home

Wednesday News and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 12:37:53 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

In the news: The Obama Administration files it appeal of the order staying DADT; a profile of San Francisco DA Kamala Harris, who is running for California Attorney General against Los Angeles DA Steve Cooley; the voicemail Clarence Thomas' wife left for Anita Hill:

"I just wanted to reach across the airwaves and the years and ask you to consider something. I would love you to consider an apology sometime and some full explanation of why you did what you did with my husband."

Professor Hill's response:

I have no intention of apologizing because I testified truthfully about my experience and I stand by that testimony," said Hill in a statement released last night.

Tbis is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< The Right's Drive To End The "Separation of Church and State" | Heads-Up: Medical Marijuana Issues on Local Colorado Ballots >

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

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Wednesday News and Open Thread | 110 comments (110 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    "Colorado" Attorney General race? (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Anne on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 12:43:25 PM EST
    I think you meant "California" attorney general, Jeralyn.

    As for the Anita Hill thing - I'd love to know the real back story on that phone call...

    A guess for what it is worth (none / 0) (#3)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 12:57:55 PM EST
    At the same time, Thomas, a longtime conservative activist who now heads Liberty Central, a nonprofit group aimed at stopping what she calls the "power grabbing" of the Obama administration, has been consistent in her criticism of Hill.

    Free publicity for her group? Does she get a salary as head of this group?


    Parent

    Love the Freudian slip .... (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Peter G on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:22:27 PM EST
    ... "why you did what you did with my husband." -- rather than "what you did to my husband," which I suppose is what she meant to say.

    Parent
    Slip yes (none / 0) (#17)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:40:07 PM EST
    but still wrong and insulting- its more "what did my husband do to you."

    Parent
    I do wonder what set Ginny off, (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by KeysDan on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:23:49 PM EST
    leaving a voice mail message on a Saturday morning in October, and at 7:3l am at that--not to mention 20 years later.  While it is good to know that she gets up early as the early hours of fall are often the nicest part of the day, it  does make me curious.  

    Perhaps she is finding that her new job as boss at "Liberty Central" is so much more stressful than her old consulting position at the Heritage Foundation.  After all, full time opposition to leftist tyranny takes its toll, although fund-raising for her non-profit is no doubt a snap.  Hopefully, her  behavior is not related to concern for the Justice's health, for I too worry that he may develop a bad case of laryngitis from asking all those questions in Court.  But, she probably has that covered by infusing a lot of tea.

    Parent

    perhaps (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:27:20 PM EST
    she found a pubic hair in her coffee

    Parent
    I think the affair should have been (none / 0) (#69)
    by observed on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:57:12 PM EST
    handled in pubic.

    Parent
    What a long time (none / 0) (#61)
    by christinep on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:24:03 PM EST
    to hold a grudge. Without more, it sure looks like Ms. Thomas has some bollixed feelings about the 19 year-old allegations.  One thing that does stand out: The inappropriateness of Ms. Thomas behavior, especially in view of her position and status.

    Parent
    And, may we say, especially in view (none / 0) (#67)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:38:18 PM EST
    of Prof. Hill's status, as a lawyer and as a professor -- tenured, highly respected, so I hear, etc. -- who is getting a call that calls her a liar?

    Hearing above that a book is coming out by another woman stating that Ms. Thomas' hubby was not a onetime harasser tells me why Ms. Thomas would make this, literal, bad call. But a bad call, it sure is.

    Parent

    An ex-girlfriend of Thomas has (none / 0) (#4)
    by observed on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:01:48 PM EST
    a book coming out soon, and she says that Hill's testimony is very consistent with the man she knew.

    Parent
    Uh-oh... (none / 0) (#39)
    by shoephone on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:52:20 PM EST


    Parent
    thanks, fixed! (none / 0) (#13)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:28:37 PM EST


    Parent
    The big news in NY... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 12:55:41 PM EST
    is a political star being born.  Ladies and Germs, Brooklyn's own Mr. Jimmy McMillan!

    I'm 100% on board, and embarassed I wasn't on board sooner.  I would give one of my pinkies for Jimmy to finish ahead of Crazy Carl, since only 2nd place is really up for grabs here.  

    Jimmy may be nuts too, but he's my kinda crazy, and his heart is definitely in the right place.  Just the monkeywrench pol I've been dreamin' of.

    Why?  Because the rent is too damn high!

    16 year old Florida teen faces felony murder (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:20:41 PM EST
    charge after homeowner shoots his friend as the two were attempting to break-in.

    I obviously don't condone breaking into someones home, but this seems like a perverse application of the law.

    I agree. (none / 0) (#20)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:42:56 PM EST


    Parent
    Yeah thats a bit much (none / 0) (#22)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:45:24 PM EST
    its one thing when you charge someone who was party to the crime with the results of said crime when said results affect others, this is something else entirely. What's next charging someone with assault because their accomplice cut his hand breaking a window?

    Parent
    Kind of reminds me of the (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:10:07 PM EST
    Lionel Tate trial. Or Alex and Derek King. Here in Florida they like to charge them all as adults it seems.

    Not the same circumstances, but why have a juvenile system if you are just going to charge everyone as an adult?

    Parent

    Juvenile system can't handle cases like this (none / 0) (#43)
    by nyjets on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:10:06 PM EST
    It is one thing when the charges are minor.
    But for murder cases, like this one, charging the person as a juvenile is the same as the person getting away with the crime. They serve there time until they hit 21 and then they are released.

    Parent
    You know... (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:24:25 PM EST
    the kid didn't kill anybody right?  The resident of the house they were trying to rob took the life, justifiably.

    Why the state can't call it justifiable homicide and call it a day is beyond me, and prosecute the kid for the robbery as a minor.

    Parent

    The fact is (none / 0) (#88)
    by nyjets on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 06:58:40 PM EST
    The fact is he participated in a major felony which resulted in a loss of life.I am sorry, juvenile courts would be simple a slap on the wrist for him. Nothing more.


    Parent
    Yes I am aware of that... (none / 0) (#90)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 07:47:30 PM EST
    you do realize the kid didn't kill anybody right?

    Everybody deserves a second chance:)

    Parent

    That is incorrect (none / 0) (#92)
    by nyjets on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 09:45:01 PM EST
    While this kid MIGHT deserve a second change, many people do not and should not get a second change.

    Parent
    Actually I was... (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by kdog on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 07:44:25 AM EST
    referring to you nyj...giving you a second chance to admit the only "murder" this kid committed was one of those made up legal-ese murders.

    Parent
    "Perverse application.... (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:02:05 PM EST
    of the law"

    Starting to wonder if there is any other kind of application.

    And a minor no less.

    Parent

    A few months ago, Andgarden (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by KeysDan on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:21:26 PM EST
    brought to TL's attention, the old thriller, "Night of the Generals" (1967) with such stars as Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif and Tom Courtenay.  After seeing that movie it was eerie to read the exponentially more horrific real life case of Colonel Russell Williams (age 47), commander of Canada's largest air force base, and rising star who flew the Queen and other dignitaries around the country, plead guilty  this week to 86 charges of lurid sex crimes including two first degree murders of young women (one a female corporal under his command).

    Of the counts, 82 involved break and entry in which the colonel stole women's lingerie which  he sniffed and wore while lusting alone. The colonel video taped and took photos of his crimes-- he even brought additional lamps into the room of the murders to assure good lighting.

    Wow, what a story (none / 0) (#93)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 12:45:32 AM EST
    I hadn't heard a thing about this, and reading up on it just now, I don't know why this very sensational case hasn't had more publicity here.

    How'd they catch this guy, any idea?  None of the articles I found dealt with that.

    Parent

    The police interviews (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by KeysDan on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 09:26:23 AM EST
    indicate that he starting "singing like a bird" after confronted with evidence of the crimes, including DNA matches.  It seems that he got caught through the sexual assault and murder of Jessica Lloyd.  The colonel entered her house while asleep, tied her up and sexually assaulted her.  He then took her to his house where he made her model lingerie, taking pictures all the while. The victim had a seizure and when she realized that she was to be killed, asked that her mother know that she loved her.  Colonel Williams then strangled her and place her in his garage, went to the Base, flew to California, and on return, visited his wife in Ottawa.  On return, he dumped the body in a rural area.  Tire marks and footprints led to Williams, and other evidence obtained with warrants confronted him, and he,finally confessed.  A really horrible crime among horrible crimes

    Parent
    Boy, the pattern is really chilling (none / 0) (#112)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 11:54:48 PM EST
    going from peeping tom in stages to serial killer.  Our mothers were right to fuss at us about keeping the window shades down at night, no? <shudder>

    Parent
    In case you missed it: (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by NJDem on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:38:41 PM EST
    HRC's "It Gets Better" video

    I've very happy she did this and hope her husband does the same.  What a great viral campaign this has become.....

    Fierce advocacy for a stay of DADT. (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by KeysDan on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 06:45:22 PM EST
    Less than 24 hours after a federal judge refused to block an injunction against DADT, the US Court of Appeals for the ninth circuit has done so, at least temporarily (Reuters).  The DADT is now, once again, the law of the land--thanks to the vigorously pursuit by the Obama DOJ and God, who is in the mix.   It is all clear in the showers, once again, come on in the water is fine.

    What about anyone that (none / 0) (#97)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 08:10:25 AM EST
    signed their paperwork in the past few days who was recruited as openly gay?  The recruiters were told to sign people who walked in and said among many other things of course that they were gay.  Do you go from being openly gay now to the closet?  Did they hold off on finishing the paperwork but not admit that?

    Parent
    Joe Miller's private guards were (none / 0) (#5)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:03:12 PM EST
    active duty military. Greenwald

    But revelations today have made the story much, much worse still.  ADN now reports that not only was Joe Miller's excuse for why he had hired private guards a lie, but two of the guards who handcuffed the journalist and threatened others are active-duty soldiers in the U.S. military:
    Ru-roh... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:14:35 PM EST
    military performing domestic law enforcement, or in this case, domestic intimidation of our free press?

    Unless some rules have changed, those are big no-no's...please tell me those rules haven't changed:)

    Parent

    I think they are big no-no's unless (none / 0) (#9)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:22:13 PM EST
    they were on a military installation?

    Parent
    From same Greenwald link (none / 0) (#14)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:29:06 PM EST
    ...the public affairs officer for the Army in Alaska, said the two soldiers did not have permission from their current chain of command to work for the Drop Zone, but the Army was still researching whether previous company or brigade commanders authorized their employment.

    UPDATE:  DoD Directive 1344.10 -- governing "Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty" -- provides: "A member on AD [active duty] shall not: ... [p]articipate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions.

    "A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not: . . . [p]erform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign."

    IMO kinda confusing but I guess like many other things it might be a matter of interpretation and enforcement.  

    Parent

    I can't remember if that applies (none / 0) (#21)
    by republicratitarian on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:44:08 PM EST
    while just in uniform or at all other times. I know in uniform is not allowed but I can't remember about on their own time.

    Parent
    Didn't the Bush 2004 campaign also (none / 0) (#16)
    by observed on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:35:34 PM EST
    use off-duty military members? Or maybe the issue was soldiers appearing at rallies in uniform.

    Parent
    The latter (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:42:15 PM EST
    its a huge thing- you can't appear in uniform while active duty at any political rally regardless of party or cause. The separation between political action and military service is a very, very distinct one.

    Parent
    Goodbye Microsoft, Hello Facebook! (none / 0) (#7)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:17:52 PM EST
    this is an email sent as he was leaving MS.  its not what you might expect.  there is so much wisdom in this it is totally worth a read:

    Today was my last day at Microsoft, after 12 years straight out of college.  I will start at Facebook next week as a developer in its Seattle office.

    Below is the email I sent to Microsoft colleagues on my last day.  I loved Microsoft, every one of the past twelve awesome years.  Here's to new adventures!

    ### Original email below ###
    Great read. (none / 0) (#19)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:42:26 PM EST


    Parent
    Online Journalism and HTML 5 (none / 0) (#11)
    by vicndabx on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:24:16 PM EST
    Interesting opinion piece at the NYT, considering the many sites w/good content on the web and the ads that go with.  Then there's this from the link w/in the post:

    The new Web language and its additional features present more tracking opportunities because the technology uses a process in which large amounts of data can be collected and stored on the user's hard drive while online. Because of that process, advertisers and others could, experts say, see weeks or even months of personal data. That could include a user's location, time zone, photographs, text from blogs, shopping cart contents, e-mails and a history of the Web pages visited.


    dont vote (none / 0) (#12)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:27:17 PM EST
    ODonnell literally dismembered the guy behind the dont vote campaign last night.  it was good tv.

    dont vote..lol (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by jondee on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:15:52 PM EST
    and maybe think about going back to Mexico, as a further protest.

    And, if that ad doesn't get traction, next up: hidden video footage of James O'Keefe, dressed as a sombrero-wearing, tequila-swigging Pancho Villa-lookalike, working as a volunteer in one of the Reid offices..    

    Parent

    that whole thing seems (none / 0) (#36)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:32:34 PM EST
    really misguided to me.  does he really think hispanics are that stupid?  seems to me it could have a high likelihood of backlash.

    Parent
    How stupid do they think people are? (none / 0) (#40)
    by jondee on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:54:21 PM EST
    They're running Sharon Angle, aren't they?

    Parent
    point (none / 0) (#42)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:56:21 PM EST
    taken

    Parent
    Hard question to answer (none / 0) (#44)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:11:10 PM EST
    since they're not only running Sharon Angle, she has been leading or tied in most of the recent polls.

    Parent
    just another sign (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by jondee on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:08:33 PM EST
    of the generalized spiritual chaos which accompanies the ending of a cosmic cycle; as discussed in Revelations, the Gita and Highlander IV..  

    Parent
    ya (none / 0) (#58)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:14:45 PM EST
    just like facebook and twitter

    Parent
    DADT Injunction: Discharged Suing to Re-enlist (none / 0) (#15)
    by squeaky on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:32:40 PM EST
    SAN DIEGO -- At least three service members discharged for being gay have begun the process to re-enlist after the Pentagon directed the military to accept openly gay recruits for the first time in the nation's history.

    The top-level guidance issued to recruiting commands Tuesday marked a significant change in an institution long resistant and sometimes hostile to gays.

    navytimes

    Stephen Fry (none / 0) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 01:49:28 PM EST
    with a message for grammar and punctuation nazis.

    I absolutely love this.

    A guy I once worked with, (none / 0) (#31)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:26:00 PM EST
    when he wanted to know where someone had gone, would say "Where'd he went?"

    On the one hand it was a creative use of the language, on the other it was simply and plainly wrong, in the same vein as adding 2 + 2 and getting 5.

    One of the things that denotes brilliance (in the arts, sports, business, etc.) is the ability to intentionally and successfully break the accepted norms in ways that astound and amaze, but when norms are broken by average joes it often makes us look like we're so ignorant don't even know what the norms are.

    Parent

    sort of like (none / 0) (#34)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:28:42 PM EST
    training an artist to do photoreal before they can legitimately do abstract.


    Parent
    Yep. Seems like (none / 0) (#37)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:38:04 PM EST
    if you are going to break norms, you'd best break 'em big, so no one thinks you're merely ignorant of what the norms actually are.

    Parent
    One of my faviorite cousins (none / 0) (#63)
    by christinep on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:26:12 PM EST
    used to say--and still does--"Where'd he went?"  Could it be?

    Parent
    more fun with letters (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:46:09 PM EST
    just got this from a friend:

    Did you know that...

    The words "race car" spelled backwards still spells "race car"?

    "Eat" is the only word that, if you take the first letter and move it to the last, spells its past tense, "ate"?

    And if you rearrange the letters in "so-called Tea Party Republicans," and add just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut the f*ck up you free-loading, progress-blocking, benefit-grabbing, resource-sucking, violent, hypocritical d*uche bags, and deal with the fact that you nearly wrecked the country under Bush and that our president is black."

    Isn't that interesting?




    Parent
    Ha! Here's another one I read on the intertubes (none / 0) (#80)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:37:49 PM EST
    the other day, also slamming conservatives.

    Something along the lines of: "Wouldn't it be great if the only way gayness could be cured was through stem cells?"

    Parent

    This guy went to engeering school in CT (none / 0) (#65)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:32:30 PM EST
    or RI, I believe. He's gotta be mid-40's now.

    Parent
    Nope. The cousin hails (none / 0) (#77)
    by christinep on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:30:23 PM EST
    from Pennsylvania with longtime stay in Wyoming and, now, Colorado.  (He's a bit older, too.)

    Parent
    New Anti-Theft Device Sprays Robbers with DNA (none / 0) (#26)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:12:22 PM EST
       The new system involved an employee-activated device that sprays a fine, barely visible mist laced with synthetic DNA to cover anyone in its path, including criminals, and simultaneously alerts the police to a crime in progress.

        The mist -- visible only under ultraviolet light -- carries DNA markers particular to the location, enabling the police to match the burglar with the place burgled. Now, a sign on the front door of the McDonald's prominently warns potential thieves of the spray's presence: "You Steal, You're Marked."

    DNA???

    Turnout prediction for Feingold race (none / 0) (#28)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:16:12 PM EST
    and other hot contests in Wisconsin is here.

    Yesterday, I posted -- off topic, with no open thread -- the latest poll on the Feingold-Johnson race, which has Feingold only two points behind, but with a five-point margin of error, so it's a dead heat.  And the poll is by a good local pollster in the state (unlike too many national pollsters who mainly reveal what happens when you design research from 1000 miles away and don't do the groundwork).

    Thanks for the Wis. update (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by kenosharick on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:10:18 PM EST
    Cream City. I have been having trouble believing these national polls. This is the most important race in the nation for me though I will be voting in a state other than Wis. (Fl.) for the first time in my life. BTW- aren't Feingold's races usually down to the wire?

    Parent
    Hey, Kenosha! And no, not usually (none / 0) (#66)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:34:47 PM EST
    -- not like this.  The GOP talked a good game, but the weaknesses of their candidates became clear fairly soon, and that let Russ put it away, and at fairly low cost to his pocketbook and his dignity.

    This time, the opponent's weaknesses seem to be strengths to a lot of folks, owing to the weakness of the Dems nationally -- and the strength of the anti-incumbent/anti-politician tide.  Russ washed into Congress on that tide in '92, pretending to not be a pol, of course, which was so weird (as he was a longtime state legislator, and one of his opponents in the primary had not been a pol at all).

    This time, the anti-pol mood is making his the most expensive campaign in the country, and that's saying something these days.  And still, he hasn't pulled ahead.  But with some media outstate (other than Milwaukee's righty paper and squawk radio, that is) starting to call out Johnson for not coming out in public, perhaps there is time in the next two weeks.

    Turnout will be all, as anywhere, but especially with our same-day registration.  I will be watching my polling place down the block, in the middle of the most populated area in the state with the least parking in the state.  So the cops always look the other way on election day . . . and I had better see cars parked on the illegal side of the street soon after dawn, before we go to work early in this Dem stronghold, or it's over.  With daylight savings time coming later now, after election day, it will be too dark after work for a lot of folks to want to stop at the polls.  And if it rains -- and we're way overdue -- then it's a worry here as well, for all of the folks without cars who have to walk or bus to the polls.  I just haven't seen much of a GOTV/drive-people-to-polls effort this time.

    Also: Convictions are coming down regularly here now, another just yesterday, for voter fraud in 2008.  The timing is a warning, clearly, as are massive anti-poor and anti-immigrant billboards about voter fraud at dozens of sites in the city.

    Parent

    Is Meeks getting played? (none / 0) (#33)
    by BTAL on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:28:27 PM EST
    This smacks of using Meeks' race for the benefit of everyone but Meeks.

    From Markos at thehill.com

    ...With Meek unable to gain much traction, the Democrats' best chances for the seat would appear to be a Crist victory, as it now appears obvious that the left-trending Crist would caucus with the Democrats if given the opportunity.

    So why aren't Democrats clamoring for Meek to withdraw and give Crist a clear shot at Rubio?  Why did Vice President Biden send a fundraising e-mail on Meek's behalf last week, while President Obama cut a radio ad for the beleaguered Florida Democrat?

    The truth is that Democrats aren't just happy for Meek to stay in the race, they are actively boosting what is pretty much a hopeless candidacy. Why? Because Meek's presence on the ballot helps Democrats in the governor's race.

    ...

    And that's where Meek comes in. Thirteen percent of Florida voters are -- like Meek -- African-American, and right now polls show him with 71 percent support in that community. That vote will be critical to Democrat Alex Sink's chances in the virtually deadlocked gubernatorial race.

    ...

    Hence, a bargain appears to have been made -- surrender Democratic chances at picking up the Florida Senate seat in order to run and boost a candidate who will hopefully help other Democrats up and down the Florida ballot this year.



    Meeks is dead meat (none / 0) (#35)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:31:00 PM EST
    and redistricting is going to happen under the next round of governors.  

    Parent
    So it is acceptable Dem political strategy (none / 0) (#51)
    by BTAL on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:56:17 PM EST
    to use race as a tool?

    Parent
    horrors (none / 0) (#52)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:57:44 PM EST
    wheres my fainting couch

    Parent
    to put it another way (none / 0) (#53)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:03:29 PM EST
    god forbid that "race" should be used for once to actually help minorities

    Parent
    Using race as a tool has been (none / 0) (#55)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:08:45 PM EST
    an acceptable Republican political strategy for decades.

    Parent
    If the Rs had done this the outrage from the left (none / 0) (#57)
    by BTAL on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:13:20 PM EST
    would have been deafening.  

    The list of racism accusations from the left would almost write themselves.

    Parent

    give me a break (none / 0) (#59)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:17:22 PM EST
    this is the most saturated with racism election season in 40 years.
    try watching this Maddow segment.  the take away is that when they started compiling a list it became obvious that the size of the list was really the story.

    Parent
    Michael Steele (none / 0) (#60)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:18:06 PM EST


    Parent
    Steele was elected, not kept on the ballot (none / 0) (#62)
    by BTAL on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:25:41 PM EST
    in a losing scenario just to help out other candidate's chances.

    Parent
    and where is your swooning (none / 0) (#64)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 04:27:52 PM EST
    over the banquet of racism in the maddow link?

    Parent
    Interesting quote from the Nixon (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by jondee on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:33:02 PM EST
    aide in that piece: "..the negrophobe whites will now switch parties and vote Republican..that's where the votes are.."

    So much for the recurrent rightard meme about today's Republican Party somehow deserving credit for Eisenhauer era civil rights gains..

    Parent

    What's to swoon about? (2.00 / 1) (#81)
    by BTAL on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:38:24 PM EST
    So, are you saying that Goldwater from '64 and any subsequent "strategies" (which Maddow did report that the GOP has since acknowledged and abandoned) is the justification for the Dems in 2010 to use a candidate as a stalking horse to pander to a voting block?  That is a far cry from anything the Rs did with their "Southern Strategy" acts.  

    To attempt to then cherry pick silly/stupid statements from individual candidates over the course of several years, to include this year, as further justification of an entire party leadership action - with the accomplice of POTUS, VPOTUS, etc. is at best a strawman, more likely hubris.  Silly statements from individual candidates is not monopolized by the GOP.

    BTW, I want that 16 minutes of my life back or I'll nominate some hard core right propaganda for you to "enjoy".

    Parent

    good luck (none / 0) (#102)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 09:13:02 AM EST
    with that

    Parent
    try this (none / 0) (#73)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:14:58 PM EST
    A textbook distributed to Virginia fourth-graders says that thousands of African Americans fought for the South during the Civil War -- a claim rejected by most historians but often made by groups seeking to play down slavery's role as a cause of the conflict.

    When Masoff began work on the textbook, she said she consulted a variety of sources -- history books, experts and the Internet. But when it came to one of the Civil War's most controversial themes -- the role of African Americans in the Confederacy -- she relied primarily on an Internet search.

    The book's publisher, Five Ponds Press, based in Weston, Conn., sent a Post reporter three of the links Masoff found on the Internet. Each referred to work by Sons of the Confederate Veterans or others who contend that the fight over slavery was not the main cause of the Civil War.

    Historians from across the country, however, said the sentence about Confederate soldiers was wrong or, at the least, overdrawn. They expressed concerns not only over its accuracy but over the implications of publishing an assertion so closely linked to revisionist Confederate history.



    history
    written by the losers

    Parent
    try this - deflection is not a winning strategy. (none / 0) (#82)
    by BTAL on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:40:00 PM EST


    Parent
    Your comments (none / 0) (#111)
    by Harry Saxon on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 05:47:41 PM EST
    are a testimony to that concept.

    Parent
    Interesting (none / 0) (#46)
    by jbindc on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:16:09 PM EST
    As the latest poll I saw this morning basically has Meeks and Crist splitting the vote, with Rubio still ahead.  Meeks on the ballot (or Crist on the ballot) only will help elect a conservative Republican,

    Parent
    a conservative Republican (none / 0) (#47)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:18:07 PM EST
    SENATOR who would likely have won anyway.  but it may also help elect a democratic governor who can influence the redistricting of FL.  possibly a much more beneficial thing.

    Parent
    some stories (none / 0) (#41)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 02:55:20 PM EST
    make you want to laugh and cry at the same time:

    A Question of Appearances: Obama Will Bypass Sikh Temple on Visit to India

    why?


    But the plan appears to have foundered on the thorny question of how Mr. Obama would cover his head, as Sikh tradition requires, while visiting the temple.

    "To come to golden temple he needs to cover his head," said Dalmegh Singh, secretary of the committee that runs the temple. "That is our tradition."

    now, I understand this on one level. but really, are they so dumb as to believe someone wont just photoshop one anyway?

    ftr (none / 0) (#45)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:13:49 PM EST
    we would be  happy to lend him our "lose a bet" hat

    Parent
    amazing (none / 0) (#50)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 03:34:40 PM EST
    how do you survive a horrific crash on a motorcycle with no helmet of protective clothing?
    why, you do an unbelievable vault over the truck with a half twist and land on your feet.

    sheesh

    link to story

    better video

    Did Van Damme have a heart attack? (none / 0) (#70)
    by observed on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:06:23 PM EST
    That's the question of the day.
    I guess I need to check out TMZ for the most reliable source.

    yes (none / 0) (#71)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:08:53 PM EST
    hd did.  on the set of a film.

    Parent
    he denies is though. (none / 0) (#72)
    by observed on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:13:07 PM EST


    Parent
    shrug (none / 0) (#74)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:16:48 PM EST
    Jean Claude Van Damme Suffers Heart Attack on Set of `Weapon'

    Parent
    I'm really concerned about this election cycle. (none / 0) (#76)
    by Angel on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:28:06 PM EST
    I stopped at my early voting site this afternoon and had to wait in line behind a dozen people.  I've never had to wait before because there's never been anyone waiting in line!  I'm really concerned about some of the yahoos who are going to be elected.  The crazies are coming out of the woodwork to vote for people who don't have a clue....going to be strange and scary in this country for a while.  Wish everyone had been this concerned when Dubya was running this country into the ground.

    Republican candidates and SCOTUS rulings (none / 0) (#78)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:31:04 PM EST
    TPM Jon Runyan, a former pro football player and now the Republican nominee against freshman Rep. John Adler (D-NJ), has added his voice to the recent constitutional jurisprudence of GOP candidates.....

    As the Asbury Park Press reports, from a debate last night:

    "Jon, it's a different branch of government, but can you give me an example from the last 10 or 15 years of a Supreme Court decision in which you strongly disagree?" Adler asked.

    "That I strongly disagree with?" Runyan asked, pausing for a moment to consider the question. "Dred Scott."

    How time flies. Dred Scott v. Sanford 1857 Supreme Court decision a mere 153 years ago.

    The return of (none / 0) (#83)
    by christinep on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 05:59:02 PM EST
    the Know Nothing Party. Yep, thats what we have been witnessing this past year.

    Parent
    Heck, that's darn courageous (none / 0) (#89)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 07:38:07 PM EST
    in some areas of this country even now to disagree with the decision on Dred and Harriet Robinson Scott and their daughters (the case did concern them all, after all).  Give him his props, even if the guy is still living in the mid-19th century.  So are a lot of folks in this country, I fear.

    Parent
    Dubya also opposed Dred Scott (none / 0) (#91)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 08:06:19 PM EST
    Salon article (linked by TPM) stating their opinion that it is a Republican dog whistle message to their pro-life base.

    Parent
    I've got a complaint (none / 0) (#84)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 06:06:01 PM EST
    I'm going to vent, be done with it, and move on.  My spouse has his promotion board coming up.  This is his last possible promotion, after this he's done, he can rise no further.  The Army is very top heavy though with senior warrants so they are probably only going to promote 50%. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to worry :)  He's in there.  But we must buy new dress blues because a photo must be taken that goes in with his paperwork.  The new dress blues cost around $400, and they are so badly made.  They have redone all the combat uniforms, and they've done such a great job.  And I don't have to iron the stuff anymore either.  I need to kiss someone for that.  But the dress uniforms in the Army are horrible for what they cost.  And it is cool that all the badges and nametags and all that stuff is velcro now on their regular uniforms.  I don't have to sew that stuff on anymore either with a ruler in hand measuring from the seam lines.  But because so much sewing was always involved there was always a bunch of businesses close by to have garments altered very nicely too and pressed out nicely.  All those businesses are gone now.  I'm stuck with a dress uniform that fits like a sack and I'm in search of someone to alter it with the proper pressing equipment.  THIS IS SUPER SUCKY for what it costs.

    I agree it is really (none / 0) (#85)
    by MO Blue on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 06:29:47 PM EST
    SUPER SUCKY to have to shell out $400 for poorly fitted and poorly made uniform.

    What you need is a "Rent a Blue" business (equivalent of rent a tux) close to the base. ;-)

    Parent

    That's the life you/he chose. (none / 0) (#87)
    by BTAL on Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 06:49:52 PM EST
    BTDT, it is all part of the career.  Wait until he retires and buys suits, same situation.

    methinks MT is just having a "moment"  ;-)

    Good luck to him with the board.  

    Parent

    Suits are much different (none / 0) (#95)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 07:47:59 AM EST
    Or at least they used to be and it is hard for me to fathom that anyone is going to buy an expensive suit and they have nobody in place to perfect the fit.  My grandmother was a tailor, so most of her business were gentlemen and business women and their suits.  She taught me enough that I can fix my husband's suit but I don't have the pressing equipment needed.  A regular home iron will make the seams visible on the outside of garment.  I'm certain we aren't the only people dealing with this right now.  I can't imagine what you are talking about that this is the life we chose?  I chose to have to buy clothing that cost several hundreds of dollars and fit like crap?  Sorry, that wasn't even in the fine print.

    Parent
    Tracy, where are you ordering them from? (none / 0) (#96)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 08:03:20 AM EST
    I bought mine last year from MarlowWhite.com and was happy with them, especially since they were my first ones since the Dress Greens. I still had to have them altered, but that's it. What base are you guys near, Rucker? I'm surprised there isn't still a place there that can do that there.

    Parent
    We got them at clothing sales (none / 0) (#98)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 08:20:37 AM EST
    on Fort Rucker.  They actually had two different "types", sort of like coming from two different clothing contractors like they used to do with the old caps (you could never rely on knowing your size).  The material was slightly different between the two, we bought of the batch that seemed to have a slightly heavier weight and better drape.  It ripples though when it hangs off his butt and it doesn't lay flat in the front either.  They have a small shop attached to clothing sales where they hem the pants and move buttons over, but that is all they really know how to do.  Sometimes the people getting certain contracts on post are not of the caliber needed but until their contract is up you are stuck with them.  It isn't a free market on post :) I will hunt through the phone book and try to find someone around here that does more professional work.  My husband wonders if the generic shape of the jackets isn't a new pattern trying to fit and dress a fatter Army :) Everything is the fat soldiers fault with him lately :)

    Parent
    And promotion to W5 looks even (none / 0) (#99)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 08:24:52 AM EST
    steeper than what I thought it would be.  It is looking more like promotion rate will only be around 40% or perhaps even a few percentage less.

    Parent
    I haven't been to Rucker in years (none / 0) (#100)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 08:50:49 AM EST
    I can't believe there isn't somewhere off post that does alterations. I wonder if they all went out of business when the Army went to the ACU. I do love not having to iron or starch my uniform anymore, but I times I miss that uniform.

    Parent
    I think when everything went velcro (none / 0) (#101)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 08:56:34 AM EST
    it did us in for being able to feed all those seamstresses.  I figured we would lose some of the shops but it looks like Rucker lost all of them outside the gates.  I called a dry cleaner here and he recommended a business in Dothan that does suits.

    Parent
    I'm in Ft Walton near Eglin and Hurlburt (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 10:09:53 AM EST
    It's an hour and a half, but still some good shops. I could probably give you the number of the one I like and you could call and make sure that if you took a trip down that they could do it same day. They are pretty good. I'd rather take some extra time and get it right than take a chance on someone else.

    Parent
    You aren't that far away (none / 0) (#105)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 10:15:25 AM EST
    who do you have for me? :)

    Parent
    May's Sewing (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 10:45:05 AM EST
    Here's the link.

    He is retired Air Force, his wife is May. They've always taken care of me. They did my blues last year and I wasn't disappointed.

    You can google map their location:

    May's Sewing
    1411 W Highway 98 # 5, Mary Esther, FL 32569-2415 (850) 581-8911 () ‎
    It's on a main highway just outside of Hurlburt Field.

    Parent

    Thank you so much (none / 0) (#108)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 11:15:04 AM EST
    Checks a huge block off on the to do/must do list.

    Parent
    If you don't like the job they do Blame Obama, lol (none / 0) (#109)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 12:02:02 PM EST
     You or your husband may want to bring a page or two from AR670-1 just in case. Find the applicable page to the Blues, I think you only need the service stripes and overseas stripes, I can't remember.

    Parent
    They did the overseas service (none / 0) (#110)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 12:51:55 PM EST
    stripes okay and the boards, but the fit is really horrible from the waist on down and hopefully they can help me with that.  We got a jacket based on his chest size but it is overly large everywhere else and the shop looked at me all screwy faced and told me they do alterations only, they aren't tailors.  I thought it was the same thing :)  And they don't even have the equipment to put a good press on the pants either which is very very strange.  The pants fit fine though and the shirt is a good fit as shirts go.  The jacket is a nightmare.  They did not want to alter any seams near the pockets but what he needs taken in would not directly affect the pocket opening or how the pocket would lay.  I think they are simply lazy and without the proper pressing equipment too.  They claim that my husband is just put together funny, but then in the next breath say there has been a problem for many people with the jackets loosely hanging in ripples in the front.  But they don't look to fix it, they just push the soldiers out the door and tell them tough...their bodies are weird :)  I wish my grandma was here, she'd probably have this thing done up in an hour or two.

    Parent
    I just phoned the soldier person (none / 0) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 21, 2010 at 10:23:59 AM EST
    He said yes please, if there is someone you have used and has done a good job he would really appreciate the name and number.  We will travel to have it done properly and well.

    Parent
    Wednesday News and Open Thread | 110 comments (110 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment