Saturday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:00:22 AM EST
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First Saturday in September means college football. The Florida Gators are 73 point favorites over Charleston Southern. It is embarrassing that Florida is playing this game, but at least Charleston Southern is getting a good paycheck. Alabama-Virginia Tech looks to be the best game of the weekend.

Other sporting events to follow this weekend include the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga (where super filly Rachel Alexandra runs against older colts), and the US Open in Flushing Meadow. The Yankees lead the Red Sox by 7.5 games. A topsy turvy race for the NL wild card slot looks to be the most compelling ongoing storyline in baseball. The US national soccer team plays El Salvador tonight in Utah. Jozy Altidore may become a household nmae in the US if the national team does well in South Africa at the 2010 World Cup. But first, the US has to qualify. They have to win tonight to feel comfortable about their position. Finally, the Vuelta de Espana cycling race continues with Stage 7 today being a time trial in Valencia.

This is an Open Thread.

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Saturday Morning Open Thread | 40 comments (40 topical)

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Yesterday I visited a blog (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by kenosharick on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:06:21 AM EST

that I used to read a lot. I was literally driven off the site for daring to support Hillary over THE ONE. Yesterday I posted a comment, trying to make nice, but expressing my disappointment in Obama. Nothing has changed- I was immediatly attacked and the vicious comments directed towards Hillary (still!!) were shocking. I have been over the primaries for quite some time; why aren't the people who won? Needless to say, I will not go back to that particular site.

Yeah, they're marinated by now, aren't they? (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by lambert on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 12:10:42 PM EST

I've always found it useful to write "Obama's Secretary of State," or "She Who Must Not Be Named" to defuse discussion.

Of course, you might also consider citing this poll.


And where might that be? (none / 0) (#4)
by Radiowalla on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:32:15 AM EST

It might be fun to go there and stir up a little mayhem.


americablog (none / 0) (#19)
by kenosharick on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:55:05 AM EST

You are brave, Kenosharick (5.00 / 3) (#28)
by shoephone on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 02:01:08 PM EST

That place became a cesspool of misogynistic nuttiness during campaign season and I assume its denizens never emerged from the oozing muck.


: Thanks (none / 0) (#38)
by kenosharick on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:03:40 PM EST

at least I know it is not me (at least not totally).

OMG! (5.00 / 2) (#33)
by Radiowalla on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 02:37:42 PM EST

I haven't set foot (or finger on keyboard) there for months. It used to be one of my favorite stops until the primaries revealed the caliber of the management.


was that an orange colored site? (none / 0) (#5)
by jeffinalabama on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:32:57 AM EST

I've been reading some of the fromt pages, but not posting, because I gave up on it. If it was another, please tell!


To quote Yogi Berra: "Nobody goes (none / 0) (#8)
by oldpro on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:52:35 AM EST

there any more. It's too crowded."


LOL! (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by jeffinalabama on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:01:41 AM EST

I think a lot of us migrated, but still occasionally read some of the FPs and older posters. Heck, the dynamic changed, I didn't, and there are lots of good sites, like this one.


: I laugh (none / 0) (#13)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:20:38 AM EST

at reading even some of the FP'ers...almost feels like a "The Onion"-sponsored site. One FP'er actually called Baucus a CROOK, while still putting no responsibility for the health insurance deform on "Teh One".

Heh, when I posted some of my (none / 0) (#37)
by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 05:15:42 PM EST

first concerned comments about McChrystal around, some boobs showed up to call me Hillary lover Armando lover names. Like I give a flying flip :) Do not give the idiots any sort of satisfaction at all. Continue on with your discussion exactly where you were as you were. Do not allow the idiots to rule any worlds :)


Sunday afternoon: regatta in (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by oculus on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:21:32 AM EST

Venice.

Go Hokies! (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by cawaltz on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:31:40 AM EST

Okay, my husband would hate to hear me say that since he hates our home team, but I gotta be me. ;)

Great atmosphere... (none / 0) (#6)
by kdog on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:44:48 AM EST

in Blacksburg...went to a game there once, one of the loudest crowds I've ever heard...and I love the turkey calls! Go Hokies!

Gators laying 73, thats alotta wood! If they display the least bit of sportsmanship, no way they could cover...but they probably will cover, sportsmanship is hard to come by in Div I, as evidenced by these cremepuff schedules the NCAA allows.


It's a sweet little town (none / 0) (#12)
by cawaltz on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:15:59 AM EST

I can get all the experience of quaint little specialty stores in the downtown area and also have the convenience factor handy in Christiansburg. The only gripe I have is if you don't live in the township and just live in the county area public transport sucks. Where I am I have a mile walk to a bus stop and the buses only run to here until 6pm(they start at 12pm)and run hourly. I'm still fairly not old(okay not in complete denial) and mobile so it keeps me fit though.


I found all the people very friendly... (none / 0) (#18)
by kdog on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:51:08 AM EST

for all the talk of how they hate yankees from Virginia on down, I've have had nothing but good experiences in the South...even found the police nicer. Maybe I'm just lucky:)

Public transport is an issue in most of the rural and suburban parts of the country, sh*t even some cities...America is definitely an automobile country, if ya ain't got one you're gonna face obstacles doing just about anything.


: Oh they have their moments (none / 0) (#27)
by cawaltz on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 12:39:42 PM EST

I get to hear all about how "we"(I'm from NY) Northerners have ruined places like Smith Mountain Lake(apparently the Northerners made alot of rules that actually make it hard for regional folk to get a place on the lake, let alone enjoy the beauty of it and fish). The police can have their moments. More often than not they ask me if I need help when they see me walking, they do sometimes abuse their authority though(one of them who ran my ID for no reason other than he could actually admitted it was about checking for outstanding warrants). All in all I have more positive then negative to say though about my adopted home.

Football isn't life (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by oculus on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:49:19 AM EST

(Jemele Hill.)

But is it possible U of M will beat Western Michigan?

No, it's more important! (none / 0) (#11)
by jeffinalabama on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:02:27 AM EST

: Exactly. Life happens (none / 0) (#15)
by Cream City on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:35:05 AM EST

a lot, but football only happens in fall.
So we just suspend the rest of life for a while, since it still will be there, happening at us, when football is over. I'm in Packerland, and we are taught this from an early age. Example: Last night, the spouse -- who is from another land, another state without a team -- and I were at a fish fry, because it was Friday, and therefore, a fish fry is still part of the pre-football religious rites even though the other religion doesn't require fish on Friday anymore.
Anyway, spouse commented on the conversation at the next table, where a mother was instructing a wee toddler on football, Packer lore, and other important information to understand life for the next few months. Spouse said the conversation was wasted on a wee one too young. I looked at spouse in astonishment at finding out about yet more things about the man I married so rashly, clearly, after only a decade of courtship.
I explained to him that no doubt this was not the wee toddler's first lesson, as it is incumbent upon parents in Packerland to begin the inculcation when future fans are still in the womb. It took me back to the birth of my firstborn on a Saturday in football season, when the responsibilities of the spouse then included monitoring both teevee and radio to report -- to the doc and nurses as well as to me -- on the progress, play by play, of both the Packers and on several of our college football teams. Oh, and also on the World Series game that day, but somewhat secondarily.
The firstborn, btw, behaved appropriately and put me through a few extra hours of labor so as to not emerge until all of the games were over. It was the least that he and I could do. putting up with more agonizing pain -- as it was for the sake of football, after all.

Maybe (none / 0) (#14)
by Steve M on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:28:54 AM EST

but don't bet the ranch on it!


Federer is having a terrible (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by oldpro on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:55:04 AM EST

morning. Hewitt won the first set. 23 unforced errors for Rodger. Wow. Bad day.

Ahh... (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:46:35 AM EST

...nothing better than waking up on a glorious late Summer morning and being able to watch Big 10 football while having breakfast.

I'm also waiting patiently for a Franken HCR video to load. Hopefully that will be equally entertaining.

/Go Navy, beat OSU; Go Gophers, beat the 'Cuse and as always, Go Hawks!

No golf today bro? (none / 0) (#23)
by kdog on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 12:03:52 PM EST

Figured you might take advantage before the cold comes.

Crowes were great last night, ears still ringing:) Little slice of paradise in Westbury, must be budget cut-backs or something because we didn't see one Nassau cop all night, not a one. People smoking in peace in the open without having to hide in the shadows, drinking beer out the bottle no need for plastic cups. So much so even the nitrous hawkers were downright brazen, waving their ballons in the air yellin' like the beerman at a ballgame...it felt like a free country, I was really heartened by it. God Bless a Free America!


Got a 3p tee time... (none / 0) (#32)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 02:32:22 PM EST

...at the local public course. Just have to get my heart rate back to normal over that nailbiter of an Iowa game.

Unlike a certain squad sporting a repitilian name, we actually got a test from a quality in-state rival today.

No doubt you enjoyed yourself to the max last night! Hope the rest of your weekend is equally enjoyable, my friend.


I knew it! (none / 0) (#34)
by kdog on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 02:46:55 PM EST

Enjoy it my man...hit 'em long and straight! Go Hawkeyes!

Putzing around and resting up for a bbq this evening...welcome to the goodtimes


: Goodtimes indeed. (none / 0) (#39)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 10:29:56 PM EST

An afternoon with the 3 lovely ladies laughing our arses off. If I could ever hit them long and straight, I'd almost be ready for the Senior Tour. Darn work gets in the way of that...
I'm still amped for the football game. What an ending...

In one the most exhilarating opening games in recent Iowa history, the Hawkeyes blocked two consecutive last-minute field goal attempts to preserve a comeback victory against Northern Iowa, 17-16.
UNI lined up for a game-winning field goal in the final seconds only to have the first kick blocked, but the Panthers got another shot at it.
The blocked kick never went past the line of scrimmage, and the Panthers recovered the ball and got another chance with one second to go.
Iowa's Jeremiha Hunter and others appeared to deliberately avoid recovering the first blocked kick, presumably to avoid allowing UNI to recover.
It turned out to be the wrong decision, as UNI recovered behind the line. Because the Panthers made their first attempt on first down, they had another down to use to kick.
But Hunter made up for it.
On UNI's second kick, this one with one second to go, Hunter blocked it and saved the victory for Iowa.
Whadda Bar-B-Que? I've got a nice filet set out for tomorrow. Mmmmmm, red meat.

FYI (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:50:00 AM EST

CreamCity, Washington State University estimates that they have 2000 cases of swine flu (out of ~17,000 students).

They haven't hospitalized any students, classes have not been cancelled, etc.

Just to give you an idea of what a campus swine flu outbreak might be like...

: Yep, started the first day of class (5.00 / 3) (#26)
by Cream City on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 12:26:56 PM EST

on my campus, when I came back from my first class to emails from students absent because they had been to the campus health center and were ordered home with suspected cases. Then opened my local paper online to see the top headline, that the only larger campus than mine in my state was seeing an outbreak of suspected swine flu, too.
I'm spending such time as I have at the start of a semester getting ready to take as much of my courses online as I can, without all the time in the world that it will take to do it well. (That comes next semester, as I just got approval to get time off from some other stuff to take more workshops on cool online techie stuff and to get time to do what I already learned to do, like voice-over PowerPoints. This ol' dog can still learn some new tricks . . . to take to the beach, from which I will be able to teach, the way that this all works! I can imagine looking over to see someone next to me on a laptop, too . . . and wondering whether it will be one of my online students.:-)
Anyway, thanks for the link, as we try to monitor where this is headed. The CDC map doesn't even have your area in the high range for swine flu, nor does it show mine as high -- yet. But next week's map may show a different story. . . .

Ah the glory of Buckeye football! (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by Fabian on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 12:01:18 PM EST

Which means hitting up the farmer's market first thing so as not to get snarled in the mess of fans clogging up the streets.

If I did go to a game, I'd camp out overnight in the RV lots. Has to be just as cheap as the people who show up three hours early to the game toting nothing but their wallets. Six to eight hours later, those wallets must be a lot lighter!

Anti-gay bigots claiming win in Iowa (5.00 / 0) (#31)
by MyLeftMind on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 02:23:54 PM EST

NOM (National Org for restricting Marriage) is taking credit for almost defeating Democrat Curt Hanson for state assembly from Iowa's 90th district this week. They used anti-gay marriage rhetoric and advertising to draw right wing voters to the polls (again), and Hanson won by only 100 votes. NOM launched an independent expenditure in support of Hanson's opponent, Republican Stephen Burgmeier, because he pledged to support placing a pro-marriage constitutional amendment on the ballot. Even Hanson eventually capitulated and "made a similar pledge to support placing the issue before voters, which helped cement his narrow victory in a district that has traditionally been a strong Democratic voting district."

Unless our Dem Congress and President act quickly, the anti-gay marriage issue will be used all over the nation in 2010 to defeat Democrats. Maine already has a bill to repeal their gay marriage law this November. How long are liberals going to ignore this issue? Whether you're for or against gay marriage, at least recognize that not acting to establish equal rights, our Dem Party will see losses when the GOP uses it to inspire anti-gay bigots to vote Republican in the midterm elections.

Go here to tell Congress to at least pass ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

: NOM (none / 0) (#36)
by Spamlet on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 04:50:11 PM EST

Decidedly NOT nom.

She Who Must Not Be Name... (none / 0) (#20)
by lambert on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 11:59:58 AM EST

is the only administration figure with a positive rating (Harris).

And no wonder.

It's a bit distorted (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 02:12:21 PM EST

to say that, since she's really the only figure that people are GREATLY familiar with at all period, enough to have an opinion about, but it's still fun to say.

Still enjoy that they like her. Still think she would have been the best president of the choices given.


: I don't know (none / 0) (#35)
by cawaltz on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 03:19:25 PM EST

I think people are pretty familiar with Geitner and Sebelius. I just don't think their efforts have given people warm fuzzies.

Gives me the warm fuzzies (none / 0) (#22)
by Fabian on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 12:03:00 PM EST

that does.

State might be a great place for her, after all.


She's going to come out... (5.00 / 3) (#24)
by lambert on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 12:04:35 PM EST

... smelling like a rose, while the rest of the administration smells like... not a rose. Very, very smart.


: The (none / 0) (#30)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Sep 05, 2009 at 02:13:02 PM EST

rest, a wilted rose picked out of a garbage skow.

What Are They Reading At Gitmo? (none / 0) (#40)
by daring grace on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 07:22:38 PM EST

Harry Potter, Cervantes and Obama in that order, according to journalist Besan Sheikh via Juan Cole.