(no subject)

Pentagon to 22,000 soldiers: your PTSD and brain injuries were pre-existing before the war. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. When even Kit Bond, pre-eminent GOP cheerleader, sees a problem with your actions, well, you've entered into a new level of insanity. Or at the very least, lapsed into the pre-existing insanity that occured during our last "police occupation" of another country.

Presidential candidate Grandpa Fred pulls out the "But Iraq had weapons of mass destruction" rationale for justifying the war.

Toy stores say they're not seeing China backlash. Umm, you've got to be kidding me? We have people demanding that food show country of origin in response to everything that's happened with China and you expect me to believe that parents aren't the least bit concerned in trying to buy non-Chinese toys? I suspect the real problem may be that there's no recourse for parents that would like to buy non-Chinese toys. Kids want what's popular and most of the large manufacturers of toys are in China. Until there's a test of a toy made in america/europe compared to the same one from China, I think this is a bit of crap reporting.

Terms used to describe bridge safety may be changed...why? Because things like "structurally deficient" and "functionally obsolete" scare normal people to death. So we'll change the terms instead of spending the money to fix the bridges.

The Minneapolis interstate bridge had been classified as “structurally deficient,” as have more than 73,000 others nationwide. The term means a significant load-carrying element is in poor condition because of deterioration or damage.

It doesn’t mean the bridge is about to fall down, although it may sound dire to people unfamiliar with the ratings, Capka said.
...
The collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis killed 13 people, injured about 100 and thrust the safety of the nation’s bridges into the spotlight. The investigation into what caused it will take six months to a year, Capka said.

“Bridges don’t collapse. That just doesn’t happen,” he said. “Something went wrong. I can’t say what it was, but we will make adjustments when that becomes clear.”

Yelling that you are sick when in an airport will get you left alone in a jail cell, handcuffed. The entire story smells fishy and I'd like one of the airport security people to illustrate how someone can bring handcuffs over their head and get entangled around their neck. Just saying...

There are two competing versions of the Employee Non-Discrimination Act on the House floor. One gives protection for sexual orientation and gender identity and ENDA lite, well, it doesn't.

The WGA is holding a Strike Authorization Vote. The Artful Writer points out that holding the SAV doesn't mean they'll call for a strike - it's more likely a bargaining tactic. Still, you should beef up your netflix queus just in case we suddenly land in the Season of Horrible Reality TV.

(no subject)

Did I post this morning about how fantabulous pork chops from whole foods are????? They actually cooked up tender, the taste is fantastic, and I don't really think they were that expensive (three thick ones for 10 bucks that I cut in half to make six..).

Also, Rao's spaghetti sauces from Whole Foods are also quite possibly some of the best jarred spaghetti sauces I've ever eaten!

(no subject)

Eliot Spitzer on why he and other US governors are suing the Bush Administration. I'll give you a hint: SCHIP veto.

Breast feeding a food allergic baby

Teenage girl beaten, expelled, and arrested.. All for not cleaning up a dropped piece of cake to a security guard's satisfaction. When her mother complained, she was arrested and suspended from her job with the school district. here's video. One of the students that filmed w/ his camera phone was also beaten and arrested.