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Weekend Open Thread

by thebesig••65
Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey. (Deposit Photos)

The town of Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey, “lighted up”. This town is a tourist attraction with a lot of history behind it. They have caves with carvings, paintings, and structures related to early Christians. They also have hospitality rooms within the caves. Hot air ballooning is one of the favorite pastimes in this area.

Enjoy your weekend.

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65 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread”

    2. Congrats good Sir! You will reign supreme over all of us Dickweeds for the week!

      1. Many Thanks to all of my Brothers and Sisters of the TAH Family. This one was again, pure luck; or God’s Will, depending on your beliefs. I had took a break from my self imposed honey do list and had just clicked on the tool bar thingie when it popped up. (the WOT not that other thing). No 3 pete yet and will have to reset after the upcoming WOT next Friday. Will be going off the net ’bout Tuesday of Wednesday for a little time traveling to teach some history.

        I cannot express what a lifeline y’all have been to me over the last few years. God Bless us all, everyone!

    3. The King of Battle Rules Again!!!

      Congats on retaining the WOT Sceptor and Throne for another week.

      hbtd/rtr/gabn

      1. Congratulations 5th/77th FA, you have once again bested us. We look forward to your lording over us peons.

  4. BAM BAM BAM INCOMING Time on Target. The KING of Battle is again KING of FIRST on the Coveted TAH Friday Weekend Open Thread. Let it be said and Let it Be written. Artillery all the way! The Winner of Wars.

    Libations and Southern edibles all around. My Treat!

    FIRST ya bunch of loyal minioned dickweeds!

  5. Since the work day for me is ending pretty soon, I’ll go ahead and get the trivia column posted. May all of you have a magnificent weekend!

    DID YOU KNOW…?
    What was the original concept for the character of Woody in the “Toy Story” movies?
    By Commissioner Wretched

    In another lifetime, just a few years ago, I was a history teacher. Those who know me can already tell what kind of a history teacher I was – the kind who made a boring subject fun (or tried to, anyway).

    Recently, talking with some friends who still toil in the classrooms – and these people have my deepest respect – I was reminded of the most unusual homework assignment I ever gave.

    My high school class in World History was discussing the rise of Communism, when I mentioned that it was “created by Karl, the funniest of the Marx Brothers.”

    Blank stares from the students. They’d heard of Karl Marx; they’d never heard of the Marx Brothers.

    You can probably guess what that night’s homework assignment was, can’t you? That’s right – the students were instructed to go on the Internet, watch a Marx Brothers movie (any one), and bring me a report on it the next day.

    Oh, and read up on Communism, too.

    I made some new fans of golden-era comedy and of Groucho, Harpo, and Chico that day. I’m rather proud of that.

    Now, on to the trivia – and I expect a report in the morning. Class dismissed.

    Did you know …

    … the term “deadline” is not unique to newspapers? Sure, it’s our term now, but back in the Civil War, deadline didn’t mean when something was due. It was an actual, physical thing – the “deadline” was a line around military prisons, and if an escaping prisoner crossed it, he was shot on sight. (Sometimes I think my boss would like to shoot me on sight when I miss a deadline.)

    … a baseball player wasn’t able to enjoy a candy bar that was named after him? Hall of Fame player Ken Griffey, Jr. (born 1969) had a candy bar named after him for a limited time. Griffey was never able to try it, though, because he is allergic to chocolate and to peanuts – two main ingredients in the bar. (He was also said to be allergic to grass, which explains why he enjoyed playing in the American League and all those turf stadiums.)

    … the character of Woody in the Toy Story series of movies is not what he was originally conceived to be? Woody, voiced by actor Tom Hanks (born 1956), is a goofy kind of cowboy doll in the movies, but in the initial treatment, Woody was a ventriloquist’s dummy. The character was envisioned as a kind of cruel bully in the first Toy Story treatment, but when studio executives read it, they asked that the character be rewritten. (I can’t imagine Tom Hanks doing that kind of character voice, can you?)

    … it would take about 1.1 million mosquitoes to completely drain you of your blood? Major organ failure would set in at around bite number 200,000, though, so you probably wouldn’t notice the rest of the bites. (Not to mention the itching! Isn’t it amazing that somebody sits around and actually figures this stuff out?)

    … the world’s worst rate of inflation happened in the early 21st Century? In the African nation of Zimbabwe, inflation got so bad that, at one point in 2009, one U.S. dollar was worth – get this – more than 2 decillion Zimbabwean dollars. A decillion is a one followed by 33 zeroes. Zimbabwe dumped the currency after that, opting to use U.S. dollars instead. The year before, Zimbabwe printed bank notes for the value of 100 trillion dollars, which – on a good day – could possibly have bought a candy bar. (Or maybe half of one.)

    … there are more $100 bills in Russia than there are in the United States? (How many of them are real, I leave to you to decide.)

    … President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) was sworn into office by his father? When Coolidge’s predecessor, Warren G. Harding (1865-1923), died in office August 2, 1923 in San Francisco, news of the death was delivered to Coolidge’s Vermont home – which had neither a telephone nor electricity – by a messenger. Coolidge’s father, a justice of the peace, administered the oath at 2:47 a.m. to the new president, who promptly went back to bed. A second swearing-in was held when Coolidge returned to Washington the next day, by Justice Adolph Hoehling (1868-1941) of the D.C. Supreme Court, since it was questionable whether Coolidge’s father – a state official – actually had the authority to administer the presidential oath of office. (It was probably the longest single thing Coolidge ever said in his life, too.)

    … there is an official landing pad for UFOs on Earth? In St. Paul, Alberta, Canada, a landing pad for extraterrestrial spacecraft was built in 1967 as pat of the Canadian centennial celebration. The landing pad also contains a time capsule, to be opened in 2067. (You have to wonder how many UFOs have landed at the official pad, don’t you?)

    … at any given moment, there are about 1,800 thunderstorms taking place in the world? (One of them is probably right over your house right now. Or maybe not.)

    … the last survivor of the 1912 sinking of the Titanic died in 2009? Millvina Dean (1912-2009) was only two months old when the ship sank, and did not remember the event. The last survivor who remembered the sinking was Lillian Asplund (1906-2006), who was 5 when the ship went down. (That’s something you just don’t forget.)

    … Walt Disney (1901-1966), creator of Mickey Mouse, was terrified of mice?

    … it is illegal in Australia to give a name to any animal that you plan to eat? (Oh, I don’t know about that. My aunt once raised a cow for eating purposes. She called him T-Bone. And, she said, he was delicious.)

    Now … you know!

    1. Outstanding job, again, CW. Why don’t you take the afternoon off. My Baby Girl is a teacher, caught behind enemy lines, in Tampa. Her Papa is so very proud of his Honor Graduate of the University of Georgia. GO DAWGS! She teaches remedial students that are given 1 more chance to make something of themselves. She is constantly bitching about the lack of history that is taught in the school systems, and that the admins will not allow her to try and broaden the horizons of these kids. In my many years as a living historian, I have seen the rapid decline of history and civics knowledge in not only the students, but in the staff teachers that are becoming vested/tenured now. It’s sad.

      Today 26 April is officially Confederate Memorial Day in Georgia and other Southern States. 26 April 1865 was the day that Gnrl Joe Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee to ‘Cump Sherman. Other states us 10 May (the day J. Davis was captured) or 3 Jun (J. Davis’s birthday)

      Tho many state workers and politicians in Georgia are trying to erase all vestiges of Confederate History, they still take the state paid holiday, and have for many a year. It’s just not called CMD any more, officially.

      Under Federal Law, Confederate Veterans are authorized the same status by the VA as any other American Veteran.

      1. “Under Federal Law, Confederate Veterans are authorized the same status by the VA as any other American Veteran”

        I did not know that.
        Tanks…er..Guns, yeah Guns.
        And congrats on the First.

    2. The Marx Brothers:

      Please do not forget Zeppo Marx!

      Am sharing one of their Classic Scenes from their movie “A Night At the Opera”…the Crowded Cabin Scene. Two minutes in length, but it is worth it.

      Thank You, again, CW, for the trivia!

      1. Sorry … I didn’t mean to exclude Zeppo. In his own way he was the counter-point of the other three brothers’ zaniness; the “sane” Marx, if you will. (Or even if you won’t.)

        Say the secret word …

        1. Gummo (the fifth brother) did get involved, in a way … he was the agent for his four – later three – brothers. Zeppo got out of the business and also went into the agent line, I believe.

    1. Have yet to be tired of this, Ed…

      And have shared this with others…

      Classic!

      Thank You again!

  8. Update from this year’s Gainey Cup currently being held at Fort Benning:

    Top Five Squads as of 12 hours ago are:

    1. 10th Mountain
    2. 2nd CR
    3. 7th ID
    4. 82d ABN
    5. Squad from the Netherlands

    Competition continues through next Thursday, 2 May, so if anybody out there needs to have their “Military Bearing” checked by Fightin’ Joe, get on down to Columbus.

    1. Claw…

      Brother Gainey needs to award the winning team his “first” NDSM…you know…the one he received from serving in the Vietnam Era since he signed up in the Delayed Entry Program in 1974 while still in High School…

      *sarc*

      Gainey was one of our best “sock-puppets”, probably 2nd to Forgin Frank…He was “hilarious”…

      https://www.azuse.cloud/?p=63422&cpage=1#comments

      Thanks for making me smile…

      michaelkillem

  10. If I don’t want to go to college for four years can Bernie Sanders just give a check for $100,000?

    1. There was a dolt out there that had paid back his student loans, like you’re supposed to. He thinks that Pocahontas’ student loan forgiveness program would be better off as a single $25k payment to every adult.

      You can see that the college education he paid for was really worth it. 🙄

  12. PRESENT! First… day back at work after a couple days in the hospital. Allergies and a cold resulted in what the Doc called an “asthmatic exacerbation”, pumped me full of antibiotics, albuterol, and prednisone. I am now either cured, or deceased and too wired to know it. Sort of like Keith Richards.

    1. SFC D:

      Hospital?

      Glad to hear you are back on your feet again..

      LOL about your take on Keith Richards. That guy is still rockin’ with the best of them…

      Stay healthy!

      1. Yeah, I stayed home from work Monday morning, felt like crap. By the afternoon, I was coughing so hard I’d grey out. MRS D threw the BS flag and drug me to the ER by my ear. Got sprung Wednesday afternoon, running about 85% now.

        I have no doubt that Mr. Richards will lead the zombie apocalypse, guitar in hand.

    2. Brother! Take care of yourself!
      Glad you’re out of the hospital, and improving.

      1. Ditto, Graybeard, for SFC D..and I see you are still trying to recover from that nasty head cold…

        Hang in there…!

  13. The Marines will soon have a new SMMC, SgtMaj Troy Black , a combat decorated Marine who earned a BS w/ “V” device. Well you know what happened the last time there was a combat decorated SMMC – Marines need a pay cut! 😃

  14. 5th/77th FA:

    I know you are one Proud Dad!

    For you and your Daughter: GO DAWGS!

    Speaking of Confederate Memorial Day:

    Ole Ralpie, the Governor of Virginny, is STILL trying to cover his tracks with the yearbook fiasco (I STILL believe he was wearing the KKK outfit since the Black-Face guy is wearing glasses and I have yet to see Northram wear glasses in any picture).

    Look what he is doing now:

    “Northam Calls For Jefferson Davis Arch on Fort Monroe To Come Down”

    https://www.dailypress.com/news/hampton/dp-nws-hampton-fort-monroe-20190418-story.html

    “Gov. Ralph Northam has called for the removal of the Jefferson Davis Memorial arch at Fort Monroe, saying its continued presence has an “adverse effect” on the historic property and urged the authority’s board of trustees to initiate steps to take it down.”

    He then went on to say “I feel strongly that a memorial glorifying the President of the Confederacy has no place here, especially given our efforts this year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of enslaved Africans landing at Old Point Comfort.”

    Unbelievable. What is he going to do next…have the Casemate at Fort Monroe tear down, the one that held Davis Prisoner after the Civil War?

    That man does not fool me. I know exactly what he is trying to do. He probably thinks that in taking down the Archway, that Black voters in this area will forgive him of that yearbook picture.

    He does not fool my Black friends as well. They think he is a moron…

    History being destroyed all because of his ego. First he embellished his military service during Desert Storm/DesertShield. And now this.

    May the ghost of Robert E. Lee haunt him.

    (steps off soapbox)

    1. Thanks AnotherPat and Roll Tide Roll.

      Had gotten a notice from my boys on this a little while back. Craziest part of the whole thing is very few people even knew the arch was there and what it represented until he started making it an issue.

      That tragic period of our history is the pure epitome of politicians starting wars and letting (making) the people fight them. A true student of American History knows that the whole slavery issue could have been resolved without blood shed and it only became a political ploy to keep England and France out of it.

      It is amazing that so many Black People in this Country quietly acknowledge that history needs to be left alone and learned from v tearing it all down. Many others are toeing the party line and allowing the demon rats to “keep them on the plantation” so they can hold onto their power. Less than 2% of the Confederate Soldiers owned slaves and if you read their letters and diaries home you will see that they did not consider themselves fighting a war for the preservation of that institution. Plus a lot of politicians and race baiters will not admit to the FIRST Africans brought to VA as slaves were owned by a Black African.

      Despite the stereotypes put forth by some folks, most Southerns, Black and White, got along with one another and treated one another like Family. This monument destruction will not stop at CSA Monuments; the haters are going after Christian and WWI monuments also. We remember the posting from a little while back where the Airborne Lee had his monument vandalized by ignorant useful idiots. And you have the Peace Monument in the PDRofMD with its offensive cross. ANTIFA, BLM, SCLC, et al are the domestics ISIL.

      givemeabreak weallbleedred

      1. 5th:

        AMEN on EVERYTHING you said…

        EVERYTHING!

        My Paternal relatives all fought for the North Carolina 29th Regiment during the Civil War. They were too poor to have Slaves. They did their own farming, labor, etc.

        The political correctness has gone too far. Sadly, what I see is reverse discrimination in our country. And you are so correct that despite the South being stereotyped, it simply is not true.

        Didn’t MLK, Jr. once state that we should judge someone by their character and not the color of their skin?

        Ungortunately, I feel there are those in power who are ENCOURAGING rifts between races.

        And now Biden has jumped on the Band Wagon with his Charlottesville speech…and asking Anita Hill to forgive him.

        Give Me A Break!

        🤔

    2. This is surprising coming from such a racist.

      “Coonman”, who dressed in blackface (repeatedly) and/or a Klan hood, wants to forget the Civil War. Because he wants to return blacks to where they belong, working his plantation.

    1. Thanks for the article on DUMBASS. I wet my panties laughing so hard…
      Taking a shower and giggling.

      1. and a certain former lawer and wanna be pile it, is still maintaining minus 6 ft AGL.

    2. OAE CPO USN Ret:

      Wow…that was great…a “Blast From the Past”…well, in reality, present as well.

      Thank You for sharing!

    3. Remember guys, depression may be a temporary condition, but being batshit crazy can last a lifetime. The craycray will be strong in the witless wonder until the day he is six feet under.

    4. Chief, thanks for the link. Great article; I also loved the short title: The Thunder-chicken and the Magician.

  17. Officially off duty, it’s Miller time.
    Have a great weekend y’all!!

    (Addendum: I know the weather is getting nicer and there’s a thousand things to do; yard, packing away winter sh.tuff, etc but please take a little time to check your fire extinguishers/ smoke detectors, talk out the plans for life’s various little hiccups, emergency preps; flashlights, a couple months of food, water, gas, etc. Someone cares for you, you should too!)

  18. Saw something interesting on line recently. LEO pulling over a driver who was obviously trying to avoid being caught. Guy finally stops and the LEO quickly approaches the stopped car. The guy released several balloons, 4 or 5, filled with helium, which took his package of dope into the sky. Cop was incredulous. There went the dope. Wouldn’t work with a large quantity, but it sure did work for what was a smaller box, about half the size of a loaf of bread.

    1. Bet he carries a shotgun with a couple loads of bird shot in his pocket in the future.

    2. You saw that in person? I saw a video of that once, but didn’t think a lot of people were actually doing it. I’d have to give him props for it.

      1. Mason: No, I saw it on line. Cop actually reached for his weapon but thought better of it and it never left its holster. I’m guessing it is becoming more commonplace now that the word is out.

  19. Here.
    I knew I had no chance today – I was deployed to an 8th grade biology class at the time the WOT dropped.

    Still weak from that head cold. Walking out to the football field to cover the PE class wore me down. No way was I going to be able to kick/toss/run out there, but they don’t expect the teacher to do that so the kids never knew.

    Beautiful weather forecast for the next few in the GB Compound AO, so I hope y’all can enjoy a few nice “Spring” days as well.

  20. This is HILARIOUS!

    Gives a new meaning to “Get Off My Lawn!”

    The guy shooting the Video left his gate open on the green belt so that his 4 and 5 year old daughters could see the grazing sheep behind his house.

    The sheep slowly came into the yard…and before you knew it, they were over run by 200 sheep!

    “Oh, No…200 Sheep Just Stormed My Backyard!”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTMdQKmeSHI

  23. And another week at the Western Annex comes to an inglorious conclusion.

    June cannot come quickly enough.

  24. Oh, No…

    Not again…

    🤔

    “Cal State Campus Ditching ‘Prospector Pete’ Mascot After Complaints That Gold Rush Hurt Indigenous People”

    https://www.foxnews.com/us/cal-state-campus-ditches-half-century-old-mascot-to-replace-it-with-either-basic-moniker-or-non-mascot

    “…students have come to see the mascot not as a tribute to their founder or to California history, but rather as a representation of the violence caused to Native Americans and others during California’s Gold Rush era.”

    “A statement on the university website said the Gold Rush was “a time in history when the indigenous peoples of California endured subjugation, violence and threats of genocide.” (Whether the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers should be worried about their nickname is unknown at this point.)”

    “The supposedly offensive mascot was born when the campus opened in the 1940s, with founding President Pete Peterson’s comment that he “struck the gold of education” by creating it…”

    IMO, time for those students to take off their gold bling-bling…and quit wearing it since they are offended by the Gold Rush (history) despite the name of the mascot not really having to do with the Gold Rush…

    sheesh…some people

    1. Please, Please, Please, Someone, anyone give me an effing break. If you don’t want to give me one, I’ll buy one from you. Hell. I got money, I don’t have a wife. Plus my FGS winnings, plus the popcorn futures, plus the popcorn packaging plants are now running three (3) shifts with all lines. This is exactly what we were discussing up yonder on monuments. Pure ignorance at an institute of higher learning. FTA (link) “….students have come to see…” Who TAUGHT them that? Just like prejudice and curse words, you aren’t born that way. Or learning to drive, or read, or to tie your shoes. Someone planted those thoughts into the students heads. The kids probably walked past that statue and never even gave it a thought, until some TOLD them it was offensive. We have rapidly become the United States of the Offended by everything. This is only going to get worse. GRRRRRRR. RELEASE THE KRAKEN!

      AFTER ACTION REPORT per the request of AnotherPat:

      ATTENTION TO ORDERS:

      At 0800 hrs 27 Apr 2019 elements of the following units mustered under the Colors to render Honors to local Veterans of Confederate Service:
      Sidney Lanier Chapter 25 UDC
      Dorothy Blount Lamar Chapter 388 CoC
      BG Edward Dorr Tracy Camp # 18 SCV Macon Georgia
      1LT James T. Woodward Camp # 1399 SCV Warner Robins Georgia
      The Camp of the Unknown Soldier Camp # 2218 Clinton Jones County Georgia
      The 10th Georgia Infantry Regiment Forsyth Georgia
      The 16th Georgia Regiment Clinton Jones County Georgia
      The 53rd Georgia Regiment Macon Georgia
      Anderson’s Light Artillery Battery Warner Robins Georgia
      Boy Scout Troop 235 Lizella Georgia

      The Programs Commenced with a Rifle Salute at the Confederate Soldier Statue on Cotton Avenue in Macon Georgia. This Statue was erected in 1879 by the UDC and funded by donations by the Citizens of Middle Georgia. A Sister Statue on Poplar Ave, dedicated to the Women of the South was funded by the Confederate Veterans to Honor the sacrifices of the Women and Children. It is one of only 3 that was placed during that time frame dedicated to the Ladies.
      The Procession then moved to Soldier Square in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon. The Colors, United States FLag, The National Flag of The Confederacy, and The Georgia State Flag, were trooped and placed in proper order at the base of the hill of Soldier Square. An Invocation to The Almighty God was offered up by the 16th GA Regimental Chaplain. After the Pledges to the US and GA Flags, the Salute to the Confederate Flag was made. This was followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and Dixie. A Presentation of the Cross of Military Service (Vietnam) was made to a Former Marine and a Navy/Coast Guard Veteran by the UDC. A speech was made on the politics of the period discussing the many causes of the War. Memorial Wreaths were placed by the CoC Chapter and a ANV Battle Flag was placed at the Headstone of each Soldier. There are over 700 Veterans buried in Soldier Square that died in the War. Many are marked Unknown. Macon was the 2nd largest hospital complex in the South, 2nd only to Richmond VA. A three round volley was fired by the Infantry and the Artillery Battery to render honors to these men. Our Bagpiper made a rendition of Amazing Grace and Taps. The Program closed with a Benediction by the Chaplain.

      From Soldier Square we moved to the Grave Site of 1LT Woodward. We had found his grave in a neglected abandoned Family Cemetery 40 years ago, repaired his gravesite, cleaned the site and placed a CSA Service Marker. 1st LT Woodward was mentioned in Gnrl Lee’s dispatches by name attesting to his gallantry in the action that cost him his life. Other than the speech this program mirrored the FIRST. From there we moved to the City Cemetery in Byron GA and repeated the Honors program for the 100 + buried there. A Prayer, Placing The Colors, Pledging/Saluting same and a three (3) volley Rifle and Cannon Salute, closing with the Bagpipe and Benediction. We ended up at the Fort Valley Georgia City Cemetery to render Honors to the 200+ buried there. Again, the only difference was the Subject/Speaker. I was very proud of the work my troops did today.

      I do not have the ability to post pictures of these services, however, most of the organizations listed above have either a web page or are on the Book of the Face. The Troops that did their duty today will be joined by several hundred kindred next weekend in Clinton, Jones County Georgia for the 38th Annual Defence of Middle Georgia, Old Clinton War Days Program. This is a depiction (re-enactment) of the Battles of Sunshine Church and The Battle of Griswoldville/Sherman’s March. We conduct a twilight/candlelight Memorial Service Saturday night in the Clinton Methodist Church Cemetery for the Veterans there. It will make a rock cry.

      The Colonel sends

      END OF REPORT

    2. Then, those calling for the removal/destruction, of Confederate related statues and monuments are going to identify the founders, and other American historical icons, as “racist.” Then, the call to remove their statues.

      Replacing “Columbus Day” with “Indigenous People’s Day”, or something similar? A part of an overall strategy that includes the destruction of confederate monuments. American/patriot monuments are on the hopper in their minds.

  25. What you can use to respond to scammer emails:

    That’s great news! Please contact [other scammer’s phone number] in order to receive the information that you asked for in your email. I do not feel comfortable providing that information over the email. I also need to know if you are real, and not like the people who trick you into giving them your money for nothing in return.

    Again, please call [other scammer’s phone number] and ask for Phil McCracken. I instructed Phil McCracken to tell you that you have the wrong number. Keep insisting that you want to speak to Phil McCracken. This way, Phil McCracken will know it is you. You have to say “Phil McCracken”, because we have many people named Phil at that number.

    Again thank you for the good news.

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