HULK SMASHED
Uh, eat me!
NYT News of the Bizarre considering that just this morning, the news was how great things were in Iraq:
The Army's recruiters are being challenged with one of the hardest selling jobs the military has asked of them in American history, and many say the demands are taking a toll.
A recruiter in New York said pressure from the Army to meet his recruiting goals during a time of war has given him stomach problems and searing back pain. Suffering from bouts of depression, he said he has considered suicide. Another, in Texas, said he had volunteered many times to go to Iraq rather than face ridicule, rejection and the Army's wrath.
An Army chaplain said he had counseled nearly a dozen recruiters in the past 18 months to help them cope with marital troubles and job-related stress.
no thanks
Good.
Who the hell are you peeps. Do I know you. No. Yet you beat me to it.
finally, the a-man has gotten back to pinel-lalalas park
fl-lalalalalalalala -orida!!!
i mean i love the site and all but its terry s. 24-7, c'mon now
Geeze, the army recruiters should tell their victims...er, customers about the joys of being in Bush's military!
"Only 13 soldiers (well, one was a Marine!) were blown up today! Join, see the world and even the universe as you disperse over the cosmos in tiny fragments!"
FLORIDA IS A FUCKING BUSH RED STATE. Why don't they all volunteer to fight in the military? Why are they distressing the poor recruiters so much?
Why are the recruiters in blue NY state? Eh?
Red voters: vote with your feet, join and be blown up!
Just a pathetic post-doc working on a paper nobody will ever read on a hot Saturday afternoon.
Maybe Bush will embark on a 6 week recruiting tour, y'know, since he has nothing else to do in DC.
Now that Florida has saddled us with TWO fucking Bushes, they get "buyer's remorse"?
Hell's bells, I have remorse....what motivated these tools to vote for two Bushes anyways?
To hell with them.
41% approve. Amazing. That's still a lot of people, statistically speaking.
One of the arguments for the elimination of the draft was that an all volunteer force would help to protect against an unpopular war. This one may have saved us from wars in Syria, Lebanon, Iran .....
The volunteer military is working just as it was touted to work.
Lets hope this fine functioning doesn't get screwed up with a draft.
Hey brent - if you love the site so much, how come I've not seen your name in comments before?
Now don't get all defensive, it's merely a question.
Bush: Misshion Accomphished! Join the Bush team and fight Afghani poppy growers!
Oops, sorry, poppy, didn't mean fight YOU, fight for Women's rights! That's it!
Last night on PBS Glen Ifill had someone on from Boston Globe presenting the hundred ways progressives would lose here.
Wrong! If we keep our mouths shut, this will stick to fundies. On the other hand, if idiots like moveon send tut tut petitions to our lawmakers, we'll look like the bad guys. And I wouldn't raise a fuss over Jeb's posse, either.
OT, I registered to read that Miami Herald story and got a nice email from Knight Ridder (they are) with links to all their pubs. Nice!
ot- but...
freedom is on the death march
So how do those same Floridians feel about Jeb Bush's role in all of this? You'd think calling out state agents to go snatch Terri out of the hospice and so on would earn him an approval question of his own in this poll.
Peeps-you're a postdoc? But you were Just Born!
My cousin's kid spent over a year in the U.S. army in Iraq. His reward for getting home in one piece (almost)? You guessed it, they made him a recruiter. Bastards.
tena
i'm a very random poster and admittedly usually
have little to add to things
or make silly comments, as above
but i have posted before
focus - freedom is on the death march
But but but...I thought Democracy was on the march in Lebanon. And freedom and oh yeah - PITME, Bush style.
Wait - this is PITME Bush style.
I'm getting tired of saying "I told you so," so very damned often.
I spent a looooooong time in the egg.
I have very little to add but I post all the time. I guess it's my love of typing... or something....
Tena, when the US is done with the ME there may be no more flower petals to toss, or anyone to toss them- but as long as that oil keeps flowing through cheneys vains and coffers, all is wells-lots of them. bloody pricks
I know it's grotesquely OT, but by now, Jeb just wishes Adam Nagourney would go away, because this tar-baby is not helping his "stature" a bit:
"We have not given up hope for a miracle," Randall Terry, an anti-abortion activist and a Schindler family spokesman, said Saturday.
Terry called on President Bush, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to intervene.
"These men have the power to save her. The question is at this moment if they have the will to save her," Terry said. "We're looking for people who have the power to save her to step in."
He said there were "frantic measures" going on in Washington, but did not elaborate.
"Every hour that Terri clings to consciousness is a testimony of her desire to live, and it's an indictment against those who have the power to save her and don't," he said.
it makes sense. given the number of elderly people in the state, a lot of them understand just how personal a decision something like this is
I have very little to add but I post all the time. I guess it's my love of typing... or something....
You make me realize that sometimes I think I just love the sound of my own fingers on the keys....
And how we suffer for our art, RMJ...
This isn't going to make one bit of difference if the "Consequence of Recession" is real. And I think it is.
We've known for at least a week and a half that the majority of people in this country are against the intervention of the federal government in this private matter.
I'd like to know what we are going to do about the condition of America, not just Terri Schiavo.
The worst day blogging beats the best day working in a public psychiatric hospital.
Elaine: I saw that article too.
Of course it's appalling that they should take any shit about it all, considering the situation. But you do wonder how many of them were masochistic enough to have voted for Bush.
(The article claims that suicidal ideation is common among recruiters. Which is understandable; I'm the least confrontational woman alive--a wimp, really--and in theory, I have nothing against recruitment, a difficult and neccessary job for a volunteer military service. But in practice? If they came anywhere near my son, encouraging them to kill themselves would likely be my focus until they backed off. And I suspect that I'm not alone in this.)
Peeps - whatcha's paper about?
OT
Don't know if any of you guys are interested, but here in the UK tonight we were able to watch the return of Dr Who.
Yes, the good old time traveller was back in a new show. It has been 16 years since the last Dr Who, so they have set it in today’s London. They wanted to appeal to both the old audience, but also attracted a new younger one.
I have to say that I thought it was a very good start.
Appolologies to those who have no idea what I am talking about
The desription of Randall's family life in one of the hundreds of threads below was a real eyeopener. Why would anyone take advice from someone who has so fucked up his own family.
it makes sense. given the number of elderly people in the state, a lot of them understand just how personal a decision something like this is
upyernoz
I think, upyernoz, that most of us old enough to understand mortality, realize what a personal decision this is.
Our erstwhile leaders understand only the aggrandizement of power. Following that siren song, they have overreached, perhaps fatally. Power is laughing it's a** off right now, because power could care less. Compared to power, Lady Luck is married for life.
Something DeLay and the Bushes are just now learning.
Ripley - And how we suffer for our art, RMJ...
Not so far off - I know there isn't going to be much cartilage left in my finger joints from pounding the keys all the time. Not to mention the carpal tunnel syndrome...
sally--
by coincidence I was on the BBC website today, and saw that Dr. Who was beginning again.
Glad to hear it's good. Probably be years before we get to see it here in the States. 
Dr WHO!!!!!
Very very jealous
sally -
I'll admit this to you, but no one else. BBC America used to have two hours of Eastenders on every Saturday afternoon. I spent many a contented afternoon, quilting and watching that show. It took a few weeks before I could understand anything that was said, but loved listening to the accent.
I was really ticked when they took it off. But please, don't tell anyone.
Say, Tena? the carpal tunnel syndrome... is a frequent indicator of hypothyroidism. Or, as AllThyroid.org notes, "Hypothyroidism may be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome because hypothyroid patients tend to retain fluid in connective tissues due to an accumulation of mucopolysaccarides, a substance that accumulates abnormally in hypothyroidism. This exacerbates the swelling and worsens the compression of the median nerve as it passes under the connective tissues overlying the wrist."
Just saying.
And how we suffer for our art, RMJ...
Ripley
...and our sanity [cue Don McLean and maudlin music]
Focus,
Did you read any of the Robert Fisk, S. Shazad or Pepe Escobar columns about Lebanon, following Hariri's assassination?
Every single commentator worried about the civil war starting over again, and now it looks like hotheads like Walid Jumblatt, and some of the Maronites are heading in that direction, in light of the UN report about Syria being involved in th4e affair.
However, the UN report has been roundly criticized within Lebanon itself, and you can guess what Assad has said.
One does not need to study history to follow Bush's "Inventive" policies around, just look for the trail of dead bodies to see the outcome of Bush-think.
I wish I knew what my paper was about. Then, I'd know I was finished.
Peeps, that doesn't bode well.
Eeep.
GWPDA - Yes, I know about the connection - I read about it.
I promise you I will take this up with a doctor when I go in. I will make an appointment as soon as I get some of my dental appointments out of the way, as well as my annual vision field appointment.
One does not need to study history to follow Bush's "Inventive" policies around, just look for the trail of dead bodies to see the outcome of Bush-think.
boilerman10
agreed they look at history as they look at the present cynically with an almost reflexive need to manipulate- he who controls the present and all that- but no i haven't read the Fisk art- would appricate the link. thanks
Robert M Jeffers - Our erstwhile leaders understand only the aggrandizement of power. Following that siren song, they have overreached, perhaps fatally. Power is laughing it's a** off right now, because power could care less. Compared to power, Lady Luck is married for life.
Something DeLay and the Bushes are just now learning.
I love this comment. It's brilliant.
We suffer from Light at the End of the Tunnel syndrome
Robert,
Who is playing the Doctor this time?
Will they ever beat the original old man or Tom Baker?
Also, they need new Dalecks and a new K-9.
Who will be Sarah Jane or Leela?
Peeps, trust me, even your professors won't know what your paper is about. This means, you win.
The fewer understand=greater success.
Ahh the angry seagulls are attascking the children.
Elaine - The fewer understand=greater success.
You know, this and my truly execrable handwriting actually did work in my favor more than once in law school.
Peep jousting!
Take 2 peeps, stick a toothpick in each so they stick out the front. Place them face-to-face in a microwave oven. Turn on microwave. As the peeps explode, watch closely to see which one's toothpick penetrates the other's tiny body first!
The birds just dicovered the chimney can't keep them out.
Peeps and others...bad news. Easter's Off Sorry, some liberal...probably. 
Is it whoring when it's not your blog?
Tippi Hedron,
Bird magnet.
Is it whoring when it's not your blog?
Nope. That would be "Pimping".
and you will be a better woman for it, Tena.
Ooooh look, all the birds came down the chimney!
Which reminds me that it's obvious the country itself is overwrought and tense - earlier this afternoon there were Inca doves fighting in my back yard (yes, I know the difference.) Weird.
Wrong, they are not losing. They have shown that they can manufacture an issue at will and the media will be aid them. They made a mistake this time but there will be other issues in the future. This week was more ominous than the run up to the iraq war.
shoot...end tag.
The birds don't like the undeserving rich.
Damn, I got promoted to pimp! They like me...they really like me...lol
Da issue blow up in da face time!
hey, i just realized something. first it was 'wankers', and now 'bugger off' has entered the lexicon. why's atrios so suddenly interested in brit slang -- is he getting ready to pack it up....
Weblacky is a pimp(le).
Yeah, trust Atrios to learn a foreign language so he can escape Bush!
Next: French.
Focus, here are two Robert Fisk Links
first link to an audio article, looks like you need RealPlayer
And
second Robert fisk link
"All the windows are broken, all the windows"
Robert,
Who is playing the Doctor this time?
Will they ever beat the original old man or Tom Baker?
Also, they need new Dalecks and a new K-9.
Who will be Sarah Jane or Leela?
Never let it be said I would disappoint a fellow Whovian.
You know, of course, Douglas Adams did some of his best work for Tom Baker's Doctor.
There's a really nice four room cabin on the market in Bodega Bay - it's asking 725, but I'm sure it's negotiable.
News from CNN:
Speaking earlier with reporters in Dunedin, Florida, on Saturday, Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, said, "I would hope that the parents' side realize that any further legal action will be futile. We can understand their desperate efforts in this case. But I would hope that at some point, they leave that behind and begin to cope with this on a more personal level."
Felos said that he had visited Terri Schiavo for 20 minutes at her hospice in Pinellas Park on Saturday.
"Frankly, when I saw her...she looked beautiful. In all the years I've seen Mrs. Schiavo, I've never seen such a look of peace and beauty upon her."
He refuted charges made by Schiavo's parents that her lips were bleeding, her skin was peeling and that she appeared in discomfort.
The Priest at the hospice will give last rites pretty soon.
focus, in case of difficulty with pages, go to ICH home page and use searchbox with word, Robert Fisk Articles and look for article 8065.htm
For the second one use search for article 8208. which I found quickly by typing in Lebanon civil war.
Both of these are archived, and may not directly open up.
Birds, coming down the chimney? All of the chicks never to be Just Born.
There's a really nice four room cabin on the market in Bodega Bay - it's asking 725, but I'm sure it's negotiable.
Would that be 725 times a thousand?
I wonder if they cleared up the bird situation, or did that resolve itself when tippi went back to san fran?
Oh, this isn't looking good. Outside, smoking, one crow arrives.... Children singing an incantation.... Run away!
CNN
Schneider: Schiavo case 'being made very political'
No fucking shit. They pay these guys?
Elaine - so it looks like she is going to die on Holy Saturday. May she walk on the path of light. May she be reborn as a Boddhisattva.
OOOOOOOOH. creepy crows filling up the monkey-bars, Tippi just now sees the Murder.
Its kind of freakin' me out.
Ten battalions of birds have assembled in the school yard and preparing for attack.
how is smoked crow
Never let it be said I would disappoint a fellow Whovian.
You know, of course, Douglas Adams did some of his best work for Tom Baker's Doctor.
Just realized that "Rose" has likely just aired on the BBC. Just hope someone here picked it up.
To all those Dr Who fans, I can tell you that they have made the new DR a young man from the north of England.
They wanted to try to appeal to a new group of fans. The trouble is that since the last Dr Who, there have been so many Hollywood Blockbusters with great special effects, that the modern kids just would no accept the large rubber monsters of the 70s.
Robert,
Thank you!
I just heard some idiot Republican congressman (kept the radio on after Pag) saying that the courts are out of control and ingnoring the constitution because they wouldn't kow-tow to the congress when it abridges the constitution.
When they are looking for Republican candidates, is stupidity or dishonesty a more important criterion? Or are they given equal weight?
Yes, that would be $725,000, but it's four rooms after all. Four whole rooms and one of them has a bathtub.
Lord, this reminds of me when Arthur let the raven into the kitchen.
The sky is black with crows on the attack, yeaaaargggh
Focus, back soon with Asia Times articles.
OT: NRA to America - Allow teachers to arm themselves.
I thought that I heard this on Faux earlier today but naturally assumed that I hadn't had enough coffee and was hallucinating. Just heard it again.
The car should be safe.
yeah right. I see the horn kinda attracts them crows.
Look! She's lost her hairpins!
To all those Dr Who fans, I can tell you that they have made the new DR a young man from the north of England.
I hope he isn't too slick. I hate it when Dr. Who gets too slick.
My favorite special effect was the baggie and gelatin monster in "The Horror of Fang Rock". If today's children can't appreciate that they've got no class.
Could never warm up to the Darleks (sp?) that ring modulation drove me up the wall.
guess it's my love of typing...
Nimble fingers do the devil's work ... best ...
[Where is Ba'al ...]
may I learn to spell "bodhisattva."
Peeps is the joy around the edges of this site the past few days...
And Brent, say nothing more often!
jimmyraybob, that'll work out well here in Arizona, where in a couple of weeks it'll be legal to carry a loaded weapon into a bar. So, teachers, packing from their work at school, can just amble over to the bar and grill and fit right in.
Look! pretentious English actress smoking!
Can someone tell me if a Peep is male or female? I'm giving my kids a Peep for Easter and need to know whether to name it Hamilton Spiked Python (M) or Mildred Campy Slammer (F). Thanks in advance.
Lord, this reminds of me when Arthur let the raven into the kitchen.
Did he arrange a play-date without prior authorization?
Oooh, latin taxonomy of birds, and discussion of brain pans, coool. What makes me think that the old lady is the next victim.
BBC website today, and saw that Dr. Who was beginning again.
The the three-part BBC adaptation of Sarah Waters' "Fingersmith" debuts this weekend too.
I didn't know there were so many Irish drunkards in Bodega Bay.
: NRA to America - Allow teachers to arm themselves.
Robert? Which way to Bedlam, please?
how is smoked crow
lb0313
harsh, unless you use a bong
Found Peep's research paper!
http://tinyurl.com/a582
When they are looking for Republican candidates, is stupidity or dishonesty a more important criterion? Or are they given equal weight?
Loyalty to their corporate and Republican Party masters trumps all.
I do like the family 'fine dining' and bar establishment tho. Bloody marys for the mother at Table 7!
A barroom full of bird experts, whoda thunk.
Mildred Campy Slammer, of course. Are you kidding?
Get yourself guns and wipe them off the face of the earth!
"are the birds gonna eat us"
"I have never known of birds of different species flock together."
We have reached our "what about the children" moment.
When they are looking for Republican candidates, is stupidity or dishonesty a more important criterion? Or are they given equal weight?
Stupidity is the more highly prized, IMHO. It is easier to sound believable if you don't know you're wrong. Plus, it provides plausible deniability.
Terry called on President Bush, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to intervene.
"These men have the power to save her. - RMJ
Wouldn't be suprised to see that show up on a banner at the next mini-Neuremberg rally.
W: The power to save.
Tena -
This may sound odd, but I thought I was flirting with carpal tunnel and a friend mentioned how posture at the computer was a factor.
I adjusted things so that my neck was straight, put the monitor exactly at eye level so I didn't have to tilt my head up or down (used phone books) and almost immediately I got relief. (I mean, I was in serious pain, my hands, wrists and arms were aching.) I also made sure while typing that my wrists were parallel to the keyboard.
Voila, in a day or two all the symptoms vanished. Seriously it felt like a miracle.
We have no genitalia. Kind of like Angels. But unlike Angels such as Christopher Walken in those killer angel movies he made. God, I love that guy! King of New York would tickle me pink, if I weren't already yellow.
It's like a giant flaming X, marking the target.
Thanks wee. I really don't have carpal tunnel. My right arm gets tired, but I spend an inordinate amount of time doing this, too.
I need to improve my posture anyway and I appreciate the tips very much.
The gas is flowing, downhill. now where is the fire. oops here it comes, and there Mr. somebody goes.
Nice areal shot, the gulls inexorable drawn to fire, oooh the phonebooth.
More explosions, must freak out now...
Oh! The bar is safe, there is alcohol and no birds.
Hope that fin family diner has bullet proof, oops bird-proof glass.
Don't ask Tippi, ask the Bird expert.
This is clearly a diatribe against post-war modern California architecture.
...no birds
'
...yet
These folks really seem to believe in some sort of royal intervention. I'm just glad the Bush clan aren't quite that far gone yet.
"The Army's recruiters are being challenged with one of the hardest selling jobs the military has asked of them in American history..."
Right now I bet that whole 71 virgins thing is looking like a stroke of genius.
Can someone please shove a feeding tube up Randall Terry's ass?
Focus, try these two on for now.
Pepe Escobar
and
Syed Shahzad
Hariri was a pure "cui bono" situation....who stood to gain more Syria or Israel when it comes to Hariri's demise?
Well, that does take care of the mother issues.
This is clearly a diatribe against post-war modern California architecture.
And a referendom on hats! Hats bad.
Oh crap, Pleschette is dead.
Yeah a stone will solve all your problems..
Rod sure has some fancy pantaloons.
They'd intervene, on national security grounds, if Halliburton made ventillators and feeding tubes.
Oh RIGHT, you idiot, drive a ragtop! Birds! Sharp beaks!
I was off chauffeuring the teens for a bit, so forgive me if someone already asked this question, but who the hell are these 33% of self-described Democrats who thought the intervention was just peachy?
did rod put any nails in those last two boards, or just use the hammer to "will" them into place
CLOSE THE FLUE!
And a referendom on hats! Hats bad.
It's all about the woman in the stilettos, people.
"The Army's recruiters are being challenged with one of the hardest selling jobs the military has asked of them in American history..."
Was talking to a late 30's Army guy at the park - Told me he use to be a recruiter, but those jobs are now being outsourced to civilians so the former recruiters can go to Iraq.
thanks boilerman,
call me tinfoily; but the timing seems strange given that, apparently, he freely traveled and spoke without incident many times in the past...
33% of self-described Democrats who thought the intervention was just peachy?
Must have been all those Dixicrats up north who never bothered to register as republicans, while voting for them for many years, maybe they have lincoln still stuck in their craw.
(back on topic, with veiled reference to birds - damn I'm good. [kisses own pinky ring])
Man... this still isn't over? I thought I finished this last night.
What ever happened in Iraq?
Niccccce birdies. Those birdies won't turn bad.
Found it interesting that Michael's atty (Felos) also volunteers at hospices and has knowledge of the situation. He said Terri is peaceful, not peeling skin or bleeding lips, and has not entered the last stages re breathing. But he did say an unforeseen thing ie heartattack could prevent passing on to the labored breathing phase.
Having myself experienced a four-day period at my husband's bedside prior to his death, that last stage only informs you death is imminent, but not how imminent.
It's all about the woman in the stilettos, people.
monica_nyc
Why, yes. At least it certainly is for me.
Nah, it was that cadre who when asked anything say, 'Sure, whatever.' and go back to watching the birds.
Was talking to a late 30's Army guy at the park - Told me he use to be a recruiter, but those jobs are now being outsourced to civilians so the former recruiters can go to Iraq.
That's just........sick. And wrong, and
I feel a draft, did anyone leave a window open.
Those birds are fine surgeons and carpenters.
Oh, the irony (from FR):
I am, nor ever will be, a party to unjustified murder no matter who does it. Murder should not go unpunished.
Death is impotent. That's why it where's a tux.
OT, but in keeping with the Peak Oil-commune remarks in the thread below, I found this "community solution" website very interesting.
Atrios, can you start up a post-Peak Oil community for the Eschatonians? I'd be willing to move to Philly or nearabouts.
"Even if George Bush IS the Anti-Christ - it is only because HE is the GREATEST Christian of all, he loves Jesus SO MUCH that he, and he alone is BRAVE ENOUGH to play this terrible part. AND, instead of vilifying him, I should thank God that he is my "Leader" and PRAISE HIM, Praise his name(!), and be grateful for all he has done to bring the world to the edge of Apocalypse!"
Had to share that again.
Since this topic has gone so far OT that we are lost in the Mojave, let's take a look at this latest uproar that the Bush Cartel is planning to trumpet to the public.....the tulip Revolution.
No, it isn't a new director for the festival in Holland, Michigan, it's about the coup de etat in Kyrghezia...Chimpy and crew are crowing loudly about this one, calling it a success when the questions of "What do we do now George, Wadda we do now?" are being asked over there.
Pepe Escobar article
: NRA to America - Allow teachers to arm themselves.
Robert? Which way to Bedlam, please?
Hey, I'm for this!
People in Texas can bring concealed weapons to church (try to get the Church Council to vote to put up a sign banning it!)
This way, I balance the scales where ever I go!
(follow me, Tena; it's this way...)
Arthur started barking real hard just then - he's had to leave now and go take out his fear on some robins.
kent:
best running commentary on a movie
ever.
God bless you, buddy!!!!
Quick, Tippi, there's a guy with a shutter camera on the stairs! Look out!
chris/tx,
Oh shit. Now Irony's Ghost, has shuffled its Mortal Coil™
I am now beginning to wonder if Irony has several lives, like a cat. If not it better develop some quick.
Uh Tippi honey, don't go up the stairs.
No, Stop.