tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post8594648264255329963..comments2024-03-20T12:34:55.100-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Whole Lot Of CrazyJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-2099975769744560582012-09-11T16:49:14.288-05:002012-09-11T16:49:14.288-05:00I did.I did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-60745505851439365052012-09-05T13:40:51.936-05:002012-09-05T13:40:51.936-05:00Jim Wright ,
Okay I will . Bad Tux, Please post...Jim Wright ,<br /><br />Okay I will . Bad Tux, Please post the web address of the Tea Party . Org site that claimed President Obama was " Demonic ". I need to see it and it's context to believe it .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-35568495468457391792012-09-02T12:25:34.360-05:002012-09-02T12:25:34.360-05:00Having spent most of my life in uniform working fo...Having spent most of my life in uniform working for a certain three letter agency who lives on the corner of MD32 and the BWI parkway, I'm all too familiar with this conversation. Having been one of the only tactical intelligence officers on scene in the Gulf and Iraq prior to, during, and after Operation Iraqi Freedom (urk) and having personally witnessed the false information (information I personally knew from personal experience that I personally witnessed and personally reported) that ended up in staff summaries after the war because it agreed with political positions and preconceived "intel" <i>despite</i> repeated attempts at correction, I'm extremely familiar with this conversation.<br /><br />What disturbs me is the complete failure of the Intelligence Cycle displayed in this conversation - i.e. Start with a political position, then find intelligence (or make it up) to support that position, disregard conflicting positions and information. The pitfalls of that kind of thinking should be <i>obvious</i> to anyone in the intelligence community for so many reasons. Anybody who doesn't grasp that, well, <i>they</i> are the ones that shouldn't be there. <br /><br />Intel's job is not to define policy. The fact that intelligence agencies have in large part become self licking ice cream cones is a major failure on the part of leadership and training. Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-83895553635208190482012-09-02T11:55:49.412-05:002012-09-02T11:55:49.412-05:00I work at a DC area 3-letter agency. The Intellige...I work at a DC area 3-letter agency. The Intelligence Community is charged to objectively and dispassionately support the intel requirements of POTUS, SECDEF, DNI, etc (the Big Toes). As such you might think that your gov't and contractor intel professionals would maintain a political and idealogical neutrality in order to supply our leaders with reasoned analysis of intel data, untainted by political bias or blind hatred of that black guy shacked up in our White House. <br /><br />Most TV's in our Intel and DoD work centers are tuned to FOX Noise. They might be fair and balanced, but FOX hates them some Obama. And I am afraid that some of that noise leaks out to infect otherwise intelligent, highly trained defense professionals. <br /><br />An example conversation I had the other day during a FOX piece on Iranians installing some more centrifuges and wanting to legitimately rape Israel. Pretty much word for word: <br /><br />Professional OPS Specialist (POS): "We have to attack Iran"<br />Me: "Why?"<br />POS: "They hate us"<br />Me: "Why?"<br />POS: "They hate our freedoms!"<br />Me: "Why?"<br />POS: "Cause they're crazy!"<br />Me: "All 75 million Iranians?"<br />POS: "The gov't is crazy! They want to destroy Israel!"<br />Me: "Who cares?"<br />POS: "We have to defend Israel, they are the only democracy and ally in the MidEast."<br />Me: "What about Turkey?"<br />POS: "They are Muslim and Arab just like Iran! They hate us!"<br />ME: "Turks are Turkish and Iranians are Persian. They are not Arabs."<br />POS: "Whatever, we have to defend Israel!" <br />Me: "Why? Are you Israeli?"<br />POS: "What does that matter. All Muslims are EVIL and hate us and want to destroy Israel!"<br />Me: "You know the last time Israel was in combat with the US they attacked the USS Liberty and killed 34 American sailors. And 241 Marines and sailors were blown up along with the French and our embassy was bombed while trying to unfuck the Israeli occupation of Lebanon in the 80's. They are our best friends all right."<br />POS: "I don't have time for this liberal bullshit. You don't really belong here."<br />Me: "Now that's the truth."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77884243499588819032012-09-01T15:13:10.245-05:002012-09-01T15:13:10.245-05:00I'm looking forward to the RNC post, Jim, when...I'm looking forward to the RNC post, Jim, whenever you can get to it.<br /><br />I'm glad to know my favorable opinion of Quigly Down Under can't just be written off to my infatuation with Tom Selleck. Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott always got my attention.<br /><br />Eastwood's latest performance was very sad, all politics aside.Dianne Woodruffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-65029109181771737692012-09-01T11:31:00.231-05:002012-09-01T11:31:00.231-05:00I don't know, why don't you give it a try?...I don't know, why don't you give it a try?Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-28310235368767465452012-09-01T11:26:24.866-05:002012-09-01T11:26:24.866-05:00Is there actually a way to answer that with out be...Is there actually a way to answer that with out being thrown off for being impolite to some of your guests? After reading your rules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-71369954248185835632012-09-01T10:51:38.759-05:002012-09-01T10:51:38.759-05:00Also in Texas. I tell people "I'm require...Also in Texas. I tell people "I'm required by law to have at least two Conservative friends.)<br /><br />Other famous Texas libs: Molly Ivins, Bill Moyers, Jim Hightower, Dan Rather and Barbara Jordan. (yes, I'm aware two of them have long passed.)Mugsyhttp://mugsysrapsheet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-29163202453179339932012-09-01T08:45:56.506-05:002012-09-01T08:45:56.506-05:00You've got to look at this from Michael Reagan...You've got to look at this from Michael Reagan's point of view:<br /><br />If he wants to do a search on the Internet, he can't patronize Google because they fund Liberals. He can't go to #2 search provider Bing for the same reason. Yahoo then? Nope, not there either.<br /><br />So where, oh where, can a staunch Conservative like Reagan go to search for Hamster Porn on the Internet?Mugsyhttp://mugsysrapsheet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42962365977287124802012-08-31T23:14:55.488-05:002012-08-31T23:14:55.488-05:00BadTux: In reference to both paragraphs, all I can...BadTux: In reference to both paragraphs, all I can say is "Excellent idea!".South Jersey Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-47550680605648104172012-08-31T20:00:04.904-05:002012-08-31T20:00:04.904-05:00Eh, he's like Charton Heston, any more. He mig...Eh, he's like Charton Heston, any more. He might be delivering a speech to the RNC, or he might be delivering lines from a movie he did back in the 60s. It all gets muddled up with feverishly trying to remember if they remembered to take their Geritol that morning.Kenneth Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059569430098216658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-46757236895998393342012-08-31T19:22:51.874-05:002012-08-31T19:22:51.874-05:00I suppose just going with this one works
No. Thi...<i>I suppose just going with this one works </i><br /><br />No. This post contains nowhere near enough crazy to cover even the Clint Eastwood Loony Old Man Act, let alone the rest of it. There will be a post on the RNC this weekend - depending on which day I go to Valdez. Be patient.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-32226666770070736982012-08-31T18:05:04.972-05:002012-08-31T18:05:04.972-05:00I have been awaiting, with bated breath, some mann...I have been awaiting, with bated breath, some manner of posting from Jim, on the GOP Convention. I suppose just going with this one works, though. Kenneth Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059569430098216658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-76963121814526862982012-08-31T15:49:40.634-05:002012-08-31T15:49:40.634-05:00So let's see:
25 million Texans (ten sane) gi...So let's see:<br /><br />25 million Texans (ten sane) gives a ratio of 2.5 million crazies per sane person.<br /><br />722 thousand Alaskans at one sane person per 2.5 million population: No sane people. At best, someone might be lucid up to about seven hours a day.<br /><br />Jim, I've got some bad news....Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-74994059548276901662012-08-31T13:36:42.252-05:002012-08-31T13:36:42.252-05:00I have to commend your timing. You wrote an artic...I have to commend your timing. You wrote an article about the extraordinary levels of crazy in the country just three days before Clint Eastwood's "Old man yells at chair" performance.<br /><br />Well played, Sir. Well played.Arakasinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-32015238205623398312012-08-31T07:35:15.543-05:002012-08-31T07:35:15.543-05:00I got nuthin' to add that can clarify your ess...I got nuthin' to add that can clarify your essay. <br /><br />I have to tell you, though, sometimes I can't make it through your entire essay. I get distracted, I get pulled away, I don't get back to it.<br /><br />This time, though, you had me at Alan Rickman. I was all yours after that.<br /><br />Just sayin'<br /><br />BtWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-19447425904081880952012-08-30T17:17:40.368-05:002012-08-30T17:17:40.368-05:00Ah, sorry PanthyrLee, I spend too much time hangin...Ah, sorry PanthyrLee, I spend too much time hanging around amateur medieval historians. <br /><br />My understanding of "distaff" is that historically it generalized to mean "the female side of the family" which in medieval context, since inheritance was mostly through the male line, could be used pejoratively to mean someone irrelevant who was present at table only on sufferance. (To me, this conjures classical images of dilettante brothers-in-law, crazy aunts and other sorts of family hangers-on.)<br /><br />In modern company, I suppose "blacksheep" would be a less fraught term.Mack Mackenziehttp://www.facebook.com/mack.mackenzie.1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-80870807228834973082012-08-30T14:57:58.287-05:002012-08-30T14:57:58.287-05:00Curious as to what you mean by the misdirection in...Curious as to what you mean by the misdirection in Michael Reagan's bio. Adopted kids are "real" kids too. Just saying.Woollybeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-78265169213154653712012-08-30T13:12:49.391-05:002012-08-30T13:12:49.391-05:00Scott, Jim has mellowed out a lot since getting hi...Scott, Jim has mellowed out a lot since getting his coffe machine. A whole lot. You could try Fed-Exing him bacon pie. That might accomplish something.John Healyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03618374685709266085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-36544334120321906042012-08-30T09:34:16.383-05:002012-08-30T09:34:16.383-05:00I had to re-read the article. I thought he was ton...I had to re-read the article. I thought he <i>was</i> toning it down.Kenneth Headhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059569430098216658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-32399401445047771792012-08-29T23:51:53.524-05:002012-08-29T23:51:53.524-05:00True, Texas elects judges. But this judge is not r...True, Texas elects judges. But this judge is not really a 'judge'. Someone long ago decides all Texas counties would have a Commissioners Court made up of 4 Commissioners. Each one would represent 1/4 of the county. Another guy, called the Judge, would run the Court and anything having to do with the county, in general. So this Judge Head guy is really the county executive. Although a county judge does is kind of the coroner, also. <br /><br />You think that is bad? We've got the Texas state police (DPS), county Sheriff department, 5 different Constable departments (they each correspond to a Justice of the Peace), school district police !!), and any local city police. Rud Merriamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05243211372637967124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-33485687406383529492012-08-29T23:29:56.344-05:002012-08-29T23:29:56.344-05:00I generally go with either Stockholm Syndrome or t...I generally go with either Stockholm Syndrome or the same mental blocks that keep abused spouses from going back to their abusers -- or the notion that if they just slavishly lobby for the GOP hard enough and long enough then someday they might even be treated as actual people.Renshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12044782669297531020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-12585798812976393882012-08-29T23:28:43.126-05:002012-08-29T23:28:43.126-05:00Another Texan here. I won't claim to be sane b...Another Texan here. I won't claim to be sane but not in the same was as the conservatives / Republicans / Christianistas. <br /><br />In 2008 we put up an Obama sign in the yard. At Halloween a lady came by with two kids. She told us she cried tears of joy to see our sign and called her husband to tell him about it.<br /><br />Also, Houston is getting pretty Democratic. They have a lesbian Mayor, after all. I'm just north in conservative country though. Rud Merriamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05243211372637967124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-84772733505502824812012-08-29T22:36:27.919-05:002012-08-29T22:36:27.919-05:00Mack, I'm wondering if you meant something oth... <br /><br />Mack, I'm wondering if you meant something other than "distaff"; when used as an adjective it means "female".PanthyrLeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-46009287779395531182012-08-29T22:08:52.620-05:002012-08-29T22:08:52.620-05:00Can you please tone it down?
I wouldn't hold ...<i>Can you please tone it down?</i><br /><br />I wouldn't hold your breath, were I youJim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.com