warpedskydiver

It would certainly be efficient Hey here is a thought: What would the world be like if the US let it's citizens conduct terrorist operations, unimpeded by our own government, laws, and even better yet if we armed them all, and gave them as much support as we could muster. hmmmmm?

I bet if they looked back far enough and reviewed the entire lifespan of the earth, the temperature chart would, if graphed look, like a sinusoidal wave

You mention that wea re fighting an asymetrical war currently. Would you be pleased if we pulled out all but maybe 10k SPEC OPS troops and waged symetrical warfare? Just think, then all the charges of the US using counterinsurgency tactics, like assassination, torture, mass murders, dismemberment, maiming, rape, killing the clergy, infanticide, bombings, sacking cities, could then be actually fair. Would you then be happy? Or are you satisfied that we actually have a professional army, willing to wear uniforms identifying ourselves, and subjecting our troops to the rules of warfare?

what no scones?...mmmmm the currant ones with the orange glaze

Still makes it anecdotal...going up against actual numbers. Your average cop isn't a brainiac...2 years in college is it here in Canada...would hardly call that well educated. I have also seen people with advanced degrees, that should really consider suing their Alma Mater for all the money spent on their education.

Lawmakers' Profits Are Scrutinized Hastert and Others Defend Land Gains By Jonathan Weisman Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, June 22, 2006; Page A01 House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) made a $2 million profit last year on the sale of land 5 1/2 miles from a highway project that he helped to finance with targeted federal funds. A Republican House member from California, meanwhile, received nearly double what he paid for a four-acre parcel near an Air Force base after securing $8 million for a planned freeway interchange 16 miles away. And another California GOP congressman obtained funding in last year's highway bill for street improvements near a planned residential and commercial development that he co-owns. Chronology of the Hastert Land Deal 2002: House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) purchases 195 acres for his home near Plano, Ill., for $2.125 million, or $10,865 per acre. Feb. 9, 2004: Little Rock Trust #225 is established, with trustee identified as Dallas C. Ingemunson, treasurer of Hastert's federal campaign committee and chairman of the Kendall County Republican Party. Feb. 17, 2004: Hastert purchases a quarter-share of a 69-acre parcel in Plano, Ill., for $340,000 through Little Rock Trust #225. May 2, 2005: Hastert transfers an additional 69 acres of land to Little Rock Trust #225 from the 195 acres purchased in 2002. The parcel was worth $748,598 when purchased. Aug. 10, 2005: President Bush signs into law a $286 billion transportation bill that includes $207 million for a "Prairie Parkway" to connect Interstate 80 and Interstate 88 in Kendall County, Ill. Dec. 7, 2005: Little Rock Trust #225 sells Hastert's parcels totaling 138 acres to RALC-Plano LLC, a subsidiary of the Robert Arthur Land Co., for $4.989 million, or $36,034 per acre. Hastert nets a $2.018 million profit. Robert Arthur Land Co. intends to build a 1,635-home residential and commercial development, 5.5 miles from the proposed Prairie Parkway. SOURCES: Sunlight Foundation, White House Politics Trivia How many U.S. first ladies have also been mothers of a president? 2 1 0 3 Who's Blogging? Read what bloggers are saying about this article. Tom's Irrelevant Musings Truthdig - Cartoons - Luckovich - Torture Legalese The Passionate Center (leaning to the Left) Full List of Blogs (52 links) » Most Blogged About Articles On washingtonpost.com | On the web Save & Share Tag This Article Saving options 1. Save to description: Headline (required) Subheadline Byline 2. Save to notes (255 character max): Subheadline Blurb None 3. Tag This Article In all three cases, Hastert and Reps. Ken Calvert and Gary Miller say that they were securing funds their home districts wanted badly, and that in no way did the earmarks have any impact on the land values of their investments. But for watchdog groups, the cases have opened a fresh avenue for investigation and a new wrinkle in the ongoing controversy over earmarks -- home-district projects funded through narrowly written legislative language. For more than a year, the congressional corruption scandal triggered by former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has focused attention on earmarks secured by lawmakers on lobbyists' and government contractors' behalf. Now watchdog groups are combing through lawmakers' land holdings and legislative activities, searching for earmarks that may have boosted the value of those investments. "The sound bites from politicians have always been that they're doing what's best for their districts, but we're starting to see a pattern that looks like they might be doing what's best for their pocketbooks," said Keith Ashdown, vice president of the group Taxpayers for Common Sense. The allegation that Hastert used a home-district "earmark" for his personal enrichment is now at the center of a tussle between the most powerful man in Congress and a new watchdog organization that uncovered the land deal this month. Hastert has strongly denied any wrongdoing and has demanded a retraction from the Sunlight Foundation, a new group that first made the allegation in a detailed report on its Web site last week. At issue is a series of events that left Hastert $2 million richer and his district well on its way to securing a highway that has been the subject of a dispute between pro-growth and slow-growth forces for years. The controversy has been extensively reported by the Illinois news media. In 2002, Hastert was driving to a parade in Sycamore, Ill., when he saw a post-and-beam house he fell in love with, according to Dallas C. Ingemunson, a longtime friend and ally of Hastert's who made the land deals for the speaker. Hastert struck a deal with the owner on the spot, purchasing the house near Plano, Ill., and 195 acres for $2.1 million. In February 2004, Ingemunson, treasurer of Hastert's campaign committee and chairman of the Kendall County Republican Party, established Little Rock Trust #225. A week later, through the trust, Hastert and his business partners purchased a 69-acre parcel for $340,000, providing road access to part of Hastert's farm that had been landlocked. Hastert owned a quarter of that parcel. In May 2005, Hastert transferred the 69 acres of previously hemmed-in land from his farm to the land trust. That summer, Hastert personally intervened during House and Senate negotiations over a huge transportation and infrastructure bill to secure two separate earmarks, $152 million to help build the Prairie Parkway through Kendall County and $55 million for an interchange 5 1/2 miles from his property. President Bush signed the bill into law on Aug. 10. Then, on Dec. 7, Little Rock Trust #225 sold the Hastert parcels to a subsidiary of the Robert Arthur Land Co. for nearly $5 million. The deal netted Hastert a $2 million profit. Arthur C. Zwemke, a Robert Arthur partner whose company plans to build a 1,635-home residential and commercial development on the site, scoffed at assertions that the Prairie Parkway had boosted the value of Hastert's land. The price for the land had been locked up in 2004 by land speculator Ron March, who then ceded the project to Robert Arthur Land, he said. The price, he added, could not have risen with the news of the Prairie Parkway funding. Besides, the parkway is still years from construction, he noted, and land prices are soaring as Chicago's sprawl moves ever westward. Quote Ok do the math: he had $85000 paid in as his quarter of the share in the original parcel. then he puts in another $748,598 in a 69 acre parcel to that property. 748,598(plus appreciation)+85,000=$835,000 so they sell the property for $4.98million he gets 2 million in profit and they are crying foul? I don't know what planet anyone is from, but I can tell you that land is rapidly increasing in value in that area, and the entire chicagoland and surrounding areas is still in a housing boom. Has anyone not noticed the HUGE houses being built 75 miles from chicago in all directions?

Tabby Vindaloo?

Ok fair enough

Anyone else see the irony? No but I do see you placing blame where none belongs as usual.

Bill it was you that just inferred that, if a country sent a contingent, for specified period of time, then how could anyone at all consider that cut and run. BTW thanks for trying to misinterpret what was actually said. oh and for the qwerty army slam? I wonder when the last time was that you served your country Bill? I did my share thanks! I would also like to point out that I would go back if I wasn't considered 50% disabled and therefore prevented from doing so. (those of you that know me IRL know this for a fact.) That does not keep me from helping out in whatever manner I can.

When I say the US I mean and it's allies that have not cut and run and of course that means the UK.

which Iraqis? and how do you think they will win? Like I said I am in favor of them providing their own security and us leaving. How does that not equal the Iraqis winning?

I've heard of these sudden conversions to virginity before. Doris Day ('50s film star) is a well known example. John, did you do her too?

Had a girl search all of Europe to find me, after we met in Crete.

I hope that was sarcasm. I don't have a problem with killing, but animals should never suffer. A kid in my neighborhood burned a cat to death once, I think he still may have problem from the head trauma he incurred afterwards. (he got Pine on his scalp)

the victorius sides gets what they want, peace or the ability to have a shithole to launch operations from.

Bring Lube!!! geez see what happens? Women wonder "what did he really mean?" Of course he wants you!!! DOH!!!!

I am a failed catholic.

I see 2 people so far voted for the Insurgents, but yet failed to explain why. I guess some people say shit without having any clue as to why they think that way. Any guesses as to who the two were? I have an Idea who one was.

yeah issued rifles needed a bit of work on the wetstone and a turn cut from the trigger return spring at the least.

hehehe

I agree but you have to admit there is a reason to have a M14 or FAL around in a patrol. no spray and pray, just one shot, one kill.

Leaving shell casings lying around

I hope your doggy is well soon.

Did they try enzymes? I had a friend who's old Vet(75yrs old) tried that and it helped dissolve it better.