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Thursday Afternoon Open Thread: Can't Find My Way Home

Bob Dylan is in negotiations with two car companies to be the voice of their in-car GPS navigation systems.

Sure, I could put up a Dylan pun like "No Direction Home" or "There must be some way out of here" but I thought of this one and it's a good version. Any other ideas?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Hurrah! (5.00 / 6) (#1)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:19:57 PM EST
    The kids are having their first day of school!  

    That means I can do anything I want without worrying about safety or being interrupted or not being able to string two thoughts together.

    Plus the kids were both very excited about going back to school and the kindergarten son has lucked into a special ed classroom of two classmates, one teacher and one assistant.  I am very relieved and very happy!

    Amazing that Winwood (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:28:31 PM EST
    still sounds pretty much the same as it did back when he was seventeen or eighteen and sang Gimme Some Lovin some forty + years ago.

    Parent
    It is... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:54:55 PM EST
    I try never to miss Stevie when he rolls through town...what a talent.

    Parent
    He (and Clapton)... (none / 0) (#17)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:23:58 PM EST
    ...seems to have held up pretty well physically too.  Caught the tour when it came through a couple of months ago and you wouldn't know they are AARP eligible.  

    Parent
    Yay! (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:31:27 PM EST
    Time to put your feet up and eat bon-bons.

    Parent
    Get work done! (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:34:32 PM EST
    I can eat bon bons while they are here.

    I have toys and clothes to sort and donate.  You  try to pack something up and someone protests "No! Not that!".  Just make it all go away while they aren't looking.

    Parent

    I couldn't believe yesterday (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:40:33 PM EST
    when Joshua was still under the influence of giggle gas and he tongued a hole in his gum line, squeezed out a tear, and said that the dentist took his favorite tooth.  I asked him which tooth was his least favorite and he crusted me off :)  

    Parent
    Sounds like a nice ploy to get (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:45:39 PM EST
    more out of the tooth fairy! Smart kid!!

    Just kidding - cute story!!!

    Parent

    That great Staples ad (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:01:56 PM EST
    from a few years back-- "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

    Parent
    Absolutely. (none / 0) (#57)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 05:03:26 PM EST
    There's still a lot to do - the infernal paperwork, the constant communications about the special ed kid, the changes to the bus schedule and so on.

    Speaking of Staples, we went shopping there last year and this.  The first year I practically dragged the oldest through his supply list item by item.  This year, he was raring to go shopping and kept track of the list with me.  

    Parent

    Bound to be a lot... (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:35:37 PM EST
    ...of confused drivers out there if ole' Bob Zimmerman does do that.

    Instead of "I see you've been in an accident", you might well get this:

    Well, when the pipeline gets broken and I'm lost on the river bridge
    I'm cracked up on the highway and on the water's edge
    She comes down the thruway ready to sew me up with thread
    Well, if I go down dyin', you know she bound to put a blanket on my bed.

    -From a Buick 6


    think about driving under the influence... (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:49:54 PM EST
    with

    "everybody must get stoned!"

    I know lots of folks who'd love to tell the officer that their car told them to.

    Parent

    Bob is recording a Christmas album this year too (none / 0) (#15)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:15:18 PM EST
    Doing some of the standards. I can hardly wait!

    Come, they toooold me, pa-rum-pum-pum-puuuum.

    Parent

    Anglachel...... (5.00 / 4) (#11)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:55:22 PM EST
    She's back. And she's back with a vengeance.

    Her 'Whole Foods Nation Betrayed' post is wicked powerful.

    That post is a hoot (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:16:39 PM EST
    Made me remember when everything at Walmart was made in the USA. What ever makes us think highly of ourselves at the time I guess.  There are many veg and fruit stands around here. Some right next to the patches they are grown in.  I've never lived any place like this, but that part is nice.

    Parent
    That is some fine prose! (none / 0) (#18)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:26:25 PM EST
    I wasn't aware of that blog, but it's now on my watch list. Excellent writing. Thanks for the link!

    Parent
    Link? (none / 0) (#66)
    by Radiowalla on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 07:25:30 PM EST
    Not sure where to find her, although the name rings a bell for sure.
    I'm very interested in the Whole Foods issue and can recommend a discussion from KQED's "Forum" radio show this morning which discussed the boycott.

    http://www.kqed.org/radio/programs/forum/

    Scroll down to Thursday's entry entitled "Boycotts."

    Parent

    Here ya go (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by nycstray on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 08:23:46 PM EST
    link to her blog:

    scroll down and there's a couple on WF.

    Parent

    Thanks! nt (none / 0) (#70)
    by Radiowalla on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 09:49:31 PM EST
    I just Googled the name. (none / 0) (#67)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 07:48:50 PM EST
    I have learned and forgotten (so apparently I never learned) how to post links here... sorry!

    Parent
    Courtesy of waldonpond (none / 0) (#69)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 09:07:55 PM EST
    simple instructions on How to link

    Parent
    y'all are so kind to post it. (none / 0) (#82)
    by jeffinalabama on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 10:53:58 AM EST
    I think I'll copy it to a document on my computer this time. Thanks again!

    Parent
    The Kennedy procession (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by dk on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:33:56 PM EST
    is heading up to Boston now.  I live/work downtown, so I'm heading outside soon to see it.

    I HAVE TO VENT ABOUT MSNBC!!! (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by Radiowalla on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:38:09 PM EST
    I was at the gym, watching the live coverage of the procession.  No one had come out of the house yet and the anchors were filling up time discussing whatever came to mind about the Kennedys and Ted's career in particular.

    Then, very solemnly, the military guard began to roll the casket out of the house and slowly into the hearse.  

    MSNBC, in the form of Andrea Mitchell and Michael Beschloss, continued to chatter and natter during the entire process, completely spoiling the poignant moment for any and all viewers.

    Andrea even saw fit to bring up Chappaquidick while the cameras were focused on the casket as it was moved forward.

    Someone on the bike next to me was watching Fox News so I switched over to them and they had NO commentary whatsoever.
    They allowed their viewers to experience the live moment as it occurred and allowed the Kennedy family the dignity of silence.

    Andrea Mitchell should learn when to keep quiet and her producers should learn when common decency demands silence.  

    Parent

    Watching it online at CNN live (none / 0) (#40)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 03:39:31 PM EST
    I'm surprised by how much of the roadside along the way is practically void of people. Downtown had lots of people, but one could have found a front-row seat in some places.

    I'm sure it was a moving experience to see.

    There is no anchor left in the Kennedy family.

    Parent

    Just got back. (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by dk on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:18:02 PM EST
    The crowds were told ahead of time to congregate in certain areas, which is why some spots looked crowded while other parts of the route were not.

    It was quite moving to see.  The family members in the main cars had the windows down and were waving and acknowledging the crowd.  

     

    Parent

    Crowds in Boston (5.00 / 2) (#77)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 12:28:53 AM EST
    Nice report in The Globe about the public viewing of the casket at the Kennedy Library in Boston.

    "As dusk settled at 7 p.m., the line looped for hundreds upon hundreds of yards, with thousands upon thousands of people, each one seeming to carry the memory of an encounter, or even just a moment, with the man whose life they had come to celebrate. By midnight, police officials estimated that 6,000 people remained in line, and that although everyone would be able to get inside, the viewing would end around 2 this morning."

    The article ends with this:

    "Kennedy's casket was being attended to by a military honor guard and a vigil of five civilians, including some 9/11 family members, throughout the night and into today."

    Parent

    I missed it all (none / 0) (#79)
    by CST on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 08:33:46 AM EST
    as I was home sick yesterday.  But I have to say, the Kennedy Library is in a beautiful spot.  That's one of my favorite walks in the city.  Great place to wait in line.

    Parent
    They are having another viewing today (none / 0) (#81)
    by MO Blue on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 09:34:21 AM EST
    Open until 3 p.m.

    Parent
    Good Daily Howler today (5.00 / 5) (#23)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:37:27 PM EST
    On the Health Care debate:

    It isn't just that we get our keisters kicked by "ridiculous and blatant falsehoods." We liberals get our keisters kicked by the same ridiculous falsehoods, from the same people, at fifteen-year intervals! Fifteen years later, the very same people say the very same things. On our side , we're still unprepared to counter--or prevent--such attacks.

    He asks why we liberals are so bad at handling these attacks. Good question. Somehow we are not addressing the real fears people have, making them susceptible to BS.

    We lose because we don't play to win (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:47:41 PM EST
    Republicans refuse to entertain losing.  You don't see them on the television before the game is even played explaining to the masses all the ways that the Republican base can learn to suck this loss up.

    Parent
    My Bob Dylan GPS keeps telling me I'm on (5.00 / 3) (#34)
    by steviez314 on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 02:35:24 PM EST
    You don't need a Zimmerman... (none / 0) (#37)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 02:55:37 PM EST
    ...to tell you which way the road goes.

    Parent
    Gee, mine says that (none / 0) (#41)
    by Peter G on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 03:41:30 PM EST
    I'm lost in the rain in Juarez.  Not only that, but it's Eastertime, too.  The GPS goes on to point out that my gravity has failed, and that negativity won't pull me through.  Next thing you know, I've turned onto Rue Morgue Avenue.  

    Parent
    well, best not put on any airs... (none / 0) (#54)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:47:06 PM EST
    You're entitled to your feelings (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:17:01 PM EST
    I'm wondering, though, why you can't wait until after the mourning period to share it.

    Sorry Inspector. (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by lentinel on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:34:30 PM EST
    I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings or be unkind or uncouth.

    I just felt that the time to express something about what I was experiencing was the time I was experiencing it. I hoped it would be buried in an open thread where no one feeling grief about Kennedy's passing would be likely to be hurt. I'm sorry that I was wrong about that.


    Parent

    Very kind sentiments.... (none / 0) (#58)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 05:05:10 PM EST
    and I agree with you that there was no better time or place to express your sincere feelings...it's not like your at the poor man's funeral or harping like some of these uncouth cats on the tv.

    You're a class act lentinel...it was an honest comment and not meant to offend.

    Parent

    but it did offend (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 12:08:09 AM EST
    so I've deleted it.

    Parent
    Jeralyn, a spammer is hitting the (none / 0) (#74)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 12:10:18 AM EST
    Richardson thread.

    Parent
    thanks, I'll zap him (none / 0) (#76)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 12:12:50 AM EST
    exactly I'm cleaning the thread (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 12:05:53 AM EST
    of these comments. It's incredibly disrepectful.

    Parent
    how to deal with an (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:23:04 PM EST
    in your face reporter:

    Interview with Cyberstalking Suspect goes Pretty Well

    one of the funniest things I have seen in ages.


    You can appreciate great works... (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 05:00:40 PM EST
    even from a flawed person.

    We're all hoplelessly flawed, and though some of our mistakes are far worse and far more tragic than others, they still need not define us.  The summation of our life and work define us, we can all redeem ourselves.

    I was never a huge Teddy fan or Kennedy clan fan, but looking back now on the summation of his work and senate record I gotta admit he voted the right way more often than not, and did help accomplish some good.  That deserves admiration.
    If he had been cast out or locked up or tossed away after his most tragic mistake, like he may well have if he wasn't a Kennedy or it occurred in todays world, think of the redemption we'd have missed, the good works, the positive.  Think of what piling condemnation upon tragedy really accomplishes.

    He has not even been buried yet (5.00 / 3) (#75)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 12:12:24 AM EST
    And this site has a rule that we don't speak ill of people when they die.

    If anyone wants to discuss Sen. Kennedy's ancient history or character flaws, please do it elsewhere.

    Parent

    Melissa at Shakesville (5.00 / 3) (#59)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 05:11:43 PM EST
    had a complex and nuanced post about Ted and the other Kennedy's that acknowledged both the good and the bad (including throwing the privileged weight of the family around in cases like william kennedy smith, etc) that I could appreciate. I appreciate Ted a lot but I am not enamored of the Kennedy mystique as many others are. You might appreciate her post.

    Mumble (none / 0) (#8)
    by lentinel on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:50:23 PM EST
    The way Bob Dylan sounds, when singing at least, is the last thing I would want to hear on a GPS.

    You'd be lucky to understand anything he was saying. You'd probably wind up in a ditch off the shoulder.

    If we must have a celebrity male voice, why not Gene Hackman?
    That would be fun. Or Al Pacino as Scarface.

    Pacino... (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by jeffinalabama on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 12:53:19 PM EST
    Imagine when you miss a turn.

    "You'll be back..."

    Parent

    I'd pay alot of money (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by sj on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 06:19:30 PM EST
    ...to have Majel Barret's voice on my GPS (the Star Trek computer voice).

    Parent
    Sigourney Weaver? (none / 0) (#78)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 05:01:09 AM EST
    I usually fancy myself good at picking out voices, but I completely missed Sigourney Weaver as the voice of the computer in WallE.  She did a good job too.

    Parent
    That's what I was thinking too (none / 0) (#13)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:13:28 PM EST
    Not sure that is a great idea.

    I'd like Christopher Walken, myself.

    Parent

    Leonard Cohen (none / 0) (#22)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:37:10 PM EST
    Pierce Brosnan (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by mmc9431 on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:58:29 PM EST
    Marge Simpson had his voice on her home computer sysytem! (Till Pierce went crazy and tried to kill Homer)

    Parent
    Ooooh, now you're talking! (none / 0) (#24)
    by ruffian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:38:41 PM EST
    Do you have the "Live in London" record? Makes me melt!

    Parent
    most of Cohen (none / 0) (#26)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:47:39 PM EST
    makes me melt


    Parent
    nothing (none / 0) (#28)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:49:30 PM EST
    is better than this

    Parent
    Leonard playing with Sonny Rollins (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 06:13:24 PM EST
    on the old Night Music program is something amazing to experience.

    Parent
    the dylan version (none / 0) (#29)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:54:58 PM EST
    is not bad either

    hard to screw that up.  like most of Cohens songs.

    Parent

    I also think (none / 0) (#30)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:56:06 PM EST
    cartoon characters would be great.
    Mickey, Daffy, Tweety, Sylvester, Droopy . . . .

    Parent
    I think that... (none / 0) (#32)
    by desertswine on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 02:10:08 PM EST
    Shatner would be good doing those voice-overs.

    Parent
    I totally agree (none / 0) (#20)
    by lilburro on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:27:57 PM EST
    the prospect of hearing his voice in a GPS horrifies me.  Too bad Humphrey Bogart isn't alive to strike such a (ridiculous?) deal - I would definitely drive cross country to that!

    Parent
    Smoke 'em cheaper while you still can... (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:00:26 PM EST
    federal court puts the smackdown on the Poospatucks...contradicting a state court ruling in the tribes favor.

    This is my spot for vig-free smokes...everybody do a favorable ruling on appeal dance tonight for me will ya?  I don't wanna have to drive any further than I do now to dodge extortionary tyranny.  Its just not eco-friendly.  Thanks:)

    You need a couple... (none / 0) (#19)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:26:48 PM EST
    ...of acres to plant tobacco on.  Then the government will subsidize your smokes!  

    /the anti-vig?

    Parent

    I wish I had those skills... (none / 0) (#35)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 02:50:14 PM EST
    typical black thumb city kid...I can't keep a cactus alive.


    Parent
    I can't imagine (none / 0) (#55)
    by Fabian on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:52:19 PM EST
    burley tobacco is all that hard to grow.  Grow well and cure properly is another story.

    I grew some close relatives - various nicotianas.  They not only were easy to grew, if you didn't dead head well, you ended up with volunteers all over the place!

    Parent

    The RNC's... (none / 0) (#14)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:13:41 PM EST
    ...latest push-poll survey on health care is out.  See it here

    Talk about trading in ignorance and fear.  

    What a great song (none / 0) (#33)
    by professorWagstaff on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 02:30:33 PM EST
    I love Steve's work in Traffic. The Blind Faith version of this song is where it's at though. I actually have the original album on record. A true oldie but goody. Thanks for sharing!

    Great cover... (none / 0) (#36)
    by kdog on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 02:51:13 PM EST
    to that Blind faith record...I've only got that one on CD though, not big enough, and harder to break up on:)

    Parent
    wow (none / 0) (#38)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 03:07:43 PM EST
    check out question #4.
    no wonder the wackos are so pi$$ed with the RNC mailing out stuff like this.

    I saw (none / 0) (#39)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 03:37:15 PM EST
    a truly frightening History Channel show last night about a thermonuclear weapon lost in the 50s off the east coast that still sits there.

    if you live on the east coast you might want to know about this if you, like me, never heard this story before.

    The 1958 Tybee Island B-47 crash was an incident on February 5, 1958 in which the United States Air Force lost a 7,600 pound (3,500 kg) Mark 15 hydrogen bomb in the waters off Tybee Island near Savannah, Georgia, USA. The bomb was jettisoned to save the aircrew during a practice exercise after the B-47 bomber carrying it collided in midair with an F-86 fighter plane. Following several unsuccessful searches, it was presumed lost somewhere in Wassaw Sound off the shores of Tybee Island.


    In 1966 they lost FOUR of them... (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by desertswine on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:14:04 PM EST
    off the coast of Spain, but eventually found them again.

    Of the four Mk28 type hydrogen bombs the B-52G carried, three were found on land near the small fishing village of Palomares in the municipality of Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, Spain. The non-nuclear explosives in two of the weapons detonated upon impacting the ground, resulting in the contamination of a 2-square-kilometer (490-acre) (0.78 square mile) area by radioactive plutonium (akin to a dirty bomb explosion). The fourth, which fell into the Mediterranean Sea, was recovered intact after a 2½ month-long search.


    Parent
    they talked about that (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 04:21:54 PM EST
    and how they had to remove about a million barrels of contaminated soil and bring them to the US.  they did not say what they did with them.  

    the other thing is just amazing though.  particularly the DOD guy who lies through his teeth based on what everyone else including the pilot who signed for the bomb and was flying the plane.  

    Parent

    Clapton is God, but Winwood is a much (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 07:05:18 PM EST
    superior singer.

    Worth listening to (none / 0) (#80)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 28, 2009 at 08:45:59 AM EST
    and commenting on:

    In Health Care, Fear Trumps Logic

    NPR Morning Edition

    They euphemistically talk about the "opponents" of health care reform without naming names, although they do use a clip of a Michael Steele interview.

    Republicans insist that fear is not part of their strategy in trying to defeat the current health overhaul effort. "No one's trying to scare people with sound bites. I mean, you know, I've not done that, and I don't know any of the leaders in the House and Senate that have done that," Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said on NPR earlier this week.

    [emphasis added]