I’m writing for tomorrow day 150. I’m waiting for my groceries to arrive. I plugged in my notebook, which I have not used since the last time I overnighted in Salem. Fortunately I timed a Windows Update, so that’s done. It took over two hours just to download the updates. Then I updated my AV software, my security software, my password manager three browsers and several other utilities. Fortunately I was able to do research while a lot of that was going on. Tomorrow’s main chore is reconfiguring the email client to the new HSP settings.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:24 (average 6:05). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: In what Secretary of State John Kerry described as a significant foreign-policy coup, the U.S. claimed, on Tuesday, that it had successfully located a moderate Syrian rebel.
Though Kerry did not elaborate on how the U.S. did so, he said that locating the rebel was “the culmination of a months-long effort.”
The Secretary of State said that the Syrian had been appropriately vetted and was deemed “moderately rebellious.”
“He definitely seems to be the sort of gentleman we can work with,” Kerry said, adding that several millions of dollars would be spent arming and training the rebel in the days and weeks ahead.
Kerry said that the government’s successful identification of a moderate Syrian rebel was a major victory that should silence critics of the U.S.’s strategy in Iraq and Syria.
Hmmmmm, Andy… I don’t see it working, unless he has a friend.
From NY Times: President Obama’s top military adviser said Tuesday that he would recommend deploying United States forces in ground operations against Islamic extremists in Iraq if airstrikes proved insufficient, opening the door to a riskier, more expansive American combat role than the president has publicly outlined.
Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that while he was confident that an American-led coalition would defeat the Islamic State, he would not foreclose the possibility of asking Mr. Obama to send American troops to fight the militants on the ground — something Mr. Obama has ruled out.
This is not the scandal Republicans claim it is, nor does it indicate what Obama actually would decide. Asking a general about the use of troops is like asking a carpenter about the use of a hammer.
From Upworthy: Vicky Beeching is an artist, broadcaster, and theologian. And this, on Channel 4 news, was her first TV interview after coming out. She’s now speaking at the Gay Christian Network and continuing to share her beliefs about being Christian and gay.
Semi-Barf Bag Alert!
Scott Lively is a leader of The Family and C Street. He is lying about Uganda. He organized C Street Republican Senators and Representatives to help draft legislation to execute gay people there, apparently intending it as a test for future implementation here, when they have dominion. Lively is putting on a far less rabid public face than his actual practices indicate. There was only one Christian in that discussion, Vicky.
Cartoon:
23 Responses to “Open Thread–9/18/2014”
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4:16 No too bad. I wonder how the Scots will vote today. I seriously think they should stay with the UK for political reasons. If all they are thinking about is money they will err.
4:48 I got flagged for moving too slow.
5:00 Independence is hard work, even though it looks so easy!
At writing, BBC news has the referendum at 55% NO and 45% YES.
Mashed!
7:40 That ole debbil symmetry. (Average is up to 6:37 BTW) I also wish good luck to the Scots. I too hope they get what they want and are not sorry later.
New Yorker – Months would not be enough. Decades might not be enough.
NY Times – Of course ISIL doesn't want us there. But Iraq doesn't either. They barely got us out and DO NOT want us coming back. Haider al-Abadi, the new Prime Minister, said to the AP this week, "Not only is it not necessary, we don't want them. We won't allow them. Full stop." Smoke that, Dempsey.
Upworthy – I know I can't make it through almost 15 minutes with Scott Lively but for Vicky's sake I tried. I got as far as his first sentences. It does occur to me that God may remain the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but, humans being humans, that doesn't mean the thing people say about God are always the same – since humans are so often just wrong and just don't get it. And then cling to that error instead of to God. I think maybe if you are a Christain, and aren't converting at least daily, you're doing it wrong. It's somethimg that just isn't one and done, though many say it is.
Cartoon – I'm sure Scotland was the furthest thimg from your mind when you made that cartoon, but it's kind of related to my hope that they are not sorry afterwards.
I watched the whole thing. No wonder I can't sleep!
Their kilts tilted south.
strategy~~Obama knows A country must help itself. Our country must lead the way. Getting all countries to come together in one form or another is a workable "strategy" to combat ISIS. It also makes him the who will rise or fall. Politics? Maybe but generals only have the power if a republican/teaparty president has not a clue what or how to lead. They only have the desire for "power". And we all know it is NOT a workable Strategy.
Exactly!
New Yorker ~ Moderate Syrian rebel = oxymoron.
NY Times ~ Did Pres. Obama ask Gen. Dempsey to speak out so McConJob, Graham etal would have more ammo to use against him?
Upworthy ~ This qualifies as a full barf-bag alert.
Cartoon ~ Is that RepubliCare?
Oxymoron: A Republican on oxygen.
It worries me that the Scottish Referendum can be won by just a handful of people (on either side) – as the bar is set at a simple majority winning. I would have thought that any election on such a vital matter that left a possible 49.999% of the population seriously angry is not a good idea – but then I am not a politician who wants power!
I think they will leave the UK – they have been ignored by Westminster for a long time and it adds to anger and resentment, though I hope they won't leave the UK as I think life could be even more difficult on their own…
Thanks TC!
The kiltsw tilted south.
I ran across this in Daily Kos and just had to shre it with you. It gave my spirit a boost.
\http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/18/1330536/-Can-Moral-Monday-Save-America-Pay-Attention-Teabaggers-This-Is-What-Patriotism-Looks-Like?detail=email
Thanks!
No gay person should be religious, as the major religions (islam and christianity) are extremely intolerant and very specifically against homosexuality plus advocate gratuitious violence against gays (no matter how many times 'progressive' religious folks might seek to deny it).
The truly smart thing is to reject all that religious nonsense because 'god' doesn't exist anyhow.
Mark, your technique is called projection. It is accusing others of what you are doing yourself. As a Christian, I believe that gay people should be free to exercise whatever faith meets their needs. Authentiv Christians, Muslims, Atheists, etc., coexisat. You seem just as intolerant as any pseudo-Christian or pseudo-Muslim.
So now war in IRAQ Pt.11! But wait there are putedly 2 Billion Islam worshipers / followers world wide,how about training & arming 20,000 young Islam men,so they could go & fight ISIS,which is currently trashing their religion,& therefore ALLAH! If there arn,t 20,000 young ISLAM men willing to fight the MURDERING GANGSTERS that is ISIS; Why should anyone else go there?
After you learn that there is no such thing as an Islam man, folks might pay attention.
The New Yorker: I think Andy fell down on the job with this one.
Ny Times: Your comment is exactly right. They knew how he would answer before they asked the question.
Upworthy: Vicky is a very strong person to come out and stay with the church, too. I respect her for this. Lively is a disgusting person. I didn't watch the whole video because I couldn't tolerate his lies.
Cartoon: Exactly!
People like Lively are thew source of so much hate.
Puzzle — 5:00 Independence is hard work, even though it looks so easy! At writing, BBC news has the referendum at 55% NO and 45% YES. The Scots have been "mad" at the English for centuries, since before William Wallace. And the Battle of Culloden in 1746 during the Jacobite Rebellion fired things up more, although the English won that bloodiest of battles.
The New Yorker — In a pig's eye!
NY Times — I read an article, including a video, that Obama has acknowledged the position of the Joint Chiefs but has categorically said "no boots on the ground". If Obama is smart, which I think he is, he will take that decision to the Congress. With the general feeling of the country being “no boots on the ground“, having Congress make that decision would certainly show where the hawks are roosting.
Upworthy — Good on Vicky Beeching! Lively, that`s another story. In my book, he is not an authentic Christian. “Lively is putting on a far less rabid public face than his actual practices indicate. “ Ain`t that the truth!
Cartoon — Republican Freedom — Now THAT`S an oxymoron!
You got that right!!