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Emanuel de Witte, "Interior with a Woman Playing a Virginal" (c. 1660)

Posted by: rdbrewer at 08:55 AM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Woman playing a virgin???

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 08:52 AM (t2KH5)

2 A woman playing with a virgin?


I saw a movie that started like that once...

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at September 29, 2015 08:52 AM (gW5Vg)

3 Is that code for a crank up vibrator?



Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 08:53 AM (jJRIy)

4 Barack Obama is a SCOAMT.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 08:53 AM (kff5f)

5 Burn it down.
Scatter the stones.
Salt the earth where it stood.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 08:53 AM (kff5f)

6 Why didn't they just say a harpsichord?

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 08:54 AM (t2KH5)

7 Fvck the Amish.

Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 08:54 AM (jJRIy)

8 she wasn't playing virginal last night.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at September 29, 2015 08:54 AM (0O7c5)

9 There's a women playing curling in the background.

Posted by: Bruce at September 29, 2015 08:54 AM (8ikIW)

10 Huh. WSJ seems to have gotten wise to the trick of redirecting people to Google results for their articles - I'm still getting pay-walled by the link in the sidebar.

Granted that it is not a flat tax, how do we feel (hypothetically) about Trump's 0/10/15/25 plan? I can't get to the article, but the sidebar seems to suggest that some of the "complexity" (read: deductions, penalties, etc.) will be going away.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 08:55 AM (kff5f)

11 6 Why didn't they just say a harpsichord?

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 08:54 AM (t2KH5)



Cause that wouldn't have been all cultured and artistic and shit.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at September 29, 2015 08:55 AM (gW5Vg)

12 I've known a few women who played virgins.

For me, anyway.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 08:55 AM (oVJmc)

13 10
When are we going to get a Leroy Neiman Sports Painting?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 08:54 AM (gf8BH)
or a red skelton clown celebrity painting?

Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at September 29, 2015 08:55 AM (0O7c5)

14 What's with the sword on the chair to the left? And the bed hidden?



Something is up I tell you.

Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 08:55 AM (jJRIy)

15 Looks like she woke the ol' man up. I hope Waldo isn't in there with him.

Posted by: dartist at September 29, 2015 08:56 AM (J/n2N)

16 Something is up I tell you.

Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 08:55 AM (jJRIy)


Or was the night before IYKWIM.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 08:56 AM (kff5f)

17 11 Granted that it is not a flat tax, how do we feel
(hypothetically) about Trump's 0/10/15/25 plan? I can't get to the
article, but the sidebar seems to suggest that some of the "complexity"
(read: deductions, penalties, etc.) will be going away.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 08:55 AM (kff5f)

I have a link on the morning thread to his plan.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 08:57 AM (t2KH5)

18 What about the woman sweeping???

Posted by: Lea at September 29, 2015 08:57 AM (lIU4e)

19 Radio says McCarthy vows to 'change the culture of Washington' if elected Speaker.

HE IS THE CULTURE IN WASHINGTON!

Sheesh.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 08:57 AM (oVJmc)

20 Playing the Virginal is a skill well developed in Islamic lands.

Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 08:59 AM (TxJGV)

21 She must be playing "Reveille" for whoever that is in bed.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 08:59 AM (LUgeY)

22 Painting: Looks like she is reading the news on the computer to me.

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 09:01 AM (Espnc)

23 Bobby Jindal is going to be on teh podcast. Does he know what he's getting into?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 09:02 AM (LUgeY)

24 That's me in about 10 years.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 09:04 AM (1Zmfg)

25 23 He was the hand picked successor to the orange man,I mean,what else can we expect?

Posted by: steevy at September 29, 2015 09:05 AM (sPO3u)

26 A better title:

"Creepy Old Woman Hiding in the Bed Curtains to Assault Sweet Young Thang or

Tuesday Night at Hillary!'s"



Posted by: naturalfake at September 29, 2015 09:05 AM (KUa85)

27
Painted in Vermeer's 2nd bedroom, somewhere in Delft?

Posted by: GBruno at September 29, 2015 09:05 AM (u49WF)

28 Dude in bed has a massive hangover (note the ice pack on his head) and is pleading for her to stop with all the racket. Dog is sleeping comfortably.

Posted by: Snoodling World Champion 1997 at September 29, 2015 09:05 AM (k9qR4)

29  Bobby Jindal is going to be on teh podcast. Does he know what he's getting into?Posted by: BackwardsBoy 

---

Carly surged after her appearance. Bobby probably wants to rub the magic lantern as well.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 09:06 AM (1Zmfg)

30 The gang going to give Jindal the AOS Podcast bump?

Posted by: joe at September 29, 2015 09:06 AM (KUaJL)

31 I have a link on the morning thread to his plan.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 08:57 AM (t2KH5)


Huh. Based on that snippet there's not a whole lot to hate about it. It's not a flat tax, but I think in the current climate that's almost (but only almost) as much of a fever-dream as a national sales tax. I'm not sure what monkeying with the carried interest piece would do - it'll tick of George Soros and Warren Buffet, though, so I can probably live with it. And I'm a huge fan of getting rid of the estate tax.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:06 AM (kff5f)

32 alt title. 'Dirge For Plague Carriers in A minor '

Posted by: Mortimer at September 29, 2015 09:06 AM (0dcbp)

33 That sure is a funny lookin' kitchen.

Posted by: Sam Mitch at September 29, 2015 09:06 AM (iIVyq)

34 McCarthy IS the problem and I never heard as much bullshit as when he talks
---------------------------------------------------

And he sounds like he can barely stick two sentences together. I could hardly figure what he was saying, except he obviously wanted to speak Washington-speak and say as little as possible.

They go to all the trouble of kicking out Boehner, a bad politician and a crypto-Democrat, only to replace him with his best buddy, and he's basically inarticulate? WTF?

Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 09:07 AM (TxJGV)

35
Emanuel de Witte, "Shotgun Shack of the Rich" (c. 1660)

Posted by: naturalfake at September 29, 2015 09:07 AM (KUa85)

36 20's showing on the weather map this morning! Heading East!

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 09:08 AM (Espnc)

37 All you need to know about Kevin McCarthy.


http://tinyurl.com/oxspqv3

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 09:08 AM (fWAjv)

38 Nothing so perfectly illustrates the contempt that party leadership has for us than a member of party leadership running for Speaker telling us he's an outsider.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 09:08 AM (oVJmc)

39 Looks like Vermeer and de Witte shared a studio. Had no idea the place was so big.

As for the woman sweeping, I think she's there to draw the eye toward the vanishing point of the picture. I also think she's nice and quiet, and not disturbing the gentleman with the morning head.

Posted by: Annalucia at September 29, 2015 09:09 AM (a5bF3)

40
What about the woman sweeping???

Posted by: Lea at September 29, 2015 08:57 AM (lIU4e)







That's the sniper. Clever disguise, yes?

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at September 29, 2015 09:09 AM (UBLhq)

41 26
Bobby Jindal is going to be on teh podcast. Does he know what he's getting into?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 09:02 AM (LUgeY)

Ace promised him another 7-11.

I denounce myself.

Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 09:10 AM (jJRIy)

42 And I'm a huge fan of getting rid of the estate tax.

And I want the death tax to die. DT said that's a double tax, as everyone knows.

This Trump fellow is sounding better and better all the time to me. He just keeps bringing up solutions to the problems we all see because of Fedzilla.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 09:10 AM (LUgeY)

43 They go to all the trouble of kicking out Boehner, a bad politician and a crypto-Democrat, only to replace him with his best buddy, and he's basically inarticulate?

I'm still shaking my head at the idiocy of the Republican Party nominating a man named "McCarthy" for Speaker of the House.

Sure, you and I know that McCarthy was a senator, but most Americans probably don't. You and I know that McCarthy was mostly correct, but most Americans don't. You and I know the *last* thing this McCarthy would try to do is root out "political enemies" (you'll never hear the word "communists") from government, but most Americans don't.

For a party which claims to care so much about what people will think of them and that their hands are tied because of mean things the MFM will say about them, they sure seem oblivious to the PR nightmare they're courting here.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:10 AM (kff5f)

44 Emanuel de Witte, "Shotgun Shack of the Rich" (c. 1660)





Posted by: naturalfake

Is that anything like a Stabbin' Cabin?

Posted by: Bruce at September 29, 2015 09:11 AM (8ikIW)

45 Right now, it sure seems to me that we are putting out the welcome mat for the darkness.


China is facing a Great Depression , an excess male population, a
resurging Communist party and is building gun/missile islands around
it's perimeter. And stealth ships. Lots and lots of stealth ships.

The Russian bear is growling and prowling, it's
chief export is American corporation-targeting malware and it's
drug-addicted, alcoholic population is ripe for for a nationalistic
expedition to reclaim Mother Russia's glory.

America's boot
licking Coward in Chief has impoverished, attacked and disarmed the once-strong nation,
showcased and praised the deviant, and handed nukes to madmen, all while presenting his bare buttocks to
the country that allowed him to become anything more than a small-time
Honolulu drug pusher.



1660 sounds pretty good, plague notwithstanding.

Posted by: Mortimer at September 29, 2015 09:12 AM (0dcbp)

46
Trump just killed his Republican opponents.

Posted by: Soothie at September 29, 2015 09:12 AM (H9gvv)

47 Always liked Dutch paintings from around that time. Tons of little details in surprisingly small paintings. Here's one from an early moron meetup.

http://tinyurl.com/nrxe6ob

Posted by: dartist at September 29, 2015 09:13 AM (J/n2N)

48 1660 sounds pretty good, plague notwithstanding.

Posted by: Mortimer at September 29, 2015 09:12 AM (0dcbp)


Tail end of the 30 Years War? I can think of better times to live.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:13 AM (kff5f)

49
All you need to know about Kevin McCarthy.


http://tinyurl.com/oxspqv3

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 09:08 AM (fWAjv)








Two abject losers and a monosyllabic, crypto-Donk.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at September 29, 2015 09:13 AM (UBLhq)

50 I shall rename this painting, "Oh My, It's Full of Phallic Imagery"


subtitled- "sheathed sword, chair legs, bedposts, columns, chandeliers and she's playing an organ for cryin' out loud!"

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at September 29, 2015 09:14 AM (NeFrd)

51 HE IS THE CULTURE IN WASHINGTON!

Sheesh.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 08:57 AM (oVJmc)

If they elect him, it just means that they want to keep the same old gravy train on the tracks for as long as they can and it means they still think we're collectively, idiots who can be deceived and manipulated to their will.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 09:14 AM (BZAd3)

52 Someone needs to ask Paul Ryan if he still identifies with those guys and if he considers them "conservative."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:14 AM (kff5f)

53 Is she playing some Barry White while they are doing the nasty on the bed?

You can see one person on the bed, which I am assuming is a female, and the male's clothing in the chair. This is actually is rather risque portrait.

Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 09:15 AM (rsudF)

54 That painting is also a "spot the kitteh" and "spot the doggeh" puzzle! I don't see any snip...

Posted by: andycanuck at September 29, 2015 09:15 AM (Aw1ge)

55 Is Matt Damon playing a straight or gay astronaut in the movie The Martian?

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 09:16 AM (014lE)

56 Dirty filthy traitorous criminal cocksuckers. That's your GOP.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at September 29, 2015 09:16 AM (u5gzz)

57 Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:10 AM (kff5f)
-----------------------------------------------

I'll bet they never thought of this, I sure didn't, but of course you're right. One more reason not to vote for this POS.

Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 09:16 AM (TxJGV)

58 McCarthy - Just like Obama in 2012, running against DC.
Yeah, right.


>>And these idiots run our Foreign Policy? My Fuckin G-D

Why do they always play stupid? No one is that stupid, yet we're supposed to believe "Oopsie, our mistake!! Whattare ya gonna do?" again and again.


Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:17 AM (NOIQH)

59 Two abject losers and a monosyllabic, crypto-Donk.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at September 29, 2015 09:13 AM (UBLhq)

A New Generation of Conservative Leaders my ass.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 09:17 AM (fWAjv)

60 THOSE FLOORS BETTER BE SPOTLESS, JUANITA!11!

Posted by: Bigby's Atomic Elbow at September 29, 2015 09:17 AM (3ZtZW)

61 Is Matt Damon playing a straight or gay astronaut in the movie The Martian?

Xe is playing an auto-erotic asexual you cis-bigot!

~SJWs everywhere

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:17 AM (kff5f)

62 My wife always yells at me when I leave my sword on the bedroom chair.

Posted by: Citizen Cake at September 29, 2015 09:17 AM (ppaKI)

63 40
All you need to know about Kevin McCarthy.





http://tinyurl.com/oxspqv3

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 09:08 AM (fWAjv)


Yeah, he's real conservative. ACU rating of 72. Pure RINO

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 09:18 AM (t2KH5)

64 You can see one person on the bed, which I am assuming is a female, and the male's clothing in the chair. This is actually is rather risque portrait.

I've hear of "sword and sandals" before, but "sword and slippers?" She must be a real firecracker in the sack.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 09:18 AM (LUgeY)

65 I'll bet they never thought of this, I sure didn't, but of course you're right. One more reason not to vote for this POS.

If they didn't think of it, they're even bigger idiots than I thought.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:18 AM (kff5f)

66 There's a sword on the chair and a face under the canopy. Methinks there is something afoot.

Posted by: Fritz at September 29, 2015 09:18 AM (UzPAd)

67 The latest from Judicial Watch: Yep, Cheryl Mills was passing classified docs to the Clinton Foundation. They have email (s) where she forwarded a report by an analyst on the Republic of Congo, along w/her added talking points, to them to assist Bill in preparing for a visit there.

The State Dept *was* the Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Foundation *was* the State Dept. for four freakin' years.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:19 AM (NOIQH)

68 Methinks there is something afoot.

Kinky.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:19 AM (kff5f)

69 58 Is Matt Damon playing a straight or gay astronaut in the movie The Martian?
-----------------------------------------

Must everyone be one or the other? Why can't he be trans? Or, asexual? All over America people are offended by this question everyday; have you no conscience, no heart?!

Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 09:19 AM (TxJGV)

70 The State Dept *was* the Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Foundation *was* the State Dept. for four freakin' years.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:19 AM (NOIQH)


And, showing their serious commitment to law and justice, the Republicans will do precisely nothing.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (kff5f)

71 71 Methinks there is something afoot.

------------------

Kinky.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:19 AM (kff5f)



Oh yeah.

Posted by: Rex Ryan at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (gW5Vg)

72 The chamber pot is full of micro aggression.

Posted by: Citizen Cake at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (ppaKI)

73 Oh, I thought this was bad news, but not so much.

Remember the big boobed Albanian girl Enki Bracaj who supposedly got her TV job by auditioning with her hooters nearly falling out of her jacket? She's been suspended.

I had guessed it was upper management prudery, but no she can have her job back after a time out if she quits bitching about everything.

Also, it seems to be the practics of Zjarr TV that all of the female presenters wear a sportcoat and nothing under it.

http://bit.ly/1PLp467

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (JtwS4)

74 Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (JtwS4)

I approve of this story.

I'm going to go read it. In depth. Again.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:21 AM (kff5f)

75 more cow bell!!! more virginal!!!

Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at September 29, 2015 09:22 AM (0O7c5)

76 Tail end of the 30 Years War? I can think of better times to live.

Versus the opening salvos of the 1000 Year War.

Yeah, tough call.

Posted by: Mortimer at September 29, 2015 09:22 AM (0dcbp)

77 Also, it seems to be the practics of Zjarr TV that all of the female presenters wear a sportcoat and nothing under it.

http://bit.ly/1PLp467

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (JtwS4)



Fox News should jump on this idea.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at September 29, 2015 09:22 AM (gW5Vg)

78 The question is moot.

Posted by: $18,158,029,262,124.93 at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (evdj2)

79 Here's the story on Mills:

http://freebeacon.com/politics/
clinton-aide-shared-classified-information-with-foundation-email-shows/

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (NOIQH)

80 The chamber pot is full of micro aggression.

Posted by: Citizen Cake at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (ppaKI)


Is that what the cool kids are calling it now?

Also - for those of you visiting the south: that is a "pee can." The nut from a pecan tree is pronounced "puh-caan."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (kff5f)

81 10 When are we going to get a Leroy Neiman Sports Painting?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 08:54 AM (gf8BH)

I initially read that as Leonard Nimoy.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (2Ojst)

82 "Is that what the cool kids are calling it now?

Also - for those of you visiting the south: that is a "pee can." The nut from a pecan tree is pronounced "puh-caan."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (kff5f)"

_________________________________________________

Do you say soda, or pop?

Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 09:24 AM (rsudF)

83
I initially read that as Leonard Nimoy.
Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (2Ojst)

Heh. Same here.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 09:25 AM (fWAjv)

84 Do you say soda, or pop?

Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 09:24 AM (rsudF)


"Coke."

Unless you're ordering a Dr Pepper.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:25 AM (kff5f)

85 Pop
Sub (not grinder)
Jimmies (not sprinkles)

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:26 AM (NOIQH)

86 I also think she's nice and quiet, and not disturbing the gentleman with the morning head.

I never find it disturbing to get morning head.

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:26 AM (JtwS4)

87 Also, it seems to be the practics of Zjarr TV that all of the female presenters wear a sportcoat and nothing under it.

http://bit.ly/1PLp467

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:20 AM (JtwS4)

I am very much OK with this.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 09:26 AM (2Ojst)

88 We are getting McCarthy because the conservatives aren't stepping forward to run in an open election.

Here's what worries me: They aren't stepping up because they too are not talented politicians and basically they agree with Boehner that they are full of shit.

Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 09:26 AM (TxJGV)

89 88 Pop
Sub (not grinder)
Jimmies (not sprinkles)
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:26 AM (NOIQH)

Soda
Sub
Sprinkles (because jimmie is slang for dick)

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 09:27 AM (2Ojst)

90 Vermeer must have made a few bucks renting out his virginal.

Posted by: GBruno at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (u49WF)

91 "Is that what the cool kids are calling it now?



Also - for those of you visiting the south: that is a "pee can." The nut from a pecan tree is pronounced "puh-caan."



Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (kff5f)"


And in San Francisco its just called the Piss Wall, which the city has painted for the use of all of us.

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (Espnc)

92 Oh, great - here comes the next national screaming fit. Five year old CA girl booted out of school because she has two mommies.

Bonus? They're black.

http://goo.gl/nKI6sr

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (zF6Iw)

93 Whenever Lurch played the harpsichord, it was ragtime or boogie-woogie.
If you imagine that instead of John Dowland, it puts a whole 'nother spin on it.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (xq1UY)

94 I shall rename this painting, "Oh My, It's Full of Phallic Imagery"


subtitled- "sheathed sword, chair legs, bedposts, columns, chandeliers and she's playing an organ for cryin' out loud!"



And the Italian word "scopare" for to sweep (as with a broom) is slang for "to fuck".

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (JtwS4)

95 Here's what worries me: They aren't stepping up because they too are not talented politicians and basically they agree with Boehner that they are full of shit.

I think they're all sitting around staring at each other trying to figure out step 2. Unlike the Horde, who had an actual plan, the conservatives in the House only had the Underpants Gnome version:

Step 1: Get rid of Boehner
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Conservative Revolution!

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (kff5f)

96 91 We are getting McCarthy because the conservatives aren't stepping forward to run in an open election.

Here's what worries me: They aren't stepping up because they too are not talented politicians and basically they agree with Boehner that they are full of shit.
Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 09:26 AM (TxJGV)


It was a struggle to get thirty people to vote against John Boehner.

Most of the House GOP have gone native.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (WlG0e)

97 I'm down here working my fingers to the bone, emptying chamber pots and Madam Plushbottom is over there on the virginal tickling the ivories.

WTF?

Oh, there is a going to be meeting after work.

Me.

Her.

Shallow grave.

Posted by: Resentful Chamber Maid Down the Hall at September 29, 2015 09:29 AM (KCQo0)

98 Here's the story on Mills:

http://freebeacon.com/politics/
clinton-aide-shared-classified-information-with-foundation-email-shows/
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:23 AM (NOIQH)

They only did that because of that cabal of people who are always looking to bring down the Clinton's forced them to do it.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 09:29 AM (BZAd3)

99 I see the comb, and the pair of scissors...

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon reading Highlights magazine at September 29, 2015 09:29 AM (NeFrd)

100
In propaganda news:

Smithers Is Finally Coming Out as Gay to Mr. Burns on The Simpsons

"We deal with that in two episodes," Producer Al Jean said of Smithers finally admitting his feelings to his boss.




Clear out a shelf for the Emmy's and the Peabody.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at September 29, 2015 09:30 AM (kdS6q)

101 "Soda
Sub
Sprinkles (because jimmie is slang for dick)
Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 09:27 AM (2Ojst)"

_________________________________________________

Never heard of calling sprinkles jimmies. I guess I need to get out more.

Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 09:30 AM (rsudF)

102 Do you say soda, or pop?
Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 09:24 AM (rsudF)


Tonic.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 29, 2015 09:31 AM (zF6Iw)

103 If you don't order a Coke, you are not paying my bills.


Soda, Pop etc. Names for shit no one buys.

Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 09:31 AM (jJRIy)

104
I really hate Tom Brokaw.

Posted by: Soothie at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (H9gvv)

105 I say Pi-Kawn

Posted by: Bigby's Atomic Elbow at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (3ZtZW)

106 When I see a painting of culture, or hear a speech by Obama, I reach for my Browning.

Posted by: Zombie Hanns Johst at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (D0NZx)

107 "95 Oh, great - here comes the next national screaming fit. Five year old CA girl booted out of school because she has two mommies.

Bonus? They're black.

http://goo.gl/nKI6sr
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (zF6Iw)"

__________________________________________________

Before I even click the link I call hoax.

Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (rsudF)

108 So a harpsichord was an early vibrator? Huh. The things you learn in open threads.

I might not misread that a bit.

Posted by: physics geek at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (MT22W)

109 Never heard of calling sprinkles jimmies. I guess I need to get out more.

It's a Boston thing, at least.

Also we called Coke/Pop/Soda Tonic. "Get me a tonic" basically meant I want a Coke.

I think that usage may have faded.

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (JtwS4)

110 "I think they're all sitting around staring at each other trying to figure out step 2. Unlike the Horde, who had an actual plan, the conservatives in the House only had the Underpants Gnome version"

Nothing will change so long as conservatives continue to vote GOP.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (u5gzz)

111 Linked in the last thread but worth a re-linking. The cop went above and beyond trying to avoid shooting this guy.

http://goo.gl/nK3AR9

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at September 29, 2015 09:32 AM (iQIUe)

112 Tonic.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing


Oh look at you typing that as I was typing about tonic.

Where did you grow up?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:33 AM (JtwS4)

113

Dungarees.

Posted by: Soothie at September 29, 2015 09:33 AM (H9gvv)

114 Five year old CA girl booted out of school because she has two mommies.


Private, Christian school. For 'pre-school.'

So basically, babysitting.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 09:34 AM (oVJmc)

115 Check out that face in the curtained bed.
That's Waldo, bigger'n hell.
And, I found him.

You guys are going on about pee-cans, and no cracks about the can-o-pee over the bed? It's like I don't even...

Posted by: Stringer Davis at September 29, 2015 09:34 AM (xq1UY)

116 Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at September 29, 2015 09:30 AM (kd

So a gay person portrayed as a greedy , narcissistic perv. I think clear your calendar for protests.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 09:34 AM (014lE)

117 Ace promised him another 7-11.I denounce myself. Posted by: Nip Sip
---
I denounce myself. That was hilarious.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 09:35 AM (1Zmfg)

118 Also we called Coke/Pop/Soda Tonic. "Get me a tonic" basically meant I want a Coke.

I think that usage may have faded.


I've heard elderly people from Haverhill call it tonic.

But yeah, jimmies is what we call chocolate sprinkles. And a sub sandwich is a grinder.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:35 AM (WlG0e)

119 @114

Yeah that guy was doing death by cop. Seriously stupid. Cop, good aim.



WTF was that kid thinking?

Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 09:35 AM (jJRIy)

120 Tennis shows or "tennies" (not sneakers)

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:36 AM (NOIQH)

121 116

Dungarees.

Only if your father was enlisted Navy.

Posted by: Fox2! at September 29, 2015 09:36 AM (brIR5)

122 Davenport

OK I'm joking

Posted by: Bigby's Atomic Elbow at September 29, 2015 09:36 AM (3ZtZW)

123
Ever see Norman Rockwell's Woman Sitting On Washing Machine?

Posted by: Soothie at September 29, 2015 09:36 AM (H9gvv)

124 Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 29, 2015 09:28 AM (zF6Iw)

...

I'm so outrageously outra... oh, wait, nope. Not outraged at all.

1) Having previously accepted the child, they (in Justice - forget "fair") should have informed the child's parents of the policy change ahead of time and/or grandfathered (grandmothered?) the child in.

2) I personally believe this is a horrible mistake. This school, by refusing these students, is missing a huge chance to minister to them and perhaps mitigate some of the negative effects of living in a homosexual household.

Do I think they should be forced to accept the child? No. Do they have every right to refuse admittance? Yes. Should the "mommies" grow up and realize the world isn't fair? Absolutely. Is the Gay Lobby going to use this as another attack against the Judeo-Christian Culture which allows it even to survive? You betcha.

But, barring some information not in that report that comes out, I've got no outrage to spend on either side here.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (kff5f)

125 Carly Fiorina brings down the house in San Antonio.

Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (PJ0bc)

126 Oh look at you typing that as I was typing about tonic.
Where did you grow up?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:33 AM (JtwS4)


Massachusetts. The Merrimack Valley, to be more precise, if you know where that is. If not, just think within spitting distance of the NH border.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (zF6Iw)

127 Christian School doesnt want two mommies. Get over it. Now all the ghaystapo is giving bad reviews to the school on line.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (iQIUe)

128 One thing that threw me in MA: convenience store = "spa"

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (NOIQH)

129 Do you say soda, or pop?

"Mixer."

Posted by: HR trinken trinken trinken at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (vn2q2)

130 Fvck the Amish.
Posted by: Nip Sip

---

Huh? Joining them is plan A for me, when things go sideways.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (1Zmfg)

131
And in Very 80s passings:

Catherine E. Coulson, a camera assistant and actress best known for playing the Log Lady on Twin Peaks, died today of cancer. She was 71.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (kdS6q)

132 131 One thing that threw me in MA: convenience store = "spa"


I've never heard that one. What part of MA?

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (WlG0e)

133 Ever see Norman Rockwell's Woman Sitting On Washing Machine?

Sounds more like Andrew Wyeth.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (zF6Iw)

134 72 58 Is Matt Damon playing a straight or gay astronaut in the movie The Martian?

__________________________

You know why I was selected for this movie? Because my last name spelled backwards is "Nomad," and this astronaut is like a nomad.

And he's gay, like me.

But mostly because of Nomad. Yeah. Nomad.

By the way, I never knew that astronauts get to put their dingy in a rubber tube so they could make pee-pee in space. That is so cool. I want one all the time.

Oh, Ben Affleck didn't get the job because his named spelled backwards is Kcelffa. WTF is a Kcellfa?

Posted by: Matt Damon, the Smartest Actor Ever at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (KCQo0)

135 Carly surged after her appearance. Bobby probably wants to rub the magic lantern as well.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 09:06 AM (1Zmfg)

If you have to rub Ace's "magic lantern" to get on his podcast, include me out...

Posted by: Tex Lovera at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (wtvvX)

136 "The president is unteachable because the political system itself is incapable of learning. The paralysis of Barack Obama but a reflection of the political stroke which has frozen Washington. The Capital itself is in a dream. In that deadly reverie truth is indistinguishable from fiction. "
Some good lines from the new Richard Fernandez article up at PJMedia. He writes about O's utter fecklessness in foreign policy.

Posted by: Emily at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (7Rn+/)

137 Do they think that these private progressive schools would let the kid of conservatives in? No way!

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (iQIUe)

138 You guys are going on about pee-cans, and no cracks about the can-o-pee over the bed? It's like I don't even...

I shall not reference the one about the differences between a rich Scotsman, a poor Scotsman and a dead Scotsman.

Wouldn't be prudent.

Posted by: Fox2! at September 29, 2015 09:39 AM (brIR5)

139 >>Christian School doesnt want two mommies. Get over it. Now all the ghaystapo is giving bad reviews to the school on line.


Targeted, no doubt.
Grievance shopping is the new cool thing to do!!

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:39 AM (NOIQH)

140 1) Having previously accepted the child, they (in Justice - forget "fair") should have informed the child's parents of the policy change ahead of time and/or grandfathered (grandmothered?) the child in.
_______

I was at a city council meeting a few years ago where a gentleman said that he could keep his pit bull in town because it was "protected by the grandfather clock."

Posted by: Furious George at September 29, 2015 09:39 AM (UlJ3l)

141 131 One thing that threw me in MA: convenience store = "spa"

I've never heard that one. What part of MA?

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (WlG0e)


North Shore, definitely. But I haven't seen one labeled as such in many a year.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 29, 2015 09:39 AM (zF6Iw)

142 One thing that threw me in MA: convenience store = "spa"


Hmmm. The Town Spa in Stoughton was a pizza joint, never heard it used for a variety store.

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:40 AM (JtwS4)

143 Dungarees.


Only if your father was enlisted Navy.


My grandmother used that word; her father was a farmer but she had five brothers in the Navy in WWII.

Posted by: HR trinken trinken trinken at September 29, 2015 09:40 AM (vn2q2)

144
Yeah I made it up.

It would, however, make a great Rockwell-esque piece.

Posted by: Soothie at September 29, 2015 09:40 AM (H9gvv)

145 So I read the Trump tax plan. It's...a start. I have no enthusiasm for expanding those who pay no taxes, though. (Though if wage growth were ever to kick back in, that problem might solve itself, especially in the absence of that abomination, the AMT.)

Mornings like this I remind myself, he's a wrecking ball, not a candidate.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:41 AM (9krrF)

146 133
Fvck the Amish.




---



Huh? Joining them is plan A for me, when things go sideways.

Posted by: r at September 29, 2015 09:37 AM (1Zmfg)

The reference was to the girls head gear, aka Amish.

Posted by: Nip Sip at September 29, 2015 09:41 AM (jJRIy)

147 WTF is a Kcellfa?

Giant cockroach.

Posted by: HR trinken trinken trinken at September 29, 2015 09:41 AM (vn2q2)

148 I was at a city council meeting a few years ago where a gentleman said that he could keep his pit bull in town because it was "protected by the grandfather clock."

*snort*

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:42 AM (kff5f)

149
I forgot about that usage of spa.

Posted by: Soothie at September 29, 2015 09:42 AM (H9gvv)

150 >>> convenience store = "spa"


"Stop N Rip"

Posted by: Bigby's Atomic Elbow at September 29, 2015 09:42 AM (3ZtZW)

151 >>I've never heard that one. What part of MA?

Outside of Boston - Cambridge, Newton, Watertown, Waltham. All these dive-y, old mom 'n pop convenience stores called spas.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:42 AM (NOIQH)

152 Also we called Coke/Pop/Soda Tonic. "Get me a tonic" basically meant I want a Coke. I think that usage may have faded.Posted by: Bandersnatch

---

Well, it's preferable to the Pope's "cock soda" tonic.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 09:43 AM (1Zmfg)

153 Posted by: Matt Damon, the Smartest Actor Ever at September 29, 2015 09:38 AM (KCQo0)

That's some funny stuff right there.

Posted by: troyriser at September 29, 2015 09:43 AM (fnCax)

154 And the Italian word "scopare" for to sweep (as with a broom) is slang for "to fuck".

Posted by: Bandersnatch,


****


The phrase 'he swept her off her feet' takes on a whole new meaning.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon reading Highlights magazine at September 29, 2015 09:43 AM (NeFrd)

155 148 So I read the Trump tax plan. It's...a start. I have no enthusiasm for expanding those who pay no taxes, though. (Though if wage growth were ever to kick back in, that problem might solve itself, especially in the absence of that abomination, the AMT.)

Mornings like this I remind myself, he's a wrecking ball, not a candidate.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13
______________

I'm not liking this 0% tax bracket. Everyone needs to be paying some taxes.

And the first candidate who proposes to do away with having the earned income credit be refundable, and instead usable as a carryforward, will have my vote. Until they piss me off.

Posted by: Furious George at September 29, 2015 09:44 AM (UlJ3l)

156 >>It's a Boston thing, at least.

Actually, its a New York/Pennsylvania thing at least according to the company that claims to have invented them.

http://tinyurl.com/7dy5ftr

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 09:44 AM (OGm46)

157 >>"Stop N Rip"


In CO we have a chain called "Kum and Go" that are paired gas stations.
Not kidding.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:44 AM (NOIQH)

158 Having the road in the neighborhood sealcoated today and tomorrow.

By executive order.

Just because it wasn't black enough to please me.

Using the raw power of the HOA.

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 09:44 AM (Zs4uk)

159 There was a guy who came up with the observation of a phenomenon of 'instant jihadism'. This observation illuminates something that I think most of us suspect to be true and that is that though it is certainly true that most muslims are peaceful, it is also true that there is a very thin line between being a peaceful, or moderate muslim, and becoming a fundamental, or jihadist muslim.

It is a huge stretch, not to mention that it is an outright lie, to proclaim that just because most muslims are peaceful that the religion of islam is a religion of peace.

I say this as a prelude to this:

http://tinyurl.com/oojegw8

The PA, as slimy and corrupt and evil as it is, has still been a stabilizing influence among presently, and for the most part, peaceful Palestinians. In this current environment of viral instant jihadism in the muslim world, that could change in the blink of an eye.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 09:45 AM (BZAd3)

160 Mornings like this I remind myself, he's a wrecking ball, not a candidate.

Yep.

And, even with that said and your quite reasonable point about expanding those who pay no taxes, it's actually about as good a plan as has a chance of passing.

You give the FSA a reason to like it (larger bracket for no taxes), you give the middle class and working affluent a reason to like it (lower personal taxes, lower corporate tax rate), and you give it a lot of populist power by eliminating the the Death Tax AND hitting "hedge fund managers" with the Carried Interest stuff.

All the while, it is actually an improvement over the current plan.

It's almost like Trump might be the one person left on the national stage who understood what Reagan was saying about "a rising tide lifts all boats."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:45 AM (kff5f)

161 RD, Thanks for the painting this morning. The Dutch artists of that period have always appealed to me. Apparently the De Witte was a POS as a person but he sure had talent.

Posted by: JTB at September 29, 2015 09:46 AM (FvdPb)

162 In CO we have a chain called "Kum and Go" that are paired gas stations.
Not kidding.

****

We stop at the one in Glenwood Springs every time we go up there. Either when we're coming or when we're going (although sometimes it's hard to tell which).

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon reading Highlights magazine at September 29, 2015 09:46 AM (NeFrd)

163 By executive order.



Just because it wasn't black enough to please me.



Using the raw power of the HOA.

That means only one thing to the US Government, call out HUD, they will fix it!

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 09:47 AM (Espnc)

164 The phrase 'he swept her off her feet' takes on a whole new meaning.

*snort*

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:47 AM (JtwS4)

165 I haven't lived in MA for almost 20 years, so maybe a lot of the "spas" have closed?

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:48 AM (NOIQH)

166 148 So I read the Trump tax plan. It's...a start. I have no enthusiasm for expanding those who pay no taxes, though. (Though if wage growth were ever to kick back in, that problem might solve itself, especially in the absence of that abomination, the AMT.)

Mornings like this I remind myself, he's a wrecking ball, not a candidate.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:41 AM (9krrF)


I feel bad for a guy who gets a raise to 26K who suddenly makes less money.

That's the problem with these kinds of plans - people on the edge of a bracket need a huge raise to offset the soaking they'll get by going up a level.

Good luck getting companies to give you a big raise.

Still, soaking the uber-wealthy liberal top tier suits me just fine.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:49 AM (WlG0e)

167 I haven't lived in MA for almost 20 years, so maybe a lot of the "spas" have closed?

Is that like a gay bathhouse?

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 09:49 AM (Espnc)

168
"Veronica's" is still open in Waltham.

Posted by: Soothie at September 29, 2015 09:50 AM (H9gvv)

169 >> In CO we have a chain called "Kum and Go" that are paired gas stations.
Not kidding.

In VT, there is a convenience/gas/restaurant with a big sign out front that says, STOP, EAT, AND GET GAS.

But my favorite was a Hooters my buddy and I stopped at in SC last winter on our way to FL. The sign out front said HOOTERS ARE GOOD FOR YOU.

Truth in advertising.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 09:50 AM (OGm46)

170 It's almost like Trump might be the one person left on the national stage who understood what Reagan was saying about "a rising tide lifts all boats."

JFK.

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:50 AM (JtwS4)

171 I just thought of some questions for Bobby Jindal: Why are you bashing the other Repumpkin candidates instead of the real enemy, teh Dims?

Why not show some unity for once and pick a real problem to focus on, like 404Care or overregulation? Those are just two of the things that need to be fixed as they're crippling our economy.

How about a full-throated defense of capitalism and the good things it and we have done to raise the standard of living for the whole world?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 09:50 AM (LUgeY)

172 I just saw in the news yet another example of rampant human greed...

Deceased actor Paul Walker's daughter is suing Porsche over his death.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 09:50 AM (C/DS0)

173 And, even with that said and your quite reasonable point about expanding those who pay no taxes, it's actually about as good a plan as has a chance of passing.

The depressing truth. "Moar free stuff" always beats "time to pay your way".

Now if we could get him to load the US regulatory code into a woodchipper to start shitcanning a couple of decades of bureaucratic tyranny we'd be somewhere.

(Full disclosure: I've long suspected the processes we'd prefer would be wholly inadequate to enacting the policies we'd prefer, given the current state of the electorate. Trump is bearing that out in spades, and it's depressing the hell out of me.)

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (9krrF)

174 Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:49 AM (WlG0e)

Does it work like the current progressive tax where the first 25K is "tax free" and the 10% just hits that last thousand (or however that works- that's part of why the current code is so complicated)?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (kff5f)

175 >>There was a guy who came up with the observation of a phenomenon of 'instant jihadism'.

Think Mark Steyn refers to it a "Sudden Jihadi Syndrome" - this has ben going on for years, but ISIS has really amped it up, encouraging all Muslims in Western countries to strike when the spirit moves them. All those random attacks such as at the LA airport counter, the student driving his SUV into the quad, etc.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (NOIQH)

176 Deceased actor Paul Walker's daughter is suing Porsche over his death.

This crap will stop when the countersuits for defamation start.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (9krrF)

177 It didn't work at Chappaquiddick or Pearl Harbor.

Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (PJ0bc)

178 In central PA there is a Pennsylvania Dutch Gift Haus.

So, with the Krautish spelling of Haus I go with the Krautish meaning of Gift.

It's the Pennsylvania Dutch Poison House.

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 09:52 AM (JtwS4)

179 Does it work like the current progressive tax where the first 25K is "tax free" and the 10% just hits that last thousand (or however that works- that's part of why the current code is so complicated)?

I'm sure Trump would say yes right now, but who the hell knows.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:52 AM (WlG0e)

180 Trimming the sock

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at September 29, 2015 09:53 AM (NeFrd)

181 The Dutch are the pretend Germans who infest Holland.

Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 09:53 AM (PJ0bc)

182 >>"Veronica's" is still open in Waltham.

Heh, cool.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:53 AM (NOIQH)

183 I feel bad for a guy who gets a raise to 26K who suddenly makes less money.

I know a guy who made exactly $25,001 last year.

One. Dollar.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:53 AM (9krrF)

184 Apparently the De Witte was a POS
Or a proto-Moron, depending on how you hold your mouth.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at September 29, 2015 09:54 AM (xq1UY)

185 My pen stopped working so I took it apart and thew the parts in my desk drawer. Can I get a patent on that?

Posted by: George Orwell de Leon at September 29, 2015 09:54 AM (1BQGO)

186 Boss Moos, what pretend German? The Dutch royal family married German after WWII, to be kind about it.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 09:55 AM (C/DS0)

187 >>>Is Matt Damon playing a straight or gay astronaut in the movie The Martian?

In space, no one can hear you cream.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 09:55 AM (1Zmfg)

188 I invented a remote control once. I took it apart. Maybe I will invent Peanut Butter next.

Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 09:55 AM (PJ0bc)

189 The Dutch are the pretend Germans who infest Holland.


Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 09:53 AM


But they have the extra-aged Gouda going for them.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 29, 2015 09:56 AM (KrAjA)

190 I know a guy who made exactly $25,001 last year.

One. Dollar.

****

So, he paid like 25 cents in taxes? Just because you go up into the next tax bracket doesn't mean the whole amount gets taxed at that new rate.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at September 29, 2015 09:56 AM (NeFrd)

191 Either when we're coming or when we're going (although sometimes it's hard to tell which).

I aye-aye.
There's just no constitutional right to that right there.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at September 29, 2015 09:56 AM (xq1UY)

192 Is Matt Damon playing a straight or gay astronaut in the movie The Martian?

All the dude had to work with was potatoes. You make do.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:56 AM (9krrF)

193 That is why they really left Matt Damon on Mars...

"Dude stop making messes in the EVA suits!"

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 09:56 AM (C/DS0)

194 The depressing truth. "Moar free stuff" always beats "time to pay your way".

Absolutely, more's the pity.

Of course, I can actually make a conservulist argument for the progressive income tax around the concept of income dynamics.

Most people making sub 25K are very young and/or still early in their careers. As they get older, to late middle age, their earnings (on average) increase - often quite a bit. By allowing the young people to keep more of their money early, you allow them a) to save early for retirement (at least have the chance) and b) use less credit for their "getting started" years (at least: have the chance), so that as their earnings increase, it is less of a shock because they're not in debt up to their eyeballs (or if they are, you can definitely say "what other advantages did you want us to give you!?"). This means that when they retire, they are less likely to *need* Social Security, meaning that at least the hope for sunsetting that evil piece of wealth redistribution finally comes into sight.

Now, that doesn't hold together real well for real Conservatism, and it requires the President to speak to Culture (which GW never really did, that I recall), but it is a "Conservative Populist" argument.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:57 AM (kff5f)

195 Easy Time Pause, Pump and Chew?

Posted by: Sam Mitch at September 29, 2015 09:57 AM (iIVyq)

196 So, he paid like 25 cents in taxes? Just because you go up into the next tax bracket doesn't mean the whole amount gets taxed at that new rate.

He paid more than that (and did net pay taxes), but it's an illustration of why I hope it's segmented like it usually is. Because it would really, REALLY suck otherwise.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:58 AM (9krrF)

197 Think Mark Steyn refers to it a "Sudden Jihadi Syndrome" - this has ben going on for years, but ISIS has really amped it up, encouraging all Muslims in Western countries to strike when the spirit moves them. All those random attacks such as at the LA airport counter, the student driving his SUV into the quad, etc.
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (NOIQH)

It has been going on since the aborted birth of Islam - it is inherent in Islam. The statements of fact that Islam is a religion of peace, are pure BS. Although Islam is not an easy religion to study due to all sorts of very odd circumstances about how the writings were assembled - and interpreted - and due to the fact that Mohammed was very likely crazy as a shithouse rat - what Islam is, is in there. It's not hidden or disguised, and it's not peaceful.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 09:58 AM (BZAd3)

198 Obama gave a nice speech at the UN.
It was delusional, but it was a nice speech.
Apparently, Obama has the same mental illness that Qaddafi had in Libya.

This war is lost. Game over, man! Game over!

Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at September 29, 2015 09:58 AM (PVgWk)

199 >>"Veronica's" is still open in Waltham.

Veronica's always open, IYKWIM.

Posted by: Archie Andrews at September 29, 2015 09:59 AM (zF6Iw)

200 Most people making sub 25K are very young and/or still early in their careers. As they get older, to late middle age, their earnings (on average) increase - often quite a bit.

Largely, though there are edge cases (Mr. $1 Over is one).

Honestly, I think we could solve the "no skin in the game" problem by...wait for it...making Federal benefits fully taxable income.

Heh. Heh. Heh.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:59 AM (9krrF)

201 Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 09:59 AM (9krrF)

Yeah... I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:00 AM (kff5f)

202 "China is facing a Great Depression , an excess male population, a

resurging Communist party and is building gun/missile islands around

it's perimeter. And stealth ships. Lots and lots of stealth ships."

Plus: TWO different and brand-new stealth fighter jets. One of which is a big, fast long range interceptor designed to get within missile range of American AWACs and tankers, and kill them and their crews. The awesome U.S. intelligence community officially predicted that it would be 2020 before the Chinese had even one stealth prototype in the air.

Plus: very nasty surface to air missile systems with long enough legs to be launched from the Chinese mainland, then reach, hit, and destroy aircraft taking off from Taiwanese airfields. Comparably large and scary combat radiuses for these systems around all of the new fortified islandlets.

Plus: tactical ballistic missile systems designed to get through the layered defenses of American aircraft carrier battle groups, and sink the flattop, or at least render it no longer mission capable.

Plus: amphibious landing systems capable of delivering a whole lot of heavy armor ashore, well over the beach, in a very short time frame. Oh, and the Chinese now have heavy armor good enough to worry Western planners, which they previously lacked.

Plus: milspec malware pre-planted all through the networks of every military on the planet which is not the PRC's military.

And, as their latest diplomatic mission to D.C. displayed, the senior leadership of China are not in the least bit impressed with nor intimidated by President Barky O'Jugears. They treated him with cold contempt.

Yep, this is all going to work out for the best.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 10:00 AM (noWW6)

203 Tennis shows or "tennies" (not sneakers)
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:36 AM (NOIQH)


Mom always called them "Tenny-runners"

I blame Grandpa.

Posted by: Kindltot at September 29, 2015 10:00 AM (3pRHP)

204 The House Oversight committee is about to start grilling Planned Parenthood on CSPAN3 for any interested.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:01 AM (OGm46)

205 Here is a lame invention, but it is still of far greater value to Humanity than Ahmed and his Magical Clock.

http://www.ufunk.net/en/gadgets/pooch-selfie/

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:01 AM (C/DS0)

206 Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:01 AM (OGm46)

Nah. Kabuki is only good in the original Japanese - which I don't speak.

Someone wake me up when Congress defunds PP and/or the prosecutions start.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (kff5f)

207 Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (kff5f)

where you been lately?

Still IT'in hard?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (AkOaV)

208 Obama gave a nice speech at the UN.
It was delusional, but it was a nice speech.


"We cannot stand by when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a nation is flagrantly violated," Obama stated in his speech. "If that happens without consequence in Ukraine, it could happen to any nation gathered here today."


Soooooo....what did we do about Ukraine other than "stand by"?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (JtwS4)

209 Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:01 AM (C/DS0)

That's mean.

Also, in my house, it's a good way to lose a phone.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (kff5f)

210 "I feel bad for a guy who gets a raise to 26K who suddenly makes less money. "

When much younger and working a menial job, I got a ten dollar raise and my net check went down. When I complained about it, they gave me another ten dollar raise. I got less than half the twenty bucks, the government took more than half.

Story of my life.

Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at September 29, 2015 10:03 AM (PVgWk)

211 205 "China is facing a Great Depression , an excess male population, a resurging Communist party and is building gun/missile islands around it's perimeter. And stealth ships. Lots and lots of stealth ships."

Yep, this is all going to work out for the best.

Posted by: torquewrench
__________

But they have a very enlightened population control program so that Mother Earth won't be destroyed.

Posted by: Thomas Friedman's cab driver at September 29, 2015 10:03 AM (UlJ3l)

212 Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (AkOaV)

Working-at-work. And it sucks. I won't be around much longer today, either.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:03 AM (kff5f)

213 >>>This observation illuminates something that I think most of us suspect to be true and that is that though it is certainly true that most muslims are peaceful, it is also true that there is a very thin line between being a peaceful, or moderate muslim, and becoming a fundamental, or jihadist muslim.

---

A radical muslim will behead you. A noderate muslim will hold his coat as he beheads you.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:04 AM (1Zmfg)

214 Soooooo....what did we do about Ukraine other than "stand by"?
Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (JtwS4)

I'm sensing a run on poster paper by admin staffers so they can launch another #hashtag campaign.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 10:04 AM (BZAd3)

215 In re: the link to the _Free Bacon_ piece about Cheryl Mills funneling inside State Dept docs to the Clinton Foundation, not only is the article a bombshell, but the accompanying photo of Mills on the airplane is really something.

She looks exactly like Robert Mugabe in a black dress.

Utterly eerie resemblance.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 10:05 AM (noWW6)

216 I love those simple Amish scenes, couldn't find the cat, though.

Posted by: Eromero at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (go5uR)

217 Robert Mugabe in a black dress.


Not at all what we had in mind.

Posted by: The Hollies at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (2Ojst)

218 AllenG, what is mean about it?

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (C/DS0)

219 Working-at-work. And it sucks. I won't be around much longer today, either.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:03 AM (kff5f)

Well, keep working hard -- there are millions on welfare relying on you.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (AkOaV)

220 "I feel bad for a guy who gets a raise to 26K who suddenly makes less money. "

When much younger and working a menial job, I got a ten dollar raise and my net check went down. When I complained about it, they gave me another ten dollar raise. I got less than half the twenty bucks, the government took more than half.



Welcome to the wonderful world of overtime.

Posted by: rickb223 at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (kca06)

221 Is she a bookmaker for the Amish Mafia?

Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (PJ0bc)

222 A radical muslim will behead you. A noderate muslim will hold his coat as he beheads you.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:04 AM (1Zmfg)


This is why I don't group them into "radical" and "moderate." I group them into "devout" (or "practicing") and "non-practicing."

A devout Mohammedan, whether radical or moderate, believes that you should be converted, subjugated, or dead. The only difference is whether they, personally, are willing to kill you.

A non-practicing Mohammedan is the one who really believes that all that stuff about violent jihad, kill the infidel, etc., is just about "spiritual warfare."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:07 AM (kff5f)

223 Welcome to the wonderful world of overtime.
Posted by: rickb223 at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (kca06)

Yeah, when I was hourly, overtime always boned me.

I mean, I'd get some of it back in a tax return, but the amount the govt withholds is nuts.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:07 AM (AkOaV)

224 >>Nah. Kabuki is only good in the original Japanese - which I don't speak.

Chaffetz is detailing their spending and the money they transfer to their 501.4C political action group. Pretty interesting.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:07 AM (OGm46)

225 AllenG, what is mean about it?

Taunting your puppeh with a ball just to take his picture?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 10:08 AM (kff5f)

226 Woo-hoo!

Kindle version of Golden Isis is #79,146.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:08 AM (C/DS0)

227 228 Afterwards you let it have the ball.

Posted by: steevy at September 29, 2015 10:09 AM (sPO3u)

228 We've called the Clinton Foundation a money laundering operation for global criminals. Now it appears there might be a mystery there, and it suggests there might be some evidence to the claim. Hillary has released lots of tax data, and Forbes combed through it all (via Drudge).

When they did they said about $50 million dollars is mysteriously gone. Where did it go? Was it sent someplace the "donor" requested after the Clintons laundered it through the Foundation? Kind of a big deal. Maybe the press will get interested. (heh- just kidding about that last part)

Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 10:09 AM (TxJGV)

229 226 Welcome to the wonderful world of overtime.
Posted by: rickb223 at September 29, 2015 10:06 AM (kca06)

Yeah, when I was hourly, overtime always boned me.

I mean, I'd get some of it back in a tax return, but the amount the govt withholds is nuts.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:07 AM (AkOaV)

I've told the story before, but I will never forget the first time I got a "real" paycheck and wondering where the hell all my money went. Then I reviewed the stub with all the withholdings. My fiscal conservatism was forever carved in stone from that moment on.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 10:09 AM (2Ojst)

230 I read a lot of North Korea BS, and videos....Kim Jong-il has really gotten fat!
and aged. He's much fatter than he was just a year ago.

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 10:09 AM (Espnc)

231 Is that a nom de plume?

Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 10:10 AM (PJ0bc)

232 Amen. McCarthy IS the problem

virginal +
"Cecilia ... someones taken my place"

Gotta be a boner joke in here somewhere.

Posted by: DaveA at September 29, 2015 10:11 AM (DL2i+)

233 Thanks for clearing that up. For a second I thought you were saying I was being a mean grrl to Ahmed and His Magic Clock.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:11 AM (C/DS0)

234 >>>China is facing a Great Depression , an excess male population


There's an easy correction for the problem of an excess male population.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:12 AM (1Zmfg)

235 >>She looks exactly like Robert Mugabe in a black dress. Utterly eerie resemblance.


Dang, you're right!

MTF - Don't forget the **$6 Billion** that was "lost" by the State Dept. while Hillary was SoS. Finny how that's been completely forgotten by the press.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 10:12 AM (NOIQH)

236 There's an easy correction for the problem of an excess male population.

Simple, yes. Easy, not so much, especially if you're on the receiving end.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:13 AM (9krrF)

237 I read a lot of North Korea BS, and videos....Kim Jong-il has really gotten fat!
and aged. He's much fatter than he was just a year ago.
Posted by: Colin


Not bad for a guy who died four years ago.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at September 29, 2015 10:13 AM (W5DcG)

238 240 I read a lot of North Korea BS, and videos....Kim Jong-il has really gotten fat!
and aged. He's much fatter than he was just a year ago.
Posted by: Colin

Not bad for a guy who died four years ago.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at September 29, 2015 10:13 AM (W5DcG)

That post-mortem bloat is a real bitch.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 10:14 AM (2Ojst)

239 237 >>>China is facing a Great Depression , an excess male population


There's an easy correction for the problem of an excess male population.
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:12 AM (1Zmfg)


Excess male populations usually result in large shortages elsewhere.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 10:14 AM (WlG0e)

240 read a lot of North Korea BS, and videos....Kim Jong-il has really gotten fat!
and aged. He's much fatter than he was just a year ago.
Posted by: Colin

Not bad for a guy who died four years ago.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr.


Hangin' with buzzion is he?

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:14 AM (9krrF)

241 China should invade India. Problem solved.

Posted by: Boss Moss at September 29, 2015 10:15 AM (PJ0bc)

242 China should invade India. Problem solved.

And suddenly millions of Tibetans scream out in one voice, "Oh no you didn't!"

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:17 AM (C/DS0)

243 Here is a lame invention, but it is still of far greater value to Humanity than Ahmed and his Magical Clock.

Who says America's best days are behind her?

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 10:17 AM (oVJmc)

244 Ominous,ominous events around the world.

Posted by: steevy at September 29, 2015 10:17 AM (sPO3u)

245 So I'm reading a hit-piece on Carly at Salon.

Imagine you are a Russian hard-liner sitting in Moscow watching this debate and hearing the GOP's third-leading candidate promising a foreign policy aimed at your country that is so muscular, Ronald Reagan's corpse just got an erection.


I think they mean that as an insult, the poor dears.

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 10:17 AM (JtwS4)

246 This is why I don't group them into "radical" and "moderate." I group them into "devout" (or "practicing") and "non-practicing."

A devout Mohammedan, whether radical or moderate, believes that you should be converted, subjugated, or dead. The only difference is whether they, personally, are willing to kill you.

A non-practicing Mohammedan is the one who really believes that all that stuff about violent jihad, kill the infidel, etc., is just about "spiritual warfare."



Bad muzzie & good muzzie.

Bad muzzie is an alive muzzie.
Good muzzie is a dead muzzie.

Posted by: rickb223 at September 29, 2015 10:17 AM (kca06)

247 China should invade India. Problem solved.

Down as I am with the whole "agent of chaos" thing these-a-days, any "solution" which bears a chance of triggering a nuclear exchange in Asia isn't exactly high on my "advisable" list.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:17 AM (9krrF)

248 Putin tells the crowd at the UN that the world doesn't have enough dictators.

I agree.

There are way too many countries operating under a "democracy" that have no business trying to govern themselves.

Only a strong, autocratic leader can bring order out of the chaos. Either that or the U.S. needs to colonize and control them.

Maybe in 100 years they can try this voting stuff again, but for now let's admit it's a failed experiment.

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 10:18 AM (Zs4uk)

249 So many jokes.....so little time.

No time to lose.

No time Toulouse.

Posted by: eleven at September 29, 2015 10:19 AM (rjtGa)

250 In CO we have a chain called "Kum and Go" that are paired gas stations.
Not kidding.
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:44 AM (NOIQH)


We just got a bunch of those here. I LOATHE that name. And refuse to go.

Except they had gas really cheap when I drove by the other day.

Posted by: Lea at September 29, 2015 10:19 AM (lIU4e)

251 You could just tape bacon to your phone, couldn't you?

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 10:19 AM (oVJmc)

252 I obviously copied the wrong name: not Kim Jong-il But Kim Jong-Un...not thinking.

I should know better, as I do watch the excitement of the newscasters giving the news on NK TV.

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 10:20 AM (Espnc)

253 Of course, I can actually make a conservulist argument for the progressive income tax around the concept of income dynamics.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:57 AM (kff5f)

Excuse me, Popservative argument.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 10:21 AM (LXJ1e)

254 Only a strong, autocratic leader can bring order out of the chaos. Either that or the U.S. needs to colonize and control them.

We're getting colonized ourselves these days, we kinda need to sort out our messes at home first!

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:22 AM (9krrF)

255 "I feel bad for a guy who gets a raise to 26K who suddenly makes less money.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 09:49 AM (WlG0e)"

__________________________________________________


That isn't how it works. They guy making 26K is only going to be taxed on the 1k over 25k, not all 26k.

Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 10:22 AM (rsudF)

256 Of course, I can actually make a conservulist argument for the progressive income tax around the concept of income dynamics.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale

Excuse me, Popservative argument.

Posted by: Make America Great Again


What, is this going to be longbows and crossbows again? Or have we now named the two political parties for Alextopia?

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:23 AM (9krrF)

257 You know what the world needs more of?

Fire hooks and rock salt.

Posted by: eleven at September 29, 2015 10:23 AM (rjtGa)

258 The Trump plan also eliminates the Alternative Minimum Tax. This tax has been getting worse and worse for the middle class each year because it is not indexed to inflation. It really needs to go.

I think Trump's plan also eliminates all deductions except for the mortgage interest and charity. It would be nice if the mortgage deduction would be capped at an amount that would give maximum burn to people living in blue states.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 10:24 AM (LXJ1e)

259 Holy fuck Carolyn Maloney is one fugly woman. At least she found the time to comb her hair today.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:24 AM (OGm46)

260 "If that happens without consequence in Ukraine, it could happen to any nation gathered here today."


Soooooo....what did we do about Ukraine other than "stand by"?
Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 10:02 AM (JtwS4)

----

Actually ..... I think Obama was threatening the rest of Eastern Europe.

"Mind you Ps and Qs, Slav.... or we will let the Bear run loose in your country too."

Posted by: fixerupper at September 29, 2015 10:24 AM (8XRCm)

261 Washington (CNN)Hillary Clinton would beat Donald Trump in a general election match-up if the election were held today, a new poll shows.

Poll, Poll who knows..

Posted by: Colin at September 29, 2015 10:26 AM (Espnc)

262 Kim Jong-Un...not thinking.

I should know better, as I do watch the excitement of the newscasters giving the news on NK TV.
Posted by: Colin


He is pretty exciting. I suppose if you don't show your ecstasy then you might get a free trip to somewhere you don't want to go.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at September 29, 2015 10:28 AM (W5DcG)

263 Holy fuck Carolyn Maloney is one fugly woman. At least she found the time to comb her hair today.
Posted by: JackStraw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack Nicholson would be more convincing.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:28 AM (E5UB0)

264 Wow, the Dims on the PP committee are seriously mentally ill. Cummings is a despicable POS and a pitiable excuse for a man. And this Maloney bitch is just as bad. How on Earth do these people keep getting elected?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 10:28 AM (LUgeY)

265
---------------------------------------------------

And he sounds like he can barely stick two sentences together. I could hardly figure what he was saying, except he obviously wanted to speak Washington-speak and say as little as possible.

They go to all the trouble of kicking out Boehner, a bad politician and a crypto-Democrat, only to replace him with his best buddy, and he's basically inarticulate? WTF?
Posted by: MTF at September 29, 2015 09:07 AM (TxJGV)



See Fuvking Stupid Party

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at September 29, 2015 10:29 AM (ZEyrs)

266 "They look like the first pieces of a layered anti access/area denial
system that could complicate US and allied operations in Syria and well
beyond, the Breaking Defense report said."

It would also make life tough for the Israelis if they attempt a long range air attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Russians are moving rapidly to exploit the vacuum created by King Putt's arrogance and incompetence and inclarity.

There was a news report a little while back suggesting that the Russian Navy had sent a Typhoon class sub into the eastern Med. Which should have aroused immediate skepticism.

The Typhoon is a strategic ballistic missile platform. There's no cause to take it anywhere other than its defended "bastion" patrol areas in the Arctic. And the Typhoons are old. There's only one left in seaworthy condition. If that.

What the Russians probably did send was the similarly enormous Oscar-class submarine. SSGN instead of SSBN. Anti-ship missiles instead of ballistic missiles. Big, ugly anti-ship missiles. Capable of causing considerable worry to naval planners. No doubt what Putin had in mind for it.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 10:29 AM (noWW6)

267 "Cummings is a despicable POS and a pitiable excuse for a man. And this
Maloney bitch is just as bad. How on Earth do these people keep getting
elected?"

Take a good look at their respective districts.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 10:30 AM (noWW6)

268 Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 10:19 AM (gf8BH)

yeah, but here's the thing -- we can't be the "worlds police " -- especially when half the country and 90% of foreign countries are against it.

Has the US been a force for good in the post WWII world? Without a doubt.

but there are too many idiots that don't see that, that resent the US, and resent our involvement... and fine, fuck 'em.

What do we really get out of it anyways? Let the ME get even shittier then it already is. Maybe they'll stop yelling "Death to America" quite so loudly.

Let the Europeans defend themselves, maybe they'll stop calling us "rogue cowboys".

I don't really care. Asia is suddenly getting over their anti-Americanism when they look out and notice "holy shit, without the US, China would already occupy all of our countries."

All these people should be thanking us daily. Instead, they talk non stop ship.

Frankly, I'm over it.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:31 AM (AkOaV)

269 ship=shit*

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:31 AM (AkOaV)

270 253 In CO we have a chain called "Kum and Go" that are paired gas stations.
Not kidding.
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 09:44 AM (NOIQH)

We just got a bunch of those here. I LOATHE that name. And refuse to go.
Except they had gas really cheap when I drove by the other day.
Posted by: Lea
_____________

I drove my older brother past one the other day, and there was a Cub Scout troop hanging around in the parking lot. I couldn't convince the dumbass that it was just the name of the convenience store.

Posted by: Larry Reid, Ready to Party at September 29, 2015 10:32 AM (UlJ3l)

271 a foreign policy aimed at your country that is so muscular, Ronald Reagan's corpse just got an erection.

I think they mean that as an insult, the poor dears.
Posted by: Bandersnatch
-------------------------------------------------
Remember how the Iranians released the hostages as soon as Reagan got elected? Obama is a nutless wonder just like Carter, which is bad news for Americans targeted by ISIS.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:32 AM (E5UB0)

272 Even I have more balls than Obama and Carter put together.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:33 AM (E5UB0)

273 The Dutch are the pretend Germans who infest Holland.

===

DUTCH HATER!

Posted by: Bigby's Atomic Elbow at September 29, 2015 10:33 AM (3ZtZW)

274 That isn't how it works. They guy making 26K is only going to be taxed on the 1k over 25k, not all 26k.
Posted by: NotCoach at September 29, 2015 10:22 AM (rsudF)

Yes it is worth reminding everyone that "marginal tax rates" are on the next dollar.

So everyone, no matter how much money they make, pays the same tax rate on their first $25,000 (or whatever), then the same tax rate up to $50,000 (or whatever), etc. etc.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:34 AM (AkOaV)

275 All these people should be thanking us daily. Instead, they talk non stop ship.

Frankly, I'm over it.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes


Been over it. For years.
I'm kinda weird like that. I always took the "be careful what you wish for" to heart.

Posted by: rickb223 at September 29, 2015 10:34 AM (kca06)

276 Cecile Richards forgot her cauldron.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 10:35 AM (LUgeY)

277 247 Ominous,ominous events around the world.

I feel ya' man. It seems like it's only a matter of (little) time before something splashes on our shoes.
My fav headline of the day: "Isis Plans Nuclear Tsunami." Good times, good times.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 10:36 AM (5buP8)

278 The World is a much safer and better place with the US is dominant and the US Prospers when America is the dominant power in the world. The 2 go hand in hand.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 10:33 AM (gf8BH)

Well either we act like an empire and make it worth our while, or we bring all of our troops home.

Because I'm sick of paying for Asia and Europe and the ME and Africa and everyone elses security.

Because I don't feel more prosperous when 75%+ of my income goes directly or indirectly to some level of government.

And I don't think many in the "middle class" do.

We do kind of notice how others around the world are much more prosperous now then they were 50 years ago due to our security. And good for them.

But uh... also, fuck them. Because I'd rather have the money in my pocket and let them worry about their own security.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:36 AM (AkOaV)

279 Alternate title: Lena Dunham naps with her little sister.

Posted by: Rubio's Big Rock Candy Mountain at September 29, 2015 10:36 AM (lPhy2)

280 The World is a much safer and better place with the US is dominant and the US Prospers when America is the dominant power in the world. The 2 go hand in hand.

The Pax Americana is over. Nothing lasts forever.

Honestly, I've come to suspect we were way too good to folks. If there's a second Pax Americana, that's not a mistake that will repeat.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:36 AM (9krrF)

281 "There are way too many countries operating under a 'democracy' that have no business trying to govern themselves. Only a strong, autocratic leader can bring order out of the chaos.
Either that or the U.S. needs to colonize and control them."

The U.S. needs to step in?

The U.S. is one of those democracies which has proven that it has no business trying to govern itself. Under the sprawling majesty of American democracy, we Yanks have stacked up a pile of unfunded public sector liabilities that is _larger than the entire pool of private capital on the planet_, to say nothing of our colossal corporate and individual debts.

Brain-dead, historically and mathematically illiterate spendthrifts: that's American democracy in a nutshell. It can't last much longer, and it won't last much longer. Start thinking about what happens next. "Next" will arrive before you think it will.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 10:37 AM (noWW6)

282 Lena Dunham ruined her sister's virginal when she stuff pebbles inside of it.

Posted by: Roy at September 29, 2015 10:37 AM (VndSC)

283 Cecile Richards forgot her cauldron.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy
------------------------------------------------------------
Cecil was a lion and there was a king named Richard the Lion hearted. There's got to be a joke in there somewhere.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:38 AM (E5UB0)

284 I'm not too moved by virgins, but I do wish I had a maid

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 29, 2015 10:38 AM (J3phO)

285 Been over it. For years.
I'm kinda weird like that. I always took the "be careful what you wish for" to heart.
Posted by: rickb223 at September 29, 2015 10:34 AM (kca06)

The French spent 10 years talking shit about our "foreign adventure" in Iraq and calling us imperialists and war mongers and rogue cowboys etc. etc.

Then they say "ooooh shit, you know what -- we need to protect our investments in Libya and Mali. Heyyyy you evil war mongerers, would you mind lending us some transport aircraft? And maybe refueling some planes for us in flight? And well, honestly, can you just fight these wars for us? Cuz, er, well, we can't. Thanks guys!"

Then they go back to talking shit.

Hey Frogs -- defend your own shit. You keep telling us how wealthy of a country you are. PAY FOR YOUR OWN FUCKING PLANES

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:39 AM (AkOaV)

286 Alright Imma drive around in the rain now

Posted by: Bigby's Atomic Elbow at September 29, 2015 10:39 AM (3ZtZW)

287 Lena put so many pebbles in there, that if her sister slept with a man, only spring water would reach the fallopian tubes.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 10:40 AM (E5UB0)

288 i are entertained!

clang clang clang

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at September 29, 2015 10:40 AM (WTSFk)

289 Honestly, I've come to suspect we were way too good to folks. If there's a second Pax Americana, that's not a mistake that will repeat.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:36 AM (9krrF)

Seriously. I think we have acted like naive fools.

At least the British realized you need to get resources out of your "foreign adventures"

We just spent trillions and lost countless lives fighting "for freedom" and got jack shit in return.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:40 AM (AkOaV)

290 Chaffetz is slicing Richards pretty nicely. The IRS has time to investigate Tea Party groups but Richards just admitted that she is an employee of both Planned Parenthood at over $500K per year and a paid employee of the PP leftwing PAC.

Unbelievable.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:41 AM (OGm46)

291 Where de Witte women at?

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at September 29, 2015 10:44 AM (v9d0Z)

292 The Euros were so happy Obama was elected.They are now getting it good and hard.

Posted by: steevy at September 29, 2015 10:44 AM (sPO3u)

293 Heh. Chaffetz is raking the Wicked Witch over the coals. He's axing her all kinds of questions that she won't answer.

Deer. In. Headlights. Don't let up, Jason.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 10:44 AM (LUgeY)

294 I've heard elderly people from Haverhill call it tonic.

That seems like more of a Shelbyville thing.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at September 29, 2015 10:45 AM (evdj2)

295 So are members of Congress immune form prosecution if they drive a stake through the heart of a money sucking vampire?

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:45 AM (C/DS0)

296 When are we going to get a Leroy Neiman Sports Painting?

Posted by: Nevergiveup

I'm pining for Alberto Vargas art.

Posted by: Kevin C at September 29, 2015 10:45 AM (JUd6W)

297 Just like I'm tired of politicians telling me how vital a political solution is to problem x, and lawyers telling me how we simply must have a legal solution to problem y ... I'm tired of the military telling me how we simply must have a military solution to problem z.

I am for keeping a military strong enough to defend America. No more. Our constant "smothering" ... and allowing the Europeans and others to build these Socialist Utopias while ignoring their own defense ... is a big contributor to why we have so many Socialists running around today.

Frankly, if Putin annexes a couple of 'em, it'll be a great lesson to the rest.

Posted by: Irony at September 29, 2015 10:47 AM (9miVc)

298 I just learned the head of PP, Cecile Richards, is the late Ann Richards' daughter.

And PP pays well. Cecile makes $500 large/yr.

Wow.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 10:47 AM (FsuaD)

299 Don't worry guys!

I've got everything figured out!

It's all downhill from here, that's always easier than up!

Posted by: Joey Choo Choo Biden at September 29, 2015 10:47 AM (mcm0N)

300 When are we going to get a Leroy Neiman Sports Painting?

Ewoks. Playing poker.

Balck velvet.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 10:47 AM (659DL)

301 All of us down at the Brattleboro Women's Reproductive Health Choice
Clinic want to thank presdent oblama for helping my friend, Dorcuss Blimerline, who's step son was just hired for a job because of presednt Oblaam. He went to a interview at Burger king and was hired immediately when the manger saw his car outside. The manager asked him if that was his car with the Obama/Bliden sticker on it and he says yes. The mamanger said your hired right on the spot. I am so proud of him getting a goods paying job after four years of college studing art-history and how it molded ameruicalan history. he will be starting out at $5.25 an hour and we owe it all to Presdent obama and his great economic plan to helps personsw of color in this country. Thanlk You

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, VT at September 29, 2015 10:48 AM (EIFYf)

302 Elijah Cummings is countering Chaffetz questioning by talking about Wall Street and the War on Women (trademark pending). What a buffoon.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:48 AM (OGm46)

303 We just spent trillions and lost countless lives fighting "for freedom" and got jack shit in return.

Those on this side of the aisle who deliberately misunderstand "fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here" are nowhere near as obtuse as those on the other side of the aisle who deliberately flopped it. But they are as tedious.

Posted by: DaveA at September 29, 2015 10:49 AM (DL2i+)

304 -
Where de Witte women at?

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at September 29, 2015 10:44
------------------------


I'm right here. Can I have a job?

Posted by: Joyce Dewitt at September 29, 2015 10:49 AM (zxnPQ)

305 Honestly, I've come to suspect we were way too good to folks. If there's a second Pax Americana, that's not a mistake that will repeat.

We were clueless dupes for Europe. We dealt with all the messes and fought communism or radical Islam and neglected our own borders to do so. And none of it has mattered.

We should have gone isolationist after World War II, built up our own arsenals and borders. Instead we coddled Europe.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 10:49 AM (WlG0e)

306 The Pax Americana is over. Nothing lasts forever.

Honestly, I've come to suspect we were way too good to folks. If there's a second Pax Americana, that's not a mistake that will repeat.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:36 AM (9krrF)

And after the Pax? Then what? The opposite of Pax? Because that would be... unsettling.

Entropy is such a bitch. All systems fail because shit gets in them. They are destined to fail unless they are renewed. It's not just physics.

It could be renewed, but it would be painful and that's what is keeping it from being renewed and that's the reason why it probably won't be.

Bread and circuses. It didn't work for Rome either.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 10:50 AM (BZAd3)

307 Those on this side of the aisle who deliberately misunderstand "fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here" are nowhere near as obtuse as those on the other side of the aisle who deliberately flopped it. But they are as tedious.
Posted by: DaveA at September 29, 2015 10:49 AM (DL2i+)

Yeah, because if we didn't fight the Koreans in Korea or the Vietnamese in Vietnam or the Afhanis in Afghanistan or the Iraqis in Iraq, they'd all be joining forces to invade us via Alaska right about now.

You dolt.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:51 AM (AkOaV)

308 Those on this side of the aisle who deliberately misunderstand "fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here" are nowhere near as obtuse as those on the other side of the aisle who deliberately flopped it. But they are as tedious.

Pardon my saying, but this goes back to "skin in the game"--too many, here and abroad, built their sand castles on the backs of too few.

That can't hold long. And it won't hold much longer.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:51 AM (9krrF)

309 We should have gone isolationist after World War II, built up our own arsenals and borders. Instead we coddled Europe.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 10:49 AM (WlG0e)

And by "gone isolationist" you mean return to our pre-progressive era mindset about world affairs, I assume.

As in "try not to get dragged in to this bullshit".

We didn't always succeed, but we at least tried.

There was a big effort to not get involved in either WWI or WWII (until Pearl Harbor) but the progressives think the all powerful US government does such a great job domestically that it should be used to "export freedom and democracy around the world"

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:52 AM (AkOaV)

310 Vintage Varga from April 1944

http://preview.tinyurl.com/p36ppjn

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 29, 2015 10:54 AM (C/DS0)

311 >>Afhanis in Afghanistan or the Iraqis in Iraq,

The people who attacked us on 9/1, al Qaeda, were based in Afghanistan and the ISIS terrorists who are threatening to attack us now are based in Iraq. Both al Qaeda and ISIS have stated repeatedly that they want to attack the US homeland. Why would you doubt this is true?

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:54 AM (OGm46)

312 Ace promised him another 7-11.

I denounce myself.

Posted by: Nip Sip

Whatcha talking about? A bump of 7-11 points wouldn't be bad.

Posted by: Kevin C at September 29, 2015 10:54 AM (JUd6W)

313 Lay off the booze Mary.

Posted by: Tim in Illinois. Old and unimproved. at September 29, 2015 10:54 AM (dOD0J)

314 Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 10:18 AM (Zs4uk)

You have an example? And dictatorships posing as democracies don't count .

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 10:56 AM (014lE)

315 313 Those on this side of the aisle who deliberately misunderstand "fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here" are nowhere near as obtuse as those on the other side of the aisle who deliberately flopped it. But they are as tedious.

We paid for too much. Europe let us be their bad guy while they spent money on their welfare states.

The EU talks about how it has five hundred million people. Where the fuck is the military from all those millions of people?

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 10:56 AM (WlG0e)

316 I can't believe you'd post such trash, rdbrewer!

"The Interior of a Woman...." oh, wait. Nevermind.

Carry on.

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at September 29, 2015 10:56 AM (/Ho8c)

317 Lay off the booze Mary.

You kidding? She only gets close to coherent after her third Screwdriver...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:56 AM (9krrF)

318 the Afhanis in Afghanistan or the Iraqis in Iraq, they'd all be joining forces to invade us

ISIS is recruiting online here now. Sudden jihadi syndrome is cooking right now in a mosque or halal grocery near you. Just because you don't understand scaling arguments or religious imperatives doesn't mean they don't exists.

But I've been saying this to various morons for 14+ years and it hasn't gotten thru.

Time for the next adventure in get the chipmunk from under the dishwasher.

Posted by: DaveA at September 29, 2015 10:57 AM (DL2i+)

319 Yeah, because if we didn't fight the Koreans in Korea or the Vietnamese in Vietnam or the Afghanis in Afghanistan or the Iraqis in Iraq, they'd all be joining forces to invade us via Alaska right about now.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at 10:51 AM
________

What if we fought them on a neutral field, so to speak? If we're going to have a war against (say) ISIS, then why can't we fight it in a place like Sweden?

Posted by: FireHorse at September 29, 2015 10:57 AM (k9a6m)

320 I always thought chicks had to lie down when they played the vaginal.

Posted by: Joe Biden at September 29, 2015 10:57 AM (ham8J)

321 What if we fought them on a neutral field, so to speak? If we're going to have a war against (say) ISIS, then why can't we fight it in a place like Sweden?

If we gotta clean a place up, I say we keep it.

I'm tired of bleeding out for ingrates.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:58 AM (9krrF)

322 I am for keeping a military strong enough to defend America. No more. Our constant "smothering" ... and allowing the Europeans and others to build these Socialist Utopias while ignoring their own defense ... is a big contributor to why we have so many Socialists running around today.

Posted by: Irony at September 29, 2015 10:47 AM (9miVc)

____________

We spend $700B a year for the military in order to have Germany and France run socialist countries and tell us how awful we are every day.

Yet the same people who think this is a good use of money freak out when someone proposes spending $1B to build a wall on the Mexico border.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 10:58 AM (0LHZx)

323 Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 10:51 AM (AkOaV)

Nothing like an obtuse Paulian.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 10:58 AM (014lE)

324 Harry even I know -we're not in Vietnam anymore.

Posted by: Joey Choo Choo Biden at September 29, 2015 10:59 AM (mcm0N)

325 I see at the Fox web site that the House is excoriating PP AND that they have had an independent agency verify the videos as authentic.


They don't have a leg to stand on.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 10:59 AM (t2KH5)

326 I'm not too moved by virgins, but I do wish I had a maid

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 29, 2015 10:38 AM


Everybody ought to have a maid.

Posted by: Senex at September 29, 2015 10:59 AM (KrAjA)

327 Greetings, glorious Horde. Jumping in w/o getting caught up on everybody's precious words. Yet.

Yesterday's beautiful day has become today's windy, chilly, drizzle. This is the Chicago I remember!

Posted by: mindful webworker, in the Big Potato at September 29, 2015 10:59 AM (jUilJ)

328
We were clueless dupes for Europe. We dealt with all the messes and fought communism or radical Islam and neglected our own borders to do so. And none of it has mattered.

We should have gone isolationist after World War II, built up our own arsenals and borders. Instead we coddled Europe.
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 10:49 AM (WlG0e)

------------------------

Return of the Monroe doctrine!

Better yet, let's jettison the UN and start up an Anglo-Sphere compact.

Let's see

United States
Canada
Great Britain
Ireland
Australia
New Zealand

who else?

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:00 AM (LXJ1e)

329 The people who attacked us on 9/1, al Qaeda, were based in Afghanistan and the ISIS terrorists who are threatening to attack us now are based in Iraq. Both al Qaeda and ISIS have stated repeatedly that they want to attack the US homeland. Why would you doubt this is true?
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 10:54 AM (OGm46)

Afghanistan was a "flag of convenience" country for Al Qaeda training camps & some of the senior commanders of Al Qaeda. They'd been in Sudan, in Somalia, in Yemen, in Pakistan and pretty much every other failed (or semi-failed) Muslim state.

That does not require is to spend 10 years overthrowing the religious nutjobs who run the failed state, winning the "hearts and minds" of the goat herders, and building an entire country, then leaving and giving it all back to the same religious nutjobs we just over threw, but now with billions in infrastructure that they didn't previously have.

ISIS in Iraq? They're in Syria, another failed state. The Sunni tribes who straddle the Sykes-Picot borders between Iraq and Syria have pledged allegiance to Sunni ISIS, and some have moved in to Iraq.

I'm really not sure what your argument is.

Fighting them "over there" does not make us any safer.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:00 AM (AkOaV)

330 Huh. Planned Parenthood hearings going on and I get an ad for popcorn.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:00 AM (FsuaD)

331 #SemenSquirter on the loose.

WTF


http://tinyurl.com/nmmbqp8


Four years ago, Michael Edwards pleaded guilty to squirting his own bodily fluid from bottles onto women in Maryland stores. He was caught on camera and through DNA evidence. The prosecution recommended jail time, but the Montgomery County judge gave him three years of probation.

Now, Edwards is allegedly back to it again -- this time in Virginia.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 11:01 AM (fWAjv)

332 Return of the Monroe doctrine!

Better yet, let's jettison the UN and start up an Anglo-Sphere compact.


Half of which needs cleaning up, as well. But at least there may be foundations salvageable.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 11:01 AM (9krrF)

333 If we're going to have a war against (say) ISIS, then why can't we fight it in a place like Sweden?

Well you'd need a shitload of Studebaker Weasels, for one.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at September 29, 2015 11:01 AM (xq1UY)

334 Jindal on the AoS podcast? And here I thought he wanted to be taken seriously as a candidate!

(Hey, I said it about Fiorina. Just trying to be fair.)

Posted by: mindful webworker, in the Big Potato at September 29, 2015 11:02 AM (jUilJ)

335 As I mentioned up-thread, Cecile Richards, PP head, is paid $500,000/year.

Wrap your minds around that.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:02 AM (FsuaD)

336 Another Dem deflector steps to the plate. Conflate! Deflect! Change the topic!

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (J3phO)

337 So the head of PP cites their work in Africa.

Somehow, this just doesn't do anything to change my view of them.

Also: Fox cited nearly 400k abortions performed by PP last year.

Seems like a lot. Seems like a lot of spare parts. Seems like a lot of black market, off the books money.

Industrial scale almost.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (BZAd3)

338 #SemenSquirter on the loose.

WTF


http://tinyurl.com/nmmbqp8


Four years ago, Michael Edwards pleaded guilty to squirting his own bodily fluid from bottles onto women in Maryland stores. He was caught on camera and through DNA evidence. The prosecution recommended jail time, but the Montgomery County judge gave him three years of probation.

Now, Edwards is allegedly back to it again -- this time in Virginia.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There's an obvious, very appropriate punishment for this guy.

But thanks to bleeding heart idjits, it will probably not be applied.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (E5UB0)

339 Ewoks. Playing poker.

Balck velvet.


That glows under a black light.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (LUgeY)

340 United States
Canada
Great Britain
Ireland
Australia
New Zealand

who else?


India. For tech support.

Posted by: eleven at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (rjtGa)

341 344 Ewoks. Playing poker.

Balck velvet.

That glows under a black light.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (LUgeY)

Like a Jackson Pollack painting.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 11:04 AM (2Ojst)

342 ISIS is recruiting online here now. Sudden jihadi syndrome is cooking right now in a mosque or halal grocery near you. Just because you don't understand scaling arguments or religious imperatives doesn't mean they don't exists.

Posted by: DaveA at September 29, 2015 10:57 AM (DL2i+)

Again, what is your plan? To nuke the entire Muslim world?

ISIS isn't "recruiting online" so much as they're calling all devout Sunnis to the caliphate. It is the duty of all Sunnis to go to the caliphate and take up arms on behalf of the caliph.

If one of those Sunnis can't make it to the caliphate, they've been getting permission to kill infidels wherever they are.

But your plan to fight a world-wide ideology is to "win hearts and minds" by building schools?

I mean, come on.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:04 AM (AkOaV)

343 342
So the head of PP cites their work in Africa.



Zombie Margaret Sanger smiles.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:04 AM (FsuaD)

344 340 As I mentioned up-thread, Cecile Richards, PP head, is paid $500,000/year.

Wrap your minds around that.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:02 AM (FsuaD)

Wimmenz "health services" don't come cheap.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:04 AM (LXJ1e)

345 I don't object to invading Afghanistan and Iraq. I object that we invaded, waged a halfass political war in both places, and are leaving them in as bad shape as we entered.

The sad truth is that we won't seriously deal with the Islamic problem until the next catastrophe, or the one after.

And the other sad truth is we let ourselves be used by people who just didn't want to defend themselves.

The only partner we have with our level of commitment is Israel. Everybody else is a leech.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (WlG0e)

346 A lot of 91-degree angles in this thread. They seem to be right at first glance, but when you examine them closely, you find that they're obtuse.

Posted by: FireHorse at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (k9a6m)

347
Fighting them "over there" doesn't make us any safer.

****

Well hang in there kid we're about to find out what going back to international law as a defence looks like.

Posted by: Joey Choo Choo Biden at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (mcm0N)

348 Ewoks. Playing poker.



Balck velvet.



That glows under a black light.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (LUgeY)



Like a Jackson Pollack painting.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 11:04 AM


Or the bedspread at a by the hour motel.

Posted by: HR trinken trinken trinken at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (vn2q2)

349 India. For tech support.

Nah. The veneer is off India. Way too much fixing up required.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (9krrF)

350 "Better yet, let's jettison the UN and start up an Anglo-Sphere compact."

Something that would have been an excellent idea a couple of generations ago, but which has now been superseded and obsoleted as a concept by the extensive leftist cultural rot all through the Anglosphere.

Not to mention that with this list,

"United States / Canada / Great Britain /
Ireland / Australia / New Zealand"

That's six countries, of which precisely one has conventional military forces which are anything more than laughably notional. The others spent the money on their welfare states.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (noWW6)

351 Ewoks. Playing poker.

Balck velvet.

That glows under a black light.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (LUgeY)

Like a Jackson Pollack painting.
Posted by: Insomniac



Or the sheets at a No-Tell Motel.

Posted by: rickb223 at September 29, 2015 11:06 AM (kca06)

352 Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (WlG0e)

Well that's just it.

We don't fight serious wars, we fight half ass wars that accomplish nothing in the end except getting a lot of Americans killed and taking a lot of US middle class citizens money.

So knowing what I know now -- I'd be totally against invading Afghanistan & Iraq.

The countries are in worse shape after we left for us and for the citizens then before we got there, the only major evidence of our ever having been there is the ludicrous amount of money and blood sapped from the US middle class.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:07 AM (AkOaV)

353 Okay now your just smoking my crayons.

Posted by: Joey Choo Choo Biden at September 29, 2015 11:07 AM (mcm0N)

354 "The only partner we have with our level of commitment is Israel. Everybody else is a leech."

If the Kurds of the Peshmerga had any decent support, a lot of the problems caused by isis could be cleaned up and cleaned quick.

Posted by: Tim in Illinois. Old and unimproved. at September 29, 2015 11:07 AM (dOD0J)

355 Putin's a scumbag, but still, the irony is thick. He's actually standing up for Christendom in the Mid East.
Let him destroy ISIS.

Posted by: JoeF. at September 29, 2015 11:07 AM (Hakbg)

356 The way the light shines on the floor in that picture is very lovely and iIlike the little bits of cloud and trees seen in the window. Reminds me of Vermeer-one of my favorite artists.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 11:07 AM (cgZPg)

357 >>Afghanistan was a "flag of convenience" country for Al Qaeda training camps & some of the senior commanders of Al Qaeda. They'd been in Sudan, in Somalia, in Yemen, in Pakistan and pretty much every other failed (or semi-failed) Muslim state.

>>That does not require is to spend 10 years overthrowing the religious nutjobs who run the failed state, winning the "hearts and minds" of the goat herders, and building an entire country, then leaving and giving it all back to the same religious nutjobs we just over threw, but now with billions in infrastructure that they didn't previously have.

What your argument does is once again demonstrate the fallacy of level the place and leave. Of course Afghanistan is a failed state and that is exactly where terrorists gather. They feed on the corpse like maggots and form their base for attacks.

My argument, the argument that used to guide this country before the left and other assorted isolationists started taking over is that you do not leave failed states or allow them to fester because sooner or later they will come after us here. It happens whenever a great power shows weakness throughout history and it will happen here again. It's not a matter of if, just when and where.

This isolationist argument has been proven wrong over and over. We had no issue with Germany post WWII. None with Japan. We stayed and finished the job. We didn't stay in Iraq nor Afghanistan. We didn't in Libya and where we are today is a direct result of destroying and leaving.

Being a global superpower comes with responsibilities whether people like it or not. We are a target. We can either fight them there or here. That's the choice and pretending that we can disengage from the world and they will just ignore us is just ridiculous and historically inaccurate.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:08 AM (OGm46)

358 That's six countries, of which precisely one has conventional military forces which are anything more than laughably notional. The others spent the money on their welfare states.

And they're working on that one.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 11:08 AM (9krrF)

359 If the Kurds of the Peshmerga had any decent support, a lot of the problems caused by isis could be cleaned up and cleaned quick.

And we won't give them that support because some geopolitical wizard brought Turkey into NATO when we were playing chess against the Soviets.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (WlG0e)

360 So the head of PP says that the videos are "categorically untrue".

I have go to see the eye doctor. These damned lying eyes...

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (BZAd3)

361 Whoever titled that painting wasn't descriptive enough. I'd've called it "Interior with a Woman Playing a Virginal with a Blue Pitcher-like Thingie Next to Her and Another Woman Doing Something Else in Another Room."

Posted by: FireHorse at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (k9a6m)

362 "I don't object to invading Afghanistan and Iraq. I object that we
invaded, waged a halfass political war in both places, and are leaving
them in as bad shape as we entered."

And paying, in the course of accomplishing nothing durable, an absolutely horrendous price in blood and treasure. Trillions of dollars. Thousands of America's best individuals having lost their lives, or having been crippled physically, mentally, or both.

Note also the price paid in having to very expensively recapitalize a bunch of worn-out and written-off weapons systems used up in those wars, at a time when we can ill afford to do so properly.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (noWW6)

363 Choom Boy is meeting with Raoul Castro this morning.

Over/under he gives Guantanamo Bay back to Cuba?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:10 AM (FsuaD)

364 That's six countries, of which precisely one has conventional military forces which are anything more than laughably notional. The others spent the money on their welfare states.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:05 AM (noWW6)

Other than Great Britain, the other countries are still relatively small population compared to the US.

You have to start somewhere.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:10 AM (LXJ1e)

365 Anybody notice there's a third person in the picture. And a dog.

Posted by: eleven at September 29, 2015 11:10 AM (rjtGa)

366 If the Kurds of the Peshmerga had any decent support, a lot of the problems caused by isis could be cleaned up and cleaned quick.
Posted by: Tim in Illinois. Old and unimproved. at September 29, 2015 11:07 AM (dOD0J)

The Kurds do not give a flying fuck about Raqqa Syria, and will not "bring it to ISIS" by going in to Sunni Arab-land.

They are protecting their people and their borders. Which is fine and good.

But the bigger problem is not ISIS, it's that 1/2 the Sunni Arab world HAS THE SAME IDEOLOGY AS ISIS.

So my point AGAIN is that this is not something we can just.... "well lets arm some of these guys, drop some bombs and call it a day".

Its just a waste of money and lives.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:10 AM (AkOaV)

367 Does it work like the current progressive tax where the first 25K is "tax free" and the 10% just hits that last thousand (or however that works- that's part of why the current code is so complicated)?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (kff5f)


That could easily be done by making a Basic Personal Exemption of $25,000. Income exceeding this, but not the next tier, gets taxed at the first rate, and so on. But i don't know why you couldn't make the brackets "soft", either. To wit:

0 - 20000 = 0%

20 - 21000 = 1%


21 - 22000 = 2%, and so on. If the additional pain is spread out, there will be less incentive to mis-report income.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:10 AM (0yhH4)

368 Putin's a scumbag, but still, the irony is thick. He's actually standing up for Christendom in the Mid East.
Let him destroy ISIS.


The whole "Third Rome" thing never completely died out in Russia. It's completely messed up, but I'm wondering if Russia's not going to wind up being the last bulwark against Islam at this rate.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 11:11 AM (9krrF)

369 "366
Whoever titled that painting wasn't descriptive enough. I'd've called it
"Interior with a Woman Playing a Virginal with a Blue Pitcher-like
Thingie Next to Her and Another Woman Doing Something Else in Another
Room."

Posted by: FireHorse at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (k9a6m)"

Hey, don't forget me!

Posted by: Dude in the Bed at September 29, 2015 11:12 AM (lPTI6)

370 370
Anybody notice there's a third person in the picture. And a dog.

Posted by: eleven at September 29, 2015 11:10 AM (rjtGa)


Yeah, there's a person peering out of the bed like he/she is pissed by being awakened. And a little dog curled up.

Whenever I see a painting from that time period, I imagine how cold it would have been in the winter.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:12 AM (FsuaD)

371 The Pax Americana is over. Nothing lasts forever.

Honestly, I've come to suspect we were way too good to folks. If there's a second Pax Americana, that's not a mistake that will repeat.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 10:36 AM (9krrF)

They are also saying that him shaking hands with Iran's foreign minister was an "accident".

How the f--k do you accidentally shake hands with someone? "Oh, I didn't recognize him in his funny hat."

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 11:12 AM (BZAd3)

372 "If the Kurds of the Peshmerga had any decent support, a lot of the
problems caused by isis could be cleaned up and cleaned quick."

What made it clear that U.S. policy towards containing the Islamic State is just more deliberate failure theater was the direct order from Obama that the Kurds were not to be supplied with heavy weapons.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:12 AM (noWW6)

373 How the f--k do you accidentally shake hands with someone? "Oh, I didn't recognize him in his funny hat."

Same way all those wangs "accidentally" wound up in his mouth.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 11:13 AM (9krrF)

374 "Being a global superpower comes with responsibilities whether people
like it or not. We are a target. We can either fight them there or here.
That's the choice and pretending that we can disengage from the world
and they will just ignore us is just ridiculous and historically
inaccurate."

Exactly.

There always has to be someone strong enough to keep the peace for everybody else. Always. For 200 years it was the Brits. Now it's us. If it isn't us, it'll be somebody a lot less pleasant than us.

People just need to deal with that fact.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 11:13 AM (ljZD2)

375 365 So the head of PP says that the videos are "categorically untrue".

I have go to see the eye doctor. These damned lying eyes...

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (BZAd3)

Categorically

Literally

Words have no meanings to leftists.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 11:14 AM (fWAjv)

376 368 Over/under he gives Guantanamo Bay back to Cuba?


Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:10 AM (FsuaD)

Legally he can not do that w/o approval of the Senate to deratify the treaty.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at September 29, 2015 11:14 AM (t2KH5)

377 You know Anglosphere troops were fighting in combat (and not being REMFs) alongside your troops in the GWOT and every other war since WW2 as well, right?

Posted by: andycanuck at September 29, 2015 11:14 AM (Aw1ge)

378 Note also the price paid in having to very expensively recapitalize a bunch of worn-out and written-off weapons systems used up in those wars, at a time when we can ill afford to do so properly.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (noWW6)


And training an Iraqi army which ran away from ISIS and left them our equipment.

And allying with boy rapists and expecting to win hearts and minds.

And spending half a billion dollars on fifty guys in Syria that got killed by ISIS.

The federal government manages wars as well as it manages everything else.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 11:14 AM (WlG0e)

379 Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:08 AM (OGm46)

Why do you keep saying "the left"?

You are making the progressive interventionalist Woodrow Wilson argument most famously espoused in modern times by Samantha Powers, Hillary! Clinton, and John McCain.


It's an argument that has not served us well.

Prior to Pearl Harbor, the Republican party was VERY against WWII. And against WWI. And the Spanish-American War. And every other war that progressivist pushed for in order to export their glorious socialist revolution they were trying to cause around the world.

The Whigs were the same before them (their aversion to war set up their demise with the civil war, but thats a topic for another time).

The democrat-republican party before THEM was the same.

In fact, from George Washington through George W Bush, the only "pro-war" party was the Democrat party and their ideological predecessors. Look at every major war, who was "for it" and who was against it.

Every. Major. War.

You can't just re-write history by saying "that's just leftists not understanding history". No, it's just smart people absolutely understanding history and how stupid it is to try to involve ourselves in every problem around the world.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:14 AM (AkOaV)

380 You are right. They do not care about Syria. Did isis quit fighting against the Kurds in Iraq in places such as Mosul? The more resources isis has to spend keeping the Kurds at bay they less they have to do other things.

The Kurds need weapons and a constant supply of munitions to do this. What they are getting now barely allows to keep their core territory isis free.

Or is that assessment completely wrong?

Posted by: Tim in Illinois. Old and unimproved. at September 29, 2015 11:15 AM (dOD0J)

381 370
Anybody notice there's a third person in the picture. And a dog.

Posted by: eleven
-----------------
Congrats! You found the sniper.

Posted by: Chi at September 29, 2015 11:15 AM (yBiXO)

382 This isolationist argument has been proven wrong over and over. We had no issue with Germany post WWII. None with Japan. We stayed and finished the job. We didn't stay in Iraq nor Afghanistan. We didn't in Libya and where we are today is a direct result of destroying and leaving.

-----------------------------

Both of those where advanced technological Western countries hijacked by perverse ideologies.

Afganistan was and is a primitive agricultural country without any firm foundation in Western thought or practice.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:16 AM (LXJ1e)

383 There always has to be someone strong enough to keep the peace for everybody else. Always. For 200 years it was the Brits. Now it's us. If it isn't us, it'll be somebody a lot less pleasant than us.

People just need to deal with that fact.
Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 11:13 AM (ljZD2)

Good. Let it be someone a lot less pleasant than us.

I'm sick of paying for it, I'm sick of hearing about it, and frankly I don't give two shits about what happens in the ummah.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:16 AM (AkOaV)

384 How much of a f'ng GOPe hack/lightweight is Brian Kilmeade?
Cecile Richards is giving live testimony of Capitol Hill, and he's interviewing Ann Romney[i/] about her charitable work.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 11:16 AM (5buP8)

385 Oh and by the by, the Taliban, al Qaeda and ISIS forces just took a major city in Afghanistan and released hundreds of Taliban fighters from prison while doing so. That's what isolationism gets you.

Anyone seriously think that the Great Satan isn't still a huge target with our new, kinder, gentler isolationist stance under Obama?

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:16 AM (OGm46)

386 The people who attacked us on 9/1, al Qaeda, were based in Afghanistan ...
Posted by: JackStraw


True in geography; false in origin.

They were a product of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

That they happened to have training camps in Afghan was awfully convenient to hawks who don't want to shit about either SA or Pakistan.

To date I have yet to hear anyone account for this glaring discrepancy.

A discrepancy that must be answered before any more adventures should be entertained.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at September 29, 2015 11:17 AM (JmGFJ)

387 "I'm sick of paying for it, I'm sick of hearing about it, and frankly I don't give two shits about what happens in the ummah."

War, however, is interested in you.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 11:18 AM (ljZD2)

388 Legally he can not do that w/o approval of the Senate to deratify the treaty.

I'm sure he cares about doing it legally. O_o

Posted by: HR trinken trinken trinken at September 29, 2015 11:18 AM (vn2q2)

389 The Kurds need weapons and a constant supply of munitions to do this. What they are getting now barely allows to keep their core territory isis free.

Or is that assessment completely wrong?
Posted by: Tim in Illinois. Old and unimproved. at September 29, 2015 11:15 AM (dOD0J)

The Kurds have only fought to protect their land on the Iraq / Turkey border. They have not ventured in to Sunni Arab land or Shia Arab land.

They don't want to, and it would be unfair and counter productive to ask them to.

They are surrounded on all fronts by people that hate them, including their historic frenemies the Turks who ended up with a decent number of Kurds living within their borders after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, which has left the Turks on edge since then. Especially considering the whole oil situation in that part of the world.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:19 AM (AkOaV)

390 394 "I'm sick of paying for it, I'm sick of hearing about it, and frankly I don't give two shits about what happens in the ummah."

War, however, is interested in you.
Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 11:18 AM (ljZD2)


Would you shut down the government to keep troops in Afghanistan?

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 11:19 AM (WlG0e)

391 It's either a pay the price now or pay the price later, and it is always cheaper to pay the price now
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:13 AM (gf8BH)

That old saw that ends with "... for good men to do nothing," is just like almost all of the other old proverbs - they are mostly true. Chamberlain, like Obama, chose to appease evil. Fifty million people died.

I would not be betting that the next global conflagration will be any smaller.

Posted by: Semper In Stercus at September 29, 2015 11:20 AM (BZAd3)

392 392 Oh and by the by, the Taliban, al Qaeda and ISIS forces just took a major city in Afghanistan and released hundreds of Taliban fighters from prison while doing so. That's what isolationism gets you.

Anyone seriously think that the Great Satan isn't still a huge target with our new, kinder, gentler isolationist stance under Obama?
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:16 AM (OGm46)

Oh, okay -- so now Afghanistan, a country we have occupied for my entire adult life, is an example of "isolationism"?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:20 AM (AkOaV)

393 OK, I sent my three questions for Jindal to Pixy's hamsters. Ace can pick any or all of them.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:20 AM (LUgeY)

394 400 OK, I sent my three questions for Jindal to Pixy's hamsters. Ace can pick any or all of them.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:20 AM (LUgeY)

Think Jindal will get the aoshq bump like Carly did?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:21 AM (AkOaV)

395 383 You know Anglosphere troops were fighting in combat (and not being REMFs) alongside your troops in the GWOT and every other war since WW2 as well, right?
Posted by: andycanuck at September 29, 2015 11:14 AM (Aw1ge)

If the United States is to be part of an extra-national organization, an Anglosphere compact would be it.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:22 AM (LXJ1e)

396 ... but I'm wondering if Russia's not going to wind up being the last bulwark against Islam at this rate.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at 11:11 AM
________

Interesting.

Russia itself is a work of federalism and multiculturalism in their true senses. Russia has also been part of Western Civilization for 1,000 years but has always seemed to be pledging for full membership. "The best defense is a good offense" has adequately described the country's defense doctrine since 1945. There are a lot of Muslims in Russia, but it doesn't seem to be a threat - at least, not one that the central government is neither unable nor unwilling to deal with.

So hold that thought.

Posted by: FireHorse at September 29, 2015 11:23 AM (vh4aS)

397 Oh, okay -- so now Afghanistan, a country we have occupied for my entire adult life, is an example of "isolationism"?
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:20 AM (AkOaV)

I know, do we not have troops there? I think 14,000 are currently stationed there. Perhaps he want 500,000 stationed there.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:23 AM (LXJ1e)

398 Harry


It's patently false to say that ISIS does not recruit online or via Twitter.

Holy crap--where are you getting that pie in the sky analysis from?

That's a point that isn't even contested by the left or the right, hell even Rand Paul would concede that point.

How has ISIS been so successful?

Explain how that had happened.

There are 250 Americans headed to the area if CNN is to be believed --just now.


And, finally resorting to calling someone a dolt so easily is a sign that even you realize your on shaky logical territory.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (mcm0N)

399 "Would you shut down the government to keep troops in Afghanistan?"

That's a non sequitur.

"Government shut-downs" aren't actually shut-downs at all, merely propaganda tools for the Leftist media on one hand, and likewise for certain senators trying to raise funds for their presidential campaigns on the other.


Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (ljZD2)

400 "[The 9/11 hijackers] were a product of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. That they happened to have training camps in Afghan was awfully
convenient to hawks who don't want to shit about either SA or Pakistan."

See also: the extensive classified redactions from the official 9/11 commission report regarding the hijackers' official Saudi ties.

Note also that very late in the Commission process, staff found a bunch of material over at the NSA indicating that some of the 9/11 hijackers had been in Iran beforehand. None of that got into the report because they simply ran out of time. The draft report was already pretty much wrapped up by the time the NSA documents were discovered.

The head of the Commission himself admits that the report was not and could not possibly have been a factually definitive historical accounting, because of the limitations of time, money, staffing, access, and adversarial politics between the Commission members.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (noWW6)

401 So far I've learned from Richard's testimony:
1) She's a bald faced liar
2) Democrats can continue to push the "highly edited" lie to their hearts content.
3) Democrats can continue to push the "discredited sting op" narrative unchallenged.
4) She's an evil, soul-less woman
5) She's a bald faced liar.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (5buP8)

402 Nevergiveup,

Amen.

Posted by: Raider Nation at September 29, 2015 11:25 AM (zyIlW)

403
And we won't give them that support because some geopolitical wizard brought Turkey into NATO when we were playing chess against the Soviets.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 11:09 AM (WlG0e)








Turkey, like all mohammedan countries, has a history of turning shinola into shit. Like Cyprus.

In this case, 40 years after the Turks invaded, with almost no hostilities in that time, they walled off a whole resort city just out of spite. Still a ghost town today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varosha,_Famagusta

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at September 29, 2015 11:25 AM (UBLhq)

404 Words have no meanings to leftists.

Neither does reality.

There's an awfully big part of me that wants someone on that committee to show just one slide of an aborted baby to that Richards witch.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:25 AM (LUgeY)

405 dammit.

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:25 AM (zyIlW)

406 >>You are making the progressive interventionalist Woodrow Wilson argument most famously espoused in modern times by Samantha Powers, Hillary! Clinton, and John McCain.


That's absurd. Clinton largely left the Middle East alone and destroyed our intelligence ability. He refused to let our intelligence groups deal with "shady characters" which is precisely the place you get intelligence. The result was 9-11.

When Bush left office, Iraq was largely pacified. It was far from a stable state, however. It needed our support to put down the fanatical groups which are a fact of life in the Middle East and they were allowed to grow and spread like a cancer. Libya is a perfect example of what happens when you destroy a state and let terrorists move into the chaos. And now Afghanistan, which Obama is abandoning for political reasons, is rapidly sliding back into failed state status.

I don't give a rats ass what Republican policy was in 1900 or 1945. I'm talking about what works and what doesn't. What works is taking out an enemy element, be it a head of state or a terrorist group that infests a failed state, and then staying around long enough to help build and strengthen civic institutions begin to function in a new state.

We have hundreds of thousands of refugees pouring out of the Middle East. Many of them are reportedly terrorists in disguise. And this is a direct result of turning a blind eye to failed states. And we are going to pay a very large price for that.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:26 AM (OGm46)

407 409
So far I've learned from Richard's testimony:

1) She's a bald faced liar

2) Democrats can continue to push the "highly edited" lie to their hearts content.

3) Democrats can continue to push the "discredited sting op" narrative unchallenged.

4) She's an evil, soul-less woman

5) She's a bald faced liar.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (5buP


She's the hell spawn of the late Ann Richards.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:27 AM (FsuaD)

408 We're gonna need a lot of dreamers to fuel the military large enough to take care of the world.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at September 29, 2015 11:28 AM (W5DcG)

409 How has ISIS been so successful?

Explain how that had happened.

There are 250 Americans headed to the area if CNN is to be believed --just now.


And, finally resorting to calling someone a dolt so easily is a sign that even you realize your on shaky logical territory.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (mcm0N)

If we view ISIS's success in how many times Russia has to bomb them, ISIS might be a great success, in the short run.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:28 AM (0eidE)

410 Imagine if ace got Jeb on the podcast. "With the exception of one or two trolls, everyone absolutely loathes you. What do you plan to do about that, or do you even care?"

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 11:28 AM (E5UB0)

411 Fighting them "over there" does not make us any safer.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:00 AM (AkOaV)



No, but killing them over there sure does. Nuke the ever-lovin' shit out of them.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:29 AM (0yhH4)

412 We did NOT occupy it..Get your facts straight. Don't confuse bad tactics with bad policy.

Afghanistan is a fuck up, but not because we "Occupied" it.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (gf8BH)

Yes, let's permanently station 250,000 troops there.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:29 AM (LXJ1e)

413
So, is Ace going to ask Jindal about Mr. Bradley Cooper?

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at September 29, 2015 11:29 AM (iQIUe)

414 It's patently false to say that ISIS does not recruit online or via Twitter.


Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:24 AM (mcm0N)

Link?

My point -- if you read my post -- was that there are twitter campaigns to "come to the caliphate" as all observant Muslims should.

But they're not using some nefarious subliminal brain washing to activate unknowing sleeper agents via the internet.

People are being so silly about this.

As anyone who has studied Islam at all knows, all Muslims are to drop whatever they are doing and go to the caliphate. The Koran demands it. Just like all observant Muslims are to do Hajj once in their life.

If they are fortunate enough to live during the time of a Caliph and a caliphate, they MUST go. That's all the twitter campaigns are.

Now, of course, many people declare themselves Caliphs and are dismissed as false prophets -- as worse than kafirs. And it is also the duty of any Muslim to kill a false prophet.

But that's all the "social media recruiting" is -- saying "this is a legit caliphate, al Baghdadi is of the Qureshi tribe, as told my prophecies and he has declared himself Caliph. It is all Muslims' duties to come here by any means necessary."

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:29 AM (AkOaV)

415 we cannot build their insititutions for them. I am sick of spilling our blood. I would be very happy to prop up "strong men" like Al Sisi around the region and let them fight the radicals

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (zOTsN)

416 Does it work like the current progressive tax where the first 25K is "tax free" and the 10% just hits that last thousand (or however that works- that's part of why the current code is so complicated)?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Fire-hooks and Rock Salt for sale at September 29, 2015 09:51 AM (kff5f)

___________

It's not that complicated.

Example:
$0-50K is 10%
$50,001 to $100K is 20%

Your income is $82K. So your tax is 10% of $50,000 plus 20% of 82000-50001.

$5000 + $6400 = 11,400 total tax.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (0LHZx)

417 *taps chin*

Question for Jindal: "So, Gov. Jindal, do you believe Barack Obama supports pederasty in Afghanistan? What would a President Jindal do about child rapists?"

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (FsuaD)

418 Not surprising since all we do is give lip service to stopping anyone or trying to stop the radicalization of yoots in this Country
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:29 AM (gf8BH)

Explain to me the process of "radicalization" and how it's different from being a "follower of the religion" and how, exactly, you plan on stopping Muslims from practicing their religion, what with the 1st amendment and all.

Go.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (AkOaV)

419 That's absurd. Clinton largely left the Middle East alone and destroyed our intelligence ability. He refused to let our intelligence groups deal with "shady characters" which is precisely the place you get intelligence. The result was 9-11.

We have hundreds of thousands of refugees pouring out of the Middle East. Many of them are reportedly terrorists in disguise. And this is a direct result of turning a blind eye to failed states. And we are going to pay a very large price for that.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:26 AM (OGm46)

I do agree that Clinton and his inaction during the embassy bombings led to 9-11. I don't agree that letting the Middle East become the next afghanistan or somalia will necessarily make us pay a large price. France did well after getting Germany to tear itself apart in the 1630s.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (0eidE)

420 Hillary Clinton now believes in some restrictions on abortion

... I totally understand Hillary's belief in some restrictions.

After the CMP videos of Planned Parenthood performing extreme late term (after birth) abortions, I could see Hillary's dismay.

Imagine if somebody got an idea for ultra hyper extreme late term abortion .. say 3544 weeks after birth .. going back to a child born Oct 26, 1947.

Now you can see why there must be some restrictions.

Posted by: Efrem Zimbalist Jr. at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (e8kgV)

421 ISIS entered Iraq with the refugees from Syria.

At the time people were berating Iraq for rapidly accepting refugees but eventually even the mass media figured out that ISIS was doing that of course maybe only after Raqqa fell.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:31 AM (mcm0N)

422 425 we cannot build their insititutions for them. I am sick of spilling our blood. I would be very happy to prop up "strong men" like Al Sisi around the region and let them fight the radicals
Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (zOTsN)

Which is a much saner alternative than anything else I've seen advocated on this thread that I vehemently disagree with.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:31 AM (AkOaV)

423 But thanks to bleeding heart idjits, it will probably not be applied.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 11:03 AM (E5UB0)


Hickory shampoo, rinse and repeat until done.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:31 AM (0yhH4)

424 430
We're gonna need a lot of dreamers to fuel the military large enough to take care of the world.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at September 29, 2015 11:28 AM (W5DcG)



That's not true.. Give the Military the tools and the proper Rules Of Engagement and all can be fine

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (gf8BH)


A thousand times THIS^^^^^^^

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:32 AM (FsuaD)

425 So I ordered a digital camera which has arrived and is very pretty, but it didn't come with a memory card.

Is that bullshit or standard practice?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 11:32 AM (JtwS4)

426 432 ISIS entered Iraq with the refugees from Syria.

At the time people were berating Iraq for rapidly accepting refugees but eventually even the mass media figured out that ISIS was doing that of course maybe only after Raqqa fell.
Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:31 AM (mcm0N)

No, ISIS entered Iraq with the blessing and assistance of Sunni tribes who felt marginalized by the kafir Shia running the show in Baghdad.

I mean, some may have come over as refugees, but ISIS is not an occupying army in the areas they exist. The locals INVITED them in for the most part.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:32 AM (AkOaV)

427 Report: US failing to stop most people trying to join ISIS


The House Homeland Security Committee says the US is failing to stop most people trying to go overseas to join terrorist groups, including the Islamic State.

Not surprising since all we do is give lip service to stopping anyone or trying to stop the radicalization of yoots in this Country
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:29 AM (gf8BH)

Why stop them? Just don't let them back in. They can become great russian targets or help bleed some shiites or russians.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:32 AM (0eidE)

428 Re: Richards.
Is it me, or when you look at that picture of her at Fox news, is she not in mid-morph to a Satanic figure?

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 11:33 AM (5buP8)

429 Im going to go out on a limb here and say that is a picture taken by a papparazi standing in the bedroom window of Ace's luxury tree house (as ewoks live in the trees) and that fellow in the bed is actually Ace hisself! The woman could be some hobo's that Ace spared as they could clean up his place of all those empty Valu-rite bottles. Maybe? Maybe Not?

Posted by: Cycomiko66 at September 29, 2015 11:33 AM (O45yk)

430 Jezzuz you need a damn link for that?

You think it's questionable that ISIS is recruiting online?

Go google it.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:33 AM (mcm0N)

431 Nuke the "Caliphate."
End of problem.

Posted by: @votermom at September 29, 2015 11:33 AM (cbfNE)

432 So I see a number of people here are saying we should left Saddam in power and Al Queda to grow in Afghanistan. No problemo dudes. Free Weed!!

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 11:34 AM (014lE)

433 I don't give a rats ass what Republican policy was in 1900 or 1945. I'm talking about what works and what doesn't. What works is taking out an enemy element, be it a head of state or a terrorist group that infests a failed state, and then staying around long enough to help build and strengthen civic institutions begin to function in a new state.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:26 AM (OGm46)

No, no, what your describing is what doesn't work.

Because if it did work, then Afghanistan and Iraq would be in great shape right now.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:34 AM (AkOaV)

434 we cannot build their insititutions for them. I am sick of spilling our blood. I would be very happy to prop up "strong men" like Al Sisi around the region and let them fight the radicals
Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (zOTsN)

Which is a much saner alternative than anything else I've seen advocated on this thread that I vehemently disagree with.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:31 AM (AkOaV)

Well I think we saw that the British decided it's not worth colonizing those parts of the world anymore.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:34 AM (0eidE)

435 "Question for Jindal: 'So, Gov. Jindal, do you believe Barack Obama
supports pederasty in Afghanistan? What would a President Jindal do
about child rapists?'"

Over at _Warm Flatus_, they're wringing their hands about how it's sadly necessary to drum out of the services these troops who take it upon themselves to beat up Afghan child molesters, because otherwise, the the integrity of the chain of command might break down.

Yeah, I'm just all busted up inside about the "integrity of the chain of command".

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:35 AM (noWW6)

436 Is that bullshit or standard practice?
I would have said they give you a low capacity mini SD, kind of like the cheap shit Chinese batteries the sell w/everything. Maybe they don't do that anymore.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 11:35 AM (5buP8)

437 Yeah,

Mosul invited ISIS.

Considering I spent much more time in Iraq than your young ass, I'm going to call bullshit on your theory.

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:35 AM (zyIlW)

438 Example:
$0-50K is 10%
$50,001 to $100K is 20%

Your income is $82K. So your tax is 10% of $50,000 plus 20% of 82000-50001.

$5000 + $6400 = 11,400 total tax.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (0LHZx)

-----------------


No no no.

Your income from 0 to 25000 is taxed 0%

Your income from 25001 to 50000 is taxed 10%

Your income from 50001 to 82000 is taxed 15%

25K x 0.1 + 32K x 0.15 = 2.5K + 4.8K = 7.3K

However, that does not include other deductions to your income.

Also that should be $82K take home. You would not be taxed on the benefits, money to 401k or SS.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (LXJ1e)

439 Nuke the "Caliphate."
End of problem.
Posted by: @votermom at September 29, 2015 11:33 AM (cbfNE)

Apparently, there are 2. ISIS for sunnis and Iran for shiites. How about we nuke them if they do another 9/11 first?

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (0eidE)

440 I'd be fine with going "over there" to fight them. If we actually fought them. But we don't fight anymore. We go there and don't do fuck all for fear of offending someone or - GHASP!! - killing someone.

If the option is go over there and blow shit up until the bad guys stop fucking with us, I'm all for it. However if the option is go over there, spend a couple of trillion dollars, lose 5K lives and in the end accomplish nothing because you're afraid to actually fight....I am 100% against it.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (0LHZx)

441 Your kidding right? If you can't figure that our on your own after all this time? And I don't have the time or inclination.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:34 AM (gf8BH)

No, I can't figure out what the difference between a "devout" Muslim and a "radicalized" Muslim is.

And no one can explain it to me.

Every. Single. "lone wolf" has been a "known wolf."

Why's that?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (AkOaV)

442 From Legal Insurrection:

Germany and Sweden are considering ending property rights so that property can be seized to house immigrants. Will the citizens lay down to allow this to happen? I expect so.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (cgZPg)

443 >>France did well after getting Germany to tear itself apart in the 1630s.

While I will concede my German ancestors are a wacky bunch, they weren't radical religious nuts who believed that destroying the western world would bring about the return of some mythical god.

Not so much the case with Islamic terrorists. Each scenario is going to require slightly different tactics.

They have no real interest in building anything remotely like a civil society based on national values or even borders. They are coming for us. That is their mission. They say so on a daily basis and are demonstrating their resolve and gaining territory, resources and weapons.

We are demonstrating we aren't listening. I see this ending very badly for us.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (OGm46)

444 "Russia has also been part of Western Civilization for 1,000 years but has always seemed to be pledging for full membership. "The best defense is a good offense" has adequately described the country's defense doctrine since 1945."

Russia (Gov of) has been a danger to Western Civilization for 1,000 years or more. Ask Poland among others. Lots of good people in Russia. Government hasn't changed much since Catherine the Great. Ambitious people in authoritarian Governments cause a lot of atrocities. Everywhere. Russia has had one form or another of National Socialism since its inception.

Posted by: just saying at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (jN+3o)

445 Think Jindal will get the aoshq bump like Carly did?

The Carly bump was unexpected, and Jindal will probably get one too.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:37 AM (LUgeY)

446 No no no.

Your income from 0 to 25000 is taxed 0%

Your income from 25001 to 50000 is taxed 10%

Your income from 50001 to 82000 is taxed 15%

25K x 0.1 + 32K x 0.15 = 2.5K + 4.8K = 7.3K

However, that does not include other deductions to your income.

Also that should be $82K take home. You would not be taxed on the benefits, money to 401k or SS.
Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (LXJ1e)

___________

Not sure if you're being facetious or not. But you do realize my example was just to show how the math works, right?

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:37 AM (0LHZx)

447 Don't let them back in? Your assuming we have control of our borders?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:35 AM (gf8BH)

Our borders ain't that great, but the FBI has been doing a great job of nabbing and killing jihadis. I also love how it's a crime to support or try to join ISIS in America now.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:37 AM (0eidE)

448 386, you're absolutely right, but sometimes doing things out if naked self-interest can still have a beneficial effect on everyone else. Charles Martel, Sobieleski and others who fought the Muslim hordes were doing so to protect their lands, their people, their power.
They saved Western Civilization in the process.

If Putin can rid the world of a scourge like ISIS, that's a plus. I don't like the ides of Putin gaining anything or basking in glory, but that's the way it is. Obama isn't going to do anything to stop ISIS--or Putin. America is currently in sleep mode.

Posted by: JoeF. at September 29, 2015 11:37 AM (Pwzww)

449 Yesterday Boner was bragging about restraining spending. Today he says he's open to raising the debt limit. See Drudge.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 11:37 AM (VtYtu)

450 Isolationism: An idiotic head-in-the-sand view of the world and overwhelmingly greatest reason why damned libertarians get 1-3% of the vote when they run as Libertarians.

Posted by: troyriser at September 29, 2015 11:37 AM (fnCax)

451 453 I'd be fine with going "over there" to fight them. If we actually fought them. But we don't fight anymore. We go there and don't do fuck all for fear of offending someone or - GHASP!! - killing someone.

The thing is, we'll lob a cruise missile at a passing bigwig and kill fifty people. But we won't stop a boy raping or harm a koran.

Our policy is nonsensical.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at September 29, 2015 11:38 AM (WlG0e)

452 I dont think we should have left Saddam in power. I dont think we could have avoided Afghanastan. We have to stop pretending this is a culture that is ready for western style democracies and will make what we consider rational choices Support Al Sisi. Find a General in Assads army and work with him. And support the kurds. At this point, break Iraq the fuck up. Support the north and fuck the south. And put a boot on the neck of Turkey for playing both sides against the middle. If all we did was stop the horde from going through Turkey into Europe I would take that at this point

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:38 AM (zOTsN)

453 I overheard last night the an Ewok, was just a Carebear that haslost it's magic and was strung out on Val-U-Rite and Meth.

Posted by: CSMBigBird at September 29, 2015 11:38 AM (jsWA8)

454 Explain to me the process of "radicalization" and how it's different from being a "follower of the religion" and how, exactly, you plan on stopping Muslims from practicing their religion, what with the 1st amendment and all.

Go.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:30 AM (AkOaV)

I've found that most muslims don't practice their religion that much and the further away from mecca/tehran the less and less.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:38 AM (0eidE)

455 Justin Bieber says he wants to live like Jesus.

I want to live like a young Hugh Hefner.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 11:39 AM (VtYtu)

456 Mosul invited ISIS.

Considering I spent much more time in Iraq than your young ass, I'm going to call bullshit on your theory.

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:35 AM (zyIlW)

yeah, I remember the Great Battle of Mosul well -- the defenders found valiantly to protect themselves and their families from the invading barbarians at the gate -- oh, no nevermind, they didn't.

They dropped their guns and dispersed in to the crowds of civilians welcoming ISIS.

And I don't know how much time you spent in Mosul, but if you recall they didn't exactly welcome the US Army as liberators either.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:40 AM (AkOaV)

457 ABC News FBI imploring Congress to help them fight ISIS recruitment in the US


http://tinyurl.com/n9s48s5

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:40 AM (mcm0N)

458 No, I can't figure out what the difference between a "devout" Muslim and a "radicalized" Muslim is.

And no one can explain it to me.

Every. Single. "lone wolf" has been a "known wolf."

Why's that?
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (AkOaV)

If you see the devout muslims as the same as radicalized muslims, it makes sense. It's the non-devout muslims who are the majority. Kind of like the pro-life movement with Christians.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:40 AM (0eidE)

459 "So I see a number of people here are saying we should left Saddam in power and Al Queda to grow in Afghanistan."

I would have happily cut a deal with Saddam whereby he was left in power within Iraq so long as there was no cooperation with Islamist elements outside of Iraq. He was none too fond of them inside his own country.

And, Saddam was a useful foil and counterweight to the Iranian ayatollahs. Of whom he was also none too fond, having fought a long and bloody war against them.

As for allowing AQ to "grow in Afghanistan", well, that problem could have been easily enough solved with good old-fashioned punitive raids and bombing missions.

Would there still have been nooks and crannies inside Afghanistan in which AQ could train and recruit? Sure. Except... those exist right now. They have never been successfully extirpated. Even the Soviets with their incredibly brutal methods didn't get rid of all of those.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:41 AM (noWW6)

460 Now, Edwards is allegedly back to it again -- this time in Virginia.





Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 11:01 AM (fWAjv)


Now how did California miss out on this peach?

Posted by: Jay Guevara at September 29, 2015 11:41 AM (oKE6c)

461 Funny NY Post front page on Drudge.

OK, it's funny only if you overlook how screwed we are.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 11:41 AM (VtYtu)

462 465 I dont think we should have left Saddam in power. I dont think we could have avoided Afghanastan. We have to stop pretending this is a culture that is ready for western style democracies and will make what we consider rational choices Support Al Sisi. Find a General in Assads army and work with him. And support the kurds. At this point, break Iraq the fuck up. Support the north and fuck the south. And put a boot on the neck of Turkey for playing both sides against the middle. If all we did was stop the horde from going through Turkey into Europe I would take that at this point
Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:38 AM (zOTsN)


All things I can get behind. but that would be "isolationist" since it doesn't include 250,000 of my peers occupying the middle east for the next 2 or 3 centuries building schools.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:41 AM (AkOaV)

463
Not sure if you're being facetious or not. But you do realize my example was just to show how the math works, right?
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:37 AM (0LHZx)

Well your math was wrong. But I'll give you partial credit.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:41 AM (LXJ1e)

464 Now that the Middle East is about to have their own nuclear arms race, it's pretty much moot at this point to talk about keeping or sending more of our troops there.

Pull them all out, because shit's about to get real interesting, especially with Russia and China getting busy over there.

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:42 AM (zyIlW)

465 I really hate these "interesting" times.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:42 AM (FsuaD)

466 Time for the next adventure in get the chipmunk from under the dishwasher.

Unfortunately fighting him under the dishwasher hasn't worked although it was great for a laugh when he bolted while Mom was trying to sweep him out with a yardstick. Straight into the mouse trap, which went off, causing much scrambling on both their parts and many laughs.

Off to Menards for a box trap.

Posted by: DaveA at September 29, 2015 11:42 AM (DL2i+)

467 While I will concede my German ancestors are a wacky bunch, they weren't radical religious nuts who believed that destroying the western world would bring about the return of some mythical god.


Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:36 AM (OGm46)

Quite a few Germans back in the 1630s were radical religious nuts I identify with who would rather fight or die than pay indulgences to a corrupt Rome.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:42 AM (0eidE)

468 So do I, Jane.

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:43 AM (zyIlW)

469 Harry

If you've got your head in the sand about ISIS recruiting online then you might be missing a whole host of other current events.

Do you remembet Garland?

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:43 AM (mcm0N)

470 It's the non-devout muslims who are the majority.
Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:40 AM (0eidE)

Source?

Because polling would seem to say different.

For example, 99% of people in Afghanistan and 91% of people in Iraq want to make Sharia law the law of the land.

Are those people the majority you are speaking of?

http://tinyurl.com/o3szjj9

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:44 AM (AkOaV)

471 Ft Hood ring a bell?

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:44 AM (zyIlW)

472 "Germany and Sweden are considering ending property rights so that property can be seized to house immigrants."

U.S. leftists always tell us that the Supreme Court should look to legal rulings in other countries to help shape the jurisprudence of the SCOTUS.

Now the process can run in reverse!

_Kelo v. City of New London_, anyone?

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:44 AM (noWW6)

473 Mosul did NOT invite in ISIS. Iraqs leader stuffed the military with his tribe and THEY fled. The citizens of Mosul fought, but not the Iraqi Army

We should support the north, support the kurds, scare the shit out of Turkey and put a heavy presence in Turkey to stop the flow of invades into Europe

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:44 AM (zOTsN)

474 Well your math was wrong. But I'll give you partial credit.
Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:41 AM (LXJ1e)

_________

My math was right. Your logic is wrong. But whatever, I won't debate 3rd grade math with you.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:44 AM (0LHZx)

475 486
Ft Hood ring a bell?

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:44 AM (zyIlW)


And Chattanooga?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:45 AM (FsuaD)

476 Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:38 AM (zOTsN)

Iran and Iraq were both becoming westernized in the 60s and 70s. It was radical Islam that turned the tide. They both could have been similar to Turkey if radical Islam could be defeated just as it was in Turkey ( unfortunately it's making a comeback).

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 11:46 AM (014lE)

477 I sense the Horde is a tad testy today.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:46 AM (FsuaD)

478 So us being in Afghanistan and Iraq for the next 50 years will prevent radical US-born Muslims in the US from killing Americans?

Interesting.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:46 AM (0LHZx)

479 >>Quite a few Germans back in the 1630s were radical religious nuts I identify with who would rather fight or die than pay indulgences to a corrupt Rome.

Yes, well without going into millions of words about the difference between German religious beliefs in the 1630's and radical Islamists throughout time, I'll just say that I see those as two wildly different groups with wildly different goals and tactics.

YMMV

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (OGm46)

480 It's really simple. We have a black president so all criticism of he and his policies are off the table as far as the media and the RINOs are concerned. This means that nothing is being debated honestly before the American people--to the extent that the American people are even paying attention. When he finally out of office, all the shit is going to hit the fan and fall on the lap of the next president. And people will finally be able to debate the issues that have been ignored for eight years. But the media will skip over the entirety of Obama's presidency and pin it all on Bush.
It will be as though 2008-2016 didn't happen.

Posted by: JoeF. at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (Pwzww)

481 Germany and Sweden are considering ending property rights so that property can be seized to house immigrants."

-
I guess Karl Marx is the cool new kid on the block.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (VtYtu)

482 No, no, what your describing is what doesn't work.

Because if it did work, then Afghanistan and Iraq would be in great shape right now.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:34 AM (AkOaV)


For fuck's sake, American troops in Afghanistan have been given specific instructions not to interfere with local "culture". They have been told to look the other way as local chieftains bum-fuck little boys.


Take the place over, kill all the boy-rapers, bulldoze all the mosques, and run it as a colony. Turn Christian missionaries loose to convert the heathen, and slowly allow converts some say in running the place.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (0yhH4)

483 493 So us being in Afghanistan and Iraq for the next 50 years will prevent radical US-born Muslims in the US from killing Americans?

Interesting.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:46 AM (0LHZx)

These people are purposely being dense.

Instead of saying "you know what? I was wrong about the Iraq War" they need to double down even though every single piece of evidence says "hey, you were wrong."

not that the liberals were any more right.

But nope, everyones got to double down.

Ridiculous.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (AkOaV)

484 I think if we have to be there we have to have a Iron curtain. Keeping them in

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (zOTsN)

485 For example, 99% of people in Afghanistan and 91% of people in Iraq want to make Sharia law the law of the land.

Are those people the majority you are speaking of?

http://tinyurl.com/o3szjj9
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:44 AM (AkOaV)

No that's a great poll. I'm pulling from my deployment experiences and with muslims I've interacted with. It's missing polling about jihad and attacking non-believers so it's missing some data that we need. Do you think the jihadis are devout muslims or not?

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:48 AM (0eidE)

486 The basic problem is that an atheistic secular society such as the US cannot defeat a religious theocratic society like the Muslims have.

That is the FACT that cannot be ignored. The only way to win is to completely convert them or exterminate them.

My love for the US government does not extend to genocide or converting people to atheistic secularism.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:48 AM (LXJ1e)

487 Take the place over, kill all the boy-rapers, bulldoze all the mosques, and run it as a colony. Turn Christian missionaries loose to convert the heathen, and slowly allow converts some say in running the place.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (0yhH4)

But that's not what we do or have ever done.

That was never an option on the table.

It was never going to happen.

Might it work? MAYBE. At considerable expense, and with what long term goal?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:48 AM (AkOaV)

488 A much cheaper and more effective way of combating terrorism....don't allow Muslims into the US. You have 100K soldiers in Iraq for the next 100 years and it won't do shit as long as we allow millions of Muslims into the USA.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:48 AM (0LHZx)

489 >>Germany and Sweden are considering ending property rights so that property can be seized to house immigrants. Will the citizens lay down to allow this to happen? I expect so.


That is unbelievable.

I ha read a few weeks ago that they were taking over any unoccupied house/apartment to house refugees. Just saw recently that the govt. is offering to pay higher rents, so landlords are now evicting locals to move in refugees to take advantage of govt. $$$.

Germany is at war with her own citizens, not unlike Obama.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 11:50 AM (NOIQH)

490 Islam has to fix Islam. We have to stop if from spreading anywhere else. No clue how to do that

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 11:50 AM (zOTsN)

491 Take the place over, kill all the boy-rapers, bulldoze all the mosques, and run it as a colony. Turn Christian missionaries loose to convert the heathen, and slowly allow converts some say in running the place.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (0yhH4)

-------------------

Won't happen, see my post 501.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:50 AM (LXJ1e)

492 Do you think the jihadis are devout muslims or not?
Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:48 AM (0eidE)

Of course.

All Muslims are instructed to wage jihad against kafirs.

The ones who ignore that instruction are non-devout.

And even the majority of Muslims who arent' actively blowing themselves up still at the very least support and/or understand those that are blowing themselves up.

Because THEIR RELIGION DEMANDS IT.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:50 AM (AkOaV)

493 "When he finally out of office, all the shit is going to hit the fan and
fall on the lap of the next president. And people will finally be able
to debate the issues that have been ignored for eight years. But the
media will skip over the entirety of Obama's presidency and pin it all
on Bush. It will be as though 2008-2016 didn't happen"

Just as, after 1969, the New Left decreed that Vietnam was all Dick Nixon's fault. Completely eliding the prior roles which JFK and LBJ had played in _getting America into Vietnam in the first place_, and leaving Nixon stuck with trying to clean up the horrid mess.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 11:50 AM (noWW6)

494 Bitch, iron my curtain.

- Vladdy Putin

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 11:50 AM (VtYtu)

495 Isolationism: An idiotic head-in-the-sand view of the world and overwhelmingly greatest reason why damned libertarians get 1-3% of the vote when they run as Libertarians.

War, as it's been fought throughout my lifetime, is a farce. There's no actual will to win thanks to that idiotic "uneven power" argument and our forces are at a distinct disadvantage (see the ROE) on purpose. Politicians just use it for talking points and to win elections while the numbers of dead and injured climb.

IMO, we'd be better off telling the rest of the world to kiss our collective asses and they can fund their own defense from now on. It's way past time to focus on us, since the world hates us anyway.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:51 AM (LUgeY)

496 Yo!

Posted by: Yo! at September 29, 2015 11:51 AM (GwIKd)

497 503 A much cheaper and more effective way of combating terrorism....don't allow Muslims into the US. You have 100K soldiers in Iraq for the next 100 years and it won't do shit as long as we allow millions of Muslims into the USA.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:48 AM (0LHZx)

----------------

I hate to say it, but stop the common sense.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:51 AM (LXJ1e)

498

It's weird. I said pop when I was a kid, but now say soda. Don't even know when I changed.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at September 29, 2015 11:51 AM (ODxAs)

499 Yes, well without going into millions of words about the difference between German religious beliefs in the 1630's and radical Islamists throughout time, I'll just say that I see those as two wildly different groups with wildly different goals and tactics.

YMMV
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (OGm46)

Yeah, I agree. Islam is a silly religion. I just want to try and understand the motivations for why people fight sometimes. I find it odd sometimes that people quickly dismiss religious reasons being correct or applicable.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:51 AM (0eidE)

500 IMO, we'd be better off telling the rest of the world to kiss our collective asses and they can fund their own defense from now on. It's way past time to focus on us, since the world hates us anyway.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 11:51 AM (LUgeY)

Exactly.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:52 AM (AkOaV)

501 Holy crap.

Notice how SMFH and Jane D'Oh bring up events where military were killed.

Reminds me of the Khobar Towers, The USS Cole, The embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania were--

Eh Marines guarding the embassies and embassy personnrl--and the military were not treated ad American citizens that were killed and not rsponded to by the Clinton Administration in that fashion.

Until we ended up with a mass attack on civilians and soil that even a third grader eould understand as an attack on America--9/11.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:52 AM (mcm0N)

502 The most fucked up part of being the world's policeman is not being America's policeman as well. We hundreds of thousands of American troops in every corner of the world. Yet we have z grand total of ZERO actually defending our borders.

Insanity.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:52 AM (0LHZx)

503 . Just saw recently that the govt. is offering to pay higher rents, so landlords are now evicting locals to move in refugees to take advantage of govt. $$$.


--

Govt does not care that the money it has comes from taxes paid by the citizens being displaced.

Posted by: @votermom at September 29, 2015 11:53 AM (cbfNE)

504 >>Won't happen, see my post 501.

Oh it'll happen. It always happens after we get hit or it gets to the point where we are feeling pain. Happened after Pearl Harbor, happened after 9-11/

That's our way. As a nation, we like to pretend that if we ignore shit it will go away. And then it doesn't and we act.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (OGm46)

505 But I know I know, guys -- As GW Bush & Cheney said, "Islam is the religion of peace" and we will be "greeted as liberators" when we bring our infidel asses to their countries and "liberate them" by giving them Democracy and freedom.

Which they will never, ever, use to vote in Sharia law and immediately become failed states.

And if they Do think that way -- well fuck 'em, we have an unlimited amount of money and manpower -- we'll just occupy the ummah for the next 200 years. No big deal, guys.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (AkOaV)

506 I've got distant relatives in Sweden, My mom was born there and came here as a Child, and they are all good little socialists... My Sister went to visit a couple years back and they live a bit differently than Us.... Few own homes alone and generations live together.......

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (hUdMz)

507 Take the place over, kill all the boy-rapers, bulldoze all the mosques, and run it as a colony. Turn Christian missionaries loose to convert the heathen, and slowly allow converts some say in running the place.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:47 AM (0yhH4)

Just think about how we could change that place with lemon bars and Billy Graham unleashed.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (0eidE)

508 Damn this iphone.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (mcm0N)

509 521 Houndreds of thousands of troops? Moo numbers?

Well he is the riches man on the blog, so I guess that is a made up number also
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (gf8BH)

___________
We don't have 100s of thousands stationed around the world? Do tell what the total number is.....

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:55 AM (0LHZx)

510 Lizzy; It's terrible and I expect many people don't even know because I'm sure Pravda Press European style is fully operational in their countries too.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 11:55 AM (cgZPg)

511 Of course.

All Muslims are instructed to wage jihad against kafirs.

The ones who ignore that instruction are non-devout.

Posted by: mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:50 AM (AkOaV)

Well I think we agree.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:55 AM (0eidE)

512 Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 11:52 AM (mcm0N)


Not far from the main gate to Camp Lejeune, is a park with a beautiful 9/11 memorial, and a heartbreaking memorial to the Marines killed in the barracks in Lebanon.


We watched a young Marine approach and touch his fingers to a name on the wall. He told us it was his Marine father's best friend.


Has Obama ever made mention of the attack?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:56 AM (FsuaD)

513 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_deployments

Posted by: SMFH at it all at September 29, 2015 11:57 AM (zyIlW)

514 Well I think we agree.
Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:55 AM (0eidE)

If you agree that Islam is NOT a religion of peace, then how does having any number of troops occupying certain Muslim countries "protect us here at home"?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:57 AM (AkOaV)

515 NGU -- wiki would seem to say the answer is "north of 200k"

"with over 156,000 of its active-duty personnel serving outside the United States and its territories and an additional 70,000 deployed in various contingency operations as well as through military attache offices and temporary training assignments in foreign countries"

So I think you owe moo an apology. Unless you dispute those numbers.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:57 AM (AkOaV)

516 But that's not what we do or have ever done.

That was never an option on the table.

It was never going to happen.

Might it work? MAYBE. At considerable expense, and with what long term goal?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:48 AM (AkOaV)



I know that. But if you want to civilize the muslim world, and end their threat, that's what you have to do. Half-measures won't work. Wall them off into muzzistan, and eventually they will build nuclear ICBMs, and launch them at us. Because, muslim.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 29, 2015 11:57 AM (0yhH4)

517 Theres a Minneapolis area chain called "Pump and Munch". They referenced it in an MST3K episode once.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 29, 2015 11:57 AM (8ooBl)

518 Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (gf8BH)


__________
About 200K total. Or put another way "hundreds of thousands".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_deployments

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:58 AM (0LHZx)

519
We watched a young Marine approach and touch his fingers to a name on the wall. He told us it was his Marine father's best friend.


Has Obama ever made mention of the attack?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:56 AM (FsuaD)

Naw it happened after the Crusades and Richard kicked ass, so it doesn't count.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 11:58 AM (0eidE)

520 Oh it'll happen. It always happens after we get hit or it gets to the point where we are feeling pain. Happened after Pearl Harbor, happened after 9-11/

That's our way. As a nation, we like to pretend that if we ignore shit it will go away. And then it doesn't and we act.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 11:54 AM (OGm46)

FYI, we, as a country, failed after 9/11.

We are not the nation we were in WWII. Our society is not a religious society anymore, but atheistic secular. I will not kill or die for that, nor, do I suspect many people would.

Posted by: Make America Great Again at September 29, 2015 11:58 AM (LXJ1e)

521 There is no way Muslims wouldn't be allowed to come here under the Presidency of Obama and no other President or Congress would stop it either, I expect.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 11:58 AM (cgZPg)

522 Islam is the religion of peace.
Lena Dunham is beautiful.
It's not Hillary's fault.

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 11:58 AM (VtYtu)

523 Nuke Mecca and Medina, tell the Jew's to take the Dome of the Rock. Warn all Muslem country that we will nuke their ass if they don't stop the terrorist.

Posted by: CSMBigBird at September 29, 2015 11:59 AM (jsWA8)

524 So I think you owe moo an apology. Unless you dispute those numbers.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:57 AM (AkOaV)

_________

Being an all war, all the time hawk means never having to say you're sorry.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 11:59 AM (0LHZx)

525 Germany and Sweden are considering ending property rights so that property can be seized to house immigrants.

And they wonder why the ultra-nationalists are ascendant...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 11:59 AM (9krrF)

526 474 Now, Edwards is allegedly back to it again -- this time in Virginia.
Edwards? As in John "Silky Pony" Edwards?

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 12:00 PM (5buP8)

527 It's a crying shame our military weren't allowed to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq the way their grandfathers did in WWII.

We've become a PC nation. And our leadership is criminal.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 12:00 PM (FsuaD)

528 >>Which they will never, ever, use to vote in Sharia law and immediately become failed states.

You know that Sharia law is the underpinning of the UAE, right? They are not only extremely prosperous but a very popular tourist destination for a large number of westerners.

Sharia itself isn't the problem, it's how it is interpreted. Hell, free speech means something completely different in Canada than it does here and I don't see us attacking those ice backs anytime soon.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:01 PM (OGm46)

529 Good thing I'm a botanist.

Posted by: MATT DAMON at September 29, 2015 12:01 PM (wAQA5)

530 "Damn this iphone."

Apple sells record number of iPhones. More than expected; fifty per second.

Posted by: Hayfield Volkovski at September 29, 2015 12:01 PM (FETr8)

531 545 It's a crying shame our military weren't allowed to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq the way their grandfathers did in WWII.

We've become a PC nation. And our leadership is criminal.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 12:00 PM (FsuaD)


and maybe the outcome would have been different if they had. I don't know.

But we don't fight wars like that anymore, and we haven't since WWII.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:01 PM (AkOaV)

532 Hot Gas has a story about Trey Goudy possibly being Speaker of the House.... That I would like... Even with the weird hair...

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:02 PM (hUdMz)

533 Germany and Sweden are considering ending property rights so that property can be seized to house immigrants.

And they wonder why the ultra-nationalists are ascendant...

-
They got advice from the Boehner/McConnell think tank?

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 12:02 PM (VtYtu)

534 If you agree that Islam is NOT a religion of peace, then how does having any number of troops occupying certain Muslim countries "protect us here at home"?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 11:57 AM (AkOaV)

Naw, islam is not a religion of peace and neither is Christianity. It's just PC mumbo jumbo.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:02 PM (0eidE)

535 The west will have to confront Islam or perish

Posted by: Yo! at September 29, 2015 12:02 PM (GwIKd)

536 Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:00 PM (gf8BH)

________

Nice spin hawk.

I said there are "hundreds of thousands" all over the world. There are in fact 230Kish. Therefore my statement is true. Now you can babble on about who they are and what they do, but the fact is we have close to a quarter million Americans in uniform all over the fucking world costing us hundreds of billions of dollars every year. And I'm sick and tired of it.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:02 PM (0LHZx)

537 551
Hot Gas has a story about Trey Goudy possibly being Speaker of the House.... That I would like... Even with the weird hair...

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:02 PM (hUdMz)


That's his War Hair. And Trey has said he doesn't want the job, sadly.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 12:03 PM (FsuaD)

538 You know that Sharia law is the underpinning of the UAE, right? They are not only extremely prosperous but a very popular tourist destination for a large number of westerners.

Sharia itself isn't the problem, it's how it is interpreted. Hell, free speech means something completely different in Canada than it does here and I don't see us attacking those ice backs anytime soon.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:01 PM (OGm46)

Oh really?

That's fascinating. I don't speak ancient Arabic, I can only go on the English translations of what the Koran says Sharia law is.

Perhaps you can tell me where those interpretations from Arabic to English are wrong?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:03 PM (AkOaV)

539 That's his War Hair. And Trey has said he doesn't want the job, sadly.


Dang!

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:03 PM (hUdMz)

540 Except when you wait too long to respond things escalate and cost more US military lives.

If you want the luxury of an all volunteer military than "readiness" and technology have to be proportionally increased.

Right now less than .05% of the US is military.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:03 PM (mcm0N)

541 Gah. This place is spiking my blood pressure.

Later.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 12:04 PM (FsuaD)

542 "Govt does not care that the money it has comes from taxes paid by the citizens being displaced."

Gov essential credits accounts in computers. The reported "record tax receipts" are credits from bank computers that Fed Reserve created in a roundabout way. It's all fake all the way down. System won't collapse until the people who create real stuff stop working. Don't be caught in a major metropolitan when that happens. Some say it starts in a big way next month (day after tomorrow). Others think it will probably be postponed by nuclear war in the middle east. God is pushing people out of the areas that will be hardest hit.

Posted by: just saying at September 29, 2015 12:05 PM (jN+3o)

543 Baharain gets by with the alcohol and hookers because Allan can't see you there.

Posted by: CSMBigBird at September 29, 2015 12:05 PM (jsWA8)

544 Not far from the main gate to Camp Lejeune, is a park with a beautiful 9/11 memorial, and a heartbreaking memorial to the Marines killed in the barracks in Lebanon.


We watched a young Marine approach and touch his fingers to a name on the wall. He told us it was his Marine father's best friend.


Has Obama ever made mention of the attack?



Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 11:56 AM (FsuaD)


No, he is too busy cutting deals with the Murdering SOBs who planned, built the damn truck... drove it to Lebanon... and got some dope to drive it into the compound...

I was part of MARG 2-83 as a young sailor... I have to be REALLY careful of my reactions when people try to talk up the Iran deal around me in real life...

Posted by: BB Wolf at September 29, 2015 12:06 PM (qh617)

545 Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:00 PM (gf8BH)

So those 200,000 are totally unnecessary then? They're just hanging out in friendly countries incase they need to go somewhere?

Why can't Germany and Japan come up with 200,000 of their own people to live in those bases while our 200,000 retire? I mean after all, they're just hanging out in friendly countries trying to save us tax payers some money on airfare in case they need to go anywhere.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:06 PM (AkOaV)

546 >>That's fascinating. I don't speak ancient Arabic, I can only go on the English translations of what the Koran says Sharia law is.

>>Perhaps you can tell me where those interpretations from Arabic to English are wrong?

Better idea. Get off your ass and go there and see for yourself. Sharia as practiced in the UAE is fundamentally different from the type of Sharia radical terrorists are trying to implement. You can see that for yourself instead of reading about it.

Or you can just be snarky and wrong. Your call.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:07 PM (OGm46)

547 Syrian refugees are easy.

Have our Marines seize a 30 mile by 30 mile piece of property on the coast of Syria and send in our NGOs and engineers to start building a permanent refugee center.

No mosques (or churches) allowed. Only English is taught in the schools. No dress restrictions on women. U.S. legal system to the best extent possible. Anyone who wants to live and work in this protected area is welcome.

Everyone is expected to participate in some form of work or commerce.

As the area fills, expand the borders.

Use a 5 mile kill zone along all the borders so that only those coming in through an access point are allowed.

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 12:07 PM (Zs4uk)

548 It would be just as expensive, if not more, to bring them home. You have No freaken idea what your talking about.. So your isloatoinist and closet democrat...we always knew that.. stop pretending your some conservative.. You want to decimate the Military as much as Fredo...

And your "Statement" is irrelevant without context..

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:05 PM (gf8BH)

I think if we all chip in our frequent flier miles, we can bring them home for pretty cheap.

And again, the party of war has always been the progressive interventionalist Democrats until about 2003.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:07 PM (AkOaV)

549 "IMO, we'd be better off telling the rest of the world to kiss our
collective asses and they can fund their own defense from now on. It's
way past time to focus on us, since the world hates us anyway."

The wars that we need to be worried about in the USA are the internal ones that are going to happen due to the financial collapse of Fedzilla, and the remaining semi-functional regions of the country seceding for their own survival, and Fedzilla attempting to force them to stay.

That doesn't include interethnic and interreligious civil conflict within American borders, which it is looking increasingly likely are going to be the frosting on the cake of Civil War II.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 12:07 PM (noWW6)

550 Looks like a couple of the commenters graduated from the Ann Barnhardt School of Comparative Religion Studies, with a companion associates degree from the Ron Paul School of Foreign Policy.

It's like an ignorant fringe singularity overlap event.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:08 PM (ljZD2)

551 Gah. This place is spiking my blood pressure.

Later.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 12:04 PM (FsuaD)

I could get you a pepsi.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:08 PM (0eidE)

552 Monsieur Mew Mew and Nevergiveup. Take it outside? Most of us here really don't know the worst of it or we would poop our pants. Please amuse us or inform us by giving us small things to google. The Big Picture is too big for this frame.

Posted by: just saying at September 29, 2015 12:09 PM (j2xmV)

553 It would be just as expensive, if not more, to bring them home. You have No freaken idea what your talking about.. So your isloatoinist and closet democrat...we always knew that.. stop pretending your some conservative.. You want to decimate the Military as much as Fredo...

And your "Statement" is irrelevant without context..

Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:05 PM (gf8BH)

_________

Oh so no my statement is correct but irrelevant. I see.
Whatever makes you sleep better at night hawk.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:09 PM (0LHZx)

554 "Have our Marines seize a 30 mile by 30 mile piece of property on the
coast of Syria and send in our NGOs and engineers to start building a
permanent refugee center. No mosques (or churches) allowed. Only English is taught in the
schools. No dress restrictions on women. U.S. legal system to the best
extent possible."

Oh yes! Since the U.S. legal system has worked such a treat in the USA.

Hi, folks. We got rid of the Muslim black-robed radicals who were causing trouble. Now here are a fresh new bunch of secularist black-robed radicals. Enjoy.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 12:10 PM (noWW6)

555 Saddam and Al Queda were big supporters of Paulians.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 12:10 PM (014lE)

556 "It's like an ignorant fringe singularity overlap event."
Is that like a land war in Asia?

Posted by: just saying at September 29, 2015 12:10 PM (j2xmV)

557 573 Monsieur Mew Mew and Nevergiveup. Take it outside? Most of us here really don't know the worst of it or we would poop our pants. Please amuse us or inform us by giving us small things to google. The Big Picture is too big for this frame.
Posted by: just saying at September 29, 2015 12:09 PM (j2xmV)


Hey, How about Trump!....



Thought this might change the subject....

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:11 PM (hUdMz)

558 572 Gah. This place is spiking my blood pressure.

The only thing worse than politinerds, (a group to which I belong), are foreign policy nerds. And when they start trading paint, it goes onandonandon...

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 12:11 PM (5buP8)

559 Stop digging. You really have no idea about the Miiltary and we are postured around the world and why. It is cheaper to have these forward operating bases.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:08 PM (gf8BH)

Cheaper then WHAT?

The US military exists to protect the US borders. There is no god damn reason for us to protect Germanys borders or Japans borders or Koreas borders or anyone elses borders.

And guess what? We don't even protect our own god damn borders. We seem very worried about the sovereignty of Germany, who, as it turns out, don't give two shits about whether or not they continue to exist as a country with their current "refugee" policies -- and yet, our borders are wide open.

If you want to support troops all over the world, donate to the french foreign legion.

Stop spending my money to send people to Korea and Japan and Germany on my dime because "its cheaper".

Fuckin ridiculous.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:11 PM (AkOaV)

560 So here's the plan

NASA is all about the Muslims now

And Mars has water, and possibly bacterial life.

So we send Muslims to Mars.

Heh

Posted by: Bigby's Fistful of Dice at September 29, 2015 12:11 PM (IfSin)

561 Using NGU's brilliant logic, if we double the number of troops overseas, we'll actually save money. Cuz that make a fuck ton of sense. After all it's cheaper to have them there, then to not have them there. Why? I dunno, cuz math and stuff.

And if you disagree, you hate America and are a communist.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:11 PM (0LHZx)

562 >>Until we ended up with a mass attack on civilians and soil that even a third grader eould understand as an attack on America--9/11.


Hello, Boston Marathon bombing!!

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:12 PM (NOIQH)

563 /pops open an air freshener
/watches air freshener shrivel in seconds

Aaaaaaand I'm out. Work to do, yo.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at September 29, 2015 12:12 PM (9krrF)

564 ""It's like an ignorant fringe singularity overlap event."

Is that like a land war in Asia?"


Something like that.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:12 PM (ljZD2)

565 For speaker

You wanted Trey Gowdy
You'll settle for Tom Price
You'll get....nothing, and like it.

Posted by: Judge Smails at September 29, 2015 12:12 PM (laMCB)

566 Jezzuz

Harry WW II was a war of nation states and essentially attrition.

What makes terrorism do successful?

It has changed the rules[/].

And when we fight terrorism it's hard to educate the public that still thinks in terms of nation states.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:12 PM (mcm0N)

567 democrats and isolationists masquarading as Conservatives.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:10 PM (gf8BH)

there is not conservative about using our awesome government which can do no wrong to occupy the rest of the world in a failed attempt to export progressivism / socialism to Europe / Asia / and the Middle East.

Nothing.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:13 PM (AkOaV)

568 h so no my statement is correct but irrelevant. I see.
Whatever makes you sleep better at night hawk.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:09 PM (0LHZx)

*****

It really is staggering how many people have forgotten the lessons we learned from WWII about readiness in other areas of the World.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty, unperson from Free Market Jesus Paradise at September 29, 2015 12:13 PM (2z4UX)

569 Richards makes over $520k a year off of Planned Parenthood.

Huh, I thought it was thirty pieces of silver.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 12:13 PM (VtYtu)

570 Every give their definition of conservative. (If you go by time we have been in this ... since FDR. So if you want a balance budget you are a radical.)

Posted by: just saying at September 29, 2015 12:13 PM (j2xmV)

571 Oops, sorry - thought you meant mass civilian attack *since* 9-11.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:13 PM (NOIQH)

572 democrats and isolationists masquarading as Conservatives.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:10 PM (gf8BH)

________

I guess you're right. Spending $700B a year so that Japan and Germany get a free ride is a much better idea.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:14 PM (0LHZx)

573 "Oh yes! Since the U.S. legal system has worked such a treat in the USA.

Hi, folks. We got rid of the Muslim black-robed radicals who were causing trouble. Now here are a fresh new bunch of secularist black-robed radicals. Enjoy."

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 12:10 PM (noWW6)


So, if we start a refugee colony you would prefer the French legal system?

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 12:14 PM (Zs4uk)

574 Lizzy

That wasn't spectacular enough to hold moo moo's attention.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:14 PM (mcm0N)

575 Just a note of caution, folks Obviously people feel very strongly about these issues-understandably-but try not to throw around the word "a-hole" and such because you might get banned and you'd be missed.
Well, most of you would be anyway.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 12:15 PM (cgZPg)

576 Stop spending my money to send people to Korea and Japan and Germany on my dime because "its cheaper".

Fuckin ridiculous.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:11 PM (AkOaV)

I agree with Nevergiveup there is good reasoning for our forward operating bases in Europe and Korea. I recommend a pepsi you seem to be a bit stressed.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:15 PM (0eidE)

577 According to Michael Pettis all the US has to do to be isolationist is to run a balanced budget. That explains a lot.

Posted by: just saying at September 29, 2015 12:16 PM (j2xmV)

578 NGU

Na he's the same type of person that thinks warships can turn on a dime and respond to tsunamis everywhere in nanoseconds.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:16 PM (mcm0N)

579 Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:14 PM (gf8BH)

So basically your entire argument comes down to "Bro -- do you even military?"

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:17 PM (AkOaV)

580 I agree with Nevergiveup there is good reasoning for our forward operating bases in Europe and Korea

___________

Millions of reasons in the form of campaign contributions from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:17 PM (0LHZx)

581 592 Richards makes over $520k a year off of Planned Parenthood.

I hope it's worth it.
Hell is forever.
And, from what I understand doing very little to combat subterranean demonic-morphic climate change.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (5buP8)

582 Na he's the same type of person that thinks warships can turn on a dime and respond to tsunamis everywhere in nanoseconds.
Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:16 PM (mcm0N)

Why does a war ship respond to a tsunami?

That's what the red cross is for, not the US Navy.

And why am *I* paying to defend Japanese and European borders? That's what Japanese and European tax payers are for.

But you guys keep on fucking that chicken.

this is why we're broke as a country.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (AkOaV)

583 "I guess you're right. Spending $700B a year so that Japan and Germany get a free ride is a much better idea."


My wife's grandfather who landed at Omaha Beach, and my grandfather who island-hopped with the Marines across the Pacific for three years, would both like to make the point that the demilitarized versions of Germany and Japan are better than the militarized versions. Or, they would, if they weren't buried at Arlington and thus otherwise occupied at this time.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (ljZD2)

584 So basically your entire argument comes down to "Bro -- do you even military?"
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:17 PM (AkOaV)

________

They are just like liberals. Propose a 5% cut in food stamps and they wail about children starving on the streets. Propose a 5% cut to the military and the US will be conquered by ISIS.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (0LHZx)

585
So here's the plan

NASA is all about the Muslims now

And Mars has water, and possibly bacterial life.

So we send Muslims to Mars.

Heh
Posted by: Bigby's Fistful of Dice
...................

Good idea, they're already used to all the sand and rocks.
but... Mars Needs Goats

Posted by: wth at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (wAQA5)

586 Millions of reasons in the form of campaign contributions from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:17 PM (0LHZx)

My supplies of Franzikaner would dry up too. It's worth dying for.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:19 PM (0eidE)

587 >>That wasn't spectacular enough to hold moo moo's attention.

May not have had as many deaths as 9-11, but there were a lot of injuries, and it was a jihadi attack (they don't have to be Arab). And like other jihadi attacks, they selected their date with care: MA holiday of Patriot's Day (the day the marathon is always scheduled), which celebrates the 1st day of the American Revolution on the Lexington green.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:19 PM (NOIQH)

588 Listen maybe the Navy should preserve that type of comic book mythology--because after Hillary is done that might be all that is left--grand illusions of what one was.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:19 PM (mcm0N)

589 Anybody who thinks Ivan is rolling our geopolitical grandmaster in Syria doesn't know anything about 11-d chess.

Posted by: Fritz at September 29, 2015 12:19 PM (UzPAd)

590 I agree with Nevergiveup there is good reasoning for our forward operating bases in Europe and Korea. I recommend a pepsi you seem to be a bit stressed.
Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:15 PM (0eidE)

I don't agree. Not only are we wasting an obscene amount of money, but we're injecting ourselves as lynch pins in every single problem area in the world. Which will mean we get drawn in to any war in Asia, Europe, or the ME.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:20 PM (AkOaV)

591 Paulians don't worry about things until they happen. Dude why spend all that time and money to be prepared . That's bogus.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at September 29, 2015 12:20 PM (014lE)

592 Another embryonic stem cell procedure test being started. How long before they find its developing cancer and causes seizures like the other tests?

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 12:20 PM (39g3+)

593 I sense the Horde is a tad testy today.
Posted by: Jane D'oh

--------------------------------------------------------

When was the last time this place was cheerful, or optimistic? Early 2000's?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 12:20 PM (E5UB0)

594 600 Stop spending my money to send people to Korea and Japan and Germany on my dime because "its cheaper".

Fuckin ridiculous.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:11 PM (AkOaV)


Trump has proposed what I've been advocating for years - the U.S. needs to charge for it's protection services.

Yes, we need overseas bases. However, instead of them being an expense, they should be profit centers. Bill Germany, Japan and Korea for the bases and the security they provide. Bill the surrounding allies for the same protection.

If we need to move into a country like Iraq or Syria, establish a bill for those services and take payment in whatever natural resources the country has.

Pretty fucking simple.

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 12:21 PM (Zs4uk)

595 When was the last time this place was cheerful, or optimistic? Early 2000's?
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 12:20 PM (E5UB0)

Oh, to be pudding dipping again!

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:21 PM (hUdMz)

596 My question to Bobby Jindal, why in the fuck haven't you dropped out yet and saved your family the embarrassment that is your candidacy?



I used to think you were one of the good guys. Coward.

Posted by: prescient11 at September 29, 2015 12:21 PM (q5APL)

597 My wife's grandfather who landed at Omaha Beach, and my grandfather who island-hopped with the Marines across the Pacific for three years, would both like to make the point that the demilitarized versions of Germany and Japan are better than the militarized versions. Or, they would, if they weren't buried at Arlington and thus otherwise occupied at this time.
Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (ljZD2)

___________

Ah the emotional argument. So I hate your grandparents because I don't want my kids and my grandkids to be fighting a continual war.

That's a very original argument. Never heard it before.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:21 PM (0LHZx)

598 Rubble don't make trouble.

Posted by: Chris M at September 29, 2015 12:22 PM (k3w9p)

599 I don't agree. Not only are we wasting an obscene amount of money, but we're injecting ourselves as lynch pins in every single problem area in the world. Which will mean we get drawn in to any war in Asia, Europe, or the ME.

I think there's a way we can maintain strategic bases around the world in useful locations without necessarily being pulled into local politics and wars. Certainly we can do with fewer of these bases - especially in countries that declare we are awful and hate us - but we need a few.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 12:22 PM (39g3+)

600 Why does a war ship respond to a tsunami?

That's what the red cross is for, not the US Navy.


read a newspaper sometimes
Posted by: Nevergiveup at September 29, 2015 12:19 PM (gf8BH)

Because it has lots of medical support and helicopters that others don't have. Plus, helping the Philippines out is always a good time. Have you tried their food and women?

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:22 PM (0eidE)

601 They are just like liberals. Propose a 5% cut in food stamps and they wail about children starving on the streets. Propose a 5% cut to the military and the US will be conquered by ISIS.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (0LHZx)

It really is fucked.

"Lets cut government. We're broke and spending way too much money."

"okay, lets go for low hanging fruit -- cut some welfare, bring some troops home from Europe..."

"AHHH YOU FUCKING ISOLATIONIST!! WE NEED TROOPS PRE POSITIONED EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD READY TO RESPOND TO WWIII AT A MOMENTS NOTICE!!!!!!"

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:22 PM (AkOaV)

602 "Good inventors borrow, great inventors steal a pre-existing invention and put it in a box" -Clockboy.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 12:23 PM (E5UB0)

603 "If we need to move into a country like Iraq or Syria, establish a bill for those services and take payment in whatever natural resources the country has. "

Sounds like a great idea!

Posted by: teh Hessians at September 29, 2015 12:23 PM (ETxiG)

604 When was the last time this place was cheerful, or optimistic? Early 2000's?
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 12:20 PM (E5UB0)

Oh, to be pudding dipping again!
Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:21 PM (hUdMz)

You take that back! I'm stealing all of the sunshine in this place!

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:23 PM (0eidE)

605 >>would both like to make the point that the demilitarized versions of Germany and Japan are better than the militarized versions

The Germans and Japanese might disagree with you. And by de-militarizing the Germans and Japanese, you now have to deal with an ascendant Russia and China expanding their spheres of influence on multiple continents.

Posted by: a phoenician sailor at September 29, 2015 12:23 PM (uEmgg)

606 >>I don't agree. Not only are we wasting an obscene amount of money, but we're injecting ourselves as lynch pins in every single problem area in the world. Which will mean we get drawn in to any war in Asia, Europe, or the ME.

We have lots of troops in Germany. They are doing exactly dick about Russia invading Ukraine. And yes, it is a war.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (OGm46)

607 It's so black and white for the all, war all the time hawks. It's either 250K all over the world, or no military at all. Lots of shades of gray out there peeps.

Do you really think if that 250K were cut to say 150K over the next 5 years, the end of the world would be upon?

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (0LHZx)

608 I think Harry just snapped. He doesn't even have 11s in his exclamation points.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (0eidE)

609 I think there's a way we can maintain strategic bases around the world in useful locations without necessarily being pulled into local politics and wars. Certainly we can do with fewer of these bases - especially in countries that declare we are awful and hate us - but we need a few.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 12:22 PM (39g3+)

Sure. Definitely doable.

Having some joint bases with allies is not an issue.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (AkOaV)

610 Wow that Cho twat is an idiot.

"I do not believe in a God that considers abortion a sin."


o.O

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (fWAjv)

611 We have lots of troops in Germany. They are doing exactly dick about Russia invading Ukraine. And yes, it is a war.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (OGm46)

Screw Ukraine, they aren't in NATO so we don't need to die for their territory. Sucks that they didn't side with Merica.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (0eidE)

612 618 Another embryonic stem cell procedure test being started.

I remember a Washington University research professor telling my chruch* that our community would become a "backwater" if the Missouri Congress banned fetal tissue research. Not one single therapy has been derived from embryonic stem cell research. Not. One.
* that's another great story.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (5buP8)

613 A woman up for execution this evening for having her bf murder her husband. Her kids want her spared. Their dad's side of the family want her executed.

What a horrible position for kids to be in.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at September 29, 2015 12:25 PM (iQIUe)

614 NGU

Yep. I hear you.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:25 PM (mcm0N)

615 Jwest:


Yep, what a novel concept.

Posted by: prescient11 at September 29, 2015 12:25 PM (q5APL)

616 592 Richards makes over $520k a year off of Planned Parenthood.

Huh, I thought it was thirty pieces of silver.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at September 29, 2015 12:13 PM (VtYtu)

Inflation.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 12:26 PM (2Ojst)

617 You morons ;-) are arguing about the wrong thing. It is the permanent DoD and huge Intel bureaucracies that need to be cut--not the forces, which are headed back to 1948 levels.

The politicians go after procurement and force structure, when it is the civilian bureaucracies that are bloated and cumbersome. The Army Corps of Engineers is a typical example of a self-licking ice cream cone.

Even within the force there are opportunities for economies. Why, for example, is the Air Force Vice CoS a four-star? Only the CINCs and the Service chiefs needs that rank. Everyone else needs to be cut a star, and cut the staff levels that go with them.

Posted by: Hurricane LaFawnduh at September 29, 2015 12:26 PM (laMCB)

618 We could have easily bristled with weapons and moved into place and Russia would have backed down. We've done it before (Bush did it when Russia invaded Georgia) and it worked then. But Obama talked and idealized himself into a corner of being totally unable to take action.

Sure, we made an agreement with Ukraine, but whatever. What are words, anyway? Its not like honor, integrity, and honesty matter.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 12:27 PM (39g3+)

619 And it's not just overseas bases. We can consolidate a lot of bases at home. But it won't happen because every senator and congressman has base in their backyard that is 100% needed and if you close that base, Al Qaeda will have won.

Or I guess it's just a coincidence that the F-35 engines are made in Ohio. Yeah, must be.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:27 PM (0LHZx)

620 When are we get a new thread?This one smells like feet and onions.

Posted by: steevy at September 29, 2015 12:28 PM (sPO3u)

621 Hmmmm, which 'low-hanging fruit' should we go after? Cutting a half a bil from the baby butchers, or axing a 100,000 soldiers? I know which one gives the Liberaltarians a hardon.

Posted by: mugiwara at September 29, 2015 12:29 PM (D5hxK)

622 620 When are we get a new thread?This one smells like feet and onions.
Posted by: steevy at September 29, 2015 12:28 PM (sPO3u)

Smells like assholes to me.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 12:29 PM (2Ojst)

623 >>Wow that Cho twat is an idiot.


Mobius strip logic.

God invented abortion, so it's OK.
OK, so then he also invented war, rape, hurricanes, drought, and even "climate chaos" - so you're totes on board with those, too?

Then the whole "PP is pregnancy care (nope - they don't do prenatal care) and cancer screenings. "Oh, they just do referrals - what's your point?"

*headslap*

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:29 PM (NOIQH)

624 >>Screw Ukraine, they aren't in NATO so we don't need to die for their territory. Sucks that they didn't side with Merica.

Just saying that we don't get sucked into everything based on having troops stationed in bases around the world.

It's a silly argument. Isolationists and liberals always refuse to acknowledge that there is a benefit to having forward operating bases as well as a cost to not having them. They just want to focus on the cost of having them and pretend that being the most powerful nation on the face of the earth isn't just a slogan, it is a responsibility.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:30 PM (OGm46)

625 Richards makes over $520k a year off of Planned Parenthood.


That's an awful lot of dead babies.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at September 29, 2015 12:30 PM (LUgeY)

626
Wow that Cho twat is an idiot.

"I do not believe in a God that considers abortion a sin."


o.O
Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA
..............................

That's definitely right up there in the running for: Dumbest Thing I Ever Heard

Posted by: wth at September 29, 2015 12:30 PM (wAQA5)

627 I just feel it's appropriate about now to post a funny "Talking animals" video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYZsm-qNJEg

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 12:30 PM (cgZPg)

628 I agree, bureaucracy bloat, cost overruns, military-industrial handouts, redundancies and fraud are all the problem spots.

There is not a single agency or body in the US federal government that could not be cut at least 10% without harming a single thing its doing or supposed to do. I wouldn't be surprised if the number was higher.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 12:31 PM (39g3+)

629 621 Hmmmm, which 'low-hanging fruit' should we go after? Cutting a half a bil from the baby butchers, or axing a 100,000 soldiers? I know which one gives the Liberaltarians a hardon.
Posted by: mugiwara at September 29, 2015 12:29 PM (D5hxK)

__________-

So it's all about protecting military "jobs". At least you're honest about it and don't babble on about national security bullshit.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:31 PM (0LHZx)

630 >>Screw Ukraine, they aren't in NATO so we don't need to die for their territory. Sucks that they didn't side with Merica.

You mean "sucks that Putin isn't as dumb as State thought"? Thinking the same trick that worked on some backwater dictatorships in the Middle East would work on the Ruskies is a great example of our masterful foreign policy.

Posted by: a phoenician sailor at September 29, 2015 12:31 PM (uEmgg)

631 Smells like assholes to me.

O.k. I'm restraining myself from making the obvious reply to that low hanging fruit there, but I won't because I like you. :^)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 12:32 PM (cgZPg)

632 Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:30 PM (OGm46)

And some like to pretend that the "most powerful nation on the earth" is also the "most broke nation on the earth" who has been batting 0 in foreign intervention victories since WWII.

Now, you can blame the politicians and the RoE and whatever. but it's hard to miss the fact that we're throwing billions down a hole every year with NOTHING to show for it.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:32 PM (AkOaV)

633 Actually it smells like Teen Spirit.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:33 PM (mcm0N)

634 It's a silly argument. Isolationists and liberals always refuse to acknowledge that there is a benefit to having forward operating bases as well as a cost to not having them. They just want to focus on the cost of having them and pretend that being the most powerful nation on the face of the earth isn't just a slogan, it is a responsibility.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:30 PM (OGm46)

Stop making the sense Straw Man!

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:34 PM (0eidE)

635 O.k. I'm restraining myself from making the obvious reply to that low hanging fruit there, but I won't because I like you. :^)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 12:32 PM (cgZPg)

You're too kind.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 12:34 PM (2Ojst)

636 Now, you can blame the politicians and the RoE and whatever. but it's hard to miss the fact that we're throwing billions down a hole every year with NOTHING to show for it.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:32 PM (AkOaV)

_________

Don't forget the thousands upon thousands of dead Americans too.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:34 PM (0LHZx)

637 Wow that Cho twat is an idiot.

"I do not believe in a God that considers abortion a sin."


Meh. She's not that different from many Americans, who craft their own god in their image. my god wouldn't do that, the god I believe in isn't like that.

Ultimately, the god they believe in is... themselves.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 12:34 PM (39g3+)

638 I love how advocating for a responsible military posture around the world means I want somebody's kids and grandkids to have to fight a continuous war. No, dude, it means I want us to project strength so we don't have to fight. You know, the Reagan foreign policy approach?

Every single male cousin of mine has served in the military. I'm literally the only one who didn't. All the kids of the adults in my generation of my family are serving, male and female, with one exception. My one niece was top of her class at Parris Island and is one of the only women who has passed the Marines' additional infantry combat training, not that Army womens' waterered-down Ranger shit. All my sisters' kids are serving. My oldest is in CAP as a freshman in high school right now and is looking at trying to get an appointment to the USAFA.

My family has had skin in the game since the Revolutionary War and does to this day.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:34 PM (ljZD2)

639 Why does a war ship respond to a tsunami?

That's what the red cross is for, not the US Navy.


Spoken like someone who has never volunteered for the Red Cross in an emergency situation.

They're coasting on the name and massive donation figures. When it comes down to actual supply chain and the field operations elements, they're as organized as the kids in Lord of the Flies.

One nice thing about those war ships, they can MAKE fresh water. They're not carting it around, they're producing it. And, unlike the Red Cross, they have fantastic organizational and rubber hits the road operational skills.

Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:35 PM (jhqr1)

640 Harry testes, did you respond to my islam ain't peace response? Also, why so testy today man?

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:35 PM (0eidE)

641 Hmmmm, which 'low-hanging fruit' should we go after? Cutting a half a bil from the baby butchers, or axing a 100,000 soldiers? I know which one gives the Liberaltarians a hardon.
Posted by: mugiwara at September 29, 2015 12:29 PM (D5hxK)
__________-
So it's all about protecting military "jobs". At least you're honest about it and don't babble on about national security bullshit.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:31 PM (0LHZx)


I just had a thought. Hows about axing 200,000 soldiers and tossing another cool billion to the baby butchers?

Oh boy, here it comes! I'll be in my bunk.

Posted by: mugiwara at September 29, 2015 12:36 PM (D5hxK)

642 So it's all about protecting military "jobs". At least you're honest about it and don't babble on about national security bullshit.

Odd that you'd think there's no connection.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 12:36 PM (39g3+)

643 Screw Ukraine, they aren't in NATO so we don't need to die for their territory. Sucks that they didn't side with Merica.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:24 PM (0eidE)


Ukraine gave up their nukes for an agreement that we would protect them if needed.

We failed.

When rebels went after the fairly elected pro-Russian government, the U.S. sat back and cheered for the insurgents. What we should have done is support the government and the half of industrialized Russian speaking Ukraine that elected it as agreed.

If, at the next scheduled election the people of Ukraine decided to go the other way, we should support that too.

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 12:36 PM (Zs4uk)

644 One nice thing about those war ships, they can MAKE fresh water. They're not carting it around, they're producing it. And, unlike the Red Cross, they have fantastic organizational and rubber hits the road operational skills.
Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:35 PM (jhqr1)

Nothing cleans water like enriched uranium!

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:36 PM (0eidE)

645 >>And some like to pretend that the "most powerful nation on the earth" is also the "most broke nation on the earth" who has been batting 0 in foreign intervention victories since WWII.

We aren't even close to being the most broke nation on the face of the earth. I urge you to get out and travel more and don't believe everything you read on blogs.

Spend some time in Europe or South America or even China. You want to see economies on the verge of real catastrophic collapse, it ain't us. But who cares, right? Nothing that happens outside our borders matters.

Lotta people in Europe are learning just how wrong that is as we speak.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:36 PM (OGm46)

646 So it's all about protecting military "jobs". At least you're honest about it and don't babble on about national security bullshit.
____)____

As a Constitutionally-mandated purpose, there can be flexibility in the definitions of national defense; and I am inclined to give a pass to that department until the other frivolous spending is addressed.

Posted by: mustbequantum at September 29, 2015 12:37 PM (MIKMs)

647 OK, some funny: Justin Beiber on his Christianity:

do not want to shove this down anyone's throat. I just wanna honestly live like Jesus. Not be Jesus --- I could never --- I don't want that to come across weird. Christians leave such a bad taste in people's mouths even myself. I was like, I'm not gonna go to church...I think that going to church is fellowship, it's relationship, it's what we're here on the earth to do, to have this connection that you feel there's no insecurities. I think that's where we need to be. Like I said, you don't need to go to church to be a Christian. If you go to Taco Bell, that doesn't make you a taco."

Um. OK?

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:37 PM (NOIQH)

648 633 Actually it smells like Teen Spirit.
Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:33 PM (mcm0N)

*turns lights out*

There. Now it's less dangerous.

Posted by: Insomniac at September 29, 2015 12:37 PM (2Ojst)

649
And why am *I* paying to defend Japanese and European borders? That's what Japanese and European tax payers are for.

But you guys keep on fucking that chicken.

this is why we're broke as a country.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:18 PM (AkOaV)


We spend untold f***tons of money on foreign scholarships, foreign aid, (a great deal of which is skimmed by USAID officers) and the UN. I actually don't mind some of the military bases being overseas, (not all, but some) but I resent the hell out of the US paying for college and grad school for foreign kids, when my kids, and probably a lot of y'all's children can't get help because we make $100 bucks over the cut off for financial aid. I am happy to pay for my kids schooling, but I really don't want to pay for Ahmed to go to school. He's not my concern.

Posted by: Moki at September 29, 2015 12:38 PM (x303I)

650 Good Lord. STILL? Moo Moo and Harry need to get a room.

Sunday was Gold Star Mothers' Day. I cringe when I think how close I came to joining that club.

God help our military with the likes of the no-skin-in-the-game Arm Chair Warriors represented here.

Ugh. Going out to face Climate Chaos and get some fresh air.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 12:39 PM (FsuaD)

651 And I'm sure we all appreciate your sacrifice, trumpetdaddy.

Posted by: Chupacabras at September 29, 2015 12:39 PM (XiVKO)

652 I have an idea

Posted by: rdbrewer at September 29, 2015 12:39 PM (Iyg03)

653 I have a 15 year old. I could use a little less "teen spirit". ;^)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 12:39 PM (cgZPg)

654 "If you go to Taco Bell, that doesn't make you a taco."



Unless you are what you eat.

Posted by: Moki at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (x303I)

655 Hmmmm, which 'low-hanging fruit' should we go after? Cutting a half a bil from the baby butchers, or axing a 100,000 soldiers? I know which one gives the Liberaltarians a hardon.

I've got a modest proposal. Every year the GAO does spot accounting checks on agencies. Every year MASSIVE amounts of money are missing. Just ... gone. During Hillary's SecState tenure over $6 Billion went missing.

My proposal is this: Whenever money goes missing, that number gets cut from that agency's next operations budget. If they want their money, they need to stop the shrinkage.

Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (jhqr1)

656 I think for the next book club meeting we should discuss Star Ship Troopers.

"If you wanted to teach a baby a lesson, would you cut its head off? Of course not. You'd paddle it. There can be circumstances when it's just as foolish to hit an enemy city with an H-bomb as it would be to spank a baby with an axe. War is not violence and killing, pure and simple; war is controlled violence, for a purpose. The purpose of war is to support your government's decisions by force. The purpose is never to kill the enemy just to be killing him...but to make him do what you want to do. Not killing...but controlled and purposeful violence. But it's not your business or mine to decide the purpose of the control. It's never a soldier's business to decide when or where or how or why he fights; that belongs to the statesmen and the generals. The statesmen decide why and how much; the generals take it from there and tell us where and when and how. We supply the violence; other people 'older and wiser heads,' as they say supply the control. Which is as it should be."

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (0eidE)

657 As a Constitutionally-mandated purpose, there can be flexibility in the definitions of national defense; and I am inclined to give a pass to that department until the other frivolous spending is addressed.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 29, 2015 12:37 PM (MIKMs)

________

I haven't read the constitution in a while. Can you remind me which section it is that says we need to provide a free military to Europe, Japan and Korea forever and ever?

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (0LHZx)

658 Jane D'oh


Jane a Friend of Mines only Child was killed in Iraq early on in the War... It still breaks My heart to see her have to witness what this President has done to Our fine Soldiers...

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (hUdMz)

659 If you go to Taco Bell, that doesn't make you a taco."
Um. OK?
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:37 PM (NOIQH)



Well going to Taco Bell doesn't make you a taco, but if you go and pay for one, chances are good the staff there will in fact make you a taco.

Posted by: mugiwara at September 29, 2015 12:41 PM (D5hxK)

660 >>I have a 15 year old. I could use a little less "teen spirit". ;^)

Amen! Mine's almost 13, and yeah, the teen spirit's been making more of an appearance.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:41 PM (NOIQH)

661 Cute.

It's a colloquy of Paulians.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:41 PM (mcm0N)

662 Where's Willow?

She's supposed to have some magical Ace post triggering effect.

Posted by: rebel flounder at September 29, 2015 12:42 PM (1DH1V)

663 I haven't read the constitution in a while. Can you remind me which section it is that says we need to provide a free military to Europe, Japan and Korea forever and ever?

-----

I'm not sure what the point of that response was.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:42 PM (gmeXX)

664 658
Jane D'oh





Jane a Friend of Mines only Child was killed in Iraq early on in
the War... It still breaks My heart to see her have to witness what this
President has done to Our fine Soldiers...

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (hUdMz)


God bless her. And save us from the idiot in the WH.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 29, 2015 12:42 PM (FsuaD)

665
God bless her. And save us from the idiot in the WH.

Amen... Can I say that anymore?

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:42 PM (hUdMz)

666 So only people who have been in the military or have family in the military are allowed to opine on military issues? I see. OK so from now on unless you or a damily member worked on Wall St, no more opinions about stocks. And unless you or a family member is a tax lawyer, no more discussion about taxes.

Cool?

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (0LHZx)

667 Fenelonspoke

LOL!

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (mcm0N)

668 One nice thing about those war ships, they can MAKE fresh water. They're not carting it around, they're producing it. And, unlike the Red Cross, they have fantastic organizational and rubber hits the road operational skills.
Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:35 PM (jhqr1)

So the reason we spend billions on our military is to have floating water - treatment centers for humanitarian missions?

I thought the argument upthread was that if we cut any military spending, we'd be fighting ISIS here instead of not fighting them "over there".

So at least some of our expense in fuel, logistics, etc. is in completely non-essentially non-military missions?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (AkOaV)

669 Ah the emotional argument. So I hate your grandparents because I don't want my kids and my grandkids to be fighting a continual war. That's a very original argument. Never heard it before.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:21 PM (0LHZx)

Historically, peace really is an anomaly--'The time it takes to reload,' as Bob Dylan once said. This Paulian delusion that we--the US--are somehow global instigators by engaging the world and conducting a proactive foreign policy would--if adopted--result in far greater damage than the peace through strength doctrine that has kept the world a comparatively safer place all these decades.

I've even heard your beloved Dr. Ron Paul cheerleading Russia and claiming that poor, put-uponIran is a victim of Israeli perfidity. Comes to that, some of you on here say all sorts of nice things about Putin.

Cut that shit out, please.Praising murderous tyrants puts Dr. Ron Paul out there in the darkness of the fringe, and you with him.

Posted by: troyriser at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (fnCax)

670 "And I'm sure we all appreciate your sacrifice, trumpetdaddy."


Not mine, thank God. Luckily, each of them have been kept safe thus far. I know my sister is proud as shit of her daughter having accomplished as much as she has thus far in the USMC, but she is her only child, too. We pray every day for her safety.

I'm hoping against hope that my son's eyesight keeps him out of being a jet jockey and gets him a nice stateside post should he go that direction in 4 years, but I'd be proud of him no matter what.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (ljZD2)

671 Well going to Taco Bell doesn't make you a taco, but if you go and pay for one, chances are good the staff there will in fact make you a taco.
Posted by: mugiwara at September 29, 2015 12:41 PM (D5hxK)




As long as you don't eat it. Then it's pork through a goose.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (vgIRn)

672
My proposal is this: Whenever money goes missing, that number gets cut from that agency's next operations budget. If they want their money, they need to stop the shrinkage.
Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (jhqr1)

That is a brilliant idea. It makes sense, and requires accountability. So it will never happen.

My first year at State, the employees at the travel officer were investigated, and found to have stolen over $500,000 worth of travelers checks (that shows how long ago I was at State). They got a slap on the wrist. They weren't fired. They just had another employee to watch over them while they worked. Because the Federal Government will go after a dissenter like a rottweiler after a steak dropped on the floor, but actual corruption/malfeasance? It's ignored.

Posted by: Moki at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (x303I)

673 So only people who have been in the military or have family in the military are allowed to opine on military issues? I see. OK so from now on unless you or a damily member worked on Wall St, no more opinions about stocks. And unless you or a family member is a tax lawyer, no more discussion about taxes.

Cool?

------

Sounds like I can opine on all three. Sounds good to me.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (gmeXX)

674 >>Well going to Taco Bell doesn't make you a taco, but if you go and pay for one, chances are good the staff there will in fact make you a taco.

Heh. I *think* he's trying to say you can be a Christian without attending a church, and that attending church doesn't make you a Christian. But then why go into the church is fellowship?
So he's "spiritual, I guess.

I think he *should* go to church and surround himself with non-entertainment biz people to get his head on straight. Maybe this his first attempt.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (NOIQH)

675 There's some nastiness going on here.... Lighten up Francis...

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:44 PM (hUdMz)

676 Wait...I smell that old chicken hawk recipe...

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:44 PM (mcm0N)

677 I haven't read the constitution in a while. Can you remind me which section it is that says we need to provide a free military to Europe, Japan and Korea forever and ever?

If you want to navel gaze, the welfare state isn't an enumerated power. The military is. The welfare state costs double what we spend on the military. Hmm, what to do?

Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:44 PM (jhqr1)

678 663 I haven't read the constitution in a while. Can you remind me which section it is that says we need to provide a free military to Europe, Japan and Korea forever and ever?

-----

I'm not sure what the point of that response was.
Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:42 PM (gmeXX)

________

thought it was pretty obvious. I was replying to someone who said the military is constitutionally mandated. And I said, fine, but where in the constitution does it say we need to provide a behemoth military for foreign countries as well?

I don't think that's what the founding fathers had in mind.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:45 PM (0LHZx)

679 We aren't even close to being the most broke nation on the face of the earth. I urge you to get out and travel more and don't believe everything you read on blogs.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:36 PM (OGm46)

Name one other country who is 18T + in debt.

Go ahead.

And I have traveled fairly extensively as part of my job, but that's neither here nor there.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:45 PM (AkOaV)

680 If you want to navel gaze, the welfare state isn't an enumerated power. The military is. The welfare state costs double what we spend on the military. Hmm, what to do?
Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:44 PM (jhqr1)

________

Ahh the old two wrongs = a right argument.

Why does it have to be either or. Cut the military and cut welfare. Cut everything.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:46 PM (0LHZx)

681 652 I have an idea

Posted by: rdbrewer at September 29, 2015 12:39 PM (Iyg03)


That is what smart military blogs are all about.

Go ahead. Tell us your idea.

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (Zs4uk)

682 Name one other country who is 18T + in debt.

-----

There probably isn't one. But neither is there a debt collector mighty enough to collect.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (gmeXX)

683 If you want to navel gaze, the welfare state isn't an enumerated power. The military is. The welfare state costs double what we spend on the military. Hmm, what to do?
Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:44 PM (jhqr1)

Oh, no arguments from me.

Eliminate SS, Medicare / Medicaid, food stamps, section 8 housing, etc. etc. etc.

That'll bring us close to balanced budget.

Then we need to cut everything else by another 15-20% to get to a point where we can keep taxes as high as they are now but even make a dent in paying down our debt.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (AkOaV)

684 What a horrible position for kids to be in.
Posted by: Bruce With a Wang!
---
If morality does not trump familial relationships, you are no better than a colony of animals.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (1Zmfg)

685 Eh, when you owe the bank $100, you have a problem. When you owe the bank $18,000,000,000,000, the bank has a problem.

Posted by: Chupacabras at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (XiVKO)

686 Why does it have to be either or. Cut the military and cut welfare. Cut everything.

-----

Sounds good to me.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (gmeXX)

687 My proposal is this: Whenever money goes missing, that number gets cut from that agency's next operations budget. If they want their money, they need to stop the shrinkage.
Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:40 PM (jhqr1)

I like it.

Posted by: @votermom at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (cbfNE)

688 "I am happy to pay for my kids schooling, but I really don't want to pay for Ahmed to go to school. He's not my concern."

None too happy about paying for endless Ahmeds to attend "schools" that are basically just Islamic madrassahs, either.

Ahmed's sisters? They're going to be back in the burqua and back out of the schools about five minutes after the Americans get tired and go home.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (noWW6)

689 And I said, fine, but where in the constitution does it say we need to provide a behemoth military for foreign countries as well?



I don't think that's what the founding fathers had in mind.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:45 PM (0LHZx)


Like it or not, our national security has a lot to do with world stability. I would like to think the FFs were wise enough to agree.

Posted by: rebel flounder at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (1DH1V)

690 681 652 I have an idea

Posted by: rdbrewer at September 29, 2015 12:39 PM (Iyg03)


That is what smart military blogs are all about.

Go ahead. Tell us your idea

Yeah well right now this is a dumb "Military" blog and I'm out.... Peace...

Posted by: donna at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (hUdMz)

691 Excerpt from Putin's speech at the UN...

(regarding the mess in the Middle East)

"But how did it actually turn out? Rather than bringing about reforms, an aggressive foreign interference has resulted in a brazen destruction of national institutions and the lifestyle itself. Instead of the triumph of democracy and progress, we got violence, poverty and social disaster. Nobody cares a bit about human rights, including the right to life.

I cannot help asking those who have caused the situation, do you realize now what you've done? But I am afraid no one is going to answer that. Indeed, policies based on self-conceit and belief in one's exceptionality and impunity have never been abandoned."

Posted by: McCool at September 29, 2015 12:48 PM (nCSwS)

692 Weakness is provocative.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 12:48 PM (oVJmc)

693 She's been playing that thing all morning now. I'm not sure if you can still call it a Virginal.

Posted by: bananaDream at September 29, 2015 12:48 PM (vLk7c)

694 >> So only people who have been in the military or have family in the military are allowed to opine on military issues?

Seeing as how I was born and lived on a forward operating military base, I agree. You may not comment on this topic again.

Oh and I had family who both worked on Wall Street and as tax lawyers.

You may not talk about these issues either.

I like your rules.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 29, 2015 12:48 PM (OGm46)

695 685 Eh, when you owe the bank $100, you have a problem. When you owe the bank $18,000,000,000,000, the bank has a problem.
Posted by: Chupacabras at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (XiVKO)

What about when you are the bank and you owe yourself $18 Trillion?

As in, we've monetized a lot of our debt via the federal reserve and our TBTF banks.

Then what?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:48 PM (AkOaV)

696 686 Why does it have to be either or. Cut the military and cut welfare. Cut everything.

-----

Sounds good to me.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (gmeXX)



Except payments to the baby murders. Moo Moo can't let his holy sacrament of death of the unborn be limited.

Posted by: buzzion at September 29, 2015 12:48 PM (zt+N6)

697 So the reason we spend billions on our military is to have floating water - treatment centers for humanitarian missions?

I thought the argument upthread was that if we cut any military spending, we'd be fighting ISIS here instead of not fighting them "over there".

So at least some of our expense in fuel, logistics, etc. is in completely non-essentially non-military missions?


My answer was to a specific question. If you want to try to pretend my answer was to a different question, feel free. I will feel free to ignore you as an un-serious person.

Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:49 PM (jhqr1)

698 So--anyone going to watch Hillary debate Sanders?

That should be lively.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:49 PM (mcm0N)

699 What about when you are the bank and you owe yourself $18 Trillion?

As in, we've monetized a lot of our debt via the federal reserve and our TBTF banks.

Then what?

-------

I demand the bank pay me.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:49 PM (gmeXX)

700 That is a brilliant idea. It makes sense, and requires accountability.

Gracias, Moki.

Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:50 PM (jhqr1)

701 What a gorgeous painting. Beautiful house.

Posted by: goon at September 29, 2015 12:50 PM (gy5kE)

702 I've even heard your beloved Dr. Ron Paul cheerleading Russia and claiming that poor, put-uponIran is a victim of Israeli perfidity. Comes to that, some of you on here say all sorts of nice things about Putin.

Cut that shit out, please.Praising murderous tyrants puts Dr. Ron Paul out there in the darkness of the fringe, and you with him.
Posted by: troyriser at September 29, 2015 12:43 PM (fnCax)

______

My beloved Ron Paul? LOL. You guys are like right wing versions of shrill SJWs who call everyone a Nazi if they dare disagree.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:50 PM (0LHZx)

703 Like it or not, our national security has a lot to do with world stability. I would like to think the FFs were wise enough to agree.
Posted by: rebel flounder at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (1DH1V)

The same people who said "stay out of foreign entanglements" would read "the Congress shall have Power To ...raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years...." to mean "the US is now in charge of world stability and will enforce stability at the edge of a sword"?

Yeesh.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:50 PM (AkOaV)

704 If you're the bank? You inflate it away, just like we're doing now.

Posted by: Chupacabras at September 29, 2015 12:51 PM (XiVKO)

705 So--anyone going to watch Hillary debate Sanders?

When is that?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 12:51 PM (cgZPg)

706 "Name one other country who is 18T + in debt."

Actually the key metric is the debt to GDP ratio.

The typical point of no return is around 120 to 130 percent. After that, economies crack and states fail.

The USA is at about 105 percent and rising steadily.

But remember that the 18T debt figure does NOT include Fedzilla's "unfunded liabilities". If you stack those in, the debt to GDP ratio of the USA starts to look like 450% or worse. Unrecoverable.

Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 12:51 PM (noWW6)

707 De nada, S. Bonhomme, or should I say, Merci beaucoup?!

Seriously. It's a brilliant idea. I wish it could be a question at one of the debates, to get people to talk about it.

Posted by: Moki at September 29, 2015 12:52 PM (x303I)

708 So the argument for never ending war boils down to these points

1. My family has been in the military for a long time and the next 10 generations must follow in that tradition

2. Fresh water ships for tsunamis

3. Ron Paul is crazy and therefore fuck you

OK you've convinced me.

WAR!! WAR!! WAR!!!

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:53 PM (0LHZx)

709 Ho-lee shiiiiiit, if true:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/250972/
one-million-child-victims-muslim-rape-gangs-uk-arnold-ahlert

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:53 PM (NOIQH)

710 But remember that the 18T debt figure does NOT include Fedzilla's "unfunded liabilities".

-------

The key word being unfunded. Many of those liabilities will never be paid.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:53 PM (gmeXX)

711 Ahh the old two wrongs = a right argument.

No, it's the old "if you want to argue constitutionality, one is constitutional, the other isn't. As a bonus, the one that isn't constitutional, when cut, would save us more money" argument.

Posted by: bonhomme at September 29, 2015 12:53 PM (jhqr1)

712 703
Like it or not, our national security has a lot to do with world stability. I would like to think the FFs were wise enough to agree.

Posted by: rebel flounder at September 29, 2015 12:47 PM (1DH1V)



The same people who said "stay out of foreign entanglements" would read "the Congress shall have Power To ...raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years...." to mean "the US is now in charge of world stability and will enforce stability at the edge of a sword"?



Yeesh.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:50 PM (AkOaV)


Given the difference in world conditions, then and now, and the fact that they believed in the constitutional methods to transform the constitution? Mostly, yeah, but not on your strawman's terms.

Posted by: rebel flounder at September 29, 2015 12:53 PM (1DH1V)

713 So the argument for never ending war boils down to these points

1. My family has been in the military for a long time and the next 10 generations must follow in that tradition

2. Fresh water ships for tsunamis

3. Ron Paul is crazy and therefore fuck you

OK you've convinced me.

WAR!! WAR!! WAR!!!

-------

You nailed it.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:53 PM (gmeXX)

714 So--anyone going to watch Hillary debate Sanders?



When is that?


Before Early Bird Specials at Denny's and 'Law and Order' reruns on TNT.

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at September 29, 2015 12:54 PM (oVJmc)

715 God bless George Washington, but he had the security of knowing that the British fleet would safeguard the waterways of the world. And that the Army existed in his time mainly to put down Indian raids on the frontier.

We don't have that luxury. The "Indians" who want to raid us aren't doing it on "the frontiers," they're wanting to do it in the heart of our population centers, and with nuclear weapons.

Times change.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:54 PM (ljZD2)

716 Posted by: torquewrench at September 29, 2015 12:51 PM (noWW6)

$18.4 T in debt
$16.77 T GDP

That would seem to put us north of 110%

Now, if you add in state and local debt, we're at about $21 T. That puts us at 125%.

Plus, of course, as you say, unfunded liabilities.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (AkOaV)

717 Where's Willow?

She's supposed to have some magical Ace post triggering effect.
Posted by: rebel flounder at September 29, 2015 12:42 PM (1DH1V)

Did willow get unbanned or was just never banned?

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (0eidE)

718 Fenelonspoke

October 13th.

CNN has a very dramatic commercial for it that is laughable.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (mcm0N)

719 There probably isn't one. But neither is there a debt collector mighty enough to collect.

Round eye fly in face of Buddha.

Posted by: China at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (5buP8)

720 The military employs 2.5M people plus millions more working for defense contractors and all the supporting industries that make it all happen.

All these people vote and have umpteen lobby groups working on their behalf.

This is why we spend $700B on the military. Not ISIS or tsunami ships. It's corporate welfare disguised as patriotism.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (0LHZx)

721 Wow that Cho twat is an idiot.
"I do not believe in a God that considers abortion a sin."

---

The most absurd aspect is that if God exists, he is what he is, and not believing in him just because you dislike his views is futile.

I hate delusional people who think that when they don't like reality, their preferences can override reality. Messed up.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (1Zmfg)

722 Four Hours of the same picture. Great work ethic.

Posted by: Puddin Head at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (oDCMR)

723 Wait--martyrdom got me 72 *virginals*!?

Posted by: Jihadi Djibadhi at September 29, 2015 12:56 PM (VAsIq)

724 There probably isn't one. But neither is there a debt collector mighty enough to collect.

Round eye fly in face of Buddha.
Posted by: China at September 29, 2015 12:55 PM (5buP

-------

Good luck.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 12:56 PM (gmeXX)

725 So the argument for never ending war boils down to these points

1. My family has been in the military for a long time and the next 10 generations must follow in that tradition

2. Fresh water ships for tsunamis

3. Ron Paul is crazy and therefore fuck you


Simplify much? And the never ending war thing? Orwell, you're not, so don't try.

The world is complex and ever changing. I'd like to hear one Paulbot tell me what their strategic end state is. Cutting the military, coming home, and pretending the rest of the world doesn't exist is not a realistic strategic end state.

P.S.: Neither is the gold standard.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 12:56 PM (659DL)

726 If it weren't for Thomas Jefferson, we'd still have a to budget an annual tribute to Muslim pirates to leave our merchant vessels alone.

Posted by: mugiwara at September 29, 2015 12:57 PM (D5hxK)

727 We admire your islands of Hawaii. Please to sell for 4 trillion?
Sank you!

Posted by: China at September 29, 2015 12:58 PM (5buP8)

728
So--anyone going to watch Hillary debate Sanders?

That should be lively.

Posted by: Your friendly Danube river guide at September 29, 2015 12:49 PM (mcm0N)
_____________________

There will be no debate, for I shall run rough-shod over him....

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at September 29, 2015 12:59 PM (HSmrB)

729 I like the visual of Sanders and Hillary at the podium


OLD

SO VERY OLD

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 12:59 PM (zOTsN)

730 I know how to get a new thread: I will self-identify as willow.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 12:59 PM (1Zmfg)

731 Speaking of the Paul family, it appears that Rand has decided that he likes staying in the Senate and "running for president" instead of actually trying to get elected president fer realz.

Fundraising for the Senate re-election race is his priority now. Should make it easier for NBC to bump him from the debate stage next month.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at September 29, 2015 12:59 PM (ljZD2)

732 Hillary! will crush Bernie Sanders under her treads *beep* feet.

Posted by: Hillbot 2000 at September 29, 2015 01:00 PM (XiVKO)

733 3. Ron Paul is crazy and therefore fuck you

Simplify much? And the never ending war thing? Orwell, you're not, so don't try.

The world is complex and ever changing. I'd like to hear one Paulbot tell me what their strategic end state is. Cutting the military, coming home, and pretending the rest of the world doesn't exist is not a realistic strategic end state.

P.S.: Neither is the gold standard.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 12:56 PM (659DL)

________

LOL. You just proved #3 for me. You guys are so predictable. Propose even a minuscule cut in the military, you're a Paulbot. You are no different than the leftist who thinks a 2% cut in Food Stamps will mean dead children on the streets.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 01:00 PM (0LHZx)

734 Make it 12.5 trillion and I'll throw in California.

Posted by: Tim in Illinois. Old and unimproved. at September 29, 2015 01:00 PM (dOD0J)

735 *looks at thread*

*trots off*

*borrows alex's flamethrower*

*trots back*

*flamethrowers EV-RY-THING*


Would anyone care for a Timbit?

Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 01:00 PM (JtwS4)

736 Would anyone care for a Timbit?
Posted by: Bandersnatch, Opus/Bill the Cat 2016 at September 29, 2015 01:00 PM (JtwS4)

I'd prefer a pepsi.

Posted by: Draki at September 29, 2015 01:01 PM (0eidE)

737 Well, Biden can join on the day of the debate and CNN will let him on stage.

Now THAT could make it interesting.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 01:01 PM (NOIQH)

738 Propose even a minuscule cut in the military, you're a Paulbot.

------

In fairness, you did more than propose a minuscule cut in the military. You brought up some nonsense about the Constitution and never ending wars and other stuff.

Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 01:01 PM (gmeXX)

739 Carifonia make us excellent wine and tomato. We want for 6 trillion.
Sank you!

Posted by: China at September 29, 2015 01:02 PM (5buP8)

740 War is just about the only constant in human history.
Peace is an anomaly.

Posted by: navybrat at September 29, 2015 01:02 PM (ETxiG)

741 listen to music, hug your babies, walk your dog

we have no say in world events anymore anyway

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 01:02 PM (zOTsN)

742 734
Make it 12.5 trillion and I'll throw in California.


Posted by: Tim in Illinois. Old and unimproved. at September 29, 2015 01:00 PM (dOD0J)


Make it $18T even, and I'll even thrown in Mexico.

Posted by: Donald Trump at September 29, 2015 01:02 PM (1DH1V)

743 This is why we spend $700B on the military. Not ISIS or tsunami ships. It's corporate welfare disguised as patriotism.

Talk specifics. What does tte military look like in your world? What is the mission set? What kind of conflicts do we prepare for? What are the lift capabilities? Strategic forces. Training rotations and float. Interlock with Guard and reserve forces. Complementary capabilities with allies. Space profile. And not just now, but five ten and twenty years from now.

You don't get the equivalent of the "waste, fraud, and abuse" get out of jail free card on this blog.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 01:02 PM (659DL)

744 In fairness, you did more than propose a minuscule cut in the military. You brought up some nonsense about the Constitution and never ending wars and other stuff.
Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 01:01 PM (gmeXX)

Eh, I'm on moo's side here.

It was organic.

Not worth re-living, but you can imagine the John McCain / Lindsey Graham'ish stuff being thrown out upthread.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:02 PM (AkOaV)

745 I'd prefer a pepsi.

Posted by: Draki

You'll have a milk.

Posted by: Guy dressed as a milk carton at September 29, 2015 01:03 PM (VAsIq)

746 It seems that people in the military or ex-military take personal offense to this. I have nothing against you or your family or anyone else who served. If I want to cut education spending by 10% it doesn't mean I hate teachers. It doesn't mean I think education is a bad thing. It just means I think we're spending too much money on it.

Same with the military. We are spending too much money on it. It doesn't mean the military isn't important, it doesn't mean members of the military are bad people. We just need to cut the scale back.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 01:03 PM (0LHZx)

747 Obama 2002:

Now let me be clear: I suffer no
illusions about Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal man. A ruthless man. A
man who butchers his own people to secure his own power.... The world,
and the Iraqi people, would be better off without him.
But I also know that Saddam poses no
imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his
neighbors...and that in concert with the international community he can
be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away
into the dustbin of history.

Posted by: Efrem Zimbalist Jr. at September 29, 2015 01:04 PM (e8kgV)

748 we need Charles Martel or Vlad the Impaler, neither of which went over there but held them off from advancing into the west

not happening

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 01:04 PM (zOTsN)

749 We just need to cut the scale back.

Nice specifics.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 01:04 PM (659DL)

750 There will be no debate, for I shall run rough-shod over him....


Use your wheels, it is what they are for. If no wheels are available, metal, not organic, limbs should be used.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at September 29, 2015 01:04 PM (rwI+c)

751 Moo, you really don't know shit about the military, projection of power, or procurement.

Posted by: Chupacabras at September 29, 2015 01:05 PM (XiVKO)

752 I hate delusional people who think that when they don't like reality, their preferences can override reality. Messed up.
Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner
__________________

This, in many ways, is the story of Obama.

Posted by: Furious George at September 29, 2015 01:06 PM (UlJ3l)

753 In fairness, you did more than propose a minuscule cut in the military. You brought up some nonsense about the Constitution and never ending wars and other stuff.
Posted by: SH at September 29, 2015 01:01 PM (gmeXX)

____

I was replying to someone who brought up the constitution and how the military is mandated by the constitution. What I said is nowhere in the constitution does it say we have to be the word's policeman.

And it doesn't matter what cut is proposed. To the super-hawks even a 1% cut means I hate America and want ISIS to win.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 01:06 PM (0LHZx)

754 A few Finn M39's available at Classic. I just bagged one, though not fast enough to get a Sako, or even a hand-select one.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/finnish-m39-mosin-nagant-rifle-762x54r

Posted by: Grump928(C) at September 29, 2015 01:06 PM (rwI+c)

755 and that in concert with the international community he can
be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away
into the dustbin of history.


Posted by: Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

There's no more room! Too full with the victims of petty dictators like Hitler, Mao, Stalin, Assad, Pol Pot, Obama,

Posted by: Dustbin of History at September 29, 2015 01:06 PM (VAsIq)

756 Just want to reiterate (even from my republican/libertarian perspective), that military cuts can wait. Providing for the common defense allows a lot of wiggle room and my preference would be to cut non-constitutional spending FIRST.

Posted by: mustbequantum at September 29, 2015 01:07 PM (MIKMs)

757 745
I'd prefer a pepsi.



Posted by: Draki



You'll have a milk.

Posted by: Guy dressed as a milk carton at September 29, 2015 01:03 PM (VAsIq)


That's not a milk spout! *pucker face*

Posted by: Lena Dunham at September 29, 2015 01:07 PM (1DH1V)

758 We just need to cut the scale back.

Nice specifics.

Posted by: Circa

Fire the new Secretary of the Army!

Posted by: Turd Ferguson at September 29, 2015 01:07 PM (VAsIq)

759 Sure, we're carrying 21 trillion in debt. But it's not a big deal.

First, the federal government has 58 trillion in assets that it's just sitting on. Minerals, oil, wood, land, all worth trillions and for some unconstitutional reason "owned" by the fed. Sure, there isn't enough money in the world to buy all these assets today, but an entity could be created to monetize the assets now, use a portion of the value and sell them over the next 100 or 200 years.

Eliminate debt, rebuild the infrastructure and do it all with cash that our government shouldn't by law have to begin with. Sounds like a deal to me.

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 01:07 PM (Zs4uk)

760 746 It seems that people in the military or ex-military take personal offense to this. I have nothing against you or your family or anyone else who served. If I want to cut education spending by 10% it doesn't mean I hate teachers. It doesn't mean I think education is a bad thing. It just means I think we're spending too much money on it.

Same with the military. We are spending too much money on it. It doesn't mean the military isn't important, it doesn't mean members of the military are bad people. We just need to cut the scale back.



Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 01:03 PM (0LHZx)



You regularly shit on the military servicemembers. And then when people start talking about cutting the pork of the military spending like the bloated F-35 project you engage in bullshit strawman attacks against those who have called you on your past shit. Fuck you.

Posted by: buzzion at September 29, 2015 01:07 PM (zt+N6)

761 My beloved Ron Paul? LOL. You guys are like right wing versions of shrill SJWs who call everyone a Nazi if they dare disagree.
Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 12:50 PM (0LHZx)

So your counter-argument is what, exactly? Do you think bad guys all over the worldwill just leave us alone if we follow the Rand/Ron Paul Peace Through Just Leave Us Alone Okay You Guys strategy?

And no, I didn't call you or other Paulian types Nazis. Ron Paul's pal, Don Black of Stormfront, does call himself a Nazi because he is one, and another friend of Ron Paul's, Willis Carto, is the founder of the Holocaust denial movement, but that's another story for another day.

Posted by: troyriser at September 29, 2015 01:07 PM (fnCax)

762  I'd prefer a pepsi.

Posted by: Draki

You'll have a milk.
Posted by: Guy dressed as a milk carton

---

Don't look at me. You do realize these things are non-functional, correct?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 01:08 PM (1Zmfg)

763 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 01:02 PM (659DL)

Circa, I will attempt to answer:

I think we should have a very strong, well trained and equipped military. I think said military should be so well trained and equipped that "bad actors" think its a fools errand to fuck with them.

I think there should be a clearly understood policy of "we will let the rest of the world do their shit -- but if you cross red lines, you get fucked. With overwhelming force. We will not win your minds or souls, nor will we build you schools. We will destroy you and everyone in your vicinity."

That being said, we do need to invest in our Navy, stop wasting money on trying to run ships on algae and on LCS's and on F-35's and on other stupid shit that has proven to be money holes that do nothing but get the cost + contractors rich.

Our army is, according to the generals, not at combat readiness. We should have an appropriate sized army to fight two simultaneous ground wars, as we have had since WWII. No arguments from me. They should be paid well, and get the best equipment known to man.

BUT there are certainly a lot of places where we can cut back -- many of the contractors / projects / "investments" are ... dubiously worthwhile. Cost Plus needs to go.

And we do not need massive military bases around the world. And not even so much for the expense part, but because we do not want to be a "lynchpin" like we are in Japan, Korea, or Germany. For example, if the Koreas go at it, we have tens of thousands of troops between those two peoples.

We don't need that drama.

Same with Japan and Germany.

Especially as we now look weaker than ever -- it's more and more conceivable that some crackpot like in N Korea might try something and drag us in to a huge war.

Now all of that military spending is ONLY POSSIBLE if we're willing to cut all transfer payments and seriously go line by line in the "discretionary" budget.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:08 PM (AkOaV)

764 Still waiting on one specific.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 01:08 PM (659DL)

765 751 Moo, you really don't know shit about the military, projection of power, or procurement.
Posted by: Chupacabras at September 29, 2015 01:05 PM (XiVKO)

___________

Like I said above...if the rule is you can only comment on military issues if you're in the military, then we must apply it to all topics.

Unless you're a doctor, no comments on health care.

Unless you're a lawyer, no comments about the law.

Unless you're a tax lawyer, no comments about taxes.

Unless you're a cook, no comments about food.

Cuz that makes a lot of sense.

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 01:08 PM (0LHZx)

766 Meanwhile the hearings on Planned Parenthood have successfully been turned into a discussion on abortion rather than hacked up babies. Because the Dems want the talking points and any coverage of it to be about Republicans against birth control and the GOP is the party of stupid.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at September 29, 2015 01:09 PM (39g3+)

767 We need bases around the world. Power projection is key. Weakness is fatal. see WWII

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 01:10 PM (zOTsN)

768 Lay off Cho! Ace had a serious crush on her.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at September 29, 2015 01:10 PM (iQIUe)

769 Ho-lee shiiiiiit, if true:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/250972/
one-million-child-victims-muslim-rape-gangs-uk-arnold-ahlert
Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 12:53 PM (NOIQH)


This is an actual rape culture. Throw in slave auctions in the ME. Can we talk about that???

Posted by: Lea at September 29, 2015 01:10 PM (lIU4e)

770 But in general, our policy should be to avoid war at all costs unless its absolutely necessary.

WWI, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq (and arguably Afghanistan) were unnecessary wars.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:10 PM (AkOaV)

771 Don't look at me. You do realize these things are non-functional, correct?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner

I have nipples, could you milk me?

Posted by: Robert de Niro at September 29, 2015 01:10 PM (VAsIq)

772 I read a link in Legal Insurrection re: Sweden having a "plan" to house the darling "refugees" by seizing homes (summer homes). Yet our Prancing Pretender says it will take time to defeat the JV, er, Cult, oh whatever of isis.

Finland and Hungary are the Hans Brinker with his finger holding the dike (I almost wrote dyke). Something like 5000 of the barbarians arrive in Sweden each day.

Welp, I am glad I saw a few countries over the last few years as Europe is never going to recover from this.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, aging supermodel Redneck Queen at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (LJ4iV)

773 If Biden insults Hillary and Sanders (which he is actually rather "good" at) it could be interesting.
I think he's a naive idealist but b/t Sanders, Biden and Hillary I think Sanders is probably the most decent human being.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (cgZPg)

774 I'd prefer a pepsi.

I want a Liter Cola

Posted by: Farva at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (39g3+)

775 f5

f5

f5

f5

Hey!

nope

f5

f5

f5


Posted by: Mortimer at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (0dcbp)

776 n00d, taliban

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (AkOaV)

777 Not Mitt Romney

did you write something? Hit the tip jar? You do realize there are other places to go, right? Go find one

Posted by: ThunderB at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (zOTsN)

778 Never said you can't comment on it, just that you don't know shit about it.

Posted by: Chupacabras at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (XiVKO)

779 Where is ace?

Posted by: @votermom at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (cbfNE)

780 >>Meanwhile the hearings on Planned Parenthood have successfully been turned into a discussion on abortion


Carly has been good about keeping the discussion away from whether or not one supports abortion, but whether one agrees that harvesting the organs from an (intentionally, for better harvesting) breathing, heart-beating human being is monstrous.

Posted by: Lizzy at September 29, 2015 01:11 PM (NOIQH)

781 How much have we spent on the F35 so far? Has it crossed the $1.5T mark yet? I feel much safer, don't you?

Posted by: Monsieur Mew Mew at September 29, 2015 01:12 PM (0LHZx)

782 Nood Afghans

Posted by: Nood at September 29, 2015 01:12 PM (1DH1V)

783 First, the federal government has 58 trillion in assets that it's just sitting on. Minerals, oil, wood, land, all worth trillions and for some unconstitutional reason "owned" by the fed. Sure, there isn't enough money in the world to buy all these assets today, but an entity could be created to monetize the assets now, use a portion of the value and sell them over the next 100 or 200 years.

Eliminate debt, rebuild the infrastructure and do it all with cash that our government shouldn't by law have to begin with. Sounds like a deal to me.
Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 01:07 PM (Zs4uk)


::blinks rapidly::

oh boy.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:13 PM (AkOaV)

784 [new digital camera] didn't come with a memory card.
Is that bullshit or standard practice?

I forget.

Posted by: andycanuck at September 29, 2015 01:13 PM (Aw1ge)

785 Meanwhile the hearings on Planned Parenthood have successfully been turned into a discussion on abortion.

Damn!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 29, 2015 01:15 PM (cgZPg)

786 The U.S. has had enemies I the past, certainly has enemies now and, with the hope that this nation remains viable, will have enmies in the future.

I've always believed that it's better to wage battle against them in THEIR own land than ours. I really don't think you Paulians realize what fighting a war here would do to this country. We think it's in the shitter now......

Posted by: Soona at September 29, 2015 01:16 PM (Qjo6c)

787 OK, now we are getting somewhere.

Let's start with a win/win for two major regional wars.

That is a big standing force. A big, dynamic procurement pipeline and a much different force that we have now because of something that I have beat to death around here: We're going to need the capability to project power into seriously non-permissive environments going forward. Saudi oil taps, ready made air bases, and submarine/missile-free AORs are done.

That single paragraph is a lot of money. There has never been in the history of this planet a cheap way of projecting power and prevailing in a distant conflict.

As for reform of the procurement process...yes. Step one in those reforms are incentives to contain costs and development timelines rather than expand them. Step two, or better 1A is the return to normal order in our budget processes. My frustration with the Hill on this point just stays at a constant "rage" these days.

Finally, we need a clear set of national security priorities and not a comprehensive laundry list. Sorry folks, clean cook stoves for Darfur should not be competing with Israeli security on the naitonal agenda.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 01:16 PM (659DL)

788 ::blinks rapidly::

oh boy.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:13 PM (AkOaV)


Pop quiz, Harry.

What is the mineral rights to Pacific coast continental shelf worth from the tip of Artic Alaska to Baja, from low tide mark to 200 miles offshore?

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 01:18 PM (Zs4uk)

789 Pop quiz, Harry.

What is the mineral rights to Pacific coast continental shelf worth from the tip of Artic Alaska to Baja, from low tide mark to 200 miles offshore?

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 01:18 PM (Zs4uk)

Approx $0 is the USD implodes from overwhelming debt.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:21 PM (AkOaV)

790 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at September 29, 2015 01:16 PM (659DL)

Sure and fighting endless middle eastern wars -- which is how this whole convo started -- in an attempt to win "hearts and minds" is dumb.

I'm all for the military being the vast majority of our federal budget. As a line item, it should be #1. It is the "most expensive" of the enumerated powers.

But everything else has to be eliminated or reduced sharply.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes, the artist formally known as mynewhandle at September 29, 2015 01:23 PM (AkOaV)

791 Harry,

If you owe a million dollars, you would probably feel you were hopelessly over your head in debt.

However, if you also owned a warehouse filled with 100 million in art, you would be in a pretty good financial position.

Right?

Posted by: jwest at September 29, 2015 01:26 PM (Zs4uk)

792 Baharain gets by with the alcohol and hookers because Allan can't see you there.
Allan is too busy running his blog. BTW, nood.

Posted by: andycanuck at September 29, 2015 01:30 PM (Aw1ge)

793 When I first glanced at the painting, I thought the woman was at her computer.

Posted by: Steph at September 29, 2015 01:37 PM (/tR3o)

794 Now and then, we get a thread that reminds me why the majority of Americans ... including a generation that won WWII ... simply said "fuck it" and voted Democrat for a long, long time. This is one of those threads.

It's just not in the American Psyche to fight long, low intensity conflicts. If we send a brother or son to an overseas deployment in a time other than a declared war - we generally expect said brother or son to come back. Sometimes with a wife.

Some of you have a taste for American Empire. Most Americans like the perks, but not the price. This shit, in the historic sense, will not last.

Nor will the GOP, as we know it. Because, as this thread show, most of us simply damn disagree on America's place in the world.

And when it comes to taking up arms to support the differing vision ... that decision is highly personal. And the results of compelling wide swaths to serve are disastrous.

Posted by: Irony at September 29, 2015 01:39 PM (9miVc)

795 Posted by: Harry Paratestes
-------------------------------------------------------
haha. Just got that. Srsly.

You know there's a permanent cure for that, right? And I'm not talking laser depilitization.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at September 29, 2015 01:58 PM (E5UB0)

796 RD, can you put these all up on another blog/archive. Your choices are wonderful and I want to return to immerse in them.

Posted by: Chris Cassone at September 29, 2015 06:36 PM (KsD84)

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