Friday Afternoon Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 01:31:22 PM EST
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Who knew Anonymous' Barrett Brown had a sense of humor? His latest tweet:

Now my weed dealer won't come by because he's afraid of the damned Zetas. #OpCartel

Maybe he read my post calling him the latest drug war recruit and wants to assure people it's not true.

Congrats to Glenn Greenwald, whose new book, Liberty and Justice for Some, is now at #25 of the NY Times Bestseller List for Hardocover NonFiction.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Friday Afternoon Open Thread | 60 comments (60 topical)

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Wall Street reforms, (5.00 / 2) (#12)
by KeysDan on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:11:14 PM EST

lessons learned: keep regulators occupied. Months before MF Global (MF) was known to be on the brink, federal regulators tried to rein in the types of risky trades leading to the demise of the firm. Jon Corzine, the CEO of MF, well-conected to the Obama administration, personally pressed the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to stop plans for new regulations and the CFTC yielded to Corzine's superior knowledge and expertise.

MF told regulators, rather unimaginatively, that they were trying to "fix something that is not broken," adding that the firm was not aware of any firm that was unable to provide to their customers upon request any segregated funds. Perhaps the clinching argument was MF's assurances to the federal regulators that the proposed rule could cripple the futures brokerage industry by hurting their profitability. Meanwhile, MF is now in bankruptcy and the CFTC is hunting for $630 million in missing customer funds.

Well, and did you see (5.00 / 2) (#22)
by Militarytracy on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 05:44:58 PM EST

Larry Summers explain that the housing market is damaging our ability to recover? Sheer brilliance, who else could have noticed that had something to do with it. But I didn't really get the cure out of his words though his title claimed they were in there somewhere. They were in there along with the command to watch the watch swing back and forth while Larry kept repeating, "must not return to regulation, the confidence fairy dies....must not return to regulation, the confidence fairy dies".

I be so tired of my President and his insane in the membrane BFF.

Parent

"Wall Street owns the country.... Money rules (5.00 / 4) (#30)
by MO Blue on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 06:59:20 PM EST

....John Boehner calls on the bankers, holds out his cup and offers them total obeisance from the House majority if only they fill it. Barack Obama criticizes bankers as "fat cats," then invites them to dine at a pricey New York restaurant where the tasting menu runs to $195 a person.
That's now the norm, and they get away with it. The president has raised more money from employees of banks, hedge funds and private equity managers than any Republican candidate, including Mitt Romney. Inch by inch he has conceded ground to them while espousing populist rhetoric that his very actions betray.
Let's name this for what it is: hypocrisy made worse, the further perversion of democracy. Our politicians are little more than money launderers in the trafficking of power and policy--fewer than six degrees of separation from the spirit and tactics of Tony Soprano. link

Parent

: "and the banks-- (5.00 / 2) (#32)
by KeysDan on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 07:25:38 PM EST

hard to believe in a time when we're facing a banking crisis that many banks created--are still the most powerful lobby. And they frankly own the place." Senator Richard Durbin (D. Il) 4/29/09. But that was then and this is now, right?

Parent
: Charles Pierce the other day... (5.00 / 3) (#34)
by Edger on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 07:52:38 PM EST

First, Barack Obama hires the rancid flotsam of Wall Street to command the economic team tasked with salvaging the nation from what the equally rancid jetsam of Wall Street had done to it.
[snip]
Why Barack Obama chose to exhume this fossil and empower him again will baffle historians down through the ages.
[snip]
Barack Obama owns that report. It was his commission. In sum, the path to a complete sellout of Democratic values was there, if people wanted to follow it.
[snip]
Oh, holy mother of god, what a crock these people are. In the middle of the worst recession since the 1930's, with the country being told to accept nine-percent unemployment for the foreseeable future, and income inequality swamping the middle class, the responsible point of view among the leaders of both political parties is to "reform entitlements" until what's left is sticks and splinters because then, and only then, will the delicate, blessed "Markets" feel goody-good-good about themselves again. We are all Dow Jones. This kind of thing should end your political viability on the spot. It should get you deluged with produce every time you set foot out of your house. It should mark you lousy.
[snip]
If the Democrats sign on to a "Grand Bargain" like this one, there simply is no argument any more for their continued existence as a political party.
-- The Big Sellout

Parent

Something for Obama to Mullah over? (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by Edger on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 06:00:08 PM EST

Taliban leader Mullah Omar called on his fighters to avoid killing civilians in a statement posted Friday on the Afghanistan hardline Islamists' website, SITE Intelligence reported.
The US monitoring group said Omar "stressed that his fighters must maintain good relations with civilians and to avoid any action that may possibly harm them, and in turn, the people must also take measures to keep themselves safe from attacks."

-- `Don't kill civilians,' Taliban leader tells fighters

Walked through Civic Center plaza here (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by oculus on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 06:07:25 PM EST

today. Estimated 50 sworn city police officers on the perimeter, all wearing yellow slickers. 3 people in slickers inside the plaza next to a couple of U.S. flags fastened to rails by the steps. So I asked, are you here because of those three people? Yes. So they won't pitch tents? Yes, and for other reasons; plus, there are usually more occupiers--it's the weather. Are you all sworn officers? (Thought might be vol. citizen law enforcement.) Yes. Are there usually this many of you here? Yes, and sometimes more.

On my return trip I saw more (maybe 50 occupiers alongside Civic Theatre (not in the actual plaza). They had tarps and plastic sheeting. (Rainy day--very unusual here.)

So I asked an officer if they had to take the tarps, etc. down at night. He sd. I guess we're letting them keep up the tarps--for now. At this point I noticed the law enforcement presence was greatly reduced. Maybe I hit shift change.

It is pretty nasty for here. And moi (none / 0) (#36)
by oculus on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 07:58:19 PM EST

is driving back downtown to hear symphony concert: both Liszt piano concerti on one program.

Parent

How bad... (none / 0) (#40)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 08:35:03 PM EST

are your Wolverines going to beat us tomorrow? I'm thinking 3 touchdowns.

Parent

I didn't realize ISU beat Iowa. So three (none / 0) (#50)
by oculus on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 12:56:37 AM EST

touchdowns sounds about right. But what do I know? Nothing. Heck, I didn't know til today Tebow has a beard!

Parent

The Cyclones--mah. (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 11:06:00 AM EST

Losing to little brother in Ames isn't bad--its their bowl game, so they always get pumped up for that game. Now, losing to Minnesota and subjecting Floyd of Rosedale to another year of being forced to eat lutefisk and paraded around at all the county fairs and parades like a common war criminal--that's bad.

They better be very angry today. They're rolling out the red, white and blue Tiger Hawk on the helmet today. Plus, it is at Kinnick and they're a different team there.

Beware the angry birds! I'm hoping for an upset as a birthday present.

Brian Wilson of the Giants has a beard. Tebust has peach fuzz...

Go Hawks!

Parent

: Wilson looks like an Old Testament (none / 0) (#61)
by oculus on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 11:48:19 AM EST

prophet.

Parent

How is your friend doing? (none / 0) (#37)
by oculus on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 07:59:52 PM EST

Parent

: Fortunately California is moving ahead (5.00 / 2) (#39)
by oculus on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 08:16:33 PM EST

re stem cells. Hope all goes well.

Parent
: Thank you for updating (5.00 / 1) (#44)
by Towanda on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 09:23:31 PM EST

as I also have hoped to hear good news.
And this is good as it gets for now -- there is something to be tried. I have a friend who was given only a few months, with a brain cancer diagnosis, and he went into stem-cell tests and other stuff of some sort at a good teaching hospital.
That was years ago. He has seen his son graduate from high school, and the way it's going, he'll see him get to and through another graduation, too.

Parent
: Very good news (none / 0) (#43)
by Militarytracy on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 09:01:07 PM EST

Parent

If wines can have bad years (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by Towanda on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 09:29:42 PM EST

then so can we, I guess?

Pretty Flippant... (none / 0) (#1)
by ScottW714 on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 02:33:07 PM EST

...for someone who hold lives in his hands/computer.

I bet there are plenty of souls not finding the humor in his tweet.

Exposing these people is similar, but not the same as exposing anyone, be it a spy, or informant, or associates of a Cartel. He's knowingly putting people in harms way. To me is simply playing their game, which is not for the squeamish.

He played chicken and lost, actually posting the names will only guarantee their member's death and many more. I would imagine he's trying to figure out how to back down without appearing weak. Which doesn't seem plausible at this point.

If the Cartels were so easily dissuaded they wouldn't be as powerful as they are. I never really understood the whole threat, they leave human heads on the streets, this isn't Scarface where they prefer to remain anonymous, they want exposure. Ditto for their advisories, dead people scare live people more than any threat.

That being said, who is going to stand up to these clowns, in my mind there is only one way to break their backs, and we are no where near legalization of cocaine and opium. Weed, somewhat closer, but that isn't their bread and butter. Seems like sooner than later, they are going to control the State and then what, an actual war ? We better hope and pray the Cartels never decide to make peace with each other...

I'm confused by your comment (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 02:49:45 PM EST

didn't Anon threaten to publish names unless the Zetas released some captives? And didn't the Zetas then release those captives? Sounds to me like Anon played chicken and won...

Parent

: That's what I thought, too (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by sj on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:19:13 PM EST

Of course I could be missing something, but I don't think so...

Parent
: I Did Not Know Anyone Was Released (none / 0) (#7)
by ScottW714 on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:31:14 PM EST

Hmmm, scratch the comment.

Parent

I don't know man... (none / 0) (#3)
by kdog on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:18:32 PM EST

in a sense I guess Anonymous or just this guy might be if they exposed double-agents/informants.etc., but I think I side more with Police & Thieves putting people in harm's way, and people putting themselves in harm's way dealing with the law and/or the cartels...though I understand they sometimes do so at the barrel of a gun.

It's a toughie...

Parent

Any Kindle owner (none / 0) (#5)
by sj on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:25:08 PM EST

that has used the Kindle version of TalkLeft?

Not a total non sequitur. I thought about when I pre-ordered the Kindle version of Glen's book.

Also, yes I know about Amazon's treatment of employees this summer, but the Kindle edition doesn't factor in to that, right?

Love my Kindle & thinking about the Fire (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by lynnerkat on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 07:46:59 PM EST

I get Talk Left, FDL and a few other blogs on mt Kindle. I can't figure out how to get to the comments tho- Nice to be able to read it at work when it's blocked by the company I work for.

Parent

My d-i-l just got the Kindle Fire (none / 0) (#45)
by Towanda on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 09:27:28 PM EST

for a gift, as she has to travel a lot and reads a lot. So I'm watching, asthe Fire seems to have what I have been wanting in many ways -- but books still cost so much, for fast readers like me.

So I'm also watching the Kindle libraries evolve. Amazon just announced its Kindle library service -- but it's by subscription at $80 per year for only one book a month. Forget it.

Parent

: Really can't beat the public library. (5.00 / 2) (#49)
by oculus on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 12:45:02 AM EST

Parent

we need a TL (none / 0) (#6)
by CST on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:27:51 PM EST

nerd to write an "app" for it.

Android of course. Free too :)

Any programmers with free time avid TL readers???

Parent

App? (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by kdog on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:33:38 PM EST

F*ck that, we need a print edition, other than me printing out a Jeralyn or BTD long post & links to read away from a radiation source.

You computer geeks and your toys...I love ya but you guys scare me. Long live quasi-Luddites:)

Parent

at least i still read real books (5.00 / 2) (#11)
by CST on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:01:34 PM EST

unlike some commenters with their fancy kindle-doo-hickeys.

Although I'm starting to see a trend here. Both of my parents have now made the kindle/ipad switch. Neither one of them has a smart phone.

If TL were a print edition we would never see your lovely comments. There is something special about going on a blog complaining about "computer geeks" :)

Parent

LOL! (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Zorba on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:28:07 PM EST

For both you, CST, and kdog!

BTW, Mr. Zorba, who may be more of a Luddite than I am, was just given an iPhone from his work (they decided that it was time to upgrade his cellphone, which he used seldom, if ever). He has become fascinated with the iPhone, playing with it a whole lot. Oh, no! He's gone over to the Dark Side! ;-)

(I still have a "stupid phone," though.)

Parent

: my mother's (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by CST on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:35:44 PM EST

ipad also came from work. Her boss decided that she needed one to keep up with all the email, etc... on the go, and a phone is just too small for her "advanced" eyes.
Of course, she also happens to be the boss ;)

Parent

Well played... (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by kdog on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 05:23:45 PM EST

the internet truly arrived when even quasi-luddites got down. And I must admit the youtube jukebox is pretty nifty.

And I've discovered with some fellow degens that friendly gambling on actor credit over/unders on imdb is a hoot.

If not for Talkleft though, I could kick easy.

Parent

it's only 99 cents (none / 0) (#19)
by Jeralyn on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:58:51 PM EST

for the Kindle subscription to TalkLeft. I wonder if it lets you comment?

I don't know how to make a mobile version of TalkLeft. And it would cost me too much money to hire someone to do it. It's not as simple as if TL were on wordpress. Maybe someone with that know-how would volunteer to do it, but I'm not sure we have many techies here.

Parent

: Jeralyn, you can apparently make (none / 0) (#24)
by Edger on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 05:55:29 PM EST

mobile apps of Talkleft with Conduit, free. I've been thinking of doing it for my site, but my list of things to do keeps getting longer and longer... ;-)

Parent
: andgarden advised me to set up (none / 0) (#26)
by oculus on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 06:01:28 PM EST

TalkLeft RSS to my Blackberry. Works great and, yes, if I open the diary, I can read all the comments and add my 2 cents worth.

Parent
: Do you get a portion of that? (none / 0) (#62)
by sj on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 04:02:11 PM EST

I'd feel much better about the monthly subscription if you get a residual. I don't know about commenting there -- I've already rubbed off some of the letters on the keypad due to word games. (I love word scrambles)

Parent

I don't know if any of you follow (none / 0) (#8)
by Anne on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:32:23 PM EST

the American Extremists comics at Vast Left's place, but, seriuosly, the guy just nails the issues in three or four short lines.

Here's a link to the website, along with a link to the archive where you can scroll from the most current one, back to previous ones.

You won't be disappointed.

Anne, thanks so much for putting in a good word... (5.00 / 2) (#52)
by vastleft on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 06:11:25 AM EST

... about my talking-heads comic strip!

Parent

It was my pleasure, vast - (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by Anne on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 09:58:15 AM EST

can't tell you how excited I was for you to see American Extemists appear in Glenn Greenwald's posts, and to see you officially on his blogroll.

I continue to be impressed by how, on a daily basis, you can express so much substance in such a succinct way.

Parent

: I made it especially difficult by... (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by vastleft on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 10:22:29 AM EST

... choosing such a big, chunky font. So, concision is indeed a huge challenge.
On the other hand, using the same graphic day after day has a certain efficiency to it. :)
On the third hand, coming up with a unique title for each day's strip turns out to be fairly time-consuming. Probably not time well spent, because with nearly 150 strips posted so far, I don't think anyone's said a peep yea or nay about the titles. I think my personal favorite title was "Hegelian vs. Predator."

Parent

Thanks (none / 0) (#10)
by sj on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 03:59:48 PM EST

Plus it led me to this lovely little essay from Ian Welsh:

What passes for smart on the Greek Debt Crisis

Parent

I am of two minds (5.00 / 3) (#17)
by Zorba on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:49:05 PM EST

about the situation in Greece. On the one hand, the government is and has been enormously corrupt and complicit, and the banks have been hugely predatory- no question about it. And they are definitely asking the Greek people to take the major hit, as opposed to the big banks. I'm also thinking that, would it be so bad if the Greeks went back to the drachma, defaulted like Iceland, and went their own way? On the other hand, I happen to know, from friends and relatives in Greece, that it has long been a major Greek "thing" to avoid paying their taxes- that's always been a huge problem in Greece. They want the benefits, but they don't want to pay for them. So I don't know the answer. I suspect that the best answer for the people of Greece, ultimately, is to default, exit the Eurozone, tighten their belts for a bit, but then they also need to start paying their taxes, in a fair-minded system. And they need to elect a government that is even-handed and not corrupt.

Parent

: Kinda (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by Amiss on Sat Nov 05, 2011 at 12:31:03 AM EST

reminds me of our gov't and the way we are being done.

Parent

Sometimes You Can't Win (none / 0) (#14)
by AngryBlackGuy on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:30:30 PM EST

From early reports of Bill Clinton's book:

"Clinton also suggests, obliquely, that Obama's criticism of Wall Street has been too harsh and counterproductive. The 42nd president periodically surfaces with cheerful tips on how he managed the economy and offers these observations in his book entitled "Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy." The Washington Post obtained a copy of the book prior to its publication."

Not to worry (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by Militarytracy on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 05:47:54 PM EST

According to International Business Times all that criticism was bull$hit....and Jon Corzine could be relied upon to "communicate" to the Street how the President really feels about all of them....all warm and fuzzy.

Parent

So (none / 0) (#16)
by sj on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:38:09 PM EST

Are you transferring your fixation from Obama to Clinton?

Parent

This is fun! (none / 0) (#18)
by jbindc on Fri Nov 04, 2011 at 04:57:29 PM EST

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