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Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec
Date: 02/15/2011 11:36:30
Good Morning.
Today is our 2,890th day in Iraq and our 3,418th day in Afghanistan.
We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualties from our ongoing wars, courtesy of Antiwar.com:
American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4436
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 4297
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3577
Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09): 208
Since Operation New Dawn: 18
Other Coalition Troops - Iraq: 318
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,476
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 849
Contractor Employee Deaths - Iraq: 1,487
Journalists - Iraq : 348
Academics Killed - Iraq: 448
For the second week in a row, the "Cost of War" website seems to be unresponsive. I hope it's not going away; this is important information. Nevertheless, the home site of the National Priorities Project is up and running, so I urge you to spend some time poking around.
Since it is budget season, we'll take a look at how our veterans might be affected. While hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on war, the vast majority of that goes to mercenaries, contractors, and the defense industry. But what of our actual soldiers?
Ah, but that's just the Pentagon. While the proposed cuts will no doubt affect active-duty personnel, there's more. As civilians, we're faced with skyrocketing healthcare costs....and it looks like the military will be following suit.
But even in the budget season, we can surely find something to celebrate for our veterans? Unfortunately, no. Even something signed into law months ago hasn't been implemented yet. This one, however, does not seem to be the victim of either the budget or partisan politics....it's just too complex to implement easily.
There will be a long fight ahead for the budget. It's likely neither side will be willing to do that strange thing called "compromise", so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Today is our 2,890th day in Iraq and our 3,418th day in Afghanistan.
We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualties from our ongoing wars, courtesy of Antiwar.com:
American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4436
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 4297
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3577
Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09): 208
Since Operation New Dawn: 18
Other Coalition Troops - Iraq: 318
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,476
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 849
Contractor Employee Deaths - Iraq: 1,487
Journalists - Iraq : 348
Academics Killed - Iraq: 448
For the second week in a row, the "Cost of War" website seems to be unresponsive. I hope it's not going away; this is important information. Nevertheless, the home site of the National Priorities Project is up and running, so I urge you to spend some time poking around.
Since it is budget season, we'll take a look at how our veterans might be affected. While hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on war, the vast majority of that goes to mercenaries, contractors, and the defense industry. But what of our actual soldiers?
WASHINGTON — President Obama will send Congress on Monday a $3 trillion-plus budget for 2012 that promises $1.1 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade by freezing many domestic programs for five years, trimming military spending and limiting tax deductions for the wealthy.
Jacob Lew, the president’s budget director, said Sunday that the new spending plan for the 2012 would disprove the notion that “we can do this painlessly ... we are going to make tough choices.”
Republicans rejected that appraisal, castigating Obama for proposals that will boost spending in such areas as education, public works and research, and charging that Obama’s cuts are not deep enough.
They vowed to push ahead with their own plans to trim $61 billion in spending from the seven months left in the current budget year and then squeeze Obama’s 2012 budget plan for billions of dollars in additional savings in response to voters alarmed at an unprecedented flood of red ink.
*snip*
That document also said that the budget would cut the Pentagon’s spending plans over the next decade by $78 billion with reductions in various weapons programs deemed unnecessary including the C-17 aircraft, the alternative engine for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and the Marine expeditionary vehicle.
Ah, but that's just the Pentagon. While the proposed cuts will no doubt affect active-duty personnel, there's more. As civilians, we're faced with skyrocketing healthcare costs....and it looks like the military will be following suit.
Health care coverage rates for working-age military retirees would increase about 13 percent under a controversial plan unveiled by Pentagon officials Monday.
The fee increases, which will require approval from Congress, are part of Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ broader plan to cut $7 billion from the military health system’s budget during the next five years.
The proposal does not change health coverage fees for active-duty members and their families or for Medicare-eligible Tricare for Life beneficiaries.
The current Tricare Prime annual enrollment fees of $230 for an individual retiree and $460 for a family have not changed since Tricare was created in 1996. Gates’ proposal would increase next year’s fees to $260 per year for an individual and $520 a year for a family.
The health care fees were just one component of the Pentagon’s 2012 budget request released Monday, which includes a $553 billion base budget and $118 billion for overseas contingency operations that would go directly toward the ongoing missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, budget documents show.
The baseline defense budget request marks the largest ever but is an uptick of less than 1 percent from last year’s request for $548 billion. It also includes a modest 1.6 percent pay increase for troops.
Military spending has risen steadily since 2001 and now exceeds its peak during the Cold War-era spending boom in the 1980s, when adjusted for inflation. But the Pentagon is coming under political pressure to rein in costs. In a nod to concerns about the growing national debt, Gates also released a five-year plan to reduce budget growth and eliminate annual spending increases by 2015.
Gates said at a Pentagon briefing Monday that the budget is the latest step in his effort to curtail spending and preempt efforts by Congress to impose even more severe cuts.
“These budget decisions took place in the context of a nearly two-year effort by this department to reduce overhead, cull troubled programs and rein in personnel and contractor costs — all with the purpose of preserving the fighting strength of America’s military at a time of fiscal stress,” Gates said.
But even in the budget season, we can surely find something to celebrate for our veterans? Unfortunately, no. Even something signed into law months ago hasn't been implemented yet. This one, however, does not seem to be the victim of either the budget or partisan politics....it's just too complex to implement easily.
Nine months after President Obama authorized a broad expansion of benefits for those caring for service members severely wounded in the nation's two current wars, none of the assistance has materialized and it is caught up in a bureaucratic tangle that could shrink the number of families eligible for the help.
Obama made care for military veterans and their families a priority in his role as commander in chief, and in May he signed into law a measure that for the first time would give cash assistance, counseling and fill-in help known as "respite care" to people overseeing the convalescence of wounded troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
As veterans and their families looked on during a White House signing ceremony, Obama called the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act a "major step forward in America's commitment to families and caregivers who tend to our wounded warriors every day."
But the Department of Veterans Affairs has since missed the Jan. 31 deadline for fully implementing the program, leaving the families of wounded troops to wonder when the promised help will arrive.
"We were really excited that somebody was taking us seriously and finally understanding the sacrifices we are making," Christine Schei said. She left her job several years ago to care for her son, Erik, who was rendered helpless by a sniper's bullet in Iraq. "We were counting down to the end of January to begin receiving these benefits. Now it looks like they haven't even begun."
The delays appear to be, in part, the result of an overly optimistic assessment of how long it would take to get the complex program up and running.
Veterans Affairs officials say designing the law has involved months of consulting with veterans groups, congressional leaders, families and others, and that some progress has been made. But determining who qualifies for the new benefits - including whether veterans of pre-Sept. 11, 2001, wars should be eligible for all of them - has been a complicated, politically fraught process.
In a statement, the department's spokeswoman, Katie Roberts, said, "VA looks forward to continue to work with our stakeholders as we enter the implementation stage of this new legislation."
There will be a long fight ahead for the budget. It's likely neither side will be willing to do that strange thing called "compromise", so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 13:50:00
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 13:50:00
Morning 
Comment by 
Raine on 02/15/2011 14:02:41
Good morning!
Raine on 02/15/2011 14:02:41
Good morning!
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 14:17:32
Happy Birthday Mala!!!!
Raine on 02/15/2011 14:17:32
Happy Birthday Mala!!!!
Comment by 
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 14:18:30
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 14:18:30
Good morning all.. 
~~ Happy Birthday Mala!! ~~ 
~~ Happy Birthday Mala!! ~~
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 14:26:35
Raine on 02/15/2011 14:26:35
AS expected... It passed the second time around. The last vote was 277-148, incidentally. 26 republicans voted no last time.
On their second try, House Republicans passed an extension to several provisions of the Patriot Act on Monday night, after an embarrassing flub last week.
By a vote of 275 to 144, the GOP sent the bill to the Senate, a week after it first failed in an embarrassing vote for House Republicans.
There were still 27 Republican no-votes and 65 Democratic yes votes.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 14:28:03
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 14:28:03
aawww Thanks guys! 
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 14:32:31
Raine on 02/15/2011 14:32:31
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 14:47:26
Raine on 02/15/2011 14:47:26
OH MAH LAWD. WOW. caller was painfully hard to listen to.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/15/2011 14:49:19
Ehh I dunno.. it might get to a committee vote but I don't see it going further.
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 14:49:19
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mean Jean's in the hotseat..
You think this will go anywhere?
Ehh I dunno.. it might get to a committee vote but I don't see it going further.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 14:50:55
dang why does all the good stuff happen when I have to mute the radio to talk to other people! aarrgghh
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 14:50:55
Quote by Raine:
OH MAH LAWD. WOW. caller was painfully hard to listen to.
dang why does all the good stuff happen when I have to mute the radio to talk to other people! aarrgghh
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 14:51:37
Raine on 02/15/2011 14:51:37
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 14:54:46
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 14:54:46
Okay so its really weird using people's real names on fb XD
Comment by 
BobR on 02/15/2011 14:59:57
BobR on 02/15/2011 14:59:57
Re, the blog: I'm afraid the next two years will be non-stop gridlock in Congress, and the soldiers will be the ones to bear the brunt of the inaction.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 15:00:53
It's really weird meeting them in RL, too.
Raine on 02/15/2011 15:00:53
Quote by wickedpam:
Okay so its really weird using people's real names on fb XD
Comment by BobR on 02/15/2011 15:02:02
BobR on 02/15/2011 15:02:02
AND....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALA!!
Comment by Scoopster on 02/15/2011 15:06:01
I was just commenting on one of the FB threads about this sickening South Dakota bill how this election put so many fucking nutjobs into place that we're gonna be dealing with their bullshit for at least the next four years. At least in the House and the state legislatures we can try to get rid of them next year.
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 15:06:01
Quote by BobR:
Re, the blog: I'm afraid the next two years will be non-stop gridlock in Congress, and the soldiers will be the ones to bear the brunt of the inaction.
I was just commenting on one of the FB threads about this sickening South Dakota bill how this election put so many fucking nutjobs into place that we're gonna be dealing with their bullshit for at least the next four years. At least in the House and the state legislatures we can try to get rid of them next year.
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:08:53
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:08:53
Oh boy I get to say Happy Birthday to Mala twice!!
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:09:48
True but in a good way
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:09:48
Quote by Raine:It's really weird meeting them in RL, too.Quote by wickedpam:
Okay so its really weird using people's real names on fb XD
True but in a good way
Comment by AuntAzalea on 02/15/2011 15:10:32
Happy Birthday Mala!
Happy Birthday Mala!
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:10:57
Yes, definitely
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:10:57
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:It's really weird meeting them in RL, too.Quote by wickedpam:
Okay so its really weird using people's real names on fb XD
True but in a good way
Yes, definitely
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:11:03
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:11:03
Thanks Bob and TJ
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:12:24
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:12:24
How about cutting oil subsidies?
How about sending them a nice fat bill for our defending "their" oil supply?
How about sending them a nice fat bill for our defending "their" oil supply?
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:17:51
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:17:51
It's rather obvious that Democrats have never controlled the Senate.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 15:25:04
Raine on 02/15/2011 15:25:04
IS Trump a Birther????
"Our current president came out of nowhere. Came out of nowhere," Trump said. "In fact, I'll go a step further: the people that went to school with him, they never saw him, they don't know who he is. It's crazy."
The line drew big applause from the conservative audience. We tried unsuccessfully to reach Trump to see if he was suggesting that Obama led an unremarkable life during his school years, or if it was a wink to the conservative legions who are not convinced that Obama is a natural-born American citizen.
In any case, Trump's comment harkens back to an attack line that dogged Obama throughout the 2008 presidential campaign -- that he had a shady background that didn't add up.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:34:28
And the oil companies threaten to just pass the cost to the consumer.
If the consumer had to pay how much that barrel REALLY COST (including funding armies to protect the source) out of his own pocket we'd had viable alternate sources long ago.
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 15:34:28
Quote by Raine:
Obama Seeks to Slash Oil Subsidies in 2012 Budget
And the oil companies threaten to just pass the cost to the consumer.
If the consumer had to pay how much that barrel REALLY COST (including funding armies to protect the source) out of his own pocket we'd had viable alternate sources long ago.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 15:37:27
Raine on 02/15/2011 15:37:27
HOw is this Abortion Bill in South Dakota NOT akin to honor killing?
Sharia law permits such murders if I understand correctly.
Sharia law permits such murders if I understand correctly.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:43:11
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:43:11
I loved that they had a giant clean up day!
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 15:48:51
I gotta say I wish we would do that after our Rallies.
Raine on 02/15/2011 15:48:51
Quote by wickedpam:
I loved that they had a giant clean up day!
I gotta say I wish we would do that after our Rallies.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:55:28
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:55:28
exactly - who's we? I'm gonna need it
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:56:55
I know it bad - although at the end of the Stewart rally there were some people trying to pick up and atleast people were trying to get the trash to a trash can
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 15:56:55
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
I loved that they had a giant clean up day!
I gotta say I wish we would do that after our Rallies.
I know it bad - although at the end of the Stewart rally there were some people trying to pick up and atleast people were trying to get the trash to a trash can
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 16:09:44
Raine on 02/15/2011 16:09:44
Check this shite out. These Mofo's have decided to live off the Government dime cause they hate DC so much.
And several are living in their own offices, in a gesture of contempt for the city outside.
"I live in McHenry, Illinois. I do not live in Washington, D.C.," said Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.). Three nights a week, Walsh relies on a bedtime ritual involving milk and spicy peanuts (and, occasionally, Scotch), so he can relax enough to sleep in the Cannon House Office Building.
The logic behind these gestures can get muddled. Doesn't living in your office cost taxpayers more? And what's wrong with getting health insurance through your employer?
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 16:18:36
oh yeah, I saw that on Sunday Morning a few weeks ago - personally I think its all politcal theater but I also think its a waste of taxpayers money. They are taking a salary to do that job - if they want to say tax money so badly they need to wave their salary. THen I'll think about whether or not its okay to live in one of the people's houses.
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 16:18:36
Quote by Raine:
Check this shite out. These Mofo's have decided to live off the Government dime cause they hate DC so much.And several are living in their own offices, in a gesture of contempt for the city outside.
"I live in McHenry, Illinois. I do not live in Washington, D.C.," said Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.). Three nights a week, Walsh relies on a bedtime ritual involving milk and spicy peanuts (and, occasionally, Scotch), so he can relax enough to sleep in the Cannon House Office Building.
The logic behind these gestures can get muddled. Doesn't living in your office cost taxpayers more? And what's wrong with getting health insurance through your employer?
oh yeah, I saw that on Sunday Morning a few weeks ago - personally I think its all politcal theater but I also think its a waste of taxpayers money. They are taking a salary to do that job - if they want to say tax money so badly they need to wave their salary. THen I'll think about whether or not its okay to live in one of the people's houses.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/15/2011 16:23:26
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 16:23:26
Hey Bobber & Liv wanted to pick your brains for a sec.. and anyone else who might know..
I was talking to a few people in regards to the below average (and in many cases piss poor) news coverage over the past few weeks and they started talking about dumping cable/satellite providers in favor of a combo of free-air and internet streamed television. So I started looking around for software for PC that would basically do the same thing as a cable/sat receiver but would instead pull the signal or stream for whatever channel you select, and allow you to create your own channel lineup. I couldn't find anything that did that though, with live broadcasts anyways.. You guys heard of anything?
I was talking to a few people in regards to the below average (and in many cases piss poor) news coverage over the past few weeks and they started talking about dumping cable/satellite providers in favor of a combo of free-air and internet streamed television. So I started looking around for software for PC that would basically do the same thing as a cable/sat receiver but would instead pull the signal or stream for whatever channel you select, and allow you to create your own channel lineup. I couldn't find anything that did that though, with live broadcasts anyways.. You guys heard of anything?
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 16:29:26
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 16:29:26
Just come out and say that Republicans DON'T MEAN WHAT THEY SAY!
Deficit reduction only makes sense when it affects the middle class, NOT CORPORATIONS!
Either that or give me The Price is Right back.
Deficit reduction only makes sense when it affects the middle class, NOT CORPORATIONS!
Either that or give me The Price is Right back.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 16:31:23
trojanrabbit on 02/15/2011 16:31:23
You're giving the American Taxpayer (iow Moron) way too much credit.
Comment by BobR on 02/15/2011 16:31:35
I've been looking into this as well. Some of my research is at home, so I can't pass that along until this evening. I know that I didn't not find what you are referring to. I was looking at using Hulu and other sites to get the programming I wanted. There are also devices you can buy (like GoogleTV) that do similar things, but I haven't delved into them to find out all the exact functionality.
BobR on 02/15/2011 16:31:35
Quote by Scoopster:
Hey Bobber & Liv wanted to pick your brains for a sec.. and anyone else who might know..
I was talking to a few people in regards to the below average (and in many cases piss poor) news coverage over the past few weeks and they started talking about dumping cable/satellite providers in favor of a combo of free-air and internet streamed television. So I started looking around for software for PC that would basically do the same thing as a cable/sat receiver but would instead pull the signal or stream for whatever channel you select, and allow you to create your own channel lineup. I couldn't find anything that did that though, with live broadcasts anyways.. You guys heard of anything?
I've been looking into this as well. Some of my research is at home, so I can't pass that along until this evening. I know that I didn't not find what you are referring to. I was looking at using Hulu and other sites to get the programming I wanted. There are also devices you can buy (like GoogleTV) that do similar things, but I haven't delved into them to find out all the exact functionality.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 16:32:57
Raine on 02/15/2011 16:32:57
Taxpayers don't pay for the Members' living expenses. Taxpayers pay the cost of travel back and forth to their districts. - A D.C. apartment/house, food, utilities, etc. - are paid for by the Member themselves and are not reimbursed.
A Member squatting in their in his office, using Capitol showers, electricity, etc.) is really saving themselves money on the back of taxpayers.
This makes me angry.
A Member squatting in their in his office, using Capitol showers, electricity, etc.) is really saving themselves money on the back of taxpayers.
This makes me angry.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 16:34:19
YES! That was really cool.
Raine on 02/15/2011 16:34:19
Quote by wickedpam:
I know it bad - although at the end of the Stewart rally there were some people trying to pick up and atleast people were trying to get the trash to a trash can
Comment by Scoopster on 02/15/2011 16:41:58
The Capitol has bathhouses?! Who knew!
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 16:41:58
Quote by Raine:
Taxpayers don't pay for the Members' living expenses. Taxpayers pay the cost of travel back and forth to their districts. - A D.C. apartment/house, food, utilities, etc. - are paid for by the Member themselves and are not reimbursed.
A Member squatting in their in his office, using Capitol showers, electricity, etc.) is really saving themselves money on the back of taxpayers.
This makes me angry.
The Capitol has bathhouses?! Who knew!
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 16:52:52
I hope people read the articel: They are complete idiots.
Raine on 02/15/2011 16:52:52
Quote by Raine:
Check this shite out. These Mofo's have decided to live off the Government dime cause they hate DC so much.And several are living in their own offices, in a gesture of contempt for the city outside.
"I live in McHenry, Illinois. I do not live in Washington, D.C.," said Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.). Three nights a week, Walsh relies on a bedtime ritual involving milk and spicy peanuts (and, occasionally, Scotch), so he can relax enough to sleep in the Cannon House Office Building.
The logic behind these gestures can get muddled. Doesn't living in your office cost taxpayers more? And what's wrong with getting health insurance through your employer?
I hope people read the articel:
"It would have been very easy to just sign on and save my wife and I nine grand a year. Who the hell doesn't want to do that?" said Nugent, the Florida Republican. He kept the benefits he enjoyed as a county sheriff by signing up for COBRA - but it costs him $1,200 per month, vs. $400 for the congressional plan.
"But I believe in the principle of it," Nugent said.
Among the eight, many turned to a spouse's insurance or a personal health savings account. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), a dentist, uses his medical training to triage his children's minor injuries and holds down his costs. Walsh will have to pay out-of-pocket for a procedure his wife needs.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 16:55:52
they have a train, which I want to rid, so a bathhouse would not surprise me
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 16:55:52
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
Taxpayers don't pay for the Members' living expenses. Taxpayers pay the cost of travel back and forth to their districts. - A D.C. apartment/house, food, utilities, etc. - are paid for by the Member themselves and are not reimbursed.
A Member squatting in their in his office, using Capitol showers, electricity, etc.) is really saving themselves money on the back of taxpayers.
This makes me angry.
The Capitol has bathhouses?! Who knew!
they have a train, which I want to rid, so a bathhouse would not surprise me
Comment by 
livingonli on 02/15/2011 17:01:21
livingonli on 02/15/2011 17:01:21
Good day everyone.
And happy birthday to Mala.
And happy birthday to Mala.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 17:02:54
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 17:02:54
Thanks Liv
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 17:03:18
I want to do this too.
I think it amazing that members of the press get to ride it.
Raine on 02/15/2011 17:03:18
Quote by wickedpam:
Congressional Subway
I want to do this too.
I think it amazing that members of the press get to ride it.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 17:07:14
Mala: Did you see the AMAZING TYPO there? I missed it at first as well.
Raine on 02/15/2011 17:07:14
Quote by wickedpam:
Congressional Subway
Mala: Did you see the AMAZING TYPO there? I missed it at first as well.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 17:08:06
doesn't it just look adorable!
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 17:08:06
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Congressional Subway
I want to do this too.
I think it amazing that members of the press get to ride it.
doesn't it just look adorable!
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 17:09:02
I totally missed that!
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 17:09:02
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Congressional Subway
Mala: Did you see the AMAZING TYPO there? I missed it at first as well.
I totally missed that!
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 17:13:25
Raine on 02/15/2011 17:13:25
I gotta turn off Thom, HE may not realize it, but he is coming across as defending Ron Paul.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/15/2011 17:15:01
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 17:15:01
Aww man.. the original Franz Liebkind died. 
Comment by livingonli on 02/15/2011 17:16:12
I wonder how MGM feels about this crap.
livingonli on 02/15/2011 17:16:12
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by BobR:
Re, the blog: I'm afraid the next two years will be non-stop gridlock in Congress, and the soldiers will be the ones to bear the brunt of the inaction.
I was just commenting on one of the FB threads about this sickening South Dakota bill how this election put so many fucking nutjobs into place that we're gonna be dealing with their bullshit for at least the next four years. At least in the House and the state legislatures we can try to get rid of them next year.
I wonder how MGM feels about this crap.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 17:22:03
I had to look that one up.
Franz Liebkind: Not many people know it, but the Fuhrer was a terrific dancer.
Raine on 02/15/2011 17:22:03
Quote by Scoopster:
Aww man.. the original Franz Liebkind died.
Franz Liebkind: Not many people know it, but the Fuhrer was a terrific dancer.
Comment by livingonli on 02/15/2011 17:33:50
The people who are doing this have to be having their own issues since off-air reception is so varied in the digital era and VHF rather than UHF is where reception is weak so unless you get a powerful antenna, you may not get all your local signals. While some of the channels do stream, not all of them do and some do require a subscription fee themselves and a service like ESPN3 is only accessible through ISP's that have contracts with it like certain cable and telco providers and the whole shutdown of the sports streaming link sites shows how a lot of "free" streaming is not necessarily legal as noted by the fed shut down of a large number of streaming sites before the Super Bowl which means to watch live sports you may need to buy expensive sport subscription packaged where you are still subject to blackouts.
livingonli on 02/15/2011 17:33:50
Quote by Scoopster:
Hey Bobber & Liv wanted to pick your brains for a sec.. and anyone else who might know..
I was talking to a few people in regards to the below average (and in many cases piss poor) news coverage over the past few weeks and they started talking about dumping cable/satellite providers in favor of a combo of free-air and internet streamed television. So I started looking around for software for PC that would basically do the same thing as a cable/sat receiver but would instead pull the signal or stream for whatever channel you select, and allow you to create your own channel lineup. I couldn't find anything that did that though, with live broadcasts anyways.. You guys heard of anything?
The people who are doing this have to be having their own issues since off-air reception is so varied in the digital era and VHF rather than UHF is where reception is weak so unless you get a powerful antenna, you may not get all your local signals. While some of the channels do stream, not all of them do and some do require a subscription fee themselves and a service like ESPN3 is only accessible through ISP's that have contracts with it like certain cable and telco providers and the whole shutdown of the sports streaming link sites shows how a lot of "free" streaming is not necessarily legal as noted by the fed shut down of a large number of streaming sites before the Super Bowl which means to watch live sports you may need to buy expensive sport subscription packaged where you are still subject to blackouts.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 18:12:22
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 18:12:22
um - there are already "free" lawyers for everyone in criminal courts - its called the public defenders office 
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 18:38:00
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 18:38:00
okay Thom is seriously depressing me
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 18:49:32
pretty happy I walked away early on.
Raine on 02/15/2011 18:49:32
Quote by wickedpam:
okay Thom is seriously depressing me
pretty happy I walked away early on.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/15/2011 19:22:00
yeah, lets see I finally turned it off then we started reading again someone's suicide letter about how awful things had become
I've been depressed off and on about the future for about a year now - I dont' need that feeding into it.
I'm having a good day and don't want to start feeling down again - so Thom is off. Maybe when he starts talking in positive ways I'll start listening again
wickedpam on 02/15/2011 19:22:00
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
okay Thom is seriously depressing me
pretty happy I walked away early on.
yeah, lets see I finally turned it off then we started reading again someone's suicide letter about how awful things had become
I've been depressed off and on about the future for about a year now - I dont' need that feeding into it.
I'm having a good day and don't want to start feeling down again - so Thom is off. Maybe when he starts talking in positive ways I'll start listening again
Comment by Scoopster on 02/15/2011 20:12:45
I'm not necessarily depressed about the prospects going forward in the wake of last year's elections, I'm just plain disturbed. I seriously think we need to get our shit together big time, mobilize in every community in this country, and push back on a daily basis against these damn thugs. And I mean every damn day like we just witnessed in Egypt - non-stop activism in the streets of this country until the bullshit stops and these damn elected teabag thugs and all the morons who voted for them get the message.
Scoopster on 02/15/2011 20:12:45
Quote by wickedpam:
I've been depressed off and on about the future for about a year now - I dont' need that feeding into it.
I'm not necessarily depressed about the prospects going forward in the wake of last year's elections, I'm just plain disturbed. I seriously think we need to get our shit together big time, mobilize in every community in this country, and push back on a daily basis against these damn thugs. And I mean every damn day like we just witnessed in Egypt - non-stop activism in the streets of this country until the bullshit stops and these damn elected teabag thugs and all the morons who voted for them get the message.
Comment by BobR on 02/15/2011 21:28:53
Livin: punctuation - PLEASE!...
BobR on 02/15/2011 21:28:53
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Scoopster:
Hey Bobber & Liv wanted to pick your brains for a sec.. and anyone else who might know..
I was talking to a few people in regards to the below average (and in many cases piss poor) news coverage over the past few weeks and they started talking about dumping cable/satellite providers in favor of a combo of free-air and internet streamed television. So I started looking around for software for PC that would basically do the same thing as a cable/sat receiver but would instead pull the signal or stream for whatever channel you select, and allow you to create your own channel lineup. I couldn't find anything that did that though, with live broadcasts anyways.. You guys heard of anything?
The people who are doing this have to be having their own issues since off-air reception is so varied in the digital era and VHF rather than UHF is where reception is weak so unless you get a powerful antenna, you may not get all your local signals. While some of the channels do stream, not all of them do and some do require a subscription fee themselves and a service like ESPN3 is only accessible through ISP's that have contracts with it like certain cable and telco providers and the whole shutdown of the sports streaming link sites shows how a lot of "free" streaming is not necessarily legal as noted by the fed shut down of a large number of streaming sites before the Super Bowl which means to watch live sports you may need to buy expensive sport subscription packaged where you are still subject to blackouts.
Livin: punctuation - PLEASE!...
Comment by livingonli on 02/15/2011 21:30:25
It did kind of ramble there.
livingonli on 02/15/2011 21:30:25
Quote by BobR:Quote by livingonli:Quote by Scoopster:
Hey Bobber & Liv wanted to pick your brains for a sec.. and anyone else who might know..
I was talking to a few people in regards to the below average (and in many cases piss poor) news coverage over the past few weeks and they started talking about dumping cable/satellite providers in favor of a combo of free-air and internet streamed television. So I started looking around for software for PC that would basically do the same thing as a cable/sat receiver but would instead pull the signal or stream for whatever channel you select, and allow you to create your own channel lineup. I couldn't find anything that did that though, with live broadcasts anyways.. You guys heard of anything?
The people who are doing this have to be having their own issues since off-air reception is so varied in the digital era and VHF rather than UHF is where reception is weak so unless you get a powerful antenna, you may not get all your local signals. While some of the channels do stream, not all of them do and some do require a subscription fee themselves and a service like ESPN3 is only accessible through ISP's that have contracts with it like certain cable and telco providers and the whole shutdown of the sports streaming link sites shows how a lot of "free" streaming is not necessarily legal as noted by the fed shut down of a large number of streaming sites before the Super Bowl which means to watch live sports you may need to buy expensive sport subscription packaged where you are still subject to blackouts.
Livin: punctuation - PLEASE!...
It did kind of ramble there.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 21:36:10
I am with you both --
on different levels. (to be really honest)
Scoop. I am there, I feel we need serious activism here in this country. The One Nation march was wonderful. but what was the follow up?
To follow that up with what Thom read on air, is just defeatist. Suicide letters rarely prove to be rallying cries.
Raine on 02/15/2011 21:36:10
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:
I've been depressed off and on about the future for about a year now - I dont' need that feeding into it.
I'm not necessarily depressed about the prospects going forward in the wake of last year's elections, I'm just plain disturbed. I seriously think we need to get our shit together big time, mobilize in every community in this country, and push back on a daily basis against these damn thugs. And I mean every damn day like we just witnessed in Egypt - non-stop activism in the streets of this country until the bullshit stops and these damn elected teabag thugs and all the morons who voted for them get the message.
on different levels. (to be really honest)
Scoop. I am there, I feel we need serious activism here in this country. The One Nation march was wonderful. but what was the follow up?
To follow that up with what Thom read on air, is just defeatist. Suicide letters rarely prove to be rallying cries.
Comment by Raine on 02/15/2011 21:38:36
Raine on 02/15/2011 21:38:36
I am seriously with Scoop about mobilization. That said, I feel a lot better about the future than I have in a long time.