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Friday Evening Open Thread

By TChris, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:45:00 PM EST
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Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothin'

UPDATE:

In the latest CNN Poll of polls, the Illinois senator holds an 8-point lead among registered voters nationwide, 49 percent to 41 percent, with 10 percent still undecided.

< McCain Blows Chance in Wisconsin | Newsweek Poll: Obama's Lead Drops >

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    Friday Evening Open Thread | 95 comments (95 topical)

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    TV tonight: "The Clintons Never Quit" (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 06:50:46 PM EST
    at 10 p.m. Eastern on CNN.  Here's some info on it.

    Trying again to make link work:-) (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 06:52:15 PM EST
    Here's some info on it.  Forgot to click Preview to be sure.

    Parent
    Comments there are interesting :) (none / 0) (#61)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:50:47 PM EST


    Parent
    Well, I love the title of this....sort of goes (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by Angel on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:10:03 PM EST
    with the winning t-shirt we discovered yesterday.  I love the fact that they don't quit.  Some see this as a liability, I see this as an asset.  Damn, I wish she were the nominee.  But I have my fingers crossed until the convention in August...

    Parent
    I really enjoyed it (5.00 / 0) (#86)
    by Amiss on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 03:52:27 AM EST
    was a nice change of pace from the flippity flopping by others we have been seeing. It also mentioned that she was not as warm to the idea of veep as she once was. Who could blame her?

    Parent
    Problem is, near the end one (5.00 / 0) (#94)
    by zfran on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:53:16 AM EST
    of the commentators talked about the "sexism" in the campaign and altho' they showed some, she dismissed it and said it was used as an excuse (she was a conservative commentator)for her loss. No one refuted her comments. How utterly sad, they still don't get it.

    Parent
    Yes. Tara Wall of the Wash Times (5.00 / 0) (#95)
    by Cream City on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:11:03 PM EST
    and see the comments below about her performance.

    Frankly, I felt that I had seen enough of these pundits.  Bill Bennett actually gets it about the race-baiting in the campaign, but that's all.  Carl Bernstein is the guy who had a problem with Hillary Clinton's ankles.  Why ask them and Wall yet again about the Clintons?

    There are so many untapped sources, good analysts and historians (but not the overused Kearns Goodwin again, please) and political scientists and others.  This was a "special," so there was time to line up different voices rather than the usual reactive types who just repeated their spiels.

    Parent

    Tara Wall seems like she could be MO's (none / 0) (#96)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 01:55:05 PM EST
    sister...she did not lend much to the conversation.

    Parent
    Lou Dobbs was livid (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 06:56:06 PM EST
    tonight at the inaction of both candidates, but mainly Obama, on doing something about the gas problem. He said at least McCain wants to start drilling, Obama/dems say no. He went on, even if we won't see anything productive for 10 years, if we start next year it will be 11 years, etc. He was yelling!!

    Hillary would have had complete programs for this (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by sallywally on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:29:46 PM EST
    and the rest of the economic meltdown going on now.

    I heard a panel on Air America today debating whether Obama should have any responsibility to provide a program to deal with the economic crisis we're in (he hasn't offered anything, at least as of this afternoon).  

    No way Clinton as the nominee would have left her voice unheard in this circumstance.

    She would be presenting fully thought-out, practical, effective programs.  

    We need her voice badly.

    Parent

    Of course he has a plan. (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by TChris on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:38:56 PM EST
    Obama's economic plan is actually quite similar to the plan that Hillary proposed.

    Parent
    ryan leaf's plan (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by Edgar08 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 02:34:23 AM EST
    to score touchdowns was the same as Joe montana's.

    Parent
    Obama's plans (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Amiss on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 04:01:31 AM EST
    were always similar, as he waited til she and others came out with their plans and then a few days later he would come out with a "similar one" in the majority of cases, at least IMHO.

    Parent
    Trickle Up Economics (none / 0) (#69)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:45:09 PM EST
    John R. Talbott has just written a book about Obama's economic plan. Here is a bit about it.

    Parent
    Why Does Barack Obama Hate My Family (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by bridget on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:00:15 PM EST
    Vilifying Black Men to Win Favor with the Man

    Kevin Alexander Gray (civil rights organizer from S. Carolina)

    http://counterpunch.org/gray07112008.html

    plenty of food for thought in this interesting article

    Perhaps my ears are atuned (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:05:46 PM EST
    differently than some who listen to the "words" and speeches of Obama and swoon. His words have never left me anything but cold. He can read a teleprompter better than McCain, but his words are empty. I hope most in this country want to get beyond the racial divide that exists, however, he is using it, (he's been using it more since he's been running for pres.). He's hoping most people aren't really paying close attention. I hope they are!!!!

    Parent
    Maybe there are more folk out there (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Florida Resident on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:58:54 PM EST
    thinking that way.  Oh well it looks like a long hot summer ahead. I hope he does not FISA some other issue.

    Parent
    If he (none / 0) (#10)
    by Wile ECoyote on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:13:12 PM EST
    gets elected, he will be the man.  

    Parent
    Open left had two interesting front posts (5.00 / 5) (#7)
    by tigercourse on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:11:08 PM EST
    yesterday. One called for supporting a primary challenge to  Edolphus Towns. Progressive Punch says Towns in the 88th most liberal House member. Not bad. They seem to want to back a man with a history of violent outbursts (last incident 4 years ago), many of which were targeted at women. Very strange.

    The other one is more amusing. It's basically arguing that the blogs need to point out that Obama isn't a progressive so they don't get blamed for his policies. I think that's just precious.

    Just saw something posted about Newsweek (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Angel on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:11:52 PM EST
    saying that Obama and McCain are in a dead heat, only three points difference (within MOE, I guess).  I bet if Hillary were the nominee McCain would have already conceded.  heh

    I would love to see a (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by NJDem on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:56:22 PM EST
    'for sh**s and giggles' poll with an HRC vs. JM match--I'd put money on HRC having a significantly wider margin.  I know, I know, but one can hope, right?  

    Parent
    It's July 11th. (5.00 / 6) (#29)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:57:08 PM EST
    Newsweek asks Glow Fading?

    The latest NEWSWEEK Poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by only 3 points. What a difference a few weeks can make.

    When you stand for nothing, no one stands up for you, Senator Obama.


    Parent

    The previous Newsweek poll (5.00 / 0) (#39)
    by Valhalla on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:41:27 PM EST
    was a significant outlier.  Gallup and Rasmussen's daily polling has had them mostly between 2-6 points apart for weeks.

    Like the rest of the media, Newsweek's reporting is just crap.  This article sounds like Axelrod wrote it.  It mentions the flip-flopping, on which it actually has polling data (53% of RV believe he's changed positions), but then goes on blame the recent drop on the joint campaigning with Clinton, citing Obama supporters.  They 'worry' that she "may have done lasting damage to his image as an arbiter of a new kind of politics."

    Um yeah.  His New Coke brand of FISA politics would have had nothing to do with it.

    It acknowledges that the previous poll amy have been in error and tries to justify itself by referencing the other big outlier (LA Times) ("they screwed up too!") without mentioning both were contrary to all other polling at the time.

    Sigh.  This is why I avoid MSM.  Because the sloppy, badly reasoned 'reporting' is just depressing.

    If the poll were trustworthy, it would have bad news for Obama supporters:  McCain lead Obama among independents 41-34%.  But since the previous poll had Obama ahead 48-36%, take heart.  One of them's bound to be wrong.  Or maybe they just typed the wrong name into the results.

    Parent

    Evan Thomas (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by magisterludi on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:59:12 PM EST
    is an assistent managing editor of Newsweek and one of the truly unhinged Clinton-haters. He'll be damned if Obama shows him up by losing the election, after all the work Thomas provided behind the scenes to destroy Hillary.

    Parent
    What the hell does THAT mean? (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Ellie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:38:03 PM EST
    They 'worry' that she "may have done lasting damage to his image as an arbiter of a new kind of politics."

    An arbiter is a judge or ref. Maybe he meant harbinger, an advance agent or sign of what's to come.

    I officially don't care. I'm off a brutal sked and doing a relaxed work load. I'm spending a few hours a week learning some new tech and sharpening some of the rusty tools I already have so I don't completely devolve into ferality.

    Parent

    Ha ha (5.00 / 0) (#84)
    by Valhalla on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 01:12:01 AM EST
    He's a harbinger all right.  

    I bet you're right.

    Parent

    Perhaps he was thinking of "avatar" (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by DFLer on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:20:31 AM EST


    Parent
    And, when you take all sides (none / 0) (#31)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:58:53 PM EST
    to all issues, you stand for neither.

    Parent
    Newsweek... (none / 0) (#49)
    by lilburro on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:03:02 PM EST
    I don't know who does their polling, but they have had some horribly off-the-mark polls this election year.  Pretty much every inch of that magazine is subpar.

    Parent
    I just put up a new post on this poll (none / 0) (#80)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:48:40 PM EST


    Parent
    It's starting... (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by NWHiker on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:11:55 PM EST
    My mother -an OR voter- voted for Obama in the primaries.

    She called me today to tell me I could tell her "I told you so", because she now thinks he's a skunk (or other choice epithets). She was REAL big on FISA and his vote was a major major problem for her.

    She's waiting to see who he picks as VP to decide if she'll vote for him, or vote Green or just downticket.

    A friend who voted for Clinton (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:18:12 PM EST
    in the primary, switched to Obama over Clinton's  gas tax holiday proposal.  The other night she announced she had been for Clinton all along.

    Parent
    Lou Dobbs has said there's (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:18:51 PM EST
    a lot of buyer's remorse on both sides of the aisle. He said the media is just coming around to the real flaws of both candidates. I hope they hurry!

    Parent
    The next few days discussion on Iran (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:19:46 PM EST
    ought to drive a few people over the edge.
    I think Obama will make it clear that the US reserves its right to use nukes, or say something equally hawkish.


    Parent
    But, but, but, what if McCain is a bigamist? (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:22:36 PM EST


    Parent
    At least he has produced his birth (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:23:13 PM EST
    certificate, unlike Obama.

    Parent
    Obama's birth certificate (none / 0) (#34)
    by yerioy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:10:53 PM EST
    Is this an accurate site?

    http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/birthcert

    Parent

    McCain has produced a piece of (5.00 / 0) (#48)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:59:58 PM EST
    paper, not a digital reproduction which has no authenticity whatsoever. I could produce a birth certificate which looks equally valid which shows that Obama was born in Antarctica.

    Parent
    How difficult is it to obtain a certified (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:17:57 PM EST
    copy of one's birth certificate in Hawaii?

    Parent
    Not difficult at all, if you were born in (5.00 / 0) (#53)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:19:37 PM EST
    Hawaii.
    It takes a few weeks.
    What is on his website may well be legitimate, but it is insulting to call that proof, IMO.
    Hawaii will not send out electronic reproductions. If he has something, he has it in paper, which he can show to reporters.

    Parent
    What I don't get is (5.00 / 0) (#71)
    by Valhalla on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:47:59 PM EST
    aren't birth certificates public records?  Did Hawaii lose his?  Or is the media truly so lazy that no one's bothered to mosey down to the local town hall and ask for a copy?

    Parent
    Ask your mother (none / 0) (#36)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:23:09 PM EST
    Please urge your mother to vote for Jeff Merkley in the Oregon race. I totally understand the reluctance to vote Obama, but we must defeat Gordon Smith. Also, if she lives in the OR 5th, Darlene Hooley's congressional district, that is an open race this year. Kurt Schrader is the Dem.

    Parent
    She's in Bend... (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by NWHiker on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:56:23 AM EST
    And I know she'll vote downticket, no problems there. And Dem. It's the presidential ballot that is the issue right now....

    Parent
    Here's to my nephew...he's in Kuwait waiting (5.00 / 11) (#11)
    by Teresa on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:14:59 PM EST
    on his flight home from 13 and 1/2 months in the hell-hole of Iraq. His fourth tour (two shorter ones, one 12 mo. and this one). He has five excited kids waiting on him and my basket case niece.

    Raising my Pepsi to him (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Joan in VA on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:28:53 PM EST
    (wishing it was champagne)!

    Parent
    His request for when he gets home, (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by Teresa on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:30:41 PM EST
    beer, iced tea and mashed potatoes!

    Parent
    My wish (5.00 / 5) (#27)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:49:52 PM EST
    is that he doesn't have to go back.

    I can't imagine how that discombobulates a family.

    Parent

    Lovely news. (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:52:34 PM EST


    Parent
    congrats! (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by Little Fish on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:31:47 PM EST
    and give him my thanks.

    I'm listening to the (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:35:18 PM EST
    Greenwald interview with Jameel Jaffer, the Director of the ACLU's National Security Project.

    Why, oh, why has Congress given the government these powers?

    Those who want to get away with murder will just find another way to do it.

    Are "listeners" the next big thing as far as jobs are concerned?

    Why?  What has this been passed?

     

    I now (5.00 / 4) (#21)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:38:12 PM EST
    know why some of those primary voters in states like PA voted for Hillary simply because of Obama's advertising. I was over at a friend's house today watching a talk show and there were several Obama ads, it seems like one during every commercial break and two back to back during the same commercial break. It was only two different ads but they were played over and over. I swear, if someone had put the touch screen in front of me during that hour or so and said "If you vote for McCain, I'll make them stop" I would have done it without a second thought. Does his campaign realize how irritating it is to run the same commercials over and over and over? Apparently not.

    Ga6th, now that it's an open thread (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:49:03 PM EST
    perhaps, if you wish, you can explain more re our o/t exchange last night about the Georgia vote?  I was surprised that you thought the AA vote would not sufficiently swing it, since I saw that Georgia is (I think) third-highest in the county in AA population at 30%.  Since the next one up is only a percentage higher, will the AA vote matter only in Mississippi, where it's almost 40%?  

    Parent
    I think (5.00 / 4) (#30)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:57:58 PM EST
    the AA population is about 25%. It's not enough. Look no further than Kerry's numbers in 2004. We had high AA turnout with an AA running for the Senate. The reason why Obama won't win GA is because of the white vote. He doesn't appeal to working class whites and there are lots of them here. Kerry got about 25% of the white vote in 2004 and I see no reason for that to change this year and as a matter of fact, Obama will probably do worse than the Kerry did with the white vote.

    The minority vote here in GA is never enough to win. In 2006, the Dem candidate for Gov. got only about 39% of the vote and he did well with AA's.

    Obama won't carry MS either because of his problems with white voters. I believe that MS is about 33% AA which is the highest in the country. Think about it this way: if the AA vote was able to carry the vote in a general election, Dems would have been killing the GOP in the south. It hasn't happened and the odds of it happening this year are extremely slim.

    Parent

    I am in West Georgia (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by kenosharick on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:23:07 PM EST
    watching those same annoying ads. Have you seen the one where he takes credit for single handedly getting people moved from welfare to work, passing tax cuts, and having passed health care for kids? All by himself. Truly heroic.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#91)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 06:51:34 AM EST
    that one is a walking and talking invitation for McCain to blast him. The ad acts like he's already the president or was a govenor or something not a state senator or us senator.

    It's a direct copy of bill clinton's ad campaign in the nineties.

    Parent

    They are going all out in Ga huh? I haven't (none / 0) (#22)
    by Teresa on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:40:45 PM EST
    seen a single one in Tn.(Not that it would matter here but I don't think he can win Ga either.)

    Parent
    Ads constant in Wisconsin (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:46:18 PM EST
    for weeks now for Obama and for the last week for McCain.  And McCain was here today (well, on the west coast of Wisconsin, almost into Minnesota) starting his talks to women's audiences.  

    Media reports show the usual shock that McCain didn't just talk about, nor did women just ask about, "women's issues."  As if the economy and the price of gas and such matters are not issues for us.

    Of course, it being Wisconsin, one of the questions was about Favre.  His future is an issue for a lot of women fans, after all. :-)

    Anyway, that's life again in the closest state last time.  We will be inundated with ads, as ever.  It's good for the local media, anyway -- and that's good for the local economy, as so many are laying off and buying out a lot of media workers yet again.  The economy is awful here.

    Parent

    You know, I just can't understand why (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by Valhalla on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:44:59 PM EST
    Obama isn't talking about the economy.  It's the Democrat's strongest argument against McCain.

    Parent
    He might know as little about it as McCain. (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by tigercourse on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:57:07 PM EST


    Parent
    No way Clinton would not be talking (5.00 / 3) (#70)
    by sallywally on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:45:10 PM EST
    about the economy.


    Parent
    It seems (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:47:23 PM EST
    his whole strategy is to get out the AA vote. I've read where he's given up on the rust belt states and is looking to VA and GA for a win. If that's true, it looks like a sure loss in Nov. for him then. There aren't enough AA's here in GA for him to win. And hoping that Bob Barr will take enough GOP votes is really kind of delusional. Ras has Obama with about 41% of the vote which is about what Kerry had. I doubt it will be any different down here this year and maybe even worse with the FISA thing unmotivating some of his voters.

    Parent
    Heard some media talking today (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:48:37 PM EST
    about some dem votes going to McKinney or Nadar.

    Parent
    Yep (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 07:59:34 PM EST
    and Bob Barr too. Plenty of candidates for disgruntled voters to mark the ballot for.

    Parent
    Oh, rilly? (5.00 / 0) (#38)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:29:12 PM EST
    You don't say!
    <serious snarkitude>

    Parent
    I would vote for the devil before nader (none / 0) (#57)
    by kenosharick on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:28:14 PM EST
    remember that if not for his big fat ego, bush would not be in the WH. AND YES--- I know there were other possible reasons,but the simple fact remains if he had put the good of the nation before himself and faced reality- the country might not be so messed up.

    Parent
    Veggie Garden: Single Serving and more (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:18:19 PM EST
    just a continuation from the closed open thread :)

    Cream City, good idea on the ice cube tray for soups and sauces! I use them for pesto, herbs, juices and broth already. I made some Arugula and Garlic Scape pesto and froze it in trays. Stored in a ziplock in the freezer and handy as all heck when I don't feel like anything but easy/lazy cooking. I also put crushed fresh herbs in trays and add a bit of water and freeze. GREAT for adding to recipes and already chopped up! lemon and limes that I use for recipes that don't need all the juice I add the extra to a tray and freeze. Same with homemade broths. I'm going to try scallions tonight with the herb method. I'll thaw it out in a day or 2 and see how it does. Would be nice to have them handy for Asian dishes and sauces. I can't always get local and/or organic, so must store when they're around!

    to continue on with food...I am allergic to white (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Teresa on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:25:20 PM EST
    flour, yeast and the sweetened with honey wheat pita breads. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can use for pizza crust? I used to be able to eat wheat pita but not anymore and I am dying for pizza.

    Parent
    How about a whole wheat flat bread (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:48:51 PM EST
    recipe and for some sweetness use Raw Agave Nectar? A quick google brought up some very simple recipes :)

    I may even try it! I just got my tortilla press that I will be using for dumplings, pot stickers and other things also. I'm hoping it's also a way to press out some easy mini pizza crusts without the mess.

    Parent

    I'll try that. One of my old bosses was from (none / 0) (#46)
    by Teresa on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:59:07 PM EST
    India and he would bring me flat bread and I loved it! I admire your cooking and canning skills nycstray. My specialty is spaghetti and eating out.

    Parent
    Thanks :) but no canning skills yet! (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:15:53 PM EST
    next week will be my first venture. I've mostly stuck with freezing and dehydrating. I'll still do those, but I'm trying to max my ability to store, so canning here I come, lol!~

    I've found the secret is the good ol' K.I.S.S. rule  ;)

    Parent

    Have you tried Besan and Barley Flours? (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Ellie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:34:00 PM EST
    Besan is a chick pea flour and mixes nicely with whole wheat and barley flour for flat breads. You could also try lima bean flour.

    Irish soda bread uses oat flour. You won't get much leavening out of these.

    Also, have you looked into corn tortillas? (Not sure about the gluten content.)

    Parent

    I haven't Ellie. I have breaded stuff in soy (none / 0) (#68)
    by Teresa on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:40:41 PM EST
    flour. I can eat tortilla shells, I just can't figure out how to get them crunchy enough for pizza crust without frying them. I guess I need to experiment with how long to bake them.

    Parent
    If you have a hot iron skillet and cook slowly (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by Ellie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:06:35 PM EST
    ... the water naturally evaporates and you get your choice of chewy/hot or crispy. Trial and error, and don't use too much oil with these types of flour as they're very absorbent.

    You can also get a pizza-like fix with polenta.

    If you ever see one at a lawn sale, get a cornbread pan which is heavy iron and wedged in six or eight sections.

    Whenever I see a heavy iron skillet of any size, I snap it up for myself or the loyal order of chefs.

    Parent

    Doesn't that affect your stomach? My stomach (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Teresa on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:50:57 PM EST
    is fine. It's my mouth...tongue, throat, etc. They turn white and burn like crazy and my face turns red and sometimes I even get a fever. It's awful. I'm reduced to living on meat and yogurt.

    There's a big long word for it and the only advice my doctor has is just don't eat what hurts. That's not much help because my choices are really getting limited. I'll check that site though. Maybe there is something I can eat!

    Parent

    Candida albicans aka thrush (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:08:46 PM EST
    aka "yeast" infection.

    Most likely explanation.  I know it's easy enough to look up on the 'net but I don't have any concrete suggestions on how to deal with it.

    Some suspects are immune problems and nutrition.  Best of luck.  (IANAMP: I am not a medical professional.)

    Parent

    I got thrush (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by echinopsia on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:20:58 AM EST
    when I started taking corticosteroids (flovent) for my asthma.

    They tell you to report it to your doctor and get a prescription for antifungal medication, but I wanted fast relief - so I did the home remedy thing and gargled with hydrogen peroxide. It wasn't pleasant at all but the thrush was gone in a day.

    Parent

    Butermilk is great for (5.00 / 2) (#88)
    by Amiss on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 04:16:07 AM EST
    thrush and so is sweet acidolophis, look it up on the net.

    Parent
    You know those blanched veggies to do when ... (none / 0) (#72)
    by Ellie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:51:18 PM EST
    ... you're cooking pasta? I throw a medley into a ziplock with grated ginger, a whole peeled garlic clove or two and coriander root for an instant stir fry. Just add to your beast, tofu or noodle. (All you have to do is smash the garlic; I don't even bother mincing it.)

    Roll the back to reduce air. Don't freeze shrooms though: add fresh with celery, onion, water chestnuts. Dinner in ten mins, just enough time to do rice or noodle or heat up a flat bread.

    Parent

    Sounds good, Thanks! :) (none / 0) (#78)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:34:23 PM EST
     

    Parent
    VP (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by Natal on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 08:55:57 PM EST
    I've been an Obama supporter and the way things are going now with McCain running virtually even it's becoming very clear Obama doesn't have the jets. With all the bungles and ridiculous comments by McCain, Obama should be miles ahead destroying McCain in the polls. Solution: make Hillary VP. But I've got a feeling he's got a stubborn side and won't do it despite the apparent need right now to put his campaign into overdrive. I hope I'm wrong.

    You echo this columnist (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:10:26 PM EST
    Marianne Means in some of what you say.  (Did Obama really say "Mrs. Clinton" at one of their joint fundraisers, instead of "Senator Clinton"?)

    Parent
    Thanks. Interesting column. (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Joan in VA on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:46:53 PM EST
    I'm also watching the Clintons on CNN, which I wouldn't have known about if you hadn't mentioned it. It's pretty good-I'm surprised it's fairly balanced.

    Parent
    It is fairly balanced, but (5.00 / 3) (#65)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 10:31:00 PM EST
    I would like to be a fly on the wall when Tara Wall hits her head on the ceiling.  The glass one.  She really doesn't get it.  But I don't get why she is supposed to be good.  She's at the Wash Times, after all, and she's just not in the league of the other commenters.  

    And she has been caught in outright lies in the campaign -- sort of a wannabe Donna Brazile.  What a career goal.

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    She has the amazing ability (5.00 / 3) (#77)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:30:57 PM EST
    to get my jaw to hit the ground in record time.

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    She might hurt him. (none / 0) (#54)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:21:26 PM EST
    Not intentionally, but to many, she just outshines him. IMO, he needs to solidify himself before he picks her (if he does). He needs to be more direct and less moving around on the issues. And not for just one day. I know many would like to see some wonky policy out of him with the desire to fight for it/us.

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    It's just too late. He appears headed for (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:26:37 PM EST
    an epic collapse, IMO. There's just no center in him, in character or politics.

    Parent
    Not sure if it will be epic (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:35:41 PM EST
    but he really needed a different strategy these past couple weeks, imo. Firm up your base (that would be the Dem one!) before the convention and before you go after the religious right!

    Parent
    This is kind of funny. From LA Times. (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:33:48 PM EST
    A Clinton donor/supporter questions Obama about Clinton as VP; then she spills it all to the news.

    Clinton as VP

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    I'm sure he thought he could charm her..... (5.00 / 3) (#63)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 09:56:19 PM EST
    ...into compliance, but believe it or not, some of us really, really, really like Hillary.

    Parent
    I'm getting the sense that he's got more hands ... (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by Ellie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:00:03 PM EST
    ... up his behind than he bargained for.

    Not that he hasn't been a willing player, but now that he's starting to get more heat, his entourage of new BFF's don't seem to be as visible and talking stupid smack, though they're still pushing him to audacious limits.

    Parent

    Sigh. I just don't buy this line (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by Valhalla on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:03:11 PM EST
    the one where Bill is a big fat liability.

    Yes, he's a former POTUS.  But if Obama can't handle working through the 'complications' of that political relationship, how can he handle national security and foreign relations relationships?  Working with die-hard Republican opponents?  (ok, I know the answer to that one - capitulation).  

    Being president is a very tough job and he'll face vastly more complicated issues than Bill.  

    Although speaking of the Big Dawg, he's keeping a low profile these days, isn't he?  I hope he's refused to campaign for Obama unless he deals well and fairly with Hillary over the convention and whatever else she is going on in the DNC's back room.  And if they don't, then I hope the rumors that Bill said he could kiss his butt are true.

    Parent

    The whole issue of the audacity of (5.00 / 4) (#81)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:53:47 PM EST
    the "DNC," read Obama campaign, insisting Clinton pay off X percent of her campaign debt by X date or no name on first ballot:  really, really irritating.

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    Tony Snow has died (none / 0) (#89)
    by cmugirl on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 06:18:46 AM EST
    LINK

    No news as of yet, but it was the cancer.

    R.I.P. (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Steve M on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 06:54:33 AM EST
    He was only 53, he has three school-age kids.  Very sad.

    Parent
    Torture On Demand (none / 0) (#97)
    by squeaky on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 04:52:45 PM EST
    Republican wet dream:
    A senior government official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expressed great interest in a so-called safety bracelet that would serve as a stun device, similar to that of a police Taser®. According to this promotional video found at the Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc. website, the bracelet would be worn by all airline passengers (video also shown below).

    This bracelet would:

    • Take the place of an airline boarding pass

    • Contain personal information about the traveler

    • Be able to monitor the whereabouts of each passenger and his/her luggage

    * Shock the wearer on command, completely immobilizing him/her for several minutes

    I wonder if Torture Yoo was in on this DHS brainstorm.
     

    Friday Evening Open Thread | 95 comments (95 topical)

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