COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Friday, January 31, 2014

Use the Farce, Luke


96 comments:

  1. In mythy terms Obama is at Chakra Three, but, while becoming masterful, is not, as he should, mastering himself for some good service, like becoming a doctor, for instance, but is trying to Lord It OVER The Others. He has not 'seen and suffered himself in another, at last', and it looks like he never will. It is unlikely now he will advance higher up the scale, will never hear the sound made by no two things striking together, will not become Hero, and is, in general, all fucked up. I'll take the dude in Picture 1, he, at least, though not likely, may still come round.......

    ReplyDelete
  2. Is that Barack Obama?

    The President that has issued the fewest Executive Orders / day of Any President in History???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The President that got us out of the war that Bush lied us into, is getting us out of Bush's other ill-conceived war, and has chosen Diplomacy over Wars in Syria, and Iran?

      That President?

      Delete
    2. The President that has Cut Spending, every year?

      Delete
    3. Of course, the guy on the left IS a little "whiter," isn't he?

      Delete
    4. Rufus IIFri Jan 31, 07:47:00 PM EST
      Of course, the guy on the left IS a little "whiter," isn't he?

      So you are on that white (bad) black (good) kick again...cheap shot...

      Delete
    5. There is an historical figure that did create his own personal army, police force, and intelligence service. He was as white on the outside as the guy on the left, but his heart was as black as those of either man. It was said by a subordinate, "from the belt up is the teacher, from the belt down is the sadist." A cyanide capsule ended his life on 23 May 1945.

      Read his history of garnering and consolidating power; it is incredible.

      Delete
  3. The black-hearted, Nazi bastard has truck again.

    One of Obama's new initiatives involves basically asking large corporations to please stop discriminating against unemployed people:

    President Obama has persuaded some of the nation’s largest companies, including Walmart, Apple, General Motors and Ford, to revamp their hiring practices to avoid discriminating against applicants who have been out of work for a long stretch of time.
    Mr. Obama hosted a group of corporate chief executives at the White House on Friday to highlight those efforts and the use of presidential persuasion to help the jobless find work. In all, White House officials said, about 300 businesses have agreed to new hiring policies, including 21 of the nation’s 50 largest companies and 47 of the top 200.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And, there's more!!!

      The President will also lead by example and use his executive authority to issue a Presidential Memorandum to ensure the long-term unemployed receive a fair shot in the Federal hiring process. The Memorandum directs federal agencies to review their recruiting and hiring practices to determine whether these practices put long-term unemployed individuals at an undue disadvantage and report the results to the Office of Personnel Management. This process will help to make sure the unemployed or individuals who have faced financial difficulties (a common side-effect of long-term unemployment) are fairly considered for jobs.
      $150 Million for “Ready to Work” Partnerships to Support Innovative Public-Private Efforts to Help the Long-Term Unemployed Get a Fair Shot. Today, the President and Department of Labor are announcing $150 million in existing resources from the H-1B fund to support high performing partnerships between employers, non-profit organizations and America’s public workforce system that will help provide long-term unemployed individuals with the range of services, training, and access they need to fill middle and high-skill jobs.

      Nazism has finally arrived.

      Delete
    2. Obama is not a NAZI.

      Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin were not NAZIs. Himmler is illustrative only because of the brilliance of his continuous accumulation of power. By 1943, he simultaneously held the four highest offices just below Leader-Chancellor.

      The kid spent his formative years disrespecting the Stars and Stripes but admiring the Hammer and Sickle.

      HIs skin color is not important, but being a Red is.

      Even fellow Democrats are beginning to express doubts about his methods...

      If I had a pencil, I'd use it in the morning; I'd use it in the evening, all over this land. That's the man's promise and it is un-American.

      Delete
  4. The President responsible for the 29 hour work week.

    Some lucky guys and gals get 29-1/2.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our Employment Hero:


    What Is Really Happening With Employment


    11/03/2012

    According to the B tables released this month, from January 2009 to October 2012, the civilian non-institutional population grew by approximately 9.2 million people. During the same time, the civilian labor force – which includes those employed and those looking for work – grew by only 1.4 million. As such, the percentage of the population participating in the labor force declined from 65.7 to 63.8. The current participation rate is the lowest reading in decades.

    In January 2009, the total number of employed persons was 142,187,000. In October 2012, there were 143,384,000. That is a gain of approximately 1.1 million jobs. To keep pace with population growth, the U.S. needed to add roughly 6 million jobs.

    Given these numbers, one would expect the unemployment rate to increase. But, the unemployment rate actually declined. How is this possible? As mentioned above, the percentage of our population who are employed or looking for work has actually declined. Given these numbers, this would mean that more than 5 million people have given up looking for work. By giving up, these individuals are not considered “unemployed” but instead are “not in the labor force.”

    However, it is actually worse. We really need to evaluate things from peak employment, which occurred in March 2007. Since then, the U.S. population has grown by nearly 13 million. To keep pace, we should have added about 8.6 million jobs. But, total employment has declined by roughly 3 million. This means that we are really 12 million jobs in the hole.

    Regardless of which side of the political debate one is, those are the numbers and the task is clearly defined. In the end, it will not be our elected leaders who get the economy growing again and people back to work. It will be a return of consumer demand. Once this occurs, employers will begin hiring to support that demand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess 29 hours a week counts as being employed?

      Delete
    2. Those that get Aid to Mothers With Dependent Children, foodstamps, unending unemployment insurance, ObamaPhones, free ObamaCare etal., should be counted as employed as well, regardless they put in a 0 hour work week.

      Think of all the paperwork.

      Fair is fair.

      Delete
    3. In some places they can even score free crack pipes, and clean heroin needles too.

      An R2 Paradise.

      And legal highly carcinogenic marijuana too, though real smoking of cigarettes is frowned upon.

      One still has to roll one's own.

      Delete
    4. Meanwhile REAL WORKING PEOPLE, as in Allen's video, can no longer afford to buy health insurance.

      Delete
  6. Heinrich Himmler, (born October 7, 1900, Munich, Germany—died May 23, 1945, Lüneburg, Germany), German National Socialist (Nazi) politician, police administrator, and military commander who became the second most powerful man in the Third Reich.

    By 1943 Himmler had become minister of the interior and plenipotentiary for Reich administration. He expanded the Waffen-SS (“Armed SS”) until, with 35 divisions, it rivaled the army. He also gained control of the intelligence network, military armaments (after the abortive attempt on Hitler’s life of July 20, 1944), the Volkssturm (“People’s Storm Troop”), a mass levy of mostly older men, and later the Werwolf, a guerrilla force intended to continue the struggle after the war. He also unsuccessfully commanded two army groups.

    Himmler was a highly effective administrator and a ruthless and adroit power seeker who was slavishly devoted to Hitler until the final weeks of the war. He combined a penchant for philosophical mysticism with a cold-blooded, fanatical adherence to Nazi racist ideology in his role as the prime architect of the Holocaust. More than any other individual, Himmler was the man who created the network of state terror by which the Third Reich suppressed its opposition, eliminated its internal enemies, and compelled obedience from the German citizenry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So he was a racist like all of us here besides R2.

      BFD

      Delete
    2. What the hell?

      R2 hates and despises his white half.

      Never mentions it, has disowned it.

      It's the cause of all the troubles in his life.

      ;)

      Delete
    3. G-damned whites drill for oil, and shit.

      Delete

  7. Iowa Off-Exchange QHP Enrollments: 5,325 Individual; 4,694 Small Group; 147 Large Group = 10,166

    Nebraska Off-Exchange QHP Enrollments: 7,867 Individual; 8,079 Small Group; 1,833 Large Group = 17,779

    Between the two, that's nearly 28,000 more people added to the Private QHP tally.

    Ms. McGivern also notes that CoOportunity's exchange total is only 15,727, which means that their off-exchange enrollments are about 64% of their total QHPs! Obvoiusly this ratio is going to vary wildly, since WellPoint stated their off-exchange number as being "less than 20%" of their total, but if those two represent the high and low range, it suggests that as many as 30-40% of total QHP enrollments are being done directly via the insurance companies and co-ops. This is a significant development indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've known, for awhile now, that a large percentage of those that make too much to qualify for subsidies are just calling up their insurance agent, and saying, "what have you got for me?" But, I don't think anyone suspected that it could be as much as a third, or more, of total enrollments.

      The bad news, unfortunately, is that some (many?) of the companies are using this situation to rip many of those trusting souls off. Oh, well. Thass capitalism, eh? :)

      Delete
    2. .

      The bad news, unfortunately, is that some (many?) of the companies are using this situation to rip many of those trusting souls off. Oh, well. Thass capitalism, eh? :)

      Yea, who could have imagined that might happen?

      Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles. Why sweat the small stuff?

      .

      Delete
  8. Breaking, shocking news from Drudge.......

    STUDY: People slow to react more likely to die prematurely.........drudge


    duh

    "Here lies good Johnny Riggers
    He was fast on the draw
    But slow on the triggers"

    ReplyDelete
  9. Epitaph For The Obama Administration:

    "He Promised To Stop The Rise Of The Oceans
    But Couldn't Even Launch A Web Site"

    ReplyDelete
  10. Democratic candidates up for election in 2014 are fleeing Obama and ObamaCare like the rats from the sinking ship.

    What's this tell ya?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That he and Obamacare are really popular?

      Or maybe Democratic candidates are just plain stupid.

      Who knows?

      Delete
  11. Q&A: What exactly is happening in Ukraine?


    posted at 7:31 pm on January 31, 2014 by Mary Katharine Ham






    I chatted with Hannah Thoburn, a Eurasia analyst affiliated with the Foreign Policy Initiative, whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The National Interest. I asked her to give me a down-to-basics explanation of what’s going on in Ukraine, where she also lived for two years. Her talk with me is very closely paraphrased, but not precisely quoted, below.

    What sparked protests?

    There were actually two sparking events.

    1) Protest movement started back in November when the president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, decided not to sign an association agreement with the EU, which had been planned for for many, many years. The Ukrainian people, at least half of them, got understandably extremely angry because they had seen all the things that their Polish friends have next door. They see, they came from the same place 25 years ago and they have the EU and Ukraine doesn’t, and they see how much better off they are. They took to the streets in November and it was generally a very peaceful sort of thing.

    2) The second spark, the one that started the violence, was Jan. 16. In a show-of-hands-only, illegal, unrecorded vote in Parliament, which is called the Verkhovna Rada, the ruling party, which is called the party of Regions (its base of power is in the East, the more Russian-leaning part of Ukraine), pushed through a series of laws that were basically targeted at ending the protests. For instance, you’re not allowed to wear helmets; you’re not allowed to wear masks; If you drive in a line of five cars or more you can have your license taken away and your car impounded for up to two years. Ridiculously large jail terms were on offer for anything and everything. They passed a foreign agents law very similar to the one Russia passed last year, forcing everyone to register. There were additional restrictions on media. That blatant restriction of their freedoms is the thing that really sparked the violence that started a little over a week ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What was the reason for Yanukovych’s rejection of the EU deal? Is this just another story of a former Russian satellite cozying up to Putin?

      There are a lot of factors, but at the end of the day, they have in fact chosen to go with the Russian offer to buy $15 billion of Ukrainian credits. The Ukrainian economy is in a really, really, terrible state and they need that money to stay afloat. They could have an equal amount of money from the IMF, but [Russian money is] easier and it doesn’t come with any of the restrictions that Western money does. The West wants you to do these reforms and end corruption. The administration now, corruption is what makes them tick. They’re in it to get rich and going with Putin means they don’t have to give it all up. I personally think it’s very short sighted. but they’re doing whatever works for them.

      Is the opposition growing due to the heavy-handedness of Yanukovych?

      We actually don’t know. Ukrainian polling is not necessarily at a level where they do a very good job of going out in the streets during an event like this. We have polls from a couple of weeks ago. As far as we can tell, it looks like that President Yanuchovych does have at least half the people on his side, as of about two weeks ago. It’s very hard to tell whether the violence has turned it one way or the other. It’s not shown very much on television, which is now almost entirely controlled by the government or friends and allies of the president. On national TV you’ll see things presented as nice Ukrainian citizens bringing cake and cookies to the riot police.

      Opposition media is really based online. There are two relatively widely watched online TV stations. Facebook, and the Russian-language version thereof, are really important organizing tools for them. Twitter, not as much as other countries where we’ve seen.

      Delete
    2. What, if anything, is the U.S.’s stake there. How should it be responding?

      The US has made a lot of statements about it. The State Department is very, very aware of what’s going on. It something we really can’t turn a blind eye to. The U.S. has spent 20+ years really working to help build Ukraine and help educate Ukrainians on democracy, etc. I don’t think [the U.S.] feels like we can turn our backs on it. On the other hand, there is the thought that, the U.S. had a Civil War, and if that’s the way this is going to go in Ukraine, that’s their issue. They elected this guy and they need to figure it out. We can’t solve their problems for them. The U.S. and the EU really want Ukrainians to take control, take responsibility for their own country.

      Beyond statements, there are holds on visas of some Ukrainian officials who are involved in the violence. There’s a really strong desire amongst Ukrainians I’ve talked to to have more action. They’re really getting fed up with what they see as hypocrisy; they see the West as talking, and talking and talking and not really doing anything. I think more sanctions on leadership in Ukraine would be a good thing if only just to say, “Ukrainians, we understand your problem. We’re gonna stand with you on this. We’ll do something, you do the rest.” I think that would go a long way.

      I hear there is a Klitschko brother involved in this story?

      The opposition situation is complicated, but there are three leaders of three opposition parties. One of them is Vitali Klitschko, not Wladimir. Wladimir is the one who’s engaged to Hayden Panetierre. Vitali now runs a party that goes by the acronym, UDAR, which in Ukrainian and Russian means “punch.” He’s really done well over the last couple of years playing off of this boxer persona and he’s proven to be reasonably popular. What a lot of people are seeing now is that none of the three leaders of the opposition parties are actually leading and there’s really great frustration among Ukrainians that there’s such a deficit of leadership., The other day they were all three speaking on the main stage in Independence Square in Kiev, and Ukrainians were chanting, “Give us a leader!”

      All three of them would be perfectly happy just to lead. But for those who want to go in a democratic direction, it’s very difficult for one of them to shove the other two aside. What it has ended up meaning is there really is not leadership of the opposition. That’s another reason they’re looking to the U.S. and EU.

      Where does the country stand now? The president has literally called in sick. What is the status of the protest laws that started the violence?

      The offending protest laws have been repealed, but tensions remain high. Many cars belonging to activists have been burned. A prominent activist disappeared, then was dropped outside of Kiev to freeze to death, but survived to tell a story of a week of torture, even crucifixion. There was also an amnesty of sorts offered to opposition, but it came with conditions, so the opposition rejected it. It’s sort of a calm before the storm in the streets.

      Hannah also wrote on Ukrainian upheaval, here.

      Delete
    3. .

      Hanna sounds like she just graduated from Columbia University with a degree in political science. A lot of deep thoughts there. And feelings.

      .

      Delete
  12. http://hotair.com/archives/2014/01/31/qa-what-exactly-is-happening-in-ukraine/

    ReplyDelete
  13. "What was the reason for Yanukovych’s rejection of the EU deal?"

    None of the Euro's could spell his name right?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Replies
    1. He'll be remembered as the "Dot Dot Killer"

      Delete
    2. .

      So I'm at the Metropark, about 5:30 in the afternoon, and after about 10 minutes walking through the trees and underbrush I sees da mark sitting on a bench out in the open smoking one of them e-cigarettes so holding the gat slightly above my head and turning it to a horizontal positions I grabs my stuff pulls the trigger while all the time yelling "Wassup! S'up... S'up... S'up..." and I inadvertently bring down a large wild turkey that began trying to lift off at the first shot. When the extended clip was empty, I looked around but the mark was gone.

      This wasn't the first time something like this had happened but it was still embarrassing so I decided to hide the evidence. I grabbed the turkey and ran. Later, I dismembered it, put the parts in plastic bags and dumped them along the side of the road out in the sticks.

      Later, I burned the wig and the dress.

      Hell of a way to start the new year.

      Tony-Three Tits was pissed.

      Again.

      .

      Delete
    3. How did Bush lie to get us into the war in Iraq?

      I thought it was just bad judgement.

      Like Obama's exit.

      Delete
    4. Bill Clinton got in.... remember the no fly zones?

      Delete
    5. .

      Given the lives and treasure his actions cost us, either way, Bush should be in jail instead of painting landscapes on the federal dime. If not a culpable liar, then he was just felony stupid.

      .

      Delete
    6. Well you can't leave Bill Clinton off the hook...

      Delete
  15. HERZLIYA, Israel: Israel accused Hezbollah
    Wednesday of putting “thousands” of bases
    in residential buildings and said it would
    destroy these in a future conflict, even
    at the cost of civilian lives.  The unusually
    explicit threat by air force chief Major-
    General Amir Eshel appeared to be part of
    an effort by Israeli officials to prepare
    world opinion for high civilian casualties
    in any new confrontation with Hezbollah
    in Lebanon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are 179,000 rockets pointed at the civilians of Israel by Hezbollah (Iran) and Hamas. It's against the Geneva Convention to hid rocket launchers and ammo dumps inside of homes, hospital and religious sites.

      The next battle against the rockets will be painful for those who bomb civilians intentionally, they will lose their human shields faster than Teresita can make a post about Jews, Israel, Zionism or Judaism and take it back.

      As for my point of view? I think Lebanon is more likely to have a civil war sooner and the gaza strip be invaded by egypt before the next Israel war against the Hezbollah and Hamas.

      Delete
    2. WiO

      What is "Occupation “Sat Feb 01, 01:38:00 PM EST
      As for my point of view? I think Lebanon is more likely to have a civil war sooner and the gaza strip be invaded by egypt before the next Israel war against the Hezbollah and Hamas.

      If Lebanon falls into a comprehensive civil war Hezbollah will have to draw troops from Syria. It is likely that Hezbollah will provoke Israel into war, hoping to draw attention and combatants away from Syria and Iraq into a regional war against Israel. If this is the case, Israel will have to place on its head sets, set to mute, and ruthlessly destroy Hezbollah’s Lebanese stronghold, once for all. Israel will also have to create defensible borders which it is willing to defend indefinitely to preclude another such problem. Again, Israel must stop listening to others who would impose another fallible UN peace resolution destined to more of the same. As they say in the rodeo, Israel must ride its own chute.

      As for Gaza, Israel would have to waive provisions of its peace treaty with Egypt in order for Egypt to make short shrift of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza. Since both Israel and Egypt have everything to gain and nothing to lose from putting an end to the gangland sanctuary known as Gaza, a joint administration of a Gaza Protectorate might be possible. There is no time like the present. Indeed, such action might provide the impetuous necessary to create the situation contemplated in paragraph one, above.

      Israel must kill as many birds with one stone as possible in the shortest time possible. As importantly, it must be willing to defend the incorporation of territory into Israel that would make secure borders possible. For 65 years, Jews have been playing a zero-sum game with the world. It is now time to bring this farce to an end. In 1948, the UN expected the Arabs to solve the Jewish Question permanently. This was the expectation in 1956, 1967, and 1973. Israel must now present the UN with a fait accompli and make it perfectly clear that the UN will have to live with the result.


      Delete
  16. .

    Drought.

    Big problem for California and the rest of us.

    Sacramento, Calif. — Amid an epic drought, California officials announced Friday they won’t send any water from the state’s vast reservoir system to local agencies beginning this spring, an unprecedented move that worsens a precarious situation for 25 million people and 1 million acres of farmland.

    The announcement marks the first time in the 54-year history of the State Water Project that such an action has been taken, but it does not mean that every farm field will turn to dust and every city tap will run dry.

    The 29 agencies that draw from the state’s water-delivery system have other sources, although those also have been hard-hit by the drought.

    Many farmers in California’s Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, also draw water from a separate system of federally run reservoirs and canals, but that system also will deliver just a fraction of its normal water allotment this year.


    From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140201/NATION/302010035#ixzz2s5aGACS3

    .

    ReplyDelete
  17. .

    Once again, da man intrudes on our lives.

    FAA grounds drone beer delivery to ice fishermen

    For now.

    The Federal Aviation Administration informed Lakemaid Beer that it currently prohibits small businesses from using drones shortly after the brewer posted video of a test run last week on Lake Waconia, located in Minnesota west of the Twin Cities.

    Inspired by Amazon, Lakemaid had been testing a drone delivery system for 12-packs of beer to ice fishermen on lakes in Minnesota and in Wisconsin, Lakemaid president Jack Supple said in a news release. The beer is brewed in Stevens Point, Wis.



    From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140201/BIZ/301310108#ixzz2s5cFCeAr

    ReplyDelete
  18. .

    Farmer Bob buys wolf protection for his cat.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/pets/cat-battle-armor.asp

    .

    ReplyDelete
  19. .

    The present I chose to give Doug and R2. It was near the top of their bridal registry over at Cracker Barrel.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/style/body/whiskey-dick-lube.asp

    .

    ReplyDelete
  20. .

    I figure WiO might be interested in this.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/entertainment/fantasy-camps/lightsaber-combat-academy.asp

    .

    ReplyDelete
  21. .

    More products from Souls-R-Us affiliates.

    This one is primarily for a select clientele, Farmer Bob, or other masochists.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/household/tools/the-supermagnet.asp

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...sex...a pacemaker...a super-magnet...What could go wrong?

      Delete
  22. .

    For those worried about bringing a knife to a gun fight.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/weapons/halo-v-3x-32-switchblade.asp

    .

    ReplyDelete
  23. .

    A must have for those attending Super Bowl Parties.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/food-drink/the-can-stamp.asp

    .

    ReplyDelete
  24. .

    For all the ass-kissers on this blog. You know who you are.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/style/clothing/shreddies-fart-filtering-underwear.asp

    .

    ReplyDelete
  25. Of course, the guy on the left IS a little "whiter," isn't he?

    Yeah, I'm just such a self-hating racist, me with my skin the color of a cafe mocha.

    ReplyDelete
  26. .

    A gift to go with Farmer Bob's cat armor above.

    Guys can be cat ladies too

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/entertainment/books/guys-can-be-cat-ladies-too.asp

    Answers questions like

    Q: Do cats really have nine lives?

    A: There is only one way to find out.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  27. .

    Is there anyone who isn't pissed about Obamacare?

    Labor union officials say Obama betrayed them in health-care rollout

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/labor-union-officials-say-obama-betrayed-them-in-health-care-rollout/2014/01/31/2cda6afc-8789-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_story.html

    .

    ReplyDelete
  28. An Arizona couple is suing officials in two cities for allegedly
    cutting them off from basic utilities under orders of the polygamist
    Fundamentalist Church of of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS),
    KUTV-TV reported on Friday.

    Ron and Jinjer Cooke’s suit claims that they have been denied running
    water and electricity after moving to Colorado City, Arizona. The
    nearby town of Hilldale, Utah, is also named in the suit. The trial
    begain in Phoenix, Arizona, this week.

    “We thought we lived in America, and then we moved here,” Ron Cooke
    told KUTV in January 2013. “This isn’t America right here.”

    The Cookes argue that because they are not members of the FLDS, the
    Twin City Water Authority, which manages the water supply for both
    towns, did not give them a water hookup for their home, forcing them
    to refill a large water tank though weekly trips to a water plant.
    They also say they were denied electricity and sewage hookups because
    they were not in the church. Their living situation was complicated,
    the suit says, by the fact that Ron Cooke is disabled.

    ReplyDelete
  29. .

    Keystone Pipeline

    A new State Department report on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline finds that the project would have a minimal impact on the environment, an assessment likely to increase pressure on the White House to approve it. But the report sets no deadline for doing so.

    Given this evaluation of environmental impact, President Barack Obama and his administration will face increased pressure to approve the project, which enjoys widespread support among Republicans, and some measure of support among Democrats and allies of the administration, like labor unions.


    I've never understood the concern in the US over the proposed pipeline other than from those who will financially benefit from it. It will make zero difference to the average American. It will not make any difference in the price we pay for fuel other than to possibly drive it up. And the GOP (and labor union?) meme about jobs is either obtuse, ill-informed or simply cynical.

    The pipeline might provide 3,000 to 4,000 temporary jobs but only about 50 permanent jobs.

    http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/31/22524683-report-keystone-pipeline-would-have-minimal-environmental-impact

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it goes to a Texas refinery that is required to send the output overseas, so it won't do shit for US gas prices.

      Delete
  30. So a priest and a nun were out golfing one day. The priest, however, is a terrible golfer. He lines up his first shot and promptly hits the ball into the rough.

    "Fuck, I missed!" he cursed.

    "Father," cried the nun, "don't use that kind of language!"

    So he goes to the next hole and promptly sends it straight into the lake.

    "Fuck, I missed!" the father said again, under his breath.

    The nun had heard him,however. "Father, if you use that language again, the Lord will strike you down!" she warned.

    The priest lines up his shot again. Despite his best efforts, the ball falls into a sandtrap. Before he can react, however, a lightning bolt shoots down from the sky and kills the nun instantly. From very far off in the distance, a booming voice is heard saying "Fuck, I missed!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      :)

      Some would say not for the first time.

      .

      Delete
    2. T,

      In the spirit of expansive ecumenism, I have passed this along.

      FUNNY!!!

      Hmm...Could this be the answer to the age old problem of theodicy? Would it still be funny if it were?

      Delete
  31. .

    In flying to visit universities, I found myself checking my airline ticket as soon as it was printed, praying I hadn’t been branded with the SSSS stamp that I knew all too well—the mark of a passenger who has been singled out as a potential threat to national security and designated for special screening. But the selectee mark never did appear.

    Confessions of a TSA agent.

    Dear America, I Saw You Naked. And yes, we were laughing.

    Read more at: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/01/tsa-screener-confession-102912.html#.Uu1JAaOYbX4

    I just don't fly that much anymore. Does anyone here have the SSSS stamped on their tickets? Will have to ask Deuce when he gets back.

    :)

    .

    ReplyDelete
  32. Obamacare? What can you say? Everybody wants to get to heaven, but nobody wants to die.

    She never mentions the word, addictions...
    She pulls those shades down tight
    Oh yeah, there's a smile when the pains comes
    The pain's gonna make everything alright, alright, Yeah


    She Talks to Angels

    ReplyDelete
  33. now this is cool....

    http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Explosion-kills-four-in-Hezbollah-stronghold-near-Syria-340051

    More car bombings in Lebanon against the Shits...

    ReplyDelete
  34. High Speed Threat
    Pentagon intelligence official says Chinese hypersonic weapon poses major challenge


    It has been the goal of the PLA to control the Western Pacific for years. What is to be done? Oh, that's right, we can send out John "Killer" Kerry to talk them to death. We can take pride in making it possible for a third world agrarian society to reach economic and military parity with us. Yeah, "We'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony..."

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sen. John McCain, one of the leading pro-amnesty legislators in Washington, has offered praise to the Republicans in the House of Representatives. Why? Because, like the Senate, GOP Republicans are now beginning to cave in as well. McCain welcomes the GOP plan to grant legal status to illegal aliens and thanked House Speaker John Boehner for “getting control” of his colleagues.

    ReplyDelete
  36. WiO

    What is "Occupation “Sat Feb 01, 01:38:00 PM EST
    As for my point of view? I think Lebanon is more likely to have a civil war sooner and the gaza strip be invaded by egypt before the next Israel war against the Hezbollah and Hamas.

    If Lebanon falls into a comprehensive civil war Hezbollah will have to draw troops from Syria. It is likely that Hezbollah will provoke Israel into war, hoping to draw attention and combatants away from Syria and Iraq into a regional war against Israel. If this is the case, Israel will have to place on its head sets, set to mute, and ruthlessly destroy Hezbollah’s Lebanese stronghold, once for all. Israel will also have to create defensible borders which it is willing to defend indefinitely to preclude another such problem. Again, Israel must stop listening to others who would impose another fallible UN peace resolution destined to more of the same. As they say in the rodeo, Israel must ride its own chute.

    As for Gaza, Israel would have to waive provisions of its peace treaty with Egypt in order for Egypt to make short shrift of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza. Since both Israel and Egypt have everything to gain and nothing to lose from putting an end to the gangland sanctuary known as Gaza, a joint administration of a Gaza Protectorate might be possible. There is no time like the present. Indeed, such action might provide the impetuous necessary to create the situation contemplated in paragraph one, above.

    Israel must kill as many birds with one stone as possible in the shortest time possible. As importantly, it must be willing to defend the incorporation of territory into Israel that would make secure borders possible. For 65 years, Jews have been playing a zero-sum game with the world. It is now time to bring this farce to an end. In 1948, the UN expected the Arabs to solve the Jewish Question permanently. This was the expectation in 1956, 1967, and 1973. Israel must now present the UN with a fait accompli and make it perfectly clear that the UN will have to live with the result.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Since this post was repeated from above I guess that means it's pretty important. But frankly, I assumed that it merely describes the plan that was there all along.

      Kerry has stated that the current initiative with Israel and the PA is the 'last' chance for a two-state settlement and if it fails we can forget about a two-state solution. Few people really think anything will come of the current negotiations. If Kerry is right, then perhaps we can at least forget about this kabuki that has been playing out over the last 65 years.

      As for the rest of the plan, it merely lays out what hegemons do. The US did it for 150 years. Russia did it for centuries. China continues to try and do it. Israel will do it until it is either stopped or it feels secure within its expanded borders.

      .

      Delete
  37. Bill Maher makes Country Music Awards shooting joke

    Bill Maher, the philosophical giant of the left has spoken. He’s such a card.

    “Now that liberals have forwarded their agenda by inserting a mass gay wedding into the Grammys, conservatives must match them tit-for-tat by having a mass shooting at the Country Music Awards,” Maher said Friday during his HBO program, “Real Time with Bill Maher.”


    “I’m sorry, but this is the problem with the gun debate is that it’s a constant center-right debate. There’s no left in this debate. Everyone on the left is so afraid to say what should be said which is, ‘The Second Amendment is bulls-—,’”


    Maher is also a Constitutional scholar.

    ReplyDelete
  38. If you know what's good for America, you will shut your door when the Girl Scouts come a knockin', and you'll "back away from those Girl Scout Cookies," conservative Christian groups are telling their constituents. It has nothing to do with evangelicals adopting gluten-free diets (although there is now a certified gluten-free Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookie), or concerns about eliminating fat from their diets. It's all about right-wingers charging Girl Scouts USA with supporting Planned Parenthood, pro-abortion role models like Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and organizations like Amnesty International, the ACLU, and the National Organization for Women (NOW).

    http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/item/18450-conservatives-launch-war-on-cookies-evangelicals-attack-girls-scouts-usa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why do we call Muzzie's who strap on suicide belts and blow themselves to kingdom come as "crazy", while describing women who vacuum innocent screaming infant life out of their bellies "enlightened"?

      Delete
    2. ...although I'm damned sure thankful Betty Friedan availed herself after going out on a limb with a loaded Turkey Baster.

      Delete
    3. .

      What does that banner say?

      It looks like 'Old Quest'.

      Which seems a little insensitive I must say.

      Especially, since she was such a handsome women.

      .

      Delete
    4. .

      What I meant to say was 'Old Guest' not 'Old Quest'.

      Though with Betsy either could apply I quess, or I mean I guess.

      .

      Delete
    5. .

      ...er, I mean I guess.

      Had a couple beers with dinner. I think I'll take a nap.

      .

      Delete
    6. "woman"

      I've heard R2 has taken up counseling.

      You might consider it.

      A journey of a thousand miles... and all that.

      R2 turns back the odometer when he's in flex-fuel mode.

      Delete
    7. Being a Generous Soul (as long as the gift is free) my interpretation of Betsy's Banner was "Honored Guest"

      Delete
    8. Suicide Bombers should re-brand themselves as "Pro Bits and Pieces"

      Delete
    9. "When your little offspring comes out lame, call Roto-Rooter and send it down the drain."

      Delete

  39. ".

    The present I chose to give Doug and R2. It was near the top of their bridal registry over at Cracker Barrel.

    http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/style/body/whiskey-dick-lube.asp

    ."


    How did you acquire your sensitivity to relationship issues?

    Was it through formal training, or life experience?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Sensitivity training.

      Though I had to repeat the class a few times before they told me they thought I was starting to 'get it'.

      .

      Delete
    2. Had you taken an Assertiveness Class first, you could have saved time and money by simply asking them to turn up the pressure.

      After which you could have gradually tapered off until just before you couldn't feel it.

      Delete
    3. .

      Frankly, though I never did quite 'get it' I enjoyed going back for the chocolate chip cookies and the cute HR intern they had teaching the class.

      And, since you are pushing me on this, I have to admit I bought the dick lube because it was the cheapest item on the bridal registry.

      .

      Delete
    4. Why they don't incorporate a spermicide and teeth-whitener is beyond me.

      Cost-cutting, I'm guessing.

      Delete
  40. "Of course, the guy on the left IS a little "whiter," isn't he?

    Yeah, I'm just such a self-hating racist, me with my skin the color of a cafe mocha."

    ---

    Did you develop a lifelong habit of avoiding the term: "Shit Brown" ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Before Starbucks, she called it

      Don's Drive-in's Dregs.

      Delete