Obama Leading On ISIS? LOL

Glenn links to a laugher from Ron Fournier, who wonders whether Obama is leading American public opinion on battling ISIS, or simply following it. He knows the answer:

September 9, 2014 Consider this paradox: Americans overwhelmingly support President Obama's actions against the Islamic State so far—airstrikes and humanitarian assistance without ground troops—and yet they disapprove of Obama's handling of the ISIS crisis. Why the split mind?

He delivers an impressive litany of Obama's discredited assurances (ISIS as the JV, Iraq "sovereign, stable, and self-reliant" and so many more), and then:

With each tone-deaf assertion, not to mention the jarring disconnect of playing golf after announcing the beheading of an American journalist, Obama has squandered the public's faith. It's one thing to support the policies. It's another to support the man.

...

After a summer of such disconnect, the people are speaking. A majority of Americans think Obama is too cautious, and 60 percent consider ISIS a serious threat to U.S. interests. They're saying: This ain't no JV, get off the golf course, get a strategy and keep us safe.

The good news for Obama is that his hawk-and-dove policies match the public's mood. His record suggests that he has no qualms about taking risks to fight terrorism. The question is whether Obama is leading the American public, or whether the public is leading him.

First, this is far too kind to Obama, whose record does not at all suggest that "he has no qualms about taking risks to fight terrorism". He ordered the raid on Osama bin Laden after all his advisers agreed it was a good idea. He ordered a surge into Afghanistan and simultaneously announced the withdrawal date, prompting backpedaling and "clarifications" from his Secretaries of Defense and State. He opposed as "fantasy" the notion of arming the Syrian rebels, although that fantasy is about to become his reality. And he famously led from behind on Libya, to his own subsequent regret (and completely ignoring the obvious lesson from Iraq, to wit, don't have a plan to win the war without also having a plan to win the peace.)

That is a good record? But set that aside. Obama's base of supporters (other than those focused on his race) are anti-war progressives, just as Obama is. He rose to glory on the strength of his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which by the way took roughly zero political courage since it left him in line with 90% of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Illinois contingent.

Let's cut to the opening of that profile in courage:

I stand before you as someone who is not opposed to war in all circumstances. The Civil War was one of the bloodiest in history, and yet it was only through the crucible of the sword, the sacrifice of multitudes, that we could begin to perfect this union and drive the scourge of slavery from our soil.

I don't oppose all wars. My grandfather signed up for a war the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, fought in Patton's army. He fought in the name of a larger freedom, part of that arsenal of democracy that triumphed over evil.

So Obama was able to make the tough call on the Civil War. But regarding WWII, that started in Europe in September of 1939; Roosevelt spent 1940 and 1941 trying without success to rouse an American public to join yet another seemingly pointless European slaughter, and only got from Congress a declaration of war against Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack. Congress declared war on Japan, Germany and its allies declared war on us, so we returned the favor - that is how strong the sentiment was to fight in Europe.

So hands up if you think Obama would have been calling for the US to stand up to Hitler in 1940? How about 1941?

I don't see any hands.

But set that aside too, while I muse for a moment about Presidential "leadership". For the core of a President's supporters, their guy (or gal, as we get ready for Hillarity!) is embraced as an advocate for their viewpoint, not for their Deep Thoughts on those core issues.

Just for example, I backed Bush in 2000 because I believe in cutting taxes and regulation. Had he offered some Deep Thoughts in explaining why tax cuts made no sense I would have dropped him, as conservatives dropped his father back in 1990.

Ahh, you might be thinking - Nixon went to China, circumstances change, and maybe a committed long-time anti-war liberal can change the minds of long-time anti-war liberals. I doubt it. Although I am unable to peer into the hearts or read the minds of progressive Obama supporters (those few still backing that drone-killing, NSA spying, Cheney-morphing heartbreaker) I can read progressive blogs, so I am strangely confident that they will remain anti-war no matter how many signals of weakness and irresolution Obama includes in tonight's speech. Obama won't be leading them to a new perspective, and they won't be singing "Give War A Chance".

That said, all is not lost - Obama will probably be able to win over Johnny Waffles, at least for a few months. By next summer, however, Barack and John will be leading the anti-war chanting outside the White House.

But beyond that? Obama's base will hate this, Republicans and conservatives have no reason to trust his commitment (for an example, see Afghanistan), and I doubt our erstwhile allies have much faith in his convictions either. Should be quite a speech.

Comments

[centralcal]

I will try to listen to it, but sincerely doubt I will get past the first 2-4 minutes.

I will read here and on Twitter what he has to say and roll my eyes along with many of you.

[maryrose]

cc: Agreed. I simply cannot stomach the man. Prime time to make himself look engaged and important.
TM: Excellent post and I agree wholeheartedly with your observations.

[Jane]

Don Surber

Here's the speech I want to hear:

"My fellow Americans, we just completed the bombing of every ISIS target we can identify, we have frozen their assets in this country and we have indicted all their conspirators and supporters in the United States. I want to thank the men and women of the USS George H.W. Bush, the entire Fifth Fleet, the airmen and women al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the Secret Service's treasury operations and U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger of Minnesota and his staff, as well as the FBI special task force who assisted them in apprehending more than 100 militants in the Minneapolis area alone. Initial intelligence reports indicate that we have more than decimated this scourge to humanity, while pocketing $3 billion in assets, which is more than enough to cover the cost of replacing the cruise missiles we deployed, in anticipation of the next group of Islamic nuts who wish to destroy the world.If we have learned any one thing from our dear allies in Israel it is the need for constant vigilance. These (expletives) will never give up. Nor shall we. Thank you."

[daddy]

Dennis Miller quips that the reason Jay Carney took the new gig at CNN was because Carney was comfortable talking to small groups of less than 50 who all think exactly alike.

My guess is we'll hear that line spruced up a bit tonight for Dennis's appearance on O'Reilly.

[Miss Marple]

Oh, let's just get this over with. He's like a ne'er do well prince forced to lead his troops with the old sergeant walking close behind, dagger at his back.

He doesn't want to do any of this, everyone KNOWS he is being forced to do it by public opinion, he will do the absolute minimum to say "I tried." and we will be undergoing ISIS terror attacks here by Christmas.

[Neo]

Over the last month, however, a new wave of polls makes it fairly clear that Mr. Cotton, the Republican, now has an advantage. Since July, there have been eight surveys that weren’t sponsored by some element of the Democratic campaign apparatus; all but one show Mr. Cotton with a lead.

Several of these eight surveys are of dubious quality, but two were traditional live-interview surveys, by CNN/ORC and NBC/Marist, that reached voters with cellphones. Both polls show Mr. Cotton with an advantage among likely voters, by two and five points, respectively. The most recent YouGov panel data also shows Mr. Cotton ahead, by four percentage points.

LUN

[Some Guy]

Since we now know that the speechification this evening isn't really about ISIS, but is about his polling numbers...

...I'm placing a bet that he will announce that a terror plot was foiled. The incurious press won't worry about whether that claim is complete BS or not.

[lyle]

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/217288-irs-official-whenever-we-can-we-follow-the-law

"Whenever we can."

[GMax]

he will announce that a terror plot was foiled.

Traced back to the Tea Party no doubt...

[daddy]

Great comment by Dennis Miller's current guest (sorry I missed the guest's name--maybe John Wolstedder(?))

Dennis asks "What can we expect at tonight's speech?"

The Guest: What we can expect is another Obama debate with himself: (i.e.) 'on the one hand, on the other hand.' Unfortunately Obama keeps losing these debates with himself.

Dennis: LOL!

[Sue]

A young lady I exercise with has been sent to the border with her unit. She is Army Reserve. I assume under Perry's orders?

[Threadkiller]

Perry should have no power over Army Reserve.

National Guard?

[Jim Eagle]

My son is 11 y.o. and he and his friends will be fighting this menance and evil into their ages as will their children's children unless we are prepared to turn sand into glass. It won't go away with conventional bombs or the greatest team of operators in the world. It has been an ulcer on the peaceful soul of the world since the 7th centiury.

If Iran gets the bomb maybe we can end all of this as well as civilization all at the same time.

I lived in Kuwait and Saudi for 4 years. You have no idea how these camel sodomists think and each Friday you stay home and pray to the Lord that they are taking out the sermon on the poor Filipina maid and not you. No joking!

[centralcal]

Interesting, Sue. Let us know if you hear anything more.

[Threadkiller]

Is it possible she was sent to a border Fort?

http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Fort-Bliss-increases-security-procedures-5743035.php

[lyle]

Huh. This is speech I want to hear:

"My fellow Americans,

It's painfully clear after almost six years in office, I'm dangerously unfit for the job. I'd like to give a shout out to all my fellow travelers in media, academia, and Hollywood for giving me the cover to foist mysel--a failed community organizer with no real skills and a lazy streak wider than Michigan Avenue--onto the American electorate.

As you've all noticed by now, I really don't care to govern or lead, but I sure love all the partying, golfing, and speechifying to the imbeciles with more money than sense who pony up thirty grand to hear my vapid, vacuous bromides, but mostly my unhinged attacks on the real enemy facing this country: Republicans.

Since I've never succeeded in anything in life short of convincing credulous teenagers that being black trumps all other considerations when choosing a president, I come to you tonight to tell you I have no interest in success in anything relating to the Office of the President. Thus, as is my wont and pattern of never taking a risk in, well, anything, I'm resigning effective immediately. Now if you'll excuse me, SportsCenter is on.

Goodnight."

[jimmyk]

I won't watch it, but I'd propose the following to begin a list of lines that should prompt drinking a shot:

1. "There are those who would say..." (followed by something no one has ever said)
2. "George Bush..."
3. "ISIL does not repesent Islam"
4. "As I have always said" (followed by something completely contradicting past statements)

I am omitting "I, me, my" so as not to induce alcohol poisoning.

[maryrose]

Frau:
I hope you are feeling better. I was sad to learn of your illness.Keep posting and give us updates on your health.
Porch: the beginning of the new school year is always hectic and exciting for the kids.How is your littlest pal doing with his playmates in school?
Tell us more about the troublemaker at work. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease.

[Danube on iPad]

Destruct and destroy.

[maryrose]

jimmyk:
LOL I will watch for those words if I mute the TV for the speech.

[Jane]

They were also expecting problems in El Paso with Isis coming over the border.

I have no idea.

[daddy]

FWIW Alaska Republican Senate candidate Dan Sullivan was on the radio this morning, and mentioned he would be doing duty with his Marine Unit this evening.

[Neo]

Harry Reid got his panties tied in a knot when Rep. Bill Cassidy said that Reid "runs the Senate like a plantation."

[maryrose]

DOT:
That seems like such bad grammar.

[maryrose]

NEO:
Harry Reid's knickers are always in a twist and he suffers from diarrhea of the mouth with his insane comments.

[Danube on iPad]

Here's what one guy says about it:

"The Army Reserves is a "reserve" entity of the regular army that is controlled by only federal authorities. The Army Guard, while still a "reserve" of the regular army, is dual status. It is controlled by state authority unless mobilized into federal service (like Iraq). A current example is when the Boston Bombings happened the Governor ordered the Mass Army Guard onto the streets.

"The Army Reserves has limited, if any combat arms positions. They are mainly combat service support. So, for example if you want to be an Infantryman, you basically have to join the Guard.

"From a benefits standpoint the Army Guard receives the same or more depending on the state. Most states education programs the the Grad considerably exceed our Reserve counterparts."

[Jim Eagle]

Shingle shot is expensive for most but worth it. $325 at CVS here.

I watched a friend of mine, Ranger and West Point man, become a withering mess but his fortitude pulled him through. Not pretty. Get the shot.

[Neo]

In an attempt to get ahead of a potential problem, tonight Obama will be unveiling his plan to deal with a Higgs Boson disaster, instead.

LUN

[maryrose]

JIB:
I have trouble with the idea of a flu shot or shingles shot because you are injecting the toned down version of the disease into your body.Frau had the shot and still got sick. Too unreliable for me.

[Danube on iPad]

"Destruct is also a verb, but we don't use it much in British English. You might see it with a prefix, such as self-destruct or auto-destruct."

It has always struck me as comically awkward, Maryrose. The great fighter Thomas "Hitman" Hearns adopted it as his mantra back in the mid-80s, and I laughed every time he said it.

[jimmyk]

What are the odds "climate change" makes it into the speech?

And "many great contributions of Islamic culture"?

[Jim Eagle]

DoT.

Same with AF Reserve. I went from flight status to support status (Air Intel and Civil Engineering) when I checked out of regular.

If I wanted to continue flight status it was ANG. Hard to do when you move every two years in civvie life.

[Jim Eagle]

maryrose,

Do you know if Frau had chicken pox as a kid?

[Danube on iPad]

The Worker's Paradise:

"Venezuela´s annual inflation rate has risen to 63.4%, the highest in Latin America, according to official figures published on Tuesday. The figures are the first released by the central bank since May, which has led critics to accuse the government of withholding data for political reasons. The poor state of the economy, among other issues, triggered mass anti-government protests earlier this year. They have since died down, but many continue to grapple with shortages."

[Old Lurker]

I don't fool with Flu shots etc.

But I did get the $$$ Shingles shot as soon as my doctor offered it to me.

[Jane]

MY shingles shot was free at Rite Aid - and nothing - absolutely nothing is free in MA.

[Stephanie accidentally OnT?]

I don't get the shots as I tend to have bad reactions to one of the additives in them. Plus, I didn't have my daughter get the HPV shot as it only covers a small percentage of the HPV viruses and, to me, that is a false reassurance.

[maryrose]

JIB:
No I do not. I had chicken-pox as a kid as did my two children. My sister-in-law got them as an adult and it was serious.
Of course my distrust of doctors and different types of medicine is well known on this blog.In the next couple of months I have to have cararacts removed from both eyes. It is my first medical treatment since the birth of my son 28 years ago. He shares the same birthday as Sue.

[Porchlight]

I've never gotten the flu shot mainly because I just don't get the flu. It's been at least 25 years since I last had a real case of it.

I'm not anti-vaccine at all, but I don't like the stampeding herd mentality of everyone rushing to the campus gym to get the shot every fall. Just seems kinda wimpy and fearful to me.

For older people or those not in great health, it's a different story of course.

[Stephanie accidentally OnT?]

Eat your boogers... IIRC there was a 'study' several years ago that you would seriously reduce your risk of both flu and colds by eating your boogers. ;)

[Sue]

She is definitely Army Reserve. I wasn't sure if that was another term for NG.

[Cecil Turner]

If they just had plans on the golf course . . . he might've found one by now.

[Jim Eagle]

maryrose,

Get my Ophtamologists book first and read it.

http://www.amazon.com/Root-Eye-Dictionary-Explanation-problems/dp/0989750108/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410383282&sr=1-1&keywords=root+eye+dictionary

[Sue]

TK,

I'll see if I can find out where she was sent. If it was Ft. Bliss that story you linked is probably it.

[Jim Eagle]

CT,

Tomorrow I am staying off the golf course. If I was a domestic ISIS and looking for symbolism that's where I would attack:)

[Sue]

Nope. She is not ARmy Reserve she is National Guard. Just looked at her FB page but I'm not friends with her so I can't tell where she was sent.

[Thomas Collins]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_RICE_VIDEO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-09-10-16-54-27

It looks as if there may be enough curious people in the media to track down which NFL execs knew what and when they knew it.

[(A) Nuther Bub]

If you take a look online you'll find that the shingles vaccine isn't terribly effective for those 70 and older (38 percent effectiveness, they say) and reduces the incidence by just 50 percent in the 60 to 70 year old segment.

My sympathies, Frau. It's a miserable disease to suffer through. Mister had it about five years back. It went to his eyes, which was scary. Happy ending, though. No return and no lasting effects. I hope it will be the same for you.

[Jim Eagle]

My friend and ex-associate who is a member of the NFL HOF once told me that they paid him a bucket of money to not grow up. Seems they are doing the same thing for the NFL executives.

[clarice]

Well, JIB, the wolverine is thinking of switching from rhythmic gymnastics to aerial silk --She is and always has been an adrenalin junky. So if the war continues she can be part of the female ninja brigade. If it doesn't--and I hope it's over by the time the kids grow up, I suppose she could star in Japanese films.

[maryrose]

Once again like the shooting in Ferguson we have the ongoing Rice story 24/7. real news -that Obama is a big fat failure is ignored as are his declining poll numbers.
Rice is a thug, just like MB. Putting a halo or a rehab program on them doesn't change the facts. Both did wrong-both deserved punishment. In the case of MB he brought it upon himself with his actions toward the shop owner and the police officer Wilson. Rice is a wife-beater-nuff said.

[narciso]

woops, that seems conclusive, I was watching 'shattered glass' about that fabulist, and we see the roots of how the venerable New Republic, became Captain's favorite sobriquet, Chaitred was one of those who was on bylines, with Glass,

[maryrose]

narciso: It is a great movie and really peels back the desperation and lies so prevalent in the news business. It is cut=throat to be sure.Frenemies abound.

[jimmyk]

Almost everyone had chicken pox when young. I had strongly mixed feelings about the chicken pox vaccine, because I didn't think there was knowledge about the duration of the immunity, and it's worse to get it when an adult. But maybe there's more information now about the vaccine.

[maryrose]

JIB:
Thanks for the information.

[maryrose]

jimmyk:
I waited in vain for the chicken pox vaccine to be approved when my kids were young.I remember showing my mom my son's back and asking if it was chicken pox. Of course it was.

[Porchlight]

For reference's sake, here is the RCP page on the 2010 generic ballot:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/2010_generic_congressional_vote-2171.html#polls

Lots of LV screening in September showing the GOP up big.

Is it me or does this election cycle seem underpolled? The Senate battleground races especially. You almost think the MSM doesn't want to know or share what people are thinking.

But that can't be, because polling organizations never have an agenda except to make money.

[Janet - the districts lie fallow, while the Capitol gorges itself]

Who cares about ISIS!...the speech tonight better be about climate change.

from last month -

"In a speech this month in Hawaii, Mr. Kerry called climate change "the biggest challenge of all that we face right now."

http://online.wsj.com/articles/john-barrasso-six-threats-bigger-than-climate-change-1409270527

[Jim Eagle]

(A) Bub,

Those are odds I have accepted. Better than 0.

[Threadkiller]

National Guard has been fake assisting the Border Patrol in Texas, Sue.

Did she get "called up" or is she fulfilling her required time?

[Threadkiller]

The underpolling and MFM silence will match the fraudulent election results.

[maryrose]

TK:
This is my big fear. Somehow there will be additional fraud. Already in Georgia some ballots were tampereed with and absentee ballots were somewhat compromised. Eternal vigilence or work at a poliing place to make sure everything is correctly done.
NK;Foley is ahead in latest CT. poll Can he win it this time?

[Laura White]

My lord, Clarice, I looks up "aerial silk" because I didn't know what you wee talking about, and good heavens! She'll be fine, very, very likely, because professionals test and trust their equipment. But as (in a minor key ) when I learned my son had taken up rock climbing and a triathlon that required swimming in a coast in which another fellow had just died at the jaws of a shark, one shudders. Does no good to put in a complaint--only emboldens the young.

[Laura White]

Looked up, rather.

[maryrose]

Porch:
Alaska is definitely underpolled as is Minnesota. I have seen several articles saying Franken is in trouble but you would never know it from the MFM.

[Skoot]

Where have all the Sheehans gone
Long time passing
Where have all the Sheehans gone
Long time ago...

Hey porch, did you see The Replacements were on Kimmel last night. Pretty cool, they played that "Alex Chilton" thing. Saw a cover band do the Box Tops Letter awhile ago, great songs.

[Sue]

TK,

I don't know her personally. And the ladies in my exercise class were wrong about her being AR so...all I know for sure is she has 3 small boys and the ladies said her unit was deployed to the border.

[Rick B]

"Is it me or does this election cycle seem underpolled?"

Definitely underpolled compared to past midterms. I did a count on Kentucky and it was running about 25% behind - and that was before clarity was achieved as to Grimes incompetence. I'd really hate to be designing screens for polling this election. I don't believe the Tierney polling in Massachusetts is going to be the worst by a long shot.

[Porchlight]

Hi Skoot - I did see that they were on, but I didn't watch. Am kind of trying to remember the Replacements as they once were, rather than in their current iteration, especially since there's only two original members still playing. But I heard they were good.

I love that song - it was huge for me when it came out.

I don't generally weep when celebrities and musicians shuffle off this mortal coil, but I was very sad when Alex Chilton died. I guess because it wasn't an overdose or anything typical for musicians. He just had a heart attack while mowing his lawn. Sniff. He wasn't known for being super friendly, but he was very nice when we shook his hand after the Big Star reunion show a few years back.

[Porchlight]

maryrose - there hasn't been much polling in Colorado either. Couple of recent ones but it's hard to get a sense of trends. Only 55 days left.

[Sue]

TK,

What do you mean "fake assisting" ?

[Threadkiller]

Maryrose, this is why I am sceptical:

November 13, 2012, that during the weekly True the Vote webcast,Catherine Engelbrecht (see her photo below) related a meeting she had with Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), asking what the GOP would do about voter integrity.  The answer?

Nothing.  They aren’t legally able to.

http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2012/11/15/why-the-gop-will-not-do-anything-about-vote-fraud/

Catherine Engelbrecht was picked on for a reason...

[Jim Eagle]

It's been a while:

DOOM™®©

[Miss Marple]

You know, once in a while I just love Donald Trump:

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump · 1h

If Obama resigns from office NOW, thereby doing a great service to the country—I will give him free lifetime golf at any one of my courses!

[AliceH]

PSA: If you have not had chicken pox, you cannot get shingles and there is no point to getting the shingles vaccine. If you have contact with someone who is in the contagious stage of shingles (first few weeks), you can get chicken pox - not shingles - from them.

If you have not had chicken pox, you should, however, have/get the chicken pox vaccine. CDC recommends two doses - details here.

If you have had chicken pox, I agree with all recommending asking your doctor about getting the shingles vaccine. It's approved for those over 50 who've had cp; it's recommended for those over 60 who've had cp. That distinction between 'approved' and 'recommended' is behind whether insurance will cover some or all the cost.

[anonamom]

Hey, I linke to this this morning!

MM, any market for amethyst glass? A friend's deceased mother had quite the collection--

[Jim Eagle]

AliceH,

Absolutely. And if you are over 70 take the risk of 3 to 1. Better than nothing.

[narciso]

It's a small thing, the disaster in the Levant, is so obvious even Norma Desmond is aware of it,

Goodell, is the model of the politically correct bureaucrat, he might as well be at State, or
Defense, doing his best Chip Dillard impression,

[NK]

Dear All-- our dear host posted a driveby comment on the prior thread at 6:04. He used irony, so I couldn't quite figure out what he meant.

[AliceH]

JiB: Seems like everyone agrees. I wish our Frau, who did get the shingles vaccine, weren't unfortunate enough to find herself among the minority in obtaining no apparent benefit either of prevention or mitigation of severity and duration.

[Danube on iPad]

What is the risk of 3 to 1?

[Skoot]

Yeah, I remembered that article 'Smoking weed with Alex' or something you linked a while back- I enjoyed reading it.

Maybe tonight I'll turn up some Big Star and turn down Obama. Probably the only way I can take it.

(I was asked to play and sing one of my songs at church last week and it was a real honor - had to break out the Martin for that one :)

[Captain Hate]

Goodell is what it would be like having 404 as commissioner except for executive orders.

[anonamom]

Stephanie, you are right about the HPV vaccine only covering some of the viruses, but making an erro in judgement in not getting it for your daughter.
I'm no fan of vaccines, but both of my sons have had it. This oral HPV cancer --from even incidental contact, like the 13 year old who they think got it from sharing his older siblings drinks--is a devastating thing to have, and if we can prevent half of the cases, go for it, then have her get it again later when more of the strains have a vaccine.

[narciso]

It was that famous Lincoln quote, that the Huntress used at a sendoff of Guard troops, that the nets edited down, to suggest she was appropriating god to our foreign policy

[Ignatz]

--If I wanted to continue flight status it was ANG.--

When I was in a large majority of the tankers were Reserve.

[clarice]

Laura, some kids just like jumping off high places and stuff..Her other fave sport is high diving. (My mother was a champion platform diver and I got nosebleeds just looking up that high.)

[Captain Hate]

When you've lost this obese clown, it's like losing hemorrhoids but this should still leave a mark on 404:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/movies/michael-moore-brands-barack-obama-a-disappointment-20140910-10ethe.html

[Ignatz]

Does anyone here use Google Earth?
Do they have some subscription plan or something now?
I logged on just now and everything is clear and in focus except for a block covering about 100 miles on a side that just happens to be where I live and normally use it and which will not focus at all.
Coincidence?

[clarice]

Is there a nuclear installation there, Ig..Some sites are fussed up for security reasons.

[Miss Marple]

anonamom,

Quite a market for amethyst glass, especially unusual pieces. For some reason a lot of collectors are drawn to the purple glass.

If your friend's mother had a collection it would be worthwhile getting it looked at. An auction house might be able to sell it at a premium, but they do take about 35% commission. Your friend can probably sell it on eBay but it is a lot of work if you are not experienced.

To get an idea of values your friend can do an advanced search on eBay checking the "completed listings" box. Sold listings will show up with green prices.

[Threadkiller]

Sue, the National Guard performs a dog and pony show role. When people hear the NG is going to the border they envision some sort of security function being performed by them. They do unnecessary admin BS.

Here is a link I found on the fly. I'll look for something better

http://www.nationaljournal.com/white-house/what-would-the-national-guard-actually-do-at-the-border-20140724

[narciso]

Whenever zaphod gives a speech, it's like when Kang or was it Kodos, pretended to be Bob Dole,
very self conscious and/or often wrong,

[Danube on iPad]

The Guard can't possibly help at the border. Once the illegals reach this side, they can't be kicked out.

[narciso]

You know I get tired of them, using the consent decree as an excuse, do something see if it works, and then deal with the fallout,

[Porchlight]

Skoot, good work on the Martin, and glad you liked the article. I found it strangely charming.

Well, who is going to watch this thing tonight? I'm not, but I might follow a live blogging, or Iowahawk's Twitter feed.

[Captain Hate]

Marvin "Bad News" Barnes dead at age 62. One of the first real characters of the ABA. RIP

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/09/10/the-greatest-marvin-barnes-stories-ever-told/

[Ignatz]

--Is there a nuclear installation there, Ig..Some sites are fussed up for security reasons.--

It's an area from Lake Tahoe to Fresno and Stockton across most of Nevada so it's actually more than 100 miles per side but it has never been out of focus before.
Just last month I was surveying last year's fire damage with it.
Now? A blur and if I zoom in, the little Google copyright logo disappears that is there over the clear area.
Weird. Guess I'll check it tomorrow.

[NK]

Bad News Barnes--- didn't he have an episode with a tire iron and a homicide in Providence back in the day?

[centralcal]

Well Porch - the WH released some excerpts of the speech and it is already being ridiculed on Twitter.