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Saturday Night Open Thread

(Guest Post by Anita Thompson)

Hi. It's Anita Thompson. I'm sitting here in my hostess's spotless new living room as we make plans to go to dinner. So... Please forgive me for taking the lovely Jeralyn away from you for the evening. She smiled and asked me to put up tonight's open thread. So have fun posting, as we look forward to reading your comments when we return.

We have Hunter's favorite drink mix here to sip while we read: Bailys Irish Cream with a splash of Chivas. "It's the drink that's always good." he liked to say. It's called a Bif. I'm sure so many of the times Hunter and I would watch Jerri on TV while cheering her on, there were Bifs on the counter. So have fun with the open thread, and if you can, enjoy a Bif too. Your friend, Anita Thompson

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    tonight i am so sad. dr debakey is dead. (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by hellothere on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:27:31 PM EST
    in houston he was one of the greats. he made the medical center what it was and introduced open heart surgery. he was instrumental also in working with washington to bring the va hospital here and sent the residents over there on rotaton. my step father was at methodist and had a heart episode. he would have died if he had not been at methodist at the time. can you believe he was 100 years old and only left medicine in his 90s. we were so lucky and he had a good life. rest in peace, sir.

    He was 99 (none / 0) (#6)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:33:58 PM EST
    My dad was really proud cause he had Lebanese ancestry.  

    Parent
    long day! i guess the glasses were (none / 0) (#7)
    by hellothere on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:35:51 PM EST
    dirty or something. there was much to be proud of for your family and for all of us. sigh!

    Parent
    I totally admired him. (none / 0) (#10)
    by zfran on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:42:59 PM EST
    Obama leads Congressional Dems Charge to the Right (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by Dan the Man on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:02:30 PM EST
    Link

    "As they begin to march in lockstep with Obama, Democrats have eschewed tactics designed to rev up their political base for the fall election.'

    "Democrats are concentrating instead on bills with broad appeal among Democrats, independents and centrist Republicans."

    "In addition to throwing his support behind the compromise intelligence bill, Obama has spoken out on the importance of personal responsibility and family values and emphasized his patriotism, all themes that  Republicans tend to sound during election years. Obama has also called for federal assistance to faith-based social programs and recalibrated his rhetoric on the Iraq war."

    He's moving right (none / 0) (#46)
    by tnjen on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:04:48 PM EST
    ...on all the wrong things. What is wrong with him? I can understand his new stance on guns (that's an electoral winner) but the rest of his moves don't seem politically wise.

    Parent
    What the heck is a (none / 0) (#49)
    by wasabi on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:21:30 PM EST
    centrist Republican?  Are there any?  So we are going right-right and stopping short of far-right.  That'll teach em.

    Parent
    LAT: Obama & McCain - Centrists (none / 0) (#78)
    by Josey on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:22:12 AM EST
    We are all Appalachians again! (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Cream City on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:50:10 PM EST
    on the History Channel, which is rerunning that great special on the Scots-Irish and the culture they built in their beautiful mountains.  (If you have Tivo, you can go retrieve it from the start.)

    I saw its premiere but am enjoying -- and learning so much from -- it again.  

    How is it? (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by tnjen on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:48:33 PM EST
    I hope it shows more than just the Scots and Irish. Appalachia is much more diverse than just those two groups.

    Parent
    Oh, it does -- (none / 0) (#47)
    by Cream City on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:10:15 PM EST
    it talked about all the ethnic groups that came together there and added more to the mix.  Me, with family there, I'm partial to the Italians who came late, but gave us West Virginia's pepperoni rolls.:-)  And then one married a Scots-Irisher and is one of my fave in-laws.

    It just started with the Scots Irish since they were first -- and put such a strong stamp on the culture there with the music, etc. . . . which became the music of this country.

    It's really a sweeping historical survey covering centuries, and I know how hard that is to do and yet maintain a theme and varied threads.  It's very well done for that.  But as with any survey course, it does make me yearn for a full series!

    Parent

    Excellent (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by tnjen on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:27:26 PM EST
    I love the Scots and Irish but too often that's all anyone talks about when they reference Appalachia. It's great that they're talking about other groups as well.

    Parent
    scots and irish dominate (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptainAmerica08 on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 04:45:18 AM EST
    appalachia? makes sense now... :)

    Parent
    Hehe (none / 0) (#79)
    by tnjen on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 06:35:35 AM EST
    ...in some areas that might be more true than you think.

    Parent
    I'll have to look for that (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Nadai on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:13:11 PM EST
    My ancestry is largely Scots-Irish - the mountains of NC on my dad's side, the mountains of WV on my mom's, going back to the 1700's.  Some of the most stubborn people on Earth, and I'm a true daughter.  :)

    Parent
    I am a die hard Hillary supporter (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by kenosharick on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:55:04 PM EST
    who swore up and down I would never vote for Obama- but deep down I thought I would come around and vote for him in the end. But- it ain't happening!!! If anything, I am becoming less likely to vote for him as time goes by. I'm sure that I am not alone and all of those expecting an Obama blowout in Nov. might be in for a terrible shock.

    Kenosharick....rock on!! (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:02:23 PM EST
    Sometimes I feel the same way but (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by cpa1 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:30:50 PM EST
    Republicans are really stupid and their manner of running government is what makes the next best sound byte.  They are shallow and they just don't care.

    Obama stooped to some low levels in this campaign and I have hated him for it, but to fight these Republicans you have to be tough and nasty and he is all that.  

    It's too bad that the Republicans have to be fought and broken rather than debated because they never give up.  It's so surprising they picked such an imbecile like Bush to be their nominee in 2000 because Republicans, almost all of them, can talk without thinking and they can go on forever.  Part of that is because they are built without a conscience.

    So, as bad as we think Obama is, he is not as bad as the Republicans.  Also, I would love to see some hearings on what Bush and Cheney did and that will never happen under McCain.  

    On another note, I can get an AT&T upgrade in 2 weeks (I have the A700 sync)and I would buy an I-Phone 3G if there was a simple way to keep time records on it for billing.  Any ideas?

    Parent

    I'm sorry, but (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by weltec2 on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 01:44:16 AM EST
    "I would love to see some hearings on what Bush and Cheney did and that will never happen under McCain."  

    That's not going to happen under Obama either.

    He's just going to say... It's time to move on. He has no more spine than Nancy or Harry.

    Parent

    I don't know because (none / 0) (#80)
    by cpa1 on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 07:24:39 AM EST
    I think it has to happen.  I think we need to know from where we came and all those things that affected energy policy, Iraq and the economy.  Nancy Pelosi has been a disgrace and Harry was never a great liberal.

    You can reach across th isle and at the same time separate Bush and Cheney from the Republican Party because as bad as the Party is they are not as evil as those to disgusting bastards.  I think Obama should do that from day one.  He can say it's a new day and that the GOP cannot be held responsible for High Crimes and Misdemeanors committed by the last administration.  Give THEM that choice.  Are you for change and coming together or are you laying in bed with Bush and Cheney.  Give them a choice.

    Parent

    cpa1- In the last few elections (none / 0) (#82)
    by kenosharick on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 10:07:29 AM EST
    I was able to enthusiastically support and vote for Clinton, Gore, and Kerrey. I do not want to have to vote for "the lesser of two evils" as you suggest. I want better.

    Parent
    Yes (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by weltec2 on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 01:40:15 AM EST
    I am 100% in the same place.

    Parent
    Cheers Anita! (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by Steve M on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:57:03 PM EST
    Best wishes from all the TL commentariat.

    Anita and Jerri.... (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by oldpro on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:20:35 PM EST
    go to Digby's and check out the post re the movie/Hunter....fyi...

    Hey (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Lil on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:21:54 PM EST
    I'm leaving on the Rosie O'Donnel cruise tomorrow for a week. What am I gonna do without TL for a week? My brother brought some Smirnoff over so I'm toated and wondering if Obama will have a VP by next week, when I get back.  I hope it's Hillary or else we might be voting for her in 2012. I'll miis you guys/gals. Anyone else going on the r-family cruise. Take heart...6 months till Bush is gone!

    are they filming it as they have some (none / 0) (#56)
    by hellothere on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:30:03 PM EST
    cruises in the past? i watched one. it sure looked like fun. have a good trip.

    Parent
    Thanks hellothere, (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Lil on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:33:44 PM EST
    they filmed for the original, which I was on (the virgin cruise). I'm sure they will video it but I doubt they will make a film out of this one.

    Parent
    Anita and Jeralyn, ripple on (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by Ellie on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 03:17:18 AM EST
    Hope you had a great night out, and please ripple out to Hunter, perched wherever he's viewing the sights, that the planet feels just a little more askew without him.

    I just have the abiding sense that he'd find a way to check up on matters, as bodhi would and could. :-)

    Is the Bif on ice? (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:22:17 PM EST


    Sorry, cannot do Bailey's (none / 0) (#4)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:30:43 PM EST
    I'm sorry for you. (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Cream City on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:36:12 PM EST
    I love Bailey's.  Or, when I'm not getting a paycheck, Darby's.  Not that I would dilute either grand product of the gorgeous isle with anything, especially anything continental.  Chivas deserves its own glass.:-)

    Parent
    Irish whiskey is fine (none / 0) (#9)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:42:39 PM EST
    cannot do that cream stuff...(oops, cream city) all that lactose thing.  

    Parent
    Relax. (none / 0) (#60)
    by echinopsia on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 12:21:00 AM EST
    "Cream City" has nothing to do with cream. It's all about bricks.

    Parent
    Aww, you remembered (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Cream City on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 02:02:43 AM EST
    the fair clay of my town that turned into bricks so light in hue that they called us "Cream City."

    Sorry, though, for the lactose-intolerant who have to spare more Bailey's for me.  For them, though, I can recommend a Jameson's neat or a Guinness!  Or any of the fine brews made here -- where we made the beers that made the Cream City famous. :-)

    Parent

    Brewery Wars! (none / 0) (#76)
    by Fabian on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 05:16:53 AM EST
    Great Lakes Brewing(true microbrewery) &  Barley's brewpub (not a real pub, but the beer is real enough).

    What have you got?

    Parent

    There was a large group of Aussies males (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:47:50 PM EST
    at a new, upscale hotel bar here during the U.S. Open.  They were all ordering Bailey's on the rocks.  Surprising.

    Parent
    I'm from Texas and that's how I've always (none / 0) (#15)
    by Angel on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:49:23 PM EST
    had my Baileys.  My sister loves Bailey's so much that she named her dog Bailey.  

    Parent
    My favorite way to drink Bailey's? (none / 0) (#19)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:01:39 PM EST
    In a small chocolate liquer cup.

    Parent
    Mmmmm.....me loves me some chocolate (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Angel on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:15:20 PM EST
    with good ol' Irish Whiskey.  

    Parent
    Jameson's. Neat. No other way (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Cream City on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:44:45 PM EST
    as I learned on the loveliest isle there is, lifting my first glass not a mile from where it is made.

    And of course, the glass is best tipped to the tune of "A Nation Once Again" -- as I also learned there.  

    Parent

    Separate those with a double shot of espresso .. (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by Ellie on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 03:09:32 AM EST
    ... and you've talked past my heart and my gut and are broadcasting directly to my soul.

    Otherwise, a quaff I love is the double shot separate by a Nocino (Green Walnut liqeuer) or Nocciola (the Hazelnut liqeuer).

    The Panna di Nocciola (the Bailey's-esque pairing with cream version) is accepted among your finer schools of philosophy as empirical proof that God does exist, but in a moment rather than as an eternal entity.

    Parent

    You would probably enjoy a (none / 0) (#37)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:36:08 PM EST
    recipe I recently tried for flourless chocolate cake.  It includes a healthy does of Irish whiskey.

    Parent
    Bailey's over ice cream. (none / 0) (#77)
    by Fabian on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 05:18:30 AM EST
    Bailey's can make almost any ice cream taste better.

    Parent
    Heh, so did my cousin (none / 0) (#44)
    by caseyOR on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:01:34 PM EST
    and for the same reason .

    Parent
    smile, my sister named her dog bailey also. (none / 0) (#52)
    by hellothere on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:25:42 PM EST
    good taste i guess!

    Parent
    Lovin' the Baileys here too n/t (none / 0) (#38)
    by Valhalla on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:40:23 PM EST
    What's not to love....especially in coffee. (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:49:50 PM EST
    Another great liquer in coffee is Grand Marnier.

    Parent
    So that's how you drink it! :) (none / 0) (#43)
    by Teresa on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:55:03 PM EST
    I was given a bottle of Grand Marnier as a gift and I couldn't figure out how to drink it. I don't like coffee unless is has BIC in it, so I'll try the GM in it.

    Parent
    Teresa...Here's another way to try it.... (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 02:07:07 AM EST
    Cadillac Margarita
    The 'Caddy' of Cocktails

    1 1/2 oz. Gold Tequila
    1/2 oz. Cointreau
    1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
    1 oz. Lime Juice
    Bar Salt

    Garnish - Lime Squeeze

    Rim a margarita or highball glass with lime and coat with salt. Next, fill the glass with ice and set aside. In a shaker with ice combine Tequila, Cointreau, & Lime Juice. Shake well a strain into the glass. Float the Grand Marnier on top, and squeeze the lime and drop it in.

    Parent

    Add a shot of Grand Marnier to regular (none / 0) (#72)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 02:09:30 AM EST
    Margarita recipe for a truly (IMO) great margarita.

    Parent
    Stelaaa! (none / 0) (#54)
    by Lil on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:27:28 PM EST
    been missing you! Heard from Kathy since out girl bowed out?

    Parent
    No, missing her (none / 0) (#65)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 12:46:41 AM EST
    Missing her point of view.  

    Parent
    Heh...how's by you Oculus? (none / 0) (#5)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:31:36 PM EST
    I miss the nights before the primaries.  


    Parent
    Doing great. Just decided to (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:49:08 PM EST
    retire July 31 (if I'm not in trial!).  Trying to figure out how to get to Edinburgh in August.  Have a one-way trip reserved with award miles.  Now how to get back?

    Parent
    Hop a freighter (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Democratic Cat on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:54:32 PM EST
    It's supposed to be a pretty cheap way to travel.


    Parent
    Awesome... (none / 0) (#17)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:52:22 PM EST
    my daughter will be in England, believe it or not, working in a winery.  England has wines.  Maybe you can go visit her and get comped some wine.  

    Parent
    ahhh, one of my favorite cities. (none / 0) (#55)
    by hellothere on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:27:55 PM EST
    i remember visitng the castle where mary queen of scots lived after her second, infamous marriage. his room was up the stairs. that winding staircase! i wondered how he made it down without breaking is neck! i love the scots!

    Parent
    That castle is a must see, but, if (none / 0) (#59)
    by oculus on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 12:08:45 AM EST
    I go, it will be for the Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  Then, the castle.

    Parent
    i was in scotland in september so i missed (none / 0) (#81)
    by hellothere on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 10:03:08 AM EST
    the black watch sad to say. i loved the scots and found them to be very friendly. the trip up from london to edinburgh is a must as the view of the coast from the train is beautiful.

    Parent
    Thanks for the tip re the train. (none / 0) (#83)
    by oculus on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 11:50:39 AM EST
    Ice wound be nice (none / 0) (#69)
    by weltec2 on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 01:46:33 AM EST
    But what is it where you are? It's 112 on this side of the pacific.

    Parent
    Raising a toast to Hunter & Anita.... (none / 0) (#2)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 08:23:13 PM EST
    no worries...carry on.

    Front and Center (none / 0) (#23)
    by Lora on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:16:07 PM EST
    For those here who want the democrat to win in the fall, here is some disturbing news.  Never mind the campaign if your vote can be flipped!

    What did you do wrong? (none / 0) (#24)
    by pie on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:22:23 PM EST
    You wrote a foundation trilogy in a blog comment.

    did he include: (none / 0) (#31)
    by cpinva on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:57:19 PM EST
    foundation

    foundation and empire

    second foundation?

    if not, he should be banned for that alone!

    Parent

    Please review the rules (none / 0) (#25)
    by waldenpond on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:23:05 PM EST
    Comments only.  No articles, essays etc.  Reference a few sentences or statements and then link to the article.

    KISS... keep is short and simple

    Sorry, would this be the correct way to post? (none / 0) (#26)
    by Foundation Trilogy on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:31:56 PM EST
    Sorry, would this be the correct way to post?
    Referring to http://kmtr.freeforums.org/and-then-the-landlord-started-shooting-at-us-t5.html , in which I relate an incident in Oregon that sheds light on Obama's fake "grassroots" support via the "Community Foundation" scheme.


    Parent
    No, that's not correct (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Cream City on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 09:47:42 PM EST
    because you're busting the margins.  And that can mean that this comment to get deleted, too.

    Please click on the comment policy here, please read all the instructions including how to post URLs, etc.  And please don't make the volunteer moderators spend so much time on this for you.

    Parent

    I struggled (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Jane in CA on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:08:07 PM EST
    with appropriate linkage as well until Oculus (bless his/her heart!) gave me these easy directions:

    Copy the url.  Paste.  Surround with[   ]  Put the word you want to highlight inside the first bracket next to the url.  Highlight, preview, post.  Fool proof.

    It really is fool proof!

    Parent

    Jane....I wrote down those instructions (none / 0) (#40)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:48:20 PM EST
    to...soooooo easy

    Parent
    How to link (none / 0) (#34)
    by waldenpond on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 10:13:17 PM EST
    How to link:

    1.    Type a word 'link' (or any word/s)

    2.    Copy the url address that is at the very top of the screen.  (I have the article I am going to link to open on my tabbed browsing.)   

    3.    Highlight the word 'link'

    4.    Click chain link button above the comment box.

    a.     (Note: mine is blocked so I must press my shield, select unblock and press the link button a second time)

    5.    Paste in the url. (the letters http are already in the box so make sure you override them)

    6.    Press preview to make sure you see your word/s in blue

    7.    Press post


    Parent

    Or you can try tiny url (4.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Rhouse on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:03:52 PM EST
    go HERE and read the instructions.  I use it to send links through the mail and at TL when I forget what to do for embedding links.

    Parent
    Thanks (none / 0) (#66)
    by weltec2 on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 01:38:47 AM EST
    Mine gets blocked too. Got it.

    Parent
    Since it's an open thread... (none / 0) (#50)
    by Rhouse on Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:21:44 PM EST
    During the summer months everybody in the family has off on Fridays, so we do "double feature Friday" at the AMC near us (it's our only indulgence this year).  What's everyone seen so far and what are you looking forward to?
    "Traitor" with Don Cheadle looks good, and probably we'll go to see "Tropic Thunder" also.

    What happened to the (none / 0) (#64)
    by waldenpond on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 12:46:12 AM EST
    shorts?  Birds on a wire or the lamps?  Heck, I even like the long coke commercials.  There weren't many previews at the last movie I went to, just commercials.  We wait and rent unless something has special effects we want to see.

    Sorry to hear the first was better.  It's one we would go to the theatre for effects.

    Parent