AdamSmith

Draker's back already?!

The Guardian said this back in September: "...Analysts said the moves against Vladimir Yevtushenkov this week looked like a raid on his business by Kremlin-connected forces, and were a sign of an intensifying battle for a "shrinking pie" of resources." http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/17/oligarch-yevtushenkov-arrest-deepens-fears-russian-economy Guardian or some other paper speculated much as you did, MsGuy, that this new danger to those on the inside could eventually, maybe not too far off either, be a big factor in Putin's undoing, if it comes to that.

Rand Paul's Cuba op-ed in Time: http://time.com/3642353/rand-paul-cuba-rubio-isolationists-just-dont-get-it/

Wow. Martha Stewart's Gingerbread 'Downton Abbey' https://www.yahoo.com/diy/changing-the-gingerbread-game-the-gingerbread-105534501290.html http://www.marthastewart.com/1096452/behind-scenes-gingerbread-abbey?xsc=synd_ydiy_article_gingerbreadabbey

You said it, not me!

Merry Christmas, Mr. Putin http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-18/putin-gambled-on-russias-economy-ukraine-policy-and-lost

Putin's Extremely Long, Very Weird Press Conference http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-18/vladmir-putins-surreal-press-conference

Excellent look at Toyota's nascent venture into hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. And incidentally the culture change in the return of a Toyoda to lead the company. The World's Biggest Car Company Wants to Get Rid of Gasoline http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-17/toyota-embraces-fuel-cell-cars-for-post-gasoline-future

A virulently right wing acquaintance from high school tonight got into a dust up on Facebook defending the opening to his right wing compadres. His point was: China has already got far ahead of us in buying up, one way or another, the underdeveloped economic potential in South America -- do you really insist we eventually let them have even Cuba too? NYT has long editorialized, without using quite these words, that it is potentially a Mexican-priced labor force but of educated, high-skill doctors, technicians, etc.

Fascinating glimpse into the mind of George III. Not really Politics but whatever. George III 'eccentric' drawing discovered hidden in British Library http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/11302652/George-III-eccentric-drawing-discovered-hidden-in-British-Library.html

Pope Francis Marks 78th Birthday By Giving Out 400 Sleeping Bags To The Homeless http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6349210?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Republicans hardly unanimous on new Cuba policy MSNBC.com ...GOP critics of the White Houses announcement werent hard to find yesterday. Every Republican whos likely to run for president in 2016 was eager to tell news organizations how outraged they are, as were many GOP congressional leaders. As the day progressed, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) seemed to be having a competition of sorts, with each effectively saying, No, Im more enraged than you. Its hard to know how much of this was sincere and how much of it was knee-jerk opposition to everything the president says, but either way the Republican posturing puts the party at odds with the American mainstream. David Graham noted yesterday, n every Gallup poll since 1999, a majority of Americans have wanted to normalize relations with Cuba, with the number varying between 55 and 71 percent in favor. And bare majorities or in one 2000 poll, a plurality have also supported ending the U.S. embargo against the country. More important, however, is the degree to which the Republican posturing also masked GOP support for Obamas policy shift. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), for example, was on the plane back from Cuba with Alan Gross yesterday, and the Arizonan said hell sponsor legislation to vastly expand American travel to Cuba. Soon after, Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) said hell introduce an identical bill in the House. Around the same time, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the incoming chairman of the House Oversight Committee, publicly expressed support for the Obama administrations policy. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, held his fire altogether, saying only that his panel would be closely examining the policy change. Meanwhile, the GOPs allies at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are delighted by the White Houses new policy towards Cuba, leaving Marco Rubio in the awkward position of blasting American business interests looking for profits. Since when do far-right Republicans criticize the U.S. private sector looking for expanded trade? The politics of this breakthrough are more nuanced than some might think. Indeed, the White House could plausibly claim ample bipartisan support for their policy. Update: This afternoon, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also expressed support for Obamas shift on Cuba. The 50-year embargo just hasnt worked, Paul said, adding, In the end, I think opening up Cuba is probably a good idea. So far, hes the only Republican likely to run for president to endorse the change. http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/republicans-hardly-unanimous-new-cuba-policy

FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: December 4 RE: Christmas Party I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols. Please feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if the CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time. However, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pocketbook. This gathering is only for employees! The CEO will make a special announcement. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Pauline --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: December 5 RE: Holiday Party In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, although unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians. There will be no Christmas tree or Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment. Happy Holidays to you and your family, Pauline --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: December 6 RE: Holiday Party Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only," you wouldn't be anonymous anymore! In addition, we will no longer be having the gift exchange because the union officials feel that $10.00 is too much money and management believes $10.00 is a little cheap. Pauline --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: December 7 RE: Holiday Party What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else package everything up for you to take home. Will that work? Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the toilets. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with gay men, each will have their own table. There will be flower arrangements for the gay men's table. To the person asking permission to cross dress - no cross dressing allowed. We will have booster seats for short people. Low fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food. We suggest those people with high blood pressure taste the food first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for diabetics. The restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Happy Now? Pauline --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: December 8 RE: The Holiday Party People! People! Nothing sinister was intended by wanting our CEO to play Santa Claus. Even if the anagram for “Santa” does happen to be “Satan.” There is no evil connotation to our own little “man in a red suit.” Pauline --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Pauline Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: December 9 RE: The ****** Holiday Party Vegetarian jerks: I've had it with you people! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it. You'll get your f****** salad bar, including organic tomatoes, but you know tomatoes have feelings too, they scream when you slice them. I'm hearing them scream right NOW! I hope you all have a rotten holiday and then drink, drive and die. Pauline, the Bitch from HELL! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: John Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: December 10 RE: Pauline and the Holiday Party I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pauline Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, the management has decided to cancel our holiday party and instead, give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd December off with full pay. Have a SUCCESSFUL day! John

Which largely continues in place, alas, until Congress rewrites law. Kudos to the Executive in the meantime. And Il Papa. And, not to forget, Raul.

A great story! Another member here recounted similar, where a hookup wanted this treatment. I've inadvertently let rip while in flagrante delicto, but not with anybody who found it arousing, just hilarious.

Those darned Saxe-Coburg-Gothas! The funniest Royal Family pictures of 2014 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/11296246/The-funniest-Royal-Family-pictures-of-2014.html?image=7