Midweek Open thread
Cartoon by Steve Kelley.
Happy Hump Day This Aint Hell! We’re almost at the end of February. Meteorological Spring will be here on March 1. Astronomical Spring is three weeks away (March 20, 2019). It’s almost like these first two months went by in a flash. Here’s your Midweek Open Thread.
Category: Open thread
First!
Dude!
IDC SARC is back in the game!
Congrats.
How did you get to be FIRST before me?
By logging/commenting 12 minutes earlier. ‘pert near 70 degrees at Firebase 5/77 Magnolia.
Hehe, life is like that. 23 Degrees up here, could see 24 before the sun sets. There has been so much wind that the stock pond has not completely frozen over.
It was so cold this morning that we didn’t even put the horses out until lunchtime.
Look at the bright side, I bet there’s not even a single mosquito around!!
Oh, be sure, they are here. It is just not their time to flourish.
This area has something called winter moths. Damned if I know what they do when they are not being moth like but just let the temps come anywhere near 50 and they instantly appear.
On the uptick, you’re right, any night without mosquitoes has some blessing to it.
I got an email today from Sirius Satellite offering three months FREE with no strings attached. If not cancelled before the end of the free period, the normal charges will apply. That’s a heck of a deal for Hondo who is our music guru or for any who spend much time behind the wheel. Can’t send along the link … the last time I tried that, I sent my entire hotmail account. So go to Google to find the link and get down with your bad self.
I dig my sirius/xm…makes those trips far better to be able to get the music I want–without listening to mostly advertisements and idiot DJs.
Have had Sirius radio for 7 or 8 years now. Both cars and a small “boom box” in the house. My only complaints are that some channels are using occasional advertisements now (not Watercolors: {contemp Jazz & my favorite) but still well worth it in my opinion.
Four at my place- one per vehicle and one in the kitchen and the last at my computer desk.
Can’t stand terrestrial radio any more.
PRESENT! And the last day of 7 weeks of radiation treatments. I win!
That is a win! Congratulations.
Congrats! May comfort be ample in supply.
Side effects of Tomo radiology are negligible. Beam is extremely accurate, I’m in and out in 10 minutes. The Lupron injection is another matter lol
Lupron. I wouldn’t wish that upon my worst enemy.
SFC D, I’ll put a few bucks in the bucket and light a couple of candles for you.
Prayers for you to get & stay healthy, brother.
Outstanding!
Congratulations SFC D, and may remission be the watchword from now on.
SFC D:
Ditto what everyone said…😊
wearefamily
^words^
Since this f**ker is an open thread, I’ll leave this here for our local pinko punching bag:
Here, in the United States, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country, America was founded on liberty and independence – not government coercion, domination, and control. We are born free, and we will stay free. -45th President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump
Taxation is theft, no matter how altruistic the destination of the funds. The only thing that has kept this Great Experiment going is the individual profit motive.
The guy didn’t deserve it and the guy that punched him is an ass. Though my inderstanding neither are students there.
That being did; free speech is protection from GOVERNMENT prohibiting speach.
The constitution says nothing about private individuals and organizations prohibiting speach.
And the constitution is not going to keep you from getting punched in the mouth.
I dislike you and your lack of civility.
Violence against speech has no place in this society, period.
You seem upset at something I just said. What was it this time?
Free speech is a concept. The first amendment is the protection from government. There is a marked difference.
No, but a .45 aimed directly between the eyes of your potential assailant might.
One never hears of violence directed against opinionated folks at Hillsdale College or Liberty University, or other noteworthy “conservative” educational institutions.
A supposed bastion of the “liberal” left, UC Berkeley, on the other hand, has a history of Fascist thuggery against non-left persons, anywhere from mob-action intimidation to outright battery.
Dispicable, and highly indicative of the true Fascist nature of many “progressives”.
Bullshit, I went to college on Texas in the 90s and was the student government president.
I got threatened more than once. Even accussed of being a devil worshipper and was in fight in the parking lot. Also had my car vandalized.
My cat disappeared and I heard through friends but couldn’t prove that she was killed by a student and left displayed in a way to make it look like she was sacrificed in a mock satanic ritual to “teach me a lesson”. Campus police had already cleaned up the scene and disposed of her before I could verify it was her but they verified they found a diseased cat displayed as described. She did disappear the day before and I never saw her again.
I heard this the day after she disappeared before I even had time to grow too concerned because she would sometime be gone The evening before and I would not see her at the time I left for school.
What did I do that pissed these people off? I was openly an atheist. Not my politics. It was the fact that I did not believe in God.
It was a small group of students who took exception to it and among them at least one sadistic little shit.
Eris , my cat, seemed to have been a line too far because the group stopped. I am not sure if the police attention spooked them or if they were ashamed of the action of one of their group.
I never found out who did it but was pretty sure who it was. He is lucky I never confirmed it because I would have killed him. Perhaps we are both lucky I did not confirm it. I still think about finding him and killing him sometimes.
Sorry for your loss on the cat. My animals are our kids. The cats rule us and my 40 pound mutt is the son I never had. If someone were to hurt them I would go nuts. What I think you fail to see is that most of us on here hated Obama. I did, but I never saw an Obama supporter attacked. I said some things on the webs about him, but nothing to get me locked up. Now we have people attacking kids with red hats, people in restraunts with red hats. People who voted Trump dragged out of cars and beaten by black youths. This did not happen to Obama supporters. A guy by us running a failing bar that is for sale kicked out a naturalized citizen for wearing an MAGA hat. Google quartzite bar Trump hat. It is in Arizona. My friends and family are all conservatives, not one attacked an Obama supporter, my dad lost his best friend of over 30 years by saying Obama was unqualified. Sad. You have Antifa friends. I have no friends that have attacked people. Other than my Marine bros following orders.
I am going to be blunt; the “only liberals threat or use violence” and similar narratives are absolutely bullshit.
Political violrence happens from both sides of the spectrum and always has throughout human history as long as there has been a political divide.
Claiming or pretending otherwise is ignorant at best and more likely just willful partisan propaganda.
Ironically, but not surprisingly, the “only ‘they’ commit violence” narrative is frequently used as excuse for committing retaliatory violence.
Howdy strawman. You quickly changed the topic.
I cited conservative colleges versus liberal. You cited “Texas” , presumably the State. Which college? An overtly conservative one? Or one that leans left like most?
I note that the campus violence currently published runs way left. The lefty media would be publishing anything 24/7 if there were such blatant events even occasionally.
Look how hard they publish fakers. Real ones would be even more so.
Berkeley has fallen to Fascism. Admit it. They run off dissent, intimidate speakers, drive away instead of refuting. Everything you accuse -us-, is part and parcel of the Berkeley you say is so valuable and elite.
Either you are wilfully blind, or willfully abetting it.
Either way, it is why you have zero credibility.
Busted again, you are.
Condolences on the cat. Abusers of animals are subhuman shitbags, and deserve …. Entertaining consequences. Hope you reported it, etc. Those sick fucks tend to escalate to helpless people.
Some good points and well put, 11B-Mailclerk. I also got a good laugh at your “Howdy Strawman.”
Can’t disagree with anything that you have said in your above post, Commissar but for clarification and because I am new here 2 days ago, don’t want to get in the middle of something that is going on between you and one or two others. ButI believe in seeking the truth … no matter where I find it!
AOC is starting a clothing line for all ages.
There won’t be any children sizes.
I laugh way too much at that…every damn time. 🙂
Came across this for the history minded. How Air Force units get their numbers.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/comments/av3xtw/how_a_winggroup_gets_its_number/
Mason, my response to you is below. Durnit…that’s the second time I did that when responding to a comment.
Suck it up Pat, it is called old age which includes fumble fingers, we all get it even if we don’t want it. Maybe why someone invented auto correct to give a little help.
Has anyone on here ever visited the Falls of Clyde in Hawaii? https://m.facebook.com/savefallsofclyde/
Cameron: I was stationed in Oahu and never heard of the Falls of Clyde. Now I know. Thank you for sharing.
Unfortunately she might be disposed of. She is in awful condition. Believe it or not, she is actually an oil tanker (she originally carried sugar). A group in Scotland wants to take her back, but I have my doubts she will make it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falls_of_Clyde_(ship)
I spent a bit of money at the Hootsers that overlooks her.
I always wondered what it was doing there.
Interesting. You Be The Judge:
“Pentagon Spent Nearly $8 Million To Treat 1,500 Transgender Troops Since 2016”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/27/exclusive-report-shows-8-million-spent-more-than-1-500-transgender-troops-pentagon-dysphoria/2991706002/
“The Pentagon has spent nearly $8 million to treat more than 1,500 transgender troops since 2016, including 161 surgical procedures…”
“As of Feb. 1, 1,071 service members have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Public Health Service on active duty and in the reserve force.”
“Most of them are senior enlisted personnel, but there are 20 senior officers – majors and lieutenant commanders and higher – as well.”
“Overall, the troops represent a fraction of the total force of 2.1 million. The number of transgender troops serving who have not sought treatment through the military is not known.”
“The Pentagon data date to July 1, 2016, when the Obama administration lifted the existing ban on service for transgender troops and allowed them to seek treatment. Since then, 1,524 troops have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. In the active-duty force there were 500 in the Army, 442 in the Navy, 354 in the Air Force, 101 in the Marine Corps, 33 in the Coast Guard and four in the uniformed Public Health Service. And 90 service members served in the reserves.”
“Through Feb. 1, the cost of treating troops with the diagnosis of gender dysphoria has totaled $7,943,906.75. That included 22,992 psychotherapy visits, 9,321 prescriptions for hormones and 161 surgical procedures. Surgeries performed included 103 breast reductions or mastectomies, 37 hysterectomies, 17 “male reproductive” procedures and four breast augmentations. Psychotherapy sessions cost nearly $5.8 million and surgery cost more than $2 million, according to the data.”
smh
rtr/gd/gabn
Thanks. You’ve now forever ruined the idea of breast augmentation.
How fucking much Motrin could you buy with $8 million?
I’m sure I’m “old school” but I am bewildered at the number of folks walking around that apparently want to be the other sex. Not only do I wish these people, no harm … I hope that they get their “issues” worked out so that they can be happy and live “normal” lives. However, I really must say that I am happy that my old Infantry ass was in “this man’s army” … where men were men and there weren’t no girls in uniform!
Mr. Will Melvin Shegog was sent home with full Military Honors today at the Phoenix National Memorial Cemetery. The Air Force and the hundreds who attended made sure he went home with an appropriate send off. I am happy to report I was also able to attend and show my respects. Rest well my elder brother in arms.
Here is some more information about the homeless veteran.
https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/unclaimed-veteran-being-laid-to-rest-wednesday-in-phoenix
Azy:
Thank You for attending Mr. Shegog’s funeral as well as sharing this story.
A nice picture of him is in his obituary. He was born in March 1960 and passed away on 15 February 2019. He served in the Air Force from June 1978 to September 1979:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/phoenix-az/will-shegog-8179335
In the end, he did have a Family, i.e. caring folks such as Azy who took time to attend his funeral.
May Mr. Shegog rest in peace.
Thanks for sharing Azy, and for your attendance for Will. My brother is a retired wing wiper. I left some words on the Memorial Site. There was a number of others who were not acquainted with him that did the same. Does make one wonder if he was estranged from his family, or they just didn’t know/care. Sad…
This past Monday, Dave posted the news that Don Shipley’s YouTube BUDS 131 site was shut down by YouTube.
Some updated info as to why YouTube did that as provided to Fox News from YouTube:
“Navy SEAL Who ‘Outed’ Nathan Phillips’ Military Record Post-Covington Claims YouTube Retaliated, Banned Him:”
https://www.foxnews.com/us/navy-seal-who-outed-nathan-phillips-military-record-in-wake-of-covington-incident-claims-youtube-banned-him-in-retaliation
“…But YouTube, in an e-mail to Fox News, said Shipley’s account was terminated because he was sharing too much information. The company said that info could be used to identify other people and YouTube claimed Shipley sometimes enticed Internet users to reach out to those people in his videos directly to criticize them.”
“YouTube takes harassment and the sharing of an individual’s private information, like home addresses and phone numbers, seriously and we have strict policies against it in our Community Guidelines,” the company said. “We review flagged content and remove inappropriate videos or terminate channels according to these policies.”
Weirdly, the “accidental” shutdowns run mostly Right.
The intentional ones are slightly less biased, but still highly ratioed against conservatives, and often for things ignored from horrific shitbags that are -not- conservative.
Not fooling us, folks. Best to allow ones opponents the soapbox. Easy enough to refute things if your position is actually valid.
Of course, if is is -not- …. Still better the soapbox. Making a righteous foe desperate is. … dumb.
Remember, according to our resident Social Justice Warrior, it’s because of the “marketplace” or some other bullshit…
That was interesting, Mason. Thank you for sharing the link.
Have to admit I started laughing when I read about McPeak’s contribution to how Air Force units got their numbers. In the early to mid 90s, my Air Force buddies rant and rave about uniform changes implemented by a General McPeak. Is that the same guy? Funny how almost 30 years later, I still remember General McPeak because of name tags issues and creating formal uniforms that supposely made Air Force Officers look like Delta Airline Pilots.
Oh, well…majority of Army troops ended up wearing Black Berets…😉
A lot of us remember McPeak. And it isn’t fondly. Still, would rather look like a bus driver than have to wear that ignorant beret. The beret itself is bad enough, but the guys who do whatever it is that they do to it to get it to fit like cling wrap really look stupid.
OWB:
Would love to hear stories from you as well as other Air Force brothers & sisters reference McPeak and his uniform change ideas….maybe it WAS you all looking like bus drivers instead of airline pilots?
Thank You! 😊
Oh, it was probably just wanting to make the uniform more civilian looking. A lot of grumbling, but none of that was life threatening. It was all his other stuff that really irritated everyone.
McPeak was himself a runner, one of those obsessed with it. Looking at him, he appeared to be anorexic. Way beyond being just thin. He wanted everyone to look that way which was simply not possible. And certainly not healthy. He finally backed off from that kick after multiple docs explained the facts of life to him. If the rumors were correct, his changes to the fitness regimen actually killed people.
That and the complete waste of time that was TQM were the ones that stick in my mind.
McPeak was a good decade before my time, but I never heard a good word about him from anyone. People in the USAF to this day lament our dress blues looking too corporate and want to return to the four pocket design.
*Sigh*
It’s always the same story, i.e. a Combat Veteran who is being treated for PTSD and TBI…:
“Combat Army Veteran In ICE Detention Could Be Deported”:
https://www.kveo.com/news/local-news/combat-army-veteran-in-ice-detention-could-be-deported/1813014416
And once again, we have folks out there that look for trouble…
Sheesh….Some People…😞
“HOA Threatens Resident With Fine After Car Leaves Unusual Shape In Snow”:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/hoa-threatens-resident-with-fine-after-car-leaves-penis-shape-in-snow-report
” A homeowner’s association (HOA) in Tennessee threatened to fine a resident $100 after her car left a phallic-shaped image in the condo’s parking lot following a light dusting of snow, a report said Tuesday…”
getalife
Umm, the HOA should be fining Mother Nature for that. Perhaps they were offended because they found themselves lacking.
“HOA should be fining Mother Nature for that..they found themselves lacking.”
LOVE IT!
🤣😂😅👏👏
Yep, they are singing a song by the Scarecrow…”If I Only Had a Brain..”🎶
He’s Back!!!! (Mikey Weinstein). You Be The Judge: “Bible At Center of Dispute Over Display at Manchester VA Medical Center: Group Says Inclusion of Bible Gives Preference To One Faith Over Another”: https://www.wmur.com/article/bible-at-center-of-dispute-over-display-at-manchester-va-medical-center/26560320 “A Bible that was on display at the Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center is at the center of a controversy.” “The Bible was carried by a prisoner of war in World War II and then made part of a memorial at the Manchester VA until a veterans group objected and it was removed. Now, there’s an effort to put it back.” ” VA officials said they consider the Bible to be an historical artifact, but people on both sides of the debate said they believe it represents something much more.” “The Missing Man Table is intended to honor the nation’s missing veterans and POWs, but a spokesman for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said the organization received complaints about a Bible that was originally part of the memorial.” “The group asked the VA to remove it, calling its presence intolerable and unconstitutional.” “That is still a Christian Bible,” said Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. “It is still promoting — particularly in the surrounding aspect of the POW-MIA remembrance, one of the most sacred things you could do in the military — one faith over another faith.” ” In response, the VA moved the Bible from the table to a nearby display case, something Weinstein called even more objectionable.” “VA officials released a statement saying they “consulted with appropriate legal counsel before placing this treasured WWII artifact, which happens to be a Bible, with the display, and is confident that this does not impinge on Constitutional protections.” “The Bible was donated by a World War II veteran when Paul Martin and his organization, the Northeast POW-MIA Network, put together the missing man display late last year.” “That Bible is not just a religious artifact,” Martin said. “That some people would say they’re stuffing religion down my throat. What it means is this guy held on to a lot of faith and hope, family and trust… Read more »
I really, really, really need to run into Mikey, one dark rainy night. I’ll bet if I could have just a few minutes to counsel the boy, he may could see the error of his ways. F’ing seagull.
Virginia First Lady, Pam Northam, accused of handing cotton to black children:
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/virginia-cotton-child-governor-pam-northam-enslaved-ralph-blackface-20190227.html
Man, some folks can just not get out of their own way….tack on the black face, KKK hood, dressing up like Michael Jackson and moon walking…these folks might not be racists, but holy shit they sure present enough indicators that they might very well be some of the most racist elected officials in the nation…
I do not care for Ralph Northam.
But this is getting out of hand.
Was disturbed when I read this quote from Del. Marcia S. “Cia” Price (D-Newport News), a member of the Black Caucus,:
“The cotton itself is a symbol of murder, rape, displacement and the radiating effects of the transatlantic slave trade that black Virginians are still experiencing today,” Price said.”
Seriously? Cotton? Makes me wonder if Price wears any clothes made of cotton, sleeps on cotton sheets, uses US paper currency that is 75% cotton, represents any cotton farmers who reside in Newport News/Hampton, Virginia, etc.etc.
What about “Soul Food”? Should restaraunts that serve “soul food” be shut down since its origin ties in with slavery?
Source of Price’s quote:
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/first-lady-worsens-northams-racial-insensitivity-issue.html
Only white cotton is racist. Duh. Black cotton, brown cotton, red cotton = not racist.
Mason: Shhhh…some of the woman who wore white during Trump’s State of the Union speech might have worn white cotton…underclothes included.
thefabricofourlives
IT’S BEEN SAID that no Military Force in Human History has ever been short on rumors and/or gripes, but this article says pictures of peckers ought to be on that list as well!
https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2019/02/28/1800-year-old-roman-penis-carvings-discovered-near-hadrians-wall-some-things-never-change/
You say it almost like it’s a bad thing.
Everyone enjoys a well-drawn, or carved, big ol’ stiff veiny triumphant bastard!
Someday, a Space Ranger will be sitting guard on Omicron Persei 8 drawing one on a bulkhead with his plasma knife.