Same Old News on Fiscal Cliff, Unemployment Highs in Eurozone, Palestine Recognition Doesn't Change Much: P.M. Links

• 

  The reporting on the fiscal cliff today sounds pretty much the same as the reporting yesterday. Tax the rich. Spend more. Oh, and the president wants to seize control over the debt ceiling from Congress.

• Unemployment in the Eurozone reached a record high of 11.7 percent in October.
• The Federal Communications Commission will be allowing community groups to get permits to operate low power FM radio stations in urban areas.
• A Democratic Georgia congressman wants a constitutional amendment to restrict the free speech rights of corporations. He claims they are "stealing your government" and "control the media."
• Burger King is returning to France after a 15-year absence. Maybe we'll finally find out what they call a Whopper over there.
• Pfc. Bradley Manning testified he considered attempting suicide shortly after his initial arrest in Kuwait for handing classified material to WikiLeaks. But he says the military continued significantly restricting his behavior long after those urges went away.
• United Nations members may have overwhelmingly voted to recognize the State of Palestine, but it doesn't really change much right now.

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Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

A Democratic Georgia congressman wants a constitutional amendment to restrict the free speech rights of corporations.

Of all the possible amendments to pine for, that’s what he chooses?

[Thane of Whiterun]

He claims they are “stealing your government” and “control the media.”

So is the amendment going to ban Jews, too?

[gaijin]

He claims they are “stealing your government”

So, as a congressman, he admits to being bought and paid for? Or is does he just mean all those ‘other’ congressfolk?

[Thane of Whiterun]

“bought and paid for?”

You’re obviously just saying that because he’s black.

Racist.

[Sevo]

“So, as a congressman, he admits to being bought and paid for? Or is does he just mean all those ‘other’ congressfolk?”

Nope. If he was stolen, he wasn’t bought and paid for. Someone tossed him in a sack and carried him out the door.
Problem was when the perp tried to fence that sucker; no body’d give him a dime.

[VG Zaytsev]

He claims they are “stealing your government”

Sounds to me like an admission that Obama and Reid are corporate stooges.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

itunes 11 sucks donkey balls.

[Apatheist ?_??]

itunes 11 sucks donkey balls.

[Sernylan]

Why does your [del]11[\] work?..it just doesn’t work for me.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Don’tcha just hates this?

[T]

I was wondering what was with all the dick shots on the train, then I translated the manifest. Now I realize this belittles us all. I fell embiggened for having learned this.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Study: Patients clogging hospitals.

[R C Dean]

I’ve long been of the opinion that running a hospital would be a nice line of work, if it weren’t for the patients and the goddam doctors.

[Almanian.]

Yeah – pretty much anyplace is a great place to work. If it weren’t for the people…

[Hopfiend]

I love America, but damn I hate most Americans.

[Almanian.]

Fucking Mongorians ‘murcans!

[Stormy Dragon]

Check out the Yes, Minister episode “The Compassionate Society” sometime.

[JeremyR]

The nurses are the worst part. Complete assholes to patients, constantly talking loud to other employees, so you never, ever get a moment of quiet in a hospital.

[Delroy]

Didn’t click the link. Is this a wooden shoe thing?

[AuH2O]

Does anyone else remember the game from Bullfrog… I think it was Hospital Tycoon? I had it for the Playstation. The controls sucked.

[Fist of Etiquette]

United Nations members may have overwhelmingly voted to recognize the State of Palestine…

Where did the UN draw those borders? And what did they determine was the capital?

[Tonio]

They recognized it, they didn’t magic it into being. Much as Israel was recognized. Level playing field.

[Lord Peter Wimsey]

Level playing field? You mean Israel gets to target children as legit military targets now? Can Israel send out military people in civilian clothes armed to the teeth and then claim they are innocent civilian casualties when they get killed?

Can Jews now claim land as their because someone from their ethnic group once farted there?

[Heroic Mulatto]

Nope. Muslim still outranks Jew on the International Grievance Metric.

[Chris Mallory]

Israel is already doing all of those things.

[Heroic Mulatto]

Chris Mallory sings a song about his views on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

[R C Dean]

Israel and Palestine were both drawn up and created by the UN at the same time.

I believe Israel may have kept some of the land originally allotted to Palestine after the conquered it old-school after one of the wars.

Still, by traditional rules, Israel could lay claim to all of “Palestine”. I suspect the only reason they don’t is they don’t want the frickin’ Palis in their house.

[SIV]

The Palestinians should have been demanding annexation since 1967. Then they could just vote to call the whole country Palestine. I seriously think a one-State solution is the best long term solution for all involved.

[Sernylan]

“I seriously think a one-State solution is the best long term solution for all involved.”

A one state solution? The Paleostinians out number the jews, imagine the Fatah or..*wretch*.. Hamas in control of the IDF after a few years of ‘voting’, bad things man.

[Tulpa Doom]

Technically the partition never happened…civil war started immediately after the UN resolution recommending the partition was passed. (another great accomplishment in UN history)

[Certified Public Asskicker]

Oh, and the president wants to seize control over the debt ceiling from Congress.

Eh, I guess it bears repeating.

Go. Fuck. Yourself.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Maybe he wants the power to lower it.

[Episiarch]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Certified Public Asskicker]

Not according to this.

[A Serious Man]

Fuck you, cut…, wait, what?

[Episiarch]

It’s just “fuck you”.

[hamilton]

We should probably simplify the libertarian talking points down to that also, since it seems to be pretty much the only thing people “get”.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Begun the Puffin Wars have

[Doktor Kapitalism]

Found Libertopia. The US don’t care and the Canadians will hardly evict us…

[A Serious Man]

White male anger finds an outlet in Susan Rice.

[SIV]

Best quote:

Conservatives require the same level of proof of racism or sexism that they do of climate change

[Cytotoxic]

GOLD

[BakedPenguin]

+1

Progressives should rid themselves of all white males among their ranks. Then they could take comfort from knowing all opposition to their moronic policies was a result of racism, sexism, or both.

[Belgian]

Amanda Marcotte. That is all that need be said.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Nude Jogging now legal in New Zealand

[RBS]

Jogging in the nude sounds very unpleasant, much more so than jogging with proper clothing which is terrible.

[Tonio]

I don’t want to search for it at work, but google bounce-o-meter. You’re welcome.

[np]

apparently, it was already ok for women:

Mr Pointon’s lawyer Michael Bott – a specialist in human rights and civil liberties – said he could not understand why women were able to ride naked down the main street of Tauranga during the Boobs on Bikes event without intervention and yet days later his client was arrested going about his business in a remote area: “It just appears inconsistent and grossly sexist.”

I’ve been to New Zealand. Never saw any naked boobies 🙁

[Fist of Etiquette]

The reporting on the fiscal cliff today sounds pretty much the same as the reporting yesterday. Tax the rich. Spend more.

That seems like one-sided reporting by you, Shackford. Why don’t you also tell us the Democrat plan?

[Almanian.]

What you did there? I saw it.

[Certified Public Asskicker]

Birth Rate at lowest level since 1920.

Needs MOAR birth control!

[Auric Demonocles]

This is only because Obama won. If Romney had won, the birth rate would be in the 300% range, because of the inability to access birth control, the immediate outlawing of abortion, and of course the rape camps.

[Death Rock and Skull]

“Maybe we’ll finally find out what they call a Whopper over there.”

Le Dinner.

Seriously, frog tastes are disgusting, and Whoppers are finer food than any shit they like to eat.

[RBS]

Ummm, what?

[Episiarch]

I guess he doesn’t like escargot. His loss.

[hamilton]

Though to be fair the best part about escargot is that it is a matrix for butter and garlic, and fortnight-old llama shit would be awesome with butter and garlic.

[Episiarch]

This is true. But foie gras is probably the best thing ever, and that’s “French” too.

[hamilton]

I agree on the foie gras. Have tried to get dinner guests to try it with low success rates. Those that did were hooked. My next statement: “You know how they make it taste so good? The cruelty.” Then I get the eye-rolls.

[Episiarch]

I try that with uni but there aren’t a lot of fans. I love that shit, though. It’s the foie gras of the sea.

[hamilton]

One of the “three Japanese delicacies”, parallelling foie gras as one of the three western ones. Took me a while to convert to liking it, though. It’s awesome as a marinade paste for grilled stuff.

[T]

I will leave it you to verify that exact hypothesis. I’ll go down to the Belgian place and eat the Moules Escargot instead.

Damn. Now I’m hungry.

[hamilton]

Belgian? Sniff!

[Heroic Mulatto]

When mighty Roast Beef was the Englishman’s food,
It ennobled our brains and enriched our blood.
Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good
Oh! the Roast Beef of old England,
And old English Roast Beef!
But since we have learnt from all-vapouring France
To eat their ragouts as well as to dance,
We’re fed up with nothing but vain complaisance
Oh! the Roast Beef of Old England,
And old English Roast Beef!

[nicole]

Ah, for the days when we were purple of cheek and plump of fetlock…

[Trespassers W]

I know that degustibus isn’t disputandum and all, but this may be the most ‘tarded statement I’ve read today.

Cassoulet? GOOD.
Tartiflette? GOOD.
Steak frites with bearnaise sauce? GOOD.
Poulet with bearnaise sauce and some cruncy broiled skin on it? GOOD.
Pretty much everything? GOOD.

But a Whopper? Seriously? It’s near the bottom of the pack of fast food burgers.

[Death Rock and Skull]

Frogs don’t actually eat on any regular basis the “french” things that lesser “fine” restaurants in America serve. Frogs eat undercooked cow guts (I don’t mean rare steaks, which they wouldn’t know anything about) and slimy shit. Any properly prepared American “German” food is also better than any American “French” food.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Burger King is returning to France after a 15-year absence.

You knew the Frogs couldn’t stay away from a monarchy.

[A Serious Man]

Jezebel: When will we stop pretending that college athletes can’t be rapists?

[Tonio]

Dear Jez, when you stop pretending they all inherently are.

[Episiarch]

All they know is ball, and good…and rape.

[Cytotoxic]

Jezebellians want to be raped.

[Loki]

Anyone with a dick is a rapist according to Jezzie “logic”. All hetero-sex is rape since it’s impossible for a woman to actually give consent to sex because of TEH PATRIARCHY. And any woman who claims to have consented to sex with a man is a victim of TEH PATRIARCHY’S brain washing and false consiousness.

[Hell's Librarian]

Also, if a woman doesn’t give explicit consent, that’s also rape. So be wary, significant others and husbands, because just assuming that just because your wife or GF doesn’t tell you “NO!!!!” when you cop a feel and try to get it on doesn’t mean that you are in the clear, and will land you in Feminist Hot Water.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

French women are different.

[Death Rock and Skull]

Smellier?

[Almanian.]

Read most of it – that’s pretty awesome.

Note to self: French women OK for one night fling; do not retain beyond that point.

[Hopfiend]

more unscaped body hair.

[Anonymous Coward]

There’s only one truth you need to keep in mind when dealing with women regardless of ethnicity:

Gifts are for girlfriends; Cash is for whores and wives.

[Apatheist ?_??]

Liberals are showing their true colors about the executive branch in this fiscal cliff debate. All I see and hear is some variation of “elections have consequences” and “Republicans are just obstructionists!” Never mind that the Republicans won the election for control of the house, does that election not matter?

Also, I’m sure that TEAM RED will fuck it up anyways.

[Hopfiend]

I have never comprehended the liberal mind on this one. The people who elected the Republican Senators and reps, they deserve representation too right? I don’t like the tyranny of the majority no matter who is in power. As you state, the Rs had it and screwed it up…with progressive policies and programs tis true.

[AuH2O]

They want power. They could give a shit less how they get it. I think that their ideal is England, with no Supreme Court to strike things down and pure majority rule.

[nicole]

An update on the adventures of (future) gun ownership in post-McDonald Chicago:

So today I had to go register the gun. You can do this by mail, but I wouldn’t exactly trust that. You can print out forms online to fill out and bring in, but if you do that, they will make you fill out the same forms over again on cardstock once you are there. And then you’re pretty much set. We were in and out in less than half an hour, which is not so terrible.

One strange wrinkle: you have to register the gun after you know the serial number but before you bring it into the city. Okay. But you also have to bring the gun into the city within five days of purchase. So between the 72-hour waiting period and that, you have two (at most) days to actually pick up the gun. I have been on “staycation” this week and I’ll tell you, if I had not, it would have been a pretty serious pain in the ass. Also, again, without a car, you are fucked.

The thing I find most interesting about the whole thing is that, yes, it could be much worse–it is doable, and the bureaucrats you have to deal with are actually nice about it, and stuff like that. But can you imagine these kinds of restrictions placed on abortions? Can you imagine the shrieking? I mean, I can, because I have been one of those shriekers. With, I think, good reason. So what the fuck gives? (I know, I know; but fuck off, slavers.)

[Episiarch]

They’re always doable, they are specifically designed to discourage anyone who isn’t absolutely set on doing it. Bureaucratic capture, as it were.

[nicole]

The guy at the gun store actually asked us whether we were bringing them into the city and I was kind of like um…

I guess it turns out that there are some folks who basically ignore the city-specific laws and get safe deposit boxes in the burbs, and just keep (most of?) their guns out there. I mean, you have to go out there to shoot them anyway, barring home invasion. I’m going to have to look into it, it sounded kinda sketchy.

[Episiarch]

Just keep it at home. You’ll feel better about it.

[nicole]

Yeah, I thought so too. The one decent thing is that the per-gun city registration fee is not high enough that it would actually be a real annoyance–$15/gun/year.

[mad libertarian guy]

The one decent thing is that the per-gun city registration fee is not high enough that it would actually be a real annoyance–$15/gun/year.

Uh, and perhaps this is just my redneck, red state status talking here, but ANY gun registration and fee is a fucking annoyance.

[nicole]

Oh it’s definitely an inconvenience. But the amount is small enough that it won’t do much to limit me numbers-wise in itself. If it were, say, $100 (which is the cost of the permit–separate thing, and good for three years), you wouldn’t find me with more than one gun, maybe two, ever.

[SIV]

There is nothing “decent” about having to register a firearm, much less pay an annual fee to do so.Do they do this everywhere in Illinois? If not, you should petition the state legislature to outlaw municipalities from having any say over your rights at all.

[nicole]

No, SIV, of course you are right. It is not the case everywhere in Illinois–although look into the concept of a FOID and I’m sure you’ll be outraged. Even more unfortunately, my state “representative” campaigned on undoing the gains of McDonald, so I don’t think there’s a great chance at much better than what we have.

[mad libertarian guy]

A word of advice.

Leave Chicago while you still can.

We’re not fancy (a plus in my book – I was raised in a big city, Miami, and I fucking hate big cities), but I’m sure KY would love to have a freedom lovin’ gal, and here you can have all the fucking guns you want without having to pay any ridiculous fees and permits. We have a state amendment which guarantees both the right to own guns and hunt.

And here we definitely have, however small, a liberty movement brewing. We can rightly claim at least 1/3 of the libertarian(ish) leaning pols in DC. People are plain and god fearing, but (generally) without being uppity about it. For the most part, people really don’t give a shit what you do (unless you live in one of the two liberal pockets in Louisville or Lexington where the nanny statists are as insufferable as anywhere else).

If you like weed and shine, KY can’t be beat.

[Restoras]

I am considering getting a permit in NY. It’s a pain in the ass, designed specifically to encourage you to not get one.

[Episiarch]

I had a NY permit. Yes, it is a pain in the ass. But once it’s done…it’s still a pain in the ass.

[nicole]

Do you think NY is more of a pain in the ass? And I assume you don’t mean NYC? Or yes? I really, really, really don’t want to move to NY(C)…but it might have to happen at some point, and I know it’s absurd to complain since I’m in Chicago now but I’d like to go somewhere better on this shit (and since NY state income taxes are 3x+ what I pay here, I feel legit in complaining about this already).

[Episiarch]

NY State is easier than Chicago, I’m pretty sure. NYC is also technically easier, but you have to get separate permits for both long guns and handguns, and it takes six months for them to get them to you. And they’re not cheap. But it still sounds easier than Chicago.

[nicole]

If only I had won Powerball and could fulfill my lifelong dream of buying one of those former missile silos and living in a compound where such things don’t matter…

[SIV]

Most states are nothing like this. Atlanta can’t pass its’ own firearms laws.No matter where in GA you live it is the same.We’ll probably do away with an instate requirement for “carry permits” sometime in the next few years.

[Restoras]

I am in the suburbs of NY and the pistol permit is the pain. I can buy a rifle much easier – just a three day wait period for an FBI background check.

For pistol, you fill out paperwork including separate paperwork for Westchester County, you need four Westchester County residents as witnesses/recommendations, and a pistol safety course. All ok so far – and then the fun begins. You get interviewed by a panel of detectives (so you better have an LEO as a recommendation) to decide if you should have one or not. Based on the results of that interview, you application goes to a jusdge to sign off on – and that jusdge sits twice a year for the purpose.

All this make me wonder – do I really want these assholes to know I have a pistol? Maybe just get a rifle instead?

[Auric Demonocles]

Imagine if women had to go to a panel of detectives to see if they could get an abortion.

[nicole]

Yep…and wait. Because they might be depressed and suicidal. Or just not have thought things through enough.

Seriously, I will flip out just about equally about both, and it kills me to no end that most people won’t.

[Almanian.]

What state are you in? Michigan’s process isn’t TOO fucked up (normal libertarian disclaimers) – go to your friendly county Sheriff (couple miles from my house), they verify you’re not Ted Kaczynski, take form to gun seller, purchase gun. The dealer sends the paperwork to the gummint – you take your copy and the gun with you. Not too onerous.

I think you’d mentioned you were buying a Sig? I’m getting Mrs. Almanian a S&W 686 for Christmas – she really liked shooting one at the range, so…

Hope you’re having fun! and remember the rules of shooting…be safe 🙂

[Killazontherun]

It’s Illinois. She would have an easier time purchasing a 3D printer to make her own gun.

[Tonio]

Although Chicago is it’s own fiefdom, I believe it’s technically in Ill.

[nicole]

Chicago–so, not just Illinois, but Chicago.

I don’t know what it’s like if you’re in a place like California, where they have a lot of specific rules but a huge market that has to follow them, but one of the annoying things here is that the laws about, e.g., magazine capacity are different for the city than for the rest of the state. But the suburbs is the only place where you can buy a gun, and since there are just a few of us from Chi who are actually doing it, they seem often to not have what we need.

Anywho, yes, thanks!

[T]

Texas: walk in, fill out 4473, show CHL, give money, get gun. Go home.

The only difference without the CHL is they make a phone call while you’re filling out the rest of the 4473.

[Heroic Mulatto]

What’s a CHL?

[Episiarch]

It’s basically the same in WA.

[Almanian.]

I thought in TX they just give every newborn a 1911, and they can trade up from there? No?

[Heroic Mulatto]

As I’ve mentioned before, N.H. has no age restriction in it’s laws about gun purchasing. One of these days, I’m going to give my 6-year-old daughter 300 bucks and film her buying a gun and upload the video to youtube. The lulz would be epic.

[nicole]

They would be. Until CPS arrives.

Well I’m sure someone here is respectable enough to be a foster parent.

[Heroic Mulatto]

I was just going to send her to you, nicole.

[nicole]

Perfect! I was going to offer 😉

[T]

Well I’m sure someone here is respectable enough to be a foster parent.

I’m licensed and everything. Send the kid on down.

[Restoras]

Dude, I might give you the money to do that.

[T]

NH doesn’t, but the feds do. If you’re trying to buy from a licensed dealer, that’s a no go.

[Heroic Mulatto]

NH doesn’t, but the feds do. If you’re trying to buy from a licensed dealer, that’s a no go.

True. craigslist here I oome!

[Chris Mallory]

Under the GCA, long guns and long gun ammunition may be sold only to persons 18 years of age or older. Sales of handguns and ammunition for handguns are limited to persons 21 years of age and older. Although some State and local ordinances have lower age requirements, dealers are bound by the minimum age requirements established by the GCA. If State law or local ordinances establish a higher minimum age, the dealer must observe the higher age requirement.

[18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1), 27 CFR 478.99(b)]

[Auric Demonocles]

My dad bought my first gun for me when I was 8. So in the mid 90’s Vermont didn’t care about me having a .243.

[mad libertarian guy]

Same in KY.

Walk in gun shop, pick out gun, fill out form, go home with gun. No wait, no fee. When I bought my first AR, I was floored when I asked what the waiting period was, and the guy said “About 3 minutes when I’m done with this phone call.”

[Restoras]

Funny, I’ve been considering a move to Kentucky…

[mad libertarian guy]

It’s a nice place. There aren’t many big cities, which means there aren’t that many liberal hellholes.

Live just outside Louisville or Lexington (or Bowling Green) and you’ll be set. You get good country folk as neighbors, and aren’t far from where you can get shit. I live in Wilmore, a small farming town with a small Christian university/seminary about 15 miles SW of Lexington. I’m far enough that I have space and privacy, but close enough that I send my kid to private school in Lexington, and have close access to whatever I want/need.

If you like even more rural, we have lots of that too.

I’m a transplant from Miami. I’ve been here for 10 years now, and I would only move in the event I got a choice spot in WY where my wife could work. I love it here. It’s my home, and I’ve been adopted as a native.

And getting guns is exactly how it should be (well, minus the whole 4437 part).

[Almanian.]

Jesus Christ – makes Michigan seem like fucking Libertopia in comparison! Have fun!

[nicole]

Oh yeah, and for those that don’t know, IL is now the only state with no carry provisions of any kind. At all.

[Cytotoxic]

What a fuckhole.

[nicole]

Fun fact: taking your gun from your house to your garage counts as “carrying.”

[Heroic Mulatto]

But can you imagine these kinds of restrictions placed on abortions?

Yeah, but, guns kill people!

[Almanian.]

lulz (even though that’s actually kinda sad when I think about it)

[hamilton]

Christ nicole, it’s not like requiring a car and a few days off and an ID and a waiting period are that big of a deal for gun ownership. What do you think this is, voting? I mean, voting rights are spelled out right there in the Constitution, Amendment 24, sorta. Not like guns.

[nicole]

I know. And I can’t emphasize the car thing enough. Because there is a range requirement that literally cannot be fulfilled in the city. It *may* be possible to take a bus that far, but it would be very tough. And I have a car, but certainly you don’t need one to live in a city like Chicago, and you can imagine that lots of people (especially poor people…) don’t.

[Heroic Mulatto]

You’d think that Chicago’s gun laws were specifically written to disadvantage poor inner city Blacks, but that’s unpossible, right?.

[nicole]

Totally unpossible, especially since McDonald himself was an inner-city black.

[nicole]

Also, for all the bad things I can say about Jesse Jackson Jr., and there are a lot, he was becoming very good on gun rights because he recognized this sort of thing was…not good for inner-city blacks.

[Almanian.]

The laws methods had become….unsound…

[Sernylan]

“You’d think that Chicago’s gun laws were specifically written to disadvantage poor inner city Blacks, but that’s unpossible, right?.”

The JPFO certainly thinks so. But everyone knows the Dems are looking out for the rights of ‘minorities’, amirite?

[Trespassers W]

Out of curiosity, where’d you buy the gun? Midwest? Maxon?

[nicole]

Bit further–GAT, in Dundee

[Trespassers W]

Yeech. Isn’t it nice how all the Chicagoland gun shops are conveniently located?

[nicole]

It is. But I won’t mind leaving Cook Co for these purposes when the “violence tax” goes into effect.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

News nobody should have a problem with: Israeli settlers allowed to build in West Bank

[Almanian.]

I seem to recall there were some….neighborhood difficulties in the West Bank.

Perhaps I’m thinking of another neighborhood.

[Cytotoxic]

How dare they build stuff and live there!

[Stormy Dragon]

So you’d be perfectly fine with a bunch of squatters building a shanty town in your front yard?

[Heroic Mulatto]

So Jews aren’t from Judea now?

[Stormy Dragon]

I’m from South East PA. That doesn’t mean I can park my ass anywhere I like in the region. These “settlements” aren’t being built out in the wilderness, they’re built on already improved land following the chasing off of the current owners at gun point.

[Heroic Mulatto]

they’re built on already improved land following the chasing off of the current owners at gun point

That’s bullshit.

Another fool falls for Pallywood hook, line, and sinker.

[AuH2O]

The latest episode of Leverage was better than I expected. Sure, it was a bit anti-Wallmart, but it also targeted crap like crony capitalism.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Has anyone posted this yet?

http://www.skrillexquest.com/

And please nobody bitch about how Skrillex isn’t really dubstep or whatever, I don’t care and I don’t even particularly like his music.

And for that matter, don’t complain about the latest Ko?n album either. Though I do happen to think that “Get Up!” is pretty catchy.

[Doktor Kapitalism]

I think this might be a master-level anonbot, actually…

[Doktor Kapitalism]

Wait, nope. He’s a real commentator. Just looks like an ad. Canadian soory.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Well, it’s actually an “advergame”

So it is an ad… but I’m not a bot and I don’t work for Atlantic Records.

[Sevo]

“The Federal Communications Commission will be allowing community groups to get permits to operate low power FM radio stations in urban areas.”

These “community groups”; might they have a certain bias?

[Tonio]

Statistically, but not inherently.

(Starts googling LP FM equipment)

[T]

Woohoo! I’ll be moving in to the city shortly! And I’ve already shopped low pwer broadcast equipment! I just need to set up a ‘community group’.

We’re semi-seriously discussed starting a PAC with the express goal of unseating our soon-to-be Representative. I wonder if that would count as a community group?

[Heroic Mulatto]

Probably not. LPR is just public-access tv for even nerdier folks.

[AuH2O]

The Atlantic has decided that it is now okay with guns, as long as they are strictly controlled.

Mauser said that if the United States were as mature as the countries of Europe, where strict gun control is the norm, the federal government would have a much easier time curtailing the average citizen’s access to weapons. “The people themselves would understand that having guns around puts them in more danger.”

There are ways, of course, to make it at least marginally more difficult for the criminally minded, for the dangerously mentally ill, and for the suicidal to buy guns and ammunition. The gun-show loophole could be closed. Longer waiting periods might stop some suicides. Mental-health professionals could be encouraged?or mandated?to report patients they suspect shouldn’t own guns to the FBI-supervised National Instant Criminal Background Check System, although this would generate fierce opposition from doctors and patients. Background checks, which are conducted by licensed gun shops, have stopped almost 1 million people from buying guns at these stores since 1998. (No one knows, of course, how many of these people gave up their search for a gun, and how many simply went to a gun show or found another way to acquire a weapon.)

[Thane of Whiterun]

Mental-health professionals could be encouraged?or mandated?to report patients they suspect shouldn’t own guns to the FBI-supervised National Instant Criminal Background Check System, although this would generate fierce opposition from doctors and patients.

Sounds like a great way to encourage people to seek out therapy for their problems.

[Tonio]

Congrats on the promo. Knee doing better?

[Thane of Whiterun]

I’m not the same person as Whiterun Guard, actually.

Would’ve been funny to have let you guys think that for a while, though.

[nicole]

This is what I always say about laws attempting to help potential suicides.

And I am very, very serious. Smart people with problems basically can’t get help.

[AuH2O]

Smart people with problems don’t want help. That’s why they invented drugs!

/A smart person with problems

[nicole]

Dude, that’s exactly what I said. Say. Whatever. Both.

[AuH2O]

See, everyone has a drug. For me, that drug is pot. But for some its uppers. For some, downers. For others, cocaine.

Its all about getting the dosage right. That’s the real challenge in life.

[nicole]

It’s up there. But you’re lucky that your choice is the easiest to get, as well. Some of us just settle for second-best…or a combo of second- and third-best…

[AuH2O]

Well, at various times, I’ve had to settle for alcohol. PROTIP: That’s a bad idea, kids. Pot withdrawal sucks WAY less than booze withdrawal!

[BakedPenguin]

Yup. Alcohol is a shitty, shitty drug. Opium is so much better, in almost every way.

[nicole]

Ah yes, BP knows what’s #1. And fuck alcohol. I mean, I drink some, but meh. So many calories, just to have your tummy and head hurt later.

[AuH2O]

Well, nicole, that’s what you get for drinking vodka. Scotch, otoh, does not make you feel nearly as bad in the morning, especially when you build up tolerance.

[nicole]

I thought vodka was what stupid people drank because it has relatively few calories? Anyway I drink champagne cocktails. I’m a fucking libertarian, aren’t I?

[BakedPenguin]

Calories, but not carbs. I drink rum, because the hangovers aren’t as bad and I like sailors. (DON’T JUDGE ME!)

[nicole]

I will only judge you for having obviously never read my blog, because then you would know how much I love sailors.

I really want to try a “flip,” but I don’t have a lot of red-hot pokers lying around. Sad.

[Pi Guy]

Yo, Goldwater – don’t bogart those Cheetos, my friend.

[Episiarch]

You have problems?

(shocked face)

[nicole]

Fuck threading, are you responding to me or Goldwater?

[Episiarch]

Why can’t it be both?

[nicole]

Because of threading.

[Episiarch]

Right, of course. Except I say that it’s both.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The benefits of threading FAR outweigh the limitations put upon it by commenters who don’t know how to properly thread.

[T]

We all know not to believe what you say by now.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Smart people with problems basically can’t get help.

+1000

Since nobody knows who I actually am I guess I can go ahead and say that I’ve tried to commit suicide once and that I’ve made a total of three psych ward visits.

The biggest problem with the psych wards, by far, was that the counselors were so fucking stupid

[AuH2O]

Also, those places are boring as shit. The books suck, and there is no internet, and just basic cable. GD, hospitals, let me have my cell phone and laptop or GTFO.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Only one I went to had cable.

Ironically, the one that did have it is also where we got to have a “special treat” and watch about 1/3 of Hitch on VHS tape.

[AuH2O]

Hitch is a solid film, to be fair.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Oh, and the other fun part is where the police use the hospital to dump people in that they can’t quite send to jail.

It makes for a friendly, understanding group experience.

[nicole]

The one thing I can recommend, and just barely, is to not see an MD or a “psychologist.” I am experimenting, I guess you could say, with a psychoanalyst, which sounds ridiculous, but I’m finding you can basically treat it as the Szaszian ideal of mental health: someone you pay to listen to you talk about the problems of living.

Anyway, it’s not hard to find out who I am, so the law prevents me from indicating my exact likeness to the Thane of Whiterun.

[Thane of Whiterun]

psychoanalytics? *barf*

(I’m studying cognitive neuroscience in school)

[nicole]

Yeah, she’s really just always like “but how did that make you feel?” and I’m like “FEELINGS ARE STUPID” and she’s like “yes, I know you think that, but how did that make you feel?” That is to say, there doesn’t seem to be any sort of ideological framework, thank god.

[Episiarch]

Fry: C’mon Bender, let’s go. This chick flick is getting me all barfy.

Bender: Yeah. Emotions are dumb and should be hated.

[nicole]

In her favor, when I tell her about things like Jezebel she is pretty horrified at what feminism has become (she’s like, I don’t know, 60-70). She’s like, no wonder you hate women!

[Thane of Whiterun]

eh, are you sure she’s a psychoanalyst and not just a more generic psychologist / psychotherapist?

psychiatrist = an MD and (generally) some degree in psychology or similar

psychologist / psychotherapist is vaguer but usually refers to a PhD who is licensed to counsel patients. A psychotherapist could be a psychoanalytic wackjob but could practice CBT or something else entirely.

“counselor” or “social worker” = inexpensive bullshit

[nicole]

She’s a psychoanalyst who is consciously not full-on Jungian. So we talk about weird shit sometimes like “the feminine principle” and she has some weird jargon that I should probably read Jung sometime to understand. But she’s not as horrible as full-on would be.

She is, bizarrely, a JD, which should make me hate her in a whole different way but since it’s the wrong context, I don’t.

[Thane of Whiterun]

She’s a psychoanalyst who is consciously not full-on Jungian.

Ah OK. When they’re self-aware and not “true believers” things are generally better.

My uninformed guess is that given her age, she was trained in psychoanalysis as was par for the course, and over time has become aware of the bullshittiness of it and adapted her opinions here and there.

[nicole]

Yeah, I think that’s pretty much right.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Incidentally, I get very frustrated with some of Sullum’s anti-psychiatry junk and the ensuing comments.

I get the feeling that a lot of the sentiment comes from the fact that so many people conceive of psychology in terms of outmoded Freudian catchphrases.

And also involuntary commitment, of course. But I’ve always looked at that more as a public health / legal / policy issue than a “psychiatric” issue.

[nicole]

Well, I don’t know if you have read Szasz himself, but I find that summaries typically don’t do justice to most of what he was concerned with. (“What do you mean, mental illness isn’t a myth?!? I know crazy people!) As I said above, he did believe in the value of paying someone to listen to the problems involved in living in society, which are real and worth dealing with. But the way things currently stand, it’s wrapped up in so much legal bullshit that it’s all but impossible for practitioner and patient to have a sincere relationship.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Szasz is one of those who’s on my list, but that I end up avoiding because so many who claim to be his acolytes say incredibly stupid things.

[nicole]

Yeah, those people are stupid. I highly recommend The Myth of Mental Illness and also, perhaps even more highly, Suicide Prohibition. The latter is a very fast read as well, and excellent.

[AuH2O]

Therapists also suck because they expect you to come in knowing what you want to talk about.

Its like the Simpsons and dentistry, “You’re telling me that you want me to do your job, for free?”

Also, my therapist is nothing like Judd Hirsch, which makes me sad.

[SIV]

So when is your mass shooting scheduled?

[Thane of Whiterun]

I heard we were scheduled to be put down in February.

[Mad Scientist]

Look, if you’re just going to sit there denying that you want to kill your father and fuck your mother, then we’ll have no choice but to commit you.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Basically.

They just tell you that if you don’t commit yourself “voluntarily” they’ll write up a “pink note” and put you in against your will.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Coolest job ever?

[Apatheist ?_??]

I hope Defiance doesn’t suck.

[SIV]

Edgy/arty fashion photographer is the coolest job ever.

[Doktor Kapitalism]

It’s up there.

[AuH2O]

Okay, I think I just about died last night when the Pawnee NPR tried to explain who “The Bat Man” is on Parks and Rec. Seriously, America, you would rather watch The Big Bang Theory or Two Broke Girls?

[Almanian.]

No, fuck you, cut spending.

[Coeus]

Feminists charge men more for their cup of coffee.

Two questions:

1. Why is this awesome, but the same stunt done by college republicans is racist?

2. Is she really this stupid?

Lastly, I am well aware that making fun of dumb comments on a blog can be a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, but ? look! ? I found this fish in a barrel and I’d really like for you to shoot it. From the comments on New Zealand’s Stuff:

“Men already pay more for coffee because on average they are more likely to buy a large one. This coffee campaign should seek to eliminate gender discrimination by making large coffees the same price as small. Does your commitment to eliminating discrimination stretch that far YWCA?”

This statement is so fucking stupid that it’s almost charming.

Can she really not see the direct parallel there? Really?

[Episiarch]

Self awareness is not a hallmark of the perpetual grievance industry.

[Loki]

They don’t teach Self Awareness in Womyn’s Studies.

[Thane of Whiterun]

1. Fuck you.

2. Yes, she is, and no, she can’t.

So what if I am biologically a male but tell the vendor I self-identify as a woman?

[AuH2O]

Then they should charge you the female price. But don’t think that changes anything. Gender and sex are different. Gender is all about how you preform it, while sex is inherent. But if you don’t like your sex, you should be able to change it. But that is different than if you want to perform as the other gender.

This would all make sense if you would check your privilege and read Judith Butler.

[Thane of Whiterun]

I guess I’ll just have to scream at them and call them all cisnormatives.

Fuck, why do I know what that means?

[AuH2O]

Because of me and Sugarfee?

We’re doing Satan’s work, boy.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Actually, while you and Sweet ‘n Low have corrupted me, I learned the cis-* crap from a curmudgeonly old conservative econ professor.

[AuH2O]

See, the beautiful thing about Jezebel’s brand of feminism is that it can never end, because it is about hating everything that made Western society successful, including capitalism.

Anything short of the society portrayed in Ayn Rand’s Anthem is going to piss them off.

[Auric Demonocles]

What’s the parallel where woman get charged more than men? Clothes or something where they choose more expensive options?

[Coeus]

No, the parallel is that the vast majority of the wage gap is due to choices. The guy is saying that if they need to even out the result of women’s career choices, why shouldn’t they also even out the result of men’s purchasing choices?

[Auric Demonocles]

Ah, thought it was an expense thing we were talking about, not an income thing.

[Coeus]

Both. They were using an expense thing to make a point about an income thing. He just directly reversed it.

[Loki]

Oh, and the president wants to seize control over the debt ceiling from Congress.

Dear President Obama:

Kindly go fuck yourself.

Sincerely,

Loki

[Almanian.]

Dear Loki,

Enjoy the Drone

President O

[Tim]

Something about Deutschemarks in wheelbarrows.

[HazelMeade]

Obama’s never going to get that control over the debt ceiling. That’s a laughable suggestion. The mere fact that it was even proposed is evidence for nothing more than the Democrats own blind arrogance.

[VG Zaytsev]

Nah,

It’s just a negotiating tactic.

Make an outrageous demand to move your adversary’s range of acceptable outcomes.

[Coeus]

When Will We Stop Pretending That College Athletes Can’t Be Rapists?

???

Wouldn’t we have to start before we can stop? In that case, I hope never.

[AuH2O]

I simply never understand the charges of “rape culture”. Want to know what the reaction of most men is if they hear that their sister/mother/spouse has been raped?

“Pray that the police find them before I do.”

Most men believe that the best punishment for rapists is to rip off their dicks and nail their balls to their ears. There is simply not a culture of men who accept rape as good or okay.

[Coeus]

Judging from the article, they feel that rape culture is when you don’t think it’s rape when the girl says she wasn’t afraid of the guy and actively participates in the sex.

[Apatheist ?_??]

Reading the story I can honestly say I don’t know if she was raped or not. It sucks but I’m not sure there will ever be justice for women who are raped in these kinds of situations without throwing a lot of innocent people in jail as well or filming everybody’s entire lives.

[SIV]

Based on the story that isn’t rape. Based on the athlete’s record of drawing rape accusations, he might have raped someone else at some time.

[AuH2O]

Yeah. The sex sound rape-y, but I’m not sure if its rape. If you ask a girl to turn around to have doggy-style sex and she does, what are you to think? Especially when she later gives you a handjob?

I am of the opinion that maybe he shoudln’t have gone as far as he did, that he was pressing his luck with a girl? Yes. As a man, stay on the safe side when having sex with a woman is generally my rule.

Was it rape? Probably not. Maybe sexual assault, but it is murky as hell. For Jez, it is easy, because of the active consent bullshit that they have made up where every sex act has to be cleared in triplicate, but in the real world, stuff is more murky.

[nicole]

Well, going by her story, it sounds pretty fucking rapey. The doggy-style thing, I mean, I get what Goldwater is saying about it, but I also think if you were being raped and didn’t think you could get out of it, you’d probably be happier if you could turn around (aside from just wanting to be compliant with whatever he was asking at that point). The handjob is more confusing though.

[AuH2O]

Oh, I agree that he does come off as insanely “rapey”. And the forcible rape charge from earlier makes me think that this is likely rape. But this also isn’t a Dirty Harry style case with a man running after a woman with a butcher knife in one hand and a hard on in the other.

This may very well be rape. But proving it in court? Especially if he tells a differing story of the events? Probably impossible to do beyond a reasonable doubt. At a certain point, the best thing we can do is to teach people precautionary behaviors (to both avoid raping and and avoid being raped, to the best of our ability), because unless we want to change the whole justice system concerning rape, then there is really no solution to it.

[nicole]

Yeah I mean…proving it in court is a whole other thing. I don’t know, vigilantism is “wrong” and shit, but unless it was like, armed and extremely dangerous stranger-rape, I have to say I would probably just get my brother to kick the guy’s ass.

[Heroic Mulatto]

Banishment works too.

[Apatheist ?_??]

I agree and having witnessed the large scale of sketchiness that goes on in college the best thing that can be done is some education.

One thing that is not done enough is for people (men and women) to look out for their friends better but in the end people have to be responsible for their own behavior.

Of course these suggestions are considered “blaming the victim” which is just as absurd as calling self defense classes “blaming the victim” but that is where we are in campus politics today.

[Coeus]

This may very well be rape. But proving it in court? Especially if he tells a differing story of the events?

I don’t think you could even get a conviction with just her side. And the forcible charge he has from earlier makes me feel really skeezy for defending him now, but twisting the law in order to get bad people is a really, really bad road to go down.

[Coeus]

but I also think if you were being raped and didn’t think you could get out of it, you’d probably be happier if you could turn around (aside from just wanting to be compliant with whatever he was asking at that point).

But she also said she wasn’t afraid of him getting violent.

[nicole]

You mean regarding the “couldn’t get out of it”? Yeah, I mean, that whole line is confusing because rape definitely would be “violence,” so to say she was raped but not concerned about him being violent doesn’t really mesh to begin with.

[Mad Scientist]

If she’s one of those mousey women who can’t stand up for herself ever, she might have gone along with the whole thing because she just didn’t have the nerve to tell him to stop.

[Coeus]

If she’s one of those mousey women who can’t stand up for herself ever, she might have gone along with the whole thing because she just didn’t have the nerve to tell him to stop.

Could be. But that also isn’t rape. Or do people like that accuse panhandlers of stealing from them when they ask for change, and they feel it’s easier just to give them some?

[Mad Scientist]

If she can’t tell him, “no” and seems to be willingly going along with the whole thing I don’t see how it’s rape, no matter how creepy the guy is.

[BakedPenguin]

This is where “safe words” have a larger context than just BSDM.

[Coeus]

This is where “safe words” have a larger context than just BSDM

Shit. I’d be happy if they had a larger context in BSDM. Too many women don’t like to use them.

[Coeus]

I am of the opinion that maybe he shoudln’t have gone as far as he did, that he was pressing his luck with a girl? Yes. As a man, stay on the safe side when having sex with a woman is generally my rule.

Agreed. And everybody knows that a lot of the under 30 crowd likes to be convinced. The lines get can get murky.

And then there’s also the group that doesn’t want to have sex, but wants to feel desired. They just want to make out and sleep in the same bed. If you don’t truck with that and try to leave, often they will decide to have sex so they can still get what they want. Those I’m fine with, as it usually ends up incredibly enthusiastic. That sounds exactly like what happened here, (minus the enthusiastic part).

But I will never forget the girl who, after pulling her own panties off and watching me put on a condom, said “this is like rape” as I was about to enter. Cock wilted like a deflated balloon. I asked for clarification, thinking that maybe she was just kinky and bad at dirty talk, but no, she was serious. I called her a cab and went into the living room to watch TV. Crazy and college gender studies is a potent mixture.

[Apatheist ?_??]

I agree but there is also a culture of apologists on big time college sports campuses.

[AuH2O]

Oh, yeah, I do believe that if you are the star quarterback of a high school team in Texas or a college team in the SEC, you can rape all you like. But thats a pretty specific class of people. 99% of the human population gets their shit destroyed for raping someone.

[Coeus]

Exactly. It’s like saying that “nobody believes that musicians can commit crimes” because some people defended R. Kelly. R. Kelly is not all musicians, and some people is not everybody.

[Ted S.]

Or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[AuH2O]

Oh, can I bring up something that always bothered me? Why, in Kobe Bryant’s rape trial, didn’t the judge throw his lawyers out of the coutroom for mentioning the victim’s name 3 times, against Colorado’s rape shield statue, in I believe their first day?

That judge was a grade A pussy.

[The Late P Brooks]

A Democratic Georgia congressman wants a constitutional amendment to restrict the free speech rights of corporations. He claims they are “stealing your government” and “control the media.”

Okay, we get it.

Government good. Kkkorporation bad.

[PowerBottom]

They always seem to forget that CitUni ruling applies to Unions as well. I’m sure they feel the same way about union political contributions.

[SIV]

That’s my Congressman. He’s the Guam-tipping guy. He isn’t all these

[Ted S.]

He isn’t all these what? :-p

[AuH2O]

So, I have an improv show tonight. Any suggestions, other than the standard rules?

[Episiarch]

Are you performing or observing?

[AuH2O]

Performing. Its completion of the first improv class I’ve ever done.

[Episiarch]

Make fun of your improv class and the fact that you took it.

[Pro Libertate]

Do Episiarch impersonations. Go off on pizza.

[nicole]

Totally read that as “get off on pizza.”

[Episiarch]

That’s valid too.

[Coeus]

Personal special sauce? Or is it like the soggy cookie game, but with a guido twist?

[nicole]

I saw a billboard last night that you would have come all over in that case. The deepness of the dish…you can’t even imagine.

[Pro Libertate]

Yes. In fact, during your improve performance as Episiarch, order a pizza while on stage and, well, you know what you have to do.

[Pro Libertate]

Improv. You can’t help but improve upon him.

[hamilton]

Try rape jokes, those always go over well.

[Heroic Mulatto]

Just whip out your dick and start masturbating onto the audience. You should be able to get an NEA grant out of that.

[SIV]

Needs moar Hershey’s syrup and lubricated yams.

[nicole]

Don’t follow any of the advice given thus far.

[hamilton]

To be fair, one could say this about pretty much any thread on HampersandR.

[Episiarch]

nicole includes herself in that statement, so it all works out.

[nicole]

No one should ever listen to me about anything.

[Episiarch]

That’s what I always say. About you. And NutraSweet.

[Ska]

Seriously. HM didn’t even recommend to strap a little Grouch Marx glasses and ‘stache to your pecker. That’s how you separate art from plain old wanking.

[Heroic Mulatto]

I thought that was a given.

[PowerBottom]

Social Security Office bombed in Arizona

http://www.kpho.com/story/2022…..asa-grande

[Coeus]

Was the bomb in a lock box? Cause that would be awesome.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Of course not, no explosive could ever overcome the mighty lock box.

[The Late P Brooks]

“The people themselves would understand that having guns around puts them in more danger.”

*looks nervously over shoulder at 1911 on shelf*

*remembers shotgun in corner, begins to sweat*

[mad libertarian guy]

Everyone knows that guns up and out of the safe, sneak around in the night, and kill indiscriminately.

[nicole]

My dad was visiting me for the weekend, and when Camacho died he blamed it on handguns. I told him guns didn’t have agency. He proceeded, I kid you not, to blame it on the bullets.

We also, as it happens, had a separate conversation about the ACA in which I did really tell him to “fuck off, slaver.”

[mad libertarian guy]

Everyone knows about the secret meetings that physically separated guns and bullets have in the middle of the night.

Sneaky little fuckers.

[nicole]

If only they were like socks, secretly multiplying in the night.

[mad libertarian guy]

Everyone knows about the secret meetings that physically separated guns and bullets have in the middle of the night.

Sneaky little fuckers.

[Caleb Turberville]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AE2aL0-6Y

Wow, Susan Boyle looks hot!

[BakedPenguin]

I know those words, but that sentence makes no sense.

[SIV]

She can’t look much worse than Adele.(sp?)

[The Late P Brooks]

Not that I’m trying to rub it in, or anything, but Montana (for all its crypto-socialist neuroses) is a place where you can find an ad in a newspaper, make a phone call, bring cash, and go home with a(nother) pistol.

Bing-bang-BOOM.

[nicole]

Montana is my No. 2 wished-I-lived-in state. After Wyoming.

[mad libertarian guy]

Wyoming is #1 for me. Specifically the Black Hills area along the South Dakota border.

[SIV]

I think most of the country is like that.
Under federal law you both have to be from the same state but a private party seller does not have to ask, much less confirm, the buyers eligibility to own a firearm. It is just like selling a used lawn mower.

[The Late P Brooks]

Other than the area around Jackson (completely out of the question, financial-wise), I find Wyoming to be pretty much unremittingly bleak and ugly. Too many trips across I-80, I guess.

No income tax and pro-business climate are extremely appealing, though.

[nicole]

Um, Yellowstone?!?

[Pro Libertate]

And the Tetons, though I suppose that’s “the area around Jackson.”

[nicole]

For Easterners, that shit is like crack. OMG SO BEAUTIFUL OMG CAN’T HANDLE.

[Pro Libertate]

I loved it out there. Just amazing. Drove from Minneapolis and saw the Badlands, the Black Hills, Devil’s Tower, the Bighorn Mountains, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. All in one trip.

[nicole]

Sadly, it’s been two years now, but we flew to SLC and drove from there up through Jackson and the Tetons, spent a week in Yellowstone, then drove back down the other way through Pocatello. Best trip I ever had. Next time I want to drive the whole way.

I hear Glacier is even better.

[Pro Libertate]

I was originally going to go to Glacier on that trip. I’ve heard great things.

I want to take the whole family to Yellowstone, but it would cost a mint to do it if we flew, and it’s way too far to drive.

[nicole]

Yeah, we flew to SLC because of the cost of flying anywhere else, and that was just with two of us.

Other problem is of the two of us, I’m the only one who can drive, at least for now, so it’s kind of a rough trip for me (even though I like driving). As it was, I drove something like 2k miles in a week. In the past year, I put about 8k miles on my car.

[Pro Libertate]

Yeah, it’s some miles. Even if you fly out there, everything’s far apart.

If I were super-rich, I’d have a home out there.

[nicole]

My dream is to do a cross-country drive, or at least across 2/3 of the country (starting in Chi). I have a good car now too, so it’s possible. Maybe next year’s vacation.

[SIV]

Well it winds from Chicago to L.A.
more than 2000 miles all the way

[mad libertarian guy]

Glacier is fucking amazing.

And since you are in Chicago, you have no excuse not to go. Directions:

1. Drive to Union Station in Chicago.
2. Get on Empire Builder – it leaves daily at about 2.30 or so.
3. Ride for about 32 hours.
4. Get off in either East or West Glacier. The East Glacier stop is the front door of the famous lodge at Glacier, West Glacier is about 500 yards from the west entrance of the park.

My family took the train a couple of years ago and it was a great trip.

[Pro Libertate]

Oh, and Devil’s Tower and the Bighorn Mountains, too.

[Mad Scientist]

I’ve driven though Wyoming several times and it was always absurdly fucking windy. North/south on I-25 isn’t so bad, but the I-80 corridor always has several trucks laying on their sides in the ditch from the wind.

[mad libertarian guy]

Get to the Black Hills area just below I-80. You will see the light.

And even in the open plains there is a stark beauty to it.

[Redmanfms]

Other than the area around Jackson (completely out of the question, financial-wise), I find Wyoming to be pretty much unremittingly bleak and ugly.

When you come from and have only lived in states in which you can’t drive more than 5 minutes without seeing something man-made (besides the road obviously) the bleak emptiness takes on a new meaning. “Magnificent desolation” I’ve heard the Northern Plains called and I agree.

Having grown up in NOVA and the Shenandoah Valley being in a wide-open steppe is a strange and exhilarating experience. When I rode across it on my motorcycle I felt what can only be described as “high.”

I don’t think I’d want to live there though, the winters are quite a bitch.

[Rich]

A Democratic Georgia congressman wants a constitutional amendment to restrict the free speech rights of corporations.

That would be Hank “Guam Might Tip Over” Johnson. Why hasn’t he been recalled or impeached already?

[SIV]

Who the fuck is going to “recall” Hank?
He’s my congressman. This is Cynthia McKinney’s old district.

[Rich]

A Democratic Georgia congressman wants a constitutional amendment to restrict the free speech rights of corporations.

That would be Hank “Guam Might Tip Over” Johnson. Why hasn’t he been recalled or impeached already?

[waaminn]

lol, more of the same, surprise surprise lol

http://www.anon-ut.tk

[The Late P Brooks]

she’s really just always like “but how did that make you feel?”

I just had a flashback to a girlfriend from a former life. Now my head hurts.

[nicole]

As stupid as it sounds, I have to say, for someone who is really bad at thinking that way, it can be helpful.

[Coeus]

My problem is that my emotional development is that of a 3 year old. Both myself and the rest of the world is better off that I ignore every negative emotion except very carefully considered righteous anger.

[nicole]

HANK: Luanne, sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Now there’s two ways you can deal with it. You can cry — and that’s the path you’ve chosen — or you can not cry.
LUANNE: How do you not cry?
HANK: Well, instead of letting it out, try holding it in. Every time you have a feeling, just stick it into a little pit inside your stomach and never let it out.
LUANNE (trying it): Are you supposed to have a pain under your rib?
HANK: Yes. That’s natural. The body doesn’t want to swallow its emotions. But now you go ahead and put that pain inside your stomach too.
LUANNE: I think it’s workin’, Uncle Hank. I feel sick, but not sad.

[Coeus]

Nice. But there have been studies which conclude that people of my personality type do better with just drugs than therapy or a combination of both.

But that’s not to say I don’t have outlets. Every year or so I spend the night in the bathtub with a bottle of whiskey. Cleans that little pit in your stomach right out.

[Stormy Dragon]

I don’t get the whole GOP obsession with the debt ceiling. In September, the House passed (329 to 91) a continuing resolution authorizing six more months of deficit spending with nary a peep and now they same people who just voted for that want to make a big deal about the debt that resulted? If you’re worried about paying too much for dinner, you stop going to expensive restaurants; you don’t eat the whole meal and then start moaning about how much it costs when the waiter brings the check.

[AuH2O]

I realize I begin a lot of sentences with the phrase “Oh”, but that’s just because H&R gives me multiple orgasms reading it.

HOW DO YOU ALL FEEL NOW?!

[Mad Scientist]

Jealous.

[Hell's Librarian]

…Go on…

[nicole]

Raped.

[Warty]

I’d just like to say that I just got loaded on Great Lakes Christmas Ale at work, and I hate all of you, so fuck you.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Dinner Time

[The Late P Brooks]

For those of you who may be thinking about going to Yellowstone, I will suspend my standing rule to never give travel advice: YOU ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY MUST GO TO THE OLD FAITHFUL INN!!!!!

It is no shit like being inside the world’s biggest cuckoo clock.

If you were there, and did not go, imagine now my cruel mockery and heartless laughter.

[nicole]

I didn’t stay there, because I booked last minute and it was full, but we ate there almost every night. Awesome and delicious and I want to go back SO BAD.

[The Late P Brooks]

And all that stuff about buffalo being ill-tempered and dangerously unpredictable?
Poppycock. An Olde Wyves Tayle. They’re very snuggly, and like nothing better than for you to walk right up to them and scratch their butts. Seriously. And they like singing. Show tunes, in Miss piggy’s voice.

[nicole]

Haha. I loved this guy. That’s my rental car, with my boyfriend taking a photo out of the passenger seat. When I turned around to get back in the driver’s side, there was another buffalo standing between me and the car. OH SHIT!

[SIV]

Sorry, that page was not found.

[nicole]

I know, sorry, gone now.

[Coeus]

Police officer shoots himself in the ass.

It happened while the officer was serving an arrest warrant in Shoreline in the 19200 block of Stone Ave. N., Mercer Island Police Commander Leslie Burns said.

Police had taken a man into custody and were wrapping up at the scene when the officer accidentally discharged his weapon, striking himself.

The unidentified officer was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. Burns said he is a 7-year veteran of the force.

[DK]

Bottom… men.