C James

Happy Birthday Jack!! Have a very special Birthday!!

CONFIRMED: The President's National Security Advisor stole, and then destroyed, an unknown number of classified documents destined for the 9/11 commission BEFORE the commission had a chance to examine them in it's 9/11 investigation. Shocked? You should be. But, hold off on the Bush Bashing for a minute, becuase the aforementioned President is Former President Clinton. The National Security Advisor is Sandy Berger. Berger was given sole access for "vetting" top secret Clinton-era documents at the specific formal request of former president Clinton. Berger repeatedly stole and destroyed documents. Berger's excuse? It was an accident! An oversight! He said he didn't understand the Security Procedures! That is utter garbage: Berger was Clinton's National Security Advisor: . If anyone should understand security, I'd think it would be the National Security Advisor. Berger has plead guilty, not just to taking the documents, but to destroying quite a few. Berger, at the time of his crimes, was part of John Kerry's campaign, and was Kerry's probable choice for Secretary of State. Much has been made of "media Bias", but this is clearly a case of it: Consider, for a minute, if a Bush official had been caught red-handed stealing and destroying documents that the 9/11 commission needed for its investigation. All hell would have broken loose, and rightfully so. Where is the outrage over this crime? Was Clinton involved, or was Berger just acting on his own hook? There is no hard evidence that I am aware of. Yet, given the fact that Clinton, AFTER Berger was caught, tried to defend his motives (the ridiculous "accident" excuse) there is plenty of room for suspicion. The most bizarre thing here is the sentence Berger received; a $10,000 fine and a three year suspension of his security clearance. Could someone PLEASE explain to me why this sentence fits the crime? Under no circumstances whatsoever should Berger be allowed access, ever, to classified documents. As for the fine, given the number of classified documents he stole and destroyed, he'd have received a bigger fine if he had, instead of destroying them, tossed them from his car window separately and received fines for littering. There is one possible ray of hope here; part of his plea deal was to fully co-operate with investigators. I have a feeling that they plan on having the Rat finger bigger rats. However, I can't see any excuse whatsoever for allowing this thief to ever have a security clearance again. Remember, this was the investigation into 9/11 that he tampered with. The biggest question (of many) is just what, exactly, he was trying (and has apparently succeeded in doing) to cover up. Take a look for yourself: The PDF file of the OIG CRIMINAL report. Read the whole thing. It seems Berger had a particular interest in documents from the Millennium after-action review (referring to the Millennium plot, the failed Al Qaeda attack on the US in Dec 1999). It gets REALLY interesting around page seven, when describing Berger's antics during the thefts. I especially loved this little gem "Mr. Berger said he did not want to take the risk of bringing the documents back into the building and the possibility that <redacted> might notice something unusual. Mr. Berger said he placed the (Classified) documents under a trailer in an acceptable construction area outside of the Archives." The above, incidentally, is a classic espionage technique called a "dead drop". There are glaring holes in this investigation. For one thing, there is no indication that Berger's cell records were checked to verify that, indeed, he made the phone calls that were so often an excuse to be left alone with the documents. The entire tone of the investigation is reminiscent of the Keystone Cops. I hope this is not the last we hear of this case. It deserves far more coverage and investigation.

Merry Christmas, Everyone! And to Myr: Thank you for all that you do, all year long! The Christmas Skin looks GREAT! This was quite a surprise to me, as this is my first Christmas at GA.

Thanks Camy!! I have it on fairly good authority that what goes on on the tour bus post gig is that they all sit around and play backgammon, but I might possibly be wrong.

Even if I did, I wouldn't jab you. I have a sense of fairness, after all. The person doing the spoiling gets the jabs. I'll have to come up with something different for you, since you've just confirmed it, even if you didn't issue the spoiler in the first place.... Ohhh shdowgod? Please come here. A very nice Echidna has something for you, all the way from down under.... And would I confirm a spoiler? Well, as you probably know, Goats are famous for eating just about anything... Actually, though, I've never actually eaten gunpowder. In truth, it's an urban leged that the Military, prisons, etc, put saltpeter (an major component of gunpowder) in food to reduce libedo. I couldn't think of any other well-known anaphrodisiac. Well, looks like I'm gonna have to take your advice and go with the sports accident. I think pulled hamstrings, broken jaws, and broken shoulders (requiring imobilization of the hands and arms) ought to suffice?

ACK! He's leaking the plot! Baaaad Fossil! I just hope our resident Echidna does not consider this a spoiler, and jab me with those spines of his... Well, Eric does have a knack for causing "interruptions", even though he's never done so in person. Steve's dad, however, has. Twice. Hmmmm, Steve's Dad is a cop. He would likely have Gunpowder on hand. Gunpowder, when eaten, has a very powerful libido-dampening effect. Soooo, what if, when they finally do get to be alone together, all they wanna do is play Backgammon?

Welcome, Trebs!!!!! I think this is a great idea, and I think you are the perfect choice. You hit on one issue that I've raised many times: the limitations of text-based communications, and their inherent predilection for being misinterpreted due to the lack of body language and voice inflection. The human brain is hard-wired to put things in the frame of reference of a verbal communication, so very often "fills in the blanks" and adds emotional subtext where it is lacking. In many cases, it ads the wrong one. I've seen this happen, many times: one person types something that could possibly be read the wrong way, and it is likely that it will be, in the worst way possible. I know I've put my foot in it more than a few times in exactly that way.

That is a good point, and does make sense. I'll see how I do with chapter one, as that does not, to me, flow well at all. Thanks!!

Oh gosh, I can see it now: "Chris ran at full speed down the soccer field, the wind blowing in his hair, racing to beat Steve to the goal. Pulling ahead just in time, Chris darts in front of Steve as Steve lined up for the goal. Neither would later remember exactly how it happened, but when they regained consciousness, surrounded by paramedics, it was painfully apparent to both that they had collided. Later, the doctors informed them that they both had torn hamstrings, and worse, would need to have their jaws wired shut for a month, as they had both managed to break them., along with all four of their shoulders." Hmmmm, yes, sporting injuries have definite possibilities! I'll have to do some research and check on what kind of injuries require a full body cast...

Hmmmm, I think I'm going to need some ideas for believable interruptions and delays! The problem is that they have cars, and a big area of wilderness in which to go park.

It's not much of a surprise, but Cody does get to sing with the group, either late in chapter one or early in chapter two (it's been so long that I don't remember exactly). I was never trying to hide that, as it's basically the start of the story, much as I used a blackmail plot to kick off the story I'm currently posting, "For the Love". Thanks for the "inside info"! Cody isn't at a venue, but rather at a recording studio that also has a rehearsal stage. I think there used to be one like that down on Wilshire in Los Angeles, but I really haven't a clue. Also, needless to say, I won't be using any "celebs" of any sort, as I have zero knowledge of them (plus, frankly, I find it boring trying to write when I'm not free to develop my own characters how I choose). I did use the name of one real venu; The Mason Jar in Phoenix. I don't know the legalities of mentioning a real place by name, so, I'll change that. Given your background, would you mind if I send you a couple of PM's in the future, when things are further along, to bounce a few aspects of this off of you? It does center on the music industry, which I have near zero experience with. Thanks!! Oh, to answer your other question: This one may take a while, as I basically have to re-write it. Most of it is even worse than the draft above, which I did brush up a little. I'd never intended for anyone to see this story (I wrote it before I found GA) so it is basically just one big 60k words .doc file, very rough, and not even broken into chapters. It was just one of those stories that popped into my head, and I just had to get it down on paper (or hard drive). I've got a few others like that, though this one is the largest. Thanks Camy!! What? Moi? Misdirect the reader? Would I do such a thing? Nah, on this one, Camy pegged it, he does at least get to sing with them a few times, but that will probably all be in chapter one so not much point in hiding it. Hmmmmm.... That is an interesting idea. I probably won't do it that way as there are some scenes in it that I very much like the way they turned out, but I will most likely re-write more than half of it completely, and just heavily revise most of the rest. I think, though, that chapter one (including the bit above) will amongst those that are entirely re-written. I dislike how the above bit "feels", and the first chapter is so critical. Thanks!!!!

Yipes! I'm glad that you are OK with it, but NOBODY should ever have to be outed by anyone other than themselves. Ouch. I take it Delihlah already knew that you wre "into guys"? A truck, though? Hmmmm. Will you be heading for Dixie shortly? :nuke: Seriously though, thank you, and have yourself a great hollidays, my friend. CJ

I thoguht I'd try and revive this very useful forum, and take advantage of it to post something that isn't quite ready for sneak peeks yet. Basically, this is a fragment of chapter one of a story that has been laying around on my hard drive for a few years. I've made a few changes to the wording due to things I've learned since, but I'm utterly incapable of judging my own work. It might be utter bunk. If it is, please do me (and any readers) a favor and tell me so. This us un-beta'd, and UNEDITED, so it is decidedly rough. Any and all opinions welcome. I'm basically trying to see if it is work salvaging or not. I like the storyline, but that doesn't mean anyone else will. Thanks! CJ Let the music play Chapter one Roadie. Cody ducked as the speaker came crashing down less than a dozen feet from him, and felt more than heard the thud as it hit the stage, accompanied by its mounting bracket. Cody turned in time to see the last of the scattered pieces come to a standstill, the sudden, overwhelming silence soon shattered as he heard Gabe, his boss, yell,

Hmmm.. Cloven hooves? Yup... Evil number, umm, Yup... Hmmm, Horns? Yup... Are Goats a well-known Satanic symbol? Ummm, yup. Me when I lost my sunglasses? Now why would anyone think I'm Evil? It's not as if I leave the characters in my story frustrated, after all.

Greetings, my mineral-rich friend! If you want your user-title changing, you would either have to ask Joe, or wait until your 500th post (sometime before the end of the month, given your postaholic ways) and change it yourself. I don't have the access to do it. "Petrified to Perfection" sounds good, though! Hi Bondwriter! Thank you!! Yep, there is a lot more coming their way. Hi Bob! Wow, thank you!!!! I'm working hard to improve. I owe a great deal to the many who have given me constructive criticism. My sincere thanks to everyone who is reading: I really appreciate it! CJ BTW, I just noticed the topic number for this thread: 6666!

Uhoh, he's threatening to go Goat hunting! Tension? Awww, nah, if I'd have been truly cruel, I'd have had the father just walk into the room and catch them in the act. Now THAT would have been EEEEvil... (and did indeed happen, in shdowgod's story, linked in my sig). I think shdowgod might just be upset about the whole "blue pill" reference, after being so recently outed (in his own story thread!) as an old Fossil. Now, I think I'd best go make myself scarce before he sees this...

Thank you Graeme!! I sort of gave the wrong impression by naming the previous chapter "endgame", and Ch 6&7 have loads of forshadowings. So, did you like Chris finally getting to acheive his heart's desire? (driving the Charger)? I am shocked, though, that you would suspect Eric of less that innocent motives? Thanks Michael! Yes indeed, life is getting harder for our two protagonists... Besides, who is to say that they actually get to have sex? Maybe the end of the story is that they both just explode and die? Thanks Jack! Good catch on the Piedmont police. Hmmm, yeah, they way they keep getting interrupted, they might not get together while still young enough to do anything. LoL!

Ya gotta admit, though: the title fits... Shhh, don't tell anyone, but it might be... Data. Thanks Rick!!!

Welcome, both of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 7 is up. Several days ago, I announced here that there would be a delay (due to me falling behind due to the flu) and I wouldn't be able to post today. I had anticipated a delay of a week or more. However, Chapter 7 is now online, on schedule. There are two reasons for this; My Editor and my Beta reader. Both Emoe and Shdowgod returned the chapter to me in with astounding speed, and ALL credit for this chapter being online without a long delay should go to them. My sincere thanks to both Emoe and Shdowgod, and not just for the speed with which you returned this chapter to me: You both offer me invaluable help and feedback, and this story wouldn't be here without you. It really is a team effort. THANKS GUYS!! Please let me know what you think about Chapter 7. CJ

Hypothetically speaking of Microsoft... wouldnt that line read If it works don't break it? That is preposterous, for it would imply that it is possible for something made by microsoft to work right. Stringing lights is the easy part! The really "fun" part is finding dead bulbs and replacing them so the strings work! Get out your circuit tester!

I guess some of us just couldn't resist the opportunity to talk about the lack of conversation.

Maybe I should concede the race? Getting into a posting contest with Kevin is like getting into a footrace with an Olympic runner, or racing a volkswagen beetle against a formula one, or racing an piper cub against an F-15!

Oh man, I live in fear of losing a chapter like that! I know all too well how miserable it is to start over on something already done. I do have an idea for you though: If you can remember a few consecutive words from the story, exactly, and enough to make it somewhat unique, then you have a chance to recover it. Word stores it's temp files in weird places. So, the easier way I know to find the text, if it still exists, is to first undelete all .tmp and .doc files. Even if you can't undelete any, it might still be there in a file. So, do a text search in windoes search, use the old DOS wildcards *.* and search ALL files for your text string. You just might find it (I've recovered documents this way). Also, I advise everyone to turn off auto updates on everything, especially windows. I do my updates manually, and just select the security patches and what I know I need (which is usually a fraction of the crap they want to "update".) For other programs? I don't update unless there is a good reason to do so. If it works, don't fix it.

4000? But, Kevin will probably reach that by the end of this month, even if he doesn't get back up to full normal posting! Wow, you even post while not online? Now that's a postaholic! Great to have you back, Graeme! We missed you!