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January 09, 2006
Dead Again: Ledeen's Iranian Sources Say OBL DOANope, I don't believe it either. posted by Ace at 11:17 PM
CommentsI'm not feeling so well myself. Posted by: Thomas Jefferson on January 9, 2006 11:34 PM
Eh, they had this same basic story (died of kidney failure) in 2001 or 2002, except he supposedly died and was buried in Afghanistan. Personally I hope it's not true, as I don't see what an OBL death by natural causes does for us. Posted by: Bob on January 9, 2006 11:37 PM
Man, Thomas Jefferson is a funny son of a bitch. I'm glad he started hanging out here. Posted by: Dave S on January 9, 2006 11:41 PM
I should add that I also don't believe at this point he personally is having much impact on the world scene. If I thought anything would change with his death, no matter how it came, then I'd be happy if this story were true. But I think he's irrelevant today except as a symbol, and a death by natural causes probably won't diminish that too much (as, say, him being behind bars potentially could). If anything this would let his followers claim he died on his own terms and the Americans could never catch him. And what's our counter -- that we slightly hastened his death by making it hard for him to get proper medical care? That's a little too nuanced a "victory" for me. Posted by: Bob on January 9, 2006 11:41 PM
In unrelated news, here's a funny photo: Alito's Family Leans Right. (I guess some could chalk it up to the MSM once again picking a photo that unfairly makes conservatives look stupid.) Posted by: Bob on January 9, 2006 11:44 PM
"OBL Die, OBL DOA, life goes on... Posted by: SarahW on January 9, 2006 11:53 PM
Guys, cut it out with the loose shit. I'm right here. Yo, wassup, TJ?!? Posted by: Osama bin Laden on January 10, 2006 12:08 AM
If Ledeen's sources are correct--and that's a big if--then a nuke-chasing Iran has been harboring OBL for 3 years. No, that thought does not give me warm fuzzies either. Posted by: The Unabrewer on January 10, 2006 01:12 AM
I think it's got a good chance of being true. After all, wouldn't bin Laden's greatest propaganda coup be a video or audio tape, bragging about the Iraq terrorism against our soldiers? We haven't heard a peep out of him in who knows how long. Posted by: Dogstar on January 10, 2006 01:22 AM
I'm inclined to agree with Dogstar. When the hunt for him started, he was in bad shape to begin with. People were talking about him needing dialysis every 2 weeks, which isn't easy to come by in the middle of nowhere. I personally think he died of natural causes years ago unfortunately (in that he wasn't blown to crap by a US for sure) Without a body, the left can waffle on about not capturing him, terrorists can go on about OBL eluding Bush because he's such a badass. Posted by: Ring on January 10, 2006 01:43 AM
O-Dogg did pop up just before the election to stump for Kerry, so he was alive a year or so ago. Which is fine, because personally I think anything less than drowning in excrement is too good for him. Posted by: Alex_fs on January 10, 2006 04:18 AM
"People were talking about him needing dialysis every 2 weeks" That myth was debunked years ago. Posted by: gdonovan on January 10, 2006 06:06 AM
I stopped paying attention to rumors peddled by Michael Ledeen 3 years ago. That's when he had me believing that a few puny student demonstrations in Tehran were actually the beginning of a popular uprising against the Mullahs across all of Iran. Wasn't happening and won't happen for a while. Posted by: John in Tokyo on January 10, 2006 07:36 AM
We better hope he dies of natural causes because the losers we have in power now, who let him get away, are too busy shooting Iraqi's, and playing two card stud, to ever get him. Posted by: Proud Liberal Vet on January 10, 2006 08:05 AM
Speaking of studs, my ass is just aching for a really thick stiff cock. Anyone? Posted by: Proud Liberal Vet on January 10, 2006 08:40 AM
PLV if you find someone send him to me. Posted by: Ace on January 10, 2006 09:01 AM
PLV, do you ever grow weary of being an identity-thieving asshole with no original thoughts? Also, if I may give you some advice? Before you graduate from high school, you may want to read "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White. It will help you curb your consistent over-use of apostrophes and commas. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 09:13 AM
dialysis every 2 weeks, which isn't easy to come by in the middle of nowhere Hey, we deliver now! Posted by: Dialysis R Us on January 10, 2006 09:15 AM
I love being lectured by assholes who don't even have a name. Posted by: Proud Liberal Vet on January 10, 2006 09:18 AM
There is a simple reason people do not use their names around you. We do not appreciate having our identities used to communicate your homoerotic fantasies. The anonymous lectures are the price you pay for violating internet etiquette. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 09:24 AM
Hey dumbfuck did you ever consider that it is one of you fags who keeps stealing my name? Why don't you lecture them idiot? Posted by: Proud Liberal Vet on January 10, 2006 09:27 AM
The anonymous lectures are the price you pay for violating internet etiquette. For now. But when that anti-annoying bill gets signed PLV is going to the big house. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 09:27 AM
Speaking of "violating," I got a new gerbil last night and let me tell you, he's a frisky little bugger! Posted by: Proud Liberal Vet on January 10, 2006 09:27 AM
OK guys as a sign of peace I'm going to suck every cock in the place. Posted by: Ace on January 10, 2006 09:34 AM
The caregiver is not someone you’d think was from another planet or really seems off the wall — (she’s) a pretty normal kind of person,” he said. “But I think out of loyalty, friendship and love of her friend, (she) decided to keep the body at home Yes, that seems quite normal to me, now that I think about it. Posted by: Dave in Texas on January 10, 2006 09:36 AM
filter didn't like the link... http://www.msnb*.msn.com/id/10785324/ * = c Posted by: Dave in Texas on January 10, 2006 09:37 AM
I guess I'm the only one who think OBL was killed in Afghanistan in the first war. All we've got to go on is a couple of audio tapes that the CIA have authenticated as being OBL. His value isn't much as a tactician. al Queda's decentralized nature assures its effectiveness. He's only effective as a figurehead, and he's been silent. The huge bounty on his head also would have, by now, been claimed by somebody if he were to be found. Posted by: rho on January 10, 2006 09:39 AM
OK guys as a sign of peace I'm going to suck every cock in the place. I know it's a joke but -- it's too gay! too gay! too gay! Posted by: shawn on January 10, 2006 09:46 AM
Why am I not surprised that PLV's response to criticism is to continue his rude behavior? Posted by: on January 10, 2006 09:58 AM
I guess I'm the only one who think OBL was killed in Afghanistan in the first war. All we've got to go on is a couple of audio tapes that the CIA have authenticated as being OBL. That's what I thought, too, and none of the tapes that came out subsequent to that were at all convincing. I figured OBL was pushing up daisies in a Bora Bora cave somewhere. Then just before the 2004 election, an audio tape surfaces with OBL making references to current events, like the Iraq war and Bush reading 'My Pet Goat' (as if OBL saw Fahrenheit 911). So I think he's alive somewhere. Hiding out in Iran sounds plausible. Posted by: OregonMuse on January 10, 2006 10:01 AM
"Why am I not surprised that PLV's response to criticism is to continue his rude behavior?" Why is it that noname cocksucker keeps lecturing me when he knows I don't give a shit about anything the dumbfuck has to say? Posted by: on January 10, 2006 10:20 AM
But still, all that is is an audio tape that the CIA says is OBL. It could be, I suppose, but we're talking about the CIA--where they're not heroically incorrect they're dealing from the bottom of the deck for their own purposes. The CIA could say, "Yep, that's old bin Laden all right" just so they don't have a martyr on their hands. Or so they can get more data out of prisoners. Or because it suits them to embarrass GWB. Or because it was Tuesday, and on Tuesday Earl does all the voice analysis, and not to knock Earl, but the old boy's bumping up against his 80s, and his hearing ain't so sharp you know... Posted by: rho on January 10, 2006 10:25 AM
Oregon, It was a video of OBL that came out before the election. Posted by: Lipstick on January 10, 2006 11:06 AM
The latest tape of Osama (pre-2004 election) was a video tape, not just audio. Get out a mop and clean up the loose shit! Posted by: Matt on January 10, 2006 11:07 AM
yeah, what Lipstick said! Posted by: Matt on January 10, 2006 11:08 AM
If PLV's daddy were around, he might have better manners. Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 11:08 AM
Mr. Ace, Could you consider banning plv? He is making me horny and my goats are getting jealous. Posted by: osama bin dead on January 10, 2006 11:23 AM
I think Osama is in Iraq and one day we will find him, sitting on a pile of WMD. Any Liberal who doesn't believe me hates America and our troops. Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 11:26 AM
The above wasn't me. Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 11:27 AM
PLV, Do you cry yourself to sleep every night? Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 11:31 AM
Was it video? Maybe I'm getting old. I remember it as audio only. Posted by: rho on January 10, 2006 11:32 AM
That last guy wasn't me. Everyone knows I believe Osama is in Iraq and that is why we had to attack them. Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 11:33 AM
PLV, Do you every wonder what it's like to touch a girl "down there"? Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 11:41 AM
Something tells me PLV has little to no interest in touching girls. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 11:44 AM
I, for one, hope he's alive - if only so he can be introduced to Mr. Waterboard. Posted by: Brown Line on January 10, 2006 11:48 AM
Why is it that noname cocksucker keeps lecturing me when he knows I don't give a shit about anything the dumbfuck has to say? Please. You are just upset because my refusal to use a name robs you of the only weapon in your arsenal - identity theft. Quit your whining. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 11:48 AM
"Please. You are just upset because my refusal to use a name robs you of the only weapon in your arsenal - identity theft.'
Posted by: Proud Liberal Vet on January 10, 2006 11:52 AM
OK guys as a sign of peace I'm going to suck every cock in the place. Ace's version of "A year of saying Yes". Posted by: Iblis on January 10, 2006 11:54 AM
PLV's problem is that his dad doesn't love him and all his classmates make fun of him - if they see him at all, that is. Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 11:54 AM
Sorry, wrong again. I am not the person stealing your identity, as I find such practices puerile. Your outrage would have so much more credibility were you not constantly engaged in stealing the identity of others. I do understand why you feel it necessary to engage in such behavior, however. The posts written under your name display no wit or intellect. The taking of another's identity seems the only outlet you have to showcase your rather limited creative ability. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 11:58 AM
Al Qaeda training camps churned out how many folks during the 90's? OBL helped start up the AQ in the early 90's, but he is not the only reason AQ contiunes to function. Those people who he trained and recruited are out there. Some have become leaders. These people aren't like the bugs in Ender's Game. Just because the queen dies, it doesn't mean that the drones quit. So. Bob makes a point. OBL getting vaporized would be a good thing, but there are about 30000 other dudes who need to assume room temperature too. Luckily, the GWOT in Iraq seems to have assisted thousands of these guys in their great journey to room temperature. Posted by: joeindc44 on January 10, 2006 12:00 PM
Besides PLV if I didn't follow you around like a lost little puppy my life would be even more empty than it already is. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 12:04 PM
PLV in case you didn't hear me the first 4 times your Daddy doesn't love you. Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 12:06 PM
Nice attempt, but the tone is all wrong. That is really the major problem with all of your attempts at identity-stealing. You have such a limited repertoire that you tend to repeat yourself and everyone knows it is you, not me. I suggest a good creative writing course. Preferably one with a good emphasis on grammar. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 12:09 PM
"I suggest a good creative writing course. " I suggest you find someone else's cock to suck. I have a string of ladies waiting in line for me. Try one of your fellow fag Republican friends coward. Posted by: Proud Liberal Vet on January 10, 2006 12:13 PM
Hm. Overcompensate much, PLV? Posted by: on January 10, 2006 12:15 PM
I have a string of ladies waiting in line for me. I guess PLV is planning on the Al Qaeda retirement plan. Look out for homelesss people with suicide vests. Posted by: joeindc44 on January 10, 2006 12:19 PM
Keep up the good work fellows. Don't let those Liberals away with anything. By the way the bar is open at 5:00 as usual. The drinks are on me. The games begin promptly at 8:00. Bring your Bibles so people will think you are going to Church. Ta Da Posted by: Jack Abramoff on January 10, 2006 12:29 PM
Oh, and don't forget the checks this time. Do I have to do all of the work around here? Fucking morons. Posted by: Jackoff Abramoff on January 10, 2006 12:33 PM
Jack, baby, thanks for giving our minority party almost as much as the people in power. Baucus and I want to use your MCI skybox tonight. So make sure there are plenty of hookers there too. BTW, we will be coming from a photo op at a black curch, so we'll need a recycle bin for the bibles we bought as props for the event. Ta Da (I always thought it was ta ta, but I does what the money says) Posted by: Sen. Dorgan on January 10, 2006 12:39 PM
Jack, baby, thanks for giving our minority party almost as much as the people in power. Baucus and I want to use your MCI skybox tonight. So make sure there are plenty of hookers there too. BTW, we will be coming from a photo op at a black curch, so we'll need a recycle bin for the bibles we bought as props for the event. Ta Da (I always thought it was ta ta, but I does what the money says) Posted by: Sen. Dorgan (D) on January 10, 2006 12:39 PM
Thanks Senator, and by the way thanks for remembering me. My regular clients have been dropping me like a cheap whore and won't return my calls. Posted by: Jack Abramoff on January 10, 2006 12:43 PM
Abramoff, dahling, out of the forty democratic senators you paid, I absolutely love you for making me number two on that list. I do have to complain that when Harkin had the MCI box before me, there was a dead hooker under the chafing dish. And do these Indian donors have to make eye contact with me? Posted by: Sen Murray (D) on January 10, 2006 12:45 PM
Hey, Jack! Who does a dead democrat have to kill in order to get some loot? BTW, I have my new quote ready: Indian casinos are a democracies greatest protection. Posted by: Thomas Jefferson on January 10, 2006 12:48 PM
Senator I don't recall sending you any money. I know I dashed off a few cents to Democrats so I could drag you in if the word ever got out. Luckily our constituency is just as stupid as the Indians, and they now believe you were involved. I hope you don't mind. Posted by: Jack Abramoff on January 10, 2006 12:51 PM
Jack, how are you doing? Sorry I missed our appointment the other day. You know how it is - Washington politics and all. We'll do lunch sometime after you get out. Ciao, baby. Posted by: Harry Reid on January 10, 2006 12:55 PM
Ohhh....... Right, did the Senator say something? Must've been your imagination. Nothing to see here, people. Move along. BTW, the dead hooker really needs to get cleaned up. Posted by: The Democratic Party on January 10, 2006 01:01 PM
Jack you only say these things because your Daddy doesn't love you. Republicans never got a dime from you, or even know who you are for that matter. Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 01:03 PM
I'll get Wes Chappell to take care of it. BTW, Vogue is no longer giving out jobs for hushing mere blowjob queens. So, if you want to get your freak on with an intern, I suggest you get Soros to find her a job with some magazine he owns. Posted by: Vernon Jordan on January 10, 2006 01:05 PM
Jack did I tell you that your Daddy doesn't love you? Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 01:06 PM
Right, a job at Vogue.... Posted by: Gary Condit on January 10, 2006 01:07 PM
He don't spell no good either. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 01:07 PM
Well, that 12:29 commenter was certainly on the ball. And witty. You see, he was implying that Jack Abromoff was paying us! Ha. Oh and that we are fond of Jesus. Bravo, how did that turn out? Posted by: joeindc44 on January 10, 2006 01:10 PM
Jack's dad didn't love him? Well, he'll get his fill of the daddy substitute in prison, if you know what I'm saying. Posted by: Harry Reid on January 10, 2006 01:11 PM
Hey, Vernon. Its done. But you better get someone else to deal with the condoms. Posted by: Terry Lenzner on January 10, 2006 01:12 PM
Jack you will need to get up early in the morning to beat this crowd. What is it like to be so totally humbled by shear geniuous the likes of which you have never known. Posted by: Lee Atwater on January 10, 2006 01:13 PM
Lee shouldn't that be genius? Yes I am very impressed, and totally humbled. If only my Daddy had loved me I could do better. Posted by: Jack Abramoff on January 10, 2006 01:15 PM
Overall, PLV, a welcome change from your usual comments. And you have to admit, some of the regulars here riffed off your original comments quite well. Nice work. Posted by: on January 10, 2006 01:16 PM
I knew every child hating Daddy in the Arctic personally. Posted by: Mark on January 10, 2006 01:17 PM
Abramoff is such an amateur. I know who gets my money. Posted by: The pardoned Marc Rich on January 10, 2006 01:30 PM
Jack I have no idea who you are and though I have never met you I will pray for you. Posted by: Ralph Reed on January 10, 2006 01:30 PM
I don't look at it so much as losing the Khobar Towers. I like to think I gained a presidential library. I know who gets my money! Posted by: Prince Bandar on January 10, 2006 01:32 PM
I have no idea who you are either Jack, but like Ralph I will pray for you and pray for this country, because I love this country more than anyone. Posted by: grover norquist on January 10, 2006 01:33 PM
PLV, did you give some Israeli land to some Palestinians or something? I mean, God could only have made you this retarded as punishment for something. Posted by: Pat Robertson on January 10, 2006 01:35 PM
PLV I just had my weekly conversation with the Lord to discuss his current hit list and he is thinking of adding you to it. Posted by: Pat Robertson on January 10, 2006 01:36 PM
PLV, you never call me anymore. Are you mad at me? Posted by: Hugo Chavez on January 10, 2006 01:38 PM
Pat, you've been talking to yourself the whole time. I only talk to guys with big hats. Posted by: Jesus Christ on January 10, 2006 01:39 PM
And somebody tell those hicks to PUT THE SNAKES DOWN! YOU'RE GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED! Posted by: Jesus Christ on January 10, 2006 01:41 PM
I know who we turned to when we wanted American technology. We know who gets our money. PS. Bring Tipper to the next monastary. Posted by: China on January 10, 2006 01:42 PM
Jesus, nobody handles snakes anymore. You've been in New york and LA too long. You should spend some more time in flyover country. Posted by: Rush Limbaugh on January 10, 2006 01:43 PM
One more thing. Dad told me that He's pissed at PLV for boinking His penguins. Look out for lightning storms, PLV. Posted by: Jesus Christ on January 10, 2006 01:44 PM
Seriously Pat, you want me to ride you like Vinnie Falcone does? Don't make a fucking maniac out of me. Posted by: Jesus Christ on January 10, 2006 01:45 PM
You've been in New york and LA too long. Like I said before, you've got to go where the sinners are. Posted by: Jesus Christ on January 10, 2006 01:45 PM
Jesus why are you talking to these people? I thought I had an exclusive. Posted by: Pat Robertson on January 10, 2006 01:47 PM
Hey Vernon, can I get reimbursed for cleaning the chicken suit? Posted by: Craig Livingston on January 10, 2006 01:49 PM
Sweet Me, Pat, don't hit the bong while you're taking arthritis meds. Posted by: Jesus Christ on January 10, 2006 01:49 PM
I love the religion comments. You see, its funny because conservatives believe in Jeebus. What morons. Posted by: joeindc44 on January 10, 2006 01:51 PM
Ralph and Grover thanks for your prayers. I wish I had met the two of you because you are great Americans. By the way, just ignore the stuff in my plea deal about you. I'm just trying to keep my ass out of jail. Posted by: Jack Abramoff on January 10, 2006 01:51 PM
Joeindc44, we believe in Jeebus too. When we are praying in a black church. Or teaching the Koran in Cali. We just don't like white people to pray. Craig, why don't you leave the chicken suit with me? Posted by: Bill Clinton on January 10, 2006 01:53 PM
Hey Maureen, How about some chicken nuggets, old gal? Posted by: Bill Clinton on January 10, 2006 01:54 PM
Craig, what the fuck are you doing talking to us? Remember: we don't know you. Deny, deny, deny. Posted by: Hillary! on January 10, 2006 01:55 PM
Yeah Joe, we Democrats have the True Religion, the one that uses your tax money for the common good, whether you like it or not. Does that chicken suit have pants? Posted by: Hillary! on January 10, 2006 01:56 PM
Bill, you are not going any where wearing that chicken suit. Besides, Dowd is twice as old as you!
Posted by: Hillary on January 10, 2006 01:57 PM
Drop the snake, Bill, you dumb hick. Oh wait, my bad. Posted by: Jesus Christ on January 10, 2006 01:59 PM
Come on, baby! I just thought the suit would be .... fun. Although, jeez, Craig, what did you do to this thing. I'm gonna get Terry Lenzner to clean this thing out. Posted by: Bill Clinton on January 10, 2006 02:00 PM
Hey Bill, I know who gets my money! Posted by: Johnny Chung on January 10, 2006 02:02 PM
Lenzner, hell! I do the cleaning for you, Bill. Posted by: Maggie Williams on January 10, 2006 02:03 PM
Ah errrrr uhh did you just see a big chicken just walk by here, Osamma Lamma Whamma Alabamma? I coulda sworn... Judge Alioloteeto, why errrr ahhh do you want to remove ahhhhh uhhhhhhh a woman's right to choose errr ahhhh chicken?? Posted by: Ted Kennedy on January 10, 2006 02:07 PM
Bill, We just opened that box you sent us. We specifically asked for missile technology from Loral. You sent us mousse technology from L'Oreal. Do NOT play dumb with us. I mean seriously, have you ever even seen our hairdos? Do we look like we NEED mousse? Remember, we know who got our money. Posted by: China on January 10, 2006 02:08 PM
I know who gets my money! Er, I mean lobbying fees. Thanks, Hugh Rodham. Posted by: Almon Glenn Braswell on January 10, 2006 02:13 PM
Hey, Cadillac Eddie! How's the spanish exam going? Posted by: Harvard Ethics Committee and Alumni Relations Board on January 10, 2006 02:17 PM
Boy, is Monica gonna be surprized. I hope she doesn't try to give head to that warhead. Posted by: Bill Clinton on January 10, 2006 02:19 PM
You can count on one thing; the Ace of Spades crew always outfunnies the lefties. Say, where'd PLV go? Off sneaking into his sister's panty drawer again? Posted by: The Warden on January 10, 2006 04:18 PM
hehehe... PLV is an Underpants Gnome Posted by: Madfish Willie on January 10, 2006 04:58 PM
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| The Deplorable Gourmet A Horde-sourced Cookbook [All profits go to charity] Top Headlines
Ryan Long goes to the No Kings rally to pick up young liberal hotties and is greatly disappointed in the quality of the mish
thanks to stevey You know we "joke" about the GOPe just "conserving" leftist things? I couldn't hate this queen of the cuck-chair more if it paid seven figures and came with a corner office.
In more marketing for Project Hail Mary, scientists say they've found the biosigns indicating life growing on an alien planet. It's not proof, just signatures of chemicals that are produced by biological metabolism, and it could be nothing, but scientists think it's a strong sign that this planet is inhabited by something.
In a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, a team of scientists announced the detection of dimethyl sulfide (along with a similar detection of dimethyl disulfide) in the atmosphere of an exoplanet called K2-18b. This is actually the second detection of dimethyl sulfide made on this planet, following a tentative detection in 2023. He means they tried to prove the signal was caused by things other than dimethyl sulfide but they could not.
Artemis moon shot a go, scheduled for 6:24 Eastern time tonight
Great marketing arranged by Amazon to promote Project Hail Mary. Okay not really but it does work out that way.
What? Skeleton of the most famous Musketeer, D'Artagnan, possibly discovered in Dutch church closet.
Dumas picked four names of real musketeers out of a history book, D'Artagnan, Athos, Aramis, and Porthos. So there was an actual D'Artagnan, though he made most of the story up. (Or, you know, all of it.)* Charles de Batz de Castelmore, known as d'Artagnan, the famous musketeer of Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV, spent his life in the service of the French crown. A lot of Dumas's stories are based on bits of real history. The plot of the >Three Musketeers, about trying to recover lost diamonds from the queen's necklace, was cribbed from the then-almost-contemporaneous Affair of the Queen's Necklace. And the Man in the Iron Mask is based on real accounts of a prisoner forced to wear a mask (though I think it was a velvet mask). * Oh, I should mention, Dumas says all this, about finding the names in an old book, in the prologue to his novel. But authors lie a lot. They frequently present fictions as based on historic fact. The twist is, he was actually telling the truth here. At least about these four musketeers having actually existed and served under Louis XIV. Fun fact: You know the beginning of A Fistful of Dollars where the local gunslingers make fun of Clint Eastwood's donkey and Eastwood demands they apologize to the donkey? That's lifted from The Three Musketeers. Rochefort mocks D'Artagnan's old, brokedown farm horse and D'Artagnan is incensed.
A commenter asked which should be read first, The Hobbit of LOTR?
Easy, no question -- read The Hobbit first. It's actually the start of the story and comes first chronologically. It sets up some major characters and major pieces in play in LOTR. Also, the Hobbit is Beginner-Friendly, which LOTR isn't. The Hobbit really is a delightful book, and a fast read. It's chatty, it's casual, it's exciting, and it's funny. In that dry cheeky British humor way. I love that the narrator is constantly making little asides and commentary, like he's just sitting next to you telling you this story as it occurs to him. LOTR is a very long story. Fifteen hundred pages or so. The Hobbit is relatively short and very punchy and easy to read. If you don't like The Hobbit, you can skip out on LOTR. If you do like it, you'll be primed to read LOTR. Oh, I should say: The Hobbit is written as if it's for children, but one of those smart children's stories that are also for adults. Don't worry, there's also real fighting and violence and horror in it, too. LOTR is written for adults. (It's said that Tolkien wrote both for his children, but LOTR was written 17 years later, when his children were adults.) Some might not like The Hobbit due to its sometimes frivolous tone. Me, I love it. I find it constantly amusing. Both are really good but there is a starkly different tone to both. LOTR is epic, grand, and serious, about a world war, The Hobbit is light and breezy, and about a heist. Though a heist that culminates in a war for the spoils.
The Hobbit Challenge: Read two more chapters. I didn't have much time. Bilbo got the ring.
I noticed a continuity problem. Maybe. Now, as of the time of The Hobbit, it was unknown that this magic ring was in fact a Ring of Power, and it was doubly unknown that it was the Ring of Power, the Master Ring that controlled the others. But the narrator -- who we will learn in LOTR was none of than Bilbo himself, who wrote the book as "There and Back Again" -- says this about Gollum's ring: "But who knows how Gollum had come by that present [the Ring], ages ago in the old days when such rings were still at large in the world? Perhaps even the Master who ruled them could not have said." In another passage, the ring is identified as a "ring of power." I don't know, I always thought there was a distinction between mere magic rings and the Rings of Power created by Sauron. But this suggests that Bilbo knew this was a ring of power created by Sauron. Now I don't remember when Bilbo wrote the Hobbit. In the movie, he shows Frodo the book in Rivendell, and I guess he wrote it after he left the Shire. I guess he might have added in the part about the ring being a ring of power created by "the Master" after Gandalf appraised him of his research into the ring. I never noticed this before. I know Tolkien re-wrote this chapter while he was writing LOTR to make the ring important from the start. And also to make Gollum more sinister and evil, and also to remove the part where Gollum actually offers Bilbo the ring as a "present" -- Bilbo had already found it on his own, but Gollum was wiling to give it away, which obviously is not something the rewritten Gollum would ever do. But I had no memory of the ring being suggested to be The Ring so early in the tale.
Finish the job, Mr. President!
Melanie Phillips lays out the case for the total destruction of the Iranian government and armed forces. [CBD]
Oh, I forgot to mention this quote from Pete Hegseth, reported by Roger Kimball: "We are sharing the ocean with the Iranian Navy. We're giving them the bottom half."
Batman fires The Batman
Batman is disgusted by the Joachim Phoenix version of Joker Batman tries to fire Superman Batman is still workshopping his Bat-Voice
Forgotten 80s Mystery Click: Red Leather Suit and Sweatband Edition
And I was here to please I'm even on knees Makin' love to whoever I please I gotta do it my way Or no way at all
Tomorrow is March 25th, "Tolkien Reading Day," because March 25th is the day when the Ring is destroyed in the book. I think I'm going to start the Hobbit tomorrow and read all four books this time.
The only bad part of the trilogy are the Frodo/Sam chapters in The Two Towers. They're repetitive, slow, and mostly about the weather and terrain. But most everything else is good. Weirdly, the Frodo-Sam chapters in Return of the King are exciting and action-packed and among the best in the trilogy. (Though the chapters with everyone else in Return of the King get pretty slow again. Mostly people talking about marching towards war, and then marching towards war.) Recent Comments
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