Here are some other Orwell observations:

"Speaking the Truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act"; "The great enemy of clear language is insincerity"; " To see what is in front of one's nose requires a constant struggle."

Choice quotes, no?

No. Filet mignon, I'd say.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, shooter242, meditate upon these.

(I can not verify this myself, perhaps someone here can)

I can verify only that I've tried to verify this. I believe I've failed due to a mutiny within my skullcap. As it stands, my "witticisms" generally land with a thud. And yet, scientist that I am, I struggle to continue the experiment (within the context of the Pauline admonition to moderation).

ethics_professor: I'm currently sitting alone in my library, surrounded by my book friends and reading stuff, as family members go out to see the current vampire movie.

Oh, also, Sam Adams is here with me (the hopsy kind).

A Happy Thanksgiving to you (and all others, present and not)!

No upchuck at the table with guest present.

Careful Timothy, I call myself. Did I ever mention Sam Adams was a patriot? He freed me from seeing that vampire movie, after all.

Here's my bastardized take on one of Kipling's stanzas (on behalf of shooter242):

When the tyranny comes -- as it will past a doubt --

Keep out of the wet and don't go on the shout,

For the sickness gets in as the law dies out,

A' it crumples the young Americ citizen soldier.

Crum-, crum-, crumples the Americ citizen soldier....

Or maybe you're especially moved by the holiday spirit.

That's the one. The hell with shooter242.

I did think "huh?".

But then again, Sam Adams visited me yesterday and we "talked" over various matters, so I thought at the time, well, I must've missed something.

C'est la vie! (a coinage which is usually attributed, incorrectly, to Leo Tolstoy--that French sissy)

Far be it from me to interpose myself between you and Kitt. However, I do have a question about a comment you made: Yet somehow, we must -- as a way to get Bin Laden -- re-engage with the Taliban, infuriate Pakistan, and do nation building (spread Democracy) in Afghanistan?

It's my understanding that the Pakistani ISI has backed the Taliban for several years (indeed, the ISI probably was the primary force in the creation of the Taliban). Why, then, would this "infuriate Pakistan"?

Have I read this right?

Changes and progress very rarely are gifts from above. They come out of struggles from below. And the answer to what's next depends on people like you.

I happen to agree with this and so was somewhat taken aback (foolishly perhaps) by Obama's statement the other day "Understand where the vision for change comes from, first and foremost," he told reporters at his third press conference in as many days. "It comes from me. That's my job, is to provide a vision in terms of where we are going, and to make sure, then, that my team is implementing."

Now, I voted for this man because, to be sure, a McCain victory would've been horrifying to me.

Having said that, a genuine reconnection/rebirth to/of democracy is dependent on actual people. This is why I'm such a supporter of Accountability Now, as are you (I think). That's why I'm not much interested in worrying about Obama's cabinet picks in and of themselves; to me, consistent and continuous pressure on him (as on any elected official) must be maintained. He might think the "vision for change" comes from him. I do not.

I guess I did misread. I don't dispute your comment regarding what Obama has said regarding "actionable intelligence" on bin Laden (if the Pakistanis refused to act on it). I read your comment Yet somehow, we must -- as a way to get Bin Laden -- re-engage with the Taliban, infuriate Pakistan, and do nation building (spread Democracy) in Afghanistan? as suggesting that by re-engaging with the Taliban, that would infuriate the Pakistanis.

No harm no foul.

Hey, hope you had a nice Thanksgiving with family and friends (and, nope, I didn't upchuck at the dining table--Sam Adams is my friend, after all. He and I are both patriots--he, actual; me, rhetorical [and that'll make Adnoto snort in disgust]).

No Spellchezk

czech. And I say this as a drinker of Bohemian lager.

Picky, picky, picky not I. That, too, is a region of Bohemia (Pzicky) which I'm all too familiar with and frequent while in a desultory haze. I'm hoisting one for you whether you want me to or not.

T-3? Gulps Belgium's. Pour Laffe bier slowly. Ay! A wide-open glass. Sip! 'Ay @ soft puffy lips.

No fair, spying.

Horary Astrology is an ancient art handed down from guru to trusted disciple. The knowledge is whispered, and only a very subtle mind, purified by years of meditation and fasting, can master this.

What are you talking about? Elysian Mysteries? In English, if you please.

Battle-hardened ATS officials are surprised by the details of the training the terrorists were put through before being despatched for the macabre mission. This was very different from a terrorist attack, and amounted to an offensive from the seam, said a source.

What does this mean, do you think? How is this different from (what I assume is a "typical") a terrorist attack? Many attacks, I'm thinking, have been equally well-thought-out. What am I missing?

How many of you were born June 6, 1966, or 1976?

I was born on both those dates. I guess that would explain my schizophrenia.

Kidding. (Well, one of me, at least)