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Amtrak Derails Outside Philly, Pentagon Staff Expense Strippers, Uber Helicopter Is Here: A.M. Links

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.13.2015 9:00 AM

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  • At least six people were killed and more than 100 injured when an Amtrak train on its way from Washington, D.C., to  New York City derailed outside of Philadelphia Tuesday night. "It is an absolute disastrous mess," said Philly mayor Michael Nutter in a press conference. "Never seen anything like this in my life." 
  • This is Amtrak's second fatality-causing accident in less than a week. Last Sunday, a train collided with a truck in Amite, Louisiana, killing injuring two train passengers and killing the truck's driver. 
  • Defense Department personnel expensed $952,258 at casinos and $96,576 at strip clubs in fiscal year 2013-2014.  
  • "Traditional" marriage is the real outlier, writes Cato's Trevor Burrus, exploring the institution's history at The Washington Post.  
  • Welcome to the new Facebook, "where you won't be able to escape your second cousin posting lifestyle features about kale." 
  • Private prisons "diversify" in the face of criminal justice reform. 
  • Uber helicopter hits Cannes. 
  • The U.K. continues slouching toward dystopia. 

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NEXT: Veronique de Rugy: Big Data, Big Business, and Big Government

Elizabeth Nolan Brown is a senior editor at Reason.

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  1. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    At least six people were killed and more than 100 injured when an Amtrak train…

    Notice that no one is saying if the train cars were adorned with pictures of a certain prophet.

    1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

      They were, however, driving too fast for the track they were on from all evidence currently available.

      1. gaijin   10 years ago

        If only we had high speed rail…

        1. Ted S.   10 years ago

          Damn your nimble fingers!

          1. gaijin   10 years ago

            high speed fingers!

      2. Ted S.   10 years ago

        This is why we need high-speed rail.

        1. Princess Trigger   10 years ago

          INFASTRUCTURRRRRRE!

          Let’s spend a lot of money on it [or at least shovel a lot money through our cronies in the name of it].

        2. straffinrun   10 years ago

          This is why we should read Atlas Shrugged.

      3. Timon 19   10 years ago

        No shit, on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel, they had a Congressman from Oregon on and IMMEDIATELY he started blaming the “lack of willingness to fund infrastructure” for the derailment.

    2. Doctor Whom   10 years ago

      Buon giorno.

      Defense Department personnel expensed $952,258 at casinos and $96,576 at strip clubs in fiscal year 2013-2014.

      Nothing left to cut! Mindless austerity! Government avoids the inefficiency inherent in the private sector!

      1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

        “Taxpayers didn’t have to pay for excursions to strip clubs and casinos because the 1.6 million holders of Pentagon travel cards must pay monthly bills themselves while seeking reimbursement for authorized expenses such as hotels and meals, according to the Defense Department.”

        This speaks more to the decaying morale, and ethical standards in DoD than waste of taxpayer money.

        1. Illocust   10 years ago

          Less morale decay, more increased stupidity. This stuff was always around. Employees used to be smart enough to make sure it didn’t show up on reports where the public could read it.

        2. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

          And not for nothing, but Army Recruiting has a Brigade HQs in Las Vegas, and most decent hotels there also have casinos.

          So there are plenty of valid reasons to have casino bills.

          The strip clubs are different, but that’s why it’s 10 times less.

        3. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

          Taxpayers didn’t have to pay

          WRONG. Interchange fees.

          1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

            I don’t think so…

            The travel cards are issued directly to soldiers/employees by Citi-Bank.

            The government is not actually ‘on the hook’ for any of the transactions.

            Intrechange fees are between Citi and the hotel’s bank.

            1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

              You’re right.

        4. Rasilio   10 years ago

          Yeah but given the size of the Defense Department and the number of personnel they have the real headline there should be “Amazingly Defense Department personnel only spent $1 million at casino’s and strip clubs last year”

          I mean there has to be at least 50,000 soldiers/contractors with one of those cards, a million dollars means an average of just $20 each

      2. Adam330   10 years ago

        Key fact:
        “Taxpayers didn’t have to pay for excursions to strip clubs and casinos because the 1.6 million holders of Pentagon travel cards must pay monthly bills themselves while seeking reimbursement for authorized expenses such as hotels and meals, according to the Defense Department.”

        These ridiculous stories come out every year, despite the fact that these credit cards are effectively personal credit cards. The scandal is the amount of time the government spends investigating how these cards are used.

        1. Steve G   10 years ago

          THIS and Swiss’s comment. Underneath the scandalous headline, there’s nothing there.
          Plus, if the govt tells me I have to get a credit card in my name, it’s incumbent on me to not abuse it, make late payments, etc since I’m on the hook for the bills and my own credit rating; big brother breathing down my neck doesn’t add too much value.

    3. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

      Hello.

      RIP.

    4. Ted S.   10 years ago

      Cue Ayn Rand to tell us why those people deserved to die.

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

        Do you think Robben and Ribery could have made a difference in the tie against Barca?

        1. Ted S.   10 years ago

          David Alaba could have made a difference in the first leg, I think.

        2. Rhywun   10 years ago

          Two of their top 3 strikers were MIA. Bayern didn’t stand a chance.

    5. Pope Jimbo   10 years ago

      300+ comments and no one has yet made a crack along the lines of “Who let Biden drive the train?”

      This place is going downhill…

      1. Almanian!   10 years ago

        WAS THE TRAIN DRIVER NAMED TED KENNEDY OR SOMETHING???

        /half a loaf for Pope Jimbo

  2. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

    Apparently, Old Mexican, Heroic Mulatto, and I are on the H&R micro aggressee list.

    I apologize for micro aggressing anyone by leaving them out of the list.

    According to a new report released by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, just “walking into or sitting in” a classroom full of white people is a microaggression in itself.

    1. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

      Why are these white people so sensitive, anyways?

      1. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

        I love the power I have.

    2. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

      Can you imagine how microaggressed Frederick Douglass must have been getting invited to a room full of white government employees by Abe Lincoln?

      1. AlmightyJB   10 years ago

        I’m betting Douglas would tell today’s yutes to grow some balls.

        1. Princess Trigger   10 years ago

          And then slap them when they started to cry about his questioning their sexual equipement.

          1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

            I’ve always thought of micro-aggression as aggression committed by someone with a micro pen1s.

            1. BardMetal   10 years ago

              It’s when Tyrion Lanaster rapes a hooker.

              Wait a sec.. is it rape when it’s a hooker? Or is it more like shoplifting?

              1. NebulousFocus   10 years ago

                Where do whores go?

                /nerd

              2. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

                Apparently, Tyrion’s stones and pillar are not proportional to his height, just ask Roz or Shae…oh, wait…

    3. Catatafish   10 years ago

      I’ve been meaning to talk to you guys about this in the presence of an H&R diversity officer. Your witty banter and nice demeanor are making me feel awfully insecure about my status as a white, emotionally stunted troglodyte.

      1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

        Stop giving us white, emotionally stunted troglodytes a bad name.

        1. Catatafish   10 years ago

          I’ll be in my cave – I mean safe space – if you need me.

      2. RBS   10 years ago

        H&R diversity officer

        I nominate Bo.

        1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

          I nominate STEVE SMITH!

          Diversity of species.

          1. Cdr Lytton   10 years ago

            As if HR wasn’t already enough of a pain in the ass.

    4. Auric Demonocles   10 years ago

      So, what they are saying is that white people shouldn’t invite minorities to join their groups at all (unless it’s as massive group of all-minority newbies)?

      1. AlmightyJB   10 years ago

        Well, in a campus environment the people truely left out are those who cannot be microagressed against and the fact that they can’t be in and of itself is a microagression. So aren’t white hetro males the true victims here?

        1. RBS   10 years ago

          So aren’t white hetro males the true victims here?

          Lights Bo signal

          1. AlmightyJB   10 years ago

            Lights sarc meter

            1. RBS   10 years ago

              Oh, I know you were being sarcastic.

    5. BardMetal   10 years ago

      I’m going to repost what I posted in another thread yesterday, because I think it’s worth repeating.

      I’ll add to my previous comment that not only are the progs creating a lot of anti-white, anti-christian, etc hatred, but they are also creating the opposite as well. How long do you think a white kid growing up today can listen to this type of garbage they teach in his schools, and in his colleges, before he lashes out and joins one of the many neo-nazi groups out there because they think they’re the only groups standing up for him?

      1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

        Spot on. Sh1t like this can only increase racial animosity.

        I read that article, and yes, there are things that were very inappropriate and downright insulting. But everything is not about race or gender.

        I’ve had condescending stuff said to me. Should that be interpreted as racist microaggression when said by a white person, or just condescension? If you turn the tables and I say that the same condescending stuff to, say, a woman, is that me being a d1ck or is it sexism?

        I think hypersensitivity and interpreting everything through the lens of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. is a big problem.

        1. The DerpRider   10 years ago

          Your i key is microaggressing me.

        2. Kaptious Kristen   10 years ago

          Sh1t [sic] like this can only increase racial animosity.

          That’s their goal.

        3. Rhywun   10 years ago

          there are things that were very inappropriate and downright insulting

          Not to be a cynic… but I have to wonder how much of that was “shit that didn’t happen”.

        4. Suthenboy   10 years ago

          “Sh1t like this can only increase racial animosity.”

          That is the purpose of it.

    6. ColonelEngineer   10 years ago

      Know who else had a problem with….

      ….fuck, wait.

      Someone help me.

      1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

        H.F. Verwoerd?

        1. ColonelEngineer   10 years ago

          *golf clap*

          Nice.

      2. Charles Easterly   10 years ago

        1 tiny moustache of hostility

    7. Illocust   10 years ago

      I always wonder what would happen if you worked with these students to change how they perceived the world. If you gave them therapy that helped their first thoughts when they aren’t called on in class not to be about race but about any one of the other dozens of reasons that they might not have been called upon. Would the students stop feeling as uncomfortable in groups full of people with different skin colors? Would they report more happiness? Would their interracial friend groups increase?

    8. Malkavian   10 years ago

      When I was in UIUC, I was microaggressed constantly. The squirrels on the quad try to steal your food and give meaningful looks if you don’t give in. It was like squirrel gaze rape. Mortifying.

      1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

        Cripes, they did that when I was there in the 1980s…

  3. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

    53) OK, this TNS is going to sound especially cranky. I happened to notice this morning at work there are about two dozen handicapped spaces in the parking garage, of which I have never seen more than three or four occupied. I started wondering why that is?I mean, why so many? What a waste of space, especially since the garage often fills up by 9AM! I poked around online and figured out this is set by the US Department of Justice under the ADA of 2010 (which is stricter than the similar 1991 law). That’s right, this issue is so critical to our national life that it can’t be left up to states or localities to figure out how much handicapped parking their establishments might need. Moreover, every single commercial establishment with parking must provide a handicapped space. It doesn’t have to be specifically marked as such unless the business has at least four spaces (how generous!)?but it still has to be handicapped accessible. So your tiny business with three spaces must go to the expense of making one space handicapped-accessible, including wider space (what if you don’t have room?) and grading it so it’s level. And people wonder why fewer small businesses are opening up nowadays!

    1. db   10 years ago

      What irks me as well is all these special spaces reserved for mothers and veterans and all these other special classes.

      1. Rich   10 years ago

        “Parking For Irish Only”

        1. Xeones   10 years ago

          (Irish parking is located at the bottom of a lake outside of town)

        2. Zombie Jimbo   10 years ago

          LIquor stores all have that.

      2. SIV   10 years ago

        You can park in those.

      3. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

        *perks up* Veterans?

        We have handicapped and “expecting mothers” parking reserved where I work.

      4. RBS   10 years ago

        I used the “mother’s” spot at the grocery store all the time when my son was an infant.

        1. GILMORE   10 years ago

          you motherfucker

      5. Rasilio   10 years ago

        Yes but those are not required by law. Companies reserve those voluntarily on their own

    2. Atanarjuat   10 years ago

      It’s a small price to pay to have the number of fully-employed lawyers we have in this country.

    3. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

      Same problem with me. The city gave me nine spots (for a daycare of 60 kids) but one had to be reserved for handicaps. The thing is, it doesn’t give an advantage since all the spots are pretty close to the door thus making it a waste of space. I also have three ’15 min’ spots across the street. So it ‘can’ get pretty hectic at times but luckily most of my clients have highly flexible jobs and so don’t all come at the 5pm or some other same time.

      One time an asshole cop gave a ticket after circling my daycare like a shark a few times. Everyone thought he was looking out for the place or was looking for traffic violations. Nope. He was looking to pinch one of my parents/workers.

      My sister called the chief of police and let him have it. So far they haven’t been back.

      1. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

        They’re too busy planning the forthcoming raid.

        1. Dweebston   10 years ago

          +1 satanic cult daycare

          1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

            Libertarian indoctrination will not be tolerated!

          2. Atlas Slugged   10 years ago

            Ayn Rand School for Tots? They don’t stand for pacifiers!!!

        2. MJGreen   10 years ago

          I think it all depends on whether his sister berated the police in French, or filthy English.

    4. Illocust   10 years ago

      This is one of the reasons I’ve considered getting a handicap sticker. I qualify for one even though I don’t need one, and I feel guilty sometimes taking up regular people spaces that could be used by someone else.

      1. Charles Easterly   10 years ago

        “… and I feel guilty sometimes taking up regular people spaces that could be used by someone else.”

        I know it was you, Illocust….

        You broke my heart. Your broke my heart!

    5. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

      , of which I have never seen more than three or four occupied.

      You must live somewhere where they’re stingy with the parking passes. All it takes here in KY is a Dr’s note, so ‘fat and lazy’ is good enough to get you a parking pass.

      I use one for sometimes transporting my 83 yr old in-laws, and often times find that the handicap parking fills before the regular parking.

      1. Suellington   10 years ago

        Here in The People’s Republic the handicapped placard gets you unlimited free parking at meters. Unsurprisingly the numbers of people using them has exploded. I see what appear to be completely able bodied people pulling up to handicapped spots or parking at meters all the time now.

  4. db   10 years ago

    Woman claims she was fired for disabling/uninstalling an app on her company phone that tracked her whereabouts 24/7.

    Her lawsuit is based on the app tracking her when not on company time. Her managers bragged to employees that they knew what roads they took, where they went, and how fast, even after work hours. SLD, I think it’s a shitty practice, and I believe she has a legitimate complaint (especially if she was expected to carry the cell phone after hours). She isn’t complaining about being tracked on company time.

    1. WTF   10 years ago

      Why not just leave the company phone at home once you are off working hours?

      1. db   10 years ago

        Well, some companies require you to carry it 24/7. I worked for one, years ago.

      2. Catatafish   10 years ago

        Yeah, I think this depends on the nature of her job (to determine reasonableness of condition of employment) and whether she is alleging it was an intrusion of privacy in her personal life. If the latter, your question is pretty critical.

        This may also completely hinge on the age of the judge/jury.

        1. db   10 years ago

          She is alleging intrusion of privacy in her personal life based on her manager bragging that he could (and did) follow her every move when off the clock.

          1. Catatafish   10 years ago

            If she was an “on call” employee and carrying the phone was a condition of employment, it looks like she certainly has a case then.

      3. thom   10 years ago

        Or leave the company…for another company that doesn’t insist on tracking you all the time?

    2. straffinrun   10 years ago

      If my boss did that I’d slip my phone into the lining of his wife’s purse.

    3. Idle Hands   10 years ago

      I had an idea the other day for an app that was a universal remote control on your phone. Don’t know how feasible that idea would be but I think it would sell.

      1. Tonio   10 years ago

        A great idea, Idle, but the one technical limitation is that most consumer electronics I’ve seen use infra-red signals. Not sure that phones have those. Also, you might run into patent infringement with the Harmony remote.

        FWIW they do sell bluetooth devices which allow you to turn household lights on and off with your phone.

      2. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

        My phone has that.

        You enter in the brand name for the device and it finds the frequency. It also stores the settings for your varous devices by room name.

        1. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

          Quick Remote App

      3. db   10 years ago

        My LG G2 has an app that controls my tv etc. I keep forgetting I have it. It uses the Fed’s bout in IR transmitter.

        1. db   10 years ago

          Ugh. G2’s built in IR transmitter.

      4. Rasilio   10 years ago

        They already exist for Samsung phones at the very least

    4. Fabi   10 years ago

      They care about her!! Sounds like a sweet company. Almost like a big brother! Oh, wait…

  5. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    The U.K. continues slouching toward dystopia.

    Pop culture has taught me that they’re tailor made for it.

    1. Ted S.   10 years ago

      This is the UK slouching toward dystopia.

    2. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

      This was so disillusioning. Some of the Tory rhetoric is refreshingly pro-freedom and pro-business and as I’ve said here, the Brits actually cut YOY government spending. But now they want to combat extremism by locking up anyone who says anything “extremist” in some vaguely worded statute. Why the Brits happily bend over for these totalitarian govt incursions into their behaviour is beyond me.

      1. Ted S.   10 years ago

        and as I’ve said here, the Brits actually cut YOY government spending.

        Once, and from the numbers I’ve seen spending is higher than ever.

        1. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

          Right, well it depends on what the standard is. If it’s the US, I think they’re doing all right. I believe they cut the deficit to a new low % of GDP, that’s not bad either.

      2. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

        Because all of the good Brits have already left?

        1. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

          In any case, I’m not in the mood to defend Britain on a day when they’re having a bloody train strike.

        2. Suthenboy   10 years ago

          My wife watches a lot of silly tv shows. I notice that the shows are chock full of limeys. I asked her, rhetorically, the other night “Whats with all the goddamn limeys on tv?”. Her answer: “If you lived there wouldn’t you try to leave?”

  6. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

    “This is Amtrak’s second fatality-causing accident in less than a week. Last Sunday, a train collided with a truck in Amite, Louisiana, killing two train passengers and the truck’s driver.”

    Quick! Everyone write about how this tragedy confirms your worldview!

    1. db   10 years ago

      Why do we only hear about these disasters when they happen in the northeast?

      1. mr lizard   10 years ago

        Because that place, and that little fiefdom out west are the only places that matter ever.

      2. Pope Jimbo   10 years ago

        Probably because you could blow up and completely incinerate and entire Amtrak train anywhere outside of the NE and you still wouldn’t have 6 deaths.

        Think how embarrassing it would be if there was a major Amtrak derailment in Montana and they had to report that there were only 2 paying customers on it.

        1. Rhywun   10 years ago

          I’ve been cross-country twice and there were at all times way more than “2 paying customers”. I know you guys enjoy making fun of choo-choos but no need to make shit up.

          1. Pope Jimbo   10 years ago

            Lighten up Francis Rhywun.

            I used to take the train a lot when I was in the service. Several trips from Memphis to my hometown and out to CA.

            Yeah there were more than 2 people. But every time I rode, you could look around and say “no way they are even coming close to paying for the costs of this trip with this few people.”

            1. Rhywun   10 years ago

              Out west, absolutely. In fact, I would love to see better service in my area (the NE) and I greatly resent how much they waste out west.

      3. Tonio   10 years ago

        Louisiana is neither North nor East by US standards.

    2. Grand Moff Serious Man   10 years ago

      Well clearly this would have never happened if those Teathuglicans weren’t opposed to High Speed Rail projects.

      1. WTF   10 years ago

        Yeah, this would be better if the train were going much faster!

        1. Fabi   10 years ago

          It would have made it to the wreck quicker!

    3. Catatafish   10 years ago

      NEEZ MOAR FEDERUHL MONIES!

      1. Drake   10 years ago

        For Infrastructure!

        The Stimulus was way too small!

    4. Brett L   10 years ago

      So maybe the problem with all the oil transport derailments are also with the driving not the transport.

      1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

        Are you saying we need to transport north-eastern commuters through pipelines?

        I like the cut of your jib , and will gladly subscribe to your newsletter.

        1. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

          We could give the pipelines a cool name like hyperloops.

          1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

            And if you chop the commuters into small enough pieces, a smaller pipeline reduces infrastructure impacts.

            1. Catatafish   10 years ago

              “…small enough pieces…”

              Kilobytes.

            2. Pope Jimbo   10 years ago

              Fuck you and your smaller pipelines Bob. You are the goddamned Comcast of people pipelines.

              You probably want to charge me more because my fat blobby body is going to take up way more of your pipeline capacity than some skinny fuck.

              I demand that the government create Pipeline Neutrality rules! I should only pay as much as a marathon runner does.

  7. Bee Tagger   10 years ago

    Welcome to the new Facebook, “where you won’t be able to escape your second cousin posting lifestyle features about kale.”

    Just in time for the next presidential election.

    1. Certified Public Asskicker   10 years ago

      I deactivated at the beginning of this year.

      It’s been a great decent year so far.

      1. Dweebston   10 years ago

        I quit checking after my ex quit sending long miserable messages begging to get back. That and the occasional electoral schadenfreude were the only reasons I had to keep the account.

  8. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

    Grover Norquist’s version of prison reform is a moral disgrace: Why America’s bipartisan fetish shouldn’t obscure its sins
    Here’s why the libertarian right’s silence on prison rape is a bad sign for comprehensive criminal justice reform

    None of this means, of course, that Norquist and his fellow conservative reformers (like the Koch brothers) want to see Star and people like her subjected to violence ? sexual or otherwise. My point here is not to say that Norquist is happy that Star has suffered as she has. Instead, the problem with the libertarian approach to reform he espouses is that the wellbeing of Star and others is utterly irrelevant; whether they spend their time rehabilitating or in agony doesn’t matter so long as it has no effect on the bottom-line. That may not be a problem in the early stages of reform, when the low-hanging fruit of sparing non-violent offenders from incarceration is still within reach; but the early stages, while currently far from over, will nevertheless come to an end sooner than you may think.

    1. db   10 years ago

      AYFKM

    2. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

      Well, except for prominent libertarian blogger Radley Balko. Does he not count?

      1. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

        And virtually all prominent libertarians who talk about prison reform as well as libertarian leaning Republicans like Glenn Reynolds.

        Once again, Salon doesn’t read their opponents’ arguments so they then assume the arguments they haven’t bothered reading must not exist.

        1. Xeones   10 years ago

          Why would they? Libertarians only care about business profits and conservatives only care about profits + Jesus. Any facts that deviate from this narrative are to be discarded.

    3. Catatafish   10 years ago

      I don’t know about Norquist’s position but this seems to be a rather ridiculous mischaracterization of the general libertarian attitude towards prison reform.

      1. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

        Norquist’s position is completely reasonable and Salon is pretending it’s not because Salon is run by idiots who can’t bring themselves to admit libertarians are actually better on prison reform than most supposed ‘progressives.’

        This reminds me of when Megan McCardle made the point that prison reform would save us money and was simply trying to argue that this was yet another reason to do it. Leftists (including, I believe, ESB) proceeded to claim McCardle was evil because she was using savings as a reason for reform rather than talking about the people it would help therefore she’s just some Randroid libertardian who only cares about PROFITS! This completely ignored the fact that if you make one argument on behalf of something it doesn’t mean there aren’t other reasons to favor it so McCardle pointing out cost savings in no way meant that she didn’t also care about the people being harmed by the system.

        Basically progressives are really stupid.

        1. Catatafish   10 years ago

          Agreed. So, to sum up, basically any rationale for doing something – no matter how logically sound – is evil unless it involves THE FEELZ.

          1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

            – is evil unless it involves THE right kind of FEELZ.

        2. Suthenboy   10 years ago

          I think the word you are looking for is ‘liars’.

        3. CatoTheElder   10 years ago

          The existing justice system — with its WoD and its abysmal prison system — is both evil and stupid.

          Norquist’s line of attack, according to the article, argues that system is stupid. There is nothing wrong with this argument, and it does not inherently deny that the system is also evil.

          Of course, most progressives are too stupid to understand this. I don’t know whether the Salon writers are so stupid; they may very well be so evil at to be intentionally deceiving their readership while fully understanding the motivations of Norquist and Koch.

      2. Suthenboy   10 years ago

        ridiculous mischaracterization = alternate spelling for Salon

    4. Medical Physics Guy   10 years ago

      I have never encountered a libertarian who was “silent on prison rape” or anything other than a stalwart proponent of criminal justice reform.

      However none of us were done any favours by perpetual douchebag Charles Murray who both calls himself a libertarian and wrote an op-ed called Keep Locking Em Up.

      1. KDN   10 years ago

        It’s a stupid title, but mostly not a controversial article; it’s quite clear that he’s focused on crimes with victims, and I think most of us have little sympathy for murderers and rapists. My primary point of disagreement is his implication that increased rates of incarceration for earlier offenders committing more minor property & violent offenses creates a chilling effect on the overall crime rate.

      2. double ham fisted   10 years ago

        I never heard anyone complaining about prison rape until I started looking more closely at libertarian views. It was always a joke; an extra punishment for someone who committed a crime.

        1. Brett L   10 years ago

          Given that the PREA information collected over the last decade indicate that guards perpetrate a significant fraction of all sexual assaults in prison, its fucking horrifying.

        2. CatoTheElder   10 years ago

          It is a matter of fact that a certain progressive attorney general of California openly expressed his fantasy about seeing to it that Enron executives were prison-raped.
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Lockyer

  9. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

    Private prisons “diversify” in the face of criminal justice reform.

    diversifying? You mean like changing the racial composition of their prison population?

    1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

      According to Universities, diversity means adding more minorities. That means prisons are the most diverse institutions in the US!

      1. straffinrun   10 years ago

        More ass sex than San Fran! Diversity!

  10. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    “Traditional” marriage is the real outlier…

    Sure, when you bring history into it.

    1. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

      The article cites Nero marrying his male slave as evidence. Yes, Nero, one of the most notoriously debauched people in history, is cited as ways marriage used to be different than it is now.

      1. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

        But I assume they got the requisite government certificate of approval and accompanying benefits, which is the most important thing in determining what marriage is.

        1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

          “We, as Emperor, have decided that we get all the benefits of whatever we want!”

          1. Charles Easterly   10 years ago

            Was Nero fiddling with his male slave as Rome burned?

      2. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

        The whole point of Nero (at least according to the Roman historians) was that he expressed his contempt of the laws and mores of Rome. For example, he is “credited” with killing his mother. That doesn’t mean that the taboo against matricide is some historically-contingent rule which varies over time.

        1. Dweebston   10 years ago

          You can’t judge the past through a moral telescope, man. Morality is all relative. Wait, Romans? A *Western* culture? Have you read Ovid? Yeah, font of evil and all that.

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

            I told my professor that Ovid triggered me, so I got to read The Adventures of Paddington Bear instead.

            1. Robert   10 years ago

              Mr. Simpson of the cartoons: “Now you’re triggering me!”

    2. Rich   10 years ago

      “Some primitive peoples still believe this.”

    3. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

      “Historically, marriage has been about finding good in-laws and securing economic advantage. And marrying for love is a thoroughly modern invention.”

      Why on earth is this relevant to the question of the sex-binary nature of marriage?

      The *motives* for men and women getting married are quite variable over time (of course, nowadays nobody ever marries for “economic advantage”! /sarc). That doesn’t change the nature of marriage.

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

        “It is somewhat perverse, however, for conservatives to argue that the general lack of same-sex marriages over “millennia,” to use a word from Justice Anthony Kennedy’s question during oral arguments, somehow underscores the value and necessity of “traditional marriage.” For “millennia,” a church/state alliance marginalized and oppressed homosexuals via the law, including many laws, such as bans on sodomy, which the Supreme Court has struck down.”

        I seem to recall the Supreme Court saying that legalizing sodomy wouldn’t necessarily lead to SSM. I suppose that was just for the rubes.

      2. Robert   10 years ago

        The other thing the article did was discuss how men & women behaved differently, within & outside of a marriage. It reminds me of how my students would submit a paper purporting to address a certain Q, but the paper is full of irrelevant stuff in the same subject area.

        You know whose articles around here remind me of that style of writing? Stephen Chapman. (Yeah, well, also Hitler, but that’s a given.)

    4. Robert   10 years ago

      If you look at the article, practically none of it is about “marriage” per se. Rather, it discusses the reasons people have married & the roles assumed by the spouses.

    5. Robert   10 years ago

      If you look at the article, practically none of it is about “marriage” per se. Rather, it discusses the reasons people have married & the roles assumed by the spouses.

    6. Robert   10 years ago

      “Traditional” marriage is the real outlier…

      Sure, when you bring history into it.

      How about when you bring prehistory into it? Am I the only one looking at clades including H. sapiens for evidence of conserv’n of marriage behavior?

  11. Bee Tagger   10 years ago

    “Traditional” marriage is the real outlier, writes Cato’s Trevor Burrus, exploring the institution’s history at The Washington Post.

    This is how you slow-play the “should we swing” conversation.

    1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

      go on…

    2. Catatafish   10 years ago

      Thank you for this. I desperately needed a good laugh this morning.

  12. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

    Obama, McConnell missteps undercut trade pact in U.S. Senate

    President Barack Obama and Senator Mitch McConnell have seldom worked together and it showed on Tuesday, when the political odd couple failed to persuade the U.S. Senate to move forward with a Pacific Rim trade treaty they both favor.

    By hitting the brakes, at least for now, on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the center of Obama’s legacy-defining foreign policy pivot to Asia, Senate Democrats put the president and Senate Republican Leader McConnell on notice.

    Despite losing control of the Senate in November’s elections, Democrats showed they can and will block legislation that they dislike as effectively as Republicans did for years, ending a brief, recent run of bipartisan achievements.

    1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

      Simply because the contents are secret the vote should have been unanimous ‘No’. Anyone who votes for a secret agreement should be sent to a Nork labor camp.

      1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

        They aren’t voting on the agreement. They are simply voting to finalize the language before the real vote. This is standard on trade pacts.

        1. Xeones   10 years ago

          BBBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTT

      2. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

        And it is not “secret”. All of Congress has access to it.

        1. Xeones   10 years ago

          PPPPLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGG

    2. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

      The Squaw really pissed me off by stirring up the Emo-Progs and opposing Obama and his free trade agenda.

      The stupid wingnuts on Bratbitch and other sites are siding with the Emo-Progs and Tea-baggers (who oppose the TPP because OBAMA MUSLIM!) while the sane GOPers are with Obama on this.

      1. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

        Just out of curiosity, is it possible for you to refer to any other person whatsoever by a non-pejorative term?

        1. Xeones   10 years ago

          Forget it, Just, it’s Plugtown.

          1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

            Ever since I got fascr, I put him on mute. I know I’m not missing anything.

            1. Rhywun   10 years ago

              But it’s so cute when he talks like an 8-year-old.

              1. Xeones   10 years ago

                An 8-year-old who is neglected by its parents, and stayed up way too late watching South Park.

        2. tarran   10 years ago

          It’s neural net tries to maximize the responses it gets. Pejoritive words have a much higher weighting because they tend to produce the most responses.

          Remember, it’s not sentient; it has no idea what the words it uses mean. It’s merely harvesting responses like an ant rubbing the belly of an aphid to harvest its secretions.

        3. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

          Just out of curiosity, is it possible for you to refer to any other person whatsoever by a non-pejorative term?

          I’m a cynical bastard.

          And I call myself a “buttplug”.

          1. Xeones   10 years ago

            BBBUUUUUUTTTPPPPLLLUUUUUUUUUUG

      2. Xeones   10 years ago

        BUUUUUUUUTTPPPPLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGG

        1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

          My very own Ed McMahon!

          Put a “here’s” in front once.

          1. Xeones   10 years ago

            Fuck you, shriek.

    3. TwB   10 years ago

      I dunno, maybe if Obama took some time over the last 6 years to actually meet with Senators and Representatives on a more frequent basis and discuss legislation instead of going to the golf course or having the IRS come to the White House every week, he might have been able to get more things done w/ Congress’ help. But what do I know?

      1. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

        Oh come on. Right after he was elected, he had the Republican leadership come to the White House so he could let them know that he had a mandate and they could go fuck themselves.

      2. Chinny Chin Chin   10 years ago

        I really have no issue with Obama golfing, because otherwise he’d use that time conceiving new ways to “improve” my life.

        I really think every president should be Golfer in Chief.

        1. Rhywun   10 years ago

          I have the same feeling about the Deblasio Prog Tour of America.

    4. Chinny Chin Chin   10 years ago

      Obama’s legacy-defining foreign policy pivot to Asia

      What’s this, now?

  13. Bee Tagger   10 years ago

    Defense Department personnel expensed $952,258 at casinos and $96,576 at strip clubs in fiscal year 2013-2014.

    So what you’re saying is that they’re not very good gamblers.

    1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

      and pathetic tippers.

    2. WTF   10 years ago

      But apparently pretty good tippers.

      1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

        We apparently have a conflict!

  14. Rich   10 years ago

    Putting such charges on a government credit card could serve the purpose of keeping them off a personal card shared with a spouse.

    *Very* clever!

    /Uncle Sam

  15. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

    “Defense Department personnel expensed $952,258 at casinos and $96,576 at strip clubs in fiscal year 2013-2014.”

    Those F-35s aren’t going to pay for themselves.

    1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

      Please, that wouldn’t finance one bomb on one aircraft.

      1. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

        What if you put it all on 00? What about that?!?!?

        1. Ted S.   10 years ago

          Put it on the same number three times in a row.

  16. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    Last Sunday, a train collided with a truck in Amite…

    Rail travel ain’t all Biden thinks it’s cracked up to be. Amirite, people?

  17. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

    I’m Christian and happy that atheism is on the rise: America’s right-wing theocracy needs to chill

    I live my life according my values and spiritual beliefs. I have in my neighborhood a community that includes my local church, a place that gives my family and me support and personal satisfaction, and that I hope we in turn can contribute something meaningful to. We also live in a bigger world, full of people who are different than we are, who believe ? and disbelieve ? different things. Diversity: it’s just plain common sense.

    We at a moment in American history when issues that should be pretty basic rights ? you know, like access to reproductive health service and the freedom to marry the person you love ? are being thrashed around on entirely religious grounds. As Think Progress reports just this Tuesday, “More than half of Texas have faced at least one barrier to getting the reproductive health services they need.” We are still, right now, dealing with teachers in public schools peddling a Noah’s Ark version of life sciences. That’s all about inserting God, in particular a very narrowly defined vision of God that a diminishing number of people believe in, into public policy. It’s stupid; it’s dangerous and it’s patently unpatriotic.

    1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

      My kind of Christian.

      1. Xeones   10 years ago

        BBBUUUUUUTTPPPLLLLUUUUUGGG

      2. BardMetal   10 years ago

        Because stating that “access to reproductive health service” is a “pretty basic rights” sounds real Libertarian doesn’t it?

        1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

          No, it doesn’t.

          But I read that as “access to contraceptive/abortion services” which the fundies are trying to outlaw.

          1. Xeones   10 years ago

            BBBUUUUUUUTTTTTPPPPPLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUG

          2. Citizen Nothing   10 years ago

            “More than half of Texas have faced at least one barrier to getting the reproductive health services they need

            Until that glorious day when condoms magically appear when desired, I’d imagine that everyone will face at least one barrier to getting the reproductive health services they need.

            1. Citizen Nothing   10 years ago

              “Dammit, baby. Just let me run down to the convenience store!”

          3. Dweebston   10 years ago

            Not paying = blocking access.

            1. Xeones   10 years ago

              Not giving = taking.

    2. BardMetal   10 years ago

      “Diversity: it’s just plain common sense”

      I’m a little rusty on my Progspeak, so does anyone know what this is supposed to mean? Is diversity some sort of public policy she’s advocating for?

      “We at a moment in American history when issues that should be pretty basic rights ? you know, like access to reproductive health service”

      I don’t think she knows what rights are.

    3. MJGreen   10 years ago

      More evidence that Salon does not have any editors.

  18. Rich   10 years ago

    State Department officials gave speedy and sometimes only cursory consideration to potential conflicts of interest when approving former President Bill Clinton’s lucrative speeches to global companies and foreign governments during Hillary Rodham Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state

    Surprise, surprise, surprise!

    /Gomer Pyle

    1. Chinny Chin Chin   10 years ago

      What’s up with the State Dept. approval of foreign speeches?

      Does every spouse of a Secretary of State need to get their overseas engagements approved? Or does this apply to purely private citizens, as well?

  19. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

    “”Traditional” marriage is the real outlier, writes Cato’s Trevor Burrus, exploring the institution’s history at The Washington Post.”

    This article cites Nero marrying his male slave as evidence. As if Nero, one of the most notoriously debauched people in history, widely despised by his contemporaries and historians alike, could be considered typical of anything.

  20. Bee Tagger   10 years ago

    The definition of harmful is to include a risk of public disorder, a risk of harassment, alarm or distress or creating a “threat to the functioning of democracy”.

    Koch brothers can now join Michael Savage on the banned from the UK list.

  21. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

    HSBC WARNS: The world economy faces a ‘titanic problem’

    1. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

      “Whereas previous recoveries have enabled monetary and fiscal policymakers to replenish their ammunition, this recovery ? both in the US and elsewhere ? has been distinguished by a persistent munitions shortage. This is a major problem. In all recessions since the 1970s, the US Fed funds rate has fallen by a minimum of 5 percentage points. That kind of traditional stimulus is now completely ruled out.”

      King notes that this far into the recovery, there’s a lack of “traditional policy ammunition.” For instance, treasury yields have not risen, the budget deficit is not falling, and welfare payments are still on the rise.

      1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

        the budget deficit is not falling

        The writer must read wingnut.com.

        1. Xeones   10 years ago

          BUUUUUTTPPPLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUG

        2. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

          So the chief economist for the world’s third largest bank in a wingnut. Yeah…

          1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

            No. He just should know the deficit has fallen a lot (like 2/3) since 08-09.

            Maybe he means deficit projections call for no decreases.

            1. Xeones   10 years ago

              BUUUUUUUUUTTPPPPLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGG

            2. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

              Looking ahead, CBO now projects that the deficit will continue to narrow until fiscal 2016, when it will again begin widening, as more and more baby boomers retire and become eligible for Medicare and Social Security.

              That means the nation’s fiscal problems are far from solved. The core challenge involves trimming federal health-care costs enough to bend the curve of ever-rising Medicare and Medicaid expense.

              “The fundamental federal budgetary challenge has hardly been addressed,” writes CBO chief Elmendorf.

              http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/P…..-that-true

              1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

                Yes. Deficits have fallen about 2/3rds but are due to rise again because of entitlements – mainly SS/Medicare.

                1. Sudden   10 years ago

                  And yet perhaps, being in the business world, he has viewed deficits through GAAP accounting whereby the expansion of liabilities not yet paid out has continued to grow well over the money collected from these entitlements to such a degree whereby his assertion that deficits have failed to decrease is actually true.

                  But Buttplug Barbie says “Accounting is teh HARD!”

                2. Xeones   10 years ago

                  BBBUUUUUTTTPPPPLLLUUUUUUGG

    2. TwB   10 years ago

      He makes some interesting points and I think that China’s economy has to take a hit in the near future. They are running up debt at an alarming rate. And I think they have a housing bubble that’s going to pop soon, too. Shades of 2007-2008 coming to China in the near future, folks.

  22. Fluffy   10 years ago

    Who deflated the Colts’ balls?

    1. Atanarjuat   10 years ago

      You know who else deflated balls?

      1. Fluffy   10 years ago

        Amanda Marcotte?

        1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

          I thinks she’s more of a ‘punctured balls’ kinda girl.

      2. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

        Candie Evans?

        1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

          Rufus goes old school… FTW!

      3. Xeones   10 years ago

        The Good Masters of Astapor?

        1. Dweebston   10 years ago

          +1 -2

      4. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

        I know of one leader who only had one ball – or so the song went.

        1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

          It was Franco, not Hitler.

      5. straffinrun   10 years ago

        Volker?

      6. Elspeth Flashman   10 years ago

        Pelosi?

    2. TwB   10 years ago

      Ironically enough, the Patriots, for the entire second half of the AFC title game. Fuckers.

    3. Idle Hands   10 years ago

      Fluffy are you a Patriots fan per chance?

      1. Fluffy   10 years ago

        Yes, but I am a frontrunning Patriots fan who became a fan only because he moved to Boston and married a Patriots fan.

        This would be my perfect opportunity to show my fair-weather ways and ditch them.

        But I was just enough of a fan to be just interested enough to read the report. And then I got annoyed, and “someone is wrong on the internet” took over.

        You guys know how I am about people being wrong on the internet.

        1. SugarFree   10 years ago

          It’s one of your best features.

          1. Xeones   10 years ago

            That, and the dimples.

            1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

              I really have a thing for butt cheek dimples.

              1. Xeones   10 years ago

                Fluffy’s got dimples just everywhere. Dude looks like a golf ball.

        2. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

          Usually you can resolve that with a lengthy post written in all caps.

        3. Idle Hands   10 years ago

          Yea from what I understand the report was bullshit. I will say this on the subject I think the Patriots deflated the balls, Brady knew, other teams doctor the ball as well so nobody thought this was a big deal, the report is bullshit, and the NFL came down on Brady simply because ESPN hates Bill Belichick because he doesn’t dance.

          1. KDN   10 years ago

            I’ve been predicting exactly this sort of overweight punishment from the league this whole time. I can’t believe people are acting like they didn’t see it coming.

            The NFL came down on the Pats and Brady because they’re highly visible, everybody hates them, they have a reputation, and the NFL is trying to institute some institutional control that (in their mind) has been steadily reduced over the past 15 years or so, leading to its diminished reputation. I’m sure the league is sick and tired of all the negative headlines swirling around it, and with this controversy over a silly procedural violation they saw their opening to grab some control and took it.

            1. Rasilio   10 years ago

              Every Team has a history and the Pats are just middle of the road when it comes to cheating…

              http://yourteamcheats.com/cheaters/

              1. KDN   10 years ago

                Oh, joy. A combination bitter Pats fan / PED scold site. The Jets get as many points for the Revis tamper as the Pats get for Spygate? Perhaps there are some context clues for this.

                VICTIM: New York Jets (META-VICTIM: Goodell’s ego; he bristled at the Pats’ perceived challenge to his authoritah!

                Oh, I see. And such obsession over Robert Goodell’s internship gig, as if it’s at all relevant.

                Fun fact: 7 of the 9 Pats-specific alleged cheats (which I’m sure are undercounted after perusing the rest of the site) have happened in the Belichick era. I’m sure that means nothing.

          2. Sudden   10 years ago

            They came down hard on them because this is in keeping with a pattern of systematic ways of breaking NFL rules to gain a competitive advantage that New England has employed throughout the entire duration of the Belichick/Brady era.

            1. Rasilio   10 years ago

              Except the still havn’t come anywhere near proving that any cheating occurred.

              The Wells report is basically bullshit, they couldn’t find any evidence and they methodology was so flawed including ignoring basic scientific facts (like temperature fluctuation being able to explain the deflation for all but 1 ball, that ball just happens to be the one which was in the Colts possession for an extended period of time)

        4. Sudden   10 years ago

          I married a Patriots fan once. She cheated (imagine my surprise). Now I loathe them and their cheating ways in every conceivable fashion.

  23. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

    U.S. Set to Rip Up UBS Libor Accord, Seek Conviction

    The U.S. Justice Department is set to rip up its agreement not to prosecute UBS Group AG for rigging benchmark interest rates, according to a person familiar with the matter, taking a new step to hold banks accountable for repeat offenses.

    The move by the U.S. would be a first for the industry, making good on a March threat by a senior Justice Department official to revoke such agreements and putting banks on notice that these accords can be unwound if misconduct continues.

    UBS is among the five banks that are poised to reach settlements with U.S. regulators over allegations that they manipulated currency markets, people familiar with the situation have said. Four of them — Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Barclays Plc and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc — will likely enter pleas related to antitrust violations, people familiar with the talks have said.

    1. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

      Not sure how the US has the authority to prosecute for rigging the LONDON interbank offered rate. I guess the US banks agreed to something once.

      Yes, I know it is a widely used US benchmark.

      1. Xeones   10 years ago

        BBBBUUUUUTTTTPPPPPLLLLLUUUUUUGG

    2. Ted S.   10 years ago

      Only central banks are allowed to manipulate currency markets.

  24. Rich   10 years ago

    Car Wash Does The Job With Just 1 Cup Of Water During California Drought

    “Hey, Dude, why is your car all scratched up?”

    1. Atanarjuat   10 years ago

      Someone on another forum mentioned a California restaurant that was no longer serving ice water with their meals. Water crisis solved!

      1. Rhywun   10 years ago

        That’s the kind of shit the progs are pushing here on the east coast too – because everyone has to be as miserable as they are.

    2. gaijin   10 years ago

      Two cars, one cup

      1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

        *narrows gaze*

        1. straffinrun   10 years ago

          In anger or curiosity?

          1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

            Slight anger…

      2. Catatafish   10 years ago

        *retching*

    3. Somalian Road Corporation   10 years ago

      The nearly waterless wash will set drivers back $35 for a full service.

      Hahahahaha.

  25. Grand Moff Serious Man   10 years ago

    Harriet Tubman wins poll to be first woman on $20

    On Tuesday, the grassroots organization Women on 20s released the results of its 10-week-long online survey to determine the woman who?it hopes?will be the new face on the $20 bill. Over 600,000 votes were tallied, and a victor declared: Harriet Tubman.

    The group is marching its petition on Washington, at least electronically: Tuesday morning, it dispatched both written and video forms to the attention of the chair and executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls (Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen, respectively), and the treasurer of the United States, Rosie Rios.

    There is a kind of logic in the voters’ choice to replace the face of President Andrew Jackson, a slaveholder, with that of Tubman, a woman born in slavery, who became a towering abolitionist. (The other three finalists were Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Wilma Mankiller.) It might seem fitting, too, if an American banknote were changed to display an African-American woman during the tenure of the country’s first African-American president.

    Last month, inspired by the Women on 20s group and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, introduced the official Women on the Twenty Act to Congress. If the legislation passed, it would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to convene a citizen panel on the question.

    1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

      Poll of who?

      Also, why are they targetting the guy who only has one denomination instead of trying to take one of the duplicates? George and Abe have two denominations each.

      1. Charles Easterly   10 years ago

        “Poll of who?”

        Millennials?

        On a serious note, I agree with replacing President Jackson’s image since it’s rather an insult to have him on any Federal Reserve Note given how well he fought against having a central bank. It’s not that I like Jackson, he was vile in many ways.

    2. Rich   10 years ago

      Unfortunately, HARRIet TubMAN.

    3. Palin's Buttplug   10 years ago

      I say put Ginger Lynn on the $20 bill.

      1. Xeones   10 years ago

        BUUTTTTPPPLLLLLUUUUUUUGGGG

    4. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

      Could be worse. Eleanor Roosevelt was on the list as well.

      1. Rasilio   10 years ago

        Yeah, if we really want to go out of our way to put a woman on a bill Tubman is probably right up at the top of the realistic choices

    5. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

      Wilma Mankiller?

      Finally got fed up with Fred’s shit, did she?

  26. TwB   10 years ago

    “It is an absolute disastrous mess,” said Philly mayor Michael Nutter in a press conference. “Never seen anything like this in my life.”

    Actually, Mr. Mayor, all you have to do is drive across the bridge from Philly to Camden, NJ, and you will see an absolute, disastrous mess.

  27. Grand Moff Serious Man   10 years ago

    Cate Blanchett: I’ve had ‘many’ relationships with women

    The Oscar winner stars in “Carol,” a film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel “The Price of Salt,” which is set to compete for the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

    The 1950s-era drama follows the titular character as she embarks on a secret relationship with a female department store employee (Rooney Mara).

    In an interview with Variety about the film, she was asked if the movie role was her “first turn” as a lesbian.

    “On film ? or in real life?” Blanchett replied.

    When asked if she’s had offscreen relationships with other women in the past, she said, “Yes. Many times,” but did not provide further details.

    But Blanchett, who recently adopted a baby girl with her husband Andrew Upton, did clarify that like her character, she doesn’t require labels to identify her sexual orientation.

    “I never thought about it,” the 45-year-old actress said. “I don’t think Carol thought about it.”

    Blanchett and Mara’s characters have a charged love scene in the film, but the star said that viewers shouldn’t expect anything too racy.

    1. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

      “”Yes. Many times,” but did not provide further details.”

      This interviewer needs to be fired.

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

        The natural follow up question should have been:

        ‘Go on…’

        1. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

          +1 horny old man

    2. gaijin   10 years ago

      Galadriel on Arwan action anyone?

      1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

        Um… sure!

      2. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

        No. Galadriel on Toriel or GTFO.

        1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

          Why not a threesome?

          1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

            Your jib, I like the cut of it.

      3. Rasilio   10 years ago

        Arawen, not Arawan.

        Get your Tolkien right loser 🙂

        1. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

          Isn’t it just Arwen?

          1. Rasilio   10 years ago

            Crap I think you are right.

            I must now exile myself to the Mines of Moria as pennance

      4. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

        Er, you do know Arwen is her granddaughter, right?

        1. Rasilio   10 years ago

          So Aragorn is her Cousin

          1. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

            Yes, but something around 1st cousins 36 times removed.

    3. MJGreen   10 years ago

      Nice.

      And she’s married to such a weird-looking dude. With one of them funny Aussie accents.

  28. The DerpRider   10 years ago

    I was listening to TuneIn Radio yesterday while mowing the lawn. I kept getting two PSA commercials repeating that 1 in 6 Americans are going hungry and that autism has increased by 30% in two years.

    1. I don’t believe 1 in 6 Americans are going hungry in any reasonable sense of the word.
    2. There is no fucking way autism has increased by that much in two years. In a few years every single child in in the country would be autistic.

    What the hell?

    1. Certified Public Asskicker   10 years ago

      1. Doesn’t seem to align with obesity statistics

    2. Rich   10 years ago

      What with autism and Alzheimer’s, there’s going to be no one left to run the country.

      1. gaijin   10 years ago

        and noone right to run it either

    3. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

      A recent study in Denmark shows that nearly the entire increase in autism rates there is due to changed reporting practices:

      http://www.livescience.com/485…..rting.html

      I strongly suspect the same would hold true in the United States.

      1. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

        That’s been known for awhile. They changed from a strict definition of autism to the ‘autism spectrum’ as well, which resulted in a lot of disorders that formerly weren’t considered autism now being included.

        1. Andrew S.   10 years ago

          And a lot of children who were formerly diagnosed as being “mentally retarded” or any number of other ailments are now diagnosed as “autistic”.

          1. Dweebston   10 years ago

            It’s only a matter of time before autistic is the new retarded, isn’t it? “You can’t just call someone autistic, Karen!”

        2. Sudden   10 years ago

          Ex wife was a “special needs” teacher. I would stop by her classroom from time to time and some of the children that were diagnosed as autistic-spectrum were so fucking normal it was infuriating knowing that this racket continued.

          My eldest brother, born in 1977, was diagnosed autism/MR at the age of 3. I grew up my whole life knowing what autism was and how debilitating it can be. Seeing kids that are normal being given the scarlet letter was deeply disturbing.

    4. Ted S.   10 years ago

      1 in 6 Americans is on a diet?

    5. SRVolunteer   10 years ago

      1. I don’t believe 1 in 6 Americans are going hungry in any reasonable sense of the word.

      That number appears to be based on something the USDA refers to as “food insecurity”. Low food security means your food intake doesn’t change, but the person has reduced their food quality or variety due to lack of financial resources. Did you eat ramen in college and wish you could have had steak? You were experiencing food insecurity that year.

      Very low food security affects around 5% of households (not 5% of people – if Dad skips a meal, one meal in a year is all it takes, to make sure the kids have enough to eat then the household is counted as having very low food security)

      Food secure: meaning that they have access at all times to enough food for an active,
      healthy life for all household members.

      Low food security: Do not have access at all times to enough food for an active,
      healthy life for all household members.

      Very low food security: the food intake of one or more household members was reduced
      and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household
      lacked money and other resources for food

      http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1565415/err173.pdf

      1. Tonio   10 years ago

        Questions Used To Assess the Food Security of
        Households in the CPS Food Security Survey

        1. “We worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more.” Was that often,
        sometimes, or never true for you in the last 12 months?

        […]

        (from page 3 of the document to which SRVol linked)

        Not to seem callous but the first question asks whether they were worried about food running out, not whether it actually had. Big Difference.

    6. Rasilio   10 years ago

      the 1 in 6 is basically bullshit. It is based on a made up statistic called “food insecurity” which basically calls a theoretically random sample of Americans and asks them if at any time in the last 6 months they have had to wonder where they were going to get money to buy food.

      You can literally be in the top 10% of income earners and qualify as food insecure because of a short term liquidity crunch in your budget. To qualify as “hungry” according to this metric you don’t have to ever have missed a meal nor do you have to be facing an imminent certainty of missing them, just have a vague fear that you almost did or might soon miss a couple of meals and you’re officially “hungry”

  29. Certified Public Asskicker   10 years ago

    What?

    Men have their man caves, and now women are getting their own special spot: She Sheds.

    The idea, which has been gaining steam across Pinterest as the weather warms up, is that women transform backyard sheds into a hideaway where they can escape the daily grind. And for several women, the escape is making a major difference.

    I guess if my wife wants to sip wine next to the lawn mower, she can get crazy.

    1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

      Nice.

    2. gaijin   10 years ago

      gaining steam across Pinterest

      There is thought and there is action. Pinterest seems like neither

    3. WTF   10 years ago

      Jesus Christ – the reason “man caves” started in the first place is because the whole rest of the house was already a “she cave”.

      1. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

        ^^^This.

      2. MJGreen   10 years ago

        Right. What is the purpose of the living room, then? Or the den? Or the master bedroom? Or the dining room, or the master bathroom, or…

    4. Illocust   10 years ago

      So essentially, women with actual hobbies are setting aside space to pursue those hobbies. Okay?

  30. Old Man With Candy   10 years ago

    What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

    I’ll try to remember this excuse next time.

  31. Grand Moff Serious Man   10 years ago

    New Horizons probe snaps picture of all of Pluto’s elusive moons

    The New Horizons probe, heading for its historic flyby of Pluto in July, has now caught sight of all the known faint moons of the dwarf planet.

    They have been revealed in new images downlinked from the Nasa spacecraft, which is still some 90 million km from reaching the distant world.

    Hydra and Nix were seen previously, but New Horizons can also now resolve Kerberos and Styx.

    Pluto’s fifth known moon, Charon, is much larger and brighter.

    Pluto has a diameter of about 2,300km; Charon is half that. Hydra may reach over 100km.

    But the girths of the other three are probably just a few tens of km at most, and getting their faint forms to appear in the pictures from New Horizons’ Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (Lorri) means over-exposing Pluto and Charon.

    The probe is due to make its flyby on 14 July. Launched in 2006, the spacecraft has crossed some five billion km of space.

    It is travelling so fast that it will not actually be able to get into orbit around Pluto when it arrives, and will have to grab as much data as possible as it races past.

    The rendezvous will complete the reconnaissance of the “classical nine” planets of our Solar System. New Horizon’s flyby will mean all have been visited at least once by a space probe.

    Still a planet in my heart.

    1. gaijin   10 years ago

      will have to grab as much data as possible as it races past.

      When do we expect New Horizons to leave the solar system?

      1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

        It’ll be neck and neck with Voyager, we need another probe out there to take the photo finish shot.

      2. Auric Demonocles   10 years ago

        When don’t we?

    2. Ted S.   10 years ago

      but New Horizons can also now resolve Kerberos and Styx.

      New Horizons is sailing away….

    3. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

      Still a big ass comet in actuality.

  32. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

    re: the train crash.

    saw this on CNN:

    The area of the crash in Philadelphia, known as Frankford Junction, was the site of one of the nation’s deadliest train accidents; the Congressional Limited crash of 1943 killed 79 people.

    “It’s an extremely heavily used stretch of track,” transportation analyst Matthew L. Wald said of the area. “They have trouble keeping it in a state of good repair.”

    http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/…..erailment/

    1. Rich   10 years ago

      Crumbling infrastructure!

      Abolish the Dept of Ed and put those people to work on the rails and highways!

    2. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

      Has anybody checked Samuel L. Jackson’s alibi?

  33. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

    Hawaii’s $205 Million Obamacare Exchange Implodes

    Despite over $205 million in federal taxpayer funding, Hawaii’s Obamacare exchange website will soon shut down. Since its implementation, the exchange has somehow failed to become financially viable because of lower than expected Obamacare enrollment figures. With the state legislature rejecting a $28 million bailout, the website will now be unable to operate past this year.

    According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser the Hawaii Health Connector will stop taking new enrollees on Friday and plans to begin migrating to the federally run Healthcare.gov. Outreach services will end by May 31, all technology will be transferred to the state by September 30, and its workforce will be eliminated by February 28.

    205mil? What is this, a SAP implementation?

    1. Fluffy   10 years ago

      I don’t understand what you could spend that kind of money on.

      They had to build a website and some database structures and some web services, or maybe some ETLs.

      And the state exchanges spent BILLIONS AND BILLIONS of dollars, and still failed.

      1. John   10 years ago

        You could build a decent sized basketball arena for $205 million dollars. I bet the entire operating budget of Amazon and Ebay are not any more than that. The only conclusion I can make is that they just stole the money.

    2. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

      I donno, it could have been PeopleSoft.

      1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

        PeopleSoft and gubmint contractors turned DIMHRS into a billion dollar suckhole of wasted time, money, and resources…

        These hawaiian exchange guys are mere pikers.

    3. TwB   10 years ago

      “I have been to Hawaii!”-John Gustafson Sr.

      “Which island?”-Francesca Ragetti

      “K’mon I wanna Laya!”-John Gustafson Sr.

    4. mr lizard   10 years ago

      SAP is just Germany’s way of getting back at us

      1. SugarFree   10 years ago

        Seriously. Every time I fill out my timesheet I think that we nuked the wrong country.

        1. mr lizard   10 years ago

          WeveHav vays of wasting unt man hours…

        2. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

          *points and laughs* Even New York State wasn’t fool enough to buy SAP for that.

          No, we had the cronyist option with Bruno’s buddies at CMA (The funny thing is, the product actually works. It’s not great, but it does work).

          1. SugarFree   10 years ago

            It’s not so much that SAP doesn’t work, as it is seemly designed to make everything you do at 10X more difficult than it needs to be.

            For example, why does it think I have a 24-hour workday? OK, sure, I guess it was some idiot upstream that clicked the wrong box, but why is it even an option? Who the fuck has a continuous 24 hour workday? (or even if there are, why is it seemly the default option?)

            1. Catatafish   10 years ago

              “For example, why does it think I have a 24-hour workday?”

              Uh, SF, we DID already establish that SAP is Deutsch, ja?

              1. SugarFree   10 years ago

                Yeah, yeah, arbiet macht frei…

                It doesn’t help that our hours and benefits guy is a fucking redneck douche. I have to get my wife to remind him every few months that she can destroy him if he fucks with me too much.

                When he first figured out we were married, he licked my boots for over a year.

            2. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

              Your time off is benefit your employer generously gives to you. Just like the IRS lets you have take home pay.

              Or “golem” is the default employee.

            3. CatoTheElder   10 years ago

              SAP was originally designed for continuous process plants that have, as you might expect, continuous 24-7 operations.

          2. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

            I worked with a customer – big billion dollar company – who had SAP. They were shocked to find out that our ERP system could automatically import EDI; they were printing out that data and then hand-entering it into their system.

            I’m sure SAP has that capacity but in this case it was never implemented.

            1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

              … Even we can process EDI files automatically, and we’re a state IT shop. What sort of yahoos did they have working for them?

        3. Old Man With Candy   10 years ago

          Be grateful you don’t have to use iPoint, another German software abortion designed for demonstrating compliance to an American set of regulations (“Conflict Minerals”). I’ve probably wasted 300 hours in the past year trying to do something simple that could be handled in Excel in about 5 minutes..

    5. Suthenboy   10 years ago

      I can’t imagine more blatant corruption than spending eleventy zillion taxpayer dollars on a freakin’ website which then fails to work. It is plain as day what they are doing and they don’t give a shit if we know it or not. Maybe Obumbles does want us to know it and know nothing can be done about it because Fuck You.

      This administration is doing nothing but looting the treasury and passing out bushels of cash to cronies. That is all they have done from day one. Well, that and SWAT people that oppose them or just plain did not support them. I vaguely remember Steven Chu complaining that all he did all day long was write checks and pass them out to the ‘right people’.

      These fucking pieces of shit can’t be gone soon enough to suit me.

      1. GILMORE   10 years ago

        60 minutes on the $150bn in handouts made by the DoE, and why none of it actually turned out to be “good investments” (shocker)

  34. Certified Public Asskicker   10 years ago

    The wettest Hilary slurp job for today: Hillary ‘Rewrites’ the Economic Debate

    One reason Hillary Clinton is a formidable politician is that she’s very smart and very comfortable with ideas. Another reason is an uncanny ability to ignore the past, and its mistakes.

    Both assets are now on display in the highly public effort by economist Joseph Stiglitz to “rewrite” the economic policies of the past 35 years, all in the name of reducing income inequality and revitalizing an economy that works for everyone.

    1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

      “We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.”

      Isn’t all that new…

    2. Xeones   10 years ago

      “[A]n uncanny ability to ignore the past…” is one way to put it.

      1. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

        You know who else ignored the mistakes of the past?

        1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

          Hugo Chavez?

        2. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

          The Chicago Bears?

          1. gaijin   10 years ago

            + #6

          2. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

            +1 Super Bowl Shuffle (god I’m getting old)

        3. TwB   10 years ago

          Tiger Woods?

          1. The DerpRider   10 years ago

            Ha!

            1. Andrew S.   10 years ago

              I contend he’s learned very well from the past. He knew he was at his best when he was getting some strange on the side. Why not try again to see if that gets his golfing mojo back?

        4. Xeones   10 years ago

          Viserys Targaryen?

        5. Old Man With Candy   10 years ago

          The Eagles, demonstrated by them signing a quarterback that had to be taught to throw a spiral.

          1. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

            It is a tradition. See Jim McMahon.

      2. Princess Trigger   10 years ago

        “Ignore” or “Cover up”.
        whatevs’

      3. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

        Another reason is an uncanny ability to ignore the past, and its mistakes.

        At this point, what difference does it make?

        Something about “those who ignore the past are doomed…” really belongs here.

    3. Rich   10 years ago

      One reason Hillary Clinton is a formidable politician is that she’s … very comfortable with ideas.

      Like the idea of running the State Department on her private server.

  35. Grand Moff Serious Man   10 years ago

    My bikini has nothing to do with you!!!

    3 Bullshit Reasons People May Think I Wear My Bikini

    1. My Bikini Allows Me to Flaunt My Body

    My body is my body. My body is obviously a female body. I have boobs. I have a butt. I have hips.

    The existence of my body in a bikini does not mean I’m “flaunting” it.

    My decision to wear a bikini has nothing to do with how I feel about my body. Just because I wear a bikini does not mean I’m trying to show off my body.

    2. I Wear a Bikini Because I Care About Men’s Opinions of My Appearance

    Maybe you wear or used to wear a bikini because you liked the attention men gave you. Or maybe you wore a bikini hoping men would notice you.

    Maybe you like looking at women who wear bikinis. Maybe you assume women wear bikinis solely for your viewing pleasure.

    Your thoughts and feelings on women in bikinis have nothing to do with me and my bikini.

    Ladies, we are not all the same. We do not all do the exact same things. If we do, they’re not all for the exact same reasons. Your motivation for wearing a bikini is completely unrelated to why I wear one.

    Men, including my husband, my bikini isn’t for you. Yeah, you might notice me, but as long as you don’t harass me, I don’t care.

    Wow, she sure sounds like someone who doesn’t care what other people think!

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

      Why does she go out of her way to insult her husband in public? Poor guy.

      1. WTF   10 years ago

        It’s his own fault for putting up with that shit.

        1. SugarFree   10 years ago

          They’re married and can’t get divorced without offending their god. Why shouldn’t she go ahead and treat him like shit?

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

            I imagine he could try for a divorce – a divorce from bread and board. All the benefits of a modern American divorce except the right to remarry. But given his bad judgment in wives, this may be more of a blessing than a curse for him.

    2. Certified Public Asskicker   10 years ago

      Founder of Christian feminist blog Belle Brita. Fueled by hot tea & mimosas. Smashes the patriarchy in a dress & heels.

      Ugh.

      1. Aloysious   10 years ago

        I read this and laughed. Out loud.

    3. Fluffy   10 years ago

      What’s wrong with flaunting your body or hoping members of the opposite sex notice you?

      I’m starting to have a problem with the cult being built up around authenticity. (Rand was part of the problem here, so it’s not just an artifact of the left.) Everyone seems obsessed with demonstrating (or at least asserting) that everything they do is some kind of expression of their pure self, and is not in any way being done so that other people will notice it.

      And you’re right, in practice we end up with people who seem to really care about making sure that you think…that they don’t care what you think.

      1. Idle Hands   10 years ago

        People are weird. Same way people wear low cut shirts, have huge boobs and bitch about the attention they get.

      2. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

        “What’s wrong with flaunting your body or hoping members of the opposite sex notice you?”

        That’s what I said, but they still ordered me off the beach. Something about whales.

    4. Just a thought not a sermon   10 years ago

      “Men, including my husband, my bikini isn’t for you.”

      It must be a joy to be married to her.

      1. TwB   10 years ago

        Which is why he’s probably fucking someone else on the side. Who is fine w/ wearing a bikini for him.

    5. Rich   10 years ago

      The female Andy Rooney.

    6. LynchPin1477   10 years ago

      So why *does* she wear it?

      1. Xeones   10 years ago

        It was on sale?

      2. Catatafish   10 years ago

        Well, I’m just glad she’s established that it’s not to get people to look at her. Because one look at that amorphous, pasty mass of biscuit dough was enough for a lifetime.

    7. mr lizard   10 years ago

      Well perhaps she shouldn’t wear something that was likely designed by a dude. And no I have no citation. However from last trip to the beach it was evident that one of our fellow patriarchy had been doing amazing things for the world.

      1. Kaptious Kristen   10 years ago

        You are correct, sir

    8. Illocust   10 years ago

      Her cries about it not being for others would hold a lot more weight if the bikini wasn’t a terrible bathing suit. Seriously, it only exists to grab the attention of others. If she didn’t care about others she’d be wearing a one piece, you know the bathing suit that doesn’t have the concern of falling off.

    9. John   10 years ago

      I think someone needs to check her thin privilege and stop rubbing it in on fat women and women with body issues.

      1. Xeones   10 years ago

        I bet you typed the phrase “rubbing it in on fat women” with one hand, huh?

        1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

          NICE!

    10. Mickey Rat   10 years ago

      My motivation for looking at women in bikinis is unrelated to your reasons for wearing one, and whether or not you are trying to show off your body does not change the fact that you are doing just that

  36. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

    For the guy who said he would miss the morning links but wanted this posted – here you go:

    Company builds a storage shed for boys’ baseball team. The company does it for free. But this is at a public school, so…

    “That’s when officials with the Clark County School District showed up at the school and demanded that the storage shed be torn down. They said it violated Title IX….

    “It doesn’t seem to matter one iota that the girls softball team never asked for a storage shed….

    “…The school district took every single penny of the booster club’s money….”

    http://www.foxnews.com/opinion…..latestnews

    1. Certified Public Asskicker   10 years ago

      Just turn it into a she shed

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

        This is just a matter of he shed, she shed.

        1. Certified Public Asskicker   10 years ago

          Pitches be crazy.

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

            They’re just ball-busters.

            1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

              Pitching for both teams.

              1. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

                They swing both ways?

                1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

                  But they can’t even get to first base.

    2. Spoonman.   10 years ago

      The high school I went to had nowhere near the same spending on girls’ sports as on boys’ sports because it only spent booster club funds on them, or at least a large proportion. So I think they are wrong about the law here.

    3. Andrew S.   10 years ago

      Goddammit, you’re going to make me agree with Todd Starnes on something?

    4. Slammer   10 years ago

      Thanks Eddie, you da man

  37. Rich   10 years ago

    Artificial intelligence experts are building the world’s angriest robot. Should you be scared?

    “The disagreements among human values is almost unimportant in comparison with the difficulty of specifying this value sufficiently so that it can be coded. You have to solve all of moral ethics in computer code.”

    if (subject !== “The Prophet”) {draw(subject);}

  38. Elizabeth Nolan Brown   10 years ago

    Links Addendum: I think you guys will like this http://fredrikdeboer.com/2015/…..or-change/

    1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

      ‘You guys’?

      I don’t like your micro-aggressive and presumptive tone.

      1. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

        She clearly just understands that everyone here is a manarchist dudebro.

        1. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

          “Manarchist, dudebro ?. These are terms that are typically employed as a cudgel against the left by centrist Democrats.”

          The other thing I’ve noticed is the nauseating trend of progressive liberals appropriating the term ‘useful idiots’ and applying it to conservatives/libertarians.

          The term was and is exclusively used to describe liberal naifs; you know, the type who love communists and speak so highly of places like Cuba.

      2. Lord Humungus   10 years ago

        What about the women (all two of them) that visit H&R? And the asexual aspies?

        1. Elizabeth Nolan Brown   10 years ago

          Oh come on, “you guys” is totally gender neutral. Would y’all prefer y’all? [“Gentleman, Hazel, & Hey Nikki”?]

          1. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

            And Hamster of Doom and Kaptious Kristen and Lady Bertrum and Susan M!

            There are at least a half dozen women here, I’ll have you know!

            1. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

              And Busab Agent and Invisible Furry Hand and Illocust! Gentlemen, we’re almost up to 10! If Stormy Dragon were a woman instead of a man with a confusingly effeminate name, we’d already be into the double digits.

              1. SugarFree   10 years ago

                ESB probably at least lurks.

              2. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

                Does kibby still count?

              3. GILMORE   10 years ago

                “If Stormy Dragon were a woman instead of a man with a confusingly effeminate name, we’d already be into the double digits”

                Hell, dress Warty up as a girl, and we could even put on a performance of the Mikado

                And I resent this insinuation that there’s too many dudes in the comments. How about the *writers*? We got ENB on the regular…. shikha, cathy, pinch-hitting… and the occasional Lenore Skeneezy(sp)… but for all practical purposes, ENB is still the only hen in the coop.

                And why no mexican writers, Welch? Reason be all like, “Hurr Durr, immigrations!!”, but where’s Jose when morning links rolls around? Don’t even get me started on the Dwarf shortage @ Reason.

                So we’ll have no more of this slandering the commentariat, you…. you….. white people!

            2. Kaptious Kristen   10 years ago

              Thanks, man. And IFH and Bronwyn.

              1. SugarFree   10 years ago

                Riven is also a lady.

                1. GILMORE   10 years ago

                  “Riven is also a lady.”

                  Obligatory

                  1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

                    +1 pair of panties flung on the stage

              2. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

                I just wasn’t okay with them negating your existence. I have it on good authority that erasure is one of the worst forms a microaggression can take.

                1. GILMORE   10 years ago

                  “I have it on good authority that erasure is one of the worst forms a microaggression can take.”

                  Oh, god, its horrible

            3. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

              I thought those were just Alt’s.

              1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

                SugarFree is a busy…uhhh…

                whatever kind of thing it is.

            4. WTF   10 years ago

              There are at least a half dozen who claim to be women here, I’ll have you know!

              Because TANLW.

          2. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

            Oh come on, “you guys” is totally gender neutral.

            Yes, it is, but believing so is why you are history’s greatest monster /Valenti.

          3. WTF   10 years ago

            The preferred form is “youse”.

            1. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

              Yinz.

          4. Suthenboy   10 years ago

            “Would y’all prefer y’all?”

            Why yes, yes I would.

          5. Tonio   10 years ago

            Hazel is actually a guy, using the name of a character from a Heinlein novel.

            1. Lord at War   10 years ago

              ???

              Pretty sure I saw a pic that was distinctly female

        2. Dot   10 years ago

          Do I have to comment every time someone mentions women? (I have to, I feel obligated to represent)

          Maybe some of us chicks just get popcorn and like to watch “you guys” battle it out. 😉

    2. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

      LOL.

    3. Xeones   10 years ago

      Manarcho-brocialism is my new favorite political philosophy.

      1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

        Where is the “cialism” in “brocialism” coming from? I hope it’s not from socialism.

        1. Xeones   10 years ago

          Well, ok. It’s just my new favorite NAME for a political philosophy.

    4. Citizen Nothing   10 years ago

      Hacky garbage getting defended on political grounds is a contagion for today’s progressives.

      Ya don’t say.

    5. GILMORE   10 years ago

      freddy the boor. discovering his peers are all intelllectuallly dishonest children who use the same bs rheorical methods to attempt to discredit anyone who disagrees with them

      Manarchist, dudebro ?. These are terms that are typically employed as a cudgel against the left by centrist Democrats. (*Wut?) They argue for dismissing a particular political argument by presuming that a certain set of people makes that political argument.”

      gasp! you dont say? i am shocked. when did you first discover this rare phenomena?

      “It’s a contest in shamelessness: who can be more brazen in reducing race to a pure argumentative cudgel? Who feels less guilt about using the fight against racism as a way to elate oneself in a social hierarchy?”

      newsflash = progressive experiences brief moment of self-awareness : horrified trauma ensues

      he seems like a cuckolded husband – always the last to know

      1. Elizabeth Nolan Brown   10 years ago

        Freddie has been writing this same sort of thing for at least 8 years.

        1. GILMORE   10 years ago

          8 years of shock and surprise that such “good people” act like such idiotic dicks?

          he seems to be missing the point entirely

          he seems to think that the intellectual laziness and childish narcissism is something “holding progressives back”, rather than being its core defining feature

      2. Viscount Irish, Slayer of Huns   10 years ago

        DeBoer’s been talking about this problem for a while so it’s not like he just figured it out. The real issue with DeBoer is that he fully realizes how intellectually dishonest and lazy the people on his side are, yet he never considers that their total lack of curiosity and unwillingness to defend their positions might be evidence that they’re wrong.

        He still believes all the various left-wing ideas, he just wishes people on the left would be more willing to intellectually defend those ideas rather than running and hiding and calling people names when they’re not capable of explaining why they’re right – which, for most progressives, is virtually always since they’ve been so ensconced in a leftist bubble they’re now incapable of arguing any of their positions and don’t even know why they believe them.

        If DeBoer really thought about this, he’d eventually have to conclude that the total dishonesty and anti-intellectualism of the modern left might, just might, be evidence not only that they’re unwilling to debate honestly, but that their positions are actually incorrect.

        1. GILMORE   10 years ago

          yet he never considers that their total lack of curiosity and unwillingness to defend their positions might be evidence that they’re wrong.

          exactly.

          my impression of the guy only worsens if people say he’s been trying to play “life coach” for progs for most of a decade. at some point you’d think he’d connect the dots and realize that progressivism’s primary appeal is to satisfy people’s vanity – not actually “fix the world”. they dont ever give a shit about policy results… only intent and feels and power

        2. Tonio   10 years ago

          From a tactical standpoint, I’d rather have people like deBoer who, as an academic lefty insider, can reach people that we can’t. Once again, people are letting the perfect be the enemy of the good, purity be the enemy of practicality, etc.

          1. GILMORE   10 years ago

            I have watched him try and talk sense to people at Jezebel. I’m not sure what I witnessed was necessarily “Reaching People”.

            And while I can commend FDB for his higher-degree of self-awareness and candid acknowledgment of the most glaring flaws of the left…

            … there’s no “good” here being opposed.

            At best, he’s trying to get lefties to be *less petty*, and more practical-tactical in their efforts to achieve their goals

            Goals, which despite their feelgood marketing, require a top-down redistributive economy, and a far more invasive and activist regulatory government.

            Which are fucking horrible.

            he deserves credit for being a shade smarter than the average prog, and less hopelessly dogmatic… but he’s still a kool-aid-drinking true believer despite that.

            The best he offers are bleating appeals to his fellow travelers to stop being dicks

            e.g. re: Jon Chait’s criticism of the left’s recent ‘political correctness’-revival

            “Jon Chait is an asshole. He’s wrong. I don’t want these kids to be more like Jon Chait. I sure as hell don’t want them to be less left-wing. I want them to be more left-wing. I want a left that can win, and there’s no way I can have that when the actually-existing left sheds potential allies at an impossible rate.”

      3. Kaptious Kristen   10 years ago

        I’m surprised there isn’t an official Griefer Chart, with point values assigned depending on how oppressed you are. It also feeds into the credential fetish most leftists have.

        That’s why when you see an op-ed, it will often start out with something like “I’m a black Cuban genderqueer lesbian Muslim who was raised by two Hispanic men in Liberty City”. That’s gotta be, like, a jillion griefer points, so we should definitely listen to this person!

        1. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

          Have you looked into Intersectionality? It’s certainly moving in that direction (if it hasn’t hit it already)

        2. Tonio   10 years ago

          KK, why don’t you put something like that together. Preferably as an interactive game we could all play on here, similar to “you know who else” and Derpy’s “Spot the Not.”

    6. Catatafish   10 years ago

      “Do we still have the capacity, as a political and intellectual movement, to argue in a way that’s not entirely based on associating with race or gender in a totally vague, unaccountable, and reductive way?”

      Well, this all depends on what you mean by “WE.”

    7. BiMonSciFiCon   10 years ago

      I read the list of “Books White Men Own” and looked at some of the comments. It was exactly like he said. It was just a list of books and everyone in the comments went nuts about it. There was even a “I need to get a divorce” as if owning some popular 20th century books makes you a terrible person.

  39. ColonelEngineer   10 years ago

    Facebook claims that this great leap forward in publishing will help cut out that annoying lag when you click on a link to an article and wait for it to load on your phone.

    *puts on tin foil hat*

    My initial reaction is that every image, video, article, etc. burns up a little more of your data plan with each megabyte loaded. If you don’t have an unlimited data plan, wouldn’t this send you spiraling over your limit in no time flat – raking in fee after fee for cell phone carriers?

    Unless I totally missed something….

  40. gaijin   10 years ago

    One for all you Illinoisans…or those who just love Chicago!

    Chicago Bonds downgraded to Junk

    1. db   10 years ago

      Why would anyone love chicago?

      1. gaijin   10 years ago

        For its deep dish pizza?

        1. WTF   10 years ago

          That’s not pizza. And he said “love”, not “despise”.

          1. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

            Grrrr!

            1. Tonio   10 years ago

              Uh, Switzy, bro, you might want to be careful with that “Grrr” since it’s a come-on, wolf-whistle, flirt-line in the gay bear world.

              Got your six, bro. 😛

    2. John   10 years ago

      What kind of a nut loans money to the City of Chicago? I don’t care how high the return, who is buying these?

      1. gaijin   10 years ago

        Probably the pension fund managers of other states. Soon to be followed by the Federal Reserve.

      2. Xeones   10 years ago

        Hitler?

  41. Idle Hands   10 years ago

    Capitals going to win or lose tonight?

  42. Idle Hands   10 years ago

    Capitals going to win or lose tonight?

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

      Two posts? Are you going to bet on the game and then bet on the instant replay?

    2. Andrew S.   10 years ago

      It’s the Capitals. It’s game 7. They won last round because they were playing a team more incompetent in Game 7s than they are. What do you think?

      At this point, it’s “Go Lightning” for me, by default, since I despise the Rangers and am sick of Anaheim and Chicago winning.

      1. Idle Hands   10 years ago

        We’re def. going to lose. I wouldn’t mind seeing Anaheim winning, but Tampa would be nice as well.

      2. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

        Anaheim has won once. In 2007.

        Just saying.

        1. Andrew S.   10 years ago

          Yes, but they’re always up there. .

          (don’t mind me. I’m a bitter Flyers fan. We’ll win something eventually. Maybe. I don’t know. ::cries::)

      3. Catatafish   10 years ago

        What does it say about my beaten-down fanhood that I consider our getting out of the first round playing with house money?

        1. Kaptious Kristen   10 years ago

          Same here. I was shocked that they managed to get into round 2.

          They’ll win if I don’t watch the game (I happened to tune into the first series where they were tied in OT, and not 10 seconds after I tuned in, the Islanders scored the game winner).

          1. Ken Shultz   10 years ago

            I wasn’t shocked.

            They had the #1 power play and the #1 penalty kill.

            Holtby was on fuego.

            Playoff hockey is about special teams and defense.

            And rest for a goalie is ammunition.

            Holtby has had plenty of rest.

            Let’s go, Caps!

          2. Catatafish   10 years ago

            At least with the Wiz I can say “well, no John Wall.”

            1. Idle Hands   10 years ago

              Yea, I’m fairly confident they would have won the series already if he was playing.

      4. Ken Shultz   10 years ago

        I think you have to give the edge to the Rangers because it’s in New York.

        The best bet is that it’s probably going to overtime.

        P.S. Lifelong Caps fan here.

      5. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

        Sick of Chicago winning?!

        HEY PAL, I HAVE HAD TO ENDURE 3 decades of shite to get to this point…I want one or two more Cups.

      6. Sudden   10 years ago

        Chicago may be a horrible clusterfuck of fiscal mismanagement, but we’re foisting the cup again this year.

    3. John   10 years ago

      They are the Capitols, blowing 3-1 leads and losing game 7s is what they do. It is their move. They wouldn’t be the Capitols anymore if they won tonight.

      1. WTF   10 years ago

        But, Ovechkin guaranteed a win!

      2. Ken Shultz   10 years ago

        They’re playing a whole lot different than they have in past seasons.

        And making it to game 7 in the quarter finals isn’t exactly a failure.

        The Caps partially suffered from playing in the easiest division (prior to realignment). They used to be favored all the time because their record looked so good playing against so many crappy teams in their own division. People’s expectations were way too high, and they were inevitably let down.

        The biggest threats in the post season often barely squeak in. It’s just a different game playing against the same team seven times in a row–over and over again. The Caps are built for the post-season now. Trotz is on a mission.

        No one but Trotz expected them to make it this far.

      3. Kaptious Kristen   10 years ago

        They wouldn’t be the Capitols anymore if they won tonight.

        They’re not even the Capitols now, even before game 7 starts!

        Now, the Capitals, on the other hand…

        1. Ken Shultz   10 years ago

          That’s autocorrect for you.

          I almost feel sorry for Leafs fans posting from their phones.

          Almost.

          1. Kaptious Kristen   10 years ago

            That’s autocorrect John for you.

            FIFY

  43. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

    Holy crap, the Cato guy has gone around the bend. Let’s recognize same-sex marriage because…Nero…and Japanese emperors and their concubines…and now we have “Friends with Benefits!” Add an obligatory dig at *Ozzie and Harriet,* a plea for conservative to “go with the flow,” and you’re devised an airtight argument!

    And to what end? He’s only going to expand the scope of government. Under the old regime, private companies could decide for themselves whether to recognize same-sex relationships by their employees and customers. Now, they will be given no such choice. And of course what we need right now is for the government to formally abandon the idea that marriage is in some way linked to childrearing. Broken families will certainly contribute to limited government!

    1. Andrew S.   10 years ago

      Yes, G.K.C. We know. The government should constrain marriage, and everything else, to what it says in the Bible.

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

        …and in Confucius, and in pretty much anything written before the last few decades.

        But other than that, yeah, the Bible pretty much invented the sex-binary definition of marriage and Christians imposed that definition by force on the gay-friendly paradises of the ancient world/

        /sarc

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

          Now, if Christians had indeed invented the sex-binary definition of marriage, I would be boasting about it as an argument in Christianity’s favor.

          But all I am able to say is that American Christians are in the front lines of defending the sex-binary definition, just as they’re in the front lines of voluntary charity for the poor…again, Christians didn’t *invent* concern for the poor but they have a commendable militance about carrying out that concern.

        2. Citizen Nothing   10 years ago

          David and Jonathan were just good pals.

          1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

            Then it’s a sad world when the only reason two men form a strong friendship is because they want to buttfuck each other.

            1. Citizen Nothing   10 years ago

              If you want to complain about the sadness of the world, take it up with Jehovah.

              1. SugarFree   10 years ago

                Manna for Jews, tornadoes for goy, CN.

              2. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

                Jehovah limited male friendship to sodomitical relationships?

                1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

                  If you want an example of a strong male friendship, consider Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton. They could finish each others’ sentences, ha ha.

                  1. Dweebston   10 years ago

                    Okay, I chortled.

      2. UnCivilServant   10 years ago

        Well, Polygamy has more historical precedent than two of the same.

        1. SugarFree   10 years ago

          So does first-cousin marriage, yet it being banned in most states is not the HORRIBLE MORAL OUTRAGE that two unrelated guys who won’t breed a Hapsburg jaw baby is, for some reason.

          1. Xeones   10 years ago

            How do YOU know they won’t breed a Hapsburg jaw baby, all with their nefarious homosexual wiles???

            In all seriousness, Hapsburg Jaw Baby would be an excellent name for a band.

            1. EDG reppin' LBC   10 years ago

              Jaw Baby is a good band name.

          2. John   10 years ago

            Those things are actually illegal. You can go to jail for having multiple spouses or banging a close relative. In contrast, you are perfectly free to move in with Tony and call him your wife. Better still, you can leave him without going to court and the state will not mandate the terms of your relationship.

            Explain to me how government sanctioned gay marriage is a freedom issue? We improve freedom my making sure the government dictates the terms of gay relationships?

            1. SugarFree   10 years ago

              Your evident concern for gay relationships is duly noted, John.

              1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

                Consider that so far the results of SSM tend to be the opposite of what the activists promised – remember “how does my marriage affect you”?

                So would it be too far-fetched to worry what will happen to the activists’ promise that SSM will help gays into a fuller life?

              2. John   10 years ago

                I have no concern for gay relationships. Regardless, my question still stands. How are thy being make more free by government sanctioned gay marriage?

                You only give a snarky answer I assume because you have no real answer.

                1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

                  Again, I don’t know if state-enforced SSM will enhance the quality of life for gay people. I suspect it will only enhance quality of life for those who get a charge out of punishing dissenters from their lifestyle – and I can’t believe that all gay people are into that kind of thing. The media reports gay couples who sue bakers, and the non-suing gays get short shrift.

                  My point is that given the bad record of activists’ promises on SSM, there’s no reason to suppose their promises about gay quality of life will come true either.

                  Recall they promised that it wouldn’t affect straight people, but now dissenters are being sued into bankruptcy.

                  Recall that they promised there would be no affect on straight marriages, and now the same folks run articles about the benefits of adultery for straights.

                  Recall that when Massachusetts passed its Equal Rights Amendment, they were indignant at the suggestion that it would legitimize gay marriage.

                  Recall during the debates on DOMA and the marriage amendments, they said there wasn’t any danger of states exporting their gay-marriage laws to other states.

                  Remember when the Supreme Court promised that constitutionalizing a right to sodomy wouldn’t entail gay marriage, which was a Totally Separate Issue?

                  Remember the assurances here that the I Want Cake movement operated on a totally separate track from the SSM movement and the former not be sstrengthened by SSM laws?

                  Now they’re telling us how great these laws will be for gays!

                  1. CatoTheElder   10 years ago

                    Actually, Scalia said that homosexual marriage was the inevitable consequence of the SC decision that sodomy is constitutionally protected.

                2. SugarFree   10 years ago

                  No, I give a snarky answer because you aren’t interested in anything remotely resembling an honest discussion on this subject. Just like your buddy Eddie and his religious-driven bigotry.

                  Your concern is fake and you are just trolling.

                  1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

                    Don’t get your rape-tentacles in a twist, SugarFree, people don’t have to agree with you to be honest.

          3. EDG reppin' LBC   10 years ago

            Went to my cousins wedding last week. His cousins from the other side of his family were there as well. So, his cousin is smoking hot, and I’m chatting with her at the bar. The conversation turns uncomfortably sexual. I grabbed my drink and went back over to my wife.

            I don’t know if marrying your cousin is okay. But i definitely believe you should be able to bang your cousins’ cousin.

            1. The DerpRider   10 years ago

              This is way too late for a.m. links but,

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6T6veL5zWM

        2. Robert   10 years ago

          True, & even polygamy involves marriage between 1 man & 1 woman. Polygamy just means that a single individual is part of 2 or more concurrent marriages.

          Hardly ever has polygamy been conceived as plural marriage, i.e. the bonding of 3 or more persons at once, each considered a spouse of each of the others.

    2. Ken Shultz   10 years ago

      “Under the old regime, private companies could decide for themselves whether to recognize same-sex relationships by their employees and customers. Now, they will be given no such choice.”

      For some of them, I think that’s going to bite them in the ass.

      For those companies, they could extend benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees, but if you’re an unmarried heterosexual living with your boyfriend or girlfriend in a state that recognizes same sex marriage, then your company is effectively discriminating against you for being a heterosexual.

      Eventually, I’m sure these companies will start requiring same sex couples to be married in order to qualify for benefits–either that, or they’re going to have to start extending benefits to the boyfriends and girlfriends of non-married employees. And in a world where health insurance costs are still a major headache, it’s probably an easy bet to guess which way the wind’s gonna blow.

  44. Sevo   10 years ago

    So, Obama wants everybody to get together here:
    “WASHINGTON ? President Obama on Tuesday called for liberals and conservatives to break through their decades-long disagreements about how to confront abject poverty in America,[…]”

    And then we see what ‘everybody’ really means:
    “[…]Mr. Obama lamented what he said was a refusal by his Republican adversaries in Washington to put their concern into practice.[…]”

    And here’s an example of how those evil R’s want to starve the poor:
    “[…]The president said his unsuccessful effort to raise taxes on hedge fund managers was an example of the refusal by conservatives to compromise for the benefit of the poor.[…]”
    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05……html?_r=0

    I’m beginning to think that turd is actually Obo’s speech-writer.

  45. Matrix   10 years ago

    Don’t fall asleep in a meeting in North Korea, or else they will execute you.

    1. SugarFree   10 years ago

      And with an anti-aircraft gun.

      1. sarcasmic   10 years ago

        I can think of worse ways to go. That would be instant death.

        1. SugarFree   10 years ago

          Everything always has to be so flashy with this Un guy.

          1. sarcasmic   10 years ago

            That’s what you get when you cross a penis with a potato and put it on an ocean liner.

          2. sarcasmic   10 years ago

            dick-tater-ship

            *runs away*

            1. SugarFree   10 years ago

              Yeah, you better run.

      2. Princess Trigger   10 years ago

        Just winged him.

        1. GILMORE   10 years ago

          that sort of behavior doesnt fly around here

      3. Rich   10 years ago

        That’s what you get for giving Un flak.

    2. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

      Good luck to all North Korean narcoleptics.

  46. Ken Shultz   10 years ago

    I don’t think they should put up posts about strippers and then use a picture of a train derailment like that–that doesn’t have anything to do with strippers.

    I mean, what’s the point of having a post about strippers–if you’re just going to waste a photo opportunity like that a on a train derailment?

    Incidentally, this feminist’s ass has a mind of its own.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8zdTeGCbN8

  47. John   10 years ago

    http://dailysignal.com/2015/05…..ium=social

    This is what criminal government looks like.

    1. sarcasmic   10 years ago

      They can’t outlaw guns, but if they ban banks from doing business with gun dealers…

      1. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

        +$5000/bullet ammo tax

    2. GILMORE   10 years ago

      “”It’s a slap in the face,” Peggy Craig, owner of Michael’s Pawn and Gun in Fruitland Park, Fla., told The Daily Signal in an exclusive interview. “It affects my livelihood, it affects how I feel, and I think it’s total bias and discrimination“”

      Oh, the hilarity of identity politics being used by *everyone*.

      Something the progs naturally never really consider – that when one group starts claiming to be systematically victimized, that eventually everyone else starts to do the same.

      A commenter =

      “I don’t see why this should receive any less attention than declining to bake a cake for a gay wedding – another case of discriminatory refusal of services The press should be all over the issue.”

      Well, there’s a slight difference between a pizza place refusing to cater your events (while still perfectly willing to do business with you)…

      ….and institutions like Banks – which are fundamentally necessary to conduct business legally – telling you that they refuse to transact with you because of pressure from the FDIC and the Justice Department

  48. Stormy Dragon   10 years ago

    This is Amtrak’s second fatality-causing accident in less than a week. Last Sunday, a train collided with a truck in Amite, Louisiana, killing injuring two train passengers and killing the truck’s driver.

    Wouldn’t this be the fault of the truck driver, not Amtrak?

  49. Rufus J. Firefly   10 years ago

    “The heaviest burden Mrs. Obama will carry is her Gucci purse and the tremendous irony of a wasted opportunity.”

    Zing.

    They’re the most insufferable couple in the room.

  50. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

    I put this down to Habsurg inbreeding.

  51. Rich   10 years ago

    The lights are being erected at 47 crossings and will stay up until June

    when swapping them out again will save even *more* money!

  52. Injun, as in from India   10 years ago

    The bigots are leaving out polygamy practised by the Fundamentalist LDS Church and polyandry practised by the people of Ladakh.

  53. BardMetal   10 years ago

    Does this serve any purpose whatsoever then to add a KulturKampf element to something as mundane as a traffic light? How utterly pointless and retarded.

  54. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

    Huh, huh, erected.

  55. Catatafish   10 years ago

    “…will stay up until June.”

    Streetlight priapism.

  56. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

    If you’re the racist poster known as American, I’d prefer that you contradict me rather than agree with me.

  57. Swiss Servator, Switzier!   10 years ago

    Nicely done, Catatafish.

  58. Bobarian (sexbot hand model)   10 years ago

    I read the link as Australia…

    and thought “Are Hapsburg some kind of sheep”?

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