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Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:34:52 PM EST
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Two potential topics of conversation - First, Alabama and Florida meet for the SEC Championship on December 5. Who do you like?

Second, Levi Johnston will be posing for Playgirl. Sarah Palin calls this participating in pornography. Do you agree?

This is an Open Thread.

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    I am from Mars (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:39:44 PM EST
    so no, I don't think Playgirl is pornography.  Perhaps residents of Earth would disagree.

    Did anyone catch Michigan State's win over Gonzaga last night?  We are ranked #2 in the country, which scares me.  We do much better as underdogs!

    Last weekend (none / 0) (#3)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:43:24 PM EST
    I suffered through the Illinois v. Northwestern football game, as it was Parents Weekend at Illinois and this was a big event. Lord have mercy. I did enjoy the funky marching band though.

    I have a lot to learn about the Big Ten apparently. But at least I know I'm supposed to root for the Fighting Illini (a losing cause, I presume).

    Raging controversy on campus re:  a rally to bring back the Chief mascot.

    Parent

    Unfortunately (none / 0) (#7)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:49:59 PM EST
    Illinois seems to have had its good year already this decade.  I remember the Jeff George days when things were better.  Even then the mascot controversies raged on and on.

    Parent
    Hard to be an underdog (none / 0) (#27)
    by coast on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:05:50 PM EST
    when you are #2 in the country.  Although when they play the Heels on 12/01 it might be justified.  I get to see your Spartans in person when they come down to Charleston to take on my mighty Bulldogs....Lord help us.

    Parent
    Leahy to Sessions: lost cause seems abandoned (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:45:29 PM EST
    heh:

    I must admit, Sen. Sessions, that I'm delighted to hear someone from Alabama quote, approvingly, Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln. The world has come full circle.
    Palin needs to stop with the moralizing, (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Anne on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:54:12 PM EST
    because all it's going to do is engender more potshots about her moral relativism.

    A naked man posing with a hockey stick seems less pornographic to me than someone using the phrase "Hang 'Em High!" in reference to KSM and the other Guantonamo detainees to be put on trial in New York, or expressing her belief that we should increase profiling of Muslim members of the military.

    But what's really over-the-top are her comments about Glenn Beck:

    In a new interview with Newsmax, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin hinted that a "dream ticket" of Palin and Fox News host Glenn Beck is not out of the question:

    "I can envision a couple of different combinations, if ever I were to be in a position to really even seriously consider running for anything in the future, and I'm not there yet," Palin tells Newsmax. "But Glenn Beck I have great respect for. He's a hoot. He gets his message across in such a clever way. And he's so bold - I have to respect that. He calls it like he sees it, and he's very, very, very effective."

    Palin is a big Beck fan. In August, she wrote on her Facebook page, "FOX News' Glenn Beck is doing an extraordinary job this week walking America behind the scenes of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and outlining who is actually running the White House. Monday night he asked us to invite one friend to watch; tonight I invite all my friends to watch." Maybe they could go up against Michele Bachmann and Steve King?

    No, Levi gracing the pages of Playgirl is not even close to being pornographic.

    I dunno (none / 0) (#15)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:56:45 PM EST
    I think they would be the perfect representative team for the Republican party these days.

    Batsh*t crazy.

    Parent

    She's playing to the base (none / 0) (#34)
    by cawaltz on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:12:35 PM EST
    which makes her a pol(and a smart one since a galvanised base can make a difference). If only this side of the aisle would do that.

    For the record, I hate that she is pandering to the hard right lately but I understand it. She needs them in order to win.

    Parent

    wow (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:22:54 PM EST


    Parent
    Smart move (none / 0) (#55)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:26:08 PM EST
    She must be playing her cards right, when a whole 23% of the population have a favorable opinion of her.  I think I'll make that recommendation to Democrats: act like Sarah Palin, and you can enjoy just as much success as her in national politics!

    Parent
    except (none / 0) (#70)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:34:37 PM EST
    she was not moralizing.  But don't let facts get in the way of your PDS. It is so attractive when democrats sound like republicans.

    Porn is porn whether it offends you is not what defines it.

    Parent

    Excuse me, but I do not have PDS; (none / 0) (#101)
    by Anne on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:55:39 PM EST
    you must be confusing me with someone else.

    And there must be some punctuation missing from your "porn is porn" remarks - I can read it a couple of ways, but it still makes no sense.  

    In case it was not clear, I am offended by the content of Palin's recent remarks, not by the fact that she said them; the things she said would be - should be - offensive coming out of anyone's mouth.

    If that makes me a democrat who's sounding like a republican, I think I'm having trouble with your definitions there, too.

    Parent

    Don't know and not going to find out (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by ruffian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:55:56 PM EST
    about the porn I mean. Is he going the Full Levi?

    Not sure about the football either. I'm useless.

    No full Levi, the 50l's stay buttoned. (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by KeysDan on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:13:23 PM EST


    Parent
    At the risk of seeming interested (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by ruffian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:20:00 PM EST
    I might ask - what's the point? So he's gonna be shirtless and wearing jeans? Like a Calvin Klein ad?

    Never mind, moving on...

    Parent

    Guess it's just a Republican thing, (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by KeysDan on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:32:54 PM EST
    as in government, less is more.

    Parent
    Funny to see BTD (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:06:10 PM EST
    do Levi Johnston coverage.  Gawker, you're going down!  ;)

    I'm tweaking J actually (none / 0) (#63)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:29:17 PM EST
    I hate Palinpalooza.

    Parent
    Sucked me in talking about clothes (none / 0) (#150)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 08:43:29 AM EST
    I can't believe the time I wasted in thought.  Palin is free to run around the house naked now.  She's gotten rid of loudmouth Levi and she doesn't even have a real job.

    Parent
    Coloradoans, please help me understand (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by Cream City on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:16:23 PM EST
    is this guy who is your state's chief medical officer a rightwinger or just a fool?  He's the chair of the panel that recommended that women not get mammograms until the age of 50.  That would have denied a lot of my friends early detection that saved some and at least allowed others to have more years. . . .

    Here is the list of members, and your Colorado chief medical officer is the chair of the panel.  So is there local coverage out there to even begin to explain what was in his mind on this?  Noting that neither he nor anyone on the panel is an oncologist; did they at least do their job (see link) of sifting and winnowing the evidence?  It would seem not.

    Btw, CNN's Gupta did a devastating job on a fool nurse who has been out there parroting the line on this.  And what fools they are, as now right-wing women in Congress are seizing on this as an example of rationed health care to come.

    Based on the women I know (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:25:16 PM EST
    who have gone through this, most have been under 50 years old at diagnosis and treatment. I can't imagine that one of the larger organizations (Susan Koman, as an example) dedicated to fighting this disease wouldn't have some fairly accurate statistics on percentage of women who have been treated on both sides of 50.

    Parent
    Sebelius says women should begin (5.00 / 2) (#97)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:52:24 PM EST
    getting mammograms at age 40.  (See TL AP sidebar.)

    Parent
    Susan Love, M.D., traces the history (none / 0) (#57)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:26:59 PM EST
    of the present recommended schedule re mammograms.  She says it resulted from politics, not science.  She agrees with the panel's input.  See her post on Huff Post.

    Parent
    but all the false positive will send women (none / 0) (#77)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:40:56 PM EST
    to the fainting couch and we all know a hysterical woman having the vapors is much worse than one dying of cancer.
    Thank God people are looking out for our delicate sensibilities.

    Parent
    So, I guess we can assume... (none / 0) (#95)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:49:07 PM EST
    ...that all of those women on the panel are rightwingers and fools too?


    Parent
    I don't know, I don't understand (none / 0) (#124)
    by Cream City on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:20:51 PM EST
    their decision -- but it would seem that the way to start to understand it starts at the top, with the chair of the panel.  You're a Coloradoan, right?  So who is this guy?  What's his agenda?  Is he a holdover, or was he appointed by Obama?  Etc.

    Parent
    Here is a good explanation (none / 0) (#139)
    by caseyOR on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:51:27 PM EST
    from the Our bodies, Ourselves blog. After reading this and some other comments, including those from Dr. Susan Love, these recommendations no longer seem possibly sinister to me.

    YMMV.

    Parent

    Palin and Obama on Mohammed (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by lentinel on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:23:13 PM EST
    Several days ago, Sarah Palin demonstrated her contempt for the American system of jurisprudence saying:

    "I, like most Americans, hope that Mohammed and his co-conspirators are convicted. Hang `em high."

    Shocking. Appalling. No presumption of innocence. Horrible. Terrible. Dreadful. That awful, awful Palin.

    Contrast this with the statement of our hero, champion of the rights of defendants, president of The Harvard Law Review: Barack Obama.

    Today Obama predicted that professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be convicted and executed...

    Obama went on to say that those offended by the legal privileges given to Mohammed ... won't find it

    "offensive at all when he's convicted and when the death penalty is applied to him."

    Obama / Palin in 2012.

    Yea (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:28:55 PM EST
    It's exactly the same, especially when you put the entire context.

    "... Obama said those offended by the legal privileges given to Mohammed by virtue of getting a civilian trial rather than a military tribunal won't find it "offensive at all when he's convicted and when the death penalty is applied to him."

    Obama quickly added that he did not mean to suggest he was prejudging the outcome of Mohammed's trial. "I'm not going to be in that courtroom," he said. "That's the job of the prosecutors, the judge and the jury." ..."

    emphasis mine


    Parent

    Flabbergasting (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by lentinel on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:46:35 PM EST
    Astounding, really.

    First Obama prejudges the outcome - saying in no uncertain terms "when he's convicted and executed"...

    and then says that this statement shouldn't be taken to mean that he is prejudging the outcome. Is he kidding?

    Notice also that in referring to what will be happening in the courtroom, the part you put in bold,  he references the prosecutor, the judge, the jury - but not the defense attorney.

    The only thing he is right about is that he will not be in that courtroom.

    How could he say something so ...... words fail.


    Parent

    I agree with you. (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:48:17 PM EST


    Parent
    Meh (none / 0) (#100)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:54:49 PM EST
    He's defending the use of the criminal justice system to those who would prefer all rights were rescinded.  We all prejudge to a degree.  At least he tried to acknowledge he was wrong about it.

    Parent
    No, CST (none / 0) (#144)
    by lentinel on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 05:05:43 PM EST
    He is not "defending the use of the criminal justice system to those who would prefer all rights be rescinded".

    Obama is saying that people who are against the rights of a defendant will be happy when they see Mr. Mohammed strung up.

    But what happens if Mr. Mohammed is not found guilty and and so is not strung up as Obama predicts? What if a skillful defense earns Mr. Mohammed an acquittal? Pandemonium?

    Indeed - Obama's statement is so prejudicial, it's going to make it pretty interesting to find a juror not feeling pressure to convict. Obama has already said that Mohammed will be found guilty and executed.

    Obama was the president of the Harvard Law Review. A law professor. How could he have said something so clueless?
    This transcends even his usual standard of pandering. That leads me to believe that when push comes to shove, he and Palin are two peas in a pod.

    Saying he didn't say it after he said it doesn't change a thing, imo.

    Parent

    I guess my point is (none / 0) (#151)
    by CST on Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 03:52:50 PM EST
    He is doing what I want him to be doing.  Don't actions matter more here?

    Do I think he had a poor choice of words, sure.  But what he said isn't all that different from what many here (including BTD) have said regarding their opinions of what will happen.  Now obviously he is the president so his words carry a different kind of significance.  That being said, I'm not gonna harp on him saying something un-p.c. when at the end of the day, his actions show that he is doing the right thing.  And the fact that he tried to correct himself means that he knows he said something wrong.

    Parent

    What "actions"? (none / 0) (#152)
    by lentinel on Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 05:15:54 PM EST
    What are you referring to you when you refer to Obama's "actions"? Making this highly prejudicial statement about a pending criminal trial is an action, imo.

    And I can't agree that a President of the United States calling a defendant guilty and worthy of execution is merely "politically incorrect". This is pure Bush-Yahoo-speak. It's playing to the crowd carrying the torches and pitchforks.

    He didn't really correct himself either. He didn't say that he had made a mistake in prejudging Mohammed. He just said he wasn't prejudging him - which is a lot of crap imho.

    Obama was playing to the Palin folks. Pure and simple.
    And then he said he wasn't.

    I think you want to let him off the hook. I'm not sure why.

    Slightly off this topic, but - how is Mohammed now the announced mastermind when we have been led to believe the OBL was the mastermind? That's supposedly why we started a war in Afghanistan. What a mess.

    Parent

    The action (none / 0) (#153)
    by CST on Fri Nov 20, 2009 at 09:12:13 AM EST
    I am referring to is the fact that he is sending Mohammed to non-military court.

    Something the Bush-yahoos would never do.

    That's why I'm letting him off the hook.

    I don't know how he is the mastermind.

    Parent

    You're joking here, right? (none / 0) (#59)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:27:24 PM EST


    Parent
    Boring medical stuff.... (5.00 / 2) (#147)
    by Fabian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 06:19:31 PM EST
    I was trying to look up information on disease mechanisms that involve damage to the myelin in the brain.  Myelin damage is a factor in a lot of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.  The brain is a world unto itself.  It functions much like a separate entity and doesn't share much with the rest of the body.  It shares the blood supply, but not the immune system.  The brain has its own private immune system.  Weird.

    It turns out that physical injury can activate the brain's immune system and that reaction can cause further damage.  That was a surprise.  Another reason to wear your helmet and avoid blows to the head because any damage has the potential to be magnified by the brain's immune system.

    I wouldn't pay a dime to (none / 0) (#2)
    by cawaltz on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:41:59 PM EST
    see Levi Johnston in the nude. Irresponsible boys don't do a thing for me.

    That being said he's an adult I don't see it as an different than girls who pose for Maxim or Playboy or even strutting your stuff in a bikini for a beauty pageant(does she really think men are closing their eyes and thinking of their mother for that segment of the pagaent),

    So no I don't really agree with Sarah that this is a big deal.

    Let's just say (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:47:57 PM EST
    that Playgirl isn't exactly targeted at your demographic these days.

    Parent
    Oh yea (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:50:22 PM EST
    I wonder if Levi knows that...

    Parent
    I think so (none / 0) (#18)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:58:01 PM EST
    also in gay Levi news, he apparently believes people should be able to marry anybody they want.  Huzzah!

    Parent
    I disagree with that (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:58:45 PM EST
    the other person should have to agree first.

    Parent
    In Alaska (none / 0) (#21)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:00:44 PM EST
    it's about the hunter and the hunted..

    Parent
    In Alaska (5.00 / 3) (#38)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:14:33 PM EST
    the women have a saying, inspired by the unbalanced gender ratio: the odds are good but the goods are odd.

    Parent
    We had that saying in college too (none / 0) (#40)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:16:14 PM EST
    engineering school

    very apt.

    Parent

    Really? (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:50:34 PM EST
    Reading between the lines I think I just learned something.

    Parent
    Lets just say (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:53:08 PM EST
    most women/girls I know do not watch or read porn.

    Of any kind.

    Unless you count romance novels.  It's a mental v.s. visual stimulation thing.

    Parent

    I don't know that I would agree (none / 0) (#30)
    by cawaltz on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:07:23 PM EST
    Women are alot more visual then I think they are given credit for.

    I don't think I know a single woman who hasn't commentated on football players backsides at one time or another.

    I think that it's a bit more of a secret than it is with guys though. We don't want ya'll to know that we can be shallow too.

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:15:11 PM EST
    They'll comment on it and notice, I'm not saying we are blind.  But they don't necessarily turn on a football game to stare at asses.  There is appreciating something that's in front of you, and then there is paying money for it.  Not to say it never happens, but it's pretty rare.

    I also find there is always more of a fantasy aspect to it, and more left for the imagination for women than men.  There's a difference between tight pants and a naked butt.

    Parent

    Meh (none / 0) (#67)
    by cawaltz on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:32:39 PM EST
    I think alot of it is cultural. I'd be hard pressed to explain women's appreciation of beautiful things(everything from flowers to household to fashion) if we aren't visual.

    My position is purely anecdotal though.

    Parent

    but (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:23:59 PM EST
    just because you do not mind it, and some women and men like it doesn't mean it isn't porn.  It is porn, who cares?  If he is an adult he can participate in pimping himself out in porn mags.
    However he is someone's father and I can see why that same some one's grandmother might object.

    Parent
    I would hope she (none / 0) (#74)
    by cawaltz on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:39:02 PM EST
    keeps the photos away from her grandchild until they are old enough to discuss sexuality. Additionally, when that child is old enough I would hope a frank conversation on attraction might occur so that the mistakes this child's parent made might not be repeated. Like it or not, our looks play into who we are attracted to and who is attracted to us.

    Parent
    You read correctly (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:54:08 PM EST


    Parent
    Me too, lol!~ (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by nycstray on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:58:28 PM EST


    Parent
    Well there you go. I just learned something too. (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:23:02 PM EST
    Being a runner and exerciser sports kind of guy, a while back my wife thought I'd be interested in Men's Health Magazine. But, after looking at an issue, like PG, I don't think I'm the target demographic...

    Parent
    Took me a minute there (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by ruffian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:57:54 PM EST
    At first I thought you were referring to age.

    Parent
    Go figure (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by cawaltz on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:03:57 PM EST
    I'm not morally opposed to looking at eye candy(which makes me odd woman out during lots of the feminist debates because I don't condemn the guys for it either). That being said with this particular person you'd have to live in some far off continent to not know his story line. I'm trying to figure out how any demographic gets past that and sees him as attractive.

    Parent
    The whole Palin saga bores me (none / 0) (#31)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:07:37 PM EST
    but it is not exactly a revelation that people are interested in seeing the famous (or infamous) in the nude.

    Parent
    SP never said it was a big deal (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:10:01 PM EST
    She quipped that he was now going by the name "Ricky Hollywood" and on a career path to porn. It was a sarcastic comment.

    Levi is a deadbeat dad. That isn't an attractive trait. Personally, I think he's too young and immature to realize what he's doing to himself. However, I question the magazines and producers (talk show) who want to exploit him simply because of his connection to the Palin's.

    Parent

    How do we know he is a dead beat dad? (none / 0) (#80)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:42:26 PM EST
    He's a teenaged dad who is estranged from his girlfriend's family - and it looks like that was their doing not his.  A family that seems to me to be quite treacherous and controlling on a lot of levels.  I think it was impressive that he hung in there during the campaign given his age.  Then Palin basically ditched him when he was no longer important to her.  I kind of like the kid.  He seems to be the only one out of that crew who is operating on some level of honesty not really pretending to be anything but exactly who he is.  I think he should be able to "participate in pornography" if he wants to.  It isn't like the Palins are going to be any nicer to him if he doesn't.

    Parent
    Eh (none / 0) (#5)
    by AlkalineDave on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:47:22 PM EST
    playgirl doesn't interest me.  

    Sorry BTD, I like Bama.  Other than LSU, Florida's schedule has been unimpressive and they look vulnerable.  

    Drexel. . . (none / 0) (#16)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 02:57:48 PM EST
    Last I checked, they're generous with their aid. They also seem to let pretty much everyone in. But they're so new that they have no alumni network to speak of.

    Could be something before long, but it's a risk.

    Compared to Alabama, Philly is an (none / 0) (#29)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:06:15 PM EST
    expensive town. Compared to NYC and DC, it's cheap. You should consider that too.

    Parent
    If I were you, I would worry about the (none / 0) (#47)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:21:09 PM EST
    "pretty much let everybody in" aspect.  This used to be true of a law school here.  Many sd. they would never hire anyone from this school.  But, 25 years later, they are.  

    Parent
    "I knew that the option was there...." (none / 0) (#23)
    by ChiTownDenny on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:02:54 PM EST
    This is the comment Sarah Palin gave to Barbara Walters when replying to the question posed by Walters about the Palin's discovering their 5th child would be born with Down Syndrome.  I point out this comment because it strikes me as hypocritcal that an ardent denier of CHOICE actually excersized CHOICE regarding her own pregnacny!  
    The full interview will be on 20/20.  Who cares about her legs?  

    What's hypocritical about that comment? (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:16:58 PM EST
    She knew the option was there. Everyone does. She didn't ponder it, though, did she? I sure don't see any hypocrisy in that.


    Parent
    "I knew that the option was there...." (none / 0) (#93)
    by ChiTownDenny on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:47:10 PM EST
    If you can consider the choice, well, that's, um, an option.  If you have no choice, there's no option to consider.  Seems plain to me.  

    Parent
    It would have been hypocritical (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by cawaltz on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:22:50 PM EST
    had she exercised the choice to abort. She didn't. The fact she chose to give birth to a child with genetic defects actually makes the argument that she lives as she believes. For the recod even Mother Teresa had doubts when it came to faith.

    While I disagree with her position on choice I respect the fact that she was faced with a decision 5 times and each time chose to bring a child into the world.

    Frankly, if I were going to pick her apart for hypocrisy. I'd go with health care. How many people die as a result of not having health coverage in the private industry run option we have now? It's hard to argue any government run plan would kill more people.

    Parent

    Please see upthread. (none / 0) (#98)
    by ChiTownDenny on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:52:28 PM EST
    I don't see how one who is anti-abortion would consider abortion an it an option.  Maybe it's just me but that seems hypocritical.

    Parent
    I'm still waiting for (none / 0) (#112)
    by ChiTownDenny on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:09:04 PM EST
    a response.  I'm actually curious if my thinking is gender specific.  I am under the impression that if one is anti-choice, then there is no choice to consider.

    Parent
    There are many (none / 0) (#116)
    by CoralGables on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:12:41 PM EST
    anti-choice individuals that used their right to choose and already had an abortion.

    Parent
    Kinda my point. (none / 0) (#126)
    by ChiTownDenny on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:21:39 PM EST
    Thanks.

    Parent
    OK. Multi-tasking. Need to read, not write. (none / 0) (#37)
    by ChiTownDenny on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:13:38 PM EST
    Walters asked about carrying the pregnancy to term.

    Parent
    Ms. Palin did not say Levi appearing (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:03:22 PM EST
    in Playgirl was porn.  She sd. the stuff he is doing she considers to be porn.  She didn't wink, but I don't think she really meant "porn."  But he is selling himself.  

    A tad politer way of saying (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by nycstray on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:12:48 PM EST
    he's wh*ring himself out?  ;)

    Parent
    Tank Jones is the name of Levi's mgr. !!! (none / 0) (#33)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:10:21 PM EST


    Palin says its porn (none / 0) (#43)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:17:40 PM EST
    I guess she would know.
    want something worth being outraged about?

    Christian Conservatives Praying for God to Kill Obama

    "Pray for Obama--Psalm 109:8"

    For those of you who are Bible-challenged:

    1. Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
    2. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
    3. Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.


    no (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:42:37 PM EST
    that is not porn that is hate and I love how you imply that Palin is part of the Christian right praying for Obama's death.

    Parent
    jeebus crist on a bicycle (none / 0) (#87)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:45:05 PM EST
    is everyone reading challenged today.

    WHAT exactly in that comment implies anything about freaking Palin?

    the post ask a question.  I answered it and then posted a comment.

    Parent

    Your subject line is subject to several (none / 0) (#102)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:58:24 PM EST
    interpretations.

    Parent
    excuse me (none / 0) (#106)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:02:42 PM EST
    that is BS.  the post asked a question and I answered it.  if "Palin on the Brain" forces some here to assume I mean Palin is marketing the kill Obama paraphernalia, FINE BY ME.

    ftr
    who wants to bet you can find one of those shirts at the next Palin rally?

    Parent

    Thick skin is preferred, but I don't (none / 0) (#109)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:05:56 PM EST
    have it, so, what can I say?  

    Parent
    well (none / 0) (#115)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:12:13 PM EST
    dont take it personally.

    Parent
    I'm still slightly pissed re the "1" (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:13:59 PM EST
    BTD bestowed on me months ago.

    PS  Have I obliterated my chance of ever seeing your magnificent Garuda?

    Parent

    pfft (none / 0) (#121)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:17:35 PM EST
    certainly not

    Parent
    at least he didnt (none / 0) (#122)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:18:07 PM EST
    call you a cretin.  or what ever it was he called me.

    Parent
    btw (none / 0) (#130)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:26:30 PM EST
    need some cute?

    (inspector: DO NOT click on this link.  Im afraid it would do permanent damage and god knows I dont want to be responsible for that)

    Parent

    oops (none / 0) (#131)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:26:58 PM EST
    bad link

    Parent
    Ha. BTW, my biking bro is in Rantoul IL. (none / 0) (#149)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 09:37:11 PM EST
    When I googled the village, the first things to show up were child molester registration sites.  Hmmm.  

    Parent
    How dare you?! (none / 0) (#58)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:27:14 PM EST
    You are downright slanderous with that ugly comment. You have absolutely no proof that Sarah Palin is participating in that, and I sincerely doubt that she is the type of person to wish anyone dead.


    Parent
    what the (none / 0) (#60)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:28:41 PM EST
    hell are you talking about

    Parent
    what di you mean (none / 0) (#83)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:43:52 PM EST
    by saying Palin should know about porn?

    Parent
    geee I dont know (none / 0) (#89)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:46:11 PM EST
    THIS MAYBE

    Sarah Palin calls this participating in pornography. Do you agree?

    This is an Open Thread.



    Parent
    Interesting (none / 0) (#65)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:31:09 PM EST
    I can't find anywhere that he says or implies that Palin has anything to do with it.  But I guess if he had said it, it would be pretty slanderous.

    Parent
    the inspector (none / 0) (#69)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:33:48 PM EST
    has Palin on the brain.  its going around.

    Parent
    Hypothetical: if Tim Tebow morphs (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:17:59 PM EST
    into a politician (yes, I know, he already is), will he be treated like a Sarah Palin due to his good looks?

    He might (none / 0) (#45)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:19:06 PM EST
    But he would be making a mistake.

    BTW, no way Tebow is not a conservative Republican.

    Parent

    Funny (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:31:32 PM EST
    as I do not watch college sports at all, before this, I had no idea he was white.

    Parent
    Chuckle (none / 0) (#53)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:24:22 PM EST


    Parent
    I do you recall you mentioning (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:30:27 PM EST
    Tebow must be pro-life.  So I googled and am forced to agree.  Maybe he could join Stupak at The Family.

    Parent
    Is it p*rn? Potter will let you know when he sees (none / 0) (#56)
    by steviez314 on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:26:27 PM EST
    it.

    haha (none / 0) (#71)
    by AlkalineDave on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:35:55 PM EST
    bravo

    Parent
    Here's the teaser: (none / 0) (#61)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:28:53 PM EST
    Chicago Tribune

    That's too funny (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:39:16 PM EST
    Is that really his bedroom eyes?  It's not happening for me.  I don't think these are his bedroom eyes.  I think this is Levi attempting it but if he has to try that hard he's riding the wrong neuropathway there.

    Parent
    He's supposed to be cute? (none / 0) (#72)
    by Fabian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:36:32 PM EST
    I guess, if you are into that kind of thing.

    Parent
    I think Levi could benefit from career (5.00 / 3) (#73)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:38:39 PM EST
    counseling.  But, with the job market in the pits, maybe he is onto something.

    Parent
    What big career (none / 0) (#79)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:41:03 PM EST
    does Levi want though?  I think he sees an opportunity to make some easy money, and then go do what he wants to do, like chop up animals in a forest.  I say that because he doesn't have a very showbiz personality.  However he apparently wants to go into acting and country singing.

    Parent
    Well, given most people in U.S. (none / 0) (#86)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:45:05 PM EST
    change careers, what, 5 times, this is his first one.

    Parent
    Mark Wahlberg (aka Marky Mark) (none / 0) (#110)
    by KeysDan on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:07:22 PM EST
    might be a good choice for Levi for career counseling.

    Parent
    Let's see what andgarden says. We aren't (none / 0) (#75)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:39:31 PM EST
    the "target" demo.

    Parent
    Yeah. (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by Fabian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:52:05 PM EST
    I remember how my jaw dropped when I found out who the real demographic was.  I was only in my twenties and didn't know much about gay anything.  Made sense though - hetero men look at nekkid women, gays look at nekkid men.  

    Parent
    Must confess I thought the comment (none / 0) (#105)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:01:52 PM EST
    here was ageism, as didn't seem to be related to the South!

    Parent
    If I were going to make a comment, (5.00 / 3) (#123)
    by andgarden on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:20:32 PM EST
    I wouldn't make it here.

    Parent
    Not clicking! (none / 0) (#76)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:40:03 PM EST
    I liked you better as the purveyor of Polanski palaver.

    Parent
    Re Polanski: news orgs. want to (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:43:27 PM EST
    televise Dec. 10 DCA oral argument:  NYT

    Parent
    I assume (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:44:59 PM EST
    that you have already called your cable provider to see if you can get the live feed.

    Parent
    Court hasn't decided yet. Seeking input (none / 0) (#92)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:46:57 PM EST
    from counsel.  Have to say my interest is fading.

    Parent
    It is a perfectly respectable photo of a guy (none / 0) (#78)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:41:02 PM EST
    who is deluded as to his importance.

    Parent
    It seems to me (5.00 / 4) (#84)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:43:53 PM EST
    that Levi is following in the footsteps of Paris Hilton, Khloe Kardashian, and countless other people who are famous for no reason.  I suspect it's working out better for him than the living he could have eked out as a semi-pro hockey player in backwoods Alaska.  As Don King used to say, only in America!

    Parent
    What was the guy's name who lived in (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:45:57 PM EST
    OJ's guest house?

    Parent
    Kato Kaelin? (5.00 / 3) (#104)
    by Steve M on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:00:59 PM EST


    Parent
    Kato Kaelin. n/t (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by caseyOR on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:03:12 PM EST


    Parent
    That was a joke, you two! (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:04:38 PM EST


    Parent
    I couldn't remember. (none / 0) (#120)
    by Fabian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:16:25 PM EST
    I just remember the Akita.  I'm good with some things! ;-)

    (Said hello to a truly enormous dog today while waiting for the bus.  St. Bernard X Something.  A friendly and enthusiastic goof, but he didn't jump on me.  Bad hips.  Sigh.)

    Parent

    Kato Kaelin (5.00 / 2) (#113)
    by CoralGables on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:10:34 PM EST
    but he was just a money grubber looking for a free handout. Paris Hilton on the other hand made herself famous doing nothing and easily pocketed more doing it than I will in my lifetime. I'd call that damn smart if making money is your goal. Levi is striking while the iron is hot. Can't blame him. He does appear to have the ability to get under his never quite mother in law's skin and is turning a profit doing it.

    Parent
    Agree w/your assessment, with the proviso (5.00 / 2) (#114)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:12:03 PM EST
    I think both Levi and Palin are benefitting from his schtick.  

    Parent
    Agreed (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by CoralGables on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:14:14 PM EST
    100%

    Parent
    You aren't missing much. (none / 0) (#90)
    by Fabian on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:46:15 PM EST
    My opinion of the Playgirl photographer is pretty low.  Levi might not be much a model, but between lighting, camera angle and photoshop the photographer should be able to do better than that!

    I have to walk past full size "Twilight" posters every time I go shopping.  Here's a sample.  Not shabby!

    Parent

    That's very scenic (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:35:27 PM EST
    Life size?

    Parent
    So (none / 0) (#99)
    by lilburro on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:53:40 PM EST
    healthcare is still happening...

    Reid says he's happy w/CBO score.
    Nelson says cloture.

    I'm looking forward to the next completely aggravating step which will apparently begin later this evening.

    OH - CBO SCORE:  $849B!

    i wonder (none / 0) (#103)
    by Howard Zinn on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:59:13 PM EST
    why everyone cares what sara publicity palin says?  she's what now -- not a governor, not an elected official.

    I also wonder why Big Tent Democrat is such a jerk.  I post something comparing Palin's treatment on Newsweek with Obama's on the Washingtonian and BT completely insults my very intelligence for daring to do such a thing.  Then the owner of TL (or so I assume), Jeralyn, posts an entire topic on something very similar.  Is that how you get your jollies dude/ette?  Insulting people and trying to run them off your site when they disagree?  Classy.

    Its a free for all sometimes. Get used to it. (5.00 / 2) (#111)
    by oculus on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:08:04 PM EST


    Parent
    Although (5.00 / 2) (#119)
    by CST on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:16:15 PM EST
    this is funnier now due to what you wrote about thin skins and all upthread...

    Parent
    A sensitive Howard Zinn (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:33:33 PM EST
    is quite funny to me.

    Parent
    I only marginally care (none / 0) (#129)
    by Samuel on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:26:21 PM EST
    that people are still - let's say denying reality - enough to bring her up as some type of indicator.  

    As far as BT"heh"D goes - I think he gets mad for the same reason that a parent does when their kids ask "why?".  He frequently states opinions as objective truths without providing definitions or evidence beyond bolding the writing of someone else.  Just as a child of a insecure authoritatively driven parent will be scolded for asking questions which expose specific cases of ignorance and insincere methodology - this guy resorts to some form of derisive/mean/rude response as to semi-consciously steer the conversation away from whatever question was asked.  It's a form of self defense.

    Now for why I still comment on his blog...someone feel free to psychoanalyze that as I and my friends cannot determine why.  

    Parent

    Not big on the psychoanalysis here (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:32:56 PM EST
    But since I took some shots at people today, we'll call this an open thread for whining about me.

    But just this one time.

    Parent

    So long as its not JUST (5.00 / 1) (#138)
    by Samuel on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:44:38 PM EST
    to discredit my hypothesis.

    Parent
    waaaaa (none / 0) (#140)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:53:29 PM EST
    call the wambulance Im damaged

    Parent
    Seems like your standard issue (none / 0) (#143)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 05:03:49 PM EST
    corp lawyer to me...

    Parent
    you should have just (none / 0) (#141)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:56:03 PM EST
    agreed with her like I did

    Parent
    but (none / 0) (#142)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:59:13 PM EST
    to answer your question.  she is the highest peak in the republican party right now.  she has shown an ability to tap into the anti government wave that is out there (it IS out there) in a way no other republican politician has.  she is either running for the republican nomination or running for a show on FOX.

    lets pray for the latter.


    Parent

    I don't know football kind of strikes me (none / 0) (#125)
    by SOS on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:21:15 PM EST
    as thinly veiled ritualized warfare where the goal is to slam people down who get in the way.

    I suppose like anything else when you've had to much of it you ask yourself . . . What's my motivation here and what am I getting out of this?

    Suppose I should blame it on decreasing (none / 0) (#127)
    by SOS on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:22:42 PM EST
    testosterone levels I guess. LOL

    Parent
    How bout some music!!!!!!!! (none / 0) (#128)
    by SOS on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:25:39 PM EST
    Has anyone been following this new lead singer of Journey? This kid kicks ass!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU8uqN0Vd2E

    They found him on You Tube (none / 0) (#136)
    by SOS on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:35:30 PM EST
    Great find obviously

    Parent
    I still haven't changed the (none / 0) (#132)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 04:32:37 PM EST
    registered name of that dog yet.  She's still named 'Go Bama'.  If I root for the Tide will I miss Jeff Sessions' state someday when I leave to live some other place that makes me happy?  It's too risky.  As for Levi, I don't want to see him naked.  Pornography usually has this tempting pull where I think quietly to self that if I ever was going to look at that I would do that alone when the kids weren't home.  When I think about Levi naked my inner teenager says nothing, I can hear a pin drop in there.  But I'm also not going to buy a copy and throw it on the coffee table for entertainment purposes either.  This would not entertain Zoey.  That's just a creepy thought.

    Porn (none / 0) (#145)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 05:09:46 PM EST
    is making money off of sliming your child's mother and grandmother.  And yes, Sarah dumped him like 3 tons of bricks when she didn't need him anymore, but I'm still waiting to see that custody battle...I'll probably see it on the golf course along with Nicole Simpson's real killer.

    And yes, the legal def of porn is posing naked for Playboiz (aka Playgirl).  (I've never understood the names of those two mags.  For me, they seem swapped).

    So yes, 2 counts of porn here.

    Except (none / 0) (#146)
    by CoralGables on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 05:49:37 PM EST
    by all accounts he isn't naked, so is it still porn? Or is Palin just doing her part to up the sales of Playgirl?

    Parent
    If (none / 0) (#148)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 09:25:20 PM EST
    he isn't naked, then only one count of porn.

    And one count of pretending to do porn then chickening out of it....why do I think he chickened out?  Because why would he agree to pose for Playgirl if he wasn't going to get naked.  I'm sure Vanity Fair or Vogue or Oprah Magazine, or Cosmo would have taken him otherwise.

    Parent

    Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | 150 comments (150 topical)

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