A.M. Links: Joe Biden Preparing for 2016, Rand Paul Preparing GOP for 2016, French Teachers Protest Five Day School Week

• "Organizing for Action," the post-election iteration of the Obama campaign machinery, will need volunteers to raise their own money to access voter lists the Obama campaign held, upsetting some supporters.

• Joe Biden spent inauguration weekend getting ready for a potential 2016 run for president.
• Rand Paul will decide on a run for the presidency within two years. He says the GOP risks permanent minority status if it doesn't become more libertarian.
• Algeria's prime minister says a Canadian citizen coordinated last week's raid of an oil field.
• Russia is beginning to evacuate its citizens from Syria, after two years of conflict.
• Teachers in France are protesting an attempt by the Socialist president to extend the school week to five days.
• Meanwhile, the former president Nicholas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni may be moving to London to escape the new 75 percent tax rate on the rich.

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Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Joe Biden spent inauguration weekend getting ready for a potential 2016 run for president.

He might want to invest in a teleprompter.

[Ted S.]

As if he had anything to say.

[Obama Unchained]

Let me be clear. I hang on his every word.

[DJF]

The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft The Teleprompter from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry The Teleprompter . That is why I am your President.

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing telepromters's is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

[SKR]

If I went around saying I was Emperor just because some moistened bink lobbed a teleprompter at me, they'd put me away.

[invisible furry hand]

*bint*

[Kaptious Kristen]

*tart*

[invisible furry hand]

watery tart and moistened bint

[Groovus Maximus]

berk also applies.

[Mike M.]

Good grief, the guy really is totally fucking insane. He won't even win a single primary.

[Rich]

"An insane man for insane times."

[hamilton]

Biden/Bill the Cat 2016!

[Citizen Nothing]

ACK!

[Sy]

absolutable

[HazelMeade]

Thank God, we'll have a Republican president in 2016!

[WTF]

I doubt it.

[Brian D]

I doubt Biden will even be the Team Blue nominee. They'll prop up Deval Patrick and ride the race card to victory instead.

[hotsy totsy]

I just betcha Michelle O will make a run for it. Giving the Obamas another 4-8 years like the Kirshners in Argentina.

[PS]

Back during the Depression, FDR used to get on the teleprompter and reassure the country...

[Stormy Dragon]

Seriously, what is it with TEAM RED's obsession with teleprompters? Pretty much every politician for the last forty years has used them, but suddenly Obama does it ans it's suddenly some major thing that must be mentioned on an almost daily basis? Particularly since it only seems to apply to Obama, as everyone else continues to use them without warranting a mention.

[tarran]

The jokes about teleprompters have more to do with Obama's floundering when they are not around.

When he talks off the cuff, it's utterly cringe-worthy. Worse than Bush... Bush clearly suffered from stage-fright. Obama is a moron who struggles to string sentences together.

[DesigNate]

^THIS^

[Stormy Dragon]

Yeah I get that, but given the massive list of things wrong with Obama it just seems so... trivial. Particularly after five years of the same joke over and over. I dunno, maybe it just seems like a symbol of the fall of the right. They've abandoned so many principles that they can't make substantive complaints anymore and have been reduced to heckling over things that don't really matter in the long run.

[John]

I think Obama being a moron who can't put two sentences together matters in the long run. We need to stop pretending he is smart. He is not. And the only reason people say he is is because of the racism of low expectations.

[PapayaSF]

I don't think he is terribly smart, but I think the need for a teleprompter is partly that it's hard to speak without one if you are constantly lying about what you really believe, and trying not to offend one or more of your conglomeration of constituent groups.

[Stormy Dragon]

Except that the only recent President who was good at off the cuff public speaking, Clinton, was also one of the biggest bullshitters. Meanwhile Ron Paul, known for his philosophical consistency, is a very underwhelming orator.

[Virginian]

Of all the massive list of things wrong with Bush, the left focused on his hilarious malapropisms.

There's nothing funny about murder drones and a mountain of debt. But you take your laughs where you can find them. Be it in a Bushism of the Day calendar, or in the blog Obama's teleprompter writes.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Teachers in France are protesting an attempt by the Socialist president to extend the school week to five days.

Merde. Fridays were going to be Citroen-burning lab days.

[$park?]

This is why we need to be more like France.

[Killazontherun]

Kids in France only go to school four days out of seven? Ah, that explains why they test so much better.

[sarcasmic]

'Megan just has great boobs,' Leslie said in a recent interview with Yahoo! Movies. 'Better boobs than I've ever seen in my life.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....Is-40.html

[John]

I can't find the link, but the Daily Fail said this weekend that Jennifer Love Hewitt is going to get her kit all the way off during this season of The Client List.

[crazyfingers]

That movie looks terrible. Won't someone please tell Judd Apatow no one cares about his annoying family?

[John]

I find all of his movies completely annoying and unwatchable. I have tried to watch the 40 year old Virgin and Knocked Up and got through about 45 minutes of each before I turned the DVD off.

Why do people find his stuff funny? I don't get it.

[Zeb]

I dunno. I thought the 40 Year Old Virgin was pretty funny. Better than I thought it was going to be (maybe the key is low expectations). Haven't seen much else he has done.

[Kaptious Kristen]

I thought The 40-Year-Old Virgin was both funny and sweet. How can you not laugh at an elderly Indian guy spouting off the most filthy sexual activities?

[Heroic Mulatto]

How can you not laugh at an elderly Indian guy spouting off the most filthy sexual activities?

It's not nice to laugh at my grandfather like that.

[John]

Okay, that was kind of funny. And the 40 Year Old Virgin was more watchable than Knocked Up, which was completely awful.

[sarcasmic]

Since neither of them have Megan Fox's jiggly bits jiggling, I have no plans to see either of them.

[John]

If you just want porn, I would take Katherine Heigel over Fox. Heigel is gorgeous and Fox is just a tramp.

[sarcasmic]

Whatever, ape.

[John]

If you think Fox is better looking than Heigel, you have no taste in women.

[sarcasmic]

Whatever, ape.

[$park?]

Apes don't read Nietzsche!

[SKR]

yes they do. they just don't understand it.

[Clano'6]

My husband dated Megan Fox's older sister in high school. He said Megan was a really sweet little kid.

[Enough About Palin]

They're a-jigglin' here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....Is-40.html

[AuH2O]

Dude, Katherine Heigel is completely awful. She went to my high school- all of the teachers who had her thought she was a bitch.

I could re-edit Heigel into the original Star Wars and that would become unwatchable.

[robc]

Katherine Heigel is completely awful. She went to my high school- all of the teachers who had her thought she was a bitch.

As Ive heard elsewhere. But that isnt the point. I agree with John, from a pure aesthetics point I think...well, I aint turning down either, but Heigel gets to go first.

[sarcasmic]

from a pure aesthetics point...

Aesthetics shmesthetics. Fox would be more fun.

Yesterday I took the opportunity to start another brew. I'm not sure how it would be defined, it was just something I put together on a whim.

6# lager malt, 1# carapils, 2# wheat malt
mashed at 140 until it passed an iodine test, about 2.5 hrs
sparge stuck like a bitch. next time get some rice hulls.
boiled with 2oz Saaz for 60, .25oz for 10, will dry hop with another .25
S.G 1.046
Fermentis Saflager 23

What do you think? I think it will be yummy on a hot summer day.

[robc]

Ive never had to use rice hulls.

Umm, correction, wish I had used some yesterday, 6# wheat, 4# Pils and it was sticky and slow. Double decoction.

140 seems awful, awful low. Not surprised it took 2.5 hours. Will alpha amylase work at that T at all? Dead center for beta amylase, but I would have done a step up to 155 or so after an hour. Well, 15 minutes plus a decoction.

My recipe as a whole:
6# Wheat
4# Pils
1 oz Tettnanger for 90
Coriander and Orange peel at 5.
WLP300 Hefe Yeast.

[sarcasmic]

My thought was that the pound of carapils would take care of the body and mouthfeel, so I might as well turn the rest of the starch into alcohol.
My decoction mash-out only raised it to 155, so if there was anything left for the alpha to chop it would have had a chance.
I just thought a Saaz lager with wheat would be nice. Will find out in a month or two.

[sarcasmic]

6# wheat, 4# Pils

There's enough enzymes in 2-row to convert all that wheat?

[robc]

Malted wheat has more than enough diastatic power to take care of itself, plus some.

[sarcasmic]

Malted wheat has more than enough diastatic power to take care of itself, plus some.

I didn't know that. Damn you Papazian! Time for me to read some Palmer.

[robc]

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/ima....._power.gif

Munich can barely (just barely) take care of itself. I have done all Munich before and it works.

British pale malts arent a whole lot better. Pils, American 2-row, American 6-row (duh!), and Wheat malts kick ass.

[robc]

60/40 is a pretty standard hefeweizen ratio.

[sarcasmic]

60/40 is a pretty standard hefeweizen ratio.

With the necessary protein rest to keep it from gumming up the works, that sounds like a long brew day.

[robc]

It can be.

I do double decoction, its long.

Ive done it with a series of infusions, its not as long, but longer than a normal brew day.

But you had a 2.5 hr mash, even with a protein rest and multiple decoctions, that isnt any different.

[sarcasmic]

Add to the 2.5hr mash a stuck sparge. Yeah, it was a long brew day.

[Raston Bot]

Do you mix the coriander and orange peel (zest?) into the boil at 5 minutes? I racked onto shredded coconut last time and had to cheesecloth the siphon to keep all but the smallest bits out of the bottles.

Still formulating but thinking next brew on 2/23 will be:

10# 2-row
7# pale wheat
2# honey malt
1# caramel 10L
2# rice hulls

1oz Summit at 60 min
.25oz Cascade at 30 min and 1 min

Mash at 125 for 15-20 minutes, then up to 152 for an hour.

Probably a german wheat yeast. Target OG is low 1050s. Going to rack half with 16 fluid ounces of satsuma juice for a couple weeks. Should be ready by spring.

[robc]

Do you mix the coriander and orange peel (zest?) into the boil at 5 minutes?

Yep. Not zest, I used ground orange peel (and ground coriander). Normally I grind my own coriander, but couldnt find the while seeds last time I bought, so had to buy preground.

I havent had any problem with them, they fall out of suspension with the yeast, generally. And I keg, so they tend to fall out of keg too. But its a hefe, its supposed to be cloudy, a bit of ground coriader floating around isnt gonna be noticed anyway.

[Raston Bot]

Another advantage to kegging. That sounds like a damn fine beer.

[John]

I would not be surprised if she is a total bitch. And she can't act her way out of a paper bag. She is terrible.

But she is beautiful.

[Groovus Maximus]

I have much better (and smarter too!)

[$park?]

I have much better (and smarter too!)

This, boys and girls, is what happens when you go 38-42 years with no female contact.

[alittlesense]

That would be Doctor Groovova? (Did I spell that right?)

[Groovus Maximus]

DA!-D

[RBS]

People? Try middle aged housewives.

[AuH2O]

40 Year Old Virgin, SuperBad, and Funny People (if you've ever done stand up, funny people really resonates in parts. The Leslie Mann bits are not the best part of the movie) are his good one.

This is 40 is fucking TERRIBLE. The financial idiocy of the characters is bound to piss off everyone with a chequebook.

[John]

Superbad is another movie I turned off. I just wanted to punch that fat kid in the mouth.

[AuH2O]

Well, I also hit Apatow's career at the right time. I saw 40-year old virgin in my early to mid teens (so perfect age for a raunchy sex comedy), Superbad came out just as I was leaving high school and leaving my best friend to go to different schools, and Funny People came out just as I was starting to do stand up.

So, I sort of went through those movies at the right time in my life. And there are movies like that. I think Superbad especially has a lot more resonance in those high school/college years, as do other films. Dinner and American Graffitti are best watched at certain ages, as are most of the "coming of age" films.

[John]

I like teenage movies. I think movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High are great. I just thought Super Bad wasn't funny and the characters completely not engaging. I just didn't care about any of them other than actively loathing the fat kid.

[generic Brand]

I think that's the point AuH2O is making, John. As people in our mid-20's now, I have no appreciation for the 80's coming-of-age movies that I didn't already see (i.e. Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller). If I sat down to watch Fast Times I probably would get the same amount of enjoyment as you did from SuperBad, because the situation isn't realistic for me.

[John]

Generic Brand,

Some teenage movies date themselves and are only funny as time capsules. I think Breakfast Club and most of the John Hughes films are like that. But Fast Times is actually a good movie with smart dialog and real characters and plot. As screwball as it is, there is an actual movie there in a way that Super Bad doesn't have.

[robc]

I didnt get Superbad.

40 Year Old Virgin has some very funny scenes inside an otherwise stupid movie.

[generic Brand]

Dinner for Schmucks was pretty funny in my opinion. It's strange; I can like the most off-the-wall movies sometimes, but still find myself not enjoying Anchorman, Casa de mi padre, and most other Will Ferrell movies.

And yet I liked Ferrell in "Eastbound and Down" and "Ricky Bobby". How queer.

[John]

Ricky Bobby was pretty funny. So was Walk Hard. If you are a music fan and got the references, Walk Hard is hysterical.

[generic Brand]

Walk Hard is John C. Reilly's movie, though, not Will Ferrell.

[Proprietist]

I dunno about his films, but Freaks and Geeks is one of the greatest shows ever.

[Elspeth Flashman]

yes.

[sarcasmic]

Paula Deen in 1965...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/fem.....aylor.html

[$park?]

Let that be a lesson in what three sticks of butter a day will do to a person.

[Live Free or Diet]

Let that be a lesson in what three sticks of butter a day will do to a person.

It's not the butter.
"The next time you eat a piece of buttered toast, remember that the butter is actually the more healthful component." -- David Ludwig, MD, PhD, Director, Obesity Program, Children's Hospital Boston

[$park?]

Dammit, I was fishing for Warty.

[MP]

It's not the quality, it's the quantity. I'm still amazed to see the portion of the medical community hung up on insulin levels. FFS, the truly obese didn't get that way due to nutrient imbalances.

[Groovus Maximus]

A patient can be obese without being diabetic. Skinny people can develop DM2 as well.

[Live Free or Diet]

The observation that tells the story of cause and effect is type 1 versus type 2 diabetics. Type 1 diabetics don't produce enough insulin, so they have trouble storing fat and lose weight. Type 2 diabetics don't respond well to insulin, so the pancreas makes extra, so they can't stop storing fat and gain weight.

[Groovus Maximus]

Type 2 diabetics don't respond well to insulin, so the pancreas makes extra, so they can't stop storing fat and gain weight.

Initially, that is true; eventually, the pancreas "poops out" and insulin levels decrease significantly. With insulin resistance in more cases than not. Don't forget is a chronic, progessive disease.

[Live Free or Diet]

Insulin resistance is the origin and essence of type 2 diabetes. The diabetes becomes evident when the pancreas cannot keep up. (And yes, it can crash.) But the associated weight gain is from that excess insulin clearing the bloodstream into fat storage instead of feeding the body. Think of it as the fat being gluttonous, leaving the rest of the body to starve. That's why they have that ravenous hunger.

[Groovus Maximus]

I'm well aware of both etiologies and their respective progressions WRT both DM1 and DM2, LFD. I have had patients with both conditions. What I am simply saying, that the statement I made is true. I said "CAN" develop. Most, of course, are larger with more body fat in the usual places of accumulation (notably the abdomen and "love handles").

Insulin resistance is not the primary factor here, but it is an exacerbating and potentiating factor (means makes it worse). Too much insulin in the bloodstream from a bad diet (read: too many carbs over a period of time, particularly HFCS, as we aren't well suited to utilize it) is the prime mover here.

The diabetes becomes evident when identified by both FBS and A1C tests done over a span of 3 months. The ravenous hunger is a symptom used in the DX of diabetes and even pre-diabetes if risk factors are identified early enough. They are basically starving at the cellular level.

[Live Free or Diet]

Seriously, 10 years ago I was on 1,200 calories per day and weighed in excess of 360 pounds (BMI 55.5) and it was all I could do to keep from gaining weight. I exercised for 2 hours a day. Broke a bicycle -- squashed it, I kid you not.

I lost 125 pounds in 8 months eating low carb-high fat. I took them at their word that I could eat whenever I was hungry, but I ate what I was supposed to for the diet. The first three months I was losing a half a pound per day on 3,000 calories. Kept it off for 9 years now the same way.

Chesk out the Youtube video The Skinny on Obesity (Ep. 3): Hunger and Hormones- A Vicious Cycle. Robert Lustig's politics might suck, but what he says about obesity works.

[Elspeth Flashman]

Wow.

[Obama Unchained]

I can't imagine a more disgusting woman. Inside and out. Her double entendre is creepy gross.

[sarcasmic]

Pron 4 John!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/fem.....-town.html
He'll be in his bunk.

[Live Free or Diet]

Sorry, they're about like the "haute couture" Thom Browne hat designs further down the page.

[Zeb]

There is a line to be drawn between curvy and just fat. Some of those women fall on different sides of that line. The gunt is not a good feature on anyone.

[Proprietist]

LOL, the best part of that link is the dude with the boxy hats and jackets. I have seen the future of fashion and I want in.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Meanwhile, the former president Nicholas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni may be moving to London to escape the new 75 percent tax rate on the rich.

They should be doing it to escape the French people.

[wareagle]

why? The French people brought Hollande on themselves. Whatever Sarkozy's faults, no one forced folks to vote socialist.

[LTC(ret) John]

Yeah, but Sarkozy would definitely want to get away from the people that chose the Big Socialismus over him.

[wareagle]

guess I totally misread that one.

[Fist of Etiquette]

I knew that was a possibility when I wrote it.

[AuH2O]

Kurt Russel still able to do an escape movie?

I'm liking Escape from Paris

[LTC(ret) John]

Zombie Kurt Russell?

[sarcasmic]

An honest environmentalist.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....Earth.html

[Way Of The Crane]

We are a plague on the Earth, it's coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so.

'It's not just climate change; it's sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde.

'Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.'

I assume he'll be the first to do the right thing and shuffle himself off this mortal coil ASAP, right?

Asked about who could step into his shoes, the 86-year-old said: 'I'm not sure there's any need for a new Attenborough.'

Well, he's not a complete idiot, I guess.

[some guy]

Yes yes. We're perpetually on the verge of a mass starvation that never materializes. Somehow this time will be different...

[Live Free or Diet]

"... nothing can prevent famines in which hundreds of millions of people will die during the 1970s."
The Population Bomb by Stanford University Professor Paul R. Ehrlich, 1968.

[LTC(ret) John]

Norm Borlaug laughed.

[JW]

'Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.'

NEEDZ MOAR TOTALITARIANIZM.

[MJGreen]

'It's not just climate change; it's sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde.

He knows this is the case because, I mean, it makes sense that more people requires more land for food, right? You don't need to do any research on it, not when you're sure your intuition is right.

[$park?]

'Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.'

Well then, I guess that means no extra effort needed on our part. Really, the world will always be a limiting factor unless/until we are able to get off it.

[Dr. Frankenstein]

You know who else wanted more sheer space.

[gaijin]

the inventor of nylon?

[Way Of The Crane]

The Brazilians?

[LTC(ret) John]

Victoria's Secret?

[Clano'6]

Sheep farmers?

[cavalier973]

Mormon Judy and the Cow People?

[Rasilio]

"'It's not just climate change; it's sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde.

'Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.'"

Well I suppose in the largest sense possible he is correct, I cannot concieve of any level of technological progress which would allow us to sustain a population of say 50 billion on the earth and even 25 billion would be highly problematic so yeah if it ever looks like we're heading well north of 15 Billion we might want to take some steps to remidy that situation. Problem is right now we are on a course to peak at 9 - 10 billion around the year 2070 and then begin declining global population totals.

[SKR]

damn Malthusians

[sarcasmic]

VIDEO: SNOWBALL THROWING BOYS GET A SOAKING FROM FIREFIGHTERS
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....-hose.html
Haaaaa ha ha ha ha!

[sarcasmic]

Prince Harry has killed in combat.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....-duty.html

[LTC(ret) John]

Think we King Harry strong;
And, princes, look you strongly arm to meet him....

[hamilton]

Ooooh, nicely done john. We need a bit of cultcha round the place to maybe pick up the wimmenz.

[LTC(ret) John]

We have nicole, ifh and KK, whom else would we need?

[SugarFree]

Dagny, Madbiker, and Charlotte Sometimes. Dangy is a Left Coaster, but Warty drove off the other two with constant references to his mutant wang.

[$park?]

Warty drove off the other two with constant references to his mutant wang.

When all you've got is a hammer...

[SugarFree]

Hammer? This was the impression I always got.

[Warty]

Think barbs. Why do you think I identify so much with cats?

[BakedPenguin]

Also, rac3rx, carol, and (lurking), Bronwyn.

[nicole]

Don't forget Banjos. She's the only one who's actually proved she has a vagina by bearing Lil Reason.

[Warty]

Well, you posted that picture of your ass. I mean, you could be a tranny and all, but you're at least close enough.

[invisible furry hand]

Hell's Librarian
Elspeth Flashman

[Kaptious Kristen]

Shirley Knott

[LTC(ret) John]

OK, I am convinced - see, libertarians can haz wimminz around!

[Clano'6]

Me.

[some guy]

I read that as "Prince Harry was killed in combat" thrice.

[Live Free or Diet]

Likewise, though only twice.

[db]

Same here.

[invisible furry hand]

Robinson was collared after a CVS employee became suspicious about the frequency with which he was returning enema packages.

more

[SugarFree]

I've been out of work off & on for 3 yrs. When I graduated from college, I tried to join the military so I would have something going. After 2 attempts at Officer Candidate School that resulted in injuries I didn't commission. I feel cheated. But I guess its not in the cards for me. So I worked some retail jobs and bartending at a few places, all of which were fucking nightmares. The one bar that took a chance on me that I loved fucked me over because I didn't have a penis. Seriously. My regulars that I run into from time to time still tell me how much they miss me and I do miss them and the work, but who's gonna go back to work at place that thinks you're disposable when they are running themselves into the ground? I'm not crazy, maybe desperate but definitely not fucking stupid. I decided to go get a certificate in medical coding. I even passed the national certification exam, that most coders don't even have. Still no job. Maybe an internship

Maybe your poor writing skills have something to do with your unemployment.

And scroll down for bonus liberal art vs. STEM degree slapfight.

[SugarFree]

Damn you. You stripped off my link!

[John]

Sugar Free.

General Butt Naked and Arch Duke Pants fan have found some roommates for you.

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/347704

[SugarFree]

I'd get free room and board from the state after beating them all to death.

Katie: Female - 27 - She is a birth & postpartum doula and placenta crafter (placenta prints, capsules, tinctures, etc.), though she is well outside of the hairy grandmother midwife image that may spring to mind. She likes to create in the kitchen, clean (yes, really), take pictures and travel. Kris: Male - 36 - He is a former business owner (IT Consulting)/Mortgage Holder/Slave to Society, but has abandoned that load of crap in favor of rediscovering himself and finding something to do everyday that he is passionate about. He likes regrowing his foreskin, playing guitar, throwing a frisbee, traveling and reading biographies of heroin addicted 80s rockers. Danielle: Female - 30 - She is a student midwife, BodyTalk practitioner, doula, placenta crafter, life changer, paradigm shifter, and a host of other handy attributes. She likes feather earrings, Tool, and young thai coconuts.

Two placenta crafters? PLACENTA FIGHT!

[tarran]

For me, the really creepy bit is that they insist that their guests be prepared to accept hugs.

[Clano'6]

And the front porch with the air mattress and pillows for cuddling. Cuddling with nude unwashed composters? I feel like I need a shower.

[Ted S.]

Wait until Steve Smith shows up.

[John]

What the hell is a placenta crafter? I had no idea.

[SugarFree]

(placenta prints, capsules, tinctures, etc.)

Who doesn't want to drink placenta?

[invisible furry hand]

what sort of barbarian drinks placenta? Make pate out of it like a normal person, for heaven's sake

[Citizen Nothing]

Placenta Helper!

[Rich]

A placenta print

Trust one can still eat the placenta with fried onions after that.

[generic Brand]

I could honestly see the girls' descriptions being "for serious", but Kris's just screams joke. Please tell me I'm not wrong on this!

Kris: Male - 36 - He is a former business owner (IT Consulting)/Mortgage Holder/Slave to Society, but has abandoned that load of crap in favor of rediscovering himself and finding something to do everyday that he is passionate about. He likes regrowing his foreskin, playing guitar, throwing a frisbee, traveling and reading biographies of heroin addicted 80s rockers.

[nicole]

Have definitely heard of the regrowing foreskin thing before.

[SugarFree]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreskin_restoration

[John]

If he likes doing it, he must get recircumsized and start all over again. Nothing debased about that.

[John]

How many "biographies of heroin addicted 80s rockers" are there? I can only think of one, the guy in Red Hot Chili Peppers wrote a book I think, and I would call him a 90s rocker. Not many people were doing smack in the 80s. That makes me think that it is a joke.

[nicole]

Not many people were doing smack in the 80s. That makes me think that it is a joke.

More likely that they are just idiots, no?

[John]

If it is real nicole, it is just more evidence the world is beyond satire. If that ad had appeared word for word in The Onion, would anyone have thought it out of place?

[Brett L]

Not many people were doing smack in the 80s.

The members of Janes Addiction, Metallica and Guns 'n' Roses beg to differ. That's on 15 seconds of thinking.

[Zeb]

I think Metallica was just into drinking.

[sarcasmic]

I think Metallica was just into drinking.

I know Hammett was a big time coke head back when their music was good.

[John]

Did they write biographies Brett?

[T]

He didn't say autobiographies, John.

[Ted S.]

What drug(s) was the Motley Crue member who was the subject of "Kickstart My Heart" taking?

[Night Elf Mohawk]

Adrenaline.

[Ska]

Motley Crue's book also talks a lot about heroin.

[robc]

4 albums in the 80s, 3 in the 90s.

Blood Sugar Sex Magic was 1991, and that was basically the "end" of the early RHCP period.

I think of Slovak/Frusciante (I) period as being the peak Chili Peppers, with the Navarro/Frusciante (II) period being the popular Chili Peppers.

[robc]

Magik.

[LTC(ret) John]

If he is not a joke, I think smothering him to death with a fair trade, organic certified, hemp pillow is the only solution.

[Zeb]

That was my thought as well. That has to be a joke.

[bostonaod]

She likes feather earrings, Tool, and young thai coconuts.

I thought that was Gary Glitter?

[Ted S.]

I'd never heard of a "placenta crafter" or a doula before reading the stuff at that link.

[SugarFree]

Hire a doula to fingerbang your pregnant wife:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perineal_massage

[Ted S.]

Couldn't I just do that myself if I had a pregnant wife? Or tell her that masturbation is OK?

[Clano'6]

Yes, but doulas swear that only a woman can understand what a pregnant woman needs.

[AuH2O]

He likes regrowing his foreskin

A) This means that you are going to see a lot of peen in the aparment, no?

B) For the foreskin endowed, like me... how could you not just be a total jackass to this guy? "Welp, just changed my sitting position- better readujust the ol' foreskin. God, it makes everything so much better! Shame you don't have one..."

[Proprietist]

They make craft beer with placentas?

[SIV]

"You didn't built that"

People like you just don't get it. What do you suppose pays for the science and math programs, and all the technology and all the development at universities across the nation? Humanities classes, that's what. Overstuffed humanities classes staffed by overworked, grossly underpaid, and most often, overqualified adjunct professors.

[John]

Because the science departments never make millions doing work for the government and the private sector or anything. And every science major goes to class for free on the backs of the proletariat English majors or something.

[wareagle]

let me see if I understand this - the curricula of value at universities, the ones where decent employment is most likely, are only possible because of an overabundance of students taking useless courses taught by hyper-educated people whose real-world value is so minimal that even the education community can't justify giving them a juicier spot at the public trough.

that about right?

[SugarFree]

The economic ignorance displayed is astounding. There is so much wrong with that comment I surprised a sane mind can read it.

[Zeb]

So, humanities classes are overpriced? Who would have guessed?

[Brett L]

So, humanities classes are overpriced?

Actually, this is spot on. However, it has nothing to do with science classes being self-supporting, as the per-student-per-class-hour subsidy is the same. Take a 300 seat chemistry class then cry to me about your 300 seat survey lit class. Oh, by the way, I had to pay for an extra hour of class and a lab fee for mine. Douche.

[db]

Hahahahahahahaha!

Haaaaahahahahaha!

Yes, Humanities professors are the true Atlases of the world. We stand on their shoulders and prift at their expense. Woe to us if they ever go Galt.

HAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Rich]

A judge could also order Robinson, who has a lengthy rap sheet, to pay restitution to his victims.

"Pay restitution"? Isn't that cruel and unusual punishment?

[Rich]

The US Postal Service is RACIST!

[db]

"The people at the United Parcel Service and the Post Office didn't call you back because you have cloudy piss."

[injanear]

So know you back in the trap...just that, trapped. Go on and marinate on that for a minute.

BTW it appears Big Boi' is a closet libertarian. I love Outkast so much.

[Jerry on the boat]

Hair-raising ruling: Denmark says that both men and women's haircuts must cost the SAME PRICE.

[generic Brand]

So guy's haircuts go waaaaay up? Or women's come down?

[Ted S.]

The barbers/hair stylists should simply charge by the hour. If women's haircuts take longer, they pay more.

[AlmightyJB]

The barbers and hair stylist were probably the ones who lobbied for it so they could jack up the prices on the men.

[Bardas Phocas]

I predict the apperance of black market barbers in 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 ...

[Zeb]

Why would the price be based on sex at all rather than the type of haircut?

[some guy]

All forms of discrimination are immoral and therefore should be illegal.

All cars must be the same price!
All people must be considered possible mates!
All tourist traps must be equally frequented!
Etc!

[BakedPenguin]

Women have thicker hair, usually more of it, and they typically want the stylist to do a lot more with it.

[T]

I've never asked my barber to make my hair a color not found in nature.

[Clano'6]

They charge separately for that anyway.

[$park?]

Wouldn't that be impossible anyway? The dye has to come from somewhere.

[Zeb]

Right, but none of that is about gender, its about the job that the hair cutter is being asked to do. There are men with thick, long hair and women who get buzz cuts.

[tarran]

Prices being set at market-clearing levels... How the fuck do they work?

[Rasilio]

Because in general the rule would be true that womens hair cuts are more involved and take longer to perform than mens and the alternative of charging by the type of haircut would be difficult because then you would need to come up with a menu of hair styles and their prices

[hotsy totsy]

So?

[AuH2O]

But what if I don't identify with either the gender or sexual binary? What then, huh?

#OhThirdWaveFeminismSoHilarious

[invisible furry hand]

Vice cry-baby of the week is really no contest this week

[LTC(ret) John]

"Russia is beginning to evacuate its citizens from Syria, after two years of conflict."

"Citizens", yeah. I guess military advisors and intel operatives are technically "citizens".

[Ted S.]

Damn well better be. After all, look at how people here rightly get pissed over the cops/civilians dichotomy.

[Tim]

Do mistresses count?

[Pro Libertate]

I liked Depardieu in Le retour de Martin Guerre and in The Count of Monte Cristo miniseries.

[Kaptious Kristen]

I forgot about Le Retour de Martin Guerre - we watched that in French class. Good flick. I also liked the Jean de Florette series.

[Pro Libertate]

I actually read the book in a Historical Methodologies class (minored in History).

[Fist of Etiquette]

He says the GOP risks permanent minority status if it doesn't become more libertarian.

Senator Paul certainly does. But it seems like the voters want government goodies and plenty of them.

[LTC(ret) John]

I am trying to not get excited about Rand running in 2016 - but I cannot help but think how he would tear up the old line GOP types and flatten any Donk in policy and substance. Of course this means that TEAM BE RULED won't hesitate to try and undermine him.

[wareagle]

my guess is there will be a massive difference between what your eyes see and ears hear, and what the media and party establishments tell you that you heard and saw.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Also, AQUA BUDDHA!

[SugarFree]

I think it would be cool to have a president of a minority faith.

[The Other Kevin]

Have your heard about his dad's racist newsletters?

[SIV]

RAND WROTE THEM

[tarran]

Joking aside, the author of the racist bits has been outed.

A James B. Powell who was a director of Forbes until his retirement last year.

[An0nB0t]

I did not know that. Thanks for the link.

And a middle finger way, way up to those who accused Rockwell of writing the newsletters. Way up.

[Proprietist]

Uh, the link says Powell was "one of" the writers, the only one published with a byline. That doesn't speak to whether or not Rockwell was involved, but since he was RP's advisor, you have to assume he was very aware of, if not responsible for, the content.

[Juice]

Lew Rockwell has a particular style of writing and speaking, or at least he has certain little mannerisms. If you read some of the "racist" (more like race baiting) newsletters, it sure reads in places like Rockwell.

[Fist of Etiquette]

...will need volunteers to raise their own money to access voter lists the Obama campaign held, upsetting some supporters.

Those fucking House Republicans did this!

[John]

Allegations that Timothy Geithner, then head of the New York Federal Reserve, may have told banks ahead of time about a surprise policy move in 2007 underscores the pressing case for reform to safeguard the integrity and independence of the central bank.

Geithner really is just a criminal.

[DJF]

Its not insider trading when the government or its buddies do it.

[Rich]

the pressing case for reform to safeguard the integrity and independence of the central bank

Moreover, please don't "Audit the Fed"!

[An0nB0t]

Would anyone really miss Geithner if he were hit by a car tomorrow? I mean, would his own children shed a tear, or would they just bounce around on beds covered in life insurance money, Richie-Rich style?

[invisible furry hand]

Aid dollars at work

Ethiopia's resettlement scheme leaves lives shattered and UK facing questions
A 'villagisation' programme has left many people from Ethiopia's Gambella region bereft of land and loved ones, casting donor support in an unflattering light

more

[Ted S.]

You'd think people would have learned from the way Mengistu used food aid as a weapon back in the 1980s.

[$park?]

Next, I eat the banana. That's disarmin' him.

[Juice]

http://www.aljazeera.com/progr.....71720.html

This was a very interesting program on how Ethiopians are lifting themselves out of poverty using (shh) self-reliance and capitalism.

[Cdr Lytton]

Police officer arrested after bad shoot, charged with attempted murder.

http://www.oregonlive.com/fore.....cart_river

You won't need to follow the link to guess who he shot at.

[Rich]

A dog, amirite?

[generic Brand]

"We've not been in this situation," said Rouches, referring to the severity of the accusation against Cannon. "Obviously, he'll be placed on administrative leave."

Obviously...

[Ted S.]

Another police officer, I presume.

[Christina]

To me the real story isn't that an off-duty cop shot at some cops who came to his home when his wife called them over a domestic dispute. It's that of 11 trained police officers in the house, and ~16 shots fired, only one responding officer was somewhat injured, and the 'perp' isn't dead. It's remarkable that "Suicide by Cop" isn't automatic for cops themselves.

[Jordan]

One of many reasons to just laugh in the face of anyone who tells you that only "trained" police officers can be trusted with guns.

[Ted S.]

OH, and don't read the comments. 🙁

[generic Brand]

Joe Biden spent inauguration weekend getting ready for a potential 2016 run for president.

Rand Paul will decide on a run for the presidency within two years. He says the GOP risks permanent minority status if it doesn't become more libertarian.

If we thought the 2012 election devolved into mindless "Vote-for-R/Vote-for-D" semantics, we are in for a world of hurt as Democrats try to tell us why Joe Biden will be a perfect follow-up and why Rand Paul is NOT the direction the Republicans should go in.

We're boned.

[wareagle]

at some point, we could just grow up and realize that spending cuts will not happen in the abstract. I am under no illusion that cuts would spare whatever benefit or loophole or deduction that I enjoy.

Some folks may not outlive the status quo, but I expect to and it would be nice to look back and say "we did the right thing, finally" rather than discover what the consequences of inaction will be.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Need a place to stay in Phoenix?

[John]

That can't be real.

[generic Brand]

You're telling me this isn't real, John???

[Kris] likes regrowing his foreskin.

[generic Brand]

Your potential roommates:

Katie: Female - 27 - She is a birth & postpartum doula and placenta crafter (placenta prints, capsules, tinctures, etc.), though she is well outside of the hairy grandmother midwife image that may spring to mind. She likes to create in the kitchen, clean (yes, really), take pictures and travel.
Kris: Male - 36 - He is a former business owner (IT Consulting)/Mortgage Holder/Slave to Society, but has abandoned that load of crap in favor of rediscovering himself and finding something to do everyday that he is passionate about. He likes regrowing his foreskin, playing guitar, throwing a frisbee, traveling and reading biographies of heroin addicted 80s rockers.
Danielle: Female - 30 - She is a student midwife, BodyTalk practitioner, doula, placenta crafter, life changer, paradigm shifter, and a host of other handy attributes. She likes feather earrings, Tool, and young thai coconuts.

[wareagle]

I get the sense of people who will steal your food from the fridge and think nothing of rummaging through your room. Because....well, because.

[generic Brand]

That's why you buy processed foods... to keep them from stealing it!

[Emmerson Biggins]

In the "I get the sense" vein of things:

I get the sense Tom Brady is the kind of guy who could say "Hey, dude, I had to borrow your car. Hope you don't mind. Oh ya, sorry, it got towed".

[Clano'6]

She likes feather earrings, Tool, and young thai coconuts.

That just HAS to be code for some weird sexual fetish.

[Andrew S.]

"Please always feel free to add a new Word of the Day to our chalkboard."

I could think of a few...

[DJF]

"""'Katie: Female - 27 - She is a birth & postpartum doula and placenta crafter (placenta prints, capsules, tinctures, etc.""'

No thanks, I'll just get a hotel room.

[sarcasmic]

We can enlighten you on anal sex - Kris has even gone so far as to write a guide "The 6 Steps to Being an Ass Master".

Uh, sure. Whatever you say.

[Clano'6]

Are there titles as you work your way up to Ass Master? Like Anal Acolyte?

[db]

I think there's a major religious organization that has copyrighted that one.

[HellsBells]

Colon Cleric?

[John]

http://gawker.com/5977763/watc.....hn-boehner

Gawker can't believe that Queen Michelle had to sit next to an icky commoner. These people do love to worship at the alter of authority.

[$park?]

MadamePolitrixie 16 hours ago

While it is a lively term "throwing shade'' is not appropriate here. In this instance Michelle is definitely interacting with an Enemy whom she chooses to ignore with prejudice because she is classy and wonderful and because John Boehner is not worth the energy it takes to turn one's head. John Boehner is the Enemy of All the Free People of Middle Earth and Michelle has no other recourse than to ignore his Necromancerty.

*headdesk*

[RBS]

I asked this last night but what the fuck is "throwing shade?"

[Fatty Bolger]

Throw shade

to talk trash about a friend or aquaintance, to publicly denounce or disrespect. When throwing shade it's immediately obvious to on-lookers that the thrower, and not the throwee, is the bitcy, uncool one
"How does Kimmy keep any friends? Last night at the party all she did was throw shade at people."

[Zeb]

That has to be a joke. Come on.

[$park?]

I want that to be true, Zeb. But it's too dangerous to not take crap like this at face value these days.

[Suthenboy]

Necromancerty? The people of middle earth?

Uh...being a smug douchebag and ignoring someone with prejudice is what snobby teenagers do. It is the opposite of classy and wonderful.

this is why I cant expose myself very much to the cult of personality. I would lose hope for humanity and shoot myself.

[AuH2O]

...

...

HOLY SHIT!

If you are a gay dude who looks like Colin Kaepernick who lives in San Fran or any dude who looks like Obama, it must be so easy to get a blow job right now.

[Jordan]

Bees swarm a news crew's drone and then move onto the news crew themselves.

[generic Brand]

It was the first reporting job for CBS12 reporter Jenna Caiazzo, who just arrived from Charlotte, N.C., and is allergic to bee stings. Fortunately, she avoided being stung by taking refuge inside the station's live truck.

Caiazzo says the bees were still buzzing around just before she went live with her report for the noon news, but 'magically disappeared' when she went on air.

Sounds like someone had a case of the first-day-on-the-job jitters. Very convenient excuse: Bees (to which she is allergic) attack the van, but "magically disappear" when it's time to go on air.

[$park?]

Obama did it.

[Clano'6]

Global warming.

[LTC(ret) John]

"The drone, dinner-plate-sized device with four helicopter-like rotors and two cameras operated via iPhone or iPad, was assaulted by bees about a minute after takeoff."

Where can I get a hive of those bees?

[Pro Libertate]

News drones. Ye gods.

[SugarFree]

Cult of personality? What cult of personality?

The optimist in me thinks, whether you love 'em or hate 'em, the fact that they're such big news is a sign that we have a Presidential couple that's captivated the world, and that's a good thing. They're charismatic, brilliant, and a great image for United States' politics and diplomacy, something that's long been the domain of old white people in gray uniforms and conservative skirt suits. The Obamas are engaging in a way we haven't experienced in awhile, and the FLOTUS is a fascinating woman with brains to match her beauty.

My spit take was at least 50% vomit by volume.

[John]

A few years ago the Obamas did a D-Day anniversary thing with Sarkozy and Carli Bruni. The contrast between the wookie and Bruni was so embarrassing that even the American media had a hard time pretending the wookie was glamorous.

[invisible furry hand]

am i the only person here who's sick of the wookie line?

[nicole]

Nope

[sarcasmic]

Not I.

[Ted S.]

I hope it doesn't hit too close to home, IFH.

[invisible furry hand]

i'm not a black woman being compared to a monkey, so no

[John]

Bush was compared to a monkey. Hell, unless you are going to deny evolution, we are all just apes with opposeable thumbs.

[sarcasmic]

Having a common ancestor with apes does not make us apes. You creationists really know nothing about evolutionary theory.

[John]

First, sarcasmic, I am not a creationist. And second, Why you think I am is just an indication that you are either stupid or just believe things that fit your narrative regardless of the facts, which is the same thing as being stupid.

Second, we are all primates and come from a common ancestor. So pretty much we are apes with opposable thumbs. I am well aware of the difference but was making a more general point.

[sarcasmic]

So pretty much we are apes with opposable thumbs.

Speak for yourself, ape.

I happen to be a primate with the power of reason, in addition to having opposable thumbs, which makes me very different from an ape.

[John]

Meh. I find most people pretty ape like and in fact I find apes generally better than some people.

[sarcasmic]

I find most people pretty ape like and in fact I find apes generally better than some people.

You hang around with people who shit in their hands and throw it when they feel threatened?

That explains a lot.

[John]

You hang around with people who shit in their hands and throw it when they feel threatened?

I would like shreek to stop posting here as much as anyone. But it is not my fault Reason won't ban him.

[sarcasmic]

You're the one who said the only difference between you and an ape is the opposable thumbs.

I actually used to work with a guy who was born without opposeable thumbs. He had had several operations to break his hand and move the thumb. Didn't work perfectly, but it was better than the alternative.

He was not an ape.

[WTF]

Apes have opposing thumbs and Humans are in the brachiating ape family.

The apes and humans are members of the same superfamily, the Hominoidea . Subsequently, they are referred to as hominoids. Until the last few years, humans were separated into their own family within this superfamily because it was believed that we are significantly different from the apes. However, recent genetic studies and discoveries from the fossil record have made it clear that some of the apes are more similar to humans than previously believed. Subsequently, the living hominoids are now commonly classified into only two families with humans grouped with the great apes in the second family

[Ted S.]

Apes aren't generally svelte, as far as I know.

[Suthenboy]

Hey, dont knock it. I had one nail me from 50 feet once. That fuckin' monkey coulda been a pitcher in the major leagues.

[alittlesense]

What's wrong with hanging out with members of Congress?

[Zeb]

Maybe you are just a really smart ape?

[SugarFree]

"You'd sacrifice a beautiful woman to save a moderately attractive monkey? You must have smoked some bad granola."

[SugarFree]

Wookiees are not monkeys. What the hell kind of crap science are they teaching down there? I bet they told you R2-D2 was just some sort of fancy toaster.

[John]

Then what the hell was R2 then there smart guy?

[SugarFree]

Then what the hell was R2

He was whatever the poorly plotted story needed him to be; an artifact of crappy writing.

[cough]sonicscrewdriver[cough]

[tarran]

DON'T TALK SHIT ABOUT THE SONIC SCREWDRIVER!

You can't reverse the polarity of the neutron flow without one.

[invisible furry hand]

We're not that stupid. R2-D2 is clearly a technologically advanced garbage bin that sorts your ordinary waste, compostables and recyclables

[Jordan]

Do you find it offensive that we call Henry Waxman "Moleman"? We calls 'em like we sees em.

Oh, and Wookkiees aren't monkeys. /Comic Book Guy.

[invisible furry hand]

Do you find it offensive that we call Henry Waxman "Moleman"?

Wasn't aware that comparing white men to moles was a traditional justification for slavery.

[tarran]

Since the Wookie was first described in literature in the late 1970's, I doubt they were used to justify slavery either.

[Virginian]

I did not laugh until this post. Not sure why that's so funny, but it is.

[Tim]

It's the enormous biceps and height.

[generic Brand]

I'm only sick of people continually spelling Wookiee wrong.

[An0nB0t]

Shit, I've been doing it wrong my whole life. All those years playing West End's SW roleplaying game for naught.

[Fatty Bolger]

If the fur fits...

[gaijin]

Would Orc be better?

[AuH2O]

I just don't get it. I just... don't.

[db]

I'm pretty tired of it too.

[Emmerson Biggins]

Have you seen the new hairdo? It's like she wants us to call her a wookie.

[Rasilio]

Definately not.

Hate on BO's politics all ya want but attacking his wife's looks because you don't like him is beyond infantile.

[Don Mynack]

Only liberals thinks Michelle is hot.

[Mike M.]

She's a no-class, repulsive pig in just about every regard.

[sarcasmic]

It's racist to think otherwise.

[Tim]

We're all racists now.

[Zeb]

I don't know. If it wasn't for the constant sour expression on her face, she'd be a reasonably attractive woman for her age. Comments on her appearance are tiresome and silly.

[Emmerson Biggins]

just because she looks like a wookie doesn't mean she isn't doable.

[wareagle]

I find it curious that the cult seems oblivious to the reality that bangs are NOT a natural hairstyle for black people. Does their presence mean that Michelle is acting white and, if so, where are all the "race traitor" folks who come out of the woodwork when a black person does something different.

[SugarFree]

Based on history, is there a more egregious example of "acting white" than being married to the President?

[T]

is there a more egregious example of "acting white" than being married to the President?

Being President?

[SugarFree]

Taft was living large years before Big Momma's House.

[John]

If she were a black Republican, there would be hundreds of thumb sucking articles contemplating her insult to the natural style of black women and the roll of the wig in enforcing white standards of beauty.

[Rich]

bangs are NOT a natural hairstyle for black people

"FLOTUS performs unnatural act in public"

[Zeb]

Bangs are not a natural hairstyle for anyone. Scissors do not occur in nature.

[nicole]

Blech. Also saw glowing talk of this dress, which, I'm sorry, just is not very flattering at all.

[Rich]

Ima have to disagree, nicole.

That dress made her butt look less big.

[nicole]

Waistline and neckline not so good, though.

[Rich]

"Hey, my bangs are up *here*!"

[John]

It makes her hips look like battleships. She doesn't have the body to wear a high waste. She looks like she is pregnant. She looks awful in that dress.

[nicole]

Exactly

[Zeb]

Yeah. The dress looks good on the sketch, which has a waist.

[Groovus Maximus]

She doesn't have the body to wear a high waste.

RC'z Law approves.

[Pro Libertate]

You know, I find this all patronizing and, frankly, racist. Instead of letting the man stand on his own merits, they feel the need to boost him all out of proportion to reality.

I'm beginning to believe that the media's bullshit is more about identity politics than of the other kind.

[BakedPenguin]

Instead of letting the man stand on his own merits, they feel the need to boost him all out of proportion to reality.

It would help if he possessed some, other than being moderately decent at reading and speaking. Since he's an incompetent failure at everything other than public relations, they have to laud him or else they will have an Emperor's-New-Clothes moment.

[VG Zaytsev]

Ya think?

[Pro Libertate]

I always thought it was part of the problem, but I also thought the leftist/statist politics in general, particularly of the economic variety, played a major role.

Now I just think it's about identity politics, including a fear of saying anything much bad about a minority president.

[Elspeth Flashman]

Absolutely it's all about identity politics. Why else all the fawning about MLK day & inauguration lumped together. To translate "We like black people, and this is a day that celebrates black people, we are celebrating, so we are cool too."

[Lord Humungus]

where's barfman?

[SugarFree]

He watched the coronation and it damn near killed him. 2-3 weeks of bedrest and soft foods and he'll be OK.

[AuH2O]

Episiarch grade then.

[Brett L]

Somehow, the drill here, drill now crowd won the war while losing the publicity battle.

U.S. to Become Largest Liquid-Fuels Producer in 2013, BP Says
By Brian Swint & Lananh Nguyen - 2013-01-16T15:00:00Z

The U.S. will surpass Russia and Saudi Arabia this year to become the largest producer of liquid fuels, BP Plc (BP/) said.

[T]

Not if BP's contracting process has anything to say about it.

[Brett L]

Sure, if we're counting on BP to lead the way, its going to be a fucked up mess. I assume that their analysts must be excellent, because it sure wasn't their operations department that made them a supergiant.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Lyndon Johnson died on same day Roe v Wade released? Tough banner headline decisions.

[John]

Thoughtful arguments from the loving, tolerant left.

Republican Nazi pigs do not impose your shit Christian lifestyles at my children. I personally pray someone with a bushmaster goes into your place and opens fire and many die. That is my wish.. Pigs, Pigs Pigs. Did your mama have any children who lived? You all need to crawl, back into that nasty space you all dripped out of from some B?ach'es Vaginata/ Pigs, all of you Southern inbred creeps. Burn in hell and quit asking for money in the name of Jesus and God. You are the epitome of everything that is not American. I hope you and all your children die along with you.

http://www.unitedliberty.org/a.....erant-left

[Ted S.]

But it's OK for the Bloombergs and Michelle Obamas of the world to try to enforce their dietary lifestyles on the children.

[$park?]

Did someone who hates Christians just pray that they burn in Hell?

[John]

Good catch. I hope that imaginary God of yours sends you to hell!!!

[Zeb]

No, you see, they have a line on the real God, not that Nazi Pig God that Republicans worship.

[Heroic Mulatto]

Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists all have their concept of Hell.

Jus' sayin'

[$park?]

I think you might be giving this person too much credit.

[MJGreen]

Did your mama have any children who lived?

Huh?

[cavalier973]

The amusing thing about this rant is that, contra the ranter's probable worldview, religious belief has selective advantage. I am a deeply religious person, and have four children (so far). My brother is the same; he has five. We were part of a Christian homeschool co-op, and many of the families there had three or more children.

I bet this chucklehead may, at one point, accidently impregnate a woman who will decide not to abort it, and thus pass his genes along, but that will probably be the extent of his procreative activity.

There will come a day when my descendants will put his descendants (if they exist) into zoos.

[Rasilio]

Yes, however unless there is some sort of massive demographic change your descendants will overwhelmingly stop believing in your faith long before then.

While religious belief currently has some selective advantage (but really it is a question of which religion and compared to what) the actual beliefs themselves are not transmitted genetically.

[John]

the actual beliefs themselves are not transmitted genetically.

The best predictor of a child's religious belief as an adult, is the beliefs of his parents. So in a sense they are.

[Chinny Chin Chin]

Rand Paul says the GOP risks permanent minority status if it doesn't become more libertarian.

Thereby guaranteeing it minority status. I like this dream and all, but I don't see a majority of contemporary America coming to the dark side.

[AlmightyJB]

Exactly. Rand Paul is correct but the gop establishment refuses to believe it. They'll continue to call him crazy as they proceed on their death spiral.

[CampingInYourPark]

"Exactly. Rand Paul is correct..."

I think his point was that Rand Paul is wrong.

[Chinny Chin Chin]

This is correct; poor wording on my part.

Most "reasonable" people I know are moaning for the Reds and Blues to work together. They long for a Clinton-type era of compromise and crappy centrist policy that everyone can complain about.

A more libertarian Red party would be further marginalized.

[Kaptious Kristen]

I managed to avoid all of yesterday's Soviet-style spectacle. How disgusting was it?

[John]

I actually had the day off yesterday after preparing for the whole thing. My wife had a Dr's appointment in the morning. So we go out at around 4:30 to catch a happy hour and have dinner. And all of the damn restaurants are filled with Obamabots coming back having dinner and watching the parade looking very cultish.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

I'm not saying it looked like this

[SugarFree]

The Wife: "Please stop flipping past the Inaugural. I can hear you yelling over my headphones."

[wareagle]

your expectations X a very large number. Had you seen any Obama campaign speech or the DNC convention, this would have been more of that.

[Tim]

SOVIET INDUSTRY IS BUILDINK MORE TRACTORS! GLORIOUS!

[Lord Humungus]

Leveson: EU wants power to sack journalists
A European Union report has urged tight press regulation and demanded that Brussels officials are given control of national media supervisors with new powers to enforce fines or the sacking of journalists.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new.....lists.html

[Lord Humungus]

President Obama's Inaugural Speech Just Isn't Worth Watching
http://www.forbes.com/sites/th.....-watching/

But we don't need to watch this time around. Four years ago, Obama told us everything we needed to know about his vision for America. In the 2009 address, he stated clearly that his intention was to "remake America" ? as if America needed remaking to begin with. It was a stunning statement filled with hubris, and very much the Obama we have come to know.

In the intervening four years, we've seen wages drop and welfare programs increase by 33%. Despite the President's promises, Middle America is paying higher taxes, they're making less and their purchasing power is shrinking. Government borrowing, spending, deficits and debt are at all-time highs. There will be no celebration for the massive block of unemployed and underemployed Americans who have waited for years now for help beyond a benefit check.

[Lord Humungus]

Thoughts On Guns and Gun Control From Someone Who Doesn't Own One
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jo.....t-own-one/

Though politicians and media members often act as though the opposite is true, government workers aren't angels. To hand them the power to decide who is and is not fit for polite society is a frightening thought, and one we'll ideally never become familiar with. Worse, it wouldn't work. Leaving aside the sick-inducing vision of government officials rounding up those they deem threats to our wellbeing, they're going to be very wrong ? frequently. Harmless individuals will be committed to psychiatric wards, while those with murderous intent will still walk the streets.

As tragic as what happened in Newtown was, empowering the government or even private individuals to round up those they consider crazy would yield its own police-state horrors, and would in no way shield us from future Newtown-style massacres. Particularly in a free society, those who want to kill will be able to. The latter is a terrible reality to contemplate, but much worse would be a truly dystopian society in which allegedly noble government figures would lock up potentially unhinged people with our safety in mind.

[The Late P Brooks]

I did not watch any of it, either.

Would it have made Albert Speer proud?

[Lord Humungus]

Obama's Bogus Journey
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/.....urney.html

The world will little note nor long remember anything President Barack Obama said in his second inaugural address; still less will it remember any of the gushing encomiums his admirers in the press reliably produce, comparing him variously to Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln and Jesus.

Obama said that developing "sustainable-energy sources" is "what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared." Does anyone believe that in a week anyone will find that an arresting and compelling thought? Or credit it for being a thought at all?

[John]

I thought the National Day of Servitude on Saturday was much worse. Mostly it was your typical inauguration. The only thing worse than usual was the media pretending it was some kind of epic event.

[RBS]

Coronations don't happen that often John.

[Lord Humungus]

Farmers baaa-ffled after hundreds of sheep are branded with smiley face
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/ho.....-face.html

A mysterious smiley face has appeared stamped on the side of hundreds of sheep across the UK.

The odd image was first spotted on 20 animals grazing in a field in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

There have since been sightings in a further five fields, from Perthshire in Scotland to Exeter, 500 miles away in Devon.

[tarran]

Sounds like the plot of an episode of Shaun the Sheep

[Clano'6]

Cattle mutilations are out, branding sheep with smiley faces is in. Got it!

[Lord Humungus]

OT: my book sales after the freebie promo have been pretty good - better than my previous tries. That's been a good thing for the ol' ticker. I've started in on a (standalone) followup - mostly for something to do while I wait for all the parts to come together for my next tube amplifier project.

I'll be using a 6CB5A output tube which was used in 1950s-1960s television sets.
http://vinylsavor.blogspot.com.....6cb5a.html

Speaking of tube amps - I found a Texas buyer for my 1625 amplifier. Hurrah - more $$$ to build something else.
http://6streetbridge.blogspot......ifier.html

[An0nB0t]

Glad to hear it. Haven't started reading it yet, but it's loaded and waiting on the iPhone.

[The Dan]

Read it over Saturday. Couldn't put it down. Very well done. Ending surprised me, but I may not be the sharpest spoon in the drawer.

[Drake]

The most awesome gun control bill ever has been introduced. They will buy back my $199 Hi-Point carbine for $2,000. I can then upgrade to a much better rifle.

http://beta.congress.gov/bill/.....ext?q=h.r. 226

[John]

Cash for clunkers was such a success. How could this possibly fail?

[Drake]

Fail? This is my chance to get some of that free government money and use it for a dramatic upgrade of my 2nd Amendment Rights.

This is pure winning. Obama really is the greatest gun salesman ever born.

[Cdr Lytton]

a firearm shall not be determined to be particularly
suitable for sporting purposes solely because the
firearm is suitable for use in a sporting event

The sky shall not be determined to be blue solely because it's blue.

[SugarFree]

When Citizen Vigilantes Busted Food Hoarders

The comments waver in that thin line between hilarious and horrifying.

[John]

schille
Funny how it seems like 9 out of 10 of today's preppers would swear on their family's lives that today's big government is the biggest threat to liberty in the history of the nation. They may be coming for your children and guns, but there is probably a good reason for it. They are not coming for your food yet.

Ask the people of Pakistan or Mali how small government works.

I guess Mali is the new Somalia.

[Zeb]

Pakistan? They seem to have a pretty large government, no?

And if we had large, religiously motivate militias taking over parts of the country, that would probably be our biggest problem. But we don't. We just a a large, out of control government which seems set on totally fucking the economy.

[Warty]

nerdnam
This was back in the 'real America' of God, guns and lynching. That's what freedom meant then: the freedom to run people out of town for the wrong behavior or for being the wrong color.
9 Hours Ago from slate.com ? Reply

Bees on the what now?

icemilkcoffee
I think we should revive these anti-hoarding laws. Especially in this past recession, we could have had people going aroundsniffing out people who are hoarding cash. The hoarding of cash, by those who have it, is what caused the recession to have lasted this long.

We seem to have forgotten what our forebears back in the WW1 days knew. The best way to advance your own individual interest, is to advance the interest of the whole society. Attempts to advance your own selfish interest will just end up being detrimental to the interest of the society, and in the end, detrimental to your own interest as well.
21 Hours Ago from slate.com ? Reply

Uh huh...

[Warty]

In regards to the second one: THIS IS WHY I LIKE GUNS.

[$park?]

It's almost depressing enough to make me want to kill myself. Unfortunately, then the wrong person would be dead.

[John]

If it wasn't so dangerous and sad, it would be funny. These people are so ignorant they really think going after "hoarders" doesn't have a dark connotation and point to the past murders of millions.

He might as well be saying "our forebears knew how to handle those Jews".

[Clano'6]

They have this hatred for anyone who actually prepares or saves. Don't work hard and save your money for later, don't have a 401k, don't build up food stores in case you end up out of work for several months- because if you make plans to help yourself, you undermine those who want to "save" you.

[Zeb]

They really think economics is zero-sum.

[An0nB0t]

"We seem to have forgotten what our forebears back in the WW1 days knew. The best way to advance your own individual interest, is to advance the interest of the whole society."

Adam who?

[Brett L]

Man. The Wilson presidency was a fucking mess. I feel better about my life if my country survived that shit. Where can we find the next "Silent Cal"?

[Warty]

VOTE WARTY 2016
WARTY DEMANDS IT

[Elspeth Flashman]

who else is on the ticket?

[SugarFree]

WARTY/WARTY 2016!
WHY DO YOU NEED ANYONE ELSE?

[Elspeth Flashman]

Because with a name like Warty, he needs something hunky (or at least passable) to offset the uh wartiness?

[Groovus Maximus]

You forgot the campaign for Wart/Sac 2016.

[LTC(ret) John]

WARTY/STEVE SMITH 2016 VOTE FOR THEM OR ELSE!

[$park?]

Finally, this is just what we really needed. A pill to track the mentally ill.

"This isn't house arrest, but it is an invasion of privacy to some extent," Spector, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at New York College of Health Professions, said of his invention. "But on the other hand, these are really people who shouldn't be released without medication."

Some dipshit of Fox News this morning was defending it also.

[Sevo]

Yep, 6 years for planning to build something that looks scary:
"6-year sentence for do-it-yourself AK-47"
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/ar.....211555.php

[John]

That is just fucking evil.

[Drake]

Tien Duc Nguyen might be a freer man if he has stayed in Vietnam. Pretty sad.

[Juice]

Nope. Vietnam has very strict gun control.

[tarran]

I should point out that he was a convicted felon, which affects things somewhat.

God knows what he was convicted of, though.... Felony building a shack without a permit?

[Sevo]

Prolly putting trash in a recycling bin.

[The Late P Brooks]

"Had the police not intervened, (Nguyen) would have completed the assembly and thereupon been in possession of an 'assault weapon,' " Justice Eileen Moore said in the 3-0 ruling, issued Friday.

And, just like Frankenstein's monster, that AK when completed would break its bonds and set off to terrorize and lay waste the countryside.

Because that's what monsters do.

[The Late P Brooks]

The hoarding of cash, by those who have it, is what caused the recession to have lasted this long.

Why has John Dillinger never been awarded the Nobel Prize for economics?

[Anonymous Coward]

Hoarders? No mention of wreckers? Or the dreaded kulak?

[Cdr Lytton]

Has this been posted yet?

http://www.theonion.com/articl.....mon,30974/

[Pro Libertate]

Awesome.

[Cdr Lytton]

Chicago Tribune wants to ban dangerous front slings!

http://soldiersystems.net/2013.....o-buffoon/

[cavalier973]

Rand Paul's advice for to the GOP to become more libertarian won't be well-received by the base. The GOP base think that libertarians are loopy for not being afraid of third-world nations located thousands of miles away and possessing no credible ability to attack us.

[Pro Libertate]

I don't think the base is anti-libertarian. I think the leadership is. Much of the rhetoric that the base nods its collective head at is libertarian.

But, see, libertarianism isn't about dividing the pie of goodies or expanding the power of the state, the twin gods of the RNC as well as the DNC.

[cavalier973]

The base may give lip service to the idea of limited government, but it appears that, in their minds, it only applies to elements of domestic policy. When it comes to the so-called War on Terror, or the War on Drugs, I'm afraid the GOP base is very much in favor of a police state being established.

[Pro Libertate]

It's a mess of contradictory positions, certainly.

[Rasilio]

Which base?

It has been pretty clear for the last 4 years that the Republican "Base" is fractured and the only thing holding an outright civil war between the various factions is their common hatred/fear of Democrats.

[cavalier973]

Well, after the last GOP convention, I'm pretty sure that a large segment of the base was chased away.

Romney: I hates it forever, my preciousssss.

[ChrisO]

Republicans love handouts just as much as anyone else. Rand Paul might be able to interject a few libertarian themes into the 2016 race, but he's mistaken if he thinks the GOP is ready to embrace the full thing.