Monday Open Thread
Happy Monday everyone! I didn't even finish all the basics of the website yet. So if you see any problems, please don't hesitate to point it out. I'll be posting a To Do List in a short while.
-- OJ is back in the news...
-- Bush selects ex-judge Michael B. Mukasey for AG post
-- Greenspan clarifies Iraq war, oil link
This is an Open Thread.
Submitted by Ender on Mon, 2007-09-17 07:53
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Comments :
Iraq Pulls Blackwater's Liscense
Blackwater liscense being pulled in Iraq
Interesting.
I would guess that there will be pushback against this move by the US, specifically in regards to prosecuting members of Blackwater.
It is the economy, stupid.
can they do that?
I mean pulling the license of an entire firm like that?
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
That's a good question
Since their govt is said to be weak it is hard to say how much real power the govt has. They can pass a law, but can they enforce it.
The article states that Blackwater is unpopular in Iraq, because they are said to have killed a lot of Iraqi civilians in a lawless manner.
The politician that said 'Blackwater must go' is tapping into a populist sentiment among the Iraqi's. So maybe this is an issue of a 'common enemy' that will help unite the different factions in the Iraqi parliament.
Not sure if Blackwater
might be viewed by the Iraqi's as a Christian Army. If so it creates another faction and another spark in the flame, in the oil mix of tribal loyalties, Sunni, Shia and Christian.
Blackwater USA America's Holy Warriors
If they are viewed as the Christian Warriors from America, it seems fairly clear that the shooting deaths of civilians on Sunday that were blamed on Blackwater, and many other incidents of civilian deaths that have been blamed on Balckwater, has the potential to cause of lot of problems.
But like I mentioned it is interesting that the Iraqi government might have found itself a populist issue that could gel the various factions against a common enemy.
It is the economy, stupid.
OMG, it IS a holy war! (Not!)
See, once againhere you are with the holy crusade meme. I though we discussed this yesterday:
Well, then, I guess it must NOT be a Holy Crusade
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
This is going to get interesting (n/t)
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
They shot and killed 9 people.
Apparently innocent civilians in this most recent example. You can be that if Wells Fargo did that today in any American City, they'd be out of the security business the next day here.
The Blackwater guys are mercenaries. It's not like they are some dignified group that demands our support. If they can't control their guys, they don't deserve the business.
we went over this before
these "mercenaries" you speak of in such a flippant manner are almost all ex-Special Forces, Marines, or Army vets of the US military. Sure they are working for a private company now, but they are good people.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
You have no idea if they are "good people."
There are good people and bad people in all walks of life. Your statement is far too generalized.
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
of course there are bad apples in all groups
but when I speak of a large groups of US military vets, I think of them as good people. Certainly not worth of being summarily disregarded as bad or evil or "undignified" mercenaries.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
We're talking about this case, Ender.
We shall see what the news brings, but they killed nine civilians.
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
about this case yes
let's wait and see.
But in a hypothetical situation, if a regular US military convoy is attacked and when they fire back Iraqi civilians are killed, what should happen? Are they justified?
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
These guys are taking orders from no one, Ender.
A military convoy operates under military rules. To compare the two situations is specious.
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
I took a little break
.. come back, and everything's changed around. You guys just felt like changing it, are there upgrades and new features, or is this some kind of feng shui thing?
http://wealthweekly.blogspot.com
Wii FC:2805-8311-8040-2678
Brawl: 2277-7051-2186
welcome back :)
There shouldn't be much change at all. Even visually it is not that different. Things should work the same. I am trying to get more functionality in here, but not much yet.
It should run a little smoother though (I hope).
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Yeah...
...what he said.
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
Get Ready to Laugh...
Ladies and Gents.. news flash! Extra!
There's been a new entry into the Republican Field for President!
Yes, Alan Keyes has joined the game.
I'm sure he's going to give Sen. Nunn F. D'Above (R-Frustrated) a challenge in the field. OK, enjoy your Monday.
http://wealthweekly.blogspot.com
Wii FC:2805-8311-8040-2678
Brawl: 2277-7051-2186
Alan Keyes must need money again...
And a jolt of publicity. I think when his cash flow slows to a trickle, he runs for something.
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
Purpleface Needs Your Vote!
Hehe. Voting ends 9/23, so do it today ;}
I entered the 12Avatars contest in Second Life. I plead insanity.
Anyway, if you have an SL account, or know someone who does, I'd appreciate your vote at the SL inworld voting location (Tellus III 209 / 253 / 24) Kiosk # 36, Panel A. There is a teleport link on my SL profile.
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
you got it :)
I'll make sure to cast a vote. Is there a meeting tonight?
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
I moved the meetings to Tuesdays
worked better for my SL schedule. . . grin
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
haha
no problem :) I'll stop by for a quick chat.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Also, SL SC Meeting Tuesday at 5:30 PM Pacific Time
Here's a link to the events listing
8:30 eastern
7:30 central
6:30 mountain
5:30 pacific
See you there!
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
What do you win?
If there's no prize, there's no point in participating.
;-)
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
Hehehe
They're picking twelve avatars for the first SL calendar. . . actually, they're picking ten, and professionally transforming two real-world beauties into SL avatars. The calendar will be published both in the real world and virtually in SL. Votes will determine the first two, and a committee will pick the remaining eight.
I'd look great as May, dontcha think? Besides, think of the potential links back here ;}
Hehe, there are 700 women entered. Well, the avatars are female, anyway. I don't have a snowball's chance. . . but, when you're voting, you can wander the kiosks and take notes.
And Prime, check your email please. I've relayed a message from somebody.
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
Can't
Cant check my hotmail email at work.
Is that the email address you are talking about?
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
Yes, just check it tonight then (nt)
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
Aw.. c'mon...
You gotta give me a hint at least....
...this is going to bug me all day.
;-)
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
It's from Rosie
I can paste here if you want
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
Please do!
I miss Rosie...
I don't mind if you post it here.
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
Okie Dokey
I saw her at the Cancer benefit concert, and took the liberty of sending your hellos for you. Here's the conversation:
[15:42] Lodi McMillan: Rosie, Prime Peart would say hello, if she were here.
[15:43] rosie Peart: GIVE HER A BIG MUSHY HUG FOR ME PLEASE !!!
[15:43] Lodi McMillan: I will. She is inworld occasionally. Can I tell her when you might be here?
[15:44] rosie Peart: i wish i could say......it all depends on how hard chemo is hitting me from day to day......right now im on chemo and radiation so i dont get on much
[15:44] Lodi McMillan: We wish you all the best. I know she's thinking of you.
[15:45] rosie Peart: thanks so much Lodi.....i appreciate that
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
Thanks!
Great to hear she's still battling.
Life's just been too busy for me to spend much time in SL lately.
Soccer started up, the new puppy, etc....
I'm not sure when I'd have time to get in again... but thanks for sending rosie a hello for me. She's a great person.
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
To Do List
option should be active. Comments are enabled so feel free to mention any problems / suggestions there.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
I was amused this AM when I read this post on
Rudy Guliani trashing Hillary over the MoveOn/Patreaus/Betray US ad
. Of course Rudy essentially says Hillary is a traitor and he's the only American capable of leading the US to WAR with every other nation on earth.....Oh? What? He doesn't want to attack every other nation on earth? Well, he hasn't announced it yet. that is. As soon as that tin foil hat of his cuts off the oxygen to his piddling little brain (his ego takes up so much room, something had to go), UK look out! You'll be on one of the short "To nuke today" lists.
Pfft. (That's it, just Pfft.)
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
I know Ender is, but I didn't think you were a
heterosexual right leaning blogger who loves them some cross dressing right wing nut job ex-NY mayor types....
I'd have been more sensitive if I had only known about your proclivities.
Then again, Rudy at least is being coy about it, unlike Romney who is playing both sides of the street as well
.
I'm not a Rudy fan ...
but I don't see any need to let you smear him without a reply.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
hahaha
Indeed!
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Ender doesn't care what Rudy does for fun....
So I don't consider that a smear. But you seem somewhat more straight laced. So I thought I'd throw it out there just for fun.
And really, I wasn't smearing anyone here, I was only commenting on what I've seen too many pictures of to count.
Rudy with the Rockettes
Rudy as Rockette
Rudy as Rockette II
Another Republican closet case.
Rudy as drag queen
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
Meh, peurile fantasies. More of the same from CLC.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
Your potential nominee is a well-known crossdresser.
Now get back in your stall.
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
Bah.
(1) He is not my potential nominee.
(2) You are the cross dresser, we see that with every post.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
I wish you weren't so boring.
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
And this is your idea of interesting?
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
And I heard through the grapevine that Ender is starting
... an offshoot site that supports Rudy for the GOP nomination:
swordscrossedresser.org
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
haha
you have good sources.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
swordscrossed.com domain available
It was previously a site for some pirate game but it looks like they let it expire.
Dunno if we wanna buy that and redirect it here.
Come, my friends. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world -- Tennyson
cool, yeah I think we do want to grab that :)
I already have the swordscrossed2.org that we used during the site move last year, so might as well grab this as well. I'll email you.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
What is it, $35 for a domain name?
I'll kick in $10 or $20.
nah
like $16-18 total (and it's that much only because I make whatever I purchase private). Public is just $8-9 a year.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Students for the 2nd Amendment
I'm glad to see some of today's students taking an active role in championing the 2nd Amendment:
Students Aim To Form Club That Promotes Gun Ownership
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
Hunters fight back ...
If you click through the NRA site to the actual article it is a good read. I'll provide a subset of the points raised:
Our Honorable Hunters And The Pain-In-The-Butt Tree Huggers
I find the last point to be particularly funny. :)
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
the last point
is pretty funny I agree :)
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Well...I say we start hunting
baby carrots and edamame beans with a vengence. Plus, I notice that the CA Dept of Fish & Game doesn't have a stamp, nor a hunting limit on those evil things GoRight warned us about.
Honey crack out my hunting rifle. We gonna bag us some veggies!!!
Seriously though....2 people have been killed by mountain lions in the 30 years I've been out here. And you are more than wrong about not being able to defend yourself from bear in the wild. It they come after you, you're allowed to defend yourself with whatever you have at hand, including guns. If you kill one, you have to report it, that's all.
RE-Defeat Communism
No Hillary in 2008!
That was the theme I just saw on an ad for a right-wing tee-shirt. Once again the conservatives out there can spot a communist in sheep's clothing (note reference to Democrat Leadership from DailyKos ad a while back)!
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
I very much like the banner slogan,
by the way. Well... the second half. ;)
Saint, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
hehe
well it's from your buddy Bubba :) I do like it too but others are not as enamored with it.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
From the Hard-hitting files
1 in 3 men don't wash after bathroom visit
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
When I was a kid, I worked at a country club,
... shining shoes and cleaning up the locker room. One day, I was cleaning the sinks in the bathroom and a guy finished up at the urinal and walked out without washing. Another guy who was at the urinal finished up, came over, washed his hands and, nodding toward the guy who just left, said, "That's why I never shake hands with anyone at this club."
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
funny
I was just wondering how exactly were they observing those people who weren't washing. Was it Sen. Craig's style observations?
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Reminds me of my favorite joke...
A Pitt fan and a West Virginia fan both went to the men's room at Heinz Field during halftime of their annual game. After doing their "business" in adjoining urinals, the Mountaineer proceeded to the sink to wash his hands while the Pitt fan started to walk toward the exit.
The Mountaineer loudly cleared his throat and arrogantly proclaimed, "You know, at WVU we learned to wash our hands after urinating."
To which the Pitt fan replied,
"At Pitt, we learned not to piss on our hands."
;-}
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
Ex Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan says:
"Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton "the smartest presidents" he worked with,
according to an advance copy of his upcoming book. He went on to say that his opinion of President George W Bush was "that he is dumb as an ox....No, I take that back", he continues,"that unfairly maligns oxen all over the world". He then carefully compares George W Bush to being on par with a nail. "Not just any nail, only the really dumb ones".
Slightly embellished, but Phaux News accurate!
Well, he got it half right.
Nixon was a pretty smart guy.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
Not smart enough, apparently...
Nixon resigns
If you really believe this is the "fight of our lives," how come you're not in Iraq?
Not because he was dumb, but because he put
the country ahead of himself. When people under him made mistakes he didn't pass the buck or drag the country through the mud.
This is something we have never seen with Bill Clinton, or his submissive handmaiden Hillary.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
heh heh
GoRight code:
When a Republican breaks the law, it is "making a mistake".
"Oops! I accidentally broke into Democratic headquarters! Darn it, I'm so damn clumsy sometimes!"
“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” --- Albert Einstein
Whatever. The point being that they were acting on their own.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
Too cool not to share
Sunset at the North Pole
"Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge" -- Kahlil Gibran
Sweet n/t
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
You do know it's photoshopped, right?
It's a nice picture, I'm just saying it's not even remotely real. Actually it kind of looks like the whole thing might be computer generated (with something like bryce).
I came. I saw. I posted.
Veni, Vidi, Bitchy.
Who's to blame for Global Warming? Jane Fonda, of course.
Seems that her anti-nuke crusade may have had unintended consequences:
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
GoRight and other IE users
have you noticed any random logouts?
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Not me.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
GoRight, could you please check the bullet lists
like the one in ToDoList link and see if they look any better?
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Sorry, no change.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
now? :)
[edit] Weirdly IE7 is crawling now (scrolling down via mouse wheel) through the main page... wth...
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Sorry, still nothing.
IE version 6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
I am also updating my Win2K box to the latest
patches and will try IE6 there too.
I also have a version of firefox on that machine so I will compare and let you know if I find anything weird.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
sounds good, thanks
I am still reading through the various drupal forum threads to see if there is a solution.
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
Test post for IE6 on Win2K
IE 6.0.2800.1106 with lots of updates.
EDIT:
Refresh problem on IE6 on Win2K may be better but I need more tests first.
Bullet lists on To Do List are still messed up. :(
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree
heh
why aren't you using IE7 or Firefox? :)
"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR
IE7 was buggy and giving me problems
with various sites. I don't like the interface much either. Firefox is OK but it is slow.
IE7 may be better now, but I just haven't switched.
Republican Maverick at Large
-4:Strongly Disagree; 0:Meh; +4:Strongly Agree