Newsweek on Iraq

I think Newsweek magazine might be the last American "moderate" magazine. The conservatives think it's staffed with a bunch of hippies and the liberals think it's Rove propaganda. Maybe that's why I try to read it. Anyhoo, ex-Marine David Botti is doing an embed in Iraq. Pretty cool stuff here, here, and here.

Sahwa Checkpoint in Karrada, Baghdad (photo from Botti)

Down The Memory Hole

Obama's statement about The Surge on his website has been disappeared like a Stalin-era political adviser, and Gateway Pundit has the scoop on something they missed (oops). It's appropriate that Obama's attitude on Iraq shift based on current realities, but it would be nice if he acknowledged his mistaken thinking that the surge was going to fail. Shit, the military blames itself for blunders all the time. Careful though, don't call Obama "arrogant", because that's code for "uppity", and that would make you worse than Hitler.

More Expert Economic Analysis From LT Nixon

I don't know shit about the economy. This is the product of having a somewhat stable profession and living a low class lifestyle. But when there's "thousands of customers", as the LA Times puts it, withdrawing money from a bank seized by regulators, I think that's not good. The IndyMacBank website has a link directly to an FDIC webpage entitled "Failed Bank Information" that encourages the bank's customers to "continue paying their loans" and not make a run on the joint.



Even the Jimmy Stewart theatrics can't save this place. This does not bode well.

Disgusting Mormon Calender Gets Holy Roller Excommunicated

I can't say I know too much about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, except that

• 1) They're the biggest religion to have begun in America,
• 2) I've met a lot of Mormons in my travels (particularly in the service) and they seem like swell people,
• 3) They founded Las Vegas more or less,
• 4) They own Pepsi and Taco Bell (later revealed by a colleague to be not true)

So I never understood the ruckus that many have made about the "horrors" of being a Mormon. Maybe it's because I'm not religious in the first place, and don't think one is particularly better than other...but hey that's just me.

Anyhoo, the LDS receives the highest praise from this agnostic in their latest announcement to excommunicate the purveyor of this sleazy calender featuring shirtless Mormon missionaries.

Disgusting!

First off, there is nothing attractive about the male figure, and, second, all attempts must be made by like-minded bloggers to eradicate this type of filth from the internet.

The protocol of proper, stimulating photography must be maintained on the internet, since this was the intended use of the technology. An example of the correct use of the internet is the Girls and Corpses site, which combines the best of both worlds (namely hot babes and zombies) into one erotic package. Score one for the good guys!

Now We're Onto Something!

Anheuser-Busch Sells Out

Hope You Own a Beret, Spuds

Well, the Budweiser brewer has been bought out by the Europeans for the low price of $50 Billion bones (story at Breitbart). InBev is the acquiring company and they boast such tasty worldwide brews as Labatt's, Stell Artois, and Bass. I've got nothing against our new European overlords, but there is a bit of a cultural divide between Europe and her boorish American cousins. For instance, the "Real Men Of Genius" series may change to Kraftwerk enouraging beer drinkers to drive responsibly on Der Autobahn. Also, beer prices may rise slightly, which would lead to an imminent collapse of society. Budweiser has done so much for our country, Because U Deserve What Every Individual Should Enjoy Regularly. Farewell!

Sub Pop Turns 20

Proof That Seattle Hasn't Been Taken Over Yet By Yuppies (photo by Josh)

The Space Needle flew the Sub Pop flag, which is a fitting icon for Seattle's cultural heritage. While grunge can't solely be attributed to Sub Pop records, it was definitely a key catalyst. I spent the better part of the day lounging around at the SP20 Festival, which celebrated 20 years of Sub Pop not going out of business. I don't recognize new bands these days, but it was pretty cool (yeah, yeah, I'm getting old). I remember when grunge first started getting big, and here's a Nirvana flashback for ya (Bleach was released on Sub Pop).

Texas is the Reason that the President's Dead

More music, Misfits - Bullet. This is really easy to blog, and I'm drunk and incapable of abstract thought, so enjoy the video. A good montage from this guy.

More Music For The Weekend, Motorhead

A metal cliche, but a classic tune. Are you gonna hear lines like "Double up or quit, double stake and split" in modern music? No. It's going to be some douchebag whining about his girlfriend. Youngsters, stick with me, Wek, Spencer, and Maj Pain for a schooling in awesome music. I'm concerned with your generation.

The Stock Market is Depressing

I admit to being a complete bonehead on economic issues and the rise and fall of the stock market (I'm an engineering major that's been in the Navy, cut me some slack). But I always know that the economy is in the shits when the media starts rolling out pictures of disheveled and pissed-off traders in New York. Some examples and their implied meaning:

"This job totally bloooows"

"What Do You Mean Short-Sell, you motherfucker"

"Tell My Wife There Won't Be a Christmas!"
"My Head is About to Explode Like The Dude From Scanners"

"I need A Fuckin' Drink"

Fortunately, the media is able to explain to us simple folk outside the Wall Street sphere of influence whether or not there is reason for alarm.

One More Song For The Weekend: Ministry

Scholarly Wek serves us up Sepultura's Refuse/Resist and I've got one more video to cue up:



This is Ministry - New World Order, which incorporates a lot of footage from the 1992 Los Angeles riots. For those too young to remember the Rodney King verdict and the subsequent riots, it was a bad time for America, almost as if society was going to completely collapse. Enjoy the vid!

Closing Time Slayer

Slayer - Seasons in the Abyss for closing time, early morning Saturday wakeup, or if you're just deployed in the abyss. Classic Slayer, enjoy.

Obama Yuks it Up With Military Times

Since Obama is the front runner in recent polling, it's probably best to get acquainted with his policy on the military and foreign issues. Military Times has some pretty in-depth interviews on video over on their site and here's a quick breakdown free of obscenities:

• Private Security Contractors: Obama says that third-country nationals employed by KBR in the DFAC is okay, but he is concerned with security contractors involved in armed engagements. Most contractors are decent people just trying to make a living, but the rule of law is ambiguous as it applies to the few yahoos. This has negative effects on our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I agree with the senator here.
• Accountability of Officers: Obama says military officers need to be held accountable. I don't see why he needs to ramble on about this issue (it's pretty much a given, like talking for a minute-and-a-half about the sky being blue). He seems rather uncomfortable talking about the specifics of the military, showing his experience and knowledge of military jargon is a bit limited. But that's not to say the President has to be versed on the specific day-to-day routine of the little people, but I sure hope he gets some damn good advisers if elected, because he'd be the boss.
• On SECDEF Gates: Obama has words of praise for Secretary of Defense Gates. I agree. Gates has been an apolitical cabinet member who's expertise is focused on improving military morale while prosecuting two concurrent wars (not an easy job). However, Obama remains ambiguous about whether or not he is going to keep him on.
• Calls for repeal of DADT: Obama wants to scrap Don't Ask Don't Tell and allow gays to serve openly. They do in every other profession (except some religious institutions), and it's a bit embarassing that the military is still behind the times on this.
• Improve the VA: Obama takes swipes at the Bush Administration about poor care of veterans, but doesn't talk much about how he is going to improve it. Blah, blah, something about McCain proposing a corporate tax cut, blah, blah. It's crazy how political veteran benefits have become, and Obama is not helping with this segment.
• Leaving Iraq: Obama says he won't do a preciptous Iraq withdrawal, but encourages a responsible one. His policy is a bit vague, but it's a bit difficult to make definitive policy when the reality in Iraq changes in such a heartbeat. Of course, now that Maliki want a US troop withdrawal and violence is down, why would it be controversial to argue against a withdraw? Ed Morrissey agrees that "it's okay" to advoacte a responsible withdrawal of military forces in Iraq.
  

Obama seems keen on a few military issues that have broad support (repeal of DADT, and VA benefits), but his foreign policy still seems a bit vague at this point in the campaign. It'll be interesting to keep up what the candidates are saying as events happen overseas. Obama's military policies seem, for the most part, reasonable. But his stance on economic issues can be best summarized by the Jimmy Carter statue from The Simpsons:

Malaise Forever!

Hollywood To Ruin Red Dawn

Wolverines To Sell Out?!?

Dirty Harry brings us the news that Hollywood is remaking the ultimate right-wing fantasy, Red Dawn, as buzz has hit The Hollywood Reporter:

"Red Dawn" will be redone. Screenwriter Carl Ellsworth has been hired to recraft the ultimate homeland invasion story about a new generation of besieged high schoolers. Dan Bradley, a second unit director and/or stunt coordinator on "The Bourne Ultimatum," "Spider-Man 3" and the forthcoming "Quantum of Solace," will move into the director's chair for the update. Contrafilm's Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson will produce.

The original Red Dawn (from 1984), symbolizes paranoia manifesting itself about the Soviet threat, shows the importance of gun ownership and survival skills, and was directed by the eccentric John Milius (of whom the character Walter Sobchak in The Big Lewbowski is loosely based). It is a movie that could only be made during the height of conservatism in the 80s. Like Easy Rider in the 60s (rise of counter-culture), Rollerball in the 70s (rise of corporate control of government), and Fight Club in the 90s (rise of Gen X yuppies), Red Dawn is a cinematic sensation that can only exist in the societal construct of the decade in which it was made. However, it is of note that Howard the Duck's Lea Thompson made the concept of babes with guns a cultural staple.

As Mr. Dirty Harry postulates, how could a movie such as this be made in our BDS-obsessed culture? To start, the adversaries won't be the evil Soviets and their comrades invading middle America, but probably a bunch of Cheney lookalikes coming to steal oil from the town collective. Kids are such little weiners these days that there's no way it would be plausible that they accurately recreate Swayze's character "Jed". Kids heading off to the mountains to fight WWIII? Nowadays, teens can't leave their home without an emergency cell phone with Mom on speed dial, a bicycle helmet and kneepads, and all activities must be in some way connected to "getting into a good college". Harvard just isn't interested in kids who launch RPGs at Soviet/Cuban convoys. This movie is going to blow.

You Can Get Pregnant in a Combat Zone...I Did Not Know That!

Remember how Lara Logan got busted for getting railed by some contractor in Iraq and destroying his marriage and the credibility of Iraq news forever and ever. Well, turns out she got knocked up too (h/t Sisu). Goodness gracious. Many reporters and journalists pass through the embassy, so let me give you a little advice: there's a big ass box condoms outside the health clinic when you walk from Saddam's creepy ballroom (now a green bean) and the DFAC. What the hell's wrong with you people! Haven't you at least heard of the rhythm method?

When It's "Cool" To Be A Sheep

Prez Bush hits another unsurprising record-low month with 32% approval rating for June. Congress is even more dismal at a gut-busting 9% of the American public saying they are doing a "good or excellent job". With a horrendous national debt (approaching $10T), a dollar that's in the shits, and a war in Afghanistan that needs more troops with a military that was never drastically increased in size to undertake two concurrent conflicts, what's not to like!

It's sometimes not embarrassing to be part of the overwhelming majority. Just sayin'.

Huffington's Strawman Torched

Poor Arianna Huffington doesn't like it when there's been a steady drumbeat of good news from Iraq, such as the rapid decline in violence and the reduction of five combat brigades as the Iraqi Security Forces become stronger. She has been rather mute on the Iraq conflict in the last few months, and has taken to more idle banter such as "Memo to Obama: Moving to the Middle is for Losers" and some self-righteous ceremony called "The Webby Awards". But, on occassion, she will find opportune times to chime in with her foreign policy expertise. One good time was when LT Nixon and his peers were hitting the deck 8 times a day as the Green Zone got shellacked, and she found it in the goodness of her heart to say to take a potshot at McCain about the situation. Wow, we were all so ecstatic to be the human sacrifices to her little bit of coyish punditry while there was a war going on. Ariana Huffington has no interest in whether or not violence ceases in Iraq, only in how the war can be charecterized for her own political purposes to seize power in an election year.

This is most evident today when, rather than constructively criticize foreign policy as some do, she launches an unhinged attack at a strawman that is as flimsy as the secret stash of nazi-midget-porn that all non-liberals supposedly posses:

John McCain, aided and abetted by his loving protectors in the media, is running a victory lap on Iraq. To hear them tell it, the surge has "worked" -- indeed, it has been a huge success -- and this, like a last second Hail Mary pass, has vindicated the entire disastrous Iraq misadventure.

Seriously, Ms. Huffington, what the fuck are you talking about? Media coverage of Iraq is currently on the order of magnitude of Mr. Belvedere re-runs and the cat that was under house arrest. The American media lost interest in Iraq somewhere around late 2007, which is precisely the time there were major reductions in violence (might just be a coincidence, or it might not...)

One fascinating bit of propaganda today to enrage some factions that have a political interest in Iraq getting worse:

Admiral Mullen, head of the whole damn U.S. military, thanks Iraqi troops in Mosul for booting out terrorists (pic from The Herald)

Bong!

Update: The older, wiser, and better bloggers at This Ain't Hell already wrote about this Huffington garbage. Damn! Albeit, their post is more about political progress. Go check out the site that one surly commenter called a gaggle of angry, old vets.

Back to Work

Sorry, blogging will be a bit lighter, as my leave is over and I have to go back to the workforce (well a Navy staff command) like a schmuck. To commemorate reality, here's a pretty good cover of Merle Haggard's "Working Man Blues" by some dudes in a garage:



Most enlisted sailors will hate me for implying I'm a working man as an officer, but haven't you guys heard of something called carpal tunnel?

Why Wonkette Rules

Besides ridiculing some old lady with a god-awful protest sign today, Wonkette has really stuck it to Senator Larry "Wide-Stance" Craig (R-ID) by publishing his Freedom Speaks profile and saying he has "no friends". Within minutes, Sen. Craig now has the friends "Fingertapper", "Toilet Goblin", and "Hugh G. Rexxion". Long live internet shenanigans.

Can You Handle Reality?

This is a picture of today's suicide bombing in Kabul targeting the Indian Embassy which left 41 dead. Some might find the picture offensive to the senses and grotesque. Well, too bad, this is the reality of modern conflict. While the media often gets mired in domestic politics and their traditional adherence to leftist ideology, photojournalism in the combat zone has provided a unique pathway for folks on the outside to comprehend the imagery of war and the brutal nature of the enemy. When murderous thugs like Zawahiri claim that there agents don't target Muslim civilians, photojournalists like Zoriah Miller are there to provide concrete evidence contrary to the propaganda of the enemy.

That's why, IMHO, the Marines in Anbar are making a huge mistake by kicking out this embedded photojournalist. From Ventura County Star (h/t Blackfive):

The Marine commanders who saw the photograph were not happy, saying it violated a "trust" between the military and journalists. Zoriah was immediately "disembedded" from a Marine unit and barred from working with the military in Anbar.

Zoriah is in hot water for publishing graphic photos from an Al-Qaeda claimed suicide bombing in Anbar province in late June, which resulted in numerous civilians and three Marines KIA. His side of the story is here. While the pictures of our troops killed may be unnerving, it doesn't violate OPSEC by providing the enemy information on the attack (the death toll would have been published anyways). Out of respect for the families of the fallen, the MNF-I ground rules for embedding reads:

DOD will release names of KIAs. In respect for family members, names or images clearly identifying individuals “killed in action” will not be released prior to notification of next ot kin and in accordance with current legislation. Names of KIAs may be released after the DOD announcement has been made – journalists may check the Defenselink.mil Web site for those announcements.

The Marines need to realize that independent journalism will publish information that may not read like a Pentagon Press Release. At a time when news from Iraq is at an all-time low, we cannot afford to "censor" information.

From The Government, Here to Help

Best Government Agency Ever!

FEMA has always had a bit of PR problem. From the gross incompetence during Katrina, to the fake news conference in CA last year, and most recently the FEMA contractor who almost ran over some poor guy and then hit him with a golf club proclaiming that he was from FEMA and could do whatever he wanted. Now the recently fired Vincent Koley is leaving incredibly bizarre voice messages for a crime reporter at the Cedar Rapids Gazette (h/t Wonkette):

Ran into somebody, laugh for the day, he said to me ‘Are you that famous FEMA inspector? You should be on the David Letterman show.’ I said, ‘No, I don’t like David Letterman. I want to be on the Jay Leno show.’ You may not think that’s funny but that’s my type of humor.

Uh, okay. Sounds like the homeless man that used to ride the bus with me back when I lived in Los Angeles. The FEMA site for kids has extensive links with cutesy animations to help the children prepare for hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, but there wasn't one bit of helpful information on preparing kids for FEMA contractors bringing "teh creepy". Your tax dollars at work.

Update needed!

General Petraeus More Popular Than Angelina, And My Shameless Publicity Stunt

The London Times has a piece on the infamous General Petraeus photo-op available to those of us who served in the Green Zone (h/t Hot Air). The Times discusses how General Petraeus draws larger crowds than Condi, Dick, and even Angelina Jolie:

One Green Zone veteran said General Petraeus drew bigger crowds than almost any other celebrity visitor, including Angelina Jolie, Dick Cheney, the vice-president, and Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State. Only the right-wing talk show host Bill O'Reilly, known for shouting down liberal guests on his Fox Channel programme, drew similar crowds.

Since posting details of flag officer/VIP routines is a gross violation of OPSEC, I must remain vague. But here's my shameless attempt to be "cool" via proxy by showing this photo:

I tried to take this photographic evidence to some of the city's fancier clubs to schmooze my way into the VIP room. But as the barometer of coolness, TMZ, once called searching for the remains of MIAs "BS", I wasn't let beyond the velvet rope. Damn!

Neo-Nazi Thugs Wreak Havoc on Gay Pride Parade in Hungary

Neo-nazi goons threw cobblestones, rotten eggs, and moltovs at gay pride marchers and police in Budapest, Hungary (story at AFP), which has been called the worst protest violence in 12 years in Budapest. Breitbart has the video of Hungarian police under attack:



Neo-nazi groups have been on the rise in eastern Europe and there's a bit of a precedent of persecution against gay people in Europe. More swell news from around the world, geez.

Project C.H.U.D. Busters

CHUDs...they're everywhere!

It is sometimes stated that the disgraceful icon of the Vietnam Vet getting spit on after he returned to America was "a myth". Until the fat cats in Silicon Valley invent a time machine, I couldn't say. But what about our modern-day veterans? Do they suffer slander and verbal abuse from the American public? The newest Gallup poll shows a healthy approval rating of our Armed Forces from the public. But...beneath the surface of mainstream culture lies the dark sewers of society in which mutated humans ridicule our troops for political and personal reasons...the C.H.U.D!

Consider this new project an in-depth analysis that is solely dedicated to the who, what, and where of Americans that choose to bash our troops. This project is a non-partisan effort, which is why C.H.U.D Busters is seeking maximum participation from all political leanings.

Relevant Links:

• C.H.U.D. Busters (the blog)
• The Mission
• C.H.U.D. Defined
• Hunting C.H.U.D.
• Rewards For Helping Out

Please Help!
Since this is a new blog, feedback (from the enthusiastic to the hate-filled) is requested (just leave a comment or two on the blog). Also, please provide some linky-lovin' at your place, if you can spare the time. Let me know what you think, and C.H.U.D. Busters is looking for fellow Authors, since the schlubb who created it has to go back to work on Tuesday (anyone seen my uniform around?).

Thanks everybody, hope you enjoy.

Leaky Barrels of Uranium Yellowcake Removed From Iraq

Informational Posters No Longer Needed in Baghdad

Outlaw 13 directs our attention to some good news out of Iraq: Saddam's old stockpile of yellowcake has been sold off to Canada (story at MSNBC). Yellowcake is concentrated Uranium Ore which can be further refined into fuel or enriched to make weapons-grade material. This was always a bit of a question markon what the fuck we were supposed to do with this stuff. I'm just glad it didn't show up at the Jamila market in Sadr City at a stall in between the bootleg Sadr DVDs and the guy selling toy RPGs.

"Wait aren't these WMDs?" you may be asking yourself. Well, sorta, but this yellowcake was acquired by Saddam from Nigeria prior to the 1991 U.N. Sanctions on Iraq. So, all these "No WMD, Bush Lied" types should really update their choice of words to "No WMD following implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 687 in Iraq...Bush Lied", but I suppose that is not as catchy.

Great Sunday Read on Alaskan Fishing

Sea Captain Approved!

Forget the NY Times Magazine's schnooze-inducing article on crappy folk rock, here's a Seattle Weekly article talking about the dangers of Alaskan Fishing (many of these trawlers are based in the Puget Sound area). It discusses the last moments of the Alaska Ranger, which went down around Easter near the Aleutians with five men lost at sea. The article also discusses allegations that the chief engineer was hammered at the helm, much like the accusations against the skipper of the dreaded Exxon Valdez. Alaskan fishing is well-paying, but considered the most dangerous occupation in America, and from the article you can see why:

Galbreath has no memory of being rescued. He managed to stay lucid until the Coast Guard lights showed up, he says. Then he passed out. Enough water had filled the suit that its feet had to be cut off to get him into the basket and hoisted to the helicopter. Apparently, Galbreath says with an embarrassed laugh, rescuers had a hard time getting him to let go of the basket once he was on board. The rescued crew members were taken to the Munro. Galbreath says rescuers later told him that when he got on board his body temperature was 88 degrees.

Good shit!

Coastie Rescue of the Alaska Ranger's Crew

Al-Qaeda in Iraq Crushed

What's the Arabic for Failure?

This is ISI (al-Qaeda in Iraq) propaganda from May of last year (h/t Blogs of War). Back then Al-Qaeda had some control of the Dora neighborhood of Baghdad and much of Diyala province (including the main city, Baquoba). After more U.S. and Iraqi troops went into Diyala province under Operation Arrowhead Ripper in June 2007, much of the foreign fighters fled further north to Salah Ad-Din, Tamin, and Ninawa provinces. Operation Lion's Roar was launched in May 2008 to clear out Mosul and the surrounding areas of Al-Qaeda once and for all.

According to the Times of London, this may be the "final purge" (h/t Jason):

Last Friday I joined the 2nd Iraqi Division as it supported local police in a house-to-house search for one such bomb after intelligence pointed to a large explosion today.

Even in the district of Zanjali, previously a hotbed of the insurgency, it was possible to accompany an Iraqi colonel on foot through streets of breeze-block houses studded with bullet holes. Hundreds of houses were searched without resistance but no bomb was found, only 60kg of explosives.

American and Iraqi leaders believe that while it would be premature to write off Al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Sunni group has lost control of its last urban base in Mosul and its remnants have been largely driven into the countryside to the south...

Brigadier General Abdullah Abdul, a senior Iraqi commander, said: “We’ve limited their movements with check-points. They are doing small attacks and trying big ones, but they’re mostly not succeeding.”

Major-General Mark Hertling, American commander in the north, said: “I think we’re at the irreversible point.”

Sometimes the Iraqi leadership can get a tad over-optimistic, but Maj. Gen. Hertling is a leader known for "shooting it straight" as he admitted that high-profile attacks were increasing in Mosul in January. So, this is something to be optimistic about and not just wishful thinking. Despite the fact that this article has a Mosul byline, expect the bureau wags back in NYC and London to repeat the same nonsense about the surge failing and civil war gripping Iraq...or expect them to just ignore the war altogether. But this is a serious tactical victory.

Now it might be time to ask, "If they trans-national terrorists are fleeing Iraq, does our military still need to be there?"

McCain Courts the Youth Vote

This McCain video is funny for a lot of reasons. One because I'm not sober, and two because I have no idea what "the cables" are. Perhaps the telegraph cables, who knows. Also, check out the Richard Dreyfus looking dude with the badass combover.

Anyhoo, here's McCain voicing his dislike for "teh bloggerz" (h/t Crooks and Liars).

Blogging Lite

Sorry for the terse blogging, folks. I'm working on a new blog project that is a non-partisan approach to characterizing people on the internet and in the media that bash the troops. I should have it up in the coming days. It's promised to be filled with shenanigans and ridicule.

Patriotism: Spread it On!

Time offers a lengthy article on patriotism distinguishing between the two flavors of conservative and liberal (h/t Yglesias) . Where conservatives hold patriotism as value of affirmation towards their homeland (e.g. The Pledge of Allegiance, lapel pins), liberals hold patriotism to be a set of concepts like liberty, equality, and justice. Since many of us don't fit neatly into the linear political classification of "left" or "right", can't we just be proud of America because we're not locked away in some shitty gulag in Siberia?

U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A!

From humble beginnings...

...to a fight for independence...

...to a fight to stay together...

...from the farms...

...to the prairie...

...first in flight...

...with our industrial base making us strong...

...against a determined foe...

...to the dawn of a new age (these guys invented the transistor)...

...a fight for equality...

...conquering the goals of civilization...

...as the big city looks on...

...protectors of freedom...

...welcoming those from foreign lands...


...still some problems...

...but a darn good place to live!