NATIONAL MALL

[aldousburbank]

My nephew did 3 tours , 2 in Afghanistan , 1 in iran ..and he came back a crazy motherfucker   ..

Its sad as fuck , he is so gonna kill someone one day .
But he's a fierce teabagger 

Let the man shop

I have a young friend, a "spiritual nephew" of sorts who recently completed several tours of whatever crazy fucking places. Special forces lead weapons specialist. I knew him when he was infantry. On the outside he is still the sane, polite individual. When I view some of the videos he has, I can't believe that there aren't scars somewhere.

[Cynnie]

I have a young friend, a "spiritual nephew" of sorts who recently completed several tours of whatever crazy fucking places. Special forces lead weapons specialist. I knew him when he was infantry. On the outside he is still the sane, polite individual. When I view some of the videos he has, I can't believe that there aren't scars somewhere.

Yes!!! Nephew on the surface is a polite quiet southern boy .
But when i talk to him , i see that he is so damaged..
Crazy damaged

[onan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/us/baffling-rise-in-suicides-plagues-us-military.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Suicide among veterans has also risen somewhat since 2001, to an estimated 22 a day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Just 12 years ago, when the rate of military suicide was so much lower, many experts believed that military culture insulated young people from self-harm. Not only did it provide steady income and health care, structure and a sense of purpose, the reasoning went, military service also screened personnel for criminal behavior as well as for basic physical and mental fitness.

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Rice, Powell, et al have blood on their hands

[aldousburbank]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/us/baffling-rise-in-suicides-plagues-us-military.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Rice, Powell, et al have blood on their hands

Most especially et al.

[onan]

Most especially et al.

Sorry man but,

"bring em on"

"6 days, 6 weeks, I doubt 6 months."

"there's going to be a crisis coming"

"My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators."

"From a marketing point of view, you don't roll out new products in August."

[aldousburbank]

A bunch of people suck fer sure.

[West of the Rockies]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/us/baffling-rise-in-suicides-plagues-us-military.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Rice, Powell, et al have blood on their hands

This is probably part of what was considered in the book that came out a few years ago that suggested that the true cost of these wars would be 3 TRILLION dollars.  There are so many unforeseen consequences to war, lots of posturing about "keeping the National Mall open" and such, but these sort of tortorous details (troop suicide) is just not sexy... It's a downer, man!  But somewhere in America, a politician is sporting an American flag pin and saying we need to "support our troops"....

[Quick Karl]

I think the Republicans are the party of idiots, and the Democrats are the party of douche bags, both equally offensive and equally guilty.

Well, they are called the "party of No" for a reason.... 

Look, I have voted Republican in the past.  My parents were dyed in the wool conservatives and kind and generous, good people.  But number me among those who think the party has veered so far to the right as to be a different animal.  I know some here will argue the opposite and claim that the GOP has become "Democrat Light" (while loudly proclaiming that it is the Democratic party that has veered wildly to the left).  Interesting times....

[Ruteger]

Again, please tell us why HUSSEIN obama opened the Mall for illegals and not for WW2 vets. Liberalism is a mental disorder.

Ruteger! God Bless You GOOD to have you back. Too bad the meds didn't take...

[WildCard]

Again, please tell us why HUSSEIN obama opened the Mall for illegals and not for WW2 vets. Liberalism is a mental disorder.

Do you understand that Vets won't be getting their checks next month?! All because of Obama won't "negotiate" about a law that's passed, been challenged and upheld by the Supreme Court.

What's most telling about this debate is the fact the neither you nor QK have responded to this:

OH my what a scandal. The national mall has limited access.

Tell me, where the fuck were you when real issues affecting veterans were being relegated to the scrap heap? Like reduction in healthcare through VA hospitals? When soldiers were being put in harms way due to poor or nonexistent armor. When soldiers were kept in rotation past the mandated two tours? Tell me where were you when death benefits including military burials were slashed from ~$2000.00 to $200.00 dollars? Tell me again about how you protested the poor health care offered to families of reserve soldier's families?

Fuck yeah, the mall, that is the issue, fuck you assholes.

Speaking of "mental disorders", what's with posting your response BEFORE the quote you're responding to?

[Quick Karl]

Obama could pay the Vets with the stroke of his pen! Why aren't you addressing that?

Do you understand that Vets won't be getting their checks next month?! All because of Obama won't "negotiate" about a law that's passed, been challenged and upheld by the Supreme Court.

What's most telling about this debate is the fact the neither you nor QK have responded to this:Speaking of "mental disorders", what's with posting your response BEFORE the quote you're responding to?

[WildCard]

Obama could pay the Vets with the stroke of his pen! Why aren't you addressing that?

I hope he does. My guess is he's weighing that against the damage this shut down is doing to the GOP.

Where were you guys when Bush was spending down the Clinton surplus and left us with a trillion+ dollar deficit?

[Quick Karl]

As disgusted about that as I am about the fraud that is going on right now. Don't mistake me for some thoughtless sheep that side with any political party based on a hatred for people that disagree with my political philosophies, or for someone the derives my political philosophies based on hysterics.

No one has been more vocal about the flaws and fraud that the Republicans have been responsible for during the last 50-years, than me. When they nominated McCain, I was sick; when they nominated Romney, I was disgusted, because it was obvious we were being played, for the billionth time.

I hope he does. My guess is he's weighing that against the damage this shut down is doing to the GOP.

Where were you guys when Bush was spending down the Clinton surplus and left us with a trillion+ dollar deficit?

[Ruteger]

In case your limited intelligence did not notice, the current form of HUSSEINCare, is not what was originally passed by ZERO votes from the GOP. Why all the exemptions and delays? Your false god and your democrat overlords want the GOP to agree to fund a bill that has been bastardized?! Restore HUSSEINCare to its original form for passage. Do you agree to this?

Do you understand that Vets won't be getting their checks next month?! All because of Obama won't "negotiate" about a law that's passed, been challenged and upheld by the Supreme Court.

What's most telling about this debate is the fact the neither you nor QK have responded to this:Speaking of "mental disorders", what's with posting your response BEFORE the quote you're responding to?

[Ruteger]

You are deflecting. Tell us why HUSSEIN obama opened the Mall for illegals but not WW2 vets. We are eagerly waiting your slavish response - lick spittle. (Can you quote that reference from some Oscar-nominated movie?)

Do you understand that Vets won't be getting their checks next month?! All because of Obama won't "negotiate" about a law that's passed, been challenged and upheld by the Supreme Court.

What's most telling about this debate is the fact the neither you nor QK have responded to this:Speaking of "mental disorders", what's with posting your response BEFORE the quote you're responding to?

[NowhereInTime]

You are deflecting. Tell us why HUSSEIN obama opened the Mall for illegals but not WW2 vets. We are eagerly waiting your slavish response - lick spittle. (Can you quote that reference from some Oscar-nominated movie?)

Your kind of bat-shit crazy is a national treasure and needs to be preserved for future generations.  I swear I may well create a log or record of your ravings and submit them to the Smithsonian.

[Ruteger]

One more time.  Why did HUSSEIN obama open the Mall for illegal third-world trash, and not for WW2 vets?

Your kind of bat-shit crazy is a national treasure and needs to be preserved for future generations.  I swear I may well create a log or record of your ravings and submit them to the Smithsonian.

[Quick Karl]

He will never answer it, honestly, because he can't. Everyone knows Obama did it to spite the Vets because he knows the Vets loathe him. And the Vets that may support Obama, yet remain silent about this insult, have no respect for their fellow soldiers service - and cry the loudest about their own.

One more time.  Why did HUSSEIN obama open the Mall for illegal third-world trash, and not for WW2 vets?

[NowhereInTime]

He will never answer it, honestly, because he can't. Everyone knows Obama did it to spite the Vets because he knows the Vets loathe him. And the Vets that may support Obama, yet remain silent about this insult, have no respect for their fellow soldiers service - and cry the loudest about their own.

It's called Presidential discretion.  He is the Commander in Chief and if he decided to "open the mall" than so be it.  All monuments and parks were closed because they could not be adequately staffed.  Should the WWII vets have been denied access?  No.  However I find it interesting that when the commander-in-chocolatey-chief makes a decision, some vets and tea baggers assume the right to violate the law (disobey direct orders).
The real travesty would have been if he had them arrested.  He didn't, did he?

Ruteger, I still love you because, my God, I just cannot get over your brilliant kind of loopy!

Ouick Karl, Nucky Nolan, whoever the hell you are today, you have been nothing more than Arte Johnson lately. And not even funny, stoned, Arte Johnson.

[Sardondi]

It's called Presidential discretion.  He is the Commander in Chief and if he decided to "open the mall" than so be it.  All monuments and parks were closed because they could not be adequately staffed.  Should the WWII vets have been denied access?  No.  However I find it interesting that when the commander-in-chocolatey-chief makes a decision, some vets and tea baggers assume the right to violate the law (disobey direct orders).
The real travesty would have been if he had them arrested.  He didn't, did he?

Ruteger, I still love you because, my God, I just cannot get over your brilliant kind of loopy!

Ouick Karl, Nucky Nolan, whoever the hell you are today, you have been nothing more than Arte Johnson lately. And not even funny, stoned, Arte Johnson.

Defending closing the mall and the national parks as "presidential discretion" is a nifty piece of intellectual dishonesty. It costs money which supposedly the government doesn't have to close the mall, outside monuments and parks. It serves absolutely no legitimate purpose to close it, and is instead an obvious piece of political theater meant to goad and bedevil the citizenry, and then use the captive media to pass on the laughable claim that citizens should be mad at Congress for using armed guards to arrest them when they want to see their national monuments and walk in taxpayer-purchased and -maintained public space. It's indefensible - but be proud that you've mounted your kneejerk defense.

[NowhereInTime]

Defending closing the mall and the national parks as "presidential discretion" is a nifty piece of intellectual dishonesty. It costs money which supposedly the government doesn't have to close the mall, outside monuments and parks. It serves absolutely no legitimate purpose to close it, and is instead an obvious piece of political theater meant to goad and bedevil the citizenry, and then use the captive media to pass on the laughable claim that citizens should be mad at Congress for using armed guards to arrest them when they want to see their national monuments and walk in taxpayer-purchased and -maintained public space. It's indefensible - but be proud that you've mounted your kneejerk defense.

Sanctimony, parsed facts, sanctimony, insult.
At least no one can say you lack style.
"Intellectual Dishonesty" should be the title of your tea party friends' forced shutdown of the government in the first place.  Perhaps if they were intellectually honest they would operate our government and negotitate budget issues on an even playing field, rather than these never-ending scorched earth tactics. No, that wouldn't satisfy "the base" who demand blood.
But at least you were able to lob yet another cheap shot at me.  By the way, how many have been arrested so far?

[PB the Deplorable]

It's called Presidential discretion.  He is the Commander in Chief and if he decided to "open the mall" than so be it...

I don't know what to say without being insulting, but wow.

Commander-in-chief is just one of a Presidents roles.  It has nothing to do with administering the National Parks.

[West of the Rockies]

Obama using his descretion is clearly rankling some posters here.  As a lib, I can say I felt the same way about GWB's many, many signing statements wherein (using his discretion) he decided what parts of laws he intended to force and which he did not.  Of course, both sides have been making use of such statements for some time.  Nonetheless, consider this from Wikipedia:

A Congressional Research Service report issued on September 17, 2007,[7] uses as a metric the percentage of signing statements that contain "objections" to provisions of the bill being signed into law:
President Reagan issued 250 signing statements, 86 of which (34%) contained provisions objecting to one or more of the statutory provisions signed into law. President George H. W. Bush continued this practice, issuing 228 signing statements, 107 of which (47%) raised objections. President Clinton’s conception of presidential power proved to be largely consonant with that of the preceding two administrations. In turn, President Clinton made aggressive use of the signing statement, issuing 381 statements, 70 of which (18%) raised constitutional or legal objections. President George W. Bush has continued this practice, issuing 152 signing statements, 118 of which (78%) contain some type of challenge or objection.[7]
In March 2009, the New York Times cited a different metric, the number of sections within bills that were challenged in signing statements:
"Mr. Bush ... broke all records, using signing statements to challenge about 1,200 sections of bills over his eight years in office, about twice the number challenged by all previous presidents combined, according to data compiled by Christopher Kelley, a political science professor at Miami University in Ohio."[8]
Legal significance[edit]

Politics are surely at play here, but the original point I think Onan made still stands:  why is that reductions in VA healthcare benefits produces a mousefart in comparison to Obama closing the Mall?

[Ruteger]

Amazing how the intellectually dishonest libds will defend this fraud in the white house. Hey libs, why is your messiah sending arms to Al Qaeda rebels in Syria (that have beheaded women and children) while at the same time doing his best to disarm law-abiding gun owners in America? Did HUSSEIN obama restrict magazine capacity for the Al Qaeda rebels in Syria? You are all truly useful idiots.

[NowhereInTime]

I don't know what to say without being insulting, but wow.

Commander-in-chief is just one of a Presidents roles.  It has nothing to do with administering the National Parks.

Guy-who-stands-in-tuxedo-at-State-Dinners is another of his roles.  This, too, has nothing to do with National Parks. 
Perhaps we should identify him as Ranger in Chief?  What's your point, now, that he doesn't have a Constitutionally mandated role in Parks Adminstration?
The c-in-c was a set up questioning why vets would disobey the President.  Still awaiting that response.
You still think of the Presidency as a few worlds scrawled in the Constitution.  Clearly that office has moved well beyond any attempts to limit it; as a nation we crave Kennedys not Hoovers.

[Quick Karl]

I'll try to keep this simple for you.

Anyone who isn't outraged over the vets, is, pure and simple, a scumbag (Obama could have solved that with a swipe of his pen).

However, anyone who isn't even more outraged that Obama "closed the Mall", but made the explicit exception to open it to non-Americans demanding amnesty (Obama DID that with a swipe of his pen), is a stupid scumbag.

Clear enough?

No offense.

...why is that reductions in VA healthcare benefits produces a mousefart in comparison to Obama closing the Mall?

[NowhereInTime]

Amazing how the intellectually dishonest libds will defend this fraud in the white house. Hey libs, why is your messiah sending arms to Al Qaeda rebels in Syria (that have beheaded women and children) while at the same time doing his best to disarm law-abiding gun owners in America? Did HUSSEIN obama restrict magazine capacity for the Al Qaeda rebels in Syria? You are all truly useful idiots.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for delivering this fool!  I cannot stop laughing! Lord, help me I might collapse a lung!

[NowhereInTime]

I'll try to keep this simple for you.

Anyone who isn't outraged over the vets, is, pure and simple, a scumbag.

However, anyone who isn't even more outraged that Obama "closed the Mall", but made the explicit exception to open it to non-Americans demanding amnesty, is a stupid scumbag.

Clear enough?

No offense.

Thank you Captain Tedium for another of your conservative classic "If, then" arguments.  Your mastery of 7th grade playground debate intimidates and overwhelms me.  I shall now go prostrate myself in shame.

No offense.

[RealCool Daddio]

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for delivering this fool!  I cannot stop laughing! Lord, help me I might collapse a lung!

Say what you want about Ruteger, but at least he drives a domestic:

[attachimg=1]

[Quick Karl]

Is that really the best you could come up with?

What a disappointment.

Thank you Captain Tedium for another of your conservative classic "If, then" arguments.  Your mastery of 7th grade playground debate intimidates and overwhelms me.  I shall now go prostrate myself in shame.

No offense.