Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. keep building.

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

One lie, alone, tears the fabric of reality.

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

Not all heroes wear capes.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

In after Baud. Damn.

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls 2 years from now.

Trump’s cabinet: like a magic 8 ball that only gives wrong answers.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

Jesus watching the most hateful people claiming to be his followers

Bark louder, little dog.

Republicans don’t lie to be believed, they lie to be repeated.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

The line between political reporting and fan fiction continues to blur.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

This is dead girl, live boy, a goat, two wetsuits and a dildo territory.  oh, and pink furry handcuffs.

My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.

Quote tweet friends, screenshot enemies.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

“I was told there would be no fact checking.”

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Open Thread

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Researchers have estimated the theoretical maximum size for a predatory land mammal – 1,100 kilograms. That’s about the same as the largest polar bear ever recorded and twice the size of your average adult male. T-Rex could still be the coolest animal ever though, because burning less fuel per mass theoretically lets meatasauruses grow somewhat larger.

The same researchers found that at about 14.5 kg the optimal prey strongly swings from things smaller than you are to things as large or larger than you are.

In other tech news, climate change pushes the Doomsday Clock two minutes forward and Himalayan glacier melt puts India’s water supply at risk.

Chat about whatever.

Reader Interactions

108Comments

  1. 1.

    dreggas

    Other News…let’s see

    Evangelicals and Environmentalists unite

    Boner…err Boehner admits Republicans have no ideas

    Oh and of course Tony Snow tells the press to sit on it and rotate with regards to dissent. He also tells the press corps that the Democrats need to just bend over and do what bush tells them and labels it bipartisanship. A new application of “How shall we fuck off oh lord?” that he floated yesterday.

    Oh and somewhere a new school opened in Iraq, was summarily blown up, people died but a lot of other people didn’t leading republicans to fault the press for not pointing out that the insurgents are playing whack-a-mole (or in this case whack-a-school) just like our troops are.

  3. 3.

    dslak

    dreggas said in another thread:

    Seriously the U.S. troops are not trained to build schools they are trained to fight wars.

    I was reminded of this story, “The Origins of the American Military Coup of 2012.” I think this story identifies an important potential result of treating the military the way this administration has treated them. Not that I’m terribly alarmist or think the outcome described is likely in the immediate future, but one can see how we move closer to something like it year by year.

  5. 5.

    RSA

    The fossil record suggests that big, fierce animals are the first to suffer in hard times, says ecologist John Gittleman of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.

    Oddly enough, in politics the opposite appears to be true.

  6. 6.

    Paul L.

    T-Rex could still be the coolest animal ever though, because burning less fuel per mass theoretically lets meatasauruses grow somewhat larger.

    Largest meat-eating dinosaur discovered

    Scientists have discovered the bones of what may be largest meat-eating dinosaur ever to walk the Earth – a razor-toothed beast more terrifying than the Tyrannosaurus rex.

  8. 8.

    John Cole

    If you look closely at the picture attached to the Doomsday clock, he actually moved the hand… to the left. And with his left hand, at that.

    See! “The left” is trying to destroy the world.

  10. 10.

    dreggas

    Otto,

    Why the hell did you post that link? I followed the subsequent links and as a result I think I may have to bleach my eyes to clean out teh stupid I observed by stumbling into “Daisy Cutter” sheesh.

  11. 11.

    Ugh

    “The Origins of the American Military Coup of 2012.” I think this story identifies an important potential result of treating the military the way this administration has treated them. Not that I’m terribly alarmist or think the outcome described is likely in the immediate future, but one can see how we move closer to something like it year by year.

    Condi Rice assigned that as reading in a class she taught back in the early 1990s.

  12. 12.

    TenguPhule

    The same researchers found that at about 14.5 kg the optimal prey strongly swings from things smaller than you are to things as large or larger than you are.

    So overweight Republicans are the optimal food for carnivores?

    Two birds, one stone.

  15. 15.

    Otto Man

    Otto, Why the hell did you post that link?

    Because I’m a cruel liberal bastard. And I wanted to boost the traffic to the Darrellites scattered all over the tubes of these internets.

  16. 16.

    dreggas

    Otto wait a sec…aren’t the words (at least in the book of wing-nut chapter 1 vs 6) “cruel” and “liberal” oxymoronic?

  17. 17.

    Paddy O'Shea

    Cook: The Abandonment Of George W. Bush

    Will his veto pen be all that keeps him relevant for the next two years?

    By Charlie Cook

    WASHINGTON – While it is not unprecedented for a president to be ostracized by Congress, abandoned by even most of his own party’s members, it’s still rare.

    msnbc.msn.com/id/16675806/

  20. 20.

    srv

    I have a new topic suggestion. If leftists really want:

    1) the US to be defeated
    2) isolationism
    3) non-imperial foreign policy
    4) reduced military

    Why would they not be whole heartedly be supporting GW’s policies right now? Is there any other policy that is more likely to bring about these “leftist” wants? GW may not lose one war, he could actually end up losing two or three!

  21. 21.

    uptown

    Tim F:
    1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds
    1,100 kg = 2,425 pounds

    “twice the size of your average adult male”
    Not too many 1,200 pound men around.

  23. 23.

    Jonathan

    Have y’all seen this.

    An outfit called GrassRootsFreedom.com is reporting that the U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would require political bloggers with readership over 500 to register as lobbyists. If they fail to register, they could face criminal penalties up to one year in jail.

    “Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, would require grassroots causes, even bloggers, who communicate to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and report quarterly to Congress the same as the big K Street lobbyists. Section 220 would amend existing lobbying reporting law by creating the most expansive intrusion on First Amendment rights ever. For the first time in history, critics of Congress will need to register and report with Congress itself,” according to a statement from GrassRootsFreedom.com

    Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) introduced an amendment Jan. 9 “to create criminal penalties, including up to one year in jail, if someone ‘knowingly and willingly fails to file or report.'” But Vitter is now co-sponsoring Amendment 20, with Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah), to remove Section 220 from the bill, GrassRootsFreedom.com says.

    GrassRootsFreedom.com says:

    The legislation regulates small, legitimate nonprofits, bloggers, and individuals, but creates loopholes for corporations, unions, and large membership organizations that would be able to spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars, yet not report.

    Congress is trying to blame the grassroots, which are American citizens engaging in their First Amendment rights, for Washington’s internal corruption problems.”

    (Via Slashdot)

    I do not have words to describe just how p*ssed I am at this.

  24. 24.

    demimondian

    Jonathan — that looks like astroturf generated confusion documentation to me. I don’t trust the slashbots, in particular, as far as I can throw them. They’re wrong about political issues more often than they’re right.

  26. 26.

    Jon H

    See, those researchers didn’t consider the possibility of a super-predator who lives on a high-energy-density diet of Porkrindasaurs and Powerbarasaurs.

    The sky’s the limit in that case. Literally.

  27. 27.

    Jon H

    Scientists have discovered the bones of what may be largest meat-eating dinosaur ever to walk the Earth – a razor-toothed beast more terrifying than the Tyrannosaurus rex.

    Oh shit, a razor-toothed Cindy Sheehanasaurus!

  28. 28.

    Bob In Pacifica

    I remember the debate going on a few years ago between the warm-blooded T. Rex versus cold-blooded. Well, T-Rex is obviously not a mammal, but I remember that there were a lot of good-sounding reasons for why the T. Rex was warm-blooded.

    But I can’t remember them now.

    So how come T. Rexes can be bigger than mammals? It just doesn’t seem fair.

  29. 29.

    Jonathan

    A major research institution has just announced the discovery and naming of the densest element yet known to science, “Bushcronium”, represented by the symbol “W”. Bushcronium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 311.

    These particles are held together by dark forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Bushcronium’s mass actually increases over time, as morons interact randomly with various elements in the atmosphere to become assistant deputy neutrons in a Bushcronium molecule, referred to as “isodopes”. This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Bushcronium is formed whenever morons reach the hypothetical state referred to as “Critical Morass”.

    When catalyzed with money, Bushcronium activates Foxnewsium, an element that radiates orders of magnitude more energy – albeit as incoherent noise, since it has 1/2 as many peons but twice as many morons.

  30. 30.

    Jonathan

    A major research institution has just announced the discovery and naming of the densest element yet known to science, “Bushcronium”, represented by the symbol “W”. Bushcronium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 311.

    These particles are held together by dark forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Bushcronium’s mass actually increases over time, as morons interact randomly with various elements in the atmosphere to become assistant deputy neutrons in a Bushcronium molecule, referred to as “isodopes”. This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Bushcronium is formed whenever morons reach the hypothetical state referred to as “Critical Morass”.

    When catalyzed with money, Bushcronium activates Foxnewsium, an element that radiates orders of magnitude more energy – albeit as incoherent noise, since it has 1/2 as many peons but twice as many morons.

  31. 31.

    scs

    Well in contrast to what this article implies, we should hope for global warming to help out the large carnivores. The polar bear may not be helped out, but the other animals may be. I think this article is wrong in that it implies there is some total energy limit to size. I don’t believe this, as I think it failed to suppose that the largest carnivore can only be so large in proportion to the largest herbivore. The largest herbivore can only be as large as the largest amount of vegetation it can ingest. With global warming, that will be a boon to the plants. With more plants, the herbivores will grow larger as will the carnivores- just like in dinosour times with the huge animals that they had running around.

  32. 32.

    scs

    Or on the other hand, there may be something about cold weather that makes animals grow big. Look at buffalo and polar bears, wooly mamoths. Perhaps cold weather forces plants to conserve and create higher protein foods, like nuts. This concentrated protein is a greater source of foods for herbivores, and thus the carnivores, allowing them to grow bigger. So- it could go either way.

  34. 34.

    dslak

    From a story on the possible Senate resolution against sending additional troops to Iraq:

    “What message does Congress intend to give?” asked White House spokesman Tony Snow. “And who does it think the audience is? Is the audience merely the president? Is it the voting American public or, in an age of instant communication, is it also al-Qaida?”

    It’s good to see the White House continuing to use this strategy, because it really paid off for them in 2006, and they should stick with what works.

  36. 36.

    dslak

    Pb, I have a confession to make. I voted for Calvin Coolidge in the poll on your Kos Diary entry. My vote was not entirely facetious, however: Given how quiet and uneventful Coolidge’s presidency was, I can only assume that it emboldened terrorists the world over. Coolidge should be ashamed of himself!

  37. 37.

    jake

    An outfit called GrassRootsFreedom.com is reporting that the U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would require political bloggers with readership over 500 to register as lobbyists. If they fail to register, they could face criminal penalties up to one year in jail.

    Johnathan, I looked that the bill sponsored by Vitter. It is part of a larger lobbying reform bill and sec. 220 appears to be aimed at “grassroots” organizations that are backed by a lot of money. It couldn’t apply to bloggers unless someone pays them for their work.

    Check the list of co-sponsors.

    And if it is a matter of not trusting Republicans… well GrassRootsFreedom.com is touting this as nasty Democrats stifling free speech and helping their K Street buddies.

    Brief OT rant. It really pisses me off when an organization cites a bill and wets its pants over a bill, but doesn’t post a damn link to the bill. And no, I don’t care what end of the political speculum you’re squatting on.

  38. 38.

    dslak

    I don’t care what end of the political speculum you’re squatting on.

    That is a terrible, terrible image, and I thank you for it.

  39. 39.

    jake

    One more thing re: GrassRootsFreedom.

    Who, exactly is Richard Viguerie?

    “Viguerie claims to have raised billions of dollars for conservative causes.”

    Huh.

    But at least the man isn’t a toady:

    “This isn’t an isolated situation. It is only the most recent example of Republican House leaders doing whatever it takes to hold onto power.”
    -RV on the Mark Foley Follies.

    [/Research Geek Session]

  40. 40.

    Zombie Santa Claus

    I remember the debate going on a few years ago between the warm-blooded T. Rex versus cold-blooded. Well, T-Rex is obviously not a mammal, but I remember that there were a lot of good-sounding reasons for why the T. Rex was warm-blooded.

    I heard one was that the ratio of predator-to-prey fossils found thus far indicated that dinosaurs were warm-blooded, rather than cold-blooded, predators. Then again, I have no link for this. And, possibly, it’s all bullshit. Not unlike evolution itself.

    Ho ho ho, bitches!

  41. 41.

    dslak

    I was just reading this story (via Sullivan).

    This bit is particularly interesting:

    Robert Gates, the new US Defence Secretary, said that Mr al-Maliki could lose his job if he failed to stop communal bloodshed and Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State, gave a warning that he was living on “borrowed time” and that American patience was running out.

    I’m curious as to how the US is going to depose a soveriegn leader of a nation that’s has supposedly embraced freedom and democracy. Well, without embarassing themselves, anyway, but I suppose that is now de rigueur.

    On the other hand, Maliki seems to be taking some lessons from Tony Snow:

    I believe that such statements give moral boosts to the terrorists and push them towards making an extra effort and making them believe that they have defeated the American Administration, but I can tell you that they haven’t defeated the Iraqi Government.

  42. 42.

    cleek

    in other legislative news:

    Rep. Steve King has proposed a bill (HJ RES 16) to repeal the 16th amendment (which gives the Fed the power to collect income taxes).

    Rep. John Doolittle proposed (HJ RES 17) an amendment establishing English as the official language of the US.

  43. 43.

    The Other Steve

    Did I seriously just hear on the radio that Bush is granting the FISA courts jurisdiction to his eavesdropping program? And in fact the courts approved it.

    I don’t understand. I thought this was just way too important to rely upon the courts? What happened in the past 3 years to change their minds?

    Bunch of fucking imbeciles

  44. 44.

    The Other Steve

    Rep. Steve King has proposed a bill (HJ RES 16) to repeal the 16th amendment (which gives the Fed the power to collect income taxes).

    sounds good to me. I don’t think I ought to have to pay taxes so Republicans can spend my money on wars in Iraq.

  45. 45.

    Ryan S.

    Or on the other hand, there may be something about cold weather that makes animals grow big.

    Animals tend to evolve greater size in cold climates. Having more mass makes it easier to retain heat, and also allow for bigger energy storage in fat.

  46. 46.

    Darrell

    Since John mentioned Edward Norton the other day, I thought I’d mention that I rented ‘The Illusionist’ last night. Excellent movie. I think even you leftie whackjobs would enjoy it.

    Rep. John Doolittle proposed (HJ RES 17) an amendment establishing English as the official language of the US.

    Do you object to this? If you do, wouldn’t the principled thing to do be to scream as loud as you can to as many people who will listen, telling them that as a Democrat, you think this kind of legislation should be sh*tcanned, and do everything you can speaking truth to power, to block this legislation. If you believe it to be racist, then you have a moral obligation to use “racist legislation” when voicing your objections.

  48. 48.

    Darrell

    Animals tend to evolve greater size in cold climates. Having more mass makes it easier to retain heat, and also allow for bigger energy storage in fat.

    Ironically, in my observation, people in Canada on average tend to be more slender than my fellow southerners here in the US.

    Bunch of fucking imbeciles

    Ignorance is bliss. You should know.

  49. 49.

    John D.

    Do you object to this? If you do, wouldn’t the principled thing to do be to scream as loud as you can to as many people who will listen, telling them that as a Democrat, you think this kind of legislation should be sh*tcanned, and do everything you can speaking truth to power, to block this legislation. If you believe it to be racist, then you have a moral obligation to use “racist legislation” when voicing your objections.

    “If you believe this, you must do this thing that never works because I say so, or I will stamp my feet and call you names.”

    Are you fucking TWELVE, Darrell?

    Seriously, grownups usually find better ways to achieve their goals than pissing off large groups of people unneccessarily. You seem to be an exception.

  50. 50.

    Jonathan

    Darrell:

    You haven’t answered my question yet.

    Rumsfeld said he would fire the next person who even mentioned planning for the occupation phase of the Iraq invasion.

    What do you think of that?

    Do you think it might have something to do with the terrible job that has been done on the occupation?

    Do you think General Scheid was lying about what Rumsfeld said?

    U.S. Military Academy Honor Code; “We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.”

    Silence is the tacit nod of acquiescence.

  51. 51.

    RSA

    Ironically, in my observation, people in Canada on average tend to be more slender than my fellow southerners here in the US.

    Yeah, but the U.S. is an outlier: The World Health Organization puts the prevalence of obesity (not the same as an average measure of weight, of course) higher in the U.S. than in either of our neighbors, north or south. Not to mentions somewhere as cold as Iceland or as warm as Greece.

  52. 52.

    cleek

    If you do, wouldn’t the principled thing to do be to scream as loud as you can to as many people who will listen…

    shush.

  58. 58.

    Jonathan

    I found some of the bill in question:

    (1) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end of the following: “Lobbying activities include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, but do not include grassroots lobbying.”; and

    (2) by adding at the end of the following:

    “(17) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING.–The term `grassroots lobbying’ means the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same.

    “(18) PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING.–

    “(A) IN GENERAL.–The term `paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying’ means any paid attempt in support of lobbying contacts on behalf of a client to influence the general public or segments thereof to contact 1 or more covered legislative or executive branch officials (or Congress as a whole) to urge such officials (or Congress) to take specific action with respect to a matter described in section 3(8)(A), except that such term does not include any communications by an entity directed to its members, employees, officers, or shareholders.

    “(B) PAID ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR SEGMENTS THEREOF.–The term `paid attempt to influence the general public or segments thereof’ does not include an attempt to influence directed at less than 500 members of the general public.

    “(C) REGISTRANT.–For purposes of this paragraph, a person or entity is a member of a registrant if the person or entity–

    “(i) pays dues or makes a contribution of more than a nominal amount to the entity;

    “(ii) makes a contribution of more than a nominal amount of time to the entity;

    “(iii) is entitled to participate in the governance of the entity;

    “(iv) is 1 of a limited number of honorary or life members of the entity; or

    “(v) is an employee, officer, director or member of the entity.

    “(19) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING FIRM.–The term `grassroots lobbying firm’ means a person or entity that–

    “(A) is retained by 1 or more clients to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying on behalf of such clients; and

    “(B) receives income of, or spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of $25,000 or more for such efforts in any quarterly period.”.

    (b) Registration.–Section 4(a) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603(a)) is amended–

    (1) in the flush matter at the end of paragraph (3)(A), by adding at the end the following: “For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii), the term `lobbying activities’ shall not include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying.”; and

    (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

    “(4) FILING BY GRASSROOTS LOBBYING FIRMS.–Not later than 45 days after a grassroots lobbying firm first is retained by a client to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, such grassroots lobbying firm shall register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.”.

    (c) Separate Itemization of Paid Efforts to Stimulate Grassroots Lobbying.–Section 5(b) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604(b)) is amended–

    (1) in paragraph (3), by–

    (A) inserting after “total amount of all income” the following: “(including a separate good faith estimate of the total amount of income relating specifically to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying and, within that amount, a good faith estimate of the total amount specifically relating to paid advertising)”; and

    (B) inserting “or a grassroots lobbying firm” after “lobbying firm”;

    (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting after “total expenses” the following: “(including a good faith estimate of the total amount of expenses relating specifically to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying and, within that total amount, a good faith estimate of the total amount specifically relating to paid advertising)”; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following:

    “Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) shall not apply with respect to reports relating to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying activities.”.

    (d) Good Faith Estimates and De Minimis Rules for Paid Efforts to Stimulate Grassroots Lobbying.–

  59. 59.

    dslak

    On the whole, although there are justifiable reasons to be agnostic about which particular weather patterns are caused global warming, that in itself doesn’t contribute to an argument against global warming.

    As James Gleick points out in Chaos, early computer modelling of the earth’s weather patterns showed that almost any major deviation resulted in an ice age. Also, the impact that global warming is having on northern England is to make its winters colder, as the tradewinds that provide warm air in the winter are now shifting southward.

  60. 60.

    dslak

    and, speaking of abolishing amendments, The Constitution Party wants to abolish the 17th (direct election of Senators).

    I think that’s a good idea. For current considerations, it would make them less dependent on raising money for campaigns. For other considerations, Senators were really always meant to represent their states’ interests rather than only that of the people residing in them. Also, the fact that senators were chosen by state legislatures also made it possible to get senators who may not have popular appeal but are willing to be thoughtful and dignified. Wouldn’t that be something?

  61. 61.

    Jonathan

    Darrell:

    It’s been an hour and I still haven’t heard from you.

    Don’t you want to talk to me?

    Silence is the tacit nod of acquiescence

  62. 62.

    Pb

    Paul L.,

    I’ll say this only once, so listen up: erratic weather patterns are consistent with predictions of global warming. Read the link (it’s for kids, so you might be able to slog through it) and learn something today, because ifwhen you repeat this dreck again later, I’ll be calling you a dishonest hack, and for good reason. Here, I’ll even excerpt a bit, so that you are left with no excuse for continuing your ignorance:

    Scientists believe that greater amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and hotter temperatures on Earth, will significantly change the climate across the whole planet. This climate change is already beginning to happen in parts of the world. If you live in a chilly place like Alaska or Greenland, you might think a bit of global warming sounds like a great idea. But climate change doesn’t necessarily mean things will get hotter. Some places will be hotter some of the time, but most places will simply see more erratic and extreme weather. That could mean heavier rainfall on occasions, more snow in some places, longer periods of drought, more storms and hurricanes, and more frequent heatwaves.

    Now go back and read it again, slower this time, until you understand.

    Got it? Good. You’re welcome.

  63. 63.

    cleek

    Also, the fact that senators were chosen by state legislatures also made it possible to get senators who may not have popular appeal but are willing to be thoughtful and dignified.

    you’d get Senators who were ideologically appealing to the majority leaders in the state legislatures. ‘thoughtful’ and ‘dignified’ ?

  64. 64.

    Jake

    “(A) is retained by 1 or more clients to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying on behalf of such clients; and

    “(B) receives income of, or spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of $25,000 or more for such efforts in any quarterly period.’‘.

    Right. And how many bloggers have clients and earn/spend at least $25K a quarter? I’d say this law is crafted to exclude plain old blogs, no matter how political.

    I see an attempt to stamp out the Swift Boat Veterans for Truthiness.

  65. 65.

    dslak

    you’d get Senators who were ideologically appealing to the majority leaders in the state legislatures. ‘thoughtful’ and ‘dignified’ ?

    I said it was possible, actually, but what I actually meant is that I thought it would be more likely than under the current system. Your point is taken, though.

  66. 66.

    dslak

    Hey, now that the Republicans are no longer in control of Congress, Bernanke sees the light. I’m sure his epiphany is completely unrelated to Bush’s upcoming push for a balanced budget.

  67. 67.

    Jonathan

    Right. And how many bloggers have clients and earn/spend at least $25K a quarter? I’d say this law is crafted to exclude plain old blogs, no matter how political.

    I see an attempt to stamp out the Swift Boat Veterans for Truthiness.

    Yeah, that’s what I got from it after I read it. Three or four times.

    Sorry, I didn’t mean to be an alarmist. I was about half asleep when I put my first post up.

  69. 69.

    demimondian

    And how many bloggers have clients and earn/spend at least $25K a quarter?

    Other than Viguery himself? It couldn’t be that he’s trying to create an emotional response by getting the slashdolts all hot and bothered?

    Nah, couldn’t be.

  70. 70.

    Krista

    Ironically, in my observation, people in Canada on average tend to be more slender than my fellow southerners here in the US.

    We tend to burn a lot of calories when building our igloos. Plus, we don’t have television up here, or cars, so we tend to get a lot of outdoor exercise. ;)

  73. 73.

    Jake

    Sorry, I didn’t mean to be an alarmist. I was about half asleep when I put my first post up.

    S’allright. Recent history makes such alarm understandable. Hence my annoyance with orgs. that don’t link to the legislation that is supposed to alarm us.

    Anyhoo, according to the CBR, the legislation has been scuttled by…care to guess which party stopped ethics reform legislation boys and girls?

  74. 74.

    Andrew

    According to my contacts in the Unitarian Jihad, we’ve already had several of them. They went out of style in the late seventies, apparently.

    I guess it all collapsed when Brother Neutron Bomb of Serenity stopped carried about moderate radicalism and ended up marrying the cheerleader from Oklahoma, having two kids, and going to the Lutheran church down the street.

  75. 75.

    scs

    Okay, thanks to those later links, I now get the limiting factor in animal size. Apparently it’s a function of muscle mass and strength, which, with similar proteins used, etc., can only be so strong in an animal. The animal needs to be small enough in order for its muscle to get it around.

  76. 76.

    Bombadil

    Since John mentioned Edward Norton the other day, I thought I’d mention that I rented ‘The Illusionist’ last night. Excellent movie. I think even you leftie whackjobs would enjoy it.

    I also so it this weekend. Count me as one leftie whackjob in the “enjoyed it” column.

  78. 78.

    scs

    You know how recently they had a bunch of articles on “happiness” studies” and how studying and quantifying the amount of happiness in a society is all the rage now among economists? Well one thing I think they are neglecting in their studies is architecture and urban planning. I’ve always heard my whole life, that when someone is planning their future and figuring out ways to make themselves happier, they always talk most importantly about “moving”. They spend time dreaming about where they want to move. They want to move to California or New York or London or Hawaii, and if they think if they can pull that off, they’ll be “happier”. They perceive that the nice environment of a certain city will lead to more happiness.

    Since we can then conclude that urban planning has so much to do with happiness, there should be more discussions on ways to beautify this country. One thing I think we need to change is zoning laws. These are ruining this country and have for many many years. There are certain classifications that are in place that seem to be common everywhere that do not lead to good cities.

    One is the high-density zones. High density zones only allow builders to develope a property if they make multiple apartment building, but nor multiple single family homes. I think that was to prevent the use of mobile homes in the past. But what this does now is encourage the growth of those huge behemoth apartment and condo complexes without any greenspace or yards in between. Another common rule is this constant split in catgegory between commercial and residential-, and that it is very hard for zoning to allow both to be mixed. That again leads to the huge apartment complex with the strip mall across the highway. Very ugly and cold and unfortunately springing up all over the country.

    We need to rise up, people, and change this!

  79. 79.

    RSA

    There are certain classifications that are in place that seem to be common everywhere that do not lead to good cities.

    The examples below this snippet seem to suggest you’re actually talking about suburbs. Is this the case? I mean, what would cities be without high density? (And of course mobile homes in cities are a non-starter.) But maybe we have a different idea about what a city is.

  80. 80.

    Decided FenceSitter

    dslak Says:

    I think that’s a good idea. For current considerations, it would make them less dependent on raising money for campaigns. For other considerations, Senators were really always meant to represent their states’ interests rather than only that of the people residing in them. Also, the fact that senators were chosen by state legislatures also made it possible to get senators who may not have popular appeal but are willing to be thoughtful and dignified. Wouldn’t that be something?

    I disturbed some high schoolers at the National Archives in DC, while viewing the Constitution, back in my junior year of college when I turned to my fiancee and said “I hope I get to write a paper on why the 17th Amendment was a bad idea for the United States.”

    Apparently the high schoolers looked shocked that someone would want to write a paper.

  81. 81.

    Punchy

    Pray to whatever god you believe in that clinical trials get funded for the following:

    Cheap Drug Kills Most Cancers

    Tim…TELL ME you read that link. Holy fucking crap. Just incredible. (cannot get jaw off floor). Forcing cells to push the aerobic route despite the lack of oxygen, thus forcing apoptosis! Keeping tumors from ripping thru loads of glycogen and producing the resultant LA that is so toxic…

    I cannot believe it’s just that easy. I’m stunned. Do you think there’s merit to this? Do you see any holes in this? I don’t so far.

  82. 82.

    Tim F.

    I cannot believe it’s just that easy. I’m stunned. Do you think there’s merit to this? Do you see any holes in this? I don’t so far.

    Posting on that shortly.

  83. 83.

    demimondian

    Forcing cells to push the aerobic route despite the lack of oxygen, thus forcing apoptosis! Keeping tumors from ripping thru loads of glycogen and producing the resultant LA that is so toxic…

    I was thinking about how this lined up with the older anti-angiogenesis work. Given that the agents had only limited activity against solid tumors, it was pretty clear that the cells inside the tumors were using an anaerobic pathway.

  84. 84.

    Paul L.

    PB, Your article spins so that any abnormal weather is proof of Global Warming Climate Change.

    So the 2006 mild hurricane season when it was predicted to be the worst in history is proof of Global Warming Climate Change

    Earth’s atmosphere behaves like a gigantic greenhouse, though it traps heat a different way. Gases high in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane,

    Opps, Forgot the most important one – Water Vapor.

    Oh and I would take global warming proponents more seriously , it they did not try to silence critics like Heidi Cullen or will would debate it unlike Al Gore.

  85. 85.

    Krista

    They want to move to California or New York or London or Hawaii, and if they think if they can pull that off, they’ll be “happier”. They perceive that the nice environment of a certain city will lead to more happiness.

    Since we can then conclude that urban planning has so much to do with happiness, there should be more discussions on ways to beautify this country.

    I agree that urban planning is important. However, there’s a rather large leap that you’re coming to in your conclusion about how urban plannig has “so much to do with happiness.”

    For starters, I could just as easily argue that people want to move to California, New York, or what have you, because many people don’t know how to find happiness within themselves, and so constantly move around, change jobs, etc, in a perpetual quest for the happiness that eludes them. The locations that you’ve mentioned, are wonderful spots on their own merits, and have so much to recommend them that if you asked anybody planning to move there why they chose that locale, I seriously doubt that the urban planning would be a factor. IMHO, people choose where to relocate primarily because of financial opportunity or the social/cultural environment or “feel” of the place.

    Like I said, I don’t disagree that urban planning is vital, and that poor urban planning can contribute to a person’s unhappiness, if that unhappiness is already present. But I just don’t think it is as large a factor as you are stating.

  86. 86.

    scs

    I mean, what would cities be without high density?

    No, I’m talking about how they implement high density zones. And I’m also talking about medium sized cities as well. You are only allowed to build mutliple apartment buildings (defined as three or more units in one building)on a property – not multiple single family homes. So that’s one reason why builders are always building the huge ugly complexes. If developers were allowed to build multiple single family homes on one lot, or multiple duplexes, there’s be more greenspace in these developments, and they’d look more human-scaled.

  88. 88.

    scs

    or the social/cultural environment or “feel” of the place.

    Yes but how does that “feel” get there? I think it’s based on the look of the place which attracts a certain people. On the other hand, you could be right and it could be a chicken and egg scenario. What comes first, the beauty of a place attracting jobs, or the jobs resulting in more money and smarter people which results in better urban planning and a better look? Tough call.

  89. 89.

    Andrew

    I was thinking about how this lined up with the older anti-angiogenesis work. Given that the agents had only limited activity against solid tumors, it was pretty clear that the cells inside the tumors were using an anaerobic pathway.

    It’s just this kind of of secular humanist sciencism that is going to lose us the war on terror.

  90. 90.

    Punchy

    Given that the agents had only limited activity against solid tumors, it was pretty clear that the cells inside the tumors were using an anaerobic pathway.

    Agreed. My uncle did some research with trying to inject acrylamide into a solid tumor, then polymerizing it; in effect, “freezing” it off from most/all arterial access. Couldn’t patent it due to toxicity (!) of acrylamide and inability to polymerize every last drop of it in vivo.

  91. 91.

    scs

    Isn’t there someway yet to measure the total amount of energy coming from the sun in a year and comparing this energy from year to year? Maybe have a bunch of thermometers orbiting the earth over different areas. That way, we could compare the rising global temps to rising solar energy and see if there is a direct correlation. If not, we could ascribe it to other factors, such as emissions.

  92. 92.

    scs

    You know, that was a damn good idea I just had. That will solve the global warming debate once and for all. Anyone have any comments on it? Is it hard to measure temperatures in space because there is no atmosphere?

  95. 95.

    Punchy

    Is it hard to measure temperatures in space because there is no atmosphere?

    Please, please…don’t apply for any jobs at NASA.

  96. 96.

    scs

    What? They out out some metal canister, fill it with some gas, and put the thermometer inside it. Shouldn’t be that hard for NASA to figure out something like that.

  98. 98.

    Andrew

    Quick, call George Deutsch! He’ll set those wacky NASA scientists straight! A canister in space! They would have never thought of such things.

  99. 99.

    Tim F.

    Isn’t there someway yet to measure the total amount of energy coming from the sun in a year and comparing this energy from year to year?

    There is. It doesn’t change as much as you think.

  103. 103.

    scs

    There is. It doesn’t change as much as you think

    Yes but we all know, even tiny changes can make a big diff to the climate. We know there are cycles in temps because of sun spots, flares, and slight variations in the earth’s orbit. By putting these sensors at various points in orbit – we’ll be able to measure the variation that effects the earth, instead of just total solar output. Of course I think I heard there is some time lag of a few years in terms of solar output and the earth’s climate, but now is the time to start the comparisons.

  104. 104.

    TenguPhule

    That way, we could compare the rising global temps to rising solar energy and see if there is a direct correlation.

    Shorter SCS: I believe in stupidity osmosis. Allow me to pass mine on to you.

  105. 105.

    TenguPhule

    Well in contrast to what this article implies, we should hope for global warming to help out the large carnivores.

    Shorter SCS: Why can’t you see the bright side of global climate destabilization? Like all of the people not killed in Iraq yet?

    The polar bear may not be helped out, but the other animals may be.

    Shorter SCS II: I support the cockaroach lobby!

    I think this article is wrong in that it implies there is some total energy limit to size. I don’t believe this, as I think it failed to suppose that the largest carnivore can only be so large in proportion to the largest herbivore. The largest herbivore can only be as large as the largest amount of vegetation it can ingest.

    Shorter SCS III: Being a complete retard when it comes to science, I feel my expert opinion on it means something.

    With global warming, that will be a boon to the plants. With more plants, the herbivores will grow larger as will the carnivores- just like in dinosour times with the huge animals that they had running around.

    Shorter SCS IV: Who needs science when you have the power of certainty on your side?

  106. 106.

    Richard 23

    Well one thing I think they are neglecting in their studies is architecture and urban planning.

    scs, you might be interested in James Howard Kunstler’s Eyesore of the Month which features some pretty horrid architecture and urban planning. It may not sound fascinating but just check it out anyway.

  107. 107.

    RSA

    Interesting site; thanks for the pointer. I disagree with some of Kunstler’s conclusions, but they’re all worth looking at.

  108. 108.

    Jon H

    krista writes: “Plus, we don’t have television up here, or cars, so we tend to get a lot of outdoor exercise.”

    And long nights, so they tend to get a lot of indoor exercise.

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