Eaten Alive?!? Wild 25 foot Anaconda?!? What BS. Turns out they couldn't find a 25 foot wild anaconda, so they used a 20 foot tame/captive one. Also, more like hugged alive. No part of him was eaten.
I call shenanigans! Everybody grab a broom!

Me too, I want to believe it's real, but something about those pucks that make me call shenanigans.

Ok, now I just want to sit around watching Arnold bullshit about strongman shenanigans.

Some sort of shenanigans with public funds.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/lawmaker-bursts-into-tears-at-press-conference-over-his-use-of-public-funds

I don't know if it's pertinent to the video or not, as I couldn't see plates or anything distinguishing on the vehicle....but ......

A lot of trucking companies will have US drivers drive into Canada and Mexico and drop off their loads, to be picked up by an out of country driver and brought BACK into the US because it's cheaper since Canada and Mexico don't have as many laws for their vehicle standards/tagging/insurance and their labor rates are lower so US drivers can't come close to their rates. And because the US authorities aren't going to be as likely to get anything if they pull them over for violations....so they are more likely to pass them over in favor of in country drivers.

Now, I find that different cities/states ways of handling traffic signage and other things is confusing as someone in country at times. So I can only imagine what kind of shenanigans having a bunch of out of country drivers crossing back and forth across borders and delivering all over the place will lead to. I don't believe non-CDLs are tested for driving in other countries at all....and am unsure of CDLs...I really doubt it.

I'll go ahead and call "conspiracy" on this one.

Not that the guy cheated. I believe the reactions were genuine. But I'll call shenanigans on the producers.

The only real advertising to the "internet generation" these shows can garner are viral videos. Jeopardy has been leading the way. The demographic for these shows are older crowds, and with slipping ratings/advertising, they must muck for gold.

There's something waaaay too strange about the way the answer suddenly flashes on-screen. No usual stop in music, dinging, or reaction from anyone. It's as if the producers ad-libbed the contestant's answer to make an amazing video. To sell to us to watch.

Or... the guy at the switch was harumphing, arms crossed, laughing at this kid trying to answer such a tough puzzle. Then having an "oh shit' moment.

I don't know. There's definitely something... off about it all though.

The monthly updates on YT, the ones you introduced me to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMXfBm0IPd0

I completely forgot about the podcast, so cheers for the reminder. Is there any "proper" download link for the podcasts? I've been picking the dropbox url from TruthDig's source code by hand, there's got to be an easier way...

As for Taibbi:
The Vampire Squid Strikes Again: The Mega Banks' Most Devious Scam Yet

It's about how the too-big-to-fail/jail banks became a cartell in the physical commodities market. The story itself was reported on before, primarily the aluminium shenanigans of Goldman Sachs.

First things first: I read the article you linked as well as three others by the same author, given that he's teaching at a nearby facility. His article "The Three Types of Austerity" was quite enough to know that I'll never see eye-to-eye with him, or anyone of the same views.

"[Austerity] frees up resources for private investment" is a statement that does not match my perception of reality, given the absolute abundance of (financial) resources within the eurozone. It's a lack of demand for investments that's the problem, not supply. Savings are at record highs, investment is at an all-time low.

So, demand vs supply... we all know that discussion won't be resolved here, ever. It's utterly pointless. Same for the gold standard vs fiat, inflation good or bad, or any related discussion, really.

Instead, I'll try to reply to unrelated statements.

------------

"Do you think The Wire paid for their production assistants' healthcare? Did they make more than the $50/day for their 12 hour days (if they weren't working for free as "interns" for the 'privilege' of 'paying their dues' in 'the industry')?"

I know nothing about the situation on set of The Wire. My assumption is that it involved the regular amount of abuse of labour, including unpaid interns.

------------

"Haha, of course, "liberals" get a pass from other "liberals", but no pass for the Kochtopus (even though the Kochs give way more money to charities than The Wire would even be able to)."

Well, good for them. But I don't see why you drag them in here. You made a set of rhetoric questions aimed at hypocrisy by David Simon. I pointed out my view that any possible hypocrisy is dwarfed by the point he made vis-a-vis guilt/Perkins/watch/whatever.

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"Yeah? Like you know (the other) David Simon and can vouch for his "lack of guilt?" And "guilt" about what? Having money? Being successful?"

Feeling guilty about the discussion amongst the establishment regarding, for instance, the minimum wage. He finds it questionable how one can argue against giving a fella at Burger King 10-12 bucks an hour without feeling guilty for it. That's the disconnect we're talking about. When extremely wealthy individuals deny even the crumbs to the folks at the bottom.

Shamelessness was my addition, my interpretation. It was aimed at the demand for tax breaks and subsidies for extremely profitable corporations or extremely wealthy individuals. I would feel ashamed for any demands to my benefit if a) I didn't objectively need them and b) they would come at a detriment to others in worse situations than me.

Since I'm arguing from a different economic perspective than you, a shortfall in tax income (aka tax breaks) to me means either more taxes at another place, probably from weaker entitities who can't afford to buy their own representative, or a cut in essential services. I operate under a very broad definition of human dignity and see it as the first and foremost objective. Food, shelter, health, etc for all -- which might just be a reason why some people refer to me as a "pinko commie".

------------

"Does he? Really? How? And how are you doing more for "society" than that? Who are you and what exactly is your great "contribution" to society?"

He "weakens" society, economically, by suppressing aggregate demand. The more wealth you accumulate, the less of it, as a percentage, translates into demand. For an economy that depends on the circulation of goods and services, a massive and non-temporary accumulation of debt or savings (same coin, different sides) in the hands of single players (be it state, corporation or individual) chokes up the system. Less demand, less investment, less growth.
Accumulation is all fine and dandy if it translates into economic activity, but given the pathetic % of GDP that is being invested, despite mountains of unused cash that are forced into financial shenanigans looking for profit, I'd say it is dead weight and a drag.

But since you apparently share the views of Hollenbeck, all of that was probably hogwash to you.

------------

To answer your question: a human being and my great contribution to society is my charming personality, of course.

And with that, I bid you adieu. I've had long-ass discussions about Snowden/surveillance and other topics that led nowhere and I'm not interested in having one about economic theory, especially not in a second language. The floor is all yours, including the last word.

Boooooooo! NOT a duper Yearof thePuma-pooper-I call shenanigans-The other had authentic--sounding Foley added.
*discuss and shame on you chicchorea, of all users, you should have seen the difference there copper-top-

You know what buggers the hell out of me?

This country's most important company (# of jobs, very high wages, etc) is right on the edge of tax fraud. They pay a metric fuckton in absolute terms, but their real tax rate has been decreasing for years, mostly through offshore shenanigans. It's too bloody low to not get pissed at them, yet still too high to get people to call them out on it. Also, they manage to whitewash their image by having just about the highest entry level wages in the country, which shields them from any sort of substantial criticism.

No way, man. Yer thinkin' too hard. Oh wait a minute....It's not a divorce lawyer commercial??
Hmmm...I guess I did call shenanigans because yeah, Lawyer Bob here likes the smell of his own job. Un-righteous livelihood. Knee-jerk reaction to the user name there, floridadivorce-

My bad with no apologies. Lawyers. Can't stand the sound of that word or those who seek to benefit from the profession.

I call shenanigans on the actual shell. No way that would drop to the ground over the couple hundred metres/yards distance provided.

I have no doubt the tank is real, and shot at the camera, but I believe the shell is AfterEffects. Poorly done AfterEffects. It's the same clipart of the shell, moved down and scaled. The image of the shell stays pointed straight on at the camera.

I see that as part of the problem. There is an almost cult-like worship of the military and the people who have served. (oh no VoodooV is anti-military! lynch him!).

They bring a vast amount of experience and insight to the table? Of course they do, but are they the end all be all? Are they fundamentally better/superior to people who haven't been in the military? Not so much. If you think they are Then you seem to have trouble with that pesky concept of equality.

There is a fundamental pressure every US elected official ever has experienced to not "appear weak" That can often lead to unnecessary chest thumping and saber rattling as history has shown time and time again can get us into trouble. But it is a reality that you have better odds at winning an elected office if you served than if you hadn't and people need to fundamentally re-consider that line of reasoning.

Quite honestly, McCain is part of the old guard, the old way of thinking. We can't afford to think like that any longer. As technology continues racing ahead, The world becomes an increasingly small place and we have GOT to figure out how to get along with each other. Of course there will always be a need to have/show military force, but it's a scalpel, not a blunt object.

To me it seems like McCain is just becoming more and more incompetent. If there is any...ANY grain of truth to how they failed to vet Sarah Palin because they both thought they other guy did the vetting, that is just this huge failure and that McCain simply didn't care or pay attention to what was going on in his campaign and to me that speaks volumes as to how he would have led the country.

Time for retirement John.

But here is where I defend him. He wouldn't be where he is at right now if people didn't choose him. Whether I agree with him or not, He is doing what he thinks is best because the voters put him there. There is no mustache twirling villain. The world doesn't work that way. @arekin is absolutely right. There is a massive compulsion that whenever a vote doesn't go someone's way, then obviously the bad guys won and that everything they do will be evil, all the absurd arguments like "he's not MY president," or "I don't think he's a citizen," or "he's not a REAL American" are just lies people tell themselves to make them feel better. This isn't an episode of Scooby Do where if you solve the mystery you get to pull the mask off and the villain says "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"

Talk is cheap Mr. Speaker, if you want to be in power so you can "arrest the gov't" put your money where your mouth is, STFU and run for office then asshole. Convince the people you're right and lets see if you can do any better. That's how the system works! If there is one negative to the Internet is the massive amount of armchair quarterbacking the Internet breeds. Countless millions of people who seem to honestly think they would do a better job. Well hey, you know what? I'm sure there are some of you out there that COULD do a better job, but if you're not going to throw your hat into the ring and walk the walk then I've got no time for your rambling and conspiracy theories.

McCain's response to his speech was fucking perfect. Not only did he call him out to run for office, He pointed out that he IS governing with the consent of the people. So if you don't like it, do a little community organizing of your own and convince the people to demand better. Oh shit, that takes effort! fuck it then!

No one really takes power. The people will always be strong enough (with or without guns) to thwart anyone who takes power. In reality, power is given. There are countless mechanisms of peaceful change in our gov't. Use them or shut the fuck up.

IMO, the single best thing we could do for gov't is to COMPLETELY REMOVE ALL PRIVATE MONEY FROM OUR ELECTIONS AND ABOLISH LOBBYING. It's because of all the corporate influence in our gov't that we probably get into these shenanigans in the first place.

Umm, the title is...

"BRILLIANT Aussie Ad That Rupert Murdoch Had Banned"

That's not the same as condemning it, and it's not the same as working behind the scenes to get media providers not to show it.

I get it, I dislike Murdoch as much as the next guy, but the title isn't even presumptuous, it's totally unproven and without any supporting evidence, is an outright lie. You want to take the moral high ground over Murdoch by engaging in the same shenanigans he perpetrates?