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Saturday Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section
Posted on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 06:28:53 PM EST
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Open Thread.

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    Saturday Open Thread | 27 comments (27 topical)

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    Reading Annie Proulx's 2010 memoir (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by oculus on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 07:01:57 PM EST
    "Bird Cloud."  She describes having a home built in Wyoming on land acquired from Nature Conservancy.  Such a fine writer.  Makes me wish I could see the house.  NYT reviewer did not enjoy this book but I am.  

    Here are the description and photos from (none / 0) (#2)
    by oculus on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 07:22:09 PM EST
    realtor's listing of "Bird Cloud Ranch":  link

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    Mick Jagger Grammy rehearsal footage (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Dadler on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 07:41:04 PM EST
    Very cool. My sister's beau is the tenor sax player in Rafael Saadiq's band -- he's the guy with the dreads in the background.  Sis was very proud of her man.

    His name is Scott Mayo, here's a LINK to his site.

     

    That was good (none / 0) (#11)
    by ruffian on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 09:28:16 PM EST
    I never did see the performance but I think I prefer the less glamorous  rehearsal  version anyway.

    I'll have to look up more music from Saadiq's band. seems like something imwould like.

    Parent

    Krugman Wrong Again on Defense Budget (none / 0) (#3)
    by Dan the Man on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 07:31:09 PM EST
    I always find it amusing to listen to Krugman's comments on defense budget spending because they're almost always wrong.  Recently, Krugman has been saying "defense spending" would make up "3.4% of GDP by 2016".  Well, I'm not a fortune teller and can't guess 5 years in to the future, but I do know what the figures are for 2011.

    According to wikipedia, for 2011, the "projected gross domestic product is listed at $15.3 trillion" while it projected in 2011 there will be "$928.5 billion in defense spending".  Doing division (ie 928.5 billion divided by 15.3 trillion), I get the figure that defense spending makes up 6.07% of gdp in 2011.  Where does Krugman get his numbers from?  And I'm not even counting the intelligence budget which is also used for military purposes.

    Dan the Man (1.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Dan the Man on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 09:10:55 PM EST

    should cerainly hope that Dr. Krugman has sense enough to not cite Wikipedia as his source.

    Eh?  Wikipedia actually cites its sources in something called footnotes.  If you went to college, you might actually know a footnote is.  In this case, the footnote pointed to this website.  The website even gives details of the defense spending if you click on the plus sign.  If you went to elementary school, you might actually know what a plus sign is.


    And with all due respect, you are misquoting a Nobel Prize laureate.

    Oh, OK.  Then let me rephrase what I say then.  I will no longer say "Recently, Krugman has been saying 'defense spending' would make up '3.4% of GDP by 2016'."

    Instead I will now say:

    Krugman has been quoting approvingly the "current Obama budget calls" that "defense spending [will be] of 3.4% of GDP by 2016".  But for 2011, the "projected gross domestic product is listed at $15.3 trillion" while it projected in 2011 there will be "$928.5 billion in defense spending".  Doing division (ie 928.5 billion divided by 15.3 trillion), I get the figure that defense spending makes up 6.07% of gdp in 2011.

    Is that better then?


    Given your obvious disdain for Paul Krugman,

    Actually, I was expressing disdain for what Paul Krugman wrote, not himself.  It's actually very easy to do one but not the other.  You might not be one of those people who can do that though.

    Parent

    Well, Congress is pulling the plug (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 07:34:45 PM EST
    on the "extra engine."

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    Look at you guys (none / 0) (#20)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 10:16:53 AM EST
    Come a goring my ox :)

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    So you think we need the "extra engine"? (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 10:43:03 AM EST


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    If you guys cut the engine (none / 0) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 01:44:14 PM EST
    What are gonna cut next? Sirens going off....flashing lights :)

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    According the the IRS (none / 0) (#14)
    by ScottW714 on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 10:28:53 PM EST
    There is a pie chart 1040 instructional packet.  

    For 2009:

    National defense, veterans, and foreign affairs is 22%, of outlays.

    And personal income taxes are 26% of income.

    Of the 22%, no way foreign affairs and veterans get the same funds as national defense.  Plus the veterans is a direct product of defense, and IMO should be included with the defense numbers.  Even 1:4 would surprise me.  Unlike budget accounting shell games, nothing is left out.

    My guess, defense is 18%.

    One last note, 40% of 2009 income was deficit.  We borrowed 150% more than every single tax payer paid in personal income tax.  That is insanity.

    Wikipedia is good for non-controversial information.  Politics, no good.

    http://www.irs.gov/app/understandingTaxes/whys/thm01/les01/ac3_thm01_les01.jsp

    Parent

    That makes me sad (none / 0) (#8)
    by shoephone on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 08:57:07 PM EST
    He was also hilarious as the sketchy Russian competitor to Ryan O'Neal's musicologist in What's Up Doc.

    Yes (none / 0) (#17)
    by daring grace on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 07:49:37 AM EST
    "You're upside down..."

    That film's one of my favorite guilty pleasures as someone who's not particularly a fan of Streisand, O'Neal or Bogdanovich.

    Parent

    A few things from Wisconsin today (none / 0) (#10)
    by Towanda on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 09:25:49 PM EST
    . . . reading up on what was to be learned there today, with more than 60,000 in Madison, mostly protesters -- and not a single arrest.  About 2,000 tea partiers counter-protested, and their talkers from elsewhere primed tea partiers for Ohio, where this saga will be rerun and done in Ohio within two to three weeks.  Also, 19 states now are to have rallies in support of Wisconsin, although too late.

    As for Wisconsin, the wonderful political theater will continue for a couple of days, and there will be great pathos and pictures still to come when a huge storm hits there tomorrow into Monday, the last day before this well could be over in about 60 hours.  Then the legislature reconvenes, with the promised return of the Wisconsin 14 state Senators -- although they have bought time for caucusing in both houses to come up with amendments which will warm workers' hearts but will lose ignominiously.

    I also learned, from watching incredible video of the lower-house illegalities by Republicans there yesterday, that Democrats in Congress should be made to wear matching t-shirts to help them remember to act as a together sort of group for once -- especially when they have to rush into the chamber together to catch the Republicans already having passed Walker's bill by just meeting early, before the scheduled session was to begin.  Not that the Dems had a hard time following a minority leader who is bellowing "Unbelievable! Un-American!  An absolute outrage!
    And it was.  The newly sworn-in Repubs there are sheeple misled on their own rules by Walker and his lackeys, and they seem to feel a tad ashamed, at least those who have the reading comprehension to deduce why they're "a stain on the state."  

    Also, matching t-shirts on Dem legislators help  the crowds outside the chamber know who to high-five in the hallway afterward.  Now, the Wisconsin legislators' dayglo orange may not suit Nancy Pelosi, but it looks good on camera.  Of course, in Wisconsin, they can get good use of those t-shirts, perfect for hunting, when they grab their guns and Bibles, perfect for clinging together far from the Capitol, too.  

    And after debacle after debacle this week, I would bet that far, far away is where they wish they could be -- maybe with the political exiles from the upper house, tweeting from Illinois.

    Also, for some of the best signs, I'm fond of the one that said "I Blame Favre" -- perhaps the only one on which both pro-workers types and tea partiers could agree?  And this one by the governor's son's teacher.  And this amazing one from Cairo's square to Wisconsin's Capitol Square, one world that we are.  And we may see more great signs at the few days' left for Wisconsin as well as at those promised rallies in other states -- or perhaps Wisconsin's famous chapeau will become fashionable, as they are even in New York City now.

    There oughta be a movie of this.  Not that there will be a happy ending, at least in Wisconsin.

    Elections have consequences (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by andgarden on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 09:37:46 PM EST
    but so does unpopular legislation.

    The people will get to reevaluate their choices the November after next. I hope they will make a different decision.

    Parent

    Well, per earlier posts (none / 0) (#13)
    by Towanda on Sat Feb 19, 2011 at 10:19:23 PM EST
    if the political prognosticators on Wisconsin are correct, the voters there will have to make a different decision for governor then -- ahead of schedule, of course, as the term is far longer.  But if they're correct, Walker definitely is planning on this legislation having consequences by November after next, when we all will have to call him Senator Walker.


    Parent
    World unites to feed Wisconsin (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by caseyOR on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 02:24:26 AM EST
    protesters. This is a great story out of Madison, WI. The folks at Ian's Pizza have taken orders all night from people in 30 states and 5 different countries who are ordering and paying for pizzas to be delivered to the protesters. Orders ahve come in from Egypt.

    This is such a great idea. Feed the Revolution.


    Parent

    This is wonderful (none / 0) (#16)
    by Zorba on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 07:16:26 AM EST
    It's particularly moving that some of the people of Egypt are supporting the protesters in Wisconsin.  BTW, did you see this picture, casey?

    Parent
    Paging MilitaryTracy... (none / 0) (#18)
    by jeffinalabama on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 08:21:37 AM EST
    working on obedience training. Is there any specific method you've used that you prefer? Working with the poodle and the bully boy mix. Both are intelligent... bully boy is neutered 3 yrs old, poodle is 8 months.

    Feel free to chime in anyone-- I'm trying all positive reinforcement. Some of the older ways I learned years ago are not in vogue.

    I know longer think of treats as cheating (none / 0) (#22)
    by ruffian on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 12:56:57 PM EST
    Pavlovian creatures that they are, mine will obey if I even act like I have treats even when I don't. Let them know that sometimes you have them in your pocket and produce them sometimes to reward good behavior.

    The praise and enthusiasm helps of course, but with mine at least it was never enough on its own.

    Parent

    I never did think of (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Zorba on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 01:18:13 PM EST
    treats as "cheating."  Some dogs respond very well to praise only, but some need the treats.  And who can blame them?  Most people wouldn't work only for praise- they like to receive the paycheck, after all.  As long as you use a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement with treats, this should lead to a high and stable rate of the desired behavior.  The dog never knows quite when the treat will appear, so it keeps exhibiting the proper response.  (Behavioral Psychology 101.)  And you're doing exactly that with your guys, ruffian.

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    I think of treats as cheating (none / 0) (#26)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 01:54:10 PM EST
    I know it is in vogue to not think this way, but a really smart dog will ignore you if you don't have the treat :)  Sometimes to their detriment.  I have one really beautiful dog dead because he would not listen to me when he really needed to listen simply because he needs to listen to me and do as I say.  Hard lesson.

    Parent
    I kind of do, too (none / 0) (#28)
    by sj on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 10:30:47 PM EST
    but my sweet boy (lost last year) was incredibly responsive to treats.  He was nearly starved when I picked him up at a truck stop.  I think in our 11 years together it was still a miracle to him that there was always food.  He would come from across a foot ball field with the words "here we go".

    Now, my current girl is another kettle of fish altogether.  She does like her "dessert" but I think it was just my Boy would be so excited to get it and she just got conditioned.  It's the only thing she "snatches" from my hand and goes to a corner to savor.  Just as he did.  All other treats are taken very delicately and politely.

    But I could use some tips with her.  She's an off-the-street rescue.  And I'm pretty sure she was living on squirrels and rats -- seeing how her hunting drive goes on overdrive if we see them on walks.  When she gets on a hunting tear there is no distracting her.  She could care less that I have a treat in my hand.

    I think she would get distracted with a squeaky toy (but I'm not sure about it -- rats are the best squeaky toys ever ... ugh), but her intensity would then go to the toy.  I once made the mistake of buying a squeaky toy when she was with me and I could barely get her from the car to the house she wanted it so bad.

    Scolding is even worse for her than most dogs -- it made her really anxious and her behavior got worse.  Taught me how to act, I can tell you that.

    So positive reinforcement it is, but ... how to get her attention.  That's the question.  I've always kind of gone with the idea that when they're doing something you don't like, to have them do some that you DO like -- and "sit" is the quickest, easiest thing.  But to get her to sit when she's in a hunting frenzy it means "pushing" down her little butt.  I know she should respond to the spoken command, but don't think she even hears me.

    Anyway, any thoughts?

    Parent

    She sounds like a possible frisbee dog to me (none / 0) (#29)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Feb 21, 2011 at 02:33:21 AM EST
    or a tennis ball dog.  If she is a large dog and still in the puppy years, you have to go easy until she gets past around 16 months.  The dogs that have this kind of focus and drive can be so hard on their developing front shoulders with jumping and quick stops that they can chip tiny pieces of the still soft bone from the shoulder joint and have it reweld onto the joint in a different place.  Then you can get a youthful ortho arthritis problem.

    If she is still a pup I would keep the frisbee time short and as gentle I could.  There is something about a frisbee hanging in the air and having unpredictable speeds that need to be gauged that can really grab the attention of many of the high drive dogs.  I have used the frisbee to burn off some of that drive gone wild to make the rest of the day more "organized", and it seems like if those dogs can have something like that that they know we are going to do with them for a little while everyday, they can focus on us a little better.

    High drive dogs and squeaky toys are funny.  The high drive dog will discover that a toy has a squeaker in it and from that point on spends every second getting the squeaker removed from the toy.  We have one female that is like that, and she is the first to chase things too and she is difficult to distract if she is chasing a cat or a squirrel.  Dogs with any Sight Hound breeding are often like that with prey drive, and some of the terriers too.  Some of the little high drive rat terriers that are very popular in Alabama are so prey driven that the viper snakes around here don't even deter them.  They are like mongooses.  We have had a high drive dog snake bitten, it was a bad thing in his yard and he just wasn't having it.

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    I go with the Monks of New Skete (none / 0) (#25)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 01:51:06 PM EST


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    And you probably don't need any sort (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 02:06:26 PM EST
    of choke collar for the poodle.  They are very visual and watch everything you do, the whole neck and correction thing doesn't mean a lot to them other than you don't like them.  I would go with a martingale for training with the poodle.  Do 15 minutes twice a day when you can, morning and evening.  It works really well because their brains aren't made for long  lectures but short repetition works like a charm :)

    Always say their name before giving a command so you have their full attention.  I take training collars off my dogs when done training so they know it is down time.  It seems to make training more effective too.  I have started teaching stand as a command now along with sit and down.

    Parent

    Very sad (none / 0) (#19)
    by cal1942 on Sun Feb 20, 2011 at 09:07:52 AM EST
    In his first scene in The Producers I laughed so hard my sides hurt.

    Saturday Open Thread | 27 comments (27 topical)

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