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Monday Night Open Thread

Swamped here, sorry for the lack of posting today. And I have more than 300 emails to get through before I get back to blogging.

I see there is fear and loathing in Afghanistan.

Kim DotCom says U.S. Government officials, including those from the Department of Justice and U.S. Senate, were among the biggest users of MegaUpload:

I hope we will soon have permission to give them and the rest of our users access to their files," Dotcom told the website.

The lamest season yet of The Bachelor finally ends tonight. There's also The Voice and Smash.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    A chilling account of (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:34:46 PM EST
    the Sergeant leaving the camp here.  The Afghan guard didn't try to stop him, but did report him leaving so they knew fairly quickly that he had left.

    He wasn't with ISAF forces (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:44:10 PM EST
    He wasn't with what everyone would consider standard U.S. forces in Afghanistan, he was with Special Operations assisting Green Beret or SEALs?  I don't suppose this could possibly get uglier.  The UK is reporting that he was with SEALs.  

    Parent
    Joint Base Lewis-McChord (none / 0) (#39)
    by Dadler on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 01:29:11 AM EST
    You can actually review the base on Google.  Of the few people who wrote anything with their 1-5 star reviews, one person's low rating comment caught my eye:

    This place is like a prison it sucks, Rain and mean spirited people.


    Parent
    Yeah alot of people (none / 0) (#44)
    by Wile ECoyote on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 07:50:05 AM EST
    don't like the Seattle area.  Seasonal Affective Disorder, etc.  When we were transferred to the area, my wife determined we were transferring back to Tidewater at first chance.  Me, I loved the Seattle area.

    Parent
    My friend, it's not the rain that got my attention (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Dadler on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:39:30 AM EST
    I have heard for awhile the base is a dysfunctional mess.  The "mean spirited people" is what caught my eye. Did you really not think that was the takeaway of the quote?  

    Parent
    I take it as the person who (none / 0) (#117)
    by Wile ECoyote on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:56:11 AM EST
    is stationed at Lewis/ McChord doesn't like the area, people around or the weather.

    Parent
    Same here. Great people, great views (none / 0) (#47)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:32:49 AM EST
    but a lousy climate.

    Parent
    I would hate it and can't live (none / 0) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:35:34 AM EST
    there.  That is why we will never be there and have never been there.  I have some seasonal affective disorder in the Northern states.  I would be impossible in Seattle.  With those worthless shrinks at Lewis though, they can't be making anything any better. If you do have seasonal affective disorder go ph*ck yourself malingerer.

    Parent
    One person's comment (none / 0) (#125)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 02:35:19 PM EST
    does not a global opinion make.

    Yes, we get a lot of rain here.  But when the sun shines, OMG, it's an amazing place, the most beautiful region in the United States if not on the earth.  Mt. Rainier, the Olympics, the Cascades, the Columbia River Gorge, the waters of Puget Sound, the various rain forests, the nearby ocean.  

    This is a wonderful place.  

    In addition, we do a great deal of work in Lakewood, WA, near Lewis/McChord, and the people there, including the military personnel are some of the friendliest and most helpful people I've ever encountered.

    It's a wonderful place to live, and probably a very nice place to be in the military....idiot Madigan psych docs aside....

    Parent

    I would (none / 0) (#126)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 02:36:53 PM EST
    definitely not trade our climate for the awful climate on the East coast.  Between the ridiculous high temps/humidity and hurricanes there, etc, we have much better weather here.  In addition, if you get sick of Seattle rain in the winter, there are many places you can go to get away.

    Parent
    to each his/her own (none / 0) (#129)
    by CST on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 04:28:14 PM EST
    I like the crazy weather.  Right now it's 66 and sunny, not a cloud in the sky and gorgeous.  Sure the summers can be hot and humid, but you can get away from that fairly easily too.  I love all the seasons though, and there is something about real storms that make you feel alive, then when it's not storming the sun will come out on a regular basis.  I love sunny days after a blizzard or big storm, when the whole city seems like it's been reborn.  Finally, there is no place quite like New England in the fall.

    Plenty of people hate the weather here, but I'm just not one of them.  I certainly wouldn't trade it for Washington weather!  Good thing we are fortunate enough to live in a country where you can pick and choose your climate.

    Parent

    Late to this as usual (none / 0) (#131)
    by ZtoA on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:39:27 PM EST
    I LOVE the Pacific Northest. Today I awoke to marvelous snow squalls. Later it melted and was gloriously sunny and my blooming daffodils were happy. As they say, I have grown webbed feet and I love long rainy days and nights. It is not extremely cold or hot or windy. And the whole summer is sunny - hardly ever a storm or even a sprinkle. The air actually smells good.

    The entire Sound region is weird and magic with beautiful tide pools. It smells alive. I think the Olympic mountains with the temperate rain forests create more oxygen which wafts west. Seattle's art reflects the sound/tide pools as it is a global center for the art of glass. It used to be only Murano - which is strangely similar in its odd love affair between land and the shallows of the sea. Artists like Chihuly, Richard Royal, and Jinny Ruffner have all been deeply moved by tide pool spirits.

    Parent

    The Beard (none / 0) (#72)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:18:36 AM EST
    If I am not mistaken would indicate some sort of special ops.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#77)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:28:19 AM EST
    He's not special ops though, but he was attached to them so would not be required to shave....must fit in with locals.  Sounds like he was chosen to assist them "after" he arrived in Afghanistan with his clean bill of mental health and stability freshly pressed at Fort Lewis.

    Feels really horrible in a way.  Those FOB for special ops, they work very closely with the local people to garner information about the local Taliban.  It is all about trust, now utterly destroyed.  They are Green Beret and SEALs, and they do have regular Army assist them and you usually have to have some very good past experience that you preformed well to be chosen to assist them.

    I am used to such assisting being selected stateside though, but that is just in my little world and for those assisting on the ground outside the wire they may have always chosen those assistants in the war zone from regular Army or other branch.

    To me his attack was designed to destroy the trust that was being built.  I guess it offended him in some way.  I suppose we will know more when he is lawyered up.

    Parent

    Or His Brain just Broke (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:10:30 AM EST
    I can't imagine this being some well thought out plan for political reasons and having the... devotion to kill kids to meet that goal.

    That would make him a terrorist.

    Parent

    Wow, I gotta stop reading today (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:22:11 AM EST
    after this.

    But how does this get a mental health inspection stamp of Grade A out of Fort Lewis?

    According to military medical experts, the solider had a total disregard of pain and danger, with a disconnection from his fellow troops.

    What would his wife tell us if she felt she could speak freely and not end up hated and despised by some?

    Parent

    News here is reporting that (5.00 / 2) (#98)
    by caseyOR on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:42:34 AM EST
    there were marital issues that remained unresolved at the time this soldier was sent to Afghanistan.

    Also, the reports are that his wife and children have been moved onto the base to provide them protection. Not sure what they are being protected from? TV cameras? Revenge killers?

    Parent

    Thank you for this post (none / 0) (#111)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:29:11 AM EST
    I took a break from reading about it for awhile and just saw this.  Poor family, I keep imagining that if his wife had said anything to the doctors I read about yesterday other than he was doing great when he was receiving their "treatment" she was met with those frowns and that unsupportive spouse treatment.

    Parent
    Sad, the UK has reported (none / 0) (#89)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:13:24 AM EST
    that Army officials now say that his special skills that got him attached to special operations is that he is an Army sniper.  He gets the death penalty when he gets home, no two ways.  This is such a huge scandal, the more known the worse it gets.

    Parent
    Bombs, drones, (none / 0) (#96)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:36:25 AM EST
    and an army of armed kids sent to force political regime change is not political?

    Parent
    ABC says he was having marital problems too (5.00 / 2) (#101)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:43:31 AM EST
    I bet his poor wife is just dying inside now too.  She's sitting at home with the drapes pulled and the doors locked sobbing because she did her best but he had marital problems and now he goes and does this.  Soon everyone will know her name.  Of course when your husband can't FEEL anymore that becomes a marital problem for most all of us.  And when things make your husband a little angry so he has to drown them in bathtubs while smiling slightly, that becomes a marital problem too and many other problems, but a marital problem first.

    Parent
    The Wife... (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:58:17 AM EST
    ...is in protective custody.  

    Her 'normal' life has essentially ended, not only does she have the wrath of America, but she will forever fear Muslim retribution.

    Parent

    She doesn't deserve anyone's wrath though (5.00 / 2) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:14:34 AM EST
    Right (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:40:06 AM EST
    She doesn't deserve anyone's wrath though

    Not a lick of it.  I am sure given the choice her man would be at home right now making pancakes for the kids.

    But with the media reporting the marital problems and the US's recent disdain/disrespect for/of women, seems like she's is going to get it from every direction.  

    And Muslims, seems to reason this guy took family, maybe his would make a good retribution targets.  And I don't blame them for being mad, we were averaging one a month in regards to totally unacceptable behavior and then this, it's just too much for anyone to tolerate.

    The apologies have been used up IMO, there is nothing left for us to do.  I want to hate him so much, but damn, what if he was really damaged ?  And they are going to fry him, won't matter.  It's this kind of cr@p that war ends up making us discuss and it sucks.

    Parent

    There is also the push in the military (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:51:22 AM EST
    to be the perfect wife, if you are a wife.  And star would treat her well even though she is Muslim.  It's other wives and soldiers I worry about her feeling inadequate around.  And we were all she had many times.

    If she probably needs protection from anyone right now it is the press.  And if ever there was someone who needed to hear everything she has to say, it is the press.  Hell of an immediate dilemma.

    Sadly, watching my President's response to this situation and our "staying" in Afghanistan, I would say he doesn't want her talking and placing the mental health of all of our soldiers over there in a questionable light after this utter breakdown of Fort Lewis' mental health evaluation credibility.

    If the military is providing protective custody right now, IMO it is in part to keep the press away from her until she can make sense of her life now and say predictable things.  Maybe even a little coaching along with some special kindnesses, works well when combined with shock.  We all instinctively know how that works.

    Parent

    for some reason (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by ZtoA on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:26:12 PM EST
    The wife is always implicated/included.

    My heart goes out to her - and the kids. And everyone connected with this in any way - from all sides. Thank you MT for bringing news, intelligence AND compassion.

    Parent

    The New York Post does say his (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:24:53 AM EST
    family is in protective custody and thank God if I can trust the NYPost.  That's always iffy.  They also say this though:

    When the sergeant, assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash., returned from his last deployment to Iraq, he had "difficulty reintegrating, including marital problems," ABC News reported.

    Army officials, however, concluded that he had worked through those issues and was ready to go back to war.

    In Afghanistan, he was assigned to Camp Belamby, a remote outpost in Kandahar Province, where he provided protection for Special Operations teams training local militias.

    So he did have previous symptoms of what most of us in the military associate with PTSD prior to this new deployment, and then it all magically resolved per the Doctors at Madigan and he was given the all clear and sent out into the world to serve and protect.

    Parent

    Why? (5.00 / 3) (#110)
    by star on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:27:52 AM EST
    should "she have the wrath of America"?

    She is as much a victim or suffering a lot already. I can not imagine how she or family can be held responsible for his mental breakdown. I refuse to believe any one in America will have any 'wrath' towards her.
    Retribution from any sleeper terror cells here - long stretch, but not impossible. I believe they would rather get their revenge on some military target than a grieving woman..  

    Parent

    Do you think they will provide (none / 0) (#105)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:13:58 AM EST
    protection for awhile?  I've never been through this kind of experience, just death notifications of soldiers dying.

    Parent
    Let's hope none of the relatives (none / 0) (#107)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:15:28 AM EST
    of those 16 murdered Afghanis decide to go take airliner takeoff and landing lessons...

    Parent
    Sorry, I mean (none / 0) (#108)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:16:26 AM EST
    flying lessons without takeoff and landing lessons...

    Parent
    I know... (none / 0) (#102)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:48:21 AM EST
    I also think those Afghanis probably didn't die happy either.

    Probably died terrorized, and it wouldn't have happened if there was no US army in Afghanistan.

    Maybe hellfire missiles alone would make them happy...

    Parent

    Don't Remember Typing That (none / 0) (#97)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:41:38 AM EST
    No, I did... (none / 0) (#99)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:42:40 AM EST
    It was a question... (none / 0) (#100)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:42:59 AM EST
    Some days there is good news (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:08:50 AM EST
    Former Vice President Dick Cheney has foregone a trip to Canada on the grounds that it's "too dangerous," according to a report in Canada's National Post.

    Cheney was set to appear at an event in Toronto on April 24, but canceled on grounds that the risk of trouble from protesters was too great.

    -- Cheney says Canada `too dangerous' for visit



    Canada Too Dangerous ? (5.00 / 4) (#88)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:12:58 AM EST
    Sound like good ole Cheney paranoia to me.

    Or of course he's really afraid of being arrested, seem like I remember reading there were warrants out in several countries for his arrest, ditto for Bush and Rumsfeld.

    Parent

    That's wonderful (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by sj on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:15:35 AM EST
    Canada is too dangerous for him.

    Parent
    They're completely unpredicatble (none / 0) (#93)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:20:25 AM EST
    You never know what those peacenik hippies might do.

    Although it would probably be safer for him that Afghanistan would be. In Afghanistan he'd be running the risk of being shot to death in his sleep by an unhappy US soldier.

    Parent

    Maybe He's Watching Too Much... (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:13:57 AM EST
    ...South park from his bunker in Wyoming.

    And Cheney doesn't technically sleep, when the sun comes out he rests in a casket.

    Parent

    Maybe he just (none / 0) (#112)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:29:30 AM EST
    powers down for awhile?

    Parent
    When They Don't Give Him... (none / 0) (#115)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:46:14 AM EST
    ... his normal allotment of of bunny rabbits and kittens to feast on.

    Parent
    Wanna read some dark Dadler fiction? (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by Dadler on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:10:21 PM EST
    Panic Time (none / 0) (#1)
    by NYShooter on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 07:46:37 PM EST
    Obama's approval/disapproval rating.......41 vs 47

    beats Romney by mere 3 pts (within margin of error)

    Real shocker: beats Santorum by only 4 pts

    source: NYT 3/12/12

    Eh (none / 0) (#3)
    by Socraticsilence on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 08:07:55 PM EST
    Santorum and Romney are both absurdly vulnerable to attack ads.

    Parent
    Overall, RCP rating against Obama (none / 0) (#9)
    by Towanda on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:44:17 PM EST
    for the first time in weeks, too, that more disapprove than approve of how he is doing his job.

    Apparently, the drop for him is due to the increase in gas prices for the rest of us.  They went way up again in our area, and I heard many people in recent days deciding against activities that they had planned, due to the cost.  And many also started worrying about how bad the prices will be for plans for spring break, even for the Memorial Day holiday.  

    A gloom-and-doom outlook projected that far ahead suggests little faith for a better future.

    Parent

    This is bad, (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by NYShooter on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:02:32 PM EST
    really bad.

    Especially in light of the bipartisan blow-back regarding Republican overreach on women's health/reproductive issues.

    Obama has enjoyed several months of tepid, yet somewhat positive economic news. Any reversals now could prove catastrophic for his chances. Also, the news coming out of Afghanistan just adds to the dread people are feeling.

    I truly hope the "people" are simply sending a message as to their overall dissatisfaction generally, and not seriously starting to believe that the insane Republicans have an answer.  

    Parent

    Think he'll open up the strategic reserves? (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 11:12:56 PM EST
    I wish he would.  I know that the threat of it affects speculators, but I would like to see more than a slowing of the insanity from threats.  Just do it.

    I've worried that some  Wall Street Titans would manipulate certain markets before election via speculation to make things bad for him.  Does it occur to him with all the leveraging that the Titans of Wall Street are capable of these days that they could do that to him trying to get themselves the Wall Street approved Mitt?

    Parent

    I don't think (none / 0) (#35)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 11:19:33 PM EST
    too many people believe that the insane Republicans have an answer either. I think a lot of people will go third party this year or just stay home.  There is also a Boycott The 2012 Presidential Election movement starting up recently.

    A LOT of people are fed up to here with the two party system and want to send a message...

    Parent

    Whatever (5.00 / 2) (#75)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:25:20 AM EST
    Let's see how many votes the other parties get.

    More bluster produced by robocall polls.

    And to me it seems a far more effective message to vote for the third party then to guarantee one of the two parties win by boycotting the election.

    Parent

    Yeah (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by sj on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:45:27 AM EST
    I really don't get the logic behind boycotting.  I checked out the link and read the POV but it doesn't scan with me.  Voting 3rd party seems like a stronger message to me, too.

    Parent
    I don't agree with it either (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:52:10 AM EST
    Boycotting the election will not produce good progressive results.

    The only "logic" (if it can be called that) behind it that I can see, is that a boycott may FEEL good, but it is a self-defeating and self-destructive idea.

    A boycott of the election would only mean that less votes are needed for one of the major parties to win the election, on top of lowering the amount of money both parties would have to spend campaigning.

    A third party will not win if the elections are boycotted either.

    However, although a third party conceivably could someday win, right now I think it is most useful for helping to force progressive results from the major parties.

    Both faces of the two faced monster that is the two party system would see where and how they could have won the votes that people voting for what they want and not getting it rather than voting for what they don't want and getting it would have provided had either face paid attention, if people pick a party like Green and send that message with their vote.

    Parent

    Plus, what about all the other races? (5.00 / 2) (#83)
    by DFLer on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:01:57 AM EST
    It would send the wrong message (none / 0) (#124)
    by MKS on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 01:18:05 PM EST
    If Obama is defeated, it would not mean a more progressive Democratic party.  

    It would be akin to 1980.

    This idea that defeating Obama will teach the Democrats a lesson is just plain wrong.

    It will be a close election and if Obama is defeated, there will not be more progressive policies--but fewer.  You want to see a rush to the Right?  Watch the Dems if Obama is defeated.

    There is no precedent that supports the idea that defeating Obama will help progressive causes....

    The defeat of incumbent Democratic Presidents has not helped progressive causes.  Did Democrats learn a lesson in 1980 and become more progressive?

    It just defies reality that spliiting the vote and helping to elect Republicans will help liberal issues.

    The Republicans know how to wield power.   They challenge (non-Presidential) incumbents in the Primary, and then vote for the eventual Republican nominee.   (They never challenged George W. Bush during his re-election campaign.)  All those disgruntled conservatives will without doubt vote for Romney in the end.

    This third pary effort is just the opposite of what the Republicans do.  And they get better policy (from their perspective.)

    For progreesives, third party efforts just split the vote.....They do not effect policy except to push it rightward by electing conservatives.

    Parent

    Not only are people mad that he is deliberately (none / 0) (#45)
    by Farmboy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 07:53:27 AM EST
    raising gas prices, he also refuses to take any action whatsoever about Iran and their nuclear arsenal.

    Add in his inability to produce a valid birth certificate, plus his Muslim religion, well, it's no wonder his approval ratings are down.

    source

    Parent

    Bipartisanship works, dammit! (none / 0) (#2)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 07:54:11 PM EST
    Flu again (none / 0) (#4)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:01:27 PM EST
    I've had a cold, the flu, pneumonia, and now the flu again, all in about 8 weeks. Do they make this stuff in pharma labs somewhere and release it into the wild every winter to crank up tylenol and nasal spray sales?

    Unusually warm winter has provided (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Anne on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:39:42 PM EST
    a friendlier environment for viruses, I think; I work with someone who got the flu and three weeks later had it again.  And she got a flu shot.  We all tried to avoid being in her air space or touching anything she'd recently touched.  My favorite part was listening to the non-stop gagging cough all. day. long.  Even with my door shut I could hear it.

    Hope you feel better soon, Edger - try to get out in the sun and fresh air if you can.  Air out your house!

    Parent

    I also wonder about the dust (none / 0) (#10)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:46:58 PM EST
    from the forced air vents all winter. I'be sleeping propped up in almost a sitting position for two months just to be able to breath.

    I'm moving to the country April 1st a couple of hundred feet from the ocean with lots of fresh air and electric baseboard heaters instead of forced air for next winter, and a deck and huge yard full of all kinds of great "climby" things that will make it heaven for my cat, too.

    Parent

    You're up in B.C. aren't you, Edger? (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by caseyOR on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:53:45 PM EST
    A place on the ocean would be heavenly. I have never slept better than I did when I lived at the Oregon coast.

    Whereabouts will you be?

    Parent

    They bill it as (none / 0) (#15)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:59:14 PM EST
    The Worlds Most Liveable Town ;-)

    Ever see a tv program in the 70's called The Beachcombers? It was filmed there.

    Parent

    Have you tried (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by NYShooter on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:04:47 PM EST
    those "Breath-Right" nasal strips? They really do work.

    Parent
    I have tried them but they don't work for me (none / 0) (#22)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:09:11 PM EST
    I've had capital A allergies to almost everything all my life, and my cat likes to wait till I'm asleep then climb on the bed and sleep beside my face. I wake up to a purring cat and can't draw a breath through my nose till I stand up.

    You'd have to be there to understand why I let her... ;-)

    Parent

    Reminds me (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Amiss on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:33:24 AM EST
    Oprah was here a few weeks ago and our town has been billed as Love Town USA. Series to air this summer. (we dont get OWN, as most of the town doesnt either since she changed to Direct TV.

    Funny thing is they named Kingsland, but did all of the filming in St. Mary's.

    Parent

    Hello, neighbour! (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by robert72 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:47:46 AM EST
    I'm in Nanaimo..... What a morning it was here. High winds and pouring rain - ferries shut down and power out in spots. Sometimes god's country is not all it is cracked up to be....
    The Beachcombers? How old are you, anyway????
    :0)

    Parent
    Let me put it this way Robert... (none / 0) (#42)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 04:15:50 AM EST
    I was never this old 40 years ago, which was only a few weeks ago, it seems. I don't how this happened so fast. ;-)

    Parent
    The town is about 5000 population (none / 0) (#21)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:05:14 PM EST
    on The Sunshine Coast - a peninsula with about 30,000 population.

    Parent
    We are all down with something too (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:54:32 PM EST
    Cold/flu thing.  I had a fever with it two days ago.  Second go around since January of this kind of thing.

    Parent
    I never get flu shots (none / 0) (#17)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:00:38 PM EST
    and hardly ever get sick, but this year everyone I know has been sick multiple times. It's all over the place....

    Parent
    Pics (none / 0) (#13)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:55:14 PM EST
    from outside, and view from deck.

    Your basic Paradise Found for 1 cat and her pet human. :-)

    Parent

    Is this a little town or just a (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by caseyOR on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:00:12 PM EST
    cluster of homes?  

    Parent
    I just posted links replying (none / 0) (#18)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:01:26 PM EST
    to your comment above... ;-)

    Parent
    What a sweet little town. (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by caseyOR on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:18:55 PM EST
    I can't figure out what is the difference between Gibsons and Gibsons Landing.

    Will you be accepting weary visitors from the U.S.?

    Parent

    The town goes by either name, still (none / 0) (#25)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:23:25 PM EST
    The town was established in 1886 by George Gibson and his sons, and incorporated in 1929 as "Gibson's Landing". The name was changed in 1947 to "Gibsons", but the people there call it by both names still...

    Parent
    You're more than welcom to come up (none / 0) (#26)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:25:21 PM EST
    Just let me know - email in my profile here. I warn you though - the Sunshine Coast is dangerous - people go there for a visit and no one ever sees them again, because they refuse to leave. ;-)

    Parent
    Do you think someone could live there in some (none / 0) (#27)
    by caseyOR on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:30:06 PM EST
    amount of comfort, not opulence, on the average U.S. Social Security payment of $1200/month?

    The pirate crew has been focusing on ports-of-call in the southern hemisphere, but it wouldn't hurt to take a look at more northern climes.

    Parent

    You could, yes... (none / 0) (#28)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:38:16 PM EST
    There wouldn't be much if anything left over, but somehow we all find a way to pull in a few extra bucks, right?

    My Mom passed away last fall, we probated her will, and I bought the Coffee News franchise for the Sunshine Coast, so my retirement plan is to work till I'm done, you know? ;-)

    Coffee News Canada - - - - Coffee News USA

    Parent

    How cool (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 11:17:56 PM EST
    how is that CN franchise working out? (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by The Addams Family on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:59:56 PM EST
    I'll be launching it after I move. (none / 0) (#128)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 03:37:03 PM EST
    Are you still in Oregon, Casey? (none / 0) (#29)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:38:38 PM EST
    Yes, I am still in Oregon. (none / 0) (#30)
    by caseyOR on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:54:39 PM EST
    This is the first I have heard of The Coffee News. Did you buy an already functioning franchise or are you starting from scratch?

    Parent
    I'm starting this one from scratch (none / 0) (#31)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 11:07:24 PM EST
    It should be interesting, and fun. The area fits the profile for Coffee News pretty well perfectly, and there are no adjacent territory franchises so no pricing competition, and only one local newspaper for businesses to buy ads buried invisibly in the paper somewhere for more money than my rates will be. Coffee News ads are industry exclusive. If, say, a realtor for example is advertising with me s/he'll be the only realtor ad in the paper, so it's better value than the newspaper.

    There are more than a  thousand active Coffee News franchises operation around the world now, and growing every year. If you look around the restaurants in your area you'll probably find it on racks in the restaurants.

    Parent

    Well, you're not that far, so (none / 0) (#32)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 11:12:32 PM EST
    make a trip up to see the Sunshine Coast one day. You'll love the place. And it's only a half hour ferry out of Vancouver.

    I'm down for the night now. See you in the morning!

    Parent

    I'm sure there is more (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:40:52 PM EST
    than fear and loathing in Afghanistan. There was a terrorist attack there that killed 16 innocent civilians.

    He took night vision goggles with him (none / 0) (#14)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 09:55:55 PM EST
    He could see them all in the dark, none of them could see him.  

    Parent
    Ugh (none / 0) (#23)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 10:12:54 PM EST
    What's Washington going to do (none / 0) (#43)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 05:07:31 AM EST
    If Kabul says turn over these terrorists to us or we'll bomb you back into the stone age?

    Parent
    They are calling for it this morning (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:29:05 AM EST
    They want him handed over to them.  I'm depressed today after investigating Fort Lewis McChord  yesterday.  The omnbudsman apparently reported to Senator Patty Murray that the psychiatrists on the Madigan forensic psychiatry team liked to use the word malingerer a lot.  AND some in the military who ask to remain unnamed say the omnbudsman went too far in telling Murray the bad words that the good doctors were very comfy using.  Who has balls like that these days?  This reminds me of some of the attitude out there prior to Petraeus becoming King and threatening to stomp everyone's butt who overstepped themselves.

    The Madigan forensic psychiatry team was also famous for exposing ONE soldier who was making PTSD claims based upon witnessing a child being killed in Iraq and it did turn out that he never even deployed, but he was only one soldier.  And was it really such a feat of tremendous human performance, discovering that he had never acutally deployed?  You have his records right in front of your face!

    But that was their defining moment they clung to and their claim to fame in the military.  And now all soldiers who will have to receive services from them are malingerers at the core of their being, as the world watches Fort Lewis and all those that they DON'T SERVE disintegrate.

    I wonder if Keppler and Ellis-Billingsley ever deployed into a war theater that wasn't Kuwait during this last ten years of war too?  I don't know how such evil was allowed to bloom and flourish for so many years to such a degree.

    I just watched Ryan Crocker say we can't leave Afghanistan because the Taliban will take over again, Al Qaeda will grow back stronger than ever and we will have a pre 9/11 situation all over again.  But I don't have faith in this Command environment now for some reason, there is no juice to get the right thing done no matter what for the soldiers and for the Afghans. You don't smell heads rolling in the wind like you did when Petraeus and McChrystal ran Afghanistan if you wouldn't toe the line and adhere strictly to their mission or if you put their mission in jeopardy because you weren't doing YOUR job.

    Sometimes you have to go to war with the Army you broke and abused?  Is that where we are now too?  We were already here once in the recent past under Bush.  All it takes is allowing everyone their own little fiefdom in the Army, and pretty soon you have a Sunni triangle and you don't how you got here.

    I'm just tired, and General John Allen doesn't inspire fear in slacker shrinks at Fort Lewis sending him broken soldiers and he should.  They should all feel their glands shrivel a little in fear putting his mission in jeopardy, and they don't.  And President Obama has never been a better military leader than his Generals, but he could be.  If John Allen and McRaven (who was given this last broken Fort Lewis soldier) don't inspire fear, Obama could if he would.  But when it sounds like he is saying "Stay the Course" after a murder spree where a broken soldier assisting special operations dons night-vision, I start feeling....well....Iraqish

    Peace out....you peacenic :)

    Parent

    Christ (none / 0) (#48)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:35:01 AM EST
    US Foreign Policies CREATED Al Qaeda and the Taliban - in their own image, for chrissakes.

    Are these people brain damaged, or just intentionally stupid, or what?

    Parent

    Probably both with all this (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:38:42 AM EST
    IED granted traumatic brain injury

    Parent
    I meant the policy makers (none / 0) (#56)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:47:25 AM EST
    military leaders, and some commenters here and in other places...

    Parent
    If Obama wants to insure being a one term (1.00 / 1) (#50)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:35:58 AM EST
    President all he has to do is turn the soldier over.

    Parent
    He's not going to do it (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:40:41 AM EST
    Unruffle thy panties knicker twister.  He would never, but he must fight for his soldiers stateside or they will lose heart.  Fort Lewis obviously has some serious problems, and some people seriously suffering.

    Parent
    "Meh" (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:51:23 AM EST
    "War is hell. Bad stuff happens. Get over it.", as PPJ would say... from his armchair.

    Parent
    From the armchair with (right)wings (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:04:16 AM EST
    Navel piloting

    Oh No!  Did I say "with wings"? Look at me now....feminine hygiene product

    Parent

    I said navel too (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:04:38 AM EST
    OMG

    Parent
    Hey. Have some pity (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:09:11 AM EST
    for an old naval aviator willya, eh?

    It ain't easy. ;-)

    Parent

    Thy panties knicker twister (1.00 / 2) (#58)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:54:13 AM EST
    That's a good one..... ;-)

    Especially reading back your comments over the past two days.

    And he just could demand that be done and we would have an interesting situation.

    But he probably won't. But he won't support the troops either. Might lose him some votes.

    BTW - Have you noticed what's happen to military retiree med benefits???

    Parent

    If you feel that my comments (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:02:02 AM EST
    have in some way sexually harassed you Jim I am sorry.  I am really sorry, not just Rush sorry.  Was only referring to the fact that a gnarled undergarment in tender places tends to make us all stormy.  I chose female undergarments probably because those are familiar to me, not saying that you are a girl.  But you might be because this is the internet.  You might also be a dog, and not have any undergarments at all and only cute jackets and sweaters....oops, I said cute and that could imply girl huh....handsome jackets and sweaters

    Now if I'm not allowed to talk about undergarments around you because all references to underwear hold sexual connotations for you, I'm not sure I can go there with you and apologize for that.  Underwear happens

    Parent

    Also Jim, who initially proposed (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:08:23 AM EST
    what happened to your retiree benefits?  Alan Simpson, and then the Republican run House voted that in.  It is bipartisan my friend, but your first betrayer was Republicans.

    Parent
    B-b-b-but (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:13:48 AM EST
    his taxes will be lower when he becomes a 1 percent guy.

    Parent
    Anyday now (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:18:23 AM EST
    Jim will be making the $10,000 frivolous bet on the military retiree golf course.  

    Parent
    It's the (none / 0) (#74)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:21:53 AM EST
    The American Armchair Dream. Yecch. It's alive!

    Parent
    AND, if they would have fought for you (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:09:34 AM EST
    in the House this would have never happened.  We are at war and it is an election year.

    Parent
    More dirty, winger lies (5.00 / 3) (#76)
    by Yman on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:28:09 AM EST
    But he won't support the troops either. Might lose him some votes.

    Because "supporting the troops" is something that will lose votes from Democrats, right, Jim?

    Beyond ridiculous.

    BTW - Pretty funny to hear conservatives complaining about military retiree/benefit cuts, when they're the first to complain about the benefits received by government workers.  They demand massive spending cuts, until those cuts affect them.

    Heh.

    Parent

    Hear effin hear! (5.00 / 4) (#119)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:24:52 PM EST
    This contractor dude on my facebook, all year last year all these posts about Obama blowing through everyone's money.  Here comes the cuts to balance this budget, now he posts about frogs and hiking.  He has been chewing himself right in his own rump, and now he has it.  They may not have a permanent GS slot for him now.  His life is not certain, this is the worst thing that can happen to a retired soldier who lived to check the box and have his needs magically appear on the 1st and the 15th.  And he bought that great house and those great cars and.........well, who knows how the rest of this plays out but what was he thinking when he bought that house and all those cars?  I guess he was thinking what all those other people two or three years ago who went bankrupt thought.

    Parent
    Good thing he's (5.00 / 3) (#120)
    by Edger on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:30:01 PM EST
    a "rugged individualist" who has never lived on government handouts and has always pulled his own weight.

    Bet he always did like those John Wayne types, eh pilgrim?

    Parent

    Yeah, well my potty mouth dad (5.00 / 3) (#121)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:34:29 PM EST
    Calls that thing where you don't take government handouts but stand at the mailbox waiting for your government retirement check to arrive "waiting for the Eagle to $hit"

    I know, it's wrong....but he does have a brain injury and WE don't pretend that he's fixed :)

    Parent

    Almost 14-yr. old male tutoree is (none / 0) (#36)
    by oculus on Mon Mar 12, 2012 at 11:43:16 PM EST
    writing an essay for English class.  8th grade.  He chose to write about abortion, favoring a woman's right to have an abortion in case of rape, incest, or if the mother would die.  Needless to say, I had lots of thoughts on the subject.  Can't wait to read his essay.  

    Heavy topic... (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:40:40 AM EST
    for a 14 year old, your efforts sound like they're paying off Oc, ya got that boy thinking!

    My 13 year old niece asked for my help last week for a school project, she had to write a letter to Sen. Gillibrand about a current events issue important to her.  Actually, she asked her mom for help and she said "ask Uncle K, he's good at that stuff".  Famous last words...;)

    My niece was stumped for a topic, she is still very innocent and not at all up on or interested in current events outside of Justin & Selena.  But I resisted the urge to force one of my issues on her (she's lucky it wasn't Chuckie Schumer!), I pushed her to think about the world and her future, she came up with rising college tuition costs.  Told her to find two articles in the paper or online on the topic, read them twice, and then tell her senator how she feels about it, and what she expects the senator to do about itn her letter.  She did a great job...all I had to do was sort her out with some grammar and phrasing.  

    And very very happy her school still teaches some civics!

    Parent

    Did you help her understand (1.00 / 1) (#59)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:56:42 AM EST
    the rapid rise in tuition has went hand in hand with expanded government grants and government backed loans?

    Parent
    You're wrong about that, Jim. (5.00 / 4) (#68)
    by caseyOR on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:12:45 AM EST
    As Paul Krugman pointed out, Pell Grants provide a pitiful small contribution to the cost of an education. In the school year 1979-1980, Pell Grants provided 77% of the cost of a 4 year public university. In 2010-2011, Pell Grants provided only 36% of the cost at a 4 year public university.

    As for those government guaranteed loans. Well, it is not like back in the '60s and '70s when college loans actually came from the federal government, no banks involved. Interest was just 2%.

    Now, school loans come from banks and other financial companies who, because those loans are guaranteed, loan out huge sums that students will be paying for the rest of their lives. As in everything else bank-related, there is no downside to the bank for giving out ridiculously high loans.

    As a final assault on decency, these loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. No matter what happens in a student's life, job loss, overwhelming medical bills, divorce, all the usual things that force somebody into bankruptcy, that student is on the hop forever. The feds will take every dime, even Social Security.

    Parent

    That's Crazy Talk (5.00 / 3) (#82)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:54:42 AM EST
    Jim is never ever wrong.

    Parent
    He's actually right about it (none / 0) (#127)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 02:54:49 PM EST
    on some level....When Pell Grants increased recently, our local colleges immediately increased tuition. Their argument?  It made no difference to students anyway, since Pell Grants went up almost exactly as much as the tuition increases.

    Parent
    And I'm not being critical (none / 0) (#60)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:00:15 AM EST
    I think it's great that she's interested. But this would be a perfect place to introduce the concept that when things become free, or reduced in price, to the user the price always goes up.

    I give you Medicare as a second example.

    Parent

    First of all, Medicare isn't free to its (5.00 / 2) (#84)
    by Anne on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:07:54 AM EST
    subscribers, but you already knew that, didn't you?  

    Second, the per capita spending in Medicare is actually coming down - take a look at this chart.

    Now, will overall Medicare spending go up as the baby-boomers flood the market?  Of course  - but Medicare is getting better at controlling costs, in part because of ACA provisions that are going into effect, and partly because the single-payer structure makes them easier to control and manage.

    You have often informed us that you support a single-payer health system, so it surprises me that you don't seem to have your facts right about Medicare, and are using it here as an example of something the government contributes to that only ends up costing its users more.  Or maybe you're arguing that it makes health care more expensive for everyone who isn't on Medicare - that its low reimbursement rates are just pushing up the cost of services provided to non-Medicare-covered individuals.

    Either way, and because your comment didn't go into any explanation other than that Medicare is a "second" example of a program that costs the user more as a result of federal funding, it still leaves open the question of why someone who says he supports a national single-payer health system would make this argument using Medicare as an example.

    Parent

    what? (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by CST on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:12:43 AM EST
    "when things become free, or reduced in price, to the user the price always goes up"

    That doesn't make sense.

    Parent

    Watch Fox News... (5.00 / 2) (#95)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:22:45 AM EST
    ...for 6-12 hours a day and all those crazy nonsensical things coming from the right will make perfect sense.  Or so I am told...

    Parent
    The two articles she found... (none / 0) (#70)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:14:32 AM EST
    focused on reduced state funding of public colleges, and colleges being unwilling/unable to cut/maintain their budgets as the causes for the rapid rise far exceeding the rate of inflation. More nuance will have to wait until she matures;)  

    Parent
    JUST WOW (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:41:37 AM EST
    What a kid

    Parent
    Makes me feel less depressed today (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 08:45:54 AM EST
    Hope is the things with feathers

    Parent
    wow (none / 0) (#40)
    by The Addams Family on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 01:54:51 AM EST
    & kudos to you for being a tutor

    Parent
    Thanks. It is quite enjoyable. (none / 0) (#41)
    by oculus on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 02:13:20 AM EST
    9 Year Old Truant... (none / 0) (#62)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:03:20 AM EST
    gets double-tased in Ohio.

    Double insult to injury, the kid's mom just stood there and sided with the cop?  And the village is more upset about losing their part-time goon squad than the child abuse?  Little wonder it has become routine to treat children like hardened criminals...civilians lap it up.  Sad.

    Oh man (none / 0) (#92)
    by sj on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:19:15 AM EST
    That is all kinds of wrong.  And the comments on the article are either appropriately outraged, or sickly outrageous.  

    Parent
    In light (none / 0) (#73)
    by NYShooter on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:21:35 AM EST
    of this latest horror, what is the basis
    for the Generals disagreeing with the growing idea of speeding up our withdrawal from Afghanistan?

    I read that the Administration is considering moving up the pace, and date, of our engagement there, but the Generals are fighting it.

    Anybody?


    Rush Limbaugh - He's not just ... (none / 0) (#78)
    by Yman on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 09:38:43 AM EST
    ... an "entertainer" or shock comedian, as some noe claim.

    Limbaugh's Unrivaled Influence On Republican Politics

    I'm pretty sure (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by sj on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 10:17:13 AM EST
    he considers himself a king-maker.  With some justification.  But such kings... oy.

    Parent
    Its his audience (none / 0) (#113)
    by star on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 11:39:43 AM EST
    Limbaugh is not holding any office or owing a large corporation. Nor is he donating million to any candidate's super pac. so it is his audience that is his strength. In a free country, there is nothing more powerful that public support. weather you agree or disagree with Limbaugh, so long as his audience is there with him, he will be in business. so long as the ideas he spouts , sounds good to his audience, he will be in business and politicians who want a slice of that audience to vote for them, will prop him up.
    This does not make him leader of anything.. He is at the end of the day a radio jockey , a rather successful one unfortunately, but that is all he is. any attempt to silence him externally (other than by his audience stopping to listen to him) will look like censorship and we can do with out that in our society.


    Parent
    Double-edged sword (none / 0) (#122)
    by Yman on Tue Mar 13, 2012 at 12:42:37 PM EST
    Limbaugh panders to a niche audience that gobbles up his every word, including the vile, disgusting comments he makes on a continual basis.  It's red meat for those listeners, and they love it.  Sure it brings him a lot of listeners, but it's also his weakness.  Many, major companies and advertisers don't like being associated with the offensive comments he makes.  His commentary draws a portion of the populace, but it also offends a great many more, and they're making their voices heard.  It's not "censorship" - it's free speech.  Limbaugh makes a lot of money by feeding these kind of comments to his audience, but when he goes too far, he only has himself to blame when it bites him in the @ss.

    BTW - If you think he's just a "radio jockey" and doesn't hold a lot of influence over Republican pols, you must not have read the article.

    Parent