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Frustration Be Gone Cafe

twodogbuddies.jpg

It may seem like I took the day off, but trust me, I didn't. It was a frustrating and expensive day. It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords.

Sidling up to a fren.

More buddies.

Beaver surfing on an ice board.

Hide and seek.


Baby elephant playing with his food.

Three year old girl helps put Reggie the Wombat to bed.

Adoption day. I think there are two dogs here because people often bring their current dog to meet the potential adopted dog, to make sure they get along.

Mini-chainsaws: Not just for bayonets any longer.

The true warrior must accept every challenge he's offered.

This seal is a player. (Or is it a sea lion? I don't know animals.)


Fun with Nature's Comedians.



Posted by: Ace at 07:33 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 07:33 PM (Ia/+0)

2
Hi ace!

Posted by: fourseasons at December 19, 2025 07:33 PM (3ek7K)

3 Hrllo

Posted by: Case at December 19, 2025 07:33 PM (G1OIb)

4 Glad the cafe is open as usual

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 07:34 PM (Ia/+0)

5 Shouldn't 3yo kids have a puppy or a kitten?

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 07:35 PM (Ia/+0)

6 Sorry about your computer problems, Ace. Hope the techies don't get all judgy about your erotic hobo fanfic.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2025 07:36 PM (kpS4V)

7
Mr. Finn went to the vet today for a follow-up. Doc was delighted with how well he's doing. He'll still be on antibiotics for a couple of weeks, but he's no longer coughing up blood and has a good appetite.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 19, 2025 07:37 PM (tgvbd)

8 Please to note that the animal in the cutest video of the evening has 'bat' in it's name.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at December 19, 2025 07:37 PM (0sNs1)

9
Good news Hadrian

Posted by: fourseasons at December 19, 2025 07:38 PM (3ek7K)

10 It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords

----

passwords is secret code for pornz

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at December 19, 2025 07:38 PM (PWcY+)

11 Chainsaw skates have to be AI

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (Ia/+0)

12 I will be proud when winter gets here, maybe it will warm up some.

Posted by: Case at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (G1OIb)

13 It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords.

Ace, this scenario is one of the exact reasons you write them on a sticky, and put it under your keyboard.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (0sNs1)

14 When technology doesn't work the way it is supposed to, it's infuriating. It worked yesterday!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (A0sqA)

15 The pinniped, I think, is a sea lion. Sea lions have external ears; seals don't. It's hard to see them on this fellow, but they're there.

Otariids are "eared seals" or sea lions. Phocids are true seals.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (wzUl9)

16 I do want a dog. But can't get one until I retire. Not doing 14 hour days three x a week.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (dAOkg)

17 >>>passwords is secret code for pornz

no i have a cheap old computer for anything like that. this is as clean as it gets.

Posted by: ace at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (YHhYo)

18 Labradors!

Best Pups.

Posted by: garrett at December 19, 2025 07:40 PM (W23D2)

19 Glad to hear Finn is on the mend.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 19, 2025 07:40 PM (A0sqA)

20 Phocids are true seals.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM

And phoque is French for seal.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at December 19, 2025 07:41 PM (0sNs1)

21 >>>passwords is secret code for pornz

no i have a cheap old computer for anything like that. this is as clean as it gets.
Posted by: ace


Shouldn't the good computer be for the prawn?
Better graphics, bigger monitor, ruggedized, etc.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 19, 2025 07:42 PM (/lPRQ)

22 Ace,
Use a password manager nowadays. Encrypting the harddrive works for laptop theft but makes it a pita for recovery if something goes wrong, particularly Bitlocker from Microsux.

Proton and Bitwarden make some good password managers that also hold the newer passkeys you should be using. Otherwise, a Yubi security USB key is probably the ultimate at keeping passwords safe as long as you don't lose it. Most people keep several of those in duplicate if you go that route.

Proton and Bitwarden don't have that issue but they do have cloud storage, albeit heavily encrypted for your passwords/passkeys backup. Proton also has a free authenticator app for websites where you can use those.

Posted by: whig at December 19, 2025 07:42 PM (WDjG6)

23 Good evening good people.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2025 07:43 PM (cYBz/)

24 Got caught in a nasty squall on my walk down the hill. Chunky rain and lots of wind.

On the boat now. It’s nice and warm. And the sky
Cleared up.

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 19, 2025 07:43 PM (PjIB0)

25 Someone went to a lot of trouble for those guinea pigs. Quite a spread.

Posted by: Tuna at December 19, 2025 07:44 PM (lJ0H4)

26 Seals are for Easter-not Christmas.
Penguins are for Christmas.

Posted by: Penguin Promotion Board at December 19, 2025 07:44 PM (oftw2)

27 And phoque is French for seal.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at December 19, 2025 07:41 PM (0sNs1)

However, "enfocarse" does not mean "turn oneself into a seal" in Spanish

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2025 07:45 PM (rbvCR)

28 I always thought wombats were the size of guinea pigs. They're bigger, like a Corgi dog.

Adoption day: I wish I'd taken video of the day we met Stirling at the shelter. He acted as if he'd rehearsed his moment on stage, purring, rolling on his side for petting, etc. And then he walked right into the carrier we'd brought. If I didn't know better, I'd think his mother schooled him: "Here's how to pass your audition with the humans. . . ."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 07:46 PM (wzUl9)

29 Ace, this scenario is one of the exact reasons you write them on a sticky, and put it under your keyboard.
Posted by: Duncanthrax
========
I can tell you work for the NSA.

Posted by: whig at December 19, 2025 07:46 PM (WDjG6)

30 And leopard seals can all phoque off!

Posted by: Penguin Promotion Board. at December 19, 2025 07:46 PM (oftw2)

31 >>>11 Chainsaw skates have to be AI

i thought that but I thought the trigger handles added plausibility. also, the video being backwards, which is a trick people use to not get copyright-claimed. I thought that lent more credibility.

but yeah I was thinking AI too and you may be right.

Posted by: ace at December 19, 2025 07:47 PM (YHhYo)

32
Shouldn't 3yo kids have a puppy or a kitten?
Posted by: Skip

How about the pacifier?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 19, 2025 07:47 PM (pkeXY)

33 17 >>>passwords is secret code for pornz

no i have a cheap old computer for anything like that. this is as clean as it gets.

Posted by: ace at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (YHhYo)

---


Smart... separating business from pleasure

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at December 19, 2025 07:47 PM (PWcY+)

34 >>Labradors!

>>Best Pups.

Goldens. But there isn't much difference.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2025 07:47 PM (viF8m)

35 23 Good evening good people.
Posted by: Tonypete
=========
You have us confused with someone else I think. Try down the hall or so.

Posted by: whig at December 19, 2025 07:47 PM (WDjG6)

36 Not sure how this is a Christmas display, but, still a pretty cool Star Wars display... if he really wants to be considered incredible, he should program his house with a Die Hard-themed Christmas light show...

Dudes Posting Their W’s @DudespostingWs

A 15-year-old programmed his home’s Star Wars–themed Christmas light show, and it’s incredible

X video: https://bit.ly/3YDBJn6

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 19, 2025 07:47 PM (P5BPp)

37 RE: Pet adoption. I just got my 5th foster dog adopted yesterday. Had him for 6 months and got him to a perfect family with an older brother dog who wants a playmate. Great feeling, but now my resident dog is confused again about not having HIS playmate around anymore: "You lost ANOTHER one?"

Posted by: Dale at December 19, 2025 07:48 PM (f45WX)

38 Sea otters and guinea pigs. Cuteness overload!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 19, 2025 07:48 PM (Wnv9h)

39 Guinea pigs always remind me of Sidekicks

No matter how bad the hand you're dealt, at least you're not a superhero who's power is to shape change into a guinea pig

Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 07:48 PM (qChqh)

40 Ace, this scenario is one of the exact reasons you write them on a sticky, and put it under your keyboard.
Posted by: Duncanthrax

The last year I was working at MEGA WORLDWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRM, they would selectively pick one of their buildings now and then and audit the cubes within for passwords written on notes and stickies and such.

Our building? Something like 25% on a stickie beneath the keyboard. A further 20% under the mouse pad. 10% right out in the open. The big guys were NOT happy.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2025 07:49 PM (cYBz/)

41 Smart... separating business from pleasure
Posted by: Lemmiwinks

Stroke of genius!

Posted by: Uncle Pervy at December 19, 2025 07:49 PM (oftw2)

42 He acted as if he'd rehearsed his moment on stage, purring, rolling on his side for petting, etc. And then he walked right into the carrier we'd brought. If I didn't know better, I'd think his mother schooled him: "Here's how to pass your audition with the humans. . . ."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

=====

Apparently, Sterling gold was from the same litter as our Little Ball of Hate, who was the very model of affection when we met her at the shelter.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at December 19, 2025 07:49 PM (8AONa)

43 However, "enfocarse" does not mean "turn oneself into a seal" in Spanish
Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2025

***
After all the years I spent studying Spanish, I still had to look that up: "To focus oneself."

(I'd like it better the other way)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 07:50 PM (wzUl9)

44 Mini-chainsaws: Not just for bayonets any longer.
___________________________

That's a "watch this" guy. They likely know him by his first name in the E/R.

Posted by: Orson at December 19, 2025 07:51 PM (dIske)

45 re: chainsaw skates. Went to my phone to try to find yours to send to a son/grandson skater fambly... there were tons!

Posted by: MkY at December 19, 2025 07:51 PM (q6tQZ)

46
Open Threads were great. We loved them.

That's what we should have on Saturdays & Sundays, like the good ol' days.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 19, 2025 07:51 PM (dbEXM)

47 >>Goldens. But there isn't much difference.


Roughly 1 Brain Cell more in the Labs.

Posted by: garrett at December 19, 2025 07:51 PM (W23D2)

48 The overlords at work have nuked YT, so no cat videos over the holidays. It was getting abused and it was messing with the bandwidth. The fussy perfumed princes don't want there home VPN internet screwed up. Or something. Doesn't matter. This is work and the fussy perfumed princes decide things. I was going to do a bit of studying but even those vids won't play. (shrugs)

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025 07:52 PM (Hpgos)

49 I'm watching a really interesting documentary called "Z Channel", about an LA cable channel in the 70's and 80's that showed odd, offbeat, classic, and foreign movies based on the likes and whims of its eccentric program director Jerry Harvey. He helped bring attention to overlooked movies or films that would never get wide distribution and would often finagle the original uncut version from directors.

Now I want to see the four-hour versions of "1900" and "Heaven's Gate" and the six-hour miniseries of "Das Boot".

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2025 07:52 PM (kpS4V)

50 And that river otter is going to rip that guys face off next time he gets teased.

Posted by: nurse ratched at December 19, 2025 07:52 PM (PjIB0)

51 If it wasn't for fraud, the Democrats would have no accomplishments.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 07:53 PM (2GVsD)

52 We couldn't have had a computer glitch the other day when CBD was feeding us the "Seeress" on the Art Thread.

Posted by: No Coma Art Fan at December 19, 2025 07:54 PM (oftw2)

53 KICK OUT THE JAMS

https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=y6Qx7fmUegE

Posted by: BAD BRAINS w/ H. ROLLINS at December 19, 2025 07:54 PM (W23D2)

54 Open Threads opened for Pussy Riot in St. Petersburg in 2012.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 07:54 PM (2GVsD)

55 Winds are still howling here, haven't heard anything falling over so far

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 07:54 PM (Ia/+0)

56 passwords is secret code for pornz
Posted by: Lemmiwinks at December 19, 2025 07:38 PM (PWcY+)
-----

no i have a cheap old computer for anything like that. this is as clean as it gets.
Posted by: ace at December 19, 2025 07:39 PM (YHhYo)

So that's why you don't read the comments: "A cheap old computer."

Posted by: RickZ at December 19, 2025 07:55 PM (gKDq2)

57 When Mrs. Wolfus No. 2 and I walked into the SPCA in June of '83, the lady who greeted us said, "Have I got a kitten for you!" This was a little red tabby-and-white fuzzball who beamed up at us through the cage mesh. "Take ME home! I'm a great deal!"

And I fell for it. Arizona grew from a fuzzball into a flowing-furred longhaired cat, like a feline collie, and was with me 16.5 years, his entire life.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 07:55 PM (wzUl9)

58 It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords.

Don't you worry, Ace, we'll take care of him if he tries anything funny. Now, go find us some more busty lesbian porn. The boys here love it.

Posted by: Bob@NSA at December 19, 2025 07:56 PM (iFEms)

59 Mr. Finn went to the vet today for a follow-up. Doc was delighted with how well he's doing. He'll still be on antibiotics for a couple of weeks, but he's no longer coughing up blood and has a good appetite.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 19, 2025 07:37 PM (tgvbd)

The power of prayer.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at December 19, 2025 07:56 PM (/HDaX)

60 Apparently, Sterling gold was from the same litter as our Little Ball of Hate, who was the very model of affection when we met her at the shelter.
Posted by: 2009Refugee at December 19, 2025

***
Stirling is still affectionate and good-natured. He just likes to play rougher than Dagny likes.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 07:57 PM (wzUl9)

61 Thing about these passwords is everywhere they are needed so in no time you have dozens of them.
And most I have you need 2 boxes to fill in, not just 1 word

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 07:57 PM (Ia/+0)

62 Welp. Time for me to fix dinner for me and the missus.

Again, for general security on computers, PC Mag has a pretty good rundown on current topics like passkeys and security keys along with authentication.

2 factor text authentication for websites is on the way out with passkeys and software authenticator apps being the next step adopted. Passkeys though can be compromised if your computer is but it can also be biometric which is harder to crack if your computer has a fingerprint or eye scanner. Some people feel uncomfortable with that.

Security keys like Yubi are encrypted containers for security tokens identifying exactly who you are where either biometrics or a master password upon insertion unlocks them.

No security key present, then a hacker cannot access those websites with your credentials because it generates the encrypted one time codes for those websites only when the key is present and inserted. Authenticator and passkey in one along with password storage for less sophisticated websites.

Posted by: whig at December 19, 2025 07:58 PM (WDjG6)

63 Now I want to see the four-hour versions of "1900" and "Heaven's Gate" and the six-hour miniseries of "Das Boot".
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes


Four hours of 'Heaven's Gate' is just longer roller skating scenes.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025 07:58 PM (Hpgos)

64 Any station this net.

Posted by: Going deep. Out. at December 19, 2025 07:58 PM (URO9T)

65
From last thread, I now have Schoolhouse Rock's "My Hero Zero" as an earworm.

Original version:
https://is.gd/UNCkSR

Lemonheads cover:
https://is.gd/8ELLFy

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 07:59 PM (w6EFb)

66 And I fell for it. Arizona grew from a fuzzball into a flowing-furred longhaired cat, like a feline collie, and was with me 16.5 years, his entire life.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 07:55 PM (wzUl9)

Hey, I have a question. My two kittens (7-9 mo) got their first distemper shot yesterday and took more than a day to shake it off, with fever and lethargy and no appetite. Is that normal in your experience?

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2025 07:59 PM (rbvCR)

67 Four hours of 'Heaven's Gate' is just longer roller skating scenes.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025 07:58 PM (Hpgos)
----

Longer ROLLERFIDDLING scenes.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2025 08:00 PM (kpS4V)

68 I was also surprised at how long the wombat's claws are, and at how domesticated he appears to be.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 08:00 PM (wzUl9)

69 I really ought to get ready for bed, nothing immediately to get up for but will probably anyway

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 08:00 PM (Ia/+0)

70 thx H7! Great news!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 08:00 PM (Cjt/F)

71 Our building? Something like 25% on a stickie beneath the keyboard. A further 20% under the mouse pad. 10% right out in the open. The big guys were NOT happy.
Posted by: Tonypete
=====
Google had that problem and went to security keys which ended the issue. I think Google still sells those as products but they aren't as widespread in use as Yubikey. (They do, I checked, look for Titan Security Key).

Posted by: whig at December 19, 2025 08:01 PM (WDjG6)

72 Beaver surfing on an ice board.

-
When I was a senior in high school, on a spring day, my friend and I ditched class to smoke some organic substances. We went to a cliff overlooking a river and the ice was breaking up. A beaver was playing among the ice flows as they floated away down river.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2025 08:01 PM (L/fGl)

73
My two kittens (7-9 mo) got their first distemper shot yesterday and took more than a day to shake it off, with fever and lethargy and no appetite. Is that normal in your experience?
Posted by: Kindltot

Did they eat today?

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 19, 2025 08:02 PM (dbEXM)

74 Come for the dancing Santa Trump

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saHhQYK5Xy4

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:03 PM (2GVsD)

75 Hey, I have a question. My two kittens (7-9 mo) got their first distemper shot yesterday and took more than a day to shake it off, with fever and lethargy and no appetite. Is that normal in your experience?
Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2025

***
I seem to recall that happening without incident years ago with some of my cats, but not recently. Chekov D. Siberian was under the weather a bit, and Marie-Antoinette too. But that was some years ago.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 08:03 PM (wzUl9)

76 Intel from the wife - federal workers are getting the day before AND after Christmas off from work, which has never happened before. Scuttlebutt in the office is that maybe Trump ain't so bad.

Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 08:03 PM (qChqh)

77
80's Mystery Lyrics!

All of my life I've been waitin' in the rain
I've been waitin' for a feelin'
That never ever came
It feels so close
But always disappears

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 19, 2025 08:03 PM (dbEXM)

78 Winds are still howling here, haven't heard anything falling over so far
Posted by: Skip

That's not hyperbole, it actually howled! One big ash so far and another tree I haven't found yet.

Posted by: t-bird at December 19, 2025 08:04 PM (iFEms)

79 I nominate that seal for US Senator from California.

Posted by: 80's music fan at December 19, 2025 08:04 PM (YlWIZ)

80 Mini chainsaws

As if regular skates aren't deadly enough...

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 19, 2025 08:05 PM (a+4eV)

81 Six hours of Das Boot?

By the end you stink of diesel and sweat while sporting a full beard. Plus, you will look pale and emaciated.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:05 PM (2GVsD)

82
Remember a couple years ago I axed how many Songs With A Saxophone you can think of?

The above Mystery Lyrics has a saxophone.

Posted by: Soothsayer at December 19, 2025 08:06 PM (dbEXM)

83 'Heaven's Gate' was Cimino trying to repeat his success with 'The Deer Hunter' but a western. It, uh, didn't work. There was a story to tell, but ole Mike got a bit carried away with other peoples money. He did bankrupt the studio, so there's that.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025 08:06 PM (Hpgos)

84 hey Anna, thx again for the Home Stallone link; Mrs Eez is groovin' on it!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 08:07 PM (Cjt/F)

85 Did they eat today?
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 19, 2025 08:02 PM (dbEXM)

They skipped breakfast but ate dinner just now.
The girl is coming out of it, but she decided to stay in all day. I don't remember such a reaction for the other cats when they were kittens.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2025 08:08 PM (rbvCR)

86 Hey, I have a question. My two kittens (7-9 mo) got their first distemper shot yesterday and took more than a day to shake it off, with fever and lethargy and no appetite. Is that normal in your experience?
Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2025 07:59 PM (rbvCR)

It can happen with shots to a cat. If they shake it off as you say, its no big deal.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 19, 2025 08:08 PM (8avO+)

87 'Heaven's Gate' was Cimino trying to repeat his success with 'The Deer Hunter' but a western. It, uh, didn't work. There was a story to tell, but ole Mike got a bit carried away with other peoples money. He did bankrupt the studio, so there's that.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025

***
What was so terrible about it? Was it slow and dull, poorly acted, or what?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 08:08 PM (wzUl9)

88 >>When I was a senior in high school, on a spring day, my friend and I ditched class to smoke some organic substances.

I got high in high school once.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2025 08:09 PM (viF8m)

89 Had a purebred black lab and then her golden daughter. Great dogs but not the smartest when puppies. But for both, at six months, it was like somebody flipped a switch. OK, i'm smart now, no more all ass and elbows. Boy I miss them dogs.
Pitch Black Velvet & Tia Maria

Posted by: kactus at December 19, 2025 08:09 PM (twS2i)

90 Intel from the wife - federal workers are getting the day before AND after Christmas off from work, which has never happened before. Scuttlebutt in the office is that maybe Trump ain't so bad.
Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 08:03 PM (qChqh)

Or Maybe Donaldus Maximus is going to do something big, really big, and three days without the bureaucrats being at their desks is a key part of it. He as to do it for the whole of Civil Service, because saying, "Hey, FBI, take next week off" might give it away.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at December 19, 2025 08:10 PM (lLEcp)

91 sock_rat_eez

You are welcome, JD Vance in a rocket powered Santa sled

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:10 PM (2GVsD)

92 Mini-chainsaws: Not just for bayonets any longer.

As good as use as any for those little 162's. But the Zamboni driver is going to run you over if he catches you.

Posted by: t-bird at December 19, 2025 08:10 PM (iFEms)

93 Remember a couple years ago I axed how many Songs With A Saxophone you can think of?

The above Mystery Lyrics has a saxophone.
Posted by: Soothsayer at December 19, 2025 08:06 PM (dbEXM)

How many with bagpipes?

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:11 PM (KDPiq)

94
Many of my cats over the years have had similar reactions to various shots. The two here now had similar when they were kittens.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 08:11 PM (w6EFb)

95 *Yellow daughter - duh
Like the top pic

Posted by: kactus at December 19, 2025 08:11 PM (twS2i)

96 'Heaven's Gate' was Cimino trying to repeat his success with 'The Deer Hunter' but a western. It, uh, didn't work. There was a story to tell, but ole Mike got a bit carried away with other peoples money. He did bankrupt the studio, so there's that.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025

***
What was so terrible about it? Was it slow and dull, poorly acted, or what?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 08:08 PM (wzUl9)

the book I read said that mostly it was just a nothing burger of a movie. The issue was the money spent. the genius director had an entire town set rebuilt to make the road wider (instead of tearing down just one side and moving it).

That and someone estimated half the cost was cocaine for everyone on set.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 19, 2025 08:12 PM (8avO+)

97 Passkeys though can be compromised if your computer is but it can also be biometric which is harder to crack if your computer has a fingerprint or eye scanner. Some people feel uncomfortable with that.

I, for one, prefer security methods that don't incentivize dismemberment of the person whose computer the bad actors wish to hack.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 19, 2025 08:12 PM (a+4eV)

98 I dont understand why all these shooters bother writing manifestos. Most of them have been turned pyscho because they have a grievance that's being ignored, so why do they think the people ignoring them are going to care enough to read them? OTOH, the more they write, the less time they spend on the range so...

Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 08:12 PM (qChqh)

99 87 'Heaven's Gate' was Cimino trying to repeat his success with 'The Deer Hunter' but a western. It, uh, didn't work. There was a story to tell, but ole Mike got a bit carried away with other peoples money. He did bankrupt the studio, so there's that.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025

***
What was so terrible about it? Was it slow and dull, poorly acted, or what?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius,


Bad writing. Acting was held back by a clunky script. Damn good actors were in it (Kristofferson, Walken, Watterson, Hurt, and some others that I'm blanking out on). Needed editing badly. Some scenes just went on and on and on.... Again, there was a story to tell, Director excess killed it.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025 08:13 PM (Hpgos)

100 Heaven's Gate' was Cimino trying to repeat his success with 'The Deer Hunter' but a western. It, uh, didn't work. There was a story to tell, but ole Mike got a bit carried away with other peoples money. He did bankrupt the studio, so there's that.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025 08:06 PM (Hpgos)
-----

Oh, it was a trainwreck. But beautiful visuals, from the bits I've seen.

"An entire tree was cut down, moved in pieces, and relocated to the courtyard in Oxford, England, where the Harvard 1870 graduation scene was shot. Cimino had an irrigation system built under the land where the major battlefield scene would unfold so that it would remain vividly green."

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2025 08:13 PM (kpS4V)

101 The work on all the new housing in my development seemed to stop mid week. I think all the crews are traveling to Mexico for Christmas.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:13 PM (KDPiq)

102 I, for one, prefer security methods that don't incentivize dismemberment of the person whose computer the bad actors wish to hack.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 19, 2025 08:12 PM (a+4eV)

mythbusters broke a fingerprint reader using a print xeroxed and colored in with a marker.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 19, 2025 08:14 PM (8avO+)

103 I, for one, prefer security methods that don't incentivize dismemberment of the person whose computer the bad actors wish to hack.
Posted by: FeatherBlade

*Clears throat Cliff Claven style*

It's a little known fact that some prototype ATMs using hand vein pattern recognition as the key could tell if the proffered hand was chopped off of the donor's body.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 19, 2025 08:15 PM (cYBz/)

104 I dont understand why all these shooters bother writing manifestos. Most of them have been turned pyscho because they have a grievance that's being ignored, so why do they think the people ignoring them are going to care enough to read them? OTOH, the more they write, the less time they spend on the range so...
Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 08:12 PM (qChqh)

its what all the cool mass murderers do, so they do it.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 19, 2025 08:15 PM (8avO+)

105

Every beaver's gone surfin'
Surfin' USA

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 19, 2025 08:16 PM (pkeXY)

106 Was it slow and dull, poorly acted, or what?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

Yes, yes, and yes, and then the bad guys win. I love the score, though. A masterpiece of less is more.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2025 08:16 PM (L/fGl)

107 Or Maybe Donaldus Maximus is going to do something big, really big, and three days without the bureaucrats being at their desks is a key part of it.

They can take the rest of their careers off as paid vacation and we'd probably save money, what with nobody left to operate the sluices of graft.

Posted by: t-bird at December 19, 2025 08:16 PM (iFEms)

108 I'll put my manifesto on PowerPoint in bullet statements.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at December 19, 2025 08:17 PM (kpS4V)

109 Was this a super expensive computer worth the cost to repair?

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:17 PM (KDPiq)

110 mythbusters broke a fingerprint reader using a print xeroxed and colored in with a marker.
Posted by: Oldcat

No doubt saving many fingers of future computer theft victims.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 19, 2025 08:18 PM (a+4eV)

111 By the end you stink of diesel and sweat while sporting a full beard. Plus, you will look pale and emaciated.
Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:05 PM (2GVsD)

That guy always looks emaciated. Dammit, what's his name...

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at December 19, 2025 08:19 PM (zZu0s)

112 It may seem like I took the day off, but trust me, I didn't. It was a frustrating and expensive day. It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords.

So what turned out to be the problem? Was it gremlins?

Posted by: Archimedes at December 19, 2025 08:19 PM (Riz8t)

113 Jurgen Prochnow ja?

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:20 PM (2GVsD)

114 'Heaven's Gate' is similar to David Lean's 'Ryan's Daughter'. I really wanted to like them. I will even watch them from time to time. My opinion never changes though. Both movies miss. Beautiful movies, visually. They just 'miss', by a large margin. (Robert Mitchum is never a cuck. Who the hell thought that was a good idea).

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 19, 2025 08:20 PM (Hpgos)

115 Cimino had an irrigation system built under the land where the major battlefield scene would unfold so that it would remain vividly green."

-
And it just happen to be his property that that the irrigation system was built on.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2025 08:20 PM (L/fGl)

116 I know what you all are asking... Am I going to watch the Jake Paul v. Anthony Joshua boxing match?

Why yes. Yes I am going to watch the Jake Paul v. Anthony Joshua boxing match.

I want to see if boxing is 100% fake and gay or just 99% (or less) fake and gay.

How will we know? We'll know. We will know.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2025 08:21 PM (HXd99)

117

U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to bring back a scourge of the high seas banished from Atlantic and Pacific waters since the age of sail: privateers, authorized by government-issued letters of marque to ply the trade of piracy in service of their country by targeting enemy ships.

These modern day privateers, under a bill introduced Thursday by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), would receive authorization from U.S. President Donald Trump as private individuals to seize foreign vessels from anyone who “is a member of a cartel, a member of a cartel-linked organization, or a conspirator associated with a cartel or a cartel-linked organization.”

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 19, 2025 08:21 PM (pkeXY)

118 It's a little known fact that some prototype ATMs using hand vein pattern recognition as the key could tell if the proffered hand was chopped off of the donor's body.

Posted by: Tonypete

====

Which means there is a lab in remote Russia working on a device that continues circulation in a severed hand.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at December 19, 2025 08:22 PM (8AONa)

119 Watched a video couple weeks ago that went on how German soldiers lost body weight during a campaign as their food wasn't up to keep them at a stable weight.

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 08:22 PM (Ia/+0)

120 98 I dont understand why all these shooters bother writing manifestos.”

If you don’t write a manifesto you only get half credit, and it’s just not worth it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2025 08:22 PM (0anTZ)

121 Jurgen Pronchow.

Willem Dafoe has the same look.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at December 19, 2025 08:23 PM (zZu0s)

122 Watched a video couple weeks ago that went on how German soldiers lost body weight during a campaign as their food wasn't up to keep them at a stable weight.
Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 08:22 PM (Ia/+0)

Being meth heads didn't help.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:23 PM (KDPiq)

123 I kind of know how Ace feels. We spent the whole day trying to get our washing machine fixed. And failed.

I do have to hand it to the guy, though. He absolutely refused to take any payment, since he couldn't fix it. That would NEVER have happened in New York.

Posted by: Eeyore at December 19, 2025 08:25 PM (s0JqF)

124 Being meth heads didn't help.
Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:23 PM (KDPiq)

Heh. Co plex design choices for equipment wasn't due to just being German, but also the engineers tweaking like hell.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at December 19, 2025 08:25 PM (zZu0s)

125 I'll put my manifesto on PowerPoint in bullet statements.

.45ACP or 9mm bullet points?

And are you ready to win the $1.5 billion Powerball annuity?

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:25 PM (2GVsD)

126 I, for one, prefer security methods that don't incentivize dismemberment of the person whose computer the bad actors wish to hack.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 19, 2025 08:12 PM (a+4eV)

That was one of the plot points in the rather underappreciated Schwarzenegger movie, "The Sixth Day"

Posted by: Kindltot at December 19, 2025 08:26 PM (rbvCR)

127 Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2025 08:21 PM (HXd99)

If Anthony Joshua doesn't win decisively it was fixed.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:26 PM (KDPiq)

128 If you want to learn how complicated WWII German armor is, watch the chaps at Aus Armour on YouTube as they restore such beasties as a Wespe.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:26 PM (2GVsD)

129 ESPN just id’d Bosworth as a QB.

Posted by: Accomack at December 19, 2025 08:26 PM (IG7T0)

130 Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2025 08:21 PM (HXd99)

If Anthony Joshua doesn't win decisively it was fixed.
Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:26 PM (KDPiq)

The prelims have started. I guess I'll go watch those.

Yeah, it shouldn't last long, but I guess we will see.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 19, 2025 08:28 PM (HXd99)

131 A suburban city here of about 70-75,000 people, with approx. 20K (ha!) of Hispanic extraction, is being raided by ICE. Locals in the town are whining to the city council. The footage on the local Fox outlet shows people who look as if they have been in America for some years -- not youngsters, in other words -- or who even say they have been here for twenty years or more, yet who cannot speak intelligible English. So much for assimilation.

The sympathy by the media is all on the side of the "poor people being targeted by Immigration." Never do they show footage of anyone speaking up for ICE, who are merely doing their necessary job. Well, folks, they wouldn't be "targeted" if THEY WEREN'T TRESPASSING.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 19, 2025 08:28 PM (wzUl9)

132 Chainsaw skates be good way to take out achilles tendon.

Posted by: Eromero at December 19, 2025 08:28 PM (LHPAg)

133 >>>(Or is it a sea lion? I don't know animals.)

Now he tells us. After how many years of doing the Cafe...

*chef's kiss*

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at December 19, 2025 08:29 PM (syz1S)

134 The problem is that we've become so adverse to violence that if someone commits violence we throw them to the wolves. We don't want to hear why they did it, okay fine, fck them but innocent people are getting killed to. What about them?

Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 08:30 PM (qChqh)

135 These modern day privateers, under a bill introduced Thursday by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), would receive authorization from U.S. President Donald Trump as private individuals to seize foreign vessels from anyone who “is a member of a cartel, a member of a cartel-linked organization, or a conspirator associated with a cartel or a cartel-linked organization.”
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 19, 2025 08:21 PM (pkeXY)

That’s the kind of idea that would be a hell of a lot of fun even though I know it’s a really, really bad idea.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2025 08:30 PM (0anTZ)

136 Aetius, you might like this book

U-boat War Patrol: The Hidden Photographic Diary of U 564 by Lawrence Patterson.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 19, 2025 08:30 PM (2GVsD)

137 Well, folks, they wouldn't be "targeted" if THEY WEREN'T TRESPASSING.

Don't forget the stealing.

Posted by: t-bird at December 19, 2025 08:30 PM (iFEms)

138 >>> It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords.

Not to mention discovering your nude shelfie pics.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at December 19, 2025 08:32 PM (vxVX0)

139 These modern day privateers, under a bill introduced Thursday by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), would receive authorization from U.S. President Donald Trump as private individuals to seize foreign vessels from anyone who “is a member of a cartel, a member of a cartel-linked organization, or a conspirator associated with a cartel or a cartel-linked organization.”
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 19, 2025 08:21 PM (pkeXY)

LFG!

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at December 19, 2025 08:33 PM (vxVX0)

140 ISWYDT @ 138, LOL!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 08:33 PM (Cjt/F)

141 Have 2 hard drives-one for backup. All good stuff on them.

Posted by: epador at December 19, 2025 08:34 PM (TRnzq)

142 Oh, and have a great weekend Ace!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 08:34 PM (Cjt/F)

143 The only industry ever created by Somalians is piracy.
Steven Miller. 🤗

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at December 19, 2025 08:35 PM (NFX2v)

144 The problem is that we've become so adverse to violence that if someone commits violence we throw them to the wolves. We don't want to hear why they did it, okay fine, fck them but innocent people are getting killed to. What about them?
Posted by: Fen

That damn Hegseth!

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth@SecWar
Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria.
This is not the beginning of a war — it is a it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people.
As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.
Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2025 08:37 PM (L/fGl)

145 Not too much has changed, Infantry operations are insanely brutal. Basically it’s impossible to carry enough food or calories for any appreciable length of time. Protein, 100+ grammes is necessary for muscle maintenance & repair, and they are already carrying massive amounts of gear, weapons & ammo. So they tend to lose weight quickly. 24 hour days and expending 3000 to 5000 calories will do that to a feller.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:38 PM (aaVhS)

146 "It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords."

Nah. Pretty sure that was an NSA guy upgrading their Spyware.
They already have your passwords so...

Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 08:39 PM (qChqh)

147 Mini chainsaw video was disappointing. Struggle to turn sound one, and when I get it to play, I get shitty music instead of nice chainsaw exhaust notes. And the video is reversed. Stolen content, I presume.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2025 08:40 PM (npFr7)

148 Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:38 PM (aaVhS)

Powdered eggs and peanut butter for the win.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 08:41 PM (KDPiq)

149 "if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you."

Civis Romanus sum. Nice. I definitely voted for this.

I'll be in my bunk.

Posted by: Fen at December 19, 2025 08:43 PM (qChqh)

150
8:43:20 EST (01:43:20Z), the instant of the new Moon. Thus ends the Cold Moon lunation, the longest of the year, and begins the Wolf Moon lunation, the first full Moon of astronomical winter.

If you want to howl at the Moon, this is the one to do it at.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 08:43 PM (w6EFb)

151 I hate 2 factor auth so much! Sometimes You Tube wants me to login, click on a notification on You Tube in my iPad, then a notification on my phone. Three devices to log in to You Tube. I am working on purging gmail and You Tube. i'm done with it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 19, 2025 08:43 PM (+mUZM)

152 Finally settled for the night, and winds hopefully won't keep me up.
Have a good night everyone

Posted by: Skip at December 19, 2025 08:44 PM (Ia/+0)

153 If you want to howl at the Moon, this is the one to do it at.
Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 08:43 PM (w6EFb)

Since it’s a new moon I guess I gotta howl at not-the-moon.
But I think Sirius is up.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2025 08:45 PM (0anTZ)

154 G'night Skip!

thx publius!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 08:45 PM (Cjt/F)

155 >>As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.
Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.

I love this attitude. For far too many years we've allowed people to talk smack about Americans and treat us like shit while we also played world police and protected them.

No more world police. Take care of your own shit. But don't ever fuck around with an American citizen or we will hit back much harder. We're living in a pretty good timeline.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2025 08:45 PM (viF8m)

156 ‘Moonlight feels right…’

Posted by: Eromero at December 19, 2025 08:46 PM (LHPAg)

157 It may seem like I took the day off, but trust me, I didn't. It was a frustrating and expensive day. It's never fun having a complete stranger looking into your computer and maybe stealing all of your passwords.
---
In the 1990s, I rented a house with two other guys and the computer (tower, of course) was a collaborative effort, and we took turns as people do who grew up with a single television in the household.

One of the amusing pursuits - especially after drinking - was to go through the cache, and see who forgot to clear it.

I hope you cleared yours, Ace, or there's going to be lots of Ewok pr()n jokes the next time you bring it in for service.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 08:47 PM (ZOv7s)

158 Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 19, 2025 08:37 PM (L/fGl)

Cue pissing and moaning by Rand Paul and Sen. Kelly. 5, 4, 3, 2….

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2025 08:47 PM (0anTZ)

159 Such a fine and natural sight
Everybody was dancin’ in the moon light
Dancin’ in the moon light!

Posted by: Gallery at December 19, 2025 08:48 PM (aaVhS)

160 No more world police. Take care of your own shit. But don't ever fuck around with an American citizen or we will hit back much harder. We're living in a pretty good timeline.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2025 08:45 PM (viF8m)
---
What we should have done in 2001 was wreck Afghanistan, back one or more warlords, and leave.

Same with Iraq. Punitive expeditions work. Nation building doesn't.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 08:49 PM (ZOv7s)

161 25 Someone went to a lot of trouble for those guinea pigs. Quite a spread.
Posted by: Tuna

It's not fattening them up for a banquet in Peru?

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at December 19, 2025 08:49 PM (NFX2v)

162 ‘Moonlight feels right…’
Posted by: Eromero at December 19, 2025 08:46 PM (LHPAg)
---
Canuck yacht rock.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 08:49 PM (ZOv7s)

163 Aaarroooo!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 08:50 PM (Cjt/F)

164 Erratum - we sincerely regret the error

Posted by: King Harvest at December 19, 2025 08:51 PM (aaVhS)

165 Not too much has changed, Infantry operations are insanely brutal. Basically it’s impossible to carry enough food or calories for any appreciable length of time. Protein, 100+ grammes is necessary for muscle maintenance & repair, and they are already carrying massive amounts of gear, weapons & ammo. So they tend to lose weight quickly. 24 hour days and expending 3000 to 5000 calories will do that to a feller.
Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:38 PM (aaVhS)
---
That's why you can get fat eating MRIs in garrison - not enough calories being burned.

They came up with "diet" ones (TOTMs I think) for that reason.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 08:52 PM (ZOv7s)

166 Aaarroooo!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez

====

Werewolves of London

Etc etc

Posted by: 2009Refugee at December 19, 2025 08:53 PM (8AONa)

167 Eating a whole MRI? Liquid helium and all?!

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at December 19, 2025 08:53 PM (zZu0s)

168 MREs are full of carbs, candy and pogue bait for sure. Protein, not so much. That costs money. $$$
Nothing’s too good for our boys.

SPAM and powdered eggs was often the last meal for thousands of troops during the 2nd world war.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:55 PM (aaVhS)

169 That’s the kind of idea that would be a hell of a lot of fun even though I know it’s a really, really bad idea.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2025 08:30 PM (0anTZ)

Listen to "Last of Barrett's Privateers" by Stan Rogers.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 19, 2025 08:56 PM (npFr7)

170 Eating a whole MRI? Liquid helium and all?!
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at December 19, 2025 08:53 PM (zZu0s)
---
You save that part for last.

Of course I was referring to MREs.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 08:56 PM (ZOv7s)

171
No more world police. Take care of your own shit. But don't ever fuck around with an American citizen or we will hit back much harder. We're living in a pretty good timeline.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2025 08:45 PM (viF8m)



The best part about being a superpower is slapping the shit out of pissant countries that get out of line. As a nation, we've forgotten that, and it's about time we had a President and Secretary of War who haven't.

Colin Powell's bullshit "you broke it, you bought it" doctrine can go piss up a rope. I only regret that he didn't live to see himself humiliated by better men who don't take any shit from foreign busybodies and savages.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 08:58 PM (y9nCu)

172 MREs are full of carbs, candy and pogue bait for sure. Protein, not so much. That costs money. $$$
Nothing’s too good for our boys.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:55 PM (aaVhS)
---
When we'd get issued MREs, I'd get fast food (like everyone else) and take the home. The kids loved it! So exciting to open them and see what we got. Everything was a surprise, and if had any empty plastic bottles, I'd make bombs out of the heater.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 08:58 PM (ZOv7s)

173 >>Same with Iraq. Punitive expeditions work. Nation building doesn't.

It never made any sense that we could enforce cultural change on an entire country. And I don't want to spend a nickel trying.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2025 08:59 PM (viF8m)

174 LOL, 166, that's what I thought of b4 I hit poast!

irrelevant side note: 1977, maybe; Uptown Theater, Chicago, the only time in all recorded history that the Grateful Dead played "Werewolf in London" for an encore.
I was there!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 08:59 PM (Cjt/F)

175 The snake eater guys I talked to, the Infantry guys generally, didn’t like MREs too much. They would strip all the extraneous packaging away, and stuff a few of the items in a cargo pocket or whatever. The one thing they couldn’t carry extra was food, apparently. They all seemed to like Ramen. MRE too bulky, too heavy. They just seemed inured to starving for a few days, and by then hopefully re-supply.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:59 PM (aaVhS)

176 Ace, may you have a very non-frustrating weekend.

Thanks for all you do for us.

Posted by: ChristyBlinkyTheGreat at December 19, 2025 09:00 PM (WONhk)

177 169, LOL, AOP, I was thinking of that, too!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 09:01 PM (Cjt/F)

178 Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:59 PM (aaVhS)

I assume Beef jerky was a favorite in care packages.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 09:01 PM (KDPiq)

179 The snake eater guys I talked to, the Infantry guys generally, didn’t like MREs too much. They would strip all the extraneous packaging away, and stuff a few of the items in a cargo pocket or whatever. The one thing they couldn’t carry extra was food, apparently. They all seemed to like Ramen. MRE too bulky, too heavy. They just seemed inured to starving for a few days, and by then hopefully re-supply.
Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:59 PM (aaVhS)
---
Yes, the grunts I knew talked about stripping them down, but the purpose of the thing was for the long haul, where food stocks will matter and presumably ammo stocks are in the position you're going to defend, not what you are carrying with you.

We learned a lot of skills that will be useless in a peer-to-peer fight.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:03 PM (ZOv7s)

180 Nice thing about MREs is they will bind you up. By design. Shitting a big, florescent green, hard turd after 2 weeks was a workout all by itself.

Posted by: Stretch That Hole at December 19, 2025 09:05 PM (R/m4+)

181 It never made any sense that we could enforce cultural change on an entire country. And I don't want to spend a nickel trying.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 19, 2025 08:59 PM (viF8m)
---
Once you realize the war direction was quickly taken over by theater kids and generals who were looking at comfy careers as contractors for the next 20 years, it all makes sense.

No one wanted to "win" the war, just keep it going at a sustainable level - and call anyone who wanted to get out a coward and unpatriotic.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:05 PM (ZOv7s)

182 They always had these insane loads in the rucks, barely able to walk with all this shit they had to carry. So it made sense to me, they probably wanted to carry more ammo. When I was in NCO school we had a couple tabbed guys, Rangers. One of them said “you get to carry the tripod” for the .50 or whatever it was, in addition to the other stuff. I decided I wouldn’t complain.

The Army looks at the troop loadout like a Christmas tree. “One more ornament won’t hurt!” Uh-huh

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 09:07 PM (aaVhS)

183 180 I was reading an article about foreign versions of MREs. The Italian version includes fiber supplement capsules.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 19, 2025 09:07 PM (gm9Sb)

184
Just got back from Supper. Yep Sirius is just up (well, for those in the east certainly). Jupiter is just coming up as well.

Now that the leaves are gone on the trees mostly on the back side of the house, which is north, I can see Polaris now from the back porch.

I hope to get as good as a cousin of mine who can tell sidereal time to 15 minutes just by looking at the "clock hands" of the stars around Polaris. Knowing what day of the year, you then know mean solar time at night.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 09:08 PM (w6EFb)

185 I just bought 2 cases of MRE’s. Never a bad idea to have a few stashed away for hurricane season.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at December 19, 2025 09:09 PM (b4o9z)

186 Our maintenance test pilot, a good one, talked about the “Epsom Salt Purge” after 30 days in the field eating MRE. I never had to resort to that. He did mention “don’t plan on going anywhere for a while” after mixing up a batch of that stuff.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 09:11 PM (aaVhS)

187
Also, tomorrow evening, if nothing obstructs your horizon to the west, it can be fun to see how "young" of a Moon you can see, just how thing a crescent you can see right at sunset.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 09:11 PM (w6EFb)

188 Desert Storm lasted only a 100 days after the air campaign. Could we have avoided 9/11 and Operation Iraqi Freedom if we had continued and taken out Saddam then?

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 09:12 PM (KDPiq)

189 They always had these insane loads in the rucks, barely able to walk with all this shit they had to carry.
Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 09:07 PM (aaVhS)
---
Hence the origin of the nickname "grunts," from the sound they made when they stood up with all their gear.

It's pretty well proven that throughout history, no matter what tech, the loadout is always close the most one can carry unless there's a deliberate need for speed.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:12 PM (ZOv7s)

190
So they tend to lose weight quickly. 24 hour days and expending 3000 to 5000 calories will do that to a feller.
Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 08:38 PM (aaVhS)



Merrill's Marauders. The Army jungle ration that was found to be sufficient for their operations had been discontinued, so Vinegar Joe Stillwell (one of the shittiest US Army generals) decided that a single K ration per day would work for them. Less than 3000 calories, and so monotonous and awful that soldiers would toss some of the components to save weight on the march.

The Marauders practically starved to death, not to mention the tropical diseases. Even then, they slaughtered the Japs in huge numbers.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 09:12 PM (y9nCu)

191 185, truer words have never been said. just in case.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 09:13 PM (Cjt/F)

192 I just bought 2 cases of MRE’s. Never a bad idea to have a few stashed away for hurricane season.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe


MidwayUSA has 12 MRE's for $69.95

The best were the Warnick beef stew from the late 80's in the dark brown packaging.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 19, 2025 09:14 PM (dAOkg)

193 Desert Storm lasted only a 100 days after the air campaign. Could we have avoided 9/11 and Operation Iraqi Freedom if we had continued and taken out Saddam then?
Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 09:12 PM (KDPiq)
---
I think you mean hours. Bush I was a pussy, didn't want to remove Saddam, but then tried to get the Iraqis to do it, and then let Saddam put them down.

Total asshole. Also: vicious and cruel adulterer. Almost drove his wife to suicide. I like to remind Con Inc. of the fact that he was far sleazier than The Donald, who has never pretended to be something other than what he is.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:14 PM (ZOv7s)

194 76 Intel from the wife - federal workers are getting the day before AND after Christmas off from work, which has never happened before. Scuttlebutt in the office is that maybe Trump ain't so bad.
Posted by: Fen

It's not uncommon when Christmas is on a Thursday.

Common Patterns (Examples):
If Christmas is on a Tuesday: The Monday before might be granted off.
If Christmas is on a Thursday (like 2025): Both the Wednesday (Christmas Eve) and Friday (Dec 26) are often given off.
If Christmas is on a Friday/Wednesday: Half-days were common, but Presidents sometimes grant full days.

It's lovely to have a 5 day long weekend!

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at December 19, 2025 09:15 PM (NFX2v)

195 I have a years supply of freezed dried food. Just have to make sure you have a water supply.

Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 09:15 PM (KDPiq)

196 188 Desert Storm lasted only a 100 days after the air campaign. Could we have avoided 9/11 and Operation Iraqi Freedom if we had continued and taken out Saddam then?
Posted by: Opinion fact at December 19, 2025 09:12 PM (KDPiq)

Given that two out of three things cited in the Al Qaeda declaration of war were US troops in Saudi and the suffering of the Iraqi people. i.e. the containment policy, possibly.

I'm not really a fan meeting demands like a shopping list, but the containment policy was worse than deposing Saddam would have been, and that's 100% hindsight granted.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:18 PM (pIfcn)

197 Vinegar Joe Stillwell (one of the shittiest US Army generals) decided that a single K ration per day would work for them.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 09:12 PM (y9nCu)
---
Stilwell should have understood China, but was too much of a dick to get it. Chiang Kai-shek knew that after the Japanese, he had to fight the Communists, and saw no point in using good quality troops to clear Burma for the British.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:18 PM (ZOv7s)

198

The best were the Warnick beef stew from the late 80's in the dark brown packaging.
Posted by: rickb223

Really enjoyed the chicken a la king. Totally not trolling, it was my favorite.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at December 19, 2025 09:18 PM (QVmho)

199 Shaver Hill Farm - Maple sugar candy

Mmmmmm. Just saw an ad and flashed back to growing up.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 19, 2025 09:19 PM (dAOkg)

200 I would say the favorite care package goody during Vietnam was M&Ms, especially peanut. You get your sugar rush, a little caffeine, and some protein and it doesn't melt all over the place. The original idea came from a Spanish field ration Mars saw while vacationing.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 19, 2025 09:20 PM (gm9Sb)

201
Just looked it up, not a chance to see the thin crescent tomorrow for me, it'll still be less than 1%.

The record naked eye young moon sighting was in May of 1990, seen 15 hours and 32 minutes after the new Moon. A dubious claim by two British house maids back in 1926 claimed 14 hours and 45 minutes, but that is considered pretty dubious.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 09:21 PM (w6EFb)

202 I'm not really a fan meeting demands like a shopping list, but the containment policy was worse than deposing Saddam would have been, and that's 100% hindsight granted.
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:18 PM (pIfcn)
---
The whole point was to make the US a colonial power in the Middle East. Without that, we would have closed more bases in Europe and further drawn down the Army.

We needed the threat of war to keep the Military Industrial Complex happy.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:22 PM (ZOv7s)

203 Really enjoyed the chicken a la king. Totally not trolling, it was my favorite.

Four Fingers of Death, cold.

Best ever!

Posted by: Said No One Ever at December 19, 2025 09:23 PM (R/m4+)

204 "Total asshole. Also: vicious and cruel adulterer. Almost drove his wife to suicide. I like to remind Con Inc. of the fact that he was far sleazier than The Donald, who has never pretended to be something other than what he is."

and who has survived a decade of nonstop forensic colonoscopy, untouched.

squarest, most honest President in the past century, at very least.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 09:24 PM (Cjt/F)

205 Desert Storm lasted only a 100 days after the air campaign.

100 hours.

Posted by: Ted Torgerson at December 19, 2025 09:24 PM (R86kT)

206 Reuters: "US Epstein files release highlights Clinton, makes scant reference to Trump"

heh.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:25 PM (pIfcn)

207
Nice thing about MREs is they will bind you up. By design.
Posted by: Stretch That Hole at December 19, 2025 09:05 PM (R/m4+)



The unspoken reason for that is frankly rather gruesome. Infantrymen are basically covered in filth, which contaminates their food, no matter how hard you work at keeping clean. Not to mention that you're always around dead, rotting flesh. There are accounts going back for centuries of even high ranking generals cutting out the bottom of their uniform pants so that they could easily hop off their horse and quickly cop a squat by the side of the road.

Dysentery has historically been a more prolific killer in war than machine guns and artillery.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 09:25 PM (y9nCu)

208 in an ideal universe I could get back every minute I spent sticking up for boosh.

*spit*

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 09:26 PM (Cjt/F)

209 M&Ms were good. I did like the canned round saltines in the MCIs. Those had some flavor to them. And the toffee chocolate wrapped in foil. The Wilbur Chocolate Co., Lititz, Penn.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 09:27 PM (iKvcM)

210
The best part about being a superpower is slapping the shit out of pissant countries that get out of line.

But that's "punching down!"

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 19, 2025 09:27 PM (pkeXY)

211
Well, hell. There's pictures of Walter Cronkite with Epstein....

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 09:27 PM (w6EFb)

212 There are accounts going back for centuries of even high ranking generals cutting out the bottom of their uniform pants so that they could easily hop off their horse and quickly cop a squat by the side of the road.

Dysentery has historically been a more prolific killer in war than machine guns and artillery.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 09:25 PM (y9nCu)
---
Louis IX of France (subsequently canonized) suffered from this during his crusade in Egypt, and cut the seat out of his pants.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:28 PM (ZOv7s)

213 Desert Storm lasted only a 100 days after the air campaign. Could we have avoided 9/11 and Operation Iraqi Freedom if we had continued and taken out Saddam then?

?? Why would you want to?

Posted by: The CIA at December 19, 2025 09:28 PM (iFEms)

214 I'm simply shocked to find out Ace has only one working computer in his home.

Posted by: Socratease at December 19, 2025 09:28 PM (YgfoU)

215 M&Ms were good. I did like the canned round saltines in the MCIs. Those had some flavor to them. And the toffee chocolate wrapped in foil. The Wilbur Chocolate Co., Lititz, Penn.
Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 09:27 PM (iKvcM)
---
I think the beef stew was a hardy perennial favorite. In Army Basic, when we went into the field I was the squad leader, so high-graded my pick. Later on in the Air Force, we rarely used them, but when we did, I always volunteered to pick them up - so I could high grade them.

The kids liked the spaghetti.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:30 PM (ZOv7s)

216 well then, g'night everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 19, 2025 09:30 PM (Cjt/F)

217 I liked those saltines. Sometimes I would take one of those round chocolates and make a sandwich with a little smear of peanut butter. Kinda like a Smore. Also, if you didn't mix the peanut butter it would burn better than the heat tabs.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 19, 2025 09:30 PM (gm9Sb)

218 Cute Frustration Be Gone Cafe, Ace.

Thank you. Wishing you an easy weekend.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at December 19, 2025 09:31 PM (NFX2v)

219 Colin Powell was the gutless DEI wonder who said we were running up the score too much and begged Bush 1 to quit early. But I know that we did it because the Saudis were scared we were gonna leave the Ayatollahs too strong and begged Bush to quit.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2025 09:31 PM (0anTZ)

220 Well, hell. There's pictures of Walter Cronkite with Epstein.

Then there must be boxfuls of pictures of him with Les Wexner.

Posted by: t-bird at December 19, 2025 09:33 PM (poCn6)

221 Really enjoyed the chicken a la king. Totally not trolling, it was my favorite.

Four Fingers of Death, cold.

Best ever!
Posted by: Said No One Ever at December 19, 2025 09:23 PM (R/m4+)



I rather enjoyed chicken a la thing, which marked me as a total weirdo. The ham slice was my favorite. Reminded me of SPAM, I spent my elementary school years in Hawaii so SPAM was the shiznit.

But yeah, the Four Fingers were pretty awful.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 09:33 PM (y9nCu)

222 Colin Powell was the gutless DEI wonder who said we were running up the score too much and begged Bush 1 to quit early. But I know that we did it because the Saudis were scared we were gonna leave the Ayatollahs too strong and begged Bush to quit.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 19, 2025 09:31 PM (0anTZ)
---
This is why Trump is so much better. He'll bomb the shit out of anyone. Smash the Iraqis, and then smash Iran. Who wants some? He's got plenty for everyone!

That is how a true superpower acts, and it actually increases respect. Muslims universally think mercy for one's enemies is a sign of weakness.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:34 PM (ZOv7s)

223 Bing news crawl says Epstein files 'published' rather than 'released'.

These fuckers and their word games.

Posted by: davidt at December 19, 2025 09:34 PM (Q+gd/)

224 It may seem like I took the day off, but trust me, I didn't. It was a frustrating and expensive day.


No sweat Ace.
We got ya covered.
Hitting the tip jar.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (2WIwB)

225
Then there must be boxfuls of pictures of him with Les Wexner.
Posted by: t-bird

The Limited Edition.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (pkeXY)

226
Yeah, Trump said please don't throw me in that Epstein briar patch, Democrats.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (w6EFb)

227 I was in Germany during Desert Shield/ Storm. I hated going through all that training as a soldier and a medic, just to ride the pine while others went to the sandbox.

Folks still thank me for my service. I humbly thank them, but I think of my brothers who did so much more.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (0aYVJ)

228 Powell went to his grave knowing that he could have been president, but instead Barry Sotero, a featherweight homosexual, got to be the first black man to get the job.

That had to sting.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (ZOv7s)

229 While we're rehashing the last century, am I nuts or is it commonly accepted, yet wrong, that the US funded Bin Laden during the Soviet era in Afghanistan?

I need a ruling. I think, as best I can tell, we funded Massoud and the Saudis matched us funding Bin Laden. Maybe I've just seen Charlie Wilson's War too many times. What actually happened?

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (pIfcn)

230
And nice photos of Dave Copperfield in a bathrobe with frolicking with Ghislaine.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 19, 2025 09:37 PM (w6EFb)

231 It's a scary thing having to take your computer to a tech.
It's like taking your car to a mechanic.
You just want to get down on your knees and pray he doesn't fuck it up worse and that he doesn't over charge too much.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 19, 2025 09:38 PM (LEuDt)

232
I need a ruling. I think, as best I can tell, we funded Massoud and the Saudis matched us funding Bin Laden. Maybe I've just seen Charlie Wilson's War too many times. What actually happened?
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls

I always thought we funded ISIS, which was Bin Laden, against the Soviets.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at December 19, 2025 09:38 PM (QVmho)

233 Folks still thank me for my service. I humbly thank them, but I think of my brothers who did so much more.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (0aYVJ)
---
Yeah, it happens. I got 21 years in and never went to the sandbox or anywhere close to the "real" war. Did the oil spill in the Gulf, went to Germany 3 times, but always missed the Big Show. I was supposed to be part of the Libya thing, but got dropped at the last minute.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:38 PM (ZOv7s)

234 iirc, the turning point in the Russian occupation of Astan was when we gave the resistance shoulder fired missiles to take out Russian copters.

Posted by: davidt at December 19, 2025 09:39 PM (Q+gd/)

235 It's a scary thing having to take your computer to a tech.
It's like taking your car to a mechanic.
You just want to get down on your knees and pray he doesn't fuck it up worse and that he doesn't over charge too much.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 19, 2025 09:38 PM (LEuDt)
---
I never do it. I buy the cheapest computers, back up things I need, and when one dies, just get another and load the save.

Cheaper than seeing a tech.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:40 PM (ZOv7s)

236 What we should have done in 2001 was wreck Afghanistan, back one or more warlords, and leave.

Same with Iraq. Punitive expeditions work. Nation building doesn't.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

++++

Mullah Omar was not popular when the locals found he was living like a debauched king.
After allying with another warlord we could have left at point.

Should have permantlu taken Iraqs port (Basra?) and blockaded the rest of Iraq indefinitely.

BUT
They put State in charge (Bremmer?).

Thanks W. Right up there with flooding the country with muslims.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 19, 2025 09:40 PM (/lPRQ)

237 Saddam was a US government favorite against the Iranians for certain. Till he wasn’t.

The spooks did supply the folks fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. Maybe even Stinger anti-aircraft missiles? Just more stupid shit piled on stupid shit.

Supposedly that’s why Ambassador Stevens was over there getting kilt in Libya, trying to round up “missing” weapons that ended up somewhere that would make you know who look bad.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 09:42 PM (dY3L3)

238 I always thought we funded ISIS, which was Bin Laden, against the Soviets.
Posted by: BifBewalski - at December 19, 2025 09:38 PM (QVmho)
---
No. We funded the Afghans, which included Al Qaeda among others. The Saudis also did their Wahabi thing.

ISIS was created to overthrow Assad by CIA, and then we toppled Gaddafi and used Libya as a transit point, which is why Benghazi was hushed up.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:42 PM (ZOv7s)

239
Powell went to his grave knowing that he could have been president, but instead Barry Sotero, a featherweight homosexual, got to be the first black man to get the job.

That had to sting.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:35 PM (ZOv7s)



Even worse, if the rumors are true, Powell's wife talked him out of running because that racist slag thought that Colon would get whacked out by some Southern Klan gunman wearing farmer's overalls. Like she hadn't spent decades as a soldier's wife.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 09:43 PM (y9nCu)

240
No. We funded the Afghans, which included Al Qaeda among others. The Saudis also did their Wahabi thing.
ISIS was created to overthrow Assad by CIA, and then we toppled Gaddafi and used Libya as a transit point, which is why Benghazi was hushed up.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

I can't keep it all straight, thanks. We funded baddies. They bohica'd us later.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at December 19, 2025 09:44 PM (QVmho)

241
I always thought we funded ISIS, which was Bin Laden, against the Soviets.
Posted by: BifBewalski - at December 19, 2025 09:38 PM (QVmho)

There was a named Ahmad Shah Massoud who was a major anti Soviet guy. Tajik, not Arab. He was assassinated by a team of suicide bombers on Sept. 9th. He Was the guy we would have backed to get Bin Laden. And here's where I may be leaping to conclusions, because we already had a relationship with him.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:44 PM (pIfcn)

242 Saddam was a US government favorite against the Iranians for certain.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 19, 2025 09:42 PM (dY3L3)
---
Saddam was a Soviet client. We backed the Shah. When the Shah fell, we were at a loss. Saddam also hated Israel, was building WMD tech, but he also hated Iran.

So we began to shift to Saddam's side, but our aid was insignificant next to what the Soviets gave him. Our big thing was keeping the oil tankers going during the Tanker War, and on the balance we were far less pro-Saddam than anti-Iran.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:45 PM (ZOv7s)

243 Desert Storm lasted only a 100 days after the air campaign. Could we have avoided 9/11 and Operation Iraqi Freedom if we had continued and taken out Saddam then?

?? Why would you want to?
Posted by: The CIA at December 19, 2025 09:28 PM (iFEms)

***
Last 24 hours of the war I was standing in the intel center for VII Corps having this very conversation. We were making plans to move deep into Iraq. I was the G2 for the Corps artillery. The bosses knew I had lived in the region and knew a bit of the culture. When asked about moving on Baghdad, I simple told the CG, "Yeah, we could do it. But we won't be met with cheering crowds. And it would be an occupation, not liberation."
Boss gave me a really weird look. Never asked him later what he was thinking.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 19, 2025 09:45 PM (2WIwB)

244 One thing I do remember about A-stan. All those stinger manpads had batteries with limited shelf lives. On purpose. My MIC company considered bidding to re-battery the U.S. stockpile, but eventually decided not to compete that comtract due to a future manpads replacement to stinger coming up that we wanted to compete. Future never panned out, and someone else got all the battery logistics. Meh. Don't win if you don't play.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at December 19, 2025 09:48 PM (QVmho)

245 There was a named Ahmad Shah Massoud who was a major anti Soviet guy. Tajik, not Arab. He was assassinated by a team of suicide bombers on Sept. 9th. He Was the guy we would have backed to get Bin Laden. And here's where I may be leaping to conclusions, because we already had a relationship with him.
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:44 PM (pIfcn)
---
No, you have it right. We backed the Northern Alliance, which was the last resistance remaining to the Taliban.

That being said, other strongmen were available, and giving them a mercenary air force, arms and some training would have kept the Taliban busy indefinately.

But we needed to build schools. That was where the Soviets failed.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:49 PM (ZOv7s)

246 Sidling up to a fren.

We can all use more frens.

Posted by: you got to have freeeens at December 19, 2025 09:50 PM (TbWk/)

247 Big,
I was in A-Stan when the Russians were there. I was stunned by how many of our people didn't understand the battery issue. Friggin' hilarious.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 19, 2025 09:51 PM (2WIwB)

248 @163/sock_rat_eez: "Aaarroooo!"

https://youtu.be/vbtOtmxIXgg

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 19, 2025 09:53 PM (O7YUW)

249 There was a named Ahmad Shah Massoud who was a major anti Soviet guy. Tajik, not Arab. He was assassinated by a team of suicide bombers on Sept. 9th. He Was the guy we would have backed to get Bin Laden. And here's where I may be leaping to conclusions, because we already had a relationship with him.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:44 PM (pIfcn)

A SF dude I knew who was over there at the time when the soviets were there was one of the dudes that was part of a group that became friendly with massoud and his group. The SF dude basically told me the people in Astan that fought the soviets ranked from good afghani (massoud), to less than good, to nasty, to downright evil. Many times fighting among themselves. Basically warlord shit. There were groups that were US friendly, groups that weren't, and groups that hated everybody.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2025 09:53 PM (snZF9)

250 But we needed to build schools. That was where the Soviets failed.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:49 PM (ZOv7s)

If I had a dollar for every dollar we spent trying make Pride Week in Kandahar as big as Eid, I'd be a very wealthy Moron. We would eat Kaboom! with exotic milks, like water buffalo or 1%.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:54 PM (pIfcn)

251 If I had a dollar for every dollar we spent trying make Pride Week in Kandahar as big as Eid, I'd be a very wealthy Moron. We would eat Kaboom! with exotic milks, like water buffalo or 1%.
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 09:54 PM (pIfcn)
---
The irony is that they did tons of gay shit, but it was all to little boys, and we're not supposed to talk about that.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:57 PM (ZOv7s)

252 So what's the ruling? Did the US fund Bin Laden? I'm still leaning no.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 10:00 PM (pIfcn)

253 So what's the ruling? Did the US fund Bin Laden? I'm still leaning no.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at December 19, 2025 10:00 PM (pIfcn)

Think of it as if we dumped a shitload of cash onto mexico to get rid of china if they were there. How much would end up in the cartel's hands? yeah, shit like that.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2025 10:02 PM (snZF9)

254
In many ways, 9/11 was just another battle in a Saudi Civil War. Al Qaeda vs the House of Saud. I think there's a case to be made that AQ and Bin Ladin didn't really gave a shit about the US, it was just a way to show that they were the strong horse, compared to the ruling family. At the time, there were virtually no US troops in Saudi Arabia other than at a couple of air bases in the middle of the desert, hundreds of miles away from most Saudi cities and holy sites. And they were only there to enforce the Iraqi no fly zone.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 19, 2025 10:02 PM (y9nCu)

255 251

My son said he pulled his side weapon on some low life Afgan Officer who raped an 11 year old boy (They do that and goats).

Set the groundwork for him not being allowed to re- enlist after his 5th combat tour.

Posted by: Nightwatch at December 19, 2025 10:04 PM (25kuG)

256 My lab grabbed, and ate, and entire poppyseed muffin in like two seconds.

Not amused.

Or...angry but loving.

She also ate the paper wrapped around the muffin.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at December 19, 2025 10:05 PM (xcxpd)

257
ISLAM as well as all the Commie/Socialists within our country are PUSHING HARD now.

They think they can kill the REPUBLIC now.

Posted by: Nightwatch at December 19, 2025 10:07 PM (25kuG)

258 Basically warlord shit. There were groups that were US friendly, groups that weren't, and groups that hated everybody.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 19, 2025 09:53 PM (snZF9)

250 But we needed to build schools. That was where the Soviets failed.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 19, 2025 09:49 PM (ZOv7s)

If I had a dollar for every dollar we spent trying make Pride Week in Kandahar as big as Eid, ...
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls,
---

If anything - rule of law - nothing more.

Every thing flows from that.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 19, 2025 10:15 PM (LEuDt)

259 What song? Judas Priest "You Got Another Thing Comin' "

Posted by: Socratease at December 19, 2025 10:17 PM (YgfoU)

260 The Treasury Department announced new sanctions Friday that target seven family members and associates tied to Nicolás Maduro’s regime, which the Trump administration continues to put in its crosshairs.
...
The named and sanctioned individuals in the Treasury release include Eloisa Flores de Malpica, Malpica Flores’ mother and the sister of Cilia Flores; Carlos Evelio Malpica Torrealba, his father; Iriamni Malpica Flores, his sister; Damaris del Carmen Hurtado Perez, his wife; and Erica Patricia Malpica Hurtado, his adult daughter.
...

Faggot's nipping at his heels. He better watch out
faggotts can be mean little bitches. - ask Musk.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 19, 2025 10:20 PM (LEuDt)

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