Reason Morning Links: 20 More Years in Afghanistan?, Bad Meat in Public Schools, TSA Posts Secrets Online

• The public option: Dead at last?
• Karzai says Afghanistan will need U.S. support for 15-20 years.
• Obama pushes new $170 billion "jobs creation" program. (But don't call it a stimulus!)
• USDA sent meat to public schools that wouldn't meet minimum standards of fast food restaurants.
• TSA accidentally posts operations manual on the Internet.

Comments

[hmm]

USDA sent meat to public schools that wouldn't meet minimum standards of fast food restaurants.

Ahh the joys of a state run virtual monopoly. To be fair as the article notes the fast food chains buy some of the top meat in the market. I know for a while while Taco Bell was just Pepsico they took the majority of the top percentage of the best beef. (from a friend that bought for McDs)

[Tulpa]

Grade F: Circus Animals and Assorted Carrion

[The Chad]

There's very little meat in these gym mats

[JW]

USDA sent meat to public schools that wouldn't meet minimum standards of fast food restaurants.

This would have never happened if there was a Democrat in the White House.

Well then, this only shows that we need to have more regulation and more inspectors, again.

[crayon]

HURR DURR
THROW BABY OUT WITH WATER AND BATH TUB!!
DURR DERP HERP

[JW]

Oh dear, I've drawn the attention of troll extra-extra-light.

Go back to chronic masturbation in the basement for a pastime, boy.

[crayon]

HURR DURR DERP
ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH ME IS A TROLL
HURR DURR I'M A DURR A DOE A FEMALE DURR

[BakedPenguin]

JW, I think you stepped in something. Could you wipe off your feet before you come in here next time?

[John Tagliaferro]

The whole world beat me to the TSA story, including my blogger buddy.

If you are going to redact a PDF, make sure you learn how to use Adobe. Or use a black hi-lighter on paper and scan that.

[R C Dean]

I redact a lot of documents, and the only way I will do it is with a black marker and then a run through the copier. And then hold the copy up to the light to make sure, maybe mark again and copy again.

[Abdul]

In my work, I recieve a lot of documents redacted for FOIA purposes. My favorite mistake is when someone redacts identifying names in printed emails, but doesn't redact the email addresses which are first initial and last name.

[CaptainSmartass]

Mark it on both sides, scan, print, scan again. Much safer than just using your black felt-tip marker directly on the computer screen, which is essentially what TSA did.

[JW]

The worst part is that "hacked" redacted PDFs have been going on since around 2000.

Yet another reason why the TSA provides no real security. If they can't get this simple thing right, then fugedaboudit.

[Bill C]

It's Rand Paul Wednesday!

Help support Rand Paul for Senate in his GOP primary in Kentucky over his fake conservative opponent.
1. He's a life-long principled small government conservative that privately built his successful medical practice as a career doctor. Most importantly he quotes Rush on the Campaign Trail...how awesome is that!
2. Dr. Paul can win and is actually *leading* in the latest independent poll 35%-32%! http://is.gd/53c2r
3. He has publicly rejected earmarks/pork and will propose term limits as his first act in the Senate.
4. For every budget that is unbalanced he will attach an amendment to cut the spending needed to make it balanced.
His opponent in the Republican primary:
1) is an ex-Clinton supporting Democrat squish backed to the hilt by the GOP establishment, refuses to take a no earmarks pledge and is a career politician,
2) is a supporter of global warming theory so much so he was the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the hard left environmental group Focus the Nation http://is.gd/53cty
3) is funded almost solely by the questionable Mitch McConnell and his DC network of special interests. In addition to voting for the bailout and then being one of the minority of Republicans to continue TARP McConnell is one of the worst porkers in congress and one of non-partisan C.R.E.W's "Top 15 Most Corrupt Members of Congress"
4) attacked Rand Paul for not blindly committing to McConnell and stated he "absolutely, 100% will vote to keep" the tainted McConnell as GOP leader in opposition to a reformer like Jim DeMint. The subtext is that more wasteful pork can be brought in for Kentucky special interests at the expense of taxpayers in Kentucky and across the rest of the country.

This Senate race is receiving national attention because it's a perfect opportunity for the grassroots small government movement to have one of their own as a Senator.
Please consider making a pledge to support Dr. Paul on Dec. 16th "moneybomb" effort so that we can again shock the establishment on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.
Pledge at RandsTeaParty.com and check out his campaign website at RandPaul2010.com!

Rand Paul doesn't have swanky DC fundraisers hosted by the GOP minority leader he needs small donations from principled donors to compete!

[FrBunny]

But what is Paul's stance on spamming blogs?

[Bill C]

Probably "non-interventionist" on those who do

[brotherben]

Most importantly he quotes Rush on the Campaign Trail...how awesome is that!

Like! OMG Dude! I gotta move to Kentucky now so I can vote for such an AWESOME Candydate!

[SugarFree]

Quotes Rush? Does he do Sarah Palin readings too? Will he French kiss Hannity onstage?

Spam like this closes my wallet fast, Junior.

[Bill C]

Sorry...Rush the band! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoWCsFRRXLw#t=1m30s

That's catnip for libertarians like me.

[The Art-P.O.G.]

I just assumed the post referred to Rush (the band). Ha! I'm sharper than you cats!

[crayon]

It's Rand Paul Wednesday!

Help support Rand Paul for Senate in his GOP primary in Kentucky over his fake conservative opponent.
1. He's a life-long principled small government conservative that privately built his successful medical practice as a career doctor. Most importantly he quotes Rush on the Campaign Trail...how awesome is that!
2. Dr. Paul can win and is actually *leading* in the latest independent poll 35%-32%! http://is.gd/53c2r
3. He has publicly rejected earmarks/pork and will propose term limits as his first act in the Senate.
4. For every budget that is unbalanced he will attach an amendment to cut the spending needed to make it balanced.
His opponent in the Republican primary:
1) is an ex-Clinton supporting Democrat squish backed to the hilt by the GOP establishment, refuses to take a no earmarks pledge and is a career politician,
2) is a supporter of global warming theory so much so he was the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the hard left environmental group Focus the Nation http://is.gd/53cty
3) is funded almost solely by the questionable Mitch McConnell and his DC network of special interests. In addition to voting for the bailout and then being one of the minority of Republicans to continue TARP McConnell is one of the worst porkers in congress and one of non-partisan C.R.E.W's "Top 15 Most Corrupt Members of Congress"
4) attacked Rand Paul for not blindly committing to McConnell and stated he "absolutely, 100% will vote to keep" the tainted McConnell as GOP leader in opposition to a reformer like Jim DeMint. The subtext is that more wasteful pork can be brought in for Kentucky special interests at the expense of taxpayers in Kentucky and across the rest of the country.

This Senate race is receiving national attention because it's a perfect opportunity for the grassroots small government movement to have one of their own as a Senator.
Please consider making a pledge to support Dr. Paul on Dec. 16th "moneybomb" effort so that we can again shock the establishment on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.
Pledge at RandsTeaParty.com and check out his campaign website at RandPaul2010.com!

Rand Paul doesn't have swanky DC fundraisers hosted by the GOP minority leader he needs small donations from principled donors to compete!

[SugarFree]

Good. I was really worried there for a minute.

[Slut Bunwalla]

Yeah, because God knows Rush Limbaugh never says ANYTHING right, no sir. Just a big pompous idiot, wrong all the damn time. Yep yep.

[crayon]

That faggot can bootstrap himself by mining for gold or some other stupid shit like that.
Fuck panhandling on the Internet.

[The Art-P.O.G.]

Subpar trolling. F. I'm also going to call your parents into the office and discuss your delinquency.

[crayon]

It's Rand Paul Wednesday!

Help support Rand Paul for Senate in his GOP primary in Kentucky over his fake conservative opponent.
1. He's a life-long principled small government conservative that privately built his successful medical practice as a career doctor. Most importantly he quotes Rush on the Campaign Trail...how awesome is that!
2. Dr. Paul can win and is actually *leading* in the latest independent poll 35%-32%! http://is.gd/53c2r
3. He has publicly rejected earmarks/pork and will propose term limits as his first act in the Senate.
4. For every budget that is unbalanced he will attach an amendment to cut the spending needed to make it balanced.
His opponent in the Republican primary:
1) is an ex-Clinton supporting Democrat squish backed to the hilt by the GOP establishment, refuses to take a no earmarks pledge and is a career politician,
2) is a supporter of global warming theory so much so he was the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the hard left environmental group Focus the Nation http://is.gd/53cty
3) is funded almost solely by the questionable Mitch McConnell and his DC network of special interests. In addition to voting for the bailout and then being one of the minority of Republicans to continue TARP McConnell is one of the worst porkers in congress and one of non-partisan C.R.E.W's "Top 15 Most Corrupt Members of Congress"
4) attacked Rand Paul for not blindly committing to McConnell and stated he "absolutely, 100% will vote to keep" the tainted McConnell as GOP leader in opposition to a reformer like Jim DeMint. The subtext is that more wasteful pork can be brought in for Kentucky special interests at the expense of taxpayers in Kentucky and across the rest of the country.

This Senate race is receiving national attention because it's a perfect opportunity for the grassroots small government movement to have one of their own as a Senator.
Please consider making a pledge to support Dr. Paul on Dec. 16th "moneybomb" effort so that we can again shock the establishment on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.
Pledge at RandsTeaParty.com and check out his campaign website at RandPaul2010.com!

Rand Paul doesn't have swanky DC fundraisers hosted by the GOP minority leader he needs small donations from principled donors to compete!

[FrBunny]

INCIF FTW.

[Bill C]

I have nothing to do with the campaign. This is grassroots effort. See "moneybomb". Call it panhandling if you will but it's certainly more honorable than holding DC fundraisers to sell out other Americans to lobbyists in exchange for 2400 max donations. RandsTeaParty.com

So when is your obit coming out?

[TP]

- Obama pushes new $170 billion "jobs creation" program.

Yeah, right. Small businesses are getting hammered. We don't want something for nothing. All we want is to be able to borrow money. Well established small businesses can't get simple bridge loans for payroll. Developers can't get loans for projects without having to put 50% down. President Obama says the SBA has plenty of money to loan. Bernanke says TALF has been a huge success in helping to extend credit. Really? I'm tempted to walk into a bank and tell them Bernanke sent me.

I don't know what, if anything, the Fed or the Treasury can do to help. But I do know, that if things don't turn around by the Spring, there won't be much of a construction industry left in this country.

On a personal note: I have an opportunity to do a government contract for the Parks Service restoring some historical structures. But I don't know if I can get the working capital required to cover the operating expenses or post bond. Yeah, fucked up. I can get a "Stimulus" contract, but I can't get a bridge loan to "expand".

[Barack Obama]

"We don't want something for nothing"

But that's how we hook you.

[TP]

Gotta live, gotta live, gotta live,
In shit town

[Tim Geithner]

I'm tempted to walk into a bank and tell them Bernanke sent me.

Send me the particulars and I'll have my people take care of it.

[TP]

I'm sure.

[Johnny Longtorso]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/envi.....anish-text
Developing countries react furiously to leaked draft agreement that would hand more power to rich nations, sideline the UN's negotiating role and abandon the Kyoto protocol

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci.....402502.stm
Documents leaked at the UN climate summit reveal divisions between industrialised and developing countries over the shape of a possible new deal.

[CaptainSmartass]

This is good news. When international bureaucrats bicker, we win. It's when they reach agreement that the whole world goes down in flames.

[Johnny Longtorso]

"Science" responds to Climategate
http://clivecrook.theatlantic......ategat.php

...Would deleting not just selected CRU data but its entire research effort really subtract nothing from what we thought we knew?If CRU's work is as redundant as that, taxpayers might wonder if they have been getting value for money. At the very least, in fact, one layer of confirmation would be removed, which is not nothing. And of course CRU's contribution was much more important than that. The emailers are among the world's leading, and most influential, climate scientists; they are not just a few marginally significant individuals. It is far from clear how independent the supposedly corroborating research on the temperature record is. Networks of co-authors span these various efforts. A lot of the raw and parboiled data is shared. If the CRU work is impaired--that is the question the emails raise--the effects on the state of our knowledge are non-negligible.

Also note that the first line of defence fatally undermines the second. If the CRU emails show climate science as it is done in the real world, and there is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, then what reason is there to think that the corroborating research, even if truly independent, has been done to a higher standard?...

MNG would beg to differ.

[Mad Max]

From the public-option article:

'The [public option] deal was announced a few hours after the Senate, voting 54-45, rejected a proposal to tighten abortion limits in its health-overhaul legislation.

'Supporters said the amendment, offered by Sen. Ben Nelson (D., Neb.), was needed to ensure no federal funds would be used to help women get abortions. Seven Democrats voted for the amendment, while two Republicans voted against it.'

According to the San Francisco Chronicle:

'the emotional, two-day debate demonstrated the rising difficulty Democrats face in passing the overall measure by Christmas. . . .

'Nelson has promised to vote against the overall legislation unless his amendment is included. If he carries out his threat, Democrats would fall at least one vote short of passage unless they can find a Republican to fill his shoes.
The most likely votes are Maine's Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, who voted against Nelson's amendment, but snagging their votes would require compromises likely to alienate many Democrats.'

Perhaps the public-option thing is such a compromise?

[Mad Max]

The *Journal* article linked by Reason may not be the best source on abortion. It calls Harry Reid 'an abortion opponent.' That struck me as a dubious claim, so I looked up Reid's scorecard from the pro-abortion Planned Parenthood Action Center . They gave him a 'mixed' rating of 57% in 2008. In contrast, his Nevada colleague John Ensign got a 0% rating, making him an 'ANTI' (anti-choice, that is, pro-life).

According to National Right to Life's scorecard for the 2007-08 Congress, Reid was even more pro-abortion than that: only a 28% pro-life record, making his pro-abortion score 72% rather than Planned Parenthood's 57% for a similar period. (Reid's colleague Ensign had a perfect prolife score, just like with the Planned Parenthood scorecard).

If a 57% (or 72%) pro-abortion record makes you 'an abortion opponent,' I shudder to think what you have to do for the Wall Street Journal to call you an abortion *supporter.*

[brotherben]

The govt sent meat to schools that was safe according to govt standards but it wasn't tested as rigorously as McD's and Costco requires. The govt sent chicken to schools that was from old used up laying hens that KFC and Campbells won't use for their own products. So. if I read this right, the meat was perfectly safe. It just didn't meet the quality standards that some businesses have set for themselves? Why is this a big deal?

[The Art-P.O.G.]

Well, that's how I feel, but then again I'm poor.

[crayon]

It's Rand Paul Wednesday!

Help support Rand Paul for Senate in his GOP primary in Kentucky over his fake conservative opponent.
1. He's a life-long principled small government conservative that privately built his successful medical practice as a career doctor. Most importantly he quotes Rush on the Campaign Trail...how awesome is that!
2. Dr. Paul can win and is actually *leading* in the latest independent poll 35%-32%! http://is.gd/53c2r
3. He has publicly rejected earmarks/pork and will propose term limits as his first act in the Senate.
4. For every budget that is unbalanced he will attach an amendment to cut the spending needed to make it balanced.
His opponent in the Republican primary:
1) is an ex-Clinton supporting Democrat squish backed to the hilt by the GOP establishment, refuses to take a no earmarks pledge and is a career politician,
2) is a supporter of global warming theory so much so he was the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the hard left environmental group Focus the Nation http://is.gd/53cty
3) is funded almost solely by the questionable Mitch McConnell and his DC network of special interests. In addition to voting for the bailout and then being one of the minority of Republicans to continue TARP McConnell is one of the worst porkers in congress and one of non-partisan C.R.E.W's "Top 15 Most Corrupt Members of Congress"
4) attacked Rand Paul for not blindly committing to McConnell and stated he "absolutely, 100% will vote to keep" the tainted McConnell as GOP leader in opposition to a reformer like Jim DeMint. The subtext is that more wasteful pork can be brought in for Kentucky special interests at the expense of taxpayers in Kentucky and across the rest of the country.

This Senate race is receiving national attention because it's a perfect opportunity for the grassroots small government movement to have one of their own as a Senator.
Please consider making a pledge to support Dr. Paul on Dec. 16th "moneybomb" effort so that we can again shock the establishment on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.
Pledge at RandsTeaParty.com and check out his campaign website at RandPaul2010.com!

Rand Paul doesn't have swanky DC fundraisers hosted by the GOP minority leader he needs small donations from principled donors to compete!

[crayon]

My weiner got all swollen so I showed it to mommy and asked her if I should be scared. She said no and rubbed ointment on it.

I love you mommy!

[TP]

It's not. The big deal is what the USDA claimed:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the meat it buys for the National School Lunch Program "meets or exceeds standards in commercial products."

It's just "Gotcha" journalism. It may, in fact, "meet or exceed" USDA standards, but apparently, some commercial products have their own standards above and beyond USDA's.

At least, that's what I got out of it.

[R C Dean]

some commercial products have their own standards above and beyond USDA's.

You lie! No way would teh evul corporashuns have higher standards than Our Selfless and Steely-Eyed Public Servants.

[eb]

it just goes to show that in the vast majority of cases it is market forces that keep food quality up not government regualtion. If T bell and others place higher standards on themselves than is required, then it isnt the regulations. Who would have thought that a food company has a natural incentive to not want bad press about food contamination and rats in the meat? Think that might hurt sales just a bit?

[TP]

Sure, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. I don't necessarily have a problem with the government setting a baseline standard for food safety. The problem I have, is that it's not always about food safety. I also have a problem with the implementation and enforcement of those regulations.

[anon]

Bad meat in the school cafeteria? Get Arthur Fonzerelli and little Opie Cunningham on the case!

[SugarFree]

You Farted In Trader Joe's, let's make a love connection.

[Warty]

HURRR DURRRR I'M TOO GOOD FOR GIRLS WHO FART
HURRR DURRRR DERPITY DERP

[SugarFree]

The real scandal here is the unsuspecting shopper after them who bought farted-on bread.

[Warty]

You mean Trader Joe's didn't charge extra for it?

[dbcooper]

That's only at their new store in San Francisco's Armoury building.

[TP]

How do find this shit?

[SugarFree]

Voodoo curse.

[brotherben]

The public option is "dead." Unless no private companies sign up to be in the govt run insurance pool. Then the govt sets up the public option. The compromise is that people will be eligible at 55 to participate in medicare. Probably not at the low rate that old folks pay. maybe.

[Mike Laursen]

The "dead" public option sure sounds like a public option with private insurance companies as virtual contractors.

[ala John Mackey]

America's Survival as a Prosperous Nation is at Risk

Major manufacturers today must compete in global markets if they want to survive, prosper, and grow. Emerson is no exception. We compete head-to-head with Asian and European companies here at home and in virtually every market of the world. The ability to manage quality, innovation, logistics, customer support, manufacturing cost and many other factors determines which companies survive or don't.

Emerson has expanded globally to diversify and ensure that we can continue to win against intense global competition. We are well positioned to grow profitably in the USA and in international markets, like China and India.

At a recent Chicago investment conference, I stated in strong terms that excessive federal spending and costly legislation are destroying the ability of U.S. manufacturers to compete globally, and to successfully invest in the U.S. Yes, Emerson is a St. Louis headquartered company with 30,000 U.S. jobs, but we must compete around the world.

I spoke in very strong terms to underscore the issues I believe our nation is facing. I understand that some don't share my concerns. However, I believe our great country is threatened as the global economic leader if we don't change our government's course. The issues we face are not Democratic or Republican issues, or just business issues. They are real and impact every American, today and in the future.

The issues underlying my comments then, as now, impact America's world economic leadership, quality of life and standard of living. Rapidly increasing government debt and proposed expensive laws are placing our nation's future and competitive position at risk. Please consider these worrisome facts:

? Federal debt: Over two administrations, the United States has created debt that is forecast to exceed $20 trillion within 10 years. By the end of 2011, our projected government debt will be greater than our gross domestic product. This is a dangerous situation and is not the balance sheet of a global leader. Our current weak dollar reflects the world's concern about America's financial strength, and there is a clamor abroad for a new world currency standard. The eventual consequences of a weak dollar are less global investment in America, fewer jobs and a declining standard of living. Both political parties have contributed to this situation and both should work together quickly to resolve it without adding expensive new programs and spending beyond our means.

? Healthcare legislation: America needs health insurance reform and access to health care for all. Emerson provides health coverage to employees and their families in the United States -- more than 100,000 people. We would like to continue to do so. However, the bill that passed the House of Representatives, and the proposed Senate bill, would raise costs on private sector plans. Basic economics could force many businesses, like Emerson, to seriously consider exiting employer-sponsored plans, requiring employees to shop for coverage or move to the government-based plan. That's not progress. We should look instead to many targeted, bipartisan proposals to help the uninsured, such as giving small businesses and individuals access to interstate insurance pools or investing in federally supported Community Health Centers that are effective in providing care for the uninsured.

? Tax policy: Major competitors in the European Union and Asia are taxed at lower rates than U.S. companies. That may be hard to believe but it's true, and it gives them a significant competitive advantage. Emerson pays a substantial tax bill every year, as we should. But America needs a tax policy that is fair to all in this country - individuals and corporations - and that creates a level playing field against European Union and Asian nations.

We are a nation of varied beliefs and perspectives, and there is room for honest disagreement on all of these issues. But none of us wants to see our country weakened to no longer be the global economic leader. Greater government debt and diminished competitiveness mean global investment and good jobs will go elsewhere, and America will risk slipping into second-tier economic status. That's not the legacy any of us want to leave future generations. Action is needed now!

David N. Farr
Chairman, CEO and President
Emerson

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/.....EbBQyskKl0

[Kolohe]

Not sure if this has been elsewhere.

Hooray for small govt Republicans*!
http://content.usatoday.net/di.....1139.story

But lawmakers were taking a crack at it anyway Wednesday. A House panel was to consider a proposal to ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I football game as a national championship unless it's the outcome of a playoff.

The legislation is sponsored by Texas Rep. Joe Barton, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The vote by the panel's commerce, trade and consumer protection subcommittee comes three days after the BCS selections were announced

(From what I can glean on the interwebz Rep Barton is a self described and allied-described conservative.)

[crayon]

When mommy poops, I get to clean her.

I love you mommy!

[P Brooks]

Developers can't get loans for projects without having to put 50% down.

Good.

[TP]

Why is that good? The first rule of business is, never use your own money. 20% is, and has been sufficient.

Nearly $6 million in stimulus money was paid to two firms run by Mark Penn, Hillary Clinton's pollster in 2008.

Federal records show that $5.97 million from the $787 billion stimulus helped preserve three jobs at Burson-Marsteller, the global public-relations and communications firm headed by Penn.

http://thehill.com/homenews/ad.....m-stimulus

[R C Dean]

So, three whole jobs were saved at just under $2 million per? What a deal.

[brotherben]

Golden boy Beck on the hot seat for being a shill for Big Apocolypse.

[The Art-P.O.G.]

d'oh. This time I thought it was Beck the musician when it was Glenn Beck.

[Johnny Longtorso]

Al Gore can't tell time ? thinks most recent Climategate email is more than 10 years old

http://wattsupwiththat.com/200.....years-old/

Here's an interview question put to him from Slate:

Q: How damaging to your argument was the disclosure of e-mails from the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University?

A: To paraphrase Shakespeare, it's sound and fury signifying nothing. I haven't read all the e-mails, but the most recent one is more than 10 years old. These private exchanges between these scientists do not in any way cause any question about the scientific consensus. But the noise machine built by the climate deniers often seizes on what they can blow out of proportion, so they've thought this is a bigger deal than it is.

But wait there's more?

Q: There is a sense in these e-mails, though, that data was hidden and hoarded, which is the opposite of the case you make [in your book] about having an open and fair debate.

A: I think it's been taken wildly out of context. The discussion you're referring to was about two papers that two of these scientists felt shouldn't be accepted as part of the IPCC report. Both of them, in fact, were included, referenced, and discussed. So an e-mail exchange more than 10 years ago including somebody's opinion that a particular study isn't any good is one thing, but the fact that the study ended up being included and discussed anyway is a more powerful comment on what the result of the scientific process really is.

These people are examining what they can or should do to deal with the P.R. dimensions of this, but where the scientific consensus is concerned, it's completely unchanged. What we're seeing is a set of changes worldwide that just make this discussion over 10-year-old e-mails kind of silly.

[Johnny Longtorso]

Interview link:

http://www.slate.com/id/2237789/

[Warty]

The most striking part of that interview is that Al Gore made sure to tell us that it was Shakespeare he was paraphrasing.

[Johnny Longtorso]

And isn't that an actual quote, and not a paraphrase?

[The Art-P.O.G.]

Whatever respect I had left for Gore, it's now gone.

[P Brooks]

The head of the EPA says the timing of the CO2 ruling was completely coincidental.

It has NOTHING to do with the Copenhagen love-in.

[P Brooks]

Apropos of nothing:

What kind of an idiot would buy stock in AOL?

[brotherben]

(rumour has it that AOL is getting the contract for the govt medical records and ID program.)

shhhhhhh

[P Brooks]

The first rule of business is, never use your own money.

I have reached the point where hearing this really really pisses me off. I suppose this is true if you're some sort of scam artist.

If you aren't willing to put a big chunk of your own wealth at risk, why should anybody else?

[Rice Bingham]

Indeed!

[The Art-P.O.G.]

Well said, P Brooks.

[prolefeed]

USDA sent meat to public schools that wouldn't meet minimum standards of fast food restaurants.

To be fair, most public schools aren't really set up to act as fast food restaurants, which is why they fail to meet those minimum standards.

They are, however, excellent at churning out graduates who best job prospect is to work in fast food.

Oh, wait, you meant the MEAT didn't meet the minimum standards ... 😉

[prolefeed]

Today, USDA rules for meat sent to schools remain more stringent than the department's minimum safety requirements for meat sold at supermarkets. But those government rules have fallen behind the increasingly tough standards that have evolved among fast-food chains and more selective retailers.

After the corporate near-death experience for Jack-in-the-Box after people died eating their burgers, the fast food restaurants realized that it was in their interests to get stringent safety standards.

As soon as something like that happens to a supermarket chain, they will get a fucking clue and follow the fast food lead.

The obvious solution would be for public schools to outsource their meat quality controls to a fast food chain. But, the sort of people who would be in favor of such steps would also be in favor of dismantling public schools and privatizing them, which is why such a person won't be put in charge.

[prolefeed]

You can download a PDF of the formerly secret TSA screening manual here:

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com.....et-pdf.htm