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Sunday Afternoon Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 12:35:44 PM EST
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Paul Simon originally planned to sing "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" today. He changed it to "Sounds of Silence."

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

Check out these 1966 and 2009 versions of Simon and Garfunkel singing the song. Truly timeless and beautiful.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Sunday Afternoon Open Thread | 60 comments (60 topical)

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    Fareed is giving Donald Rumsfeld (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 12:48:10 PM EST
    some hell today for Iraq and Rummy is trying to justify Iraq while Fareed says that the costs overwhelm any benefit gained.

    I concur, and would someone please tell that SOB Rumsfeld that we have been an active duty from 9/11 to present, and he can take his world is a better place without Saddam and shove it.  Soldiers are here to protect this country.  He and his despicable gang depleted them for no tangible threat at that time or even now. He killed them, he maimed them, he blew their families apart and destroyed them with stresses they could not manage or maintain. He ate up the nation's treasure and destroyed military retention and strength and honor and spirit.

    All the while Osama partied and plotted on and Crew Rumsfeld made a big deal out of running around saying they weren't hunting him or concerned about him anymore.  I don't consider hate a desirable emotion or relationship outcome but I'm damn close to hating Donald Rumsfeld today.

    I remember (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 02:10:45 PM EST
    prior to the Iraq invasion, when Colin Powell was testifying regarding the WMD and rationale for war and I was debunking him based on things I'd read in the Washington Post (from valid sources of course).

    Saddam was contained and we knew it.  Bush just had a personal vendetta against him

    Parent

    Same here, as I watched him (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 02:16:28 PM EST
    after having read detailed coverage of how and why British intelligence already had entirely discounted the reports that Powell used to take us to war.  I started using the old Vietnam term "quagmire" then (and got grief for it from those who get duped again and again by believing what they're told rather than find the evidence to judge it for themselves).

    Parent
    Currious as to why you saw yourself as (none / 0) (#50)
    by Rojas on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 09:25:10 PM EST
    debunking "Colin Powell" when the previous administration had been telling us Sadam had these WMDs?

    Parent
    Oh please, MT (1.50 / 2) (#3)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:07:50 PM EST
    We both know that, based on the evidence at that time, Bush acted rationally as did the Senate both Repubs and Demos.

    If you want to debate strategy, have at it, But claiming that we shouldn't fight an offensive/preemptive war in this day of WMDs has no basis in facts or logic.

    Parent

    And for our $1 trillion plus investment, (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by observed on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:13:32 PM EST
    how many WMD's were uncovered in Iraq?
    Our governments knew at the time that Iraq was no threat. Give it up.

    Parent
    False argument (2.00 / 1) (#5)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:27:53 PM EST
    As UN Inspector David Kay noted, it was clear that Saddam was planning and preparing to get back into the WND business.

    If you want to argue that we should have carpet bombed Iraq to the point it was no way they could have been a threat rather than trying to nation build, you can make a case.

    Of course if trying to nation build in Islamic theocracies is bad, why are we sending money to Pakistan? And how has Egypt turned out? And what will happen to all those SAM's in Libya?

    It's perfectly clear that we do not have a workable strategy in dealing with the threats poised by radical Islam but you can't win just by defense alone.

    Parent

    After all these years, its' amazing that (none / 0) (#7)
    by observed on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:38:49 PM EST
    you are so ignorant.
    Iraq---Islamic theocracy??


    Parent
    What is ignornant is the way (none / 0) (#8)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:42:02 PM EST
    you seem to think that I was referring to Iraq alone.


    Parent
    Then why were you referring to (none / 0) (#25)
    by observed on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:39:20 PM EST
    Iraq at all in connection with Islamic theocracies? Saddam was the enemy of our enemy,in that regard.


    Parent
    Can you read? (2.00 / 1) (#29)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 05:09:14 PM EST
    Of course if trying to nation build in Islamic theocracies is bad, why are we sending money to Pakistan? And how has Egypt turned out? And what will happen to all those SAM's in Libya?

    Saddam was known to provide rewards to the families of Palestine terrorists and allow al-Qaeda members to recoup.

    None of these countries are known for separation of Church and State..... And the Israeli embassy was just attacked and sacked.

    Parent

    Word salad as a rationale for (none / 0) (#35)
    by observed on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 06:27:39 PM EST
    endless war? Yuck.

    Parent
    Salad is as salad does (none / 0) (#37)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 06:37:24 PM EST
    As UN Inspector David Kay noted, it was clear that Saddam was planning and preparing to get back into the WND business.

    If you want to argue that we should have carpet bombed Iraq to the point it was no way they could have been a threat rather than trying to nation build, you can make a case.

    Of course if trying to nation build in Islamic theocracies is bad, why are we sending money to Pakistan? And how has Egypt turned out? And what will happen to all those SAM's in Libya?

    It's perfectly clear that we do not have a workable strategy in dealing with the threats poised by radical Islam but you can't win just by defense alone.

    Parent

    Ha! (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:30:57 PM EST
    Even Max Boot agrees with me on Rumsfeld incompetence and desire to rewrite history at this point,.  You are very much alone even within the rightwing these days Jim.  But of course nobody can be perfect, least of all a government and God knows if one was under Republican rule that would be a cardinal sin right there because government itself must be kept a failure so that we can all be relied upon to reflexively argue that it must be kept small because it is so destructive and worthless.

    Parent
    Please try and read what I write (none / 0) (#9)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:50:11 PM EST
    That way I won't have to repeat myself.

    If you want to debate strategy, have at it, But claiming that we shouldn't fight an offensive/preemptive war in this day of WMDs has no basis in facts or logic.

    That's not a defense of Rumsfeld.

    It is a notation that we did what we should do. Attack when we have evidence that enemies are preparing to attack us.

    Which we are currently ignoring in Iran. We may well live to regret that.

    Parent

    And if you would read (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:31:30 PM EST
    some people who have to survive and eat and get paid based on their credibility instead sit snout deep in Fox News, which is the equivalent of subscribing to the Inquirer, you would understand that many wingers are falling into line with the fact that the WMD crap was all B.S. from the very beginning in order to get that war on and underway.

    Parent
    And if you would quit throwing hissy fits (2.00 / 1) (#30)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 05:11:03 PM EST
    and show some actual proof of your various claims it would be helpful.

    Parent
    Oh yeah (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:35:10 PM EST
    And the evil Saddam, he was the element that balanced out the threat of Iran where the world is concerned.  He's gone now and your country is broke and broken and NOW you want to worry about Iran?  That worry was always there, and we removed someone who kept the ebb and flow of their strength low and someone who was a moderate secular Muslim leader.

    Parent
    The balance was a myth (none / 0) (#31)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 05:18:09 PM EST
    Saddam balanced nothing that Iran didn't want balanced.

    And I wonder if those people he gassed and those he fed through an industrial sized paper shredder would agree with you that he was a "moderate Muslim leader."

    Somehow I think they would vehemently disagree with you.

    And yes NOW, as I have for time before you were politically aware, worry about Iran.

    Pity that the current Democrat Administration headed by the man who would talk with any dictator can't seem to get their hand around the fact that the Arab Spring has turned into radical Muslim Fall.

    Parent

    It wasn't a myth (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 09:19:43 PM EST
    But I know you want it to be one therefore with you it will be and always will be.  Guess what I got for the 10th anniversary?  My husband told me tonight that his next deployment will probably be right before Christmas.  He couldn't tell me earlier this week because our son broke his arm and then was accidentally pushed down at school on Friday and unfortunately he displaced the fracture a bit, the ortho will look at it tomorrow.  He also received a mild concussion.  Today was the first day that seemed less stressful and he felt like he could finally tell the family.  I don't have room in my life for myths like you do.  At least the deployment will be Afghanistan, where the heart of the problems lie...and under President Obama, someone who works a bit harder to make true honest progress and not just hope to steal someone's oil and rape that damned Clinton's surplus, and someone who goes after the actual terrorists.

    Parent
    I have read your writings about how (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 09:31:18 PM EST
    Saddam wouldn't appear powerless to the world and that made us have to invade Iraq...and then I read your bull about how he balanced nothing.  He did so much in that area, and the Bush administration also knew the game he was playing with the image that Iraq needed to project and they used it as a reason to invade him when they knew and all the real intel said he was toothless and the IAEA said the same as well.

    Parent
    MT, if you want to swap insults I can (none / 0) (#53)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 10:06:26 PM EST
    hold my own but prefer not to.

    Yes, supposedly one of the reasons Saddam tried to act suspicious was that he didn't want to appear "powerless." Very bad decision on his part. He managed to convince the world's major intelligence agencies, if not the anti-war Left, of which I believe you are a card carrying member.

    And I am willing to look at any actual proof you have that our government knew with certainty that Saddam was not a threat. But recycled claims just don't hit the spot.

    And no, Iraq balanced nothing after Desert Storm. Iran was persuaded to be good not by Iraq but by the understanding that we would not tolerate them taking over Iraq and SA.

    If you want to play "I wish" then "I wish the Clinton Administration had told Saddam that if he really cooperated we would protect him." Think what could have been prevented.

    Parent

    MT, hope your son gets ok and I'm sorry (none / 0) (#52)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 09:52:03 PM EST
    about the Xmas deployment. I did one of those in '63 and they are terrible.

    Now, for the rant. First, you really need to post some links re your claims. Without them they just are claims.

    And if we were in Iraq to steal their oil we sure did a sorry job of it. Maybe that's why oil is near record highs and many seniors are dreading the winter when high food prices and high utilities may make them have to decide between eating, staying warm and buying the RX's that keep them functioning......

    So much for him "works(ing) a bit harder." I can only laugh to keep from crying when I read something like that.

    Parent

    I'm not sorry about the deployment (5.00 / 3) (#54)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 12, 2011 at 08:00:00 AM EST
    For God's sake I'm hardly the only military spouse going through it.  You know what I'm sorry for though Jim?  People like you who would get my husband killed and the father of my children killed, and destroy this nation's economic stability for neocon myths, fantasies, theories, and idealism.  

    Parent
    You're a sweetheart, MT (none / 0) (#55)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 12, 2011 at 09:15:28 AM EST
    but I understand your concerns and striking out. Spouses during the Cold War shared the same concerns. Unfortunately some of them came true.

    And like now, there were people then who claimed that the Soviets were not intent on "burying us" and actually did things that helped the enemy. Fonda's visit to North Vietnam comes to mind. I also remember the "human shields" who went to Baghdad before the war started. As in the case of Fonda and friends helping North Vietnam, I wonder how much that helped Saddam think that he could hang in there and win a political battle.

    So when you decide to criticize you really should focus on those whose activities actually hurt the war effort by doing things that improve the morale of the enemy and send the message that they can win politically.

    Perhaps that is one of the reasons we are still in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Parent

    The morale of the enemy? (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 12, 2011 at 08:33:31 PM EST
    Jim, if you saw anymore imaginary enemies lurking hidden and unknown in the shadows than you already do, we would have to get a super special dinner jacket for you.

    And you really need to worry about the morale of your soldiers, their families, and the middle class and poor civilians of this country right now because you refused to do so before all this and they are all too haggard and worn.  Particularly what is left of the middle class and the poor, you push those people down in the muck much more and damage them much more you might get yourself an atrocity.

    Parent

    I caught that Simon performance today (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:00:28 PM EST
    and thought that he was, as so often, a perfect choice -- bringing memories of his performance of that NYC song "The Boxer" on the first SNL after 9/11.

    Also perfect was his his switch to this song and his switch in wording to "wells of silence," a good description of the starkness and minimalism of the memorial.  (A better view capturing the wells is an aerial photo in the New Yorker magazine this week.)

    Paul Simon has a wondrous gift. (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:50:28 PM EST
    His songs are very illustrative of America over the past 50 years.

    Sounds of Silence was one of the first albums where I really paid attention to the lyrics.  The first album that saw me pouring over the liner notes (Remember liner notes?* ) was the Beatles Rubber Soul which remains my all-time favorite Beatles album. I was 13 when it came out and captivated by the wordplay. Making the connection between lyrics and poetry was a significant a-hah moment for me.

    * I miss liner notes. Some excellent writing appeared on the backs of album covers.

    Parent

    Yes, similar impact (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 01:57:55 PM EST
    for me of both albums, realizing that great lyrics are poetry put to music.

    I also still have both albums, in vinyl, in their original album covers, complete with liner notes avidly read at that age, too.  And yes, I agree that Rubber Soul remains the best.  Hmmm, I may have to spin some platters today, the old way. :-)

    Parent

    Sadly, I lost all my vinyl, including (none / 0) (#28)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 04:06:56 PM EST
    every Beatles album, in a house fire in 1980. Yes, vinyl warps melts into a big black lump when exposed to high heat.

    So, I am limited to CDs. Nothing gives the sound of vinyl, though.

    Parent

    Take a listen to the Beatles CD box set (none / 0) (#39)
    by easilydistracted on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 06:44:48 PM EST
    mono version. Outstanding.

    Parent
    Paul Simon - Sounds/ Wells of Silence (none / 0) (#14)
    by noholib on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 02:12:06 PM EST
    Thank you so much for posting this link.  
    I agree.  I was incredibly moved when I caught the tail end of it on the radio earlier today.  
    We are reminded again how great words -- of poetry, music, literature, liturgy, etc. -- take on new and deep meanings in ever-changing circumstances! Paul Simon's singing was so beautiful--modest, sensitive, sad, and humane.

    Parent
    I caught it to, by chance (none / 0) (#33)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 06:16:26 PM EST
    It was the perfect choice, especially those lyrics you mentioned about 'the wells of silence'.  Was that a chance in lyric? I thought it was the original.

    I also love 'An American Tune'. . Check out that link for a 1974 live version, introduced by the dashing young Dick Cavett.

    Parent

    Nope, "wells of silence" (none / 0) (#42)
    by Towanda on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 07:30:30 PM EST
    not in original lyrics, which I know by heart (and can be googled, if you want to refresh memories).  I suspect though, that Lipeskind's plan for the memorial now will be known as the "wells of silence" -- very descriptive of his design and very evocative of depth, echoing, etc., of wells.

    And yes, Romberry suggested "American Tune" below, which would have been perfect -- but would have been too political, I bet, as a heartbreaking commentary about our economy and society today.

    Parent

    Daniel "Libeskind." (none / 0) (#48)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 08:33:41 PM EST


    Parent
    I had to look it up (none / 0) (#57)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 12, 2011 at 02:53:51 PM EST
    just so I wouldn't think I had lost my mind....

    Found 2 lyrics pages that have it like I remember, here is one. In this verse:

    "Fools", said I, "You do not know
    Silence like a cancer grows
    Hear my words that I might teach you
    Take my arms that I might reach you"
    But my words, like silent raindrops fell
    And echoed
    In the wells of silence


    Parent
    From the Comfort of Mother's Basement. (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by KeysDan on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 02:03:50 PM EST
    An article in Sunday's NYT by Michael Barbaro, Jeff Zeleny and Monica Davey, reports Democratic officials' growing alarm about Obama's re-election prospects and are openly acknowledging anxiety about the WH's ability to strengthen the president's standing. "The alarm bells have already gone off in the Democratic grass roots,"said Robert Zimmerman, a member of the DNC from NY. ..If the Obama administration hasn't heard them, they should check the wiring of their alarm system."

    At the WH and at campaign headquarters in Chicago," officials bristled at the critiques", which they dismissed as familiar intra-party carping and second guessing that would give way to unity and enthusiasm once the nation is facing a clear choice between the president and the Republican nominee.  Jim Messina, campaign manager, said the criticism was largely a "Washington conversation" that did not match up with the on-the-ground enthusiasm.  Aides are traveling with Powerpoint presentations that spell out Mr. Obama's path to re-election.  Their pitch is Obama's appeal has grown in states like Arizona and that Republicans have alienated independents with "extreme positions on popular programs like Medicare."

    I guess, Messina and the rest of (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 02:57:51 PM EST
    Obama's campaign staff thinks that Obama's positions on Medicare will be popular with independent voters. List of Obama's "extreme position" on a popular program like Medicare:

    Medicare: Raising the eligibility age, imposing higher premiums for upper income beneficiaries, changing the cost-sharing structure, and shifting Medigap insurance in ways that would likely reduce first-dollar coverage. link

    Nope, those do not make me an enthusiastic Obama voter. In fact, I will not be voting for Obama precisely because of that agenda.  As an independent voter, those "fixes" are not popular with me and they have alienated this independent voter.

    Obama's objective is to have the cuts to the safety net programs, his grand bargain, passed prior to the 2012 election. If successful, he will be running on actually accomplishing the cuts to benefits and not just talking about them.  

    Parent

    your poor sweet Claire (none / 0) (#19)
    by The Addams Family on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:15:42 PM EST
    there's not enough salt to cover the big pretzel she's going to have to twist herself into

    Parent
    Sweet Claire was given her (none / 0) (#20)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:26:05 PM EST
    marching orders in November, 2010.

    Why anyone thought that was necessary is beyond me since she has been joined at the hip with Obama from the very beginning but there you have it.

    Parent

    aha (none / 0) (#41)
    by The Addams Family on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 07:25:01 PM EST
    post-thumpin'

    i mean post-shellacking

    Parent

    BTW, My Sweet Claire (none / 0) (#21)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:29:31 PM EST
    has signed every letter (at least 3) demanding establishment of the various deficit commissions and major deficit cuts all while soliciting contributions so that she can save the "entitlements" from the Republicans.  

    Parent
    The difference between (none / 0) (#32)
    by KeysDan on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 05:26:21 PM EST
    what Obama considers an extreme position on Medicare and the Republicans depends on what your definition of extreme is.  When you take into account comprehensive changes that  increase the age eligibility, incorporate additional means testing, require new co-pays, and, require changes in Medigap insurance it results in the loss of Medicare as we know it.   We lose Medicare as we know it to privatization with the proposal of Paul Ryan and his merry band of Republicans--only that proposal has the added chore  of clipping coupons.

    Parent
    this may turn out to be (5.00 / 4) (#17)
    by The Addams Family on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:01:22 PM EST
    the story of the 2012 election:

    Democrats are expressing growing alarm about President Obama's re-election prospects . . . At the White House and at Mr. Obama's campaign headquarters in Chicago, officials bristled at the critiques.

    coming soon: Donna Brazile's announcement that the Democratic Party no longer needs Democrats

    Parent

    This is (none / 0) (#26)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:50:42 PM EST
    going to be a freakish election for sure. I'm thinking a comparative year would be 1976 with someone like Romney being able to flip blue states like Maine and NH and Obama picking up a red state. Perry does nothing more than keep red states red and the fight will end up in a state like OH determining who wins the election.

    Parent
    Oregon very much in play? (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:07:49 PM EST
    "I believe Oregon is very much in play. I mean we are one of the harder hit states in the union, particularly my part of the state. I've just done six town hall meetings, have seven to go but people are shaking their heads and saying 'I don't know if I'd vote for him again.'" Defazio said.

    Asked if he was surprised, the congressman shrugged.

    "Not at all," DeFazio said. "One guy asked me, 'Give me 25 words what he's about and what he's done for me.' I'm like, 'It could have been worse. link



    Parent
    DeFazio is right. (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 04:02:24 PM EST
    Even in liberal Portland support for Obama is waning. In the rest of the state, which is predominantly rural and small town, well, Obama blew his chance to change those voting patterns for the long term.

    Unemployment remains stubbornly high. Overall, we are around 9.2%; some counties, though, have unemployment at closer to 15%-20%.

    It's a mistake to judge the entire state based on NY Times articles about Portland's hip food cart scene, our artisan coffee roasters, micro brewers, and our locavore restaurant culture. Scratch the surface, and Oregon is a working class state with ever diminishing opportunities for work.

    People are scared and angry and disappointed and fed-up. I doubt Obama would pull 70,000 people to the park today, even with sunny weather and the Decemberists as the opening act.

    Parent

    An American Tune (none / 0) (#24)
    by Romberry on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 03:38:32 PM EST
    Last year in response to a post by Jeralyn on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denial of relief for our "Ghost Air" detainees who were tortured, I put up a post at Open Salon with an embedded YouTube (and lyrics) of the Starland Vocal Band's rendition of Paul Simon's American Tune.

    The Sound of Silence is great. But American Tune captures more of what I feel on today. From the lyrics:

    I don't know a soul who's not been battered
    Don't have a friend who feels at ease
    Don't know a dream that's not been shattered
    Or driven to it's knees.
    But it's all right, all right,
    We've lived so well so long.
    Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on,
    I wonder what's gone wrong,
    I can't help it
    I wonder what's gone wrong.

    It's a wonderful but melancholy song. Check it at my Open Salon post for the song and lyrics, or find it directly on YouTube here.

    did not see your post (none / 0) (#34)
    by ruffian on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 06:18:41 PM EST
    before I wrote mine. That is the one I was hoping for too, but I'm not sure I could have taken it. Makes me cry even on a normal day.

    Parent
    I have missed some important news! (none / 0) (#36)
    by observed on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 06:29:07 PM EST
    There is a boycott at Daily Kos.
    OMG! ZOMG!
    Is it because people were mean to blackwaterdog?
    I just read that people being mean to BWD was a clear sign of racism, which was TMI already.
    Perhaps MT can fill us in.
    No (none / 0) (#38)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 06:40:23 PM EST
    it's because apparently Kos went on a banning spree and banned mostly African Americans. I'm not sure if this is what really happened because I haven't spent much time there in years and really don't know who is an African American and who is not.

    Frankly, I felt like laughing. This is what happened to a bunch of Hillary supporters back in 2008 and there was a "writers strike" back then too.

    Apparently a lot of people feel that Kos is now Anti-Obama or whatever. I guess if you aren't swooning at everything Obama says you are now considered a "hater". It's more foolishness.

    Parent

    Eew, sorry, not related, but I'm hearing (none / 0) (#40)
    by observed on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 07:02:25 PM EST
    Obama give some homily just now. He sounded so insincere.

    You've made me curious. I almost want to find out more about the boycott now.


    Parent

    According to one of the diaries (none / 0) (#43)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 07:50:55 PM EST
    announcing he/she was participating in a one week boycott of DKos:

    One of the biggest problems right now, is that Markos has declared that "false" accusations of racism are now a bannable offense. link


    Parent
    So now they're a bankable offense? (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 07:54:30 PM EST
    But in the 2008 primary they were just dandy?

    Sometimes the discourse on some of the so-called progressive blogs would be embarrassing if I cared the least bit about what they have to say.

    Parent

    Typo alert! (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 07:56:44 PM EST
    I meant bannable, but spell check insisted I wanted bankable. Although, those racism accusations were pretty bankable in 2008.

    Parent
    A 1 week boycott (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 08:20:29 PM EST
    in protest.

    Pretty heavy stuff, no? The equivalent of a sternly worded letter?

    Parent

    I know, right? (none / 0) (#56)
    by sj on Mon Sep 12, 2011 at 10:27:18 AM EST


    Parent
    If Jack Nicholson ran the Euro Zone. (none / 0) (#46)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 11, 2011 at 08:03:56 PM EST
    I can't even pretend to fully understand what is going on with the world economy and the big financial institutions and the various government agencies that pretend to regulate them.

    Still, I find the following take on Trichet's recent whininess tres amuse'.

    I got this by following a link from Krugman's blog.

    Hmmm, I hope this is not a trial balloon (none / 0) (#58)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 12, 2011 at 03:00:25 PM EST
    Obama Admin proposes Jobs Act to be paid for by tightening up tax deductions for the more affluent.

    Will probably not pass the House... but at least is a better starting position than I expected.

    Yep (none / 0) (#59)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 12, 2011 at 03:13:18 PM EST
    A proposal that I can support. Nice for a change even if it is probably just a talking point.

    Parent
    Sunday Afternoon Open Thread | 60 comments (60 topical)

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