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Sunday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 08:45:44 PM EST
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Whether it's the Olympics or something else that's on your mind, here's a place to talk about it.

As I was driving around downtown Denver today, it occurred to me how small an area it really is. While 50,000 people aren't unusual for a sports game, the folks all go home afterwards. Next week, they'll be sticking around 24/7 -- especially since so many hotels are miles away. It's going to be very crowded. [More...]

I'm not sure people realize how far the Pepsi Center is from the Convention Center and other areas downtown where events are being held. It's walkable and there are shuttles, but for bloggers schlepping all their equipment from the time they leave their hotels in the morning, it's going to be tedious.

It's not just laptops, but extra batteries, cords, power strips, video cameras, still cameras and more. And some of us will want our makeup and a toothbrush and possibly a change of clothes.

Comfortable shoes can make all the difference.

And that's my thought for the day.

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    Sunday Night Open Thread | 62 comments (62 topical)

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    I think this might be the first night since (5.00 / 4) (#3)
    by Anne on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:15:43 PM EST
    the Olympics started that I might get to bed before 1:00 am...

    America must be exhausted!

    [and I could just cry for Alicia Sacramone; Chinese vaulter lands on her knees, and still gets a high score.  Argh.]

    Thank God for my electric scooter :-) (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by athyrio on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:20:25 PM EST


    As we cruised on our (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by americanincanada on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:22:13 PM EST
    boat today we unexpectedly came across a pod of whales. I just wanted to share. they were about 50 feet from our boat! Once we killed the engines we were able to watch them for several long moments before the departed the area. It was amazing!

    Too bad my camera battery was dead!

    Which coast? (none / 0) (#7)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:23:14 PM EST
    are you on?

    Parent
    I currently live (none / 0) (#58)
    by americanincanada on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 11:35:43 AM EST
    in the pacific northwest, on Vancouver Island. Victoria, BC specifically. We cruise the gulf and San Juan islands most often.

    Parent
    The San Juan Islands are a treasure! (none / 0) (#59)
    by BronxFem on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 05:35:52 PM EST


    Parent
    Lovely.... (none / 0) (#55)
    by Maria Garcia on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 07:48:56 AM EST
    ..I envy you!

    Parent
    Daddy knows best (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by Fabian on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:34:25 PM EST
    strikes again.

    Some Obama supporters(not here) shrug off criticism because they are confident that Obama is busy laying the foundation for a successful campaign.  We'll see that after the convention, they say.

    Faith based campaign, is what I say.  Show me the polls is what I say.  The polls are flawed! they say, even as they cherry pick their own.

    Sigh.  The reality-based community has been replaced by the faith-based community.  Best of luck to them.

    I don't post on any (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Grace on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:48:14 PM EST
    other blogs or boards right now (at least not about political subjects).  

    The Obama fans made me crazy when they first appeared and after a few months of listening to them, I just couldn't take it anymore.  

    Parent

    Even at rahrah blogs (none / 0) (#20)
    by Fabian on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:16:18 PM EST
    people are beginning to notice that Obama's game is weak.  

    I have Glenn Greenwald to thank for pointing out the GOP's MO for winning presidential elections.  I'm always on the lookout for kinds of weaknesses the GOP loves to exploit and Obama has had them from the beginning.  Once the primary was over, the smart thing to do would be do unify the party and to start immunizing himself against the inevitable GOP attacks, especially character assassination.  But the campaign seems stuck in primary mode and the GOP has already started probing for the weak spots.

    It's almost as if they think they can coast on media darling status from the primary and a rock'em sock'em show at the convention.  I hope that's not their strategy.  

    Parent

    I think the Democratic Party (none / 0) (#35)
    by Grace on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:48:07 PM EST
    has been especially stupid this election season.  They let go of their best candidate and chose to go with the "new" product -- the unproven one that was supposed to do wonderful things with no muss and no fuss.      

    It appeared to me (not being a Democratic Party insider) that the party was setting itself up to fail.  

    Parent

    No Clark (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Lahdee on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:56:24 PM EST
    Steve Clemons has a report that General Wesley Clark has not been offered a role at the DNCC in Denver. In fact they don't even want him there.
    Clark was informed by Barack Obama's people that there was no reason to come.
    Barack Obama has just thumbed his nose at a genuine American hero, a proven military commander, the former Supreme Commander of NATO. I'm trying, I really am trying to support Mr. Obama, but if he keeps up this kind of stuff I just might not pull the lever for the top of the ticket.

    What the devil are these people thinking?

    In past, when parties behaved this way (5.00 / 6) (#18)
    by Cream City on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:01:22 PM EST
    to diss the historical likes of Rangel, Clark, et al. . . . the parties were just asking for the rise of rump conventions.  And then third parties.

    Stunning as these behaviors by the New Dems may be to most of us, it's interesting to stop and look back in American history to see how many times that parties and candidates behaved so stunningly stupidly.  Of course, we have had these two major parties for so long now that we don't often have reason to recall the Whigs.:-)

    Parent

    Who needs history (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Lahdee on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:09:43 PM EST
    when instant gratification is but a twitter away. Hey, I hear the Whigs have a great My Space page.


    Parent
    What are they thinking? (none / 0) (#24)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:56:39 PM EST
    They are thinking that they don't want to associate with the US military.

    A better question would be:

    Why are they thinking this?

    And the answer is:

    They believe that the anti-war vote is more important than showing their own General a wee bit of respect.

    It defines them quite well.

    I am surprised that anyone is surprised by their actions.

    Parent

    Interesting (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Steve M on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:20:07 PM EST
    how durable the right-wing narrative is that the Democrats hate the military.

    I mean, dude, the people running the show at this convention are pretty much the same people who ran the show at the 2004 convention, the one that looked like a Veteran's Day parade.

    This is pretty obviously personal to General Clark.  But hey, don't let me keep you from clinging to those adorable narratives until the day you die, if that's what you want.

    Parent

    And the results were?? (none / 0) (#61)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 09:44:45 PM EST
    Like it or not, the results in 04 speak, and the results of these actions speak.

    Parent
    I had to share this. (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by tree on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:28:53 PM EST
    Old woman vs Mercedes convertible. Am I just warped, or is this hilarious?

    Made me (none / 0) (#27)
    by Jjc2008 on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:31:48 PM EST
    laugh out loud.

    Parent
    Paul Krugman has an interesting theory (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by andgarden on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:17:34 PM EST
    here:
    Nor is there any valid basis for the complaints, highlighted in Sunday's Times, that Mr. Obama isn't offering enough policy specifics. Delve into the Obama campaign Web site and you'll find plenty of policy detail. And the campaign's ads reel off lots of specific policy proposals -- too many, if you ask me.

    No, the problem isn't lack of specifics -- it's lack of passion. When it comes to the economy, Mr. Obama's campaign seems oddly lethargic.

    This seems right to me. Gee, I wonder who could join his campaign and provide some passion????

    Know anything about (none / 0) (#28)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:34:51 PM EST
    this Chet, Chit or Chad Edwards? His name was floating around TV today as a possible VP pick for Obama.


    Parent
    Chet Edwards is a stupid choice for (none / 0) (#29)
    by tigercourse on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:39:16 PM EST
    VP and Pelosi is an idiot for pushing him. He's a very conservative, largely unheard of Congressman from Texas. There is no earthly reason to run him for VP.

    Parent
    No way, forget it (none / 0) (#31)
    by andgarden on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:40:49 PM EST


    Parent
    :) Just asking (none / 0) (#33)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:44:30 PM EST
    I had never heard of him before today and he ended up a topic of VP discussion on a program I was half listening to.

    Thought the idea of an Obama/Edwards, Chet, that is, was interesting.


    Parent

    Chet is a talented politician (none / 0) (#36)
    by andgarden on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:49:16 PM EST
    but he's not fit for the national ticket.

    Parent
    As someone who doesn't drive, (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by nycstray on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 01:36:02 AM EST
    I'm a master schlepper :) Luckily, my business doesn't require business dress, so staying comfortable while schlepping and/or hanging out at conventions is pretty easy. I've been a fan of sensible shoes for years, but even more so after walking through Manhattan on 9/11. New sandals, major problem. I ended up bare footing it. After that, never again. I walk a few miles a day with my dog and really like the light weight running Pumas (the shoes!!). The summer weight ones are nice. I'd actually be kinda screwed if I had to look all professional on short notice. I sent all my business clothes and shoes to Katrina charities, lol!~

    Will they have lockers there? Or is there a gym or bus station nearby? Luckily, a lot of stuff has shrunk in size and weight since the days I was schlepping all my computing and camera stuff around, but still . . .  I recently bought a couple of those carts for groceries/laundry and I don't know why I never bought one before! Comes in darn handy when I'm bring about 20lbs of produce home from my CSA, which is a mile away . . . I can't believe I was carrying it all home last summer! Melon days were killer.

    We got so hooked on the (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Grace on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 02:37:42 AM EST
    carts, we ended up with several of them.  

    The first one I bought had two wheels and two stationary legs (it has a square metal wire basket on top, which many of them have).  I DO NOT recommend that style.  The better ones have four wheels -- two in front and two in back.  The reason these are better is because they don't have to be tilted to push or pull.

    We have two big carts (with four wheels) that we use for trips downtown to the wholesale district where we buy tons and tons of things but don't want to have to keep running back to the car.  I've also found they are really handy after major grocery shopping trips -- it's only one trip from the car to the house with a gazillion things.  They are also great for shopping at the flea markets.    

    We have a smaller 4-wheel cart that we use for local trips.  It's small enough to take on the bus.  It's great if you want to buy two 12-packs of soda at the local deli or more than a few things at the local grocery store.  (Our local grocery store is Korean so we can't really stock up on essentials but I do buy a lot of things there.)    

    I also have the standard luggage racks, wheeled bags, etc. but I find we use the carts the most.  

    I've seen people downtown with something that looks like a metal briefcase on two wheels with a handle.  It looks like something you could put heavy small items into (like coins or jewelry) but I haven't figured out where they've purchased these.  I'd like to look at them since I often have heavy small things (like coins and jewelry) and I could use one.  (You can put $1000 worth of coins in your purse but the problem is, your purse will end up weighing 60 pounds.)

    Anyway, I highly recommend checking out the carts!  They are worth every dime you spend buying one because you'll find yourself using it more than you think.  They are incredibly handy.    

    Parent

    Yup. Got the 4 wheelers :) (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by nycstray on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 04:21:59 AM EST
    Got a large one for laundry. In the summer, laundry is less, but I can add in all the pet blankets without a sep trip. And, again, for the produce, it's been great. Especially the day I got my chickens and fruit share along with the produce. I had about 18lbs of chicken, my fruit share and about 15-18 lbs of produce. One week, the church we give our extras to couldn't make it,  so I was able to bring home some of them. I rarely grocery shop, but took the cart and was able to get a couple cases of canning jars, a gallon of vinegar, washing powder and other heavy things all in one trip. My medium cart was about 20 bucks and the large, 30. Got them at the hardware store where I also picked up pounds of potting soil etc, lol!~

    I think part of my earlier resistance was that I live on the 4th floor of a walk up and I would be hauling the stuff anyway. When poultry became available through our CSA, I wanted one so I could fashion a cold storage setup and not have to use a car service. My shoulders are thanking the poultry! And it also saves on having to use bags at the store. I have a few "green" bags, but if you overshop your bags, you have the cart.

    Of course, the moral of this story is I should have listened to mom. She's been telling me for years to get the carts, lol!~ I now have more energy to haul the sh!t up the stairs when I get home ;)

    Parent

    I can't remember what (none / 0) (#50)
    by Grace on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 05:20:17 AM EST
    we paid for all of our carts -- though I know we bought one of the large ones several years ago for $10.  We bought the smaller one and another large one this year but I don't remember what we paid except for that they were under $20 apiece.  

    They cost more to order on the internet but they are large and you have to pay for shipping also.  

    They are incredibly useful to own.  You can haul all sorts of junk around and feel like you haven't hauled anything.  They are worth every dime.

    We see a lot of people using these in LA.  I guess they are equally popular in New York?  I would think they would be more popular in NYC since people don't own cars...  We see a lot of them because we live in an area of LA where you don't need to have a car to survive.        

    Parent

    Someone finally spoke up - (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by echinopsia on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 07:42:42 AM EST
    or at least finally got published - about how the DNC is ignoring secular Dems in their "outreach" to the religious.

    Guest editorial in the Denver Post:

    What about Democrats who are not "people of faith?"

    A good laptop backback (none / 0) (#1)
    by ruffian on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:00:33 PM EST
    sounds like the way to go.

    I had a similar situation on a 3 week business trip. I had to walk a mile and a half from my lodging to the work site, with laptop, paperwork, and yes, makeup and wallet. The backpack saved me.

    Fanny packs are comfortable, too. Takes the (none / 0) (#2)
    by Aqua Blue on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:07:53 PM EST
    stress off the shoulders.

    Parent
    With gas prices so high (none / 0) (#11)
    by Grace on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:37:32 PM EST
    we schlepp a lot of stuff by foot, including groceries sometimes.  We've found a small wheeled cart really comes in handy.  They fold up flat when you aren't using them.  Here in LA, I see people with wheeled carts all the time, even downtown in the financial district.  

    Parent
    My backpack on wheels saved my back (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Cream City on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:57:22 PM EST
    when it went totally out of whack.  Surgery provided relief . . . but the wheeled backpack provided prevention that has meant no recurrence in many years now.

    Some of us in academe have to "schlep" this stuff everyday -- laptops, several books, student papers sometimes in the several hundreds, etc.  And then we stop at libraries to get more books!  And memos, lots of memos, amid junk mail to the max -- especially flyers for, yes, more books!  

    And teachers' closets are filled with sensible shoes, after standing for hours on concrete floors.  And especially so as to not trip going down the stairs carrying all this stuff, and in front of hundreds of frosh. :-)

    And all the wheelie stuff folds up just fine to be a regular backpack or to not get the wheelies caught on elevators.  It's great.

    Parent

    Do you have a (none / 0) (#4)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:20:20 PM EST
    Flip video? I have mine in my purse all the time. It's about the size of a tall deck of cards, and the USB just flips out of the case for downloading.

    Does it have a flash? (none / 0) (#8)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:28:58 PM EST
    How do you record at night?

    Parent
    No flash (none / 0) (#10)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:35:13 PM EST
    I've never tried to film at night, but I am thinking it would do fine if there is some light in the area. It's all very self-adjusting.


    Parent
    I am so getting one of these (none / 0) (#12)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:37:40 PM EST
    Thank you. It says it does low light settings. And,  it has

    bq. integrated video uploading to AOL, MySpace, YouTube, and other video sharing sites

    Parent

    I love mine (none / 0) (#13)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:41:45 PM EST
    gave both of my kids one for Xmas last year, so not much of my little grandson's first 10 months haven't been caught on film by one of us :)

    And it runs off just 2 AA batteries, which last a long time. It shuts itself off after about a minute when not being used, so you don't have to worry about draining batteries by mistake. I always carry spares with me, though.

    Parent

    AND, I forgot (none / 0) (#14)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:48:11 PM EST
    It doesn't take stills, but it is really easy to grab a frame in editing and turn it into a still.

    Parent
    I ordered mine tonight (none / 0) (#47)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 02:41:03 AM EST
    form Amazon, free shippng, 2 days. Can't wait to get it. Thanks again for the tip.

    Parent
    Crocs (none / 0) (#21)
    by Little Fish on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:28:36 PM EST
    have to be the most comfortable shoes I've worn. I resisted them for the longest time because I don't like the look of the clogs  but they've started coming out with more feminine styles. I have the cute little ballet flat-y ones and I love them. I trekked all over DC in them and it wasn't until the very end of the day that my feet started protesting.
    They scare me (none / 0) (#23)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:41:02 PM EST
    after having read some of the horrible injuries people have experienced on escalators because of them.

    Parent
    Olympic Ads (none / 0) (#30)
    by IzikLA on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:39:18 PM EST
    So, I've been watching all week and have been seeing lots and lot of both Obama and McCain ads.  They must be national buys as I am in CA.  I'm wondering if everyone else is finding the Obama ads rather lackluster.  I keep thinking that this is what his campaign should be good at, but yet they are so boring.  It's all white people doing blue-collar jobs and then Obama showing up walking through a plant with his suit on looking completely out of place.  I keep hoping that he and his campaign will do something right in the general election but it is just not happening...

    McCain's ads at least portray what I think they are meant to portray - that he is solid, dependable and an american hero above all else.  

    I'm so confused by this whole entire election season.  I still feel a bit like I am in the twilight zone (I did of course reach the apex of this during the Clinton-hysterics of the primary)...

    I am no huge Obama fan but I don't not want him to lose...

    It's not just you (none / 0) (#32)
    by andgarden on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:41:53 PM EST
    Obama is running the same $h*tty campaign he has been since March.

    Parent
    McCain's ads have certainly aired more, which (none / 0) (#34)
    by tigercourse on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:47:00 PM EST
    is a large part of the advertisement game. Repetition leads to absorbtion. What strikes me is that McCain's most recent ad makes him sound like a Democrat. It's just shy of something Spitzer would have run.

     

    Parent

    Obama's ad shop isn't as good (none / 0) (#37)
    by Grace on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 12:06:57 AM EST
    or as clever as McCain's ad shop is.  

    That "Original Maverick" ad that McCain has on now -- at the beginning, I thought it was going to be an anti-McCain ad produced by Obama -- but it's not.  

    Right now, I think the whole Obama campaign is kind of lackluster.  They appear to be in defensive mode.  

    Parent

    Hasn't the Obama campaign been in (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 12:19:24 AM EST
    defensive mode all along? By design? They baited the field every chance they got, then put out ads to defend themselves.

    Their tactic may have been a big contributor to the current Obama overload being experienced by the country.

    The VP speculation obsession is going to end in a deflated balloon rather than the big bang that would have resulted if he had done this in a timely fashion.

    Obama seems to be the one most bored with the campaign, though. Even the media can't fake it anymore.


    Parent

    Now that you mention it, (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Grace on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 12:44:27 AM EST
    I think you are right.  They have been in defensive mode the entire time.  

    They will never win this election that way.  

    Not only are Obama's ads rather flat and boring, his sound bites lack any sort of punch.  

    I read this in a story today:

    A day after Barack Obama and John McCain exchanged an embrace during a faith forum at a California megachurch, Obama called the U.S. economy a disaster thanks to "John McCain's president, George W. Bush," and chided his Republican rival's campaign team for trying to make him look unpatriotic and weak.

    It's Obama on the defensive again!

    "They are trying to call me a wimp!" said the thin man with sparse brown hair.  "They are trying to call me a wimp and I just won't stand for that!  I'm going to send them a strongly worded letter!"   ;-)  

    Parent

    A big contributor to the frustration toward his (5.00 / 3) (#43)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 01:35:14 AM EST
    campaign was watching the Clinton stump speeches focus solidly on policy and plans for the people and the country, then seeing his where he would focus his dialog on saying his opponent was busy talking about him rather than the issues.

    Her ads were about her, but he claimed they were a slam against him, and his ads were attacks.

    Apparently, his audience didn't notice that he wasn't mentioning issues while he dominated his message with whining that he was being criticized by Hillary. And, since they weren't attending her speeches, they didn't know he was lying.

    With Obama, to get to the truth, one can only watch what he does and ignore what he says.

    McCain isn't letting him get away with it.

     

    Parent

    This is Obama's (none / 0) (#51)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 07:31:16 AM EST
    major problem: He's making the whole campaign personal and not about issues. That's why he's losing because apparently most people see McCain as more likeable than Obama.

    Parent
    That's exactly what I was thinking (none / 0) (#52)
    by echinopsia on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 07:37:21 AM EST
    when an Obama supporter in another thread said picking Hillary as VP would lose him support.

    It's  flat-out declaration that this is a cult of personality, and it's not about the issues.

    Parent

    His campaign has been pretty inept for (none / 0) (#38)
    by tigercourse on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 12:13:45 AM EST
    months now. But in the last few weeks (starting with the European trip) it's really stumbled.

    Parent
    Is that the ad that starts with (none / 0) (#42)
    by nycstray on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 01:17:22 AM EST
    "Washington is broken" or something to that effect? Basically taking Obama's line and making it work . . . I notice that ad every time because of the opening line and the fact it's a McCain ad.

    T Boone's energy ads are more effective than Obama's and he used some of the imagery first. I generally have glazed over Obama's. He's missing the same thing he was against Hil's ad. The connection.

    Parent

    Yes, that's the ad (none / 0) (#45)
    by Grace on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 02:13:02 AM EST
    "Washington is broken."  

    It sounds so much like it would be an Obama ad against McCain but instead it's a McCain ad for McCain.  It's actually clever when you think about it.  

    The only ads I remember of Obama's are the one where he calls McCain a "Washington celebrity" and another one that is on energy policy, or something.  (I dunno.  It's a standard boring campaign ad that says nothing interesting.)  

    The "Washington celebrity" ad is not very good.  It's not funny at all so it misses the punch of the original McCain ads.  

    If I were creating the anti-McCain "celebrity" ads, I would have shown one of those good clips of McCain along with an announcer who says "John McCain wants to entertain you, but he can't sing and he can't dance."  I would have worked for a humorous comeback that wasn't a complete takeoff of the original McCain ads.  (They did that with Hillary's 3 a.m. ad so I'm sure they think that's really a winning strategy but it's not.)    

    Parent

    The only Obama ad I remember is the ad that starts (none / 0) (#63)
    by jawbone on Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 08:04:11 PM EST
    with video and descriptions of American workers and what they can do. It doesn't mention Obama until toward the end--and I have to remind myself it's not some feel good corporate ad.

    Were there other Obama ads?

    Parent

    Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest -2008 winners (none / 0) (#48)
    by Grace on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 02:44:10 AM EST
    I don't know if anyone posted this so I am posting it here.

    I've never sent a contribution to this contest but I'm feeling energized this year and I'm thinking about sending some entries in.  Anyone else want to join me?  Surely there is enough talent here that we could cover San Jose with nothing but bad sentences!

    So apparently (none / 0) (#54)
    by flyerhawk on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 07:48:25 AM EST
    McCain was not so much in a cone of silence on Sunday as not even in the building during Obama's campaign.

    But don't worry because McCain is a POW and POWs never cheat....

    "The insinuation from the Obama campaign that John McCain, a former prisoner of war, cheated is outrageous," Ms. Wallace said.


    Obama changing his tune on soft money (none / 0) (#56)
    by cmugirl on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 08:00:08 AM EST
    LINK


    WASHINGTON -- Facing a large deficit in the Democratic National Convention budget, officials from Barack Obama's campaign have begun personally soliciting labor unions and others for contributions of up to $1 million. In exchange, donors could get stadium skyboxes for Obama's acceptance speech and other perks.

    Obama has regularly criticized politicians seeking large donations outside the framework of campaign finance regulations -- so-called soft money -- while touting the virtues of relying on small donations.

        * Blog: Top of the Ticket
          Blog: Top of the Ticket
        * 2008 electoral vote map
          2008 electoral vote map

        *
          Veepstakes: Who will it be?
        *
          Campaign '08 Daily Newsletter
        *
          O.C. matchup between Obama and McCain is a prelude to debates

    But campaign officials last month reluctantly decided they had to take a hand in raising large donations from individuals, unions and corporations. Some of the donors get special bundles of perks, including use of the party suites at Denver's Invesco Field, as well as special policy briefings by Obama advisors, choice hotel rooms and party invitations.

    What caused the shift was evidence that the Denver Host Committee was having trouble raising the estimated $60 million in cash and in-kind contributions needed to fund the convention, which runs Aug. 24-29.
    sorry (none / 0) (#57)
    by cmugirl on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 08:00:50 AM EST
    forgot to take the ad links out of the quote

    Parent
    Lolo Jones, US Olympic hurdler--wow, what a story! (none / 0) (#60)
    by jawbone on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 07:32:25 PM EST
    I got curious about her and googled--found this story about a young woman born into a poor family who was primarily focussed on college, but was a great athlete. LATimes backgrounder.

    Not only has she succeeded, overcoming obstacles many times, but she remembers where she came from and has donated her winnings to girls' track at her old high school and to a woman who suffered losses during the Iowa floods.

    I'm just so impressed by this young woman. What focus, what drive, what energy. May she succeed in her race--and live a happy and fulfilled life.

    Sad ending to her Olympics--missed final hurdle-- (none / 0) (#62)
    by jawbone on Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 08:00:31 PM EST
    Out of contention.

    I hope she doesn't lose her contract and can continue racing.

    ...Jones, the dominant hurdler in the world, was four-fifths of the way to the finish line and well ahead when she clobbered the ninth of 10 hurdles, staggered through the rest of the race and finished seventh.

    Jones collapsed to the track, curling into a bereaved ball for what seemed like an eternity. She lifted her head and looked at the scoreboard through teary eyes, then pounded the track with her fist and crawled forward, then curled up and cried some more.

    "About twice a year, you hit a hurdle and it affects your race," Jones said. "Unfortunately, it was the biggest race of my life."

    I hope she uses her terrific drive to get over this.

    Parent

    Sunday Night Open Thread | 62 comments (62 topical)

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