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~Open Thread: Friday “Bungle In The Jungle” Shabbat Edition~

by WrathofG-d ( 286 Comments › )
Filed under Judaism, Music, Open thread, Religion at December 11th, 2009 - 1:00 pm

In the mindset of attempting to provide something for everyone this Friday evening,  I present the following.  Hopefully, it is both spiritual, and jovial for all your Friday evening needs… (it is sort of like those “choose your own adventure” books)

For the frivolous you can stop reading here, and enjoy this as your Friday Night drinking thread.  If however you wish to delve deeper in to the song (and potentially your soul/existence) continue reading.

When researching for a topic for this Friday, I found the following article that explains the deeper meaning of Jethro Tull’s popular song “Bungle In The Jungle” by Mois Navon .  Hopefully, the following explanation will cause you to think, and otherwise inspire a deeper, more spiritual discussion.

More than just a catchy rock flute song,  Ian Anderson intended the composition of his Jethro Tull hit single, Bungle in the Jungle, to be a study of the human condition.  Speaking on this subject, he stated, “…I was writing an album that was exploring people, the human condition, through analogies with the animal kingdom.  And that particular song was perhaps the more obvious and the more catchy of the tunes.”1

As Mois Navon states, a close analysis of the lyrics reveals both deep existential and eschatological motifs.2 which through delving into the song’s words, phrases and concepts teach us about of man, his world and destiny.

Walking through forests of palm tree apartments —

This verse sets up the analogy of animal kingdom to human world that will be used throughout the song. Man’s jutting apartments make for a cityscape akin to a forest of palm trees – a jungle – through which one makes his way with great effort and difficulty.3 By starting with the verb “walking,” we are informed from the outset that we are not here to sit in passive observation but rather to actively embark on an adventure. Indeed, we are going on the excursion of our very lives.

Scoff at the monkeys who live in their dark tents

Monkeys represent people who take everything as a joke, oblivious to the serious nature of reality. Darkness is a metaphor for ignorance, so living in “dark tents” emphasizes the uneducated nature of these people. Darkness is also a metaphor for evil, so living in “dark tents” further implies an ignorance that begets immorality.4 Witnessing such base living evokes a contempt that is given expression as “scoffing”.

Down by the waterhole — drunk every Friday —

A “waterhole” is a well-worn euphemism for a bar or pub; and so it is that these “monkeys” – these people who choose to mock reality – do so by inebriating themselves. This occurs particularly at the weekend when, being of the working class, they are finally left to themselves.

Eating their nuts — saving their raisins for Sunday.

The workday week is lived humbly off of staple foods and staple thoughts, while the consumption of sweets that tantalize the senses is reserved for the “Sabbath” day.5 Though this alludes to a religious ethic of celebrating the “Sabbath day as holy”6, it is here mentioned disparagingly as an addendum to the drunken Friday. For the “monkeys,” their religiosity is merely part of the rote of life, disconnected from reflection and thought needed to reach a higher consciousness.

Lions and tigers who wait in the shadows —

There are other people – predators – who take advantage of the oblivious masses. These people are dishonest, seeking to take unfair advantage, as is denoted by their waiting in the shadows.

They’re fast but they’re lazy, and sleep in green meadows.

These “lions and tigers” are not greater than the “monkeys” in any spiritual sense; they are merely endowed with the asset of physical prowess. “Fast but lazy” implies that they have an advantage but do not employ it to make use of their true potential.

“Green meadows” are symbolic of wealth which often gives rise to “sleep” – a rejection of one’s higher calling through oblivion.7 The Bible expresses the phenomenon as, “Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked … and he forsook God who made him, and contemned the Rock of his salvation” (Deut. 32:15).8

Let’s bungle in the jungle — well, that’s all right by me.

The world is a jungle, a lush paradise, but at the same time a place fraught with potential danger – indeed a fitting metaphor for a world created with the possibility of both great good as well as frightening evil. The world being what it is, we are called upon to “bungle”, to “struggle”, to rise above the monkeys, lions and tigers. Indeed this is the very task of life.9

I’m a tiger when I want love, but I’m a snake if we disagree.

These are personal reflections of an individual struggling to “bungle” in the “jungle” just depicted. This line, together with those that immediately follow, describes an attempt to cope in a world of destructive competition. The individual is aggressively passionate about his selfish – “I want” – desires;10 he is conniving and dangerous when opposed.11 These traits are less than ideal and are, we realize by the end of the song when tigers and snakes are no more, to be shunned.

Just say a word and the boys will be right there:
with claws at your back to send a chill through the night air.
Is it so frightening to have me at your shoulder?
Thunder and lightning couldn’t be bolder.
I’ll write on your tombstone, “I thank you for dinner.”
This game that we animals play is a winner.

Here we have a description of a competitive life made of politics and deal-making – a merciless “game” in which one may be taken advantage of without remorse. This is strikingly conveyed in the burying of one’s dinner guest: opportunism at its worst, man as animal. His “divine image” lost, he honors no code of morality, but only the code of the jungle.12

The rivers are full of crocodile nasties

The world is a place where things are not what they appear to be on the surface. The nature of the world is such that good and evil are often intermingled – rivers, which supply essential water, are nevertheless also inhabited by life-threatening dangers. It is incumbent upon man to distinguish between the two in his struggle to perfect the world. Man must realize the world’s potential for good, while being ever cautious of its latent potential for evil.13

And He who made kittens put snakes in the grass.

Indeed, God by design created the good, the sweet, the innocent, and the vulnerable, along with the evil, the malevolent, the crafty, and the predatory – as the Bible states, “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create evil; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7).

While the kitten is the picture of sweet innocence, the snake is the ultimate icon of evil. Placed in the grass, the snake denotes an evil which is not readily discernable. Indeed, evil is difficult to overcome precisely because it often “sneaks” up on man, taking advantage of his vulnerabilities. As such, the Bible describes the snake, who plotted the first sin of man, as “crafty” (Gen. 3:1) and “deceiving” (Gen. 3:13).

He’s a lover of life but a player of pawns —

Here is a reference to the existential dialectic of fate and free will. On the one hand, God loves life. Indeed, He created man to live through the exercise of his free will, for without it one has not “life”.14 On the other hand, God maintains complete control over his world, maneuvering people like pieces on a chessboard.

Expressed in this verse then is the notion that there is indeed free will, yet there is also a guiding hand that moves history in the direction God deems fit.15 Man has free exercise of his will, yet he cannot alter God’s destiny for His creation. This truth is confirmed emphatically in the following line which starts with the word “yes”.

Yes, the King on His sunset lies waiting for dawn

The King, God, waits expectantly for history to reach its destiny. He gives man his “day”16 to perfect himself through the use of free will, but just as the day ends, so too does man’s opportunity.17 Here “sunset”, which denotes the day’s end, is a metaphor for the end of days, the eschatological destiny of mankind.18

The prophecies of the end of days indicate that there will be a great war known as Armageddon (i.e., Gog U’Magog) during which God does not actively participate but “lies waiting”.19 However, there will then come a day, the “day of the Lord”, at which point “the Lord shall go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fighteth in the day of battle. …” (Zechariah 14:3).

Following this “day of the Lord” there will “dawn” a new day, a new era: the messianic era20 – when the light of peace and truth shines forth, as reflected in the next line.

To light up His Jungle

Light, as the ultimate metaphor for knowledge and truth, was sorely lacking prior to the “dawn” of redemption. In contradistinction, the messianic era will be a time when the knowledge of God will pervade the earth and, as a result, peace and harmony will extend throughout all of nature, indeed, lighting up “His Jungle”:

There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Ishai [i.e., the Messiah] … And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp snake, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder snake’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:1-9)

{Seriously, Read The Rest}

To those who celebrate/keep Shabbat have a wonderful and meaningful one.  For those who do not, have a spiritual and G-d filled weekend!

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286 Responses to “~Open Thread: Friday “Bungle In The Jungle” Shabbat Edition~”
( jump to bottom )

  1. snork
    1 | December 11, 2009 13:07

    That’s racist.


  2. Guggi
    2 | December 11, 2009 13:14

    CJ says:

    FactCheck.org takes an in-depth look at “Climategate,” and notices something: there’s no “there” there.

    No conspiracies, no cover-ups, no fakery. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.


  3. mfhorn
    3 | December 11, 2009 13:14

    Every word- racist, hate filled, making fun of people of African heritage as being ‘monkeys’ and drunks and unable to succeed.


  4. tanker on the horizon
    4 | December 11, 2009 13:15

    Tiger’s new theme song


  5. 5 | December 11, 2009 13:17

    Monkeys always mean black people, so Jethro Tull is a racist. So are you for referencing Tull.

    [/Yeah, I've been over at the Hippy's. Sue me]


  6. BuddyG
    6 | December 11, 2009 13:25

    Get a Grip

    Great Christmas Gift

    A Real Stocking Stuffer


  7. 7 | December 11, 2009 13:26

    I guess we can also discuss Chanukkah, or anything else you would like to file under “Ask A Jew” here…

    Here is Chanukkah in a nutshell from Chabad.org

    Chanukah in a Nutshell

    Chanukah — the eight-day festival of light that begins on the eve of Kislev 25 — celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality.

    More than twenty-one centuries ago, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who sought to forcefully Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d.

    When they sought to light the Temple’s menorah, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks; miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.

    To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah. At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on till the eighth night of Chanukah, when all eight lights are kindled.

    Chanukah customs include eating foods fried in oil — latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts); playing with the dreidel (a spinning top on which are inscribed the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, “a great miracle happened there”); the giving of Chanukah gelt, gifts of money, to children; and the recitation of special prayers and hymns

    .


  8. Overlook
    8 | December 11, 2009 13:27

    “Bungle” means “struggle”? Not even at a push. It means make mistakes, or make a mess of something.
    Which might well be the condition of man.


  9. NoThreat2U
    9 | December 11, 2009 13:28

    @ WrathofG-d:
    We should have a weekly “Ask a Jew” thread. Maybe try it for other religions too.


  10. 10 | December 11, 2009 13:30

    @ WrathofG-d:

    I’ve never understood “secular” Jews. If you are secular, all of this is just bullshit, right? In which case, how are you actually “Jews”? No G-d, no Chosen People, thus, no real Jews. “Jews” maybe, but who are they?


  11. snork
    11 | December 11, 2009 13:32

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ WrathofG-d:
    We should have a weekly “Ask a Jew” thread. Maybe try it for other religions too.

    Chucky and his sciencearian religion?


  12. Guggi
    12 | December 11, 2009 13:32

    Beyond debate?

    Is belief in global-warming science another example of the “madness of crowds”? That strange but powerful social phenomenon, first described by Charles Mackay in 1841, turns a widely shared prejudice into an irresistible “authority”. Could it indeed represent the final triumph of irrationality?

    ————

    Copenhagen climate summit: Carbon trading fraudsters in Europe pocket €5bn

    Carbon trading fraudsters may have accounted for up to 90pc of all market activity in some European countries, with criminals pocketing an estimated €5bn (£4.5bn) mainly in Britain, France, Spain, Denmark and Holland, according to Europol, the European law enforcement agency.


  13. Overlook
    13 | December 11, 2009 13:32

    @ BuddyG:

    A woman I know refers to her jar opener gadget as her “husband”.


  14. NoThreat2U
    14 | December 11, 2009 13:33

    @ snork:
    Hell no! We discuss those adherents often enough here. lol


  15. snork
    15 | December 11, 2009 13:33

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ WrathofG-d:
    I’ve never understood “secular” Jews. If you are secular, all of this is just bullshit, right? In which case, how are you actually “Jews”? No G-d, no Chosen People, thus, no real Jews. “Jews” maybe, but who are they?

    If you take the religion away from a Jew, you’re left with a Semite. A Semite without the Jewish religion is [I won't say it].


  16. 16 | December 11, 2009 13:34

    @ snork:

    He is a ScienCiologist. They are like Scientologists, but without the cash. And they worship Al Gore instead of L. Ron Hubbard…


  17. BuddyG
    17 | December 11, 2009 13:35

    @ Overlook:

    I refer to the nutcracker as my “wife”.


  18. Overlook
    18 | December 11, 2009 13:35

    @ Iron Fist:

    Ahem. They is me.
    No God, but shared history.


  19. vapig
    19 | December 11, 2009 13:35

    @ Guggi:

    I like this one by Jonah Goldberg: Global Warming as a Political Tool
    The modern tale of Jackson and the Goregonauts.

    It’s debatable whether the modern tale of Jackson and the Goregonauts is quite so noble. But it’s obvious they’re interested in power and hell-bent on fleecing.


  20. NoThreat2U
    20 | December 11, 2009 13:36

    So what do these climatologist want? A planet where nothing ever changes? Nothing ever becomes extinct or evols into a better species? What ever happened to survival of the fittest or adaptation> It is a bullshit dream and it ain’t ever gonna happen.


  21. Overlook
    21 | December 11, 2009 13:36

    @ BuddyG:

    Ha! I call the poker the poker.


  22. wolfie
    22 | December 11, 2009 13:37

    I myself see the song as solely descriptive of the human condition, without any suggestion of an ultimate meaning or resolution.

    I do think the interpretation is a fair one, though, and not a “deconstruction,” as one of the commenters oddly called it.

    Anderson’s lyrics portray a complex “jungle,” like our complex world. The possibility of redemption is there, at least for those who can see (with the help of faith) through the confusion.

    Interesting stuff!


  23. 23 | December 11, 2009 13:37

    @ Iron Fist:

    Well, yes, that is an interesting point. Your argument (if I understand it) is ‘if those who consider themselves agnostic, secular, or atheist Jews (yes there are those who claim this) then they wouldn’t buy into the Maternal racial linage of Judaism. (which stems from the Religion itself).

    However, if I had to find a way to explain such stupid reasoning, it would be that they consider being Jewish as being a culture more than a religion. (I can’t explain to you how that works either) Therefore, although they do nothing “religious” they are still “Jewish”.

    This begs for me then the question of what does it mean to “be Jewish”. I take a more traditional approach which is that G-d chose the Jewish people to live a certain lifestyle as described in the Torah, and thus by living that way you are Jewish. In addition to this however, there are teaching in the Torah regarding the racial, national component of Judaism, and thus I also believe that one can be Jewish by lineage/birth. Thus, to me it can be both practice, and lineage. I base this understanding however off the Torah, and what I consider to be G-d’s teachings. Thus, to me there is not being Jewish and not being religious. To be Jewish you have to buy into the religion as it is what controls the message, and gives the rules.

    Now on a deeper level, I believe secular Jews call themselves such because they would like not to be Jews but the spark of G-d within them doesn’t let them every completely separate from their position as part of the chosen people. Thus, even they – the most nonreligious of them all – know deep down that they are Jewish despite their attempts to assimilate and shunning of the larger Jewish lifestyle/religion.


  24. BuddyG
    24 | December 11, 2009 13:39

    Happy Hanukkah !


  25. 25 | December 11, 2009 13:39

    @ Overlook:

    Explain. How can you know your history without knowing your God? There were many tribes in the middle east prior to the Romans. Do you date your history to Rome? Why, then, and how?

    I am American. On the white side of my family, I trace my history to the first white man born west of the Appalachians. My Indian heritage dates to before then, but we don’t have records.

    All of that is less than three hundred years ago. You claim a heritage dating back three thousand years and more. But that heritage only makes any sense with a God that is sheparding them through it.


  26. Guggi
    26 | December 11, 2009 13:42

    From an email today:

    I thought you should know that today’s Pre-Budget Report contains the following statement:

    “7.31 Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) have been an effective way to reduce emissions in energy-intensive sectors while giving the sectors a discount from the Climate Change Levy (CCL). The Pre-Budget Report announces that from 2011 the discount obtained from the CCL by participating in a climate change agreement will be reduced from 80 to 65 per cent”

    Most energy intensive industries in Britain have entered into these agreements. They get a discount on the Climate Change Levy (a non-carbon-based tax on business energy use) in return for meeting energy efficiency targets. This discount is now to be slashed, without warning, leaving these industries facing a 75% increase in their energy tax bills.

    In a week when 1700 jobs have been lost at Corus’ steel plant in Teesside you would have thought that the government would be trying to preserve jobs in intensive industries, not destroy them.

    Regards, Jeremy.

    Jeremy Nicholson

    Director – Energy Intensive Users Group


  27. 27 | December 11, 2009 13:42

    @ WrathofG-d:

    Cool, thanks. I have ancestors who have a “Jewish” name. Some have speculated that they were Jewish, and I am not opposed to that, but they are on my father’s side of the family, so even if they were, I would not be Jewish.

    Of course, if you can be Jewish without God, then I would suspect you could be Jewish without heritage. I mean, why not?


  28. Overlook
    28 | December 11, 2009 13:43

    @ WrathofG-d:

    Hello. Here I am. And atheist Jew.

    “or atheist Jews (yes there are those who claim this) then they wouldn’t buy into the Maternal racial linage of Judaism. (which stems from the Religion itself).”

    Why would I not buy into matrilineal? Whether or not it springs from the religion itself, it is the means of identification. It is also the national means of identification for Israel’s right of return.


  29. 29 | December 11, 2009 13:43

    @ BuddyG:

    Here is some Chanukkah trivia: (Buzz & Eliana not included)

    Are all driedles the same?


  30. 30 | December 11, 2009 13:43

    @ wolfie:
    I do think the interpretation is a fair one, though, and not a “deconstruction,” as one of the commenters oddly called it.

    Maybe they’re talking about this kind of deconstruction:

    Deconstruction generally attempts to demonstrate that any text is not a discrete whole but contains several irreconcilable and contradictory meanings; that any text therefore has more than one interpretation;…


  31. BuddyG
    31 | December 11, 2009 13:44

    I’m an amateur guitar player and always loved Jethro Tull tunes.

    Thick as a Brick and Skating Away are wonderful acoustic guitar songs.


  32. wolfie
    32 | December 11, 2009 13:44

    @ Guggi:

    Excellent essay there. Definite keeper.


  33. NoThreat2U
    33 | December 11, 2009 13:45

    @ BuddyG:
    My aqualung broke down.


  34. BuddyG
    34 | December 11, 2009 13:46

    @ WrathofG-d:

    I don’t know if all driedles the same. Are they?

    And another thing. Is there a correct or preferable way to spell Hanukkah/Chanukkah ?


  35. Overlook
    35 | December 11, 2009 13:46

    @ Iron Fist:

    I fully accept that the Jews’ account of themselves relates to their God. Religious Jews would regard that God as my God too.


  36. snork
    36 | December 11, 2009 13:47

    Hey, Chuckles. Here’s your throbbing memo graph. Put that in your pipe and do whatever smoke-paranoid people do with it.


  37. vapig
    37 | December 11, 2009 13:47

    @ NoThreat2U:

    I wonder about that myself. All this crap about endangered species just to halt production (and in California – FOOD) is just that – crap! 99% percent of all species on this planet have gone extinct. It’s just the way things are. One day that will include us.

    It’s political – a weapon – always has been.


  38. 38 | December 11, 2009 13:47

    @ Overlook:

    I, as a Christian, can buy into “right of return”. I believe God gave Judeah (pre-dates the RTomans, BTW) to the Jews. Withought God, how is that anything other than racism?

    I admit, “atheist “”Jews”"” confuse me. Without God, how are you Jew? Do you have a family history going back to before Rome? You would be very special, then, as not even the Royal lines of the West have such a liniage…


  39. Silhouette
    39 | December 11, 2009 13:48

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    We should have a weekly “Ask a Jew” thread. Maybe try it for other religions too.

    Sadly, uninformed planners scheduled it for Friday night and answers were scarce.

    /


  40. NoThreat2U
    40 | December 11, 2009 13:48

    @ vapig:
    It is so obvious. Circle of life and all that. I guess those who control the food and water have to power to decide who dies from starvation and when.


  41. tuffy
    41 | December 11, 2009 13:49

    I LOVE Jethro Tull. “Skating Away (on thin ice)” is another excellent tune. It’s good to see some vintage rock on here. That made my day Wrath. :) *cheers*


  42. NoThreat2U
    42 | December 11, 2009 13:49

    @ Silhouette:
    Because it turned into the Late Night Drinking Thread??


  43. BuddyG
    43 | December 11, 2009 13:49

    Okay, I looked it up and yes, all dreidels are the same.
    That is, they all have the same four Hebrew charachers: נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hei), ש (Shin), which together form the acronym for “נס גדול היה שם” (Nes Gadol Haya Sham – “a great miracle happened there”.


  44. Aladin Sane
    44 | December 11, 2009 13:50

    IMHO Tull peaked at Aqualung.


  45. 45 | December 11, 2009 13:51

    @ vapig:

    Jonah Goldberg always nails them!


  46. 46 | December 11, 2009 13:52

    @ Overlook:

    But you don’t believe that God exists, do you? If you do, then I’ve misunderstood you and I appologize. If that God doesn’t exist, I don’t see how “Jews” really exist except as a figment of the imagination. A big enough figment for the Nazis to try and exterminate them, sure enough, but still a figment.

    With God, you have Jews. As a Christian, I would be hard pressed to deny them or their place in my religion. As an atheist, not so much. Have you got birth records going back to Rome? If not, why are you sure you are a Jew?


  47. Nevergiveup
    47 | December 11, 2009 13:53

    I just read this Article in the “Navy Times” and all I can say is what BS. Some of the points?

    1)Army recruiter Sgt. Chris McGarity is on the front lines of the military’s effort to add troops who speak Arabic and understand Middle Eastern culture — a battle that grew more challenging after last month’s shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.===A yeah? And that shocks him?????

    2)Such experiences illustrate heightened fears of discrimination and harassment aimed at Arab-American and Muslim troops since the Fort Hood shooting, says Mikey Weinstein, a former Air Force lawyer who founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which advocates for separation between church and state in the military.–Jesus Christ what does this schmuck want an atheist Armed Forces–hey buddy ever hear of Fox Holes?

    3)Muslims in the military experience “horrible” discrimination, he says.

    Before the shooting at Fort Hood, the foundation had 80 Muslim clients who had reported instances of discrimination and harassment, Weinstein says. Complaints jumped 20 percent to 103 in the weeks after the shooting—-Ah excuse me but what about all the dead NON0-Muslims at Ft Hood?

    4)Weinstein says he regularly gets complaints from troops who report name-calling, extra duty on holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving,—What a crock. I’m Jewish and in every situation where Christmas coverage was needed Jews volunteered and then we got off on Passover etc.

    This crap will kill us all yet!


  48. 48 | December 11, 2009 13:53

    BuddyG wrote:

    @ WrathofG-d:
    I don’t know if all driedles the same. Are they?
    And another thing. Is there a correct or preferable way to spell Hanukkah/Chanukkah ?

    (1) No they are not. (2) There is no preferable way to spell it. – The issue is that it is Hch-anukkah. (ie: it starts with that gutteral Hebrew throught clearing sound) Problem is that English doesn’t have one of those. In Hebrew it is spelled with Het not a Hey. So you try to find the spelling to you that you think sounds more like it. H isn’t good because it gives a smooth “H” sound as in the word “hey”) and Ch isn’t good because it gives a sharp “Ch” sound as in the world “Change”.


  49. 49 | December 11, 2009 13:54

    @ Aladin Sane:

    I never liked Tull. They influencedsome bands I do like, but I never liked them.


  50. 50 | December 11, 2009 13:55

    BuddyG wrote:

    Okay, I looked it up and yes, all dreidels are the same.
    That is, they all have the same four Hebrew charachers: נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hei), ש (Shin), which together form the acronym for “נס גדול היה שם” (Nes Gadol Haya Sham – “a great miracle happened there”.

    Actually…..that is wrong…well your information is correct, but your conclusion is wrong.

    The “there” in “a great miracle happened there” is ISRAEL, thus if you are in Israel it makes no sense to say that a great miracle happened somewhere else.

    THUS, the dreidels in Israel actually have a Pey to stand for “po” which means “here” in Hebrew. – A great miracle happened HERE.

    B’H!


  51. Aladin Sane
    51 | December 11, 2009 13:56

    @ Iron Fist:

    I like pretty much all the songs on Aqualung.

    Could be an age/generation thing. I think you’re a few years younger than me.


  52. wolfie
    52 | December 11, 2009 13:56

    @ nil stooge:

    Yes. I think they are using the word loosely though.

    My point is that I don’t think the Torah-oriented interpretation is irreconcilable or inconsistent with a purely descriptive song that in itself offers no clear moral resolution.


  53. BuddyG
    53 | December 11, 2009 13:57

    All dreidels are the same…
    BUT
    In Israel, the fourth side has the letter פ (Pei), instead of ש (Shin). This makes the acronym, נס גדול היה פה, Nes Gadol Haya Po—”A great miracle happened here
    (Rather than “there“).


  54. 54 | December 11, 2009 13:57

    @ Aladin Sane:

    Yeah. I dated a chick that was a big Tull fan, though. She was also tight with the Warlocks, so who can account for taste :-)


  55. BuddyG
    55 | December 11, 2009 13:58

    ooops, nothing like timing.


  56. Overlook
    56 | December 11, 2009 13:58

    @ Iron Fist:

    Being Jewish is a national (even without recourse to modern Israel) as well as religious identity.
    My family has known it was Jewish for generations, upon generations. My mother’s father’s grandfather was a celebrated rabbi in Lithuania.
    I do not perform religious rituals, but I have informed myself about the religion and the history of the Jews.
    It would be shameful to deny my Jewish ancestry. If I am not accepted as a real Jew because I am not religious, then I will ask for what purpose is there a “reality” test?


  57. 57 | December 11, 2009 13:59

    @ BuddyG:

    :)

    Here is a picture of an Israeli dreidel.

    The red letter on the dreidel on the right is a peh, for “po”.


  58. Aladin Sane
    58 | December 11, 2009 14:01

    @ Iron Fist:

    I got criticized once because I said I like Springsteen’s early stuff. I gave the song “Streets of Fire” as an example. (No I don’t agree with Bruce’s politics, I just like some of his music.)

    Anyway, the guy that didn’t like Springsteen gave me a link to the stuff he liked. To me it sounded like someone stuffing a frozen fruitcake down a garbage disposer.

    Everyone has their own taste.


  59. Silhouette
    59 | December 11, 2009 14:02

    WrathofG-d wrote:

    The “there” in “a great miracle happened there” is ISRAEL, thus if you are in Israel it makes no sense to say that a great miracle happened somewhere else.

    Which makes me think, by that same logic, it would make no sense for Christians to sing “Away in a manager” if they are actually in Bethlehem. :-)


  60. 60 | December 11, 2009 14:02

    @ Overlook:

    Ok, no one does not accept you as a Jew because you are not religious. I have never met any Orthodox Jew, not matter how Orthodox, that would deny a Jew his Jewishness if his mother was a Jew. (whose mother was a Jew…) That claim is a red herring used only by non religious Jews to make Orthodoxy seem unwelcoming.

    Even holding the strong beliefs I do on this subject I do believe the non-religious are not actually Jews. I do advocate becoming more religious (for your own sake) but that is an entirely different discussion.


  61. BuddyG
    61 | December 11, 2009 14:03

    @ WrathofG-d:

    Thanks for the dreidel details.

    Now, what about the spelling of Hanukkah vs. Chanukkah ?
    Doesn’t matter since it’s a transliteration into a western alphabet?


  62. 62 | December 11, 2009 14:04

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ Overlook:
    I, as a Christian, can buy into “right of return”. I believe God gave Judeah (pre-dates the RTomans, BTW) to the Jews. Withought God, how is that anything other than racism?
    I admit, “atheist “”Jews””” confuse me. Without God, how are you Jew? Do you have a family history going back to before Rome? You would be very special, then, as not even the Royal lines of the West have such a liniage…

    Chinese have China, Mexicans, Mexico…. why would a Jewish homeland be any different? Jewish is also a culture like any other including a religion.

    I once heard it said, G-d gave the Jews Israel and everyone else gets the rest of the planet.


  63. 63 | December 11, 2009 14:04

    @ Overlook:

    I am asking out of intrest, not to put you on the defensive. My mother’s father’s grandfather came back to Tennessee from Oklahoma where his family had been moved on the Trail of Tears. But that is still an eyeblink of time compared to the Jews that date to Judea.

    All of us in America are dealing with centuries less history (including “African-Americans” some of whom had slave ancestors and others of whom, like Obama, came over here after slavery (unless his mom’s family owned some slaves)) than you.


  64. livefreeor die
    64 | December 11, 2009 14:06

    snork wrote:

    Hey, Chuckles. Here’s your throbbing memo graph. Put that in your pipe and do whatever smoke-paranoid people do with it.

    Amen.
    If I had a before and after graph like that with data that I published, I would have a lot of ‘splainin to do. Note to Charles:
    If you manipulate data so that it goes in a different direction from how it did before, you have screwed up. (Unless you’ve got some nasty covariates but that does not seem to apply to this data set.) Telling people that it’s fine and there’s “Nada” wrong with it won’t fly with real scientists.


  65. 65 | December 11, 2009 14:07

    @ Silhouette:

    No. They should sing “here in a manger”. This is the power of the land!

    A great miracle of G-d happened THERE! The connection of the Jewish people to that land is strong, still exists (beyond the present Israeli nationhood), and is part of a longer Greater plan!


  66. 66 | December 11, 2009 14:08

    @ teacake:

    But if the Jewish homeland wasn’t given by God, then why Israel where she is today? We could chop out some of Alabama and invite the Jews and leave the desert to the Mohammedans.

    Without God, why fight for it?


  67. 67 | December 11, 2009 14:08

    There’s a reason that Jews had the mission to protect Israel and never let it go. All wars in the bible are in relation to Jews and Israel, if i’m not mistaken. I think though that it is said there is a passage to “eden” in one of the regions, which unfortunately is under palie control. I think near the tomb of Abraham? That is one of the reasons that Israel is important in a spiritual way.


  68. Silhouette
    68 | December 11, 2009 14:09

    Iron Fist wrote:

    unless his mom’s family owned some slaves

    They did. According to Obama himself, he is descended from slave owners, for sure on his mother’s side. No word if his father’s people in Africa owned slaves.


  69. wolfie
    69 | December 11, 2009 14:09

    @ Silhouette:

    :lol:

    By the same token, it’s downright silly to sing “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia” if you’re in Virginia.
    Which makes it a pretty stupid state song!


  70. 70 | December 11, 2009 14:10

    @ WrathofG-d:

    You are, I think, saying the same thing I am. With God, then the Jewish connection to Israel is ancient and binding. Without Him, why not go elsewhere?


  71. Overlook
    71 | December 11, 2009 14:10

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ Overlook:
    But you don’t believe that God exists, do you? If you do, then I’ve misunderstood you and I appologize. If that God doesn’t exist, I don’t see how “Jews” really exist except as a figment of the imagination. A big enough figment for the Nazis to try and exterminate them, sure enough, but still a figment.
    With God, you have Jews. As a Christian, I would be hard pressed to deny them or their place in my religion. As an atheist, not so much. Have you got birth records going back to Rome? If not, why are you sure you are a Jew?

    No, I do not believe in God. Not even Spinoza’s God. But please do not apologize.
    You will need to explain to me how the Jews – whether or not their God is true – can be a figment of imagination – their own or others’.
    Why do you insist upon records? What would that record be ? A gravestone in Judea? As I say, Jews know they are Jewish. Like any form of group-identity it is handed down from parents to children.


  72. 72 | December 11, 2009 14:10

    @ BuddyG:

    I answered that above, but here it is again:

    There is no preferable way to spell it. – The issue is that it is Hch-anukkah. (ie: it starts with that guttural Hebrew throat clearing sound)

    Problem is that English doesn’t have one of those. In Hebrew it is spelled with Het not a Hey. So you try to find the spelling to you that you think sounds more like it. H isn’t good because it gives a smooth “H” sound as in the word “hey” and Ch isn’t good because it gives a sharp “Ch” sound as in the world “Change”.


  73. vagabond trader
    73 | December 11, 2009 14:10

    @ Iron Fist:

    IR, here is some info that may explain a few things about Jewish identity.

    http://www.jewfaq.org/whoisjew.htm


  74. Silhouette
    74 | December 11, 2009 14:11

    WrathofG-d wrote:

    This is the power of the land!

    Last night, during a Christmas concert, and I don’t remember the song they were singing, my youngest looked up at me and said, “I want to go to Bethlehem.” I just said, “Oh, I do too. So much.”


  75. 75 | December 11, 2009 14:12

    @ Silhouette:

    To my knowledge, on the white side of my family, some ancestors were given some house slaves for a wedding present in the 1830s. They accepted them as gifts, and freed them in celebration of their marriage. That is, as far as I know, the only slaves owned by any of my ancestors. Most of the rest of them were too poor to own slaves.

    So Obama is a decendent of Slave Masters….

    Interesting…


  76. 76 | December 11, 2009 14:12

    @ Iron Fist:

    Well, I can answer that – because Jews need somewhere to be safe. The question you really mean to ask is “why there”.


  77. 77 | December 11, 2009 14:13

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ teacake:
    But if the Jewish homeland wasn’t given by God, then why Israel where she is today? We could chop out some of Alabama and invite the Jews and leave the desert to the Mohammedans.
    Without God, why fight for it?

    Not all Jews believe in G-d. But they are still culturally Jewish. But, most Jews do, so what don’t you understand? I’m on the fence about if G-d exists or not, yet I feel 100% Jewish. Anyhow, Jews have been there for thousands of years so why this is still a debate in the world is the mystery to me. Doesn’t matter if G-d let the Jews to Israel or not. Jews have been there a long long time. No other culture needs to have some proof or reason to live where they live and call their homeland their homeland. So, if G-d doesn’t exist, then Jews need to leave Israel?


  78. Overlook
    78 | December 11, 2009 14:13

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ WrathofG-d:
    You are, I think, saying the same thing I am. With God, then the Jewish connection to Israel is ancient and binding. Without Him, why not go elsewhere?

    And my point is that with or without God, the connection is ancient and binding. Israel is God-infused for many Jews, it is a homeland for many others.


  79. 79 | December 11, 2009 14:14

    @ Silhouette:

    Wouldn’t be prudent.


  80. 80 | December 11, 2009 14:15

    @ Silhouette:

    You should go! Seriously. Go! Be thankful, and blessed that you live in a time where going is actually possible. Once the Muslims kick all the Jews out of there, you might not be so lucky!


  81. 81 | December 11, 2009 14:15

    @ wolfie:
    I think they are using the word loosely though.

    I’m not sure that ‘deconstructionism’ is bound by petty constraints like rigor or consistency. Cf the famously hilarious Sokal affair:

    …an experiment to see if a journal in that field would, in Sokal’s words: “publish an article liberally salted with nonsense if (a) it sounded good and (b) it flattered the editors’ ideological preconceptions.”[1]

    The paper argued that quantum gravity is a social and linguistic construct.
    Sokal’s experiment directly tested Gross and Levitt’s claims by attempting to get a paper published in a top deconstructionist journal. If they were correct, the content of the paper would not matter and could be filled with complete nonsense; what would matter would be fawning references to other deconstructionist authors and the proper amount of feminist and socialist thought.


  82. 82 | December 11, 2009 14:16

    Without God, why fight for it?

    Without G-d why fight for the USA?

    Israel is a personal matter and for some reason the rest of the world needed to get involved. Non Jews have been really obsessed with it and it seems like a lot of problems have happened for no actual reason. Every culture has their homeland. Simple as that.


  83. Silhouette
    83 | December 11, 2009 14:17

    @ wolfie:

    Good point. Okay, now I’m really thinking. What about Dixie? The guy singing it wishes he was BACK in Dixie. “Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton.” “Oh, I wish I was in Dixie!”

    Edits for singing south of the M/D:
    Away Here, away here,
    Away Here down south in Dixie!


  84. Doppelganger
    84 | December 11, 2009 14:18

    Debbie Schlussel has another dry run.

    the dhimmi media is of course hush hush


  85. 85 | December 11, 2009 14:18

    @ teacake:

    You can’t deny that Israel is in hostile territory. It is in hostile territory whether you are Jew, or Christian, or even Mohammedan, really. Why fight for that patrticular piece of real estate? You say you are ambivilent about God, but feel Jewish. I don’t understand this, and probably never will.

    I understand religious Jews very well. That is the best I’m going to do, it seems.


  86. 86 | December 11, 2009 14:19

    WrathofG-d wrote:

    @ Iron Fist:
    Well, I can answer that – because Jews need somewhere to be safe. The question you really mean to ask is “why there”.

    Yeah, 2 separate issues. Its interesting to look at a historic atlas of Israel. Its a sliver of what it once had been.


  87. 87 | December 11, 2009 14:19

    @ Iron Fist:

    Whether non religious Jews, (or anyone for that matter) like to believe it or not, the Jews are back in Israel today because of the grace of G-d, and because this is where G-d told us we would return to one day. Despite the other offers, there was NO CHANCE that the Jews would end up anywhere else.

    You can look at your hand and see skin, or you can look at your hand and see a million tiny molecules all swirling around together; the difference is what you allow yourself to being open to accept.

    I know without a doubt that there is a G-d, and that we are chosen, that we have a job to do, and that there is no other place on Earth that we belong more than Israel and Jerusalem. Not because of history, but because of G-d. All a Jew needs to do to truly understand this is GO to Israel and feel that silent spirituality that is part of the air, the land, and the Temple!


  88. Silhouette
    88 | December 11, 2009 14:19

    BTW, I but the lyrics of Dixie on here just to make those who like to call “raciiiiiisssst!” heads explode.


  89. vagabond trader
    89 | December 11, 2009 14:19

    @ Overlook:

    I agree,though do believe religion is an important factor in the Jewish identity.Both my parents were Jews. My mother was the more religous one and me, belief in G-d minus most of the ritual.Still a Jew,certainly not Anglo Saxon even though my father and his family were from England nor are we Russian-Hungarian where my mothers family were “allowed” to live.


  90. Overlook
    90 | December 11, 2009 14:21

    @ Iron Fist:

    The Jews were a nation there. A polity. A state. It is remembered in the rituals as a state. That Jews’ founding myth states that Zion was god-given (and God took a hand in fighting the Canaanites, Jebusites etc. to assert that gift), is similar to many nations’ founding myths.
    Do the French fight for France because God gave it to them?


  91. 91 | December 11, 2009 14:21

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ teacake:
    You can’t deny that Israel is in hostile territory. It is in hostile territory whether you are Jew, or Christian, or even Mohammedan, really. Why fight for that patrticular piece of real estate? You say you are ambivilent about God, but feel Jewish. I don’t understand this, and probably never will.
    I understand religious Jews very well. That is the best I’m going to do, it seems.

    It became hostile. Invaders forever. Most Jews believe in G-d and the Jewish people made a promise to G-d. Its unbreakable. I don’t think most non-jews can really understand that. You feel it in your soul.


  92. mawskrat
    92 | December 11, 2009 14:21

    test your climate IQ…some one send this to cj stat

    cj the scientist should ace this one


  93. 93 | December 11, 2009 14:22

    @ WrathofG-d:

    That was what I said. Why not go elsewhere. There is nothing particularly desirable about where Israel is. There is no oil, no gold, not resources other than the people. We could cut off part of Alabama and give it to the Jews. A homeland, with your own laws, you own culture, etc.

    For the religious Jew, I see the problem. The secular Jew, I don’t.


  94. Silhouette
    94 | December 11, 2009 14:22

    @ Overlook:

    Perhaps you could find a better argument than one that combines “French” and “fight.”

    I kid. I’m a kidder.


  95. wolfie
    95 | December 11, 2009 14:23

    nil stooge wrote:

    I’m not sure that ‘deconstructionism’ is bound by petty constraints like rigor or consistency.

    I’m pretty sure it isn’t !
    Oh that Sokal stuff is classic! :D

    (And isn’t it soooo nice to know that the virus of political deconstruction is now working its way into the natural sciences, as Climategate makes quite obvious?)


  96. 96 | December 11, 2009 14:23

    @ Iron Fist:

    In the meat world, neither do I. But I know that G-d exists, and he will not allow a Jewish soul to forget.

    Thus, although they might not be aware of it, every Jew knows he or she is a Jew, and knows that Israel is the place we belong the most.


  97. wolfie
    97 | December 11, 2009 14:24

    Silhouette wrote:

    Away Here, away here,
    Away Here down south in Dixie

    ROFL ! :lol:


  98. wolfie
    98 | December 11, 2009 14:24

    @ wolfie:
    Oops! I forgot that the delete would disappear!


  99. Doppelganger
    99 | December 11, 2009 14:25

    Anybody see that movie ” The Wrestler”?

    Holy Moly. I just watched it.
    Awesome
    Gruesome
    Poignant

    excellent film. Mickey Rourke deserves whatever acting awards he won. Fantastic


  100. 100 | December 11, 2009 14:25

    A silly and simple discussion of Chanukkah.

    On that note, I have the double blessing of both Chanukkah and Shabbat this evening! Thus, I must go!

    Lech Em’ Elokim!


  101. 101 | December 11, 2009 14:26

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ WrathofG-d:
    You are, I think, saying the same thing I am. With God, then the Jewish connection to Israel is ancient and binding. Without Him, why not go elsewhere?

    All of Jewish history as a people is in that area. The Jewish homeland has existed for over 3000 years. Why move? Where to?


  102. 102 | December 11, 2009 14:27

    @ Overlook:

    Probably not the image you want to invoke. The French are turning France over to the Mohammedans.

    That said, I still don’t get you. I’m an American. We made our country where we found it. Should I be killing white and black people because they are not Cherokee? Should I demand a Cherokee Homeland?

    East Tennessee will do, and if the Supreme Court will throw out the unconstitutional NFA, ’68 GCA, and other Federal gun laws I’ll be willing to share it with the whites, blacks, and Jews without violence.

    How’s that?


  103. 103 | December 11, 2009 14:27

    Silhouette wrote:

    @ Overlook:
    Perhaps you could find a better argument than one that combines “French” and “fight.”
    I kid. I’m a kidder.

    You funny


  104. 104 | December 11, 2009 14:28

    @ teacake:

    Without God, how do you trace yourself back 3000 years? 300 is a problem here in the United States, even 200. How then 3000?


  105. wolfie
    105 | December 11, 2009 14:31

    Doppelganger wrote:

    Mickey Rourke deserves whatever acting awards he won.

    Along with the Oscar, which he didn’t win.


  106. Overlook
    106 | December 11, 2009 14:31

    @ vagabond trader:

    Of course religion is an important factor. And ritual bound a dispersed people.

    And I must be frank, because I am an atheist, I admire the Jewish religion – its monotheism, its law-giving God who refused human sacrifice, it morality – more than any other religion, partly because the supernatural element of it is nominal – a name (but not to be spoken).


  107. 107 | December 11, 2009 14:31

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ Overlook:
    Probably not the image you want to invoke. The French are turning France over to the Mohammedans.
    That said, I still don’t get you. I’m an American. We made our country where we found it. Should I be killing white and black people because they are not Cherokee? Should I demand a Cherokee Homeland?
    East Tennessee will do, and if the Supreme Court will throw out the unconstitutional NFA, ‘68 GCA, and other Federal gun laws I’ll be willing to share it with the whites, blacks, and Jews without violence.
    How’s that?

    Well, Euro’s have been here about 500 years. Who knows, maybe 500 more it will return to the Native people? Far better than the UN.


  108. 108 | December 11, 2009 14:32

    And please, everyone knows I am a strong supporter of Israel as a Jewish State. I have religious reasons for doing so, though.


  109. father_of_10
    109 | December 11, 2009 14:34

    alert!
    OT
    alert!
    OT
    Gun thread?
    OK, tomorrow is the Tucson gun show out at the fairgrounds and I rented a table to try to do some trading. Come by and relieve me of my FN FAL and a CETME. I hope to come home short those two but with a new AR and maybe a pistol or two.


  110. 110 | December 11, 2009 14:34

    Fascinating explanation of the meaning behind Bungle In The Jungle. Love listening to that song. Anyway, WrathofG-d, I hope you (and all the Jews reading this) have a happy Hanukkah.


  111. 111 | December 11, 2009 14:34

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ teacake:
    Without God, how do you trace yourself back 3000 years? 300 is a problem here in the United States, even 200. How then 3000?

    Jewish history is not some big secret, you can find the history of Jews and Israel online easily.


  112. 112 | December 11, 2009 14:35

    Feel good story for a Friday

    Volunteers gather to build house for injured Middleboro soldier

    Not all MA residents are selfish, elitist moonbats!


  113. Doppelganger
    113 | December 11, 2009 14:35

    The Chanukah Song


  114. 114 | December 11, 2009 14:35

    And by the way, I hope you’re enjoying your Shabbat.


  115. 115 | December 11, 2009 14:35

    Here ya go Iron, first site from the search

    http://www.jewishhistory.org.il/history.php


  116. Overlook
    116 | December 11, 2009 14:36

    @ Iron Fist:

    Now it is my turn not to understand. Every nation has come about by conquest (directly or indirectly) – including ancient Israel. That a people remembered their ancient homeland and retained that identity with it is exceptional. As for whether they had a right to return. Well, they fought for it again.


  117. vagabond trader
    117 | December 11, 2009 14:36

    @ Iron Fist:

    IR, being a Jew is matrilineal,if your mother was,her mother was, etc,and you are.We were mostly an insular people, not much intermarriage or social contact with the inhabitants of the countries we settled in.Check out the link in # 73. Like many things Jewish “the science” is not settled, tho the matrilineal thing is written in stone, no pun intended.


  118. 118 | December 11, 2009 14:37

    And I’m off. Be back later tonight or tomorrow.

    :)


  119. 119 | December 11, 2009 14:38

    Oh and Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends near and fire.

    Let the light shine on.


  120. 120 | December 11, 2009 14:38

    The Jews!

    BECAUSE of G-d, and his teachings!

    It ALL comes from the TORAH given to the Jewish people by G-D.

    Ok now I am really out.

    enjoy kids: http://www.chabad.org/1054706


  121. 121 | December 11, 2009 14:38

    I show up and Fist leaves.

    Whaaaa.


  122. vagabond trader
    122 | December 11, 2009 14:39

    @ Overlook:

    We are in agreement. I truly wish the religous aspect could be stronger in me.


  123. 123 | December 11, 2009 14:40

    wolfie wrote:

    Doppelganger wrote:
    Mickey Rourke deserves whatever acting awards he won.
    Along with the Oscar, which he didn’t win.

    I love Mickey Rourke.


  124. wolfie
    124 | December 11, 2009 14:44

    @ loppyd:

    Hi, loppy!
    Any news on the Massachusetts senatorial manipulation election?


  125. 125 | December 11, 2009 14:45

    @ loppyd:

    Love you, hon!

    I really am out of here. Company Christmas dinner.


  126. Overlook
    126 | December 11, 2009 14:47

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ teacake:
    Without God, how do you trace yourself back 3000 years? 300 is a problem here in the United States, even 200. How then 3000?

    If I may answer: the religious view is that all people derive from (the Jewish) God. The idea of God himself had been handed down from generation to generation even before the Bible was written down. (Please, let us not get into whether Moses wrote it as God’s words. The question of authority is not relevant here). Who knows whether 3000 years is long enough to cover the time God has been believed in?
    The non-religious view traces itself back to mitochondrial Eve.

    I am here because my ancestors survived long enough to breed. And my DNA places my ancestors somewhere in the Middle East at sometime in relatively recent history. I am Jewish because within memory, the females of my family have known they were Jewish.


  127. 127 | December 11, 2009 14:48

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ loppyd:
    Love you, hon!
    I really am out of here. Company Christmas dinner.

    Love you back!

    MMMMMWWWWAAAAAH


  128. 128 | December 11, 2009 14:50

    wolfie wrote:

    @ loppyd:
    Hi, loppy!
    Any news on the Massachusetts senatorial manipulation election?

    Hi Wolfie.

    State Senator Scott Brown is going to give AG Martha Coakley a run for her money. She is already acting like she’s got it locked up.


  129. vagabond trader
    129 | December 11, 2009 14:53

    @ loppyd:

    Good!

    Next in line out the door will be the whoremonger Chris Dodd.Hope we don’t elect someone just as worthless.


  130. Overlook
    130 | December 11, 2009 14:54

    @ vagabond trader:

    Why?


  131. 131 | December 11, 2009 14:54

    @ wolfie:
    (And isn’t it soooo nice to know that the virus of political deconstruction is now working its way into the natural sciences, as Climategate makes quite obvious?)

    Yeah that’s the scary part. I ran across this politcally correct maths book today.

    Soon we’ll all be living in a post-modern utopia where linguistic constructs like the laws of physics are replaced by something more convenient and aesthetic, like this (a paraphrase from one of the HHGG books):

    Arthur in the mean time lands on the bag of a bird, which reveals to him that he’s fallen from the great Cup, which is part of a 2 mile high statue commemorating a hero who appeared to them in a vision. Arthur then learns that the “cave” is in fact a statue of a giant Nutramatic drinks machine cup, that’s thrown by Arthur Dent (part of an earlier incident). A space warp revealed his sarcastic attitude towards a machine which helped the society of the planet overthrow the helpful robots. The “cup” remains suspended in mid air because Art dictates that it should do so.


  132. wolfie
    132 | December 11, 2009 14:57

    loppyd wrote:

    State Senator Scott Brown is going to give AG Martha Coakley a run for her money. She is already acting like she’s got it locked up.

    Very interesting. Keep us posted either here or at Spitfire!


  133. vagabond trader
    133 | December 11, 2009 14:58

    @ Overlook:

    That old Jewish guilt? To make my mother proud? I don’t know, it just seems I’ve squandered something in regard to this aspect of Jewishness. :-)


  134. 134 | December 11, 2009 14:59

    vagabond trader wrote:

    @ loppyd:
    Good!
    Next in line out the door will be the whoremonger Chris Dodd.Hope we don’t elect someone just as worthless.

    Any dems going to give him a primary challenge? At this point, he is trailing all Republicans.


  135. 135 | December 11, 2009 14:59

    @ wolfie:

    Will do! I am going to carve out some time to volunteer for him.


  136. wolfie
    136 | December 11, 2009 15:00

    nil stooge wrote:

    Yeah that’s the scary part. I ran across this politcally correct maths book today.

    Good grief.

    It would be hilarious if we didn’t know they are actually serious.


  137. pbird
    137 | December 11, 2009 15:01

    WrathofG-d wrote:

    BuddyG wrote:
    @ WrathofG-d:

    I don’t know if all driedles the same. Are they?

    And another thing. Is there a correct or preferable way to spell Hanukkah/Chanukkah ?

    (1) No they are not. (2) There is no preferable way to spell it. – The issue is that it is Hch-anukkah. (ie: it starts with that gutteral Hebrew throught clearing sound) Problem is that English doesn’t have one of those. In Hebrew it is spelled with Het not a Hey. So you try to find the spelling to you that you think sounds more like it. H isn’t good because it gives a smooth “H” sound as in the word “hey”) and Ch isn’t good because it gives a sharp “Ch” sound as in the world “Change”.

    I think we should spell it as HCHannukah!


  138. pbird
    138 | December 11, 2009 15:02

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ Aladin Sane:
    I never liked Tull. They influencedsome bands I do like, but I never liked them.

    Me neither IF. Husband listened to them a lot when young. I got really tired of Aqualung.


  139. 139 | December 11, 2009 15:02

    BBIAB


  140. Overlook
    140 | December 11, 2009 15:03

    @ vagabond trader:

    Ha! I would like to know Hebrew, as I enjoy biblical exegesis and religious history. One of the most fascinating books I have read was on the letters of God’s name. (By the way, my nic has enough Os to compensate for Wrath’s and your omissions.)


  141. vagabond trader
    141 | December 11, 2009 15:05

    @ loppyd:

    Worried about the AG here, Richard Blumenthal, another leftist turd.If an R wins it’ll likely be a Rino.CT loves their Rinos almost as much as their Dems.


  142. vagabond trader
    142 | December 11, 2009 15:06

    @ Overlook:

    LOLOLOLOL! OOOOOOOOOO!


  143. Empire1
    143 | December 11, 2009 15:10

    @ WrathofG-d:
    Hmm … would the German “ch” sound be anywhere close?


  144. PrincessNatasha
    144 | December 11, 2009 15:15

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    So what do these climatologist want? A planet where nothing ever changes? Nothing ever becomes extinct or evols into a better species? What ever happened to survival of the fittest or adaptation> It is a bullshit dream and it ain’t ever gonna happen.

    They want a planet where nothing exists. Many leftists are great fans of destruction for the sake of destruction. Some people mistakenly call it “envy” but simple envy is a lot cleaner than that. If you envy someone you simply want what they have. In the case of leftards, they do not want what you have, they just don’t want you to have it. They’d prefer to destroy everything and everyone, themselves included, rather than live with a possibility that someone, somewhere, is independent, productive and happy.


  145. vagabond trader
    145 | December 11, 2009 15:17

    @ Empire1:

    Yes!Rather gutteral or throat clearing as someone noted.


  146. 146 | December 11, 2009 15:23

    To weigh in, I can understand the need for identify with a homeland. My ancestors have roamed and farmed and worked the area near where I currently live for well over a thousand years, traceable. It’s about walking on the bones of your ancestors, to use a rather grisly metaphor. The connection I feel with this land is in my gut and my waters, I could no more decide that England (or, strictly, Cheshire) could be re-established elsewhere than I could cut off my own testicles.

    It’s hard to get this across to you colonials, you’re used to the idea of a nation being founded on principles. You aren’t connected to your land by blood and ancestry but merely by purchase and declaration. America could be moved to Mars tomorrow and not suffer for it, but you wouldn’t be able to transplant the English nation there and have it remain even remotely the same, because the English nation is as much the land it walks as it is the people who are born into it.


  147. Miss Trixie
    147 | December 11, 2009 15:24

    OT OT

    Another flight disrupted by a group of Muslims

    Excuse me, but when is it going to be OK to start kicking some 14th-century a**?


  148. NoThreat2U
    148 | December 11, 2009 15:26

    @ PrincessNatasha:
    Then they should all kill themselves. That way they aren’t part of the “destruction” nor do they have to watch it happen. How stupid. lol Them, not you.


  149. 149 | December 11, 2009 15:26

    @ pbird:

    Me neither IF. Husband listened to them a lot when young. I got really tired of Aqualung.

    BLASPHEMY… Blasphemy I say………….


  150. NoThreat2U
    151 | December 11, 2009 15:28

    @ archonix:
    Colonials? Oh how I long to be an enlightend European……


  151. 152 | December 11, 2009 15:30

    @ NoThreat2U:

    Oh come on, I’ve seen Americans call themselves that in a jokey way before now, why can’t I?


  152. NoThreat2U
    153 | December 11, 2009 15:31

    @ archonix:
    “colonials” <—-that would have helped.


  153. wolfie
    154 | December 11, 2009 15:32

    @ PrincessNatasha:

    Your comment reminds me of this, which does use the word “envy” to refer to the resentment you speak of, but otherwise is in tune:

    One guy looks at the man with a Cadillac and says, “I like that. I’m going to work my butt off so I can get one.” That’s ambition.

    Another guy looks at the man with the Cadillac and says, “I want one. I’m going to steal it.” That’s jealousy, and, if carried through with action, theft.

    Still another looks and says, “Why should he have a car like that? Take it away from him. I don’t care if you smash it. Just take it away from him.” That is envy. That is also the very face of evil.


  154. Nevergiveup
    155 | December 11, 2009 15:36

    wolfie wrote:

    @ PrincessNatasha:

    Your comment reminds me of this, which does use the word “envy” to refer to the resentment you speak of, but otherwise is in tune:

    One guy looks at the man with a Cadillac and says, “I like that. I’m going to work my butt off so I can get one.” That’s ambition.

    Another guy looks at the man with the Cadillac and says, “I want one. I’m going to steal it.” That’s jealousy, and, if carried through with action, theft.

    Still another looks and says, “Why should he have a car like that? Take it away from him. I don’t care if you smash it. Just take it away from him.” That is envy. That is also the very face of evil.

    Another man says lets just tax the shit out of him and take his Cadillac away. That’s a Democrat!


  155. Truck Monkey
    156 | December 11, 2009 15:37

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    OT OT
    Another flight disrupted by a group of Muslims
    Excuse me, but when is it going to be OK to start kicking some 14th-century a**?

    I’m sure there is a rational explanation for the Mohammadens actions.
    /need I?


  156. 157 | December 11, 2009 15:38

    @ NoThreat2U:

    This enlightened european doesn’t like to conform to anyone’s political correctness. I’ve had plenty of experience of it over here already.


  157. wolfie
    158 | December 11, 2009 15:40

    archonix wrote:

    Oh come on, I’ve seen Americans call themselves that in a jokey way before now, why can’t I?

    I find it charming myself and take no offense whatsoever!

    I think your point about the USA moving to Mars without it making a difference has a great deal of truth in it, but it is an overstatement of the case. There are regions in America where a sense of place and history is very much alive — mostly in the South, but not exclusively so.


  158. mawskrat
    159 | December 11, 2009 15:40

    the cap is off the bottle!


  159. 160 | December 11, 2009 15:41

    Wrath,
    Just today I noticed an ad for a book in Books & Culture Magazine: A Christian Review about modern secular rock lyrics and their connection to the bible. Of course I’m straining to remember the title, so I can link it here. I thought it was an interesting book that I’d like to read. When I think of it, I’ll send it your way.


  160. 161 | December 11, 2009 15:41

    @ Miss Trixie:
    {{{MISS TRIXIE!}}}


  161. wolfie
    162 | December 11, 2009 15:46

    Nevergiveup wrote:

    Another man says lets just tax the shit out of him and take his Cadillac away. That’s a Democrat!

    Quite concur™ !!! :D

    But maybe that’s covered under theft.

    Obama during the primary said that he realized the capital gains tax cuts helped the country by increasing revenue and encouraging investment. But he wanted them raised again “to be fair,” i.e., simply to deprive the rich, even at everyone’s expense. That is evil.


  162. 163 | December 11, 2009 15:46

    @ wolfie:

    Thank you!

    My minimal travels in the states bear that out. The south seems to have a lot more character to it than the north (generally speaking of course, I’ve not been many places) and I believe it’d be hard to take New Yorkers out of New York without changing them, and pissing them off in the process. Not something I’d want to do, piss of a new yorker…


  163. vagabond trader
    164 | December 11, 2009 15:48

    @ archonix:

    As much as I love Israel,my little plot of earth and trees in the original 13 is home sweet home.In fact it is one of the great achievements of my life to be able to work hard and purchase the place.The next best milestone will be the mortgage payoff.Unfortunately none of my ancestors was available to leave it to us free and clear, but my husband and I know where we came from.We both treasure freedom over our feudal peasantry lineage in Olde Europe any day.


  164. coldwarrior
    165 | December 11, 2009 15:49

    ahhh yes. another friday.

    the bar is open, martinis anyone?


  165. mawskrat
    166 | December 11, 2009 15:52

    coldwarrior wrote:

    ahhh yes. another friday.
    the bar is open, martinis anyone?

    just shots for me


  166. coldwarrior
    167 | December 11, 2009 15:53

    imawskrat wrote:

    coldwarrior wrote:
    ahhh yes. another friday.
    the bar is open, martinis anyone?
    just shots for me

    thats pretty much what a proper martini is…

    shots


  167. wolfie
    168 | December 11, 2009 15:55

    @ archonix:

    Another interesting aspect of this is the question of what happens when the principles that founded this country are no longer operative or even respected. Would it not then be simply an imperium, rather than a nation? Would I owe it my allegiance? And if so, on what basis?

    Thorny question.


  168. Miss Trixie
    169 | December 11, 2009 15:55

    Urban Infidel wrote:

    @ Miss Trixie:
    {{{MISS TRIXIE!}}}

    Dear Lady! So good to see {{{{{you}}}}}! :D All’s well?


  169. coldwarrior
    170 | December 11, 2009 15:57

    i see miss trixie has made it here.

    hiya!


  170. Miss Trixie
    171 | December 11, 2009 16:00

    coldwarrior wrote:

    i see miss trixie has made it here.
    hiya!

    Dude! Hi right back. :D I got stealth-banned by the Thought Police.

    Sheesh. :roll:


  171. coldwarrior
    172 | December 11, 2009 16:01

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    coldwarrior wrote:
    i see miss trixie has made it here.
    hiya!
    Dude! Hi right back. I got stealth-banned by the Thought Police.
    Sheesh.

    well, welcome aboard. i got stelath baned too.

    y9u’ll like this place…its as good as, if not better than, 1.0 5 years ago.


  172. coldwarrior
    173 | December 11, 2009 16:04

    so miss trixie. here’s your ‘congatulatory’ first virtual martini:

    2 oz stoli 100
    1 oz stoli apel
    drops of vermouth

    shaken with ice and a vietnamese cinamon stick, poured into frozen martini glass, cinnamon stick as garnish.

    enjoy, and welcome aboard!


  173. Miss Trixie
    174 | December 11, 2009 16:05

    I lurk a little and post a little but it’s difficult during working hours as I’m so bloody busy with little to no time to post or chat with folks. :roll:

    Oh well, no money no candy so I roll with it. :D

    I miss what LGF used to be and I think if the cards are played well here, it might evolve into just that.

    *snicker* :lol:


  174. Miss Trixie
    175 | December 11, 2009 16:06

    That’s so delish – thanks coldwarrior! :D


  175. coldwarrior
    176 | December 11, 2009 16:08

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    I lurk a little and post a little but it’s difficult during working hours as I’m so bloody busy with little to no time to post or chat with folks.
    Oh well, no money no candy so I roll with it.
    I miss what LGF used to be and I think if the cards are played well here, it might evolve into just that.
    *snicker*

    well, much of the old base is here…it can get raucous, disagreement is welcome. and pali car swarms are always in fashion.


  176. song_and_dance_man
    177 | December 11, 2009 16:08

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    I miss what LGF used to be and I think if the cards are played well here, it might evolve into just that.

    We are well on on way to just that. And, it is my opinion, that we have some, if not many, of the fine writers that used to be there. Some times I just sit back and watch the brilliant here go at it in subjects that are way out of my league.


  177. Miss Trixie
    178 | December 11, 2009 16:11

    @ coldwarrior:

    Good stuff. Pali car swarms where the palis *inspect* the *wreckage*, right? :roll:

    *snort*

    More please.


  178. wolfie
    179 | December 11, 2009 16:12

    I see this recession isn’t hurting some people.

    They talk about these raises being “since the recession,” but what they really mean is “since the Democrats took over Congress.”


  179. coldwarrior
    180 | December 11, 2009 16:15

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    @ coldwarrior:
    Good stuff. Pali car swarms where the palis *inspect* the *wreckage*, right?
    *snort*
    More please.

    well then…more please

    1.5 oz belvedere vodka
    1.5 oz pinnacle pomegranate vodka
    1.0 oz pinnacle raspberry vodka
    the vermouth

    shake with ice and a dash of fresh pomegranate juice, pour into very frozen martini glass, garnish with small orange zest on the rim. it should dangle in a jauntily way


  180. Miss Trixie
    181 | December 11, 2009 16:15

    @ song_and_dance_man:

    Always look forward to what you’re on about, luv. :)

    Do Not Dare Challenge Gorebull Warming for this May Happen to You.


  181. coldwarrior
    182 | December 11, 2009 16:19

    @ Miss Trixie:

    nice, so much for free speech, free press…tear up the 1st amendment

    if the ‘crats keep this up and things start getting really bad here, maybe they can see how the 2nd amendment works


  182. Truck Monkey
    183 | December 11, 2009 16:19

    Welcome Miss Trixie
    Kick of your shoes and stay awhile.


  183. coldwarrior
    184 | December 11, 2009 16:21

    @ Truck Monkey:

    howzit goin’ truck monkey?


  184. wolfie
    185 | December 11, 2009 16:22

    @ Miss Trixie:

    Wow.
    Just wow.


  185. Truck Monkey
    186 | December 11, 2009 16:23

    @ coldwarrior:

    All is well. You?


  186. song_and_dance_man
    187 | December 11, 2009 16:23

    Shazaam. I’ve been promoting the Weblog awards and was just persuing the site to update the votes for tonight’s post and just found we are nominated in another category, bringing the total to seven.

    Also, if all the votes are totaled we have well over 1,000 for those seven categories. But, they are only going to count the first nomination in each category.


  187. Miss Trixie
    188 | December 11, 2009 16:23

    @ Truck Monkey:

    Thanks! I’ve a nice glass of Aussie Shiraz to sip and my roasted garlic and lemon chook has just come out of the oven so I’ve a minute or two before I nosh and relax on the Commie Sofa with Lil Miss to cuddle. :)


  188. chickadee
    189 | December 11, 2009 16:24

    song_and_dance_man wrote:

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    I miss what LGF used to be and I think if the cards are played well here, it might evolve into just that.

    We are well on on way to just that. And, it is my opinion, that we have some, if not many, of the fine writers that used to be there. Some times I just sit back and watch the brilliant here go at it in subjects that are way out of my league.

    I think this place is way better than the ‘nuthouse’. Before I made my escape, that ominous feeling of CJ just plopping in out of nowhere to drop a load, was getting to be very unsettling. Often there was very little warning. He would just appear like a drunk and stagger around and sour the ambience. He ruined a lot threads.


  189. Miss Trixie
    190 | December 11, 2009 16:24

    Wolfie, honeycakes! **mwah** :D


  190. coldwarrior
    191 | December 11, 2009 16:25

    @ Truck Monkey:

    ’tis friday, and we all have survived another week.

    so it cant be that bad, yet.


  191. coldwarrior
    192 | December 11, 2009 16:25

    @ Miss Trixie:

    commie couch?


  192. song_and_dance_man
    193 | December 11, 2009 16:25

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    Do Not Dare Challenge Gorebull Warming for this May Happen to You.

    aladam!


  193. NoThreat2U
    194 | December 11, 2009 16:25

    @ archonix:
    It’s all good. It is just my automatic reaction. Been a lot of America bashing out there these days and I get easily offended sometimes. It’s cool. :)


  194. coldwarrior
    195 | December 11, 2009 16:26

    @ song_and_dance_man:

    But, they are only going to count the first nomination in each category

    i dont understand that, explain pls.


  195. chickadee
    196 | December 11, 2009 16:27

    @ Miss Trixie:

    Miss Trixie, I remember that hilarious avatar from the nuthouse.


  196. coldwarrior
    197 | December 11, 2009 16:27

    @ NoThreat2U:

    whats up yinz!


  197. song_and_dance_man
    198 | December 11, 2009 16:28

    chickadee wrote:

    I think this place is way better than the ‘nuthouse’. Before I made my escape, that ominous feeling of CJ just plopping in out of nowhere to drop a load, was getting to be very unsettling. Often there was very little warning. He would just appear like a drunk and stagger around and sour the ambience. He ruined a lot threads.

    It depends what period we’re talking about. 04-06 was the best of 1.0, and the community there could not be matched at any other blog. Late 2007 was when it began to fall apart.


  198. wolfie
    199 | December 11, 2009 16:29

    @ song_and_dance_man:

    Well? Don’t keep us in suspense! What’s the other category?


  199. Miss Trixie
    200 | December 11, 2009 16:30

    coldwarrior wrote:

    @ Miss Trixie:
    commie couch?

    Ha! That refers to the couch-shredding party I had with a couple of friends last Spring where we ripped apart my old UGLAY sofas with axes, knives and even a sledgehammer to make way for my new sectional – a gorgeous, sexy, crimson model that’s soft and oh sooooo comfy.

    Hence, the Commie Sofa. :D


  200. Truck Monkey
    201 | December 11, 2009 16:30

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    @ Truck Monkey:
    Thanks! I’ve a nice glass of Aussie Shiraz to sip and my roasted garlic and lemon chook has just come out of the oven so I’ve a minute or two before I nosh and relax on the Commie Sofa with Lil Miss to cuddle.

    A couch that performs as well as a Trabant corners?


  201. coldwarrior
    202 | December 11, 2009 16:30

    @ song_and_dance_man:

    It depends what period we’re talking about. 04-06 was the best of 1.0, and the community there could not be matched at any other blog

    i agree, that was excellence in blogging, however, i think we ca match it. the pieces are here…some assembly required


  202. NoThreat2U
    203 | December 11, 2009 16:32

    @ coldwarrior:
    Hey yinz guys!! I am getting ready to make my first drink of the weekend. Cleaning house and doing laundry at the same time. Please tell me you didn’t watch last night’s game??? I will not watch again until next season. I can’t take it!!!!!!


  203. chickadee
    204 | December 11, 2009 16:32

    song_and_dance_man wrote:

    chickadee wrote:

    I think this place is way better than the ‘nuthouse’. Before I made my escape, that ominous feeling of CJ just plopping in out of nowhere to drop a load, was getting to be very unsettling. Often there was very little warning. He would just appear like a drunk and stagger around and sour the ambience. He ruined a lot threads.

    It depends what period we’re talking about. 04-06 was the best of 1.0, and the community there could not be matched at any other blog. Late 2007 was when it began to fall apart.

    I missed the best years. The contrast you are referring to must represent a drastic shift.


  204. 205 | December 11, 2009 16:32

    @ NoThreat2U:

    Don’t blame you in the least. :)

    Rum? It’s past midnight, I need to catch up on my drinkies.


  205. Miss Trixie
    206 | December 11, 2009 16:33

    chickadee wrote:

    @ Miss Trixie:
    Miss Trixie, I remember that hilarious avatar from the nuthouse.

    Thanks, toots. I changed it back at Gravatar to my usual avatar since the sneaux-storm finally blew itself out, but it doesn’t seem to want to change back and I’ve deleted everything but the avatar I want.

    Harrumph. :roll:


  206. coldwarrior
    207 | December 11, 2009 16:33

    Truck Monkey wrote:

    Miss Trixie wrote:
    @ Truck Monkey:
    Thanks! I’ve a nice glass of Aussie Shiraz to sip and my roasted garlic and lemon chook has just come out of the oven so I’ve a minute or two before I nosh and relax on the Commie Sofa with Lil Miss to cuddle.
    A couch that performs as well as a Trabant corners?

    hah! the springs collapse and the room fills with 2-stroke smoke!

    bwahahaha!

    (i have driven trabants)


  207. coldwarrior
    208 | December 11, 2009 16:35

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ coldwarrior:
    Hey yinz guys!! I am getting ready to make my first drink of the weekend. Cleaning house and doing laundry at the same time. Please tell me you didn’t watch last night’s game??? I will not watch again until next season. I can’t take it!!!!!!

    guhhh! that was sad….yes i watched it. i hope they rest the starters and injured for the rest of the season, play the backups and lose the rest of the games for a higher draft pick.

    Q: when does hockey season start in pittsburgh?

    A: when steeler season is over, and its O-V-E-R.


  208. song_and_dance_man
    209 | December 11, 2009 16:35

    coldwarrior wrote:

    @ song_and_dance_man:
    But, they are only going to count the first nomination in each category
    i dont understand that, explain pls.

    Well, for instance, in the Best New Blog category we have 12 nominations. If someone visited there to vote for us it is very likely they voted for each nomination, so, those votes represent duplicates and not unique individual votes. I wish they would count all the votes because in that one category we have 407 total votes and blow everyone else out of the water. And that goes for all the rest of the categories with total votes with the exception of Best Political Blog where we only have one nomination.


  209. wolfie
    210 | December 11, 2009 16:36

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    Please tell me you didn’t watch last night’s game??? I will not watch again until next season. I can’t take it!!!!!!

    Big deal. You guys don’t know real misery.
    Try being a Redskins fan!


  210. snowcrash
    211 | December 11, 2009 16:36

    @ Miss Trixie:
    I remember the nude snowblower guy. LOL


  211. coldwarrior
    212 | December 11, 2009 16:36

    @ Miss Trixie:

    got it.


  212. NoThreat2U
    213 | December 11, 2009 16:37

    @ coldwarrior:
    Cleveland????? WTF happened!!!


  213. coldwarrior
    214 | December 11, 2009 16:37

    wolfie wrote:

    NoThreat2U wrote:
    Please tell me you didn’t watch last night’s game??? I will not watch again until next season. I can’t take it!!!!!!
    Big deal. You guys don’t know real misery.
    Try being a Redskins fan!

    ummm.. i live in the pittsbrugh area…we have the pirates…19 losing seasons in a row.

    the losing streak is old enough to vote and get drafted!


  214. Miss Trixie
    215 | December 11, 2009 16:37

    hah! the springs collapse and the room fills with 2-stroke smoke!

    Well it was only the third date … :twisted:

    /jk :P


  215. coldwarrior
    216 | December 11, 2009 16:38

    @ song_and_dance_man:

    oh, this is the pass-gate into the general election, as it were


  216. NoThreat2U
    217 | December 11, 2009 16:39

    @ coldwarrior:
    Hahahahahaha Good one!!! I just dan’t figure out how you lose to a team that was 1 & 11. I am thinking of taking up crack and meth and coke and weed just to deal with it. lol

    /no I am not!!


  217. song_and_dance_man
    218 | December 11, 2009 16:39

    @ wolfie:

    Best Up and Coming Blog


  218. coldwarrior
    219 | December 11, 2009 16:40

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ coldwarrior:
    Cleveland????? WTF happened!!!

    too many injuries, weather equalized the talent, the offensive coordinator has un-commited from the run, no polamalu

    the injuries are the big thing.


  219. Miss Trixie
    220 | December 11, 2009 16:41

    Gotta nosh afore I fall down from hunger – BBL and have a cocktail on my tab. :)


  220. Truck Monkey
    221 | December 11, 2009 16:41

    wolfie wrote:

    NoThreat2U wrote:
    Please tell me you didn’t watch last night’s game??? I will not watch again until next season. I can’t take it!!!!!!
    Big deal. You guys don’t know real misery.
    Try being a Redskins fan!

    True Dat! I was there last Sunday and watched the Redskins deliver a tidy victory to the undeserving Saints. I would have rather seen us utterly crushed than to lose like we did. The $35 dollars I paid to park also stuck in my craw a little.


  221. coldwarrior
    222 | December 11, 2009 16:41

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    hah! the springs collapse and the room fills with 2-stroke smoke!
    Well it was only the third date …
    /jk

    badabing!

    and dont forget to tip your waitresses…two drink minimum.

    ;)


  222. coldwarrior
    223 | December 11, 2009 16:42

    Miss Trixie wrote:

    Gotta nosh afore I fall down from hunger – BBL and have a cocktail on my tab.

    see ya later….

    the martini bar is open….


  223. song_and_dance_man
    224 | December 11, 2009 16:43

    chickadee wrote:

    I missed the best years. The contrast you are referring to must represent a drastic shift.

    Back then there is much like it is here now, except with a lot more posters and input. Almost every thread there at that time was a learning experience. And yes the change is beyond dramatic and is more like pitiful.


  224. Truck Monkey
    225 | December 11, 2009 16:43

    coldwarrior wrote:

    wolfie wrote:
    NoThreat2U wrote:
    Please tell me you didn’t watch last night’s game??? I will not watch again until next season. I can’t take it!!!!!!
    Big deal. You guys don’t know real misery.
    Try being a Redskins fan!
    ummm.. i live in the pittsbrugh area…we have the pirates…19 losing seasons in a row.
    the losing streak is old enough to vote and get drafted!

    But not yet old enough to drink. Unfortunately


  225. NoThreat2U
    226 | December 11, 2009 16:43

    @ coldwarrior:
    Yeah it really sucks without Troy. Ben should hang his head in shame. Getting sacked by the Browns……WTF????????


  226. coldwarrior
    227 | December 11, 2009 16:44

    Truck Monkey wrote:

    coldwarrior wrote:
    wolfie wrote:
    NoThreat2U wrote:
    Please tell me you didn’t watch last night’s game??? I will not watch again until next season. I can’t take it!!!!!!
    Big deal. You guys don’t know real misery.
    Try being a Redskins fan!
    ummm.. i live in the pittsbrugh area…we have the pirates…19 losing seasons in a row.
    the losing streak is old enough to vote and get drafted!
    But not yet old enough to drink. Unfortunately

    oh, it will be soon, you can bet on that.

    they made me give up on baseball, and i LIVED that sport from the time i was 5.

    it breaks my heart what a joke mlb has become.


  227. tunnelrat
    228 | December 11, 2009 16:46

    Coldwarior: don’t feel bad, my Vikings layed an egg last weekend too.
    You know the saying: on any given day…….


  228. coldwarrior
    229 | December 11, 2009 16:47

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ coldwarrior:
    Yeah it really sucks without Troy. Ben should hang his head in shame. Getting sacked by the Browns……WTF????????

    not bens fault.

    there was no way to pass in that wind. the o-line is missing two starters, the browns knew that bruce arians gave up on the run so there is no threat there…browns can blitz at will


  229. Truck Monkey
    230 | December 11, 2009 16:47

    @ coldwarrior:

    Tell me about it. Former Oriole fan here. That little Troll Peter Angelos has made it damn near impossible to be a MLB fan around here.


  230. song_and_dance_man
    231 | December 11, 2009 16:47

    You guys have nothing to grumble about. My team is the Raiders. Oh wait, we beat the Steelers too, so maybe a little grumbling is in order.


  231. wolfie
    232 | December 11, 2009 16:48

    Truck Monkey wrote:

    True Dat! I was there last Sunday and watched the Redskins deliver a tidy victory to the undeserving Saints. I would have rather seen us utterly crushed than to lose like we did.

    The pain! The agony!
    *sigh*


  232. coldwarrior
    233 | December 11, 2009 16:49

    tunnelrat wrote:

    Coldwarior: don’t feel bad, my Vikings layed an egg last weekend too.
    You know the saying: on any given day…….

    your vikings are a great team…that matchup with new orleans in the playoffs is gonna be a classic


  233. coldwarrior
    234 | December 11, 2009 16:50

    Truck Monkey wrote:

    @ coldwarrior:
    Tell me about it. Former Oriole fan here. That little Troll Peter Angelos has made it damn near impossible to be a MLB fan around here.

    oh, orioles…well, you and me can commiserate together.

    the yankees/steinbrenner ruined baseball for me.


  234. song_and_dance_man
    235 | December 11, 2009 16:51

    tunnelrat wrote:

    Coldwarior: don’t feel bad, my Vikings layed an egg last weekend too.
    You know the saying: on any given day…….

    It would be nice to see Farve win it all with the Viks. I always pull for a team after my team is going nowhere.


  235. Truck Monkey
    236 | December 11, 2009 16:52

    tunnelrat wrote:

    Coldwarior: don’t feel bad, my Vikings layed an egg last weekend too.
    You know the saying: on any given day…….

    I grew up in MN. The Vikings have broken my heart a number of times.


  236. coldwarrior
    237 | December 11, 2009 16:52

    song_and_dance_man wrote:

    You guys have nothing to grumble about. My team is the Raiders. Oh wait, we beat the Steelers too, so maybe a little grumbling is in order.

    yeah, yeah, yeah…

    steelers lost to the raiders this season…


  237. song_and_dance_man
    238 | December 11, 2009 16:53

    coldwarrior wrote:

    oh, orioles…well, you and me can commiserate together.
    the yankees/steinbrenner ruined baseball for me.

    Raiders/Davis represents a particle pebble in my shoe for all too many years. I would rather have Frontiere.


  238. song_and_dance_man
    239 | December 11, 2009 16:55

    @ coldwarrior:

    My fav teams in order are

    The Raiders
    The Steelers
    The Packers

    The Cowboys are on the bottom.

    So there.


  239. coldwarrior
    240 | December 11, 2009 16:55

    so, rodan says he has a funny as hell post coming up at 2000 eastern,…that’ll be 5 minutes.


  240. song_and_dance_man
    241 | December 11, 2009 16:57

    coldwarrior wrote:

    so, rodan says he has a funny as hell post coming up at 2000 eastern,…that’ll be 5 minutes.

    my bet is 1.0 related


  241. NoThreat2U
    242 | December 11, 2009 16:57

    @ song_and_dance_man:
    I find Favre annoying. If my Steelers aren’t accomplishing anything, I am rooting for the Saints. Didn’t Pittsburgh give the Vikings their first loss? What the hell happened to us?!?!?! I guess I get tired of the same old teams and the same old names being thrown around. Go Saints!


  242. coldwarrior
    243 | December 11, 2009 16:57

    song_and_dance_man wrote:

    @ coldwarrior:
    My fav teams in order are
    The Raiders
    The Steelers
    The Packers
    The Cowboys are on the bottom.
    So there.

    the cowboys…i like how they were renemed here a few weeks ago as ‘the forces of all things evil’. i laughed at that.

    i hate the cowboys. that bullshit america’s team crap.

    the steelers have outsold them in merchandise every year for 15 years and still the america’s team crap.

    they bore me, and romo really needs to get cut, he sux


  243. Truck Monkey
    244 | December 11, 2009 16:58

    song_and_dance_man wrote:

    coldwarrior wrote:
    oh, orioles…well, you and me can commiserate together.
    the yankees/steinbrenner ruined baseball for me.
    Raiders/Davis represents a particle pebble in my shoe for all too many years. I would rather have Frontiere.

    My favorite owner to hate? The Irsays. Despicable people.


  244. coldwarrior
    245 | December 11, 2009 16:58

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ song_and_dance_man:
    I find Favre annoying. If my Steelers aren’t accomplishing anything, I am rooting for the Saints. Didn’t Pittsburgh give the Vikings their first loss? What the hell happened to us?!?!?! I guess I get tired of the same old teams and the same old names being thrown around. Go Saints!

    too many injuries…that’s what happened.

    hmmm…saints or vikes…thats a tossup for me.


  245. coldwarrior
    246 | December 11, 2009 16:59

    Truck Monkey wrote:

    song_and_dance_man wrote:
    coldwarrior wrote:
    oh, orioles…well, you and me can commiserate together.
    the yankees/steinbrenner ruined baseball for me.
    Raiders/Davis represents a particle pebble in my shoe for all too many years. I would rather have Frontiere.
    My favorite owner to hate? The Irsays. Despicable people.

    ooohhh, the irsays…that is genetic based revile and loathing for you baltimore guys.

    that was a bullshit move he pulled.


  246. Truck Monkey
    247 | December 11, 2009 17:00

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    Go Saints

    No no no no…… It’s Geaux Saints!


  247. tunnelrat
    248 | December 11, 2009 17:00

    Vikings need to learn something from this last humiliating loss. They have the talent, but need to focus on working as a team if they hope to defeat New Orleans in the playoffs. Vikings have let down their fans so many times over the years.. it is painful to be a fan!


  248. coldwarrior
    249 | December 11, 2009 17:01

    tunnelrat wrote:

    Vikings need to learn something from this last humiliating loss. They have the talent, but need to focus on working as a team if they hope to defeat New Orleans in the playoffs. Vikings have let down their fans so many times over the years.. it is painful to be a fan!

    it could be worse, you could be a browns fan.


  249. coldwarrior
    250 | December 11, 2009 17:02

    Truck Monkey wrote:

    NoThreat2U wrote:
    Go Saints
    No no no no…… It’s Geaux Saints!

    geaux saints!

    rouxt! rouxt! rouxt! for the saints!


  250. song_and_dance_man
    251 | December 11, 2009 17:02

    @ NoThreat2U:

    To me Farve is likened to Elway. Even though the Broncos are a rival I pulled for them for the simple fact that Elway deserved to win, and it would have been a shame to see him, a great QB, go down in NFL history with the likes of Tarkenton and Kelly losing four Superbowls.

    Farve still has it, and his performance this year proves it, and it would show Green Bay they made a mistake by letting him go. That is the reason I’m pulling for the Vikings.


  251. coldwarrior
    252 | December 11, 2009 17:02

    ohhh man…rodans thread is up…


  252. Truck Monkey
    253 | December 11, 2009 17:03

    coldwarrior wrote:

    ooohhh, the irsays…that is genetic based revile and loathing for you baltimore guys.
    that was a bullshit move he pulled.

    And another reason to hate them is because Peter Angelos plays on the areas fears of another team leaving MD for greener pastures. He consistanly puts a shitty product on the field and expects support even though he deserves none.


  253. wolfie
    254 | December 11, 2009 17:03

    song_and_dance_man wrote:

    The Cowboys are on the bottom.

    Quite concur™ !!! :)


  254. NoThreat2U
    255 | December 11, 2009 17:04

    @ coldwarrior:
    I’m choosing the Saints because Favre is a Viking. I get sick of the same names….Favre, Manning..Brady. There are others out there. I especially hate Peyton Manning, or as I call him Peyton Gump. lol@ Truck Monkey:

    Got it!


  255. Scott Madsen
    256 | December 11, 2009 17:06

    Do not fly in or out of Filthadelphia. My wife is presently delayed there for the twentieth time this year. The airport is completely inadequete for its traffic. The city cannot expand for the usual reasons: NIMBYs, Unions, and Dem Pols elbowing each other out of the way for the graft windfalls they can recieve from funneling contracts to all of the corrupt never left Old Europe behind McOllivichskis that still have chips on their shoulder over some prince that kept them down back in their ancestors respective feudal hovels.

    Apologies to all of the ethnica who picked theirselves up by their bootstraps and didn’t linger and fester as trade union wage slaves, professional bar stool polishers, and reliable Democrat Zombies in Northern Cities for going on nigh one hundred years.

    Yeah, I’m a Southerner, so let your stereotypes fly back too, if you so desire.


  256. NoThreat2U
    257 | December 11, 2009 17:13

    @ song_and_dance_man:
    So you like Favre? GET OFF THIS BLOG!! lol To each his own I guess. It’s cool. I am just a girl…what do I know about football. lol


  257. coldwarrior
    258 | December 11, 2009 17:13

    @ Scott Madsen:

    well,

    maybe a shot or two of tito’s and some dead will help calm you down

    ;)


  258. orangecrush
    259 | December 11, 2009 17:14

    Some internet tools I use on occasion.

    http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ Test the speed of your internet connection
    http://keepvid.com/ Save videos from youtube
    http://www.pixlr.com/ Online image editor
    http://www.torproject.org/ Anonymous surfing on the web
    http://www.collegehumor.com/ College Humor
    http://www.dnsstuff.com/ DNS Stuff
    http://www.internettrafficreport.com/ Internet Traffic Report


  259. coldwarrior
    260 | December 11, 2009 17:15

    @ orangecrush:

    ooohhh! gadgets!

    thanks…bookmarking…


  260. orangecrush
    261 | December 11, 2009 17:16

    Go Vikes, Go Favre. That is usually enough from me to give the kiss of death to a team. Broncos – Vikings


  261. coldwarrior
    262 | December 11, 2009 17:17

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ song_and_dance_man:
    So you like Favre? GET OFF THIS BLOG!! lol To each his own I guess. It’s cool. I am just a girl…what do I know about football. lol

    yeah, but you are a girl from pittsburgh, you have forgotten more about football than 75% of the males in this country will ever know about football just by living here.

    ;)


  262. NoThreat2U
    263 | December 11, 2009 17:18

    @ orangecrush:
    I liked the speedtest. I got 953 kbps for download and 367 kbps for upload. Is that good? I have comcast broadband.


  263. NoThreat2U
    264 | December 11, 2009 17:20

    @ coldwarrior:
    Pittsburgh does have the best female fans…based on a survey. lol lol lol Us Burgh Babes are a tough lot. :)


  264. coldwarrior
    265 | December 11, 2009 17:21

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ orangecrush:
    I liked the speedtest. I got 953 kbps for download and 367 kbps for upload. Is that good? I have comcast broadband.

    we’re on the same comcast node


  265. orangecrush
    266 | December 11, 2009 17:22

    @ 263 NoThreat2U: That seems slow both ways. I think comcast by default give 12000 kbps download and 4000 kbps upload.

    I’m 11,794 download and 2990 upload right now. The location could affect those numbers. I’m on comcast.


  266. song_and_dance_man
    267 | December 11, 2009 17:22

    I have broadband in the biggest city of NM and still have numbers that are adequate. 8 meg down and 5 up.

    I don;t know if you guys are aware of this, but in Japan they enjoy 20 meg+ or greater almost everywhere there. We are really behind them in net infrastructure.


  267. coldwarrior
    268 | December 11, 2009 17:23

    Download Speed: 32939 kbps (4117.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
    Upload Speed: 6906 kbps (863.3 KB/sec transfer rate)

    ohh…fast


  268. NoThreat2U
    269 | December 11, 2009 17:24

    @ orangecrush:
    Would it make a difference that I have three computers hooked up in this house? Even if they are not downloading at the same time? I think I need to make some adjustments to my router too. Funny, I can’t ever find it when I need it. Sometimes I just get lucky and come across it though. What an idiot. lol


  269. coldwarrior
    270 | December 11, 2009 17:24

    comcast


  270. coldwarrior
    271 | December 11, 2009 17:25

    bbl,

    wife is getting home and demands a martini.

    i must oblige.


  271. NoThreat2U
    272 | December 11, 2009 17:25

    @ coldwarrior:
    You smoked me. What the hell comcast???????


  272. Scott Madsen
    273 | December 11, 2009 17:25

    @ coldwarrior:

    Advise taken. Cleaning house and herding crumb crunchers for five days has taken its toll. I will not do the Paxil and Xanax soccer mom soma route even if in the end out of the frustration of living in a North Eastern suburb, I wind up as a Bircher.


  273. orangecrush
    274 | December 11, 2009 17:26

    @ 267 song_and_dance_man: I read about that today. it appears to be the reluctance of broadband companies and regulatory agencies to deliver fiber to the door. I do know someone that that have fiber to their doorstep but it’s not usable at high speeds til more infrastructure occurs.


  274. 275 | December 11, 2009 17:27

    tunnelrat wrote:

    Vikings need to learn something from this last humiliating loss. They have the talent, but need to focus on working as a team if they hope to defeat New Orleans in the playoffs. Vikings have let down their fans so many times over the years.. it is painful to be a fan!

    Awwww come on! The Saints have never made it to the Super Bowl (that I know of at least)and its been forever since they’ve made it to the play offs. Everyone should be a Saints fan this season!


  275. NoThreat2U
    276 | December 11, 2009 17:29

    @ teacake:
    I agree!!!


  276. orangecrush
    277 | December 11, 2009 17:29

    @ NoThreat2U: I have two PC’s on a router hooked to the cable modem. Line speed should still be high. My connection was slow last week and I had to replace my comcast modem and it improved. Call comcast and ask them how fast you should be then tell them how fast you are. They troubleshoot and send a tech out.l $27 charge if no line protection purchased.


  277. NoThreat2U
    278 | December 11, 2009 17:30

    Going to check out the new thread……..


  278. orangecrush
    279 | December 11, 2009 17:31

    @ teacake:

    The viking have lost what? 4 superbowls. One to Kansas City, one to Oakland? i can’t remember the other two. Only Buffalo soothes those wounds.


  279. 280 | December 11, 2009 17:32

    I have a little dreidel

    I made it out of clay

    And when it’s dry and ready

    Then dreidel I shall play

    CHORUS

    Oh dreidel dreidel dreidel

    I made it out of clay

    And when it’s dry and ready

    Then dreidel I shall play

    It has a lovely body

    With legs so short and thin

    And when it is so tired

    It drops and then I win!

    CHORUS

    My dreidel’s always playful

    It loves to dance and spin

    A happy game of dreidel

    Come play now, let’s begin!

    CHORUS


  280. 281 | December 11, 2009 17:35

    Speaking about New Orleans – Attempted robbery goes very wrong for thug


  281. 282 | December 11, 2009 17:37

    NoThreat2U wrote:

    @ teacake:
    I agree!!!

    who dat! c yall later


  282. CloudyDay
    283 | December 11, 2009 17:40

    One site I visited described this site as being about Jewish music:
    Idelsohn Society for Musical Preservation

    Another article:
    Funny, It Doesn’t Sound Jewish

    Excerpt:

    Jewish music, they contend, has long been typecast. But the history of Jewish assimilation in America produced a wide variety of musical hybrids across ethnic and racial lines, bridging the religious and the secular. And that’s what Reboot Stereophonic – an offshoot of Reboot, a nonprofit project devoted to helping Jewish twenty- and thirtysomethings address questions of cultural and religious identity – hopes to resuscitate and promote. “That word ‘Jewish’ can be pejorative,’ ” Mr. Bennett said. “We’re interested in expanding that word’s meaning in ways that are complicated, eclectic, hybrid.”


  283. 284 | December 11, 2009 18:59

    @ wolfie:

    Envy is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Theft, even though against the Ten Comandments, isn’t.


  284. pbird
    285 | December 11, 2009 19:42

    doriangrey wrote:

    @ pbird:

    Me neither IF. Husband listened to them a lot when young. I got really tired of Aqualung.
    BLASPHEMY… Blasphemy I say………….

    Bah!


  285. 286 | December 11, 2009 21:54

    Iron Fist wrote:

    @ wolfie:
    Envy is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Theft, even though against the Ten Comandments, isn’t.

    I’ll have to disagree Iron. LOL

    Coveting thy neighbors wife is a form of theft. Some of those commandments are more than on the surface.


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