Reason Morning Links: New U.S.-China Trade Agreement, Giffords To Be Released From Hospital, Gitmo Trials Resume

• Jared Loughner is indicted.
• U.S., China sign $45 billion trade agreement.
• Gitmo military tribunals to resume.
• Giffords to be released from the hospital tomorrow.
• Obama's approval ratings improve.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Gitmo military tribunals to resume.

Darn that Bush!

[OhioOrrin]

tribunals have 2 or 3 convictions vs federal court over 300. no contest

[Rather Not]

Hurr durr hurr. Durr hurr? Hurr dur duur huurrrr.

[Rather]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but sorry you are too fucking stupid to imitate anything more sophisticated than an amoeba

[Pip]

OO, you're an asshole.

Rectal, you're an asshole.

That is all.

[Rather Not]

Anything more sophisticated than an amoeba = i.e. YOU! Thanks!

[Rather]

You're so boring I am going to add you to my ignore list-I have a feeling you're accustomed to it.

[Old Mexican]

Please Don't Feed The Troll By Trolling It.

[Rather]

http://reason.com/blog/2011/01.....nt_2093901

[Rather Not]

And yet it's you who hates to be ignored, and keeps coming back looking for me.

Wuzzy, wuzzy, wuzzy...you need a warm milk this morning, honey?

[sloopyinca]

Hi Rectal!

Bye Rectal!

[Old Mexican]

Please Don't Feed The Troll By Trolling It.

[heller]

Rectal, spoofing is not the same thing as imitation. For example, my spoofing of you is spoofing. Your imitation of my spoofing is imitation.

[Rather]

Sadly helle, even you bore me

[Old Mexican]

Re: OhioOrrin,

tribunals have 2 or 3 convictions vs federal court over 300. no contest

Translation: "It's not about principles or breaking promises or even common decency towards fellow human beings, it's about ratios and expediency."

Lefty-Logic, 101. Courses open now, so sign up.

[OhioOrrin]

no its about convictions

[Old Mexican]

Re: OhioOrrin,

no its about convictions

You seem particularly dense today, OO. HOW does your reply contradict the argument that it is about EXPEDIENCY?

Have you taken yout Thorazine this morning? Maybe you forgot.

[OrrinOhio]

"Particularly dense today" - why thank you 🙂

[Old Mexican]

Re: OhioOrrin,

You did not address the question. Is continuing the military tribunals evidence of political expediency or not? Is it not evidence of broken promises?

[Pip]

Jesus what a useless cunt.

[Ska]

Dry and sewn shut?

[Pip]

I wish.

[Real OO]

fake post. please stop hugh

[sloopyinca]

no its about convictions

Bullshit. If it were about convictions, then Obama would have stopped the indefinite detention without trials that started under Bush. Actually, the current AG has gone out of his way to let the American people know that and sentence (or lack of one) coming from our court system and/or tribunals will have no bearing on how long we detain people, hence whether it is a tribunal or a federal court where someone is tried is irrelevant. All that matters is the whim of the DoJ, DHS and DoD.

Promises. Promises.

[OhioOrrin]

300+ convictions in federal courts

[heller]

*Facepalm*

[Johnny Longtorso]

Obama's Department of Labor forces unionization

[Corduroy]

In line with that, the DOL has hired about 250 investigators for FLSA compliance. FLSA tends to be the easiest way to extract money from employers so I thought it was at the behest of the ABA, now I'm not so sure.

[generic Brand]

So frustrating... yet so helpless.

[Nick]

My sympathy for state workers whose pensions would be slashed is very small. Sure they agreed to a contract but that contract was with a thief, and they should know going into that contract it is only as good as the powers that be at any given time.

[Nick]

That should have been below Alamanian's 11:45. When does squirrel season start?

[Nick]

Or 9:45. Whatever. Fucking squirrels!

[Almanian]

It's always squirrel season at my house. C'mon over and we'll off some with extreme prejudice!

I found that article depressing exactly for the "BUT, BUT IT'S A CONTRACT!!!!11!" angle. Um, yeah, so's a credit card...but sometimes in bankruptcy those don't get paid off. Your pension is different how....?

Fuckers...

[Johnny Longtorso]

One of the commentators is a govt employee saying, basically, that bankruptcy should never apply to anything owed to him.

Bankruptcy for States

[Almanian]

I think it's "more than one commentator" now. Holy shit, that was a depressing read...

[Lord Humungus]

yep... "it's okay for the government to make bad-faith deals without any way of paying them." Derp derp.

[Anonymous Coward]

We'll just shake a few more leaves off the money tree and then everything will be paid for.

[cynical]

Hey, if people want to wipe the slate clean, they can do it the old-fashioned way -- by overthrowing and dissolving the state and erecting a new one in its place.

[Fist of Etiquette]

On another big American concern, human rights, Hu conceded that "a lot still needs to be done" to improve China's record.

And as soon as the Chinese government gets a better handle on the information about conditions getting out, that record will be as exemplary as North Korea's.

[Johnny Longtorso]

Repeal Passes by Much Larger Margin Than Obamacare Did

[robc]

Any got a breakdown on dems who voted for repeal?

[NoVAHockey]

3 -- Boren, Ross [AR], & McIntyre

[generic Brand]

Plus one "No Vote"
Someone named Gabrielle Giffords out of Arizona... whoever she is

[Almanian]

Brutal...:)

[sloopyinca]

[wincing]

[Mango Punch]

More than 100 mobsters arrested in Tristate area from the NYTimes.

[waffles]

So mobsters are real? I thought they were made up by hollywood. You know, like dinosaurs.

[Tim]

It's a typo: they meant lobsters.

[Pro Libertate]

When I was in law school, I sat in on a federal mob prosecution at the district court in Chicago. Pretty wild stuff.

[Steff]

Pulled out the list of politicians in Chicago at the time? XD

[Almanian]

Jared Loughner is indicted

Rush to judgment!! Miranda!! Presumption of innocence!! Let's get all the facts first!!

/Ft. Hood

[generic Brand]

Obama's approval ratings improve.

Much like my mood improves after I was in the shitter.

[Pro Libertate]

His approval rating is likely increasing some because the perceived threat of him fucking things up more has been greatly reduced by the GOP takeover of the House and improved position in the Senate.

Moderate my ass. He's no Clinton, who knew how to change his politics on a dime. That's not a compliment to Clinton, either, incidentally.

[J sub D]

Hey Pro Lib -
Scotch Whisky doesn't have an e in it.

Fix that and get back to me.

[Pro Libertate]

It does--or should--when it's in a can, buddy.

[J sub D]

Fer cryin' out loud! While I'm no fan of canned anything,* even an H&R troll would have refenced the damned picture in the friggin' article to discern the correct spelling.

* Except pears. Canned pears are the exception that proves the rule canning is the taste killer.

[Pro Libertate]

I reject your grammatical rules and substitute my own.

[J sub D]

We are discussing spelling, not grammar you flaming idiot.

[Pro Libertate]

Gramma, the root of the Greek word (??????????/grammatikos) that eventually became "grammar", means, of course, "letter." Like the letter you want to unlawfully remove.

[J sub D]

You know who else used extraneous vowels incorrectly?

That's right, Millard Fillmore.

[Pro Libertate]

Our greatest president.

[heller]

Obviously you've never tried canned haggis... mmmmmm.

[Pro Libertate]

This is true. However, I have purchased canned haggis for another.

[Brett L]

Once he got rid of the Pelosi albatross.

[Pro Libertate]

He's his own albatross. In fact, it's albatrosses all the way down.

[Wrestling Is So Gay!]

Expulsion upheld for Clovis wrestler accused in "butt-drag" case

The alleged victim told Clovis police that Hill rammed two fingers into his anus during wrestling practice in July. Hill, however, told police he was employing a legitimate wrestling move called a "butt-drag" when he grabbed the boy's butt cheek -- not his anus.

Officially, the school board board Wednesday upheld a Jan. 14 ruling by a three-member school panel that concluded Hill, a senior, had sexually assaulted a freshman teammate.

http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/.....z1BaQ4iKja

[generic Brand]

Just because the seniors told you it was a legitimate wrestling move when you were a freshman does not mean it's not gay, bro.

[Pro Libertate]

Clovis. That would be a cool name for a kid. Clovis.

Or maybe Charles Martel ("Charles the Hammer") [Surname].

[Almanian]

Clovis Buckner. Clovis Jenkins. Clovis Wilson. Clovis Landers. Clovis Himmelfarb.

"Me and Clovis Himmelfarb was down at the feed store when the corn silo blowed up. Knocked Clovis pertnear into the next county. He was banged up some, but he's OK."

[Pro Libertate]

It's a great name.

[Pro Libertate]

Say, history aside, there's no reason one couldn't name a child Clovis Martel [Surname]. Whoa.

[Cyto]

Clovis Ledbetter and his brothers are famous.

[Tim]

There's a future for that kid in politics.

[Tim]

In Vermont, the Democratic majority contemplates utopian state healthcare, aka "single payor" :

"Harvard economist William Hsiao reported Wednesday to the state Legislature on his team's evaluation of three potential options to revamp the state's health care system. He recommended a single-payer, public/private partnership plan."

Oooh! Harvard.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.....egislature

[capitol l]

"Them Harvard boys sure is smart. We gave 'em three options, and this plan has all of 'em."

[DJF]

A consultant knows that telling people that hired you what they want to hear is the road to success.

[capitol l]

Consultant to lawmakers/bureaucrats: It's going to be tough, but if you want this to work you'll need to spend a lot more money and have a lot more power.

Lawmakers/bureaucrats: (loud harrumphs in approval)

[Vermont Gun Owner]

Given the large majority that the Democrats have in the state legislature, electing Shumlin (D) as Governor is gonna screw Vermont. I was quite surprised that Dubie (R), the long term Lt. Governor didn't win.

[Tim]

Somebody explain to me why sick people from all over are not going to come to Vermont for free surgery and drugs once this bill passes.

[Almanian]

It's like you're able to see into the future....

I hope you use this as a force for good!

[Tim]

Cassandra was the first Libertarian: " There's no such thing as a free horse."

[Pip]

Michelle Obama's 'Get Moving' Program Linked to Pedestrian Deaths

WASHINGTON -- The Governors Highway Safety Association says pedestrian deaths increased in the first half of 2010 and the First Lady's program to get Americans to be more active could be partly responsible.

Governors Highway Safety Administration spokesman Jonathan Adkins told 630 WMAL that Michelle Obama is "trying to get us to walk to work and exercise a little bit more. While that's good, it also increases our exposure to risk."

After four straight years of steady declines, pedestrian deaths were up during the first six months of 2010, the latest figures available to be studied.

http://wmal.com/Article.asp?id=2087141

[sloopyinca]

Well, if we weren't so overtaxed for gasoline and it was allowed to sell in a truly free market, these people would be driving to the gym instead of walking.

Also, could this really have to do with the continued increase in roadside fruit stands and people hawking flowers, rugs, stuffed animals, etc on virtually every street corner in California? I call for immediate government regulation! Someone has to protect these people. And their children!!! What about the children!!!

[Cyto]

Sounds pretty suspect to me. The notion that more than 50 people changed anything about their habits because of the first lady's "get Moving" program is sketchy at best, then tying that to an increase in pedestrian deaths? Not buying that.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

+1

When I read this story this morning, I thought it was quite the stretch to attribute pedestrian accidents with Michelle Obama's efforts to get people more active.

I mean, I'm no fan of the Obamas, that's for damn sure, but it's a pretty silly argument.

[Syd Henderson]

What was the effect on deaths of drivers?

[Old Mexican]

U.S., China sign $45 billion trade agreement.

Which will most likely stop anything resembling free trade that existed before...

[Almanian]

As long as I can still get cheap Chinese crap at Wal Mart.

[Old Mexican]

Re: Almanian,

As long as I can still get cheap Chinese crap at Wal Mart.

Amen to that! I certainly do NOT want EXPENSIVE American crap.

http://www.chevrolet.com/volt/

[Old Mexican]

Re: Almanian,

Amen to that! I certainly would not want to buy EXPENSIVE American crap, in Walmart or anywhere else.

[Almanian]

OM, I personally despise shopping at WalMart and avoid it to the extent possible.

But I respect their right to sell us shit at low prices - yer Average American? loves it. Good on 'em.

[Old Mexican]

Re: Almanian,

OM, I personally despise shopping at WalMart and avoid it to the extent possible.

In contrast, I don't happen to have a personal problem with money - I actually have quite a good relationship with it and feel sorry every time I have to part with it, so I try to avoid those moments as much as possible by FINDING FUCKING GOOD DEALS. If in Walmart, so be it.

Thank you.

[Almanian]

Heh heh!

[Virginia]

If Wal*Mart had hot greeters, then I'd shop there nonstop. A Wal*Mart/Hooters collaboration would take all my money.

[Slut Bunwalla]

That's actually a really good idea.

[Almanian]

Virginia, you're a fucking genius.

Must.Find.A.Way.To.Do.This.

[#]

its basically corporate welfare... it wasnt a free trade agreement where all firms could participate... it was using state power to broker contracts for GE and Boeing.

[Almanian]

I am shocked - SHOCKED - that our government would enable rent seeking by favored corporate constituents! The Most Transparent White House in History? wouldn't do something like that....would they?

[Old Mexican]

Critics Slam NBC-Comcast Deal

http://dailycaller.com/2011/01.....a-mergers/

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and five state attorneys general have given the green light for media provider Comcast to buy a 51 percent share of NBC Universal. The nod came with plenty of regulatory requirements aimed at safeguarding Comcast's competitors and monitoring the burgeoning online video market.

Those regulations were based on concerns that a merger between Comcast and NBC will stifle free speech and competition. [OM: Bwa ha ha ha!!!] The only problem is that there is little evidence supporting those fears. History shows media mergers of this scale, or media consolidation, have a dismal track record of success.

The citics' sudden concern with "competition" and "free speech" is sooooo touching...

[Pro Libertate]

What? This again? It never works out that way.

[Virginia]

Universal Sports is the most-watched channel in my household by a landslide. If Comcast fucks that up, then they really are as shitstaineriffic as everyone says they are.

[cynical]

Support for making businesses larger and fewer in number

+

Compelling said Big Businesses to pursue state/political interests rather than optimizing their economic footprint

=

Corporatism.

[capitol l]

Hey squirrels, why is there no H&R link on main page articles? To get from a main page article includes hitting back, which every time one comments means hitting back another time. This wouldn't be so bad if the pages didn't take so long to load(why this is, nobody knows). Could we please have an H&R button on the pages like before? Right after the revamp you could use the 'archives' button to link to H&R, but no more. Why?

I am considering canceling my (non-existent)subscription over this.

[Tim]

Reason also needs lots more gratuitous photos of hot women.

[capitol l]

Yup. The yearly appearance of lobster girl doesn't make up for the two month beefcake Scottbrownerbating that took place here.

ATTICA! For a magazine called (T)REASON!

[DJF]

We need more pictures of lobster girl.

[BakedPenguin]

What a sexist thing to say. Women are people, capable of doing nearly everything men can do. Like playing golf.

[Warty]

And obviously, they're capable of difficult calesthenics.

[Almanian]

That's ridiculous. I wish I weren't at work, cause watching her work that hard made me wanna grab a beer and rest up a little.

That looks HARD.

[Warty]

Pistols are rough. I can only do one or two before I fall over.

[Tim]

No matter how much and how often we bitch and moan, the closest we get are pictures of Palin with stupid expressions.

[Ted S.]

Don't you open articles in a new tab?

[Old Mexican]

Obama's approval ratings improve.

Especially when adding the new [Congress] make-up to his face.

[Tim]

Great, we got like 50 thousand new threads dumped all at once. Way to go.

[Rich]

I must have told you a million times -- don't exaggerate!

[Tim]

(hangs head in shame)

[Rich]

a retired 65-year-old independent ... disapproves of the way the president?for whom he voted in 2008?is handling the economy, but he still has "faith in him."

I hear this kind of stuff a lot, both from real people and from the media. I'm beginning to think it's -- sorry to say this -- a form of pollyannaish racism, similar to spinning "child at risk" into "child at hope". Perhaps some commenter who has "faith in him" would enlighten me.

[R C Dean]

Remember, "faith" is what you have when you have no factual basis for your belief.

Saying you have faith in Obama to do a good job is admitting that you have no factual basis for believing Obama will do a good job.

[Warty]

Ghost Riders in the Sky

[Ska]

Fuck Nick Cage and the shitty airplane he flew in on. Or motorcycle he rode in on. Or any form of transportation that got him here.

[Warty]

What explains crystal meth?

[Rich]

I recommend the film Winter's Bone.

[Warty]

That's porn, I hope?

[SugarFree]

Yeti rape.

[Rich]

Philistines!

[Warty]

Derision Over Flatulence Was Stabbing Motive

[Rich]

"A farting horse will never tire;
the man who farts is the man to hire."

[Pip]

I believe the reason he stabbed all of those people is because of all of the vitriolic rhetoric coming from the right from people like Rush and O'Reily. And while he may never have listened to either talk show host, it doesn't change the facts.

[Xeones]

Your daily TSA bashing from arch-genius Seanbaby.

[????? ??????]

Thanks