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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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"?
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.
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? ;)
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.
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?
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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?
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lol - That would be an interesting show. XD
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...
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...
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...
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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.
Quote by Raine:
MAla -- can you suggest a really good Virginia Chardonnay NOT oak barreled?
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.
Quote by Raine:cThanks! I want to bring some up to a friend in the finger lakes in NY. OMG the wines there are amazing!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.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:cThanks! I want to bring some up to a friend in the finger lakes in NY. OMG the wines there are amazing!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.
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![]()
Quote by Raine:I will do that.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:cThanks! I want to bring some up to a friend in the finger lakes in NY. OMG the wines there are amazing!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.
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 have to tell you, I was truly amazed at the utter beauty of that area of NYS.
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:
Brave Brave sir RandPaul….
Quote by Mondobubba:
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:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.
Quote by Will in Chicago:
It looks like we have a new leaker, according to CNN. New leaker disclosing U.S. secrets, government concludes
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
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:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.
What going on sugah?
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.â€
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
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:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.
What going on sugah?
Long day, Need.Fainter!
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
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:crawls to fainting couch: Mandy, a fainter please. Make it a double.
What going on sugah?
Long day, Need.Fainter!
Quote by Raine:I am more than sure this will help the government to become more transparent.Quote by Will in Chicago:
It looks like we have a new leaker, according to CNN. New leaker disclosing U.S. secrets, government concludes
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