The future is coming at us like a freight train, which terrifies a certain slice of the NY Times demographic:
A Wi-Fi Barbie Doll With the Soul of Siri
Ever since Siri appeared as a regular feature on the iPhone, certain young children — and, let’s face it, some of their parents — have spent hours chatting up the virtual assistant, curious about the details of her humanoid back story.
Siri, where do you live? Siri, do you have a boyfriend? Siri, how old are you?
Which means there is a toy in your future grandchild's future:
Founded in 2011, ToyTalk already produces popular animated conversational apps — among them the Winston Show and SpeakaZoo — that encourage young children to engage in complex dialogue with a menagerie of make-believe characters. Now the company’s technology, originally designed for two-dimensional characters on-screen, is poised to power tangible playthings that children hold in their hands.
This fall, Mattel plans to introduce Hello Barbie, a Wi-Fi enabled version of the iconic doll, which uses ToyTalk’s system to analyze a child’s speech and produce relevant responses.
“She’s a huge character with an enormous back story,” Mr. Jacob says of Barbie. “We hope that when she’s ready, she will have thousands and thousands of things to say and you can speak to her for hours and hours.”
I know what you might be thinking - this could lead to a cultural shift that revolutionizes education and moves the needle on an important aspect of the Two Americas problem. Let's cut to The Economist on America's growing and seemingly intractable class divide:
Upbringing affects opportunity. Upper-middle-class homes are not only richer (with two professional incomes) and more stable; they are also more nurturing. In the 1970s there were practically no class differences in the amount of time that parents spent talking, reading and playing with toddlers. Now the children of college-educated parents receive 50% more of what Mr Putnam calls “Goodnight Moon” time (after a popular book for infants).
Educated parents engage in a non-stop Socratic dialogue with their children, helping them to make up their own minds about right and wrong, true and false, wise and foolish. This is exhausting, so it helps to have a reliable spouse with whom to share the burden, not to mention cleaners, nannies and cash for trips to the theatre.
Working-class parents, who have less spare capacity, are more likely to demand that their kids simply obey them. In the short run this saves time; in the long run it prevents the kids from learning to organise their own lives or think for themselves. Poor parenting is thus a barrier to social mobility, and is becoming more so as the world grows more complex and the rewards for superior cognitive skills increase.
That appeared in a review of Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis by Robert Putnam, but they also cite "Coming Apart" by Charles Murray.
It may seem obvious that a Siri-type doll might be able to read to and engage with a youngster in a way that represented an upgrade from the harried single mother working two jobs (or even the harried Super Mom grappling with kids, work and life.) And maybe that intellectual stimulation would level the class divide a bit. Maybe!
But that is not where the Times is headed. Spoiler Alert - their focus is on privacy and gender stereotyping:
It was probably inevitable that the so-called Internet of Things — those Web-connected thermostats and bathroom scales and coffee makers and whatnot — would beget the Internet of Toys. And just like Web-connected consumer gizmos that can amass details about their owners and transmit that data for remote analysis, Internet-connected toys hold out the tantalizing promise of personalized services and the risk of privacy perils.
“Is this going to be some creepy doll that records what is going on in your home without you knowing it?” asks Nicole A. Ozer, the director of technology and civil liberties at the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. “What is being recorded? How long is it being stored? Who is it being shared with?”
They do note the educational opportunities:
The advent of connected toys that can record and talk back to children is likely to deepen this debate over the Internet of Things because of the potential for these intelligent toys to powerfully affect children’s imagination, learning and social development.
...
Sandra L. Calvert, the director of the Children’s Digital Media Center at Georgetown and the lead author of the study, said that toys able to personalize their responses to children in real time could have an even greater effect on them.
“These could be real cutting-edge approaches to facilitate children’s learning,” Dr. Calvert told me. But, she added, the toys’ impact would depend largely on the depth and breadth of their conversational abilities. “It’s only as good as the programmer,” she said.
It could be great but it might not be. Thank heaven for experts!
And then we are back to privacy and other concerns:
But the notion of this technology, originally designed for mobile screens, incarnated in the body of Barbie is already generating controversy, even before the toy has been introduced.
ToyTalk and Mattel executives are fully aware that children’s advocates and feminists will be watching closely to see whether Hello Barbie challenges girls to think deeply or perpetuates beauty and gender stereotypes. Last fall, for instance, Mattel faced withering scorn when critics discovered that a children’s book titled “Barbie: I Can Be a Computer Engineer” showed the character seeking help from male friends to code a game.
“Everybody involved is very aware of how carefully this content needs to be crafted,” Michael Shore, head of consumer insights at Mattel, told me earlier this week about Hello Barbie. “With this powerful a technology, this is something we need to be hypervigilant about.”
Hmm. The PC police will make monitoring interactive toys a full time job. Of course, pitch this as a new means of indoctrination (Islamic Barbie is your friend!) and the libs will be stampeding to get on board.
Yay Tom!
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 06:14 PM
In 100 years, the world will resemble Solaria.
Posted by: Stephanie | March 28, 2015 at 06:18 PM
The ACLU calling anything creepy shows a disturbing lack of self awareness.
Posted by: Captain Hate on the iPad | March 28, 2015 at 06:19 PM
I guess this won't be like A Chatty Cathy doll.
Hi,I'm Chatty Cathy,what is your name? (Gawd,I'm old)
Posted by: Marlene on Kindle | March 28, 2015 at 06:21 PM
Kick common core out of the schools and back it comes as wifi Barbie, aka the indoctrinatris.
Posted by: henry | March 28, 2015 at 06:24 PM
When I first got a phone with Siri, my 14-year old son said: "Ask it 'Where can I find a hooker?'"
Posted by: Extraneus | March 28, 2015 at 06:25 PM
I can't say I thought much of Prof Calvert's view of learning so here's her cv.
http://www18.georgetown.edu/data/people/calverts/cv.pdf
I tend to not think much of Putnam's work although hearing him speak at the ATL History Ctr in April is on my list. The problem with mind arson as the point of ed is that it makes who your parents are and what goes on in the home matter more than ever. Only family will be able to create an Axemaker Mind in this vision.
maryrose-you are about 10 minutes from me and 103 West is where my sister's rehearsal dinner was back when it was still a restaurant. Now it is just an event facility run by the Buckhead Life group. We can easily get together at your convenience.
Posted by: rse | March 28, 2015 at 06:28 PM
I suppose babble does come before peck and drool but I fail to see any substantive improvement regarding probable outcomes. I suppose the toys would be a great boon in the over development of Precious Snowflake's inherently over sized ego but how does it prevent her discovery of reality upon leaving the cocoon?
Posted by: Rick Ballard | March 28, 2015 at 06:30 PM
Susan Calvert, hm, sounds a little like the character from Asimov's 'I Robot'
too soon for April Fools, although at Carlos Slim's. . .
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 06:32 PM
anonamom-I had a sinus problem I thought would go away so I would take mucinex and lots of water and do radio interviews.
It turned into bacterial pneumonia quickly after I thought I was winning. Shots of antibiotics and steroids and more of a different antibiotic. I was better and I could breath but still no energy. I started making the tonics about 10 days ago because my lungs still hurt. I also put in thinly sliced onions.
Leaving for the ne next weekend I went back to dr Thursday and the sinuses were still striking. Even stronger antibiotics and a steroid pack. Tomorrow I taper off in earnest so I may be swinging from the rafters or crying by tomorrow evening like I was watching Dr Zhivago for the 1st time.
The tonics are not something I have done before but they will be my first weapon from now on at the first sign of congestion.
Posted by: rse | March 28, 2015 at 06:34 PM
Video - BEST CLASSROOM APRIL FOOLS PRANK EVER
http://commoncts.blogspot.com/2015/03/best-classroom-april-fools-prank-ever.html
Posted by: Steve | March 28, 2015 at 06:34 PM
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. Last night I indulged in a local guilty pleasure -- Nachos de Camaron. This is a bed of chips topped with marinated grilled shrimp, chunks of avocado and queso fundido cheese. It was my birthday, so nobody made too much fun of me for dropping cheese on my shirt.
Today we went to the bike shop to pick up WonderBoy's birthday bike. He has sort of a checkered history with bikes... About a month after he arrived at school, his bike got stolen. About six weeks later he found it in the bushes on campus. 4 days later, it was stolen again. At the end of the year he bought an old bike for $50 from a graduating senior. He figured no one would be interested in stealing it. Yeah, it got stolen, too. Now you have to understand that the boy is absolutely brilliant, but was also born the absent-minded professor. We asked about how he had locked it up and the answer was well, he didn't quite remember whether he locked it up or not. The third theft was after he was riding up to the dorm and some of his friends were playing frisbee. To quote WonderGirl, "Good Lord, he's a golden retriever! He doesn't deserve a new bike!"
DrF says that we should look at things positively -- WonderBoy is now 21 and responsible, right?
Posted by: cathyf | March 28, 2015 at 06:54 PM
RSE Believe it or not I took Sudafed and Alka Seltzer and was cured of a sinus infection We can finalize a meet up as the day comes closer
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 06:55 PM
Responsible about the things that occur to him, but otherwise he's a boy. Or as we say about my oldest "how can someone so smart be so dumb.
Happy belated b'day.
To maryrose on her trip to ATL. Getting in anytime I would take the train, but especially on a Friday afternoon. Get off at Lenox station and catch a cab. Lenox road runs between the two halves of the station. It crosses Peachtree but turning makes no sense unless you want to run up the meter because that same road deadends at Piedmont Rd by your Hampton Inn.
Posted by: rse | March 28, 2015 at 06:56 PM
Cathyf.
I think if Wonder Boy keeps the key around his neck and writes on his arm Lock Bike he should do just fine Or pay someone to watch it
Tell Wonder Girl to lighten up Has she ever lost anything else
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 06:59 PM
RSE We are renting a car so we have some maneuvering room
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 07:02 PM
Frederick has Dash and Dot robots from Wonder Works and programs to do all sort of interesting things like serving me a glass of wine, herding thd dogs into their crate and guarding the stairs at night. There are a lot of advanced toys out there that teach programming and mechanicall innovation.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 07:10 PM
too much MSNBC, meaning any, does this:
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/03/report-evil-terror-group-al-qaeda-bought-into-global-warming-junk-science-myth/
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 07:12 PM
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/are-wealthy-us-foundations-paying-to-suppress-religious-freedom-53587/
Posted by: clarice | March 28, 2015 at 07:19 PM
yikes, what a hive of scum and villainy, Arcus probably has some Soros tie, Kevin Jennings is involved,
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 07:24 PM
TM To the topic at hand
So my spending time at night reading Harry Potter and American girl books was a fifties kind of education for my kids Funny thing is I enjoyed being with them And they knew it Can a toy robot show them feelings and give them a quick hug
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 07:25 PM
FTR (after 2 martini's) - I've met more JOMers than anyone (except maybe Caro, but she's not a braggard) - and I've never had a bad experience - well there were those 2 meetings with Hit, but....
So meet-up, report back and have a blast.
Posted by: Jane | March 28, 2015 at 07:28 PM
Arcus does nave Soros money. Every organizaition in America that is anti- religion, anti-marriage, anti-liberty is a Soros funded orggan, bet on it.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 07:28 PM
yes, there other focus is apes,
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/?/sf/page/24803
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 07:31 PM
I've never had a bad experience
I thought the gagging was not that good an experience! :)
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 07:40 PM
Jane:
I've never had a bad experience - well there were those 2 meetings with Hit, but....
I told you - as long as neither of us cracks, they'll never be able to pin the, um, incident on us. Keep cool and we're in the clear.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 28, 2015 at 07:42 PM
CH I am do for my semi annual trip over to the East Side so how close are you to the Cedar Lee Theater
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 07:43 PM
Hit Jane just said she finished two martin is I think she's ready to spill the beans
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 07:46 PM
Well Jane. If you want to come down to boston I'll buy dinner.
Posted by: rse | March 28, 2015 at 07:50 PM
Lots of "white privilege" on display in Los Angeles tonight.Only 3 AA players on the floor in WI vs. AZ.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 07:51 PM
Thanks, Jane. The check is in the mail.
Posted by: MarkO | March 28, 2015 at 07:52 PM
Mean't to add: Wait until they see the Zags.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 07:52 PM
I've only texted with Jane, and she asked me to stop sending her pics.
Posted by: Extraneus | March 28, 2015 at 07:55 PM
JiB;
Soros is also funding the physician assisted suicide movement. I really have to believe he is the agent of Satan.
He is out to destroy every single Western cultural and moral tradition.
Pure evil.
Posted by: matt | March 28, 2015 at 07:56 PM
Glasater/Janet - hinderaker may well be right about the real source of Reid's injuries, but I prefer this as the real explanation for his decision to quit:
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/03/28/the-real-reason-harry-reid-is-retiring/
Posted by: exdemocrat | March 28, 2015 at 07:57 PM
evening all ...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/11500145/Pro-Hassan-Rouhani-Iranian-editor-defects-while-covering-nuclear-talks-in-Lausanne.html
pull quote
>>>“The US negotiating team are mainly there to speak on Iran’s behalf with other members of the 5+1 countries and convince them of a deal,” he said.<<<
got nothing on the talking Barbie, but this episode came to mind
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xx7fxq_twilight-zone-living-doll_shortfilms
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 28, 2015 at 07:57 PM
matt,
My only regret is that I didn't blow up his estate on Old Town Road in Southampton when I had the chance. He's gone now but his ex wife is still there and so is his kids. Hmmm.......
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 08:02 PM
maryrose-Buckhead Diner is just south of you on Piedmont. Famous home made potato chips covered with maytag blue cheese.
If you turn out of the Hampton Inn left on to Piedmont and go straight when you get to Roswell Road, you will almost immediately descend into the mansions that coca cola, banking, and transportation money built. It will dead end at Northside Dr, turn right and see more amazing homes including where many pro athletes live as you meander your way to 285 and get on it to catch 75 almost immediately to get to chickamauga.
If you stand in front of 103 West on West Paces and look right you will see the Atlanta History Center to your right on the left hand corner, if you or your husband like history at all it is worth coming back to.
The Swan Coach House there is a great luncheon tradition and the Inman mansion is worth touring as well.
Posted by: rse | March 28, 2015 at 08:02 PM
We need a JOM travel guide for all our cities, towns, villages and locales. rse has started a good one for the Buckhead area of Attalnta, a city I only visited once and have no idea where I was or even stayed.
This way if anyone is traveling and happens to be in that area or near it they know all the best places to stay, eat and see.
Can we do this on the Wiki page?
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 08:09 PM
maytag blue cheese.
As in Fritz Maytag? From San Francisco? That is good stuff -- we have it on burgers.
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 08:12 PM
JIB What a great idea I would be happy to tell people about ;;Cleveland
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 08:12 PM
RSE Maybe we could all meet at the Buckhead Diner
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 08:14 PM
Turn on all your lights! Earth Hour is 8:30 local time. :)
Posted by: Marlene on Kindle | March 28, 2015 at 08:18 PM
more creepy dolls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT0-YdU16i4
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 28, 2015 at 08:21 PM
Lights. On marlene
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 08:22 PM
Hmmm, Earth Hour.
***GUS, ALL AMPS to 11 Stat!!!!***
I will do so too.
This should blow any cobwebs out of my Marshall (and possibly Racine County).
Posted by: henry | March 28, 2015 at 08:23 PM
We need a JOM travel guide for all our cities, towns, villages and locales.
Up here, try Pho King Good. It is!
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 08:24 PM
Sam Dekker!
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 08:26 PM
"Hi,I'm Chatty Cathy,what is your name?"
Hi, I'm Talking Tina and you better be nice to me!
Posted by: Talking Tina | March 28, 2015 at 08:34 PM
Just back from a quick run to chili's. Nice to see the Canadian goose is back in the bushes there sitting on her eggs for the fourth or fifth year in a row. Freezing her azz off but still a good mama.
I'll keep the Ohio contingent up to date on the northern coaster run if we go. For the Atlanta meet up, y'all just let me know where to show up and I'm there.
Rse, now that you are on the mend, we can do lunch in Chambodia when you get back from Boston. I'm still jonesing for a poboy from the crawfish shack.
Posted by: Stephanie De Nile is a river in Progtopia | March 28, 2015 at 08:35 PM
maryrose I'm about a mile from the Cedar Lee. I live on South Taylor about a dozen houses off Fairmount.
Posted by: Captain Hate on the iPad | March 28, 2015 at 08:38 PM
Dang it, Jack went to bed before I could share THIS link with him!
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Metaphysical-/19266/i.html?LH_Complete=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_nkw=haunted+doll
There are people who sell haunted dolls on eBay. They buy old dolls and make up some creepy story about the spirit which lives in the doll. Some of them promise magic powers with the dolls, too.
Why eBay allows this, I do not know.
But just think! The people who buy these dolls can vote!
I assume the sellers are all democrats.
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 28, 2015 at 08:39 PM
9:26 is pretty early for drink or two to celebrate selling America down the proverbial river.
http://ulstermanbooks.com/barack-obamas-drinking-alcohol-by-926-a-m/
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 08:39 PM
rich, Take a look at that search result I linked!
The world is full of creepy people!
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 28, 2015 at 08:40 PM
. . . and creepy dolls.
Posted by: sbw | March 28, 2015 at 08:44 PM
indeed so MM.
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 28, 2015 at 08:48 PM
sbw,
I took a second to read a couple of the listings. You will be happy to know that one of the dolls gets along fine with pets.
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 28, 2015 at 08:49 PM
good grief JiB ...
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 28, 2015 at 08:50 PM
Thanks exdem. I will check out that link as soon as I reboot and clear the cache of this beast.
Meantime, does anyone remember the name of the creepy little creature toy that did some pretty advanced things 15-20 years ago? It somehow was a security threat to businesses as I remember.
I bought a couple of them and gave them to my step grandkids and I'm sure those toys are long gone.
I remember when they first came out they went up in price just 'cause they were so popular.
Thanks!
Posted by: glasater | March 28, 2015 at 08:56 PM
seeing the early iteration of this, and considering how CJ Chivers, has tried to have his narrative and eat it too, who can say what is for certain anymore,
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 08:57 PM
A Furby
Posted by: sbw | March 28, 2015 at 08:58 PM
furby, I think that was the name,
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 08:58 PM
MM,I had an aunt who made porcelain dolls.She was a nurse,so painting the doll faces was a mindful hobby for her.Anyway,when my daughter was young,she thought auntie's dolls were creepy.I think seeing doll heads on table being painted freaked her out.
Posted by: Marlene on Kindle | March 28, 2015 at 09:05 PM
http://www.the-american-interest.com/2015/03/28/pro-rouhani-defector-blasts-us-negotiators-as-iran-apologists/
IMO, this is absolutely the same as John Kerry did in 1971 at the Paris peace talks which he was not even lawfully suppose to be there.
http://www.trevorloudon.com/2015/03/obama-and-kerry-seek-to-finalize-an-iranian-nuclear-deal-as-nuclear-conflict-draws-near/
With John Kerry and the Obama Admin doing their thing with Iran I don't see the end result being any thing but a disaster for the US.
Posted by: pagar | March 28, 2015 at 09:05 PM
I thought the gagging was not that good an experience! :)
Hey! I only showed up to meet you! I suspect it was a hell of a lot worse on you than me - in fact Amy and I were talking about that this week - what a horrible position we put you in -
But a promise is a promise - and you have been nothing but gracious. (I can only imagine what you say in private)
Posted by: Jane | March 28, 2015 at 09:13 PM
barack-obamas-drinking-alcohol-by-926-a-m/
Huh. 9:26 AM is almost the exact time I put up the TCFAB! thread.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 28, 2015 at 09:19 PM
so one strigoi down, the whole nest to go,
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122290574391296381
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 09:21 PM
CH. My husband and son were over there last week to see a Russian hockey movie with my sons godfather So close to you
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 09:22 PM
Hit. You are so funny
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 09:23 PM
I remember a few years ago DailyPundit said he not only turned on all his lights, but he also ran a couple of space heaters outside.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | March 28, 2015 at 09:24 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/254094.stm
3 for 3 a furby
another creepy talking toy ... good grief.
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 28, 2015 at 09:25 PM
Jane,
I can only imagine what you say in private
Nothing untoward at all. Some things one cannot control, and I felt really bad for you. Amy was great. Another time!
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 09:29 PM
Its early but....Irish up 2 on Kentucky. Now 4.
No bench though and that could do them in over an hour against those brutes.
BTW, Irish beat Syracuse today to become No. 1 in college lacrosse. Who knows.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 09:32 PM
Doodlemum of the day:
http://doodlemum.com/2015/03/27/while-you-were-sleeping/
But you know that I like Arnie.
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 09:42 PM
Some sloppy play in places, but an exciting first half of roundball. This, too, calls for a beer! Or a 'Vulcan'...
Posted by: Beasts of England | March 28, 2015 at 09:45 PM
I don't see the end result being any thing but a disaster for the US.
It's inevitable, like the personal freedoms I once held dear that vanished so very long ago.
Posted by: Joshua John Ward | March 28, 2015 at 09:52 PM
I don't get those doodledum cartoons. Are they cartoons or just drawings?
Posted by: Janet | March 28, 2015 at 09:58 PM
Is CH at the game? Its in Cleveland.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 09:58 PM
Janet, they are daily sketches from her life. Vignettes, nothing more.
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 10:01 PM
Irish hangin' tough.
Posted by: Buckeye | March 28, 2015 at 10:10 PM
Nytol.
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 28, 2015 at 10:11 PM
CH still is in Santa Cruz, CA. That's a long way from Cleveland.
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 10:12 PM
JIB Tickets are rather pricey I hear Though going to March Madness games would be on my bucketlist
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 10:15 PM
Rich/pagar "In his television interview, Mr Mottaghi also gave succour to western critics of the proposed nuclear deal, .."
Any idea where the video of this 'television interview' can be found?
(I am constantly amazed at how mainstream media outlets fail to provide information about - and links to - source material.)
Posted by: exdemocrat | March 28, 2015 at 10:18 PM
exdem,
Its DOE sec. Moniz who is the wild card. He is the only guy there beside Salehi who knows what the hell they are talking about (i.e Nuclear enrichment and physics). Not something even Lurch would even have a comic book undertstanding of.
We have turned our safety and security over to one MIT nerdy professor. Feel better?
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 10:29 PM
Not jinxing but IIRC the Irish beat an undefeated UCLA, then did the same to an undefeate Oklahoma in football and also an undefeated UConn ladies team, right? Or sometihing like that.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 10:34 PM
I've always gotten sinus infections and had to take antibiotics, no more. I use this at the first symptom:
http://www.amazon.com/Superior-Learner-Improver-Unbreakable-Stainless/dp/B00ARSEA7O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427596962&sr=8-1&keywords=stainless+steel+neti+pot
Posted by: Strawman Cometh | March 28, 2015 at 10:47 PM
Go Irish!
Posted by: Strawman Cometh | March 28, 2015 at 10:48 PM
Cats by the skin of their teeth.
Great game. BTW, ND is no Wisconsin and the Badgers must take heart seeing this game.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 28, 2015 at 11:01 PM
Good job Notre Dame
Posted by: maryrose | March 28, 2015 at 11:02 PM
“Pictures just have a huge impact on me,” Mr. Cruz wrote in a conversation with a teenager from upstate New York, according to a criminal complaint. “Seeing your feet and face and muscles and room and awards and stuff reinforce what a big deal you are.”
Posted by: Pedo Cruz | March 28, 2015 at 11:19 PM
it's some outfit, called irane farda,
http://new.livestream.com/Iranefardatv/live
the actual video is not currently available, that I can see,
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 11:19 PM
professional courtesy is my best guess:
http://therightscoop.com/mr-president-why-do-you-insist-on-dancing-with-the-devil-judge-jeanine-slams-the-iran-deal/
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 11:23 PM
Pedo, DIAF.
Posted by: DrJ | March 28, 2015 at 11:23 PM
JiB - one simple question: what is so intolerable - to the US - about the status quo, that a deal with the mullahs - of any kind - is so urgently required??
Posted by: exdemocrat | March 28, 2015 at 11:23 PM
at the rate of processing fuel, I would say 12 to 18 month, is the zero barrier before they get the first bomb, it really isn't a question of if but when, and that is being charitable,
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 11:27 PM
Nice own goal, Pedo, you moron. Keep it up, though, as you and your type may well turn a wave into a tsunami.
Posted by: exdemocrat | March 28, 2015 at 11:28 PM
I thought progressives were all about nuclear nonproliferation, right? So go ahead, progressives, explain to us how Obama's actions are furthering that goal.
Come on - its not that hard to do, is it?
Posted by: exdemocrat | March 28, 2015 at 11:31 PM
no, don't do it, we will send replicants after you:
http://deadline.com/2015/02/blade-runner-sequel-harrison-ford-denis-villeneuve-1201382634/
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 11:31 PM
dejavu all over again:
I know, I know. The heading's a tad too ephusive but I JUST LOVED THIS BOOK! The Spike is a news- paper term for killing a story. That's the meaning of the title. Written in 1980, it's about Robert Hockney. It begins in 1968, where Hockney, a journalism major at Berkley, participates in the antiwar movement. The war at the beginning and throughout the first half of the book being the Vietnam War. He's sent to Saigon to cover the Vietnam War for the New York World--a newspaper that's out of business in real life. Hockney meets Tessa Torrence, an aspiring actress who's like Jane Fonda. Hockney's father is a retired admiral. Hockney himself is 4F, unfit for service, because of a bad knee. His girlfriend, Julia Cummings, is the sister of Perry Cummings, a KGB mole in the Department of Defense. In the second half, Hockney goes around the world trying to uncover a plot by the Soviet Union to bring down the United States. Viktor Borisov, a a KGB agent in Switzerland, defects to the West with his wife and family. Borisov goes to Washington and testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee and names names. Some of them U.S. Senators--others high officials in the new Connor Administration. A Soviet backed coup North Yemen, spreads to Saudi Arabia and brings down the Saudi monarchy. At the end of the book, Connor's new vice president tells him that he won't be running in two years and he will. He also warns the Soviets that they'll face a nuclear attack.
Posted by: narciso | March 28, 2015 at 11:39 PM