home

Late Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:08:40 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

I continue to be surprised at how much people have to say about the Gates/Crowley/Obama story. But the threads keep filling up.

In other news: A team of U.S. investigators report that marijuana use, even long-term, is associated with a “significantly reduced risk” of head and neck cancers. The Cash for Clunkers program is broke. More details on the search warrants for Michael Jackson's doctor.

Here's a late night thread for these and any other topics you wish to discuss.

< Just Four Guys Sharing a Beer | Illinois Convicts Real Killer 14 Years After Wrongfully Convicted Man Is Released >

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

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Late Night Open Thread | 153 comments (153 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    So we've got a clunker car (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:31:11 AM EST
    and were talking just tonight about whether to look into turning it in, if the kids will need a car -- that is, if the kids get work anytime soon.  But before we even could get into the discussion about buying used (my preference) vs. new cars, we have been saved from more time talking about that, too.

    Obama's program, which began Monday, already is broke.  Out of money for the rebate.  Local dealers here are up late tonight, trying to figure out the status of pending sales not yet approved by the NTA.

    Ah well, we're tired of talking about Gates and now can't talk about selling the clunker, but we have plenty of other topics to discuss here, too.:-)

    Not to be a dead horse..... (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by vicndabx on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:42:14 AM EST
    And what happens.....when it isn't one of his friends, isn't a Harvard professor?
    Well, he will be asked about it, for one of any number of reasons.  IMO, he should answer honestly; just like my gut tells me he did the other nite at the start of all this.  Honesty is the only way we're all going to get thru this phase of the American experiment.

    Now, changing the subject rapidly, speaking of clunkers.....I bought a clunker of a food seasoning the other day, Emeril's Essence.  Blech, the store bought brand has none of the get up and go of the mixture available on the web.

    Parent

    I've been checking The Black Agenda Report (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 02:11:46 AM EST
    a couple of times a day to see when they'd weigh in on Gatesgate. They've now put up a number of stories on the subject. I found this one particularly, shall we say, arresting: The Peculiar Class Solidarity of Barack Obama and "Skip" Gates (no mincing words here):
    Sean Bell and Oscar Grant were shot down like dogs, but that was none of Barack Obama's concern. But when a local cop racially profiled Dr. Henry Louis Gates as if he were just another Black man, Obama's world shook. [snip] Obama stood up for his class... the Better Class of Blacks, who are a cut above the rest, in their own and in white people's estimations.

    Another BAR article, "Skip" Gates: A Curious Martyr in the Struggle Against Racism, chides Obama for his:

    politically ill-advised [Gates vs. police] statement - made at the heavily distracting end of a prime-time press conference in which he was attempting to sell his watered-down, corporate-friendly "health care reform"...

    More specifically, on the subject of health care, I'd recommend BAR's: Top Ten Ways To Tell Your President & His Party Aren't Fighting For Health Care For Everybody.

    Not to harsh the mellow, or anything.

    Parent

    DH, about the group identification issue (5.00 / 4) (#37)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 03:58:34 AM EST
    The folks in your peer group, "students and GLBT people", are a young and particularly vulnerable demographic and you are right to stick your neck out for them.

    Now about my peer group, I've been a Professor for 20 years, not in the Ivy League - but not too shabby either. In my experience, academia is a highly competitive environment that frequently fosters insecurity, insincerity, and self-serving behavior among faculty who are perpetually pitted against one another for promotions, merit pay, performance awards, committee assignments, sabbaticals, grants, office space, teaching space, courses to teach - ad nauseam. Mind you, there are wonderful people to be found. But there are also plenty of 'colleagues' who wouldn't pi$$ on you if you were on fire.

    That being said, Professors enjoy a considerable degree of class privilege; it comes with being a presumably intelligent, and respectable person, working in a relatively well-paid, somewhat venerable profession, with a fair degree of social standing. As a demographic, and as individuals, we are pretty well equipped to defend ourselves.

    So, I can say with 100% certainty, that if given a choice between intervening on behalf of a "working stiff" (as my father called himself) and a Professor - I would lay it on the line for the former - and I have.

    The principle of helping people who need it the most is close to being an instinctual, empathic, human tendency. I also trust that it can be learned. At the very least, it is something we have a right to expect from the person who holds all of our fates in his hands.

    Parent

    BTW, Prof. Gates contributed to (1.00 / 0) (#83)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:59:44 AM EST
    campaigns of both Obama and H. Clinton, although more to the former than the latter.

    Parent
    I know what happens (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:59:40 AM EST
    when the subject isn't a friend of his OR a Harvard professor -- and where the circumstance is definitely worse.  He sits on the fence, just as he does with any other issue:

    Regarding the Sean Bell case:

    Asked by reporters about it in Indianapolis, Senator Barack Obama said the police shooting at first seemed like a case of excessive force. He withheld judgment, but urged community leaders and the police to come together and peacefully work through the tragedy.

    "We're a nation of laws, so we respect the verdict that came down," Mr. Obama told reporters here on the campaign trail in Indiana. "Resorting to violence to express displeasure over a verdict is something that is completely unacceptable and is counterproductive."

    So the reaction to the verdict in this case was minimized to "displeasure".

    Link

    Parent

    Yep, as I said, I hope Gibbs (none / 0) (#27)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:06:14 AM EST
    is ready for it.  Or asks you. :-)

    Btw, interesting re seasonings.  I've gotten some duds in my day, too.  Luckily, we have a wonderful store here that specializes in great spices.  But if it goes the way of so many small businesses lately in this economy, I'll remember your tip: the web.  I have turned to it for interesting cookware.

    Parent

    About that prospective question to Gibbs, (none / 0) (#159)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sat Aug 01, 2009 at 04:41:57 AM EST
    I held my breath, now I've turned blue, and I'm tapping this out with my one functioning finger...help.

    Parent
    Our dealer was an early adopter (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by Rojas on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:19:54 AM EST
    so we traded a couple weeks ago. The final rules had not been published. I got a call today saying they needed another paper signed in the next couple days. Recieved a second call later this evening sounding a little more urgent. I told them to scan and email but no document recieved as yet. Now I understand what could be the reason for their sense of urgency.

    Parent
    "broke" (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:57:40 AM EST
    confused by almost all the coverage and your statement that the program is "broke".  It would seem to me that the program was highly effective in stimulating car purchases and helping reduce inventory by 250k, which doesn't have any negative implications from where i stand.

    It is weird to me that "run out of money", "broke", and "dried up" are the words to describe a program that had a fixed budget.

    When do we go "broke" or "dry up" in Iraq?  

    I guess it would be unwise for Obama to raise a "MIssion Accomplished" flag at a local dealership......

    Parent

    Yup - I would call that (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:32:17 AM EST
    a very successful, popular program.

    Heard on NPR this morning that the administration is going to work with Congress to put more money into it. I would be touting this as a success story if I were them.

    Parent

    The US isn't the only place where... (5.00 / 0) (#86)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:03:17 AM EST
    ...the program has been successful.

    Thanks to a German government program to pay drivers up to EUR 2,500 to trade in older cars for new ones, Polish automobile showrooms and factories are finding it hard to keep up with demand. The drop in the zloty's value this year has drawn Germans shopping for new cars to Poland, with the locally-made Fiat 500 among the most popular models. In the first half of 2009, auto sales in Poland rose 28 percent from a year ago, Rzeczpospolita reported.

    New Poland Express

    The whole World love a deal.

    Parent

    Oh, and about the numbers (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:08:22 AM EST
    -- do keep in mind that those are the numbers of people promised the rebate.  If they do not get it, because of the processing mess, those numbers will be lower.  Or perhaps, the program will be less "popular."

    Parent
    Just using the terms used (2.00 / 0) (#89)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:06:39 AM EST
    by officials quoted in my local media about it.  Local dealers had different words, some not as nice, about the program's budget and more about the program's processes that have made the mess now.

    Your, uh, mileage apparently differs.  But if I run out of money, I'm -- what is the word? -- broke.

    Parent

    Broke (5.00 / 0) (#96)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:11:50 AM EST
    If you budget 3k for a vacation and spend it all on your vacation, are you broke?

    It isn't "broke" in my estimation and the negative connotation is there.  I didn't mean to accuse you personally as nearly every report I have seen uses a negative term to describe it.

    I wish we had that kind of reporting with our war budgets, perhaps we might learn what "broke" really means.

    Parent

    In an economy like this (none / 0) (#74)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:44:29 AM EST
    If people qualified for it I would really like to lose the notion that you have to win a "lottery" to be a recipient.  If everything is a mad dash to attempt to save yourself, how can anyone get around the dinner table to discuss and make   decisions that a family is all on the same page about?

    Parent
    i agree (none / 0) (#92)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:07:59 AM EST
    and it appears they are trying to secure additional funding.  But most of the headlines have had negative adjectives associated with it.  

    I don't think the plan does much in terms of reducing emissions which is part of the sales job we are getting from the admin, but it does help clear out some inventory and move some revenue around.  

    I thought it would take 3 months for the program to run its course but it seems there was some pent up demand for new cars.  

    Parent

    I can't call this pent up demand (5.00 / 0) (#99)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:14:07 AM EST
    when people can't even afford to meet their needs while the cars are sitting on the lots.  Wage disparity has brought us to this. I would call it our obvious poverty.  I'm sorry that I'm not celebrating but for me this is another instance of our current leaders not grasping the dire situation that most Americans are heading towards very quickly or currently living in.

    Parent
    i am with ya (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:26:56 AM EST
    I consider it a small victory, tiny really, but a victory nonetheless.  

    Dealerships and car mfrs desperately need inventory relief and this helps, sort of like free cheese and peanut butter......

    Parent

    Sample of three. Nice late afternoon (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:40:23 AM EST
    setting.  Happy hour prices.  Near the water.  No one watched any of the Sotomayor confirmation hrgs. except moi. Two of the three thought Ricci et al. should have gotten the benefit of the initial promotion exam from the get go.  No one mentioned Gates/Crowley.  Query:  why am I wasting sooo much time on the latter?

    Because it's really (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:45:53 AM EST
    interesting on a whole bunch of levels?

    I'm fascinated by the personalities involved, Gates whom we now know fairly well, and Crowley whom we don't.  I would really, really have loved to be a fly on the wall at that "beer summit" to see how that went down.  These are two very smart, very strong personalities with utterly different backgrounds and experiences, both with flaws but neither unredeemable.

    I have to say I was surprised and impressed by the statements both of them made afterwards, after all the crapola of the last couple of weeks.

    Parent

    Where may I find the two original statements? (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:47:05 AM EST


    Parent
    Google is all I can (none / 0) (#24)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:59:17 AM EST
    suggest.  I saw both on the Teebee this evening.

    Parent
    Gates's statement is on The Root, (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:07:05 AM EST
    his website.  Crowley's is less formal.  See LAT.

    Parent
    Very true (none / 0) (#59)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:03:27 AM EST


    Parent
    Gotta brag on my potatoes (5.00 / 4) (#11)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:42:09 AM EST
    Though the growing season for most things has been just short of disastrous in this cool, wet and overcast spring and summer, one plant that doesn't mind at all (other than peas...) is potatoes.  They're totally flourishing.

    Dug up some new potatoes for the first time today, a handful of Swedish fingerlings and some very small Butte russets, and they were so fabulous, I just had a big plate of boiled potatoes with butter and salt for dinner.  Yow!

    There's something particularly miraculous about digging food out of the ground, and fresh dug, backyard-grown potatoes are just beyond fabulous.

    They're really easy, no-fuss plants to grow, virtually foolproof, and more people with a little garden space should try it.  They're also very pretty plants, with nice lush foliage and lovely long-lasting pink or purple-tinged flowers, depending on the variety.  I wouldn't be embarrassed to have a few in my perennial borders.

    I've also discovered that the spuds keep extremely well over the winter with no special treatment, all the fussy instructions one reads to the contrary.  Mine usually last in fine condition right through the end of April, though all I do is pile them into cardboard boxes and shove the boxes under a low table next to an outside wall in my kitchen.

    Boiled potatoes ... (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Robot Porter on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:50:21 AM EST
    are also excellent with a light dressing of oil and vinegar.  Especially the small potatoes you're growing.  

    You can add some steamed veggies for a warm salad effect.  But the dressed potatoes all by themselves is just as good.

    Parent

    Thanks, I may (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:57:14 AM EST
    try that.  I'm a devoted butter-and-salt maven, but a girl can use a little variety now and then...

    Parent
    Apparently, boiling potatoes (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 02:38:51 AM EST
    with the skins on keeps their glycemic index lower than if they are peeled and then boiled. Meaning they don't have the same carb load - so eat up! On the other hand, baking potatoes reportedly raises the glycemic index higher than any other method of preparation.

    I'm all about the glycemic index and how it is affected by the method of cooking. i.e. al dente pasta, (especially extruded, long, thin stuff, like spaghettini) has a lower glycemic index than over done pasta.

    Back to boiled potatoes. I don't like the peels, but thankfully, while the potatoes are still hot the skins slip right off in a paper thin layer (minimal nutrient loss hopefully).

    *I like them cut into chunks, while they're still hot, tossed with finely grated parmesan, chopped parsley, and whole cloves of smashed garlic that you take out before serving. (Southern Italian peasant thing.)

    Parent

    Think of the glycemic index (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:40:03 AM EST
    this way:

    If you take a spoonful of sugar and dissolve in it water and drink it - it's immediately bioavailable.  It zips right into the blood stream, all at once.

    If you took the same amount of sugar in hard candy form, and had to suck on it to dissolve the sugar, you'll get the same number of calories, but they'll enter the bloodstream more slowly.

    The more work you body has to do to break down a food, the more slowly it absorbs it.  If it has to do a LOT of work, it may not digest or absorb all the nutrients and calories.  I bet if I kept my food intake the same, but ate it all in a raw or minimally processed form, I'd lose weight.  


    Parent

    You bet, raw foods are more fibrous (none / 0) (#147)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:12:56 PM EST
    and fibre, apparently, mitigates the glycemic index of foods (or something like that). i.e. Carrots have a high sugar content, but that's offset by the fibre if they're eaten raw. If they're eaten after being cooked their glycemic index is off the charts. I do love cooked carrots, alas.

    Parent
    Love the peels! (none / 0) (#68)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:34:46 AM EST
    Not so good if you're boiling a thick-skinned storage variety, like russets.  I don't much like the skins of red potatoes, either.  But tender-skinned little new potatoes (which just means anything harvested before the skins toughen up at the end of the plant's life) I think are wonderful.

    And again, there's definitely going to be a difference between home-grown, farmers' market/small grower and supermarket, even organic supermarket, at the end of the scale.  Any medium to large-scale grower who's got to ship their produce and have it go through distribution centers, etc., before it reaches the market display is perforce going to have to grow varieties with tougher skins.

    Parent

    Well, I like to have my cake and eat it too... (none / 0) (#148)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:17:18 PM EST
    I enjoy the potatoes sans skin and just eat the peels separately for the nutrients. It's not so much that I don't like the skins - I just don't like them on my potatoes. Fussy much!

    Parent
    Chacon (none / 0) (#155)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 03:03:41 PM EST
    a son gout!

    Parent
    Far as I know (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:56:17 AM EST
    they can be grown pretty much everywhere.

    I would suggest, though, that you search out seed potato sources in your general part of the wrold for the varities that do best there.  That's one thing I've really learned, that buying field-grown plants or well-tested seed varieties from your own climate makes a very big difference in how well they do.

    I believe you need to plant the seed potatoes a bit further down in the soil in warmer climates than we do here, but that's actually easier in the long run, since one does need to "hill up" the soil a couple times over the growing plant to make sure the spuds don't break the soil surface as they grow.  Less need to do that if they're planted more deeply to begin with.

    If you're a potato lover, like me, you absolutely should do it.  Home-grown potatoes are just a knock-out, IMO.

    If your soil there is heavy clay, you will want to lighten it up a bit by working in some compost (humus) and/or composted manure, but really only to make fishing around under the plants for new potatoes without digging the whole thing up easier.  Far as I can tell, they couldn't care less where they're planted.

    There's also lots of info on the Web, btw, about growing and harvesting potatoes in the home garden.  There are a few rules you want to follow, but none of it is in the least onerous.

    Parent

    more on spuds (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by DFLer on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 06:08:48 AM EST
    My favorite vendor at the local farmer's market will have 8 to 12 or more varieties available in season. That's the best....when usually only russets and reds and maybe yukon golds are available at the grocery store.

    There are some 187 varieties of the potato.

    G-falc: you must try/buy "Purple Viking" variety. Absolutely fantastic spud, for baking esp. (sorta like the Caribe variety, but superior.)

    I like bakers cut in half, scooped out and fork-smashed on the plate with butter , s&p. Then butter the inside of the skins and eat by hand.

    Parent

    I'll look for it (none / 0) (#65)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:28:28 AM EST
    Thanks!  This is a blue potato, yes?  I've tended not to bother with odd color variations in produce, assuming they've been developed primarily for eye appeal, which doesn't factor at all in my preferences.

    Parent
    not blue, though the skin is purplish (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by DFLer on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:42:46 AM EST
    the meat is white....and creamy. Really. it's the best spud evah.

    I've tried the blue meat and the red meat spuds. Not my cup of potato.

    Parent

    There are heirloom blues (none / 0) (#78)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:54:07 AM EST
    we had them last year and planted more at the farm this year. Higher in antioxidants. I think there are some newer ones also, but you can def find some old varieties. I'm hoping the reds we planted are red fleshed. They looked a bit different than the white fleshed ones.

    Parent
    Blue potatoes (none / 0) (#85)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:01:14 AM EST
    are actually a historic/heirloom type from South America.

    I've tried them, but they taste different and I don't like them.  My favorite are waxy textured potatoes, usually red skins although there are some yellow fingerlings that have the same texture.

    Parent

    Gyr, what is the most powdery (none / 0) (#149)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:23:40 PM EST
    driest potato when cooked?

    Parent
    Russets, hands down (none / 0) (#156)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 03:11:37 PM EST
    ie, what we used to call Idaho potatoes.

    Red potatoes and the new potatoes you sometimes see labled "creamers" in the supermarket are most waxy. Yukon Gold and other yellow potatoes are slightly less starchy than russets, and the big roundish ones you see labled "all-purpose" are somewhere in the middle.  IOW, they make both mediocre mashed and mediocre potato salad. :-)

    The big commercial growers in Idaho have ruined their potatoes over the last 40 years or so.  When I was a kid, Idaho potatoes had such a distinctive earthy taste, you could tell in one bite, and often just the aroma, whether you had an actual Idaho-grown russet or something else.  No longer.  There's no point anymore in looking specifically for Idaho potatoes as opposed to any other kind of russet, usually labled "baking" potatoes.

    The best-tasting russets I've found so far for growing are Buttes and Kennebecs, which once in a great while give a faint whiff of that old-time potato taste of my childhood.

    But I haven't tried every variety out there, so there may be others.

    Parent

    Also, depends on how (none / 0) (#157)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 03:16:56 PM EST
    you cook 'em.  Baking is obviously the driest method.  Boiling will introduce more moisture, especially if you peel them first or cut them in chunks so the flesh is exposed to water.

    But even with boiling, there's a neat trick to remove some of that moisture, which is when they're done, drain the pot thoroughly, then put it back on the lowest heat you can manage on your burner, and cover the pot with a folded absorbent kitchen towel. Leave them for 5 or 10 minutes or so, but obviously keep an eye on them to be sure the pot doesn't burn.

    That will steam a lot of the moisture right out of them and into the towel.

    Parent

    Just had fingerlings (none / 0) (#29)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:09:07 AM EST
    tonight in our tajine, first time I've found them  and cooked them.  Good, but not noticeably so for me; I'll take small reds anytime, yum, when doing something different from ye olde Idahos.  But maybe I'm supposed to treat them differently, do something special?  They are cute li'l things!

    Parent
    I've never seen fingerlings in the flesh (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 04:13:44 AM EST
    I first heard of them the other day, some video clip on some blog, showing Gwyneth Paltrow cooking fingerlings and roasted chicken. Isn't it odd, when you've never heard of something and then it kind of pops up in a number of different places in a short span of time. I'll look for them next market day.

    Parent
    What's a tajine? (none / 0) (#63)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:24:54 AM EST
    With all potatoes (all foods!), there are some varieties that are more tasty than others.  There are fingerlings, and then there are fingerlings...  The term just has to do with the small size and vaguely banana shape.

    Also, I truly don't know how much of this is just the psychological effect of the thrill of eating from your own backyard, but there are few veg that aren't significantly tastier when you grow your own even than the farmers market produce.

    Commercial growers -- even small ones, but most especially large ones -- grow varieties chosen first for hardiness and pest resistance and secondly for effective yield-- often meaning tough skins and flesh that can survive mechanical harvesting-- and third for uniform and blemish-free appearance.  Flavor comes fairly far down the list.  The home gardener, assuming it's not a matter of pure subsistance, can afford to choose for flavor first.

    But if you can't/don't grow your own, it's definitely worth trying whatever different sources and varieties are available in your area.  Soil quality, choice of fertilizer and soil cultivation practices also make a very big difference in flavor.  Crop rotation, too, not only affects pest and disease susceptibility, but also flavor.

    So lots and lots of variables in how stuff is grown, and it's probably safe to say no two growers have exactly the same pattern.

    Parent

    Tajine talk on earlier thread (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:44:05 AM EST
    for more info, but it's a Moroccan clay pot, and it's great in terms of results as well as a functional work of art.  Much better on both counts than my longtime, beloved German clay pot with a truly unpronounceable name.

    We got our tajine abroad, but for another commenter on the earlier thread, I found lots of tajines (if spelled tagines) at amazon.com.

    Parent

    Brag away honey, brag away, I love it! (none / 0) (#160)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sat Aug 01, 2009 at 04:43:16 AM EST
    Keeps us all grounded. Thanks.

    Parent
    Gate's partner speaks (5.00 / 4) (#40)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 04:28:36 AM EST
    A little more information:

    "In Massachusetts, meanwhile, a black sergeant who was with Crowley at Gates' home said Thursday he's been maligned as an "Uncle Tom" for supporting the actions of his white colleague, according to an e-mail that CNN said it received from the sergeant. The officer, Leon Lashley, said he "spoke the truth" about the arrest, and he said Gates should consider whether he "may have caused grave and potentially irreparable harm to the struggle for racial harmony."

    I think this episode is a little more complicated than the "man being arrested in his own house" tag.

    I wish people (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 05:01:02 AM EST
    spent as much time calling out the racists in their own lives as they do in the Crowley/Gates affair.  We might make some progress that way.

    Parent
    But so many people are talking (none / 0) (#60)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:07:42 AM EST
    and involved at this point, there is little personal risk involved in the calling someone out in Gates/Crowley affair :)

    Parent
    exactly (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:30:26 AM EST
    Calling a black police officer "Uncle Tom" anonymously is light years from doing the same thing to a black police officer to their face, in your own precinct.

    Parent
    Crowley's partner... (5.00 / 0) (#72)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:38:59 AM EST
    should consider whether he may be doing irreperable harm to the struggle for individual liberty with his unquestioned support of the way his partner whipped out the chains.

    Parent
    KDog should consider (5.00 / 2) (#120)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:50:56 AM EST
    how much harm he does to the struggle for coming to truth and understanding by using grotesque distortions like "whipped out the chains" to describe a non-violent arrest of someone who was given numerous warnings to cut the crap.

    Parent
    There is no such thing... (5.00 / 0) (#126)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:04:05 AM EST
    as a non-violent arrest that involves handcuffs g-falc...I take it you've never been arrested.

    Parent
    Non-responsive (2.00 / 0) (#158)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 03:20:50 PM EST
    And also untrue.

    In any case, Gates was handled extraordinarily gently.  The arrest may or may not have been wrong, but he was not man-handled, roughed up or otherwise ill-treated either during the course of it or afterward.

    Parent

    There are levels of violence that the cops (none / 0) (#144)
    by Rojas on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:53:56 AM EST
    are acutely aware of. Front or back, tight or loose, they have control and they can use them properly as restraints or to inflict pain...

    Parent
    Not Gate's partner.... (none / 0) (#41)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 04:48:52 AM EST
    Crowley's partner.

    Parent
    That was confusing for a moment - but innerestin' (none / 0) (#161)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sat Aug 01, 2009 at 04:46:10 AM EST


    Parent
    Swimming (5.00 / 0) (#42)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 04:55:38 AM EST
    A memo prepared by Col. Timothy R. Reese, an adviser to the Iraqi military's Baghdad command states:

    "As the old saying goes, `Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days,' ... "Since the signing of the 2009 Security Agreement, we are guests in Iraq, and after six years in Iraq, we now smell bad to the Iraqi nose."

    Reese is a bit of a nut on other issues (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by DFLer on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 06:17:48 AM EST
    See: link
    (from TPM) He is

    ...  is also the author of an unhinged online screed against health-care reform.

    The health-care post, by Colonel Timothy Reese, sketches far-fetched scenarios about forced abortions and accuses President Obama of being "deceitful" in telling Americans they can keep their doctor under his plan. Its harsh tone raises questions about an active duty officer inserting himself into the political arena. And it suggests that that his widely-publicized military advice -- which was posted on the same blog as the health-care post -- should perhaps be treated more skeptically than is currently being done.



    Parent
    Thanks for the link. (none / 0) (#48)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 07:40:50 AM EST
    It's true that I did not examine Reese's writings on other matters.
    As TPM says, "Reese's views on health care don't necessarily reflect on his credentials as a military strategist. Having been on active duty for almost 30 years, it would hardly be surprising if he were better informed about our mission in Iraq than about health care."

    I will also admit that I am looking for any support for my feeling and belief that people of both the United States and Iraq want us out of there. I know that I won't feel that we have our country back until we have disengaged ourselves from the wars started duing the Bush regime.

    So I welcomed Reese's statement - and the fact that it is being featured in a major mainstream publication such as the Times. I did not investigate his views on other matters or any other stories that might reflect on the state of his mental health.

    I will also say that I can't figure out exactly what the health insurance proposal being batted around in congress will or won't do - or what demands it might make on the individual. I believe that even under present conditions, where we are at the mercy of private health insurers, we get additional premiums or non-acceptance of coverage for smoking, for example.

    Parent

    I've said pretty much all (5.00 / 0) (#47)
    by Bemused on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 07:22:07 AM EST
      I have to say about the Gates incident itself, but I have one observation about something I find troubling.

      In so much of the commentary (not specifically  here, but here too) about Obama's part in this drama I perceive an undercurrent which I sum up as:

      It's cool to be a black President as long as the black President ignores the fact that he's black.

     

    Ignoring... (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 07:48:32 AM EST
    How do you feel about this - also quoted below:

    "In Massachusetts, meanwhile, a black sergeant who was with Crowley at Gates' home said Thursday he's been maligned as an "Uncle Tom" for supporting the actions of his white colleague, according to an e-mail that CNN said it received from the sergeant. The officer, Leon Lashley, said he "spoke the truth" about the arrest, and he said Gates should consider whether he "may have caused grave and potentially irreparable harm to the struggle for racial harmony."

    The issue, it seems to me, is not whether Obama identifies with the plight of Black people. The issue is whether he condemned Crowley without first apprising himself of all the facts.
    In other words, Obama may have profiled the officer based on the prior behavior of others.

    Parent

    Addendum (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:00:11 AM EST
    In the full interview with Sargeant Lashley, Lashley heard Gates say that he was being arrested, "because a white woman called the police".

    That is how Gates referred to the person who, on behalf of a concerned neighbor witnessing two people forcing open the door to Gate's home, called the police.

    To which I say, Ick.

    Parent

    I'm not addressing Gates' conduct here, (5.00 / 0) (#52)
    by Bemused on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:09:36 AM EST
      I'm talking about Obama. I agree that Gates acted tempestuoulsy and think it likely he made unfounded accusations out of anger.

       I still think it is stupid to arrsst someone for that because it is stupis to arrest someone for something that is not illegal but merely obnoxious.

       I'm not going to call Lashley an Uncle Tom -- just a guy who thinks like an arrogant cop and doesn't get it that the badge does not legally entitle him and his brethren to deferential respect or justify arresting people for breaches of his idea of proper etiquette

    Parent

    If Gates said (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:56:32 AM EST
    what Sgt. Lashley said he did, I think it is racist.

    Parent
    Watch the interview. (none / 0) (#55)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:43:33 AM EST
    I don't think the guy is arrogant.

    Sgt. Lashley interview - CNN

    Parent

    Gates imagines he is every black man. (1.00 / 0) (#88)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:06:10 AM EST


    Parent
    first (5.00 / 0) (#51)
    by Bemused on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:02:16 AM EST
      I think whether Obama identifies with black people and whether it is appropriate for him to do so openly and publicly is an issue.

      Second. I don't think Obama prejudged (I think a better term than "profiled") Crowley's action in arresting Gates. Obama said in essence it was a stupid action, but that he didn't have enough facts to ascribe a racial motive to the stupid action.

      What facts did Obama lack that made it premature to label the arrest stupid? Have we learned anything since that makes the arrest seem not stupid?

    Parent

    Obama lacked the facts that his (none / 0) (#91)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:07:35 AM EST
    comments would cause a sh*t storm outcry by law enforcement.

    Parent
    Do you know that for certain? (5.00 / 0) (#137)
    by Bemused on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:21:07 AM EST
      It's certainly possible he reflexively made a comment without considering likely consequences. It's also possible he anticipated the likely consequences (after all they were likely and he's neither stupid or rash) and said it anyway.

      We'll never know for sure. There will probably be a subchapter in his next memoir, but it's a pretty safe bet that will be consciously or unconsciously  selective.

    Parent

    Not on the teleprompter. I (2.00 / 0) (#141)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:41:30 AM EST
    think he "winged" it, possibly thinking most people would sympathize w/Prof. Gates.  No, I know nothing for sure.

    Parent
    Now you are going to roll on this? :) (none / 0) (#109)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:30:12 AM EST
    Cool.  I'm going to watch.

    Parent
    I either need to move on or have (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:51:58 AM EST
    an intervention!

    Parent
    The effects do wear off. (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 08:24:11 AM EST
    Or otherwise we'd be able to win wars by air dropping large quantities of mind altering substances into the enemy camp.  Then while the enemy army was happily blissing out, we'd defeat them.

    There's a reason they are called "recreational drugs" and not "performance enhancing drugs".  They may make the good times more enjoyable, but they don't turn egotistical windbags into rational pragmatists.  

    Heck, while I'm on the subject, we don't have a single chemical cure for any mental illness or disorder.  Chemical treatments, sure.  Even those don't work as well for everyone, or indeed, work at all!  Chemicals are never going to bring about world peace or better government, unless you dose everyone, every day which goes against the idea of free will and self determination.

    You're right (none / 0) (#58)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:02:26 AM EST
    But I still think that if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Benjamin Netanyahu were to get together for the purpose of diffusion their differences, and they smoked something good and listened to some good American Jazz (Charlie Parker or Lennie Tristano or Roy Eldridge or early Louis Armstrong) they would have to realize that they had something in common.

    When the effects wore off, as you quite rightly say they would, they would at least be able to remember that the other guy wasn't that bad under certain circumstances and maybe they should give it another go.

    Seems worth a try.

    Of course the other alternative, proposed by Ted Knight's character on Mary Tyler Moore, might be worth a try also.
    Let their toughest guy and our toughest guy get in the ring.....

    In your first paragraph I was reminded that I believe that that is precisely how Washington defeated the Hessions as they slept off the effects on their having boozed it up on Christmas.

    But I digress.

    Parent

    American history... (none / 0) (#69)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:36:06 AM EST
    Speaking of America...

    There is what is known as the "pipe of peace"...
    And what do you suppose they were smoking in this pipe of peace?

    "A type of herbal tobacco or mixture of herbs was usually reserved for special smoking occasions, with each region's people using the plants that were locally considered to have special qualities or a culturally condoned basis for ceremonial use."

    Later.

    Parent

    If you really want (none / 0) (#71)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:38:39 AM EST
    us all to get along, the best way is through the media.  Why should the debate about health care reform be reduced to a horse race analysis about How The Democrats Are Doing or What Does HRC Say About Obama?  Why isn't the narrative about the people who stand to benefit from health care, improved standard of living and healthier, more productive workers?

    The people who fan the flames are often politicians and religious leaders.  Far more predictably, it's the Media and entertainers who are the villains in this never ending drama about who is more powerful.

    Parent

    I'm a broken record on this ... (none / 0) (#77)
    by Robot Porter on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:52:46 AM EST
    the media covers the White House like a Soap Opera.

    Will the President survive (insert current issue) tune in tomorrow to find out!

    Rather than covering the issue's effect on us citizens.

    This encourages the public to react to the President (either with a "rah! rah!" or a "boo! hiss!) rather than examining the issue in relation to their own lives.

    Parent

    Maybe (none / 0) (#84)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:59:57 AM EST
    the media types are smoking too much pot, and the politicians are smoking too little.

    Parent
    And between them ... (none / 0) (#150)
    by Robot Porter on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:23:44 PM EST
    a purple haze.

    ;)

    Parent

    The economy (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by CST on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:31:41 AM EST
    contracted "less than expected" the last quarter.  I can't wait until good news about the economy is actually good news...

    In other news, I would love to give someone cash for a clunker - so long as it still runs.  I guess it's a good sign people will buy cars if the gov't helps pay for them.  Again though, this "silver lining" economic news is gettin gold.

    We've been a fuel efficient (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:50:51 AM EST
    household for ten years now.  Neither car qualifies for the "clunker" program, even though one is a certified clunker (no resale value).

    I wanted to cover up my car's election year message with something less political.  (Reflective letters are great, but the adhesive is serious stuff.)  I went for smug gloating.  My new bumper message is:
    LOVING IT  33 MPG

    (That's city, it's 40 mpg highway.)

    If no one else is going to give me a pat on the back for being an early adopter, then I will!  

    Parent

    I'm pretty (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by CST on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:07:03 AM EST
    fuel efficient myself since I walk everywhere and take the train.  It would be nice to have a clunker though to get to the grocery store, go on trips, etc...

    I don't live close enough to a zip car to be completely car free.  But a fuel efficient clunker would be nice, especially one with a solid manual transmission.  Unfortunately, the way I drive, I don't get the best mileage.

    Parent

    Zip car? (none / 0) (#95)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:10:24 AM EST


    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#98)
    by CST on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:12:46 AM EST
    From my last comment:

    "I don't live close enough to a zip car to be completely car free."

    Plus, I have too many speeding tickets, they rejected me :\

    Parent

    I was wondering what... (none / 0) (#101)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:16:28 AM EST
    ...a zip car was.  

    Parent
    Oops (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by CST on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:23:29 AM EST
    Haha.

    A zipcar is a car you can rent by the hour/day.  You get a card that opens the door, it comes with gas pre-paid, and you can pick it up at various lots in urban locations.  You just have to sign up for a time online and pick it up when you want it.  Convenient for people who don't want to own a car but want to use one occasionally, cheaper than a traditional rental usually because it is by the hour.  But they are only really available in central locations with lots of young professionals.

    Parent

    Ah, thanks. (5.00 / 2) (#116)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:47:34 AM EST
    Sounds like a pretty cool idea.  We are trying to get a similar program up and running, but with bicycles.  

    I'd settle for better bus feeder routes so I could get to the light rail station without having to drive there.    

    Parent

    Great program (none / 0) (#125)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:02:59 AM EST
    If I didn't have the kids, I'd seriously consider it.  We are a two car household and with only one person working, could go down to a one car household if it weren't for the kids.  I can't schedule the "Hello, you child is sick.  Please come pick them up." calls.

    Parent
    I'll give you a pat (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:27:03 AM EST
    Will you give me one back?  We went to bday party this past weekend.  All people in our age range.  I'm the only one though stuck with one of these yahoos still in uniform...everyone else is now retired and doing what they call double dipping working as contractors....sigh.  Someone there is bragging about buying something like an Expedition with second row bucket seats.  I'm not going to get pats from anyone around here.  The Suzuki Esteem wagon has been totalled out due to  a bad hail storm but it gets 30 mpg.  It isn't pretty but it does what it is supposed to do.  I'm sorry but I'm not buying any giant bloated piece of gashog just because my choices aren't popular around here :)  My daughter says that driving the Esteem affects her esteem.  I told her that I agree.  After you drive the Esteem you end up with authentic self esteem.

    Parent
    Oh, the looks I would get! (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:08:11 AM EST
    If I drove my modest little sedan down there, especially with last year's slogan on it.  You could tell your daughter "It could always be worse, I could be driving a car with unpopular (for the South) political slogans on it in three inch high block letters!".  

    Parent
    I am now a (5.00 / 3) (#138)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:29:03 AM EST
    32 mpg and up owner for 16 years running. I've never received a pat on the back but I have been called cheap :)

    Parent
    You get a pat on the back too! (none / 0) (#140)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:33:42 AM EST
    Nothing wrong with being cheap.

    Parent
    When you spend as much on flip flops (none / 0) (#145)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:10:59 PM EST
    as we do I just want these slurrers to know they are completely out of their simple judgement minds :)

    Parent
    now (none / 0) (#146)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:29:56 PM EST
    that cracked me up :)

    Parent
    Have I got the clunker for you! (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:15:25 AM EST
    Car starts no matter what the weather, and that's saying something here, close to Canada.  It's just old with wear and tear, but it's a manual so not as much of a clunker as some in its era -- and so much fun to drive.  Oh, and the least wear and tear is to the sunroof, since it can be open so few months here.  

    And it really was driven for most of its long life by a little old lady, thus the low mileage before this now-little-old-lady bought it.  And then I moved to be able to walk to work and to much else in my life but just hung onto it to get to the farther stores, doctor, etc.  And then spouse turned in his car for a fuel-efficient one several years ago now, so only the kids occasionally drove the clunker.  But with kids out of work, we finally garaged it a few months ago, awaiting the day they find jobs again.  Uh huh. . . .  

    Parent

    Feel free (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by CST on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:47:47 AM EST
    to take a road trip to boston :)  

    sounds like my old car, a '96 golf, manual transmission, sun roof, very fun to drive, which I had to sell in college due to lack of funds.

    Parent

    Those were great cars! (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:49:04 AM EST


    Parent
    Still miss it (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by CST on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:56:46 AM EST
    I loved that car.  Of course it put me pretty deep in the poor house since everything under the sun besides the engine and transmission had problems.  I had no business owning a car in college anyway, but it was fun while it lasted.  And taught me a valuable financial lesson.

    Parent
    Woo Hoo! (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:08:44 AM EST
    No neck or head cancer for me!

    Have you recently been checked (none / 0) (#102)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:17:02 AM EST
    or are you practicing preventive medicine :)?

    Parent
    Tomorrow... (5.00 / 2) (#112)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:38:42 AM EST
    ...is the 65th anniversary of the Powstanie Warszawskie (Warsaw Uprising).  A very important day in Polish history.  A tragic, yet most inspriring event and a tribute to fighting spirit of the Polish people and their desire to be free.

    More 200 comment threads (none / 0) (#1)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:21:32 AM EST
    than I can remember in a while. Since last November?

    So in my life, my ATM card was somehow compromised. Stupid Wachovia!

    As to your first sentence, the reason for (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:45:02 AM EST
    the over 200-thread count:  BTD is a rabble-rouser.

    Parent
    The chatter went on with or without him (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:48:34 AM EST


    Parent
    And, I think you're to blame ... (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by Robot Porter on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:53:00 AM EST
    because mostly you avoided the discussion.

    People were so glad to have an Andgarden free thread they couldn't contain themselves.

    ;)

    Parent

    This comment made my day (5.00 / 4) (#22)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:56:25 AM EST


    Parent
    Very funny comment (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:12:45 AM EST
    but I really appreciated andgarden's contributions in another thread, in the discussion about the use of gay references as pejoratives.  Others joined in well, too, and it led to some excellent ways of defining what is wrong with it that I now realize I ought to go back and save for class discussions.

    Parent
    Definitely the most (none / 0) (#3)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:27:09 AM EST
    200 comment threads since November.

    On your ATM card, one thing you can do is in when you are in stores, insist it be used as a credit card so you don't have to plug in your pin number. You also might want to have your bank change your checking account number since they are linked. Sorry you have to go through this, what a drag.

    Parent

    The 200 comment hot topic hits a number of (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 04:18:59 AM EST
    hot button subjects - race, class, police, and the President. What else...besides beer?

    Parent
    I actually don't use my debit card (none / 0) (#7)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:37:43 AM EST
    in retail stores. Too easy for people to scope your pin! I was adamant about getting vanilla ATM cards until a few years ago, when Wachovia absorbed First Union and didn't give me a choice.

    The good news is that I lost a grand total of $10, all of which has been refunded. What's annoying is that the $10 consists of an agglomeration of Wachovia imposed fees for "MISCELLANEOUS FEE
    ATM NON-WACHOVIA INQUIRY[,]" presumably at some other bank's ATM.

    I don't know how my info got out, but I am suspecting a Wachovia security breach.

    Parent

    Banks are constantly imposing maintenance fees (none / 0) (#8)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:39:28 AM EST
    on accounts that they promised didn't have any. Some state attorney general ought to go after them for that.

    And I've been with Wachovia since it was CoreStates, AKA Philadelphia National Bank. It's been downhill since.

    Parent

    We've canceled account (5.00 / 4) (#31)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:14:42 AM EST
    after account, moved banks, etc., because of those fees.  Just did so to a credit card last week.

    Yesterday, we got a letter begging us to come back and informing us that the fee is . . . gone.

    So we have learned from this to continue to not even bother anymore to call up and complain, which never got us action.  We will continue to just cancel and then see which ones grovel. :-)

    Parent

    This is what I have been doing as well (none / 0) (#80)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:54:16 AM EST
    Our credit union hasn't colored outside the lines but some of our cards dedicated to specific stores seemed to add some very very odd fees after I used them at Christmas.  I just cancel.  I can survive without them much better than attempting to figure out how to put up with the abuse.  If they want my business they'll have to earn it again.

    Parent
    USAA (none / 0) (#97)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:12:14 AM EST
    Best bank. Ever!

    Parent
    Too bad most of us aren't eligible (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:20:05 AM EST


    Parent
    True. (none / 0) (#124)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:02:00 AM EST
    Pops was a Naval officer. He was a USAA member for over 30 years. My qualification came through him.

    Parent
    That is so true -- and I just got mail (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:20:49 AM EST
    from USAA for the first time in years that implies that I may still qualify.  I thought I had lost that privilege upon divorce.  But recently, when one of the kids ran into all sorts of banking abuse and health insurance abuse and more that are heaped on students, I suggested looking into USAA as the kid of a veteran.  Ye gods, it is even better than ever now amid our increasingly more complicated banking situations to do with international travel, immigration, etc.

    So travel also showed me how far ahead banking is in some other countries, with no need for checks, etc. -- and as it is with USAA.  It's the banking and insurance and etcetera of the future for us all.

    Parent

    Bummer! (none / 0) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:27:26 AM EST
    Someone via a restaurant got a hold of my husband's ATM card info and a thousand dollars was missing from our account.  I wasn't sure at first that anything was gone because my husband had been making some tool purchases so I didn't check right away, but when the bank statement came it had funds from our account going to Western Union in two chunks.  It was strange because when I called Western Union they had no record of the transfers but did say that there are Western Union transfers that they don't have all the records on.  Our bank refunded the money immediately.  Later on Western Union refunded them and they notified us.  Had to get new everything.

    Parent
    Says a lot, doesn't it (none / 0) (#127)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:06:37 AM EST
    I think it's no different than the crowds that will gather around a fight.

    Media has been studying this for decades. It's why we get the kind of news we do. (i.e., By the end of next month, we will all know more details of what was inside MJ's body than what's inside the health insurance plan our elected officials are creating for all of us.)

    The Crowley/Gates incident may well have ended with Crowley agreeing to collaborate with Gates on a documentary exposing racial profiling. But, for some reason, people needed to be right in the thick of it, making final judgments with little more than one bit of information in their pockets. My favorites were the ones that came to a conclusion on one faulty "fact" they had read in someone else's comment, and then changing their reason, but not their conclusion when they were called out on their error.

    No wonder we get nothing from the media anymore. Gossip and judgments are simply going to draw the greater interest.


    Parent

    Tom Schiefer for gov. (none / 0) (#9)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:40:11 AM EST
    I read somewhere,can't find it now, that Tom Schiefer, brother of CBS's Bob Schiefer and former business partner of George W. Bush, is running for governor of Texas.

    Anybody know anything about him? He supported Bush which puts his judgement in doubt, but IIRC he is a Democrat. Hmmm.

    A Democrat (5.00 / 0) (#17)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 12:47:14 AM EST
    so-called, from Texas who supported Bush is doubly or triply condemned, IMHO.  I'd trust a Republican before I'd trust a Dem. Bush supporter.

    Parent
    Interesting Read (none / 0) (#36)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 03:37:21 AM EST
    THE NEW REPUBLIC
    The Decider
    by Michael Crowley
    Who runs U.S. foreign policy?

    The mechanics of Obama's foreign policy operation.

    via laura rozen

    Biden... (none / 0) (#61)
    by michitucky on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:14:59 AM EST
    Was drinking a non-alcoholic beer, as he does not consume alcohol.

    Biden is drunk on power (none / 0) (#75)
    by Rojas on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:44:50 AM EST
    and his drug of choice is the shackles and chains of the prision industrial complex. Self medicating little big man syndrome has left a slew of victims in his wake.

    Parent
    Wow. (none / 0) (#151)
    by shoephone on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:29:02 PM EST


    Parent
    Ever say why? (none / 0) (#154)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 02:29:32 PM EST
    He afraid of what he'll say? :)

    Parent
    I haven't been following the... (none / 0) (#62)
    by EL seattle on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:21:11 AM EST
    ...Gates/Crowley thing that closely.  So I probably missed the answer to a question I've had since the first day.

    Initially, two people were reported to be "barging in" to the house.  Who was the second person?  One of the men turned out to be Gates himself.  Was his driver on the porch with him at the time?  Or did the person who called 911 make an error about the number of people who were forcing their way into the house?

    I believe it was his driver helping him (none / 0) (#70)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:36:19 AM EST
    get into the house. From what I can tell he was not in the house with Gates when he was on the phone and Crowley came in the house.

    Parent
    I've been saying that for years.... (none / 0) (#79)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 09:54:14 AM EST
    I'd also suggest the soothing sounds of "Music From Big Pink" during the peace pipe session...specifically "We Can Talk".

    We can talk about it now  
    It's that same old riddle only starting from the
    middle  
    I'd fix it but I don't know how  
    Well, we could try to reason but you might think
    it's treason

    I'm serious too...this could help and can't hurt.

    Plus they may stave off head and neck (none / 0) (#87)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:04:59 AM EST
    cancer.  Who knew?  But what about lung and mouth cancer?

    No worries... (none / 0) (#105)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:23:17 AM EST
    if you vaporize or eat it.

    Besides, if we lived our lives solely based on cancer risk I don't think it would be very rewarding or fun...

    Parent

    If someone combined a bit (none / 0) (#115)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:45:35 AM EST
    with some chocolate around here....I could possibly be persuaded to give it a fresh try :)

    Parent
    Come on over... (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:50:27 AM EST
    ...and I'll make you some tasty brownies.

    Parent
    Ah, there's the rub (none / 0) (#111)
    by jbindc on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:32:27 AM EST
    Plus possibly increasing the risk of TB, or damaging your DNA, or other problems

    Parent
    Although one could say this about (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:54:54 AM EST
    me and Talk Left:

    For some people, marijuana can be addictive. Addiction means that you keep using a drug, even though it causes problems in your life. Using the drug also may take the place of things that you normally do for fun. If you stop using the drug, you crave it and experience withdrawal symptoms, such as sleeplessness and irritability.


    Parent
    Hopefully (5.00 / 1) (#128)
    by jbindc on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:07:42 AM EST
    it doesn't damage your DNA or give you respiratory problems!

    Parent
    So far, so good. (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:08:25 AM EST


    Parent
    You can become mentally addicted... (none / 0) (#131)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:08:34 AM EST
    to just about anything, especially Talkleft...we share that one kid:)

    Parent
    My daughter arrives Sat. for 2 weeks. (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:10:08 AM EST
    She already sd. she doesn't want to interfere with my access to "my blog."  But that would be a good thing.  Maybe I'll actually go outdoors!

    Parent
    So... (5.00 / 2) (#135)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:17:31 AM EST
    ...we can look forward to a fortnight's worth of postings from your handheld device?  Cool!  I always get a kick out of those...

    Parent
    It's pretty bad I agree. (none / 0) (#142)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:43:38 AM EST


    Parent
    LOL... (5.00 / 3) (#136)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:18:51 AM EST
    I get the same from my roomates..."wanna join us in the living room kdog or are you too busy typing your rhetoric?"

    Parent
    But my daughter's point was she (none / 0) (#143)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:44:16 AM EST
    would like to use my computer!  

    Parent
    Blogwars, the book (none / 0) (#110)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:31:26 AM EST
    Jeralyn, BTD, et al., recalling your interest in a recent popular book on political blogging: I just read a review recommending what is called one of the first more scholarly works on the topic.  It sounds good.  See
    David D. Perlmutter.  Blogwars: The New Political Battleground.  Oxford  Oxford University Press, 2008.  xxv + 246 pp.  $24.95
    (cloth), ISBN 978-0-19-530557-9.

    If you want to track down the review, it's on H-Net (historians' listserv, or actually listservs, with the breathtaking array of specializations in the field; this review is on the journalism/media historians' listserv).

    Election coming up (none / 0) (#113)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 10:43:07 AM EST
    Seattle area's King County Exec, Ron Simms, went to DC to serve Obama, so that position is now being filled. I just got my voter's pamphlet and discovered one of the candidates for the job is Goodspaceguy. He has some very interesting ideas. I've not seen any tv ads or coverage on this particular candidate. Thinking no one is taking him seriously.

    Goodspaceguy Nelson (none / 0) (#152)
    by shoephone on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:35:15 PM EST
    One of three guys who run for office -- any office -- every single election season for as far back as I can remember.

    The other two are:

    Stan Lippman
    Robert Rosencrantz

    That's the reason the media doesn't cover their campaigns anymore.

    If only we had Pat Paulson.

    Parent

    Bolivia bans all circus animals (none / 0) (#132)
    by jbindc on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:09:17 AM EST
    Link

    Just something to change the toic away from GAtes-gate...

    Waxman gets a deal on health bill (none / 0) (#134)
    by jbindc on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 11:14:29 AM EST
    Link

    Liberals and a small core of conservative Democrats set aside long-standing ideological differences early Friday to cut a deal that should allow the House Energy and Commerce Committee to approve a sweeping health care bill, breaking a two-week deadlock that threatened President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

    Blue Dog Democrats on the committee, who are the linchpin in the House health care debate, agreed to allow their liberal colleagues to cut billions from existing government-funded health care programs in order to restore some $50 billion to $65 billion in subsidies set aside in the bill to help middle-income families purchase coverage.

    This final agreement should clear the way for committee passage later today. Energy and Commerce is the last of the three House committees to consider the bill, so passage will put the package in the hands of party leaders for a titanic fight when Congress returns in the fall over the government's role in health care.
    Robbing Peter to pay Paul (none / 0) (#153)
    by shoephone on Fri Jul 31, 2009 at 01:37:44 PM EST
    This whole thing is beyond discouraging.

    Parent
    Late Night Open Thread | 153 comments (153 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment