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Author: TriSec    Date: 03/03/2009 11:58:22

Good Morning.

Today is our 2,176th day in Iraq.

We'll start this morning as we always do, with the latest casualty figures from Iraq and Afghanistan, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4254
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 4115
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3793
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3396
Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09): 25

Other Coalition Troops - Iraq: 318
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 660
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 431
Contractor Deaths - Iraq: 446

We find this morning's cost of war has reached yet another milestone, as we're already quickly past 600 billion.

$ 601, 593, 100, 000.00


One could only wonder how things would be if that money had gone back into the American economy over the past 6 years.



Turning to our friends at IAVA....they had an interesting point of view on Obama's plan to bring the troops home by August 2010. Getting everyone home isn't as easy as starting an aerial tramway with C-5 Galaxies....once the troops get back to these shores, then what?


IAVA's Director of Government Affairs Todd Bowers spoke with WTTG- Fox 5 over the weekend about President Obama's announcement of a troop drawdown in Iraq, emphasizing the need to ensure servicemembers have the proper mental health screening, education benefits and job skills training for the transition home. Check-out his interview...





Lastly this morning....even as the President starts to work out how to get the troops home, there are still troops being called back and prepped to go over. This never-ending cycle continues to disrupt families and destroy lives. Often overlooked are the children of our soldiers. Here's one family's tale.


DAVIDSON, N.C.—When Lisa Pagan reports for duty Sunday, four long years after she was honorably discharged from the Army, she'll arrive with more than her old uniform. She's bringing her kids, too.

"I have to bring them with me," she said. "I don't have a choice."

Pagan is among thousands of former service members who have left active duty since the Sept. 11 attacks, only to later receive orders to return to service. They're not in training, they're not getting a Defense Department salary, but as long as they have time left on their original enlistment contracts, they're on "individual ready reserve" status -- eligible to be recalled at any time.

Soldiers can appeal, and some have won permission to remain in civilian life. Pagan filed several appeals, arguing that because her husband travels for business, no one else can take care of her kids. All were rejected, leaving Pagan with what she says is a choice between deploying to Iraq and abandoning her family, or refusing her orders and potentially facing charges.

Then she hit on the idea of showing up Sunday at Fort Benning, Ga., with her children in tow.

"I guess they'll have to contact the highest person at the base, and they'll have to decide from there what to do," Pagan said. "I either report and bring the children with me or don't report and face dishonorable discharge and possibly being arrested. I guess I'll just have to make my case while I'm there."

Master Sgt. Keith O'Donnell, an Army spokesman in St. Louis, said the commander at Fort Benning will decide how to handle the situation.

"The Army tries to look at the whole picture and they definitely don't want to do anything that jeopardizes the family or jeopardizes the children," O'Donnell said. "At the same time, these are individuals who made obligations and commitments to the country."

Of the 25,000 individual ready reserve troops recalled since September 2001, more than 7,500 have been granted deferments or exemptions, O'Donnell said. About 1,000 have failed to report. O'Donnell most of those cases are still under investigation, while 360 soldiers have been separated from the Army either through "other than honorable" discharges or general discharges.

He said Pagan isn't likely to face charges, since none of the individual ready reserve soldiers who have failed to report faced a court-martial.

Pagan, who grew up near Camden, N.J., was working in a department store when she made her commitment in September 2002. She learned how to drive a truck, and met Travis while stationed in Hawaii. She had her first child while in uniform, and they left the service in 2005 when their enlistments were up.

She always knew there was a chance she could be recalled, so she buried the thought in the back of her mind.

"When I enlisted, they said almost nobody gets called back when you're in the IRR," she said.

The young family settled outside of Charlotte in the college town of Davidson, where Travis landed a job as a salesman. It required lots of travel, but that was OK -- Pagan enjoyed her life as a stay-at-home mom to their son Eric and a daughter named Elizabeth.

She opened a child-care center in her home, and started taking classes at nearby Fayetteville State.

The orders to return to active duty arrived in December 2007. She told the Army there was no one to take care of her children: Her husband spent most of his time on the road, and they believe quitting his job is a sure path to bankruptcy and foreclosure. Her parents live in New Jersey and her husband's parents live in Texas. Neither are able to help out. The Army wasn't persuaded.

Pagan hired attorney Mark Waple, who filed another appeal, which included a letter from Travis Pagan's employer that said bluntly: "In order for Travis to remain an employee, he will be required to travel." In December 2008, her appeal was again rejected.

"It's the obligation of commanders to make certain that service members have a valid family care plan and that clearly has not happened in Lisa's case," Waple said.

Tom Tarantino, a policy associate with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a nonprofit group that helps veterans, said the Army has taken a hard line on many of these cases.

"Usually the only way that someone can get out of the deployment or get out of the military due to a family hardship is if they get into a situation where the kids will be put into foster care," Tarantino said.

"That's how serious it has to be, and I'm sure what the military is telling her -- and I'm not saying that this is exactly the right answer -- but the fact that it is inconvenient for her husband's job is not the military's problem. It's very harsh."




 

120 comments (Latest Comment: 03/04/2009 04:15:50 by livingonli)
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Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 13:26:11
First? Good morning.



I will be watching Ms. Pagen's story -- It is just heartbreaking that those kids may end up in Foster care.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 13:29:19
Morning :hug:

Comment by BobR on 03/03/2009 13:41:20
morning.



I head into the office this morning to clean out my cubicle and have my exit interview.



yay.



Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 14:01:34
Quote by BobR:

morning.



I head into the office this morning to clean out my cubicle and have my exit interview.



yay.





I hope you say soumething about the manner inwhich you received your notice. What that manager did was cowardly. Serious, if your gonna lay someone off then at least give them the respect they deserve.



Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 14:10:21
Quote by wickedpam:

I hope you say soumething about the manner inwhich you received your notice. What that manager did was cowardly. Serious, if your gonna lay someone off then at least give them the respect they deserve.



Amen to that, Mala.

Comment by TriSec on 03/03/2009 14:11:00
Quote by BobR:

morning.



I head into the office this morning to clean out my cubicle and have my exit interview.



yay.





At least they let you do that. I was escorted out in shame; they shipped my belongings to me.





Comment by TriSec on 03/03/2009 14:14:02
I've been tempted to send an anonymous "whistle-blower" letter to the director of the department. There's so much going wrong there, and I'm certain the manager is the cause.





Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 14:18:08
Quote by TriSec:

Quote by BobR:

morning.



I head into the office this morning to clean out my cubicle and have my exit interview.



yay.





At least they let you do that. I was escorted out in shame; they shipped my belongings to me.









Geez, that's just wrong on so many levels too.



Comment by TriSec on 03/03/2009 14:25:11
Hmm....I just got another sales job lead. Apparently being a longtime Customer Service dude has some transferrable skills after all....





Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 14:26:47
Wow. I am just amazed at the fear that they have regarding Rush.

Comment by Random on 03/03/2009 14:31:23
Hm...it is now no longer in doubt. Fat Gas Bag is in charge of the Republican party

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 14:39:08
Hey Random! Good Morning!

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 14:47:44
Quote by BobR:

morning.



I head into the office this morning to clean out my cubicle and have my exit interview.



yay.





Ummm....what the hell did I miss?



Comment by Random on 03/03/2009 14:49:38
Quote by Raine:

Hey Random! Good Morning!


Mornin Raine.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 14:51:35
Morning guys! :hug:

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 14:56:09
Morning all.



One could only wonder how things would be if that money had gone back into the American economy over the past 6 years.




Oh Tri..... you hit the nail on the head here. Damn. That's a load of money that could be spent on schools, building our infrastructure, not to mention HEALTH CARE!!. *sigh*



Velveeta's wife is not too good. Someone has broken her!! :cry:



And to top it off her iBook finally died and I must get her a new (refurbished) MacBook so she can be online. With her being so down, her computer has been an important communication tool.



And my friend BobR has to clean his cubicle........ (picturing Dilbert now). :cry:



Anyway....... those are my complaints today.......... back to the fun. I'll suck it up.













Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 14:59:04
Oasis banned from performing in China..



Well then they don't know what they're missing. Not to mention, nice segue!





Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 15:03:21
Nebraska man put 6 mo. old kitten INSIDE his bong and smoked pot WHILE IT WAS IN THERE.



Okay now this is just wrong. Not to mention it'll be used as an excuse to keep weed illegal.

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 15:06:20
Quote by velveeta jones:



Velveeta's wife is not too good. Someone has broken her!! :cry:



And to top it off her iBook finally died and I must get her a new (refurbished) MacBook so she can be online. With her being so down, her computer has been an important communication tool.



And my friend BobR has to clean his cubicle........ (picturing Dilbert now). :cry:











:: contagious cry a la crying baby airlines :: ------> :cry:



Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 15:08:32
Sorry Starling...... didn't mean to spread the angst!

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 15:11:29
Quote by velveeta jones:

Sorry Starling...... didn't mean to spread the angst!




No problem. It's like when babies cry in solidarity with one another.

What happened to Bobber?

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:13:01
I just left Bob a message on his phone... told him to remember to keep the red stapler... :P

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:14:37
Quote by starling310:

Quote by velveeta jones:

Sorry Starling...... didn't mean to spread the angst!




No problem. It's like when babies cry in solidarity with one another.

What happened to Bobber?


Bobber had one door closed this week...



Sunday, on the way home from our Fabulous NYC trek, his boss called... he has been laid off.

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 15:16:41
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Quote by velveeta jones:

Sorry Starling...... didn't mean to spread the angst!




No problem. It's like when babies cry in solidarity with one another.

What happened to Bobber?


Bobber had one door closed this week...



Sunday, on the way home from our Fabulous NYC trek, his boss called... he has been laid off.




God D*mn B*tch A** M*ther F*ckin' Sh*t!!!







-----> <------

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:16:58
Quote by velveeta jones:

Velveeta's wife is not too good. Someone has broken her!! :cry:



And to top it off her iBook finally died and I must get her a new (refurbished) MacBook so she can be online. With her being so down, her computer has been an important communication tool.



And my friend BobR has to clean his cubicle........ (picturing Dilbert now). :cry:



Anyway....... those are my complaints today.......... back to the fun. I'll suck it up.



I will keep an eye peeled for good deals. I know how important it is to have a computer these days, especially for Auntie. :hug:



We will get thru this! ALL OF US!

Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 15:19:17
:hug:'s all around!!!!!

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:20:10
Quote by starling310:



God D*mn B*tch A** M*ther F*ckin' Sh*t!!!







-----> <------ :nerd:
What burns my bunch is that they did it over the phone, on a Sunday WHILE he was on vacation.



His boss said he didn't know how long he was going to be away -- even thos the BOSS signed off on the vacation



Fuckers.



But Bob keeps saying it doesn't pay to dwell, I guess he is right. I just hate how they treated him.



Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:21:47
-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.

Comment by Random on 03/03/2009 15:22:43
hm...

Well...good for you Scott...I do wonder what the point of his call was...

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 15:25:54
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:



God D*mn B*tch A** M*ther F*ckin' Sh*t!!!







-----> <------ :nerd:
What burns my bunch is that they did it over the phone, on a Sunday WHILE he was on vacation.



His boss said he didn't know how long he was going to be away -- even thos the BOSS signed off on the vacation



Fuckers.



But Bob keeps saying it doesn't pay to dwell, I guess he is right. I just hate how they treated him.





That is really crappy! You guys have each other and that makes a HUGE difference!



Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:28:33
Is this Scott again?

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:29:52
Quote by starling310:

That is really crappy! You guys have each other and that makes a HUGE difference!


And we have an incredible network of friends. It makes all the difference in the world.

Comment by Random on 03/03/2009 15:30:22
Scott was back.



Why does he keep calling?

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 15:30:52
Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.




They are hiring where Velveeta lives, btw. Big ad on the teevee this am about a company that does ..... telemarketing? or something similar and hiring Customer Service people. I would assume they need tech guys/gals as well.



And...... there's a house on the market 3 houses down from me! ;)



Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 15:41:37
OMG you guys! I had a sex dream about Michelle Obama!



Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 15:41:52
I would say come up to my area 'cuz I don't really have too many friends here in RI, but it's quiet possibly the shittiest job environment in the country right now (aside from say.. Michigan).

Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 15:46:04
Good morning everyone. :coffee2:



Can Scott just go away already? Do we need to be "entertained" by his neo-Nazi screeds?

Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 15:50:49
Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.






sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *

Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 15:53:39
Quote by TriSec:

I've been tempted to send an anonymous "whistle-blower" letter to the director of the department. There's so much going wrong there, and I'm certain the manager is the cause.





That might not be such a bad idea.

Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 15:54:35
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.






sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *


How much are apartments renting for in the DC area these days?

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:56:25
Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 15:58:39
Auntie will soon (in about 4 days) be able to join you online........ refurbished MacBook is on the way for her. :clap:



And, we'll be dining on rice and beans for quite awhile. :kickcan:

Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 15:58:46
Quote by Raine:

Ewww?????


Pardon me for sayin' this, but she kinda looks like Bill Clinton's type :lol:

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:58:48
Quote by wickedpam:

sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *
It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)







Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 15:59:14
Quote by Scoopster:

Quote by Raine:

Ewww?????


Pardon me for sayin' this, but she kinda looks like Bill Clinton's type :lol:


:spit:

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 16:00:18
Quote by velveeta jones:

Auntie will soon (in about 4 days) be able to join you online........ refurbished MacBook is on the way for her. :clap:



And, we'll be dining on rice and beans for quite awhile. :kickcan:


:clap: for the Mac Book.



:( for the Rice and beans. What happened that made the old one die?

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 16:01:21
Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.




They are hiring where Velveeta lives, btw. Big ad on the teevee this am about a company that does ..... telemarketing? or something similar and hiring Customer Service people. I would assume they need tech guys/gals as well.



And...... there's a house on the market 3 houses down from me! ;)

I really loved where you lived... Iffin you can find the name of the company, we would surely look into it!



Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 16:02:15
Quote by starling310:

OMG you guys! I had a sex dream about Michelle Obama!



Wowser!



I have been having dreams about Obama... I don't think they were sex dreams tho... That is awesome tho! She is hella sexy.

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 16:03:07
Quote by Random:

Scott was back.



Why does he keep calling?


He is pompous and self important?

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 16:05:25
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

OMG you guys! I had a sex dream about Michelle Obama!



Wowser!



I have been having dreams about Obama... I don't think they were sex dreams tho... That is awesome tho! She is hella sexy.




It wasn't a "graphic" dream, but we were dating or something... there was kissing in the kitchen whilst cooking togther. YIKES! I'm sorry Michelle...



Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 16:06:28
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.






sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *


How much are apartments renting for in the DC area these days?




depends on where you are - inside the beltway is alway more expense then outside - check out apartments.com to hunt around the area. There are also a lot of homes for rent but you have to be careful they don't foreclose on the house.







Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 16:07:23
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *
It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)













(for purely self reasons )

Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 16:09:00
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *
It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)













(for purely self reasons )


Just hope it may be a good location for a blog meet-up.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 16:09:27
Quote by velveeta jones:

Auntie will soon (in about 4 days) be able to join you online........ refurbished MacBook is on the way for her. :clap:



And, we'll be dining on rice and beans for quite awhile. :kickcan:






I have a recipe at home for pasta, proscutto and peas at home if you'd like me to send it along - tis very good :)



Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 16:28:13
AIG should give those pieces to a street vendor in New York. They could sell stuff no problem!



Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 16:35:47
Quote by starling310:

OMG you guys! I had a sex dream about Michelle Obama!



Do tell........

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 16:36:35
Quote by Raine:

Quote by velveeta jones:

Auntie will soon (in about 4 days) be able to join you online........ refurbished MacBook is on the way for her. :clap:



And, we'll be dining on rice and beans for quite awhile. :kickcan:


:clap: for the Mac Book.



:( for the Rice and beans. What happened that made the old one die?


Old age?



I bought the iBook used in 2004, so it did a good job!

Comment by Random on 03/03/2009 16:37:55
Quote by starling310:

OMG you guys! I had a sex dream about Michelle Obama!



That really does fall in that weird area of TMI and NEI. Creepy.

Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 16:39:53
How about I get a cut of the bank bailout so I can pay off my debt and be able to live again. That would help stimulate the economy.

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 16:45:29
Wow...he's sueing California on Thursday. All I have planned for Thursday is a hair cut.



Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 16:58:05
OMG........ this caller is in a group of people that need to be taken out and shot! WOW! :rolleyes:

Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 16:58:07
ummm - who is this?



people's votes do not overturn supreme court (state or otherwise) decisions - it is a check and balance on the system

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/03/2009 16:59:16
Quote by Raine:

Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.




They are hiring where Velveeta lives, btw. Big ad on the teevee this am about a company that does ..... telemarketing? or something similar and hiring Customer Service people. I would assume they need tech guys/gals as well.



And...... there's a house on the market 3 houses down from me! ;)

I really loved where you lived... Iffin you can find the name of the company, we would surely look into it!



Check your PM on the crack.

Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 17:02:31
Are the right-wing callers to momma getting extra crazy? I blame it on Scott, he's brought them all out of the woodwork.

Comment by Random on 03/03/2009 17:09:25
Quote by livingonli:

Are the right-wing callers to momma getting extra crazy? I blame it on Scott, he's brought them all out of the woodwork.


but...but...Scott's sooo fun to listen too.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 17:09:29
Hello all. Coming to Jacksonville: SPINAL TAP! :metal: :metal:

Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 17:10:53
For Scott:





Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 17:11:33
Quote by starling310:

Wow...he's sueing California on Thursday. All I have planned for Thursday is a hair cut.





:Eddie Izzard: I'd love to see his diary. Sue. Sue. Sue. I can barely get down to the gym!

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 17:18:17
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by livingonli:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.






sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *


How much are apartments renting for in the DC area these days?




depends on where you are - inside the beltway is alway more expense then outside - check out apartments.com to hunt around the area. There are also a lot of homes for rent but you have to be careful they don't foreclose on the house.









Ohhh I know I know! My friend who is on a six month assignment in DC with :Name of agency redacted: is paying 3,700 dollars a month for a studio apartment! But that is on Capitol Hill. Since that is being paid for by his :agency redated: per diem, I feel we as tax payers are putting him up in such nice digs. We as a blog meet should crash there for the weekend!

Comment by TriSec on 03/03/2009 17:23:09
My unemployment check just arrived!



:kickcan: <--- for being out of work

<-- for hitting the safety net before we burned through all our savings

Comment by TriSec on 03/03/2009 17:25:29
Quote by Raine:

It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)









Somewhere within a day's drive of Boston would be good!



Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 17:29:12
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by livingonli:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

-- And as I alluded to yesterday in the blog, we are fortunate in that we can go wherever a job presents itself. This could be a great thing for us. We had a five year plan, it just may be that it is moved up. you have to try to look at the bright side of these things.






sooooo - DC might be an area ya'll would consider????? *plots ways to have friends move closer *


How much are apartments renting for in the DC area these days?




depends on where you are - inside the beltway is alway more expense then outside - check out apartments.com to hunt around the area. There are also a lot of homes for rent but you have to be careful they don't foreclose on the house.









Ohhh I know I know! My friend who is on a six month assignment in DC with :Name of agency redacted: is paying 3,700 dollars a month for a studio apartment! But that is on Capitol Hill. Since that is being paid for by his :agency redated: per diem, I feel we as tax payers are putting him up in such nice digs. We as a blog meet should crash there for the weekend!






Capital Hill is like one of the nicer areas in DC - though I think Gerogetown is more sought after. 3700 compared to NYC rents though - what a savings ;)



Step outside the city and there are even better rents in both VA and MD



Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 17:30:57
Quote by TriSec:

Quote by Raine:

It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)









Somewhere within a day's drive of Boston would be good!



If I go out in the old jalopy, I would just need a place to crash. So best bet would be in the Boston-DC corridor.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 17:31:44
Quote by TriSec:

Quote by Raine:

It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)



Somewhere within a day's drive of Boston would be good!



We could start a bloggie commune..

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 17:35:33
Umm guys. Lisa Pagan was discharged yesterday. I saw a wire service story on yesterday evening. Here is something from the AJC

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 17:42:08
Quote by Scoopster:

Quote by TriSec:

Quote by Raine:

It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)



Somewhere within a day's drive of Boston would be good!



We could start a bloggie commune..




The scene: The blog commune kitchen.



The players: Mondo, a cranky man.

Scoopster: A gamer



Mondo: Scoop do you know who ate all my Fruit Loop?

Scoop: Ah, those were yours?

Mondo: Didn't you see my name written on the box? : points to Sharpie marked name on box:

Scoop: Dude! I'm sorry. I was playing FFVI and I got a little back, you had the munchies.



and scene!



: Scoop and Mondo claps hands, bow:

Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 17:45:17
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by TriSec:

Quote by Raine:

It's on the list of possibilities, actually.



We want to stay on the east coast, that is pretty much our criteria. (and hopefully a progressive area.)









Somewhere within a day's drive of Boston would be good!



If I go out in the old jalopy, I would just need a place to crash. So best bet would be in the Boston-DC corridor.




you never know what you will find until you look ;)



Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 18:00:16
Mondo, you only eat one Fruit Loop at a time? A whole bowl of Fruit Loops is more filling ;)

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 18:14:53
Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 18:16:47
I love the idea of a bloggie commune. Considering what I pay for rent and I live alone the cost savings would make it worth it.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 18:17:02
Quote by wickedpam:

Mondo, you only eat one Fruit Loop at a time? A whole bowl of Fruit Loops is more filling ;)




Loop, damnit, LOOPS!

Comment by TriSec on 03/03/2009 18:33:01
Ah well....not much else to do until Javi gets off the bus. Guess I'll head over to the flying field.



Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 18:37:00
And I have to go get some soup and chips.

Comment by starling310 on 03/03/2009 18:48:40
Uncle Jack and I have something in common:

My Crush on Michelle Obama

Comment by wickedpam on 03/03/2009 18:55:43
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Mondo, you only eat one Fruit Loop at a time? A whole bowl of Fruit Loops is more filling ;)




Loop, damnit, LOOPS!






:rofl: Thank you I needed that :lol:

Comment by MMB on 03/03/2009 19:26:34
My cousin Chelsea has a girlfriend that works at the Pentagon they pay 3800 for a 2 bedroom very fancy apt. It is in Alexandria, Va. The apt. has a spa, resturant and lots of foo foo things. Part of the girlfriend's rent is subsidized by the military. My cousin said the view from the 7th floor is great.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 19:35:08
As much as I dislike Andy Stern... this one's right on.





Comment by TriSec on 03/03/2009 19:56:22
Well, a loverly flight down to Block Island in the ol' Turbo Mentor (Beech T-34).





Comment by BobR on 03/03/2009 20:39:54
I would LOVE to live in DC, but these comments about the rent are a little scary. I would definitely need to earn more than I am making now.

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 20:44:21
Ok, let me get this straight... Nancy Skinner is already airing repeats? Are you effing kidding me?



Time to find something else. *sigh* I really miss Randi. BADLY.

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 20:47:17
Quote by Mondobubba:

Umm guys. Lisa Pagan was discharged yesterday. I saw a wire service story on yesterday evening. Here is something from the AJC
That is great news!



Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 21:15:17
Quote by Raine:

Ok, let me get this straight... Nancy Skinner is already airing repeats? Are you effing kidding me?



Time to find something else. *sigh* I really miss Randi. BADLY.


Maybe you need to try Breakroom Live.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/03/2009 21:23:41
It's time for an amendment to the Constitution to limit or abolish Executive Orders.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 21:48:05
Quote by BobR:

I would LOVE to live in DC, but these comments about the rent are a little scary. I would definitely need to earn more than I am making now.






Fer sure, Bobber. Its on my list of places, but I don't (no offense Mala) live in Prince William or Louden Counties if I chose NoVa has my base of operations, same thing with out MoCo or God give me strength Fredneck county in Maryland.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 21:48:59
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by BobR:

I would LOVE to live in DC, but these comments about the rent are a little scary. I would definitely need to earn more than I am making now.






Fer sure, Bobber. Its on my list of places, but I don't (no offense Mala) want live in Prince William or Louden Counties if I chose NoVa has my base of operations, same thing with outer MoCo or God give me strength Fredneck county in Maryland.




Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 22:17:13
Can anyone out here make a pdf from a word doc?

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 22:21:53
Quote by Raine:

Can anyone out here make a pdf from a word doc?




Yeah I can. Since I am cool, cutting edge kinda guy with the Open Office Suite, I can covert from .doc to .pdf. Yes I am awesome!

Comment by Random on 03/03/2009 22:23:10
Hello everyones.

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 22:24:14
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Can anyone out here make a pdf from a word doc?




Yeah I can. Since I am cool, cutting edge kinda guy with the Open Office Suite, I can covert from .doc to .pdf. Yes I am awesome!
Cool, I can use a little help... Will be emailing you.



My acrobat is just not up to snuff.



Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 22:34:49
Hi Random.

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 22:40:48
Quote by Random:

Hello everyones.


Hola M'dear.



How are you?

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/03/2009 22:43:59
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Can anyone out here make a pdf from a word doc?




Yeah I can. Since I am cool, cutting edge kinda guy with the Open Office Suite, I can covert from .doc to .pdf. Yes I am awesome!
Cool, I can use a little help... Will be emailing you.



My acrobat is just not up to snuff.





Open source rules! (:pokes: Random, waits for smoting)

Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 22:57:33
Forget the first email I sent Mondo... the second one is the one I need... iffin that is ok.

Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 23:01:18
The first chance I had to check my e-mail today and I had 103 messages.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 03/03/2009 23:14:04
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Random:

Scott was back.



Why does he keep calling?


He is pompous and self important?




My wife thinks he called WBZ early this morning with the same anti-semitic stuff only a bit more virulent - earned hisself a "lifetime ban"



Comment by livingonli on 03/03/2009 23:39:58
Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 23:41:08
Quote by trojanrabbit:

My wife thinks he called WBZ early this morning with the same anti-semitic stuff only a bit more virulent - earned hisself a "lifetime ban"
I hope that happens a little more. He really spews serious hate talk, if you ask me.



Comment by Raine on 03/03/2009 23:50:37
That was really quite interesting.



It now makes more sense to me that Anna Marie Cox has ended up with AAR. She is much more of a new media type person. That said, I really have to wonder where AAR will be in a year.



As long as I can get Momma, Thom (and hopefully Randi Again) I will be happy.



Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2009 00:04:31
I do wonder where Air America Media will be in a year. Except for Ring of Fire there is nothing left on the radio end. The only things they have are the web based video projects like Grit TV and Break Room Live.

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2009 00:07:55
BTW, Momma will be on Larry King tonight.

Comment by BobR on 03/04/2009 00:12:45
Comment by trojanrabbit on 03/04/2009 01:04:52
Hmmm..



Both cats are in bed. They must be trying to tell us something.

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2009 01:19:24
It seems like the more Rush attacks, the higher Obama's numbers go up.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/04/2009 01:47:10
Hello, bloggers!! Excellent post Tri-Sec!



Here is some news on 1190 KNUV and On Second Thought, LLC -- the successor to Nova M Radio -- from the Phoenix New Times. (The article ran late yesterday.)



The Curse of Randi Rhodes: Nova M's Successor "On Second Thought" Padlocked in Phoenix (w/Update)

By Stephen Lemons in Feathered Bastard



http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/lockeddoors.jpg




talk radio enterprise Nova M. Photo taken this afternoon.



I'd been tipped off that KNUV 1190 AM, formerly the flagship station of the liberal Nova M radio network, and briefly, the home of Nova M's successor network, On Second Thought, had been padlocked. So I had to see for myself, as On Second Thought's driving force, Mike Newcomb, was apparently doing his afternoon show today as usual. At least, that's the way it sounded to someone who's not a regular listener of Newcomb's show.



But as you can see from the photo above, 1190 AM's offices are indeed chained up. The security guard for the building told me that the padlocking occurred today. When I asked why, he shrugged and said, "Something to do with the rent."









Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2009 01:53:18
So Hannity uses a football coach as his advisor on science.



Sounds like 1190's problems are why Nancy Skinner was a repeat. If Malloy is a repeat tonight, I suspect it will be for the same reason.

Comment by TriSec on 03/04/2009 02:01:47
Evening folks. Quiet night.....



I picked up another interview tomorrow am, for a company called "Healthsmart". Never heard of them. But that doesn't mean they won't be a good place to work.





Comment by Mondobubba on 03/04/2009 02:02:14
:rofl: Musto called the Bachelor Dude a douche nozzle!

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2009 02:08:49
Malloy is a repeat tonight. Reading the Phoenix New Times article makes me wonder if On Second Thought can survive If that happens, I hope someone can keep Malloy's show going.

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2009 04:15:50
Sandra Day O'Connor on The Daily Show. WTF?