Robert Oswald on Secret Service conspiracy suspicions (originally posted by James Richards on John Simkin's forum)Talking Geek With A Gynecologist
Well, I had my annual tech talk/gynecological exam today and everything is about where it belongs--that is, everything on/in my body--except everything is a bit more south this year than it was last year. The passing of time has the tendency to do that. It always amazes me that I have my longest and most interesting geek conversations with my GYN. He is trying to convince me to build my own computer--he built his a couple of years ago--and I truly think he would be disappointed if I go back next year and haven't done it. Something for me to think about, for sure.
Only a day plus a few hours and K and I will be at the hospital for his kidney biopsy. I hope they get to him on time--which will be 8:30 am--so that there will be no reason for him to stay overnight. He has never been in the hospital, so I don't think he would be too happy about staying. Besides, it is always better to be in your own bed whenever possible.
The snow just keeps right on a-coming here. We are under a snow and blowing snow advisory right now. There are predictions of up to 8 more inches through tomorrow. I hope it stops because K is already worried about what will happen if he can't take care of the driveway. Things should start slowing down by Friday, however.
I STILL haven't gotten much further with my decorating. It just seems to be such a chore--especially with all I have on my mind. I'm pretty sure I will be done by the weekend, though.
And, finally, for those who haven't heard: Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn have broken up. Can we all say a collective "Who gives a damn!"? I can't believe this made headlines!
Only a day plus a few hours and K and I will be at the hospital for his kidney biopsy. I hope they get to him on time--which will be 8:30 am--so that there will be no reason for him to stay overnight. He has never been in the hospital, so I don't think he would be too happy about staying. Besides, it is always better to be in your own bed whenever possible.
The snow just keeps right on a-coming here. We are under a snow and blowing snow advisory right now. There are predictions of up to 8 more inches through tomorrow. I hope it stops because K is already worried about what will happen if he can't take care of the driveway. Things should start slowing down by Friday, however.
I STILL haven't gotten much further with my decorating. It just seems to be such a chore--especially with all I have on my mind. I'm pretty sure I will be done by the weekend, though.
And, finally, for those who haven't heard: Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn have broken up. Can we all say a collective "Who gives a damn!"? I can't believe this made headlines!
Iraq Study Group report released today
"Very early on, the notion of achieving some sort of victory didn't take," said Chas W. Freeman Jr., a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "So if victory is not possible and not feasible, even if you could define it, then what you're left with is to find some way to mitigate defeat."
That about sums it up. Meanwhile:
The harsh truth is that the West, led by the U.S., has been defeated in Afghanistan. It is only a matter time - probably three to five more bloody years—before international troops are forced to leave and a new government, or several governments, or a civil war takes hold.
"Very early on, the notion of achieving some sort of victory didn't take," said Chas W. Freeman Jr., a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "So if victory is not possible and not feasible, even if you could define it, then what you're left with is to find some way to mitigate defeat."
That about sums it up. Meanwhile:
The harsh truth is that the West, led by the U.S., has been defeated in Afghanistan. It is only a matter time - probably three to five more bloody years—before international troops are forced to leave and a new government, or several governments, or a civil war takes hold.
"Polonium" Restaurant Capitalizes on Ex-KGB Spy Case
The owners of a restaurant in northern England are having their hands full these days, unexpectedly capitalizing on the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
The reason for the rising popularity of the establishment in Sheffield is in its name - "The Polonium Restaurant".
Ever since word broke that the former Russian spy was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210, the place has been fully packed.
The Polish owner say the place was not named after the radioactive stuff, but a Polish folk band he played in some 30 years ago.
The notorious name, however, is paying off for the restaurant with business up as much as 30 %.
AVI BioPharma Awarded $28M Biodefense Research Contract
PORTLAND, Or -- AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII), has executed a two-year $28 million research contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of Fort Belvoir, Va., an agency of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The contract will fund AVI’s development of antisense therapeutics to treat the effects of Ebola, Marburg and Junin hemorrhagic viruses, which are seen as biological warfare and bioterrorism agents.
Jose Padilla, an American citizen, was held for over three years without any charges against him. Finally, on November 22, 2005 he was indicted. The evidence against him has never been tested in court. It is unclear when or if there will be a trial.Padilla's lawyers claim that his mistreatment has included "isolation; sleep and sensory depravation; hoodings; stress positions; exposure to noxious fumes; exposure to temperature extremes; threats of imminent execution; assaults; the forced administration of mind-altering substances; denial of religious practices; manipulation of diet; and other forms of mistreatment."
