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White Slice has a blog
Mr. Reed Johnson has graciously picked up the Official MLB blogging slack that Mark DeRosa left behind when he was traded to Cleveland. I was looking forward a great deal to White Slice's blog this year, because I figured it was going to be a merry romp to 97 wins and the NL Central crown, and all Reed would have to do is make fun of Lil' Mikey Fontenot all summer. I was anticipating a different "dwarf" joke for each week, along with the blow-by-blow of Font's reaction from the previous post.
Of course, things haven't exactly happened that way. Sure, Font blew up good after the first couple of posts, and Reed really hasn't nudged him again, but it isn't because Mikey is a sensitive soul and Johnson deep down cares about his feelings. No, it's because there's bigger fish to fry - the offense sucks like Jenna Jameson on payday, some of our highest-paid producers aren't producing, and we're wasting some quality starts with some miserable situational hitting, along with some madcap bullpen adventures.
It would appear arrogant and uncaring if Reed continued to fill his space with car talk and how short the inseam of Font's pants are, and to his credit, he has instead tried the best he can to address the mindset of his ballplaying peers. He does a pretty poor job, but hey - I wouldn't want one of my peers out here trying to speculate why I'm not designing my databases efficiently, so Reed's left staring at the 2-ton gorilla. The Cubs offense sucks, he knows who sucks and probably why, so he hems and haws to let us know that he DOES smell the suckage, but in the name of team unity, he isn't going to peel open the lids in OUR presence.
He says that "guys shouldn't alter their approach" to hitting. On one hand, this is an extension of "don't mess with what got you here". It's a safe statement to make, but I'm thinking poor Reed is trying to talk to us here, in code.
Now, what you will find if you go out to his blog, and read the comments, is that they come in two flavors: the teenage girls and housewives from Des Moines are gushing with love for him, patting him on the rump and telling him to keep up the good work. Bleah! On the other hand, you have the reactionary dickweeds, you just know these mopes put down the Old Style and sausage long enough to splutter that Soto Sucks, Lee Sucks, Soriano Sucks, Fontenot Sucks, trade them all, trade them as far as they can possibly be traded, bring in A-Rod and Pujols and all them...(the actual type of people that China and heimie always accuses ME of being)...anyway, if Reed doesn't read his comments, small wonder. He ain't getting a whole lot of constructive criticism.
My point of all this today is that some guys SHOULD change their approach. Why? Because several of them are NOT practicing what got them to the bigs.
Soriano, well, he is beyond anything I can offer up here. He more than any other guy on the team has hurt us the most the past 2 weeks. Outside of the three homers, has he even hit the ball? But somehow he will end up with his .270/30/90. More than anyone, Alfonso has REMAINED true to who he is. He simply isn't quite as good as he was four years ago. Ditto Derrek Lee.
I'm fairly convinced Font is not capable of holding down a starting role for a full season, and he's killing us, too, but until we get back any one of the three guys from the DL that can play third base, he's stuck where he is. Andres Blanco could never hit big league pitching, and he still can't. The Bobby Scales Experience has extended LONG past it's expected life.
The two guys, though, that should take a look in the mirror are, of course, Geo Soto and Milton Bradley. Both have played well in the past, both are not playing well now, and both need a reality check. Lou Piniella HAS been trying to mess a little with Soto lately, letting Hill get more playing time. As for Bradley and his "calf tear", if he's hurt, he should be on the DL. If he isn't, then he should be out there busting his ass. No way Lou and Hendry should allow him to hold this roster hostage over his contract. (Bradley earns incentives for number of "days available" - and putting him on the DL risks his losing these incentives).
I find Bradley's current situation repulsive. Either suck it up and play the way you had last year, or put yourself on the DL and heal. That's the choice. He can't be allowed to do what he's doing now, not with the crap lineup we run out there every day, and shame on Lou and Hendry for allowing this to happen.
I know YOU can't say all this, Reed, but I can. You're welcome.


text: Merry Christmas From LilSugar We Wish You a Merry Christmas! by Rebecca Gruber 12/25/10 1 Reactions 0 Shares Print 0 0 0 0 0 Congratulations, you've survived another Christmas! We wish you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays and all the best in the New Year! May the sounds of your lil ones reveling in the magic of the day fill your heart the whole year through. Merry Christmas! Read More Merry ChristmasHolidays amber512 3 years Merry Christmas!! Link Love Mom forced to stop feeding baby homemade formula — BabyCenter Blog The easiest ways to save on organic food — The Stir A look inside Fergie's second baby shower — Celebrity Baby Scoop Danielle Jonas debuts her baby bump — People Moms & Babies 7 light and fresh recipes to take you through Summer — FitPregnancy Does where you live affect your risk for PPD? — The Bump Where to find the best deals on school supplies — Real Simple Now this is how you announce a pregnancy! — HuffPost Parents

subset: commoncrawl


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My 2008 Predictions Rocked; So What's On Tap for Next Year?
It's that time: predictions for the year ahead and a look back at how we did in the year past. Several of last year's predictions proved highly accurate, as many of the topics we devote attention to – social networking, startups, and increasingly mobile apps – evolved according to plan. Looking ahead, we think next year is going to be defined largely by how companies and the entrepreneurs and developers behind them adjust to the more macro issues facing all of us, most notably the economy.


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Only Teen Blowjobs combines my two favorite things: teens and blowjobs. Actually, to be more accurate, it encapsulates three of my most beloved things in porn, because there is usually a messy facial at the end of every scene, too. The site's got a nice design, so it's easy on the eyes and getting around is painless.
Fresh faces covered in cream - what more could you want? Whether you ask for it or not, you will get more, because even though OnlyTeenBlowjobs is a site devoted to BJs, the scenes sometimes feature hardcore fucking and even threesomes. That means that unlike your typical blowjob-only sites with short vids that only run for 10 minutes or so, the movies here run 15 to 40 minutes, though most clock in at around 20.
There are currently 401 videos and they come with a variety of playback options. You can stream them in an embedded player and download them as MP4 and Windows Media files. You'll find that many flicks offer Full HD playback, but some are only average in quality.
As I explained, some of these gals want to do more than just take a cock in their mouth and the guy is always ready to comply and take her every which way, from the classic missionary position to doggy style and beyond. They might only be 18 and 19 years old, but they definitely perform the full repertoire of positions and tricks.
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With a good amount of content and a lot of extras, Only Teen Blowjobs is definitely a website you'll want to explore. Give it a look if you get off on watching cute teens sucking dick.
|By: Will Peters
|Number of Reviews: 1491
|Average Score: 64.1
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This is one of my favorite sites, lots of videos and slutty girls.
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If you like guys jacking themselves off, this site is for you
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This should be a great site..hot Teens, very good camerawork. But the reason why i do not join this site, is the reason that the guy is jerking off himself in almost every scene. I really hate this !!
- Comment by: sam - Score: 100/100 - Date: 11/3/2010
Some of the hottest young teen girls giving the best blowjobs you could ask for! All in an easy to navigate site with sexy free clips that leave you ready to whip out your wallet (among other things) for more!
- Comment by: Malkomm - Score: 60/100 - Date: 5/8/2010
This and the other sites included make for a great bargain. However I had to download everything before watching as despite having a 50Mb/sec connection it kept stopping and starting even at the lower HD rate of 3Mbit/sec\nPro: Great content\nCon: Slow streaming.
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Just love those videos Thanks.
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MP4 (streaming)
MP4 (1920x1080; 6920k)
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Pros & Cons
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01/10/2014- From 78 to 79: More content. -A.K.
05/30/2013- From 82 to 78: Less content and usability score adjusted. -Chris
03/30/2013- Stays at 82. -Will
11/18/2012- Stays at 82. -April
06/10/2012- Stays at 82. -Will
02/22/2012- From 87 to 82: More content, but scores adjusted to new criteria. -A.K.
05/03/2011- Stays at 87. -Chris
11/15/2010- Stays at 87. -Chris
05/17/2010- Stays at 87. -Tuesday
12/22/2009- Stays at 87. -Will
06/10/2009- Stays at 87. -Sloth
01/18/2008- From 85 to 87: Update rate increased and content was added. -Marmot - Initial review: 6/23/2005
|Content Quality
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|7 votes
|7 comments
|User Top Rated Sites


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More U.S. Cellular reviews and ratings
Share your opinion and experience with this device. Influence others and their buying decisions, or just make your voice heard!
- 1.0 overall
Terrible, couldnt care less abotu their customersBy Trav Rieck, posted: Dec 13 Just switched to Verizion, then waited on hold for yet another hour of my life waiting for somebody to answer, to find out that I need to pay for a full month of service, (billing cycle starts on the 26th) and then the following month I will get a credit, in the form of a check. Kiss my ass. This company was great when I got them for service 5 or so years ago, now, terrible, bad service, 4g is a joke, customer service takes 45+ min to answer, and costs more than any other carrier. Steer clear.
- 1.3 overall
Keep messing up our accountBy Carl J Zaluski, posted: Dec 13We had a payment plan setup, so they do not take out for one month. The next month our bill was double obviously!. Then the change the payment date without telling us, so now we are 3 months behind and NONE OF IT was our fault! Amazing! How can they stay in business? They are so bad in service!
- 1.0 overall
Terrible Customer service,By Marilyn K. Elkins, posted: Dec 13We have been US Cellular customers for decades... We bought a wireless modem to use when we travel so we could have secure internet on the road. The next day we left for a 3 week vacation... the modem never worked. The day after we returned from our trip we went to the US Cellular store and returned the modem. We never received a refund to this day months later after many phone calls and visits to the store. I feel like picketing the store. We are now Verizon customers and our new modem with them works just fine!~! US Cellular will go out of business!~!
- 1.0 overall
one of the worst customer care stores don't bother calling 611By Ricky Oconnel, posted: Dec 13Used to be a great cell phone company with great customer service. Now it's downright awful. I've spent at least 45 minutes on hold the last 4 times I've called customer care. Now the retail stores aren't any better. I've been in the store for 3 hrs and running for a phone upgrade.
- 1.0 overall
going downhill fastBy bugger39, posted: Nov 13I live in a rural area; and they have the best coverage where I live. I do not have trouble with their coverage when I travel the US, but they have no access outside the US. Their customer service which used to be top notch has fallen to worst than horrible. Long wait time both in store and on call center. They do not answer emails, and they provide inaccurate details of your account status. They also have not auto billed my credit card for over 4 months.
- 1.0 overall
US CELLULAR SUCKSBy Timothy Spangler, posted: Nov 13POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED ME A LIAR TODAY I ASKED FOR A SUPERVISOR TO CALL ME BACK AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. GUESS THEY THINK THEY CAN DO WITHOUT CUSTOMERS WE WILL SEE HOW FAR THAT GETS THEM. TOTAL LOSERS!!!!!!!!!
- 2.0 overall
Used to be goodBy Eric Gates, posted: Nov 13I had US Cellular for 5 years. It worked well in the Midwest, now that I'm located here in Charlotte,NC. The service is junk. It used to be OK before they got bought out by Sprint and now they are just awful
- 1.0 overall
jUST AWFULBy aNDRE d, posted: Sep 13Used to be a good carrier, but they slashed coverage areas, sold some towers, cut tons of customer support..... well... now its the worst carrier.... I used to be with them for 8 years, and now I'm with Sprint..... enough said, and I wouldn't go back to them even if they paid me to
- 1.3 overall
Is US Cellular that broke?By Wil Chambers, posted: Aug 13I understand that US Cellular has been having problems financially but has it gotten so bad that they feel it necessary to double bill my checking account every month? I have a prepaid account costing $65.00 a month and for the last 3 months they have billed me $390.00 and taken it from my checking account through their auto pay feature. When I discovered the problem (I had bounced 6 checks and been billed by my bank at $30.00 each!!!) I contacted their so-called customer rep services. They assured me it was a mistake and they would return the money immediately. That was on the 5th of August. On the 8th they removed yet another $65.00! Today I contacted my bank and no information from US Cellular has been sent regarding my account. The CRS person also flatly stated that I should be more careful with my account and the they could not be held accountable for my neglecting my banking! To date US Cellular has received $390.00 for $195.00 worth of services and caused me an additional $180.00 in bank charges from their illegal activity in my account. Maybe not much of a problem for some but how would you like it if a company took over half of your monthly income and left you no recourse of action other than lengthy court proceedings and laughed at you when you wanted some kind of compensation for you troubles! Switching to Tracfone as soon as I can. In mean time shutting down everything including grocery buying and living off the food bank. US CELL SUCKS!!!!!!!
- 2.7 overall
Very limited service outside of the area, and inability to access customer service simply by dialing 611By Joe Abandola, posted: Jun 13If you maintain a specific geographic location like the mid west the service is good, but travel out of the area and it falls apart. There is limited service and ability to access that service along with voice mail from the very cell purchased to eliminate a land line. The tech support is good but the customer service has poor communIcation skills.


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After Lincoln posted just yesterday the first teaser images of the 2015 Navigator on its Instagram account, the first official details on the new SUV were dropped today online. Lincoln will offer the new Navigator offered with a new look, a new interior and a new, more powerful and more gas-friendly engine.
Some of the more notable features offered by the 2015 Navigator will include Lincoln's signature split-wing grille, a newly designed hood, luxurious leather seating and additional customer-focused gadgets.
Just like with the previous generation, Lincoln will offer the 2015 Navigator in standard and extended-length versions and will arrive at Lincoln showrooms in early fall.
Updated 05/21/2014: Lincoln announced today prices for the 2015 Navigator set to be put on sale later this year. Prices will start from $62,475 for the base version, but can go up to $72,900 for the 4x4 version equipped with the Reserve Package.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Lincoln Navigator.


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No Reindeer Games Here – It's a Health IT Sledfest
Let the sledding begin…
Today marks the start of our 12 Days of Christmas Posts. From now through December 25th we'll be featuring all of our favorite things that made this year so meaningful to health IT. We kick off with what has become a holiday tradition for us as we unveil this year's annual Jib-Jab video. The last two years our bit of merriment had health IT leaders slugging it out in a snowball fight club that was elvishly fun. This year we give you Sled Games I featuring some of our favorite industry health IT editors, bloggers and reporters.
On your mark, get set…go!
Meet the competitors
Tom Sullivan: Government Health IT Editor "Tom Da Bomb" lives and trains in Suffern, New York. Follow him on Twitter @GovHitEditor.
Brian Ahier: Health IT evangelist and blogger "Air Ahier" lives and trains in The Dalles, Oregon. Follow him on Twitter at @Ahier.
John Lynn: Healthcare scene blogger "Sin City Lynn" lives and trains in Vegas, Nevada. Follow him on Twitter @TechGuy.
Dr. Nick van Terheyden: Voice of the Doctor blogger "Brit the Brick Nick" lives and trains around the world traveling for Nuance as CMIO. Follow him on Twitter @DrNic1.
Roberta Mullin: Our very own HITECH Answers Editor "Maniac Mullin" lives and trains in Atlanta, Georgia. Follow her on Twitter @HITECHAnswers.
Related Posts
Category: Health Information Technology
Comments (10)
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Sites That Link to this Post
- Health Information Technology - Top Twitter Picks for 2012 | December 15, 2012
- Health Information Technology Year End List of Lists | December 17, 2012
- Healthcare Podcasts - Our Picks for Top Shows for 2012 | December 18, 2012
- Health IT Business News - December 23, 2012 - HITECH Answers : HITECH Answers | December 26, 2012
- If Health It Were a Movie in 2012 - HITECH Answers : HITECH Answers | December 26, 2012
- 12 Days of Christmas Posts - HITECH Answers : HITECH Answers | December 26, 2012
- Health IT - Shining a light on the Biggest Topics in 2012 : HITECH Answers | December 26, 2012
- Health Information Technology on LinkedIn : HITECH Answers | January 6, 2013
- ONC Lays the Foundation for EHR Adoption - Year in Review : HITECH Answers | January 6, 2013
- Health IT Business News in 2012 - Top EHR Vendor Stories : HITECH Answers | January 6, 2013


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YAKIMA, Wash.-- Law enforcement officers in Yakima said they are seeing results from their new Target Zero Program.
It has been just about two and a half months since local law enforcement joined together to crack down on drunk driving in Yakima with the Target Zero Program, and officers said they are happy with the results they are seeing.
Funded by a federal grant, the program is made up of a group of police, deputies and state troopers who patrol Yakima using data to direct them to areas where they have seen a lot of drunk driving incidents in the past.
Police said even though they are seeing results, there is always room for improvement.
"I think there is improvement sure to be made. There's getting the officers out at the target times and working with the data to get the right areas, and then more education with the public," said Yakima Police Sergeant, Shawn Boyle.
So far since the program started Yakima police officers arrested 31 additional people for DUIs.
Officers who are part of this program do this on top of their regular assigned duties.
Other counties that recently launched this program saw a 38% decrease in impaired driving fatalities over a one-year test period.
The Target Zero Program also launched in Spokane earlier this summer as officers around the state are trying to make Washington a safer place to drive.


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On the Record with Mayor Vince Leone
- Published in Around Ottawa County
Editor's Note: Port Clinton Mayor Vince Leone will be doing an interview once a month addressing talked about topics in town on the record. Mayor Leone will also start coming to one Coffee with the Editor a month, dates to be announced. Coffee with the Editor is held at Common Grounds on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and anyone is welcome to attend.
The first topic on the table for discussion is Waterworks Park development, downtown revitalization and CORD's presence in the community.
"This administration has accomplished a lot, things people told me could not be done; revitalizing the downtown, fixing the shoreline. Elected city officials are given the responsibility to do what's best to move the city forward and we take that very seriously. The general public elects us and they have elected officials that they feel will move the city forward."
"We need to get people in here (the city) to create revenue to get more money for our city. The public has spoken repeatedly about this issue and we are trying to move forward. CORD says that we are not listening to them, but we have heard them, loud and clear, they are, by far, not the majority."


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Following President Barack Obama's firing on Wednesday of four-star Army General Stanley McChrystal, many pundits, including on Capitol Hill, were quick to praise the officer's career and performance in Afghanistan, where he was the top NATO commander, and his prior service in Iraq. The fact is, McChrystal displayed grossly poor judgment in his remarks to Rolling Stone magazine that led to his firing from the Afghanistan command. Indeed, beyond the serious lapse in judgment represented by McChrystal even granting such a series of interviews in the first place, the controversy raises legitimate questions of why our military leaders are going around blathering to the media.
Military policy is to be set by our civilian leaders — the president, the secretary of defense, and others in an administration. That includes defending and explaining those policies to the media and to others. These are not responsibilities to be exercised by military officers themselves; they do so at their own peril, as McChrystal found out this week.
The question is, why are top military officers even getting themselves into these jams in the first place? Are officers granting interviews and extended media access to their activities simply to burnish their own image or chances for promotion; or to ingratiate themselves to particular congressional leaders? Are they being impliedly or quietly urged to do so by administration officials who are themselves uncomfortable with or unsuccessful at defending their own muddled policies, such as those underlying U.S. operations in Afghanistan? If so, military leaders ought to resist such overtures, even if it means risk to their own careers. If they are granting interviews for more mundane purposes such as ego or self-promotion, shame on them; and for such character flaws, they ought to be disciplined if not fired.
The bottom line here is that the president did the right thing in relieving McChrystal of his command based on the stupid remarks he made in a series of interviews that should never have been granted and which itself reflected poorly on his judgment. But the broader questions of how and why our military leaders are delving into policy discussions with the media in the first place, ought to be the subject of some hard questions levelled at our military and civilian leaders by the Congress.
June 24th, 2010
6:54 am
Bob, I think you are wrong here. First I think McChrystal has been doing the media not for his ego, but because he is trying to wage a media war against the Obama Administration. As a military officer his job is to push what is best for our men and women in military uniform and battle. McChrystal has been trying to drum up popular support for his views to persuade the Obama Administration to go along with it, this isnt the first time he has done it (remember McChrystal releasing the comments on troop levels right before Obama was set to give a decision about afghanistan troop levels? Besides yesterday was a perfect example of Obama's people ignoring the decisions of the people with the most knowledge about a situation to push their own agenda, when that information wasnt public (the court decision on the offshore drilling ban, where the judge pointed out that the administration move was NOT supported by the scientists they had claimed it was)
The other fact is that in historical war, the military heads were the ones who, once it was decided who and where the enemy was, that made the decisions, mostly because our civilians dont have the knowledge and training for it. When civilians make all the decisions we get disasters like Vietnam. (Or for another example the Nazi war machine, which was horribly hamstrung by Hitler's decisions). Perhaps McChrystal shouldnt have gone to the public with it, and it certainly was at his own peril, but he felt, and somewhat rightly so, that he needed to wage a war in the court of public opinion to get his way.
June 24th, 2010
7:01 am
This is a huge mistake on Obama's part. I'm no fan of McChystal's Pax Americana viewpoint or affilliation with the CFR, but how do you think the troops will react? At least Gen. McChrystal was honest and effective (except for Pat Tillman, a huge thorn in my side). Gen. Patreas? No disrespect, but are you kidding me? Isn't he the one who F'ed things up before? Hey, what do I know? What will he do to target *specifically* the terrorists? Nation build? Why aren't you folks (in D.C.) looking at Pakistan, and the Afghan hotbeds? Stop promoting endless war, or the the Anerican people are going to come back and bite you.
While I'm here, I might add that the border is being left wide open, for those who care about national security. Stop the illegal invasion (and deport illegals) or else you are being derilect in your duty to uphold protecting our national security and sovereignty, and We The People will hold YOU responsible for that.
June 24th, 2010
7:07 am
is there any reason my comment did not post?
June 24th, 2010
7:20 am
let's try again. assuming you believe we should still be in Afghanistan, which seems contrary to Obama's big picture agenda, and assuming you believe McChrystal was hired (essentially by Obama) because of his military record and not his ego; sacking a general for off the (battle)field behavior reflects "poor judgment" on the part of the POTUS. First off, read the article. Most of the criticisms and unflattering comments were made by younger members of McChrystals team, and not the general himself. Secondly, the "civlians" working in the White House and State Depart, and the President himself, are not "civlians". You and I are civilians. There is little difference between a political operative and a special ops operative in 2010, and even if there is some sort of DC protocol distinction, most of the memebers of McChrystal's team (most vocal in the article) are "civilians" as well (as are many of the "criticized" members of Obama's "team). We have to ask ourselves, why was McChrystal hired in the first place? Was he hired to lead forces in AfPak because of his track record of hunting and killing terrorists, or as part of some politically brokered deal between Obama and the hawks? Seems to me to hire him for any reason other than "national security" and to fire him for any reason other than "national security" (on the job performance) would be greater threats to national security and freedom than the loose lips of a non-traditional/outside the box thinking general and his rogues gallery of "shooters". And finally, does the First Amendment not apply to civil servants? Robert Gibbs and the President himself are quick to chime in when they believe a member of Congress, or the military "exercises poor judgment" but it is wrong for others to speak their minds about the President's "judgment". The specific language (very important in DC) is not the point. Is not Obama the President who campaigned on a platform of "transparency" in DC? Maybe this is why he lives in a White House and not a glass house.
June 24th, 2010
7:34 am
Hi, neo-Carlinist,
I see that the brigade has made it here in double-time fashion. Let me make it clear to you very fast, Americans will not accept your vision of a Communist world take-over. Sorry to break that to you. Not gonna happen.
Get ready for November, and you might ought to check with your backers to make sure I'm telling you the truth. I told you klowns, the sleeping giant is raising its weary head. We want our America back, and we will fight for it.
June 24th, 2010
7:38 am
As a retired Air Force officer I urge all you to read the UCMJ(Uniform Code of Military Justice), especially the section which addresses disparraging civillian leadership, then post your comments based on what is clearly stated there. I was commissioned by Mr. Reagan. Although I did not particularly agree with all of his policies, I never came close to disparraging him while in the company of my closest military friends. To this day I will not disparrage him.
June 24th, 2010
7:41 am
Some posting here conveniently seem to forget that military policy is made by the President, NOT the public.
Some posting here conveniently seem to forget that the military's job is to carry out the orders of the President, NOT to question them.
FOXNews reminds us of this every day. How come so many of their followers are all of a sudden having a fit with Obama firing a general who was subverting the image of the United States?
I know why. And it has to do with issues completely unrelated to this.
June 24th, 2010
7:42 am
One&Only, I think everyone, including the "communists" accept the Communism is just a brand (as is Capitalism). The U.S. and the world is run by oligarchies that combine 1/4 ideology, 1/theology and 1/2 naked greed. I don't know that it is possible to get "America back" because I don't know that we (the People) ever had it. So maybe "the fight" is to "disolve the political bands" which have put (most) Americans under the thumb of special interest.
June 24th, 2010
7:53 am
Corey, I respect your service, but I will disparrage the President of the United Staetes of America, or any Senator, or any House member, when they do not follow the best wishes of their constituencies. Do you know why? It is because, as constituents, we (the constituents) are the boss.
Corey – "I was commissioned by Mr. Reagan. Although I did not particularly agree with all of his policies, I never came close to disparraging him while in the company of my closest military friends. To this day I will not disparrage him."
Well, color me different, but I'm going to hold the President that I voted for up to standards. No exception.
June 24th, 2010
7:55 am
Corey and Tropunlim, and as the saying goes; "how's that working out for you?" I know many current and retired military officers and enlisted men and they are VERY vocal when it comes to their disdain for ALL politicians and certain members of the media. It's the American way, folks. My point is, McChrystal or any other solider should be "judged" by his actions AFTER he laces up his boots and switches his M-4 from "safety" to "full auto", as opposed to something he or one of his colleague may have said at a birthday party in a Paris pub. Obama, Rahm Emanuel and the rest of the DC crowd (from both sides of the aisle) put on their make-up and play their roles just like McChrystal and his non-convential warriors. The difference is; they put their mortal lives on the line (for a mission I feel is unjust), as opposed to the thin-skinned gadflies in DC who put their political lives on the line, usually using other peoples' lives as collateral. I know people who have served under McChrystal, and I knew people who died on 9/11. AfPak has more to do with Obama's job security (and Bush before him) than national security.
June 24th, 2010
7:59 am
Tropunlim: "Some posting here conveniently seem to forget that the military's job is to carry out the orders of the President, NOT to question them."
True, if you live in Nazi Germany. I hated Dubya in this regard, and don't make me carry this on to hate Obama. Please.
Learn what the UCMJ and the Nuremburg trials are all about.
June 24th, 2010
8:04 am
Good morning all, I respectfully partially-disagree with the essay of our host. The president has the unilateral right to hire and fire his associates, for good reason, bad reason, or no reason at all. Thus I supported President Bush when he disposed of a half dozen US Attorneys he deemed mediocre, and thus I support President Obama in his "deselection" of Gen. McChrystal.
Having reaffirmed the executive authority, I think I would have decided differently – or at least on different grounds – than did Chauncey. McChrystal is both a rocket scientist and a rock star in the narrow world of guerrilla warfare, and even bringing in the similarly-talented Petraeus is, at best, a push.
As other bloggers have correctly noted, there really was nothing inflammatory (to a normal ego) in the Rolling Stone hit piece. Thus the bottom line, this is simply another mindless thin-skin reaction to an increasingly hostile press, or perhaps another effort to distract from similar regular failures by this administration. Having only half-supported the military requests by McChrystal, one perceives this change is mere window-dressing by the administration, anticipating the collapse of the war effort that will certainly follow the 2011 withdrawal of forces, and manufacturing a deceptive "we did everything we could" excuse.
June 24th, 2010
8:08 am
Here, Let me help you guys out…
I voted for Obama, and did more to get him elected than probaly he even knows. Don't come at me with your philosophical fantasies of how I should be more of a liberal.
President Obama has made mistakes, and I am not ashamed to point them out. Afterall, I/we am/are his boss. Do you get that?
Make him a better President. It's up to you.
June 24th, 2010
8:10 am
I got edited again.
June 24th, 2010
8:11 am
here's the reader's digest version, where is the Uniform Code of Political Justice?
June 24th, 2010
8:12 am
Dear neo @ 8:10, I suffer that problem regularly on Kyle's site. I wish they would publish the filter rules. I know I had a long, and I thought well-written, post that bounced for use of the word "c*cktail," in a reference to social drinking.
June 24th, 2010
8:19 am
@Corey, at this level it isn't a whatever UCMJ problem. McChrystal "offered" his resignation after the quick nervous and bilious(as usual concerning its image) reaction from Obama, his staff and followers. Obama accepted(no UCMJ involved isn't it?).
Wesley Clark, was fired(not even given the ability to resign) from NATO, by NATO because he was a total politician S.B.(the legal concepts were more "polite"). McChrystal resigned because of political S.B. . Anyway, there are more important priorities in the world, in the US, than a stupid article in a retard, antiwar, teen age paper like Rolling Stone(but very important to Obama and his followers obviously…) even if it stated that McChrystal preferred Bud to Bordeaux(French are also so schoked! oh la la: joking).
June 24th, 2010
8:21 am
RD, yep, but Kyle's site is for neo-con Kool-Aid drinkers. I expect it over there. But BB is an anti-big brother libertarian, I hold his filter to a higher standard. back to message, I don't remember if it was Kyle or Bookman, but I posted my feelings on the Petraeus move in line with the Hillary for SecState move ("keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"). Just the other night, I was discussing the McChrystal debacle with some right-leaning friends, and they were salivating at the prospect of a Petraeus run in 2012. Maybe Obama is playing Michael Corleone and taking Petraeus out of the game? Just a hunch.
June 24th, 2010
8:27 am
Dear Neo @ 8:21, I think your hunch is on-target. I can conceive of no more potent potential-Repub candidate than Petraeus.
June 24th, 2010
8:27 am
Yep ………. any general (or admiral) that openly admits they voted for Obama ought to be cashiered !
No questions asked.
June 24th, 2010
8:29 am
Why is this a debate at all? An employee publicly humiliated his boss, and his boss fried him. It's that simple. If any of us did that to our boss, we'd have been shown the door as well. I was only shocked that Obama gave him the time of day after hearing about the article. I'd have fired him by proxy.
June 24th, 2010
8:31 am
Vince, I do not support the war (AfPak), but I support the warrior (McChrystal). That said, I believe McChrystal stated he prefers Bud Light Lime to Bordeaux. So, if Obama fired him for favoring a "chick beer" to real Bud, I find no fault with the move. I never served, but I am sure the UCMJ addresses "light beers" (conduct unbecoming). Seriously, remember the movie "The Untouchables". Remember when Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery) tells Ness (Costner) about "…how to get Capone, the Chicago way…" And remember he repeats the line, "…what are you prepared to do?" As he dies in Ness's arms, having been gunned down by a Capone goon? Is it not an ironic life immidating art moment, that Obama, who cut his political teeth in the windy city, has bailed on "the Chicago way" when it comes to fighting terrorists? Like RD, it makes me think the whole thing (hiring McChrystal, the AfPak surge, and increased Predator strikes) were shrewd political moves, with little concern for "getting Capone".
June 24th, 2010
8:32 am
Dear Richard @ 8:29, it is a "debate" because, to borrow the words of Gertrude Stein, "there's no there there." There was no "humiliation" in the Rolling Stone article, and certainly no inflammatory words by any adult standard.
June 24th, 2010
8:33 am
The interview of General McChristal was conducted by Michael Hastings for Rolling Stone magazine.
Writing can have its rewards and this is one of them. What I have not gotten a spin on this article is what John McHugh says about it, he is Secretary of the Army. I think there is something systemic about the General's views, they may very well be shared down the line of command. Military tactics and political tactics are obviously on different wave lengths. A military commander thinks in terms of winning the war, politicians think in terms of what can I do to get reelected. I do not see political/military conflict going away anytime soon. General Patraeus collapsed when being questioned by the Congressional committee, he claimed he was not hydrated. If a military sees his job as appeasing the political leaders he will be ineffective. Look at General McCarthur, he wanted to widen the war and go into China, President Truman sacked him, decades latter the U.S. is still in Korea and a crisis pops up there with regularity.
June 24th, 2010
8:35 am
neo-Carlinist: "here's the reader's digest version, where is the Uniform Code of Political Justice?"
I'm not one for Political Correctness (it's quite the fault of mine), but perhaps "Political Justice" is overdue. As to how that will play out, my guess is good as yours.
I abhor racism, and I will fight that tooth and nail, but that also includes La Raza and others who would openly threaten the sovereignty of the United States of America. Doubt me not.
Also, while I have your attention, I will not except an America that would choose cheap overseas labor to that of the American people. Stop free trade. Learn what a VAT (value added tax) is, and why it is important to compete with other nations. Don't listen to the SEIU, as they are one-world communists. Fu(k them.
June 24th, 2010
8:37 am
Folks, let's have some perspective here. First of all, one learns early on in basic training, (and presumably in ROTC, OCS, and the military acadamies), that the Bill of Rights does not necessarily apply when in the uniform of the armed services. For example, there are regulations which forbid personnel from attending demonstrations while in uniform. If a service member wishes to attend a protest calling for gun control or for the unlimited right to own an AK-47, he must do so in civilian attire. To do so in uniform risks a court martial.
Second, it is not the job of the generals and admirals to set policy, or to decide strategy. It is their job to carry out the policies and strategies as laid out by the President, whether or not they agree. The President is the Commander in Chief, and the responsibility is his alone. Abraham Lincoln was right to sack his generals who did not follow his orders, and who sought only to make a name for themselves. Harry Truman was right to sack general MacArthur when MacArthur wanted to invade China suring the Korean Conflict.
Imagine if John Kennedy had followed Curtis LeMay's advice during the Cuban Missile Crisis. LeMay wanted to nuke Havana. This would likely have led to all out war with the USSR, and perhaps the end to civilization as we know it.
Yes, a President should listen to the advice of his commanders. That doesn't mean that he has to follow that advice. And there's no way that a President should stand for the kind of insubordination and poor judgement, (in the general's own words), we saw in that Rolling Stone article. In some respects, the poor judgement is more serious. A general who shows poor judgement in PR, is just as likely to show poor judgement in other, perhaps more serious, circumstances.
June 24th, 2010
8:39 am
Richard, And you believe this because the White House and the Department of Defense are corporations, with HR policies and sensitivity training seminars. You ever listen to Rahm Emmanuel, or his predecessor Karl Rove? This isn't some office where if the staff performs they get to wear Hawaiian shirts on Friday and leave at 4:30 instead of 5:00. Obama is President of the United States. He "owns" a $trillion/year war budget and his "policies" concern the lives and deaths of over 100,000 Americans and their families. When he hired McChrystal (and ironically, when he fired him) he spoke of McChrystal's "service in uniform" and the fact that he was very good at what he does (killing bad guys).
June 24th, 2010
8:45 am
Dear DD776USN @ 8:37, I agree with your first paragraph – all facts – I demur on your analysis in the second, I disagree with the straw man hypothetical in the third, and I think you conclude with an untrue syllogism in the fourth, "A general who shows poor judgement in PR, is just as likely to show poor judgement in other, perhaps more serious, circumstances." Thus anyone who ever makes a minor mistake is untrustworthy on a big project? Totally unsound thesis, leads to micro-management which is the opposite of sound management.
June 24th, 2010
8:49 am
I think the military should have a new "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for any general officer who would be goofy enough to admit they voted for Obama. That's just not good for one's career !
June 24th, 2010
8:52 am
Curiously, in a supposed anti-incumbent year, most of the departing are not retiring but seeking higher office. We may recycle more than we replace. The bad news is that a frustrating 114 seats still have but one contestant. Two of them aren't even incumbents, meaning they will affect state policy without being vetted by voters. And I have to think that we'd be better off if many had run instead for the Legislature — and cut down on the number running unopposed. Georgia's problems are numerous. They aren't going away. There's too much stale thinking at the Capitol, on both sides of the aisle. New voices would be welcome.
June 24th, 2010
8:53 am
Couple of comments. The Constitution says the following:
Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1: "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States;"
If you prefer to put unelected generals in charge of when & where we send troops into harms way, please amend the Constitution. If you want to let the people elect the generals, please amend the Constitution. Until then, we will do it this way: soldiers take orders and do what they are told.
See the Uniform Code of Military Justice:
Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward his superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
The question is not should McChrystal have been removed from command; the question is why was Court Marshall proceedings not started against him?
The commanding officer is responsible for, and accountable for, the conduct of the personnel under his command.
June 24th, 2010
8:56 am
DD776USN, I'll try to respond one at a time. Maybe it is time to re-think the UCMJ – and as I pointed out, consider a Uniform Code of Justice (behavior) for politicians? I am aware that a soldier is held to a different standard than John Q. Public, but the idea that politicians enjoy certain protections, which soldiers do not is insane in my book. As I said, transparency is transparency. And let's be honest, what JFK or LeMay did or wanted to do 50 years ago is all speculation. The cynic in me thinks a nuclear exchange in 1960 would have essentially ended the Cold War, which would have likely saved us trillions, but that's just me – I was prepared to "duck and cover" (actually, I was an infant). My point today and yesterday is; it's not 1865 (Lincoln), 1950 (Truman) or 1960 (JFK). The "wars" are different and the approach to war must be different.
June 24th, 2010
8:56 am
Richard: "Why is this a debate at all? An employee publicly humiliated his boss, and his boss fried him. It's that simple"
Umm, I didn't see where McChrystal humiliated President Obama. I read the entire article, and the best (or worst) that I got out of it was that the President wasn't that engaged to speak with him (McChrystral), and that he pointed out some inconsistantsies within the heirarchy. Hardly a reason to be fired.
But you communists (that is what you are) tell yourselves whatever you wish to make you feel better. Let's all hold hands and be happy.
Anyways, I am the boss. That's right, my voting backside is the boss, along with every other American. It IS that simple.
June 24th, 2010
9:04 am
Scout, You appear to be joking, but I believe DADT is a perfect example of the double standard between civilian politicians and the DoD. I am sure there are openly gay members of Obama's staff or serving in the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, etc. The fact that McChrystal is a married heterosexual who claims to have voted for Obama had no bearing on his (team's) ability to find al Zaqwari and kill him. These things had no bearing on his feelings about the number of troops required to accomplish the mission in AfPak (assigned to him by "civilians").
June 24th, 2010
9:07 am
I give McChrystal credit for being smart enough to know what he and his staff were doing. They knew they were falling on their sword in hopes that they could inform the American public of the futility of the efforts in the mid-east. They are there. They know the enemy. They know that staying there for 30 years isn't going to change this enemy nor reform this country. They know it is a losing battle. Maybe they would rather be "retired" than to stay in a frustrating and useless job and ultimately get blamed for not "winning" this hopeless so called "war" (a war where they aren't allowed to shoot!, and have to stand around trying to figure out who the enemy is and whether that old lady is a suicide bomber. I would say get me out of here too.
June 24th, 2010
9:14 am
If that hole in the Gulf leaking all that oil was on Larry Sinclair, you better believe President Obama would find a way to plug it.
June 24th, 2010
9:22 am
I don't know about falling on their swords as that is not what American warriors do, but nobody wants an endless war. An endless war is insanity, but let's contemplate, shall we..
Why were the hotbeds in Afghan being ignored? Why are the terrorists in Paki being ignored? Why are our borders being ignored?
If you can answer those questions, then I salute you.
June 24th, 2010
9:51 am
Enter your comments here
June 24th, 2010
9:52 am
Often find it scary when I agree with Mr. Barr. However, depsite our differences think we are both big on civil liberties of inviduals. In this case the general made the mistake of disparaging his bosses in print. Just like Truman had to relieve the other Mac in Korea.
The General should have made his points in private conversations with the President and Sec Def. Everyone has the right to disagree, but, use the correct forum.
June 24th, 2010
9:54 am
I"ll be darned. I thought it might be a site-wide ban.
Before posting "long", "well-written" posts, do this. CTL-A CTL-C. Save you some frustration.
USA goin' down, DOWN DOWN DOWN!. Expatriate B4 it's too late!.
June 24th, 2010
9:59 am
because I am not a civilian member of the WH staff, nor active duty military, let me shoot up this flair. I am sure everyone (including the President) saw the press reports of vast precious metal reserves in Central Asia/Afghanistan; specifically lithium. Any of you using a laptop, Blackberry or hand held device, or any of you who own a hybrid automobile know that lithium is a major component in the batteries used in these products. So, we have a POTUS urging us to seek alternative energy sources and "go green" – well in the green world, lithium is the new petroleum. of course this presents a bit of conflict for any dutiful American consumer – myself included, but I would much rather see XYZ Corporation hire Blackwater to secure the resources, and pass the cost on to me, as opposed to Washington DC, Inc. waging a war, and sending us the tab, only to have XYZ mine and "refine" the lithium, and pass the cost on to consumers anyway (accounting for their profits, of course – "after all, we're not communists" – Barzini, from "The Godfather").
June 24th, 2010
10:01 am
@joan: I think you're wrong, actually. What's not being widely reported in American analysis of the article is that the reporter was only supposed to have two days with McChrystal (in France). Thanks to Iceland's volcanic disruption of travel, the reporter had almost a MONTH of unfettered access. McChrystal didn't intend to have his feature come across as insubordination (which is what it was).
Another clue that McChrystal didn't intend it: the piece was highly critical of his counterinsurgency strategy.
To those who say "aw, it ain't that bad, it's just his underlings…" It was his underlings, talking to the press, with him present. Sorry, if he didn't correct them, it's like he said it himself.
Finally, all of you who see him as "bravely standing up to the Obama incompetence," read the article. There's nothing brave in there; there's just cowardly mocking. And I think the general realized that what he did was wrong.
This personnel change is something conservatives and liberals alike can agree was necessary. Let's get back to discussing the war that we shouldn't be in, in the first place.
June 24th, 2010
10:02 am
Some of the comments here are retarded. So for all of you that are supporting a commanding general publically calling out his boss, I suggest you do the same at your job. Once you do, post your company's name here so that others will know where the recently created job openings are. Even McCrystal didn't defend his actions. If one of McCrystal's troops had said the same thing about him, they would be out of the military in a New York minute. War doesn't work like a Sunday morning talk show. If you show dissent in war, people can and do get killed.
June 24th, 2010
10:05 am
neo-Carlinist: "I believe McChrystal stated he prefers Bud Light Lime to Bordeaux. So, if Obama fired him for favoring a "chick beer" to real Bud, I find no fault with the move."
That's funny. I'm sure that Gen. McChrystal would drink a "chick beer" at your request, and then you could show him how manly you are. But seriously, let's stop the invasion from our *American* borders, and actually target the terrorists (in afgan, paki, and NOW mexi hotbeds). Before people get angry.
June 24th, 2010
10:07 am
neo-Carlinist :
………. or as I just read, "Obama is fishing for rainbow clout" …………..
June 24th, 2010
10:08 am
Mr. Barr:
Why are our posts on the Central Time Zone ?
June 24th, 2010
10:12 am
"Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."
The military has rules. I don't care if you agree with our president and his policies or not, McChrystal was WRONG and probably should have received a harsher punishment. Note that McChrystal's statements were not a private conversation nor made during the course of a political discussion. They were made to a written publication, an aggravating element. So the bottomline is that what McChrystal did is not called insubordination. It is contempt, and it is a court martial offense.
June 24th, 2010
10:16 am
DWTOO, I won't speak for McChrystal, and yeah, maybe he should have shared his thoughts with Obama, Gates, Patraeus (his "bosses") before sharing them with Rolling Stone, but my guess is, he already had. And as has been noted, the bulk of the criticism was offered by his team, and we all know generals do not "report" to the VP, ambassadors or special envoys/czars. I have read extensively on the special ops community, and I know many "non-conventional" warriors. They don't "operate" like Gomer Pyle or Colin Powell, or even George Patton. Again, I am not speaking for anyone, but perhaps McChrystal refused to fall on his sword, and perhaps he saw that he was getting set up for a fall, and perhaps he used the media (Rolling Stone) in the same manner a CIA agent recruits and employs an unwitting asset. Again, just a hunch, but I keep hearing "…never let a crisis go to waste…" and maybe McChrystal simply created a crisis because the chain of command wasn't getting the mission accomplished.
June 24th, 2010
10:16 am
I would have loved to see him try to look at the President when he said explain yourself. He talking all of that smack in the magazine but couldn't tell him to his face. He had become a Chicken General. If we are doing bad it is his fault since he was the one in charge to see things through. He wasn't doing his job. Fox News has a desk for him by 5:00pm this afternoon. He is filling out his tax forms now.
June 24th, 2010
10:22 am
and one more thing, these non-conventional warriors tend to encourage free thinking. in the field orders are orders and chain of command is chanin of command, but many times there is no "chain of command" in the field. were McChrystal to discourage dialogue (salty and critical as it may be), he would be doing a disservice to the members of his highly specialized team. I know it sounds cliche', but this is "outside the Beltway" thinking and in 2008 it was then candidate Obama's mantra for "change".
June 24th, 2010
10:22 am
Let me simplify my message to D.C.:
Stop promoting endless war, or the the Anerican people are going to come back and bite you.
June 24th, 2010
10:26 am
There are a lot of rambling idiots in here that have no clue about the UCMJ. Your ideologies are meaningless and rather moot here. Let's replace Obama with Bush I and II, Regan, Clinton, Nixon, TRUMAN, LBJ, etc. The American president is the American president regardless of which party he belongs to and we have RULES AND REGULATIONS that we are to adhere to. These are rules we've learned from basic training. If you have never served you won't understand because you're probably blinded by political ideology.
June 24th, 2010
10:34 am
uncommon sense, easy on the mawkish assessment of the consequences of "dissent" war. people get killed all the time in war. you refer to the "bosses" and "jobs" but then argue that Sunday AM talk shows are not combat? and you don't know how McChrystal treats his charges, or responds to criticism (read the article, he discusses the frustration of enlisted men who challenged the rules of engagement). aside from the tobacco companies, there isn't a corporation in the US (well, maybe Blackwater) with the "job" of finding and killing people.
June 24th, 2010
10:35 am
I think the main point is being overlooked here. How effective was McChrystal at succeffully implementing his mission?
He demonstrated public disdasin and opposition to the U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, the State Department high representative Richard Holbrooke, the national security adviser and the vice president. How is it even possible they would actually implement a counterinsurgency strategy with that level of disconnect and friction between the military and civilian authorities? If McChrystal and his team are so contemptuous of these other people whose support is absolutely CRITICAL to the success of the mission, then he had to be failing at his mission. His getting fired is not about his manners or whether or not he's a good warrior, this is about McCrystal's ability to effectively execute the task he's been asked to execute.
June 24th, 2010
10:37 am
Navy Brat:
Just to "clarify" – there are many military orders that can (and should) be disobeyed:
Any that are immoral, unethical or illegal.
I have been in positions where I had to make those decisions. You have to live with yourself.
India Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines
Vietnam (1967-68)
June 24th, 2010
10:42 am
Navy Brat, So what do you (we) do when "ideology" drives rules and regulations (UCMJ, rules of engagement, etc.)? You sound like a freaking lawyer.
June 24th, 2010
10:43 am
I'm moving Beck to 7pm, the 5:00 spot is all the general's if he'll have it
June 24th, 2010
10:47 am
Navy Brat, et al:
Here is just one example:
You are a platoon commander in Afghanistan and you have been sent to patrol a certain mountain valley. On the way you must pass "by" a village. You have been "ordered" not to use your supporting arms (i.e., mortars) in a populated area to prevent civilian casualties.
As you pass the village you are ambushed by a much larger enemy force. They are using direct as well as "indirect" (mortars) fire and your platoon is pinned down. Marines are dying all around you. Your direct fire (rifle fire) cannot reach the ambusers behind the village wall. You are at the point of taking so many casualties that the enemy will soon be able to over-run your position with their superior strength.
1) You can obey your orders and not use your mortar fire to break the ambush.
2) You can use your mortars and save as many of your men as possible.
June 24th, 2010
10:48 am
Maybe it's as simple as the General saw no way to win this war and just wanted out. And on his way out he said what was on his mind knowing full well the consequences
June 24th, 2010
10:52 am
Let me simplify my message to D.C.:
Stop promoting endless war, or the the American people are going to come back and bite you.
mmmmmmmmmmmm….. whatever. Go ahead and let amnesty be the way that you try to win votes. You will not win mine. I've already decided how I will vote and it may not be to your liking.
What? You don't like that? Then do your job, President Obama, and secure the borders. I want all illegals gone. No amnesty, sir. Come back when you can, and be processed legally. I also do not want a higher level of legal immigrant at this time. We are hurting job-wise.
Let me tell you about my history. I worked in the oil fields as a roustabout, and then in construction, only to see that I could not compete with the illegals. Yep, they took my job. So, I did not sit on my dairy air and wait for a job to find me. I utilized what I had learned in the military, and got into electronics.
I got into not only electronics, but computers and networking as well, obtaining many certifications along the way (that I studied long for). And then, my career got outsourced to H1Bs and shipped overseas. So, if you want to wonder why I am angry, now you know.
Here I sit, unemployed, and not wanting to be employed until YOU FU(KERS fix it. And until then, I will expose everything that this government has done to cause the problem, and I have no wish to go back to school or contribute my wealth to this society until it is made clear that people who graduate with a degree are worth what they have been sold. If you only knew my intellect, it would all be clear, but I am a nobody.
I'm sorry, this was about Gen. McChrystal and how bad a guy he supposedly is.
June 24th, 2010
11:05 am
Hotlanta – While I agree that the President had no choice but to relieve Gen McChrystal, if you really think that the General was intimidated by Barry, you've never met a real warrior. Don't care who you are, by the time you've made it that far up the chain-of-command you've had your butt chewed by experts. I'm sure our beloved leader had a much harder time looking the General in the eye than Gen McChrystal had looking back.
June 24th, 2010
11:29 am
Take his stars and make an example of him.
June 24th, 2010
11:41 am
Jefferson : "Take his stars and make an example of him."
Why? What has he done wrong? And please, be specific.
"Make an example of him"…pffff Who are you? You don't know much do you?
I'll stand by McChrystal even if it may not be to his benefit (what do I know?)
June 24th, 2010
11:49 am
Bob, lets compare a general's job to that of a lawyer. I do not know much about either but I wll allow common sense to guide me.
The General can use force as sees it but as the civilian electors feel it should be done. Do you remember the directives given to the general by the whitehouse in engaging the enemy?
The lawyer can not use the ability to "object" in witness testifying.
Ok is that sound?
Now would that crimple or hamper the lawyers ability to execute a fair defense. This could go on and on.
June 24th, 2010
12:06 pm
I concur with the Presidents actions with respect to General McChrystal. The fact that this discussion is occuring at all is proof enough that McChrystal had to step aside.
However, on the subject of Military leaders in the press, this was a crucial discussion during my War College Days. This century has transformed our media into a battle ground in ways that would not have been envisioned a few years ago. Thus, it is impossible to impact the opinions of millions of local citizens without addressing the many international media outlets that are available. Our adversaries are waging their own media campaign at the same time.
In an insurgency, the difference between war and politics is indistinguishable. Gone are the Clausewitzian days of "War is a continuation of Policy by other means". Today our adversaries freely mix the two concepts into a toxic morass.
The problem is that you cannot shape local politics in a foreign country without shaping the debate in the international media and you cannot shape the debate in the international media without impacting domestic politics.
I don't know what General McChrystal was trying to accomplish with his comments but clearly they did not work and should not have been made. However, as for Generals in the press, I'd be open to a longer and more comprehensive discussion.
June 24th, 2010
1:02 pm
Clearly it won't matter what any of us nobodies think. This administration, like many before it, will stumble along and hopefully won't get the world too out of wack. About why it doesn't secure the borders–the answer is simply, those illegals represent future democrat voters, because they won't be paying taxes, or if they do, it will be minimal, and their taxes will never cover the costs the run up in health care and education. so, yep, democrat voters. That is why Obama loves them. He is even now trying to protect their employment benefits.
June 24th, 2010
1:16 pm
Obama appointed a Bush appointed General to Afghanistan.
Bush is officially smarter than Obama.
June 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
TheOne&Only: glad to hear you don't sit on your dairy air, because that's an incomprehensible image. Sort of like your logic.
June 24th, 2010
1:30 pm
Tennessee white trash Stanley McChrystal's getting a second star from his "good buddy," the 9/11-committing Closet-Queen-in-Chief, draft-dodger George W. Bush, for assassinating "true believer" Pat Tillman "with deniability," went to his head surrounded by a coterie of sublimating psychopaths and deviant sycophants serving false war for fascist plutocracy.
The insubordination pseudo-West Pointer McChrystal's subordinates demonstrated in the command environment he engendered was gossipy, self-aggrandizing, over-compensating chit-chat of "macho" gay killers.
May any seeking righteousness, for, by, and of, the People's servant, President Obama, ensure we truly be rid of McChrystal, Bush, Cheney, and their ilk, unlike Nixon, GHW Bush, and E.Howard Hunt at Dealey Plaza and all the evil they were able to effect.
G-d is not mocked.
Death for Treason
June 24th, 2010
1:38 pm
Dave his correct name is President Barak Obama. It is just amazing how folks go to extremes to disrepect him but calls "Tricky Dick", President Nixon all day long. What makes you think that he is afraid or intimidated by anyone. He showed that when he was putting the Republicans in check at their own televised meeting. It is just amazing we got all kinds of polls that are being taken to rate his performance and no one has ever contact myself nor my freinds. It is amazing how some of these same people who drapes themselves with the American Flag and always stand tall for America would not go to war. Naw they let other folks do it for them while they reap the benefits.
June 24th, 2010
1:41 pm
Unfortunately our elected representatives cannot be held to the same standards as our military personnel.
June 24th, 2010
2:21 pm
Will Jones FEARS Kim Peterson
hotlanta FEARS Education
Bob Barr FEARS Alimony
June 24th, 2010
2:29 pm
I find it very interestig in reading all this President Obama bashing that 1) you forget the strategy was McChrystal's vision that the President bought into, 2) there is the military code of justice that all soldiers must abide by, and 3) McChrystal clearly didn't abide by the rules.
You let your pure hate of anything the President does (whether's it a good thing or bad thing) overrule any common sense that you might have once possessed. I was never a huge fan of President Bush, but I never went around calling him names. In my mind, your major name callling is both juvenile and shows an absolute lack of decency. You have clearly set different standards for the current president than you have ever set for others. Maybe you should question your own motives and values.
June 24th, 2010
2:48 pm
Barack H. Obama will go down in history as the first-ever sitting U.S. President to go to prison, just where it belongs.
Barack H. Obama will eventually make the worthless imbecile known George W. Bush look moderately intelligent by comparison.
June 24th, 2010
2:56 pm
hotlanta, make a deal you can keep using "tricky dick" and I'll keep calling him barry, deal? So tell me which war did you fight in? And if you want to know which one I did, I'd be happy to tell you.
June 24th, 2010
3:19 pm
Not having served in the armed forces, but raised by a career officer in the Air Force, a brother who served in Vietnam, a brother-in-law who is currently in Iraq for the second time and his son, a C-17 cargo pilot in the Air Force, one thing is very clear – the military is not a democracy. People have opinions, but rank has it's privileges. The President outranks anyone in the military, he's the commander in chief – the end. The military is a different society and meant to be so.
June 24th, 2010
3:26 pm
Rush had a funny argument in his second hour. Short version: Stan McChrystal voted for Obama because McChrystal himself is a free-thinking leftist. McChrystal allowed Rolling Stone access thinking RS was his sort of people. RS did its usual hit job. Obama has to replace the undisciplined leftist with a known, disciplined conservative, as Obama cannot trust a leftist on anything that matters.
June 24th, 2010
3:36 pm
He was sacked for telling the truth. The first casualty in war is the truth, and what is dead is never to be revealed.
The wars are a failure. They have never been about american safety, but about promoting the interests of the ruling elites and their friends in the military industrial complex. Oh yeah, and to secure the pipeline through Afghanistan for Shell. Oh, and of course lets not forget promoting the interests of Israel above and beyond the interests or safety of the american people or its military.
June 24th, 2010
4:03 pm
Transparent whitetrash McChrystal never voted for Barack Obama.
McChrystal, nominally a graduate of the USMA, is a proven liar having overseen the assassination of Pat Tillman, signing off on a phony Silver Star for the former NFL-player, and covering-up the treason through five official "investigations," for which he was awarded a second star by the Hitler's banker's draft-dodging, closet-queen grandson.
He is a fraud and a traitor, having provided those looking for "agents" with his psychopathic, treasonous "tendency" in an essay at West Point in which he assassinates the POTUS.
Those who think the three rounds in Pat Tillman's forehead grouped within a circle made by a half-dollar was an "accident" are the same ones gullible enough to think cracker trash like McChrystal voted for America's first Black president.
Good for Obama's canning him. Now may he hang for treason along with Bush and Cheney, at the Navy Yard.
Justice for Pat Tillman
Death for Treason
Annuit Coeptis
June 24th, 2010
4:27 pm
America right to sack blathering President
June 24th, 2010
4:43 pm
Truman fired McArthur and we're still fighting that war..did anyone notice mcchrystal resigned but
petraeus (his boss) got demoted big time!
June 24th, 2010
4:46 pm
Will Jones – Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis – you forgot the part of about us "right wing haters." It would have fit right in with the rest of your post.
June 24th, 2010
5:07 pm
He should have been fired. His job is to follow the orders of the Commander in Chief, not make policy. If he doesn't agree, he should step down.
June 24th, 2010
5:49 pm
All those thinking that Stanley McChrystal was the second coming of George S. Patton should get their heads out of their collective A$$es. Read Sebastian Junger's "WAR" or any of the columns by Matthew Green who have actually been to or are in Afghanistan. I know, you might have to miss a couple episodes of 'Dancing with the Stars" but you at least won't be regarded as an ignoramus when you try to speak or write about something you obviously have little knowledge about.
The McChrystal strategy or or "Doctrine" was a high-risk strategy that centered on the idea that the west's best chance of containing the Taliban was winning over the locals, even if it meant greater risks and casualties for his troops. He'd lost the confidence of his own troops who were on the ground as the casualties and wounded numbers continue to escalate.
Me? If you're going to go to war, I like my strategies a little more Machiavellian.
June 24th, 2010
7:53 pm
"It is just amazing we got all kinds of polls that are being taken to rate his performance and no one has ever contact myself nor my freinds."
That's because you don't matter.
"Dave his correct name is President Barak Obama."
No, his correct name is Barak Hussein Obama.
"What makes you think that he is afraid or intimidated by anyone. "
When he gives in to Iran, NK, Russia, China etc…… he is a little girl.
"He showed that when he was putting the Republicans in check at their own televised meeting. "
That MUST be why the GOP is set to win in November.
June 24th, 2010
8:50 pm
How appropriate: Waffling Chicken, a great name for the Gay Old Pervert party's base: draft-dodging closet-queens and chickenhawks.
June 24th, 2010
9:18 pm
Real Athens, your logic is facinating. I will be the first to admit, I have issues with the entire concept of counter-insurgency, because, well, the reasons there is an insurgency is THEY DON'T WANT US THERE. but, since Obama has decided Central Asia is the venue to make his bones with the (chicken)hawks and neo-cons, or the "give" to his "take" in Iraq, there has to be a plan. I don't know that the much ballyhooed "COIN" doctrine is viable (see: first sentence), but it is better than carpet boming, Predator drones, and 150,000 "boots on the ground". The problem is, with 150,000 boots on the ground and UAV drones flying around like some James Cameron flick (Terminator), you are never going to win any "hearts and minds". AND, as I noted yesterday, I am of the opinion there are no "hearts" or "minds" to win in Central Asia. That said, there is plenty of lithium to win, so if we couch the war as "hunting/killing terrorists" McChrystal and his ilk is/was the guy. And, I really don't care about soliders being in harm's way. it's part of the job description. Even so, I'd rather see mercenaries and Blackwater types doing the fighting, because like all wars, this war is about securing and protecting wealth, and not "freedom" or "terrorism" or "9/11″. our casulaties are rising because there are more of "us" in country. am I the only one who is doing the math? we're spending a trillion dollars over there, giving the "bad guys" targets. we're not killing terrorists, we're cultivating them and exposing ourselves to increased terrorism.
June 24th, 2010
9:50 pm
neo-Carlinist – good summary but the most expensive cost is America's moral standing. "Annuit Coeptis" counts for Americans who actually believe in the Creator, G-d of the universe, upon Whose blessings Our Nation's posterity relies.
Some of us still believe the Dream. Tillman did, as stupidly as I did in '68, but with his high-profile and reporters asking his opinion, 9/11-committing Bush had McChrystal snuff him. Societies in decay get mercenaries to do their "heavy lifting." If the corrupt rich want to send us to die for their spiraling concentration of wealth without "suiting up" themselves, it's time for expropriation of the false elite which assassinates our leaders and steals from the commonwealth.
I would rather fight, excising the identified cancer here, in obedience to the Creed and Oath as Americans for the next few hundred years, G-d willing, than to forsake our ancestors and all the sacrifices they underwent to get here and receive in covenant this Promised Land.
We cannot be the Republic and fail to hang Bush and Cheney. Empire and theft of lithium, oil, et al, in Afghanistan and Iraq, further enriching the same fascist plutocracy who sent us to die in Vietnam after killing Kennedy and King, and which now promotes illegal immigration to remove the threat represented by a strong Middle Class, rings the death knell for the American Dream. I'd rather provide tyrants' blood as nourishment for the Liberty Tree, after due process of course.
Death for Treason…and treason is the only reason things aren't any better.
June 28th, 2010
8:59 am
I actually agree that you cannot disrespect the President and keep your job if you want the job of General. But I think McCrystal should have been fired because he wanted to do the article in the first place. What was the purpose? Granting an interview with "all access" to a news source that is really not a "news source," and is "anti war" also, does not sound like a choice made by someone I want to protect our soldiers and interests in this war.
BTW, for full disclosure, I am "pro-Iran" war and "anti-Afganistan." I just think one was winnable and good for the region, and the other is unwinnable and will not make a difference in the region. Did we learn nothing when we saw the Russians invade Afganistan? Although I agreed we must punish the Taliban for creating an environment that helped "9-11″ to happen, are we really serious about creating a democratic country out of about 47 different warlord factions who will never get along? There are so many troubled spots in the world — North Korea, Iran, etc. — is it smart to spend so many of our resources on Afganistan?
July 12th, 2010
6:28 pm
It was just "soldier talk." It doesn't go away. Privates to generals speak it. No president can escape it. Lincoln got used to it and continued to oversee the victorious generals who spoke out against him in more respectable papers than Rolling Stone. Obama needs to toughen up or let somebody else oversee the war.


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Over 7,000 Midstate men received letters from PinnacleHealth informing them that the results they received for a check on of their prostate specific antigens (PSA) may have been significantly higher than their actual level.
We spoke with one man who explains why a false positive might be anything but a negative.
"I took two tours in Vietnam, growing up as a black man in America had its challenges, but being told I had cancer, especially 21 years ago meant a death sentence," said Jim Williams from his Camp Hill.
He is a prostate cancer survivor. His diagnosis came 22 years ago, following a PSA test.
"It was elevated, which puts out a warning sign that something is going on. It doesn't say cancer," he said.
But an elevated level can be an early indicator and seemed to be for thousands in the Midstate who had their PSA tests performed by PinnacleHealth in the past year.
PinnacleHealth says this is due to a laboratory reagent being recalled in the laboratory.
"PinnacleHealth has notified all affected patients and ordering physicians of the recall and recommended that those that had a PSA in this time frame (May, 2012 and June 26, 2013) should have a repeat PSA performed at no cost," the company said in a statement.
The problem is that due to the false results, many could have had expensive follow up tests performed, and that's the cost that Williams is concerned with.
"Depending on your insurance plan it may be or may not be paid for," he said.
Still, Williams sees promise in the number of men who are monitoring their PSA levels. At 77-years-old, he's glad he did.
"If I had not been diagnosed and treated successfully I would not have the privilege of seeing my daughter marry or meeting my two wonderful grandchildren," he said.
Williams advises that anyone who received one of those letters from PinncaleHealth take advantage of the free repeat test.


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very nice but no listings yet
very nice.....listed this
so very close, but I did put this in my "Amazing Legs" list
I have at least two models I think you'll "List."
- David Lee Woods
- DLWoodsImages.com
Yeah! Thanks mom and dad for the genes I made it on the list lol ; )
Your port is without a doubt one of the best on MM! I already have many of your works listed, and just put this one in "gorgeous eyes"
I love your port.....so inspirational! Put this in 2 lists
Wow those eyes really pop.....llsted!
agreed, but please don't hijack
If I may......stop trying to be so sexy and be yourself. You and your eyes are beautiful!
Absolutely! Listed this
so so close!
very close but no lists today
Thanks :-)
listed this
put this in my "creative" list
sorry but I can't see them very much
Definatley added
Why thank you! I'm glad to know I use them in the right way.
unflattering lighting keeps this one from being listed
always enjoy your port. You are soooooo close on a couple, but I did put this in "Terrific Tummies"
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Surf Maroc
If you are a surfer, then the beachfront villa of Surf Maroc is the place to go. Run by a group of passionate British surfers, it offers a full-service surf camp for all levels, as well as yoga classes. What's more, the straightforward rooms provide an increasingly rare opportunity along this stretch of the coast to fall asleep listening to the waves break.


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Niagara University, NY 14109 Map, Local Resources and Photos
|City/Town Names
|Current Weather & Forecast
Local Physical, Cultural & Historic Features
The 14109 ZIP Code is centered1 in Niagara County at latitude 43.134 and longitude -79.036. It is a PO Box type ZIP Code. Niagara County is in the Eastern Time Zone (UTC -5 hours) and observes daylight savings time.
ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) 14109 has a land area of 0.47 sq. miles and a water area of 0 sq. miles for Census 2000. Demographic Profile
Niagara University, NY 14109 Map (Interactive ZIP Code Map of 14109 ZIP Code)
|Driving Directions
Nearby Cities, Towns & Census Designated Places
Lewiston Heights, NY
(2.4 miles N)
Rumsey Ridge, NY (2.4 miles NNE)
Pletchers Corners, NY (2.4 miles ESE)
Escarpment, NY (2.7 miles NNE)
Lewiston, NY (2.7 miles N)
Niagara Falls, NY
(3.1 miles SSW)
Glenwood, NY (3.1 miles NE)
Colonial Village, NY (3.6 miles E)
Riverside Manors, NY (3.6 miles N)
Model City, NY (4.3 miles NE)
Nearby Neighborhoods, Subdivisions & Other Small Populated Places
Varsity Village, NY
(< 0.1 mile)
Expressway Village Mobile Home Park, NY (2.7 miles SE)
Tuscarora Village Mobile Home Park, NY (4.3 miles E)
Cayuga Village Mobile Home Park, NY (4.5 miles SE)
Maple Estates Mobile Home Park, NY (4.5 miles SE)
Black Creek Village, NY
(5.5 miles SE)
Love Canal, NY (5.6 miles SE)
Lynch Park on the River Mobile Home Park, NY (6.6 miles SE)
Youngstown Mobile Home Park, NY (7 miles NNE)
Sheenwater, NY (9.7 miles S)
ZIP Codes - Key Concepts
- ZIP Codes are categories for grouping mailing addresses and are not exact geographic regions.
- The centroid of a ZIP Code may be in one County and the associated city/town in another.
- In rural areas, a single ZIP Code may be used for cities and towns in several different Counties.
- ZIP Code "areas" can overlap, be subsets of each other, or be artificial constructs with no geographic area.
- ZIP Codes are only loosely tied to cities.
1 Keeping the above key concepts in mind, what we informally refer to as the "center" of a ZIP Code is most often actually the centroid of a polygon.


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The Lucky Swim Guide
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Bandeau Top, $63, Bottom, $57, Splendid, swimspot.com
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Three different stripe patterns are strategically placed to flatter.
Bikini Top, $48, bottom, $30, volcom.com
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A halter top works for busts both big and small.
"Luciana" Bikini Top, $48, bottom, $30, whbm.com
Tribal bikinis
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Tribal detailing at the sideschic and super-slimming.
Bikini Top, $112, shopgiejo.com, bottom, $95, shopgiejo.com
DKNY striped one piece bathing suit
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This suit sculpts your body (especially your abs) like no other!
Bathing Suit, $104, DKNY, Sleect Lord and Taylor, 800-348-6940, lordandtaylor.com
Tommy Hilfiger bikinis
Bing: Tommy Hilfiger bikinis
Stealth figure enhancement: subtle padding and a hip-whittling cut.
Halter Bra, $64, Hipster Bikini Bottom, $52, Tommy Hilfiger, tommy.com
Cutout bathing suits
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The cutouts are so chicand they elongate a short torso.
Cutout Maillot, $296, Michael Kors, neimanmarcus.com
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So striking: emerald peeking out from a sheer cover-up.
Halter Top, $40, String bikini Bottom, $40, bananarepublic.com
Mesh bathing suits
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These sleek suits are full of color, gorgeously minimal and really sexy. Pure chic!
Mesh details make sunny yellow sexy.
Mesh-detail Swimsuit, $96, dkny.com for locations. Quilted silk visor, $140, tracywatts.bigcartel.com, Santiago watches, $75 each, adidas.com


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Claire Marie Vogel
Find out who can spark up your Tuesday with pretty indie folk at the Griffin.
A few months ago I predicted the inevitable success of Yellow Red Sparks after seeing them live at the Griffin. Perhaps superstardom takes a little longer than I projected, but the good news is you can see this incredible band and their pretty indie folk tunes again at the Griffin. If you appreciate beautiful and layered harmonies, this is the band for you. On the other hand, Tumbleweed Wanderers and Soda Pants are at the Soda Bar, both satisfy the urge to hear rambunctious folk rock -- the kind that makes you stomp your feet and join in on several "heys" and "hos." Maybe the timing will work out and you can catch a little of both.
Tuesday August 20:
Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.


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No Expedia Cancellation Fee
Book, change, or cancel almost any hotel without paying an Expedia fee.
4.6 out of 5 (46 reviews)
4.1 out of 5 (37 reviews)
4.5 out of 5 (2 reviews)
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3.5 out of 5 (6 reviews)
Book, change, or cancel almost any hotel without paying an Expedia fee.
If you want to know the best places to stay, why not ask the locals? One popular choice among local travelers is the 5-star Schloss Fuschl Resort & Spa, Fuschlsee-Salzburg, which has received an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 based on 28 guest reviews. Other hotels worth consideration include Sheraton Fuschlsee-Salzburg, Hotel Jagdhof, with its average guest rating of 4.32; Schernthaner, with a rating of 4.3; and Furian, which scores 5. Locals also have good things to say about Berau Landhotel am See and the 4-star Hotel Foersterhof.


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According to Ernst & Young, a corporate intranet can achieve such great savings that it can result in a return on investment of 1000% or more — and payback periods can often be measured in weeks, rather than years! But before you read any further, please repeat the following: "An intranet is a project in its own right." It deserves more than organic growth, more than being an information dumping ground, and more than a disjointed attempt to fit into the overall corporate communication strategy. Despite the best intentions, intranets often fail to deliver on the value they promise, because companies take an "if we build it, they will come" approach. The Nielsen Norman Group has stated that employees can take twice as long to complete tasks and get information from a poorly-designed intranet compared to a well-designed one — resulting in diminishing use and value. The best intranets have a consistent design managed through a central design team with a company-wide mandate to meet organizational needs.
Fundamentally, your intranet must be tied to value creation like other business services within your organization. If it does not result in value creation for your business, then it is a failed service. Establishing value creation can be tricky — with intranet objectives such as: increased employee communication, collaboration, and knowledge management being hard to quantify and measure. Many companies have set the goals of intranet success via page views, total hits, and customer satisfaction ratings. But this approach is not effective for understanding and measuring the value creation driven through an intranet, because an intranet's greatest benefits are not in a measurable, packaged form. Calculating an intranet's return on investment is a mix of doing scientific measurements and having a keen and discerning eye for both explicit (i.e. hard costs of processes, infrastructure costs, application costs, personnel training costs) and implicit (i.e. productivity and efficiency, revenue and sales, employee coordination and collaboration, customer support) elements. One theory presented in a recent MIT Sloan Management Review article by C.K. Prahalad and Venkatram Ramaswamy suggested that although the intranet alone does not create value — the site's efficient, able use in the context of specific, individual employee needs does. The use of the intranet in context of other services provided by the organization also affects the value creation. In other words, the result offered by the intranet as a whole in light of the value created at the point of use through the co-creation of experiences via the combination of a personal event-based need and the actual services being provided is more than the value added by the different parameters in isolation.
Once you have determined where your intranet's value lies, you will discover how your intranet is perceived by its users. If your intranet is not providing much value, it is a sign that there is either a lot of room for improvement or that other tools and processes within your organization are effectively serving your employee needs. If your intranet falls under the "needs improvement" category, then it's time to craft the optimal environment for value creation.
But how do you get there from here?
First and foremost, a disciplined approach is required…recall our mantra: "An intranet is a project in its own right." That being said, here are some guidelines for successful intranet development:
Review the existing intranet: The goal of this activity is to identify the primary strengths and weaknesses of the current intranet, and to start identifying the key recommendations for the renewal project.
It may be beneficial to obtain outside assistance for this activity, as this provides a new perspective on the intranet and the issues with it. It can be very difficult to gauge the true nature of the system.


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Works on display on the top floor of Vuitton's Champs Elysées flagship include a video of a young girl learning to speak Arabic from flashcards with words like "car bomb" and "mass grave," and photos of destroyed buildings in Afghanistan painted white, the color of mourning in Islam.
Titled "Orient Sans Frontières," or "Orient Without Borders," the exhibit was inspired by a fabled French expedition in 1931, when special Vuitton-outfitted Citroen cars made a daring trek of discovery from Beirut to Beijing. Dispatches from the road were broadcast on the radio daily, and National Geographic documented the discoveries.
Curator Hervé Mikaeloff decided to turn the tables and let contemporary artists from stops along the route give lucid and critical views about where their countries are today. "We wanted to keep this spirit of adventure," he said.
Iraqi artist Adel Abidin, who made the Baghdad sign, also created a video showing a seven-year-old girl scooping up fragments of broken pavement — perhaps after an explosion — with plastic spoons as a peace song plays in the background.
While many of the works are chilling and upsetting — amidst a minimalist set design by India Madhavi — most have an undercurrent of hope as plain as the bright smile on a young girl posing among the ruins of her village in Lebanon in a photo by Amal Saade.
Links to fashion are tenuous, although Chinese artist Yin Xiuzhen's sculptures employ second-hand clothes purchased on trips that she transforms and displays in open suitcases. The exhibit runs through April 27.