Ace of Spades HQ

February 20, 2014

Thursday Morning Open Thread
— Open Blogger

Sorry, got caught up doing other things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:40 AM | Comments (207)
Post contains 15 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Yay! Non-dump!

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 05:41 AM (GQ8sn)

2 impressive.

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:42 AM (vJFfv)

3 Oneth?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:42 AM (0HooB)

4 Shazbot!

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:42 AM (0HooB)

5 Naw, can't be.

Posted by: katya the designated driver at February 20, 2014 05:42 AM (4Chvm)

6 Anyone seen tangonine this morning?

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 05:43 AM (GQ8sn)

7 I highly recommend Jim Geraghty this morning. His newsletter is just loaded with awesome.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 05:43 AM (F58x4)

8 Here's some news: http://wapo.st/1bNyJtV Top Md. health official says contractor Â‘misrepresentedÂ’ ability to build exchange "A top Maryland health official sharpened criticism of the lead contractor on the stateÂ’s troubled health-exchange project Wednesday, saying Noridian Healthcare Solutions Â“severely misrepresented the maturityÂ” of the system it could build using off-the-shelf software." Yep, it looks like the next phases of this one will be waged in the media. Sigh, I never seem to wind up on the "easy ones"...lol

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:44 AM (vJFfv)

9 So, did I miss anything so far this morning?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:45 AM (0HooB)

10 I'll go and get the others...

Posted by: Nighthawk at February 20, 2014 05:46 AM (OtQXp)

11 Top Md. health official says contractor Â‘misrepresentedÂ’ ability to build exchange

"A top Maryland health official sharpened criticism of the lead contractor on the stateÂ’s troubled health-exchange project Wednesday, saying Noridian Healthcare Solutions Â“severely misrepresented the maturityÂ” of the system it could build using off-the-shelf software."

Nothing about the state recovering the money it paid them? Too bad for the taxpayers.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 05:46 AM (GQ8sn)

12 I highly recommend Jim Geraghty this morning. His newsletter is just loaded with awesome.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 09:43 AM (F58x4)

Care to link or exerpt?

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 05:46 AM (GQ8sn)

13 Cleaned two things off of my desk, only about twenty moreto go.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 05:47 AM (4Vr+0)

14 Ok, where is Vic?

Posted by: votermom at February 20, 2014 05:47 AM (GSIDW)

15 Tomorrow, high noon. Men's Hockey. USA vs. Canada. Be there! If you've watched no other Olympics this year, now is the time to get exited. Because our men's hockey team is a really good, hardworking, all-for-one type of team that you've just got to get behind. And besides, it's USA vs. CANADA! (Team Canada's John Tavares hurt yesterday and out for the next 9 months. oof!)

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 05:48 AM (7ObY1)

16 Well, it's time to check the wash in the dryer. Time my errands so I might see the elusive Miss Christine at CVS I've been talking to & giving trinkets too. Just friendly-like. She's young & pretty & probably "spoken for." But pleasant to talk to....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 05:49 AM (ULH4o)

17 I mean, I know we're still screwed, that's the one overriding constant in the universe for the past six years. And SNAFU always applies. *sigh* I guess I'll have to satisfy my quest for good news by looking at pics of Kate Upton...

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:49 AM (0HooB)

18 I just saw that I got namechecked in last night's vibrator thread. I swear I'm a pervert, I have a filthy mind and I think about nothing but sex, yet I never saw a sexual connotation in this nick.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 20, 2014 05:49 AM (A0sHn)

19 We've competed for one Maryland software deal. I have never ever seen less competence and more bureaucracy wrapped up in a single package as in Maryland state procurement. We lost the deal to a company that eventually fessed up to not having the capabilities to do what was needed (which were stupidly over complicated by the RFP, but that was beside the point) and the State finally had to file a lawsuit against the contract winner, by way of covering up their own incompetence. Now a new RFP is out, two years later.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 05:49 AM (F58x4)

20 I'd say the difficulty of building a government exchange is compounded by the patchwork of gummint computer systems you have to interface with added to the nightmare of gummint specifications and whim as delivered by knowledgeless bureaucrats.

Posted by: --- at February 20, 2014 05:50 AM (MMC8r)

21 11 Nothing about the state recovering the money it paid them? Too bad for the taxpayers. Au contraire, that is discussed in the article; it's evidently one of the remedies the State is actively considering. Because the Lt Gov was nominally in charge of the implementation, and he's the (D) favorite to replace the sitting Gov (also (D), also dreaming of a dark horse White House run in 2016), there's a lot of fault that has to be analyzed and placed anywhere but on the State itself...many of the folks that/ will be "looking into stuff" apparently won't be delivering their reports until after the (D) primaries. It's all 12d Chess, after all. I'm glad we came in to help out after the "go-live" date, for sure...lol.

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:50 AM (vJFfv)

>>>I'll go and get the others...

/let go of my ear dammit

Posted by: Bigby's Typing Hands at February 20, 2014 05:51 AM (3ZtZW)

23 84 year old nun is sentenced to three years in prison. She and two others cut through three fences and proceeded to deface a storage bunker at Oak Ridge that held weapons-grade uranium. They were at the facility for two hours before security finally responded and found them singing chants.

There are many things to be uncomfortable about in the story. First it took TWO Hours. The contractor should not have been fired, they should have been shot as a lesson. Second where did one of the protestors get baby blood to throw on the bunker?

http://tinyurl.com/qxortyy

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 05:51 AM (QDvfw)

24 Hmm, I wonder if these still work... &&&&&&

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:52 AM (0HooB)

25 Back in 2008 some guy called Obama a "lightworker". I think he meant light worker. "Fore!"

Posted by: Stevea28 at February 20, 2014 05:52 AM (fMxYc)

26 "other things" is code word for bodily dismemberment.

And Twitter whoring.

Posted by: dananjcon at February 20, 2014 05:53 AM (NpXoL)

27 19 I have never ever seen less competence and more bureaucracy wrapped up in a single package as in Maryland state procurement. Which is why a lot of that was evidently bypassed here...with less than ideal results. I wasn't around for the start of the project, but I think folks will be writing term papers about this implementation (and how not to build a software product) in project management classes for some time to come based upon everything that's out there in the newspapers.

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at February 20, 2014 05:53 AM (vJFfv)

28 To sign up for Geraghty's Morning Jolt and also for Jonah's completely unreliable (it doesn't come often enough, in other words!) newsletters, go here: http://bit.ly/1ffsj7p You can also search for Geraghty's name at the National Review site and he writes a Campaign column where he often republishes his Morning Jolt.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 05:53 AM (F58x4)

29 What does a guy have to do to get a real American Slurpee these days?

Posted by: Joe Biden at February 20, 2014 05:54 AM (JQuNB)

30 The RNC is pushing their "black outreach" programs by trying to show how much republicans can act like democrats. Dumb mother fuckers. If you want the percentage of the black vote that you can get, use a campaign that hits hard and pounds the democrats for their failures. "Only 1 in 5 "inner city" youths graduate from high school" "Half of all black men have police records" "Black unemployment is double white unemployment" "How's that voting democrat working out for you?"

Posted by: jwest at February 20, 2014 05:54 AM (u2a4R)

31 Way-way-waitaminnet there, Banderfroom. You took a nic from Lewis Carroll and never saw a sexual connotation in it? Not an English major, are you.

It's like saying "Y-Not" has nothing to do with massive mammary sheaths in zero-g.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 20, 2014 05:54 AM (xq1UY)

32 My wife's in IT. Her company was looking at getting into gummint contracting until they got a look at the nightmare, then it was 'Fuck that noise.'

Posted by: --- at February 20, 2014 05:55 AM (MMC8r)

33
What you missed by not watching NBC's The Tonight Show last night:

Jimmy Fallon playing charades with Tim McGraw and Emma Thompson.

*crickets*

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at February 20, 2014 05:55 AM (kdS6q)

34 27 19 I have never ever seen less competence and more bureaucracy wrapped up in a single package as in Maryland state procurement. Thank God.

Posted by: Oregon State Procurement at February 20, 2014 05:55 AM (JQuNB)

35 Morning!
Think the MS will ever figure out that all of these state exchanges are failing because the policy they're designed to facilitate is a train wreck?
Nah, me neither.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 20, 2014 05:56 AM (POpqt)

Second where did one of the protestors get baby blood to throw on the bunker?

Ever see the documentary movie called "The Omen"? Nun nurses can get anything. Anything at all.

Posted by: Count de Monet at February 20, 2014 05:56 AM (BAS5M)

37 Maryland is a "D" controlled shithole. Our governor is a f'n imbecile. He and his wife used to bounce checks at a local grocery store.

Posted by: Timon at February 20, 2014 05:56 AM (kAniV)

38 What you missed by not watching NBC's The Tonight Show last night:

Jimmy Fallon playing charades with Tim McGraw and Emma Thompson.

*crickets*

Fallon should immediately start talking about his vibrator. Or Fleshlight.

Ratings will spike!

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 05:56 AM (GQ8sn)

39 Oops - that's supposed to be "MSM."
...moar coffee.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 20, 2014 05:56 AM (POpqt)

40 "I'd say the difficulty of building a government exchange is compounded by the patchwork of gummint computer systems you have to interface with added to the nightmare of gummint specifications and whim as delivered by knowledgeless bureaucrats."

And then you have a further complicating factor: when the First Lady insists that the overriding criterion in selecting a contractor has to be picking the firm that lucratively employs an old friend of hers from college.

Posted by: torquewrench at February 20, 2014 05:56 AM (gqT4g)

41 I felt sorry for the puppy chased by the cat.

Posted by: Judge Pug at February 20, 2014 05:57 AM (6Nj7A)

Not an English major, are you.

I'm just in it for the shunning.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 20, 2014 05:57 AM (A0sHn)

43 First!

Posted by: Bildo at February 20, 2014 05:57 AM (eToum)

44 Reason #1,001,092 for not using Craigslist as a dating service.
http://tinyurl.com/nkp9a7e

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 05:58 AM (QDvfw)

45 >>Jimmy Fallon playing charades with Tim McGraw and Emma Thompson.

Jimmy Fallon is a total tool of the White House. How many times has he had one of the Obama's on his program to slow jam or mom dance? Yeah, like he'll ever tell a mean joke about them now.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 20, 2014 05:58 AM (POpqt)

46 People who applied a sexual connotation to "Frumious Bandersnatch" would probably apply a sexual connotation to almost everything or regularly use the word "snatch' for sexual terminology or are not readers of "Jabberwocky"

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 20, 2014 05:58 AM (XyM/Y)

47 I'm surprised that so many are saying that the FCC's intimidation of the press is just another administration misstep as if all Obama is capable of is screwing up.

While I believe there is an astonishing level of incompetence demonstrated by Obama and pals, it would be just as astonishing to believe that this shit doesn't fit within their ideological dreams of fundamentally changing the country.

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at February 20, 2014 05:58 AM (BZAd3)

48 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a malignant traitor.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 05:59 AM (PYAXX)

49 I never thought I'd see the day where a President of the United States of America "slow-jams the news." The Founders are spinning furiously...

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 05:59 AM (7ObY1)

50 34. Well, in all fairness to Maryland, we have never tried to compete in Oregon. We did participate in one fun project once in Louisiana that's worth mentioning. The manager of the department in question totally screwed up the implementation and, hilariously, the state gave her an award and a bonus after it was mercifully complete for "hard work" in a difficult implementation. Government contracting is a different world, and is bizarre.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 05:59 AM (F58x4)

51 Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 09:47 AM (4Vr+0) Just cleaning up, just catching up, or something else?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:01 AM (PYAXX)

52 Now a new RFP is out, two years later.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 09:49 AM (F58x4)

You obviously need to work on your Sebelius suckuptitude.

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at February 20, 2014 06:01 AM (BZAd3)

53 Government contracting is a different world, and is bizarre. It's not like it's their money.

Posted by: --- at February 20, 2014 06:01 AM (MMC8r)

54 yet I never saw a sexual connotation in this nick.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 20, 2014 09:49 AM (A0sHn)

Snatch?

Posted by: Sherry McEvil, Stiletto Corsettes, think mink. at February 20, 2014 06:01 AM (kXoT0)

55 Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at February 20, 2014 09:58 AM (BZAd3) My administration just thinks it works better for everybody if we just spread the news around, and we obviously need professional monitors to ensure it is redistributed fairly!

Posted by: Caliph Barky O'Choomba I at February 20, 2014 06:02 AM (o3MSL)

56 Government contracting is a different world, and is bizarre.

Friend of mine says it is the most frustrating thing to deal with. He and his business partners once thought about hiring a racial minority "face man" to get a better shot at contracts.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:02 AM (GQ8sn)

57 FenelonSpoke, I think people are still reeling from that shocking revelation from yesterday. Holy plot twists! Ace is a she!?!?!??

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 06:02 AM (QDvfw)

58 This is neat. "Finnish Herders Dab Reindeer Antlers With Fluorescent Paint In Drive To Limit Road Kills" From WZ: http://tinyurl.com/mxrf6x6

Posted by: ExSnipe at February 20, 2014 06:03 AM (LKJt3)

59 25?

I believe it was the idiot Orca Winfrey who coined that.
May she rest in the obscurity she earned....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 06:03 AM (ULH4o)

60 My wife's in IT. Her company was looking at getting into gummint contracting until they got a look at the nightmare, then it was 'Fuck that noise.'

Posted by: --- at February 20, 2014 09:55 AM (MMC8r)

We gave up on selling to BigGovÂ™ when DCAS raised their fees for the umpteenth time and ITAR red tape and documentation got out of control.

It shouldn't cost a private company to business with its own countries government and contracts shouldn't be awarded based on the number of minorities or woman they have in the building but solely on pricing and service.

**sigh**

Posted by: dananjcon at February 20, 2014 06:03 AM (NpXoL)

61 Posted by: Lizzy at February 20, 2014 09:58 AM (POpqt) Yes, well interestingly enough, Mooch is one of this week one guests. Color me, not surprised.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:03 AM (hq5sb)

62 Yeah, at least when I look at our enrollee/effectuated coverage numbers here, I can do the arithmetic to come up with how much we've spent per actual enrollee that has gone through the HIX. It's not a pretty number, but at least it's a number. When they try to do that in Oregon, they're still dividing by zero.

Posted by: akula51[/b][/i][/s] at February 20, 2014 06:04 AM (vJFfv)

63 I believe it was the idiot Orca Winfrey who coined that.
May she rest in the obscurity she earned....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:03 AM (ULH4o)

No, it was some reporter whose name I forget. Ace talked about it here on the blog when it was published.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:04 AM (GQ8sn)

64 Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 10:01 AM (PYAXX) Heh, the only desk I let get cluttered is the one at my house. Makes the moving easier

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:04 AM (hq5sb)

65 I don't think the grizzly bear was whacking off. Looked more like the had a itch.

Posted by: Judge Pug at February 20, 2014 06:04 AM (6Nj7A)

66 Friend of mine says it is the most frustrating thing to deal with. He and his business partners once thought about hiring a racial minority "face man" to get a better shot at contracts. Do you mean a transgendered person of indeterminate race with an accent that can't be easily attributed to any known country?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 06:05 AM (0HooB)

67 Thank God. Posted by: Oregon State Procurement at February 20, 2014 09:55 AM (JQuNB) Pfffttt... you guys need to lie better like we do. Like, Balanced Budget? Deficit reductions? See?

Posted by: California Ministry of Truth. Really. at February 20, 2014 06:05 AM (mQx5k)

68 "84 year old nun is sentenced to three years in prison. She and two others cut through three fences and proceeded to deface a storage bunker at Oak Ridge that held weapons-grade uranium. They were at the facility for two hours before security finally responded and found them singing chants. There are many things to be uncomfortable about in the story. First it took TWO Hours. The contractor should not have been fired, they should have been shot as a lesson."

It is not well appreciated that the management of the national labs has been outsourced.

Back to Capitalism 101, to wit, that you will get a good deal from privatizing something only if the thing that you're privatizing allows for vigorous and open free-market competition. Absent that competition, privatization just leads to sloth and poor outcomes.

So, yeah, security at the labs is now demonstrably lacking. Because the outfits who now manage that function can trouser more money by doing security on the cheap. And they're extremely unlikely to lose their management contract even if there is a security breach.

Posted by: torquewrench at February 20, 2014 06:07 AM (gqT4g)

69 Government contracting is a different world, and is bizarre.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 09:59 AM (F58x4)

The worst job I ever had, by far, was doing contracting work for the feds. Just being there you can feel the depression in the air before you get immersed in the beast. The amount of bureaucratic waste and inefficiency, not to mention trying to decipher the labyrinth of rules, would confound Orwell and Kafka.

Posted by: Captain Hate at February 20, 2014 06:07 AM (2RiXU)

70 How dare you have a life, Ben?!!

Posted by: Y-not at February 20, 2014 06:07 AM (zDsvJ)

71
California leaders propose $687 million to alleviate drought

Including:

$46 million from state and federal funds to provide emergency food and shelter to people who are out of work because the farms they normally work on are fallow due to drought.*

The plan also includes a $1 million publicity campaign encouraging Californians to save water. One famous face will soon hit the airwaves urging water conservation: pop star Lady Gaga, who recorded a drought-themed public service announcement for no pay as part of a deal allowing her to film at Hearst Castle. **

http://tinyurl.com/kok6ma6

*!Gracias!

**Fabulous!

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at February 20, 2014 06:08 AM (kdS6q)

72 Just cleaning up, just catching up, or something else? Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 10:01 AM (PYAXX) Cleaning up/catching up. I'm embarrassingly about three months behind on my lab book. I've been finishing up projects and throwing the paperwork in my inbox. Time to get things in order.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:08 AM (4Vr+0)

73 >>I'm surprised that so many are saying that the FCC's intimidation of the press is just another administration misstep as if all Obama is capable of is screwing up.

Yeah, we're way beyond the "Is he stupid or evil?" point of assessing him.
Now we only need to determine how far into tyranny he'll go.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 20, 2014 06:08 AM (POpqt)

74 So... listed my house for sale yesterday (posting went on MLS last night around 7:30). First showing at noon today. Here's hoping I don't sell *too* quickly. It would suck not to have a house.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:09 AM (PYAXX)

75 Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at February 20, 2014 10:05 AM (0HooB) Lots of companies are run by wives as a method for getting government contracts. In fact my uncle quit his firm because the owner passed him over to take the reigns after her retirement to ensure the government money kept flowing even though he had more experience and a longer tenure.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:09 AM (hq5sb)

76 Lewis Carroll was, perhaps, not a child molester. But he was a photographer, and a mathematician, and there's just something kind of eeew about that.
So I ain't a-buyin' it, Frumi. You had to know there was something pervy there.

Was anyone else shocked at the solidarity shown the Ukrainians by the entire Russian hockey team? They dropped out of the Olympics even before the Ukes!

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 20, 2014 06:09 AM (xq1UY)

77 63 I believe it was the idiot Orca Winfrey who coined that. May she rest in the obscurity she earned.... Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:03 AM (ULH4o) No, it was some reporter whose name I forget. Ace talked about it here on the blog when it was published. It was writer Mark Morford of the SF (but of course) Chronicle.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 06:09 AM (7ObY1)

78 Back to Capitalism 101, to wit, that you will get a good deal from privatizing something only if the thing that you're privatizing allows for vigorous and open free-market competition. Absent that competition, privatization just leads to sloth and poor outcomes. Absolutely. Good point.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 20, 2014 06:10 AM (mQx5k)

79 >>"Finnish Herders Dab Reindeer Antlers With Fluorescent Paint In Drive To Limit Road Kills" What? That must mean they have flying cars over there. Flucking Scandis aren't sharing. Wouldn't you just know it?

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 20, 2014 06:10 AM (SUKHu)

80 Second where did one of the protestors get baby blood to throw on the bunker?

TFA says "baby bottles of human blood", which is less interesting that "baby blood", but I was going to suggest Planned Parenthood.

Posted by: HR at February 20, 2014 06:10 AM (ZKzrr)

81 It was writer Mark Morford of the SF (but of course) Chronicle. Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 10:09 AM (7ObY1) That, is a warped, useless waste of flesh right there. Complete shit.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 20, 2014 06:11 AM (mQx5k)

82 So, yeah, security at the labs is now demonstrably lacking. Because the outfits who now manage that function can trouser more money by doing security on the cheap. And they're extremely unlikely to lose their management contract even if there is a security breach.

Someone should bid $1 to see if this shit is real.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:11 AM (GQ8sn)

83 Hey gang, after "athiest," let's work on "rein" and "reign," OK? Kthnxbai

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 20, 2014 06:11 AM (xq1UY)

84 In many ways, The Omen is Obama's story.

Posted by: Count de Monet at February 20, 2014 06:12 AM (BAS5M)

He and his business partners once thought about hiring a racial minority "face man" to get a better shot at contracts.

My best friend from business school got a job with a big consultancy doing workouts and restructurings. (This is in the RTC days). His employer approached him about forming a front company which would get contracts due to his Puerto Rican heritage. This is a guy who grew up in privilege and just finished near the top of a big time MBA program.

I said, "but you're rich. Affirmative action isn't meant for you".

He said, "look, the work is going to go to a Puerto Rican, don't you want it to go to someone who can actually do it?"

I never came up with a satisfactory response.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 20, 2014 06:12 AM (A0sHn)

86 Good luck, Allen.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:12 AM (4Vr+0)

87 Friend of mine says it is the most frustrating thing to deal with. He and his business partners once thought about hiring a racial minority "face man" to get a better shot at contracts. Do you mean a transgendered person of indeterminate race with an accent that can't be easily attributed to any known country? Pat.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 20, 2014 06:12 AM (XCfYI)

88 >>The plan also includes a $1 million publicity campaign encouraging Californians to save water. How much water could they import for that much? Or they could buy Scandi flying cars and steal rain from over Oregon. Why I'm not in charge of stuff, I just don't understand.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 20, 2014 06:13 AM (SUKHu)

89 Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 10:08 AM (4Vr+0) Heh, I just told someone the other day (in the context of talking about the Iminishi-Kari/Baltimore mess in the 80s-90s) "Man if anyone ever goes through my old lab books, I'm probably in a lot of trouble. Hell I don't think I could explain their order to you." Actually it's funny, a bit after I left the lab called and said "hey, these KO mice seem to be WT, can you help us with your notebooks to find the mistake." We all combed over them, and couldn't figure out where the mistake happened (which likely means it was a toe tagging mistake rather than a lab notebook mistake, but that's still weird because I did double checks of the KO/KO breeders and their offspring before I labeled them as "no need to genotype.") An entire strain had to be rederived from a set of DKO's which was a nightmare (glad I wasn't there for that.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:13 AM (hq5sb)

90 In fact my uncle quit his firm because the owner passed him over to take the reigns after her retirement to ensure the government money kept flowing even though he had more experience and a longer tenure. *sigh* I miss the old days when merit was valued...

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 06:14 AM (0HooB)

91 Great critter vid. needed that laugh.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:14 AM (x3YFz)

92 I miss the old days when merit was valued... Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at February 20, 2014 10:14 AM (0HooB) You saying you're as old as Vic?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:15 AM (PYAXX)

93 So... something bugging me since yesterday, but I was too busy with working at work to ask. Why do all of the legal filings re: Kimberlin v Ace o' Spades refer to ace as "her?" Cause that makes ace's interest in busty tan-line pron a LOT more interesting.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:16 AM (PYAXX)

94 I never came up with a satisfactory response.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 20, 2014 10:12 AM (A0sHn)

Right. My friend and his crew were all competent and had the skills to do the job they were bidding on. The only problem was they were whiter than an arctic blizzard. Almost zero chance if a minority owned company entered the process. Bidding lower would still not have helped them, as weird gov rules deliberately steer contracts to minority owned businesses as a right of refusal before anyone else gets to see them.

Ofcourse, the minority owned businesses will charge triple/quadruple for the same job.

It's all a scam.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:16 AM (GQ8sn)

95 Hey baby, why don't you take my vorpal sword in your hand and make it go snicker snack.

Posted by: Everything can be made to sound dirty at February 20, 2014 06:16 AM (LI48c)

96 63?
77?

Thanks for the info. Still despise Orca, tho... she helped sell America on Duh!1. Who I still insist is dumb as a bag of hammers....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 06:17 AM (ULH4o)

97 You saying you're as old as Vic? Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 10:15 AM (PYAXX) I have rocks outside younger than Vic.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:17 AM (x3YFz)

98 tsrblke, I wonder how many people besides you and I understood what you typed?

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:18 AM (4Vr+0)

99 Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 10:02 AM (QDvfw) That's what happens when people don't read the entire thread. ;^)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 20, 2014 06:18 AM (XyM/Y)

100 When we compete for a contract requiring minority percentage participation (which is admittedly the norm now) we hire a firm to front the deal for us, and when they apply for the contract they just add their fees to ours. That's all they do, act as a contract front man, and there is plenty of demand for their "service". We see this increasingly in bank contracting too.

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 06:18 AM (F58x4)

101 Posted by: rickb223 at February 20, 2014 10:16 AM (XCfYI) It's actually a problem with a hot house market, apparently. You're trying to sell your house, and actually getting multiple bids, while you're ALSO trying to negotiate for a new house. It's a very delicate balancing act to get the old one sold and possession handed over in such a way that you don't have to find some place to crash for several days/weeks. OTOH, we think we're going to clear anywhere between 7 & 10K more than we thought when we first looked at selling several months ago.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:18 AM (PYAXX)

102 Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at February 20, 2014 10:14 AM (0HooB) Even he had to admit it was a shrewd move. He considered naming his wife CEO of his new venture, but upon consultation with a lawyer realized she didn't have enough credentials to pull it off. (The rules require substantial contribution or somesuch.) It's a lot easier in the trades where you can get someone the training to do bids and fill in work. I'm fairly certain the tuckerpointer I just had out was using that model. It was a brother/sister business but it seemed like the brother was more in charge of the nitty gritty and the sister handled quotes and such (but it was listed as a "Woman owned company.") (FWIW, I went with them because they had the most comprehensive services for the cost.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:19 AM (hq5sb)

103 Cause that makes ace's interest in busty tan-line pron a LOT more interesting. Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 10:16 AM (PYAXX) I got into so much trouble yesterday on this topic that I'm going to avoid it like Rosie O'Donnel avoids sit-ups.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:19 AM (x3YFz)

104 Cause that makes ace's interest in busty tan-line pron a LOT more interesting.

It's funny if you have to re-imagine ace as an ette, knowing all about the "master of my domain" business.

Hahaha!!! Cracks me up thinking about it.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:19 AM (GQ8sn)

105 You saying you're as old as Vic? Almost. Vic told them where to put dirt.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at February 20, 2014 06:19 AM (0HooB)

106 That bunny raped that poor dog!

Posted by: Judge Pug at February 20, 2014 06:19 AM (6Nj7A)

107 84 In many ways, The Omen is Obama's story. Posted by: Count de Monet at February 20, 2014 10:12 AM (BAS5M) I'm still not convinced it's not. No other individual of such a pedestrian intellect and flawed character has been protected so thoroughly. It's either that or another Manchurian Candidate remake. It's ridiculous....

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 20, 2014 06:19 AM (mQx5k)

108 92 So... something bugging me since yesterday, but I was too busy with working at work to ask.

Why do all of the legal filings re: Kimberlin v Ace o' Spades refer to ace as "her?"

Cause that makes ace's interest in busty tan-line pron a LOT more interesting.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 10:16 AM (PYAXX)

Apparently with legal filings the "in" thing when dealing with anonymous persons is to use feminine pronouns. Because the use of masculine ones plays into the patriarchy and PIV rape or some such

Posted by: buzzion at February 20, 2014 06:20 AM (LI48c)

109 Hey baby, why don't you take my vorpal sword in your hand and make it go snicker snack.

Posted by: Everything can be made to sound dirty at February 20, 2014 10:16

I had actually been saving that for a fapping thread. My mind is in the gutter. I was just surprised that first girl in the Baba Wawa vibrator thread said "do you want to see my Frumious Bandersnatch".

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 20, 2014 06:20 AM (A0sHn)

110 tsrblke, I wonder how many people besides you and I understood what you typed? Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 10:18 AM (4Vr+0) Actually, I think I sort of followed it. Lab notes would be, well, notes about your lab work- what stuff you did to which strains of mice, cockroaches, fruit flies, whatever. They need to match what you did exactly (and be in order) so that your work can be recreated when necessary. Tsrblke (or someone) screwed up either with his notes or with tagging some mice, invalidating the results of one or more experiments, and setting back whatever research while more mice of the correct genetic strain were bred. Am I close?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:20 AM (PYAXX)

111 Speak for yourself T9. I could certainly hear more ...

Posted by: ScoggDog at February 20, 2014 06:20 AM (PdJhk)

112 105 That bunny raped that poor dog! Posted by: Judge Pug at February 20, 2014 10:19 AM (6Nj7A) bunnies are not to be taken lightly. I fear them.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:21 AM (x3YFz)

113 Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 10:18 AM (4Vr+0) And to think, I can't seem to find lab work because I've been doing other things the last few years. Clearly I still got it

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:21 AM (hq5sb)

114 110 Speak for yourself T9. I could certainly hear more ... Posted by: ScoggDog at February 20, 2014 10:20 AM (PdJhk) ...about Rosie's sit ups? You're a sick sick man!

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:22 AM (x3YFz)

115 >>I am sure it wonÂ’t come as a surprise to hear that in far too many states, implementation has been completely botched. Seven of ten teachers believe that implementation of the standards is going poorly in their schools. Worse yet, teachers report that there has been little to no attempt to allow educators to share whatÂ’s needed to get [Common Core State Standards] implementation right. In fact, two thirds of all teachers report that they have not even been asked how to implement these new standards in their classrooms. That's the *NEA* saying that about Common Core. Of course, it's probably part of saying that the actual standards are good... PJ M Tatler link in name.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 20, 2014 06:22 AM (SUKHu)

116 bunnies are not to be taken lightly. I fear them.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 10:21 AM (x3YFz)

Fookin' eh!

Posted by: Tim The Enchanter at February 20, 2014 06:22 AM (GQ8sn)

117 92?
AllenG?

I seem to have missed something- what "filings" vs ace are happening? My friends at Free Dominion, who hosts my pseudo-blog of my daily life, have been bombarded by lawfare-type assaults since 1997. If you have some info to give me I'd be obliged.

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 06:23 AM (ULH4o)

118 bunnies are not to be taken lightly. I fear them. Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 10:21 AM (x3YFz) Fookin' eh! Posted by: Tim The Enchanter at February 20, 2014 10:22 AM That makes 3...

Posted by: Anyanka- Once and Future Vengeance Demon at February 20, 2014 06:23 AM (PYAXX)

119 *blinks* I think I have fallen through the looking glass.

Russian song set to Japanese pop groups footage. Do have a Lara Croft and a Kill Bill Bride in it. Still my brain hurts.

http://youtu.be/xKVXxEcwZR8

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 06:23 AM (QDvfw)

120 On the Maryland government incompetence theme, here's some happy news : U of Md. Student records hacked. http://cnnmon.ie/1jSKu4J All that personal info.... Why can't someone do us a solid and hack Columbia or Harvard Law?

Posted by: MTF at February 20, 2014 06:24 AM (F58x4)

121
I seem to have missed something- what "filings" vs ace are happening? My friends at Free Dominion, who hosts my pseudo-blog of my daily life, have been bombarded by lawfare-type assaults since 1997. If you have some info to give me I'd be obliged.

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:23 AM (ULH4o)

Look down several posts to the lawyer one doing pro bono stuff for ace.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:24 AM (GQ8sn)

122 Barbara Walters' comments were ..... beyond sickening. Like millions of Duracells crying out in agony and then suddenly going silent.

Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn at February 20, 2014 06:24 AM (3S0o7)

123 bunnies are not to be taken lightly. I fear them. Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 10:21 AM (x3YFz) Hey! So do I.

Posted by: Jimmy Carter at February 20, 2014 06:24 AM (LKJt3)

124 I dunno'. Hearing about an O'Donnel sit-up would be like listening to a unicorn sighting, or one of Vic's eye-witness reports on creationism. I'd give it a couple minutes.

Posted by: ScoggDog at February 20, 2014 06:25 AM (PdJhk)

125 Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:23 AM (ULH4o) I only know what ace posted and linked yesterday. Here's the link he provided (shortened, as not to break blog): http://bit.ly/1jM3wqm

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:25 AM (PYAXX)

126 Bunnyphobia? Who knew. You buncha bunnyists. Bunn-o-phobics.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 06:25 AM (7ObY1)

127 Crap, missed my chance to comment on the Kimberlin thread. I just wanted to point out that lefties who assume they're safe just because Kimberlin is supposedly in the same political tribe had better pull their heads out of their asses. Because the Dread Pirate's first lawfare victim? A lefty blogger.

In fact, Kimberlin's obsession with Aaron Walker had nothing to do with his politics: it was because Walker gave said blogger some legal advice.

But more importantly, I have a helpful link for anyone who wants to help out some of the Dread Pirate's other victims: bombersuesbloggers.com

Posted by: Saber Alter at February 20, 2014 06:25 AM (DNu5Y)

128 >>In fact, two thirds of all teachers report that they have not even been asked how to implement these new standards in their classrooms.

Duh, that's what sucks about centralization: they don't *care* about your experience or opinions. It's not just the parents who are irrelevant, it's the teachers, too. Don't think, just do what you're told according to the lesson plan, sweetie.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 20, 2014 06:25 AM (POpqt)

129 >>refer to ace as "her?" I was cracking up yesterday with half the people 'discovering' Ace was a woman and the other half remembering seeing him on TV and ~~gently correcting people~~ having a crap load of fun with the idea.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 20, 2014 06:25 AM (SUKHu)

130
Inflation rate remains low as January prices barely budge

WASHINGTON -- Consumer prices barely budged last month, a slowdown that showed inflation was well in check to start the year -- and maybe running too low.

Los Angeles Times

OK, sure.

Posted by: An $8 Pound of Bacon

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at February 20, 2014 06:25 AM (kdS6q)

131 >>>>>116 92? AllenG? I seem to have missed something- what "filings" vs ace are happening? My friends at Free Dominion, who hosts my pseudo-blog of my daily life, have been bombarded by lawfare-type assaults since 1997. If you have some info to give me I'd be obliged. Backhoe, go read the post Ace put up yesterday for background. The Other McCain also has alot of background on what Ace has been dealing with.

Posted by: L, elle at February 20, 2014 06:26 AM (0xqKe)

132 Stop oppressing us! Or, or, or...we'll hop around looking and acting all cute and stuff. That'll show you.

Posted by: Bunnies at February 20, 2014 06:26 AM (7ObY1)

133 Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 10:20 AM (PYAXX) Close, but not quite right. I'd note that when you have tons of people working on a project lab notes may or may not actually reflect an "experiment." as much as "some random part of procedure." In my case I was doing what basically amounted to "genetic trait screening." via standard methods. But I was doing it for hundreds of mice. Multiple traits. So I kept records of every screen I ran, in a notebook sorted by screening type, then by date (reverse chronological order) and finally animal number. But I was working on 7 different projects and it wasn't until the problem that I realized that even though I had great records of every screening I did, they're kinda separated from their context, which made them really hard to back track. I'd note that these records were on top of the geologies of every mouse going back 5 years I kept. So the long and the short of is, that even though I had records, you'd have needed a freaking team to sort them out.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:26 AM (hq5sb)

134 This place needs one of them FCC Hall Monitors.

Posted by: Joe Biden at February 20, 2014 06:26 AM (JQuNB)

135 I was cracking up yesterday with half the people 'discovering' Ace was a woman and the other half remembering seeing him on TV and gently correcting people having a crap load of fun with the idea.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 20, 2014 10:25 AM (SUKHu)

The whole "Israeli tank" meme took on a whole new meaning.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:27 AM (GQ8sn)

136 I seem to have missed something- what "filings" vs ace are happening? My friends at Free Dominion, who hosts my pseudo-blog of my daily life, have been bombarded by lawfare-type assaults since 1997. If you have some info to give me I'd be obliged. Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:23 AM (ULH4o) Didn't Free Dominion just get lawfared out of existence?

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 20, 2014 06:27 AM (mQx5k)

137 I liked it better when every damn thing wasn't made out to have a sexual connotation

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 20, 2014 06:27 AM (XyM/Y)

138 131 Stop oppressing us!

Or, or, or...we'll hop around looking and acting all cute and stuff. That'll show you.

Posted by: Bunnies at February 20, 2014 10:26 AM (7ObY1)

I'll take care of that.

Posted by: Lizzy from the Walking Dead at February 20, 2014 06:27 AM (LI48c)

139 If ACE is a chick, why did he/she sound like a guy on that podcast. Or is that something I'd really rather not know.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 06:27 AM (7ObY1)

140 Ukraine is moving fast. If the army supports Klitschko and Russia invades I wonder what Obama plans to do about it? /36 holes

Posted by: Beagle at February 20, 2014 06:28 AM (sOtz/)

141 If ACE is a chick, why did he/she sound like a guy on that podcast.

Or is that something I'd really rather not know.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 10:27 AM (7ObY1)

That's ace's face man.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:28 AM (GQ8sn)

142 This is a terrifying story of the power of the state, and courts that go along with it. "Contempt Charges Filed Against Dad Who Defied Gag Order to Tell DaughterÂ’s Heartbreaking Story" http://tinyurl.com/owd4nhr

Posted by: ExSnipe at February 20, 2014 06:28 AM (LKJt3)

143 #140 That's ace's face man.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 06:28 AM (7ObY1)

144 And to think, I can't seem to find lab work because I've been doing other things the last few years. Clearly I still got it . Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 10:21 AM (hq5sb) Tis the worst part of this field. God forbid you get ill or a family member needs help and you have to step away for a year or two. It's virtually impossible to get back in. I got lucky and someone took a chance on me after being out for one year, then being forced into office work for another year due to being pretty much frozen out of the field. In the words of a Commie Rolling Stone writer, it blows. Allen, you have the basic concept, I was referring more to the acronyms.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:29 AM (euACX)

145 >>The whole "Israeli tank" meme took on a whole new meaning. We need a photoshopped tank with a Ewok face and boobies. Okay, "need" isn't the right word...

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 20, 2014 06:29 AM (SUKHu)

146

93: " Almost zero chance if a minority owned company entered the process."

Most of them are front company who then subs the work out to the big boys.

It is common to have a double minority owned company, whose office is in a HUD zone get a contract.

They then sub the actual work out to a large company like Raytheon or Honeywell, all while collecting a 5% contract management fee.

When the contract is 42 million a pop, that shit adds up.

Posted by: Azenogoth (Freedom or Fire) at February 20, 2014 06:29 AM (f6ZLT)

147 Anyone else see Ollie North say Carter is happy about SCOAMF as he's no longer the worst president in history? LMAO.

Posted by: Infidel at February 20, 2014 06:29 AM (6bvBO)

148 Okay, "need" isn't the right word...

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 20, 2014 10:29 AM (SUKHu)

Demand!

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:30 AM (GQ8sn)

149 When the contract is 42 million a pop, that shit adds up.

Posted by: Azenogoth (Freedom or Fire) at February 20, 2014 10:29 AM (f6ZLT)

Good money if you know how to play the game.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:30 AM (GQ8sn)

150 Yay! New laptop has arrived!

Posted by: [/i][/b][/u][/s] Tami at February 20, 2014 06:30 AM (bCEmE)

151

98: "That's what happens when people don't read the entire thread. ;^) "

But as I have learned, if we read the entire thread, we end up posting after the nood is up and the next thread count is up to 100 and something.

Posted by: Azenogoth (Freedom or Fire) at February 20, 2014 06:31 AM (OJn3e)

152 Fckn CO. They are going to use most of the profits from weed for discourging weed. The world is upside down.

Posted by: Infidel at February 20, 2014 06:31 AM (6bvBO)

153 Horde? Thanks for the info and link. I will go to look now.
At the height of all that legal nonsense that followed my first wife's death I was subjected to seven, $7,000,000 civil suits. All of which collapsed, but it was years of expenses and misery, on top of her death. I've outlived all but one of the authors of that agony. I look forward to her death....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 06:32 AM (ULH4o)

154 Yay! New laptop has arrived!

Posted by: Tami at February 20, 2014 10:30 AM (bCEmE)

The new laptop's here! The new laptop's here!

Posted by: Navin at February 20, 2014 06:32 AM (GQ8sn)

155 149 Yay! New laptop has arrived!

Posted by: Tami at February 20, 2014 10:30 AM (bCEmE)

What did you get?

Posted by: buzzion at February 20, 2014 06:32 AM (LI48c)

156 By factoring out food, gas, and other commodities the feds should be able to inflate us out of our debt Weimar-style without too many billionaires feeling the pinch.

Posted by: Beagle at February 20, 2014 06:33 AM (sOtz/)

157 I think we have created a new definition of wisdom.

Knowing not to post in a thread about Babs Walters and her vibrator.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 06:33 AM (QDvfw)

158 125 Bunnyphobia? Who knew. You buncha bunnyists. Bunn-o-phobics. Posted by: BlueStateRebel at February 20, 2014 10:25 AM (7ObY1) I used my one Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch in unfortunate incident involving a walnut, a unicycle and a very upset stork. I am now defenseless.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:33 AM (x3YFz)

159 What did you get? Posted by: buzzion at February 20, 2014 10:32 AM (LI48c) Lenovo Thinkpad.

Posted by: [/i][/b][/u][/s] Tami at February 20, 2014 06:33 AM (bCEmE)

160 Wisdom would be not posting a thread about Baba and her vibe in thefirst place.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:34 AM (euACX)

161 Speaking of 'snicker-snackers.' http://tinyurl.com/mg6mdvu

Posted by: RWC at February 20, 2014 06:34 AM (fWAjv)

162 "WASHINGTON -- Consumer prices barely budged last month, a slowdown that showed inflation was well in check to start the year -- and maybe running too low."

Let me recommend again the habit of saving old grocery receipts, which gives you your very own personalized inflation gauge. Assuming that you buy relatively standard staple items so that the comparison is consistent over time. (And that you are wised up with regard to how food manufacturers play games with packaging to conceal price hikes.)

Posted by: torquewrench at February 20, 2014 06:34 AM (gqT4g)

163 Lenovo Thinkpad.

Posted by: Tami at February 20, 2014 10:33 AM (bCEmE)

Windows 7 or Winblows 8?

Posted by: buzzion at February 20, 2014 06:34 AM (LI48c)

164 It's about time the rabbits start carrying their share of the load.

Posted by: The Chicken at February 20, 2014 06:34 AM (A0sHn)

165 I look forward to her death....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:32 AM (ULH4o)

"Revenge is a dish best served cold."

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 20, 2014 06:34 AM (QFxY5)

166 Yay! New laptop has arrived!

Posted by: Tami at February 20, 2014 10:30 AM (bCEmE)

Anyone see the video footage of Ukrainian protestors getting taken out with sniper fire? It's at HA.

Protest pro-tip: wooden boards will do fuck all against 7.62mm rounds.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:35 AM (GQ8sn)

167 Windows 7....no way was I going anywhere near 8.

Posted by: [/i][/b][/u][/s] Tami at February 20, 2014 06:35 AM (bCEmE)

168 Oh crap, didn't mean to quote Tami again.....

Sorry.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:35 AM (GQ8sn)

169

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 20, 2014 10:34 AM (QFxY5

You were conspicuously absent on a particular thread yesterday you know.

Posted by: buzzion at February 20, 2014 06:35 AM (LI48c)

170 Inflation rate remains low as January prices barely budge Yeah, my insurance is going up another 20%. Hardly noticeable, really, that's pretty much 0%.

Posted by: t-bird at February 20, 2014 06:35 AM (FcR7P)

171 I was wondering how the two connected, EC.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:36 AM (euACX)

172 Protest pro-tip: wooden boards will do fuck all against 7.62mm rounds. Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 10:35 AM (GQ8sn) Like the part in movies where people "take cover" behind a couch?

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:36 AM (x3YFz)

173 I was wondering how the two connected, EC.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 10:36 AM (euACX)

I'm am typing too quickly and hitting post before checking.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:36 AM (GQ8sn)

174 Like the part in movies where people "take cover" behind a couch?

Might as well be hiding behind a rose bush.

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:37 AM (GQ8sn)

175 Inflation is low? That must be why I'm paying out the nose at the grocery store.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:37 AM (euACX)

176 135?
98ZJUSMC?

FD went dark- no longer accessible to the public. It's a shame, but I can't blame them. Canada has no free speech. They have a "charter of rights" that sounds pretty but has no legal force. Kind of like the UN thing of the same name. Pretty mutterings, but try to enforce it....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 06:37 AM (ULH4o)

177 129 Inflation rate remains low as January prices barely budge WASHINGTON -- Consumer prices barely budged last month, a slowdown that showed inflation was well in check to start the year -- and maybe running too low. Los Angeles Times How do even cloistered monks, living in the rotting subway with the Mole People and the Cobalt Bomb, even believe that shit?

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 20, 2014 06:37 AM (mQx5k)

178 166 Windows 7....no way was I going anywhere near 8. Posted by: Tami at February 20, 2014 10:35 AM (bCEmE) Windows 8 is a Peruvian-Luddite conspiracy to kill the internets.

Posted by: Harrison Bergeron at February 20, 2014 06:38 AM (JQuNB)

179 >>>164 I look forward to her death.... Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:32 AM (ULH4o) What did you do to invite that kind of nightmare. One of our other commenters, Blaster, got entangled with the same stuff as Ace with that evil person and went through what you did. You two should meet and drink heavily.

Posted by: L, elle at February 20, 2014 06:38 AM (0xqKe)

180 In Canada, rights flow from the government. So...

In the US, rights are inalienable unless we the People let the government steal them.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 06:39 AM (QDvfw)

181 Inflation is low? That must be why I'm paying out the nose at the grocery store. Remember, food and "energy" prices are not factored into inflation. They're "too volatile" (strange how they always trend up...).

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:39 AM (PYAXX)

182 Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 10:29 AM (euACX) Yeah. I confess I wasn't expecting that. I wasn't expecting to have to go back to labwork either, but that's fine. I figured extensive animal handling experience and the recommendation of a Dept. Chair emeritus and member of the freaking academy would have at least helped. Alas, I can't even seem to find work in that department (granted they've only posted 2 jobs in the last 9 months.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 20, 2014 06:39 AM (hq5sb)

183 Canada has no free speech. They have a "charter of rights" that sounds pretty but has no legal force. Kind of like the UN thing of the same name. Pretty mutterings, but try to enforce it.... Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 10:37 AM (ULH4o) Always enjoyed myself in Canada. That is, before they went off the deep end. I don't go there anymore.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 20, 2014 06:40 AM (mQx5k)

184 174 Inflation is low? That must be why I'm paying out the nose at the grocery store. Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 10:37 AM (euACX) Amen to that. Pro shopping tip, though: when you hit the fruits/veggies section, ask the manager if they have apples, oranges, bananas, peppers, etc that they received but are bruised or slightly damaged. He'll likely roll out 5 carts of stuff you can buy for pennies on the pound. We grab up the apples and make applesauce out of them, dehydrate lots of other stuff. Most of it is just fine and you'll pay 50% less.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:41 AM (x3YFz)

185 I'm working on the assumption that using the feminine pronouns to refer to Ace is a misdirection on the part of his counsel, in order to preserve Ace's anonymity. Or else Ace has a rich and varied fantasy life. Which would definitely be more interesting.

Posted by: joncelli at February 20, 2014 06:41 AM (RD7QR)

186 Grocery store inflation hard datum.

Campbell's Chunky brand. Not only has it gone from 190z to 18.8oz. The eight packs that were in Sam's Club are now six-packs. For the same price.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 06:41 AM (QDvfw)

187 Campbell's Chunky brand. Not only has it gone from 190z to 18.8oz. The eight packs that were in Sam's Club are now six-packs. For the same price. Hamburger helper- 3 weeks ago: $1/box. Last week, $1.50/box.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at February 20, 2014 06:42 AM (PYAXX)

188 Or else Ace has a rich and varied fantasy life. Which would definitely be more interesting.

"Master of my domain: Day 30".

Posted by: EC at February 20, 2014 06:42 AM (GQ8sn)

189 "Consumer prices barely budged last month" The 2014 American version of the Stalinist "Grain harvests in the Ukraine are up" is being ably handled by Corruption Central Committee, I see.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 20, 2014 06:42 AM (XyM/Y)

190 I don't think Belize is big enough for all the people who are going to want to flee once-decent nations in the coming months and years.

Posted by: Beagle at February 20, 2014 06:42 AM (sOtz/)

191 164?
CharlieBrown'sDildo?

Yes, I do. My first wife Helen was the great love of my life- none other. Like Gone with the Wind. She was also my business partner in about 5 or 6 stores here. She dropped dead in my arms on her 36th birthday.

They could have left me alone. They chose not to. One is left. May the rest have Helen chasing them thru all Eternity.

She would. She was a tough old girl, for all her prettiness.

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 06:42 AM (ULH4o)

192 Food prices remain stable, Citizens.

Posted by: US Ministry of Truth at February 20, 2014 06:43 AM (JQuNB)

193 Yeah. Box of Cheerios is like $5. Cheerios.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:44 AM (x3YFz)

194 184 I'm working on the assumption that using the feminine pronouns to refer to Ace is a misdirection on the part of his counsel, in order to preserve Ace's anonymity. Or else Ace has a rich and varied fantasy life. Which would definitely be more interesting.

Posted by: joncelli at February 20, 2014 10:41 AM (RD7QR)

Or maybe he's like Kenny and just wants to play the chick every now and then.

Posted by: buzzion at February 20, 2014 06:45 AM (LI48c)

195 We're trying to stay a step ahead. We mill our own grains, we're putting in a greenhouse this spring. Farmer T9. Do what you gotta do.

Posted by: tangonine (Entropy sucks) at February 20, 2014 06:46 AM (x3YFz)

196 Ace thread up

Posted by: L, elle at February 20, 2014 06:46 AM (0xqKe)

197 Its the Internet Jake. We all could be Chelsea Danger. Each and every one of us.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 20, 2014 06:46 AM (QDvfw)

198

193: "Or maybe he's like Kenny and just wants to play the chick every now and then."

Best hope he doesn't go full on Bruce Jenner and start shopping for a snicker snack.

Posted by: Azenogoth (Freedom or Fire) at February 20, 2014 06:46 AM (/qzu7)

199 Cokes are a 20 pack, instead of 24, and more expensive. Bacon is freaking insane.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at February 20, 2014 06:47 AM (0MVzQ)

200 178?
L, elle?

I did not do a thing, except "exist." When Helen was alive all I heard from this bunch was "we love you so, because you are so good to Sister...."
( Helen was a quad who took a lot of care- I took that off their hands )

Soon as she was dead they stared circulating rumors I had somehow killed her. Then the lawsuits started.

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 06:47 AM (ULH4o)

201 Yes, in a Q&A with Capitol File magazine, Robin Wright (who plays Claire Underwood) on the show, said that when she was researching her role, she learned some surprising things about what goes on in D.C.

She says a Â“senior persionÂ” in the Obama administration told her that reporters sleep with their sources, among other things. And what she took away from these revelations was this: Â“D.C. is more corrupt than Hollywood. It really is. ItÂ’s more sleazy than HollywoodÂ… how much infidelity goes on.Â”

Posted by: Francis "Psycho" Underwood at February 20, 2014 06:51 AM (e8kgV)

202 Backhoe, That is just so terrible. What evil people. At least most of them are dead and rotting in Hell. Let's hope that last one joins them soon. So sorry.

Posted by: L, elle at February 20, 2014 06:51 AM (0xqKe)

203 Citgo is owned by the Maduro Regime. Boycott Citgo: http://wannabeanglican.blogspot.com/2014/02/boycott-citgo-and-pray-for-venezuela.html

Posted by: WannabeAnglican at February 20, 2014 06:56 AM (HgL7v)

204
February 20 is Â‘White House Equal Pay DayÂ’: The date in 2014 women must work to earn what men earned in 2013

Posted by: Roger O. Thornhill at February 20, 2014 06:58 AM (e8kgV)

205 201?
L, elle?

Yes, I hope they burn. There was no call- other than money- to chase me like that. Helen was the Great Love of my life. Sure, there were times we wanted to kill each other, like any normal couple- but we were devoted to each other. Never cheated despite endless offers of such.

Started out dirt-poor. Finally ended up making as much money as anyone here. But none of that mattered as long as we had each other.

Soon as she was in the ground the attacks started. The suits finally collapsed in 1985 or 1986- I forget which. She died early in 1982.

"My own true Love...."
See ya' around, Bunny Rabbit....

Posted by: backhoe at February 20, 2014 07:04 AM (ULH4o)

206 202 Citgo is owned by the Maduro Regime. Boycott Citgo: http://wannabeanglican.blogspot.com/2014/02/boycott-citgo-and-pray-for-venezuela.html

Posted by: WannabeAnglican at February 20, 2014 10:56 AM (HgL7v)

I tweeted your link, thanks

Posted by: kbdabear at February 20, 2014 07:35 AM (aTXUx)

207 @75 because you were cheated on the way to that PhD. We were drilled on homonyms in frickin' grade school. In an oppressively cis-gendered heteronormative way, too. Uphill, both ways. "Rain falls even during the reign of a ruler who keeps a tight rein on the populace, particularly in the populous areas." That last bit was lagniappe.

Posted by: phunctor at February 20, 2014 08:42 AM (pIfo3)

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