European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

I haven't watched Faux News in years. I really have to wonder what in God's name they're showing on it to produce such morons in our electorate, because I've just been told that drilling in ANWR and off the coasts will get us all the oil we need.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:22:54 AM EST

But it will get you all the oil you need ~~Till George is out of office~~

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:53:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tuesday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

I dunno. I refuse to count the days down until January 20th for fear that he won't actually leave.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:00:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Especially if there's an Israeli attack on Iran THIS YEAR, which an unidentified Pentagon personification today was quoted at Bloomberg.

There's a Bad Moon on the Right.
Creedence Clearwater Revival

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:42:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tuesday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

There's a Bad Moon on the Right.
Creedence ~~Clearwater~~ Blackwater Revival

by MarekNYC on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:52:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Guys, pretty sure it's There's a bad moon on the rise.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:06:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

yes but it dosen't quit fit as well if its using the right words

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:09:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I still don't see what part of the airspace between Israel, and Iran isn't under US control, so it would be said that the US has aided and abetted the Israeli attack on an Islamic state.

And if that's not going to cause gulf states to cease to have any flexibility in negotiating oil contracts, I don't know what is.

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:07:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't see it happening, honestly, although I wouldn't put it past Junior to try to prove his relevance to us by launching a strike. You know how he throws those temper tantrums.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:27:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Highly reliable source, that.... There may indeed be an attack this year, but I doubt any of the vague rumors from the U.S. or the Israel make it any more or less likely. I'm hoping that if we make it through the next few months we'll be safe, as the weather just might be too unstable after that for long-distance air raids.

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 03:07:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

One thing we can say for sure is the Psy-Ops war is already at full throttle.

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 03:47:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | France plans revolution in space

It sure looks like it. But I just can't tell how much is preparation for war, and how much is blustering to scare the Iranians because they know they can't do anything else.

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 03:53:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 2)

Ambitious plans for European missions to the Moon and Mars are being considered by the French government.
It wants to kick-start a revolution in space by letting EU politicians not bureaucrats decide on priorities for the European Space Agency (Esa).
The French say that if Europe fails to change its approach to space, it will fall behind Japan, China and India.
Paris is seeking an alliance with the UK to drive the agenda forward during the French presidency of the EU.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:35:20 AM EST

Re: Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 3)

You know, whenever I hear something from the French government these days it just sounds like "pretentious waffle, pretentious waffle, look at us we're just so cool and important ". I also tend to assume it's a method of channelling money to Sarko's friends.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:45:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (none / 0)

This is a Very Serious proposal. Only a terrorist-coddler could think otherwise.

And if you thought the waffling and corruption was bad before, just wait until Sarkie and Gordo join forces.

It'll be like Captain Planet, only different.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:59:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (none / 0)

Drew J Jones:

It'll be like Captain Planet, only different.

No, it really won't.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 04:25:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 2)

That's...random. I'm having deja vu. What is it with these people and Mars? Does it have oil reserves that I'm not aware of or something?

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:02:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 2)

No, but you can grow asparagus there.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:35:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 3)

And make biofuels from it! All our energy problems are solved.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:36:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 5)

Given the odour asparagus imparts to urine, the biofuel-exhaust-filled streets would be quite something.

When locusts move on, they leave nothing behind

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:45:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The sweet smell of success.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:50:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 3)

Wikipedia is fascinating...

Asparagus and urine
The effect of eating asparagus on the urine of some people has long been known. Marcel Proust claimed that asparagus "...transforms my chamber-pot into a flask of perfume." Certain constituents of asparagus are metabolized giving urine a distinctive smell due to various sulfur-containing degradation products, including various thiols, thioesters, and ammonia.[16] Derivatives of asparagusic acid are also found in urine. The speed of onset of urine smell has been estimated to occur within 15-30 minutes of ingestion.[17] It has been claimed that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating asparagus, but only about 40% of the population have the autosomal genes required to smell them.[18][19][20]

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:12:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I remember vaguely from a school chemistry lesson, that Tantalum makes a better anti-knocking agent than lead in petrol. However it was not used, as exposure to the exhaust fumes makes a persons sweat smell strongly of Garlic.

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:00:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (none / 0)

It has been claimed that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating asparagus, but only about 40% of the population have the autosomal genes required to smell them.[18][19][20]

And not tested? An experiment to test this should be quite easy to devise, in case anybody is interested...

by gk (g k quattro due due sette "at" gmail.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 03:00:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

When I steam asparagus to make an omelette, can I ferment the resulting green water to fuel my car?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:48:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

42 proc. Polaków: Romowie mają skłonność do przestępstw

Of course not. C'est la prose, monsieur!

When Procrustes looks after you, you're sure to fit in.

by PerCLupi on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:05:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Mars, bitches! (4.00 / 2)

The French are going to "kickstart a revolution in space" by going to Mars and the Moon? Uhm, someone's not been paying attention for the last half a century...

Well, at least now they'll have the help of Google Mars and Google Moon for directions how to get around.

"This is nothing compared to how Putin rigged Eurovision."

by poemless on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:47:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Anti-Roma racism (4.00 / 4)

Gazeta Wyborcza has some polling on the views of the populations of several East Central European countries regarding the Roma (Gypsies).

Roma have an innate tendency towards criminal activity:
Poland: 42% Yes 34% No
Czech Republic 68% Yes 22% No
Slovakia 78% Yes 17% No
Hungary 61% Yes 32% No
It would be better if Roma were barred from certain public places:
Poland: 16% Yes 71% No
Czech Republic 21% Yes 63% No
Slovakia 40% Yes 47% No
Hungary 36% Yes 54% No

by MarekNYC on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:47:20 AM EST

Re: Anti-Roma racism (none / 1)

Charming.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:50:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Anti-Roma racism (none / 1)

How, uh, lovely.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 11:56:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Anti-Roma racism (4.00 / 5)

From Wikipedia:

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:46:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Anti-Roma racism (none / 1)

Ligue des droits de l'Homme

'annonce triomphante des premiers résultats 2008 des expulsions par le Ministre de l'Immigration et de l'Identité nationale témoigne d'un affichage politique dont la réalité est très discutable, particulièrement sur les retours dits « volontaires » dont la part aurait quadruplé en 1 an.

On peut s'étonner du silence sur la répartition par nationalité des reconduits... c'est à l'ANAEM que l'on apprendra que sur les 5 premiers mois de 2008 plus de 6000 d'entre eux (soit 40% des 14 660 reconduites) sont partis dans le cadre de l'aide au retour humanitaire, dispositif qui concernerait une partie importante de citoyens européens. Parmi eux, une forte représentation de roumains et bulgares, deux nationalités qui constituaient déjà ¼ des éloignements en 2006, avant leur entrée dans l'Union européenne. Or on sait qu'il s'agit essentiellement de Roms dont le dénuement auquel ils se trouvent acculés sert de prétexte pour évacuer les lieux de vie, dans le cadre d'opérations de retour organisées de façon conjointe par la police et l'ANAEM (Agence nationale de l'accueil des étrangers et des migrations)

It seems the Sarko government is fond of sending roms to Romania and Bulgaria on coerced "voluntary" returns...

Auferre, trucidare, rapere, falsis nominibus imperium; atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 07:24:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Foodie alert (4.00 / 3)

Check it out. Once a year these horrid evil monsters come up through our drains and stroll down our sidewalks. Sometimes they'll stand on their back legs and stare right at you. They move like robots and even large dogs whine and whimper when they see them.

"Mang da is one of the most haunting flavors I know, with an intense floral fragrance that reminds me of essence of gewurztraminer, with a concentrated rose petal and faint citrus taste."

</shrieks!>

"This is nothing compared to how Putin rigged Eurovision."

by poemless on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:16:27 PM EST

nuke it from orbit.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:21:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I like a nice gewurz. And I've often claimed that I'll try any food once...

As far as organ meats go - tripe, kidney, marrow, sweetbreads - yummy. Lungs, testicles, grilled intestines - I'd recommend passing on them, but YMMV

by MarekNYC on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:56:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I've had ample opportunity to eat bugs and have never felt the slightest inclination to do so. I got nothin' to prove. If I'm literally starving, maybe then I need to eat some caterpillars, but until then, I'll stick with sushi.

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:43:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Heh (none / 1)

I had missed your post... Haven't had them either. Not sure if I want to.

by Nomad on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 06:20:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So the Thais, sharp folks that they are, find them coming up out of the drains and walking down the sidewalks, and they decide, "Hey, we could sell these as food!"

It's been said that Chicago is a city founded by a New Yorkers who decided, "Gee, we love the crime and poverty, but it's just not cold enough."

Y'all live in conditions that humans were not meant to live in (and Christ knows how your neighbors in Minnesota deal), and this beetles-as-food thing is a sign of the insanity it has ~~wreaked~~ wrought.

That, or it's just icky.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:58:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Y'all live in conditions that humans were not meant to live in

Aren't you from the South?

by MarekNYC on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:01:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Touché.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:03:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Heh. Chicago is a city founded by a Haitian whose mother was an African slave and his father a French pirate! Aargh!

A bit of research suggests "Mang da", a paste of ... water beetles, is a staple in Thai cuisine.

"This is nothing compared to how Putin rigged Eurovision."

by poemless on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:11:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A bit of research suggests "Mang da", a paste of ... water beetles, is a staple in Thai cuisine.

Huh. I always thought beetles were more of an African thing.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:26:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I suspect they are an "impoverished peoples in search of protien" thing...

"This is nothing compared to how Putin rigged Eurovision."

by poemless on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:42:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Could be in some places, but I think they're delicacies in others.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:58:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Foodie alert (4.00 / 2)

It's well known that putting anything in a plastic tray and covering it with shrinkwrap and a jaunty logo turns it into a delicacy.

Apart from software.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 04:42:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Foodie alert (4.00 / 3)

Which was kind of my point about the Thais in Chicago, although I now realize I didn't type it all properly, so it didn't come of that way, but whatever. However:

Apart from software.

I submit that the tactic has been working wonders for Apple in recent years. It's just that Microsoft took the idea and said, "Well, if we put fifty or sixty logos on it, it'll be even better."

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 05:17:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not beetles (4.00 / 2)

Worms (although they're actually caterpillars).

by Nomad on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 04:13:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So my market shorts are now earning me some serious returns. Not that it helps me that much in the long run as I wasn't wealthy to begin with.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:25:18 PM EST

Re: Tuesday Open Thread (4.00 / 3)

It's over 30+C here with clear blue heavens, so my shorts are coming in handy as well.

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:47:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

zing!

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:16:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This is the first week in a really long time that I haven't been dashing from one meeting to the next, scurrying between deadlines and travelling up, down and across the country.

I have this terrible nagging feeling that I ought to be doing something.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 01:50:29 PM EST

Just enjoy it as long as it last - and why not decide that the doing something, is doing nothing! :-)

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:28:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

3 hours at the gym last night and cycling in and out of work has left me too tired to do anything anyway. So, I think I will go and read my book!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:32:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What are you reading?

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 03:05:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sophie's World. The wiki summarises it. I'll only read the first few lines since I don't want to spoil the book for myself! I've read about a quarter so far.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 at 02:38:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That's a great book, I loved it when I read it some time ago. Maybe worth rereading - as, lately, it has been falling repeately in my hands.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 at 02:53:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I read that about 10 years ago. Can tell you that the second part goes down quicker, as a half-way spoiler.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 at 04:39:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Oooh!

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 at 10:55:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Bhutan MPs in computer game ban

Parliament in Bhutan has banned its members from bringing laptops to work - to stop them playing computer games.
National Assembly Speaker Nima Tshering said laptops were turning out to be a "big distraction" during sessions.
"I have seen many of our lawmakers playing computer games when others are debating serious issues," Mr Tshering said. MPs rejected the allegations.

Life should consist in at least fifty percent pure waste of time, and the rest doing what you please.

by ceebs (bunchofwankers (at) gmail (dot) com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 02:49:05 PM EST

Dior Shoe Fashion for next Winter ! (4.00 / 3)

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 04:08:53 PM EST

Maracatu in UK (none / 1)

Anyone going to be in Brighton (UK) from 11 - 14 July?

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 04:18:33 PM EST

rg lives in Brighton. If you guys organize something on the 11th-12th I could join you from London.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 04:54:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sure. I had to change my plans of staying in London because of a late start in signing up for my class reunion (damn!). All the cheap places are full and I just haven't the time to shop around for a student hostel or otherwise. So...

Instead, I will be going to Falmer Brighton (U. of Sussex) and staying from 11 - 14 July. I do however want to do a day travel to London to shop, etc. etc. I'll try to get in touch with rg or you all can contact me through my email.

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 at 02:05:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

You don't have a listed e-mail so e-mail me and I'll coordinate with rg.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 at 02:44:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]