Life in the Parsing Lane

A National Security staffer noted that "'There is absolutely no plan to release or transfer the Blind Sheikh,' said National Security Staff spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan. 'Reports saying otherwise are completely and unequivocally false.'"  [emphasis mine] in response to news that negotiations over handing blind Egyptian sheikh Omar Abdul-Rahman over to the Egyptian government to finish his confinement with the benefit of being able to visit with friends and family may be currently under discussion.

New Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi has certainly made it clear that he'd like to negotiate a prisoner swap for Abdul-Rahman for "humanitarian reasons,"* and that only "recent incidents around the US embassy in Cairo have delayed efforts in this regard."

A blog post over at RedState points to a Weekly Standard article demonstrating a compelling case that recent attacks on U.S. diplomats in the Middle East have been part of a larger effort to release Abdul-Rahman.

The articles and reports I've seen have not said there is a plan to release Abdul-Rahman -- only that there have been tentative negotiations in that direction underway.  

Hair-splitting is raised to an art form in this nation's capital, and "absolutely no plan" may mean "at this moment".  It does not in any way, shape or form answer the question of whether negotiations may have been or may still be under discussion.  That is the more significant question.
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*Such as being allowed visitation with friends and family.  Bear in mind that while under heavy security in  a U.S. prison the blind sheikh was able to pass on marching orders to his network via one of his attorneys until she was caught.  Certainly his visitors and his correspondence would fall under far less scrutiny in Egypt that it would in the states.

Sunday Schedule

Jimbo!


Why are you running?
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Club girl Suzy McCoppin says, "We always ask ourselves before we do a story, 'Is this going to hurt their marriage?' or 'Is this going to hurt their career?' " McCoppin said. "And if the answer is yes, we try to avoid it or soften it."

I call bullshit... and the article bears that out: "'Tacky aside, I will look tacky for $40,000!' she said." Obviously.

I need a shower. That whole story carries a stink that just won't wash off easily.
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I find it interesting that the Chicago Tribune gives no credit to Sean Wasson, a/k/a The News Junkie, for his successful radio campaign which, I believe, played a major role in this success story:

The controversial American arm of an international Islamic group has been bounced from the Marriott in Oak Brook, where organizers were set to host the group's second annual conference this Sunday.

For at least three weeks running, Wasson blasted the Marriott on his WGN radio show, and he exhorted his listeners to call the Marriott's main number, as well as the reservation desk at the Oak Brook to express their outrage at Marriott's welcome of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

On more than one occasion, a Marriott called Wasson and begged him to call off the dogs. That, of course, only encouraged him to turn up the heat.

Well done, sir!

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Ear Worm of the Day:

Rubber-Necking

Just when you think you've seen it all:

Police say a man was arrested after admitting to, and being caught on DVD having sex with his picnic table repeatedly.

I'm going to have to bleach my brain out after that one...

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day, Part I:


see more dog and puppy pictures

How much do you want to bet that's what this fool was thinking?
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Giggle of the Day, Part II:

Jan 27 2010

"They're not smile lines, they're stretch marks. Cock sucker."

"My donkey. That's MY donkey. Get off my donkey! You know, you're not some superstar donkey jockey. Piss off."



"Yes, I can get away with wearing leather chaps. Just not on a windy day."

Heh.
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Loooooooooooooooo-see! Someone's got a LOT of 'splainin' to do:

Hundreds of documents, including 2009 W-2 forms, investment account balances and job applications -- many with Social Security numbers -- were found blowing in the wind around Touhy and Eastview Drive.

The Tribune learned about the airborne paper trail from a reader's tip and contacted some of the people and companies listed on the documents. No one could say where the paperwork came from, but because some of it was partially destroyed, a few speculated that a shredding company was to blame.

Yeesh!
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The Daily Douche Bag:

Jessica Kathleen Alexander, 18, and Tammy Nicole Ortega, 29, are douche bags. Ho's, too, and really cheap ones, at that.

Whoever in the school system elected to go to the police and not to the parents of these two kids is a douche bag. And so are the police and the prosecuting attorneys who are pursuing this.
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Great Reader is still on hiatus, but the party must go on. "It's Friday! Let's Dance!"

Billy Sweetfeets starts off the dancing with The Llama Song.

Personally, I'm up for a little Thin Lizzy:



How 'bout you? Join the party!

Update: Look! It's a new one from the Dancing Inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Update 2: I said, "Let's Dance!" NOT "Let's Skants!"

Sunday Schedule

Go read Fausta today... especially this post. All those jobs saved or created by The One and his merry minions? I'm pretty sure they're all government jobs, and we're headed towards a government that's larger and better compensated than the private sector.

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Success at work usually leads to problems at home? Well, we know that failure at work can lead to problems at home. Sooooo... we should all be shooting for happy mediocrity?

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Of all of the things he's done or hasn't done so far, President Chicken Little waiting until now to come up with this cockamamie commission that won't even have results to vote on until November, for cripe's sake, is the one that most displays the disconnect between himself and the entire working (and out-of-work) public.

Dood! People want solutions nine months ago, NOT nine month from now.

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Another disconnected Dem that really doesn't get that the voters in Illinois do not want tax increases is finally getting bitten in the butt in the polls.

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Professor Jacobson's preview of Chicken Little's upcoming State of the Union Address is almost, but not quite on target.

I actually think it's going to be as pleasant on the ears and as palatable to watch as this version of the same familiar ditty:

As the Princess Mom used to tell me, "It's not what you say; it's how you say it." Amen.

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Giggle of the Day:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

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Drive-Bys

This is so wrong on so many levels I can't begin to tell you.

As many of you know, the Princess Mom finally succumbed not to lung cancer, which she'd had for years, but to brain cancer when the lung cancer metastasized. I'd have given anything to give her the comfort and relief a joint or a bowl or a bong or an Alice B. Toklas brownie would have given her.

In this case, the poor woman had a prescription from her doctor in a state where medical marijuana is legal, AND had a permit from the state -- but her landlord is still evicting her.

Spread the word: Do Not Rent from Gardner Group of Michigan. Not at that property. Not at any of their properties.

What leeann says goes double for me.
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Traveling via CTA's elevated train system any time soon? You might want to keep this in mind:

Before someone gets hurt, and before the myth that it's unsafe to ride the CTA becomes reality, it's time to pick up your cell phone, CTA riders. Dial 911 and report crime on the transit system to the Chicago Police Department.

And do it while the perpetrators are in the act. Any criminal activity can also be reported to the Chicago Police Department's mass transit unit at 312-745-4485, or to the CTA at 312-664-7200.

In addition, it's time to jot down the badge numbers of CTA employees who don't think it's their job -- it's actually their duty -- to get involved.

CTA policy requires employees to tell the perpetrator to stop such behavior. If the individual persists, the employee is supposed to radio the control center, which will notify security or police, said CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney. CTA customers are encouraged to report crimes, including thefts, assaults and harassment, to CTA and the police, so officials can provide increased security where it is needed, Gaffney said.

Report employees who are not carrying out this duty to 888-968-7282 or send an e-mail with details, including the date, time, location and transit route, to: feedback@transitchicago.com.

And stay off your cell phones, BlackBerries and iPods, too. Thieves have gotten downright brazen and will walk right up and take it from you if you're not paying attention.
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Ummmmm... about that global warming thing?
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Quote of the Day, Part I:

“I am an automotive diagnostician,” Mr. Seyfer said. “We look for the root cause of problems. If we treat the symptoms, the problem always comes back. With health care, we are not treating the root cause: Why does it cost so much?”

Quote of the Day, Part II:

Ron Vaughn, who provides health insurance to his 60 employees at Argonaut Wine and Liquor near the state Capitol, said: “I’m a middle-of-the-road kind of guy. I want the Democrats out of my pocket and Republicans out of my bedroom. The one word I would use for what’s going on in Washington is embarrassing. I am embarrassed for Republicans and for Democrats. They started out on the right foot, but it’s degenerated.

“Republicans misled people and tried to scare seniors by putting out misinformation about death panels,” Mr. Vaughn said. “Then to pass a bill in the Senate, Democrats stooped to bartering for votes. It demeans the whole process.”

Yes, these people speak to me.
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Got a teenage daughter? Show her this. It's a lesson I wish I learned way before turning 40.

(And make sure she reads the Jag Carrao links. Those posts pack a powerful punch.)
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Quote of the Day, Part III (because Juliette rocks):

This is the deal: if you’re assisting in the redistribution of wealth to its “rightful owners,” you get a pass on telling an unflattering racial truth. If you’re “doing something to for black people,” you get to let a “racist” thought slip through your lips or out of your word processor. It’s why old Klansmen like Senator Robert Byrd can even use phrases like “white n*gger” and still sit in the US Senate.

You're allowed to "abuse" black people with one hand if you’re giving them things out of the other.

The truth hurts, doesn't it?
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The question is here. The answer is another question: "Fallout? What fallout?"

Rubber-Necking

More on that No Pants Day on the CTA deal:

As soon as the doors shut at the stop before yours, stand up and take your pants off and put them in your backpack. If you’d like to use a briefcase, purse, grocery bag, or whatever instead of a backpack that’s fine too. If anyone asks you why you’ve removed your pants, tell them that they were “getting uncomfortable” (or something along those lines.)

Exit the train at your assigned stop and stand on the platform, pantless. You will wait on the platform for the next train to arrive. Stay in the exact same place on the platform so you enter the next train in the same car as you exited the last train.

When you enter, act as you normally would. You do not know any of the other pantless riders. If questioned, tell folks that you “forgot to wear pants” and yes you are “a little cold.” Insist that it is a coincidence that others also forgot their pants. Be nice and friendly and normal.

You can wear fun underwear if you like, but nothing that screams out, “I wore this because I’m doing a silly stunt.” Wear two pairs of underwear if it makes you feel more comfortable. Don’t wear a thong or anything else that might offend people. Our aim is to make people laugh, not piss them off.

Tempting. Veeeeeeeeeeeery tempting.

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And, FYI...

Drive-Bys

Confused about all the candidates on the primary ballots in Illinois? Go here for questionnaires filled out by all the different candidates, and choose the ones who, in their own words, most closely align with your own values.

I know I'll be spending a lot of time at this page!

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Every single one of these Infomercials is ridiculous. This is my own particular favorite:

How about you?

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You'll never look at a soda fountain the same way again. I swear. (Eeeew!)

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Nice to see that Massachusetts Democrats respect their constituents' wishes. Think the Dems are going to lose seats in the current round of elections? Let 'em try a little more of this, and they'll be voted out in droves in the next round.

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Thought I'd mention that tomorrow is No Pants Day on the CTA in Chicago. (My back window looked out over Berger Park at one point in my life...)

Anyhow, just thought you'd like to know.

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Bus Fumes

Still think Islam is the religion of peace? Go read this... and then try and watch the video. I dare you.

And I dare you to believe it's a religion of peace after you're done.
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Ford, it all its idiocy, has decided to roll out a Tweeting car. Don't you think it might just be distracting to try and compose a message in 140 characters or less, even if both hands were still on the wheel and your eyes were still on the road???

Stupid. Just stupid.