Currently Black Sheep Boy (Definitive Edition) By Okkervil River see related

I'm outraged!!!!11 I think? Wait, wut?

Obama Sides With Bush in Spy Case

By David Kravets January 22, 2009 | 4:32:47 PMCategories: Surveillance  

The Obama administration fell in line with the Bush administration Thursday when it urged a federal judge to set aside a ruling in a closely watched spy case weighing whether a U.S. president may bypass Congress and establish a program of eavesdropping on Americans without warrants.

In a filing in San Francisco federal court, President Barack Obama adopted the same position as his predecessor. With just hours left in office, President George W. Bush late Monday asked U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker to stay enforcement of an important Jan. 5 ruling admitting key evidence into the case.

Thursday's filing by the Obama administration marked the first time it officially lodged a court document in the lawsuit asking the courts to rule on the constitutionality of the Bush administration's warrantless-eavesdropping program. The former president approved the wiretaps in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"The Government's position remains that this case should be stayed," the Obama administration wrote (.pdf) in a filing that for the first time made clear the new president was on board with the Bush administration's reasoning in this case.

The government wants to appeal Walker's decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, a legal maneuver requiring Judge Walker's approval. A hearing in Walker's courtroom is set for Friday.

The legal brouhaha concerns Walker's decision to admit as evidence a classified document allegedly showing that two American lawyers for a now-defunct Saudi charity were electronically eavesdropped on without warrants by the Bush administration in 2004.

The lawyers — Wendell Belew and Asim Ghafoo — sued the Bush administration after the U.S. Treasury Department accidentally released the Top Secret memo to them. At one point, the courts had ordered the document, which has never been made public, returned and removed from the case.

The document's admission to the case is central for the two former lawyers of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation charity to acquire legal standing so they may challenge the constitutionality of the warrantless-eavesdropping program Bush publicly acknowledged in 2005.

The Friday hearing is needed, because disputes with pretrial decisions generally require the trial judge to permit an appeal.

The Obama administration is also siding with the former administration in its legal defense of July legislation that immunizes the nation's telecommunications companies from lawsuits accusing them of complicitity in Bush's eavesdropping program, according to testimony last week by incoming Attorney General Eric Holder.

That immunity legislation, which Obama voted for when he was a U.S. senator from Illinois, was included in a broader spy package that granted the government wide-ranging, warrantless eavesdropping powers on Americans' electronic communications.

A decision on the constitutionality of the immunity legislation is pending before Judge Walker in a separate case brought by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2009/01/obama-sides-wit.html

Currently Listening Sky Blue Sky By Wilco see related

Frustration turns to anger turns to amusement turns to complete apathy

12/19/2007   
 
 I placed my order on December 13, and all but two of the items are still back ordered.  I would really like to have these by the 21st.  Is that possible?

12/24/2007

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

We apologize for the inconvenience caused. We are sorry for delay in delivery due to unavailability of item.

Our records indicate that order #19926993 with the items:

STEVENS,SUFJAN: SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS was shipped on 12/17
VA-TRIBUTE METALLICA: FADE TO was shipped on 12/20
PRIZE FIGHTER INFERN: MY BROTH was shipped on 12/20
SNAKE THE CROSS THE: COTTON TE was shipped on 12/20
DVD : DANIEL TOSH-COMPLETELY S was shipped on 12/20
SIGUR ROS was shipped on 12/20
DVD : DEMETRI MARTIN-PERSON was shipped on 12/21
WEAKERTHANS: LEFT & LEAVING was shipped on 12/20
MEWITHOUTYOU: BROTHER SISTER was shipped on 12/20
NICKEL CREEK: NICKEL CREEK was shipped on 12/17

via USPS media mail which normally takes 5-10 business days to arrive. Please be assured that you will be receiving the items shortly.

The below items are in backorder and expected date of arrival is 01/02/08.
SIGUR ROS: TAKK
THILE,CHRIS: HOW TO GROW A WOM
V/A: LED ZEPPELIN BLUEGRASS TR

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

1/9/2008   

Excellent customer service you folks provide...

So, here we are almost a full month after I placed my order, and one of the items still hasn't even shipped.  Did it ever occur to you folks that it might be a good idea to warn a customer placing an order two weeks before Christmas that not a single item will arrive in time?  All you had to do was say that to ensure an on time delivery, I should choose an expedited delivery method, but even then it wouldn't matter because it wasn't even close to Christmas when I started receiving parts of my order. 
Therefore, I would have bought this stuff from another source (as I will do from now one, by the way).  I would have had to pay a little more, but the extra expense would have been much less than what I am now having to pay to ship all these gifts across the country.

Congratulations, you have now lost a customer because of your horrendous service.

1/10/2008  

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

We are sorry for the inconvenience caused. We understand your disappointment. As per our records the items of the order # 19926993 which are shipped on 12/17/, 12/20, 12/21 were shipped to below address:

MARK PEARCE             
2935 E 94TH PL APT 121 
TULSA , OK
74137-8718 , US       

We request you to please reply to this e-mail and verify that the above address is correct. We will reship the lost items.

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

Yes, that is the correct address, but now I am confused.  Are you now trying to say that everything was shipped and some of the items were lost?  If that is the case, then why did I just receive two e-mails January 8 stating that two of the CDs were just shipped and there are still two CDs that are listed as backordered?

1/13/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

As per our records the item SIGUR ROS: TAKK and V/A: LED ZEPPELIN BLUEGRASS TR of the order #19926993 are out of stock and our expected date of arrival is 01/22/08. The item THILE,CHRIS: HOW TO GROW A WOM was shipped on 01/08/08 via USPS media mail.

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

1/30/2008

What.  The.  Heck.

This is becoming absolutely ridiculous.  It is now January 30, and two of my CD's are still back ordered and one was supposedly shipped, but I never received it.  For anyone keeping track, that is 48 days since I placed my order.  These were supposed to be Christmas presents.  Ahhh, nothing like a nice Christmas gift just as the flowers of spring are starting to bloom...

I am quite sure you understand how absurd that is.  I can go to nearly any store that sells CDs and pick these up, so how is it that after six weeks, you still don't have two of them on hand?  If I can go to Best Buy and get them, why can't you?  I realize that you use a different supplier so you can reduce costs, but one would think that after this long, you would bite the bullet and lose a couple dollars just so you can keep a customer (you won't but it would be worth a shot). 

So, what's the deal?  I'm not going to cancel my order now because it would be stupid at this point.

Please reply with another of your lame e-mail scripts.  It just reminds me how much you suck.

2/13/2008

A few weeks ago, we told you your order would be shipped by now.  Unfortunately, the vendor has been unable to deliver the item(s).           
                                                                             
We are hopeful that the item will be in stock within the next 21 days. We will reserve your item on backorder and ship to you as soon as the product is available. If you ordered with a credit card, you will not be charged until the item ships.                                                                                                                                         
If this does not meet with your approval, please contact us at cs@DeepDiscount.com to cancel.                                                                                                                      
Again, our apologies for the delay and any inconvenience you may have experienced.                                                                                                                               
Best regards,                                                               
DeepDiscount.com Customer Service                                                                                                      

2/13/2008

This is a joke, right?  Because just a few weeks ago, I was quite certain you folks could not possibly suck any more.

2/14/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

We apologize for the delay in shipment. Unfortunately, the vendor has been unable to deliver the item: V/A: LED ZEPPELIN BLUEGRASS TRIBUTE yet. We are hopeful that the item will be in stock within 02/24. We will reserve your item on backorder and ship to you as soon as the product is available. Please be assured that, you will not be charged until the item gets shipped. Should you wish to cancel your order, we request you to email your consent. Again, our apologies for the delay and any inconvenience you may have experienced.                                                       
Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

2/14/2008

Here's a thought...When you talking about being "hopeful that the item will be in stock" 10 WEEKS after an order is placed, use a different f'ing vendor.  Is anyone over there capable of rational thought?

As I have mentioned in earlier e-mails(which were never replied to), I am not going to cancel my order now because these were supposed to be Christmas presents, and no matter what, they will be insanely late.  So, I will take the few dollars you are saving me and just know to NEVER order from you again.

What is becoming more and more amazing to me is that not once have you even come close to offering me anything to try to make up for your absolutely horrendous service.  But that is what a real company would do isn't it?  Wouldn't want to mess up this little reputation you have going...

Forcibly sodomized by you,
Mark Pearce

P.S. Which will it be this time?  A lame, scripted reply or just ignored?  I'm waiting on the edge of my seat.

2/14/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

Please accept our apologies for the delay and any inconvenience you may have experienced. Your concern has been forwarded to the correct department and will be reviewed. We are always making additions to our sites and inventory to ensure we are as up to date as possible. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience and we look forward to your next visit.                                                   

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department
                                                             

3/05/2008

Dear Morons,

Hello, it's me again.  You know, order #19926993.  That's right, I still have not received all of my order.  Obviously, you are not keeping track, but I will just go ahead and give you a little update.  That makes it a full 12 weeks since I placed my order.  That would be 84 days, 60 of which are classified as "business days."

I am done being even somewhat cordial with you.  No longer will I try to reason with you and explain how ridiculous this is because it is obvious you do not understand or do not care.  All I will say now is I want the rest of my order by this time next week.  That would be Wednesday, March 12, 2008 since I am fairly certain there are no calendars in whatever far off planet of sucktitude on which you conduct your "business."  It should be fairly simple, so get it done.

STILL being forcibly sodomized by you,
Mark Pearce

3/06/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

We are very sorry for the inconvenience. As per our records, we have shipped the item WEAKERTHANS: LEFT & LEAVING twice on 01/08/08 and 02/16/08 to the following address:

MARK PEARCE             
2935 E 94TH PL APT 121 
TULSA, OK
74137-8718 , US   

Should you not receive the item shipped on 02/16/08, we request  you to forward an alternative address so, we can arrange to send the item for the third time to a different address.   

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

3/6/2008

Geniuses,

I am not referring to WEAKERTHANS: LEFT & LEAVING, which actually was not shipped twice.  The first time it was supposedly shipped, the packing order had a stamp stating it was not available to ship.  Why you dummies took the time to print it up on the packing order and state it had been shipped online is beyond me.  I did actually receive that item the "second" time it was "shipped" about a week ago though so....congratulations?

However, the item I have not received, which should not be difficult for you to figure out, is...wait for it...Whole Lotta Bluegrass: A Bluegrass Tribute To Led Zeppelin, which has not even been shipped.  Now, why is it that I am able to look at my order status and figure that out in less than 30 seconds, but you can't?

You now have six days to get it to me.  Stop wasting so much time wondering if you should "ship" an item I have already received for a "third" time.

You suck more than I could possibly imagine,
Mark Pearce

3/06/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

Our records show that LED ZEPPELIN BLUEGRASS TRIBUTE is still on backorder.  If you would like, you may still cancel this item so you don't have any money pending on this order. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused  you.

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

3/8/2008

Oh, that CD is still on backorder?  It's a good thing you told me that.  Now, it all makes perfect sense as to why I still have not received it after three months.

As I have said many times before, I am not going to cancel any part of my order.  You are going to uphold your end of this deal.  These were Christmas gifts that are now absurdly late.  Is it going to make much of a difference if they receive them today or two weeks from now?  The answer you are looking for is "no."  I am not going to go buy this CD from Best Buy and spend a couple extra dollars on it just so the person I am giving it to can receive their Christmas gift in March.

By the way, you should really stop using your form e-mails when contacting me.  All it does is make me more angry.  It is more than obvious you do not appreciate my business, nor do you actually thank me for contacting you.

You now only have four days to get this CD to me.  I sure hope you have it on hand by now.

I hate you,
Mark Pearce

3/09/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

Unfortunately, your item is backordered until 3/19.  That means it won't leave our warehouse until that date.  We regret to inform that you will not receive this item in four days.

If you would like to talk to a live representative, you may call our customer service line Monday through Friday from 8-7 CT at 1-800-264-5076.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused you.

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

3/26/2008

Back ordered until 3/19 eh?  That was a full week ago, right?  I'm not using a different calendar than you morons am I?  So, why exactly has it not shipped YET?

By the way...Not that it will matter to you, because I am sure you are used to it, but you have been reported to the Better Business Bureau.

3/27/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

After viewing your order, this item : V/A: LED ZEPPELIN BLUEGRASS TRIBUTE is currently on backorder till 4-5-08. Orders are filled in the order they are received. You have not been billed for this item. You will be billed for this item when the item ships from our warehouse. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

3/27/2008

Until 4/508 you say?  That's strange because I am fairly certain the last time we corresponded you said it would be 3/19.

Here's a tip: 

1. Click this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0006SSSHI/ref=dp_olp_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1206646889&sr=8-1
2. Buy one of the new copies.
3. Mail it to me.

And to think...you could have done this months ago...

3/28/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

We do apologize, orders are filled in the order they are received. This item : V/A: LED ZEPPELIN BLUEGRASS TRIBUTE is currently on backorder till
4-5-08. Once again we do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

3/28/2008

 Are you all robots or something?  That is crazy.  Crazy awesome?  Maybe.  But mostly just crazy.

 3/28/2008

Thank you for contacting DeepDiscount.com!

Unfortunately, our status on that item is backordered. We cannot purchase that item from the link you are requesting (per supervisor) because we have a contract with the manufacturer. We have to wait right along with you for this item, and we fill our orders in the order they were placed. We do apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. If you wish to speak w/ a supervisor, you will need to call us at 1-800-264-5076 9am-5pm CT Monday-Friday, as our supervisors will be able to talk to you per phone.

Again, thank you for writing DeepDiscount.com.  We appreciate your business.

Regards,

Customer Service Department

5/5/2008

We're sorry to inform you, the item(s) listed below is temporarily out of stock and unavailable to ship. This item will ship as soon as it is available.  We will email you with an estimated delivery date when there is more information.  We apologize for the inconvenience and remind you that your credit card will not be charged until your order has shipped.               

6/2/2008

Thank you for your recent order.  Due to an overwhelming demand for the item(s)listed, we are temporarily out of stock.  If you ordered with a credit card, you will not be charged until the item ships.  We expect to receive this merchandise and ship your order within twenty-one days.                     
                                                                             
If you do not wish to wait, please contact our Customer Service department via email at cs@deepdiscount.com to cancel. We apologize for the delay and thank you for your patience and understanding.                                     
                                                                             
Best regards,                                                               
DeepDiscount.com                                                                    

I can honestly say this is the first time I have ever been truly embarrassed of my alma mater

I am certainly not in the "Holder Sucks" camp, but this stinks to high heaven.  I don't care if they bring in some Bill Self/Billy Gillispie/John Wooden/resurrected Mr. Iba coaching hybrid, it's still a crappy situation.  The absolute only thing I think justifies this move would be if the true reason is for some sort of off-the-court happenings with Sean, and if that's the case, it needs to be made public.  The specifics do not need to be mentioned, but the mere fact that basketball was not the only cause should be mentioned. While I don't yet agree with his take on Mike Holder, Doug is otherwise pretty much spot on here: http://www.cosmoscowboy.com/misc/Gottlieb.mp3 Sean Sutton and Mike Holder Reach Mutual Agreement About Future of OSU Basketball

Courtesy: okstate.com           Release: 04/01/2008

Courtesy: James Schammerhorn Stillwater, Okla. -  Oklahoma State University Vice President of Athletics Mike Holder announced today that he and OSU head men’s basketball coach Sean Sutton mutually agreed on a new direction for the OSU program. Holder and Sutton met on Monday to discuss the status of the program. After careful consideration both came to the conclusion it would be in the best interest of the program for Sutton to resign. “After discussions with Sean, and after examining the status of our program, Sean and I both concluded that it is in the best interest of both the OSU men’s basketball program and Sean to go a different direction at this time,” Holder said. “This was an extremely difficult decision and this is a sad day for me personally and this university. We cannot overlook the contributions Sean has made to OSU as a player, assistant coach and head coach. OSU is deeply appreciative and grateful to Sean as well as his father Eddie, who together revived OSU basketball and made the program a consistent contender for conference, tournament and national championships,” Holder said. “Sean played a major role in the ascension of OSU basketball into the top tier of the nation,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “While this was indeed a tough decision for everyone we all agree that it is the right decision for the future of the program and for Sean. “I appreciate the professional way in which Sean and Mike addressed the situation and I am pleased they arrived at a mutual decision on how we should move forward. We appreciate Sean’s professionalism and I know everyone joins me in wishing him only the best in the future,” Hargis said. Sutton said, “I want the fans and my OSU family to know how much I have appreciated their support over the last 17 years. It has been a great experience and I have loved every minute of my time here at OSU. I also want to thank our players, coaches and entire staff for all their hard work and support. My family and I will always have fond memories of OSU and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this great program and this great university.” Sutton leaves OSU with an overall record of 39-29. During his 17 years at OSU the Cowboys compiled 387 wins. “While we respect the decision, we nevertheless admire the work of Sean and Eddie to restore OSU basketball to national prominence,” said Lou Watkins, chair of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents. “We know this is a difficult time for Sean and for OSU, but we are confident under the leadership of our President and VP of Athletics, OSU will find the right person to lead our program. In the meantime, we wish Sean only the very best in the future.” As a player, Sutton transferred to OSU from Kentucky and playing for his father, Eddie Sutton, helped lead the Cowboys to back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in 1991 and 1992. After a season as an assistant at the University of Mississippi, he returned to OSU prior to the 1993-94 academic year. He served 13 years as an assistant for his father, a period in which the Cowboys made two trips to the Final Four. He was named head coach designate in May 2004. Holder said OSU would begin an immediate national search for a new coach.

Awesome