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Thursday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 10:34:15 AM EST
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    Thursday Morning Open Thread | 51 comments (51 topical)

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    Learn something new every day (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by CST on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 10:57:30 AM EST
    Today I learned that Mitt Romney's first name is Willard.

    No wonder (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Zorba on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:04:34 AM EST
    he goes by "Mitt."  (Apologies to any Willards out there, but with that name, I always think of the movie with the guy and his rats that turn on him.)  Of course, "Mitt" is too easy to turn into "Mittens" when you want to make fun of him.  ;-)

    Parent
    But then I think kittens (none / 0) (#11)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:18:06 AM EST
    And he seems sweet and snuggly during very unloving times.

    Parent
    No offense to all the "Willards" ... (none / 0) (#2)
    by Yman on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:01:42 AM EST
    ... out there, but I'd probably go with "Mitt", too.

    Parent
    Maybe you have to be of a certain age (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by ruffian on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:05:16 AM EST
    But when I see 'Willard', I think rats.

    Parent
    what is (none / 0) (#7)
    by CST on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:05:47 AM EST
    this movie?

    Parent
    Check it out (none / 0) (#27)
    by ruffian on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:24:25 PM EST
    A classic from '71

    Parent
    That was the first thing ... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Yman on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:08:37 AM EST
    ... that popped into my mind, too.  I saw it as a kid when it hit TV - made quite an impression.

    Parent
    I saw it in the theater when it came out (none / 0) (#26)
    by ruffian on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:23:29 PM EST
    Never got over it!

    Parent
    And when I hear Willard (none / 0) (#17)
    by CoralGables on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:40:43 AM EST
    I think of Michael Jackson

    Parent
    Also the Willard (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by brodie on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:22:15 PM EST
    Intercontinental Hotel, Warshington D.C.

    Abe Lincoln stayed there in the days before taking his first Inaugural in 1861.

    Parent

    Yes.....that is my next thought (none / 0) (#25)
    by ruffian on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:22:43 PM EST
    Weirdest song ever...a love song to a rat.

    "Ben, most people would turn you away...."

    Well yeah. He's a RAT.

    Parent

    Definitely (none / 0) (#3)
    by CST on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:04:22 AM EST
    But I think I'm going to go with Willard from now on :)

    Trying to decide if this would be like using Hussein...

    Parent

    I might stick with "Willard" (none / 0) (#28)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:24:29 PM EST
    since he was named after his father's best friend J. Willard Marriott.   Maybe more good and big fortune with the namesake.

    Parent
    Great minds, etc, Yman (none / 0) (#5)
    by Zorba on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:05:16 AM EST
    You got that in before I did.  ;-)

    Parent
    Willard or not, to me, he'll always be (none / 0) (#47)
    by shoephone on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 08:50:12 PM EST
    the creep who abused and terrorized his Irish Setter, Seamus.

    Parent
    Oh, yeah (none / 0) (#48)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 08:59:44 PM EST
    I had forgotten about that. He really looked like an idiot/creep during that incident.

    Parent
    And remember . . . . (none / 0) (#49)
    by nycstray on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 10:27:24 PM EST
    There's also a Huck dog 'incident' . . . .

    Mitt did look bad. WhoTF put's their dog in a crate on the top of their car, AND doesn't recognize the distress the dog's in and fix the situation.

    We traveled with our pets when I was a kid. We kids shared the back of the station wagon with them and the luggage went on top. Would have been nice if we could put my sister up there also . . .

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#51)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Apr 15, 2011 at 06:11:24 AM EST
    when I was younger I wished my parents would tie my brother to the top of the car. Man, was he annoying!

    Parent
    Mad Killer Rodents :) (none / 0) (#10)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:14:19 AM EST


    Parent
    willard mitty (none / 0) (#12)
    by Politalkix on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:31:05 AM EST
    Who daydreams that he is creating jobs by cutting taxes for the rich.Thurber would have been proud to write the story.

    Parent
    That Boston Globe piece (none / 0) (#15)
    by brodie on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:35:41 AM EST
    you cite asked the Q which apparently the Mittster answered yesterday on CNBC, namely that he believes Obama was born in this country.  

    Interesting too that Mitt's own family has some experience with this Q and the constitutional issue of being "natural born":  his father, ex MI Gov George Romney and once or twice ('64 and '68) considered in the running or even a frontrunner for the GOP nomination for prez, was born in a Mormon community in Mexico. Back in the '60s, the family put some lawyers to work on the Q of whether George would be considered constitutionally eligible for pres, and the answer came back Yes.

    So, partial credit I suppose to Willard Milton Romney for not following the clownish example of Donald Trump and trying to make an issue out of this non-issue.

    Parent

    war tax on paystubs (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:56:21 AM EST
    on a paycheck i see the following:
    Medc
    SS
    State
    Fed.

    What about a line item that says:

    "Democracy Funding in the Middle East" with the cost there?  Being that the wars are unpaid for/unbudgeted, why not ask us to look at the cost every week on our paychecks?

    The amount would change in correlation with each military intervention, such as Libya.  Imagine a monthly check as follows:

    Medc - $61
    SS - $177
    State - $207
    Fed.   - $850
    Libya Freedom Fighters: $58
    Karzais kush fund: - $64
    Democracy in Iraq - $87

    That way when we talk about what we should "cut" we all know for what and how much we are paying.  

    Moreover, when the right says we need to "privatise/cut/prosper" it is in the proper context.....

    Brilliant! (5.00 / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 02:25:58 PM EST
    That way when citizens call their rep to b*tch about taxes, they are better educated at what they should be b*tchin' about.

    It's almost like they are using our paystubs as anti-SS/Medicare propaganda, giving them special line item status like that...The man should lump it all into one deduction or do a complete line item breakdown of where it goes...I suggest a DEA line item, federal prison costs line item, and interest payments on the debt line item specifically as well.

    Parent

    line itemed... (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 02:50:51 PM EST
    If we did, line-item Afghanistan and Iraq would we still be there?  

    If it were line-itemed, it would be a hell of a lot easier for a president to get out of war.  

    Town Hall Meeting:

    "Mr. President, I have ten years of paycheck stubs here.  I personally have paid $87 dollars a month for iraq and $53 dollars a month for Afghanistan, totalling $15,000 in the past nearly 10 years,or 1/3 of my annual salary (average annual salary 45k).  

    With SS and Medc, i get something back.  Can I at least get a t-shirt ?"

    Parent

    Well, we'll send you 1/3 of a shirt (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Dadler on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:16:31 PM EST
    Gotta be equitable about it. You get the sleeves and the collar now, the rest when we leave, which, of course, will most likely be after you're dead.  And really, what are your survivors going to do with sleeves and a collar?  So, now that we think about it, we'll keep that 1/3 of a shirt for the time being.  How 'bout a nice atta-boy (or girl)?

    Parent
    will i be taxed on the value of the shirt? (none / 0) (#40)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:32:22 PM EST
    because that would be double jeopardy, but if it helps build schools in afhganistan, aw shucks, i would be willing to shell out another 2500, sleeves or no sleeves.....

    Parent
    Ya, Tshirt Made in Taiwan... (none / 0) (#41)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:36:56 PM EST
    ... by a 8 year old working a double shift, you know, to keep costs down... Can't have the military dropping bombs that cost a half million when they are accustomed to million dollar ones because you want a Tshirt.  End Sarcasm.

    For the record, you don't get jack back from SS & Medicare, you support old people with the promise that young people will support you when you get old.

    Parent

    Great Idea (none / 0) (#39)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:29:27 PM EST
    Even better, they say were taking $200, you decide where it goes by percentage, once a year.  Want wars or a great health care at 65, you decide.  Want to feed hungry kids or kick into the missile defense fund, you control where it goes.

    Let the R's fund all their imperialistic wars and let us fund human welfare.  A completely democratic funding system.  Programs that don't get funded get cut, then we'll see how many people want to fund, with their own dough, the costs of National Defense.

    Of course there would still be a huge discretionary fund for most of the stuff, but the big tickets items would be entirely up to the people.

    Then this idiotic debate will boil down the percentage and what makes the ballot.  Wonder if all these rich fools will be so hungry to lower taxes once they realize their very lifeblood may be cut-off if the military isn't funded to protect their international interests.

    Parent

    we are all for war at one time or another (none / 0) (#43)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:44:57 PM EST
    bosnia...

    All i want is when something is unbudgeted, anything really, TARP, Libya etc, is to create a tax that pays for it and let us see what it means to us individually.  as for prisons etc., those are budgeted items and a separate discussion.  But we are being asked to forfeit some entitlements long term for the health of the country, and not being asked if it is ok to spend a trillion dollars for democracy spreading.

    I think we are in both wars still because presidents don't want to be crucified by the right as "losing the war on terror" as the american people are fickle in that regard.  But if their weekly paychecks are affected and they see it every week, what do you think their disposition would be about "losing"?

    Methinks, "hell yeah let's lose, it will stimulate the economy."  

    Parent

    Agreed (none / 0) (#45)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 04:06:31 PM EST
    Discretionary account used until it makes the ballot, then see what the funding is.  If you want us in Libya, donate, but it would have the effect of people making choices, help humans in Libya, or here.  Or if you feel like you would rather fund a manned mission to Mars, go for it.

    Not 100%, but hasn't Iraq/Afghanistan been budgeted for years.

    Example, I am all for NASA, but in times of need, their allotment should be reeled in.  Like a personal budget, when the bank account gets slim, I focus on the necessities, and hold back on getting the latest and greatest gadgets.  And NASA might not be a gadget, it's certainly a luxury that should be set aside when kids are going hungry and people aren't working.  They shouldn't be wasted zillions exploring the origins of the universe with a brand new telescope that could feed the country for a year when Hubble is still fully functional.  I acually don't know what the telescopes costed/costs, or what it would do in term of providing families relief.

    Let them buy the telescope when we can afford it.

    I didn't mean to rant, but these budgets are so ridged, with people having a real say, they would be far more fluid and able to focus monies where the countries feels like they need to be put, not going to some ridged budget that offers almost no flexibility.

    Anyways, your idea was great.

    Parent

    The term "progressive" now (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Towanda on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:44:35 PM EST
    is officially meaningless: Wisconsin's Walker used it in Congressional testimony to describe his anti-worker, anti-middle class, anti-all-but-the-Kochs-and-other-rich-people politics.  The link also takes you to a photo of Walker gazing adoringly on the particularly unappealing profile of Wisconsin's other poster boy for the wealthy, like himself: Senselessbrenner.

    And Senseless is even more so in a clip from his introduction of Walker, in which Senseless actually boasts that Walker is "very polarizing" for Wisconsin.  My gawd, what the heck has happened to that state?

    And that is exactly why (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by Zorba on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:51:11 PM EST
    I refuse to call myself a "progressive" any more- it has become meningless.  I'm a liberal, doggone it.

    Parent
    I'm glad it has become official (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by MO Blue on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:56:08 PM EST
    I've thought the term was pretty meaningless for the last several years.

    Parent
    Painted dogs have a new British home (5.00 / 0) (#42)
    by Harry Saxon on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:44:42 PM EST

    A pack of seven African wild dogs who recently moved from a zoo in Sweden are already settling into their new habitat -- a specially designed enclosure intended to mimic the conditions in their native sub-Saharan African plains -- at the Chester Zoo in northern England.

    African wild dogs -- also known as painted dogs or Cape hunting dogs -- are endangered, in part because of the spread of disease from domestic animals. The wild dogs also fall victim to farmers who kill them in an effort to protect their livestock from predators.

    Click or Wild Dog Me

    Woke up today with a monstrous headache (none / 0) (#9)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:13:26 AM EST
    Can't tell if it is migraine or not, feels like migraine but stomach is fine and noises are fine.  Can't blame it on Obama tension either, I gave up on being tense or even very concerned about any of that :)

    I tend to get those when I have been (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Anne on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:33:36 AM EST
    running at higher levels of adrenaline for an extended period of time, and then the stress and adrenaline levels drop.  Boom!  

    I refer to these as post-traumatic migraines.

    Feel better soon, Tracy!

    Parent

    Thanks Anne (none / 0) (#16)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:38:18 AM EST
    It might be sinus too.  I always forget that, and that sinus pain can run across the forehead.  After living in a dry high plains desert for almost my whole life, it is still hard to accept this sinus stuff as reality :)  My husband got me this gadget for Christmas that is like a sinus waterpik, it is pretty disgusting to use but I probably will today..bleh!

    Parent
    A neti pot? (none / 0) (#19)
    by Yman on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:56:04 AM EST
    Yeah, it's pretty gross, but it works for me.  My sinuses only get bad about once every 1-2 months, but I use it when I need to.  I have a couple friends who use it several times a week as a prophylactic (for their sinuses, not birth control :)).

    Parent
    I used to use a neti pot (none / 0) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:02:54 PM EST
    when we first moved here and I found out I'm insanely allergic to a mold that floats around in the air often here and started getting sinus infections.  I was still getting sinus infections though, but less often.  My husband got me this sonic sinus washer before Christmas actually because I was beginning to get another sinus infection and was tired of z pak and prednisone, and I'll be darned if it didn't kick it.  It gets the salt and baking soda water up much higher into the sinuses.  It is like using that pressurized nasal wash but with more pluses, you can use warm water and you can fill the reservior several times for pennies even though the initial cost was a bit.

    Parent
    Joshua will have to spend several (none / 0) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:16:44 PM EST
    months in San Antonio this summer.  This problem would probably not be a problem if I could improve my immune response to the mold and take allergy shots for the mold allergy.  I'm so allergic though that I do risk shock from starting the injections and the ENT here just doesn't want to risk it with me.  It is doable though, and there are some specializing clinics where you are dosed with steriods in preparation and then they start the allergy shots.  Many people have had good luck with this and the San Antonio area has such a problem with Cedar allergy that they have a few places there capable of monitoring me and getting me on regular allergy shots.  I think I'm going to do it while Josh has to go through gravity traction for his scoliosis in San Antonio.  There isn't anyone locally here willing to approach it with people having severe allergy responses.  

    Parent
    Could be worth it (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Yman on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:41:53 PM EST
    My wife had bad allergies until she was in her mid-twenties.  She went through the allergy series for @ 2 1/2 years, starting with shots 3x a week.  She says she's about 95% better than she was and thinks it was well worth it.  Sounds like you might have to be more careful, though, since you have severe reactions, as opposed to just itchy eyes, sneezing, sinus congestion, etc.

    Good luck!

    Parent

    Could still be (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Zorba on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:35:15 AM EST
    a tension headache.  It doesn't have to be because of Obama.  Do you do yoga?  I can usually get rid of a tension headache by lying down in a darkened room and practicing my yoga relaxation routine.  Some soft, soothing music helps, too, or gentle nature sounds.

    Parent
    Yoga? (5.00 / 0) (#18)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:40:58 AM EST
    Zoey just started gymnastics and she had me do a summersault with her last night.  She drags me into everything she has going on, it must be great fun watching me.  That was scary :)  I used to be so flexible...used to be.

    Parent
    With tension migraines (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by CoralGables on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:56:52 AM EST
    you can always skip the yoga if that doesn't float the MT boat and play doctor by popping 4 aleve (still about 20% less than the prescription level of anaprox). I think the yoga in the dark room or Rainbows in the park is probably better for your liver but all might be equally effective in the short run.

    Parent
    Sweetie, I'm in my 60's (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Zorba on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:06:53 PM EST
    with bad arthritis.  I sure can't do shoulder stands any more, but there are lots of yoga poses I can still do.  Many communities have classes in "gentle yoga" or "healing yoga," which help.  I do aqua yoga when I can, too- modified yoga done in a warm pool.  The yoga breathing and the relaxation are big helps to me.  I admit that I don't meditate as much as I should, but that helps, too.

    Parent
    Consciously you may have given up (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Dadler on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 12:57:50 PM EST
    But with all that's going on in the world, in the country, the economy, our communities, neighborhoods, jobs, homes, families, with all we're worrying about every day...it's pretty staggering to think about how much must be raging around our subconscious.  And then you think, wait, that subconscious also controls all the vital physical systems in my body, every single one.  The overlap potential, of the emotional with the physical, again if you think about it, is profound.  Has been to me, more than you can imagine.

    Just offering my two cents.  Hope you have a great day and start to feel better ;-)

    Parent

    3 good things I've seen (none / 0) (#36)
    by brodie on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:16:24 PM EST
    on the teevee machine this week:

    1. Final installments of Mildred Pierce-HBO version.  5 hours not wasted.  Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood the big standouts.

    2. Nuclear doc Countdown to Zero on The History Channel last night.  2 hours of quality programming for a change on that peculiar outlet of Swamp People and Ax Men (Ancient Aliens excepted ...).

    3. Clips of Obama's budget speech on Wednesday.  Finally, the guy shows up as a Dem, for however long.  Yes too to the amusing clip of VP Joe Biden nodding off.  Joe slowing down as he gets on in years?  Possible replacement in 2012 if this keeps up?


    I agree about Mildred Pierce (none / 0) (#44)
    by ruffian on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 03:53:53 PM EST
    That mini-series is a home run. Loved that ending (different from the hollywood movie ending, for those who have seen one and not the other). Wow. Or rather, ye gods and little fishes. Can't rave enough about it. Guy Pearce was excellent as well.

    Have not watched the other two things yet.

    Also 'Justified' is still good too. Can't quite tell where it is going, but I don't think Raylon's ex has all her cards on the table.

    'The Borgias' is worth watching too.

    Also the new episode of 'Upstairss/Downstairs' was good. I did not watch the original series, but I think I will get them from Netflix.

    Parent

    The original is one of the best (none / 0) (#46)
    by shoephone on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 08:47:23 PM EST
    things that ever appeared on Masterpiece Theater. (For me, it ranks up there with I Claudius.) Rent it.

    I like the new version so far, and Jean Marsh is amazing the way she can say so much with a subtle facial expression. But I miss Mr. Hudson a whole lot. And after watching the show Downton Abbey, I think the new Upstairs Downstairs has a real competitor on 1930's-class-system-dynamics-England!

    Parent

    I find it very hard to believe the orig. (none / 0) (#50)
    by oculus on Thu Apr 14, 2011 at 11:56:03 PM EST
    Upstairs/Downstairs only ran for 3 yrs. in U.S.  I loved that series but thought it went on much longer.  

    Parent
    Thursday Morning Open Thread | 51 comments (51 topical)

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