If we are an Exceptional Nation
Do we not then have Exceptional rulers
Who sit their Exceptional arses
Upon an Exceptional throne
Supported by Exceptional companies
Led by Exceptional executives
That deliver Exceptional profits
To their Exceptional 1% investors
While the Exceptional masses
Wallow in Exceptional mystery
For the Exceptional scraps
Tossed them by Exceptional leaders
Of their Exceptional nation.

Agnosticsherbet
10.31.2013

I think that putting Siri in charge of all that death and destruction is wrong headed an, ultimately, will fail. The article reveals evidence that it isn't necessary to be there in the middle of it when the shit comes down. People sitting at a computer terminal in Nevada receive a "moral injury" when placed in these situation. Telling Siri to blow up those people will extract the same toll as operating the drone, guiding the missile, or putting a bullet through he head of another person. War is ugly, but it is part of what we are. Even our nearest relatives, Bonobos and other great apes, fight wars. When a war is necessary, putting these layers of insulation between the soldier and the act will just make unnecessary wars more likely.

If we don't perceive a high cost to an endeavor, we don't think about it quite so much.

If we must fight, then everybody should fight. Every citizen should pay the cost.

This is a great step for education. I applaud fighting back against a state government attempting to force religion into education.

We all pretty much knew this was happening. It is good to see this finally getting a little attention.

"unless both houses pass a bill stopping the automatic hike."
That question was asked by David Brin on Facebook.

Yes, yes I know his name is a dirty word here, but please bear with me.



He was answered by Doug Van Belle who said:


I haven't heard that in the news. In fact, there seems to be some talkin' Smack about doing a part two of the government shut down and debt ceiling crises in January and February. If they did that, then there is no way that the debt ceiling is going to be used ever again.

Just wondering.

Mind boggling isn't it, but the news just keeps coming. Check out this gem from Rep. John C. Fleming (R-LA).

I am heartened at the work done by President Obama, Democrats in the Senate, and those in the House that worked to end this least session of the Cruz Crazies. I am disgusted that there are people in Congress who think Part II, III, IV, or whatever remake of he last crises is going to improve them. Their manufactured crises cost billions to our economy and food out of the mouths of or families. It is hardly over and t hey are out their revving up their engines to get back into what they see as some bizarre ass clowns Game of Thrones.

And I am sick of the notion that poor John Boehner just could not help himself when those big strong muscular studdly men told him to give them whatever they want because it was inevitable. Boehner was a willing participant, and he will be willing the next time.

Source: Bussiness Insider

The top general in charge of the U.S. Air Force's entire arsenal of nuclear weapons has been relieved of his command, The Air Force Times reports.

Two-star Maj. Gen. Michael Carey commanded a total of 450 missiles and 9,600 people at locations across the U.S. as head of the 20th Air Force and Task Force 214.

Gen. James Kowalski, the commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, made the decision following an inspector general’s office investigation into “Carey’s behavior during a temporary duty assignment."


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/general-in-charge-of-nukes-fired-2013-10#ixzz2hR9WaFH6

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/general-in-charge-of-nukes-fired-2013-10

---

Now, that should make us all feel safe and secure.

At first glance, they seem to be a group of Democratic moderates (some would call them Blue Dogs, Third Way, Conservadems, etc., etc., etc.) and Republican Moderates (Rinos, traitors to the class, socialist wanna bees, Friends of Obama, I am not up on all the derogatory terms Republicans have for groups that are left of the Tea Party) but what they really seem to be is a caucus concerned with controlling spending (Fiscal Matters). There is a stated desire to stop fighting and start fixing, but other than fixing spending problems (fiscal stuff) I don't see a lot about their issues or desires yet.

It is pretty clear that the Republicans are from the center right region of the political spectrum, while Democrats are what would be called centrists or even Center Right like Joe Manchin and Scott Peters.

What this really looks like is that group back in the 60's-80's called Rockefeller Republicans. Most of that group came form the North East and they were fiscally conservative business oriented folk who tended to be more socially liberal. (Think old New England Money, sort of like the old Bogart movie remade with Harrison Ford "Sabrina."

I find that rather than toss invective, it is good to know who these power groups are. There are certainly enough of them so that, like the Tea Party, they could have considerable influence on the way the House does or doesn't''t do its job. Any one now can look at the main site and see if their Congressman is a member of this group.

A list of 52 are below. They do not include co-chairs Evan Bayh, John Huntsman, and Joe Manchin. Clealry form the updated numbers they are a growing faction or Caucus in the House. The claim 87 members now, and are expecting 100 by years end.



Now that we have some idea of who these people are, we can cuss them, discuss them, cast invective, or write them and tell them what we think.

Is your Congressman on the list?