Alabama - Pride of the South and always eager to be an example of why a lack of progress isn't a good thing.

#13 | Posted by GOnoles92

The description of that vessel doesn't match the words used to describe it by the government. That boat looks like thousands in the Gulf of Mexico - just saying.

#2 | Posted by LampLighter

It's not training so much as the personality types... Just saying.

Honestly all this talk of deep fakes is serious business. I have been reading about the tech and listening to podcasts on if for a couple years now. It does not take much video or audio to fake someone either. Less all the time.

Think how easy that "Iranian Ship" taking off a "lippet mine" would be to fake.

For some reason it left out my reply to this...

That sounds more like somebody who's trying to kick up a scuffle without taking any hits themselves.

And there's only a few countries bordering the Gulf of Oman so it's not too hard to figure out who's likely behind this.

#27 | Posted by jpw

Just like the incident in May with 4 ships at anchor in the UAE waters waiting to use their port. Based on what I have witnessed recently they were probably not far from port. That didn't stir up enough conflict tensions though. I honestly wonder if it isn't meant to stir up just enough conflict to raise the price of oil.

#20 | Posted by Rightocenter

You don't bring a boat alongside and start sticking on mines .. or taking them off... like you are shopping at the supermarket.
#23 | Posted by J_Tremain

Did either of you see how high that undetonated "mine" was above the waterline?

It wasn't put on by a diver. No way no how.

It wasn't from floating on top of the water - it was 8-10' over the water line.

Also Limpet mines are simply magnetic contact mines as far as I know. I can't speak to all the forms that are out there.

That sounds more like somebody who's trying to kick up a scuffle without taking any hits themselves.

And there's only a few countries bordering the Gulf of Oman so it's not too hard to figure out who's likely behind this.

#27 | Posted by jpw

Even if the objects were flying - it doesn't rule out Iran. I agree those holes are well above the waterline and where you expect a normal mine strike. I would go so far as to say the attack was not meant to cause an ecological disaster or loss of life. That said think drones and Iran has those as well.

I am now reading conflicting reports on who said what from the crews. The experts should be able to determine the owner of the boat. The plane(s) should have been able to track it's path (on video) as well. The thing is photos and video today are so easily doctored by people with the right software it isn't funny. I trust none of the players in the area on this. That means - Iran, the US, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, et al. Everyone has reasons to do this and history. Given Trump is in charge and has been saber rattling over Iran it either plays into his idiocy or is a false flag to give him more ammo.

#12 | Posted by visitor_

Carter's Folly? It goes back much further than Carter. Who installed and propped up the Dictator they replaced?

As for a sheet of glass... What kind of moron thinks that is a good idea? They have been doing this same kind of thing for decades on and off. Those pallets of cash mainly went to Syria and Yemen and is why they still have a crap economy at home and people are more unhappy.

*fentanyl

#23 | Posted by 1947steamer

Don't kid yourself massive amounts are still smuggled in. Other things like Opiods make cartels more money and are bigger problems. It takes a lot of weed to be the equivalent of a kilo of fontanel or cocaine for that matter. But you still see the occasional big bust.

#4 | Posted by nullifidian

Soooo taxed at a similar rate to cigarettes?

I would like to see a Press Secretary that brings the position back to the level of respect it once had.

A Press Secretary who is not afraid to hold daily press briefings.
A Press Secretary that doesn't intentionally lie to the press.
A Press Secretary that does not spread doctored videos.
A Press Secretary that does not lie to cover up Pres Trump's bad words and actions.
A Press Secretary who will fight to keep her or his integrity.

I think even the Democrats would agree to that list.
#35 | Posted by LampLighter

I think everyone would LIKE to see that but given that this "president" only hires the best and most serious sycophants an booty lickers there is about the same chance of that happening as say Hell freezing over.

Frankly, if I had to put my integrity aside as she had to do so many times, I wouldn't look happy either.

Now she's just yet another tainted person leaving the Trump administration.

#5 | Posted by LampLighter

Would you take a job like that in the first place? I wouldn't. She went in know what she was in for. The pattern was already established.

Go back and read about the National Firearms Act of 1934. Amazing how many guns they banned and are still banned today or require special licenses to own - too bad they didn't include handguns as intended. Not sure why they ever let the 1994 Assault Weapon ban sunset for that matter. Was it just to get it through congress?

#15 | Posted by donnerboy

At that time it may actually have been the best defense of the country but that is no longer true.

"In January, St. Louis owned the worst record in the league."

At the beginning of the season they were one of my favorites to win the cup but they were in inexplicably HORRENDOUS for a while. They gelled and I honestly figured it would be St Louis vs Boston at the beginning of the playoffs. I honestly was rooting for the Blues. But after the first couple rounds of the playoffs - who knew what would happen?

I'm glad they won. They are a really good team in a league that has incredible parity these days. It only takes a couple injuries to put teams in a tail spin anymore it seems.

Yes - the world we live in is full of the super powerful computing and camera devices that we carry and also use as phones. Virtually everyone has one. However it wouldn't help in cases like 101's.

#16 | Posted by iragoldberg

You have that one flipped.

#12 | Posted by ChiefTutMoses

It is POSSIBLE that Laffer was correct but I don't think we have ever witnessed it. Remember in the past century the highest tax rate on the top bracket in this country was 94% in 1944-1945. Also keep in mind that it remained above 70% through the 60s into the 70s. Dropping it did not increase revenue. That top rate was applied to people making well over a million dollars a year in income through out that period.

Not to mention the Reagan era tax cuts not only dropped the rates it eliminated the highest level that applied to the .1%er incomes. So you didn't have to make over a well over million dollars a year in current dollars until you hit the top bracket but a mere 67k. All those Reagan era cuts were why the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and 1993 passed and jacked taxes back up - primarily on the wealthy. We learned nothing.

These taxes were put in place for good reason. If you are making a million dollars a year and on everything over that paying a 70% tax - just being honest it isn't "hurting" you. This is what kept things like CEO Salaries, runaway corporate profits and even actor and athlete salaries at least partially in check as well.

Anyone ever notice we didn't pay for our ongoing war on terror by jacking up taxes (particularly on the ultra rich) like we always did in the past?

#6 | Posted by willsburrow

Привет, Бро, как сегодня борщ?

#16 | Posted by nullifidian

More likely it is just a result of factory farming combined with trade period.

Has nothing to do with Globalization, Open Borders, Free Trade. My God man - this is CHINA and there is no such thing in China. You need to get a pill for all your phobias.

#9 | Posted by cbob

Only in 2 of 4 cited cases. I haven't been to a resort with an in room minibar in the Dominican that I remember.

The other 2 - could be a lot of things. "Natural causes" is utter BS for the Bahia Principe La Romana - you don't have 2 people together die at the same time from the same "natural causes" - pulmonary edema specifically. Not to mention another person just prior again with pulmonary edema at the same resort. That could be spiked drinks or it could be use of a pesticide in a manner not approved of and dangerous. I guess it could be other things too but I would lean toward one of those 2. The Bahia Principe is not in an area I have stayed in either. I like Punta Cana - great beaches and weather.

The Hard Rock is near where I usually stay. It's a nice place. And don't knock the Hard Rock. Overseas they get a lot of young people in the Hard Rock Cafes and they are HARD rock. Just was at one with friends in Lisbon - we met people we know in Europe for a coordinated vacation. It was the young people that wanted to go there and it was mostly young people in it. As for the poisoning at the Resort - and yes that HAS to be a poisoning. Just wow - shocking.

We have been going to these all inclusive resorts for years. As outlined though - millions of visitors annually and a few cases surfaced. How many homicides happen in a relatively Safe city of that size annually? When things happen resorts do seek to sweep them under the carpet as much as possible and so do the local officials and I dare say national officials as well. No place is 100% safe. You don't know who the other guests are or the staff. Not to mention other locals. I usually stay on resort except for excursions - frankly because it is easier and these vacations for me are to relax. When I do go somewhere my radar is usually up. Frankly I love Puerto Vallarta and Punta Cana. PV for the fact I feel safe venturing off resort and going around town - not to mention some of the fun stuff there. PC - simply has magnificent beaches and it is not too pricey yet.

And the Red Sox are flying him back to Boston for treatment - apparently he has organ damage. Yes I know that's sort of a "no kidding" observation for a gunshot to the back.

I read an article this morning with a mug shot and several other photos of the guy left behind as he was surrounded by a mob. HE is lucky to be alive. Must have 100+ stitches just holding his face together. Not sure what they are getting out of him at this point. Police are looking at a suspected contract hit that piece said.

#3 | Posted by SheepleSchism

Your loss - been there several times. Great people in general.

Bahamas - yaaaa. I follow you but I would still go there.