Things I'm not going to worry too much about.
My favorite part - this wonder quote of almost Dusty proportions: "They will go to the cinema and will be sure that in 1957 we made trouble for the United States and almost started a nuclear war."
"It's rubbish ... In 1957 the communists did not run with crystal skulls throughout the U.S. Why should we agree to that sort of lie and let the West trick our youth?"
Better dead than Red:
Indiana Jones makes Russian communists see red
By Denis Pinchuk
Fri May 23, 4:21 PM ET
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russian Communist Party members condemned the new "Indiana Jones" film on Friday as crude, anti-Soviet propaganda that distorts history and called for it to be banned from Russian screens.
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" stars Harrison Ford as an archeologist in 1957 competing with an evil KGB agent, played by Cate Blanchett, to find a skull endowed with mystic powers.
"What galls is how together with America we defeated Hitler, and how we sympathized when Bin Laden hit them. But they go ahead and scare kids with Communists. These people have no shame," said Viktor Perov, a Communist Party member in Russia's second city of St. Petersburg.
The comments were made at a local Communist party meeting and posted on its Internet site www.kplo.ru.
The film, the fourth in the hugely successful Indiana Jones series, went on release in Russian cinemas on Thursday. Russian media said it was being shown on 808 screens, the widest ever release for a Hollywood movie.
In past episodes Indiana Jones has escaped from Nazi soldiers, an Egyptian snake pit, a Bedouin swordsman and a child-enslaving Indian demigod.
RUNNING DOGS
"Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett (are) second-rate actors, serving as the running dogs of the CIA. We need to deprive these people of the right of entering the country," said another party member, Andrei Gindos.
Though the ranks of the once all-powerful Communist Party have dwindled since Soviet times, its members see themselves as the defenders of the achievements of the old Soviet Union.
Other communists said the generation born after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union were being fed revisionist, Hollywood history. They advocated banning the Indiana Jones outright to prevent "ideological sabotage."
"Our movie-goers are teenagers who are completely unaware of what happened in 1957," St Peterburg Communist Party chief Sergei Malinkovich told Reuters.
"They will go to the cinema and will be sure that in 1957 we made trouble for the United States and almost started a nuclear war."
"It's rubbish ... In 1957 the communists did not run with crystal skulls throughout the U.S. Why should we agree to that sort of lie and let the West trick our youth?"
Vladimir Mukhin, another member of the local Communist Party, said in comments posted on the Internet site that he would ask Russia's Culture Ministry to ban the film for its "anti-Soviet propaganda."
The "Indiana Jones" film is not the first Hollywood production to offend Russian sensibilities.
In 1998 the Russian parliament demanded the government explain why the Hollywood film "Armageddon" - which depicted a dilapidated Russian space station that blows apart because of a leaky pipe -- was allowed onto Russian cinema screens.
A government official at the time said the film, starring Bruce Willis as the leader of a team of astronauts sent to deflect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, "mocked the achievements of Soviet and Russian technology."
Reuters/Nielsen
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
IF???????????????
"The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that IF my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that, whatsoever."
who's hating America today? (cont'd)
"Freedom is not on the march in the Middle East. Iran is on the march in the Middle East."
-- Joe Biden (HATES America)
-- Joe Biden (HATES America)
RezzzzziDUNCE coming after KO
Republicans, this strategist said, view MSNBC as “basically a 527 for Obama.” (A 527 is a tax-exempt group created to influence elections.) The Gillespie letter, he said, “fired up the troops on the Hill, gave Republicans something to be happy about, gave the McCain campaign something to be happy about. I think it was a net plus for the Republican Party.”
Look at the dress Angelina is wearing - it makes her look pregnant!
Cannes' best, worst dressed See who sizzled and who fizzled on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival!
Photo extravaganza
he's a war hero and a Republican... so there...
McCain targeted for opposing vets college aid bill
The Pentagon opposes the Webb-Hagel bill, saying the benefit could hurt retention by encouraging members of the military to leave after serving only three years.
McCain's Hypocrisy And Demagoguery On G I Bill
Let’s beat that dead horse again, John. If you didn’t serve in the military, you can’t comment on military matters. Yawn. By the way, I don’t recall Sen. McCain making those same remarks about those in the Bush administration who were so gung-ho about going to war in Iraq. Maybe I missed something.
McCain then went on to describe the differences in benefits proposed by Sen. Webb and those he would prefer. In a nutshell, McCain would not like to see the benefits be so "generous" as to lessen the re-enlistment of our soldiers, what he calls "retention."
The Pentagon opposes the Webb-Hagel bill, saying the benefit could hurt retention by encouraging members of the military to leave after serving only three years.
McCain's Hypocrisy And Demagoguery On G I Bill
Let’s beat that dead horse again, John. If you didn’t serve in the military, you can’t comment on military matters. Yawn. By the way, I don’t recall Sen. McCain making those same remarks about those in the Bush administration who were so gung-ho about going to war in Iraq. Maybe I missed something.
McCain then went on to describe the differences in benefits proposed by Sen. Webb and those he would prefer. In a nutshell, McCain would not like to see the benefits be so "generous" as to lessen the re-enlistment of our soldiers, what he calls "retention."
Fung has wi-fi on his laptop!
But lord knows how much he'll get to use it this weekend. It's gonna take forever to get thru all the stuff you've typed up. But let me see if I get the gist: McBush is a flip flopper, Hillary comparing an election here to Zimbabwe (?) and you guys found some site that exposes the acronyms hidden in your names. Mebbe I haven't missed that much after all...
By the way, Fungster's now in Western Europe, where there's a divide between the shower and the rest of the bathroom, just like in the good ol' USA. They used to use these strange currencies called Francs, Guilders, Marks. Now it's all Euro. And I have my first wad of Euros. Well, second wad, I changed money on the flight to Bulgaria, but Briggs basically held onto that most of the time. This wad's all mine!
Oh well, better get out on the town and check things out. It's so much different from the last time I was here. This hotel, for example, didn't exist back then. Or at least I'm pretty sure it didn't. Right?
By the way, Fungster's now in Western Europe, where there's a divide between the shower and the rest of the bathroom, just like in the good ol' USA. They used to use these strange currencies called Francs, Guilders, Marks. Now it's all Euro. And I have my first wad of Euros. Well, second wad, I changed money on the flight to Bulgaria, but Briggs basically held onto that most of the time. This wad's all mine!
Oh well, better get out on the town and check things out. It's so much different from the last time I was here. This hotel, for example, didn't exist back then. Or at least I'm pretty sure it didn't. Right?
the solution: smaller ballparks
There's Something in the Air, Other Than Another Ball Headed for the Fence
By Thomas Boswell
Friday, May 23, 2008; Page E01
Suddenly, a sport that produced 5,386 home runs in 2006 is on pace for 4,442 this year -- a 17.5 percent drop, or a loss of almost 1,000 home runs in just two seasons...
This season, major league teams have scored 8.98 runs per game. Since 1871, there have been 1,750,230 runs in the majors, an average of 9.11 per game. Warm weather, when fly balls carry farther, might bring the game almost exactly back to its long-term scoring trend.
By Thomas Boswell
Friday, May 23, 2008; Page E01
Suddenly, a sport that produced 5,386 home runs in 2006 is on pace for 4,442 this year -- a 17.5 percent drop, or a loss of almost 1,000 home runs in just two seasons...
This season, major league teams have scored 8.98 runs per game. Since 1871, there have been 1,750,230 runs in the majors, an average of 9.11 per game. Warm weather, when fly balls carry farther, might bring the game almost exactly back to its long-term scoring trend.
The Fullas#i+ Decade, in which everyone is fullas#i+, continues (cont'd)
Indeed, much of the commentary on the court's performance during the past term was harsh, and it did not come only from liberals. Judge Richard Posner, the conservative icon who sits on the federal appeals court in Chicago, offers some pointed and unusually personal criticism of Chief Justice Roberts in his book, "How Judges Think," published three months ago.
The chief justice's self-description during his confirmation hearing as a simple baseball umpire might have been a "tactical error" for one who evidently "aspires to remake significant areas of constitutional law," Posner writes, adding, "The tension between what he said at his confirmation hearing and what he is doing as a justice is a blow to Roberts's reputation for candor and a further debasement of the already-debased currency of the testimony of nominees at judicial confirmation hearings."
The chief justice's self-description during his confirmation hearing as a simple baseball umpire might have been a "tactical error" for one who evidently "aspires to remake significant areas of constitutional law," Posner writes, adding, "The tension between what he said at his confirmation hearing and what he is doing as a justice is a blow to Roberts's reputation for candor and a further debasement of the already-debased currency of the testimony of nominees at judicial confirmation hearings."
for Smiff's next trip to DC
On the Hunt for the 'Green Fairy'
By Fritz Hahn
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, May 23, 2008; WE06
After more than 90 years, absinthe has returned to area bars. Loved by Oscar Wilde and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, rumored to drive men crazy and cause vivid hallucinations, absinthe was banned in the United States in 1912 and in most Western countries because of its alleged psychoactive properties. But restrictions were lifted last year, and drinkers can once again consume the luminous green liqueur known as the "green fairy."
If it weren't for the ban, though, I'm not sure absinthe would have the same mystique. The herbal black licorice taste isn't for everyone, and it's a potent potable: Most of the new absinthes are about 100-proof, or 50 percent alcohol; rums and vodkas, by comparison, are in the 40 percent range.
The best introduction to classic absinthe comes at Central Michel Richard (French phokk? ed.), where the bar offers three kinds: Kübler, from Switzerland; St. George, a boutique brand made in California; and Lucid, an American brand that's raising eyebrows with its 126-proof absinthe. Central's house absinthe cocktail, La Fee Verte, is incredibly simple (Kübler, water and sugar), but its preparation is pure theater.
Bartenders place absinthe in a small glass, then carry it to an ornate water pitcher known as an absinthe fountain. Set on a pedestal, the glass jar has four old-fashioned spigots. After the glass is set under a spigot, a slotted spoon is laid across the mouth of the glass, and a sugar cube is placed on top of the spoon. The bartender turns the faucet, and water slowly trickles down onto the sugar, through the spoon and into the glass. As the water and dissolved sugar mix with the absinthe, the liquid turns a cloudy, milky green.
"It brings everything to a halt at the bar," manager Justin Guthrie says. "It draws a lot of attention."
Since the 19th century, bartenders have been using absinthe as a key ingredient in the classic Sazerac cocktail, along with rye whiskey, sugar water, bitters and a lemon peel. Absinthe isn't really mixed into the drink; it's used to coat the glass, then dumped out. Bartenders turned to pastis (a licorice liqueur) when absinthe was banned, but many have switched to the original recipe. The best one I've tasted in Washington comes from Chantal Tseng at the Tabard Inn's cozy bar. It's hard to keep absinthe from overpowering other flavors, even when there's only a trace, but Tseng's cocktail stays in delicious balance. Her secret? The Tabard's house-made simple syrup and plenty of fresh lemon zest. "It's all about the aroma," she explains. "You need to be able to smell the absinthe and the lemon zest."
Other lounges and nightspots are finding new ways to mix absinthe into more traditional recipes. Absinthe plays a bit part in mixologist Tom Brown's Dawn Over Manhattan at Cork wine bar. With aged rye whiskey, an herbal, spicy vermouth and whiskey-aged bitters, the subtle anise taste comes through well and adds a fullness and viciousness to a cocktail that's otherwise lacking.
My favorite nightcap comes from Said Haddad, the bar manager at Cafe Saint-Ex. His Lost Year cocktail combines Kübler with a kiss of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, which adds a sweet floral scent and a touch of pear. The taste is smooth and lush, and my only disappointment is that it's served in a tiny sherry glass. Haddad says he's worried about customers who don't know the drink's strength. "You've heard of a lost weekend?" he asks. "There's a reason it's called the Lost Year."
CAFE SAINT-EX 1847 14th St. NW. 202-265-7839.
CENTRAL MICHEL RICHARD 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-626-0015.
CORK 1720 14th St. NW. 202-265-2675.
THE TABARD INN 1739 N St. NW. 202-331-8528.
By Fritz Hahn
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, May 23, 2008; WE06
After more than 90 years, absinthe has returned to area bars. Loved by Oscar Wilde and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, rumored to drive men crazy and cause vivid hallucinations, absinthe was banned in the United States in 1912 and in most Western countries because of its alleged psychoactive properties. But restrictions were lifted last year, and drinkers can once again consume the luminous green liqueur known as the "green fairy."
If it weren't for the ban, though, I'm not sure absinthe would have the same mystique. The herbal black licorice taste isn't for everyone, and it's a potent potable: Most of the new absinthes are about 100-proof, or 50 percent alcohol; rums and vodkas, by comparison, are in the 40 percent range.
The best introduction to classic absinthe comes at Central Michel Richard (French phokk? ed.), where the bar offers three kinds: Kübler, from Switzerland; St. George, a boutique brand made in California; and Lucid, an American brand that's raising eyebrows with its 126-proof absinthe. Central's house absinthe cocktail, La Fee Verte, is incredibly simple (Kübler, water and sugar), but its preparation is pure theater.
Bartenders place absinthe in a small glass, then carry it to an ornate water pitcher known as an absinthe fountain. Set on a pedestal, the glass jar has four old-fashioned spigots. After the glass is set under a spigot, a slotted spoon is laid across the mouth of the glass, and a sugar cube is placed on top of the spoon. The bartender turns the faucet, and water slowly trickles down onto the sugar, through the spoon and into the glass. As the water and dissolved sugar mix with the absinthe, the liquid turns a cloudy, milky green.
"It brings everything to a halt at the bar," manager Justin Guthrie says. "It draws a lot of attention."
Since the 19th century, bartenders have been using absinthe as a key ingredient in the classic Sazerac cocktail, along with rye whiskey, sugar water, bitters and a lemon peel. Absinthe isn't really mixed into the drink; it's used to coat the glass, then dumped out. Bartenders turned to pastis (a licorice liqueur) when absinthe was banned, but many have switched to the original recipe. The best one I've tasted in Washington comes from Chantal Tseng at the Tabard Inn's cozy bar. It's hard to keep absinthe from overpowering other flavors, even when there's only a trace, but Tseng's cocktail stays in delicious balance. Her secret? The Tabard's house-made simple syrup and plenty of fresh lemon zest. "It's all about the aroma," she explains. "You need to be able to smell the absinthe and the lemon zest."
Other lounges and nightspots are finding new ways to mix absinthe into more traditional recipes. Absinthe plays a bit part in mixologist Tom Brown's Dawn Over Manhattan at Cork wine bar. With aged rye whiskey, an herbal, spicy vermouth and whiskey-aged bitters, the subtle anise taste comes through well and adds a fullness and viciousness to a cocktail that's otherwise lacking.
My favorite nightcap comes from Said Haddad, the bar manager at Cafe Saint-Ex. His Lost Year cocktail combines Kübler with a kiss of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, which adds a sweet floral scent and a touch of pear. The taste is smooth and lush, and my only disappointment is that it's served in a tiny sherry glass. Haddad says he's worried about customers who don't know the drink's strength. "You've heard of a lost weekend?" he asks. "There's a reason it's called the Lost Year."
CAFE SAINT-EX 1847 14th St. NW. 202-265-7839.
CENTRAL MICHEL RICHARD 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-626-0015.
CORK 1720 14th St. NW. 202-265-2675.
THE TABARD INN 1739 N St. NW. 202-331-8528.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The state of "punditry" today: "The Body" vs. "The Asshole"
Jesse Ventura is making a lot of sense tonight concerning gay marriage and the separation of church and state while running rings around the homophobic, racist Pat Buchanan*... really, why is this gas bag still around? What's more, we can probably look forward to Karl Rove following the same career path--except, hopefully, running for President.
*"First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known. Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American. Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the ’60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream. Governments, businesses and colleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks — with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas — to advance black applicants over white applicants. Churches, foundations, civic groups, schools and individuals all over America have donated time and money to support soup kitchens, adult education, day care, retirement and nursing homes for blacks. We hear the grievances. Where is the gratitude?"
more End Times on the way?
| Forecast for San Diego, California: 126 PM PDT THU MAY 22 2008 | 7 Day View |
| REST OF THIS AFTERNOON | FRIDAY | FRIDAY NIGHT | SATURDAY | SATURDAY NIGHT | SUNDAY |
 | |  | | |  |
| Chance Of T-Storm | Chance Of T-Storm | Chance Of T-Storm | Chance Of T-Storm | Chance Of T-Storm | Chance Of Showers |
| Lo: 56°F | Hi: 62°F | Lo: 57°F | Hi: 65°F | Lo: 55°F | Hi: 68°F |
| Pop: 40% | Pop: 50% | Pop: 50% | Pop: 50% | Pop: 40% |
This after a ferocious winter...
22 Republican Senators Who Don't Support the Troops
75 Senators Stand With Veterans: GI Bill Passes in a Landslide
NAYs ---22
Alexander (R-TN) Allard (R-CO) Barrasso (R-WY) Bennett (R-UT) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Gregg (R-NH) Hatch (R-UT) Kyl (R-AZ)Lugar (R-IN) McConnell (R-KY) Sessions (R-AL) Voinovich (R-OH)
Even though Obama and Clinton made it to DC to vote, McCain couldn't be bothered (though he was on the record as not supporting the bill).
Even Larry Craig voted Yea. Of course, he does like a man in uniform.
NAYs ---22
Alexander (R-TN) Allard (R-CO) Barrasso (R-WY) Bennett (R-UT) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Gregg (R-NH) Hatch (R-UT) Kyl (R-AZ)Lugar (R-IN) McConnell (R-KY) Sessions (R-AL) Voinovich (R-OH)
Even though Obama and Clinton made it to DC to vote, McCain couldn't be bothered (though he was on the record as not supporting the bill).
Even Larry Craig voted Yea. Of course, he does like a man in uniform.
Really, John McCain can barely go five minutes w/o a flip-flop
Or is it that he's so old he can't remember anything before 5 minutes ago?
And this one includes a half-pander to Ellen Degeneres:
Ellen DeGeneres Confronts McCain On Gay Marriage
McCain said, “I think that people should be able to enter into legal agreements and it’s something that we should encourage, particularly in the case of insurance and other areas and decisions that have to be made. I just believe in the unique status of marriage between a man and a woman and I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue.”
....
The problem is that McCain himself not only supported an amendment to the Arizona Constitution in 2006 that would have banned any “legal agreements” including “insurance” for domestic partners, but he cut advertisements for the measure (which failed). He also told prominent campaign supporter the late Jerry Falwell–who blamed 9/11 on gays and lesbians, among others–that if state constitutional measures such as this one were struck down by the courts, he would then support a federal gay-marriage ban.
*Gasp* Say it ain’t so! Could this be another McCainflip-flop LIE????
And this one includes a half-pander to Ellen Degeneres:
Ellen DeGeneres Confronts McCain On Gay Marriage
McCain said, “I think that people should be able to enter into legal agreements and it’s something that we should encourage, particularly in the case of insurance and other areas and decisions that have to be made. I just believe in the unique status of marriage between a man and a woman and I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue.”
....
The problem is that McCain himself not only supported an amendment to the Arizona Constitution in 2006 that would have banned any “legal agreements” including “insurance” for domestic partners, but he cut advertisements for the measure (which failed). He also told prominent campaign supporter the late Jerry Falwell–who blamed 9/11 on gays and lesbians, among others–that if state constitutional measures such as this one were struck down by the courts, he would then support a federal gay-marriage ban.
*Gasp* Say it ain’t so! Could this be another McCain
sounds like Hillary Country
Euro Tickets to Carry the Anti-Racism Message. Feel Free to Tell Russia.
“The problem is our fans,” he says. “I would be happy to sign anyone but the fans don’t like black players. I don’t understand how they could pay so much attention to skin colour. For me, there’s no difference between white, black or red. But the fans are the most important thing Zenit have. That’s why, in future, I have to ask them outright how they’ll react if we sign a dark-skinned player. If the fans don’t agree with me, I won’t do it. I won’t buy a player who won’t be accepted by the fans.”
“The problem is our fans,” he says. “I would be happy to sign anyone but the fans don’t like black players. I don’t understand how they could pay so much attention to skin colour. For me, there’s no difference between white, black or red. But the fans are the most important thing Zenit have. That’s why, in future, I have to ask them outright how they’ll react if we sign a dark-skinned player. If the fans don’t agree with me, I won’t do it. I won’t buy a player who won’t be accepted by the fans.”
BREAKING SHOCKING NEWS: John McCain FLIP-FLOPS AGAIN
John McCain flip flops and refutes Catholic hater and Hitler lover John Hagee.
“Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Revered Hagee’s endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.”
“Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Revered Hagee’s endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.”
hey, don't blame John Hagee, he didn't write it -- Jeremiah wrote it
Going in and out of biblical verse, Hagee preached: "'And they the hunters should hunt them,' that will be the Jews. 'From every mountain and from every hill and from out of the holes of the rocks.' If that doesn't describe what Hitler did in the holocaust you can't see that."
He goes on: "Theodore Hertzel is the father of Zionism. He was a Jew who at the turn of the 19th century said, this land is our land, God wants us to live there. So he went to the Jews of Europe and said 'I want you to come and join me in the land of Israel.' So few went that Hertzel went into depression. Those who came founded Israel; those who did not went through the hell of the holocaust.
"Then god sent a hunter. A hunter is someone with a gun and he forces you. Hitler was a hunter. And the Bible says—Jeremiah writing—'They shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill and from the holes of the rocks,' meaning there's no place to hide. And that might be offensive to some people but don't let your heart be offended. I didn't write it, Jeremiah wrote it. It was the truth and it is the truth. How did it happen? Because God allowed it to happen. Why did it happen? Because God said my top priority for the Jewish people is to get them to come back to the land of Israel."
He goes on: "Theodore Hertzel is the father of Zionism. He was a Jew who at the turn of the 19th century said, this land is our land, God wants us to live there. So he went to the Jews of Europe and said 'I want you to come and join me in the land of Israel.' So few went that Hertzel went into depression. Those who came founded Israel; those who did not went through the hell of the holocaust.
"Then god sent a hunter. A hunter is someone with a gun and he forces you. Hitler was a hunter. And the Bible says—Jeremiah writing—'They shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill and from the holes of the rocks,' meaning there's no place to hide. And that might be offensive to some people but don't let your heart be offended. I didn't write it, Jeremiah wrote it. It was the truth and it is the truth. How did it happen? Because God allowed it to happen. Why did it happen? Because God said my top priority for the Jewish people is to get them to come back to the land of Israel."
what K-Mad will be reading this weekend
Vincent Bugliosi, the American attorney best known for prosecuting Charlie Manson, is releasing a new book next week, titled The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder, in which he argues that, well, the title kinda gives it away.HuffPo has an exclusive excerpt:
If Bush, in fact, intentionally misled this nation into war, what is the proper punishment for him? Since many Americans routinely want criminal defendants to be executed for murdering only one person, if we weren’t speaking of the president of the United States as the defendant here, to discuss anything less than the death penalty for someone responsible for over 100,000 deaths would on its face seem ludicrous. But we are dealing with the president of the United States here.
On the other hand, the intensity of rage against Bush in America has been such (it never came remotely this close with Clinton because, at bottom, there was nothing of any real substance to have any serious rage against him for) that if I heard it once I heard it ten times that “someone should put a bullet in his head.” That, fortunately, is just loose talk, and even more fortunately not the way we do things in America. In any event, if an American jury were to find Bush guilty of first degree murder, it would be up to them to decide what the appropriate punishment should be, one of their options being the imposition of the death penalty.
I would also like to see the 50 million stupid phokks that voted for him to be tried as accessories.
Officials say Obama starts search for running mate
Obama's campaign refused to talk about who was being considered, but some in the party are calling for him to pick Clinton. Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said Thursday, "There have been no discussions with the Obama campaign about Senator Clinton being the V.P."
Other possible options are governors such as Arizona's Janet Napolitano, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Tim Kaine of Virginia; foreign policy experts like former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd or Delaware Sen. Joe Biden; or other senators such as Missouri's Claire McCaskill and Virginia's Jim Webb.
He could look outside the party to people such as war critic and Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel or independent New York mayor Mike Bloomberg. Or he could look to one of his early prominent supporters such as former Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota or 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards. Or he could try to bring on a Clinton supporter like Indiana's Evan Bayh.
a shocking percentage of Lou Dobbs viewers agreed with Lou Dobbs last night (cont'd)
Does the attachment of amnesty legislation to the Iraq War Funding Bill compound your distrust of Congress?
Yes 97% 6614
No 3% 197
Total Votes: 6811
This is not a scientific poll
Yes 97% 6614
No 3% 197
Total Votes: 6811
This is not a scientific poll
which David were you rooting for on Idol last night?
German resident Murat Kurnaz told Congress he was tortured while held by the U.S. military. Kurnaz said he underwent "water treatment," similar to the more notorious practice of waterboarding. "There was a bucket of water. And they stick my head in it and at the same time, punch me into my stomach," he said. Though the CIA has admitted waterboarding three detainees, it is unclear how many more suffered "water treatment." Yet Washington insiders seem ready to ignore this latest piece of evidence about the Bush torture policy. "Barely half a dozen lawmakers came to listen to the former detainee, and most were unable to remember his name, with one even calling him 'Mr. Karzai'," AFP reported. Following a pattern of ignoring new accounts of torture, the White House press corps did not ask Press Secretary Dana Perino about the DOJ report or Kurnaz's testimony until the last question of Tuesday's briefing. She replied that she had not seen it yet; no one followed up to ask her about it the next day.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hillary: "Stop me before I bullshit again"
Clinton Desperate to Count Votes, Compares Fla. Primary to Zimbabwe
SUNRISE, FLA. -- Desperate to get attention for her cause to seat Florida and Michigan delegates, Hillary Clinton compared the plight of Zimbabweans in their recent fraudulent election to the uncounted votes of Michigan and Florida voters saying it is wrong when “people go through the motions of an election only to have them discarded and disregarded.”
“We’re seeing that right now in Zimbabwe," Clinton explained. "Tragically, an election was held, the president lost, they refused to abide by the will of the people,” Clinton told the crowd of senior citizens at a retirement community in south Florida.
SUNRISE, FLA. -- Desperate to get attention for her cause to seat Florida and Michigan delegates, Hillary Clinton compared the plight of Zimbabweans in their recent fraudulent election to the uncounted votes of Michigan and Florida voters saying it is wrong when “people go through the motions of an election only to have them discarded and disregarded.”
“We’re seeing that right now in Zimbabwe," Clinton explained. "Tragically, an election was held, the president lost, they refused to abide by the will of the people,” Clinton told the crowd of senior citizens at a retirement community in south Florida.
I don't think anyone could have foreseen this
News item: Clinton may take delegate fight to convention
Plutocrats: Unhinged (cont'd)
QT Trickle-On Economics Update:
A Philadelphia restaurant announced a $100 Philly cheesesteak sandwich that includes Kobe beef, butter-poached lobster and shaved truffles as Pennsylvania food banks started turning away people because of short supplies.
A Philadelphia restaurant announced a $100 Philly cheesesteak sandwich that includes Kobe beef, butter-poached lobster and shaved truffles as Pennsylvania food banks started turning away people because of short supplies.
a shocking percentage of Lou Dobbs viewers agreed with Lou Dobbs last night (cont'd)
Do you believe that stealth amnesty groups should have to declare their political agendas clearly instead of trying to hide their purpose from the American public?
Yes 97% 8269
No 3% 253
Total Votes: 8522
This is not a scientific poll
Yes 97% 8269
No 3% 253
Total Votes: 8522
This is not a scientific poll
the bloviator's hobby: making s#i+ up
From Fear and Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News
In recent years, some conservative groups have sounded the alarm over a development that they consider a growing threat to America: the construction of a "NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] Superhighway" that would run from Mexico City, Mexico, to Toronto, Canada. In some tellings, the highway would be four football fields wide and allow Mexican truck drivers to travel unimpeded into the U.S. without the delays of rigorous border security checks. According to the purveyors of the theory, the highway would be a prelude to the creation of a multinational North American Union among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that would essentially cede American sovereignty to its neighbors (see below for more on the NAU).
Rumors of a NAFTA Superhighway have circulated widely on right-wing media outlets and websites in recent years. But as many news outlets and the federal government have stated, the NAFTA Superhighway is, in fact, a myth.
In recent years, some conservative groups have sounded the alarm over a development that they consider a growing threat to America: the construction of a "NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] Superhighway" that would run from Mexico City, Mexico, to Toronto, Canada. In some tellings, the highway would be four football fields wide and allow Mexican truck drivers to travel unimpeded into the U.S. without the delays of rigorous border security checks. According to the purveyors of the theory, the highway would be a prelude to the creation of a multinational North American Union among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that would essentially cede American sovereignty to its neighbors (see below for more on the NAU).
Rumors of a NAFTA Superhighway have circulated widely on right-wing media outlets and websites in recent years. But as many news outlets and the federal government have stated, the NAFTA Superhighway is, in fact, a myth.
Lost parrot tells veterinarian his address
TOKYO (AP) — When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.
Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said.
He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.
"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.
"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said.
The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.
Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said.
He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.
"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.
"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said.
The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.
and if you believe Zogby, Kerry is running for his second term
Obama leads McCain in November match: Reuters poll
McCain led among whites, NASCAR fans, and elderly voters. McCain led with voters who believed the United States was on the right track...
McCain led among whites, NASCAR fans, and elderly voters. McCain led with voters who believed the United States was on the right track...
now even al Qaeda hates him
but we should sit them down with the good squirrel-brain-eating folks in Kentucky so we can at least figure out once and for all why we're supposed to hate him.
Barack Obama – Muslim apostate?
Should Obama become US commander in chief, there is a strong likelihood that Al Qaeda's media arm, As-Sahab, will exploit his background to argue that an apostate is leading the global war on terror (read: attacks against fellow Muslims). This perception would be leveraged to galvanize sympathizers into action.
Barack Obama – Muslim apostate?
Should Obama become US commander in chief, there is a strong likelihood that Al Qaeda's media arm, As-Sahab, will exploit his background to argue that an apostate is leading the global war on terror (read: attacks against fellow Muslims). This perception would be leveraged to galvanize sympathizers into action.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Rigged
Chicago Bulls win No. 1 pick in NBA draft lottery
SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP)—The Chicago Bulls won the NBA’s draft lottery Tuesday night, giving them the right to choose between star freshmen Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose.
Coming off a miserable season and still without a coach, the Bulls vaulted from the No. 9 spot, where they had just a 1.7 percent chance of landing the top choice.
They will almost certainly choose between Beasley, the Kansas State forward who averaged 26.5 points and an NCAA-best 12.5 rebounds, or Rose, the point guard who carried Memphis within minutes of the national title.
SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP)—The Chicago Bulls won the NBA’s draft lottery Tuesday night, giving them the right to choose between star freshmen Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose.
Coming off a miserable season and still without a coach, the Bulls vaulted from the No. 9 spot, where they had just a 1.7 percent chance of landing the top choice.
They will almost certainly choose between Beasley, the Kansas State forward who averaged 26.5 points and an NCAA-best 12.5 rebounds, or Rose, the point guard who carried Memphis within minutes of the national title.
somebody is getting fired
Top 1st: Baltimore
- B. Roberts walked
- M. Mora grounded out to third, B. Roberts to second
- N. Markakis struck out swinging
- A. Huff singled to right, B. Roberts scored
- K. Millar singled to center, A. Huff to second
- L. Scott safe at first on shortstop D. Jeter's throwing error, A. Huff to third, K. Millar to second
- R. Hernandez walked, A. Huff scored, K. Millar to third, L. Scott to second
- A. Jones doubled to deep right, R. Hernandez, K. Millar and L. Scott scored
- F. Bynum singled to right, A. Jones scored, F. Bynum to second advancing on throw
- F. Bynum to third on wild pitch
- B. Roberts tripled to left, F. Bynum scored
- R. Ohlendorf relieved M. Mussina
- M. Mora grounded out to third
7 runs, 5 hits, 1 errors
Baltimore 7, NY Yankees 0
- B. Roberts walked
- M. Mora grounded out to third, B. Roberts to second
- N. Markakis struck out swinging
- A. Huff singled to right, B. Roberts scored
- K. Millar singled to center, A. Huff to second
- L. Scott safe at first on shortstop D. Jeter's throwing error, A. Huff to third, K. Millar to second
- R. Hernandez walked, A. Huff scored, K. Millar to third, L. Scott to second
- A. Jones doubled to deep right, R. Hernandez, K. Millar and L. Scott scored
- F. Bynum singled to right, A. Jones scored, F. Bynum to second advancing on throw
- F. Bynum to third on wild pitch
- B. Roberts tripled to left, F. Bynum scored
- R. Ohlendorf relieved M. Mussina
- M. Mora grounded out to third
7 runs, 5 hits, 1 errors
Baltimore 7, NY Yankees 0
Mad Squirrel Disease?
MUNFORDVILLE, Ky. — To many white voters, race still matters
Terry Jordan, 47, who runs a year-round garage sale in front of an old filling station on Main Street, put it simply: "It's his color."
"Right now it's not that Hillary attracts the white vote," said Jack Bunnell, 79. "It's that Obama's black."
Few will express any particular dislike of black people, he said, but asking them to vote for a black man for president is simply too much of a leap: "They just aren't ready for it."
"I believe that he's a Muslim," said Susan Horton, 56 and white. She leaves her living room whenever Obama comes on the television. "I think that if he gets into office, there's going to be another bombing."
"He's not patriotic," said Brandy Trulock, a 21-year-old mother of two. "If you can't salute the American flag, I don't think you should be allowed to run for president."
Terry Jordan, 47, who runs a year-round garage sale in front of an old filling station on Main Street, put it simply: "It's his color."
"Right now it's not that Hillary attracts the white vote," said Jack Bunnell, 79. "It's that Obama's black."
Few will express any particular dislike of black people, he said, but asking them to vote for a black man for president is simply too much of a leap: "They just aren't ready for it."
"I believe that he's a Muslim," said Susan Horton, 56 and white. She leaves her living room whenever Obama comes on the television. "I think that if he gets into office, there's going to be another bombing."
"He's not patriotic," said Brandy Trulock, a 21-year-old mother of two. "If you can't salute the American flag, I don't think you should be allowed to run for president."
was Dorf unavailable?
Should Furman U. Faculty Be Forced to Attend Bush's Commencement Speech?
Furman University’s commencement speaker, President Bush, is drawing protests from faculty, student, and other critics who say he should not have been invited, and in response a group calling itself Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow is urging the university to force faculty members to attend the ceremony, even if they would prefer to skip it.
Furman University’s commencement speaker, President Bush, is drawing protests from faculty, student, and other critics who say he should not have been invited, and in response a group calling itself Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow is urging the university to force faculty members to attend the ceremony, even if they would prefer to skip it.
public health warning
Squirrel Brains May Be Unsafe
Two Kentucky doctors last month reported a possible link between eating squirrel brains and the rare and deadly human variety of mad-cow disease...
"There's no way I can undo what I've done. But I certainly enjoyed eating them..."
Cooked squirrel brain is about the size of a pingpong ball and is said to taste something like liver, only kind of mushy...
Two Kentucky doctors last month reported a possible link between eating squirrel brains and the rare and deadly human variety of mad-cow disease...
"There's no way I can undo what I've done. But I certainly enjoyed eating them..."
Cooked squirrel brain is about the size of a pingpong ball and is said to taste something like liver, only kind of mushy...
slide to global backwater status accelerates (cont'd)
Creationism Persists in American Science Classrooms
Chronicle of Higher Education
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By RICHARD MONASTERSKY
A significant fraction of high-school biology teachers acknowledge teaching some form of creationism, according to the first large national survey to probe how that issue is handled inside American classrooms. At the same time, teachers with the most college-level biology credits were likely to spend the most time teaching evolution, indicating that college training shapes the way teachers treat this cornerstone of scientific thought.
One in eight teachers said they taught creationism as a "valid scientific alternative to Darwinian explanations for the origin of species," reports a team led by Michael B. Berkman, a professor of political science at Pennsylvania State University at University Park. The survey results, published in the journal PLoS Biology on Monday, also reveal that one in six biology teachers believe that "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so."
...
The Penn State researchers surveyed 939 high-school biology teachers who were randomly selected from a list that includes most of the biology teachers in the country. They found that treatment of evolution varies widely: Some 38 percent of teachers devote more than 11 hours to the subject, while 11 percent provide less than 2 hours for the topic, if they cover it at all.
A quarter of teachers said they discussed creationism or intelligent design for at least an hour, but nearly half apparently bring it up to criticize it, say the survey authors. Some 40 percent of the teachers who raise the topic of creationism say that when they talk about it, they describe it as a valid religious perspective that is inappropriate for a science class.
...
Randy Moore, a professor of biology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, has conducted his own surveys of high-school biology teachers and also of college students, to see what they learned in high-school biology classes. His findings and those of other researchers suggest that 15 percent to 30 percent of biology teachers are teaching creationism, which federal courts have deemed a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In a study published in The American Biology Teacher in February, Mr. Moore found that 27 percent of the 1,465 college freshmen he surveyed had encountered creationism in a high-school biology class. A previous study found that 15 percent of biology teachers do not accept evolution as scientifically valid.
Chronicle of Higher Education
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By RICHARD MONASTERSKY
A significant fraction of high-school biology teachers acknowledge teaching some form of creationism, according to the first large national survey to probe how that issue is handled inside American classrooms. At the same time, teachers with the most college-level biology credits were likely to spend the most time teaching evolution, indicating that college training shapes the way teachers treat this cornerstone of scientific thought.
One in eight teachers said they taught creationism as a "valid scientific alternative to Darwinian explanations for the origin of species," reports a team led by Michael B. Berkman, a professor of political science at Pennsylvania State University at University Park. The survey results, published in the journal PLoS Biology on Monday, also reveal that one in six biology teachers believe that "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so."
...
The Penn State researchers surveyed 939 high-school biology teachers who were randomly selected from a list that includes most of the biology teachers in the country. They found that treatment of evolution varies widely: Some 38 percent of teachers devote more than 11 hours to the subject, while 11 percent provide less than 2 hours for the topic, if they cover it at all.
A quarter of teachers said they discussed creationism or intelligent design for at least an hour, but nearly half apparently bring it up to criticize it, say the survey authors. Some 40 percent of the teachers who raise the topic of creationism say that when they talk about it, they describe it as a valid religious perspective that is inappropriate for a science class.
...
Randy Moore, a professor of biology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, has conducted his own surveys of high-school biology teachers and also of college students, to see what they learned in high-school biology classes. His findings and those of other researchers suggest that 15 percent to 30 percent of biology teachers are teaching creationism, which federal courts have deemed a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In a study published in The American Biology Teacher in February, Mr. Moore found that 27 percent of the 1,465 college freshmen he surveyed had encountered creationism in a high-school biology class. A previous study found that 15 percent of biology teachers do not accept evolution as scientifically valid.
Is a pieds-a-terre included?
$175 burger: you want gold with that? By Daniel Trotta
Its creators admit it is the ultimate in decadence: a $175 hamburger.
The Wall Street Burger Shoppe just raised its price from $150 to assure its designation as the costliest burger in the city as determined by Pocket Change, an online newsletter about the most expensive things in New York.
"Wall Street has good days and bad days. We wanted to have the everyday burger (for $4) ... and then something special if you really have a good day on Wall Street," said co-owner Heather Tierney.
The burger, created by chef and co-owner Kevin O'Connell, seeks to justify its price with a Kobe beef patty, lots of black truffles, seared foie gras, aged Gruyere cheese, wild mushrooms and flecks of gold leaf on a brioche bun.
The eatery sells 20 or 25 per month in the fine dining room upstairs versus hundreds of $4 burgers each day at the diner counter downstairs, Tierney said.
Pocket Change previously designated the double truffle burger at Daniel Boulud's DB Bistro Moderne as the most expensive at $120, and the Burger Shoppe set out to top that.
Boulud's creation -- available only during black truffle season from December to March -- rose to $150 this past season, so the Burger Shoppe raised its price on Monday to $175.
"Our burger is not about the price," said Georgette Farkas, a Boulud spokeswoman. "If you are making something concerned only about the price, you are off in the wrong direction."
Without truffles, Boulud's burger costs $32. It has a ground sirloin patty stuffed with red wine braised short ribs.
O'Connell said the Burger Shoppe was "finding the ultimate expression of each one of the ingredients."
"The concept was like a mushroom-bacon-Swiss cheese burger, which is my favorite sort of burger," he said.
The burger comes with golden truffle mayonnaise, Belgian-style fries and a mixed greens and tomato salad. O'Connell pairs the dish with many fine wines, a lager or a toasted brown beer, or ginger ale.
Its creators admit it is the ultimate in decadence: a $175 hamburger.
The Wall Street Burger Shoppe just raised its price from $150 to assure its designation as the costliest burger in the city as determined by Pocket Change, an online newsletter about the most expensive things in New York.
"Wall Street has good days and bad days. We wanted to have the everyday burger (for $4) ... and then something special if you really have a good day on Wall Street," said co-owner Heather Tierney.
The burger, created by chef and co-owner Kevin O'Connell, seeks to justify its price with a Kobe beef patty, lots of black truffles, seared foie gras, aged Gruyere cheese, wild mushrooms and flecks of gold leaf on a brioche bun.
The eatery sells 20 or 25 per month in the fine dining room upstairs versus hundreds of $4 burgers each day at the diner counter downstairs, Tierney said.
Pocket Change previously designated the double truffle burger at Daniel Boulud's DB Bistro Moderne as the most expensive at $120, and the Burger Shoppe set out to top that.
Boulud's creation -- available only during black truffle season from December to March -- rose to $150 this past season, so the Burger Shoppe raised its price on Monday to $175.
"Our burger is not about the price," said Georgette Farkas, a Boulud spokeswoman. "If you are making something concerned only about the price, you are off in the wrong direction."
Without truffles, Boulud's burger costs $32. It has a ground sirloin patty stuffed with red wine braised short ribs.
O'Connell said the Burger Shoppe was "finding the ultimate expression of each one of the ingredients."
"The concept was like a mushroom-bacon-Swiss cheese burger, which is my favorite sort of burger," he said.
The burger comes with golden truffle mayonnaise, Belgian-style fries and a mixed greens and tomato salad. O'Connell pairs the dish with many fine wines, a lager or a toasted brown beer, or ginger ale.
more players to avoid
Chickens:
Reserve M. Valdez; Call up Burton
Reserve Doumit; Call up Coste
Reserve Keppinger; Call up Gregor Blanco
Waive Mota; Call up Wuertz
Reserve M. Valdez; Call up Burton
Reserve Doumit; Call up Coste
Reserve Keppinger; Call up Gregor Blanco
Waive Mota; Call up Wuertz
Perinoian bulls#i++ing
"ETHICS" -- WHITE HOUSE SAYS SECRET PENTAGON PROPAGANDA SIMILAR TO WRITING FOR A 'LIBERAL BLOG': Earlier this month, the Pentagon released documents relating to the secret military analysts program first reported by the New York Times on April 20. The documents raise questions about White House involvement in the program, which it had previously denied. One e-mail from a Pentagon official expressed his hope to get the analysts "in with potus" -- President Bush -- an idea the writer said "was submitted to karl and company," suggesting involvement from Karl Rove. Yesterday, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel refused to discuss the White House's involvement in the program, but insisted that "it's not unusual for administration officials to brief people...just like I'm standing here answering your question." But the Pentagon program, unlike the daily, televised press briefings, were kept secret. "Participants were instructed not to quote their briefers directly or otherwise describe their contacts with the Pentagon," the Times reported. When a reporter pointed this out to Stanzel, he ducked the question. "You can talk to the Defense Department. It was their program," he said.
Wilfredooooo Ledezzzma: Welcome to the Horrorz (cont'd)
Wilfredo Ledezma allowed four runs in four innings to lose to the Cardinals on Monday night. Ledezma, who was starting in place of Jake Peavy, gave up three runs on two homers. With two outs in the third inning, he issued an Albert Pujols single, then walked two batters and hit Yadier Molina with the bases loaded to allow a third run to score. With Peavy facing a possible trip to the disabled list, Ledezma should get at least another start.
Monday, May 19, 2008
This Makes Twice..."Dustiny"?
This is wonderful:
"He actually is one of the best bunters on the team, believe it or not. We were trying to get the runners in scoring position, and he threw him a pitch he could hit. We're playing pretty good baseball now. Things are starting to go pretty good."
--Reds manager Dusty Baker, on Adam Dunn attempting to bunt before bashing a walk-off homer this week. (ESPN.com)
Adam. Fucking. Dunn. Get the hitters in scoring position.
There it is. I think Dusty has finally actually completed the circle. He has become the best Dusty he can be.
"He actually is one of the best bunters on the team, believe it or not. We were trying to get the runners in scoring position, and he threw him a pitch he could hit. We're playing pretty good baseball now. Things are starting to go pretty good."
--Reds manager Dusty Baker, on Adam Dunn attempting to bunt before bashing a walk-off homer this week. (ESPN.com)
Adam. Fucking. Dunn. Get the hitters in scoring position.
There it is. I think Dusty has finally actually completed the circle. He has become the best Dusty he can be.
Everything's for sale
It looks like the Cubs are now selling the off days on their Cubs.com schedule.
Check out May 22nd. Next up Sam Zell will sell the naming rights to his goatee.
Check out May 22nd. Next up Sam Zell will sell the naming rights to his goatee.
a cheery thought to take your mind off all those icky starving people
The rich splurge on bargains
As rates fall, time is right for deals
By Sarah Schweitzer, Globe Staff | May 19, 2008
The recession gripping the country has left a broad swath of Americans agonizing over $60 gas fill-ups, ballooning grocery bills, and homes lost to foreclosure. But for the region's class of superrich, downtimes have made for a bonanza of deals on luxurious pleasures, from sports cars and yachts to pieds-a-terre* and airplanes.
At the Rolls-Royce dealership in Wayland, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead is sold out into next year, and orders are still rolling in. Ferrari Maserati of New England in Foxborough notched more sales in April than in any of the previous 14 months. Boston Yacht Sales of Weymouth last week closed on three boats valued at a total of $1.6 million, helping to push business up by 9 percent over last year. Business has been so brisk at Shoreline Aviation in Marshfield that the wait time to purchase a sleek Cessna Citation jet is two years. Million-dollar condo sales, far from stalling like some other sectors of the real estate market, have continued at a pace about like last year's.
In all of those things, dealers say they see no signs of a slowdown in coming months.
"If I had five Rolls-Royce Phantoms, they'd be gone the next day," Paul Downey, sales manager of Herb Chambers Rolls-Royce Motorcars of New England and Bentley Boston, said of the convertible that retails for $440,000.
For the class of rich who make more than $1 million a year and have several times that in the bank, the time is right for indulgence...
(*what the phokk??? ed.)
As rates fall, time is right for deals
By Sarah Schweitzer, Globe Staff | May 19, 2008
The recession gripping the country has left a broad swath of Americans agonizing over $60 gas fill-ups, ballooning grocery bills, and homes lost to foreclosure. But for the region's class of superrich, downtimes have made for a bonanza of deals on luxurious pleasures, from sports cars and yachts to pieds-a-terre* and airplanes.
At the Rolls-Royce dealership in Wayland, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead is sold out into next year, and orders are still rolling in. Ferrari Maserati of New England in Foxborough notched more sales in April than in any of the previous 14 months. Boston Yacht Sales of Weymouth last week closed on three boats valued at a total of $1.6 million, helping to push business up by 9 percent over last year. Business has been so brisk at Shoreline Aviation in Marshfield that the wait time to purchase a sleek Cessna Citation jet is two years. Million-dollar condo sales, far from stalling like some other sectors of the real estate market, have continued at a pace about like last year's.
In all of those things, dealers say they see no signs of a slowdown in coming months.
"If I had five Rolls-Royce Phantoms, they'd be gone the next day," Paul Downey, sales manager of Herb Chambers Rolls-Royce Motorcars of New England and Bentley Boston, said of the convertible that retails for $440,000.
For the class of rich who make more than $1 million a year and have several times that in the bank, the time is right for indulgence...
(*what the phokk??? ed.)
Good News for End-Timers (you know who you are)
Asteroids Could Reseed a Devastated Earth
Posted May 18, 08 3:13 PM CDT in Science & Health
(newser) – If a comet ever obliterates life on Earth, don't worry—space rocks could later fall in and reseed a few basic life forms. A new study shows that organisms can survive being hit by a meteor, ejected into space, and hurtled back to Earth on the face of a rock—which is good news should we ever go the way of the dinosaurs, Astrobiology reports.
Researchers smashed life-filled rocks with metal plates, simulating the pressures they would face being jolted into space. Other studies have showed life would endure re-entry, but the initial departure was still a question mark. So, rest easy: "A re-seeding scenario on a planetary surface is possible with diverse organisms,” the study said. Source Astrobiology Magazine
Posted May 18, 08 3:13 PM CDT in Science & Health
(newser) – If a comet ever obliterates life on Earth, don't worry—space rocks could later fall in and reseed a few basic life forms. A new study shows that organisms can survive being hit by a meteor, ejected into space, and hurtled back to Earth on the face of a rock—which is good news should we ever go the way of the dinosaurs, Astrobiology reports.
Researchers smashed life-filled rocks with metal plates, simulating the pressures they would face being jolted into space. Other studies have showed life would endure re-entry, but the initial departure was still a question mark. So, rest easy: "A re-seeding scenario on a planetary surface is possible with diverse organisms,” the study said. Source Astrobiology Magazine
just a perception problem, nothing to see here, let's move on...
A Fifth Top Aide To McCain Resigns
Finance Co-Chairman's Lobbying Ties Are Cited
By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 19, 2008; A01
Tom Loeffler, the national finance co-chairman for Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, resigned yesterday because of his lobbying ties, a campaign adviser said.
He is the fifth person to sever ties with the campaign amid a growing concern over whether lobbyists have too great an influence over the Republican nominee. Last week, campaign manager Rick Davis issued a new policy that requires all campaign personnel to either resign or sever ties with lobbying firms or outside political groups.
"The campaign over the last week or so obviously had a perception problem with regards with this whole business of lobbyists and their work," spokesman Brian Rogers said. "This is really all about setting a policy so that we can just get through that perception problem and the issues that come up with regards to lobbyists affiliated with the campaign and move on."
Finance Co-Chairman's Lobbying Ties Are Cited
By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 19, 2008; A01
Tom Loeffler, the national finance co-chairman for Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, resigned yesterday because of his lobbying ties, a campaign adviser said.
He is the fifth person to sever ties with the campaign amid a growing concern over whether lobbyists have too great an influence over the Republican nominee. Last week, campaign manager Rick Davis issued a new policy that requires all campaign personnel to either resign or sever ties with lobbying firms or outside political groups.
"The campaign over the last week or so obviously had a perception problem with regards with this whole business of lobbyists and their work," spokesman Brian Rogers said. "This is really all about setting a policy so that we can just get through that perception problem and the issues that come up with regards to lobbyists affiliated with the campaign and move on."
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Brian Sabean: Blue Ward Cyclonaphant
From Baseball Prospectus:
It's almost like you can smell the crack.
Standings in the NL West as of right now:
NL West W L PCT GB L10 Streak
Arizona 27 16 .628 - 5-5 L1
Los Angeles 22 20 .524 4.5 4-6 W1
San Francisco 17 27 .386 10.5 3-7 L4
Colorado 16 27 .372 11 4-6 W1
San Diego 16 28 .364 12 4-6 L1
They're 7.5 back in the wildcard and behind ten teams, including the Nationals and not including the three front-runners. Oh, and they suck.
Lost in Magowan’s retirement announcement was that Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said he thinks his team can contend in the NL West this season and does not plan to trade the many veterans that still dot the San Francisco roster.
It's almost like you can smell the crack.
Standings in the NL West as of right now:
NL West W L PCT GB L10 Streak
Arizona 27 16 .628 - 5-5 L1
Los Angeles 22 20 .524 4.5 4-6 W1
San Francisco 17 27 .386 10.5 3-7 L4
Colorado 16 27 .372 11 4-6 W1
San Diego 16 28 .364 12 4-6 L1
They're 7.5 back in the wildcard and behind ten teams, including the Nationals and not including the three front-runners. Oh, and they suck.
LoC Goes Global
Well, you could argue that that happened the second I became a contributer. But this is probably the first post from outside those United States. From where? An internet cafe somewhere in the middle of Bulgaria. So, Fung will be reporting whenever he can, embedded deep in Allied territory.
Differences so far? Well, there are even less darkies over here. I think I've seen 1 darky so far. Den dere's dat pesky Cyrillian alphabet dat everything's written in. It's bad enuff not to be able to understand people, but not to be able to read signs as well? Reminds me of Japan, well, not quite, I can read half the letters, then the other half I can read but they're not the same, and then others we don't have. For example, they had a sign for a product called Nivea Hobo. Now, you'd wonder why hobo's would need skin care. Apparently though, an H here is an N, and a B is a V, so it actually says Nivea Novo. I liked it better my way.
In America, we like to humiliate our smoking pals by sending them outside to drag on the sin sticks they so love. In Munich's airport, they went one step further. They built a glass smoker's cage in the middle of the terminal. Smokers can go in and smoke while all us non smoker's can gawk at them from outside. I'll post a picture of said cage when I can get it off the camera. In Bulgaria though, the smokers are everywhere, and you can't get away from them. I've inhaled more cigarette smoke in 3 days than probably over the past year.
More thoughts as I get more Internet access along the way...
Differences so far? Well, there are even less darkies over here. I think I've seen 1 darky so far. Den dere's dat pesky Cyrillian alphabet dat everything's written in. It's bad enuff not to be able to understand people, but not to be able to read signs as well? Reminds me of Japan, well, not quite, I can read half the letters, then the other half I can read but they're not the same, and then others we don't have. For example, they had a sign for a product called Nivea Hobo. Now, you'd wonder why hobo's would need skin care. Apparently though, an H here is an N, and a B is a V, so it actually says Nivea Novo. I liked it better my way.
In America, we like to humiliate our smoking pals by sending them outside to drag on the sin sticks they so love. In Munich's airport, they went one step further. They built a glass smoker's cage in the middle of the terminal. Smokers can go in and smoke while all us non smoker's can gawk at them from outside. I'll post a picture of said cage when I can get it off the camera. In Bulgaria though, the smokers are everywhere, and you can't get away from them. I've inhaled more cigarette smoke in 3 days than probably over the past year.
More thoughts as I get more Internet access along the way...
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