Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Wednesday Morning Open Thread

Which is very different from a morning open thread on any other day of the week, because it occurs on Wednesday.

101 comments:

  1. W00t!!!111!!! Ask, and it shall appear. Thanks RB for saving us from the tyranny of the 200+ comment thread.

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  2. Ahhh, the new thread smell......

    Did you all know the recent International Difficulties were GWB's fault?

    Ya' learn something new every day.

    Obama Says US Ready to Begin 'New Chapter' of International Cooperation

    President Barack Obama, in his first policy speech to the U.N. General Assembly, said the United States is ready to begin a "new chapter" of international cooperation after years of difficult relations with the world body.

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  3. Hey Y'all, just came back to tell y'all to check out Malkin's bit on the side bar about how the DEMOCRATS refuse to put the healthcare bill online.
    Also note Malkin's other thread or comment about how AARP not only gives tons of money to the Democrats but stands to make hundreds of Millions of dollars from the Democrat's health care proposal!

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  4. JCM, Obama just doesn't get it.

    He really believes the strength of his personality will sway world leaders to his POV. Thus far, it's been a complete failure with world leaders ignoring him or dictating terms to him.

    I'm sure in his tiny little brain, he really believed appearing in the middle of Gadhafi's speech was a sign of respect and openness when in reality it was a sign of his complete incompetence. Particularly given the fact that at the same time, the senate was passing a resolution condemning Libya for the al-Megrahi-athon celebrations after Obama had supposedly received assurances from Gadhafi that he would not be given a hero's welcome.

    Even Libya knows he impotent. How's that going to elevate our standing?

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  5. Is that Reine's blog, Doppleganglander?

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  6. Wendy,

    He mistakes popularity for leadership.

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  7. RB, it's hers, mine, and a couple of other people. Kenneth and Army Wife have also posted there.

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  8. RB, it's hers, mine, and a couple of other people. Kenneth and Army Wife have also posted there.

    Cool.

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  9. Sorry everyone. I'm a bit distracted this morning - some screen resolution issues are causing me fits. I think I have them resolved finally, but it's still a pain in the you-know-what.

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  10. No problem RunningBare. The sooner you get issues resolved, the sooner we can move into our new home. :)

    /I have lot's of patience, I am a Hudson Bay man....

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  11. RB: Thanks. And thanks for all your hard work on the new site. I'm sure it's going to be grand.

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  12. Sen. Cantwell, WA (D) knows how to fix health care!

    She is advocating a public option, "whatever that is," but working to see that health care reform includes not only insurance reform but "provider reform" that will control costs.

    Ahhh, Sen you think you might want to know what you're asking for before you vote?

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  13. Goodaftermorning everyone! Looks like someone let a bunch of fools speak at the UN General Assembly ....

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  14. RB,

    Distractions are warranted at this point of a project!

    Can we get you anything?

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  15. Once again the UN looks like the bar scene in Star Wars.

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  16. Good analogy, Shug

    (Hey Shug, I haven't had a chance to welcome you, I've been away. WELCOME!)

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  17. Shug said...
    Once again the UN looks like the bar scene in Star Wars.


    I wouldn't even deign to give it that much decency.

    /HAN SHOT FIRST!

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  18. Hey Phil, I visited your nice little blog yesterday ...it's coming along nicely. Thanks for linking us! :-)

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  19. Shug,

    But there's no Han to blast Gredoffi!

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  20. No problem Pink. Thank you for posting me on your blog roll. Have to write something for today, just don't know what to write yet. :(

    /at least I have something with pictures tomorrow.

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  21. Its the second day of fall ....maybe something autumn-y to set the tone for the new season?

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  22. Hmmm, not yet. Trouble is that I have a direction. Right now I am having "bridging" issues. Up to 2006, gotta cover both 2007 and 2008. It's about a journey so far. I will see how it comes out. Might think of something on the way home.

    /it's just tickling in the back of my mind
    //captcha slypot

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  23. Qadhafi hails Obama in U.N. speech

    President Barack Obama got a warm and surely unwelcome tribute Wednesday from Libyan leader Moammar Qadhafi, who told the United Nations General Assembly that he would pleased to see the new U.S. president remain in office for life — and even longer.

    “I’m happy that the new president, a son of Africa, governs the United States of America. This is a historic event,” Qadhafi said during a long and rambling address. “This is a great thing.”

    “Obama is a glimpse in the darkness after four or eight years,” said the Libyan leader, who referred to Obama as “my son.” “We are content and happy if Obama can stay forever as president of the United States.”

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  24. Autumn Leaves ... Eva Cassidy ... there's your autumn Pink ...

    Autumn Leaves ...

    Taking off from this lousy job for the afternoon ... hope ya'll have a good one!!!

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  25. Pink,

    Translation....

    We found us a patsy.

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  26. The UN loves Barack Obama because he is weak

    He is the first American president who has made an art form out of apologizing for the United States, which he has done on numerous occasions on foreign soil, from Strasbourg to Cairo. The Obama mantra appears to be – ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do to atone for your country. This is a message that goes down very well in a world that is still seething with anti-Americanism.

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  27. From above linked article...

    The president scores highly at the UN for refusing to project American values and military might on the world stage, with rare exceptions like the war against the Taliban. His appeasement of Iran, his bullying of Israel, his surrender to Moscow, his call for a nuclear free world, his siding with Marxists in Honduras, his talk of a climate change deal, have all won him plaudits in the large number of UN member states where US foreign policy has traditionally been viewed with contempt.

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  28. From his speech, JCM.

    I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service. To break the old patterns – to break the cycle of insecurity and despair – all of us must say publicly what we would acknowledge in private. The

    Unbelievable .....

    He needs to let the grownups write his speeches.

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  29. I'm not naive! ....

    First, we must stop the spread of nuclear weapons and seek the goal of a world without them.

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  30. Pink, JCM: He doesn't want to lead America or promote its interests. He wants to conduct a giant group therapy session with our enemies.

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  31. Once again the UN looks like the bar scene in Star Wars.

    September 23, 2009 11:17 AM


    Heh. Boy, that's the truth.

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  32. Well time to go home. Think I will go grocery shopping first though. See you folks in a couple.

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  33. JCM, that's a powerful rebuttal by the Rev. Perryman. Nice to see it's making the rounds, too ....12,000+ views of that video so far.

    The man is an oasis of calmness and sanity.

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  34. My goodness, Obama is such a fool.

    The failure to acknowledge the character of the world's bad guys is one of the hallmarks of liberalism in general. For some reason, American leftists seem compelled to embrace the ugliest thugs they can identify around the globe.

    I wish I understood why they do that. It drives me crazy.

    Maybe they identify with them. If you look at some of their own behavior (clamoring to bring President Bush up on war crimes charges, for example, the violent protest signs, etc.) - the ugliness so many of them project in the name of their politics - maybe many of them have a little Castro in them themselves.

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  35. CC,

    The failure of liberals to account for the spiritual aspect of man (Goldwater Conscience of a Conservative). The failure to recognize existential evil.

    Liberals look to external causation of "bad action" so and so did or does a bad thing because x-y-z happened, if the "root" eternal "cause" of the "bad action" can be mitigate, peace and harmony will break out giving us world peace.

    Evil exists, however you what to characterize it, whether from the Judeo-Christian perspective or some other. There is no external causes to mitigate. Evil people, evil actions, evil intent can only be confronted, not negotiated with.

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  36. JCM
    Good video!

    OT
    Sorry if this isn’t of interest for anyone not in SoCal, but the irony here is killing me. I just can’t make up mind who to root for; my least-favorite tyrannical government agency, or my least-favorite pseudo-scientific activist organization: http://www.calt.iastate.edu/lawsuit.html

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  37. ETBC,

    ROFL, the scam artists get scammed!

    If wasn't costing the taxpayers I say pop some popcorn and root for both to lose!

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  38. etbc,

    Nice seeing them at each others' throats.

    Hi C2 community.

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  39. extraterrestrialbeancurd,

    Seems to be a case of lesser of two evils. Carbon/pollution offset credits is nothing but a scam and a way to make money. IMHO it isn't about cleanig up anything.

    I do feel your pain when it comes to having to root for either one of these.

    Sorry if I'm smiling because I dont't live in Ca.

    Top

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  40. Vitter calls for ACORN racketeering probe


    Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) on Wednesday continued his offensive against ACORN, requesting that the Justice Department investigate the organization for any possible violation of federal racketeering laws.

    In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Vitter argues that ACORN's alleged misdeeds warrant a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) investigation into its business practices. A probe of that magnitude — potentially the most aggressive investigation requested by any ACORN critic to date — would permit investigators exceptional leverage in rooting out any criminal wrongdoing.

    "The recent reports and video footage of ACORN workers from various cities and states giving 'how-to' instructions on carrying out crimes, ranging from violating numerous immigration laws to tax fraud, warrants an immediate RICO investigation into ACORN," Vitter said in his letter.


    Of course, Harry Reid is opposed; he earlier dismissed Vitter's request for congressional hearings into ACORN's activities. Somehow I don't think Holder will be helpful, either.

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  41. Once again Bolton cuts right to the heart of the matter:

    Bolton: ‘A Post-American Speech By Our First Post-American President’

    Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton tells NRO that President Obama’s address to the U.N. was “a post-American speech by our first post-American president. It was a speech high on the personality of Barack Obama and high on multilateralism, but very short in advocating American interests.”

    “It was a very naïve, Wilsonian speech, and very revealing of Obama’s foreign policy,” says Bolton. “Overall, it was so apologetic for the actions of prior administrations, in an effort to distance Obama from them, that it became yet another symbol of American weakness in the wake of the president’s decision to abandon missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic, and his recent manifest hesitation over what to do in Afghanistan.”

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  42. Hi Pink Freud

    Hope all is well for you and yours.

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  43. Hi C2 community.

    Hey Cal23. I have been lurking all day off and on but have had my mind other places. I hope you and everyone else is well. :)))

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  44. Hi Pink Freud,

    I am afraid to asked but I must've missed the explanation for Top. Please could someone explain to meeeeh. ;-)

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  45. I just love John Bolton. Cut the BS and tell it like it is.

    Uh...In a MANLY way of course!

    Top

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  46. Hi Erik,

    nice seeing you. How are ya kickin'? Buddy.

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  47. Callahan23,

    The First Sergeant is the senior non-commissioned officer in a unit. Hence "Top."

    They're the guys that actually get things done......

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  48. Callahan

    Top is a term used to address the First Sergeant of Army/Marine company!

    Mainly because he/she is the top ranking Non-Commissioned Officer in the unit!

    Used as a term of respect!

    Top

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  49. Callahan: "Top" is my reference to 1SGT(ret) ...it's how he tags his posts at the end. I included him in my greeting to you. :-)

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  50. How are ya kickin'? Buddy.

    Great. Running out for a meeting. Will be back later. In time of a drink in the bar. See you there. Keep my favorite spot.(end of bar nearest the restroom):))))

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  51. JCM
    Thanks, I too was wondering what that meant.

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  52. /methinks Callahan now knows about 'Top'. LOL!

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  53. Top,

    Used as a term of respect!

    Top


    Or with fear, awe and trembling.... ;-)

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  54. ETBC, that lawsuit is comedy gold. When will people realize that offsets, carbon credits, and all the rest are just meaningless? It's a lot like the medieval Catholic Church, when believers bought indulgences to offset their projected time in Purgatory. It reinforces my belief that global warmism is a religion to its followers.

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  55. JCM

    Duly noted...I'm just a Huggy Bear now though. No power, wife has it all.

    Top

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  56. doppel,

    Shhh, you'll harsh Manbearpig's buzz........

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  57. Top,

    I was recalling a moment in basic. I apparently did well in the aptitude tests, they wanted to recruit me for some more technical jobs so I got a call to see the First Shirt (Air Force) who talked to me about "opportunities."

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  58. Keep my favorite spot.(end of bar nearest the restroom):))))

    Will do.

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  59. doppelganglander
    The head guy at SCAQMD wrote a detailed letter to The Wall Street Journal awhile back. He went on and on about how well pollution credits were working here, that the Feds should just follow CA's example.
    Sadly enough, SCAQMD is drumming up support for SB 696, and end-run around the lawsuit. They're pretty teflon-coated when it comes to litigation. And he's the most arrogant (deleted) I've ever met. When I ran afoul of one of their tortured rules, their legal department suggested that I submit financial statements in order for them not to over-fine me. I politely declined.

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  60. Thanks JCM, 1SG(ret), Pink for explainin'

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  61. ETBC: Anyone who has to deal with any kind of government agency has my sympathy. I hope you didn't get reamed to badly.

    Pink: That's great news! There are a gazillion better places to get tax assistance from volunteers - our public library always has folks, as do most senior centers and the like.

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  62. Thanks JCM, 1SG(ret), Pink for explainin'

    Top

    FTmyself, PIMF

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  63. JCM said...
    Top,

    I was recalling a moment in basic. I apparently did well in the aptitude tests, they wanted to recruit me for some more technical jobs so I got a call to see the First Shirt (Air Force) who talked to me about "opportunities."

    I remember them days, when being call in the First Sergeants office never seemed to be a good thing.

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  64. doppel,

    Wait till Obamacare!

    Should I laugh or cry?

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  65. Top,
    I just love John Bolton.

    I also very much like that bloke. A man with character and conviction.
    Did he say anything about todays UN Flying-Fart-Circus™ ?

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  66. JCM: I'm just seething for now. I'll decide whether to laugh or cry if this abomination passes and my $900 insurance bill for a family of 3 probably doubles to cover some clown who would rather spend his money on a new iPhone.

    /yeah, I'm a little bitter.

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  67. JCM said...
    doppel,

    Wait till Obamacare!

    Should I laugh or cry?

    If it turns into anything like the care we get at the VA, I'd not only cry....I'd scream. Not a very friendly or effient system to say the least. That's my standard answer when debating the issue withe "BELIVERS IN OBAMACARE"

    Just take one trip to the VA Hospital with me to see what your future healthcare will look like. No takers yet! lol

    Top

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  68. Folks, I'm going to sign out for now. I'm going to take a nice, long walk with my husband so I can stay healthy and avoid Obamacare as long as humanly possible. I hope I can drop by later for a quick one at the pub.

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  69. Later Doppelganglander

    Stay safe and hope to see you later!

    Top

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  70. doppel,
    wish you a nice and refreshing walk. - Later

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  71. doppel, Top,

    WA State in '93 by executive fiat of the Insurance Commissar enacted my parts of the proposed reform bill, included an expanded "public option" for children and low income.

    16 insurance providers decreased to 3.
    Those 3 lose money, and regulation prevent them from pulling out altogether.
    Individual policy are nearly impossible to get and when you can expensive.

    The 50 states are 50 laboratories of democracy.

    WA is a case of what not to do.

    But that's what they are doing.

    They're not stupid. They know this.

    Therefore it's not about providing health care, it's about control, control over the individual. Which is anathema to our founding.

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  72. JCM

    Pretty much the same thing happen in KY. 26 companies went to 5 and most of them would love to leave but are stuck now.

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  73. ***BREAKING***

    Report: Suicide bomber from Seattle

    An online report has identified a Somali-American from Seattle, Washington as one of the suicide bombers who killed 21 peacekeepers in Mogadishu, Somalia last week.

    The Somali-language Web site Dayniile.com said the bomber lived in Washington until 2007. The report could not independently be confirmed.


    The cases of missing Somalis from MN, also has Seattle ties.

    A federal grand jury has indicted two men on terrorism charges in connection with the ongoing investigation of about 20 missing Somali-American men from the Twin Cities. Authorities think the men joined an extremist Islamic group with ties to al-Qaida in their homeland.

    The indictment, which was filed in February but unsealed Monday, names Abdifatah Yusuf Isse of Seattle, Wash. and Salah Osman Ahmed of New Brighton, Minn. with providing material support to terrorism, and conspiracy to kill people outside of the U.S. It said the two men conspired over the course of more than a year, from September 2007 to December 2008.

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  74. But..But we are all safer now that the "Won" is leader of the world. This must be Dubyas' fault!

    //

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  75. You probably knew this, JCM, and it may (and most probably does) mean absolutely nothing, but remember that guy who shot up the Jewish Federation in Seattle?

    His father works at Hanford. (I know, rather peripherally, someone whose home mosque is the same as this family's.)

    The word is that the man who did the shooting was mentally ill, but when I read that his father worked at Hanford I have to admit pausing a little bit. I'm sure he's probably a fine enough man and a loyal American, but what a place to work. People are probably still looking at him sideways over there.

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  76. C2,
    is it this Hanford you are referring to?

    Hanford

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  77. CC,

    Naveed Haq.

    Some mental imbalance but not enough for an insanity defense. Enough paranoia to go off. He had a WA CPL, but he lied on the application form about a mental history (perjury).

    The thing I see with the Somali situation is this.

    If they can recruit here for operation elsewhere, how hard will it be to recruit here for operations here?

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  78. And I apologize for not being clear about that - I didn't really know the status of Hanford, either, so that link was helpful to me.

    I haven't been over there since about 1987.

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  79. Note on Hanford IIRC everything is shut down. It's all clean up now and LIGO.

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  80. JCM,
    If they can recruit here for operation elsewhere, how hard will it be to recruit here for operations here?

    Even pigs are intelligent enough not to poop onto the area where they sleep.
    *evil grin*

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  81. I used to know a career Coastie who was a terrorism expert.

    He once told me that the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia have an unusually high number of terror cells. (I have to watch my terminology, of course - I think the idea is that there has been a lot of recruitment that has gone on in this area.)

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  82. The Wiki says there's a commercial nuclear power plant at Hanford now.

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  83. I sure hope this father was vetted better than some working in the WH.

    I had to go through a rather long process to keep my clearance every 5 years while still in the army and every year to keep my job now.

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  84. Many moons ago I applied to work at Hanford on the Fire Dept. Clearance was for unlimited access. Damn file was an inch thick.

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  85. Wow, what they have learned from those 10 years of operating the Fast Flux Test Facility in Hanford, incredible.

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  86. JCM said...
    Note on Hanford IIRC everything is shut down. It's all clean up now and LIGO.
    LIGO

    Cool science!

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  87. Gotta run.
    For your listening pleasure:
    http://www.jeffgolub.com/whatsnew.html
    Later.

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