It appears that the Iraqis hired by the Pentagon and US Contractors are terror stricken that the “surge” is failing and that they are going to be left to fend for themselves when the US withdraws. They want refugee status visas when the collapse comes. Most can’t even go back to their home neighborhoods without risk of death at the hands of Shiite or Sunni militias…so much for having these areas “under control”.

It’s pretty clear that these folks see the end coming…even if the nattering nabobs of the MSM are still clacquing like geese for Petraeus and Bush. Remember these guys are the ones who are actually receiving the raw intelligence, understand the chatter on the streets, and know what friends and neighbors are saying is going on when the US patrols are gone. They aren’t getting “briefed” by some Major General who only drift into an area when it has been secured (temporarily) by massive force. No sh*t on the Sh*n*la being presented here. They are scared and anxiety ridden.

“Iraqi Interpreter: Now I Have No Future”

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/…..index.html

http://mgpaquin.wordpress.com/

Coffee and tea are ready, and I’ve got chocolate croissants to share. Have a grand day, and try to stay cool. (Our weather is still set on “bake,” alas…)

Good morning Everybody,

I’m listening to Christy on CSPAN archives as she chaired the panel on Hot Issues, especially as she speaks on FISA. Great way to start the day.

Morning, Boston
Was great to see it on tv. Since this is a down month for c-span, maybe they’ll run it again.

I guess part of the difficulty may lie in two notions about value–relative value (usefulness) in a local economy, and the currency’s compared value to other currencies. It’s natural for us to want to think of value in numerical terms when it comes to money–we’ve sort of been trained over time to think of it in that way, but relative value is easier in explaining how an economy works.

The comparative value depends upon a lot of other things, including simple speculation in the currency arbitrage business, the interest rates set by different central banks around the world, how debt affects those rates, etc.
—————

Thanks again. For the moment, think I need to
truly nail relative value before I start smoking over the more sophisticated comparative value, though obviously that (and liquidity) is where I ultimately need to go. I’m more or less ok on how conventional savings increase the money supply, not sure I’ve fully incorporated how passing the money among citizens increases its value (must give it more thought), though your observation about maintaining lower prices speaks to that. There is something sort of counter-intuitive about passing money around to increase it.

Now the sun has been up for more than an hour, I’m going knock off and sleep on it.

Thanks for the observation about the weapons sales. Guess I’d always assumed it was only about various preferences (to phrase it politely). Embarrassing to realize I was never before motivated to try to put this stuff together in a meaningful way.

Good morning Everybody,

I’m listening to Christy on CSPAN archives as she chaired the panel on Hot Issues, especially as she speaks on FISA. Great way to start the day.

That panel discussion was wonderful. I’m glad that CSPAN is keeping it in its archives.

I’m listening to Christy on CSPAN archives as she chaired the panel on Hot Issues, especially as she speaks on FISA. Great way to start the day.

N=1 @ 427

Yes – the majority of people fully recover! If he was bike riding, I will guess that he’s in overall pretty good shape. Will he need surgery to re-align it? If so, he can expect a couple of weeks in an inpatient rehabilitation setting followed by physical therapy – it’s a gradual process to restore movement, joint mobility and muscle strength and support. It’s not a death sentence, and if he can, he should seek an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hips.

Surgery still isn’t scheduled but, hopefully, it will be today. I’m encouraged by your post because he’s the most active man I know. Skis all winter, bike-rides all summer and goes dancing once in a while. If he loses mobility, he will be devastated (and cranky). Fingers crossed.

Biggest mileposts post operatively: coughing and deep breathing effectively, staying infection free – both lungs (pneumonia) and the incision. That can be accomplished by using his patient-controlled analgesia device (PCA machine), using an incentive spirometer to help with the deep breathing, and making sure that all visitors and care givers wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand cleanser before they touch him. Second set of mileposts will be in restoring mobility and muscle strength and flexibility.

And most important – make sure that his nursing care is being planned and delivered by a registered nurse, and not a nurse extender – that would include a licensed practical nurse (LPN), nursing assistant, patient technician or nursing student. That makes a significant difference in recovery rates.

solai @ 426

Good morning all. Had a trying day yesterday, My mother’s husband fell while bike-riding and broke his hip. Does anyone know anyone who had a complete recovery from a broken hip?

Yes – the majority of people fully recover! If he was bike riding, I will guess that he’s in overall pretty good shape. Will he need surgery to re-align it? If so, he can expect a couple of weeks in an inpatient rehabilitation setting followed by physical therapy – it’s a gradual process to restore movement, joint mobility and muscle strength and support. It’s not a death sentence, and if he can, he should seek an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hips.

Surgery still isn’t scheduled but, hopefully, it will be today. I’m encouraged by your post because he’s the most active man I know. Skis all winter, bike-rides all summer and goes dancing once in a while. If he loses mobility, he will be devastated (and cranky). Fingers crossed.