Ace of Spades HQ

March 17, 2013

Sunday Morning Book Thread 03-17-2013: Victorian Pulp Edition [OregonMuse]
— Open Blogger

"Oh for Pete's sake, woman, get up off your fat ass and make me a sammich!"

Good morning morons and moronettes and welcome to the AoSHQ Sunday Morning Book Thread.

I don't have much this week, so I'll just flap my lips for awhile about a couple of books I'm reading.

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

So in a previous book thread, I mentioned first hearing about the Victorian adventure novel King Solomon's Mines in an essay C.S. Lewis wrote on the subject of what makes a good story. So I downloaded a Kindle edition of KSM and finished it last week. It's OK, but nothing spectacular. What I found interesting was that the part of the story Lewis said he liked so much didn't happen. At least, if I understood him correctly WARNING, spoilers ahead. Lewis cited the end of the novel where the good guys were trapped in a mausoleum/crypt, surrounded by the mummified corpses of dead kings. Lewis' point was that the suspense was heightened by this creepy "entombment" threat and that's what made the story good, that is, it just wasn't impending death, but that the location of the impending death greatly added to it. However, when I got to that part, I was surprised to find out that the events didn't transpire in the manner Lewis described. Yes, they went into the crypt with the dead kings, but then they passed through into another room, an inner room where all the treasure was kept, and that's where a giant stone door was suddenly shut behind them, trapping them inside. The corpses of the kings were on the other side of the door. So I'm thinking maybe Lewis based his essay on a misremembered fact. Either that, or there's something I've just missed. That's always possible.

And as I said, as an adventure novel, I found King Solomon's Mines just OK.

Inscrutably Evil Chinese Guy

For sheer thrills and excitement, though, The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu is hard to beat. In the first few chapters, there's a near-miss murder attempt, a chase, a too-late-by-minutes-to-prevent murder, and then another murder attempt. It's all the good guys can do to keep one step ahead of the bad guys, and it makes for exciting reading. Sax Rohmer knows how to amp up the thrills and chills to a pretty high level. However, what I'm finding unsettling about this book is that, you know, it's really kind of racist.

Fu Manchu is not just an evil man, he's an evil yellow man, and his being Chinese is very much a part of his evil nature. It just adds to the terror. One of the good-guy characters makes a speech early on where he says that Fu Manchu is a dangerous threat, not just to this country or that country, but to "the entire white race." Also, the phrase "yellow peril" gets used, and even though I first heard this a long time ago, I had to look it up to find out exactly what was meant by it. Basically, it was a more or less generalized fear that western countries would be overwhelmed, either militarily or economically, by eastern countries, specifically China and Japan.

They even wrote entire novels about the "yellow peril".

Check this out:

Emile Driant, a French officer and political activist, wrote under the pen name of Capitaine Danrit The Yellow Invasion in 1905. The story depicts the surprise attack against the Western world by a gigantic Sino-Japanese army, covertly equipped with American-made weapons and secretly trained in the remote Chinese hinterland. The plot is hatched by a Japanese veteran of the Russo-Japanese War: coming out of the war with a fanatical hatred of Westerners, he organizes a world-spanning secret society named the Devouring Dragon in order to destroy Western civilization.

Jack London's 1914 story "The Unparalleled Invasion", presented as a historical essay narrating events between 1976 and 1987, describes a China with an ever-increasing population taking over and colonizing its neighbors, with the intention of eventually taking over the entire Earth. Thereupon the nations of the West open biological warfare and bombard China with dozens of the most infectious diseasesÂ—among them smallpox, yellow fever, cholera, and Black DeathÂ—with all Chinese attempting to flee being shot down by armies and navies massed around their country's land and sea borders, and the few survivors of the plague invariably put to death by expeditions entering China. This genocide is described in considerable detail, and nowhere is there mentioned any objection to it. The terms "yellow life" and "yellow populace" appear in the story. It ends with "the sanitation of China" and its re-settlement by Westerners, "the democratic American programme" as London puts it.[16]

Whew. By the way, that photo of Sax Rohmer on his wikipedia page makes him look like sort of a horse's ass. I'm just sayin'.

From what I've read, I'd guess that the Victorian English were probably the most filthily racist people ever to have lived -- except for everybody else.

___________

So that's all for this week. As always, book thread tips, suggestions, rumors, and insults may be sent to OregonMuse, Proprietor, AoSHQ Book Thread, at aoshqbookthread@gmail.com.

So what have you all been reading this week? Hopefully something good, because life is too short to read lousy books.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 06:55 AM | Comments (267)
Post contains 901 words, total size 6 kb.

1 Sarah took it to the libs. Wish more would follow her leade.

Posted by: scif at March 17, 2013 04:22 AM (xRhu2)

2 Complete Dan BrownÂ’s Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Also We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam. That one is a hard one to work through. The movie is one of the best war movies of all time and one of the few good ones about Vietnam. They had it last week on a one day only sale for $2.99. Its back up to $7.32 now. Now working on the Heinlein book The Year of The Jackpot that they had on sale for .99.

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 06:56 AM (53z96)

3 I have a couple of volume of Victorian era erotica that are, hands down, the most utterly filthy things I've ever read. I don't mean oh hey that's kind of racy, I mean Larry Flynt wouldn't publish this stuff because it's too perverted. It rather altered my view of those oh so uptight Victorians.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Take us away. at March 17, 2013 07:00 AM (Gk3SS)

4 The Rising Sun by John Toland. Second or third reading. Never gets old.

Posted by: Ed Anger at March 17, 2013 07:01 AM (tOkJB)

5 Hah, that Fu Manchu book is free.

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 07:01 AM (53z96)

6 3 I have a couple of volume of Victorian era erotica that are, hands down, the most utterly filthy things I've ever read. I don't mean oh hey that's kind of racy, I mean Larry Flynt wouldn't publish this stuff because it's too perverted. It rather altered my view of those oh so uptight Victorians.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Take us away. at March 17, 2013 11:00 AM (Gk3SS)

How about some examples...pics or it didn't happen doesn't quite work here.

Posted by: Red Shirt at March 17, 2013 07:02 AM (FIDMq)

7 I have been reading the Fu Manchu books as well, along with some regency novels by Patricia Veryan, which are not bodice-rippers but actually adventure-romances set in the time of the Regency.

Prior to post-war American Civil Rights demonstrations and subsequent laws. most of the world thought and wrote as Sax Roehmer. If you are a younger person, you have probably never come across this type of thinking.

For a refresher in how people used to think, go back and read some WWII newspaper articles about the Japanese, or some travelogs of Lowell Thomas.

It's actually quite amazing that accepted discussion of other races has been cleaned up in such a short amount of time.

Posted by: Miss Marple at March 17, 2013 07:02 AM (GoIUi)

8 I was going to post this in the open thread, but now you're all here, so There once was a blogger named Ace No one recalled seeing his face Sometime's Pixy's a dud Like a tank in the mud Yet still it's a prize-winning place

Posted by: Award-winning commenter Jones in CO at March 17, 2013 07:04 AM (8sCoq)

9 Picked up the Kindle version of Gilligan' s Wake[\I] this week. If you know 20th century history and old TV, it's quite a read.

Posted by: zsasz at March 17, 2013 07:05 AM (MMC8r)

10 Isn't "The Yellow Peril" just an entire genre of Japanese porn?

Posted by: Bard Samson at March 17, 2013 07:06 AM (WlLWl)

I have a couple of volume of Victorian era erotica that are, hands down, the most utterly filthy things I've ever read. I don't mean oh hey that's kind of racy, I mean Larry Flynt wouldn't publish this stuff because it's too perverted. It rather altered my view of those oh so uptight Victorians.

The Victorians seemed to understand that there were certain things which were kept private. Certain behavior in public allowed everyone to get along and made civilization run and what happened behind closed curtains was easily ignored.

Posted by: Colorado Alex at March 17, 2013 07:06 AM (DsPRa)

12 Agh, fucking barrel.

Posted by: zsasz at March 17, 2013 07:06 AM (MMC8r)

13 "Posted by: Miss Marple at March 17, 2013 11:02 AM (GoIUi)"

I'm not sure who said it, but someone once stated that if you went back in time, you would find that all your ancestors were racists.

Posted by: HH at March 17, 2013 07:08 AM (XXwdv)

14 Hello Mr Muse, Mr Avenger can tell ya how to post the pics without turning it into a tiny print thread for us phone users. If you're so inclined that is. Enjoy the thread fellow readers... and readerettes.

Posted by: teej at March 17, 2013 07:08 AM (AoY8i)

15 While I was out on the field I had enough down time to finish The Cello Suites, a book on the eponymous works by Bach. The author weaves together three different storylines: a biography of Bach, one of Pablo Casals, and his own attempts to understand both men and the suites through interviews with musicians and his immersion into the world of classical music. I recommend it if you like music.

Posted by: Colorado Alex at March 17, 2013 07:10 AM (DsPRa)

When I read Manchu I think 'man chew'. Is it hot in here?

Posted by: Yale Taft Portman: Gay Son at March 17, 2013 07:10 AM (wIgpo)

17 If you're going to read early 20th century adventure stories, you're going to come across this casual racism. There's nothing to be done about it; you just have to file it away and move on, because everyone thought that way. It was part of the background wallpaper in every Englishman's mental sitting room. John Buchan novels are sprinkled with derogatory observations about Jews; if you can't ignore that and get absorbed in the adventure, then you just have to avoid this kind of writing. Fortunately, this xenophobic strain is easily omitted in the film adaptations.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 07:10 AM (FkH4y)

18 Reread "No Truce with Kings" by Poul Anderson. Still relevant today. On deck is the "King of Elfland's Daughter" by Lord Dunsany and "The Arsenals of Folly" by Richard Rhodes. I have read the previous two books by Rhodes on nuclear weapons. Hopefully he will understand the concept of nuclear weapons underpinning the long peace between major powers. I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons onboard USS ____ or any other naval vessel.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 17, 2013 07:11 AM (u82oZ)

19 A good Amazon digital download : AJ Resissig's Escape to Freedom. Set 50 years in the dystopian future - tells the story of an oppressive US president. Quite good digital 99 cents, offered in paperback too if that's your preference.

Posted by: CarlToddHand at March 17, 2013 07:12 AM (+rajA)

20 What surprised me was how racist the Dr. doolittle books were, and they were considered surprisingly not rascist because they had a black character that went to Cambridge, I believe. Though they always mentioned how he went barefoot all the time, because haha- those heathens!

Posted by: nnptcgrad at March 17, 2013 07:12 AM (Opyrm)

21 "Remembered Prisoners of a Forgotten War" by Lewis H. Carlson. This is an excellent book about the Korean War POW's and what happened to them after the war. About 7,140 Americans were taken prisoner, of which 40% would die as POW's. Compared with 4% held by the Germans and 35% by the Japanese (these numbers vary depending on the source). There's the story of The Tiger Death March in late 1950 which was worse than the more well known Bataan Death March. What made the Korean War POW's experience unique was their treatment after the war. Partly due to the Red Scare of the 50's they were portrayed by the media, the government, shrink experts and even the military (primarily the Army) as weak minded, momma's boys, brainwashed collaborators. Hollywood also reinforced this belief. Where as WW 2 POW films almost always showed brave defiant behavior and escape attempts, the few Korean War POW films such as "The Manchurian Candidate" or "The Rack" did not. The Army and the FBI were vicious in their pursuit of "collaborators". Even attending the near daily required commie indoctrination classes were enough to be under suspicion. The truth is the Korean War POW's behaved no different than any other of our war's POW's.

Posted by: ExSnipe at March 17, 2013 07:12 AM (PBm/l)

"So I'm thinking maybe Lewis based his essay on a misremembered fact"

You mean like the "volcanoes"?

Posted by: Jess1 at March 17, 2013 07:13 AM (lbiWb)

Just got a boatload of Robert E. Howard stuff, Conan, Kull, Kane....in epub format.

Didn't know if I was going to like my Nook reader, but now I love it.

Posted by: TANSTAAFL at March 17, 2013 07:14 AM (52QEX)

24 20 Yet, in the real world today, we'd be told such a thing was culturally diverse and equally valid by the Priests of Multi-Culti.

Posted by: zsasz at March 17, 2013 07:17 AM (MMC8r)

25 I'm reading The Sixth Key by Adriana Koulias. ---------- Summarizing the publisher: In late 2012 a cryptic invitation leads a crime novelist to Venice's Island of the Dead. Once there, he is captivated by his host's tale, which spans centuries but begins in late 1930, when a similar cryptic invitation brought Holy Grail Historian Otto Rahn to an SS apartment in Berlin. In that meeting, SS mystic hunters tasked Rahn with finding Le Serpent Rouge, a notorious book of black magic written by Pope Honorius in the 13th century, and they won't take no for an answer. But the SS is not the only powerful group in search of the grimoire. A shadowy circle of men are watching Rahn's every move, and they will stop at nothing to possess the book and the legendary key that unlocks its terrifying power. -------- I don't know about terrifying, and have as a general matter had my fill of adventures stocked with Nazis, but a good portion of this book (probably 2/3) is dedicated to what took place centuries ago, and the efforts of various secret societies across Europe in the following centuries to locate the grimoire. Koulias is a surprisingly good writer (I had never heard of her before), and seven of the nine (admittedly unreliable) Amazon reviews are five-star. The Sixth Key is an interesting story, and a nightstand Kindle-page turner to be sure, but it also seems derivative in light of many other similar efforts in this genre over the past few years, so I dock it another quarter point and give it a 3.75/5.

Posted by: Blacksheep at March 17, 2013 07:18 AM (bS6uW)

26 The Red Army and the NKVD rounded up all of the Soviet POWs captured by the Germans and shipped the former prisoners straight to the Gulag.

Posted by: mrp at March 17, 2013 07:19 AM (HjPtV)

27 Read Forrest Carter's two Josey Wales novels: Gone to Texas and The Vengeance Trail of Josey Wales. The former was the basis for the movie, with modifications. The latter was a completely new story in which the Apaches and Geronimo play a prominent role. Both were quick and interesting reads, but nothing spectacular. Also finished reading North by Northwestern, Sig Hansen's telling of his family's multi-generational involvement with fishing, both in Norway and Alaska / Washington state. Thought it both very good and entertaining (full disclosure: I come from a family of filthy scandi fishermen). Either Barry Lopez's Arctic Dreams or John O'Sullivan's The President, the Pope and The Prime Minister: Three Who Changed the World (which I would prefer to read first once I can find it in the house).

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars at March 17, 2013 07:19 AM (Jcd0S)

28 Barrel

Posted by: Ed Anger at March 17, 2013 07:21 AM (tOkJB)

29 [pedant]Fu Manchu isn't "Victorian". First one came in 1912. Vicky Saxe-Coburg-Gotha died in 1901. [/pedant].

Posted by: SCOAMF Search Committee at March 17, 2013 07:21 AM (Ale7o)

30 Kantor's Andersonville. Appalling.

Posted by: USS Diversity at March 17, 2013 07:21 AM (+bZOu)

Posted by: Ed Anger at March 17, 2013 07:21 AM (tOkJB)

War of the Words, by HG Wells. Replace "Martians" with "brown people." Some of his other works are similar. Wells was also into eugenics, and (to introduce politics here) part of the vanguard of the early progressive movement.

Posted by: Lee (in KY) at March 17, 2013 07:22 AM (jgXna)

33 The blog comments have been invaded by Italy again.

Posted by: SCOAMF Search Committee at March 17, 2013 07:22 AM (Ale7o)

34 Whew. Glad that's over.

Posted by: Ed Anger at March 17, 2013 07:22 AM (tOkJB)

35 Oh-oh...

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars at March 17, 2013 07:24 AM (Jcd0S)

36 Oooo oooo speaking of "a dark and stormy night"... if you haven't yet, immediately go to http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/index.html and read some of the winning entries. Some of the funniest suff I've ever read.

Posted by: TANSTAAFL at March 17, 2013 07:25 AM (52QEX)

37 Sorry... are there sanitary facilities in the barrel?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars at March 17, 2013 07:25 AM (Jcd0S)

26 mrp,

Either that or placed in special units the soviets would use to clear mines, with their feet by walking through them. Wonderful people those commie sov's.

Posted by: ExSnipe at March 17, 2013 07:26 AM (PBm/l)

39 >>>>It's actually quite amazing that accepted discussion of other races has been cleaned up in such a short amount of time.<<<<<

Unless you are talking about the white devils, then you can say whatever you want.

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 17, 2013 07:27 AM (VQ9KL)

40 If only Comrade Stalin knew...

Posted by: zsasz at March 17, 2013 07:28 AM (MMC8r)

41 OT, but important enough folks ought to be aware.

What's worse than stealing 10% of everyone's bank accounts?

Announcing that you've done so when you really need a parliamentary vote first, discovering that, shockingly the votes aren't there, and extending the bank holiday one to several (?) days while you attempt to coerce the vote through the usual threats of "tanks in the streets" when the banks implode.

Of course, the banks will implode anyway as soon as people can get what's left of their money back. But now instead of shock and awe, you've created the mother of all uncertainty going into the open of Europe's markets in a few hours.

details at zerohedge.

Posted by: Methos at March 17, 2013 07:28 AM (hO9ad)

42 When I was a kid I was terrified of being buried alive. Probably due to seeing these classics: Land of the Pharaohs (1955) http://goo.gl/7VlAK Premature Burial (1962) http://goo.gl/D0wN8

Posted by: Waldo Truth at March 17, 2013 07:30 AM (PP8La)

43 Ugh -- time to play in the "flurries". L8ter.

Posted by: Ed Anger at March 17, 2013 07:32 AM (tOkJB)

44 Jack London being a committed socialist wanker and all, it's ever so very surprising that he would have advocated racist genocide. Yep. Very surprising.

Posted by: Stu-22 at March 17, 2013 07:33 AM (k4bdL)

45 >>>>Premature Burial (1962)<<<<

Always had the hots for Hazel Court.

There is a scene in The Masque of the Red Death where she is running in slow motion in the see thru nightie with the bouncers bouncing free. It is as impressive as Winona in Dracula.

Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at March 17, 2013 07:34 AM (VQ9KL)

46 reference to King Solomon's Mines, I wonder if there was a different version ? I know sometimes, older literature has differing printings and sometimes things get changed a tiny bit. I wish I had time to read some books, but remodeling my house takes my spare time right now.... and reading the lifestyle blog here you guys...

Posted by: Yip at March 17, 2013 07:34 AM (/jHWN)

47 @ Methos #41. Read about that whole Cyprus debacle, and honestly, I wonder if that's merely the first domino. As others have pointed out, anybody in one of the troubled PIIGS countries who doesn't seriously consider taking their money out of a bank is now a fool, and having a bank run for all of southern Europe can lead to a crashing of markets. WW I started as an assasination in Serbia; can a financial crash start as a bank run in Cypress?

Posted by: Lee (in KY) at March 17, 2013 07:37 AM (jgXna)

48 Always had the hots for Hazel Court. There is a scene in The Masque of the Red Death where she is running in slow motion in the see thru nightie with the bouncers bouncing free. It is as impressive as Winona in Dracula. Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... All those budget european horror flicks had something special for teen/preteen boys. There was another one, the name I can't remember, where the blond big boobed heroine rolls over in bed and the covers slip. I thought there was going to be a riot in the theater.

Posted by: Waldo Truth at March 17, 2013 07:37 AM (PP8La)

49 And wouldn't government theft of 10% of savings tank their economy but good? Consumer confidence evaporates, bills defaulted, etc. I don't see any good outcomes here for Cypriots.

Posted by: zsasz at March 17, 2013 07:38 AM (MMC8r)

50 I still don't see how they can just seize bank accounts out of the blue unless there is already some law in place that allows them to do it. Anyone check to see if we have anything similar?

Posted by: Waldo Truth at March 17, 2013 07:40 AM (PP8La)

51 #50 I tink it would fall under unreasonable search and seizure" . You know, that pesky Constitution.

Posted by: Miss Marple at March 17, 2013 07:41 AM (GoIUi)

I still don't see how they can just seize bank accounts out of the blue unless there is already some law in place that allows them to do it. Anyone check to see if we have anything similar?

It's technically a "tax" on deposits.

Posted by: Colorado Alex at March 17, 2013 07:42 AM (DsPRa)

53 THINK, not tink.

I promise I am not a Scandi. Well, only 1/4 on my father's side.

Posted by: Miss Marple at March 17, 2013 07:43 AM (GoIUi)

54 I noticed in the pic above Tin-tin and his dog Snowy. I read those stories in 3rd grade and fired up my imagination pretty good. Helped influence my studies of Geography in college. Good stuff man.

Posted by: fastfreefall at March 17, 2013 07:43 AM (Tz35j)

55 Speaking of Victorian novels...

I read most of the Sherlock Holmes books and stories growing up. Loved them. So around '92 I was in London visiting my brother, who had an apartment in the Knightsbridge area, close to Harrods Dept. Store.

I think it was the second day I was there. Up early, still dark, taking a walk. And it was really foggy. No traffic, just me wandering around, and then I started hearing a "clip-clop, clip-clop" sound coming from behind me, getting closer.

I turn, and there is a stage coach being pulled by two horses coming along the street. Turns out, as it passed me, to be owned by the above mentioned Harrods.

But it struck me at the time that it was almost like I was back in the 1880s, much like that time travel book (Time and Again?) concerning NY City.

Weird, but kind of cool.

Posted by: HH at March 17, 2013 07:43 AM (XXwdv)

56 War on Women

Posted by: el guapo at March 17, 2013 07:44 AM (LZ6Kl)

57 You know, since I cosponsored the Defense Of Marriage Act back in 1996, I've found that packing fudge with homeless men in coin laundry rest rooms has really improved my sons ability to become a good wife

Posted by: Rob Portman at March 17, 2013 07:45 AM (uAcgi)

63
I have a couple of volume of Victorian era erotica that are, hands down,
the most utterly filthy things I've ever read.

Fainting. Couch.

Posted by: Cicero Kid at March 17, 2013 07:46 AM (UrENZ)

59 #50 They have the tanks, machine guns and fighter planes. In the end they can do what they want.

Posted by: Zoltan at March 17, 2013 07:46 AM (LV+DE)

60 21 The Army and the FBI were vicious in their pursuit of "collaborators". Even attending the near daily required commie indoctrination classes were enough to be under suspicion. Posted by: ExSnipe at March 17, 2013 11:12 AM (PBm/l) That is really interesting--and disturbing. I didn't know that. It's eerily reminiscent of how the Soviets treated their WWII soldiers who had been captured by the Germans: they were deemed "unreliable" and were promptly shipped to the gulag.

Posted by: rickl at March 17, 2013 07:49 AM (sdi6R)

61 someone left a poopy on aisle 57. cleanup plz?

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at March 17, 2013 07:51 AM (QTHTd)

62 The Korean POWs , were in part the reason for the MK-ULTRA experiments,
they wanted to see why the soldiers and sailors had turned, and also the reason why SERE was introduced.

Posted by: archie goodwin at March 17, 2013 07:54 AM (Jsiw/)

63 If anyone has read any of Ian Fleming's stuff, there was plenty of racial denigration, or at the very least assignment of character traits based on race. And Bond was forever analyzing the people he encountered for their racial background..."the lift at the corner of her eyes hinted at some Chinese blood" or some such shite.

To any fans of Charlie Stross' "Laundry" novels, check out Ian Tregillis' Milkweed Triptych. Just finisheed the first book, "Bitter Seeds" where MI6 agents fight the Nazis, who have developed a group of psychic/telekinetic/pyrokinetic/etc. agents. Really well done, and grim as hell--unlike Stross'series.

Posted by: Dr. Angleton at March 17, 2013 07:54 AM (x46lA)

64 There was another one, the name I can't remember, where the blond big boobed heroine rolls over in bed and the covers slip. I thought there was going to be a riot in the theater.

Or at least a thorough beating.

Posted by: no good deed at March 17, 2013 07:55 AM (mjR67)

65 I still don't see how they can just seize bank accounts out of the blue unless there is already some law in place that allows them to do it. Anyone check to see if we have anything similar?

There's talk of challenging the theft in courts under violations of property rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and Cyprus' constitution. Unfortunately once the money is gone, it will immediately disappear into the pockets of government and payments to other banks, so there's no place to recover from if the courts find in the depositor's favor. And it could take quite a while to even get to that point.

Want to guess how much has been recovered of the billion and a half that Corzine disappeared?

Posted by: Methos at March 17, 2013 07:56 AM (hO9ad)

66 What's the story on the pic with the prostrate woman at the top of the post? Just curious.

Posted by: Mark Shaw at March 17, 2013 07:57 AM (jeNGi)

67 I still don't see how they can just seize bank accounts out of the blue unless there is already some law in place that allows them to do it. Anyone check to see if we have anything similar? No, we don't have something similar here, and for that matter neither do they. Like us, they have depositor insurance that is supposed to protect their accounts up to a certain limit. This was a plan hatched between corrupt, socialist Cypriot politicians and the ECB and the Pseudo-Central French bank (not the main French banking system but the 'other' Central French bank set up to move ECB funds around) deemed necessary in order to prevent a sudden default due to a capital freeze. I don't know what's worse: the absolute fucking chaos that's likely going to go down on Tuesday as Euro depositors across the EU realize this could happen at any old time to them (I'm looking at you next, Italy, where a major capital freeze is already happening) even though Brussels assures this is one-time thing until all this nastiness blows over; or if it were to work out OK, in which case other EU governments and our Pharoah We-Don't-Have-a-Spending-Problem here in the U.S. might decide such a move is politically possible in their countries as well. The best case scenario is that the Cypriots take this down by vote tomorrow and just face the music financially.

Posted by: Blacksheep at March 17, 2013 07:57 AM (bS6uW)

68 Thanks to whichever moron recommended Perez-Reverte's Club Dumas (My first time trying italics. Please don't hurt me if it goes all wrong!)

Posted by: sinmu at March 17, 2013 07:57 AM (TuiTY)

69 Dreaming of a world without racism is like dreaming of a world without nuclear weapons.

The smart move is "You first!"

I second "Cello Suits" - interesting, engaging book. I once took cello lessons but I scared every cat in the neighborhood so dropped it.

"Coolidge" by Amity Schales is a very good read - I'm half way through.

I think the next purchase will be "War Plan Orange" about the US Navy's strategic planning for a Pacific war in the 20's and 30's.

Posted by: Whitehall at March 17, 2013 07:59 AM (1+mGd)

70 I liked Stross, for the absurdity in it, but his last was too chock full of anti American, and Anti Evangelical sentiment, his Scottish nationalist pseudo
anarchist background, seems to have bled through.

Knightsbridge is now a redoubt of Arab princes and Russian businessmen, so Romer and co, might have had a point.

Posted by: archie goodwin at March 17, 2013 07:59 AM (Jsiw/)

71 I tink it would fall under unreasonable search and seizure" . You know, that pesky Constitution.

The Constituion is ink on paper. It is no defense at all unless government chooses to be restrained by the ideas within it. And that doesn't happen unless we the people force government to obey it.

Posted by: Methos at March 17, 2013 08:00 AM (hO9ad)

72 67 What's the story on the pic with the prostrate woman at the top of the post? Just curious.

Posted by: Mark Shaw at March 17, 2013 11:57 AM (jeNGi)

She didn't listen the first time, bitch

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 17, 2013 08:01 AM (BBWjt)

73 "yellow peril"? The man in the same colored hat thought the city trumped the jungle.

Posted by: Curious George at March 17, 2013 08:01 AM (XYSwB)

74 men forget more easily the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony - Niccolo Macchiavelli

Remember that antisemitic fascist comedian in Italy? the one who got a quarter of the last vote? The EU just gave him another 10-15% next election.

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at March 17, 2013 08:02 AM (QTHTd)

75 Thanks to whichever moron recommended Perez-Reverte's Club Dumas That was me, and of course you're very welcome. Last week I followed up with a review of The Flanders Panel by the same author, which I also liked if you care to take a look on Kindle. Somehow I had never heard of Perez-Reverte until a couple of months ago, even though these books have been around for a while; I guess that's because they were translated from Spanish and that's not usually on my radar.

Posted by: Blacksheep at March 17, 2013 08:05 AM (bS6uW)

76 I don't know what's worse: the absolute fucking chaos that's likely going to go down on Tuesday as Euro depositors across the EU realize this could happen at any old time to them

Worse: That's tonight. Cyprus has a religious holiday Monday that keeps its banks closed. The rest of Europe opens Monday morning, tonight our time.

Posted by: Methos at March 17, 2013 08:06 AM (hO9ad)

77 Quincunx by Charles Palliser An extraordinary modern novel in the Victorian tradition, Charles Palliser has created something extraordinary--a plot within a plot within a plot of family secrets, mysterious clues, low-born birth, high-reaching immorality, and, always, always the fog-enshrouded, enigmatic character of 19th century -- London itself. ... The epic length of this first novel--nearly 800 densely typeset pages--should not put off readers, for its immediacy is equal to its heft.... read this years ago couldn't put it down

Posted by: renaiwoman at March 17, 2013 08:07 AM (XYSwB)

78 Wow. Titanic Violin Authenticated as Genuine Bandleader Wallace Hartley's personal violin, with an engraved silver plate, which was recovered from his body in the ocean. The very instrument he used to play "Nearer My God to Thee", "Songe d'Automne", or the hymn "Autumn" (accounts vary) as the ship went down. (Warning: autoplay video) http://tinyurl.com/ba2qjmd

Posted by: rickl at March 17, 2013 08:07 AM (sdi6R)

TANSTAAFL,

You're right. Really funny stuff.

Posted by: ExSnipe at March 17, 2013 08:10 AM (PBm/l)

80 If you're going to read early 20th century adventure stories, you're going to come across this casual racism. There's nothing to be done about it; you just have to file it away and move on, because everyone thought that way. It was part of the background wallpaper in every Englishman's mental sitting room. John Buchan novels are sprinkled with derogatory observations about Jews; if you can't ignore that and get absorbed in the adventure, then you just have to avoid this kind of writing. Fortunately, this xenophobic strain is easily omitted in the film adaptations. Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 11:10 AM (FkH4y) Nice to see mention made of John Buchan. He was no ink-stained wretch toiling at a typewriter in a grubby apartment, but had a very interesting and productive life in the real world. Here is a link, if I can make it work: http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/tweedsmuir_e.asp His autobiography, "Memory Hold the Door", written during his years in Canada, is well worth a read, if you want some insight into the history of that period.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 17, 2013 08:10 AM (29+x5)

81 Wise man eat. Foo man chew.

Posted by: Libra at March 17, 2013 08:12 AM (q5QAW)

82 Hola peeps in the little boxes My girl is reading Dante She's in 7th grade I wish I went to her school when I was her age... Well minus the sailor moon uniform of course

Posted by: Navycopjoe at March 17, 2013 08:12 AM (fmjNz)

83 My husband used to have a book of Victorian pornography. From what I remember of it, they were into very long pubic hair (they mention it being down to her knees!) and spankings. I'm also half way through Coolidge. It's impressive work and a very readable biography.

Posted by: notsothoreau at March 17, 2013 08:12 AM (Lqy/e)

84 Worse: That's tonight. Cyprus has a religious holiday Monday that keeps its banks closed. The rest of Europe opens Monday morning, tonight our time. Asian markets open in about 7 hours, European about 15.

Posted by: fluffy at March 17, 2013 08:14 AM (oNZx8)

85 Just finished "The Habbit" by J.R.R. Tokin.

The story of Bilbong Dimebaggins.

I think the author was smoking something.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at March 17, 2013 08:14 AM (xKC/c)

86 76 All of the Capitan Alatriste series by Perez-Reverte are great reads, even more so in EspaÃ±ol. His "Queen of the South" is good too if the narco cartel thing interests you.

Posted by: fastfreefall at March 17, 2013 08:14 AM (Tz35j)

87 63
"I have a couple of volume of Victorian era erotica ..."

The nice thing about Victorian erotica? It's copyright free.

In the unforeseen-and-end-of-the-world scenario where an editor says to me, "I'll buy your alt-hist diesel punk, but you need to put in some sex scenes" I plan on swiping 'em from "A Man with a Maid"

Posted by: kali at March 17, 2013 08:14 AM (G1/pm)

88 Titanic Violin Authenticated as Genuine Bandleader Wallace Hartley's personal violin, with an engraved silver plate, which was recovered from his body in the ocean. The very instrument he used to play "Nearer My God to Thee", "Songe d'Automne", or the hymn "Autumn" (accounts vary) as the ship went down. (Warning: autoplay video) http://tinyurl.com/ba2qjmd Posted by: rickl at The laughing and bad jokes were pretty off putting. The owner of the violin was extremely brave and could have just saved himself. Would these assholes yuck it up over a Medal of Honor? Oh, wait...yes they would.

Posted by: Waldo Truth at March 17, 2013 08:15 AM (PP8La)

89 Based on previous book thread recs, I read The Long Way Home on the kindle. link here: http://tinyurl.com/d8rqrr7

It's by Sabrina Chase and it's very good sci-fi/space opera.

She creates a very believable universe, but I'm probably being a bitch for wanting more of the internal politics/motivations of the powers that are acting in the books. Maybe it's all revealed in the last book (which I just started)

The story is about people, not politics, and it's good with characters. If you have daughters (blessed with two!) you would be hard pressed to find a better heroine than Moire Cameron.

Also, pleasantly free of any gratuitous sex/social commentary that I have seen show up in recent novels.

Posted by: Phat at March 17, 2013 08:16 AM (a8Xjl)

90 We are not surprised to see all this racism in kÃ¢fir literature.

Now, back to our riveting tales of greasy zanji slave cock which takes a woman both arms to embrace

Posted by: alf layla wa-layla at March 17, 2013 08:18 AM (QTHTd)

91 67 - "What's the story on the pic with the prostrate woman at the top of the post? Just curious.

Posted by: Mark Shaw at March 17, 2013 11:57 AM (jeNGi)"

That's a painting by Augustus Leopold Egg, a Victorian artist. It's Part 1 of a moral-lesson triptych, entitled "Past and Present". A Victorian wife's adultery has just been exposed to her husband. The family's happy middle-class existence is about to fall apart. Parts 2 and 3 show the later consequences.

http://tinyurl.com/dxch66h

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 08:19 AM (FkH4y)

92 Oh, by the way, I haven't been able to properly format comments on AOS for several years now. Sometimes line breaks are read, mostly not - that's why my response above came out like a solid block of text. I didn't write it that way, but there's nothing I can do.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 08:20 AM (FkH4y)

93 I am reading Niall Ferguson's "Civilization, The West and The Best". Very engaging.

Posted by: Navybrat at March 17, 2013 08:20 AM (3M8g3)

94 Can we haz gun thread?

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectual at March 17, 2013 08:23 AM (wR+pz)

95 Gee, When society loses trust in its banks and government, what can go wrong?

Posted by: Al at March 17, 2013 08:23 AM (V70Uh)

96 I wonder, though, what popular hundred-year-old literature from places like Japan would read like. I don't think they had a lot of use for their Chinese and Russian neighbors, or vice versa.

Also, fantasy novels are still pretty bigoted: elves are snooty, dwarfs industrious, orcs are... oiks. The fact that the races are imaginary doesn't change the bigotry, either.

Posted by: PersonFromPorlock at March 17, 2013 08:24 AM (5hNpF)

97 LOL, I think I'll draw my line somewhere before worrying about stereotyping of elves

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at March 17, 2013 08:26 AM (QTHTd)

#81 Alberta Oil Peon : My husband is a BIG Buchan fan, has all his books. We don't have Governors General like that anymore; we've gone from minor British aristocrats to accomplished civilians to hack publicity hounds. Well, the present one seems OK, and even that Jamaican lady turned out to be not too bad after all. No particular reason why she should have been made the Queen's representative, but she didn't do anything particularly bad.

We recently saw quite a good adaptation of "The 39 Steps", made in 1978 with Robert Powell as Richard Hannay. Though they still fiddled a bit with the ending, this one was far more true to the original story than the Hitchcock version, both in plot and feeling.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 08:26 AM (FkH4y)

99 "Lucifer's Hammer" is racist against meteors!!!

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at March 17, 2013 08:26 AM (QTHTd)

100

A little less racy: "James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights".

Back then, Madison (initially) and many others believed that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary because the Constitution did not give the government the power over speech or the press or searching of papers.

They thought the Constitution gave the government LIMITED powers. What a quaint old notion.

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 08:28 AM (w7J/R)

101 Read through Plato's Symposium. He makes Socrates look like the worst dinner guest in history. Also got into some Seneca. Him, I liked.

Posted by: Secundus at March 17, 2013 08:32 AM (oBhqA)

102 All of the Capitan Alatriste series by Perez-Reverte are great reads Thanks, Fastfreefall. I suspected as much but didn't want to read two novels and then start a full series by the same author right away (that's basically what happened to me with Preston-Child and while I really dig their work I'm ready to shoot Pendergast myself if I can't get through this last one more quickly, which is a shame because I've loved the series). Anyway, I will definitely return for the Capt. Alatriste series because P-R is just too good not to follow up on. I appreciate your input.

Posted by: Blacksheep at March 17, 2013 08:32 AM (bS6uW)

103 Finished "Agincourt," by Bernard Cornwell.

Excellent...really solid. It's the story of an English archer who fights his way with Henry V all the way to Agincourt.

Worth a read.

http://tinyurl.com/cltr8rb

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2013 08:38 AM (3Mkrp)

104

Now working on the Heinlein book The Year of The Jackpot that they had on sale for .99.

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 10:56 AM (53z96)

We may end up living through something like the year of the jackpot. I hop[e I am wrong.

Posted by: rd at March 17, 2013 08:39 AM (zLp5I)

105 Go Miami, beat UNC!

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectual at March 17, 2013 08:39 AM (wR+pz)

106

93 Similar problems. Single spaces between words are lost, so I have to use two. Cannot use the italics, etc.

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 08:40 AM (w7J/R)

107

107 93

Are you using the new IE 10 browser?

Posted by: rd at March 17, 2013 08:42 AM (zLp5I)

108 We may end up living through something like the year of the jackpot. I hop[e I am wrong.

Posted by: rd at March 17, 2013 12:39 PM (zLp5I)

Just finished it. Terrible ending.

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 08:43 AM (53z96)

109 #71 In 2010 I met my husband in London where he was attending meetings. I had a lot of time on my hands so headed to the Victoria and Albert Museum, wlking.

I took a turn too soon and wound up in a square in Knightsbridge where there were large row houses, very expensive. In front were expensive cars and about 50 Arab men, all young, talking on cell phones and with each other.

It's the only time I ever felt nervous in London. I really moved quickly to get out of there, as fast as I could without running.

I was astounded at the number of Arabs (and probably Iranians) in London, as opposed to when I was there in 1969. The city has really changed.

Posted by: Miss Marple at March 17, 2013 08:43 AM (GoIUi)

110 108 Still on IE 9.

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 08:44 AM (w7J/R)

111

109 There's an idea for a book thread. "Terrible endings."

As in "The Natural". Ain't like the movie.

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 08:46 AM (w7J/R)

112 Same here, still on IE 9 - does that make a difference? I'm so reluctant to "upgrade" to ANYTHING on Windows, because half the time it creates problems.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 08:51 AM (FkH4y)

113 Terrible endings: "To kill a Mockingbird", the movie. The book was OK.

Posted by: Al at March 17, 2013 08:56 AM (V70Uh)

114 "War Plan Orange" Whitehall at March 17, 2013 11:59 AM This is a great book. It was the first to explain to me what Kimmel was planning in mid 1941. Based on the book, Pearl Harbor 1941 was a blessing for the USN.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 17, 2013 08:57 AM (u82oZ)

115 Terrible endings: "Von Ryan's Express" - the movie. Frank Sinatra dies at the end.

In the book, the character did NOT die.

Posted by: Miss Marple at March 17, 2013 08:59 AM (GoIUi)

116 I'll put Peres-Reverte's Capt Alatriste on my wish list. Sure do wish I could read Spanish beyond the 3rd grade level. I've been trying to get thru a Spanish version of Susan Cooper's YA fantasy Los Seis Signos de la Luz . After mucho trabajo, I'm in Chapter 3.

Posted by: sinmi at March 17, 2013 09:00 AM (n7q9W)

117

Read Sarah Hoyt's three "Daring Finds" mysteries. She describes them as "lighter than air".

I giggled outloud so many times.

The first in the series is _Dipped, Stripped, and Dead_ by "Elise Hyatt".

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 17, 2013 09:08 AM (SUKHu)

118 OMG I think I broke the blog!!!

Posted by: sinmi at March 17, 2013 09:09 AM (n7q9W)

119 I find Oregon Muse's views very interesting. There has to be something about Haggard (whether SHE or KING SOLOMON'S MINES) that appealed hugely to an earlier generation like Lewis's but doesn't resonate today. I home-schooled all 4 of my kids in the middle years (5th thru at least 8th) and, despite their widely divergent tastes in literature, none of them liked his books. The boys both liked Jules Verne, the girls not so much. Wells got mixed reviews, depending on the particular novel, but both boys and girls liked him to one extent or another. My youngest son read FU MANCHU and he loved it.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at March 17, 2013 09:09 AM (C8mVl)

120 As much as I like dead-tree books, I've been enjoying Librivox short story SF audiobook/podcasts. The Damned Thing by Ambrose Bierce The Stroke of the Sun by Artuhr C. Clarke

Posted by: Dr. Varno at March 17, 2013 09:10 AM (gAC/B)

121 Say what???

Democrat senator on Fox News just said that we don't need to worry about entitlements, etc. He said "The real problem is health care. We have to do something about health care."

I thought health care was fixed!

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda at March 17, 2013 09:10 AM (1c58W)

122

>>Similar problems. Single spaces between words are lost, so I have to use two. Cannot use the italics, etc.

Some stuff is just broken, like the italics button.

I get spaces removed randomly, but not often.

You have to hit Enter twice in order to get one blank line. If you are cutting and pasting text, you have to go insert returns.

If you use Chrome you can search for the "Ace of Spades" extension and get working italics and bold.

Some people use square bracket i close square bracket for italics, but if you fail to close, we all start leaning!

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 17, 2013 09:12 AM (SUKHu)

123 Just downloaded The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I have read it before from the library but did not have a copy. They have it on sale for $2.99 right now. It is a pretty good book and it is huge.

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 09:13 AM (53z96)

124 Oh. Yeah. Reading.

I've been reading "The Long March: The True Story of Communist China's Founding Myth". The first third or so of the book is fascinating and terrifying, as it's the story of the Free Shit Army on the march. I felt like I was looking into a possible future history.

After that, it gets specific enough to the Chinese experience that it doesn't feel like a future history anymore. Still interesting, but not as terrifying.

I'm about half way through or so.

And my Mac is telling me that it can't download books from Amazon at the moment and I should try again later. What's up with that?

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda at March 17, 2013 09:14 AM (1c58W)

125 112---There's an idea for a book thread. "Terrible endings." As in "The Natural". Ain't like the movie. Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 12:46 PM (w7J/R) ------------------------- That is one the the few instances where the more perky "Hollywood ending" actually works better than the original, not just emotionally but artistically. FAR better.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at March 17, 2013 09:15 AM (C8mVl)

126 As I said, I just downloaded one no problem.

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 09:15 AM (53z96)

127

123 Mama AJ, thanks. Giving italics a try: [Some people use square bracket i close square bracket for italics, but if you fail to close, we all start leaning!]

Closed, I hope. :-)

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 09:17 AM (w7J/R)

128

Ignore test. Misunderstood 123's instructions.

Retry trying italics

End of testing

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 09:19 AM (w7J/R)

129

Give that bitch 2 minutes for 'Embellishment'.

That wasn't more than a garden variety slap and she's laying there like he crowned her with the fireplace poker.

Posted by: Joe Biden - Spousal Abuse Referee at March 17, 2013 09:20 AM (dVkvX)

130 ...and get it the fuckin' barrel!

Posted by: Joe Biden - Spousal Abuse Referee at March 17, 2013 09:20 AM (dVkvX)

131

Posted by: Arbalest at March 17, 2013 09:20 AM (EZM8A)

132 barrel

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 09:21 AM (53z96)

133 Vic,

Just downloaded 'Way of Kings'. Thanks for the rec, was in the market for some heroic fantasy after my last sci-fi binge.

Posted by: Phat at March 17, 2013 09:23 AM (a8Xjl)

134 52
I still don't see how they can just seize bank accounts out of the blue unless there is already some law in place that allows them to do it. Anyone check to see if we have anything similar?

It's technically a "tax" on deposits.
Posted by: Colorado Alex at March 17, 2013 11:42 AM

Well then, we're good to go ...

Posted by: John Roberts at March 17, 2013 09:23 AM (mCvL4)

135 CBD; did anyone get the name of the car and the 'Ette from Friday?

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 09:28 AM (53z96)

136 Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 01:28 PM (53z96)

Car was a 1967 Grand Prix. The 'ette was not in the picture -- it was her mother, grandmother and cousin.

The car quiz has been put out to pasture for a bit.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2013 09:32 AM (3Mkrp)

137 "King Solomon's Mines" The movie with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr is better. Granger was one heck of a good looking man.

Posted by: Tuna at March 17, 2013 09:33 AM (M/TDA)

138 Well I got the car anyway.

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 09:34 AM (53z96)

139 This next statement will precipitate the financial collapse of Europe. "That whole Cyprus thing won't do squat."

Posted by: eman at March 17, 2013 09:34 AM (64rcm)

140 Bad endings...

The Bridge Over the River Kwai.

Not sure I'm spelling that right...

Spoiler...

They don't blow up the bridge.

Get the train though...

Posted by: HH at March 17, 2013 09:36 AM (XXwdv)

141 Sooooo. Who's up for investing in some Cypriot Bank Shares?

Watch what happens there kiddies. It's a preview of coming attractions.

And the run goes on,The run goes on
Money flowing, Pounding in my brain
La de da de de, la de da de da

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 09:37 AM (Kpn/z)

142 Sounds like former actor Kelsey Grammar is getting a taste of the booming economy.

Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 09:38 AM (A7Wh1)

143 Bad endings "Cold Mountain" I've never been so depressed walking out of a movie theater.

Posted by: Tuna at March 17, 2013 09:43 AM (M/TDA)

144 Don't normally hang out in the book thread but the picture and caption pulled me in. It's hilarious. King Solomon's Mines. Saw the movie. Ever since Brian Denehey came out he is no longer beleivable in a romantic role with a woman. Or was that Romancing The Bone? Only saw about 10 minutes of that one.

Posted by: Prepositions Fists And A Beginners SMOD Kit at March 17, 2013 09:44 AM (HhKy4)

145 Now here's someone over thinking it:

Guy walks into a sporting good store asks for a shotgun and ammo then pulls out a handgun and makes the clerk unlock it.

Then he barricades himself in the bathroom and eventually shoots himself.

If he was looking to commit suicide, why not cut out the aggro and use the handgun from the gitgo?

It's plain to me that gun crimes (except those caused by stupid legislation) are caused by crazy people.

Let's have a monthly or at least yearly requirement that every person over 16 get tested for insanity. Those found borderline are hospitalized and treated and released or kept if they go bad.

Simpler than all the bullshit about magazines and military style features.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 09:45 AM (Kpn/z)

146 I think the next purchase will be "War Plan Orange" about the US Navy's strategic planning for a Pacific war in the 20's and 30's. Posted by: Whitehall at March 17, 2013 11:59 AM (1+mGd) Should be an interesting read. I just re-read Massies' Dreadnaught and was thinking about that one. Battleships, bay-bee!

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 09:48 AM (VhzjR)

147 What kind of racial language appears in KSM? I think my kid would like it but Id like to avoid rascist stuff for a bit to avoid libg explanations.

Posted by: TheDiddy at March 17, 2013 09:50 AM (Ux+km)

148 Hi rons. Been doin more writing than reading and not much of that.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 09:50 AM (l86i3)

149 That painting is disturbingly odd. The Mom just got bitch-slapped by the Dad and the kids are barely moved?

Posted by: eman at March 17, 2013 09:50 AM (64rcm)

150 "Posted by: Tuna at March 17, 2013 01:43 PM (M/TDA)"

I think "The Road", both novel and movie, is just depressing as hell. No way, in any version, things end well.

Posted by: HH at March 17, 2013 09:51 AM (XXwdv)

151 143 Sounds like former actor Kelsey Grammar is getting a taste of the booming economy. Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 01:38 PM (A7Wh1) The windmill boondoggle? Heh.......

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 09:51 AM (VhzjR)

152 Then he barricades himself in the bathroom and eventually shoots himself. --- So the problem has been resolved.

Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 09:51 AM (A7Wh1)

153 140 This next statement will precipitate the financial collapse of Europe. "That whole Cyprus thing won't do squat." Posted by: eman at March 17, 2013 01:34 PM (64rcm) Â“One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans (188

.Â” ― Otto von Bismarck

Posted by: rickl at March 17, 2013 09:51 AM (sdi6R)

154 I think "The Road", both novel and movie, is just depressing as hell. No way, in any version, things end well. Posted by: HH at March 17, 2013 01:51 PM (XXwdv) Agreed, the one most depressing movie I have ever seen.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 09:52 AM (l86i3)

155 Let's have a monthly or at least yearly requirement that every person over 16 get tested for insanity. Those found borderline are hospitalized and treated and released or kept if they go bad. Simpler than all the bullshit about magazines and military style features. Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 01:45 PM (Kpn/z) Judgement: insane. Reason: wants to own a gun.

Posted by: eman at March 17, 2013 09:52 AM (64rcm)

156

Bad Movie Endings :

City Slickers - Billy Crystal doesn't die.

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2013 09:53 AM (dVkvX)

157 Battleships, bay-bee!
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 01:48 PM (VhzjR)

Ah yes.

The United States Navy; Arming America For the Last War
Since 1775.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 09:54 AM (Kpn/z)

158 Well back to packing and the NASCAR race, Bristol today. Later rons.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 09:54 AM (l86i3)

159 OT, but this is for OSP. Saw your post in the other thread. Not sure where you are exactly, but I saw Port Deposit, Md. mentioned. I'm about 40 miles away from there, in Towson, Md., and if you need a place to hang your hat tonight, I have an extra bedroom you're welcome to. $50 absolutely NOT necessary. In a few years I'll be able to make back many times that with $5 a pop "The author of Amy Lynn slept here" tours. Let me know, my name at gmail dot com, you're more than welcome. I'll even throw in a home cooked meal, and believe me, I'm good at that.

Posted by: Weirddave at March 17, 2013 09:57 AM (aH+zP)

160 Been listening to a lot of books through my TTS app. As a kid I never noticed how off-handly racist the Tarzan books were. This particular one is set at the start of WW1 and starts with Tarzan finding what he beleives is Janes burned body with signs that German-led native troops had destroyed his home. Kipling's stories, which I also listened to (although there were a lot of transcription problems with that one), seem much less racist. He still clearly belived, accurately, that there were extreme differences between Western and Oriental world-views but not that skintone made one more intelligent than the other. I suspect that thr difference is that Kipling *knew* pepple of other races were as for most of the adventure writers "exotic" people were merely props to give their protagonist something to act around.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at March 17, 2013 09:58 AM (wbeNt)

161 sidebar here.... Please could you please take down that photo of the "dutchboy" liberal woman from the front page, right column. She's been up there 2-3 days already. Somewhere out there, a can of paint is missing it's label.

Thank you

Posted by: Mikey at March 17, 2013 10:00 AM (db4pz)

162 Saw your post in the other thread. Not sure where you are exactly, but I saw Port Deposit, Md. mentioned. I'm about 40 miles away from there, in Towson, Md., and if you need a place to hang your hat tonight, I have an extra bedroom you're welcome to. $50 absolutely NOT necessary. In a few years I'll be able to make back many times that with $5 a pop "The author of Amy Lynn slept here" tours. Let me know, my name at gmail dot com, you're more than welcome. I'll even throw in a home cooked meal, and believe me, I'm good at that. Posted by: Weirddave at March 17, 2013 01:57 PM (aH+zP) Well, I am grateful for the offer. 12 hours a day in the plant says I'll be wanting to keep my commute times short. But I would certainly enjoy a meal and a cocktail with you on an off day. Send some contact info to Amylynnbraxton@gmail.com and we'll enjoy a moron meetup, maybe get some other locals invilved.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 10:00 AM (l86i3)

163 Oh and all you figuring you'll have warning before the Law swoops down and takes your stuff (i.e. guns)?

They did a preemptive search on a Chicago Metra train the other day. Turns out it was an alert over a radiation reading. Some guy had a nuke test and had registered on the sensors in the station.

What's to prevent them from faking that sort of search with a false report of a radiation reading? Ans. NOTHING.

You then get searched for "reasonable cause" (or your house, your car, your neighborhood) for the "radiation leak" and lo and behold, they find weapons and proceed to arrest you and seize them. Doesn't much matter at that point whether the "radiation leak" was a false on or not.
As to their deniability in court, they could say an anonymous informant was the source.

Welcome to your fresh new Police State. Brought to you by George Bush, the Patriot Act and implemented by Barrack Hussein Obama.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:01 AM (Kpn/z)

164 158 Battleships, bay-bee! Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 01:48 PM (VhzjR) Ah yes. The United States Navy; Arming America For the Last War Since 1775. Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 01:54 PM (Kpn/z) Submarine-launched AI-controlled drones replace aircraft carriers.

Posted by: eman at March 17, 2013 10:02 AM (64rcm)

165 Bad endings "Titanic" The ship sank and all those people died. "Swim! Swim!" my grandmother kept yelling at the screen.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at March 17, 2013 10:02 AM (q3Fwr)

166 The windmill boondoggle? Heh....... Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 01:51 PM (VhzjR) And, supposedly, Kelsey Grammar is a conservative. But I guess he's not well-educated in physics. Even smart people can get taken in by fast-talking securities peddlers.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 17, 2013 10:03 AM (29+x5)

167 Seize 10% of savings here/ Won't happen. Seize 100% of your 401K? A definite possibility. Progtards have been floating that one since right after King Putt's 1st coronation. Some of whom are economic advisers for the Dogeater.

Posted by: naturalfake at March 17, 2013 10:05 AM (G9qZk)

168 thanks blacksheep for "Club Dumas"-- fantastic read!-- thought i'd try "Captain Alatriste" next and didn't like it as much-- very wordy and hard to keep all the endless Spanish names straight... thought it could have been much better-- may try more in his series of Captain of the same name though as i really like this author--

Posted by: tomc at March 17, 2013 10:05 AM (avEuh)

169 To #158

The point, as I understand it, about "War Plan Orange" was how the US Navy planned for victory in the Pacific over the 20 years before the war started.

I haven't bought the book yet but the planning included war games as practical tests of theory, the most famous being the carrier surprise attack on the Panama Canal.

Battleships were still important elements of naval tactics but were on their way out.

So while there is some general truth to your quip about always fighting the last war, the Pacific theater in WWII showed plenty of forward thinking on the part of our navy.

Today, I think the US has been developing effective measures against Chinese anti-ship missiles. Let's hope we stay ahead of the game.

Posted by: Whitehall at March 17, 2013 10:05 AM (1+mGd)

170 For all you all throwing around the word racist about past books?

Keep in mind that "racist" and "racism" had different definitions at the time (more accurate) and that more recently we have reduced the threshold of having committed them to where just being white is sufficient to levy the charge and have it stick.

Saying things critical or 'politically incorrect' about a group or race is not racism. It may be insensitive but that's another story.

Quit using the Progressives redefinition of words and the frame work they erected to allow them to pass judgment on any group or person they wish to harass.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:06 AM (Kpn/z)

171 Saying things critical or 'politically incorrect' about a group or race is not racism. It may be insensitive but that's another story. Quit using the Progressives redefinition of words and the frame work they erected to allow them to pass judgment on any group or person they wish to harass. Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 02:06 PM (Kpn/z) Excellent point. Well said.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 17, 2013 10:08 AM (29+x5)

172 Yes, back in the olden days, everyone was racist. Since then the whites are disallowed from being racist.

Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 10:10 AM (A7Wh1)

173 If you invest in windmills without understanding that it's just subsidy chasing, you're going to lose your shirt.

Posted by: zsasz at March 17, 2013 10:10 AM (MMC8r)

174

You know what movie has a great ending?

'Misery'.

When James Caan brains Brian Denehey with the typewriter...awesome.

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2013 10:10 AM (2raqk)

175 My favorite movie ending is Coming to America when Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem raises the vail to find the love of his life, Sheri Headly.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 10:12 AM (l86i3)

176 oops veil.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 10:12 AM (l86i3)

177 'You're from Queens? We're from Queens!'

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2013 10:13 AM (2raqk)

178

Agreed, the one most depressing movie I have ever seen.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 01:52 PM (l86i3)

---------------------------------

Well, at least the kid gets picked up by good people. Or eaten, I'm not sure which.

Posted by: USS Diversity at March 17, 2013 10:14 AM (+bZOu)

179 Weirddave, make sure to include me if and when you schedule a meetup with OSP.

Posted by: DC in Towson, assault human at March 17, 2013 10:14 AM (jIaZt)

180

Serious question. Italics on with square bracket i, but how to turn italics off?

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 10:15 AM (w7J/R)

181 As far as depressing movie endings go you can't find a more depressier movie ending than "The Mist". Lousy end and different ending than the story by Stephen King as well.

Posted by: naturalfake at March 17, 2013 10:15 AM (G9qZk)

182 There is no money to be made in green energy unless you are a scam artist. Worse, all it does is make energy more expensive for the consumer. It's more of this bullshit where they tell people that they are making something more affordable by jacking up the costs.

Posted by: Ghostly Aspiration at March 17, 2013 10:15 AM (PP8La)

183 [ / i ]

Posted by: w/out spaces at March 17, 2013 10:15 AM (2raqk)

184 5 minutes on a calculator shows that windmills aren't viable per kw/hr. And solar is worse. I could put solar on my house but to get the guaranteed 200 amps I get from the local utility would cost more than the house. It would basicly be like paying 25 years in advance for electricity.

Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 10:16 AM (A7Wh1)

185 This didn't take long. Hitler Bails Out Cyprus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5R2JyU_MKg&feature=player_embedded

Posted by: rickl at March 17, 2013 10:18 AM (sdi6R)

186

As far as depressing movie endings go

you can't find a more depressier movie ending than

"The Mist".

--------------------------

Somebody on YouTube edited the ending and made it a happy one. Which they should have--I saw a reviewer call the real ending "sadistic".

Posted by: USS Diversity at March 17, 2013 10:19 AM (+bZOu)

187 Posted by: Whitehall at March 17, 2013 02:05 PM (1+mGd)

Battleships became obsolete (for their original purpose. as a gun /missile platform, they excel but then so does a barge.) after Billy Mitchell blew one up. They didn't go away because the Admirals didn't want them to so they invented reasons to keep them.

The Carrier won the Pacific War. (the Army Air Force and "The Little Man" won the Surrender) So immediately, the Navy formulated it's battle forces around Carrier Task Forces.

That became obsolete when France invented the Exocet and blew some cruisers to shit in the Falklands war.

Now they're fighting another type of ship buster but it's not that that they need to fear, it's cyber warfare and cyber intelligence gathering.

The Chinese have been investing in many subtle and non obvious means of attack on the US for decades. They've only gone OVERT in recent years because they don't fear our abilities as much. Shouldn't we be wondering why they don't?

They have sources and intelligence that if an actual fighting war began could put US Naval Forces at an extreme disadvantage. They have kept it very quiet for strategic reasons but it's there. It's very difficult for the US to penetrate China's military because of the countries social structure AND the military's paranoia. And it's only remotely possible if you start with a native born Chinese who's ideology and motives you can trust. (but CAN you?) Good luck on that.

The USN isn't alone in fighting past wars. the Army, Air Force does it too. The only reason the Marines aren't included in the list is because ground fighting (the real blood and guts kind) doesn't change so they're always training for the exact missions they will be used for regardless of what else is going on.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:19 AM (Kpn/z)

188 Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 02:10 PM (A7Wh1)

You mean disallowed from NOT being racist.

Being White is prima facie evidence of racism.

Read up a bit on current affairs.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:21 AM (Kpn/z)

189 I read Ian Fleming's James Bond book, 'Moonraker' which was an Amazon Prime loaner. Don't remember seeing the flick, but was a fun screen-swiper (as opposed to page-turner) story. Wish the story had been more complex, not much of a mystery but I can see how it could make a fun movie. Pretty chaste for a Bond story, think he kisses the girl a couple of times.

Posted by: waelse1 at March 17, 2013 10:22 AM (rlwpU)

190 I am reading Myths and Legends of the British Isles and rereading Michael Wood's In Search of the Dark Ages.

Posted by: 80sBaby at March 17, 2013 10:22 AM (YjDyJ)

191 Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 02:12 PM (l86i3)

NOW we know why all the misspellings in your book.

(just kidding)

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:23 AM (Kpn/z)

192 I've been reading a new book called "my Big Fat Cypriot Assraping."

Posted by: Grumpy Cat at March 17, 2013 10:24 AM (j3uk1)

193

150 - "The Mom just got bitch-slapped by the Dad and the kids are barely moved"

He didn't slap her! He's holding a letter - someone's ratted her out, and told her husband that she's having an affair. On the floor by his feet is a miniature portrait of the other man. He's obviously stunned and heartbroken; she's fallen down from shame and is begging for forgiveness. None of this has to be done loudly; they're respectable, well-bred middle class Victorians - they don't squall and scream like the lower classes. And they don't want to upset the children, who happen to be building a house of cards (hint, hint) so they're trying to keep things civilized. But the kids have noticed, naturally.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 10:24 AM (FkH4y)

194

184 [ / i ]

Thank you.

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 10:26 AM (w7J/R)

195 For all you " dark and stormy night" aficionados . http://tinyurl.com/cylj25b The yearly Bulwer-Lytton contest is a treasure trove of hilarity and on purpose dreadful writing.

Posted by: Tuna at March 17, 2013 10:27 AM (M/TDA)

196 NOW we know why all the misspellings in your book. (just kidding) Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 02:23 PM (Kpn/z) No, your right, my $1500 dollar editor failed me.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at March 17, 2013 10:28 AM (l86i3)

197 Hitler Bails Out Cyprus And that is the optimistic outlook.

Posted by: Grumpy Cat at March 17, 2013 10:30 AM (j3uk1)

198

188 Also, Chinese are willing to kill satellites even if it scatters debris throughout space; goodbye GPS.

And they are developing Ballistic missile anti-ship missiles that come in a mach-gazillion.

Posted by: Die Trying at March 17, 2013 10:31 AM (w7J/R)

199 Whatev. I know someone in Illinois that put solar up a few years ago --during the height of the green energy scam and ILL had extra stuff they paid 7K on a 40K system. Her DH is a McD executive so they had 40K upfront to buy quickly and get all the credits and rebates. ILL charges up the wazoo for electricity, to fund their extra rebate/credit scheme -- and the utility buys their solar power at full retail rates. Soooo 'green' energy can pay off, w/o actively running a scam if you live in a state where they legally run the scam for you.

Posted by: Palerider at March 17, 2013 10:32 AM (vL0Nv)

200 197 OSP, However much Sabrina Chase's editor charged, they were worth every penny (although Chase also credits Anachronda for catching some flubs). I've read five of her books and can't recall a single instance of being yanked from the story by spelling, grammar, or continuity errors.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at March 17, 2013 10:34 AM (wbeNt)

201 194 150 - "The Mom just got bitch-slapped by the Dad and the kids are barely moved" He didn't slap her! He's holding a letter - someone's ratted her out, and told her husband that she's having an affair. On the floor by his feet is a miniature portrait of the other man. He's obviously stunned and heartbroken; she's fallen down from shame and is begging for forgiveness. None of this has to be done loudly; they're respectable, well-bred middle class Victorians - they don't squall and scream like the lower classes. And they don't want to upset the children, who happen to be building a house of cards (hint, hint) so they're trying to keep things civilized. But the kids have noticed, naturally. Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 02:24 PM (FkH4y) That is what I thought at first, then someone mentioned the Mom being struck. I fell for it.

Posted by: eman at March 17, 2013 10:35 AM (64rcm)

202 Karl Rove may have just hit the 3rd rail of conservative politics with his smeer and sneers at Sarah Palin.

Stay Klassy Karl.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:36 AM (Kpn/z)

203 I just finished "King Solomon's Mines" this week, too. I pretty much agree with OM's review. Not bad, but not as good as I expected.

Downloaded a bunch of Agatha Christie mysteries to the Kindle. She really hated the Reds, which endears her to me even more. I"m sure all that was expunged from any television series by the commie-lovin' BBC, but Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence, etc. were always up against the Bolshies.

I'm currently wrapping up "Light of the Western Stars" by Zane Grey. This is the first western I've read by him, and it's, uh, kinda like a romance with authentic western-y jargon. Are they all like this? Not that I'm complaining, mind you, I'm really enjoying it, but I had the impression he was more hardcore, generally. Maybe the hero or heroine die tragically and violently at the end. I don't know yet.

Posted by: Gem at March 17, 2013 10:38 AM (zw+pb)

204 Finished commenter Paul Zummo's book Dirty Laundry. It's a fun book, in someways reminiscent of those Regency novels where all the important society people were caricatured but meant to be recognised, but could benefit from Sabrina Chase's editor as well as, especially towards the end, there are several times where characters names are switched.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at March 17, 2013 10:39 AM (wbeNt)

205 203 Karl Rove may have just hit the 3rd rail of conservative politics with his smeer and sneers at Sarah Palin. Stay Klassy Karl. Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 02:36 PM (Kpn/z) It happens here quite a bit.

Posted by: eman at March 17, 2013 10:40 AM (64rcm)

206 No bites on the Bulwer-Lytton contest? I thought you'd all be laughing your asses off by now.

Posted by: Tuna at March 17, 2013 10:42 AM (M/TDA)

207 Anyone who likes mysteries should try Elizabeth Peters (Barbara Mertz).

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:42 AM (Kpn/z)

208 No gun thread today?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 17, 2013 10:43 AM (piMMO)

209 Dr. Mabuse supplied a useful link at #92 that explains what is going on in the painting, and the two others that make up the triptych:

http://tinyurl.com/dxch66h

Very interesting and full of telling symbolism.

Posted by: Retread at March 17, 2013 10:46 AM (zxitI)

210 208 I think I read my first Elizabeth Peters book, Crocodile on a Sandbank, in elementary school. She has quite a few on tape/CD which is very convenient as a library checkout. I think the only one of her books I didn't care for was one that revolved around finding the extrabiblical "book of Thomas".

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at March 17, 2013 10:47 AM (wbeNt)

211 Ah yes. The United States Navy; Arming America For the Last War Since 1775. Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 01:54 PM (Kpn/z) At the time (WPO planning) the BB strategy was perfectly sound. The Japanese strategy was based on the all-Decisive battle, slugged out with the heavies. They preferred to have that battle around the Bonin Is. (near Iwo Jima). For the life of me, I can't understand where Admiral Whomever would want run his entire Pacific Fleet that far (Fleet was not based at Pearl Harbor then) and then slug it out on the Japaneses' terms. An interesting gaming scenario, though.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 10:48 AM (B3gYz)

212 I read "The Cello Suites" because my son plays the cello and I quite enjoyed the book. I finished "Happy Alchemy" (again) by Robertson Davies who was the deceased Canadian author of wonderful books about weird and fascinating and sometimes sinister and mysterious including "The Fifth Business" and "The Cunning Man". His novels remind me a little of ones by Iris Murdoch. The essays in "Happy Alchemy" include ones on Shakespeare, the "sins" of Verdi, Laurence Olivier, melodrama, Scottish folklore and Laurence Olivier. Davies was a fine writer with a great intelligence and a keen, satiric wit. Anyone who enjoys theatre, acting and /or English novels would appreciate this collection of essays

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 17, 2013 10:48 AM (g7q64)

213 The staff is busy ... countering the ~~evil~~ ~~devious~~ ~~diabolical~~ dubious machinations of one Dr. Marius von Totenkopf. It's a full time job. Be glad that this thread exists.

Posted by: Manfred von Brauerei-Mehrwertsteuer, Member, The League of Ugly Shirted Gentlemen at March 17, 2013 10:49 AM (EZM8A)

214 198 Hitler Bails Out Cyprus. Now, with 90% more Falschirmjaeger!

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 10:49 AM (B3gYz)

215 210 No gun thread today? Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 17, 2013 02:43 PM (piMMO) 16"/45 Naval Rifles: Home Defense for the 21st Century. Discuss amongst yourselves......

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 10:52 AM (B3gYz)

216 190 Pretty chaste for a Bond story
All the Ian Fleming books I've read are like that. I just finished Man with the Golden Gun, and there is a lot of attraction to Goodnight, but James keeps it classy.

Posted by: Rule #2 at March 17, 2013 10:53 AM (CypDC)

217 I love sick depraved Victorian era porno. Kindle was a godsend - no pages to stick together, cleans up with soap and water in a jiffy..

Posted by: Anthony Weiner, X-Congresscreature at March 17, 2013 10:54 AM (LJ2uj)

218 So Sax Rohmer was a racist because he was afraid China an dJapan would dominate the world economically and culturally, while Europe and America declined? Sounds more like prescience than racism.

Posted by: Trimegistus at March 17, 2013 10:56 AM (kBXOi)

219 Cyprus, now, with 90% more Falschirmjaeger! ??? I thought Falschirmjaeger went to Crete during the 1940's test match vs 2nd NZ Division and Charlie Upham, VC and Bar.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 17, 2013 10:56 AM (u82oZ)

220 Washington Post blasts Dems Budget http://tinyurl.com/bs3sjex FTA: "In short, this document gives voters no reason to believe that Democrats have a viable plan for Â— or even a responsible public assessment of Â— the countryÂ’s long-term fiscal predicament." O.O o Yeah. Where've you fuckers been?

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 10:57 AM (B3gYz)

221

16"/45 Naval Rifles: Home Defense for the 21st Century.

Could be interesting with RAP rounds shot out of a 16" gun. Always read where that would have been a neat development when the "Iowa's" were last re-commisioned.

Posted by: Reader C.J. Burch writes again! at March 17, 2013 10:57 AM (RFeQD)

222 I thought Falschirmjaeger went to Crete during the 1940's test match vs 2nd NZ Division and Charlie Upham, VC and Bar. Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 17, 2013 02:56 PM (u82oZ) Correct.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 10:58 AM (B3gYz)

223 Caption:

Mother's re-enactment of Moby Dick was as animated as ever.

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at March 17, 2013 10:59 AM (UCv7P)

224

#204 - "She really hated the Reds, which endears her to me even more. I"m sure all that was expunged from any television series by the commie-lovin' BBC"

The older Christie adaptations from the 1980s were good, with lots of period charm. But the ones they've been doing since 2000 are TERRIBLE, even if they do have David Suchet as Poirot. They keep larding them with homosexual characters and sexual situations that are completely invented. The BBC started adapting Father Brown stories this year, and they homoed up the first one, so I never watched another.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 10:59 AM (FkH4y)

225 16"/45 Naval Rifles: Home Defense for the 21st Century.
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 02:52 PM (B3gYz)

I'd prefer a Phalanx CIWS mounted on my roof. (and a security squad of Marines in the Basement.)

Just in case.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 10:59 AM (Kpn/z)

226 Speaking of electricity, Earth Day should be coming up pretty soon. The annual celebration where I max out the meter for an hour. Had it going so fast it was squeaking last year.

Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 10:59 AM (A7Wh1)

227 No gun thread today? The Book, Gun, and Gaming posts should be combined into one. What could possibly go wrong?

Posted by: soothsayer, of the Righteous & Harmonious Fists at March 17, 2013 11:00 AM (NLH1M)

228 Could be interesting with RAP rounds shot out of a 16" gun. Always read where that would have been a neat development when the "Iowa's" were last re-commisioned. Posted by: Reader C.J. Burch writes again! at March 17, 2013 02:57 PM (RFeQD) I wonder how long they could have extended the range? The 13" sub-caliber rounds went something over 30-40 miles, I think.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 11:04 AM (B3gYz)

229 I'd prefer a Phalanx CIWS mounted on my roof. (and a security squad of Marines in the Basement.) Just in case. Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 02:59 PM (Kpn/z) The Marines in the basement could go up and change the ammo drum.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 11:06 AM (B3gYz)

230 I wonder how long they could have extended the range? The 13" sub-caliber rounds went something over 30-40 miles, I think.
Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 03:04 PM (B3gYz)

Put a guidance package on the rounds like they do for smart bombs and get another 10-15 miles.

Over the (radar) horizon baybee!

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 11:06 AM (Kpn/z)

231 230 The Book, Gun, and Gaming posts should be combined into one. What could possibly go wrong?

---------

Friend of mine had a Kliban? cartoon on his fridge titled "Unconventional Chess Moves" or something similar.

Can't find it online.

Picture a pawn in the center of an old west town, tumbleweeds drifting by. Caption: Pawn to Tombstone, Arizona.

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda at March 17, 2013 11:06 AM (1c58W)

232 Earth Day? I love Earth Day! See you then!

Posted by: SMOD at March 17, 2013 11:08 AM (64rcm)

233 Posted by: SMOD at March 17, 2013 03:08 PM (64rcm)

Promises. Promises.

All we get are promises. I won't believe it until I see that flaming rock heading right for us.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 11:10 AM (Kpn/z)

234 229 Speaking of electricity, Earth Day should be coming up pretty soon. The annual celebration where I max out the meter for an hour. Had it going so fast it was squeaking last year. Posted by: Whatev at March 17, 2013 02:59 PM (A7Wh1) I usually save my first spring cleaning bonfire for Earth Day. I save shit up all winter for it. Then, I dance around it and praise Gaia that I have over 12 beers in the fridge. Then, throw on the used motor oil.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at March 17, 2013 11:10 AM (B3gYz)

235 Finally got around to reading Dracula, really enjoying it so far. This is the fourth of the classic horror stories that I've read, Dr. Jekyl and Mr Hyde is really good, Dorian Gray and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein are not.

Posted by: Ed Wood VS Godzilla at March 17, 2013 11:12 AM (oScEo)

236 Well, the painting isn't as good as Dogs Playing Poker, or Elvis on Velvet.

Posted by: Count de Monet at March 17, 2013 11:12 AM (BAS5M)

237 Sir Anthony hope was a prolific Victorian writer, but he is best known for two novels "The Prisoner of Zenda" and the sequel "Rupert of Hentzau." These two books spawned quite a few movies (none of them that I've seen do the books much justice) and countless knockoffs from other authors (one of my favorites "The Mad King" was written by Egdar Rice Burroughs)

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 17, 2013 11:13 AM (GGep1)

238 Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 17, 2013 02:48 PM (g7q64) Robertson Davies - great great writer who seems to have been forgotten. "The Deptford Trilogy" "The Cornish Trilogy" "The Salterton Trilogy" all great reads. I think you need a certain sense of fun to get the most out of Davies because he'll often confound your expectations as major incidents become minor and minor incidents become major, as deadly serious matters are treated lightly and light matters treated seriously. A deep and fun writer. If you're new to him try these books first to see if he's for you: "The Fifth Business" - book one of the Deptford Trilogy. And no, you don't have to read the others- the story come to a perfectly fine ending. "The Rebel Angels" - book one of the Cornish Trilogy. Same dealio, you don't have to read the others as the story comes to a perfectly fine conclusion.

Posted by: naturalfake at March 17, 2013 11:18 AM (G9qZk)

239 Had it going so fast it was squeaking last year.

Hmmm, now I'm trying to devise a way to hook up the generator so that more curent goes thru the meter than I could get with a dead short.

Posted by: Gordon Undead Ramsay at March 17, 2013 11:21 AM (kxSZr)

240 "Falstaff" by Robert Nye is another great read. Absolutely hilarious yet deep read about the Shakespearean character. Highest recommendation and now- only $.99 on the Kindle.

Posted by: naturalfake at March 17, 2013 11:22 AM (G9qZk)

241 Look at the brains on you guys...... I only read AofSHQ anymore. No time to jump into a novel. Maybe when my kids leave the house.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at March 17, 2013 11:26 AM (jucos)

242 Gun thread up

Posted by: Vic at March 17, 2013 11:27 AM (53z96)

243 Are there recommendations to be had here for a well-written account of the Siege of Sarajevo? I've always been curious about the details given that all one could glean from news reports at the time were a) the "ethnic Albanians" (remember that phrase?) were as pure as the driven snow, and b) Milosevic was worse than one thousand Hitlers (that's approximately equivalent one Bushitler for those keeping track). Bob Owen's blog post back in January regarding the Democrats' end game has piqued my interest.

Posted by: Sandra Fluke's award-winning solid gold diaphragm at March 17, 2013 11:27 AM (7xeJQ)

244 one of the characters on that stupid show that Ace likes, Big Bang Theory, is creating a weird 3-person chess/D&D game

Posted by: soothsayer, of the Righteous & Harmonious Fists at March 17, 2013 11:28 AM (/v7wy)

245 197 No, your right, my $1500 dollar editor failed me.

---------

D'oh! I hope you're not too discouraged about it. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to other tales of Amy Lynn and her family.

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda at March 17, 2013 11:30 AM (1c58W)

246 242 Read The Mad King recently. Hadn't realized Burroughs wrote in so many genres untul getting so many for free through Kindle.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at March 17, 2013 11:30 AM (wbeNt)

247 test

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 11:40 AM (Kpn/z)

248 Can anyone tell me the name of the painting and the painter of the Victorian illustration at the top of this thread?

Posted by: vivi at March 17, 2013 11:40 AM (m2oDh)

249 Hey, Andy: your post is blocked from taking comments.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 11:40 AM (Kpn/z)

250 I'm sorry, Dave In Texas, YOUR post is blocked for comments.

Seems Andy beat you on the name and there conflictin'.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 17, 2013 11:41 AM (Kpn/z)

251 Well, let's see.

Just reread Just So Stories last night; the longer book I'm in is Friedman's new one on Victorian British Cruisers.

War Plan Orange is good history, on an interesting subject, but Miller's writing is pretty bad. It's not that it's illiterate, or anything like that. Just entirely lifeless.

I'm curious that, given what's discussed in the post, the racial side of King Solomon's Mines isn't mentioned. It definitely fits neither the Victorian nor the 21st C model of racial attitudes. E.g., the clear equation of the white and the black heroes in battle, and the combination of being sympathetic with interracial romance with the declaration of its impossibility. (Just So Stories, too, is more complex on this than one might expect.)

OT question: I haven't noticed erg lately. Do you suppose he and his toaster are in counselling?

Posted by: George LeS at March 17, 2013 11:49 AM (C4s3i)

252 #253 - It's Part 1 of "Past and Present", a triptych by Augustus Leopold Egg. You can read about all 3 paintings here: http://tinyurl.com/dxch66h

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at March 17, 2013 11:59 AM (FkH4y)

253 I too would love a good book on the Balkan War. Just what the heck was Clinton thinking?

I listened closely at the time but NEVER got a believable picture from US media.

Maybe now, the truth can be told.

Posted by: Whitehall at March 17, 2013 12:03 PM (1+mGd)

254 Don't make Ezekiel smack a bitch.

Posted by: Dude in the Painting at March 17, 2013 12:06 PM (MMC8r)

255 256 There was a troll on the ONT last night that was probably him.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at March 17, 2013 12:07 PM (wbeNt)

256

>>Serious question. Italics on with square bracket i, but how to turn italics off?

I am so sorry. I totally messed up my explanation, didn't I? And then left...

Posted by: Mama AJ at March 17, 2013 12:59 PM (SUKHu)

257 Erg got royally pwned in a movie thread a while back.

Posted by: OregonMuse at March 17, 2013 01:05 PM (IWQ+Y)

258 We call him "volcano boy" now.

Posted by: OregonMuse at March 17, 2013 01:08 PM (IWQ+Y)

259 Thanks, naturalFlake-I have read almost of alll of Robertson Davies' novels and enjoyed them very much. I was mentioning that they remind me of Isis Murdoch. I'm glad you enjoyed them too. Davies-a strange and wonderful and amusing writer.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 17, 2013 01:24 PM (g7q64)

260 Loved seeing this. Ordered both. I'm a big fan of victorian and edwardian fiction....even the much disparaged "improving" novels. Overlooked gems: East Lynne by Ellen Wood. One of the big best sellers, and the play ran for more than 50 yrs. If you think melodrama always sucks, think again. It's like watching a car crash, you can't stop looking. The Raffles books (Amateur Cracksman, etc.) by Hornung. He was good friends with Doyle, but in his stories, the thief was the good guy. And a real gentleman. Fun to read.

Posted by: 23eagle at March 17, 2013 01:52 PM (18Lbv)

261 While many love bashing Earl Derr Biggers for his "racist" Charlie Chan, Chan is really a very admirable character, sympathetically portrayed by the author. Biggers' was motivated, in part, to present an Asian character free from the ingrained racism of Rohmer's Fu Manchu.

Biggers' grave sin of racism, in the eyes of the grievance mongers, was to be a white guy writing about a Chinese. Nonetheless, Chan is deftly portrayed, and Biggers takes pains to portray Chan's conflict in resolving his Chinese heritage and his American avocation.

Incidentally, the inspiration for Chan was an Oahu detective named Chang Opana, who aside from being Chinese shared almost no personality traits with Charlie Chan. Opana was a bare knuckled detective who had no qualms getting physical - instead of a sidearm his preferred weapon was a bullwhip. He was very highly respected by every segment of Hawaiian society, whites, Chinese, Filipinos and Hawaiians.

Posted by: Steve Skubinna at March 17, 2013 02:36 PM (XLQXo)

262 I too would love a good book on the Balkan War. Just what the heck was Clinton thinking?

I listened closely at the time but NEVER got a believable picture from US media.

Maybe now, the truth can be told.

Posted by: Whitehall at March 17, 2013 04:03 PM (1+mGd)

Sorry I missed out on this earlier. I'll get in touch with a buddy of mine in Berlin who once rec'd a book by a socialist writer who talked about how fucked up things were in that whole dustup and had a strange rationale for the whole thing. I was skeptical about it right from the get go because Slick was in on it and because it's the only war in my lifetime that the MFM shilled for. And they partially rooted for it by overstating every fucking "atrocity" that was committed by the Serbs against the moooooooooooslims (and there was another reason for complete skepticism). I want the truth to come out regarding how many people were slaughtered in Bosnia and Kosovo because of Slick's exclusive use of bombing the fuck out of them rather than sending in ground troops who could possibly, you know, LIBERATE THEM. The whole thing was a huge clusterfuck imo, including blowing up the Chinese embassy, but we'll never get the straight shit from the MFM.

And to the two people who wrote positively about him: I loved reading Robertson Davies and would strongly recommend him to anybody who loves well written fiction.

Posted by: Captain Hate at March 17, 2013 04:22 PM (og5d1)

263 Dr. Mabuse - thanks for the explanation. Interesting art.

Posted by: Mark Shaw at March 17, 2013 05:11 PM (jeNGi)

264 266 While many love bashing Earl Derr Biggers for his "racist" Charlie Chan

--------

Available on Gutenberg Australia, btw.

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda at March 17, 2013 05:22 PM (1c58W)

265 Dr. Mabuse...thank you for the explanation. I just checked in hoping the mystery would be solved...the Doctor is in!!!

Posted by: VIvi at March 17, 2013 09:21 PM (m2oDh)

266 I always come back to Saki, the more I read of Munro's work the more relevance to contemporary times i see. Very surprised to not see more discussion of his "Toys of Peace" given the current toy gun hysteria. Bloggers could learn a lot from his word-smithing. When in a kinder mood I read Plum. Also have been plowing through Crawford's "Thinking Black" .

Posted by: wilbeforce at March 18, 2013 07:17 AM (gxtuM)

267 Make yer own fuckin' sammich.

Posted by: "fat assed woman" at March 18, 2013 05:10 PM (TLbgU)

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