Thursday Night Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:45:58 PM EST
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A thread where everyone is welcome to comment, as long as they adhere to the rules of the site (the rules of my threads are not operative in Open Threads.)

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< Palin Derangement Syndrome | What Is The Bush Doctrine? >

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Thursday Night Open Thread | 103 comments (103 topical)

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"You stay, you die." (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:59:09 PM EST

Yikes! That's one heck of a storm warning! For that island beach area off Galveston (if I got my geography right)

In other News, Dr, Dean wants my money. Seems he may have composed the letter before Palin was announced. Talks about the Dem convention coming to an end and the Repubs getting ready to start their "more of the same" convention. Ooops.

And some Yankee's tix showed up today. The annual B-days at the stadiums will be the 17th (Yankees) and 22nd (Mets). A last hooray to both stadiums also. {sigh}

Heh (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:08:49 PM EST

i got a letter stating that Alaska was a swing state. LOL. WA and OR too. Maine also. It was funny. Oh and GA where Obama is losing by 18-25 pts depending on which poll you look at.

Parent

They need to produce closer to (none / 0) (#35)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:21:03 PM EST

the mailing. Bulk on the envelopes, bumper stickers etc, and print either smaller time specific batches or go more general (I would say issues, but those change also!) democratic rah-rah stuff.

I thought O pulled out of GA?!

Parent

: he pulled (none / 0) (#59)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:34:21 PM EST

his ads. I don't know if he's closed the offices he had or not.

Parent

That's Texas for ya! (none / 0) (#27)
by txpolitico67 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:15:55 PM EST

Gunboat diplomacy at its finest. Actually there are a LOT of knuckleheads who think because they lived through one of the larger storms (like Beulah or Rita) they can handle any kinda storm. The mayor of Galveston is a tough-talking lady. She's the one telling them that they are on their own and there will be no one around to help them. Nagin said the same thing during Gustav.

Parent

I got a call (5.00 / 4) (#14)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:06:39 PM EST

from the Obama campaign today. He asked me what my complaints were and I told him that Obama can't seem to make a stand on anything. His answer? Go to the website. I said it's worthless because he won't stand up for anything. The campaign worker couldn't even tell me what Obama stood for. This is pathetic. If the people who are his supporters and are supposed to be convincing people to vote for him don't know where he stands on anything it looks pretty darn bad.

oh criminy (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by Salo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:11:53 PM EST

They are still pulling that web site dodge in the general election?

Parent

: Commenters do that (5.00 / 3) (#37)
by waldenpond on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:22:10 PM EST

here. Still. sigh.

Parent
: Yep (none / 0) (#29)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:17:47 PM EST

n/t

Parent

I hope that was just a money call (5.00 / 2) (#19)
by andgarden on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:12:05 PM EST

(assuming that you're still in Georgia).

Parent

: No (5.00 / 3) (#33)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:20:11 PM EST

the guy asked me who I was voting for. I told him nobody. He then asked me why and I told them. He never asked for money.
The guy said he was here in GA and had a GA area code on his phone. Frankly, I don't know why they are continuing to waste money down here. It's like an article that I read today that said Obama is too arrogant to realize he has a problem and is continuing with his "strategy" whether it works or not.

Parent

Curious (none / 0) (#23)
by Lil on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:14:03 PM EST

what made them call you?

Parent

I have no (none / 0) (#34)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:21:03 PM EST

idea. Hunting for votes? Going through voter lists. I've been called 3 three times by them. Once for money and twice about my voting preferences.

Parent

Probably an unpaid volunteer in Georgia (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by andgarden on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:23:12 PM EST

I don't really have a problem with that. I guess it makes sense to have locals call locals.

Still, Georgia locals could probably be better put to use calling Florida or Virginia.

Parent

The money (none / 0) (#43)
by Lil on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:25:03 PM EST

begging makes sense; I'm just surprised they want to know your opinion.

Parent

Maybe (5.00 / 2) (#50)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:29:03 PM EST

they want feedback on why he's doing so poorly in the polls. Maybe they are using me as a textbook example of Hillary Clinton supporters since I donated money to her. Anyway, I told the guy what Obama needs to do. I'm sure it won't filter up to the top. Maybe they were also looking to see how the lipstick bruhaha affected women voters. Could be many things. I didn't ask him why he called. The next time they call I'll ask.

Parent

For the record (none / 0) (#55)
by Lil on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:31:36 PM EST

I am interested in your opinion; I just can't get over the idea that they care what anyone's opinion is. As a Hillary supporter, are you planning to vote for Obama, if you want to say. I am.

Parent

: I'm (5.00 / 1) (#67)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:37:58 PM EST

planning on leaving the ballot blank. Naked on top is my motto right now. Obama could earn my vote but he hasn't asked for it and I don't respond well to the threats from his campaign. When you have someone from the campaign who can't even articulate his stances on issues it certainly doesn't want to make you vote for him. Really, his surrogates and his supporters are his worst enemies.

Parent

I had an Obama canvasser come to the door (none / 0) (#73)
by echinopsia on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:42:55 PM EST

this evening. I usually am happy to sign petitions, so I listened to her until she got to "I'm representing the Obama campaign," then said "I'm sorry, not interested" and shut the door.

The funny thing is that I have a "no religious proselytizers" sticker on the front door, and the first thing she said was, "I'm wondering if that sticker applies to me."

Umyeah, come to think of it, it does.

Parent

: Thanks for the chuckle (none / 0) (#103)
by tlkextra on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:51:28 PM EST

I've stayed away - not wanting to read all the P-bashing. I went through the Primary literally feeling sick from the "meanness" and I'm just not up to going through it some more.

Parent

Time to Axe Axelrod (5.00 / 3) (#17)
by Stellaaa on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:11:42 PM EST

Time for a new Team Obama.

For how many months (5.00 / 5) (#22)
by andgarden on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:13:44 PM EST

have I been saying that Obama's ads suck? I was saying it before it was popular to!

Parent

You're SUCH an innovative (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by txpolitico67 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:19:05 PM EST

commenter!

Parent

heh, ahead of the curve (none / 0) (#40)
by andgarden on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:23:43 PM EST

Parent

sarcasm (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by txpolitico67 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:27:39 PM EST

doesn't convey well online.

Parent

: Oh, it does (5.00 / 1) (#53)
by andgarden on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:29:33 PM EST

But why would I give you the satisfaction?

Parent

Keep Alexrod for hunting down ... (5.00 / 2) (#24)
by Robot Porter on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:14:28 PM EST

Chicago style pizza in every town they're in.

But that should be his only duty from now on.

Parent

Only Axelrod? (5.00 / 2) (#44)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:25:17 PM EST

I think Plouffe should go too.

Parent

"Communications Director" Robert Gibbs (5.00 / 2) (#66)
by esmense on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:37:48 PM EST

needs to go too.

Parent

Burton (5.00 / 2) (#76)
by waldenpond on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:45:58 PM EST

Bill friggin' Burton is the @ss who said Bill would need to clean up after Clinton and is the one who made the @sinine comment slamming small towns when McCain announced Palin.

Parent

: Heck (5.00 / 1) (#88)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:56:03 PM EST

make it short and sweet: Dump them all. They're clueless and over their head. They haven't a clue as how to run against the GOP and McCain has been running circles around them. They should be sued for political malpractice.

Parent

Site question (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by s5 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:31:06 PM EST

Whenever a post has a lot of comments, the comments are no longer grouped into threads. Is this a bug, or is there some way I can view the threads again?

Re: site question (none / 0) (#75)
by skuld1 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:44:53 PM EST

I have this problem using Firefox 3.01. When a thread is closed to replies (usually when it goes over 200 comments), the comments no longer group by thread.

I haven't found any way to get around this annoying problem :(

Parent

suggestions (none / 0) (#85)
by waldenpond on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:53:05 PM EST

Comments close at 200. The reply button disappears and defaults set in so change yours.

Try using the preferences option over on the right or try these suggestions from hillct.

Parent

: Thank you very much!! (5.00 / 1) (#92)
by skuld1 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:03:53 PM EST

I think I found the right setting thanks to your guidance!

Parent

Dumbass move of this year (5.00 / 1) (#100)
by blogtopus on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 12:34:40 AM EST

I always thought I was an absent professor type, but today I finally did something I usually ascribe to complete morons.

I drove away from a gas pump with the damn nozzle still in my car.

Oh dear god I am finally losing it. At least it pulled out without tearing off... How embarrassing! Anybody else recently pull a boner like that?

: Nope, nothing like that. (5.00 / 1) (#102)
by tree on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 05:24:33 AM EST

I did however do the classic glance at my watch while holding a cup of coffee. I would have been able to rinse the coffee out of my blouse sooner if I hadn't been doubled over with laughter at my own stupidity.
It sounds to me like you've probably got a lot on your mind lately.

Parent

I'm surprised (none / 0) (#1)
by txpolitico67 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:50:53 PM EST

there aren't any threads for the Columbia University forum.

Make this one if you like (none / 0) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:52:08 PM EST

I watched for 2 minutes and was bored.

Parent

Actually you're right (none / 0) (#3)
by txpolitico67 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:54:34 PM EST

BTD. I was just surprised in the fact that there wasn't one, is all.

I listened to the tail end of McCain's answers and some of the beginning of Obama's. Kinda like Curb Your Enthusiasm, a little annoying and a LOTTA predictable.

Parent

They both think ... (none / 0) (#4)
by Robot Porter on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:56:08 PM EST

Americans should serve.

;)

Parent

Obama knew the answers . . . (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:02:18 PM EST

he must have cheated!!! /s

although he did allude to the fact he listened to one of the questions earlier, lol!~

Parent

: he didn't need to listen (none / 0) (#63)
by TimNCGuy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:36:03 PM EST

the moderators kept telling him what McCain said anyway.

Parent

Glad (none / 0) (#96)
by Amiss on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:03:02 PM EST

I wasnt the only one, I thought it was me!

Parent

It was essentially (none / 0) (#8)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:02:23 PM EST

An inverse of the Saddleback Forum, where Obama looked less comfortable there, he looked in command here, where McCain came off as in control there, here he seemed lost at times (the whole privatize disaster relief thing was just odd).

Parent

you know how the left has been the... (none / 0) (#6)
by Salo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:59:44 PM EST

...victim of a GOP compliant press for about 12 years or so?

Now the boot is on the other foot with them drooling over Obama and slashing hard into someone like Palin, do you think it'll make a difference at the polls or in terms of likely policy goals such as UHC?

: As far as UHC (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by frankly0 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:15:37 PM EST

goes -- which I consider the single most important and major progressive policy goal going forth -- I happened to note that in Obama's acceptance speech, which was roughly 4600 words long, he devoted 85 words (three sentences) to his UHC proposal.
You can just feel the passion.

Parent

Wasilla Frieds (none / 0) (#9)
by thentro on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:02:27 PM EST

http://www.wasillafriends.org

I want to become a friend of the Wasilla Public Library! $5 a year. Perhaps they can make it $20 and send out a free t-shirt!

: wrong link. Correct one (none / 0) (#13)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:06:20 PM EST

here

Parent

Here's a what-if... (none / 0) (#10)
by badguppy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:04:07 PM EST

If McCain wins and it's Palin vs. Hillary in 2012, who would win?

I assume Clinton would. (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by Salo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:12:56 PM EST

16 years of one party rule from the Whitehouse? no sirreeeee

Parent

YOu'd think (none / 0) (#28)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:16:56 PM EST

But By then Palin would essentially be a more charismatic more experienced version of Hillary, it'd have to be a pure issues campaign for us to win.

Parent

Not (5.00 / 2) (#41)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:24:00 PM EST

if McCain is the disaster that he's likely to be. Frankly, if Obama was running against Cheney what do you think the polls would be saying? VP are much easier to tag with the current administration than a candidate who happens to be in the same party.

Parent

: Re: Obama vs Cheney (none / 0) (#72)
by skuld1 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:42:15 PM EST

Obama would probably win every electoral vote if he was running versus Cheney ;)

Parent

never thought I'd say this (none / 0) (#11)
by thereyougo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:04:32 PM EST

but, since McCain named Palin his VP pick, I am definitely going to vote for Obama.

That woman scares me like no other. Only thing going for her is those glasses and tight skirts and trust me guys look at that first and forget the rest.

I'm honestly curious. (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by lansing quaker on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:05:57 PM EST

What scares you about Sarah Palin?

I really don't understand the "Sarah is SCARY!" sabre-rattling.

Parent

uhhh (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by waldenpond on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:10:45 PM EST

She's a Republican? Some people are surprised a Repub is on the Repub ticket. It absolutely can't be the 'inexperienced' issue.

Parent

What scares me about Palin now (5.00 / 4) (#38)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:22:53 PM EST

after seeing the interview is how quickly she is becoming tangibly palatable along with her fresh new media rockstariness. She is smart and savvy and she represents the ticket and the party that has no economic answers for myself and my family during the worst economic crisis in America since the Depression. She is very general election palatable though in ways I did not expect and that frightened me tonight.

Parent

and she should be home taking (1.14 / 7) (#56)
by thereyougo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:32:01 PM EST

care of her down's syndrome child and her pregnant daughter too!

If my kid was unmarried and pregnant and was going to run for the 2nd spot in the nation, people would say, why doesn't she get her personal issues in order before taking on more serious matters that the next administration is going to inherit? And they would be right.

Parent

You're just a precious little piece of work (5.00 / 5) (#57)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:33:17 PM EST

aren't you? Your own mum must be very proud.

Parent

: well said (5.00 / 2) (#61)
by Lil on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:34:36 PM EST

and I'm luaghing my head off.

Parent
: she is. (1.00 / 1) (#64)
by thereyougo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:36:09 PM EST

Parent

Did you learn nothing from (5.00 / 4) (#68)
by waldenpond on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:41:05 PM EST

Murphy Brown? People can do anything.

If my son was pregnant and unmarried and wanted to run for VP, I would say go for it. Ok, let's be honest... I would have a few drinks and then I would say go for it.

hmmm? people can't run for office if they haven't got their personal issues in line? That leaves out everyone.

Parent

: I think with a few drinks I could (5.00 / 4) (#77)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:46:01 PM EST

get onboard too with some unmarried pregnancy happening around me during times of high family focus. Particularly since I was unmarried pregnant and stayed that way long after delivery, about seven years after - and married my true love when I did marry. Maybe we should have champagne.

Parent

is her husband (5.00 / 6) (#70)
by TimNCGuy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:41:34 PM EST

genetically unable to raise his own children?

Parent

: I like you (5.00 / 3) (#78)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:46:59 PM EST

You have enormous potential!

Parent

Am the only one who (none / 0) (#71)
by Rhouse on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:42:03 PM EST

read this as referring to Palins' daughter?

If my kid was unmarried and pregnant and was going to run for the 2nd spot in the nation...

....

Parent

: I think most are filling in the blanks (5.00 / 2) (#83)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:49:57 PM EST

after awhile you get used to reading koolaide induced typing ;)

Parent
: should be - Am I the only one.... (none / 0) (#79)
by Rhouse on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:47:47 PM EST

must have had something in my "I"

Parent

She comes off (none / 0) (#30)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:18:03 PM EST

As a more relgious version of Bush, its frightening.

Parent

Wha? (5.00 / 3) (#46)
by lansing quaker on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:26:35 PM EST

No, really. I'm going to milk the open thread for all I can get.

What, exactly, has Sarah Palin ever said or done that makes you think she's "More Religious" than George Bush?

George Bush called for a constitutional amendment to "protect marriage."

Sarah Palin vetoed legislation that would ban same-sex partnership benefits for Alaskan State workers.

I really don't see anything in her policy record that indicates she is "more religious" than Bush.

Parent

To me she does (none / 0) (#86)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:54:48 PM EST

She did the Same Sex thing under court order, adn issued a statement explaining that, she basically pushes his policies in terms of Abstinence only and Creationism, but actually attends a church and seems to beleive, Bush at least to me always seemed to be using the fundies, while she is one, she's like Huckabee.

Parent

: And? (none / 0) (#101)
by lansing quaker on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 01:57:28 AM EST

Palin could have shouted "ACTIVIST JUDGES!" or signed the AK GA bill into law and slapped it back to the courts.
She didn't.
What this demonstates -- to me -- is that Palin respects the role of the courts. She respects seperation of powers.
To say "I disagree, but this is the court's decision" is honestly a position of integrity. "The voters should decide on same-sex public benefits"? That's "democratic."
She has never advicated an anti-gay, anti-evolution, anti-sex ed policy while in office.
You're making liberals like us into thought police. The day Palin talks smack our sounds radical(!) on these issues, I'm all yours.
But she never has. She is more interested in economic reform and energy independence.
All the social issues are red herrings. If she wanted to be the "church lady" she could have been. She never has. And this is what freaks the Netroots out.

Parent

Really? (5.00 / 2) (#80)
by LatinoVoter on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:48:51 PM EST

That's odd. I have yet to hear her say she wants to expand the Bush faith based programs or put out mailers about her faith.

Parent

She has said she doesn't think they (5.00 / 1) (#87)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:56:02 PM EST

should be expanded. Obama on the other hand . . . {sigh}

Parent

I know, that's my point. (5.00 / 3) (#91)
by LatinoVoter on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:02:47 PM EST

Barack has come across way more religious than Palin in a fake way. And in my experience the most dangerous are those fake Christians who have something to prove or who are compensating.

His religious flier during one of the primaries where he says he was "called to serve" or some such ridiculousness really was outrageous. Those of who have religious backgrounds know what "called to serve" is code for. And any person who think G-d called him to serve should be nowhere near the White House.

Parent

: btw (none / 0) (#95)
by LatinoVoter on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:34:54 PM EST

I hope my title "I know, that's my point" doesn't come across as snotty or snarky. I was just re-reading it and wanted to make sure that didn't come across like that.

Parent

Wow, that wasn't sexist at all (5.00 / 3) (#25)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:15:09 PM EST

Parent

yes, well the truth is sometimes sexist (2.00 / 1) (#69)
by thereyougo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:41:06 PM EST

its all in the eye of the beholder.

Put her in a cotton sears catalog dress and flats.

I'd like to see the guys salivate to THAT!

Parent

: Somehow I'm thinking you and I run (5.00 / 5) (#82)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:49:42 PM EST

with different sorts of guys. I'm just guessing here though.

Parent

Some of the same guys who are afraid of (5.00 / 1) (#84)
by hairspray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:50:02 PM EST

Palin were afraid of Hillary. I don't think it was Hillary's skirts though.

Parent

Taxes (none / 0) (#20)
by dead dancer on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:12:53 PM EST

I heard on the radio the other day (potus or npr or ? ) that the average federal income tax paid over the last several years is a little less than 6%.

Any one have any idea if i heard this right?

If my church suggests a 10% tithe (not that i donate that much); where should we be on federal taxes?

I keep hearing the no more taxes mantra and was just curious what others thought.

: could you rephrase? (none / 0) (#42)
by DFLer on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:24:38 PM EST

less than 6% ...of what? I assume you mean % of income, heh?

Parent

what is going on with gas? I've had three (none / 0) (#31)
by Teresa on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:18:41 PM EST

people call to tell me gas is going up $1 tomorrow. Is this just in Texas or due to the hurricane or just one of those rumors that gets started?

The trend should actually be down eventually (none / 0) (#36)
by andgarden on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:22:08 PM EST

I wonder if you can short retail gas. . .

Parent

Oil prices are going down. Gasoline going up. (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by DFLer on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:27:07 PM EST

because of fear of refinery shutdowns, yes, in TX.
So reported MSNBC biz channel today.

Parent

: Here's one link re that (none / 0) (#51)
by DFLer on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:29:20 PM EST

Gassed

Parent

My husband just got back from filling up (none / 0) (#62)
by Teresa on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:35:24 PM EST

two cars and two work trucks. He said the owner of the station told him it's true. They went up thirty cents today and should be $1 by tomorrow. I checked an article about Ike and it said the same thing. I hope it's just an over reaction.

Parent

bastards! (5.00 / 2) (#65)
by Lil on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:37:36 PM EST

Parent

: And following on the gas hike heels (5.00 / 1) (#74)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:44:48 PM EST

grain and dairy.

Parent

Not sure of the amount (none / 0) (#45)
by nycstray on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:25:59 PM EST

but I did hear it was/could go up due to Ike

Ike pretty much is filling the Gulf which means production got shut down. Whether that really effects our prices, who knows.

Parent

Here in Fort Worth, TX (none / 0) (#47)
by txpolitico67 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:26:36 PM EST

gas has gone up about a dime. Surely will go up during the weekend.

I was just watching the news on weather.com. What is worrying to me is that the remnants are supposed to pass thru HERE Saturday night.

We have a few thousand of the evacuees here already. We are about 4 hrs away from Houston, so between us, Dallas and San Antonio, there are a LOT of displaced Galvestonians and Houstonians.

Hope that the storm doesn't do the damage they are predicting.

Parent

Ike (none / 0) (#52)
by mmc9431 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:29:23 PM EST

Is heading right in the path of the major refinery. Even though it was built to withstand a hurricane, there won't be any power to operate. Any excuse to prop up their meager profit margins! (snark)

I sure wish Obama would be more aggressive on energy. These twenty year programs aren't very encouraging. We need a bold initiative from the gov.The technology is here. We need someone to force the issue now. The economy won't stabilize until energy prices do.

Parent

2 days ago it was 3.85 in San Francisco (none / 0) (#58)
by thereyougo on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:34:17 PM EST

one of the most expensive cities in the US

Parent

: Cheap! (none / 0) (#93)
by mmc9431 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:04:17 PM EST

It's 3.98 in Chicago burbs and higher than that in city because of the city tax.

Parent

Most ignored angle (none / 0) (#60)
by indiependy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:34:34 PM EST

So far I find it interesting how little talk there has been about the new and younger voter dynamic. Yeah, it's easy to say people count on that and it never comes through. But are the dynamics really the same?

With as close as the vote has been in 2000 and 2004, the ability to shift things one way or another doesn't take much. So if even a small percentage of the massive amounts of new registrations come through it will have a giant impact.

Now take in to account the X factor of technology. Yes, the internet and cell phone were around in previous elections, but not in the same way. In 2004 text messaging use was low and social networking sites had not taken shape. Now these are used by millions of people of all ages, but especially almost everyone who turned 18 in the last 4 years. Reminders to vote are going to be instantly distributed to millions through text messages, Facebook notes, etc. this year. If it get even just a small amount to go to the polls the impact is huge.

: This is a fallacious (5.00 / 2) (#81)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:49:17 PM EST

argument because it ignores all the other demographics out there. Young people are only one part of the puzzle. You have to realize that Obama is behind Kerry with older Americans, who are much more likely to vote, is losing the "soccer moms" to McCain. Obama is not holding the same percentage of democrats that Kerry held iirc.
I understand the GOP is doing massive voter registration too. Kerry did it in 2004.

Parent
: Just because something hasn't happened yet (5.00 / 3) (#90)
by esmense on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:00:33 PM EST

doesn't mean it won't ever happen -- but the Democrats have been talking about and predicting a huge turnout of young voters that would favor the left and totally change the political dynamic for almost 4 decades now (some well respected consultant -- was it Fred Dutton? -- wrote a book about it in 1970).
Perhaps this generation of young voters really will turn out to be more engaged that the Boomers or Gen X. But, personally, I wish the Democrats this time around had based their strategy a little less on expecting the unprecedented (huge youth turnout) and a little more on respecting the demographic that has proven to be the decisive swing vote over the last several election cycles; women.

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: Youth (5.00 / 2) (#94)
by mmc9431 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:11:22 PM EST

If Obama succeeds in bringing in the youth I would gladly get behind him. They need to get involved. The problem I see is that the polls aren't reflecting the millions of new voters that his campaign has been flaunting. Dem's were ahead before any of this push to register, now it's all even. The math doesn't work.
His appeal to the youth was his anti war stance. Now that he's turned to the right I wonder if they're still seeing him in the same light?
Another scary prospect is that they went to the rallies because it was "party time"!

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: polling (none / 0) (#89)
by waldenpond on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:59:15 PM EST

polling includes cell phones. Obama did worse than polling in the primaries. Hopefully this has improved for the GE. Also, polls showed new registrants supported Obama 47% and McCain 44%. Additional... my neighbors/ relatives are on the net and/or use cell phones (ages up to 92/93) so they aren't all technology challenged, even if net has more impact over written/teebee.
Just need to wait until all is said and done to see how it shakes out.

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Misleading absentee ballots (none / 0) (#97)
by Amiss on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:35:00 PM EST

"Misleading" absentee ballot applications are being mailed out by the McCain campaign to registered Democratic voters in purple states. The return addresses are inaccurate, as well as other information. "Misleading, lying" mailers are going out in Florida and other purple states. It's a caging tactic.

LINK

I saw this story first at MYDD. Looks like we are in for another whirlwind this year.

: Also in Cincinnati Enquirer (none / 0) (#98)
by Amiss on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:39:14 PM EST

About one-third of the absentee ballot applications received at the Hamilton
County Board of Elections have been ruled invalid because Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign printed a version of the form with an extra, unneeded box on it.
In a narrow interpretation of Ohio law, Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner says many of the McCain forms have not been completed properly. If the box stating the person is an eligible elector -- or qualified voter - is not checked, Brunner said, the application is no good.
Even though the box is unneeded, by not checking it voters are essentially admitting they're not eligible, Brunner said.
LINK

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If anyone in Seattle is interested in ice cream! (none / 0) (#99)
by shoephone on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:45:15 PM EST

I received this email today:

Congressman Jim McDermott and Dave Hernandez of The Shins at Launch of BARACKY ROAD ICE CREAM this Saturday
Molly Moon's to Donate Proceeds from Sales of the Flavor to DEMOCRATS WORK
SEATTLE, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 - Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream will introduce Baracky Road this Saturday, Sept. 13 in celebration of the 2008 presidential race. Between 1 and 3 p.m., all proceeds from the sale of Baracky Road Ice Cream will benefit Democrats Work, a national organization dedicated to connecting grassroots Democrats with community service projects. Seattle-based Democrats Work (http://www.democratswork.org/) has mobilized over 3000 Democratic volunteers at more than 130 service events in a dozen states since it was founded in late 2006.
Dave Hernandez of The Shins, John Roderick of The Long Winters, King County Councilmember Dow Constantine, and Congressman Jim McDermott will be on hand between 1 and 3 p.m. to scoop all of Molly Moon's gourmet flavors. Additionally, guests of Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream will have the opportunity to donate to the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign.

Molly Moon's is at 1622 N. 45th St. Seattle (just east of Wallingford Center). Personally, I think it would be worth going just to see Dow and Jim working behind the counter, scooping ice cream...

Thursday Night Open Thread | 103 comments (103 topical)

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