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Thursday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 01:50:02 PM EST
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Busy day. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Rubio & Co. picked a battle... (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 03:03:20 PM EST
    with the wrong wordsmith...Jay Z's "Open Letter".

    "Y'all buy that bullsh*t, you'd better keep y'all receipt
    Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached"
    But you don't need this sh*t anyway
    Chill with me on the beach"

    "I'm in Cuba, I love Cubans
    This communist talk is so confusing
    When it's from China, the very mic that I'm using
    Idiot wind, the Bob Dylan of rap music."

    Next Time... (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 05:44:13 PM EST
    ...republicans whine about not being able to appeal to anyone not white and middle aged, remind them of stunts like this.

    Next time they might want kick some puppies on live TV, it would be less damaging to their brand.

    Are they going to throw Rubio under the bus or dig in ?  It's not like they are the most influential and popular couple in music, if not all of entertainment.  With the prize being a slight chance of dinging a President who won't be in the next race.


    "If you're havin' election problems i feel bad for you Rubs, but republicans got 999999999 problems, but a JZ just become the only one."


    Parent
    Idiot wind (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dadler on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 03:14:18 PM EST
    All purpose, all around, All American lyric. Writers come and go, Fink, we always need idiots. Ahem.

    And, seriously, Rodman can go to North Korea, but I can't go check out Havana. Bite me, Uncle Sam.


    Parent

    Anyone in Houston on Friday (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Dadler on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 03:11:38 PM EST
    Check out my brother-in-law, Scott Mayo, blowing some brass behind Brazilian legend Sergio Mendes at the Hobby Center. Kickoff concert for the Houston International Festival. Get your tix and help my sister pay her bills. Lol.

    The company he keeps... (5.00 / 3) (#14)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 11:22:38 AM EST
    says a lot:

    President Obama met at the White House Thursday morning with a group of top Wall Street chief executives as part of the administration's efforts to forge better relations with the industry and enlist them in efforts to sell his fiscal proposals. The CEO group included Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs, Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan, Brian Moynihan of Bank of America, Michael Corbat of Citigroup, James Gorman of Morgan Stanley, John Stumpf of Wells Fargo, Bob Benmosche of AIG and several others.

    It all makes sense now, doesn't it?  Why the rogues' gallery has been allowed to operate unimpeded by things like investigations and prosecutions - Obama needs them to sell his fiscal proposals.  I gag thinking about what he's promising them now...

    Seriously, if the relations between Obama and the banking/securities/investment industry get any better...well, I don't know how it could get any better unless condoms are involved.

    Jesus Christ on a crutch.

    Obama, no fan of FDR? (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 12:25:25 PM EST
    Does President Obama have some unresolved animosity towards FDR? Obama's budget not only cuts Social Security but is seeking to privatize the Tennessee Valley Authority.

    Buried on page 51 of President Obama's new budget proposal is a short section titled "Reform TVA" -- where "reform" is likely to mean "privatize." It's the quiet beginning of a late chapter in the story of the New Deal, made necessary in part by Obama himself.
    ....
    Obama's budget document articulates the argument. "TVA's anticipated capital needs are likely to quickly exceed the agency's $30 billion statutory cap on indebtedness," it reads, later stating that the government will therefore "undertake a strategic review of options for addressing TVA's financial situation, including the possible divestiture of TVA, in part or as a whole."

    In an oblique way, it's Obama's fault that the TVA's debt obligation is so high. Several of the agency's eleven coal-burning power plants predate components of the Clean Air Act meant to regulate air pollution -- and are therefore exempt from many of its components. As the EPA revises pollution standards to further limit emissions -- such as its proposals on mercury and soot proposals -- those older facilities increasingly need costly upgrades, or to be replaced entirely. In 2010, the agency indicated it would need to increase that $30 billion cap in order to accommodate those improvements -- authority it never received.links here & here



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    Thank you for highlighting this (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by shoephone on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 02:23:28 PM EST
    I've just contacted both of my "democratic" senators about it. I'm expect their platitude-filled responses to arrive sometime within the next two months, and that they will make me feel a whole lot better.

    Parent
    Just before Obama's first election (4.57 / 7) (#17)
    by NYShooter on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 11:52:05 AM EST
    I was writing  at Salon, and, trust me, the invectives and blood curdling pejoratives hurled my way by 99% of the commenters were something to behold. In spite of the onslaught, I wrote:

    "You are about to elect a President who has pulled off `The Greatest Con-Job in the History of The United States.' I don't know what he has in mind for us. But, one thing I am sure of is that it's no where close to what you think it is. He has been bought and paid for by a junta of undemocratic oligarchs. He is a product, not a Leader, a product designed, manufactured, and marketed by people whose goals are diametrically opposed to the aspirations of almost all Americans. And, I'm telling you, The Change he is promising is not The Change you are blindly lighting candles for."

    It really sucks being right.


    Parent

    Good post (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Slado on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 11:59:53 AM EST
    This president sees Wall Street as a means to an end.

    He wants more control and through a cozy relationship with the big money in Wall Street he thinks he can win back the House in 2014 and do whatever it is he wants.

    The problem is he has no concept of how this type of crony capitalism is ruining our economy and country.

    It was these same guys that cut deals with Clinton and Bush to create this mess and when the crash happened the same group of characters cut deals with Bush and Obama to bail them out.

    What did we get for all their trouble?   A crappy economy with no end in sight.

    Until Washington and Wall Street become a little less friendly it won't matter who sits in the White House.   It's not going to get better for the rest of us.

    Parent

    Spoken like a true... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by kdog on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 12:03:56 PM EST
    Wall St. Occupier Slado...of the libertarian wing!

    Something we should all be able to agree on, right and left and in between...everybody except fascists and oligarchs anyway.

    Parent

    It's still going to cost 500 mil (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:59:51 PM EST
    to run for President, and that money isn't coming from Amnesty International, or the Maryknoll Sisters..

    Completely public financed elections is the only way to make a viable start out of this rotten cycle of legalized graft.

    Parent

    What did we get for all their trouble? (5.00 / 6) (#21)
    by NYShooter on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 12:10:15 PM EST
    WE got....."A crappy economy with no end in sight."

    THEY got.....More pay, bigger bonuses, and a horde of 2 Trillion dollars they don't know what to do with.

    The problem is....they want MORE.

    And, our President is going to give it to them.

    Parent

    2 trillion.. (none / 0) (#44)
    by jondee on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 04:01:45 PM EST
    the only welfare fraud worth talking about..

    Talk about the effin' "social program" to end all social programs..

    Parent

    Yes, while I shared your assessment, (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 12:26:58 PM EST
    I too hoped that I was wrong.

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    Really wanted to be wrong, too, (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 02:26:36 PM EST
    and not just slightly wrong - I wanted to be really wrong.

    And contrary to what sometimes gets hurled at us, I don't get any satisfaction from being right on this.

    Getting so I can't even stomach wondering what fresh hell we will be hearing about next; maybe that's the first stage of beaten-down syndrome.

    Parent

    Oops sorry ! (none / 0) (#47)
    by samsguy18 on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 05:01:51 PM EST


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    RIP Jonathon Winters. (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 12:27:13 PM EST
    Truly one of kind.

    I agree - truly one of a kind (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 12:32:27 PM EST
    He provided me and millions of other people with hours of entertainment and made our lives better through laughter.

    RIP

    Parent

    Include me in the (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by NYShooter on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 01:06:29 PM EST
    "...millions of other people...."

    He, and many of his contemporaries, defined the word, "comedy."

    I can only wish more of today's comedians would follow his example.

    RIP.....Jonathon aka (Granny Frickert)

    Parent

    Jonathon Winters was a great guy... (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by fishcamp on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 02:54:43 PM EST
    I was a cameraman on a cliff dive comedy in Mexico and we had lots of fun.  We had a real cliff diver dive and Johathon would walk back up the trail in a robe and a towel and run through his lines.  Every take was hilariously different.  Sad to hear of his passing.  I have several photos of us which I will send to Jeralyn since I can't seem to learn the insert posting method with my MBP.  We were all so young back then.

    Parent
    That was a brilliant bit (none / 0) (#50)
    by sj on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 10:26:45 PM EST
    Thank you for posting.  

    RIP Mr. Winters.  Peace to you and your family.  Thanks for the brightening this world.

    Parent

    Tornados ripped through various (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 01:16:22 PM EST
    cities in my area Wednesday night. One touched down in the city right next to mine causing a great deal of damage. Some areas were completely demolished. I was not home when it went through my city but from the looks of it and from reports from my neighbors my small subdivision might have been caught up in the tail end of it. Judging from the damage to the larger trees on streets next to mine the wind must have been formidable. Huge chunks were gouged out of the sides of some of them and others were snapped in half. Right now I haven't seen any damage to my house. Hopefully, that assessment will remain the same and I don't find out that I just didn't notice something.

    I guess if you want to look on the positive side of this the tree cutters are probably going to earn a large part of their annual income with just this one event.

    Thousands have been without electricity for various amounts of time. As usual, I was one of them. Seems like if anyone sneezes we lose our electricity and Mother Nature did more than sneeze this time. The powers that be always make sure that my freezer is full before we lose electricity for a couple of days and this time was no exception. I shopped two days before the storm and my freezer was filled to the brim. The last time it happened I had to throw out a lot of food. This time I packed it all up and took it over to my daughter's house. After about 36 hours, my electricity was restored. My freezer full of food and I are safely back home and grateful that I was only mildly inconvenienced when others had their homes destroyed.  

    So glad you are safe! (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Zorba on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 01:35:18 PM EST
    I have relatives in the affected areas, but they are all safe, too.  Trees down, loss of power for awhile, but no people hurt, and no damage to their houses.

    Parent
    Glad that all of your relatives are safe also. (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 02:03:10 PM EST
    All of my family lived in areas of St. Louis that were not hit hard and all of my friends who live close by were either spared completely or experienced loss of power, tree damage or minor damage to yard furniture. Funny how even the high winds can do a lot of damage on one street and not much on others close by.

    When I see some of the areas in Hazelwood, I am so grateful for how me and mine were spared.

    Our electric provider has been working on my street for two days. They worked today even after our power was restored. My hope is that they did some major repairs or replacements of transformers or equipment this time so that in the future we don't lose power so easily or often.      

    Parent

    OMG, MO. So glad that you and yours (none / 0) (#34)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 02:55:00 PM EST
    came out of this unharmed.

    Not don't you go blaming this on global climate change. Clearly, Hazelwood and like environs are filed with those who have displeased god. Probably teh gays and those who support them in their march to destroy the American family and our sacred way of life.

    Parent

    Thanks Casey (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:07:25 PM EST
    I, like you, are sure that climate change is not to blame. ;o)

    Luckily god must have missed my numerous and various attempts to destroy the American family and our sacred way of life.

    Please don't anyone tell him that I have broken what seems to be the main edit of our government sanctioned religion. You know the one that dictates: Rob the poor to give to the rich. Also, I have blasphemed by refusing to admit that corporations are people.

    Parent

    I swear that someone else's fingers (none / 0) (#38)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:20:16 PM EST
    must be typing my comments. "Ss" or "Ds" magically appear on words that don't need them in other comments and then this mischievous entity types this:

    I, like you, are sure that climate change is not to blame. ;o)

    instead of this:

    I, like you, am sure that climate change is not to blame. ;o)

    What's a girl to do when having to tolerate a mischievous force who wants to type. ;o)

    Parent

    It's our (none / 0) (#45)
    by Zorba on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 04:21:08 PM EST
    Computer soon-to-be Overlords, flexing their muscles by messing with us.   ;-)

    Parent
    That must be it. (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 04:50:50 PM EST
    I swear I proof read my comments yet words are added or disappear, tenses are changes willy-nilly and completely wrong words are inserted in place of those I'm sure I typed.

    Seems that they flex their muscles more and more each day.

    Parent

    Yikes - I am relieved to know you are okay! (none / 0) (#30)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 02:22:31 PM EST
    Mother Nature is so much more powerful than most people will ever appreciate...you just never know where or when she will strike, and there's only so much preparing you can do, and then the rest is just not in your control.

    Glad your power's back on - long stretches without it can be trying, especially if, like us, you are all-electric and on a well.  No power = no water.

    Hope this isn't a harbinger of a frequent storm/tornado season - it seems kind of early for it, but then, it was 90 degrees here on Wednesday.  So much for spring!

    Parent

    Thanks (none / 0) (#35)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 02:56:08 PM EST
    I also hope this isn't a harbinger of a frequent storm/tornado season. People are facing enough hardships as it is without being wiped out by Mother Nature.

    Being a city girl, I don't rely on a well for my water. Since my side by side refrigerator/freezer is getting old, it doesn't seem to stay cold as long as it use to when I lose power. So unless it is during the hot summer or cold winter my main concern is not losing food. As I said earlier, my little pocket of the world seems to lose power more often then other areas in my city. What is really frustrating is when your power is out and the neighbors across the street still have electricity. A year or two ago we were without power for well over a week during a really hot spell with high humidity. Needless to say, my daughter who lives about a half an hour away had a house guest for that time. I'm lucky that her or her husband call and say, "We have power. Come and stay with us for as long as you want."


    Parent

    Oh my gosh! (none / 0) (#51)
    by sj on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 10:30:44 PM EST
    I'm glad you (and your freezer) are OK.

    Parent
    LOL (none / 0) (#52)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 11:09:11 PM EST
    Yes, that was a funny way to constructed the sentence. The freezer never left the house but was left to fend for itself. I returned home safely with my stash of frozen food which also returned after a brief stay in my daughter's freezer. BTW, the food much preferred the luxury accommodations there. ;o)  

    Parent
    Ha! (none / 0) (#54)
    by sj on Sat Apr 13, 2013 at 12:08:42 PM EST
    Enjoyment of luxury accommodations is universal :)

    Parent
    Forget gun control... (none / 0) (#1)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 02:24:56 PM EST
    we need furry photo hawker control! Times Square under siege!  Children at risk!  Unlicensed and unregulated!  

    New laws pending...

    "And we're out of coffee"....everybody panic! ;)

    Some (none / 0) (#6)
    by lentinel on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 05:12:32 PM EST
    years ago, there was some soul in a Mr. Peanut outfit on Seventh Avenue.

    He didn't demand anything from anybody.
    He didn't threaten anybody.

    He just was advertising Planters Peanuts.

    Just a bit of nostalgia.

    Parent

    "Aggressive begging." Your Honor, (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 05:40:10 PM EST
    I admit I was begging, but it was not aggressive.

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    I just (none / 0) (#5)
    by lentinel on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 05:07:03 PM EST
    watched a 1999 movie, "Double Jeopardy" starring Ashley Judd.

    She was really great in the lead.

    It's always been interesting to me that I can feel the quality of the person through the character they are playing. The great ones seem to create a character, and yet aspects of their own persona come through as well. It's not ego. It's feeling.

    She displayed such intelligence, passion, emotion, anger, defiance and compassion - it was moving.

    Of course, this is the kind of person I would like to have challenge that wooden freakazoid, Mitch McConnell. It seems a tape has emerged on which we hear his team discussing ways to attack Judd on her "mental health" and her "religion" - which made me wish for a challenge from Judd all the more.

    But it is not to be.
    But maybe some other intelligent compassionate souls will emerge to challenge these horrible entrenched evil doers and do away with them - their careers I mean.

    You know, (2.00 / 3) (#9)
    by bocajeff on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 07:05:30 PM EST
    She was reading the words someone else wrote, and was directed by another person, as well as edited by an editor.

    I'm not saying she isn't a good actress nor a warm, sweet, intelligent woman. I'm just saying there is no way to really tell this by watching someone "act".

    Parent

    Was Ronald Reagan your favorite actor? (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by Angel on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 08:21:37 PM EST


    Parent
    Not only was Regan (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by cpresley on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 01:46:06 AM EST
    a crappy actor, he was a terrible Governor,I'm old enough to remember Regan as Governor of Calif. He killed our schools. Calif. was #1 in schools before this idiot was voted into office.He closed down all of the mental health hospitals ( they needed to be reformed, but all these people were put out on the streets)without providing for any other out patient services.

    Parent
    Briefly, (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by lentinel on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 04:21:17 AM EST
    I don't think that an actor can portray deep emotions or certain subtleties of intelligence without the ability to feel them.

    It is similar, imo, to a classically trained musician who is playing music written by someone else, and yet plays in a manner that not only brings the music to life, but conveys something about their own persona in the process. Example: pianist Sviatoslav Richter.

    Admittedly, this is subjective. I am only writing what I feel.

    Parent

    by the way (none / 0) (#10)
    by P3P3P3P3 on Thu Apr 11, 2013 at 07:29:51 PM EST
    Ashley Judd had a short part as wife of the President in the recently released film "Olympus Has Fallen", which was rather good, I recommend seeing it

    it is like unbelievable timing, with the latest North Korea aggression, in the film North Korea terrorists take over the White House

    Parent

    Well, the thing is, kdog, they (none / 0) (#16)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 11:49:06 AM EST
    care about each other - it's us they don't give a rat's a$$ about.

    The next time they bend us over, you can be sure there will be nothing ribbed-for-our-pleasure involved...

    I don't know... (none / 0) (#18)
    by kdog on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 11:59:03 AM EST
    when we run out of money to glom from us, they'll turn on each other right quick.  

    Parent
    Sounds bad MO... (none / 0) (#36)
    by fishcamp on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:06:21 PM EST
    glad you're safe because you are the VP in my imaginary TL cabinet with KeysDan as president.  Donald would be Secy. of State and the rest I haven't worked out yet.  I would co-chair HLS with CG unless he wants a higher position.  kdog would run the DEA and...

    I would definitely vote for KeysDan for president (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by MO Blue on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:23:34 PM EST
    kdog running the DEA would be a hoot. But, but .... Can you still run a the DEA once you've eliminated it?

    Parent
    not sure, but it's Mojito time again... (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by fishcamp on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:27:21 PM EST


    Parent
    And why this made me think of David Rivera (none / 0) (#39)
    by CoralGables on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:20:49 PM EST
    I don't know, but The New Times, as The New Times often does, has managed another scoop. They have found Rivera's girlfriend/campaign coordinator/political hustler that skipped out on her FBI interview  hiding out in Nicaragua

    Parent
    See, I knew you would be a good spy. (none / 0) (#41)
    by fishcamp on Fri Apr 12, 2013 at 03:24:34 PM EST


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    Thursday Open Thread | 50 comments (50 topical)

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