home

Friday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 09:29:49 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

BTD is at the Bruce Springsteen concert tonight. I've been offline all day and not seen the news. What have we missed?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< What Bloggers Expect To Happen | Saturday College Football Open Thread >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Friday Night Open Thread | 61 comments (61 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    News out of Florida (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by CoralGables on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 09:47:54 PM EST
    Orlando's Channel 6 sports director David Pingalore is reporting that Tim Tebow will not only play tomorrow night against No. 4 LSU, but that he will start for No. 1 Florida and has been nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.

    Part of that is true anyway.

    A bad case of media CDS (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by TheRealFrank on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:08:51 PM EST
    In this article (and I use the term loosely).

    And after he left the White House, he created the Clinton Global Initiative, which some might view as a transparent effort to win a Nobel, with its emphasis on bringing together the private sector and nongovernmental organizations to combat global problems. (The group's Web site even touts the involvement of 14 Nobel Peace Prize winners.)

    Oh really? "Some" might view it that way? Bill Clinton started a big organization, has a crazy schedule travelling around the world to help and promote it, and all to get a Nobel peace prize?

    Do the writers even realize how dumb that sounds? I guess not. And hey, he's named Clinton, so anything he does has ulterior motives, right? It couldn't possibly be about trying to make a positive difference. No, that would be too obvious.

    Wow! (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:35:07 PM EST
    That's right up there in the top examples of virulent CDS all right.  Geez!

    By contrast, interestingly, there's a lot of yak-yak on Fox News from conservative pundits that it was unfair for Obama to get the NPP when Clinton hadn't.  Seems they loathe Obama so much, they're even willing to praise BC if it makes Obama look bad.

    The loathesome Byron York pointed out that BC is the only Dem. president of the last 40 years not to get a Nobel PP.  That is a shame.

    Parent

    The Times of London weighs in on BO's Nobel (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:52:01 PM EST
    From the department of let's not mince words, a British paper's outspoken denouncement of Obama's NPP: Comment: absurd decision on Obama makes a mockery of the Nobel peace prize:
    The spectacle of Mr Obama mounting the podium in Oslo to accept a prize that once went to Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi and Mother Theresa would be all the more absurd if it follows a White House decision to send up to 40,000 more US troops to Afghanistan. However just such a war may be deemed in Western eyes, Muslims would not be the only group to complain that peace is hardly compatible with an escalation in hostilities.

    Is it remotely possible the Nobel Committee hopes to shame Obama into deescalation in Afghanistan and withdrawal from Iraq?

    Parent

    The first sitting president in 100 years (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Cream City on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 12:00:37 AM EST
    to get the prize -- while in the White House -- so I read.  And these were the apt words from that president, Theodore Roosevelt in his acceptance:

    "Let us remember that words count only when they give expression to deeds."

    Or in other words, words really are "just words."

    Parent

    Cx: That was the first sitting prez (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Cream City on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 12:03:38 AM EST
    and first prez to get the peace prize.  Thinking on it, I realized that source was wrong -- since Wilson was a sitting president when he got the prize . . . although he was incapacitated by then, after his dreams had turned to dust.  

    Maybe that's why the Nobel committee didn't want to wait this time to see what can go wrong after even a full year in the White House?

    Parent

    God Forbid (none / 0) (#35)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:01:10 AM EST


    Parent
    Did Roosevelt roll over in his grave (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 12:06:02 AM EST
    and pen those words today? Thanks, I laughed aloud.

    Parent
    Fairness Needed (none / 0) (#34)
    by Politalkix on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 09:55:13 AM EST
    To most Americans, Roosevelt's great deeds include his decisive role in the Spanish-American war. Many have good reasons to argue that Woodrow Wilson believed in segregation and eugenics. An honest critique of the award of the NPP to Obama (who has already been relentlessly criticized for his role in the war in Afghanistan and Iraq in this blog) should also take into considerations these facts. That is has not been up to this point shows how ignorant and dishonest the criticism of yesterday's Nobel Committee decision has been in Talk Left!

    Parent
    I know, some feel (none / 0) (#42)
    by KeysDan on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:22:45 AM EST
    that way about Mother Teresa.

    Parent
    Update. Apparently the McChrystal (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by KeysDan on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 09:13:42 AM EST
    recommendation is for 60,000 rather than 40,000 additional troops.

    Parent
    My bet is that McChrystal will get (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by MO Blue on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:16:57 AM EST
    approximately 25,000 more troops. Obama will also implement a strategy that is somewhere between what McChystal wants and what Biden wants. It is the middle way, don't you know.

    Parent
    I dunno what is happening (none / 0) (#55)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:40:12 AM EST
    But spouse was more cheerful last phone call.  Said things were going well.  That could mean anything though, that could mean that all attacks on his shift went casualty free.  He was swell though and ready to go to sleep.

    Parent
    The thing about having something (none / 0) (#56)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:47:17 AM EST
    more to rely on than bombs means that your only option doesn't have to be bombing.  It takes a lot to send even small groups of forces into areas that we are having problems in, but after all of our mistakes in Iraq we know what senseless killing will get us....larger insurgencies.  When people who weren't even part of the fight lose their husbands, and wives, and children, and family in "surgical bombings" they come to quick conclusions about who needs to leave immediately and who the enemy is at that moment.  If they send some troops, I'm not going to be upset about that.  One well placed soldier can do much in the grand scheme, and they do place them as carefully as they can because we don't have a bunch to lose these days.

    Parent
    Well if you are going to be refused (none / 0) (#52)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:05:34 AM EST
    you might as well drop your conservative ask you thought you could get and just spit it out for real :)  Nothing to lose now.  And when we do begin to get attacked in such a way that we have to send troops in he is on the record for 60 :)  He seems to know things about negotiating that I'm still learning in midlife :)

    Parent
    Funniest Euro headline (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Cream City on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:45:33 PM EST
    from the UK Times on a roundup of commentary by former winners and other leaders who disagree with the award that is the news of the day:

    Obama pick for peace prize starts fight

    Did anyone see Sarah Silverman's (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:15:40 AM EST
    faux commercial to end global hunger on Bill Maher last night?  Joshua is a sucker for those short infomercials and he loves the Sham Wow guy.  He also complains after the Snuggie commercial that he doesn't have a Snuggie too, and he lives in the subtropics.  Last night though the Bill Maher show made a faux commercial for a Snuggie made out of Sham Wow.  We had to go fetch Joshua from his room and rewind the beginning so that he could see the commercial for his dream item.

    Yes, Sarah Silverman's (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by KeysDan on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:35:10 AM EST
    pacing was great, from the somber presentation on hunger to the satirical sale of the Vatican to feed the starving. The biting humor of the second promoted the vivid imagery and seriousness of the first.

    Parent
    Well, the Yankees just won. Not really (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 09:37:34 PM EST
    news.

    Alas (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by CoralGables on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 09:42:33 PM EST
    the Twins had it in their pocket twice and gave it back both times.

    Parent
    Thanks for the update! (none / 0) (#4)
    by nycstray on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 09:50:45 PM EST
    Got side tracked in the kitchen when I think the Twins had loaded in the 11th. Next thing I knew, the left coast game was on. Figured we lost, lol!~

    Parent
    I tuned in in the top of 11th inning. Missed rest (none / 0) (#5)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 09:59:10 PM EST
    of game due to seeing new Coen Bros. flick.  Now I am watching Angels/Boston.  Tied 1-1.  Top of the 5th.

    Parent
    Speaking of New Jersey (none / 0) (#6)
    by andgarden on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:01:25 PM EST
    Tom Jensen at PPP is tweeting that Corzine is leading Christie in their early calls.

    Apparently (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Steve M on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:09:12 PM EST
    they have some kind of vote at home option here in NJ.

    I don't really know anything about it but it sounds like something that would favor the Dems.  Of course I doubt we'd have it if it didn't favor the Dems.

    Parent

    It looks like they expanded their (none / 0) (#18)
    by andgarden on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:38:54 PM EST
    no excuse absentee balloting system. A number of states in the west have had it for ages (Oregon and Washington are all or almost all vote-by-mail, and it often now constitutes a majority of the vote in California).

    Details here:

    The bill would do away with civilian and military absentee ballots, replacing them with a single, standardized mail-in ballot for use by any registered voter wishing to vote by mail.

    Registered voters would be given the option to select to vote by mail for one calendar year or for all future general elections. Once such a request is made, a county board of elections would be required to send a ballot to the voter without the need for further requests.

    The measure also would set a clear schedule for county clerks to follow when fulfilling a mail-in ballot request. The schedule would ensure that requests for mail-in ballots are honored in a timely fashion.

    Under the bill, any person who applies for a mail-in ballot but does not receive it, has the application rejected or fails to mail a completed ballot back to the county board of elections would be permitted to vote via provisional ballot on Election Day.




    Parent
    Springsteen segue? (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:04:20 PM EST


    Parent
    Yup (none / 0) (#10)
    by andgarden on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:12:08 PM EST


    Parent
    Cole Hamel hit Edgar Gonzelez (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:01:37 PM EST
    on the batting helmet.  Edgar, who is married and has a family, was conscious on the ground praying not to be paralyzed.  Off to ER with brother Adrian leaving game to come to hospital.  Admmitted for a couple days.  Didn't play again for a couple weeks.  When he did play, had a special post-concussion helmet, which fell off when he swung the bat.  Trainer sd. it was too big and another size was on order.  Shameful.

    That was Jason Hammel (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Cream City on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:18:55 PM EST
    of the Rockies who did it, back in July or so, wasn't it?

    Parent
    Roman Polanski (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:24:47 PM EST
    LAT

    Wouldn't it be more effective for (none / 0) (#13)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:37:34 PM EST
    Mr. Polanski's counsel to discuss resolution of the case(s) with the LA DA's office?

    Parent
    Wow, they seem determined to bring (none / 0) (#37)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:03:59 AM EST
    him back here and do this thing.

    Parent
    They (LA DA's office) seems to be (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:06:22 AM EST
    taking its own sweet time.  

    Parent
    So they are only acting tough (none / 0) (#41)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:21:35 AM EST
    And if they really wanted him here today he'd be here today?  In house resolution discussions maybe because not everyone in the house really wants to do this?

    Parent
    IMO, they are letting him molder. Apparently (none / 0) (#43)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:31:08 AM EST
    the deadline isn't here yet for filing the paperwork. Pure speculation on my part though. Polanski could decide not to fight extradition.  That would speed things up.

    Parent
    And he's sitting in jail during all this? (none / 0) (#45)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:38:59 AM EST


    Parent
    So far. Stubborn. (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:42:29 AM EST


    Parent
    This is how stupid I am about such things (none / 0) (#47)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:44:52 AM EST
    and probably absent from recent threads about him, but he is sitting there because he won't agree to come back here and what else won't he agree to that could relieve him of this jailing without trial.

    Parent
    That's it. If he decided not to fight (none / 0) (#48)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:48:26 AM EST
    extradition though, he would most likely be transported in custody to LA County and put into LA County detention facility to await sentencing on PC 261.5 and arraignment on failure to appear.  Or perhaps his attorneys and LA County DA's office will strike a plea bargain.  Which brings us back to what will the sentencing judge do.

    Parent
    Thank you (none / 0) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:49:34 AM EST


    Parent
    ummmmmmmmmm................... (none / 0) (#12)
    by cpinva on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 10:27:13 PM EST
    What have we missed?

    war, pestilence, famine, yankees beat twins (as if this was even an issue for discussion!).

    nothing, same old thing.

    Angels are looking good. Beckett leaves (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:06:11 PM EST
    in bottom of the 7th inning.  Billy Wagner takes over.

    Parent
    BTD's suggestion (none / 0) (#20)
    by hilts on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:46:42 PM EST
    Big Tent Democrat's suggestion that Obama refuse to accept the Nobel Peace Prize is remarkably silly.

    I'm fine with Obama excepting it (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:51:46 AM EST
    But you can't deny that he did handle the whole thing appropriately.  Obama didn't even make much of the whole deal, and in fact downplayed it.  I understand though that actually beginning to speak with the world again after surviving BushCo and Cheney is something to be excited about.  And I suppose I understand the relief that the rest of the world must be feeling knowing that dry drunk cowboys don't have their fingers on any switches anymore.  I would do anything in my power to insure that America never made such pathetic and ignorant decisions again.

    Parent
    Ooops..accepting (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:55:25 AM EST
    not excepting...which is the opposite of what I meant to say...sheesh....spelling....grammar...not my forte.

    Parent
    Define "silly" and elucidate how it (none / 0) (#22)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Oct 09, 2009 at 11:59:50 PM EST
    pertains to BTD's objections to Obama receipt of the NPP.

    Conversely, it would be interesting if you defined "serious" and elucidated a "serious" case for the appropriateness of Obama receiving the NPP.

    Parent

    You didn't miss much, TL. Quiet news day. (none / 0) (#26)
    by scribe on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 07:31:08 AM EST
    Though one of the German papers - the Suddeutsche - had this curious lede in an editorial today:

    Whether Barack Obama really deserves the Nobel peace prize, [is something] he has to show us first. A little is already quite clear: the committee in Oslo has tied up (fettered) the US President and stolen a little bit of his political power.

    Barack Obama, born on August 4, 1961, became President of the United States at the age of only 47. Before him, no black rose to this office. At 48, still in the first year of his Presidency, he will receive the Nobel Peace Prize. And what is going to do with the rest of his life?

    Anyone know what they're talking about?

    Oh, yeah, and the Red Sox are doing their regular Lawn-furniture-in-October imitation - they fold up and get put away for the winter.

    Actually, I think it's a summary (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 09:10:04 AM EST
    of his life.

    And, I think you just didn't include the snark tag. :)

    I read last week that Ayers is still claiming out loud that he authored Obama's memoirs for him. Makes me wonder if Ayers is the one who entered his name into this competition for top purveyor of peace.


    Parent

    Now that would be delicious irony. (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by oculus on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 09:20:37 AM EST


    Parent
    You're So Funny (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by daring grace on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:19:10 AM EST
    No, really. You are.

    Unless you forgot the snark tag for the above post...?

    Ayers is still claiming he wrote Obama's memoir?

    Aside from the fact, the only ones who ever claimed that were right wing wackos of the birther variety, Ayers is not now 'claiming' anything like that now. At least not according to a credible source, The Hill:

    National Journal caught up with Ayers at a recent book festival where he was exhorting a small crowd of listeners to remember that they are citizens, not subjects. "Open your eyes," he said. "Pay attention. Be astonished. Act, and doubt." When he finished speaking, we put the authorship question right to him. For a split second, Ayers was nonplussed. Then an Abbie Hoffmanish, steal-this-book-sort-of-smile lit up his face. He gently took National Journal by the arm. "Here's what I'm going to say. This is my quote. Be sure to write it down: 'Yes, I wrote Dreams From My Father. I ghostwrote the whole thing. I met with the president three or four times, and then I wrote the entire book.'" He released National Journal's arm, and beamed in Marxist triumph. "And now I would like the royalties."

    And, SNIP:

    So what's going on here? The most likely scenario is that Ayers is simply amused by the endless theories surrounding his relationship (or lack thereof) with Obama and has decided to stoke the fire for fun.

    And there's also this about the chief 'theorist' promoting this fantasy.

    Parent

    LOL (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:56:21 AM EST
    You went to a lot of trouble to counter. The simple injection of Ayers into the NPP process should have been its own snark tag, bot whatever floats your boat.

    Parent
    What happened with Ayers is (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by scribe on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:14:56 AM EST
    some wingnut recognized him in an airport and lit into him, and Ayers told the wingnut that, indeed, he did write Obama's memoirs just to engage in ball-breaking the wingnut.

    Parent
    Didn't he also (none / 0) (#57)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:48:01 AM EST
    offer to share his royalties with him? :)

    Parent
    I read the opinion piece (none / 0) (#27)
    by dk on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 08:01:54 AM EST
    and it seems pretty straightforward to me.  It's the basic argument that setting expectations too high can actually be constricting and risk setting a person up to be a disappointment to others.

    Parent
    I think Obama set the bar pretty high (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by Anne on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 09:03:13 AM EST
    for himself pre-election, hence the crashing disappointment of the last nine months.

    But, I don't think he could have won with, "Hey, I'll do what I can, people, and even if I don't actually feel like doing much, I'll pop onto your TV from time to time to give some great speeches.  Besides, I can blame Bush for a long time, while just adopting many of his policies - why reinvent the wheel, ya know?"

    But who knows?  There are enough people still making excuses for him, that maybe he could have won on that platform.

    Parent

    Only for those (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 09:19:28 AM EST
    who were easily led up the mountain by the sweet sound of his flute. Those who voted for the D, withheld their vote, or didn't notice there was an election going on had the bar set where it belonged and aren't the least bit surprised.

    It's those who believed he could perform miracles who are now wondering "where's the beef".

    The German's eyes have been open all along. They got brats and beer, remember.


    Parent

    There's Another Group of Voters (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by daring grace on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:01:46 AM EST
    besides the ones you mentioned:

    Those of us who supported Obama in the primaries, and in the GE who were not following any flute music up any mountain and knew, going in, he was a Dem pol for president the way every Dem pol nominee for president has been for the last 37 years.

    Disappointed?

    What else is new when electing a president in this country?

    He's lived up to some of what I expected and (so far) failed to meet some of my 'hopes' for him. But it's rare for me in my 33 years of voting for prez to have particularly idealistic expectations of anyone running.

    I just find it's always better to get some "D" elected and so far, that's also been true for Obama. I have no reason to think it would have been different with ANY of the  Dem candidates last year.

    Parent

    To those (4.33 / 6) (#51)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 10:59:56 AM EST
    feet on the ground folks, I have to ask:

    What were Obama's shining accomplishments that made you support him over the other guys and gals?

    For me, it was his inexperience and his inability to be a Democrat that both kept me far, far, far away from him to the point that I didn't even vote for him in the General.  I knew what he would do.  And he's doing it, via his inability to actually take a side on any issue (except Chicago Olympics).  He's ensuring 12-16 years of Republican presidents, because the comparison of Obama to Jimmy Carter is getting very real as time goes on.  Hope you enjoy that via your feet on the ground decision.

    Parent

    Well said (none / 0) (#60)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 11:56:30 AM EST
    but, what kind of feet on the ground voter was explained:

    I just find it's always better to get some "D" elected and so far, that's also been true for Obama.

    No admission for why chosing Obama over all the other "D" candidates during the primary. Pretty sure it was that flute based on the level of the bar, though.

    Parent

    But that pretty much (none / 0) (#61)
    by dk on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 12:02:03 PM EST
    puts you in the "vote for a D" group, doesn't it?  From what you say in your comment, your support for Obama in the primaries wasn't really all that significant since, in the end, you stated your opinion that it wouldn't have been any different with any of the Democratic candidates.

    Parent
    I agree with you; (none / 0) (#29)
    by scribe on Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 09:08:01 AM EST
    I wrote the comment in response to TL's question about "What happened today?" and was trying (unsuccessfully, it appears) to make some dry humor out of the situation by trying to appear clueless about what went on yesterday.  

    Parent
    Friday Night Open Thread | 61 comments (61 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment