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Tuesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat

As we wait for Mississippi to vote, I find no news on MI/FL revotes, my new obsession. So in the meantime, Ezra points us to this interview with David Simon, the creator of an obsession of many bloggers, including me, The Wire.

Add your own obsessions in this Open Thread.

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    My obsession lately seems to be (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Florida Resident on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:30:50 AM EST
    that too many Obama supporters remind me of right wing bloggers.

    I was reading some riot threats (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:37:51 AM EST
    last night and joking with a friend, as I mentioned in the now closed thread, about how much harm it could do to be pelted with laptops and half finished lattes?
    he then sent me this:

    Linked text

    which includes both "the wire" and Obama.

    Parent

    Hilarious ... (none / 0) (#16)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:46:44 AM EST
    some of the things on that list are sooo perfect.

    "Difficult breakups"

    "Not having a TV"

    "Asian girls"

    I laughed and laughed.


    Parent

    I liked it too (none / 0) (#17)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:47:07 AM EST
    Can I get in on that action? (none / 0) (#71)
    by Ellie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:31:21 PM EST
    pelted with laptops and half finished lattes

    My craptop just blew up and even a half-finished latte would be great right now.

    I sent it out to be repaired under the Jack Baur Extended Warranty -- ie, the POS was ALWAYS on the verge of blowing up -- and learned that repair would cost me about a hundred bux less than buying a better new one.

    Parent

    My sympathies -- (none / 0) (#105)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:29:03 PM EST
    went through this a couple of weeks ago.  I never again want to smell a burning motherboard.  It was going to be just a repair but then the advice was just to replace it.  Still getting used to it. . . .

    And one thing I learned again the hard way, for the interim awaiting a new machine, is to copy all my work-in-progress files on flash drives.  But it's so onerous that I'm now gonna graduate to a portable hard drive, as my spouse has one and loves its ease.

    May your new motherboard be good to you, too!

    Parent

    I'm chop shopping the old one with some work pals (none / 0) (#110)
    by Ellie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:51:44 PM EST
    We're going to throw all our spare parts into a pot and get some Alpha Geek to Dr. Frankenstein them into a free-ranging hot rod for the breakroom and some quality, work unfriendly racing for pinks on the infobahn.

    Mine -- which I dragged around for faxes and dialup only papers transfers -- was always being "volunteered" for this. (Most of us aren't allowed to use desk systems containing copyrighted works in progress.)

    And then, KABLOOEY. Suddenly, I had only my personality and good looks to rely on but one of the kewl kids would play in my office anymore and eat most my lunch.

    My new one should be here shortly. I don't think I'll rustproof this one.

    Parent

    BTW, the portable drive is great (none / 0) (#114)
    by Ellie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 04:04:09 PM EST
    I automatically transfer downloaded cultural stuff like music and vids into one directory, "paper" research and docs into another and misc into another.

    During idle times it gets catalogued and archived into portable media (disks). This lets me do worry free maintenance and keeps my porn from touching my spouse's porn, which would just be gross (like getting a plate with the corn already touching the potatoes.)

    Parent

    You have convinced me (none / 0) (#124)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 07:02:55 PM EST
    as I simply cannot be without my files again, even for the couple of days 'til the geeks got them onto CDs for me while prepping the new machine.

    I think we will have separate portable hard drives, though -- my spouse is one of those who absolutely freeks if one thing on his plate touches another thing on his plate.

    At least he can laugh at himself.  He loves the show Monk, in part because he always anticipates exactly what weirdly obsessive-compulsive thing the character will do next. :-)

    Parent

    I know one of the ... (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:34:25 AM EST
    producers of The Wire.  Get me drunk and I'll tell you some funny stories.

    CIC (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:41:49 AM EST
    Worried about HRC or BHO as CIC? Well McCain would be worse by a landslide.  He is obviously too gullible and will throw away America's blood and treasure at least as fast as GWB did.

    In 1998, McCain pressured the Clinton administration to give Chalabi funding, and once called him "a patriot who has the best interests of his country at heart." In fact, McCain was Chalabi's "favored candidate in the 2000 election."

    And McCain's chief political advisor is not helping him separate the wheat from the chaff:

    But McCain isn't the only one on his campaign with ties to Chalabi. Charlie Black serves as McCain's (R-AZ) chief political adviser. He is also an uber-lobbyist, "chairman of one of Washington's lobbying powerhouses," BKSH and Associates.

    Black and BKSH represented Chalabi's former group, the Iraqi National Congress, giving the Iraqi politician access to high-powered officials in Washington. Chalabi even scored a seat in First Lady Laura Bush's VIP box at the 2004 SOTU address.

    think progress


    Leader on the economy (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by magster on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:57:52 AM EST
    Yes (none / 0) (#41)
    by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:09:53 PM EST
    Manchurian candidate with a twist.

    Parent
    Prostitution laws (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Stellaaa on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:47:31 AM EST
    Read this somewhere today:  When one person gets paid for sex, it's illegal, when two get paid, it's legal, it's a porn movie.  Does that make sense?  

    I think you found a loophole.... (none / 0) (#68)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:16:52 PM EST
    where any act of prostitution can be legal.

    Have the john/jane pay the pro his/her fee, then have the pro give the john/jane back 5 bucks as their "fee".  Abracadabra...legal prostitution.

    Parent

    The Supreme Court (5.00 / 3) (#24)
    by themomcat on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:53:44 AM EST
    That is my obsession. The survival of the Constitution and the rule of law is dependent on the Supreme Court. We do not need any more wing nuts from the right like Roberts, Alito, Thomas (the silent), or Scalia (the torturer). I would like to see Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee but if it is Obama, so be it, I will vote for him. I will vote for the Democratic nominee to prevent the further destruction of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I am very obsessed with that.

    My mom (none / 0) (#74)
    by eleanora on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:45:31 PM EST
    and I had this argument last night. We're both strong Hillary supporters, but she's seriously considering not voting for Pres if he's the nominee. Obama using the SS in crisis meme scared the hell out of her.

    I'm worried too, but I'll vote for him anyway because Justice Stevens is 87 years old, Justice Ginsberg is in bad health and that we owe it to them to get any Dem in the White House we can, so they can retire in good heart. And to the Constitution and the country, of course. We've got to push that with Hillary voters if she doesn't get the nom--most of us are longtime Dems and will do the right thing, IMO.

    Parent

    Thank you! (none / 0) (#75)
    by CST on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:48:53 PM EST
    As an Obama supporter I have been pushing all my friends to do the same for Hillary.  Many of them were reluctant but I think when you really break it down for people they realize no democrat is WAY worse than the wrong democrat.  I also used the supreme court as my driving argument, although there are many more one could make.

    Parent
    Explain to your Mom (none / 0) (#81)
    by themomcat on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:02:40 PM EST
    That the consequences of a McCain presidency would be a disaster for SS and Medicaid. Obama would most likely go along with whatever the Democratic Congress advises him is best.

    Parent
    never got into the wire (none / 0) (#1)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:27:26 AM EST
    but I am breathlessly waiting for a new season of showtimes Dexter.
    as for Mississippi, I can wait to see Tweety strut and chirp.


    breathlessly awaiting Dexter (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:32:01 AM EST
    which probably tells you all you need to know about me.

    Parent
    Me too! (none / 0) (#55)
    by Iphie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:16:53 PM EST
    I think it's the best show on tv -- and I'm sure it says something about me, but it is fascinating on so many levels.

    Parent
    without a doubt (none / 0) (#72)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:35:16 PM EST
    hands down

    Parent
    I've gotten hooked (none / 0) (#3)
    by kredwyn on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:31:13 AM EST
    on The Closer.

    Parent
    I love the Closer (none / 0) (#5)
    by Kathy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:33:01 AM EST
    but her accent is horrible.  I've got family living in trailer parks who don't drawl like that, even when they're drinking.

    I've never liked the Wire-they need more women writers on their staff.  Simon is married to Laura Lippman, perhaps one of the best thriller writers of our time, and it seems odd that he hasn't tapped into her talent.

    Parent

    new episodes of shows like the Closer and other non network shows.

    Parent
    there is some amazing stuff (none / 0) (#13)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:41:26 AM EST
    being done on HBO and SHO right now.
    Tudors, Rome, Dexter, The L Word, Weeds, Deadwood, Carnival, and on and on and on.


    Parent
    My obsession is ... (none / 0) (#48)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:11:23 PM EST
    the new Doctor Who.  Also loved another British show Life on Mars.

    The best America show of recent vintage, imho, is Mad Men.

    Parent

    Have you tried Torchwood? (none / 0) (#64)
    by Kathy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:50:40 PM EST
    Excellent.  I LOVED Life on Mars.  David Kelley has bought US rights.  Not sure what he'll do with it.  Could be interesting if he plays it up in a Mad Men sort of way.

    Parent
    Love TORCHWOOD as well ... (none / 0) (#66)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:06:59 PM EST
    great TV coming out of the UK these days.

    Parent
    John and Abby Smith Adams this Sunday (none / 0) (#106)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:36:56 PM EST
    -- the start of the seven-part miniseries that looks like another winner from HBO and Tom Hanks.  I may find refuge from the current reality by watching far better past presidents.  West Wing got me through a lot of the Bush years.

    It's got Paul Giamatti as John, Laura Linney as Abigail -- and anyone want to start a lottery on which episode will have her writing him to "Remember the Ladies"?

    (Of course, he forgot.)

    Parent

    It's amazing (none / 0) (#7)
    by Steve M on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:35:43 AM EST
    how much water cooler discussion you feel left out of if you don't have HBO.  I have never seen an episode of The Sopranos, for example.

    I don't have a TV at the moment (none / 0) (#11)
    by spit on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:38:34 AM EST
    it's been really impacting my ability for small talk at parties, actually. Funny.

    Parent
    Rent it -- we did and got caught up (none / 0) (#107)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:38:03 PM EST
    and then got HBO.  Rent it now, and you'll be ready for the Sopranos movie; word is that it will happen.

    Parent
    BTD Obsession (none / 0) (#8)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:35:48 AM EST
    Here's a little reading material on your latest obsession.

    http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/11/State/Florida_s_vote_by_mai.shtml

    South Dakota (none / 0) (#12)
    by Dan the Man on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:40:08 AM EST
    might open up its primary to independents which would help Obama.  Quote: "Much of the state party's leadership supports Obama."

    Survey Usa poll of Pennsylvania:  Clinton 55 Obama 36.


    SUSA (none / 0) (#19)
    by spit on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:47:37 AM EST
    looks even worse for Obama from the internals.

    I'll be surprised if those results hold, looking at it. They've got her winning almost every listed demographic.

    Still, SUSA has been solid, so if that's what they got, it's hard to argue too much. Maybe it's because it's a closed primary? It looks like they did apply some sort of broad "likely dem voter" screen.

    Parent

    Yeah, (none / 0) (#29)
    by andgarden on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:58:09 AM EST
    I expect blacks to coalesce around Obama. He should break 40%.

    But as a starting point, this is a fabulous result for Hillary.

    Parent

    Just posted on it. (none / 0) (#25)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:56:10 AM EST
    let me guess (none / 0) (#30)
    by Edgar08 on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:58:36 AM EST
    That's not changing rules in middle of the process.


    Parent
    SD... (none / 0) (#35)
    by kredwyn on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:02:39 PM EST
    Can they do that at this point in the process? And how wouldn't that be considered a "mid-stream rules change" so disparaged by many Obama supporters as a form of cheating?

    Parent
    Puerto Rico just switched (none / 0) (#108)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:40:03 PM EST
    last week from caucuses to a primary in June, so it must be okay to do.  Just getting DNC approval for a revised plan is probably all that is needed, right up to the last possible point in the planning.

    Parent
    Your obsession. . . (none / 0) (#15)
    by LarryInNYC on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:44:02 AM EST
    I find no news on MI/FL revotes, my new obsession.

    while perhaps a bit geeky, scores above the obsession of a certain half-term Governor I could mention.

    Did I Hear Right yesterday (none / 0) (#20)
    by Edgar08 on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:49:22 AM EST
    I was watching CNN cause of Spitzer and they promo'ed the MS primary, and instead of saying "where every vote counts" they said "where every delegate counts."

    I think we've proven that there is no such one to one relationship proportional relationship between votes and delegates.


    My TV obsession is "Lost" (none / 0) (#21)
    by litigatormom on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:50:32 AM EST
    in part because my daughters love it too -- in fact, they dragged me into it, requiring me to purchase the first two seasons on DVD so I could catch up -- it's a good topic of conversation when you need to defuse the tensions arising from conversations about why the fourteen year old has to be home by 10 pm, or why the 17 year old can't go away for the weekend with her boyfriend.

    As for the MI/FLA obsession, I got sidetracked from it in the Spitzer uproar yesterday.  Jon Corzine was on Softballs yesterday to discuss his plan with Rendell to fund the re-votes, and most of the conversation (at Tweety's urging) was about Spitzer, to which Corzine could only express complete shock.

    I did hear something yesterday, shortly before the Spitzer uproar started, about Al Sharpton threatening to sue if FLA had a re-vote. Is that true, or was he threatening to sue if they seated the FLA delegates based on the earlier vote? Or is it a totally spurious rumor?

    Sharpton (none / 0) (#37)
    by litigatormom on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:05:56 PM EST
    It appears that he threatened to sue (not sure who) if the FLA and MI delegations were seated on the basis of the prior vote.

    http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/10/749284.aspx

    Parent

    Did you see the Obama Files (none / 0) (#58)
    by Iphie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:20:07 PM EST
    cartoon on SNL? If Obama is doing his best to avoid Sharpton and Jackson, you just wait until Sharpton starts making this kind of noise. He's going to wish he never even knew Sharpton's name.

    Parent
    my new job (none / 0) (#22)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:50:37 AM EST
    if not obsession exactly, is video games.
    I wonder what we think about this:

    Linked text

    Last month, when a 21-year-old British video game developer named Luc Bernard posted a description on his blog of a Holocaust-themed game he is writing that describes how the Nazis tortured children, the reaction was swift and visceral.

    "Disgusting concept. Some people have no shame," wrote one video game blog reader. Another called it "pretty creepy."

    The game, called Imagination Is the Only Escape, apparently will not be distributed within the United States. It casts players in the role of a young boy in eastern France during the German occupation who seeks escape from real-life horror through a fantasy world.

    now
    at first glance it sound pretty awful but I am not sure I dont agree with Myrna from the ADL:

    "We certainly believe that we have to find new ways of teaching lessons of the Holocaust as new technologies are being developed," she said.


    Classic Double Standard ... (none / 0) (#31)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:59:21 AM EST
    Would people even raise an eyebrow if this were a book or movie?

    Somehow the interactive nature of video games makes some hold them to a different standard.  Never understood that.

    Parent

    that is so dead on (none / 0) (#62)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:42:10 PM EST
    I dont get it either.
    but we in the gaming industry revel in our outlaw status.
    and if you read the thing his last project dealt with global warming in a very classy and educational way.


    Parent
    Actually eyebrows have gone up (none / 0) (#109)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:49:16 PM EST
    as has discussion of censorship (and occasional acts of actual censorship, of course) with the introduction of every new communication technology.  (I used to teach media history.)  

    Gutenberg's invention of movable type and the spread of literacy and, gasp, books gave the European elite the vapors. :-)  In one of those nasty things called books, one about the printing revolution, there's a great discussion of this -- and a map of Europe that shows the spread of bookstores in the first 50 years after Gutenberg came up with the concept of recycling. Interestingly, such a swift diffusion of innovation has rarely been replicated since -- nor such a level of concern by those in power about the impact on the unwashed multitudes.

    Anyway, take heart -- history is on your side, and every outcry against new technology subsides.

    Parent

    Iconoclasts (none / 0) (#23)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:52:48 AM EST
    Was talking to a friend the other day about being a Democrat.  And we got on the notion that being a Democrat used to mean being an iconoclast.  I mean, hell, you almost had to be.

    But now with the growth of the party, this has slipped aside in favor of the kind of party tribalism that always gave us the willies.

    And the Obama La La Brigade has a corner on this market.

    We discussed Obama's weak poll numbers in Massachusetts and mused:  If Obama won the presidency but lost Massachusetts, what would we have elected?

    Would it still be the party we thought we belonged to?

    Thoughts?

    Don't worry (none / 0) (#60)
    by CST on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:33:56 PM EST
    He would never lose Mass.  Not a chance.  I live here, and although many people here like Hillary and don't hate McCain, we will not elect a republican for president.


    Parent
    don't have time for my own obsessions (none / 0) (#26)
    by desmoinesdem on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:56:22 AM EST
    but my two-year-old is obsessed with the Winnie-the-Pooh music CD we have, especially the Heffalumps and Woozles song.

    You Need (none / 0) (#44)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:10:25 PM EST
    When I up, down, touch the ground...it will help put you in the mood while you listen to WTP

    Parent
    My Obsession (none / 0) (#28)
    by Stellaaa on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:57:55 AM EST
    The uber reality show, beats Survivor, Project Runway, Top Chef, the Bachelor, you name it, this friggin democratic primary election.  I need to go cold turkey.  Ultimately, will it matter?  Life will go on.  We survived Bush, either side can survive Obama or Clinton.  

    This cartoon says it all:  <a href="http://xkcd.com/386/">Funny but true</a>

    Ugh.... (none / 0) (#32)
    by Stellaaa on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:59:48 AM EST
    was doing plain text..sorrycartoon

    Parent
    We share that obsession so (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:18:17 PM EST
    the cartoon definitely "speaks" to me.

    Parent
    I am angry...livid in fact (none / 0) (#33)
    by americanincanada on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:01:16 PM EST
    has everyone seen this?! it will probably fly under the radar of the MSM and Obama will not have to answer for it. But he should and he should also apologize...in public.

    I am ashamed at my GLBT brothers and sisters in Obama's leadership Council who did this.



    Oops...sorry... (none / 0) (#34)
    by americanincanada on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:01:50 PM EST
    Wow (none / 0) (#38)
    by Steve M on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:07:49 PM EST
    Talk about a RW talking point:

    When Bin Laden was building Al Qaeda, Bill and she were fighting impeachment, fighting Paula Jones, fighting Katherine Wiley.

    Good for the Obama campaign for doing the right thing and ditching this guy.

    Parent

    Not for me (none / 0) (#46)
    by americanincanada on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:11:06 PM EST
    Getting rid of him...or shoudl I saw allowing him to resign...is NOT enough.

    That e-mail is an abomination. it is hateful. It is shameful. And Obama needs to apologize for it and distance himself from it in public.

    Parent

    Look at the comments (none / 0) (#57)
    by themomcat on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:19:46 PM EST
    of Obama supporters that are saying that this was OK with them and his campaign should have done this a long time ago. The people who say these things should be ashamed of themselves.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#63)
    by Steve M on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:45:50 PM EST
    I've lost count of the number of "David Shuster was right" and "Samantha Power was right" commentors I've seen in the blogosphere.

    Of course, I've always been baffled by the fact that so many progressives believe that Rush Limbaugh is wrong about everything, except for the subject of the Clintons where he's 100% right.

    Parent

    no matter who is the nominee (none / 0) (#76)
    by themomcat on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:51:19 PM EST
    this will get down and very dirty this Fall. All those media talking heads who are supporting Democrats now will be answering to their Republican masters in the Fall.

    Parent
    As an Obama supporter (none / 0) (#70)
    by CST on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:26:15 PM EST
    I am not ok with this, and I am glad he resigned.  Just wanted to remind people we are not all crazy.  Then again, this is the only blog I have ever posted on...

    Parent
    Good for you (none / 0) (#77)
    by themomcat on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:53:42 PM EST
     Both Clinton and Obama supporters need to re-read before they post any comments. The Republicans will have a field day with this in the Fall.

    Parent
    Thanks! (none / 0) (#80)
    by eleanora on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:00:44 PM EST
    I know lots of awesome Obama supporters in the real world who will join you in condemning that, just as Hillary supporters condemn outrageous smears on him. The Internet tends to bring out the worst in some people on all sides. :)

    Parent
    Not an obsession (none / 0) (#36)
    by RalphB on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:02:43 PM EST
    but the Catholic church introduced 7 new sins to wild applause I assume ...

    The seven social sins are:

    1. "Bioethical" violations such as birth control
    2. "Morally dubious" experiments such as stem cell research
    3. Drug abuse
    4. Polluting the environment
    5. Contributing to widening divide between rich and poor
    6. Excessive wealth
    7. Creating poverty


    Excessive Wealth!? (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by themomcat on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:10:06 PM EST
    The Catholic Church has some nerve saying that "Excessive Wealth " is a sin. I was in churches in Rome last year that had more gold on the walls and altars that most nations have in their coffers. That has got to be the height of hypocrisy.

    Parent
    Hahahahahah (none / 0) (#50)
    by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:12:09 PM EST
    Good one. I think that some accounting needs to be done...  

    Parent
    Hey... (none / 0) (#86)
    by cmugirl on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:18:30 PM EST
    Have some pity - they've paid out over $500 million in priest sex abuse cases (and I say this "jokingly) as a Catholic.

    Although I can get down with polluting being a sin.

    Parent

    500 mill.... (none / 0) (#119)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 05:35:55 PM EST
    that's a whole lotta alms meant for the poor.  Shameful.

     

    Parent

    5,6 & 7 (none / 0) (#39)
    by Stellaaa on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:07:52 PM EST
    Those are reruns.  They were all over the New Testament.  Are they not all the same thing?  

    Parent
    New ways of saying the same thing (none / 0) (#111)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:55:15 PM EST
    have kept a lot of denominations going strong for a lot of centuries.  We do seem to need to be told the same things over and over until we get it.

    And we haven't gotten a lot of it yet.:-)

    Parent

    I like how the Vatican.... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:10:21 PM EST
    makes a distinction between drug use and drug abuse.  Not that they could come out against drug use when drug use is an integral part of every catholic mass...but still, good call Vatican.

    And I like how they are speaking out about poverty, even though it's hypocritical.  The pope ain't living like a pauper if ya know what I mean.  They could feed and cloth a lot more people if they sold off some of their treasure.  Who knows, maybe they will.

    Parent

    Hahahhaa (none / 0) (#52)
    by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:14:06 PM EST
    Another good one:

    They could feed and cloth a lot more people if they sold off some of their treasure.  Who knows, maybe they will. Who knows, maybe they will.

    Yes it is certain that they will, after the second coming.


    Parent

    Interesting... (none / 0) (#82)
    by eleanora on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:11:28 PM EST
    "drug use is an integral part of every catholic mass."

    It is? I'm a cradle Catholic and have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe an offshoot branch of Catholicism? And social justice is a big deal for Catholics and always has been, no matter what the Pope or hierarchy does.

    Parent

    Alcohol, I'm guessing... (none / 0) (#84)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:12:33 PM EST
    Communion wine.... (none / 0) (#85)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:16:59 PM EST
    wine is a drug, that's what I meant.  Unless the church has switched to non-alcohlic wine and I didn't hear.

    Yes, many catholics through the ages have sacrificed worldly wealth to help the poor...sun god bless them all.  I'm just not aware of any popes who have.  Sell your rings Benedict!

    Parent

    TY (none / 0) (#87)
    by eleanora on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:18:46 PM EST
    LOL, I was so startled by that comment I didn't even think about the sacramental wine. If there's any drug my Catholic family abuses, alcohol would be it. And I agree with you wholeheartedly on the hierarchy needing to live what they preach. :)

    Parent
    I just read the other day (none / 0) (#93)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:27:24 PM EST
    that some jewish scholar had said that Moses was most likely under the effects of some mind altering drug when he received the 10 commandments from that "bush"
    he says it was common practice for them at that time.


    Parent
    Stupid Math (none / 0) (#40)
    by waldenpond on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:08:35 PM EST
    OK, yeah, I'm obsessed with numbers.  Let's try again.. 4049 + 128 (MI) + 185 (FL) = 4362.
    New target as half of 4362 = 2181
    Obama is at 1588 + Clinton at 1465 = 3965.
    Remaining pledged dels with FL and MI are 912.
    Obama 1588 + 456 (half of 912) = 2044.
    4362 - 3965 = leaves what? 397 leftover.
    If Obama is at 2044, he would need 35% of the 397 to get over the new target of 2181.

    Clinton would have 1465 + 456 + 258 (65% of the 397) = 2179.

    I still don't understand the importance of their math.  Whether the target is 2024 or 2181, if Obama only needs a small % to get over the goal line, Clinton gets the remaining (larger) % and is only a couple of delegates behind.  If he could get 50%, wouldn't that put him about 123 ahead?  Wouldn't that appear better?

    I'm going to let this go at this point because I don't understand the celebration of the math.


    Another Obama Advisor Bites the Dust (none / 0) (#45)
    by Iphie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:11:04 PM EST
    Thanks goodness there's an open open thread. Has anyone else seen this? Yet another Obama advisor has resigned the campaign because of inappropriate comments about Clinton. This time recycling winger smears including Bill's sex life, the "nasty, secretive and proven lying Clinton" and all sorts of other rotten oldies. And this guy committed his smears in writing via email. Ben Smith has the details at Politico.

    POsted (none / 0) (#49)
    by americanincanada on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:11:53 PM EST
    the link above, It really was a disgusting e-mail wasn't it?

    Parent
    Oh. (none / 0) (#53)
    by Iphie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:14:17 PM EST
    Thanks, sorry for reposting. But why am I having trouble posting the link? And yeah, disgusting email -- but can someone in the MSM start asking questions about the judgment Obama uses when he hires these people?

    Parent
    Not My Obsession but worth noting (none / 0) (#47)
    by KevinMc on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:11:10 PM EST
    Here is an interesting story that apparently is true.  I would think it qualifies as an obsession.

    50 People Looking for Solar Image of Mary Lose Sight

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At least 50 people in Kottayam district have reportedly lost their vision after gazing at the sun looking for an image of Virgin Mary.

    Though alarmed health authorities have installed a signboard to counter the rumor that a solar image of Virgin Mary appeared to the believers, curious onlookers, including foreign travellers, have been thronging the venue of the `miracle'.

    St Joseph's ENT and Eye Hospital in Kanjirappally alone has recorded 48 cases of vision loss due to photochemical burns on the retina. "All our patients have similar history and symptoms. The damage is to the macula, the most sensitive part of retina. They have developed photochemical, not thermal, burns after continuously gazing at the sun," Dr Annamma James Isaac, the hospital's ophthalmologist, said.



    Question about links (none / 0) (#51)
    by Iphie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:12:32 PM EST
    I just tried to insert a link to the Ben Smith story I referenced above using the link button, but the link is not showing up. Any obvious reasons why this is happening?

    Try This (none / 0) (#54)
    by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:15:53 PM EST
    Thank you. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Iphie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:25:32 PM EST
    I will try that next time.

    Parent
    Thanks, agin, but it still gives me trouble (none / 0) (#112)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:58:34 PM EST
    and I saw something upthread that may explain why:  Do I have to revert to HTML text?  (I had to switch to plain text to be able to paragraph.)

    Parent
    How to Link. (none / 0) (#117)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 04:13:53 PM EST
    To link, with apologies if it's too basic:

    -highlight the URL of the web-page that you want to link to.

    -copy the URL ("edit" then "copy").

    -come back to TL and write something in your "Comment:" box.

    -highlight the word(s) in that comment that you want to be the link.

    -click the "URL" button above the "Comment:" box, it's the button that has an icon that looks like links of a chain. That brings up a link box, and your cursor is automatically in it.

    -hold down the "Ctrl" button on your computer's keyboard and then type "v". That copies the url into the link box.

    -click "OK."

    -click the "Preview" button below the "Comments:" box.

    -if the preview looks good - ie., the word(s) you selected to be the link are a different color from the rest of the text - click the "Post" button below the "Comments:" box.

    Parent

    I nominate sarc.... (none / 0) (#120)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 05:37:22 PM EST
    for Secretary of Linkage!

    Parent
    If drafted, I will not run; (none / 0) (#121)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 05:40:45 PM EST
    if nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve.

    Parent
    Exactly what I do -- so next time (none / 0) (#123)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 06:33:08 PM EST
    I'll just try on my own to see if the HTML vs. plain text is the problem.  Thanks, anyway.

    Parent
    User Preferences (none / 0) (#125)
    by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 09:38:27 PM EST
    Comments section

    Post Mode

    Set to Autoformat

    Parent

    It worked. (none / 0) (#118)
    by Iphie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 04:33:06 PM EST
    I just tried it on another thread and I was successful, so thanks!

    Parent
    It's not that I'm against movements Per Se ... (none / 0) (#61)
    by Ellie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:38:53 PM EST
    It's just that when I lend a hand, I'd like to get more than a finger back. Even a bit of loose Change would be nice.

    I dunno, maybe I was just hurt by the last movement I joined as an impressionable Yoot. I remember the rallying cry and I responded:

    If you're not in it, you're out of it!


    Were you a "Rock 'n' Roll High School" (none / 0) (#113)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 04:00:32 PM EST
    fan?  The first one, not the sequel?

    Parent
    Truly a guilty pleasure! (none / 0) (#116)
    by Ellie on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 04:11:08 PM EST
    Teacher: Are you students here?
    Ramones: No ma'am. We're Ramones.

    Big weakness, though: PJ Soles and an eighties sensibility. I wish the film was more up front punk or creepy in the Addams Family / Munsters style

    Parent

    Cool. I'll tell the guy who wrote it (none / 0) (#122)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 06:31:35 PM EST
    as I know him well; we grew up together.  So there are lots of Wisconsin jokes in it (note the school colors:-).  Btw, it's based on a true story in Superior, Wisconsin.  Rock on. :-)

    Parent
    Funny thing... (none / 0) (#65)
    by garyb50 on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:01:17 PM EST
    My wife got me into watching Dexter & it wasn't until somewhere around the 3rd episode that I suddenly realized I'd read 2 of the novels a few years before.

    Must read (none / 0) (#67)
    by cmugirl on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:09:48 PM EST
    Turkana, over at LeftCoaster, has a great blog from 3/10 about the releasing of the Clintons' papers from the Clinton Library.

    http://www.theleftcoaster.com/

    I absolutely loved The Wire..... (none / 0) (#69)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:23:29 PM EST
    a better commentary on why sh*t never changes and certain problems never get solved I have never seen.

    Seeing young Dequan(sp?) with the needle in his arm was a real bummer, I so wanted him to find a way out of the cycle.  But realism is what The Wire did best.

    My New Political Obsession (none / 0) (#73)
    by glanton on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:36:41 PM EST
    Has to do with the increasingly loud rumblings of the Democratic nominee being decertified by state legislators in michigan and Florida, absent legitimate primary revotes.

    This would of course put the nail in the Democrats' coffin and set the table, perhaps, for another half million Dead People over the next four years, and perhaps even bring about a draft, as McCain must have a draft at his disposal in order to substantiate his declared eagerness for escalating Iraq while duking it out with Iran, Syria, and Venezuela simultaneously.

    Yet, there is something intrinsically noble to the idea of Michigan and Florida delivering this blow to the DNC.  Once and for all the primacy of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada would be made into a national laughingstock.

    This likely won't happen though. Politicians are not artists, after all.  But we can take heart in this:  Yes, the insurrectional Democratic Primary has all but guaranteed a McCain victory and four more years of bloodlust.  But at the same time, once and for all, what is left of the Democratic Party after the coming debacle may well come to its senses, and never again let its fetish for identity politics and personalities overwhelm its respect for endgame.  Never again will a campaign as openly hostile to the Democratic Party as Obama's, get this far from inside the Party itself.  And never again will a Clinton run for President.

    The bad news is, for this to happen, there will be blood. A lot of it.

    Glanton my man.... (none / 0) (#78)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 01:57:01 PM EST
    I'm of the opinion that Obama or Clinton would deliver a quantity of blood to rival McCain.  There is no party of peace from my view.

    Perhaps a McCain victory will in fact deliver what this country so desperately needs...a draft.  Only a draft will mobilize the populace to bring about the changes necessary for a peaceful future.

    Parent

    KDOG (none / 0) (#79)
    by glanton on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:00:08 PM EST
    You have absolutely no evidence from which to assert that either Democrat would kill people like the GOP has and will continue to.

    Did I say the Democrats are a "Party of Peace"?  No.  But that is less the issue than, are they the Party of Bloodlust.  And the answer to that is, at this point, no.

    As for a draft, it's a ridiculous idea.  Forcing that much more people to die for these petty politicians and their adventure fantasies.  What's happening to the soldiers, that they are treated like toys by the GOP, sucks.  But at least they volunteered for it.  

    Parent

    I root for a draft because... (none / 0) (#88)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:19:42 PM EST
    my gut says it will lead to massive civil disobedience.  I know I'd refuse the call.

    Ok, maybe the D's don't have the lust for blood that the R's have, but they spill it just the same.  I seem to remember Bill Clinton was fond of dropping bombs.

    Parent

    The Total Iraq Invasion Death Count (none / 0) (#98)
    by glanton on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:48:39 PM EST
    Nears 1,000,000 as we speak.

    Yes, Clinton participated in the silly Iraq chess game, dropping bombs along the way.  Fine to point that out, so long as the hugeness of the difference is acknowledged.

    As for mass civil disobedience, that's a hell of a gamble to take.  There was mass disobedience as a result of the Vietnam draft, too, but so very, very many died in that silly adevnture, real human beings who should now be comfortably late middle-age, playing with grandchildren.

    There is a moral imperative that the GOP Rule not continue, however deeply flawed the Dems, they are the only tool for that unlodging.

    Too bad the Dems seem more interested in a Beauty Contest than in getting the job done.  

    Parent

    That gamble..... (none / 0) (#103)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:23:27 PM EST
    is the only shot we've got friend.

    Maybe Obama or Clinton wouldn't give us a surge, but they'd let our young get picked off a few at a time in Iraq and Afghanistan with no remorse.

    I honestly don't see the D's getting us out of our quagmires...the complex would never allow it.  I believe the D's are beholden too.

    Parent

    In several of the Spitzer threads (none / 0) (#83)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:11:38 PM EST
    there was some discussion of the money and who got it, iow, how much the hookers were paid. According to The Guardian they got paid about 40%:
    Over the past three years about $1m (£500,000) in takings was moved into the [prostitution ring's] companies' accounts, and in turn about $400,000 was taken out to pay up to 50 prostitutes working in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris and Vienna.


    There seems to a high (none / 0) (#89)
    by jondee on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:22:08 PM EST
    correlation between the experience of early sexual abuse and the later choice of becoming a "sex worker", which is where, Im guessing, the seeming kneejerk claim of inherent victimization comes from.

    Parent
    No arguments from me, (none / 0) (#92)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:26:42 PM EST
    back when I used to listen to Howard Stern every time he would interview a stripper or a porn star, he would ask her how old she was when she was first sexually abused. They all giggled and say "How did you know?"

    Parent
    It may go both ways.... (none / 0) (#101)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:03:51 PM EST
    a friend of mine was sexually abused something awful while in foster care as a kid, he lives off a settlement he got from the state.  He's basically ruined for any chance at a normal sexual relationship because of the abuse...he's fond of the escorts for his physical needs.

    Nicest guy too....really sad.

    Parent

    Considering what he's been through.... (none / 0) (#104)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 03:26:32 PM EST
    the mere fact that he can laugh and smile when we hang out is a miracle to me.

    He'll get by, he's got the help of his friends.

    Parent

    I think the ladies need to.... (none / 0) (#91)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:25:52 PM EST
    renegotiate.  They should unionize:)

    Parent
    The thing that surprised me (none / 0) (#97)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:44:35 PM EST
    was how much time and effort Spitzer put into setting up the "date." Multiple phone calls, bank runs, FedEx or post office trips, etc.

    How can you have that much free time and be a gov? He must really have wanted what he got...

    Parent

    40% (none / 0) (#99)
    by Deconstructionist on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:51:21 PM EST
      of revenue generated is better than most associates in law firms get.  Law firms, of course, have lots of overhead that presumably pimping outfits get by without.

    Parent
    Hollywood-type agents are limited 10% (none / 0) (#100)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:55:36 PM EST
    of what their client earns (by law I think) and mgrs typically take 15% (although both will and do take less if their client has more clout). That said I don't get 40% and I own my biz...

    Parent
    Fallon (none / 0) (#90)
    by waldenpond on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:25:18 PM EST
    Fallon is stepping down.  Anyone got his statement?

    Apropos of nothing in particular (none / 0) (#94)
    by scribe on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:28:13 PM EST
    and Spitzer in general, note both the Spitzers and the McGreevys are wearing the appropriate "public mea culpa confessional" uniform.

    Just saying.

    Talking about Spitzer and alluding to B. Clinton (none / 0) (#95)
    by ruffian on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:34:27 PM EST
    My latest obsession is going to be listening to the talking heads, especially the proBama liberals like Ed Shultz and The Youg Turks, and also Obama surrogates, to see how they subtly and not so subtly talk about Elliot Spitzer in a way that is deliberately meant to remind listeners of Bill Clinton.  Ed Shultz was at it today, complete with the 'what freakazoid kind of a woman would stay married to a man like that?' questions we all heard 10 years ago.

    It's sure to be an episode of Hardball  soon....

    I got that email last night (none / 0) (#115)
    by Cream City on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 04:05:13 PM EST
    with side-by-side photos of Clinton and Spitzer with the faithful wives at their sides.

    I must be on the priority list to receive emails that will p*ss me off.

    Parent

    Hoops for Tent: USD 69 Gonzaga 62 (none / 0) (#96)
    by Dadler on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:43:22 PM EST
    Forget all the other nonsense, my neighborhood university squad is heading to the Big Dance.  They hadn't beaten the Zags in the last 14 tries.  They were coming off a double overtime marathon less than 24 hours earlier, and a game the night before that.  They should've been exhausted.  But the West Coast Conference tournament title is theirs, they get the auto bid, their mid-major conference will get 3 teams in, and some major conference team (perhaps your beloved UF Gators) got knocked off the bubble.  Just give me a little George Mason run in the tournament.  That's all I ask.

    Enjoy your March Madness, Tent.  You need it.  The time and commmitment you put in on this site is amazing and much appreciated.

    Peace.