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Author: TriSec    Date: 08/05/2014 10:24:15

Good Morning.

Today is our 4,685th 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: 2,337
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,125

We find this morning's Cost of War passing through:

$ 1, 554, 802, 275, 000 .00



There's shooting war going on in several places on the Earth even as a type this. Fortunately for us, the US isn't directly involved in any of them except by proxy. Our influence in some places is extremely limited, but in other places some things we could do might have en effect....but we're not doing anything about it.


The Obama Administration wants a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. They just don’t want it enough to actually do anything that might make it happen, if it threatens longstanding support for Israel’s bloated military.

Pentagon officials, addressing the war, insisted that under no circumstances would the US halt arms shipments or even threaten to do so as an attempt to coax Israel to the negotiating table. They insisted Israel is such a long-standing ally that they have to keep arming them.

With billions of dollars in annual military aid, the US is bankrolling the Gaza War more than anyone else. In addition to the arms and cash the US has provided, the NSA is also providing substantial intelligence on places for Israel to attack.

Israel has complained about US efforts to broker a ceasefire already, and those efforts haven’t involved any serious pressure beyond public criticism of massive civilian death tolls.


I suppose I could write an entire blog about this, but I'm not going to. I know I've written about the next subject before, but there's yet another story on the same subject. I have read "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" twice in my life. Being a WWII geek, the first time I was interested in the military aspects of the story, but I read it again rather recently - when I was worried about the rise of Fascism in America. The most chilling part of the book is that the Germans simply rolled over and allowed the "Nazification" to proceed unabated. Something I fear we are still moving towards whenever I see things like this.


WATERTOWN, Conn. — When Waterbury's Emergency Response Team set out to arrest two suspects in a home-invasion case early this month, they went in force: Two heavily armored trucks led a convoy of officers to nab the suspects at a house on Laurel Street.

The mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles used in the raid were acquired for free by Watertown and Waterbury, which are among 11 Connecticut police departments to own such gear.

Watertown Police Sgt. Curt Molnar said his department shares its MRAP as a regional vehicle with Waterbury, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Wolcott and Middlebury.

"You hope not to use it much, because it could mean there's a shooter or a serious call," Molnar said.

Watertown acquired the $733,000 armored vehicle through the federal Defense Logistics Agency's 1033 program, which allows law enforcement agencies to receive surplus military property through their state coordinating office.

The program stems from the National Defense Authorization Act in the '90s, which allows law enforcement agencies to acquire property with a preference given to counter-drug and counter-terrorism requests. All law enforcement agencies have to pay for is transportation or shipping costs.

Watertown spent $2,800 to pick up its MRAP in Texas, rather than paying $10,500 to have it delivered.

Though the department did not have to pay for the vehicle itself, the town must fund maintenance and repairs.

But Molnar said it will cost no more than a town plow truck does.

The MRAP has a new chassis and Caterpillar engine like the town's trucks, he said, adding it can be maintained in Watertown's public works garage.

"This thing will be good for 20-plus years," Molnar said.



The United States isn't a war zone yet, despite how hard the fringe tries to turn it into one. You can put all the new paint and civilian markings you want on these things, but the fact remains that these are still military vehicles, which are all generally designed to do one thing - kill people. I suppose if we painted the NRA logo on them instead, it might make more sense.

We'll deeply change gears while staying on the domestic front. The good Dr. Maddow has broadcast a few stories along these lines in recent weeks. The United States Military now allows same-sex marriage. Indeed, a few have happened at the iconic West Point chapel, complete with a cadet sword-salute. All fine and good, but as Dr. Maddow has pointed out, "What happens when you are assigned to a state that doesn't recognize gay marriage?" Some military personnel are finding out the hard way.


U.S. Air Force Capt. CJ Wilkinson was about to settle into his dream life.

The 32-year-old intelligence officer had legally married his husband in California a month after the Supreme Court effectively ended the state’s ban on same-sex marriages. They were looking forward to starting a new life together in Las Vegas after living apart for years. They picked a three-bedroom home in Summerlin.

But they ran into a problem. Although the military recognized their union, the Veterans Affairs department did not.

The Wilkinsons needed the VA to guarantee their $175,000 bank loan, a service the department provides to active-duty service members and veterans. Wilkinson qualified for up to $200,000 in loan guarantees from the VA when he was single, but once he got married, the VA would back only half of his loan.

“They are actually penalizing me for getting married,” he said.

That’s because one year after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act that expanded federal benefits to same-sex married couples, Veterans Affairs is one of the federal government’s last holdouts for reform. Gay service members can serve openly in the military, but once they get out, they and their families lose their benefits because they fall under the jurisdiction of the VA.

The VA doesn’t recognize legally married same-sex couples unless they live in or have lived in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage when they got married. Nevada doesn’t, though a case is pending in a federal appeals court that could change that.

The Wilkinsons’ next problem: It will take an act of Congress, one of the least-productive places in the country, to fix the problem. The VA doesn’t have the power to change its policies on same-sex marriage.


It has been said of many of our recent enemies, "they hate us because of our freedoms", On some days one wonders exactly what freedoms they'd be referring to.
 

43 comments (Latest Comment: 08/05/2014 22:20:23 by Will in Chicago)
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Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 13:40:16
good morning!


We watched Nixon on Nixon : his own words last night on HBO. That man was an even more vile sexist, racist asshole than I ever imagined.

I literally had more than a few jaw drop moments listening to the tapes.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/05/2014 13:45:16
Morning

Comment by Scoopster on 08/05/2014 14:52:45
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/05/2014 15:10:50
Quote by Raine:
good morning!


We watched Nixon on Nixon : his own words last night on HBO. That man was an even more vile sexist, racist asshole than I ever imagined.

I literally had more than a few jaw drop moments listening to the tapes.



I missed that since I had a pressing engagement involvinfg Liverpool and Manchester United. Go suck a bag of dicks, Wayne Rooney.

Comment by Scoopster on 08/05/2014 15:24:42
Comment by TriSec on 08/05/2014 15:58:18
Say gang, I forgot to post a bonus click this morning- I need coverage for Saturday.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 16:06:37
Good morning, bloggers!!!

TriSec, I can step up for Saturday. (Wish me luck. I am still finding jobs out in your area.)

I found this yesterday and forgot to post it here. JJ Goldberg of the Forward wrote this weekend on his predictions on what happens next with Gaza and Israel. He does expect some positive developments on the diplomatic front, and some trouble for Netanyahu. (At a minimum, I would like to see Netanyahu's coalition collapse and him begging any parties that want to pursue peace to save his miserable hide. Ideally, I would like new elections but that may not happen.)

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 16:07:45
Comment by Scoopster on 08/05/2014 16:15:26
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!!!

TriSec, I can step up for Saturday. (Wish me luck. I am still finding jobs out in your area.)

I found this yesterday and forgot to post it here. JJ Goldberg of the Forward wrote this weekend on his predictions on what happens next with Gaza and Israel. He does expect some positive developments on the diplomatic front, and some trouble for Netanyahu. (At a minimum, I would like to see Netanyahu's coalition collapse and him begging any parties that want to pursue peace to save his miserable hide. Ideally, I would like new elections but that may not happen.)

At the very least he needs to shitcan Moshe "Final Solution" Feiglin from his cabinet.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 16:44:23
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!!!

TriSec, I can step up for Saturday. (Wish me luck. I am still finding jobs out in your area.)

I found this yesterday and forgot to post it here. JJ Goldberg of the Forward wrote this weekend on his predictions on what happens next with Gaza and Israel. He does expect some positive developments on the diplomatic front, and some trouble for Netanyahu. (At a minimum, I would like to see Netanyahu's coalition collapse and him begging any parties that want to pursue peace to save his miserable hide. Ideally, I would like new elections but that may not happen.)

At the very least he needs to shitcan Moshe "Final Solution" Feiglin from his cabinet.



Can we throguh him and Naftali Bennet out as well?

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 17:04:27
back from errands, What did I miss?


Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 17:19:51
Thom, can you kindly challenge the loaded political statements from you guests such as "liberal media bias" and "Sheldon Adelson is a mini-George Soros"?

Comment by Scoopster on 08/05/2014 17:21:54


Comment by wickedpam on 08/05/2014 17:24:47
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Thom, can you kindly challenge the loaded political statements from you guests such as "liberal media bias" and "Sheldon Adelson is a mini-George Soros"?


agreed.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 17:30:41
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Thom, can you kindly challenge the loaded political statements from you guests such as "liberal media bias" and "Sheldon Adelson is a mini-George Soros"?


agreed.



Not challenging these things make them seem like statements of fact. Mala, maybe it is time for Louise to put something in Thom's coffee?


Comment by livingonli on 08/05/2014 17:32:42
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Thom, can you kindly challenge the loaded political statements from you guests such as "liberal media bias" and "Sheldon Adelson is a mini-George Soros"?


agreed.



Not challenging these things make them seem like statements of fact. Raine, maybe it is time for Louise to put something in Thom's coffee? ;)

Unless he's afraid they won't come on for debate when they actually challenged on their bullshit. Even on the debates on the TV show, the righties are treated with kid gloves while I might go for the same take no prisoners technique that they practice.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 17:37:15
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Thom, can you kindly challenge the loaded political statements from you guests such as "liberal media bias" and "Sheldon Adelson is a mini-George Soros"?


agreed.



Not challenging these things make them seem like statements of fact. Raine, maybe it is time for Louise to put something in Thom's coffee? ;)

Unless he's afraid they won't come on for debate when they actually challenged on their bullshit. Even on the debates on the TV show, the righties are treated with kid gloves while I might go for the same take no prisoners technique that they practice.



I am a Chicagoan, and must resist the urge to not only take no prisoners but to be certain that they are burned and their ashes scattered to the winds.


Comment by wickedpam on 08/05/2014 17:45:43
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Thom, can you kindly challenge the loaded political statements from you guests such as "liberal media bias" and "Sheldon Adelson is a mini-George Soros"?


agreed.



Not challenging these things make them seem like statements of fact. Mala, maybe it is time for Louise to put something in Thom's coffee?



lol - That would be an interesting show. XD

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 17:48:09
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Thom, can you kindly challenge the loaded political statements from you guests such as "liberal media bias" and "Sheldon Adelson is a mini-George Soros"?


agreed.



Not challenging these things make them seem like statements of fact. Mala, maybe it is time for Louise to put something in Thom's coffee?



lol - That would be an interesting show. XD



I have enjoyed the rare show where Thom was a lot more aggressive.

Comment by clintster on 08/05/2014 17:48:52
Hey Raine, remember yesterday when you posted the story about Malia going to Lollapalooza and I said it was only a matter of time before there was RW outrage over it? Well...

Comment by Scoopster on 08/05/2014 17:53:30
Quote by clintster:
Hey Raine, remember yesterday when you posted the story about Malia going to Lollapalooza and I said it was only a matter of time before there was RW outrage over it? Well...



Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 17:57:46
Quote by clintster:
Hey Raine, remember yesterday when you posted the story about Malia going to Lollapalooza and I said it was only a matter of time before there was RW outrage over it? Well...



There is a British expression that I think applies to the conservatives. It is "Get stuffed."

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 18:20:59
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by clintster:
Hey Raine, remember yesterday when you posted the story about Malia going to Lollapalooza and I said it was only a matter of time before there was RW outrage over it? Well...

Let me add:

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 18:30:19
This is pretty stunning, IMO.
The drug being credited with potentially saving the lives of two American missionaries infected with the deadly Ebola virus was produced in Owensboro.

The serum wasn't manufactured but grown — in a greenhouse full of genetically modified tobacco plants.

Kentucky BioProcessing, acquired by Reynolds American in January, conducts contract research and development for San Diego-based Mapp Biopharmaceutical, said David Howard, spokesman for RAI Ser vices, a subsidiary of Reynolds American.


Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 18:35:01
MAla -- can you suggest a really good Virginia Chardonnay NOT oak barreled?

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 18:44:27
Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 18:45:09
Comment by wickedpam on 08/05/2014 18:51:37
Quote by Raine:
MAla -- can you suggest a really good Virginia Chardonnay NOT oak barreled?


I haven't had it but Breaux makes some good wines and there Chard is steel aged. One we sell is Willowcroft Cold Steel Chardonnay.

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 18:52:37
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
MAla -- can you suggest a really good Virginia Chardonnay NOT oak barreled?


I haven't had it but Breaux makes some good wines and there Chard is steel aged. One we sell is Willowcroft Cold Steel Chardonnay.
cThanks! I want to bring some up to a friend in the finger lakes in NY. OMG the wines there are amazing!

Comment by wickedpam on 08/05/2014 19:04:07
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
MAla -- can you suggest a really good Virginia Chardonnay NOT oak barreled?


I haven't had it but Breaux makes some good wines and there Chard is steel aged. One we sell is Willowcroft Cold Steel Chardonnay.
cThanks! I want to bring some up to a friend in the finger lakes in NY. OMG the wines there are amazing!


They do have some great wines up there. Found another for you. Barboursville Chardonnay

Better yet hit your local wine shops - Planet Wine, UnWined, or even Total Wine and talk to someone there - they will know the best selections. I'm not much of a drinker so I'm horrible at saying what's good other then the Red Zinfandel that I like



Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 19:10:39
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
MAla -- can you suggest a really good Virginia Chardonnay NOT oak barreled?


I haven't had it but Breaux makes some good wines and there Chard is steel aged. One we sell is Willowcroft Cold Steel Chardonnay.
cThanks! I want to bring some up to a friend in the finger lakes in NY. OMG the wines there are amazing!


They do have some great wines up there. Found another for you. Barboursville Chardonnay

Better yet hit your local wine shops - Planet Wine, UnWined, or even Total Wine and talk to someone there - they will know the best selections. I'm not much of a drinker so I'm horrible at saying what's good other then the Red Zinfandel that I like

I will do that.

I have to tell you, I was truly amazed at the utter beauty of that area of NYS.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/05/2014 19:12:16
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
MAla -- can you suggest a really good Virginia Chardonnay NOT oak barreled?


I haven't had it but Breaux makes some good wines and there Chard is steel aged. One we sell is Willowcroft Cold Steel Chardonnay.
cThanks! I want to bring some up to a friend in the finger lakes in NY. OMG the wines there are amazing!


They do have some great wines up there. Found another for you. Barboursville Chardonnay

Better yet hit your local wine shops - Planet Wine, UnWined, or even Total Wine and talk to someone there - they will know the best selections. I'm not much of a drinker so I'm horrible at saying what's good other then the Red Zinfandel that I like

I will do that.

I have to tell you, I was truly amazed at the utter beauty of that area of NYS.


Never been, but all the pictures I see are so pretty.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 20:17:51
Quote by Raine:




Raine, I think that this ma y be more appropriate for Rand Paul and I would like to suggest it as his campaign song. Or is it too heroic?



Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 20:20:32
It looks like we have a new leaker, according to CNN. New leaker disclosing U.S. secrets, government concludes

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/05/2014 20:37:40
:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 20:42:10
Quote by Mondobubba:
:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.

What going on sugah?

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 20:42:36
Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 20:45:04
Quote by Will in Chicago:
It looks like we have a new leaker, according to CNN. New leaker disclosing U.S. secrets, government concludes
I am more than sure this will help the government to become more transparent.


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Comment by Mondobubba on 08/05/2014 20:50:27
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.

What going on sugah?



Long day, Need.Fainter!

Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 20:54:45
AWESOME NEWS IN WOMEN THINGS!
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Becky Hammon has been hired as an assistant coach. Per club policy terms of the contract were not announced.

Hammon, who is currently in her 16th WNBA season, announced on July 23 that she would retire as a player at the conclusion of the 2014 season. Named one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All-Time in July of 2011, Hammon ranks seventh in WNBA history in points (with 5,809), fourth in assists (1,687) and sixth in games (445).

“I very much look forward to the addition of Becky Hammon to our staff,” said Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich. “Having observed her working with our team this past season, I'm confident her basketball IQ, work ethic and interpersonal skills will be a great benefit to the Spurs.”


Comment by Raine on 08/05/2014 20:56:00
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.

What going on sugah?



Long day, Need.Fainter!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkzUwCTAyPk/U30Nk4AUvMI/AAAAAAAADa0/mNmq0ykQSYk/s1600/fainting+sofa.png


Comment by Mondobubba on 08/05/2014 21:12:57
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.

What going on sugah?



Long day, Need.Fainter!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkzUwCTAyPk/U30Nk4AUvMI/AAAAAAAADa0/mNmq0ykQSYk/s1600/fainting+sofa.png



Perfect! Ahhh!

Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/05/2014 22:20:23
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
It looks like we have a new leaker, according to CNN. New leaker disclosing U.S. secrets, government concludes
I am more than sure this will help the government to become more transparent.


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.

.

.




I expect the GOP to demand the immediate arrest, torture and execution of the new leaker. Perhaps in a rare sign of fiscal responsibility, Louis Gohmert will call for the arrest, torture and execution to be on pay-per-view.