To continue the question from the previous thread there is a Muslim oncologist from Iran in our neighborhood who waves and his daughter chats and the wife never leaves the house and does not apparently speak English.
Lots of the cashiers at the closest two Publix are Muslim per the ubiquitous head scarf.
I did once go to an Asian market on Cjristmas eve to get groceries when I fell asleep with newborn until after normal grocery store hours. Good time to live in a polyglot city.
No statesman shaped the twentieth century more than Winston Churchill. To know the full Churchill is to understand the combination of boldness and caution, of assertiveness and humility, that defines statesmanship at its best. With fresh perspective and insights based on decades of studying and teaching Churchill, Larry P. Arnn explores the greatest challenges faced by Churchill over the course of his extraordinary career, both in war and peace—and always in the context of Churchill’s abiding dedication to constitutionalism.
Churchill’s Trial is organized around the three great challenges to liberty that Churchill faced: Nazism, Soviet communism, and his own nation’s slide toward socialism. Churchill knew that stable free government, long enduring, is rare, and hangs upon the balance of many factors ever at risk. Combining meticulous scholarship with an engrossing narrative arc, this book holds timely lessons for today. Arnn says, “Churchill’s trial is also our trial. We have a better chance to meet it because we had in him a true statesman.”
In a scholarly, timely, and highly erudite way, Larry Arnn puts the case for Winston Churchill continuing to be seen as statesman from whom the modern world can learn important lessons. In an age when social and political morality seems all too often to be in a state of flux, Churchill’s Trial reminds us of the enduring power of the concepts of courage, duty, and honor.
--Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of Napoleon: A Life and The Storm of War
Larry Arnn has spent a lifetime studying the life and accomplishments of Winston Churchill. In his lively Churchill’s Trial, Arnn artfully reminds us that Churchill was not just the greatest statesman and war leader of the twentieth century, but also a pragmatic and circumspect thinker whose wisdom resonates on every issue of our times.
--Victor Davis Hanson, senior fellow, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University
In absorbing, gracefully written historical and biographical narration, Larry Arnn shows that Churchill, often perceived as inconsistent and opportunistic, was in fact philosophically rigorous and consistent at levels of organization higher and deeper than his detractors are capable of imagining. In Churchill’s Trial Arnn has rendered great service not only to an incomparable statesman but to us, for the magnificent currents that carried Churchill through his trials are as admirable, useful, and powerful in our times as they were in his.
--Mark Helprin, New York Times bestselling author of Winter’s Tale and In Sunlight and in Shadow"
Interesting thing about that conant book mentioned in the last thread, there are more than few references to fleming, and some of his inspiration for the bond tales, someone named hohenlohe is noted as the inspiration for blofeld
Taft carried two states, and will considers that a moral victory, snorfle, trump is more like tr, that's the one useful thing I got from that column, mangia.
Alex hohenlohe was the owner of a ski resort, much like the father of the blofeld character in spector, his wife, was who Ursula andreas"s character in doctor no was based on.
32 and snowing here. Typing this on generator power as some flea-brained California pencil neck couldn't keep it on the road in an inch of snow and took out a power pole.
A welcome 50" of snow here in the last five days. Fun!
I play bridge with a definitely "Persian" woman. She is totally westernized.
My parents lived in Beirut from 1972 until evacuated. They seemed to enjoy Muslim friends and loved living there, but times were different then. We had a Tunisian girl exchange student in my high school class. She was just like us, but I have heard that she is now in a burqa.
Beautiful Christmas photo, glas. Thanks. And Merry Christmas to all my JOM family.
Re (A)B's request, hired a Lebanese kid who'd escaped Saddam in Kewait. Was a sweet guy without a hint of muzzieness. He eventually got his dad and kid brothers over. (We helped him get his citizenship.) I wouldn't trust that his brothers might not flip. The interesting thing was he ended up marrying a nice black gal from Chicage towards the end of his employment with us and when they had their first baby, I got the impression they were going to mosque. Maybe she was converted before meeting him.
Yesterday, I spent five hrs killing time at the skin Doctor. They were piping in Pandora EZ-Xmas (ne elevator) music. When I finally paid some attention to it, I realized there were a whole string of Whitney Houston style songs (maybe actually her) doing that lilty thing that mangles the Star Spangled Banner, etc. The two conflicting things were 1) a gorgeous voice 2) singing absolutely repetitive, boring, over processed schlock. What a waste. It also was kinda sad that the rich history of black musical talent over the last century has been replaced by raunchy drivel by male gangsta performers and this sugar coated pap by really talented female performers. Is it even possible for 3-4 black males to create a tight harmony, much less in a song you might want to listen to?
On a completely separate note, may I offer a small observation about Rubio and his water needs? It dawned on me that when he speaks he has a quirky way he makes his mouth work. If you hold the middle of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and relax your cheeks until they don't snuggle against your teeth, you have to exhale a fair amount of air to get the words to come out. Do that for 5-10 min. straight and the inside of your mouth is completely dry.
'02 mag of Far Niente Cabernet, Beasts. Only one left in the cellar. Coupla '06, though. Still saving my '04 Mouton and Haut Brion for your visit to BOI. The '98 Latour might not make it until then...
And of course caro is correct about Jeff being closer to MT than UT.
He likes pro-Boxing, big posters of CowBoy dime store novels, and loud Christian-Rock radio.
I asked him last time why Barber poles were red and blue and he went off on some big lecture about how in the past barbers would also pull teeth and stitch up people who had been stabbed or shot, etc, so that was what the red in the Swirling Barber Pole stood for---the blood. He said that prior to the swirling pole Barbers would hang their bloody rags out to dry and flap in the wind, and that's how you knew where the Barber Shop was---head for the bloody rags. I forget what the blue was for.
I expect a full JOM discussion on the true history of Barber Poles to now ensue, but no mocking of my Mexican Barber is allowed:(---Feliz Navidad!
Catching up here in Vermont, where it reached 68 today. Just wanted to comment on this from Iggy from the last thread:
"Yves Smith debunks The Big Short. Unfortunately her debunking sounds considerably more bunkish than Lewis's screed."
I had a little trouble figuring out exactly what the complaint was, except that maybe Lewis didn't write a different book, one about the real villains (as Smith sees them). But Smith seems a bit lost as well.
I think Lewis managed to capture something of what happened, and is worth reading, but missed a major part of the bigger picture, which was the role of Fannie and Freddie and their enablers in Congress. Morgenson's book got that part, though also went astray in an effort to be evenhanded and not lose her NYT friends. I'd say read both Lewis and Morgenson, and sift out the parts that are valid. I'm also part way through Wallison's book, which someone mentioned here recently, which seems to getting warmer.
The house is clean, the food is prepped, the presents are (mostly) wrapped, and I am about to go pick up my father in law and his lady friend for lasagna and a casual Christmas eve dinner. Church is possible later if the star aligns and the Pope at Midnight Mass is a fine tradition.
All is well with the world.
I repeat, all is well with the world, with JOMers at work and play.
Saw your link and that's it. Left you a love note on the other thread. Thanks for saving the day.
In re the Muslim associate, neighbor, co-worker et. al. Sandy and I are pretty much in agreement because we lived in the ME with them. But over here where many of you have associated, I agree it is different even if they only have assimilated a little. The judeo-christian ethic and culture is dominant here. Harder for them to dominate but you can bet your Qu'ran they'd love to be in that position.
In Europe, the judeo-christian ethos is disappearing and the culture is much more secular than here. Belgium is a predominately Catholc country much like France, Italy and Spain but no one honors it even at Christmas or Easter. Today I drove Frederick to the Ice Rink and passing my Church, Sacred Hearts, the cars were lined up for over 1/4 mile in both directions from the church. The parking lot overlfowing just for the 4:00pm vigil. There are more masses at 8 and midnight plus 4 tomorrow.
In Belgium and much of Catholic europe you get crickets and that is why the muzzies there feel so empowered to promote sharia, shoot up Paris and other institutions. I think more happens there than here.
It's not as though there's anything else going on to bump Obama's pathetic "holiday" Spotify playlist off the #1 story position at the top of the hour news on the radio today.
A reminder to NoCal JOMers I'll be in SF Jan 3-6 in am case a meet-up is possible. Turns out I'll be in DC the 11th-15th. Then rse and sbw will be in NYC starting the 19th. No pressure :)
In re your barber pole question, you may want to ask William Marvy Company in Minnesota. They are the number one makers of barber poles in America. Close to 100K by now. My good friend in Florida who is no in Nashville was my barber and he had a Marvy pole. That is how I found out about them.
According to Terry, its only in the USA we use blue and red - patriotism more than symbolism of surgery and use of leeches. Thank God for small favors.
"In Belgium and much of Catholic europe you get crickets and that is why the muzzies there feel so empowered to promote sharia, shoot up Paris and other institutions. I think more happens there than here."
Not to mention that the muzzies have little concern that Tom, Dick and Pierre will be packing heat.
In Belgium and much of Catholic europe you get crickets and that is why the muzzies there feel so empowered to promote sharia, shoot up Paris and other institutions.
Jack, ''Last night I was browsing thru the comments on the UK sites about the supposed Political uproar in Britain over the US pulling the VISA's for this Muslim UK dad to bring his family over to Disneyland. (The story has updated a bit now), seeing that his 19 year old sons Facebook page has been linked to ISIS Terror sites.
What I thought interesting was that the great majority of the comments are from Brits (not from Americans) and by a whopping margin they are pushing back against their Government's PC notion that we Americans are racist/bigoted for not opening our doors to the Muzzies, and instead they are very complementary and envious of America for keeping these guys the heck out of our country. That's the sense I get from the average Brit when they have a chance to express their opinion.
Frederick, Mrs. JiB and I are back in the City January 23rd for the Army-Navy Basketball game at MSG. Don't know if we are staying or just doing a RT on the Jitney.
Dave (inMA), your not complaining, right? I remember your winter posts from last year:)
During medieval times, barbers performed surgery on customers, as well as tooth extractions. The original pole had a brass wash basin at the top (representing the vessel in which leeches were kept) and bottom (representing the basin that received the blood). The pole itself represents the staff that the patient gripped during the procedure to encourage blood flow.
And thank goodness I don't get my hair cut in Asia:
In some parts of Asia, a red, white and blue barber pole is used as a symbol for a brothel.
evening all the daily mail, is odd sometimes in that it reflects some of what lord rothermere, intended, and in some cases, the crassest sentimentalism, re some lives matter and other issues,
Not so lovely weather here in the ATL, but we are done with Christmas stuff as we are leaving tomorrow evening for the Florida Keys til the 3rd. Driving so I'll wave at Jane when we blow by at 90 on I 75 Saturday morning. Check in is 2 o'clock so we're driving all night. Taking the whole family as this is probably the last Christmas before the kids start multiplying (hopefully like rabbits). Lovely house with heated pool and boat on a canal on Marathon. Temp is currently 82 and sunny.
6:00 ABC radio news mentioned how the Christmas observances in Bethlehem are significantly reduced this year due to violence between [between!] Israelis and Palestinians - ahead of talking about Selfie Stick's fondness for Boys 2 Men this time around.
For most Americans, however, the cold wave is not the pressing issue. The pressing issue — which will be debated for years to come — is how, exactly, did the New England Patriots’ footballs get deflated for the AFC championship game. The most fascinating theory is put forth by Patriot Head Coach Bill Belichick, a man who, at his happiest, looks like irate ferrets are gnawing their way out of his colon. He opines — these are actual quotes — that “atmospheric conditions” could be responsible, and also declares that “I’ve handled dozens of balls over the past week.” This will turn out to be the sports highlight of the year.
elsewhere in the transatlantic bubble, the fainting couches are out, re Poland, because the incoming
party, deigns to appoint their own judges to the Constitutional Court,
it's just passing strange, that we have verified proof of incitement against israelis, coming straight from the PA, for months now, then this squirrel pops up,
it matters little, that they vote for our candidate, it is more what resources they will commit against them, cruz trump, or whoever,
My 'em' is the comment that comes before all other comments to begin a thread.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | December 24, 2015 at 01:03 PM
Don't you have a sled launch to embiggen?
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2015 at 01:11 PM
To continue the question from the previous thread there is a Muslim oncologist from Iran in our neighborhood who waves and his daughter chats and the wife never leaves the house and does not apparently speak English.
Lots of the cashiers at the closest two Publix are Muslim per the ubiquitous head scarf.
I did once go to an Asian market on Cjristmas eve to get groceries when I fell asleep with newborn until after normal grocery store hours. Good time to live in a polyglot city.
Posted by: rse | December 24, 2015 at 01:13 PM
Sled launch size is complete. Still need to shape it and get it hard enough to climb on...
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | December 24, 2015 at 01:17 PM
A cherished JOM memory...
The link in PUK's original comment is now dead. Please accept this as a substitute...
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | December 24, 2015 at 01:24 PM
New in the Churchill canon:
by Dr. Larry Arnn
Churchill's Trial: Winston Churchill and the Salvation of Free Government
http://www.amazon.com/Churchills-Trial-Churchill-Salvation-Government/dp/1595555307
"Description
No statesman shaped the twentieth century more than Winston Churchill. To know the full Churchill is to understand the combination of boldness and caution, of assertiveness and humility, that defines statesmanship at its best. With fresh perspective and insights based on decades of studying and teaching Churchill, Larry P. Arnn explores the greatest challenges faced by Churchill over the course of his extraordinary career, both in war and peace—and always in the context of Churchill’s abiding dedication to constitutionalism.
Churchill’s Trial is organized around the three great challenges to liberty that Churchill faced: Nazism, Soviet communism, and his own nation’s slide toward socialism. Churchill knew that stable free government, long enduring, is rare, and hangs upon the balance of many factors ever at risk. Combining meticulous scholarship with an engrossing narrative arc, this book holds timely lessons for today. Arnn says, “Churchill’s trial is also our trial. We have a better chance to meet it because we had in him a true statesman.”
In a scholarly, timely, and highly erudite way, Larry Arnn puts the case for Winston Churchill continuing to be seen as statesman from whom the modern world can learn important lessons. In an age when social and political morality seems all too often to be in a state of flux, Churchill’s Trial reminds us of the enduring power of the concepts of courage, duty, and honor.
--Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of Napoleon: A Life and The Storm of War
Larry Arnn has spent a lifetime studying the life and accomplishments of Winston Churchill. In his lively Churchill’s Trial, Arnn artfully reminds us that Churchill was not just the greatest statesman and war leader of the twentieth century, but also a pragmatic and circumspect thinker whose wisdom resonates on every issue of our times.
--Victor Davis Hanson, senior fellow, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University
In absorbing, gracefully written historical and biographical narration, Larry Arnn shows that Churchill, often perceived as inconsistent and opportunistic, was in fact philosophically rigorous and consistent at levels of organization higher and deeper than his detractors are capable of imagining. In Churchill’s Trial Arnn has rendered great service not only to an incomparable statesman but to us, for the magnificent currents that carried Churchill through his trials are as admirable, useful, and powerful in our times as they were in his.
--Mark Helprin, New York Times bestselling author of Winter’s Tale and In Sunlight and in Shadow"
Posted by: Sandy Daze | December 24, 2015 at 01:53 PM
Yikes, am doing this on my hand - held communicator, did not realize that c&p was so long! Sorry.
Posted by: Sandy Daze | December 24, 2015 at 01:56 PM
Interesting thing about that conant book mentioned in the last thread, there are more than few references to fleming, and some of his inspiration for the bond tales, someone named hohenlohe is noted as the inspiration for blofeld
Posted by: buccaneer morgan | December 24, 2015 at 02:06 PM
Thanks Hit, and PUK.
Posted by: Jane | December 24, 2015 at 02:13 PM
Good Morning. Mark Steyn in for Rush this morning is beating George Will's latest like an organ grinder beating his his monkey's.
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 02:22 PM
Thanks Sandy. Though a long c&p it looks to be an interesting book.
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2015 at 02:23 PM
Do barbers work on Christmas Eve?
I need to go get a Haircut.
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 02:24 PM
Taft carried two states, and will considers that a moral victory, snorfle, trump is more like tr, that's the one useful thing I got from that column, mangia.
Posted by: buccaneer morgan | December 24, 2015 at 02:26 PM
Daddy, don't ask for an "above the collar" cut if the barber is Muslim. Just to be on the safe side.
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2015 at 02:26 PM
mrs hit and run got this for me at the thrift store in Victor, the town that sits at the base of Teton Pass on the Idaho side:
The opposite side of the hat is the logo for Wilson Backcountry Sports - Wilson being the town at the base of the pass on the Wyoming side.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | December 24, 2015 at 02:28 PM
Alex hohenlohe was the owner of a ski resort, much like the father of the blofeld character in spector, his wife, was who Ursula andreas"s character in doctor no was based on.
Posted by: buccaneer morgan | December 24, 2015 at 02:32 PM
Merry Christmas to all from far too humid and gray NC.
No full moon will be seen here tonight.
Posted by: anonamom | December 24, 2015 at 02:36 PM
Mostly clear now and tonight in central Ahia. Moon should be visable.
Planning to usher tonight at candlelight services. Buckeye Jr. will give a hand.
Posted by: Buckeye | December 24, 2015 at 02:59 PM
It's 85 here. There will be no Christmas sleeves.
Posted by: Jane | December 24, 2015 at 03:07 PM
'Still need to shape it and get it hard enough to climb on...'
I've used that line many times myself.
Posted by: Beasts of England | December 24, 2015 at 03:09 PM
Leaving shortly for the afternoon family mass at 4PM (got to get there early so we get a seat and don't have to park at the bottom of the hill.)
Then I will go pick up granddaughters and head to my sister's house for our family Christmas Eve party.
Thank you all for your friendship and the interesting discussions.
Merry Christmas to all!
Posted by: Miss Marple | December 24, 2015 at 03:15 PM
Merry Christmas to all of JOMLand!
Posted by: Thomas Collins | December 24, 2015 at 03:18 PM
When I read that hit comment I thought, "okay, Beasts, here you go..." :)
Four inches of globull warmening and still falling in les Bois. Tradition mooslim dinner of roast pork tomorrow.
Posted by: lyle | December 24, 2015 at 03:23 PM
32 and snowing here. Typing this on generator power as some flea-brained California pencil neck couldn't keep it on the road in an inch of snow and took out a power pole.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2015 at 03:26 PM
No menu forecast is complete without the carte du vin, lyle. Fess up!
Posted by: Beasts of England | December 24, 2015 at 03:28 PM
Beasts captures the "naughty and nice" prize for the year! Again...
Posted by: Frau Heilig Abend | December 24, 2015 at 03:29 PM
A welcome 50" of snow here in the last five days. Fun!
I play bridge with a definitely "Persian" woman. She is totally westernized.
My parents lived in Beirut from 1972 until evacuated. They seemed to enjoy Muslim friends and loved living there, but times were different then. We had a Tunisian girl exchange student in my high school class. She was just like us, but I have heard that she is now in a burqa.
Beautiful Christmas photo, glas. Thanks. And Merry Christmas to all my JOM family.
Posted by: caro | December 24, 2015 at 03:30 PM
Merry Christmas to all.
Re (A)B's request, hired a Lebanese kid who'd escaped Saddam in Kewait. Was a sweet guy without a hint of muzzieness. He eventually got his dad and kid brothers over. (We helped him get his citizenship.) I wouldn't trust that his brothers might not flip. The interesting thing was he ended up marrying a nice black gal from Chicage towards the end of his employment with us and when they had their first baby, I got the impression they were going to mosque. Maybe she was converted before meeting him.
Posted by: Man Tran | December 24, 2015 at 03:30 PM
Oh, and I meant to mention that Jeff is much closer to Montana than Utah!
Posted by: caro | December 24, 2015 at 03:33 PM
Happy Federal HolidayMerry Christmas and Happy Hannukah, JOM. Thanks for helping with my mental health all these years.I heart you one and all.
Posted by: Frau Heilig Abend | December 24, 2015 at 03:34 PM
Snow inequality! caro, keep that 50" of snow to yourself lest the feds take it and redistribute it to those who didn't get any.
Posted by: Frau Heilig Abend | December 24, 2015 at 03:40 PM
Yesterday, I spent five hrs killing time at the skin Doctor. They were piping in Pandora EZ-Xmas (ne elevator) music. When I finally paid some attention to it, I realized there were a whole string of Whitney Houston style songs (maybe actually her) doing that lilty thing that mangles the Star Spangled Banner, etc. The two conflicting things were 1) a gorgeous voice 2) singing absolutely repetitive, boring, over processed schlock. What a waste. It also was kinda sad that the rich history of black musical talent over the last century has been replaced by raunchy drivel by male gangsta performers and this sugar coated pap by really talented female performers. Is it even possible for 3-4 black males to create a tight harmony, much less in a song you might want to listen to?
Posted by: Man Tran | December 24, 2015 at 03:47 PM
Heart you, too, frau.
JIB, I posted the recipe you were looking for at the tail end of the previous clip.
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2015 at 03:48 PM
On a completely separate note, may I offer a small observation about Rubio and his water needs? It dawned on me that when he speaks he has a quirky way he makes his mouth work. If you hold the middle of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and relax your cheeks until they don't snuggle against your teeth, you have to exhale a fair amount of air to get the words to come out. Do that for 5-10 min. straight and the inside of your mouth is completely dry.
Posted by: Man Tran | December 24, 2015 at 03:59 PM
'02 mag of Far Niente Cabernet, Beasts. Only one left in the cellar. Coupla '06, though. Still saving my '04 Mouton and Haut Brion for your visit to BOI. The '98 Latour might not make it until then...
And of course caro is correct about Jeff being closer to MT than UT.
Posted by: lyle | December 24, 2015 at 04:00 PM
Man Tran
Pull up the Nylons singing "Because". You can find it on Spotify. Buncha black dudes, excellent harmony.
Posted by: Buckeye | December 24, 2015 at 04:02 PM
May I add that XM radio has really sucked for this "Holiday" season.
20 degrees here in Port Washington, celsius that is.
Posted by: peter | December 24, 2015 at 04:10 PM
Currently 14F.
My Mexican immigrant Barber works on Christmas Eve.
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 04:16 PM
El Machete?
Posted by: Threadkiller | December 24, 2015 at 04:22 PM
Not fair, Buckeye! Them's Canucks. Isn't that like white Hispanics?
Posted by: Man Tran | December 24, 2015 at 04:32 PM
I'm only cheatin' a little bit.
They probably have a British Canadian accent too, but they be black.
Posted by: Buckeye | December 24, 2015 at 04:40 PM
He's an interesting guy TK.
He likes pro-Boxing, big posters of CowBoy dime store novels, and loud Christian-Rock radio.
I asked him last time why Barber poles were red and blue and he went off on some big lecture about how in the past barbers would also pull teeth and stitch up people who had been stabbed or shot, etc, so that was what the red in the Swirling Barber Pole stood for---the blood. He said that prior to the swirling pole Barbers would hang their bloody rags out to dry and flap in the wind, and that's how you knew where the Barber Shop was---head for the bloody rags. I forget what the blue was for.
I expect a full JOM discussion on the true history of Barber Poles to now ensue, but no mocking of my Mexican Barber is allowed:(---Feliz Navidad!
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 04:41 PM
Catching up here in Vermont, where it reached 68 today. Just wanted to comment on this from Iggy from the last thread:
"Yves Smith debunks The Big Short. Unfortunately her debunking sounds considerably more bunkish than Lewis's screed."
I had a little trouble figuring out exactly what the complaint was, except that maybe Lewis didn't write a different book, one about the real villains (as Smith sees them). But Smith seems a bit lost as well.
I think Lewis managed to capture something of what happened, and is worth reading, but missed a major part of the bigger picture, which was the role of Fannie and Freddie and their enablers in Congress. Morgenson's book got that part, though also went astray in an effort to be evenhanded and not lose her NYT friends. I'd say read both Lewis and Morgenson, and sift out the parts that are valid. I'm also part way through Wallison's book, which someone mentioned here recently, which seems to getting warmer.
Merry Christmas to JOMers.
Posted by: jimmyk on iPhone | December 24, 2015 at 04:52 PM
Ben Shapiro over at Breitbart has me wondering if there's a single national GOPer anywhere that would pull the lever for Trump over Hillary?
Can you think of one?
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 04:58 PM
Just a touch and go . . .
The house is clean, the food is prepped, the presents are (mostly) wrapped, and I am about to go pick up my father in law and his lady friend for lasagna and a casual Christmas eve dinner. Church is possible later if the star aligns and the Pope at Midnight Mass is a fine tradition.
All is well with the world.
I repeat, all is well with the world, with JOMers at work and play.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!
PS. Hat tip to TM for his hospitality.
[On the road.]
Posted by: sbw | December 24, 2015 at 04:59 PM
peter,
Channels 13 and 18 on Sirius/XM are pretty good.
clarice,
Saw your link and that's it. Left you a love note on the other thread. Thanks for saving the day.
In re the Muslim associate, neighbor, co-worker et. al. Sandy and I are pretty much in agreement because we lived in the ME with them. But over here where many of you have associated, I agree it is different even if they only have assimilated a little. The judeo-christian ethic and culture is dominant here. Harder for them to dominate but you can bet your Qu'ran they'd love to be in that position.
In Europe, the judeo-christian ethos is disappearing and the culture is much more secular than here. Belgium is a predominately Catholc country much like France, Italy and Spain but no one honors it even at Christmas or Easter. Today I drove Frederick to the Ice Rink and passing my Church, Sacred Hearts, the cars were lined up for over 1/4 mile in both directions from the church. The parking lot overlfowing just for the 4:00pm vigil. There are more masses at 8 and midnight plus 4 tomorrow.
In Belgium and much of Catholic europe you get crickets and that is why the muzzies there feel so empowered to promote sharia, shoot up Paris and other institutions. I think more happens there than here.
Posted by: Jack is Back (but On Alert)! | December 24, 2015 at 04:59 PM
We are in the middle of a hail storm. Ugh. It appears that we will have a white Christmas. Ugh again!
Posted by: DrJ | December 24, 2015 at 05:02 PM
It's not as though there's anything else going on to bump Obama's pathetic "holiday" Spotify playlist off the #1 story position at the top of the hour news on the radio today.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | December 24, 2015 at 05:07 PM
I just had to reset my clock/weather station thingy because it lost contact with the gizmo outside, and when it came back up, outside temp was 65℉.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | December 24, 2015 at 05:11 PM
A reminder to NoCal JOMers I'll be in SF Jan 3-6 in am case a meet-up is possible. Turns out I'll be in DC the 11th-15th. Then rse and sbw will be in NYC starting the 19th. No pressure :)
Posted by: jimmyk on iPhone | December 24, 2015 at 05:11 PM
daddy,
In re your barber pole question, you may want to ask William Marvy Company in Minnesota. They are the number one makers of barber poles in America. Close to 100K by now. My good friend in Florida who is no in Nashville was my barber and he had a Marvy pole. That is how I found out about them.
According to Terry, its only in the USA we use blue and red - patriotism more than symbolism of surgery and use of leeches. Thank God for small favors.
Posted by: Jack is Back (but On Alert)! | December 24, 2015 at 05:12 PM
"In Belgium and much of Catholic europe you get crickets and that is why the muzzies there feel so empowered to promote sharia, shoot up Paris and other institutions. I think more happens there than here."
Not to mention that the muzzies have little concern that Tom, Dick and Pierre will be packing heat.
Posted by: Buckeye | December 24, 2015 at 05:13 PM
in
amcase ....Posted by: jimmyk on iPhone | December 24, 2015 at 05:13 PM
In Belgium and much of Catholic europe you get crickets and that is why the muzzies there feel so empowered to promote sharia, shoot up Paris and other institutions.
Jack, ''Last night I was browsing thru the comments on the UK sites about the supposed Political uproar in Britain over the US pulling the VISA's for this Muslim UK dad to bring his family over to Disneyland. (The story has updated a bit now), seeing that his 19 year old sons Facebook page has been linked to ISIS Terror sites.
What I thought interesting was that the great majority of the comments are from Brits (not from Americans) and by a whopping margin they are pushing back against their Government's PC notion that we Americans are racist/bigoted for not opening our doors to the Muzzies, and instead they are very complementary and envious of America for keeping these guys the heck out of our country. That's the sense I get from the average Brit when they have a chance to express their opinion.
Facebook page linked to Taliban and Al Qaeda was registered to same address as British Muslim father whose Disneyland trip was blocked by Homeland Security
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 05:15 PM
jimmyk,
Frederick, Mrs. JiB and I are back in the City January 23rd for the Army-Navy Basketball game at MSG. Don't know if we are staying or just doing a RT on the Jitney.
Dave (inMA), your not complaining, right? I remember your winter posts from last year:)
Posted by: Jack is Back (but On Alert)! | December 24, 2015 at 05:16 PM
JIB, I posted your recipe at the tail end of the last thread.
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2015 at 05:18 PM
daddy,
Is that the same US government that is allowing 100K Syrian or bogus Syrian refugees into the country fully vetted like Obama was?
Posted by: Jack is Back (but On Alert)! | December 24, 2015 at 05:18 PM
carice,
I answered you above at 4:59 and on the other thread. Smooches.
Posted by: Jack is Back (but On Alert)! | December 24, 2015 at 05:21 PM
WiKI (and a lot of the other sites) say this:
The origin of the red and white barber pole is associated with the service of bloodletting and was historically a representation of bloody bandages wrapped around a pole.
During medieval times, barbers performed surgery on customers, as well as tooth extractions. The original pole had a brass wash basin at the top (representing the vessel in which leeches were kept) and bottom (representing the basin that received the blood). The pole itself represents the staff that the patient gripped during the procedure to encourage blood flow.
And thank goodness I don't get my hair cut in Asia:
In some parts of Asia, a red, white and blue barber pole is used as a symbol for a brothel.

Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 05:25 PM
Is that the same US government that is allowing 100K Syrian or bogus Syrian refugees into the country fully vetted like Obama was?
Exact same one Jack, which is why we have to vote for Hillary instead of Trump.
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 05:27 PM
Tim Scott's Christmas poem to Obama.
https://twitter.com/SenatorTimScott/status/679794877979357184/photo/1
Posted by: Jack is Back (but On Alert)! | December 24, 2015 at 05:36 PM
Good, JIB, missed those answers.
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2015 at 05:37 PM
evening all the daily mail, is odd sometimes in that it reflects some of what lord rothermere, intended, and in some cases, the crassest sentimentalism, re some lives matter and other issues,
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 05:39 PM
Merry Christmas JOMers!
Not so lovely weather here in the ATL, but we are done with Christmas stuff as we are leaving tomorrow evening for the Florida Keys til the 3rd. Driving so I'll wave at Jane when we blow by at 90 on I 75 Saturday morning. Check in is 2 o'clock so we're driving all night. Taking the whole family as this is probably the last Christmas before the kids start multiplying (hopefully like rabbits). Lovely house with heated pool and boat on a canal on Marathon. Temp is currently 82 and sunny.
Posted by: Stephanie | December 24, 2015 at 05:41 PM
so they followed Tom harris and clancy, as a how to guide,
http://www.weaselzippers.us/247272-muhammad-cartoon-contest-attack-suspect-linked-to-terror-plot-on-super-bowl/
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 05:43 PM
ah the holiday spirit, winning the future,
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/12/breaking-shooting-at-northlake-mall-in-charlotte-south-carolina/
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 05:48 PM
Bookending the Hillsdale link Sandy put up; O Holy Night by a couple a guys.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2015 at 06:00 PM
6:00 ABC radio news mentioned how the Christmas observances in Bethlehem are significantly reduced this year due to violence between [between!] Israelis and Palestinians - ahead of talking about Selfie Stick's fondness for Boys 2 Men this time around.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | December 24, 2015 at 06:05 PM
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2015 at 06:11 PM
so which contributor, staffer, et al, is she connected with,
http://www.bizpacreview.com/2015/12/24/hillary-uses-5th-grader-to-frame-trump-as-bully-mom-is-furious-but-not-at-hillary-287518?hvid=1ohnfN
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 06:12 PM
from last night's thread:
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article51119880.html
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 06:15 PM
by contrast, this piffle, was in the new selections some weeks ago,
http://www.amazon.com/No-More-Champagne-Churchill-Money/dp/1250071267
talk about missing the forest for the trees,
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 06:27 PM
Make sure you wave Stephanie. I'll be watching.
Posted by: Jane | December 24, 2015 at 06:31 PM
there are no words, for our state run presshacks,
http://www.stripes.com/news/navy-seal-dog-handler-how-a-failed-mission-to-rescue-bowe-bergdahl-caused-irreparable-loss-1.385511
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 06:40 PM
That Dave Barry link is quite good, narc.
Posted by: lyle | December 24, 2015 at 06:44 PM
Once you start looking it's surprising how much more often Santa appears on Outer Space Pulp mag Covers than Cowboy Pulp mag covers:
I'd say it's easily 10 to 1, Aliens over Cowboys.
Posted by: daddy | December 24, 2015 at 06:52 PM
Merry Christmas Eve, folks. Hope Santa is good to everyone!
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2015 at 06:56 PM
Long time no see, Ex.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2015 at 06:57 PM
hey, Ext, how have you been,
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 06:58 PM
Narciso, your 6:12 reminds me of this:
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE88800820120909
Posted by: Threadkiller | December 24, 2015 at 06:59 PM
Merry Christmas to you too, Ext!
Posted by: Threadkiller | December 24, 2015 at 06:59 PM
If we are going to midnight mass then its time for a nap. See you all on Christmas morning.
Posted by: Jack is Back (but On Alert)! | December 24, 2015 at 07:00 PM
Going back over macho grande,
For most Americans, however, the cold wave is not the pressing issue. The pressing issue — which will be debated for years to come — is how, exactly, did the New England Patriots’ footballs get deflated for the AFC championship game. The most fascinating theory is put forth by Patriot Head Coach Bill Belichick, a man who, at his happiest, looks like irate ferrets are gnawing their way out of his colon. He opines — these are actual quotes — that “atmospheric conditions” could be responsible, and also declares that “I’ve handled dozens of balls over the past week.” This will turn out to be the sports highlight of the year.
JACK OHMAN / Tribune News Service
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article51119880.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 07:01 PM
Santa is in Dublin.
Posted by: Jane | December 24, 2015 at 07:03 PM
Merry Christmas Eve to all my JOM friends.
Posted by: Captain Hate on the iPad | December 24, 2015 at 07:18 PM
ah the entire whizzo chocolate committee renders it's decision,
http://www.politico.eu/article/politico-caucus-trump-is-very-very-bad-for-america-moron-republicans-transatlantic-relations/
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 07:28 PM
Doing great, narc.
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2015 at 07:29 PM
--Santa is in Dublin.--
Delivering a lump of coal to a wee drunken geek?
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2015 at 07:35 PM
http://tosh.cc.com/video-clips/h40cew/web-redemption---black-santa
Posted by: Threadkiller | December 24, 2015 at 07:38 PM
elsewhere in the transatlantic bubble, the fainting couches are out, re Poland, because the incoming
party, deigns to appoint their own judges to the Constitutional Court,
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 07:39 PM
that bunk about tragedy and comedy is just that,
http://carolineglick.com/echoes_of_1919/
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 07:48 PM
nothing to see here,
http://www.timesofisrael.com/belgium-charges-ninth-suspect-in-paris-attacks/
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 07:53 PM
I thought this was kind of funny considering the climate change debate. Might need to right click;

Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2015 at 08:02 PM
anybody know anything about this,
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/205412#.VnyVG7grLIV
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 08:05 PM
That's all I know of it, narciso.
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2015 at 08:16 PM
"...has me wondering if there's a single national GOPer anywhere that would pull the lever for Trump over Hillary? Can you think of one?"
Maybe DublinDave.
Posted by: Bob Schlong | December 24, 2015 at 08:17 PM
More evidence the Disneyland going family of 11 men and boiys was rightly denied entry to the US:http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/346591#.VnyZ0oQmX6w
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2015 at 08:21 PM
it's just passing strange, that we have verified proof of incitement against israelis, coming straight from the PA, for months now, then this squirrel pops up,
it matters little, that they vote for our candidate, it is more what resources they will commit against them, cruz trump, or whoever,
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 08:22 PM
once you know the players,
http://www.dailywire.com/news/2054/wall-street-journal-hates-ted-cruz-heres-why-aaron-bandler?platform=hootsuite
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 09:07 PM
yes, it's that kind of a day,
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2015/12/24/guest_host_mark_steyn
Posted by: narciso | December 24, 2015 at 09:21 PM