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Friday Afternoon News and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:29:05 PM EST
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Roman Polanski lost another round in his quest for bail in Switzerland. Further appeals are contemplated.

Following a three week preliminary hearing, Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend, has been ordered to stand trial on charges of illegally providing her with prescription drugs, providing drugs to an addict and conspiracy. Also facing trial: Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich.

Denver is having a beautiful day today, the streets are clear of snow and life is getting back to normal. I'm still at work and BTD is also busy, so here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

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    Friday Afternoon News and Open Thread | 53 comments (53 topical)

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    Will Polanski and his very wealthy (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:36:05 PM EST
    advocates cough up cash he can post as bail?  Swiss seem to be seeking liquidity and for Polanski to forfeit lots of case if he flees.

    The only thing better than friends (none / 0) (#5)
    by Fabian on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:50:03 PM EST
    is having really rich friends!
    ;-)

    Parent
    Oops. "Cash." (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:56:52 PM EST


    Parent
    So the Swiis (none / 0) (#10)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 05:02:30 PM EST
    are mainly looking to make a buck or two million?

    Parent
    I don't think that is the gov't's motive. (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 05:05:27 PM EST


    Parent
    Well, it does seem mercenary. (none / 0) (#12)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 05:15:36 PM EST
    "We think you're going to jump bail and forfeit your money, so we're going to get as much money from you if you do as we can."

    If you think he's a flight risk, and clearly he is, why not just say "No bail?"

    Parent

    That is what the Swiss keep saying (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 05:23:15 PM EST
    (flight risk) but is P listening?  Very persistent.  I suppose if he put up an enormous emount of cash the Swiss would have to consider bail.  But the presumption is against P here, even if he hadn't FTA'd on felony sentencing.

    Parent
    One answer (none / 0) (#14)
    by Steve M on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 05:25:25 PM EST
    is that they don't care about him showing up for trial quite as much as they care about the revenue if he jumps bail!  Hey, it beats writing parking tickets.

    Parent
    Oh for gawd's sake. First, no trial. (none / 0) (#15)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 05:29:06 PM EST
    He pleaded guilty to a felony in CA and FTA'd for sentencing.  Second, isn't the Swiss justice dept's responsibility to make sure P is available for extradition if that is the ultimate order?

    Parent
    Please (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Steve M on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:14:08 PM EST
    no fact-checking the snark!  I'm just saying, extradition treaties are nice and all, but making a million bucks off a rich scofflaw will fix a lot of potholes.

    Parent
    There is a reason my kids used to call (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:21:39 PM EST
    me the "avenging angel."

    Parent
    This is TL (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Steve M on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:10:23 PM EST
    Unlike CNN, we have standards!

    Parent
    The wandering bro has arrived safely (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:55:17 PM EST
    in Missouri.

    Oh good. (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 07:13:57 PM EST
    Is he moving there?  And if so, willingly?

    Parent
    No. He sold his home (none / 0) (#27)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 08:04:37 PM EST
    in the mtns. and is headed for condo in FL.  What next?  Doesn't know.  

    Parent
    They had... (none / 0) (#28)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 08:25:31 PM EST
    ...a couple of people on the news last night who were stuck in E. CO on their way to FLA.  One was pulling a U-Haul.  Maybe it was him?  

    Parent
    Is he (none / 0) (#33)
    by CoralGables on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:08:49 PM EST
    going east or west in choosing a hurricane condo coast? And welcome him back to Marlin country for me.

    Parent
    East coast. Already has the condo. (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:31:25 PM EST
    It is on the market too.

    Parent
    Hey (none / 0) (#38)
    by CoralGables on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:40:11 PM EST
    he might be one short trip to an Indian casino. They knocked rec center bingo night right off the map. Or he may have plans to spend that saved up bingo cash on Marlin season tickets at their new stadium in April 2012.

    Parent
    Spring training for sure. (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:21:51 PM EST


    Parent
    So he's (none / 0) (#47)
    by CoralGables on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:34:50 PM EST
    chosen the ocean over the Gulf? Settling in the Juno Beach area? He can see both the Marlins and the Cardinals for Spring training there. Pitchers and catchers should report around February 19th. (jumping the gun I know for those Yankee and Philly fans)

    Parent
    Melbourne. I planned to make it to (none / 0) (#48)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:43:25 PM EST
    Dodgertown at Vero Beach but they split for AZ.  Greener pastures.  It does sound like a lot of fun to be a spring training in FL.  We have to settle for Peoria, AZ.  Could they build a few more shopping malls?

    Parent
    The Nationals (none / 0) (#49)
    by CoralGables on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 12:18:01 AM EST
    have Spring Training at Space Coast Stadium near Melbourne. The Single A Brevard Manatees (Brewer Farm team last year) also play there.

    Parent
    Peoria is great (none / 0) (#52)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 09:49:32 AM EST
    So are the other area training parks. Just a few years ago I lived exactly 2 miles down Bullard from the Surprise, AZ stadium where the Texas Rangers practiced. And, anyone who loves to shop, loves the area :) ... at least, they used to.

    Parent
    A friend and I drive over each March (none / 0) (#54)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 11:35:24 AM EST
    for spring training.  Fun.

    Parent
    No income tax. What's not to like? (none / 0) (#45)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:32:07 PM EST


    Parent
    The DSCC came calling this evening, (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Anne on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 07:40:03 PM EST
    asking me if I could donate $100 to help Obama and the Democrats make even more progress than they already had in such a short time...apparently, Obama has accomplished more in nine months than Bush did in eight years.  Whatever.

    I patiently listened to the spiel, and when there was an opportunity, said that no, they could not count on me for $100 - he could not count on me for $1.00.  I told this young man that I had stopped giving to committees because I could not control who was going to benefit from my contribution, that I preferred to donate directly to the candidates and legislators I felt were advancing the agenda I support.

    He thanked me for my opinion, but wanted to remind me how important it was that we get affordable health care and fix the economy...I said that I absolutely agreed that we desperately need affordable health care, but it didn't appear to me that what had been taking place over the last nine months was bringing us closer to that goal, that there were too many people in the Senate whose interests were in conflict with that of the American people, and that Obama had not only failed to lead on the issue, but had gone so far in the other direction in the name of bipartisanshio that he contributed to the general weakening of the effort.  I reiterated that I could not - would not - give money I work hard for so that it could possibly end up with someone who cared more about being re-elected than doing the job he or she was sent there to do.

    He thanked me for being honest about my concerns, and that was pretty much that.

    I didn't ask, and he didn't offer to tell me, whether he was meeting with a lot of resistance similar to mine, but I have to think these folks are finding it a pretty tough slog.

    $100?! (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by nycstray on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:01:01 PM EST
    Are they really that clueless???? I would have been laughing my behind off if they wanted a hundred bucks from me!

    Parent
    First lawsuit filed in sweat lodge (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by Fabian on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 12:27:32 PM EST
    incident.
    [LINK]

    Details are still sketchy, but it sounds worse than I guessed.  

    So much of the spiritual (none / 0) (#56)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 03:01:26 PM EST
    movement in this country stems from the Native American culture. Difference is, the Native Americans use their ceremonies and traditions for the betterment of their soul. People like James Arthur Ray use it to exploit and for the betterment of their wallet. He knows "just enough to be dangerous," as the saying goes.

    I'm amazed that anyone could fall for his pitch, though. This guy comes across as sleazy and self-serving from the minute he begins his sales seminar. Not in a million years would I trust him to conduct a session founded in Native American culture...his soul doesn't actually attend the sales seminars with him.


    Parent

    Spirituality is about faith. (none / 0) (#57)
    by Fabian on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 05:15:38 PM EST
    I second what you say about Ray, but sometimes it just takes someone saying the right things to the people who want to hear them.  Happened to me - the guy who told me how amazing, special and sexy I was turned out to be an abuser.  Now I'd be wise to that, but then I was a naif.

    It also reminds me of an encounter I had with a woman (interesting story) who had just been slapped by her boyfriend.  She was in shock - why did he do that?  She hadn't seen any of the warning signs at all because she'd never dated a two faced scum before.  You develop a certain sensitivity after the fact, but before then you are an innocent babe.

    Parent

    Did Pettite pitch against the Phillies (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:31:24 PM EST
    during the three interleague games at Yankee Stadium this season?  If so, what was the result.  [Couldn't locate; I gather he didn't get a win or loss if he did pitch.]

    Yes. (none / 0) (#3)
    by Tony on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:40:06 PM EST
    Yankees won 5-4.  Pettitte gave up four runs in seven innings.  Box score here.

    Parent
    Thanks. I checked that site earlier (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:44:05 PM EST
    but couldn't find the info.

    Parent
    He has (none / 0) (#37)
    by CoralGables on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 09:33:21 PM EST
    seven lifetime starts against the Phillies and has a record of 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA.

    Cole Hamels has two lifetime starts against the Yankees and is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA.

    Hamels has been less than stellar in the post season this year but was 1-0 in two World Series starts last year making him undefeated in his ahort World Series career.

    Pettitte is 3-4 in 11 career World Series starts.

    At seven different internet sites, Four have the Yanks slightly favored. Two have the Phils slightly favored. One is a toss up.

    Parent

    The flu seems to be in the (none / 0) (#39)
    by nycstray on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 10:06:56 PM EST
    Phillies locker room according to the news on now.

    I with the site that says toss up :)

    Parent

    Interesting. Spokesperson for AG Brown (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:51:23 PM EST
    tapes SF Chronicle reporter's conference call with spokesperson and two lawyers in AG's office.  LAT

    What was the reporter's expectation of privacy?  

    Depends on whether AG, (none / 0) (#53)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 11:21:06 AM EST
    AG assistant, and/or DAGS could have recorded the call legally prior to enactment of:CA Penal Code link

    Parent
    On the subject of friends... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Fabian on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 04:58:32 PM EST
    May the Flying Spaghetti Monster not send me the kind of friends A.N. Smith had.

    Maybe I'll enroll myself and my sons in a pharmacology course, so when I need to rely on them, they'll act with knowledge and discretion.  You obviously can't trust doctors, but at least one pharmacist refused to fill a dangerous set of prescriptions.

    (Dilaudid?  That's used medically for post op pain.  I remember how surprised the nurse was when I refused a dose.)

    When I read "Anna Nicole Smith" (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 05:01:46 PM EST
    I mistakenly think "Anne Deavere Smith."  I have a ticket to see her new solo piece and say to myself, does it make any difference to me if she is/was a prescription meds. abuser?

    Parent
    LOL (none / 0) (#25)
    by ruffian on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 07:37:33 PM EST
    I'd love to see her 'Law and Order' judge all doped up

    Parent
    Verrrrry slow news day: (none / 0) (#18)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:25:26 PM EST
    AP re WH visitors

    She's back. (none / 0) (#19)
    by lentinel on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:52:19 PM EST
    Sect'y of State Clinton revealed her lack of compassion in an exchange with people in Pakistan who likened the use of pilotless drones to terrorism.

    She didn't see the connection.

    Guess it's in the eye of the beholder.

    We kill civilians. That's collateral. So sorry. A hearty handshake.
    They kill civilians. Now that's terrorism.
    The difference is clear.

    Sometimes, when I see Obama bumbling along, I think about Hillary's phrase about being ready on day one. That would have been good, I think to myself.

    But when I read her response to Pakistanis, totally lacking in compassion, I remember the Clinton that voted for the Iraq war and supported the invasion with ardor. That Clinton is with us now as Sect'y of State.

    So I'm glad she isn't president.
    I just wish we could have done better than Obama.
    After all, now Clinton is defending the same coldhearted policies that Obama is pursuing - just as she did with Bush.

    What do you suggest she say/do as SOS (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:54:48 PM EST
    for Obama.  "You know, I really disagree strongly with the COC's policy re Pakistan."  

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#40)
    by lentinel on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 10:15:44 PM EST
    Yes

    Parent
    Really? (5.00 / 3) (#22)
    by nycstray on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:57:21 PM EST
    supported the invasion with ardor.

    that's not what her floor speech prior to her vote said to me . . .

    Parent

    Nor her remarks to Gen. Petraeus when (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 06:59:35 PM EST
    the surge was the subject of Senate committee hearings.

    Parent
    It must be frustrating (none / 0) (#30)
    by Steve M on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 08:55:52 PM EST
    we wouldn't be in this difficult position in the first place, if Pakistan could take care of bad guys in its territory the same as every other sovereign state on earth is expected to do.  

    Parent
    If you believe wikipedia (none / 0) (#50)
    by Fabian on Sat Oct 31, 2009 at 05:30:53 AM EST
    Pakistan actually supported the Taliban's rise in Afghanistan.  So, um, why would a country that materially supported one side of a civil war in a neighboring country be highly motivated to actually defeat the same entity within their own borders?

    Can't remember where I read this, but Pakistan is apparently angry that the Taliban is being forced out of Afghanistan and [back] into Pakistan.  Ironic.

    Parent

    Classic symptom of (none / 0) (#41)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 10:45:27 PM EST
    classic case of CDS.

    Parent
    I've been half expecting (none / 0) (#29)
    by rdandrea on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 08:50:16 PM EST
    TL to write about this story, since it's a lawyer thing and a Colorado thing.

    Not being a lawyer, I don't don't know what to think.  What does the defense bar think?

    I say good ridance to Mr. Brennan. (none / 0) (#43)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:24:48 PM EST


    Parent
    LAT editorial on Polanski: (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 11:33:30 PM EST
    link

    Mostly accurate in that DA's office is not bound by victim's wishes re disposition of case.

    Friday Afternoon News and Open Thread | 53 comments (53 topical)

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