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Wednesday Evening Open Thread

By TChris, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:54:05 PM EST
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Leonardo DiCaprio and a slew of the Hollywood celebrity-types who are so irksome to Republicans join with non-celebrity Americans to urge viewers to vote. "5 More Friends" is the second PSA; the first ("5 Friends") is here.

This is an open thread.

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    Wednesday Evening Open Thread | 123 comments (123 topical)

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    World Champion Phillies! (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:59:41 PM EST


    80 - 08 (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Makarov on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:00:05 PM EST
    It was time.

    Parent
    Bookending the Reagan revolution? (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:01:07 PM EST
    (Nah, I don't read into this stuff).

    Parent
    The sight of Howard barrelling (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:02:19 PM EST
    toward Lidge and Ruiz:  awesome.

    Parent
    1980 brought us the.... (none / 0) (#108)
    by kdog on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 09:03:34 AM EST
    Republican "rock star", and 2008 will bring us the Democrat "rock star".

    Gotta look for the silver lining on the dark cloud called 'World Champion Phillies'...I'm surprised it wasn't raining sulfur this morning:)

    Parent

    Well done! (5.00 / 4) (#5)
    by Steve M on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:02:41 PM EST
    That should put Philly fans in a good mood for 24 hours or so.

    Parent
    Ha. (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:03:25 PM EST


    Parent
    Watch out, we'll throw batteries at you! (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:03:53 PM EST


    Parent
    And boo your young children! (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by lilburro on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:11:52 PM EST


    Parent
    And Santa! (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:12:39 PM EST


    Parent
    At least it's not a very long walk to court. (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by lilburro on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:17:52 PM EST


    Parent
    Congrats andgarden (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by cal1942 on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:03:56 PM EST


    Parent
    Honestly, I don't even care about baseball (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:04:27 PM EST
    but city pride and all.

    Parent
    Funny how (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by lilburro on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:11:16 PM EST
    the pile on in baseball after the WS win is what football looks like ALL THE TIME.  

    Are they booing Bud Selig?

    Parent

    Yes, but Joe Morgan says (none / 0) (#18)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:12:56 PM EST
    booing Selig is unjust.  

    Parent
    He's wrong. I'm from Milwaukee (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:12:47 PM EST
    and I oughta know, as the old ad goes.

    I boo Bud Selig, too.  Don't get me started on what he has done to this town -- I'm still paying extra taxes for his stadium.

    Plus, after all, if Selig had let George Bush be baseball commissioner, we wouldn't have had him as president.  Think about it.  You'll boo Bud Selig, too.

    Parent

    lol, I knew they would boo somebody. (none / 0) (#19)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:14:24 PM EST
    That was funny.

    Parent
    Selig (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by chrisvee on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:19:33 PM EST
    deserves the boos.  He's lucky that's all he's getting.

    YAY PHILLIES!!!!!!  See you at the parade!

    Parent

    And booed the reference to the Rays! (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by lilburro on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:20:43 PM EST
    only to immediately cheer themselves.  Oh Philly.

    Parent
    I was making calls for Obama (none / 0) (#17)
    by MKS on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:12:49 PM EST
    off his website when the whole system just shut down....

    I had lost track of time and the system locked me out just before the first pitch of the continued game.  

    Parent

    Just to spite the media (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Yotin on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:09:55 PM EST
    No matter who I support, I think I'm going out to vote just to spite the biased media.

    If the media is biased and has its own agenda, where are we headed?

    A free and fair media is vital to a well functioning democracy. That's just much larger than Obama and McCain put together.

    Free Krispy Kreme Donut for voting -- Reward? (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by jerry on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:19:37 PM EST
    Free Krispy Kreme Donut on November 4th for Voting

    Now, most of you turkeys ignored me yesterday when I pointed out the free 99 cent taco from Taco Bell.

    But this is a Krispy Kreme Donut!

    Meh, what am I saying.  Winchell's Donuts rule.  Yum Rich second.  Dunkin Donuts third.

    Krispy Kreme donuts are a punishment, not a reward.

    /have to say after a recent illness, Krispy Kreme was the first chocolate I had in six weeks.  Delicious.  

    Mmm, treated myself to one (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:23:09 PM EST
    this morning.  First time in a long time, but then, the nights are getting longer.

    It worked great, so I think I finally have found the antidote for seasonal affective disorder!  I'm in the state with the highest rate of SAD.  And, interestingly, with one of the highest obesity rates.  Coincidence? :-)

    Parent

    Treating myself to a few... (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by jerry on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:36:12 PM EST
    About six weeks ago, I had some pretty major surgery.  While I was recuperating, a Krispy Kreme opened up about a 1/4 mile away and on the other side of a park.

    How can anyone tell me there is no intelligent designer carrying us in the sand by the ocean when we can't walk and the tide comes in washing away the footprints?

    Parent

    But the important question (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by CoralGables on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:04:56 PM EST
    is the angle such that with binoculars you can see whether the "Hot" sign is on from your 440 yard distance.

    Parent
    Sadly, it's not a "factory" store. (none / 0) (#59)
    by jerry on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:23:25 PM EST
    A few years ago all the factory stores went belly up.

    So a few months back they put in one factory store, and a few weeks back opened up three other stores that are just satellite outlets.  In this case they took over a "drive through pizza" store that also went belly up.  It's a very small closet sized store -- I have no idea how they made pizza in there.  But it's in a terrific location and I can't believe how much traffic goes through both of their drivethrough lanes.

    I may need to get my exercise in tonight....  If you understand what I mean.

    Parent

    That's funny. Unfortunately, I'm miles (none / 0) (#83)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:34:01 AM EST
    from the factory store, but I've stopped there for the incredible experience of fresh Krispies.  Amazing.  I settle for the store near me that gets a dawn delivery, but even where they're a few hours old by the time I get there and then take them home (if I'm being very disciplined:-) for a few seconds in the microwave . . . mmmmmmm.

    Parent
    You OK now? (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:02:14 AM EST


    Parent
    Feeling much better. (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by jerry on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:46:31 AM EST
    I'm mostly feeling much better thank you.  It was "minor major surgery", and I'm still recovering from aspects of it and the meds they gave me.

    Minor major meaning it was open heart surgery (to fix a common birth defect) which is pretty major.  Minor meaning this procedure has a pretty good success rate.  But um, it was pretty serious for me the first couple of days, or so I was told, I was pretty much not really present until day three or so.  Serious enough that I spent the month before hand figuring out scary things like wills and living trusts and numbered bank accounts and letters to be sent to the police on my death framing my enemies and stuff like that.

    A pretty famous governor had the same procedure and was on an exercise bicycle the next day.  I'll give you one guess as to who could do that, and congrats to him.

    I'm hoping to go skiing this winter with my kids, and my job and finances are a bigger constraint at the moment than my health.  So that's pretty cool.

    Parent

    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 10:02:39 AM EST
    Scary indeed.  Very glad you came through OK.  Something like that is a heck of an assault on the whole system, even when everything goes perfectly.


    Parent
    Surgery is surgery. (none / 0) (#122)
    by Fabian on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:30:28 PM EST
    Despite all of our efforts to make the procedures as non-disruptive as possible, our bodies don't take the physical insult lightly.

    I remember how disappointed I felt when my body simply said "Sorry.  Still recovering." for a few days.  I didn't feel all that bad but my body had a different opinion.

    Parent

    Seriously, for SAD (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:01:16 AM EST
    Vitamin D, which you get from sun exposure, but not in northern latitudes at all during winter because the sun is too low.  Makes a huge difference, I've found.

    Parent
    Also a short time in a tanning bed. I know (none / 0) (#73)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:03:11 AM EST
    it's not good for you, but I do it in the winter to keep the blues away.

    Parent
    No, you don't need to court cancer (none / 0) (#75)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:10:53 AM EST
    as there are special lights for this.  A friend of mine has one, next to her computer, so she can soak up the D while working.  So far, the winters have not been that bad for me -- until last year, when the season started early here and went late . . . and we had more cloudy days (and snow) than normal.

    But as long as we get an ordinary winter with lots of gorgeous clear days, I get myself up to get more hours, and I get myself out in the midday.  It's people who are more tied to their desks inside or whose workhours don't have the flexibility to adjust to max the sunlight hours who may get hit.

    Of course, a midwinter break for a beach somewhere helps, too -- and caution in this economy may prevent that for us this year. . . .

    Parent

    I had a severe D deficiency (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by BackFromOhio on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:29:58 AM EST
    Last year.  Endocrinologist caught it.  I had stopped going in the sun to protect my skin & I don't eat milk products much.  For a year I had all I could do to get out of bed to go to work in the a.m.; I thought it was some lack of moral fiber on my part. I didn't feel depressed -- just lethargic.  Within 3 weeks on megadoses of Vitamin D, however, I was bouncing off the walls with energy. But since D is not water soluble, I would not assume D-deficiency to be the problem without checking.  Some of the better calcium supplements contain all the nutrients needed to absorb/utilize calcium, including vitamin D.  

    Parent
    What is a safe dose? I eat and drink zero (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:34:50 AM EST
    milk products and get no sun. I am also lethargic as all get out but I always blame it on allergies.

    Parent
    Google RDA (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by BackFromOhio on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 09:46:19 AM EST
    for vitamin D - I don't know.  

    Parent
    Get your D level checked (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 10:07:43 AM EST
    Teresa, you sound like an ideal candidate for Vit. D deficiency, especially that lethargy.  I have a friend who was diagnosed with depression until her doc thought to do a D level test and found her drastically deficient.  You might also want to get your thyroid level tested.  D and thyroid deficiency are two things that can really creep up on you and are way underdiagnosed because docs don't really think of them as possibilities as often as they should.

    Parent
    Yeh, that late February lethargy (5.00 / 2) (#86)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:39:41 AM EST
    can get me.  I dream of daffodils -- seriously.  I sometimes trek south many miles into the next climate zone, where the daffies bloom six weeks before they do here.  

    And yes, good tip re checking with a physician.  I have a problem processing calcium, and that can cause serious problems for several internal organs.  So the doc can prescribe a special vitamin supplement with D but low calcium.  (It's a more common problem than a lot of people know, btw.)

    I find lots of fruit helps for good winter vitamins -- and I can do lots of cheeses (they're not all high calcium).  And it's a great combo!

    Parent

    Lights are called (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by BackFromOhio on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:32:47 AM EST
    Chromulux bulbs; initially invented in Finland; now produced in France.  They replicate the full spectrum light of natural sunlight. Great things to have if you do not work in a windowed office where you get natural sunlight.  I use them at night.

    Parent
    Thanks! I saved an article on them (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:06:35 AM EST
    but then I have to figure out under what I filed it.  Teresa could have had a long wait for me to come up with it. :-)

    Parent
    Google it! (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by BackFromOhio on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 09:45:00 AM EST
    Many hardware stores and stores that sell home furnishings, appliances, etc. carry now.

    Parent
    I second the thanks! (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by nycstray on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:07:35 AM EST


    Parent
    Cancer and sun (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 10:16:30 AM EST
    The problem is that Vit. D. is critical to cell repair in the skin, so staying out of the sun or using heavy sunscreen blocks the very thing that helps prevent skin cancer from developing.  There's a growing, though still minority, view among the people who study this stuff that our modern obsession with preventing sun exposure at all costs is putting our bodies and immune systems out of whack.  Where the right balance is, though, isn't clear.

    In northern latitudes, you cannot get enough sun in winter to prevent D deficiency no matter how long you're outdoors every day.  Maybe if you went out naked for a couple hours in the middle of the day, but no way, no how can you absorb enough D from low winter sun through just your face.

    D also processes through the body fairly quickly, so a week's vacation in a sunny southern location isn't something that makes a difference for very long.

    Parent

    Seriously?.... (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by kdog on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 10:32:55 AM EST
    I've been saying sun block is bad for you for years, just on a gut feeling that the sun is  good and chemicals on the skin is bad...I always assumed I was just being my usual knuckleheaded luddite-esque self...now you're saying some experts feel the same?

    You just made my day G...:)

    Parent

    I need to get one then. I only stay in (none / 0) (#78)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:18:03 AM EST
    about five minutes (I bought an older used one) and it helps me so much. I'll check about the lights.

    I have plenty of afternoons when I could go sit outside but for some reason, I don't.

    Parent

    Aha, I found one of the articles (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:31:47 AM EST
    filed eons ago, written by a columnist who has good cred as a counselor -- and is a SAD sufferer, too.  Here 'tis.  But it is years old, so it could be worth checking on technological updates since.

    Parent
    There's also a special SAD lamp (none / 0) (#102)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:18:31 AM EST
    that replicates the non-damaging wavelengths of natural light. Some insurance plans will cover it if an MD prescribes it for seasonal affective disorder.

    It works. But don't OVERDO it! It can over-activate the nervous system: i.e. jerky muscle spasms when you hit the sack.

    Parent

    Ah yes, (none / 0) (#44)
    by Spamlet on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:29:59 PM EST
    the nation's Fat Belt.

    Seattle would be there, too, not only because so many of its residents are North Central (Wisconsin/Minnesota) refugees but also because the city's hyperconsumption of coffee constitutes an epidemic of self-medication against some of the worst S.A.D. that this planet's weather systems have to offer.

    Parent

    This was badly expressed (none / 0) (#46)
    by Spamlet on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:34:41 PM EST
    after several glasses of "house red" in the local tavern while watching the last three and a half innings of the final World Series game.

    What I meant to say was that Seattle, home of more neurasthenic skinnies than one would willingly shake a thin stick at, would also find itself in the Fat Belt except for all the coffee consumption, which has its own deleterious but slimming effects on the metabolism.

    Parent

    We got it (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:58:30 PM EST
    You weren't that sloshed. :-)


    Parent
    Neurasthenic skinny? (none / 0) (#106)
    by Don in Seattle on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 04:49:43 AM EST
    I should be so lucky. I'm whatever psychologically damaged adjective goes with "tubby going on portly".

    Then again, I'm off caffeine these days.

    Not to assume anything, ever, is best.

    Parent

    Coincidence? Probably not. (none / 0) (#45)
    by jerry on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:30:29 PM EST
    Sounds like self-diagnosis, self-treatment, and if it involves treatment, the correct treatment at that.

    As Lupin says, chocolate has healing powers.

    Parent

    And . . . chocolate is an aphrodisiac (none / 0) (#54)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:07:38 PM EST
    I mean, we gotta do something to get exercise, and those long, dark nights of 14 hours are nearing for many months ahead. . . .

    Parent
    Geez, they just put the kibosh (none / 0) (#69)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:59:55 PM EST
    on Ben and Jerry's doing that here in Vermont.  It's illegal to offer a reward for voting!

    Parent
    The Big Dog (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by CoralGables on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:28:22 PM EST
    has still got it.

    Yup (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:29:52 PM EST


    Parent
    Twice he mentioned the poor. (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:43:43 PM EST
    I thought they had been forgotten in this election. Bill said the poor become middle class when we all grow with the economy.

    He actually speaks better than Obama unless Obama is doing his preacher style speaking. I guess I mean that he can get the specifics out in detail without losing the listener.

    Parent

    Obama needs to know (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by BackFromOhio on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:50:16 PM EST
    when to stop.  

    He is going on and on, and on, and on....
    Weren't the infomercial and the Daily Show appearances enough?

    Clinton was short and sweet and mucho effective.

    Obama is railing on and on about policies.  It's too long and too detailed and too off the main points.  KISS should be the operative theme from now through Tuesday.

    Parent

    How is that possible? (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by MoveThatBus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:54:01 PM EST
    If the poor become middle class, what's on the low side?  Rich, middle, poor...it takes three classifications to create a middle.

    He does speak much better than Obama. He doesn't have all the hesitations, starts and re-starts, and um/uh/eh eh eh eh connectors.  Obama has a tendency to sound like a lawn mower motor trying to start.  That is when he has to speak without a teleprompter.


    Parent

    Yeah, he really bogs down in the middle. (5.00 / 2) (#52)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:05:44 PM EST
    I think as poor people become better off, the middle just rises, too. They will still be in the middle. There will always be poor people but I haven't heard them mentioned at all since Hillary was in the race. It's all middle class. I personally care the most about the poor.

    Parent
    I'm with you about the poor (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by imhotep on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:18:59 PM EST
    They get nothing.  Because their income is so low they don't pay taxes?  Where are those payroll taxes going?  A third of seniors live on Soc Sec alone.  Why don't we hear about them?

    All I hear is "working class" and "middle class".  

    Is it because they think people are ashamed to be called "poor"?  Or is it because the country is afraid to admit that many people actually go to bed hungry each night?

    Parent

    Bingo (5.00 / 3) (#74)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:04:34 AM EST
    But see, poor people don't vote much, and they sure as heck don't fund political campaigns to the tune of X-ty bazillion dollars.  So why bother talking about them?  Besides, all those Republicans who might vote Dem. this time don't like them.


    Parent
    Craig Crawford should apologize (5.00 / 6) (#56)
    by BackFromOhio on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:15:34 PM EST
    just heard him say (once again -- or was it someone else from MSNBC?) regarding the joint appearance that Bill needed Obama to resuscitate him more than Obama needs Bill.  B.S.  Obama isn't resuscitating Bill, Obama is going back to his roots and using Bill's & Hillary's popularity with the average American to boost Obama's image with that group that has been slow to join the Obamalove train.  Bill was brilliant tonight, and Obama was mediocre; if Obama had cut what he said into the best 1/3, he might have been almost as good as Bill. I want change, too, -- in the media, but I've lost hope that we can return to the days when even TV journalists had a clue -- and some indepedence.  Sorry to go on. It's late, and I'm sick of these back-handed swipes at Bill.

    Parent
    Endorsement of the year (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by Steve M on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:06:51 PM EST
    "Most Peruvian faith-healers support Obama."

    But two of them are wrong! Or nine maybe. (none / 0) (#71)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:01:37 AM EST


    Parent
    Oh oh, we've got voter registration (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:14:45 PM EST
    problems in this household.  Got tipped off by a series of calls from a GOTV effort that kept offering to drive us to the polls.  Finally, it got so annoying that I stopped saying to take us off the list and then hanging up.  I said, do you look at the precinct maps to realize we're only a few houses from our polling place?  It will be so busy that you'd be driving us blocks away to find a parking place, when we can walk it in a minute!

    No, she said, you're lots of blocks away.  I said, what address do you have?  Uh huh -- an address nowhere near anywhere any of us ever have lived in this city.  So I made some calls to the election board and DA and such today, and it's being investigated . . . but bottom line, it looks like we may end up in even longer lines to have to do provisional ballots.

    I'm furious.  Our state is a lock, so it doesn't matter in terms of the presidential race, but we have crucial state legislative races in our district, and we have donated and worked hard and want to make sure our votes count -- and that they're counted on election night.  Now, probably not, if they're counted at all (many provisional ballots get tossed for pollworker error, much as I am doing my homework so we do our part well).

    Worse, it looks like the GOTV effort involved in this was paid in part by my professional association for teachers as well as our taxes.  I have to pay taxes, but I'm pulling out of the organization tomorrow.  This is not the sort of thing our dues are to pay for, anyway, and then it turns out to turn back and bite us in our ballots, and in these crucial local races. !@##$%$!###!!!

    So, they have your names (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by MoveThatBus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:20:23 PM EST
    (everyone in the house?), and telephone number correct, but not your address?  Did someone steal your registration by putting in an address change?

    Parent
    Yep, that's what it looks like (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:32:51 PM EST
    so as the records are being checked by Tuesday, we could be flagged as showing up in two precincts.  The office will see what it can do at this point, but it just may mean flagging both ours and the other one under at least one of our names, maybe more -- again, it's just beginning to be investigated now.  And there's quite a backlog of problems (we're in one of the cities targeted).

    Worse, as the other registration shows that they have some other info on my spouse, we're warned to watch bills ahead for identity theft problems.  That is turning up sometimes, too, we're told.

    I'll learn more with the next callback. . . .

    Parent

    I'd be so tempted to go to the poll (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by MoveThatBus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:39:39 PM EST
    where I was moved to just to make sure I got my name crossed off the log, then if anyone tried to vote on my name, the site would be aware they were looking at the fraud.


    Parent
    I think that's what they're going to do (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:44:12 AM EST
    because of my call -- flag it in both places and watch for who tries to use it.  (So even though I'm not in a state with voter ID, you can bet that I'm bringing my driver's license, other proofs of residence, etc. -- plus a lot of the pollworkers know me, and I'll hope to see a friendly face.:-)

    But it's a busy day when I won't have time to go miles away to the other precinct.  And my spouse won't do it, I know, even though his workplace is closer to it.  It's a busy day for him, too -- plus, he keeps trying to downplay the problems here.  At least, he did until today.  I think he's rethinking the ramifications on us all now.:-)

    Parent

    I would be so furious if someone had risked (5.00 / 2) (#112)
    by MoveThatBus on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 10:03:19 AM EST
    my access to my own ballot!!  I worry enough being a permanent absentee voter (the whole state is soon to be) that my ballot could be stolen out of the mail.

    I sure hope they catch a boatload of the people who are doing this kind of thing.

    This is by far the worst "in your face" election I've ever witnessed, and it started with the first primary.


    Parent

    You bet. But there are many here (none / 0) (#124)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 07:35:39 PM EST
    who, when this was discussed in past here, think that voter registration fraud is okay by Dems to counter GOP voter suppression.  That amoral reasoning that has driven so much of this campaign will do in Dems worse than anything the GOP can do.

    All I can do is fight to protect my vote for the local-level races and wait for the day when the Dems get back to being for the working-class and not being the party that attacks them.

    Parent

    Look for campaign donations (none / 0) (#65)
    by MoveThatBus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:43:05 PM EST
    you didn't make....I hear that is quite the problem right now, too.  It took creativity to get to $150M in a month.


    Parent
    Is there no early voting in Wisconsin? (none / 0) (#66)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:49:10 PM EST
    It would be nice to get it fixed before Tuesday. I would do like MTB said and go to the other precinct to see if someone tried to vote for you.

    Do you have to show ID in your state? We have to show a DL or other ID and they check our signatures.

    Parent

    There is, but it's a mess in my city (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:14:39 AM EST
    because, we're told, the election office is short-staffed, because of the flood of problematic voter registrations that have to be processed, etc.  And it's miles away to our muni building, with construction around it, so parking is problematic.  It's much easier for us to walk a few hundred feet to the polls next week, since we have flexibility to go when the lines are shorter.

    And either way, we're now told, we could hit the same problem of having to do provisional ballots -- unless the short-staffed office can fix this fast somehow.  Again, I'll know more upon a callback.

    Parent

    p.s. No, we managed to fight off voter ID (none / 0) (#77)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:17:54 AM EST
    with two vetoes by our governor overruling our Repubs, so far, if I recall the counts correctly.  But the repeated problems in voter registrations in 2004 and again this year, with the state behind in doing what it's to do -- plus some awful cases last time like a Dem candidate caught voting twice here -- make me fear that we will not be able to fight off voter ID again.  

    So it's good to be able to ask someone whose state has it -- does it cut down turnout, as we're told?  We're quite proud in my state of one of the highest turnout records in the country. :-)

    Parent

    I'm not sure CC. We don't set many (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:22:28 AM EST
    turnout records here. This was the first time I remember seeing a big sign to have your voter registration or other ID ready.

    We have early voting sites everywhere. I'm surprised you guys don't. It's so much better than waiting though it isn't as exciting. In 2004 I waited until election day and stood for a long time surrounded by Republicans.

    I'm going to check and see what our voter ID laws are here because now I'm curious as to when they did it.

    Parent

    Again, we do have early voting (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:47:01 AM EST
    but see the post about the problems with it, understaffed because of overwork trying to cope with all the voter registration problems. (This is a city where even a Dem DA already has had several people indicted, more in process, for fraud -- and a city that's poor so having major budget problems, too, and not a lot of wiggle room for extra staffing.  In 2004, the problems were so massive that it meant shortstaffing lots of other city offices and services to get poll list ready in time, and even then it took lots of police pulled off beats to drive the lists to polling places.)

    Parent
    We are one of 18 states that require it. (none / 0) (#80)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:24:43 AM EST
    For purposes of comparing the person's signature on the application for ballot, "evidence of identification" shall be a valid voter's registration certificate, Tennessee driver license, social security card, credit card bearing the applicant's signature or other document bearing the applicant's signature. Source: State law - 2-7-112

    I swear in the primary, they didn't ask me for an ID.

    Parent

    lol!~ My SS card signature was from back in (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by nycstray on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:38:46 AM EST
    the day when I had nice neat public school handwriting. Not even close now . . . just one big squiggle.

    We have to sign directly below the prior signature. As the nice senior lady likes to say to my squiggle, "Oh I remember you! You're the artist right?!" Which is even funnier when you consider a good percentage of the 'hood is artists (or was).

    Parent

    Mine looks like kid writing. Nothing at all (none / 0) (#88)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:41:45 AM EST
    the way I write now. I used my DL with my picture on it so I guess they knew it was me. I didn't realize we had an ID law until just now. I read some more and if you have no ID at all, you can sign an affidavit and still vote.

    Parent
    I don't have a legal picture Id (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by nycstray on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:56:39 AM EST
    all are expired. They know me everywhere in the 'hood where it would be an issue (bank etc). It only gets embarrassing when I order a drink and get asked for Id since I don't carry any! And yes, It happens at least once a year, lol!~ Just recently at a Mets game. I've been asked on my B-day for the past 3 yrs as has my friend. We're in our 40's so we don't complain! Luckily, she carries her Id so they'll serve me.

    I did take proof of residence and my ss plus expired ID when I voted in the primary just because voter ID has been talked about. They're good at my polling place with the provision ballots and such. It's always well run and you never see any problems or hassles there. If you go around 4PM, it's in and out. I like easy voting!

    Parent

    That's what I was wondering. (none / 0) (#60)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:24:44 PM EST
    Right names and phone number but wrong address?

    Parent
    Yep, and at least one record (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:34:27 PM EST
    has other info correct, too -- birthdate, for one.  If there is more that has been tracked down for this registration, well, see below for what's worse.

    Parent
    Can you check online? (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by nycstray on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:40:54 AM EST
    I double checked mine online before the last day to register, just in case. I'm still one person living at the same address  ;)

    Parent
    Yes, I did -- and our correct registrations (none / 0) (#92)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:49:57 AM EST
    at our address are fine.  It's just that our names are used at another address, too.

    I can see that I'm not communicating the complexity clearly of this problem!  Btw, I also found on the online site that there is a way to track provisional ballots to see if they're accepted -- so if we have to go that route, at least I can see where our votes go.  Into the tally or into the dumpster -- but either way, those ballots take weeks to verify and count, so may be too late to cause a recheck of the tally if it's close, as we think may happen in our local legislative races.  Those, again, are the ones that really matter to me.

    Parent

    Sounds like a mess all around. Good luck (none / 0) (#94)
    by Teresa on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:53:43 AM EST
    with your voting. I know the down ticket races are very important to you this time. I'd be mad as heck if someone did that to me.

    My local races were all Republicans running unopposed so I just left mine blank.

    Parent

    That sucks (none / 0) (#96)
    by nycstray on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:06:17 AM EST
    Hopefully they can just flag the one polling place and leave your normal place unflagged for you. It seems like they should be able to shoot an email or something official over there. Be a squeaky wheel! If the races end up close enough for recounting, make sure it's common knowledge that registrations are messed up. Who cares how long it takes them to verify, it's their job to count it right.

    Parent
    Oh, you can bet I will (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:11:42 AM EST
    let the local candidates know about, if it is close -- as I'm planning on being at their election party.  The one for the primary was such fun when we won . . . and I can use some of that fun again.

    But if it's close, and our votes can matter, I'm planning a full media blitz if necessary to make sure that no one gets robbed of a recount while provisional ballots await processing, you bet.

    Parent

    btw, as you can see, I'm still thinking (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by Cream City on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:14:35 AM EST
    through how this could go -- and it has helped to hammer through this here, to think about recounts that can come down to a couple of votes, etc.  I am making notes of more statutes and such to look up.  

    That must be the definitive measure of a nerd; I have my local and state statute sites bookmarked already.  They can be good ammo on an election day.

    Parent

    Can the light be across the room? (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by nycstray on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:50:45 AM EST
    I don't use overheads, but have a light fixture across the room from me that holds 5 lights. I can switch them all out if you can just be in the same room with them (it's the room I work in).

    The only problem I can see is that it would keep the pets too perky over the winter, lol!~

    Parent

    I figured you would, but still had ta say it! (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by nycstray on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:47:21 AM EST
    I'd also be looking up and bookmarking anything that would help, like you are. I can be a PIA that way, but it sure comes in handy!

    I'm not up on my local races, but I also haven't heard boo about them*. I know my Rep will be reelected and she's a good egg for NY and congress (and women!). I saw a local commercial today for the first time, but I don't know for what race or state!  They really need to learn to identify what they are running for and not just snipe at each other, lol!~

    *disclaimer: I'm switching states, so watching those races instead  :)

    Parent

    Celebrities (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by blogtopus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:41:25 PM EST
    It's funny how people poopoo celebrities when they are used to get people to vote, or support other causes. Granted, there are a lot of empty headed actors out there, but now you have to be a politician to talk politics? Get real.

    If people get huffy about hollywood elitists, remind them of Reagan and Schwarzenegger, and agree with them that they didn't know how to govern, being celebrities.

    Oy (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by lentinel on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 10:07:38 AM EST
    This kind of b.s. would keep me from the polls if anything could.

    Harrison Ford's mantra about 537 votes deciding the last election is so simplistically stupid that it makes one despair. Has he heard about the corrupt Supreme Court - or Katherine Harris - or Lieberman's pathetic performance as a candidate? No. It's Nader's fault.

    Sometimes I get liberals and conservatives mixed up. I don't know who is who. Each resort to the same tactics when push comes to shove. I can only hope that the next pres will dump the Bush doctrine, whatever TF that is.

    It is also a "tell" that they chose Borat's little statement to end this exercise in infantile commercialism.

    Meanwhile, Jeff Kent donates (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:03:55 PM EST
    megabucks in support of California's Prop 8.  

    I almost hate to ask (none / 0) (#11)
    by cal1942 on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:05:30 PM EST
    whats California proposition 8?

    Parent
    Proposition to amend the (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:07:45 PM EST
    California Constitution to chip in stone marriage is only between a man and a woman.  

    Parent
    Very frustrating (none / 0) (#13)
    by lilburro on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:09:20 PM EST
    I'm on the other side of the country, never been to California.  But it pisses me off that so many people want to see us defeated.  What a crock.  

    I suppose if it passes civil disobedience could at least be fun.

    Parent

    Who goes to a political rally at 11 pm? (none / 0) (#23)
    by lilburro on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:27:41 PM EST
    I'm really surprised that Clinton and Obama are doing their rally so late tonight.

    I would to see Bill. :) I'll bet they have a (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:30:35 PM EST
    huge crowd.

    Parent
    I would too. (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by lilburro on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:36:41 PM EST
    But he's already got the total junkie vote!  Probably early at that.

    Parent
    How much coverage will it get (none / 0) (#26)
    by nycstray on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:48:39 PM EST
    with the Rays losing? Won't they be busy rehashing that from every angle until Rays fans are screaming?

    Parent
    It's 11:04 p.m. and (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by BackFromOhio on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:05:59 PM EST
    MSNBC has at bottom of screen:

    Breaking News: Awaiting Joint Obama-Bill Clinton appearance - so any minute?  

    I guess parents are letting kids stay up this one school night.  

    David Shuster just said they are running a few minutes behind.  So in a few minutes.....

    Parent

    lots of folks in florida do! (none / 0) (#93)
    by Amiss on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:53:02 AM EST


    Parent
    Just saw McCain's reaction to the infomercial (none / 0) (#27)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:01:19 PM EST
    It was pretty good. . .

    Eh... (3.50 / 2) (#28)
    by Thanin on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:03:06 PM EST
    I dont buy sour grapes.

    Parent
    What did he say? (none / 0) (#34)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:10:56 PM EST


    Parent
    It went something like (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:14:26 PM EST
    "He wants to sell you an energy policy you can fold up and slide under your bed, just like other things you can buy on TV."

    Parent
    That's pretty funny... (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 01:12:26 AM EST
    The most expensive thing available to "buy on TV" tonight was the Obama infomercial itself.

    Parent
    They've delayed the rally until Daily (none / 0) (#29)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:03:10 PM EST
    Show interview is over.

    Daily Show Interviews (none / 0) (#31)
    by BackFromOhio on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:06:43 PM EST
    don't usually start until 11:15 or 11:20 or so?

    Parent
    I don't know..I don't watch it :) (none / 0) (#32)
    by Teresa on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:07:15 PM EST


    Parent
    Once the Stevens left... (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Thanin on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:11:55 PM EST
    the show, to me, just seemed to fall in quality.  Jon just isnt as funny now, to me anyway.

    Parent
    It's not as funny (none / 0) (#67)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:57:14 PM EST
    but it's still funny.  It's a killer, though, watching one performer after another grow and become brilliant, only to leave the show for greener pastures.  I like John Oliver a lot, so I suppose he'll be gone soon, too.

    Parent
    Positive Florida News (none / 0) (#39)
    by CoralGables on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:19:43 PM EST
    With extended early voting hours beginning today in Miami, the number of voters increased 44% over yesterday in Dade County.

    DiCaprio? DiCaprio? You give us DiCaprio? (none / 0) (#40)
    by jerry on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:22:26 PM EST
    How about this star studded commercial of celebrities for Norm Coleman, running against Al Franken.

    Victoria Jackson, John Ratzenberger, Steven Baldwin, Robert Davi, and some other trend setters as well.

    Woah there! (none / 0) (#107)
    by WS on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 08:32:11 AM EST
    All that star power is blinding me! Arghh my eyes!

    Parent
    I'm surprised Joe the Plumber wasn't in the vid... (none / 0) (#117)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 11:37:25 AM EST


    Maybe he's too declasse for the H'wd elites? (none / 0) (#118)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 11:38:49 AM EST


    Parent
    Joe the P's booking agent... (none / 0) (#119)
    by kdog on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 11:45:09 AM EST
    didn't call back in time...in his defense, the offers are pouring in for Joe...country music, political office, endorsements...lots of options to mull over.

    Celebrity culture...gotta love it:)

    Parent

    Lynn Swann AND Joe the Plumber, (none / 0) (#120)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:21:09 PM EST
    all in one election. How can anyone say no to these guys?

    Parent
    It's not really Swann's (none / 0) (#123)
    by jondee on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:38:31 PM EST
    fault: he was never the same after George Atkinson hit him in the back of the head.

    Parent
    Wednesday Evening Open Thread | 123 comments (123 topical)

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