This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Category: Open thread

  • Monday Musings Open Thread

    There are times when I look into the junk folder, or trash folder, to see which troll didn’t make the cut. Or, the post of someone that got deleted from the thread. As you guys have already suspected, there are people that simply don’t like us.

    For example, we had the sock puppet wannabe that acted as a “champion” for a recent Blast From The Past “winner”, who made multiple attempts to post. Using different usernames, and emails, this individual attempted to slip through the initial review. The plan was to go on to being a troll without the need for moderation.

    Reading these rejected postings is like watching someone put objects, of different shapes, into a ball with holes matching each of the objects. Then, this person grabs a star object, and consistently tries to push it through the circle hole. Having no success, this person picks up a square shaped object, and repeatedly attempts to push it through the circle hole.

    Then, they finally pick up the circle object, but attempt to push it into the star hole.

    I’m going to post the comments here, that didn’t make the cut, under the moniker “Non Compos Mentis”.

    Our first quote is from someone that’s a shining example of what an NPC is. This person is also very triggered. The mainstream media spreads propaganda, in this case, “Orange man bad!” Then they see how much of an effect their propaganda is having on their audience.

    It’s like that saying about slinging stuff to the wall, and seeing what sticks. Well, this person shows that something stuck:

    Originally posted by Non Compos Mentis 01:

    Donald Trump is a traitor and a criminal. it is amusing to watch you so called “conservatives” twist yourself into gordian knots of self delusion just to support this draft dodging, flaming garbage heap of a person.

    Yes, this next sock puppet ended up with a post in the trash. But, what you guys don’t see with this comment doesn’t take away from what you guys already know. It’s like a phony, featured here over two years ago, that claimed to be a combat wounded veteran. He liked saying, “Ass whole”, wrote in “all caps”, then used one of his sock puppets to tell his other sock puppet how this phony “showed” him a “whuppin”.

    So, here’s a phony putting himself on a pedestal:

    Originally posted by Non Compos Mentis 02:

    I personaly served with Non Compos Mentis 03 and an attest to his claims. He was a valued member of our unit and has risked life and limb to serve his country. He performed most clandestine operations for his country and risked it all more than once. I would back off if I was you because this guy was known to be a lose canon able ad ready to go off at a flicker of a chance. Just a friendly advice.

    In this next post, he removes the suck poppet and posts under his actual identity. He tries to sound like a “lawer”, attempts to insult our intelligence, attempts to come across as “educated”, etc. Like the guy above who kept saying “ass whole”, this individual talked about us being at our mother’s place.

    Originally posted by Non Compos Mentis 03:

    Marvin, sir, please desist in writing to comments on this internet website. It is below you and we will convene at a more advantegous time where we can discuss further actions in the future. These degenerates cant fathom your inteligence let along engage in meaningful conversatin. We will have our day and it is them who will be the forsaken ones and left to sit on there moms couch. Email with our plans is forthcoming to you.

    –Non Compos Mentis 03

    This guy resorted to insults, because whatever was said about him destroyed his ego, and his phony persona:

    Originally posted by Non Compos Mentis 04:

    Eat shit and die!

    Detractor, troll, or someone trying to be silly?

    Originally posted by Non Compos Mentis 05:
    I AM DAN BERNATH FROM THE PAST AND I WILL BLAST YOUR ASS.

    All this effort when all they had to do is to go by what they’ve actually accomplished. Many of these individuals have a track record that they’re not proud off. Not being accomplished after the military leaves them with a desire to amplify their military service.

    They put in the effort to build a phony persona… Instead of doing something constructive like changing the very attitude that’s causing them to keep falling short in life. After being exposed here, they prove to us why they have a track record that they’re not proud off.

  • Weekend Open Thread

    Octavio Aburto for National Geographic.

    Today’s shot is from Octavio Aburto, who took this photo for a National Geographic contest. This photo is called “David and Goliath”.

    In his own words:

    Many people say that a single image is worth a thousand words, but a single image can also represent thousands of data points and countless statistical analyses. One image, or a small series of images can tell a complicated story in a very simple way. – Octavio Aburto

    You can read more here.

    Enjoy your weekend.

  • Midweek Open Thread

    Happy Hump-day This Aint Hell!

    President Trump declared today a national day of mourning due to the passing of the late George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the U.S. I saw, from the liberal’s corner, a comment about how the late president could “roll with the punches”, even laugh at himself.

    This individual wondered why President Trump “can’t” be the same way. Going beyond the surface of that statement, this liberal was demanding one thing. That republicans take on the characteristics of the republicans that liberals like.

    Speaking of the liberal corner, time to bring you some of what snowflakes are pondering.

    One leftist believes that we tend to be “anti-science”. We “pooh-pooh” science, but are not afraid to use it, like flying in airplanes, using cell phones, benefiting from advanced medicine, etc. Then there’s that “flat earth” accusation again…

    Originally posted by PJMcK:

    Republicans don’t believe in human-caused climate change. Yet this issue will dramatically change our planet and could possibly spark an extinction event causing the deaths of hundreds of millions of people and animals.

    There are numerous other similar examples of Republicans denying things that are scientifically proven. (I doubt one could find any Progressives who believe the Earth is flat!)

    And yet, Republicans are more than willing to use science for themselves. They use cellphones and GPS devices which wouldn’t be possible if Professor Einstein hadn’t done some very specific and remarkable research and made incredible discoveries.

    What’s this? Looks like our commonly known Berkeley graduate has been going about this “all wrong”, he needs to shell out some money:

    Originally posted by get the red out:

    Originally posted by beachbum bob

    Science does not overcome ideology, simple

    Yes, or money. There has to be profit or benefit to them (and their big donors) from the science/tech in question for them to “believe“.

    Our president was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and was raised doing bad things. Folks are still continuing to write President Trump off:

    Originally posted by linuxuser3:

    he’d have been locked up in a psych hospital by now. His administration has hit the iceberg it’s just a long sinking feeling from now on. Will he pardon himself? If Pence goes down same time Trump does they might try the Nixon-Ford 2-step: He pardons Pence first, then resigns, then Pence pardons him. Of course that would take trusting Pence *completely* so I’m gonna say no way he tries that. He’ll try to pardon himself. Will need to invest in popcorn stocks

    This individual expresses an opinion that shows us that they still don’t understand why their candidate lost the 2016 presidential election. This poster, and others on the same side of the argument, risk another snowflake moment in the aftermath of the 2020 Presidential Election if they keep this attitude up:

    Originally posted by democrank:

    Donald Trump’s presidency reminds me of my childhood. No rational person in charge, nobody running things, no rules, no guidance, no standards, no bottom lines, no reasonable explanations, no kept promises.

    This same individual demonstrates control issues with this comment:

    Originally posted by democrank:

    Trump’s presidency is like life after a tornado. You look through a hole where a wall used to be and see the neighbor’s bathtub crashed against your mailbox. Everything is upside down….nothing seems familiar and you wonder if you’re even on the right street.

    Looking forward to your thoughts.

  • Random Open Thread

    Random Open Thread

    Flt. Lt. Alastair “Sandy” Gunn was executed for his role in the “Great Escape” prisoner breakout. (Spitfire AA810 Project)

     

    An extremely rare World War II Spitfire fighter plane flown by a pilot who later took part in the “Great Escape” has been recovered from a remote Norwegian mountainside. Specially equipped for long-range reconnaissance, the Royal Air Force Spitfire AA810 was shot down on March 5, 1942, during a mission to photograph the German battleship Tirpitz. The Spitfire’s pilot, Flt. Lt. Alastair ‘Sandy’ Gunn, bailed out from the plane but was captured by German forces. In 1944 he was part of the famous “Great Escape” breakout from the Stalag Luft III POW camp. Recaptured shortly after the breakout, the Scot was among 50 escapees executed by the Gestapo.

    Gunn’s plane was a specially adapted Mk 1 Spitfire stripped of guns and armor and fitted with additional fuel tanks to extend its range from 575 miles to nearly 2,000 miles.

     

    Read the entire article here: World War II fighter plane flown by ‘Great Escape’ pilot discovered on Norwegian mountain

  • Monday Musings Open Thread

    Chicago CBS Local-Olimpia Warsaw has Diabetes and Parkinson’s.

    Since this is the beginning of the work week for many, here’s a musing regarding a porter’s abandoning a disabled woman… When his shift ended.

    A disabled 67-year-old woman was left at the Chicago O’Hare overnight this past weekend. One of her family brought her up to the gate. He checked that the flight was going to go as scheduled, and that his mother would be helped.

    Then, the flight was canceled. They sent her to where alternative arrangements could be made for her. The plan was to put her up in a hotel. But, nobody wanted to take her to her assigned hotel.

    Additionally, the porter that was assigned to assist her stopped helping her when his shift ended. He “didn’t know how”, so, he called it quits for the night. Ask for help from airline/airport employees maybe?

    From CBS Chicago:

    They said in addition to losing her bags on the way in, the airline had lost track of her on the way out.

    Eventually, security helped family find her hours after. Images shortly after she was discovered show her still in a wheelchair, dressed for her ex-husband’s funeral.

    Claude Coltea said his mother was let down by both the airline and the porter.

    “All we wanted was someone to pause and say ‘you know what, can we just make sure this human being is safe and then we can all go home,” Coltea said. “Not one person did that.”

    For those who know someone in the family with similar ailments as the abandoned woman, this would be a jaw dropper. It’d raise emotions, not good ones either.

    Normally, individuals in this situation stand a good chance of being eligible for home therapy to include nurse visits, would require independent living supports, etc.

    In my area, there’s the equivalent to the Child Protective Services for adults in her situation… Adult Protective Services.

    This woman was left “stranded”; until her family’s efforts to locate her paid off.

    You can read more here.

  • Weekend Open Thread

    Still in recovery mode from a rather long trip, so today’s WOT article will be short.

    Who says that the Federal Government has no sense of humor? Some parts of it do. Check this out:

    For those who didn’t know: the phrase “can neither confirm nor deny” originated at the CIA when journalists began asking questions about Project Azorian in the mid-1970s.

    And yeah: the above really was the CIA’s first tweet. At least, it was their first acknowledged and official one. (smile)

    Have a great weekend, everyone – and enjoy the WOT.

    —–

    PS: Readers want to note the month/day of that particular tweet, too. It’s somewhat significant, historically speaking.

  • Midweek Open Thread

    Happy Hump Day TAH! We’re already in the middle of the first workweek after Thanksgiving, and November is almost over. Here is a sample of what some on the left are thinking:

    Go ahead and say it, Nancy Pelosi is the “best thing” since sliced bread:

    Originally posted by Bucky

    I’m just appalled that over a dozen members of the House are vowing not to support Nancy Pelosi for speaker this January. She’s had a number of against the odds legislative successes as opposition leader, and when she was speaker before she ran a fair House.

    President Trump’s goose is cooked:

    Originally posted by allgood33

    This is why Trump is looking like a sick puppy these days. He will not always be President and jail time is looking more and more possible for him and his corrupt family or at least they will go bankrupt in defending themselves.

    Jim Crow is still kicking, President Trump is “proof”. Oh yeah, the Republican Party “rigged” the election and “stole” a bunch of votes this year. We simply “don’t get it”. No mention of how Democrats enabled Jim Crow laws and kept them kicking…

    Originally posted by Cyrano

    If you don’t know what Jim Crow is, Google it. Learn about your country.

    I wish everyone understood how we got here and why an ignorant, mentally deficient bigot/buffoon is occupying the White House. But too many people don’t/won’t “get it.” Or don’t want to. Or never will.

    Sigh, we never learn. The steamrolling of election 2018 should have forced us to realize that people want change:

    Originally posted by leftyladyfrommo

    They just got steamrolled in the election. It is painfully obvious that most Americans hate what is going on and are demanding changes.

    But the Repubs just keep on with the same old schtick. They haven’t changed at all. And Trump just keeps making the same mistakes over and over and over.

    I would think they would have gotten the big picture after such a bruising. Guess not.

    In response to that, someone posted as if they read the pages of the Liberal Zombie Manifesto:

    originally posted by RKP5637:

    IMO they are basically ignorant, bullies and love hatred. The GOP is a disgusting lot. I really can’t imagine people wanting to be part of the GOP unless they are ignorant, racists and hateful people and/or religious wackos.

  • Monday Musings Thread

    2A with AR

    The second amendment was intended for the militia, a.k.a. the National Guard! This is a common response by those arguing for additional gun control.

    I came across an argument like this on another platform. The anti-gun debater insisted that the Second Amendment was intended for the militia… The National Guard. Then, I “provided some trivia”.

    Many people point to the National Guard when they see the “well-regulated militia” in the Second Amendment. Both federal and state militia laws identify the National Guard as the “organized militia”.

    It’s the “unorganized militia” that many are not aware of. As a result, certain groups of people don’t know that they are actually in a militia… Or that the second amendment, as stated, protects the law-abiding citizen’s right to bear arms regardless of affiliation with the National Guard.

    From 10 U.S. Code § 246 – Militia: composition and classes:

    (a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

    (b) The classes of the militia are–

    (1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and

    (2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

    Using this statute alone, this appears to identify all able-bodied males from 17 through 44 as either being in the organized (National Guard) or the unorganized militia. if you’re a male, if you are able-bodied, if you are not in the National Guard, and your age ranges from 17 to 44, then you generally are a member of the unorganized militia of the United States.

    Now, 10 U.S. Code § 246 – Militia duty: exemptions, specify those who are exempted from militia duty. for example, military on active duty is one of those exemptions.

    The individual states, and territories, also have their version of the militia law. For example, here is one Virginia statute related to Virginia’s militia:

    § 44-1. Composition of militia.

    The militia of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall consist of all able-bodied residents of the Commonwealth who are citizens of the United States and all other able-bodied persons resident in the Commonwealth who have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, who are at least 16 years of age and, except as hereinafter provided, not more than 55 years of age. The militia shall be divided into three classes: the National Guard, which includes the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard; the Virginia Defense Force; and the unorganized militia.

    Like its federal counterpart, it lists exemptions. Many people in Virginia, who fit this description, are not aware of this state level militia law.

    For example, someone might state that they never served in the military. Depending on the situation, and mood, I’d ask them if they served in the militia. Usually, I get a, “No.”

    Then, I’d ask, “What about the reserve militia? Have you served in the reserve militia?” So far, I have always gotten a, “No.” Then, I would ask if they were sure. They would be adamant that they were not in a militia.

    Then, I would drop some trivia.

    Going back to the argument on gun control. Many people would try to argue that the Second Amendment was intended for something like the National Guard. I.e., we had militia, and that is what the Second Amendment was for.

    One main thrust, for this argument, was that if people were not in the National Guard, what business do they have today of owning and operating a personal firearm?

    As the two above quotes show, many are listed under the “militia” category.

    At the time that the Second Amendment was drafted, militia service was automatic for certain groups of people. Before, it started with Caucasian males. As time went on, non-Caucasian males were included.

    But even then, it was understood that everybody, not just the statutory militia, was expected to serve in “a militia” capacity depending on the situation.

    Those who were not called to militia service still had the right to individually, or collectively, defend themselves. The above statutory laws addresses the “first-line” for call up. Those not called up, depending on the situation, may be required to serve in a militia capacity.

    You can click on federal militia law, or a state militia law, to read the actual text. Your own state, or territory, would also have its own militia law.

    What are your random thoughts?