Grateful Dead

3 years of intense civil war 150,000 dead 2,500,000 refugees, most living in squalor in the desert, if they're lucky, with nothing left to go back to. the polar vortex doesn't seem so bad...

There are 88,940 more signatures needed by March 12, 2014, so this seems like a long shot and then some, but I'd love to see this happen. A link on the front page here would probably help...

Ukraine's unrest has left the door open for neighboring Russia to walk right in and take control of the Crimean peninsula. This gives Russia more coastline on the Black Sea for their navy. I don't think the apparent invasion was for humanitarian or stabilization purposes. Today's stock markets suffered as a consequence, especially those with Russian interests. Some energy and commodity prices went up. NATO is silent, as is eastern Europe, as far as I can tell. Eyes fall upon the USA to do something about Vladimir Putin's "incredible act of aggression", a quote from Sec. of State John Kerry. Putin is more interested in Crimea than he is in improving Russia's relationship with the USA. Let's see how Barrack Obama handles this tense situation and hope for diplomatic success to diffuse potential hostilities.

Crimea had finally decided to join Russia after 96.6 of voters are favor to join Russia. Crimea had become independent Ukraine since 1954. However, majority of their population were Russians.

I think I'm in the current event forum, aren't I? Montreal won a great hockey game with the NY Rangers last night, eh?

Holy crap!! First place in the A.L East. Finally this team is playing like it was told to us at the beginning of last season. Hitting dingers like madmen and getting quality starting pitching is paying off after seasons of playing rather dull baseball.The only doubt's I have is the bullpen. it seems they need a 4 or 5 run cushion every night to pull off a win. Still...first place after 50 or so games hasn't happened in a long time. As far as the Habs go, I guess it's a good thing and I'd like to see them go 7 games. But it's hard for me to cheer for a team I hated all season. Hockey ended for me when the Leafs shit the bed. I think St Louis mother passing away has seemed to be a rallying cry for the whole Rangers organization. I hope they win it all.

love iy

I like gas. I think,

Y'all believers yet???

Bummer the US couldn't beat Portugal yesterday. I thought they had it then let that goal in with less than a minute left. Hope they can tie or beat Germany Thursday.

It was very disappointing to lose the lead with less than a minute to play. We played very well but let our guard down just for a moment and they exploited it. I think a win against Germany will be difficult. Though if Ghana could tie them, maybe we can too. At the very least, if we can avoid a route like Portugal got against Germany, then we should be ok to move on. -Dave

I think your right. Beating Germany is going to be tough task think they were one of the favorites to take the whole thing. Would absolutely love to see them beat Germany though, imagine the confidence boost it would give them going into the next round. I think if we loose and Portugal beats Germany we still get in. Not real sure about that though. Looking forward to the match on Thursday.

Yeah, if we win or tie Germany, we advance. If we lose to Germany, then it gets tricky. If Portugal/Ghanna tie, we advance. If Portugal beats Ghanna, we would tie Portugal on Win/Loss/Tie, so it would go to point differential. Since Portugal got stomped by Germany 5-1, they would have to beat Ghanna by about the same to advance over the US. If they only win by 1 or 2, the US still would advance. If Ghanna were to beat Portugal, we would be tied with them on Win/Loss/Tie but Ghanna has a much lower goal differential to overcome so if they won by 2, they would advance and the US would be out. Of course the numbers would vary by what Germany beats us by. So, ideally, we either win/tie Germany, or we want Portugal to tie or barely win against Ghanna. Thursday will definitely be an exciting afternoon! -Dave

I appreciate you breaking it down for me. Definitely makes allot more sense now I didnt know they did goal differential. Anxiously waiting til Thursday now. Whos your pick to win it all if US isnt there?

Well, if the US can't make it, then I would probably go with Mexico, or possibly Brazil or Belgium. Beyond that, anyone who can beat the Netherlands! I am more of a fan of the "beautiful game" style of soccer that countries like Spain, Brazil and Mexico play, than the "almost American football" tactics of the Netherlands. Unfortunately Netherlands are favored now. Hoping, whether US wins or not, that Mexico can beat them next week. Will be their toughest game. You? Got anyone in particular you are rooting for? -Dave

I'm not a huge soccer fan however I do like following when the world cup is going on. I like rooting for a our country in a whole. If the US doesnt beat Germany today then I would prob pull for Germany, actually use to live over there. With that said Go USA.

Eeesh. Must be summer...

:)

Israel/Gaza, the Iraq debacle, Syria, Libya, unresolved Afghan election, the August recess with really not much hope of anything productive from congress, Snowden asylum, Ukraine crisis, the CIA spying on the senate, California drought, November midterm elections, suing the president? It's no surprise things are a little dry around here, especially since Anna's gone...oh well. Ignorance is bliss!

'It's time to make emotional abuse a crime.Psychological violence is hard to define and hard to police. That's exactly why those experiencing it need the law to be changed.' Insightful piece by Lauren Laverne - http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/07/time-to-make-emotio… An average of seven women are killed by their current or ex-partners every month in England and Wales. The numbers in the United States are considerably higher. Lauren Laverne: 'What I remember most about emotional abuse is that it's like being put in a box. Maybe you think it's a treasure box at first: you're in there because you're special. Soon the box starts to shrink.' http://www.thehotline.org/ https://www.domesticshelters.org/ http://www.refuge.org.uk/

A long, strange and trippy 12 inning game gives Kansas City life in October!Sorry Marye about ending the A's season....

My Brewers really screwed the pooch this year. After spending most of the season in first place, they lose 22 of their last 31 and end up in third place. Funny the first 1/3 of the Royals lineup last night were former Brewers, as is the manager Ned Yost. Yost was fired after almost botching the Crew out of the '08 playoff picture. Go figure.

What did I say back in June about the Jays??? Silly me speaking too soon like that. Happy for the Royals tho. They deserve it. My moneys on the Giants.

Is there gonna be a pony? They said there would be a pony..

You've got me on the pony promo: please elaborate Johnman.We're getting the brooms ready in KC for Sunday's baseball game, after the Chiefs beat the 49r's.

2 more wins to go over the O's to reach the Series: Will the Redbirds play dead against the Giants in St Louis again today?

Let's make it 12 and take the Crown! Go Royals!!

Also a former Brewer. Gotta give the Giants the edge in this one, although I have no preference other than an entertaining series.

The Giants are going to win this series.

now it's almost here. getting psyched for another grand time. what you talkin 'bout you say? only the reason the internet has any value. the reason i get up every morning. and end up staying up all night. the quintessential listening party and trivia game. the best time outside the lot. gather round children for NOVEMBER IS HERE AGAIN!! 30 DAYS!!! say it again 30 DAYS!!! Right on You see this cat 30 days is a bad mother --- (Shut your mouth) But I'm talkin' about 30 days (Then we can dig it) dig it we will can't wait to see you all there let the games begin!! (we are doing it again this year right?) --peace and love-- hornsby.

Gee, Hornsby, I sure wish we could get you excited about "30 Days" this year! Ya seem a bit laid back... ;) K

Who doesn't like a pony? [=;{/)

In fact, I, aye-yiy, aye-yiy dig a pony (and I celebrate anything I want!):O /K

it is sad to learn that the Furthur bus has reached terminal station. very few bands create the entrancing aura Furthur delivered, thanks boys. too bad they call it quits but the future will bring good things. FFFers, where are you?

Tim Flannery recently talked to AP about singing the anthem with Bobby and Phil, and he also dropped a nice cryptical hint about 2015. "We did this two years ago," Flannery said. "And they haven't been together. They're about ready to start a 50th anniversary Grateful Dead, so they kind of split their ways this last summer, and so this might have been the first time they've been together." http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6281764/grateful-deads-phil-lesh…

FFF FFF FFF Hey Cosmic Jerry! Hey Gordon The Drummer!

Hey Jared! hey Gordon, how good to get news from you guys! Grateful for the link Jared, thanks!! :)

An interesting read on an apparently influential letter from Neal Cassady to Jack Kerouac thought to be lost... http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Lost-On-the-Road-letter-lands-in-… Edit II: ...a portion of it is online under The Joan Anderson Letter for perusal.

Darn Patriots lucked out again. Flacco had a great game for Baltimore. Seatle just scored: Seahawks should roll. Colts will surprise the Donkeys tomorrow. Green Bay at home is a good bet.

Some people dvr'd it ya know...

No time like the present, Jeff. I find it hard to watch recorded sporting events after the contest is over. That's some eagle nest on your profile page! I saw a few balds and a couple of golden's last month in the mountains southwest of Laramie WY.

Technically, the same day is the present. It just depends on your time scale. I was only kidding anyway, I had a feeling the new post in this forum had something to do with the football game, so I resisted clicking through to the messages. By the way, I find it hard to the watch inane commercials while the event is happening. So there's the obligatory trade-off.

and it was just guys knockin' th'ell outta each other...is that my lighter?

I'm inclined to believe that could I decipher the meaning in your cryptic posts, unraveling the universe's dark mysteries would be a mere formality; then again, perhaps they're one and the same..../k