About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec    Date: 04/01/2008 10:40:17

Good Morning.

Today is our 1,840th day in Iraq.

We'll start this morning as we always do...with the increasing casualties from the warron terra, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4011
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 3872
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3550
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3152
Since Election (1/31/05): 2573

Other Coalition Troops: 309
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 491


We find this morning's cost of war passing through: $507,453,610,000.00

Do go and watch it for a minute. I timed it just now, and our war debt seems to be increasing by $10,000 every four seconds or so. Think of your annual salary, then do the math. It's sickening.



Turning to our friends at IAVA....remember "As they stand up, we'll stand down"? Well, my young son went from crawling to walking to running in less time it's taken for Iraq to do the same. And some vets are taking notice.


Y’all got some ’splaining to do.

Pictures of the Basra police handing over their weapons to JAM last week were followed by stories of the same patrolling Basra in HMMWVs. While there’s no telling right now if that’s true or not, the absence of a realistic plan or even an honest assessment of the problems faced while creating a professional security force in Iraq are on jaw-dropping display. Even more frustrating are the Pentagon’s pollyannaish assessments that tend more to propaganda than to a critical eye on the real world. And without an honest assessment, it is darn near impossible to expect any sort of sensible plan. Sadr’s deprecations over the last week and their manhandling of Maliki’s ISF set the stage for another public “assessment” where generals give testimony to politicians giving them speeches and the troops are no better off than before:

Iraq’s new army is “developing steadily,” with “strong Iraqi leaders out front,” the chief U.S. trainer assured the American people. That was three-plus years ago, the U.S. Army general was David H. Petraeus, and some of those Iraqi officials at the time were busy embezzling more than $1 billion allotted for the new army’s weapons, according to investigators.

The 2004-05 Defense Ministry scandal was just one in an unending series of setbacks in the five-year struggle to “stand up” an Iraqi military and allow hard-pressed U.S. forces to “stand down” from Iraq.

That’s from the AP’s Iraq’s Army a Long Time ‘Standing Up’

And the happy talk still continues

The current chief trainer counters that his Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, known as MNSTC-I, has made “huge progress in many areas, quality and quantity.”

“But we’re not free of difficulties,” Lt. Gen. James Dubik told reporters on March 4.

The GAO is hot on their heels but they only repeat what almost any combat troop working with the Iraqis will tell you - with a few notable exceptions, they are a hollow and untrustworthy force.

Desertions persisted. In its latest quarterly report, in early March, the Pentagon says some 197,000 military personnel have now been trained, but that number includes the equivalent of two divisions - 27,000 men - estimated to have gone AWOL in 2007. Some 224,000 police are listed as trained, including an unknown number who left their posts.

Without that honest assessment, and some strategy or another (I mean - pick something!) all the commentary and discussion about the success or failure of the troop increases are meaningless. Over the next couple of weeks leaders at all levels will testify or make the rounds in DC. The White House will spin for all it it is worth and all three presidential candidates will weigh in. Pasty faced “analysts” will make “expert assessments” in front of every camera from C-SPAN to FOX and Friends. Months later a fact checker will be able to see that they’ve gotten almost every single thing wrong at every step of the way. But by then the only ones that really know will be on their fourth or fifth tour in Iraq. The only thing we won’t hear is a real plan and anything approaching a comprehensive security strategy. And no - I haven’t a qualified recommendation to make because I, like just about everyone else, do not have the whole picture. Until we get that assessment and are honest about it, you can’t identify the real problems and you can’t make viable recommendations.

We’ve seen this game before and it is time for the most senior of military officers and their civilian counterparts to stop play-acting and get to the hard work of speaking truth to power and then doing what they’d demand of their subordinates - make a suggestion - pick something! But be honest about the costs and the chances of failure or success, and the results of that. Get the right info out there and let a real discussion of informed constituents proceed. Otherwise - shut up or identify yourself as the political prop you are.



Turning now to the Iraqis, perhaps you heard of the recent fighting in and around Basra. Or perhaps not, since the American media completely ignored it. In any case, the citizens of that beleagured city are now facing food and water shortages, and can't even bury their dead.
Residents in southern Iraq are hopeful that the al-Mahdi Army will heed calls by Muqtada al-Sadr, the influential Shia leader, to withdraw from the streets.

For nearly a week, clashes between al-Sadr's forces and the government have forced hundreds of families in Basra, Kut and Kerbala to seek safety inside their homes.
At least 300 people have reportedly died since an Iraqi military crackdown in Basra last week sparked fighting across the country.

The operation was aimed at disarming the city's warring Shia militias, including the al-Mahdi Army, as well as crushing a number of criminal gangs.

But many Iraqi civilians say the fighting is spilling over to their lives.

"We need food and water," Abu Kareem, a Basra resident, told Al Jazeera in a phone interview.

"Electricity has been cut off [for] three days and all food we had in our refrigerators has been lost."

"Many houses are being used [by] fighters to hide and yesterday they entered my home twice, raising the dangers of an air strike over us," the 52-year-old added.

"My sons and wife are scared and when I tried to refuse their [fighters'] entrance, I was beaten," he added.

Yearning for calm
Fighting continued in Basra on Sunday despite calls by al-Sadr for his troops to stand down and withdraw from the streets, dashing the hopes of residents who yearned for calm.

"I'm glad that our cleric decided to call for the militia to withdraw but I'm not sure it will work out," Ala'a Salah, a Basra resident, said.

"When you cease fire without addressing the main issues facing our society, the wound will be open and ready for any new infection. I'm sure clashes will return but on a much worse scale."

Salah added that the temporary ceasefire has allowed his family to get food, petrol for generators and clean water. But as soon as it is safe, he said, he will pack up and leave the city.

Abu Ali, a fighter for the al-Mahdi Army, said he will obey al-Sadr's order, but does not believe all militia fighters will stand down.

"Some fighters are feeling used as they were told to fight for recognition and now to stop without any concessions being made to them," he said.

"If we stop [fighting], we are going to be seen as losers and a weak group and the possibility to be politically recognised will be less likely."

Health care woes
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concerns that continued fighting in southern Iraq could create a humanitarian crisis in the region.

"Hospitals in Basra and in parts of Baghdad are running out of medical stocks, food and fuel," said a Red Cross volunteer who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

"Aid workers have been prevented from entering Basra for security reasons while the need for aid is urgent. Some families have told me by phone that in some houses children are starving and armed groups aren't responding to appeals from civilians," he said.

Ali Dureid, another Basra resident, told Al Jazeera that after his brother has been killed outside his home, the family had to wait for hours before carrying the body inside.

They also had to delay his burial for two days while they waited for fighting to subside in their neighbourhood.

"A foul smell started to come from his body," 34-year-old Duraid said.

Dureid added that he understood why the al-Mahdi Army militia have taken up arms, but said the killing of innocent civilians does not ultimately serve their interests.

"They are fighting to be recognised, but how can Iraqis [recognise] them if what they are doing is letting innocent civilians die under their ideals?"




Lastly this morning...we turn to the politicians. In the cacophony that is an election campaign, both sides are arguing with each other over the war...again. This time it's Obama and McCain.
ALLENTOWNPA. -- , -- In one of their sharpest exchanges of the presidential campaign, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama clashed over the Iraq war on Monday, with each challenging the other's credentials on national security.

Meanwhile, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama's rival for the party's nomination, went after Obama's supporters for urging her to exit the race.

McCain lashed out after a Mississippi event that launched the Arizona senator's weeklong tour of the nation to highlight his military pedigree.

Responding to Obama's frequent mocking of McCain's suggestion that U.S. troops might remain in Iraq for 100 years, the Republican nominee-in-waiting said the Illinois senator failed to understand that America has kept forces in Korea, Japan, Germany and Kuwait long after wars in each country ended.

"In all due respect, it displays a fundamental misunderstanding of history, of how we've maintained national security, and what we need to do in the future to maintain our security in the face of the transcendent challenge of radical Islamic extremism," McCain told reporters on his campaign plane.

"And I understand that, because he has no experience or background in any of it," McCain added.

Obama and other critics have dogged McCain over his remark in New Hampshire last year that the U.S. might keep troops in Iraq for as long as 100 years.

McCain has stressed since then that he meant that U.S. troops might need to remain to support Iraqi forces, not to wage full-scale warfare.

Campaigning Monday in Allentown, Obama questioned McCain's judgment -- and that of New York Sen. Clinton -- in voting to authorize the war in Iraq.

"John McCain and Hillary Clinton, they had a chance to make a good decision on the most important foreign-policy issue of a generation, and they got it wrong," Obama told a crowd of 4,000 at Muhlenberg College.

"There's only one candidate left who got it right, and that's who you should want answering that phone call at 3 o'clock in the morning," he added, alluding to a Clinton ad suggesting that she was best suited to handle a foreign- policy crisis.

Obama also stood by his criticism of McCain for saying U.S. forces could stay in Iraq for as long as 100 years.

"Barack Obama," his spokesman Bill Burton said, "doesn't need any lectures from John McCain, who has consistently misunderstood American national security and the history of the Middle East in arguing for an invasion and 100-year occupation of a country that had nothing to do with 9/11."



So...another week at war. No end in sight. What do we do next?



 

196 comments (Latest Comment: 04/02/2008 04:43:47 by livingonli)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati

Add a Comment

Please login to add a comment...


Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest  Refresh Comments

Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 12:12:42
McCain thought Iran was training al-Qaeda, and he has the balls to criticize anyone on MidEast military strategy?

Comment by velveeta jones on 04/01/2008 12:34:20
Yes, after McCain, on more than one occassion, confused Sunni and Shi'a - I'll take knowledge over experience!! .



Morning all. I'll be off today......... taking the wife to see her new doctor, which is in another town. *sigh* It means......... no Steph.



:(

Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 12:44:26
No Foolin' :D

Although as I think I mentioned earlier I have a good friend who lives in DC and I will probably stay with her at least one of the two nights, but would love to hang with you all the other night...



Quote by livingonli:

I have a spare bed in my room if needed. I booked one with two double beds just in case.




Hey there Liv,

I may take you up on your offer to share your room. Last night I booked my flight (only cost me $47.00 more than the credit that they gave me for the Columbus trip I didn't make). I arrive on Friday - early afternoon - and fly out around 10:00am Sunday morning. I am really looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the 4Fs gang - can't wait...

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2008 13:05:43


Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 13:22:51
Good morning all!





Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 13:28:14
Momma seems to have more than her share of body pierced listeners

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 13:35:45
Morning!



Quote bylivingonli Without Thom Hartmann on WWRL, they are dead to me.




Liv...when did WWRL do away with Thom's program?

I just listened to him last week on their stream.

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 13:35:45
Quote bylivingonli Without Thom Hartmann on WWRL, they are dead to me.


Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 13:36:26
Oh dear... Dennis miller is SO not funny.

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 13:39:50
OMG! WWRL replaced Thom with ED SCHULTZ?!?!?!?

WhenTF did that happen?



Pfft....at least I can still get him on Green960.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 13:45:19
Quote by BobR:

McCain thought Iran was training al-Qaeda, and he has the balls to criticize anyone on MidEast military strategy?


HE is indeed on of those cranky old men. Man he has a real set of hypocrites hanging there, huh?





Comment by Shane-O on 04/01/2008 13:48:32
I SO wish that the statistics in TriSec's post were an April Fools' prank.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 13:48:33
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 13:52:55
HEre we go...





Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 13:52:58
Good morning everyone.



Oh, this working until 2 AM is cramping my style.



I don't know how anyone can listen to Sean Hannity, the 3-hour talking point fritata broken record.



faye, you are more than welcome. It will be new for me to have a roomie. Just a word of warning, I am a snorer. Although if last time was any indication, we probably won't get that much sleep.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 13:53:42
Good morning again to everyone!

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 13:57:25
John mcCain really scares me.

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 13:59:09
:star:, WWRL changed programming yesterday. They seemed to have marked the fourth anniversay of Air America by cutting back they're commitment to the network. Here is the new lineup;



5-9 AM the WWRL Morning Show

9-11 AM Infomercials (why couldn't they have replaced Lionel with Momma?)

It's bad enough that people actually watch the ones on TV but who the hell listens to them on the radio?

11-Noon Ron Daniels

Noon-3 PM Ed Schultz

3-6 PM Randi Rhodes

6-8 PM Rachel Maddow (bye bye last hour)

8-10 PM Al Sharpton (tape delayed)

10PM-1 AM Alan Combs.



I wish our station war programmed like KTLK or KPHX. (KTLK would edge out for having live Rachel)

Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 14:00:19
Quote by livingonli:

Good morning everyone.



Oh, this working until 2 AM is cramping my style.



I don't know how anyone can listen to Sean Hannity, the 3-hour talking point fritata broken record.



faye, you are more than welcome. It will be new for me to have a roomie. Just a word of warning, I am a snorer. Although if last time was any indication, we probably won't get that much sleep.




We should get along just fine, in spite of using those "Breathe-Right Strips" I am told that I snore too :)

Looking forward to meeting you :D

Cheers,

mfaye



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:00:28
I want to this primary over already..



(did that work?)



no? OK, how about this?







Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 14:01:43
Morning :hug:





Faye - posted a note for you under the DC trip blog but since your here I'll ask - are you flying into National or Dulles?

Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 14:02:06
Quote by Raine:

John mcCain really scares me.


My friend, he scares the bejesus out of me , too

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:04:06
Quote by livingonli:

:star:, WWRL changed programming yesterday. They seemed to have marked the fourth anniversay of Air America by cutting back they're commitment to the network. Here is the new lineup;



5-9 AM the WWRL Morning Show

9-11 AM Infomercials (why couldn't they have replaced Lionel with Momma?)

It's bad enough that people actually watch the ones on TV but who the hell listens to them on the radio?

11-Noon Ron Daniels

Noon-3 PM Ed Schultz

3-6 PM Randi Rhodes

6-8 PM Rachel Maddow (bye bye last hour)

8-10 PM Al Sharpton (tape delayed)

10PM-1 AM Alan Combs.



I wish our station war programmed like KTLK or KPHX. (KTLK would edge out for having live Rachel)




I cannot believe that. They got rid of the smartest man in Radio.

F*ckers!

F*ckin Frank!



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:05:13
Food Stamp use nears record.



Robust economy my ass.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:05:58
Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by Raine:

John mcCain really scares me.


My friend, he scares the bejesus out of me , too

Cheers,

mfaye
My friend, we are not alone...



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:08:00
FAYE!!!





Comment by Shane-O on 04/01/2008 14:08:13
Faye! with the

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 14:08:47
Faye with the funny! :D

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:09:15
WOOHOO!!!! SHANE-O!!!





Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:09:25
Quote by Raine:

Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by Raine:

John mcCain really scares me.


My friend, he scares the bejesus out of me , too

Cheers,

mfaye
My friend, we are not alone...



My friend, we are so screwed..

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:09:47
Four Freedoms participation rocks!!!

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:10:19
Faye and Shane-O, the 4F blog all-stars.



(and then there's Raine in Atlanta).

Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 14:11:23
Quote by wickedpam:

Morning :hug:





Faye - posted a note for you under the DC trip blog but since your here I'll ask - are you flying into National or Dulles?






I'm flying into Baltimore BWI (much cheaper) - there is a shuttle that goes from BWI to various points in DC and it is not too expensive.

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:15:19
Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by wickedpam:

Morning :hug:





Faye - posted a note for you under the DC trip blog but since your here I'll ask - are you flying into National or Dulles?






I'm flying into Baltimore BWI (much cheaper) - there is a shuttle that goes from BWI to various points in DC and it is not too expensive.


It's just a short skip. I will be driving down from home (with a pit stop in Brooklyn to pick up HBK). I want to try and get in by late afternoon and hopefully beat the rush hour.



Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:16:20
Yeah, I'll be hangin' onto my condo for a loooooong time.



Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:17:43
Well, that doesn't bother me. When the country is in the state it is, I'd rather have a president that is more busy working than bowling...or....say.....TAP DANCING!





Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:17:49
:foil: is getting better and better at doing the obama voice!

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 14:18:27
Yeah Shane-O!





Faye - I wish I knew how to get to BWI, I've never driven there. If you can get the shuttle to like Union Station or one of the Metro Stations - you want to take the blue line and get out at Rosslyn Station.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:19:16
Quote by starling310:

Well, that doesn't bother me. When the country is in the state it is, I'd rather have a president that is more busy working than bowling...or....say.....TAP DANCING!







I gotta agree. It is sad that we still seem to need our politicians to go out and do these things in order to win votes.



Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:19:36
I guess with the way things are going, I should be glad I'm still a renter. Don't have to worry about deprecation. Just wish my rent would go down.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:20:02
I am so very excited about the DC trip myself!





Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 14:20:21
Faye - you mentioned that you might be spending a night with a friend. Starling mentioned she might be willing to share her room (if there are two beds), and she's staying just Sat night. My friend Stan might want to share a room for both Fri & Sat night.



So my suggestion would be Faye spend Fri night with her friend (if that's possible) then Sat night with Starling & Friend, and Stan share Livin's room both nights.



Just my 2 cents.



Oh - and morning, folks... :coffee:



Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:21:17
Raine, HBK is on the SMS live blog.

Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 14:22:01
Quote by livingonli:

I guess with the way things are going, I should be glad I'm still a renter. Don't have to worry about deprecation. Just wish my rent would go down.


That will never happen. Some prices go down; rent is not one of them.



You'll have better luck getting a raise.

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:22:21
Quote by BobR:

Faye - you mentioned that you might be spending a night with a friend. Starling mentioned she might be willing to share her room (if there are two beds), and she's staying just Sat night. My friend Stan might want to share a room for both Fri & Sat night.



So my suggestion would be Faye spend Fri night with her friend (if that's possible) then Sat night with Starling & Friend, and Stan share Livin's room both nights.



Just my 2 cents.



Oh - and morning, folks... :coffee:



We'll make this work somehow.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 14:22:34
Quote by Raine:

I am so very excited about the DC trip myself!









ME Too!

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:24:31
Quote by BobR:

Quote by livingonli:

I guess with the way things are going, I should be glad I'm still a renter. Don't have to worry about deprecation. Just wish my rent would go down.


That will never happen. Some prices go down; rent is not one of them.



You'll have better luck getting a raise.


My review should be coming up soon. Hopefully, I will get a bigger raise than I have the last few years. At the rate things are going, it will be a few years before I am making what I used to make before I was laid off.

Comment by Shane-O on 04/01/2008 14:25:53
Quote by Raine:

:foil: is getting better and better at doing the obama voice!


It's not until someone as brilliant as Jim does a voice that I can figure out what it is that makes a certain person's speech pattern unique. The way Jim stretches the vowels and speeds up the end of the sentances in his Obama voice. Jim must just listen, and listen and listen - to figure that kind of thing out.



Has anyone noticed the large amount of new promos these past two weeks? Yea! to

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:25:59
Quote by BobR:

Faye - you mentioned that you might be spending a night with a friend. Starling mentioned she might be willing to share her room (if there are two beds), and she's staying just Sat night. My friend Stan might want to share a room for both Fri & Sat night.



So my suggestion would be Faye spend Fri night with her friend (if that's possible) then Sat night with Starling & Friend, and Stan share Livin's room both nights.



Just my 2 cents.



Oh - and morning, folks... :coffee:





That's fine with me!

It might be nice to defray the cost of the room in the end.

Faye - you can let me know.

It's no big deal either way.



Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 14:26:40
Quote by livingonli:

I guess with the way things are going, I should be glad I'm still a renter. Don't have to worry about deprecation. Just wish my rent would go down.






I think someone would have had to have bought a home not long after I did (within a year or so) cause right after I did all the prices went threw the roof. A lot of my neighbors are having problems one on them (a couple with 2 little girls) pays more then twice what I do a month. They had to sell their second car and we've all started swapping DVD to help them save some cash and keep the girls entertained.



Give it another year (or maybe a little less) and it could be a good time to jump in a buy a home if you can get into a first time homebuyers program.



Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2008 14:28:36
Quote by BobR:

Quote by livingonli:

I guess with the way things are going, I should be glad I'm still a renter. Don't have to worry about deprecation. Just wish my rent would go down.


That will never happen. Some prices go down; rent is not one of them.



You'll have better luck getting a raise.




Rent: up 6% this year

Salary: up 3.5% this year.



Fuck that.





Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:30:00
:yawn:

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:30:19
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by BobR:

Faye - you mentioned that you might be spending a night with a friend. Starling mentioned she might be willing to share her room (if there are two beds), and she's staying just Sat night. My friend Stan might want to share a room for both Fri & Sat night.



So my suggestion would be Faye spend Fri night with her friend (if that's possible) then Sat night with Starling & Friend, and Stan share Livin's room both nights.



Just my 2 cents.



Oh - and morning, folks... :coffee:



We'll make this work somehow.




It seems like our rooms are going to be where we spend the least amount of time. . . I am certain everyone will find a place to lay their head.





Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:32:24
Quote by Raine:

:yawn:






Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:33:10
Quote by starling310:

Quote by livingonli:

Quote by BobR:

Faye - you mentioned that you might be spending a night with a friend. Starling mentioned she might be willing to share her room (if there are two beds), and she's staying just Sat night. My friend Stan might want to share a room for both Fri & Sat night.



So my suggestion would be Faye spend Fri night with her friend (if that's possible) then Sat night with Starling & Friend, and Stan share Livin's room both nights.



Just my 2 cents.



Oh - and morning, folks... :coffee:



We'll make this work somehow.




It seems like our rooms are going to be where we spend the least amount of time. . . I am certain everyone will find a place to lay their head.





Last time we only used the rooms to sleep and we took a late afternoon breather on Saturday so some of us could use the pool.



Unlike the other hotel where the pool was freezing, this hotel has an indoor pool.



But probably no bunny farm by it though.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 14:35:35
That's a brokedown crack bunny farm to you

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:35:45
Quote by TriSec:

Quote by BobR:

Quote by livingonli:

I guess with the way things are going, I should be glad I'm still a renter. Don't have to worry about deprecation. Just wish my rent would go down.


That will never happen. Some prices go down; rent is not one of them.



You'll have better luck getting a raise.




Rent: up 6% this year

Salary: up 3.5% this year.



Fuck that.





Welcome to my world.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:37:15
Quote by wickedpam:

That's a brokedown crack bunny farm to you
Still that was one of the most bizarre things I have ever seem in a hotel.



Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:38:00
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

That's a brokedown crack bunny farm to you
Still that was one of the most bizarre things I have ever seem in a hotel.



Do you still have the pictures?

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:39:18
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by TriSec:

Quote by BobR:

Quote by livingonli:

I guess with the way things are going, I should be glad I'm still a renter. Don't have to worry about deprecation. Just wish my rent would go down.


That will never happen. Some prices go down; rent is not one of them.



You'll have better luck getting a raise.




Rent: up 6% this year

Salary: up 3.5% this year.



Fuck that.





Welcome to my world.






You're not alone, Liv.

And, even homeowners feel that pain. My fixed mortgage technically didn't go up. But, taxes did and that affects the monthly mortgage payment. And, last year, I think I got a 1% salary increase. . . becauses increases aren't based on performance. They are based on budget. Period. The company takes the piddly amount that they set aside for increases, and divide it up evenly. We have the illusion that if we work hard, it will be a bigger increase, but that's not the case.

Anyhoo....

My point is, everyone is feeling the dry tailpipe screwing that we are being given by Bush & co.



Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 14:41:22
Quote by Raine:

Still that was one of the most bizarre things I have ever seem in a hotel.



The Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN has ducks that live on the roof.



Several times a day they take the elevator down to the lobby and walk a red carpet to the fountain in the lobby and have a splash.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:41:59
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

That's a brokedown crack bunny farm to you
Still that was one of the most bizarre things I have ever seem in a hotel.



Do you still have the pictures?


Somewhere, But I am not on my computer. maybe later on this week...

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:43:07
Momma and Chris are getting a little testy...

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:43:50
Bill Clinton is NOT running for President, has anyone told him that lately?

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:50:53
Bill clinton should not be telling ANYONE to chill out. harumph.

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:53:45
Raine, is it just me or is it too testy over at the SMS live blog?

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 14:54:15
:: caller ::



:: joe biden :: Yes.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 14:55:21
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Still that was one of the most bizarre things I have ever seem in a hotel.



The Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN has ducks that live on the roof.



Several times a day they take the elevator down to the lobby and walk a red carpet to the fountain in the lobby and have a splash.




I would have loved to see the bunnies paraded threw the lobby to the salad bar :p



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:56:12
Quote by starling310:

:: caller ::



:: joe biden :: Yes.




Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 14:57:32
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Still that was one of the most bizarre things I have ever seem in a hotel.



The Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN has ducks that live on the roof.



Several times a day they take the elevator down to the lobby and walk a red carpet to the fountain in the lobby and have a splash.




I would have loved to see the bunnies paraded threw the lobby to the salad bar :p



Now that would have been a sight. They really didn't promote that they had bunnies at the hotel.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 14:58:41




The return of the Flying Spaghetti Monster!!!


Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 15:07:18
The Yankee opening game was rescheduled for tonight but may still get rained out.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:07:57
Quote by Raine:





The return of the Flying Spaghetti Monster!!!


you can visit the church...

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:08:55
Are you Shane-O? Are you a lawyer?

Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 15:09:22
Shane-O with the flaven!

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 15:10:26
I just spent 4 days with many, many, many people who should never have considered where a bikini.

Comment by Shane-O on 04/01/2008 15:11:31
Quote by starling310:

Are you Shane-O? Are you a lawyer?


I have the JD - never bothered with the bar exam - I do legal research and drafting for other attorneys... After I had a taste of being an associate in NYC - realized that that is NOT for me. But, the consulting pays the bills...



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:12:19
Someone asking for a history of the shows bits?



HAH! that is funny !



Bark Park!


Comment by Shane-O on 04/01/2008 15:16:06


Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:16:36
Happy Birthday Christopher Walken!!

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:16:54
Quote by Shane-O:

Quote by starling310:

Are you Shane-O? Are you a lawyer?


I have the JD - never bothered with the bar exam - I do legal research and drafting for other attorneys... After I had a taste of being an associate in NYC - realized that that is NOT for me. But, the consulting pays the bills...





Lovely.

I thought about Law School, and then I thought about the student loan debt.

:: cha ching ::

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:17:07
Shane-O

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:18:57
Raine and Shane-O collided getting to the cowbell.



Raine-O with the cowbell and the flaven!

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:21:14
Comment by Shane-O on 04/01/2008 15:23:43
Quote by starling310:

Raine and Shane-O collided getting to the cowbell.



Raine-O with the cowbell and the flaven!






Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:25:07
:prince: Raspberry Beret!

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:27:36
HOW does one trip off a curb and bet a black eye?!?!?!



I fell off a porch and I didn't even get a black eye...

Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 15:29:37
Quote by Raine:

HOW does one trip off a curb and bet a black eye?!?!?!



I fell off a porch and I didn't even get a black eye...


You could also kick Rudy's ass.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 15:29:57
Quote by Raine:

HOW does one trip off a curb and bet a black eye?!?!?!



I fell off a porch and I didn't even get a black eye...




On this one I'd give him the benefit of the doubt - I've walked into a door jamb and gotten a black eye.



Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:30:36
Ten bucks says Donnie hangs up during the commercial.

"Yeah, I got a thing with a guy. . . "



Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:33:58
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

HOW does one trip off a curb and bet a black eye?!?!?!



I fell off a porch and I didn't even get a black eye...




On this one I'd give him the benefit of the doubt - I've walked into a door jamb and gotten a black eye.





I dated a girl, who slipped and hit her face on a parking meter. She knocked out her front tooth!



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:34:06
Quote by starling310:

Ten bucks says Donnie hangs up during the commercial.

"Yeah, I got a thing with a guy. . . "

:rofl:



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:35:47
Donny annoys me. Whiny baby.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:37:49
Quote by starling310:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

HOW does one trip off a curb and bet a black eye?!?!?!



I fell off a porch and I didn't even get a black eye...




On this one I'd give him the benefit of the doubt - I've walked into a door jamb and gotten a black eye.





I dated a girl, who slipped and hit her face on a parking meter. She knocked out her front tooth!

I fall corrected.



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:38:48
DEER PENIS'?

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 15:39:30
Penis' ALWAYS help my circulation...

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:41:25
------> Al Gore.

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 15:44:43
Quote by Raine:

Penis' ALWAYS help my circulation...


That's our Raine.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 15:45:26
Star - OUCH!

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:46:55
Quote by wickedpam:

Star - OUCH!




Yeah.

Same girl who broke her nose in a bumper car.

A bit accident prone.



Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 15:52:43
I don't know if "Race Relations" is the sole responsibility of the President. The only reason he addressed it in the first place is because of all the bullsh*t spin about Reverend Wright.

There are real issues that need resolving.

I wish we could all get along, but I don't know if you can legislate all of us liking one another. However, you CAN legislate economic equality in some ways, which MAY be a good start.



Did that woman really think he should have "solved" racism in 1 speech?

:thud:



Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 16:01:18
I added a new crudely photoshopped image to my blog this morning - thought some of you might find it amusing . :D

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 16:01:58
:kickcan: The show went too fast today.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 16:05:50
Quote by starling310:

I don't know if "Race Relations" is the sole responsibility of the President. The only reason he addressed it in the first place is because of all the bullsh*t spin about Reverend Wright.

There are real issues that need resolving.

I wish we could all get along, but I don't know if you can legislate all of us liking one another. However, you CAN legislate economic equality in some ways, which MAY be a good start.



Did that woman really think he should have "solved" racism in 1 speech?

:thud:

That woman was out of her mind.



HE did more to solve Race relations in that one speech than anything I have heard in my adult life... he solved nothing, mind you, but he certainly opened more doors for discussing it.



You cannot legislate making people like each other, but like the Civil rights movement, you can steer the dialogue to force government to pass laws that make people more equal. Laws that give people the same advantages. Laws that stop oppressing one group over another.





This country is sorely in need of a new civil rights movement, one that is NOT only about race, but simple equality for all.







Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 16:07:00
Time to go to the KPHX stream for Thom now that local radio is no longer an option.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 16:07:07
Quote by m-hadley:

I added a new crudely photoshopped image to my blog this morning - thought some of you might find it amusing . :D

Cheers,

mfaye
Love it!

:rofl:



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 16:07:51
April fools JOKE?





Oh Thom. you scallywag... :D

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 16:08:37
It seems like hardly anyone posts on the AAP blog anymore.

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 16:27:58
Today's digital cable MLB Extra Innings free preview schedule;



I checked on the cable box and still no sign of whether they will include the make-up game from yesterday for the Blue Jays-Yankees opener. So here's what we've got;



7:10 PM Game 10-Mets at Florida FSN Florida

8:10 PM Game 9- LA Angels at Minnesota- FSN North

10:07 PM Game 8-Boston at Oakland CSN Bay Area

10:10 PM Game 7-San Francisco at Dodgers FSN Prime Ticket

10:10 PM Game 10- Texas at Seattle- FSN Northwest

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 16:40:36
You know, I thought Friday was *take out the trash* day... today seems to have a lot of leftover sludge....

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 16:45:50
Did y'all hear that trucker call Thom? 2 words : Trucker Strike.

:nervous:



Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 16:52:03
Quote by livingonli:

It seems like hardly anyone posts on the AAP blog anymore.




I think most everyone there is busy with the working. I just keep forgetting to go there some days. I feel a little out of the conversations over there sometimes and I miss MGM



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 16:54:08
Quote by starling310:

Did y'all hear that trucker call Thom? 2 words : Trucker Strike.

:nervous:

I totally support what these folks are doing.



I wonder if the rest of the nation will do the same, you know the bigger companies... will they stand beside these independent people?



Between the gas costs and the government allowing trucks from MExico to drive here, they are getting VERY screwed.







Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:04:52
For those that have been Following KO and the WalMart story...



WalMart responded:

Daphne Moore, Wal-Mart's corporate communications director, responded in a statement:



"This is a very sad case and we understand that people will naturally have an emotional and sympathetic reaction. While the Shank case involves a tragic situation, the reality is that the health plan is required to protect its assets so that it can pay the future claims of other associates and their family members. These plans are funded by associate premiums and company contributions. Any money recovered is returned to the health plan, not to the business. This is done out of fairness to everyone who contributes to and benefits from the plan. The Supreme Court recently declined to hear an appeal of the case, which concludes all litigation. While Wal-Mart's benefit plan was entitled to more than the amount that remained in the Shank trust, the plan only recovered the funds remaining in that trust," which according to reports amounted to about $277,000.

=======================================================



Disgusting. FAIRNESS?!?!?!



Shank should be greatful!

F*ckers.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:05:48
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by livingonli:

It seems like hardly anyone posts on the AAP blog anymore.




I think most everyone there is busy with the working. I just keep forgetting to go there some days. I feel a little out of the conversations over there sometimes and I miss MGM

I miss MGM too...







Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 17:12:41
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Did y'all hear that trucker call Thom? 2 words : Trucker Strike.

:nervous:

I totally support what these folks are doing.



I wonder if the rest of the nation will do the same, you know the bigger companies... will they stand beside these independent people?



Between the gas costs and the government allowing trucks from MExico to drive here, they are getting VERY screwed.









Me 2! Mos Def!





Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 17:13:42
I miss MGM too. . .

Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2008 17:16:36
Quote by livingonli:

It seems like hardly anyone posts on the AAP blog anymore.




6?



6 freakin' posts?



*snort*





Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:23:29
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 17:25:28
Quote by Raine:

Oh dear... Dennis miller is SO not funny.




:weakly scans blog from recovery bed: Oh I agree Raine! I know the exact day when be stopped being funny if he ever was. It was 9/11! The Day That Changed Everything!

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:25:45
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Did y'all hear that trucker call Thom? 2 words : Trucker Strike.

:nervous:

I totally support what these folks are doing.



I wonder if the rest of the nation will do the same, you know the bigger companies... will they stand beside these independent people?



Between the gas costs and the government allowing trucks from MExico to drive here, they are getting VERY screwed.









Me 2! Mos Def!







http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPH/264335~Mos-Def-Posters.jpg


:rofl:



:hug: I could not resist!

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 17:27:51
BTW :wain, pale: Hi everybody. :weak smile:

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 17:33:19
Hey Mondo :hug:





So how far away from Jacksonville from Clearwater?

Comment by Shane-O on 04/01/2008 17:34:42
Faye from this AM - in case ya' missed it...

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 17:40:11
Quote by wickedpam:

Hey Mondo :hug:





So how far away from Jacksonville from Clearwater?




: scurries over to Google Maps, checks. Scurries back: 245 miles, Mala. Why for you ask?

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:41:15
Quote by Mondobubba:

BTW :wain, pale: Hi everybody. :weak smile:


Still feeling craptastic Dawlface?

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:42:33
Quote by Shane-O:

Faye from this AM - in case ya' missed it...


:clap:

YAY!

Faye!

The second time today!





(was that close enough to be a haiku?)

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 17:43:50
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

BTW :wain, pale: Hi everybody. :weak smile:


Still feeling craptastic Dawlface?






Yeah, I'm on the mend though, Glandy! :hug:

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 17:51:45
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey Mondo :hug:





So how far away from Jacksonville from Clearwater?




: scurries over to Google Maps, checks. Scurries back: 245 miles, Mala. Why for you ask?




I was just in Clearwater this past weekend and it didn't dawn on me to find out if you were close enough to there to do an improptu meet up. But 245 miles is too far away.



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:54:29
Pelosi calls on Bush to Boycott Olympics opening ceremonies.



At the link, I have posted contact information to the White house.



This is something that we should really back Ms. Pelosi on.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 17:54:41
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey Mondo :hug:





So how far away from Jacksonville from Clearwater?




: scurries over to Google Maps, checks. Scurries back: 245 miles, Mala. Why for you ask?




I was just in Clearwater this past weekend and it didn't dawn on me to find out if you were close enough to there to do an improptu meet up. But 245 miles is too far away.







Pfft a trifle! I would have been such wonderful company with the :puke:ing and the FLAVEN

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:57:27
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

BTW :wain, pale: Hi everybody. :weak smile:


Still feeling craptastic Dawlface?






Yeah, I'm on the mend though, Glandy! :hug:
ME too!



I can actually recieve a hug without cringing in pain!



I also no longer look like John McCAin!



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 17:58:55
Mala, aside from the sunburn ( i tried to warn you about the sunscreen!) it sounds like you had a wonderful and much needed weekend. That makes me happy... you really deserve it.

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 18:00:09
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

BTW :wain, pale: Hi everybody. :weak smile:


Still feeling craptastic Dawlface?






Yeah, I'm on the mend though, Glandy! :hug:




GLANDY!!! :clap:

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 18:00:53
When I was getting my "milk" shake last night, I heard a report on the NPR mosheen which almost made my head esplode! Apparently our beloved Secretary of the Treasury hasn't heard of the New Deal. He was going on about how there hasn't been a comprehensive overhaul of the banking bidness in like 100 years. Oh really? What about all the stuff that happened during the 100 Days?? FDIC, SEC etc? Oh right according to Paulson, that was a reaction to crisis.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 18:02:15
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

BTW :wain, pale: Hi everybody. :weak smile:


Still feeling craptastic Dawlface?






Yeah, I'm on the mend though, Glandy! :hug:




GLANDY!!! :clap:




A nickname like that should not die!

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 18:02:36
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey Mondo :hug:





So how far away from Jacksonville from Clearwater?




: scurries over to Google Maps, checks. Scurries back: 245 miles, Mala. Why for you ask?




I was just in Clearwater this past weekend and it didn't dawn on me to find out if you were close enough to there to do an improptu meet up. But 245 miles is too far away.







Pfft a trifle! I would have been such wonderful company with the :puke:ing and the FLAVEN


That wouldn't have been much fun. Just like there's not much fun in Stalingrad.



Mondo needs to be well enough so he can come to DC at the end of the month where the real party will be.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 18:02:45
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey Mondo :hug:





So how far away from Jacksonville from Clearwater?




: scurries over to Google Maps, checks. Scurries back: 245 miles, Mala. Why for you ask?




I was just in Clearwater this past weekend and it didn't dawn on me to find out if you were close enough to there to do an improptu meet up. But 245 miles is too far away.







Pfft a trifle! I would have been such wonderful company with the :puke:ing and the FLAVEN






hmmm - not sure anyone I was with would have noticed the after all the

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 18:05:22
Quote by Raine:

Mala, aside from the sunburn ( i tried to warn you about the sunscreen!) it sounds like you had a wonderful and much needed weekend. That makes me happy... you really deserve it.




I wasnt' planning on being outside for that long, I got sucked into a conversation that's why I ended up so crispy crittered.



I did have a lot of fun - and you right I need to step away from the home stuff for a little bit to get my head straight.



Now I'm just working on getting mom to be more positive.



Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 18:05:31
Quote by Mondobubba:

When I was getting my "milk" shake last night, I heard a report on the NPR mosheen which almost made my head esplode! Apparently our beloved Secretary of the Treasury hasn't heard of the New Deal. He was going on about how there hasn't been a comprehensive overhaul of the banking bidness in like 100 years. Oh really? What about all the stuff that happened during the 100 Days?? FDIC, SEC etc? Oh right according to Paulson, that was a reaction to crisis.


They don't want to mention the New Deal because it might remind people that the Republicans have been trying to scrap it since Ronnie became President.

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 18:12:12
Quote by wickedpam:



hmmm - not sure anyone I was with would have noticed the after all the




Were they actually able to drink more than our little group?

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 18:21:32
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by wickedpam:



hmmm - not sure anyone I was with would have noticed the after all the




Were they actually able to drink more than our little group?
:rofl: no one can drink more than us...



:P



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 18:22:40
Quote by Mondobubba:

When I was getting my "milk" shake last night, I heard a report on the NPR mosheen which almost made my head esplode! Apparently our beloved Secretary of the Treasury hasn't heard of the New Deal. He was going on about how there hasn't been a comprehensive overhaul of the banking bidness in like 100 years. Oh really? What about all the stuff that happened during the 100 Days?? FDIC, SEC etc? Oh right according to Paulson, that was a reaction to crisis.
:thud:



are you shitting me?



Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 18:30:29
Thom Hartmann has a thing for pigeons, doesn't he?

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 18:33:51
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

When I was getting my "milk" shake last night, I heard a report on the NPR mosheen which almost made my head esplode! Apparently our beloved Secretary of the Treasury hasn't heard of the New Deal. He was going on about how there hasn't been a comprehensive overhaul of the banking bidness in like 100 years. Oh really? What about all the stuff that happened during the 100 Days?? FDIC, SEC etc? Oh right according to Paulson, that was a reaction to crisis.
:thud:



are you shitting me?







Of course not!

Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 18:33:55
Quote by Shane-O:

Faye from this AM - in case ya' missed it...


Thanks Mucho Shane-O,

Are you in fact an attorney? Me, I have a JD, but I've never passed a bar - I always have to go in (World's oldest and probably worst lawyer joke :lol:



Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 18:44:02
GLANDTINI!!!





Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 18:54:54
Gawd, can Thom NOT play ANY Rush? PLEEEEEEZ?



(bonus points to whoever can find out his real first name... Rush CANNOT be real... can it?)

Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 18:59:01
Quote by Raine:

Quote by livingonli:

Quote by wickedpam:



hmmm - not sure anyone I was with would have noticed the after all the




Were they actually able to drink more than our little group?
:rofl: no one can drink more than us...



:P





You forget I work with professional drinkers :D



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:00:08
Quote by starling310:

GLANDTINI!!!







you do NOT want to drink that!!!



:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:









Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 19:05:45
Quote by starling310:

GLANDTINI!!!









BRILLIANT!

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:06:22
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by livingonli:

Quote by wickedpam:



hmmm - not sure anyone I was with would have noticed the after all the




Were they actually able to drink more than our little group?
:rofl: no one can drink more than us...



:P





You forget I work with professional drinkers :D

I need a gig like that!





:rofl:



Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2008 19:07:42
Quote by Raine:

Gawd, can Thom NOT play ANY Rush? PLEEEEEEZ?



(bonus points to whoever can find out his real first name... Rush CANNOT be real... can it?)




Real name is Jeff Christie



Although his supporters would say that was his radio name.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:08:48
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by starling310:

GLANDTINI!!!









BRILLIANT!
Saturday Night in DC... SOMEONE... maybe more than one... will be unveiling the world premier of the GLANDTINI!!!!!!!!!



I throw down the challenge!!!









Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:11:25
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

Gawd, can Thom NOT play ANY Rush? PLEEEEEEZ?



(bonus points to whoever can find out his real first name... Rush CANNOT be real... can it?)




Real name is Jeff Christie



Although his supporters would say that was his radio name.
no. way.





That is AWESOME!



What a name!!! Solid Rockin Gold!!! :rofl:



Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 19:13:57
The Glandtini Gauntlet! Wow.



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:14:59
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

Gawd, can Thom NOT play ANY Rush? PLEEEEEEZ?



(bonus points to whoever can find out his real first name... Rush CANNOT be real... can it?)




Real name is Jeff Christie



Although his supporters would say that was his radio name.
no. way.





That is AWESOME!



What a name!!! Solid Rockin Gold!!! :rofl:

ok. mala that link was SO perfect... so excuisite!



Ladies and gentlemen... I present to you ... Jeff gann--- err oops, I meant, Terry Jeff.... NO, NO, NO!!! I meant JEFF CHRISTIE....



http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/wixz2/images/jeffchristie.jpg


Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 19:16:33
Sacha's flight from Seattle is delayed. She may not get home tonight.



harumpf.



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:18:15
Quote by starling310:

The Glandtini Gauntlet! Wow.





Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:20:27
Quote by starling310:

Sacha's flight from Seattle is delayed. She may not get home tonight.



harumpf.

Oh dear...



That bytes.



Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 19:28:46
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Sacha's flight from Seattle is delayed. She may not get home tonight.



harumpf.

Oh dear...



That bytes.





megabytes.



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:31:19
REmember this?



We have an update to the song!



Seriously. This is from the NYT.
Gene Wang, a three-time Silicon Valley chief executive and musically inclined Hillary Clinton supporter, has penned another pro-Clinton ditty. Several months ago he wrote and produced “Hillary4U&Me,” a song that begat a YouTube video that begat a, well, mixed reaction.








Seriously, listen for yourself. (turn DOWN the headphones. it is loud)





The Hillary RAP!!!

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:34:17
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Sacha's flight from Seattle is delayed. She may not get home tonight.



harumpf.

Oh dear...



That bytes.





megabytes.

mega


;)





Hang in here Starling Darling!

Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 19:43:28
Quote by Raine:

Saturday Night in DC... SOMEONE... maybe more than one... will be unveiling the world premier of the GLANDTINI!!!!!!!!!



I throw down the challenge!!!









1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz bloody pus

shake with ice and serve with an antibiotic garnish...



Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 19:44:30
Since I'm sick, I can watch crap TV, viz Montel. Who just said "We are spending THREE TRILLION dollars to shove democracy down somebody else's throat! Montel go baby!

Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 19:45:13
Quote by m-hadley:



Thanks Mucho Shane-O,

Are you in fact an attorney? Me, I have a JD, but I've never passed a bar - I always have to go in (World's oldest and probably worst lawyer joke :lol:



Cheers,

mfaye


JD?



Is that Jack Daniels?....



Or Jamesons Distillary's ?...

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 19:46:07
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Saturday Night in DC... SOMEONE... maybe more than one... will be unveiling the world premier of the GLANDTINI!!!!!!!!!



I throw down the challenge!!!









1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz bloody pus

shake with ice and serve with an antibiotic garnish...







Mmmm thats good drinkin' Bobber!

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 19:46:38
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Saturday Night in DC... SOMEONE... maybe more than one... will be unveiling the world premier of the GLANDTINI!!!!!!!!!



I throw down the challenge!!!









1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz bloody pus

shake with ice and serve with an antibiotic garnish...



Those sound like things you should not mix.



I guess if it doesn't kill you , it will make you stronger.

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 19:47:54
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Saturday Night in DC... SOMEONE... maybe more than one... will be unveiling the world premier of the GLANDTINI!!!!!!!!!



I throw down the challenge!!!









1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz bloody pus

shake with ice and serve with an antibiotic garnish...

OK, that is disgusting...





and still, I laugh!!!



how about

1 part wodka.

1 part V-8 (or any tomato based beverage)

a dash of horseradish

AND...

GARLIC.







Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 19:48:30
Quote by starling310:

Sacha's flight from Seattle is delayed. She may not get home tonight.



harumpf.







Is this the next ex Mrs Starling? :Triumph The Insult Comic Dog: I keed, I keed!

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 19:59:31
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by starling310:

Sacha's flight from Seattle is delayed. She may not get home tonight.



harumpf.







Is this the next ex Mrs Starling? :Triumph The Insult Comic Dog: I keed, I keed!






Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 20:09:49
:rofl: omg!!! Randi is right! Rocky LOST!!!! I forgot that!!! :rofl:

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 20:09:57
Quote by Raine:

Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Saturday Night in DC... SOMEONE... maybe more than one... will be unveiling the world premier of the GLANDTINI!!!!!!!!!



I throw down the challenge!!!









1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz bloody pus

shake with ice and serve with an antibiotic garnish...

OK, that is disgusting...





and still, I laugh!!!



how about

1 part wodka.

1 part V-8 (or any tomato based beverage)

a dash of horseradish

AND...

GARLIC.







I don't know if I want to stumble into that bar.

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 20:16:56
Quote by Raine:

:rofl: omg!!! Randi is right! Rocky LOST!!!! I forgot that!!! :rofl:




I am not listening. . . ROCKY I? Yup! He Lost alright.



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 20:27:12
Quote by livingonli:

I don't know if I want to stumble into that bar.




you know you will... :rofl:



Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 20:30:25
Listening to Randi, she just said (nicely) to a caller.. "Who keeps Who sane my friend?" It was a very touching moment.



I (gigglesniggle) heard "who keeps Hussein my friend".....



Yup. I am going to hell... :D

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 20:32:48
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine:

:rofl: omg!!! Randi is right! Rocky LOST!!!! I forgot that!!! :rofl:




I am not listening. . . ROCKY I? Yup! He Lost alright.



The Clinton campaign compared themselves to Rocky.. AS in the underdog and the flaven...

Comment by m-hadley on 04/01/2008 20:34:47
Quote by BobR:

Quote by m-hadley:



Thanks Mucho Shane-O,

Are you in fact an attorney? Me, I have a JD, but I've never passed a bar - I always have to go in (World's oldest and probably worst lawyer joke )



Cheers,

mfaye


JD?



Is that Jack Daniels?....



Or Jamesons Distillary's ?...






er, BobR, it stands for Jim Dandy or Jinx Dat or Jose Dario or Jane Doe or whatever the hell you want it to mean The point is that after you have one you're supposed to be able to pass a bar - something I've never been able to do I always have to stop in for a beverage or three...

Looking forward to tipping back a few with you all in DC :D

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 20:41:36
Time to go head off to the salt mine. I am so sick of this rain.



It doesn't do much for my mood.

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 21:07:39
Quote by Raine:

"who keeps Hussein my friend".....







whoever wins him in the raffle???

Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 21:10:50
Sacha's flight is in the air only 10 minutes behind schedule!!! WOO HOO!!!







Comment by BobR on 04/01/2008 21:24:52
Comment by starling310 on 04/01/2008 21:52:30
Economic Optimism? From Whom?

What? Did Barney visit Wall Street today?

http://pbskids.kids.us/images/sub-square-barney.gif


"Don't worry kids! If we all work together those silly foreclosures won't matter. The dollar is going to be super deeee duper once again!"

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 22:15:14
I do not know whether to cry or laugh between and

Comment by Raine on 04/01/2008 22:19:09
here is one for MythBusters:



"When the Stock market does well, Everyone Does well."



The stock Market is NOT an economic indicator. Maybe once it was, in a time before 2000... but no more.



The stock market means NOTHING to most americans.



Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2008 22:44:32
Quote by Raine:

here is one for MythBusters:



"When the Stock market does well, Everyone Does well."



The stock Market is NOT an economic indicator. Maybe once it was, in a time before 2000... but no more.



The stock market means NOTHING to most americans.



It only means that they are doing well. And if they are doing well that doesn't mean that we are doing well.



They may actually be preparing to drive something sharp up our

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/01/2008 23:29:23
Quote by Raine:

here is one for MythBusters:



"When the Stock market does well, Everyone Does well."



The stock Market is NOT an economic indicator. Maybe once it was, in a time before 2000... but no more.



The stock market means NOTHING to most americans.





Au contraire! Bobber's got a 401(k) yes? Then it is important

Comment by Shane-O on 04/02/2008 00:30:09
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by Raine:

here is one for MythBusters:



"When the Stock market does well, Everyone Does well."



The stock Market is NOT an economic indicator. Maybe once it was, in a time before 2000... but no more.



The stock market means NOTHING to most americans.



It only means that they are doing well. And if they are doing well that doesn't mean that we are doing well.



They may actually be preparing to drive something sharp up our




There is one significant way that the stock market affects a lot of people - in insurance rates (auto/home/health/life) in that the insurance companies invest the premiums in the market. The higher the yield, the lower the cost for those who buy in.



However, agreed that the market is no longer a good economic indicator. The Fed policy has focused so much on the markets that it has artificially inflated them... still thinking that "trickle-down" economics works.



Comment by Mondobubba on 04/02/2008 00:39:17
Ahhhhhh! I turned on KO just in time for DrRM! :)

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/02/2008 00:46:48
Ohhh its Rachel Maddow's birthday! The Good Doctor is thirty-five!

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/02/2008 02:01:29
Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 02:24:47


Like how the writer actually wrote "TV Machine".

Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 03:53:00
hey everyone... tonite we crushed grapes for our newest batch of Vino... I promise... The following did NOT happen!





Comment by Raine on 04/02/2008 03:59:31
Quote by livingonli:



Like how the writer actually wrote "TV Machine".


I am soo tempted to change it to say TV Mosheen! :D





I will not tho.

Comment by livingonli on 04/02/2008 04:43:47
Salt mine collapsing.