1 big news for today

Fight over new seats already brewing in TX

As I said yesterday, this is not a slam dunk. Yes if the situation was reversed it would be for the Dems because they can cheat with impunity because they own the press and the courts, Republicans not so much.

The blacks and Hispanics in TX say hey, all the population gains were among blacks and Hispanics so we should get the districts. You can bet they will file with the DOJ and you can bet Holder will support them.

That is exactly what I was predicting yesterday. The commies will do ANYTHING to ensure they regain keep control.

2 1st?

3 If that was how I reproduced, ecstatic!

4 Nope. Ah well, I went for it

5 The blacks and Hispanics in TX say hey, all the population gains were among blacks and Hispanics so we should get the districts. You can bet they will file with the DOJ and you can bet Holder will support them. AKA Liberals are saying don't do to us what we would do to you if we were in charge. (H/T to RSM @ TOM for that)

6 From the sidebar: Restaurant in China employs robot waiters. They won't spit in your soup or skim the till. Tyler Durden wannabe's hardest hit.

7 i predicted in 2008, that obama would be the last president that we freely elect.  Now he may win re-election freely.  the new #s mean that it will be about dead even in the electoral college count with nv, nm and colorado up for grabs.  and that assumes that we elect a decent republican.  and we are more likely to have another rino that will get beat.  i predict obama wins nv and nm based on his standing there now, dem advantage+latino vote+illegal votes.  that leave colorado....not a good thing for the freedom fighters.

8 Wizard of Oz quote!  Great Christmas week movie!

Obama is going to give a press conference today after START passes,  touting the success of the "bi-partisan lame duck."   This according to Tapper from ABC.

I hope this is a "counting chickens before they are hatched" plan,  and he winds up with egg on his face. (Two poultry references in one sentence

9 Here is a vow I wholeheartedly agree with:

DeMint vows to reverse FCC's 'Internet takeover'

The question now becomes how will he do it?  Is there a way for Congress to review actions done by agencies of the Executive Branch?  (I seem to recall somebody saying there was, but of course it hasn't been used in earnest for quite a while). 

Relying on the courts to reverse this is a 50/50 shot at best, and Gaia only knows what sort of tortured legal reasoning the courts will use to justify this power-grab by the Feds.

10 Relying on the courts to reverse this is a 50/50 shot at best, and Gaia only knows what sort of tortured legal reasoning the courts will use to justify this power-grab by the Feds.

The court has already shot this down once and I fully expect them to do it again. In fact, I was hoping congress would stay out of it so maybe the court could find some of them in contempt and send them to jail.

People on both sides of the aisle are against this thing so the liberals in the court are "conflicted".

And yes, congress did pass a law that allows them to review regulatory actions and stop it.

11 So somebody is ready to "out" Miss Lindsey?  Why did it take them so long?

12 good link, Vic

With Texas Republicans using recent elections to fortify their already solid control of the state Legislature, the political process of redrawing the state's congressional map would seem to benefit the GOP, too.

Super majority or not, Texas Democrats fight tooth and nail. And to date, Texas Republicans led by State Party insiders (Perry clique) refuse to force a vote during biennial sessions or special sessions for state licensed ID (driver license) required for voter registration and to vote in elections.

TX-25 Congressional District deserves real representation, rather than being monopolized by Austin's mouth, the only constituents Doggett represents, denying the body its voice.

Let Austin keep Doggett, Austin as its own district, separated from all of the surrounding outlying conservative region given its own district identity/representation yet denied. 

13 About academic deficiencies and on-the-job failures.

14 11 So somebody is ready to "out" Miss Lindsey?  Why did it take them so long?
Overheard the network news, and saw him talk about DADT.  Waited for lightning to strike.

15 I'll never tell, hehe.

16 come along dorothy, you don't want any of "those" apples

17

Napolitano: Homeland Security Works to Protect Americans ‘364 Days a Year’

Nat‘l Intelligence Director Admits He Didn’t Know about UK Terror Arrests

They must honestly believe that their job is to send memos to each other and go on television to tell us how we're perfectly safe.  Their perception of the job they are tasked with in no way intersects, in the vaguest, meandering way, with actually stopping terrorists.

And in other terrorism news:

Huckabee Takes MichelleÂ’s Side in Palin vs. Obama Food Fight

18
mornin, heteros

19

Newspeak is alive and well in Washington!

Without more redistribution of wealth, the United States of America is on the road to becoming a “banana republic,” warns Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.

20

Major League Baseball's ill-considered crusade to rid baseball of steroids has resulted in an un-natural flood of no-hitters in the record books, staining the integrity of the game.

C'mon, Bud Selig:  think of the children

21 Why did the Senate approve a FART treaty yesterday?  DO we really need a treaty on that?  And how do you enforce it?

22 i don't care if he's gay or not gay...i care that he's such a rino........besides....everyone knows he's gay already

23 Are you saying my apples arent what they oughta be?!

24 Oh, no. It's just that she doesn't like little green worms!

25

I actually hope Graham doesn't get outed, or isn't even gay.

That way when he loses his primary we won't be called anti gay hate mongers.

26

I always turn the Wizard of Oz off after the part with the dancing midgets. And what does the Lollipop Guild look so pissed off about?   

27 let's not count the Commonwealth of Virginia in Bambi's column for 2012.

28 I don't think Lindsey Graham is gay. But I do suspect that he has some Marv Albert-grade fetishes lurking under that creepy Spanky haircut. I mean, he might not suck a dick, but he'd probably hold one in his mouth until it got soft. Does that make you gay? If I had to pick one Senator most likely to have been dressed in a diaper, laid in an adult-sized crib and fed a bottle by a Japanese whore, I'd be pointing the finger at Graham. Gay? Maybe, maybe not. But having his balls spanked with a ping pong paddle by a dominatrix? Lindsey's your guy.

29

Newspaper Lawsuit Factory Sues Over ‘Death Ray’ Image

Righthaven, the Las Vegas copyright troll formed this spring, has moved beyond lawsuits over newspaper articles and begun targeting websites for the unauthorized reposting of images. First up, more than a dozen infringement lawsuits concerning the so-called Vdara “death ray.”

The Vdara “death ray” describes the south-facing tower at the Vdara Hotel along the Las Vegas Strip. Sunlight bounces from the tower and dramatically heats up the pool area during certain times of the day and year.

[ . . . ]

The image-based lawsuits may be part of Righthaven’s efforts to curtail a “fair use” defense to its claims. Last month the company indicated it would no longer sue over brief excerpts of articles after a Nevada judge agreed with a real estate firm’s argument that posting a mere eight of 30 sentences from a Review-Journal story qualified as fair use.

Fair use is a defense to copyright infringement, which otherwise carries fines of up to $150,000 per violation. The courts must consider the “effect and use upon the potential market” of the infringed work, the “purpose” of the infringing activity and, among other factors, the “amount” of the infringing work used. There is no bright-line rule as to what constitutes a fair use, and it can apply regardless of whether the infringed material is text or images.

30 When did they start callin'em apples?

31 >>And what does the Lollipop Guild look so pissed off about? They're midgets who make lollipops. How much do you think they're getting? You'd be cranky too. The flying monkeys scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.

32 really didn't need the image of  lindsey in a gay pride outfit this morning

33
Righthaven, the Las Vegas copyright troll formed this spring,

this asshole needs to have a bud "accidentally" parked on his chest.

34 I don't think Lindsey Graham is gay. But I do suspect that he has some Marv Albert-grade fetishes lurking under that creepy Spanky haircut.

Marv Albert is a great sports announcer.  Those twats at NBC were assbags to can him just because some dumpy skeezer who should've been chugging his spooge for even giving her a second look, got hinky at some of his weirdness.  That he lost his job while Bent Willy kept his was one of the greatest travesties of justice in the 90s.

35

#19 Posted by: Truman North at December 22, 2010 08:14 AM (8ay4x)

Is that stupid commie sow Schakowsky talking about this kind of redistribution of wealth?

 

On March 11, 2004, Schakowsky's husband, lobbyist Robert Creamer, the executive director of the Illinois Public Action Fund, was indicted in federal court on 16 counts of bank fraud involving three alleged check-kiting schemes in the mid-1990s, leading several banks to experience shortfalls of at least $2.3 million.

 

They like to redistribute other people's money into their own pockets. We'd be better off with the mob running the country

36

"They're midgets who make lollipops. How much do you think they're getting? You'd be cranky too."

I wish I could make lollipops and wear tiny green pants with suspenders all day. Crabby ungrateful midgets.

37 Good morning folks.


I hate people who make it their business to "out" other people.  I don't care how obnoxious the closeted person is. 

38 How can you be horrified by the image of Lindsey Graham in gay sex when we've had the hideous specter of corpulent blobulecence with marble-mouthed Bawney Fwank butterflying around in front of us for so long?

39 First, they cane after school food in the name of "national security".  Up next:

Nearly 1 in 4 fails military exam

MIAMI (AP) — Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can't answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a new study released Tuesday.

The report by The Education Trust bolsters a growing worry among military and education leaders that the pool of young people qualified for military service will grow too small.

[ . . . ]

The study shows wide disparities in scores among white and minority students, similar to racial gaps on other standardized tests. Nearly 40 percent of black students and 30 percent of Hispanics don't pass, compared with 16 percent of whites. The average score for blacks is 38 and for Hispanics is 44, compared to whites' average score of 55.

40 Go read that WSJ article on net neutrality Drudge has linked up. Fucking scary. That's some astroturf. We need to get rid of these people ASAP

http://is.gd/jdR05

41 Righthaven, the Las Vegas copyright troll formed this spring,

Somebody 'leak' some Righthaven IP to Julian Assange.

42 Forget those apples Dorothy, lets talk about your cherry.......

43

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.6 percent annual rate in the third quarter, marking a pickup in growth that may extend into 2011 as companies and consumers gain confidence to spend.

The revised increase in gross domestic product compares with a 2.5 percent estimate issued last month and was less than the median forecast of a 2.8 percent in a Bloomberg News survey, figures from the Commerce Department showed today. Inventories rose more than initially reported, while the rise in household purchases was revised down.

Inflation is also lower than the policy makersÂ’ long-term forecast.

 

And the chocolate ration has been increased from 25 grams to 20 grams, comrades

44

Posted by: Ed Anger at December 22, 2010 08:54 AM (7+pP9)

But if you don't study hard in school, you get stuck in Iraq. 

/This study should belie the left's notion that only the inept and stupid amongst us join the military. 

45 Without any proof, those were mean and vicious assertions to make about Lindsey Graham.

46 Frankly, I am grateful to anyone, of any persuasion, who STFU about their sex life.  There is such a thing as too much information. 

47 I talked to me Bro yesterday. He just got back from his third tour in Iraq. I asked him what he thought about the repeal of DADT. He said he was done. Getting out of the Army. He had no intention of being in the Army where soldiers in uniform were walking around holding hands and kissing. Their loss. 

48

@ 41 Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam

Why exactly is this a bad thing? Basic statistics says that 15.5% will be greater than one standard deviation below the mean score, so a 25% failure rate might be expected depending on the minimum passing score.

49 Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam This doesn't quite fit the narrative. The military are knuckle-draggers, our education system uses only the finest administrators in the world!

50 @49
Well, according to that self-appointed scold, Cassy whatever-her-name-is (over at HotAir's Green Room), your brother is a homophobe and you are insulting the U.S. military for objecting. 

She's some kind of expert because her husband's in the service so she has total moral authority on this subject. 


_{Yeah, I've never been impressed by her contributions.} 

51 FCC now the Goreking of Internet. All Hail to the new overthrusters to band porn, expand Internet abortions, distribute Googles wealth, tax on line sales, band any memes against the o Hussein obambi, all in the name of fairness. Ole' cheeze it, it's the Internet cops, run from mouse.

52 Posted by: Y-not at December 22, 2010 09:03 AM (IDL9N)

+100

My view is that the only sex life that is my business is my own. But I'm just a bitter clinger.

53 50

@ 41 Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam

Why exactly is this a bad thing?

---

Well, depending on the test - and if they haven't changed it - it implies that our secondary education has continued to slide.  I mean, if the test is somehow out of date now - say if it has lots of questions about cotton gins and none about computers - then it's no big deal.  But if the test is basic general knowledge and IQ/aptitude stuff, then it's a big fucking deal. 

54

52 @49
Well, according to that self-appointed scold, Cassy whatever-her-name-is (over at HotAir's Green Room), your brother is a homophobe and you are insulting the U.S. military for objecting. 

I'm sure my brother the combat veteran will be devestated that Cassy disapproves of his views.

55 Do we have to watch Lindsey have teh ghey sex for him to be any more out?

56 41--

Obviously, the test is racist and needs to be made easier.

I swear, if you can't pass the freaking ASVAB you need to go find work as a telephone pole or something.  I met a couple of guys with waivers when I was in...  Utterly useless.

57 My view is that the only sex life that is my business is my own.

Well, that, and the sex lives of a dozen comely midgets. 

;-)

58 It would be fun to get Righthaven to file a lawsuit over some unlfattering image or article about Obama. "Righthaven sues over effete images of Obama" would be a tasty headline.

59 Damn. Devastated not devestated.

60 Y-not, the test used to be on paper, consisting of about a dozen sections.  Took about six hours to complete, IIRC; they gave it to all sophomores in my HS.

The one I took in 2003 was computer based and idiotically easy.  It's basic reading comprehension and math.  I had just emerged from four years in the USMC, which I spend trying to drink myself to death, and I still got a higher score than when I took the HS version.

61 Posted by: Ed Anger at December 22, 2010 08:54 AM (7+pP9)

When I went in to take the ASVAB, I went with another recruit.  After we had been given our envelopes, we called his recruiter for a ride, and he had us open them and read our scores over the phone.  The other recruit received a score of 22.  My score was 98.  That was a long, awkward drive back to the office.

Of course, they will use this as another reason why we need more government interference in the educational system.  And naturally, this will only exacerbate the problem. 

Any student who can muster a 'C' in high school algebra, and can read at 10th grade level, will have no problems.

62 @61

I'm usually a great speller, but I find I make a lot of phonetic spelling errors when I'm typing a "conversation."  I think it's because when I converse by keyboard, I am "saying" the words aloud in my head... something I don't do when I write in other contexts.  That's my theory, anyway!

63 They won't spit in your soup or skim the till.

Unless they are programmed to!!!!

64 "49 I talked to me Bro yesterday... He said he was done. Getting out of the Army. Posted by: maddogg at December 22, 2010 09:04 AM" This could become a huge problem that will never be reported.

65 This could become a huge problem that will never be reported.

Which is why I question the timing on the test results thing.

They are going to lower the standards.  Mark my words.

Fortunately, all of those incredibly-brilliant homosexual linguists we keep hearing about (who are so desperately needed to translate in Afghanistan) will make up the difference.  See how great it is that DADT was repealed?

66

Anyone watching the gay pride parade and lovefest at the whitehouse?

67  "49 I talked to me Bro yesterday... He said he was done. Getting out of the Army.
Posted by: maddogg at December 22, 2010 09:04 AM"

This could become a huge problem that will never be reported.

Posted by: Bugler at December 22, 2010 09:16 AM (VXBR1)

 

Not only will it not be reported but there will be a plethora of lies about how recruitment numbers are up and that the military is so much better now

68 Anyone watching the gay pride parade and lovefest at the whitehouse

Norfolk and Way!

69

The test is designed to measure aptitude and potential.  You can't do well by memorizing things.

50 is average for the civilian population, and if you got a 98 or a 99, you can call yourself a genius.  I got 99.

A lot of the future Signal Corps people I met at BCT were in the 90s.

70 @67

Standards don't matter if they're not enforced.  In 2005, before our second deployment, we got some new privates who had obviously been pencil-whipped through basic training-- guys who couldn't run, couldn't shoot, and had clearly never learned to.  I don't know if the problem has been addressed since then.

71

The TSA keeps f*cking the chicken:

The airport was briefly shut down as authorities investigated a suspicious package that turned out to contain a frozen chicken and a head lamp, said Lt. Craig Stansbury, spokesman for the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office.

Police were called to the airport around 10:48 a.m. Tuesday after a TSA employee saw the package run through the screening process.

According to Stansbury, the outline of the wires from the head-mounted mining light overlapped another image, that of the chicken, during the screening.

[ . . . ]

Stansbury said bomb dogs and other resources were used to make sure the package did not contain anything dangerous.

The wires coming from the lamp made the chicken look particularly suspicious, he said.

According to authorities, the chicken was reportedly stuffed with crawfish as well,

72 68

Anyone watching the gay pride parade and lovefest at the whitehouse?

Posted by: robtr at December 22, 2010 09:21 AM (hVDig)

Did Toonces come out?

73 Gays were denied security clearances routinely in the 1950's because it was held that they were too easily blackmailed by the Communists. I have to wonder if some of LG's votes have been blackmail votes forced by our own home grown Communists Traitors Progressives Socialists  Democrats.

74

Did Toonces come out?

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at December 22, 2010 09:25 AM (eCAn3)

yup, he's giving everyone a pat on the butt for their great work in repealing DADT.

75 @72
So what's your theory?  If it's akin to an IQ test, then the quality of public schools shouldn't really affect it.  Instead, it seems to me either the population is getting "dumber" (which I doubt) or there's been a downward shift in the quality (as measured by this test) of people who apply (take the test). 

76 So what's your theory?  If it's akin to an IQ test, then the quality of public schools shouldn't really affect it.  Instead, it seems to me either the population is getting "dumber" (which I doubt) or there's been a downward shift in the quality (as measured by this test) of people who apply (take the test). 

Posted by: Y-not at December 22, 2010 09:27 AM (IDL9N)

Uhmmm I've got two words about this test. ALVIN GREENE.

77 Talk to all ya'll later folks.

78

Well, depending on the test - and if they haven't changed it - it implies that our secondary education has continued to slide. 

I guess what I am getting at is that statistically we should expect a certain percentage of those taking the test to fail. What I wonder is if 25% is in line with the expected failure rate or if it is high.

I also note that the main source for the article is some group called the Education Trust. A cursory examination of their website tells me that this is a left wing organization, considering that they proudly link their letter to the US Senate supporting the the DREAM Act, among other things. Basically, I don't trust a left wing organization that claims to be worried about the military.

79 #79 Uhmmm I've got two words about this test. ALVIN GREENE.

Alvin Greene is an outlier, even within our dumbed-down, public-screwl educated, population. 

80
So what's your theory?  If it's akin to an IQ test, then the quality of public schools shouldn't really affect it.  Instead, it seems to me either the population is getting "dumber" (which I doubt) or there's been a downward shift in the quality (as measured by this test) of people who apply (take the test).

The test requires a certain level of mathematical and reading comprehension, combined with testing certain innate skills such as spacial comprehension and such.  I would imagine that it's a little of column a and a little of column b:  Failing schools mean that students don't know how to do basic critical thinking, or know basic reading or math comprehension, which hurts their scores.  Meanwhile, the more intelligent students are all getting fat playing video games and stuffing their faces, because they learned a long time ago that mom and dad didn't have the intestinal fortitude to be actual parents. 

81

" I think it's because when I converse by keyboard, I am "saying" the words aloud in my head... something I don't do when I write in other contexts."

I can't write anything without saying the word in my head. I tried writing a sentence while thinking about the Cadbury bunny & singing that I got a brand new pair of roller skates song.  I couldn't do it!

82

Pataki, Giuliani, Bloomberg, Huckabee.

Boy, Allah, MurdererÂ’s Row!

But again, this is an example of conservatives assuming that everyone thinks the way they do. You look at that line-up and sneer, but someone who isn’t as conservative and doesn’t follow politics that closely will look at it and think, “Gee, even people on their own side think this is horrible.” Retail politics matters, guys. It’s not everything, and it shouldn’t determine stands on important matters, but it can affect your ability to push through stuff that matters to you.

Allahpundit on December 21, 2010 at 9:49 pm

Nearly a decade later, Ground Zero has remained a construction site, yet the nation had a debate on whether enough time had passed to "get over it" and put up a mega-mosque a 500 ft. away. Of all the reasons to live in the Big Apple, according to the most recent New York magazine, that is the number one right there. Yet, the billions we have given to first responders is still not enough and Republicans hate veterans unless we give New York city more billions for a terrorist attack they refuse to even name, let alone grieve for. I wouldn't be surprised if some of this money goes to that goddamn mosque. There is no oversight of the fund, after all. But I do know unless the GOP is serious about spending, the Democrats will come back in a few years and blame them for agreeing to this bill's passage and many others where they used "human shields" in their propaganda war. I never supported Giuliani for President, though I appreciate all he has done for NYC. Too bad Rudy couldn't do more for the state GOP. Now here he is, chiming in with Pataki, Huckabee and Bloomberg.

83 Oh, and for those who haven't figured it out: The breast cancer awareness month in the NFL has nothing to do with breast cancer awareness, and everything to do with getting NFL players to wear pink.

84

Alvin Greene is an outlier, even within our dumbed-down, public-screwl educated, population. 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 22, 2010 09:35 AM (9hSKh)

He's also a former member of the USAF. He passed  the test.

85

Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam

This doesn't quite fit the narrative. The military are knuckle-draggers, our education system uses only the finest administrators in the world!

Really. When I was 18, i went to the recruiters office and they gave me a test.  I didn't join, but I think i got a 93 or 97 on the test I think.

It wasn't too complex, but I'm guessing they have a different test when you actually join, right?

I didn't end up joining, but I thought i would at least check it out.

86 #87 He's also a former member of the USAF. He passed  the test.

Ah, my mistake.  I keep forgetting that Alvin served in the Air Force.

87 Posted by: sickinmass at December 22, 2010 09:22 AM (1rflU)

Conservatives need to abandon the public education system altogether.  There's not much you can do about colleges and universities, so the only hope is to raise children who are smart enough and self-reliant enough that they won't fall for the stupidity and hedonism that is a five year undergraduate degree program.

88 Posted by: maddogg at December 22, 2010 09:10 AM (OlN4e)

Perhaps all of the morons could chip in for some crisis counseling...or a six pack. I suggest a six pack.

89 I don't think Alvin Greene is stupid.

I think he has Asperger's.

90 93. I think you're right. so spectrumy

91

Chris Matthews is all tingley over the repeal of DADT. That would be the same Chris Matthews (catholic) that was a concientous objecter during vietnam and ended up in the peace corps.

I missed the anti war portion of my catholic upbringing I guess.

92 Re: losing seats. Read this morning that Pa has been losing seats every census since 1910. 36 down to 18. So Obama inherited this electoral disaster from Bush and Bush' ancestors. It would be good to see a chart somehow displaying comparative economic policy between the states and population growth.

93 Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 22, 2010 09:35 AM (9hSKh)

Which side of the curve? Because he makes at least as much sense as Obama (pbuh), and we all know the Obama is the smartest man in the world.

94 The repeal of DADT and the first black, gay Commander-in-Chief would tingle Chris Matthews to death! Go, Barry!

95 98--

The smartest man in the world...  who still thinks 3 minus 4 = a positive number

96 You know what sucks about this time of year?

Why do the fantasy football columns pandering to the < 15% of managers who are actually playing in league championships outnumber over 4 to 1 far more useful columns about potential keepers for next year for us losers?

97 Conservatives need to abandon the public education system altogether.  There's not much you can do about colleges and universities, so the only hope is to raise children who are smart enough and self-reliant enough that they won't fall for the stupidity and hedonism that is a five year undergraduate degree program.

Posted by: Alex at December 22, 2010 09:45 AM (yY28H)

 

I wish I could get my taxes to abandon the public education system altogther.

98

TRENTON — No one told Brian Aitken why he was being removed from his prison tier on Monday night after dinner. He was transferred to the hospital wing and placed in a single cell by himself.

It wasnÂ’t until the next morning that he found out Gov. Chris Christie had commuted his prison sentence for weapons charges. He was released from the Mid-State Correctional Facility Annex in Wrightstown after serving four months behind bars, far short of his full seven-year sentence. 

From NJ.com, the man who was sent to jail for guns he legally owned, had his sentence commuted.

99 Posted by: Ghost of Lee Atwater at December 22, 2010 09:33 AM

Good points. 

100 I can't write anything without saying the word in my head.

I may be a space-alien then -- confirming what my husband has said all along! 

101 Nearly 40 percent of black students ... don't pass [the military exam] The *spit* military exam! It's as if forty years of creeping liberalization of the educational system isn't working.

102 Radioactive, that might be their procedure.  Can't have a guy getting stabbed in his cell after he's legally pardoned, can we?

I'd also like to add, that "I am not a crook" photo of Obama is scary.

103

Chris Matthews is all tingley over the repeal of DADT. That would be the same Chris Matthews (catholic) that was a concientous objecter during vietnam and ended up in the peace corps.

I missed the anti war portion of my catholic upbringing I guess.

Posted by: robtr

 

Perhaps one day he'll no longer refer to West Point as "the enemy camp". There is some justice in this world; someone forced him to weasel his way out of it.

104 Huckabee Takes MichelleÂ’s Side in Palin vs. Obama Food Fight
Posted by: Truman North at December 22, 2010 08:12 AM (8ay4x)

I think I'll listen to the athletic marathon runner chick over Fat Fuckabee and the Double-Wide Wookie on matters of health and nutrition.

105 I saw a colonel who was a professor (or whatever they call them) at one of the service academies on CSPAN last weekend who complained that because of affirmative action and other things many of those accepted have to first be placed into an outside remedial course then, when sufficiently advanced, are placed into an on campus remedial course until they are finally ready for real, live academic work.

About thirty years go, when I first graduated from college, I was a substitute teacher for a while.  One class I substitute taught was a high school literature class. Somehow I made reference to WWII in the Pacific.  One of the students raised her handed and asked if we had ever fought a war against Japan (and this was only twenty-five years or so after WWII).  When informed that yes, Virginia, we had fought WWII against Japan, she then asked who won. 

106 Pataki, Giuliani, Bloomberg, Huckabee.

Fuck every last one of those asshole RINO motherfuckers. The only one with ANY redeeming qualities is Giuliani, and he screwed us over and handed NY Gillibrand.

The other three can DIAF.

107 So if Barry comes out of the closet and leaves Michelle for a dude...

Which dude will it be?

And no, "Nancy Pelosi with a rubber toy" does not count as a dude.

108
And no, "Nancy Pelosi with a rubber toy" does not count as a dude.

Posted by: Secundus at December 22, 2010 10:05 AM (BpH1t)

And she is already spoken for...

109 Origins of Position Limits and what they mean for the market. http://bit.ly/hnB0EC

110
I think I'll listen to the athletic marathon runner chick over Fat Fuckabee and the Double-Wide Wookie on matters of health and nutrition.

Posted by: ol_dirty_/b/tard

 

Congratulations. According to the conventional wisdom of this site, you are a rabid 'palinista, palin fanboy whateverthehell smear' is in fashion this week.

111 All the biggies in the MFM are speculating whether Haley Barbour's past in gonna torpedo the GOP 2012 presidential campaign.

So expect several stories each week about Barbour for the next two years.

You read it first here.

112 About thirty years go, when I first graduated from college, I was a substitute teacher for a while.  One class I substitute taught was a high school literature class. Somehow I made reference to WWII in the Pacific.  One of the students raised her handed and asked if we had ever fought a war against Japan (and this was only twenty-five years or so after WWII).  When informed that yes, Virginia, we had fought WWII against Japan, she then asked who won. 

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 22, 2010 10:04 AM (xxgag)

Well, if we didn't win against Japan, why is there "Hello, Kitty" stuff being sold all over the US?

113 Illinois loses a seat. No doubt they will redistrict to force a challenge between Robert Dold and Jan Schakowsky.

114 So expect several stories each week about Barbour for the next two years.

You read it first here.

Posted by: Ed Anger

 

Seriously. Do you think that if we behave ourselves, codify the social issues truce in blood and keep our  hands neat and clean we'll be allowed to run McCain again.

115

Well, if we didn't win against Japan, why is there "Hello, Kitty" stuff being sold all over the US?

 

All part of our plan.

116 @ Conservatives need to abandon the public education system altogether.

I think I disagree on that, at least depending on the school district. 

My parents kept both of us in public schools.  I think they considered putting me in a private school (I had the grades and was really academically-oriented), but decided against it and, overall, I'm glad they did.  Now, what they did do... or, more specifically, what my mom did... was be very involved.  And I don't mean "volunteering" to do scutt-work for lazy teachers.  Our schools were ultra "progressive" (this was Columbia, Maryland in the 70s) and were doing all sorts of inappropriate crap. 

There was something called "values clarification" (an example of which was teachers having us do life boat exercises... you know, whom do you toss from the life boat) and all sorts of other crap.  My dad had done his master's in something that touched on these areas (he was an MSW and my sister had ADD so it had something to do with education) so he spotted the "techniques" they were using. 

Then my mom got involved.  God rest her soul, but she was one of those moms they'd try to paint as a book-burner - which she wasn't (it was never a question of what literature they were exposing us to in school, although we knew some parents who objected to things like Huck Finn) - but she was smart enough to work within the system.  They got a lot of stuff stopped and gave parents a way to get involved.  She ultimately wound up writing a column in one of the professional journals for social studies teachers.  (Yeah, I'm proud of her.) 

Anyway, it can be hard on the kids, but I value the experience.  It was great having parents who challenged the teachers - but also challenged us to succeed in that system (which we both did, even my sister).  And, frankly, I don't like the idea of going to a homogeneous school.  It's good to be exposed to different viewpoints. 

I wound up going to a private, Catholic college (my dad's alma mater) and kind of hated it.  Everyone was the same.  Not very challenging -- no need to really think about your values and beliefs when everyone is (superficially) the same. 


But, of course, it was a very good public school system.  (Yes, there were deficits that were a function of the "innovative" "open education" crap they were doing... especially in core things like history and geography, but we could supplement that.)  My dad commuted a couple of hours each day so we could live in Columbia where the schools were good. 

117 heh, contractions "out" those who don't assimilate despite residency.

"all ya'all" besides redundant all-all, "ya"? See all ya will, ya'll?

Thanks for the grin. Simply, you all contracts to y'all.

See ya later, Vic et al.

118 Drudge, Wash Examiner: Census: Fast growth in states with no income tax Texas grew by 21% in the last ten years. That's a lot. Now, the Census went to great pains to count illegals out here in California. Was it the same everywhere?

119 122  Vic et al.
-------
Et it all up, did he? Didn't leave any for us?

120 When informed that yes, Virginia, we had fought WWII against Japan, she then asked who won. 
Posted by: WalrusRex

Next, the parents go out of their way to confront you for disturbing their child. They don't want their kids to hear about any war. No such thing as WWII or any other in their insulated candy cane world. And don't you dare expect them to learn anything about anything. Yeah, been there.

About this business of volunteer applicants failing Army entrance puts Kerry's advice in perspective, that dolt.

121 TLC is starting a  new show about strange addictions.  Surprisingly, no hobo hunting was mentioned.  We must correct this oversight at once.

122

Re: losing seats. Read this morning that Pa has been losing seats every census since 1910. 36 down to 18. So Obama inherited this electoral disaster from Bush and Bush' ancestors.

It would be good to see a chart somehow displaying comparative economic policy between the states and population growth.

yeah, well you have to consider that we were a massive state in America's early years. Virginia and PA were the largest states at the founding i believe. But keep in mind we hadn't gone past the Ohio valley in terms of expansion at that point.

We were the second most populus state until 1956 i believe. That's when California began to explode population wise.

123

Drudge, Wash Examiner: Census: Fast growth in states with no income tax

Texas grew by 21% in the last ten years. That's a lot.

Now, the Census went to great pains to count illegals out here in California. Was it the same everywhere?

Let's be honest, the same thing that happened to california is going to happen to Texas, all the assholes who vote liberal and left liberal states for conservative states are going to keep voting liberal. Just look at Colorado.

They're  like a fucking virus.

124 "No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder in order to serve the country that they love," Obama said.

Now hundreds of thousands of Americans will be forced to lie, having to say homosexuality is fine, and look over their shoulder . Progress.

125

We were the second most populus state until 1956 i believe. That's when California began to explode population wise.

Posted by: Ben

 

And CA is already declining. They didn't last on top nearly as long as PA, from that perspective.

126 Anybody else find it odd that out of the blue we are getting a significant increase in the number of briefings, interviews and bulletins regarding terrorist attacks in the US?

127 In the headlines: that debit card to draw on your financial aid:

1) What a stupid idea.
2) To the whiny college kids complaining about its fees: then don't sign up for the freaking card.  Get yourself a real bank account with a real debit card.

128 The comments on that Specter story, the hateful ones directed at Roberst and Alito, anyway, are scary insane.

129 Now hundreds of thousands of Americans will be forced to lie, having to say homosexuality is fine, and look over their shoulder . Progress.

Posted by: Rocks

 

We already know what is going to happen. The link to the DoD working group spelled it out. Homosexuals will be treated differently than heterosexuals. Shower facilities will not be seperated, though the gender segregation will continue. 

 

The next stop is protected minority status.

130

"Tens of Thousands". Obama's not big on hyperbole, is he?

131 Posted by: JackStraw at December 22, 2010 10:26 AM (TMB3S)

No.

Actually, I'm surprised it took this long.  If I'd been on President BOHICA's National Security team, I'd have been having as many of these briefings as I could from day one- so I could make myself look more serious while simultaneously painting Bush as incompetent and careless.

But, then, I'm smarter than they are.

132

And CA is already declining. They didn't last on top nearly as long as PA, from that perspective.

Our population grew in the past ten years, just not at the 9.7% national average. I think California's grew as well, but not at the national average and therefore not enough to get a seat. I am willing to bet most of Cali's growth was illegal alients too.

Also, part  of the reason the West coast is rising in population and has been is because of China, Japan, Korea and all of Asia.

It is no coincidence that the decline of population and manufacturing on our East Coast coincides with the decline and death of Europe. And vice versa for the rise of Asia and the increase in population and manufacturing in the West.

External factors play a role in our population in terms of where jobs are and will be in the future.

Part of the reason America will always be a superpower is geography. We are the only major nation in the world to have multiple warm water ports on both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Most global trade traverses these oceans, so we have a major geographical advantage. This is also a minor part of the reason why Brazil will probably never be anything more than a regional power. (obviously among other reasons)

133 Posted by: Blue Hen at December 22, 2010 10:28 AM (R2fpr)

But, remember: the Service Chiefs have to "certify" that their integration plans won't "harm combat readiness."  So it won't have any detrimental effects.  At all.  Because they say so.  Reality be d*mded.

134 Christina Hendricks wants to be Wonder Woman

135

Christina Hendricks wants to be Wonder Woman

 

She already is as far as I'm concerned.

136

The next stop is protected minority status.

Posted by: Blue Hen at December 22, 2010 10:28 AM (R2fpr)

But remember, this just wasn't that big a deal in The Grand Scheme™ (whatever that is from the conservative side of things)

137

"Tens of Thousands". Obama's not big on hyperbole, is he?

Posted by: Luca Brasi at December 22, 2010 10:28 AM (YmPwQ)

Saul has buggered his thousands, but Obama has buggered his tens of thousands.

138 Come to think of it Chesty Puller does sound kinda like a gay porn name.

139

Morning all!

So, I'm depressed as hell by the START treaty fiasco.  Anyone got some Val-U-Rite to spare?  I don't drink often, but I'm in the mood to start.  I just don't want to deal with the store crowds to go buy some.

Then again, I suppose I could always shakedown a hobo...

140 You read it first here.
Posted by: Ed Anger at December 22, 2010 10:07 AM

Made the mistake of dropping by NRO (looking to see what VDH had to say), and read  Jonah Goldberg proclaiming his love for Jeb Bush.

We need a DADT Policy for NRO and TepidAir.

141 But, remember: the Service Chiefs have to "certify" that their integration plans won't "harm combat readiness." 

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at December 22, 2010 10:30 AM (8y9MW)

I wish they'd just forego this sort of PC box-checking bullshit.  It would just be more honest if they said "Combat effectiveness is secondary to diversity, so Service Chiefs, do your best to cope." 

142 >>AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) I'm not talking in the broader sense, it's no secret that the left spent the last 8 years saying that BushCo. wanted to keep the US in fear and use that fear to control America because he was a fascist blah, blah, blah. I mean why specifically is an administration that actively tried to pretend that there was no Islamic radical threat now talking about Islamic radicalism, doing spot checks in subway systems in major cities, trotting out the DNI for interviews when they have kept him as buried as a mushroom before this and even had Brennan deliver a very somber and gloomy press briefing on significant threats to the US right after the lemon party that Obama just had? Something bad is brewing.

143 Anachronda

...made a killer oatmeal crust for homemade fruit filling yesterday if anyone's interested, from the ol' Better Homes and Garden cookbook wedding gift. Don't cream butter with the brown sugar, just roughly mix the groups of ingredients, sugar with the oatmeal, and press into coconut oiled pan, bake 12 minutes.

This Christmas holiday will mark our 32nd anniversary with baked items we've been doing without for over a year. Occasional indulgence wunderbar ist!

At long last, our local classical station began Christmas music this morning. Ah...finally the best of the best of the season from every era and region of Christendom. I'll never forget being in high school choir the year we were introduced to Robert Shaw's famous Many Moods of Christmas that had come out the previous decade in '63--playing now.

It's feeling like Christmas!

144

>> The flying monkeys scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.

 

Dear God, no.

145

Made the mistake of dropping by NRO (looking to see what VDH had to say), and read  Jonah Goldberg proclaiming his love for Jeb Bush.

We need a DADT Policy for NRO and TepidAir.

I like Goldberg for the most part. Also, I think between George HW, W and Jeb, I would have much prefered Jeb to be president.

That said, I don't want another Bush to ever be president of America again.

I hate dynasties, with a burning passion.

146

They're  like a fucking virus.

Posted by: Ben

You nailed that.

147

Something bad is brewing.

I would think so. The random bag check in DC are getting no coverage. If the government doesn't give a shit about the 4th amendment, they must be really concerned  or power hungry. I am guessing the former.

148 Posted by: JackStraw at December 22, 2010 10:38 AM (TMB3S)

I'm really not sure.  I always presume whatever they do is for the public spectacle, not for any useful purpose.

My guess, if I had to hazard one, is that it took this long to poll focus groups on what message to deliver, and how, to diffuse some of the hate the TSA is getting.

149 Made the mistake of dropping by NRO (looking to see what VDH had to say), and read Jonah Goldberg proclaiming his love for Jeb Bush. We need a DADT Policy for NRO and TepidAir. Posted by: MrScribbler© at December 22, 2010 10:36 AM (Ulu3i) Pajamas Media had a Jeb Bush 2012 post, too. It was nuked in the comments. Dems and Old Fart GOP are enemies of the Republic.

150

DADT was never about the gays serving in the military, it was about psychological validation for those who never had any interest in serving.

Oh, and subjecting young gay men to the draft.

Whoops.

151

>> Something bad is brewing. 

 

Maybe they're trotting Clapper out for somber interviews, but he doesn't seem to be very well informed.

 

152 But, remember: the Service Chiefs have to "certify" that their integration plans won't "harm combat readiness." 

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at December 22, 2010 10:30 AM (8y9MW)

I wish they'd just forego this sort of PC box-checking bullshit.  It would just be more honest if they said "Combat effectiveness is secondary to diversity, so Service Chiefs, do your best to cope." 

Posted by: Burn the Witch

 

This. They should just regurgitate what Casey said as the bodies were being sorted out at Ft. Hood. The priority is on diversity, not the health and welfare of service personnel. At least he was honest. Craven, heartless and despicable, but honest. And the follow up report which suppressed the Islamic connections was the definitive proof. Survivor accounts were discarded so that a manufactured result could be bandied about.

 

I defy anyone to prove that any other result is likely with this clusterfuck.

153 132 In the headlines: that debit card to draw on your financial aid:

1) What a stupid idea.

---

I've never understood the rationale behind federally-subsidized college educations.  How is it a federal issue?  If states want to dole out loans, they can do it.  They've been involved in higher ed for a long time anyway through the state college system. 

154 from the comments on the Specter article:

I agree. The decision to allow companies to secretly fill the coffers of campaigners is an affront to the one person, one vote standard. How can the people compete with corporations? Campaign financing should be strictly done by citizens, and there should be limits. Also, the nastiness, lying, and hyperbole could be eliminated if each person running for office could only produce ads about themselves, and only after their claims have been fact-checked. Then we would have an educated electorate.


how did we let these guys win again?

155

I'm really not sure.  I always presume whatever they do is for the public spectacle, not for any useful purpose.

My guess, if I had to hazard one, is that it took this long to poll focus groups on what message to deliver, and how, to diffuse some of the hate the TSA is getting.

actually, if i could put on a conspiracy theory hat for a moment.

A few things I noticed may or may not be connected.

1.The government is talking about post nuclear or dirty bomb scenarios again. We've been seeing the duck and cover books, and post attack pamphlets being peddled again.

2. When it looked like the Republicans were going to block start, the dems and the media started talking about how not passing this would help terrorists get nuclear material. And voila, it is now going to pass. Now everyone here knows this treaty does jack shit, but maybe the Republicans know something or are concerned that if an attack using nuclear material happens here that they will get blamed because they didn't vote for this treaty. I know that sounds dumb but need I remind you 53% of voters cast a ballot for Obama in 2008.

Am I too crazy by half. Theses are probably completely unrelated.

156 I've never understood the rationale behind federally-subsidized college educations.  How is it a federal issue?

Commerce Clause, baby!

157 Last Christmas the Nut Roaster Terrorist almost took down a plane and lots of things on the ground, and Ebola said "Huh? Wah? Whatever". This year he is pretending he cares.

158 148 It's feeling like Christmas!
------
It sure isn't over at the Anachronda compound. Dropped by the local grocery store looking for Christmas candy. Their seasonal aisle is pretty sparse. All they had were four different flavors of candy canes and dark chocolate Toblerones. What I want is good old fashioned ribbon candy, the kind Gus called "grandma candy" a few episodes of Psych ago.

It's not that they've sold out of stuff, it's that they never bothered to stock it in the first place.

There's a larger groc on the other end of town; guess I'll have to try there, if my poor little Honda Civic can ford the streams (we don't often see "100% chance of heavy rain" in our forecast out here in the desert).

159 Posted by: Y-not at December 22, 2010 10:44 AM (IDL9N)

I could make up a rationalization but it would be just that: made up and a rationalization.

I'm sure the real answer is more power: the more people depend upon the federal government, the more willing they are likely to be to allow it to expand its power.

And, in fairness, this would also effect those rare individuals (something like 2 out of 100) who get more than enough from their scholarships and don't need student loans.

It's still a stupid idea.

160 I hate to be a bitch, but if you aren't scholastically adept enough to get a scholarship to go to college, you should go to a community college and work on your academics until you qualify for one.

161

Something bad is brewing.

I would think so. The random bag check in DC are getting no coverage. If the government doesn't give a shit about the 4th amendment, they must be really concerned  or power hungry. I am guessing the former.

Posted by: Ben

 

I have a sister in law in DC. She works for the government (check), hates people who disagree with her (check) slavishly takes her instruction from the Wash Post (check) and refers to herself as an 'Independent'....Who could not articulate anything other than the Dem party line, even if you put a gun to her head.

And she also hates the tourists (just like her hero, Harry Reid).

She and a brother in law (they aren't married, but probably should be) once extolled the virtues of photograhing the corpses and coffns of dead servicepersonnel. In my house. At Easter.

I sincerely hope that the TSA makes her life a living Hell.

162 >>I would think so. The random bag check in DC are getting no coverage. I had to take my car in for service the other day. I live in Boston so I took the T (subway) back from the dealer and then took it back to the dealer when my car was ready. Where I live, the T station is underground and for the first time I saw TSA type security doing random bag checks. About a half dozen folks going through bags and doing chemical swipes. But the station where the dealership is located is above ground as the T runs along the street, no security at all. Anybody see anything wrong with this picture?

163 152:  I would say both.

Kinda hard to stay optimistic these days, I guess.

164

Am I too crazy by half. Theses are probably completely unrelated.

Posted by: Ben at December 22, 2010 10:45 AM (wuv1c)

Aw hell, in an earlier comment I deleted the portion where I literally donned my tinfoil hat about DADT repeal just being a tool to reduce the number of conservatives in the military so they wouldn't be so pesky when the time comes. 

I wonder if there's gonna be anymore AmeriCorps talk now. 

165 You don't want any of Gabe's apples. They've got little green worms.

166 Anybody see anything wrong with this picture? Posted by: JackStraw at December 22, 2010 10:48 AM (TMB3S) London-style attacks on transit? Now would be the time for maximum effect, I guess.

167

Posted by: Blue Hen at December 22, 2010 10:48 AM (R2fpr)

I have a sister like your sister in law. But I'm the meanest son of a bitch she knows and she is afraid of me, so she keeps her stupidity to herself when I am around.

168

Blue Hen, I'm sorry to hear that.

I've been extremely fortunate with my family. My sisters and parents are conservative(of varying degrees, the sisters being a little squishier as women tend to be when it comes to politics) but they both married conservative men. The nephews and niece will be raised conservative, with a little help from myself.

169 The flying monkeys scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.

Yep. The wicked witch as well, especially before her transformation while on that bicycle! But while we were growing up, The Wizard of Oz was broadcast around Halloween! None of the cross-over of confused holidays then. And Christmas decorations were related to the Christian symbols, and didn't show up until AFTER Thanksgiving.

As with perpetual election campaigning that just won't take a break even for Christmas, so with the "Holiday" with no name, having even lost it's abbreviation status that gutted Christ into Xmas, now mutating from one original holiday theme of Halloween into the next magic show in store windows. 

We protest by celebrating (and shopping) from home and withholding our consumption dollars from malls determined to make themselves "neutral" meaning offensive to and offended by Christianity. It's the principle of least interest at play. And I'm not interested in patronizing their rules of engagement.

170 166 I hate to be a bitch, but if you aren't scholastically adept enough to get a scholarship to go to college, you should go to a community college and work on your academics until you qualify for one.

You are right in theory but that won't work anymore.  The Government-Education Complex is too deep.  Student loans pay for the universities to do all their nonsense as well as do the teaching - no university administrator will discourage student loans, even though it's better for the student, because they depend on them so much, so instead of telling students to go to a CC they will instead just offer more and more remedial classes.

171 Posted by: Y-not at December 22, 2010 10:48 AM (IDL9N)

Again, in fairness, there are a fair number of students who do quite well academically who, nevertheless, are not in any protected groups- and therefore normally don't get scholarships: they're not poor enough, they're not black or hispanic or native american, their "parents" aren't homosexual, etc., etc. 

It's still dumb to take out upwards of 75,000 in loans to get a degree you'll never use (I'm sorry, unless you actively plan to be a professor, any Liberal Arts degree is a waste), but even for people pursuing degrees which are useful (business, computers, math, science, etc.) if you're not part of a protected group, you'll have a hard time (not impossible, but hard) paying for college without student loans.

I, in fact, had a 4.0 coming out of High School (National Honor Society, National Beta Club, etc.) and didn't qualify for any scholarships that we could find.

172 #160  Am I too crazy by half. Theses are probably completely unrelated.

I don't think you're crazy at all.  What you have posited is a plausible scenario, although I'm leaning towards "unrelated" as well, assuming that the Republican capitulation to START is due more to Republican spinelessness than the hope (even the facade of) that START will remove nuclear material from the black market .

The nuclear genie is pretty much out of the bottle now, given that the Obama Administration has resigned itself to a nuclear Iran and that other volatile places such as North Korea, Pakistan, and even Burma (potentially) all have robust uranium enrichment programs for their nuclear wares.  We are truely living in an unprecedented era, and Lord knows how its all going to conclude.

/In the end....

173 Looks like it's John Wayne Day on Turner Classic Movies. Get your Duke on.

174

It sure isn't over at the Anachronda compound. Dropped by the local grocery store looking for Christmas candy. Their seasonal aisle is pretty sparse. All they had were four different flavors of candy canes and dark chocolate Toblerones. What I want is good old fashioned ribbon candy, the kind Gus called "grandma candy" a few episodes of Psych ago.

Oh that reminds me. I can't find blueberry candy canes anywhere. I normally stock up on like 20 boxes because they are my favorite, but they are no where to be found.

Did they dicontinue them or something?

175 London-style attacks on transit? Now would be the time for maximum effect, I guess. Posted by: joncelli© at December 22, 2010 10:52 AM (RD7QR) At least no Hazmat suits and flame-throwers yet. Bioterror is my favorite nightmare.

176

Let's be honest, the same thing that happened to california is going to happen to Texas, all the assholes who vote liberal and left liberal states for conservative states are going to keep voting liberal. Just look at Colorado.

They're  like a fucking virus.

This is what's happened in NH.  Everyone gets sick of paying the bloated taxes in Mass and other NE states, they move to NH because no income or sales tax, realize they don't get all the "comforts" and "protections" they used to have, then start voting for people who promise to get them those things.  And then they wonder why their life sucks. 

177 (we don't often see "100% chance of heavy rain" in our forecast out here in the desert).

Posted by: Anachronda

southern CA Mojave?

178 Posted by: Lincolntf at December 22, 2010 10:54 AM (AzcBR)

Makes me wish I got TCM.

On that note: Any thoughts on the True Grit remake?  My gut instinct is "no."  But then, I don't think anyone can match The Duke- especially not the mamby-pampy liberal Jeff Bridges.

179 #180 Did they dicontinue them or something?

The box stores might not carry them anymore due to limited demand.  Best to shop for them online:

Try here.

180 Via Insty, a link about Righhaven sues for copyright infringement on images.

Semi-fair warning, one of the Commenters is an old friend of us morons:  honset_cloud.

181 Unfortunately, Jeb Bush has the right to rise and fall on his own merits just like any other individual in the US.

182

Blue Hen, I'm sorry to hear that.

I've been extremely fortunate with my family. My sisters and parents are conservative(of varying degrees, the sisters being a little squishier as women tend to be when it comes to politics) but they both married conservative men. The nephews and niece will be raised conservative, with a little help from myself.

Posted by: Ben

 

Yeah it's been fun. Mrs. Hen was irked by my low opinion of the two, and tried chalking it up to 'political differences'.  I noted the bit about photographing corpses, and stated that the two were ghouls or profiteers, and therefore had nothing to do with politics. If she doesn't like that, take it up with them. 

183 Unfortunately, Jeb Bush has the right to rise and fall on his own merits just like any other individual in the US.

Posted by: Adriane

 

And we have the right to tell him to pound sand.

184

 I hate to be a bitch, but if you aren't scholastically adept enough to get a scholarship to go to college, you should go to a community college and work on your academics until you qualify for one.

You are right in theory but that won't work anymore.  The Government-Education Complex is too deep.  Student loans pay for the universities to do all their nonsense as well as do the teaching - no university administrator will discourage student loans, even though it's better for the student, because they depend on them so much, so instead of telling students to go to a CC they will instead just offer more and more remedial classes.

I agree. Y-Not, when did you go to college. I graduate a few years back, and all of the scholarships are gobbled up by "protected groups". The only whites who get scholarships are like the 10 smartest kids at the college.

 

You can get grants and things like that, but getting a full ride  means you are a good athelete, minority, or literally the smartest kid at the school

185 Posted by: AllenG

I'm thisclose to enrolling in a local State U. to get a useful degree of some sort. Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but my patchwork of credits from 4 different schools haven't proven all that useful now that my "active" construction days are coming to a close.

186 The flying monkeys scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 22, 2010 08:44 AM (TMB3S)

Me too.  Gave me nightmares.

187

Kratos,

Thanks! A buck eighty five is a high price to pay. They used to be like 80 cents in the stores, but I need to feed my terrible addiction, so i'm willing to pay.

188 188 Unfortunately, Jeb Bush has the right to rise and fall on his own merits just like any other individual in the US.

I'm tired of Bushes in politics.  All of them.  They're good people, but being a "good person" isn't all that is needed to run for higher office. No more political dynasties. 

We need somebody that is going to kick ass. 

189 >>Maybe they're trotting Clapper out for somber interviews, but he doesn't seem to be very well informed. The White House is now saying that Clapper hadn't been briefed on the London arrests before the interview. The DNI needs a briefing to know what was broadcast on every news media worldwide? We are in the best of hands.

190 183 (we don't often see "100% chance of heavy rain" in our forecast out here in the desert). Posted by: Anachronda southern CA Mojave? ------- Yep. About halfway between Mojave and Death Valley.

191 Posted by: Ben at December 22, 2010 10:58 AM (wuv1c)

I haven't any idea how to do this, nor the wherewithal even if I knew where to start, but I'd really like to start a private, minimalist college: We provide the core courses plus the stuff you actually need for your degree.  Our only Liberal Arts departments are History and Econ.  Your electives must come from a course already offered as part of a degree plan.

As little staff and as few different course options as possible, no federal or state money, tuition as low as possible, and we don't accept student loans.

192
Can't stand Hollywood faggots playing tough guys.

Kris Kristofferson, James Brolin, Josh Brolin, Affleck, Damon, all faggots.

193
amd Sean Penn.

194 The flying monkeys scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 22, 2010 08:44 AM (TMB3S)

Me too.  Gave me nightmares.

Posted by: Tami

 

Oddly enough, my daughter was seven when she first watched it. The witch and the monkeys didn't bother her. The dog being chased by the guards with halberds upset her and she was urging the dog to run away.

195 Posted by: Lincolntf at December 22, 2010 10:58 AM (AzcBR)

I still don't have my degree, and I'm in no hurry to get it.  I'm doing just fine as a computer consultant without one, thanks.

I've found (at least, here in Texas) that if you've got the right gumption and enough chops at whatever you're doing that you're capable, degrees are secondary considerations.

They might be slightly higher priority now, but I even got my current job during the recession and not having my degree didn't particularly hurt me.

196

Clapper's knowledge of Europe "profound and multi-dimensional".

Whew!  I was scared there for a while that the DNI was as clueless as just about every other Obama appointee.  What a relief!

197 About halfway between Mojave and Death Valley.

flashfloods, stay home.

198 Posted by: Soothsayer at December 22, 2010 11:03 AM (uFokq)

Kris Kristofferson?  Really?  One of the Highwaymen?

I mean, I'm sure he's liberal as all get out, but I've never thought of him as anything other than a tough guy.  Squishy headed, yes, but still a tough guy.  And more conservative than many in Hollywood now- not that he's changed, but in comparison to some of those guys you mentioned, he's a down-right Ronald Reagan.

199
The Bushes can go horsefuck, and here's why:


We did nothing but defend those people since 1988. In return, the only time they speak up on an issue is to come out on the wrong side of an issue and insult the conservative base.

Fuck 'em.

200 http://tinyurl.com/ykntkgu

201 Posted by: maverick muse at December 22, 2010 11:05 AM (H+LJc)

Is it really a "flash flood" when it's been raining for a week?

Our newscasters do the same thing here.  When I was growing up, a "flash flood" meant that the ground was still dry, but the water was coming down too fast to be absorbed: thereby making a flood.

Once the ground is saturated, isn't it just a flood?  Faster rising than most, perhaps, but still just a flood.

202

And we have the right to tell him to pound sand.

true dat ... but shouldn't we be telling him to pound sand for things he has done on his own accord and not things his relatives have done?

203

It isn't Jeb that will run for anything. Wasn't it his son that was being spoken of as a likely candidate, being hispanic and (being a Bush, this part is in dispute) a conservative?

No more Bushes, please.

 

204 iknowtheleft you forgot to mention the Bush's love for black helcopters and the tri lateral commission.

205 You can get grants and things like that, but getting a full ride  means you are a good athelete, minority, or literally the smartest kid at the school

I guess I don't think anyone is guaranteed - or should count on - a "full ride."  A college education is an investment, like anything else.  I had what started out as a full tuition scholarship (which got eaten by increases in tuition over the time I was in school), but I still worked summer jobs - and, God love him, my dad worked an extra job - to pay for books, room and board etc. 

But if that hadn't worked out, I could have gone to the University of Maryland and gotten a very good education. 

State universities are pretty damned cheap, especially if you live at home. 

I respect the kids and families who sacrifice to go to college.  I used to teach them, including the kids like Palin who had to transfer or take longer than four years as well as the non-traditional students going back as adults, and later I raised private funds for students to go to college.  (And that's a big part of what my husband still does.)  But there is no guarantee that you can go to a private school.  When I see kids/families with the latest gadgets and slick new cars who are on federal student loans, I get a bit pissed off. 

As I said, if states want to continue to be involved in higher education, more power to them.  I think ultimately it does benefit the citizens of a state to have a robust system of community colleges, undergraduate-focused state colleges, and research universities.  But part of that assumption is that those institutions will do their own private fundraising, as well (which most do - really the state part of the budget for a research university is usually quite small, no where near even 50%... more like 30% or less). 

And, yes, I graduated in the 80s, but private support for higher education has risen considerably since then.  It was clear when I was at the U of California system that they had not had a culture of private philanthropy for the state schools -- that was changing, but they were playing catch up to the Big 10 schools and other state schools who'd been raising private funds for quite a while. 

206 Posted by: Adriane at December 22, 2010 11:09 AM (dIik4)

Opposes Arizona-style immigration laws.
Squishy (in other ways) on illegal immigration.

There, I'll tell him to pound sand on those two.  How's that?

207 Can't stand Hollywood faggots playing tough guys.

I do like the Bridges boys, Jeff in particular with his "Dude" to Iron Man bad guy. Their dad's Sea Hunt was one of the very few programs my mom let us watch growing up, Lloyd Bridges, Ozzy and Harriet (I "hated" Elvis' funny vibrato and loved Ricky Nelson), Bonanza (Pa, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe), and Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

So who's going to see the remake of the Duke's True Grit?

208 State universities are pretty damned cheap, especially if you live at home.

Not so true, anymore.
Some State Universities are still relatively cheap, but even virtually unknown University Of Texas at Arlington costs upwards of 20K a year for a full load.

That's not chump change.

209 Posted by: maverick muse at December 22, 2010 11:14 AM (H+LJc)

I already answered that...  He ain't The Duke, and there's only so much that Clint Eastwood's directing can do to make up for that.

210 Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther)

If you grew up in the desert, you wouldn't be splitting hairs over whether the ground is dry or moist before either a sheet or wall of water sweep you away.

211 Jeb? He can run just like anyone else. Just get up and make your case. I not going to vote against him because his name is Bush any more than I would vote for him because his name is Bush.

212 Tuition at UT is nowhere near $20K.  It is more like $10K.

213 217 State universities are pretty damned cheap, especially if you live at home.

Not so true, anymore.
Some State Universities are still relatively cheap, but even virtually unknown University Of Texas at Arlington costs upwards of 20K a year for a full load.

--

It looks like it takes 75 credits to graduate there, which would come to just over $10 grand under their current tuition schedule (30 credits are $4250).  Spread out over five years... I dunno.  That seems affordable to me.

Alternatively, take two years general education in the community college system, then transfer.

Alternatively, move to a state with cheaper tuition, establish residency (work for a year or two), then go there. 

214

And we have the right to tell him to pound sand.

true dat ... but shouldn't we be telling him to pound sand for things he has done on his own accord and not things his relatives have done?

Posted by: Adriane

 

We can tell him to commence pounding for all sorts of reasons. We're ready to crucify Barbour for alledged comments made over 20 years ago. Several here have alredy noted problems with Jeb. ANd no, dynaties tend to suck.

Hating dynasties is as legitimate a criticism as anything else.

215 I guess my point is, we can't have it every which way. 

If conservatives have given up on higher ed or have declared that a degree doesn't matter, then they should work to eliminate federal loans. 

If conservatives think higher ed does matter, they should work to help reform it, which includes opening up their wallets and sponsoring scholarships that are based on academic merit.  Or they can sponsor scholarships that are for returning students (working adults).  Or they can sponsor scholarships that are for graduates from a particular school system. 

216 Posted by: maverick muse at December 22, 2010 11:17 AM (H+LJc)

North Central Texas ain't exactly the rain forest.  And I lived several years in West Texas.  I know from Desert.  Also drought.

Not saying the flooding is any more or less floody because it is or isn't a flash flood.  My problem is with the changing of the definition just so they can increase their ratings (a "flash flood" is so much more sensational than just regular boring flooding, after all).

Posted by: chemjeff at December 22, 2010 11:18 AM (GyvA5)

Year, not semester.  I was also adding in fees, books, etc.  Since those never get added in to "tuition" figures, but are still things you'll have no choice but to pay (try not paying your "facilities use" fee and see what happens).

217

College is the only place left in America where you pay, but don't get to make decisions.

It f'ing boggles my mind that i had to take a language and philosophy courses in college.

I could have had my history degree in two years and saves 50% if i didn't have to take every stupid elective that had nothing to do with my major.

218 Posted by: Y-not at December 22, 2010 11:23 AM (IDL9N)

That's because their website sucks.  You're still looking at the same 120 - 130 credits to graduate that most schools require.  Also, as I responded to chemjeff, add in fees, books, etc. and that rate jumps really fast.

My nearly 6,000 in student loans (low because I never bothered to finish my degree) mostly come from one semester at UTA.  When I took 9 hours because I was also working at the time.

219

So who's going to see the remake of the Duke's True Grit?

The original is on TCM tonight at 8.

220 227 College is the only place left in America where you pay, but don't get to make decisions

But you do make decisions - when you decide where to enroll.

I got into Notre Dame, but turned them down because when I looked closely at their course requirements it was clear that a science major couldn't take enough humanities electives (until midway junior year) to suit me (I had a minor in art and took a lot of French). 

221 There, I'll tell him to pound sand on those two.  How's that?

Works for me.

I just caution against the idea ...

No.  It is far more important to discourage family political dynasties, which are among the worst characteristics that a decent government can develop.

... on the simple grounds that there are worse things.  Phil Hare (D- FtheConstitution) being an example.

Political dynasties develop everywhere but Shaker communities. 

Being a politician is a skill set and children learn the business, just as (some) children of actors make great actors and (some) children of doctors make great doctors.

Hating Jeb because he is a Bush is not the opposite of loving Patrick because he is a Kennedy, it is merely the flip side.

Treating each and every person as an individual is the opposite.

222 206 About halfway between Mojave and Death Valley.

flashfloods, stay home.
------- Not between home and work. Only a problem if I do foolish things like try to drive to the other side of town in search of grandma candy.  

223 Our local university here in Utah is $6,200 per year for Utah residents, including books and fees.

Their chart also includes things like housing and transportation, but that is ludicrous.  You have those things irrespective of whether or not you're going to college.  This particular school is non-residential.  Most of the students work and live with their parents. 

224 I think that it's ironic that many of the best donors are people who never had a college education, whereas professors, doctors, and lawyers are some of the worst. 

225

 College is the only place left in America where you pay, but don't get to make decisions

But you do make decisions - when you decide where to enroll.

I got into Notre Dame, but turned them down because when I looked closely at their course requirements it was clear that a science major couldn't take enough humanities electives (until midway junior year) to suit me (I had a minor in art and took a lot of French). 

You're half right, but  colleges had something I needed to get a job I wanted, namely a degree. So I didn't really have an option. I had to go to college. I couldn't get a degree without going.

So college is slightly different in that aspect. But my point remains. If I buy a car and tell the dealer i want certain features, they do their damnest to get them so I buy the car. Hell if I go to mcdonalds they make the order to my liking because I am the one doing the paying. Whereas at college I give them money and they tell me what I can and can't do.

226 mas bro kunjungi gayuh
di Asuhan Keperawatan Laporan Pendahuluan ya....
salam ngekngok bung...
sambil nyanyi yuk Song Lyric
badboybaik

227 234 Our local university here in Utah is $6,200 per year for Utah residents, including books and fees.
_______

Utah Valley University? When I was going to school (up at USU), it was Utah Valley Community College. A few years ago all the small colleges convinced the board of regents to allow them to call themselves a university.

228 Adriane, I would rather judge each person individually. To disqualify Jeb because he is a Bush is just as stupid as voting for Patches ("I live in a van. . .down by the river") just because he's a Kennedy. They both have records and the ability to speak for themselves.

229 No one besides John Wayne is THE Duke. And he finally got his well deserved Oscar playing Cogburn as only he could.

But the Coen brothers hit westerns hard edge. Warm and fuzzy they ain't.

And a lot of bit actors found employment rounding out old Western casts, actors who deserved better recognition than they got in their heyday.

The one thing about the original True Grit, for me at the time, was what seemed unbelievable with the girl's role, at least as played by Kim Darby if not as written in 1969 by Marguerite Roberts of the burn your bra lib era (and for the lack of realism, she may as well have come up with the subsequent Enjoli tv ad). Willful girls, yes in the West. But willful AND stupidly proper didn't combine what was required to stay alive in the wild.

Iconic remakes generally fail when stylistic presentation corrupts the story. But some remakes fair a distinctive variance in mannerism well. For instance, the more recent 2002 "Importance of Being Ernest" is better for my enjoyment value than the one made in 1952.

230 So college is slightly different in that aspect. But my point remains. If I buy a car and tell the dealer i want certain features, they do their damnest to get them so I buy the car. Hell if I go to mcdonalds they make the order to my liking because I am the one doing the paying. Whereas at college I give them money and they tell me what I can and can't do.

Sorry if I came off more bitchy than usual. 

I wish everyone who had the chops and the motivation could go to the best possible college or university.  I really do.  Obviously, being a scientist (former, I guess you could say) myself, I know the need very well. 

But I have to say that it's a tough thing running a university.  During my time as a professor, I encountered a lot of this "customer"-oriented student thing.  It's not great.  The students - or even worse, their parents - somehow interpreted their customer status as meaning that they could challenge every fucking exam or lecture.  By the end of my time there we were having trouble bouncing kids for cheating or failing students who deserved to fail.  

And don't get me started on student evaluations.  Stupidest thing ever. 

And emails!  Egads.  I had students calling me by my first name or by cutesy nicknames in emails and to my face.  Jeez, I still call my old professor "Doctor" 26 years later! 

Rather than seeing students as customers, I saw them as future alumni.  It's a two-way relationship.  They should feel part of the school they're attending. 

231 You know what would be nice, if the Liberals could get their Villains consistent: if you watch The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence the bad guys are the rich free rangers against the little guy ranchers. Watch Open Range and its just the opposite.

Cmon Libs pick a side.

232

I'd start with getting rid of the joke departments at universities. 

Kill the Humanities.  Strangle the Social Sciences.

All of them.

At least, eliminate all breadth requirements in the humanities and social sciences.  You don't need more high school after high school, but you certainly don't need it if you're going to be a chemist, physicist or computer scientist.

Eliminate the diversity requirements.  Yes, I know academics are the most bigoted people in the world, but I would hope students would get enough exposure to other cultures by osmosis.

They will if they take a lot of math classes.

Finally: Failure is an option.

233 @238

Yep, UVU. 
I don't know if you've kept abreast of things there, but their new president is really quite good even though he's so young.  I remember reading about the selection process and concerns, but he's a very good administrator and has a real vision.

UVU is 1 student short of the U now in enrollment.  They'll pass them next year, I think. 

The challenge they have is that they are open enrollment, so it is going to be important to maintain the access component as they strive to improve the quality of education.  What they're doing that's smart is focusing on some key programs.  The B-school is now offering an MBA and is already accredited by AACSB (I used to work for the chair of AACSB so I know that's a big deal), the nursing school educates the majority of nurses in the county (maybe the state), and the education school is better than BYU's (I hear), especially at the graduate level. 

Gov. Herbert has asked them to emphasize education that contributes to economic development, which is a great charge to have.


You know, ASU started the same way as UVU did, and it's a great university (I'm a bit biased because I was offered a faculty job there in 2000).  I predict great things for UVU.

234 A few years ago all the small colleges convinced the board of regents to allow them to call themselves a university. Posted by: Anachronda

Back in my grandparents' era, Arizona State University was Tempe Normal School training educators. What did pop out of nowhere was Phoenix University which saw an opportunity that neither ASU nor Maricopa County Colleges had yet specialized in -- the online education. Populations grow, taxes levied, education funded, public colleges grow, adding the required departments and upper class curriculum to eventually qualify as a university. Tons of CA community colleges set that pattern back in the 1960s. In Texas, there are many 4-year program outposts under either A&M or UT umbrella extensions. I don't hold it against anyone to get their degree from whatever school they can afford. The education is in the reading, whether Ivy League diploma or not.

235 @246
Get. Out. Of. My. Head, maverick muse!!!!

236 I don't hold it against anyone to get their degree from whatever school they can afford. The education is in the reading, whether Ivy League diploma or not.

Yeah, I second that. 


I mean, in some fields the top the diploma is still seen as what matters.  Lord knows I benefited from somehow weaseling my way into a "top school."  But when you hire someone, you should really look at what they've accomplished and what they learned, not where they learned it.

237 Kill the Humanities. AmishDude, no.

The Humanities house philosophy, poetry, literature, architecture, art and music.

Trash all of Western Civilization because it doesn't earn a profit, or is populated by asshats? As if humanities has a monopoly on asshats? Screw the asshats in law, eliminate law school. A bit short sighted.

238 245 @238 Yep, UVU.

I don't know if you've kept abreast of things there, but their new president is really quite good even though he's so young. I remember reading about the selection process and concerns, but he's a very good administrator and has a real vision.
________

No, I haven't. I confess that I largely stopped paying attention to that sort of stuff when I graduated back in '86. One of my younger sisters was in their Radiology program (back when it was UVCC), but I don't think she finished.

________

256 What did pop out of nowhere was Phoenix University which saw an opportunity that neither ASU nor Maricopa County Colleges had yet specialized in -- the online education.
______

Indeed. There's a Phoenix University building just off I-15 south of Salt Lake. Or, at least, there was last time I was paying attention while driving through...

239 There are personalities that prefer the in person anonymity of online work for their schooling....online programs, I haven't used them for my own continuing ed, preferring the traditions of in class in person exchange, so that when I have a question, I can corner the teacher for the answer.  But regional community colleges suck big time when seen by the general populace and Board members as what Obama has in mind,  babysitters for an overgrown titty baby generation of misfits. Faculty make all the difference; tax funded salary isn't the problem. Taking things seriously while effectively presenting material has become a lost art, as professors that do are let go for part-time instructors who don't. "The Politically Correct" -- tax payers have to nip it out themselves from their own locale.

240 I saw Huckabee arguing with Weiner, and he came off pretty well. Now this....

Ugh.

241 No, I haven't. I confess that I largely stopped paying attention to that sort of stuff when I graduated back in '86.


If you ever feel like it, I think you can contact the alumni association about getting a diploma issued with UVU on it.  I'm not sure if it's free or if they have to charge a small fee. 

I met a lady in my ward (see, I'm adapting already!) who was one of the first student government kids and part of the group who chose the school colors (originally green and white, now two shades of green and yellow) and the mascot.  The mascot is Willy the Wolverine.  They contacted U Michigan to get "permission" to use the wolverine, which I thought was kind of nice. 

242 Why are a few of you insulting Lindsey Graham? He was steadfastly opposed to ratifying START and to repealing DADT, which would only annoy Democrats masquerading as Republicans here.

243

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