One Out of Four Prisoners Worldwide is in America, Obama Shuts Down Jobs Council, Al-Qaeda Promises "Shocking" Attack on United States: P.M. Links

• One out of every four prisoners in the world is held in the United States.  Drug crimes are the primary cause of imprisonment on the federal level, followed closely by immigration violations and weapons offenses.

• President Obama shuts down his jobs council, allowing the charter to expire this week. Major regulations issued in the first three years of his term, meanwhile, are three times the cost of major regulations issued in the first three years of President Clinton's term.
• Al-Qaeda threatened a "shocking" attack against the United States, and also singled out France and Denmark in a posting on a jihadi website.
• A prosecutor handling drug and murder cases in the Dallas County District Attorney's office was gunned down on his way to court this morning.
• The trial of Kwame Kilpatrick, the former mayor of Detroit, on charges of corruption comes to a close.
• North Korea declared martial law ahead of a planned nuclear missile test.

Follow Reason 24/7 on Twitter!

Follow Reason on Twitter too, and like us on Facebook. You can also get the top stories mailed to you—sign up here.

Have a news tip? Send it to us!

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

Comments

[dunkel]

foist?

[bmp1701]

Frist?

[Fist of Etiquette]

President Obama shuts down his jobs council, allowing the charter to expire this week.

Luckily they'll be able to collect unemployment.

[General Butt Naked]

You're taking your second commenter status really well, Fist.

I'm proud of you. I expected more bitterness.

[Episiarch]

His anger management classes have really paid off.

[General Butt Naked]

I thought it was the lobotomy-castration two-for-one deal I've been hearing so much about on the radio.

[Episiarch]

He did that first but it wasn't enough.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Rattling a saber makes noise, drawing it does not. I've been making a list of those who stole my rightful place at the top.

[Episiarch]

You know, I haven't taken first from you, but if I'm not on that list anyway I'm going to be pretty hurt.

[Fist of Etiquette]

I'm not tarnishing my saber with the likes of you.

[Enough About Palin]

"I've been making a list of those who stole my rightful place at the top"

Fuck off, Slaver.

[Chaucer]

Do you know who else made a list?

[C. Anacreon]

Santa?

[nicole]

His anger management classes have really paid off.

I just assumed it was more wine coolers.

[Fist of Etiquette]

I'd hardly call Boone's Farm a wine cooler.

[Fist of Etiquette]

I have everyone blocked with Reasonable, so I'm always first in my browser.

[db]

How did you know to answer him, then? HUH?

[Fist of Etiquette]

How did Ben Affleck make that hit movie Daredevil while blind? Personal awesomeness.

[A Serious Man]

Ah there he is, there he is. Not as drunk as we were led to believe. So much the better.

[Fist of Etiquette]

I wanted to know first who it was who had beaten me.

[Episiarch]

He offered the world TORPOR!

[Tim]

Oh Lawd not again.

[A Serious Man]

Fist, we're laughing Fist, laughing at the 'superior commentator'.

[Cytotoxic]

Why didn't Reason run a story on the GDp contraction last quarter?

[DesigNate]

cause .1% is practically nothing?

[Brandon]

Would've been worse if not for the mighty government dragging the lazy private sector along!

-HuffPo

[DesigNate]

The yahoo article I read about it yesterday referenced the "severe cuts in government spending". I was like "Whoseawhatnow?"

[Brandon]

Every Dem-fluffing media outlet had that line in it. It was just pathetic. I asked somebody at HuffPo to name the cuts that had taken place and he asked me what it is like to live in paranoid fear all the time. I was like "well, it's not as bad as it migh...WAIT A MINUTE!!!"

[Gus]

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

[A Serious Man]

North Korea declared martial law ahead of a planned nuclear missile test.

Or as they call it in North Korea, just another Friday.

[Pro Libertate]

It's marital law. Everyone will have to get married, whether they already are or not. It's like Bhutan's Gross National Happiness.

[db]

No, Martian law!

Sir Phobos!

Yes Sir?

Tune him up a little.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

everyone marries a martian

[Pro Libertate]

Well, yes, I grudgingly concede that's more in line with their advanced rocketry program.

[Ice Nine]

It's marital law. Everyone will have to get married, whether they already are or not.

And where's Sun Myung Moon when we need him again? - six feet under!

[Chaucer]

It will be delayed until Monday. Just another Manic Monday.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Al-Qaeda threatened a "shocking" attack against the United States, and also singled out France and Denmark in a posting on a jihadi website.

We made the Axis of Infidels.

[Pro Libertate]

Great, more terrorism. I'm glad that all of this intervention is in our national interest.

[Tim]

I'm guessing if anything happens we'll later discover that the government knew about all the red flags but nobody put them together.

[Ed]

Maybe the jihadi website is blocked on government computers?

[califernian]

and it will require massive reorganization that will result in bigger govt

[db]

Fucking Denmark. They keep going too far and get us all fatwa'd.

[Pro Libertate]

Don't mock them. They've got Greenland, that gigantic piece of land just hovering over us. Secretly in North America, watching, waiting, judging.

And they're Viking plunderers, too. Don't let their peaceful veneer fool you.

[Tim]

Beware the dreaded "Cheese Danish".

[PapayaSF]

Amazingly, Greenland has a homicide rate about four times the US rate.

[db]

They're cold-blooded killers.

[Pro Libertate]

Guns.

[Cytotoxic]

This is clearly blowback for Denmark's 'empire' from an organization I was assured by Obama and reason is no longer operational.

[Calidissident]

So now we have to take al-Qaeda at their word?

[C. Anacreon]

Any country that gave us Hamlet can't be all bad.

[Fist of Etiquette]

...are three times the cost of major regulations issued in the first three years of President Clinton's term.

And three times the benefit!

[A Serious Man]

New study delves into whether or not how you lose your virginity has repercussions in your later sexual life.

[Suthenboy]

I lost mine at 14 to my girlfriend's mother ( a very hot MILF) on her pool table. That must be the way to go cuz I would rate myself very happy in that dept..

[nicole]

Seriously? Because that's pretty fucking awesome. Well, not for your girlfriend I guess.

[Suthenboy]

It was awesome. Gf wasnt home when I went to see her but her mom was. First she offered me lemonade, then conversation, then her cut-off jeans were off and she threw me on the pool table.

Yes, I went back for more a few times, and no, it did not screw up my head. And Gf never found out. Thank Zod her father didnt either. He was kind of a tough, mean SOB.

I really cant understand these boys who rat their hot teachers out for doing the same thing.

[Suthenboy]

I should also add.....

Being with someone who knows what they are doing at that young age can give you one hell of an edge in later encounters. I knew stuff at 14 that my peers didnt learn for....well some of them ever.

Again, these whiney babies that turn their teachers in for humping....they dont need councelling, they need a trip to the woodshed. Sack up boys and be a man about it.

[DesigNate]

9 times out of 10 they aren't turning them in so much as being stupid and bragging to their friends and their parents find out.

Stupid fucking moms (let's face it, every dad of those boys is thinking to himself "Niccceee.").

[Suthenboy]

" I lied to impress my friends. I am such a shithead. I am sorry."

Easy.

[DesigNate]

Good point. Unfortunately 15 y/o boys don't always think clearly.

[RyanXXX]

I'm calling BS.

[Suthenboy]

Who is BS? And why would you tell us you are calling them?

[Tim]

Stacey's mom has got it going on.

[wareagle]

now that's a hell of a story. Yes, I am jealous.

[A Serious Man]

How much man-cred did you get with your peers after that?

[Suthenboy]

I never told anyone about it until nearly ten years passed.

BTW, pool table velvet will give you one hell of a rug burn.

[Jeff]

Suthenboy is my new #1 hero.

[Suthenboy]

I probably cant live up to that. It was all her. She was pretty aggressive.

I was pretty passive at the time.

"huh? what? what are you doing? Oooooh...ok I guess. Yeah."

The first time anyway.

[Matrix]

"Hacker" hoax leads to police raid on unsuspecting family

No word if any dogs were shot...

[Archduke Pantsfan]

cop shoots dog is so obvious. its like saying the sun was up at the time

[Marshall Gill]

No, half the time the sun isn't up. Dogs and their owners across America wish they were only in danger when the sun was up.

[Episiarch]

Drug crimes are the primary cause of imprisonment on the federal level, followed closely by immigration violations and weapons offenses.

So, victim-less, victim-less, and often victim-less (carrying without a permit, not registered, etc). Wonderful.

[NeonCat]

Doesn't it usually become a federal crime if you have both weapons and drugs?

[Archduke Pantsfan]

the state is the victim.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Its delicate sensibilities.

[John]

Very few people remain in prison on immigration violations. They just don't want to go home and stay in jail here while they try to win their case.

But we basically imprison an entire class of people I like to call the "class of stupid". These are people who are not dangerous but for whatever reason just can't seem to understand that actions have consequences. We have built a system where there are so many laws, these people inevitably get caught up in the system and never get out. It starts with a DUI or a bar fight. Then they are on probation. Then they do drugs and get their probation violated, do some time and get out and get caught doing some other drug and so on and so on.

Think Lindsey Lohan. She is one of these people. She got caught on a single DUI four years ago and has been in and out of jail since. There are millions of people like that, who before we decided to criminalize everything, lived screwed up but generally harmless lives. Now those people are in prison.

[Episiarch]

They are the fuel for the grinding machine that is our "justice" system. They need them.

[John]

Yup. That is exactly what they are.

[SIV]

The only prison Lindsey needs is one of those exploitation movie women's prisons with bull-dyke guards, lingerie cat-knife-fighting and lesbian rape.

[Xenocles]

I thought stupid was a capital offence.

[A Serious Man]

Dan Marino unable to escape the pocket under pressure, admits to fathering love child with CBS employee.

Although he gave the baby mama hush money, he unfortunately had no ring to give her.

[NeonCat]

What you did there, I sees it.

[NeonCat]

And was he on performance enhancing drugs at the time?

[Killazontherun]

Friend of mine when to college with him. Said Dan had coke out in a brass award cup for visiting guest. I don't know about you but it certainly helps my performance.

[John]

Never pay your baby mamma to stay quiet. They always talk eventually.

[Ted S.]

I think he's got six more to go before he reaches Antonio Cromartie-level?

[wareagle]

have to admit I am a bit surprised as he seems quite possibly the most vanilla man on the planet.

[mad libertarian guy]

he unfortunately had no ring to give her.

Dude that was fucking low. Why you wanna hurt me like dat?

[C. Anacreon]

If you liked it then you coulda put a ring on it

[Matrix]

FHA mortgage premium hikes coming

And they also want to make PMIs stay for the entire term of the loan.

[generic Brand]

Yesterday my girlfriend got into a pretty big argument over basically nothing. But it's similar "nothing" to whatever starts any argument we get into.

The initial argument led to both of us wondering what to make of our future together. There is no question that my libertarianism is now a huge part of my life, and I said as much to her. Her response was that it was too much a part of my life, and that it shouldn't get in the way of day-to-day things. But when day-to-day things are basically always infringed upon by government overreach, how can I not be upset by that?

My question is, how do others deal with their libertarianism in a relationship? Does it move to the backburner for the sake of the significant other? Do you find someone who more closely resembles you politically and ideologically (SLD: "THERE ARE NO LIBERTARIAN WOMEN" aside)?

[Episiarch]

Don't talk politics with your significant other unless you agree or don't care, because it's going to get someone upset eventually. There are plenty of other things to talk about.

[General Butt Naked]

Thing is, Epi, that for some politics aren't just a team sport and their beliefs don't hinge upon whatever the team is pushing this week. For a lot of people, their politics are a reflection of their moral worldview, ethics, and personal philosophy. To be with someone whose values are antithetical to your own is a recipe for misery, especially if your values are very important to you.

Think of the type of person that would go all in for a guy like Obama, or even Bush. Do you really think that outside of politics there would be enough personal common ground to sustain a long term relationship?

To put it another way, could you spend you life with someone you see as fundamentally immoral?

[nicole]

To put it another way, could you spend you life with someone you see as fundamentally immoral?

Yeah, I mean, there is a point at which you're like, "My girlfriend is a slaver!" Hopefully that's not actually the case, but sometimes it will be, and that's not going to be good.

[Episiarch]

Agreed. I suppose I was making the assumption that Brand was not with someone that didn't at least moderately respect his views, because I can't imagine how one would get with someone like that in the first place. But it's possible to be with someone who has totally different beliefs, but who respects that you have different views on things, but in that case it's best if you don't talk about it very much.

[General Butt Naked]

Think about it from your or my perspective.

Do you really respect the views of, say, a Jezebel staff writer?

I sure as hell don't.

How about Rick Santorum?

I don't respect his views in any way, shape, or form. And I couldn't pretend to respect the views of a woman I was with that had those views. Sure if you're single and looking to get laid, you could put up with some bullshit, but to spend your life with someone?

[Episiarch]

I had a Catalan girlfriend at one point. She was very libertarian on social stuff, but very socialist on economic stuff. So we didn't talk about it, and that worked well.

Obviously, it depends on the people.

[General Butt Naked]

The question is then, does brand consider this a person that someday he'll say, "I had a girlfriend once..."?

Or is this someone he thought of marrying?

[General Butt Naked]

And sure you can bang a socialist, that's no problem because you have no standards. But what if this Catalan girlfriend of yours insisted on deepdish pizza whenever yu went out?

Could you handle that, Mr. Anarchist?

[Episiarch]

I don't know; luckily that was never tested, because no one in their right mind wants deep dish anyway and she was a psychologist...WAIT A SECOND

[SugarFree]

But what if this Catalan girlfriend of yours insisted on deepdish pizza whenever yu went out?

She was European, not retarded.

[Specail Sauce]

Joe Flacco apologizes for this comment.

[T]

There's a difference?

[wareagle]

For a lot of people, their politics are a reflection of their moral worldview, ethics, and personal philosophy.

this reads exactly like the politics-is-personal approach usually associated with the left. I don't expect my wife to be in lock step with me on all issues but there does have to be a broader shared value system.

If your political viewpoint guides most of your actions and your partner is not in synch with that, then this may not be a lasting relationship.

[General Butt Naked]

I don't expect my wife to be in lock step with me on all issues but there does have to be a broader shared value system.

Yes. What I mean is, that for me liberty is an end in of itself and something to strive for above all else. That is the deeper value that informs my politics. If someone held the same value, but it expressed itself differently, that's one thing, but to hold contradictory values dooms a relationship, in my view.

[Emmerson Biggins]

well said I think.

[Ice Nine]

To be with someone whose values are antithetical to your own

You didn't mention that. That's a pretty critical little tidbit. I know there are couples that do that but for me that situation is untenable. I bust my ass to bring home the bacon *for us* and she votes to allow the Dems to take more of it *from us*? Untenable.

[generic Brand]

my girlfriend and I, that is.

I should also add that the conversation eventually went towards more philosophical terms, her thinking being that we shouldn't stick so steadfastly with the Constitution because it's not relevant, and I didn't have too much to back up the idea that we need a nation based on laws, not on the whims of individual men or majority rule. She might have just caught me off guard, but damn it's a lot easier to argue on the internet than in person lol. I eventually gave her the example of a majority of voters declaring that nurses shouldn't make more than $20k a year (since she is a nurse), but that just got written off as impractical.

She said my ideas of libertarianism aren't practical, and that is the reason I should give them up. If the relationship question is too deep for some people to answer, maybe you can offer up some possible answers when some hits us with the "Freedom for everyone is impractical" logic.

[db]

I have had my disagreements with loved ones in the past, but never has any of them suggested that I give up my political convictions. You ought to find out if she is thinking your libertarianism is an insurmountable block. If so, say goodbye gracefully and separate as amicably as you can. If instead she's willing to understand and listen, it's possible you both will be enriched by the experience.

[NeonCat]

"If freedom for everyone is impractical, what freedoms that *matter* to YOU are YOU going to give up?"

[Clich? Bandit]

I married an immigrant who has seen first hand the horrors of communism. That being said, while she is libertarian she does not want me bringing it up every three seconds (as I am wont to do). She also asks me to put family before activism and donations (not an unreasonable request). But, the policies we are almost 100% on. Our friends are mostly libertarians (or Libertarians) and we enjoy those settings together, but her work parties are an exercise in restraint for me (most of them are from Boulder...) Anyway, my advice is marry a libertarian. Go overseas if you have to, I think Dagny and Nicole are already involved with someone.

[A Serious Man]

In my admittedly young and limited experience, I've only really hit it off with conservative women, meaning as long as I avoided the culture war issues we were fine.

But if she's insisting you 'grow up' and abandon your childish libertarian views you really should find someone that can at least respect your beliefs even if you disagree.

[$park?]

But if she's insisting you 'grow up' and abandon your childish libertarian views you really should find someone that can at least respect your beliefs even if you disagree.

There is nothing unreasonable about this statement.

[JW]

Yeah, if she's going to stand by this perception, you should be looking elsewhere. It will come up again and it won't get better. Trust me.

I can tell you from experience that you need to be with someone who either is in line with your beliefs or is completely apolitical and doesn't care what yours are.

[JW]

The perception being "insisting you 'grow up' and abandon your childish libertarian veiws."

[Ice Nine]

Her response was that it was too much a part of my life, and that it shouldn't get in the way of day-to-day things. But when day-to-day things are basically always infringed upon by government overreach, how can I not be upset by that?

I'd start by losing the idea that day-to-day things are basically always infringed upon by government overreach, since it is not true - what I'm guessing is what she was getting at. (Since you asked...)

[generic Brand]

Like Obama, I have problems getting across what I mean sometimes. So let me be clear, what I meant is that it is very difficult to go through a regular day without some arbitrary government hurdle in my way, whether it be a speed limit in a place that makes no sense having one, a stupid licensing fee or tax, or a government mandated lunch break when I'm not even hungry and want to leave work an hour earlier. There are a lot of unnecessary laws that make living our lives a lot harder; that was the gist of my argument.

She accused me of really being an anarchist... maybe I am and don't know it.

[Episiarch]

JOIN US

[nicole]

Yeah, join us! (And not all of us are Epi, so there's that too.)

[Banjos]

gooble gobble, gooble gobble

[Also Ran]

One of us! One of us! Gooble gobble! Gooble gobble!

[JW]

We have cookies.

[wareagle]

-is a silly speed limit law worth the blood pressure spike?
-can you work out with your employer the leaving an hour early? Truth be told, most hate to do that, at least most I've known.

[Ice Nine]

The hyperzealots here do begin to affect the less rabid, for sure, and it happens gradually and subliminally. You've got to be careful of that or it will have the effect you are describing. I hope you are not that far gone. Look man, *some* of it really doesn't matter that much. Slack up a little maybe. OTOH, if it's a matter of her views being diametrically opposed to yours, as you suggested above, that relationship is doomed as far as I'm concerned. It's not clear where exactly you are on that scale. Good luck.

[nicole]

Anarchist doesn't translate to "hyperzealot." Even if gB is an anarchist, it doesn't mean he has to talk about it all the time and date another one. I don't (at least not both).

[Ice Nine]

I wasn't referring necessarily to anarchists, only to hyperzealots, which are adequately represented here. Yeah, of course he doesn't have to talk about it all the time - pretty much my advice to him.

[Killazontherun]

I don't know about doomed. Mum was an LBJ supporter and dad was convinced to his dying day LBJ had Kennedy killed. They managed to stay married until the early 80s.

[Killazontherun]

Also, that's kind of out there, man. You know who else didn't give other readers credit for having autonomy over their own opinions? Every progressive who has ever lived.

[Ice Nine]

Who "else"?? Hope you're not referring to me as I suggested no such thing. Not sure that I'm following you.

[Killazontherun]

You shouldn't follow me, I'll just lead you astray.

[Guy Incognito]

I hear you on that one dude. There's this one stop sign (now just bear with me)....see, I live at the end of a road with very little traffic. I'm a mile from the nearest traffic light. But going up my road toward the fishing lake, there's this two-way stop for a T-intersection with what is basically a gravel driveway. A driveway that I have never, ever seen a car go in or out of.

Somehow, with all the other bullshit in life I manage to take fairly in stride, when I see this stop sign it's like my whole world is caving in. I mean, it's the stupidest thing ever. It's like having a stop sign just randomly in the middle of a street, with no cross-street. In fact, it's exactly like that. I always think that whoever owns that gravel driveway must have a cousin on the city council or some shit. Every time I see that motherfucker I just want to take a motherfucking chainsaw to that cocksucking piece of shit--see, there I go, ranting again. I'll just wait until my wife gets home and then LET HER HAVE IT WITH BOTH BARRELS about that goddamn fucking piece of shit stop sign.

[JW]

Every time I see that motherfucker I just want to take a motherfucking chainsaw to that cocksucking piece of shit

So, do it already. Seriously.

See how long it takes to get replaced.

[General Butt Naked]

I think he meant the neighbor.

[T]

Takes even longer to replace those in this housing market.

[Guy Incognito]

Been a lotta years since I took down a street sign. It's right across from a bunch of houses and it's within seeing distance of my own place. Not worth it.

Again, my brand of revolutionary libertarianism takes a highly Taoist form. It has to do more with reification, and the life of the mind and such as that. Y'know, the Sherpas and whatnot. Most laymen couldn't understand the particulars.

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

Dark night, tow chain, 5 seconds. Piece of cake.

[BigT]

Can of white spray paint - 'Socialism' under the STOP. You will enjoy seeing that sign every day.

[NeonCat]

And I always love how "impractical" libertarian ideas are. Maybe some are, but on the whole the math (to me) suggests that freedom has vastly improved the lot of the average human on this planet.

Are progressive ideas practical, or impractical? Conservative ideas? It seems to me that each depends on fudging the facts to prevent the ghastly specter of too much liberty, i.e. P H O N Y's old claims that we think markets are magic - markets will never provide what people need - while the properly managed by the Top. Men. markets will grow just enough to enable the progressive agenda but not enough to make the rich richer.

[nicole]

First, if you don't agree, Epi's advice is good. Problem is if you're both interested enough in politics or current events that that is what you (both) want to talk about. If you're up for keeping that conversation out of the relationship but she isn't, then you have a problem. That said...

She said my ideas of libertarianism aren't practical, and that is the reason I should give them up.

I think it would probably bother me that she doesn't just want you to not talk about this stuff with her, but that she actually wants you to give up your beliefs.

As to practicality: it doesn't matter. Maybe you are a utilitarian, in which case it does, but I would avoid making that argument at all. Try to find something that she believes that's not "practical" but she believes anyway just because she thinks it's right.

[General Butt Naked]

First, if you don't agree, Epi's advice is good.

Maybe, but political beliefs have a way of influencing our everyday actions. Sure, you two may disagree with gun control, but what happens when you want to buy a gun?

If two people fundamentally disagree so strongly on things, there will eventually be ultimatums. And a relationship with ultimatums deserve a quick and painless death.

[Eduard van Haalen]

A pity to break up over politics - any other common interests?

[wareagle]

if she is asking you to give up ideas/values/principles you hold dear, the red flag is not just up. It is billowing against tornadic force winds.

[Killazontherun]

her thinking being that we shouldn't stick so steadfastly with the Constitution because it's not relevant

That only empowers the politically protected class of thugs who made it irrelevant in the first place.

[Ayn Random Variation]

I'm seeing a woman who cried (tears of joy) when Obama was reelected.

If you live in certain parts of the country, you can either get your sex via your hand, or you can avoid talking politics. Just consider this site political porn.

[Cavpitalist]

I've never dated a woman who didn't mostly come to see my way on things politically. And I've never been into sheep, Arkansas heritage notwithstanding. If you speak honestly and present your case logically, you can change people's minds over time. If they become hostile to anything that challenges their worldview, dump them. There are way too many women out there to settle for the shitty ones, and the shitty ones will probably give you the sex up front anyway.

[Spoonman.]

Unless your job is political, politics just don't have that much effect on how you lead your day-to-day life. (It sure has an effect on what you find annoying, but that's a separate issue.)

So I just can't see how it can come between two people in a domestic relationship unless you or your girlfriend thinks the other's views make them evil.

My libertarianism doesn't affect how I take the trash out or kiss.

[Ted S.]

Libertarians have romantic relationships??

[Suthenboy]

If I had a better idea about how your libertarianism is getting in the way of day to day things I would have a better idea about how to advise you.

Example?

[generic Brand]

If I had a better idea about how your libertarianism is getting in the way of day to day things I would have a better idea about how to advise you.

It's more in discussions about our future. I am pretty opposed to having our kids in public school (unless for the sole reason that I can be that parent at PTA meetings), so I have said I could homeschool if I have to. Then that leads into disparaging comments about how I can't homeschool them, and blah, blah, blah typical anti-homeschooling drivel.

Some of her friends are teachers, so when I have posted articles discussing the failings of the public education system they are "greatly offended" to the point where my girlfriend has to tell me to cool it with that stuff. Now, fortunately, they have figured out how to ignore my posts on Facebook, which I couldn't care less about. But the fact that she would give more credence to her schoolteacher friend then the boy she chooses to be with is always a big eye-opener about the future of this relationship.

I'm a highly opinionated individual who loves a good argument. The problem is that most other people are just as opinionated, but don't want to discuss anything. So I look like the asshole because I vocalize said opinions.

[General Butt Naked]

It's more in discussions about our future...

This is what I meant above when I said that these beliefs have a way of affecting day to day life.

The values that are the base of your politics are the very same values that you base your major (and minor) life decisions upon. Do you think that the decisions that you two make as a couple, in the future, will be agreed upon in earnest? Or will there be unfair compromises, resentment and ultimatums?

[wareagle]

I'm a highly opinionated individual who loves a good argument.

my man, there is a hidden aha! in this statement. People who love a good argument appreciate it when their sparring partner responds with facts and logic. They will listen to valid points they may have not considered if those points are backed with sound reasoning.

What you are describing, however, is argument based on emotion, that your viewpoint is somehow stupid, irrational, or offensive because it does not line up with hers. In other words, she is giving you exactly what the FB crowd does.

[nicole]

The school thing, that is important. If you're thinking about having kids together you have to be on the same page about stuff like that.

But the fact that she would give more credence to her schoolteacher friend then the boy she chooses to be with is always a big eye-opener about the future of this relationship.

This, though, could go either way in my opinion. If she has some semi-friends that she wants to remain friendly with and not piss off, and you are someone more on a family-type level where she feels there is more leeway to disagree without destroying the relationship, that could be what's happening. I wouldn't talk about anything controversial around my BF's friends, because it's just not worth fighting about with people I don't care about but he does.

[Suthenboy]

"...you are someone more on a family-type level where she feels there is more leeway to disagree without destroying the relationship,..."

A common mistake. Yes, you can get away with this one little thing...she/he will forgive...and then another one...and again...and again.

What happens is that the forgiveness gets less and less each time and there is no forgetting. That shit adds up. Then one day you suddenly realize...its gone.

[Suthenboy]

Ok, here is my advice.

RUN. RUN AWAY FAST.

I am sorry to say that, but I have been around the block a few times. I made the mistake of marrying someone I was head over heels for but who differed from me in philosophy much the way you are describing. It was a disaster. It was 8 years of misery for us both.

I had a few false starts after that, but I waited and was very careful in choosing the second one. I chose someone with a rebellious streak and a great appreciation for personal liberty. I am looking back at 15 years of bliss now, and looking forward to 15 more. More if I am lucky.

RUN.

[General Butt Naked]

I got my girl a handgun and some jewelry fro xmas.

She was more excited for the pistol.

I'm a lucky son of a bitch and don't pretend otherwise.

[R C Dean]

My wedding gift to Mrs. Dean was a full-size Sig Sauer 9mm (I forget the model number).

She got me a full-size gun safe.

[General Butt Naked]

See, sounds like y'all got it figured out.

[Shocked]

But backwards.

[Suthenboy]

Worship her ass.

[JW]

The problem is that most other people are just as opinionated, but don't want to discuss anything. So I look like the asshole because I vocalize said opinions.

You look like the asshole because you're from outside the herd.

You can have all the opinions you want, as long as they agree with them, and you'll be Captain Awesome.

[Restoras]

gB, she is probably more offended at the prospect of you making her look bad to her friends than about your actual viewpoints. I bet she doens't give a hair what your veiwpoints are but does care very much that those viewpoints might have a negative effect on her social standing within whatever idiotic female heirarchy she is part of.

I have this exact same problem with my wife.

[Enough About Palin]

"My question is, how do others deal with their libertarianism in a relationship?"

Japanese Love Dolls

[Suthenboy]

"Some may think it is a bit freakish."

Uh....yeah. Maybe more than a bit.

[Rich]

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife,
Who judgment upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one starring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed the most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years.
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.

-- Dale Wimbrow

[Jordan]

Needs moar Alice in Chains.The Man in the Box

[Guy Incognito]

My significant other and I have basically learned not to discuss anything approaching current events in public. It doesn't help that I am half-deaf and so my voice raises and I reach "angry ranting lunatic" levels without realizing it.

Other than that, I don't really engage in activism or anything so there's not much to work around. My libertarianism is more of a passive-resistance, stay-at-home-and-drink-a-lot-early-in-the-day type of ethos. Very esoteric, y'know...Eastern-type stuff. The Hindus and whatnot.

Frankly, the importance of laying the pipe right and often cannot be overstated in making up for little things like different opinions on politics, or whether it's really "normal" to drink beer in the shower.

[Adam.]

Beer in the shower is the best thing ever. Though I don't usually conduct that practice for a morning shower

[Suthenboy]

The shower heats up the beer too fast. Dude, mix up a vodka on ice and take that to the shower with you.

[snapshot]

When my wife & I first met, she was a total progressive. After years of banter she has finally realized that I don't want to restrict anybody's rights, nor control their ideology. It's not about "Us vs. Them" anymore, it's about living a full and private life of freedom. She eventually became more and more libertarian (herself) after she overcame the fear of her own shadow. It's scary, you know, politicos and their fear mongering.

[Raston Bot]

ditto.

[generic Brand]

And I know such changes are possible in a person, because I was more conservative when we started dating in 2008. Then I moved to Japan and had a ton of time on my hands, at which point I discovered reason, and it's downhill from there haha.

I admit that I am different from the person she started dating. I think both of us are waiting for the other to change; me into the person I used to be, and her into a person more similar to myself. And that is probably what makes this unsustainable. But when you have 4+ years together it's tough to rip off the bandaid.

[Suthenboy]

".... it's about living a full and private life of freedom"

There it is in a nutshell.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

Just my opinion, but one of the fringe benefits of libertarianism is that it's a government philosophy which doesn't *have* to be a part of your personal life unless you want it to be, unlike something like feminism or Marxism. Personally, I find politics and political people on Facebook exhausting if only because those folks are constantly agitated.

I can sympathize with your girlfriend in that respect, and I guess my only advice is not to invest yourself so much in politics that you can't enjoy or live life without reference to your politics.

[db]

I would agree with this. If she thinks you're spending too much time obsessing over politics, it's possible she's right. If, on the other hand, she's telling you that she fundamentally disagrees with your worldview and you need to agree with her to be "reasonable," that's a completely different story.

[generic Brand]

If, on the other hand, she's telling you that she fundamentally disagrees with your worldview and you need to agree with her to be "reasonable," that's a completely different story.

I was fully in TIT's corner with the synopsis he gave, but now that you mention this it seems like it could be equally true.

And I am fully aware that I am a large part of the problem. I don't know if I even have an "OFF" switch for my ideology. I am one of those people who shares quite a few libertarian stories and articles on Facebook, and I gave my friends a reprieve by avoiding politics on Fridays. But it is something I'm passionate about, so it's hard to be told I need to chill out with it.

I feel that's akin to telling an avid cook that he needs to stay out of the kitchen.

[Episiarch]

This is another very important point. Don't let politics become so important that it affects your personal life. That's what partisans do. You need to be able to ignore your favorite director's politics, or your girlfriend's politics, etc, or it's going to ruin a lot of life's enjoyments for you.

[Killazontherun]

So that is how you managed to stay with Seven of Nine for so long.

[Episiarch]

I was an individual anarchist, she was a collectivist cyborg. So we didn't talk about it. It worked for us. What finally broke us up in the end was my constant holodeck abuse.

[tarran]

I guess you would have to beat off in the holodeck. The woman was a skeleton surrounded by heat-shrunk skin. And those fucking dead eyes... /shudder

Even if you could get it up with her, I doubt it would feel good.

[Episiarch]

You do know who Seven of Nine is, right, tarran?

[Mickey Rat]

She's the woman who, if she had not been uptight about sex club activities, would have prevented President Obama. She will live in infamy.

[Killazontherun]

There is nothing you could possibly say that would convince me that Jeri Ryan is the perfect woman. Note a thousand flaws, they will still be like drops of flint that roll off my back.

[Killazontherun]

Try that again this time with more negativity.

There is nothing you could possibly say that would convince me that Jeri Ryan is not the perfect woman.

[tarran]

There is nothing you could possibly say that would convince me that Jeri Ryan is the perfect woman.

I've met the woman. Wasn't impressed. Was repelled actually.

[Episiarch]

Yeah, but you're a vegisexual. Your opinion of human females is irrelevant. Stick to telling us how attractive some onions are and leave Jeri Ryan to us.

[tarran]

Shows how ignorant you are. I've never had sex with a vegetarian. In fact the one I went out with on our first date this weekend isn't returning my calls so it looks like it won't be happening in the near future either. So there!

[nicole]

You mean it wasn't the fact that she kept calling you "Kathryn" in bed?

Yeah, that makes sense. You'd probably be into that.

[Episiarch]

How do you know about that?!? Did she tell you?

[Killazontherun]

She kept mum, but Obama got the divorce papers released.

[JW]

You need to be able to ignore your favorite director's politics, or your girlfriend's politics, etc, or it's going to ruin a lot of life's enjoyments for you.

I'd be fine ignoring it if they didn't keep bringing it up over and over.

I think it easier to enjoy things that you already did enjoy, before you found out about their annoying political beliefs. I can still enjoy The Princess Bride as much as I did the first time, in spite of Meathead's views, but no matter how many times you rave about David Brin, my revulsion to his philosophy kicks in and I don't want to give that fuckstick on thin dime. I've avoided reading anything by Stross that isn't related to his books, for that reason. Ignorance is bliss.

I look at this as my life is no less enriched by not reading Brin's work, who has much competition by authors who don't feel compelled to share their authoritarian views. But, my life would be less enjoyable, if I were to not ever watch Aliens again, despite Cameron being such a pompous shithead.

[Episiarch]

See, I just don't get caring all.

[JW]

That's not what you said last night.

[Episiarch]

That's why it's called "pillow talk".

[JW]

I keep telling you that it's hard to talk with the pillow over my face like that. But you just keep laughing.

[nicole]

It's almost like it's not the case that 90% of people here love the sooper dooper communist Star Trek or something.

[JW]

That goes to what I was saying. Star Trek was already deeply embedded in my psyche before politics came along.

It's also Rodenberry's vague Federation vs. Berman's post-scarcity culture and Sensitive Males. Rodenberry's universe was optimistic and marginally socialistic, but short on detail. Berman was a tedious tool with his enlightened Federation.

[Episiarch]

Meh, I prefer the Terran Empire anyway. I want a Tantalus Device.

[JW]

I want a Tantalus Device.

How many times do I have to tell you that you can't jerk off with it? THAT'S NOT HOW TANTALUS DEVICES WORK.

[Coeus]

Berman was a tedious tool with his enlightened Federation.

Agreed, but the last few seasons of DS9 saw a writer who took on it's flaws, changing the Ferengi from villains to (after they started letting women run businesses) the most rational society in the Galaxy. "no, we're not perfect, but look at what humans striving for perfection are responsible for." A sample:

Quark: I think I figured out why humans don't like Ferengi?
Sisko: Not now, Quark.
Quark: The way I see it, humans used to be a lot like Ferengi: greedy, acquisitive, interested only in profit. We're a constant reminder of a part of your past you'd like to forget.
Sisko: Quark, we don't have time for this.
Quark: You're overlooking something, Commander. Humans used to be a lot worse than Ferengi. Slavery, concentration camps, interstellar war; we have nothing in our past that approaches that kind of barbarism. You see? We're nothing like you. We're better.

[Heroic Mulatto]

I've always liked this quote:

Quark: I want you to try something. It's an Earth drink. Root beer.
Garak: I couldn't...
Quark: Go on.
Garak: It's vile!
Quark: It's so happy and bubbly and cloy.
Garak: Just like the Federation.
Quark: You know what's worse? If you drink enough of it, you start to like it.
Garak: It's insidious.
Quark: Just like the Federation.

[Thane of Whiterun]

I've only seen the reboot, and found it mildly entertaining*.

Now, let me hear your screeeeeeeeeeeams, commenters.

[Killazontherun]

I can make reference, but to be honest, I'm not a fan. Star Trek II and IV(that is the one with the whale lift right?) and TNG's series finale were great, but the rest is bland science fiction that takes from the John Campbell era and adds a highly statist spin to it.

[Killazontherun]

I remember watching the episode they introduced the Borg and thinking that no way something so retro kitsch would be anything but a flop that they would quickly forget and move on from. Shit. The most popular addition to that universe by far. I really don't get it.

[Pro Libertate]

I still think a Borg sitcom would be brilliant. One's Company.

[Suthenboy]

Wow Epi...solid advice. Seems strange coming from someone who gets as passionate as you do at times.

Yeah, I know...I neeeeeever foam at the mouth.

[Episiarch]

I can completely separate being passionate about something from my enjoyment of entertainment, people, etc. I like having fun, and getting all upset about the politics of the dude who made the movie I'm going to see isn't fun.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

THIS

[Apatheist ?_??]

My girlfriend now wife helped a lot in my transitioning into this point of view. Though libertarian she thinks politics is pointless and a waste of time. In avoiding ranting and raving about it as much it has helped me chill the fuck out about politics in day to day life. That said I wouldn't have married her of she was an active liberal rather than an apathetic libertarian.

[Coeus]

So she's a Mencken fan?

I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time.
H. L. Mencken

[RBS]

"I guess my only advice is not to invest yourself so much in politics that you can't enjoy or live life without reference to your politics"

This. Although my wife is a pretty standard conservative so we have plenty of things we agree on when we do talk politics as long as I don't get too carried away.

[generic Brand]

This probably hits the closest to home. Sometimes I feel so politically impotent that I just want to do something with regards to increasing individual liberty, so I probably fall into the same trap as many Progressives and the Moral Majoritarians.

It's possible for us to do a lot of things where politics don't come up, and I rarely try to bring it up for the very reason that she hates it. But when it does come up, it almost seems like my ideology is a curse word for her to spit back at me. That she would say I'll never make a difference was probably just her way at lashing out hoping to hit something, but it cut me pretty deep.

[wareagle]

I think the larger answer to your question is found in your second paragraph. Are you willing to live that way for the next however many years?

[The Immaculate Trouser]

I sure as shit understand that. When I first came to the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave to find such callous apathy towards freedom, I was livid, lemme tell ya!

This too shall pass, and you'll figure out what kinds of activism (and how much of it) makes you a comfortable and effective advocate (not to mention human being). Figuring that out helps contextualize your libertarianism into something useful, if you're the type of person who gets stir-crazy when they can't change things.

[Guy Incognito]

See, that's my whole take on it. I mean, what is it that I want the government to do? Well, nothing. That's the whole point. In fact, I want them to do even less of what they already do. And I'm promulgating this radical philosophy by starting with the man in the mirror. I'm setting the example. I'm doing nothing, just to prove to people that it really can be not done.

"Nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say." -Will Durant

[Killazontherun]

My wife is apathetic to politics and hostile when people bring up politics. It's not a part of her life, and she doesn't want it to be even though she works in the second most politically controlled industry after banking. I don't bring it up, she doesn't bring it up.

[Jersey Patriot]

You can't change anything. Chill out.

[generic Brand]

You can't change anything. Chill out.

Then why do any of us come here? Just to voice our complaints into the void of the internet?

I believe there's still a small chance that things can be changed within my lifetime, or at least start changing, so that when I leave those ahead of me have a life worth living.

[generic Brand]

P.S. if that was sarcasm, apologies for completely missing it.

[sarcasmic]

But when day-to-day things are basically always infringed upon by government overreach, how can I not be upset by that?

There is no point in allowing yourself to become upset over things that are out of your control.

You live under a totalitarian government that you cannot contribute to the economy without asking permission or taking orders, your body is on loan from the prison system to be returned if you are caught disobeying unjust rules, and the cops can kill you on a whim without consequence.

That's life. Accept it or go crazy.

[DesigNate]

I got lucky and my wife and I kind of came to libertarianism at the same time in our lives.

It really depends on how much you feel you and her need to agree on things and what you are willing to let go of (in a metaphorical sense, not saying to drop your principles).

[generic Brand]

Thanks for everyone's input. I have a lot to consider, and she and I will have to sit down and figure out (hopefully calmly) what we want out of this relationship and for our futures.

Feel free to continue posting; I might try to check back later to see if there was any additional input.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

I would add something in keeping with everyone else's advice: differences when it comes to fundaments like how your kids will be educated, childrearing in general, where you'll live, and how you'll live and spend money are a big deal -- as is respect for you as a person.

"Respecting your opinions" is not a big deal in the long run. My wife rolls her eyes (either internally or externally) at some of the things I like and/or believe and vice versa. When it comes down to it, though, you want to make sure that a basic sense of right and wrong and the factors above are things that you roughly agree on for the long haul: marriage/long-term commitments can be rough and it's easier to get through the bad patches if the fundamentals are all in place.

I'd recommend figuring out for yourself what the "core" morality of your libertarianism is (non-aggression, propriety towards others, etc), and finding out if your partner agrees with that core in their personal lives. My wife is apolitical besides some vague social conservatism, but I've found plenty of people across the political spectrum who agree with the core of what's behind my political philosophy.

[Gbob]

Late to the party, but....

Hell, man. Free advice is worth about that, but if you don't mind some words from a knucklehead who has been around the block a bit.

I currently live with a lawyer. She's a high power type, dealing with IP laws. The kind who writes articles about how good it is for people to hire a lawyer. She's about as progressive as it gets.

Me? I'm a cranky bastard with a divorce behind me who tends to go on and on when I've had a couple of drinks. I don't fly anymore because of TSA, and I refuse to go to Canada unless we have our freedom of travel back. I'm a nut.

It shouldn't work between us, but it does. I don't try to convert her, and she doesn't try to convert me. She let's me ramble on, and I let her go on. The key is not to argue about it. Listen to the other side, smile, and nod. When the other person rants, we both view it as what it is...just blowing off steam, not trying to preach.

Think about the folks over at Jezzy, who define every interaction through the lenses of gender politics. Don't be like that.

Relationships sometime involve learning to love the other person when they act like an idiot.

That's about all I got.

[SweatingGin]

Drinking

[Banjos]

You shouldn't let day to day politics effect your relationships. That being said, I find it impossible to start a family with someone who is not a libertarian. My views are fringe, so my lifestyle is as well. Sloop and I are planning on homeschooling. In addition, we allow freedoms to his children that the average parent would have a coronary over. If we didn't share the same philosophy, it would be impossible for us to raise children together.

[Brandon]

We get it. You named your kid Reason, you live on a farm, you have free-range kids roaming around. You win libertarianism. Now stop rubbing it in.

[Suthenboy]

^This.

Again, generic...RUN.

I say that because I have been there and done it. Find someone more suited to you. Raising children is the greatest joy in life and the most important thing you will ever do. You and your spouse have to be on the same page with that.

[Brandon]

I don't know what to tell you. I made my wife a libertarian by subtly (usually) pointing out the incredible number of ways in which government fucks up at every level. She was a Republican to start with, and she's extremely intelligent, so that probably helped, but she went from happily voting McCain to grudgingly voting Johnson, marijuana legalization, and no on school bonds in 4 years. It's working with my parents, too. Just be persistent without being a dick about it, which I know is the hard part for a lot of people here. And be calm. She'll come around. Probably.

[Suthenboy]

"...and she's extremely intelligent.."

I think Generic's gf expressed the view that the constitution is over a hundred years old and not relevant today. This gives me great consternation.

[Brandon]

Generic is dating Ezra Klein? That is indeed consternating.

NTTAWWT, but still...

[Warty]

But when day-to-day things are basically always infringed upon by government overreach, how can I not be upset by that?

Do the things external which fall upon thee distract thee? Give thyself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around. But then thou must also avoid being carried about the other way. For those too are triflers who have wearied themselves in life by their activity, and yet have no object to which to direct every movement, and, in a word, all their thoughts.

My question is, how do others deal with their libertarianism in a relationship?

Date leftist chicks until you turn one into a libertarian. Then marry her, because she's weak-willed enough to make a good wife. PATRIARCHY

[Coeus]

+1 MALE OPRESSOIN POINT

[Warty]

Privilege high five!

[nicole]

Date leftist chicks until you turn one into a libertarian.

Pretty sure this is what I did. I mean, not chicks though.

[JW]

Pretty sure this is what I did. I mean, not chicks though.

Keep an open mind. For us, I mean.

[BakedPenguin]

So long as he got to use his MALE GAZE, it's all good.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

That sounds like hard work. Import a foreign woman, and slap her around until she learns just as much English as is necessary for her to be able to follow basic commands, such as nodding her head as you speak your libertarian wisdom to the poor girl.

[RPR2]

tell her to redistribute her efforts and make you a sandwich

[pmains]

Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking? Road trip followed by an Arrested Development-style intervention and brainwashing sessions?

[mr simple]

We'll need an analrapist.

[mad libertarian guy]

Find a woman who will ignore your bullshit. It's as simple as that. We must admit that, if we aren't talking crazy stuff, we talk crazily. The more often you can get the eye roll, the better.

[Matrix]

Americans by Choice favor the 2nd Amendment

Seems like people who come to this country who have escaped statist hellholes have a reason for supporting the rights that many Americans take for granted. They know the dangers of governments that do not answer to the citizens.

[Ted S.]

I wouldn't say that, Matrix. You'll piss off the people who think immigrants only want free stuff.

[Brandon]

The poll didn't ask if they favored free guns.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

I don't know about other immigrants/emigrants, but *I* wouldn't mind a free gun. If anyone here wants to pony up...

[$park?]

From the al Qaeda threat article:

"All operations will be recorded and published in due time," the message said. "Let France be prepared, and let the helpers of France be prepared, for it is going to be a long war of attrition."

From the morning's AM Links comments:

John| 1.31.13 @ 11:44AM |#

This war of attrition is exactly what they wanted,

Of all of the stupid lies you people tell yourselves, that is probably the dumbest one. The last thing they wanted was a war of attrition. We have a lot more people than they do. The whole point of asymmetric warfare is to avoid a war of attrition and use a few people to do great damage. We have lost 10,000 people out of a million person army. Meanwhile, almost their entire leadership and any number of highly valuable assets have been killed or locked up. They had no idea we were going to come at them the way we did when they pulled off 9-11. OBL thought we would go home and stop supporting the Saudis. That was the whole strong horse weak horse thing he was always talking about.

They wanted us to come hunt them down and kill them. That is just fucking laughable. You people are funnier than Shreek.

[John]

Yes Sparky. Because trash talk in a website exactly coincides with their long term interests.

Come on son. You are better than that.

Actually you generally are not. But I can always dream.

[$park?]

It sucks when reality proves you wrong, doesn't it. I'm glad you can just consign it to being trash talk. As opposed to all of the other calls for the downfall of America which clearly aren't and must be dealt with.

[John]

So one statement on a single website in 2013, proves that OBL wanted and benefited from a war of attrition in 2001.

Got it.

As I said, I can always dream you can do better. Maybe some day.

[tarran]

Yep, only one website from 2013

Al-Jazeera aired portions of the videotape Friday but released the full transcript of the entire tape on its Web site Monday.

"We are continuing this policy in bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy. Allah willing, and nothing is too great for Allah," bin Laden said in the transcript.

He said the mujahedeen fighters did the same thing to the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s, "using guerrilla warfare and the war of attrition to fight tyrannical superpowers."

"We, alongside the mujahedeen, bled Russia for 10 years until it went bankrupt and was forced to withdraw in defeat," bin Laden said.

He also said al Qaeda has found it "easy for us to provoke and bait this administration."

"All that we have to do is to send two mujahedeen to the furthest point east to raise a piece of cloth on which is written al Qaeda, in order to make generals race there to cause America to suffer human, economic and political losses without their achieving anything of note other than some benefits for their private corporations," bin Laden said.

[tarran]

Al-Jazeera executives said they decided to post the entire speech because rumors were circulating that the network omitted parts that "had direct threats toward specific states, which was totally untrue."

"We chose the most newsworthy parts of the address and aired them. The rest was used in lower thirds in graphics format," said one official.

U.S. intelligence officials Monday confirmed that the transcript made public Monday by Al-Jazeera was a complete one.

As part of the "bleed-until-bankruptcy plan," bin Laden cited a British estimate that it cost al Qaeda about $500,000 to carry out the attacks of September 11, 2001, an amount that he said paled in comparison with the costs incurred by the United States.

"Every dollar of al Qaeda defeated a million dollars, by the permission of Allah, besides the loss of a huge number of jobs," he said. "As for the economic deficit, it has reached record astronomical numbers estimated to total more than a trillion dollars.

The total U.S. national debt is more than $7 trillion. The U.S. federal deficit was $413 billion in 2004, according to the Treasury Department

Stop willfully being a retard... it's really embarrassing.

[John]

And no political movement would ever lie and say the opposite of reality to hide a weakness. Nope. Never. They are always completely honest. If they say they want a war of attrition, that is what they want.

Come on Sparky, Stop it.

[$park?]

The possibility that this guy actually meant what he said blows a hole in your statement. You are never wrong, therefore he must be lying. It's OK, John, I understand your discomfort.

[Tim]

You see Sparky? You see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps? YOU SEE?

[wareagle]

sparky,
how long have terrorist types relied on bravado and the like? For as long as they've been around. They always threaten an ongoing campaign of horribles and they have some successes.

They're not going to fight France head on or any other nation head on, but they're not going to go away, either, because this is all they know. It's who they are. And bold talk is part of it.

[$park?]

Yeah, yeah, I know. We shouldn't take them at their word except when they're threatening America directly and we need to take them at their word just in case.

[Brandon]

John, their actions since 2001 have strongly indicated that they want a long war of attrition, because it costs us a shitload more than it costs them. And we seem to be playing into their hands.

[NeonCat]

Considering that these guys love to be martyrs, it's a shame we can't take that away from them. (I will now go into incredibly cold-blooded territory) If instead of martyrdom, there were a way to make them crippled beggars it would cut into the recruitment effort. Thinking that you'll get killed and end up with 72 sex slaves is motivating. Thinking you'll push yourself around on a little cart and live on alms for the rest of your life, not so much.

[RBS]

Obviously we need drones armed with incredibly accurate and powerful surgical lasers.

[NeonCat]

I didn't say it was practical, just hoped it would take away the glamor of joining AQ.

[RBS]

I don't disagree.

[Brandon]

Obviously we need drones sharks armed with incredibly accurate and powerful surgical lasers.

[Eduard van Haalen]

It took almost an hour to post that joke? You're slipping, H&R community, you need to step it up.

[Brandon]

Right? I read through the entire thread to make sure P Brooks hadn't posted it somewhere else first, and I still had to do it myself.

[Ted S.]

I read through the entire thread to make sure P Brooks hadn't posted it somewhere else first

Can't you just use your browser's search in page function to find P Brooks' misthreaded comments?

[SIV]

Do you know who else sent homosexuals to be "euthanized"?

[Ice Nine]

That HIV monkey?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Some owners can't be with that sweet stuff.

[BakedPenguin]

Where's Big Gay Al when you need him?

[$park?]

The Twinkies, they will be saved.

Hostess has picked a lead bid for its famous Twinkies.

The bankrupt company said late Wednesday that it has selected a joint offer from two investment firms ? Metropoulos & Co. and Apollo Global Management LLC ? as the lead bid for its Twinkies and other snack cakes.

Hostess says the two are teaming to on $410 million bid for the snack-cake business and five bakeries.

[Matrix]

Dammit... we'll need Twinkies when the Zombie Apocalypse begins. Woody Harrelson must have them or he'll go insane!

[Tim]

Any word on the unions getting their jobs back?

[db]

I have to admit, I would have had a good chuckle if Bain Capital had swooped in and saved the Twinkie.

[Ice Nine]

Finally, globally-managed Twinkies!

[Brandon]

"Metropoulos & Co. and Apollo Global Management LLC" just doesn't sound quite as friendly as "Hostess."

[Eduard van Haalen]

Hostess is the brand name; I doubt they'll give it up.

The Cute Little Bunny franchise is controlled by GigantiMegaDominationCorp, or so I've heard.

[nicole]

As if artisanal mayo weren't bad enough, even Gawker makes fun of "artisanal manliness":

Do you have a Y-chromosome and also a keenly refined rustic aesthetic? Are you eager to go camping but hesitant to put yourself in a position where you could ever be out-of-doors? Do you have $40 to blow on a hand-stitched "masculine, yet understated" leather keychain?

Sounds like you're in the market for a fastidiously planned adventure.

[Episiarch]

It's almost as if the wild was designed as a proving ground for men

Comedy gold. I have to find a way to use that.

[nicole]

It's the second actually funny thing I've read on Gawker this week. I'm a little worried.

[Suthenboy]

That is 2x now nicole....yesterday with the vodka through the nose and now today with this....making me gag.

[nicole]

Yeah, that reminds me, wasn't it a little early for vodka? I would have apologized if I hadn't been envious.

[Suthenboy]

Too early for vodka? Huh? That does not compute.

[$park?]

Now that we have this important media topic over with, we can move on to the really important stuff.

"I am a perfectionist," she explained. "And one thing about me: I practice 'till my feet bleed. I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra. It was a live television show... Due to the weather, due to the delay, due to no proper sound check... I did not feel comfortable singing live."

Beyonce said she sang along to her own voice on a "prerecorded track."

[R C Dean]

What I hear her saying is that she's just too good to give an actual live performance in front of tens of thousands of people for the President's inauguration.

Oh, well. I'd still do her.

[NeonCat]

Maybe if she did not feel comfortable singing live she should have turned the gig down.

[Rich]

I practice 'till my feet bleed.

Good grief, lady, just what kind of singing do you *do*?!

[$park?]

Asset forfeiture case to be brought up any day now. Any. day.

A man was engulfed in flames as he ran from a Midway District hotel room that exploded while he was making illegal drugs Wednesday morning, witnesses and San Diego authorities said.

The huge blast from the hash oil lab injured two other people, blew out walls and windows, and burned part of the Heritage Inn, a residency hotel on Channel Way off Sports Arena Boulevard.

[NeonCat]

What a dumbass. Couldn't go outside for a smoke, huh, sport.

[R C Dean]

He was doing an extraction with butane when he lit a frickin' cigarette.

Hilarious.

[PapayaSF]

Wow, hash oil. I haven't heard of that in years.

[NeonCat]

Goddamn meth cookers taking up all the improvised chemistry news?

[Guy Incognito]

Dude, the bottle method was the most important chemical engineeringl breakthrough of the century.

[BakedPenguin]

Dabs!

[PapayaSF]

I am so behind the times....

[A Serious Man]

Dakota Fanning to perform in first ever nude scene in upcoming movie.

[Pro Libertate]

That's a little weird. Wasn't she the little girl in Man on Fire?

[Matrix]

yes

[A Serious Man]

I feel the same way about Hayden Panettiere, who was the little girl in Remember the Titans but is now strutting her smokin hot body on ABC's 'Nashville'.

[Episiarch]

Did you not watch Heroes?

[A Serious Man]

No.

[Episiarch]

Go watch Heroes.

[Matrix]

I agree with Epi... especially the first 2 seasons.

[mr simple]

Meh. I would watch up to the last episode of the first season and then imagine an epic final battle. Then you won't be dissapointed.

[JW]

What Mr. Simple said. There's no point in watching beyond season 1.

[mr simple]

If you want a good modern take on people with super powers, I would recommend Syfy's Alphas, if anyone here hasn't seen it.

[mr simple]

Nevermind, Just found out Syfy canceled it. Why must you always leave me without closure, Syfy?

[Coeus]

Just found out Syfy canceled it.

dammit.

[Rhywun]

Meanwhile, Warehouse 13 goes on. Why do people have no taste?

[Ted S.]

I'm more amused to find out that people actually watch Siffy.

[Eduard van Haalen]

He just said he *did* watch Heroes.

[sarcasmic]

Hayden spends most every episode in a cheerleader's outfit.

Then there's Ali Larter in all her deliciousness.

Good show.

[Tim]

North Korea declared martial law ahead of a planned nuclear missile test.

Not law, Raw!

[Coeus]

question: If I find out I'm getting paid less than a woman, can I make use of the paycheck fairness act?

[NeonCat]

If you're getting paid less than a woman it's what you deserve, tainted as you are by the Y chromosome. Check your privilege!

[Guy Incognito]

I think we all know the answer to that. Some people deserve more fairness than others.

[Coeus]

It's a serious question. I was reading an article about it, and it addressed only women. While the verbiage of the bill (much like VAWA) is full of questionable assertions, I could find nothing in the bill itself prohibiting a male from using it as well.

[sarcasmic]

If a black person beats the crap out of you while shouting "I fucking hate you you honkey cracker motherfucker!" he will not be charged with a hate crime.

If you beat the crap out of a black person you are considered to be guilty of a hate crime until you prove yourself innocent.

Life isn't fair.

[Eduard van Haalen]

You misspelled "honky."

[GILMORE]

i beleive "honky/honkey" is still much up for debate

as both noun and adjective, they remain neologisms and thus open to flexible application or spelling

e,g. "the flock of geese created a honky din"

"the pimp lectured the teen, 'son you still gonna hafta pay honkey prices'

[mr simple]

I think it comes from the word "hunky", anyway, which comes from bohunky, a derogatory term originally for bohemians and pollacks. At least, that's what Wikipedia told me when I tried to find the definition for honky tonk.

[NeonCat]

Well, try it and see if you can get a Reason article out of it, if not a raise.

[Guy Incognito]

Well I was only half-joking. I wouldn't be the deciding authority, obviously, but I tend to hold an extremely skeptical view on "fairness," when it comes to race or gender, being anything like a two-way street in society.

I mean, maybe if it got in front of a jury you'd have a chance? A judge will decide based on politics, natch. If it's a liberal judge they will think there's no such thing as discrimination against men, and if it's a "conservative" judge they will the think the fairness act is stupid in the first place and that you're just whining. So either way you'd be fucked.

But I'm just a cynic. Talk to a lawyer.

[A Serious Man]

Some good news: Astounding inventions competition held in Irvine for Orange County school children.

I say good news because these kids, if they keep up their engineering and inventive interests, will eventually collide head first with a society in which government stifles creativity and punishes success, thus making them, hopefully, libertarian.

[Coeus]

The distress of the privileged.

And what is the Tea Party movement other than a counter-revolution? It comes cloaked in religion and fiscal responsibility, but scratch the surface and you'll find privileged distress: Change has taken something from us and we want it back.

Confronting this distress is tricky, because neither acceptance nor rejection is quite right. The distress is usually very real, so rejecting it outright just marks you as closed-minded and unsympathetic. It never works to ask others for empathy without offering it back to them.

At the same time, my straight-white-male sunburn can't be allowed to compete on equal terms with your heart attack. To me, it may seem fair to flip a coin for the first available ambulance, but it really isn't. Don't try to tell me my burn doesn't hurt, but don't consent to the coin-flip.

[Coeus]

Bonus: Oppression Olympics ensues in the comments.

Jacqueline S. Homan On September 14, 2012 at 9:56 pmPermalink
For 6,000 years of patriarchy, women have been patient. Women have begged and pleaded with men and attempted to educate and reason with them ? to no avail. And our oppression rests entirely on policies of rape and forced childbearing, no matter the harm to us and regardless if we want to go through it or not. I am offended by transwomen who claim I have 'cis privilege' ? that's real rich coming from a group who will NEVER be forced by law to carry an unwanted/medically risky pregnancy to term against their will, which is nothing short of compulsory organ donation when you get right down to it. And this rapists' rights culture buttresses cis male supremacy and is violently enforced and reinforced by rigid gender compliance ? something that transwomen as a group ACTIVELY SUPPORT without ANY regard for the harm being inflicted on women born women and all the oppression we've had to fight for several thousand years (and are still fighting today), long before there was the medical technology for sex reassignment surgery and hormone treatments making it possible to be a transwoman.

[Coeus]

And another:

Blarzan On September 12, 2012 at 3:59 pmPermalink | Reply
So many fucking white tears.
All I'm seeing here is that you want us to "be nice" to the racists who can't even figure out their own racism.
Whitey, you need to check your privilege before if you think telling oppressed people to calm down when their LIVES are at stake is anything other than racism.
Allies like the above is why whiteness continues being the most oppressive thing in society, and why whites like him need to be taken down a peg.

[Thane of Whiterun]

Whose "LIVES" are at stake?

Has anyone ever told these people that what they call "privilege" others call argumentum ad hominem?

[NeonCat]

Using dead whitey talk! You racist!

[Coeus]

Whose "LIVES" are at stake?

I have had to repeatedly tell, with statistics, a progressive coworker that "white people are not hunting you", as he uses this view to inform his politics. NBC has achieved their goal

[BakedPenguin]

All I'm seeing here is that you want us to "be nice" to the racists who can't even figure out their own racism.

Epi is right; there's more projection there than Saturday night at the multi-plex.

The irony would be funny if the stupid didn't burn so much.

[Killazontherun]

I once smacked a black guy in high school who called me 'whitey.' I wasn't really offended; it was just the fact he gave me an opening where I would not be punished for laying my hand up against his face that sent my hand flying his way.

[Calidissident]

"Furthermore, your observation that the women you *do* sleep with always being drunk? This serves only to reinforce the 'rape culture' discussed by others in this thread: If she's not sober, it doesn't count as consent."

If that's the case, how many men are "raped" every year? Why is it that only men can be expected to be able to consent to sex after having some drinks? Is that not sexist? Is it also not impossible that a woman might go out planning on getting drunk and hooking up with some guy? It's one thing if a girl is passed out drunk. It's quite another to say that if her BAC is .08, she can't consent, but men can

[Guy Incognito]

Everyone here should memorize one important talking point: Currently, the Only Black Senator in the United States is Tea Party Republican Tim Scott.

[Eduard van Haalen]

Uncle Tom! Oreo! House slave!

[Tonio]

Uh, no. Mo Cowan, also.

[mr simple]

Meh, Scott's still the only elected black Senator.

[Sevo]

"Believe me, the budget is balanced"
Moonbeam

"School districts pay dearly for bonds"
"By 2049, when the debt is paid, it will have cost taxpayers $154 million - seven times the amount borrowed."
http://www.sfgate.com/educatio.....237868.php

[BakedPenguin]

Between the coming price inflation and the risk involved with any CA muni bond, I'd say a 700% return is off by about an order of magnitude.

[Raston Bot]

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/.....t-134.html

DOJ blocks Bud from buying Corona because... Merger Would Result in U.S. Consumers Paying More for Beer, Less Innovation; Lawsuit Seeks to Maintain Competition in the Beer Industry Nationwide

Also, according to the DOJ, Heineken and craft are in the same segment (high-end) of the beer market. NOPE.

And it doesn't really make sense for DOJ to intervene per their own press release since Bud's only 'premium' beer is Michelob which saw sales drop a crippling 71%. They don't appear to compete in any other segment.

[SIV]

Modelo Especial costs the same as or more than Corona so why is the latter "high end"?

When I go for "high end" beer I buy and drink Victoria these days.

[NeonCat]

Corona commercials are in English.

[Killazontherun]

My new favorite desert beer.

http://www.thewinestop.com/tra.....1-2oz.html

Still have several on the cupboard waiting for me to end this foolish, beerless diet I'm on.

[BakedPenguin]

InBev/Anheiser has a ton of craft beers. Blue Moon and Shocktop, for example. Watch Beer Wars.

SLD about the merger.

[EJ]

Blue Moon is a MillerCoors product.

[BakedPenguin]

Oops. Well, one of the big two, anyway.

[mr simple]

Actually, Blue Moon is a Molson-Coors product. MillerCoors is a joint venture for marketing and distribution in the US, but SABMiller and Molson Coors are still two different companies.

[GILMORE]

I was an analyst covering beer when InBev bought AB - at the time we noted that this was one step in Carlos Brito's plan to dominate every major beer market in America, with Mexico being the jewel in the crown. The AB deal was really about getting at that 50% stake in Modelo, so they could eventually take the rest and so get access to a very lucrative growth market (Mexico) and also a fat company with tons of inefficiencies to improve (Modelo)

All the details in the DOJ complaint are largely bullshit that i do think (as in the words of the ABI spokesman) "do not reflect market reality"

They're suggesting that control of 'Corona' (what, less than 5% of the US market?/ modelo 7% overall) creates a tipping point for cost-control by major brewers that will eliminate competition pricing-pressure? Give me a break. Retail pricing isn't even entirely controlled by Brewers - distributors and retailers/bars carry much more weight, and they are far more fragmented.

In addition, ABI specifically made a deal with Constellation Brands, giving them effective control of Corona in the US -essentiallly making themselves the 'exporter', and Constellation the 'brand owner' in the US. ABI wants *Mexico*, not Monopoly of the US. I'm not sure what Justice's boner is about this - perhaps its the way ABI came in and took over a heavily unionized industry?? PAYBACK?? Dont know. Just think its stupid

[Thane of Whiterun]

West Side Market closed indefinitely after overnight fire in main building

Well, you can always go see Cleveland's WORLD-CLASS ORCHESTRA!!!

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

Proving Margaret Thatcher right, one scam at a time:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/20.....m_20130131

[mr simple]

A Texas prosecutor who handled drug and homicide cases was shot dead outside of the Kaufman County courthouse by a pair of gunmen, including one who was wearing a bullet proof vest
...
The alert said the suspects are wearing all black and at least one is wearing a tactical vest.

I didn't think tactical meant bullet proof.

Scary black vests must be bullet proof! Ban them! Why do you need a bullet proof vest to go hunting anyway?

Is it SOP to claim all shooters are wearing bullet proof vests now, as if they need to make these crazies scarier. I think they want to say it's pointless for people to carry for self-defense because the bad guys can't be killed anyway.

[GILMORE]

One Out of Four Prisoners Worldwide is in America

USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!! USA!!

WE ARE #1 AT EVVERTHING!

[Gladstone]

Damn those anti-government radicals!

Once the Repuklikkkans are all the camps the prison rate will go down and things will be so much better.

[Dr. Frankenstein]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/si.....35818.html

Dad, who is a cop, does girl's science project for here using cocaine.

Money quote

"[Doug] handled the drugs," she said. "He's always very meticulous about how he handles drugs."

I bet he is.

[Guy Incognito]

"Oh no, Dina, Jack can talk Thai. Jack talk Thai very well."

[Mad Scientist]

Major regulations issued in the first three years of his term, meanwhile, are three times the cost of major regulations issued in the first three years of President Clinton's term.

And we get to pay for both!

[Gus]

Just heard on the Fox News that whomever it is who is singing the national anthem at the Superbowl will be backed-up by the Sandy Hook Children's Chorus. This might be the first Superbowl I skip and I have seen them all.

[Ted S.]

I listen to them on the radio, and try to wait until after the anthem is performed to tune in.

Frankly, I think sporting events shouldn't have the national anthem played at them at all.

[The Late P Brooks]

A prosecutor handling drug and murder cases in the Dallas County District Attorney's office was gunned down on his way to court this morning.

To be honest, I'm having some trouble finding any sympathy.

[Death Rock and Skull]

I don't care for shitty Budweiser or shitty Corona, but fuck the FTC. No shit off my ass if cheap shitty beer gets more expensive.

[Coeus]

Hey, I'm oppressed too!! Cloud Atlas Review: Yellowface And Orientalism

2) While it's true that the racial masquerade isn't just inclined towards yellowface?that there are Asian and black actors who are in whiteface?Halle Berry plays a German Jewish woman, Bae Doona plays a 19th-century lawyer's wife in SF and she plays a Latina sweatshop worker in 1970s SF?no one in the film is in blackface (which I am glad about). My point is this: while it's understandable according to the logic of the film to put both black and white actors in yellowface for the scenes taking place in Neo Seoul, why wasn't that same logic applied for the scenes depicting Polynesian slaves?that not one white actor or Asian actor was put into blackface I think is a recognition on the filmmakers parts that to do so would have been to have ignited a (pardon my language) shitstorm. But yellowface they figured they could get away with.

[Heroic Mulatto]

Hugo Weaving looks ridiculous in that makeup.

[Ted S.]

You should see Breakfast at Tiffany's: it's got Mickey Rooney in yellowface.

Sayonara has Ricardo Montalban in yellowface. (Unfortunately, Marlon Brando is the star and nearly ruins the movie.)

And then there's The Hatchet Man: Edward G. Robinson plays the leader of a Chinese tong in San Francisco who takes in Loretta Young as his equally Chinese foster daughter.

[Heroic Mulatto]

I'm more of a Christopher Lee as Dr. Fu Manchu man myself.

[Coeus]

I've always been partial to the Duke.

[Coeus]

It doesn't matter. After V, he could play ghengis khan with ferns growing out of his head and purple skin. If the fucker can act so well you forget he's wearing a hard-shell mask, then stupid eyebrows shouldn't make that much of a difference.

[Cavpitalist]

http://www.motherjones.com/pol.....fact-check

In which the first argument is that people are safe from cops and the government because cops and the government as an aggregate own fewer guns than the exponentially larger subset of citizens, civilians.

[califernian]

Fact-check: Weak laws and loopholes backed by the gun lobby make it easier to get guns illegally.

The definition of loophole is: Some law the speaker disapproves of.

The definition of tax loophole is very similar: a tax deduction that the speaker doesn't think you should have.