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Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:07:51 PM EST
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The days are longer now.

This is an Open Thread.

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    Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | 65 comments (65 topical)

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    Yes they are. (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:22:21 PM EST
    And everything's reproducing, and pollen is everywhere, and pheromones are in overdrive. I love spring.

    Oh, and... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:22:51 PM EST
    I'm very fearful that Obama's pick for the Supreme Court is going to be disappointing. I hope I'm wrong.

    Do you suppose Joe Biden (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:49:59 PM EST
    is the leaker?  AP on SCOTUS nominee short list

    Parent
    LOL (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:53:22 PM EST
    Wanda Sykes' bit about Joe Biden's mouth was pretty funny the other night, I must admit.

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    Well now that a Hispanic male has been mentioned (none / 0) (#7)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:50:27 PM EST
    my hopes for a woman have gone down some. Although, he may be too liberal for Obama, lol!~

    Parent
    He voted for same sex marriage as (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:52:34 PM EST
    inherent right under California Constitution.

    Parent
    I can just hear the howls from the right (none / 0) (#15)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:06:01 PM EST
    that could be entertaining. Can I interest you in some popcorn (traditional!) and wine?

    Parent
    Diane Wood (5.00 / 0) (#12)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:53:56 PM EST
    sounds really great, but I'm no lawyer.

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    I think SS may have been damaged enough (none / 0) (#14)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:04:33 PM EST
    by the right whispers and not so whispers for Obama not to go there.  I really have no clue where he's going to go with this. I can't remember Wood vs Kagen on experience. I think any woman will get flack from the right on choice judging by how things have been going lately. . . .

    Parent
    Obama can do whatever he wants on this. (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:06:56 PM EST
    Just like Bush did with Alito and Roberts. So why shouldn't he go all the way and appoint a flaming liberal?

    Parent
    Because he IS Obama ;) (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:14:27 PM EST
    I would love it if he did, but I just don't see that kinda bold coming from him and it doesn't follow the PPUS.

    Parent
    I would just love to see (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:16:21 PM EST
    a fiercely intellectual, assertive, gay woman for the SC. I would thrive on watching Scalia deal with that every day!

    Parent
    Should she be (1.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Wile ECoyote on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:23:35 PM EST
    qualified also?

    Parent
    Typical. (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:26:21 PM EST


    Parent
    Naw! (none / 0) (#28)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:25:01 PM EST
    We don't need no stinkin' qualifications these days . . .

    Parent
    wile...was that a joke? (none / 0) (#39)
    by DFLer on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:13:49 PM EST


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    No thats not a joke coming from him. (none / 0) (#56)
    by Thanin on Thu May 14, 2009 at 12:06:17 AM EST


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    sheesh! (none / 0) (#58)
    by DFLer on Thu May 14, 2009 at 07:16:32 AM EST


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    That would rock! (none / 0) (#24)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:22:03 PM EST
    We can dream . . . .

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    I fervently hope he doesn't nominate Kagen. (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:11:18 PM EST


    Parent
    How come, oculus? (none / 0) (#19)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:14:16 PM EST


    Parent
    I didn't like her parroting Holder (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:15:38 PM EST
    in her responses at confirmation hrg. re picking up fundraisers in the Phillipines for indefinite detention.  (BTD says it was politic but I don't trust her.)

    Parent
    Link: (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:22:33 PM EST
    LAT

    Parent
    Kagan seems to be the most liberal (none / 0) (#27)
    by MKS on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:24:11 PM EST
    of the lot.

    I like a darkhouse candidate:  Kim Wardlaw of the Ninth Circuit.  Used to be a big enchilada in LA City politics....Has written strong pro-choice and women's rights opinions.  Her mother is Mexican.

    Parent

    darkhorse (none / 0) (#30)
    by MKS on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:25:46 PM EST


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    Isn't the Ninth Circuit (none / 0) (#32)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:28:47 PM EST
    like waving a red flag in front of a bull?

    Parent
    Ah-yeah, that'd be true (none / 0) (#33)
    by MKS on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:32:26 PM EST
    That's why it'd be fun to watch....

    Wardlaw was a corporate litigation partner at O'Melveny for years and backed Republican Riordan for LA Mayor (as did many Democrats), so she could fall back on that as a response to the wingers.

    But she is very liberal on social issues....with a paper trail to prove it.

    Parent

    I was wondering if he would because of the (none / 0) (#22)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:15:51 PM EST
    Harvard/UoC connection?

    Parent
    Now the emphasis is on her health: (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 10:44:51 PM EST
    Type I diabetes.

    Parent
    Yeah, that came up early along with her age (none / 0) (#52)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 11:30:02 PM EST
    then they moved on to her being "not so smart" {WTF?!} and her "temperament" {WTF?!} They speak about women in ways they would never speak of men with the same "smarts" (which it sounds like she has plenty of!) and "temperament". In her case it's not only gender, but race. I was horrified at some of the crap I read. One said something about not playing the Hispanic card now, but saving it closer to 2012 when he may need to "throw them a bone". Lordy, just typing that makes me want to go screaming through the streets. If I thought we had a spine in the WH, it might not bother me as much, but the past year has not reassured me . . . .


    Parent
    Woops. (none / 0) (#34)
    by Dr Molly on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:36:53 PM EST
    Just did some googling - I was mistaking Diane Wood for someone else.

    There were two women whose names were floated earlier - one was Kathleen Sullivan and the other one's name now escapes me. Both eminently qualified, very intellectual, openly gay, and extremely liberal.

    Parent

    Ah yes (none / 0) (#54)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 11:40:11 PM EST
    I remember reading some references to 2 women as well and don't remember the others name or where I was reading it.

    This is a situation where I wish I felt Obama had some real chutzpah. (Hmmm . . . will I be saying that a lot?!)

    Parent

    Gee, Dr. Molly (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by kmblue on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:33:55 PM EST
    why on earth would you think that?  President Obama never ever disappoints us.

    Excuse me, I need to find some valium.

    Pretty good for 35,000 years old (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by NJDem on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:35:25 PM EST
    link

    The 180 on the photos thing is still a thorn in my side...is this the sign that "we've" officially lost the message on torture?  

    It is complicated with the possible threat to our soldiers--but we must be able to know the answer to the vital question:  are we a country of laws or men?    

    "The days are getting longer." (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:51:30 PM EST
    Will out newly arrived conservatives disagree with that?

    If they are on the east coast (none / 0) (#11)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:53:35 PM EST
    they might since the sun is setting {grin}

    Parent
    Longer days just give me more and better (none / 0) (#4)
    by andgarden on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:34:37 PM EST
    excuses to procrastinate.

    ARGH!

    A Laker blowout (none / 0) (#13)
    by Dadler on Wed May 13, 2009 at 06:54:48 PM EST
    Nice to see for a change.  The killer instinct.  A victory at Houston in game 6 to close it out would be, obviously, huge.  Interesting to note, last night was the first time the Lakers had beaten the Rockets withOUT Yao Ming.

    and LeBron? (none / 0) (#29)
    by MKS on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:25:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Looks like Pads/Cubs @ Wrigley (none / 0) (#18)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:12:07 PM EST
    may be postponed due to predicted incoming storm.

    Aren't you glad, (none / 0) (#35)
    by CoralGables on Wed May 13, 2009 at 07:52:57 PM EST
    at least through the top of the 1st, that you are a poor meteorologist?

    Parent
    Didn't last the inning. (none / 0) (#36)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 08:44:47 PM EST


    Parent
    Robin Williams on Dave tonight (none / 0) (#37)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:01:28 PM EST
    first interview since heart surgery. He's BAAAAACK!!!

    Senate defeats bill to limit (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:08:53 PM EST
    credit card interest rates.  Lots of Dems. voted "nay," including Specter.  Leahy was a cosponsor but he didn't vote.  Did Obama say/do anything in support of this bill?

    Senate vote

    I see Minnesota's one vote went yes. (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by DFLer on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:22:27 PM EST
    One vote for over 5 million people. At the same time South Dakota's 495,000 or so residents got 2 NO votes(one per 250,000). And the (nearly) 37 million residents of California got 2 yes votes. (one per 18.5 mil)

    And that's why I love de-mock-racy.

    Parent

    IAfraid Franken's vote wouldn't (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:29:11 PM EST
    have made any difference here.

    Parent
    Understood. (none / 0) (#59)
    by DFLer on Thu May 14, 2009 at 07:18:29 AM EST
    yet the undemocratic nature of the Senate still galls.

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    Is this the Credit Card BoR that I *thought* (none / 0) (#40)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:20:05 PM EST
    Obama was talking about and wanted done? Now, I may just be suffering from short term recollection problems, or losing my mind, but I coulda swore this was an Obama 'want'? The reason I think it was, was I thought it was interesting regarding his past history with cc interest rates. A certain debate answer springs to mind . . .

    Parent
    This is not (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by caseyOR on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:36:40 PM EST
    the credit card bill of rights. This was a Bernie Sanders bill that would have set a limit on the interest rate credit card companies could charge. He made a very good argument, pointing out that the at 30% - 40% interest that way too many consumers are paying, the credit card companies are nothing more than loan sharks.

    Bank lobbyists were at the Senate, in the hall, monitoring every single minute of the vote.

    Parent

    What is the CCBoR then? (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 10:28:39 PM EST
    I thought that was to control interest rates from loan sharking?

    Let's see, the people under the bus, loan sharks at the table. Do I have this right? If I do, can we order up some more buses? I like hanging with the original busunders, snob that I am and all  ;)

    Parent

    I wonder what the timing of... (none / 0) (#48)
    by EL seattle on Wed May 13, 2009 at 10:22:40 PM EST
    ...Obama's meeting with the credit card banks meant (in terms of today's vote).  Was today's bill already dead in the water and doomed to fail anyway, or did that meeting deflect some support away from it only a few days before the vote?

    Parent
    Obama brought all the credit card honchos (4.50 / 4) (#43)
    by Anne on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:30:51 PM EST
    to the WH to give them a stern lecture about doing something for the American people; I can't be the only one who thought the credit card companies were just laughing their a$$es off afterwards.

    As far as I can tell, Obama is all about the optics; the only thing he will ever really fight tooth-and-nail for is his own image.

    You know, I didn't vote the top of the ticket because I didn't think either McCain or Obama deserved the job, but I had no idea having a Democratic president could be this bad; Obama may be a mile wide, but he's less than an inch deep.

    Parent

    Glad I missed that (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 10:25:04 PM EST
    that might have been a TeeVee breaker for me, and I don't even use credit cards!! Was it similar to his standing with the health insurance dudes?

    I've done enough work in branding that I can read his schtick like a first grade primer. I try and focus on the crumbs that may get tossed our way . . . . "less than an inch deep", interesting summation . . . I can only nod my head to that.

    Parent

    Wanted: sternly worded letter? (none / 0) (#53)
    by Spamlet on Wed May 13, 2009 at 11:39:40 PM EST
    Obama brought all the credit card honchos to the WH to give them a stern lecture about doing something for the American people


    Parent
    Mine would probably make him blush . . . (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by nycstray on Wed May 13, 2009 at 11:42:10 PM EST
    just sayin'  ;)

     

    Parent

    Obama supported something, but (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:34:28 PM EST
    didn't apparently vocalize re maximum interest rate for credit cards.  The Swamp

    Parent
    Not for nothing... (none / 0) (#60)
    by kdog on Thu May 14, 2009 at 08:18:14 AM EST
    Are we men and women or are we mice?  Read the damn agreement and if the rate is too high don't get the damn card...why is that so hard?  Do we need Congress to cap interest rates, or do we just need to take some responsibility for ourselves and lay off the credit cards?

    Will we ever tire of being treated like helpless children? Obviously, credit cards are fools gold and a total ripoff if you're not paying the full balance every month, it's not rocket science...just stop using the damn things and the interest rates will plummet.

    Parent

    Agreed on responsibility, but... (none / 0) (#61)
    by Dadler on Thu May 14, 2009 at 02:34:07 PM EST
    ...unlimited interest rates are most definitely NOT a good thing for society.  In any way, shape, or form.  Usury needs to be well regulated the same way other real crimes are.  And by real crimes, I mean crimes with victims -- theft, for example.    

    Parent
    I hear ya man... (none / 0) (#62)
    by kdog on Thu May 14, 2009 at 03:32:11 PM EST
    The rates are criminal...but people are lining up to victims, offering themselves to be taken...I expect better from people.  Its not like the banks are putting a gun to your head to sign up for an account...all ya have to do is say no thanks and pay as ya go.

    Besides, all we'd up with is a legally obscene interest rate...so whats the point?  We the people have all the power we need...just say no to VISA.  

    Parent

    the irony (none / 0) (#63)
    by Dadler on Thu May 14, 2009 at 06:56:26 PM EST
    our economy is based on mindless consumption, for the most part.  so we need everyone to mindlessly consume.  we drill it into children's heads all across the culture.  we celebrate it everywhere.  then, when a little pot of gold comes the way of those who'll never see any gold otherwise, we're surprised when they run with it.  you can't rely on an employer anymore, they can legally escape almost any "obligation" they contractually have with you.  wages have been stagnant for decades, worse than stagnant for the folks we're talking about.  it's no surprise people will take it where they can get it.  especially as products of this perversely unique culture of more/now, of "i'll take everything and one of those."  

    but, look, i can't argue with people just saying no as a solution.  i just see it as similar to expecting abstinence education to work with teenagers.  or close enough.

    Parent

    abstinence ONLY, that is (none / 0) (#64)
    by Dadler on Thu May 14, 2009 at 06:57:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Very true.... (none / 0) (#65)
    by kdog on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:27:51 AM EST
    if everybody followed the pay as you go mantra, our economy would probably cease to function...well said sir.

    The only problem with the absitence only analogy is those are kids, we're supposed to be adults...though I hear ya, our adults often act no more responsible than children.  I despise the state treating me like an adolescent, which is why I personally don't get the need for this interest cap.

    And sh*t maybe I'm way off...maybe the trick is to run up huge debts, live high on the hog, and die before the bill is due...but it just don't feel righteous.  Though maybe I'm the arsehole...always a possiblility:)

    Parent

    This awful (none / 0) (#46)
    by lambert on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:39:42 PM EST
    Words fail me.

    Not sure how much more (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Anne on Wed May 13, 2009 at 09:55:08 PM EST
    awful we can take.

    Because it is going to get worse - a lot worse - unless we start dealing with all of the ugliness, and burying it all deeper and deeper isn't the answer.

    I'm convinced the Brits and the US are protecting each other - the Brits don't want the information released and neither does the US government.

    I'm so sick about it I can barely stand to keep thinking about it.

    Parent

    hannity volunteered for this waterboarding... (3.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Thanin on Thu May 14, 2009 at 12:26:09 AM EST
    think he'll volunteer for this?

    Parent
    Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | 65 comments (65 topical)

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