Original RI quotes only

[Maddy]

It may be that struggling together as free men and women with heart and vision working towards the goals of peace and justice IS the only way to BE free, liberated from the tyranny of evil brutality and despotism that lies in the wretched dark-minds and bitter souls of those infected by the rage and lusts of poisonous hungers.

I think this is beautiful and contains true hope.

[Perelandra]

There seems a prevailing consensus that a concession of uncertainty is a sign of soft-headedness, or even indicative of complicity in disinformation and cover-up. At the risk of being tagged a disinfo artist, I don't think so. When I'm unsure of something - and I'm unsure of a lot of things - I like a nice maybe or perhaps. In fact, I think an admission that one might be wrong should be the price of serious appraisal. Not only am I disinclined to heed those who claim to have solved the puzzles of our time's hidden riddles, but I'm likely to red-flag them with suspicion. And the same should go for me if I ever say, unreservedly, This is the way things are.

— Jeff Wells

[Allegro]

I guess that's why I always loved benediction. The priest would start swinging the frankincense around and it was even better then mimeograph paper. Mmm....

~ DoYouEverWonder

[Jeff]

It is a worldwide shitshow.

[Maddy]

Thing is, I'd swear in the last year, someone's turned the stupid knob up to 11.

[Perelandra]

Yes, the world is awash in gauche ignorance, passive banality, and poor fashion sense, but go ahead and lend your profound aire of convival and distinguished grace to those around you of less conceptual fortune. I mean, it's almost Valentines Day! So have a heart.

- barracuda

[Allegro]

Socks is one of those things like cushy toilet paper or real vanilla extract that I think it's worth spending the extra money on. Get good socks.

[Allegro]

Those damn cameras, the internet, independent reporters, human rights activists, dissidents, war crimes prosecutions -- what's a poor rogue terrorist state to do? You can't even rob or torture or kill people in privacy anymore, or depend on a monopolized media to transmute your shit into gold anymore, and suppress damning evidence when you need them to.

Now everyone can see what used to be hidden behind all the spin and myth: a bunch of dumb, vicious thugs. It's all so bewildering. It didn't used to be that way.

[Allegro]

Our trouble is that the relevance of the National inSecurity State depends on its ability to maintain markets for ‘transitional’ objects. Even though each of us, ipso facto, already has a ‘real’ life, we are encouraged to dream about it being more real with a new car, academic standing or some righteous political (or spiritual) stance.

Our ‘cure’ is the disease.

[Peregrine]

nathan28

I'm all out of "OMFG 4 REAL" bombs today.

[Gouda]

Daschle, what a fucking submissive. They anthraxed your offices, you stupid goon.

~ JackRiddler

On ex-Senator Tom Daschle blithely joining up with spooky Permanent Government reps in a domestic war gaming club.

[nathan28]

Thanks, looking forward to next year's stirring Oscar winner about the soldier with a heart of gold who gets caught up in the US war on the Columbian terrorist threat, a Narco-Taliban syndicate who are importing Nigerian weapons to destabilize South America. Their leaders smokes cigars and leers at women, and our hero's small town ethics clash with his sadistic superior officer who abuses his power but recieves a graphic comeuppance at the end.

Yeah, I love watching that move. No matter what They call it.

[streeb]

Norton Ash said

Laddishness infects the entry-level circles of journalism and politics. You need to be a wilfully-ignorant lad or ladette to work there these days. Or play that role with deep-cover dedication, and don't let the booze loosen your tongue.

[Allegro]

11,000 economists vote, and in this case they certainly know whereof they speak, but it's still on a blog. Meanwhile, Summers is at the White House, a mini-Rubin's at the Treasury, and Greenspan's spiritual successor runs the Fed. Brooksley Born and Harry Markopolos and Elizabeth Warren are far from the offices they deserve.

[nathan28]

It may be appropo to refer to this creature as a "serial" killer whale. We often refer to the great intelligence and empathy of the Orcinus family. Some speculate that they may be the closest creatures to man in terms of sheer brain power. Like us, they are apex predators at the top of the food chain, and like us, these particular animals are captives in a zoo. I would say the behaviour of Tilikum and his friends prove just how closely they are analgously motivated to act in retribution when the opportunity presents itself, or when instinct can no longer be overcome by trained obedience.