the Big Mattress - Freeform Interactive Radio on the Net

Imus and the Don

Posted by at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Frivolous fine following Faulk's fantabulously fat fattie February festivities.

Posted by at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 31, 2008

The driver of a Lamborghini was killed early Saturday morning in a high-speed, single-car wreck after his vehicle went through a guardrail on the 101 Freeway, crashed into a parking structure and burst into flames, authorities said.

The 30-year-old Calabasas man, whose name was not immediately released, was pronounced dead at the scene, said California Highway Patrol Officer Patrick Kimball. The man had been badly burned in the crash, Kimball said.

Footage of the aftermath on KABC-TV Channel 7 showed smoke rising from a metal frame and melted steel that was hardly recognizable as a vehicle.

Witnesses reported having seen someone driving recklessly and hearing a loud crash about 2:30 a.m., Kimball said. The car was seen speeding west on the 101 past Topanga Canyon Boulevard just before the incident, he said. Lamborghinis are considered among the world's premier high-performance cars and can cost well into six figures.

The crash caused the closure of two lanes on the westbound 101 for more than six hours.

The cause of the wreck was being investigated.

Posted by at 7:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

not just a pretty face..

Biden should be worried for at least three reasons:
One.
Two.
Three

A HUNTING TROPHY: In this undated photo, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and one of her daughters pose with a caribou she shot. A woman in an exceedingly macho state, Palin has not always been taken seriously. But opponents cross her at their peril.

Posted by at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Got oil?

Moose-burger-eating small town mayor; Miss Alaska runner-up; hockey mom; wingnut extreme abortion foe

“Hey, Charles- you liberal piece of shit- This is how chick governors from Alaska do it. (..and with my eyes closed, Honey!)”

This Just in: Fox News solves VP lack of “foreign-policy experience.”

The rumors that my youngest child is actually my 16 year-old daughter's child is preposterous, hurtful and just another example of Liberal swift-boating!!

If you need to know a bit more about the potential next President of the U.S.A: click below:

• She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.

• Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.

• She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.

• Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.

• She doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.

• She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years.

• She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.

How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.,.,

Posted by at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

.. and I said, “I've heard of it- but I never did it.” He said it would be a lot of, “fun in the sun, out on the high seas,” so I decided to go.
Well, there we were this morning, about six miles off shore. The other guys had caught a few small Aku Aku, but I didn't catch anything- never had- “probably never will” I had told anyone who would listen..“I just don't have that touch, I gue- Whoa! What the hell is that whirring noise!??” “Quick, Charles- Move it!” the Captain yelled. “Move what??” “Your ass, Charles- Get in the Fighting Chair- Quick!! Grab the rod! Quick- This is a really big one!”
Roughly- and I mean really roughly- about 20 minutes later, the first fish I ever caught in my life was a 38 lb. Mahi Mahi.
The Captain said it was the biggest Mahi Mahi caught this year. They kept wanting to take pictures of me holding it- but that sucker was wicked heavy!
More pictures click below:

Posted by at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

I thought Hillary's speech was brilliant. I almost cried a few times watching her. Same with Michelle Obama, President Clinton, the Bidens, Kerry, etc. They all kicked in with their personal best and it was something to behold.

But I have a weird feeling about this election..
No matter how great the Dems show themselves to be at the Convention, no matter how inspired and brilliant the rhetoric, no matter how logical their arguments are; no matter how important the next four years are that we change direction- Right now, I just don't see it happening... Maybe it's just my mood today..(Bleh!)

A liberal friend of mine was saying that he loved Obama, but he was unsure of how Obama would handle areas of “national security”.. It is so strange- talking with all these people- and listening to their reasons for not wanting to vote for Barrack Obama: “I like him, but-...” (Not talking wing nuts here- just talking about moderates, independents and Hillary lovers). They all seem to be abandoning ship, for whatever reasons.

I think I am going to be physically, mentally and emotionally sick on the morning of November 5.
I reserve the right to change my mood and my mind about all this.

Posted by at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (28)

Supercharged edition.

Posted by at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Roe vs. Wade vs. Jimi
Belly Button Window.*
*The original title (on Hendrix's handwritten lyrics) was "Mr and Miss Carrige".

Posted by at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

2nd worst of record.

Posted by at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ha ha- It can't happen here...

Posted by at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Can't we all just get awrong?

Posted by at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

“Hey, Griff- Go check out the hippie protesters at the convention, won't ya? They will love ya, babe..”

Oops!

Posted by at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

New McCain Ad Attacks Obama Kids

Posted by at 6:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The ultimate remote.

Posted by at 3:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Like it was only yesterday...
Just give me a second- (R-Rated- not work or family friendly...)

Posted by at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

A case in point was the scandal surrounding the sale of the BIG BOQUEUS RANCH to the Navajo nation. This matter was so stinky it called for the diligence of both Mike Hawkins and Melvin Mcdonald. It so happened that back in Washington D.C. Dennis DeConcini and John McCain were getting heat from their colleagues about all the swindles of the indian lands. As a matter of fact McCain and DeConcini were leading the charge of these swindlers. Keating's acquisition of his Estrella property, in a round about way, involved a swindle of indian lands.

The definition of a politician: Anyone, who, when being tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a rail can make it appear as if they are leading a parade.

In true fashion, McCain and DeConcini, got themselves appointed co-chairman of a senate investigative committee to delve into these crimes against the indians.

Posted by at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I heard this guy on the radio last week and decided to ignore it, but knew that it was going to be snatched up by the McCain folk and would be a major part of the Obama attacks as we get closer to November. I am curious as to how this is going to play out. If it is rendered credible by the “always-looking-for-a-ratings-getting-story“ Talking Heads, it will wreak havoc and turn the election upside down.

But if the boys in the corporate media do their due diligence, they will ignore it as more of the same Swift-boating. Here's the real deal.

Posted by at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In the last six or seven weeks, about 40 people have sent me this video. It doesn't work for me: I don't think it's original; I don't think it's clever; I don't think it's funny; and (spoiler!!) when the guy's hand comes up at the end, it's not even positioned correctly to look real. But, since everyone keeps sending it to me, I am posting it. (Maybe I am missing something...)

Posted by at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Payback

Posted by at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

D.I.G. for Prez!

Posted by at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

The drive is long.. and last night's chimichangas wait for no one.

Posted by at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Wine Spectator drinks a hearty glass of blush.

Ouch, babe.

Posted by at 12:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Because, for many conservatives, to admit that there is Global Warming would mean to admit that we can do something about it; and to admit we can do something about it, would mean to change the total re-processing of their daily thoughts, habits, ideas, ideals, philosophies, energy priorities and concepts, timelines and the very infrastructure and fabric of their current status-quo. This is not acceptable to them- no matter how much evidence is thrust in their collective, in-denial faces.

.

Posted by at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The ESPN dopes were saying that, after Phelps, the Olympics ratings were buzzard meat..
They couldn't have been more wrong!

Hope Solo

Briana Scurry

Posted by at 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

..that “green ” box of Kleenex tissues you just bought is about as green as this morning's stool sample?
Show your kids' friends this video, and ask them to tell their parents why they should NOT buy Kleenex tissues:
Tell Kimberly-Clark to stop the Iron*E- Instead of putting money toward trying to present itself as green, the company needs to actually be green by improving its environmental practices. Specifically, Kimberly-Clark should stop clear-cutting ancient forests and start using recycled material in Kleenex and other consumer products.
You know you should take the three minutes to help... Yes, You- reading this! You you you, I'm in love with you you you da dum da dee do dum dee
..and since we're talking boycotts today, here's one you dog owners will find interesting.

Posted by at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

September, 1984

Posted by at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everyone says Biden. I still say Hillary.That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
BUT WAIT-Let's play a game for a few minutes... (Now work with me here.)
Let's pretend that Barack Obama announces that his Vice President is going to be....
Not Hillary. Not Biden. Not Bayh. Not Edwar- (Just kidding!) Not Richardson. Not Gore.

but...
General Colin Powell

(Powell steps up to the podium on the first night of the convention, apologizes to the people of America for his naively buying into the Bush/Cheney/Rove/Rumsfeld Cartel arguments (for why we should have gone to war with Iraq); and announces that he is a wiser and more capable man now to help lead us through the difficult times ahead; would like our forgiveness and support as he and Obama strive to take America to a newer and higher level than at anytime in our history.)

Think about that scenario for a long, long few minutes...

(Comments please- I'm dying to read your takes)

Posted by at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)

“How fast can one human being go before there's no more going faster?"
There has to be a number... What is it?

is 9.69 the highest number? Or, in 2020, is 10.69 gong to be the highest? Or ...?

Posted by at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Remember Mikhaiel Gorbachev? I trust him more than I do CNN, NPR or FOX on this one.

Holy shit! Now I'm really scared. I'm on the same page as Gorbachev and Buchanan!!
(yikes)

Those ultra-conservatives sure know each other, don't they....?

Posted by at 5:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Bad News: Hold on, Yaz.
Good News: Amy Winehouse still alive.

Posted by at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Rated R- Listen with headphones- or wait until the coast is clearly clear.
Lily Allen is a pop star from England. She is dissing the British version of American neocons- but her lyrics fit like the shoe Americans have been wearing for eight years.

..and for all of you Amy Winehouse fans, a reader reminds me of this interesting duel that has been going on for almost a year between our last two Big Mattress Song of the Week stars!!

Read lyrics below:

Look inside, look inside your tiny mind
and look a bit harder
Cause we’re so uninspired
so sick and tired
of all the hatred you harbor

So you say it’s not okay to be gay
well I think you’re just evil
You’re just some racist who can’t tie my laces
you’re point of view is medieval

Fuck you, fuck you very very much
cause we hate what you do
and we hate your whole crew
so please don’t stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you very very much
cause your words don’t translate
and it’s getting quite late
so please don’t stay in touch

Do you get, do you get a little kick out of being small-minded?
you want to be like your father
it’s approval you’re after
well that’s not how you’ll find it

Do you, do you really enjoy living a life that’s so hateful?
cause there’s a hole where your soul should be
you’re losing control of it
and it’s really distasteful

Fuck you, fuck you very very much
cause we hate what you do
and we hate your whole crew
so please don’t stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you very very much
cause your words don’t translate
and it’s getting quite late
so please don’t stay in touch

Look inside, look inside your tiny mind
and look a bit harder
Cause we’re so uninspired
so sick and tired
of all the hatred you harbor

Fuck you, fuck you very very much
cause we hate what you do
and we hate your whole crew
so please don’t stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you very very much
cause your words don’t translate
and it’s getting quite late
so please don’t stay in touch

Posted by at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

NOT WORK OR FAMILY FRIENDLY!

Sports for Guys.
Sport for Girls.

Posted by at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Is it election fraud? Or is it that place we don't want to ever go to... (like, remember Zeitgeist.)

Posted by at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Don't let the NRA block sensible gun-control laws.

Other forms of gun control could get you killed.(By your wife)

(Below is a tedious list of statistics (which NRA “extremies” and other wingies refuse to acknowledge) only for those inclined to delve and research. Of course, this information has always been available-but who has time to sort out facts these days...?)

Weapons Possessed by the Branch Davidians
In total, the Texas Department of Public Safety, led by the Texas
Rangers, recovered more than 300 firearms from the Branch
Davidian compound. In addition, a number of live grenades and
more than 300 grenade components were uncovered. Hundreds of
thousands of rounds of ammunition were also seized.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms investigated David
Koresh for conduct involving: the illegal manufacture of machine
guns and the illegal manufacture and possession of destructive
devices. The FBI report provides evidence that the Davidians'
arsenal did indeed include weapons unlawfully manufactured. The
weapons listed include semiautomatic firearms illegally modified
to fire in full automatic mode, as well as grenades and
silencers. All of these weapons were unlawfully possessed.
I hope you find these documents useful as you review Treasury's
report on ATF's role in events at Waco.
WEAPONS RECOVERED FROM THE BRANCH DAVIDIAN COMPOUND:
TREASURY SUMMARY OF REPORT PREPARED BY THE FBI FOR PROSECUTORS
AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
ILLEGAL WEAPONS RECOVERED
Machine guns
The FBI determined that 46 semiautomatic firearms had been
modified to fire in full automatic mode:
22 M-16 Type Rifles
20 AK-47 Type Rifles
2 Heckler and Koch SP-89
2 M-11/Nine
The FBI also determined that two AR-15 lower receivers had been
modified to fire in full automatic mode.
Silencers
21 Sound suppressors or silencers
Hand Grenades
4 Live M-21 Practice Hand Grenades
The possession of lawfully manufactured machineguns, silencers,
or grenades requires the owner to register the weapon with the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. None of the compound's
residents were registered to own such a weapon, therefore it
would have been illegal for them to possess these weapons.
WEAPONS RECOVERED FROM THE BRANCH DAVIDIAN COMPOUND:
TREASURY SUMMARY OF REPORT PREPARED BY THE FBI FOR PROSECUTORS
AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
TOTAL WEAPONS RECOVERED
(Including Weapons Mentioned on Previous Page)
FIREARMS
Rifles and Rifle Components
61 M-16 Type and 2 M-16 Lower Receivers
61 AK-47 Type
34 AR-15 Type and 2 AR-15 Lower Receivers
13 Shotguns -- 12 gauge
11 7.62MM FN FAL Type
10 Mini-14 Type
7 37mm. Flare Gun/Launcher Type
6 .30 Carbine Calber US Carbine, Model M1
6 Assorted Rifles
5 M-11/Nine
5 M-14 Type
3 Galil
2 Heckler and Koch SP-89
1 Air Rifle
1 Heckler and Koch MP-5
1 Sten submachine gun

Pistols and Revolvers
23 Beretta
13 Glock
8 Assorted Revolvers
6 Safari Arms
6 Assorted Pistols
5 Sig Sauer
5 Walther
2 Taurus
EXPLOSIVES
Hand Grenades
4 Live M-21 Practice Hand Grenades
100+ Modified M-21 Practice Hand Grenade bodies; the bodies
of these had been threaded and plugged but lacked a main charge
or fusing system.
11 M-69 Practice Hand Grenades; the bodies of these
grenades exhibited indications of attempted modifications.
219 Grenade Safety Pins
243 Grenade Safety Levers
Rifle Grenades
200+ Inert M31 Practice Rifle Grenades.

FIREARMS ACCESSORIES AND PARTS
Silencers
21 Sound suppressors or silencers.
Flash Suppressors
18 Flash Suppressors.
Firearms Barrels
17 M-16/AR-15 Type (5.56mm)
8 M-16/AR-15 Type (9mm caliber)
3 M-16/AR-15 Type (.45 ACP caliber)
1 M-16/AR-15 Type (5.56mm)
2 Ruger. 22 Caliber
1 M-60 machine gun
1 12 Gauge Shotgun
1 Taurus, Model 92, 9mm pistol barrel
1 Sig Sauer 9mm pistol barrel
Pistol Slides
1 Sig Sauer Model
Revolver Parts
1 .38 Special caliber cylinder
Bolt Carriers
39 M-16
24 AR-15
2 MP-5
2 AK-47
1 FAL
1 Unknown
Bolts
15 AK-47
7 .22 LR conversion
3 M-16/AR-15
1 FN FAL (1)
Bolt Assemblies
3 M-11/Nine
2 M-16
1 AR-15
1 MAC-10
1 Shotgun
Recoil Springs and Guides
3 Glock
2 Sig Sauer
1 Beretta
1 M-11/Nine
Stripper Clips
29 Stripper Clips
Accessories
6 .22 LR Caliber Conversion Kits
Hammers
31 AK-47
18 M-16
12 AR-15
4 M-11/Nine
2 Sig Sauer
1 Beretta
Hammer Springs
3 AK-47
Buffer/Recoil Springs
36 M-16/AR-15
4 AK-47
Selector Switches
9 M-16
3 AR-15
1 Unknown
Sears
1 M-11/Nine
Auto Sears
8 AK-47
4 M-16
1 FN FAL
Auto Sear Springs
12 AK-47
Disconnects
7 AK-47
1 M-16
Trigger/Trigger Mechanisms/Trigger Housings
17 M-16
6 AR-15
3 M-60
3 M-11/Nine
2 MP-5
2 Sten
1 AK-47
1 Heckler & Koch
1 M-14
1 Smith & Wesson
1 Beretta
1 Shotgun
Ammunition Magazines
289 7.62 x 39mm AK-47 Type
248 .223/5.56mm M-16/AR-15 Type
108 Sten Gun Type
88 .308 Caliber FN FAL Type
72 M-14 Type
61 Beretta Model Type 92
58 .308 Caliber of Unknown Type
28 Ruger Mini-14 Type
22 .22 Caliber
17 UZI Type
16 USAS-12 Type
13 .45 Caliber
11 Glock
11 MP-5
11 Sig Sauer P226/P228
9 Unknown Type
7 .308 Caliber Galil Type
6 Walther PPK
5 9mm Unknown Type
4 .50 Caliber
3 .30 Caliber U.S. Carbine
3 .380 Auto Caliber
2 9mm Smith & Wesson
1 AK-74 Type
1 Grendel
Ammunition Containers
220 Metal Boxes (Various Calibers)
15 Wooden Boxes (Various Calibers)
4 Buckets (Varioius Calibers)
1 Cardboard Boxes (Various Calibers)
Magazine Springs
360 M-16/AR-15
42 FN FAL .308 Caliber Type
35 AK-47
28 9mm Magazine Springs of Unknown Type
15 Unknown
10 M-14
6 M-1 Carbine
3 .50 Caliber
1 Mini-14 Magazine
1 Glock
These lists do not include dozens of other items recovered from
the Compound such as dust covers, extractors, front and rear
sights, gun cleaning equipment, bolt release levers,
compensators, .50 caliber belt links and numerous other parts.

Posted by at 8:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Because- well- Sometimes it just hurts your head!

Posted by at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Paragon Park

Posted by at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Instant access to the slammer.

Posted by at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Holds true in more examples than you might imagine.

Posted by at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anchors away!

Posted by at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Is that too much to ask?

Posted by at 7:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

First woman on the moon.

Posted by at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Please keep volume down- Not Work or Family Friendly!
NY Pizza 1
NY Pizza 2

Posted by at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Together again!

Posted by at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Bear; the Eagle; the Global game of chess.

Posted by at 9:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(but he's not the greatest..)

Posted by at 7:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Especially those “on the fence.”

Posted by at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You decide....
I am totally conflicted now, especially after reading part (not the spoilers) of this review.
“it's going to be really interesting when Robert Downey Jr. runs into "I Am Sam" star Sean Penn at the next Vanity Fair party..”

Posted by at 5:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Rhode Island is New England- is Amerika.
Sad.

Posted by at 7:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

1. Pheromones Pher: (take it from Danny Williams.) Testosterone Tuesday

2. Randy's Video Dating Message: Estrogen Wednesday

Not Work Friendly • Keep Volume Down in work or family environment

Posted by at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ella Fitzgerald forgets the words to Mack the Knife- and wings it before a live audience in Berlin.

Posted by at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

This, then, is Nino, Nino, Nino-Master Sandwich Creator (Part 1)

Starring Tom Couch, Eddie Gorodetsky, a younger Charles Laquidara, Charles' hair, and a colorful cast of others.
(See if you can spot the film's in-house cocaine dealer.)

Shot in September 1980 at Surf Theater and Phillips Beach in Swampscott; Newbury St.; MIT; Whalom Park and various Boston and North Shore locations.
Here's part 2
Here's part 3
Here's part 4
Here's part 5

Posted by at 7:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I don't watch the shopping channels very often...but sometimes they are kind of cool.

Posted by at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pop Quiz:
Question: The more of these you have, the longer you live:

answer below

Birthdays!! (and here's your birthday bumper sticker.)

Posted by at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The National Enquirer had the John Edwards story for weeks, and it was ignored by the mainstream media. All over the Internet and elsewhere we are hearing about how the lines of communication are changing; how the mainstream media are no longer in charge; how they had the story, but, unwisely, chose to ignore it; how it's a new dawning in the world of communication; how blah blah blah.
Joe Klein has this to say about all that (and it's about time).

Posted by at 6:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Whole Foods recalls meat.

Posted by at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bush at the Olympics

Posted by at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

The closet voter no one wants to see... but let's do the math.
(And we all know it's not you they're talking about).

Posted by at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

As we do a little bit of traveling.

Posted by at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

The Borowitz Report

Posted by at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Subject: One Drunk
Action: Superglue one flip-flop to floor
Result: Schadenfreude

Posted by at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The bombs of August: A parallax view

1. “Apart from the moral questions involved, were the atomic bombings militarily ecessary? By any rational yardstick, they were not. Japan already had been defeated militarily by June 1945. Almost nothing was left of the once mighty Imperial Navy, and Japan's air force had been all but totally destroyed. Against only token opposition, American war planes ranged at will over the country, and US bombers rained down devastation on her cities, steadily reducing them to rubble.”

2. “America's leaders understood Japan's desperate position: the Japanese were willing to end the war on any terms, as long as the Emperor was not molested. If the US leadership had not insisted on unconditional surrender -- that is, if they had made clear a willingness to permit the Emperor to remain in place -- the Japanese very likely would have surrendered immediately, thus saving many thousands of lives.”

3. General Douglas MacArthur, Commander of US Army forces in the Pacific, stated on numerous occasions before his death that the atomic bomb was completely unnecessary from a military point of view: "My staff was unanimous in believing that Japan was on the point of collapse and surrender."

4. The fact is that as far as the Japanese militarists were concerned, the atomic bomb was just another weapon. The two atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were icing on the cake, and did not do as much damage as the firebombings of Japanese cities. The B-29 firebombing campaign had brought the destruction of 3,100,000 homes, leaving 15 million people homeless, and killing about a million of them. It was the ruthless firebombing, and Hirohito's realization that if necessary the Allies would completely destroy Japan and kill every Japanese to achieve "unconditional surrender" that persuaded him to the decision to end the war. The atomic bomb is indeed a fearsome weapon, but it was not the cause of Japan's surrender, even though the myth persists even to this day.

Click below to read e-mail exchange between Charles and a blog reader.

________________________________________________________________________

On Aug 7, 2008, at 12:03 PM, ten44@nospam.com wrote:

Charles -- I've always enjoyed your blog - I was there at the start.

Methinks that a change to the limitations are warranted.

Would you, as the supreme master of blogdom, consider an extension to the restriction of "two comment only" after a discussion has started to die.

I think the Japanese Bomb post would take off again if maybe after three days those that were restricted of posting were allowed to continue the debate as a post a day.

It can't get any worse, but it could get a bit better. No?

Ten 44"
Norton, MA

________________________________________________________________________

Dear Ten44

First, just know that I originally labeled this post as the Parallax view, knowing that it was a hotpoint issue.
That being said, I have to turn you down on this one. I was chomping at the bit to kill you guys on this whole controversial question, but I have found through experience (and we both know this) that you really can't change people's minds when they get to a certain age. You, me and Danny are great examples.

The linked article I cited was as good as any history textbook in supplying information and commentary. It was backed up by the Commander of Armed Forces during WW2 and Admiral Leahy as well- and it was STILL challenged by yourself and others, because (as someone pointed out, “McArthur was pissed at Truman,” and, of course, Danny questioned the motives of the authors, predictably labeling them as “revisionists”).

This proves something that we are slowly finding out since the advent of the Internet: Nothing is true and everything is true- there is no “final answer” to any question- be it Global Warming, who Killed the Kennedy's (or even Lincoln) and whether the Federal Reserve Board are the good guys or the bad guys. What was right may now be wrong- and visa versa; just click on Google and you can find a fact that agrees with your thinking. Danny is a master at this.

I think when we were younger, life was much simpler. You may recall the days when we knew that racism was bad, tree-hugging was adviseable and the only good war was WW2. Now everything has changed; and- without placing the blame on any people, political party or group- I can only say that it's a different set of rules we are all playing by now.
Hope you understand the 2-comment limit. What you may not know is that most of the criticism I get about my blog is that it is like an AOL chat line, with the same 10 people commenting all the time. The way you can relate to it best is to imagine you are listening to your favorite talk radio station, and the same 10 people are calling in every day- how long would you listen? I have that 2-comment limit because it works to give others out there, who don't normally comment, the chance to do so- without feeling like they are going to be crucified by the Dannys, h's, noochs, Duanes and Almond Joys of the world, and it seems to be working.

I am going to post this exchange, by the way. I think others should read it, as well.

-charles

Posted by at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Mars and Venus (Part 6)

Posted by at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Duffy: Mercy

(Also check out this video of her song Stepping Stone)

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Mommy needs a housecleaner. Daddy needs someone to get him beer. Start saving...

Posted by at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

1265 Boylston Street looking for a restaurateur..

Posted by at 5:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

See how old your brain is.

My first try= 60 yr old brain
2nd try= 40 yr old brain

Memorize these rules first! (I didn't, and blew it on the first try.)
1. Click on 'start'
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1.
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen, then click on the
circle for the smallest to the biggest number.
4. At the end of game the computer will tell you how old your brain is.
Now that I've given you these tips, you should probably kick ass, unless you're a total RE(cantusethatwordanymorenotPC.)

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fiscal conservative

Posted by at 6:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Back in the news again. (sigh)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

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Here's another great site for you to save in your browser, to check information and to weed out the facts from the hoaxes and hate-mail rumors you receive every day.

Posted by at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How to Raise Olympic Attendance.

Not Work Friendly! (at least not in breast-fearing America.)

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and National Review Readers will never read.

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Rebel, Trigger, Topper, Duke and Silver.

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How about them “fly-overs”!!

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Think they practice a lot?

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The Byrds • Renaissance Fair • Monterey Pop Festival
Raw. Live. Total zeitgeist of the 60's.

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Acting like he wants to lead the Free World.... What chutzpa!

Posted by at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

"Fox, by its mere existence, undercuts the argument that the public is starved for 'fair' news, and not just because Fox shills for the Republican Party and panders to the latest of America's periodic religious manias. The key to understanding Fox News is to grasp the anomalous fact that its consumers know its 'news' is made up….Fox Television showed us the future -- outright lies and paranoid opinions packaged as news under the oversight of Rupert [Murdoch], a flagrant pirate, and Roger Ailes, an unprincipled Nixon thug who had assumed a journalistic disguise in much the same way that the intergalactic insect in Men in Black shrugged into the borrowed skin of a hapless hillbilly."
-- Times former Executive Editor Howell Raines, from his autobiography on fly-fishing, "The One that Got Away."
* Picked as one of the quotes of note by TimesWatch, a right-wing Internet site devoted to documenting and exposing the liberal agenda of the NY Times

Posted by at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

... is really not so new.

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Americans will be taxed for every child after the third.

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