My highly developed cynicism sez we let Tunisia, Pakistan and Egypt off the hook because we had an understanding with the new "Rulers". West Point Man Qadafi needed to stay put until we could cut a deal with whoever is running things in Bengazi. The Saads just want to keep OPEC stable, and that's good for the Oil Men. Code word is "Stability".

I think that any plane flying over Qadafi's forces could "draw fire" and justify some MASSIVE retaliation, effectively bringing an air strike on the heavy equipment that is giving them the big advantage. I really don't see how we can justify waiting for "authorisation" on this, considering the U.S. history of foreign policy.

I always drop the lid before I flush, because of the invisible plume of spray that rises up and out. I've trained the rest of the household as well.

Seems like it'd be sort of unnatural if it WASN'T unhealthy to blow brains out of a pig with compressed air.

I was born white, in California, so I have that culture's perspective. I've been called "cracker" more than once by a black man. The intent seemed offensive and intended to incite violence, but I let it slide at the time. (I try to shun violence, even when I've been drinking.) Once a Mexican fellow called me gabacho, but he was smiling, and corrected it to "my friend" when I stated larfing. I imagine he didn't mean to be TOO offensive; I could be wrong. I am fairly certain that my membership in the dominant ethnicity has affected my sensitivity to this sort of slight. OTOH I have known enough racist dickheads to understand why some people might be driven to some scarcely credible over-reaction to the existence and use of certain words. In the end, I don't see this having any lasting impact, some back-country schools and libraries will squander their public resources actually purchasing this landfill, but it won't have much intrinsic or collector value. I'd pay money for a copy of Jefferson's, or also Bowdler's version of the Bible, but this publication doesn't seem like a worthy item.
It's a shame this attitude exists, I'd love to see a faithful cinematic production of Huckleberry Finn. I've actually been thinking of this particular issue in light of the recent production of "True Grit". My thought was that we aren't ready for (worthy of?) Twain, (and this "news" proves it) but it's time for a remake of "Little Big Man".

Groups? I've read about a fellow named John Beeson, but IIRC the "group" was a lynch mob, and Beeson only just managed to escape with his life after having the temerity to write "A Plea for the Indians".

At some point, the mob will rise up, again; It all depends on who picks up the reins when they hit the furrow.

I vote for "C", but don't claim to be really trying. I just use it as an excuse to rip on all the fools who elect "A" or "B".
"I vote, but they always elect one of the assholes anyway." Or; "Vote as if it mattered." As an extra dose of futility, I serve on the local Election Board and work 16 hours or so for $100. whee.

I feel the BBC puts a teenchy bit of conservative spin on news. IMO Reuters and Al-Jazeera are more spin-neutral. I like to check them all; I balance the extremes and juxtapose them for yucks. Okay, I think maybe I'm a bit liberal since mostly I laugh at the hillbilly hijinks on foxnews.com and presstv.ir, but I check out the conservative stuff at sites like the guardian.co.uk and nytimes.com to see what new horrors are coming down the pipes from our Fearless Leaders. I try to interpret each site from the mindset of their intended audience and imagine what my state of delusion will be. I have a wild-ass theory that the hard spin steers each group along in its (separate) path and prevents any useful dialog or progress, or thought. It's almost as if democracy was a vast conspiracy to transfer power to the Merchant Class.

I lived in L.A. It gave me some insight on police indifference. Might I suggest a strategic "throw down" be placed with valuables? Get an old, extremely shitty, gun, (hell, disable the firing pin or something, we don't need to arm any more criminals.) and keep it with your computer gear so that thieves will be compelled to drag it away with the rest of your loot. That seems to elicit a whole new level of interest when you call the police. I had a car stolen and I seemed to be a bother to the policeman I had the audacity to report it to, until I mentioned a revolver that I had locked in the trunk. Later, when I had located my missing car, (on my own, thanks) and notified the L.A.P.D., they actually dispatched an officer to the scene. (Just so he could trace the gun's serial number and check me for warrants, but it's nice to be noticed.)

I have no problem being skeptical with your beliefs, It's harder to question my own.

I heard that tests using the hemp fiber had a higher ceiling.

Pb Paintballs FTW!

I suggest they use lead paintballs.

I actually scored points with a girl once for singing "The Hunting Song" all the way through. Usually one would think it would've ended badly, but for once, the force was with me and she was a fan of the Professor.