Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
    • The Best of Reason Magazine
    • Why We Can't Have Nice Things
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

A.M. Links: White House Dodges and Weaves Over Benghazi Emails, Johnson and Gray Will Try Again in 2016, Wikileaks Publishes Detention Policies

J.D. Tuccille | 10.25.2012 9:19 AM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests
  • Partisans of the Obama administration now say the e-mails accurately informing the White House of the terrorist nature of the Benghazi attack within two hours of the incident were just chatter, not to be trusted. Uh huh. The administration has still left behind an important legacy of death from the sky and warrantless wiretapping.

  • Gary Johnson and Jim Gray dig campaigning for the White House as Libertarians. They plan another run for 2016.
  • The Romney campaign apparently purchased a Twitter trend to promote the candidate's emphasis on domestic issues during the foreign policy debate. Oooh, you social-media savvy, Mitt.
  • Curious as to U.S. policy regarding detainees in Iraq and Guantanamo? Don't bother asking D.C. — Wikileaks has the lowdown.
  • Indiana GOP Senate candidiate Richard Mourdock is bravely standing by his controversial statements on rape and pregnancy, Bye, bye, Richard.
  • A successful unmanned test launch by the company, Blue Origin, brings closer the day when commercial space flight is a reality.
  • Sudan is a wee bit bent out of shape over that exploding arms factory and wants the U.N. to condemn Israel for its (unconfirmed) attack on the facility.

Have a news tip for us? Send it to: 24_7@reason.com

The updated Reason app for Apple and Android now includes Reason 24/7!

Don't forget to sign up for Reason's daily AM/PM updates for more content.

The Rattler is a weekly newsletter from J.D. Tuccille. If you care about government overreach and tangible threats to everyday liberty, this is for you.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Scientists Puzzled Why There's More Light in Universe Than There Ought to Be

J.D. Tuccille is a contributing editor at Reason.

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Hide Comments (444)

Editor's Note: As of February 29, 2024, commenting privileges on reason.com posts are limited to Reason Plus subscribers. Past commenters are grandfathered in for a temporary period. Subscribe here to preserve your ability to comment. Your Reason Plus subscription also gives you an ad-free version of reason.com, along with full access to the digital edition and archives of Reason magazine. We request that comments be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment and ban commenters for any reason at any time. Comments may only be edited within 5 minutes of posting. Report abuses.

  1. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

    THERE IS NO GOD. I mean A.M. Links. Oh, wait, here they are.

    1. DJF   13 years ago

      You too would be a little late with morning links if you just woke up in bed with no memory and wearing just a Pickelhaube helmet, spurred riding boots and with the words "Same time and place tonight" written on your chest in red lipstick.

      1. Archduke Pantsfan   13 years ago

        So you mean Thursday.

      2. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

        that describes half of the British Army's officers any time before 1857 (and for decades after it too) and they managed to get an empire. All we're asking for is half a dozen links which don't even have to be that good, considering most of us ignore them anyway

        1. rac3rx   13 years ago

          Well and they just link internally to their shitty newsfeed thingy, so you have to click through twice to get to the actual article that you might of cared about initially, but didn't by the time you got there.

          Reason: YOUR NEWSFEED "FEATURE" IS A BUG THAT SUCKS HAIRY DONKEY BALLS.

          1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

            Speaking of, there is a story downthread that might be germane to this...-)))

            1. rac3rx   13 years ago

              Why yes, yes there is...

      3. alittlesense   13 years ago

        So you're dating Heidi Klum?

        1. Entropy Void   13 years ago

          You lucky, lucky man ...

    2. jdtuccille   13 years ago

      Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. It's a tad early where I am, and I screwed up the publication settings.

      1. Rich   13 years ago

        Well, ..... OK. I'm glad you took responsibility. Thanks, J.D.

        1. Restoras   13 years ago

          Screw that. Chain him to a boulder so my eagle can devour his liver.

          1. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

            Not for giving fire to the humans but for doing it not on schedule.

          2. FLAPPY THE EAGLE   13 years ago

            MIENTRAS QUE HE COMIDO LOS RESULTADOS DE HIGADOS, YO NO SOY TU EAGLE.

  2. sarcasmic   13 years ago

    The Queen's throne!
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....ption.html

  3. sarcasmic   13 years ago

    Virginity for sale! Only $780,000!
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....nline.html

    1. WTF   13 years ago

      Miss Migliorini denies being a prostitute on the basis she is only selling her body the one time

      He's not gay, he only sucked one dick!

      1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

        Is this in any way similar to the ever popular, "One Drop Rule?"

      2. Archduke Pantsfan   13 years ago

        You have to try it 10 times at least to be sure.

        1. Jerry on the road   13 years ago

          Ah, the Sandusky defense?

        2. Pope Jimbo   13 years ago

          A guy walks into a bar and asks the bartender for 5 shots of whiskey.

          He then proceeds to down them one after the other. The bartender asks him what the occasion is.

          "Jut had my first blow job"

          "Congratulations, let me pour you one more on the house."

          "No, if 5 shots doesn't kill the taste nothing will"

          1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

            [rimshot]

    2. Rich   13 years ago

      The intercourse itself will not be filmed

      Right.

      1. WTF   13 years ago

        You know, for $780K I thought she would at least be hot. I'm quite baffled by this.

        1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

          She looks like a balloon that's waiting for air.

          1. Restoras   13 years ago

            I am so stealing this.

        2. Zeb   13 years ago

          Not striking or anything, but she's not exactly unpleasant to look at.

        3. Rich   13 years ago

          Well, the guy is Japanese, so maybe he finds her, um, exotic.

    3. tarran   13 years ago

      Didn't you post this a few weeks ago?

      Her eyes are still dead. Yech...

      1. The Craig   13 years ago

        Yeah this is old news

      2. sarcasmic   13 years ago

        When I posted it last the auction had just begun. Now it's been finalized.

    4. heller   13 years ago

      I've had better for the cost of sushi.

      1. Rich   13 years ago

        "Pufferfish"?

        1. heller   13 years ago

          And sharkfin.

        2. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

          "Poison...poison...poison...tastyfish!"

    5. Rasilio   13 years ago

      Three quarters of a million?

      Seriously, he could have flown to brazil and bought himself a virgin for a 100th of that but honestly, I can't see why any man would want to be part of a scheme like this for ANY amount of money.

      The girl is not realistically going to be turned on by you, she has no experience and won't know how to do anything and given that it is her first time will likely find the whole experience uncomfortable at least.

      He just paid almost a million dollars to have the worst sex of his life. Makes no sense to me whatsoever.

      1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

        Probably the first and last time the dude will have had sex with a virgin.

        1. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

          waaay back in high school days, a number of guys were 'virgin hunters'.

          1. Rasilio   13 years ago

            One of my friends from High School was also a virgin hunter, except it wasn't a guy, and yes I was one of her conquests. So I am familiar with the concept of being turned on by it being the other persons first time, still it is one thing to work on convincing a girl you know to give it up to you and something completely different to pay a very large sum of money to take some strangers virginity.

        2. Enough About Palin   13 years ago

          Probably the first and last time the dude will have had sex with a virgin.

          1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

            With that kind of money I seriously doubt it.

            1. Eduard van Haalen   13 years ago

              With that kind of financial prudence I hope he doesn't lose his money.

  4. sarcasmic   13 years ago

    Florida city bans saggy pants. That won't be abused by the cops. No fucking way!
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....ng-it.html

    1. DJF   13 years ago

      Cops should protest this law, how are chubby middle age cops suppose to chase down young people if those people are not having to use both hands to hold up their pants when they run.

      1. wareagle   13 years ago

        cops have belts, saggers don't. Besides, cops have guns; why would they need to run?

        1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

          True. Baggy pants are probable cause to believe the person has a weapon, so shooting them in the back would be totally justified.

          1. WTF   13 years ago

            Furtive movement! Gang garb! Fear of my life! Failure to obey!

            Did I miss anything?

            1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

              Suspicious object?

            2. Whahappan?   13 years ago

              "Fuck you, that's why."

        2. Enough About Palin   13 years ago

          If you're saggin', you're faggin'

          NTTAWWT

  5. sarcasmic   13 years ago

    More troops kill themselves than are killed in Afghanistan.
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....vices.html

    1. 0x90   13 years ago

      Good thing that's not a tattoo, honey, because it's spelled quiet.

      1. Randian   13 years ago

        Bwa ha ha.

  6. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

    Indiana GOP Senate candidiate Richard Mourdock is bravely standing by his controversial statements on rape and pregnancy...

    Better explaining them might be helpful. Not that that would get reported.

    1. Ted S.   13 years ago

      Best not to say them in the first place. It never ceases to amaze me that people are stupid enough to say such shit.

      1. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

        Rape is one of those subjects that cannot be discussed dispassionately.

        1. heller   13 years ago

          You know who's really passionate about rape?

          1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

            STEVE SMITH?

          2. Restoras   13 years ago

            Red Army Soldiers?

          3. Enough About Palin   13 years ago

            Julian Assange?

          4. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

            Dane Cook.

          5. Cdr Lytton   13 years ago

            Michael Dukakis?

    2. Metazoan   13 years ago

      What explanation would help?

      1. Rich   13 years ago

        An explanation from God?

        1. Metazoan   13 years ago

          I mean, it's the only one I've heard. And it's frankly quite disturbing.

        2. Metazoan   13 years ago

          Unless you mean directly from God. In which case, I have not heard this (no, I am not schizophrenic).

          1. Rich   13 years ago

            Of *course*, directly from God!

      2. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

        From what I gather he was saying that any human life no matter the circumstances of it coming to be is precious.

        1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

          You win a Kewpie Doll, FoE. But the damage may already be done.

        2. In Time Of War   13 years ago

          Unless the mother's life is in danger, then it's no longer precious. I would think it was God's will that her life be in danger, but that's just me.

  7. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    Obama's Blunder Was in Ceding Political Center to Romney
    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/.....omney.html

    At the outset, he was closer to the center than Romney was. And for Obama, this was far less of a stretch. Yet he's fought a campaign aimed less at the middle of the electorate than at the Democratic Party's base -- playing on class war and adopting as its overriding goal, at times almost its whole purpose, a tax increase on the rich.

    If Obama should lose this election, many will say it was because the economy was weak and because the president is black. Actually, it will be because he fought it as a failed progressive rather than a successful centrist.

    what, was this written by Shreeik?

    1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      The derp is strong with this one.

    2. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

      Actually, it will be because he fought it as a failed progressive rather than a successful centrist.

      That is 100% correct. I know centrism is nothing courageous but it wins elections.

    3. Restoras   13 years ago

      This seems more like T o n y's style than shreekie-poo's.

    4. robc   13 years ago

      At the outset, he was closer to the center than Romney was.

      Romney started as a left-of-center governor. I call bullshit on the premise.

      1. Zeb   13 years ago

        At the outset of what? With Romney, what you choose as the starting point makes a big difference since he seems to always adapt his positions to the environment he finds himself in.

        1. robc   13 years ago

          The outset of my awareness of his existence. Which is the start of everyone's run for president.

    5. Zeb   13 years ago

      Denying that the economy is a big factor is dumb, but I think the point is somewhat valid. It seems to me that Romney's bump after the first debate had a lot to do with people realizing that he really is a squishy centrist and not some conservative ideologue.

      1. Randian   13 years ago

        I concur. This story has been making it's way around the press as well:

        Did Bill Clinton Hurt Obama's Campaign?

        But it was Mr. Clinton who forcefully argued to Mr. Obama's aides that the campaign had it wrong. The best way to go after Mr. Romney, the former president said, was to publicly grant that he was the "severe conservative" he claimed to be, and then hang that unpopular ideology around his neck.

        In other words, Mr. Clinton counseled that independent voters might forgive Mr. Romney for having said whatever he had to say to win his party's nomination, but they would be far more reluctant to vote for him if they thought they were getting the third term of George W. Bush.

        1. Randian   13 years ago

          gah it's for its

        2. heller   13 years ago

          Shouldn't that be fourth term?

          1. Randian   13 years ago

            That was my first thought as well.

        3. wareagle   13 years ago

          perhaps if Obama's had been successful as most folks would define success and if he had a cogent plan for a second term, Romney would be as viable as Bob Dole. But he hasn't been and he doesn't have one. In the absence of leadership, folks turn to the thing that closest resembles it. Romney comes off as a competent manager, Obama as a carnival act.

        4. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

          but they would be far more reluctant to vote for him if they thought they were getting the third term of George W. Bush.

          Given what Obama's done, wouldn't it be the fourth term?

        5. Mike M.   13 years ago

          Haaa, awesome. The election is still 12 days away, and the liberals are already sharpening the long knives in preparation for their Messiah's impending defeat.

  8. Ted S.   13 years ago

    Finally.

  9. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

    The Public Defender's Office has been appointed to represent the man accused of sexual activity with a miniature donkey named Doodle... The terms of the offer included ... revocation of his license to work in horse racing.

    go on, read it all

    1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      nooooooooo thank you. that's not my bag baby.

      1. Kool   13 years ago

        One book, entitled Miniature Donkey sex, this sort of thing is my bag, baby. Written by Scruffy Nerfherder.

    2. Heroic Mulatto   13 years ago

      IT'S DONKEY TIME!

    3. Brett L   13 years ago

      Wow. FL is the weirdest place in the world. Also, the dude straight up admitted that he likes fucking horses more than people and has for a long time. What the fuck?

  10. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

    Gary Johnson and Jim Gray dig campaigning for the White House as Libertarians.

    Full-time, professional politicians. The last thing we need in the White House.

    1. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

      They're joining the Alan Keyes club of professional candidates.

    2. Drax the Destroyer   13 years ago

      The last thing we need in the White House.

      I think the first thing we need in the white house is a dredged corpse of a famous person or cartoon character. They less they are alive/actually exist, the better.

      1. rac3rx   13 years ago

        Zombie Reagan?

  11. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    1878 first-ever captured Edison audio recording unveiled
    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012.....-unveiled/

    The recording was made on a sheet of tinfoil, 5 inches wide by 15 inches long, placed on the cylinder of the phonograph Edison invented in 1877 and began selling the following year.

    A hand crank turned the cylinder under a stylus that would move up and down over the foil, recording the sound waves created by the operator's voice. The stylus would eventually tear the foil after just a few playbacks, and the person demonstrating the technology would typically tear up the tinfoil and hand the pieces out as souvenirs, according to museum curator Chris Hunter.

    1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      Tesla rules, Edison sucks.

      1. Night Elf Mohawk   13 years ago

        Also, sriracha.

        1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

          Had to google that reference. I feel ashamed I wasn't even aware of this Tesla museum effort. I've been a Tesla aficionado for about 20 years now.

          1. Kool   13 years ago

            Have you read The Wizard?

            1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

              Bought it when it came out. Loved it.

          2. R C Dean   13 years ago

            Check out

            http://www.capturedlightning.com

            Some really cool sculpture thingies they are doing, to benefit the Tesla museum.

            1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

              Didn't know quarter shrinking was an actual hobby. That is awesome.

      2. Randian   13 years ago

        Another area where douchey white tech-nerds amp up their faux outrage to 11.

        1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

          That's douchey white RF engineer tech-nerd to you buddy. Tesla is our patron saint.

          1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

            Pfft. Edison invented elctricity. Tesla didn't do anything but some gay electric car.

            1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

              BLASPHEMER!

              1. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

                fight, fight, fight, fight, fight

          2. Randian   13 years ago

            Tesla is our patron saint.

            Trust me, I know. Good galt do I ever.

  12. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

    A student nurse who accidentally injected coffee into the veins of an 80-year-old female patient who died hours later has defended herself on broadcast television by saying that "anyone can get confused."

    more

    1. Ted S.   13 years ago

      Back in the 1980s, SNL had a parody ad starting something like, "We replaced the IV fluid this hospital normally uses with Folgers decaffeinated crystals. Let's see if patients could tell the difference."

    2. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

      Oh for fuck's sake!! Coffee???? And in the wake of the Monster Drink non-controversy? I don't ever recall using an espresso machine for pharmacy...

      (Hee hee! Do you like your new toy, IFH? -)

      1. WTF   13 years ago

        Seriously, how is this even possible? How would coffee and milk even come to be accidentally injected?

        1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

          Student nurse, from the FA.

          This girl is a fucking moron, thinkning that one injects coffee and milk into either an IV feed or a PEG tube feeder.

          I am quite sure she will never graduate. If she does, then we are truly fucked as a nation.

          1. Rich   13 years ago

            Given that this took place in Brazil, you are correct.

            1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

              HA! I sees what you dids there, Rich. I meant to type "they". My pessimism runneth over this morn. -)

        2. Drax the Destroyer   13 years ago

          If the bitchy Filthadelphia cunts "tending" to my father are any indication, it's quite possible it was malice more than anything.

      2. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

        Oh yes! Many thanks for showing me yet another must-read timewaster 🙂

    3. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

      I can't tell from the article, where was she supposed to inject the coffee?

      1. Bee Tagger   13 years ago

        To be fair, the plaque on her desk does say, "Don't talk to me until I've injected my first cup of coffee."

        1. Rich   13 years ago

          The woman was *80* years old! Shouldn't it have been an enema?

          1. WTF   13 years ago

            I thought vodka was for the butt chugging?

            1. Andrew S.   13 years ago

              Stupidly enough, there's people out there who tout coffee enemas as a cure for, well, everything.

              1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

                Well it does cure not having an assfull of coffee.

  13. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

    Steven Colbert counter-offers Donald Trump for $1 million of his Super PAC cash.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?f.....m9JpzinaRE

    1. Bee Tagger   13 years ago

      One presents himself as a joke but some people take him too seriously while the other presents himself as a serious person but most everyone takes him as a joke.

      1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

        a political 69

        1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

          Great, nice, thanks for that image ...

          *Paging Barfman, please pick up the red courtesy phone, Barfman*

          1. Barfman   13 years ago

            *barf*

            1. bostonaod   13 years ago

              God bless the internet

    2. Restoras   13 years ago

      I am fascinated that anyone cares what those two idiots think of anything.

      1. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

        Colbert is winning Peabody Awards. One of them has talent.

        His parody of a Fox News wingnut is spot on. So much so that some GOP Senator thought he was real.

        1. Restoras   13 years ago

          What's a Peabody Award? Is that like a Fields Medal or something?

          *Google*

          Oh. I see. No, it isn't. It's just another entertainment industry popularity contest.

          On the other hand...where's the christfag?

          1. gaijin   13 years ago

            What's a Peabody Award?

            It's like a Nobel Peace Prize...except without the money and publicity.

          2. JW   13 years ago

            What's a Peabody Award?

            It's an award given out by a talking dog and his pet boy, for best mangling of the timeline.

            1. Cdr Lytton   13 years ago

              "Oh Mr Peabody."

  14. Bee Tagger   13 years ago

    Oooh, you social-media savvy, Mitt.

    Romney purchased a Twitter trend (that's a thing people can do??) and hasn't bungled the Public Relations aspect of plenty of major events of the past few years. I'm starting to think the praise for Obama campaign's politicking skills have been overrated.

    1. Zeezrom   13 years ago

      Can a person even be a "savvy"?

      1. Bee Tagger   13 years ago

        Sounds British

        1. Zeezrom   13 years ago

          Me sabbe.

        2. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

          Only when Jack Sparrow says it.

          1. Kool   13 years ago

            Blackguard!

      2. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

        no, it's an adjective not a noun

    2. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

      I'm starting to think the praise for Obama campaign's politicking skills have been overrated.

      It's easy to be "politically savvy" when the media hasn't stopped licking your taint since 2004.

  15. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

    A new hope for central planning.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10......html?_r=0

    The laureates' breakthroughs involve figuring out how to properly assign people and things to stable matches when prices are not available to help buyers and sellers pair up.

    1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      Their work primarily applies to markets that do not have prices, or at least have strict constraints on prices. The laureates' breakthroughs involve figuring out how to properly assign people and things to stable matches when prices are not available to help buyers and sellers pair up.

      Mr. Roth, 60, has put these theories to practical use, in his work on a program that matches new doctors to hospitals and more recently for a project matching kidney donors. Public school systems in New York, Boston, Chicago and Denver use an algorithm based on his work to help assign students to schools.

      Wouldn't it be much more simple to let the market assign prices? He should have gotten the Rube Goldberg Prize in Economics instead.

      1. mad libertarian guy   13 years ago

        Wouldn't it be much more simple to let the market assign prices?

        Racist.

    2. wareagle   13 years ago

      one wonders how buyers and sellers have managed to match up in the absence of this discovery.

    3. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

      Ahem, the Soviets already did this to fine art, and FAILed spectacularly.

      Do people not pay attention to recent history? (Yes, I already know the answer...)

      1. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

        Did the Soviets have any Nobel Prize winners?

        Of course not, their problem was obviously a lack of top men.

        1. rac3rx   13 years ago

          Maybe somebody got a Peabody!

  16. Jordan   13 years ago

    Partisans of the Obama administration now say the e-mails accurately informing the White House of the terrorist nature of the Benghazi attack within two hours of the incident were just chatter, not to be trusted.

    They persisted with this bullshit for 9 freaking days. So either they're mendacious fucks or incompetent retards. Which is it, TEAM BLUE?

    1. Ted S.   13 years ago

      Can't they be both?

      1. Drake   13 years ago

        YES! I used to debate this question. Then I realized that their malice and stupidity work together and actually feed off each other.

    2. Drake   13 years ago

      Obama is going to ride his Benghazi blunders right into the ground. Every day it's something that makes him look more incompetent and indifferent to the job of President.

      1. wareagle   13 years ago

        indifferent, yes, but I'll take issue with incompetent. Things have turned out exactly as this POTUS wanted them to. Higher dependency on govt, lowering incomes, shutting off energy recovery from public lands, etc are integral to the plan. You cannot fundamentally transform the world's leading economy in any way except diminishing it.

        1. Drake   13 years ago

          Either the way he handle Benghazi was incompetent - or the way he lied about was.

          I say both although his incompetence in no way precludes or minimizes his malevolence.

          1. rac3rx   13 years ago

            Oh, I think the handling of Benghazi was going to be nice, tidy, and all covered up like good American Pravda always does until it looked like Hillary Clinton might be the fall guy on the deal.

            And we know that was never going to happen. Compared to the Clintons, Obama is a rank amateur. This is a stragegy.

            1. Drake   13 years ago

              Right after Hillary sort of fell on the sword, a flood of e-mails making Obama look terrible were leaked. Coincidence?

    3. Rich   13 years ago

      just chatter

      You mean, like the stuff monitored for the next terrorist attack?

    4. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

      Wingnuts will not be successful in their attempt to gin up a controversy out of the Benghazi killing.

      C'mon, Reagan pissed away 241 US Marines in Beirut and nothing happened.

      Better luck with your next face controversy.

      1. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

        FAKE controversy, rather.

        1. Randian   13 years ago

          How is it fake?

          1. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

            Because hastily prescribing the wrong motive to the killing is not a big deal.

            Find the perps and kill them. Repeat often until we leave that hellhole (Which will be never).

            1. Randian   13 years ago

              Because hastily prescribing the wrong motive to the killing is not a big deal.

              Lying to everyone about it to further a political agenda is.

              Blaming an American citizen and jailing him is.

            2. Jordan   13 years ago

              Nine days. Answer the question, BLUEtard.

            3. Drake   13 years ago

              It was a flat-out lie.

              Either out of knee-jerk political correctness or political ass-saving - it was a lie and they knew it was a lie every time Obama and his people said it.

              The State Department's unwillingness to protect an Ambassador and consulate begging for more security is a controversy.

              Obama's indifference and inaction are controversial. The U.S. military has many assets in the Mediterranean - Obama didn't even try to get them help.

              He went to bed then went to a fund raiser. Why even campaign if you don't want to be President?

              1. rac3rx   13 years ago

                Hey Barack, your inaction just caused the deaths of 4 Americans and the defiling of their corpses in the streets! What are you going to do now?

                "I'm going to Vegas!"

      2. Restoras   13 years ago

        Needs more christfag.

      3. wareagle   13 years ago

        Neither Reagan nor his staff A) ignored warnings of something coming, B) watched the attack unfold live while sitting on their hands, and C) lied about it for the two weeks that followed.

        Man up to your guy's monumental fuckup. Americans can understand being attacked and they can tolerate casualties in those attacks; but, they tend to take a dim of view of 1) being lied to and 2) a lie that seeks to blame another American rather than the perpetrators.

        1. Kool   13 years ago

          And The Plug will move the goalposts in 3... 2... 1...

      4. Rights-Minimalist Autocrat   13 years ago

        C'mon, Reagan pissed away 241 US Marines in Beirut and nothing happened.

        So the fuck what? Reagan got away with something, so Obama should too?

        It's not a fake controversy. Just an incovenient one for your TEAM.

        1. Restoras   13 years ago

          It isn't important because only four 'Muricans were murdered and they were of questionable loyalty usefulness to the administration.

        2. Drake   13 years ago

          And FDR pissed away 2,400 Sailors in Pearl Harbor. So what? Did either of them immediately attend a fund raiser or pretend an American film-maker was the real culprit?

      5. Jordan   13 years ago

        Answer the question, BLUEtard.

      6. Robert S   13 years ago

        "C'mon, Reagan pissed away 241 US Marines in Beirut and nothing happened."

        How many fundraisers did Reagan attend that night?

    5. R C Dean   13 years ago

      So, their story now is that the accurate information they received, from official channels, was not to be trusted?

      I suppose that's the best they can do, given the almighty cockup they have made from this.

  17. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    Bob Krumm on polling:

    Garbage in = Garbage out
    http://www.bobkrumm.com/blog/?p=2449

    Of the recent polls for which I have internal numbers, only Rasmussen's turnout percentage assumptions are realistic. The other four polls use a sample that assumes an election turnout of between 86 and 93 percent. That simply is not going to be the case. From this small sample it appears that Rasmussen is not the outlier it is often accused of being.

    ...snip...

    When a poll oversamples unlikely voters, it gives disproportionate weight to the unenthusiastic. In most years that pushes Republican poll numbers lower, at least until the only poll that counts: the one on election day. The presidential election of 2008 might have been an exception to that rule. But even if that were so, in 2012 it is Barack Obama who now has lukewarm support. Turnout simply is not going to match the expectations contained in most of today's polls. And a lot of Democrats are going to be surprised by the results.

  18. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

    Reason is moving in December to new offices which are insufficiently magnificent. Why, my palanquin will not get through that front door

    http://caretscommercial.com/in.....tid=523458

    1. Zeezrom   13 years ago

      I like the objects of my charity to be on the edge of destitution.

    2. Restoras   13 years ago

      As long as there is a refridgerated closet for me to store my panda fur coat I don't care.

    3. Ted S.   13 years ago

      Are we going to have dozens of stories on this like we did a summer or two back on the Los Angeles road construction?

      Nobody outside of LA gives a shit.

      1. rac3rx   13 years ago

        You have to admit though, it is a change from all the NY-centered news we normally get and don't give a shit about either.

    4. WTF   13 years ago

      New offices - so that's how they squander our donations.

      1. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

        from David Nott's email:

        Inside our new two-story space is more room for the projects you've helped us build--including a studio for the award-winning team at Reason.tv, featuring improved production facilities that will give us both greater flexibility and improved quality. The phone and fax numbers will remain the same.

        Mark your calendar for our grand opening celebration on December 18, and stay tuned for your opportunity to be part of our "Raising the Torch of Liberty" campaign.

        Pity I'm on the wrong continent, cos the grand opening ceremony sounds like it could be a bit of a rage

        1. 0x90   13 years ago

          Not sure why, but I somehow initially read that as "Torching the Raisin of Liberty."

        2. SugarFree   13 years ago

          STEVE SMITH will be there.

        3. Rasilio   13 years ago

          "Raising the torch of liberty"? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

    5. EDG reppin' LBC   13 years ago

      Didn't see the new building in your CARETS link. What is the new address?

      1. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

        5737 Mesmer Avenue Culver City L.A.

        1. EDG reppin' LBC   13 years ago

          Thanks, ifh. Yeah, it's not as sleek as the high-rise on Santa Monica Blvd. But the new office is walking distance to the Tattle-Tale Room, which is where most of the "journalists" at Reason will probably be while "researching" "stories".

      2. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

        There's no address for undersea fortresses.

        1. mr simple   13 years ago

          Why go undersea fortress when you can get a volcanic island. Sure it's a bit of a fixer-upper, but the price is a steal.

          1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

            Bioshock was a documentary filmed in real time.

  19. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    Garbage in = Garbage out
    http://www.bobkrumm.com/blog/?p=2449

  20. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    Geneticists create mice that find the smell of landmines irresistibl
    http://io9.com/5953751/genetic.....resistible

    Scientists at Hunter College in NYC have genetically engineered mice to be 500 times more sensitive than normal to the smell of TNT. And because they're attracted to the smell, the researchers hope these "hero mice" will be used to detect landmines. Should the idea work, they anticipate the creation of other GMO mice that might some day be able to locate chemical and biological weapons as well.

    1. Ted S.   13 years ago

      Wait until PETA find out. 🙂

      1. Eduard van Haalen   13 years ago

        Wait until the people who support women in combat find out.

    2. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

      They're breeding suicidal mice?

      1. Brett L   13 years ago

        I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure that landmines have a minimum arming pressure greater than a mouse can exert.

        1. SugarFree   13 years ago

          But if dozens of mice swarm it and all start dry-humping it...

    3. Tim   13 years ago

      They may even be able to find he who dealt it.

      1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

        Wait, whoa. They're not researching that are they?

        I hope not.

        1. Rich   13 years ago

          Oh, yes.

          1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

            Welp, time to find a new hobby...

    4. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      I find this to be awe-inspiring and hilarious at the same time.

      RELEASE THE MUS MUSCULI!

    5. MP   13 years ago

      There's mice in the ammo depot. Run!

  21. Fist of Etiquette   13 years ago

    Partisans of the Obama administration now say the e-mails accurately informing the White House of the terrorist nature of the Benghazi attack within two hours of the incident were just chatter...

    They didn't find them in their spam folder until WEEKS later.

    1. rac3rx   13 years ago

      Actually I think it was about 2 hours later.

  22. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    A Second First Term
    Meet Obama's new agenda, same as the old agenda, only less.
    http://online.wsj.com/article/.....on_LEADTop

    On Tuesday Mr. Obama finally tried to give the future more definition with a new plan, except it isn't new and barely qualifies as a plan. "I've laid out a plan for jobs and middle-class security," he claimed in Delray Beach, Florida, brandishing a 20-page brochure titled "A Plan for Jobs and Middle-Class Security" and going on to invoke his "plan" another dozen-odd times. "I won't be running the okey doke on you," he added.

    Voters may okey doke themselves if they believe this document, which is heavy on backward-looking and discredited factoids and light on economic specifics. For example, Mr. Obama wants to spend money to hire 100,000 math and science teachers for public schools. Isn't that what happened in 2009? And didn't his own Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, say that class size barely matters to education outcomes?

    1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

      This sounds remarkably like the life of "Julia"...

    2. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

      For example, Mr. Obama wants to spend money to hire 100,000 math and science teachers for public schools.

      Jesus Christ--with what money, you mendacious asshole? You're already running $1.2 trillion in deficits every year. The federal debt-to-GDP ratio is now at 100% because you stupidly thought that adding more liquidity would stimulate the economy. And more to the point, where are you going to find 100K math and science professionals that will trade off a potentially higher salary for the privilege of battling it out with tenured, senior teachers over a shrinking pot to keep their jobs? Why go into the profession if you're just going to get pushed out within a year or two in favor of the old farts that are three years from collecting their 35-40 year pension?

  23. Coeus   13 years ago

    Bill Gates says throwing more money at the school system isn't the answer.

    Lefty fans are pissed!

    stopthe
    351 Fans
    09:08 PM on 03/06/2011
    This is why people like Gates should be heavily taxed. Because they end up wasting their fortune on philanthropy that is ill-informed and self serving .When you are the richest man in the US you should at least be able to hire someone to inform you about the real costs in education.

    Perhaps if we accorded more status to teachers than we do to people who have been lucky enough to earn a fortune, we would attract and keep more high quality teachers.

    1. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

      Someone needs to debunk the idea that teachers matter.

      They don't.

      It's the reason why they're almost universally against any type of merit pay and supervisory discretion over their salary and employment.

      1. Zeb   13 years ago

        I'd say a few teachers matter. The ones that are very good at their jobs. But most are pretty much interchangeable. And the problem is certainly not that there are too few of them or that they are generally underpaid.

        1. wareagle   13 years ago

          even the ones who are good are in a system that sets them up for failure. Teachers who try to be innovative are held down by the rest of the borg, just like in any union shop where high achievers are dragged back by the pack.

          1. Zeb   13 years ago

            Sure, the system still hurts. But I had some teachers in public school who certainly made a big difference in my education. Maybe it is a lot worse now. I have minimal interaction with schools now, but it certainly seems that way.

            1. Tonio   13 years ago

              I did, too, Zeb. But mostly I learned despite my teachers, not because of them.

              I truly pity the competent, decent teachers because theirs is a truly thankless job. Because they're caught between the kids who can't or don't want to learn and the union hack teachers who just want a paycheck, and the worthless administrators.

              1. Coeus   13 years ago

                Preach

              2. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

                Because they're caught between the kids who can't or don't want to learn and the union hack teachers who just want a paycheck, and the worthless administrators.

                Not to mention parents who can't seem to figure out that good grades don't automatically happen just because little Dominic or Madison happens to be plopped at a desk.

                The failure of education is systemic and can't be attributed to just one or two factors. That's the biggest reason why simply throwing more money at it won't fix the problem. Putting more money into an already dysfunctional system is the equivalent of a homeless person winning Powerball--it's a lot more likely that money will just be pissed away and they'll be right back where they started in a year or so.

            2. mad libertarian guy   13 years ago

              Sure, the system still hurts. But I had some teachers in public school who certainly made a big difference in my education.

              I did too.

              Unfortunately, of all of those teachers who had a major impact, only 2 had a POSITIVE impact (both band teachers in Junior High and High School). Far more had a NEGATIVE impact.

              Fuck teachers. The only teachers I have any respect for are those who willingly eschew the public school system and take less money to work in private schools.

              1. Zeb   13 years ago

                I think I was lucky that most of the not-so-good teachers I had pretty much left the smart kids alone.

          2. The Craig   13 years ago

            The best teacher I ever had, SURPRISE!, doesn't teach anymore. And no, he was not old as fuck needing to retire.

            1. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

              You know who the best teachers tend to be, in my experience? The hardasses who don't let students make excuses for failure, and really make you WORK for that "A".

              The one exception was my 8th-grade math teacher. She was a fairly soft-spoken, juicy-looking 25-year-old who happened to have Jaime Escalante-type powers. You had to be lazy as crap or retarded to not get at least a B in her math class, not because the work was easy, but because she did a very good job explaining the logic behind the equations.

          3. Coeus   13 years ago

            I was 2 votes from teacher of the year when I was substituting. And that was because I took risks that I absolutely would not have had I been vested in a career there.

        2. KDN   13 years ago

          I'd say a few teachers matter. The ones that are very good at their jobs. But most are pretty much interchangeable.

          So you mean teaching is exactly like every other profession in the history of the world? Perish the thought!

        3. BakedPenguin   13 years ago

          Excellent teachers and really terrible teachers matter a lot - a few studies have shown they can add or subtract about a grade level over the course of a year.

          Of course, the current system does nothing to encourage the best teachers, and often keeps the worst teachers doing their same crappy job.

      2. Tonio   13 years ago

        But we're effectively forced to continue to tell the agreed-upon lie that they indeed are.

        If kids here their parents (etc) say that teachers are worthless idiots those kids are not going to be motivated to respect the authority of the teachers. Then the kids are going to get suspensions, detentions and expulsions which will ultimately inconvenience the parents. The next step is when politicians pander to the teachers' unions by repeating this nonsense; which is a safe bet because most parents won't publicly push back against it. So that leaves anyone who does push back labelled a crank or worse (Ell Eye Bee...)

        1. Tonio   13 years ago

          "hear"

          Somebody send over that brazilan student nurse with the coffee iv...

    2. MWG   13 years ago

      BAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!

    3. Bee Tagger   13 years ago

      When you are the richest man in the US you should at least be able to hire someone to inform you about the real costs in education.

      Like teachers!

      1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

        You can't hire a teacher. They only teach out of the goodness of their hearts.

    4. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

      I agree with the liberal Gates and the right again.

      All high school students need are textbooks and a good teacher.

      1. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

        too bad you never had that opportunity.

    5. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      When you are the richest man in the US you should at least be able to hire someone to inform you about the real costs in education.

      When you are the richest self-made man in the world, you would think some idiot Huffington Post commenter would accord you some kind of intellect and try to address your argument in a factual manner, but you would be mistaken.

    6. Rich   13 years ago

      "If you're worth $61B, thank a teacher."

      1. BakedPenguin   13 years ago

        I was arguing against school funding increases with some lefty, when she trotted out what I'm sure she thought would be the end of the argument:

        "Oh yeah, who taught you to read?"
        "My mother, when I was three."

        The look on her face was priceless.

        1. In Time Of War   13 years ago

          The next time ask her to perform a complicated algebra function. Almost everyone in American is forced to take algebra classes (taught by, y'know,teachers), but not many people can do it.
          I will assume that libertarians are a bit more mathematically inclined than the average person.

      2. Dr. Frankenstein   13 years ago

        But not a college professor. Good thing he dropped out of college while he still knew everything.

    7. The Craig   13 years ago

      This is why people like Gates should be heavily taxed. Because they end up wasting their fortune on philanthropy that is ill-informed and self serving.

      I need to leave work and go drink heavily somewhere.

      1. Tonio   13 years ago

        Self-serving is the key, here. Gates' real crime in the mind of that commenter is that he's selfish. How dare he not spend his fortune "giving back" to either the government or prog-approved NGOs.

        Also, he didn't build that.

    8. Zeb   13 years ago

      Wow. That is just disgusting. As if Gates somehow owes his money to the public school system.

      And I can't figure out what this is even supposed to mean: "When you are the richest man in the US you should at least be able to hire someone to inform you about the real costs in education."

      1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

        He didn't build that.

      2. JW   13 years ago

        Projection is more than just a river in Africa.

    9. Zeb   13 years ago

      And how the fuck is it "self serving" to encourage different approaches to public education? What personal benefit would Gates get from what he proposes?

      I think that some people believe that it is actually in rich people's interest to make poorer people suffer. I have no idea how they reach that conclusion, but it really seems to be the case.

      1. wareagle   13 years ago

        it is always self-serving when someone strays from state-approved orthodoxy.

      2. Randian   13 years ago

        I always say that the fact that conservatives and libertarians care about alternative schooling proves that we don't hate the poor.

        If we really hated the poor, we'd all just ensconce ourselves in a high-performing, high-tax school district that conveniently distances itself from the poor, the stupid, and the underclass in general. You know, how high-earning liberal d-bags do.

        1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

          Can't we do both?

        2. Zeb   13 years ago

          It should be obvious that that is the case. At least with proposals like vouchers and charter schools. I could see people having a harder time grasping the more purely libertarian proposal of getting rid of public education entirely, but when you have programs like vouchers which explicitly try to give more access to the fancy schools that rich people send their kids to to poorer people it seems pretty clear that the goal really is to better educate people. The attachment people have to the public system, as it exists now is baffling (well, except for unionized teachers, of course).

          1. Randian   13 years ago

            If you want to edify yourself as to why people are still opposed to voucher systems, you should read up on busing in the '70s.

            1. Coeus   13 years ago

              Forced busing. I don't think that applies.

            2. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

              But the enlightened TEAM BLUE people of Boston and Chicago were utterly receptive and tolerant and inclusive in their multicultural welcome of bussed in students!

              1. wareagle   13 years ago

                John,
                I remind folks of that and of things like Rodney King when they resort to stereotypes of the South. I had black classmates from day one in AL; no heartburn, no riots, no upset.

          2. BakedPenguin   13 years ago

            Watching documentaries such as Waiting for Superman or The Lottery should clarify how little of a shit pro-union lefties give about helping inner-city residents get into a better situation. It's heartbreaking to watch young kids with their mothers start crying - because instead of going to a charter school with educators who actually care, they're going to some hellish public school.

            1. JW   13 years ago

              Party before people.

      3. Tonio   13 years ago

        I think that some people believe that it is actually in rich people's interest to make poorer people suffer. I have no idea how they reach that conclusion, but it really seems to be the case.

        Why, yes they do, but in all fairness some rich people do indeed wish poor people to suffer. Gina "$2 per day" Rinehart for instance.

        1. Virginian   13 years ago

          What the fuck does this mean?

    10. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      Sorry Bill, but after You actively ruined more companies than any other corporation in history, actively sold us defunvt software after You created a monopoly, and cost the people of the planet hundreds of billions - after all your actions to make money ruining others and costing us so much time and money - sorry, but listening to YOU to find out what good science and education is is more than ridiculous.

      Stay in Africa to give a little bit of the money You got by ruining others. Here most people actually remember what You cost us and the economy

      1. The Craig   13 years ago

        Stop! I give up!

        1. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

          repackaged No Child Left Behind nonsense. its real purpose is to undercut education funding, and hence taxes paid by wealthy people like Bill Gates. Cruel austerity.

          INSTEAD the rich should pay a MUCH higher tax rate than the middle class, along the lines of 60-70 percent.

      2. Zeb   13 years ago

        Jesus. I'm no big fan of Windows, but Microsoft didn't come to dominate the market by not offering people value for their money.

        1. Tonio   13 years ago

          Uh....

      3. mr simple   13 years ago

        Y2K!

  24. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    Bye, bye, Richard.

    At least he managed to knock that unprincipled douchebag Lugar out of the Senate.

    1. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

      I really want to know what the hell is wrong with guys like Akin and Mourdock.

      Their verbal diarrhea is equivalent to a saleman closing his pitch by insulting the prospect. It's just fundamentally stupid and unprofessional.

      1. Ted S.   13 years ago

        It's gotta be their egos. After all, look at the shit grandstanders like Schumer can get away with, fulminating against Irish coffee (er, combinations of caffeine and alcohol drunk by the wrong class).

      2. gaijin   13 years ago

        they are politicians...they can't shut up when the opportunity to be the center of attention, by talking, presents itself.

      3. Tonio   13 years ago

        What is wrong with them, VG, is that they hold superstitious, long-discredited worldviews, and do so proudly. They are not influenced by rational argument.

        1. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

          Even if that is true, why are they so undisciplined that they can't keep their fucking mouths shut on the subject.

        2. Tonio   13 years ago

          Because they're True Believers, ZG. IOW, they're so completely convinced of the truth and righteousness of their worldviews that they see no reason to hide those views. And that's a good thing.

          1. John   13 years ago

            That is gold plated stupid. You don't have to believe in God to think that life begins at conception. That is a biological debate and there are perfectly good reasons to conclude it does, although you don't have to. And you certainly don't have to believe in God to think that all life has value and that someone who is conceived by rape has a right to live just like everyone else.

            An atheist could have said the exact same thing Mourdock did. And what he said was perfectly rational and honest. If you believe life begins at conception, you are a total hypocrite if you then claim that abortion is okay in the case of rape.

            1. Tonio   13 years ago

              Thanks for sharing, John.

              1. John   13 years ago

                Sorry point out things you have no answer for Tonio.

            2. Tonio   13 years ago

              John, it's hard to answer an incoherent off-topic rant. You're angry about something related to god and abortion but the topic was why two politicians didn't STFU.

              Please know that you have my ongoing pity.

            3. Eduard van Haalen   13 years ago

              So there's a reasonable scientific argument that, at the time of conception, I was *not* alive? There's room for reasonable diagreement on this issue? Really?

              1. kbolino   13 years ago

                This is a misleading question that has been rehashed since time immemorial.

                The zygote that would become you was indeed alive; it was as alive as the sperm and egg that formed it, and as alive as the trillions of other living cells in your mother's body.

                What characteristic distinguishes it from other cells?

                That it can replicate itself through cell division? Well, plenty of cells in the human body can divide.

                That it was necessary to form a new human being? Well, so are sperm and ova (and recursively, all life since the dawn of living things).

                That it can be used to form other types of cells? Well, so can stem cells.

                So what is it about conception that carries such significance? Scientifically, there is nothing; it is just another stage in the life cycle. Life does not "begin" at conception; it began long before any of us existed and has merely (although quite effectively) perpetuated itself since then.

                Which leads to the question of abiogenesis, I suppose, but that's another matter entirely ...

        3. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

          What is wrong with them, VG, is that they hold superstitious, long-discredited worldviews, and do so proudly.

          Quite frankly, I'd rather have them expressing these views openly than hiding them for the sake of political convenience. Political correctness doesn't accomplish anything other than create a society of liars, and that's not good for the long-term health of any nation.

      4. ant1sthenes   13 years ago

        You could just as easily say that about Ron Paul. He answered a question about his beliefs honestly. Are we supposed to be up politicians' asses for not lying to everyone now?

        1. Tonio   13 years ago

          It would appear that some people here are team oriented pragmatists, Auntie, so for them the ends justify the means.

          1. ant1sthenes   13 years ago

            I'd rather politicians say what they actually believe, and voters can judge whether they're comfortable with it or not.

    2. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

      Lugar voted for the START treaty.

      Gotta like him for that - unlike the far-right loons who tried to kill it just for political gain (to hurt OBama)

      1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

        You just like him because he beat the crap out of Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat at Clash of the Champions in '89. Because you hate American indians.

        Which also explains your love of Warren.

        1. Jersey Patriot   13 years ago

          He sucked in the WWF, though.

      2. Restoras   13 years ago

        NEDEZ MOAR CHRRRRRISTFAG!!

  25. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    UK scientists recreated Neanderthal man, who looks just like Chuck Norris
    http://vaviper.blogspot.com/20.....l-man.html

    A team of scientists has created what it believes is the first really accurate reconstruction of Neanderthal man, from a skeleton that was discovered in France over a century ago.

    1. invisible furry hand   13 years ago

      And just in time, Slate tries to answer the big question:

      Who Would Win in a Fight: a Modern Human or a Neanderthal?

      1. Rich   13 years ago

        There's no telling how a reanimated Neanderthal would attack or defend himself in a fight against a Homo sapiens.

        And yet, ....

        1. EDG reppin' LBC   13 years ago

          And just because someone is a Homo sapien doesn't mean they can't fight. Orlando Cruz is a homo sapien, and a professional boxer.

          1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

            Yeah. Weren't Neanderthals like 5 foot nothing? I'd take Dos Santos any day over one of those midgets.

            Hell, I'd take me if it was something more Star Trek battle like instead of in the Octagon.

            The real question is who would win in a fight between a Zombie Great White Shark and a Robot Great White Shark. But they have to fight on the moon. With light sabers.

            1. Zeb   13 years ago

              I don't think that homo sapiens sapiens was much taller at that time. So it depends if it is a modern human vs. Neanderthal or the humans who were contemporary with Neanderthal.

              1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

                I just assumed modern, since the contemporary question kind of answered itself (unless you're into the whole genetic blend theory).

                1. SugarFree   13 years ago

                  Neanderthals had thicker bones and much more robust muscle attachments. They might have been on average twice as strong as a modern human, with denser, harder-to-break bones. It's not Orlando Cruz vs. a short guy. It's Orlando Cruz vs. a 5ft tall smart chimpanzee.

                  1. Rhywun   13 years ago

                    If any of the SF I have read on this topic is accurate, your average modern Neanderthal could tear Orlando Cruz limb-from-limb without breaking a sweat.

                2. Coeus   13 years ago

                  (unless you're into the whole genetic blend theory).

                  that theory (which I didn't personally adhere to) has now been basically proven with dna sequencing.

      2. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

        More importantly, who would win in a breakdance fight?

        1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

          +1 PLUR

        2. JW   13 years ago

          RAP BATTLE!

        3. BakedPenguin   13 years ago

          "Our crew can win a pair of parachute pants!"

      3. mad libertarian guy   13 years ago

        Uh...

        You'd think that the fact that the world is littered by humans, and not 1 Neanderthal, you'd have that fucking answer. But I guess the left's need for Top. Men. to explain everything never goes untested.

        1. Rasilio   13 years ago

          Teh question was who would win a fight, not who would win a war.

          Modern humans greater communication skills alone would have made a war between Neanderthals and Humans a one sided affair.

          1. mad libertarian guy   13 years ago

            In that context, the, the appropriate answer is "WHO FUCKING GIVES A SHIT?".

      4. MattJ   13 years ago

        I know! You construct a weapon. Look around, can you form some sort of rudimentary lathe?

    2. WTF   13 years ago

      Chuck Norris is over 100,000 years old; he is immortal. The mammoth are extinct because Chuck Norris needed a snack.

      1. gaijin   13 years ago

        They should do a deadliest warrior show featuring Chuck Norris v. Vladmir Putin. Neanderthal on Neanderthal violence.

        1. Randian   13 years ago

          Fun fact: Chuck Norris is 72 years old.

  26. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    David Ignatius: A country united, for a change
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....story.html

    There are moments when you can glimpse an emerging bipartisan consensus on foreign policy, and Monday night's presidential debate was one of them: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney knew they were speaking to a war-weary country and talked in nearly identical terms about bringing troops home, avoiding new conflicts ? and countering terrorism without embracing a "global war."

    Obama has articulated versions of this foreign-policy approach for the past four years, not always with clarity or evident public support. But it was obvious Monday night that we are living in a changed world ? where the combative ethos of George W. Bush is truly gone ? when Romney said in his first debate answer: "We can't kill our way out of this mess."

    1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

      We're just not killing hard enough.

    2. Spoonman.   13 years ago

      But we can mow our way out.

      1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

        We can disposition matrix our way out of it, I think you meant to say?

    3. JW   13 years ago

      But it was obvious Monday night that we are living in a changed world ? where the combative ethos of George W. Bush is truly gone

      The fuck. What?

      Where can I buy one of these bubbles of rarefied air that completely cut you off from any kind of objective reality, but don't actually make you retarded?

      1. mad libertarian guy   13 years ago

        Where can I buy one of these bubbles of rarefied air that completely cut you off from any kind of objective reality, but don't actually make you retarded?

        The dude who wrote that isn't retarded?

        1. JW   13 years ago

          He's only functionally retarded. He still gets invited to all the best cocktail parties.

  27. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    How to make buildings from the blood of cows
    http://dvice.com/archives/2012.....ke-bui.php

    One cow contains approximately eight gallons of blood. When cows are magically turned from things that smell bad into things that taste good, all of that blood generally goes to waste. But it need not be wasted, for it can now be used to make large structures and waterproof bricks that also happen to look kinda like fresh-baked brownies. Mmm, brownies.

    1. robc   13 years ago

      structurally passable bricks

      Not exactly confidence inspiring.

      1. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

        don't worry, it's "good enough" to keep your litter bearers and monocle polishers away from the rain.

        1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

          I use the rain to build character.

          1. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

            Ah, a heartless blackguard? Pray, I never use the back of my hand when dealing with the help.

      2. Enough About Palin   13 years ago

        The last thing I'd want to do is pass a brick.

    2. Ice Nine   13 years ago

      Seems like this is a great idea. I recommend exporting them to India.

    3. Heroic Mulatto   13 years ago

      A Hindu-proof building?

      We need this technology for our upcoming war with India!

      1. BakedPenguin   13 years ago

        I suspect Pakistani building codes will soon mandate the use of these.

  28. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    One of the guys who won the Nobel in economics was on Morning Joke. What a clusterfuck of moronic confusion. Not even the guy who won the award could provide any clues as to what the fuck he had actually done.

    But Mika managed to look smug, so it was all good.

    1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

      Mangu's sneer beats the crap out of Mika's smug.

    2. Palin's Buttplug   13 years ago

      Why do you watch that shit?

      Because its better than Fox and Friends?

      1. Ted S.   13 years ago

        Why watch either??

        1. Rasilio   13 years ago

          Yeah, if you're gonna have the TV on in the morning the only show worth watching is Mike and Mike on ESPN2

    3. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

      I still am amazed at your fortitude, Brooksie. And do not envy your broken teevee bills...

      You keep watching that rubbish and you'll stroke out!

  29. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    Good Businessman, Bad President?
    Generalizing from anecdotes usually leads pundits astray, and this is one of those cases.
    http://online.wsj.com/article/.....LEFTSecond

    But is anything sillier than the categorical assertion that businessmen make bad presidents? Is any claim more suited to the pundit's confusion of anecdote with data, or his commitment to provide full employment for clich?s and stereotypes? Yet many are chanting this trite perennial anew since Mitt Romney became the GOP nominee.

    Hoover is always their first recourse. But Hoover, a corporate titan of his time, would have been a "failed" president if he'd been a zookeeper. As all now concede, the Great Depression was caused by the Federal Reserve, with the Fed's errant tightening beginning a year before Hoover took office.

    1. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

      Hoover had been working in various government agencies for a decade before he was elected president. And he was an engineer, not an entrepreneur, before that.

      Calling him a businessman is like calling Carter a nuclear scientist or Obama a constitutional scholar

      1. Bobarian   13 years ago

        Or calling Obama a US Senator.

        From what I can see, POTUS is the longest he's ever done any job.

  30. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    76-Year-Old Goes After Roomie With Chainsaw
    http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com.....13861.html

    Seventy-six-year-old Guy Allen Black is being held on $100,000 bail after allegedly cutting through a door at the home he shared with Ronald Lee Tanner and swinging the chain saw at him.

    State police say Black became irate after Tanner changed the locks on the home he owns in Turbotville, Northumberland County.

    1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

      Hrm, Guy Allen Black and Ronald Lee Tanner are both mass murderer/serial killer names.

      Could have been a pre-emptive strike.

      Or a quarrel.

      Someone should see if they own any storage lockers.

      1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

        "They were quiet neighbors, kept mostly to themselves..."

        1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

          "I always assumed one of them was a serial killer, but I didn't want to talk to the police, they're way too dangerous."

          1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

            Nicely done, what you did there.

  31. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    The laureates' breakthroughs involve figuring out how to properly assign people and things to stable matches when prices are not available to help buyers and sellers pair up.

    They apparently couldn't figure out how to use craigslist.

    1. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

      The key phrase there is assign. You can't just let order emerge, don't ya know.

      Those people really are economic creationists.

      1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

        Not only that, but they see themselves as gods.

        1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

          The Top Man's Top Man.

  32. Coeus   13 years ago

    Single mom challenges dismissal from Air Force.

    Edmonds said she asked the officer who informed her that she was being ejected from the Air Force, "Had I terminated the pregnancy before my commissioning, would I have been able to commission at that point?" And, according to Edmonds, "He said, 'Well. Technically, yes.' That was the hardest part of all of this. Someone telling me to my face that had I gotten an abortion, then I would be eligible for service."

    Boo-Fuckin-Hoo.

    1. Richard Mourdock   13 years ago

      "Had I terminated the pregnancy before my commissioning, would I have been able to commission at that point?"

      It would have been something that God intended to happen.

    2. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

      If nothing else, the military is pretty up front about what they expect of you.

      Also, I like how she has no problem with one sin, but big problems with another. But it's all because she's Catholic, not just selective.

      1. Coeus   13 years ago

        Hey now, we can't have people just being all consistent with their morals and whatnot. What do you think she is, a libertarian?

      2. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

        I noticed that too--apparently her Catholic faith has a problem with abortion, but not with sex before marraige or having a child out of wedlock.

        1. Coeus   13 years ago

          But at least she's not using birth control .

          1. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

            "It's okay--I was told I can't get pregnant!"

    3. Zeb   13 years ago

      Yeah, sorry, I'm all for women serving in any positions that they are capable of in the military, but it seems to me that having sole custody of a young child might just interfere with the duties of an officer. Equality is great, but being equal does not mean that the sexes are the same.

      1. Brett L   13 years ago

        So if a male officer's wife were killed in a car wreck the day after she brought their newborn home from the hospital, would he get canned?

        1. Coeus   13 years ago

          It happens all the time. If the guy gets stuck with the kids (through divorce or death) he gets discharged rather than deployed. Or he gets married again real fast.

          1. Brett L   13 years ago

            As long as it isn't based on gender, I'm good with it.

        2. Bobarian   13 years ago

          If a member of the armed services fails to have a Familiy Care Plan, they face discharge from the military.

          That can mean single parents, widowers, divorced personnel with more than 30 days custody per year, and dual military couples.

          A family care plan means having someone who can care for the children temporarily for immediate mbilization and someone who can also take long term care with some notification.

          1. mad libertarian guy   13 years ago

            A good friend of mine had this happen.

            He and his wife enlisted the very same day. She was accepted to OCS and worked in some physics/nuclear program, whereas he was a glorified trained monkey. Once they had their child, he was forced out because her job was 1. more important, and 2. more costly to train a replacement.

        3. Zeb   13 years ago

          I don't know. I think it would be reasonable.

  33. Ken Shultz   13 years ago

    "Indiana GOP Senate candidiate Richard Mourdock is bravely standing by his controversial statements on rape and pregnancy, Bye, bye, Richard."

    We have a problem with proportion, here.

    I don't think people really appreciate how big a deal this is. Why, in just the last year, more than 375,000 people have been impregnated as a result of rape--just in Los Angeles County alone. ...many of them were black and Latino, and most of them were women!

    If we don't vote for Barack Obama, and Mitt Romney becomes president, the opinion of some idiot candidate in Indiana will become the law of the land. And there are hundreds of millions of women all over America--who will be raped and impregnated because of it.

    So, you think Obama doesn't know what he's doing on the economy? You think tens of millions of people losing their jobs is something to be worried about? How important is that compared to hundreds of millions of women being raped and impregnated under the Republicans?

    Vote Obama today, or tomorrow it's gonna be rape, Rape, RAPE!

    1. Zeb   13 years ago

      It is really depressing how many people buy this line.

      1. Ken Shultz   13 years ago

        What are you talkin' about, Zeb?

        You don't think rape is important?

        You misogynistic bastard!

        The Republicans rape, Rape, RAPE...and impregnate!

        They think God wants them to rape and impregnate women against their will! And if you don't vote for Barack Obama, then idiots from Indiana will take over America and you support impregnating women by rape, Rape, RAPE!

        1. SugarFree   13 years ago

          But typing the "cunt" on the board is the real problem.

          1. Ken Shultz   13 years ago

            You're right, what that idiot in Indiana said is a lot like using the "c-word"--in terms of its appeal to women.

            Anybody that wants to appeal to women should probably avoid arguing against abortion--by saying that God wants rape victims to keep their babies--just like anybody that wants to appeal to women should probably avoid using the "c-word".

            Good progress, SugarFree! You're really becoming...sensitive.

    2. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

      "I'M STEVE SMITH, AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE!"

  34. Enough About Palin   13 years ago

    Fuck The Derider and T o n y.

    The son of Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va. ? who serves as the field director for his father's campaign ? has been caught on video advising an undercover reporter how to fraudulently cast ballots in the name of registered voters by forging utility bills and relying on the assistance of Democrat lawyers.

    James O'Keefe's Project Veritas, known for its hidden-camera probe of the controversial national community organizing group tied to Obama, ACORN, carried out the investigation and provided the video exclusively to WND.

    http://www.wnd.com/2012/10/vid.....ote-fraud/

    1. Ken Shultz   13 years ago

      Who gives a shit?

      1. Enough About Palin   13 years ago

        The fuck you say?

        1. Ken Shultz   13 years ago

          Fuck The Derider and T o n y.

          That came out wrong.

          I meant, who gives a shit about what Derider and Tony have to say.

          Sorry 'bout that.

          I see their very names, and I think, "Who gives a shit".

      2. Randian   13 years ago

        Voter fraud doesn't matter to Ken, apparently.

        1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

          Oh it matters alright. When the other team does it.

          1. Randian   13 years ago

            Ken's on Team Red!

            1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

              I dunno then.

              1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

                Squrrelz got him...see above?

      3. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

        It's a smoking gun of a democrat operative advising how to do voter fraud.

        So of course the media is ignoring the story.

        1. R C Dean   13 years ago

          The real damaging part of what he said was the bit about how they would have lawyers ready to go to defend these people.

          That means this isn't some kind of rogue thing, a one-off. That means that the party, at some level, is organized to perpetrate and defend voter fraud.

        2. Eduard van Haalen   13 years ago

          It's not a scandal at all. To be a scandal, Moran would have to mention God and abortion.

          1. ant1sthenes   13 years ago

            No, you have to fit rape in there somehow, too.

    2. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

      That's awesome considering that Moran is all over some case with a GOP volunteer tossing out voter registrations in Rockingham County. I love a little schadenfreude in the morning.

      GET A BRAIN MORAN

      1. Tonio   13 years ago

        The ballot-tosser was a paid GOP consultant, not a volunteer.

        Both teams, hell even independents, can engage in dirty tricks. We should condemn all instances of voter fraud, tampering, or deliberate disenfranchisement.

        1. Restoras   13 years ago

          I make up for things like this by voting two or three times.

          1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

            Once for each candidate, right? It's only fair.

        2. Scruffy Nerfherder   13 years ago

          I do condemn it all. I just enjoy it more when hypocrites get caught.

          Vote Early, Vote Often

  35. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    equivalent to a saleman closing his pitch by insulting the prospect.

    "So, what do you think, Stupid? Ya got a check for me, are are you just a bullshitter, wasting my precious time?"

    1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

      Oddly enough, that is exactly what Pauly Krugnutz says...

    2. sarcasmic   13 years ago

      I don't know how many sales my stepfather has closed with "You gonna buy somethin or you just jerkin me off?"

      1. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

        Well I could put my head up a cow's ass but I think I'll just take the butcher's word for it.

      2. Zeb   13 years ago

        What was he selling? And was he actually getting jerked off at the time?

        1. sarcasmic   13 years ago

          Cars. No.

    3. VG Zaytsev   13 years ago

      I was thinking more along the lines of:

      [to a fat woman] "When are you due".

  36. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

    I couldn't link directly to the Bob Krumm article, but it's an interesting read on the current state of the polls.

    Link through here:
    http://www.nationalreview.com/.....undecideds

    to read

    From this small sample it appears that Rasmussen is not the outlier it is often accused of being. Instead, other polling organizations in the current RCP Average employ a likely voter screen that removes only 7% to 14% of registered voters from the sample pool, when we know that about 30% of likely voters are not going to show up to vote."

    ...snip...

    When a poll oversamples unlikely voters, it gives disproportionate weight to the unenthusiastic. In most years that pushes Republican poll numbers lower, at least until the only poll that counts: the one on election day. The presidential election of 2008 might have been an exception to that rule. But even if that were so, in 2012 it is Barack Obama who now has lukewarm support. Turnout simply is not going to match the expectations contained in most of today's polls. And a lot of Democrats are going to be surprised by the results.

    1. Ted S.   13 years ago

      The one thing that's been mystifying me is how the polls say Romney is up amongst people who don't identify themselves as either D or R, and yet Obama's going to win.

      (Yeah, I know that a lot of the polls have samples like D+8 and that the election is likely going to be a D+4 or so.)

      1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

        Wasn't 2010 even on voter turnout by TEAM- why would anyone assume D+4? I haven't kept up on Party Identification numbers, I must confess (I live in a mostly TEAM RED county in a TEAM BLUE hellhole state, so it doesn't much impact me who is on what TEAM).

  37. Whiterun Guard   13 years ago

    Gary Johnson and Jim Gray dig campaigning for the White House as Libertarians. They plan another run for 2016.

    Yes, it will be much different planning a campaign for incumbents! Right!?

    Right?

    1. LTC(ret) John   13 years ago

      +1 eternal optimist

  38. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    You keep watching that rubbish and you'll stroke out!

    Mika doesn't even give me a faint tingle. Stroking is out of the question.

    1. Bobarian   13 years ago

      That, Sir, is a ghastly image to plant in someones mind!

  39. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

    Pro Lib, in regards to the cost of keeping Epi off the set... I thought we already had an understanding on the solution there. It's only a one time, final expenditure.

    1. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

      Exile to the Moon?

      1. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

        You're not thinking final enough. If we exile him to the moon he may go crazy and hijack the Enterprise to come get his revenge.

        1. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

          It's worth the risk to read his pathetic comments posted from a hole in the Moon.

          1. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

            We're giving him internet on his Moon exile? Why is having him live in a basement on the Moon posting on the internet all day any worse than having him post from a basement on Earth all day?

            Unless...

            Oh, I see now. Which pizza places are willing to deliver to the moon?

            1. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

              [Insane, prolonged cackling.]

        2. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

          IT WAS THE RELIANT THAT WAS HIGHJACKED!!!!

          May you smother to death in the folds of a fat greasy person. I am thoroughly sickened by this affair.

          1. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

            We're not talking about a movie, dude. We're talking about sending Episiarch to the Moon. Auric is a rocket scientist. Combined with the near infinite wealth of a lawyer, our plans are undefeatable.

            1. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

              Just make sure he can't get extradited.

              1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

                I am not his pre-flight physical!

                1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

                  ...*doing*...

                  Dammit to hell, preview!

                  1. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

                    Gosh, doc, we weren't going to ask you to do anything, you know, gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Except for the ethical violation, I guess.

                    1. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

                      I assumed we wouldn't bother checking his health. Do we care about that?

                    2. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

                      I figured he could self-medicate.

                    3. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

                      don't all guidos?

          2. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

            But Epi knows how that turned out, plus he's got bigger ambitions. One of which is to get Kirk in bed.

  40. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

    A successful unmanned test launch by the company, Blue Origin, brings closer the day when commercial space flight is a reality.

    I tried to intern for them a few summers ago. Now I know two people who have done work for them. I hope they help spread commercial space flight to more than just SpaceX.

    1. Brett L   13 years ago

      I just wish Bezos wasn't developing the whole thing like he's a supervillain in a Bond film. I'd like to know more about what's happening.

      1. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

        I had no idea what was going on when I tried to get that internship. "yeah, you'd be.... doing some stuff. Some engineering stuff."

      2. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

        "Like?"

        1. Brett L   13 years ago

          In my defense, no known superagents have shown up to do battle with him. That's the only way you know who the supervillains are. I've got the odds of a modernized Moonraker style program at 3:1.

    2. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

      I'm greatly enjoying SpaceX's success, but I really want to see lots of competition, even from the old aerospace firms. The key issue--the KEY ISSUE--is getting access to orbit to something easily affordable. Only then will the Urkobold's whoretels become a reality. Wait, did I type that out loud?

  41. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    I would just like to take this opportunity to offer a hearty "Well done!" to those of you who made yesterday's PM Links so amusing; particularly the Ghandi/Hitler segment.

    I hope that poor pathetic humorless douchebag from the other day wasn't reading. Your shocking inability to stay on topic, or offer up any substantive policy analysis, or to provide compelling arguments for doctrinaire Libertarianism would have been deeply disappointing to him.

    1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

      I hope that poor pathetic humorless douchebag from the other day wasn't reading.

      Could you narrow that down a bit, Brooksie?

    2. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

      Where did we end up--did anyone prove that Gandhi was actually Hitler?

      1. Groovus Maximus   13 years ago

        I think you actually did. I was astounded! So much was answered in such a short period of time!

        1. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

          The facts were always there.

      2. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

        Ghandi 2:

        He's back and this time he's mad!
        There is only one law... HIS law!

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfvLcozLwtE

        1. Pro Libertate   13 years ago

          I love that. Weird Al is amusing.

  42. Matrix   13 years ago

    So, my car was hit in the parking lot at work on Tuesday. My front bumper and spoiler are demolished and will need to be replaced. The person who did it left the scene without leaving me any information. I called the MPs (I work on a military installation), and an officer took my statement. I wanted it in case I had to get a hold of my insurance or perhaps the person that did it would step forward and need it for their insurance.

    So the next day I am fuming and get my office involved in finding the person who did it or witnesses. A witness quietly came forward and indicated whom they saw do it, but did not know his name. Well, the person the witness claimed she saw hit my car has adamantly refused he did so, but is willing to have his insurance cover the damages. I was parked next to the guy that was blamed that morning, but he usually leaves during lunch. So I don't know if he actually hit my car or not. The damage does not seem consistant with his truck actually hitting mine.

    He already contacted his insurance and started the process, but I don't want him to take the blame if he honestly did not do it. And he swears he did not, nor do I think he really could have. But I also don't want to pay for several thousand dollars worth of damage to my vehicle or pay the deductible and have my insurance go up.

    1. Matrix   13 years ago

      Cont.

      I remember someone earlier mentioning that if no one came forward, that I should look into having the government pay for the damages since it happened on a government installation. I never felt right about that. Why should the tax payers be on the hook because some jackass hit my car and left?

      Anyway, thoughts?

      1. Zeb   13 years ago

        I bet they guy did it and is scared of getting worse for not reporting it. Why would he have his insurance pay for it otherwise? His rates will go up and I assume you have insurance which would cover it if they can't figure out who did it.

        1. Matrix   13 years ago

          Well, I've known the guy for a few years, and he's been a pretty standup guy. He's a much older man who would be retired by now, if not for his wife still working. He's really nice and everything. Plus, the damage on his truck is from previous incidents, and the damages on my car don't seem consistant with it being his vehicle having hit it. It looks like someone backed into my car or pulled into to park, because there is tearing on my front spoiler leading backwards. The man and I were both side-by-side facing out of the parking spots, so we only had to drive forward. Witness said he made a sharp turn into my car. Yes, he was close to the line and I was parked in the middle and a little further over, but the damage does not seem consistent with it being him.

          1. Dunphy (the real one)   13 years ago

            A witness quietly came forward and indicated whom they saw do it, but did not know his name. Well, the person the witness claimed she saw hit my car has adamantly refused he did so, but is willing to have his insurance cover the damages"---

            translation: he did it

      2. Restoras   13 years ago

        Principled Libertarian: No, you shouldn't file a claim against the government.

        Soulless Rational Libertarian: Hell yeah! If the government is stupid enough to be handing out $$$ why not take them??

        Given the state of the economy these days I'd say do your best to look out for number 1.

        1. Matrix   13 years ago

          Well, like I said, I didn't feel comfortable placing a claim against the government.

          Situations would be different if he was driving a government vehicle. Then I would have no qualms about filing a claim against them, just as I wouldn't against his company if he were in the private sector driving a company vehicle.

    2. Lord Humungus   13 years ago

      I would assume there would be visible damage to the other vehicle... unless it was trailer hitch, large van/truck that did it.

      1. Matrix   13 years ago

        There is damage on his truck, but they are from other incidents.

        There are a lot of hit and runs on this base.

        1. Eduard van Haalen   13 years ago

          At hit and run thread about a hit and run? Now I've seen everything!

        2. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

          If there's no damage to his vehicle, it seems a bit prickish to make his insurance pay for repairs, IMO. It seems like if he had done something that severe to your car there would be pretty obvious evidentiary damage on the truck.

          I'd be careful about going off of this witness' claim, even if he is willing to have his insurance cover it.

          1. Matrix   13 years ago

            He's insisting that I use his insurance, and even called them and started the claims process after I told him to wait until we get more from the witness. The witness said it was his truck, and even said the Make of the truck. There's only 1 out there like it. Either the witness is lying or he is.

      2. Matrix   13 years ago

        Also, the crack in my bumper is indicative of either a hitch hitting it or step rails. It sheared part of it and ribboned it backwards. Then it cracked the bumper.

        but there is also rubbing above this and on my headlight with some paint on it. It was a red truck parked next to me, and he has step rails on it.

  43. mr simple   13 years ago

    Disney princess from fictional country not latina enough, so, racist!

    Bonus: A Song of Fire and Ice is racist because it mostly focuses on white people.

    1. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

      A series set in a fictional version of England has a mostly white cast? Shocking!

      1. KDN   13 years ago

        And the only important black guy is a duplicitous criminal! RAAAAAAA and you know the rest.

    2. Heroic Mulatto   13 years ago

      Well, she does need a bigger ass.

      Jus' sayin'

    3. WTF   13 years ago

      Why did I click through to that?? The stupid..it burns....

    4. Calidissident   13 years ago

      Does this writer know what Spanish people look like? Spain's a white European country. They might have darker features than Northern Europeans, but they're not Mexicans or Peruvians (who are mixed with the indigenous peoples of those lands). And she's only half Spanish. Why is this a big deal? Is Disney not allowed to make a Spanish princess until they make a dark skinned Latina princess?

  44. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    thoughts?

    If the damage to your car was that extensive, there more likely than not will be corresponding damage to his. If he says he "loaned it to a friend" and it is not available to be inspected, that would definitely smell rattish.

  45. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    did anyone prove that Gandhi was actually Hitler?

    The evidence as assembled is compelling.

  46. John   13 years ago

    They said the same thing about Akin. And Akin seems to be doing pretty well these days. I doubt this will cost Mouredock the election.

  47. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    I doubt this will cost Mouredock the election.

    We ARE talking bout the Hoosier Clem vote, after all.

    1. John   13 years ago

      And what he said was true. Screw all of these allegedly pro life people who claim abortion is okay sometimes. Is it ever okay to whack your kid? If not, then abortion is never okay or maybe life doesn't begin at conception like you are claiming.

      1. Heroic Mulatto   13 years ago

        What are you talking about? A child should be sentenced to death for a crime that he or she had no part in that occurred before he or she was born.

        Didn't you know that?

      2. ant1sthenes   13 years ago

        Yep. If you're pro-life, except in the case of rape, you basically believe that pregnancy is a punishment for women who fornicate, and thus should be waived for rape victims, who aren't guilty of sin. Rape-exception-pro-lifers clearly aren't basing their views on the rights of the fetus, because nothing changed on that end.

  48. Jam   13 years ago

    Prison May Be the Next Stop on a Gold Currency Journey
    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10.....times_r=0
    "the Rosa Parks of the constitutional currency movement,"

  49. Coeus   13 years ago

    This is awesome:


    Google map of Silent Hill

  50. Coeus   13 years ago

    This is awesome:


    Google map of Silent Hill

  51. Jam   13 years ago

    Why Are States So Red and Blue?
    http://opinionator.blogs.nytim.....-and-blue/
    When the first American settlers fanned out from the coasts and other settled areas, they found themselves in anarchy all over again.

  52. Coeus   13 years ago

    Jezebel swoons over contentless Obama quote:

    Rape is a crime.

    Sobaika 1 of 7 replies @SthlmSyndrome 18 minutes ago
    I was going to vote for her (Jill Stein) until a few weeks ago, when it hit me just how close this election was. Will I be okay with a third party vote if Mitt Romney wins? If Pres. Obama wins the electoral votes but not the popular? Or vice versa? At the end of the day, I don't think I would. So at the end of the day, as reprehensible as I find Obama's foreign, drug, and immigration policies, he's getting my vote. He's the only major candidate who is standing up to say that rape is rape.

    I can't wait until this election is over and I really hope I don't wake up on Nov. 8 to the prospect of Mitt Romney's America.

    1. Red Rocks Rockin   13 years ago

      So at the end of the day, as reprehensible as I find Obama's foreign, drug, and immigration policies, he's getting my vote.

      "Be rough with me. Treat me like the lowest whore in creation."

      1. Dunphy (the real one)   13 years ago

        so, by this logic, if obama chooses whoopi as his new runningmate, she is changing her vote?

        1. Coeus   13 years ago

          Wrong. Woopi is a female minority, and as such, can say nothing wrong which sticks to her. The only exception (and I mean only) is if she says she's voting republican.

    2. Auric Demonocles   13 years ago

      He's the only major candidate who is standing up to say that rape is rape.

      You know, I haven't heard any major candidates say that child molesting is child molesting. Or that the sky is blue.

  53. The Late P Brooks   13 years ago

    So at the end of the day, as reprehensible as I find Obama's foreign, drug, and immigration policies, he's getting my vote.

    VOTE FOR THE LESSER OTHER EVIL

    1. Bobarian   13 years ago

      Cthulu for President!

Please log in to post comments

Mute this user?

  • Mute User
  • Cancel

Ban this user?

  • Ban User
  • Cancel

Un-ban this user?

  • Un-ban User
  • Cancel

Nuke this user?

  • Nuke User
  • Cancel

Un-nuke this user?

  • Un-nuke User
  • Cancel

Flag this comment?

  • Flag Comment
  • Cancel

Un-flag this comment?

  • Un-flag Comment
  • Cancel

Latest

Superman Is About the Anti-War Vibe Shift

Matthew Petti | 7.18.2025 5:23 PM

Why Are Students Using AI To Cheat? Maybe Because They Shouldn't Be In College At All

Emma Camp | 7.18.2025 4:00 PM

Although Meth Is Irresistible, The New York Times Says, Addicts Often Prefer Small Cash Rewards

Jacob Sullum | 7.18.2025 1:45 PM

ICE Is Shipping Detainees to Hawaii as Bed Space on the U.S. Mainland Fills Up

Autumn Billings | 7.18.2025 1:24 PM

Federal Judge to Trump on FTC Commissioner Firing: No, You Can't Fire Whomever You Want

Jack Nicastro | 7.18.2025 11:45 AM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS

© 2024 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

r

Do you care about free minds and free markets? Sign up to get the biggest stories from Reason in your inbox every afternoon.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

This modal will close in 10

Reason Plus

Special Offer!

  • Full digital edition access
  • No ads
  • Commenting privileges

Just $25 per year

Join Today!