:14pm

re: #107 Sergey Romanov

Nah, it will be a cakewalk. I mean, what can go wrong?

Home by Christmas.

115 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:47:28pm

re: #108 Kid A

“Endless, not years.”

I was in an HQDA field agency watching the first strikes against Saddam. A young Major, a Longbow pilot, jumped up and yelled “Shock and Awe, baby”.

116 palomino  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:47:55pm

re: #114 wozzablog

Home by Christmas.

The war will pay for itself.

117 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:49:49pm

re: #116 palomino

The war will pay for itself.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

118 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:49:57pm

re: #114 wozzablog

Home by Christmas.

I’ll be home by Christmas…

119 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:50:20pm

For, not by. Yeesh.

120 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:50:53pm

re: #116 palomino

If we had not invaded Iraq, would it have gone like Libya (except far more deadly) like Libya in recent weeks? Can’t help but wonder.

121 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:52:07pm

re: #120 Rightwingconspirator

If we had not invaded Iraq, would it have gone like Libya (except far more deadly) like Libya in recent weeks? Can’t help but wonder.

Don’t know.
Doesn’t change the fact that we completely underestimated the challenges of Iraq.
Not to mention making idiotic “weeks not months” and “the war will pay for itself” statements.

122 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:52:15pm

And how did we defeat the enemy grandpa?

Well. They sent in nanobots to exterminate the enemy while the rest of us were able to keep shopping and watch reruns of Snooki on our television implants.

//

123 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:53:02pm

re: #122 Gus 802

And how did we defeat the enemy grandpa?

Well. They sent in nanobots to exterminate the enemy while the rest of us were able to keep shopping and watch reruns of Snooki on our television implants.

//

At which point Varek detonates the Earth’s core.
FIREWORKS!
/

124 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:53:20pm

re: #116 palomino

The war will pay for itself.

We’ll be greeted as liberators.

125 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:53:56pm

re: #120 Rightwingconspirator

If we had not invaded Iraq, would it have gone like Libya (except far more deadly) like Libya in recent weeks? Can’t help but wonder.

We know Saddam didn’t have WMD - the analysis of the pre-war inspections shows that. There were no fly zones.

The republican guard would have been brutal - but the regular army (as showed by our invasion) often melted away - i’m not sure they would have held the line against protestors if given the fire order. Speculation all - but it’s all we have to go on.

126 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:54:08pm

re: #107 Sergey Romanov

Nah, it will be a cakewalk. I mean, what can go wrong?

Flowers and candy from the citizens.

127 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:54:19pm

re: #124 Kid A

We’ll be greeted as liberators.

Slamdunk.

128 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:54:43pm

O’er the televisions we watched, were so gallantly uploaded,
And the UAVs red glare, nanobots in the air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

//

129 palomino  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:54:49pm

re: #118 Gus 802

I’ll be home by Christmas…

“The war might last 6 days or 6 weeks, no way it lasts 6 months.”

130 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:54:53pm

re: #121 Varek Raith

Agreed. Invading was wrong, and then we made mistake after mistake in the following year.

131 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:54:54pm

re: #127 wozzablog

Slamdunk.

It’s about freedom.

132 HoosierHoops  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:54:57pm

I just saw the social network
As a Movie..I thought it completely sucked so it will probably win an Oscar…
How bad was it? I work in the tech world..It sucked as a movie.. I really thought it would be awesome

133 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:55:03pm

re: #11 ralphieboy

Some people present the opinion that our invasion of Iraq helped stimulate the democratic upheavals taking place throughout the Middle East.

I thnk otherwise. For starters, I cannot imagine the people in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain or Libya saying “WOuldn’t it be great if we were more like Iraq right now?”

And the current violence against the Iraqi regime we helped put in place is very disconcertingly sobering.

So let us look at it the other way: what would Baghdad look like right now if we had not invaded? Would we be witnessing a popular uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime? Could we have spared the thousands of lives and the billions of dollars spent to achieve the end of toppling him and instituting democracy

if

of course

that was the reason we invaded in the first place?

The reason for the Iraq war was straight out of the Old West. A gunfighter walks into a town, shoots someone and announces, “There ain’t no more law in this here town ‘ceptn what I say there is.”

It was meant to bring an end to international law as represented by the UN and replace it with a Pax Americana

Richard Perle laid it out at The American Enterprise Institute in 2003.

134 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:55:44pm

re: #130 Rightwingconspirator

Agreed. Invading was wrong, and then we made mistake after mistake in the following year.

That’s what pisses me off the most.
Our refusal, it seems, to adapt.

135 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:55:48pm

re: #112 Tigger2

Yep, God bless them.

70,000 again today.

[Link: host.madison.com…]

Governor Walker, this one’s for you!

Youtube Video
136 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:56:33pm

Oh and about the rising strategic power of China…
Chinese Missile Ship Races to Libya
[Link: www.wired.com…]
“China has redeployed the 4,000 ton missile frigate Xuzhou from its anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden to assist in the evacuation of its nationals from Libya. It’s the “the first ever dispatch” of a Chinese navy vessel to run a “non-combatant evacuation,” China SignPost’s Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson note.
The move underlines the growth in Chinese naval power, Collins and Erickson write. And with a number of Chinese workers employed in potentially unstable countries around the world, the evacuation likely serves as a dress rehearsal for future crises.”

I must say well done in this case.

137 albusteve  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:57:13pm

re: #111 Gus 802

How close to biology would an automated lethal nano-robot be? If it is defined as a synthetic life form of sorts capable of intelligent thought would it not be synthetic life form and therefore a synthetic biological weapon?

If we could devise an airborne nano-robot that could infiltrate, locate, and terminate ALL Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan would you approve?

yes

138 palomino  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:57:15pm

re: #127 wozzablog

Slamdunk.

And the guy who infamously and erroneously made that claim got a Presidential Medal of Freedom. How badly would Tenet have had to screw up not to get such an honor?

139 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:57:35pm

re: #125 wozzablog

We know Saddam didn’t have WMD - the analysis of the pre-war inspections shows that. There were no fly zones.

The republican guard would have been brutal - but the regular army (as showed by our invasion) often melted away - i’m not sure they would have held the line against protestors if given the fire order. Speculation all - but it’s all we have to go on.

WAIT! WAIT! Curveball said that Saddam had…oh, wait.

[Link: www.americablog.com…]

140 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 2:59:28pm

re: #131 Kid A

It’s about freedom.

These middle east revolutions are all inspired by Bush’s love of freedom spreading……… (he was the “yes we can” guy, wasn’t he?)

Image: o2apd.jpg

Image: 3vq1j4.jpg

141 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:01:05pm

re: #30 Rightwingconspirator

We’ll never know if those resources would have made the difference. Bin Laden escaped Tora Bora into Pakistan long before we attacked Iraq. If out allies had picked up the slack as they promised to do… Well the road untaken always remains unknown. Bush may have invaded the tribal mountains of Pakistan. Who knows.

Speaking as a Canadian whose country has had soldiers there from the beginning I ask, excuse me?

The US didn’t trust its allies to do the job and kept them in Kabul for over a year. Instead they passed the job of pacifying the countryside to the various warlords.

By the time they let us out, it was too damned late. The Taliban had reorganized, the warlords were in control of the countryside and the central government’s power reached to the city limits of Kabul.

Don’t blame your allies for things they didn’t do and weren’t allowed to do.

142 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:01:17pm

re: #137 albusteve

yes

I’m still thinking about it. If we did go in that direction we would see the end of the traditional warrior class replaced by a form of technocracy. There would be no bravery and no sacrifice in such acts. And what then when “the other side” has that capability?

143 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:02:24pm

re: #140 wozzablog

These middle east revolutions are all inspired by Bush’s love of freedom spreading… (he was the “yes we can” guy, wasn’t he?)

Image: o2apd.jpg

Image: 3vq1j4.jpg

I like this one…

Image: tumblr_lgfg8jVQRW1qe2f1ro1_500.jpg

144 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:03:30pm

re: #138 palomino

And the guy who infamously and erroneously made that claim got a Presidential Medal of Freedom. How badly would Tenet have had to screw up not to get such an honor?

And the guy who called it right was forced into retirement:

“It could be as high as several hundred thousand,” he told another committee. “We all hope it is something less.”

—GEN E. Shinseki

145 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:03:34pm

re: #141 Romantic Heretic

Speaking as a Canadian whose country has had soldiers there from the beginning I ask, excuse me?

The US didn’t trust its allies to do the job and kept them in Kabul for over a year. Instead they passed the job of pacifying the countryside to the various warlords.

By the time they let us out, it was too damned late. The Taliban had reorganized, the warlords were in control of the countryside and the central government’s power reached to the city limits of Kabul.

Don’t blame your allies for things they didn’t do and weren’t allowed to do.

Ah… the Northern Alliance.
We, the US, placed far too much trust in them.

146 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:03:55pm

re: #143 Gus 802

I like this one…

Image: tumblr_lgfg8jVQRW1qe2f1ro1_500.jpg

This one is a doozy………
Image: Egypt.jpg

147 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:04:19pm

re: #146 wozzablog

This one is a doozy…
Image: Egypt.jpg

Blogspot image no workie.

148 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:05:04pm

re: #140 wozzablog

These middle east revolutions are all inspired by Bush’s love of freedom spreading… (he was the “yes we can” guy, wasn’t he?)

Remember when Bush argued against “nation building?”

During the 2000 campaign, George W. Bush argued against nation building and foreign military entanglements. In the second presidential debate, he said: “I’m not so sure the role of the United States is to go around the world and say, ‘This is the way it’s got to be.’”

FAIL.

149 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:05:07pm

re: #115 Decatur Deb

I was in an HQDA field agency watching the first strikes against Saddam. A young Major, a Longbow pilot, jumped up and yelled “Shock and Awe, baby”.

/I love it when my dates do that ;)

150 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:05:15pm

re: #146 wozzablog

ok

image denied but is here

[Link: compostermom.blogspot.com…]

151 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:05:47pm

re: #141 Romantic Heretic
Canada is just one ally.

So what of this?
[Link: www.monstersandcritics.com…]

Or this..
[Link: www.arrse.co.uk…]

152 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:07:23pm

re: #150 wozzablog

ok

image denied but is here

[Link: compostermom.blogspot.com…]

ZOMGCALIPHATEBECKWASRIGHT!111ty

153 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:07:45pm

re: #129 palomino

“The war might last 6 days or 6 weeks, no way it lasts 6 months.”

look, when one of the first things we did was to build airbases (not too far from Iran) it should have been a tip-off, no?

154 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:08:23pm

re: #152 Varek Raith

ZOMGCALIPHATEBECKWASRIGHT!111ty

Don’t even joke. Stumbled onto an allahpundit post when looking at the Yes We Can images.

Not pretty.

*still puking my guts up*

155 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:09:08pm

re: #152 Varek Raith

ZOMGCALIPHATEBECKWASRIGHT!111ty

BUY GOLD! SURVIVAL SEEDS! MOOZLIMS!
///

156 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:09:18pm

re: #154 wozzablog

Don’t even joke. Stumbled onto an allahpundit post when looking at the Yes We Can images.

Not pretty.

*still puking my guts up*

Oh dear.
I can just imagine the comments…
:/

157 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:09:31pm

re: #148 Kid A

But that is a pre 9/11 quote. Would you mind addressing my point in #39?

158 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:09:45pm

My point or question before was that if we create nanobots that mimic biology would nanobot warfare at this level be considered a form of biological warfare?

159 albusteve  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:10:09pm

all this drama…I love it

160 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:11:18pm

re: #112 Tigger2

The Police in Wisconsin have joined the protesters in the State Capital.

“Hundreds of cops have just marched into the Wisconsin state capitol building to protest the anti-Union bill, to massive applause. They now join up to 600 people who are inside.”

“Police have just announced to the crowds inside the occupied State Capitol of Wisconsin: ‘We have been ordered by the legislature to kick you all out at 4:00 today. But we know what’s right from wrong. We will not be kicking anyone out, in fact, we will be sleeping here with you!

Video.
[Link: www.boingboing.net…]

AWESOME

161 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:11:38pm

re: #158 Gus 802

Yes it would. Given the arguments about GM corn, especially so. Maybe that should be the next banned weapons class.

162 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:11:55pm

re: #158 Gus 802

My point or question before was that if we create nanobots that mimic biology would nanobot warfare at this level be considered a form of biological warfare?

/ we don’t need no stinkin badges…

163 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:13:43pm

re: #158 Gus 802

My point or question before was that if we create nanobots that mimic biology would nanobot warfare at this level be considered a form of biological warfare?

When you’re on the receiving end, all weapons are sort of biological.

164 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:14:19pm

re: #161 Rightwingconspirator

Yes it would. Given the arguments about GM corn, especially so. Maybe that should be the next banned weapons class.

That’s where I’m leaning. The delivery system would be considered a synthetic biological form. The only out here would be that it would still be limited to a ballistic or projectile-firing weapon since any use of chemical or biological agents are pre-banned.

165 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:14:44pm

re: #163 Decatur Deb

When you’re on the receiving end, all weapons are sort of biological.

I was thinking about that. ;)

166 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:15:21pm

re: #163 Decatur Deb

When you’re on the receiving end, all weapons are sort of biological.

And according to Gaddafi some of them are chemical when mixed in with some Nescafe.

//

167 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:17:01pm

re: #164 Gus 802

But the rules of course are not followed by suicide bombers.
Not Safe For Dinner chat…

168 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:17:10pm

Meh. But who am I kidding though. I’m still waiting for my jetpack. What’s the deal with that?

169 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:17:46pm

re: #130 Rightwingconspirator

Agreed. Invading was wrong, and then we made mistake after mistake in the following year.

And from hearing them tell it themselves, it seems that the administration worked its ass off to make as many mistakes as possible.

Youtube Video

You should see it.

170 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:18:48pm

re: #158 Gus 802

My point or question before was that if we create nanobots that mimic biology would nanobot warfare at this level be considered a form of biological warfare?

Image: nanobots.png

171 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:18:57pm

re: #168 Gus 802

Meh. But who am I kidding though. I’m still waiting for my jetpack. What’s the deal with that?

Commies, that’s what!
/

172 freetoken  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:19:00pm

Silver is almost $33 per troy ounce.

Think about discovering a cache of, say, over 18 tonnes of the stuff:


Silver worth Rs 90 crore found in Puri mutt


The local police in the temple town of Puri on Saturday recovered 539 pieces of silver bricks worth more than Rs 90 crore from the ancient Emar Mutt near the 12th century Sri Jagannath Temple here.

The ‘hidden treasure’, weighing about 19 tonnes, was stored in three wooden boxes, Puri Deputy Superintendent of Police R K Paikray told Deccan Herald. The treasure came to light when the Puri police raided the mutt on Saturday following a tip-off from the local police in the coastal district of Dhenkanal.

Three days back, the Dhenkanal police arrested Barun Baral and Akshyay Das of Kuttam village while they were trying to sell a few silver bricks. They were engaged as masons by the Orissa State Archaeology Department during renovation of the mutt a few months ago. “We seized three silver bricks worth Rs 24 lakh besides and Rs one lakh from them,” Dhenkanal SP S K Gajbhiyee said. During interrogation, the duo confessed to have stolen the bricks from the Mutt.

According to them, while working on the ceiling, a chunk of the cement plaster came off and fell on the wooden boxes below. To their surprise, they found boxes, called “Sinduka” in Oriya, filled with silver bricks in a room closed by concrete walls from all sides. A few other workers are also believed to have stolen the bricks with embossed seals as UAE, Japan, China and Dubai. Though the employees of the mutt insisted that they were not aware of “the secrete room”, the police are not ready to buy the claim.

Imagine trying to sell a massive silver brick at your neighborhood market!

The total haul was 18 tonnes, 87kg, 650g, for a total of 18,087,650 grams. There are 32.15 grams per troy ounce. That makes it 562,601.9 troy ounces. At the current silver price the value is $18,522,541.24 .

Nice haul.

173 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:19:02pm

re: #168 Gus 802

Meh. But who am I kidding though. I’m still waiting for my jetpack. What’s the deal with that?

And my flying car.

Youtube Video
174 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:19:10pm

re: #164 Gus 802

That’s where I’m leaning. The delivery system would be considered a synthetic biological form. The only out here would be that it would still be limited to a ballistic or projectile-firing weapon since any use of chemical or biological agents are pre-banned.

I wouldn’t rely much on bans. The M2 .50 is “banned” by some wording when used in a direct anti-personnel mode. That’s why we always use it in an anti-materiel mode. Materiel includes belt buckles.

175 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:20:18pm

re: #10 Ojoe

WInter paradise at the top of Mt. Wilson. Towercam, San Gabriel Mountains of California, Pacific time zone.

All wars are different anyway.

Best have small ones and avoid big ones, like WW2, which could have been avoided.

My 2 cents.

Pardon my french, but how the F*** could World War 2 have been avoided?

176 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:20:57pm

re: #172 freetoken

Silver is almost $33 per troy ounce.

Think about discovering a cache of, say, over 18 tonnes of the stuff:

Silver worth Rs 90 crore found in Puri mutt

Imagine trying to sell a massive silver brick at your neighborhood market!

The total haul was 18 tonnes, 87kg, 650g, for a total of 18,087,650 grams. There are 32.15 grams per troy ounce. That makes it 562,601.9 troy ounces. At the current silver price the value is $18,522,541.24 .

Nice haul.

love them pre 64 quarters… yes I do.

177 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:21:52pm

re: #172 freetoken
Current spot for Ag is $33.38.

178 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:23:08pm

re: #175 jamesfirecat

Pardon my french, but how the F*** could World War 2 have been avoided?

a 12 step program…

step 1 admit there is a problem.
step 2 kill it.
step 3, err wait I gotta Google this…

179 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:23:44pm

re: #151 Rightwingconspirator

Canada is just one ally.

So what of this?
[Link: www.monstersandcritics.com…]

This article was seven years after the war started. It doesn’t mention at all the things I mentioned, so I fail to see the significance.

Or this..
[Link: www.arrse.co.uk…]

Again, I fail to see the significance. So the Bundeswehr has an ROE you apparently disagree with. So?

I’ll tell you this much. Canada has suffered a higher rate of casualties per capita than any other country. They’re currently stationed in Kandahar which is one of the tougher assignments in Afghanistan. So I take it personally when you claim “We’re not doing our part.”

180 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:23:51pm

re: #122 Gus 802

And how did we defeat the enemy grandpa?

Well. They sent in nanobots to exterminate the enemy while the rest of us were able to keep shopping and watch reruns of Snooki on our television implants.

//

- So how come we have to live in this bunker?

- You see, kid, there was a glitch in those Microsoft-programmed nanochips. The nanomachines turned on us. By the time we were able to stop them thanks to another glitch, they ate half of the planet. Only those who were in these solid titanium bunkers were able to survive.

181 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:25:38pm

re: #180 Sergey Romanov

- So how come we have to live in this bunker?

- You see, kid, there was a glitch in those Microsoft-programmed nanochips. The nanomachines turned on us. By the time we were able to stop them thanks to another glitch, they ate half of the planet. Only those who were in these solid titanium bunkers were able to survive.

How to Destroy Civilization with Nanotechnology

182 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:26:21pm

re: #174 Decatur Deb

I wouldn’t rely much on bans. The M2 .50 is “banned” by some wording when used in a direct anti-personnel mode. That’s why we always use it in an anti-materiel mode. Materiel includes belt buckles.

and helmets…

183 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:26:43pm

re: #181 Gus 802

How to Destroy Civilization with Nanotechnology

didn’t we do this last year?

184 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:27:12pm

re: #183 brookly red

didn’t we do this last year?

Year before. 2009.

185 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:27:36pm

re: #182 brookly red

and helmets…

Blue helmets?

//

186 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:27:56pm

re: #179 Romantic Heretic

This article was seven years after the war started. It doesn’t mention at all the things I mentioned, so I fail to see the significance.

Again, I fail to see the significance. So the Bundeswehr has an ROE you apparently disagree with. So?

I’ll tell you this much. Canada has suffered a higher rate of casualties per capita than any other country. They’re currently stationed in Kandahar which is one of the tougher assignments in Afghanistan. So I take it personally when you claim “We’re not doing our part.”

And you know how to bring them home:

Youtube Video
187 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:27:57pm

re: #141 Romantic Heretic
This took a bit to suss out on the net.
Why were they not trusted? This may show why. I found this paper, the relevant stuff starts on page 16 and goes to page19 (critical second paragraph) , it’s a PDF so I can not easily cut and paste. BTW the paper cites Canada and Britain as being far more dependable to be willing to deploy to the more dangerous regions, so your point about Canada stands up. others in NATO not so much.

It looks like we are both correct in important ways.

188 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:28:02pm

re: #184 Gus 802

Year before. 2009.

my how time flies when you waiting for a unicorn…

189 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:28:04pm

re: #181 Gus 802

How to Destroy Civilization with Nanotechnology

/ best HS voice:

Mmmm… gray goo.

190 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:28:33pm

re: #175 jamesfirecat

Pardon my french, but how the F*** could World War 2 have been avoided?

Possibly by the Versailles treaty not requiring Germany to pay deliberately economy-wrecking reparations. When hyperinflation is so bad that people literally burned cash for fuel because it was cheaper to burn money than buy fuel wood with it, you should expect something really bad to happen sooner or later.

191 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:30:29pm

re: #189 Sergey Romanov

/ best HS voice:

Mmmm… gray goo.

when I was a kid Baskin-Robbins made a licorice ice cream… we call it gery goo.

192 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:31:39pm

re: #191 brookly red

when I was a kid Baskin-Robbins made a licorice ice cream… we call it gery goo.

Ah, kids and their ice cream nanotechnology world destruction experiments…

193 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:32:02pm

“I r tweeting 4 libertee,Lol!:)”

194 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:32:27pm

re: #192 Sergey Romanov

Ah, kids and their ice cream nanotechnology world destruction experiments…

/their rocky road could kick your ass!

195 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:32:39pm

Oops, Forgot my link….
“I r tweeting 4 libertee,Lol!:)”

196 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:33:11pm

re: #195 Killgore Trout

Oops, Forgot my link…
“I r tweeting 4 libertee,Lol!:)”

Eek! I almost forgot about her.

197 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:33:20pm

re: #195 Killgore Trout

Oops, Forgot my link…
“I r tweeting 4 libertee,Lol!:)”

I thought we’ve lost you there for a nanomoment…

/////

198 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:33:37pm

re: #190 negativ

Possibly by the Versailles treaty not requiring Germany to pay deliberately economy-wrecking reparations. When hyperinflation is so bad that people literally burned cash for fuel because it was cheaper to burn money than buy fuel wood with it, you should expect something really bad to happen sooner or later.

printing too much money is a bad thing…

199 freetoken  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:33:57pm

Why the Middle East still matters to us, and why Iraq will still be a problem for us:

Guard killed in refinery gun attack

Gunmen have attacked Iraq’s largest oil refinery, killing a guard and forcing a shutdown which threatened to exacerbate acute electricity shortages that have prompted violent protests.

The gunmen detonated bombs which sparked a fire and forced the facility to halt operations, officials said.
A few hours later, a small refinery in the south shut down after a technical failure sparked a fire in a storage unit, they added.

If not fixed swiftly, the two shutdowns could translate into long lines at fuel stations and even longer power cuts.

The attack on Iraq’s largest refinery, Beiji, began at about 3.30am, with armed men killing one guard and wounding another before planting bombs near some production units for benzene and kerosene, said the spokesman for Salahuddin province, Mohammed al-Asi.

He added that about 45 soldiers have been brought in temporarily to protect the facility, and that technicians currently repairing the refinery estimated it would be back online later this week.

Iraqi Oil Ministry spokesman Assem Jihad said an investigation would be launched and that he hoped operations could resume shortly.

The closures could spell trouble for Iraqi consumers, especially at a time when the weather is just beginning to warm up and more citizens will be relying on their air conditioning.

Thousands have marched on government buildings and clashed with security forces in cities across Iraq in an outpouring of anger, the largest and most violent anti-government protests in the country since political unrest began spreading in the Arab world weeks ago.
The protests, billed as a ‘Day of Rage’, were fuelled by anger over corruption, chronic unemployment and shoddy public services from the Shiite-dominated government.

200 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:34:53pm

re: #190 negativ

Possibly by the Versailles treaty not requiring Germany to pay deliberately economy-wrecking reparations. When hyperinflation is so bad that people literally burned cash for fuel because it was cheaper to burn money than buy fuel wood with it, you should expect something really bad to happen sooner or later.

Germany didn’t exactly pay much attention to that treaty. Violations began in earnest around 1932.

201 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:34:55pm

re: #4 Rightwingconspirator

Yet we likely will. Korea or somewhere else. Our land armies are beat down by Iraq and Afghanistan. Equipment losses and wear are terrible. It will take billions of dollars just to return to pre war readiness. Secretary Gates understands how dependent we now are on naval and air power. So do our strategic opponents.

This also points out the obvious rush to develop and deploy wave rider/prompt global strike, missile defense and naval lasers.

We simply lack the ability to invade and win. Out developing technology is not an option, it is a requirement.

Gates is to be respected. Further invasions in the Middle East, absent unimaginable provocations, would not be received well by the rest of the world. Or even, given such provocation.

What’s more, we’ve not exactly come up against the varsity. The military capacity of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan…far outstrip whatever Saddam once had.

And finally, we’re running low on money. Sure, we can always print more, but at some point, running the printing presses causes the tie between money, and the actual resources money tracks, to fall apart. That’s happening right now, even without yet another war to add to the strain.

202 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:35:30pm

re: #199 freetoken

The protests, billed as a ‘Day of Rage’, were fuelled by anger over corruption, chronic unemployment and shoddy public services…

it is a rather catchy tune…

203 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:35:56pm

In Heavy Snow, Massive Crowd Rallies in Madison

Last Saturday’s protest was huge, with estimates of 55,000 or more. But many other reporters I’ve spoken to agree that there are even more today. The Wisconsin State Journal posted at 12:30 p.m. local time — before the rally began — that the crowd size was almost 70,000 people. I should add that it has only gotten significantly bigger since then.

204 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:37:00pm

The only way we could have avoided WWII is if we invent a time machine sometime in the future.

//

205 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:37:24pm

Of course that really doesn’t make any sense. ;)

206 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:39:30pm

so, what’s for dinner?

207 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:40:08pm

re: #206 brookly red

so, what’s for dinner?

and nobody better say carbon

208 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:40:13pm

re: #200 Gus 802

Germany didn’t exactly pay much attention to that treaty. Violations began in earnest around 1932.

Right, because by then things were in a shambles.

Exchange rates:

1914: 1 Mark = about $4
1924: 1 Mark = about $4.5 billion

209 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:41:04pm

re: #201 lostlakehiker

Gates is to be respected. Further invasions in the Middle East, absent unimaginable provocations, would not be received well by the rest of the world. Or even, given such provocation.

What’s more, we’ve not exactly come up against the varsity. The military capacity of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan…far outstrip whatever Saddam once had.

And finally, we’re running low on money. Sure, we can always print more, but at some point, running the printing presses causes the tie between money, and the actual resources money tracks, to fall apart. That’s happening right now, even without yet another war to add to the strain.


the fact that the army is short of servicable equipment and the manpower is severly degraded doesn’t come into it?

210 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:41:36pm

re: #206 brookly red

Potato Gnocchi with tomato sauce (gravy).

211 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:41:40pm

Boeing labor union credits Obama for Air Force tanker win

Uh oh! Now that the labor union is for the KC-767 I’m against it! /

I support the KC-767. The KC-135 is getting pretty old (less so the KC-10) and can only be extended for another 29 years. Delivery for 18 new KC-767s should be in 2017 so it’s not exactly going to happen overnight.

212 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:41:52pm

re: #208 negativ

Right, because by then things were in a shambles.

Exchange rates:

1914: 1 Mark = about $4
1924: 1 Mark = about $4.5 billion

I still think the Dinar is coming back… especially if there is unrest in the ME.

213 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:43:03pm

re: #210 PhillyPretzel

Potato Gnocchi with tomato sauce (gravy).

just say Gnocchi & gravy, I understand.

214 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:43:07pm

re: #204 Gus 802

The only way we could have avoided WWII is if we invent a time machine sometime in the future.

//

Changing the past events is predicated on the incoherent mixture of the presentist and eternalist views of time. The time travel itself requires the eternalist/4D/”block” (or at least “growing block”) view of time, at which point it becomes possible to travel in it (at least to the past), however this same view of time prevents changing it as anything that “could have been changed” has already been changed.

215 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:43:19pm

re: #214 Sergey Romanov

/ nerd

216 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:44:21pm

re: #215 Sergey Romanov

/ nerd

that’s my line…

217 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:44:56pm

re: #213 brookly red
You would understand. Some other would not.

Kitco has some exchange rates of currencies at the bottom of the site.
[Link: www.kitco.com…]

218 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:45:50pm

re: #203 Killgore Trout

In Heavy Snow, Massive Crowd Rallies in Madison

Heavy snow? Barely flurries. Still nice to see people aren’t ready to let up on the pressure.

219 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:46:48pm

re: #175 jamesfirecat

Pardon my french, but how the F*** could World War 2 have been avoided?

Historical what-ifs are very tricky. It’s easy to postulate policies that would have worked out better. Trouble is, the political forces at work at the time probably precluded such policies. Fight the war earlier? The people of the time in the various democracies were desperate to avoid war. They did not then realize what hindsight made clear to all, that the war was “on” whether they liked it or not.

Assassination? It was not recognized in time that Hitler was different from Mussolini, that he was more than a blowhard dictator. That he was, in fact, a real life evil genius.

These tragedies, and more of their sort lie in our future if we are unwise, can only be averted far in advance, if at all. The right question is probably, what could have been done to persuade the victors to take a more Machiavellian line at Versailles? For Machiavelli observed that when you win a war, or any other sort of deadly contest, you must either reconcile with the former enemy, on a basis of mercy tempered by justice, or you must break their strength utterly. Lincoln took the first path with the South after the civil war. The Allies took the second approach after WW2, splitting Germany in two and keeping it that way until all danger had passed.

(And Japan was stripped of her Empire.)

220 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:47:37pm

I’m going to stick with my long standing tradition. I hate what-ifs.

221 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:47:55pm

re: #217 PhillyPretzel

You would understand. Some other would not.

Kitco has some exchange rates of currencies at the bottom of the site.
[Link: www.kitco.com…]

I like my Gnocchi with garlic & oil, dash of cheese & black pepper…

222 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:49:43pm

re: #221 brookly red
That sounds good. Most of the time I used grated cheese instead of sauce.

223 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:49:53pm

re: #206 brookly red

so, what’s for dinner?

Fish!

224 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:50:08pm

re: #222 PhillyPretzel

That sounds good. Most of the time I used grated cheese instead of sauce.

old school!

225 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:50:45pm

re: #224 brookly red

Yes. It is.

226 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:50:47pm

What if the Germans had expanded production of the ME-262! What if we hadn’t dropped the bomb on Hiroshima!

227 palomino  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:51:11pm

re: #153 brookly red

look, when one of the first things we did was to build airbases (not too far from Iran) it should have been a tip-off, no?

Hey, I’m just quoting Rummy. Either he was wrong (bordering on utter incompetence, see troop levels) or he was dishonest. Not really defensible either way.

228 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:51:18pm

re: #223 Killgore Trout

Fish!

I am feeling that too… my only question is raw or cooked.

229 freetoken  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:51:33pm

re: #220 Gus 802

Hmm… what if I mix HD Dark Chocolate Mint with B&J Mint Chocolate Chunk?…. let me go check on that one…

230 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:51:42pm

What if I pursued my application to Cornell architecture school!

Oops. Wrong history.

/

231 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:52:17pm

re: #211 Gus 802
I call BS on the union guy. If he is correct Obama defied all the rules in the procurement process. Nah. He’s just trying to take credit to where it is not deserved IMO. Price is king in times of financial strain.

“Defense analyst Loren Thompson, who backed Boeing’s bid in the competition, said price — not politics — was the determining factor in the contest. But, he said, Obama “dodged a bullet” with a key constituent when the Air Force picked Boeing over its European rival.”

232 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:52:25pm

re: #227 palomino

Hey, I’m just quoting Rummy. Either he was wrong (bordering on utter incompetence, see troop levels) or he was dishonest. Not really defensible either way.

sometime in war people don’t always say what they really mean… that goes for dating too.

233 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:52:27pm

re: #230 Gus 802

What if I pursued my application to Cornell architecture school!

Oops. Wrong history.

/

What if we were hit with a gamma ray burst in 37 seconds???
/

234 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:52:59pm

re: #228 brookly red

I am feeling that too… my only question is raw or cooked.

It’s cold as hell here. I couldn’t even think about sushi.

235 palomino  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:53:21pm

re: #232 brookly red

sometime in war people don’t always say what they really mean… that goes for dating too.

Yeah, but in dating only one person gets hurt. In war, oops. And if they didn’t mean it, why sell it so damn hard?

236 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:53:24pm

What if I’m just a brain in a vat?

237 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:53:44pm

re: #226 Gus 802

What if the Germans had expanded production of the ME-262! What if we hadn’t dropped the bomb on Hiroshima!

/what if Chamberlain choked on a cherry pit?

238 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:53:50pm

re: #236 Sergey Romanov

What if I’m just a brain in a vat?

Abby Normal?……..

239 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:53:52pm

re: #206 brookly red

so, what’s for dinner?

Boneless leg o’ lamb from Trader Joe’s in the crock-pot. I was going to stuff it with some goat cheese and fresh basil but I was too lazy. My wife hates “borrego” so more for me I guess.

240 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:55:16pm

re: #236 Sergey Romanov

What if I’m just a brain in a vat?

as long as you pay your taxes, all is good.

241 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:55:29pm

re: #231 Rightwingconspirator

I call BS on the union guy. If he is correct Obama defied all the rules in the procurement process. Nah. He’s just trying to take credit to where it is not deserved IMO. Price is king in times of financial strain.

“Defense analyst Loren Thompson, who backed Boeing’s bid in the competition, said price — not politics — was the determining factor in the contest. But, he said, Obama “dodged a bullet” with a key constituent when the Air Force picked Boeing over its European rival.”

I confess to not having read it. Heck it’s easy for me. Boeing, Boeing, Boeing. Sure there are some American aspects to EADS but not even close to Boeing. Another thing too is that the KC-767 will have an actual yoke and not some silly twisty stick on the side. Sorry, but that really gets to me when I see an Airbus cockpit and think to myself “where’s the yoke!?”

242 Charles Johnson  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:55:34pm

Meanwhile, Gaddafi with his voluptuous Ukrainian nurse:

Image: gaddafinurse-lg.jpg

243 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:55:36pm

re: #233 Varek Raith

What if we were hit with a gamma ray burst in 37 seconds???
/

What If Marino had picked up a superbowl ring……….?

(just kidding, thats *too* far fetched for this conversation)

244 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:55:51pm

re: #240 brookly red

as long as you pay your taxes, all is good.

A chicken in every… vat?

245 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:56:17pm

“Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” Sun Tzu

246 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:56:45pm

re: #226 Gus 802

What if the Germans had expanded production of the ME-262! What if we hadn’t dropped the bomb on Hiroshima!

Historical fiction is a popular genre.

247 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:56:47pm

re: #243 wozzablog

What If Marino had picked up a superbowl ring…?

(just kidding, thats *too* far fetched for this conversation)

Oh snap!

248 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:56:48pm

re: #242 Charles

Meanwhile, Gaddafi with his voluptuous Ukrainian nurse:

Image: gaddafinurse-lg.jpg

a spoon full of sugar helps the genocide go down………….

249 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:57:26pm

re: #242 Charles
If a nurse is really what her job was?
Great. Now he’s likely off his meds. Look out now… He may really flip out.

250 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:57:57pm

re: #247 Varek Raith

Oh snap!

I’m allowed. I’m a long suffering Fin Fan.

251 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:58:10pm

re: #249 Rightwingconspirator
Yes that is very dangerous.

252 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:58:11pm

re: #242 Charles

I do like his company, I enjoy it, in fact,
He’s the only human friend that I ever had,
Which is quite ironic, ‘cause he’s mostly occupied
By the methods that exist to blow out people’s lights…

253 palomino  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:58:21pm

re: #243 wozzablog

What If Marino had picked up a superbowl ring…?

(just kidding, thats *too* far fetched for this conversation)

Shula was a great coach, but he never had much success putting a decent team around Marino. Mediocre defenses and running games over the years meant zero rings for Danny boy.

254 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:58:32pm

re: #242 Charles

Meanwhile, Gaddafi with his voluptuous Ukrainian nurse:

Image: gaddafinurse-lg.jpg

Strange bundle of twigs next to the kleenex box. Looks like rosemary, maybe some aroma therapy going on.

255 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:58:34pm

re: #246 negativ

Historical fiction is a popular genre.

I know. I can’t stand it. It’s especially popular with WWII and the Germans always end up winning in the end. I wonder why that is? OK, I know why. There’s a big closet-Nazi element to some of that. I don’t want to see the Germans win even in fiction.

256 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:58:43pm

re: #244 Sergey Romanov

A chicken in every… vat?

look here’s the deal… once a year for 2 weeks we put a dash of tequila in the vat, turn on a sun lamp for 10 hours a day & hang a pin-up on the wall by your jar…same as everyone else.

257 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:58:48pm

re: #249 Rightwingconspirator

If a nurse is really what her job was?
Great. Now he’s likely off his meds. Look out now… He may really flip out.

It’s Yulia Tymoshenko.

258 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:59:00pm

re: #242 Charles

Meanwhile, Gaddafi with his voluptuous Ukrainian nurse:

Image: gaddafinurse-lg.jpg

Nice tissue box.
/

259 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 3:59:19pm

re: #253 palomino

Shula was a great coach, but he never had much success putting a decent team around Marino. Mediocre defenses and running games over the years meant zero rings for Danny boy.

There is only so far you can go with no defence, running game, special teams……..(etc, etc).

260 palomino  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:01:01pm

re: #259 wozzablog

There is only so far you can go with no defence, running game, special teams…(etc, etc).

It was almost like Shula, after going to five super bowls (and winning two), just forgot how to put a team together.

261 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:01:16pm

re: #259 wozzablog

There is only so far you can go with no defence, running game, special teams…(etc, etc).

oh, there you go! blame the players…

262 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:01:51pm

re: #261 brookly red

oh, there you go! blame the players…

I wasn’t finished………. ;)

263 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:01:52pm

re: #242 Charles

Meanwhile, Gaddafi with his voluptuous Ukrainian nurse:

Image: gaddafinurse-lg.jpg

I’m sure they have so much in common, as their backgrounds are so very similar. They can probably talk for hours and hours.

264 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:01:56pm

re: #255 Gus 802

I know. I can’t stand it. It’s especially popular with WWII and the Germans always end up winning in the end. I wonder why that is? OK, I know why. There’s a big closet-Nazi element to some of that. I don’t want to see the Germans win even in fiction.

Although I did read Fatherland.

265 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:02:35pm

re: #250 wozzablog

I’m allowed. I’m a long suffering Fin Fan.

Quit yer bitchin’……. It could be worse…. you could be a Charger fan.

266 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:02:35pm

re: #260 palomino

It was almost like Shula, after going to five super bowls (and winning two), just forgot how to put a team together.

One of the great mysteries of sport.

267 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:03:15pm

re: #265 Mr Pancakes

Quit yer bitchin’… It could be worse… you could be a Charger fan.

But for the grace of God.

268 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:03:43pm

re: #242 Charles

Are we sure that’s the nurse? That looks like Yulia Tymoshenko to me.

This is the photo of his nurse that I keep finding:

[Link: pibillwarner.wordpress.com…]

269 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:04:31pm

re: #245 PhillyPretzel

“Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” Sun Tzu

yup… so no TV for me, :)

270 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:04:52pm

re: #267 wozzablog

But for the grace of God.

Watch it there pal….. they’ll have their day……. once they move back to LA and I’ll be dead ….. that’s all.

271 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:05:03pm

re: #268 Lidane

Not her. See the Nurse Thread, #2.

272 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:05:44pm

re: #270 Mr Pancakes

Watch it there pal… they’ll have their day… once they move back to LA and I’ll be dead … that’s all.

They’ll win just before time itself ceases to exist.

273 Prononymous, rogue demon hunter  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:05:47pm

re: #214 Sergey Romanov

Changing the past events is predicated on the incoherent mixture of the presentist and eternalist views of time. The time travel itself requires the eternalist/4D/”block” (or at least “growing block”) view of time, at which point it becomes possible to travel in it (at least to the past), however this same view of time prevents changing it as anything that “could have been changed” has already been changed.

I sometimes wonder in the many worlds quantum interpretation, where quantum events branch into separate universes, if a time traveler changing events in the past wouldn’t simply create the branching realities other quantum events do. If so then I imagine Hitler not being killed by a time traveler in our history isn’t evidence we never invent time travel.

It would be nice if in at least one possible universe the Holocaust, Armenian Genocide, Darfur, etc didn’t happen.

274 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:05:50pm

re: #271 Sergey Romanov

Not her. See the Nurse Thread, #2.

Check these out…

[Link: www.daylife.com…]

275 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:06:58pm

re: #272 Varek Raith

They’ll win just before time itself ceases to exist.

It could be worse I guess….. Chicago Cubs anyone?

276 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:06:59pm

Oops. Hmmm. That’s the same hairdo as #242…

277 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:07:03pm

re: #274 Gus 802

Check these out…

[Link: www.daylife.com…]

See #257.

278 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:07:28pm

re: #268 Lidane

Are we sure that’s the nurse? That looks like Yulia Tymoshenko to me.

This is the photo of his nurse that I keep finding:

[Link: pibillwarner.wordpress.com…]

I got her -:
[Link: vysotska.blogspot.com…]

279 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:07:31pm

re: #273 prononymous

I sometimes wonder in the many worlds quantum interpretation, where quantum events branch into separate universes, if a time traveler changing events in the past wouldn’t simply create the branching realities other quantum events do. If so then I imagine Hitler not being killed by a time traveler in our history isn’t evidence we never invent time travel.

It would be nice if in at least one possible universe the Holocaust, Armenian Genocide, Darfur, etc didn’t happen.

yes but of course none of us would be here now…

280 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:07:50pm

re: #277 Sergey Romanov

See #257.

See #280.
/Infinite loop:P

281 Obdicut  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:07:50pm

re: #201 lostlakehiker


And finally, we’re running low on money. Sure, we can always print more, but at some point, running the printing presses causes the tie between money, and the actual resources money tracks, to fall apart. That’s happening right now, even without yet another war to add to the strain.

That’s really not how the money supply works, at all. It’s a hell of a lot more complex than that.

For example, we just lost a huge amount of money in the economic collapse. Wealth, that existed on paper, ceased to exist. Houses went down in value.

Did the houses change? No. Did the amount of money the houses were worth change because of ‘running the printing presses’? No. It happened because the market, volatile little beastie that it is, overvalued them. So, there’s an easy example of the volume of money— mostly on paper— increasing not in relationship to the ‘printing presses’, but from the natural workings of the market (or unnatural, given the nature of those financial instruments.)

Furthermore, after a recession, increases in the monetary supply are considered by many, if not most, economists to increase productivity by increasing usage of assets, rather than resulting in inflation. Indeed, we’ve seen an increase in the monetary supply, and very low inflation, so that’s the current case.

When you say ‘running the printing presses’, what exactly do you mean?

282 Prononymous, rogue demon hunter  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:07:58pm

re: #279 brookly red

yes but of course none of us would be here now…

Why not?

283 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:08:04pm

re: #277 Sergey Romanov

See #257.

I are officially cornfused. #242 is the former Prime Minister of the Ukraine.

284 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:08:36pm

re: #280 Varek Raith

See #280.
/Infinite loop:P

A good way to hang up badly programmed bots :P

285 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:08:42pm

thanks to MrPancakes for my 9000th kharmamajig

:)

286 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:09:10pm

re: #179 Romantic Heretic

Did you see enough of the paper I linked in my #187 to see I do credit Canada with doing it’s part and still see why many NATO countries did in fact fall short? They left Canada, Britain and the US to do the heavy lifting.

In any case-Please do not take my point about the allied forces in general as a undeserved shot at Canada. Finally I figured out how to copy and paste from a PDF

National caveats on the use of national forces have been characterized as intraalliance ‘burden shifting’ as well as ‘cancers’ on operational effectiveness.63 A recent NATO Parliamentary Assembly report identified 62 national caveats, 45 of which have a negative impact on ISAF operations. The caveats with operational significance include those which ban night-time operations, restrict the geographical mobility of national forces, require consultations with national capitals when making tactical decisions, exclude specific categories of activity (notably, counterterrorism operations) and prohibit the helicopter transport of ANA forces or fighting after a snowfall.64 These caveats generally reflect the difficult domestic political contexts that allied leaders must negotiate in order to make any meaningful contribution to the allied effort, an especially difficult balancing act in Berlin and Rome.
Nonetheless,they minimize the risk of combat-related deaths and have shifted the burden of high-intensity warfare onto American, Australian, British and Canadian forces along with those from Denmark, the Netherlands and a few of the east European NATO states.

287 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:09:17pm

re: #285 wozzablog

thanks to MrPancakes for my 9000th kharmamajig

:)

Upding whore!

288 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:09:19pm

re: #283 Gus 802

I are officially cornfused. #242 is the former Prime Minister of the Ukraine.

1. Charles is joking, of course.

2. #242 is Yulia.

3. #2 on the Nurse Thread is Galina.

289 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:09:39pm

re: #285 wozzablog

thanks to MrPancakes for my 9000th kharmamajig

:)

Youtube Video
290 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:10:16pm

re: #288 Sergey Romanov

1. Charles is joking, of course.

2. #242 is Yulia.

3. #2 on the Nurse Thread is Galina.

Ah. OK. Doesn’t really matter to me since I don’t care who she is. :)

291 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:10:32pm

re: #282 prononymous

Why not?

OK like this, both my parents came to the US & met due to the war… you change one thing you change everything.

292 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:10:47pm

Here it is folks! Exclusive video of Yulia Tymoshenko!

Youtube Video
293 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:11:01pm

re: #287 Mr Pancakes

Upding whore!

i need a personality around here.

:p

(i’m not the “cute one”, “smart one” or the “funny one”………)

294 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:11:09pm

re: #278 wozzablog

That’s a bingo.

/

295 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:11:32pm

re: #290 Gus 802

Ah. OK. Doesn’t really matter to me since I don’t care who she is. :)

/you will when she get named our next healthcare czar!11!!

296 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:11:48pm

re: #293 wozzablog

i need a personality around here.

:p

(i’m not the “cute one”, “smart one” or the “funny one”…)

Hey, you’re doing better than I am!

297 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:12:20pm

Top Gun is on. Takes back to my teen years and makes me feel old. 25 years old now.

Where the hell did the time go? Damn.

298 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:12:39pm

re: #294 Sergey Romanov

That’s a bingo.

/

Youtube Video
299 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:12:48pm

re: #285 wozzablog

thanks to MrPancakes for my 9000th kharmamajig

:)

*rubs finger on button & smiles*

300 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:12:53pm

re: #292 Gus 802

Here it is folks! Exclusive video of Yulia Tymoshenko!


[Video]

Warning, that’s rickrolling. Here’s the real video.

301 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:13:10pm

re: #297 Jadespring

Top Gun is on. Takes back to my teen years and makes me feel old. 25 years old now.

Where the hell did the time go? Damn.

Unicorns.

302 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:13:22pm

re: #298 Lidane

That also.

303 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:13:30pm

re: #300 Sergey Romanov

Warning, that’s rickrolling. Here’s the real video.

Damn you!

/

304 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:14:35pm

re: #301 Gus 802

Unicorns.

Well I hate unicorns then.

I should turn the channel. This is enough to start me on the road of a mid-life crisis.

305 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:14:58pm

re: #297 Jadespring
Tom Cruise saying, “I have the need for speed.” Oh my. and those glasses.

306 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:15:13pm

re: #289 Varek Raith

[Video]

hey. i resemble that video.

307 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:15:40pm

re: #304 Jadespring

Well I hate unicorns then.

I should turn the channel. This is enough to start me on the road of a mid-life crisis.

I don’t think I ever watched all of Top Gun. Was never a fan.

308 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:16:01pm

re: #304 Jadespring

Well I hate unicorns then.

Crazy nastyass unicorns don’t give a shit.

309 Prononymous, rogue demon hunter  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:17:39pm

re: #291 brookly red

OK like this, both my parents came to the US & met due to the war… you change one thing you change everything.

Well no, not really. True, it would change a lot if the historical change was big, such as WWII not happening. But the change could be really small and unrelated to you or only slightly related to you. These are quantum events we are talking about.

If the many worlds interpretation is true very small changes throughout our universe, quantum events, spawn new realities when they happen. And they happen constantly around us, so everything that can happen, does in at least one possible universe. In some universes either, or neither, of us would exist.

Sad, no?

310 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:17:45pm

re: #255 Gus 802

I know. I can’t stand it. It’s especially popular with WWII and the Germans always end up winning in the end. I wonder why that is? OK, I know why. There’s a big closet-Nazi element to some of that. I don’t want to see the Germans win even in fiction.

There’s plenty of stuff that plays around with scenarios that were theoretically realistic. For example, what would have happened had the assassination plot been a success? Some of the July 20 plotters actually had an idea that involved surrendering to the Allies, and putting Erwin Rommel (a national hero) in place as head of state. Germany would then rebuild and convince the British and Americans of the necessity of attacking and destroying the Soviet Union. It’s just one of those things that, if one tiny little thing had happened slightly differently, the eventual outcome might have been vastly different. It’s pure fantasy land, but that’s why we tell stories.

After all, if on 9/10/01 someone told you that a millionaire terrorist was going to successfully carry out a plan that involved training guys to fly so that they could eventually simultaneously hijack not just one, not just two, not just three, but four passenger jets and flying them into various buildings only a few minutes apart, anyone’s immediate reaction would be to say that sounds like the most ridiculously implausible crap imaginable. History is by definition unpredictable, and truth really is usually stranger than fiction.

311 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:18:49pm

re: #305 PhillyPretzel

Tom Cruise saying, “I have the need for speed.” Oh my. and those glasses.

I don’t really like Tom Cruise now but boy oh boy did I love Top Gun Cruise.
I saw the movie 5 times in the theatre. LOL. Best though was when they showed it in the IMAX. That was incredible.
Then there was when they started having “Top Gun” contingents come to the airshow. I have some great pictures of nerdy me with pilots and planes. I got to sit in a Tomcat though. That was cool.

312 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:19:19pm

re: #307 Gus 802

I don’t think I ever watched all of Top Gun. Was never a fan.

I blame it on my hormones.

313 Wozza Matter?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:20:21pm

G’night everyone.

Early start in the morning.

314 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:21:05pm

re: #311 Jadespring

Last Samurai. Arguably the finest acting Tom Cruise ever yet did. Or maybe Valkyrie, but I favor Last Samurai.

315 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:21:14pm

re: #268 Lidane

What woman could resist him?

Image: moammar-gaddafi.jpg

On the other hand, I note my persistent and conspicuous involuntary bachelorhood…

316 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:22:32pm

Obama says Gadhafi must leave Libya ‘now’

President Barack Obama says Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi must leave now. Obama made the comments to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a private telephone conversation Saturday as they discussed the violence in Libya. The White House says Obama told Merkel that when a leader’s only means of holding power is to use violence against his people, then he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what’s right for his country by “leaving now.”

317 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:22:51pm

re: #314 Rightwingconspirator

Last Samurai. Arguably the finest acting Tom Cruise ever yet did. Or maybe Valkyrie, but I favor Last Samurai.

Oh that one is great too. I liked him in that. I haven’t seen Valkyrie though.

318 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:23:32pm

re: #311 Jadespring

Tom Cruise never got to me like Richard Gere did in “Days Of Heaven” or “Officer and A Gentleman”. S…m…o…l…d…e…r.

319 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:23:42pm

re: #314 Rightwingconspirator

Last Samurai. Arguably the finest acting Tom Cruise ever yet did. Or maybe Valkyrie, but I favor Last Samurai.

Born on the Fourth of July

320 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:24:06pm

re: #315 negativ

What woman could resist him?

Image: moammar-gaddafi.jpg

On the other hand, I note my persistent and conspicuous involuntary bachelorhood…

You’re doing it wrong.
All you have to do is gain wealth.
Or power.
Or wealth and power.
Bam!

321 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:24:17pm

re: #312 Jadespring

I blame it on my hormones.

I blame it on my location….. Top Gun, also known as Miramar NAS, was here in San Diego. It’s a Marine base now.

322 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:24:25pm

re: #315 negativ

What woman could resist him?

Image: moammar-gaddafi.jpg

That, and he also has good chances in the MJ lookalike contest.

Image: image03.jpg

He has everything!

323 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:24:52pm

re: #309 prononymous

Well no, not really. True, it would change a lot if the historical change was big, such as WWII not happening. But the change could be really small and unrelated to you or only slightly related to you. These are quantum events we are talking about.

If the many worlds interpretation is true very small changes throughout our universe, quantum events, spawn new realities when they happen. And they happen constantly around us, so everything that can happen, does in at least one possible universe. In some universes either, or neither, of us would exist.

Sad, no?

yes now suppose I had never read this comment…

324 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:25:26pm

re: #319 Gus 802

Born on the Fourth of July

“And here comes whackadoo film director Oliver Stone. Oliver’s here promoting his new movie, Born on the Fourth of July II: Born on the Fifth of July, which he promises will be even “July-ier” than the original. A dangerously insane human being.”
-Tom Tucker

325 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:25:53pm

A rare hailstorm hits my area…

326 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:26:05pm

re: #321 Mr Pancakes

I blame it on my location… Top Gun, also known as Miramar NAS, was here in San Diego. It’s a Marine base now.

When did that change?

327 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:26:22pm

re: #322 Sergey Romanov

That, and he also has good chances in the MJ lookalike contest.

Image: image03.jpg

He has everything!

Man, I’ve seen wardrobes from F-list SciFi movies that looked better.
Lol.

328 Prononymous, rogue demon hunter  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:26:23pm

re: #323 brookly red

yes now suppose I had never read this comment…

There would also be a universe where I never bothered to write it.

329 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:27:24pm

re: #326 Jadespring

When did that change?

prononymous did some shit with the time/space consortium. or something like that…

330 Mr Pancakes  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:27:36pm

re: #326 Jadespring

When did that change?

1995/96

331 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:27:52pm

re: #328 prononymous

There would also be a universe where I never bothered to write it.

can I go there, like now?

332 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:28:13pm

re: #331 brookly red

can I go there, like now?

You’ll need a quantum mirror.

333 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:28:23pm

re: #324 Varek Raith

“And here comes whackadoo film director Oliver Stone. Oliver’s here promoting his new movie, Born on the Fourth of July II: Born on the Fifth of July, which he promises will be even “July-ier” than the original. A dangerously insane human being.”
-Tom Tucker

Ah. Yeah. Well, it’s been my observation that people that call filmmakers “dangerous human beings” remind me of the Soviets or the Chinese government. Can’t say I’m crazy about Stone but I thought that was a good movie and one of Cruise’s best performances. And I still think there was only one shooter in Dallas whose name was Oswald.

334 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:28:57pm

re: #333 Gus 802

Ah. Yeah. Well, it’s been my observation that people that call filmmakers “dangerous human beings” remind me of the Soviets or the Chinese government. Can’t say I’m crazy about Stone but I thought that was a good movie and one of Cruise’s best performances. And I still think there was only one shooter in Dallas whose name was Oswald.

Tom Tucker is a reporter from Family Guy.
;)

335 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:29:15pm

re: #334 Varek Raith

Tom Tucker is a reporter from Family Guy.
;)

Oh. Damn you!

//

336 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:29:45pm

re: #332 Varek Raith

You’ll need a quantum mirror.

OK fine, I will pay for that… just step over here into this dark alley.

337 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:30:11pm

re: #335 Gus 802

Oh. Damn you!

//

Gus, there’s Charles Koch calling and he wants to speak with you. Will you take the call?

338 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:30:38pm

re: #337 Sergey Romanov

Gus, there’s Charles Koch calling and he wants to speak with you. Will you take the call?

Yes please. Give me a sec’.

339 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:31:02pm

re: #337 Sergey Romanov

Gus, there’s Charles Koch calling and he wants to speak with you. Will you take the call?

and tell that fucker my check is late…

340 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:31:18pm

Pamela Geller and Sultan Knish are labeling Sandmonkey a traitor and an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood (or something).

341 Prononymous, rogue demon hunter  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:31:23pm

Just take my word for it, many worlds would be the best. :)

There would be worlds where the Holocaust didn’t happen, and worlds where you exist, simultaneously.

And I get to exist while the Irish potato famine didn’t happen in some other universe.

342 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:31:32pm

Fred Flintstone: How can you be so stupid?
Barney Rubble: Hey, that’s not very nice. Say you’re sorry.
Fred Flintstone: I’m sorry you’re stupid.

343 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:32:31pm

re: #340 Killgore Trout

Pamela Geller and Sultan Knish are labeling Sandmonkey a traitor and an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood (or something).

I knew it! Only a matter of time. Fuck ‘em.

344 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:33:14pm

re: #341 prononymous

Just take my word for it, many worlds would be the best. :)

There would be worlds where the Holocaust didn’t happen, and worlds where you exist, simultaneously.

And I get to exist while the Irish potato famine didn’t happen in some other universe.

nurse, get me some Thorazine please & while your at it a coupla orderlies…

345 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:33:34pm

re: #340 Killgore Trout

Pamela Geller and Sultan Knish are labeling Sandmonkey a traitor and an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood (or something).

Pamela Geller is like the tides.
Unexplainable.

346 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:34:06pm

re: #209 wozzablog

the fact that the army is short of servicable equipment and the manpower is severly degraded doesn’t come into it?

I’d think the other reasons were stronger. The difficulties you bring up could be mastered if they absolutely had to be.

Consider this hypothetical: the U.S., for some cockeyed reason, decides to attack Iran. On to Tehran! yadda yadda. The nattering nabobs of negativism warn that it won’t work, that we’ll never make it past Koramshar.

But equipment shortages are relative to full establishment. They don’t prevent a force from going into battle. If the two gulf wars are any indication, even our second string equipment is good enough to permit an advance.

The money to do all this comes from sharply raising taxes. Or by running the printing presses. So what if it sinks the economy? Desperate times demand yadda yadda.

Our forces in Afghanistan and Iraq could be redeployed to the new mission. Ditto for forces in Germany, stateside, or even S. Korea. We’d probably be able to insert a few divisions into Tehran. But then what? What’s the mission? There’s no one man to be toppled. We don’t want to just kill everybody. We can’t find their WMD program, or if we do find some of it, we can’t know we’ve found it all.

We can’t stay there because guerrilla operations close our supply lines all too often.

The round trip to Tehran, even if it succeeds in getting there, achieves nothing but to earn the hatred of the Iranian people. People who, at this time, have no real reason to hate us and many of whom kind of admire America.

That’s why it’s a bad idea, not because, militarily, it would be flat impossible.

347 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:34:13pm

re: #345 Varek Raith

Pamela Geller is like the tides.
Unexplainable.

She’s also like the magnets. I should stop here.

348 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:34:27pm

re: #342 Gus 802

Fred Flintstone: How can you be so stupid?
Barney Rubble: Hey, that’s not very nice. Say you’re sorry.
Fred Flintstone: I’m sorry you’re stupid.

Fred Flinstone: The first conservative.

349 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:35:45pm

re: #348 brookly red

Fred Flinstone: The first conservative.

That makes a lot of sense!
///
:P

350 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:36:03pm

re: #340 Killgore Trout

Pamela Geller and Sultan Knish are labeling Sandmonkey a traitor and an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood (or something).

Here’s the link by way of Google. Not cached but it shows the link.

351 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:36:19pm

re: #343 Gus 802

She also goes all “climate science is a hoax”.

352 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:36:22pm

re: #347 Sergey Romanov

She’s also like the magnets. I should stop here.

hold up or fold up…

353 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:36:25pm

re: #245 PhillyPretzel

“Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” Sun Tzu

Julius Caesar pretty nearly achieved this in his Spanish campaign. Headed off the other army at the pass once too many times, and it surrendered for lack of water.

354 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:37:12pm

re: #350 Gus 802

Here’s the link by way of Google. Not cached but it shows the link.

Lol
Her source is another nutter.
/I’m sold.

355 Charleston Chew  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:37:18pm
…defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East … should ‘have his head examined’

This man is currently on a book tour.

Donald Rumsfeld’s No Good, Very Bad Book Tour

356 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:38:02pm

re: #355 Charleston Chew

This man is currently on a book tour.

Donald Rumsfeld’s No Good, Very Bad Book Tour

is it still a best seller?

357 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:38:28pm

re: #354 Varek Raith

Lol
Her source is another nutter.
/I’m sold.

From the Sultan’s site, or whatever.

Friday Afternoon Roundup - From Obama to Khaddafi, a Tale ofTwo Tyrants
358 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:39:03pm

re: #356 brookly red

is it still a best seller?

Snooki’s book will be a best seller.

359 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:40:01pm

re: #358 Varek Raith

Snooki’s book will be a best seller.

bitter much?

360 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:41:15pm

Tweeted.

361 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:41:42pm

re: #359 brookly red

bitter much?

Lol

362 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:42:33pm

re: #53 BigPapa

The ME has most of it’s food shipped in so international price fluctuations are quicker and more severe during hiccups. Egypt has the Nile delta to support itself but I think they still need food imported. Other countries like Iran and Libya have almost all of their food shipped in.

It would probably take an objective and sustained effort to clarify this but I think that AGW/food supply shocks have played a part in this, if not a substantial part. If it becomes obvious that this is the case the RW Zombie talking heads are going to double down on the Beckstradamian Caliphatian/Marxian predictions to drown out more reality that AGW is real and here now directly affecting the world.

Thing is, there will still be fluctuations. Some years we’ll have good harvests.

AGW isn’t the sole cause at work here. The AGW disaster has yet to hit full stride. But there’s inflation, which robs M.E. dollar holders of purchasing power, and there’s the M.E. regional population explosion, which strains resources that would otherwise have sufficed.

Wikipedia reports:

Egypt’s population was estimated at only 3 million when Napoleon invaded the country in 1798.[91] In 1939, Egypt had a population of 16.5 million.

It’s now 80 million.

363 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:43:09pm

re: #350 Gus 802

It all goes back to Barry Rubin, hardly an objective source, who, however, seems to give him benefit of doubt. Anyway, reading BR’s piece now.

364 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:43:31pm

[Link: twitter.com…]

365 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:44:27pm

re: #361 Varek Raith

Lol

actually back to the original thread about future wars, I used to want our killer robots to look like Gary Coleman… but now I think Snookie- deathbots are much mo better.

366 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:44:33pm

re: #351 Sergey Romanov

I got her climate science right here. Well observation anyway, this is very rare for my area. Sleet, not hail.

There is a sleet snowball fight underway by my pool!

367 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:44:52pm

re: #355 Charleston Chew

This man is currently on a book tour.

Donald Rumsfeld’s No Good, Very Bad Book Tour

The guy whose tell-all book I want to read is David Petraeus. For various reasons, I strongly doubt he’ll ever write one.

368 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:44:52pm

re: #354 Varek Raith

Lol
Her source is another nutter.
/I’m sold.

I couldn’t even figure out what they’re talking about. I think they’re claiming that sandmonkey’s family has ties to the military and he’s lying to help the Muslim Brotherhood take over. It makes no sense.

369 Varek Raith  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:47:30pm

Later gators.
Some weird shit is going on with my ISP.
Again.

370 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:47:44pm

re: #363 Sergey Romanov

OK, I’ve read the piece and all I see is Sandmonkey telling in plain non-hostile language what to expect in relations between Egypt and Israel. Rubin sees some points as problematic and leaves it at that. Neither Knish’s, nor Geller’s reactions are justifiable.

371 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:48:32pm

re: #367 negativ

The guy whose tell-all book I want to read is David Petraeus. For various reasons, I strongly doubt he’ll ever write one.

well at the current rate by the time it comes out no one under the age of 45 will be able to read…

372 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:51:58pm

re: #369 Varek Raith

Later gators.
Some weird shit is going on with my ISP.
Again.

I tried to tell you God disapproves of what you put on pizza.

373 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:52:03pm

Has anyone ever seen a comment from “theliel”?

374 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:53:55pm

re: #373 Rightwingconspirator

Has anyone ever seen a comment from “theliel”?

linky?

375 HoosierHoops  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:54:01pm

re: #372 brookly red

I tried to tell you God disapproves of what you put on pizza.

LOL
Don’t believe him Varek!

376 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:56:07pm

re: #373 Rightwingconspirator

Has anyone ever seen a comment from “theliel”?

Here’s one.

377 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 4:59:07pm

re: #373 Rightwingconspirator

Has anyone ever seen a comment from “theliel”?

No. But then I’ve never seen a comment from ‘Motor Mouth’, ‘ButtBrain’ or ‘I Say I’m Big But I’m Only Kidding’ either.

378 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:00:22pm

re: #364 Gus 802

[Link: twitter.com…]

Nice.

379 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:01:34pm

Today’s “basic tune up” turned into a major overhaul after I found the broken rear axle and the cracked bottom bracket cup. Been working on it since opening, and it just got paid for and taken home. Turns out the bike’s owner was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force, so he’ll appreciate the good work. He already swore to never take it to the other shop again.

It’s a good thing my keyboard and mouse are black.

380 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:02:10pm

re: #370 Sergey Romanov

OK, I’ve read the piece and all I see is Sandmonkey telling in plain non-hostile language what to expect in relations between Egypt and Israel. Rubin sees some points as problematic and leaves it at that. Neither Knish’s, nor Geller’s reactions are justifiable.

I just read it too. It doesn’t read the way Pammers and her club (if they even bothered to read the original) make it out to say.

381 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:02:17pm

re: #370 Sergey Romanov

OK, I’ve read the piece and all I see is Sandmonkey telling in plain non-hostile language what to expect in relations between Egypt and Israel. Rubin sees some points as problematic and leaves it at that. Neither Knish’s, nor Geller’s reactions are justifiable.

It’s another Geller conspiracy in the making. It’s only a matter of time before Frank Gaffney signs on.

382 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:02:57pm

re: #373 Rightwingconspirator

Has anyone ever seen a comment from “theliel”?

Why’d you ask anyway? He or she is logged into this thread.

383 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:03:26pm

re: #374 Sergey Romanov

I got nothing to link to, did a quick default search. Just mildly curious, as I got a downding from this one. Can’t engage in conversation unless they comment. No biggie in any case.

I just noticed theliel is still logged in.
Care to discuss where you think I’m wrong? I play nice…

384 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:03:32pm

plcorbett Patrick L. Corbett

Even Iran has donated pizza to #Wisconsin workers. Iran, people. [Link: ow.ly…] #WIunion #weareWI #p2

RIGHT ON

385 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:03:47pm

re: #382 wrenchwench

Must have overlooked him/her when I checked.

386 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:05:02pm

re: #381 Gus 802

It’s another Geller conspiracy in the making. It’s only a matter of time before Frank Gaffney signs on.

Then again, by this time she stinketh I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Krazy Kahanist Pamela Geller.

387 sagehen  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:05:23pm

re: #83 Varek Raith

And then the machines become self-aware, at which point we’re boned.


Youtube Video
388 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:05:27pm

re: #384 Stanley Sea

plcorbett Patrick L. Corbett

Even Iran has donated pizza to #Wisconsin workers. Iran, people. [Link: ow.ly…] #WIunion #weareWI #p2

RIGHT ON

They wish they had our problems

389 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:05:39pm

re: #384 Stanley Sea

plcorbett Patrick L. Corbett

Even Iran has donated pizza to #Wisconsin workers. Iran, people. [Link: ow.ly…] #WIunion #weareWI #p2

RIGHT ON

Here’s the list of pizza donations received for those who didn’t click.

Ian’s Pizza Madison WI, list of donors on blackboard

390 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:05:56pm

re: #384 Stanley Sea

plcorbett Patrick L. Corbett

Even Iran has donated pizza to #Wisconsin workers. Iran, people. [Link: ow.ly…] #WIunion #weareWI #p2

RIGHT ON

the abuse of pizza is noted & will be accounted for.

391 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:06:00pm

re: #386 Sergey Romanov

Then again, by this time she stinketh I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Krazy Kahanist Pamela Geller.

She’s the perfect bookend for that crazy terrorist, Vancier.

392 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:06:08pm

re: #383 Rightwingconspirator

I got nothing to link to, did a quick default search. Just mildly curious, as I got a downding from this one. Can’t engage in conversation unless they comment. No biggie in any case.

I just noticed theliel is still logged in.
Care to discuss where you think I’m wrong? I play nice…

You’re right. But I’m biased. I also usually call out stealthdingers. Some turn out to be nice chaps, BTW.

393 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:07:38pm

re: #391 Gus 802

She’s the perfect bookend for that crazy terrorist, Vancier.

Still waiting for her reaction on that BTW.

394 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:07:38pm

re: #392 Sergey Romanov

You’re right. But I’m biased. I also usually call out stealthdingers. Some turn out to be nice chaps, BTW.

/some of my best friends are stealth downdingers…

395 Political Atheist  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:09:45pm

re: #392 Sergey Romanov

Exactly. Encouraging comment participation is well worthwhile. Alas, soon I’m off to the store to fill in some beer and dessert for dinnertime tonight. My wife dragonlady made spaghetti sauce & meatballs.

396 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:13:39pm

Security Council just voted unanimously to sanction Libya.

397 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:15:52pm

re: #396 JasonA

Security Council just voted unanimously to sanction Libya.

the same UN that put Libya on the human rights counsel in the first place?

398 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:16:38pm

re: #397 brookly red
I believe so.

399 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:16:59pm
Iran? Yes, Iran. The story as we heard it, you cannot make international calls there except from a hospital, so a man got a friend of a friend to sneak him into a hospital, he found a back room and called us to order $50 worth of pizza for the people of Wisconsin.
400 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:17:10pm

re: #397 brookly red

the same UN that put Libya on the human rights counsel in the first place?

Yeah, that one. Among travel and trade restrictions they’re also freezing Gaddafi’s assets. At least they’re doing something.

401 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:17:17pm

re: #398 PhillyPretzel

I believe so.

well isn’t that special?

402 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:17:28pm

OK, I only bought one Lotto ticket.

The odds of winning the top prize are 1 one in 5,245,786.
One ticket provides the following ratio/percentage:
0.000019…

Five tickets:
0.000095…
So with five tickets you only get an additional 76 millionths of a percent.

Quack.

403 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:17:55pm

re: #400 JasonA

Yeah, that one. Among travel and trade restrictions they’re also freezing Gaddafi’s assets. At least they’re doing something.

yes for a change…

404 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:18:39pm

re: #403 brookly red

yes for a change…

brooklydowner

405 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:18:58pm

re: #403 brookly red

yes for a change…

I don’t expect them to make a haibit of it…

406 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:20:53pm

re: #405 JasonA

I don’t expect them to make a haibit of it…

something is not right here… I can’t put my finger on it but their must be billions involved.

407 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:24:21pm
Youtube Video

100,000 strong.

408 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:24:40pm

re: #403 brookly red

yes for a change…

eh. if i were Prez, i’d have mumbled until we got our Embassy folks out of there, too. as long as we ratchet up the rhetoric and action now, i’m inclined to think that Obama played this just right.

409 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:24:52pm

re: #111 Gus 802

How close to biology would an automated lethal nano-robot be? If it is defined as a synthetic life form of sorts capable of intelligent thought would it not be synthetic life form and therefore a synthetic biological weapon?

If we could devise an airborne nano-robot that could infiltrate, locate, and terminate ALL Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan would you approve?

Way too dangerous. It’s hard to explain just how dangerous such a stunt would be. As Jurassic Park guy says, “life finds a way”. You’re creating a new form of life, near enough, and you think it will only do what you expect?

Any species that makes a habit of rolling the dice, with the upside the death of UBL, and the downside, the death of everybody, won’t last long.

410 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:26:13pm

re: #408 Aceofwhat?

Who are you???

411 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:27:03pm

re: #408 Aceofwhat?

eh. if i were Prez, i’d have mumbled until we got our Embassy folks out of there, too. as long as we ratchet up the rhetoric and action now, i’m inclined to think that Obama played this just right.

We were talking about the UN, though.

412 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:29:25pm

re: #362 lostlakehiker

Thing is, there will still be fluctuations. Some years we’ll have good harvests.

AGW isn’t the sole cause at work here. The AGW disaster has yet to hit full stride. But there’s inflation, which robs M.E. dollar holders of purchasing power, and there’s the M.E. regional population explosion, which strains resources that would otherwise have sufficed.

Yes. Also, ethanol from corn. That’s the trouble with AGW…the science is good and getting better every day, but the policy…ugh.

413 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:29:58pm

re: #407 Stanley Sea

[Video]100,000 strong.

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies, magnified a thousand-fold.
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong.

(On a personal note The above would be much less creepy if I hadn’t heard it for the first time through Bioshock 2….)

414 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:30:14pm

re: #411 JasonA

We were talking about the UN, though.

oops. well, that’s what i get for being too lazy to perform an SFZ-esque stroll through the entire thread. sorry.

415 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:30:55pm

re: #410 Jadespring

Who are you???

just an unfrozen caveman poster…your world frightens and confuses me;)

416 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:31:20pm

Harpy gives Sandmonkey the pink slip.

[Link: atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com…]

417 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:32:44pm

re: #415 Aceofwhat?

just an unfrozen caveman poster…your world frightens and confuses me;)

Well I have to say I think you’re doing pretty good in figuring out your magical finger tapping communication box thingy.

418 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:32:47pm

re: #414 Aceofwhat?

oops. well, that’s what i get for being too lazy to perform an SFZ-esque stroll through the entire thread. sorry.

No worries. You can catch Brookly unfairly criticizing the administration some other time. Give it fifteen minutes…

419 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:32:56pm

re: #416 Kid A

Danger, Kid Robinson. I don’t think we link directly to the cesspools ‘round here. Do you have something cached, perchance, that you could link to?

420 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:34:15pm

re: #419 Aceofwhat?

Danger, Kid Robinson. I don’t think we link directly to the cesspools ‘round here. Do you have something cached, perchance, that you could link to?

This has been posted by Gus earlier.

But anyway, what’s the diff? She still gets hits, even if from cache.

421 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:34:30pm

Aw Goose just died….again.

422 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:34:30pm

re: #419 Aceofwhat?

Danger, Kid Robinson. I don’t think we link directly to the cesspools ‘round here. Do you have something cached, perchance, that you could link to?

Sorry about that. Will avoid in the future.

423 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:34:33pm

re: #409 lostlakehiker

Way too dangerous. It’s hard to explain just how dangerous such a stunt would be. As Jurassic Park guy says, “life finds a way”. You’re creating a new form of life, near enough, and you think it will only do what you expect?

Any species that makes a habit of rolling the dice, with the upside the death of UBL, and the downside, the death of everybody, won’t last long.

But computers have yet to find a way on their own, and no matter how intelligent nanobots can be made, they will still be nothing more than computers.

Computer code isn’t like DNA where accidental changes can actually increase fitness or at least be neutral. Change a bit or two in computer code and the code stops running. Nanobots can be programmed to stop replicating and to self destruct when the mission is done.

424 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:35:21pm

re: #310 negativ

There’s plenty of stuff that plays around with scenarios that were theoretically realistic. For example, what would have happened had the assassination plot been a success? Some of the July 20 plotters actually had an idea that involved surrendering to the Allies, and putting Erwin Rommel (a national hero) in place as head of state. Germany would then rebuild and convince the British and Americans of the necessity of attacking and destroying the Soviet Union. It’s just one of those things that, if one tiny little thing had happened slightly differently, the eventual outcome might have been vastly different. It’s pure fantasy land, but that’s why we tell stories.

After all, if on 9/10/01 someone told you that a millionaire terrorist was going to successfully carry out a plan that involved training guys to fly so that they could eventually simultaneously hijack not just one, not just two, not just three, but four passenger jets and flying them into various buildings only a few minutes apart, anyone’s immediate reaction would be to say that sounds like the most ridiculously implausible crap imaginable. History is by definition unpredictable, and truth really is usually stranger than fiction.

Most serious alternate history scenarios end with the Nazis losing anyhow. They just need too many lucky breaks to actually win. As things went, the Nazis got more than their share of luck. Did Stalin really have to purge the Red Army in 1937 and 1938?

The Soviet Union was huge. Even had the Germans taken Moscow, as the example of Napoleon demonstrates, that wouldn’t have been “game over”. I’ve played quite a few historical simulations. The Germans have an outside chance of winning the Battle of Britain. They then have a roughly 50-50 chance of bringing off “Seelowe” and bringing down Britain. But then they need another big dose of luck to win against Russia. Especially since if they do win against Britain, Stalin won’t keep his Siberian divisions facing Japan until it’s almost too late, and he’ll realize that he’s next and position his forces more carefully and prudently. And finally, there’s the U.S. nuclear weapons program. He has to pull ahead in that race, and that’s another remote possibility.

Economics is against him too. And oil supplies. And on and on.

425 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:35:23pm

And since the Middle East was the beginning topic, I think I’ll be picking up this book next week. NY Times review…

Your text to link…

426 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:35:27pm

re: #420 Sergey Romanov

This has been posted by Gus earlier.

But anyway, what’s the diff? She still gets hits, even if from cache.

nah, he linked to the Google search, IIRC.

427 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:37:57pm

re: #424 lostlakehiker

Most serious alternate history scenarios end with the Nazis losing anyhow. They just need too many lucky breaks to actually win. As things went, the Nazis got more than their share of luck. Did Stalin really have to purge the Red Army in 1937 and 1938?

The Soviet Union was huge. Even had the Germans taken Moscow, as the example of Napoleon demonstrates, that wouldn’t have been “game over”. I’ve played quite a few historical simulations. The Germans have an outside chance of winning the Battle of Britain. They then have a roughly 50-50 chance of bringing off “Seelowe” and bringing down Britain. But then they need another big dose of luck to win against Russia. Especially since if they do win against Britain, Stalin won’t keep his Siberian divisions facing Japan until it’s almost too late, and he’ll realize that he’s next and position his forces more carefully and prudently. And finally, there’s the U.S. nuclear weapons program. He has to pull ahead in that race, and that’s another remote possibility.

Economics is against him too. And oil supplies. And on and on.

Did anybody here ever read “The Big One” by Stuart Slade?

It basically deals with how even if the Germans managed to conquer/become allies with England via a coup, they’d still end up loosing the war when America mass produces atomic bombs, and bombers big enough to carry them…..

428 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:38:05pm

re: #426 Aceofwhat?

nah, he linked to the Google search, IIRC.

?
We’re talking about cache. Cache still contains counter pictures so the visits are counted anyway. So does it matter if it’s a cache or a direct link?

429 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:38:53pm

re: #408 Aceofwhat?

Ace! Hello, hope you are well.

430 efuseakay  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:39:03pm

re: #175 jamesfirecat

Pardon my french, but how the F*** could World War 2 have been avoided?

We shoulda lost WWI!

431 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:40:51pm

re: #428 Sergey Romanov

?
We’re talking about cache. Cache still contains counter pictures so the visits are counted anyway. So does it matter if it’s a cache or a direct link?

I’d prefer a screenshot. Her site loads like cold mud, and slows everything else down. It never stops loading, even if it’s a link to one article and not the front page.

I didn’t know a cache also counted as a hit.

432 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:40:52pm

re: #407 Stanley Sea

[Video]100,000 strong.

Somehow, I don’t think Walker planned for this.

433 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:41:10pm

re: #422 Kid A

New Radiohead ~ Lotus Flower

Youtube Video
434 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:42:33pm

re: #428 Sergey Romanov

?
We’re talking about cache. Cache still contains counter pictures so the visits are counted anyway. So does it matter if it’s a cache or a direct link?

Well, it matters to Charles. So there’s that;)

But what i like about it, personally, is the symbolic nature of it. While Charles may have additional, more practical reasons, I like the effort to maintain arm’s length from a certain underbelly of the internet for no other reason than to maintain an arm’s length from a certain underbelly of the internet.

435 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:42:34pm

Completely OT, but this is driving me around the bend. Does anyone have any advice for designing a good business card?

I’m getting a set to make my life much easier while I’m at SXSW, but the only cards I’ve ever had came from my employers. I’ve never designed my own before. Anything I should avoid? Also, what would make a card memorable for you? I’ve spent far more time than I care to admit looking at designs and templates. This is oddly nerve-wracking for me.

436 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:42:56pm

Ha! Checkmate.

Sandmonkey no longer blog rolls to Atlas Shrugs. From the archive.

Now all he has to do is drop Gateway Pundit.

437 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:42:57pm

re: #432 Decatur Deb

Somehow, I don’t think Walker planned for this.

Walker…

438 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:43:28pm

re: #429 prairiefire

Ace! Hello, hope you are well.

Hi! Travel-weary, but going out with my wife for the first time in a few weeks, so i’m looking forward to leaving here in a few minutes. Your family doing well?

439 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:43:50pm

re: #433 prairiefire

New Radiohead ~ Lotus Flower

[Video]

I love it! The King of Limbs is pretty good. Two tracks I could live without, but Lotus Flower has already made my Top 10 all-time Radiohead songs.

440 sagehen  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:45:17pm

re: #407 Stanley Sea

[Video]

100,000 strong.

So the unions got as many people to stand in the snow… in Wisconsin… in February… for 13 days… as Glen Beck and Sarah Palin could pull to the Mall for an afternoon in the summer?

441 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:45:33pm

re: #408 Aceofwhat?

eh. if i were Prez, i’d have mumbled until we got our Embassy folks out of there, too. as long as we ratchet up the rhetoric and action now, i’m inclined to think that Obama played this just right.

we don’t have an embassy in Wisconsin… until lately they were still part of the union.

442 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:46:13pm

re: #435 Lidane

Completely OT, but this is driving me around the bend. Does anyone have any advice for designing a good business card?

I’m getting a set to make my life much easier while I’m at SXSW, but the only cards I’ve ever had came from my employers. I’ve never designed my own before. Anything I should avoid? Also, what would make a card memorable for you? I’ve spent far more time than I care to admit looking at designs and templates. This is oddly nerve-wracking for me.

Keep it clean and simple. Use both sides, with a nice font, and GLOSSY.

443 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:46:18pm

re: #438 Aceofwhat?

Yes, thanks. Have funre: #435 Lidane

Completely OT, but this is driving me around the bend. Does anyone have any advice for designing a good business card?

I’m getting a set to make my life much easier while I’m at SXSW, but the only cards I’ve ever had came from my employers. I’ve never designed my own before. Anything I should avoid? Also, what would make a card memorable for you? I’ve spent far more time than I care to admit looking at designs and templates. This is oddly nerve-wracking for me.

I’m always on the side of LARGE PRINT for your name or most important aspect you want to present.

444 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:46:28pm

re: #432 Decatur Deb

Somehow, I don’t think Walker planned for this.

He didn’t. He expected it to be a quick matter, over and done with overnight. The Republicans would spring it in the State Senate, nail the Dems down long enough to vote it into law, and then celebrate having put a stake in the hearts of the teachers unions. He expected that, by the time anybody had actually read the bill, it’d already have his signature at the bottom.

Instead, word leaked, the unions revolted, the State Senate Dems pulled their disappearing act, and now Walker’s trying to play Andrew Ryan, watching Rapture burn while swearing up and down that it’s all the work of the “parasites.” He’s now looking to put his state $165 million further in the hole, due to inability to refinance the state’s debt, if only to keep his bill intact.

445 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:46:38pm

re: #441 brookly red

we don’t have an embassy in Wisconsin… until lately they were still part of the union.

Are you saying that Wisconsin is acting in a manner that doesn’t reflect the proud American history of unionization?

446 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:47:12pm

re: #436 Gus 802

Ha! Checkmate.

Sandmonkey no longer blog rolls to Atlas Shrugs. From the archive.

Now all he has to do is drop Gateway Pundit.

I wonder when he dropped LGF. It’s not really a big deal since he really doesn’t blog much anymore but I’m curious. It seems he still has a fondness for the American right so I assume it was after the election. I think he’s starting to learn that they aren’t on his side.

447 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:47:15pm

re: #442 Kid A

Keep it clean and simple. Use both sides, with a nice font, and GLOSSY.

I like slightly ribbed heavy card stock. Something tactile.

448 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:47:20pm

re: #435 Lidane

Completely OT, but this is driving me around the bend. Does anyone have any advice for designing a good business card?

I’m getting a set to make my life much easier while I’m at SXSW, but the only cards I’ve ever had came from my employers. I’ve never designed my own before. Anything I should avoid? Also, what would make a card memorable for you? I’ve spent far more time than I care to admit looking at designs and templates. This is oddly nerve-wracking for me.

Mine are oriented so that the top & bottom are the short sides. I don’t know if there’s any benefit from that. The downside is that they don’t fit the usual display thingies.

Getting them printed on both sides (not the same on each) is different. Don’t put any tiny fonts on ‘em. America’s eyes are getting old.

449 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:47:22pm

re: #444 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Updinged for Bioshock reference.

450 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:47:38pm

I’m sure this thread does not really exist. Mickey mouse told me this thread is nothing but a figment of Donald duck’s imagination. Should duck be capitalized in the previous sentence? Anyway, the idea that every snow flake is unique is a lie. I just went outside had several flakes land in my hand and when I got back into the house, they looked like identical drops of water.

Excuse me, I hear a knock on the heat register, I think my cat wants out of the heating ducts.

451 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:48:26pm

re: #446 Killgore Trout

I wonder when he dropped LGF. It’s not really a big deal since he really doesn’t blog much anymore but I’m curious. It seems he still has a fondness for the American right so I assume it was after the election. I think he’s starting to learn that they aren’t on his side.

I was also curious about that. Don’t know because I never really followed him save a few things in recent months.

452 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:48:53pm

I just took my temp because I feel a cold coming on. 95.6! Is that even possible? I hope my thermometer is broken.

453 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:49:35pm

re: #450 b_sharp

I’m sure this thread does not really exist. Mickey mouse told me this thread is nothing but a figment of Donald duck’s imagination. Should duck be capitalized in the previous sentence? Anyway, the idea that every snow flake is unique is a lie. I just went outside had several flakes land in my hand and when I got back into the house, they looked like identical drops of water.

Excuse me, I hear a knock on the heat register, I think my cat wants out of the heating ducts.

Might want to open a window, too. Do you have a CO2 detector?

/

454 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:49:36pm

re: #450 b_sharp

I’m sure this thread does not really exist. Mickey mouse told me this thread is nothing but a figment of Donald duck’s imagination. Should duck be capitalized in the previous sentence? Anyway, the idea that every snow flake is unique is a lie. I just went outside had several flakes land in my hand and when I got back into the house, they looked like identical drops of water.

Excuse me, I hear a knock on the heat register, I think my cat wants out of the heating ducts.

*lifts hand in air*

barkeep - i’ll have what he’s having…

455 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:50:07pm

re: #452 Killgore Trout

I just took my temp because I feel a cold coming on. 95.6! Is that even possible? I hope my thermometer is broken.

We’ve been through many digital thermometers. They break all the time.

456 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:50:25pm

re: #444 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

He didn’t. He expected it to be a quick matter, over and done with overnight. The Republicans would spring it in the State Senate, nail the Dems down long enough to vote it into law, and then celebrate having put a stake in the hearts of the teachers unions. He expected that, by the time anybody had actually read the bill, it’d already have his signature at the bottom.

Instead, word leaked, the unions revolted, the State Senate Dems pulled their disappearing act, and now Walker’s trying to play Andrew Ryan, watching Rapture burn while swearing up and down that it’s all the work of the “parasites.” He’s now looking to put his state $165 million further in the hole, due to inability to refinance the state’s debt, if only to keep his bill intact.

Don’t forget the $46 million he would loose due to the fact that his state would have to return the grants they’d been given due to a sudden change in the state’s union laws…

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com…]

In other news….

“On the surface, I once bought a forest. The Parasites claimed that the land belonged to God, and demanded that I establish a public park there. Why? So the rabble could stand slack-jawed under the canopy and pretend that it was paradise earned. When Congress moved to nationalize my forest, I burnt it to the ground.”

457 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:50:42pm

re: #447 prairiefire

I like slightly ribbed heavy card stock. Something tactile.

Use a logo. A logo is good.

458 Obdicut  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:50:45pm

re: #452 Killgore Trout

Probably your thermometer.

95 is hypothermia.

Are you, well, feeling cold?

459 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:51:01pm

re: #455 prairiefire

We’ve been through many digital thermometers. They break all the time.

Ah, I’m pretty sure this one has gone defective.

460 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:51:20pm

re: #445 jamesfirecat

Are you saying that Wisconsin is acting in a manner that doesn’t reflect the proud American history of unionization?

I am saying the people voted and their representatives exercised their will… noting more or less.

461 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:51:35pm

re: #452 Killgore Trout

I just took my temp because I feel a cold coming on. 95.6! Is that even possible? I hope my thermometer is broken.

Wiki:

Normal human body temperature in adults is 34.4–37.8 °C (94–100 °F).[8] Sometimes a narrower range is stated, such as 36.5–37.5 °C (98–100 °F).[9] Hypothermia is defined as any body temperature below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). It is subdivided into four different degrees, mild 32–35 °C (90–95 °F); moderate, 28–32 °C (82–90 °F); severe, 20–28 °C (68–82 °F); and profound at less than 20 °C (68 °F).[10] This is in contrast to hyperthermia and fever which are defined as a rectal temperature of greater than 37.8 °C (100.0 °F).[5]
462 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:51:36pm

re: #449 JasonA

Updinged for Bioshock reference.

Thanks. I’m beginning to think that the GOP’s drunk deep of the Objectivist BS, that they really believe that helping themselves and their business buddies is in the nation’s best interests. That gutting welfare programs, wiping every environmental and workplace reg off the books, basically shredding every promise in the last century to the American people, and shoveling the “savings” into the coffers of the top 1% is going to lead to some economic nirvana. That the key to bringing back the “Good Ol’ Days” is to truly bring them back, warts and all.

463 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:51:50pm

re: #452 Killgore Trout

I just took my temp because I feel a cold coming on. 95.6! Is that even possible? I hope my thermometer is broken.

do you have two small holes in your neck and a recent hankering for fresh hemoglobin?

464 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:52:01pm

re: #458 Obdicut

Probably your thermometer.

95 is hypothermia.

Are you, well, feeling cold?

I feel a little lousy but not that bad.

465 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:52:29pm

re: #460 brookly red

I am saying the people voted and their representatives exercised their will… noting more or less.

Walker not once talked about his intention to disband public unions while running for Governor…

The people were deceived.

466 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:52:55pm

re: #463 Aceofwhat?

do you have two small holes in your neck and a recent hankering for fresh hemoglobin?

Brains!

467 Obdicut  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:52:56pm

re: #459 Killgore Trout

Do you have another human around, or another thermometer?

Have you taken any medication?

468 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:53:01pm

re: #453 wrenchwench

Might want to open a window, too. Do you have a CO2 detector?

/

Are you making fun of my

469 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:53:13pm

re: #464 Killgore Trout

I feel a little lousy but not that bad.

You know you’re really screwed when you stop feeling bad/stop shivering when it comes to being cold…

470 sagehen  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:53:32pm

re: #435 Lidane

Completely OT, but this is driving me around the bend. Does anyone have any advice for designing a good business card?

I’m getting a set to make my life much easier while I’m at SXSW, but the only cards I’ve ever had came from my employers. I’ve never designed my own before. Anything I should avoid? Also, what would make a card memorable for you? I’ve spent far more time than I care to admit looking at designs and templates. This is oddly nerve-wracking for me.

If you’re not ordering too many, it’s worth the money for embossed, or linen… something that feels expensive does a lot more for you image enhancement than you might think.

471 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:53:40pm

I’m going to be really embarrassed if I’m Patient Zero in a zombie outbreak.

472 Girth  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:53:46pm

Thanks everyone for all the good thoughts and prayers after my post last night.

Grandma passed at 3:00 this afternoon, surrounded by loved ones.

We love you and miss you already Grandma.

I think it’s time for a scotch or three.

473 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:53:55pm

re: #436 Gus 802

Ha! Checkmate.

Sandmonkey no longer blog rolls to Atlas Shrugs. From the archive.

Now all he has to do is drop Gateway Pundit.

This didn’t happen in response to the posting.

Here’s cache from Feb. 22:

[Link: webcache.googleusercontent.com…]

This was probably done as a response to Geller’s stance on the Egyptian uprising. Comment 146 in that thread might have been a clue too.

474 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:54:05pm

re: #465 jamesfirecat

Walker not once talked about his intention to disband public unions while running for Governor…

The people were deceived.

Politifact already weighed in on Walker claiming that he’d campaigned on “this,” namely union-busting, and that it shouldn’t be a shock to anybody. They dug deep and could only find him talking about going to unions, pushing for such concessions in terms of negotiating, in order to fix the budget. They deemed his statement as “False.”

475 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:54:23pm

Envoy claims Libyans set up caretaker government

Libya’s top envoy to the U.S. claimed Saturday that opponents of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime are rallying behind efforts to establish an alternative government led by a former Libyan minister. He said the international community should back the movement.

476 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:54:51pm

re: #458 Obdicut

Probably your thermometer.

95 is hypothermia.

Are you, well, feeling cold?

The thermo-metre is in C not F and he’s close to boiling.

477 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:55:05pm

re: #435 Lidane

Completely OT, but this is driving me around the bend. Does anyone have any advice for designing a good business card?

I’m getting a set to make my life much easier while I’m at SXSW, but the only cards I’ve ever had came from my employers. I’ve never designed my own before. Anything I should avoid? Also, what would make a card memorable for you? I’ve spent far more time than I care to admit looking at designs and templates. This is oddly nerve-wracking for me.

something like this

478 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:55:12pm

re: #452 Killgore Trout

I just took my temp because I feel a cold coming on. 95.6! Is that even possible? I hope my thermometer is broken.

98.6 is the human average. There is a natural flucutation and there is actually an accepted range a person can have without being sick.

479 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:55:21pm

re: #465 jamesfirecat

Walker not once talked about his intention to disband public unions while running for Governor…

The people were deceived.

well if that is true I guess they will vote him out in the next election…

480 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:55:22pm

re: #473 Sergey Romanov

This didn’t happen in response to the posting.

Here’s cache from Feb. 22:

[Link: webcache.googleusercontent.com…]

This was probably done as a response to Geller’s stance on the Egyptian uprising. Comment 146 in that thread might have been a clue too.

Oh I know. I just said “checkmate” because the stalkers picked up on my comment and went as far as blogging that same comment — I think. I don’t know I haven’t really looked there in a while. Just saw that it was Tweeted.

481 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:55:25pm

re: #459 Killgore Trout

Ah, I’m pretty sure this one has gone defective.

I’ve gone back to the old fashioned mercury in glass. I treat it like the Holy Grail, I don’t want it to break. It’s the only thing I can get a consistent, accurate read on.

482 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:56:28pm

Heh. This is the first time the Security Council has unanimously referred to the International Criminal Court.

483 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:56:45pm

re: #479 brookly red

well if that is true I guess they will vote him out in the next election…

As things stand it looks more likely that his ass is grass come January 2012… he needs to be in office for at least a year before he can be recalled sadly…

484 sagehen  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:56:46pm

re: #460 brookly red

I am saying the people voted and their representatives exercised their will… noting more or less.

This isn’t what they ran on.

485 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:57:06pm

re: #478 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

98.6 is the human average. There is a natural flucutation and there is actually an accepted range a person can have without being sick.

anything below 96 is quite abnormal, though. although, as stated above, sometimes it’s the thermometer who is sick…

486 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:57:09pm

re: #465 jamesfirecat

Walker not once talked about his intention to disband public unions while running for Governor…

The people were deceived.

in fact if they want to they can recall him… all they need is enough votes.

487 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:57:46pm

re: #477 Aceofwhat?

something like this

I’m trying to get a job, not get arrested. Heh.

488 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:57:47pm

re: #460 brookly red

I am saying the people voted and their representatives exercised their will… noting more or less.

Unfortunately the voters will vote according to what they believe to be true, which doesn’t always reflect reality. Because the pre-vote dance is so short and full of propaganda, it can be difficult to know what a candidate will do if elected.

489 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:57:50pm

re: #486 brookly red

in fact if they want to they can recall him… all they need is enough votes.

He also needs to have been in office at least a year.

490 wrenchwench  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:58:21pm

Time to go home and tend to other chores.

Image: 018c213a-3675-48f7-b31c-bc76c31e2951.jpg

Later, lizards.

491 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:58:27pm

re: #485 Aceofwhat?

anything below 96 is quite abnormal, though. although, as stated above, sometimes it’s the thermometer who is sick…

Normal human body temperature

In adult men and women the normal range for oral temperature is 33.2–38.2 °C (92–101 °F), for rectal it is 34.4–37.8 °C (94–100 °F), for the Tympanic cavity it is 35.4–37.8 °C (96–100 °F) and for axillary it is 35.5–37.0 °C (96–99 °F).

492 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:58:27pm

re: #483 jamesfirecat

As things stand it looks more likely that his ass is grass come January 2012… he needs to be in office for at least a year before he can be recalled sadly…

doesn’t the legislature play an outsized part in this, though? this isn’t solely Walker’s deal.

493 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:58:28pm

LOL I just searched “Gus_802” on Twitter and it looks like the head stalker has been sending me Tweets that I don’t read. Pobre.

494 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:58:43pm

re: #489 jamesfirecat

He also needs to have been in office at least a year.

btw are you a resident in that state?

495 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:58:51pm

re: #487 Lidane

I’m trying to get a job, not get arrested. Heh.

all publicity is good publicity;)

496 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:59:24pm

re: #493 Gus 802

LOL I just searched “Gus_802” on Twitter and it looks like the head stalker has been sending me Tweets that I don’t read. Pobre.

Wasn’t me!!! I did just “follow” you though a few minutes ago. ericphototx.

497 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:59:30pm

re: #487 Lidane

I’m trying to get a job, not get arrested. Heh.

Well then there goes my idea…

498 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:59:34pm

re: #281 Obdicut

That’s really not how the money supply works, at all. It’s a hell of a lot more complex than that.

For example, we just lost a huge amount of money in the economic collapse. Wealth, that existed on paper, ceased to exist. Houses went down in value.

Did the houses change? No. Did the amount of money the houses were worth change because of ‘running the printing presses’? No. It happened because the market, volatile little beastie that it is, overvalued them. So, there’s an easy example of the volume of money— mostly on paper— increasing not in relationship to the ‘printing presses’, but from the natural workings of the market (or unnatural, given the nature of those financial instruments.)

Furthermore, after a recession, increases in the monetary supply are considered by many, if not most, economists to increase productivity by increasing usage of assets, rather than resulting in inflation. Indeed, we’ve seen an increase in the monetary supply, and very low inflation, so that’s the current case.

When you say ‘running the printing presses’, what exactly do you mean?

I know that the effective money supply depends in part on banking activity, and that the fractional reserve system leads to money being issued, pretty much, any time a bank initiates a new mortgage. I realize that as mortgages get paid off, the money then in turn disappears. So yes, the federal government isn’t entirely in charge of the money supply. The way we’re set up, it can fluctuate all on its own.

But Bernanke gave a speech a while back in which he explained that there was no danger of deflation from the fact that this was unwinding, because the government had technology, printing presses and their electronic equivalents, that could issue however much new fiat money it took to prevent deflation.

Now, if the government can do that, and it can, then, if it so chooses, it can go ahead and issue however much more it likes. Right now, the “monetary base” is something like four times what it was in 2008. If the rest of the money machinery somehow gets back to near where it was, with loans being made and so on, so that M1 stood in the same relation to monetary base as it did then, we’d have 4 times as much “money” in circulation as we did then.

If, as seems likely, we continue to run trillion dollar deficits for years to come, do you see us borrowing all that, then raising taxes to where not 20 percent, but 30 or 40 percent, of GDP is collected by the federal government? Keep in mind that neither of those has ever happened, not even in time of war.

Will we cut spending, eliminating much of medicare and social security and defense? That would suffice to pay down a debt of 10 or 20 trillions.

Right. Neither scenario is at all likely. That leaves deliberately inflating away the debt. The current runup in commodity prices is a sign that the process is already under way.

By “running the printing presses”, I mean a government policy that issues so much money that price levels rise across the board, at a clip of over 7 percent per year.

Let’s put it this way: we’ll know we’re into a major inflation when gasoline and milk both hit $5 per gallon before five years are up, or when the government institutes wage or price controls.

As to the houses, many of them are going to be scrapped. They’ll never sell. Who can afford the commute and the utility bill?

499 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 5:59:46pm

BTW, here’s some “Roland Shirk” who left a (guest?) posting at JihadWatch:

[Link: webcache.googleusercontent.com…]

What Muslims want, around the world, is to impose political Islam. Democratic regimes will give them what they want—at the price of enormous injustice to minorities in their midst, to non-Muslim neighbors, and to the safety of Americans. For us to be prattling on about the virtues of self-government in this context is suicidal, like Russian aristocrats hosting Bolsheviks in their salons. If I could have Mubarak’s ear, I would whisper just two words of wisdom: Tienanmen Square.

500 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:00:26pm

re: #496 Kid A

Wasn’t me!!! I did just “follow” you though a few minutes ago. ericphototx.

Ah. Cool beans. Following you back.

501 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:00:30pm

re: #499 Sergey Romanov

To underscore - not a comment, a posting.

502 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:00:34pm

re: #491 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Normal human body temperature

yes, those are normal measurements. normal temperatures rarely go below 96 in the course of natural fluctuation.

503 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:00:40pm

re: #499 Sergey Romanov

BTW, here’s some “Roland Shirk” who left a (guest?) posting at JihadWatch:

[Link: webcache.googleusercontent.com…]

What an obnoxious little shit.

504 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:00:56pm

re: #500 Gus 802

Ah. Cool beans. Following you back.

Just got the email! Cool, and thanks!

505 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:01:14pm

re: #492 Aceofwhat?

doesn’t the legislature play an outsized part in this, though? this isn’t solely Walker’s deal.

Walker is the one who won’t back down/accept the compromise offered and if we had a democratic governor he could probably veto the legislation, and I bet they’d need more people than they currently have to overturn it.

(I could be wrong about that though… do you guys know how many senators it takes to over turn a veto in Wisconsin?)

506 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:01:15pm

re: #435 Lidane

Mine have the short side, on the left & right. I put my name in the center, phone number top left, email top right. Used navy ink on white. They’re personal cards, not business ones.

507 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:01:24pm

A commenter at Pam’s blog about Sandmonkey….

It’s called takiyya. Following the Koran’s instructions to deceive intensely hated infidels. I did not trust him when I first read about him.
508 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:01:25pm

re: #494 brookly red

btw are you a resident in that state?

going once…

509 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:01:30pm

re: #494 brookly red

btw are you a resident in that state?

No, why do you ask?

510 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:01:57pm

re: #502 Aceofwhat?

yes, those are normal measurements. normal temperatures rarely go below 96 in the course of natural fluctuation.

Then I suggest anyone bitten by Kilgore immeadiately amputate the affected limb and save a bullet for themselves just in case.

511 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:02:25pm

re: #471 Killgore Trout

I’m going to be really embarrassed if I’m Patient Zero in a zombie outbreak.

Well if you are can you let us know so I’ll have time before it reaches here to prepare my shelter and defenses?

512 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:02:36pm

re: #507 Killgore Trout

A commenter at Pam’s blog about Sandmonkey…

Wow. Just……wow.

513 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:02:42pm

re: #499 Sergey Romanov

BTW, here’s some “Roland Shirk” who left a (guest?) posting at JihadWatch:

[Link: webcache.googleusercontent.com…]

nasty stuff

514 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:03:22pm

re: #511 Jadespring

Well if you are can you let us know so I’ll have time before it reaches here to prepare my shelter and defenses?

I’m not sure if that’s in my best interest. I’ll have to think about that.

515 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:03:28pm

re: #452 Killgore Trout

I just took my temp because I feel a cold coming on. 95.6! Is that even possible? I hope my thermometer is broken.

Easily. The mouth is cooler than the core, and lots of people maintain a core temperature more like 97 than 98.6. If you’re kind of chilled, your core temp can drop that low.

Did you drink anything recently? That too can throw it off.

516 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:03:33pm

re: #509 jamesfirecat

No, why do you ask?

then neither you nor I have much to say about it. I know it is hard to admit but we have absolutely no say in the matter. Period.

517 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:03:58pm

re: #507 Killgore Trout

A commenter at Pam’s blog about Sandmonkey…

Woot! Typical. That made me laugh. You notice something else? This also correlates with Sandmonkey having recently released his portrait. I bet that freaked the haters out.

518 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:03:59pm

re: #513 Aceofwhat?

nasty stuff

And then they whine after being called hate group.

519 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:04:26pm

re: #517 Gus 802

He’s cute!

520 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:04:34pm

re: #516 brookly red

then neither you nor I have much to say about it. I know it is hard to admit but we have absolutely no say in the matter. Period.

We can send pizza. With pineapple.

521 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:04:46pm

re: #471 Killgore Trout

I’m going to be really embarrassed if I’m Patient Zero in a zombie outbreak.

So, should we proactively blow your head off? You know, just to be on the safe side?

/

522 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:05:33pm

re: #519 prairiefire

He’s cute!

True, but he’s clearly not white. This makes him the enemy for Crazy Pam’s minions.

523 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:05:51pm

re: #514 Killgore Trout

I’m not sure if that’s in my best interest. I’ll have to think about that.

:

524 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:05:56pm

re: #522 Lidane

True, but he’s clearly not white. This makes him the enemy for Crazy Pam’s minions.

Perzactly.

525 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:06:33pm

re: #511 Jadespring

Well if you are can you let us know so I’ll have time before it reaches here to prepare my shelter and defenses?

It’ll never cross the border. Zombies can’t remember to bring passports.

526 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:06:51pm

I love when you upgrade a perfectly functional piece of software and then you get crashes all the time.

527 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:07:13pm

re: #516 brookly red

then neither you nor I have much to say about it. I know it is hard to admit but we have absolutely no say in the matter. Period.

BOTH of my parents are public sector union members.

If Walker pulls this shit off in Wisconsin it could spread elsewhere.

We already saw how Indiana tried something similar only to pull it when they realized that Walker was drawing far more fire than he expected.

If Walker does manage to do this though, and it doesn’t get over turned soon… it will spread.

So while I may not be able to have any “say” in the matter, that doesn’t mean I can’t have quite a lot to say about the matter, and with a good reason.

528 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:07:23pm

re: #526 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I love when you upgrade a perfectly functional piece of software and then you get crashes all the time.

That’s what we call “progress.”

529 CuriousLurker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:07:34pm

re: #435 Lidane

Completely OT, but this is driving me around the bend. Does anyone have any advice for designing a good business card?

I’m getting a set to make my life much easier while I’m at SXSW, but the only cards I’ve ever had came from my employers. I’ve never designed my own before. Anything I should avoid? Also, what would make a card memorable for you? I’ve spent far more time than I care to admit looking at designs and templates. This is oddly nerve-wracking for me.

1.) Not sure what you’re using to design it, but if the app you’re using allows you to create the document in the CMYK color space, then do that. If you design it in RGB you may get a nasty color shift surprise.

2.) Keep it simple, but memorable. Avoid any urges you may have to cram a bunch of info onto it.

3.) Make it clear what you do.

4.) Don’t center everything. Look at the matrix of professionally designed cards and not how things are aligned with each other—that’s a large part of what makes them look professional.

5.) If you’re going to use any graphics, make sure their resolution is high enough to print well (for raster images, at least 300 dpi).

6.) Leave yourself a decent margin. The paper always shifts slightly during cutting, so if you get too close to the edge you might lose something (unless you’re going for a full bleed that’s supposed to go past the edge).

7.) Don’t make your text smaller than 7pt or it’ll be too hard to read.

8.) Use a nice font: Caslon, Frutiger, Garamond, Helvetica Neue, Palatino, Trade Gothic, Univers, etc. If you go to MyFonts you can test drive fonts.

9.) Don’t use more than 2 fonts, 3 if you must.

10.) Don’t use large text for your contact info.

11.) Do use larger text for your name & position so it’ll stand out. I usually make the name bold.

12.) Don’t use bold & italic text together—choose one of the other.

That’s all I can think of off the top of my head.

530 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:08:07pm

re: #526 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I love when you upgrade a perfectly functional piece of software and then you get crashes all the time.

Microsoft?

531 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:08:46pm

re: #423 b_sharp

But computers have yet to find a way on their own, and no matter how intelligent nanobots can be made, they will still be nothing more than computers.

Computer code isn’t like DNA where accidental changes can actually increase fitness or at least be neutral. Change a bit or two in computer code and the code stops running. Nanobots can be programmed to stop replicating and to self destruct when the mission is done.

This is vitalism. Almost all DNA changes are detrimental too. Only the fact that life can roll the dice trillions of times allows for the occasional beneficial mutation.

What if just the stop and self-destruct code gets a bit miscopied? Eh? In humans, that’s called cancer.

532 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:08:55pm

re: #522 Lidane

True, but he’s clearly not white. This makes him the enemy for Crazy Pam’s minions.

That’s not white? Have they issued new tint charts?

533 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:08:56pm

re: #522 Lidane

True, but he’s clearly not white. This makes him the enemy for Crazy Pam’s minions.

I dunno…that’s what my skin looks like in the summer.

(not that crazyPam needs more than a perception of ‘other’ to inflame her hackles…)

534 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:08:57pm

re: #528 JasonA

That’s what we call “progress.”

It’s called “FUCKING WORK YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!” How else am I supposed to play the “Dead Money” expansion for NV?

535 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:08:59pm

Douche bag.

536 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:09:43pm

re: #535 Gus 802

ugh

537 CuriousLurker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:09:49pm

re: #435 Lidane

re: #529 CuriousLurker

4.) Don’t center everything. Look at the matrix of professionally designed cards and not note how things are aligned with each other—that’s a large part of what makes them look professional.

PIMF *sigh*

538 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:09:58pm

re: #532 Decatur Deb

That’s not white? Have they issued new tint charts?

A bit tanned, but white. Arabs are mostly white.

539 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:10:02pm

re: #535 Gus 802

Douche bag.

I believe Tobias had something he wanted to add…

Youtube Video
540 Gus  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:11:18pm

Chief douche bag.

541 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:11:30pm

re: #538 Sergey Romanov

A bit tanned, but white. Arabs are mostly white.

And it would be strange to think otherwise, since Arabs are the same “race” as Jews (i.e. Semitic), and Jews are also considered white.

542 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:12:14pm

re: #527 jamesfirecat

BOTH of my parents are public sector union members.

If Walker pulls this shit off in Wisconsin it could spread elsewhere.

We already saw how Indiana tried something similar only to pull it when they realized that Walker was drawing far more fire than he expected.

If Walker does manage to do this though, and it doesn’t get over turned soon… it will spread.

So while I may not be able to have any “say” in the matter, that doesn’t mean I can’t have quite a lot to say about the matter, and with a good reason.

say all you want in your state.

543 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:12:40pm

re: #541 Sergey Romanov

And it would be strange to think otherwise, since Arabs are the same “race” as Jews (i.e. Semitic), and Jews are also considered white.

///That’s because they’re part of our “Judeo-Christian Heritage”

(Gag)

544 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:13:11pm

re: #541 Sergey Romanov

And it would be strange to think otherwise, since Arabs are the same “race” as Jews (i.e. Semitic), and Jews are also considered white.

You’re in logical territory, which is uncharted waters to the Shruggery.

545 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:13:17pm

re: #533 Aceofwhat?

I dunno…that’s what my skin looks like in the summer.

(not that crazyPam needs more than a perception of ‘other’ to inflame her hackles…)

Do you have that sparkle of freedom in your eyes, as well?

546 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:13:26pm

re: #542 brookly red

say all you want in your state.

Would you have a problem if I drove/bussed/flew out to Wisconsin to protest Walker there?

547 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:13:36pm

re: #544 Aceofwhat?

You’re in logical territory, which is uncharted waters to the Shruggery.

Ni.

548 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:13:45pm

re: #542 brookly red

say all you want in your state.

All 50 states had supporting rallies in their capitals and other cities today. Even AL, though I got the word too late.

549 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:14:23pm

re: #542 brookly red

say all you want in your state.

Do you seriously believe that Republicans in other state governments are not going to follow Wisconsin’s lead? That this will begin and end in Wisconsin, only being of interest to people living there?

550 ProBosniaLiberal  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:14:57pm

Wikipedia is showing that there is an Unclear Situation/Fighting in Tripoli. It looks like the Battle of Tripoliu is starting. The Libyan situation could come to an end soon.

Image: 2011_Libya_Protests_Cities.png

551 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:15:44pm

This break with Sandmonkey has some interesting implications and I think it’s a symptom of a larger problems that Republicans have with foreign policy. Sandmonkey is hardly a typical resident of a middle eastern country, he’s fairly pro-Israel and supported Bush’s efforts to spread democracy. Now he finds that American conservatives don’t want democracy in the middle east anymore. They fear it to the point that they make up insane conspiracy theories about it to scare others. They are actively working against spreading democracy. Sandmonkey can’t be alone in feeling abandoned.
I’m wary of what might happen. Especially with the MB in Egypt and how that will effect peace in the region but the wingnuts have gone too far and they’ve been very public about not wanting freedom and democracy in the middle east. Bad move.

552 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:15:50pm

re: #545 prairiefire

Do you have that sparkle of freedom in your eyes, as well?

i have dark curly hair like a greek socialist.

also, yes. freedom!

553 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:16:46pm

re: #547 Sergey Romanov

Ni.

Nice.

Your english is insanely good.

554 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:17:01pm

re: #546 jamesfirecat

Would you have a problem if I drove/bussed/flew out to Wisconsin to protest Walker there?

no as long as you realize you have no vote.

555 ProBosniaLiberal  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:17:17pm

re: #550 ProLifeLiberal

Wikipedia is showing that there is an Unclear Situation/Fighting in Tripoli. It looks like the Battle of Tripoli is starting. The Libyan situation could come to an end soon.

I really need to work on dexerity. I must have hit both letters.

556 Interesting Times  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:17:18pm

re: #549 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Do you seriously believe that Republicans in other state governments are not going to follow Wisconsin’s lead? That this will begin and end in Wisconsin, only being of interest to people living there?

Walker himself doesn’t believe that, if his eagerness to take the Koch call - and spend more time talking to him than people in his own state - was any hint.

557 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:18:17pm

re: #548 Decatur Deb

All 50 states had supporting rallies in their capitals and other cities today. Even AL, though I got the word too late.

wait, so now a bevy of additional public employees spent a day not working…and this is supposed to make me more sympathetic?

558 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:18:22pm

re: #529 CuriousLurker

Wow! Lots of great advice. Thanks!

I’m going to use an online vendor for the cards, so I’ll end up using their templates, at least for now. I’m trying to find something simple, but which shows my tech savvy, since I’ll be giving them out at the Interactive panels and booths for SXSW. My MBA is geared towards social media, the internet and embraces the digital world, so I’m going with that as a theme of sorts.

2.) Keep it simple, but memorable. Avoid any urges you may have to cram a bunch of info onto it.

This is the big thing that keeps driving me nuts. I had folks tell me to put links to everything— LinkedIn, Monster, Facebook, Foursquare, etc. Every time I looked at whatever I came up with, it was too damned crowded. I need to focus on a few bits of info.

Also the printing on both sides seems to be an issue. One person told me it would be unique to have a fully coordinated card with art and info on both sides, but another told me to leave the back blank so that people could write on it. I’m not sure who to believe.

3.) Make it clear what you do.

My job description is that I’m an MBA candidate, and I mention the major. I also have a link to the blog that my classmates and I have set up to share our experienes and to talk about what is going on in our field of study.

559 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:18:40pm

re: #535 Gus 802

Douche bag.

Gus, douche bag is really just too nice. Asshole is better, me thinks.

560 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:18:48pm

Seriously speaking, that’s just a mixing of different kinds of “racial” categorization. Purely by skin color or taking into account ancestry. The first approach is not really coherent - Michael Jackson was listed as “black” long after his skin paled. If only ancestry is taken into account, then “whites” are, historically, the so-called “race” of “Japhetides”, and thus Arabs and Jews would not be “white”, but rather “Semites”, and blacks are “Hamites” (don’t ask me about the rest). This, of course, shows how racial thinking is hopelessly muddled in nonsensical concepts.

561 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:18:54pm

re: #557 Aceofwhat?

wait, so now a bevy of additional public employees spent a day not working…and this is supposed to make me more sympathetic?

Are you enjoying your current weekend?

You can thank unions.

562 CuriousLurker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:19:14pm

re: #435 Lidane

FWIW, I don’t care for super glossy cards (most designers hate them, but clients love them).

Oh, yeah: Don’t forget the tactile aspect. Someone else mentioned linen/laid paper, which is great if you’re going for expensive/elegant/professional. It really depends on what message you want to convey. There are tons of interesting papers, finishes, etc. (but some can get VERY expensive).

563 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:19:22pm

re: #532 Decatur Deb

That’s not white? Have they issued new tint charts?

Let me rephrase that— he doesn’t meet the Aryan ideal, so some of her minions will take issue with that.

564 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:19:22pm

re: #549 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Do you seriously believe that Republicans in other state governments are not going to follow Wisconsin’s lead? That this will begin and end in Wisconsin, only being of interest to people living there?

Oh absolutely Wisconsin will set precedent but only Wisconsinites can vote on it, anything else is dishonest.

565 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:19:36pm

re: #558 Lidane

Wow, SXSW. Have fun! Let us know of any good new bands.

566 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:20:14pm

re: #557 Aceofwhat?

wait, so now a bevy of additional public employees spent a day not working…and this is supposed to make me more sympathetic?

“Cause it’s Saturday, AND THERE’S NO SCHOOL TODAY.”

(Anyone care to give date and provenance?)

567 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:20:16pm

re: #561 jamesfirecat

Are you enjoying your current weekend?

You can thank unions.

Oh, today is Saturday. Never mind…mmm, this gin and tonic is yummy…

568 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:20:25pm

re: #531 lostlakehiker

This is vitalism. Almost all DNA changes are detrimental too. Only the fact that life can roll the dice trillions of times allows for the occasional beneficial mutation.

What if just the stop and self-destruct code gets a bit miscopied? Eh? In humans, that’s called cancer.

It has nothing to do with vitalism and everything to do with the way DNA is expressed and compute code is read. A copy error in DNA is likely to do nothing, every third base in a codon can be changed without affecting how the codon contributes to the gene, and things like indels usually end up as a negative mutation and get deleted, but frequently end up as neutral.

If you change a bit in computer code, unless it is something like an image, it will change the command. The syntax of computer code is far more precise than DNA, and random changes will halt the code.

569 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:20:48pm

re: #564 brookly red

Oh absolutely Wisconsin will set precedent but only Wisconsinites can vote on it, anything else is dishonest.

Does my lack of a vote in this matter somehow make my opinion on it less relevant?

570 Kid A  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:20:53pm

re: #540 Gus 802

Chief douche bag.

Yikes! It looks like a MySpace page!!! Harpy, I know you’re an elf-eared coug, but step yo game up, baby.

571 Four More Tears  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:21:08pm

re: #539 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I believe Tobias had something he wanted to add…


[Video]

Oooo… I never realized Arrested Development was available for instant streaming on Netflix until now.

572 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:21:11pm

Aha, a file integrity check has discovered bad files and is downloading replacements. Hopefully that will fix it.

573 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:21:31pm

re: #566 Decatur Deb

“Cause it’s Saturday, AND THERE’S NO SCHOOL TODAY.”

(Anyone care to give date and provenance?)

NO POST ON SUNDAYS!

574 ProBosniaLiberal  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:21:54pm

Also, it appears that there is fighting in Ghadamis. It is a city at the border of both Tunisia and Algeria. Many mercenaries were flowing through there, but it is in very close proximity to the Tuareg areas. They went towards the opposition some time ago.

Image: 2000px-Libya_ethnic.svg.png

575 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:22:02pm

re: #242 Charles

Meanwhile, Gaddafi with his voluptuous Ukrainian nurse:

Image: gaddafinurse-lg.jpg

She’s split, according to this…
[Link: www.theaustralian.com.au…]

576 Kragar  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:22:12pm

re: #571 JasonA

Oooo… I never realized Arrested Development was available for instant streaming on Netflix until now.

Youtube Video
577 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:22:38pm

re: #564 brookly red

Oh absolutely Wisconsin will set precedent but only Wisconsinites can vote on it, anything else is dishonest.

Given that a recall can only happen around 9 months from now, and that the base has already passed the house, at this point the only people who can really vote on it is the Senate and the Governor…

IE my vote /voice matters just as much in regards to if this bill will pass or not regardless of where I live….

578 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:23:29pm

re: #540 Gus 802

Pass the brain bleach, please?

579 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:23:46pm

re: #573 jamesfirecat

NO POST ON SUNDAYS!

Hey, what do you think you’re doing, posting when you could be working? Your break’s over, back to work! And if I catch you slackin’ off again, you’re gettin’ no gruel tonight!

///

580 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:24:35pm

re: #569 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Does my lack of a vote in this matter somehow make my opinion on it less relevant?

no you got the right to an opinion, and when the matter comes to your state as it surly will you got the right to vote on it too (assuming your not a felon). let us not blur the difference.

581 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:25:50pm

re: #560 Sergey Romanov

Seriously speaking, that’s just a mixing of different kinds of “racial” categorization. Purely by skin color or taking into account ancestry. The first approach is not really coherent - Michael Jackson was listed as “black” long after his skin paled. If only ancestry is taken into account, then “whites” are, historically, the so-called “race” of “Japhetides”, and thus Arabs and Jews would not be “white”, but rather “Semites”, and blacks are “Hamites” (don’t ask me about the rest). This, of course, shows how racial thinking is hopelessly muddled in nonsensical concepts.

This needs to be repeated frequently until everyone gets it.

582 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:26:00pm

re: #580 brookly red

no you got the right to an opinion, and when the matter comes to your state as it surly will you got the right to vote on it too (assuming your not a felon). let us not blur the difference.

Voting is only part (a diminishing) part of the process, viz. Citizens United.

583 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:26:41pm

re: #577 jamesfirecat

Given that a recall can only happen around 9 months from now, and that the base has already passed the house, at this point the only people who can really vote on it is the Senate and the Governor…

IE my vote /voice matters just as much in regards to if this bill will pass or not regardless of where I live…

*sigh* no it does not. Those in Wisconsin can vote there … all others can blog about it.

584 jamesfirecat  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:26:42pm

re: #582 Decatur Deb

Voting is only part (a diminishing) part of the process, viz. Citizens United.

///Voting is still vitally important… except now its done with a wallet instead of a lever….

585 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:27:16pm

re: #562 CuriousLurker

FWIW, I don’t care for super glossy cards (most designers hate them, but clients love them).

Oh, yeah: Don’t forget the tactile aspect. Someone else mentioned linen/laid paper, which is great if you’re going for expensive/elegant/professional. It really depends on what message you want to convey. There are tons of interesting papers, finishes, etc. (but some can get VERY expensive).

I prefer to carry a stamp with my name and phone number on it and every time somebody asks for my card, I just stamp his/her forehead.

586 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:27:48pm

re: #582 Decatur Deb

Voting is only part (a diminishing) part of the process, viz. Citizens United.

que? coulda sworn that the D’s outspent the R’s this past election cycle…

587 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:28:13pm

re: #567 Aceofwhat?

Oh, today is Saturday. Never mind…mmm, this gin and tonic is yummy…

I just had a burger, now I’m making a break for the Scotch.

588 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:29:04pm

re: #587 b_sharp

I just had a burger, now I’m making a break for the Scotch.

fine by me…

589 Targetpractice  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:29:29pm

re: #580 brookly red

no you got the right to an opinion, and when the matter comes to your state as it surly will you got the right to vote on it too (assuming your not a felon). let us not blur the difference.

What is your hang-up with voting? What does the ability or lack thereof to vote in a state/nation have to do with expressing an opinion on what happens within its borders?

590 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:29:34pm

re: #586 Aceofwhat?

que? coulda sworn that the D’s outspent the R’s this past election cycle…

Good. Watch for more. Next election cycle I’m not wasting my time and donations in Alabama. I’ll be across the line doing GOTV in critical Florida precincts.

591 Aceofwhat?  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:30:11pm

re: #587 b_sharp

I just had a burger, now I’m making a break for the Scotch.

updinged for living right.

and now my wife has apparently run out of different outfits, so we’re out the door.

later, good people-

592 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:30:51pm

re: #591 Aceofwhat?

updinged for living right.

and now my wife has apparently run out of different outfits, so we’re out the door.

later, good people-

‘Night Ace.

593 Interesting Times  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:31:08pm

re: #558 Lidane

My MBA is geared towards social media, the internet and embraces the digital world, so I’m going with that as a theme of sorts.

A “metallic” color scheme might work well for that, e.g. silver/gold/copper embossing for the most prominent words, and a futuristic (but still easily readable) font.

This is the big thing that keeps driving me nuts. I had folks tell me to put links to everything— LinkedIn, Monster, Facebook, Foursquare, etc. Every time I looked at whatever I came up with, it was too damned crowded. I need to focus on a few bits of info.

Odd numbers of visual elements tend to be more pleasing, i.e. groups of 3, 5, etc. So perhaps choose the 3 most well-known sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter if you have it)

Also the printing on both sides seems to be an issue. One person told me it would be unique to have a fully coordinated card with art and info on both sides, but another told me to leave the back blank so that people could write on it. I’m not sure who to believe.

How about doing both? On the front, the main info, and on the back, a design reminiscent of a Facebook-style “comment” box, with enough space for people to write things if they wanted?

594 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:31:12pm

re: #589 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

What is your hang-up with voting? What does the ability or lack thereof to vote in a state/nation have to do with expressing an opinion on what happens within its borders?

Exactly, don’t give me BS about voting those who can vote may… all others blog. Got it?

595 Obdicut  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:31:34pm

re: #498 lostlakehiker

I know that the effective money supply depends in part on banking activity, and that the fractional reserve system leads to money being issued, pretty much, any time a bank initiates a new mortgage..

No, sorry, you’re still not getting it. You’re continuing to confuse the concepts of the money supply— the number of actual dollars in circulation— and the amount of money in the economy, in wealth of any sort. The issuing of money by a fractional reserve bank is not adding money to the money supply, it is making a bet, so to speak, that the activity that money is put to will lead to wealth equal or greater to that amount of money.

But Bernanke gave a speech a while back in which he explained that there was no danger of deflation from the fact that this was unwinding, because the government had technology, printing presses and their electronic equivalents, that could issue however much new fiat money it took to prevent deflation.

Yes. And?

Now, if the government can do that, and it can, then, if it so chooses, it can go ahead and issue however much more it likes.

But why would it?

Right now, the “monetary base” is something like four times what it was in 2008.

No, you’re completely wrong.
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

Why not bother to look things up before making claims like that?

If the rest of the money machinery somehow gets back to near where it was, with loans being made and so on, so that M1 stood in the same relation to monetary base as it did then, we’d have 4 times as much “money” in circulation as we did then.

That was incoherent and I can’t tell what you’re trying to claim. Since your initial claim is completely wrong, it’s not a big deal.

If, as seems likely, we continue to run trillion dollar deficits for years to come

It might seem likely to you, but not to anyone else. The projected deficits aren’t going to hit a trillion again until 2020.

do you see us borrowing all that

Borrowing all what?

, then raising taxes to where not 20 percent, but 30 or 40 percent, of GDP is collected by the federal government? Keep in mind that neither of those has ever happened, not even in time of war.

Why are you just ignoring the whole ‘cost controls’ thing I said?

Will we cut spending, eliminating much of medicare and social security and defense? That would suffice to pay down a debt of 10 or 20 trillions.

Or, we could control costs.

Right. Neither scenario is at all likely. That leaves deliberately inflating away the debt.

Or controlling costs.

By “running the printing presses”, I mean a government policy that issues so much money that price levels rise across the board, at a clip of over 7 percent per year.

Where are you getting this insane statistics from?

[Link: www.bls.gov…]

Let’s put it this way: we’ll know we’re into a major inflation when gasoline and milk both hit $5 per gallon before five years are up, or when the government institutes wage or price controls.

Sure, uh, put it that way if you want. It has nothing to do with anything except your conspiracy that the US is going to try to inflate the debt away— ignoring, of course, that inflation at that small a rate wouldn’t really do much to get rid of the debt.

Seriously, do you just pull figures out of a hat or something?

596 CuriousLurker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:32:05pm

re: #558 Lidane

Wow! Lots of great advice. Thanks!

You’re welcome!

I’m going to use an online vendor for the cards, so I’ll end up using their templates, at least for now. I’m trying to find something simple, but which shows my tech savvy, since I’ll be giving them out at the Interactive panels and booths for SXSW. My MBA is geared towards social media, the internet and embraces the digital world, so I’m going with that as a theme of sorts.

In that case I’d definitely use a modern, sans serif font.

This is the big thing that keeps driving me nuts. I had folks tell me to put links to everything— LinkedIn, Monster, Facebook, Foursquare, etc. Every time I looked at whatever I came up with, it was too damned crowded. I need to focus on a few bits of info.

What people are telling you is wayyyy too much, IMO. Your intuition about focusing on a few key bits is right on the nose. Think of your business card as a really tiny billboard.

Also the printing on both sides seems to be an issue. One person told me it would be unique to have a fully coordinated card with art and info on both sides, but another told me to leave the back blank so that people could write on it. I’m not sure who to believe.

You can do a light watermark on the back and people can still write on it, just be sure the back is uncoated (otherwise people will have a hard time writing on a slippery surface).

My job description is that I’m an MBA candidate, and I mention the major. I also have a link to the blog that my classmates and I have set up to share our experienes and to talk about what is going on in our field of study.

Try to come up with a short tag line that’ll make it clear what you do. Then just stick to your name, title (if any), phone/fax, email, website/blog, and address (if you’re going to include it—not everyone does—as a single woman I wouldn’t since you never know whose hand a card is going to fall into).

597 CuriousLurker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:33:14pm

re: #585 b_sharp

I prefer to carry a stamp with my name and phone number on it and every time somebody asks for my card, I just stamp his/her forehead.

LMAO—well that’ll definitely make you memorable!

598 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:33:47pm

re: #585 b_sharp

I prefer to carry a stamp with my name and phone number on it and every time somebody asks for my card, I just stamp his/her forehead.

I like that idea. I will often sit with a customer making notes etc. on a bar napkin. Now I can just use the stamp on the napkin. Could come in very handy in an intellectual property dispute.

599 brookly red  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:34:31pm

re: #585 b_sharp

I prefer to carry a stamp with my name and phone number on it and every time somebody asks for my card, I just stamp his/her forehead.

did you remember to do it backwards so they can read it in the mirror ?

600 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:36:59pm

re: #599 brookly red

did you remember to do it backwards so they can read it in the mirror ?

Of course.

601 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:38:11pm

re: #596 CuriousLurker

Good ideas. I’m sitting here thinking quite a bit about what to put on the card. I’ll probably stick with my Twitter feed, Facebook, and my school e-mail, since everything that gets sent there goes to my personal e-mail address.

As far as my physical address, I had put it on one design, but the boyfriend pointed out it would be a horrible idea because we wouldn’t know who ultimately ends up with my cards, so I’m not using it at all. It’s too much of a risk.

re: #593 publicityStunted

A “metallic” color scheme might work well for that, e.g. silver/gold/copper embossing for the most prominent words, and a futuristic (but still easily readable) font.

Interestingly enough, I just found a bunch of steampunk-style cards with gears and all that, and gold/copper color schemes. That might work, I think.

602 TedStriker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:38:32pm

re: #314 Rightwingconspirator

Last Samurai. Arguably the finest acting Tom Cruise ever yet did. Or maybe Valkyrie, but I favor Last Samurai.

A Few Good Men was very good too…great ensemble cast with Moore, Nicholson, and Pollack, among others.

603 Decatur Deb  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:39:37pm

re: #600 b_sharp

Of course.

Earliest business cards:

Image: cylinderseals2.jpg

[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

604 CuriousLurker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:41:22pm

re: #601 Lidane

Good ideas. I’m sitting here thinking quite a bit about what to put on the card. I’ll probably stick with my Twitter feed, Facebook, and my school e-mail, since everything that gets sent there goes to my personal e-mail address.

As far as my physical address, I had put it on one design, but the boyfriend pointed out it would be a horrible idea because we wouldn’t know who ultimately ends up with my cards, so I’m not using it at all. It’s too much of a risk.

Sounds good. Smart guy, your boyfriend. ;o)

605 CuriousLurker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:41:59pm

re: #593 publicityStunted

Great advice/ideas!

606 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:42:11pm

re: #601 Lidane

Good ideas. I’m sitting here thinking quite a bit about what to put on the card. I’ll probably stick with my Twitter feed, Facebook, and my school e-mail, since everything that gets sent there goes to my personal e-mail address.

As far as my physical address, I had put it on one design, but the boyfriend pointed out it would be a horrible idea because we wouldn’t know who ultimately ends up with my cards, so I’m not using it at all. It’s too much of a risk.

re: #593 publicityStunted

Interestingly enough, I just found a bunch of steampunk-style cards with gears and all that, and gold/copper color schemes. That might work, I think.

Linky please, I’m putting together cards as well. I just designed two 3d logos but I’m not sure I like them.

607 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:42:18pm

re: #598 compound idaho

I like that idea. I will often sit with a customer making notes etc. on a bar napkin. Now I can just use the stamp on the napkin. Could come in very handy in an intellectual property dispute.

The Cocktail Napkin vlog:

Vimeo
608 Lidane  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:43:28pm

re: #606 b_sharp

Linky please, I’m putting together cards as well. I just designed two 3d logos but I’m not sure I like them.

[Link: www.zazzle.com…]

609 TedStriker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:44:00pm

re: #386 Sergey Romanov

Then again, by this time she stinketh I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Krazy Kahanist Pamela Geller.

Shouldn’t she be called a Krazy Kahanist Kook?

610 ProBosniaLiberal  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:45:43pm

re: #609 talon_262

I see what you did there with the Acronym!

611 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:46:25pm

re: #609 talon_262

Shouldn’t she be called a Krazy Kahanist Kook?

LOL, good one.

KKK Geller.

612 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:48:07pm

re: #609 talon_262

Shouldn’t she be called a Krazy Kahanist Kook?

And that’s what she will be now in my book from now on.

613 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:48:29pm

re: #608 Lidane

[Link: www.zazzle.com…]

Thanks.

I’m an old fart, but I still like steampunk.

Here’s the kind of stuff I hope to get into as soon as I finish CNCing my big mini-mill.

614 reine.de.tout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:50:35pm

re: #436 Gus 802

Ha! Checkmate.

Sandmonkey no longer blog rolls to Atlas Shrugs. From the archive.

Now all he has to do is drop Gateway Pundit.

I’m still trying to figure out what it is he’s done that she found so upsetting - there are no direct links to sandmonkey, the links she does have don’t really tell you anything about what she’s writing about - did she just make something up? What did he do to upset her so?

615 b_sharp  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:54:56pm

re: #614 reine.de.tout

I’m still trying to figure out what it is he’s done that she found so upsetting - there are no direct links to sandmonkey, the links she does have don’t really tell you anything about what she’s writing about - did she just make something up? What did he do to upset her so?

Would that surprise you?

616 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 6:59:17pm

re: #614 reine.de.tout

I’m still trying to figure out what it is he’s done that she found so upsetting - there are no direct links to sandmonkey, the links she does have don’t really tell you anything about what she’s writing about - did she just make something up? What did he do to upset her so?

He wasn’t sufficiently accommodating to her view of what the relationships between Israel and Egypt should be.

It started with this:

[Link: rubinreports.blogspot.com…]

617 reine.de.tout  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 7:01:45pm

re: #615 b_sharp

Would that surprise you?

Well, no, actually.


re: #616 Sergey Romanov

He wasn’t sufficiently accommodating to her view of what the relationships between Israel and Egypt should be.

It started with this:

[Link: rubinreports.blogspot.com…]


Thanks, checking it now.

618 lostlakehiker  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 7:42:54pm

re: #595 Obdicut

No, sorry, you’re still not getting it. You’re continuing to confuse the concepts of the money supply— the number of actual dollars in circulation— and the amount of money in the economy, in wealth of any sort. The issuing of money by a fractional reserve bank is not adding money to the money supply, it is making a bet, so to speak, that the activity that money is put to will lead to wealth equal or greater to that amount of money.

Yes. And?

But why would it?

No, you’re completely wrong.
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

Why not bother to look things up before making claims like that?

That was incoherent and I can’t tell what you’re trying to claim. Since your initial claim is completely wrong, it’s not a big deal.

It might seem likely to you, but not to anyone else. The projected deficits aren’t going to hit a trillion again until 2020.

Borrowing all what?

Why are you just ignoring the whole ‘cost controls’ thing I said?

Or, we could control costs.

Or controlling costs.

Where are you getting this insane statistics from?

[Link: www.bls.gov…]

Sure, uh, put it that way if you want. It has nothing to do with anything except your conspiracy that the US is going to try to inflate the debt away— ignoring, of course, that inflation at that small a rate wouldn’t really do much to get rid of the debt.

Seriously, do you just pull figures out of a hat or something?

re: #595 Obdicut

Pages 4 and 5, “Jimmy Stewart is dead—-ending the world’s ongoing financial plague with limited purpose banking”, by Laurence J. Kotlikoff. You will find fully documented the claim that the monetary base has expanded as I wrote.

You may think, well, Kotlikoff is just a Kook. A right wing kook, naturally. But the book has been favorably reviewed by a slew of eminences, including Robert Reich, Admiral William Owens, and Kenneth Rogoff.

Banks can issue, and do issue, more dollar volume of loans than they have deposits. Where does the money come from, when they do that?

It comes from thin air. The federal reserve “prints” the bank some considerable fraction of the value of the loan. So a certain amount of money creation takes place on automatic pilot, so to speak. Now this tends to average out as the process unwinds and loans are paid down. But if the total amount of mortgage debt outstanding soars, the money supply goes up too, at least temporarily.

Your reading comprehension missed a beat when you asked where I got “insane statistic” about inflation running at 7 percent. I never said that it was currently at that level. YOU asked, what did I mean by “running the printing presses”. I answered your question as to what I meant. I said that we could recognize “running the printing presses” by that symptom. That such inflation, if when it does arrive, will be a sign that we’ve been running the printing presses.

When you speak of controlling costs, well, current spending includes a relatively small discretionary non-defense component, and a much larger component that runs on automatic pilot or isn’t seen as really discretionary: military spending, medicare and medicaid and social security, and now, Obamacare.

Controlling costs, in military spending, means winding down the wars. But they’re stubborn things. It’s not as if Obama wanted those wars. He just can’t find a safe way out. If there is one. As to the other, controlling social security costs equals cutting benefits. And there is no near-term prospect of controlling medical costs. They’re not seriously going to scale back medicare payments to doctors by 20 percent, say. None of today’s players have any serious plans for controlling medical costs.

619 jaunte  Sat, Feb 26, 2011 7:46:12pm

re: #601 Lidane

There are a couple of nice cards for an internet developer and a couple of others here:
[Link: www.webdesigndev.com…]

620 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 27, 2011 3:31:10am

re: #618 lostlakehiker

Pages 4 and 5, “Jimmy Stewart is dead—-ending the world’s ongoing financial plague with limited purpose banking”, by Laurence J. Kotlikoff. You will find fully documented the claim that the monetary base has expanded as I wrote.

I just think you’re regurgitating it without actually understanding it, that’s all. It does look like an interesting book, but I think that you’re misrepresenting it, because what you’re saying makes no sense, and bears no relationship to reality. Claiming that the monetary base grew by a factor of four during a recession is kind of insane.

It comes from thin air. The federal reserve “prints” the bank some considerable fraction of the value of the loan.

What do you mean by this? What does the federal reserve have to do with a private bank’s loan?

Your reading comprehension missed a beat when you asked where I got “insane statistic” about inflation running at 7 percent.

No, the insane statistic was the expansion of the monetary base by a factor of four times since 2008.

And there is no near-term prospect of controlling medical costs.

Why on earth do you believe that?

None of today’s players have any serious plans for controlling medical costs.

Your certainty that you have absolute knowledge is really kind of funny. Why do you think you’re omniscient?

621 DrBoobooday  Sun, Feb 27, 2011 4:01:01am

How ironic that Bush, the warmonger, might have finally created real revulsion for “preemptive” military action in this country.

Will the cooler heads like Gates prevail, when war is waged for profit in this country? That is the real question.

622 aagcobb  Sun, Feb 27, 2011 5:43:05am

The only slightly less well-known classic blunder being to never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line!


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