tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post3529554433152900245..comments2024-03-29T06:35:11.321-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: VP Cheney Unannounced in Afghanistan, maybe.Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-31360559851528711872007-02-28T00:01:00.000-05:002007-02-28T00:01:00.000-05:00j willie,I appreciate your kind words. It is only ...j willie,<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your kind words. It is only fair to warn you, however, that the passage of years has turned my "six" into a "567" - a much larger target area.<BR/>;-)allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-80218581430535827062007-02-27T23:39:00.000-05:002007-02-27T23:39:00.000-05:00allen,I particularly enjoy your thoughts observati...allen,<BR/><BR/>I particularly enjoy your thoughts observations and , most of all, your sly, dry wit. Let's endeavor to watch one another's back henceforth, as I divine that you are a trustworthy sole, and will tell you that I am too. Of course, you will be the judge of that.j williehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13351257651406475696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-62662892553781978352007-02-27T23:29:00.000-05:002007-02-27T23:29:00.000-05:00Thanks Allen. Yeah, I've woke up in and outside o...Thanks Allen. Yeah, I've woke up in and outside of may bars, never knowin' how I get there or whether I had fun in the process. First thing I always check when I wake up is whether my contacts or in, then whether my nose is broke and finally, whether my wallet is in my pocket or not. If last conditions is ture, i figure I won for the night!<BR/><BR/>Son of a son of a sailor man.<BR/><BR/>DR, I probably wouldn't dislike you personally, an may in fact enjoy engaging with you in a full, three dimesional environment. In this flat, two dimensional environment, however, my suggestion would be that you respond on topic (not with a tsunami of related and unrelated factoids, all of which may be interesting, but only one or two of which are relevant. <BR/><BR/>In summary, and with sincerity, I think your style more than your intent yields counterproductive results for all. As always, that't my opinion only, and you can give it back to me to wipe my ass with. <BR/><BR/>Lastly, I must touch on habu's point about underlying leftwing, socialistic perspective. Only occasionally do I here you speak, DR, like I would expect a countryman to speak. Especially a non-elities, but pulled yourself up by your boots natural borne capitalist like yourself (best I can tell from Phoenix contracting to show horse mags/websites/stores.) In the exchange that follows between you and Allen, I hear two sane, slightly skeptical. but USA loving people wondering about the mess we might be in: <BR/><BR/> allen said...<BR/><BR/> DR,<BR/><BR/> That is all useful information, I am sure; but does it mean you would support expanding the war into Syria and Iran, given Congressional support?<BR/><BR/> Tue Feb 27, 07:34:00 PM EST<BR/>desert rat said...<BR/><BR/> Yes, if we burned 'em down.<BR/> No, if we pussyfooted around.<BR/><BR/> I doubt we knock 'em out in a week, which we could. Won't make the "all in" committment to Victory.<BR/> I do not believe Mr Bush or his Generals have it in them.<BR/><BR/> To strike at a warehouse or two on the Shia Hiway, doesn't move US ahead, it'd be eyewash.<BR/><BR/> I don't think we'd have to, maybe... if the Revolution begins.<BR/> Shah Jr, he did promise a Coup.<BR/> Never delivered, thoug, can't trust hardly any of them folk over there.<BR/><BR/> Tue Feb 27, 07:54:00 PM EST<BR/>desert rat said...<BR/><BR/> If we do not go all in, better a Islamic "Cold War" over a partitioned Iraq.<BR/><BR/> That would be preferable to an expanded War of a Thousand Cuts, one the US public will not stand with for long.<BR/><BR/> Those seem to be the options, come Summer.<BR/><BR/> Tue Feb 27, 07:58:00 PM EST<BR/>allen said...<BR/><BR/> DR,<BR/><BR/> Thanks for the informative, cogent reply.<BR/><BR/> I too doubt the administration's will.<BR/><BR/> Something that has gone uncommented today is General Pace's testimony yesterday bemoaning the lack of US readiness. At long last, the Chairman acknowledges the fatigue of both men and equipment from the years' long struggle in the SW Asia. From information gathered over the transom and leaked to media, this has been the military's view for at least two years. That would have been nice to know.<BR/><BR/> Rather than concentrating on the administration's duplicity, I hope the administration pulls itself together and seriously approaches Congress with plans to re-equip and enlarge the military, as some of us lesser voices on the inside have advocated for years.<BR/><BR/> The implications of General Pace's testimony are sobering. There will be crises ahead and time is not our friend. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Now that's straightforwardness, and real communication. When that happens, both parties benefit (as well as many observers). But when its the I'll bury you in an avalanche of factoids approach, nobody wins, especially DR.<BR/><BR/>OK, going down to the fridge for the last Red Stripe; would prefer to end the night with arms around one anothers shoulders singing whatever the fuck stupid song is on the juke box, but, if anybody still wants to have words, then c'mon mutha fucker.j williehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13351257651406475696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-63763036365633489002007-02-27T22:56:00.000-05:002007-02-27T22:56:00.000-05:00j willie,Thanks for your courteous reply. Again, s...j willie,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your courteous reply. Again, stay with us. Your comments would be greatly missed. And, hey, because it is a bar, no one will know the better of what was said the night before.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-57705067654575225722007-02-27T22:46:00.000-05:002007-02-27T22:46:00.000-05:00Lately I've been extolling the success we've achie...Lately I've been extolling the success we've achieved in Basra, swinging for the fences, right along with Mr Cheney & Ms Rice.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-58953093530198168652007-02-27T22:44:00.000-05:002007-02-27T22:44:00.000-05:00There you go j.It's all on you, what ever you wish...There you go j.<BR/>It's all on you, what ever you wish to do.<BR/>It is an open forum.<BR/><BR/>As I recall you used goggle's market value to extol the success of advertising on the Web.<BR/><BR/>Though the two are only marginally connected. It's people thinkin' they know the future value of market share, that's what drives google, more so than operating profits.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-24123325086870680412007-02-27T22:26:00.000-05:002007-02-27T22:26:00.000-05:00As noted earlier, sorry I can't stay for the back ...As noted earlier, sorry I can't stay for the back and forth - got family to whom attention is due. <BR/><BR/>Allen, I think it was Wretchard's request for limiting one's comments to two per post that gave rise to the EB. but hey, it's a bar and one's memory gets foggy.<BR/><BR/>DR,<BR/><BR/>I argued with you, but you don't debate head on; instead you throw up a mound of bullshit a mile wide, usually with some relevant and decent response buried therein, but , frankly, I don't have time for those games. If you want to play games, there's World of Warcraft, or whatever the fuck its called. If you want to debate, be a man about it. I took you on about advertising, video and the web washing newspapers out of the mainstream. Its what I'm involved with for a living and I know what I know. You didn't respond to my point in anything but a tangential, evasive and off-point manner, being only slightly less cryptic than trish (I've had better dialogue with my stoned, drunk monkey than I've ever witnessed anyone have with her/it/whatever).<BR/><BR/>If you want to debate, then debate. If you want to carp/whine/bitch/moan/nag, then I guess there will just be a few less commenters here.j williehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13351257651406475696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-44310720234016232712007-02-27T21:09:00.000-05:002007-02-27T21:09:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-75031176090733856362007-02-27T20:54:00.000-05:002007-02-27T20:54:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-86932669100136774192007-02-27T20:18:00.000-05:002007-02-27T20:18:00.000-05:00As I said back in the day at the BC, and often her...As I said back in the day at the BC, and often here, argue with me.<BR/>Open source a rebuttal.<BR/><BR/>Rufus swung me on switchgrass, but it is a daunting change of course, hundreds of distilleries must be built each year to reach Mr Bush's Goal of 20% gas use reduction.<BR/>200 or 300 @ $3 million USD each, per year, from now to 2030.<BR/><BR/>Quite a committment, but doable.<BR/><BR/>If one takes the time to <A HREF="http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com%2F" REL="nofollow">dheck</A> the BC stats, click on on three yr look for the proper trend view, the fall of BC continues, well after I left it's blogging confines. It does not track BC prior to the fallback move, but ...<BR/><BR/>As I say, input all the data you can find, I'll factor it in with the other signs that can be seen, but a rosey scenario, I do not see. <BR/><BR/>And cruiser, over at BC postited the ISI hit on Mr Cheney, went on for a while about it.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-63416305299192721442007-02-27T20:01:00.000-05:002007-02-27T20:01:00.000-05:00j willie,Please remain with the EB.I am unaware of...j willie,<BR/><BR/>Please remain with the EB.<BR/><BR/>I am unaware of Wretchard having established any limits to commenting other than reliance on good manners. He did shut down comments on one occasion after a series of gratuitous personal insults by one of those you reference.<BR/><BR/>Buddy Larsen and Rufus are missed. But if keeping them means turning a raucous bar into an administration glee club, that is a price I am willing to pay. There are plenty of happy conservative sites to be found; Cap’n Ed meets that bill perfectly. If toleration of sometimes irritating monotony is the price paid for uncensored expression, then, so be it.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-42001848616910490532007-02-27T19:13:00.000-05:002007-02-27T19:13:00.000-05:00I often see DR get attacked on a personal basis. H...I often see DR get attacked on a personal basis. He is unflappable and I can honestly not recall him being called on his facts.<BR/><BR/>DR is about as shifty and evasive as one can get. Constantly throws up smokescreens of unrelated tidbits to throw off those who try to disagree with him. A fari debater he is not.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad to see habu back, but I'm not sure how long I'm gonna hang around if his is gonna be the DR Bar. There is a reason Wretchard imposed a limit on comments; one LOUD, excessive voice becomes just too tiresome to listen to/deal with. It's a shame, because their are few other places where one finds so many well-informed, participate readers. But for the same reason that bad money drives out good, bad bs will drive out the good. Happens all the time - the good bs just find another home. Buddy Larsen and Rufus were both excellent commenters - but now gone. So was habu, but he, like I, would prefer to continue to participate here. But if it's DR's Bar, then I'm guessing there will be less patrons. <BR/><BR/>Just my two cents; your mileage may vary.<BR/><BR/>PS - I don't have time for the back and forth that some of you do - wish I did!j williehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13351257651406475696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-33642115527299750742007-02-27T18:22:00.000-05:002007-02-27T18:22:00.000-05:00These statistics have strategic implications. But ...These statistics have strategic implications. But the problem is not our crotch; rather, it is our cranium.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=healthNews&storyid=2007-02-27T213209Z_01_N27380525_RTRUKOC_0_US-HPV-WOMEN.xml&src=rss&rpc=22" REL="nofollow">HPV infections seen in over quarter of U.S. women</A><BR/><BR/>***allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-43243550123260150532007-02-27T18:01:00.000-05:002007-02-27T18:01:00.000-05:00bobalharb said it best:"I do not have any perfect ...bobalharb said it best:<BR/>"I do not have any perfect answer for the relations betwict the SECTS, but I know if it don't work, you can't force it to work."Panama Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15491745145575475548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-46077054838176318822007-02-27T17:41:00.000-05:002007-02-27T17:41:00.000-05:00Pro 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of t...Pro 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-74475141627660775042007-02-27T17:33:00.000-05:002007-02-27T17:33:00.000-05:00Pro 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness,...Pro 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20263336820881952312007-02-27T17:32:00.000-05:002007-02-27T17:32:00.000-05:00Taliban? No way. This was a Rovian plot to launc...Taliban? No way. This was a Rovian plot to launch Condi as a replacement to Dick. But he's lost his touch.<BR/><BR/>Bobalharb, the answer is an adolescent daughter.you are mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07155769717072471000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-24632203801438902602007-02-27T17:09:00.000-05:002007-02-27T17:09:00.000-05:00The Taliban claim to have hundreds if not thousand...The Taliban claim to have hundreds if not thousands of volunteer suicide bombers. Probably, they have a number of trained volunteers stationed in or near Bagram to carry out an assignment on very short notice.<BR/><BR/>I doubt that Cheney's itinerary was leaked to any Pakis. So, that leaves me with coincidence or possibly a leak from within Bagram or unusual activity associated with the VP's arrival was seen by the observant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-46262515187790311992007-02-27T17:01:00.000-05:002007-02-27T17:01:00.000-05:00The Founders were so unimpressed with the Supreme ...The Founders were so unimpressed with the Supreme Court that they absentmindedly left a loophole which FDR later attempted to exploit. Right? <BR/><BR/>A justice here, a justice there, no big deal.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-44090352807951887102007-02-27T16:46:00.000-05:002007-02-27T16:46:00.000-05:00DR,The Founders provided for the filling of a "pre...DR,<BR/><BR/>The Founders provided for the filling of a "presidential vacancy" by the vice-president, as I wrote. Of course, the presidency is the office of chief executive of the United States, no small matter. Apparently, my use of "presidential vacancy" was confusing. To clear things up, let me say, "Had the Founders held the office [vice-president] in the same regard as you, they would have provided for a lottery to fill a 'presidential vacancy'".<BR/><BR/>re: "25 things found more important to the Republic than replacing the VPs, after almost 194 years, from the founding."<BR/><BR/>Nonsense! There are about a million things concerning federal governance unenumerated by the Constitution, like Marbury v. Madison. <BR/><BR/>Of course, the Founders could not have anticipated the devolution of their progeny into sophomoric, quibbling asses.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-61928905735119054392007-02-27T16:31:00.000-05:002007-02-27T16:31:00.000-05:00While everyone is created equal it shore would hur...While everyone is created equal it shore would hurt morale more if the VP got whacked by the Taliban then the odd soldier or two. Similarly, offing a wacked jihadi has less impact then would the termination of Osama. Rather a silly argument though.<BR/><BR/>More interesting that a sell-off in China sparked a sell-off in good ole USA...and the rest of the world as well...Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-33361654600318733822007-02-27T16:09:00.000-05:002007-02-27T16:09:00.000-05:00Well, allen, if the Founders were so concerned abo...Well, allen, if the Founders were so concerned about the office of the Vice President they would have provided for filling a vacancy.<BR/><BR/><I>Vice Presidential Succession<BR/><BR/>Prior to the ratification of the 25th Amendment in 1967, there was no provision for filling a vacancy in the vice presidency. When a president died in office, the vice president succeeded him, and the vice presidency then remained vacant. The 25th Amendment now requires Presidents to nominate a new Vice President. The first vice president to take office under the new procedure was Gerald Ford, who was nominated by Richard Nixon on Oct. 12, 1973.<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>25th Admendment, 25 things found more important to the Republic than replacing the VPs, after almost 194 years, from the founding.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-15121208208807775292007-02-27T16:07:00.000-05:002007-02-27T16:07:00.000-05:00At long last, something new can be added to the ap...At long last, something new can be added to the apocalyptic litany:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aaok3Gi01TvU&refer=worldwide" REL="nofollow">U.S. Stocks Tumble Most Since 2003 on China Plunge, Orders Drop</A><BR/><BR/>We’re all doomed!<BR/><BR/>What a wonderful day.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-24544338524962653392007-02-27T16:04:00.000-05:002007-02-27T16:04:00.000-05:00“While nothing actually happened to Cheney the rep...“While nothing actually happened to Cheney the reportage suggests that the media, now sure that America will leave Iraq, have turned their sights on what was formerly the "good war" in Afghanistan. One down, another to go.”<BR/><A HREF="http://fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com/2007/02/cheneys-hosts.html" REL="nofollow"> Cheney's Hosts</A>allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-86094832810647108592007-02-27T16:00:00.000-05:002007-02-27T16:00:00.000-05:00Or we can look at it this way,The VP goes to Pakis...Or we can look at it this way,<BR/>The VP goes to Pakistan and threatens a funding cutoff.<BR/>The next day, while Mr Cheney was at the base at Bagram, the Taliban staged an attack. Reportedly 14 killed.<BR/><BR/>Now we all know that the Talban is an action arm of the ISI, Pakistan's CIA sin oversight.<BR/><BR/>So if Iran has responsibility for killing 170 US troopers, could Pakistan be as responsible for this attempt on Mr Cheney?<BR/><BR/>The Taliban thought to unorganized to make a quick attempt on Mr Cheney's life, but the ISI, sending a message? They have capacity.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.com