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Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 01:32:55 PM EST
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    Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | 65 comments (65 topical)

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    My sister is so depressed today. (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by masslib on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:11:26 PM EST
    She's an accidental estate attorney, ie there were no other jobs when she graduated law school so here she is.  The estate law community is tickled pink at the new state exemption ceiling and tax rate.  She's more disgusted than usual.

    Good for her (none / 0) (#43)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 12:37:18 AM EST


    Parent
    House just passed (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by jbindc on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 04:45:52 PM EST
    Repeal of DADT.

    On to the Senate, where Joe Lieberman says they have 60 votes.

    More Jan "Brewer-care" in the news (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by jbindc on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 06:07:46 PM EST
    Hypocrisy, thy name is Jan

    40957
    views2,192 Get Politics Alerts

    Email Comments 2,180 Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) commented recently on the cuts to her state's Health Care Cost Containment System, which have imperiled the lives of some patients in need of an organ transplant. Brewer said that people branding the cuts as a real-life incarnation of "death panels" should be asking the federal government to send more money -- a perhaps surprising position from someone who continues to oppose the federal health care reform legislation passed earlier this year.

    Brewer has declined to hold a special session to reinstate the funds, a refusal that leaves some patients' lives hanging in the balance.

    Britain's Channel 4 reports on a recent encounter with Gov. Brewer regarding the matter:

    "How many people have to die before you are prepared to reverse your decision on the transplant operations?" seemed like the obvious question.

    She said she thought that was unfair and started to explain how dire the state's financial situation is. If people are so worried about the transplant patients then they should ask the federal government in Washington to send us more money, she said. But she would not explain to me, or to any Democrats in the state capitol, what she has done with the nearly $200 million she was already given in 'stimulus funds' to spend on anything she liked.
    Jan Brewer (none / 0) (#46)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 12:42:00 AM EST
    makes Palin look like Einstein in comparison.  Isn't her 15 minutes up yet?

    Parent
    We have discussed that if Auburn (none / 0) (#1)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 01:36:57 PM EST
    ever has puppies one must be named Cam Newton.  In honor of the position that our leaders have placed us in though and what we will likely trying to be surviving then.....one must also be named Americana Kamikaze.

    Cam Newton... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:17:32 PM EST
    didn't he, or more accurately his pops, do pretty much the same thing as Reggie Bush?  And USC had victories voided, Reggie lost his Heisman, yet Cam has his Heisman and can play in the big game?  WTF?

    Oh yeah, the NCAA still has money to make off of Cam's talent...they already cashed out on Bush...that explains it.  NCAA justice is as crooked and twisted as US criminal justice.

    Parent

    As far as I know (none / 0) (#7)
    by jbindc on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:21:35 PM EST
    No formal allegations have been made as of yet.

    Parent
    Patience KDog (none / 0) (#10)
    by coast on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:27:52 PM EST
    The NCAA has to count its cash first, then they will come down on Mr. Newton.  The Heisman will be returned inside of two years (once all the checks clear).

    Parent
    There are some surface (none / 0) (#15)
    by brodie on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:22:14 PM EST
    similarities.

    I can't help but wonder whether USC's AD at the time blew it big time by taking what the NCAA probably thought was an arrogant stance with some of his public comments about the investigation and by the fact that SoCal had so few compliance officers tracking the players, as if they felt they were untouchable.  Garrett and USC handled it all stupidly.

    But today, speaking of untouchable, I'm wondering whether the Auburn Heisman QB and the SEC overall are beginning to be Too Big to Fail, what with their major tv exposure and huge recent multi-billion $ deal with ESPN.  

    And to maintain their own credibility, how many times and how frequently can the NCAA and the Heisman comm'ee go back and decide a superstar player actually was ineligible?  

    Parent

    Too Big To Fail. (none / 0) (#21)
    by coast on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:41:16 PM EST
    That has been my impression as well.  There is no way any of the bigger named schools will ever receive the death penalty, no matter what their transgression.  The money is just too big now.

    Parent
    Did you really just now attempt to defile (none / 0) (#42)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 09:48:45 PM EST
    the Yes We Cam!  That is what those of us disillusioned with Obama and needing a new hero yell at the television now.  The Iron Bowl was crazy, lots of yelling.  I don't care what Cam's dad or didn't do, I'm probably horrible for saying that but you don't get to pick your parents.

    Parent
    Not at all... (none / 0) (#48)
    by kdog on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 08:32:40 AM EST
    I'm defiling the NCAA and their stank hypocrisy....sh*t if you can ball like Cam you should get paid.

    Parent
    I get it now (none / 0) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 08:33:53 AM EST
    I don't know what I think about all that.  I'm very new to this college football stuff.

    Parent
    I wonder if... (none / 0) (#50)
    by kdog on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 08:51:50 AM EST
    the new focus on concussions and the long term health risks of playing big time football will factor into the debate of whether we should pay these guys.  I always thought they should get some kind of cash money stipend...now even more so when you consider how they risk their health so the NCAA can make big cheese, with the NFL payday never to be realized by most Div I players.  

    Parent
    Now you are getting me (none / 0) (#51)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 08:56:35 AM EST
    In that light yes.  And if my son could play football I would have a hard time allowing it.  I live in the middle of head injury central these days with all these guys/gals coming home surviving being blown up once, or twice, or even three times.  I have lost all degrees of tolerance for self induced concussions.  I can't even watch boxing anymore.  I would think compensation is called for considering the price you may be paying.

    Parent
    Consider the amount of money the schools make (none / 0) (#56)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 02:21:24 PM EST
    off of these kids. Big money conferences, big money bowl games. What about all of the money schools make off of selling jerseys with these kids names on them? If I was a big time college athlete I'd wait until halfway through a season and drop a class action lawsuit on the NCAA/University for a cut of the profits from the selling of merchandise with my  name on it. They could hold the money until I graduated. That way I'd have more incentive to play better.

    I wonder if that's ever been done before? How many people are making a killing off of kids like Cam Newton? Everyone is making money off of him except his dad of course. :)

    Parent

    It's obscene... (none / 0) (#57)
    by kdog on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 02:41:23 PM EST
    uber-obscene when you consider how much big time Div I coaches make...and how large their staffs are, without any actual educational responsibilities at the universities...strictly ball.  

    It's basically pro sports with non-union sweat shop labor.

    Love your lawsuit idea, but I'd imagine the NCAA has a full time legal team on staff to prevent anything of the sort from ever seeing the light of day.  It would take a brave kid to pull a Curt Flood and risk his collegiate career, and any prospect of a pro career.

    Parent

    You're right (none / 0) (#59)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:08:30 PM EST
    I figure if it was someone who had already made their career and was going to get drafted pretty high anyway. I wonder if there is some sort  of clause when you take a scholarship that you give away any rights to the school.

    Parent
    Just found (none / 0) (#60)
    by republicratitarian on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:13:38 PM EST
    this story.

    Looks like someone files a suit earlier this year.

    Parent

    Nice find... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:18:30 PM EST
    they do have to sign a release, before they become NCAA stars and would have a little more negotiating clout.

    Parent
    OT. I'm sure heard Sal Alosi's now on (none / 0) (#62)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:24:22 PM EST
    indefinite suspension?

    Parent
    Yep... (none / 0) (#63)
    by kdog on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 03:30:31 PM EST
    the story actually got worse...allegedly he ordered inactive players to form a wall right on the sideline with him, and there is a league rule against it.

    Further OT...meeting the infamous oculus in a few hours!  Anybody got any questions they want asked face to face?  Speak now or forever hold your peace! :)

    Parent

    I'm thinking of painting my garage (none / 0) (#64)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 05:02:24 PM EST
    ask her if she thinks blue is a good color! :-)

    Take pics!

    Parent

    How many have given up on Obama? (none / 0) (#2)
    by BobTinKY on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:02:42 PM EST
    And if you have given up on him what is the harm in a primary challenge?

    The only argument I cna think of to re-lect him is to appoint less rightwing nut judges, but the GOP will obstruct most of those anyway and fearless leader does not know how to fight.

    All an Obama re-election will accomplish is preventing a Democratic, maybe even a real one, candidate from winning the WH in 2016.  Obama is backing off tax cut promises, gave away public option, backign off EPA regs, kissing the feet of CEOs today at Blair House.  What a huge waste of time he has proven to be.

    Wouldn't an Obama re-election keep (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by coast on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:23:33 PM EST
    a Democrat, maybe even a real one, from being elected in 2012 as well?

    Parent
    Good point, my bad (none / 0) (#11)
    by BobTinKY on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:29:30 PM EST


    Parent
    I have given up (none / 0) (#3)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:08:52 PM EST
    No harm in a primary challenger IMO.

    Parent
    I'd love to see a lineup of challengers (4.00 / 2) (#5)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:17:12 PM EST
    that double in numbers the group that started out in 2007. We should ALL register as candidates. I am POSITIVE I could do at least as well as Obama. In fact, I'm sure there are millions of us who could.


    Parent
    Obama is increasingly punked by GOP (none / 0) (#12)
    by BobTinKY on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:34:21 PM EST
    and viewed as powerless, power abhors a vacuum.  Despite the protestations of Dean and others I do believe Obama will face a serious challenger.  A serious enough challenger could pull a Gene McCarthy on him.  The level of disgust is palpable among my progressive acquaintances.  

    I used to say I like Obama but not his policies and compromises . . .

    Now after repeated scolding from him and his ilk my dislike is growing.  Must be my sanctimony speaking.

    Parent

    This is the downside (none / 0) (#13)
    by brodie on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:14:21 PM EST
    of a president whose campaign was based so much on personality and image politics along with the upbeat themes of hope and change.  Once you begin to fall well short of the sort of change you clearly promised, the hope can turn to disappointment then to annoyance, then to anger, and even hate.

    O won't generate the hate levels among his party that Johnson produced over his unending horrible war, but if he doesn't correct course soon there will be enough anger and frustration to possibly create either a primary opponent or 3d party challenger from the left.

    Parent

    You nailed (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 04:49:29 PM EST
    it. It was bound to happen. The Obama campaign created a monster by making it all about a rock star and not issues.

    Don't bet that he doesn't get WORSE than Johnson levels. Johnson at least had some positives that he passed like civil rights and he was tough. Obama has done nothing but let the GOP walk all over him and then there's all that stuff going in the middle east that people are downright sick of too.

    Parent

    As Robert Scheer note sin his latest column (none / 0) (#38)
    by BobTinKY on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 07:32:21 PM EST
    candidate Obama rightly criticized Clinton and GOP Presidents for deregulation, including financial deregulation.  That was worth voting for.

    He lied though.  President Obama appointed all the same guys and is at least as far in the bag for them as Clinton was.

    Parent

    Robert (none / 0) (#39)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 08:01:11 PM EST
    Scheer wasn't listening in the primary then.

    Parent
    A weak President (none / 0) (#25)
    by observed on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 04:50:33 PM EST
    also invites aggression and terrorism from abroad,IMO

    Parent
    I am not even remotely worried about attacks (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by BobTinKY on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 07:30:38 PM EST
    from "abroad."

    Parent
    Not worried about how (none / 0) (#40)
    by observed on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 08:11:15 PM EST
    Nkorea views a President who publicly gives in to "hostage takers"?

    Parent
    I have given up too (none / 0) (#28)
    by smott on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 05:04:39 PM EST
    At ease with the notion of a President Palin or Huckabee. We would get more resistance possibly from the Dems at that point.

    But they're virtually 2 sides of the coin at this point.

     

    Parent

    Not sure what 'give up' means... (none / 0) (#18)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:28:35 PM EST
    but I always welcome a primary challenge.

    Parent
    Infighting at the 79th precint... (none / 0) (#9)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 02:23:42 PM EST
    cops were talking summons strike over the summons quotas that don't officially exist...the Deputy Chief didn't like that none too much.

    Goes to show the only thing worse than the police is police management.  Lets hope this drags out...the more cops are fighting management, the less time they have to extort and summons the people living in the 79th.

    OMG. So cold. Walked along the (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:21:55 PM EST
    Park to Frick Collection. Wonderful as always. 3 Vermeers, newly restored Velasquez Phillipe IV and a special exh. of Spanish drawings, including many by Goya. Decoded to walk south on Madison instead of 5th--less wind. Good decision. Darted into Nello, thinking--hot tea and snack. Not to be!!!!  But the appetizer scallops are the best ever and the glass of Sancerre is comforting. Wait til the check arrives. I may need to plead poverty, kdog!

    No worries kid.... (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:44:04 PM EST
    today is payday, party like Dec. 2012!

    Provided I don't hit OTB for harness racing tonight:)

    Speaking of OTB...have you strolled past any shuttered NYC locations?  The only bookie who could find a way to lose money, despite the long long odds, is NYC OTB. It would be funny if it weren't so sad for the industry and NYC horseplayers.

    Parent

    the pope really know how to throw a party (none / 0) (#16)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:24:35 PM EST
    Acrobats strip for Pope Benedict XVI, perform topless in Vatican

    Tree of Life (none / 0) (#17)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:25:20 PM EST
    new Terrence Malick trailer up

    the man definitely knows how to light a scene

    "God Blocked the Bullet" (none / 0) (#19)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:32:30 PM EST
    "God blocked the bullet. And I'm not saying that facetiously. I really believe that," Husfelt, the Bay City Schools superintendent, told CBS' "The Early Show" Wednesday.

    I guess that means god wanted these 16 teenagers to die

    fortunate fellow.

    This is always (none / 0) (#26)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 04:51:55 PM EST
    the problem with saying "God wants this or that" because it also means that God wanted the bad to happen too.

    Parent
    to quote, egad, Depeche Mode (none / 0) (#30)
    by Dadler on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 05:08:05 PM EST
    I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors
    I think that God's got a sick sense of humor
    And when I die, I expect to find him laughing.

    Parent
    sick sense of humor (none / 0) (#32)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 05:16:44 PM EST
    how else would you explain the fact that men peak sexually from 18 - 25 and women from 25 - 40?

    Parent
    I call it a fabulous plan! (none / 0) (#58)
    by ruffian on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 02:46:25 PM EST


    Parent
    it's bonus time! (none / 0) (#20)
    by CST on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 03:38:49 PM EST
    if you work on wall street that is.

    "Despite the weak U.S. economy, this year could be the second most profitable for New York City's securities industry, and the average bonus may top last year's because so many bankers and brokers have been laid off"

    emphasis mine

    "Last year Wall Street paid out $20.3 billion in bonuses ... but 2,700 securities and commodities employees got pink slips from September 2009 through last September ... The high-paying industry only employed 160,200 people in September."

    In case anyone was wondering, that's approximately $126,717 per person, just for a bonus.  Of course it doesn't quite work that way, since the people at the top get millions.

    Petraeus....Digby yesterday (none / 0) (#27)
    by oldpro on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 04:59:46 PM EST
    quoted an entire Michael Brenner article which tells me that I was right many months ago to think - and say - Gen. Petraus might well be the R candidate for president in '12.  If he wants it.

    I still think so...more every day...

    Ah, Petraeus (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by christinep on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 06:13:33 PM EST
    Projects strength and charisma. The problem: Afghanistan (from a general election perspective.) The problem: Too many hungry long-time Repubs whose run time is running out--Romney and the rest.  The Petraeus thing is similar to the Bloomberg tease, wouldn't you say?

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 06:29:41 PM EST
    since Obama is Commander in Chief of the Afghanistan Operation then I really don't think that will be much of a problem for Petraeus.

    He lacks any kind of economic experience though.

    Parent

    Think Eisenhower...the military hero... (none / 0) (#41)
    by oldpro on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 09:36:25 PM EST
    but better looking!

    Parent
    Er, Eisenhower (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 12:40:23 AM EST
    won WWII basically.  And Petraeus has won what?

    Parent
    Hearts and minds of the Republicans. (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by oldpro on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 09:56:41 AM EST
    He's a virtual hero....the surge, etc. and will be sold to the public as the genius who 'got us out of Iraq' ... and Afghanistan (eventually!)

    Keep in mind...with a candidate, it doesn't have to be true or make sense.  You just have to be able to sell them to half the public.  He'd already have all the southern states...no contest...what would Obama have for sure?

    Parent

    Back to Ohio & Florida again (none / 0) (#55)
    by christinep on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 01:25:02 PM EST
    See Quinnipiac's upturn for Obama in PA. Who knows? The culmination of RMN's/Reagan's Southern Strategy is still in play. Outside "that solid south" the task of putting the numbers together really involves about 9 states, doesn't it?

    Parent
    That would be political genius (none / 0) (#65)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 18, 2010 at 08:20:13 PM EST
    since we're not going to be out of Iraq or Afghanistan, or even close to it, by the 2012 elections.

    You can run a guy who's run a successful war.  You can't run a guy who's presided over TWO quagmires.

    Next?

    Parent

    The (none / 0) (#52)
    by jbindc on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 09:51:09 AM EST
    hearts and minds of the Afhgani people?

    <snark>

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#44)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 12:39:28 AM EST
    It will be interesting, though, to see whether Petraeus is dumb enough and politically tone-deaf enough to try it.

    Parent
    that would truly be horrible (none / 0) (#31)
    by Dadler on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 05:10:24 PM EST
    but i wouldn't doubt it at all. would enough of the electorate buy into it? i tend to doubt it, but nothing would surprise me. and if things are bad enough, the big bad general can come to the rescue. do a little surge right here and home and get all those troublemakers in order.

    Parent
    Harsh... (none / 0) (#29)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 05:06:13 PM EST
    Meanwhile, I just got audited by the NYS Dept. of Finance...now I gotta dig out my 2006 state short form, I didn't think there was room for any funny stuff on there, thats why I use it.  

    Gotta love state logic though...they take 3 years to discover a discrepancy and wanna bang you for interest.  For the pleasure of the threat of fine and/or arrest.  The man sucks.  End rant:)

    yea, but prove that THEY owe you and (none / 0) (#33)
    by DFLer on Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 05:53:34 PM EST
    you will get paid interest!

    Parent
    Keep it NYS... (none / 0) (#47)
    by kdog on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 08:06:29 AM EST
    charging interest is not neighborly.  

    After review I think I'm in the right, NYS seems to think my gross income was my 1040-EZ federal adjusted...just gotta type my nasty gram, check the dispute box, and see what NYS's next move is.

    This isn't the first time either...I was NYS audited for non-payment of fiscal year 2000 state income taxes, problem was I did not live in NYS in 2000, moved back in 2001.  That appeal was approved, lets hope I go 2 fer 2 against Goliath!  

    I wonder how many people they pull this crap on  get scared and just cough it up.  You would think NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance would have bigger fish to fry than chasing down 40k a year broked*cks for a less than a grand...probably costing them more to chase than they hope to collect.  Buncha geniuses up in Albany, I swear, little wonder we're busto.

    Parent

    Humor: progressive forum (none / 0) (#54)
    by waldenpond on Thu Dec 16, 2010 at 11:18:28 AM EST
    Here's a cute video on what it's like to have a conversation with an Obama supporter.  It's tacky but so personally true, my eyes watered.

    Have you seen Obama without his shirt?  FDL

    Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | 65 comments (65 topical)

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