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Saturday Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:20:33 PM EST
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For non-college football topics like, say the Yankees.

This is an Open Thread.

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    Saturday Open Thread | 85 comments (85 topical)

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    Healthcare crisis... (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by kdog on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:44:13 PM EST
    looming in the fam...Columbia Presbyterian is no longer in the network of my sister's health insurance as of Jan 1...and thats where my niece gets her back surgeries every 6 months and all her major care.  My sister is freakin' out...Columbia Pres. saved our angel's life at birth and has been treating her ever since, my sister ain't switchin' doctors or hospitals...no way, no how.  Out of network, even at the good bank they make, will be a back-breaker.  She is hoping when her husband talks to HR at his outfit they can come up with something...he's a fairly big shot who pulls some weight.

    We'll do what we gotta do I guess if they can't get in network coverage at Columbia Pres...already volunteered to help organize a charity football tourney with the teams in my rec league.  Sh*t I'll sell crack or rob a bank if push really comes to shove.

    Hopefully it all works out somehow.  

    Every few years Blue Cross/Blue Shield (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:49:21 PM EST
    notifies us the health care group where I am a patient is not longer on their roster.  Then the health care group lets us all know its all about money and to write BC/BS, which we do.  Presto magico--so far they always resolved their dispute.  Squeaky wheel.  

    Parent
    Good to know... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:56:39 PM EST
    knowing my sister she's probably got the first ten letters written and post-dated already.

    The insurance company bueracrats better hope she she don't come down there, thats all I gotta say...I pity those fools if it comes to that.  My sister is the most like the old man of the bunch ...not one to be messed with, she'll f*ckin' kill ya, not at all a happy go lucky softie like her brothers.

    Parent

    Better remind her about more flies w/honey. (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:58:26 PM EST
    If the carrier wants lower price from the provider and provider wants more $$==negotiation is probably in progress.

    Parent
    Good advice.... (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:02:33 PM EST
    but I don't think my sister has the capability to do honey when her blood is up over her kids.  She should probably let her husband take charge at first, save her fury for the 4th quarter...that'll be my advice.

    Parent
    Big radio advertising campaign (none / 0) (#53)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:15:49 PM EST
    here a year ago where a medical group protested the low reimbursement rates they were getting from Blue Cross (Blue Shield credentials are held by a different company). They went for the jugular and asked their patients to get their employers to go to a different company for medical insurance benefits. Of course, their radio message reached everyone, so Premera was given a big black eye.

    Premera is now doing touchy-feely television ads. I'm sure that has to do with bracing for all the new customers they will get once this HCR bill is signed by the corporate-friendly and beholdin' POTUS.


    Parent

    A good man knows himself (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Cream City on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:10:47 PM EST
    and what he needs from a good marriage.

    I'm going to hope all goes as well for the marriage of my firstborn -- already married in a rush, owing to immigration laws, but now we head off to the belated wedding reception tonight!  So off I go to get into the mother-of-the-groom dress again -- and give my speech again, as well as one from the mother and father of the bride, who are halfway around the world.

    So we both will be thinking of those who wish they could be here, Tracy.  How hard it must be for you and yours today -- but remember, days of joy are ahead for you, too.

    Parent

    Love to hear your speech. Bet it is (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:13:48 PM EST
    full of historical references and boosterism for "your state."

    Parent
    Well, yes, I'm called on to talk (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Cream City on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:01:40 PM EST
    about recent women's history in my state -- and to some of the women leaders in my state who will be there honoring others, yikes.  But it will not be much boosterism, because my state never has been progressive about women, nor is it now.  So I also am to talk about challenges ahead -- interesting for a historian to be asked to do so :-) -- and I will be noting that we have women running for top spots in my state in coming years who already are getting called "flaky" in our local media, which also note that it's fun to make fun of them.

    So I will be calling on us all, no matter our party or not, to not have a state-level repetition of the national debacle last year.  Whenever we allow any woman to be denigrated, it denigrates us all (and "all" includes guys who stay silent, too. . . .).  Well, that's the quick precis for you, saving you half an hour of examples from our First Women to our most recent women here, our local Hispanic and Hmong heroes.

    Parent

    Wait a minute. This is a precis of (none / 0) (#30)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:07:20 PM EST
    your mother-of-the-groom speech?  Awesome.

    Parent
    Ha! Sorry, that's a speech (5.00 / 4) (#34)
    by Cream City on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:20:31 PM EST
    I'm giving tomorrow -- thanks for reminding me to make sure which one is in my fancy purse tonight, and which one is in my book bag tomorrow. . . .

    Nope, the m-o-g speech (in her homeland, everyone makes speeches, even the bride and groom) is mainly a lovely Native American prayer about the four sources of energy in our lives, since my d-o-l works in taking us back to sustainable environments.  

    They loved it in her homeland, as lore from our "aboriginal peoples," as they say there.  So I think that it will resonate here when I bring it back to my hometown -- where the event is near an ancient Native site here.  And then I shall be glad to lift a toast and start dancing!


    Parent

    Have fun. (none / 0) (#36)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:22:48 PM EST


    Parent
    What about (none / 0) (#59)
    by BackFromOhio on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 06:18:50 PM EST
    reaching out to the doctors who have treated her?  

    Parent
    And spoke to my spouse about (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:05:46 PM EST
    30 mins ago.  As I thought it would go, learning of Joshua's surgery failure has had its affect on him.  He requested that I go out of my way to be supported as much as I can by those around me because he cannot be there properly at this time and it pains him.  He also requested that I not talk about it on the phone with him for three days.  He literally said it will take him three days to process this and compartmentalize it properly and he needs me to talk about it with him in emails until he gets there.  He finished up by telling me that he had notified his first two immediate tiers of command that he is dealing with extra stresses at the moment and this may affect him for about three days.  Who knows this about themselves?  The most analytical overachievers probably.

    I'm sorry I missed your first comment (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by andgarden on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:14:17 PM EST
    about this MT. Life is not fair.

    Parent
    So precious (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:13:51 PM EST
    Those were Joshua's first words on all this.

    Parent
    i'd be curious, as you can guess... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Dadler on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:17:06 PM EST
    ...as to how this emotional stress affects his physical being. psychosomatic, mind-body freak that i am.

    Parent
    and peace, btw (none / 0) (#23)
    by Dadler on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:30:09 PM EST
    to you and your family.

    Parent
    Good question (none / 0) (#32)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:14:46 PM EST
    As in control of everything as he often seems to be, his digestive system usually says things.

    Parent
    Oh, Tracy, I'm so sorry. (5.00 / 4) (#24)
    by Anne on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:33:28 PM EST
    I just got finished reading through last night's thread, and the tears are making it hard to type.

    What a strong and courageous little boy Josh is and how fortunate he was to be born to parents who embody those qualities, too, even if your hearts are breaking as you take in the ramifications of this latest news.

    I know it won't keep any of you down, not in spirit, not in action, not in resolve; it's just not in any of you to let this get in the way of the future you want, and your child deserves.

    I know that everyone has their struggles and challenges, but I want you to know that reading about Josh, and your family, and all that you have shared with us, humbles me, and makes me think twice about complaining about the truly insignificant annoyances.

    Love to you and Josh.

    Parent

    Cream City has reminded me (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:19:45 PM EST
    that prosthetic feet to replace hurting feet are one choice in a fast changing field of possibilities.  I know where the leading Arthogryposis center in the country is.  It is in Washington state.  We haven't "communed" with them to date because his hands responded well to all the exercises he demands of them and contractures aren't limiting.  If you see his hands you notice they are somehow slightly different from yours and mine but you aren't sure why or how.  He does what you and I do with his hands and his muscles compensate.  That would have been our first reason to seek them out.  His feet would be our second and now we are there.

    Parent
    MT, I missed last night's (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by caseyOR on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 04:13:24 PM EST
    comment thread. So, just went back and read about Josh. I am so sorry this is happening to Josh, and so sorry Mr. MT is not there with you.

    Your writing about Josh has created for me a picture of a sweet and brave little boy with a heart that is wise beyond his years. He seems to carry the very best of both his parents in a mix that makes him uniquely Joshua.

    I realize this is a disappointment and a setback. Others here have much more knowledge and insight than I do into the world of sick kids and what it takes as a mother/advocate. I do have way too much experience with health care bureaucracies, however. And I do believe you are well suited to battling through and with them for your boy. I also know it can be an exhausting, frustrating and sometimes demoralizing fight.

    So, please remember that I and many others here are always available to give you any and all the support that one can possibly wring from a blog community.

    Parent

    Same here...missed last night's (none / 0) (#47)
    by oldpro on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 04:20:59 PM EST
    thread so now I have to go and find it to hear in Tracy's own words how things go with Joshua.

    Not well, I gather.  So very sorry, Tracy.

    Parent

    As with all things time also has its affect (none / 0) (#68)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 12:36:48 PM EST
    on the situation.  It is shocking to get really bad news like that.  It is shocking to hear one physicians views too sometimes.  I won't get different viewpoints unless I ask for them.  I won't find different options if I don't seek them. But putting this up here probably sped me along in that reality because Cream City has traveled a similar road with a child.  You have to ask and you have to seek, but it is easy to become frozen in horror sometimes.

    Parent
    How old is Josh? I can't remember (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by oldpro on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 02:09:01 PM EST
    if I heard you say (I miss so many threads, off and on).

    I remember when my husband was first diagnosed with prostate cancer.  I was stunned...frozen...for two days.  Then, sprang into action seeking the best doctor for Bob (found him) and alternatives/options.  It was a long, painful, nearly six year ordeal and although we lost that battle, we gained a lot of time and memories in those six years.

    A husband is one thing...a child, another.  We're all thinking of you, Tracy, and in your corner whenever you need us to be.

    Parent

    thank you (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 02:31:35 PM EST
    So much brainstorming goes on here it is a good place to hang when you need that sort of climate.  Joshua will be 10 in January.  A wife of a Shriner came with us as well and she was very concerned about our Christianity, as if that will heal all that ails us.  The thing I dislike most about Christianity is that we are encouraged to look forward to heaven to fix any sore hearts any of us have.  To hell with that, living fully today fixes the sore heart.  After I explained that I wasn't Christian, but Buddhist....she didn't talk to me the rest of the way home.  I am doomed you see and there is nothing that we could share from there about hardships and life.

    Parent
    What a poor model the Shriner's wife (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by oldpro on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 03:01:23 PM EST
    is for a 'Christian attitude!'  I'm with you, although I'm not a Buddhist.  Not a believer of any sort except in the here and now...THIS life.

    If it turns out I'm wrong...oh, well!  I still will have led a life which could pass a reasonable god's judgment day.

    Parent

    Question. Did the doctor (none / 0) (#76)
    by oculus on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 03:06:12 PM EST
    talk about the amputation/prosthtic option in front of both you and Joshua when you first heard the doctor talk about this?  

    Parent
    He did, knowing that Joshua (none / 0) (#77)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 04:10:11 PM EST
    might not know what he was talking about.  I was the one who clarified to Joshua what he was saying.  At his age I think he has to know what is on the table when people are discussing his health.  Most of the other parents with FSS kids have a similar deal with their kids when they are old enough to understand.  They have to feel like and know they can trust us, there are many surgeries for all of them.

    Parent
    Interesting. Not sure I would have (none / 0) (#78)
    by oculus on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 04:14:05 PM EST
    been as forthcoming in your shoes.

    Parent
    I weighed it for a few seconds (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 04:21:02 PM EST
    because I knew he wasn't getting this "prosthetic" word yet.  He's getting big though, he speaks his mind about his titanium rib surgeries and the procedure.  I had to go to the grocery store and picked up some chinese food.  As we were just eating he spoke more about how it is very scary to think about having a foot that wasn't a part of your living stuff.  We talked more about why the doctor thought it was THE solution.  We talked about how he wasn't in pain right now.  He said that when and if he is in pain he will want to try some different things first.  If those things aren't successful he will probably get prosthetics.  He said that he wants to go to the clinic though and meet the kids with prosthetics in a few weeks.  He is very advanced in certain realities, but because of who he is that has come about.  He is still very much just a kid in most other departments.

    Parent
    Doctors are also (none / 0) (#80)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 07:01:31 PM EST
    business persons. One considers that a doctor will suggest what they know how to do to keep the business in their office/hospital. Did this doctor make any other suggestions?
    Josh is brilliant to want to explore all options that are available, and, I'm sure, any that are in trials. Talking to other kids will be very helpful for him. If he doesn't suggest it himself, ask him to also talk to people who have lived with them for a long time.

    I have no idea how lower limbs are held in place. My dad explained ghost limb (AKA: Phantom Limb) to us decades ago, and has some pretty severe injury to his opposite shoulder and arm because of the strain put on that side from the harness that held his prosthetic in place.

    You have some really difficult decisions to make, but being able to meditate and your Buddism should be a huge wall of strength for you to lean on.

    Parent

    My thoughts are with you (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by BackFromOhio on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 06:24:20 PM EST
    and your family.  

    Parent
    You and your family are in my thoughts (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by ap in avl on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 08:46:35 PM EST
    and prayers.  You have touched me more than you know through your comments here.  And Josh's courage and wisdom is humbling beyond words.  May you and your family find moments of comfort and continued strength.

    Parent
    Three days, huh. Pretty precise. (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:08:25 PM EST


    Parent
    So sorry about (none / 0) (#44)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 04:07:36 PM EST
    the surgery failure.  

    Any possibility of another talus surgery?  

    You have a tough set of "not wrong" choices ahead of you.  Know that you have us if we can help give strength.

    Take Care.

    Parent

    Sadly they took his Talus out (none / 0) (#69)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 12:41:58 PM EST
    It is a common surgery in kids with feet like Joshuas.  But they didn't tell you where we go after it fails or tell us that it often fails.  We went into this completely unschooled and that is our failure as his parents.  This doctor came very recommended, and I think he's good in sports medicine but this isn't sports medicine.  And it looks like the doctor originally preforming the surgery lessened Joshua's chances for success by not rounding his Tibia.  The end of it is flat and that makes it very very hard for a false joint to be created.  That is what is supposed to happen when you take the Talus out, the Tibia is supposed to create a false joint with the Calcaneus.

    Parent
    via Atrios (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by andgarden on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 04:45:29 PM EST
    TL is in the top 50 political blogs--beating Atrios.

    I dunno what that says about the rankings. . .

    TL beat out Ezra, or am I reading this (none / 0) (#50)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:03:18 PM EST
    incorrectly?  And, does football matter?

    Parent
    Huffington is a blog? (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:07:54 PM EST
    I guess my boycott of many of the top ten is not having an imapct on their traffic.  

    Parent
    Heh! (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:22:57 PM EST
    Even after they booted all the HRC supporters the first of June last year, they continued to get thousands of comments on most of their lead stories.

    Stay away long enough, and it's easy to forget they exist. The comments are generally just snappy one-liners and insults toward other commenters. But, many comment sections are that way.


    Parent

    Pouting (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Stellaaa on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 06:10:28 PM EST
    I may have to go off and pout louder.  

    Parent
    Well, it's good to hear you're (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by oldpro on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 07:16:29 PM EST
    back...but where have you been?

    Having some fun, I hope.

    Parent

    Boing Boing ... (none / 0) (#57)
    by Robot Porter on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:58:50 PM EST
    isn't a political blog!  It's a geeky tech blog.

    It's a good blog, but it doesn't belong on that list.

    Parent

    What the heck is Boing Boing (none / 0) (#71)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 12:51:20 PM EST
    I'm going to have to go find out.  Feministing is way up there, that's cool.

    Parent
    I was going to suggest Military Tracy (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:24:09 PM EST
    and I live blog the Gators game.

    Of course (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:33:59 PM EST
    The logical choice.

    Parent
    I'm going way outside of my comfort zone (none / 0) (#3)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:39:33 PM EST
    tonight.  I'm doing Southern Nascar.  The president of my kennel club and another member who is retired military are now getting into the local race scene.  With my husband gone they asked last week if they could take Joshua and I to the races tonight.  I don't know if Joshua has the potential to be a race fan.  My husband hates it.  I grew up with my Uncles building cars and racing them at Pikes Peak Speedway.  I would hold onto the chain link in one hand with a hotdog in the other and literally scream as my Uncles jockeyed for position with the fumes wafting over my hotdog.  I won't touch a hotdog with a 10ft pole now.  I now know what is in a hotdog.

    Parent
    Me too... (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by kdog on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:45:47 PM EST
    sugar and spice and everything nice is in a hot dog:)

    And a great source of protein!

    Parent

    You always say that about hotdogs (none / 0) (#35)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:21:55 PM EST
    Miles of babies should be waving half eaten cold weenies in the air in agreement.....bleh!

    Parent
    I still harbor some guilt for tossing (none / 0) (#37)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:28:55 PM EST
    cot hot dogs and bologna on that high chair tray.  Probably explains much.

    Parent
    I honestly don't know if anyone should feel (none / 0) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:35:03 PM EST
    guilty cuz bleh....it is a good source of protein.  It just happens to be one that I refuse to ingest :)  Have you ever "butchered" your own food?  When I was in my early teens I took part twice.  The first time I had a difficult time eating the roasts, I knew exactly where they came from.  It got easier the second time, venison steaks that were cooked by someone who could do it well.  But I ain't eating any hotdogs after that!  A lot of my family though knows exactly where hotdogs come from and enjoys.

    Parent
    My mother used to chase chickens (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:47:59 PM EST
    and wring there necks.  Such a tiny woman.  And I still eat chicken.  Did swear off hamburger once but it didn't last.

    Parent
    I'm staying at the center of my comfort zone (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:46:17 PM EST
    going to hear Shanghai String Quartet with Lynn Harrell, one of my absolutely favorite cellists.  He reminds me of a big teddy bear when he hugs that cello and smiles.

    Parent
    We must do something. Gators (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:55:25 PM EST
    are behind 7 to zip and the first half is almost over.  Three fumbles.  Not good.

    Parent
    So, I turned on the TV to CBS (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:05:21 PM EST
    and FL immed. takes the lead.  

    Parent
    What do we think of the officiating? (none / 0) (#55)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:38:30 PM EST
    And the talking heads on CBS?  Saying:  oh come on; that's the way he's supposed to play the game.

    Parent
    How difficult is it to kick a fieldgoal (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 05:48:18 PM EST
    from an angle?

    Parent
    KUSC FM opera show: fundraising with (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:40:44 PM EST
    teasers from "100 Best Tenors" collection.  Fabulous.

    Non-sports question, sort of... (none / 0) (#8)
    by EL seattle on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 01:47:46 PM EST
    Does anyone kjnow what the status is of Charles Lemos' By the Fault site?  There don't seem to have been any updates since last month.  

    Well-deserved vacation?  Technical issues?  An Illuminati plot?

    I'm concerned that maybe that site has eloped with MLS-Daily, and I don't think that would work out. (sigh)

    He posts at MyDD. (none / 0) (#15)
    by ChiTownDenny on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:09:09 PM EST


    Parent
    Corzine gets the (none / 0) (#19)
    by andgarden on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:15:21 PM EST
    Inky endorsement. That matters in south Jersey, where Corzine is comparatively weaker.

    Is their a conspiracy somewhere? (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:17:19 PM EST
    Limbaugh booted by Rams wannabe buyers.  Pelosi's husband busy a franchise of United Football League for $12,000,000.  You tell me.

    Wait till Rush... (none / 0) (#22)
    by kdog on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:28:53 PM EST
    hears about it...I almost wish they let him in the buyers group so we wouldn't have to hear the Rush victim whine.

    Parent
    Dodgers will probably be on the block (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:33:29 PM EST
    soon as the McCourt's announced they are separated.  

    Parent
    Whats the MLB's... (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by kdog on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:39:04 PM EST
    stance on ownership by Russian billionaires?  Maybe we can get the Dodgers back in Brooklyn!

    Parent
    Terrific idea. Get the Dodgers out of (none / 0) (#27)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:42:03 PM EST
    NL West.

    Parent
    A lot of money (none / 0) (#43)
    by mmc9431 on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:59:28 PM EST
    If the Tribune got $850 million for the Cubs and a run down Wrigley Field, (Estimates are over 300M to renovate) It will be interesting to see how much the Dodger franchise will go for.

    Parent
    When the McCourts bought the (none / 0) (#45)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 04:12:11 PM EST
    Dodgers, the LAT sports writers were quite worried the new owners would sell off Dodger Stadium and its immense surface parking lots for redevelopment.  Then the real estate market tanked.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#39)
    by Steve M on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:43:58 PM EST
    Never heard of the United Football League until just now.  Startups can't be choosy about their investors!

    Parent
    Same classification as Newark Bears (none / 0) (#41)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 03:49:36 PM EST
    independent league baseball maybe.  Does Rickey know about this?

    Parent
    I'm confused... (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 02:43:42 PM EST
    I thought the Islamo-whackjobs wanted the ladies covered up...in Somalia they want 'em bra-less like feminist flower children?  What gives?  Link

    A bra is "deceptive", but not the bee-keeper suit?  Me thinks these Al Shabaab arse-holes just wanna cop cheap feels and sexually assault people.

    It's simple. Power and control. (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by oldpro on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 04:36:58 PM EST
    It's a guy thing in many cultures taking various wacky forms.

    Women need nuclear weapons.  But first, I guess, we need a country with which to acquire nuclear weapons.  And delivery systems.

    Hmmm...maybe we could take over...oh, say, France...or Israel even.

    Let's think about this, gang.

    Parent

    If we got nuclear weapons (none / 0) (#61)
    by Fabian on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 06:35:23 PM EST
    we'd say "How much did you say it costs us to keep something that we don't plan to use?".  Then we'd keep the program on paper, but cut that part of the budget to the point that we'd do little more than mothball anything with a nuclear warhead.

    It's easy to get me to spend fifteen dollars, but the minute you wave a fifteen hundred dollar HD big screen television in front of me, I start thinking about what I'd rather spend the money on.  

    Parent

    Excuse me. You think we don't (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by oldpro on Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 07:10:53 PM EST
    plan to use them?

    Here's the thing.  There's no point in having them if e everyone is sure you don't plan to use them.  Success depends on the possibility that we will.

    Keep in mind that I'm Irish and on the verge of too old to care about most things I used to care about.

    Parent

    Can I come to Venus... (none / 0) (#66)
    by kdog on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 06:14:21 AM EST
    before you drop that bomb?  Your proposed nuclear super-power will need sperm to survive long-term:)

    Parent
    Sperm can be frozen so (none / 0) (#73)
    by oldpro on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 02:24:31 PM EST
    we won't actually need 'you' in person.  We can take the existing banks with us.  Good negotiating material for some corporations, tho, now that you mention it!

    We may do interviews for immigrants.

    Either Tracy or I will call a meeting.

    Parent

    I don't know... (none / 0) (#81)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 08:38:26 AM EST
    nukes and the willingness to use them, discrimination...don't sound any better than the man's world:)

    Parent
    It does if you're female!:) (none / 0) (#82)
    by oldpro on Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 12:39:25 PM EST
    And where in Hell do you think we earned our stripes?  And from whom?

    Parent
    So the tyrannical violent nature... (none / 0) (#83)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 03:47:10 PM EST
    of your ladies-only utopia is the fault of the fellas too?  Damn we can't win:)

    Last I checked both male and female evolved at the same time oldpro old pal...its not like we got a head-start unless you're an Adam and Eve person:)

    Parent

    Heh. I am under the impression (none / 0) (#85)
    by oldpro on Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 04:18:59 PM EST
    that evolution is still in progress (so to speak).

    Parent
    I don't know Fabian... (none / 0) (#65)
    by kdog on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 06:11:58 AM EST
    some ladies I know are susceptible to the "sale" scam...they'll buy sh&t they don't need and will never use as long as there is a 40% off sticker on it:)

    Parent
    Heh. (none / 0) (#67)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 08:28:00 AM EST
    Women?

    Would you like to check out our basement?  I have cartons of comic books, which I have all read.  My husband has games and books and models - half of which have never been used.

    I hate having anything around that is collecting dust.  

    Parent

    It's time we got the bomb too (none / 0) (#70)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 12:46:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Home job (none / 0) (#84)
    by jondee on Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 04:01:58 PM EST
    It's just as well the Florida kicker made it the first time; if he had missed, the ref would've probobly called offside on Arkansas and let him kick it again.

    What a joke.

    Parent

    Saturday Open Thread | 85 comments (85 topical)

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