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Sunday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:35:05 AM EST
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    Sunday Morning Open Thread | 194 comments (194 topical)
    This IMO is big news (5.00 / 4) (#5)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 12:44:35 PM EST
    Saudi Arabia Gives Women Right To Vote, Run In Local Elections

    Change but not immediate change (none / 0) (#45)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:09:59 PM EST
    RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, considered a reformer by the standards of his own ultraconservative kingdom, decreed on Sunday that women will for the first time have the right to vote and run in local elections due in 2015.
    ...
    For the nation's women, it is a giant leap forward, though they remain unable to serve as Cabinet ministers, drive or travel abroad without permission from a male guardian. link


    Parent
    Woman who Ran Against Austerity (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 11:08:47 PM EST
    and Made History

    A major news story that deserves attention here is the election in Denmark. The Left won after 10 years of Right wing wins. How? They have a young, energetic liberal female leader named Helle Thorning-Schmidt. She now is the first woman prime minister in Danish history.

    ..Social Democratic party celebrated the successful end of a campaign that focused on Denmark's recent economic drift and promised to tax banks, to increase the Danish workday by 12 minutes, and not to "jump on the austerity bandwagon" as other European states are doing, as Thorning-Schmidt put it.



    Parent
    Not to burst any bubbles (none / 0) (#150)
    by Nemi on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:22:51 PM EST
    but there's actually more to the "win" than meets the eye. ;-)

    The Social Democrats had the worst election in more than 100 years (108 years to be precise) for the third time in a row, and the second with Helle Thorning-Schmidt as their leader. Also, not only did she receive far less votes than she got at the last election, she also got far less votes than the (still) current PM, whose liberal party is now the biggest in the parliament.

    The reason Helle Thorning-Schmidt won was that the center party the Radicals and the far, far left party the Unity Party, which both had a phenomenal election - as well as female leaders - were backing her.

    Bonus info:
    The Unity Party, which is made up of a conglomerate of former left leaning and communist parties, and have been run as a collective, decided a few years ago to appoint a spokeswoman, and chose a sweet looking but very able, tough, eloquent young woman. She became so popular among especially the young crowd - they are also rumored to arrange some great parties, heh - that the party went from barely making it at the last election, to getting 12 people elected this time around. And here's the funny part: While 3 other young women and one man, all academics like her, were elected, so were 7 old, activists, worker, male, former communists. These are who the next PM will be dependant on. Gonna be interesting to follow. ;-)

    Parent

    Oh, (none / 0) (#152)
    by Nemi on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:26:54 PM EST
    and the 12 minutes have long since been "dead". She's adopting the (soon to be) former government's ideas instead. :-)

    Parent
    Well if she is not following through (5.00 / 1) (#160)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:53:46 PM EST
    then it is indeed a bubble burster. Would prefer to see a few countries try standing up for their people instead of forcing them into major hurt to prop up the banks.  

    Parent
    Interesting story in today's (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by easilydistracted on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 01:12:01 PM EST
    Fort Worth Star Telegram about Perry's Crony Capitalism. Worth a quick read.

    Reasons for not looking backwards (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:03:10 PM EST
    "In the end, if the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost."

    Barack Obama, University of Nairobi, August 28, 2006
    An Honest Government, A Hopeful Future

    September 24, 2011
    Watch police PEN UP AND MACE peaceful female Occupy Wall Street protesters... (video)

    September 25, 2011
    Police arrest 80 `Occupy Wall St.' protestors

    ....................................................

       "The leadership for civil rights has to take place in the White House or it is going to take place in the streets." 1964

        "This is the first generation in all of recorded history that can do something about the scourge of poverty. We have the means to do it. We can banish hunger from the face of the earth." 1965

        "My philosophy has always been that benefits should percolate up rather than trickle down." 1971

        "The moral test of a government is how it treats those who are at the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those who are in the shadow of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped." 1976

        "There is no such thing as an acceptable level of unemployment, because hunger is not acceptable, poverty is not acceptable, poor health is not acceptable, and a ruined life is not acceptable."

        "The gap between the rich and the poor is the most dangerous threat to world peace we have."

    -- Hubert Humphrey

    "with liberty and justice for all", etc., etc.

    My hero! (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by the capstan on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:56:40 PM EST


    Parent
    Pretty strong show of force... (5.00 / 2) (#129)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:11:33 AM EST
    seems like Bloomy & Cronies Inc. wanted to send a powerful message to those who wish to protest the fleecing of a nation...don't do it or we will kick your arse three ways to Tuesday.

    One young woman, bless her heart, went right from her cage back to the scene of the crime of the millenium to continue the protest.  Maybe there is hope for this joint yet.

    Parent

    Maybe there is (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by Edger on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:56:37 AM EST
    They know that media coverage would piss off the whole country, which is probably why there is almost no media coverage.

    Chris Hedges: Occupy Wall Street is `where the hope of America lies'
    (video interview)

    Parent

    Some props are due... (5.00 / 1) (#155)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:47:21 PM EST
    to the NY Daily News, the young face of America pressed down on the pavement by hired guns made the cover of the Saturday edition.  Not a M-F, or Sunday...but beggars can't be choosers:)

    Nationally?  Whaddya expect from a media as married to Wall St. as our political parties...crooked is as crooked does.

    Parent

    It's interesting, isn't it kdog? (none / 0) (#184)
    by Edger on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 03:50:13 PM EST
    The more they try to bury and hide it the more obviously nervous they are, and the amount of money they'll spend propagandizing is a good measure of how terrified they are, I think.

    It's long past time for an American Awakening and Uprising, a broader and deeper Awakening than the Arab Awakening the US Government is doing it's best to help quash.

    There are 310 million Americans who, so far, are acting like they are outnumbered by a few thousand wall streeters, media moguls, insurance company and weapons manufacturer execs and other assorted 'plutocrats', 100 senators, 435 congresspeople, and maybe a couple of hundred in the US Administration.

    So far.

    -- Don't Look Out The Window



    Parent
    Jeffinalabama (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:26:24 PM EST
    where are you and how have you been doing? Update us if you're reading this.

    still around... (5.00 / 4) (#15)
    by jeffinalabama on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:44:34 PM EST
    think isnurance hurdle's solved. Still not used to the medicines... dizzy and lazy. More later, but thank you for asking.

    Parent
    Oh, jeff (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Zorba on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:51:21 PM EST
    You have been in my thoughts a lot lately.  Sending all the positive energy that I can muster your way, brother.  May you be well.

    Parent
    Hey Jeff! (none / 0) (#70)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:23:23 PM EST
    How does it look for you coming up?? Dadler??

    I promise only Lipton Tea Bags!

    ;-)

    Parent

    Before someone tarnishes the seemingly (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:47:33 PM EST
    untarnishable joy, let me say how wonderful it was to see the video of the two hikers released from the Iranian prison. So glad for them and their families and friends.

    Obama's words from Suskind book (5.00 / 5) (#21)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:13:40 PM EST
    Important things he's learned, the reason why he is in this office.....

    I told a story to the American people, it wasn't the specifics of my healthcare plan or Afghanistan, the reason people put me in this office is people felt that I had connected our current predicaments with the broader arc of American history. And where we might go as a diverse and forward looking nation.  And that narrative thread we just lost, in the day to day problems solving that was going on. And that wasn't because of bad execution on any particular issue.  I think I was so consumed with the problems in front of me that I didn't step back and remember what's the particular requirement of the President that no one else can do?  And what the President can do that nobody else can do is tell a story to the American people about where we are and where we are going.

    You just couldn't make this stuff up.  I don't know about everyone else, but I'm done with his stories.  I hired him to do a job.  I hired him because of his campaign specifics about healthcare and Afghanistan.  And I say this from a place of love to him, "Please piss off for treating me once again like some lightheaded idiot!"

    Just insane. Storyteller in chief? (5.00 / 5) (#23)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:48:18 PM EST
    Who elected him to do that? No one needs a president to connect them to history. That's why god made Ken Burns. In my view that election was all about fixing the problems that had been created in the previous 8 or more years. I never did feel like he took that part of the job seriously enough.

    I do appreciate his place in history, and what he represents as a symbol of the possibilities of America. But we have more important things to worry about at the moment.

    Parent

    Word salad. It's hard to read something (5.00 / 3) (#24)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:00:21 PM EST
    like that and agree with the consensus that he is intelligent.
    He sounds well-qualified for and Ed. degree from a second rate school.

    Parent
    My take from how Suskind wrote it (none / 0) (#25)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:12:12 PM EST
    His voice dropped into his speechfiying tenor and even his own eyes glazed over....like everyone else's does when he says stuff like this in a certain tone of voice using some freaky kind of melody.

    My brain is visually wired though, not auditory...I never glazed over.  You must show me something shiny before I glaze over :)

    Parent

    Obama never ceases to amaze me ! (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by samsguy18 on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:23:37 PM EST
     He's an arrogant egocentric narcistic person. Every time he comes to a podium to give ANOTHER speech the first and only thought that comes to me is Jibber Jabber...Jibber Jabber...and then I tune out.

    Parent
    As if someone without a job... (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:30:09 PM EST
    ...with a mortgage ballooning, crappy health insurance, a car that needs a new transmission, kids who need new clothes, as if this person needs to be told where they are or where they are headed.

    O can't just roll up his sleeves and get to friggin' work, and the phucker can't even tell the RIGHT story, forget a good one.  Jaysus.

    Parent

    From community organizer to village griot? (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:39:35 PM EST
    I read that "story arc" term to be signalling that this again is about Teh Greatest Speech Evah.

    Well, I suppose village griot is better than village idiot.


    Parent

    Gotta love this site (none / 0) (#98)
    by sj on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:24:03 AM EST
    Added "griot" to my vocabulary.  Although I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to use it...

    Parent
    I don't have a problem with that quote. (none / 0) (#69)
    by lilburro on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:14:26 PM EST
    That suggests IMO at least an appreciation for the bully pulpit.  

    Parent
    Possibly (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 06:39:42 AM EST
    But taken as a whole, what happened before he made that statement and what his choices did to the middle class and the engine of our economy and the well being of average to poor children and average to poor families, it means more Obama in la la land to me.  I have heard his stories before and there is almost never a bully pulpit other than eat your peas.  Only me eating peas though, never Blankfein or Dimon or Geithner or the too big to fail.

    Parent
    Marshall Ganz is for campaigning, not governing... (none / 0) (#81)
    by Addison on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 11:33:03 PM EST
    ...oh Lord. Step away from the Harvard classroom leadership advisors, President Obama!

    http://grassrootsfund.org/docs/WhatIsPublicNarrative08.pdf

    That's essentially Obama's working manual for what he says above. He used Ganz in 08 and unfortunately he thinks it the primary tool of the presidency as well (if Suskind is accurate).

    Parent

    I did notice that many things that (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 05:53:10 AM EST
    I felt and were talked about and deduced say here by others about what the President's true goals were and his leadership style seemed to be holding true with what was reported from Suskind's book.  He isn't unkind to the President, he isn't his girlfriend either.  There were times though that I felt myself getting so angry.  This President seems to truly share something with Bush, a sort of inability to admit when he has turned out to be wrong or preformed poorly, even to himself.  He does not seem hold himself equally accountable to other factors when assessing existing undesirable outcomes.

    He came to believe that his real problem at the start of his Presidency was too much debating of facts and relitigating (his word) of the existing problems and possible solutions over and over and over again, never actually applying an action/solution.  I can't fully disagree with him there.  But his response to coming to that conclusion was then to decide without the benefit of advise or expert advisors to extend the Bush tax cuts in trade for extended unemployment benefits, which immediately caused his whole nation's balance sheet to be so unstable that I think it was the last nail in the coffin for our country's AAA rating.  Everything he has had allowed to happen with Wall Street and the banks though has only created moral hazard, and he let and continues to allow Geithner to get away with what he has gotten away with concerning all that.

    It was agreed that Citi would be taken over and unwound to demonstrate to the public that the government could successfully do that with a too big to fail troubled bank, and that would lead to confidence in that area and no need to make a run on your own troubled bank.  And the banks would have seen up close and personal that if they would not return to health they would be dealt with.  That did not happen though.  The people were told things that caused many of them to sit down and shut up because someone was going to do something about all this.  But nobody did and the exact same problems and dangers to the stability of the country persist.

    Parent

    Obama will never hold himself accountable ! (none / 0) (#144)
    by samsguy18 on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:03:28 PM EST
    You are correct in your observations Tracy. This is a long time known pattern of behavior. He was never vetted the way other candidates have been. His overuse of nonsense phrases and  nonsensical statements makes me wonder what his sealed academic records actually show

    Parent
    sealed by those (none / 0) (#146)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:12:38 PM EST
    same Illuminati-types that rigged the entire system for Obama, and marginalized all those other much-more visionary and progressive (albeit Wall St and corporate sponsored) candidates.

    Parent
    If a protester falls on Wall Street. . . . (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:58:31 PM EST
    From one of my fave blogs, since you won't see much about it in the news, at least not in the U.S.:

    If a great protest falls upon Wall Street, and no reporter is there to write about it, does it make a noise?

    The other day I blogged about how the "occupation" of Wall Street in New York City by thousands of demonstrators for more than a week has raised hardly a blip on the domestic news media radar screen. It's as if editors and news directors (and their corporate masters) have decided there's nothing new to see here. So move on, move on (wait, even that sounds too radical).

    But it's even worse than malign neglect, because in the rare moments when a mainstream news outlet does mention the protests (which like those in Wisconsin beforehand have been very peaceful, and which have attracted Web-based pizza orders from afar), the tone is almost ominous. Consider, for example, this lead-in from CNN "Situation Room" host Wolf Blitzer last Monday: "Protests here in New York on Wall Street entering a third day. Should New Yorkers be worried at all about what's going on?"

    Well, they should be concerned about what's going on, Wolfster -- not with how the protesters are conducting themselves, but rather with what's going on with you and your colleagues at CNN and across journalism in general.

    For instance, how about some concern with the way the police are handling these essentially peaceful if (to financial elites) bothersome protests? New York Police made 80 arrests on Saturday -- I only know that, though, because I read it in The Guardian, a news outlet in the UK, not the US. The Guardian said the NYPD was accused of heavy-handed tactics after making the arrests on Saturday when protesters marched uptown from their makeshift camp in a private park in the financial district.

    "Footage has emerged on YouTube showing stocky police officers coralling a group of young female protesters and then spraying them with mace, despite being surrounded and apparently posing threats of only the verbal kind," The Guardian reported.

    Nope, you won't find that kind of basic, pithy coverage in the US, even for the most part at the New York Times, much less at Faux News or your hometown news outlets.

    There's another alternative to subscribing to a foreign news site: Like some of my friends and I, you can watch the proceedings live via streaming feeds and cut out the editors and their censorious mindset. Go to:

    http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

    Now, besides Web-based pizza love, you can send supplies to the protesters in their tent city via a nearby UPS Store. See more info at globalrevolution's streaming page. No doubt somebody by now could use some deodorant, or a toothbrush, or a nail clipper, or vitamins. Why not send some love to our uppity brethren in the Big Apple?
    Looks like those kids could use some cash (none / 0) (#62)
    by Rojas on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:33:05 PM EST


    Parent
    Saw "Moneyball" today. Good show. (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:05:40 PM EST


    too bad the strategy doesn't work (none / 0) (#77)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:24:15 PM EST
    The only time it worked for the A's was in the steroids era, so toss it all out, just like you toss about everything out from that era.  The most successful small market baseball team of the last quarter century is easily the Minnesota Twins and, as far as I know, they completely disavow moneyball.  Some stats are great, and indispensable, it could never be denied, but the reduction of humans to mere numbers, the idea you don't even need to watch a guy play, just silly.  Reminds me of the doctors who, for decades, treated my bad back by looking at me as nothing but a machine with broken parts.  The healing truth was much deeper and more complex.  It was emotional in nature.  Human.

    Kirk Gibson, '88 MVP.  Hit a paltry .276, had maybe 20 homers and 76 lousy RBI.  The single most important everyday player in the entire league that year.  With those stats?  Creditball is more like it.

    I'm not in the Joe Morgan rant against moneyball category, I just think it's almost entirely a myth as it relates to building a team around.  Remember Sandy Alderson bringing that crap to the Pods?  That worked out well.  Now Alderson, of course, is in NY, where he has more money to spend that almost anyone in the league.  And he still stinks.  

    Movie looks fun, tho.

    Parent

    I looked up "Peter Frank," (none / 0) (#79)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:59:50 PM EST
    the statistician nerd character with econ. degree from Yale.  Podesta.  He and Alderson didn't do much for the Pads but when I saw the part of the movie about signing David Justice it so reminded me of Brian Giles and a bunch of end-of-MLB career players the Pads signed--but for big bucks and multi-years.  

    Parent
    You? (none / 0) (#100)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:27:03 AM EST
    Going to see that latest Brad Pitt flick?

    We saw the trailer and because of how Brad Pitt was acting and looking middle aged and scruffy Josh didn't recognize him.  He said that that actor looks familiar but who is he?

    Parent

    Brad looked good. His character (5.00 / 1) (#174)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:36:29 PM EST
    worked out during the A's games.

    Parent
    My mom memorial service was wonderful (5.00 / 5) (#84)
    by loveed on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:47:33 AM EST
    She loved bring her family together.

      The Canadian side of the family showed up in full force.From all over the country they came to pay there respects.
      We were expecting approx.125 people, 250 arrived.People started coming Friday until today. It was amazing.
      People sent all kind of picture of her from throughout her life. I always thought I had the most beautiful mother in the the world. She had these flashing green eyes. Even at the age of 89, she had the legs of movie star,and the walk to go with them. Men would stop just to see her walk by.
    When she was about eighty, I suggested a walker. She told me " the walker would not look good with her high heels''. LOL
      Seeing pictures of my mom at such a young aged, she looked like my grandchildren.
      One night when I am thinking of her and writing about her, I might post some pictures.
      I was released from the hospital, Friday morning place on continuous O2(I will talk about this another time).
      The best part for me was having a my grandchildren and children together (It's been about 4yrs). The boy's are taller than there grandfather(he was not happy). The girls are just beautiful. They would not leave my side. I am so proud of them.
     My brother made a video of her life, there was not a dry eye in the house.

    Sounds like it was a lovely service, loveed. (5.00 / 3) (#85)
    by caseyOR on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 02:29:04 AM EST
    And given how much love your mother inspired, it seems that she was a lovely woman.

    I am glad that so many family members were able to make the trip, and that you were surrounded by your children and grandchildren. It's funny, isn't it, saying the final goodbye to your mother with the younger generations by your side. The most basic illustration of that whole "life goes on" thing, eh?

    I hope you feel better soon. Take care.

    Parent

    My tribute (5.00 / 5) (#86)
    by loveed on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 02:41:32 AM EST
     You can tell the legacy of a mother by the future she leaves behind.
     The future is blinding it so bright.

    Parent
    What (none / 0) (#89)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 05:58:36 AM EST
    a lovely story. Thanks for sharing.

    Parent
    So glad the family could get together (none / 0) (#99)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:25:48 AM EST
    Sounds like a wonderful group. You are right - that is the best tribute you could give her.

    All the best to you - I hope your own health improves. Your grandchildren need you with them a good long time.

    Parent

    So glad ya made it... (none / 0) (#131)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:14:13 AM EST
    and the memory of your moms packed the house! Very cool.

    Parent
    Peace to you (none / 0) (#140)
    by Dadler on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:39:29 AM EST
    Emotional day, emotional life.  Without emotion, as human beings, what are we?  Not very much.

    Good luck with your health issues.  You sound like a tough soul, and I'm sure you will not only survive but come out stronger.

    Parent

    Your mom sounds like she was (none / 0) (#147)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:13:20 PM EST
    quite a woman, making her loss that much more painful in many ways, but from what you've written and shared about your life, it's clear she had good reason to be very proud of you and the family you've raised.

    If there's a "best part" about a memorial service, it's got to be the opportunity to not just reflect on shared memories, but to hear new stories and get new insight into someone we loved so much; it's comforting to know there are so many people who were touched by our loved ones, and to know that he or she will truly live on in the memories of so many people.

    I'm so sorry you have had the stress and worry of health problems on top of everything else, and hope there is relief and resolution in sight; please take care of yourself, and let us know how things are going.

    Parent

    My condolences Loveed (none / 0) (#153)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:33:25 PM EST
    Peace..

    She sounds like a lovely woman, one of a kind; as I'm sure she was.

    Parent

    I want to thank everyone for the kind words, (none / 0) (#188)
    by loveed on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 04:14:00 PM EST
    and thoughts.
     Being able to share this journey with you guys, has been wonderful.
      Thanks for the concerns about my health. I see my Dr. Thursday. But I Am feeling much better today. Cancer was ruled out day one.
      I work with Chronically ill patient, I have been healthy all my life. There are so many people who struggle all there lives with health issues.
      I have always been grateful for the blessing of good health.
     

    Parent
    Google turning red (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:39:54 AM EST
    Focusing money on conservative think tanks and lobbying efforts.  Maybe they sense what's coming?

    The shift in political strategy comes as Google faces a serious antitrust threat, punctuated by a high-profile hearing on the company held Wednesday afternoon in the Senate. But Google's investment in the infrastructure of the conservative movement goes much deeper than what's been reported this summer.

    The company known for its progressive politics is now giving money to the Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the Republican Governors Association, the GOP firm The David All Group, Crossroads Strategies, the Republican Attorneys General Association and the Republican State Leadership Committee, among others. On Thursday, Google and Fox News cosponsored a Republican presidential debate.

    In the last nine months, Google has hired 18 lobbying shops -- not 18 lobbyists, but 18 firms, a dozen of them since July, a head-turning torrent of hiring that also includes consultants not required to register as lobbyists.

    "I consider myself a public works project right here," Sen. Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the committee leading the antitrust investigation, told HuffPost. "My colleagues call it the Leahy Full Employment Act."

    The GOP effort hasn't quite sunk in: Republicans in the House and Senate reacted with pleasant surprise when told by HuffPost that Google had started donating to movement conservatives. "Are you saying they're finally becoming bipartisan? That's a good thing. Bipartisanship is a positive thing," said Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the head of the Senate GOP's fundraising arm and one of three Republicans on the subcommittee holding the antitrust hearing. "I understand why people feel like they need to have people they can talk to on both sides."
    Hey, maybe Bing won't be a bunch of (none / 0) (#111)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:44:36 AM EST
    losers for awhile or Duck Duck Go.

    Parent
    I finally started watching (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:09:14 AM EST
    The Wire.  There go the next few months of my life.

    There's a scene in one of the earlier episodes where the DEA agents are talking about the war on drugs.  One of the cops is quoted as saying "this isn't a war, wars end".  Then I thought about how wars don't really end anymore either.

    Today I opened the paper and saw that a 16 year old was killed and a 14 year old critically injured last night, about 1/2 a mile from me.

    Some days it all just feels so hopeless.

    Reading about the brave... (none / 0) (#133)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:18:00 AM EST
    Wall St. protestors facing down the jackboots and pepper spray restored some of my hope, might work for you.  The Jets and Pats ain't gonna cut it as an opiate for us this week, yuk:(

    Enjoy "The Wire" ride...some of the best television drama ever made right there.

    Parent

    ey (none / 0) (#149)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:22:09 PM EST
    football was brutal this week.

    Although I can't decide if I'm really worried that Brady threw 4 picks, or encouraged that we still played a close game despite Brady throwing 4 picks - with the feeling that that won't happen again.

    I can't believe Brady has "lost it".  So thinking he just had a bad game makes me feel a little better.  Sort of...

    Question for you - should jets and pats fans officially start worrying about Buffulo?  I went into this season just sort of assuming we would be fighting it out for the division title.  Might be time to start drinking some upstate hateraid too.  Although I must admit that the jets box score was my silver lining :)

    Parent

    I don't know... (none / 0) (#154)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:37:53 PM EST
    I'm sold on Fitzy...I think he has "it"...not sure if the talent is there throughout the Bills roster to be there at the end, but we shall see.  I'm not even assuming at least a split with Buffalo anymore, tell ya that much!

    Parent
    lost it my.. (none / 0) (#158)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:50:14 PM EST
    he was a friggin' machine through most of that game. Did you see how many yards and catches Welker got?

    The Bills defenders made some great plays on a couple of balls, one of which was on a very freaky deflection, AND news! New Englands D isn't that good. And they didn't, (or couldn't) run the ball. I don't care how great your passing game is, you can't allow yourself to be THAT one dimensional. Never works in the long run.

    Fitz has improved markedly, the only guy right now who can cover Stevie Johnson is Revis (maybe), and the Bills, unlike last year, are stopping the run now.

    Parent

    Danny Woodhead (none / 0) (#164)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:01:34 PM EST
    got some solid runs in there.  And yes, Welker was a beast.  I don't think NE can't run the ball, when they used Woodhead they ran the ball very effectively.  It's just that they didn't do it very often.

    That game was tough, because they could have come away with the end if it weren't for some unlucky/bad move right at the end.

    I remember when they called the touchdown back thinking "oh cr@p".  Because had it actually gone in, they would have had another chance to score and then who knows what would have happened.  No idea what was going on with the lost T.O. except that Belicheck completely lost his cool.

    That being said, our D needs some serious work and your guys definitely earned it.  But for a loss, I guess it could've been worse.  I am not feeling good about our corners right now though. They got completely outplayed.

    Parent

    it was a freaky game (none / 0) (#167)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:19:18 PM EST
    And I fully admit that I was worried the Bills were gonna get blown out. Especially when they were down 21-0.

    Brady's still phenomenal, imo. Four picks and all.

    What about Fred Jackson though? He's one of the best intelligent, see-the-field and use-his-blockers runners I've seen in awhile.. reminds me of Marcus Allen; and a little of Jim Brown (though that might be getting a little carried away.)

    Parent

    no doubt (none / 0) (#171)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:28:51 PM EST
    you guys have some solid players and that run at the end just killed it.  Although from a defensive standpoint I was much more concerned about how our corners were completely outclassed, I thought we did ok on the running game at first, especially with the goal-line stand early, but once you start getting burned like that in the passing game it's gonna open up some holes.  And having Chung out didn't help.

    To be honest it seemed like both teams were relying a lot more on the passing game but maybe that's just what I noticed.

    Fitz was throwing bombs down the field and your guys always got to it first, except when Kyle Arrington did.  And they actually caught the ball (ahem Ochocinco).

    Parent

    all I can say (none / 0) (#173)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:33:19 PM EST
    is that I feel sorry for whoever New England's playing next..:)

    Parent
    Raiders are. (none / 0) (#200)
    by nycstray on Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 01:32:14 AM EST
    And the Eagles are playing the 9ers. Kinda wish it was the Raiders that were playing the Eagles. I think they have a better chance of getting Vick to eat the turf a few times . . . .  :)

    Parent
    It is time well spent (none / 0) (#143)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:03:04 PM EST
    Great, great show.

    Unfortunately if you do not have a strong tolerance for feeling hopeless, you'd best stop watching now.

    Parent

    too late for that anyway (none / 0) (#148)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:14:38 PM EST
    *trying really hard not to make a crack joke here.

    It is phenomenal television.  With most cop shows, within 10 minutes of the show I've made 9 predictions, 7-8 of which usually come true within the episode.  For the first episode of this show I made about 20 predictions, none of which have happened yet, and most of which probably never will.

    And I am already 1/3 of the way through the first season because I just couldn't stop watching.

    Parent

    On my drive back to work I was thinking (none / 0) (#156)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:48:47 PM EST
    that it will not really take you months to watch, because if you are anything like me it will be all you do in your spare time for the next two weeks! That marathon style is a great way to watch that show. You don't lose the thread on any of the subplots or characters.

    And you are right...not much of what you have predicted so far is correct, unless you are wasting your time in your current profession and should really be a top-notch screenwriter!

    Parent

    yea (none / 0) (#165)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:03:39 PM EST
    although it might take me a few months to recover the lost sleep :)

    Parent
    and get your language back to normal ;-) (none / 0) (#168)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:21:35 PM EST


    Parent
    I'm old (none / 0) (#169)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:25:41 PM EST
    I had to watch Season 1 with the closed captioning on because I couldn't understand half of what they were saying!

    Parent
    I made frequent use of the rewind button (none / 0) (#176)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:39:50 PM EST
    After I got used to it though, it really was in my head. Kind of shook up the rest of the voices in my poor head. That's OK - they had led a sheltered life.

    Parent
    Sometimes (none / 0) (#177)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:41:48 PM EST
    I thought I was going deaf because it was more of the mumbling, rather than the dialouge.

    I did get used to some of it, but other times I felt like I was watching a foreign language film.

    Parent

    really? (none / 0) (#179)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:52:36 PM EST
    Well that's the difference between a 90s upbringing I guess.

    I didn't even really notice the language.  But I also grew up in the city, in public school, with a lot of hip hop/rap all over the radio.

    The one problem I've had is getting all the names straight.  I had a harder time with the police side of things than the street side of things since there are so many different groups and they tend to use rank a lot - and I can never remember what rank is what.  Now that you mention it I specifically remember thinking that the street slang was very intuitive.  So even when I didn't previously know the terms they used I knew what they meant.

    Parent

    Yeah, I know what you mean (none / 0) (#181)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 02:02:09 PM EST
    I couldn't keep the gang-bangers straight. All the nicknames and street names for the same people, and of course, the slang they used.  I'm not really that old, but as I never hung with drug dealers, and listen to only some hip-hop, it was a challenge.  I had to watch the first episode 3 times to understand what was going on!

    Parent
    Once you finish watching The Wire (none / 0) (#185)
    by caseyOR on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 03:51:36 PM EST
    get yourself a copy of season 1 of Treme. That is David Simon's (producer of The Wire) HBO series on post-Katrinia New Orleans. It is jus as riveting as The Wire, and boy oh boy the music is great.

    And don't fret about keeping the names straight. It will all come together.

    While I love all 5 seasons of The Wire, my faces are the season about the labor union at the docks and the season about Baltimore public schools. They were outstanding.

    Parent

    Once you finish watching The Wire (none / 0) (#186)
    by caseyOR on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 03:52:30 PM EST
    get yourself a copy of season 1 of Treme. That is David Simon's (producer of The Wire) HBO series on post-Katrinia New Orleans. It is just as riveting as The Wire, and boy oh boy the music is great.

    And don't fret about keeping the names straight. It will all come together.

    While I love all 5 seasons of The Wire, my faves are the season about the labor union at the docks and the season about Baltimore public schools. They were outstanding.

    Parent

    Susan Sarandon at Occupy Wall St. (5.00 / 1) (#203)
    by Dadler on Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 12:32:03 PM EST
    Happy to finally see a celebrity out there. They need more presence and publicity down there.  (LINK) Where are all the rest?  Where are the rock stars down there playing for the people for free?  Maybe they have been, but I haven't seen it.  Forgive me if I'm mistaken.

    Sorry, Giants fans (none / 0) (#1)
    by Makarov on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 11:21:06 AM EST
    but Vick and the Eagles are going to wipe the floor with your hobbled team today.

    Possible upset today:
    Jets fans look out for Oakland.

    Got a problem with (none / 0) (#3)
    by nycstray on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 11:38:37 AM EST
    New Yorkers?  :)

    Parent
    Oh, I didn't see any Yankee-bashing. (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 01:32:27 PM EST


    Parent
    29-16 (none / 0) (#17)
    by Zorba on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:49:22 PM EST
    Giants.  Sorry, Makarov, but the Giants wiped the floor with your Eagles.  I don't have a dog in this hunt, but I just thought I'd mention it.  ;-)

    Parent
    Bears defeated by the Packers <sigh> (none / 0) (#43)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:05:54 PM EST
    I should have expected it, but you know how at the beginning of the season you're so hopeful? And you cling to that hope as long as possible? And being a Cubs fan, I'm conditioned to cling to hope long past its due date. Still, c'mon, Bears.

    Getting ready to watch the Colts and the Steelers. The Colts without Peyton Manning are pretty dismal. I hope Peyton heals up. Truth be told, though, I'm kinda thinking Peyton does not come back from this neck injury. Oh, he wants to; he really wants to be out on that field taking the snaps. But. . . third surgery for the neck and a trip to Europe for stem cell therapy, and Manning is still in street clothes on the sidelines.

    Parent

    It could have been worse (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:13:56 PM EST
    Baltimore 37
    St. Louis  7

    See what I mean.

    Parent

    Yeah, no kidding (none / 0) (#47)
    by Zorba on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:31:50 PM EST
    Although, I must say that I don't have the "feeling" for the St. Louis Rams, the way I do for the baseball Cards.  St. Louis didn't even have a football team until 1960, when the Chicago (football) Cardinals moved to St. Louis.  They then left for Arizona in '88.  I was 12 years old when football came to St. Louis.  By then, I was a rabid baseball fan.  Football left me cold, and both the football Cardinals and the Rams were just parvenu teams to me.

    Parent
    I suppose, if I have (none / 0) (#57)
    by Zorba on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:59:23 PM EST
    any feeling for any team whatsoever in the NFL, it might be the New England Patriots, but only because I went to graduate school in Boston, and lived there the first few years of my marriage.  And, in fact, when we first moved to Boston, they were the Boston Patriots, only changing to the New England Patriots the year after we moved there.  So even that tie is rather tenuous.  I guess I'm way more of a baseball fan than I am football.

    Parent
    Really? (none / 0) (#166)
    by sj on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:11:31 PM EST
    Because that looks pretty good to me...

    Parent
    Looked great to me, too! (none / 0) (#187)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 03:58:03 PM EST
    Poor Sam Bradford is probably still having to look at his driver's license to remember his name after seeing Terrell Suggs in his face all afternoon.

    Trying not to get too "up" after this win - next week we have the Jets - who are coming off a loss at Oakland, and will have the usual getting-revenge-on-Baltimore-for-not-naming-Rex-as-head-coach fire behind them - at home on Sunday night; man, I hate those Sunday night games!

    I can only hope it's the Week 1 and Week 3 Ravens who show up, and that the Week 2 Ravens are long gone, lol.

    Parent

    Seems like they always lose when I get to watch (none / 0) (#64)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:50:55 PM EST
    on TV. That was pretty bad - I was surprised they did not lose by more. I know what you mean with the hope. It was cloudy out so I could almost pretend it was a cool fall day and the Bears could beat the Pack.  Reality- misery index of 100 and Bears getting their clocks cleaned. I think the Cubs lost too.

    But that Erlacher is still something to watch!

    Parent

    Yes, the Cubs lost today as well. (none / 0) (#68)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:57:05 PM EST
    And, insult to injury, the Cubs lost to the Cardinals (boo, hiss) both yesterday and today.

    The good news? Baseball season is over for the Cubs. Our long  loyal fan nightmare is over, at least until hope springs forth again next April. :-)

    Parent

    Oh, not over yet. The hapless Cubs (none / 0) (#72)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:58:08 PM EST
    face the hapless Pads starting Monday.  

    Parent
    AAARRGG!!! (none / 0) (#74)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:00:56 PM EST
    Will this season never end?!

    Parent
    Ha! I stopped paying attention so long ago (none / 0) (#97)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:19:16 AM EST
    Just happened to see the Cubs score on the crawl beneath the Bears game. I thought it was over already!

    My hope dies earlier and earlier every year. Maybe because my Dad is no longer with us to keep it alive. I am glad he was spared that Bears-Pack game though.

    Parent

    "Wheelmen don't eat quiche" (none / 0) (#2)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 11:35:12 AM EST
    Dennis Hartley headline on Digby.  

    Perry (none / 0) (#4)
    by lentinel on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 12:05:24 PM EST
    accused Romney of being "Obama lite".

    Many consider Obama to be "Bush lite".

    So a question arises.

    If Romney is Obama lite, and Obama is Bush lite, does that make Romney twice removed from Bush as opposed to Obama's status as being only once removed?

    you've missed one other category (none / 0) (#8)
    by CoralGables on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 02:32:45 PM EST
    People that think that way are considered by many to be "lightly nuts"

    Parent
    It looks (none / 0) (#10)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:23:30 PM EST
    like Perry is getting desperate. I mean this guy is supposed to be the "grassroots darling" and he just got wiped out in two straw polls this weekend.

    The bigger story is that the GOP is desperately seeking a nominee named Somebody Else.

    Parent

    I think that (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Zorba on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:00:06 PM EST
    the "powers that be" in the Republican Party have seen the polls and the numbers, and decided that the only Republican that has any chance whatsoever of beating Obama is Romney, because all the other GOP candidates are too cuckoo to win the independent vote (which they're going to have to get to win).  We'll see if those "powers" can overcome the tea party and other crazies in the GOP to force the nomination of the Mittser.  Meanwhile, I'm kind of enjoying the GOP in such disarray and eating their own.  I always thought that this was only a Democratic thing.  Nice to see the GOP engaging in the circular firing squad for a change.   ;-)  

    Parent
    The only Reoub who can't beat (none / 0) (#30)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:24:04 PM EST
    Obama is Romney.

    The beltway Repubs are pulling their "next in line trick." Be interesting to see if the rank and file put up with it.

    Parent

    That's hilarious. You think (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:30:54 PM EST
    Bachmann could beat Obama??? Perry???
    Between the two of them,they have the IQ of a turnip, and the campaign skills of Newt Gingrich.

    Parent
    Heh, heh, heh ... (5.00 / 0) (#49)
    by Yman on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:37:11 PM EST
    You gotta step away from the Tea Party meetings once-in-a-while.

    Parent
    Hahahahahahahaha! (none / 0) (#41)
    by Zorba on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 06:52:26 PM EST
    Jim, you're hilarious.  Totally delusional, but hilarious.  Thanks for the laugh!  And let me know what you're drinking (or smoking).

    Parent
    I love thier the speil (none / 0) (#139)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:35:54 AM EST
    about how "we're not the mainstream"..just a bunch of sympathetic populists with our fingers on the pulse of the REAL, salt-of-the-earth folks who built America and made this country great..

    Just like Bill O'Reilly is nothing but a humble, working class fella from Leavittown..

    What shameless, unadulterated, b.s. Father Coughlin time..

    Parent

    ABO folks, ABO (none / 0) (#63)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:49:52 PM EST
    Anybody But Obama.

    But don't get all excited, Romney or your other choices will not be nominated so my failure to include them is meaningless. Kinda like noting that it rains in Seattle.

    Donald, remember....

    He who laughs last.

    ;-)

    Parent

    So who do you think will get nominated? (none / 0) (#66)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:52:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Romney, Santorum, Bachmann, Ginrgrich, (none / 0) (#71)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:44:29 PM EST
    Huntsman, Paul and Cain will not.

    Although I see Cain as VP.

    So, Perry or a player to be named.

    Parent

    According to Fox Sunday News Panel (none / 0) (#83)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:10:21 AM EST
    "Perry really did throw up all over himself in the debate, at a time when he needed to raise his game. He did worse, it seems to me, than in previous debates. ... Perry is one-half a step away from almost total collapse as a candidate," said Fox News commentator Brit Hume. link

    From what I've heard, Fox opinion is gospel for Republicans.

    Parent

    I don't know...I may have to side with Jim on this (none / 0) (#101)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:28:12 AM EST
    Talking gibberish has not been a disqualifier since GWB.

    Parent
    Point taken (none / 0) (#106)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:36:23 AM EST
    but to the best of my knowledge, Fox alway defended his position no matter how inane and never said that GWB talked gibberish. The quality (or lack there of) of the gibberish might not be the deciding factor. The deciding factor could be how much verbal support Fox gives the candidate.  

    Parent
    Oh, I know some Repubs (none / 0) (#102)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:29:27 AM EST
    and some Obama Demos too and what I have found is that the Obama fans pay more attention to Fox than do the Repubs.

    And quoting Hume when he says something nasty about a Repub and not a Demo is risible.

    Perry is suffering from "not being a beltway Repub" just as Palin did so he can, as she did, expect scant help and a lot of criticism from the so-called conservative media.

    He's also the number one target of the lame stream media. They and their Masters, aka Democrats, fear a Perry candidacy above all things. And a Perry?Cain duo makes them tremble in their Gucci's and toss and turn in their satin sheets.

    Having said that, he's in a fight. Right now he's being attacked by a bunch of candidates who, having little to show except for their support for the "social issues," think they can win by making him as small as they are.

    Perry should start reminding them that such things as in state tuition for the illegal immigrant children brought here by their parents, something I oppose, is a state issue and that as a President he wouldn't have any say in that but he could close the border by providing the resources, something no President has ever done.

    It's called "fixing a problem by prevention."

    Parent

    How is Fox NOT (none / 0) (#134)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:20:30 AM EST
    the "lame stream media"? As soon as you have THAT much corporate sponsorship, you automatically become lame stream as lame stream can be. Unless of course, those are all the visionary, revolutionary corporations footing the bill over there..

    And, if one considers where Perry does most of his thinking, maybe he would be better described as below-the-beltway -- long with being   unreconstructed, and sentimental about bringing back the days of Judge Roy Bean.    

    Parent

    and btw, that "the Masters" (none / 0) (#135)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:25:06 AM EST
    are all Demos is a somewhat laughable, (or sad, depending on how you look at it), paranoid delusion. Brought to you by the kind of people who, some decades back, were obsessed about flouridated drinking water, and who put up Wanted For Treason posters in Dallas in November of '63.

    Parent
    Just can't stand the truth, eh? (none / 0) (#159)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:51:53 PM EST
    lol

    Parent
    yes (none / 0) (#162)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:57:32 PM EST
    I already knew you had the Way, the Truth, and the Light.

    And, among other things, are still yearning to send the little children of Iran "back to the stone age" (as expression of your immense christian love.)

    lol

    Parent

    Not only that I have the facts. (none / 0) (#182)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 03:22:45 PM EST


    Parent
    Pay attention (none / 0) (#157)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:49:50 PM EST
    Fox is supposedly conservative media...

    The Lame Stream Media is all the rest..

    ;-)

    Parent

    Pay attention (none / 0) (#170)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:28:18 PM EST
    you don't get to re-write the dictionary for your own purposes.

    Fow is as "lame" and "main" as any of the others.

    Except that the others aren't openly sleazy, and or, stupid enough to make a claim like "Fair and Balanced".

    Parent

    How could Romney possibly have won (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 09:59:09 PM EST
    straw poll in Michigan?

    Parent
    His father was governor (none / 0) (#105)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:35:55 AM EST
    And he has deep family roots there?

    Parent
    But didn't Mitt Romney, during a prevous (none / 0) (#172)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:30:19 PM EST
    Pres. primary campaign, actually state, while in MI, the U.S. auto industry should be let die?  

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#175)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:39:45 PM EST
    But those workers (as a large group) aren't the ones who vote in straw polls.  Those people are the evangelicals and party loyalists of western Michigan.

    Parent
    Ah. (none / 0) (#180)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:55:01 PM EST


    Parent
    He who laughs last (none / 0) (#103)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:30:16 AM EST
    laughs last.

    ;-)

    Parent

    It's the secessionist (none / 0) (#151)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:26:07 PM EST
    hangin' Judge nut, or the Born Again-alienating Mormon (which is what ole' Jimmy Bob is REALLY afraid of..)

    The divisive, extremist, Bush-without-Prozac won't get it, the Teabaggers and Rapturists stay home, and Obama wins again. For better or worse.

    Parent

    translation: (none / 0) (#178)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:49:42 PM EST
    the only one I won't support is that fast-talkin' smart aleck, yankee RINO..

    The teabaggin'-fer-Jesus and minority-haters stay home. And it's 08 all over again.

    Parent

    I know (none / 0) (#34)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:34:57 PM EST
    it is kind of fun until the thought comes in my head that one of these nuts could be President. After W., I'll never be quite sure that one of these people couldn't somehow get elected POTUS.

    Parent
    That could be a first: (none / 0) (#12)
    by lentinel on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:32:32 PM EST
    Somebody Else could be the big winner for both parties.

    Somebody Else would run against himself or herself.

    Unfortunately, "Nobody" is not a viable candidate this year.
    But Someone Else is moving up quickly. In fact, Somebody Else is going to be interviewed by Same Old next Saturday on MTP.


    Parent

    Perry (none / 0) (#112)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:45:35 AM EST
    Is a flash in the pan and his style, nor his politics, will appeal to a broad swath of the country.  Romney is the ONLY one who can go head to head with Obama in debates and on policy.

    The only way a Perry or Bachmann wins the nomination is if tons of Democrats cross over in open primary states and play havoc with the process.  

    Parent

    Probably 75% of the (none / 0) (#115)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:05:49 AM EST
    country is tired of debates. Especially debates on policy between people who have never actually done anything.

    Parent
    But there will be debates (none / 0) (#117)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:18:10 AM EST
    After the nominee is chosen.  That's how voters will see the nominees on the same stage, instead of making their case through talking head nincompoops like Rachel Maddow and Bill O'Reilly and their respective guests.

    Parent
    yes but (none / 0) (#118)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:26:34 AM EST
    that would suggest that Perry or Bachmann could win the primary on their own merits, without "rogue Dems" being the cause.

    Honestly I see more "rogue Dems" voting for Romney in the off chance that if one of these people wins it better not be a crazy person.

    Parent

    I disagree (none / 0) (#119)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:31:01 AM EST
    I see OFA et al getting out "Republican for a Day" because Obama would have a much easier time against the crazy Perry or Bachmann.  As we get closer and if the economy is still bad (which it will be), Romney will scare the Obama folks much more.  Anything they can do to give Obama a better chance, they will do.

    Remember the busing of college kids into Iowa?  And the whole Texas primary thing? And the fact already encouraged Dems in Michigan to vote in the Republican primary to play havoc with the results?  

    Parent

    I do not think (none / 0) (#120)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:36:24 AM EST
    that is what ultimately decides the outcome.

    I also think you are comparing apples and oranges here.  In 2008 you had 2 candidates that were neck and neck with very strong supporters, so people were willing to go to greater lengths to influence things, and every little thing that people did had an impact because the race was so close.

    I don't think the Republican primary will be nearly as close, nor as exciting, as the 2008 primary. So you will have fewer people willing to do such things, and it will have less of an impact, because races aren't usually that close.

    Parent

    I think the Republican primaries (none / 0) (#122)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:40:50 AM EST
    Will be closer earlier on.  Iowa, New Hampshire, etc.  Obama is weak, and unless things drastically change, will look (be) weak come January. He's under 50% approval now. OFA will be desperate, and anything that will help boost Obama will be tried.  It's clearly apples to apples. I have no doubt that election hijinks will be rampant.

    Parent
    Elections (none / 0) (#123)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:45:06 AM EST
    Still require voters, unless you think they will mess with the machines, but so far I have not heard of any of those tactics used by Dems, and I doubt they would go that far just to rig a Republican primary.

    At the end of the day, you need enough people who care.  I think there are way more "average people who care" and will vote how they want to vote, than there are people who will in someway be manipulated into voting for the opposite of what they want.

    Parent

    Wha...? (none / 0) (#124)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:51:50 AM EST
    ...than there are people who will in someway be manipulated into voting for the opposite of what they want.

    OFA WANTS a Perry or Bachmann nomination.  What makes you so sure the true believers are going to sit home and possibly let Mitt Romney win the nomination - a candidate who stands the best chance of actually beating their candidate?

    Voting and playing hijinks with the Republican primaries are exactly what they want.

    Parent

    I have (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:14:12 AM EST
    to wonder though how much of a difference something like that would make in the end. For every supposed OFA voter who wants to mess with the GOP primary to create a weak nominee like Perry or Bachmann, there's probably another voter who'll vote in the primary to keep someone like Perry or Bachmann from getting the nomination on the freakish chance that they might win.

    Parent
    OFA? (none / 0) (#126)
    by CST on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:02:27 AM EST
    I have no idea who you mean by this.

    I get that they are supposedly rabid Obama supporters.  But frankly I think you are either making these people up or highly inflating their numbers.

    Whoever "they" are, they do not control the election process.

    People just aren't as excited about Obama this time around.  And I think they could easily be offset by Dems who would go the other way out of fear that Perry or Bachmann would actually win.

    Parent

    Really? (none / 0) (#128)
    by jbindc on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:11:33 AM EST
    Obama For America - talked about and referred by such name extensively here since 2007. His official re-election group?

    Parent
    OFA has two separate meanings (none / 0) (#137)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:29:39 AM EST
    Obama for America Obama organization for 2008 election and now again for the 2012 election. Extremely active organization in previous election and often accused of aggressively manipulating political events such caucuses.    

    Barackobama.com is the official re-election campaign website of President Barack Obama. Visit the site for the latest updates from the Obama campaign

    In the interim, changed to "Organizing for America in Jan. 2009. The group was allowed to go fairly dormant and was never really utilized as advertised.  

    President-elect Barack Obama announced the formation of a new group known as "Organizing for America" that aims to continue the grassroots advocacy that the former Illinois Senator began in his presidential campaign.
    ...
    The new group will work within the Democratic National Committee -- led by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine -- to advance the Obama agenda. link


    Parent
    I agree that many Dems who (none / 0) (#121)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:37:49 AM EST
    live in open primary states would be tempted to vote for a semi-sane Republican in the primary

    in the off chance that if one of these people wins it better not be a crazy person.

    Although I think some would vote for the craziest.  

    I live in an open primary state and it has occurred to me that if the chances improve for a Republican victory, I could cast a primary vote for the sanest Republican still standing.

    I have no idea now if I will pursue that option and actually think that Obama will win in 2012.    

    Parent

    I think people are (none / 0) (#161)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:57:23 PM EST
    paying less attention to TV talking heads with obvious agendas throw spit balls at the one they hate and soft balls at the ones they love.

    The current "format" is worn out and the "people" are ready for more action. Just turn'em lose on the same stage with no moderators... not that is likely to happen.

    BTW - Maddow is not fair and balanced? I tell you I am shocked, yes shocked to discover this.

    Parent

    she least she doesn't both (none / 0) (#163)
    by jondee on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 01:00:32 PM EST
    lie AND insult the audience's intelligence (what's becoming known as "a Fox two-fer") by claiming that she is..

    Parent
    Hey, jondee (none / 0) (#183)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 03:24:39 PM EST
    You've become almost a good of a Shadow as Yman.

    Congratulations?  Do you also do windows?

    ;-)

    Parent

    Actually, that's a great idea (none / 0) (#190)
    by Yman on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 04:40:56 PM EST
    The current "format" is worn out and the "people" are ready for more action. Just turn'em lose on the same stage with no moderators... not that is likely to happen.

    ... as long as you let the audience members ask questions.  A few more Tea Party/Repub audiences cheering to let the uninsured die or booing gay soldiers serving in Afghanistan would help expose the winger base for what they really are.

    Great idea, Jim!

    Parent

    I know I am not alone (none / 0) (#13)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:40:48 PM EST
    in anxiously awaiting my delivery of the new Neal Stephenson novel. His most accessible yet, it is said!

    Ok, maybe i'm alone.

    I know I am not alone in having (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:05:06 PM EST
    forsworn reading any more Stephenson.
    A smart  guy and uneven writer who needs an editor chopping his books by 2/3.
    After making it about 700 pages through Cryptonomicon, I gave up, and swore never to read or re-read a single word of his again.

    Parent
    I remember! I was thinking of you. (5.00 / 0) (#22)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 04:35:34 PM EST
    Reconsider- won't you need a good long book for the flight to Kazakstan?

    Just yanking your chain.

    Parent

    Stephenson does great research, and (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:19:26 PM EST
    he has a talent for incorporating his knowledge into novels in interesting ways; however, the obscene degree of self-indulgent overwriting in which he engages at times is intolerable.

    Parent
    I know what you mean, but it does (none / 0) (#42)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 06:55:10 PM EST
    not bother me. To me it is almost hypnotic and draws me into his world. I was ready to start the whole Baroque Cycle over again when I finished - I did not want to leave.  I'm probably a great candidate for Stockholm syndrome.

    Parent
    There is one 3 page piece by (none / 0) (#195)
    by observed on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 05:44:51 PM EST
    Stephenson which is a good test of whether you can stand him, IMO: the nerd eating captain crunch disquistion.
    I found that passage a self-indulgent atrocity against style and taste, not to mention on a totally uninteresting subject.
    Fans of Stephenson rhapsodize about this passage in particular.


    Parent
    BTW, my main preparation for (none / 0) (#27)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:20:03 PM EST
    going to KZ is taking one aspirin a day. Can you figure out way?

    Parent
    Good. And get yourself (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:42:35 PM EST
    some compression socks, which really help prevent lower-leg swelling, too.

    And my spouse and I, after many long trips now, swear by No Jet Lag.

    Parent

    Also, if you're tall, as I am (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:47:43 PM EST
    and with a bad back, the Thermacare disposable heat pads are terrific for keeping my back from going into spasm from the goshawful tight seating on flights now.  Plus, they help to lull me to sleep and also help in those hours when the plane can get so cold.  

    I also need to work at staying hydrated but do not enjoy the constant balancing act in trying not to tip over a tiny cup of water on the food tray.  I don't even want the darn food tray open most of the time, cutting into the tight seating space.  I found (also on the great online travel catalog sites where we get No Jet Lag, compression socks, etc.) a foldup cup holder that hooks onto the top of the closed food tray and holds, securely, a bottle of water or soda or whatever.  I also always tuck in protein bars.

    Parent

    Thanks for the advice! (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:54:56 PM EST


    Parent
    Oh, also: adapters (none / 0) (#65)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:51:15 PM EST
    Are you going to buy new small appliances -- hair dryer, electric toothbrush, etc. -- there to suit the sort of electricity or are you going to need adapters to keep your U.S. appliances from frying?  (And that can mean frying your hair; my daughter skipped the adapter step, and having to get an emergency haircut in a city where we knw hardly anyone was an unhappy time, and adapters are cheaper!)  Does your destination use U.S.-style outlets and prongs or more typical European and/or Asian ones?

    If not sure of whether and/or what sort of electricity, prongs, etc., are ahead, there is excellent info on magelllans.com, one of the sites where we find the other helpful tools for travel, whether on the plane or on another continent.  With the various continents where we have been for weeks at a time, we now have quite the full range of adapters (the universal adapter is not always that universal).

    Parent

    I'm pretty sure I'll need adapters. (none / 0) (#67)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:54:14 PM EST


    Parent
    Okay, here you go: (none / 0) (#78)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:38:01 PM EST
    a link for advice on adapters and lots of travel matters, such as "airline aggravation" as discussed above.

    There is much good advice on the 'Net for travelers but there also is some to take with a grain of salt -- and some go on and on.  We have not gone wrong with the advice on this site, and I -- the one who does the research -- find it succinct and easy to follow, unlike some wordy and too-technical sites.  

    Parent

    *why", I meant. (none / 0) (#28)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:21:03 PM EST
    I'm cooking again (risotto and lentils) and and having wine while I cook on this cold and dreary day.

    Parent
    blood thinning for altitude? (none / 0) (#33)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:31:14 PM EST


    Parent
    Related. Blood-thinning (none / 0) (#35)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 05:54:13 PM EST
    as a precaution against phlebitis.
    I might well have an 11 hour flying leg in my trip. My brother-in-law, a doctor, recommended aspirin for 7 days prior to the flight.
    Of course, the rate things are going, I could be taking aspirin for 14 or 21 days....grr.

    Parent
    I did 17 hours to Hong Kong once (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 06:23:07 PM EST
    I'll never do a flight that long again.  And I'm not worried about clots, I'm just talking 17 HOURS ON A PLANE.  Egad.  Thought my head was going to explode.  Three meals, four movies, and lemme tell you, the restrooms on a plane after 8 hours are bad enough, after 12 or 14 they should just issue the passengers diapers.  Hey, there's something to keep handy.  Ahem.    

    Parent
    A healthy person can get clots on a long (none / 0) (#38)
    by observed on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 06:24:18 PM EST
    flight.

    Parent
    Low dose or full dose aspirin? (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 06:50:31 PM EST
    Lots of us take the 81mg. each day. You have to pay attention to your stomach, take it w/some food. I take a low dose every day, because I'm edging ever closer to geezer-dom (what's the female equivalent of geezer?), and my doctor told me to pop one daily to protect my heart.

    It's good to get up and walk around as much as possible during your flight. Also, flexing your ankles and rotating them helps keep the blood flowing through your legs rather than pooling.

    A little test-- when I was in the hospital this spring having my appendix removed the nurses were a little concerned about clots. So, they had me straighten out my legs, point my toes as far forward as I could, and then, with the legs still straight, pull the toes as far back toward my body as I could. You will feel the pull in your calves. If you have a clot, the nurses assured me, when you pull back the pain in your legs will be excruciating. Not the pull of too tight calves, but real honest-to-god major pain. Do this often on your plane ride.

    Parent

    Also (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Amiss on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 03:27:59 AM EST
    Alternating compression stockings, they are made for men like long socks.

    Parent
    Wow, great tip (none / 0) (#59)
    by gyrfalcon on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 08:07:33 PM EST
    Thanks!

    Parent
    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 07:08:25 PM EST
    But your other best defense against that is really making sure you get up and stretch every few hours or so.  Muy importante.

    Parent
    Pay close attention! (none / 0) (#113)
    by the capstan on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:50:12 AM EST
    My husband was a frequent overseas flyer, and he sometimes upgraded above tourist cabin.  But just about 24 hours after his last flight from Europe, he was felled by a stroke.  He never walked again, and he had difficulty getting words out.  (For a professor, that was hell--where he spent the next six years.)  BTW, his defence against clots was to walk the aisles; he never sat down unless required to.

    Parent
    I'm very sorry to hear your story. (none / 0) (#132)
    by observed on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:17:55 AM EST


    Parent
    In hospital post surgery: squeezer (5.00 / 2) (#75)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 10:04:26 PM EST
    thingees on lower legs.  I mentioned this might be useful for long flights and doctors sd. yes, but we all agreed may not be sufficient room in coach!

    Parent
    Sounds like good advice (none / 0) (#39)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 06:45:01 PM EST
    When I flew to Japan the airline had a little card with leg exercises you could do in your seat hourly. Simple things like alternately flexing and relaxing.  My strategy is sleeping as much as possible, but while awake I did try to move around as much as I could in the space without annoying people.

    The worst was a trip where the guy on the aisle was asleep stretched out as far as he could blocking my path to the restroom. I finally had to crawl/step over him and he didn't even wake up. Must have taken a pill or something. The flight attendant took pity and moved me when I came back.

    Anyway, I did that Denver-San Fran - Osaka route about 5 times. Very painful. Never did come up with a foolproof strategy for handling it, other than using my frequent flier miles for upgrades whenever possible.

    Parent

    The one thing that hurts UH recruiting (none / 0) (#141)
    by Dadler on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:43:29 AM EST
    Gotta believe a lot of kids would LOVE to play a sport at UH, but knowing you have to fly five hours MINIMUM to EVERY away game, wow.  Still, I'd do it, sign me up, coach.  ;-)

    Parent
    No, I don't know what it's about (none / 0) (#14)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 25, 2011 at 03:42:32 PM EST
    And I won't when I'm done reading it, either.

    Parent
    SITE VIOLATION _ SPAM (none / 0) (#93)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 08:01:43 AM EST


    SITE VIOLATION _ SPAM (none / 0) (#94)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 08:01:54 AM EST


    Tyler Durden at ZeroHedge sure (none / 0) (#95)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 08:29:38 AM EST
    seems to have some hate for Warren Buffet :)  But he does say that just because the President has your back does not mean you have a Get Out of Risk Free for Life card :)  I don't care who you are, that's funny

    And the Diane Gee Wall Street protest (none / 0) (#96)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:17:58 AM EST
    diary at Orange is pretty awesome.  If I were closer I'd join them.  And since this is a legal blog I would like to thank all the lawyers who will give these protesters representation and get them out of jail.  I remember how worried my husband was the first time I protested.  The lawyers that showed up for us out in the stix, and being able to tell my family long distance that if the worst thing happened I had representation waiting in the wings calmed and soothed my family a lot.

    Who is the law firm (none / 0) (#104)
    by Rojas on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:34:13 AM EST
    And do they have the resources they need? I saw some conflicting information last night.

    What is needed most?
    Food, bankets, or bail?


    Parent

    According to footage in one of the (none / 0) (#107)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:36:50 AM EST
    videos, the National Lawyers Guild seems to want names taken and given to them of everyone arrested.

    Parent
    I saw that (none / 0) (#138)
    by Rojas on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:32:38 AM EST
    but I also saw where they had canceled their retainer with an unnamed firm. May have been an earlier notice.

    Come on lawyers, does anyone know?

    Parent

    The Diane Gee author (none / 0) (#108)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:37:51 AM EST
    has a blog.  I bet there are links there too for getting supplies to the protesters.

    Parent
    All college kids in the diary (none / 0) (#110)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:42:56 AM EST
    My heart is with them.  One thing I remember, once you've pissed the young adults off, once you have utterly jacked over those with the most energy and the lowest blood pressure and the most synapses firing and nothing significant to lose because we destroyed that.....you done phucked with the wrong people :)

    Parent
    Check out the blog (none / 0) (#114)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:52:10 AM EST
    wildwildleft.com, our very own Edger publishes there.  Edger, you got any links to get some supplies to these protesting kids?

    Parent
    When looking for a link I stumbled across this (none / 0) (#116)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 10:08:28 AM EST
    from Kevin Gosztola who has been live blogging the protest at FDL.

    Report: OccupyWallSt.net is a PayPal scam.

    Never did find a link to information you requested although I know I saw one on one of the blogs. May not have gone back far enough on FDL.

    Parent

    Corrente has been extensively covering (5.00 / 2) (#125)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:01:10 AM EST
    the protests, with daily updates and reports from the field.

    Link to Day 10 report.

    The protest may be one of the most important events that almost no one knows about; that there is a near-total news blackout on it tells me that there may be a fear that what started on Wall Street would spread across the country like wildfire - and would then be impossible to ignore or address.

    Here's a link to an excellent article from Katrina Orlowski, and an excerpt:

    It's been over a week now of protests, meetings, and confrontations with police on Wall Street, and yet mainstream North American media outlets, who have provided us with daily updates on uprisings in Egypt, Libya, and Spain, to name a few, have given either thin or dismissive notice to what is happening on Manhattan. Known as the Occupy Wall Street campaign, it started on September 17 with thousands marching into New York's financial district, waving slogans such as "Wall Street is Our Street" and "We are the 99%." Cops were waiting for the crowds on Wall Street, so they set up camp a block away and have been there ever since, day and night.

    Fueling these protests is the widening gap between the wealthy and everyone else, which continues to grow because of rising unemployment and mortgage foreclosures. In other words, this is a much different kind of movement from the tax-cut loving Tea Party protests that the media eagerly covers. This might make more sense when one considers that the Tea Party protests are funded by the ultra-right billionaire Koch Brothers, and treated as a grassroots mega-story by Rupert Murdoch's Fox News.

    [snip]

    The New York Times tucked its September 23 story into its regional section (as if this weren't a story of significance beyond New York) and topped the supposed news piece with a dismissively biased headline: Gunning for Wall Street, With Faulty Aim. In case readers didn't get the point, the writer's snide asides included describing Occupy Wall Street as "a diffuse and leaderless convocation of activists against greed, corporate influence, gross social inequality and other nasty byproducts of wayward capitalism not easily extinguishable by street theater."

    Indeed, this tone of patronizing distancing from the supposedly naïve and therefore irrelevant protesters saturates much coverage of the protest. The Associated Press account that the Wall Street Journal and others published four days ago led this way: "In a small granite plaza a block from the New York Stock Exchange, a group of 20-somethings in flannel pajama pants and tie-dyed T-shirts are plotting the demise of Wall Street as we know it." Aren't news reporters taught to adopt a fair and objective voice? Would that not include simply relaying the actions and ideas of the protesters without first making fun of them?

    Truly objective media coverage probably falls under the category of "biting the hand that feeds them."

    Parent

    Biting the hand (none / 0) (#136)
    by Rojas on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 11:27:57 AM EST
    or don't $hit where you eat.

    Parent
    Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire (none / 0) (#145)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:08:26 PM EST
    started last night. Matt Zoller Zeitz at Salon writes about its joys and frustrations. I wholeheartedly agree, especially with what he says about the opening credits. I'm glad he gave the music credit, and love what he said about it:

    "Straight Up and Down," by Brian Jonestown Massacre -- sounds like the middle section of the greatest single the Rolling Stones never recorded

    I'll keep watching, but as he says, I will probably never be satisfied with the lack of real characterization.

    I missed it (none / 0) (#189)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 04:14:24 PM EST


    Parent
    Comment not directed towards BTD] Austerity (none / 0) (#191)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 05:03:01 PM EST
    is kind of working in Ireland.

    What this tells me is that the pro austerity and anti austerity absolutists and the Keynsian absolutists are probably not quite right.

    The best answer is likely somewhere in the middle.

    Kind of working? (5.00 / 1) (#193)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 05:26:26 PM EST
    Your definition must be different than mine.

    Jack, a chirpy, fair-haired six-year old with a fondness for Toy Story movies, is the only person in the world known to have both Down's Syndrome and CINCA Syndrome, a degenerative disease that causes crippling headaches, severe arthritis, skin rashes, deafness and blindness.

    If Jack had started school four years ago, he would have been assigned a dedicated special needs assistant to help him through a full day. But government cuts since Ireland's housing crash in 2008 mean he will only be able to attend for an hour a day, damaging his chances of learning to communicate through pictures or sign language.
    ...
    But as the cuts continue, it's getting harder to decide what should go next. The seven-month old coalition government, headed by Enda Kenny's center-right Fine Gael party, needs to find another 12 billion euros in savings or increased tax receipts between 2012 and 2015 -- probably more if global economic prospects worsen.
    ...
    Take hospitals. Even on quiet days, emergency departments in large Irish hospitals can be chaotic. People on trolleys clog corridors, sometimes waiting days for a proper bed. Exhausted doctors dodge between them as they try to grab a few hours' sleep, like medics in a disaster zone.

    Emergency departments have got even busier since the financial crash because fewer people can afford doctors' fees or private health insurance. Staff reductions have forced some patients to wait twice as long to see specialists for non-emergency procedures. If their condition worsens, they too end up in the emergency ward.
    ...
    "It's so unbelievably serious and it's only going to get much, much worse," said one Irish doctor, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media. "We're putting out fires constantly -- there are more people who are coming in acutely sick and there is much less room to practice any kind of preventative medicine."
    ...
    But a progress report in June warned that slimming down public services was likely to hit the most vulnerable in society -- children, the elderly, the sick and unemployed. link

    Unemployment rates are around 14 percent and the EU and IMF are demanding more savings.

    Parent

    For those who detest immigration, (none / 0) (#198)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 06:56:37 PM EST
    apparently many of those who immigrated to Ireland, many from small communities in Poland, have returned home.  No work.

    Parent
    In what way is it kinda working? (none / 0) (#192)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 05:19:36 PM EST
    Unemployment rate is very high. link

    Parent
    My guess (5.00 / 2) (#196)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 06:02:49 PM EST
    People are hurting but the markets and the fat cats are kinda happy.

    Parent
    The government bailed out the banks. (5.00 / 1) (#197)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 06:54:53 PM EST
    Housing market:  see U.S.  

    Parent
    Bond vigilantes (none / 0) (#199)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 07:18:05 PM EST
    So it is hurting, but is it working? The short answer is yes, at least as far as its creditors are concerned. The yield on its 10-year bonds was 8.65 per cent yesterday, much lower than fellow bailout countries Portugal and Greece (11.65 per cent and 23 per cent respectively).

    In dollar terms Irish bonds with a maturity of more than a year have returned 17.4 per cent since 17 June - the best returns of any sovereign. Despite the "cuts equals recession" mantra, the IMF expects the economy to eke out growth of 0.4 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent next - hardly firing on all cylinders but growth nonetheless.

    The ECB is "very impressed" with its deficit reduction performance so far. Unlike Greece, there is no emergency conference call for Ireland every time it is due another tranche of aid. link

     



    Parent
    Higher UE than in CA? (none / 0) (#194)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 05:32:21 PM EST
    Maybe O should go fund raise for his billion dollar campaign there . . .

    Parent
    Gotta link for this claim? (none / 0) (#201)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 09:34:17 AM EST
    Did you get this from the Wall Street Journal?

    Parent
    Ha. No segue. Interesting (none / 0) (#202)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 10:42:18 AM EST
    on "All Things Considered" on NPR yesterday about Puerto Rico.  20,000 government employees cut.  Unemployment at 14%  University budget cut 25%  Tuition up $800.  But   ta  ta  bond rating improved.

    Parent
    Sunday Morning Open Thread | 194 comments (194 topical)