AdamSmith

Fair question. When I post news without comment, I guess generally it means... - I think it's interesting for one reason or another. - I likely agree with part or all, if it contains opinion/editorializing. Here, I thought: - Generally interesting whenever Carter says something publicly, as he is usually -- a reasonably shrewd observer of people and things -- who tends to speak his mind bluntly, without much concern for the amour propre of whomever he may be discussing. - And I like to look for what the fairly right-leaning Economist 15 or so years ago termed, with strong approval, his post-presidency penchant for comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.

Ah-HA!

Carter unhappy with Obama’s policies in Middle East By Jim Jones Special to the Star-Telegram Posted Wednesday, Oct. 08, 2014 FORT WORTH — Former President Jimmy Carter put down his hammer at a Meadowbrook Habitat for Humanity project Tuesday for a wide-ranging interview that touched on subjects such as the Obama administration’s use of drones, women’s rights and faith. “I really object to the killing of people, particularly Americans overseas who haven’t been brought to justice and put on trial,” he said. “We’ve killed four Americans overseas with American drones. To me that violates our Constitution and human rights.” In May 2013, the Obama administration acknowledged that it had killed four American citizens in drone strikes in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2009. Carter said it was hard to figure out exactly what President Obama’s policy is in the Middle East. “It changes from time to time,” Carter said. “I noticed that two of his secretaries of defense, after they got out of office, were very critical of the lack of positive action on the part of the president.” Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was the most recent to criticize Obama, in remarks he made to USA Today while promoting his new book, Worthy Fights: A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace. Carter acknowledged that the ISIS situation is complicated and he thinks the U.S. waited too long to respond. “First of all, we waited too long. We let the Islamic state build up its money, capability and strength and weapons while it was still in Syria,” he said. “Then when [iSIS] moved into Iraq, the Sunni Muslims didn’t object to their being there and about a third of the territory in Iraq was abandoned.” Carter sees some hope for the current American policy against ISIS in Iraq where troops on the ground will follow up after air strikes. “If we keep on working in Iraq and have some ground troops to follow up when we do our bombing, there is a possibility of success.” No such ground troops are available in Syria at the moment, he said. “You have to have somebody on the ground to direct our missiles and to be sure you have the right target,” Carter said. “Then you have to have somebody to move in and be willing to fight ISIS after the strikes.” On politics The former president said he and other members of the Carter family supported President Obama’s run for the presidency. “It’s too early to speculate about the next presidential election,” he said. “I think Hillary [Clinton] is a real possibility. Whoever the Democratic candidate is, the Carter family will vote for them.” On Ebola The Carter Center in Atlanta, the human rights organization that Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, founded, hasn’t been working directly on the Ebola crisis, Carter said. “We are working all over Liberia with local chiefs,” he said. “There are about 440 village chiefs very close to the Carter center. So we’ve been getting the chiefs to spread the word [about Ebola] accurately.” Carter said his faith played a big role when he was president and in his present humanitarian work around the world. “My Christian faith has been the foundation of my life,” he said. “I don’t find any real incompatibility in my faith in being a Naval officer, or a farmer, which I was for 17 years, or serving as president.” On women’s rights Carter’s latest book is A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power. “Women are persecuted around the world,” he said. “I think it’s the worst human rights violation on earth right now.” Some verses in the Bible and in the Koran, the Islamic holy book, have been used to affirm that women are not equal to men and that often leads to unequal treatment and abuse, he said. “There are thousands of verses in the Bible,” Carter said. “If you want to believe in slavery you can find verses to support that. If you believe in women not being equal to men you can find that.” In the United States, said Carter, women get less pay for doing the same work and are often deprived of the chance to be leaders of corporations. Women are sexually abused in many areas, including on college campuses and in the military, he said. “Universities don’t want to admit it happens on their campuses,” he said. “So if a girl does report that she’s been raped, they counsel her not to make a big deal of it.” The same problem occurs in the military, Carter said. “The Department of Defense reported last February there were 26,000 sexual assaults [in the military] reported in 2012 and only 1 percent of the accused were brought to justice. They just kind of look the other way.” DFW ‘harmony’ Before talking about world affairs, Carter praised Fort Worth volunteers and others for supporting the Habitat for Humanity project in central Meadowbrook. He noted that contributions mean that 64 homes are being constructed here. The Carters ended their participation in building homes in Fort Worth on Tuesday and will move into Dallas’ Oak Cliff for the rest of the week. Although he recently celebrated his 90th birthday, Carter worked on siding during his two days here, not taking many breaks. “One of the most attractive things I’ve seen in this project is the close harmony I’ve seen between Fort Worth and Dallas,” he said. “Quite often cities so close together are in competition and don’t get along well, but the Habitat groups in both cities seem to be forming a real team.” http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/10/07/6182968/carter-unhappy-with-obamas-policies.html?rh=1

The Days of the Week SCTV's soap opera, a layered and complex melodrama that says, I think, the final word on the genre. Message from Guy: The Days of the Week [4/3 - 4 (1)] Guy plugs SCTV's new soap opera, The Days of the Week, which has made the cover of the National Midnight Star. Caballero - Flaherty 1 The Days of the Week episode 1 [4/3 - 4 (4)] Clay Collins arrives at the hospital to see Dr Sabien. Sabien is talking to Wainright, and is upset about Clay's test results. Violet and Mojo are getting ready to welcome Violet's long lost son Billy, who had amnesia, home. Rocco phones Wainright, to renegotiate their deal. Violet McKay - O'Hara; Mojo - Martin; Dr William Wainright - Candy; Rocco - Flaherty; Clay Collins - Moranis; Dr Elliot Sabien - Levy; Nurses - extras 2 The Days of the Week episode 2 [4/3 - 5 (5)] Zach convinces the mayor to allow chemical war games in Pleasantville. Turns out the land Zach wants for his war games is owned by May Madlock, one of the wealthiest women in Pleasantville. But Zach is not from the Government as he claims. Mrs McKay waits anxiously for Billy to arrive. Clay, feeling great, arrives at Dr Sabien's office to get his test results.The results, however, are bad. May is hanging herself when Zach arrives. Violet McKay - O'Hara; Mojo - Martin; May Madlock - Martin; Clay Collins - Moranis; Dr Elliot Sabien - Levy; Zach Harrington - Thomas; Mayor Shubb - Flaherty; Terrorist - extra; Receptionist - extra 3 The Days of the Week episode 3 [4/3 - 6 (5)] Rocco arrives at Mrs Mackay's, pretending to be Billy, her long lost son. Zach confesses to May that he was after her land, but now he wants her. Dr Sabien tries to be compassionate. Clay tells Sue Ellen the bad news. Violet McKay - O'Hara; Mojo - Martin; May Madlock - Martin; Dr William Wainright - Candy; Rocco - Flaherty; Clay Collins - Moranis; Dr Elliot Sabien - Levy; Sue Ellen - O'Hara; Zach Harrington - Thomas; Wayne - John Hemphill; Biker - extra 4 The Days of the Week episode 4 [4/3 - 7 (5)] Clay and Sue Ellen talk; Clay suggests they marry right away. Mrs Mackay talks with Billy/Rocco; Billy/Rocco asks about her will. Mojo discovers Rocco's gun and confronts him. Clay visits Sabien to invite him to his wedding. Sabien has doubts about the timing (the coming Saturday). Sabien calls Mayor Schubb. Violet McKay - O'Hara; Mojo - Martin; May Madlock - Martin; Dr William Wainright - Candy; Rocco - Flaherty; Clay Collins - Moranis; Dr Elliot Sabien - Levy; Sue Ellen - O'Hara; Zach Harrington - Thomas; Billy McKay - Short 5 The Days of the Week episode 5 [4/3 - 8 (7)] Clay is feeling down and writes a song. Billy McKay arrives at the clubto see Clay, and offers to be his best man. He's going to surprise his mother at the wedding. Rocco calls Wainright to tell him he'll kill Mrs McKay tomorrow at the wedding. May Madlock discovers that Zach is a psychopath. Zach decides to go to the wedding as May's guest. Violet McKay - O'Hara; Mojo - Martin; May Madlock - Martin; Dr William Wainright - Candy; Rocco - Flaherty; Clay Collins - Moranis; Zach Harrington - Thomas; Billy McKay - Short 6 The Days of the Week episode 6: The Wedding [4/3 - 9 (5)] Rocco, Mrs McKay and Mojo arrive at the wedding. Mojo cries. Wainright tries to ignore Rocco as Sabien arrives. Zach arrives posing as the violinist. Billy, best man, greets his mother as he walks up the aisle. Clay almost doesn't make it. Sue Ellen gets a lift to the church from her friends. Bill Murray puts air in his car tires, runs out of gas. Mrs McKay recognizes her son. Clay drops. Zach pulls a gun. Murray arrives to take pictures. Rocco pulls a gun. Cliffhanger ending. Violet McKay - O'Hara; Mojo - Martin; Dr William Wainright - Candy; Dr Elliott Sabien - Levy; Rocco - Flaherty; Clay Collins - Moranis; Zach Harrington - Thomas; Sue Ellen - O'Hara; Wayne - Hemphill; Billy McKay - Short; usher - extra; soloist - extra; priest - extra; biker - extra 7 The Days of the Week episode 7 [5/5 - 1 (8)] The aftermath of the Clay Collins wedding. Elliott, concerned about Wainright's mental state, talks with Wainright. Mojo gets a call from Mrs McKay, who has gone to New York. Billy arrives, despairing at not finding a job. Mojo has taken a liking to Billy. Rocco decides to finger Wainright. Janet visits May, who is still suicidal. May has a flashback. Dr Elliott Sabian - Levy; Wainright - Candy; Mojo - Martin; Billy McKay - Short; Rocco - Flaherty; Rocco's lawyer - Hemphill; May Madlock - Martin; Janet Halsey - Wilcox; Zach Harrington - Thomas (in clip from previous season); prison guard - extra 8 The Days of the Week episode 8 [5/5 - 2 (10)] The newspaper headline is "Rocco Fingers Wainright". Wainright reflects on his problems. Elliott comes in, and Wainright asks him an ethical question. Mojo's prepared a meal for Billy and makes out with his picture. Janet drops in and spoils Mojo's plans. Billy visits Rocco in jail to see just what kind of low-life Rocco is. Dr Elliott Sabian - Levy; Dr Wainright - Candy; Mojo - Martin; Billy McKay - Short; Rocco - Flaherty; Janet Halsey - Wilcox; Prison guard - extra 9 The Days of the Week episode 9 [5/5 - 3 (9)] Elliott makes a house call to May Madlock. Janet joins them in time for his prognosis - she's nuts. Wainright visits Rocco in jail, brings him a sandwich, and convinces him, after hard bargaining, to keep his mouth shut. Mojo's throwing herself at Billy, and foils a date, so he fires her. Dr Elliott Sabian - Levy; Dr Wainright - Candy; Mojo - Martin; Billy McKay - Short; Rocco - Flaherty; May Madlock - Martin; Janet Halsey - Wilcox; Prison Guard - extra 10 The Days of the Week episode 10 [5/5 - 4 (8)] May Madlock is concerned about bacteria. May has been asked to testify at Wainright's trial. Wainright has a flashback to the first day he met Rocco and revealed the plan to get McKay's money. Sabian brings news that Rocco has escaped. Rocco arrives at the McKay apartment and takes Mojo and Billy prisoner. Elliot Sabien - Levy; Dr Wainright - Candy; Mojo - Martin; Billy McKay - Short; Rocco - Flaherty; May Madlock - Martin; Janet Halsey - Wilcox 11 The Days of the Week episode 11 [5/5 - 5 (9)] Rocco ties Mojo and Billy up, and Mojo confesses her love for Billy. Janet arrives at May's to find her on the phone. Sabien is trying to calm Wainright down. Rocco shows up at Wainright's window. Wainright gets rid of Sabien. Wainright convinces Rocco to turn himself in and take the rap once again. Elliot Sabien - Levy; Dr Wainright - Candy; Mojo - Martin; Billy McKay - Short; Rocco - Flaherty; May Madlock - Martin; Janet Halsey - Wilcox 12 The Days of the Week episode 12: The Trial [5/5 - 6 (6)] The courtroom. Wainright and Sabien are sitting together, each lost in his own thoughts. Janet congratulates Billy and Mojo. Rocco is brought in. Mojo takes the stand, but gets the oath wrong. Billy trips over the rail on the way to the stand. Wainright tells Rocco to confess to speed things up. As Rocco looks about to spill the beans, Wainright confesses the whole thing, and then says he was just kidding. Wainright and Sabien get thrown out. Elliot Sabien - Levy; Dr Wainright - Candy; Mojo - Martin; Billy McKay - Short; Rocco - Flaherty; May Madlock - Martin; Janet Halsey - Wilcox; Rocco's lawyer - Hemphill; Prison guard - extra; Woman in courtroom - Carol Burnett; Late Woman - O'Hara; judge, clerk, prosecutor, public - extras http://www.sctvguide.ca/programs/days.htm

EXPAT's delightful Carol Burnett post just now put me in mind of her 'As the Stomach Turns' spot which in turn reminded of SCTV's soap parody 'The Days of the Week' which in its turn led me to this invaluable trove of all things SCTV -- episode synopses, current news, the works: http://www.sctvguide.ca

That's her!

US appeals judges strike down same-sex marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho Gay marriage becomes legal in two conservative states in first ruling since supreme court decided not to hear appeals on bans in five other states http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/oct/07/appeals-judges-strike-down-gay-marriage-ban-idaho-nevada Federal judges struck down same-sex marriage bans in Idaho and Nevada on Tuesday, one day after the US supreme court, by opting not to hear several appeals, essentially allowed bans to be overturned in at least five and as many as 11 other states. A three-judge panel of the ninth circuit US court of appeals ruled that the bans violated the fourteenth amendments equal protection clause. The decision could be a catalyst for same-sex marriage to become legal in Montana, Arizona and Alaska, which also fall under the ninth circuits jurisdiction... ...Writing for a unanimous panel, Judge Stephen Reinhardt sharply criticized the defendants in a 34-page opinion that called state bans on same-sex marriage cruel and repugnant. "Plaintiffs are ordinary Idahoans and Nevadans," said Reindhardt. "One teaches deaf children. Another is a warehouse manager. A third is an historian. Most are parents. Like all human beings, their lives are given greater meaning by their intimate, loving." "Classifying some families, and especially their children, as of lesser value should be repugnant to all those in this nation who profess to believe in family values," Reindhardt wrote. As for the argument that same-sex marriage could negatively affect heterosexual marriages, Reindhardt said: "We seriously doubt that allowing committed same-sex couples to settle down in legally recognized marriages will drive opposite-sex couples to sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll."

She's too cheap thrifty to do that.

Seasonal bump.

Queen Elizabeth Not Amused Palace Staff Picking Up Guys On Grindr October 6, 2014 ● by Dan Avery Police in London are worried about the risk posed by Queen Elizabeth’s staff finding dates on Tinder and Grindr, labeling them “a security nightmare.” The Queen has more than 800 live-in staff members at Buckingham Palace. While butlers, maids and the like can’t have guests in Buckingham Palace itself, they can bring overnight guests to their quarters at St James’s Palace and the Royal Mews so long as they sign them in at the front desk. And we thought security at the White House was weak! “There are real and serious security concerns at Buckingham Palace about members of staff use of dating apps such as Tinder, which can be rather sleazy,” A source told the The Daily Mail. “Palace police are particularly unhappy about the number of guests of servants staying overnight, especially when they may have only just met on Tinder. It is a security nightmare, especially in the current climate.” The source claims guests are sometime asked “a million questions” by security when they do the Walk of Shame the next morning. Dai Davies, a former head of royal protection said overnight guests were the “Achilles heel” in royal security. “Historically this has always been a problem, even when I was in charge way before the introduction of these so-called dating apps,” he said. “It makes a complete mockery of the security structure, unfortunately.” http://www.newnownext.com/queen-elizabeth-grindr/10/2014/

No doubt, but OTOH his being so open about it will take some of the gleeful wind out of TMZ's sails. Unless they dig out the identities of any famous clients!

Thank you! That reminded me that it's Rosten's The Joys of Yiddish that languisheth in the basement.

Oddly enough... How to Check Your Health by Poop or Stool Colors ...Urgent -- ashy pale colors: these can indicate liver or pancreas problems -- Call your doctor! If you see gray, clay-like stool that not only may suggest a liver problem, but also could mean your pancreas is inflamed and/or infected. Bile made by the liver is what makes stools turn brown; by not having enough bile, you'll get those ashen shades indicating: - Obstruction (possibly gallstones) of bile creation or its ducts, such as by infections, scarring, possibly by tumor or cancer, in the area of the liver, pancreas or gallbladder; - Pancreatitis, - Cirrhosis (Hardening) of the liver, or hepatitis. Light-colored, white or clay-colored may suggest a lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction. Side effect of certain medications, such as "large doses" of bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) and other anti-diarrheal drugs... http://m.wikihow.com/Check-Your-Health-by-Poop-or-Stool-Colors

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-yiddish-handbook-40-words-you-should-know/ As a goy I found two or three new words here and some nice shadings in several of the definitions. Currently suffering as my Yiddish phrase book is buried in a box somewhere in the basement.

A guide to same-sex marriage in the US after the supreme court declined appeal http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/06/gay-marriage-state-supreme-court-guide-license

This supreme court decision NOT to decide might be the best thing that ever happened to gay marriage http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/06/supreme-court-decision-gay-marriage-case

RALEIGH -- The U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to review appeals court rulings from seven states striking down gay-marriage bans could make it possible for same-sex couples to wed in North Carolina by the end of the week. Lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union announced within an hour of the Monday decision their plans to file court documents late Monday seeking nullification of North Carolina's Constitutional amendment defining marrage as a union between a man and a woman. North Carolina is one of five states in the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which earlier this year struck down Virginia's gay marriage ban. "The Supreme Court's decision means that the freedom to marry for same-sex couples must be recognized here in North Carolina without delay," Chris Brook, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina, said in a statement on Monday. "We are asking the district court here in North Carolina to immediately issue a ruling striking down North Carolina's unconstitutional and discriminatory ban on marriage for same-sex couples. Every day that gay and lesbian couples in North Carolina are denied the ability to marry the person they love places their families and children in legal and financial jeopardy. The time has come to end this unfair treatment once and for all and to let our American values of freedom and equality apply to all couples." In late July, after the Fourth Circuit struck down Virginias ban, lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal judge in the Middle District of North Carolina, which spans from Durham west to Winston-Salem, to nullify North Carolinas gay marriage ban. The proceedings were halted when U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts halted the immediate effect of the Fourth Circuit ruling while the countrys highest court weighed whether to take up the appeal of the Virginia ruling. Roy Cooper, the North Carolina attorney general and a Democrat widely believed to be a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2016, has said he no longer would defend the 2012 amendment to the N.C. Constitution that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Claude Pope, the North Carolina Republican party chairman, said Monday at a news conference that he was disappointed with the U.S. Supreme Courts decision. "The marriage amendment here passed overwhelmingly, Pope said. So its a little disappointing to see such a mandate by the people get overturned at the higher court level. Time will tell whether North Carolinas law will stand." Blythe: 919-836-4948; Twitter: @AnneBlythe1 Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/10/06/4212101/supreme-courts-action-gives-hope.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1#storylink=cpy

"...Couples in six other states -- Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming -- should be able to get married in short order. Those states would be bound by the same appellate rulings that were put on hold pending the Supreme Court's review..." http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2014/10/supreme_court_gay_marriage.html