All Posts Tagged With: "ROUNDUP"

Doesn’t it seem like we are always at war with something, if not with someone? The “War on Terror”, aside, we also have the “War on Drugs” (or rather, the people who use them), the “Mommy Wars” (where apparently, stay-at-home moms are an affront to working moms and vice versa) and a war on just about everything that was meant to be enjoyed (like food or adult entertainment).

In an ideal world, I’d like to buy the world a Coke and then lob the empties at the idiots who like to keep the rest of us in a heightened state of anxiety by sucking the life and love out of everything under the sun.

Of course, in reading today’s Ten Post Round-Up, you will find that not all wars are bad, while most still make the world a difficult, if not, scary place to live.

• Yes, Virginia, there are some mommies who stay home, rather than go to work, because of the kids, not despite them (Dizzy is proud to say that she is one of them).

• McCain appears to be in some hot water over the speech he gave regarding the Russo-Georgia conflict.

• Speaking of the the Russo-Georgia confrontation, The Russians have apparently called the whole thing off. But, at the time of this posting, apparently the word hadn’t gotten to everyone.

• Australia may have cracked the case in the war on cancer.

• Doesn’t it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know that John Lennon’s killer gets conjugal visits while our brave soldiers are being poisoned?

• It’s just a tad irritating that law-abiding, homosexual citizens aren’t allowed to get married (in most states) while heterosexual perverts are allowed to wed with wild abandon?

• If famous deaths come in threes, it looks like somebody needs to watch their back. I don’t need to mention that the somebody in question actually played the namesake from the most recent dead person’s hit song of the same name (and just wrapped a movie with the two dead guys who triggered this thread). It’s a good thing I’m not superstitious!

• Sometimes, I have to ask myself, “how come sh** like this never happens in my neighborhood?”

• Do you think that the legacy that GWB is trying to leave will be called “The Age of Irony?”

• And, as if you thought that GWB and the boys weren’t doing enough for our troops, along comes the news that the VA is happy to make it more difficult for vets to register to vote.

(originally posted at: Hypocrisy)

Sorry that it appears that I have been out of the loop, my friends. Indeed, that is not actually the case. Sometimes, my days as a military spouse with a soldier deployed means that I need distance from things, including blogging, to maintain my sanity.

In any case, I’m back and ready for bear. I’m working out a new format for the (supposedly) daily Ten Post Round-Up. I’d appreciate it if all five of you would tell me what you think (or not. whatevah.)

• The world lost two fabulous entertainers this week. First, we lost Bernie Mac on Saturday and on Sunday, we lost Isaac Hayes. At least, (thanks to “South Park”), we’ll always have “Chocolate Salty Balls” (a karaoke classic, I tell ya!).

• Be careful where you park when headed to the local parade. Some nefarious tow truck drivers may kidnap your car and charge extortion fees after you’ve been tricked into parking for free!

• From skippy, we learn which lies are worse. Take a wild guess whether the MSM thinks that lies that lead to an illegal war or lies about marital infidelity are worse…

• Speaking of John Edwards, the other woman says “onay ayway otay away aternitypay esttay.”

• Some states think its citizens are being selfish for taking advantage of money-saving tax holidays.

• Now that Iraq clearly wants a regime change, can our troops come home now?

• Maryland mayor’s recent police/SWAT team raid (home invasion?) sheds much needed light on the failures (gestapo tactics?) of the War on Drugs.

• Many bloggers have Georgia on their minds, but the MSM seems more obsessed with what’s on the mind of Edwards’ little soldier.

• Booger’s babies may bite Booger’s mama in the butt.

• If it takes blood and guts to get kids to read, I say, “bring on the gore!”.

(originally posted at Hypocrisy)

If this round-up were any juicier, you’d totally stick a fork in it…

1. It is long overdue to retire this policy. Gay soldiers should not be held to a higher standard than straight soldiers who are free to date who they like and not conceal their attractions. It is the gay soldier who is expected to keep their mouth shut and their pants zipped, for fear of losing their job. The military does not have room for discrimination, particularly if they hope to continue with war without end in the Middle East.

KOAA.com - Lawmakers reconsider military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy
Tauscher is convinced it’s time to allow gays in the military to be open about their sexuality, and she’s not alone. Three-fourths of those surveyed in a Washington Post-ABC News poll over the weekend said openly gay people should be allowed to serve. That’s up from 62 percent in early 2001 and 44 percent in 1993.

2. Even relying on some resource other than coal or oil to produce our energy needs is going to come with a very steep price tag.

CNN.com: Wind power: A reality check

One of the big challenges with using wind to replace natural gas is that, unlike the steady flame from natural gas, the wind doesn’t blow all the time.

To make sure enough power is available when the wind isn’t blowing, backup generators would be needed, said Paul Fremont, an electric-utility analyst at the investment bank Jefferies & Co.

That could mean maintaining those natural gas plants in case of emergency, or implementing even more novel ideas like systems in Europe that use excess wind electricity to pump water uphill when the wind is blowing, then release it through hydro dams when the wind stops.

Either way, any type of backup system comes with a price.

3. Sorry, guys. It won’t fit in your wallet. But, on the upside, it will be a perfect fit (that is, if it ever gets mass produced…).

Cool Hunting: Spray-On Condom
While most technologies advanced by leaps and bounds in recent decades, condom design has been relatively static for the last century or so. One visionary German scientist is working to change that. Jan Vinzenz Krause has spent recent years trying to make the world’s most common prophylactic available in spray-on form. The technology’s draw, according to Krause (pictured), is that conventional condoms often don’t fit penises of varying sizes (also pictured, sort of).

Some days, it sucks to read the news, because it’s a reminder that our country appears to be being run by a bunch of frat boys, out on a lark and hoping that a grown-up might come along and fix it (all the while forgiving and forgetting who was responsible for the bull$#!% in the first place)! Unfortunately, these hazy days are not ones that we will soon wake from and it will take many generations of grown-ups to fix.

1. Tazing a few sheep to tame the sheeple…

duckplops: Just When You Thought They Couldn’t Find More Helpless Victims

More and more it seems as though the cops have been told to use the tasers first and ask questions later, and have let them know there won’t be any repercussions, even if they kill the tasee.

2. “Toto, we’re not in Kansas, anymore…”

The Huffington Post: Court Confirms President’s Dictatorial Powers in Case of US “Enemy Combatant”
Wake up, America! On July 15, the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled by 5 votes to 4 in the case of Al-Marri v. Pucciarelli (PDF) that the President can arrest US citizens and legal residents inside the United States and imprison them indefinitely, without charge or trial, based solely on his assertion that they are “enemy combatants.” Have a little think about it, and you’ll see that the Fourth Circuit judges have just endorsed dictatorial powers.

3. Getting answers for the family of LaVena Johnsona is a step towards getting answers for every family who has lost a soldier to foul-play in Iraq.

Shakesville: ColorofChange.org launches LaVena petition
The online grassroots organization ColorofChange.org, a black advocacy group founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, has lent its support to the family of LaVena Johnson. The group has launched a new petition addressed to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and its chairman, Representative Henry Waxman.

If you thought your world was weird, yesterday, wait until you read today’s Ten Post Round-Up (let’s just say you may get the idea that Hades is about to experience some serious climate change…)

1: He’s ba-aack!…

Ted Haggard Back In Colorado Springs–cbs4denver.com

2: And, so what if he doesn’t budge, eh?…

Putting The FISA Pressure On Obama–The Democratic Daily

3: Snoop D-O-double-G as a cowboy? Fo’ Shizzle!…

Snoop Dogg Goes Country?–The J-Walk Blog

4: Orange is the new black?…

tie an orange ribbon…..–life’s journey

5: Fundies accused of getting preferential treatment…

SC: Fundie state plate challenged in fed lawsuit–Pam’s House Blend

6: McCain trying to distance himself from Bush?…

mclame–skippy the bush kangaroo

7: Typical GOP pre-election fearmongering…

Bolton: Israel Will Attack Iran After U.S. Election But Before Inauguration, Arab States Will Be ‘Delighted’–Think Progress

8: Yeah…I’m at a loss for words…

Housing Bill requires eBay, Amazon, Google, and all Credit Card Companies to report transactions to the gov’t–Rational Review

9: First off, the medical profession needs to stop treating pregnancy as an “illness”…

Doctor Knows Best–Shakesville

10: My mother always said, “you catch more flies with honey than with torture”…

Report: Torture failed on Sept. 11 planner–Signs of the Times News

210 días al final de un error…

(Don’t forget to refill your morning cuppa…)

dizzy’s ten post round-up, politics, news, snark, hypocrisy, weird, random goodies, random news, scandal, economy, war

FBI Director Robert Mueller told Congress last week that the threat of intelligence-gathering by computer and other electronic means is expanding. “The threat of cyber-related foreign intelligence operations to the U.S. is rapidly expanding,” Mueller told a House Appropriations subcommittee. “The number of actors with the ability to utilize computers for illegal, harmful, and possibly devastating purposes continues to rise.”

Mueller said cyber intrusions beyond those carried out by non-government hackers have “compromised computers on U.S. government, private sector, and allied networks,” Mueller said. Mueller was testifying on FBI efforts to counter cyber threats during a budget hearing the Bureau’s request for $7.1 billion for fiscal 2009. FBI counter cyber efforts include disrupting computer attacks domestically. “The FBI’s intelligence and law enforcement role supports response to cyber events at U.S. government agencies, U.S. military installations, and the broader private sector,” he said. During a hearing in the Senate March 5, Mueller said the FBI has identified more than one million potential victims of “botnet cybercrime” as part of “Operation Bot Roast.”

The effort has targeted “botnets” or groups of compromised computers under the remote command and control of a computer hacker. Mueller did not mention specific countries, but other officials have said China’s intelligence services are known to use computer intrusions to download vast amounts of U.S. government information of intelligence and economic value.

To prepare for longer range missiles from Iran and Syria, Israel plans a major test of its Arrow-2 missile defense system. The Israel Air Force in cooperation with the United States would conduct the first test of Arrow-2 against a missile meant to simulate the extended-range Shihab-3 ballistic missile.

Israel’s intelligence community has detected Hizbullah military preparations throughout southern and central Lebanon in recent weeks. There is growing concern that such preparations are a precursor to war. In addition Syria and Iran have linked their missile development programs. Syria has been extending the range of its Scud-class missile arsenal to the point where U.S. interests could be threatened, Israeli is threatened as well as at least one other ally.

Former U. S. President Carter is in the region and has been sternly warned about interfering and encouraging Hamas, Hizbullah or their backers in Syria and elsewhere. Carter choses to ignore warnings of the harm he can do, and the warnings of U. S., Israeli and others.

“No one seems to know what Carter thinks he is doing. But, he is damned foolish and what he is doing I dangerous,” undisclosed U. S. sources said.

Colonel Kaddafi’s Libya has been caught red handed for secretly trying to buy 500,000 Chinese made Ak-47 assault rifles and 10 million rounds of ammunition from Italian gangsters for the purpose of distributing them to terrorists elsewhere. Wiretaps learned China sold the weapons for $80 each but the final price was $125 by the time government officials were paid off and other gangsters skimmed off money. Kaddafi is notorius for clandestine support of terrorists. Libya said the weapons for its use but that amounts to 5 weapons per active duty and reserve soldier.

Chinese civilians migrating to places like Europe, Africa and the U. S. are expected to keep their eyes open, and report to Chinese intelligence when asked about what they see and maybe working on. It’s understood that such cooperation is necessary to protect kin back in China. In dangerous places cooperation (spying) ensures access to Chinese government protection in the event of unrest in their new homeland.

The Chinese government can lean pretty hard on countries that allow local Chinese to be molested. For example, when Islamic militants raided Chinese brothels in Pakistan last year, the Pakistani government was persuaded to crack down on the militants, killing hundreds of them. The Chinese brothels have been left alone since then and continue to funnel profits back to the communist government.

China’s foreign exchange reserves (foreign currency and deposits held by Chinese banks) are now over $1.6 trillion. That’s an increase of over 40 percent in the last year. Apparently, China has become the place to park your money. This includes dirty money owned by criminal organizations, dictators and all manner of shady operators.