Overnight Open Thread (1 Dec 2012)

So Long Big E. She served her country well.

There isn't another active warship on the planet with a comparable legacy. The USS Enterprise first saw action during the Cuban Missile Crisis, tasked with stopping Soviet ships from reaching Fidel Castro's shores, and on November 4, returned to its Newport, Virginia home after supporting the Afghanistan war. In between, Enterprise participated in most of the major national-security events in its five decade history. Oh, and it made history as well: the Enterprise is the first ever nuclear aircraft carrier.

UPDATE: Seems SECNAV has declared that CVN-80 will indeed be named USS Enterprise.

Unfortunately, Captain Kirk could not attend today's ceremony.

China Update

Well, that was quick. Last night I talked about the Chinese house that was left standing in the middle of a new road because the current owner refused to sell. Chinese persuasion works this time. China Demolishes Lone Home, Resistance Symbol As Duck Farmer Agrees To Accept Compensation. I wonder what the "or else" part of the deal was.

The Walking Dead

Now with lightsabers.

I must say, Season 3 has been pretty good so far. Even without lightsabers.

The Real Deficit

This is why you absolutely cannot give Obama free reign to raise the debt limit. Why $16 Trillion Only Hints At The True U.S. Debt.

The actual liabilities of the federal government—including Social Security, Medicare, and federal employees' future retirement benefits—already exceed $86.8 trillion, or 550% of GDP. For the year ending Dec. 31, 2011, the annual accrued expense of Medicare and Social Security was $7 trillion. Nothing like that figure is used in calculating the deficit. In reality, the reported budget deficit is less than one-fifth of the more accurate figure.

Why haven't Americans heard about the titanic $86.8 trillion liability from these programs? One reason: The actual figures do not appear in black and white on any balance sheet. But it is possible to discover them. Included in the annual Medicare Trustees' report are separate actuarial estimates of the unfunded liability for Medicare Part A (the hospital portion), Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drug coverage).

Let it burn.

Hidden Kitteh

Powerful Whisky

Behold, the power of whisky. Whisky Saves Man's Eyesight After Being Blinded By Vodka. I'm going to pour me a shot or two and see what else it fixes now.

The Importance Of Home Cookin'

The Culture In Kitchens. So much to like in this article.

Maybe it was the social turmoil of the 1960’s or just the bong resin of feminism; nonetheless, many men, and especially women, have come to see family or the kitchen as a kind of bondage. Parenting has been reduced to a proof of plumbing; have a couple of kids, then get on with your life. Dinner and lunch out - was in. An entire junk food industry matured around convenience, the modern euphemism for selfishness. Adult wants became more important than children’s needs.

Baby Names

100 Most Popular Baby Names Of 2012. Thankfully, Barack hasn't cracked the top 100.

Kitteh Video

DJ Kitteh in dah house!

Tonight's ONT brought to you by Disney Princesses:

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posted by CDR M at 09:45 PM

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