Edward Snowden Senses "Significant Threats" to His Life, Supreme Court Strikes Down Part of Drug War Policy, Sochi Mayor Says No Gays in the City: P.M. Links

The Guardian

• In his first television interview, Edward Snowden said he believes there are "significant threats" to his life and that European efforts to protect citizens' data against US surveillance by building their own national internet networks are likely to fail.
• The Supreme Court has ruled that if a drug user dies or is seriously injured after taking in multiple substances, a dealer who supplied one of the items can get an enhanced sentence only if that one drug was the actual cause of the death or injury.
• Smartphone games and apps, such as Angry Birds, are an easy way for spy agencies like the NSA to snatch all kinds of personal information, according to previously undisclosed classified documents. 
• A Florida constitutional amendment calling for medical marijuana will be decided by Florida voters in November now that the state Supreme Court ruled Monday that the proposed initiative and ballot summary aren't misleading.
• A North Carolina police officer faces the second grand jury proceeding in a week for the fatal shooting of an ex-college football player who was reportedly seeking assistance after a car accident.
• The U.S. military has carried out a missile strike in Somalia against a suspected militant leader with ties to al-Qaeda and al-Shabab.
• The mayor of Sochi, Russia claims there are no gay people in the city. There is, however, a lot of corruption in how money is being used in preparation of the Olympics, according to a Russian opposition leader.

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Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

...that European efforts to protect citizens' data against US surveillance by building their own national internet networks are likely to fail.

You can't stop the NSA. God help us if it ever gets on PCP.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Hello.

[Fist of Etiquette]

If I knew you were so on the stick today, I would have held off a few beats for your salutations.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

I don't understand that Western Pennsylvania accent.

[rts]

1-year minimum drug sentence 'cruel and unusual': judge

A B.C. provincial court judge has adjourned the case of a small time drug dealer to give the Crown a chance to justify the law that says anyone convicted of drug trafficking, who has already served time, must go to jail for a year.

In his written ruling, Judge Joseph Galati says, for some people, that amounts to cruel and unusual punishment contrary to section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Judge: Promise to be good?
Criminal: Promise.
Judge: Cross your heart?
Criminal: I have a pig's heart but sure.
Judge: With a cherry on top?
Criminal: If it's those big ass one's from Washington State, you bet.
Judge: You're free to go.
Criminal: Thanks, Judge Assisi.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

The mayor of Sochi, Russia claims there are no gay people in the city. There is, however, a lot of corruption in how money is being used in preparation of the Olympics, according to a Russian opposition leader.

No, just a lot dudes that get off with other dudes.

[GILMORE]

Its not gay if you are blackout-drunk on vodka!

[Fist of Etiquette]

The mayor of Sochi, Russia claims there are no gay people in the city.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is mayor of Sochi?

[jesse.in.mb]

Ugh, you got first comment and in a totally separate comment beat me to a joke.

[Apatheist ?_??]

It's cool, I made a joke here last week that the Russians should just say that they don't have any gay people. Must have read my mind or something.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Not to take anything away from you, but it was probably a pretty obvious joke. I'm just glad I spelt his name close to correctly.

[jesse.in.mb]

Aren't the first few comments always about low hanging fruit?

[Fist of Etiquette]

How. DARE. You.

[cavalier973]

I would have used "Fred Phelps", which I think would be wrong, since he probably thinks that the gays are everywhere.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The Reverse Reverend Phelps.

[jesse.in.mb]

This popped into my head as being appropriate. The song is now stuck in my head.

[Brett L]

Have you seen some of those uniforms? That dude was like Baghdad Bob denying gays at a Pride Parade.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Yes, we know, Russians are not a happy folk.

[Tonio]

That's a good one, Fist.

[Fist of Etiquette]

I disagree.

[Rich]

That's a good one, Fist.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

The U.S. military has carried out a missile strike in Somalia against a suspected militant leader with ties to al-Qaeda and al-Shabab.

So that's why liberals want libertarians to move to Somalia.

[CE]

And by "ties", they mean that they too were hit by drones.

[Fist of Etiquette]

There is, however, a lot of corruption in how money is being used in preparation of the Olympics, according to a Russian opposition leader.

Someone's about to see the inside of a Russian prison, and it ain't Putin or his cronies.

[jesse.in.mb]

Giz/EFF: Why the FCC Can't Actually Save Net Neutrality

Look at what happened with radio and television. Though it's charged to regulate our media landscape in the best interest of the public, the FCC opened the doors to unforeseen levels of media consolidation. That consolidation has contributed to the gutting of newsrooms and a steep decline in diversity of viewpoints and local voices on the air, as independent broadcasters across the country shut down, unable to compete with big media monopolies. One of the best protections for the open Internet is probably more competition among ISPs, but the FCC's history doesn't leave us hopeful that it is the right entity to help create and defend a competitive Internet marketplace.

But unforseen consequences! It's not their fault!

That claim of ancillary jurisdiction, if accepted, would have given the FCC pretty much boundless clearance to regulate the Internet, and to claim other ancillary powers in the future. Even if you happen to like the FCC's current goals, who's to say we will still like whatever goals the agency has next year and the year after that?

Can this be a standard disclaimer for the accumulation of any political power?

[jesse.in.mb]

http://gizmodo.com/why-the-fcc.....1509831240

Failed to include link.

[Brett L]

That claim of ancillary jurisdiction, if accepted, would have given the FCC pretty much boundless clearance to regulate the Internet, and to claim other ancillary powers in the future. Even if you happen to like the FCC's current goals, who's to say we will still like whatever goals the agency has next year and the year after that?

If only the EFF would figure out that this applies outside of tech, too.

[John Thacker]

People were all happy about former FCC commissioner Michael Copps talking about how he'd have the FCC regulate net neutrality.

I can't help remembering that Michael Copps also when he was on the FCC said that the FCC should extend indecency regulations to cover cable TV as well, and urged Congress to pass a law to make it explicit. (Luckily, the other commissioners disagreed). The guy just likes regulating.

[John Thacker]

Though it's charged to regulate our media landscape in the best interest of the public, the FCC opened the doors to unforeseen levels of media consolidation. That consolidation has contributed to the gutting of newsrooms and a steep decline in diversity of viewpoints and local voices on the air, as independent broadcasters across the country shut down, unable to compete with big media monopolies.

I'm baffled as to how someone can look at the last 50 years of media history, and think "decline in diversity of viewpoints." Apparently the Three Network Era had more diversity.

[jesse.in.mb]

Maybe they're just sad there's no fairness doctrine...

The EFF isn't against Net Neutrality, they're just against this implementation of it and maybe any possible implementation of it.

[np]

One of the best protections for the open Internet is probably more competition among ISPs,

And it's the local governments' franchising deals that really killed competition.

[Killaz]

All is forgiven, Beyonc?.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix.....34x720.jpg

NSFW, unless you're cool and get away with shit.

[rts]

Quentin Tarantino Suing Gawker Over Leaked 'Hateful Eight' Script

[Andrew S.]

I'm hoping he bankrupts them. If Gawker and Jezebel go away on his account, he will forever be my hero.

[rts]

I'm conflicted.

On the one hand, posting a link isn't copyright infringement.

On the other hand, bankrupting Gawker...

hmm...

[Rufus J. Firefly]

'Is President Obama a mediocre president?'

http://www.debate.org/opinions.....-president

Weep.

[Steve G]

They just need to link that shit on drudge, then you'll see the numbers shift

[110 Lean]

The comments have to be "cleared", so there's that.

[Killaz]

Mediocre would be giving him too much credit. The worst to have not gotten the nation into a major war (yet), certainly.

[lap83]

Read the comment under the Yes side. I think it was written by one of our sockpuppets.

[JW]

Mediocre would be a vast improvement.

[lap83]

So the choice is between "BOOOSH" and "Unique crowning achievements"

[Rich]

Obama has some great achievements that the word "mediocre" can't begin to describe.

FTFY

[RBS]

Yes, but mediocre in the sense that he has not made any BIG decisions. Like blowing up another country. "Blowing up stuff" cost us a trillion dollar debit in Iraq. The previous president built up a deficit that this president has to make up for. Simple accounting. Glamourous? Nope. But mediocre & effective.

[CE]

Simple accounting? For the guy who can't even come close to balancing a budget?

[Episiarch]

Maybe they should ask Richard Sherman.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Dude, I finally watched that rant over the weekend, and it was fucking hilarious.

[wareagle]

Obama would have to improve dramatically to reach mediocre status.

[Pro Libertate]

Worst president ever? Maybe. Definitely in the running.

[Juice]

I don't know about all that, now. He's not great, but he's got some good points.

[Pro Libertate]

Well, he's supposedly a Star Trek fan. And he probably likes deep-dish pizza. Might like Led Zeppelin--saw him at a tribute to them at the Kennedy Center. Um, probably something else.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Rand Paul's comments on the War on Women earns scorn from Amanda Marcotte and Joan Walsh

Who wins in this head-to-head battle of derp? Let's take a look. Marcotte:

While Paul didn't mention little things like abortion or contraception, the implication was clear: Women have it pretty good, so there's no reason to get all bent out of shape about attacks on reproductive rights, ladies. You get to go to school now, so why complain about losing access to basic medical care? After all, Paul's own sister has six kids and a medical practice, so if unwanted child-bearing throws you off your game, it's your fault for not having a wealthy congressman for a father.

It's not just that Paul defines women as having more than enough because he knows a bunch who are doing really well. Or that he completely ignores the fact that women are still paid less than men and that, in his own workplace, the U.S. Congress, women hold less than 20 percent of seats. It's that he begrudges women their successes while pretending to celebrate them. Like the fact that women are populating universities at really high rates.

Wow, counter-factual analysis and an egregious strawman. Better step up your game Joan.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Walsh:

It's not defending President Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky to marvel at Paul's raising it all again. Forget the fact that the issue was litigated 15 years ago, and every time Republicans went at Clinton, his public approval numbers went higher. Also forget that Paul's claim that "the media seems to have given President Clinton a pass on this" is demonstrably false and idiotic. The man was impeached, and an awful lot of mainstream journalists shamed themselves by being stenographers for Kenneth Starr

Can't a man abuse his authority and commit a little perjury without the RWNJs getting angry?

Paul's brilliant declaration about women winning the war on women was likewise fact-challenged and paranoid. "I don't see so much that women are downtrodden. I see women rising up and doing great things," he told David Gregory. "In fact, I worry about our young men sometimes because I think the women are out-competing the men in our world."

Never mind that women still make less than men and are more likely to live in poverty. Even more cruelly, the man who opposes legal abortion and the contraception-coverage mandate also suggested last Thursday that women who have "too many" children should lose welfare support. "Maybe we have to say, 'Enough's enough, you shouldn't be having kids after a certain amount,'" Paul said.

I think Walsh wins this one. That's a lot of derp.

[jesse.in.mb]

I was 15 when the Starr Report came out. I vaguely remember it being titillating stuff.

[John]

Here is the most important thing about that report today. It is not the blowjobs and the blue dress. It is that both Bill and Hillary knew Monica was telling the truth. Yet, they were both willing to turn their various allies in the media lose to destroy her. The only reason Monica wasn't destroyed in the media and remembered as a liar is because she kept the dress.

Not only did Bill get a blowjob from a love struck intern, he and Hillary were willing to let her be destroyed as a liar even though they knew she was telling the truth.

But it is the Republicans who hate women.

[wareagle]

The only reason Monica wasn't destroyed in the media and remembered as a liar is because she kept the dress.

Monica should be kissing Linda Tripp's ass every morning because without Tripp, she's forever Monica the Stalker.

[font_of_stupidity]

Al Gore didn't know how to evaluate the claims of Juanita Broderick.

[playa manhattan]

Lewinsky ate his ass. It wasn't just a blowjob.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/b.....lad-657901

[John]

All class. Bubba is all class.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

And the left thought Romney engaged in a war on womyn!

[Mad Scientist]

You can bet Hillary wasn't going to toss his salad. A president has needs, man.

[jesse.in.mb]

Nice. That would've blown my 15 year old mind!

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Yeah but did he stick it in her ass?

[Episiarch]

We can only hope.

[John]

It's not defending President Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky to marvel at Paul's raising it all again. Forget the fact that the issue was litigated 15 years ago,

Sure Joan. It is not like the Democrats keep trying to run his wife for President as a two for one or anything.

I think what Paul did was spectacular. If sexist hags like Walsh and Marcotte want to tell the world how it is their duty to vote for Hillary to prove they are not sexist, then feminists ought to have to explain Hillary's defense of Bill. It will take a whole lot of the fun out of the whole "It is a woman's turn" campaign.

[CE]

If Hillary agrees to spend no more than Bill did (2.0 trillion per year, compared to OBummer's 3.8 trillion), I may vote for her myself.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

If sexist hags like Walsh and Marcotte want to tell the world how it is their duty to vote for Hillary to prove they are not sexist, then feminists ought to have to explain Hillary's defense of Bill.

Not to mention that every single bit of authority she's gained in the last 15 years has been due to the benevolence or actions of other men.

If Bill doesn't cheat around, she may not have even become Senator.

Obama threw her a bone and made her SecState mainly to make sure she wouldn't go off the reservation second-guessing him.

She's basically a female version of LBJ.

[wareagle]

seriously..how dare Rand suggest that women's status has improved dramatically during his lifetime. And frankly, he's dead on right about losing some benefits when you keep spitting out kids in addition to the ones you already can't afford.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Never mind that women still make less than men...

People are still citing this?

[The Immaculate Trouser]

Walsh by a country mile, while also winning the Excellence in Feminist Hypocrisy Award (Clinton Impeachment Edition).

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

I'm giving it to Marcotte because of her absurd claim that Paul "begrudges" women their success.

[MJGreen]

He was ready to head back to college, but all them women took his spot!

[JW]

Forget the fact that the issue was litigated 15 years ago

Hey Joan: still telling Reagan jokes?

[Juice]

Forget the fact that the issue was litigated 15 years ago, and every time Republicans went at Clinton, his public approval numbers went higher.

Which is all that matters.

[The Other Kevin]

It's almost like anyone who makes an argument from the left is convinced it's 1981 and Reagan was just inaugurated.

[Episiarch]

TEAM BLUE requires boogeymen. If they don't exist, they just make them up.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

This is like the 3rd or 4th time Rand Paul has "self-destructed" according to Walsh.

She's clearly unnerved that he's grown more influential and popular.

[John]

They constantly said the same thing about Reagan, all through his winning two landslide elections.

[Rich]

If he strikes himself down, he shall become more powerful than she could possibly imagine.

[Killaz]

Feminist spent the eighties and nineties trying to change the balance of power in their favor by trying to make what occurred here, an exchange of sexual favors between a subordinate and her boss, an actionable offense. The 'hostile environment' standard was dreamed up to put this into action, and now we have them pretending their guy didn't trash what they set out to accomplish, turning them into perfidious hypocrites when they defended him. It's beautiful because they know they can't win, but harping is too habitual for them to ever quit doing it no matter what level of shame to which it sinks them.

[John]

The sad fact is they had a point. Maybe women who can't or won't fuck their boss should be able to get ahead too. Of course they pissed all their credibility away defending Clinton.

Feminism has basically been an abortion worshiping cult for going on 30 years now.

[wareagle]

my wife would say the hostile environment was hardly a put on, but she would also say that women shouldn't put themselves in bad spots.

[Killaz]

Sexually harassed by two female bosses when I was in my twenties and I fucked them both. I don't really sympathize at all with this highly conventional narrative that has long stilted the public debate because in my experience when women have the reins of power they are no less prone to the perks than their male counterparts. .

[John]

Of course they are. But that doesn't make it right. I would like to think my wife can get a fair shake without fucking her boss. And it is probably a bad idea to make my only remedy for a boss who demands such from her, me coming down and kicking his teeth in.

[Killaz]

In one of these situations, her boss got wind of it, being obtuse and not knowing what was going on in the office, believed I was the one who prowled for her. Everybody in the office knew she was practically Glen Close about me. Which was why I gave in, I like crazy.

[Killaz]

Oh yeah, I was fired, she stayed on.

[John]

Of course. Women sociopaths go right to the top. Be glad though, she probably treated other women even worse.

[wareagle]

men and women are different. Perhaps you heard. It's why a male teacher banging a student gets jail while a female teacher doing it results in the guy being hailed by his peers. It's why you brag about banging your female bosses while a lot of women were appalled by the notion.

The narrative became a narrative because it has a basis in fact. The power tilted toward men for a long time, until women became more than nurses and secretaries. At root, harassment is much more about power than sex.

[Killaz]

while a female teacher doing it

niccce.

[Killaz]

The thing about it is, their is an entire generation of us who have had female bosses for good portion of our careers, so the conventional narrative hasn't kept up with reality for a long time now.

Even now, the boss I have is a huge flirt, but she is pretty universal about that trait and I'm unavailable.

[Killaz]

Er, grammar goes to crap just before the evening meal, but no promises of an improvement on my return!

[CE]

No one is attacking anyone's right to reproduce.

[Marshall Gill]

No one is attacking anyone's right to reproduce.

And yet, it is always couched as "Reproductive Rights" when it only rarely has anything to do with "reproduction". It is like calling welfare "working rights".

[110 Lean]

so why complain about losing access to basic medical care?

When did that happen?

[MJGreen]

"Rand Paul self-destructs again"

Yep, I'm sure you have your finger on the pulse of the electorate, Joan. These comments will end his political career!

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Third Reich coins.

http://www.luckylukeonline.com/history.html

[PD Scott]

"Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz" translates roughly to "The community comes before the individual". Minted on the edge of all 3rd Reich silver Reichsmark coins, this perhaps typifies Nazi society. And with it comes an understanding of how any concept of individual human "rights" was at odds with the good of the collective.

Seems like "The community comes before the individual" would be a good thing to throw at anti-liberty minded folks. Then, when they agree to it, trot out the source.

Granted, it's a form of Godwinning...

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

The literal phrasing is even more awesomely anti-individualistic: communal use goes before individual use

[PD Scott]

Trouble is, fervent communalists would probably go ahead and agree, maybe even say "well, a stopped clock is right twice a day", etc.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

I haven't seen 'Anchorman 2' and after reading the reviews not sure I will. But I'd like to know does he take a gratuitous shot at Obama like he did Bush at the end of 'Anchorman?' with Brick?

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Your question is much funnier than anything in that movie. Skip it.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

I hate when I'm funny without intending to be.

[Episiarch]

It's a Will Ferrell movie. That means it's abjectly terrible. Spare yourself.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

I like Will though. Semi-Pro, Elf, Anchorman were pretty funny.

[Episiarch]

You disgust me. And it's not just because you're Canadian.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

You forgot 'eh.' I don't recognize your comment.

It's like not saying 'Simon Sez.'

[jesse.in.mb]

I have been encouraged by friends to step back from hating Ferrell and instead only hate movies that he's expected to carry. His ensemble films tend to be less awful.

I'm still not sure if I'm willing to let go of the hate though.

[Episiarch]

Never let go of the hate. Ferrell deserves every little bit of it. He's terrible.

[Rich]

Incredible.

[Thane ? the booty]

Stop liking things I don't like!

[Rufus J. Firefly]

He's no David Cross but hey...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCumH8LRo1A

[Episiarch]

Mr. Show, the most overrated shitty comedy show ever? You really do disgust me.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Did I say that?

Loved Mr. Show.

[Andrew S.]

Epi, I can handle a lot. But calling Mr. Show shitty and overrated? That, sir, goes too far.

[Episiarch]

Sorry, man, but that show is fucking terrible. It's the show I use to judge whether someone has taste or not. If you recommend, quote, or reference Mr. Show, you can get the fuck out right now.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Heh.

Yeah, it had its 'moments.'

I guess I like Cross too much.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Opinion on Tim and Eric Show, Great Job?

[Episiarch]

Oh, I definitely like Tim and Eric. Especially while stoned.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Hey, you make it sound like we love Whitney or Perfect Strangers or something.

[Coeus]

Sorry, man, but that show is fucking terrible. It's the show I use to judge whether someone has taste or not. If you recommend, quote, or reference Mr. Show, you can get the fuck out right now.

I'm guessing that this misplaced hate comes from the fact that you tried the asspenny thing and had to go to the emergency room.

[Episiarch]

The only thing more telling than Mr. Show love is Mr. Show butthurt.

[Cytotoxic]

Mr. Show, the most overrated shitty comedy show ever?

Get out.

[Warty]

The bit where they slit the rich fat kid's throat made me laugh. Other than that, I don't remember anything about Mr. Show.

Bob Odenkirk is cool though, and only mostly for his awesome Viking name.

[Pro Libertate]

I liked him on Hogan's Heroes.

[Cytotoxic]

BARF. Elf and Dodgeball were good and that's it.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Ferrell wasn't in Dodgeball.

[Cytotoxic]

Oops!

[Pro Libertate]

I liked Zoolander okay, and he was decent in that.

[Episiarch]

Thanks for exposing what a tasteless hack you are, ProL. If I didn't have puke breath, I'd kiss you.

[Pro Libertate]

Nah, it was okay despite itself.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

But Ben Stiller was!

I tremble to ask Epi what he thinks of him!

[Juice]

Anchorman was mildly amusing, but liking Semipro and Elf are just inexcusable.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Hey. I have a daughter and it's more than sufficient entertainment for us.

It's not a bad movie at all. Sorry.

They can't all be fucking 'Rushmore.'

[Rich]

The Supreme Court has ruled that if a drug user dies or is seriously injured after taking in multiple substances, a dealer who supplied one of the items can get an enhanced sentence only if that one drug was the actual cause of the death or injury.

Looks like the Supremes are ready to declare drug laws in general unconstitutional.

[Brett L]

A Florida constitutional amendment calling for medical marijuana will be decided by Florida voters in November now that the state Supreme Court ruled Monday that the proposed initiative and ballot summary aren't misleading.

Guess its time to get diagnosed with a "debilitating medical condition"

[jesse.in.mb]

"debilitating medical condition"

Being alive?

[Auric Demonocles]

That's a mortal condition, but I'm not sure it's debilitating.

[Andrew S.]

As a Florida resident, I can assure you that the level of mental illness required to live in Florida is a debilitating medical condition.

[Floridian]

Hey! BTW I'm sure the villages outside Ocala are going to be more interesting. That place is already a hot bed for retirement STDs, I can't wait to see what happens when they get their medical pot.

[Andrew S.]

Yeah, Boca Raton's going to have the same "issues".

I'm not sure it can get a 60% vote, but I'm going to try my damndest.

[Brett L]

People driving around way below the speed limit, turn signal on for miles... Waitaminute.

[Floridian]

Come to think of it, FL should had been the trial state for weed. Compared to all the elderly the shenanigans, pot heads would have been background noise. Then we could use FL to prove legalizing weed has no effect on driving. Brilliant!

[The Other Kevin]

Retirement villages are about to get a lot more fun.

[Outlaw]

Not if you ever want to legally be able to purchase guns again.

In IL they want to add people with medical marijuana licenses to the prohibited category.

Federally, it is illegal to be a marijuana user and own a firearm. Says so right on the form at the shop. The ATF's opinion is that if you are a medical marijuana user and they find out you own guns, they will fuck you.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Coke-sniffing Congressman Trey Radel (R-Florida) resigns

US Rep. Trey Radel (R) of Florida, a once-rising star in the tea party movement, resigned from Congress on Monday, following a November conviction of cocaine possession.

Congressman Radel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of narcotics possession in November, after he was caught Oct. 29 trying to buy 3.5 grams of cocaine from an undercover federal agent in Washington's Dupont Circle area. During his trial, he reportedly told Judge Robert Tignor that he had "hit a bottom" and realized that he needs help. Radel was sentenced to a one-year probation and a $250 fine.

At first, the freshman congressman, who speaks fluent Spanish and frequents Twitter, planned to serve out his congressional term after a six-week leave of absence and a month of inpatient rehabilitation for alcohol addiction. But on Monday, he reversed course and sent Speaker John Boehner (R) of Ohio a letter of resignation.

Maybe he'll have an epiphany and come back in a few years crusading against drug sentencing disparities.

[Rich]

Excongresscreature Radel
Your feet are made of clay
And when you're dry and sober
Then Radel stay away!

[Outlaw]

If I were him I would've told them all to fuck off and that I didn't regret a thing.

That works better than whining and crying.

[Rich]

The Michael Phelps approach, eh?

[Outlaw]

Yep!

http://media.lolwall.co/c/2013.....-700x.jpeg

[General Butt Naked]

Hell yes.

"Cocaine built the state of Florida and I'm proud of my state. My opponents, on the other hand..."

[Apatheist ?_??]

Maybe he'll have an epiphany and come back in a few years crusading against drug sentencing disparities.

Or maybe he'll have a Patrick Kennedy style epiphany and come back in a few years being a raging hypocritical douche bag.

[Cdr Lytton]

You go to alcohol rehab after getting popped for coke?

[Agammamon]

Smartphone games and apps, such as Angry Birds, are an easy way for spy agencies like the NSA to snatch all kinds of personal information, according to previously undisclosed classified documents.

Well of course - smartphones app seem to ask, as default, for total control over the phone and complete access to all information stored on it. It would surprise me greatly if 'Candy Crush' or whatever *didn't* require you to allow it access to location data, phone status, the ability to make calls, take pictures/video, access to your contact list, along with full internet access (all the better to serve you with ads).

[Brett L]

Have the Kronies gone 'round here, yet? I've been actually working the last week or so.

[Auric Demonocles]

I have no idea what is going on there, but I think I will have to consult with Pro Lib about how dangerously close to our Khannected/Khantinued/Khanversation puns this place is going.

[Pro Libertate]

I knannot have that khanversation at this time.

[Auric Demonocles]

Aren't you the khansulting attorney for ST: TOC? Are you saying we need to hire a separate lawyer to handle IP lawsuits while you just stick to khantracts?

[Pro Libertate]

It's all a khanspiracy.

[Auric Demonocles]

Is this just a ploy to get khansideration for double salary?

[Pro Libertate]

Sorry, I can no longer khancatenate.

[PD Scott]

F1 cars to get turbos and advanced hybrid tech this year.

"At 1.6 liters, the new twin turbocharged V6 engines will generate 600 bhp, down 150 hp from the previous season. However, the loss of power through the gas powerplant will now be subsidized by new Energy Recover Systems (ERS)...With the new ERS system for 2014, drivers will not only have access to longer power bursts of 33 seconds, but double the power to the tune of 120 kW (160 bhp)."

Other cool details in the article.

[John]

How the hell do you get 600 hp out of a 1.6 liter engine? Some motorcycle engines are bigger than that.

[Mad Scientist]

Horsepower is a measure of how much torque you make over time. If you can spin the engine faster, you make more torque in the same period. They'll wind those tiny little things up to 20 grand and dial the boost pressure through the roof.

[John]

I know. It just amazes me that you can get an engine to rev that high without it exploding or burning up.

[np]

power = torque x rpm
or for english units: hp = lb-ft x rpm / 5252

The problem is that they make nothing down low. Not so much a problem in a racing environment, but for some perspective, dropping the clutch at 5,000 rpms, which is just about idle still stalls the car. Although now going hybrid, the torquey electric motor should help a lot in this regard.

[Fist of Etiquette]

A Florida constitutional amendment calling for medical marijuana will be decided by Florida voters in November now that the state Supreme Court ruled Monday that the proposed initiative and ballot summary aren't misleading.

I think Butterfly Ballot is a strain of ganja

[Fist of Etiquette]

And Florida Man is about to get more awesome.

[Floridian]

And Florida Man is about to get more awesome.

Is this a joke about how news articles start with "Florida man did X...."?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Yes, but the joke is not mine.

[PD Scott]

Things being developed by the Air Force: The Airborne Weapon Layer (I can't help but picture a giant, heavily armed chicken with deadly weapons emerging from its cloaca), the Next Generation Area Attack Weapon (evidently they're fanatic fans of the ST reboot) and the Anti-Jam Precision Guided Munition, which seems like an excessive thing to use on Dave Matthews.

[Brett L]

which seems like an excessive thing to use on Dave Matthews.

But Phish deserve what they get.

[Episiarch]

"Oh, I'm sorry. I lived through the 90s and had two ears attached to a heart."

[Fist of Etiquette]

Fans just call him Dave.

[Pro Libertate]

I just saw the latest NOVA on zeppelins. That's what we need--new zeppelins, with insanely tough skins, defensive lasers and missile systems, etc. I'd go whole hog with this. They could serve as drone carriers, too.

[PD Scott]

Pro L, I like the way you think.

[PD Scott]

It'd be cool if insanely rich libertarians could have their own personal lighter than air mansions.

[PD Scott]

"We have special lightweight binoculars so you can watch Occutards shaking their fists at you before you empty the dump tanks on them."

[Pro Libertate]

Ah, yes, the dumping of wastes. Hey, look, there's DC!

[Pro Libertate]

Yes, yes, instead of seasteading, skysteading. In zeppelins. Giant zeppelin communities of freedom.

[paranoid android]

We'll need a name, let's see, let's see...is "Columbia" taken?

[Pro Libertate]

I'd name each zeppelin after a Led Zeppelin song, but that's just me.

[Pro Libertate]

Or maybe Lib Zeppelin?

[hamilton]

1. You don't?
2. There are libertarians who aren't insanely rich? You're doing it wrong.

[PD Scott]

You're going to make me run off sobbing, and that's Thane's thing. So I shall take my relative poverty in stride and have my bearers carry me away from your hurtful comments. Good Day, Sir.

[Pro Libertate]

Even if you can't afford your own zeppelin, there are other options--fractional shares of a zeppelin, a zeppelin commune (same as the first, but with hippies), a balloon attached to a zeppelin, and so on.

[PD Scott]

zeppelin commune

"Hey man, let's get high while getting high!"

[Thane ? the booty]

that's Thane's thing

You remembered me!

*runs off sobbing tears of joy*

[Fist of Etiquette]

In his first television interview, Edward Snowden said he believes there are "significant threats" to his life...

Considering spooks have openly opined about killing him and Obama has his finger on the drone button, I would think so. Also, he's in Russia.

[Episiarch]

In Soviet Russia, threats spook you!

[Pro Libertate]

Is he going to the Winter Olympics? Sad that he'll be dying in a terrorist attack if he does.

[Fist of Etiquette]

IRONIC.

[Pro Libertate]

It will be. And, after he's been confirmed as killed by terrorist drones and his head examined on a pike on the Mall by medical experts from the CIA (to confirm that it's him), President Obama will, in a short speech to the nation, state that he was just about to pardon Snowden and welcome him back home.

[PD Scott]

"Clicked my pen and everything, but these uncooperative Republicans just distracted me with these uncalled for attacks... It's a tragedy which I blame solely on them."

[Outlaw]

The only reason he's alive is because he is in Russia and Putin loves rubbing it in Obama's impotent face.

The FSB would not take kindly to western spooks trying to rendition him or assassinating him.

[Pro Libertate]

That's why he's going to die at the Winter Olympics in a terrorist attack. Just a sad coincidence.

[PD Scott]

Biathlon accident. Terrible tragedy.

[Pro Libertate]

Yep, straight out of For Your Eyes Only. Except with drones. I mean, terrorists.

[Matrix]

Divorce father spent 2.5 years (sentence to 5 years) in prison for hurting a judge's feelings in a blog
If they took the kids away and put them in CPS's system, this man is correct that the judge is a child abuser.

[John]

Since when is lying about a judge the same as lying under oath? They threw the man in jail without any valid charge. That is straight out of Soviet Russia.

[paranoid android]

I'm trying to be outraged by this but the article is so scant on actual information I'm not sure what I'm looking at. It says he decided to "fight the court...instead of accepting a plea bargain". So they charged him with something and presumably there was some sort of trial, though the reporter clearly can't be bothered to give us any of that information.

So what did they charge him with? Isn't defamation typically a civil matter?

[John]

I looked it up. Making a threat. I can't find out how the case resulted. The last thing I could find was it being heard by the Indiana Supreme Court.

[Matrix]

Man runs into his burning home to save his XBox (does not say which gen)
Definitely has his priorities straight.

[np]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25861717

Some HSBC customers have been prevented from withdrawing large amounts of cash because they could not provide evidence of why they wanted it, the BBC has learnt.

So, before we let you have your money, what exactly are you gonna use it for?
... -__-'

[Andrew S.]

I know the usual suspects have seen that and said "OMG CURRENCY CRISIS WE'RE ALL DOOMED!". I see it as a natural extension of the already freedom-dooming restriction on deposits; I'm sure that kind of thing is headed to the US soon, because they want to keep up on our transactions. Too many of us, to the government, have gone completely cashless.

[np]

They're clamping down on any potential money laundering, aka financial privacy, everywhere

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Colorado high schooler immolates himself in cafeteria

A student at a suburban Denver high school set himself on fire in the school's cafeteria today and is in critical condition, authorities said.

A female teacher was treated for minor cuts when she broke a pane of glass to access a fire extinguisher and a school custodian used the extinguisher to put the fire out, Westminster Police Investigator Cheri Spottke told ABC News.

The student, who is 16 but otherwise not identified, is in critical condition with severe burns, Spottke said.

The incident happened at 7:12 a.m. in the cafeteria of Standley Lake High School in Westminster, Colo. Police said students were present in the cafeteria at the time, but none were injured.

The school released a statement saying in part, "A student sustained severe burns when he entered the school cafeteria and lit himself on fire. The student has been transported to an area hospital and is in critical condition. Our hearts and prayers go out the family and school community."

"At this time we do believe that this was a suicide attempt," Spottke said.

Investigators do not know why the boy set himself on fire, and are talking to his friends, school employees and his parents for clues, Spottke said. They are also reviewing surveillance video from inside the school cafeteria, police said.

Ban it.

[Rich]

Police would not comment on whether the boy said anything before lighting himself on fire, or if he had doused himself in gasoline or any other accelerant.

"Ongoing investigation"? FFS!

[Cdr Lytton]

Ongoing investigation is of the teacher and janitor. Were they authorized to use that extinguisher? Did they have the proper training and was it documented in their personnel files?

[trshmnstr]

"At this time we do believe that this was a suicide attempt," Spottke said.

Investigators do not know why the boy set himself on fire

Maybe because he was trying to kill himself?

[Thane ? the booty]

Maybe he was trying to imitate Toaster Steve.

...and I'm going to hell. Though I guess I would be anyway for being a dirty non-bleever.

[jesse.in.mb]

Wired: If You Used TorMail, the FBI Has Your Inbox

While investigating a hosting company known for sheltering child porn last year the FBI incidentally seized the entire e-mail database of a popular anonymous webmail service called TorMail.

Now the FBI is tapping that vast trove of e-mail in unrelated investigations.

There's some fun cloak-and-dagger shit about exploits and whatnot.

How convenient!

TorMail was the webmail provider of choice for denizens of the so-called Darknet of anonymous and encrypted websites and services, making the FBI's cache extraordinarily valuable. The affair also sheds a little more light on the already-strange story of the FBI's broad attack on Freedom Hosting, once a key service provider for untraceable websites.

Bring it ALL into the light, FBI. You can do it.

[Thane ? the booty]

I was going to say screw you, but then I noticed that you SF'd the link, making my later post of the same article superior.

[jesse.in.mb]

Blast! I forgot to include a link in the first thing I posted and then SF'd this one... It's a bad link day for jesse. I still beat you to the article.

[Thane ? the booty]

Here, maybe this will cheer you up. Or make you mad. Or just be trite. Hell, I dunno.

[jesse.in.mb]

Oh self-aggrandizing muscle queens.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Reich: Progressive tidal wave of reform blunted by cynicism towards government

When asked if they believe government will do the right thing most of the time, fewer than 20 percent of Americans agree. Fifty years ago, when that question was first asked on standard surveys, more than 75 percent agreed.

It's hard to get people worked up to change society or even to change a few laws when they don't believe government can possibly work.

You'd have to believe in a giant conspiracy to think this was all the doing of the forces in America most resistant to positive social change.

It's possible. of course, that they intentionally cut jobs and wages so much as to cow average workers, buried students under so much debt they'd never take to the streets, and made most Americans so cynical about government they wouldn't even try to for change.

But it's more likely they merely allowed all this to unfold...

Change is coming anyway. We cannot abide an ever-greater share of the nation's income and wealth going to the top while median household incomes continue too drop, one out of five of our children living in dire poverty, and big money taking over our democracy.

At some point, working people, students, and the broad public will have had enough. They will reclaim our economy and our democracy.

I also like how he complains students aren't radical enough.

[John]

And people being cynical about government is in no way the result of the manifest failure of prog policies. No, it is just because of the evil Kochs brainwashing people.

[PD Scott]

Seriously, little Robbie Reich, 50 years ago was before Watergate, COINTELPRO, MK-Ultra, etc. and the rest of the Church Committee findings showed how messed up and out of control our government was. Does he think just because we can file FOIA act requests now that we should trust them?

Oh, wait, the "right people" are in charge, so yes, of course. Totally different technocrat liberals now than the ones who ran all that bad stuff back in the Sixties and Seventies.

[John]

A didn't Reich's generation spend their entire youth explaining how you couldn't trust anyone over 30 and how the government was evil?

Oh yeah, that was before they got in power. Now it is totally different.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

I also like how he complains students aren't radical enough.

True radicalism consists of doing what rich schlubs like Reich tell you to do.

[Pro Libertate]

Yes, Herr Reich, change is coming.

[General Butt Naked]

Gawd, if only.

Will it be in between the 600, or so, bud light commercials during the super bowl?

[Red Rocks Rockin]

At some point, working people, students, and the broad public will have had enough. They will reclaim our economy and our democracy.

If that happens, I suspect it won't work out quite like Reich expects.

I also like how he complains students aren't radical enough.

He does have a point there, although he doesn't really understand why. I suspect a lot of those students are suffering through the dissonance of getting cornholed with increasing tuition by the schools, while their professors are telling them that corporations and libertarians are to blame for everything bad--all while going to schools which have facilities that would make a Beverly Hills housewife envious.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Yes, because students should be entrusted to steer us.

What, with all their life experiences and penchant to give into short term considerations.

They're the last group I'd want a revolution to start with.

[General Butt Naked]

When asked if they believe government will do the right thing most of the time, fewer than 20 percent of Americans agree. Fifty years ago, when that question was first asked on standard surveys, more than 75 percent agreed.

That's what you get after 50 years of the government's growing, insatiable, sadistic altruism. STOP HELPING!

[Pro Libertate]

Yeah, how can you miss the causal relationship here? If someone slaps me enough, I may stop going back for the next slap. Because the shit hurts.

[Juice]

Everyone talks about student loans as if they were mandatory.

[playa manhattan]

OT: I just finished watching "Jim Jones: Journey Into Madness". It is alarming to think about how many of the people involved are still getting elected by the people of CA 35 years later.

[Episiarch]

Weren't several current politicians big buddies of Jim's?

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Jerry Brown praised Jones, as did Harvey Milk, Mayor George Moscone, and some other San Francisco bigwigs.

Amazing how that gets whitewashed.

[Episiarch]

Whitewashed? It literally doesn't even exist any more.

[John]

Pelosi and Feinstein were both Friends of Jim's back in the day. It all got put down the memory hole. Whenever it is talked about today, the media just calls it "the People's Temple" and talk about how Jones was a "preacher". They make it sound like he was some evangelical rather than the insane Marxist he was.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Just how evil is California?

[John]

NoCAL in the late 60s and 70s was massively evil. There is a reason why Woodstock and Altemont turned out so differently. And it wasn't just because of the Hell's Angels.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

As a young person it seems very surreal for me to think that 40 years ago there were Maoist guerrilla groups running around the Bay Area committing acts of terrorism and murder.

[Episiarch]

Why don't you just get the fuck off our lawn already?

[playa manhattan]

Feinstein big time also, plus Carter and Mondale.

[Apatheist ?_??]

I believe Pelosi and Feinstein among others.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Add Willie Brown to that list as well. Him and Milk were hardcore Jones acolytes. Brown himself called Jones a combination of Martin King, Angela Davis, Albert Einstein and Chairman Mao.

[John]

He got the Mao part right. So there is that.

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Get your latest anti-gun talking points right here: Every day in America, 20 children are injured by firearms

Every day in the United States, about 20 children are injured by firearms and require hospitalization, according to new research.

The research said that in 2009, there were 7,391 hospitalizations of victims under the age of 20 and that six percent of those admitted die as a result of their injuries.

"This study is a stark reminder of the devastating effects of gun violence," said Adam Winkler, a law professor at UCLA and author of the book Gunfight. "Too often, we focus only on the number of people who die from gun violence. But so many who escape death also suffer lifelong injuries."

The study says assaults accounted for the majority of hospitalizations, while the fewest were suicide attempts. Suicide attempts were the most likely to result in death.

The most common types of firearm injuries were open wounds (52 percent); fractures (50 percent); and internal injuries of the thorax, abdomen or pelvis (34 percent), according to the study.

Those injured by guns often require further treatment once they're out of the hospital, the study said. This could include "rehabilitation, home health care, hospital readmission from delayed effects of the injury, and mental health or social services."

[Rich]

I trust Voice of America is beaming that straight into fucking Syria.

[Killaz]

Not a penny in the budget to spare.

[paranoid android]

Every day in the United States, about 20 children are injured by firearms and require hospitalization, according to new research.

The research said that in 2009, there were 7,391 hospitalizations of victims under the age of 20 and that six percent of those admitted die as a result of their injuries.

So what I take from this is that everyone under the age of 20 is officially a "child".

[Rich]

Better make it under the age of *26*.

[Juice]

It counts for insurance.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

20 out of whatever they represent out of 310 million people? Tiny.

[hamilton]

According to this link, in 2010 there were 17.2 million ER visits that resulted in inpatient admission. 47,123 per day.

[paranoid android]

After we bans guns, we have to get right on banning whatever is causing those other 47,103 daily hospitalizations.

[Brett L]

The study says assaults accounted for the majority of hospitalizations, while the fewest were suicide attempts

So instead we'd rather have knife and club wounds?

[Thane ? the booty]

If You Used This Secure Webmail Site, the FBI Has Your Inbox

While investigating a hosting company known for sheltering child porn last year the FBI incidentally seized the entire e-mail database of a popular anonymous webmail service called TorMail.

...

The bureau's data windfall, seized from a company called Freedom Hosting, surfaced in court papers last week when prosecutors indicted a Florida man for allegedly selling counterfeit credit cards online. ...they found that orders for forged cards were being sent to a TorMail e-mail account...

Acting on that lead in September, the FBI obtained a search warrant for the TorMail account, and then accessed it from the bureau's own copy of "data and information from the TorMail e-mail server, including the content of TorMail e-mail accounts,"...

...There's no indication that the FBI searched the trove for incriminating evidence before getting a warrant. But now that it has a copy of TorMail's servers, the bureau can execute endless search warrants on a mail service that once boasted of being immune to spying.

I was really disappointed by the lack of skepticism about this on HN. You had a whole bunch of "Well, they got a warrant, what's the problem?" as if the FBI fishing for "crimes" and then getting a warrant after-the-fact (parallel construction) is unfathomable.

[hamilton]

The research said that in 2009, there were 7,391 hospitalizations of victims under the age of 20

Hm. I'd sure like to see a pareto of those to see how many of these "children" are in the, say, 15-20 category as opposed to the 0-6 category.

[hamilton]

Dammit, that was a response to ASM (or GMSM)'s comment above.

[Thane ? the booty]

Twenty children are injured by P Brooks every day.

[hamilton]

Yeah, there's a few orders of magnitude separating a statistic from a hobby.

[jesse.in.mb]

Let's do this!

State lawmakers are considering throwing out marriage in Oklahoma.

The idea stems from a bill filed by Rep. Mike Turner (R-Edmond). Turner says it's an attempt to keep same-sex marriage illegal in Oklahoma while satisfying the U.S. Constitution. Critics are calling it a political stunt while supporters say it's what Oklahomans want.

This Turner fellow sounds like a spiteful piece of shit, but I hope he's successful. It'd be interesting to have a politically viable third way on gay marriage.

Kiesel says prohibiting all marriage is new territory. In fact, the ACLU was unable to find an example of where a state has ever tried to ban all marriage. Kiesel believes the entire idea just boils down to politics.

What are the odds that poor wording is going to fuck up somebody's day in unexpected ways since they're discussing banning instead of not recognizing.

[Bam!]

Why the hell is the state involved in marriage to begin with?

[Apatheist ?_??]

Yes, this is a good example of doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. Though the dude does look really young for a politician, maybe he believed in getting government out of marriage already.

[Auric Demonocles]

I really doubt they're going to word it in any way that actually bans marriage. I'm not sure how you would even do that.

[Brett L]

What are the odds that poor wording is going to fuck up somebody's day in unexpected ways since they're discussing banning instead of not recognizing.

It looks like they're going to recognize any marriage performed by a an ordained minister. Although a friend has been trying to find the text of the Amendment and as yet, it doesn't appear to exist.

[Warty]

Well, fuck, I'm an ordained minister. I'm gonna marry me the shit out of some Okie perverts.

[Mad Scientist]

There are other qualifications for being ordained besides diddling Epi.

[Warty]

Name one.

[Thane ? the booty]

Having one of those plastic things in your collar

[jesse.in.mb]

Ooh, I am too! I need to figure out what I did with my paperwork...

You can never be prepared enough for a vampire/hellspawn apocalypse!

[Coeus]

"A servant of God can bless the tap water and turn it into a weapon"

[jesse.in.mb]

I think the article said it was just shell bill that could be modified whenever and they're waiting on a few rulings to come down the pipe, so there probably isn't any text yet, just Turner spitballing.

[Rich]

"Poor wording" is a given for most legislation.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

Be pretty sweet if that went anywhere.

[PD Scott]

"When marriage is outlawed only outlaws will have in-laws."

[Andrew S.]

2nd grand jury in Charlotte has indicted the cop that murdered the unarmed former football player.

Indictment is for voluntary manslaughter. Usual suspects are displeased over the indictment.

[Killaz]

That is good news.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Meritocracy is just another word for privilege:

GitHub's Julie Ann Horvath, a designer who also founded the company's all-female lecture series Passion Projects, said the rug first became a problem when photos of it made their way into feminist discussions online.

[John]

At this point "Progressivism" is really just an ideology for various losers who want success without actually doing anything.

[Episiarch]

You certainly have earned the title of the worst, so don't go talking shit about meritocracy.

[Killaz]

She is just securing that title for all time.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Exactly. With my libertarian-pussy privilege.

[Episiarch]

Can you teach me how to fake it? Please?

[Thane ? the booty]

How to fake libertarian-pussy privilege?

Ask HM, maybe he has contacts in Thailand that can fix you up.

[Warty]

Just tuck your junk in between your legs, dude. Don't you know anything? "Would you fuck me? I'd fuck me."

[Episiarch]

Why am I unsurprised you went right to Buffalo Bill? Do you put the lotion on your skin?

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Christ, Epi. You can't just go getting privilege for yourself. It's not like anyone asks for it. Just like I never asked to be the worst, and yet there I was.

[Episiarch]

You were born to be the worst, nicole. That's a terrible example. You're like the Neo of worst.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

It's fucked up that Neo isn't the Neo of worst, actually, dude.

Now I'm sad.

[Episiarch]

Watch the third Matrix movie and say that again. I dare you.

[Cdr Lytton]

They made a third movie? Next you'll tell me George Lucas made more Star Wars movies after Empire Strike Back.

[trshmnstr]

something, something, rug slang for female anatomy joke.

I wouldn't want to come off as privileged, so i'm just phoning it in today.

[Warty]

Octopus, fish, something something, smell, something, whatever. I don't care anymore.

[Thane ? the booty]

Oh my fucking god these people are insufferable.

And the CEO should have just spilled ink or paint or something on it and discreetly replaced it. Or not replaced it at all, preferably.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

So late-term abortion provider Brigham is yet another name in the growing list of folks who runs what amounts to chop shops, endangering woman and infant alike:

The list of accusations against Brigham is dizzying: advertising cut-rate fees to attract poor clients and hitting them with a bunch of hidden charges when they show up for care, replacing effective abortion medications with cheaper ones that leave patients sick and often still-pregnant, using unqualified and underpaid staff, performing later term abortions without proper training, and maintaining unsanitary conditions.

But I think we all know the real problem here: right-wingers and their relentless shaming.

Greedy, unscrupulous doctors don't just exploit the fact that demand for abortion remains high while the number of quality providers is declining. They also realize that the constant drumbeat of shame aimed at women who seek abortion means they can treat patients terribly without worrying too much about complaints.

1) "Drumbeat of shame"? Helluva botched metaphor, English major.

2) What does "shaming" have to do with quality of service at a medical institute? There's a lot of "fat shaming" out there too, but I don't see too many Kermit Gosnells working the lipo.

[John]

But we can't regulate them based on an anecdote. We can regulate every other activity based on the acts of a few criminals. But abortion is different.

[Killaz]

I'm going to Walgreens, hun. Need me to pick anything up? Toilet paper, maxipads, a copy of Cosmo, what is that again, RU-482? Got a pen, I'll probably need to write this all down.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

Here's a thought: if you weren't smart enough to get an early abortion when they are safer and cheaper, then maybe you weren't going to be a savvy shopper when it comes to choosing between the "responsible" late-term abortionists and the Kermit Gosnells of the world.

[John]

Or that anyone who would want a late term abortion, absent dire medical need, in which case they would already be under the care of a physician, is probably pretty fucked up to begin with.

Think about all of the pregnant women you have known. Now imagine one of them deciding on an abortion at 8 months. It would be pretty fucked up wouldn't it?

[The Immaculate Trouser]

I do know some women who decided to get abortions at that time or a little earlier (~7 months). To a person, they either are really fucked up, or are people who are now put together but who describe how they were at the time as being fucked up.

[Killaz]

It's about shopping list shame, don't put such a heavy burden on it, man!

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

So did anyone watch Starz' new pirate show 'Black Sails'? It actually wasn't bad. Beautiful scenery, decent acting that only looks slightly second-rate compared to Game of Thrones, and lots of naked women, including lesbian pirates.

On that last note I wonder if they'll show the gayer side of pirates.

[jesse.in.mb]

On that last note I wonder if they'll show the gayer side of pirates.

Confused. Is there another side?

I wonder how much pirate porn is around...you could really hit '90s German porn levels with pirate themed stuff.

[Episiarch]

If pirates are gay, I don't want to be straight any more.

(puts gay parrot on shoulder)

[The Immaculate Trouser]

The parrot is female, not gay you idiot. They hang out in the Caribbean sipping Mai Tais, talking about shoes and dishing on the cute rentboys with their gay pirate bffs.

You clearly know nothing about gay pirate culture, poseur.

[Episiarch]

To quote Stripes, I am willing to learn.

Recruiter: Now, are either of you homosexuals?

John Winger: [John and Russell look at each other] You mean, like, flaming, or...

Recruiter: Well, it's a standard question we have to ask.

Russell Ziskey: No, we're not homosexual, but we are *willing to learn*.

[The Immaculate Trouser]

You know you're never gonna be the worst ever if you go around quoting good movies, right?

[Pro Libertate]

Lighten up, Francis.

[Marshall Gill]

John Winger: Yeah, could they send us some place special?

[Pro Libertate]

It's not gay. I mean, yes, there are lot of men and hardly any women, and yes, they wear poofy shirts and drink girly drinks and talk funny and go on about manly manliness and sing a lot of songs. . . .

Maybe it is gay.

[Homple]

I want to sing and dance
I want to sing and dance
I want to be a pirate in the Pirates of Penzance...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TunwAqnZm4g

[Apatheist ?_??]

Is it basically decently acted and produced softcore porn like the Spartacus series? Because if so I'll need to watch it.

[MJGreen]

Just watching the Spartacus series now. Still on the first season, but it is pretty damn good.

And very easy to sympathize with Spartacus's need to find his wife. Damn.

[Apatheist ?_??]

It was very good. Actually my favorite season was the prequel season they did while the actor playing Spartacus had cancer and then when he died (so they had to find a replacement). No Spartacus in that season but after watching the first it was cool to go back and see the backstory of the other gladiators plus adding in Gannicus. I definitely suggest watching the prequel season in the same order they were shown on tv, between seasons 1 and 2 because it sets stuff up for the rest of the seasons.

[Thane ? the booty]

I just want to point out, regarding that horrendously stupid article about GitHub posted above, that the fact that more women or minorities could have or even should have entered the tech industry (because of discrimination or, more realistically, bullying by other women [and sometimes even other members of the same minority]) doesn't mean an individual company is not meritocratic. It doesn't matter if the labor pool is 95% male or 50% male; what matters is hiring and promotion criteria.

[John]

Stop it with your mansplaining Thane.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Shut up, I can tell you're just looking at my booty when you talk to me anyway.

[Episiarch]

Appropriate.

[Thane ? the booty]

Hey, I'm just sizing it up, seeing how it rates.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Well as long as the results are merit-based, I'm okay with it.

[Thane ? the booty]

Well, actually, I discriminate heavily against white booties.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Some booties are only white in color, you know.

[Episiarch]

nicole seems to be forgetting how swarthy she is. That's a spicy meat-a-ball!

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Yeah, I only have partial white privilege, degree dependent on who you ask.

[Thane ? the booty]

Some booties are only white in color, you know.

That would seem to imply that I'm looking for big booties.

[Calidissident]

"That would seem to imply that I'm looking for big booties."

Is there any other kind?

[Thane ? the booty]

Asian booties.

[Calidissident]

All girls have butts. Not all of them have booties (that Pitbull song notwithstanding), if you get what I'm saying

[Thane ? the booty]

So, you're saying I don't ? the booty?

[Grand Moff Serious Man]

Is this your ringtone, Thane?

[Thane ? the booty]

I don't really have a mental image of what an archetypal "mulatto butt" is like.

[Calidissident]

I'm saying your username is indeed misleading.

[Sidd Finch]

Borat's brother has made it pretty fucking clear that from birth girls are on average more empathetic and boys are more systematic. What's so bad about that? Isn't that, like, diversity and isn't that supposed to be a good thing?

[Thane ? the booty]

But that's beside the point. With or without inborn dispositions toward certain skills or behavior, if, as a whole, society discourages women from entering tech (and it does), that's a cultural problem, not a problem with the industry that's picking from the available talent.

I mean, FFS, every year medium- and large-sized tech companies pour millions of dollars into making women and minorities into tech workers. It's not as if they're saying "well, we should just work with what's out there, regardless of any prejudices that made the labor pool as it is" -- which would be a perfectly valid course of action!!! -- they're actively trying to mold the labor pool into something more like what the SJWs want!