Pussy Riot, Ai Weiwei, and the Power of Punk

HBO's powerful - and powerfully depressing - documentary about the Russian art-punk band Pussy Riot is airing right now.

Above is a video from last year in which Kennedy interviews The New Criterion's James Panero on Pussy Riot and Ai Weiwei, who have both found themselves in boiling water due to their artistic choices.

Here's the original writeup:

"In the case, recently, of Ai WeiWei and Pussy Riot…what differentiates this new form of political art? I realized that they have a punk aesthetic," says James Panero, Managing Editor of New Criterion, to Reason TV's Kennedy.

The protest art created by the Chinese artist and the all-female Russian perforamnce art collective bear the idioms of punk as well as it's defiant anti-authoritarian streak, according to Panero. He believes their art is "having a real effect" as the "conscience of reform" against the authoritarian governments under which they live.

About 4.33 minutes.

Produced by Anthony L. Fisher. Camera by Jim Epstein and Fisher.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

I saw the commercial for this during Game of Thrones. I wonder if they'll address the actual crime of property damage much.

[Francisco d Anconia]

CAUTION- CHECK DATES

OLD COMMENTS NOT REMOVED BECAUSE...FUCKING LAZY WEEKEND CREW!

[playa manhattan]

Aren't they all on the cruise starting today?

I say we run wild.

[Sevo]

I was curious how they got the number of posts in 15 minutes. This *ain't* an abortion thread.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

shh!

[Corning]

Pussy Riot

Abortion

Pretty much the same thing.

[anon]

This *ain't* an abortion thread.

Yet.

[Cdr Lytton]

Bah! Leave the old comments in place. Besides the whitewashing of history, a clean slate will bring many of the same comments as the original ones. And since it's the second time, it'll be farce.

[anon]

Bah! Leave the old comments in place. Besides the whitewashing of history, a clean slate will bring many of the same comments as the original ones. And since it's the second time, it'll be farce.

[Heroic Mulatto]

*wheeze* Generation X...*wheeze*...getting old...*wheeze* must. maintain. cultural. relevance...*wheeze*

Give me a break, Gillespie! You know who else in Russia uses the idioms of punk for political expression? The mouth-breathing skinhead thugs of Pamyat.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

You really have to be a mouthbreathing moron to support Communism in Russia, of all places. Even a Tsarist pro-serfdom party in power would be less harmful to Russians' well-being and freedoms than a Communist party in power.

[Caleb Turberville]

I don't know. Cold War-era fiction would not have been a tenth as interesting had it been Tsarist Russia instead of Communist Russia. I mean, what's James Bond gonna do? Sneak into the Russian Empire to sabotage the Doomsday Potato? !That's enough of a reason, at least, for Americans to support Communist Russia over Tsarist Russia.

[jesse.in.mb]

You know who else used a red field with a white circle containing a circle with an identifying symbol?

[Irish]

Whoever made the Creole Pride Flag?

[Caleb Turberville]

http://commons.wikimedia.org/w.....e_Flag.svg

Does the Klingon Flag count?

[jesse.in.mb]

Hmm, I was thinking Dr. Seuss, but both of yours are weirder and or better.

[darius404]

No, I think yours is the oddest.

[Tonio]

Pink Floyd?

[GILMORE]

NOT OLD!!

well, some of them certainly are. I'm 'late gen X'! Still young and spry and....

....groan... my spleen......

that said, uh, yeah, I'm kinda completely over the Pussy Riot fad. And I also think they might be a tad behind the curve there with the whole 'boycott' scheme. Its kind of like the hippies chanting "NO RAIN!!" at Woodstock by not.

Also = typical of shallow, bullshit political showboaters? They've already kicked out 2 members *for caring about issues other than self-promotion*

http://www.newsweek.com/pussy-.....iot-228509

They got 'fired' from the band for caring too much about 'prisoners' rights'. NOT PUNK ENOUGH!

[Caleb Turberville]

I really wish that The Modern Lovers had committed some hooliganism in Russia; they needed the publicity more.

[PapayaSF]

Back around 1980 I was playing a Modern Lovers album when a friend of a friend came over. He was astonished because he was from Boston, knew Jonathan Richman, and didn't think anyone outside of Boston knew who they were.

[SIV]

Jesus Fucking Christ that isn't punk.

This is punk

[Archduke Pantsfan]

Close.

[SIV]

I thought you might embarrass yourself but no, that is an equally fine example.

[Corning]

Was it Susie and the Banshees or husker du?

[ArbutusJoe]

Love that album! I thought I was one of the only Yanks owning it.

[Jayburd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwehxN2ipCU

[GILMORE]

If its not GG ALLIN THEN NOTHING IS PUNK

[GILMORE]

oh god

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMSWRT6ynhs

[Capt. Rimmer]

Warty's dad?

[Jeramy]

But really the punkest thing is to lecture people on what is really punk.

[SeaCaptain(Yokeltarian)]

Its over. The South Park Republican is a rare breed. The Hispanics are on the Democratic Plantation, thus ensuring anyone with a R, L, or C next to their name from ever winning.

Its Over.

[Cytotoxic]

*rolls eyes*

[GILMORE]

GLIB! SEE!?! GLIB!! That's why no one *takes YOU seriously*

[JeremyR]

As I've said before, if someone in the US, like say Ted Nugent, did what they did to Obama's church, or Rev Wright, he'd be in jail too. Probably much longer, getting charged with a hate crime.

And again, if you actually want to do something, how about boycotting Russia Today?

[SeaCaptain(Yokeltarian)]

how about boycotting Russia Today?

Boom.

[Archduke Pantsfan]

BUT LARRY KING!

[PS]

Yes, or if some Illinois Nazis had done the same to a synagogue.

[CentristClassicalLiberal]

Because Christians are an ethnic group.

/sarcasm

Fuck adults with imaginary friends.

[PapayaSF]

I had more respect for Pussy Riot before I read about the etiquette of being in a Russian Orthodox church. Apparently even putting your hands in your pockets is considered disrespectful. There are many better ways they could have made their point.

[Death Rock and Skull]

I have respect for anyone who disrespects "etiquette" as stupid as putting hands in pockets or wearing hats indoors or putting elbows on tables or using the wrong fork.

Some radio hosts should pay some people to fuck in that church.

[Jayburd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YIchQaISms

[CentristClassicalLiberal]

How can you respect people who believe there's an invisible man sitting on a cloud floating over Israel?

[Cytotoxic]

OT: I just had a terrible thought as I was reading all these Syria-related news articles. Many of them saying 'decision on arming Syrian rebels expected this week'.

What's a president drowning in scandal to do? He's gonna give guns to the long-bears and a no-fly zone too. Fuck.

[SIV]

The only Syrian intervention worth considering is a fatal strike on Assad.

[Death Rock and Skull]

All bears should have long guns.

[2ndClassProle]

Has anybody noticed that Facebook, Google, and Twitter are using https. I just tech savvy enough to get myself into trouble. Will this actually help with middle-man parties intercepting.

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

[2ndClassProle]

*not intercepting*

[Some call me Tim?]

It won't matter if they have access to the companies servers.

[2ndClassProle]

Maybe the companies were telling the truth, and did not know. I have never noticed the Google home page having a secure http before. LOL.. I was really hoping that Google and these others companies were not participating. I really love Google products

https://www.google.com/

[jesse.in.mb]

The EFF has a project called HTTPS Everywhere. as ScmT? says it won't help if the person snooping has server access, but it certainly doesn't hurt to use HTTPS wherever possible, particularly with the Firesheep problem.

[2ndClassProle]

What if they do not have access to the servers, but still have the Splitter on the main line with telecommunication companies?

[PapayaSF]

I think that means they would still know where your packets are going, but wouldn't know what was in them, but that's beyond my level of expertise.

[Ted S.]

Are the rumors true that a lot of politicians like fucking Firesheep?

[Death Rock and Skull]

Most politicians aren't picky about their sheep.

[Jayburd]

They were just helping it over the fence.

[General Butt Naked]

When you use an online service it is now safe to assume that your correspondences are being monitored.

This fact informs me of a fear felt by our government in regards to our private communications and the subversive spread of knowledge and reason.

A person that, hypothetically, wanted to keep their beliefs and plans a secret would create multiple sets of books intended for differing amounts of security. Make your online presence equivalent to a schizoid, mulitple personality crazy person that is not dangerous, important, or able be pinned down.

I tell you this as advice by way of what little I know about intelligence gathering, i.e. the more info the feds get the harder it is to ascertain the relevant truth and the more we send our masters on wild goose chases.

On the other hand, the best thing for the liberty movement right now is hardcore suppression by the powers that be. It'll wake a lot of people up, and vanquish the notion that liberty can be had through our, supposedly, legitimate, democratic means. The quickest way to obliterate the illusion of the rule of law is to demonstrate the psychopathic rule of men that our system actually operates under.

[2ndClassProle]

Great post. Thank you. I love the commentatoriat around here. I am just an Okie with average IQ, and since coming here several years, ago. I have learned so much.

[2ndClassProle]

*commentariat*

[Tonio]

Welcome home. Nice handle.

And "commenter" is one of those words we have fun with around here, so any variant, particularly with extraneous suffixes, is a winner.

[Cytotoxic]

the best thing for the liberty movement right now is hardcore suppression by the powers that be.

Yeah it worked so great in Russia in the 1920s or Germany in the 1930s.

It'll wake a lot of people up, and vanquish the notion that liberty can be had through our, supposedly, legitimate, democratic means.

LOL. Yeah whatever. Have fun with your one-man 'revolution'.

[SeaCaptain(Yokeltarian)]

Either vote or get your pitchforks and torches.

[General Butt Naked]

Yeah it worked so great in Russia in the 1920s or Germany in the 1930s.

Because America is exactly like those countries. Right?

LOL. Yeah whatever. Have fun with your one-man 'revolution'.

Well, I can count you out. Anything other than sitting at a desk and bitching about the lack of war in the world is beyond your ken.

[General Butt Naked]

I like your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[Death Rock and Skull]

I noticed when I would type in URLs by clearing everything after www. Now I have to clear the whole thing.

[SweatingGin]

To elaborate on HTTPS -- yes, if the cert is valid, it makes sure that no one has intercepted the data in the clear before it got to the network of whoever you're connecting to. However, if, as it sounds like this week, there are taps inside that network all bets are off. It has to be decrypted somewhere, and once it is, it can be passed on.

There's two other big things to be aware of. SSL certs are based on trusted roots. There's a set of them trusted by browsers, essentially based on what Netscape trusted back in the 90's, and a few others. ie, a bunch of them got grandfathered in.

There's devices like this. And if you can generate a cert based on one of the trusted roots, the browser won't point it out to the user (figure at least some set of users is checking who the certs come from, though, and it would be big news if you connected to google and found out that the cert it was serving was signed by DOD)

[SweatingGin]

Time warp! Past self was up early.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Atheist Sees Image of Big Bang in Piece of Toast

I giggled.

[Corning]

The Big Bang is bullshit.

Furthermore Woody Allen used the big bang to justify the rape of his own daughter.

[Francisco d Anconia]

The Big Bang is bullshit.

Do you have a better theory?

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

Warty farted.

[Suthenboy]

I have to admit, I have trouble with the Big Bang as well. I dont have a better theory, but I dont have to accept one I find suspect because of that.

[Suthenboy]

I have to admit, I have trouble with the Big Bang as well. I dont have a better theory, but I dont have to accept one I find suspect because of that.

[Suthenboy]

Are the squirrels punishing me for my doubt?

[Death Rock and Skull]

Pangaea is totally real though.

[Corning]

T-rex in Boston T-rex in Congo.

I suspect it simply swam.

[GILMORE]

Aliens

[Corning]

If a theory is proven wrong you do not need one to replace it. Especially as one as ill informative as the big bang or any creation myth for that matter.

It is only our superstitious primate brain that makes us need an answer, need an origin.

Simple logic tells us we do not know and it is likely we do not have a complete enough picture to even come close to getting an accurate answer.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Citation required that the big bang has been "proven" wrong.

I'd be willing to go as far as there are some holes in it and it does not explain the singularity, but if you have an expanding universe, and you run the physics (as you know it) in reverse, the universe was smaller in the past.

It is only our superstitious primate brain that makes us need an answer, need an origin.

Simple logic tells us we do not know and it is likely we do not have a complete enough picture to even come close to getting an accurate answer.

So, we shouldn't bother to pursue an answer?

[Corning]

Citation required that the big bang has been "proven" wrong.

All matter and energy explode outward.

Latter matter and energy condense into black holes.

Big bang proven wrong.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Wha?

No one ever claimed that the BB could explain the cause of the expansion. The physics breaks down. But it's a pretty safe bet the universe was much smaller 12.5B years ago.

[Corning]

So, we shouldn't bother to pursue an answer?

Actually the reverse is true.

The Big Bang works the same as Genesis from the bible. We have an "explanation" so why pursue it.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Who's not pursuing other options? There've been numerous new theories proposed lately, all of which get looked at.

[Jayburd]

You ever notice how you can't get as much shit done in a day in an expanding universe?

[anon]

Who's not pursuing other options?

I, for one, believe it's more likely an error in our observation methods.

[playa manhattan]

I'm glad that site makes it clear that they are satire.

[Suthenboy]

What? Satire? I saw Darwin's face in the soap bubbles on the shower door this morning after I rinsed my hair.

What do you say about that, smart guy? Huh?

[playa manhattan]

I posted a link to a satire site yesterday thinking it was real.

I'm still hanging my head in shame.

[Death Rock and Skull]

I see all kinds of faces in my carpet, and a demon in my wooden door.

[Agammamon]

I hear the VOICES of the faces in my FRENCH FIRES!

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

BBC reporter skis Sochi downhill with handheld camera

[playa manhattan]

Parts of that sound like solid ice.

That guy needs a GoPro.

[Winston]

So where's George Lazenby?

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

PETA member wants roadside memorial for chickens

[Suthenboy]

Good God, imagine what the curb would look like by KFC.

Is this the same PETA that murders dogs instead of finding them homes?

[playa manhattan]

Yep.

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

No that's Peta Wilson.

[JeremyR]

Yup

If they actually took care of pets in their shelters, they wouldn't have the money to pull crap like this.

[SweatingGin]

lulz.

if approved, a memorial would be placed at the Hall County site where a truck hauling live chickens overturned Jan. 27.

At first, I assumed it was for the delicious victims of The KKKolonal. No, victims of a car accident. Awesome.

We couldn't save these ones. Get 'em in the fryer.

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

You hartless miscreant. Those chickens were deprived of a long and happy life.

[Agammamon]

Hmm, oral question - does the legal selling of chicken organs create an incentive for the veterinarians to 'jump the gun' when declaring those chickens un-savable?

[Agammamon]

Rather, a *moral* question

[anon]

I despise the premise that chickens are anything but annoying, stinking, vicious little fucking fucks until cooked, preferably deep fried.

[SForza]

I think chickens are pretty awesome. We have over 100 of them on our farm. They have the freedom to roam the hillside, so they don't stink. I wouldn't call them vicious, but they are pretty rude.

[SweatingGin]

hehe... he said "oral"

[Tejicano]

Yeah, he *said* oral, but then he wrote it out... I haz a confuze...

[playa manhattan]

From the comments:
"Roadside Attraction: World's Largest Cardboard Bucket"

[Sevo]

Eat mor chikin!

[Jayburd]

What about rabbits? http://www.idahostatesman.com/.....bbits.html

[anon]

$5 mil in damage?

I mean, I didn't need a reason to go seal clubbing jackrabbit clubbing to start with, but $5 million sure as hell would get me off my ass.

[Jayburd]

"What else are those city people going to do on a Saturday?"

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/.....rylink=cpy

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

Zombie thread! Kill it!

[playa manhattan]

"GV" just went down the memory hole, but "Lou Dobz" didn't. Hmmmm....

[Sevo]

playa manhattan|2.9.14 @ 5:58PM|#
"GV" just went down the memory hole, but "Lou Dobz" didn't. Hmmmm..."

Beat me to it.
I wanted to see if the accusation that I proposed the elimination of the Jewish population was still there; poof!
But, yep LD is still there, so maybe that idjit is a new troll rather than one of the recycled ones.

[playa manhattan]

You clearly stated that.

[Sevo]

I try to be clear, so there is no misunderstanding.
Unfortunately in that case, *I* misunderstood the post!

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Zombie retread or not, I'd like to take a moment and proclaim I like reading The New Criterion.

Bye.

[Suthenboy]

All this time I have been hearing about Pussy Riot's protests against the Putins, but I have never heard anyone describe in detail what they would replace the current system with. They get attention because they are cute and persecuted, but for all I know they are worse than Putin.

[Sevo]

Interesting, but the are pissing Putin off, so they're obviously not proposing he get more power.
Pretty sure one point they have made clear is that they support free expression, so there's that. Not sure about the anti-church stuff; are they opposed to the authority? Or just people bleeving? Props for the first, meh on the second.

[Irish]

Why Do Republicans want us to work all the time?

If you think it's bad that Obamacare is reducing work hours and subsidizing layabouts, it's because you want Americans to have no free time and work constantly.

It's unbelievably stupid. The best rated comment is gold though:

To answer the writers question, we dont want you to work all the time, we dont give a flying shlt what you do.. We just dont want to have to pay for your life of leisure. Do what you want, leave me alone.

Succinct and to the point.

[Sevo]

How come this guy's neck isn't broken as a result of the snap about face from 'Obo crates jobs!'

[Suthenboy]

The stink of desperation is all over them. First they are going to create jobs, now having your job destroyed by proggy bs is liberating. Holy Gods, do they really expect people to just swallow whatever they are told? "Forget what we said before, believe what we tell you now and dont believe your lying eyes!"

I guess if you were surrounded by proggie supporters you might think people are that stupid.

[Irish]

It's working tremendously well with their base who will unquestioningly believe whatever the Democrats tell them.

It's not working too well with moderate Democrats, independents, or Republicans. They true believers keep believing, but this is not a winning argument.

[Irish]

I also love that they're claiming this is resulting in people being able to 'choose' to be more leisurely when it's nothing of the sort.

The reason people are going to work less is because of the subsidy cliffs. If you make more money, you might go over the edge of the subsidy cliff and actually be worse off due to having to pay more for health insurance. People aren't choosing to spend more time with their families, they're being manipulated into working less than they otherwise would by the fact that Obamacare will financially crush them otherwise.

It's a 'choice' in the same way that the girl tied up in my basement gets to choose between putting the lotion on its skin and getting the hose again.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

It's a 'choice' in the same way that the girl tied up in my basement gets to choose between putting the lotion on its skin and getting the hose again.

Well there goes your insanity defense, Irish.

[The Late P Brooks]

The reason people are going to work less is because of the subsidy cliffs.

If you point this out, I suspect their 'solution" will be to eliminate the cutoff point; unlimited free health care for everyone is, and has always been, the answer.

[Sevo]

"If you point this out, I suspect their 'solution" will be to eliminate the cutoff point; unlimited free health care for everyone is, and has always been, the answer."

I can PROVE there are more poor people! More people are getting food stamps!

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Salon profiles the millenials attempting to run "socially conscious" businesses

By 2011, however, several states began passing laws that established a new legal entity ? the Benefit Corporation. These chartered companies must create a "positive impact on society and the environment." By registering their firms as such, owners have a broader fiduciary duty than just making money, and that mandate protects from certain shareholder lawsuits.

Dennis Clark, a tax manager at Bartlett Pringle and Wolf, said there is no tangible upside to registering as a Benefit Corporation under state law, or to getting certified as a B Corp. "It just ties your hands." Plus, there's no tax benefit.

Well that's unfair. But rest assured, I'm sure out there are some Occupy-types that think this model should be subsidized.

Some experts say that a better way to get corporations to behave responsibly is to elect a government that enforces existing laws. Others believe that the modern corporate animal ? with its executive suite, shareholder class but no other stakeholder ? is too entrenched to ever change. As Clark told me, "You're not going to find baby boomers who subscribe to this and who are willing to pay $5 more to support a Benefit Corporation."

Knowing how the world works tends to make you avoid poor investments. More to follow....

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

In July 2013, Channel Island Outfitters became a Benefit Corporation. But California law doesn't guarantee that a firm actually walks its talk. So, Kababik and his partners went further by enduring B Lab's rigorous certification process. CIO claimed that it used recycled materials. Fine, said B Lab: Send your firm's policy statement along with receipts that prove you buy recycled materials. It claimed it was a sustainable business. Prove that you deposit with a local bank. "It took a lot of time to gather all the paperwork," said Kababik.
[...]
But running a business is expensive: State and federal taxes gobble between 15 and 20 percent of revenues; federal, state and local regulations are costly; and workers' comp insurance and other coverage is expensive, too.

Social contract! It is amusing to see Salon acknowledge how difficult running a business is.

And remember: it's only greed that keeps a company from balking about paying $15 an hour. Not silly things like costs and the need to remain viable.

[anon]

These chartered companies must create a "positive impact on society and the environment."

So... Profitable companies are already "B corps." Got it.

Are they sure the "B" doesn't stand for "Bullshit?"

[The Late P Brooks]

Others believe that the modern corporate animal ? with its executive suite, shareholder class but no other stakeholder ? is too entrenched to ever change.

Appar4ntly, these people are able to move through the world without ever noticing the vast array of competing products in any broad category of goods. It's almost as if those evul kkkorporations devote a tremendous amount of energy to responding to changing preferences and incentives in the marketplace.

[Christophe]

Doesn't count, they're still profitable. A clear indication that the system is not working.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

Leisure studies professor Benjamin Hunnicut on how awesome it is that Obamacare reduces working hours:

"For more than a century before 1930, the average American's working hours were gradually reduced?cut nearly in half. Labor played a part in these reductions, but they were largely a product of the free market, reflecting individuals' choices to work less and less....

"...Economists such as Juliet Schor have made a convincing case that our hours have lengthened recently, and that we now average about five weeks longer on the job each year than we did in 1976. Median incomes are stagnating, even as we work harder than ever.

"What happened?

I have spent years trying to answer this question, one of the great mysteries of the modern age....I have argued that a new ideology, a new set of beliefs about work's everlasting centrality, emerged with Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal. Work is now viewed as an economic end in itself rather than a means to better purposes...."

http://www.politico.com/magazi.....vgiz7QzS-q

He may have spent years trying to answer the question, but he probably didn't put in 40-hour weeks.

[Sevo]

"I have argued that a new ideology, a new set of beliefs about work's everlasting centrality, emerged with Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal."

Yeah, when I think of FDR, the first thing that comes to mind is how he got the government out of the way for people to engage in meaningful work!
Or, well, maybe not.

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

Leisure studies professor Benjamin Hunnicut on how awesome it is that Obamacare reduces working hours

He's a stooge for Big Leisure, what do you expect.

[anon]

Leisure studies professor Benjamin Hunnicut

I'm amazed anyone takes anything this jackass says seriously. I quit wasting my time reading right there, and instead chose to waste my time typing.

[Jayburd]

"Opportunity created by affordable, quality health insurance allows families in America to make a decision about how they will work, or if they will work," Jay Carney said. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi applauded the law for freeing people from "job-lock."

[anon]

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi applauded the law for freeing people from "job-lock."

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

Oh man, that's some good spin. "It's not that there aren't any jerbz; we're just freeing you from your current jerb!"

[Death Rock and Skull]

Why do they keep cutting off the puss area in girl figure skating footage?

[netterku]

I aggree for your post.

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[The Late P Brooks]

Why do they keep cutting off the puss area in girl figure skating footage?

THIS IS WHY VIRGINIA POSTREL HATES US.

[GILMORE]

THIS IS ONE OF MANY REASONS WHY VIRGINIA POSTREL HATES US.

[Sevo]

When she spends time in rehab for her sins, I'll consider inviting her to the Sevo cruise.

[SweatingGin]

Sevo cruise... Shudder.

it's the Implication!

[Sevo]

He, he, he!

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

At least he didn't say the C-word.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

The first recored writing of 'fuck' in english?
I's a monk expressing his displeasure at an abbot.

[anon]

Funny, I find your link far more interesting than whatever bullshit Pussy Riot was doing 8 months ago.

[Sevo]

Gay guy plays football! Some people surprised!
"Former Missouri star defensive end Michael Sam tells ESPN he is gay."
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/a.....219605.php

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

All the NFL personnel interviewed agreed that Sam's announcement will cause him to drop in the draft

[Mickey Rat]

Perhaps the teams would not want to draft a player they are going to potentially catch hell for cutting.

[anon]

Jesus fucking christ, that's considered news?

Can't we just all be gay so everyone will shut the fuck up about it when someone "comes out?"

[Sevo]

I'll bet you were surprised when Boitano 'came out' right?
I mean, no one had a CLUE!

[anon]

Are you kidding? I was also simply amazed when I found out Clay Aiken was gay. Took the world by surprise.

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

Back in the manpile! Derka der!

[CentristClassicalLiberal]

It's sports. An area that's still very homophobic.

Marijuana and immigration are huge issues and I don't here people going "can't we all be pot smoking immigrants so that we don't have to hear this again?".

Complaints like these reek of insecurity.

[anon]

Complaints like these reek of insecurity.

NICE ONE! Do I get to be RACIST too?

[CentristClassicalLiberal]

I didn't say you were a racist or some other type of bigot.

[Mickey Rat]

"An area that's still very homophobic."

Complaints like that reek of the Ministry of Truth.

[CentristClassicalLiberal]

There's more than enough evidence of homophobia in football. Nothing "Orwellian" about it. It's also not a complaint as i have no interest in sports.

Speaking of which, Orwell was not only overrated but a socialist who opposed non-interventionism. For the most part he was the opposite of a libertarian.

[Irish]

Can't we just all be gay so everyone will shut the fuck up about it when someone "comes out?"

Given that multiple NFL insiders claimed this would actually hurt his draft status, it's fairly obvious that this is still a big issue within the NFL.

[anon]

Given that multiple NFL insiders claimed this would actually hurt his draft status, it's fairly obvious that this is still a big issue within the NFL.

To be fair, I don't watch football at all. That said, it's still not newsworthy what anyone chooses to stick their dick in (or whatever).

[Palin's Buttplug]

Oh fuck, conservatives will want to ban college football now. Or at least huddles considering it could lead to gayness.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

Why are the Beatles always on my TV? I thought they broke up years ago.

[Tejicano]

Hell, I thought half of them were dead. What will it take to get them to shut up?

[The Late P Brooks]

I'm sitting here watching the dead end races from Pomona.

Those guys sure blow a lot of shit up. I think less than half of these runs have had both cars still intact at the end of the quarter mile. I don't know if that's because it's the first race of the year, or if they destroy this many motors every time they run. It's exciting.

[Sevo]

Damn. It's not on cable in SF (at least not that I've found).
But yeah, if you're running a 4-second race and expect to win, that engine ought to be toast at 4.00001 seconds. Sometimes they get a might greedy and it's gone at 3.9 seconds.

[anon]

You're absolutely correct Sevo; that's why they generally rebuild their engines after every heat.

[Sevo]

But I'm waiting for Ron Capps to break down in tears.

[RishJoMo]

Hmm, they seem pretty pissed at Russia!

http://www.Anon-VPN.com

[General Butt Naked]

Roll that beautiful borscht footage?

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

You know who else was pretty pissed at Russia?

[anon]

Pussy Riot?

[The Late P Brooks]

ESPN. Are you blacked out?

They showed a shot of somebody's blown up intake manifold. The thing sneezed, and blew a giant chunk off the top of one of the intake runners. Those runners are enormous; you could just about run your fist through it.

[Sevo]

Found it; I can catch some of it.
Dunno if you're seen this; it's kinda old now, but add 10-15%:
http://www.albeedigital.com/su.....gster.html

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

Ashley Wagner is upset with her score.

[Ted S.]

Are you sure you didn't SF the link?

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

NOTHING IS AT IS SEEMS

[SweatingGin]

SF'd the link.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

I'll deny it. The squirlz did it.

[Sevo]

This is the reason Postrel hates us!

[anon]

Are you sure it isn't because we lack glamour?

[Sevo]

Ya know, you might be on to something. I can't remember anyone saying I had glamour!

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

She makes Tonya Harding look like a beautiful princess.

[Sevo]

Now Postrel is REALLY gonna be pissed!

[Death Rock and Skull]

Tonya Harding's Wedding Night was first in my library.

Also, you's a bitch.

[On The Road To Mandalay]

"Arrested for their 2012 performance at one of Moscow's orthodox cathedrals". That looks like these poor girls were giving a performance at a church and those nasty Russian Police grabbed them and violated their rights.

Sorry folks but these fools were arrested because they were inside one of the holiest cathedrals in Russia prancing around on the altar in a lewd manner and so on. Hardly the place to protest a regime when Putin is attempting to "mend fences" with The Russian Orthodox which for decades was persecuted (an understatement) by a merciless Soviet atheist regime.

Too bad these little sluts were not sent off to Siberia never to be heard from again. That's what would have happened to them in pre-Soviet Tsarist Russia had they pulled that crap then. Now they are the little darlings of any one of a number of neo hippies and their camp followers.

[Marc F Cheney]

Too bad these little sluts were not sent off to Siberia never to be heard from again.

Really?

You suck.

[On The Road To Mandalay]

Marc,

Thanks for your feedback. Glad you enjoyed my comments. Have a lovely week. God Bless.

[Sevo]

On The Road To Mandalay|2.9.14 @ 10:13PM|#

On The Road To Mandalay, may you contract a horrible venereal disease and die from it! It is exactly what you deserve.

[Sevo]

"Sorry folks but these fools were arrested because they were inside one of the holiest cathedrals in Russia prancing around on the altar in a lewd manner and so on."

Yeah, you pathetic piece of shit; every hear of freedom of expression?

[anon]

Yeah, you pathetic piece of shit; every hear of freedom of expression?

BUT THEN PEOPLE MIGHT SAY AND/OR DO THINGS I DISAGREE WITH!

/mandalay

[anon]

Too bad these little sluts were not sent off to Siberia never to be heard from again.

You know, most people actually *like* sluts. It's basically a free hooker.

[Tulpa (LAOL-VA)]

It's all fun and games until someone's piss starts burning.

[On The Road To Mandalay]

Anon,

Thanks for you comments. Nice posting with you ace. Have a wonderful week.

[Sevo]

On The Road To Mandalay|2.9.14 @ 10:14PM|#

On The Road To Mandalay, may you contract a horrible venereal disease and die from it! It is exactly what you deserve.

[OneOut]

The difference between a bitch and a whore is that a whore will fuck anyone and a bitch will fuck anyone except you.

[CentristClassicalLiberal]

There's no scientific evidence of an invisible man in the sky.

[Irish]

Sorry folks but these fools were arrested because they were inside one of the holiest cathedrals in Russia prancing around on the altar in a lewd manner and so on. Hardly the place to protest a regime when Putin is attempting to "mend fences" with The Russian Orthodox which for decades was persecuted (an understatement) by a merciless Soviet atheist regime.

I was unaware that the government trying to 'mend fences' with a special interest group was an excuse to imprison people for free expression.

The more you know!

[Almanian!]

God, Top Fuel cars are the shit. Watching the end of the NHRA races. Top Fuel semis. My suspension Engrg Supvr buddy sent me a great couple paragraphs describing the awesomeness - looking for it and will post if I find it.

No snow on these tracks!

[Sevo]

Here:
http://www.albeedigital.com/su.....gster.html
Add 10-15%; they are now turning 330MPH in 1,000 ft.

[Almanian!]

Jesus Christ - I need to look upthread before I post THE EXACT SAME THING.

Great minds...

[Sevo]

Here:
http://www.albeedigital.com/su.....gster.html
Add 10-15%; they are now turning 330MPH in 1,000 ft.

[Sevo]

And they do it TWICE!

[anon]

What's really amazing is how they're able to get ~10,000 horsepower out of those engines, to me. Also: Ever seen a still photo of a top fuel dragster's rear tires on launch?

[Almanian!]

It's incredible, isn't it?

Plus the smell of nitro. And the eye-closing burn...

[Sevo]

Look at the C/L-tire surface dim in the vertical plane. Now look at it near 10:o'clock.
Those tires deliver a constantly-variable transmission for the car.

[Almanian!]

Here you go - very much worth a look just for the "holy FUCK!" aspect of drag racing power.

A taste, below...

http://www.albeedigital.com/su.....gster.html

One Top Fuel dragster 500 cubic-inch Hemi engine makes more horsepower than the first 4 rows at the Daytona 500.

* Under full throttle, a dragster engine consumes 11.2 gallons of nitro methane per second; a fully loaded 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate with 25% less energy being produced.

* A stock Dodge Hemi V8 engine cannot produce enough power to merely drive the dragster's supercharger.

* With 3000 CFM of air being rammed in by the supercharger on overdrive, the fuel mixture is compressed into a near-solid form before ignition. Cylinders run on the verge of hydraulic lock at full throttle.

....more

[Snark Plissken]

* Under full throttle, a dragster engine consumes 11.2 gallons of nitro methane per second; a fully loaded 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate with 25% less energy being produced.

Horsepower is a measure of power not energy. You could just light the fuel on fire if all you were interested in is producing energy.

[Sevo]

Thank you, Mr. Pedantic.
Now please explain why torque is different from horsepower.

[Snark Plissken]

Oh fuck off. If someone is going to write about cars they ought to be aware of that.

[Sevo]

Snark Plissken|2.9.14 @ 10:54PM|#
Stuff it, asshole.

[Snark Plissken]

You really are an obnoxious little cunt aren't you? No retard Tony around for you to beat up on?

[Snark Plissken]

"Hey Jim, don't eat that muffin, it's got too many horsepower."

"You mean calories?"

"PEDANT!"

[Sevo]

Snark Plissken|2.9.14 @ 11:17PM|#
"You really are an obnoxious little cunt aren't you?"

Only with regard to fucking shitstains like you.
What is your problem, asshole? Did I step on your toes cause you fantasize about a skydaddy? or are you just an asshole in general?
Stuff, it, asshole.

[Snark Plissken]

At this point I'm just having fun watching you be butthurt, to be honest. You want to be obnoxious, I'm happy to returning the favor, little bitch.

[Snark Plissken]

"Hey Jim, how many BTUs is that light bulb?"

"You mean watts?"

"PEDANT!"

[anon]

Watts - BTU's is actually a very common conversion.

[Sevo]

Snark Plissken|2.9.14 @ 11:29PM|#
"At this point I'm just having fun watching you be butthurt, to be honest."

I'm sure an asshole finds being called on their bullshit a reason to claim otherwise.

[Snark Plissken]

What? Are you trying to say that it's incorrect to distinguish horsepower from energy?

[Sevo]

Snark Plissken|2.9.14 @ 11:40PM|#
"What? Are you trying to say that it's incorrect to distinguish horsepower from energy?"

I'm sure there is some portion of you which is distinguishable from shit, but it's not easy to find.

[Snark Plissken]

In other words you concede my point, but you still want to try for the last word. Keep trying my little bitch, keep trying. It's morning here for me, the coffee's on, it's going to be a beautiful day.

[Sevo]

Snark Plissken|2.9.14 @ 11:45PM|#
"In other words you concede my point, but you still want to try for the last word"

Your point is that you're an asshole without any redeeming qualities, so, yes, I agree.
Now, did you have anything other than that to offer, or maybe more adolescent trivia?
Would you like to tell the assembled audience that you're found that watts are related to energy? I'm sure everyone will be spellbound.
Get fucked with an earthmover

[Snark Plissken]

Butthurt, butthurt, butthurt...

Would you like to show the assembled audience how long you can be a whiny little bitch? I'm sure no one will be spellbound.

[Sevo]

Snark Plissken|2.9.14 @ 11:57PM|#
"Butthurt, butthurt, butthurt..."

Yeah, I'm sure you're very familiar with it, since you get called on your bullshit regularly.
But, ya know, you deserve every bit of it!

[Snark Plissken]

Butthurt, butthurt, butthurt...

My coffee is quite good, thank you. Not, fantastic, I admit, but fresh. It's really hot though, too many coulombs or something.

[anon]

What? Are you trying to say that it's incorrect to distinguish horsepower from energy?

Horsepower is just another way of measuring energy.

Your statement would've been correct if you were differentiating between the potential energy of nitrous/methanol versus the actual energy utilized through combustion.

[Snark Plissken]

a fully loaded 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate with 25% less energy being produced.

It sounds like what they are saying is that they both consume the same amount of fuel with the same amount of energy at the same rate. But the 747 harnesses 25% less of it. You could of course just burn the fuel in a stuff or something to produce energy.

[anon]

You could of course just burn the fuel in a stuff or something to produce energy.

The action of releasing the energy is irrelevant if you aren't utilizing it. It's exactly like pissing in the wind.

What they're trying to say (clumsily), is that a top fuel dragster is 25% more efficient than a 747's GE turbine engine; which is actually an amazing feat, since turbines are *really* efficient.

[Snark Plissken]

The action of releasing the energy is irrelevant if you aren't utilizing it. It's exactly like pissing in the wind.

Exactly. That's my point, it's about harnessing the energy, not the amount of energy consumed.

What they're trying to say (clumsily), is that a top fuel dragster is 25% more efficient than a 747's GE turbine engine; which is actually an amazing feat, since turbines are *really* efficient.

Perhaps, but that seems kind of weird because turbines are so efficient. I think they might actually be trying to say that they burn the same amount of fuel at the same rate but jet fuel has 25% less energy in it? I dunno.

[Snark Plissken]

Drag racers aren't at all optimized for fuel efficiency, a 747 is, so being more efficient seems unlikely. Plus turbine vs piston engine.

[anon]

so being more efficient seems unlikely.

We're not talking specifically fuel efficiency; more conversion efficiency. Which really is fuel efficiency in a roundabout way.

If you broke that 10k horsepower down to 200 horsepower with the same engine design, it'd burn through a fuckton less fuel.

[anon]

nitromethane has less energy density than jet fuel; so, I would guess what they're saying is they can produce 25% more usable power from the same volume nitromethane as a turbine can from jet fuel.

Since they're all supercharged, and engines' actual fuel source is oxygen, that sounds right, since nitromethane supplies additional oxygen to the combustion process.

[Snark Plissken]

Oh yeah, with all the extra oxygen that makes sense.

[Almanian!]

Now the Funny Car semi...

[Almanian!]

I street raced my first car ('71 Camaro Rally Sport) for 4-5 years before I [stupidly] sold it. We were mostly in the 300hp-350hp range. Now these goons in Oklahoma City are putting out 1000, 2000hp in street racecars!

Of course, we were a bunch of low-buck teenagers just having fun....still.

I kind of miss it. Thought I might start drag racing when I retire - this time with my ZX14 Ninja. Never dragged a bike - looks like fun!

[anon]

Never dragged a bike - looks like fun!

I'd be scared shitless.

This looks like more fun though.

Guess I'm just too scared of exceeding 110mph on 2 wheels.

[Sevo]

If you've got a modern bike and the space to comfortably do so, you'll find it unremarkable.
But you won't find me 4 steps up a ladder.

[Death Rock and Skull]

I know they suck, but my first car was a Firebird, and I never did anything cool with it before I got rid of it. Not one donut.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

Top Gear UK just reviewed the McLaren P1.
Seems to be a game changer in the hybrid area.

[Almanian!]

V Gaines. Coolest current name in NHRA Pro ranks.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

HIPSTERS

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

I'll have my big mac with a side of yoga-mat!

[Francisco d Anconia]

OMG. They use edible stuff in yoga mats and shoe rubber.

Must.
Be.
Outraged.

[MJGreen]

FIRST! to say that tonight's True Detective is awesome. Even without any more exhibitions of Alexandra Daddario's huge tracts of land.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Waiting to watch it with the wife who is currently waging battle in WoW.

Did watch the GoT Ice and Fire 15 minute deal highlighting season 4. I can't wait.

[Snark Plissken]

This seems to be the best thing on TV right now. I just hope it can keep up the momentum without descending into some melodrama.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

I'm about to watch it now!

[playa manhattan]

Downloading it right now. Long day, though, I might wait til' tomorrow.

[Francisco d Anconia]

Ice Dancing might just be the gayest thing since gay came to gaytown.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

Have you seen 2-man luge?

[playa manhattan]

I have not. Please describe.

[Archduke von Pantsfan]

a picture is worth a thousand words

[Francisco d Anconia]

Okay.

[playa manhattan]

It's got nothin' on synchronized swimming.

[JeremyR]

They really need to add rollerdisco back to the Summer Olympics...

[Snark Plissken]

Is it just me or is the new Archer not that great?

[anon]

The last episode was great. Up until that though, yeah, I have to agree.

[Snark Plissken]

It seems like the characters are getting shoe-horned. They seemed to have dumbed down Archer, for example, but this has been going on for a while. It's hard to carry it on at the level they were at, which is probably why they reinvented this season.

[William of Purple]

Sterling needs to go deep undercover.
Maybe open a burger joint with a new family.

I've said too much.

[anon]

They seemed to have dumbed down Archer, for example, but this has been going on for a while.

I don't recall the first two or three episodes of any given season being memorable (for this particular show). They have to have time to set up the recurring jokes for the season/etc I guess; I do know my second favorite episode was s2e4.. "What are your 3 biggest fears?" "getting stuck on a boat with you 3 times?"

[Snark Plissken]

Yeah, he he, it's ultimately about the snappy dialogue. Too much plot can hinder that.

[RishJoMo]

Sounds like a very good plan to me dude.

http://www.GoAnon.tk

[playa manhattan]

The same sweeping generalizations about libertarians as before, same fallacies, etc etc.