Cheers and Jeers: Tuesday

From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...

A damn good question...

I would like to ask Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to please help my family understand why my son, Pfc. Matthew Deister of the Maine Army National Guard's 172nd Mountain Co., has to pay for basic services while in Iraq and Kuwait.

Matthew has been deployed for 18 months and left home Feb. 1 with his unit.
Matthew and our family understand the reason for the deployment, as he enlisted during this war.  But I, his father, can't understand why we are charging our soldiers for Internet and telephone services, food and even haircuts!

Did we not ask these fine men and women to go? And yet, we continue to charge them for simple services that should be provided at no cost.

Matthew has to pay $5 per hour for Internet service. Anyone who knows about the pay structure of the service can understand why this is such an outrage.  Matthew makes Pfc. wages while overseas.

If you deduct what he pays for the Internet, telephone and haircuts, you can see the reason I am very angry right now. I have never been so angry about any situation. We require them to go overseas and yet continue to allow people to profit off their needs.

Richard Deister
Buxton, Maine
Maine Sunday Telegram

I called Richard last night to thank him for speaking up.  He's a nice guy---really nice guy---who is concerned not only about his son's situation, but about all the members of the 172nd Mountain Co. and their ability to pay for basic services that the Pentagon should be picking up on their behalf.  For me, charging for internet access is the last straw.

Can you spare 5 bucks for one hour of internet service for the 172nd?  If yes, email me at [e-mail] and I'll tell you where to send it.  Sorry I don't have a fancy PayPal account or high-tech credit card processing technology.  This is an old-fashioned grassroots effort, born out of pride in our troops...and anger at our leaders who aren't supporting them unconditionally.  We'll accept a 5-dollar bill, 5-dollar check, 5-dollar money order or 500 pennies in a coffee can.  In return, Pfc. Matthew Deister and his company get to log on and connect to their family, friends and country for an extra hour or two without being forced to pay for it.  I'll start by donating 10 hours worth.

Cheers and Jeers starts in There's Moreville... [Swoosh!!]  RIGHTNOW!  [Gong!!]

Cheers and Jeers for Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Note:  "This blog goes to 11."

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By the Numbers:
Days `til "Tax Day": 18
Days `til the Bar Harbor Warblers and Wildflowers festival: 58
Amount raised from the auction of Duke Cunningham's stuff: $94,625
Ratio of lawyers to citizens in the U.S.: 1:274
Ratio of lawyers to citizens in China: 1:12,745
Ratio of lawyers to residents of Washington, D.C.: 1:14
(Source: Parade magazine)

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Your Puppy Pic of the Day:  Rick Santorum warned us this sort of thing would happen if we weren't careful.  And we laughed at him.  Will he ever...trust us...again??

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CHEERS to my first heart attack.  Pop a nitroglycerin tablet under your tongue before you read this.  A Democratic lawmaker's suggestion actually got the green light yesterday:

The Senate Judiciary Committee adopted an amendment by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., that would protect church and charitable groups, as well as individuals, from criminal prosecution for providing food, shelter, medical care and counseling to undocumented immigrants.

Wow.  It's been so long since I've seen actual bipartisanship that all I can do is waggle my arms and make happy gurgling baby sounds.  It feels so right.

CHEERS to my second heart attack.  I can't believe I'm writing this: While I get to post my drivel on the front page, a former President of the United States only gets a diary.  I shouldn't chuckle, but I can't help...  Ow!  Dude knows how to flick peas peanuts.  (Mr. President, you're gonna fit right in here---pick yerself a beanbag chair and let gravity do the rest.)

CHEERS to the sanctity of the First Amendment.  The FEC says that bloggers can continue business as usual without interference, thus solidifying the power of our medium to kick lying, knuckledragging Republican wingnuts in the pants.  Good thing...I hear DailyKos withdrawal symptoms are wicked painful.

JEERS to Slowdraw McGraw.  While perusing the C&J archives from a year ago, we found this little tidbit that says a lot about 43 vs. 42:

Number of days it took for Bill Clinton to comment on the Columbine school shooting: 1

Number of days it took for George W. Bush to comment on the Red Lake school shooting: 5

Coincidentally, those numbers represent their standing in the "Rank the Last Five U.S. Presidents" poll.

CHEERS to Ike.  We're surprised that Dwight Eisenhower hasn't been branded a traitor yet by the right-wingers because he had the audacity to expand Social Security and raise the minimum wage.  He died on this date in 1969.  Pay your respects here.  And give him extra points for knowing how to win a war.

JEERS to God's priorities.  In this week's Parade magazine, a reader asked what kind of miracle Rev. Pat Robertson would pray for.  An end to hunger?  No more poverty?  Peace on Earth?  An AIDS vaccine, perhaps?  Um...no:

"I have prayed that somehow, thanks to the goodness of the Lord, we would have a change in the composition of the Supreme Court," Robertson, 76, tells us.  "We've had two new justices already, and I'm sure one more is coming.  That's miracle enough for me."

And God hasn't called this hack home for a good asswhuppin' yet because...???

CHEERS to precious moments.  Yesterday at 4:15pm we officially put our snow shovels and barrels of ice-melting pellets in storage and broke out our thongs.  Also at 4:15, the neighbors began their ceremonial Lowering of the Blinds.

CHEERS to the United States Senate.  Wow...they finally stood up and censured the President for overstepping his authority.  Sure, the move is a symbolic "slap on the wrist," but he needed to get it.  So mark this date in your history books, kids: March 28, 2006 1834.  The day George W. Bush Andrew Jackson got dissed  Maybe we can do it again some day.

CHEERS to shiny little Frisbees.  On the DVD release schedule today:  King Kong, Memoirs of a Geisha and, our choice, Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid.  No, but we can count the days `til he leaves office.

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One Year Ago in C&J: March 28, 2005:  Sporty sports...

CHEERS to court action that has nothing to do with removing feeding tubes.  Weekend results in NCAA Basketball: The Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tarheels make it to the Final Four, along with Illinois and Louisville.  Is it me, or is Tarheels a really crummy name for a team that relies on fancy footwork?

CHEERS to chicks with sticks.  Annika Sorenstam wins her 5th-straight LPGA tournament, tying the record set by Nancy "Jennifer" Lopez in 1978.  Tiger who??

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And just one more...

JEERS to putting your ass on the line.  Um...I know I just asked for money on the front page.  But trust me, this soldier really needs to up-armor his ride.  And toss in a bag of oats if you can.

Floor's open...what are you cheering and jeering about today?

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Today's Shameless Testimonial:

"It'll grow. There's still a substantial unsatisfied demand, both in the U.S. and abroad, for Cheers and Jeers."
---Eugene Christensen
Christensen Capital Advisors

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•  Going twice

  The question on the floor is-

  Do we need 'C&J' and 'Cheers and Jeers' tags?

  If you review yesterday's post you will find that responses are running about 13 in favor of 'Cheers and Jeers' to 2 in favor of 'We need both'.

  In the spirit of highly unscientific polls I'll ask you to vote by recommending (or commenting on) the following comments.

  • Only 'C&J'
  • Only 'Cheers and Jeers'
  • We need both

  If you want to review the source material look here.  Also, I'm not talking about changing the monthly organization, just the duplication.

  I await your verdict.

  by ek hornbeck on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:35:48 AM PDT

  •  Only C&J n/t

    by ek hornbeck on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:36:25 AM PDT

  •  Only Cheers and Jeers n/t

    by ek hornbeck on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:37:02 AM PDT

  •  We need both n/t

    by ek hornbeck on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:37:31 AM PDT

    •  Cheers to Cheers & Jeers

      C&J brings no tears
      Whichever one
      you think is fun
      May they last for years & years!

      by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:04:08 AM PDT

    •  ek speaks for me!

      by John West on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:25:53 AM PDT

      •  Me too!

        Also!

        by Nonie3234 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 07:22:54 AM PDT

  •  Dudes

    Andrew Card just resigned.

    by paraphrase on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:57:07 AM PDT

    •  Announcement coming at 8:30

      by paraphrase on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:00:34 AM PDT

      •  One down

        several dozen to go...wonder how many will be able to scuttle down to the wharf before the last gurgling bubbles of the good ship Contract with America pop on the oily surface of the now-calm, safe harbor?

        by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:06:01 AM PDT

    •  Wow! Big news! Do you think

      Cheney and Rove will go with him?  Then, maybe Bush will realize it's his turn too.  George, c'mon--you know the low approval ratings aren't because of poor staff perfromance, they're because of YOU!  

      by eej on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:04:33 AM PDT

      •  And Bush? Maybe, like

        BUSH will go, too!

        Okay, maybe not so much.

        And how about that "outsider" that's replacing him, the "new blood":  Josh Bolten.

        Hee.  These guys really know how to shake things up, huh?

        by Marc in KS on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:34:31 AM PDT

    •  Only to be replaced by

      another Bushbot, crook-enabling drone...

      As for Card, I'd be surprised if he didn't become a lobbyist.

      by Newsie8200 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:10:36 AM PDT

      •  I'm hoping for

        a Claude Allen type revelation in a few weeks.

        by paraphrase on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:20:56 AM PDT

      •  The replacement is usually worse.

        n/t

        by sagra on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:16:11 AM PDT

        •  Yup...

          If only because he's fresher and is under the illusion that he can do a better job.

          DFooK

          by deepfish on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:24:25 AM PDT

    •  Haha

      I didn't fire him. No need to rate me.

      by paraphrase on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:12:10 AM PDT

      •  it's the opposite

        of shooting the messenger...

        by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:19:33 AM PDT

    •  Cheers to the backside of Card

      You see - that wasn't hard!
      But, before the rest
      Can leave the nest
      They ought to be feathered and tarred!

      by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:16:40 AM PDT

      •  Heh

        You're very quick with these. Nice one.

        by Stranger in a strange land on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:27:03 AM PDT

        •  I never write right on the spot

          My wad would soon be shot!
          No, I take my time
          And plan each rhyme
          For weeks - but, Thanks a lot!

          by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:40:01 AM PDT

          •  Condoleaser: are you a teaser? (Just kidding)

            I too do not write right on the spot
            People would take me for a wavering sot
            But wouldn't it be nice if Laura swirched jobs with the President
            So my messages wouldn't sound so harsh and so strident

            by Jonathanfast on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:48:37 AM PDT

      •  Andy's limerick

        There once was a douchebag named Card;
        Got fired for working too hard.
        He covered up much,
        Like treason and such.
        He is no longer held in regard.

        by Cream Puff on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 07:13:30 AM PDT

        •  Writin' limericks isn't so hard

          You just need to be on your guard
          For stuff you can use
          Such as this-here news:
          "Resignation of Andy Card!"

          by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 07:25:00 AM PDT

          •  Nice

            but the stress is off in "ResiGNAtion".  I wanted to use "Because he worked for a retard" in mine but it didn't work because the stress is on the "RE".

            Still, you're way faster than me.

            by Cream Puff on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 07:30:38 AM PDT

            •  Cream Puff thinks the stress

              Is off! Oh, what a mess!
              I tried to compose
              Some awesome non-prose
              But was tripped up by a bunch of bad duress.

               I guess.

              by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 08:08:28 AM PDT

              •  OK, now you're way off.

                Condoleaser's non-prose
                From ashes arose.
                He/she had a flair for the silly.
                But errors were chronic
                And quite cacophonic
                When flair was applied willy-nilly.

                by Cream Puff on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 08:54:53 AM PDT

    •  Remember that 'elder statesman'

      Remember how Bush got questioned  about bringing in somebody  with new credibility  at his recent press conference/hissy fit? The "Elder Stateman" that would polish the turd that is the Bush Administration? Think Card is leaving to make room?

      by Alan in Phoenix on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:21:58 AM PDT

      •  We'll know if Jim Baker shows up. n/t

        by Pandora on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:38:10 AM PDT

    •  A second plane hit the second tower.

      

      It's on. Just sit tight and wait for further instructions.

      by Scarce on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:34:23 AM PDT

    •  All the President's weasels (well....some)

      

      by Scarce on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:50:15 AM PDT

      •  I just need to say it........

        that's the slimiest group of guys I've ever seen....making my skin crawl!!!!

        by bluestateonian on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:07:10 AM PDT

      •  Further comment by Rove:

        But before they can arrest me, I'll make a deal with the prosecutor, turn state's evidence, and give up everybody else in the White House (especially that Cheney guy).

        What a pal....

        by SueDe on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:43:24 AM PDT

    •  Card's from Massachusetts

      My mom put it best this morning when she said she hoped he didn't come back here.

      by klamothe on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:19:07 AM PDT

    •  Indictment?

      So, I wonder when his indictment will be coming down.  It seems the "spend more time with family" announcement is generally followed by an indictment when you leave this administration, excepting Colin Powell, of course.  He gets to sit in the corner and think about what he's done.

      by Pennsylvanian on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 07:07:17 AM PDT

      •  And I hope he feels

        deep, deep shame.

        by Marc in KS on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 07:08:39 AM PDT

  •  I'll stump for the likely unpopular position ...

    ... In years of using computers and text indexes, I have come to the conclusion that the best policy is to not use abbreviations.  I now write out all but the most standard abbreviations (e.g.:  i.e., Mr., Mrs., etc.).  This ensures that text searches find every instance of a word.  I have full-text search on my computer (Spotlight is built into Apple's OS "Tiger") and use it regularly.  I might also mention Circus Ponies "NoteBook" which I use every day and which also has sophisticated text searching.  And Quicken, which remembers each transaction and fills in the payee as one types, functions best when no names are abbreviated.

    In sum, in my experience abbreviations are almost always non-standardized, and should be avoided in a good text archiving and retrieval system.  The benefit of standardized spelling far outweighs the gain of a few keystrokes.

    Thanks for you work on the tags.  I've been correcting a few as I go along.

    by Yellow Canary on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:21:29 AM PDT

    •  I agree

      because I just hate typing ampersands.

      by yellowdog on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:14:40 AM PDT

  •  Ah, a concensus!

    by John West on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:23:56 AM PDT

  •  I like 'em all.

    I voted for all three.

    DFooK
    (obviously and obliviously missing the point)

    by deepfish on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:23:08 AM PDT

    •  Um

      Me, too.  The recommend finger is faster than the mind, which is strangely indifferent.

      by RunawayRose on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:23:09 PM PDT

•  cheers

  to much needed rain

  jeers to having a long drive in said rain.

  by Love and Death on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:39:23 AM PDT

•  Santorum on Imus

  Imus asked him if his charity only gets 40% of money raised.  Ricky admitted that he was told that 45% of the money actually went to charity.

  I'm waiting for Imus to slam him on it...but he doesn't.

  Ricky went off on a tangent where he described the charity I think 55% cost is rather high for administrative costs, Ricky is a dumb shit.

  by lalo456987 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:40:33 AM PDT

  •  OOps...Imus

    just said it ought to be more than 45%.

    Ricky is going on about how he doesn't raise money and he doesn't care about how much is going to charity.

    Imus said Ricky ought to find out why, Ricky is saying he hired people to do it.  Ricky said there are a lot of great people, and he just pats folks on the back about their good work.

    Imus said he's still voting for Santorum if he were to live in PA.

    oy

    by lalo456987 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:45:23 AM PDT

    •  Imus editorializing

      after Ricky went off the air.

      Imus talking about admin and fundraising costs for his charities.

      USA Today chart about charities: 50 cents to spend a dollar.

      Imus said: 45% going to Rick's charity is not enough.  Ricky has an obligation to find out what is going on.  Ricky's claim that he hires people to do it is "weak".

      But, Imus still supporting him.

      Imus again saying Ricky has an obligation to know who is giving money to the charity.

      by lalo456987 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:04:47 AM PDT

      •  Imus = Asshat [n/t]

        by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:07:25 AM PDT

        •  Santorum

          = santorum

          by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:24:26 AM PDT

  •  Email C&L and see if they can

    get an audio of it.

    by Newsie8200 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:12:38 AM PDT

    •  email sent

      to crooks and liars.

      Thanks!

      by lalo456987 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 08:15:14 AM PDT

  •  When I worked

    at a telemarketing fundraiser, the charity only got 35% (yes, this was in PA, too), so I'm minorly impressed that Santorum's charity gets 45%. However, I'm the one who quit that job because I realized that the charity only got 35%.

    by triciawyse on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 09:10:01 AM PDT

  •  That's because

    his "charity" pays his campaign staff, his campaign office, his Starbucks coffee habit and lots of other mundane daily expenses the rest of us normal folks must pay ourselves.  Tricky Ricky believes charity begins at home. And the campaign office.

    by PAprogressive on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 02:30:44 PM PDT

•  42 Cheers and Major Jeer

  Cheers to Bill, The Michael, and all the Irregulars

  Cheers to a good friend's new Canadian Permanent Resident status

  Jeers to Lyme disease and the black-legged tick that carries that and other nasty co-infections. Lyme Disease is Bad and Nationwide. As the ticks and nymphs are teeny-tiny (poppyseed size) check yourself and kids daily...and read up on Lyme - you'll be surprised at waht you don't know.
  (/public health announcement)

  by 42 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:41:53 AM PDT

  •  need more info?

    Good Information can be found here or here.

    by 42 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:49:05 AM PDT

    •  dammit

      I thought you meant more info on getting Canadian Permanent Resident status.  Now that would be most useful information.  :)

      by Albatross on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:40:05 AM PDT

•  I'd dance with Feingold

  On the ice, in the fire, to the edge, and in the mire.    

  
  In the house, with a mouse, I would dance with Feingold anywhwere.  :-)

  by Joes Bar and Grill on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:42:59 AM PDT

•  I salute you !!!!

  what you are doing is a great thing

  by testvet6778 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:46:50 AM PDT

  •  Seconded, Cheers to Bill in Portland Maine. n/t

    by SteveK on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:51:56 AM PDT

    •  all in favor, say...

      

      by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:08:42 AM PDT

      •  Say tear ducts? n/t

        by rserven on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:25:08 AM PDT

        •  lol...no

          say "dilated pupil!"

          by condoleaser on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:34:04 AM PDT

          •  Say 'morphine.'

            by John West on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 11:10:41 AM PDT

      •  I got me a movie, I want you to know!

        I'm slicing up eyeballs, I want you to know!
        Girl is so groovy, I want you to know!
        Don't know about you, but I am un... CHIEN Andalusia
        I am un... CHIEN Andalusia
        Wanna grow up to be... be a DEBASER! (De-bas-er)
        DEBASER! (De-bas-er)

        Cheers to the Pixies, for being weird, awesome, and referencing an old, bizarre avant garde short film.

        by XStryker on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:46:45 AM PDT

        •  Great flick...

          ...I first saw it in the back room of a coffeehouse in KCMO, in a tripleheader with the original King Kong and Todd Browning's Freaks.

          Robyn

          by rserven on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:02:32 AM PDT

•  asdf

  And who is that internet service provider?  I'll bet it isn't an Iraqi company.

  by BDA in VA on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:47:21 AM PDT

  •  Now that would be a good story.

    ISP Gouges Overseas Servicemen

    by leolabeth on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:13:55 AM PDT

    •  I am sure the provider is Hammilburton or a sub

      by testvet6778 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:14:44 AM PDT

  •  It's not the hourly charge that's wrong

    It's a lot, but that's because most of us don't pay for internet by the hour--this is probably comparable to market rates for hourly service. The problem is WHY the HELL are our soldiers having to pay for this (and their hospital meals and airline tickets, etc)? Remember when we PROVIDED necessary equipment and services to our soldiers?

    by Alice in Florida on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:55:12 AM PDT

    •  Soldiers aren't CEOs, duh.

      Repugs aren't going to give them anything unless they're CEOs.

      by sagra on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:21:40 AM PDT

    •  Haircuts weren't free

      in the military even in the 60's (stateside, anyway).  But they surely should be overseas.  And if we have the money to squander on the contractors, we can give the troops the comforts and support they need to deal with this hellish war.

      by Heart of the Rockies on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:50:42 AM PDT

    •  My deployment...

      I think that PFC Deister's experience is exceptional.  On most FOBs/Camps/Bases in Iraq there is free satellite internet available through the Army's MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program), and low-rate VOIP phone service.  Additionally, there is the Army's own internet service (commonly called NIPR) which is used primarily for official business, but almost every unit lets its soldiers use it for casual browsing.  Finally, yes, there is pay internet on many bases as well, usually through third-country or local contractors (ours in Talafar was run by Turks and Iraqis, and was $2/hr).  

      Each has its ups and downs - occaisional long lines at the MWR site.  Poor bandwidth and webfilters on the NIPR.  And of course, $$$ and sketchy service at the local "internet cafe".

      As for phone service, most units have phone lines on the military's DSN network which allow Soldiers to phone back to a military base anywhere in the world, and place a free local morale call, (or connect to an operator for a collect or calling card call).  And of course, there's AT&T, always happy to offer phones for the troops starting at $0.20/min or so for direct phonecalls.

      A lot of bases over there have some or all of these options available to our troops.  Some of the mega-FOBs such as the ones in Balad, Al Asad, and at  BIAP have more options than others (some FOBs have available WI-FI internet for troops to use from their C-Huts).  But the more austere the location, the more logistically challenging it is to provide easy and cheap access.  I think it'd be great if every Soldier and Marine could have a broadband connection to their hooch and a pre-paid cellphone to carry with them, but honestly, it's probably not going to happen.

      And as for the haircuts:  When I went to basic training in 1994, we had to pay for our first haircut (I call that style The Cueball), and the only free cuts I've gotten since have been from other Soldiers, with mixed success.  And seeing as military/AAFES (and local national) barbers charge at least half of what SuperClips charges, I'm not complaining.

      I certainly feel for PFC Deister's predicament, if that's the only internet access option he has, but I'd ask the command team of the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) - there is no 172nd Mountain Company, btw - why PFC Deister is forced to pay through the nose to check his email.

      by StWaldo on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 01:21:25 PM PDT

•  Who sez our guys can't adapt to Iraqi ways?

  Cheers to Tuesday. It ain't Monday anymore.
  Cheers to BIPM for even thinking of thongs in March
  Jeers to Duck Cheney. Why the hell not?
  Big Cheers to Apple turning 30. With all the shit going on for the last five years, If I had to use a Windoze machine too...arghhh.

  And last, CHEERS to everybody, no exceptions. Even Ben...

  by perro amarillo on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:47:27 AM PDT

•  Military services

  "I called Richard last night to thank him for speaking up.  He's a nice guy---really nice guy---who is concerned not only about his son's situation, but about all the members of the 172nd Mountain Co. and their ability to pay for basic services that the Pentagon should be picking up on their behalf.  For me, charging for internet access is the last straw."

  May I respectfully note that these "services" - a haircut, food at the mess hall, and telephone/internet services - are not basic rights for military individuals (especially the last one) and not things that the military ought to give as free services? Do you really want to add another few hundred millon dollars to Halliburton and co? Because they're going to be the ones to benefit.

  Military units in the field do have barber kits to allow individuals to get haircuts during long deployments. If the lad wants a nice high and tight from a licensed barber, yes, he has to pay for it. All military members get basic allowances for food and shelter, so again, yes, if the lad goes to a mess hall while he's deployed, he pays for it. And while there may be businesses that sponsor phone banks that are dedicated for free calls to home, no, internet services to blog about your experiences or answer email is not a right guarrenteed to military members. Military members do get free snail mail, I believe.

  Come on. It is still a combat environment over there. We do support the troops, but at the same time, let's not go overboard. There are basic amenities that the military ought to provide, and then there are the added comfort issues that individuals and groups such as the USO provide. I'm glad you're supporting efforts to help the lad, but let's not bash the military for not lining the armored vehicles with plush seats and air conditioning.

  by Animal13 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:47:31 AM PDT

  •  Oh please

    I cannot believe you wrote this, much less believe it.

    Any moment in time could be their last.  They are in a combat zone.  And providing internet service is considered a luxury?  You must be kidding.  Five dollars per hour?  Who the hell is making a fortune off of that?  Hmmmmm?  

    Since we are saving a ton of money by cutting pay and benefits, not providing sufficient body/vehicle armor, I think we can afford to provide phones, internet, and a goddamn fucking haircut.  Oh, and let's not forget that scrumptious food in the mess hall.

    This is C&J, and I should not have to be this pissed off.  Friggen unbelievable.  Are you sure you didn't take a wrong turn somewhere?  Aren't you supposed to be at LGF or Redstate?

    by Miss Blue on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 04:55:14 AM PDT

    •  Animal 13 Is Right

      All military members get basic allowances for food and shelter

      You might not like it, but that's the way it is.  Plus there's separation pay for married folks, combat duty pay, sea pay (obviously for Navy), and sometimes pay isn't subject to income tax, depending on where the military person is.

      We're old time Navy and just got through our first six-month deployment with email.  Last time he went out, it was purely snail mail and exhorbitant long distance phone bills.  Come to think of it, though, he didn't have to pay for Internet access, so y'all have a point there.  BUT, the structure on a ship is a little more concentrated than it would be "over there." The infrastructure probably isn't in place to offer it cheaply.  Remember when we first got Internet we had to pay about $6 per hour until the infrastructure (competition) was in place.

      by Hear Our Voices on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:19:56 AM PDT

      •  The infrastructure is in place,

        but the Republican way of doing business is to privatize everything so that their croneys can make a profit.  If you think the ISP is charging $5 per hour because it costs them  $4.75 per hour to provide the service, you're being naive.  They're charging $5 per hour because that's what the soldiers are willing to pay when there's no other options available.

        by sagra on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 06:34:49 AM PDT

    •  I shouldn't have to say this but

      maybe you should aim before you fire? Come by my website and then judge.

      Armchair Generalist

      Think about $5/hr times 140,000 troops times 30 days a month, and that's real money. Not to mention the fees and overhead. More money spent on "free" messhall food, "free" haircuts, and "free" internet connections means less money for that body armor, armor for vehicles, IED equipment, etc etc. Think before you shoot.

      Respectfully yours.

      by Animal13 on Tue Mar 28, 2006 at 05:51:43 PM PDT

  •  I respect your opinion...