Wednesday, September 8, 2010
We're on the downhill
Posted by Max Brantley on Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 5:07 PM
And the Wednesday line is open.
Comments (44)
Showing 1-44 of 44
Thanks to everyone and their wonderful suggestions for walking the Big Dam Bridge. I have my whistle and am ready to blow it an any bicyclist who attempts to run me and dogs down as we go for our nightly walks.
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Good for you, government_cheese! It's gonna be great to have at least one whistleblowin' buddy out there on the Big Dam. I'm not a bit shy about whistling and shouting down the offenders, and bet you won't be, either.
I was most pleased to read in the DOG this morning that those bratty little rich kids over at the Anthony School now have an executive chef to cook up their lunches. It must be somebody's version of the American Dream.
that must be a huge worry off your shoulders, wegman. You'd think a private school would have decent food anyway.
what will they think of next?
The NYT put an article on its website late today that seems to say that the Obama administration is fighting to continue CIA "extraordinary rendition" practices. Can anybody explain that to me?
(snip)
"WASHINGTON – A sharply divided federal appeals court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit involving the Central Intelligence Agency’s practice of seizing terrorism suspects and transferring them to other countries for imprisonment and interrogation. The ruling handed a major victory to the Obama administration in its effort to advance a sweeping view of executive secrecy power.
. . .
"The decision bolstered an array of ways in which the Obama administration has pressed forward with broad counter-terrorism policies after taking over from the Bush team, a degree of continuity that has departed from the expectations fostered by President Obama’s campaign rhetoric, which was often sharply critical of President Bush’s approach."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/us/09sec…
Taxes
Guess you good people read or saw or heard "Obama [saying he ]refused to join the Republican $700 billion club Paul Krugman recently described as 'eager to cut checks averaging $3 million each to the richest 120,000 people in the country.'
Do you suppose any of those 120,000 are in some way connected to FOX NEWS?
Hey, time for some good news about Arkansas, courtesy of Arkansas Bidness. com
"Natural State Abstains From Drinking More Than Most
By Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Staff
"With another football (Read: tailgate) season under way, we were reminded of a study released last fall by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Our friends there at the NIAAA basically gathered data on alcohol sales in all 50 states, then divided it by population numbers, including anyone age 14 or older. The data was collected in 2007.
For what it's worth, Arkansas ranked as the third least-drunk state in the nation, with an average yearly consumption rate of 26.6 gallons per person. Broken down further, Arkansans consumed an average of 190 cans (16 oz.) of beer, 6.7 bottles (25 oz.) of wine, and 1.5 gallons of "spirits."
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.as…
Love the avatar, Govt Cheese. One of my favorite singers. Have you heard her version of "Hallelujah?"
Maybe I'll see you and your 2 dogs when I am out walking my 2 dogs on the BDB.
I'll listen for the whistle.
Louie, I see you never broke that habit that got you in so much trouble on Dickson Street.
HALLELUJAH GLORY BE and every other expression of thankfulness...I'm gonna be a grandma (of more than just doggies) and I'm no longer ill with the crap that's knocked me off my cute but extremely tired ass. Can't think of a better drug than FINALLY being well. (Nothing life threatening, just one of those damn pee things women are so lucky to frequently get.)
I'd give more details about our glorious new grand-baby but...my son IS USELESS when it comes to details and I haven't talked to my sweet daughter-in-law. The important things are: They're alive/happy, UAMS was great for my in-laws and all of my beloved family/friends are alive!!
Anyway, my horrid (my description, not the reality) illness is gone and I'm giddy with wellness...would be giddier except I made the mistake of allowing the news channels back in my line of sight (I often temporarily ban those idiots from my tv watching while bedridden...mostly 'cause I've been TOO tempted to throw something/break it and I'm looking for laughter, a truly GREAT medicine. Guess while I was out of the news loop, the Obama Presidency was officially declared a miserable failure, DEAD and responsible for EVERYTHING that's wrong with the country. And, of course, the second coming of EVERYTHING Republican/Sarah Palin has already occurred and is merely waiting for the technicality of the November elections.
I should have seen it coming, though...given that a few weeks back the tv talking heads OFFICIALLY declared that former President Shit for Brains was officially no longer responsible for ANYTHING. This would be funny except I've noticed that the ridiculousness of Fox's lies rarely keeps those lies from being the 'God's Truth' to the brain dead among us...a scarily huge number. I am having to tell more and more folks that OBAMA IS NOT A MUSLIM/BLAH BLAH/FRIGGIN' BLAH!! Even scarier are the number of folks that I have to tell that Beck is NUTS...nuts like a carny shill...and that THERE AREN'T ANY INTERNMENT CAMPS.
"The NYT put an article on its website late today that seems to say that the Obama administration is fighting to continue CIA "extraordinary rendition" practices. Can anybody explain that to me?"
I've looked AND LOOKED for a feasible explanation (or, at least one that didn't make me puke) and can't find one. Best I can tell, snapback, is that regardless od whether the Republicans actually win any elections or control any branch of government, they're still in charge.
Being the tree-hugging, life-loving flaming liberal that I am, there is NO excuse for un-American crap like torture/rendition...and it's even sadder/more offensive when a Democratic President does it. Evidently our Presidents are above the law 'cause no matter what they do the next President will either pardon them or refuse to hold inquiries...all for the good of the country, of course--GRRRR! Now let a Democrat get an extramarital blowjob and the full weight of our justice system is all over it. No wonder we're struggling so...us liberals can only make up for so many Fox/Palin goobers :).
Jazzy told me one day that I'd be 'giddy' whenever a grandbaby came my way. She, as always, was right. She sure loved that grandson/great-grandbaby of hers!!
Dang...it's been so long I had to sign in. Good thing it wasn't like the 'olden days' 'cause I'm too happy to deal with that shit! Thanks Times for the wonderfully easy sign-in stuff!!!
It is sad that candidates, once they are elected, forget what they were elected to do--such as to stop extraordinary ( and illegal) rendition. I think, and I may be wrong, that well-meaning people become subjected to all the doomsday advice of the bureaucrats, who survive by perpetuating such advice, and they become afraid of what may happen if they don't continue the practice, and that is the way the sins of the Bush administration continue into the Obama administration. They are afraid. They do not have the guts to do the right thing, the moral thing, and, thus, our society becomes more immoral. I am disappointed in Obama, but I am not yet ready to trade him in for a Republican. God forbid.
Zelda--Congratulations on being a grandma someday soon! I speak from experience that it is one of the greatest things about getting older. I'm also glad to hear that you've overcome your recent illness.
Last night I visited a local business and while there noticed one of their TVs was tuned to FAUX News. Guess who was on the O'Really Report? None other than Scooter Libby who it was reported by the young woman (might not be a lady) in charge was duly wronged when charged and convicted of lying to a federal grand jury. Oh, the indignity of it all. Poor, poor, Scooter, and such a good honest Christian man.
Oh, said 'Scooter' was going on about Obama's foreign policy.
So be careful out there little children. Heeee's back!
Thanks for the good wishes, y'all! We're going to, and already are with our beloved son, the happiest grandparents in the universe! Can't imagine ANYTHING material even coming close to my loved ones/family.
While I was cruising tv land I ventured into some extreme foreign territory (MTV/VH-1/etc) and fell in love with Eminem/Rihanna's new song/video about domestic violence (and a whole lot of other stuff). Wow...so powerful/poetic...still can't believe a white boy can rap like that.
Welcome back to wellness, zelda!
And oh, you lucky thing! There's just no way to describe all the emotions you'll feel the first time you hold in your arms the child of your child! Enjoy the giddiness!!!
Ahhh, miz zelda, congratulations, Congratulations, CONGRATULATIONS! With that grandyoungin’ on the way, your life is just now beginning, sweet pea. Same for your hubster. Y’all will see what I mean as soon as that youngin gets here. Tain’t nuthin’ like ‘em — grandgirls AND grandboys. We've got three of the little critters. And we've got pitchers to show and stories to tell. Video, too. And, just so ya know, drinks and dinner at Mike’s Place will be on us if you and Mr. zelda will look at our pitchers and listen to our tales. Promise to have ya home by midnight!
Zelda's happy news makes me sad in a way. Tap refuses to fertilize my rotting egg(s) and I'll never be a grandmother at this point. I have an iron in the fire (Cam), but I'd prefer Tap. Durango and I are definitely on the outs at this point. That man definitely prefers a Nutt:)
Tina, put on your Orange & Blue cheerleading uniform tomorrow night, dear. We're going to be in for a tussle in Starkville but hopefully Cam and LR's own Michael Dyer will see us through. I'll be on pins & needles, plus I'm sure I'll have a tidy sum wagered.
I guess I can weigh in on the controversy about the idiot preacher burning the Koran on Saturday because I've talked to one of our troops in the Middle East about this (WBW).
I'll paraphrase, but you'll get the gist, "What a f*cking dumbass! We're over here and some nut at home is trying to enrage the enemy even further and gain new followers for their cause? Does the Christian preacher want more Americans to be killed? That's what will happen because these people here will think all Americans are like that f*cking evangelical preacher.''
She wasn't happy, needless to say. We can't yell "fire'' in a crowded movie theater but we can say things in the United States which will further endanger our troops in the Middle East? Same thing, in my opinion.
Most Americans don't get it because they don't have a friend or loved one in the Middle East. I wish they did. They may understand if they had a personal stake in these wars.
Meant to post this earlier, but it's still worth reading.
90 Percent of Mexican Drug War Guns Originate in US
"Sept. 7) -- A bloody, drug-fueled war is being waged just across the border in Mexico and a report out Tuesday finds that 90 percent of the guns traced from Mexican crime scenes since 2006 have originated in the United States. The report was released by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a group of more than 500 mayors from American towns and cities, and was based primarily on data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The new findings reinforce previous estimates while contradicting claims made last year by several news organizations, including Fox News and the Examiner, that only 17 percent of the guns found at Mexican crime scenes were traced back to the U.S. Those organizations also based their findings on ATF statistics.
According to the new report, from 2006 to 2009, 40 percent of the U.S.-originated guns that ended up in Mexico were sold by dealers in Texas. Another third of the American guns were from Arizona, California and New Mexico. Since 2006, more than 23,000 people have been killed in the drug wars, according to the report. . . ."
http://tinyurl.com/aolnews90-MexicanGunsFr…
Law enforcement in North Carolina wants access to citizens' prescriptions records, the better to bust those oxycontin-abusing reprobate Tar Heels.
See link:
http://tinyurl.com/All-righty-then
esse quam videri? videor quam esse!
Congratulations, zelda! Grandkids = delight, on a schedule.
Do not worry about your Tigers, stj. Starkville hasn't posed a problem for Auburn in quite a while (what is it, four straight at MSU?).
Meanwhile, your future Baby Daddy Cam Newton, along with Dyer, with put up enough points running good old coach Coach Malzahn's stuff that the Bulldogs won't be able to keep up, because Auburn's secondary isn't Memphis's -- and neither is Auburn's pass rush. Not a blowout mind you, but a touchdown each quarter plus a field goal ought to be more than MSU can match.
On a serious note, I'll keep your WBW in my thoughts. Our freedom, including the free speech rights of hateful nuts, is priceless but constantly paid for.
Finally got around to watching Charlie Rose’s August 13 show tonight. The full hour was with Christopher Hitchens who is dying of esophageal cancer. Brilliant guy. Don’t agree with him on everything, but am eager to read his latest book, “Hitch 22,” a memoir. Hitches apparently has plenty to say in the book about himself (his homosexual experiences in college, for example) and his opinions of other folks, too.
Like Bill Clinton whom Hitchens despises. Says Clinton is “reptilian” and a sociopath who thinks only of himself, and is a man Hitchens is convinced has, indeed, forced himself on women. Obama? A cerebral, analytical, man who tries to solve problems with his mind not his emotions; nevertheless a “weak” man. The invasion of Iraq? It was the right thing to do, and nobody’s going to change his mind. Hitchens’ idea of a political hero? Tony Blair.
Fascinating guy, Hitchens. Anybody read Hitch 22? Would appreciate your review if you have.
http://www.amazon.com/Hitch-22-Memoir-Chri…
He's always thought provoking. Still rank Dawkins' "The God Delusion" #1, however.
Enjoy.
It is amazing how one nut can stir up a whole batch of other, dangerous nuts.
Sista, I have several loved ones, friends and family currently serving on the line. Some are pissed about the nutjob in Florida, others wish the nut happy bonfire, but all of them, in one manner or another express dismay at how easily a group of people can just LOSE it over some idiocy. As if searching for a reason to become thuggish savages. Just when folks are beginning to believe that there may be peaceful Muslim out there, you have something that proves the opposite.
Thing is, too, they have to be stirred up by their imam, their religious leaders, who could just tell their followers to ignore the fool on the corner and stop inviting predator drones into their zip code. Nope, instead these folks will follow the one fool into killing because of another fool.
Foolishness on all sides. Thing is, those in the muslim world are throwing away a golden moment to show the word that they are not brutal killers bent on conquest and death. Instad, they show the opposite. Hardly evolved thinking.
Dott, that was old news. Recall, those stats were cooked by both sides, and the truth is more in the middle. Madame Clintoon and the Mexican prez were both lying with their numbers, and Fox did the same with theirs. Old news, and hardly earth shattering.
Congrats, Zelda! Is the grandbaby gendered? Named? Deets, please.
Glad everybody's happy and healthy -- including you, again!
Meanwhile, I had no idea they could possibly do this to me. I'm planning a trip back to the states soon and, guess what? They can search and seize all my electronic devices when I re-enter the country -- without a warrant or probable cause or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or anything.
I'm talking digital cameras, video cams, iPhones, laptops, notebooks, thumb drives, CDs, DVDs, marital aids, you name it -- they can snatch and grab it just 'cause.
The Customs service has established a "constitution-free zone at the border," says Catherine Crump, staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, which is challenging the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) practice for me. And for everybody else too, of course.
"The ACLU claims the border laptop searches violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizure."
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/pri…
Very interesting perspective, dott. I had no idea.
Boy, that Charlie Rose can interview. Haven't seen the Hitchens conversation, though.
On Norma's recommendation, I think I'll explore Dawkins's rather more scientific approach before I delve into what I gather is a visceral approach by Hitchens.
It's just burqa this and head scarf that and sharia this and Islam that and mosque this and Twin Towers that and stoning this and lashing that and imam this and Muslim, Muslim, Muslim all the time.
Or, as I like to call it, overkill. Next? FOX's "Real Harems of Riyadh?"
Then there's German economist and author Thilo Sarrazin new bombshell book causing so much angst in the Fatherland and pretty much everywhere else.
Are Muslim immigrants making Europe "poorer and stupider"?
"Islam itself represents a serious challenge for Europe, as women remain oppressed and sharia law takes root across the continent. 'In no other religion is there such an easy crossover to violence, dictatorship, and terrorism.' Sarrazin goes on to say that 'in Berlin 20 percent of all acts of violence are committed by only 1,000 Turkish and Arab youths, a population group that represents 0.3 percent of the entire Berlin population.' He believes the problem is exacerbated by a culture of machismo and misogyny that threatens European values and may pull the rest of the continent down with it."
http://open.salon.com/blog/lost_in_berlin/…
Plus they're angry because they can't wear whatever they want at work and take five segregated prayer breaks daily and refuse to be Team Players with the kafir. (I SO understand. There are plenty of kafir I don't like either and NOBODY tells me what to wear.)
http://www.salon.com/news/islam/index.html…
While at it, Tap --
Don't neglect the master, Thomas Paine, and "The Age of Reason." Still the most beautifully reasoned and written. From a man willing to fight and die for freedom from rule by superstition.
Still too dangerous for schools. They study, "Common Sense" instead.
Hitchens offers strong opinions about Bill Clinton and women and Clinton's psychological composition. However his evidence is scanty, in fact, non-existent.
Was Clinton, like Reagan, a good actor? You betcha! Did the right wing hate it? You betcha! Only the rightwing has the right to launch an actor for POTUS.
Is this how girly men attack other men? Ask Chris about his confused sexuality.
Ok NormaB. There's been a culture clash going on in Europa for at least 15 years, perhaps longer. But the Europeans needed the unemployed Turks. Their population is aging and the youngsters just don't want the messy jobs once sought by regular Germans and Frenchmen. Plus, as strangelove Freddo warned us, Europeans allowed their birth rate to decline.
We have the messicuns to pick up the slack so not much of a Muslim takeover here.
I often wonder just how would a Strange-Freddo-Harvey solve a nation's falling birthrate? Mandate f*cking? Ban all contraceptives? Fine every 25 yr old woman who was childless save for medical reasons? Ban abortion was the premier choice for most but that would not have helped the declining European population.
Then there was Buckminister Fuller's note in 1970 that as a nation industrializes it's birthrate drops and drops.
What happens when a nation goes from industrial to Info? Less sex and more sex talk?
Now, now, eLwood: you're going to piss off Sister-. And perhaps others.
If Clinton's sexual pathology / psychology is irrelevant to his ability to perform professionally (i.e., lead and govern) why is Hitchens' "confused sexuality" suddenly relevant to his professional skills as a writer?
Girly man? Confused? As far as I'm aware, Hitchens isn't confused in the least. He's always slept with whom he wished and rather thinks those who haven't are abnormal.
The man is dying with no regrets. The ONLY way to go.
You're talking about Ted Haggard. You're talking about Larry Craig. You're talking about Ken Mehlman. You're talking about Anne Heche.
Bless their hearts.
Jackie Mason, adorable old school Catskills comic.
"You notice they never wear pants? NEVER! They all wear sheets. You know why? Because when you've got 87 wives you've gotta be ready every second."
"You think they're praying? Every time you see 'em they're down on their knees, spread out on the floor. They're not praying. They don't have the strength to get up."
I can (and have) form(ed) my own opinion about Bill Clinton without help from Hitchens.
But if he, or Dawkins, have some thoughts about the nature of religion that have not occurred to me, or have not been developed in my thinking, I'm all ears.
Nice try but you get a measly strawman award NormaB, make that a straw girlyman award.
I said nothing about Chris's writing skills. Gays write good. Bi's write good too.
I was talking about Chris's lack of...
..........................E V I D E N C E........
Got any?
.
News Blackout Alert-
"Union workers have been locked out at the uranium enrichment facility in Metropolis, Illinois for two months now after contract negotiations broke down over Honeywell's demand that workers give up their retiree health care coverage and pension plans. The Metropolis uranium facility is the only one in the United States that can convert U308 into the extremely deadly UF6.
"Because the plant is the only conversion facility of its kind in the United States, familiarity with the Metropolis plant, and not just generic experience in the field, is essential to ensuring the plant's safety. Concerns have been raised by local community members and union officials that replacement workers at the Honeywell facility cannot safely operate the plant since they have no site-specific experience in this type of conversion facility."
Why is this important? Don't look to our Corporate-Controlled News media to explain it.
THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AT THE PLANT.
" The Nuclear Regulatory Commission delayed reopening the plant for several days after questions were raised about the unusually high levels of uranium that were appearing in the urine tests of several nuclear workers.
The following day, a hydrogen explosion rocked the plant. The blast shook the ground in front of the plant and could be heard a mile away, according to local reports. State Trooper Bridget Rice said that police were called to investigate to the scene of the explosion after receiving several phone calls reporting an explosion at the plant. Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Roger Hannah also confirmed that there was indeed "a small hydrogen explosion that was very loud" at the Metropolis facility.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-elk/exp…
Lack of evidence for what? I am not comprehending your drift . . . this pearl of pearls is getting unstrung . . . .
>>Lack of evidence for what? <<
""Hitchens offers strong opinions about Bill Clinton and women and Clinton's psychological composition. However his evidence is scanty, in fact, non-existent.""
Lack of evidence about Bill Clinton and women? Lack of "evidence" of his psychology (I don't even know what that means)?
I'm still not clear on what you mean.
But there's lots of evidence for both on Google, if that's what you're looking for.
"Evidence" on Google can be a long, long way from reliable.
Sister, I have my uniform airing out as I type. would you believe my little Yorkie's family before us bought her a Razorback cheerleading outfit? Indeed. since i do not believe in dogs wearing clothes, unless cold or raining, they kept the outfit. it was kinda expensive too.
ZELDA! Congratulations!! my older son hasnt settled down yet and my younger one says he is never getting married because he doesnt know anyone who is happily married. And what this means is that he saw how rotten his dad treated me for so long and such. Plus he is adamant -- she has to know how to cook, and he says that is rare in young women his age (25). but who cares what he thinks?
Zelda, I am so excited for you. sounds like you are over the moon. And being sick enough to stay in bed for a while is no fun at all -- glad you're better. A baby. Is there anything more wonderful, especially a baby that doesn't set out to see that you never sleep again?
sister, i keep your wbw in my thoughts and prayers. several of my son's friends have been in Iraq, so far all safe and sound, thank God.
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