It's 'Take a Bite Out of Something' Friday.

Why? because it's been a long, arduous week.

Heh.

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Friday Photo(s): Veterans Day

These taken at the otherwise miserable Titans loss to the Bengals last Sunday.

Veteran's Day is today; this display by the 101st Airborne was accompanied by tributes to all branches of our military. Thanks to all the vets who are serving and who have served in support of this great nation.

Looking from LP Field to the Pedestrian Bridge...

...and from the Pedestrian Bridge back at the stadium.

Click to enlarge. The flag - field photo is scaled massively; to 1920 x 1110, to fit a decent monitor's screen. T'other two at 1200 x 800.

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Friday Photo: ROSIE O'DONNELL: IS THAT YOU ?

My original photo, unaltered (clicky to embiggen)...

The same pic, rotated and cropped so's you can clearly see the...face!

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Friday Photo: NOT a Barking Spider

...but a backyard spider.

Cute little fella, eh?

I'd be remiss (since I mentioned barking spiders) not to link this (h/t JeffG) at Military Times ...

So here’s the news: audible farting has been banned for some Marines downrange because it offends the Afghans.

I know there are many things in the Afghan culture that don’t seem normal to Americans and it’s hard to spend seven months working in someone else’s back yard. Still, the Marines I saw downrange are doing a pretty good job at trying to do the right thing around the Afghans.

They’re not supposed to cuss because it could be misunderstood (that one goes out the window a lot). And they stay away from talking about politics, religion or girls because those topics could escalate into major disagreements (they can’t communicate anyway because of the language barrier).

But farting? That’s practically a sport. Ok, it’s not soccer, but a good contest could open the door for cross-cultural exchanges, jokes and other gallows humor.

So, for all Marines getting ready to go downwind, I mean downrange, be forewarned — you may have to hold it in… at least until you get back to your hooch where you can loudly crop dust your friends.

OK.

Be sure to read the comments there; this one is typical...

Really? We are worried about offending people who crap in the corner of their own living space. On a daily basis Marines are accosted by the grotesque living conditions of the ANA and ANP, assaulted by non-stop request to go to the sack with them, have to put up with their complete incompetence, have to worry about whether or not their ANA and ANP tag along is going to bail during a fire fight (or shoot at you, or maybe he is the one who put that IED in place), but we can’t fart in front of them. Sure thing. Maybe the guy who made this call should step away from his desk for a minute and put eyes on what’s really happening down range.

And some wag put together a list of terms that mean 'farting'. Yes, 'barking spiders' is one of them; but I'd heard that one decades ago, and is one of my favorite euphemistic synonyms for that familiar human condition.

Oh, Semper fidelis, Marines, and let 'em rip.

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Friday One-Hits; and a Friday Photo Study

* Jimmah Carter posts an obit in today's NYT: "Call off the Global Drug War". Explains much of his policies, that.

* Charles Krauthammer posts an editorial in the OC Register, pointing out that Democrats need Unions and Unions need Democrats. Nothing new and earth-shattering about that fact; just nice to see it getting ever more exposure. Two recent events prove that Unions and Democrats are in bed and furiously mating: the Boeing case and of course the Wisconsin debacle. Krauthammer...

Instructive cases all, demonstrating how those who lose popular support – Democrats at the polls, unions in their declining membership – can subvert and circumvent the popular will by judicial usurpation (Wisconsin) or administrative fiat (Boeing).

The Wisconsin maneuver ultimately failed, as likely will the assault on Boeing. In the interim, however, there is collateral damage – to U.S. exports, to the larger economy, to bankruptcy law, to free trade, to a constitutional system wherein the legislatures make the laws, rather than willful judges and partisan regulators.

But what are those when there are unions to appease and elections to win?

Damned dirty socialists, Democrats and Unions; a pox on 'em, really.

* Speaking of 'furiously mating', this photo of the street riots sparked by the Boston Bruins' ice-hockey win over the Canucks in Vancouver is said by Iowahawk to be 'The Best. Picture. Ever.'.

Wouldn't go that far, but that photo is an excellent example of far-out emotional ranging in potentially stressful and violent situations. And, coming off of Weiner's resignation yesterday, we needed a second look, for further cognitive study, of uncontrollable behaviors brought on by empathic emotional responses to situational stresses. Definitely the photo warrants a second look. Wouldn't you agree?

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Friday Photo: Double Take

Choke on this, LeftLibProggs...

Look-alike impersonator Cecilia Thompson

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, poses with celebrity look-alike impersonator Cecilia Thompson during a tour of Boston's North End neighborhood, Thursday, June 2, 2011. Palin's father Chuck Heath is at center.

This gal is gonna wipe the floor with Obama, mark my words, run or not.

Sarah Palin is the anti-Obama. Just what this nation needs.

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