Carney Following Shinseki Out the Door in D.C., Clinton Defends Benghazi Response in Book, Ban Lifted on Using Medicare to Pay for Sex Change Surgery: P.M. Links

• 

  Credit: Talk Radio News Service / photo on flickr

  Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is resigning amid the massive scandal about delays in medical care and its cover up, to the surprise of probably few. However, the White House also announced Press Secretary Jay Carney will also be stepping down, leaving Josh Earnest as his replacement to stand before the White House press corps and explain why he can't answer any of their questions.

• Hillary Clinton's forthcoming book, Hard Choices, has a chapter devoted to the deadly consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya, where she defends the State Department's response and complains about the politicization of the incident.
• The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the end of a 30-year ban on allowing Medicare to help fund sex reassignment surgery for transgender people.
• The Obama Administration is streamlining the rules for the export of liquefied natural gas while at the same time planning a major crackdown on pollution from coal plants. Winners of government regulations, meet losers of government regulations.
• A meeting of officials to announce reforms to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been canceled with no explanation.
• Southwest Airlines was fined for advertising cheap flights to three cities but then not actually offering any seats at that fare rate. Southwest says the inclusion of those cities in the ads was a mistake.

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Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

However, the White House also announced Press Secretary Jay Carney will also be stepping down...

I'm sure he will transition seamlessly back into, um, journalism.

[Sudden]

You sumbish

[Fist of Etiquette]

You work blue, reason doesn't give you the top spot.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Hello.

For Raven Nation:

Let's go Rangers. Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Let's go Rangers.

[Sudden]

They're all gonna be sacrificial lambs for the resurgent Blackhawks.

I'm half tempted to buy tickets to tonight's game...

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Ooo, I don't know Sudden. The Kings look a notch the better. And that's saying a lot given Chicago's class.

It will be awfully hard. It will take a supreme effort to win three against this bunch.

[Sudden]

Kane finally looked like he's back in it last game, what with his three assists in the first period.

And if these Kings could take four straight against a better (albeit routinely choking in the playoffs) Sharks squad, we can take three in a row off of them.

Remember, this Kings team looked altogether pedestrian during the middle of the season. So long as Kane continues to show up and Crawford stops beating himself up, we have as good a chance as any.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

If you wear that fucking shirt again, so help me god.

(He fucked up our entire dinner on Wednesday by wearing a Blackhawks T-shirt.)

[Sudden]

You're a goddamn libertarian, playa.

WE BOW TO NO KINGS!

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

*applause*

I fear the Hawks used everything up, just to get to this point.

[flye]

Tonight is another chance to ask my friend, a Kings fan, "Why does the crowd keep chanting 'No means no!' -- was someone date raped?"

[Sudden]

I will be using that line without attribution. Thank you good sir.

[Mickey Rat]

Yes, Rangers, please go...to hell.

[Sudden]

Hillary Clinton's forthcoming book, Hard Choices, has a chapter devoted to the deadly consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya, where she defends the State Department's response and complains about the politicization of the incident.

Incidentally the same working title as hubby Bill's memoirs.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

That one probably should have been Which Chubby Should I Chase?

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

OK, all of 'em!

/Bubba

[WDATPDIM?!]

I'm really bummed that she didn't name the book after me.

[Pro Libertate]

You know, one problem the Clintons have is that they don't have the adaptability (or perhaps she never had it) they once did. Bill shifted to practically a Republican when the landslide happened in 1994. That's flexibility.

Now, Hillary is trying the same bullshit about "a vast rightwing conspiracy." Sure, the true-believers will believe it because that's what they do, but a whole lot of the country won't.

She's toast and, I believe, has no chance at the nomination. Which presents a question: Who will it be?

[Cytotoxic]

She keeps pulling away in the polls, way ahead of everybody else...granted this is the same situation as in 2008.

[Pro Libertate]

This is actually fairly common in the lead up. But how often have we seen relatively minor figures get the nomination?

I didn't think she would get it, anyway, but there's just too much dirt--the party may even start looking actively for an alternative. And, despite some silly talk, it won't be anyone like Warren.

[C. Anacreon]

Medicare to help fund Shinseki reassignment surgery?

Wait, I think I read that wrong.

[JW]

He's pre-op shinola.

[Sudden]

The waiting list at the VA was too long.

[Army of the 12 Monkeys]

Well played, Sudden.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The Obama Administration is streamlining the rules for the export of liquefied natural gas while at the same time planning a major crackdown on pollution from coal plants.

Green energy, you win some and you lose some.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

NatGas was green up until fracking made it cost effective, then it became verboten.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Why do you think the 'King of Natural Gas', John Arnold, has been a longtime Obama supporter?

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Crony Capitalism.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Call it that if you want. Rational people know that natgas is the only bridge fuel there is.

[PapayaSF]

So then the left half (at least) of the Democratic party isn't rational. I agree.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Fuck off, idiot.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Don't you have a uniform to don?

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Hey Weigel.

[fish]

Don't you have a uniform to don?

How do those kneepads feel Dave? Comfy....?

[Corning]

Why do you think the 'King of Natural Gas', John Arnold, has been a longtime Obama supporter?

Cuz letting interest rates rise and deflation would lower commodity prices.

Thanks Obama for $4 a gallon gasoline in a market awash in oil and natural gas.

[Pro Libertate]

Yes, just how are gas prices so high with us producing so much energy now?

[PapayaSF]

One reason: no large and economical way to turn natural gas into gasoline.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

"The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the end of a 30-year ban on allowing Medicare to help fund sex reassignment surgery for transgender people."

Awkard phrasing.

Why not, "The Department of Health and Human Services today announced that qualified transgender people will be able to get gender assignment surgery paid for under Medicare. This reverses a 30-year policy against such payments."

[Invisible Finger]

Purposeful phrasing.

30 years ago was Reagan who hates teh queerz.

This way we can pretend the original decision had nothing to so with cutting spending.

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

allowing Medicare to help

Medicare is a living breathing thing! It takes independent action, has desires, and needs to help!

[Drake]

"The Department of Health and Human Services today announced that they found something else to waste your money on - sex changes."

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I am a beautiful person trapped in an ugly body...

May I assume my cosmetic surgery is covered?

[Bobarian]

It's just surgery, not miracle working.

[110 Lean]

You know, for the last two or three weeks I've been thinkng about changing my handle to Most of Us are Homely.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

What does 110 lean mean anyway? Are you a dude?

BTW, most of the SoCal Reasonoids are pretty good looking. We can't seem to figure out why.

[Brett L]

Its a pro-anorexia handle, probably.

[110 Lean]

It's an homage to a dog I had that died about a year ago. Lab -Newfoundland mix. He weighed 110 pounds and was very lean. I often wondered if he was underweight, but the vets would always say that his weight was ideal. Great dog too. He was eight when I got him from the pound. He had been neglected and abused all of those eight years. His previous owners would not let him indoors (in Minnesota!) and would beat the shit out of him if he tried to come in. I always wondered why he didn't turn around and kill them, because he was perfectly able to do so. But he didn't because he was just so good-natured and sweet. For the first week I had him, I had to literally drag him into the house after every piss/dump, which wasn't easy. In my house, he lived like a king for another four-and-a-half years. Never had a better dog.

[Brandon]

Jessie is the exception?

[jesse.in.mb]

Jessie is the exception?

Hurtful, Brandon. It's one thing when I make fun of myself for being a fatty, it's totally different when you do it.

*runs sluggishly from room sobbing*

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

Jessie is the king of false modesty.

I think Francisco does it too, but I'm not sure what he looks like.

[Auric Demonocles]

I don't see how they can say this purely cosmetic, purely elective surgery is fine, but a nosejob isn't.

[Dweebston]

Because political patronage is political?

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Medicare ain't broke, it's just being starved by all of the rich people.

[JW]

Nothing a that emergency walletectomy wouldn't fix.

[Apatheist ?_??]

How many seniors are actually now, after a long life, deciding on this kind of surgery?

[Fist of Etiquette]

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is resigning amid the massive scandal about delays in medical care and its cover up, to the surprise of probably few.

His inability to shine that turd was his undoing.

[Brett L]

Apparently, he's the only guy in the Administration honest enough not to have blackmail info read to go.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Hillary Clinton's forthcoming book, Hard Choices, has a chapter devoted to the deadly consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya, where she defends the State Department's response and complains about the politicization of the incident.

The pages in that chapter are stuck together in Weigel/PBPlug's copy.

[Injun, as in from India]

Criticism = Politicization.
Praise = Honest Opinion.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

Has anyone said this already:

Snowden had to leak the information, otherwise how could Obama have read about it in the paper?

[Injun, as in from India]

LOL

[Brett L]

Slate's pearl clutching about Amazon partners selling prescription drugs to people.

but I found other prescription drugs for sale without a prescription, including the antibiotic norfloxacin and the muscle relaxant methocarbamol. Both compounds, like clindamycin, warrant careful oversight to avoid complications or endangering public health, such as by breeding antibiotic resistance.

[Tonio]

Don't tell Slate, but you can buy most drugs OTC in Mexico, and in many other countries. Team Control has to control.

[Brett L]

I'm cruising Amazon right now to find out what the best "energy" supplement sold by partners is by rating.

[Brett L]

For instance, I'm pretty sure that this (Acetyl L-carnitine )is meth precursor.

[Sudden]

I would recommend removing any and all infants and playpens from your house with all deliberate haste.

[Brett L]

You think I'd search this shit at home?

[Brett L]

More seriously, anyone who maims my child in his own home and tells me it is my fault better have their will current. Totally worth life in prison for.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

C'mon. You're smart enough to get away with it.

[Sudden]

I should open up a silk road hitman business to help grieving parents of police misconduct.

[Brett L]

"Just cover my expenses"

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

"Have Gun. Will Travel" read the card of a (libertarian hit) man.

[Tonio]

More likely summary execution.

[Brett L]

Although this (lab-grade caffeine) is probably the most effective.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

Already in my pantry. Way more precise than 7-11 coffee.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

$5.70 for 100 tabs. Not bad. Thanks.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

My gift to you: A Gentlemen's Guide to Rape Culture. Have at, and have fun. I know you will. There is far too much gold for me to mine on my own.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

I don't know about you, but I don't spend much of my life feeling vulnerable. I've come to learn that women spend most of their social lives with ever-present, unavoidable feelings of vulnerability. Stop and think about that. Imagine always feeling like you could be at risk, like you were living with glass skin.

DON'T BREAK ME, GUYS!

[Mad Scientist]

Is that safety glass? Because no one wants shards flying about.

[jesse.in.mb]

In the words of RuPaul: "Bitch, you need to get stronger. If you're upset by something I said, you have bigger problems than you think."

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Having glass skin is a big problem.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Shorter Ru:

Squat more.

[Ted S.]

I've come to learn that women spend most of their social lives with ever-present, unavoidable feelings of vulnerability.

They're worried some other woman has bought a better pair of shoes.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

WHERE, WHERE IS SHE AND HOW HOT ARE THEY

[jesse.in.mb]

Jesus, Ted. Do you think tranq darts grow on trees?

[Ted S.]

It's not as if she's physically in our presence.

[Iucundus (ex Damned Fool)]

No more rough sex then. I don't want shards in my dick.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Great, so you turn our natural vulnerability into just another way to hurt us. So othering.

[Sudden]

Any time a woman tells me I'm othering her, my eyes light up with glee realizing that she wants to be the other woman.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

General Hatzianestis thought his legs were made of glass. Maybe that's why he helped lose the Greco-Turkish War in 1922, for which loss he was shot.

Source: Athens: A Cultural and Literary History (Cities of the Imagination), by Michael Llewellyn Smith, 2004, p. 150

[MJGreen]

Go to any club in America, and you'll find all of the women cowering in fear.

[Corning]

$100 says this guy opposes woman owning hand guns.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Because when it comes to assessing a man, whatever one man is capable of, a woman must presume you are capable of. Unfortunately, that means all men must be judged by our worst example. If you think that sort of stereotyping is bullshit, how do you treat a snake you come across in the wild?

But no, of course you can't judge women by their worst example! I swear we won't all entrap you with babies!

[Almanian!]

Unfortunately, that means all men must be judged by our worst example.

So, of course, that means all women must be...what? Oh - that's different? WHAT?

[Brett L]

Stop using logic against them, you know it is womens' kryptonite.

[Auric Demonocles]

He's just almansplaining.

[MJGreen]

Nicole already said that! Stop appropriating womyn's snark!

[EdWuncler]

Wow...what sort of demented mind could justify this line of thinking?

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Unfortunately, that means all men must be judged by our worst example. If you think that sort of stereotyping is bullshit, how do you treat a snake you come across in the wild?

Paging Mark Cuban.....

[Slammer]

Whenever I see someone in an NBA jersey I cross to the other side of the street.

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

Whenever I see an NBA owner, I cross to the other side of the street.

[Ted S.]

If you think that sort of stereotyping is bullshit, how do you treat a snake you come across in the wild?

It depends on what sort of snake it is. I came across a small garter snake that didn't move as I approached, so I took a long stick and poked at it. The thing tried to jump up several inches as though it wanted to attack me, but the stick was longer than the snake and eventually the snake slithered away quite rapidly.

[Auric Demonocles]

I tried to pick up a snake while hiking last weekend (using a stick), but he ran away before I could.

[Brett L]

This. I saw a little black snake on a walk in the woods last weekend. I shooed him off the trail because my wife was like to shit herself. And nothing else happened!

[LynchPin1477]

I was in an outdoor wedding and a moderately sized black snake appeared in the walkway. I picked it up by the tail and tossed in the trees nearby. I'm not sure how that justifies treating me like a rapist. Can someone help me out?

[JW]

The snake is only symbolic of you deep-seated hatred of your own latent homosexuality. The woods, to you, represents a primitive mechanism for hiding from predators and hence your own sexuality. You need to embrace these feelings for the good of femmunity.

Wait, what was the question?

[Mad Scientist]

You know that snake went home and told all the other snakes about your micro-agressions against him.

[Brett L]

I'm a blatant sapien culture purveyor as well!

[LynchPin1477]

Well, I know what the local poisonous snakes look like, so I treat any snakes I come across with curiosity and respect.

[Iucundus (ex Damned Fool)]

Because when it comes to assessing a man black person, whatever one man black is capable of, a woman must presume you are capable of. Unfortunately, that means all men black people must be judged by our worst example. If you think that sort of stereotyping is bullshit, how do you treat a snake you come across in the wild?

Please report to the lethal injection chamber immediately, Mr. Burnett. Time to judge you for Anthony Sowell's murders.

[Slammer]

It's telling she used a "snake" as an example. Heh.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

It's written by a dude, FYI. It's a "by a dude, for dudes" thing.

[Slammer]

Coulda fucking fooled me.

[Brett L]

"What we got here, little sister, is a prime specimen of Alabama black-snake, and it is not too damn beau-coup."

[Almanian!]

* slaps Brett's hand - takes Baby San *

"I'll skip the foreplay...."

[JW]

Damn your speedy fingers, Brett.

[Brett L]

The hive mind arrives at the same conclusion, just with differing latencies.

[Sudden]

I'm tempted to quote the infamous Mother line that follows that, but I think that may be certified crimethink now.

[Tonio]

It was quoted here the other day, but is...risky.

[Tonio]

Because men are exactly like snakes.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Ah, now we see the collectivism inherent in the system!

[JW]

I thought we were dogs? Or do only the brothers get slapped with that?

[JW]

Too beaucoup! Too beaucoup!

[#]

Imagine if inserted "black man" into that paragraph instead.

[Corning]

how do you treat a snake you come across in the wild?

In the wild?

If it rattles i keep out of its range...if it rattles and is in my yard i put a spade through its neck.

[Medical Physics Guy]

I got through half a page and feel like I was just scolded and lectured to by a middle schooler.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

You got farther than I.

I just can't deal with this victim bullshit anymore.

[110 Lean]

Francisco d'Anconia, bullshit victim.

[Mad Scientist]

Great, now we're going to have to hear his bullshit victim bullshit.

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

Does that make us victims now, too?

[C. Anacreon]

feel like I was just scolded and lectured to by a middle schooler.

Hey! My son is in middle school. Give those kids some credit, they don't say things nearly this stupid.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Shorter Hornaday: Men, other than George Clooney, forgetting their place is "rape culture":

In a final videotaped message, a sad reflection of the sexist stories we so often see on screen
...How many men, raised on a steady diet of Judd Apatow comedies in which the shlubby arrested adolescent always gets the girl, find that those happy endings constantly elude them and conclude, "It's not fair"?...

[Dweebston]

The shlubby antiheroes in Apatow comedies are mostly well-meaning but dimwitted men who, by the end of the film, clean up, get a button-up-shirt-and-tie job, and prove their worth to the women they "get."

This is clearly problematic. What are we teaching our young men?

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

It's... it's... beautiful!

/face melts

[Fist of Etiquette]

A meeting of officials to announce reforms to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been canceled with no explanation.

Bridge traffic.

[Brett L]

Men are the primary agents and sustainers of rape culture.

Unless you count the fact that 89% of the juvenile rape and sexual abuse reported by kids in government custody is female abusers raping male victims.

[Fist of Etiquette]

WHY ARE YOU TELL ME THIS?

[Drake]

Were the Port Authority officials raped? I have to admit to mixed feelings on that one.

[Invisible Finger]

I suppose the idea of Rape Culture suggests that another person is controlling another's "port".

[Almanian!]

+1 "entryway"

[Brett L]

Shit, wrong place.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

You may as well have fucking raped me, Brett.

[Almanian!]

Well, at least it wasn't rape rape...

[Brett L]

I wish I could care, but rape culture prevents it.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

I know. But that doesn't make it not your fault.

[Almanian!]

No, no - that's TOTES the right place...

[Sudden]

No, this is "shit, wrong place."

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

How dare you.

[Juice]

I thought space docking involved two men and their foreskins.

[jesse.in.mb]

Yeah, when someone originally referenced it, I thought it was a futuristic version of "docking," but apparently not.

[jesse.in.mb]

So rape culture is a sustaine

All I got from that is that a rapey culture is a sustainable culture.

What's not to like?

[Auric Demonocles]

While I doubt the validity of it, John's theory on this subject was interesting.

[Iucundus (ex Damned Fool)]

Theory please.

[Auric Demonocles]

You'd have to ask John to get the whole, properly laid out thing, but the premise was basically that the rise in grown women screwing young boys is partially driven by the movement to make women more in control and to turn masculinity into a negative.

[Rich]

BTW, anybody seen John lately?

[Brett L]

I think he's doing his one week of work a year as a government lawyer.

[Auric Demonocles]

It has been a while...

[Sudden]

I'm guessing sawing his leg off in a Texas basement as we speak.

Poor guy.

[Mad Scientist]

I'm sure we can muster a posse if he can send us a signal.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

You first.

[a better weapon]

The girl was just 1 pound too many, unfortunately. Crushed the poor bastard to death.

[Medical Physics Guy]

Do the reforms include cutting back on the concrete used to help informants "sleep with the fishes"?

[Max Power]

ON A WARM night in Overbrook, Askia Sabur spotted his cousin outside a Chinese takeout and pedaled his bicycle over to chat.

Within minutes, Sabur lay bleeding and barely conscious on the sidewalk, as a crowd of cops - several with long histories of brutality complaints - beat him, opening gashes on his head that would require six staples to close.

In West Philadelphia, Stephen Moore was watching TV alone in his bedroom when his home-security system announced his front door was open.

Moore went to investigate, only to be pumped full of lead by a cop who started firing after entering the house without saying a word.

And in Kensington, police who tried to arrest Kahlif Snowden over a suspected drug sale ended up violating policy by Tasing him in the neck three times until he fell unconscious. He was left in a persistent vegetative state.

Sabur, Moore and Snowden were among 128 plaintiffs who received nearly $14 million in settlements from the city last year from civil-rights lawsuits filed against police.

Philadelphia police nutpunch

[PD Scott]

Oh, City of Brotherly Love, don't ever change.

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

$14 mil? Pffft. Chicago can blow that on cop brutality in one week.

[PD Scott]

US Army to seek Northrup Refunds Over Inflated Labor Rates

The U.S. Army will press Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) for refunds after the Pentagon's inspector general found the contractor charged the service inflated labor rates on programs to fight drug trafficking.
Northrop, the fifth-biggest U.S. contractor, charged the Army excessive labor rates for almost six years for more than 300 subcontractor employees working in Afghanistan and in the U.S. on counter-narcotics efforts abroad, the inspector general said in a May 13 report labeled "For Official Use Only" and obtained by Bloomberg News.
The report said the command may have paid as much as $123 million in "questionable costs."

[PD Scott]

To be fair to Northrup Grumman, however, I don't think any of them set a baby on fire.

[Tonio]

I'm sure they were just trying to comply with new minimum wage rules for federal contractors.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Northrop, the fifth-biggest U.S. contractor, charged the Army excessive labor rates for almost six years for more than 300 subcontractor employees working in Afghanistan and in the U.S. on counter-narcotics efforts abroad, the inspector general said in a May 13 report labeled "For Official Use Only" and obtained by Bloomberg News.

You mean like fraud?

[Ted S.]

Northrup was just paying a living wage.

[Rich]

Josh Earnest [will] stand before the White House press corps and explain why he can't answer any of their questions.

"Josh Earnest", indeed. You can't make this shit up.

[Anomalous]

The importance of being Earnest.

[C. Anacreon]

Just joshing?

[Slammer]

Earnest Goes to Camp Washington

[jesse.in.mb]

PETA billboard: Got Autism? Learn About the Link Between Dairy Products and the Disorder

From their site (which I'm not linking because fuck these fuckers):

More research is needed, but scientific studies have shown that many autistic kids improve dramatically when put on a diet free of dairy foods. One study of 20 children found a major reduction in autistic behavior in kids who were put on a casein-free diet (casein is a component of cow's milk). And another study done by researchers at the University of Rome showed a "marked improvement" in the behavior of autistic children who were taken off dairy products. [Emphasis mine]

GRAAAAAHHHHHHHH jesse.in.mb SMASH.

Forbes article on it.

[PD Scott]

Everyone knows milk isn't meant for human consumption.

[Mad Scientist]

Big deal. I've got a rock that repels tigers.

[Max Power]

Lisa, I'd like to buy your rock.

[C. Anacreon]

But of course these ridiculous "studies" are good, immutable "science", yet the thousands of studies showing the safety of GMO foods are lies propogated by teh evil corporayshuns.

[jmomls]

I love the lengths some people will go to blame anything but their faulty genes or all that LSD they did in college for their children's mental problems.

[Sudden]

LEAVE LSD ALONE!

[Brandon]

And you're willing to blame LSD in the same breath as excoriating other people for blaming other things.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

"A sign declaring a London park to be an Islamic area is being investigated by British police....

"[Member of Parliament Jim Fitzpatrick] said he believes the sign may have been posted by a far-right group such as the English Defence League....

"It's another facet of intolerance, or, because there's no guarantee it was done by Islamists, it could be those in society who are trying to polarize and divide us."

http://english.alarabiya.net/e.....-area.html

[Medical Physics Guy]

Right, and the Times Square bombing attempt was by a redneck who didn't like the new health care law.

[Tonio]

Yeah, the EDL/BNP seem as likely suspects as muslims. /View from USA

[C. Anacreon]

Of course, as agent provacateurs only come from the Right. Proof: the one sign showing Obama with a bone in his nose ever seen at a Tea Party rally, destined to be reproduced in every single major-media story about how racist those people are, couldn't possibly have been from anyone but the racists on the Right, as the Left never does anything like that.

[The Last American Hero]

Maybe they can send in some police from Minnesota to sort it out.

[Tonio]

I would imagine that an actual muslim would say that dogs were "unclean" and quote scripture, instead of saying "don't like."

[Almanian!]

So if I suggested that Carney's nextjob should TOTALLY be playing Josef Goebbels in "Inglourious Basterds: The Prequel", and that we need to get some necromancer to re-animate Leni Riefenstahl for the POTUS Spokesmodel job, cause that position is tailor made for her....

would I have just Godwinned that one?

You know who else Godwinned comment threads...

[Tonio]

Regardless of her morals, Leni Riefenstahl had talent.

[Almanian!]

Unlike Jay Carney. At least Robert "Baghdad Bob" Gibbs, who was at least HIGH-larious!

[Almanian!]

I'm not sure what I meant to say here.

* admires vague attempt at Engrish *

[Brett L]

Jesus Christ. Have we grown so used to incompetence that "he's no Bob Gibbs" is a compliment?

[Almanian!]

I LOVED Gibbs - he was entertaining. Carney I just want to punch in the throat.

Gibbs made me laugh. Cause I want to laugh while I'm being FUCKED IN THE ASS by my govnerment.

[Palin's Buttplug]

The douchiest one of them, Scott McClellan, turned out to write a fairly good book on his work. Of course he had to cover for the Iraq War.

[Brett L]

I thought McClellan would easily be the worst press secretary of the century. It saddens me to see such stiff competition.

[Ted S.]

If you don't mind a three-hour documentary, I can highly recommend The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl.

[jmomls]

Brilliant docu. I heartily second your recommendation.

[Tonio]

Is it subjectively shorter than ToTW?

[Tonio]

Thanks, BTW. On my long list.

[Jerry on the sea]

...where she defends the State Department's response and complains about the politicization of the incident.

Vast right-wing conspiracy?.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Chili's and Sonic Drive-In announced no-gun policies on Friday, nearly two weeks after pro-gun activists carrying rifles upset customers in two of the restaurant chains' Texas locations.

Chili's and Sonic said in separate statements that they were asking customers not to openly carry firearms in their eateries, following a similar move by Chipotle earlier this month.

"We recognize that the open carry of firearms creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and is not permitted under many local liquor laws," a Chili's spokeswoman said in an email. "So, we kindly ask that guests refrain from openly carrying firearms into our restaurants and we will continue to follow state and local laws on this issue."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....19942.html

[Brett L]

I do hope the Open Carry guys will respect their wishes and take business elsewhere.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

Because someone intent on killing will put the gun away if asked nicely.

[Ken Shultz]

So what?

Er, I mean...tarran is right--it isn't sentient.

The bot's been programmed to post that everywhere today, I guess. It's probably cross posted at Kos or somewhere.

[Jordan]

It really has markedly deteriorated in the past 2 months. I'm thinking late-stage brain tumor.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Drugs. I won't ever get cancer or a tumor according to my genome profile.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

I knew it. Man, your benders really get out of hand. How much money did you blow this week?

[Anomalous]

Does that include uniformed LEOs? Because they always open carry.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

And they scare you, don't they?

[Juice]

They must scare Sonic and Chilis.

[Ted S.]

Good luck finding guns at the drive-through.

[Stormy Dragon]

Open Carry Texas has done more to advance the cause of gun control in the last month than the entire actual gun control movement has in 10 years.

[Palin's Buttplug]

That is true but I didn't want to say it say overtly.

[Palin's Buttplug]

"so" overtly.

[Tonio]

Yes, unfortunately. They're like PETA. They appeal to the hardcore part of the base, they do more harm than good for the cause as a whole. And in PETA's case, long suspected of being funded by the enemies of the cause they claim to advance.

[B.P.]

Colorado Cake Wars update: Civil Rights Commission issues ruling on baker who refused to bake cake for gay couple...

http://www.denverpost.com/news.....ed-against

"In its decision, the panel required Phillips to submit quarterly reports for two years that show how he has worked to change discriminatory practices by altering company policies and training employees."

[Rich]

Phillips also must disclose the names of any clients who are turned away.

Hey!! What about their right to privacy?!

[C. Anacreon]

And hey, how about this? You're a couple planning a wedding and you are checking out prices at a half-dozen bakeries. You check in with this guy and eventually decide on another baker based on price and your preference. Uh-oh! You now are on a list of clients "who might have been turned away" and subject to government types contacting you and prying all kinds of info from you, including whether you like to have butt secks or the other kind.

Way to trample everyone else's civil rights in the quest to protect someone's!

[Almanian!]

altering company policies and training employees

You know, that's pretty reasonable. Sounds like something a judge would rule for a cop that shot a family of 10 and every pet they ever owned.

So - pretty good for a HOMOPHOBIC CIVILIAN.

[Slammer]

What happens if the baker doesn't respond to the panel?

[Fist of Etiquette]

That's it. I'm banning wedding cakes. No cake for anyone.

[Auric Demonocles]

I'm willing to go slightly outside of my usual solution:

Drop cakes from orbit.

[C. Anacreon]

Drop cakes from orbit.

"As God is my witness, I thought cakes could fly."

[JW]

But, they all want cake.

[a better weapon]

I'm sure he is free to turn away known adulterers or divorcees on religious grounds though, so long as they are straight.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

Is Carney stepping down a significant thing?

[Tonio]

No, it's not. He doesn't make policy, he's just a shill.

[Rufus J. Firefly]

I understand he doesn't make policy but was wondering if his position is one whereby if someone leaves it's significant.

Isn't that two people who have now left the O admin?

[Rich]

I believe you'll easily find a lot more than *two*.

[a better weapon]

It doesn't strike me as a big deal. Unless they're leaving before completing a full 2 year election cycle, it shouldn't really raise any questions.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Carney's are a dime a dozen.

They should hire me. "Fuck you, that's why!"

[Michael]

Your confidence in your blowjob skills is quite impressive.

[C. Anacreon]

It's all part of the "Carnie Code".

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

That is the most creative use of a Simpsons reference I have ever heard. I owe you a (cheap) drink.

[Rich]

It might be if he makes public his real reasons.

[Bobarian]

Has Carney done anything significant to date?

[Dances-with-Trolls]

No and Yes. No because he's just a puppet. Yes because his stepping down was ham-handedly timed for a Friday afternoon to 1up the resignation of Shinseki by appealing to the media's love of talking about the media, which is a glaring tip off to the Obama administration's dedication to "investigating" the VA abuses.

[Iucundus (ex Damned Fool)]

The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the end of a 30-year ban on allowing Medicare to help fund sex reassignment surgery for transgender people.

The day after I watched the relevant South Park episode. Coincidence? I think not.

[Ken Shultz]

"Hillary Clinton's forthcoming book, Hard Choices, has a chapter devoted to the deadly consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya, where she defends the State Department's response and complains about the politicization of the incident."

What about the President's response?

Does she defend the President's exploitation of bigotry against Muslims to deflect criticism away from himself in the midst of his reelection?

Yeah, I know, what difference does it make? It makes a lot of difference if the leading Democratic presidential candidate can't bring herself to disavow the exploitation of bigotry in the future--should she be elected.

I mean, if she won't take responsibility for her part in that process (even if only condoning such exploitation by her silence), then I don't see how the healing can begin.

P.S. I'm still hoping for a chapter defending how all the principal partners in the Whitewater deal went to prison--except for her and her husband.

P.P.S. Oh, and there should also be a chapter defending how all those FBI files on her political enemies ended up on her desk.

[Almanian!]

how all those FBI files on her political enemies ended up on her desk

FUCKING WIMMINZ HATER BUSHITLER KOCHTOPUS VASTRIGHTWINGKOCHSPIRACY TEATHUGLIHADIST MOTHERFUCKER SHIT!!1!

[Ken Shultz]

It's a question a lot more people should be asking.

In going after the FBI files of her political enemies, she was way ahead of the curve on the NSA.

Hell, she didn't even need an excuse like 9/11 to start trolling through people's private lives. She doesn't need an excuse like terrorism--she just does 'cause she wants to!

What do you mean I can't have their FBI files?! Do you know who the fuck I am?!
I'm the fucking First Lady, that's who. I will bury you--and that isn't a threat. It's a promise!

[Almanian!]

In going after the FBI files of her political enemies, she was way ahead of

No one.

Nixon was doing it decades before, J. Edgar decdes before that.

She was just keepin' it old skool!

[jesse.in.mb]

Scuba diver pets shark.

Let the domestication begin!

[Tonio]

Can't watch the video right now, but some sharks are filter feeders so can't bite.

[Mad Scientist]

These are not those kinds of sharks.

[Tonio]

In that case, fucking crazy.

[Stormy Dragon]

It's an aquarium shark, so this is more "sharks capable of recognizing the person who brings them food every day".

[Tonio]

Capable, maybe. Remember that sharks do not form relationships with others in the wild. Domestication of mammals is possible only because mammals care for their young and are thus capable of bonding with other creatures. Cold-blooded killing machines not so much.

[Mad Scientist]

It won't be long before they have frickin' laser beams.

[Slammer]

That's what you call petting? It looks like the shark is um, ...eating his nuts?

[C. Anacreon]

Heavy Petting.

[Rich]

Damn your sensuous fingers!

[Rich]

It's *heavy* petting.

[jesse.in.mb]

Cristina Zenato might be surprised to find out she had them.

[paranoid android]

Question for other resident Seattleites (Epi and Paul, unless I'm forgetting someone): I'm apartment hunting after a couple years living in Renton. I was trying to find a 1 BR in the Seattle area, to be closer to where I work, and how the flying fuck does anyone afford to live in this city?

The closest I can come to anything near affordable in the general area of the actual city is a 500 sq ft studio for $1100 a month. And that feels like a steal compared to my other options.

[Auric Demonocles]

That'd be a cheap place around here (Boston).

[Episiarch]

In Belltown, downtown, and Capitol Hill, you're not going to find much for under $1500. Try Queen Anne, First Hill, or even West Seattle if you're willing to deal with going over the bridge. Another possibility is South Lake Union, which is undergoing a huge growth spurt but still not many people live there.

How far are you willing to drive? Try Greenwood or Greenlake or Fremont or Wallingford. What neighborhood is your work in?

[paranoid android]

SODO, exactly one block from Safeco. The most inconveniently located office ever, for my money, though West Seattle would actually probably be perfect for such purposes. I'll definitely have to do some more looking there.

[Episiarch]

You are going to get fucking killed trying to leave during Mariners or Seahawks games. But at least you could just walk on block to the Pyramid brewery and get loaded instead. It's actually not that bad, but it looks bad.

If you lived in West Seattle, you could just drive down 1st Ave S and get on the West Seattle Bridge from there, totally avoiding 99.

You could also consider Pioneer Square or Beacon Hill, though Pioneer Square is hobo central. Or the International District. Live above Uwajimaya! That would be awesome!

[paranoid android]

Oh, I've been working here a while and commuting from Renton (hence my desire to get closer and stop commuting from Renton). I'm well aware of the insanity of after-game crowds. The day of the Seahawks victory parade scarred me in ways I think I'll never recover from.

[Episiarch]

I stayed home that day and watched on the TV. I didn't even think of going near 4th Ave.

West Seattle might be a really good choice for you. The rents are cheaper and there is some really good food over there. I have friends that live over there so I'm there a lot, and it's actually pretty nice. But don't live on Alki. My pot dealer was just telling me a story Monday about when he lived on Alki and it involved shootings and people being beaten to a pulp for damaging cars.

[Beautiful Bean Footage]

SLU is becoming as expensive as all those other places with all of the Amazon employees moving in there. Prolly your best bet around here is the PODS apartments in capitol hill or the U-district if you don't mind sharing a kitchen with your neighbors...

[Corning]

Ballard!!!

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

[The Last American Hero]

Ditto on West Seattle. If you can get a buddy or two and rent a house, the price can get a bit more reasonable.

[PD Scott]

I don't know if I've shared this story here before, if so I apologize. Back in the late 70s/early 80s, I was home with my family one night. Looking out the window, we saw shadowy figures walking around the house. We didn't know who it was when suddenly there was a knock on the door. My Dad opened it. Outside, the street was full of police cars, the front yard was full of police officers. The officer who had knocked was not wearing combat fatigues, had no web gear on, was, in fact, wearing a sports coat and a tie. They were immediately confused by the fact that we were white: the warrant was for some African-American gentleman who had allegedly engaged in some aggravated assault and battery, who lived in a house with the same number as ours - on the next street over. They apologized for disturbing us and left.

I guess it was a different, more innocent time, even though there were breathless articles about Saturday Night specials, Teflon cop killing bullets, etc. I guess we were lucky it happened then, since now they'd no doubt have a "dynamic entry" with flash-bangs, patrol rifles and the rest. And they probably wouldn't apologize for the disturbance.

[Michael]

Obama couragously takes responsibility for the VA scandal:

"In terms of responsibility, as I've said before, this is my administration; I always take responsibility for whatever happens, and this is an area that I have a particular concern with. This predates my presidency."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....ingtonpost

[Tonio]

Say what you will about Harry S. Truman, but the man didn't dodge responsibility.

[Almanian!]

AND he died with a desktopful of dollar bills. Left a lottttttttt of money to his family.

True story.

[Injun, as in from India]

It's 6 years since he got elected, and it is still ALL BUSH'S FAULT.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

Posted at Sloopy's request:
Sloopy and Baby Reason at the Smithsonian with a bunch of homos.
(Sloopy's words, not mine)

[Tonio]

LOL. Cute baby.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

Wow. Tonio, you took that joke better than I would have thought.

[Tonio]

Glad to have surprised you. Thanks.

[Almanian!]

Adorable!

Baby Reason is cute, too.

[Brett L]

Dawwwww.

[Brett L]

Dawwwww.

[Tim]

Awesome.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

I did not know this until recently:
Nicole chose her middle name.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

To clarify: Nicole chose Baby Reason's middle name. If she chose her own middle name, she's a fucking genius.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

I did! And I kicked the ass of the rest of the commentariat to do it, too. (It's Sophia, if you're wondering.)

[Episiarch]

Did you outbid JJ and I, or did you just sleep with Ken? I know you won underhandedly!

[Mad Scientist]

You know Sloopy will do anything for an artisinal mayonnaise recipe.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

I outbid you motherfuckers. You think I'm going to risk Banjos' wrath like that?!?

[Episiarch]

Sure you did, nicole. You did whatever would be the worst.

[Ted S.]

If she chose her own middle name, she's a fucking genius.

Or just somebody who changed her name legally in adulthood.

[Mad Scientist]

Please tell me her middle name is "(drink)."

[Iucundus (ex Damned Fool)]

I lol'd.

[flye]

Her middle name is, "You know who else had a middle name?"

[Ted S.]

Nice lighting.

[Tim]

"The Dragon V2 is outfitted with seven seats..."

You know who else touted his V2 rocket?

[PD Scott]

Werner von Braun?

[PD Scott]

Nein! Wernher von Braun! Dummkopf!

[Tonio]

Damn you.

[Tonio]

Double damn you.

[Tonio]

Werner von Braun?

[Almanian!]

Ransom E. Olds?

[Almanian!]

Werner von Braun?

[Almanian!]

Damn me!

[C. Anacreon]

Speed Racer?

[Slammer]

Tyrone Slothrop?

[PapayaSF]

Nice.

[Pro Libertate]

Hugo Drax?

[Tim]

Dean Wermer Von Braun: "Fat drunk and fascist is no way to go through life son."

[Slammer]

Once the rockets go up,
Who cares where they come down?
That's not my department,
Says Werner Von Braun.

[C. Anacreon]

You forgot to say "Burma Shave."

[jmomls]

That's Tom Lehrer, you uncultured clod!

Aren't they teaching kids ANYTHING these days?

[Stormy Dragon]

I can subtract 173 from 342 in base 8?

[PD Scott]

From Not Always Learning

The Politics Of Graduation
High School | OH, USA | Bad Behavior, Exams/Tests, Teachers, Theme Of The Month

(My senior year of high school I have an economics teacher who is fanatical in his political beliefs. When he learns I do not share them, he goes out of his way to make my life difficult. Just prior to graduation, I am called into my guidance counselor's office:)

Counselor: "[My Name], I'm afraid you won't be able to graduate. One of the requirements is that you pass economics and [Teacher] stated that you skipped his final exam."

Me: *at first worried, but now smiling* "I took his exam and got a 'C' on it."

Counselor: "I'm sorry, but that's not what he's saying."

Me: *reaches into backpack and pulls out returned and graded exam* "If he's going to claim I didn't take it, he shouldn't have graded it and given it back to me."

Counselor: "I see? I'll take care of it. My apologies."

(Ironically at graduation it was the teacher who tried to sabotage me that was handing out diplomas. I took great pleasure when he had to reluctantly hand me mine.)

[Tim]

Maybe take a page from Iron Man and call it the Mark II.

[Apatheist ?_??]

Finally have some good postseason baseball in Houston. Wouldn't be shocked if Reckling out attends Minute Maid over the weekend.

[Longtorso, Johnny]

No, Horse Placentas Won't Revolutionize Sports

[Rich]

They will if they're the *Washington* Horse Placentas.

[jesse.in.mb]

Cialis OTC?

Sanofi is buying the rights to seek approval to sell Cialis over the counter in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia after certain patents expire. Cialis is to lose its patent protection in the United States and Europe in 2017, after which sales are expected to drop sharply as cheaper generic alternatives arrive on the market.

If approved for over-the-counter use, Cialis could gain an advantage over prescription competitors like Viagra, sold by Pfizer. But it is not clear whether the Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory bodies overseas would approve such a move: In 2008, Pfizer abandoned an effort to make Viagra available without a prescription after the European Medicines Agency raised concerns.

2017 will be an Episiarch jubilee year!

Dr. Kevin L. Billups of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, expressed concern about moving Cialis to an over-the-counter product because, he said, erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign for more serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Isn't this one of the excuses they use for not making the pill OTC? That it's nice to force women to go in and see a doctor?

[Palin's Buttplug]

Isn't Cialis the time-release boner pill?

[jesse.in.mb]

Yeah. Viagra is the take as needed one, Cialis is a take daily pill.

[Pl?ya Manhattan.]

Like you don't already know.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

That, and also BLOOD CLOTS ZOMG!

[jesse.in.mb]

Unless taking the prescription note in hand causes you to throw a clot and stroke out, I don't really know how making it prescription is supposed to help with that.

[Brett L]

You mean your doctor doesn't consult eight journal articles about possible side effects before writing you a scrip?

[Dweebston]

No, but she has the letters behind her name. Who are you going to trust, your doctor or your own uncredentialed ass? I bet you didn't even apply for eighteen med schools.

[Fr?ulein Nikki]

Psst it's also less likely to cause a blood clot than pregnancy is so UMMMMMMMMM

[Mad Scientist]

Precautionary principle for the win!

[Dweebston]

Sure, but the FDA can't control pregnancies. Yet.

[Palin's Buttplug]

Siemens to Shed 11,600 Positions as Company Cuts Costs

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/.....ining.html

Fucking Germans! Should have elected Romney!

[Rich]

If Siemens had simply changed their name to something less offensive they might not have lay so many people off.

[Brett L]

C'mon, the appropriate hed is: 11,600 Siemen fired!

[Longtorso, Johnny]

I thought Germany had a mild winter, and only bad winter weather is the cause of economic problems, Weigel.

[Jordan]

Man, tarran really nailed it. It's just spouting things entirely at random now.

[paranoid android]

Another coke binge, maybe?

[db]

I think that somewhere, there is a liberally oriented fraternity and that the pledges and freshmen have to take turns being the 'plug in round robin fashion.

[jesse.in.mb]

Professional courtesy in SD:

The allegation appears in Arevalos' recently unsealed deposition from a federal lawsuit against him and SDPD filed by an Arevalos sexual misconduct victim. Arevalos' statements about cops receiving special treatment have come out before. But Chargers players are a curious addition to the list. Arevalos said he didn't know whether Padres players received the same courtesy.

[Ted S.]

I got a 403 Forbidden error message.

[jesse.in.mb]

Weird, I clicked through ok on two separate computers. Maybe the page isn't Opera compatible?

[Brandon]

Worked for me.

[Stormy Dragon]

Texas Eagle Forum accuses homosexuals of oppressing Christian business owner by giving his restaurant good reviews:

Controversial Texas Restaurant Becoming A 'Highly Rated' Gay Bar

[Tonio]

Oh, that's delicious.

[Brandon]

Holy shit, you mean things can happen without government involvement? I'm sure Michelle Obama is outraged.

[Cytotoxic]

I hear a team is looking at adopting/resurrecting TrueCrypt. This whole thing is disturbing and spooky to the max. Nobody seems to know WTF is going on.

[Ted S.]

Let's ask SF which he prefers. 🙂