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Late Night and Early Bird Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 02:15:37 AM EST
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It's snowing here again and will be throughout tomorrow. At least I got in a 45 minute walk early this morning when the temperature was still in the 50's.

I see that torture and the swine flue have been the primary topics this weekend. We have a petition ad on the right that I hope you will all sign on to.

Other than that, I'm hoping to work from home due to the weather tomrrow...so glad I didn't put off seeing my jail clients on Friday.

What other news, political or personal has moved you this weekend? If there is any, here's a place to talk about it.

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    Late Night and Early Bird Open Thread | 20 comments (20 topical)

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    Dang! No one could have predicted (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by scribe on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 03:41:52 AM EST
    That just as I put this comment in the prior open thread, TL would put up a new thread.  So, we repeat (the story is too good to pass up the chance).

    Moderate Susan Collins says:  "No Pandemic Swine Flu Money!"

    And proud of it, too.
    Here she is, on video, boasting about cutting swine flu money from the stimulus.

    And here's her own website (sure to be scrubbed later today...), pitching the same thing.

    Do tell, oh Lady From The County(*), how is it serving the people of Maine if they all die from flu which could have been alleviated or ameliorated if you hadn't demanded that the money for doing so be spent elsewhere.  Your constituents can't be harvesting potatoes or getting clean water grants to any productive use, when they're sick and/or dying from flu.  I guess they'll just have to huddle in their cabins....
    -
    *  A little play on some of her campaign ads, which titled her as "the Lady from The County" and put her in a canoe, highlighting her coming from Aroostook County in far northern Maine, a place Mainers call "The County".  

    I expect to see (none / 0) (#3)
    by Fabian on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 04:50:04 AM EST
    a reminder when the kids get home from school today about the Official School Policy keeping kids home when they are sick.  I think it's time to revisit my my third shift habit of shopping during the predawn hours - no crowds, no waiting!

    OTOH, retail & hospitality is going to suffer just when business should be picking up.

    I'm interested (none / 0) (#4)
    by Mikeb302000 on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 05:21:22 AM EST
    in the latest shootings. In Florida two cops and the shooter were killed.  In Georgia it was the University professor who killed three including his wife and then split.  

    Don't you think the kinds of gun incidents that make national news have increased? Was it like this last year and the year before?  I wasn't paying as much attention then.

    Snow in Colorado, sweltering in the NE; (none / 0) (#5)
    by Anne on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 06:55:29 AM EST
    it's going into the 90's in MD today - instant summer, it seems.  Supposed to have a cold front come through on Tuesday night/Wednesday, which will bring storms and much cooler temps, but meanwhile, there was no question the AC was going on, if only to be able to sleep!

    Good luck with the snow, Jeralyn!

    And the May flies (none / 0) (#8)
    by BarnBabe on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 07:41:42 AM EST
    Yep, it got hot on the weekend. Went from turtlenecks and cords to T-shirts and shorts. It was hot, but the May flies were everwhere. And these suckers BITE! Big time. I had welts all over my arms and legs. The fruit trees buds sprang out and I mowed the lawn. It was such an abrupt change that it takes getting use to again. But I will.

    Parent
    where are you (none / 0) (#14)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 09:18:18 AM EST
    I am wondering about your breed of Mayflies.
    when I was a merchant marine I worked a lot on the upper mississippi and a couple of time I worked during the mayfly season.  
    I am not sure we are calling the same things mayflies.  I didnt think they bit.  in fact I didnt think they even had mouths.  what I always called a mayfly only lives for a few hours.  their only purpose in life is to swarm breed and die.
    it is one of the most remarkable events of nature I have ever witnessed.  in mornings of mayfly season we would have to hose off the decks of mayflies.  they would be FEET deep.
    pulling into the locks at night was something to see.  masses of insects clinging to the lights and to each other forming a writhing mass of bugs that took on the look of a thick liquid as the growing weight would pull off clumps that fell to the ground.
    as far as biting, who knows maybe there are more than one kind of mayfly.  or maybe what I saw swarming was not actually mayflies at all.


    Parent
    wiki (none / 0) (#15)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 09:26:21 AM EST
    seems to be describing the same things I remember

    The lifespan of an adult mayfly can vary from just 30 minutes to one day depending on the species. The primary function of the adult is reproduction; the mouthparts are vestigial, and the digestive system is filled with air.

    but it also seems like I remember a biting fly from my childhood in arkansas that we always called mayflies.

    Parent

    NE Pennsylvania (none / 0) (#21)
    by BarnBabe on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 06:36:28 PM EST
    Good to see you around again. It was some primary season for sure. We call them May flies and they bite. They are as annoying as Gnats from when I lived in Florida. In your face and eyes and then they bite. It feels like it is a mosquito but they are not out yet. I also remember Love Bugs where you had to stop at a filling station and clean them off your grill so the car wouldn't overheat. I think in the 70's. The Love Bugs swarmed and didn't live long. You would have them all over the front window and forget turning on the wipers. I suspect that every region has it's own May Flies or a version of them. I just got done mowing the lawn (2 acres) and it smells so good between sneezes. So that is the story.

    Parent
    The power of the pen (none / 0) (#6)
    by joze46 on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 07:05:50 AM EST
    The past few days listening to Cable News, Fox, MSNBC, CNN and Rant Hate Radio WIND and ABC in Chicago do offer a trend. As one commented about domestic violence increasing, yes, I believe it is do to the political struggle with the on going visual and rhetorical battle currently in progress. The power of the pen is morphed into an audio and visual clash of titans. For me, some of these visual and rhetorical battles are becoming extraordinarily funny because if their hypocrisy. But clearly have the capability to turn into chaos and misery.

    Please ladies and gentlemen if a commercial in electromagnetic spectrum delivers a model of consumerism on television, can for what seems like the longest period, be able to persuade a mass audience to buy insurance promoted by a lizard with a British accent, we could be in a dilemma, or what mathematicians call a Lemma that doesn't equate. I am talking about those Geico commercials with that green Lizard. Whats up with that are their sales.

    Then we have a news bulletin, Obama's picture on the side of sneakers selling a fraudulent official Presidential shoe. Isn't it funny where America once  has shoes flung at President Bush, that party going to jail, then we have black market sneakers with President Obama's picture selling like hot cakes. Yikes  

    We are, to a far too large extent, a nation that can not think for it self, connected with an electromagnetic string of howdy duty master controls that are behind a curtain no one is supposed to see. Built with the tyranny of an emerald city, yes we can, and secrecy of an Iron Curtain were the electorate is perpetually persuaded in an elaborate story telling media fix to believe Trust and Title Insurance companies are polite or cool people dedicated to serving the public electorate.

    What is not debated in conversation is the intrinsic core of the Trust Company or Title Companies. As in AIG is not dysfunctional, no one is a sleep at the switch, on the contrary, those insiders ripped the switch out and hardwired this environment for the largest land grab tax write off and tax bail out swindle in the history.

    Currently right now as I try to take some time out to look over the business obligations, just on the perspective of a Joe six pack, that are usually identified in a license issues by we the people to individuals to openly work in a free market to insure land agreements. Supposedly Land and Trust companies are to protect the consumer. Or what the hell does it mean to be a "TRUST COMPANY".

    It looks like too many at the top have been for the longest time swindling as a normal way of life under the secrecy of the Federal Reserve and the Treasury departments. With talks of measured deficits swinging larger and larger every day it appears the Fox was always in the hen house. For about a century this system has been tucked away secret and unaccountable for the very rich in an expanding trillion dollar tax payer playground that is not intended to work for the greater electorate.        


    What have I been missing? (none / 0) (#7)
    by Fabian on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 07:31:19 AM EST
    Apparently Teh Media have pounced on Swine Flu with gusto.  I wouldn't know - it's just the intertubes and NPR for me.  

    So what have I been missing?  Are the talking heads busy fear mongering again?

    Anything to change the topic from (none / 0) (#9)
    by scribe on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 07:44:53 AM EST
    the torture they facilitated.

    Parent
    Headline sd. the Pres. proclaimed (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 10:27:19 AM EST
    it doesn't matter that we don't have an HHS secretary in place.  Swine flu--balderdash.

    Parent
    wow (none / 0) (#10)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 08:42:22 AM EST
    I thought winter in central illinois blew.
    we had 80 degrees this weekend.

    I did try to get some yard work done. (none / 0) (#11)
    by Fabian on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 08:54:58 AM EST
    I moved huge chunks of tree my husband chainsawed up until I started to overheat.  It was tricky business to begin with since I am small and currently flabby.  Fortunately, I've had a lifetime of leveraging what strength I have to maximum effect.  Unfortunately, when my brain began fog up, it meant that I began to make more mistakes.  I quit before I injured myself.

    Then I waited until after dinner to mow.  It beats cold and raining!  

    Parent

    my sister calles it (none / 0) (#12)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 09:06:21 AM EST
    the advantages of a low center of gravity.

    yeah, it was a yardwork weekend for sure.


    Parent

    Brain over brawn. (none / 0) (#16)
    by Fabian on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 09:34:53 AM EST
    I've seen people (men mostly) use brute strength because it usually works for them.  When they combine sheer strength with bad form and unsafe work habits, they are looking for serious injury.  In my old age, I've discovered that having a Plan B is essential.  "If I lift this and find I can't carry it to the wheel barrow, then what?"  "If I drag this and it snags on something, then what?"  I got a couple scrapes when something slipped or twisted.  Never underestimate the benefit of getting the heck out of the way when something shifts unexpectedly.

    The wheel barrow has two wide set wheels and steel body.  It's very sturdy and stable.  No cheap, tips-over-on-a-dime barrows for me.

    Parent

    yea (none / 0) (#13)
    by CST on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 09:11:26 AM EST
    up here in NY/NJ/Boston it was HOT!

    It's supposed to hit 90 tommorow.

    I can't even imagine snow right now.

    Parent

    Over ninety in Northern NJ yesterday, 90.5 Sat -- (none / 0) (#18)
    by jawbone on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 11:42:15 AM EST
    Went from 50's to too hot to handle without acclimation.  Cooler today, only 80; but tomorrow to be another scorcher.

    The good part is low humidity. Thank goodness.

    Parent

    Pelosi aide: She needs faxes FOR single payer to (none / 0) (#19)
    by jawbone on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 11:59:20 AM EST
    know people really want single payer.

    This post gives a link for easily having your message sent by fax.

    Pelosi aide Dan Bernal asked where the faxes are to make the Speaker know single payer must be "on the table."

    Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to contribute to a blizzard of faxes to our Dems who think single payer should not be on the table.

    Gob, at Corrente, has posted about an organization, 1payer.net, which will fax your messages to Baucus, Pelosi, the WH, etc.

    It appears that Congressional leaders are being deliberately dismissive of single-payer to the point of ludicrous statements. It's like they have put their fingers in their ears and are yelling "I can't hear you, I can't hear you." Here they are in all their Congressional member glory:

    Baucus a few days ago: "Everything BUT single payer is on the table. Single payer is off the table."

    Pelosi: "In our caucus, over and over again, we hear single payer, single payer, single payer. Well, it's not going to be a single payer."

    Pelosi's aide, Dan Bernal: "Where are the phone calls, e-mails and faxes in support of single-payer? Speaker Pelosi has been in favor of single-payer for a long time. Now make us do it."

    OK. We are up to the challenge. He wants to see the faxes. Let's break their d*mn fax machines with the faxes.

    You can send a fax right now to Pelosi, Baucus, the aide and the White House.

    Send one now and send another in a few minutes. Give them enough faxes that they have to run get more paper (or electronic ink, as the case may be.) Then when they have received all of these, we will do it again. And again. And we will print them out and dump them on Pelosi's office desk.

    So let them see what happens when they ask for faxes. Then maybe they will have to take their fingers out of their ears.

    Thank You

    Clark Newhall MD JD
    Physician & Attorney
    Law Office at
    57 W. 200 South, Suite 101
    Salt Lake City, UT 84101
    http://www.cnewhall.com

    We can't afford to not have single payer. Next best, we must have a real public plan: like Medicare, an Everybody In, Nobody Out plan. If Big Insurance wants to go up against a public plan, to keep sucking up "rents," well, let them try...if Congress wants them around.

    We cannot allow nibbling around the edges, with the "reform" being a mandatory purchase of cr*p, bare coverage insurance offered by Big Insurance. And never, ever let Big Insurance prevent the states from offering public plans...if we can't get a Federal public plan.

    Takes mere minutes -- unless you write a lengthy comment....

    Time is now for this simple action! It's getting around the left blogosphere; please act now.

    Think about how much easier it would be to manage a possible pandemic if all our people had access to medical care, if going to a doctor didn't mean waiting for something to be so bad it meant going to the Emergency Room. We need universal real health care.

    move along (none / 0) (#20)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Apr 27, 2009 at 01:43:46 PM EST
    nothing to see here. just a coincidence.

    On Sunday, lawmen still were investigating why Joshua Cartwright, a 28-year-old U.S. Army Reserve soldier with a history of violence, killed Okaloosa County sheriff's deputies Burt Lopez and Warren "Skip" York at a gun range in Crestview.
    A few minutes after he killed the deputies, Cartwright was himself killed in a shootout with lawmen in DeFuniak Springs.
    "None of it's logical, none of it makes sense," said interim Sheriff Ed Spooner on Sunday. "He'd obviously just got something else in his mind."
    An offense report filed against Cartwright the day he died outlines an angry husband who threatened his wife, kept guns and knives on hand, was "severely disturbed" that Barack Obama had been elected president, and believed the U.S. government was conspiring against him.

    Late Night and Early Bird Open Thread | 20 comments (20 topical)

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