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If the Shoe fits...
Author: BobR
Date: 12/15/2008 13:31:29
By now everyone has seen the video of an Iraqi reporter throwing his shoes at Bush's head. It bears rewatching. You can see it here. Go ahead, I'll wait... What a great way to start a Monday morning, watching Bush dodge flying footware. Bush seems to call it a valid form of protest; I wonder how many pairs will end up on the White House lawn?
Seriously though: simmering beneath the surface is an uglier truth. Despite all of Bush's proclamations about how much more free the Iraqis are now, they are apparently not very grateful for their newfound freedom. Perhaps it's because they don't see daily suicide bombings, lack of potable water, and an infrastructure straight out of 3rd world Africa as "freedom".
The Bush Administration actually had a chance to be the heroes in this, way back immediately after the invasion. All they had to do was manage the reconstruction with competence. Competence, however, is the antithesis of this Administration's modus operandi. As written in an unpublished government report, and reported by the NY Times, The rebuilding of Iraq has been a $100B failure:
The other most likely aspect of this fiasco that has Iraqis livid enough to forgo their footware for flinging falderal is the random kidnapping and torture. It's bad enough when perpetrated by a few "bad apples", as the Administration originally claimed. It's far worse when a government approves of it, whether discretely or overtly.
There have been many hopes for Dems winning the White House and strengthening their leads in the Congress. One hope has been that there will finally be justice done, with regards to war crimes and other crimes against humanity. That will apparently require a new Dept. of Justice, because the current one is refusing to turn over torture documents to the President-elect:
Excuse me while I unlace my shoes...
Seriously though: simmering beneath the surface is an uglier truth. Despite all of Bush's proclamations about how much more free the Iraqis are now, they are apparently not very grateful for their newfound freedom. Perhaps it's because they don't see daily suicide bombings, lack of potable water, and an infrastructure straight out of 3rd world Africa as "freedom".
The Bush Administration actually had a chance to be the heroes in this, way back immediately after the invasion. All they had to do was manage the reconstruction with competence. Competence, however, is the antithesis of this Administration's modus operandi. As written in an unpublished government report, and reported by the NY Times, The rebuilding of Iraq has been a $100B failure:
An unpublished 513-page federal history of the American-led reconstruction of Iraq depicts an effort crippled before the invasion by Pentagon planners who were hostile to the idea of rebuilding a foreign country, and then molded into a $100 billion failure by bureaucratic turf wars, spiraling violence and ignorance of the basic elements of Iraqi society and infrastructure.
The history, the first official account of its kind, is circulating in draft form here and in Washington among a tight circle of technical reviewers, policy experts and senior officials. It also concludes that when the reconstruction began to lag — particularly in the critical area of rebuilding the Iraqi police and army — the Pentagon simply put out inflated measures of progress to cover up the failures.
[...]
Among the overarching conclusions of the history is that five years after embarking on its largest foreign reconstruction project since the Marshall Plan in Europe after World War II, the United States government has in place neither the policies and technical capacity nor the organizational structure that would be needed to undertake such a program on anything approaching this scale.
The other most likely aspect of this fiasco that has Iraqis livid enough to forgo their footware for flinging falderal is the random kidnapping and torture. It's bad enough when perpetrated by a few "bad apples", as the Administration originally claimed. It's far worse when a government approves of it, whether discretely or overtly.
There have been many hopes for Dems winning the White House and strengthening their leads in the Congress. One hope has been that there will finally be justice done, with regards to war crimes and other crimes against humanity. That will apparently require a new Dept. of Justice, because the current one is refusing to turn over torture documents to the President-elect:
The Justice Department has evaded a request from President-elect Barack Obama's transition team for documents about the secret programs of U.S. intelligence agencies.
The team asked to "review classified legal opinions related to secret CIA and National Security Agency programs," but the inquiry has been denied.
Among the information requested are official documents about the "legal rationale" for the secret wiretapping and torture programs conducted by the two agencies.
Attorney General Michael Mukasey addressed the issue with reporters, saying that his department was reluctant to give up the documents without permission from the two agencies involved.
Excuse me while I unlace my shoes...
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 13:50:14
trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 13:50:14
Too bad the shoes couldn't have been steel-toed or better still - spiked.
Anyone else having problems getting to the liveblog this morning? Browser just hangs trying to get there.
I'm trying to get the Fire Brigade please.
No, the Fire BRIgade!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, WHAT?...
Size 8.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
He's gone dear
What?
He's slipped away
What?
THE SILLY HAMSTER'S DEAD!!
Anyone else having problems getting to the liveblog this morning? Browser just hangs trying to get there.
I'm trying to get the Fire Brigade please.
No, the Fire BRIgade!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, WHAT?...
Size 8.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
He's gone dear
What?
He's slipped away
What?
THE SILLY HAMSTER'S DEAD!!
Comment by 
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 14:03:04
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 14:03:04
Morning :hug:
That was my first time seeing the shoe incident. Personally, what I took from doofus's comments about it was that the man was nothing more then a whiner when he equated it to people here flip him off when he drives by. That was the tone I got from it.
That was my first time seeing the shoe incident. Personally, what I took from doofus's comments about it was that the man was nothing more then a whiner when he equated it to people here flip him off when he drives by. That was the tone I got from it.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 14:11:57
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 14:11:57
:doh: shoe jokes
:p
:p
Comment by 
TriSec on 12/15/2008 14:19:40
TriSec on 12/15/2008 14:19:40
American Girl dolls are freaky.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 14:24:48
agreed
Timey Tell was my fave doll. But I wanted a Blythe Doll
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 14:24:48
Quote by TriSec:
American Girl dolls are freaky.
agreed
Timey Tell was my fave doll. But I wanted a Blythe Doll
Comment by 
Scoopster on 12/15/2008 14:29:44
Scoopster on 12/15/2008 14:29:44
Morning all.. :coffee:
Someone should've told that Iraqi journalist that he'd have a much better reception with Bush if he had used flying fish... kinda like this guy:
Someone should've told that Iraqi journalist that he'd have a much better reception with Bush if he had used flying fish... kinda like this guy:
Comment by Scoopster on 12/15/2008 14:34:16
Scoopster on 12/15/2008 14:34:16
Oh boy.. the tubes are hot this morning with the animated pics!
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 12/15/2008 14:42:42
velveeta jones on 12/15/2008 14:42:42
Morning all!
I keep watching that shoe video, hoping that the shoe will hit him! :P
BTW: Did anyone notice how long it took SS to get out there? Not till after the 2nd shoe and after the "culprit" had been taken down. I wonder if they were snickering behind the door!
I keep watching that shoe video, hoping that the shoe will hit him! :P
BTW: Did anyone notice how long it took SS to get out there? Not till after the 2nd shoe and after the "culprit" had been taken down. I wonder if they were snickering behind the door!
Comment by 
Raine on 12/15/2008 14:49:15
Raine on 12/15/2008 14:49:15
Good morning.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 14:51:01
Great minds think alike Velveeta!
:D
Raine on 12/15/2008 14:51:01
Quote by velveeta jones:
Morning all!
I keep watching that shoe video, hoping that the shoe will hit him! :P
BTW: Did anyone notice how long it took SS to get out there? Not till after the 2nd shoe and after the "culprit" had been taken down. I wonder if they were snickering behind the door!
Like most of us, if I'm honest with myself, I really only know how Secret Service protection works from the movies or how, going on my own common sense, I figure it works. The folks who protect the president are professionals. So I want to be extremely tentative and cautious about second-guessing their work from a bit of news video that leaves many key details unanswered.
But watching the video of the Iraqi journalist throwing his shoes at President Bush, I could not help but notice that it took an uncomfortably long period of time for anyone to get to the assailant and, even more, much longer than I would have expected for anyone who looked like Secret Service to get to the president and block his body or get him out of harm's way.
I guess the point here is that this was a very confined space. Presumably the Secret Service controlled access to the degree that they were confident there were no unauthorized weapons in the room. And they wouldn't have to worry about someone with a gun at a greater distance. So they may have been less worried about jumping in front of the president, etc.
Maybe I'm just over-analyzing this. And obviously a president can't be under lock and key at all moments, with Secret Service agents ready to throw him to the floor at a moment's notice. But for an American president, any moment in Iraq has to be considered a very high risk situation. So it did make me wonder.
On a totally unrelated note, I was genuinely impressed by the president's quick ducking response. In all seriousness, if you watch the video, the guy was extremely close to the president (maybe fifteen feet?). He threw the shoe very hard and very accurately. Given how out of the blue the whole bizarre incident was I think the reporter would have beaned most other folks in that situation.
Comment by 
BobR on 12/15/2008 14:55:05
BobR on 12/15/2008 14:55:05
Just because we need them, new emoticons:
:facepalm:
:xmas1:
:xmas2:
enjoy!
:facepalm:
:xmas1:
:xmas2:
enjoy!
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 15:01:44
Love it!
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 15:01:44
Love it!
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:06:14
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:06:14
Quote by BobR:
Just because we need them, new emoticons:
:facepalm:
:xmas1:
:xmas2:
enjoy!
Comment by 
Shane-O on 12/15/2008 15:06:39
Those are TOO cute BobR...
Shane-O on 12/15/2008 15:06:39
Quote by BobR:
Just because we need them, new emoticons:
:facepalm:
:xmas1:
:xmas2:
enjoy!
Those are TOO cute BobR...
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:09:32
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:09:32
Pro-pentagon Group funned millions to GOP A Defense Department project, supposedly designed to support U.S. troops, was used instead to channel millions of dollars to personal friends and allies of its chief.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:10:20
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:10:20
:clap: good work Shane!
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 15:16:10
Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 15:16:10
Good morning, bloggers! Excellent post, BobR!
I was surprised by the show incident, but I suspect that the Iraqi journalist is now a hero to millions in the Arab world and beyond. The rage over the Iraq invasion and occupation, as well as Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo will last for a very long time.
I was surprised by the show incident, but I suspect that the Iraqi journalist is now a hero to millions in the Arab world and beyond. The rage over the Iraq invasion and occupation, as well as Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo will last for a very long time.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:20:05
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:20:05
I really think *ush doesn't get how big an insult that was for the Muslim world.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:20:20
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:20:20
Good Morning Will!
Comment by 
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:24:02
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:24:02
:rofl: 
:rofl:
Bob and weave George! Bob and weave!
:rofl: Bob and weave George! Bob and weave!
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:25:31
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:25:31
Anyone here ever looked into Peer to Peer Lending?
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:28:13
I have not...
I just did a quick google... is this a new thing?
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:28:13
Quote by starling310:
Anyone here ever looked into Peer to Peer Lending?
I just did a quick google... is this a new thing?
Comment by 
livingonli on 12/15/2008 15:28:36
livingonli on 12/15/2008 15:28:36
Good morning everyone. 
Just a quick hit and run now before my doctor's appointment. Wish me luck.
Just like Bush doesn't know the difference between Sunni and Shia, it wouldn't be surprising to realize he doesn't know that the shoe is an insult.
Just a quick hit and run now before my doctor's appointment. Wish me luck.
Just like Bush doesn't know the difference between Sunni and Shia, it wouldn't be surprising to realize he doesn't know that the shoe is an insult.
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:30:55
It's been out there for a couple years. I heard a story about it on NPR. Of course, now people are stepping in and saying that there are "securities being exchanged" so there needs to stricter guidelines, etc. So, soon it will probably be as hard to get a Peer loan as a Bank loan.
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:30:55
Quote by Raine:I have not...Quote by starling310:
Anyone here ever looked into Peer to Peer Lending?
I just did a quick google... is this a new thing?
It's been out there for a couple years. I heard a story about it on NPR. Of course, now people are stepping in and saying that there are "securities being exchanged" so there needs to stricter guidelines, etc. So, soon it will probably be as hard to get a Peer loan as a Bank loan.
Comment by TriSec on 12/15/2008 15:35:50
TriSec on 12/15/2008 15:35:50
Arianna giving away trade secrets! :modbat:
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:36:47
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:36:47
Chesus!!!
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 15:37:39
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 15:37:39
Arianna blogs about politics and cheese - strangly it doesn't sound like an odd combination
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:38:51
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:38:51
OMG. Arianna IS Santa Claus!!!
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:39:39
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:39:39
Speaking of Links... A reminder that we have many share tools... like Digg and NOW a FACEBOOK link! :poke:
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 15:42:42
Good morning, Raine!
I don't think Bush would get it if angels explained it to him and Godzilla was holding up billboards to try to explain it. The man's only measure of things seems to be his own reflection. If I want a world class narcissist, I would stick to Blagojevich - to my knowledge, no one died because of his corruption and navel gazing.
Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 15:42:42
Quote by Raine:
I really think *ush doesn't get how big an insult that was for the Muslim world.
Good morning, Raine!
I don't think Bush would get it if angels explained it to him and Godzilla was holding up billboards to try to explain it. The man's only measure of things seems to be his own reflection. If I want a world class narcissist, I would stick to Blagojevich - to my knowledge, no one died because of his corruption and navel gazing.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 15:43:50
I think I just did that FB link right :scratchhead:
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 15:43:50
Quote by Raine:
Speaking of Links... A reminder that we have many share tools... like Digg and NOW a FACEBOOK link! :poke:
I think I just did that FB link right :scratchhead:
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:45:53
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:45:53
The sad Irony of the Shoe Thrower:
Iraq TV demands release of Bush shoe attacker
BAGHDAD (AFP) — An Iraqi television station on Monday demanded the immediate release of one of its journalists who caused a furore when he hurled shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush.
Muntazer al-Zaidi jumped up as Bush was holding a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Sunday, shouted "It is the farewell kiss, you dog" and threw two shoes at the US leader.
Bush ducked and the first shoe hit the American and Iraqi flags behind the two leaders, while the second was off target.
Zaidi, a reporter with the Al-Baghdadia channel which broadcasts from Cairo, was immediately wrestled to the ground by security guards and frogmarched from the room.
"Al-Baghdadia television demands that the Iraqi authorities immediately release their stringer Muntadhar al-Zaidi, in line with the democracy and freedom of expression that the American authorities promised the Iraqi people," it said in a statement.
In Cairo, Muzhir al-Khafaji, programming director for the television channel, described Zaidi as a "proud Arab and an open-minded man."
"We fear for his safety," he added.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 15:47:06
As an ex-reporter, I found a few politicians to be cheesy.
Hmm, maybe Arianna could combine her love of politics and cheese in a regular feature - maybe call it the Roquefort Files. Maybe ask James Garner to guest blog.
Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 15:47:06
Quote by wickedpam:
Arianna blogs about politics and cheese - strangly it doesn't sound like an odd combination
As an ex-reporter, I found a few politicians to be cheesy.
Hmm, maybe Arianna could combine her love of politics and cheese in a regular feature - maybe call it the Roquefort Files. Maybe ask James Garner to guest blog.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:50:14
You click on the "f" and a box should come up with the title and a small description, then you just post it to you profile.
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:50:14
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Speaking of Links... A reminder that we have many share tools... like Digg and NOW a FACEBOOK link! :poke:
I think I just did that FB link right :scratchhead:
You click on the "f" and a box should come up with the title and a small description, then you just post it to you profile.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 15:50:55
Raine on 12/15/2008 15:50:55
Quote by Will in Phoenix:Quote by wickedpam:
Arianna blogs about politics and cheese - strangly it doesn't sound like an odd combination
As an ex-reporter, I found a few politicians to be cheesy.
Hmm, maybe Arianna could combine her love of politics and cheese in a regular feature - maybe call it the Roquefort Files. Maybe ask James Garner to guest blog.
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:51:35
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:51:35
No, no, it probably is still Bush and his Oil Buddies and it's a complete facade. The low gas prices will now lull everyone into forgetting how far behind the rest of the world we are on creating and using alternative fuels.
Comment by BobR on 12/15/2008 15:51:59
Isn't that also known as "loan sharking"? :P
BobR on 12/15/2008 15:51:59
Quote by starling310:
Anyone here ever looked into Peer to Peer Lending?
Isn't that also known as "loan sharking"? :P
Comment by TriSec on 12/15/2008 15:52:59
TriSec on 12/15/2008 15:52:59
Oh, speaking of links....I belong to Newsvine (the little green box with the vine in it), but according to the etiquette of the site, it's bad form to 'seed' your own blog.
So, somebody else will have to sign up and post things over there for us. (although technically, if I didn't write the opener, it would be OK for me to post it.)
So, somebody else will have to sign up and post things over there for us. (although technically, if I didn't write the opener, it would be OK for me to post it.)
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:53:18
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:53:18
What's your DAAAMAGE!?!? : snaps gum :
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:54:12
I passed over the lender named Vinnie Bumbotz. So, I think I'm safe.
starling310 on 12/15/2008 15:54:12
Quote by BobR:Quote by starling310:
Anyone here ever looked into Peer to Peer Lending?
Isn't that also known as "loan sharking"? :P
I passed over the lender named Vinnie Bumbotz. So, I think I'm safe.
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:00:59
starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:00:59
Wow...Garrison Star has been releasing albums since '93.
Opening for Shawn Colvin? THat is pretty sweet.
Shawn is playing with Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin in NYC, February. Damn! I want to see that show.
Opening for Shawn Colvin? THat is pretty sweet.
Shawn is playing with Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin in NYC, February. Damn! I want to see that show.
Comment by TriSec on 12/15/2008 16:01:11
TriSec on 12/15/2008 16:01:11
Loophole in the bailout!
WASHINGTON — Congress wanted to guarantee that the $700 billion financial bailout would limit the eye-popping pay of Wall Street executives, so lawmakers included a mechanism for reviewing executive compensation and penalizing firms that break the rules.
But at the last minute, the Bush administration insisted on a one-sentence change to the provision, congressional aides said. The change stipulated that the penalty would apply only to firms that received bailout funds by selling troubled assets to the government in an auction, which was the way the Treasury Department had said it planned to use the money.
Now, however, the small change looks more like a giant loophole, according to lawmakers and legal experts. In a reversal, the Bush administration has not used auctions for any of the $335 billion committed so far from the rescue package, nor does it plan to use them in the future.
Lawmakers and legal experts say the change has effectively repealed the only enforcement mechanism in the law dealing with lavish pay for top executives.
"The flimsy executive-compensation restrictions in the original bill are now all but gone," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.
WASHINGTON — Congress wanted to guarantee that the $700 billion financial bailout would limit the eye-popping pay of Wall Street executives, so lawmakers included a mechanism for reviewing executive compensation and penalizing firms that break the rules.
But at the last minute, the Bush administration insisted on a one-sentence change to the provision, congressional aides said. The change stipulated that the penalty would apply only to firms that received bailout funds by selling troubled assets to the government in an auction, which was the way the Treasury Department had said it planned to use the money.
Now, however, the small change looks more like a giant loophole, according to lawmakers and legal experts. In a reversal, the Bush administration has not used auctions for any of the $335 billion committed so far from the rescue package, nor does it plan to use them in the future.
Lawmakers and legal experts say the change has effectively repealed the only enforcement mechanism in the law dealing with lavish pay for top executives.
"The flimsy executive-compensation restrictions in the original bill are now all but gone," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:10:40
starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:10:40
:rofl:
Comment by TriSec on 12/15/2008 16:14:50
TriSec on 12/15/2008 16:14:50
$9,000?
Why, that's a bargain for twins!
:thud:
Why, that's a bargain for twins!
:thud:
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 16:15:26
It won't let me vine any of our stuff, even when I am not the author.
Raine on 12/15/2008 16:15:26
Quote by TriSec:
Oh, speaking of links....I belong to Newsvine (the little green box with the vine in it), but according to the etiquette of the site, it's bad form to 'seed' your own blog.
So, somebody else will have to sign up and post things over there for us. (although technically, if I didn't write the opener, it would be OK for me to post it.)
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 16:21:58
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 16:21:58
Am I the only one who heard "shit stick"?
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:23:35
starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:23:35
John Cusack talking to Dave Coulier:
"Dave...she's written 65 songs...65. They're all about you. They're all about pain."
"Dave...she's written 65 songs...65. They're all about you. They're all about pain."
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:28:15
starling310 on 12/15/2008 16:28:15
It should have been Jim. He's funnier than Will Ferrell. Will Ferrell has JUMPED THE SHARK!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 16:35:01
Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 16:35:01
Stuff On My Cat.Com? I wonder if the site owners have any fingers left?
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 16:35:30
:spit:
Raine on 12/15/2008 16:35:30
Quote by starling310:
John Cusack talking to Dave Coulier:
"Dave...she's written 65 songs...65. They're all about you. They're all about pain."
:spit:
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 16:41:37
One of my managers has a cat who lets her put hats on him. I saw the pic - they are hysterical. The cat just looks at the camera as if to say "whateveh'
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 16:41:37
Quote by Will in Phoenix:
Stuff On My Cat.Com? I wonder if the site owners have any fingers left?
One of my managers has a cat who lets her put hats on him. I saw the pic - they are hysterical. The cat just looks at the camera as if to say "whateveh'
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 16:41:53
Raine on 12/15/2008 16:41:53
Ok, so Charlie went thru with the big Marriage... how are Bristol and Levi doing?
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 16:44:51
Raine on 12/15/2008 16:44:51
BTW, in case anyone is curious... the Electoral College is voting today.
Comment by Shane-O on 12/15/2008 16:48:35
Holy crap -- thank you Raine - for the reminder. So much for my being a political junkie... yikes!
Shane-O on 12/15/2008 16:48:35
Quote by Raine:
BTW, in case anyone is curious... the Electoral College is voting today.
Holy crap -- thank you Raine - for the reminder. So much for my being a political junkie... yikes!
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 16:56:18
and in other news.. SCOTUS turned down ANOTHER request to have the Obama Birth certificate case heard.
Across the land freepers heads are 'sploding --
Raine on 12/15/2008 16:56:18
Quote by Shane-O:Quote by Raine:
BTW, in case anyone is curious... the Electoral College is voting today.
Holy crap -- thank you Raine - for the reminder. So much for my being a political junkie... yikes!
and in other news.. SCOTUS turned down ANOTHER request to have the Obama Birth certificate case heard. Across the land freepers heads are 'sploding --
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 17:00:23
Raine on 12/15/2008 17:00:23
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:01:26
Do I not recall that 4 and 8 years ago they told us to - how shall I put this....."Get over it."
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:01:26
Quote by Raine:Quote by Shane-O:Quote by Raine:
BTW, in case anyone is curious... the Electoral College is voting today.
Holy crap -- thank you Raine - for the reminder. So much for my being a political junkie... yikes!
Across the land freepers heads are 'sploding --
Do I not recall that 4 and 8 years ago they told us to - how shall I put this....."Get over it."
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:05:27
livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:05:27
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 17:13:51
starling310 on 12/15/2008 17:13:51
Thank you Thom!!! Thank you Thom!! Thank you Thom!!! 
God, he's a good guy.
God, he's a good guy.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:15:48
Is that a total of 5 then?
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:15:48
Quote by livingonli:
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
Is that a total of 5 then?
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 17:18:01
Pop Pop Pop Pop Pop
Raine on 12/15/2008 17:18:01
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
Is that a total of 5 then?
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 17:18:54
I have a huge crush on him.
Raine on 12/15/2008 17:18:54
Quote by starling310:
Thank you Thom!!! Thank you Thom!! Thank you Thom!!!
God, he's a good guy.
Comment by BobR on 12/15/2008 17:21:42
good job!
whatever lifestyle changes you've made seem to be working. Keep it up!
BobR on 12/15/2008 17:21:42
Quote by livingonli:
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
good job!
whatever lifestyle changes you've made seem to be working. Keep it up!
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 17:25:11
Me too.
starling310 on 12/15/2008 17:25:11
Quote by Raine:I have a huge crush on him.Quote by starling310:
Thank you Thom!!! Thank you Thom!! Thank you Thom!!!
God, he's a good guy.
Me too.
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:32:38
5 pounds in 2 weeks. Even with the holidays approaching. I have been able to eat less the last few weeks which has probably helped and my endocrinologist has added an appetite suppressant to my regimen.
livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:32:38
Quote by Raine:Pop Pop Pop Pop PopQuote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
Is that a total of 5 then?
5 pounds in 2 weeks. Even with the holidays approaching. I have been able to eat less the last few weeks which has probably helped and my endocrinologist has added an appetite suppressant to my regimen.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:36:26
way to go 
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:36:26
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Pop Pop Pop Pop PopQuote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
Is that a total of 5 then?
5 pounds in 2 weeks. Even with the holidays approaching. I have been able to eat less the last few weeks which has probably helped and my endocrinologist has added an appetite suppressant to my regimen.
way to go
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:42:23
livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:42:23
Thanks for the support everyone. :)
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 17:48:33
Alan Keyes will likely respond by continuing to be one fo America's biggest sore losers. I fear that the GOP is rapidly approaching the point where they are beyond parody.
Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 17:48:33
Quote by Raine:
BTW, in case anyone is curious... the Electoral College is voting today.
Alan Keyes will likely respond by continuing to be one fo America's biggest sore losers. I fear that the GOP is rapidly approaching the point where they are beyond parody.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:54:43
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 17:54:43
did KPHX crap out?
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:55:41
livingonli on 12/15/2008 17:55:41
I'm listening on Sirius right now. I wonder with the pending change if we should switch over to the 1190 Nova M site.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 18:13:28
I am listening live, so no problem with the radio transmission. The 1190 Nova M site is essentially a mirror of the 1480 KPHX site, so it may have the same problems as its twin.
Will in Chicago on 12/15/2008 18:13:28
Quote by livingonli:
I'm listening on Sirius right now. I wonder with the pending change if we should switch over to the 1190 Nova M site.
I am listening live, so no problem with the radio transmission. The 1190 Nova M site is essentially a mirror of the 1480 KPHX site, so it may have the same problems as its twin.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 18:13:52
:lol: I thought Mala was talking about total of 5 freepers heads popping!
Congrats Liv.
Raine on 12/15/2008 18:13:52
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Pop Pop Pop Pop PopQuote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
Is that a total of 5 then?
5 pounds in 2 weeks. Even with the holidays approaching. I have been able to eat less the last few weeks which has probably helped and my endocrinologist has added an appetite suppressant to my regimen.
Congrats Liv.
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 18:14:42
starling310 on 12/15/2008 18:14:42
Wow Kerri Lucas. Thank you for your giggly prom queen generalizations.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 18:16:33
Raine on 12/15/2008 18:16:33
Couldn't have said it better myself Her snark is just too much.
Her snark is just too much.
Comment by starling310 on 12/15/2008 18:18:11
I don't want her speaking on behalf of ALL women. I'd gladly work with machinery and technology. Maybe that is the same gene that MADE ME GAy!!!!
starling310 on 12/15/2008 18:18:11
Quote by Raine:
Couldn't have said it better myself
I don't want her speaking on behalf of ALL women. I'd gladly work with machinery and technology. Maybe that is the same gene that MADE ME GAy!!!!
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 18:18:35
livingonli on 12/15/2008 18:18:35
I still like the sound of Freeper heads exploding.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 18:34:04
trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 18:34:04
liv
Keep it up!
Keep it up!
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 18:46:10
livingonli on 12/15/2008 18:46:10
Where's the F button to add the blog to my facebook page?
Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 18:50:32
looked too much like "Where's the F***ing button!!!"
trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 18:50:32
Quote by livingonli:
Where's the F button to add the blog to my facebook page?
looked too much like "Where's the F***ing button!!!"
Comment by BobR on 12/15/2008 18:56:22
At the bottom of the blog post, at the end of the little icons for the social/news sites
BobR on 12/15/2008 18:56:22
Quote by livingonli:
Where's the F button to add the blog to my facebook page?
At the bottom of the blog post, at the end of the little icons for the social/news sites
Comment by wickedpam on 12/15/2008 18:59:06
And here I thought it was a Dr. Who reference :p
wickedpam on 12/15/2008 18:59:06
Quote by Raine::lol: I thought Mala was talking about total of 5 freepers heads popping!Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Pop Pop Pop Pop PopQuote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I love to see Freeper heads explode.
BTW, back from the doctor. I lost 2 more pounds and my blood sugar numbers are getting better so I can say we're making progress.
Is that a total of 5 then?
5 pounds in 2 weeks. Even with the holidays approaching. I have been able to eat less the last few weeks which has probably helped and my endocrinologist has added an appetite suppressant to my regimen.
Congrats Liv.
And here I thought it was a Dr. Who reference :p
Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 19:01:36
That button and the Fark it button (though that one's self explanatory) don't have a little description come up when you mouse over them.
trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 19:01:36
Quote by BobR:Quote by livingonli:
Where's the F button to add the blog to my facebook page?
At the bottom of the blog post, at the end of the little icons for the social/news sites
That button and the Fark it button (though that one's self explanatory) don't have a little description come up when you mouse over them.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 19:13:40
Raine on 12/15/2008 19:13:40
Really? It works here TRojan (the Facebook at least)
Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 19:22:16
trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 19:22:16
I'm sure if I click on it - it will work, but the other buttons are faded and get darker when the mouse goes over it, the Facebook button is always darker.
I'm running IE6 here. Might be different on something else, I guess.
I'm running IE6 here. Might be different on something else, I guess.
Comment by BobR on 12/15/2008 19:31:14
No, this is the correct behavior.
BobR on 12/15/2008 19:31:14
Quote by trojanrabbit:
That button and the Fark it button (though that one's self explanatory) don't have a little description come up when you mouse over them.
Quote by trojanrabbit:
I'm sure if I click on it - it will work, but the other buttons are faded and get darker when the mouse goes over it, the Facebook button is always darker.
I'm running IE6 here. Might be different on something else, I guess.
No, this is the correct behavior.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 19:36:17
trojanrabbit on 12/15/2008 19:36:17
OK
Comment by BobR on 12/15/2008 19:40:11
by way of further explanation:
The FarkIt and FaceBook icons are provided and hosted by the respective websites, so they don't respond to the code that changes the icon opacity when you mouse over them.
I can add a "tooltip" info for the FaceBook icon, but the FarkIt link is provided by a code script hosted by Fark, so I have no control over that.
BobR on 12/15/2008 19:40:11
Quote by trojanrabbit:
OK
by way of further explanation:
The FarkIt and FaceBook icons are provided and hosted by the respective websites, so they don't respond to the code that changes the icon opacity when you mouse over them.
I can add a "tooltip" info for the FaceBook icon, but the FarkIt link is provided by a code script hosted by Fark, so I have no control over that.
Comment by BobR on 12/15/2008 19:49:57
BobR on 12/15/2008 19:49:57
FYI - the board appears to be down. It seems to be a problem with the hosting service...
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 19:53:13
livingonli on 12/15/2008 19:53:13
OK, added today's blog to my facecrack page.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/15/2008 20:45:45
Scoopster on 12/15/2008 20:45:45
Cue Ricardo Montalban for this keyboard... "wrapped in rich Corinthian leather"
Errr.. thanks, but I prefer my keyboard. Especially at night.
Errr.. thanks, but I prefer my keyboard. Especially at night.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 21:05:05
I love THAT keyboard... The other... WTF??
Raine on 12/15/2008 21:05:05
Quote by Scoopster:
Cue Ricardo Montalban for this keyboard... "wrapped in rich Corinthian leather"
Errr.. thanks, but I prefer my keyboard. Especially at night.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 21:05:06
I love THAT keyboard... The other... WTF??
Raine on 12/15/2008 21:05:06
Quote by Scoopster:
Cue Ricardo Montalban for this keyboard... "wrapped in rich Corinthian leather"
Errr.. thanks, but I prefer my keyboard. Especially at night.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 21:08:30
Tht is the second time something like that happened after the Show refurbed a house.
Raine on 12/15/2008 21:08:30
Quote by Random:
Sure it looks good but Your mortgage will kill ya
Tht is the second time something like that happened after the Show refurbed a house.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/15/2008 21:18:29
I dunno.. To me it seems more sophisticated and elitist, not to mention practical, to have a keyboard that's backlit. They're rare and expensive as it is but I think it's worth it - mine cost $60 but it has three different backlite colors so depending on my mood I'll toggle thru em.. hehe
Scoopster on 12/15/2008 21:18:29
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Cue Ricardo Montalban for this keyboard... "wrapped in rich Corinthian leather"
Errr.. thanks, but I prefer my keyboard. Especially at night.
I love THAT keyboard... The other... WTF??
I dunno.. To me it seems more sophisticated and elitist, not to mention practical, to have a keyboard that's backlit. They're rare and expensive as it is but I think it's worth it - mine cost $60 but it has three different backlite colors so depending on my mood I'll toggle thru em.. hehe
Comment by TriSec on 12/15/2008 21:22:08
TriSec on 12/15/2008 21:22:08
"The Man": Hi, everyone! We're going green! Here is your new standard-issue mug, and we're getting new coffee machines! Use this mug and it's free; use a paper cup and it's $.25 per cup.
TriSec:
(waits for line to die down at new machine)
TriSec:
(sniff suspiciously)
Verdict =
It Sucks.
fin.
TriSec:
(waits for line to die down at new machine)
TriSec:
(sniff suspiciously)Verdict =
It Sucks.
fin.
Comment by TriSec on 12/15/2008 21:23:57
TriSec on 12/15/2008 21:23:57
oh, and I bet that backlit keyboard would be really cool with the sim for night flights....(I used to turn off all the lights and shine a booklight on it for effect; does it come in red? Got a link so I can buy one? Does it come in Dvorak?)
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 21:40:13
I loved the Backlit one! I didn't write that very well.
I was WTF'ing that leather crap.
Raine on 12/15/2008 21:40:13
Quote by Scoopster:
I dunno.. To me it seems more sophisticated and elitist, not to mention practical, to have a keyboard that's backlit. They're rare and expensive as it is but I think it's worth it - mine cost $60 but it has three different backlite colors so depending on my mood I'll toggle thru em.. hehe
I was WTF'ing that leather crap.
Comment by Raine on 12/15/2008 22:14:50
Raine on 12/15/2008 22:14:50
Caller on Randi just had a great Idea... We should all mail shoes to the White house.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 12/15/2008 22:30:36
Even better. 1/19/09 thousand of people surround the White House and toss shoes over the fence.
Mondobubba on 12/15/2008 22:30:36
Quote by Raine:
Caller on Randi just had a great Idea... We should all mail shoes to the White house.
Even better. 1/19/09 thousand of people surround the White House and toss shoes over the fence.
Comment by 
Random on 12/15/2008 22:55:31
The mortgage on those house have to be huge. I mean, i like the show, but damn.
Random on 12/15/2008 22:55:31
Quote by Raine:Quote by Random:
Sure it looks good but Your mortgage will kill ya
Tht is the second time something like that happened after the Show refurbed a house.
The mortgage on those house have to be huge. I mean, i like the show, but damn.
Comment by Random on 12/15/2008 22:55:49
Random on 12/15/2008 22:55:49
Comment by livingonli on 12/15/2008 23:08:53
livingonli on 12/15/2008 23:08:53
Listening to Randi playing the Rush clips, I think he takes a degree of pride in carrying water for the Republicans. He is truly shameless when he sucks up to Cheney. Then again, his wussiness might be afraid of getting shot in the face.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/15/2008 23:31:35
Scoopster on 12/15/2008 23:31:35
Comment by Raine on 12/16/2008 00:02:04
Don't think that has not ben discussed in this household.
Bobber would be MORE than happy to see me part with a few pairs...
Raine on 12/16/2008 00:02:04
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Caller on Randi just had a great Idea... We should all mail shoes to the White house.
Even better. 1/19/09 thousand of people surround the White House and toss shoes over the fence.
Bobber would be MORE than happy to see me part with a few pairs...
Comment by Raine on 12/16/2008 00:02:37
;)
Raine on 12/16/2008 00:02:37
;)
Comment by Raine on 12/16/2008 00:06:46
Indeed.
Someone NIOT from the inside of DC ot the Clinton admin? What wil the left bitch about?
::: hand wringing :::
Looks like a great pick. I would have liked Randi Weingarten, but this is fab too. Oh the embarassment of riches.
Raine on 12/16/2008 00:06:46
Quote by Scoopster:
Obama's pick for Secretary of Education
Interesting background..
Someone NIOT from the inside of DC ot the Clinton admin? What wil the left bitch about?
::: hand wringing :::
Looks like a great pick. I would have liked Randi Weingarten, but this is fab too. Oh the embarassment of riches.
Comment by Raine on 12/16/2008 00:08:07
I think they both did a Re-Fi...
both with Shitty loans.
Raine on 12/16/2008 00:08:07
Quote by Random:Quote by Raine:Quote by Random:
Sure it looks good but Your mortgage will kill ya
Tht is the second time something like that happened after the Show refurbed a house.
The mortgage on those house have to be huge. I mean, i like the show, but damn.
both with Shitty loans.
Comment by Random on 12/16/2008 00:28:51
I still like the show. It makes me cry some times.
Random on 12/16/2008 00:28:51
Quote by Raine:I think they both did a Re-Fi...Quote by Random:Quote by Raine:Quote by Random:
Sure it looks good but Your mortgage will kill ya
Tht is the second time something like that happened after the Show refurbed a house.
The mortgage on those house have to be huge. I mean, i like the show, but damn.
both with Shitty loans.
I still like the show. It makes me cry some times.
Comment by livingonli on 12/16/2008 01:32:43
livingonli on 12/16/2008 01:32:43
And thank goodness this is the last Barney cam.
Comment by livingonli on 12/16/2008 02:20:57
livingonli on 12/16/2008 02:20:57
Comment by Raine on 12/16/2008 06:20:19
Raine on 12/16/2008 06:20:19