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Saturday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 12:08:52 PM EST
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RIP Bernie Mac.

Big Tent Democrat is taking the weekend off from blogging. I'm taking the day off. I'm not sure what TChris is up to.

Here's a an open thread for you. Keep it civil and I'll be back in time for tonight's Olympics. Hopefully, we won't have "technical difficulties" like we did last night from a rain storm. Neil Young:

Look at Mother Nature on the run in the 20th Century.

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    Saturday Open Thread | 103 comments (103 topical)

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    My thoughts and prayers (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by jeffinalabama on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 12:11:22 PM EST
    go out to the Mac family. So young, so talented.

    Bernie Mac.....R.I.P. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 12:34:11 PM EST
    May your family find solace during this terrible time....you gave us alot of laughs :)

    link

    Hillary (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 01:26:09 PM EST
    "Anyone who voted for me or caucused for me has so much more in common with Senator Obama than Senator McCain," Senator Clinton told her cheering audience in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson. "Remember who we were fighting for in my campaign. We may have started on two separate paths, but we are on one journey now."
    Hillary, always the good soldier... (none / 0) (#25)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:56:09 PM EST


    Parent
    In fake pearls and a navy suit. (none / 0) (#29)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:58:58 PM EST


    Parent
    This was one time Hillary didn't hit the (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:01:04 PM EST
    mark...the outfit and accessories were too Barbara Bush...yikes!

    Parent
    Well, O likes those Republicans ;) (5.00 / 3) (#34)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:10:47 PM EST


    Parent
    Most likely Obama campaign (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:30:53 PM EST
    is vetting her choice of clothes, words, and jewelry.

    Parent
    nycstray/oculus....I like the way you think!! (none / 0) (#51)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:33:21 PM EST


    Parent
    Hey, we're having fun. Nothing else (none / 0) (#54)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:42:26 PM EST
    happening.

    Parent
    nuttin' else happening?! (none / 0) (#68)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:55:01 PM EST
    I have quite a bit, just procrastinating  ;)

    My body is talking to me from this morning's activities and I can't quite figure what I did yesterday that has my calves awake today :/   I NEED to be in the kitchen according to my brain. Body isn't listening yet, lol!~

    I wonder if they have a hook offstage for when Hillary starts getting passionate and starts sounding like Hillary?

    Parent

    Exactly (procrastination, that is). (none / 0) (#71)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:00:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Not likely that Hillary (none / 0) (#74)
    by Fabian on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:04:20 PM EST
    and Michelle will wear the same pantsuit!  :D

    (Just so long as it isn't some awful red white and blue thing like (Mean) Jean Schmidt wore.  Was she ever an embarrassment!  Fortunately for Ohio she's a 100% GOP embarrassment.)

    Parent

    OY! Scary outfit! (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:10:49 PM EST


    Parent
    FIRST GOLD MEDAL FOR U.S.A. IN (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:45:44 PM EST
    SABER FENCING....

    Caught a bit of beach (5.00 / 0) (#70)
    by Fabian on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:58:59 PM EST
    volleyball(women's).  My high point of the 2004 Olympics was women's volleyball(standard).  It was just amazing.  Sure it's amazing when you see a single person compete at world level, but watching a whole team do that as perfectly as humanly possible - just mind boggling.  Humbling, too.

    I'm not sure why gymnastics doesn't do it for me anymore.  Maybe it's because some sports come with too high a price.  

    Parent

    I'm waiting for China's crew teams. (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:03:32 PM EST
    Pre NPR, a vast amount of money has been invested in crew, not a sport in which the Chinese traditionally compete or, of they compete, they don't rank.  But, the rowers say the pressure to win is stressful.  

    Parent
    I'm a bit shocked (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Fabian on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:07:39 PM EST
    that they couldn't do much about the pollution.  Couldn't they shut down enough factories?

    Parent
    Now that rowing has been (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:12:56 PM EST
    mentioned, I'm wondering about where they will be rowing. Some of their rivers are downright frightening (and toxic!)

    They're having humidity also, which really sucks when the air quality is already poor.

    Parent

    A new venue I believe, but (none / 0) (#88)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 06:44:59 PM EST
    some problems with one of those really invasive weeds, which people were pulling by hand.

    Parent
    Ah, thanks! (none / 0) (#100)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:49:21 PM EST
    There's some very beautiful areas in China. Last year someone on our Dal list took a bike ride* through the country with her boyfriend and Dal. They blogged it with pics and it was a fun thing to read. Many areas looked more suited for the Olympics than the city, lol!~

    * I made that bike ride sound casual, it was anything but! I'm sure my Dal would enjoy it, me not so much. Some of the mountains were incredible though.

    Parent

    Clinton supporters efforts (5.00 / 0) (#96)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:43:09 PM EST
    to ban caucuses in the party platform were defeated.

    But the fight continues

    If they can get this done, it'll be a very good thing!

    WTF?! (5.00 / 2) (#101)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:57:52 PM EST
    the Democratic National Committee's platform committee Saturday ruled that such an idea doesn't belong in the party platform.

    I hope they didn't say that with a straight face! Geeze, if I was in a caucus state this year I wouldn't have been able to participate. It was the week before Market Week for the Home Goods market. I was cat napping my way through the 2 weeks prior. I had enough time to walk to the school a couple blocks away during what I know is a slow time (been voting there for years), but go through the BS of a caucus?! I think not. Would have cost me a pretty penny and possible a major client.

    Parent

    as someone from a caucus state (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by Little Fish on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:12:24 PM EST
    I never want to go through that again. It was disorganized, undemocratic and a downright clusterf***.


    Parent
    Jeralyn has always said (3.00 / 2) (#38)
    by txpolitico67 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:20:23 PM EST
    you got something to say, start your own blog.  That's what I did.

    not Bernie (none / 0) (#3)
    by DandyTIger on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 12:35:17 PM EST
    Oh dear. What a great comedian and I loved his work. The good die young indeed.

    More on Kwame Kilpatrick (none / 0) (#4)
    by cmugirl on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 12:41:07 PM EST
    The Windsor Star is reporting that Kwame Kilpatrick was spotted poolside in a swimsuit at a Niagra Falls water park on July 21 - two days before the trip to Windsor that got him in trouble.  His legal team is looking into it, but said it was probably a continuation of a trip to upstate NY that was approved by the judge.  LINK

    Which begs the question - if he got permission to travel out of state for other business, why not this little saunter across the river and minutes from downtown Detroit?  In fact, according to reports, he didn't even really need permission - he just had to let the judge know he was going.

    Because he was out on bond. (none / 0) (#5)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 01:15:52 PM EST


    Parent
    This was really sad (none / 0) (#6)
    by Steve M on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 01:23:58 PM EST
    In 2007, Mac told David Letterman on CBS' "Late Show" that he planned to retire soon.

    "I'm going to still do my producing, my films, but I want to enjoy my life a little bit," Mac told Letterman. "I missed a lot of things, you know. I was a street performer for two years. I went into clubs in 1977."
    That quote caught my (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:39:14 PM EST
    eye also.  Poignant.

    Parent
    Too young (none / 0) (#8)
    by Little Fish on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 01:34:42 PM EST
    50 is too young. My thoughts are with Bernie Mac's family today.

    So, BTD, there is nothing (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 01:44:36 PM EST
    worth posting about this weekend?  Seems to be an accurate assessment, actually.

    I think Jeralyn said BTD is taking the (none / 0) (#60)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:46:14 PM EST
    weekend off from blogging.

    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#61)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:47:24 PM EST
    There is plenty worth posting about.

    There is no interest in those subjects at the moment.

    Monday hopefully we will get back to the issues that matter.

    Parent

    I think the coast is clear now. (none / 0) (#63)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:48:11 PM EST


    Parent
    I disagree (none / 0) (#66)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:52:59 PM EST


    Parent
    Prescient. (none / 0) (#84)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 06:00:57 PM EST


    Parent
    Are you talking about the Edwards' affair? (none / 0) (#116)
    by bridget on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 11:10:33 PM EST
    You think it should have remained a private affair?

    You don't think the Obama campaign and Clinton campaign knew about it from the v. start? Of course, they did. Did Hillary use the knowledge to hurt him? No. No matter the lies and innuendos he kept piling on her. He is a true hypocrite.

    John Edwards was never President material IMO.

    I find it absolutely irresponsible from the mainsteam media that they kept it from the general public for all these months. Thruout the primaries they let him go on with his nasty negative campaign against Hillary - and ONLY her.

    Weeks ago (thanks to Counterpunch) I heard about that email from the LATimes editor telling folks not to write about it btw.

    It's unbelievable.

    Parent

    Snippet from NYT: (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 01:57:06 PM EST
    On Tuesday, the DNC plans to hold what it calls a national day of action to paint McCain as a captive of Exxon Mobil.
    Cheney Bill (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by jedimom on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:05:10 PM EST
    That should generate an interesting response since Obama voted for that Cheney Energy Bill and McCain did not (despite what Obama's ads say)..I think it is a mistake, they are opening the door to this issue again and it is an issue the GOP is winning. Gas prices are going down and this Tuesday event will re-energize the GOP on the debate..

    Parent
    Yep (5.00 / 0) (#17)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:23:11 PM EST
    it is an issue they should stuff in the closet. Obama voted for that horrible bill and there's nothing that he can do to change that.

    Parent
    According to the linked article, (none / 0) (#19)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:37:40 PM EST
    Exxon employees have contributed more to Obama campaign than to McCain's.  [I have no idea whether this source is reliable.]

    opensecrets

    Parent

    Oh geez, (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:45:20 PM EST
    this makes that whole idea even look more stupid. I swear, this convention is starting to look more and more like the GOP 1992 convention. A party split, raging fundamentalism. All we need is one or two crazed speeches to match them as it stands now.

    Parent
    I have to wonder if Obama keeps (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:09:28 PM EST
    trying to smear people with the "takes money" angle, how long it will be before his money trail is revealed. Edwards did it a bit in a debate pointing out that he had more Pharm money than Hillary. And then there's all these big money fund raisers he's having with both his and Hillary's supporters. How much footage is out there of him making comments about her contributers?

    Parent
    Stupid is as stupid does.... :) (none / 0) (#28)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:58:51 PM EST


    Parent
    Employees of Exxon donating (none / 0) (#33)
    by indy in sc on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:10:19 PM EST
    is not the same as the company donating.  The oil industry has given three times more money to McCain than Obama.

    Parent
    doesn't matter (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:24:27 PM EST
    all one needs to do is spin a basic truth eg. more employees from Exxon donate to Obama than McCain into something more eg. more donations from Exxon go to Obama than McCain and Voila! you've muddied the point beyond where most people are going to dig for the actual truth.

    In the end, Obama has the appearance of having not told the whole truth about his ties to the oil industry and his Day of Attacking McCain via Exxon Mobile backfires.

    Parent

    To simpletons (none / 0) (#92)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:22:19 PM EST
    eom

    Parent
    simpletons? (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:12:39 PM EST
    try most Americans who are too busy to frequent sites like TalkLeft

    your condescension has been noted, though.

    Parent

    Company donations are illegal under the (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by tree on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:15:28 PM EST
    FEC Act. All legal donations reported are individual donations.

    Parent
    McCain donations are laundered (none / 0) (#93)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:24:55 PM EST
    through the RNC and 527's, which have no limits or larger limits.  

    That's why McCain's "public funding" policy is a joke, and good reason for Obama to opt out.

    Parent

    The same rules apply to the DNC. (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by tree on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:31:47 PM EST
    This is not new. There is no excuse here for the Obama campaign to suddenly "discover" that the public funding he approved of months ago is now "tainted". That's pure spin.

    Parent
    Yes there is (none / 0) (#108)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:52:56 PM EST
    Obama discovered a way to fund a campaign mostly with with contributions from individuals instead of special interests - averaging $68.  That's a better definition of public funding than what the FEC offers.

    Parent
    Again, you don't seem to understand. (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by tree on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 09:22:22 PM EST
    All campaigns are funded by individuals. It is illegal for a company to donate to a campaign.

     Obama is just as beholden to wealthy donors as any other candidate. His campaign simply falsely portrays his campaign funding as being largely from little donors when it is not.

    See here for his bundlers.

    Here's an article on bundlers and what they do.

    Here's his Mega-donors.

    And see here for a definition of Mega-donor.

    That site (Public Citizen) has good information on the importance of public financing of candidates. I suggest you read it, rather than just uncritically swallowing campaign talking points.

    Parent

    Simplistic perspective (none / 0) (#90)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:19:50 PM EST
    Obama and many other Democrats voted for the bill because it was the only energy bill likely to come out of the GOP Congress, and they managed to insert some healthy funding for R&D on clean technology.

    Parent
    Yes your perspective (5.00 / 2) (#97)
    by RalphB on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:45:29 PM EST
    is very simplistic and I would assume also through copious kool-aid.

    Mega-billions of tax breaks for big oil for a few buck of R&D was a very bad deal, and virtually every other Democrat realized it.

    Parent

    Springs on me and (none / 0) (#107)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:49:00 PM EST
    glue on you, but the bill was going to pass without Obama, and the Democrats were fortunate to have inserted some funding for clean technology and alternative fuel.

    It passed in the Senate 85 to 12.

    Parent

    Fact check (5.00 / 4) (#112)
    by Steve M on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 09:04:35 PM EST
    The 2005 energy bill passed 74 to 26.

    It's funny, at the time there was not a single person in the liberal blogosphere who argued in favor of this bill.  Ever since Obama started running for President all these fans have suddenly come out of the woodwork, talking about how great the alternative energy provisions were.

    Parent

    The funding on real clean technolgy was (5.00 / 2) (#99)
    by tree on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:48:25 PM EST
    pathetically anemic. What it really boosted, besides breaks for oil companies, was ethanol production and "clean coal", neither of which are truly clean.

    The same goes for the 2007 bill, passed when the Dems controlled Congress. I'd love to believe that the Dems are less beholden to corporate interests, but so far they haven't proven it.

    Parent

    Well, since the O camp is (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:38:22 PM EST
    very good at doing what they accuse others of, I hope they have all their ducks in a row.

    I love the way all the crap is coming down while he's on vacation . . . lol!~

    Parent

    This may lead to a permanent vacation (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:58:25 PM EST
    if he doesn't pay attention....back to Chicago...one way ticket.

    Parent
    Oh, one could only hope! (5.00 / 0) (#85)
    by NO2WONDERBOY on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 06:31:05 PM EST


    Parent
    yeah baby!!! (none / 0) (#98)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:48:12 PM EST


    Parent
    What crap? (2.00 / 0) (#91)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:21:20 PM EST
    Do you have a link to some problem for Obama that has developed?  All I see is good news - especially regarding the Clintons and the way the convention is shaping up.

    Parent
    Edwards (5.00 / 0) (#95)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 07:42:11 PM EST
    next up Clinton and McCain while "Mr Above It All" is outta the picture (unless his commercials are invading your Olympic coverage, D@mnit!)

    Parent
    Huh? (none / 0) (#110)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:57:12 PM EST
    It's a bad thing that Clinton is aggressively campaigning for him while he's on vacation?

    I see.

    Parent

    I think she is referring to the release of Clinton (none / 0) (#111)
    by Teresa on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 09:04:09 PM EST
    campaign e-mails that are going to be released this week.

    Parent
    nope, no problem here (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:16:25 PM EST
    'cept for maybe the recent Pew Poll which showed a surprising 48% of Americans sick and tired of hearing about Obama (compared to an anemic 27% who feel the same about McCain).

    But with a healthy swig of kool-aid, I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to spin it into something detailing how omnipotent and Great Obama is and how, with him still struggling to get out of the MOE in many Polls, he's still a "shoo in".

    Parent

    If that's a problem (none / 0) (#109)
    by Ennis on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:55:54 PM EST
    then it's a good thing Obama is on vacation.  The man is a political genius, and he's back to a 5-point lead in the Gallup daily tracking poll.

    Parent
    political genius? (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 09:13:13 PM EST
    yeah, if you consider offending 18 million voters and insisting you won't talk with those who aren't supporting you to be political genius, then okay.

    And 5 points in a Gallup poll isn't much when the MOE is 2 points.

    Parent

    Race-baiting sub thread deleted (none / 0) (#18)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:33:36 PM EST
    Commenter is warned -- it's a bannable offense here.  Allegations of playing the race card are considered baiting by me because readers here won't discuss the topic without insults and character attacks. I'm not going to wade through comments looking for offending ones. If you want to discuss it, please do it elsewhere.

    in the future, (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:54:56 PM EST
    Jeralyn, you may want to find another title for these so-called "Open threads".

    The email I wrote to Mr. Blow which you deleted was in no way "race baiting".  It was a discussion about an issue we face more now than ever before in recent history.  I figured the "Open thread" was the best place to share it.

    Guess I was wrong.

    Whatever.

    Parent

    ccpup...it does seem as though what you (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:03:00 PM EST
    can post on here is gets more and more restrictive sometimes.

    Parent
    I can understand and appreciate (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:13:51 PM EST
    the Moderator's attempts to find balance and keep things on-topic and respectful.

    But to be accused of race baiting is a serious charge and one thrown around way too often these days.  The nanny and cook who basically raised me would be howling with laughter at me being accused of such a thing.  It's highly improbable that what I wrote crossed the line into something inflammatory.  Perhaps there were Comments?  I'm not sure.

    As for Open Threads?  I referenced an Op-Ed in today's NY Times, responded to it in a reasoned, intelligent manner and included it here for feed-back.  An Open Thread was the most appropriate forum for it, or so I thought.  And, as I always do, I followed Jeralyn's rules about playing nicely (or some similar sentiment).

    Now I'm possibly a racist?  Go figure.

    Now, what's that about coming together in Unity to vote for The One?

    Parent

    Your letter was well written and well reasoned. (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:22:39 PM EST
    Maybe J thought it was too long for inclusion as a comment?  

    Parent
    perhaps (5.00 / 3) (#41)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:27:01 PM EST
    if that's the case, calling me long-winded -- a strong possibility -- wouldn't have cut as deeply as accusing me of race baiting.

    Ah, it's water under the Unity Bridge by now.  And my vote for Obama is less and less a possibility than ever before.

    Accusations carry consequences, a point well-intentioned, reasonable, fair people seem to forget sometimes.

    Parent

    From Jeralyn's (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:33:43 PM EST
    post I get the message that there really wasn't anything offensive that you said per se, it's more that the issue makes threads devolve. Anyway, I think it says something if Democrats have such a problem discussing this issue then it's a huge problem with the larger population.

    Parent
    which leads me (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:49:44 PM EST
    in something of a circle back to my initial response to Jeralyn about whether or not these ARE, in fact, "Open Threads".

    If the issue is handled with tact, intelligence and patience, people can discuss it and not have to mop up blood afterward.

    I agree that she indicated I didn't necessarily say anything offensive, but she then followed it with a suggestion I may have been "race baiting" preceded by a Warning.

    That's what I found both troubling and offensive.  I'm over it now and still enjoy TalkLeft and the work Jeralyn does, but the I don't know what the consequences of that accusation will end up being down-the-line.  

    Words like that wound, especially if one is innocent.

    Parent

    Think back to the Pastor who shall not (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:44:48 PM EST
    be discussed here.  IMO the open threads, and most others, do go off target pretty quickly and if J isn't available to moderate her site, she is being proactice.  Makes sense.

    Parent
    I would agree except for the title (5.00 / 0) (#75)
    by Valhalla on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:05:09 PM EST
    of Jeralyn's comment.

    I think that moderating when there are so many topics that are hotly discussed is very difficult.  I have thought about volunteering to moderate a la Waldenpond but frankly do not believe I could be even-handed.

    However, I've been thinking much on the notice principle inherent in due process.  I know this is not a govt site and of course the Constitution does not apply.  But I'd like to make a plea for the principle applying.

    Just what constitutes race-baiting versus a discussion that includes race is something that should be made clear.  If the rule is no discussion of race, period, because people can't discuss it politely, ok.  Just let everyone know.  But I have tried to determine what constitutes race-baiting here based on which comments are deleted/identified, and it does not seem consistent.  Or maybe a better way to say it is that the definition seems to be growing to encompass more and more comments that are just discussing race, or that only comments that raise race in conjunction with certain people are deleted.

    It is a serious thing to call anyone a race-baiter.  When commenters level accusations at each other, that's one thing.  When a moderator does it, it carries a lot more authority and seriousness.

    Parent

    Well, I abhor the racist/race b.s.....and (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:21:56 PM EST
    YES much of it is just plain b.s..  There are those who do come on here to take offense at anything that can remotely be skewed to be about racism.  To my mind, they are the ones doing harm.


    Parent
    I am starting to worry about that myself .... (none / 0) (#115)
    by bridget on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 10:38:12 PM EST
    I had several posts deleted on Thursday I think it was ... and couldn't figure out why. I was quite upset when I later found out I had written all those posts in vain.

    I respect Jeralyn a lot and like TL and my fellow bloggers here. But I don't want to waste my time and energy writing comments just to have them deleted afterwards.

    Parent

    sigh (none / 0) (#35)
    by Fabian on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:11:49 PM EST
    I was hoping we could have a discussion!  I had a nice little comment there too talking about framing and rejecting bad frames.  (Which I thought that quote was an excellent example of.)

    Parent
    I guess it's (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 03:15:07 PM EST
    more step lightly as to not bruise The One.

    Oh well.

    Parent

    Odd thoughts... (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Fabian on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:49:08 PM EST
    My kids have discovered the Muppets Take Manhattan and Miss Piggy has a great number where she sings about her life's goals.  This is the unstoppable Miss Piggy so she has enough ambitious goals to fill several lifetimes.  What's fun about the number is that everyone singing backup enthusiastically endorses Miss Piggy's grand plans.  Not a single one scoffs.

    The first time I heard it, I was laughing.  Then I realized that such a strong, brazen female is rarely accepted in our culture.  Miss Piggy is fictional.  In reality, there are few Miss Piggys - but I am sincerely grateful for each and every one.

    Thanks, Hillary!  (And all you other "Miss Piggys" out there.)

    Parent

    1984 Olympics: first time females were (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:53:00 PM EST
    permitted to compete in the Marathon.  

    Parent
    I disagree; but, then, I don't (none / 0) (#26)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 02:57:52 PM EST
    leave 'til Monday!

    where you off to? (none / 0) (#52)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:34:21 PM EST
    hope it's someplace you really enjoy.

    :-)

    Parent

    Edinburgh. Can't wait. (none / 0) (#53)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:40:13 PM EST
    So rainy, though, that the apartment I rented is unavailable due to continued leaking from above so the rental agency is substituting in one closer to town.  Yeah.

    Parent
    Do you see haggis and fried snicker (none / 0) (#55)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:42:38 PM EST
    bars in your future?

    Parent
    Think: single malt, lots of great music, (none / 0) (#59)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:46:07 PM EST
    and my off-spring's choreography (Fringe).

    Parent
    Will do....gotta be better than haggis :) (none / 0) (#62)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:47:25 PM EST


    Parent
    Oh, WOW.... (none / 0) (#86)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 06:32:19 PM EST
    Will you still be there for the Tattoo in September? (Do they still have that?)

    My daughter was 18 months when we where there. I dressed her in full tartan, and we took her to the Edinburgh Castle where she was swarmed by tourists for photo ops.

    The food was horrible.


    Parent

    The Tattoo is also on this Aug. (none / 0) (#87)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 06:43:10 PM EST
    but is totally sold-out.  

    Parent
    You two are teasing the cat while (none / 0) (#47)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:04:20 PM EST
    he's away.  

    maybe (5.00 / 0) (#48)
    by ccpup on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:07:04 PM EST
    'cause we don't wanna get scratched?

    :-)

    Parent

    I deleted all references to me in this thread (none / 0) (#57)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:45:06 PM EST
    Generally speaking, my moderation is not a fit subject for comment.

    e-mails to Jeralyn or myself are the proper way to voice your displeasure with my moderation.

    This is not the 209th time I have stated this.

    Please respect this rule of the site.

    Shoot. I was going to say that you are (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by MarkL on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:58:02 PM EST
    the best moderator in the blogosphere, but I'll have to keep that to myself.

    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#72)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:01:31 PM EST
    Keep it to yourself.

    No comments period on the subject.

    E-mails.

    I am tired of explaining why.

    The answer for why now is "because I say so."

    Parent

    Ok, now go back to your break! (5.00 / 0) (#77)
    by MarkL on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 05:09:38 PM EST
    See you Monday.

    Parent
    Tragic developments in Southern (none / 0) (#89)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 06:52:35 PM EST
    Southern Ossetia, which borders Russia on the north and Georgia on the south.  I was in the former republic of Georgia when it was part of the former Soviet Union.  Lush, agriculturally productive, wine, song, dance, beautiful people.  Didn't seem like Moscow was exerting much influence then.  Gori, Stalin's birthplace, was in Georgia then.  Now it is in Southern Ossetia and under siege.  Very sad.
    Not sure why Russia cares; maybe the oil pipelines, or the fact the U.S. is providing arms to Georgia.  The population is primarily Christian.  
    I was wondering why Russia went in (none / 0) (#102)
    by nycstray on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:04:07 PM EST
    they were air striking civilians from what I understood on the news report. One thing to strike a base*, but it looked like they were just hitting people in their homes.

    * I'm not cool with air strikes, but if you're going play military, leave the people in their homes alone.

    Parent

    West coast folks...are you seeing this live (none / 0) (#106)
    by Teresa on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 08:21:24 PM EST
    portion of the Olympics or will you only get tape delay? I don't want to spoil any live events in Jeralyn's upcoming Olympics thread. Not that anything has happened yet but I want to be prepared.

    nycstray...I remembered the Puppy Games last night. I put my two little dogs on the bed near the TV and you would have laughed your butt off at them barking at the TV. It was funny.

    Saturday Open Thread | 103 comments (103 topical)

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