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Don't recall this being much if at all discussed here when it was released Sept. 2011. Still seems only too relevant. Report - A Call to Courage: Reclaiming Our Liberties Ten Years After 9/11 September 7, 2011 Download the Report » An ACLU report release to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 warns that a decade after the attacks, the United States is at risk of enshrining a permanent state of emergency in which core values must be subordinated to ever-expanding claims of national security. (More on Civil Liberties After 9/11 ») The report, entitled, "A Call to Courage: Reclaiming Our Liberties Ten Years after 9/11," explores how sacrificing America's values – including justice, individual liberty, and the rule of law – ultimately undermines safety. (Read the full report ») Everywhere And Forever War The report begins with an examination of the contention that the U.S. is engaged in a "war on terror" that takes place everywhere and will last forever, and that therefore counterterrorism measures cannot be balanced against any other considerations such as maintaining civil liberties. The report states that the United States has become an international legal outlier in invoking the right to use lethal force and indefinite military detention outside battle zones, and that these policies have hampered the international fight against terrorism by straining relations with allies and handing a propaganda tool to enemies. A Cancer On Our Legal System Taking on the legacy of the Bush administration's torture policy, the report warns that the lack of accountability leaves the door open to future abuses. "Our nation's official record of this era will show numerous honors to those who authorized torture – including a Presidential Medal of Freedom – and no recognition for those, like the Abu Ghraib whistleblower, who rejected and exposed it," it notes. Fracturing Our “More Perfect Union” The report details how profiling based on race and religion has become commonplace nationwide, with the results of such approaches showing just how wrong and ineffective those practices are. "Targeting the American Muslim community for counterterrorism investigation is counterproductive because it diverts attention and resources that ought to be spent on individuals and violent groups that actually pose a threat," the report says. "By allowing – and in some cases actively encouraging – the fear of terrorism to divide Americans by religion, race, and belief, our political leaders are fracturing this nation’s greatest strength: its ability to integrate diverse strands into a unified whole on the basis of shared, pluralistic, democratic values." A Massive and Unchecked Surveillance Society Concluding with the massive expansion of surveillance since 9/11, the report delves into the many ways the government now spies on Americans without any suspicion of wrongdoing, from warrantless wiretapping to cell phone location tracking – but with little to show for it. "The reality is that as governmental surveillance has become easier and less constrained, security agencies are flooded with junk data, generating thousands of false leads that distract from real threats," the report says. “A Call to Courage” points out that many controversial policies have been shrouded in secrecy under the rubric of national security, preventing oversight and examination by the public. "We look to our leaders and our institutions, our courts and our Congress, to guide us towards a better way, and it is now up to the American people to demand that our leaders respond to national security challenges with our values, our unity – and yes, our courage – intact." READ THE FULL REPORT » MORE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES AFTER 9/11 » Download» Download (1.69 MB)This PDF file can be opened with the free Adobe Reader http://www.aclu.org/national-security/report-call-courage-reclaiming-our-liberties-ten-years-after-911

Sorry to disappoint those that think of Ghostbusters, this thread isn't the answer to who the Keymaster is. This thread is for all the fans (fanatics) of roller coasters. This Gatekeeper is the new rollercoaster at Cedar Point. As summer begins, there are new roller coasters all over. Here is a good reference for many of them: http://theinformistnews.com/2013/05/09/new-roller-coaster-is-set-to-break-records-7-world-records/ Here is some info about the new one at Cedar Point (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GateKeeper_(roller_coaster)). Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio adds to its fat portfolio (16!) of coasters with GateKeeper, which makes its debut Saturday. The steel, wing roller coaster will suspend riders 170 feet above the Cedar Point Beach then send them hurtling through six inversions and stomach-dropping falls at close to 70 mph. GateKeeper, the new wing roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, breaks seven world records, boasting the longest track (4,164 feet), tallest drop (164 feet) and six inversions, the most of any wing coaster on the planet. It debuts May 11, 2013. I've always had a passion for roller coasters but unfortunately as I've gotten older I've forgone them for a variety of reasons. First, it started getting too rough for this aging body and I would often feel the aftereffects with stiff necks and/or sore muscles. Second, for some unknown reason I have started to get motion sickness with those rides and it is no fun losing it during or right after the ride. Finally, I think I've about had it for the huge crowds and long lines in the hot sun for a minute or two of thrills. Still, when I see these new coasters I think fondly of the many great ones I've been on over the years. I still love the wooden ones, when you can find them, but I realize there is no way they could use those in the way they can steel ones to do what they do today. So now I focus my thrill seeking with escorts. Granted, there is still some sore muscles but hardly ever any motion sickness or large crowds involved Anyway, thankfully there are YouTube videos and we can live vicariously through them to somewhat experience the ride. So for those that love roller coasters, here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LELYqHGOGrA

I found this tidbit that I thought was interesting (ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooden_roller_coaster#Wooden_versus_steel) "Wooden roller coasters provide a very different ride and experience from steel roller coasters. While they are traditionally less capable than a steel coaster when it comes to inversions and elements, wooden coasters instead rely on an often rougher and more "wild" ride, as well as a more psychological approach to inducing fear. Their structures and track, which usually move anywhere from a few inches to a few feet with a passing train, give a sense of unreliability and the "threat" of collapse or disregard for safety. Of course, this assumption is purely mental, and wooden roller coaster supports and track systems are designed to sway with the force. If the track and structure are too rigid, they will break under the strain of the passing train. The swaying of the track reduces the force applied per second (see impulse), like a shock absorber. The debate rages as to which type of coaster is better: wood or steel. This is unlikely to ever be settled, however, because each category distinguishes itself from the other in a number of ways, in addition to also providing a substantially different and unique ride"

Vacationland Vacationland is a truly odd film. You'll either love it or hate it, depending on your basic preferences. It is certainly unique in its genre. The best way to describe it is to imagine if Wes Anderson made a film about lower-class gay teenagers. Nothing really happens in the film in any linear sense; we simply get to see snapshots of what life would be like as a gay teen in northern Maine 20 years ago. It is set in the slums of Bangor, Maine, and they seem as bleak and desperate as any housing project anywhere. Everyone in town is poor, and no one seems to have much hope for the future. The main characters are Joe, who is popular because he's very good looking and an artist; and Andrew, who is popular because he is the quarterback of the football team. The two at first are dating the two most popular girls in school and neither realizes that they are in love with one another. Joe's mom is the town slut, and Andrew is a kleptomaniac. They've been best friends forever, and we see many images of both of them jerking off thinking about the other, but neither twigs the other's gaydar at all. Finally, their girlfriends figure out they are gay and in love, and point it out to them. They tell them that if they don't fuck each other and let them watch, they will out them to the whole school. So, Joe and Andrew finally fuck, and the girls get turned on and make out with each other. We never see the girls again, but it seems reasonable that they are in some secret lesbian relationship. Joe and Andrew then start dating, and for a while not much happens. They have lots of sex, they discover the local gay bar, they have more sex, and Joe plans how to get out of Bangor. First he becomes a houseboy for a disabled older gay man. Then he seduces his high school French teacher in order to blackmail him into giving him a great recommendation for art school. He also gets a job at the local grocery store. Not much else happens until Joe sees a guy at the gay bar he recognizes and freaks out. It turns out the dude molested him when he was a child. Joe gets his number, and decides to get revenge later on. Eventually Joe gets into the art school, but has no money to be able to afford to go. He tells this to the man he is staying with. The man sends him out on an errand and when Joe gets back, he finds out that the dude has killed himself and left everything to Joe so he can go to school. Before heading off to art school, however, Joe and Andrew lure the child molester over to the dude's place, beat the living shit out of him, write the word fag on his face, and drop him on a beach where a known homeless gay basher lives presumably hoping the dude will kill him for them. Then the movie ends. It's beautiful in its bleakness, even though there isn't much plot. If you want to see an interesting slice of life about two very good-looking young gay men, you'll love this film. If you are looking for something with a bit more plot, it might not be for you. But the people who love it and you know who you are should download it again right away. cc boytoy.com 2013

Yes. Best regards, RA1

Well, you really think the cure was free? I know I will get sick one day. I had a lot rather be rich when it happens. At least the private nurse will not be stingy with the morphine.

If I certified myself, would that be a form of Grelling's Paradox? http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/GrellingNelson_paradox

First you would have to be adjudicated of unsound mind..................never mind. Best regards, RA1

Aw, suck, you don't actually have to LISTEN -- just ogle from time to time.

Oh Geez Louise, NOT another one ? Isnt One Direction overload enuf ????

I'm counting down the days.

This worries me in bars also. Best regards, RA1

ZZ- What you suggest seems to me no different from what I suggested and that is that he grows up. Otherwise, I agree. Best regards, RA1

Space Mountain has always been one of my favorites. There may be others but it is the only one I am aware of (and certainly have ridden) that is fully enclosed in a building unto itself. The darkness and the use of lights adds a special dimension to the experience. However, riding it 8 times in one day would be a bit much, even for an avid fan like myself

There used to be a huge wooden roller coaster at Myrtle Beach, SC which when you rode it always felt on the verge of flying apart. But far as I know, it never hurt anybody, physically at least. This video is awesome! Thanks.

You "talked" me into it. Best regards, RA1

I tend to agree. And your remark prompts the thought: Wonder if the broad middle ground of voters would have an easier time seeing the dangerous extremism in some of the Obama admin's actions if the opposing party were not so in thrall to its own extremisms at present? This occurs to me partly in context that even when liberal klaxons like the ACLU sound the alarm, nobody much listens. Think I'll now start a new thread on their 2011 report "A Call to Courage: Reclaiming Our Liberties Ten Years After 9/11," which was briefly reported, then seemed to sink like a stone.

The film cannot be more odd than the review or is that OZer? With no plot this movie seems to "get into" many stereotypical gay activities or life events. Question: Is the gay sex suggestive or pornographic? That might make some difference to potential viewers. Best regards, RA1

I had reservations to go to Cedar Point a few years ago (with companion) but we met in BNA (Nashville, TN) and my trusty steed developed starter problems. Got it replaced the next day but spoiled our timing so we just visited in Nashville. Still haven't made it there. Many years ago, a few weeks after Space Mountain opened in Disney World, I flew two families which included 3 children for a few day's visit. None of the guys (2 adults and 1 kid) would ride it but all the gals wanted to do so. But, not alone or with each other. So, I got volunteered to go with each one of them individually, at least once each, but I don't remember how many times now. I agreed to this but added a stipulation of I would join them when the line was about to go indoors. This ride was so popular then and no reservations, so they had signs very far away from the actual ride for the line to begin which said 120 minutes from here. There was no way I was going to stand in line for 2 hours each time, never mind ride it 8 times. Anyone ever ride the old wooden roller coaster at Elitch Gardens? That is in Denver and I think the highest wooden one at one time. We had a wooden one here in MEM called the Pippen which Elvis used to love to ride. It definitely creaked and groaned but I do not recall a serious accident. It was sold, dismantled and reconstructed in MN and is operating right now. Best regards, RA1

To state the obvious: Programs that are fresh when they first appear generally raise previously "tender" topics and have historical and usually additional contexts. Sooner or later that concept must become moldy and the writers and producers reduce to "developing" the characters. No matter how well we "like" the characters, that too has a limited life. These kinds of things tend to take anachronisms to new and different levels, don't they? Would a Tale of Two Cities be a well written book if we were not able to "ignore" various historical artifacts contained therein? Best regards, RA1

Lookin' you are never confrontational in a personal way, never. Sometimes you do confront a view with logic, reason and fact on your side and a dose of healthy concern for what is right and what is going on. You made me rethink my earlier post and I realize my concern, or better put 'ire', was directed at the author's attempt to conflate (in my head anyway) the drone program with waterboarding, Abu Ghraib, and renditions abuses. If the point trying to be made is that fast-and-loose procedures used overseas are being adopted or sanctioned for use at home then I'm all for investigation into that as part of this investigation, i.e. wherever it leads. That was happening long before any drone activity was undertaken, in some really serious ways (see prior paragraph). I do not believe that the majority of drone strikes have been of the fast-and-loose category, if any, and I do believe that it has been an essential tool fighting terrorism to date. I reject trying to hang the fast-and-loose concept around the drone program neck. I also believe that with the major wounding of Al Qaida in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen that time has come to create a more formal process for authorizing the use of drones, now that we are in less of an emergency action/reaction mode. That would include an oversight court to validate the need, in some circumstances. It is my understanding that all uses of deadly force must be investigated minimally by FBI Internal Affairs investigators or a DOJ Inspector General. It is also my hope that some of our esteemed media organizations would be chasing this story rather than the nonWatergate Watergate stories that the GOP is trying to sell. This story deserves attention, not only the actions of the individuals directly involved but the policies in place for oversight and execution of these interrogations. Why wasn't this interview taped?

Good news for all the Twink lovers out there..... He can Fuck you and serenade you at the same time.

I have a lot of physicists in my family and everyone of them LOVE Bevis and Butthead. They think it would be at the top of the list. LOL I have met many a people to love them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFQZmCuhiP8

Thank you!! I agree 1000%. But so few seem to like them -- or at least admit to it. I wonder if you, I and Letterman might be their biggest remaining fans. He thought they were the funniest thing on TV in their day.

lookin' When you write something confrontational I likely will jump off the new Mississippi River bridge. Thought provoking, interesting, intriguing, funny or poetic--yes; confrontational - no. I thought you posed an interesting question, one which the Congress is currently trying to determine and that is, when or if to appoint a special prosecutor. Special prosecutors sometimes seem like an ideal solution but they involve a lot of time and money. However, in certain situations, they tend to remove at least some of the "usual" politics. Best regards, RA1