If by militant leftist group she means the current leadership of the Chicago political machine, she's probably right. One of the first things a supervisor or manager should learn to control is his/her command influence. If I indulge in saying negative things about other coworkers, I shouldn't be shocked if my subordinates also assume a negative attitude towards them. I shouldn't be shocked if my own subordinates mess up because I've signaled that I expect a predetermined outcome instead of the right solution, whatever that may be. And I shouldn't be shocked if my words come back around through whatever grapevine to bite me in the you know what. The concept is even more important in a rigidly regulated environment like the US military, where a person's life may hang in the balance.

First of all, thanks for pointing out The Duffle Blog. Had something like that been around in the 1980s I'm quite certain my smart-ass nature would have gotten the better of me and put me in front of a court martial. As for the rest... The President, as Commander-in-Chief, does not have to comment on a specific case to exercise "Unlawful Command Influence." I urge you to read the actual opinion to see the case the military judge made. It seems logical and within military law precedent to me, but if you or anybody else can make a case against it then I am willing to listen. The ruling absolutely does not say that anybody "gets to skate," neither from prosecution nor any punishment other than separation from service. The court clearly notes in its decision that the problem is not with prosecution, but the possibility that the most senior commander of the military, President Obama, has signaled to members of courts martial and their convening authorities that certain sentencing outcomes are expected regardless of their independent authority under law. That's a problem. No, wait...that's a major fuckup that anybody with even a modest amount of executive experience, public or private, would easily avoid. If Congress and President Obama want to change the law and remove that sentencing discretion in how the UCMJ deals with convictions of rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, or abusive sexual contact , they are free to do so by following the Constitutional changes to the law that are well within their discretion. They cannot, they must not, affect that sort of change through the press or any other informal and possibly semi-secret method. I'll set aside the implication that I might be the sort of man who would be willing to let rapists "skate" in any way, in or out of the military. For the record, I have four sisters and every one of them has been assaulted by some man in some way over the years and it so greatly pains me that I wasn't there to protect them. We never talk about it, but I'd gladly give my right arm for the chance to take on just one of those rat bastards.

I've always enjoyed visiting Chicago, but that's because I've had friends and colleagues who taught me how to get around without getting my butt kicked or shot. Like New York, it would take a ridiculous amount of money for me to even think about living there. Detroit's an interesting case though. We should probably keep it because at the rate it's going, another decade and we can declare it our latest wilderness area.

Hahaha. Please forgive me when I inevitably go too far with this and offend you and pretty much everybody else. Our boys had a nice comeback on yours tonight, but it was a good game. The bad news is that two Twins starters going 7 innings back-to-back just might be a sign of the Apocalypse. ;)

Haha. I read your comment last night just before bedtime. I'm kind of surprised I didn't have nightmares about it...the extra shots of whiskey must have had the hoped for effect. I slept great, but my liver is a little irked at you today. :)

I thought so too.

Good one, ricki. Or we could go more modern with a "Hunger Games" theme and call them the Washington Tributes.

I think these numbers are going to have to change first; "But a new Associated Press-GfK poll shows that nationally, "Redskins" still enjoys wide support. Nearly four in five Americans don't think the team should change its name, the survey found. Only 11 percent think it should be changed, while 8 percent weren't sure and 2 percent didn't answer." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130502/washington-redskins-nickname.ap/ The way to make that change is through an ad campaign persuading people that "Redskins" is offensive. Legislation specific to the team would qualify as a bill of attainder and I don't think the lawsuits will go anywhere. When public opinion changes, the name will change. I still say they should go with Washington Rapscallions.

I don't feel quite as strongly about it as you do, but I don't get the strong resistance from Snyder either. I think he must be getting a lot of fan support to keep the name, but I haven't dug into it that much. That would be the only thing that would make me hesitate, but I also would look for a way to turn that to my advantage.

Thanks, Rob. People can focus on one specific or another, but ultimately you are right.

Nanny Bloomberg got the mayoral term limits changed from two to three, but that's it and he's out for good in January I believe. Apparently The Weiner is running second in the polls at this point, which if nothing else gives me the chance to endlessly tease my NYC sisters.

Haha...It was right over the plate.

It's long been said that one should speak clearly and slowly to a Steelers fan, so I get it. :) I do like hearing about those quirky regional things though, even if I might not be too keen to jump on the bandwagon.

Huh...this potato sandwich thing is all news to me. I think it's best if we not speak about crawfish and bait. ;) Yes, but here we have a Weiner who acted like a wiener by sending out pictures featuring his weener. Or should that be he acted like a weeny? Once you get beyond the simple fact that he doesn't have the sense or decency to just go away it gets somewhat confusing.