Among The Top Rank

David Brooks inspires "Fear and Loathing In Falls Church".

Comments

[mad jack]

Perfect. Had some cheap Irish skin carved out of my shin a few weeks ago and I won't be able to put on a ski boot for a bit. Glad to hear conditions will be good then, NK.

[Stephanie lots of surprises in the BCS bowls]

Lol madjack. I'm on 3/4 acre in a 2,400 sf house we built in 86. We're even on septic. When we moved in we had woods on 2 sides but there is now a subdivision behind us with the McMansion fart sniffers.

[narciso]

Well they do have some experience at this;

http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/713769

[Beasts of England]

I'm the rare owner, NK. Even though I don't fully understand all the technology involved, I'm fascinated by it, and poke my head in anytime I'm at the dealership. I've only had one item on one car go in for service (and I'm knocking some serious wood right now) and that was a blown hydraulic line for an F1 transmission. The flatbed cost to Atlanta and back was the least of my worries. ;)

[Stephanie lots of surprises in the BCS bowls]

NK good to know you're a stang man - my fave kind. At one time we were an all mustang family 2 04s and a 96.

This 2014 Shelby GT 500 was 5 miles old charcoal grey, ghost stripes, real cold air induction hood, turbo, black leather recaro interior. Sweet!

[mad jack]

The Eagles are alive. No wind turbines in the area apparently.

[rich@gmu]

this is turning into a game...20-14.

[Threadkiller]

You are going to call BS, CH.

I own a Z-27.

Thanks for the complement, Beasts.

[clarice]

You'd love Sarasota, Jane--theater, opera, great film society, lots of beautiful houses and condos on the gulf, bay, canals, etc. Nice restaurants, no income tax. Sweet weather. Pricier than the Midwest, but warmer.

And there's Wyoming if you want another income tax free state. Couldn't you do your work from almost anywhere?

[rich@gmu]

The 4.2 billion U.S. dollar contract for their supply was signed during the Iraqi president’s visit to Moscow in 2012.

our foreign policy is all about winning.

the '14 Shelby's are tubro?

and now I don't feel quite so bad...2013 6 speed, 420 hp, black with black interior...sadly it is on the eval list.

4 tickets
insurance
gas (ouch!)
property tax
parking tax

&c &c &c

[Captain Hate]

You forced me to google it. What's the CID? My buds and I used to screw around with 327s and drop em in 57s. A 327 block with a 283 crank was a 302, no?

[rich@gmu]

but wow who wouldn't want this...http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/trim/shelbygt500/

probably that commie jesse that's who.

[Stephanie]

We need to all meetup near Amelia Island for the car show. And some golf. And some good food and martinis.

This work for y'all:

http://www.vrbo.com/397068

We might could hit JiB with a drive if we tried hard enough.

[Threadkiller]

Factory 350cid/300hp.

I'm running 400hp with manifold, carb, exhaust, cam, etc.

[Captain Hate]

That fat tub of shit Rob Ryan is as worthless as his brother. The Saints need to tell Goodell to suck ol' bone and bring Gregg Williams back. Bounties and all.

[Beasts of England]

Is that one of JiB's 'cottages'? Nice place, Steph. They may have a no-JOM-zone codicil on the rental agreement...

[rich@gmu]

TK,bet that is fun to drive. We could have our own Earth Day Cruise In

[rich@gmu]

24-23...isn't the object to stop the other team?

[mad jack]

Nice spot, Stephanie!

[Gus]

Global warming has finally been proven to me!! Our expected HIGH temp for Monday is 15 BELOW ZERO.

Yes below.

[glasater]

This isn't a terrific pic of the cars but was to more show the size of the shop for a listing shoot. I think I guessed the correct vintage for the Camaro but didn't get the 'Vette's year. Sixties something…

Is this the SS car you liked Steph? Know it's hard to see.

[Captain Hate]

Vintage muscle, TK. Love it.

[Gus]

I've got a 68 Mustang coup. 289 completely rebuilt 300 miles on the motor. Highland Green. I'm not a gear head, but I love me some Mustang.

[mad jack]

Defense has been legislated out of the game at the pro and college level, rich. I blame Bill Polian and the Peyton Manning Colts whining about getting roughed up by belicheck' s Pats. It's possible that my opinion on this subject is unbiased but that is a very unlikely possibility.

[mad jack]

That's it. Good job by NO. Good night, all.

[Beasts of England]

Nice win for the Saints!

[daddy]

Speaking of inflated values, who in their right mind would watch a dense twit like Jimmy Fallon?

Captain,

Someone who's only other option at that time slot was David Letterman?

[Stephanie]

It's not too far a piece from JiB.

We usually stay here when we go to Palm Coast:

http://www.vacationrentalpros.com/product/345-cinnamon-beach-rentals-4th-floor-corner-1212-24361

Makes the rentals in the panhandle look sad furnishings wise. The beach isn't as nice, but the clientele ain't in wife beaters, either.

Turbo charged? They call it an intercooled supercharger... same diff innit?

[Captain Hate]

Congrats to the Saints; now beat the Seahags and make me *really* happy.

[Gus]

the NFL is about PROFIT. So is G.E.. PERIOD.
Roger Goodell farts the Cowboys/Rams/Patriots etc etc etc Fight song, when he is TOLD TO.
The NFL is shitting their pants AFRAID of the (YES, THIS MAY SHOCK YOU!!) GOVERNMENT getting involved in their game....SO...they have PRE-EMPTIVELY CAPITULATED, PAID 750 MILLION dollars in hush money for "concussions", and they continue to do the Jeffery Immelt dance with BIG BROTHER. So long as the cash keeps flowing.

[rich@gmu]

ha, mad jack. 26-24 nice win.

[Captain Hate]

They may have parted ways, but the Iggles and Andy Reid share the same fate.

[rich@gmu]

comment disappeared...of course

[Stephanie]

This:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-442-442-/121238163083?

MMMMMMM.

[rich@gmu]

Stephanie-

not a gear head but a turbo runs off the exhaust and a supercharger runs off the crankshaft...

[rich@gmu]

and re reading that it sounds kinda dirty...must be close to midnight.

[Threadkiller]

You sound like a gear head, rich.

[Threadkiller]

4 barrel carb
4 speed trans
2 exhaust (dual)

[rich@gmu]

the equipement on your ride?

[Ignatz]

Wow. I'm surprised a group as discerning as this is entangled with and hoodwinked by fastidious bow-tied rats and small droopy blue ovals when there are ground shaking Mopars, which also just happen to be considerably handsomer to be had.

[glasater]

Used to be better on models and years… :)

[rich@gmu]

the equipment...and an eye exam is on the list...have been holding out on that.

[Stephanie lots of surprises in the BCS bowls]

My bad. It had lots of badass looking stuff under the hood.

http://www.fivestarfordstonemountain.com/new/Ford/2014-Ford-Shelby+GT500-80c57f4d0a0a006428961738164edfe0.htm

And really crappy gas mileage.

[rich@gmu]

>>>there are ground shaking Mopars, which also just happen to be considerably handsomer to be had.<<<

was thinking of you when I saw someone in the neighborhood trailering a Super Bee. think it had a Hemi because of the hood scoop.

[Stephanie lots of surprises in the BCS bowls]

Never have been a mopar fan. Sorry.

Gus, sweet ride!

[Captain Hate]

LoL, Iggy; I was a Chevy guy but I loved the hemis raw power.

While these wild card games are going on, the Summer of Dan has begun in earnest: http://www.hogshaven.com/2014/1/3/5269938/conspiracy-theory-head-coaching-search

I expect John Mara to go whining to Goodell any day now.

[rich@gmu]

Used to be better on models and years… :)

Posted by: glasater

aren't we getting into Beast's territory?

[daddy]

Jane,

Looks like we are paying for part of the Antarctic Rescue:

US Icebreaker to Rescue 2 Ships in Antarctica

A U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker will leave Australia for Antarctica on Sunday to rescue more than 120 crew members aboard two icebreakers trapped in pack ice near the frozen continent's eastern edge.

Other news on tube I'm watching over here is saying that an Ice berg is now blocking the Chinese ships potential exit and that China has now called for assistance.

[narciso]

You mean he hasn't yet, the ejection lever, was long since pulled,

[Ignatz]

Probably a 383 or 440, rich. They came with the scoop too.
My fourth grade teacher, red headed Miss Ball, had a yellow 1969 440 Six Pac Super Bee.

[Gus]

Thanks Stephanie, I once had a 70 Boss 302 convertible. Oh I miss that car. I have the shape of the headlight on/off switch embedded on my kneecap, with the stitch marks as well!!!

[rich@gmu]

looked to be in pristine condition

[Captain Hate]

Did anybody see the op-ed om Rupert's Gazette last week about how the Chinese navy has been incredibly provocative recently even though, in our JEF induced weakened state, we could still blow them out of the water without exerting much of an effort?

[Gus]

Daddy, too bad Benghazi wasn't engulfed in Ice.

[glasater]

I had a '94 Mustang when Ford started making them again. Bright yellow body black convertible top. Little V8 in it and it was a darling car.

Was driving it down the street next to a small golf course and this elderly gentleman was on the tee - made and absolutely ugly shot and the ball hit into the passenger door. Huge dent! I was just sick.

Got out and tracked the guy down and told him anyone who hit the ball that badly shouldn't be playing golf…shame on me…

He paid for the repair and although the color on the repaint wasn't bad I could tell the difference.

My baby car was never the same to me.

[rich@gmu]

>>>You mean he hasn't yet, the ejection lever, was long since pulled,<<<

stumped on this one narciso...more cryptic, resolution intact!

[daddy]

Speaking of lemons...

Mike Huckabee has angered the South Carolina Tea Party by cutting an ad supporting the Re-election of Lindsay Graham

"There's a leader in South Carolina who knows what it takes to win: Senator Lindsey Graham," Huckabee says in the ad. "Call Lindsey Graham and thank him for being a conservative champion for peace through strength."

[Gus]

Capn' we "COULD" do a whole lotta shit.
Obama is a Communist. He is an IDEOLOGICALLY RETARDED, emotionally dysfunctional, and ethically corrupt pile of crap. He does not think his actions are negative. He has NEVER VIEWED our SUPREMACY as anything but WEALTH for him to plunder.

[Ignatz]

How could someone not be a fan of;

or

or

?

[rich@gmu]

shapely lines, nice rear end...

[Gus]

My 70 BOSS 302 was Yellow with a black top and black racing stripes. (they make you go faster), I once got a ticket by the PILOT COP knowing there was no where to run.

[rich@gmu]

CH-

Missed it but pretty sure they haven't missed all the post-american world talk...from the administration.

[Threadkiller]

"the equipement on your ride?"

Yes, and what "442" stands for.

[Captain Hate]

If I'm reading things correctly, and I'm probably not, Huckadoodle supporting Miss Lindsey probably means he's not throwing his hat in the ring for Preznit; which is a very good thing.

[Gus]

Capn. Lindsey should throw her hat in the ring.

[Beasts of England]

lol, rich! Took me a sec, but I got it...

[narciso]

This was one of two pieces;

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303345104579286480552285954

[Captain Hate]

Here's the article assuming it's not behind the paywallhttp://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304591604579288690362026948

If you can't read it let me know and I'll violate some copyrights.

[Ignatz]

I will say, to prove I'm not a car bigot, I've always been a big fan of the C3 1968-1972 chrome bumper Corvettes and of course the GT40.

[Captain Hate]

Looks like narc linked v1

[narciso]

Yes, but only a piece of it, is visible,

[Beasts of England]

Damn, Gus! 302 Boss convertible was a classic!

[Ignatz]

Copyright violations called for, Cap.

[narciso]

'For the Children' you know;

[Captain Hate]

Here you go:

On Dec. 5, a Chinese naval vessel deliberately attempted to block a U.S. Navy cruiser in international waters. In a startling revelation, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has confirmed to the press that at one point only 100 yards separated the two vessels. That raises an important question: Why did the Chinese commanders think it a good idea to provoke a near-collision with a U.S. warship?

A growing record of encounters suggests that Chinese naval officers have career incentives to act provocatively, even at the risk of deadly incidents. So do their counterparts in the army. Forces under the Lanzhou Military Region, in China's west, thought it smart to seize Indian-controlled terrain in Ladakh this April. They retreated only when the Indians threatened to cancel a state visit. Similarly, the China Coast Guard has been intrusively patrolling the waters around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, even entering Japanese territorial waters in recent days.
Enlarge Image

The USS Cowpens leads Japanese vessels in a training exercise, December 2010. Associated Press

It was different during the Cold War. In spite of countless encounters between American and Soviet aircraft and warships, as well as the famous set-to between the U.S. and Soviet armies at "Checkpoint Charlie" in the heart of Berlin, there were very few dangerous incidents. Soviet officers knew that "adventurism" was a career-ending offense.

Yet in the Chinese case, Communist Party leaders apparently encourage it. The state media vigorously endorse each act of military adventurism. Why should this be? After all, the risks of escalation are enormous.

With all due respect for the China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning—which the USS Cowpens was monitoring from a safe distance when the Dec. 5 incident occurred—today's Chinese navy is a set of easy targets for America's aircraft carriers and attack submarines. The USS Cowpens is a near 10,000-ton missile cruiser.

Likewise, Japan's navy could sweep the seas around the Senkakus of any intruding Chinese coast guard or naval vessels, including the entire Liaoning flotilla. So why is Beijing risking humiliating defeat?

The inescapable conclusion is that since 2008 China's leaders have abandoned the "peaceful rise" policy that Deng Xiaoping launched in 1978 and senior strategist Zheng Bijian spelled out in 2003. To rise economically, China needed a receptive world environment in which its exports, imports and incoming investments would be unimpeded. Deng's policy—threaten nobody, advance no claims and don't attack Taiwan—was brilliantly successful, as the U.S. actively favored China's economic growth and other countries followed suit, to the great benefit of the Chinese people, and us all.

Everything changed after 2008. Interpreting the global financial crisis as a harbinger of collapsing American power, Beijing abruptly revived its long-dormant claim to most of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, rebuffed friendly overtures from Japanese politicians and instead demanded the Senkakus, and declared ownership of vast portions of the South China Sea hundreds of miles from any Chinese coast but well within the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

China's demands are now asserted even on its passports, which are decorated with a map that on close inspection includes South Korean waters. The seven countries under pressure have naturally reacted by coalescing against China, at least diplomatically, and in some cases substantively—as in the informal India-Japan-Vietnam arrangement that is endowing the hard-pressed Vietnamese navy with modern submarines. China's bombastic proclamation last month of an Air Defense Identification Zone that overlaps with both Japan's and Korea's, may even improve the fraught relationship between those two countries.

Chinese leaders now complain of being confronted by emerging coalitions from South Korea to India, and they blame the U.S. for it all. But despite Washington's famous "pivot," it wasn't the cunning malevolence of the U.S. State Department that turned China's neighbors against it.

Rather, it was the Chinese government itself—country by country, demand by demand. The latest demand, after the Air Defense Identification Zone affair, is that Japan should not increase its military spending—i.e., that it should refrain from reacting to daily Chinese threats.

Some observers see a clever long-term scheme of systematic intimidation at work. Others insist that it cannot be clever to quarrel with seven neighbors at once. Nor does it make sense for a rising China to alarm everybody prematurely, causing them to unite diplomatically and even perhaps commercially against Chinese interests.

China's Communist Party leaders have been competent in managing a vast and dynamic economy, and their repression is also very skillful in minimizing visible brutality (except against minorities). For these reasons, there is an assumption by many outsiders that the leadership is equally proficient in foreign policy.

Unfortunately, the actual evidence so far is that we are witnessing a prolonged outbreak of feckless nationalism and militarism that evokes the sinister precedent of pre-1914 Germany. This was a country that had the world's best universities, the most advanced industries and the strongest banks. It lacked only the strategic wisdom of persisting in its own "peaceful rise."

[daddy]

FWIW, We have been on what we call "House Arrest" the last 2 days.

When they modify your trip in this bad weather stuff, they can assign you to a hotel but put you on call, so for the last 2 days we've been on call from 6 PM local till 5AM local. That means they can call us anytime during that period and we have to hustle down to the airport and fly wherever they need us to.

So we're pretty much stuck in our Hotel rooms and we're not allowed to drink. Ergo---House arrest, especially with their being no football on the 54 TV channels I have in this room.

But it has just turned 6 AM and we're free at last (for 48 hours) so my partner and I have a mission today to head down towards Notre Dame and hit the Sports Bars along the Left Bank, preferably The Canadian Club, but I'm flexible for wherever we can catch the Packers game.

[Gus]

Capn?? Did you say Defense Sec Chuck Hagel???
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!! WTF!!!!
How would THAT ever happen???
Next you'll tell me John Effin Kerry Kohn Heinz is in charge of our DIPLOMACY!!!
hAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. You crack me up Capn'

[Gus]

Jimmy Carter is the clear winner in the Obama cluster-fark.

[rich@gmu]

TK-

thanks. and duh especially since my parents owned one.

[narciso]

Thanks Captain, an interesting theory. now is that really the reason, or demographic and economic imperatives, that drive their reaction,

Is this more like pre War of 1812 UK, they haven't gone to impressment yet, but give them time.

[rich@gmu]

Beasts-

You're Welcome.

[daddy]

In the same vein as Captain's link, the UK Mail reports that Putin and the Russians are testing Britain's weakness in the North Sea:

Battle stations! Navy scrambles destroyer to challenge Russian warship off British coast (but it takes 24 hours to make 600-mile journey from Portsmouth base - was Putin testing our response time?)

We live in interesting times.

[Captain Hate]

daddy, have you ever been to a place in Paris called The Auld Alliance? My friend from Paris (who now lives in New Caledonia in the South Pacific) started the first Scottish bar in the city in the 90s. There were tons of Irish bars but nothing for the fairly large number of Scots working in the City of Lights. He sold his interest in it a while back, doubtlessly for a shit ton of money, but some of my online music buds have been there and enjoy it. I think it's roughly in the vicinity of the Bastille. My older daughter went there when the World Cup was in France and said the place was one massive nonstop party.

[Captain Hate]

I really don't have a read on it, narc, although I'd be interested in what DoT thinks of it. Whatever it is, it is surely being facilitated by Gaylord Focker's fecklessness.

[Beasts of England]

If you want to lust after some rolling art, check out the link. Something for everyone. Same company with the 442 that Stephanie had an eBay link to earlier.

http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active#!/

[rich@gmu]

>>>Some observers see a clever long-term scheme of systematic intimidation at work.<<<

or the end result of the 30 years of the one child policy and the little emperor syndrome

but I'm also seeing the end results of our fecklessness...

[Captain Hate]

Time for bed folks. See you later in the a.m.

[daddy]

Captain,

The Auld Alliance Pub does not ring a bell. I just googled it and I see it's near the Hotel de Ville, which is usually right where I get off the subway to head to the Left bank, and tho' I have hit a number pubs on the Right side, I don't recall this one.

I did just checkout their website and it had their sports playlist for today and unfortunately no American Football---just Soccer and Rugby. Bummer. Looks a decent spot.

[Ignatz]

--or demographic and economic imperatives--

Hard to see how confrontation and enemy making on most of its borders and with us could serve any of their interests at this early point in their rise.

Internal political tensions and fractures would probably be the most dangerous cause rather than just arrogance, premature sabre rattling and strategic miscalculations.

The Soviets played a very large part in vanquishing the buffoon Carter and ushering in their nemesis Reagan. If the Chinese are counting on the decline under Barry being permanent they could be bidding for a repeat.

[Ignatz]

I'll take that first Bentley, BoE. Talk about a beast.

[Ignatz]

beast *of England* that was supposed to be.

[Ignatz]

And good night all.

[Ignatz]

Oh and thanks for the C&P, Cap. Hope Rupert's private coppers leave you be.

[daddy]

From a commenter translating Le Monde:Le Monde also gives the figure, for each of the icebreakers involved (the French one also lost 7 days on Turney) of

$30 000/day for the French vessel and $100 000/day for each of the Chinese and Australian vessels, figures which do not include crew salaries.

The operating costs of the very big American and Russian icebreakers which are on a 3 weeks trip to save the Shokalskiy, are not mentioned.

[narciso]

the review of this series, which advances the notion of data integration in PoI, came to mind;

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303453004579292432155119464

[daddy]

Antarctic mission: Akademik Shokalsky has routine day, Chinese ship in difficulties

Voice of Russia Today gives us an update on the ice-trapped ship and tells us that of the 22 Crew, 5 are women.

"The weather is fairly good today, the sun is shining and the temperature is plus five degrees Celsius". "Our five girls on board - a cook, waitresses and stewardesses, are planning a walk on the ice."

I thought it was women and children first?

[Stephanie lots of surprises in the BCS bowls]

The bel air nomad was sweet, too.

I'd also like a woody.

Need to win the lottery!

[Ignatz]

Couldn't sleep.
Checked back in to see Steph would like a woody.
I better go back to sleep. :)

[rich@gmu]

hahahahahahahahahahahaha....think I'll just head on out the door.

[rich@gmu]

everyone must be sound asleep. must be nice.