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Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 05:49:27 PM EST
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I am on a plane! (not a plain.) (Not yet.)

Open thread.

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    Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | 34 comments (34 topical)

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    A Cobain/Nirvana reference? (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:53:10 PM EST
    I didn't know you had it in you.  And how 'bout those Cocks, eh?!  

    Obama talked a bit about the SBA today (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 12:46:53 AM EST
    I'm trying to find something good in that press conference. Course if you are trying really hard to find some potential in your current relationship that is abusive and hopeless that's called codependency :) There is precious little good. It would be nice if the Republicans signed on for funding a very very generous and ethical SBA. It would be nice if Democrats did too. I'm probably an idiot for thinking such naive thoughts though.

    One of my favorite shows is (none / 0) (#4)
    by loveed on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 07:25:27 PM EST
    America Got Talent NBC tonight at 9:00pm EST. I like to call it American Got A Lot of Time on there Hands. These people are so talented in so many ways. So outrageous. So American.
     It's amazing some of these acts.If you like magic this is the show for you,singing,dancing,death defying feats.
     Take some time chill out and enjoy.

    Perhaps it's a plain plane (none / 0) (#5)
    by oldpro on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 07:27:19 PM EST
    and not a fancy one.

    Good grief...what makes me say these things?  Words and wordplay.  Fascinating, sometimes.

    Updated Woodie Guthrie: (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 07:41:49 PM EST
    "Take me for a ride in your plain plane."

    Woody Guthrie, that is (not "Woodie") (none / 0) (#10)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:20:52 PM EST
    Front door, back door, clickety-clack!

    Parent
    Love it. Thanks. (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:45:07 PM EST


    Parent
    Something (none / 0) (#7)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 07:42:12 PM EST
    I meant to bring up in another thread is the National Popular Vote project.

    I don't know how likely it is to happen but people like me are tired of being discounted in national elections. I've written my GOP rep about it but no answer. I'm sure GA won't pass it unless they are 100% sure that a Republican is going to win the oval office but I think it's an excellent idea.

    likewise (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by CST on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:00:50 PM EST
    Purple states have all the poswer and frankly it sucks.

    Parent
    Sucks in purple states, too (none / 0) (#9)
    by Towanda on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:12:00 PM EST
    as I was in one during campaign time.  

    Occasional television shows occur between political commercials.  Occasional opportunities for peace and quiet occur between constant phone polling calls and doorbell-ringing and lit drops all over the porch and lawn.  

    Sign vandalism adds to the joy, and you're lucky if it's just a political sign that's vandalized and not the car and home, too, when the opposition's followers opt for more severe measures.

    And even wearing a political button can get you accosted by the opposition -- and the media at the mall.  Gets ugly in those states sometimes.


    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#11)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:23:59 PM EST
    so says a friend of mine that lives in OH too. She just can't tolerate the wall to wall campaign advertisements but we aren't quite immune from those down here in GA because they come through on cable channels too.

    Honestly about two weeks before an election I'm like let's get it over already. No wonder so many people don't vote.

    Parent

    Home. (none / 0) (#34)
    by lentinel on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 05:56:04 AM EST
    No wonder so many people don't vote.

    Obama v/s what is being suggested to us as an alternative is another reason people might opt to not participate in what amounts to a contest between two ad agencies.

    Parent

    "A contest between two ad agencies" (none / 0) (#40)
    by Towanda on Fri Jul 01, 2011 at 10:07:15 PM EST
    is a classic line, perhaps the best dexcription I've seen in a long time for our elections.  

    Styrofoam pillars came to mind. . . .  Thanks for the laugh!  I'

    Parent

    Yes, (none / 0) (#12)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:25:27 PM EST
    the republicans that I talk to here like that my vote doesn't count but then I tell them well, don't you think that Republicans in places like NY should have their votes counted and it makes them think.

    Parent
    It's apparently getting a lot of bipartisan (none / 0) (#18)
    by andgarden on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 09:15:00 PM EST
    support. If the solid red states decide that they'd like some more attention on election day, this could actually happen.

    Parent
    Support for National Popular Vote (none / 0) (#21)
    by mvymvy on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 10:44:34 PM EST
    In Gallup polls since 1944, only about 20% of the public has supported the current system of awarding all of a state's electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the most votes in each separate state (with about 70% opposed and about 10% undecided).  Support is strong among Republican voters, Democratic voters, and independent voters, as well as every demographic group surveyed in virtually every state surveyed in recent polls in closely divided battleground states: CO - 68%, FL - 78%, IA 75%,, MI - 73%, MO - 70%, NH - 69%, NV - 72%, NM-- 76%, NC - 74%, OH - 70%, PA - 78%, VA - 74%, and WI - 71%; in smaller states (3 to 5 electoral votes): AK - 70%, DC - 76%, DE - 75%, ID - 77%, ME - 77%, MT - 72%, NE 74%, NH - 69%, NV - 72%, NM - 76%, OK - 81%, RI - 74%, SD - 71%, UT - 70%, VT - 75%, WV - 81%, and WY - 69%; in Southern and border states: AR - 80%,, KY- 80%, MS - 77%, MO - 70%, NC - 74%, OK - 81%, SC - 71%, TN - 83%, VA - 74%, and WV - 81%; and in other states polled: CA - 70%, CT - 74%, MA - 73%, MN - 75%, NY - 79%, OR - 76%, and WA - 77%.  Americans believe that the candidate who receives the most votes should get elected.  

    The bill has passed 31 state legislative chambers, in 21 small, medium-small, medium, and large states, including one house in AR, CT, DE, DC, ME, MI, NV, NM, NY, NC, and OR, and both houses in CA, CO, HI, IL, NJ, MD, MA, RI, VT, and WA. The bill has been enacted by DC (3), HI (4), IL (19), NJ (14), MD (11), MA (10), VT (3), and WA (13). These 8 jurisdictions possess 77 electoral votes -- 29% of the 270 necessary to bring the law into effect.

    http://www.NationalPopularVote.com


    Parent

    The New Agenda (none / 0) (#13)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:32:40 PM EST
    Is an infuriating place to visit. They are gearing up for a long ride on the Bachmann bandwagon and it makes my head hurt. This is relevant to nothing. I just had to tell someone.

    Mrs Bachmann is more than qualified (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by loveed on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 09:41:37 PM EST
    to run for president if she choose. The constitution gives the qualification. You also have the right to voice your opinion. But the american people will decide who will be the next president.

     The last election the american people voted for a candidate with no experience. A lot of us could not believe it.

     So we will see what the people have to say.

    Parent

    Oh she satisfies the basic criteria (none / 0) (#28)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 12:18:53 AM EST
    But that is a site that claims to have women's interests at heart.  And they are trying to convince women that voting for a woman that does not support choice, that does not support publicly funded healthcare, that does not support LGBT rights, that does not support equal pay legislation, that does not support anything that we all know to be fundamental to women's equality in a real way is the way to make things better.

    And they aren't joking about it. They are dead serious.

    Everything that people here hate about Obama, multiply that by ten and that's what she is on days that she is feeling liberal.

    Forget experience. bush was no better after 8 years than he was in year two and he had plenty of experience at that point. What matters is that the woman is openly stating that she will act against everything women's advocates we all respect say are important.

    Hard for me to look favorably on anyone, male or female, that holds those views.

    We should want The New Agenda to fail in this instance. Ditto their ridiculous support of Palin.

    Parent

    I know (none / 0) (#35)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 06:41:12 AM EST
    she's worse than Obama but Obama has not been all that great on women's issues either. He is losing women voters by the millions.

    Bush was not qualified either IMO. 6 years as TX gov which is basically a figurehead position did not make him qualified to be President and it showed. Carter only had one term as a governor. It seems governors need at least two terms to get the experience to handle the oval office and senators at least one term.

    Parent

    The New Agenda (none / 0) (#39)
    by lilburro on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 07:55:25 AM EST
    seems (although it may not be) a group formed by PUMAs.  See their About Us page.

    More importantly, they seem like a relatively small group.  Are they going to vault Bachmann to victory?  No.

    Parent

    I believe in women right to choice (none / 0) (#41)
    by loveed on Sat Jul 02, 2011 at 07:58:26 AM EST
     I would never vote for Mrs. Bachman, our views are different for the direction of the country.
     Mrs Bachmann has the rights to her belief. As she campaign Americans will decide if they agree.
     We don't have to tear each other apart. Mrs Bachman and her husband has been foster parents to over 20 children. She's" putting her money where her mouth is" You should learn more facts about her. She is way more qualified than Obama was when he ran.
     Women will not vote for a women just because she's a women. Or vote against her for her views on abortion.
     I have sixteen grandchildren I could not imagine my life without them. I also remember a country without birth control, and abortion was for the wealthy. Abortion was legal for years just call something else(D&C). I think people should be responsible for there actions. I know people who have died from illegal abortion. I even know people who preform them. Abortion should not be a form of birth control.
     This issue is not even in my top 10, in voting for a president
     

    Parent
    Heh (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by lilburro on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 11:32:58 PM EST
    I have never heard of this group...maybe I'm out of the loop.  But if they are pro-Bachmann I doubt I'm missing much.  I will gladly call out sexism when directed at Rep. Bachmann but she certainly won't win my vote.  I think it is sort of amusing that Fox has to deal with another female GOP candidate; I assume they thought they could meld what they made of Palin into their larger "liberal media OMG!!" agenda.  But they've been in trouble the past few days for calling Bachmann a flake (and she is but no more than any of their other candidates, and less so than Romney surely)....lord.

    The big liberal women's groups are focusing their energy on the state by state gutting that is happening to the right to choose.  If Obama can draw attention to this in the 2012 race I would appreciate it.

    Thanks for your kind words in the other thread ("Presidential Presser") ABG.  I always enjoy engaging with your comments.  I don't agree with some of what you say but now I'm wondering what a second term will hold and what we can do about it.  I personally think we need to ask Obama before we lend our full throated support a) a promise to call attention to the gutting of Roe v. Wade state by state b) repealing DOMA c) working towards incorporating Medicare buy-in in the exchanges d) no more Bush tax cuts and e) Close GITMO!!!.  If the ACA is indeed just the beginning, we need to shape ideas about what the future holds.

    I don't think he made the best decisions necessarily in the past few years.  And it seems like people are getting fatigued of the "GOP made me do it!" excuse.  So what's the game plan?  If the economy is still crappy our voices will count all the more.  I'm absolutely not going to explain "the deficit made us do it" to people.  But I am willing to argue with people to vote Obama if he is willing to lay out an agenda aligned with what I wrote above.  I think that's reasonable.

    Parent

    He has some explaining to do (none / 0) (#29)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 12:31:45 AM EST
    No question.  The core of the criticisms made by those here are fair.  And Obama has to answer for what he hasn't done.

    But there is a lot, a whole lot, that he has done.  Look back at the mountain of crap he walked into.  Given that, he hasn't been perfect but he hasn't been the rush limbaugh clone he is portrayed as either.

    I have never seen a dem treated this harshly by the party despite having so many successes.  It really is unprecedented. People are angry and want fixes and they want them now.  But man.  Let's keep some perspective on this and also look at the fact that his opponents are sort of crazy.

    Parent

    He walked into a horrible situation (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 12:39:33 AM EST
    But he knew what he was getting into when he was running for the office ABG. And the people gave him a huge slice of power in those first two years to do gutsy courageous things that desperately needed done but he chose to ignore the crisis, deny that there really even was a crisis, chose pathetic advisors too.

    Parent
    Obama's economic plan (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 07:13:06 AM EST
    is succeeding beyond his wildest dreams.

    Pay Tally Up 19% for Finance Chiefs

    Median pay for chief financial officers of S&P 500 companies surged 19% to $2.9 million last year, as profits and stock valuations rebounded and some finance chiefs assumed broader responsibilities, according to a Wall Street Journal survey.

    CFO pay varied widely, from less than $600,000 to more than $60 million. Five CFOs received more than $20 million in compensation. Growth in pay partly reflected the growing clout and multiple responsibilities of some finance chiefs, and moves by some companies to combine the function with others.

    By devoting his economic energies to where it is really needed, he should have no trouble raising his $1 billion campaign fund. :-(

    Parent

    OMG! Are you serious?! (none / 0) (#32)
    by nycstray on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 01:27:02 AM EST
    I thought when he ran for office, he was blindfolded and had his hearing blocked. There's no way in H*ll he knew what was facing him . . . .

    He's doing a bang up job for being so blindsided, imo . . . :P

    Parent

    The (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 06:44:07 AM EST
    fact that everything was a mess was known. It was no big secret. If he didn't want to tackle it then he shouldn't have run for President.

    Parent
    I guess (none / 0) (#37)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 06:47:17 AM EST
    you're too young to remember Jimmy Carter then if you don't remember anyone being treated harshly by the party. Carter even had a primary opponent. So far Obama doesn't have that.

    The problem a lot of people have with Obama is that he doesn't even TRY. He sits back and lets someone else dictate the agenda. Is there any issue that he's willing to go to the mat for?

    Parent

    One simple answer : Bush tax cuts (none / 0) (#42)
    by loveed on Sat Jul 02, 2011 at 08:01:52 AM EST


    Parent
    i thought Case was a (none / 0) (#33)
    by observed on Thu Jun 30, 2011 at 02:31:35 AM EST
    Republican


    Parent
    Zapped to death by climate change hoax (none / 0) (#15)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 08:47:04 PM EST
    19 kids were killed instantly and 50 more injured on Tuesday as they sheltered from the rain in their Runyanya primary school while waiting to go home when the lightning struck, in Uganda's Kiryandongo district, about 135 miles northwest of Kampala.

    Local media reported that a further 21 pupils were burned Tuesday after lightning struck at a second school in Zombo district, around 380 kilometres north of Kampala. Police could not confirm the incident.

    Charles Basalirwa, head of the meteorological unit at Kampala?s Makerere University, told AFP that although Uganda has seen deadly lightning strikes in the past the frequency has increased dramatically.

    "In Uganda we have had these events and these strikes before but never as severely as we have seen over the past few weeks," Basalirwa said.

    He said the sharp increase in the number and strength of lightning strikes was one more sign, along with increased droughts and flooding, of the extreme weather conditions being caused by climate change in the region.

    -- AFP via RawStory

    Correction, ABG (none / 0) (#20)
    by Yman on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 10:03:55 PM EST
    The other thread filled up, but you actually did predict the economy would be "markedly better" by the end of this year or next summer.

    I am willing to the any bet proposed that the economy and and job numbers will be markedly better at the end of this year or even next summer than they are now.

    ... and you didn't say it in 2010 - you said it yesterday.

    No need to make anything up.

    Casey Anthony (none / 0) (#22)
    by loveed on Wed Jun 29, 2011 at 11:18:11 PM EST
     I have not been able to watch as much as I would like. Mom and work. Thank god for the internet.
     I have watched a lot of trials (OJ,nanny,Scott Peterson still think he's innocent) I've never seen a trial ran like this one.
     So before I comment on George Anthony testimony today. If she is convicted, it will be reversed. I wonder what the jury is thinking. Defense unable to put on there case. There are more sidebars than testimony. the prosecutor are deliberately interrupting the defense.
     George Anthony tearful testimony today was very interesting. Combative with defense on small trivial matters. The minute prosecutor started there cross the crying starts.
     For the defense:
     1. George lied about the tape on the gas can,he put it there. According to the prosecution this tape is the murder weapon.
     2. George kept having meeting with the police to point the police in casey direction.
     3. Mr.Klunk moved the skull. He son impeached his testimony from yesterday.
     4. I think the jury has seen to many crying Anthonys to take George seriously.
     5.Cindy Anthony never took her daughter to see a GYN (Cindy is a nurse manager and a RN dealing with OB/GYN doctors). Casey had irregular periods all her life. She was almost 8 months pregnant, before Cindy's brother made her face facts.
     6. George can only remember when asked question by the prosecutors.

     For prosecutors:
    1. George Anthony

     

    Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | 34 comments (34 topical)

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