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Tuesday Open Thread

I'm busy at work today. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Got the Magical Mexico Tour... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 11:51:54 AM EST
    all locked up...NY to Guadalajara to Isla Mujeres to Veracruz to Guadalajara to NY over 12 days...thanks for all those who offered advice and especially Cream City for the Isla Mujeres reco.  Any must sees you guys know of, help a brother out.

    6 more weeks and I'm outta Dodge baby!  If I never come back, either by choice or TSA abduction, it was nice chillin' with y'all:)

    Gracias a todo mi amigos.... (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:20:14 PM EST
    it's not all fun and games though...I'm on assignment scouting the latest airport security measures, exclusive for my TL homies.

    Parent
    Good for you... (none / 0) (#2)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:02:21 PM EST
    ...lover boy!  We'll probably be down in Old Mexico about the same time.  Only I'm in and out--just 4 days.  Still it will nice to soak up some sun.  Rumor has it we'll probably be rubbing elbows with the Hollywood elite too.

    Did you see the tuneage link I left you in the Super Bowl post?  This Monday at the Roseland...

    Parent

    Oops... (none / 0) (#9)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:32:34 PM EST
    ...I guess the TCV NYC show was last night.

    Parent
    Saw linkage de musica... (none / 0) (#18)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:12:16 PM EST
    waiting to get home with sound...I'll holler at you but if its got your blessing I'm sure it rocks...I'm on concert lockdown though saving every nickel!

    Glad to hear you're headed south too my man...Denver is on the list ya know, when I'll get there I haven't a clue!

    Parent

    Would you be open (none / 0) (#3)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:04:53 PM EST
    to a new pair of shoes for the trip, with 'special heels'? :)

    Parent
    Not on your life... (none / 0) (#22)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:13:38 PM EST
    I got nothing against fast money or good dope...but the fear of them cages trumps 'em both.

    Find another mule...this a$$ likes freedom:)

    Parent

    Somebody tried to get (none / 0) (#29)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:22:47 PM EST
    me to do that once, way back in the day.

    A complete stranger, about five minutes after I got into Brownsville, Texas. I felt like laughing right in his face, if it weren't for the fact that he looked like the kind of guy who might slit his own grandmothers throat in her sleep.

    Parent

    No Internet in Mexican jails, Kdog... (none / 0) (#30)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:26:17 PM EST
    even if you pay for luxury accomodations!

    Parent
    In Mexican jails (none / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:30:50 PM EST
    the internet is the thing they hang you from the ceiling in.

    Parent
    Sounds like... (none / 0) (#32)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:29:24 PM EST
    a sting...think it was a narc?

    Parent
    Who knows? (none / 0) (#35)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:34:01 PM EST
    the guy practically left a 'slime field' in his wake, though.

    Mama didnt raise no fool.

    Parent

    "Slime Field"... (none / 0) (#38)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:39:53 PM EST
    sounds like a narc:)

    Parent
    When you make a couple (none / 0) (#40)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:47:41 PM EST
    of decent wisecracks and they dont even crack a slight smile and then they give you that thousand-yard-stare, as if they're already picturing oblivion (for you), it's always a very bad sign.

    Parent
    Try a habanero pepper (none / 0) (#5)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:16:31 PM EST
    You can eat them like apples.

    Just kidding.  Do not try it.

    To quote Viv Savage from SPINAL TAP: "Have a good time, all the time. That's my philosphy, Marty."

    Parent

    Habaneros (none / 0) (#7)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:25:24 PM EST
    Great for shock 'n awe, but there's no good exit strategy for 'em.

    Parent
    tip (none / 0) (#16)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:06:09 PM EST
    use gloves. i discovered this the painful way, on very, um, sensitive parts of my body, after making jerk chicken for my wife early in our relationship.

    very funny, tho. i was literally laughing and crying at the same time.

    Parent

    I had the same experience (none / 0) (#19)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:12:23 PM EST
    a couple of times.

    It's a Buddy Holly - not fade away, sort of 'irritation' experience.

    Parent

    Habaneros don't even taste good (none / 0) (#67)
    by rdandrea on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:53:28 PM EST
    They have kind of an nasty taste and smell--like old sneakers.  Jalapenos I like--they have a nice peppery aroma and flavor.  I don't think it's that they're less hot, I think it's just that they smell better.

    But DO wear gloves, and be careful not to run hot water on the cutting board if you cut them up. You'll have the whole house coughing if you do.  Instant asthma attack.

    Parent

    Good for you... (none / 0) (#6)
    by desertswine on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:18:37 PM EST
    send us some sunshine.

    Parent
    The Yucatan is one of my favorite places. (none / 0) (#10)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:33:20 PM EST
    Savor each moment!

    Parent
    Good advice (none / 0) (#48)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:13:27 PM EST
    anywhere. But especially there.

    Parent
    I've never been to Mexico... (none / 0) (#12)
    by vml68 on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:49:15 PM EST
    Isla Mujeres sounds wonderful. Treat the lucky lady well....no cheap liquor under dank bridges, please!!

    The spousal equivalent and I are probably going to end up relocating to Bermuda for a while.

    Parent

    I'm hearing good things all over... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:17:32 PM EST
    and it was a heckuva lot easier to get to from GDL than Belize.

    This resort I found looks like its built on little more than a sandbar accesible by footbridge from La Isla...I can't farkin' wait.  Mas tequila por favor!

    Bermuda is super nice if a little pricey...Horseshoe Beach Bermuda is where the fam spread papa dog's ashes...sick spot...enjoy!

    Parent

    If and when we get down there... (none / 0) (#42)
    by vml68 on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:56:11 PM EST
    I will be sure to pay my respects to papa kdog.

    Parent
    If you see a Lebanese-looking... (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:02:04 PM EST
    ghost that appears to be holding a bottle of Michelob...thats him:)

    Parent
    Sounds heavenly! (none / 0) (#13)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:50:47 PM EST
    Happy travels to you and lady k!

    Parent
    I'm teaching ESL in my spare time, and (none / 0) (#20)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:13:05 PM EST
    one of my students is from Guadalajara. I'll ask her. I might see her tonoght, or it mightbe tomorrow night, but I'll ask. Supposed to be spectacular, the anthropology museum for instance. Guadalajara is the birthplace of Mariachi music, too!

    Parent
    Mariachi... (none / 0) (#37)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:38:47 PM EST
    and Jalisco state is the birthplace of tequila...I hear the top sh*t makes Patron look like arse...can't wait to be the judge of that.

    I'm gonna give M-Tracy a run for her tequila drankin' money:)

    Parent

    dont see any snow in your travel plans (none / 0) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:13:44 PM EST
    Im jealous.

    Parent
    Isla Mujeres (none / 0) (#39)
    by MKS on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:46:42 PM EST
    is wonderful....There is a big hotel at the northern point that has some nasty surf....Renting a motorscooter would be worth it....

    If you're crossing the Yucatan,  colonial Merida is nice....And there are ruins galore....Tulum just across from Cozumel is among the most beautiful spots in Mexico...White sand with the ruins--an old Mayan fortress--overlooking the turquois water.

    Chichen Itza and Uzmal are close to Merida...and worth the trip....

    Parent

    Chichen Itza... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:56:58 PM EST
    was on the list...we're flying to Veracruz though...wish I could take a month and do the road trip thang and see it all.

    Parent
    So glad you're going to Isla! (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by Cream City on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:08:40 PM EST
    And so sorry that I'm not, amid more than a foot of snow coming down here. . . .

    And hope you love Chichen Itza as I did.  Then I came home and got books about it and new research on Mayan culture and art -- they know how to translate the Mayan hieroglyphs now, amazing -- and wished I had read them first.  A tip, if you have time or are looking for good reading to take along.

    But when on Isla, the transportation of choice is to rent a golf cart -- on your own at the places that do so or let your housing site do it for you.  Then be sure to get to the south end to see the ruins, such as they are after the last hurricanes, of the shrine to a Mayan goddess, the reason so some say for Isla Mujeres' name.  There also is an outdoor sculpture garden there plus a couple of places to eat and some stores, but too pricey and not as authentic as the fare in town.  However, along the way do stop at the places that offer the ancient Mayan chicken recipe (darn, I forget the name now) made for 1000s of years.  

    Otherwise, it's seafood and fish all the time for me, fresh caught that day -- Shrimp Ceviche, Fish Veracruz, etc.  Mmmmmm.

    More info can be found at the community/tourists discussion forum, btw -- islamujeres.com, I think.  Very useful for constant updates on new great places to eat, on good housing (the hotel noted here at North Beach that is so massive is Avalon Manor, fun to walk through but pricey and one of those silly places that provides all the meals, when it's much more fun to roam the town).

    Much, much more to say, but everyone makes Isla their own, so I will look forward to hearing how you do so when you return.  Hola!

    Parent

    Cream, a little help-- (none / 0) (#73)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:13:28 PM EST
    got a link to the Maya decipherings? I thought that at least the codexes (codices?) were stil untranslateable.

    Parent
    From my shelf to yours (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Cream City on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:18:02 PM EST
    as I have it right at hand: Linda Schele and David Freidel, A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya (New York: William Morrow, 1990).  I imagine that there are more scholarly versions, but I read enough of that stuff. :-)

    Then go look up books on Cahokia, the ancient site and city of 20,000 to 40,000! right here on the Mississippi, and tell me if you agree that there must have been travel and trade between the Mayans and the Midwest.  After all, who gave us corn?

    Parent

    Ty Cream... (none / 0) (#121)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 07:52:52 AM EST
    I'll try to answer your other post shortly-- but logically, what would stop trade between the Mexica, the Maya, and the Mississipians? It's not as though these civilizations didn't travel or build. Sea routes through the Gulf or along the Gulf? Easy enough.

    Too many people think of pre Colombian America as 'savage.'

    Parent

    Exactly; it makes sense to me (none / 0) (#126)
    by Cream City on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:58:25 PM EST
    based on so much evidence -- but not enough for a lot of scholars who still deny the possibility.

    Parent
    "Hurricane" (none / 0) (#83)
    by MKS on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:48:24 PM EST
    being the Mayan god of storms described in the Popol Vuh--which is the Quiche' (now spelled "Kiche" since the 1996 Peace Accords) Maya Creation story from Guatemala....

    Many believe that there was actually a written creation story--a Mayan "book"--in Mayan pictographs (making the pre-Conquest Maya literate) that was translated by a Dominican priest.

    Parent

    Pictographs -- that's it, thanks (none / 0) (#87)
    by Cream City on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:28:53 PM EST
    as I was not recalling the correct term (in using "hieroglyphs").  And yes, the book cited does discuss the Kiche and many other lost (read, destroyed) mss. that could have told us much.

    The study of creation/origin stories is fascinating; I sort of collect them.  The real ones and the marvelous fictional sort, based in timeless "truths," a la the late, great series Northern Exposure.

    Parent

    De Las Cases legend/Mayan books (none / 0) (#99)
    by MKS on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 05:26:45 PM EST
    He asked to be sent to Guatemala to pacify the K'ekchi (now "Qekchi" and different from the Quiche/Kiche Maya).  Hernan Cortez's Lieutenant Pedro de Alvarado had militarily defeated the Quiche/Kiche led by Tecun Uman at Xela....

    Alvardo, however, could not defeat the K'ekchi/Qekchi after several attempts....their land being just below the Yucatan.  So, Las Casas proposed to the Spanish Crown going to the K'ekchi in Christian love and peace and friendship....And it worked, the K'ekchi/Qekchi peacefully converted and accepted Las Casas and his missionaries as friends....

    And the rest of the story:  The Spanish military rounded up the K'ekchi/Qekchi leaders and their books and burned them all....

    Fast forward.  Anecdotally, the Maya of Guatemala do not talk when tortured....At least there is one account of which I am familiar of that happening in the late 1980s....

    The Maya of the Yucatan are very similar.  At a the ruins of Coba, just inland from Telum, I saw a sight right out of Guatemala.  We were walking along a trail between pyramids that was enclosed by rain forest.  Out of nowhere, three barefoot kids carrying firewood on their backs darted out of the forest and bisected the trail....After some oohs and aahs and photos from those tourists present, the eldest boy about age 11 held out his hand for some money.....He was given a lot of centavo coins....But then he motioned to me to give some to his little sister, age about 4, so she could have some too.....Wonderful people.  Of course, the Republicans with the group despised them for begging....failing to recognize they were busting their backsides getting firewood to survive....

    And, a recent rape trial about two years ago in Senahu, a beautiful green town nestled in the Guatemalan mountains, shows how complex the Maya can be. The local Ladino (Latino/Spanish/European) judge acquited a Ladino of raping a K'ekchi woman.  A crowd of incensed K'ekchi, and the accounts get hazy here, beat the judge to death.

     

    Parent

    only about 14 or 15 (none / 0) (#122)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 07:54:51 AM EST
    of the Mayan pictographs or codexes survived. the Maya were literate, of that there's no doubt.

    Conquista was a minor problem for the conquored culture, though...

    Parent

    RE: mks... (none / 0) (#123)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 07:56:23 AM EST
    they had acted as models, and expected compensation. Wish the repubs had looked at it that way.

    Parent
    Oh, sorry; you're not going (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Cream City on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:14:50 PM EST
    to Chichen Itza; I misread.  That's okay, as now you have time to read up on it before you return to the Yucatan, as you will want to do, believe me -- if only for the fascinating study over the years of just where the beaches were and are.  Hurricanes rearrange them every year, as we have seen over the years -- some years with more beach than others.

    Friends just back from Isla report more beach -- more feet of marvelous white sand between the scrub and the lovely clear, warm water -- at the favorite North Beach this year than when last we were there, so enjoy it!  I do, as the sand there does not get hot (interesting reasons I read about on that).  And the water is so clear and warm on the Caribbean side, also a boon after cold waters up here.  (But don't put more than a toe in the Atlantic side of Isla, far different.)

    Parent

    Welcome back CC. (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:59:45 PM EST
    Enjoy your comments.

    Parent
    Thanks (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by Cream City on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:30:34 PM EST
    but mostly in lurk mode, after the ugly times here.  I had to emerge, though, reading that kdog is going to Isla.  That would be something to see. . . .

    Parent
    I climbed the steps of the pyramid (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by observed on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 06:34:34 PM EST
    at Chichen Itza a few years ago.
    The royal cenote was quite amazing.
    I really enjoyed the underground swimming there and elsewhere.
    Btw, you did notice that someone is on timeout, right?

    Parent
    I do understand, (none / 0) (#91)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:40:23 PM EST
    but you seem intrepid to me.

    Parent
    Hey CC, kdog, (none / 0) (#93)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:44:57 PM EST
    ya know, I just realized as I read this thread, that a week or so ago when we all discussed our experiences with Isla Mujeres I was very mistaken. I've never been to IM, it was (Isla) Cozumel I've been too. Sorry if I confused you (any more than I confused myownself)!

    Parent
    Brother man... (none / 0) (#95)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 05:08:18 PM EST
    I've looked at so many freakin' webpages of locales, flights, etc I'll be lucky to remember where I'm going...just as long as the cosmic connection is there its todo bueno...no worries.

    Parent
    Honored to bring you outta... (none / 0) (#96)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 05:09:22 PM EST
    lurk mode Teach:)

    Parent
    need some cute? (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:11:34 PM EST
    Shiba Inu Puppy Cam

    (these are not mine)

    Awwwww! (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:33:01 PM EST
    Too cute!  Thanks!  I'm sitting here in Maryland looking at more snow coming down on top of last week-end's snow, feeling tired of winter (and anticipating further snow clean-up), and this cheered me up.

    Parent
    I feel your pain. (none / 0) (#36)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:35:48 PM EST
    we got about 4-6 inches last night and I didnt even blow off the driveway this morning cause it is now starting again to continue the rest of the day and all night until 1pm tomorrow for another 4-6 inches.

    this is when I really wish I had a sled for my Huskies.


    Parent

    Argh...the first flakes are starting (none / 0) (#43)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:56:45 PM EST
    to fall, and I'm not sure the extra couple of days off that we're anticipating is worth all the hassle of the plowing and shoveling and eventually trying to navigate the roads.

    Have to check to see if the library is open - I need some more books if we're going to be stuck again!

    Parent

    Tell me about it (5.00 / 3) (#50)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:19:03 PM EST
    I live in Northern Virginia.  My sister called this morning to tell me that my father passed away this morning - a total shock.  He wasn't sick or anything, just went in his sleep. But I can't get out to get home to Detroit.  Flights are canceled and I can't drive because that would put me driving through the storm.  Luckily, my sister lives in DC, so I managed to make it to her apartment so we can be together.  

    I can't imagine when we'll be able to get out.

    Parent

    So very sorry for your loss. (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by Angel on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:19:50 PM EST
    sorry to hear that (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:23:16 PM EST
    but I hope when its time I go the same way.


    Parent
    Ah jeez. So sorry. (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:30:08 PM EST
    Sincerest condolences... (5.00 / 4) (#56)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:31:05 PM EST
    for your loss jb...my thoughts are with you.

    Good luck finding your way home somehow to be with the rest of your family.

    Parent

    So sorry (5.00 / 3) (#58)
    by samsguy18 on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:35:08 PM EST
    It's hard when you find yourself on pause unable to do anything but wait. Take Care

    Parent
    So sorry for your loss (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by star on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:36:03 PM EST
    My prayers are with you and your family..hopefully you can get to Detroit soon.

    Parent
    Thank you all (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:39:53 PM EST
    So please don't think it's crass if I stick around here on TL - like I said, got nuthin' else to do.  Work is closed, can't get out, and even  I, the TV addict, am tired of watching TV.

    At least here I feel surrounded by friends. :)

    Parent

    You are (5.00 / 4) (#64)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:44:18 PM EST
    Sorry for your loss JB (5.00 / 3) (#75)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:17:05 PM EST
    When you can't do the practical stuff you need to do, it must be really frustrating. You can hang out with us anytime.  

    Peace to your father and the rest of the family.

    Parent

    I'm really sorry as well (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 06:38:14 PM EST
    It's really tough to lose a parent, I know. And I'll try to keep some threads going tonight, it's not crass of you at all. Hope you can get home soon.

    Parent
    At a time like this (5.00 / 3) (#106)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 07:22:00 PM EST
    Normalcy is good.  You should do whatever makes you feel comfortable.  It's okay to have fun and enjoy yourself.  Isn't that what you'd want for your survivors someday?

    I'm sorry for your loss and wish you what you need to feel better.  About traveling, just remember that your father's presence will be with you in your heart no matter where you are.  Don't risk your safety for a place.  Phones can work in the interim, and you can go back when you can.

    Take care

    Parent

    Much sympathy for your loss. (5.00 / 2) (#119)
    by desertswine on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:00:27 AM EST
    Im sorry, also (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:42:57 PM EST
    Peace and Godspeed to you and your family, jb.

    Parent
    I'm very, very sorry (5.00 / 3) (#60)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:39:30 PM EST
    for your loss, jbindc.  I'm also sorry that you can't get back to Detroit, but at least you and your sister are together at this sad time.  Please take care, and accept our deepest sympathy.

    Parent
    Sorry for your loss :( :( (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by lilburro on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:43:33 PM EST
    my condolences to you and your family.

    Parent
    So sorry, jbindc. (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by Dr Molly on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:51:07 PM EST
    Really sorry for your loss. I hope you can get there soon. Probably not until Thursday or Friday though (I'm in Northern Virginia too).

    Parent
    Oh, jb - I'm so sorry to hear this... (5.00 / 4) (#70)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:02:49 PM EST
    I can't even imagine the shock you must be feeling, and then the awful, helpless feeling of realizing that the one place you want to be, like, immediately, you can't get to because of this blankety-blank weather.

    I'm glad you and your sister are able to be together; please stay safe and we will send good thoughts your way that you can get to Detroit as soon as possible after the storm.

    I hope the two of you will have many good memories to share in the next couple of days - and I hope your dad was the kind whose sense of humor might be able to appreciate the timing - mine was - in amidst the pain of loss, it is never a bad thing to find things to laugh about a little.

    Take care.

    Parent

    So sorry for your loss jb, (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:11:31 PM EST
    Remember the good times. you'll get there in good time, I'm sure.

    Parent
    My sincere condolences. (5.00 / 4) (#78)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:22:42 PM EST
    It is going to be two years this weekend since my Dad died and it's still a struggle to deal with.  

    Parent
    jbindc - you have my (5.00 / 2) (#80)
    by ding7777 on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:36:36 PM EST
    sincerest condolences

    Parent
    I'm so sorry to hear (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by lentinel on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:42:14 PM EST
    of your loss.
    I send my sincere condolences.

    Parent
    I'm very sorry. (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by observed on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 07:56:34 PM EST
    You've always been a nice presence here.
    This is really hard news.

    Parent
    So sorry, jbindc, for (5.00 / 3) (#112)
    by caseyOR on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 09:21:16 PM EST
    your loss. Losing a parent is pretty tough. Glad to hear you and your sister are together.

    Parent
    Sorry to hear ... (none / 0) (#125)
    by Yman on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 11:41:39 AM EST
    ... about the loss of your father.

    Hang in there ...

    Parent

    That one's been added to my favorites. (none / 0) (#24)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:15:30 PM EST
    thanks, Capt Howdy!

    Parent
    I made the mistake of posting that on (none / 0) (#26)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:17:01 PM EST
    my intercompany newsgroups and we almost brought down the system.


    Parent
    The GSD recues puppies (none / 0) (#41)
    by nycstray on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:48:53 PM EST
    miss him yet (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:15:54 PM EST
    Must. Not. Click (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:18:47 PM EST
    It was hard but I didn't hit your link. (none / 0) (#47)
    by Angel on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:02:58 PM EST
    Didn't want to ruin my day.  I think I know what you're talking about, though.  And, no, I don't miss him either.  Never will.  Glad he's gone.  He needs to be prosecuted for war crimes and other crimes he committed against this country.  Ditto his vp.  

    Parent
    probably wise (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:22:05 PM EST
    just looking at his stupid overbearing face made me queasy.

    Parent
    That smirk will do it to me every time. Why I (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Angel on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:34:27 PM EST
    didn't hit the link.....I'd end up smashing my fist through the computer monitor.  And I just got this 22 inch baby last week.  

    Parent
    at first I wondered (none / 0) (#69)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:59:47 PM EST
    if it could possibly be some subversive trick by the DNC to make us appreciate things.

    but I dont think they are that smart.


    Parent

    How can you give us cute puppies (none / 0) (#108)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 07:37:51 PM EST
    and then this? You are truly twisted, sir!

    Parent
    I get that (none / 0) (#124)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 08:47:19 AM EST
    a lot

    Parent
    Great article... (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:41:30 PM EST
    ...on the possibility of wolves returning to Colorado and an ecologically minded ranch owner.

    Prodigal Dogs  

    Wow, terrific article! (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 11:06:00 PM EST
    Thanks very much for posting that link.

    Some years ago, I heard a Yellowstone guy on TV talking about the ripple effect on the ecosystem that reintroducing the wolves has had there, what this article terms a "trophic cascade," and it was just riveting.  He said something to the effect that they hadn't realized how out of whack everything was until they brought the wolves back and it sort of snapped back into place.

    Among other things, he said the wolves keep the coyote numbers down, and with fewer coyotes, there are more small rodents, which the wolves aren't all that interested in, and more small rodents has meant that other smaller creatures that depend on them for food have come back-- most heartening to me as a raptor lover, the magnificent and very threatened Ferruginous hawk.

    Also he said the wolves kept the elk and deer numbers way down, so that they weren't browsing young shoots as completely, which has mean that various species of birds that nest in those shrubs and plants have come back.  Etc.

    Anyway, it's thrilling to read about this very rich Texas guy who owns all the land up there who's dedicated to conservation and willing to let the wolves come back there.

    I wouldn't want to encounter one, or have one come after my beloved cats, but it's clear to me that things are just out of whack without a top predator.

    Well, a topic of great interest to me I could go on and on about, so thanks again for posting it.

    Parent

    Post-Partisan Depression (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:13:46 PM EST
    A withering rejoinder, no doubt (none / 0) (#8)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:32:31 PM EST
    Now, if only a few people with leverage at Pravda could muster the fortitude to present a Pentagon Papers-like forensic deconstruction of what's at the root of all the Democratic triangulating, that would be a great next step.

    Parent
    too-shay (none / 0) (#14)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:56:45 PM EST
    izvestia has a crappy sports page, too.

    Parent
    Not meant as too-shay (none / 0) (#15)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:05:23 PM EST
    more like an addendum, based on my ongoing problem with these societal voices of authority to go only up to certain safe boundry in their analysis and never over.

    Other than the (rare, semi-buried) Bill Grieder column.

    Parent

    a hit, a most palpable hit (none / 0) (#21)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:13:07 PM EST
    on the paper, that is. i knew your aim was true.

    Parent
    My other favorite line from (none / 0) (#11)
    by vml68 on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:38:00 PM EST
    the article...
    a New York Times story quoted a senior Democratic aide comparing the Obama administration to a dithering driver in a traffic rotary unable to decide which road to take. "We're still going around the circle," said the aide. "At some point, you run out of gas."


    Parent
    Letterman, Leno, Oprah together (none / 0) (#31)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:26:17 PM EST
    still (none / 0) (#45)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 01:58:28 PM EST
    it would have been funnier with Conan

    Parent
    Not a spoof (none / 0) (#49)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:16:29 PM EST
    I saw that commercial during the game.  Heard later that Jay Leno had to sneak into Letterman'' studio and even wore a disguise (fake mustache and all) to get in!

    Parent
    i stand, or sit, corrected (none / 0) (#54)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:25:59 PM EST
    hat tip

    Parent
    Easy mistake (none / 0) (#66)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:51:59 PM EST
    It was pretty unbelievable when I saw it.  My friend and I looked at each other like "What?"  We had to rewind to make sure our eyes didn't deceive us.

    Parent
    9th Circuit upholds jail strip searches (none / 0) (#68)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 02:56:09 PM EST
    Link

    SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a former San Francisco jail policy of strip-searching all inmates expected to be in custody for more than 24 hours, regardless of the reason for their arrest.

    An 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco by a 7-4 vote upheld the policy, which was in effect in city jails from 2002 to 2004.

    The court majority said the policy was a reasonable way to address security concerns of weapons and drugs being smuggled into the jails.

    Judge Sandra Ikuta wrote, "The evidence shows that arrestees do, in fact, have both the opportunity and inclination to conceal contraband in private bodily areas...and that a strip-search policy may have a deterrent effect."

    Under the former policy, sheriff's deputies searched all suspects who were arrested and expected to stay in the jail system for more than 24 hours, regardless of the crime with which they were charged.

    The inspections of nude suspects were conducted visually, with no touching, in private by sheriff's deputies of the same gender.
    Nine people who were strip-searched sued the city and Sheriff Michael Hennessey in 2003, arguing that searches were unconstitutional in the cases of people for whom there was no suspicion of drugs or weapons smuggling.




    Not even convicted (none / 0) (#84)
    by MKS on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:51:39 PM EST
    Guess if you get pulled over for DUI like John Kerry's daughter at .06 blood alcohol and can't make bail right away, you are going to have your body cavities searched....

    Parent
    A "deterrent effect" (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by MKS on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:55:55 PM EST
    That makes no sense....Most people do not expect to get arrested....Once they are, they lose the ability to do anything--whether it be conceal something or get rid of something....

    To be a deterrent, someone would have to say to themselves:  Today I might get arrested, and so to avoid a strip search in that event, I will not carry concelaed drugs or weapons or other jail house contraband??  

    Parent

    That's what I thought, too, MKS (none / 0) (#90)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:34:17 PM EST
    And these are not convicted criminals, these are suspects who have been arrested.  Forget about "innocent until proven guilty."

    Parent
    Really! (none / 0) (#113)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 10:45:02 PM EST
    The old flaming... (none / 0) (#79)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:31:43 PM EST
    ...dog poop in a bag gag leads to attempted arson charges.

    Don't try to place flaming dog poop on the front porch of your neighbor.

    That little stunt has landed a University of Northern Colorado student in deep doo-doo in Greeley.

    Andrew Charles Donahue, 18, was booked early Sunday after he was caught red-handed with a bag of dog poop and matches headed for the front porch of Wayne Pickens, 57, a longtime Greeley resident and small businessman.

    While I never pulled this particular stunt, I wonder what t-p'ing gets you charged with these days.  

    living in a college town (none / 0) (#82)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 03:44:31 PM EST
    and being an old fart I can sympathize with both.

    Parent
    From some of the stuff (none / 0) (#89)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:31:51 PM EST
    that my dad told us he pulled when he was a young teen, I'm sure that in today's world, he would have been arrested and sent to a juvenile facility.  No stealing or destruction of property, but things like the flaming dog poop.  Oh, and moving people's outhouses back about six feet so that when they went outside at night to go to the john......

    Parent
    You know... (5.00 / 0) (#101)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 06:00:07 PM EST
    ...I got away with a ton of crap when I was a kid, but I doubt I even came close to my old man.  He was an only child of a prominent family, all-star athlete, good looking biker dude--trouble with a capital T!

    Never did find out how he managed to drive his bike into the pond at a local park...

    Simpler times.

     

    Parent

    Just got a call telling me an (none / 0) (#94)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 04:56:19 PM EST
    Inmate @ county jail attempted to call my cell phone collect. Weird.

    That was me. (5.00 / 2) (#97)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 05:16:47 PM EST
    ;-)

    Parent
    It's (none / 0) (#103)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 06:31:22 PM EST
    a scam. I've had it happen a number of times. Google it and you'll see what's going on.

    Parent
    Just got this in my inbox: (none / 0) (#98)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 05:23:27 PM EST

          You have recieved A Hallmark E-Card.

      Hello!

    You have recieved a Hallmark E-Card from your friend.

    To see it, check the attachment.

    There's something special about that E-Card feeling. We invite you to make a friend's day and send one.

    Hope to see you soon,
    Your friends at Hallmark

    Hallmark.com | Privacy & Security | Customer Service | Store Locator  

    A zip file was attached.

    None of the tabs (Hallmark.com, Privacy & Security, etc.) were clickable, ie, no imbedded links.

    Trojan Horse, be careful of what emails you open...

    That scam was huge (none / 0) (#115)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 11:08:15 PM EST
    about a year ago.  I'd guess nearly 75 percent of the emails my ISP quarantined as spam were supposed "e-cards" from people I'd never heard of. Then like all spam fads, it withered away and stopped.

    Odd you'd get one of those for the first time now.

    Parent

    Looks like post-partisan Bloomie (none / 0) (#100)
    by andgarden on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 05:41:46 PM EST
    SURPRISE!!! (none / 0) (#116)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 11:09:12 PM EST
    Little Bloomie expects to win at whatever he does and will do whatever it takes.

    Parent
    Has anyone been reading the (none / 0) (#102)
    by observed on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 06:21:31 PM EST
    Steve Clemons articles on Obama? They're at TWN and several other blogs as well.
    There's a furious discussion in the comments as well.
    Basically, Clemons said two days ago that Obama's Presidency is near complete failure and that he needs to get rid of the Chicago four to have a chance to improve.
    Agree or disagree, it's very stimulating over there these days!

    I've been listening to a couple of (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 07:36:06 PM EST
    podcasts that have mentioned it - Sirota, and also Cenk Uygar. I just went over and looked at TWN. That is a good, interesting discussion. My take is that there are so many contradictory points that it is hard to know what is really going on, especially with largely anonymous sources. Backstabbing much?

    How is it that a president can possbly be in a 'bubble' in this day and age? I'll never be there so it is hard for me to understand how it can happen.

    I do know that I was very surprised when Rahm got the COS job, and the more I read about his Wall St. backing the less I like the whole setup.

    Whatever the  real story is, the buck stops at the top. If the story is true that Rahm advised against doing HCR this year, I have to say I agreed with that. Take away that debacle and this would have been a much better year, politcaly anyway.

    Parent

    My feeling about the whole issue (5.00 / 3) (#109)
    by observed on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 07:53:22 PM EST
    is that Obama's lack of fluency in economic issues is killing him. I don't think he has nearly the expertise necessary to choose wisely in this area. I'm not saying he needs to be an economist, but my take is that he has a freshman's understand of econ---at best.
    He can never explain economic issues in his own words the way Bill Clinton did.
    His position on the stimulus was virtually innumerate: he argued for a middle course based on political exigencies, without any regard for what actual economists said---then he laded huge parts of the stimulus in the wrong direction.

    On  health care, also, I feel his lack of ability to explain why one course and not another may be because he doesn't understand it himself. Lord knows, HCR is extremely complicated, especially because the most rational and simple courses of action are throw out from the get-go.

    In the coming year, I dread his intrusion into one policy more than any other, even SS and Medicare cuts: global warming.
    President Clean Coal is not likely at all to have  the necessary severity in his views; also, if he can't get the Senate to act on HCR, how can he possibly succeed on the far more contentious issue of global warming?
    What if he has a bipartisan summit on global warming? What a disaster that would be---all the Republicans would talk about is the corrupt, flawed climate science and how these guys ought to be in jail. Well, I'm ahead of myself here. Maybe you're more sanguine on the global warming action front.

    Parent

    I'm no dittohead (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 08:45:04 PM EST
    But ditto.

    I agree, especially on the stimulus. I think he settled for the minimum thing that had a chance of maybe working. It needed to have a lot more clout.  With the debt what it is, and already getting hammered on it politically, would another 300 billion have mattered? Not if it had helped the economy.

    I'm not sanguine on global warning, summit or not. The corporations who really run this country are never going to let anything serious be done.

    I can only hope that the shocks of the last year have shown him the truth about trying to play nice with people who do not have the best interests of the country in mind.

    I do think he has a lot of good qualities, but we are paying for his learning curve.

    Parent

    He doesn't understand it (5.00 / 2) (#117)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 11:16:53 PM EST
    I think that's really clear, and it was clear in the primary debates.  He's not a policy wonk, not even close.  So what he decides to do is heavily dependent on the advisors and "experts" he chooses to listen to.  He can read their papers and listen to their arguments and have a bright layman's ability to follow them and understand them, but it's totally beond him, as it is me, to reproduce them or explain them.  Best he can do is, "My experts tell me this will work, or this won't work," or the like.

    And I still say he has absolutely no ideology to guide him in making policy choices.  We're at the mercy of his chosen "experts."

    For all Bill Clinton's flaws and weaknesses, he totally inhales this stuff and understands it as well as his "experts," and has guiding beliefs and principles to help him choose.

    Obama can't effectively sell any of this stuff to the public as a result.  All he can do is make soaring speeches about goals, when the public wants specifics explained.

    Heck, he couldn't even sell basic Keynesian economics to justify the stimulus spending in a deep recession, and that concept ain't exactly rocket science.

    Parent

    Could not agree more... (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 11:29:54 PM EST
    I sometimes get the feeling that this is all just an academic exercise or science experiment for him, that he has no investment of principle or belief, but he likes selling his audience-of-the-moment on whatever his position-of-the-moment happens to be.

    In a strange way, even though he seems - and is - all over the place on a lot of issues, he's actually got more control than he should simple because he has every single group off-balance, not knowing whether he does or does not agree, support or want the same things they do.

    I think what it's going to come to is first, a realization that as long as he is allowed to keep doing things this way, there won't be much but circular movement on a host of issues, and second, a concerted effort to close ranks and leave Obama on the outside so things can get done.

    This is where the Congress has to step up and start acting like the independent body it is, and if Obama wants to be along for the ride, great - and if not, well, too bad.  Obama can then decide whether to sign or not sign legislation, and the Congress can have the final word via veto-overrides.

    Oh, if only I had any confidence this was possible...

    Parent

    Yes, if Congress were (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by observed on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 04:33:32 AM EST
    more assertive, Obama could actually be fine.

    Parent