A.M. Links: No Arrests or Claims of Responsibility After Boston Marathon Explosions, French Government to Push for Higher Taxes, Iowa Police Want Drones

Credit: twitter user @Brm90

• A security official with knowledge of the investigation into the explosions at yesterday's Boston marathon says that the bombs were probably not detonated by suicide bombers. The attack killed three people and injured over 100. Last night FBI officials searched an apartment in Revere, Mass.There have been no arrests or claims of responsibility.

     Read more coverage from Reason 24/7 of the explosions here. 

• The French finance minister has said that the French government plans for there to be $7.87 billion in new taxes in 2014. 

• According to emails obtained by The Des Moines Register Iowa police officials are interested in buying drones. 

• An Alaska-based military police officer has been convicted of selling military secrets to an undercover FBI agent. 

• A federal judge has temporarily blocked Mississippi's only abortion clinic from having its license revoked. 

• The European Union is subsidizing groups that want state-supported regulation of the press. 

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Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

An Alaska-based military police officer has been convicted of selling military secrets to an undercover FBI agent.

He could see treason from his house.

[Counterfly]

Hey, I just noticed that Tea + Reason == Treason.

How about that.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Somebody call Luke Russert.

[hamilton]

And the blog is called Hit and Run...

SUSPICIOUS.

[Fatty Bolger]

And it's commonly abbreviated as H&R. If you replace the & with the very similar 8, you get... H8R, ie., HATER.

If you need more proof than that, I don't know even know what to say.

[Heedless]

Also, if you replace the R with a vaguely similar K, you get an ASSAULT WEAPON!

Clear grounds for investigation.

[db]

Technically, it's TeaReason. Or T'Reason. Or T'R'on. And now you know the rest of the story.

[deified]

Trayvon

[Red Rocks Rockin]

WE ALL HOODIE WEARERS NOW.

[AlmightyJB]

I always knew you all were shady.

[Fist of Etiquette]

According to emails obtained by The Des Moines Register Iowa police officials are interested in buying drones.

It's a flyover state.

[Bee Tagger]

If you build it, drones will come.

[Counterfly]

Hey, as libertarian as I am, I'm all for drones in Iowa. Anything they need to keep those kids in the corn.

[Gene]

It's what's growing in the corn they're concerned about.

[Counterfly]

Huitlacoche?

[Gene]

I had to google that. I saw some growing a few years back, just thought it was some weird fungus, now I want to make some soup with it.

[LTC(ret) John]

GMOEZZZZ! FRANKENFOOD!!1!1!

[Lord Humungus]

Legalize Polygamy!
Recently, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council reintroduced a tired refrain: Legalized gay marriage could lead to other legal forms of marriage disaster, such as polygamy. Rick Santorum, Bill O'Reilly, and other social conservatives have made similar claims. It's hardly a new prediction?we've been hearing it for years. Gay marriage is a slippery slope! A gateway drug! If we legalize it, then what's next? Legalized polygamy?

We can only hope.
http://www.slate.com/articles/.....r_all.html

[Virginian]

I'd be so down with legalized polygamy.

[Counterfly]

Seriously. It makes sense on so many levels, especially in this economy.

[Lord Humungus]

I've got no problem with it either.

[gaijin]

You assume that your ratio of women who desired to share you would be greater than other men? You overachiever you.

[Counterfly]

They would be created by the amount of already married gay men, obviuosly.

[Rasilio]

What makes you think with legalized polygamy that it would only be 1 man to many women?

Hell, for a lot of practical reasons 2 men and 1 woman would make a hell of a lot more sense as would a Quad (2 of each) and in an ideal world you could get people to start considering really out there things like line marriages (which in the coming economic times may end up becoming the only way to preserve any sort of wealth and provide for everyone in the family)

[Fist of Etiquette]

I find myself in a position to suddenly be against polygamy, as I watch groupthink set in here. NO POLYGAMY WHATEVER THAT IS!

[D.D. Driver]

Are there really men who want multiple wives?

Seems like something that sounds great for two seconds until reality sets in.

One wife is plenty.

[Fate]

My wife and girlfriend disagree.

[a better weapon]

It will never even have to be addressed. The gays got marriage, and we'll never talk about what an oddity it is to require permission by the state and federal government to get married again.

The window is closed.

[DJF]

Or talk about why someone would want to enter into a marriage contract that they can't change but the government can at any time.

[H. ReardEn]

How does the gov't, by expanding the pool of people allowed to enter into contract, change the terms of your previously agreed to contract ? Or you now married to a dude?

[H. ReardEn]

Or Are

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

I assume he was not referring to gay marriage but changes in divorce and family law.

[DJF]

Exactly

The married couple have no say in whats in the government marrage contract and the government can change it anytime they want.

[alittlesense]

Are you serious? Anyone who wants to be married to more than one woman at a time is clearly mental.......

[Restoras]

^This^

[AlmightyJB]

Yeah. I agree. One's enough for me.

[Restoras]

More than enough. Too much, even.

[SKR]

this has always been my position on the matter as well. Same for the guys that have a GF on the side.

[Rich]

Polygamy or gun ownership -- your choice.

[LTC(ret) John]

What if all the wives have guns?

[Rich]

Close the loophole!

[H. ReardEn]

Some define polygamy as one wife too many. Others define monogamy the same.

[Enough About Palin]

Polygamy is one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.

- Oscar Wilde

[LTC(ret) John]

Not sure Oscar Wilde is much of a source of wisdom re: wives.

[Matrix]

There is no biblical prohibition against polygamy. It is simply inferred by people interpretting different stories, such as the story of Adam and Eve. Adam had only one wife.

Even if you look at the NT, there is only one thing instance that polygamy is prohibited, and that is for a bishop.

[gaijin]

Adam had only one wife.

And she only liked him for his rib recipe

[robc]

Also for deacons, iirc.

[Tonio]

There is no biblical prohibition against polygamy.

The OT mentions polygamy several times and does so by way of explanation, without condemning it. For example, King Solomon had a crap ton of wives.

And although they very much keep this on the down low, some of the super-ultra-orthodox jews still practice this.

And yet "bible-believing" religious types claim that Marriage=1 Man + 1 Woman, and that the bible supports this view. LOL.

[robc]

Marriage does equal 1 man plus 1 woman (plus 1 God).

A person with 4 wives has 4 marriages.

[robc]

4 separate contracts.

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

What if the wives are also married to each other?

[robc]

Well, I would argue that isnt a "marriage", but even if we redefine the word, that would be separate contracts.

Of course, if we redefine the word, then we could have a multiple (3+) person contract anyway.

If we get the state out of the business of issuing licenses and let them instead just adjudicate contract disputes in civil court, word definition and etc dont matter at all.

We all win.

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

Well, I would argue that isnt a "marriage", but even if we redefine the word, that would be separate contracts.

Well, I'm sort of wondering what FLDS people think is happening since they actually do this. My only experience is with "Big Love" but the women are always acting like they are in a (nonsexual) relationship with each other.

[robc]

And what about Heinlein style line marriages?

[Counterfly]

I'm against it, because they have more than one dude.

I mean if other people want to, fine, but it's not for me.

[Tonio]

Typical apologist gibberish.

[robc]

Typical apologist gibberish.

I see you cant counter any of my points.

[Tonio]

Because it's like arguing with the time cube guy. Sorry, don't do sticky traps.

[Lord Humungus]

a big lawyer bill.

[Gene]

Clusterfuck! Not in the good way.

[Matrix]

Well, you may need 4 separate contracts. But, really, it should not be allowed unless all parties agree. So if one is married, they cannot marry another without permission of their first spouse. If the first spouse does not agree, then the seeking party cannot have another marriage or he/she must be granted a divorce before the second marriage takes place.

Still, why a guy would want multiple wives is beyond me. One seems horrifying enough. Besides, once their menses are in sync, one week a month would be total nightmare.

[robc]

But, really, it should not be allowed unless all parties agree.

Wouldnt that depend on the terms of the previous contract?

[Matrix]

There was an Ashkenazic prohibition on polygamy, but that was mainly because it was outlawed in Europe at the time. That prohibition only lasted 1000 years, and that 1000 years ended recently. Sephardim did not have the same prohibition.

[jesse.in.mb]

997-1997 if I recall correctly. A class I was in had a guest Rabbi guest lecture and he cracked some jokes about how it was allowed but someone would have to be crazy to want it.

[Doctor Whom]

According to the OT, God even claimed the credit for at least part of David's harem. When I quote that passage to the "God says that marriage is 1 man + 1 woman" crowd, they instantly clam up.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

The OT mentions polygamy several times and does so by way of explanation, without condemning it. For example, King Solomon had a crap ton of wives.

It's not explicity condemned (it was a cultural feature of that time, after all), but just about every instance where it's highlighted or inferred results in a breakdown or tragedy of some sort.

Jacob's wives fight over sleeping with him and his oldest sons sell their half-brother into slavery. David's kids from different wives rape and kill each other, his son Absalom rebels against his rule, and God kills his newborn son as a result of his affair with Bathsheba. Solomon's marraiges to foreign wives breaks down the social order held together by the state monotheistic religion and the kingdom eventually splits apart under his son.

[Tonio]

IOW, they don't mention women in the OT unless they are the source of trouble.

"God kills his newborn son." Yep, all you need to know.

[lap83]

Have you even read the damn thing?

[Tonio]

Yes.

[lap83]

Solomon's a pretty bad example for your argument considering that his wives led him away from God. While the OT does show polygamous relationships, they are typically presented in a negative light.

The NT, on the other hand, always mentions marriage in monogamous terms. Christians interpret monogamous marriage as being part of God's design for marriage, as represented by Adam and Eve. Just because it's not one of the ten commandments doesn't mean it's condoned.

[Tonio]

Thanks for sharing.

[db]

Religion is chock full of emanations and penumbras.

[jesse.in.mb]

Monogamous heterosexual marriage is not the Christian ideal. Voluntary celibacy is. Take it away Paul:

1 Corinthians 7

1-3 Now for the matters you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

8-9 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

[Ted S.]

Well, Tnoy Perkins did have a thing for his mother....

[Francisco d Anconia]

THE HORROR!

[AuH20]

I've always wanted to do a Heilein style line marriage.

Oh noes! There are other menz!

Yes, and that's nice for me on the nights I don't want human contact- let them handle the wives. But seriously, a line marriage with 2 other dudes and 4 or 5 women total? Ideal. You could be buddies with the guys (and, if the women ever sync up, you will need that strength in numbers), you have enough women that there isn't too much fighting over them, and you pool the labor and resources of 7 people.

[Rasilio]

Actually this would not be a line marriage, that would simply be a group marriage.

For it to be a line marriage the marriage works somewhat like a corporation in that it is intended to be an eternal entity. It works by periodically marrying new members into the marriage, they would generally be younger in prime child bearing years and chosen to maintain a desired male - female ratio with the spacing designed top establish an approximate family size equilibrium.

So for example, you could have a line marriage that worked like this...

Every 3 years a new spouse is added alternating male and female (1 new male/female each 6 years). The new member would be expected to be somewhere between 18 and 24 years old. This would eventually give you a marriage with ~18 to 24 members split roughly in half between male and female with about the same number of minor children living in the home at any given time.

The advantage of the arrangement is that childcare and elder care is built into the family structure and since the family in theory never dissolves and always has prime working age members it's ability to accumulate wealth is ininterrupted

[cavalier973]

Polygamy is still "one man, one woman", Mr. Perkins. The women aren't married to each other, you know.

[Lord Humungus]

Leslie H. Gelb on Obama's Dangerous Nuclear Dance
http://www.thedailybeast.com/a.....dance.html

The White House press corps should ask President Obama this question: You've told Iran's leaders that if they come close to marrying a nuclear warhead with a missile that can hit the United States or our allies, they should expect a U.S. military attack on their soil. Specifically, Mr. Obama, you said your policy on Iranian nukes was "prevention," not "containment" or "deterrence." You were not nearly as tough, specific, and threatening to North Korea.

Why? Is North Korea less dangerous than Iran, or more? Is President Ahmadinejad crazier than Kim Jong-un, or less? Is Pyongyang so far down the line toward developing deliverable nukes that you can't stop them anymore, while Tehran still has a ways to go? Is it that Israel is more important to American security than South Korea and Japan?

[Counterfly]

I havent seen a nuclear dance that dangerous since the Pointer Sisters.

[AlmightyJB]

Is that the opposite of the Safety dance?

[Quetzalcoatl]

He's sending Iran the right message. Get nooks, get respek.

[Smilin' Joe Fission]

RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!

[Joe M]

marrying a nuclear warhead with a missile

I blame gay marriage.

[cavalier973]

Shouldn't nuclear warheads and missiles that love each other have the same rights as everyone else?

[Virginian]

http://dcist.com/2013/04/panel.....or_fre.php

Living off of faculty fodder.

[LTC(ret) John]

A Freegan spotting, in the wilds of DC!

[Loki]

The Panel Crasher lost his job at a nonprofit organization at the end of March when a federal grant that was funding his position expired. He suspects it might have been hacked off because of the mandatory budget cuts that went into effect because of sequestration.

Wow, we might have actually found the one person who actually lost their job as a result of teh EVUL SEKWESTER!

[Counterfly]

I know some of you out there are getting tired of my Troll Free X-Day postings, and feel entitled to the truth or some version of it. Well let me tell you.

You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at your beltway cocktail parties, you want me on this thread! You need me on this thread! We use words like "sadbeardian", "artisinal", "Khantastic". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline! I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a cosmentariat who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "cheers mate," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a non-weaponized assault keyboard, and post a stand. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

Troll Free Tuesdee, just sayin'.

[generic Brand]

Sorry, over here in 'merica, we only recognize days of the week that end in "y". So you can take your "Tuesdee" and just get! Ya hear???

[Almanian!]

and post a stand

I'd be willing to stand a post. Bu post a stand?

FUCK YOU! BRING ON THE TROLLS!

[Lord Humungus]

you just miss Ms. Stack! And the Herc!

[T]

I do miss the Herc. Not enough to visit his blog, mind you, but a little bit. Herc is one of God's unmedicated people, living his life without the buffer of the chemicals he so desperately needs. I applaud his commitment to reality.

And his stylistic quirks. Those really made the posts for me.

[Mainer2]

HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN

[Enough About Palin]

HERC HAS A [BLOG]????!!!1111111????!

[Fist of Etiquette]

DID YOU ORDER THE CODE RED-GISTRATION?

[Counterfly]

WITHOUT THE RIGHT KIND OF MOUNTAIN DEW, I CAN BARELY CAPITALIZE PROPER NOUNS, MUCH LESS ENTIRE SENTENCES.

[Restoras]

I applaud your efforts and vigilance, however some here simply cannot help themselves. They are like compulsive masterbators in that way. They no longer anger me, but I do pity them so.

[Lord Humungus]

you know who else was compulsive masterbator?

[Restoras]

Is this a trick question?

[Ted S.]

Half of the folks who comment on H&R? (I'm being conservative here.)

[Troy muy grande boner]

Whooo..... I thought I was alone there for a bit.

[Numeromancer]

you know who else was compulsive masterbator?

That guy who killed the bear last week?

[generic Brand]

Some would say that I'm a compulsive master debator; I just can't help but argue the cause of individual freedom with anyone who pushes for more government control!

[gaijin]

Tommy Biffle?

[Lord Humungus]

Reg, Reg, that reminds me. I was coachin' in Omaha in 1948 and Eddie Shore sends me this guy who was a terrible masturbator, you know, couldn't control himself. Why, he would get deliberate penalties so he could get over in the penalty box all by himself and damned if he wouldn't... you know...

[Restoras]

Suzanne sucks pussy!

[invisible furry hand]

some blind guy?

[Lord Humungus]

with hairy palms?

[Loki]

Your mom?

[Loki]

My cousin Walter jerked off in public once. True story. He was on a plane to New Mexico when all of the sudden the hydraulics went. The plane started spinning around, going out of control, so he decides it's all over and whips it out and starts beating it right there. So all the other passengers take a cue from him and they start whipping it out and beating like mad. So all the passengers are beating off, plummeting to their certain doom, when all of the sudden, snap! The hydraulics kick back in. The plane rights itself and it land safely and everyone puts their pieces or, whatever, you know, away and deboard. No one mentions the phenomenon to anyone else.

[mr simple]

Well, did he cum or what?

[Loki]

Jese Christ, man! There's just some things you don't talk about in public!

[Loki]

*Jesus Christ*

Typing FAIL

[Rich]

That reminds of another true story. Plane starts spinning around, going out of control. This woman gets hysterical, strips off all her clothes, and starts screaming "If I'm going to die, at least I'm going to die feeling like a woman!" Everyone just stares at her. She shouts again "Didn't you hear me? Isn't anyone man enough to make me feel like a woman?!" So some guy rips off his shirt, throws it to her, and yells "Here, iron this!"

[Kaptious Kristen]

Nobody, because it's not a real word?

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

Can we have a note in the disclaimer above the comments reminding people how to spell "artisanal"? Everyone gets it wrong. Probably because Chrome doesn't think it's a word.

[Counterfly]

Well of course YOU'D be the one to catch THAT particular mistake.

Do you ever even think about anything else?

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

Other than spelling? Grammar, sometimes.

[deified]

didn't you used to have a book blog?

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

I still do.

[deified]

Bookmarked. Thank you!

[Virginian]

I just remember it as "art is anal"

[Lord Humungus]

no, not another anal thread!

[Restoras]

Hello?

[Zeb]

Really? How else would you spell it?

[Virginian]

http://www.rollcall.com/news/r......html?pg=2

Most vulnerable Senators.

[Counterfly]

OOOOHHH. To be replaced. I totally thought it would be something else.

[mr simple]

We don't need your eliminationist rhetoric around here. Save that for the militia meetings.

[Counterfly]

No, I was thinking genital warts or shark attack.

[LTC(ret) John]

OOooh, let it be shark attack, shark attack!

[mr simple]

Surprisingly (to me, at least), African- Americans constitute 32 percent of the population of Louisiana but only 15 percent of the population of Arkansas. That's a substantial difference and an obvious advantage for Landrieu, if she can turn out those reliably Democratic minority voters.

Black people are nothing but automatic votes, in the minds of democrats.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Yet all they want is their civil rights. How fucking demanding.

[Jordan]

What?

[Lord Humungus]

welcome to crazy land.

[Smilin' Joe Fission]

They picked the wrong party if that's what they want.

[Agammamon]

So they pick the slavery party to get them?

[KPres]

"Yet all they want is their civil rights. How fucking demanding."

Is that why a majority of them both oppose gay marriage?

[Rasilio]

lol being considered an "automatic vote" is not exactly the way to get politicians to work to guarantee your civil rights.

[Virginian]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....owers.html

Weapons grade crazy.

[db]

Is she some kind of looney necromancer?

[Counterfly]

Dumping bags of gravel on a grave? Sounds to me like she's trying to keep something IN there.

She probably knows best, I think we just let this one go, judge.

[Rich]

Burke attacked the grave because she had a grudge against Mr Wilks, a court was told. She resented him because he had become engaged to a woman who used to date her former partner.

Good grief. What does Burke do if you look at her funny?

[Fist of Etiquette]

The French finance minister has said that the French government plans for there to be $7.87 billion in new taxes in 2014.

Public revenue, is there anything you can't fix?

[Quetzalcoatl]

Body odor, apparently.

[Rich]

Sacr? bleu, that's funny!

[Rasilio]

You know I plan to earn $50,000 in new income this year too, doesn't mean I'm gonna get it.

[Bee Tagger]

The French finance minister has said that the French government plans for there to be $7.87 billion in new taxes in 2014.

When will French citizens just wave the white flag and hand all of their money over to the government?

[Fist of Etiquette]

They'll be collecting all that money at their various borders as the wealthy retreat to elsewhere.

[Bee Tagger]

That's rude of them.

[Numeromancer]

At least they're frank about it.

[Restoras]

That's an interesting angle.

[Counterfly]

I find this entire line of comments particularly gualing.

[Numeromancer]

gualing

An interesting faux pas.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I find this entire line of comments particularly gualing.

Are you inSeine? It's a surprisingly Normanative conversation for this chatroom.

[Numeromancer]

I'm just surprised that they had the gall to say it.

[LTC(ret) John]

*slowly pushes away from desk, stands, gives icy stare to entire room, silently departs*

[Restoras]

What's wrong, LTC? Didjute forget where you are?

[Numeromancer]

That's just how he says adieu, to you and you and you.

[sloopyinca]

"Franks and Beans!
Franks and Beans!"

[LTC(ret) John]

That's it. You are all on the list.

[Ted S.]

Bring back the octroi.

[hamilton]

Certainly the white flag part they have down pat.

[Brett L]

Jesus. $8B in new revenue? I think the state of FL is expecting to see that much bounceback this year.

[db]

Today, let's not engage in idle speculation on the motives and methods of the perpetrators of this horrific event in Boston. Instead, let's apply our full intellectual capabilities and not insubstantial bandwidth to speculation on the motives and methods of the perpetrators of this horrific event in Boston.

[mr lizard]

If it had been a mass shooting instead, I would've been knitting my tinfoil hat. Until that damn gun bill dies, we are ripe for another shooting to push it the last few yards.

[Art Vandelay]

IT WUZ THE JOOOOOOOOS!!!11!!!!

[db]

I see you're working the "full intellectual capabilities" angle.

[Tonio]

Classic, Art. Bravo.

[Zeb]

In collaboration with the lizard people.

[Counterfly]

As always, follow the money. The Celtics/Suns game last night was postponed, which was obviously going to happen.

And when the NBA is made to look weak and powerless, one can only force can be behind it: the NFL.

Now, who in the NFL hates Bostonians and runners?

There's only one answer to that question. The Miami Dolphin dime package. Either their Safety or Corners, or a consortium of all of them. Maybe even some speedy OLB.

And who else do we know in Florida who is capable of riling up an already on edge group of drugged out thugs into planting bombs in Boston?

That's right.

Scientologists blew up the marathon.

[Tonio]

Duuuuude...

[tarran]

We need to get you on Alex Jones with this valuable intelligence immediately.

[mr lizard]

Y'all don't even know. I've seen those cats walking around our club district undercover. They dress up like mid-nineties goth kids and hand out flyers. And don't ask me how I know the difference between modern and post-grunge goth.

[Elspeth Flashman]

You know it when you see it.

[Tonio]

Freemasons.

[Generic Stranger]

I'm telling you guys it was the Red Hat
Society. Those biddies are up to something.

[Counterfly]

The Limp Bizkit fan club?

Or the Lunix fan club?

[Generic Stranger]

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

[Rich]

It's a space alien kid toying with us, like a human child tortures an ant or a worm.

[Numeromancer]

The Mysterious Stranger!

[db]

Another Mysterious Stranger

[LTC(ret) John]

So it was Sugarfree?

[Azathoth!!]

So, Trelane did it then.

[mr simple]

The French finance minister has said that the French government plans for there to be $7.87 billion in new taxes in 2014.

Funny, I also plan for $7.87 billion in new revenue based on wishes. Let's see if either of us get what we want.

[Lord Humungus]

Women in Space: The Mercury 13
http://www.neatorama.com/2013/.....ercury-13/

By communicating its lack of interest in women astronauts, NASA effectively scuttled the FLAT program in 1962, at least for the time being. The official explanation was that the space agency would only consider military test pilots with extensive experience flying jet aircraft. And since women were excluded from flying jets in the military (not to mention the airlines), they couldn't qualify. Experience, not gender, was the determining factor, NASA claimed.

In truth, however, NASA's ban on women was motivated by a fear that the space program would be irreparably harmed if a woman died in space. "Had we lost a woman back then because we decided to fly a woman rather than a man, we would have been castrated," Mercury Program flight director Chris Kraft admitted years later.

[Art Vandelay]

Check your privilege, NASA.

[Rich]

"Had we lost a woman back then because we decided to fly a woman rather than a man, we would have been castrated," Mercury Program flight director Chris Kraft admitted years later.

Pretty sure Chris meant to say "we would have had a hysterectomy".

[Quetzalcoatl]

No, then it would have been Cris.

[Quetzalcoatl]

"Had we lost a woman back then because we decided to fly a woman rather than a man, we would have been castrated," Mercury Program flight director Chris Kraft admitted years later.

You know what sort of employees wouldn't have that fear?

[LTC(ret) John]

Robots?

[mad libertarian guy]

Fully unionized, public employees?

[WTF]

Eunuchs?

[LTC(ret) John]

WIN.

[Rasilio]

Yeah there was also the little issue of how to deal with the urine when it does not come from an easily capped tube shaped appendage

[invisible furry hand]

The top 15 job opportunities in France include:

4. Social and cultural activities leader ? 64,369 openings

Actual creators of cultural activities come in at no 15

[generic Brand]

How do they know exactly how many openings for a particular position? Have they nationalized Monster.com or CareerBuilder in France?

[Quetzalcoatl]

It's a museum society. More interested in curation than creation.

[Tonio]

^That's a common disease of empires in their declining years, Ketzy.

[Citizen Nothing]

"Museum society." I hadn't heard that before, but it's a very good description.

[Lord Humungus]

Under Pressure, Hagel Replaces Dronefare Medal with 'Distinguishing Device'
http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2013.....ng-device/

House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Chairman Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) said he was "very pleased" with Hagel's decision.

"Service members who operate remotely piloted aircraft or participate in cyber operations do deserve our praise; however, awarding them with a medal that takes precedence over a decoration earned in combat is a disservice to those who have put themselves in harms way to protect and defend our freedoms," Wilson said. "This change is welcomed by millions of concerned veterans and I am proud that the Secretary sided with the best interests of our brave men and women in the Armed Services who have served in combat."

[a better weapon]

Obviously more due process needs to be served up by these bad boys before they get the respect they deserve.

Expect a pretty spectacular show before too long.

[LTC(ret) John]

I still want to puke. If you do something noteworthy, there are still plenty of ways to recognize it. Why the special "I done it with a drone" device or such? Either you did something worth recognition, or not. Obviously being on the ground or in the air, in person should still count more.

[T]

Yeah, now they'll get a Bronze Star with Drone. One more REMF award I can safely ignore, like the Legion of Merit and the MSM.

In other news, I will continue to ignore Bronze Stars that don't have a V device after I saw how they were awarded in Desert Storm.

[gaijin]

Would this be another example of the 'self esteem' culture infecting the military? I recall something about ordinary army types getting to wear black berets awhile back too.

[LTC(ret) John]

Yeah, Eric Shinseki decided we were all elite now! Most us us got the "who farted" look on our faces and just tried to use them as little as possible. Finally just a while back they were more or less relegated to a seldom used status. Rangers got stuck with a "tan" beret. Airborne still has red and the crazy people still have green.

[T]

Well, I guess I should be gratified you don't consider the Airborne crazy.

[LTC(ret) John]

Just because I didn't want to jump out a plane, in an obsolete form of warfare, doesn't mean it is anywhere near the crazy of the SF folks I have known. They were generally well educated, gifted with languages and nuts.

[Bobarian]

Birdshit and fools.

[Matrix]

He cannot has cheezburger
Animal welfare rescues cat who was fed nothing but cheeseburgers for a year

[generic Brand]

He looks fine to me. I wonder if the cat was fed actual good cheeseburgers if that would have made a difference.

[a better weapon]

Oh, but animal welfare has no time to pick up the straws rummaging through the dumpster at my apartment complex.

No no no, those meals are just fine! So they get to stay and scare the living shit out of me every time I take the trash out.

Shaking fist in the air

Damn cats!

[generic Brand]

pick up the straws rummaging through the dumpster at my apartment complex.

Oh... "strays". I was seriously worried for a second that in back of your apartment complex an army of bendy straws, Slurpee straws, and coffee stirrers were amassing to take back what is rightfully theirs.

[a better weapon]

They've all migrated from NYC. No cups to call home, they just keep herding south in search of disposed Big Gulps with no straw. Real irritable sons of bitches!

Haha, yes I meant strays though.

[LTC(ret) John]

Jesus, g B...that is a frightening thought. That might make a nice horror flick.

[Agammamon]

That's an "after" picture - the cat was picked up and nursed back to health.

The problem the kitty had is that hamburger is all muscle and the other nutrients a carnivore needs are in the internal organs - which hopefully McD's food has little trace of.

[$park?]

You see why people can't be allowed to make their own decisions now?

[Matrix]

this, coupled with that UK girl who ate nothing but chicken nuggets her whole childhood, proves we need the benevolent hand of government to make decisions for us. We, clearly, cannot do it ourselves.

[Zeb]

It was a stray who lived at McDonalds and someone decided to take it home and take care of it. I think in this case, everyone made their own decisions. Well, except the cat, I guess.

[$park?]

Well, except the cat, I guess.

Whew, for a second there I thought you were going to miss the point.

[invisible furry hand]

Don't piss off your Swiss neighbours

more

[mr lizard]

Noticed the police did call for reinforcements but still didn't have their weapons discharged and no dogs were killed. Fuckin amateur hour.

[Lord Humungus]

Glenn Reynolds: Media bias exists not only in how they cover stories, but in their choice of stories to cover.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/.....n/2082365/

Yes. So why wasn't it news? Pro-choice writer Megan McArdle of The Daily Beast notes that it's about fear of where the story would go, and what it would require writers to confront: "Gosnell is accused of grisly crimes that I didn't want to think about. ... I understand why my readers suspect me, and other pro-choice mainstream journalists, of being selective -- of not wanting to cover the story because it showcased the ugliest possibilities of abortion rights. The truth is that most of us tend to be less interested in sick-making stories -- if the sick-making was done by 'our side.' "

It was fine to dwell at length on the Newtown, Conn., shootings, because those could be blamed on the evil NRA. But writing about these dead innocents might be a political liability instead of a political asset. It might have been awkward for President Obama.

[generic Brand]

Damn, good shit Greenwald. Is he still considered liberal amongst his colleagues, or is he pretty much an Uncle Tom to them now?

[Mike M.]

Wrong Glenn. Greenwald would never write a column like this in a million years.

[generic Brand]

Shoot, you're right. Still, my question is legitimate as he does question Obama on foreign and domestic policy, unlike 99.7% of his colleagues.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Us pro-choice people already know how abortions work.

[Lord Humungus]

so no problem with:

Severed baby feet in jars. A child screaming after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure.

keep it classy.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Reminds me that Barbara Bush kept Dubya's oldest sibling in a jar in the house. Some people are into that.

[Lord Humungus]

yeah, that's really related. Thanks for the comment from Crazy Land.

[Citizen Nothing]

Just don't ask him about the onion on his belt.

[Elspeth Flashman]

such was the style of the times.

[Night Elf Mohawk]

But not nominative case pronouns.

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

When they're born alive and you stick scissors into their neck to cut their spinal cord, is it still an abortion?

[Palin's Buttplug]

Depends on the state. States rights, you know!

[generic Brand]

If that depends on the state then me jabbing you with scissors in the neck if we both happened to be on the same cruise is perfectly legitimate. International Waters, you know!

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Last I checked, the 24th week was the limit for just about any state unless it was for medically necessary reasons.

[LTC(ret) John]

STOP ASKING QUESTIONS!

[Elspeth Flashman]

No, it is no longer a "medical procedure" at this point, it is now a crime.

[Restoras]

Margaret Sanger would be proud.

[Tonio]

A doesn't exclude B.

[cavalier973]

I'm pretty sure that the abortion doctor acted responsibly, and wiped off the magic "personhood sauce" that secretes from the mother and coats the fetus as he, er, it exits the birth canal, so, yes, it was still an abortion rather than infanticide.

[$park?]

Us pro-choice people already know how abortions work.

It's really fucking stupid when you pretend like you speak for every pro-choice person. Once the baby is out and alive, it's not an abortion you fucking sick dickbag.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Convict him of murder then. It is fine with me.

At issue was why people like me don't read about it.

[$park?]

At issue is your retarded comment.

[Restoras]

I think you answered your own question, $parkYen.

[T]

I would assume poor reading comprehenion, but that's my default assumption about you.

[Palin's Buttplug]

I am responding to the Glenn Reynold's piece on media bias and the abortion trial.

We have a free market in media and that shit does not sell to us social liberals. Why does Reynolds hate free markets?

[generic Brand]

We have a free market in media and that shit does not sell to us social liberals

Do we? We have a more free market than previously in this country, with the vast amount of knowledge available on the internet. But it's not a truly free media when the government grants interviews to select media outlets that will cast their actions in a favorable light, or when certain parent companies of news organizations receive massive federal subsidies.

It's also not a free market in media when certain information is prosecuted for being disseminated, like the Bradley Manning leaks.

So while we have probably one of the most free media in the world, it's still like being the smartest retard in your grade school class.

[KPres]

Saying we have a free market in media is like saying we have a free market in lobbyists. The incentives that shape the media (and academia, for that matter) are centered around their influence on the state, not as a result of the profit motive.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

We have a free market in media and that shit does not sell to us social liberals.

Born-alive "abortions"? I can't imagine why.

[Trespassers W]

You responded to the Glenn Reynolds piece with three retarded comments. Let's recap:

Us pro-choice people already know how abortions work.

When it was pointed out that "once the baby is out and alive, it's not an abortion" (and I think pretty much anyone can agree on that wherever they stand on the issue), you responded

Depends on the state. States rights, you know!

After it was pointed out that it doesn't depend on the state, you noted

Convict him of murder then. It is fine with me.

Which makes your first two comments entirely irrelevant.

You then followed up with

At issue was why people like me don't read about it.

Which you never really explained in the first place, except perhaps with your first comment, which apparently you now retract, because you agree that these cases are murder, not abortion?

It's almost like you write without thinking.

[Somalian Road Corporation]

He was claiming that "Obama is extremely pro-gun" a few days ago, and is just concern troll ("I'm the biggest capitalist here") whose intent is not intellectually honest conversation but slinging shit.

[Palin's Buttplug]

My comments are consistent.

"Murder" is not a federal matter. I ignored the Casey Anthony trial too. I tend to read about markets and federal law/taxes/budgets.

We just don't care about the Goslett (sp?) trial.

[Trespassers W]

See, you changed your answer again. First it was "that's how abortions work", then "well, it depends on the state", then "I don't care, it's just another murder trial". Now it's "I ignore it because it's not a federal matter"?

And then, as usual, you claim to speak for a whole class of people. "We [sic] just don't care..." Because--let me get this straight--it's not a federal matter?

[T]

So why doesn't it sell to you? Seriously. Shouldn't you, if you're comitted pro-choice, be marshalling arguments against this and calling for this guy to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law? This is a case where you would want to clearly distinguish what you are supporting (safe legal abortion, I presume) from what this guy did. You can't do that without having the facts. At this point, the pro-lifers are going to crucify you people over Gosnell, because his actions are unsupportable. Yet, you won't even take the time to educate yourself about the case in order to argue your own case and why what you support is different.

It just seems odd to me. I mean, I'm a RKBA guy and I keep up with the facts around mass shootings so I can have argue from a position of knowledge. I would think abortion supporters would want to do the same, but I guess not.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Well, you present a logical case for an activist pro-choicer.

But abortion rights are not in my personal top 20 subjects I care to get involved in though.

I care more about the RKBA and AGW than I do abortion rights. Legal drugs would be my #1.

[Trespassers W]

But abortion rights are not in my personal top 20 subjects I care to get involved in though.

Oh. It sure looks like a subject you care to get involved in. If not, then have the good grace to shut the hell up for once.

[Trespassers W]

What T said.

Speaking for All True Pro-Choicers (because doing so is apparently fair game): we disown Shriek ("killing babies, aborting embryos, who cares, it's a federal matter"), and he is no longer invited to our cocktail parties.

[itsnotmeitsyou]

T, you're making the horrible mistake of assuming that people like PB actually care about things like facts and knowledge.

I was thinking the same thing about this case. Why aren't the pro-choice news outlets crucifying Gosnell with a media trial? Their silence is going to be tantamount to approval in public opinion. By them not coming out about this and talking about this horrible person, they are opening the gates for pro-lifers to shout about how this is evidence that all abortion should be illegal.

Of course, in order to do that, they'd have to admit that an individual is responsible for their actions and that may cause cognitive dissonance that would make Joe Scarborough's head explode.

[$park?]

Shouldn't you, if you're comitted pro-choice, be marshalling arguments against this and calling for this guy to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law? This is a case where you would want to clearly distinguish what you are supporting (safe legal abortion, I presume) from what this guy did.

Exactly this, well said T. I'm pro-choice all the way and what this guy did was absolutely fucking disgusting and he should die for it.

[barfman2013]

*barf*

[SIV]

As Slate's David Weigel comments in discussing the matter: "Let's just state the obvious: National political reporters are, by and large, socially liberal. We are more likely to know a gay couple than to know someone who owns an 'assault weapon.' We are, generally, pro-choice

Nick Gillespie is a "national political reporter"?

[wareagle]

National political reporters are, by and large, socially liberal.

no surprise, but the real question is, are you reporters first or liberals?

[T]

I think the past two election cycles have definitively answered that question.

[Night Elf Mohawk]

Nice rhetorical question there.

[Jerryskids]

If you specify 'socially' liberal, doesn't that indicate that they are not economically liberal? So what other group is socially liberal and economically conservative?

[Heedless]

Fascists!

[cavalier973]

House Lannister?

[Atanarjuat]

So, Dave Wiegel, a pudgy metrosexual douche who routinely posted pictures of himself holding a shotgun like it was someone else's used tampon, doesn't know anyone who owns an "assault weapon". I'm shocked.

Somehow, I personally know plenty of gheys and plenty of firearm owners.

[Eduard van Haalen]

Any overlap in these categories?

[Atanarjuat]

Among my acquaintances, I don't think so. Most of teh gaiz I know are huge liberals.

[Rich]

Bloomberg: If You Sell a Gun to Your Son, 'There's Something Wrong in Your Family'

"I don't know if you should have a gun or not, but if you have a commercial transaction of $100 with your son, there's something wrong in your family."

What an arrogant ass.

[Matrix]

A punchable face, he has.

[Restoras]

Just punchable?

[Gene]

Batable?

[generic Brand]

Please tell me this was BAT-able, as in "could use a baseball bat on it", and not BATE-able, as in "could [mastur]bate to it".

[Gene]

Yep it needed a hyphen.

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

Or two Ts.

[Counterfly]

Why not both. Which order is up to you.

[db]

What's the reason commentariat batting order?

[generic Brand]

I could bat 1-3 if it's softball, but probably 6-8 if it's whiffleball.

[Matrix]

kickable, stompable, light-on-fireable

[Restoras]

In the end, it's the morons that voted for him that are the problem, notwithstanding his glaring hypocrisy on issues A-Z.

[Loki]

Curbabale.

[Loki]

Fucking A I can't type today.

*Curbable* Shit.

[a better weapon]

Ive heard of plenty of hard ass fathers that made their kids pay rent as soon as they turned 18. That is a commercial transaction, is something wrong with that family too?

I think its damn good parenting and provides a sense of independence and self worth. My dad never did it, but I respect that kind of principle and haven't ruled the idea out either when I am a parent one day.

[generic Brand]

Ive heard of plenty of hard ass fathers that made their kids pay rent as soon as they turned 18.

I didn't know you knew my dad.

[a better weapon]

How'd it go for you? Were you resentful at the time or did you get why he was doing it? Glad he did now?

[generic Brand]

As an 18-year old freshmen in college, I was a bit upset that he was doing it, but at the same time it was room and board far below the fair market value in the area, so I didn't resent him for it.

What I ended up being more upset about 7 years later was when my sister moved back home after graduating and doesn't pay rent. 😀

[Somalian Road Corporation]

Does she have an expensive degree in Marxist Agitation to boot?

[Atanarjuat]

Your father gave you your independence, and left your sister dependent on her parents, which tends to make people unable to feel mature and be happy. You should thank him, not be upset, and pity your sister. Encourage him to cut her apron strings too.

[itsnotmeitsyou]

This is very true, Atanarjuat. My dad made me pay rent the first month after my 18th birthday. I had to buy my own car when I was 16 and my parents never bought me things like video games. I had to earn money to buy those things if I wanted them. My sisters, on the other hand were both handed a car and have never paid a dime in rent. When I was a punk teenager, I resented him for it and thought he was just a big meanie.

Now that I am an adult, I thank him for it. I have a successful career, a nice house, a sweet car, and a sense of accomplishment. Both my sisters dropped out of college and are completely dependent on other people for their lively hood. My older sister wouldn't last a day without her husband and my younger sister got knocked up and still lives with my parents.

I'll take my independence and adult life over the money that I spent on rent and a car. It's very rewarding to know that I did this. I built this life, despite what Dear Leader says.

[T]

Yup. I left home at 17 and managed to take care of my self. My sister never really moved out and mooched off my dad until he died. I think I got the better end of that deal.

[Brett L]

Had a friend whose father started charging him for groceries and Christmas presents at age 14. That guy is an asshole. Rent is cool. I paid when I lived there voluntarily after age 18. (I think I got the summer between freshman and sophomore year of college for free because I wanted to stay and get a job and an apartment and my folks prevailed on me to move home and save the rent payment for 3 months.)

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

Yeah, you have mentioned that before. My dad started working at 13 or 14 and his parents "made" him give them most of his money until he graduated high school. At which point they moved overseas and didn't invite him to go with them because he was 18. Oh and for that entire period he was living not in a bedroom but on the living room couch, if his father wasn't too drunk to vacate it at some point in the evening.

There are reasonable and unreasonable ways to teach kids independence. Of course, my grandparents weren't teaching independence but just being shitheads, and my dad was like someone's abused wife. How he still speaks to his mother is beyond me.

[mr simple]

It just takes so much effort for him to pull that $100 dollar bill out of his pocket. He doesn't see the need for all that work over a measly $100. Why so greedy?

[Lord Humungus]

Venezuela: An Election That Reeks Of Fraud
http://news.investors.com/ibd-.....-fraud.htm

Fraud is a strong word but, yes, it's the clearest conclusion from Venezuela's election Sunday to pick a successor to the late socialist dictator Hugo Chavez.

Chavez's hand-picked successor "won" Venezuela's election Sunday, with what Chavez's anything-but impartial CNE electoral body declaring he'd gotten 50.6% of the vote, while his challenger, Miranda state governor Henrique Capriles Radonski garnered 49.07% ? a gap of just 235,000 votes. That's suspicious right there, given the structural advantages and Chavez "sympathy votes" Maduro had yet couldn't turn into a victory.

[invisible furry hand]

i wonder what fraud reeks of. Cabbage? Dirty ashtrays? Plug-in air fresheners?

[a better weapon]

Axe body spray. Thats the scent of a man who just rolled out of bed but wants to pretend he showered.

It is also the scent that is sprayed in a dorm room to cover up the bong rip aroma when campus security is at the door.

[Elspeth Flashman]

+1 recycled pair of underwear.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I like this.

[robc]

And joe will come along to tell us its a democracy any minute now.

[WTF]

Jimmy Carter approves.

[$park?]

Girl gets sexually assaulted then kills herself. Her parents want her name in the news but don't want all the attention.

The AP does not routinely identify victims of sexual assault. But in this case, Pott's family wanted her name and case known, Allard said. The family also provided a photo to the AP.
...
"I have to say we were unprepared for the amount of media attention that we are getting," said Lisa Pott, mother of Audrie's three younger siblings. "Not only is this scary and intimidating, but just as we thought we might be starting to heal, it rips open the wound and reminds us of everything our family lost."

[Palin's Buttplug]

She lacked values (sad to say in this tragic death). Humiliation by Sharpie is something one should get over. I know she was an ultra-sensitive teen but the parents should have supported her.

[Jordan]

She was sexually assaulted and had photos of the incident circulated around school, dipshit.

[Quetzalcoatl]

The story may be more complex. Now some of her fellow students are saying that the pictures did not circulate (or, in legacy media terms, "go viral").

Doesn't make her decision to commit suicide any less tragic.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Err, disregard. I was thinking about the other raped-teen-commits-suicide case in the news.

What a world.

[Palin's Buttplug]

She doesn't remember the sexual assault. Her problem was peer SHAME and that is rooted in poor self-esteem.

Her parents should have removed her from school or done anything to demonstrate that she is beautiful and 300 million people in the USA don't look at her like a slut because three assholes humiliated her.

[Restoras]

Disgusting. You Progressives are utterly disgusting.

[Irish]

To be fair, Shrike is not a progressive. He is a sockpuppet, and as such has no morals beyond what he thinks will get a rise out of people.

[Restoras]

Yes, you are correct, Irish.

[db]

This is what I don't get about the Newrown parents who allow themselves to be dragged all over the country as props for politicians' speeches. Every time it has to rip the scab off that wound.

It reminds me of the mother of a girl in my HS who was killed in a car accident. The mother went basically nuts and kept the girl's room basically a shrine for years. She had her tubal ligation reversed so she could have a replacement child. She built a huge ugly fence between her home and the house of the girl who was driving the car (who survived). It's like everything she did was precisely calculated to disrupt the normal process of grieving and recovering from tragedy.

[tarran]

Please tell me you guys started referring to her as Miss Haversham! 🙂

[Enough About Palin]

Cindy Sheehan.

[Virginian]

Legally speaking, can these bastards be charged with homicide?

[$park?]

The kids who did it have been rounded up and charged with stuff, it's all in the article.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Yet the mom is still pressing for a law named after her baby, to discourage this from ever happening again.

Lady, the scumbags already knew they were doing something very illegal.

[Virginian]

Eh, for once I think _________'s Law has a point. For some reason, according to the article, in CA raping an unconscious victim is a less serious crime. When, if anything, it should be more serious.

[$park?]

I suspect less serious because of no emotional trauma. But I agree with you.

[Virginian]

Which is a silly reason, because the moment when you wake up and realize you were raped has to be about as bad as actually experiencing it.

[Zeb]

I noticed that too. And that doesn't make sense. It's possible, but it may well also be bad reporting.

Sexual battery sounds like an appropriate charge to me, but it's hard to tell just from what it is called.

And I still, on principle, oppose any law named after someone's dead kid.

[Loki]

For some reason, according to the article, in CA raping an unconscious victim is a less serious crime. When, if anything, it should be more serious.

I agree it probably should be more serious. The victim can't even try to fight back, and I wouldn't be surprised if they roofied her. But wouldn't that simply require changing the existing rape laws, not passing a whole new law?

Plus I also suspect from the story that the parents probably want some kind of draconian new anti cyber-bullying law that can be used to criminalize douchey teen behavior.

[Virginian]

Well I think that's what the mom is pushing for: amending the criminal code so that the crime committed against her daughter draws more serious penalties.

[Restoras]

Are you saying I have to read the article?? WTF, man!

[invisible furry hand]

Hugo Schwyzer and Jezebel have split. SugarFree whimpers in a corner, thinking he only has Lindy West left

[SugarFree]

Aw, that's a shame. Having a attempted murder of a woman who is a straight dude that's attracted to lesbians led such credibility to Jezebel.

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

But who knows the crazy places you'll be able to follow him to now! It could be glorious.

[LTC(ret) John]

A new "Trail of Tears" - instead of Chief Joseph and his people, it is Hugo Schwyzer and his deranged fans that make a terrible, forced digital migration?

[Jordan]

Attempted murder? I think I missed something here. How could that pussy ever gin up the nerve to strike another human?

[SugarFree]

He wanted to commit suicide and tried to take his girlfriend with him.

I can only get the cached version to come up, so this might not work.

[Lord Humungus]

keep it classy:

Barney Frank: 'No Tax Cut Would Have Helped Us Deal With This'
http://www.weeklystandard.com/.....17921.html

"I'm glad you raised that, because it gives me a chance to make a point I've felt strongly about," said Frank. "In this terrible situation, let's be very grateful that we had a well-funded, functioning government. It is very fashionable in America, and has been for some time to criticize government, belittle public employees, talk about their pensions, talk about what people think ... of [their] health care. Here we saw government in two ways perform very well. ... I never was as a member of Congress one of the cheerleaders for less government, lower taxes. No tax cut would have helped us deal with this or will help us recover. This is very expensive."

[robc]

Is there any reason for Frank to assume this is a federal problem and not just a Massachusetts problem anyway?

[John]

Because in Frank world, everything is a federal problem.

[a better weapon]

Fuck you and your false choices, Frank!

You can increase contributions to their healthcare and pensions or cur their benefits and it would still provide you the exact same class of employee, which is pretty lowly. Either get the efficiency out of them that those benefits call for, or lower them to match the effort.

Signed,
The guy who signs their checks

Or put another way: Fuck you, cut spending!

[John]

So Frank is saying the Boston PD and Fire Department fucked this up? Doesn't look that way to me. From what I have seen they did a great job responding to this and saved a lot of lives. But if Frank wants to insult our men in blue, I for one am not going to sit around and take it.

[Zeb]

Where does he say that. He said that we have a well funded and functioning government. His response was stupid and irrelevant, but didn't seem to denegrate the performance of the police or firemen.

I for one am not going to sit around and take it.

What are you going to do? Go beat up Barney Frank?

[John]

No tax cut would have helped us deal with this or will help us recover.

That implies that the tax cuts that did happen made the response worse than it could have and should have been.

What are you going to do? Go beat up Barney Frank?

I was being sarcastic.

[Loki]

What are you going to do? Go beat up Barney Frank?

You know, I'd pay good money to see that.

[John]

I would be afraid to try it. What if he won? I don't think I could face going through life having to live with the shame of Barny Frank kicking my ass.

[WTF]

Yeah, Barney, all those billions spent on HSA, NSA, legislation like the Patriot Act and NDAA, billions in Homeland Security funds to local agencies to prevent shit like this sure worked really well, didn't it?

Fucking moron.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

Frank's not a moron, he's a mendacious asshole that views the rules as an obstacle course to be overcome rather than guidelines to maintain stability.

[Lord Humungus]

State Governments Viewed Favorably as Federal Rating Hits New Low
http://www.people-press.org/20.....s-new-low/

Even as public views of the federal government in Washington have fallen to another new low, the public continues to see their state and local governments in a favorable light. Overall, 4-15-13 #163% say they have a favorable opinion of their local government, virtually unchanged over recent years. And 57% express a favorable view of their state government ? a five-point uptick from last year. By contrast, just 28% rate the federal government in Washington favorably. That is down five points from a year ago and the lowest percentage ever in a Pew Research Center survey.

[Mike M.]

This is just another sign of how confused and disconnected from reality the average person in this country is. In most places, it's the state and local governments that are taking away a greater and greater share of our income with each passing year.

They're usually pretty clever at doing in it ways that most people barely notice, but I notice.

[Night Elf Mohawk]

Or maybe they think that's a fair trade, whereas the money taken by the feds isn't.

[Virginian]

Pretty sure the feds took more from me then the states did.

[LTC(ret) John]

Kind of hard not to notice in IL - they are pretty blatant about ramming taxes higher in startling upward jumps.

[Lord Humungus]

at least you can "see" some benefit when the taxes are local.

[Agammamon]

The feds take somewhere on the order of 90% of my income tax - even counting the ridiculous 11% sales tax here my local and state tax bill doesn't come close to what the feds eat.

[Loki]

I got a $3,000 tax REFUND from the state, but I OWED $2,500 to the feds. And my witholding for federal taxes was higher than the wmount witheld for state taxes to begin with, yet I still owed money to the feds while getting a nice fat return from the state.

Sample size of one, but still. Fuck the Feds.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

It's a feature of scale--people rarely see where their tax dollars to the feds benefit them directly unless they visit a national park or monument of some kind. However, they see the impacts of local government policy every day and it's easier for them to assess whether it's working or not.

[mad libertarian guy]

Being that I had to send a fuck load of my wife's hard-earned money to the state yesterday, far more than to the fed, I can emphatically say that the government of KY can lick my taint.

[Enough About Palin]

"4-15-13 #163%"

WTYF?

[Raston Bot]

brew pron...

http://oi49.tinypic.com/219xtsh.jpg

Yes, it's SFW.

[robc]

What is your ambient temp?

Im guessing you dont have a low 60s basement year round?

[Raston Bot]

Fortunately my wife is OCD w/ the thermostat. It's 68-72 in my house year round.

[robc]

My thermostat is set at 68 in the winter and 72 in the summer.

My basement varies from 60 to 65.

[sarcasmic]

My basement stays 45-50 from November through March. Mmmmm.... Pilsner....

[robc]

I have to use my garage to lager in the winter.

[Raston Bot]

My bottom floor is above grade. This space under the stairs gets no sunlight so it doesn't fluctuate too much.

[robc]

Had the same issues when I lived in a 2nd floor condo.

I figured as much since all the ferementers were sitting in a water bath.

In the winter, I would block the door under my guest bedroom and open the window to drop the T in that room and fermented in the guest room closet.

[sarcasmic]

In the winter, I would block the door under my guest bedroom and open the window to drop the T in that room and fermented in the guest room closet.

I like how you set your priorities 😉

[Raston Bot]

Exactly. Toss in some ice cubes. It's crude but so far it has been very effective. The last wheat using WY3068 was delicious... and both carboys blew out their tubing and even overflowed the bucket. Hence the larger overflow bucket this time.

[sarcasmic]

Nice. I just had a hefe blow out the bung. Never used Munich yeast before. That shit's a fucking monster.

[robc]

Hefe yeast is a beast.

It is why I learned to use blow off tubes instead of airlocks.

Mopping the ceiling isnt fun.

[sarcasmic]

My primary is a glass carboy that has a ton of head room. I've never had anything get close to the bung before. Definitely using a blow off next time I use this yeast. Wow.

[robc]

I use an airlock on everything "just in case".

Ive had a few random situations where Im glad I did. I had one last year overflow my blowoff container (admittedly inadequately small, but that is the first time that had happened in 10 years of brewing).

Big beers, especially pitched onto a yeast cake, can do the same thing.

[sarcasmic]

I think you meant blow off, not airlock?

[robc]

Yes.

I do use an airlock on those occasions that I use a secondary.

[sarcasmic]

I haven't made a big beer in a while. I usually aim for 1.050 to start. And I'm not much of a hop-head either. I'll make like one IPA per season.
For example this hefe: 5# wheat malt, 5# pale malt, mashed @ 152, 1.5oz tettnang @3.9%, S.G. 1.044, Munich yeast @63 degrees.
I might dry hop with another .25oz.

I like boring beer.

[robc]

A hefe is going to be one of my breweries flagship beers, nothing wrong with that at all, and nothing boring about it either.

Which yeast exactly is that? I use WLP300, which is the Weihenstephaner strain.

[sarcasmic]

Which yeast exactly is that?

http://www.danstaryeast.com/pr.....beer-yeast

Doesn't say.

[sarcasmic]

By "boring" I meant I don't use a ton of hops.

[robc]

By "boring" I meant I don't use a ton of hops.

I actually use less hops in my hefe than you. I use 1 oz of Tettnang.

From some searching, the danstar yeast doesnt seem to line up with any particular source. Or no one knows what it is. I see some weird comments about it.

Do you get much banana or clove from it? I would consider switching to a liquid hefe yeast and see if you dont get some improvement. Normally, Im cool with dry yeasts, I use Nottingham a lot, but there are some situations where liquid is necessary.

[sarcasmic]

Do you get much banana or clove from it?

Haven't gotten that far yet. Only started it this past Saturday. It's my first go with this yeast.

Mostly I use Safale S-05 and Saflager S-23.

[sarcasmic]

I use 1 oz of Tettnang.

That was my original plan but I second guessed myself.

[robc]

That was my original plan but I second guessed myself.

1.5 will work just fine.

[Raston Bot]

I don't use a ton of hops

My favorite is "boring." It's a milk stout w/ 1oz magnum to bitter.

You would not like this latest batch however.

[Raston Bot]

Sounds good and simple. When did you add the tettnang? I've no brewing experience w/ the nobles.

[sarcasmic]

When did you add the tettnang?

Full 60.

I've no brewing experience w/ the nobles.

I've been playing with them the last few seasons making pilseners, and I think they're awesome. Haven't used them much for ales. I like my English Kent Goldings and Fuggle for those.

[Numeromancer]

Congress silently repeals law requiring them to post their financial dealings on-line. For the sake of national security, of course.

[mr simple]

Leftist crybabies haz a sad over singer posing with fake gun.

[Virginian]

Haha they are really so primitive.

"EVIL TOTEM!!! EVIL TOTEM!!! UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!!"

[Loki]

Rita Ora accused of 'promoting gun crime' as she poses for Instagram photo with gold gun after Boston Marathon bombings

1. Who the fuck is Rita Ora?

2. What the fuck does posing with a fake gold GUN have to do with the Boston Marathon BOMBINGS?

[John]

I just want to say that in the wake of this tragedy, for God's sake people whatever you do, do not miss the chance to blame this entire thing on your political enemies. That after all, is the American way in the 21st Century. If you don't use this tragedy as an excuse to justify your worst feelings about your political enemies, the terrorists have won.

[Tim]

Never let a crisis go to waste. Then you got the office fools who saw a video and have somehow analyzed it to the point where they think they can say it was semtex packed with nails and assembled by the "libyan method".

[Mike M.]

The psychotic left can't help themselves, because they've gone completely batshit insane.

[Tim]

Was planning to take the family to Boston next weekend, but now I'm having second thoughts. My wife got mad, asked me if it was because I thought it was too dangerous. No, I told her, the elevated security will mean closed roads, random searches and evacuated buildings everytime somebody leaves a bag on the sidewalk. Not worth it.

[John]

It is a huge city. I doubt you will notice much. This happened at the Boston version of 5th Avenue. There are way too many shops and high end people there for them to shut it down in any significant manner.

[$park?]

As of right now, all of Boston is open except for that area. It's going to be a while for them to sort through all the wreckage. In the meantime, security has been ramped up all over the rest of the city and they've already announced their version of the stop and frisk program.

[John]

That area is still a crime scene. It will take them a bit to sort through it all. The FBI for all of their incompetence, do have some really smart scientific people. They will figure out a whole lot about this bomb, what it was, and who did it.

[Tim]

I know Boston, the T will have random searches, the zoo, the Aquarium, the museums will be searching bags. The Constitution is already protected by a security checkpoint so that will be amped up. Go to a play and one lost purse will be enough to clear the theater.

[RightNut]

I'm helping a friend vend at Boston comic con Saturday. Think I should pack extra lube?

[Tim]

Don't expect the cops to be gentle while rifling your bag of vintage Star Wars collectibles.

[RightNut]

Only T-shirts thankfully.

[NoVAHockey]

perfect time to try out "you don't need to see his identification."

[db]

"The Constitution is already protected by a security checkpoint..."

That statement has to be the greatest example of unintentional irony I have seen in a very long time.

[$park?]

You're right. The majority of people calling in to all the radio shows this morning were all spouting "just let the security guys rip your clothes off so we can all be safer."

[Tonio]

[Vomits all over keyboard]

[invisible furry hand]

Bar Rafaeli must get that a lot

[Rich]

Yep. The stop-and-frisks along the Freedom Trail are gonna be just great. 8-(

[hamilton]

I would be reasonably concerned about security theater being a pain in the ass. They're searching bags everywhere, that sort of thing.

The area cordoned off is not critical-touristy, so you can do the Aquarium and science center and all that jazz. But the T could be irritating.

[John]

Come on. Get yourself a Islamic prayer rug and rent a Ryder truck and just drive around Boston all weekend. I dare you.

[Tim]

Yeah they wouldn't dare look at me.

[sarcasmic]

I wish my math teacher sucked student dick. No, really. My high school math teacher was like 23, and it was her first job out of college. Total babe.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....udent.html

[Virginian]

Husband is so pathetic. If your wife cuckolds you, you divorce her.

[Matrix]

+1

[John]

Yeah. If he were some kind of deviant who got into his wife doing other men, I would have more respect for him. Nothing worse than the wimp "she made a mistake and promised not to do it again" cuckhold. That is just pathetic. Better to be a deviant than that.

[Matrix]

Some folks are into that kind of thing. But it is a legal problem considering the age of the alleged "victim".

[John]

Yeah. And considering her being a teacher. If he wants to get off on his wife giving blowjobs, I would think he could find lots of volunteers.

[Virginian]

Yeah she's cute.

Which means he's not a pervert, he's just pathetic.

[Atanarjuat]

If the genders were reversed, would you be as unforgiving? IE, if a man cheats, should a woman divorce him immediately no matter what?

[John]

If the guy cheats and the women makes excuses for him, she is pretty pathetic too.

[Zeb]

Meh. Lots of people cheat. And plenty manage to patch up their relationships and be OK.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Or you videotape it and sell it to a fetish website.

[Zeb]

" If your wife cuckolds you, you divorce her."

I'd leave that up to the individual husband. You have no idea about their relationship.

[Zeb]

And isn't cuckolding when your wife has another man's child? I don't think oral sex works that way.

[Matrix]

And her husband is there holding her hand? Well, if you reasonably believed she did not do it, sure. But if you had strong suspicions she did... forget that!

[John]

And in fairness, maybe she is innocent. Maybe some fuckhead kid got mad about getting a D and made it up. That is certainly possible and I certainly don't blame him for taking his wife's word over some punk teenager's.

[Virginian]

Except the kid has nude pics she sent him.

[John]

Oh. Yeah, he is just pathetic.

[Atanarjuat]

I don't care if you're 3 months old, getting a blowjob from this chick is not abuse.

[sarcasmic]

So much for the Osbournes.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....s-end.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....-ring.html

[John]

Look it this way, Ozzy will probably now fall off the wagon and might make some decent music again. Clean and sober was never a good role for him.

[robc]

Too late, I think.

Its a young mans game, drugs or no drugs.

[John]

Depends. Bob Dylan has done probably his best work since the 60s in the last ten years. The new David Bowe record is actually really good. The two Stones songs that come out last fall were the best work they have done since the 80s. So I think it is possible to be good into your 60s. But you have to be supremely talented and willing to go back to the kind of music you do and know best. If Ozzy is that talented or willing to make straight up 70s style hard rock, I don't know.

[T]

Ozzy is an amazing frontman, but needs help writing the music. If you look at the classic Sabbath stuff, Iommi did most of the writing. Or was it Butler? Either way, it wasn't Ozzy.

[John]

Yeah. And his only good solo stuff was with Randy Rhodes. I think pretty much all of his stuff after his first two records with Rhodes sucks. He was living on his rep through most of the 1980s. People went to see him live to hear the old stuff and to see if he would bite the head off a bat or something.

Really, at this point he should make up with Toni Iommi and put Sabbath back together. They could sell out arenas until they all died. And who knows, they might put out a decent song or two.

[invisible furry hand]

See also: Leonard Cohen

[db]

Rush's latest offering, "Clockwork Angels," is their best for a long time, though they have been working up to it with an improvement in quality since 2004.

[John]

Rush are just great musicians. No matter how old they get, they will always be able to play. It makes sense that at some point they would stumble onto some inspiration and good songs again.

[Restoras]

The creative juices don't flow as freely in old age as they due when you are younger. Lot of great music on their last three albums - you just don't hear it on the radio. Plus, Geddy indulges in collecting wine and baseball artifacts; Alex in farming, golf, and painting; and Neil in motorcycles and writing - and no doubt doting on his toddler daughter.

[gaijin]

^+2112

[sarcasmic]

He'd be dead if it wasn't for her.

[Jordan]

How the hell is Ozzy still alive?

[robc]

Three Stooges Syndrome is my guess.

[John]

Never was a junkie to my knowledge. And his wife got him clean when he was still in his 30s. Most rock stars die because they are junkies and misdose themselves or they mix pills and booze and choke on their own vomit. If you don't do one of those two things, it is pretty damned astounding what the human body can take.

[robc]

choke on their own vomit

of someone else's vomit.

But you cant really dust for vomit.

[Lord Humungus]

+11

[Elspeth Flashman]

+11

[Lord Humungus]

copycat!

[Elspeth Flashman]

shoot, I don't hit refresh enough.

[robc]

That response was good enough to be repeated.

[Zeb]

I think Ozzy mostly just did lots of coke and booze. Which is probably less liely to kill you with an OD, but definitely is way harder on your body and brain than junk.

What I love most about later Ozzy is his transformation when he goes on stage. He seems to change from this shuffling, half-retarded old person to, well, Ozzy. I think performing is probably what keeps him alive.

[John]

And I think a lot of his off stage persona is an act. He is a bit like Keith Richards. Richards, when he wants to be is wicked smart and funny. But he only occasionally shows that side in interviews because it doesn't fit with being "Kieth Richards. I think Ozzy does the same. He is too cogent on stage to really be like he acts off stage.

[invisible furry hand]

Ozzy says bollocks, they're still together

more

[Matrix]

I gotta say, she looks a lot better now than she did in the 80s.

[invisible furry hand]

so does he. He looked like a lesbian shoplifter

[sarcasmic]

Brain cancer survivor fights to keep 'F CANCR' license plate after state officials tell him to remove it because it is 'offensive'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....nsive.html
You'd have to be drain bramaged to think some humorless bureaucrat would allow that in a free country.

[Rich]

"It means 'FIGHT CANCER'. What did *you* think it meant?"

[sarcasmic]

Fisherman cuts open pregnant bull shark to find two headed fetus.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sci.....twins.html
I imagine this would be illegal in the freest country in the world.

[sarcasmic]

Schoolchildren in southern China must climb ladders to get to school.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....chool.html
This too would be illegal in a free country.

[Tonio]

Yeah, the ADA compliance people would be all over that.

[Bardas Phocas]

Lazy kids. In my day, we climbed a half mile, BOTH WAYS, to and from school.

[Eduard van Haalen]

We climbed the Stairs of Cirith Ungol every day.

[generic Brand]

That little girl is adorably cute.

This reminds me of my time teaching English in the Japanese boonies... kids would trek in small groups up to 3 or 4 miles every day just to get to school. I didn't have any schools that were up a cliff face, but they still allow a lot more independence in some aspects in that socialist country than Americans could get away with.

[Underzog]

It strikes me like one of those bombings one sees in Israel. The use of a smaller bomb to lead to a larger bomb. Also, the ball bearings in the bombs are just like what Hezbollah used against Israel. The timing of the explosions was significant, too. The explosions came at the end of the race -- not the beginning. At the beginning of the race there are foreign nationals: Kenyans; etc. At the end of the race there are sure to be more representatives of Great Satan America in the race. It is the so-called Great Satan America that the religion of peace would like to hit -- not some Kenyan; etc., super marathoner type.

"There's no need to fear. Underzog is here!"

[robc]

Agreed, I was thinking that it seemed like Israel too.

As someone here pointed out yesterday, the proof that we dont have a terrorism problem in America is that these kind of bombings dont happen more often.

[John]

It seems to be a lot like Israel. Small bomb in a crowded place.

[Tonio]

Don't. Feed. It.

[LTC(ret) John]

But it looks harmless!

[John]

It is cute. Can we keep it? We won't feed it after midnight and won't get it near water. We promise.

[Stormy Dragon]

Or maybe it just means they saw the movie Swordfish on cable.

[Enough About Palin]

Or The Kingdom

[Trespassers W]

"There's no need to fear. Underzog is here!"

Somebody please repost that video of Underzog playing the piano. We can then all judge for ourselves whether or not we need to fear.

[sarcasmic]

Hoarder, 68, missing for two months is found 'mummified' under a pile of trash in her apartment

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....tment.html
This is after police dogs searched and found nothing. I guess when you train dogs to sniff for dried flowers they miss the dried hoarders.

[robc]

Great quote from some random hack comedian that I heard yesterday:

"Without online porn I wouldnt be able to spell 'amateur'."

[RightNut]

From PJmedia, Beau Biden: Expand Definition of Who's Mentally Unfit to Own a Gun.

Bet a mild case of depression will count as being "unfit" to have 2nd amendment rights?

[Jordan]

Expand the definition to include anyone who willingly seeks public office.

[Tim]

Being the Vice President is defacto mental unfitness.

[I Dug It]

Owning a Gadsden flag is a sure sign of unfitness.

[John]

Once voted Libertarian or Republican.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Physically, sure. But what about mentally?

[Matrix]

Anyone who wants to own a gun is a sure sign of unfitness

[tarran]

Catch 22?

[Matrix]

pretty much. That's how statists operate.

[Smilin' Joe Fission]

I just went through the task of getting my unrestricted (meaning no handguns) firearm license in Ontario. What a fucking process.

I had to take a 10 hour safety course and then pass a written test and a practical test. Then I have to wait a month to get confirmation that I passed that and also get the signed official form saying I did so. Then I have to fill out a long form with all of my info, if I have ever been diagnosed with depression. I have to get two guarantors to sign that and then anybody who is living with me to sign it.

I now have to send that to the TOP.MEN at Canadian government HQ and wait "at least 28 days" to actually get my license to go buy a hunting rifle (which by the way can only hold up to 5 rounds, legally). I sent in the form 2 months ago and am still yet to receive it. The US is, as of late, trying its hardest to match this level of unbridled liberty but fuck I want out of this BS. I am an dually with the US and am trying my best to find engineering work south of the border and move to warmer weather.

Later on I'll tell you the story the instructor at the safety course told us all about why guns need to be hard to access. To be continued...

[Jordan]

Your tale makes me shudder in horror.

[sarcasmic]

Snoop and the Ke$ha creature smoke dope on awards show that no one watched.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....stage.html

[Matrix]

what the hell is that horrifying beast next to Snoop?

[sarcasmic]

$parky's dream girl.

[Matrix]

that's a girl?

[$park?]

Leave Ke$ha aloooneeeee! *cry*

[sarcasmic]

Alanis Morissette has gained enough weight to be attractive to John.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....exion.html

[gaijin]

you oughtta know!

[sarcasmic]

"Gimme money or I'll set you on fire!"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....Beach.html

[LTC(ret) John]

"Clark was jailed on suspicion of attempted murder and on some misdemeanor warrants."

Um, the victim died, and thank God for those misdemeanor warrants!

WTF, Long Beach?

[Virginian]

People always wonder why I treat beggars like shit. You just never know if today the voices in his head are in a murdering mood.

[John]

We let obviously ill and often psychotic people just wander the streets. We can't treat them. We don't commit them anymore. So we just turn them lose and hope for the best.

[sarcasmic]

Thank Reagan for that.

[John]

I thought it was Nixon. I thought de-instiutionalization was a early 70s thing.

[VG Zaytsev]

I thought de-instiutionalization was a early 70s thing.

It was, Reagan was governor of CA when it happened.

Not sure how the governor of CA supposedly set national policy, but what the heck, he's been the left's go to boogie man for decades (replaced by Boooooosh).

[Elspeth Flashman]

I thought it was a Kennedy thing, as carried out by Lyndon Johnson.

[John]

Maybe. When I was a kid in the mid 70s, we had some neighbors who literally met on the bus out of the state institution on the way to be de institutionalized. They were both absolutely fucking insane. They married and had two or three kids, who they abused the living shit out of. It was literally a world of filth and craziness and there was nothing anyone could do about it except call see CPS to have the kids picked up for things like running around in 20 degree weather with no shoes or no coat knocking on doors asking for help, only to see the kids returned a few weeks later.

[Elspeth Flashman]

I lived for almost 6 years in a town with a large de-institutionalized population. There was previously a large state mental facility there. It was a strange place to be in, to say the least.

[Stormy Dragon]

Oh, now you want the government telling people how to dress their kids!?

[Elspeth Flashman]

go here;

or here

Both articles mention de-institutionalization as beginning as part of JFK's 1963 CMA.

[VG Zaytsev]

That's one of the things that Reagan and the liberals at the time agreed on.

And today, it's the left that opposes increasing involuntary commitments.

[Restoras]

It would get in the way of their gun-grabbing agenda if there wasn't a steady stream of victims to advance the cause.

[Zeb]

I oppose involuntary commitments for people who haven't committed any crime.

I'm not sure what to think about the large scale de-institutionalization. The state asylums were generally pretty awful places. And with the advent of anti-psychotic drugs, a lot of people who would have been raving lunatics in the past can be functional to some degree.

Who knows. I'm glad I don't have to decide.

[John]

I am very conflicted too Zeb. I fully understand the civil liberties dangers and abuses associated with involuntary commitment. But at the same time, I see these people wandering the streets obviously ill and living in total degradation and I have a hard time seeing de-institutionalization as being a good thing. I am not talking about the hustlers and drug addicts. I just dislike them. But fuck them. I don't care how they live as long as they don't bother me. I am talking about the really ill people who cannot help themselves.

[Azathoth!!]

I don't think a lot of people understand why asylums are such awful places.

And yet they'll use the term 'raving lunatic'.

The horrible places in asylums are the places where the seriously deranged are kept. The ones who have to be restrained all the time because if let loose, they'll chew their own skin off, or the ones who throw excrement. Or the ones who will caually kill people and not even realise it. Or so many others--the places they're kept don't start off horrible, but it's real hard to keep everything prettified for the lay folk when the patients are insanely destructive. Eventually, the areas get down to the basics, there's a lot of restraint time, minimal furnishing that can be damaged or used to damage oneself or others, and as much compassion as the staff can muster for people who are raving lunatics.

There's not a lot spent on keeping it pretty.

[John]

Via Ace, here's MSNBC's excuse for ignoring the trial of abortionist and accused serial killer Kermit Gosnell.

Lauren Skowronski, an MSNBC spokeswoman, said her network was paying attention to the story, but added, "We don't cover criminal trials to the extent of others in cable news."

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2013.....ell-trial/

The Trayvon Martin case was barely mentioned on MSNBC, right?

[tarran]

Geez! Their wall to wall coverage is OK, because Zimmerman hasn't gone to trial yet. You hoser! 😉

[db]

To be fair, no one is really covering the Zimmerman criminal trial. The trial by press, however...

[John]

yeah, we just cover the crime not the trial. It is so pathetic. According to Best of the Web, snopes.com actually had to run a post on the Gosnell case explaining that yes it is real and not an urban myth. The media is just so on top of the story.

[Fatty Bolger]

Snopes.com: Dr. Kermit Gosnell Trial

[John]

Thanks Fatty. That is just fucking sorry.

[Zeb]

But he's named Kermit. Like Kermit the Frog. How can someone named Kermit do such things?

[Fatty Bolger]

Never Mind Facebook; Winklevoss Twins Rule in Digital Money

The Winklevii, as they are known, have amassed since last summer what appears to be one of the single largest portfolios of the digital money, whose wild gyrations have Silicon Valley and Wall Street talking. The twins, the first prominent figures in the largely anonymous bitcoin world to publicly disclose a big stake, say they own nearly $11 million worth.

[Heedless]

Or $40 million. Or $2 million, Depends on whether you ask them at 11:14 or 11:16.

[Agammamon]

As a relief from the crazy speculation surrounding the bombing, I direct your attention to "Kerbal Space Program"

https://kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php

take control of your very own privately funded space program and try to send your kerbalnauts to the Mun.

[John]

Sometimes I think Matthews is a Karl Rove plant designed to make liberals look as stupid as possible.

MSNBC's Chris Matthews theorized this evening that the bombing in Boston today might be the result of a Tax Day protest ? as it occurred on the deadline date for filing federal income taxes.

"As you point out, and I just forgot, I filed already. It's filing day for the federal income tax, which does cause some emotions around the country ? sometimes in the wrong parts of the brain anyway," Matthews said during his show.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/.....le/2527265

[$park?]

"As you point out, and I just forgot, I filed already. It's filing day for the federal income tax, which does cause some emotions around the country ? sometimes in the wrong parts of the brain anyway," Matthews said during his show.

Who the fuck would be mad about having to give more money to the government? That's right, evil teabaggers who just might blow something up to avoid it.

[John]

And of course, something like this takes no planning. Nope, someone dropped off their taxes this morning, got pissed and planted a couple of bombs because paying taxes affected the wrong parts of their brain.

[a better weapon]

You want a dirty bomb? I can get you a dirty bomb. There are ways dude, you don't want to know. I can get you a dirty bomb by 3... with ball bearings.

[Somalian Road Corporation]

I don't have a clip handy but I once saw Matthews say that if taxes were raised, no biggie, people would simply work harder to make up the difference.

[Bardas Phocas]

"which does cause some emotions around the country ? sometimes in the wrong parts of the brain anyway,"

So, for the mental health of the nation, they should stop collecting taxes.
Paternalism demands it!

[a better weapon]

Theft sometimes causes emotion, yes.

Sorry, I lost the poi... oh right, political gamesmanship of a tragedy, tea-party-racist-lone-wolf-bombers and all that. Got it.

[sarcasmic]

More like extortion than theft.

[John]

Extortion is such an ugly word. The term "protection money" is really preferred.

[John]

It is almost like he is talking from experience or something. "Well you know when I was a bit younger and before I went on Zanex, I too impulsively bombed a marathon after seeing my tax bill."

[Heedless]

Can anyone confirm the whereabouts of Bill Ayers?

[Zeb]

Oh man, how priceless would it be if it turned out to be some mad leftist plot?

[Mike M.]

Matthews is Exhibit A for how liberals have gone off the deep end.

[NoVAHockey]

he's like a record that keeps skipping.

[John]

I remember him back in the 80s when he was on the old McLaughlin Group show. And it wasn't crazy. He was actually fairly reasonable for a liberal media guy. I think he, like Krugabe, figured out that the crazier he acted, the more money he made and the more in demand he was. At some point he had acted crazier and crazier for so long he ended up in a very dark place. Network is more than just a movie. It was a prophecy.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

The problem is too many of them think they have to act like a bizarro caricature of Rush Limbaugh to get more viewers. When it doesn't work, they act even crazier.

At least Maddow, for all her faults, doesn't go off on hysterical tangents all the time like Matthews or Schultz rountinely do.

[Sevo]

"groups that want state-supported regulation of the press."

I thought that was pretty much all the regulation that was possible.

[a better weapon]

Did anyone catch the premiere of Defiance last night on SyFy? It looked like it might be pretty good. I got caught up in the Boston coverage and missed it.

[T]

I DVR'd it. I was watching Game of Thrones. I usually run a couple days behind on TV.

[Rasilio]

I did not, I finally got some time to play Skyrim for more than 15 minutes. That said I'm not sure I'll be adding it because as of right now I'm having a hard enough time to keep current with my DVR'ed shows.

I still haven't managed to watch a single episode of Game of Thrones this season (partially my wife's fault because she has been to emo lately to watch anything depressing, but mostly just because we've been too busy to watch everything we DVR)

[Emmerson Biggins]

I'd say it did not suck.

It was a little too "introductory" for my taste, but definitely seems like it has potential to get better.

[Fatty Bolger]

Jennifer Love Hewitt Wants Boob Insurance

She recently said she wants to get her breasts insured, claiming they are worth $5million.

And Jennifer Love Hewitt put her 36C money-makers to work in the new episode of Lifetime's The Client List titled Unanswered Prayers.

The 34-year-old actress revealed quite an eyeful of cleavage in a skimpy french maid costume.

[John]

I think $5 million is low. If Hewitt didn't have those boobs, she would just be another skinny girl in Hollywood. And miracle of plastic surgery is going to equal those forces of nature. If she got breast cancer her career would be over.

[sarcasmic]

It's been ten years since she was skinny. Not that I'd kick her out of bed, but she's no waif.

[Libertymike]

That she has added adipose is simply irrefutable.

Ten years ago, she had the ability to rouse ole Woodrow. Not so much today.

[John]

According to this, she is five foot two and a half and weighs 117 lbs. If you think that is not thin, all of the things I say about you are true.

[sarcasmic]

Women are never honest about their weight.

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

Bullshit collectivism, sarc.

[itsnotmeitsyou]

Oh yeah? How much do you weigh?

[John]

http://healthyceleb.com/jennif.....tics/4781/

forgot the link

[sarcasmic]

Looks like she lost some weight.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....igure.html
Never mind.

[Libertymike]

Nah, very little muscle. Not doing it for moi.

[John]

Yeah. She porked out a little bit. It is easy for someone that small to do. Then she found out she was doing a nude scene on The Client List and got back into shape. With boobs like that and being as short and small as she is, she is always going to fight her weight.

[sarcasmic]

It's only a matter of time before she turns into Christina Hendricks.

[John]

Her only hope is to find eastern religion and become some kind of a radical yoga doing vegetarian. She probably won't turn into Hendrix because she is just physically a lot smaller and thinner than Hendrix. But she will turn into some version thereof.

[Matrix]

Man attacks Army officer at Walmart and is being charged with a hate crime

Hate crime? really? I guess everything is a hate crime nowadays. Granted, I don't agree at all with the dude or what he did, but hate crime?! Geez

[John]

All hate crimes are stupid. Charge the guy with assault. That said, you have to love the immigrant who spends his time talking about how horrible the US is. If it is that bad, go the fuck back where you came from.

[Libertymike]

How do you know what he did?

Assume that the guy did berate the GI dough boy, so what? In a free society, each and every mooching parasite should get an earful.

[Libertymike]

Its not as if the anti-federalists wanted us to apotheosize those who wear the state's uniforms. They valued liberty for more than allegiance to nation state.

[LTC(ret) John]

Lighten up, Francis, er...Lm.

[Libertymike]

This is a libertarian forum, i.e., a forum where it is expected that there is to be no worshipping of state actors.

[LTC(ret) John]

I said lighten up, not shut up.

And who around here asks for worship of state actors? Well, besides Tulpa upon occasion.

[John]

Sure. And if he kicks your ass for your trouble, tough shit. And say what you like but you still can't assault people, unless of course they come up and give you shit and give you a reason.

How about this? How you and everyone shut the fuck up and leave people alone?

[Libertymike]

Yes, assaulting the guy, if that is indeed what took place, was wrong.

I am referring to the verbal "abuse" which the guy is alleged to have heaped upon the army officer.

As to your question, should that not be posed to the army guy who has chosen to join the biggest, baddest killing machine?

[John]

Question whatever you like. And when he tells you to go fuck yourself, you can't really complain can you? Exactly where good does this go?

[Libertymike]

The point is as libertarians, as people who do not genuflect to state actors, we should not criticize those who are not afraid to give an earful to state actors.

[LTC(ret) John]

So the guy in line at the store just has to smile and nod as some guy goes off on him, hmmm? I am sure the store was delighted to have angry guy yell at and attack a customer.

[The Late P Brooks]

Did anyone catch the premiere of Defiance last night on SyFy?

It wasn't awful. I made it to the end without changing the channel, anyway.

[robc]

Is that the one with a ruined St Louis?

[$park?]

Well, I guess that glowing criticism cements my desire to not bother. I thought the previews looked like Babylon 5 in St Louis. Too many aliens.

[Rasilio]

Hey don't you be badmouthing B5, it was the single greatest Sci Fi show, TV or movies ever made.

[LTC(ret) John]

In what parallel universe? I only ask so I can avoid it.

[Rasilio]

You have a better one?

I'll admit that Firefly probably would have bested it had it been allowed to survive more than 1 season and the Alien franchise has 2 awesome movies to start but suffers badly due to everything that came after that. What else would you put above it?

[The Late P Brooks]

Yes. It has the giant ruined arch. But the terrain looks unlike any part of St Louis I have ever seen.

[Rhywun]

I didn't watch or anything (I forgot), but I recall reading that's because the land got all shifted around during the war.

[Bam!]

Isn't it amazing how much England looks in no way like southern California?

[itsnotmeitsyou]

I imagine this happens quite a bit around here...

http://www.explosm.net/comics/3142/

[0x90]

It's it's, not its, its.

[WomSom]

The whole thing sounds kinda crazy to me dude. Wow.

http://www.Web-Anon.tk

[Don Mynack]

"University of Mobile's Cross Country Coach, who was near the finish line of the Boston Marathon when a series of explosions went off, said he thought it was odd there were bomb sniffing dogs at the start and finish lines."

Police dogs were spotted at Boston Marathon before and during the race, but according to the gov't, there was no "credible threat". Something stinks here...

http://www.local15tv.com/news/.....SDJEA.cspx

[db]

A dog's nose is good enouh to write a search warrant, don't forget.

[Rhywun]

How does he know they weren't drug sniffing dogs?

[The Late P Brooks]

Police dogs were spotted at Boston Marathon before and during the race, but according to the gov't, there was no "credible threat". Something stinks here...

Somebody in the big thread yesterday suggested one of the FBI's wind-up terrorists got off the leash. "That bomb was a dud, so I made a good one."

That's what I'm going with.

[db]

Wouldn't that just take the cake.

[Rhywun]

Maybe, but then what will be the story that they feed us instead?

[sloopyinca]

"What difference, at this point, does it make?"

[Rhywun]

ARE YOU SERIOUS??

[sloopyinca]

I had an idea for a new Star Trek series last night. You have a ship of nothing but holodecks going around the galaxy letting people live out their fantasies. But Moriarty gets in the machine and takes the ship over and uses it for his own nefarious reasons in an attempt to become human.

[sloopyinca]

And we could use the theme music from Enterprise again!

[Tonio]

That's cruel and inhuman, Sloop.

[jesse.in.mb]

Can the captain be played by Ricardo Montalban, maybe he could have a diminutive sidekick.

[sloopyinca]

Fuck that Fantasy Island crap. This is about Moriarty going rogue against the Federation. Besides, I was thinking more along the lines of setting it another 100 years or so into the future from TNG and having the Trek version of Twiki with or without Dr. Theopolis.

[LTC(ret) John]

"and having the Trek version of Twiki with or without Dr. Theopolis."

YOU MONSTER, what have you done with sloopy? Where is he?!

[db]

How about a series where it turns out that all the quantum machinations of the transporter/replicator technology used in the holodeck is creating tiny rifts in spacetime that are exploited by Lovecraftian/Strossian demonic horrors to enter our universe and possess the crew?

[sloopyinca]

A TNG episode already explored this in the episode where the brother and sister scientists use terrorism to disable the Enterprise. IIRC, the sister suicide bomber herself to blow the rift more open in an attempt to prove her point.

The brother was unharmed.

[The Late P Brooks]

what will be the story that they feed us instead?

I am more interested in who will be tapped to play the role of Jack Ruby.

[sloopyinca]

Maybe Bill Ayres could finally have something to do with a bombing that killed somebody...if only in a secondary role.

[The Late P Brooks]

I don't get it. You guys with your "best sci-fi show ever" jibberjabber are so far off the mark it's just sad.

This was the best sci-fi show ever. Stanley H Tweedle outclasses all the pathetic losers who ever pranced across the bridge of the Enterprise.

[jesse.in.mb]

I can't tell if you're serious. I watched quite a bit of it, but I don't remember how the show ended.

[The Late P Brooks]

Lexx was awesome. They should re-run it.