#4
The Israelis are such firm believers in using marijuana to treat PTSD, it is now a standard therapy for them.
A reasonable theory is that the brain rewires itself to form destructive stress cycles that reinforce themselves, an action which has a lot of parallels in brain function, like obsessive/compulsive disorder, for one.
Marijuana may "dampen" these cycles, disrupting a destructive routine long enough for natural correction to take place.
As ye peg your currency to the U.S. dollar, so shall ye reap. Will this end up pricing their products out of the market, or will they decide to let the yuan float freely, with all that entails?
#1
one could argue that current practice suggest the FED is there to serve Goldman S.
Posted by: Water Modem ||
11/17/2010 15:25 Comments ||
Top||
#2
OTOH RENSE > OBAMA'S HAWAII CONNECTION.
ARTIC = POTUS BAMMER's Grandpa Stanley Dunham may had been a US CIA Operative wid NON-OFFICIAL STATUS + whom operated a CIA FRONT = "SHELL" COMPANY in Hawaii. Meanwhile, not be outdone by Hubby, GRANDMA DUNHAM for her part hadnles CIA Monies while working at the BANKOH.
MOM = PRE-ANNA CHAPMAN? also studied RUSSIAN-LANGUAGE at University.
Don't know whether to go "*** Cough *** Cough ***.... OR ELSE "Uh, uh, D *** NG IT, WE'RE ALL RUSSIANS/COMMIES"!
LIKE ANCIENT ROYAL DYNASTIES + LANDED GENTRY/NOBILITY + ..... + US WALL STREET + HOLLYWOOD + MAFIA, ETC. "ITS [Manchurian Candidacy]IN THE BLOOD"!
#3
SOOOOOOOOO, IIUC, "SEWARD'S FOLLY", i.e. the US purchase of [pre-Gold Rush]ALASKA from Tsarist Russia, was ultimately America's loss, as RUSSIA LOST ALASKA BUT COVERTLY GAINED AMERICA = CONUS, + LONG BEFORE THE 1917 OCTOBER REVOLUTION, BUT AMERS JUST DON'T KNOW OR REALIZE IT YET???
#4
JosephM, I've read that President Obama's maternal grandparents had really low membership numbers in Communist Party membership, and they went to Moscow for special conventions while Duranty was writing all those lies for the New York Times.
In the future, historians may likely mark the 2010 midterm elections as the end of the California era and the beginning of the Texas one. In one stunning stroke, amid a national conservative tide, California voters essentially ratified a political and regulatory regime that has left much of the state unemployed and many others looking for the exits.
California has drifted far away from the place that John Gunther described in 1946 as the most spectacular and most diversified American state so ripe, golden. Instead of a role model, California has become a cautionary tale of mismanagement of what by all rights should be the countrys most prosperous big state. Its poverty rate is at least two points above the national average; its unemployment rate nearly three points above the national average. On Friday Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was forced yet again to call an emergency session in order to deal with the states enormous budget problems.
This state of crisis is likely to become the norm for the Golden State. In contrast to other hard-hit states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nevada, which all opted for pro-business, fiscally responsible candidates, California voters decisively handed virtually total power to a motley coalition of Democratic-machine politicians, public employee unions, green activists and rent-seeking special interests.
Californias decline is particularly tragic, as it is unnecessary and largely unforced. The state still possesses the basic assetsenergy, fertile land, remarkable entrepreneurial talentto restore its luster. But given its current political trajectory, you can count on Texans, and others, to keep picking up both the states jobs and skilled workers. If California wishes to commit economic suicide, Texas and other competitors will gladly lend them a knife.
#1
Certainly a vexing issue. I am not at all convinced California can rebound or even desires to. The culture of entitlement and immigration of cheap, tax exempt, part-time labor may have cost us a State. How soon will Sacramento issue it's own passport, or cries of YANKEE GO HOME ring out? Will military bases be asked to close? The next few months will be most interesting as the decivilization continues.
#2
Optimistic view: sometimes, ya gotta hit bottom before you'll admit you have a problem and seek help.
Pessimistic view: just because you hit bottom doesn't mean you're going to admit you have a problem and seek help.
Posted by: Mike ||
11/17/2010 8:37 Comments ||
Top||
#3
Sigh. A lot of what you people keep saying about my state is true. Our politicians are mostly a bunch of crooks and that has led to a very sad state of affairs. But I'd still rather live here than in Texas. I've been to Texas. It's hot, dry and dusty. The surf sucks and the Gulf of Mexico is a cesspool. Houston's air quality is worse than LA's. When I drove from El Paso to Dallas I could not find one, single restaurant or motel that was up to the standards we have in California. I drove through ghost towns in Texas. There were places where not just a family or two but whole towns full of people just walked away, or maybe they sped away in their cars as fast as they could. It looked like the bust part of a boom and bust cycle.
California had a boom all through the 1990's and 2000's. Everywhere you looked there were massive new housing tracts being built. But in 2008 we found that a lot of this activity was spurred on by the corrupt, misguided policies of the federal government through their cat's paws Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I remember wondering who could afford these houses at prices ranging from $500,000 to $2 million dollars. Well, the answer was nobody. It was all the "exotic" mortgages and speculators that fueled the madness and now we're all left wondering what to do about the banks that are holding all the toxic paper. It was a FEDERAL policy that led to the disaster, get it? It was YOUR government too, not just mine, that caused the problem.
So now you want to talk about Jerry Brown and the green energy policies. I voted against them. But it's hard to elect conservative politicians when your electorate is comprised of so many illegal aliens. I'm sure you all read with glee the story here a few days ago about how the majority of California's school children are now Hispanic. Gee, I wonder why. Could it be that YOUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT shirked its duty to secure our border?
I know about the problems in this state better than most of you because I have to live with them. What I'm trying to say is, get real. Don't be so smug and sanctimonious because they are coming your way. California has always been ahead of the curve and, unfortunately, we still are.
#4
Ebbang Uluque6305, you have my sympathies for what you're going to have to endure for the next few years. Eventually, things will get so bad in Caliphornia that the feds will have to intervene. Hopefully by that time we have a government that will to the least harm and the most good.
The entire nation is in similar straits, and needs some house-cleaning. We started that on Nov 2nd, but it's far from over. It MAY end up requiring the "cartridge box" to solve all our built-up problems that began with the Progressive movement under Woodrow Wilson. First, we have to see how well using the ballot box worked before we, the American people that want smaller, less intrusive government, take any further steps. In the meantime, Caliphornia will remain a disaster. The best thing I can suggest is to move up north, where most of my California relatives live. You still have the same intrusive, overbearing state government, but it's not quite as dangerous as LA, and not as revolting as San Francisco. If things really get bad, just give a shout. I think there are enough Rantburgers willing to give you a hand with escaping the death-spiral collapse of the state.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/17/2010 14:57 Comments ||
Top||
#5
If the free cheese ever stops, Old Patriot is right. The shooting WILL start!
#6
#3 I am a Texan. I have been around long enough to have had a lot of admiration for the state that was home to Ronald Reagon, California. But from here we can see the non-sense that has turned California into what it is now, and the head up the butt approach many of the voters have to solving problems there. So let me give you some helpfull hints to some of the issues you raised re: Texas;No beaches: The business climate is good here, which means the Eagle Flies high on payday. So do what Maria and I did last weekend, fly to Waikiki Beach for 3 or 4 days in Hawaii. Or do what we plan to do in January, go to the Miami Beach or the Florida Keys for a few days. Or what we plan to do in March, fly to a beach in Maria's country of origin Rio de Janiero, Brazil, and if you still miss California beaches, take the extra loot and fly in there a time or two on a whim's notice. While in Hawaii we met a couple who's company is moving from California to Austin. The hill country is beautiful. The big Colorado River is a canoer's paradise. Texas is much cheaper to live in so the folks will have plenty of loot to travel to their old haunts Texas bores them.Bad restaurants in Texas? Take the better half into one of the big cities for shopping and dining if you don't live there, otherwise, you will eventually find decent places. Most importantly, when you vote for a conservative here, your guy usually wins every time. Just remember the rules at the local store to our "ranch": "Welcome. No Smoking. Unloaded firearms only."
#8
Sounds nice, wr. I don't mean to be too hard on Texas. There are a lot of things about the state that I admire. The toughest part of this whole deal is that I really love California. But it has gone downhill and continues to do so at an alarming rate.
OP, San Francisco is a crime against nature. As weird as this may sound, the last few times I've been to LA, I think I like it better than San Diego where I live. I think LA has gotten about as bad as it can but San Diego keeps getting worse and it's painful to watch.
But I'm not ready for the cartridge box. Not by a long shot. I believe that if we can't save this republic with the ballot box we're lost anyway. Because who's gonna take over after the revolution? George Washington? I wouldn't bet on it.
I believe one of the most powerful weapons we have is websites just like the one here at Rantburg where people can talk/rant about what's really happening instead of just hearing what the MSM wants us to hear. That is what the loonies fear the most.
#9
I firmly believe in a small but good cookbook collection and Penzey's for spices. And homegrown tomatoes, if one has a sunny space suitable for a few potted plants. Unfortunately I don't, at this house, and my suffering has been immense.
Beautiful writing in this thread -- one of the pleasures of Rantburg is the thoughtfulness and the beautiful sentiments that occasional escape from so such self-proclaimed hard-boiled, practical men and women.
#11
Because who's gonna take over after the revolution? George Washington? I wouldn't bet on it.
Strange isn't it that two of the more stable democracies out of the 20th Century were to be Germany and Japan, and who laid the foundations for both after WWII. The bets are still out on the one made so far this century in Iraq, but then again, it was said to be impossible by the usual suspects. However, there was a certain organization in all of the cases which seem to be the planner and implementer. Decent track record if you think about it. You may not know you have another George until you truly desperately need one.
#12
"When I drove from El Paso to Dallas I could not find one, single restaurant or motel that was up to the standards we have in California."
When was that, 1978? You must not have been looking very hard or else lying to yourself about "standards" in California. You do not have a decent BBQ join anywhere compared to Texas. I have been to LA and it full of whores and morons. San Francisco reeks of urine and is occupied by aggressive bums. Oakland is a deadly ghetto. Some "standards" you have. California is full of fools fooling themselves, and only a fringe of decent people hanging on at the edge. You are deluding yourself about California. San Diego is one of the few exceptions from all this. Give me Dallas, San Antonio or Austin any day.
Posted by: No I am The Other Beldar ||
11/17/2010 19:18 Comments ||
Top||
#13
Strange isn't it that two of the more stable democracies out of the 20th Century were to be Germany and Japan. Precopius2K
Not so "strange" when you consider the millions, possibly billions of US taxpayer dollars which were poured into the rebuilding of Germany and Japan for decades following WWII. Consider also the fact that restrictions on military spending and structures of Germany and Japan freed up domestic spending for other purposes, while the United States spent billions fighting the bear.
#14
No restaurants that meet California standards???
That was a joke, right? I mean, I ain't got a dog in the fight, but last time I was there (visiting a friend in Houston), the food was top notch. I am sure that some of the refugees from Katrina brought along their formidable cooking skills and made it even better.
Although I do have to agree with you regarding that atrocity called Tex-Mex....
#16
I'm in Southern California. I was in Texas for a while when I was a soldier - I really liked it. The climate in El Paso is not so different from where I live, hot and dry. My main concern is my job, I have a suspicion that my company may move from this area (a real live manufacutring company - a dying bread in SoCal) to NV, AZ or TX. I will go if given the opportunity, but what will my house be worth at that time, and will there be a time, when ex-cal Americans are just not welcome anymore?
#17
Im too much of a redneck for California (too "froo froo" for me), and too much of a hillbilly for Texas (its too flat and too hot). I guess I belong in east Tennessee, NE Alabama, NW Georgai, W NC or SW VA. Gimme the Smokies and Blue Ridge. Which happens to be where I'm looking to relocate and get out of Colorado. I need to get back home.
#18
Texas didn't really turn my crank when we spent almost 20 hours driving across it. most of the people i have met that are from there are top notch, and it is a very big state, so i have seen very little. never been to california, but almost every person i have met from there was a kook of one sort or another who had relocated to get away from the fouled nest they had created by their liberal voting and BS. all i ever heard them do was bitch about how in California, there was a law (or program, or agency) to make people do this or that.
there is a reason we called them cali-fonrnicators. now they are trying to do the same crap to colorado. anyone been to the peoples republic of boulder lately? glad i left for GA (north west corner if anyone is looking for lunch company off I-75 some day).
Posted by: abu do you love ||
11/17/2010 23:44 Comments ||
Top||
#1
ION future MACKENZIE-STAN,PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUM > REPORT: MUSLIM "PARALLEL SOCIETY" WITHIN CANADA A THREAT.
LOVE-FOR-ALL-THINGS-CANADIAN being used to Legally, Politically, + Culturally, etc. covertly disguise a DEDICATED PRO-ISLAMIST
AGENDA = aka "CREEPING SHARIA"???
Give him a decade to season. I want no more full-of-potential, inexperienced politicians taking on the most difficult job on the planet, thank you very much.
#4
Yes TW, I agree. I'd like to see him establish a congressional record, possibly a record as SECDEF, or Secretary of State, or VP. He's still a very young man. Let's put a tentative 'mark on the wall' of 2016 or 2020.
Detective Jon Richey took the stand to testify that in August 2002, a good Samaritan claimed that Smart might be at a downtown Salt Lake City library. According to the tipster, two young women, who were in the company of an odd-looking bearded man, were wearing burqa-style head coverings. The tipster claimed that the younger of the two women had eyes that were remarkably similar to Smarts (the eyes were the only visible part of the young girls veiled face).
Upon questioning the trio, Detective Richey asked the man (who we now know to be Mitchell) if he could look under the young girls burqa. Mitchell vigorously claimed that to expose the girls face would violate their religious beliefs. No matter how many times Richey asked to see the girls face, Mitchell stood fast, claiming that there would be serious religious consequences should the girls face be exposed to anyone but her husband. He also told the detective that their religion forbids women from speaking in public.
Detective Richey admitted that he became concerned about violating the trios civil rights, so he backed down. Mitchell, his wife and accomplice Wanda Barzee, and Smart were allowed to go on their way, and Elizabeth Smart would be forced to endure seven more months of rape, torture, and physical and mental abuse.
#1
I'm surprised it didn't occur to the detective to hold the young lady until a policewoman arrived to check the young lady's identity. Female troops have proved very useful for that purpose -- and for getting information from women and girls moved to the safety of another room, far from the prying eyes of strange men -- in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of course, we weren't thinking that way yet in 2002; nowadays it would be different, one hopes.
In May, Transportation Security Administration screener Rolando Negrin pummeled a co-worker with his government-issued baton. The feud began, according to a Miami-Dade Police Department report, after Mr. Negrin's training session with one of the agency's whole-body imagers. The scan "revealed [Mr. Negrin] had a small penis," the disgruntled co-worker told police. After a few months, he "could not take the jokes any more and lost his mind."
Now the TSA is rolling out these ultra-revealing imagers across the country in an attempt to uncover hidden threats like the so-called underwear bomb found on a Detroit-bound flight last Christmas. The agency and the scanners' manufacturers insist they've installed features and instituted procedures that will make passenger embarrassments impossible.
Privacy advocates aren't buying it. They've sued the Department of Homeland Security, asking a federal judge for a "emergency stay" of the body-scanning program. They're also calling on passengers to refuse the scans next week during a "National Opt Out Day." Separately, unions representing American Airlines and U.S. Airways pilots told their members to skip the screeningson Opt Out Day and every other. When some jihadi crams a bomb up his tush TSA will have to institute body cavity searches. They'll have to be PC and search Nun's, gray haired wheelchair bound women and little blonde 3 year olds.
#2
Just travel with a burka. Big Sis Nappy has already indicated that if you dress like an Islamic fundamentalist woman, the "pat down" consists of a head stroking....no body touching.
Or if you are a guy, travel in a kilt, Scottish-style. Porn noises optional.
#3
I wonder what would happen if a guy with no modesty stripped down to his boxer shorts before going through the scanner. Would TSA agents still require a body search?
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
11/17/2010 7:34 Comments ||
Top||
#4
TSA is yet another failed or about to fail federal works program. One should not expect independent thinking, professional conduct, or the exercise of reasonable searches from this agency. The crux of the problem lies in simple governmental denial; the denial of precisely what group of vermin are, and continue to be the problem. If you accept the premise that in one way or another "all terrorism is state sponsored" or has a state component, then what have we done about it? Neither Sweden or Norway brought us 9/11. Hirohito and his suicide bomber thugs never botherd us again after August 6th, 1945. Let's drop the denial and clean it up!
#5
Every grope is creating another member for the Tea Party that's for 'smaller government'. You go girl! The most effective recruiting message in years.
#6
I travel infrequently and find the entire TSA apparatus a complete waste of time. The seem preoccupied with lecturing travelers about the correct amount of hand lotion they can take or if they have a pair of cuticle scissors. IMHO this WILL NOT stop a terrorist attack. As a matter of fact there no record of the TSA ever stopping a would be terrorist. So all the shoe removal, contents searches, and "special screenings" have accomplished NOTHING. And by the way they are about to unionize and probably demand a huge pay/benefits package.
#8
Quick thought on the TSA: perhaps our President and his like-minded thinkers have been saying to themselves, "how can we discourage air travel? It causes global warming with all those danged jets spewing millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the air, and those little people, unlike us, have no reason to travel. How can we persuade them not to fly?"
At which point some staffer puts up her hand and says, "oh, oh, I know, I know! Pick me, pick me!"
The rest is history.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/17/2010 9:28 Comments ||
Top||
#9
...The Mrs and I have been having an..um..sprited discussion on this over the last few days, but we agree on one thing: the next terr to get caught - or explode - will be clearly seen on camera going through a scanner, and passing with flying colors.
The ONLY way that works is the Israeli model. And that involves profiling, which requires an acknowldgement of reality apparently beyond our leadership.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
11/17/2010 9:48 Comments ||
Top||
#10
I heard a tip / news report video that if you ask at the ticket counter if your child has been 'selected' for a random search you can have them deselected. This same report also mentioned that the 'selection' is indicated on the ticket and is not really (or not only) done at the gate.
If this is true then all a terrorist would have to do is look at their tickets and select one which doesn't have the 'special mark'. And you know that since CAIR gets regular guilded tours of airport security that they know exactly what to look for.
#11
I know I defended the reason and procedure the other day..the execution...well..another Napoleontini classic explanation. Anyone with half a thought considered that the images would be coupled with photos until at least the plane landed.
OK, some of you had planned to fly over the next 2 months, I'm sure you had your tickets ordered by now. Did anyone receive an e-mail or other heads up about the new procedures? I would think that if flying were to be discurage by this means it would have been implemented a month ago before people bought tickets. This is just going to piss people off.
I just wish that people were getting pissed at the right bad guys. TSA is reacting, why not get mad at the real culprits, the ones who have created this situation rather than going and hiding behind the walls of Athens. Yes, deal with the symptons, but what about the ailment?
#12
The TSA is a symptom, and an ailment. They are a test balloon for whether or not the American public is ready to accept a state with total control. They need to go away.
#13
TSA is a FAILED gov't solution. Here's yet another:
The Sierra Club and the U.S. Forest Service were presenting an alternative to the Wyoming ranchers for controlling the coyote population. It seems that after years of the ranchers using the tried and true method of shooting or trapping the predators, the Sierra Club had a "more humane" solution to this issue.
What they were proposing was for the animals to be captured alive. The males would then be castrated and let loose again.
This was ACTUALLY proposed by the Sierra Club and by the U. S. Forest Service. All of the ranchers thought about this amazing idea for a couple of minutes. Finally an old fellow in the back of the conference room stood up, tipped his hat back and said;
"Son, I don't think you understand our problem here", "These coyotes ain't f*ckin' our sheep - they're eatin' 'em!"
You should have been there to hear the roar of laughter in that room. The meeting never really got back on track.
#14
The TSA is going about this from the wrong end. Except for 9/11, all the terrorists and bombs have originated OUTSIDE the United States. That means they boarded/loaded the plan in another country that doesn't have the stupid TSA. Which also means that for all the flurry of activity, the TSA has not stopped shit. They are the proverbial monkey fucking a football. There is a hell of a lot of movement but nothing is getting accomplished.
Xray of the luggage and a metal detector is enough in the US for boarding. Armed air marshals, pilots and pissed off passengers complete the security screen. We do not need or want scanners or pat downs as they are completely worthless.
#15
#14 - Were you referring to armed pilots / flight crew? That was authorized by Congress many years ago. However, as far as I can tell, the executive branch DID NOT implement that, and even got in the way of doing something potentially useful.
#16
is the country on your passport a muslim one?
Then body search
Is your first name Mohammad?
Then Body search
Are you wearing a burka?
Then body search
Do you look vaguely mid-eastern
Then body search..
Just use normal scanners on everybody else.
Posted by: Water Modem ||
11/17/2010 15:32 Comments ||
Top||
#17
Maybe TSA should start offering a "Happy Ending" option for another $20. After all, if it ain't sexual assault when the guvmint does it, then it ain't prostitution either.
#20
Just for the record, the reason the TSA and the airport security forces in other countries, started confiscating liquids over X ounces/milliliters was because there was a plot to blow up airplanes over the Atlantic using the Mother of Satan explosive assembled in airplane bathrooms from several liquids bottled separately. By confiscating our shampoos and mouthwashes, the plot was stymied. As I recall, there were also a number of quiet arrests in Britain connected to the plot. It'll be in Rantburg's archives, I'm sure.
TSA inspections are intrusive and annoying, yes. Nobody else does anything like this, agreed. Perhaps that's why the jihadis send their suiciders in our direction from out there, where it's easier to get bomb-laden vicious idiots onto the airplanes... not to mention bomb-laden computer printers.
Beyond that, I'd love to see Israeli style security interviews for passengers. Figure on getting to the airport a few more hours before the flight, though, having absolutely no possibility of escape once you've caught their notice, and cavity searches should they decide for whatever reason to do so. Don't bother questioning what their profiling basis is when they choose you, either -- converts to Islam don't necessarily have the name, nationality, or appearance of the stereotypes, and they've been known to use kufr innocents as unwitting mules. Checking Granny and the baby are both good ideas, as well as the pretty, blond, pregnant lady.
As the jihadi's somewhere in a cave snuggle to their favorite goat they must be laughing their ass off.
As we spend tens of billions on security and look forward to the new 67,000 strong TSA union I feel little comfort in having my Junk fondled, especially here in SF. The people on Castro Street have to think they've died and gone to heaven.
#23
I know. Here I was thinking things were just tightening up after the shipping planes and with bigtime travel coming up. I figure the policies and guidelines come all the way from the top so point there, not necessarily the uniform executing those orders - though bad behavior there could be a result of poor middle management. But with the push of the employee union, they can all go piss on a rope. I know how it can be made worse, make it so you cannot hold accountable the jackass instead of the guy doing his job on account of a union in a government position.
I will say to any airport people out there considering the opt-out, I may let someone take a picture of my ass but you have already lost all the females in my family.
#1
She was in an administrative position at the time of the alleged outing, her non-official status had been previously terminated. Plame found what she was looking for in her agency role and married him thus ending any hopes of a long term covert career. Plame is a product of the same "glass ceiling" busting agency crowd that produced the zealot, administrative (non-operator wanna-be) supervisor who got herself and six others killed at FOB Chapman. Training and experience does matter. Unless one counts royalties from the "pretend" world of books and movies, Plame's status as an agency administrative employee matters little.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
