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Sunday Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:29:00 AM EST
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Nadal breaks Federer's will in Australia.

The Super Bowl is tonight.

Some gasbags will be talking about stuff this morning.

This is an Open Thread.

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    I didn't try to hit Kerry, I promise. (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by cpa1 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:10:33 AM EST
    Last night we went to see Pal Joey in Manhattan and first we decided to go to the Carnegie Deli.  So, we got into the city about 6:10, coming through the midtown tunnel.  I took the uptown extreme right lane so that I could make a left onto 41st Street.  When I passed 40th Street, I said, "There is a guy that looks just like John Kerry."  When I got closer, I saw that it was John Kerry.  He was carrying a briefcase and I didn't really almost hit him but I am lucky my discovery didn't overtake my driving ability.  I wonder what he was doing in that part of Manhattan, like east of Third Ave. walking from 41st street to 40th Street.  

    I mention this because during those days he ran for the presidency I was relentless trying to wake him the hell up about the way he answered questions and the way he ran his campaign, losing to the worst president in American history, wartime or not.  When he congratulated Bush in debate three for what he did after 9/11, I went ballistic on him.  Finally, when he wrote to the DailyKos about his exploring a second run at the presidency, I was very insistent that he never ever ever put us through that again.  If he read those postings, I am sure he would remember me.

    So, how would it look if I was the one who hit him with my car?  Most of the comments at the time on the DailyInfant were, "Thank you Senator Kerry, you were wonderful" and all that other BS that goes on at the there.  It wasn't that I didn't want to see Kerry as president but if you can't beat Bush, how could you but someone with credibility and stature.  

    So, if you are reading this Senator Kerry, I really do like you and I think you are an important part of the Democratic Party.  The only thing I would tell you is never make what you do and what you say about winning only.  Don't be afraid to speak your mind.  Give us a chance to come around to all you know.  Don't be a part of any protective votes like you and Feinstein always seem to be involved in to appeal to your more conservative bunch.  This country just elected an African American and if that tells you anything it tells you that people want to believe in your words if they feel you believe in them and what you say is more important than your seniority, the color of your skin or even whether or not you are god forbid, a liberal.

    I suspect (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by CoralGables on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:24:17 AM EST
    a long thread could be created on the topic of "people we almost hit". As a runner at college in Gainesville the etiquette of course was always to yield to runners while driving. Never a second thought was given to that while driving in small town Gainesville.

    Back in South Florida during breaks however "yield to runners mode" was in direct conflict with "big city crazy driver mode". After a should I or shouldn't I hesitation turning onto busy Rickenbacker Causeway with a runner in front of me, I decided to go for it cutting off the runner to avoid any chance of getting rear ended.

    Coming nearly eye ball to eye ball with the defenseless runner, I was glad to be wearing sunglasses as a semi-disguise because, had I mushed him, I would have made the nightly news across the country.

    The runner I almost picked off was 1972 Olympic Marathon Champ and 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist Frank Shorter.

    I had the great pleasure of meeting Frank years later, but the story of the near death experience I put him through remained with me.


    Parent

    Focus, man. How was Pal Joey? (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by oculus on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:12:11 AM EST


    Parent
    Pal Joey was GREAT (none / 0) (#60)
    by cpa1 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:15:41 PM EST
    Our seats were horrible though row LL.  We got tickets through TDF and the first time we did we got 5th row orchestra for "A Tale Of Two Cities" on a Saturday night.  Last night we sat in the third from the last row in the second mezzanine.

    Joey was played by Matthew Risch.  He has a good voice but not a very strong one.  He's a great dancer and he had all the Sinatra class.  

    Former First Lady Stockard Channing, as Vera was wonderful.  She's no Rita Hayworth but from where I sat who could tell anyway.  She has a great voice and did a wonderful job with "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered."  

    I was a little disappointed they didn't do "The Lady is a Tramp, as that was an incredible highlight for me in the movie but who could compete with Sinatra and Hayworth?

    Martha Plimpton as Gladys Bumps was the best in the show.  Strong voice and great dancer.

    Jenny Fellner was Linda English and she has a Les Mis voice.  I could hear her doing all the great female roles from that show from Fantine, to Cosette or to Eponine .  She has a beautiful voice and I'm sure she'll be in many more shows.

    The only regret was that because it was so good, I was sorry we got tickets so far away.  However, at $33 a ticket, who can complain.  For better seats we might have to do more middle of the week performances because I am not spending $150 a ticket.  

    As far as John Kerry, when I flipped away from that GREAT tennis match between Nadal and Federer I saw my target on "Meet the Press" and yet again for the few seconds I saw him, he disappointed me by not being more bold about the abject failure of Bush and the Republican Party an the fact that the stupid tax cuts were only an incentive to people like Madoff to steal good money from America.  He was a whimp...I should have hit him!  Just kidding!

    Parent

    You and Newday's Linda Winer enjoyed (none / 0) (#86)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 11:00:48 AM EST
    the show.  The other reviews--not so much.  Christian Hoff, the originally-cast lead, supposedly dropped out after he injured his foot in previews.  

    Re John Kerry:  were I President, I would not rely on Sen. Kerry to represent my views or advocate on my behalf.

    Parent

    On a Sautrday night (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:12:45 AM EST
    some UN mission party?

    What did you have at Carnegie Deli?

    One of those massive sandwiches? The gallon of matzoh ball soup?

    Parent

    BTD, Does eating one of those huge samiches (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by DFLer on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:29:00 AM EST
    qualify cpa1 as a gasbag, and thus meet your criterion for posting on this thread this morning?

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#7)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:39:08 AM EST


    Parent
    It's not the eating one of those (none / 0) (#22)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:03:18 AM EST
    sammiches will qualify him as a gasbag.  Rather, it qualifies him as a glutton*, and will turn him into a gasbag, oh, about 12 hours after consumption.

    In other words, right about ... now.

    *  Frankly, I could eat off one of those sandwiches for at least three days, and maybe a week if I threw in some salads and such.

    Parent

    From personal experience, never ever (none / 0) (#39)
    by oculus on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:11:04 AM EST
    order one of those hummongous sandwiches and even think about splitting it, thinking you won't have to pay the charge for splitting.  Those guys watch you like a hawk.

    Parent
    It was my first time there (none / 0) (#63)
    by cpa1 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:35:43 PM EST
    About 15 years ago I ran a seminar on some accounting software and someone brought me a sandwich from the Carnegie.  It was cold but wonderful.  So, I have been meaning to go there and have one fresh one day.  Since there was nothing great around 54th and B'way, we tried it.

    Yes, I didn't want to have to pay the sharing fee so three of us had a sandwich and one guy had grilled chicken and steamed vegetables.  I think he does that for show and eats crap when he's alone.  The two skinny as rail wives finished their sandwiches and I only ate half because it was too rich to get down.  I also think mine was bigger than theirs.  One of the reasons I decided to go there was that I may have a gluten intolerance and this was the last chance for a corned beef/pastrami on rye.  Something tells me I won't miss it!

    To BTD, I make better Matzo Ball Soup than they do!  And going to the Carnegie doesn't qualify someone to be a gasbag.  Most of the time, they have to be Republicans.  Having meals with Republicans is not good for digestion especially when they expound on the fact that only they work hard for their money and only they deserve to keep every penny they earn.

    It's a great Deli and one worth going to once.  I don't think I'll miss it.  We ordered french fries but forgot to order a knish but I can get that at Knish Nosh in Boca and of course in Rego Park.

    I wonder if it would be considered torture to make someone eat 5 sandwiches from the Carnegie Deli.  I think I rather be waterboarded.

    Parent

    It depends on whether you wash it down (none / 0) (#29)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:36:36 AM EST
    with a can of Dr. Brown's.

    Parent
    I will talk about tennis too (none / 0) (#66)
    by cpa1 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:55:51 PM EST
    I love playing tennis and that was a great match!  I saw the Tennis Chanel version because 3:30 AM was too early for me.  

    Federer sees things in slow motion.  It's as if we had a chance to stop time and decide on the best shot to hit and how to position ourselves to do it.  He is in incredible physical condition with a body mass index of something near zero and he rarely gets tired or even a drop enough tired to miss a shot...like we do

    However, Raffa Nadal is just as smart but he also has the most incredble sense of balance I have ever seen. Balance is everything in sports and Nadal hits shots that nobody else can hit.  He makes Federer sweat by forcing him to aim for the lines and put a little extra speed on the ball, something he rearely has to do.  He rattled him so much it took so much away from Federer's serve, which is always great.  Nothing Federer  did he was able to do from his relaxed state and that's why he lost.

    Federer is still great but Nadal has passed him and might never give that lead back.  He seems to be getting better every year.

    I hold grudges and I am still pissed off at Federer for bringing Tiger Woods to his box at the US Open final agaisnt Roddick a few years ago.  Woods and Federer had never met before that day and I thought what they did was an insult to Roddick, in his own country.  So, I'm glad he lost.  However, he's also a good loser and that's nice to see too.

    What a couch potato day.  Now I'm watching St. Johns beating USF in basketball.  St. Johns looks good and they have a great recruiting class coming in so I see big things for the Red Storm.  I think I'll go lift some weights before the Super Bowl.  

    Parent

    Hope you're right about the Johnnies... (none / 0) (#71)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:05:35 PM EST
    it's been a long dark few years.

    I like Coach Roberts...recruiting will always be a challenge though...small campus in Jamaica, Queens is a tough sell getting tougher.

    Parent

    Do you know that St. John's won a (none / 0) (#83)
    by cpa1 on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 03:46:23 AM EST
    National Championship in soccer a few years ago?  Hardly anyone I know knows it or even knew it.  There isn't much of a campus at St. Johns but it's the best basketball school in the city that produces many of the great players across the country.

    There is a very impressive 2009-2010 class coming in plus Anthony Mason, Jr. will be back.  I think Roberts has turned the corner and he's getting lots of respect from coaches on the area.  Lou Carnasecca wasn't the best coach around but everybody loved him and therefore he was able to recruit great players.

    Parent

    One of my good friends... (none / 0) (#85)
    by kdog on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 08:25:45 AM EST
    played soccer at St. John's...I knew about the national championship.

    The next class is better than most recent classes, but the best of the best in the city always seem to wind up at UConn or Syracuse or a big party school...can't say I blame them.  We need another juco transfer like Marcus Hatten...man was it a pleasure to watch him play a few years back.

    Parent

    You can be he wasn't in New York (none / 0) (#10)
    by BernieO on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:16:07 AM EST
    to visit Bill and Hillary.

    Parent
    No bodyguard? (none / 0) (#64)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:42:00 PM EST
    If not that's cool...newfound respect for John Kerry...walking and not in a limo, and no bodyguard...impressive for a senator.

    Parent
    Expanded Rendition (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Pianobuff on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:35:48 AM EST
    Wondering what folks think of possible expansion of renditions as an alternative.

    LA Times Story
    Obama preserves renditions as counter-terrorism tool
    The role of the CIA's controversial prisoner-transfer program may expand, intelligence experts say.

    Here

    Rendition where (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:38:55 AM EST
    is the key. Right now, rendition to countries that do not respect human rights is illegal and a violation of the international law.

    Will Obama become a war criminal? Perhaps I am naive, but I think Obama will not do that.

    Parent

    BTD, is rendition ever legal? (none / 0) (#68)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:00:05 PM EST
    From today's LA Times story, Obama preserves renditions as counter-terrorism tool - The role of the CIA's controversial prisoner-transfer program may expand, intelligence experts say:

    Under executive orders issued by Obama recently, the CIA still has authority to carry out what are known as renditions, secret abductions and transfers of prisoners to [secret prisons] in countries that cooperate with the United States.

    One assumes these "prisoners" would be held without charges; subjected to interrogation without legal representation; and held without trial for an indefinite time - defined only as a "short-term, temporary" period.

    Isn't any of that "illegal... and a violation of the international law" and/or US law?

    Parent

    Why hasn't there been more of an outrage (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by ding7777 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:53:55 AM EST
    for the discriminatory funding of the expanded health bill?

    Why should tobacco users and only tobacco users pay for this?

    So alcohol users (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by SOS on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:17:27 AM EST
    don't have to reach into their pockets probably.

    Parent
    The only thing more addicting then Tobacco (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by samtaylor2 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:39:09 AM EST
    Is the money from Tobacco law settlements and taxes.

    That being said, cigarrets cause much more health damage then alchohol.  

    Parent

    There are already substantial taxes (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by BernieO on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:19:27 AM EST
    on alcohol to offset the cost of abuse, but alcohol is not comparable to cigarettes. Alcohol can be good for your health if used responsibly. The same cannot be said for cigarettes. Most people become addicted to cigarettes quickly whereas few people who drink in moderation (as well as many that overdo it) become addicted. That is a huge difference.

    Parent
    Gotta disagree with the medico (5.00 / 4) (#26)
    by Cream City on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:30:13 AM EST
    Sam, as I have seen alcoholism up way too close and personally.  And I also have read up on even just the physical damage of alcoholism, which killed people close to me.  But you apparently are not also assessing the psychological, mental, emotional, etc., damage done by alcohol.  And not only on alcoholics but also on those around them by the millions in this country -- and the physical as well as psychological damage to others, such as battered wives and children.  

    The second-hand impact of alcoholism on those around them -- for each drinker, at least four "codependents," as they are called, because they get as screwed up by it without drinking a drop -- can be far worse than those of "second-hand smoking."  Looking only at the physical effects is understandable for a lot of physicians, but it looks a lot different for the rest of us who unfortunately have had to have the larger view.

     

    Parent

    The physical effects of alcohol (5.00 / 3) (#35)
    by Anne on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:57:05 AM EST
    consumption are many, they are serious and they are expensive.  

    The collateral effects are also staggering, as you stated so well.

    Parent

    On the positive side for alcohol, (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:15:24 AM EST
    it is beneficial in small amounts---something you can't say for cigarettes.
    Although, if I smoked, I think I would really enjoy a good cigar every once in a while.


    Parent
    I wasn't making a value judgement (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by samtaylor2 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:30:07 AM EST
    At the macro level cigarettes kill more people.  They lead to the 2 highest causes of death in both men and women (Cancer- many more types than alcohol and Heart Failure) by far.  Alcohol on the other hand is relatively good :) it only causes liver death, kidney failure, drunk driving accidents, domestic abuse, etc. :)  Pick your poison (though generally speaking those that abuse one often abuse the other).  

    Both of them are so deadly because you can do both and look perfectly normal.  In fact, I was shocked the first time i was in the hospital and listened to a patient with COPD and heard "normalish" breathing sounds.  I always thought I was supposed to hear them coughing up a lung with each breath.    

    Parent

    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by sj on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 12:54:52 PM EST
    I didn't know that cigarettes caused all cancers.

    Parent
    However YOu Slice It (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:03:58 PM EST
    Tobacco related deaths are 4 times greater than alcohol.

    Hopefully that statistic will change. Obesity is not far behind tobacco as cause of death.

    Parent

    Fine (none / 0) (#55)
    by sj on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:27:21 PM EST
    But if there is slicing to be done use a clean and honest knife.

    Parent
    Seemed Clean To Me (none / 0) (#57)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:31:02 PM EST
    The point was tobacco leads to more cancer deaths than alcohol.  

    Parent
    Deliberately breathing smoke (none / 0) (#56)
    by Fabian on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:29:57 PM EST
    is unhealthy.  Smokers do it routinely.  Nicotine by itself?  Not nearly so bad.

    Huh.  If nicotine addicts are really squeezed, maybe they should find out if using patches is cheaper.

    Parent

    Badly sliced data (none / 0) (#58)
    by Cream City on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:52:22 PM EST
    (I looked up the best source, which essentially supports your extrapolation -- but . . . ) on alcohol-related deaths.  Footnotes discuss that the data sometimes count motor vehicle fatalities due to drunken driving, sometimes not, for example.

    And believe me, from experience, not a one of the many deaths of alcoholics whom I knew well was attributed to alcohol, owing to the societal stigma -- and to its nature as an underlying causation, not always as the immediate cause.  

    So the causes were listed as suicide or, more often, as owing to the many medical complications from alcoholism, i.e., liver failure, pneumonia, etc.  But every single one of those family members and friends died due to alcoholism.

    And with them died a little bit of each of us, of our hopes and dreams -- but at least, in some cases, other lives much damaged by those alcoholics finally improved with them in the grave.  Not that those years and hopes and dreams ever can be recovered, nor is recovery from psychological and other abuse ever fully possible.

    So, again, since the studies tell us that for every alcoholic, at least four others' lives are severely affected -- multiply that death toll.

    And then think about the great disparity in many states like mine between the constant increase in tobacco taxes -- but the absolute refusal to raise alcohol taxes for decades now.  We simply do not face these realities in this society.

    Parent

    Yes, there was a Russian born (none / 0) (#59)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:11:08 PM EST
    US chess player who died of alcohol-related liver disease a few years ago, in his early 40's. Just recently I was reading articles and blog posts about him, and it was amazing how the people who stated the truth about his cause of death were attacked.
    BTW, I learned the definition of ascites in this reading.. yuck!!

    Parent
    Russian Men (none / 0) (#67)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:59:48 PM EST
    Rarely make it to sixty. That is why when men marry there the most important factor is not the woman to marry but her mother because she is also going to wind up living with them as a babushka.

    Parent
    We've been more effective (none / 0) (#37)
    by Fabian on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:02:06 AM EST
    at reducing tobacco use.

    My annual conference is CENTS - for nurserymen & the original green industries.  It's also one of the last refuges for people who like to smoke on the job.  I saw very few smokers this year.

    Alcohol has a strong social and cultural context that tobacco lacks.  It will probably be with us for a very long time.  (Since the dawn of civilization until now.  Ten thousand years or more.)

    The scariest thing is how quickly people who are predisposed to addiction become addicted to any drug.  Alcohol is so available, so common and so socially accepted that it's no wonder that it is the drug of choice for many addicts.  There is no "cure" for addiction.  It's permanent, til death do you part.

    That's also why I have no interest whatsoever in making any potentially addictive drug more accessible and acceptable.  If "only" 10% of the population are potential addicts, then that is "only" 10% that could succumb to a chronic and potentially fatal disease.  

    It's not good from a public health point of view unless the lucky addiction-free 90% are willing to completely support the 10%.  We have sin taxes to pay for the damage tobacco and alcohol do and we'd be justified in regulating and taxing other damaging drugs as well.  

    Parent

    A tax is fine... (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:32:47 AM EST
    but make it reasonable, and make sure the taxes are directly going to the costs associated with the use...and not the general fund for the state/fed to piss away.  I feel like they come knockin' on every smokers door when there is a budget gap lately, when they should be knockin' on all doors. .

    In NY, the state is making more than the retailer on every pack, more than Phillip Morris, more than the wholesaler...that ain't reasonable or righteous, that's extortion.

    Yeah, smokers can quit, but some people don't appreciate being extorted out of behavior they enjoy...it feels like the exploitation of a minority group where I'm sitting.

    Parent

    Thank you for stating the obvious. (none / 0) (#40)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:11:56 AM EST
    By the way, there is a theory in anthropology that a taste for beer was the true impetus for agriculture, and hence was the cause of civilization.

    Parent
    Obvious? (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Fabian on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 01:23:36 PM EST
    To me.  

    Treatment for addiction may sound perfect - until you look closely at what addiction really means and what the success rates are.  Treatment is still a worthwhile idea - but prevention is always better.  It's something like HIV. You can treat HIV+ patients, but it's not a cure, the disease doesn't go away and the treatment isn't cheap.  

    Many people will point to an inspirational account of someone who survived addiction and recovered from it as proof that it can be done.  The reason these stories are so "inspirational" is because they are about doing something very difficult and unlikely.  There wouldn't be anything "inspirational" about them if they were about something mundane.  The reason they are inspirational is that most people in that situation fail, not succeed.

    Parent

    I guess I should have said (none / 0) (#72)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:06:05 PM EST
    "logical".

    Parent
    I agree. (none / 0) (#84)
    by Fabian on Mon Feb 02, 2009 at 07:53:17 AM EST
    It is logical.

    It's amazing how many people run on emotion more often than logic.  

    OMG!  We simply must do something about the housing crisis!  OMG!  Foreclosures - people are losing their homes!

    How about:

    OMG! Let's reward the SOBs who created the bubble, made money off of the bubble and gladly gave loans to people who couldn't possibly afford them!

    Foreclosures aren't the problem, they are a symptom.  The depressing truth is that most foreclosures happen to people who aren't a little behind or a little over extended.  They happen most often to people who are in way over their heads.  (How DID they get in over their heads?)

    The perfect solution to the housing "crisis" would be to give money to build basic, affordable housing near mass transit.  The housing boom often consisted of the construction version of the fully loaded SUV - large, expensive houses built a long commute from employers.  Expensive to own, expensive to maintain - but oh! the profit margin was wonderful!

    Heard an educator on NPR last week who wants money from the stimulus package.  Sure we should be held accountable, she said, but we don't want any strings attached to the cash.  By golly, that said it all for me.  Give us the money - but don't tell us how to spend it!  

    Parent

    I'm pro choice! (none / 0) (#9)
    by Fabian on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:10:11 AM EST
    You choose to use, you choose to pay.  

    Parent
    Tell me about it... (none / 0) (#36)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:58:37 AM EST
    I live in NY, the tobacco tax capital.

    It's ridiculous...and don't smokers have shorter life spans?  Yeah, if we're on medicare we cost more than average on that end, but we're saving social security a bundle.  And doing our part to address over-population.

    Stop pickin' on us and pick on the soybean eaters...they're livin' till 95 collecting social security for 30 years:)

    Parent

    I'm a little more "outraged" by (none / 0) (#74)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:15:28 PM EST
    today's announcement that Obama will expand the use of rendition and CIA secret prisons - at TAXPAYER expense.

    Parent
    Catch of the Day (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by SOS on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:44:24 AM EST
     Sen. Claire McCaskill's last financial disclosure statement showed income of at least $2.27 million in 2007, not counting her Senate salary.

        McCaskill -- who called Friday for limiting pay at companies bailed out by the government to $400,000, what the president makes -- could have earned, at the top end, more than $9.4 million in 2007, the disclosure shows.

    Selling Obama (none / 0) (#3)
    by blogname on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 08:23:09 AM EST
    Go Steelers! Ok  - that had nothing to do with Obama.  But this does. Apparently, Obama has decided that he would like to control the usage of his image.  He has instructed lawyers to devise a plan to limit unauthorized usage of his likeness - which seems odd, given that the proliferation of his likeness across all media made him a world icon and helped secure his election. Selling Obama
    I have a dilemma (none / 0) (#12)
    by BernieO on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:21:24 AM EST
    The Cardinals knocked my Panthers in the playoffs (not that the Panthers didn't deserve it) but I used to live in Dallas and in the Cleveland area - both big Steeler foes. To make it more complicated my big brother lives in Arizona and he likes to rub things in, as big brothers will do. Guess I will be the bigger person and root for the Cardinals. I do like underdogs.

    Why can't sports be easier for me? I have a kid who went to Chapel Hill and the other to NC State, definitely a touchy situation.

    Parent

    The Steelers knocked my Ravens (none / 0) (#30)
    by Anne on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:39:58 AM EST
    out, and there is no way I can root for them.  I know I should have AFC loyalty, I know I should have respect for their talent and ability, I know that there's a whole thing about if-the-Cardinals-beat-the-Steelers-and-the-Steelers-beat-the-Ravens-then-that-means-the-Cardinals-ar e-better-than-the-Ravens - but...

    I just can't root for the Steelers.

    Am happy for the great season the Ravens had (that was a long stretch from the Week 2 bye to the post-season), love Joe Flacco (been a long time getting a franchise QB), and hoping Ozzie gets us a good WR for next season, since, as good as Derrick Mason is, he's over 30 and we need some younger blood for the future.

    Steelers need a big serving of humble pie - and America needs a Cinderella story in the ARizona Cardinals.

    Parent

    I don't know who to root for either.... (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:52:02 AM EST
    just gonna root for one of my boxes to hit...gonna need some safeties or missed pat's I think:)

    I wonder...is Super Bowl Sunday the day with the most criminal activity on the calendar?  Lotta action going down...lot of action.  

    Good luck fellow gamblers!

    Parent

    Usually... (none / 0) (#61)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:26:01 PM EST
    ...when I'm not sure who to root for, I go with whichever team has more Iowa grads/natives on their team.  

    This time, it would be the Cards.  But, I'm soooo very tired of hearing about Kurt (and Tammy Faye Baker look-alike Brenda) Warner.  Especially when my wingnut relatives send me chain e-mails about how they met while he was sacking groceries at the local Hy-Vee and how wonderful they are.  

    Guess I'll go shopping instead of watching the game.

    I'll hope for a couple of missed PAT's/safeties/drop kicks so you can hit your squares.

    Parent

    Hear you on Warner.... (none / 0) (#62)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:34:18 PM EST
    holy rollers make me nervous...it's football man, the creator, the sun, the moon...they don't care, we do.  Great story, good QB...but spare me will ya?

    Thanks bro, a dropkick can't hurt...15 boxes all over town at varying stakes and not a 0,3 or 7 to be found...harsh.  But ya never know, if Fitzgerald and Holmes go off and the score gets up there I might be celebrating.

    Hope you enjoyed the Polska cuisine and the Rev the other night my brother.

    Parent

    Let's just say... (none / 0) (#70)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:03:23 PM EST
    ...that I was up waaaay past my bedtime.  Took all of yesterday to recover!

    The pierogies (cheese and potato) and kielbasa were heavenly.  Food for my soul...

    The Rev was OK--they get a little repetative after awhile for my taste.  

    Slim Cessna's Auto Club were great.  Slim and the boys were also enjoying cuisine Polska before the show--you could tell they had a lot of carbs to burn when they got on-stage.  

    Reno Divorce are who I was really there to see.

    Parent

    Many Thanks... (none / 0) (#73)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:13:48 PM EST
    Like that "West Bank Blues" man...I've always been a sucker for a thinking man's rocker...thanks for turning me on.

    Rest up bro...if if I ever get out to Denver to see my aunt, we're doinf something!  Could happen when I get my Uncle Sam vig return...be warned:)

    Parent

    I had a feeling you... (none / 0) (#76)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:24:09 PM EST
    ...would enjoy that.  Always my pleasure to spread the music, my friend.

    Warning noted.  I'll try to be as ready as I possibly can!

    Parent

    bummer..stayed up to watch a great match (none / 0) (#13)
    by Prithimp on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:22:13 AM EST
    only to see Roger throw it away. It's sooooo difficult to pick a side when it's Roger v/s Rafa but Roger deserved to lose this match ..he just gave..no threw this match away (unlike the Wimbleton where they were both at the top of their game) especially after such a dominant performance in the 4th set. The only explanation .. Rafa is Kryptonite to Roger's Superman!

    It was a great match (none / 0) (#15)
    by samtaylor2 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:40:38 AM EST
    I was so disappointed in the Serena vs. the non-opponent championship (under and hour????).  

    Parent
    can federer really be called the best (none / 0) (#51)
    by sancho on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 12:28:26 PM EST
    when nadal so clearly has his number? what a joy it is to get to see them play so often, though. and congratulations to serena williams. what a joy it is as well to have had the pleasure to watch the williams sisters these many years. true american champions.  

    Parent
    He is on of the greats.. (none / 0) (#87)
    by Prithimp on Thu Feb 05, 2009 at 07:20:53 AM EST
    of that there is no doubt(13 slams!).the greatest? I don't know and don't care and anyway only time will tell. I just know that I love watching him (witness the fact that i got up at 3 in the morn !)play ."Floats like a butterfly ..stings like bee." Everything is just so effortless with him.

    Parent
    Jim DeMint on This Week (none / 0) (#17)
    by lobary on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:44:44 AM EST
    Jim DeMint appeared on This Week opposite Barney Frank and Google CEO Eric Schmidt. I missed the first fifteen minutes of the show, but caught enough of it to see DeMint make an ass of himself with an idiotic aside that perfectly illustrates the mindset of today's GOP. It happened during an exchange between he and Schmidt that followed Frank's remarks about the credit conundrum and how it relates to government spending. Schmidt said to DeMint (I'm paraphrasing here) "You guys are working hard and I'm sure you'll come up with a solution," to which DeMint replied (and this is exact) "I wouldn't count on it."

    Why does Jim DeMint hate government? Why does Jim DeMint hate America?

    DeMint and his rich friends (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by Jjc2008 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:35:59 AM EST
    want to go back to the "trickle down" that failed and failed miserably.  They want more tax cuts for the rich and the corporations.
    Every republican I know, (and admittedly it is not too many) repeats the meme as if they are robots: Tax cuts will create jobs.  Tax cuts make the private sector want to stay and create jobs.  

    When the heck are democratic leaders going to say back, "Been there, done that, it failed...let's move on."  Barney Frank did a good job when it was clear the panel was given more time to say "tax cuts" a zillion times.  
    Barney was really clear in implying they were  WRONG. Until we fix health care, education and the "commons", that won't work. Putting people to work NOW works.

    These right wing Reagan lovers need to be shut up.  Reagan and "Greed is GOOD" years hurt us all.  I remember going three years with a pay freeze because the 80s were so bad......and yet not even as bad as now.  Then when things got better did we get three years of better raises?  HELL NO.

    Same old, same old.  Our congress and our president need to shut these people up and get our economy moving now.  NO MORE CONCESSIONS TO GREED.

    And of course idiot George Will says Obama is breaking his promise by accomodating, pandering to the democrats in Congress.  HUH?


    Parent

    They want to destroy the middle class. (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:42:57 AM EST
    Don't be fooled.

    Parent
    Oh I am not fooled (none / 0) (#43)
    by Jjc2008 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:17:52 AM EST
    I have been screaming about the attempts of the right to destroy the middle class since 1980, the day the right wing got Reagan into office.  That day a friend and I were so depressed and we kept saying, "How can people not see what they are going to do...."  And yet so much of the country then and even now saw Reagan as a hero.  

    So many now still don't get it.......but believe me I am not one of them.  I KNOW what their goal is....convincing the public at large is another story.

    Parent

    As long as there are values voters, (none / 0) (#44)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:22:01 AM EST
    and single issue voters (guns, abortion, etc.),
    the GOP can corral a good chunk of the vote.
    The other essential leg of the stool of Republican dominance in the sphere of ideas is to gut education. What a great joke, to fool people into voting against good education for their own children, so that they can have the "freedom" to give their children poor educations in charter schools, etc---or just don't fund education adequately because of the evil teachers' unions.

    Parent
    Don't even get me started on that (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by Jjc2008 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:35:59 AM EST
    I am a retired teacher (40 years in public school, a proud member of NEA and my state and local unions, as a rep many years).

    I live in one of the most conservative districts in CO.   Five plus years ago, the right wing used our district as a starting point to destroy the public schools.  With huge amounts of money from around the country from organizations which had a goal of destroying public education, they managed to get four wingnuts who hated public ed elected to our school board.  They did a lot of damage before a citizen's group work our a**es off and got two of the four recalled, and then one of the two left resigned.  

    Believe me, I KNOW first hand about the right wing's attempt to destroy public ed. We had one of the first charter schools in the country opened here....with all kinds of promises (a computer for every family, longer hours, etc).  It was put up in one of our poorest neighbor hoods.  This was back in 1999.  Promised went unfulfilled....and teachers there left (longer hours, no increased, and some other reasons....large classes, etc).  In the end, even with an extended day and year, they have never, not once improved on test scores the school had before it became a charter.  

    The ONLY charter schools in our area that have succeeded are those in upscale ares (and they still do no better than the upscale public schools).  
    Seriously, the public has been lied to over and over and over about this too.

    Parent

    Right, but poor quality, god-centered (none / 0) (#49)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:39:32 AM EST
    education is essential for creating cannon fodder and Republican voters.

    Parent
    In my city (none / 0) (#77)
    by CST on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:27:03 PM EST
    we have a different problem.  The charter school record is very mixed, some are good, others not so good.  Although some of the good ones are in the poorer neighborhoods.

    The problem is, there is always a waiting list for the good schools. The public schools lose out on the more motivated parents and kids; and the kids in public school lose out because of a lottery.

    I don't think the existence of charter schools and choice has to be a bad thing.  But it will only work if there are enough good options, and if the public school system works well in tandem.  Then charter schools can be what they were meant to be - alternative method schools.

    Parent

    I disagree. Your city shows the (none / 0) (#78)
    by ThatOneVoter on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:33:12 PM EST
    best case, which still succeeds in the aim of charter schools, by taking money away from public schools.

    Parent
    I know (none / 0) (#82)
    by CST on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 04:12:48 PM EST
    it's the best case and not nearly good enough.

    There are also pilot schools within the public system that have a certain amount of autonomy and also provide choice.  I do like having alternative schools available within the "free" system.

    Parent

    As long as charter schools (none / 0) (#79)
    by Jjc2008 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:43:58 PM EST
    (and private schools) get to play by a different set of rules, it is unfair to compare them to public schools.  While, by law, the public schools HAVE TO provide accommodations, the private (and in many cases, charter schools), don't have to.

    If there is a child who needs a one-on-one aid full time at his home school, that school must budget for it....which means it is taken from something else.  If a private or charter school cannot accommodate then the public school must take that child.......in some cases, that child is sent for an hour to our school, to get his/her IEP met.

    If parents want an alternative school either they pay for it, or they become activist citizens and work for an alternative public school site.  Our district has at least three alternative high schools and choice. I am ok with that.....but the general public has been lied to and has fallen prey to the meme that public and charter schools are better when statistics over and over and over have proven it is not true.

    The right one was to privatize school not because they want better education for all kids, but because they see dollar signs looming large and they see a way to spin this to poor families in hopes of getting voucher money.  IT IS BS.

    Parent

    DeMint and crew (none / 0) (#18)
    by SOS on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:49:01 AM EST
    consider Americans useless eaters, riff raff, and the unwashed.

    Parent
    Probably better (none / 0) (#19)
    by SOS on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:55:15 AM EST
    to just avoid the Sunday Bobble Head TV Soaps and do something productive.

    Parent
    Absolutely, but (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by lobary on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:57:29 AM EST
    I tuned in to watch Barney Frank. He was solid as usual and pulled no punches.

    Parent
    While I agree that Barney was strong (5.00 / 3) (#27)
    by BernieO on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:33:07 AM EST
    for the most part, he blew it when he did not contradict Jim Demint's bogus claim that we have the highest corporate tax in the world. This is the kind of talking point that is so effective because it is easily grasped and remembered by the average person.

    I have heard this lie repeated many times and rarely have heard a Democrat correct it. They should always respond by pointing out that our effective tax rates are much lower because of deductions for expenses like research, reinvestment, and health care expenses, making our rates very competitive.

    People reasonably assume that if such a statement isn't true, Democrats would immediately refute it. Instead Democrats almost always let these bogus claims go unchallenged. It drives me crazy!

    Parent

    And (none / 0) (#21)
    by SOS on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 09:59:53 AM EST
    the internet.

    See ya

    Parent

    Re: Repug idiocy - remember (none / 0) (#23)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:06:56 AM EST
    it wasn't an accident.  It was intentional.  Quite intentional.

    We need to get our heads around the fact that these Republicans are not stupid people.  They are in fact quite intelligent.  It is just that they use their intelligence in ways which are properly described as "Criminal".  And they want to be seen as stupid, because the longer we and the populace at large buy into the "he stupid", the longer they can pull off their intentional criminality.

    Go read this.

    Sixteen years for waterboarding (none / 0) (#31)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:40:01 AM EST
    An Ohio man received a sentence aggregating to sixteen years for "disciplining" three of his four children by near-waterboarding and making them wear a dog-training collar which applies electric shocks.

    The Caesarscreek Twp. man who used a shock collar and water torture to discipline three of his four children was sentenced to 16 years in prison by Greene County Common Pleas Court Judge J. Timothy Campbell Monday.

    David O. Liskany, 39, of Hussey Road, was sentenced to six years each for two counts of second-degree felonious assault and to four years for one count of third-degree attempted felonious assault.

    "The only thing you didn't do was wrap their faces in cheesecloth. They basically were waterboarded," Campbell said before handing down his sentence, which was far harsher than the 4 years in prison recommended by state probation authorities.

    According to Campbell, Liskany abused three of his four children - who were 13, 11 and four at the time of the abuse - by using a dog's shock collar on them, holding them underwater, subjecting them to cold showers and spraying water up their noses.

    From another article:

    In court yesterday, Greene County Common Pleas Judge J. Timothy Campbell compared the punishments to torture. He said the case sounded "like something from Guantanamo Bay."

    * * *
    The children are now 5, 12 and 14.

    The case began after the oldest child walked for two days to reach a family member.

    Had he done in Gitmo what he got 16 years for doing to his own kids, they would have given him a medal.  A sad commentary on how depraved our society has become under the reign of the Bushco crime family.

    What makes you think (none / 0) (#38)
    by Fabian on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:05:27 AM EST
    this man wouldn't have done this under Clinton, Obama or Carter?

    People don't decide to abuse their children based on who is running the country.  

    Parent

    Maybe the dog collar would have happened (4.50 / 2) (#48)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:37:39 AM EST
    but - tell me true - who among you knew such a thing as waterboarding existed, let alone how to do it (like this guy did), before Bush and Cheney came along and Fox and Rush pitched it as the panacea to all terrism, and showed how to do it on national TV.

    Over and over.

    And didn't decry it as the crime it is in any circumstance?

    Parent

    Any Kindle users here? (none / 0) (#34)
    by samtaylor2 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 10:52:41 AM EST
    My brother and I bought my mom a kindle for her birthday.  She is not bad with technology, but certainly isn't good either.  Was this a bad idea, good idea?

    Thanks

    Susie Bright Loves Them (none / 0) (#50)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 12:18:23 PM EST
    link

    Parent
    Where is Hollywood??????????? (none / 0) (#65)
    by torch1T on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 02:52:02 PM EST
     Where is Shawn Penn and the other Hollywood Loud Mouths during this latest natural disaster, while thousands are freezing and stranded in Kentucky?    Where is the Liberal Media, screaming about the lack of FEMA action?  
        I think I might know the answer to this question.  They are either still basking in the after-glow of their political cou in November, or still partying after the Inaugeration Balls.  These Liberals might even still be, "smoking, but not inhaling," after Hillary's appointment.
          I think some Nashville star needs to go on TV and tell America that Obama Hates White People.  Or maybe you should say that Obama just might hate Red States.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, just something to think about.

    Jason Theurer
    New Orleans, LA

    Got a funny way... (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by kdog on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:02:06 PM EST
    of asking for help from the evil liberals in Hollywood there my brother....fwiw.

    Now, if you wanna talk about why the power and heat are out due to the failings of Republicans and Democrats in government at maintaining our infrastructure over the last 30 years...I'm right there with you.  And what we need to do to fix it.

    In the meantime, United Way is taking donations, would have helped if you mentioned that.

    Parent

    And should they go and be responsible for (none / 0) (#80)
    by Jjc2008 on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:46:56 PM EST
    getting the utilities to work.  Last I looked there were no people sitting on their roofs, in imminent danger of drowning.  
    And as far as one can tell from the news, the national guard and FEMA has been sent in to make sure no one is stranded.

    Get over yourself...your bitterness is pathetic.  Go to Redstate where many will jump on your silly bandwagon.

    Parent

    Go Steelers!!!!!!! (none / 0) (#75)
    by CST on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:17:53 PM EST
    Just saw the Celtics win at the garden, got a good feeling about sports today.

    Somehwere in Florida, a University is crying ... (none / 0) (#81)
    by RonK Seattle on Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 03:51:22 PM EST
    ... in its beers about PepsiCo's decision to re-brand "Gatorade" as (drumroll, please) ... "G".

    $100 million in royalties can't salve the Gators' hurt feeeelings for this (arguably stupid) marketing move, set to break nationally in SuperBowl ads today.

    Sunday Open Thread | 87 comments (87 topical)

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