Friday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 10:36:47 AM EST
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My daughter is taking her drivers test. Time flies.

Open Thread.

< Thursday Night Open Thread: Odds and Ends | Cards' La Russa, Pujols, Plunge Into Politics: Stand With Glenn Beck >

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Friday Morning Open Thread | 127 comments (127 topical)

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Good luck to your daughter (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by jeffinalabama on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:03:50 AM EST

I suppose... unless you'd like her to NOT drive for another few years.

Hope you have a scrip for anti-anxieties, BTD! you didn't even write Go Gators!

there is a great commercial (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:07:44 AM EST

I cant find with a guy talking very seriously to about a three year old behind the wheel of a car, cut to the three year old, cut to the guy, cut back to the three year old who is now 16.

This one? (none / 0) (#14)
by Yman on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:24:13 AM EST

My 13-year-old daughter loves it.

Link

Parent

: thats (none / 0) (#16)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:25:07 AM EST

it
thanks

Parent

That was the first thing I thought of (none / 0) (#98)
by sj on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:07:44 PM EST

When I read this entry :)

Parent

Why did they have the 17 y/o break the 4th wall (none / 0) (#100)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:19:45 PM EST

took me out of the scene.

Great commercial, though.

Parent

she is not waving to you (none / 0) (#106)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:44:13 PM EST

she is waving to dad, no?

Parent

Not that, (none / 0) (#111)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:55:15 PM EST

when we first see her she quickly looks at dad and then a pretty long look at camera before she backs the car out. Odd.

Parent

interesting (none / 0) (#117)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 04:23:22 PM EST

I didnt even notice that.

but it didnt bother me.

Parent

: Turns out the dad is the real dad (none / 0) (#121)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 05:12:06 PM EST

and the two daughters are his real daughters.

Parent

Sounds a little too much like the (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by MKS on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:25:00 AM EST

concern over reverse discrimination.

When you start out with the premise that some cultures are better than others, you've got just one or two small steps before you reach some real mischief.....

With respect to religions, I frankly believe they are roughly all the same. It is the variation within each that matters. In each religion you have the authoritarian rule-mongers and those who focus on compassion and love of neighbor. Which group predominates will tell you more than whether someone is Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist.

"Which group predominates . . (none / 0) (#19)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:28:09 AM EST

. . will tell you more than whether someone is Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist."

I think its just as likely to tell you about location.

Parent

: One would hope (none / 0) (#28)
by MKS on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:44:01 AM EST

that U.S. based people of faith would hew more to the Enlightenment model....but not always so.
True, the religious wackos here are not violent like the wackos of the Middle East.....but there is a strikingly and disturbingly similar pattern of thought....
Islam, and in particular Arabs, historically have been much less hostile to science than Christianity....which is quite interesting imo and shows that Islam is not inherently incompatible with Enlightenment ideas....
If there were more politically and economically powerful Islamic countries, there would be less violence.....the so-called moderate Muslim most likely is just a creation of modernity.....who does not accept religious dogma without critical thinking.....
Just like American Catholics are different than Catholics from Africa....and the Evangelicals in Africa are proving that point too.....It is just too new to too many there--no balancing with experience....
Religion without a healthy dose of skepticism and Enlightenment Reason is a dangerous thing....Too many absolutes justifying the most horrible or just plan stupid.....As the Christians say, there is no tragedy but sin.

Parent

I remember when I got (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by CST on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:25:57 AM EST

my license. The first day I had it, my parents sent me out with the car to pick up food. I locked the keys in the car and they had to come get me.

: Brilliant... lol (none / 0) (#18)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:27:31 AM EST

Parent

A tough dad I know (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by Cream City on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:49:35 AM EST

did not allow his kids to drive until -- in addition to passing the state's test -- they passed his test: changing a tire and changing the oil.

It saved him the late calls and costly headaches we endured. Note to BTD: the test, the lessons, do not cover a LOT, like what all of those things on the dashboard mean. A major one? The oil light.

Word from the wiser if much poorer after my son kept driving the car with the oil light on. . . .

: Sounds like my dad (none / 0) (#44)
by Zorba on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:09:01 PM EST

We didn't have to know how to change the oil, but we did have to know how to change a tire, check the oil and how to add more if needed, check the brake and transmission fluids ditto, and (safely) check the radiator fluid. (Hey, we always had old cars- all that was fairly necessary.)

Parent

So my 8 y/o got diagnosed with amblyopia (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:06:16 PM EST

(lazy eye) yesterday by the opthamologist. He's had glasses for a couple years but this is the first we've heard of this particular problem.

Amblyopia is when one eye doesn't focus as well as the other. What happens in this situation is that the brain compensates by not using the bad eye to "see" and only uses the good eye. This leads to problems like bad depth perception and the inability to ever completely correct the eye's vision.

Apparently there's more to good eyesight than just the lens of the eye, there's also the neural pathway between the eye and the brain that's under continuous growth and development until about age 8 or 9.

Problem is, if the brain does not get focused images via the eye during the early childhood up to about age 8/9, or the brain shuts an eye "off" due to amblyopia, that neural pathway does not get developed as well as it should and the eye/brain combo will never see 20/20 regardless of what kind of glasses are worn.

Kinda pissed that the opthamologist we took him to 2 years ago when we found out he was having a hard time seeing well never friggin' mentioned anything about amblyopia as there are things you can do in this situation to improve amblyopia if you start early.

The earlier the better. According to my doc all kids should have their eyes checked at their 3rd b-day.

If we'd only known...

Ah, familiar with it in my family (5.00 / 2) (#56)
by Cream City on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:47:30 PM EST

as it is inherited (in case you want to alert others to watch for it in yours); it's obvious in old photos through generations. It's also only (?) or at least mainly in males. So my parents had my brothers checked early, and half had it -- so they had eyepatches, exercises, surgery, etc.

But even then, checked early and with attempted corrections, most still have serious vision deficiency. So take solace from that -- that it cannot always be corrected, anyway -- and also from the fact that every one of them has done fine with a good eye, a good heart, and a good brain. All have advanced degrees and they include teachers, a physician, and a lawyer.

Btw, oddly, because of the focus on male vision in my family, as a female I rarely had eye tests. Not until late in high school did I realize that I needed glasses, and it turned out that I had needed them for years, too!

Parent

Thanks CC. (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:54:58 PM EST

I have astigmatism, which he also has. The amblyopia is an unwelcome suprise. And the kid is so visual, he's always drawing or building something.

Parent

Aha, one of the lazy-eyed in my family (5.00 / 2) (#74)
by Cream City on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:45:21 PM EST

and one of the worst, despite the patch, surgery, etc., is an art teacher and award-winning artist.

I swear, seeing his art, that its impact is in part because he sees the world differently than we do.:-)

Parent

Ya, my son's color blind, too. (5.00 / 1) (#78)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:49:07 PM EST

Mixes up some shades of green with red/brown, they all look kind of greyish to him I think. I think that's also something a bunch of artists have.

Parent

Aha, again -- we have found (5.00 / 1) (#92)
by Cream City on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:15:32 PM EST

and I wonder if studies find, that those with one eye problem often have another? Astigmatism is seen in my family, too, as well as a bit of color blindness. More so, though, is "blinder vision," leading to being easily startled by objects moving into view in front of them that others of us can see coming in our side vision. (There are exercises that help with that problem, too -- as it is a problem especially when learning to drive . . . if more of a problem for the person teaching the aspiring driver who exists in a constant stage of what I call "startlement," complete with gasps. It is darned unsettling when a driver does that!)

None of these eye problems are the real biggies, not up to the level of major disabilities, so get through these days, and it will get better. One of my kids was diagnosed with a major disability, at about the age of yours. I remember a time that my kid was feeling very down about it when we were heading to more tests at the children's hospital. As soon as we walked in to the sight of kids in wheelchairs missing limbs, others without hair fighting cancer, etc., my kid shaped up -- and she embarked on what is now a lifelong dedication to voluntarism for others.

I remember that when I get down about all that all of my kids have had to deal with, too.

Parent

Thanks CC. It's tough dealing with stuff that (5.00 / 2) (#96)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:41:02 PM EST

happens to my kids. Stuff that happens to me is much easier, usually.

Ah well, we're going surfing tomorrow, no need for 20/20 there...

Parent

yes, its hard to deal with (none / 0) (#112)
by ZtoA on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:55:50 PM EST

what kids have to deal with.

Several years ago after coming thru around 5 years of intensive close range art work (my 'day job' at the time was illustrating text books) my eyes started to lose the ability to focus. I went to an eye doctor named Dr. Peek who instructed me to hang a soft ball from some fishing wire from the ceiling. I printed letters on the white ball with a sharpie. Then I was instructed to swing the ball in different patters - near and far, circular patterns, back and forth and try to focus on a letter if possible. It was kind of fun so I did it and after a few weeks my eyes started to improve. I think my eye problems were mild, but the eye exercises did give me dramatic results.

Parent

You eye doc is named Dr. Peek! (none / 0) (#114)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 04:15:49 PM EST

We have a friend out here who's a gyno and her last name is...get this...Hyman.

Parent

There's an orthodontist (none / 0) (#115)
by Zorba on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 04:17:45 PM EST

in Hagerstown, MD, named Dr. Toothman.

Parent

: Ha! (none / 0) (#116)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 04:21:00 PM EST

Parent

Mrs. BTAL had a dentist in the UK (none / 0) (#122)
by BTAL on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 05:22:12 PM EST

named Dr. Screech.

Parent

associating on with the strangness of life... (none / 0) (#128)
by ZtoA on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 10:15:34 PM EST

my early childhood dentist had Parkinson's. True. Drilling was a bit terrifying as he would check the xrays and his hand - with the high pitched drill grasped in his fingers - would shake while he looked away not paying strict attention to my little kid teeth. When he focused he was fine. At least I think he was fine ....might explain a few things now that I think of it.

Parent

: OMG (none / 0) (#130)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 10:54:39 PM EST

What a nightmare... literally.

Parent

I was belatedly diagnosed with (5.00 / 3) (#91)
by Molly Pitcher on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:14:59 PM EST

amblyopia last fall; that was almost 70 years after I got my first pair of glasses. Around 1942, I went to my first eye exam by myself and reported at home, "He said I was far-sighted in one eye and near-sighted in the other." They collapsed laughing at my silliness. So last year I asked a retinal specialist why, after having had my DL restricted all these years, he was marking my DL form for no restrictions. "You don't need glasses: one eye is slightly far-sighted, the other slightly near-sighted. You had amblyopia."

Why was my license restricted all those years? Because the test machine forces you to use one eye at a time. But I eventually learned to use my eyes together, so I essentially had 20/20 vision except on the test. When did that happen? When I decided to skip bi-focals. I read while taking occasional glances at the TV (and now I have added a computer monitor to the mix). Bi-focals were unwieldy, so I concentrated really hard on focusing--and I got better and better at it. Neural pathways may not be set in childhood after all.

So all I have to worry about now are 'histo' scars and my new goodie: occular myasthenia (blurred or double vision). Oh, well, I had perfectly good visual acuity for a few years, anyway.

Parent

I had that (none / 0) (#55)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:46:58 PM EST

Parent

Where you able to do ball sports? (none / 0) (#60)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:52:14 PM EST

Parent

All of them (none / 0) (#80)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:50:46 PM EST

Parent

Excellent. (none / 0) (#83)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:54:50 PM EST

Parent

Then you son can grow up to be a (5.00 / 2) (#87)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:05:01 PM EST

blogger!

Parent

: One can only dream.... (5.00 / 1) (#90)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:14:45 PM EST

Parent

Sorry to hear that... (none / 0) (#62)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:55:06 PM EST

anything they can do to treat it or is it too late?

Parent

Pretty much too late, he's almost 9. (none / 0) (#63)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:07:06 PM EST

He can see. Doc says with the new glasses 20/30 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. That's really not all that bad, considering. Heck, it's probably better than I see. Still, it would have been nice to be able to get him to 20/20 or close to it. His depth perception is kind of whack though. Catching balls and stuff.

Parent

Well (none / 0) (#64)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:13:10 PM EST

If he is really visual, and decides to make art, his condition could be an asset..

El Greco, Giocametti, Modigliani, Faure (hearing)... and the list goes on...

Sometimes a "disability" allows a person to have insight that other people would never think of..

Good luck to him!

Parent

Beethoven. Paul Wittgenstein (none / 0) (#70)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:30:24 PM EST

link, Louis Vierne link

Parent

Thanks guys. (none / 0) (#71)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:36:46 PM EST

Parent

Iztak Perlman. And the boy who (none / 0) (#75)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:47:31 PM EST

who has no arms and plays the piano w/his toes. Haven't watched that video yet.

Parent

: Ya, I remember watching the Olympics (none / 0) (#81)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:52:55 PM EST

years ago and it turned out many of our ice skaters had issues - one girl was born with only half a foot, and one of the guys had some degenerative muscle disease or something, and both turned to skating as kids in order to get fit/build muscles to compensate for their disabilities.

Parent

That sucks sir. (none / 0) (#66)
by vicndabx on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:15:12 PM EST

From a father of two, sorry to hear it. Keep your chin up tho, and best wishes to u and ur fam.

Parent

: Thanks, really appreciate your words. (none / 0) (#72)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:38:19 PM EST

Parent

Bummer... (none / 0) (#67)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:21:13 PM EST

We all soldier on, you've got the right attitude...no surprise there.

And sometimes, like others have alluded to..these things can be suprise blessings, or at least build character and perserverance in the little guy.

Former NY Jet WR Wesley Walker was blind in one eye. I couldn't believe it when I learned that, with the way he caught those deep balls.

Parent

Excellent, thanks, I'll show his wiki entry (none / 0) (#73)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:38:55 PM EST

to my son.

Parent

Oh, and I ought to have added (none / 0) (#76)
by Cream City on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:48:28 PM EST

re the lazy-eyed in my family, per comments above, that all played ball sports in school -- and still do, decades later.

The gift for my folks was when eyeglasses no longer were made of glass but of plastic. Lots of boys in my family, all in glasses early (even if lacking the lazy eye), meant a lot of costs for replacing glasses made of glass and broken in sports games.

Parent

: Thanks! (none / 0) (#82)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:54:12 PM EST

Parent

C'mon Father Time... (5.00 / 1) (#99)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:09:58 PM EST

get your arse in gear...1 hour and it's off to Woodstock. Cancelled the hotel reservations...me and the crew are going ghetto camping to keep the annual trip to Levon's on a low budget. 2 cases of Hoe-G in the trunk, and other goodies.

Hope it don't rain cuz there are no tents in ghetto camping...sleeping under the stars, maybe in a tree, wrapped in a blanket. Weather reports look good...lets get it on and Paint Our Masterpiece!

Sounds Amazing (none / 0) (#101)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:33:44 PM EST

Have a great weekend... weather looks perfect.

Parent

: Thanks Squeak... (none / 0) (#109)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:48:33 PM EST

A good time is all but assured...it's a Midnight Ramble at Levon's!
I know rock-n-roll ain't really your bag, but a Midnight Ramble in Levon's barn is quite the experience, an art lover like you would dig it I think...you should check it one day before the gift to the earth that is Levon Helm is taken to the big jam session in the sky.

Parent

Youbhave left already and (none / 0) (#124)
by ruffian on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 07:48:24 PM EST

I'm sure are already blissed out. Wish I were there!

Parent

May she never hit your garage (5.00 / 1) (#125)
by ruffian on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 07:50:12 PM EST

As I did ours. With my mom in the car.

Drive safely BTD-ette!!!

My daughter (5.00 / 1) (#127)
by Zorba on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 08:57:19 PM EST

did the same! With me in the car! LOL!

Parent

: My mom managed to take off the passenger (5.00 / 1) (#132)
by oculus on Sat Aug 28, 2010 at 01:04:33 AM EST

door going into garage.

Parent

Time to stock up (none / 0) (#1)
by jbindc on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 10:45:50 AM EST

On the antacids!

My sympathies man... (none / 0) (#2)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 10:46:52 AM EST

My 19 year old niece wasn't interested in getting her license...till she found this new boyfriend not conveniently located near mass transit, now she wants one bad. I told my bro at least he got two more years of less worry than most parents.

My daughter flunked (none / 0) (#3)
by Zorba on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 10:50:09 AM EST

her driving test twice before she finally passed (parallel parking was a problem for her). Her brother later passed his easily on the first try, and teased his sister for years about it. Best of luck to your daughter, and also to your nerves. And wait until you see how much your car insurance goes up! ;-)

: Heh (5.00 / 1) (#53)
by lilburro on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:36:43 PM EST

I think my brother failed three times (possibly four). It got really, really embarrassing. It was just sad. I couldn't make fun of him because he'd get genuinely upset.
But he passed! If someone drives by you and all you hear are the sounds of angry heavy metal drumming, that's him.

Parent

Bloomberg on Jon Stewart (none / 0) (#6)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:01:37 AM EST

Once again really articulate about the Islamic downtown community center. Interesting that he said, were he up for election he would have been even more emphatic about his support for the Community center.

hmmmmm, got to wonder about that... but it sure would be pandering to the likes of me.

All about politics (November elections)

: saw that (none / 0) (#8)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:02:38 AM EST

I think the guy is seriously considering 2012

Parent

for me (none / 0) (#7)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:01:52 AM EST

any discussion of "the right kind of tolerance" has to include the folly of tolerating intolerance. IMO many on the left end up being apologists for some of the most vile practices on earth under the guise of tolerance.
and I am not just talking about Islam.

It's kind of a fine line... (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:13:01 AM EST

Obviously I don't respect certain cultures and societies that have no respect for basic individual rights and human dignity, and if it was up to me I'd refuse to let America be party to it in any way/shape/form....but I also firmly believe in the right of self-determination and self-governance for all people.

iow, I don't know if I believe in forcing other societies and cultures to live how we think they should live...all we can do is ostracize those socities and cultures that wanna live dirty.

Parent

I am not (none / 0) (#13)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:14:31 AM EST

talking about forcing anyone to do anything. simply about calling it what it is.

Parent

Then I'm right there with ya... (none / 0) (#20)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:29:30 AM EST

I really don't see many on the so-called "left" that excuse such human rights abuse by other cultures/socities...in fact I see more excusing of our human rights abuses. But whatever.

Parent

that is exactly (none / 0) (#22)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:31:41 AM EST

one of the things I mean

Parent

Clarify... (none / 0) (#32)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:49:21 AM EST

por favor.

Is it somehow wrong to focus primarily on the human rights travesties you yourself are party too?

Parent

: not at all (none / 0) (#34)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:51:32 AM EST

I meant I completely agree with this

in fact I see more excusing of our human rights abuses.
maybe not necessarily more but its there

Parent

having said that (none / 0) (#23)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:33:43 AM EST

if you dont see some excusing human rights abuse by other cultures/societies you have not been paying enough attention. IMO

Parent

: Quite possibly... (none / 0) (#25)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:36:20 AM EST

I could see myself not paying much attention to such drivel.

Parent

I kinda shrug my shoulders... (none / 0) (#54)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:40:07 PM EST

too, not because I don't care or can tolerate stoning and mutilation and assorted evil...but because I don't know wtf to do about it without making things worse for those that suffer...like occupying their countries or killing 'em to save 'em.

Outside of offering asylum in our society to victims of severe human rights abuse, and donating to human rights groups who work to help the victims, and of course make noise and complain...but what else can you do but shrug and hope that the good eggs in those societies are successful in improving their societies?

Parent

: I gotcha Dalton... (5.00 / 1) (#65)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:13:46 PM EST

There is a difference in shrugs, but I think the two can be easily confused.
My "not knowing wtf to do" shrug has been accused of being indifferent...maybe that's another of those fine lines:)

Parent

Kid with driver's license. (none / 0) (#12)
by Dr Molly on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:13:52 AM EST

I know it's scary. But it's also liberating. The good part: After she gets her license, you can order her around to run errands for you - like going to the grocery store, etc - and she'll do it willingly for a while because driving is novel.

After each of my 4 kids passed their tests (5.00 / 2) (#46)
by byteb on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:12:12 PM EST

and got their licenses, they'd happily do any errand for me as long as it involved driving. Sadly, that window of opportunity quickly passed but it was lovely.
I also never slept quite as deeply as I did in the pre-license days...until I heard the rumble of the engine in my driveway and the front door slam, I was always in some sort of alert mode.

Parent

It marks a greater change (none / 0) (#21)
by MKS on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:29:46 AM EST

than almost anything else....

No more rides, ride-sharing, picking up kids and friends from the movies....

And they fly away quite quickly.....Where did they go?

Parent

: Way too quickly. (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by Dr Molly on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:38:18 AM EST

Equal parts pride/happiness at seeing their independent lives take shape and at seeing how happy they are ... and then devastation at the loss.

Parent

Left/center coalition rally to support President? (none / 0) (#24)
by bwtoppel on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:35:47 AM EST

I'm disgusted that Glenn Beck is trying to co-opt MLK day. Is there anything planned by the reasonable people of this nation to show support for our president, the constitution (Muslims' right of religious freedom and people of color's right of privacy -not to have to show citizenship papers on demand because of their appearance)?

Let's call it Honoring Truth and Justice

I am not a fan of everything the President has done, but I consider him a man of honor, unlike Beck.

I think most people (none / 0) (#27)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:42:13 AM EST

including most black groups decided it would only give him more press attention.

personally I think this may, finally, be the thing that starts some of Becks followers to recoil.
several have already dropped out. most sane republicans are not happy about this.

I think the coverage of Beck replacing I Have A Dream with Welcome To My Nightmare will be a bridge to far for many.

Parent

Weclome To My Nightmare (none / 0) (#29)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:45:31 AM EST

Nice. I'm gonna steal that from you unless you stole it from someone else.

Parent

I made it up (none / 0) (#31)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:49:11 AM EST

its yours

Parent

: Done (none / 0) (#40)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:57:57 AM EST

Now stolen.

Parent

Beck's grandiose and messianic (none / 0) (#36)
by MKS on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:51:52 AM EST

delusions are becoming more and more bizarre....

With a Republican rout in November, Beck will fade....

Parent

I am used to being (none / 0) (#37)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:55:07 AM EST

the odd man out but I am just not buying the republican rout.

this morning on Joe it was 50 maybe 60 seats.

bullsh!t. I dont buy it.

I still say we will keep both houses.
(with right reserved to revise and extend where appropriate)

Parent

for example (none / 0) (#42)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:59:09 AM EST

one of the arguments on Joe this morning was that, well, the democrats may have tons of money but what do the have to sell?

point. missed.

they will not be selling. they will be educating people as to exactly WHO these people are who will be running the congress if they elect republicans.
and baby, do they have a case to make.

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They've had 20 months (none / 0) (#50)
by jbindc on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:16:35 PM EST

Haven't sold people yet - but they certainly have helped increase the size of the Tea Party.

Great job, Dems.

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: get out yer (none / 0) (#69)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:24:43 PM EST

slickers. its gonna be an ugly fall.

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Al Sharpton (none / 0) (#38)
by jbindc on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:55:26 AM EST

Is having a rally at the same time that will end up on the Mall near the MLK Monument construction site.

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Interesting point of view (none / 0) (#45)
by bwtoppel on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:09:13 PM EST

But I'm not connecting the dots. Beck has been an outrageously weird persona, why wouldn't something like this make him seem more legitimate?

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I think the Rev Al (none / 0) (#35)
by brodie on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:51:44 AM EST

Sharpton will be holding a Reclaim the Dream march to the King Memorial at the same time as the Beck rally.

Supposedly the NAACP and a few other non-wacko groups are co-sponsoring. Read somewhere that cable's Ed Schultz will also appear.

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I thought they (none / 0) (#39)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:55:47 AM EST

were but changed their minds. could be wrong.

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I think Sharpton's (none / 0) (#48)
by brodie on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:13:23 PM EST

march is still on, from a check of latest news items.

Would be a bit of a news story if he decided to cancel.

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I am sure he has (none / 0) (#68)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:24:05 PM EST

good intentions but I wish he was not doing this.
partly because he is Al Sharpton.

he should let this event stand on its own. he will be a distraction.

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I automatically distrust Sharpton's (5.00 / 1) (#77)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:48:51 PM EST

"intentions."

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you and many other (none / 0) (#85)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:56:44 PM EST

people. that is exactly my point. I used to feel the same way. I was in NY for Tawana. but I think he has redeemed himself. at least for me.

but you make my point exactly.

he will be a distraction.
I am sure I am not the only one who wishes he would stay home.

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Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) would (none / 0) (#86)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:04:20 PM EST

be a good point person, should he choose to do so.

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sure (none / 0) (#93)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:15:57 PM EST

do you know who is showing up for Al?
I would be a little surprised if Lewis does based on what I had read about how most activists of his stature sort of thought this was below contempt or recognition

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I did not even know The Rev. Al was in (none / 0) (#103)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:36:58 PM EST

the picture on this. Waaay behind. Too much chamber music!

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chamber music (none / 0) (#105)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:41:04 PM EST

been listening to this all day.

what a great idea.

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I should know better than to click (none / 0) (#108)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:46:31 PM EST

on links in your comments! Awwwwwk!!!!!

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: heh (none / 0) (#110)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:49:02 PM EST

made you look

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Auto Insurance Tip For Parents (none / 0) (#30)
by Saul on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:47:21 AM EST

I live in Texas so I am talking only about the Texas auto contract. Could be true with other states. Most parents immediately add their children to their auto policy as soon as they get their driver's license. Unfortunately adding them makes your premiums skyrocket. It is not necessary to add them if you read the contract. It basically says under definitions who is an insured. It states any family member of your household is an automatic insured under the parents policy. They even describe that family member is any person related to you by blood, marriage or adoption. So your children are automatic insured under the parents policy but if you go out of your way to add them to your insurance then the insurance companies love you since they now have the power to increase your premium

A child starting to drive will have an accident sooner or later. Once the accident happens and your report it to your insurance company that is when you are notifying your insurance company that one of your children was driving.

So why go out of your way to alert the insurance company that your child is now driving when you don't have to legally. You will save big bucks.

I did not add my daughter until 4 years later after she received her drivers license. Saved a lot of money. Then one day she had an at fault accident. She was insured since she was by definition a family member. From that day on the insurance company had the right to increase our premium because of her age but fortunately that increase only lasted for one year since at 25 years old females fall under the regular premium rates just like the parents.

Thanks. Makes sense too, (none / 0) (#47)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:13:08 PM EST

since it's auto insurance and not driver insurance. The ins. is on the auto, pretty much no matter who is driving it.

My parents were happy to find that out the night when I was 14 and snuck the brand new family car out of the garage and snuffed it into a safety barrier at about 50 mph...

Parent

: An adult daughter who has her car (none / 0) (#104)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:38:41 PM EST

insured by the same insurer I do, made too short a turn in a poorly-designed parking structure. My car, which I was not in. Still went on my insurance--not hers. Insurance company wanted to know if there was any property damage--to the wall!

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I did this with my daughter (none / 0) (#94)
by PatHat on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:37:45 PM EST

and when the inevitable accident occurred, the insurance company tried to charge me for the premiums they said I should have paid since she got her license.

I ignored their letters and switched insurance companies. Haven't heard from them again.

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I wish I'd read this comment (none / 0) (#107)
by ZtoA on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:45:42 PM EST

5 years ago. Good advice. Several of my teenage daughter's accidents were tiny scrapes. One not so tiny when she claimed that the house had run into the car and scraped the whole side.

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If you liked salmonella (none / 0) (#41)
by Zorba on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 11:57:58 AM EST

in eggs, then you'll love typhoid in frozen fruit bars. (Yes, that's a snark.)
Link

For (none / 0) (#49)
by CoralGables on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:16:10 PM EST

another example of a principal without a clue, google Nettleton Middle School and see the classy way they set up class elections.

Or if you prefer, just check out the MEMO

: Yes (none / 0) (#59)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:51:41 PM EST

It is called: looking for a civil rights lawsuit... Amazing, in this day and age that such blatant racism exists... not..
What are these people thinking... sheesh

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Remember 1997!!! (none / 0) (#58)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 12:51:25 PM EST

Calling on the sovereign nations within NY State to tell Gov. Paterson he should be afraid, and tell him to stick his obscene cigarette taxes straight up his arse...give this bullsh*t state hell come Monday, shut the Thruway down again if you have to...tyrannized smokers are with ya!

You are a lone voice crying in the (5.00 / 1) (#79)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:50:27 PM EST

wilderness.

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Addicts (none / 0) (#84)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 01:56:13 PM EST

Love their cancer sticks.... and it is an extremely profitable business selling them, because they are crafted to be as addictive as chemically possible.

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This addict still loves 'em... (5.00 / 1) (#88)
by kdog on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:06:10 PM EST

and loves the nations don't wanna put me in the poor house over it...the state gets no love, and why should they...they got no love for my people. In fact I don't think we're seen as people, we're seen as a dollar sign to be exploited.

But I'm not alone Oc...you should see the line of cars driven by whitey going in and out of the rez on payday...what is it, 1 out of 3 or 4 packs sold in the state is now sold by the tribes?

There's alotta people hopin' the Gov loses this war he and Bloomberg started...does that make me and mine Benedict Arnolds? I can live with that...it's a badge of honor to side with the nations my nation has declared another war on...a war of greed.

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: I despise "sin taxes." (5.00 / 1) (#95)
by jeffinalabama on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:40:58 PM EST

Smoked for more than 20 years. Led runs in the armt with a cigar or cigarette dangling. I finally quit and began to eat.
Took up snuff, but still eat... I love the effects of nicotine, caffiene, and alcohol. Heck, I still love the idea of a HALO jump, or flying a helicopter, but BP and other things preclude them. I won't live as long as some folks, but that's okay too. I pay a surcharge on my health insurance for being a tobacco user. I voted against making obese people pay a similar surcharge, even though I'm losing weight... change of diet worked for me, but for many, not so much. Besides, do we want a bunch of look-alike clones?
So. Taxes on cigs and alcohol on the rez? well, let me see. Give some of the income for property and mineral rights from expropriated lands to the rez before you mess with the cigarettes. I lived close enough to the Salt River reservation near Phoenix that I would buy cigs I ran out, and close enough to the 7-11 to walk for beer.
In the Army, I paid 4.65 for a carton of "Menthol Light Cigarettes." Green printing on white paper. Since I was a 3-4 pack a day smoker, we're talking 2 -3 cartons a week.
I don't mind laws restricting where one can smoke, but taxing smoking out of existence isn't gonna happen. That nicotine alkalai is just too freaking feelgood for some folks, me included. No more smoking, but still chewing/dipping.
Vice is only vice to those who don't like it. I just never developed into a fan of the puritans or the pilgrims.

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: Quite eloquent. (none / 0) (#89)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:11:29 PM EST

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Protect the "Family Farm" (none / 0) (#97)
by KeysDan on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 02:50:47 PM EST

and the values of the heartland! According to an NYT article, the DeCoster family, who runs Wright County Egg, was declared by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources a "habitual violator", a distinction of sorts in that this was the first and only operation ever to be deemed as such in Iowa. And, more than $1.5 million was paid as part of a settlement with eleven female workers, most of them Mexican, at the egg plant over sexual harassment and sexual assault, including rape by supervisors.

The hens are not allowed to grow grass under their feet, for they are stacked in cages wherein eggs plop forth onto a conveyor belt which takes them for washing and ultimately, placement into their rightful place in a carton. It seems, however, that these savvy businessmen need to learn the difference between salmon and salmonella. But as a company county, many locals want to keep it all "hush hush"; no clucking on about it, and maybe it will go away.

: The DeCosters have been (none / 0) (#102)
by Cream City on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 03:34:01 PM EST

on my @##$!list for a long time, as I happen to know the EEOC litigator who won the case on behalf of those Mexicanas. So I know some more of the details than have been in the media, and they are horrifying. However, even so, many more details were not shared . . . but the litigator who did have to hear them was driven, believe me, by an incredible determination to win for some sort of vindication for the women and their families.
That the DeCosters would care so little about the consumers of this country, either, comes as no surprise.

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: Well, apparently, (none / 0) (#129)
by desertswine on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 10:41:01 PM EST

they're feeding their chickens sh!t.

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CWS claim Manny off waivers. (none / 0) (#113)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 04:04:25 PM EST

: The CWS (5.00 / 1) (#118)
by CoralGables on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 04:31:51 PM EST

could soon have three DH's and one crazy manager

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John Cusack Will Be Edgar Allen Poe (none / 0) (#119)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 05:01:35 PM EST

great choice I think

Wachowski siblings (Matrix)protege and V For Vendetta director James McTeigue has been planning to direct The Raven for the past year, and at one point had Jeremy Renner and Ewan McGregor both in talks for roles (perhaps the same role?) in the film. We don't know what happened with Mcgregor, while Renner is obviously going to be quite busy, between The Avengers, Mission: Impossible 4 (we'll keep using that title for now) and possibly Paul Thomas Anderson's project The Master.

: I always thought (none / 0) (#120)
by jondee on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 05:11:01 PM EST

Sean Penn looked quite a bit like Poe. Cusack is very good, though. This is what? A remake of the Vincent Price Raven?

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Water coming out of bottom of washer. (none / 0) (#123)
by oculus on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 05:47:15 PM EST

Diagnostic visit: $129. Diagnosis: long crack in tub. Need new washer!!!!!!!!!

Downstairs Neighbor? (none / 0) (#126)
by squeaky on Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 07:53:14 PM EST

Hope not....

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: No. On cement slab in garage. (none / 0) (#131)
by oculus on Sat Aug 28, 2010 at 01:03:19 AM EST

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Friday Morning Open Thread | 127 comments (127 topical)

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