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Tuesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:06:49 AM EST
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    Tuesday Morning Open Thread | 85 comments (85 topical)

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    Funny parody of Milbank and Cilizza (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by magster on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:21:07 AM EST
    here.

    Now that is funny (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by ruffian on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:27:55 PM EST
    The Milbank-Cilizza thing was not totally worthless if it inspired this.  Love the announcer and the title slogans too.

    Parent
    The depicted subconscious goals (none / 0) (#27)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:33:02 PM EST
    of Wapo were a hoot

    Parent
    Thanks mag, your post of the WaPo-bashing (none / 0) (#10)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:00:36 PM EST
    video was posted, while I was in the process of doing the same.

    Parent
    Far superior video (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:09:11 PM EST
    to the "piece of footage" BTD put up and tried to sell as good clean fun.

    Parent
    Ay yay yay (none / 0) (#19)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:15:20 PM EST
    Yeah, I was selling it as good, clean fun all right.

    Does the phrase "tongue in cheek" mean anything to anyone anymore?

    Parent

    I didn't think you were subtle (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by andgarden on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:17:53 PM EST
    At all. Go figure.

    Parent
    Fine, I'm blaming (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:19:20 PM EST
    my lack of insight on Hoegaarden consumption then.

    Parent
    Okay (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:23:16 PM EST
    I went back and read comments you made after I initially watched it.  I'm corrected.

    Parent
    me neither (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by CST on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:34:05 PM EST
    I thought it was blatant.  Very surprised by the offended people.  Especially considering who wrote it.

    Parent
    Ya know (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:35:17 PM EST
    Some of us get a little touchy sometimes

    Parent
    I'd be touchy too (none / 0) (#31)
    by CST on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:43:01 PM EST
    If I thought it was meant that way.

    I was just surprised that people didn't recognize it.  But we all have different "code words" we respond to I guess.

    Parent

    I was really busy when he put it up (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:58:11 PM EST
    I should have known what he meant, but I didn't.  I thought he was taking a moment to bury the hatchet. Which can be a benefit sometimes.  I've never been able to forget where I buried it though.

    Parent
    Sometimes I don't get yours (none / 0) (#21)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:17:58 PM EST
    Usually I do, it did seem out of character for you :)

    Parent
    Fair enough (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:44:35 PM EST
    BTW, the "ay yay yay" was me parodying Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), my paisan.

    Parent
    Yeah, Milbank and Cillizzia (none / 0) (#34)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:51:12 PM EST
    just did the flaccid talking head schtick they usually do - only together and in 'smoking jackets'. I mean without that mind-blowing effort from the costume department, how would we have known it wasn't just a straight spot on Keith'O.

    I understood that BTD was being "tongue-in-cheek", although it would have helped if he'd put a little more muscle tension in the tongue and planted it a little more firmly in the cheek.

     

    Parent

    So, on to serious matters (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by jbindc on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:04:41 PM EST
    Apparently, the DNC doesn't want the Supreme Court to change the campaign finance world because it will hit "small donors". They say it would gice advantage to corporations.

    How about we do away with all of them and short campaigns and public financing?  The amount of money spent on 2 year primary seasons and general elections is absolutely obscene.

    Clinton Meets Detained Journalists (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by nycstray on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:37:18 PM EST
    Clinton Meets Detained Journalists, Hopes Raised That Pair will Return to U.S. Tomorrow
    The Former President Traveled to North Korea and Met with Leader Kim Jong-Il Today
    By MARTHA RADDATZ and JOOHEE CHO

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton met with detained journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee in North Korea today in what was a very emotional meeting, a government source told ABC News.

    The source, who has knowledge of the Clinton team's mission, was hopeful that the two will be back home in the United States tomorrow, and that Clinton will depart tonight from North Korea.



    Link

    Can you even imagine (5.00 / 3) (#32)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:44:20 PM EST
    being an American in prison in a nutso totalitarian state and having Bill Clinton suddenly walk through the door?  Ayyyiii.  Emotional.  I bet it was.

    Parent
    Hey, I'd be happy to see Bill Clinton (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:22:25 PM EST
    "suddenly walk through the door", with the intent of rescuing me from our own borderline-non-functional, sorry-@ss democracy.

    (I know, Bill but the "aint" in "saint", but still.)

    Parent

    I'd like to think I'd say (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:54:07 PM EST
    "you too, huh?"

    Parent
    I think I'd say... (none / 0) (#51)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:11:21 PM EST
    "what else did I do now?"...:)

    Parent
    How about this? (none / 0) (#37)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:56:03 PM EST
    Sources told ABC News that Clinton's trip, while a surprise to some, was planned weeks ago and that it was former Vice President Al Gore who asked Clinton to go.


    Parent
    What might have been... (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by CST on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:03:54 PM EST


    Parent
    Gore asked Bill Clinton to go to North Korea... (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:23:43 PM EST
    Well that's good. Otherwise, Cheney might put Bob Novak back on life support and tell him Hillary had sent Bill on "a junket".

    NOVAK: I [previously] said in my book I probably should have ignored what I'd been told about Mrs. Valerie Plame Wilson.

    Now I'm much less ambivalent. I'd go full speed ahead because of the hateful and beastly way in which my left-wing critics in the press and Congress tried to make a political affair out of it and tried to ruin me. My response now is this: The hell with you. They didn't ruin me. I have my faith, my family, and a good life. A lot of people love me -- or like me. So they failed. I would do the same thing over again because I don't think I hurt Valerie Plame whatsoever.



    Parent
    That makes sense (none / 0) (#43)
    by caseyOR on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:05:18 PM EST
    I read somewhere that ever since Ling and Lee were arrested Gore has been working quietly and behind the scenes to get them released. After all, they do work for his company.

    Parent
    Shocking how these two (none / 0) (#52)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:12:17 PM EST
    put concern for human beings first when there is reason to believe their influence could benefit a terrible situation.

    Parent
    Happy Birthday Mr President (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by squeaky on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:03:29 PM EST
    Barack Obama turned 48 today, bringing to an end a huge year for the commander in chief, one in which he accepted his party's nomination, handily won the general election, and took office as the nation's first African-American president.

    link

    Marilyn Monroe chimes in

    Sestak v Specter (none / 0) (#1)
    by andgarden on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:12:12 AM EST
    Gets a package on local Philly news. Specter has a rapid response.

    Jon Corzine on tv with an Obama ad. Polls have Christie way ahead.

    I'm prefering the Obama ad (none / 0) (#4)
    by nycstray on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:29:01 AM EST
    over the others. Was getting absolutely sick of the back and forth from 2 politicians in another state.

    Parent
    27 million Americans... (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:28:51 AM EST
    on anti-depressants...better living through chemistry, a nation of dope fiends, or a little of both?

    Gloom & Doom (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by PlayInPeoria on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:35:39 PM EST
    Maybe there are so many people on anti-depressants ........ because they are UNEMPLOYED.

    The national outlook IS pretty gloomy right now.

    Parent

    You've just solved the Economy! (none / 0) (#60)
    by Fabian on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:57:35 PM EST
    We just need to get all those risk averse, stingy, underemployed and underpaid Americans to spend, spend, SPEND!

    All we need to do is to make antidepressants free and the doctor's appointment to get the prescription free too.  Toss in some euphoria-inducing drugs and we'll be spending ourselves into permanent debt slavery to China in no time!

    </snark>

    Parent

    and that article doesnt (none / 0) (#5)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:47:00 AM EST
    even mention ambien, adderol, requip or any of the hundreds of other prescription crap we are being drowned in.

    but god forbid we should smoke pot.

    Parent

    The drug taking.... (5.00 / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:53:58 AM EST
    aside, why the hell are so many of us so god damn unhappy?  

    And the pros are diagnosing depression in kids as young as 3.  That's f*ckin' scary.

    Parent

    I think the more important ... (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:59:03 AM EST
    question is:  Why do people think they should always be happy?

    Periods of unhappiness are natural and even healthy.  In fact, we wouldn't even know what happiness was if we didn't have unhappiness.

    Clinical depression is another thing.  But most people on these drugs don't have clinical depression.

    Parent

    Good point.... (5.00 / 0) (#14)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:05:55 PM EST
    sadness is most definitely as natural as hapiness...and an important part of a balanced emotional life.

    Parent
    Since you asked... (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:50:38 PM EST
    why the hell are so many of us so god damn unhappy?

    Well, there's the minor matter of the past eight years looming in the rear view mirror and a lot more of the same looming straight ahead. A 3 year old doesn't have that range of view, but parents and children are struggling to survive the consequences.

    I imagine a 3 year old also knows full well when the parents lose their jobs; when the family is forced out of a house; when somebody is sick and they can't afford a doctor; etc. etc.

    As Mark Twain said: "Even a dog knows the difference between being tripped over and being kicked." I just hope to gawd we (the people) can still till the difference - "going forward", you know.

    Parent

    I don't know if... (none / 0) (#54)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:23:31 PM EST
    the economic situation explains it...I'd imagine a good chunk of the 27 million on the happy pills are gainfully employed, have coverage, and good living arrangements.  The "too much is not enough expect way too much out of life" crowd.

    Parent
    kdog, about those depressed people... (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:24:35 PM EST
    I'm curious. What qualifies you to believe, and allege, that:
    a good chunk of the 27 million on the happy pills are gainfully employed, have coverage, and good living arrangements. [They are] the "too much is not enough expect way too much out of life" crowd.

    Your diagnosis is excess and greed. Is that also how you explain the underlying problems of the suicidal 5 year old mentioned in a foregoing comment by Barnbabe? Not enough toys, not enough candy, not enough "Gap for Kids" clothes; not enough trips to Disneyland?

    I have no love of psychopharmacology but, unlike you, I have a lot of empathy for people on psychiatric medication. (BTW, have you met Tom Cruise?)

    Perhaps, you and I just know a very different cross-section of people on those drugs. I would assume so, since your description of a wanton antidepressant-popping, hugely over-privileged demographic bears no resemblance to anybody I personally know. To say nothing of the millions of depressed people who are undiagnosed and/or CANNOT afford the cost of ANY treatment of any kind.

    Parent

    Personal experience... (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:44:08 PM EST
    the only people I know on anti-depressants are pretty well-off...Prozac ain't a poor persons drug, as you alluded to.  So my gut feeling is that 27 million is not made up of the downtrodden or the unemployed or people caught up in our current economic problems...something else is afoot.  Which is why I brought up "too much is not enough".

    But I've learned quite a bit from Fabian and Barnbabe today that opened my eyes to depressed kids.

    I don't know where you're getting I have no empathy for people with mental health issues...I just have a lot of questions and doubts about the reliance on dope by mental health professionals.

    Parent

    ya (none / 0) (#11)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:00:42 PM EST
    Im torn honestly.  I am all for pills but a depressed 3 year old?  sorry.  I dont buy it.
    I think doctors are just filling their quota.


    Parent
    Boy Interrupted-HBO last night (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by BarnBabe on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:01:58 PM EST
    There was a documentary last night and on other HBO channels this week called Boy Interrupted. It was the 10 year struggle of a 5 year old Bi-Polar child who wanted to kill himself. It was sad but very informative. The boy's Uncle also was Bi-Polar and had committed suicide when he was around 26. The boy, Ethan, was suppended from school when he went to the top of the school to jump off. A teacher talked him down. He was then sent to two different facilities. After different drugs, he was given Lithium and was able to function normally for many years. When he was 15, he asked his parents and doctor to reduce the medication. They did and he went downhill fast. He jumped out a window at 15. He completed his goal. It was a terrible waste of life. My friend's family is going through this now with their 19 year old. It runs in the family and the Aunt had killed herself 3 years ago. I suspect there are degrees of depression but some suffer from it terribly and can't function without the medications. We just assume that they are older. We all have moments of blueness but there are so many sufferers who can't snap out of it. It was a very interesting show and I would recommend it to everyone.  

    Parent
    Thanks Barnbabe... (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:17:14 PM EST
    I'll have to check it out...its hard to even imagine a suicidal 5 year old...how sad.

    The human mind is so freakin' heavy.

    Parent

    Not me. (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:48:11 PM EST
    Been there.  OK, not as a 5 yo, but pretty darn close.  Sometimes the pain (be it physical or mental or both) is just so overwhelming all you want is for it to stop.  

    Parent
    I, for one of surely many,... (5.00 / 0) (#49)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:00:40 PM EST
    am grateful you were able to overcome and persevere Mile...you are one of the reasons I have some hope left for this joint called Earth:)

    Phsyical anguish as a cause is easier for me to wrap my head around than mental anguish...I guess I should consider myself very lucky I can't wrap my head around it, and I do consider myself damn lucky...everyday.  You don't gotta look far to see how much worse so many things could be.

    Parent

    As Mom is fond of saying... (none / 0) (#63)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:08:47 PM EST
    ...there's always someone somewhere who is worse off than you.

    It is still on on-going battle to overcome and perservere.  Like today, got a migraine so bad all I want to do is lop my head off to make the pain stop.  Or at least scoop out the grey matter until it decides to stop misbehaving.  

    Parent

    I wish I could say I can relate... (none / 0) (#64)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:11:10 PM EST
    but I can't man...all I can give you is my thoughts and best wishes and admiration my brother...and instructions to keep on keepin' on the best you can.

    Parent
    Just have to survive... (none / 0) (#67)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:18:01 PM EST
    ...until I get home and can self-medicate.  

    Thanks for the support!

    Parent

    Thanks (none / 0) (#82)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 10:49:10 PM EST
    I saw the previews and I'm interested, but busy and forgot about it.  I'll run and DVR it now.

    Parent
    I don't buy it either... (none / 0) (#15)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:09:01 PM EST
    I don't buy a lot of modern psychiatry, for that matter.  3 year olds?  Not buying that for a second.

    But if people think it helps more power to them...just legalize my preferred brands of dope to be fair:)

    Parent

    Doubt it. (none / 0) (#55)
    by Fabian on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:42:49 PM EST
    Giving psychoactive drugs is very rare for children under the age of six years because of the potential to impact the developing brain.

    Know a lot of three year olds on antidepressants?  I don't know any.

    Tell you what - I'll ask my pediatrician the next time I see her.  I'll ask her if she's "filled her quota" of anti depressant prescriptions.

    Apparently some people believe that self medication is fine, but having a medical professional prescribe medication is an abhorrent phenomena.  

    Parent

    Self-medication is fine... (none / 0) (#56)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:47:43 PM EST
    for adults...giving kids powerful brain drugs is not something I'm comfortable with, but thats for parents to decide with the medical professionals, none of my business.  

    I just wonder about medical professionals diagnosing kids barely out of diapers with clinical depression...sounds crazy to me.

    Parent

    Not to me. (none / 0) (#61)
    by Fabian on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:05:14 PM EST
    My cashier was telling about her four year old nephew who says that nobody loves him, he hates himself and wants to die.

    He was put on drugs.  Mental disorders don't always wait to strike.  It's not surprising since there is a strong genetic component to many disorders.

    Parent

    My eyes are being opened today... (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:16:29 PM EST
    Thanks for sharing Fabian...my head is exploding...and now I'm depressed, how could such young kids feel that kinda despair? I wanna bolt to my sister's house and drown my nieces in hugs and kisses:)

    I really thought the little ones were immune to that sh*t till at least puberty.

    Parent

    My gawd, Kdawg, how old are you - no disrespect (none / 0) (#72)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:40:21 PM EST
    How can you be so oblivious as to believe:
    the little ones were immune to that sh*t till at least puberty.

    Do you go around like this in real life, being casually dismissive and flippantly pontificating on matters of life and death - that you, evidently, know nothing about?  It's nice that you say you are "learning" here. It would be nicer still if you learned a bit more before you weigh in and promulgate attitudes and opinions that do more harm than good.

    Parent

    Early 30's... (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:50:56 PM EST
    with a Peter Pan complex though:)

    I'm sorry if I came off as dismissive and flippant...I don't claim to have any answers, only questions and observations.  I thought this is how you learn...by discussing things.  

    Parent

    Kudos for taking it down a notch (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 04:11:30 PM EST
    kdog. You started off confrontational and insensitive and you are now characterizing your "questions and observations" in benign terms - as gentle, truth-seeking queries. That would be a good way to begin "discussing" a delicate topic that you are trying to "learn" about.

    Peace my brother. Here's to starting off on the right foot (or left foot) versus the wrong foot :-)

    Parent

    A black mood verbalized (none / 0) (#66)
    by jondee on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:17:50 PM EST
    is now a mental disorder (always potentailly laying in wait to strike).

    Im starting to think the signs of indivuals without some form of 'disorder" would be something along the lines of the demeanor of the people in the movie Invasion.

    Parent

    As the parent of special needs (5.00 / 0) (#78)
    by Fabian on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 04:26:57 PM EST
    children, I'm grateful every day that we now understand that there are many treatable disorders that can be properly diagnosed and not lumped under some catch all official or unofficial description.

    The recent increase in autism diagnoses didn't come out of nowhere - "mental retardation" diagnoses are now less common.

    There are more subtle problems - a child with sensory processing disorder can literally not hear instructions properly - making it difficult to comply with them!

    I understand the doubters who may say "Where were all these disorders before?".  They were always with us.  Before they were just called "slow", "stupid", "spacey" or "weird".  Being called names isn't helpful which may be why depression is often a concurrent diagnosis.

    Having a disorder diagnosed so that you know what is wrong and can treat or develop strategies to deal with it IS helpful.  Someone who has an aural processing disorder can ask that instructions be given only after they are paying attention to the person (not while distracted) and stated simply and clearly.  

    Parent

    And, after all the Ritalin (none / 0) (#85)
    by jondee on Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 11:50:01 AM EST
    and Prozac and Adderall and Elavil and business school paradigms of "professional behavior" imposed on the most stubbornly (there's the rub), curious, energetic and spontaneous among us, children, we're still the world champs in school shooting and juvenile incarceration rates.

    And, btw, "genetic factors" is often code for we really dont know but have a need to sound professional, scientific and, most importantly, in control.

    Why and how are "genetic factors" so much different in the U.S that we need to medicate children at four times the rate they do in Europe.

    Parent

    Most of them Selective Serotonin ... (none / 0) (#7)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:54:54 AM EST
    Reuptake Inhibitors.  A class of drugs which may be helpful in a small number of cases, but are clearly over-prescribed, and do some pretty funky things to the brain.

    Parent
    hey (none / 0) (#12)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:01:40 PM EST
    I saw your comment about the movie Wanted vs the comic.
    how do you feel about Watchmen?

    I liked it a lot.  and more every time I watch it.
    I think it was gutsy on several levels.


    Parent

    I loved Watchmen ... (none / 0) (#17)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:10:54 PM EST
    my favorite movie of the year so far.  And I think Watchmen, like Blade Runner, will grow in general esteem in the years to come.

    It presents such an uncompromised and uncompromising vision it was bound to take audiences a while to catch up.

    Snyder is a more intellectual director than he's given credit for.  

    Parent

    My spouse rented it (none / 0) (#18)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:13:57 PM EST
    when he had overnight duty.  He brought it home but the family didn't watch it because a character was supposedly naked and spouse said it was sort freaky and didn't want kids seeing it.  What say you about this?  I haven't seen it yet.

    Parent
    It's rated "R" ... (none / 0) (#23)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:19:35 PM EST
    and it's a hard "R."

    Personally, I don't think kids would be traumatized by a blue CGI penis.  But some of the themes and violence might be troubling to them.

    However, I think most small kids would just find it boring.

    It's a movie made for grown-ups.

    Parent

    Thanks for your input (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:30:45 PM EST
    I know Josh....he's going to attempt to sneak it in later if it is on HBO.  He was a little upset that it came into the house and then left without his viewing.  My husband gets more "stressed" about nudity than I do.  Violence though....he's completely numb to movie violence.  At least the penis is making its way into awareness outside of pornography, and everything isn't about exposed women anymore.  Why are Americans such freaky flashers? Josh made a confession to me yesterday that he snuck a 'Hung' in.  He can't stand to be left out on things others are being entertained by.

    Parent
    He'll be fine.... (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 12:55:58 PM EST
    I was watching "Porky's" in third grade and look how I turned out.

    Err...maybe you should worry about him Tracy:)

    Parent

    Make him read the book first. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Fabian on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:53:38 PM EST
    About three times should do it.  I missed things on the first time through - including that the masks retired partly because of a police strike.  Made sense - the masks did everything the police were forbidden to do and became media darlings in spite of it.  I also got a huge kick out of us winning the Vietnam War - and it didn't make everything all better.    

    Plus the characters are much, much better drawn in the book - especially poor doomed Rorschach.

    I may, eventually, watch the movie.  I'm with Alan Moore - every movie they've made of his books have been disappointments at best and some have positively reeked.  Moore's books have a very clear vision and well defined concepts - which is shredded in the movies.

    Parent

    Sounds like I might want to check (none / 0) (#81)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 10:45:01 PM EST
    out all of Moore's books for Joshua's library.  I'm really really usually not into such books, but every child is different and this one is asking for my interests to evolve :)  I have gone to see a lot of movies with him and zipped my lip that was dying to try to beg out of going.  He loved "V", and he was so little when the movie came out.  I think he was six.  I enjoy it too and we go through phases of watching it together. I ended up truthfully enjoying Transformers with him and then when I ended up not being able to go to the second one and he went with only his dad I was bummed.  Then they came home and told me that the second one was better than the first and I was more bummed :)

    Parent
    You might want to pass (none / 0) (#84)
    by Fabian on Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 08:44:13 AM EST
    on the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen series now.  There is a character in there far more disturbing than Rorshach or codename "V".  Maybe when Josh is older.

    But...you should be able to get Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing in trade paperback at the library.  

    In the "I hope they never make a movie." category is  Waid/Ross Kingdom Come.  Kingdom Come asks some serious questions.  "With great power comes great responsibility!" is fine - but how much responsibility?  The gorgeous artwork makes it a pleasure to read.  

    (The real problem with Watchmen is that it is literally just too long to cram into a feature length film.  Too many characters, too many relationships, too much history to cover, just too much everything.  Josh should definitely read the book, because the ending was changed.)

    Parent

    Some people just need a pill (none / 0) (#57)
    by jondee on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:47:53 PM EST
    to pass from a Doctor to them -- it's a twenty first century version of a healing ritual.

    On the other hand, in Thailand they've had alot of success getting heroin addicts off junk by teaching them to meditate.

    Parent

    Maybe our head-shrinkers... (none / 0) (#58)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 02:52:19 PM EST
    could learn from the Thai technique...my special lady in Mexico swears by the meditation and yoga, and she's an MD.

    She's been on me to give it a shot...but I'm partial to my bush doctor rituals for mental health:)

    Parent

    Im the Marv Throneberry (none / 0) (#62)
    by jondee on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:07:57 PM EST
    of meditation myself, but I still do it.

    Only you can know whats good for your soul; Im a firm believer in that concept.

    Btw, Did you catch Levon Helm on Letterman last night? I was suprised to see him singing (speaking of heart and mind over matter), I heard he had throat cancer a few years back.

    Parent

    I didn't know he was on... (none / 0) (#69)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:30:27 PM EST
    Damn I missed it!

    See the latest Rolling Stone, a nice write-up about his recovery from throat cancer and refinding his voice, the Midnight Rambles up on his farm in Woodstock, and his post-show joint smoking ritual in the kitchen:)

    I attended a Ramble on the 4th...if you haven't you must my man...no experience in music like it.

    Parent

    But did you get him... (none / 0) (#70)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:35:03 PM EST
    ...to toss the Frisbee around with you?

    Parent
    Nah... (none / 0) (#76)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:57:56 PM EST
    the regulars said in past years he hung out more during the BBQ...but I didn't get to see him till he got behind the kit.

    Which was the important thing:)

    Parent

    Sounds fantastic (none / 0) (#71)
    by jondee on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:38:34 PM EST
    I wonder if he ever smoothed things over with Robertson; I know they weren't exactly on the best of terms for a while there.

    Parent
    Nope... (none / 0) (#75)
    by kdog on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:56:43 PM EST
    the fued is alive and well as far as I know.

    Parent
    Humorous to envision. (none / 0) (#80)
    by oculus on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 05:47:10 PM EST


    Parent
    Bringing Satire Into It... (none / 0) (#8)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:56:51 AM EST
    YouTube Video:You Got Post'd. Josh Funk and Andy Cobb, of the Public Service Administration, just did a satire of the Dana Milbank/Chris Cillizza beer-bust video. It's particularly good at skewering WaPo's dire attempts to get with it and "go viral". I won't do a spoiler, so watch through to the end.

    Gates to help Crowley's kids to get into Harvard. (none / 0) (#40)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:03:20 PM EST
    Maybe he was joking...

    Black Jack, or duces are wild... (none / 0) (#42)
    by joze46 on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:04:34 PM EST
    Guess a lot of my stuff is stupid sense too.

    But that video, Washington Post and you're pasted has a simple message to the older folk like me. Black Jack movies, happy smoke, and Iraq war related migration spans a lot of area. It's hard to tune in to for me, yet that beer buzz about Hillary, the ranting part and a pause. Makes one wonder, if that one chubby guy gets off on Hillary. When Hillary looks rested wearing cobalt she appears pretty charming. Perhaps that what he is yelling about ? She is a hottie ?

    This past couple of days was dedicated to remove a virus from my computer. While looking around on the net for a fix a video with the same sense of the old "shock theater" haughty laughter was striking similar. Like watching that video for me was something, they think is creative,  but one realizing you have been poisoned. So the hard laughter like an old Dr. Jekyll Hide movie. Jack Black needs to get a serious Cecil De Mills producer director. Or George Lucas or Spielberg. Those movies Jack Black played are so corny.

    WH counsel Craig on the way out? (none / 0) (#79)
    by jbindc on Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 04:38:31 PM EST
    Interesting....

    WASHINGTON -- Obama administration officials are holding discussions that could result in White House counsel Gregory Craig leaving his post, following a rocky tenure, people familiar with the matter said.

    Mr. Craig, the top lawyer at the White House and a close aide to President Barack Obama, has helped lead the administration's efforts on several national-security issues that once enjoyed popularity but have since become become political liabilities for Mr. Obama.

    View Full Image

    Getty Images

    President Barack Obama meets with White House counsel Gregory Craig, right, in the Oval Office in June.
    These include the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the release of Bush administration-era national-security documents, and efforts to find legal ways to indefinitely hold some detainees who can't be put on trial.

    The decision to close the Guantanamo facility became a political problem for Mr. Obama when concerns arose that some of the detainees would be released into the U.S. and the public soured on the move.

    Mr. Craig didn't respond to questions about his job as White House counsel for this article.

    The people familiar with the matter said a final decision hasn't been made.
    CNN Poll on Health Care Reform (none / 0) (#83)
    by squeaky on Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 08:41:15 AM EST
    50% for Obama's plan 45% against it.

    83% happy with their current health care, 16% unhappy.

    74% happy with current ins coverage, 23% unhappy.

    40% thinks health care tough decisions (triage) should be by Gov
    40% thinks health care tough decisions (triage) should be by Ins co.

    cnn

    Tuesday Morning Open Thread | 85 comments (85 topical)

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