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Ask a Vet Dump!
Author: TriSec    Date: 07/17/2012 11:44:04

Good Morning.

Today is our 3,936th day in Afghanistan.

We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,042
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,045

We find this morning's cost of war passing through:

$ 1, 353, 180, 900, 000 .00


So...it's curious. Being out of work, I read the news. A lot. I've managed to save a significant number of stories for this column...far too many for even a month's worth. So here we go, without the usual framework. I'm sorry, but you'll have to head for the links to get the details today.

Let's start by thinking about getting the troops home. We've left Iraq already, but the troops haven't gone very far. Speaking of getting home, getting the hell out of Afghanistan isn't going to be cheap.

There's a giant mishmosh of economic things that I've run across...so think about these few things for those troops that might eventually come home. They're going to need jobs and houses...but in California, those houses remain unoccupied because of budget constraints. On the jobs front...well, maybe some of those returning veterans will be heading for a different kind of front.

Of course, some of those returning vets might be headed to school under the new GI Bill. While most colleges are accomodating and honest in their practices, some are vultures.

Finally this morning...let's take a brief look at some of the contracting practices at the Pentagon. Wouldn't it be nice to go all "Mitt" on contractors that are criminal in their practices and fire them? Unfortunately, the Pentagon just keeps 'em. And speaking of criminal, I've got a couple of updates on some things we've been following for a long time here about KBR. Of course, they can do no wrong, so they're hoping to have the burn-pit lawsuits dismissed. Luckily for KBR, the electrocution lawsuit has already been wiped away.

So....there you have it. I hope I haven't swamped everyone with information today, but my notebook is clear!
 

74 comments (Latest Comment: 07/17/2012 21:52:31 by livingonli)
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Comment by BobR on 07/17/2012 12:06:46


Comment by BobR on 07/17/2012 12:08:47
This one is for Mondo: "The Wire" done with LEGOs

Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 12:37:36
Good Morning!

Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 12:40:32
You know, I think I mentioned this is yesterdays blog...

Now the Obama campaign is asking the same question...
The former Massachusetts governor has released his 2010 tax return and released an estimate of his 2011 taxes, with a pledge to release the full return. But he has resisted giving more information about his past taxes. Obama’s ad seizes on that fact, saying it “makes you wonder if some years he paid any taxes at all. ”


Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 12:49:44
Morning

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 12:58:19
Quote by BobR:
This one is for Mondo: "The Wire" done with LEGOs



"I'm out the game Jimmy. I gonna buy a trumpet and move to New Orleans and play some jazz!" Brilliant!

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 13:02:20
Had my "Office Space" moment of the day. My boss has told me :lundberg voice: "Your signature file isn't correct." My thought balloon, who the fuck cares?

Comment by TriSec on 07/17/2012 13:16:05
Quote by Mondobubba:
Had my "Office Space" moment of the day. My boss has told me :lundberg voice: "Your signature file isn't correct." My thought balloon, who the fuck cares?


This is where you need a lightsaber.




Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 13:17:11
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images

Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 13:30:43
Quote by wickedpam:
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images
I missed that.
Whatis a zaftig?

Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 13:32:03
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images
I missed that.
Whatis a zaftig?
never mind.

Wow. I am a little surprised at that.


Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 13:37:43
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images
I missed that.
Whatis a zaftig?
never mind.

Wow. I am a little surprised at that.



oops - did I have a spelling trainwreck as I am want to do.


I know right, she looks tiny to me.


Comment by Scoopster on 07/17/2012 13:46:17
Mornin' all!

Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images
I missed that.
Whatis a zaftig?
never mind.

Wow. I am a little surprised at that.

I thought the word was cougar?

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 14:03:29
Dear America:

This is an email address: [email protected]
This is a website address: http://www.companyname.com

Please stop confusing them.

Thanks!

Comment by BobR on 07/17/2012 14:10:49
Quote by Mondobubba:
Dear America:

This is an email address: [email protected]
This is a website address: http://www.companyname.com

Please stop confusing them.

Thanks!

Ya know - if it weren't for dumb people, you wouldn't have a job.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 14:13:11
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Dear America:

This is an email address: [email protected]
This is a website address: http://www.companyname.com

Please stop confusing them.

Thanks!

Ya know - if it weren't for dumb people, you wouldn't have a job.



Bob, there are the people that give dumb people a bad name.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 14:24:46
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images
I missed that.
Whatis a zaftig?
never mind.

Wow. I am a little surprised at that.



oops - did I have a spelling trainwreck as I am want to do.


I know right, she looks tiny to me.



How can you tell? She is wearing an apron and shapeless pants.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 14:28:52
Quote by wickedpam:
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images


I wonder if Chris is one of those folks who says Christina Hendricks is "fat"

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/17/2012 14:31:15
Hello, bloggers!!

Raine, zaftig is a Yiddish word meaning having a full-figure. Zaftig's is the name of a Jewish deli in Brookline, MA and Newton, MA.

TriSec, thanks for the blog. I worry about how many GIs will get screwed over by for profit colleges and universities that offer little.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 14:42:37
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Chris considers Flo from progressive as zaftig?

no wonder we have such bad body images


I wonder if Chris is one of those folks who says Christina Hendricks is "fat"


It wouldn't surprise me, they have an odd sense of average out in LaLa Land


Comment by Scoopster on 07/17/2012 14:42:43
HOLEEEE CRAP OBAMA IS GOING FOR THE JUGULAR!

New OFA ad asks if Romney has paid any taxes at all

Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 14:47:59
So this happened Sunday morning in Manassas.



Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 14:52:01
Quote by Scoopster:
HOLEEEE CRAP OBAMA IS GOING FOR THE JUGULAR!

New OFA ad asks if Romney has paid any taxes at all

Scoop...you are going to make me cry....

I postedthe NYT link a few hours ago...

Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 14:56:27
Quote by wickedpam:
So this happened Sunday morning in Manassas.

That is a little bit awesome!


Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 14:57:51
Mitt really is Thurston Howell,Huh?

This is filled with all sorts of Jaw Dropping phrases.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 15:00:20
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
So this happened Sunday morning in Manassas.

That is a little bit awesome!



I shop at the Harris Teeter at that intersection, so we're there at lease once a week. I mean I knew there were cows at that farm (they've escaped before too and I've seen them walking down the PW parkway. And I knew there was a Llama farm kinda close down Liberia, but the emu was a surprise XD

They think it might have escaped from that Llama farm

Comment by TriSec on 07/17/2012 15:12:22
OK folks, so I know knowledge is power, and the truth will set me free.

So as a newly-diagnosed cancer patient (that hasn't even met with an oncologist yet), why does reading everything I can put my hands on about this make me think that I've been to Florida for the last time, and I may never see my beloved Nova Scotia again? (Never mind other things like Javi's graduation, Eagle Ceremony, grandbabies, etc.)

Somebody talk me off the ledge.



Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 15:12:54
Mudcat does have that Virginia southern accent

Comment by BobR on 07/17/2012 15:15:04
Quote by TriSec:
OK folks, so I know knowledge is power, and the truth will set me free.

So as a newly-diagnosed cancer patient (that hasn't even met with an oncologist yet), why does reading everything I can put my hands on about this make me think that I've been to Florida for the last time, and I may never see my beloved Nova Scotia again? (Never mind other things like Javi's graduation, Eagle Ceremony, grandbabies, etc.)

Somebody talk me off the ledge.


My mother had a stroke and THEN breast cancer, and was 70 at the time is still alive 13 years later. Treatments have advanced since then. People beat cancer all the time.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 15:19:41
Quote by TriSec:
OK folks, so I know knowledge is power, and the truth will set me free.

So as a newly-diagnosed cancer patient (that hasn't even met with an oncologist yet), why does reading everything I can put my hands on about this make me think that I've been to Florida for the last time, and I may never see my beloved Nova Scotia again? (Never mind other things like Javi's graduation, Eagle Ceremony, grandbabies, etc.)

Somebody talk me off the ledge.



You are stronger then this stupid cancer. Hell, you are the only person I know that freaking camps (real camping not suburban camping) in the flipping cold!

You are going to see Javi graduate HS and College and dance at this wedding and hold grandbabies.

They write that stuff to be honest and blunt about the worst possible cases to you walk into it with eyes wide open. They don't want that sugar coated and not a good idea for it to be.

BUT - for your own sanity (and speaking as someone who drove them selves crazy with digging for medical info) stay off of webmd and don't google. Wail until you see the doc.


Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 15:20:42
Quote by BobR:
Quote by TriSec:
OK folks, so I know knowledge is power, and the truth will set me free.

So as a newly-diagnosed cancer patient (that hasn't even met with an oncologist yet), why does reading everything I can put my hands on about this make me think that I've been to Florida for the last time, and I may never see my beloved Nova Scotia again? (Never mind other things like Javi's graduation, Eagle Ceremony, grandbabies, etc.)

Somebody talk me off the ledge.


My mother had a stroke and THEN breast cancer, and was 70 at the time is still alive 13 years later. Treatments have advanced since then. People beat cancer all the time.



exactly. treatments have changed so much in the last 20+ years its crazy

Comment by TriSec on 07/17/2012 15:24:49
Quote by wickedpam:


BUT - for you own sanity (and speaking as someone who drove them selves crazy with digging for medical info) stay off of webmd and don't google. Wail until you see the doc.


See now, I think I'm smarter than that. I work in the business (although on the admin side), I've been to school for this stuff, and I'm a first aid instructor myself. I think maybe it's the waiting more than anything else. My appointment is next Tuesday, so I have another week to mull this over and go all hypochondriac.

ARRRRRRRRRRGH!



Comment by Scoopster on 07/17/2012 15:25:59
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
HOLEEEE CRAP OBAMA IS GOING FOR THE JUGULAR!

New OFA ad asks if Romney has paid any taxes at all

Scoop...you are going to make me cry....

I postedthe NYT link a few hours ago...

Forgive me.. I swear it's these damn allergy pills. I'm half fucking asleep all the time because of them, and when I don't take them my eyes drip like a faucet from the pollen.

Comment by TriSec on 07/17/2012 15:26:55
Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 15:30:10
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
HOLEEEE CRAP OBAMA IS GOING FOR THE JUGULAR!

New OFA ad asks if Romney has paid any taxes at all

Scoop...you are going to make me cry....

I postedthe NYT link a few hours ago...

Forgive me.. I swear it's these damn allergy pills. I'm half fucking asleep all the time because of them, and when I don't take them my eyes drip like a faucet from the pollen.
:hug:


Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 15:30:22
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:


BUT - for you own sanity (and speaking as someone who drove them selves crazy with digging for medical info) stay off of webmd and don't google. Wail until you see the doc.


See now, I think I'm smarter than that. I work in the business (although on the admin side), I've been to school for this stuff, and I'm a first aid instructor myself. I think maybe it's the waiting more than anything else. My appointment is next Tuesday, so I have another week to mull this over and go all hypochondriac.

ARRRRRRRRRRGH!



it is the waiting and a little be of the not knowing all the factual details of your own info- when I was diagnosed with my pituitary tumor I googled every thing I could find. For a while I was convinced I was going to go blind because its near the optic nerves. But the doc told me it was completely treatable, now the only thing that freaks me out is when I have to get an MIR


Comment by BobR on 07/17/2012 15:33:03
Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 15:34:08
Quote by TriSec:
Well, I know this website exists.


and there is also a Cancer Survivors Day - cancer touches everyone's lives everyday. You either know someone with, are related to someone with it, or have it yourself. You're never alone, and it will be ok.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 15:42:10
Quote by wickedpam:
So this happened Sunday morning in Manassas.




That is something you don't see everyday is it?

Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 15:44:31
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
So this happened Sunday morning in Manassas.




That is something you don't see everyday is it?


the emu no, the bad driving yes.

I have seen cows and chickens escape and a couple of huge wild turkeys, but mostly its your standard deer, squirrels and other woodland creatures


Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/17/2012 16:21:14
Quote by TriSec:
OK folks, so I know knowledge is power, and the truth will set me free.

So as a newly-diagnosed cancer patient (that hasn't even met with an oncologist yet), why does reading everything I can put my hands on about this make me think that I've been to Florida for the last time, and I may never see my beloved Nova Scotia again? (Never mind other things like Javi's graduation, Eagle Ceremony, grandbabies, etc.)

Somebody talk me off the ledge.




TriSec, my mom survived melanoma. (As a child, she spent summers in Michigan at a time when children were encouraged to get a lot of sun.) It has been over five years since her cancer, and she is fine.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 16:54:36
Tri, both my mom and MiL have lived through breast cancer. MiL's was going on 22 years ago. She is now too tough to die. She just turned 90 this year. I expect the same of you.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/17/2012 16:58:28



Really? Sheesh. On another note, Tagg Romney? What the hell kind of name is Tagg?

Comment by TriSec on 07/17/2012 17:20:29
Quote by Mondobubba:



Really? Sheesh. On another note, Tagg Romney? What the hell kind of name is Tagg?


"Mitt" "Tag". Maybe one of his other sons is named "Balk" ?




Comment by Raine on 07/17/2012 17:37:59
Mondo, MAla:

Opine needed: Sandy Point State Park? North Beach? Chesapeake beach? Preferences?

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/17/2012 17:38:26
What is it with the Republican candidates giving their kids weird first names? Did Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney get the same poor quality baby names book?

Comment by wickedpam on 07/17/2012 17:43:05
Quote by Raine:
Mondo, MAla:

Opine needed: Sandy Point State Park? North Beach? Chesapeake beach? Preferences?



never been to any of those - my beaches are in the NC - South Nags Head or a few down around Wilmington

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/17/2012 17:44:16
Okay, I will be offline for a bit but here is a story about how ugly it is getting out on the campaign trail. From the Huffington Post.

John Sununu: 'I Wish This President Would Learn How To Be An American'


I guess that anyone who does not subscribe exactly to what Mr. Sununu believes is not an American. Sir, please tell that to people who are fighting under this country's flag, who volunteer in their communities and make a difference in this country every day.

I believe that Mr. Sununu and the President are Americans. However, the former is not a gentleman but comes across as a street thug wrapped in a nice suit. So, I guess that Mr. Sununu has again proved what Samuel Johnson said about false patriotism used by political opportunists: "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."

Comment by livingonli on 07/17/2012 17:47:17
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:



Really? Sheesh. On another note, Tagg Romney? What the hell kind of name is Tagg?


"Mitt" "Tag". Maybe one of his other sons is named "Balk" ?



It's interesting that Tag is not that far removed from Trig so he and Sarah Psycho must have the same baby name book.

Comment by Scoopster on 07/17/2012 17:47:45
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Okay, I will be offline for a bit but here is a story about how ugly it is getting out on the campaign trail. From the Huffington Post.

John Sununu: 'I Wish This President Would Learn How To Be An American'

I guess that anyone who does not subscribe exactly to what Mr. Sununu believes is not an American. Sir, please tell that to people who are fighting under this country's flag, who volunteer in their communities and make a difference in this country every day.

I believe that Mr. Sununu and the President are Americans. However, the former is not a gentleman but comes across as a street thug wrapped in a nice suit. So, I guess that Mr. Sununu has again proved what Samuel Johnson said about false patriotism used by political opportunists: "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."

I was JUST reading this.. there's so many juicy quotes in that article.

In defending the campaign's decision to not release more than two years of tax returns, Sununu also provided the kind of aggressive counterpunch that conservatives have been calling on the Romney campaign to throw for weeks, comparing the Democratic and media calls for more returns to be released to the movie "The Neverending Story."

Well in that case, SHOW US THE NOTHING!