That's Not An Oversight, That's A Plan

Sure, ISIS uses Facebook and Twitter to recruit, but should we check Facebook and Twitter to evaluate visa applicants? No so fast, you privacy pirate! Those foreigners have civil rights too, or something; from ABC News:

Secret US Policy Blocks Agents From Looking at Social Media of Visa Applicants, Former Official Says

Fearing a civil liberties backlash and "bad public relations" for the Obama administration, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson refused in early 2014 to end a secret U.S. policy that prohibited immigration officials from reviewing the social media messages of all foreign citizens applying for U.S. visas, a former senior department official said.

"During that time period immigration officials were not allowed to use or review social media as part of the screening process," John Cohen, a former acting under-secretary at DHS for intelligence and analysis. Cohen is now a national security consultant for ABC News.

One current and one former senior counter-terrorism official confirmed Cohen's account about the refusal of DHS to change its policy about the public social media posts of all foreign applicants.

Bad public relations"? Well, they are getting that.

Here's a pro tip for our hard-working government officials - if you are trying to choose between protecting the lives of Americans and protecting the civil liberties of foreigners not covered by the US Constitution, don't overthink it.

Yes, we understand that a portion of Obama's base hates America even more than ISIS does, but still, Obama is President of all Americans, even the bitter-clingers in flyover country. And that will be true for another year, regardless of how much both sides regret it. Think of it as a bad marriage with a delayed court date. Smile, be civil, don't pour hot coffee on each other - we can get through this. And think of the children.

#TheHolidaysAreHardest

WHOSE FACE IS RED NOW?

Former DHS under-secretary Cohen said he and others pressed hard for just such a policy change in 2014 that would allow a review of publicly-posted social media messages as terror group followers increasingly used Twitter and Facebook to show their allegiance to a variety of jihadist groups.

Cohen said officials from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) both pressed for a change in policy.

"Immigration, security, law enforcement officials recognized at the time that it was important to more extensively review public social media postings because they offered potential insights into whether somebody was an extremist or potentially connected to a terrorist organization or a supporter of the movement," said Cohen, who left DHS in June 2014.

Cohen said the issue reached a head at a heated 2014 meeting chaired by Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, other top deputies and representatives of the DHS Office of Civil Liberties and the Office of Privacy.

"The primary concern was that it would be viewed negatively if it was disclosed publicly and there were concerns that it would be embarrassing," Cohen said in an interview broadcast on "Good Morning America" today.

But they kept the Greenwald vote.

Comments

[James D]

And Pete Rose still shut out by MLB.

Good. He can sit outside the Hall of Fame staring in through the window like a poor starving orphan looking into the toy store window at all the toys he'll never, ever have. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but the guy is an ass. And the fact is, EVERYONE knows that gambling is the one unquestionable "death penalty" rule in baseball, more so than personal conduct, drugs, PEDs or anything else. Fair or not, it's been that way for going on a century.

[anonamom]

Geez clarice, I know which MT post you are referring to , but who knows where it got posted?

It was yesterday afternoon--

[lyle]

That type of math doesn't play well when you're engaged in a Global War.

It does when you're not.

Parlor game: what would be the upper limit number of American deaths and injuries from a mass terror attack before 404 would act decisively against his fellow travelers? Someone put it at 30,000 on another thread. Too high? Too low?

[Old Lurker]

Could somebody please read through this NYT story to the end and post a list of who will be fired for this?

Thanks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/15/us/politics/epa-broke-the-law-by-using-social-media-to-push-water-rule-auditor-finds.html

[Jeff Dobbs]

but who knows where it got posted?

::raises hand::

http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2015/12/the-education-of-obama-and-america-ongoiing.html?cid=6a00d83451b2aa69e201bb089e2241970d#comment-6a00d83451b2aa69e201bb089e2241970d

[daddy]

A few of my favorite Nativity scenes from MISS M's link 2 threads back:

[GUS]

If Pete Rose gets a fiance visa he can get in.

[henry]

The 30,000 number was from Scott Adams in one of his blog posts.

[Jeff Dobbs]

TC put it at 300,000 on the last page.

[danoso]

The thing is, lyle, a terrorist attack would off people randomly across party lines, whereas uncontrolled immigration guarantees numbers in their favor. So, basically, the larger the number, the more he'll have to pretend to do something, because his goal is power, not keeping us safe.

[daddy]

Rush taking some incoming from the callers for his comments in hour 1 somewhat criticizing Trump for criticizing Cruz.

Rush says that when he hear's trump say on the Sunday shows that Cruz is a "maniac" because he doesn't have the temperament to get along with the Dem's, the thought that pops into Rush's head is "I didn't think you wanted to get along with the Dem's Mr Trump. That sounds like what John McCain would be saying."

Not verbatim but that's the gist.

[GUS]

danoso, the guy is sick. He's sympathetic to Izzlam because he drunken polygamist Daddy, who deserted him at the age of 1 week, was a Muzzlim. He is seriously deranged, and WILL NOT see things as they are. 50 years from now, our nation will look back in horror at what WE have allowed.

[lyle]

Hah! Trick game! There IS no upper limit! Jihadis could wipe out Houston and 404 would lecture us rubes about our hate and intolerance and lack of radiation preparedness and third degree burn treatments. (Especially if it were Houston. Or Dallas. Or Kansas City. Or Salt Lake City.)

[Puddin Floppy-Feet]

Why would a guy committed to the destruction/transformation (whatever) of this country really give a damn about the zenith number? He wouldn't do squat. There would have to be a "7 Days in May" scenario if you want a response.

[lyle]

50 years from now, our nation will look back in horror at what WE have allowed.

[squaredance voice]: We won't have a nation 50 years from now to look back in horror upon, people! Wake up!

(Sidebar to squaredance: I'm just teasing you. I'm crying on the...inside.)

[jimmyk]

he hear's trump say on the Sunday shows that Cruz is a "maniac" because he doesn't have the temperament to get along with the Dem's

As I mentioned yesterday, within 5 minutes of saying Cruz doesn't have the temperament (because he calls them "liars"), and he, Trump, really knows how to work with people in Congress and "cajole" them, Trump called them "losers, stupid is too kind" (or something along those lines).

[Miss Marple 2]

Good news guys. The White House is doing TWO separate reviews on the visa vetting process.

There, don't you feel better?

[lyle]

Yes, it's that time. Time for your daily People's Cube:

http://thepeoplescube.com/peoples-blog/huge-victory-in-paris-t17309.html

[Jeff Dobbs]

I'm waiting for NK's wife to weigh in on this...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cruz-campaign-credits-psychological-data-and-analytics-for-its-rising-success/2015/12/13/4cb0baf8-9dc5-11e5-bce4-708fe33e3288_story.html

BTW - makes me think about the all-powerful Big Data operation Team Obama used in 2012 . . . compared to the Obama Administration saying they can't even go to twitter.com and search someone's name or go to Facebook and try to friend someone who's trying to immigrate . . . because that's not who we are or something.

[clarice]

rse. those and a third thing,which I'm still looking for Thnx..

WASHINGTON EXAMINER;BERGDAHL will be tried for desertion

[lyle]

http://hotair.com/archives/2015/12/14/how-the-left-really-sees-republicans-neo-fascist-white-people/

Whiteys are the problem! Guess which color this guy is.

[clarice]

Thnx, Hit:Protandim

[daddy]

Via FOX Business:

Red Head Host Liz: What do you think was really newsworthy here (The President's speech)

Jennifer Griffin: (Live at the Pentagon): Well what was interesting, I am told Liz the reason the president came to the Pentagon to meet with 35 members of his National Security Team, is that he is starting to get the feeling, I am told, that he's not getting the whole story about ISIS from White House Staff. He wanted to hear from his Military Chiefs directly. He's about to go on vacation and he needed to reassure the American Public that his military is not slowing down over the Holidays.
-------------------------------

I think Jennifer is simply reciting the Talking Point she's been fed, and making sure we know it's a Talking Point. I don't believe that Talking Point and I don't think anyone I've heard on TV so far today thinks whatever came out of the Prez's mouth this morning was adequate or effective or serious.

[Jeff Dobbs]

lyle:
(Especially if it were Houston. Or Dallas. Or Kansas City. Or Salt Lake City.)

Hold on there, lyle. Houston has a lesbian mayor who's been pushing for transgender bathrooms and locker rooms and who's tried to force preachers into submitting their sermons for her to determine if there's any hate speech in them.

And she just got re-elected...

Oh wait. Did I say preachers? I meant pastors. Christian pastors. Preacher leaves it open such that one might think she'd be including Muslim imams. That'd be silly.

[NK]

Have not read that yet Jeff. BUT, Big Data Rules (when it is used correctly)

[Porchlight]

(Especially if it were Houston. Or Dallas. Or Kansas City. Or Salt Lake City.)

Well, all of those cities voted for 0, or at least their central counties did. But point taken re: the states.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Well what was interesting, I am told Liz the reason the president came to the Pentagon to meet with 35 members of his National Security Team, is that he is starting to get the feeling, I am told, that he's not getting the whole story about ISIS from White House Staff. He wanted to hear from his Military Chiefs directly.

I bet Obama asked them some withering questions!

[Old Lurker]

Withering for sure.

Like when will ANCC get those greens redone?

[Jeff Dobbs]

There's probably something to be made of the US Visa system not looking at social media . . . and the Visa corporate slogan.

"US Visa Applications: We won't look anywhere you want to be"

or something.

[lyle]

https://newrepublic.com/article/125695/world-isnt-doomed

Rejoice! The world has devised the largest thermostat and is poised to bicker like an elderly couple over whether it's too hot or too cold! Yay! Well, they would bicker if they could possible discern the difference of .8 degree C over the next 85 years AT ANY TIME IN ONE'S LIFE.

Based on the domestic pledges made by 187 countries, covering some 95 percent of global emissions, the Earth’s average temperature could now rise by somewhere between 2.7 to 3.5 degrees Celsius over the course of the century. That’s still far too high, and shows how much work remains, but it is an improvement over the path of unrestrained pollution we were on before Paris.

[GUS]

He went to the Pentagon for a photo op. Look America, I'm really really serious this time, you see, I took a 5 minute helicopter ride, and I'm standing next to guys with lots of medals!!! Medals they got for winning lots of WARS against JV's everywhere. See!! I'm really serious this time, in fact no TELEPROMPTER, just a script that "Just happened" to get written in the 5 minutes since my meeting ended.
Off to the golf course!! You're on your own America.

[Old Lurker]

What do our JOM lawyers think about Bill Cosby suing seven of his accusers? Smart or dumb?

[daddy]

Wonder if they make this in "White Chocolate?"

[daddy]

IANAL but, Bill Cosby's Lawyer has a fool for a client.

[Thomas Collins]

Even though Cosby is suing, OL, Cosby is probably the one who will be claiming that the evidence won't stand up in court.

[Man Tran]

Momto2,

I see you moved over here: I'm old - I was there in the '70s.

Hah! Spring chicken! I'm sure Windy would have been there around the same time. I'm sure she was a sorority girl, but no clue which one.

[GUS]

That SUCKING SOUND, isn't REGGIE LOVE, it's your TAX MONEY paying to SAVE the PLANET from itself.

[boris]

2:40 Puddin Floppy-Feet (Danube ?) link: the most vain man I have ever met ... Who could have predicted that those very traits [] would turn him into the leading G.O.P. candidate

Seemed to work for B J Clinton.

Seems to me Trump is more like BJ than Obumuh

[Porchlight]

I bet Obama asked them some withering questions!

He talks to the experts, so he knows whose ass to kick.

[DrJ]

Houston has a lesbian mayor

So does Salt Lake City.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Puddin Floppy-Feet (Danube ?)--

That was JiB.

[lyle]

Boise has a lesbian mayor as well: Dave Bieter. Well, in truth, he's not lesbian lesbian but a committed prog of the first order. Such a shame. I knew his late father pretty well; great guy.

[Jeff Dobbs]

DrJ:
So does Salt Lake City.

dogs and two female cats living together...mass hysteria!

[clarice]

Sure;y. he knows more than his military advisers.

[Old Lurker]

"claiming that the evidence won't stand up in court."

Aren't there pills for that? I know I saw a commercial.

[Old Lurker]

Aren't Obama meetings where he talks and they listen?

[lyle]

Those commercials are for standing up in court for more than four hours, right?

[GUS]

Was one of Cosby's...."victims" named C ALICE JONES??

[Bill Cosby]

standing up in court for more than four hours, right

Hours, minutes, whatever. Just drink this, baby, and don't worry about it.

[Jane]

Howie Carr likes to mention that Kerry lives off his second wife's dead first husband's fortune.

He also lived off his first wife's fortune, including getting alimony from her after the divorce.

[Miss Marple 2]

Jane,

Do not get me started. I despise Kerry as I think he is a person of extremely low character. From trashing his fellow Viet Nam vets to sucking up wife #1 andd #2's money to taking Communion even though he's divorced, he is a terrible, terrible person. Massachusetts ought to find someone else who has better character and could replace him. Maybe Mike Wahlberg who at least knows how to WORK and is loyal to his family.

[clarice]

You guys just can't see the genius in refusing to look at visa applicants social media posts. Obama wants to make them citizens so THEN he can monitor their postings.

[Puddin Floppy-Feet]

daddy,

You ain't seen nutin yet when it comes to Belgian chocolatiers and their amazing nativity scenes, some to scale and they come in white, milk and dark chocalte. Some are all truffles (IOW's with fillings inside).

What is the chance that they military brass have finally had it and are pissed beyond the constitution and are telling Obama that if he doesn't listen to them then they will have to go to the American public (which they can do by leaks, resigning en masse, etc.).

I can dream can't I?

[pagar a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

"As is so often the case with the Obama administration, one is confronted with a policy of such towering stupidity that one wonders whether it can be accidental. If you wanted more terrorists to enter the United States, what would you do differently?"

IMO, in the first line "so ofter" should be shanged to read "always".

[NK]

puddin-- the decision to General C-M Bergdahl today may be more evidence of that.

[Miss Marple 2]

Hey, Puddin FF (I am not typing that all out),

If I were getting ready to walk out, I would do a number of things including figuring out if I could survive without the pension, what liabilities I would incure in attorney's fees, etc.

I imagine they come down pretty hard on people who deviate from 404. What would you do if speaking out meant that not only might you end up in jail or dead, but your family would be left destitute?

I often wonder if these forced retirements due to misconduct are situations engineered to disgrace the person who intended to speak out.

[JMHanes]

LOL, Clarice! Meant to tell you that your Sunday Pieces was very powerful stuff. Obama is not who we are. Amen to that.

[Jane]

He has been replace MM - by Ed Markey, who is even dumber.

[peter]

RE Ted Cruz and his low likeability--he'll be running against Hillary.

[Jane]

Clarice,

Are you here?

[Thomas Collins]

And we have Elizabeth Warren as the other one now. Don't you miss your former US Senators, Jane?

[daddy]

I bet Obama asked them some withering questions!

Jeff and OL,

Allow me to disabuse you 2 of this rash assumption that Obama might be asking "Withering Questions" again.

"Withering Questions" have not been allowed in the NYTimes since at least April of 2009.

The Times will still allow "Withering" however. For instance:

1) "Withering Campaign" (2012)
"the president intensified what would become a withering campaign to use unmanned aircraft to kill Qaeda terrorists."

2) "Withering Glances" (2015)
President Obama and Hillary Rodham ..... Withering glances. ... " (They exchanged them in this recap of the 2008 Dem Primary Campaign)

3) "Withering Fire"
(2014) "Donald Trump Endures Withering Fire"
(2015) "Donald Trump Deflects Withering Fire on Muslim Plan"

Endures, Deflects, whatever.

4) "Withering" withering: (Dec 2015)
"By turns withering and mocking, Republican presidential candidates blasted President Obama's address on terrorism on Sunday night..."
-----------------------------

So you can see that the TIMES is not "Anti-Withering", only "Anti-Withering Questions." So "whither" as much as you guys want, thither and yon even, just don't tack it on to Questions, since that "Whither" whithered on the vine many many Krugman columns ago.

[maryrose]

Believe it or not I have read 40 of those classic books
I went through different phases where I would read Hardy and Austen and Dickens etc
Truly loved Brit Lit and this began in high school

[JMHanes]

NK:

Indeed, bravo to Gen. Robert B. Abrams:

A top Army commander on Monday ordered that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl face a court-martial on charges of desertion and endangering troops stemming from his decision to leave his outpost in 2009, prompting a huge manhunt in the wilds of eastern Afghanistan and landing him in nearly five years of harsh Taliban captivity.

The decision by Gen. Robert B. Abrams, head of Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., means that Sergeant Bergdahl, 29, faces a possible life sentence, a far more serious penalty than had been recommended by the Army’s own investigating officer, who had testified that a jail sentence would be “inappropriate.” [Emphasis mine]

We keep stumbling across that word, don't we? In the most inappropriate places.

[maryrose]

Gus
You are totally correct
Photo op and a mulligan do over for Hussein Obama
Clarice
Obama is not who we are nor will he ever be

[daddy]

Believe it or not I have read 40 of those classic books

Haven't completely caught up yet, but I think me and Buckeye sit at the low end, having only read 7 and 10 of the damn things. I am also certain it is a complete coincidence that we are (I think) both UNC Chapel Hill grads:)

[maryrose]

JMH
Though I support the Court Martial I think any jail time should include his already 5 years of captivity

[Buckeye]

daddy

So since ZoBob has been home, is she 1) playing with the dogs, or 2) "catching up on her sleep", or 3) a combination of both??

Just curious if all young ladies have the same afflictions. Buckeyette was always a 3)

[Puddin Floppy-Feet]

JMHanes,

The son of a special general, well, at least we nemed the most deadly tank in the world after him. A harbinger of the General's authority? I hope so but still hold my breath.

[Puddin Floppy-Feet]

maryrose,

I disagree. In fact, if he is sentanced to life, it should be with the Taliban or ISIS.

[Buckeye]

sorry daddy, but like momma, my alma mater is The Ohio State University.

I probably would have been more literate if I went to UNC Chapel Hill, they have less bars and strip clubs.

[windansea]

lyle | December 14, 2015 at 01:03 PM

Flying Squirrel...I know it well. A long time ago, late 70s I think, I scored a ski bum's dream job. DJ in the basement disco at Sun Valley Lodge, free ski pass and dinner every night.

Unfortunately global warming hit hard that year and I think it was lowest snow fall in 50 years. So they only had enough snow machines for Flying Squirrel, so thats what I skied every day. I had every mogul memorized.

PS John Kerry sucks

[maryrose]

There are some real gems on that list daddy
In most cases the movies come in a poor second
CH
Vanity Fair is a favorite as is anything by Eliot or Hardy
My husband is partial to Dickens
Many years ago there was a theatrical presentation of Nicholas Nickleby 2 nights in a row which we attended downtown
Excellent performances

[clarice]

Thanks.JMH. Yes, Jane, we arrived rather last last night.

I'll give you travel instructions whenever you wish--just email.

[Puddin Floppy-Feet]

daddy,

Remember those cell phone purchases in Lebanon, Missouri?

It gets squirrelly.

http://rightwingnews.com/terrorism/police-make-an-alarming-find-buried-by-where-muslims-bought-cellphones/

[Jeff Dobbs]

Clarice:
Obama wants to make them citizens so THEN he can monitor their postings.

Ah, yes...that will then allow his national security team to prep the PR response before the bombs go off.

[Buckeye]

Maybe we should have a contest to see who can be the first to read all 100?

Course, depends on the prize:)

[Thomas Collins]

"less bars and strip clubs [at Chapel Hill]"

That's my excuse for being uneducated, Buckeye. I went to high school and college in Providence, RI.

[Buckeye]

Been about 45 years since I wrote a "book report".

[daddy]

In Trumps favor, there''s this comment, especially the finish, by one of the ladies I've never heard of on Melissa Francis's FOX Business News Program---The topic, (Trump's non-spending in his Campaign so far)

Sabrina Schaeffer (Independent Woman's Forum): We have to remember why people like Donald Trump. He says it like it is, he's not part of the Establishment here in Washington. People who like Donald Trump are already skeptical of the Media, so when the Media pounces on Donald Trump that's going to have them double-down and say "I like him even more." I can understand that, because the reality is there's a lot of showmen here. I'm seeing ads here in Virginia for some of the candidates. Our Primaries are months away. Why are they wasting money on ads in Virginia when it's a week before Christmas? It makes absolutely no sense. Donald Trump is tapping into people who are saying, "Why are they blowing through money, why are they being wasteful? That's how they're going to act when they get to the White House, that's not what we want.
----------------------------

So Trump as God's gift to people who know the value of a buck?

[maryrose]

Winds sea
What a great job
Free food and unlimited skiing
My husband and I want to get back to Park City Utah and some day our original honeymoon destination Telluride
No snow in 1981 at the end of February in Colorado

[Jane]

TC,

I'm getting over it slowly. I'm not getting over the slowness of the mail tho. Got a bill from National Review today due on December 7th, and I hear Amy has already finished the Christmas treats that have not yet arrived here.

[Jeff Dobbs]

"less bars and strip clubs [at Chapel Hill]"
That's my excuse for being uneducated, Buckeye. I went to high school and college in Providence, RI.

Well, I only need one bar to remain a reprobate.

Speaking of which, would you look at the time!

[Buckeye]

I noticed Hit, about "beer-thirty"

[Puddin Floppy-Feet]

My grandfather read so many of those BBC top 100 books that I have at least 50% of them in our library here. He was a huge fan of Dickens, the Brontës and Thackery. I have read mostly Dickens and a few of the others including Swift.

Now, since he was Irish born, that may have been his placement at 55 but his greatest book was "An Argument against Abolishing Christianity". Perhaps Obama should read that before he pushes his red button to annihalet us.

[daddy]

Has anyone seen anybody on TV who has said that Obama's speech today did anything to reassure anyone?

Granted I'm listening to the 2 FOX Channels and Talk Radio, but so far the tally is about 10 to nothing, and I'm talking former Generals and very Senior former FBI big shots.

[Buckeye]

TC

Should I book a flight to Providence??

Sounds like my kind of place.

[Old Lurker]

Jane, waiting for the USPS to forward mail is one of the best examples of why not to rely on the government for anything.

[lyle]

Small world, windandsea. Yes, the late 70s were drought years.

I have an old friend who still instructs for SV and one of his long time, recurring clients hails from MA. Extremely weathly (most of us would recognize her surname) and runs in the same circles as the (spit) Kerrys. Inside word is that J&TK are uniformly and unwaveringly despised. I know, shocking.

[Old Lurker]

Iggy, what are your thoughts on this sort of thing?

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4660533887001/the-rifle-that-helped-taya-kyle-win-shootout-contest/?playlist_id=2827720506001&intcmp=hpff#sp=show-clips

[daddy]

Buckeye,

Door Number 3! (Catching up on her sleep!)

I'm really enjoying trying to get her talking about her 5 courses. She really loves them, but Momma has been telling her not to give specifics about the profs and their lectures, since Momma sez I'll immediately blab it to all my "creepy buddies on my blog and she'll get in trouble with the college," so Z has been a bit cryptic, but she's obviously been loving it.

sorry daddy, but like momma, my alma mater is The Ohio State University.

Well at least there's an excuse for your ignorance:)

[maryrose]

Lyle
I wonder that anyone can stand to be in the same room as John and Teraysuh

[Miss Marple 2]

JMHanes,

Noticed your comment the other day about how to present an historical site (all one era or through the history of the house).

There is a very interesting place in England called Ightham Mote, located in Kent. My sister and I toured it when we were in England two years ago. It was first built in the 1300's on land deeded to the original owner who had been on the Crusades with Richard the Lion Heart. It has been added to over the centuries, and the interesting thing about it is that various wings retain the furniture and art of the period in which they were constructed.

Here's the web site:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

Here are additional pictures:

https://www.pinterest.com/dcd1968/ightham-mote-kent/

I recommend visiting if one is in the UK on a trip. It's near Sevenoaks. Beautiful grounds, too.

https://www.pinterest.com/dcd1968/ightham-mote-kent/

[maryrose]

daddy
Tell momma for us that we are really not creepy just interested in learning new things and sharing ideas
Glad your daughter is enjoying Dartmouth
Does anyone else hate that Peter Pan commercial as much as I do?
PHIL....

[NK]

daddy--- sorry Mrs. Daddy is absolutely correct, it will get back to Daddydaughter that a bunch of old people (and FedEx flight crews) are talking about her, and she will be scarred for life.

[Puddin Floppy-Feet]

daddy,

I have the pleasure of having CalTech grads on my teams from time to time. Very impressive, quick to accept the challenge and improvise. Special school and special grads.

I expect to see her in the next filming of Big Bang Theory. She is the young kid from Alaska that asks Sheldon Cooper if he has ever seen a bear and what would he do if he did?

[daddy]

:)

[NK]

that kid can die in a fire, as the saying goes.

[NK]

strange event in northern England saturday. Freak weather, frozen, wet white stuff fell from the sky in vast quantities: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3359501/Now-s-white-wedding-Newlyweds-caught-freak-blizzard-marry-eight-inches-snow.html

[Miss Marple 2]

Oh, good. I hate that commercial, too.

They could at least have found a kid who didn't look like a pasty-faced, pudgy dweeb.