March 19, 2014
— Maetenloch
It's been almost 25 years since the Iron Curtain came down and already the memories of Communist oppression are fading from all except those who directly lived under it. Just two decades ago if you wanted freedom and economic opportunity but happened to live in the wrong part of Europe, you often had to risk your life using whatever means you could to escape to a better future.
In 1979 Günter Wetzel and Peter Strelzyk along with their families did just that, managing to escape from East Germany using a home-built hot air balloon. Inspired by a newspaper article on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Wetzel and Strelzyk decided to build their own balloon and use it to cross over into West Germany even though they knew almost nothing about balloons.
Since Peter Strelzyk and I, Günter Wetzel worked together at the beginning of 1978, we frequently had the opportunity to speak with each other. Like many East German citizens we too had the ultimate aim to leave East Germany and that was frequently the topic about which we spoke.Life in East Germany was far from satisfactory for us. There was a whole list of things we found objectionable because we had to put up with and factor in so many constraints. Fundamental reasons were that it was not possible either publicly or in one's private circle to voice one's opinion because one could never be certain whether one or even several persons present were police informers. In addition, opportunities to travel to countries other than a few others in the Eastern Bloc were either nonexistent or extremely limited. Even the job one could choose was limited, especially if one was not true to the Party line. One could make one's life easier by becoming involved with the authorities in the correct manner e.g. by being a member of the Communist Party and helping the state authorities but I did not want that either. There were of course many other reasons which I cannot list here but economic motives also played a role.
Like so many others, we spoke again and again about leaving East Germany but saw no way of pulling it off because the border seemed impossible to cross.
By sheer chance my wife Petra's sister, who had already left East Germany in 1958, came to visit us and brought with her a newspaper in which the annual International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, USA was reported. Next to the report were also a few pictures of the hot air balloons. Seeing this is what gave us the idea that a balloon could be used to get over the border fortifications. It was clear to us from the outset that if we were to escape, everyone would have to come. We were also certain that doing so by air was the only possible way since there were eight of us altogether - 4 adults and 4 children. I remember the day we made this decision very well as it was 7th March 1978, one day before International Women's Day which was actively celebrated in East Germany.
Over the next year and a half Wetzel and Strelzyk reverse-engineered a balloon, gas heater, and basket from pictures in books while their wives quietly collected fabric from across the country and began sewing it into a balloon. In the end they built three different balloons and numerous burner prototypes before they finally felt they had one reliable enough to get them over the border.
Eventually with the Stasi closing in on them and Wetzel about to be called up for military service they took advantage of a narrow window of good weather and launched their balloon during the night on September 14th, 1979. Despite several potentially fatal things going wrong they eventually touched down in Finkenflug, West Germany an hour later. You can read Wetzel's complete account of the escape here.
Swimming For Your Life From The GDR
Here is a video taken by tourists in the late 80's of four East Germans desperately trying to swim across the Spree to West Germany. Because the entire river belonged to the GDR they could be shot at any time by the armed guards in the approaching speedboat.
Important Announcement: The Human/Goat War is NOT Happening
Well that's a pretty big correction. Especially after some of us have spent a good deal of time and money preparing against an immanent billie onslaught.
We've already lost 2 million to the goat menace - I'm not going to let it be 2 million and one.
Nobody Likes Malls, Except The Customers
City planner-types hate malls almost as much as they do suburbs. So while planners plan people vote with their feet and their pocketbooks.
So it's great when suburbs die! Except they're not dying. A recent story in my local paper noted how the first-ring suburbs are great bargains for young people, which makes them cool again. So: Twenty-somethings in 1962 with two kids and a house full of Danish Modern furniture with push-button appliances and a Siamese ceramic cat on the mantle: the oppressive falsehood of the postwar American dream. Twenty-somethings with the same house in 2014, the same decor (they're into mid-century design), and two pugs: the salvation of urban America, because the style section can do a piece that includes the phrases "lovingly restored" and "Josh works as a web designer for a nonprofit."Josh may go to the mall, but rest assured he'll have the proper attitude: Here I am, ironically inhabiting the lifestyle of suburbanites, when I'm really the sort of guy who's planning a Kickstarter campaign for my artisanal-shaving-cream company. We're going to use fair-trade sustainable eucalyptus.
But he'll go to the mall when the pugs are replaced by kids and they need something to do on a dreary February Tuesday, and everyone needs diversion. He'll find himself in the food court, the tots fighting over a pretzel, the anodyne music leaking from speakers overhead, an Apple Store bag at his feet. Then one of the kids spies the ride that takes a quarter and lets you pretend you're driving a car.
I have become my father, he thinks, and realizes that's actually a good thing.
...People did what they wanted and it all worked out in the end. Great sorrow for the master planners, but the rest of us - the people who actually inhabit these places - are doing fine. Long live the mall, and whatever people want after that.
Hmm Why Are Russian Soldiers Carrying AR-15-type Rifles?
From a photo taken of Russian soldiers arresting Ukrainian army officers.
Also just another day of driving in Russia:
13 Of The Absolute Worst Songs Of The 1960s
Should you choose to listen to all 13 songs, there are few precautions before you beginNow, good luck to you, and I'll meet you on the other side.
- Make sure there are no sharp objects nearby. You may be tempted to jab them into your ear.
- This article has been declared a choking hazard. You may vomit and black out, so have a spotter nearby to turn you on your side.
- And finally, at times, death will seem like a sweet escape. Remember your loved ones. Choose life.
This song by Moms Mabley actually reached #35 in the US and earned her the distinction of being the oldest person to ever have a top 40 hit.
I'm tempted to add this to the Demolition Man watch file.
Daily Affirmations With Skeletor
So I'm intrigued by this new scent from the Derelicte collection.
Teh Tweet!
Le AoSHQ groupe de Yahoo. Ooh la la!
Tonight's post brought to you by machine pr0n:
Notice: Posted by permission of AceCorp LLC. Please e-mail overnight open thread tips to maetenloch at gmail. Otherwise send tips to Ace.
Posted by: Maetenloch at
06:44 PM
| Comments (586)
Post contains 1323 words, total size 14 kb.
Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 19, 2014 06:46 PM (GEICT)
Posted by: AltonJackson at March 19, 2014 06:49 PM (JMmQ9)
Posted by: John McCain at March 19, 2014 06:50 PM (Q6pxP)
Posted by: Descendents at March 19, 2014 06:50 PM (F9ftr)
Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 19, 2014 06:50 PM (GEICT)
Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 19, 2014 06:53 PM (GEICT)
but i see he has mentioned Kiev .
o well, bye all your own sovereign countries, This is what the world voted for.
Posted by: willow at March 19, 2014 06:53 PM (nqBYe)
Posted by: The Dry-Shaved Hat at March 19, 2014 06:53 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 06:53 PM (gjOCp)
Posted by: andycanuck at March 19, 2014 10:51 PM (hn5v5)
nicely played, andy, very nicely played. 
Posted by: Peaches at March 19, 2014 06:53 PM (8lmkt)
Not a 1960s song, but after looking up one of Rhino Records' earliest compliations, "The Rhino Brothers Present The World's Worst Records," I made the mistake of listening on YouTube to the 1981 song "Fluffy" by Gloria Balsam.
O.
M.
G.
Talk about a horrific earworm.
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 06:54 PM (HVI5a)
Posted by: All Doctors prior to Barry Marshall at March 19, 2014 06:54 PM (bb5+k)
Please, Lord, protect our country even if we don't deserve it.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 06:55 PM (baL2B)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 06:55 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Jinx the Cat at March 19, 2014 06:55 PM (l3vZN)
Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2014 06:55 PM (NKBxV)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 06:56 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: WEEN at March 19, 2014 06:56 PM (F9ftr)
Posted by: Iblis at March 19, 2014 06:56 PM (zCnVx)
Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at March 19, 2014 06:57 PM (hn5v5)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 06:57 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 06:57 PM (HxSXm)
I was in the DDR way before the fall of the Wall, a month after it, and a bunch of other times. It was an astoundingly godawful place.
One thing I will give the East German commies, though, they could build cement. I was there in December 1989, one month after it fell. People were selling souvenirs everywhere, including pieces of the wall. I didn't want to buy a piece, I wanted to take my own. So for the price of a couple of souvenirs I rented a hammer and chisel from one of the vendors. Chipped some pieces.
Hard as fuck. The kraut commies built a cement you wouldn't believe. I got smallish pieces with great difficulty.
Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 19, 2014 06:58 PM (1xUj/)
Posted by: rrpjr at March 19, 2014 06:58 PM (s/yC1)
Posted by: willow at March 19, 2014 06:59 PM (nqBYe)
I keep putting innocent Ukrainians in the water swimming to the other side to escape Russia. Checkmate, Putin. Meanwhile, Barry works on his damn brackets while Venezuela's can't find diapers for their babies and hijacked 777's (maybe) go to Pakistan/Iran/some stan.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 07:00 PM (baL2B)
Posted by: Peaches at March 19, 2014 07:00 PM (8lmkt)
Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at March 19, 2014 07:00 PM (hn5v5)
Posted by: GnuBreed at March 19, 2014 07:01 PM (wNF3N)
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 07:01 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 19, 2014 07:01 PM (1xUj/)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:01 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: willow at March 19, 2014 07:01 PM (nqBYe)
Posted by: AltonJackson at March 19, 2014 07:01 PM (JMmQ9)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 07:03 PM (ojnk6)
Slim Whitman did some yodeling, but he was not female.
Posted by: fluffy at March 19, 2014 07:03 PM (Ua6T/)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 07:04 PM (HxSXm)
Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 19, 2014 07:04 PM (GEICT)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:04 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 07:05 PM (gjOCp)
BREAKING: Intel Group With Source Inside Boeing Says Missing Flight #MH370 Went to Pakistan http://shar.es/RRldF via @gatewaypundit
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 10:55 PM (ZPrif)
I'm highly skeptical. It appears to be based on a single source and McInerney seems to be backing away from his confidence in the story from yesterday. Plus it doesn't really fit with the satellite ping data.
A 777 is pretty hard to hide so if it was in the taliban area of Pakistan, I think we would know about it already.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 07:05 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 07:05 PM (roTS7)
Posted by: Peaches at March 19, 2014 07:05 PM (8lmkt)
Posted by: fluffy at March 19, 2014 07:05 PM (Ua6T/)
Posted by: Thrawn at March 19, 2014 07:06 PM (WlWt+)
Posted by: fluffy at March 19, 2014 11:03 PM (Ua6T/)
Yes! He was one of the people who made me freak out at times (oh, the good old days when only Slim and this mystery woman made me crazy, unlike today's daily double with the couple in the WH). This was a woman who neither my husband (who is into music) nor I had heard of...and you could get her famous collection for $9.99 or something if you acted now.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 07:06 PM (baL2B)
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 07:06 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: garrett at March 19, 2014 07:06 PM (F9ftr)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 07:06 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: garrett at March 19, 2014 07:07 PM (F9ftr)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 07:07 PM (FcR7P)
13 Of The Absolute Worst Songs Of The 1960s
#13. “The Crusher” by The Novas (1964)
Instant list fail. Classic novelty song and a regular on Dr Demento's lists.
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 19, 2014 07:08 PM (kdS6q)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 07:08 PM (roTS7)
Posted by: Barry O at March 19, 2014 07:08 PM (Ua6T/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uqBTzfcIk4
And supposedly, no one knows who the flute player is/was. The band supposedly just paid him/her $50 or whatever and no one wrote down their name.
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (HVI5a)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: DUmmy at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (WlWt+)
Posted by: rickb223 at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (NKBxV)
Posted by: Stark Dickflüssig at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (MbqmP)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: garrett at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (F9ftr)
Please, Lord, protect our country even if we don't deserve it.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 10:55 PM (baL2B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THIS^^^^^ It makes me sick to my stomach that we, as a country, are headed toward the kind of statist bullshit that produced escape attempts like this. I am old enough to remember this stuff. I remember freedom.
Posted by: Wi Tu Lo at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (jucos)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (roTS7)
Posted by: Barry The Zero at March 19, 2014 07:09 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 07:10 PM (gjOCp)
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 11:05 PM (pAlYe)
I dunno. I am still working on the mystery of why Mooch is in China without reporters. Maybe she is really in DC at a Chinese restaurant pretending to be in China, while snarfing on Hunan Beef and swilling wine.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 07:10 PM (baL2B)
to somalia is appx
3,658 miles / 5 888 km
where was origianla destination to?
gas mileage etc?
Posted by: willow at March 19, 2014 07:10 PM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Ostral B Heretic at March 19, 2014 07:11 PM (79AXR)
Posted by: garrett at March 19, 2014 07:11 PM (F9ftr)
Posted by: Tuna at March 19, 2014 07:12 PM (M/TDA)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 07:12 PM (roTS7)
Posted by: Stark Dickflüssig at March 19, 2014 07:12 PM (MbqmP)
Posted by: Bobby Goldsboro at March 19, 2014 07:13 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 07:13 PM (HxSXm)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 07:14 PM (gjOCp)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_Island#American_possession
Goin' back to Subic, Subic, Subic... nah, I don't think so.
Some Freddie and Queen with ice.
http://youtu.be/PCEx9h1Ogjc
Didn't someone post or maybe it was in the sidebar about peeps scrubbing the utube comments?
Carry on!
Moar machine Pron Maetenloch... two stumps up!
Posted by: Forty Baht Barack at March 19, 2014 07:14 PM (huHhD)
Posted by: Michele Obama's Landing Strip at March 19, 2014 07:14 PM (F9ftr)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 11:08 PM (roTS7)
Well I'm guessing certain areas like Western Pakistan get scoured a whole lot more than say the middle of the Indian ocean.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 07:14 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: Tuna at March 19, 2014 07:15 PM (M/TDA)
Posted by: Dorcus Blimeline at March 19, 2014 07:15 PM (iB0Q2)
Posted by: Bobby Goldsboro at March 19, 2014 07:15 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 11:04 PM (HxSXm)
Yes! Christy Lane! How hilarious that she shares my stage name. While I am sure she is a good woman, her commercials made me nuts. Kind of like the pocket catheter commercials every night on Fox for our dinner entertainment. I miss the Cialis bathtubs or douche commercials that made me quickly change the channel if the boys were in the room.
Thanks. I will have to tell my husband that a Moron figured out our lapse in memory. I hope this is not a sign of impending dementia, but if it is, I blame Baroque. I will always, forevermore, blame him.
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 07:16 PM (baL2B)
One of the most bizarre things I've ever heard.
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 07:16 PM (HVI5a)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 07:16 PM (HxSXm)
Posted by: All Doctors prior to Barry Marshall at March 19, 2014 07:16 PM (bb5+k)
Even though it was released in 1973 "Angie ", by The Rolling Stones is still the worst song of the 60s.
The Stones were my first favorite band, 1970 aged 10, they're still my favorite band. It's been wire to wire. I know I'm supposed to hate "Angie", but I don't. I love it.
Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 19, 2014 07:16 PM (1xUj/)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:17 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 07:17 PM (gjOCp)
It's a dick thing by the band for their GF'S or to soften up the groupies.
Very few are listenable, the few that are still suck because you know they don't mean a word of it.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 07:17 PM (LSDdO)
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at March 19, 2014 07:17 PM (ligos)
Posted by: AltonJackson at March 19, 2014 07:18 PM (JMmQ9)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at March 19, 2014 07:18 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Thrawn at March 19, 2014 07:18 PM (WlWt+)
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 07:19 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Tuna at March 19, 2014 07:19 PM (M/TDA)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 07:19 PM (roTS7)
Posted by: NCKate at March 19, 2014 07:19 PM (y7PFk)
What if Dec 7, 1941 happened now? With Barack Obama in power? What would he do?
Posted by: BCochran1981
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Did I hear, ummmmmm, someone say VEGAS? VEGAS BABY!
Posted by: Preznit Urkel X at March 19, 2014 07:20 PM (jucos)
You're thinking of Boxcar Willie, aren't you.
Okay look kids. Concrete has cement in it. Germans don't "build" cement. You burn cement. And concrete blocks are not cinder blocks. A cinder block is a recycled material, made of iron slag. It's blue, and it rusts if you don't paint it. Most of you have never seen one.
We're going to have to up the engineering here a bit; RioBravo and I are trying to get us another canal. Hey, anybody read Popular Science in the 60's? There was a serious plan to dig the Nicaragua canal with atomic explosives. Wait a minute. Made in USA, American atomic explosives. Now you'll get the Chinese shit.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 19, 2014 07:20 PM (xq1UY)
Posted by: Patrick from Ohio at March 19, 2014 07:20 PM (b6koZ)
Posted by: All Doctors prior to Barry Marshall at March 19, 2014 07:20 PM (bb5+k)
Posted by: f2000 at March 19, 2014 07:21 PM (FcMtg)
Posted by: Erowmero at March 19, 2014 07:21 PM (1gcFZ)
Posted by: Patrick from Ohio at March 19, 2014 07:21 PM (b6koZ)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 07:21 PM (HxSXm)
Posted by: Emile Antoon Khadaji at March 19, 2014 07:21 PM (CrJzY)
Posted by: navycopjoe at March 19, 2014 07:22 PM (bDxDx)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 07:22 PM (roTS7)
Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at March 19, 2014 07:23 PM (jucos)
Okay look kids. Concrete has cement in it. Germans don't "build" cement. You burn cement. And concrete blocks are not cinder blocks. A cinder block is a recycled material, made of iron slag. It's blue, and it rusts if you don't paint it. Most of you have never seen one.
I love how many things there are to learn.
Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at March 19, 2014 07:23 PM (1xUj/)
Posted by: Stark Dickflüssig at March 19, 2014 07:23 PM (MbqmP)
Posted by: no good deed at March 19, 2014 07:24 PM (vBhbc)
So, this is where I am going, sorry! Senile due to torture of this buffoon in charge of country! Maybe it will be ole Joe, fresh from his freedom in Poland, who throws some dirt back at The Won that some are still waiting for. Maybe ole Joe, seeing as how this may be his only path to the WH, will save us! I am going to cling to this vapor of hope. He is crazy and all, but I'd rather have Bo the Portuguese Water dog as president right now that who we have. xoxo
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 07:24 PM (baL2B)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 07:24 PM (gjOCp)
Posted by: Summing up at March 19, 2014 07:26 PM (5Q1ZU)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 07:26 PM (DmNpO)
Posted by: Oderus Urungus at March 19, 2014 07:27 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 07:28 PM (HxSXm)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:28 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 07:28 PM (DmNpO)
Posted by: Darth Randall at March 19, 2014 07:28 PM (6n332)
Posted by: Dendritic at March 19, 2014 07:28 PM (Fi+kS)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 07:29 PM (DmNpO)
Posted by: pj at March 19, 2014 07:29 PM (ZWaLo)
Posted by: Oderus Urungus at March 19, 2014 07:30 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: no good deed at March 19, 2014 07:32 PM (vBhbc)
Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at March 19, 2014 07:32 PM (jucos)
Posted by: garrett at March 19, 2014 07:32 PM (GQidW)
Posted by: The Chicken at March 19, 2014 07:32 PM (6Z9cJ)
Posted by: A Band Trying Not To Be Seen at March 19, 2014 07:32 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: filbert at March 19, 2014 07:32 PM (roTS7)
Posted by: Jinx the Cat at March 19, 2014 07:32 PM (l3vZN)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 07:33 PM (7mQyC)
Until the Wall fell, half my living kin were slaves being a barrier of concrete, mines, and guard towers; that reality has never faded from my mind. And, I'll match my contempt and loathing for any creature of the Left, and raise by $1000.
My Dad died understanding, and loving, America, more than Obozo could equal in a million years, with Divine Sight, a map, and a compass.
Not bad for a former machinist mate of a U-boot, if I say so myself.
And yes... I am a III%'er... 'til the day I die.
Posted by: CPT. Charles at March 19, 2014 07:33 PM (lJaja)
Posted by: GWAR at March 19, 2014 07:33 PM (GQidW)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 11:29 PM (DmNpO)
I think the flight data recorder is much longer like 7 hours. The cockpit voice recorder may be only two hours or so.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 07:34 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: Reservoir Dogs Cop at March 19, 2014 07:35 PM (1xUj/)
Posted by: Baldy at March 19, 2014 07:35 PM (2bql3)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:35 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Jules ( 7350th ABG ) ) at March 19, 2014 07:36 PM (omBWL)
Posted by: Le Chicken at March 19, 2014 07:36 PM (l3vZN)
Posted by: Global Warmonger at March 19, 2014 07:36 PM (aDwsi)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 07:37 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: Global Warmonger at March 19, 2014 07:37 PM (aDwsi)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 07:37 PM (7mQyC)
And, I'll match my contempt and loathing for any creature of the Left, and raise by $1000.
Excellent story, Capt. There's nothing like actual experience of communism to make it not a theory.
Posted by: Reservoir Dogs Cop at March 19, 2014 07:38 PM (1xUj/)
After the Hungarian revolution in 1956, we suddenly had some new kids in school. And one catholic church (Szenta Isztvan, natch) quickly grew a new street behind it, of very modest homes. And nobody really wanted to talk about it much. I didn't really figure it out until 1968, when it was the Czechs' turn. We got some refugees from that, but not nearly as many. Felt bad for them.
I realize along with every one who splains it all here, these are obviously morally inferior people for letting their countries become communist, and we should not be thinking about going to war for them because smart now.
But I still feel kind of bad for them. In the early 60's it would have been like a dream to think of fighting to liberate Ukraine, instead of just having the nuclear tete-a-tete. There were about two layers of other communist countries you'd have had to get through to reach Ukraine. And in those days we all felt that Ukrainians deserved a shot. Nowadays, if there's a chance someone's about to get rolled under by the Russians, we suddenly harumph about how they're not worth American lives, and remember what proto-fascists they all are, and a bunch of gangsters who've never had a real government anyway.
I'm sure that must be true. It's just a change, is all. Brings back memories.
And yeah, a lot of those Hungarians really were Nazis. I know. Fool that I was, I pitied them just the same.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 19, 2014 07:38 PM (xq1UY)
Posted by: Thrawn at March 19, 2014 11:18 PM (WlWt+)
Aw, I don't hate him. Heck, I had to watch Lawrence Welk every Saturday night with whichever grandparent's house I was visiting, so I should be used to strange singers. I am not kidding, at all. I remember that bouncy blonde with the big hair (and boobs) who played the piano very vivaciously for Lawrence every week. I watch it now and it is pretty hilarious.
This possibly contributed to my early dementia along with my one Orange Crush and Krystal Hamburgers every Saturday night as well, as that side of the family knew how to party/not (we kids were also not allowed inside during the day unless it was raining or cold, which led to a lot of imagination, fights with visiting New Orleans cousins, alliances, and, on one occasion, a black eye to a neighbor boy from me who picked on my cousin). Between that and the yearly dose of DDT I think we rednecks may live long past the nuke. xoxo
Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Bossy Redneck Queen at March 19, 2014 07:38 PM (baL2B)
http://tinyurl.com/cs7a6f2
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 11:37 PM (FcR7P)
Stop!
Posted by: The Chicken at March 19, 2014 07:38 PM (6Z9cJ)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt
-------------------------------
One of the stages of grief Milt.
Ever lost anyone close to you?
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 07:38 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 19, 2014 07:39 PM (aDwsi)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 07:39 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:39 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 07:40 PM (HxSXm)
Posted by: JoeyBagels at March 19, 2014 07:41 PM (Usdw3)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 11:39 PM (FcR7P)
it's possible, since the USSR stole many Things and Ideas from us
ever notice how familiar their 'space shuttle' looks?
Posted by: Jules ( 7350th ABG ) ) at March 19, 2014 07:42 PM (omBWL)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 07:42 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at March 19, 2014 07:42 PM (pJ9S7)
the cement used to build The Wall was a special blend cooked up by the commies
Do we have the formula? That stuff is hard as anything. Ruined a big steel chisel just getting a few chips, back in the day.
Yeah, I wasn't saying upthread that *all* DDR concrete was excellent. Just that in the one place they cared about they really put their mind to it. Harder than fucking rock. And no, not cinder blocks anywhere. Rebar all the way through.
Posted by: Reservoir Dogs Cop at March 19, 2014 07:43 PM (1xUj/)
Posted by: Maggie Mac at March 19, 2014 07:44 PM (Aif/5)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:44 PM (ZPrif)
Nearby, at a makeshift vendor's table, I bought a copy of the last 5-year plan for East Germany, the one that never came to be. I still take it out from time to time and gloat over the fall of the Commies.
Posted by: Splunge at March 19, 2014 07:44 PM (qyomX)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 07:44 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: Beck's Sombrero at March 19, 2014 07:44 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: Thrawn at March 19, 2014 11:18 PM (WlWt+)
It'll make their heads go *POP*
Posted by: buzzion at March 19, 2014 07:44 PM (LI48c)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 07:45 PM (gjOCp)
Posted by: Dendritic at March 19, 2014 07:45 PM (Fi+kS)
Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 19, 2014 07:46 PM (xq1UY)
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at March 19, 2014 07:46 PM (ligos)
Wait, when did "Muskrat Love" come out?
Posted by: Splunge at March 19, 2014 07:47 PM (qyomX)
Posted by: Baldy at March 19, 2014 07:47 PM (2bql3)
Anyway below is a link to a piece where he mentions a discussion by 4 Moscow analysts about 5 Possible 'New World Orders' After Crimea. I downloaded and translated the entire Moscow article but haven't read it yet.
Check it out if you are so inclined.
http://tinyurl.com/phnsx8n
Posted by: gracepmc at March 19, 2014 07:47 PM (rznx3)
Many a Saturday night was spent watching those commercials while Georgia Championship Wrestling was on. Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper[/]
The horde unlocks another shard of memory for me! Remember Bill Tush? and his cute brunette sidekick doing the morning news? The days before Time Warner, Cox, et al.
Posted by: Forty Baht Barack at March 19, 2014 07:47 PM (huHhD)
Posted by: JoeyBagels at March 19, 2014 07:48 PM (Usdw3)
Posted by: Baldy at March 19, 2014 07:48 PM (2bql3)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 07:49 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 07:49 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 07:49 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 07:50 PM (FcR7P)
Oh, and East Berlin is freaky these days. You can barely tell where the wall used to be, except by certain landmarks. Checkpoint Charlie was a scary fucking thing. You gave your passport to an East German guard in something like a trailer and he disappeared out of sight for a while and you waited, wondering.
There is no real evidence of the wall, but there is one super-scary high security area in Berlin. Jersey barriers, guard houses, setback. It's the US embassy.
Posted by: Reservoir Dogs Cop at March 19, 2014 07:50 PM (1xUj/)
Never had the denial part though. Posted by: ThisBeingMilt
-----------------------------
Neither did I.
But it is one of the acknowledged seven stages of grief. The first actually.
Might help you understand the survivors perspective.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 07:50 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 07:50 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: RWC at March 19, 2014 07:52 PM (QeH9j)
Posted by: JoeyBagels at March 19, 2014 07:52 PM (Usdw3)
Oh? Just curious, what did it say about healthcare?
Dunno, I don't speak German. What does "Obamakären oder tot" mean?
Posted by: Splunge at March 19, 2014 07:53 PM (qyomX)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 07:54 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 07:54 PM (ojnk6)
--------------------------------
How is finding the wreckage good news?
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 07:54 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 07:54 PM (DmNpO)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:54 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Für die Toten reiten schnell at March 19, 2014 07:54 PM (AymDN)
What is this 22nd Amendment that you speak of?
Think I am going to print out that New Yorker cover from 2008, you know the one!
Posted by: Forty Baht Barack at March 19, 2014 07:55 PM (huHhD)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 07:55 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: JoeyBagels at March 19, 2014 07:55 PM (Usdw3)
Posted by: RWC at March 19, 2014 07:55 PM (QeH9j)
Might help you understand the survivors perspective.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 11:50 PM (4Mv1T)
Actually Kubler-Ross based her theory on interviews with terminally ill patients. So it's really the seven stages of grief over one's own death. The evidence that it applies to survivors is much more mixed and unclear.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 07:56 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 19, 2014 07:56 PM (aDwsi)
it's entirely possible that the person who said it didn't know their ass from a hole in the ground.
The deuce you say!
Posted by: Facts that have never held up 12 hours yet at March 19, 2014 07:56 PM (1xUj/)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 07:57 PM (DmNpO)
Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 19, 2014 07:57 PM (xq1UY)
Posted by: RWC at March 19, 2014 07:58 PM (QeH9j)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 07:58 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: Mætenloch
-------------------------
Acknowledged and correct. I learned a lot when hospice visited our house a long time ago. I was somewhat annoyed with the commenters lack of empathy towards the survivors, so I "reached".
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 08:00 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at March 19, 2014 08:00 PM (AQTz3)
Posted by: RWC at March 19, 2014 08:02 PM (QeH9j)
Posted by: Weirddave at March 19, 2014 08:02 PM (qNzkX)
Posted by: eman at March 19, 2014 08:03 PM (AO9UG)
Supposedly the GPS said the "shortest" route to Scotty's Castle was on a road that had been abandoned for over 40 years. They ran out of gas, found their cell phones useless, and literally succumbed to the sun and other elements for over a week.
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 08:03 PM (HVI5a)
Posted by: RWC at March 19, 2014 08:04 PM (QeH9j)
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/30/3362727/death-by-gps-in-desert.html
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 08:05 PM (HVI5a)
Mary: Well, a small black hole would suck in our entire universe. So we know it's not that. The Bermuda Triangle is often weather. And Lost is a TV show.
This is a level of stupid that would make a hockey commentator stand up and acknowledge the true masters. Wow. Gee, Mary, if a small black hole would suck in our entire universe, and there are black holes, why are we still he- oh, never mind. You're not worth it.
Posted by: Splunge at March 19, 2014 08:05 PM (qyomX)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:05 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 08:06 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:06 PM (ojnk6)
I don't have to ever secretly desire anymore. It is coming to pass right before our eyes.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 08:06 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 08:06 PM (gjOCp)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 08:07 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:07 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:07 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:08 PM (7mQyC)
It's Australian PM who's coming out with this, so it gets a lot more credence than a Maylasian water boy.
Still, it's not about closure. It's about ruling out the possibility that someone can still do something really bad with it. It's been worth paying attention to.
Posted by: Facts that have never held up 12 hours yet at March 19, 2014 08:08 PM (1xUj/)
Supposedly they believed that there were services on the road they took, although it was barely dirt in most places.
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 08:08 PM (HVI5a)
Posted by: Thrawn at March 19, 2014 08:10 PM (WlWt+)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 08:10 PM (DmNpO)
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at March 19, 2014 08:10 PM (AQTz3)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 19, 2014 08:10 PM (aDwsi)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt
---------------------------------------
You will grow old one day and realize that sometimes hope is all we have.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 08:10 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:10 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 08:11 PM (zOTsN)
True Maet, I 'd think that this would fit in to the more traditional 5 stages model.
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 11:58 PM (ojnk6)
Except that the evidence that the grief stage model applies to survivors is weaker than everyone assumes. Here's a summary of why it may not apply - http://mindhacks.com/2012/12/02/the-grief-problem/
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 08:11 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 08:11 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 19, 2014 08:12 PM (DmNpO)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:12 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: RWC at March 19, 2014 08:12 PM (QeH9j)
And "Western" stories have been as popular in Germany as here -- remember The Third Man, where Joe Cotten gets mobbed as a real literary talent, when he's just been whipping out cowboy stories? The great German western character is Shatterhand.
But there's another thing. There was a German explorer and geographer named von Humboldt. He ran his ass all over the world, and has mountains named after him in Antactica. He did visit the US, and gave advice to Jefferson on the Lewis and Clark expedition. He did a lifetime of work in South America. So far as I can tell, he never spent any time in the southwestern US -- but I've run into any number of Germans who think that he did.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 19, 2014 08:13 PM (xq1UY)
Posted by: Ashley Judd's Puffy Scamper, formerly known as MrCaniac at March 19, 2014 08:14 PM (HxSXm)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:14 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:14 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 19, 2014 08:15 PM (aDwsi)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:16 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:17 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 08:18 PM (ZPrif)
Back in the day he actually sold "Gebhardt's Original Mexican Dinner Packages" via mail which supposedly contained a south-of-the-border cookbook and everything you needed to make a taco or other-style Mexican food dinner with sides, but today about the only product still left in the stores with his name on it is Gebhardt's Chili Powder.
Learned about all this from Gustavo Arellano's book "Taco USA" that came out just a few years ago.
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 08:18 PM (HVI5a)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 08:18 PM (zOTsN)
-------------------------
I remember being a young guy. Enjoy it while it lasts, friend.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 08:18 PM (4Mv1T)
Don't remember ever hearing about that. They must have gone down some dirt road someplace, since the paved roads are usually well-traveled; even in the heat of summer it's not totally deadsville.
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at March 20, 2014 12:10 AM (AQTz3)
I've shared my own close call due while driving deep in Death Valley to trusting GPS on previous ONTs. The key difference is that I stopped once my gas got close to the return distance level and decided the risk wasn't worth it and backtracked back to services then took the long way.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 08:19 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:19 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at March 19, 2014 08:19 PM (AQTz3)
Posted by: eman at March 19, 2014 08:20 PM (AO9UG)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 11:44 PM (ZPrif)
He's probably been watching this: http://youtu.be/_CQxiezsJ7w
Posted by: Country Singer at March 19, 2014 08:20 PM (r/e1Q)
Learned about all this from Gustavo Arellano's book "Taco USA" that came out just a few years ago.
Then he is still honored. Gebhardt's is the only chili powder I'll use in my house Texas-style chili, and there are many others who would say likewise.
Posted by: Splunge at March 19, 2014 08:21 PM (qyomX)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 08:22 PM (zOTsN)
They would say that the right people were not in place, or that the implementation was faulty or some other such bs.
Commies are never wrong. Just ask one.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 08:22 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: eman at March 19, 2014 08:22 PM (AO9UG)
Posted by: MTF at March 19, 2014 08:22 PM (B+HTd)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:23 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 19, 2014 08:23 PM (aDwsi)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:24 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:25 PM (rDidD)
Check out "Taco USA" sometime. I know Gustavo and he's a lefty, yet his book is a fantastic paean to good old fashioned American entrepreneurship and capitalism, told through the prism of how Mexican-style food is/was introduced and marketed in the USA since roughly the late 1800s.
He even has nice things to say about Glen Bell, the Marine who (out of envy over seeing how incredibly well/wealthy the McDonald brothers were becoming) started up Taco Bell in Downey in 1962.
Posted by: qdpsteve at March 19, 2014 08:27 PM (HVI5a)
Posted by: Jesse Jackson at March 19, 2014 08:27 PM (Oy09x)
And I don't suffer those easily who don't yet understand grief.
Even when they think they do.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 08:27 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 20, 2014 12:19 AM (ojnk6)
In the Observer article it points out that there's little evidence that survivors follow stages of grief or even ever experience all of the stages. This is more of pop-psych thing. Grief is individual and there is no 'right' way of grieving. In fact most people are more resilient than the stage model would suggest.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 08:27 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:29 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: Lurker John at March 19, 2014 08:29 PM (rWQbj)
Posted by: Chloe O'brian at March 19, 2014 08:29 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at March 19, 2014 08:29 PM (AQTz3)
Posted by: Weirddave at March 19, 2014 08:29 PM (tmzN0)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 19, 2014 08:30 PM (ZPrif)
Before the century of wars, Germans had a real cozy relationship with their idea of America. Kaiser Wilhelm's son was named "Bill."
Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 19, 2014 08:30 PM (xq1UY)
Posted by: Maureen McGovern at March 19, 2014 08:31 PM (OXzvH)
Counter-revolutionaries monkey-wrenching the party.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 19, 2014 08:32 PM (Oy09x)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:32 PM (rDidD)
Everyone should read some history. Venezuela has been a politically chaotic hell hole for decades.
My cousin was fatally shot there in the '50's over some riot or other over some political or military hunta or dictator or what ever.
Same ol' same ol'
Maybe a little worse as this time the US has kept out and there's been the oil money so things got further out of hand. I don't remember if the previous riots were about commies or fascists, probably both. They're interchangeable.
They can't seem to get someone to lead them that they will follow for any length of time who doesn't try to seize all the power and screw over all their enemies.
They apparently would rather riot and kill than cooperate with each other. High emotional content which is normal in Latin countries. (yeah, I know, stereotype right? Strange though how it's true.)
They'll trash the country till it comes to a halt and out of exhaustion they'll elect or select someone to lead to get things back in some shape to work for a while and in about 5-10 years they'll start it all over again.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 08:32 PM (LSDdO)
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 08:32 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:33 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: Vashta Nerada at March 19, 2014 08:34 PM (/i3Yt)
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 08:34 PM (LSDdO)
Posted by: Pelosi Schmelosi at March 19, 2014 08:35 PM (jHf6U)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:35 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: politically incorrect old irishman at March 19, 2014 08:35 PM (SvFwc)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 08:35 PM (zOTsN)
There is no real evidence of the wall, but there is one super-scary high security area in Berlin. Jersey barriers, guard houses, setback. It's the US embassy.
You can still see a piece of the Berlin Wall. It's in a park in Rapid City, SD.
Never did get to go visit the East, Company HQ screwed up my paperwork.
Posted by: Blanco Basura at March 19, 2014 08:36 PM (0AKks)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:36 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:36 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:36 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:37 PM (rDidD)
Never did get to go visit the East, Company HQ screwed up my paperwork.
Posted by: Blanco Basura at March 20, 2014 12:36 AM (0AKks)
There's also a piece of the Berlin Wall in my entertainment center. I paid $4 for it back in 1990. Capitalism for the win!
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 08:39 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:40 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:41 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: The Dude at March 19, 2014 08:41 PM (bStrg)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:42 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:42 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:43 PM (7mQyC)
Buy some firecrackers and white clothes.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 08:43 PM (LSDdO)
Meatballs as far as the eye can see.
Posted by: GMB (et al) at March 19, 2014 08:43 PM (nkPV9)
A fish in the water has no idea what it's like being a fish out of the water.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 19, 2014 08:44 PM (Oy09x)
Posted by: Carol at March 19, 2014 08:44 PM (gjOCp)
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at March 19, 2014 08:44 PM (ligos)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 19, 2014 08:44 PM (qFpRI)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 08:45 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:45 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:47 PM (7mQyC)
That was twenty years ago. Being more German than anything else (and several different breeds of it, too), I often just for fun mock them a little. Big picture, how would you say they're doing so far?
We fought two big'uns to keep (certain quantities of) Germany from taking over Europe, and then in the middle of PIIGS and Greece and Cyprus, I imagine a lot of people were just figuring, hell, let the Germans take care of this.
I remember watching analysis of NATO armor exercises in the early 70's and seeing those Leopards and thinking, damn, it's nice to have them on our side of the line for a change.
Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 19, 2014 08:47 PM (xq1UY)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 08:47 PM (zOTsN)
Capt. Charles, excellent story, thanks for sharing.
Your dad was U-boat crew? Don't need to tell you the loss rate for such folks was what - 90%+? So amazing he lived through WWII at all.
My own Berlin story is indirect, but stays with me. In the transit lounge of the Prague airport (yes, the same one where Mohammed Atta was, I guess), on the way back from a work trip to a boisterous messed up former Soviet republic in the early 1990s, there was a young German woman in the little area where I was killing time. Something - TV "news" monitor, something - prompted her to muse out loud about how she would miss "the Ami's" (the withdrawal of the Berlin Brigade and Allied forces from the now-united Berlin was impending). She was actually pretty emotional about it - how they "had always been there".
I didn't say much, but inside I felt the same mix of nostalgia and gratitude for the goodness of the US (no other way to put it, even for an over-edumucated geopolitically savvy cold-blooded wordsmith) that I felt so many times as I myself played a microscopic part in helping conflict victims who invariably displayed an almost shockingly familiar and automatic admiration for all things American.
Needless to say, these days ...... words fail.
Posted by: non-purist at March 19, 2014 08:48 PM (afQnV)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt
---------------------------------
There's something we can agree on, in spades.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at March 19, 2014 08:48 PM (4Mv1T)
You don't sweat. You don't pee.
You would give anything for water. Any kind of water.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 08:48 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 19, 2014 08:48 PM (qFpRI)
Posted by: t-bird at March 19, 2014 08:48 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: Country Singer at March 19, 2014 08:49 PM (r/e1Q)
Posted by: Reggie at March 19, 2014 08:49 PM (FcR7P)
Posted by: MTF at March 19, 2014 08:50 PM (B+HTd)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 19, 2014 08:51 PM (qFpRI)
Posted by: Baldy at March 19, 2014 08:51 PM (2bql3)
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at March 19, 2014 08:51 PM (ligos)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 20, 2014 12:48 AM (qFpRI)
I don't know 23 meters is a pretty big piece of debris - certainly bigger than a lost container. And a couple of pieces of big debris together suggests more than just random flotsam.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 08:52 PM (pAlYe)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:52 PM (ojnk6)
Cool! Did you get the matching "Fall of the Wall" T-shirt?
Posted by: Blanco Basura at March 19, 2014 08:52 PM (0AKks)
Not because he lost but because he didn't try but aced out all the ones who really really wanted it.
And now he's going to snark on how bad Obama is? He's had two chances and blew them both. If he thinks he's getting a third he's just cuckoo. Him and Jeb Bush.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 08:53 PM (LSDdO)
Good, bad or just revealing?
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 20, 2014 12:48 AM (LSDdO)
Or ugly?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 19, 2014 08:53 PM (Oy09x)
Posted by: Mandy P., lurking lurker who lurks at March 19, 2014 08:53 PM (qFpRI)
Posted by: Baldy at March 19, 2014 08:55 PM (2bql3)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:56 PM (7mQyC)
Because everybody wants to hope.
To me, false hope is worse than no hope.
Got bad news? Give it to me straight with no bs qualifiers or rainbows.
Usually, I'm already there because entropy is a stone bitch.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 08:56 PM (LSDdO)
Posted by: The Dude at March 19, 2014 08:57 PM (bStrg)
Posted by: Elinor at March 19, 2014 08:57 PM (95xxa)
Posted by: Weirddave at March 19, 2014 08:58 PM (pmDdf)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 08:58 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at March 19, 2014 08:58 PM (ligos)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 08:58 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 08:58 PM (LSDdO)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 08:59 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 09:00 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 09:01 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 20, 2014 12:58 AM (LSDdO)
should have just linked to the pick of her asshole swallowing her bikini bottom 
Posted by: The Dude at March 19, 2014 09:01 PM (bStrg)
Posted by: westminsterdogshow at March 19, 2014 09:02 PM (W3UHW)
Posted by: Biff Boffo at March 19, 2014 09:02 PM (Q3tFF)
@WrightUps: "significant radar returns" coming from site where possible #MH370 objects spotted.
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:02 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: David Hasselhoff at March 19, 2014 09:02 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 20, 2014 12:58 AM (rDidD)
Why not? We're only a zillion dollars in debt.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 19, 2014 09:02 PM (Oy09x)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 09:03 PM (7mQyC)
More like a brown hole than a black hole. *tee hee*
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 09:03 PM (LSDdO)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 09:03 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: The Political Hat at March 19, 2014 09:03 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:04 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Walter Freeman at March 19, 2014 09:05 PM (kqGWM)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 09:06 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: westminsterdogshow at March 19, 2014 09:07 PM (W3UHW)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 09:09 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:10 PM (zOTsN)
I personally don't see him as having been able to do much of anything different in the few months he would've had.
The moments when Obama had a chance to things differently, were LAST YEAR or so.
This was already in the wings when he got re-elected.
It's partly the Ukrainians fault for having their hissy fit riots when they didn't have a plan. Did those morons really think that Russia would just stand by and watch while they dithered around?
And it's quite feasible that Putin had agent provocateurs on the ground in the Ukraine, making things worse.
Mitt's just Monday morning QB'ing.
Hind sight is 20/20. Sure he pointed out that Russia was still an enemy but I'll bet he didn't think Putin would have the nerve to do what he did.
And really, how much nerve did it take?
Mitt couldn't have stopped Putin and frankly putting in troops on the ground in the Ukraine would be insane at this point.
We can send the Ukraine weapons but sanctions are counterproductive in the case of Russia and everyone knows it. It looks stupid because it is stupid and serves no purpose other than to highlight how weak a position we have.
Russia's playing chess and we've been playing tick tack toe.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 09:11 PM (LSDdO)
I thought it was a good movie despite the cast, or lack thereof.
Anyway, a guy sailing around the world hits a dislodged cargo container with his boat. And then his troubles began.
Based on a true story.
My point is:
The ocean has a lot of stuff floating in it. It's not all water out there.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 09:12 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: kbdabear at March 19, 2014 09:13 PM (aTXUx)
I read On Death And Dying waaay back in my early 20s, as I figured it was a good way to at least spend some time with someone that had spent a lot of time reflecting on it. And it was good for that.
Posted by: GnuBreed at March 19, 2014 09:16 PM (wNF3N)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 09:16 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 09:17 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:17 PM (zOTsN)
Shame nobody makes anything like that.
Posted by: Anachronda at March 19, 2014 09:17 PM (U82Km)
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 19, 2014 09:18 PM (yDmQD)
Most people have no concept and no way to relate to how fricking huge the oceans really are.
The conditions are rarely good as there's always a storm somewhere which means even it you're not in a storm there's at least swells and wind which is physically wearing and potentially destructive of your vessel.
Lots of wind, lots of wave. Miles and miles of fetch for both wind and wave.
And nothing on the horizon for hours and hours/days and days.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 09:19 PM (LSDdO)
Posted by: The Political Hat at March 19, 2014 09:19 PM (AymDN)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:20 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:21 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Zakn at March 19, 2014 09:22 PM (zyaZ1)
Posted by: Piercello at March 19, 2014 09:22 PM (jJ97i)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:23 PM (zOTsN)
Sorry, NO.
Sure, it would make Poland feel a bit better now but it would be a false hope as the missile shield was meant to protect Europe from rogue nations launching into Europe. (Iran, Syria, Pakistan)
Not meant to deter the Bear.
The lack was however a sign to Putin that Obama didn't care about Eastern Europe or was a dummy and could be rolled. So he bided his time and it happened. Like I said, maybe with some help.
He may even let the Ukraine stay the way it is for a while but if they keep dithering around (the EU, the US and UK and the Ukraine) he may gobble it up also.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 09:23 PM (LSDdO)
Oh yes it did.
THE most over rated song in Rock History. It was a waste of wax and talent.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 09:25 PM (LSDdO)
Early last year, I walked into someone's place, and they were playing a guy peeling off absolutely astounding blues licks, and I said, "What what? Hold on. Who the fuck? Never heard this before," and they said, "Bonamassa," as though that explained it all.
Which it did.
Posted by: torquewrench at March 19, 2014 09:26 PM (gqT4g)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 09:26 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: westminsterdogshow at March 19, 2014 09:28 PM (W3UHW)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 09:28 PM (ojnk6)
Mætenloch...you treat us to some of the most excellent gifs.
Love the "just another day of driving in Russia".
And the 'Chicken wire spinner machine' is...mesmerizing...as someone else said upthread.
I especially loved that one, some time back, of the infinite hands turning inward.
Don't know what the 'name' of it was...but it was amazing.
You give us so many great ONT's.
Thank you!
Posted by: wheatie at March 19, 2014 09:28 PM (Xs26g)
It most definitely did *not* suck.
Many would disagree.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 19, 2014 09:30 PM (Oy09x)
Posted by: Bill H at March 19, 2014 09:32 PM (3sZO1)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 20, 2014 01:26 AM (7mQyC)
Yeah 1550 miles is like flying from Chicago to Los Angeles so imagine doing that, looking around for two hours and then flying right back.
Posted by: Mætenloch at March 19, 2014 09:32 PM (pAlYe)
Meant to chill everyone out halfway through a live show so as to provide a counterpoint to the rest of the high energy effort before and after.
It's an entertainment artifact. It's like laser lighting and smoke bombs. It's all programmed. And most times the ballad was written because they had to have one. As a result most of them suck because most of the bands were Heavy Metal or Hair bands (at the time ballads became de rigeur for any band to have at least one) and ballads don't fit well with that type of music.
It's what's called shmaltzy. It's meant to make all the little teeny boppers cream in their jeans late at night thinking about the band and make the acne encrusted air guitar afficiondos imagine they were up there with all the teeny boppers all looking googgly eyed at them.
It's show biz but they don't usually carry it off well.
But hey. What do I know? It's just my opinion and I'm broke and they're not.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Awaiting Armageddon) at March 19, 2014 09:33 PM (LSDdO)
I totally agree.
The vastness of the ocean is incredibly daunting.
I once did LA to Tokyo on a modern cruise ship.
I think it was 8 days at sea. In a modern ship.
The thing about that voyage that I recall was not that we encountered storms, quite the contrary. The ocean was like a piece of glass. Day after day. The ship had an ALMOST imperceptible roll from stem to stern. That made me so seasick.
But I never get seasick in a storm.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 09:34 PM (AW7Gr)
Conservative populism would probably also have won in 2012. Or issues which combined libertarian populism and conservative populism.
I spent the entire general election season beating my head against a concrete wall trying to figure out when Romney would run an ad about gas prices, which is about as broadly based a populist issue as it gets.
Not a single ad on the topic was forthcoming.
Of course, this is what happens when you have a nominee with a personal net worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars. No matter what the price sign at the gas station says, to that high net worth person, it's a rounding error that won't be noticed.
Posted by: torquewrench at March 19, 2014 09:35 PM (gqT4g)
And when something does show up on the horizon, it's an absolutely gargantuan container ship or supertanker which may well run right over your tiny vessel without anyone on board noticing.
Posted by: torquewrench at March 19, 2014 09:38 PM (gqT4g)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:39 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:40 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at March 19, 2014 09:43 PM (7mQyC)
Posted by: Mindy at March 19, 2014 09:43 PM (Ew9Pv)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 19, 2014 09:48 PM (X9Mnx)
Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 19, 2014 09:49 PM (ojnk6)
Posted by: kbdabear at March 19, 2014 09:50 PM (aTXUx)
446...I spent the entire general election season beating my head against a concrete wall trying to figure out when Romney would run an ad about gas prices, which is about as broadly based a populist issue as it gets.
Not a single ad on the topic was forthcoming.
-----------
Yep, he didn't fight, torquewrench.
It was demoralizing.
He acted like fighting was 'beneath him' or something.
Romney brought a silk hanky to knife fight.
Posted by: wheatie at March 19, 2014 09:52 PM (Xs26g)
Posted by: Only 1/2 Crazy Floridian Politician... at March 19, 2014 09:53 PM (qoKTg)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 09:53 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 09:54 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:54 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 09:55 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 09:56 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 09:57 PM (zOTsN)
Modern news "reporters" come with their own drama.
Can you imagine being cooped up with one of them for endless boring droning mission hours in an aircraft the size of an Orion?
"Excuse me. EXCUSE me. I'm sorry, but I asked for a triple mocha soy decaf ristretto latte grande, and this... person... brought me a coffee. An ordinary coffee. In a Styrofoam cup. Do you know how terrible that is for the environment? There has obviously been a major misunderstanding. Do you know who I am? Do you know WHO I AM?!?!?!"
Posted by: torquewrench at March 19, 2014 09:57 PM (gqT4g)
In the VP debate Ryan actually failed to respond to a fatuous bit of typical Biden nonsense.
Because, polite. Or something.
Politeness and civility has gotten us where we are today.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 09:58 PM (AW7Gr)
Don't forget Israel. Islamic jihad is ramping up the terror game and much longer will Israel hold back?
Will the game ultimately draw in hizbollah then Iran by proxy? Will the Israelis just lose all patience?
Good times for all hey?
Posted by: GMB (et al) at March 19, 2014 10:00 PM (nkPV9)
Posted by: John "The Syracuse Orangeman Has Got Nothing On Me" Boehner at March 19, 2014 10:00 PM (9duOQ)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:00 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 19, 2014 10:01 PM (FMbng)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 10:02 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: Jurnk at March 19, 2014 10:02 PM (fHhk+)
Posted by: Walter Freeman at March 19, 2014 10:03 PM (kqGWM)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 10:04 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: Shep Smith, marching outside the Wicked Witch's castle at March 19, 2014 10:04 PM (9duOQ)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:04 PM (zOTsN)
But he never did.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 10:05 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: MAx at March 19, 2014 10:06 PM (b7yum)
Posted by: Walter Freeman at March 19, 2014 10:06 PM (kqGWM)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:07 PM (zOTsN)
Shep thought it was a documentary, got bored, and fell asleep.
Posted by: torquewrench at March 19, 2014 10:07 PM (gqT4g)
Posted by: yankeefifth at March 19, 2014 10:08 PM (rDidD)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:08 PM (zOTsN)
483 During the campaign I kept waiting for Romney to attack Obama with even HALF of the velocity that he used against his GOP primary opponents.
But he never did.
-----------
This!!!
Thank you. I was going to say essentially the same thing...but was stifling myself.
Yeah, Romney wasn't squeamish about punching his fellow R's, was he.
It made me have some foolish hope that he would at least do the same to Barky.
But noooo.
Posted by: wheatie at March 19, 2014 10:10 PM (PYbdS)
But he never did.
Posted by: navybrat at March 20, 2014 02:05 AM (AW7Gr)
Yeah no kidding. He was basically a fucking mannequin for most of the campaign.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 19, 2014 10:10 PM (FMbng)
Posted by: Walter Freeman at March 19, 2014 10:15 PM (kqGWM)
Posted by: kbdabear at March 19, 2014 10:15 PM (aTXUx)
But he never did.
Posted by: navybrat at March 20, 2014 02:05 AM (AW7Gr) Hide posts from (AW7Gr)
^^^^^^^This.
I had a weird suspicion at the time.....once he got the nom, he started getting these "shadow Presidential intelligence briefings" -- it received some press at the time. And I was thinking....what if the spooks fed him absolutely true, documentable stuff that just happened to align with some of his talking points....and told him that breathing it to another soul would get him crucified for breaching national security?
How do you go out and give speeches not mentioning things you'd previously mentioned that you'd been given top secret very detailed information about?
Posted by: cthulhu at March 19, 2014 10:17 PM (T1005)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:17 PM (zOTsN)
It was demoralizing.
He acted like fighting was 'beneath him' or something.
Romney brought a silk hanky to knife fight.
Posted by: wheatie at March 20, 2014 01:52 AM (Xs26g)
Lucky you're saying that now rather than on a daytime thread where there would be much whining and clutching of pearls for you daring to critique Mitt's milquetoast general election campaign that many predicted he would conduct.
Posted by: buzzion at March 19, 2014 10:18 PM (LI48c)
Posted by: kbdabear at March 19, 2014 10:18 PM (aTXUx)
Hint: said regular doesn't like DrewM much
Posted by: kbdabear at March 20, 2014 02:15 AM (aTXUx)
You realize that doesn't narrow it down at all. I can name 4 right now.
Posted by: buzzion at March 19, 2014 10:19 PM (LI48c)
Posted by: kbdabear at March 19, 2014 10:20 PM (aTXUx)
499...Lucky you're saying that now rather than on a daytime thread where there would be much whining and clutching of pearls for you daring to critique Mitt's milquetoast general election campaign that many predicted he would conduct.
--------
I have said that, buzzion, on the daytime threads.
Heh.
And yeah, there are some who get kinda menstrual about it.
Posted by: wheatie at March 19, 2014 10:25 PM (PYbdS)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:25 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: wheatie at March 19, 2014 10:30 PM (PYbdS)
Posted by: Adriane, currently sock free, but wearing pants ... at March 19, 2014 10:31 PM (qoKTg)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 19, 2014 10:34 PM (X9Mnx)
The larger one at 24 metres is definitely a part of an aircraft wing, if it is the 777 we are looking for it would be from the engine pylon to the tip. The other part is harder to tell what it is.
from an Aussie member of airliners.net
could be full of shit for all I know
sheppy just said or-EE-in for Orion again
Posted by: thunderb at March 20, 2014 02:25 AM (zOTsN) Hide posts from (zOTsN)
If they get a part with a serial number, things'll start getting certain real fast.....then they'll have to do some currents analysis to find out where the debris is on the bottom.
But, <irony alert> what if they get serial numbers and the part is from AF447?
Posted by: cthulhu at March 19, 2014 10:37 PM (T1005)
The journos are just covering themselves in glory on this.
From the Daily Telegraph blog:
"20.45 The scene at the Kuala Lumpur hotel where families are awaiting news of their loved ones got completely out of control this morning. Here's Sky News Kay Burley running up a downwards escalator to try to speak to one of the family members."
Hmmmm. Last I looked, escalators have emergency-stop buttons.
Posted by: torquewrench at March 19, 2014 10:37 PM (gqT4g)
The majority has elected to learn by punishment.
And that punishment is upon us, good and hard.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 10:38 PM (AW7Gr)
JoNo SHALL NOT be preempted for the prima donna.
Posted by: Moron who's gonna be pissed if this interrupts Red Eye at March 19, 2014 10:38 PM (9duOQ)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:38 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:40 PM (zOTsN)
best case scenario
or he is just a stupid asshat <<<
Always bet on asshat.
Posted by: TOTUS at March 19, 2014 10:42 PM (9duOQ)
At 23,000 feet down?
More like 5000 feet.
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 10:43 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: Walter Freeman at March 19, 2014 10:44 PM (kqGWM)
515 This fucker better not be still babbling gibberish when 3:00 rolls around.
JoNo SHALL NOT be preempted for the prima donna.
----------
I know. Let's hope not. ....I like Jono.
She's a nice addition and a funnier sidekick than Bill was, imo.
Posted by: wheatie at March 19, 2014 10:47 PM (PYbdS)
Great Fact!!! hahaha
Though, sometimes I do miss Pinch.
Posted by: Moron who's gonna be pissed if this interrupts Red Eye at March 19, 2014 10:51 PM (9duOQ)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:53 PM (zOTsN)
Do it with the kids sometime for a big laugh.
Posted by: DaveA[/i][/b][/s] at March 19, 2014 10:54 PM (DL2i+)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 10:55 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 19, 2014 10:59 PM (X9Mnx)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 19, 2014 10:59 PM (X9Mnx)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 19, 2014 10:59 PM (X9Mnx)
1000yrs of European border changes
Posted by: bill-o at March 19, 2014 11:02 PM (AWwDY)
Posted by: Moron who's gonna be pissed if this interrupts Red Eye at March 19, 2014 11:03 PM (9duOQ)
Posted by: Walter Freeman at March 19, 2014 11:04 PM (kqGWM)
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 11:04 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: navybrat at March 19, 2014 11:06 PM (AW7Gr)
Posted by: Walter Freeman at March 19, 2014 11:09 PM (kqGWM)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 11:09 PM (zOTsN)
Posted by: thunderb at March 19, 2014 11:10 PM (zOTsN)
navybrat, just discussing this with the wife ..... 23K depth would certainly be a a challenge. The FDR/CVR are pretty small objects. But I assume any operation at that depth depth would be with UUVs (unmanned underwater vehicle). Given the advances in deep-ocean engineering and operations (oil) in recent years, I wouldn't be surprised if it were feasible to find/grab the boxes.
Of course this area is one of the "blackest" of all military-related subjects, very hush-hush. I don't know if we've ever recovered anything from the Scorpion (don't recall the depth in that location), and the Soviet sub partially recovered by Glomar Explorer was grabbed by a giant claw, not the sort of operation we're talking about here (also too lazy to look up depth of that operation).
Interesting - recovery of the boxes from this location might force our hand on deep-ocean capabilities - could we sit by and stay mum about some classified capability when there would be so much pressure (understandable and legit) to do "whatever it takes"?
Posted by: non-purist at March 19, 2014 11:12 PM (afQnV)
Posted by: Adriane, currently sock free, but wearing pants ... at March 19, 2014 11:14 PM (qoKTg)
Posted by: Adriane, currently sock free, but wearing pants ... at March 19, 2014 11:17 PM (qoKTg)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 19, 2014 11:24 PM (X9Mnx)
Posted by: Meremortal at March 19, 2014 11:48 PM (1Y+hH)
Posted by: The Illuminated Free Masonry of Bildenberg at March 19, 2014 11:51 PM (qoKTg)
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 19, 2014 11:53 PM (bitz6)
Almost as good a mystery as the novel Murder on the Or-eye-ent Express.
Posted by: Shemp Smith at March 20, 2014 12:00 AM (9duOQ)
Could some one whip me up some Ore-EEEda french fries?
Posted by: Shemp Smith at March 20, 2014 12:05 AM (9duOQ)
Posted by: Sister Sestina at March 20, 2014 12:10 AM (Em6d4)
Posted by: fastfreefall at March 20, 2014 12:31 AM (oXDvk)
Posted by: Sister Sestina at March 20, 2014 12:37 AM (Em6d4)
Thank you for sharing that beautiful piece of family history with us. I'm so proud to identify your family as fellow-citizens.
....as opposed to some idiots who were born here but never got the memo.
Posted by: cthulhu at March 20, 2014 12:38 AM (T1005)
Posted by: rickl at March 20, 2014 12:45 AM (sdi6R)
Posted by: Sister Sestina at March 20, 2014 12:52 AM (Em6d4)
Posted by: rickl at March 20, 2014 12:56 AM (sdi6R)
....as opposed to some idiots who were born here but never got the memo.
Posted by: cthulhu at March 20, 2014 04:38 AM (T1005)
==========
Eh, you might not want to bother extending it to the little kid, my brother. He was too young too understand what they were running away from, I think, only absorbing that during his childhood they were always going to "a better place" -- Germany, Cleveland Ohio, California.
In his adulthood that sense of striving for a better a life got railroaded into various socialist nonsenses. Now he's agitating for a technocracy to bring about the sort of post-scarcity Utopia only seen in Star Trek, where a couple of soopergeniuses can enable a Land of Cockaigne for the rest of us.
Of course he constantly lauds Sweden for its socialism, and never got the irony that when he investigated moving there, his own sort of run for the border, he discovered he couldn't possibly afford living there. Hell, he not only didn't get the irony, he seems to have forbidden his mind from remembering it...he was quite blank-eyed puzzled when last I reminded him of it. Too inconvenient a truth, I guess. Posted by: Sister Sestina at March 20, 2014 04:52 AM (Em6d4) Hide posts from (Em6d4)
Exactly why I included the qualifier.....I fervently embrace anyone who comes here because the song of freedom in their heart compelled them to.....and everyone here who hears that song every day.....but the statists, cronies, and layabouts can just go hang.
Posted by: cthulhu at March 20, 2014 12:59 AM (T1005)
Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 01:04 AM (gjOCp)
If some grunge girl did that Bobo song around 1992, it would have fit right in.
Posted by: Epobirs at March 20, 2014 01:05 AM (bPxS6)
Posted by: rickl at March 20, 2014 01:11 AM (sdi6R)
Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 01:13 AM (gjOCp)
Posted by: The Farmer at March 20, 2014 01:19 AM (eBupg)
I don't know if anyone saw my depressed rambling late in the previous ONT but I suggested that resentment of retires with loaded pensions could make for a new Logan's Run scenario.
Or the basis for one last Dirty Harry movie, where the elderly Harry Callahan becomes suspicious of the mortality rate of recent retirees with pensions of the sort threatening to crush local and state governments.
Posted by: Epobirs at March 20, 2014 01:20 AM (bPxS6)
Supposedly it was a metaphor for hooking up. Her account of how she wrote the song is kind of funny:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand_New_Key
Posted by: Epobirs at March 20, 2014 01:24 AM (bPxS6)
Did you respond to me about Shredded Chi? I looked at last night's ONT & you said it would take a bit of time & would respond shortly. I looked today & did not see a response. You name y have but if you did I could not find one.
You could ask BC 1981 for my email address, he has all as Yahoo Group director. I would put it here but last time I did Shredded Chi asked moderator to remove it. Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 05:04 AM (gjOCp) Hide posts from (gjOCp)
It took somewhat longer than expected, and wasn't as successful as I'd hoped, but things currently seem OK. Last I heard, Shredded Chi was doing well, but I owe him dinner and some other things....and he should be fine, if he doesn't hold a grudge. It's a long story that isn't really clear, but I hope to resolve it Wednesday. I'd say more, but it's his story to tell at this point.
Posted by: cthulhu at March 20, 2014 01:26 AM (T1005)
Posted by: rickl at March 20, 2014 01:29 AM (sdi6R)
Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 01:38 AM (gjOCp)
Posted by: rickl at March 20, 2014 01:38 AM (sdi6R)
Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 01:45 AM (gjOCp)
Posted by: redenzo at March 20, 2014 01:47 AM (WCnJW)
I received an email from him thanking me for my friendship, he also,told me to get my brother Paul to Massachusetts.
I asked only if he was okay & to let me know, but he did not answer that question.
I have no clue why I am awake this early.
I'll go get clothes out of dryer.
Have you ever added mozzarella cheese to roasted tomatoes! I have twice & made it for my dinner. Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 05:38 AM (gjOCp) Hide posts from (gjOCp)
Posted by: cthulhu at March 20, 2014 01:53 AM (T1005)
As always, this Edward Abbey quote comes to mind:
“As a confirmed melancholic, I can testify that the best and maybe only antidote for melancholia is action. However, like most melancholics, I suffer also from sloth.”
I should use the treadmill every day and try to get out on my bicycle more but depression has this self-reinforcing symptom that compels inactivity.
Posted by: Epobirs at March 20, 2014 01:57 AM (bPxS6)
Posted by: MTF at March 20, 2014 02:00 AM (B+HTd)
Posted by: rickl at March 20, 2014 02:03 AM (sdi6R)
I received an email from him thanking me for my friendship, he also,told me to get my brother Paul to Massachusetts.
I asked only if he was okay & to let me know, but he did not answer that question.
I have no clue why I am awake this early.
I'll go get clothes out of dryer.
Have you ever added mozzarella cheese to roasted tomatoes! I have twice & made it for my dinner. Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 05:38 AM (gjOCp) Hide posts from (gjOCp)
I tried parmesan and wasn't thrilled at the outcome -- problem is that I look for browned tips as a signal of done-ness (being that I do it with all sorts of temps/convection/etc.) and that doesn't work so well with other circumstances.
Chi is doing fine, except he might be somewhat pissed at me for something I amply deserve that I hope to resolve on Wednesday. Since I amply deserve it, it is currently his story to tell....once we bury the hatchet, I'll be able to pitch it as being totally justified....but that will be Thursday. In the greater scheme of things, he's ok and I'm an idiot.
And, Carol, we had a telephone conversation recently where you were referenced....and we both cherish you. Don't worry about Chi -- we're dealin'.
Posted by: cthulhu at March 20, 2014 02:10 AM (T1005)
Posted by: fastfreefall at March 20, 2014 02:30 AM (oXDvk)
My neighborhood really doesn't lend itself to that. One thing that has kept me from using the bicycle more is the only route that doesn't have killer hills involved is somewhat dangerous. I'm awaiting delivery on a bike rack that would mount to the trailer hitch socket on my mother's Explorer. That would let me take the bike to areas where I can ride safely and within my limited capability. I should be able to do better when I'm in better shape but my lack of exercise really shows.
I could catch the local bus and see how far of the return trip on foot I could manage but the real trick is getting out of bed in the first place. The next trick is to not waste away the daylight web surfing. All too often I look up and realize I've blown so much time reading online that it's soon to be dark. This is less of a problem as we move into Spring.
Posted by: Epobirs at March 20, 2014 02:45 AM (bPxS6)
Coming soon. I'm almost sure of it, because people who don't know what it was like, believe it will never happen.
Posted by: DefendUSA at March 20, 2014 02:50 AM (nAHMK)
Good times....good times.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 20, 2014 02:52 AM (si68n)
Posted by: mindful webworker at March 20, 2014 02:53 AM (rf20m)
Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 04:08 AM (gjOCp)
Posted by: Misanthopic Humanitarian at March 20, 2014 04:39 AM (HVff2)
Posted by: Carol at March 20, 2014 04:58 AM (gjOCp)
Do you realize all these people fled everything the left wants to give us? They had free health care, free housing, free education, government run food stores and constitutions that made vacations mandatory and protecting the environment a government priority. Go look up some of the constitutions under the Soviet Union. A 2 week vacation was your right! And all of it people risked their lives to flee!
Posted by: Jellytoast at March 20, 2014 06:01 AM (sj7UM)
Posted by: Taco Shack at March 20, 2014 06:34 AM (C+qQ0)
And yes, a lot of them were built in what are now "dodgy" neighborhoods. The malls in those areas are nothing more than a place for kids, usually near-feral, to hang out.
But . . . open air malls? Maybe in SoCal or other places with good weather for more than three months a year. But in cold weather, and even more especially in hot, you need coverage from the elements. Noo Awlins, Houston, Miami? Forget it. No one with any sense will go to an open-air mall if the weather is 90 + F. and 60+ per cent humidity.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at March 20, 2014 07:42 AM (BDU/a)
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Posted by: The Political Hat at March 19, 2014 06:45 PM (AymDN)