European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

The Yankees spent nearly double the amount of money on players that the Phillies spent. How is that not seen as offensive? They didn't out-coach anybody. Didn't do anything special. Just bought the championship. Again.

Lamest sport ever.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

by Drew J Jones (myfriends@thisispancakes.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:31:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

...adding: But the talking heads glorify the Skankees anyway. So what do I know? I'm just a lowly viewer.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

by Drew J Jones (myfriends@thisispancakes.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:34:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Helen - you asked about the WA (none / 0)

referendum on our 'domestic partners' law. Here's an article from OpenLeft: http://www.openleft.com/diary/15873/referendum-71-in-washington-called-by-ap

It tells some of the story, and, via the link to the state election results pages, I think that you can find the actual bill for details.

paul spencer

by paul spencer (spencerinthegorge AT yahoo DOT com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:07:27 AM EST

Re: Helen - you asked about the WA (none / 0)

Thanks for the article. I'll skip reading the actual bill, legalese isn't a language I've mastered

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:11:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (4.00 / 6)

A bit of a shaggy dog tale, but it's an interesting insiders view on the problems of the CIA.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:09:39 AM EST

Re: Friday Open Thread (4.00 / 3)

Good find, Helen, and this is spot on , IMHO....

Former CIA Agent Once Played by George Clooney Explains Why He Quit DC and Is Holing Up in the Rockies | | AlterNet

We talked about his latest book, "The Devil We Know," an intelligence analysis of Iran that suggests everything in the popular discourse in the US about Iran is wrong. It's the sort of intelligence that likely would have been ignored if published inside the agency. The US, offers Baer, should engage with Iran, a great power in the Middle East, the heir of the Persia of antiquity that is invested in a historical memory the American spy apparatus can't be bothered to understand. The US should come to a detente with Iran's rulers, recognizing them not as madmen intent on destruction but as players in the world of realpolitik - not so very different in their intent than the United States. Iran, says Baer, has abandoned its penchant for funding terrorism against the US. Altogether this is a big-hearted argument, almost heroic, given the carnage visited on the CIA by the mullahs during Baer's years in Beirut, the friends killed by Iran, the chaos spread by Iran. The book in that sense is a peace offering in spite of the awful past - a recognition of historical memory and an attempt at an answer to it.

Modern conservatives engage in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.Galbraith

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 12:37:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

I've generally found his piece together the Middle East in a way that makes some sense, which puts Baer light years ahead of everybody else on television. Much needed, as discourse from the spooks on the Middle East seems to largely come from paper-pushers like Michael Scheuer.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

by Drew J Jones (myfriends@thisispancakes.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 03:01:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

Good news!

PSYCH!!

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:19:40 AM EST

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 1)

Who cares about unemployment ? The ~~Economy~~ Finance industry is doing well and that's all that matters

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 01:48:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 1)

Exactly! DOW 10,0123!!! Leading indukater wot wot.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 02:44:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 1)

About 4 hours ago I happened to see one site noting the Dow at 9,999,99.

Turn that on it's head and you've got the mark of the beast.

End times are a'comin'.

You betcha.

There's no such thing as original sin - Elvis Costello

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 03:01:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

Met tries to cover up photographs of police without IDs | News

The Metropolitan Police was today accused of attempting to "rewrite history" after staff were told to destroy photographs of officers failing to display their identity numbers.
A leaked email obtained by the Standard shows Scotland Yard instructing that pictures of uniformed officers breaching rules which state that they should be identifiable at all times must be "culled" from image libraries and databases.
It also warns that images showing police without their numbers "must not be used" and instructs that if any uniformed officers are "put up for interview you should make sure that they have their shoulder numbers/markings and name badges in place".
A sergeant who has been charged with assaulting one protester is among a handful of police accused of not wearing their identity epaulette.

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. Frank Borman

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:21:25 AM EST

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

As Steve Bell once wrote "we can't stop the bad news, but we can make it illegal to know about it"

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:36:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Honduras back to square one! (none / 1)

I figured this would happen:

Sin pena ni gloria el alambicado Acuerdo Tegucigalpa/San José luce abortado al no pasar su primera prueba de instalar el Gobierno de Unidad y Reconciliación Nacional, en conformidad con el calendario diseñado al efecto.

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

by maracatu on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:26:24 AM EST

Re: Honduras back to square one! (4.00 / 2)

In English:

Roberto Micheletti Bain has unilaterally formed a "National Unity Government" whose conformation he announced at 11:45 PM Tegucigalpa time. (...) Rafael Pineda Ponce said that Micheletti will preside over the new government. Micheletti will present the new government in a national broadcast this morning.

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

by maracatu on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:32:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Honduras back to square one! (none / 1)

Zelaya reportedly will boycott the upcoming elections...

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 11:34:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Honduras back to square one! (4.00 / 4)

They saw it coming:

So we resolve:
1.If today, Thursday, November 5, no later than midnight President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales is not reinstated to his position, the National Resistance Front against the Coup d'Etat will not recognize the electoral process and its results.
2.We alert all the organizations in the resistance on a national level so that in case President Zelaya is not reinstated in the established period to be ready to execute the actions of negating the farse elections.
3.We call on the international community to maintain the position that the de facto regime and the elections of November 29 are illegitimate.
We resist and we will be victorious!
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. 5 of November 2009
Many resistance members have commented that the same Congress that invented the President's resignation letter last June is now being trusted to clean up the mess.
(...)
The US will now have to answer to the international community - including the Organization of American States (OAS) - as the only government that says it might recognize the Nov 29 elections in Honduras.

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

by maracatu on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 01:45:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Honduras back to square one! (none / 0)

I have a hunch this is not going to end well at all.

There's no such thing as original sin - Elvis Costello

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 03:04:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Honduras back to square one! (4.00 / 2)

It is so hard for the US, when they have invested all the time and money in training these thugs to truly turn against them just because they won't play "pretend." All that is left is for Roberto Micheletti Bain to be photographed with other military officers all in a row, arms folded over their chests and defiant glares on their faces, a la Pinochet.

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 01:32:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Honduras back to square one! (none / 0)

How long before Zelaya is openly portrayed in the US as a Honduran Allende?

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 01:33:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Honduras back to square one! (none / 0)

They'll have to kill him first.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 02:39:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Honduras back to square one! (4.00 / 2)

First we demonized Allende as a Communist Revolutionary, then we organized the coup and assassination. But it was a long ways away and there was Vietnam as a distraction, so not too much effort needed to be put into the cover story. Kissinger and a few RW "journalists."

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 04:56:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Clarify this for me (none / 0)

Is "as a Honduran Allende" a positive or negative portrayal in the US?

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 04:23:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clarify this for me (none / 0)

My take is that, from the moderate center to the right wing fringe, that would clearly demonize Zelaya, or at least make him disposable. Perhaps 30% would continue to support him here. That is possibly generous. And the RW will tar any US supporters of Zelaya as "soft on [whatever works as a stand-in for Communism these days.]" Worse, less than 15% of the US electorate is even aware of the Honduran situation, until and unless RW talk radio turns "State Department betrayal of US interests" into their rant of the day.

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 10:20:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clarify this for me (none / 0)

Once again, the US conventional wisdom is diametrically opposite to the rest of the world's...

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 03:34:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clarify this for me (none / 0)

In that case, they first portray him as a Honduran Allende, then they kill him.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 03:35:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 12:58:41 PM EST

Future of Messaging (none / 1)

Mozilla Labs » Raindrop » Blog Archive » Introducing Raindrop

Introducing Raindrop
Today we're introducing Raindrop, an exploration in messaging innovation being led by the team responsible for Thunderbird, to explore new ways to use Open Web technologies to create useful, compelling messaging experiences.
We hope to lead and spur the development of extensible applications that help users easily and enjoyably manage their conversations, notifications, and messages across a variety of online services. A central principle behind Raindrop is that messaging should be personal -- we want Raindrop to be people-centric both in how we process messages, and in how we can help give people control over their personal data and experiences.
When a friend's link from YouTube or flickr arrives, your messaging client should be able to show the video or photos near or as part of the message, rather than rudely kicking you over to a separate browser tab. Notifications from computers and mailing lists should be organized for you, not clutter your Inbox or require tedious manual filter setup. It should be easy to smoothly integrate new web services into your conversation viewer entirely using open web technologies.

A mate of mine has been ahead of this for years, but couldn't get any of the big boys to engage. We spent a year getting nowhere with Cisco.

Modern conservatives engage in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.Galbraith

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 01:30:18 PM EST

Re: Friday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 02:02:43 PM EST

For they are... (4.00 / 2)

the devil's plaything.

by Magnifico on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 03:23:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 1)

Now this is a brewer's manifesto I can support

Brew Dog;-

this is not a lowest common denominator beer. this is an aggressive beer.
We don't care if you don't like it. We do not merely aspire to the proclaimed heady heights of conformity through neutrality and blandness. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to appreciate the depth, character and quality of this premium craft brewed beer.
You probably don't even care that this rebellious little beer contains no preservatives or additives and uses only the finest fresh natural ingredients. Just go back to drinking your mass marketed, bland, cheaply made watered down lager and close the door behind you.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 04:02:32 PM EST

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

Never heard of it. But nothing says "punk!" like producing...well, basically the same fie or six types of beer that every other craft brewer produces. ;)

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

by Drew J Jones (myfriends@thisispancakes.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 04:15:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 1)

Hey Helen, I'm actually having a really nice beer right now. Ever tried this one? If not, make sure you do. =)

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 04:20:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

I'm a big fan of their Imperial Stout. I shall keep an eye out for the kloster

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 04:32:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

I'd say the big difference is that Kloster tastes less of dark chocolate and more of fruits. But quite frankly, given the lack of brewery tradition in Sweden it's quite astounding that we've gotten quality breweries like Slottskällan, whose only brewery is like 1 km from where I'm sitting right now.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 04:41:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

I have an imperial stout outside right now, but I think should be kept a while longer.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:07:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 1)

Last weeks Railway Bridge Based walk was rounded off with this

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. Frank Borman

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:51:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

I've heard it's good but I've only ever seen it once at a beer fest and it had been finished before I got around to it.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 08:24:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 1)

I've been downing a fair bit of beer from North Coast Brewing since I got back. They're my favorite brewery by far.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:32:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Open Thread (none / 0)

I'm sure I've had some of their old No 38 stout, I have no memory of its taste. If I was over your way I'd be heading for the Mendocino brewery upstate a bit.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 08:20:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Brewdog IPO (none / 1)

The Beer Justice: Brewdog IPO

Although my CV says that I am a Chartered Accountant, I am neither authorised nor trained to provide investment advice to others. As such anything I may say to others about investing in Brewdog or indeed any other brewery shares is my own personal opinion and in most cases anecdotal.

I think it is a brave move to go to the beer geek community and ask for £2.3 million in return for a c10% stake in the business. They have already taken on board some "Dragon" investors who took a 12.5% stake for c£600k in June.

This latest round of fund raising values the business (effectively the Brewdog brand) at close to a staggering £25 million.

Personally speaking, I really hope they pull it off. This is an exciting time for them and to ask their loyal customers to climb aboard is innovative. The business currently relies on the founders who must be in it for the long haul; hopefully the dragons from USA feel the same. They all feel they are building a brand that has enormous potential.

If last night's drinks party to celebrate the share issue is anything to go by, the target investor is young, affluent, upwardly mobile and loves beer.

Me ? Only the latter, but I am on board with one share at £230. I am keen to go along for the ride but have only invested the minimum with money I can afford to lose. I like the beer and the people and feel it is worthy of support. I have a similar holding in Hop Back and Twickenham for the same reason but I lost £500 or so by investing in Cains just before it went into prepack administration.

A conventional IPO of course, when they could instead sell Units redeemable in payment for pints!

That would be an IPA - Initial Public Ale.

Modern conservatives engage in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.Galbraith

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 07:26:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Brewdog IPO (none / 0)

Well it's not THAT conventional an IPO to be fair.....

Modern conservatives engage in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.Galbraith

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 07:27:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Beck rap (4.00 / 2)

Jon Stewart does an extended rap in Glen Beck style. . Quite a performance if you understand TV production.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:03:45 PM EST

Re: Beck rap (none / 0)

Darn, I can't see Daily show anymore.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:06:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Beck rap (none / 0)

Did anyone notice the Feynman diagram on the blackboard?

And, where can I find an example of the tirades by Glenn Beck that he is satirizing?

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 04:35:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Beck rap (none / 1)

and here is just one of many places you can find the Fox clips.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 04:42:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Beck rap (none / 0)

Both the original and the parody leave me with an uneasy feeling.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 05:58:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Beck rap (none / 1)

In what way? Stewart is satirizing the illogical escalation of disputable fact into conspiracy by a political preacher.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 06:36:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Beck rap (none / 0)

It hits too close to home.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 03:33:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Deep Thought: Marketing (none / 0)

Atlanta: "No, That's a Different Peachtree Street."

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

by Drew J Jones (myfriends@thisispancakes.com) on Fri Nov 6th, 2009 at 05:31:05 PM EST

Re: Remembrance Day (4.00 / 4)

Not many people go to the German Cemetery at Ypres, but these sculpted ghosts stand vigil by it.....

Modern conservatives engage in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.Galbraith

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Sat Nov 7th, 2009 at 08:28:50 AM EST

Friday Open Thread | 56 comments (56 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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