A day early! Seriously, I’m trying like hell to stir discontent and general grump-hood at Huff this Thurs, and there is not any freaking traffic!
Try! Try to find a thread with any action. I defy you!
Be ready to dash over Friday and net the fish.
Which puts me in mind: I need to write another of my painfully obvious bits of satire that infuriates the tragically sincere….
Which one of you kids was supposed to forward the paperwork to me last night? I didn’t get, but found you anyway.
See you soon.
Did you get my e-mail? Just wondering. Glad you’ve come to visit. Now if some of the rest just come over tonight instead of the normal thing, it will be great!
I did not get your email, my king. Was that you who approached me last evening?
make sure you spell it: heetto@
I will come by later FM. Thanks.
HITO, welcome! Glad you made it! I did email you with a new password but I’m afraid some browsers,IPs or spamware block our emails sometimes. You may find the emails in one of those places as spam.
In any case. Happy to see you here!
Thanks Adlib.
Have found myself lately having walk-abouts on hp, posting on the side threads.
The Main gets thick with syrup or hate at times.
Wow, I just typed hate, not h8.
I don’t wish to prolong or exacerbate a situation that was born on that lovely and peace-inducing site, HuffPo. I hope that all members here will always help to diffuse any disagreements that occur between our fellow members here.
The Planet is a place, unlike HuffPo, where all members must show a modicum of respect to each other. If there are disagreements, they need to be discussed respectfully.
What is important for all to know here is that there is an annoying glitch in the software that has emerged recently, that occasionally sends posts and comments into moderation for no apparent reason. I am working to fix that but it happened at a very lousy time and was understandably misinterpreted (I would have thought the same as BSM).
So everyone understands, no one else has the ability to moderate or delete posts or comments except me and I never have since the inception of this site nor will I unless the Terms of Use are violated…and that primarily means personal attacks or trolldom.
Many of us have spent a long time in the hostile atmosphere of HuffPo, it’s most healthy and constructive to leave that behind us and show each other and the folks around the internet how HuffPo is wrong and we can indeed freely express ourselves, interact and even disagree with respect and dignity.
Thanks!
Good Morning,
Is it okay to post here comments about health care reform? and one of my pet peeves about the brand X website – huff and fluff?
signed KWG — think this my third post here
Peeve: scrubbing of most posts linked Medpagetoday – regarding health care reform — it’s an e-newsletter for healthcare providers with blogs and reporters based in DC — from the pov of providers.
Not only is it OK to post comments, (but there must be a thread more on point) but you could author an original thread.
We are not too fussy as to format nor depth of research at this point.
Write in bullet points if you like.
thanks for the information.
Will work harder on thread navigation –
GPS was invented to help me get from point A to point B. (my techno-geek self-rating is probably a 3-4 on a scale of 1 to 10).
Health Care Reform and the Economy are two areas of special interest.
Will think about authoring a possible original thread, if folks are interested,
possible topic –
Are we out of the “Great Recession” woods with a single quarter increase in GDP?
BTW — big fan of Paul Krugman and have assigned his recent “fresh-water/saltwater” article to my macroeconomics classes.
Not IF.
We are interested. That is why we invited you.
Please write something TODAY, to celebrate HuffNo Friday.
Today will be the largest audience ever at this site. Until next Friday, that is. Write!
I’ll be outlining my thread all day in my head as I wire a house. It may be a bit terse, but it may also be the beginning of a series.
As K7 says, not only can you post articles, we’re looking forward to them.
A quick shortcut to composing articles is located on the right at the top of the first column. You’ll see, “Click Here To Write A Post”, click it and get crackin’!
Perhaps a year from now we will ask for a certain level of originality of detail or research, but for now, I say do your best and then see how much discussion you generate!
Okay, so WTF is going on here? Kevin and BSM freaking fighting over top dog-hood or trying to stir controversy for the controversy addicted at Huff?
Please, someone freaking enlighten me. It’s too early……….
Testosterone anyone? A86 is reacting to Kevin being a little over the edge and they’re both raising dust in the barnyard. They’ll get over it. I read the thread and although I thought Kevin did chose to go off the deep end, he started out with some salient points regarding Afganistan. People who think we can go in and overcome 13th century religious intolerance with guns are not being realistic. America truly doesn’t understand the blood fued tradition, other than in our quiant Hatfields and McCoys story.
Blue mis-read a comment of mine.
He mal-understood me to say that Afghanistan is NEITHER a law enforcement nor a military issue.
I was saying that Afghanistan IS a law enforcement issue.
Then he demanded that I give him a plan. I don’t have a plan.
People might want to read a little closer.
No, I understood why you got off on him about the plan. I’m not sure that we’ll find one. Predators aren’t the answer, we hit as many civilians who then don’t love us as the bad guys we were aiming at. Holding ground is a myth. And being overlords in any country is just not a good way to convince most people that you’re there to help them. What is needed is a middle eastern regional force who aren’t viewed as much as outsiders as we or the Europeans are. And even then, what are they going to do? Guerilla warfare is always next to impossible to defeat without draeconian measures, which means innocents.
Middle Easteners will be as unwelcome as anyone. Forget it Jake, it’s Chinatown.
I’d be OK with a few thousand special forces forward deployed, going in and ki lling the more deranged of the deranged religious extremists. (Look at that! I split killing out of habit!)
I will defy anyone to seriously say that we have no reason to be concerned with developments in Afghanistan. I also agree that currently Paki is rightly a larger concern, and that we should reverse the proportions on our expenditures in the two countires.
The ugly truth, however, is that they really are countries only in the most formal meaning of the word. Both are teetering on failed state status. And look how well that is working for the world in Somalia.
Anyone got a good PLAN for stabilizing Somalia? Or do I not get to say that Somalia is a problem, seeing as I do not have a PLAN?
A lot of countries barely fit the definition of a state. As for Afgan/Pakistan, we should have a concern as to what the Indian government is thinking on all this. If Pakistan becomes at risk, and therefore their nuclear weapons, will India chose to intervene out of their own self interests? Sometimes in the madness of the world, which we help create, stepping back and breathing is the best choice.
Certainly a moment of dithering is called for!
The Rethugs are asking “what is the rush on health care?” But we need to commit more troops and right now?
Oh, apparently the Paki govt is quietly OK with the predators, we have given them about a fourth of the targets.
So we are killing extremists that the Paki govt wants dead. That is how the guy who managed the killing of Bhutto got sent to meet Mohamed.
I agreed with nearly all of your points but you did blow your stack when BSM just asked what your solution was.
Let’s put that behind us, it was late and all, and continue the discussion about Afghanistan though.
Hey, you drink as much cheap white plonk as I had and then see if you like it!
Hehehehhehee! What is important here is that that happened at Huff, and should not be continued in anger here.
Thanks, Monk. I read the thread and felt more or less the same way as you did.
I would hate to lose either of them here.
I apologize beforehand if my name offends any – just an attempt at satire. If wolves, it is the female (or bitch) that is the alpha animal. I often joke with my friends about “Who’s the alpha now??”
I started lurky-viewing here a few days ago after finding a link on the addictive but frustrating HuffNo. I am observing your boycott – but it’s hard.
On Afghanistan: I’m the person who has worked with dozens of Afghans, first as exchange students, now with refugees and soon with soldier trainees from their Army. I have followed Afghanistan for over 30 years (long story on the start), and am friends with several Americans who live/work/serve there. I do understand some of the issues. I don’t pretend to be an expert, but I think I have a pretty good grasp, after listening to maybe 60 people’s perspectives.
It’s complicated and not going to be an easy fix. EVERY Afghan I know (without exception) claims to want three things: security, good governance (read: no corruption) and education. They have to work hand-in-hand. One cannot exist without the other.
Drone attacks worsen our position, but targeted killings need to be a part of it. Only 10-12% of the population is Talib; they are terrified of these bullies and after 30 years of warfare, afraid to speak out/stand up. Think a whole country with PTSD.
Our destinies are interwined, and will be (with or without forces in the area). There are ways to get involved HERE without going over that can and do effect positive change.
Thanks for the site – nice to see many of my favorites here! Just remember – top dog, alpha bitch.
First, a warm welcome to the site, AlphaBitch, love your handle and no worries, you’re among clever adults here who value free expression and have a sense of humor.
Really appreciate your insight on Afghanistan. I was listening to an NPR interview yesterday with Matthew Hoh (who resigned as a Diplomat) and he was saying many of the same things.
Mainly that we are not wanted there as occupiers, we have no actual “goal”, our killing of innocent people only pushes people away from us and towards the Taliban, Al Qaeda is very unlikely to have a physical area to gather at even if the Taliban take over because they have evolved into being a virtual movement around the world via the internet and already have many havens including Pakistan.
As he said, we’re pouring billions we don’t have into a war that there is no way to win because winning would mean occupying Afghanistan forever.
We need to get out, focus on Al Qaeda like a laser throughout the world, not just in Afghanistan where they are scarce.
Again, welcome to The Planet!
Hey Ad Lib:
Are you familiar with the NPR reporter Sarah Chayes? She is one of my she-roes, and DEFINITELY an alpha bitch! She has lived in Af. for 8 years, trying to help. I am acquainted with her, and use her often as a bellweather. She has been saying for YEARS that we need to be seen as a legitimate resource and not “occupiers” and that Karzai may not have been the best choice in the eyes of the Afghan people. Like her, I doubt that we can withdraw – even though the prospect is tempting – without some serious repercussions; but the strategy would HAVE to be more than military.
My daddy used to say “You broke it, you fix it”. Guess that’s how I feel about both Iraq and Afghanistan, although I focus much of my attention on Afghanistan because of the network I have built there. I shudder to think of what will happen – no doubt – to any who were involved in any way with the US if we just up and leave. Sigh. It’s hard, and I for one am grateful for dithering. It’s time to get it right or get out. But I want the consideration to be careful and well thought out, as to consequences to all.
Thanks for the welcome! Looking forward to reading all the posts. Bueno suerte! And I’m headed to the movies to avoid the temptation to click on HuffNO. (Matches the party of NO well, doesn’t it?)
Ha ha….love the name! Welcome to the Planet, and I for one, look forward to reading your posts on this topic given your rather unique perspective!
Thanks, Nicole!
I don’t have the answers, but I’ve at least asked the questions of those who will need to live with the consequences! I have to say, the Afghans I’ve met and worked with are some of the smartest, hardest working people I have ever met. If I had gone through or even seen 1/10 of what they have witnessed/experienced – especially the high schoolers – I would have been curled up in a ball and in therapy for – oh, I don’t know – life? But they have a remarkable capacity to open up and love, and they are the joys of not just my life, but many others who have been fortunate enough to work with/teach them. Sigh. And it’s them, and their families (some of whom I correspond with) that I worry about. We are lucky here – there is only a threat or fear of attacks. There, it is a daily occurence. But there are ways to help, even here – scholarship programs, the YES Afghanistan program run by the U.S. Dept. of State, refugees (if any are coming to your area). I try to make a difference; what I know is that they are a gift to me and I love them all (well, OK except for a few stinkers). But mostly…..
Well…. so much for an “open forum”.
What’s going on BSM??
What are you griping about now? Nobody is monitoring nor scrubbing your comments.
Pls advise if you have an actual comment that did not appear?
My bad…
I couldn’t find it at one point.
Peace.
Totally understand your feelings but it is a misunderstanding which I can’t blame you for having.
There is a glitch in the WordPress software that rarely and randomly holds a comment or post, I am consulting with the WordPress guys to fix it.
When I woke up this morning, I found two comments of yours “gremlinized”, including this one and as you can see, they’re both up now.
Of all times for that to happen, this was pretty lousy timing.
To be clear, only I have the ability to moderate or delete posts or comments and I guarantee you and all other members that no comments or posts will ever be held or deleted for personal reasons, only in accordance with the terms of use which pretty much only apply to personal attacks and trolldom.
Your assumption was totally justified, I would have responded the same way, I’m sorry it happened and hope that if it happens again to any member, they understand that it’s unintentional and temporary.
Sorry AdLib, I didn’t know that you were here and goodnight everyone.
I’ll be damned!
One of my comments just went into “pending moderation”!
Sorry, Blue! It does appear that the computer is fucking with us!
But be assured that nobody is deliberately squelching your comments.
We have no such PLAN!
Nothing has ever been or will ever be scrubbed here.
We started this site as an alternative to Huff and certainly not as an extension. Please stop this both of you or take it back to Huff.
After I found what I thought was deleted.. I tried to delete THIS, but I guess I did it wrong.
Mea Culpa.
KEV..
SERIOUSLY..
what the HELL was that infantile outburst all about on the “Afghan” thread????
I’d like to stay out of this if possible, but I’m kind of curious too.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/afghan-panel-rejects-uns-_n_338889.html?page=2&show_comment_id=33664868#comment_33664868
.
OK, would both of the adults please go to their corners and breathe. Kevin, I don’t particularly want the links to HP, but we can’t ignore things either. I go down the same road you do often enough, but we both know better. I disliked the link not opening in a seperate window and making it a pain to come back here (kept pulling me back to HP, really sucked) But, as I wrote above, you also had good points before you went berserk. Now personally, I like berserkers, but others, some don’t get it.
SCRUBBED me kev?
I would not and have not scrubbed you. Get real.
My apologies…. I couldn’t find it & though it was scrubbed.
S’all good.
We have butted heads before, and remained friends. I am sure there is no reason that cannot continue.
Especially seeing as we live about ten miles from each other!
Never anything wrong with good satire. Sometimes it educates better than serious discussion. Just look at the stars on Comedy Channel.
Were you there in September and Oct? I would write “How could anyone get excited about a mere politician? How can tens or even hundreds of thousands get together and cheer and cheer”? and more on that theme.
Keyrist! Did I piss some kids off!
Now that the assholes at Huff have banned me, I cannot lead you to the threads!
I was there but maybe not reading at the point or place you were at.
Once upon a time I got laid off in a Reduction in Force where the company screwed up big time with expensive government contracts and the sacrificial employees got treated like sheep to the slaughter. So I did a satirical newspaper about them and the baffoons there and let go. Then got it to one of the survivors to distribute. Most loved it (including the chief engineer) but some of the people who were at the heart of the guilt certainly weren’t pleased. But I had fun.
That sounds totally worthwhile. It’s what intelligent, self respecting people do, they make a statement and respond to a wrong.
The other type of people just lie back and think of England or attend teabagging parties oblivious to the double meaning.
I was doin’ that kind of thing back in my High School newspaper.
Khirad, Don’t you sleep in Tucson? When I was in HS, the first allowance of long hair came into effect, and I was the first to wear, tada! bell bottoms. We didn’t have the ability to be progressive back then, if you didn’t fall in line, not good.