1 Boomer!

2

Do not, repeat, DO NOT lean over the hole to look inside. Serious injury may result!  Be patient. Good things come to he who waits.

 

3 Kaboom went the wikileaks...

N.Korea blasts its expensive surface to air missiles in "war games" while its people starve, and China suggests talks next month, after the Holidays.

Did the Pentagon reference the military exercises as war games, or just the "diplomats" ordered to spy, and editors?

4 Don't forget the recounts for MN Governor begin today. At some point over the holidays RCP closed all the House races except NY-1.

Repubs now stand at +63.

5 WikiLeaks, frankly, did a service with one part of the leaks:

They put out what we candidly knew about each one of the leaders in the world.

That's about the only real good thing to come of it. And frankly, if we were a little more candid about our feelings, maybe we'd get some business done.

6 Last week, Fred Thompson had Joe Miller as his guest, and Miller convinced teh Fred of the significant legal rationale motivating his stance demanding the recounts in order for Alaskan law to be proven out for fair elections.  So Fred's not going to dig at Miller to bow out as he'd been suggesting prior to their conversation on air.

And the Congressional business of assigning staff is occurring, as Jean pointed out having Miller still contesting being a difficulty for Murkowski. 

7 I still suck cock today. Film at 11.

8 Switzerland has approved a plan to automatically deport foreigners convicted of serious crimes.

Question being, what is the penalty should the criminal illegal alien return following deportation?

9 Boom!  Go the pensions.

10 "Obama could learn from Bush: The president could solve his communications problem by studying how his predecessor did it."

LA Times, lol!

11 I wonder how many brave men and women will have to die because "Little Julie" Assange thinks he didn't get enough attention as a child. Scumbag.

12 Oh, and don't look now but some long-eared furry dude stole your Illudium-245 Explosive Space Modulator...

13 SEIU Medical Insurance carrier drops children from the plan.

14 "Eat The Salad"  needs to be the new catchphrase for dealing with government programs, especially Obamacare.

15 13 LOL

16 14 "Eat The Salad" needs to be the new catchphrase for dealing with government programs, especially Obamacare. Posted by: Alex at November 29, 2010 08:17 AM (yY28H) Better than the old catchphrase which was, I believe, "Eat The Sh*t Sandwich"

17 Morning all....does anyone know of a good calendar add-in for Firefox?

18 This outta be interesting.....

Facebook has just announced that George W. Bush is going to be present tomorrow November 29th to answer questions about his new book Decision Points. The discussion will happen on Facebook Live at 2PM PST.

http://tinyurl.com/2dskhwj

19 9

Fortunately for us, we've been raiding the national pension fund for decades, so there is nothing for Obama to seize (until they go for private savings too).

20

Oh, dear, somebody has the vapors again.

Reminder:  Lugar will be four score in '12.  And no one should serve in the Senate for six terms.  Period.

21 Admiral Burke's former aide, forgot everything he taught him, and you know who Lugar's protege is don't you, Mitch Daniels

22 #20  Lugar is my senator.   After ignoring the local talk radio conservative for 8 years (and it's not a nut case host,  it's Greg Garrison,  Miek Tyson's prosecutor)Lugar suddenly appeared  to answer questions right after the election.

I am tired of his charting his own course on treaties,  foreign policy,  and other issues (especially that health care bill repeal).

I had thought he would retire when this term was finished.  I think everyone was being polite over the last couple of years,  figuring the same thing.  Since he won't go quietly,  there will be a primary challenge.

23 14 "Eat The Salad"  needs to be the new catchphrase for dealing with government programs, especially Obamacare.

"Eat The Salad", "Take the painkiller"...  These short dictates from our God King Obama indicate what kind of government he thinks we should have, and what kind of ruler he would be if he had absolute power.

24 13 SEIU Medical Insurance carrier drops children from the plan.

The linky, for those of you interested in the story:

Union Drops Health Coverage for WorkersÂ’ Children

One of the largest union-administered health-insurance funds in New York is dropping coverage for the children of more than 30,000 low-wage home attendants, union officials said. The union blamed financial problems it said were caused by the stateÂ’s health department and new national health-insurance requirements.

Hmm...is this the same story?  It is 9 days old. 

25 The union blamed financial problems it said were caused by the stateÂ’s health department and new national health-insurance requirements.

Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.  Told you so, idiots.

26 good morning
man where is everyone?

27

man where is everyone?

Charging up the defib unit to wake up the Ewok.

28 Er, not a headline but since someone here invariably asks about good antivirus software Buy.com has some stupidly good deals on Norton and Kaspersky Internet Security suites.

Let the good news go forth!

29
Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!

Is that what the Portland bomber said?

30 What is interesting is that there is not one single MSM article about the motivations of the WikiLeaks leaker Pfc. Bradley Manning. Surely, someone in the media would want examine why he committed espionage, right? Wrong, when the reason was a grudge against Don't Ask, Don't Tell, you can tell the public. It undermines one of their pet projects.

31

"man where is everyone?"

Was my prediction of an overwhelming number of holiday family electric knife fights correct?

32 man where is everyone? Posted by: chemjeff at November 29, 2010 08:52 AM (PaSAU) Two words: "Tryptophan Hangover"

33 26 good morning
man where is everyone?

The Monday after Thanksgiving is the start of a major hunting season.  Deer, hobos, etc. 

34

Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!

Speaking of kabooms,

Iran: Scientist killed by 'Zionist agents'

35 The Monday after Thanksgiving is the start of a major hunting season. Deer, hobos, etc. Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at November 29, 2010 09:03 AM (9hSKh) Wikileaks employees?

36

"Eat The Salad"  needs to be the new catchphrase for dealing with government programs, especially Obamacare.

If you like your salad, you can't keep it. You probably like it because it has croutons and fatty dressing on it. It only helps you if it tastes like crap.

37

What is interesting is that there is not one single MSM article about the motivations of the WikiLeaks leaker Pfc. Bradley Manning.

If he were, say, a deranged female astronaut, we'd already have the Lifetime movie.

38
Wikileaks employees?

Posted by: nevergiveup at November 29, 2010 09:04 AM (0GFWk)

Unfortunately, I have serious doubts that anything lethal will happen to Jazz Hands and Co.

39 Coulda sworn Fox News said something about the Christmas Tree bomber's father turning him in, but I was mostly asleep at the time.

At the moment, they're reporting that South Korea is dropping some of the artillery exercises from the current joint military exercises to appease the Norks.

40 Too many people in the woods this morning. I'll go out later or wait until tomorrow.

41

Not exactly from today, but it's the first time I've heard complains about Gov. Jindal. http://tinyurl.com/2akdebt

 

42

"The Monday after Thanksgiving is the start of a major hunting season.  Deer, hobos, etc. "

Is it cat season? There's a dead cat in a clear plastic bag in an alley in South Philly that's been there for over a week. Who does that?  Raise your hand

43 Tho' if I'd been paying the least bit of attention, I might have heard something sooner.

44

Joanie, Lucy has stopped trying to eat my breakfast to complain about you posting that.

Okay, actually she seems to have stopped trying to eat my breakfast so she can eat my knee. Never mind...

45

Things I have already learned today:

1.  Old, creaky incumbents should never have a primary challenger unless they are named "Strom Thurmond."

2.  North Korea can be the crazy 100 pound dude in the the room....just because, that's why.

3.  I do not know the proper term to describe the devolution of a style of governance beyond (or beneath) "flounder."

46

Is it cat season? There's a dead cat in a clear plastic bag in an alley in South Philly that's been there for over a week. Who does that?  Raise your hand

I prefer the Monty Python "exploding cat" method.

47 Note that the documents in the latest Wikileaks dump go back to 1979.  Is this somebody's lame attempt to embarrass certain prior Administrations?   Or is this only what it was advertised as, "Soldier" Bradley Manning's hissy fit demonstration against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ? 

48 The union blamed financial problems it said were caused by the stateÂ’s health department and new national health-insurance requirements.

Yes, you did!

Who does that?

The next Jeff Dahmer.

49 No Boom today. Boom tomorrow...

50

"Joanie, Lucy has stopped trying to eat my breakfast to complain about you posting that. "

I apologize.  My cat fainted when I told her about it..

51
34
Shahriari (killed) specialized in enrichment procedures and was a member of the Atomic Energy Association of Iran. Abbasi (injured) and Shahriari were both part of the nuclear scientists association's management team.

Israel?
Anti-regime Iranian revolutionaries?
Saudi financed?
Iranian crackdown on its own for the worsening Suxnet fiasco?

52 Kaboom, Barry! Kaboom!

53 "flounder."

!!!!

54

The soft bigotry of junk fondling.

Or something.

55

In other, o/t news: my eldest child got engaged over Thanksgiving...which caused a rather large, contained explosion at this household (talk about a sneak attack nobody saw coming). This, this is what happens when they don't get their leave as promised...I blame Slow Joe.

56

Too many people in the woods this morning. I'll go out later or wait until tomorrow.

Is that so you get the leaner hobos, not the chubby ones who can't run fast and get taken first?

57

Circa, where at? I must have missed it.

58 Mama AJ

Jindal's televised response to Obama's first state of the union seems to sum him up on his own terms. Polite to the tune of weak? His outcry during the BP Gusher was sincere enough, but where's the follow through?

59

48  I tend to believe it's the former, but it could be the latter.  I think Manning gave the access to the access, and the guys from Ass are picking and choosing what they leak. 

46 And the problem with exploding cats is the lack of bounce -- lack of bounce is a problem. (seriously though, poor damn cat -- there are some sick bastiges out there -- which is why part of me could care less if chaos does ensue)

60 unknown jane

congratulations?

61 60 I'm still trying to process the information and determine whether this is supposed to be an event where congratulations or condolences are in order.

62 That special Christmas gift for the friend that has everything:
http://tinyurl.com/2an53ea

63 Posted by: Minnie Rodent


1979? I hadn't noticed that. I find it hard (but not impossible) to believe that some PFC in Iraq had access to highly classified passwords/data from 30 years ago. Anyway, if it was him, his entire chain of command should be bounced out of the service (for starters).

64

Posted by: The guy that owns that really crappy Chinese restaurant in South Philly

It's off South Street. Hurry up before the Black Metal kids get to it. They'll probably try to smoke it.

65 Who would have scanned in a diplomatic message from 1979 then stored it ??!

66 6 Last week, Fred Thompson had Joe Miller as his guest, and Miller convinced teh Fred of the significant legal rationale motivating his stance demanding the recounts in order for Alaskan law to be proven out for fair elections.

Good.  I was hoping that Miller was doing this out of principle.  I'm sure he knows he can't win, but the courts can't be allowed to contradict written law the way they did.

In fact, because the Murkowski faction is convinced he can't win, they'll probably let him have his court victory.

67 Der Spiegel is claiming the Wikileaks dump is nothing short of the complete meltdown of US Foreign Policy.  So, the media can spin this all they want, but, it seems the rest of the world is irritated.  They also blame the Obama admin for the largest loss of control over secrets, ever. Boom to follow. 

68

Who would have scanned in a diplomatic message from 1979 then stored it ??!

There are laws.  The federal government pretty much has to archive every damned thing.

69

Domo Arigato.

70 63 He would have the ability to access how to get the access -- from there, whoever could go through all of the files.  Some Pfcs. have a fairly high security clearance.  And it really wouldn't take much input from Mr. Manning: just the info to hack the files would be enough.

71

I'm still trying to process the information and determine whether this is supposed to be an event where congratulations or condolences are in order.

We are standing by!

72 Who would have scanned in a diplomatic message from 1979 then stored it ??!

Deleting government documents like that is generally a no-no.  They would have been stored anyways, and it only makes sense to put them in digital form.  It saves you the cost of storage space, and makes them available for research if needed. 

PFC Manning was an intel analyst, so depending on where he was working, he would have had greater access simply as part of his research duties.

73

So very sad:

Prince Chunk has died.

74 Der Spiegel is claiming the Wikileaks dump is nothing short of the complete meltdown of US Foreign Policy. So, the media can spin this all they want, but, it seems the rest of the world is irritated. They also blame the Obama admin for the largest loss of control over secrets, ever. Boom to follow. Posted by: DailyDish at November 29, 2010 09:43 AM (+5yI+) The truth is there is not much there that we didn't assume was going on all along. It is just now it is confirmed: 1) We know Turkey is turning Islamic- yeah we knew that 2) Putin is the real power in Russia- Yeah big shocka 3) The Gulf States are scared shit of Iran- Big secret? 4) Obama tried to buy off others to take Gitmo Prisoners? We knew that and we knew Obama was a worm 5) and on and on

75 Der Spiegel is claiming the Wikileaks dump is nothing short of the complete meltdown of US Foreign Policy.

I still don't get what's so earth-shattering about them.

76 One thing I didn't know about Manning, he was born in Wales.

77

67 Der Speigel has always been a German rag that gets the periodic vapors over "der end of the evil American empire"...so them, hyperbolizing this situation?  Nooo, say it isn't so.

But it still doesn't let the utter incompetence of this administration off the hook -- Baldi and whoever commented the other day about this being an intentional act to discredit the office of the president (on the part of the head salad himself) are correct methinks.  He does not care, and this is a problem.

78

the head salad

I am so stealing that.

79 I still don't get what's so earth-shattering about them.

Posted by: Waterhouse at November 29, 2010 09:50 AM (Brjev)

It's like leaking a teenage girl's diary to the high school: The point isn't that Julie is fat or Sally is a slut -- everybody knew that -- it's that they all know she thinks it.

Exit question, did Private Manning put a stake in the heart of the DADT repeal?

80

the head salad

I am so stealing that.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at November 29, 2010 09:54 AM (B+qrE)

Meh, he's nothing more than a lettuce wedge smothered in blue cheese.

81 Fox Breaking News Alert: Obama to speak on WikiLeaks at 11:35am EST. 

82 Exit question, did Private Manning put a stake in the heart of the DADT repeal?

No, because liberals will simply cry that his homosexuality had nothing to do with it, or even that DADT drove him to betray his country.

83 When I was a PFC, I drove for an S-3 Major (overseas, so we had some pretty good security protocols). Not exactly the same as being in Intel, but I did see the security/intel routine in action. I'd be very curious how this "kid" got the access that would seem necessary to glean diplomatic cables, find direct reports of intelligence operations, etc.
Not impossible that Manning had the keys to the whole castle, but compartmentalization is usually Rule 1. 

84 NY Times says Iran policy is sooo much better now under Obama!

Wow, that's sooo good to know, thanks guys.

85 81 Fox Breaking News Alert: Obama to speak on WikiLeaks at 11:35am EST. 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at November 29, 2010 09:56 AM (9hSKh)

Will he sound like he just came from the dentist?

86 Exit question, did Private Manning put a stake in the heart of the DADT repeal? Posted by: AmishDude at November 29, 2010 09:54 AM (BvBKY) I wish but I am sure the mantra now is that if DADT had not been in force the little fag would never have felt the need to violated every freaken oath he ever took.

87

Meh, he's nothing more than a lettuce wedge smothered in blue cheese.

While puffing on a butt.

88 NY Times says Iran policy is sooo much better now under Obama!

As we are looking for things that go boom....

89 I'd be very curious how this "kid" got the access that would seem necessary to glean diplomatic cables, find direct reports of intelligence operations, etc. Not impossible that Manning had the keys to the whole castle, but compartmentalization is usually Rule 1. Posted by: Lincolntf at November 29, 2010 09:57 AM (Z6Mgb) After 9/11 they merged many of State's intel with the DODs so that there would be sharing of Intel and not the walls that help caused 9/11. So if he had access to DOD intel, which he apparently did, he would also have ipso facto have access State's also. But I want to know who did this little fags Security Clearance?

90 Will he sound like he just came from the dentist? Posted by: AmishDude at November 29, 2010 09:57 AM (BvBKY) Oh if he came to me, oh G-D i'd have a field day

91

71 LOL On one hand: seems like a nice boy: outdoorsy (their first date was a hunting /fishing excursion with friends), isn't a party hound, smart, not bad looking...wants a close knit, large family like the one he grew up in (ok...the large family bit scares me some...there's one typical way to going about getting a large family...I'm not sure I want a son in law that is all eager to get started on that large family project).  She says the primary thing is that they get along even on those days they can't stand one another (a good grasp of reality there) and that she basically "likes" him rather than heart pounding, bodice ripper love-ity love (again, good grasp of reality). They are both "really tired of the single life" (ok, whatever).  They've known each other for at least some time, but only starting dating this summer (but having deployed together in times past, they have been through more stuff and forced into seeing each other under stress than most dating couples...so there's that).

But...I would be much happier if she'd just waited until she was a bit older, waited to do the marriage thing a bit longer...had stayed married to the Army (with an allowed side affair with Jesus if she wanted it) like she was advised to do in the first place...was that so much to ask? arrrrgh...see, see? I'm having problems knowing whether to be happy or infinitely sad...why couldn't she be more like her sister, who has common sense and does not date, and is married to her career?

92 Nativity Scene Made of Butter in Des Moines

As part of a fund-raiser for a Catholic shelter for homeless families.  Butter...Christian faith...non-gov't assistance...makes the baby Obamas cry.

93 But I want to know who did this little fags Security Clearance? Posted by: nevergiveup at November 29, 2010 10:00 AM (0GFWk) An FBI agent who has now been reassigned to the Bureau's dumping ground for screw-ups. Counterintelligence. (and that should tell you a lot...)

94 "But I want to know who did this little fags Security Clearance?"

That would be a great place to start. And how much autonomy did they give this twit (within his unit)? If it's common knowledge that everything from the Iranian hostage crisis to Obama's prisoner swaps are a now just a mouse click away from the YouTube generation in uniform, then maybe someone should be keeping an eye on them and their machines.

95 why couldn't she be more like her sister, who has common sense and does not date, and is married to her career?

Because that's a really shitty life for all but a small fraction of women. _{Especially when your career divorces you at middle-age.}

96 81 Fox Breaking News Alert: Obama to speak on WikiLeaks at 11:35am EST.
------------
They're now saying he'll be talking about a pay freeze and *not* WikiLeaks.

97 I wish but I am sure the mantra now is that if DADT had not been in force the little fag would never have felt the need to violated every freaken oath he ever took.

DADT is a big story about his motivations but I saw where he said that "information should be public" or some such thing.  I really think that the DADT makes for a good narrative and makes him look more principled and less weaselly.

But with DADT out of place, how does the Army get the next Manning moved out of a position with so much access because they think he might have some issues?

If they try, he will claim discrimination.

98

80 Please, blue cheese is soo pedestrian.  And a lettuce leaf can so too be a salad...if artfully arranged and prepared on a pleasingly chic service...know you nothing of the aesthetic nuance of progressive cuisine?

Personally, I usually forego it all and have a corn dog, but Food Network can be fun to watch.

99

After 9/11 they merged many of State's intel with the DODs so that there would be sharing of Intel and not the walls that help caused 9/11. So if he had access to DOD intel, which he apparently did, he would also have ipso facto have access State's also. But I want to know who did this little fags Security Clearance?

I have a more fundamental question:  What kind of security do we have on our networks when someone can download gigabytes presumably to a series of thumbdrives and no alarms go off.  Really?

100

The Pelosi/Reid end game is destruction of the health INSURANCE industry...they want gubberment delivered health benefits...everyone working in that sector will get a gubberment check...everyone delivering services/goods to that sector will be subject to wage and price controls.

That's why they didn't care to read the bill...it is designed to fail and they have plan B in the wings...they didn't count on losing the House though. So this plan will reap carnage on our society and Reid will stop cold any House attempts to fix it...when the 2012 elections come around B+rry will blame the House Republicans for all the bills faults.

Why did the Repubicans run that pro amnesty nut job? Are they suicidal? We could have won in 2008. Thanks for all the help with the successor thing Bush.

101

95 The second sibling's job will likely not divorce her anytime soon (she's 19) and when it does let her off the hook, she'll be in a very sweet position (she's in the Army too).

This one only just turned 21...oy, oy...

102 why couldn't she be more like her sister, who has common sense and does not date, and is married to her career?

Because that becomes a miserable existence. 

103

We could have won in 2008.

No we could not have.  It might have been a little closer around the margins with Giuliani or Thompson, but that was a perfect storm for the libs.

104 How old is your daughter, unknown jane? 

Mr Y-not and I sprung our engagement on the family (his family) over Thanksgiving 27 years ago.  We'd been dating one month and were both 21. 

So it could be worse! 

105 I don't give a shit what Mannings rationale is, he broke the fucking law and he took a big shit on his oath.  I don't give a fuck what his cry baby excuse is.  Give him a last smoke and pop a round into his forehead.

106 But with DADT out of place, how does the Army get the next Manning moved out of a position with so much access because they think he might have some issues? If they try, he will claim discrimination. Posted by: AmishDude at November 29, 2010 10:06 AM (BvBKY) And you can ret assure that is gonna be a BIG problem down the line

107 Motivations are often a tricky thing, Agee said US policy had motivated his burning
so many intelligence agents, truth is he had put in contact with General Simenov of
the KGB, who ran the Cuban security services

108

Damn.  These kids today. 

"Lady Gaga"?  "MP3 players"?  "Computer Downloads"? 

In my day, you just needed a pair of smelly socks and some baggy underwear. 

 

109 I have a more fundamental question: What kind of security do we have on our networks when someone can download gigabytes presumably to a series of thumbdrives and no alarms go off. Really? Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at November 29, 2010 10:07 AM (B+qrE) I'd like to know that also

110 I don't give a shit what Mannings rationale is, he broke the fucking law and he took a big shit on his oath. I don't give a fuck what his cry baby excuse is. Give him a last smoke and pop a round into his forehead. Posted by: CDR M at November 29, 2010 10:10 AM (JSetw) Ditto!

111 Sock begone!

Anyway, the only thing that would "worry" me about their intention to marry is the "sick of single (dating) life" thing. 

112 Circa, thumb drives and portable hard drives are banned in the Navy.  Almost 2 years now.  CD-ROM's are a different story.  You can still do those, you just have to properly label them and not with Lady Gaga.  He should've never been allowed to have something like that in his possession.  Good security protocol's do not allow for that type of stuff.  If it's not official and not properly labeled, it does not enter spaces.

113 Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:02 AM (5/yRG)

When my future SIL announced he wanted a lot of children, my daughter said as long as a lot means 2.
I sympathize, Jane. My daughter married into a large family, and we fear completely losing her into that mob. The worst is that hubby is a mama's boy and pouts if he does not get his way, which is invariably what his mommy wants. And if your daughter doesn't feel strong passion for this man, her life may be turned upside down if she ever meets a man who fires that passion.
None of my business, but felt compelled to share. I wish them best of luck.

114 He burned the information to a CD that he brought in,  Ultimately, you have to have a certain level of trust in the soldier to do the right thing.  Unfortunately, in this case that trust was misplaced.

Background checks are thorough, but if he had no prior problems with the law then I don't see him having any trouble.  Most people, when asked by the FBI, aren't going to say "Well gee, I do think he's a little shit who'd sell out the U.S."

115 Mohammed a la Mohammed was at the DMV last time I was there? Same guy?

116 After 9/11 they merged many of State's intel with the DODs so that there would be sharing of Intel and not the walls that help caused 9/11.

So I wonder if State had very few controls.  If they are used to a small group of liberal arts majors having access to the files, they wouldn't think about this kind of thing.  DOD has elaborate systems in place that State just wouldn't have had.

Reminds me of the time when the Republican staffers found memos in the Democrats' folders (on the same hard drive!) that revealed that the Dems were working with outside groups to delay appointments of judges. 

117 @113
My sister married into a large family, all local (Baltimore).  Her husband has 12 sisters and a brother.  Similar dynamic although, in fairness, my side of the family are/were very domineering even though there are less of us. 

It wasn't good, but I ascribe that mostly to my sister and b-i-l living near both families. 

Mr Y-not and I moved away right after we got married.  Best thing we ever did for our marriage b/c we had to deal with each other, neither of us could run home to momma. 

118 Background checks are thorough, but if he had no prior problems with the law then I don't see him having any trouble. Most people, when asked by the FBI, aren't going to say "Well gee, I do think he's a little shit who'd sell out the U.S." Posted by: Alex at November 29, 2010 10:15 AM (yY28H) Any "decent" background check could have turned up that he was gay and possibly unbalanced.

119 the only thing that would "worry" me about their intention to marry is the "sick of single (dating) life" thing.

My dad says they got married (a week before the start of their sophomore year) so they wouldn't have to live in the dorms. *shrug*

120 and Heather 95...the second kid is a bit of "one of those types of women" -- she's a rather self-contained individual with a good job and no real desire to "hook up" with anybody -- she's very professional, thank goodness (and through some genetic freak she looks kinda like that Hennessey chick from the old Law and Orders...so she's got time...I hope she uses it wisely.)

121 109 I have a more fundamental question: What kind of security do we have on our networks when someone can download gigabytes presumably to a series of thumbdrives and no alarms go off. Really?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at November 29, 2010 10:07 AM (B+qrE)

I'd like to know that also

Posted by: nevergiveup at November 29, 2010 10:11 AM (0GFWk)

I think the problem is that the security is based on the idea that the criminal  does not want to get caught and prosecuted. They will come after you after the fact but there aren't many limits on what you can do, only punishments if you do. If you don't care then the security sucks. Sorta like the presumption was that the terrorist didn't want to die too.

122

No we could not have.  It might have been a little closer around the margins with Giuliani or Thompson, but that was a perfect storm for the libs.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at November 29, 2010 10:09 AM (B+qrE)

Mwahahahahahaha

123
Any "decent" background check could have turned up that he was gay and possibly unbalanced.

Posted by: nevergiveup at November 29, 2010 10:18 AM (0GFWk)

Not really.  Digging around about his sexuality is probably walking through a legal minefield, and the intel community is full of stranger people than this kid.

124 Anyway. I'm off to slit my wrists.

125

113 Well, that isn't so much a problem: the mister and I haven't exactly been ...unfertile; so this side of the family is pretty large (I like to think we're doing our best to make eco-greenies' heads explode).  I wouldn't mind grandkids...but not. right. now (watch, I'll probably jinx myself with that).  It would be really, really bad timing (see below).

I think the "sick of the single life" is due to the realities of life on base -- when I was her age I was pretty sick of being single too -- you get the full frontal seedy view of it, whereas the college kids get to pretend a bit longer, I think.  So I can understand the burn out.

It worries me that they are both gearing up for a deployment -- and that can cause some impetuous decisions to get made; decisions that an ordinarily sensible person might make out of the blue -- which is kinda what this is.  Although this is not a deployment marriage (she's been hit on for those before and hates that shit like the plague, so at least I know she's immune to that crap, so there's no threat of that...which is really, really good).

126 I thought Lugar was another name for a booger.

127

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Patrols around mosques and other Islamic sites in Portland have been stepped up as Muslim leaders expressed fears of retribution, days after a Somali-American man was accused of trying to blow up a van full of explosives during the city's Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams said Sunday that he beefed up protection around mosques "and other facilities that might be vulnerable to knuckle-headed retribution" after hearing of the bomb plot.


This is truly bizarro world. Good job dipshit Adams. Let the rest of the city get blown up while you defend against non-existent threats to Muslims

128

123  That's exactly it -- and from what I gather Manning wasn't acting all that dodgy through AIT, so I'm thinking there is no clear area where you could point and say: "the system failed here".  The background check didn't pick up that he was gay, through basic and AIT nobody really picked up that he was possibly unstable, in his shop nobody picked up that he was doing something hinkey -- it was a series of little blunders that created this mess (hmmm, kinda like somebody down at Ft. Hood, no?).

I said this last night: there really isn't anything special about Manning; he is what he is and should be dealt with.

129 Not really. Digging around about his sexuality is probably walking through a legal minefield, and the intel community is full of stranger people than this kid. Posted by: Alex at November 29, 2010 10:27 AM (yY28H) Well right there is what i call a big freaken problem. This should NOT be some social experiment. We're fucked if that is how we are doing our security clearances, and I have one!

130 Obama Fun Fact:

Lady Gaga's last album top 40 single has created more wealth than Barry has created in his entire life.

131 127 The fact that it was only the offices that got burnt (at least that's what I read) makes the conspiracy side of my mind race -- goodness knows, they do like to set themselves up as the victims.

132 I said this last night: there really isn't anything special about Manning; he is what he is and should be dealt with. Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:38 AM (5/yRG) I don't believe that. I bet someone in Basic or after thought this guy was a bit off but was afraid to make waves. We all know the weirdos we work with.

133 (hmmm, kinda like somebody down at Ft. Hood, no?).

No, Fort Hood involved people ignoring big fucking warning signs to protect their careers.

134 No, Fort Hood involved people ignoring big fucking warning signs to protect their careers. Posted by: Alex at November 29, 2010 10:40 AM (yY28H) I am not so sure that on a lesser level, that that was not also involved here

135 132 Nope, straight dope: people who went through training with him were fairly suprised (and seeing as how making the statement: "I knew there was something funny about him" would be the timely, easy thing to say; I tend to believe it).

136 I bet someone in Basic or after thought this guy was a bit off but was afraid to make waves. We all know the weirdos we work with.

A lot of the guys in intel are a bit weird.  Especially the enlisted soldiers.  None of that is necessarily a warning sign.

137 A lot of the guys in intel are a bit weird. Especially the enlisted soldiers. None of that is necessarily a warning sign. Posted by: Alex at November 29, 2010 10:44 AM (yY28H) It aughta be

138 132 Nope, straight dope: people who went through training with him were fairly suprised (and seeing as how making the statement: "I knew there was something funny about him" would be the timely, easy thing to say; I tend to believe it). Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:41 AM (5/yRG) Well no way for me to respond to something like that?

139

134 Exactly -- the only thing, from what I can gather, that anybody could have nailed Manning with prior to this, was the charge of being gay (which would have had to have been proven)...that is incredibly difficult and dicey, especially in this climate, even if you'd want to (there are gay people in the military after all, who do a good job and are patriotic...ratting them out would be, well, ratting them out); the pressures to NOT do it are definitely there.

Now...a bit more situational awareness with the "Lady Gaga" CD; now that could have been the clincher...but again, it comes down to people not wanting to come off as paranoid whistle blowers or gay bashers (titling the damn thing "Lady Gaga" was probably a clever touch...and his superiors and peers were too worried about looking like bullies to call the bluff, if they had any suspicions in the first place).

140 "Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom! Is that what the Portland bomber said?" You know, I just hope the FBI had tight enough coverage on that scumwad that we get to see video of the expression on his face when he hit 'send' on that cellphone...

141 138 I made the same supposition as you -- but when somebody actually there says the opposite, well, they are probably more correct (especially when what they say doesn't cast them in the most flattering light, when they admit something duped them).

142 his superiors and peers were too worried about looking like bullies to call the bluff, if they had any suspicions in the first place). Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:47 AM (5/yRG) And that is where all this PC Bullshit is leading and we are fucked but good

143 "132 I said this last night: there really isn't anything special about Manning; he is what he is and should be dealt with. Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:38 AM (5/yRG) " Boy, Giants h8er er WHAT?

144 I made the same supposition as you -- but when somebody actually there says the opposite, well, they are probably more correct (especially when what they say doesn't cast them in the most flattering light, when they admit something duped them). Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:49 AM (5/yRG) Well the easy question to you is who is telling you this? And how did they get their information?????

145 136 "A lot of guys in intel are a bit weird.  Especially the enlisted.  Gee, thanks.

146 Background checks are thorough, but if he had no prior problems with the law then I don't see him having any trouble.  Most people, when asked by the FBI, aren't going to say "Well gee, I do think he's a little shit who'd sell out the U.S."

It's amazing there were no behavioral red flags, though.  No superior saying that he had some issues?  There had to have been non-sexual signs.

On the other hand, if they suspected he was gay, they probably didn't even come close to any question that would force him to tell (I guess DADT applies to all security clearances as well, even the most sensitive).

However, I don't think a repeal of DADT would suddenly permit a whole lot of asking.

147

Now...a bit more situational awareness with the "Lady Gaga" CD; now that could have been the clincher...but again, it comes down to people not wanting to come off as paranoid whistle blowers or gay bashers (titling the damn thing "Lady Gaga" was probably a clever touch...and his superiors and peers were too worried about looking like bullies to call the bluff, if they had any suspicions in the first place).

Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:47 AM (5/yRG)

It's not even that complicated.  Downrange, if you're stuck in your shop and you're bored, you break out the flash games or put a movie on the projector.  As long as work gets done on time, people generally don't raise a stink.  The Lady Gaga CD was assumed to be just that, a music CD to listen to while working. 

148 I seem to remember that Manning met with some wonks at MIT earlier this year. Perhaps these guys are also being looked at for any help they provided to this twerp Manning?

149 On Fox they are whining about the new law in SF prohibiting bums at Height-Ashbury.

Not a single mention of the fact that they piss on the sidewalk so much the entire area stinks.

150 Portland Mayor Sam Adams said Sunday that he beefed up protection around mosques "and other facilities that might be vulnerable to knuckle-headed retribution" after hearing of the bomb plot. This is truly bizarro world. Good job dipshit Adams. Let the rest of the city get blown up while you defend against non-existent threats to Muslims Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 29, 2010 10:36 AM (92heR) Hopefully those extra security officers will be able to fill their spare time with things like recording the license plate numbers of all the cars in the parking lot and photographing everybody who comes and goes in and out of the bomb factory mosque. Maybe record all the telephone traffic too- just in case one of those "knuckle heads" phones in a threat. You can never be too careful. All in the name of fighting the dreaded epidemic of Islamophobia, of course...

151 So I wonder if State had very few controls.  If they are used to a small group of liberal arts majors having access to the files, they wouldn't think about this kind of thing.  DOD has elaborate systems in place that State just wouldn't have had.

You have it a bit backwards.  State is officially part of the intelligence community and so the controls (in theory) are more stringent, not less.  DOD can set up classified networks in all sorts of places that intel people cannot.

152 didn't see any cyber deals on zappos

153 149 On Fox they are whining about the new law in SF prohibiting bums at Height-Ashbury.

Those who are whining about this should put up the bums in their own homes.

154 On Fox they are whining about the new law in SF prohibiting bums at Height-Ashbury.

That's pretty much equivalent to ethnic cleansing, isn't it?

155

147 Well, yeah, but even if anyone did think something was odd -- nobody's probably going to take away a Lady Gaga CD from somebody that probably everyone knew was gay, could be construed as harassing.

God forbid anyone appear to be "harassing" anymore.  PC is going to kill us all.

156 I'll go re-read some of the stories from the earlier episode and try to get a better handle on what, exactly, the Army knows/suspects Manning did. I mean physically, time-wise, etc. to procure and disseminate the info. I'm all for removing barriers between the FBI, CIA, DoD, etc. where there's an obvious bottleneck, but this douchebag needed access to records from 1979 like I need a traffic report from 1986.
Until I bone up, I'm pre-emptively extending my "24 hour rule" another 6 months before buying the "lone Private on a crusade" conventional wisdom.
 

157 are people with out computers being disenfranchised today?

158 Gee, thanks.

Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:51 AM (5/yRG)

I never said it was a bad thing! I'm an intel officer, and I'll admit that I'm a big ol' geek.  I've hung around them all my life.  Often, your best analyst is some 19 year old kid who is happiest being locked away in a basement with a computer and no worries about human interaction.  As long as I can use the information so commanders can put steel on foreheads, I'm happy.  People who are that smart generally have quirks, and that is all there is to it.

159 No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.

160 Leslie, don't call me Shirley, Nielsen has died!

http://tinyurl.com/29wavuh

161 158  Oh ok...it's cool: not fun when your entire family gets the rep for being weird, little geeks.

162 State is officially part of the intelligence community and so the controls (in theory) are more stringent, not less.  DOD can set up classified networks in all sorts of places that intel people cannot.

In theory.  But what kind of hacker wants State emails?  That's just gossip.  DOD can tell you where missles are, etc.  But that's based on the assumption that people want to do physical damage to the US.  America-haters have a different agenda, which makes State emails more valuable.

Based only on the Plame affair, I suspect that DOD is still better at this stuff than anybody in the intelligence community -- State or otherwise.

163 After saying I think this Manning turd should be doing life in some unheated, windowless cell somewhere, I also have to say some of the Wikileaks documents could prove beneficial, if people pay attention and start calling for changes based on them.

The shenanigans of the State Department and the clueless jerks in the Osama Obama regime need to be analyzed carefully, with mass firings and other forms of legal punishment to follow.

Trying to bribe countries to take Gitmo prisoners? Knowing that China was aiding Iran and doing nothing about it? Sucking up to the Pakis as they try to betray us? No one who participated in those "decisions" should be allowed to hold any responsible government job.

Yes, that kind of shit has surely gone on every since the friggin' "diplomats" first because a branch of government unto themselves, free of accountability for their stupid behavior. But with the connivance of the Mohammedan Mouthpiece, they are doing even more harm.

Everyone from Michelle Malkin to "Poppin' Fresh" are stamping their little feet in outrageous outrage about the document release. In principle, I agree. Not only should Manning go down (so to speak), but so should everyone responsible for letting him engage in such egregious treachery. Assange and his site should be torpedoed, too.

But. What many of the released documents expose is just as bad: duplicity, treason and plain old stupidity on the part of some of the nation's highest officials. We should be looking to make lemonade from these lemons, starting with the firing of Hitlery Clinton and every senior employee at State. Then we can move the focus to the White House, and root out all the rot there.

164 161 158  Oh ok...it's cool: not fun when your entire family gets the rep for being weird, little geeks.

Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 11:03 AM (5/yRG)

Geekiness is a feature, not a bug.

165 You can tell the regular bloggers are back from vacation....no new thread for 4 hours. 

Can we suggest they take another week's vacation and continue on with the fill-in bloggers?  They were prolific morons.

166 G'day mates,

Not anything in those Wikileaks about me, oiy?

If it's there,  I didn't do it!!!!

167
mornin, fags

Is this the Monday Night Football thread?

168 God forbid anyone appear to be "harassing" anymore. PC is going to kill us all. Posted by: unknown jane at November 29, 2010 10:59 AM (5/yRG) Amen

169 161 158  Oh ok...it's cool: not fun when your entire family gets the rep for being weird, little geeks.

As mentioned, there is no shame in this.  Geeks run the world!

170 The list is not without flaws.  Check out #11, ugh!

171 Murdered Iranian scientist was expert on Stuxnet:
http://www.debka.com/article/20406/

172 The Lady Gaga CD was assumed to be just that, a music CD to listen to while working. 

Posted by: Alex at November 29, 2010 10:54 AM (yY28H)

But not allowed in every SECRET joint I've ever been in.  No personal media.  Period.

173

95 why couldn't she be more like her sister, who has common sense and does not date, and is married to her career?

Because that's a really shitty life for all but a small fraction of women. _{Especially when your career divorces you at middle-age.}

No.
I'm in my mid-50's and I've been married-- I will not do it again--- it was the most miserable period of my life.    And I really thought it was how everyone was supposed to be and be their 'happiest' they HAD to be married.   

I endured because I thought that it was normal...just like my mother was miserable with my Dad, my Grandmother was with my grandfather, my half-sister with husband.  They toughed it out because they had no other way to survive and it's what women did. 

You got your happiness from your babies, not from your marriage. All when widowed, they never even considered remarriage...they were too enamoured with their freedom and happiness.

My friends are a combination of married and single, kids, no kids.  The married ones for the most part are either
a.  OK-  somewhat happy
b.  Divorcing (2 popped up this week)
c.  Miserable

The single ones are dating and having fun or not dating but hanging out with friends--- and they are the happiest.  One however, is freaking out that her life is over at 40 (newly divorced) and she has to find a man, ANY MAN to marry her so she can go back to being a couple.   She's miserable...and going to be more miserable as soon as she marries.

 IOW,  your life and happiness can not and should not depend on if there is 'someone in the house with you' (to quote one of my elderly uncle who married simply because he couldn't handle watching TV alone).   Whatever joy you get out of life will have to come through you, your endevours, your choices, your ability to live with you, inside your own skin. 

You see, the secret is, you have to find someone so wonderful, you want to give up a bit of yourself and your world. And there world is something you want to share also.   Not that your world is so bad that you want someone else to fix it.

174

Based only on the Plame affair, I suspect that DOD is still better at this stuff than anybody in the intelligence community -- State or otherwise.

Eh.  Considering the first tranche was DOD material and no bird colonel is comfortable without a set of classified pwoer point slides under his arm, I pretty much give everybody an F minus.

Also, the federal pay freeze will cut the deficit by about fifteenth hundredths of a percent and will be proclaimed to much fanfare.  You know the scene in every Roadrunner/Coyote cartoon where the coyote realizes he's running in midair? 

Look down.

 

175 Surely we have to talk like this all day.

176 I saw the Hamas tape a while back. I guess technically it is a step up from throwing them off the top of buildings. These people are really sons of bitches. Somebody should stick this in the face of Crazy Eyes.

177

But not allowed in every SECRET joint I've ever been in.  No personal media.  Period.

Posted by: CDR M at November 29, 2010 11:14 AM (Mv/2X)

That's the way it is supposed to be.  Unfortunately, reality doesn't seem to match.  99.9% of the time, it does no harm.  This time, it did.  I'm not trying to defend it, BTW, simply making an observation.

178 Surely we have to talk like this all day. Posted by: Mama AJ at November 29, 2010 11:21 AM (XdlcF) Maybe, but don't call me Shurely

179 4 Don't forget the recounts for MN Governor begin today. At some point over the holidays RCP closed all the House races except NY-1.

Repubs now stand at +63.

Posted by: Vic at November 29, 2010 07:38 AM (e4sSD)

< Vic, I'm sure at some point a blue sedan will pull up with 30,000 uncounted democrat votes in the trunk.  You betcha.

180 Barky's fart-sniffing Mussolini chin-thrust explained!

Australian researchers have found that women who tilt their faces forward are seen as more attractive, while men are considered better-looking when they tilt their heads backward.

The results may hark back to the differences in male and female height, the researchers report in the journal Evolutionary Psychology. Men are typically taller than women, so they're used to seeing female faces from above - an effect mimicked by a forward head tilt. Women, on the other hand, usually look up at men's faces, so the head-back tilt may appear more masculine.

181 Chatham House statement on Willileaks:


"It's a great treasure trove for historians and students of international relations. It is a sign that in the information age, it is very difficult to keep anything secret. But as to whether it's going to cause the kind of seismic collapse of international relations that governments have been talking about, I somehow doubt.

Diplomats have always said rude things about each other in private, and everyone has always known that. Governments have a tendency to try to keep as much information as possible secret or classified, whether it really needs to be or not. The really secret information, I would suggest, is still pretty safe and probably won't end up on WikiLeaks."



Chatham House Rule:
When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.


Note:  This rule only applies to us and our paying guests.


Chatham House: The House of Knowledge


Hourly, Daily and Monthly Rates available

182
Sarah Palin confuses North & South Koreas for a few seconds.

Al Gore says with authority that the temperature a few miles below the Earth's surface is "millions of degrees."

183 Ace picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue return from vacation.

184 That's the way it is supposed to be. Unfortunately, reality doesn't seem to match. 99.9% of the time, it does no harm. This time, it did. I'm not trying to defend it, BTW, simply making an observation. Posted by: Alex at November 29, 2010 11:22 AM (yY28H) OK for example: I can make a CD copy of a patients X-rays on Base legally. But i also have access to all their Health Info and any other DOD site I can access with my security level. So it comes down to my personal integrity.

185

The results may hark back to the differences in male and female height, the researchers report in the journal Evolutionary Psychology. Men are typically taller than women, so they're used to seeing female faces from above - an effect mimicked by a forward head tilt. Women, on the other hand, usually look up at men's faces, so the head-back tilt may appear more masculine.

How much Stimulus money was spent on this...um...."research"?

186

Sarah Palin confuses North & South Koreas for a few seconds.

Al Gore says with authority that the temperature a few miles below the Earth's surface is "millions of degrees."

Clearly she's been an idiot since the Tea Party of 1776.  And she can't dance.

187 #173

Wow, someone is an unfortunate, bitter crank.
You seem to have trouble with people divorcing around you, and being unhappy around you...well, there's only one thing in common with that situation...you.
I can already tell you're exactly the type of person that would suck all the life, energy, and joy from any relationship you were even near.  I've been around people like that before, and you've got all hallmarks.

188 This thread is 4 hours old. Where is the accidental lesbian pr0n?

189 House Pajama Party: New to Congress, Many Members Plan to Sleep-Over

WASHINGTON—Of the 94 incoming members of the House of Representatives, 90% are Republicans, nearly 40% have law degrees and about 35% have never before held elective office.

Oh, and at least 15% plan to bed down in their congressional offices.

It's the ultimate I'm-not-a-professional-politician statement, reminiscent of the 1994 midterm elections, when a GOP House takeover led to a surge in House sleepovers.

190 188 This thread is 4 hours old. Where is the accidental lesbian pr0n?     Give us a break.  We don't even wake up until noon!

191

Sarah Palin confuses North & South Koreas for a few seconds.

Al Gore says with authority that the temperature a few miles below the Earth's surface is "millions of degrees."

Clearly she's been an idiot since the Tea Party of 1776.  And she can't dance.

 

"Iran is a tiny country" for the win.

192 I'd vow to keep making Airplane reference until Ace posts, but I need to get something done this morning before nightfall.

193 From Weasel Zippers....we are so boned:

ABC— The White House today instructed federal departments and agencies to take immediate steps to try to prevent any future Wikileaks-like disclosures.

 Â“The recent irresponsible disclosure by WikiLeaks has resulted in significant damage to our national security,” wrote director of the Office of Management and Budget Jack Lew, in a memo posted this morning at the OMB website. “Any failure by agencies to safeguard classified information pursuant to relevant lawsÂ… is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Each federal department and agency that handles classified information is being instructed to create a “security assessment team” to review the implementation of procedures to safeguard such information, a review to include making sure that no employee has access to information beyond what is necessary to do his or her job effectively.

194 Call me Shirley now, I don't give a fuck any more.

195
OK for example: I can make a CD copy of a patients X-rays on Base legally. But i also have access to all their Health Info and any other DOD site I can access with my security level. So it comes down to my personal integrity.

Yes. Any system is going to rely, at some point, on a certain level of trust in the users.  Unless you want to microchip every soldier to track their movements, monitor all computer usage day and night, give strict limitations on where they can go and who they can associate with, and essentially become a tyrant, you are going to have to decide at some point to trust them to be decent and responsible with the access that they have been given.

196 Roger.

197

to create a “security assessment team”

Oh, a team!! We're safe now.

198

187 #173

Wow, someone is an unfortunate, bitter crank.
You seem to have trouble with people divorcing around you, and being unhappy around you...well, there's only one thing in common with that situation...you.
I can already tell you're exactly the type of person that would suck all the life, energy, and joy from any relationship you were even near.  I've been around people like that before, and you've got all hallmarks.

LOL!  No, quiet the opposite. I'm very happy and I can tell why others are miserable (but can't quiet put their fingers on why).    It's why I"m conservative, foster individuality and I embrace freedom--- you choose your own path in life.
Marriage just to keep from 'being alone' is always a disaster.  Always.    That is all I'm saying.    I think I hit a nerve hun..... maybe you need to look at your own life.

199

Each federal department and agency that handles classified information is being instructed to create a “security assessment team” to review the implementation of procedures to safeguard such information, a review to include making sure that no employee has access to information beyond what is necessary to do his or her job effectively.

To reiterate what I said above--I think a loud siren should sound when anyone downloads more than a gigabyte or so.  Or am I just being paranoid and unreasonable?

And mark my words--this kind of mush-mouthed guidance will result in walls between agencies again...and we'll pay for that at some point, too.

200 Posted by: Smart Girl at November 29, 2010 11:14 AM

You come from a family of bad marriages, your married friends are miserable, so marriage is not for you.  No surprise there.  You seem to be fulfilling a personal pattern.  I don't think you should draw any general conclusions from it. 

201

to create a “security assessment team”

Oh, a team!! We're safe now.

We don't already have a few dozen czars for that?

202 Posted by: Zombie Leslie Neilsen at November 29, 2010 11:35 AM (vSiVD) Thanks for the laughs.

203 To reiterate what I said above--I think a loud siren should sound when anyone downloads more than a gigabyte or so.  Or am I just being paranoid and unreasonable?

I'm not sure if that would be effective.  I can download a gigabyte file a couple of times a day depending on the work I'm doing. 

204 It's too bad men can't get PMS because then I'd have an excuse for the mood I'm in. I guess I'll just have to fall back on "I'm insane, and not in a loopy-but-happy sort of way. And get off my damn lawn!".

205

We don't already have a few dozen czars for that?

Yes, but they weren't on a TEAM before.

Duh.

206 I say we put GMan and SmartGirl in the same room and let 'em duke it out.. or, they'll end up married.. (more likely)

I love it how people can spout on and on like experts on relationships online.. cripes.. the only thing I've learned in 58 years is that I (nor anyone else for that matter) will ever fully understand male-female relationships (or male-male/female-female for that matter!).  But to me, that's what's cool about life..

207 nearly 40% have law degrees

They make this sound high, but I think it's low.

How can it be a House of "Representatives" when the bar is so disproportionately represented?  How do we keep legislation -- that serves very little purpose other than to make lawyers rich (see most environmental legislation, for example) -- from eating away at our economy when so many have a vested interest in it?

208 OK for example: I can make a CD copy of a patients X-rays on Base legally.

----
Is it really legal?  The reason I ask is that I thought FOICA prohibited making duplicates of - or accessing - medical records for anything other than a work-related purpose.  Same with students' academic records or their personal bio information.  You can't just copy those things for your own jollies.  I think the act of copying them - and not merely the dissemination of the information - is a violation of privacy laws. 

209

I'm not sure if that would be effective.  I can download a gigabyte file a couple of times a day depending on the work I'm doing.

Note emphasis--not several thousand that add up to a gig, right?

210 #195  Unless you want to microchip every soldier to track their movements, monitor all computer usage day and night, give strict limitations on where they can go and who they can associate with, and essentially become a tyrant, you are going to have to decide at some point to trust them to be decent and responsible with the access that they have been given.

Very good point.  Only one addition - even if one could accomplish all that, given the immense resources which would be needed for such an undertaking, who watches the watchers? 

In the end, everyone has to count on someone else's personal integrity. 

211 Lefty media site Salon.com, home of such gems as:

Two more Iran nuclear scientists attacked with bombs
By Glenn Greenwald

Whoever is responsible for assassinating civilian scientists is guilty of terrorism in the purest form

is heading toward the block, no doubt because of how massively successful it is:

Salon.com is exploring opportunities to merge with or be acquired by another media company, an acknowledgment of the perilous economics of running a free-standing online news organization.

The site was a pioneer in online news, and has endured as a source of high-brow political and cultural coverage and commentary. But 15-year-old Salon has been unable to stanch its red ink. Salon Media Group Inc. has racked up net losses of more than $15 million in the past five years, with nearly a third of that coming in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

WSJ

212 Don't be too hard on Smart Girl.  Bad marriages seem to run genetically on the female side of her family. 

I'd be interested, however, in hearing from the males of the family.

213 AT: Rino two-stepping on CFL's.

His first witness should be Dennis Miller, who quipped on his radio show about dreaded CFLs, the most ballyhooed replacement for incandescents: "I don't care what my electric bill is. I haven't worked my entire life so that my living room can look like a Soviet Bloc stairwell during a James Bond fight scene." A good line for Miller to express humorously what most people are thinking.

214 #206  I love it how people can spout on and on like experts on relationships online.. cripes.. the only thing I've learned in 58 years is that I (nor anyone else for that matter) will ever fully understand male-female relationships (or male-male/female-female for that matter!).

The war between the sexes will never end.  There is too much fraternizing with the enemy. 

215

In the end, everyone has to count on someone else's personal integrity. 

This is true to a very wide extent--but, from this point forward a nice little algorithm that notes file access and use strangeness would be a good thing to have.

216

200 Posted by: Smart Girl at November 29, 2010 11:14 AM

You come from a family of bad marriages, your married friends are miserable, so marriage is not for you.  No surprise there.  You seem to be fulfilling a personal pattern.  I don't think you should draw any general conclusions from it. 

I'm happy for you!  The only conclusion I've drawn from it is the pattern of 'why' people get married and stay married.   And also, those who are emotionally strong and healthy who marry someone they like who is also emotionally stable (usually) have good marriages.     The issue is simply those who marry out of a fear of being alone or "I have to because it's what people do"  mindset.     Both genders do it.  

I've lived long enough to see the beginning and of both good and bad marriages around me.   The bad ones (for the wrong reasons, with the wrong mindset)  from day one you knew were going to fail.... and they all have.   The good ones have lasted, though even a few of those have failed too for various reasons.  For those who can do it, they have my highest respect and praise.

But I sincerely believe that happy marriages are greatly outnumbered by bad ones.  Give an honest look around. 

217 Note emphasis--not several thousand that add up to a gig, right?

Nope.  I've downloaded files that were 1-2 gigs in size regularly.

218
This is obviously a job for Captain Groper & Boy TSA!

From now on we should strip search all govt employees, all private citizens, and this is probably a good time to take over the internet and monitor and limit all content.

219 Whoever is responsible for assassinating civilian scientists is guilty of terrorism in the purest form

So, Mengele should have gotten a pass then....

220 But I sincerely believe that happy marriages are greatly outnumbered by bad ones.  Give an honest look around.

The divorce rate supports your argument.  Over 50%, even for religious couples!

221 Smart Girl, if everyone in your life is unable to have a stable, enjoyable marriage, and that's been true stretching back for generations, don't you think that your observations are a bit too parochial to apply to just about anyone else?
Grand pronouncements on the futility of marriage, by someone who has never seen a proper one up close, ring a bit hollow.
Sounds like you've got an axe to grind.

222 http://tinyurl.com/2b8vwt2

Let Your Rep Know What You Think...about TSA nudy-scanners and prerequisite groping.

223 212 Don't be too hard on Smart Girl.  Bad marriages seem to run genetically on the female side of her family. 

I'd be interested, however, in hearing from the males of the family.

Only one of four male siblings is married, adult nephew isn't married either at near 40 and several male cousins are still single as well   (is that the question?).     

224
This leak would never have happened if we allowed homosexuals to serve as open homosexuals in the military.

Right? Of course!

Just like 9/11 would never have happened if there was no Israel.

225 212 Don't be too hard on Smart Girl. Bad marriages seem to run genetically on the female side of her family. I'd be interested, however, in hearing from the males of the family. Posted by: Tami at November 29, 2010 11:44 AM (VuLos) I think she has made the very valid point that a lot of unhappiness in her family would have been avoided if her grandmother and grandfather had never met. :-)

226
It's your fault, you see.

It's always your fault.

This leak would never have happened if the damned Europeans stayed in Europe instead of sending Columbus over here to kill all the indians.

227 Greenwald is the worst kind of "journalist".

228 But I sincerely believe that happy marriages are greatly outnumbered by bad ones.  Give an honest look around.

Lately, it feels like unhappy people outnumber happy people, unfortunately!

I have a hard time figuring out other peoples' marriages (or relationships, for that matter).  What defines a marriage that "works" seems very different for different people.  Many do define their marriages as successes based on how many children and grandchildren they've had (as you sort of imply in your original post), others define it by sheer longevity, others by personal fulfillment.  It's a real mixed bag.  I feel extremely fortunate to have found my soul-mate early in life.  We're both better people for having been together all these years. 

It's good you've found happiness! 

229

War pron.

Me likey.

 

230

Funny thing. This Wilileaks is giving far, far more transparency to the Obama Admin. then they ever wanted.

Yes indeed.

231

We're both better people for having been together all these years.

If you think I'm insufferable now--you should have met me before Mrs. Circa.

232 This leak would never have happened if we allowed homosexuals to serve as open homosexuals in the military.
Posted by: Professor Soothsayer
--------
This brings up a good point.. one I was thinking about over the weekend..

Even if you let gays openly participate in the military, isn't there always going to be something they have to grip about?  Un-equal living conditions between them and hetero members, for instance.. benefits for "partners" equal to bennies for spouses.. being called sissies by their fellow soldiers..

So.. I was thinking.. will allowing gays open participation in the military make retaliatory actions like these links even more common??

233

221 Smart Girl, if everyone in your life is unable to have a stable, enjoyable marriage, and that's been true stretching back for generations, don't you think that your observations are a bit too parochial to apply to just about anyone else?

Grand pronouncements on the futility of marriage, by someone who has never seen a proper one up close, ring a bit hollow.
Sounds like you've got an axe to grind.

That's just it! I have seen good ones!  But they're rare..... that is all.   Maybe what I'm trying to say--- that they shouldn't be entered into lightly, or in desperation or fear of being alone.  Which is what I see in a few friends around me and why I keep saying "learn to be happy on your own first."  Otherwise, trainwreck, every damn time.

234 Only one of four male siblings is married, adult nephew isn't married either at near 40 and several male cousins are still single as well   (is that the question?).     

Posted by: Smart Girl at November 29, 2010 11:51 AM (Ty06w)

No....I was referring to your dad, grandfather, ex brother-in-law, etc.

235 So how far back do these Wikileaks docs extend?  I've heard 2007 things referenced.  Do they go further back then that? 

I'm waiting for this to turn into a laser focus on all the things W did wrong. 

236 If you think I'm insufferable now--you should have met me before Mrs. Circa. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at November 29, 2010 11:55 AM (B+qrE) Heh, reminds me of the famous quote from Bess Truman when a reporter asked for her reaction to Harry calling some bill or other a "load of manure". "You should have seen what I had to go through to get him to call it manure!"

237 Sweet, tender private Manning will be tried under the new "Lady Gaga Copyright Protection Act of 2010" and will be found guilty.  Death sentencing will follow.

238 Lately, it feels like unhappy people outnumber happy people, unfortunately!

I have a hard time figuring out other peoples' marriages (or relationships, for that matter).  What defines a marriage that "works" seems very different for different people.  Many do define their marriages as successes based on how many children and grandchildren they've had (as you sort of imply in your original post), others define it by sheer longevity, others by personal fulfillment.  It's a real mixed bag.  I feel extremely fortunate to have found my soul-mate early in life.  We're both better people for having been together all these years. 

It's good you've found happiness! 

What you have is very special and wonderful--- seriously!  You're both very blessed.

239 Salon.com is exploring opportunities to merge with or be acquired by another media company,

Heh. I'm exploring opportunities to be acquired by or merge with Emmanuelle Chriqui. I imagine I'll be as successful in my endeavor as Salon.com.

240 New thread! And get off my damn lawn!

241 #235 So how far back do these Wikileaks docs extend?  I've heard 2007 things referenced.  Do they go further back then that? 

For what it is worth, here's the Wiki on WikiLeaks. 

First document released on the site was in Decemeber 2006,

242 No....I was referring to your dad, grandfather, ex brother-in-law, etc.

They died.   No one in my family divorces. 

243

That's just it! I have seen good ones!  But they're rare..... that is all.   Maybe what I'm trying to say--- that they shouldn't be entered into lightly, or in desperation or fear of being alone.  Which is what I see in a few friends around me and why I keep saying "learn to be happy on your own first."  Otherwise, trainwreck, every damn time.

Posted by: Smart Girl
--------------

Yeah.. I can agree with you there.. and I would add one thing.. Don't enter into bringing new lives into this world lightly as well.  Some days I think we should have licenses for having babies... the numnutzes we allow to have babies are un-freakin-believable.

Maybe when I become King of the World I will straighten that out.. yeah..

244 226 This leak would never have happened if the damned Europeans stayed in Europe instead of sending Columbus over here to kill all the indians.
______________

The important thing is that JazzHands doesn't want a black president to succeed. It's racism, straight up.

245 I think it's just a matter of time before smart girl turns into cat lady.

246 Salon.com is exploring opportunities to merge with or be acquired by another media company,

The new market rate is $1

247 The new market rate is $.10 Posted by: Newsweek at November 29, 2010 12:02 PM (BvBKY) I am a decimal nazi.

248

245 I think it's just a matter of time before smart girl turns into cat lady.

Yawn-- cliche'..... try again.   (Can't you say something like my tits are on my knees or my armpits are hairy or butt blocks out the sun?)

249 So how far back do these Wikileaks docs extend?  I've heard 2007 things referenced.  Do they go further back then that?

Spiegel says:

A single report originates from 1966, but the vast majority come from 2004 or later.

250 230

Funny thing. This Wilileaks is giving far, far more transparency to the Obama Admin. then they ever wanted.

Yes indeed.

Posted by: HH at November 29, 2010 11:55 AM (6oDXl)

Julian is still a tool.

251 Damn.  Irvin Kershner - director of the Empire Strikes Back - passed away.

252 OK for example: I can make a CD copy of a patients X-rays on Base legally. ---- Is it really legal? The reason I ask is that I thought FOICA prohibited making duplicates of - or accessing - medical records for anything other than a work-related purpose. Same with students' academic records or their personal bio information. You can't just copy those things for your own jollies. I think the act of copying them - and not merely the dissemination of the information - is a violation of privacy laws. Posted by: Y-not at November 29, 2010 11:42 AM (5HSsN) It is done at the patients request to share with their civilian Dentists. These are mostly reservists or Active Duty Sailors who will soon be civilians or transferring to another Base.

253 Re: Wikileaks package

These cables, largely unredacted, provide an inside look into how the world, foreign governments, and the staff at American embassy reacted to the horrors of [9-11].

For example, the cable traffic from the US Embassy in Austria reveals the Austrian government moved quickly to protect the US Embassy while an Austrian phone company moved to provide free calling to the United States. An Algerian Minister wept at the destruction, while the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) broke a years-long "boycott?" and ignoring of the US Embassy and sent its condolences. Embassies throughout the world, embassies reported being inundated by expressions of support from the people, governments, and organizations in the lands  in which they represented America.  This was not limited to America's allies; nations with whom the United States had been recently or relatively recent conflict- Lebanon/Hizbullah- Vietnam-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia- also expressed their regards.

Not everyone was saddened by the events of 9-11. The American Embassy in Beirut reported on  "celebratory" gun fire in the Lebanese city of Tripoli. However, it is important to know that Arabs and Muslims were not the only people lauding the destruction of the World Trade Center. The American Embassy Belgrade received taunting phone calls of supporters of the 9-11 attacks, probably right-wing or fascist Serbs disgruntled by the drubbings administered to them by the US military in Bosnia and two years before in Kosovo.

via historyanarchy


Of course, they all went back to hating us again soon after, but hey -- we had the moment...

254 @252
Gotcha!

255 FYI, next weeks Sarah Palin's Alaska has Sarah going hunting, shooting, and killing

256 251 Damn.  Irvin Kershner - director of the Empire Strikes Back - passed away.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at November 29, 2010 12:06 PM (zgZzy)

That is sad news, not that Lucas would ever have him direct again.

257 Y-not, are you over your cold?

258 Sorry.  Kershner obit link.

259
This act of treason will probably result in social change in the form of gays in the military.

And then we'll have a palestinian or muslim American who is serving in the military either kill his fellow soldiers or help arainge an attack because of our foreign policy.

Oh wait, that already happened last November 2009.

260

Julian is still a tool.

I agree. But the data is out there now. No way to put it back in the bottle.

261 wasn't a large part of the global warming emails actually uploaded to wikileaks first and distributed from there? Julian Ass Sausage is still what he is, seems like he has little loyalties to anything.

262 "Obama could learn from Bush: The president could solve his communications problem by studying how his predecessor did it."

LA Times, lol!

Yeah, the LA Times was all over how articulate the W Man was.  But maybe it's a I-thought-Okra-was-annoying-until-I-saw-Behar thing.

263 257 Y-not, are you over your cold?

No, dammit!  I started with a sore throat last Monday, which went to a head cold Tuesday.  Now it's shifting to my chest. 

I'm not too worried as this is the normal course of a cold for me, but it's been a while since I had a bad cold so I'd forgotten how long they can take to shake.  The most annoying part is how it always gets worse once the sun goes down.  I mean, wtf is with that?  How does a virus know if the sun is up?!

The movers arrived with our second load of stuff yesterday which was lousy as it meant the heat was off and I spent a certain amount of time outside in the cold/snow directing them.  And now Mr Y-not has a sore throat after I spent the past week avoiding him.  :-( 

264 263 257 Y-not, are you over your cold?

No, dammit!  I started with a sore throat last Monday, which went to a head cold Tuesday.  Now it's shifting to my chest. 

I'm not too worried as this is the normal course of a cold for me, but it's been a while since I had a bad cold so I'd forgotten how long they can take to shake.  The most annoying part is how it always gets worse once the sun goes down.  I mean, wtf is with that?  How does a virus know if the sun is up?!

The movers arrived with our second load of stuff yesterday which was lousy as it meant the heat was off and I spent a certain amount of time outside in the cold/snow directing them.  And now Mr Y-not has a sore throat after I spent the past week avoiding him.  :-( 

Posted by: Y-not at November 29, 2010 12:14 PM (5HSsN)

My son has the same bug. It's nasty. Still not over it after 7 days.

265 Silver lining on this Wikileaks thing:  it should put the final nails in Hillary's coffin in terms of running for POTUS. 

266

OT, is this book a good read?

Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat [Hardcover]
Wayne P. Hughes Jr. (Author)

267

Damn.  Irvin Kershner - director of the Empire Strikes Back - passed away.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at November 29, 2010 12:06 PM (zgZzy)

Celebrity deaths always come in threes:

1) Leslie Nielson
2) Prince Chunk
3) Irvin Kershner

268 This just in... Abe Vigoda is still alive.

269 . My sympathies, Y-not.

I had something similar last spring.  I was sick on and off for a damn month. 

Hope you get better soon.

270

@248,  (Can't you say something like my tits are on my knees or my armpits are hairy or butt blocks out the sun?)

Not without some photographic documentation. This is AoS after all.

271 wasn't a large part of the global warming emails actually uploaded to wikileaks first and distributed from there?

I don't think so. As I recall it was made available to some climate realist blogs (like wattsupwiththat and climateaudit) first.

272

164 We prefer "charmingly eccentric", but yeah, geekishness is a family trait here.

 

273

As for the happiness in marriage (or happiness with life in general) here's my take: people have gotten this idea in their heads that they are supposed to be, entitled to be happy, happy, happy; well, if you look at history or the natural world it could tell you that life is a pretty rough thing.  Be happy that you can be happy at least a little bit from time to time.  Then you're not so let down with all the suckitude that transpires (or in the words of my dear old dad: you're alive aren't you? So, what's your problem?).

Same with marriage: you're probably not going to be happy all the time in your marriage, because life doesn't work that way; as long as you can wake up on a bad day and say "he/she may be a freaking asshole/bitch...but he/she is MY freaking asshole/bitch", then it isn't so bad.  Seriously, people shouldn't expect marriage to make them happy -- that way when it does you're pleasantly suprised.

274

Seems like everyone is pretty much just phoning it in today huh? Almost 2pm CST and only two articles? Sad sad day indeed.I know it's monday and it's after a long holiday weekend but come on... I have come to expect more from my fellow moro.... oh wait. Nevermind! Just be careful peeling your naked butts off grandma's plastic covered couch.

 

 

275 My biggest memory of Mr. Nielsen is from a 70Â’s TV commercial for Philadelphia Electric Company in regard to their building of Limerick I & II nuclear power plants.
The commercial was punctuated by the words “... but these environmentalists …” said in stern terse voice.

276 "Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!" I had this sudden vision of Gabe saying, "Oh, my! Isn't this peachy?" and had to quickly remind myself that context is everything...

277 Despite the fact that 20 Portland Schools have summertime faculty software programs in place, the Summer Academy strives to supply its students a bit additional. The strategy offers its companies to all Portland Schools college students who demonstrate a need for a further studying "boost".

278

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