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Thursday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 11:05:27 AM EST
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Bill Simmons with a huge get - President Barack Obama.

Open Thread.

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    Thursday Morning Open Thread | 47 comments (47 topical)

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    Shirley Sherrod on Breitbart death... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by magster on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 11:40:58 AM EST
     "The news of Mr. Breitbart's death came as a surprise to me when I was informed of it this morning. My prayers go out to Mr. Breitbart's family as they cope through this very difficult time."

    She is way classier than I could be were I in her shoes.

    This site does not (none / 0) (#71)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 12:50:35 AM EST
    permit commenters to insult people on the occasion of their death. Or speculate that their demise was the result of illegal activity. It's inappropriate. If you want to trash someone who just died, please do it elsewhere.

    I also think it's bad karma.

    The comments in response to this were all mocking, insensitive, insulting or downright rude.

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    and I forgot to add (none / 0) (#72)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 12:51:40 AM EST
    those comments have been deleted.

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    I like what he had to say (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by CST on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 11:41:52 AM EST
    about girls sports.  He couldn't be more right.  I noticed it a lot when I studied abroad in Germany, the difference between living in a society where all girls play sports, vs living in a place where "sporty" girls play sports.  I played on a soccer team in Germany, they were very good, better than any team I played on in the US, but they were the only female athletes around and you could feel the difference socially.

    I remember playing in a tournament at the school - people coming up to me afterwards so surprised that I played soccer, since it was only me and one other girl - and I don't know how to put this but she wasn't very feminine.  Afterwards another girl said she wished she had the guts to play but didn't know other girls would play (meanwhile I had had no idea I would be one of the only ones).

    I feel like it makes a big difference too with the way men and women interact with each other.  It levels the playing field to some extent and women who play sports are definitely less restricted by typical gender roles.  When it happens on a wide scale like in the US - society becomes less restricted by typical gender roles.

    Although when I spoke with the membership chair (none / 0) (#3)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 11:51:19 AM EST
    @ a men's rowing club in Hamburg, he sd. They were having trouble filling the ranks. Hadn't considered recruiting females.

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    Agree (none / 0) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:06:20 PM EST


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    in m experience (none / 0) (#9)
    by smott on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:43:25 PM EST
    It depends on the sport at least in US.
    I play tennis at a regional level, and (back in college) played ice hockey at a national level.
    Women tennis players are assumed to be "normal" ie mostly straight.
    Women ice-hockey players are nearly universally assumed gay.

    In my experience the straight-gay is more or less the same no matter the sport....possibly in hockey there's less desire to hide it.

    But in terms of gender roles - yes "sporty" girls very much more accepted now in the US than say 25 yrs ago....

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    That is so wrong (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:55:16 PM EST
    I always wanted to play hockey.  When we were kids and played floor hockey I spent half my time in the penalty box.  But I'm not gay, just in touch with my anger :)

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    I think that's somewhat regional as well (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by CST on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 01:09:28 PM EST
    Women's ice-hockey was pretty big around here.  Nobody assumed they were gay, they were just all girls from southie.  And these weren't casual players, hockey was one of the only team sports we were any good at - the ladies even won state while I was there.  If you played sports and lived in southie, chances are that sport was hockey.

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    The 1% speaks.... (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 01:31:00 PM EST
    Jamie "Nickel &" Dimon, he of the 23 million dollar salary, calls journalists overpaid.

    Free advice for Jamie & Mitt & the 1%, better to be quiet and assumed to be an overpaid shady 1%er, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

    Makes me think of the time (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 01:41:54 PM EST
    I heard Bruce Willis pissing and moaning about the overpaid teamsters working in the movie business..

    The thing about living cosseted in a bubble populated by fannie smoochers is that you develope an arrogant sense of unreality rivaling that of some of the more decadent Caesars. And never get called on it.

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    Yeah man... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:05:09 PM EST
    I can see the room full of "investors" at the conference nodding along in mindless agreement, with stars in their eyes.

    Journalists, teamsters, teachers...lazy overpaid louts all...pay no attention to the titans of leechery and grifting.

    Somewhat related news...if ya ain't got 100 grand for Chase to gamble with, they don't wanna know ya, you're a loser.  Banking regs have limited Dimon's ability to nickel and dime ya to death.

    Don't say ya haven't been warned, mere mortal Chase account holders.

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    And now I've heard it all... (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:59:28 PM EST
    Schiff, 46, is facing another kind of jam this year: Paid a lower bonus, he said the $350,000 he earns, enough to put him in the country's top 1 percent by income, doesn't cover his family's private-school tuition, a Kent, Connecticut, summer rental and the upgrade they would like from their 1,200-square- foot Brooklyn duplex.

    "I feel stuck," Schiff said. "The New York that I wanted to have is still just beyond my reach."

    "I can't imagine what I'm going to do," Schiff said. "I'm crammed into 1,200 square feet. I don't have a dishwasher. We do all our dishes by hand."

    Want some cheese with that whine?  I can't afford brie, but I got some Kraft Singles I can spare;)


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    Much easier to get the cheese in a can. (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by Anne on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 03:56:14 PM EST
    Plus, it's harder to Martha Stewart that into something acceptable in the Hamptons.

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    Here's the best quote, (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Zorba on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 04:05:24 PM EST
    from Alan Dlugash in the article:  "People who don't have money don't understand the stress"!!!!!
    "People who don't have money" have a lot more stress than you could ever imagine, Alan, buddy.  Like putting food on the table, paying their rent, getting medical care for their children- oh, lots of things.  
    These people are truly living in Fantasy Land.  Their cluelessness, sense of entitlement, and arrogance is breath-taking.
    Has Schiff considered, oh, I don't know, sending his kids to (gasp!) public school?  Not renting a summer home?  I'm sure there are other things he could do to live comfortably on $350,000 a year, even in New York.  The New York that he "wanted."  What a jerk!
    And I'll chip in an old bottle of soda pop that's gone flat.   ;-)


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    LOL! (none / 0) (#51)
    by Zorba on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 04:37:18 PM EST
    n/t

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    Why ? (none / 0) (#30)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:47:05 PM EST
    They own the media, no one of importance if going to take on their taskmasters.  If there one thing that the rich has accomplished this decade, it's no longer pretending they have shame.

    "If the peons don't like it, who cares, I own the people that make rules and the people that write about, suck it low lifes, I do what I do..."

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    Ripping Andrew Breitbart (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Edger on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:51:15 PM EST
    You know, there is only one universe, and it's all that is, was, can be, and will be. To say that there is something outside the universe, or to say you leave it when you die, is only to say that the universe is more encompassing than you thought it was.

    There is nowhere to go.

    The universe "peoples" like the ocean "waves".

    When the ocean expresses itself as a wave for awhile, the wave is not something separate from or "other" than the ocean. It is the ocean expressing itself locally for awhile.

    Similarly, when the universe expresses itself as a conscious human being who for awhile has an ego that hallucinates that it is something separate from the universe, the human being is not something "other" than the universe. It is the universe expressing itself locally for awhile.

    I  don't see a lot of point in pissing on Andrew Breitbart or celebrating his death.

    I didn't like a lot of things he had to say, but whether or not anyone liked the things he had to say in his life, he demanded and expressed the freedom of speech we all demand and express.

    Andrew Breitbart is all of us.  Andrew Breitbart is me. Andrew Breitbart is you.

    Andrew Breitbart is the man in the mirror.

    RIP.

    Interesting post, at least (none / 0) (#58)
    by brodie on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 05:32:25 PM EST
    the part I think I understood (maybe 10%).

    As for freedom of speech, I think it would be fitting in this instance if we were allowed the full expression thereof in commenting on his life, but its not my board and I respect J's right to set the rules here.

    And as for there being only one universe, let's not be too hasty in assuming that is the case, sitting here as we are in the early stages of advanced scientific understanding of things cosmogical.  Wouldn't surprise me in the least if, say, thirty years from now the paradigm hasn't shifted to accepting the likely reality of a parallel or multiverse situation as indisputable evidence is adduced.  Just my suspicion from where some of the recent theoretical work in physics has been trending.  

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    Well, I'm using a definiton (none / 0) (#76)
    by Edger on Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 05:31:13 AM EST
    of "universe" being "all that is, was, can be, and will be", so the concept of parallel universes or  multiverse just makes the universe that much more encompassing.

    And since everything that we can see, including all people, is an expression of the whole realm of nature, a unique action of the total universe, and cannot exist without it or separate from it, everything we see - rocks, trees, animals, and including ourselves and every other person we look at - is the entire universe... like a wave is an expression, a unique action, of the ocean, and not something separate from or other than the ocean.

    Parent

    For those of you replying to this comment (none / 0) (#75)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 01:05:00 AM EST
    Keep in mind we don't criticize people on the occasion of their death. You'll have to take that discussion elsewhere. Comments insulting Mr. Breitbart will be deleted.

    Parent
    Bet your arse... (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 03:35:04 PM EST
    if he got a phone call from the DR along the lines of "Senor Rush, estoy embarazada!", he'd be advocating adding birth control to the water supply.

    Not Before Manitory Abortions for (none / 0) (#53)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 04:53:57 PM EST
    Non-US citizens.  If he hasn't already.

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    Comments on this topic (none / 0) (#73)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 12:55:59 AM EST
    referring to V***ra have been deleted. Every time an explicit word like that is used, we get hit by dozens of spammers. Please use asterisks or refrain from referring to explicit acts or that drug.

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    Now THIS is genius (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 04:15:29 PM EST
    Of late, the president's re-election campaign has poked fun at it, selling coffee cups with a picture of the president's birth record.

    I was not planning on donating any money, but I want me one of those cups.

    Link Please, I Will Buy One (none / 0) (#54)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 04:57:58 PM EST
    and they can call it what they want, but it will be a purchase in my book.  The sweet taste of water in that cup at work is easily worth the price of admission.

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    I got mine. Just seems like the perfect (none / 0) (#65)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 07:17:08 PM EST
    souvenir of the last 4 years.

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    As vile as this entire thing is (4.00 / 1) (#28)
    by CST on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:41:19 PM EST
    The thing that really confuses me is this "She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception".  He doesn't realize that it costs the same amount if you have sex with 1 person vs 20 people?

    Most women I know who use birth control use it when they are in committed relationships.  But in any event, it costs the same amount no matter how much sex you are having.

    It's vile to be sure, but it's also just freaking stupid.

    Way to go Simmons!... (none / 0) (#4)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 11:57:52 AM EST
    Would have loved some follow-up drug war questions after Obama mentioned he's a fan of "The Wire"...but I guess thats asking a lot for a fluff piece from a comedic sports writer...and he'd probably lose any chance of a second interview;)

    It is pretty cool to have a pres who knows his hoops, if not sensible drug policy.

    Speaking of hoops....Steve "Automatic" Novak, the Marquette Marksman, still on fire from long range after the break, as the Knicks storm back from a 17 point deficit to cruise to victory over the Cavs, led by Stevie Swish's 17 Points off the bench, 5-8 from downtown.  Dude is shooting 46% from behind the arc this season...ridiculous.  Chants of "We Want Novak" from the Garden faithful.  

    Super Lintendo is fast becoming an automatic double-double...19 points 13 assists, and perhaps most impressive only one turnover.

    Good start to the second half fellas!

    I finally finished the third season (none / 0) (#6)
    by CST on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:11:14 PM EST
    of the wire, and am now starting season 4.  I took a bit of a hiatus since it's kind of intense and it can be hard to watch everything go to $hit over and over again.

    That being said, I'm not an Omar fan right now, since he just killed my favorite character (I won't mention who in case anyone here hasn't seen it yet and still wants to). Omar is the easy choice, IMO, but not necessarily the best one.  It's obvious that he's the one you're supposed to like.  All that being said I might change my mind in a season.  Goodness knows I didn't use to like my favorite character in season 2 when he killed my then favorite character.  They kill way too many good characters!

    Having just seen season 3 - I would have asked him what he thought about Hampsterdam.

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    Yes, that killing was hard to take (none / 0) (#7)
    by ruffian on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:15:44 PM EST
    for me too. But you lay out the dilemma well!

    What a great show. I am tempted to start all over again.

    I just got done with all four seasons of Breaking Bad, and almost started watching it all over again too.  I have an inappropriate in every way crush on Jesse.

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    One more time with Dadler fiction (none / 0) (#8)
    by Dadler on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:23:45 PM EST
    A TYPO OF A PECULIAR TYPE (not for the easily offended or puritanically inclined, but it's a story about freedom ultimately).

    Part 1

    Part 2

    Part 3

    Happy Thursday, y'all.

    a nebbishy Tom Jones (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 01:33:10 PM EST
    plunked down in the interzone, where angels fear to tread..

    "Fiction", eh? Well done, again, Dadler.

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    Thanks for the read, old friend (none / 0) (#77)
    by Dadler on Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 12:21:43 PM EST
    Been awhile.  Hope all's well your way.  Peace.

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    Paging CST... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:44:55 PM EST
    how 'bout that historic USA victory over Italy in Genoa?  

    Wish I'd seen the game, sounds like Howard was stupendous once again, we were outshot 19-4 yet prevailed 1-0.  The recap I read said Bradley was on his game too...good stuff.  

    yeaaaaa (none / 0) (#11)
    by CST on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:50:39 PM EST
    I was gonna post that earlier but forgot.  I missed the game too but you gotta love Timmy!

    I hear it wasn't pretty, and the 19-4 shooting would suggest as much, but a win is a win and soccer wins especially don't always go to the pretty team.

    I hope Klinsmann succeeds as a coach.  I have a bit of a soft spot for Germans.

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    So far so good for Klinsmann... (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 12:57:06 PM EST
    we might surpise some people come next World Cup.

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    Aaaaannnndddddd (none / 0) (#20)
    by jbindc on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:16:57 PM EST
    Santorum can stop calling Michigan "a tie".  Committee awards two at-large delegates to Romney, giving him 16 to Santorum's 14.
     

    Tieish? (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:20:58 PM EST


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    The great thing about this is (none / 0) (#69)
    by CoralGables on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 09:34:36 PM EST
    Michigan did change their rules again after the fact. Oops we'll do it instead this way.

    Parent
    For those who followed the election results on Tue (none / 0) (#23)
    by magster on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:27:35 PM EST
    you may have missed this riveting documentary on Fukushima on PBS.

    Yet another superb (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 02:53:44 PM EST
    program on Frontline.  Such a shame their schedule has had to be cut so far back from what it once was because of funding.  Back in the day, they went every week from end of September right through May or June.  Now they're once, sometimes twice a week, with many weeks off scattered into the schedule.

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    Feeling Religious Today (none / 0) (#56)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 05:13:06 PM EST
    I don't get why you hope god has mercy on anyone, why, not to get into a debate, but seems like you are questioning gods supremacy.  

    Won't the mercy god uses be the exact right amount ?  I am somewhat kidding, and honestly I believe it's self congratulatory christian stuff that is more routine then thought out.  Normally you mention it passing but today you just seem especially glad to be a christian.  What gives.

    Looking back I really am not trying to offend, but I probably have, and sorry, but I don't mean to, but I can't think of any other way to ask.  I really am not looking for a religious brawl, just curious to the mentioning of the Lord and souls so often.  Plenty of other like posts w/o the mention.  And I respect all beliefs, trust me today, I could use a higher power, but it's not for me, so a couple cold ones will be my higher power and most certainly comfort my soul.

    I think it's a variation of (none / 0) (#59)
    by Anne on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 05:39:15 PM EST
    "live by the sword, die by the sword" or "fighting fire with fire;" in other words, if these "good" people of Arizona - or anywhere - are going to keep invoking religion and God and wanting to have these fights on religious turf, the least we can do is, um, pray, or convey our desire, for some higher power to answer them in some fashion befitting the utter arrogance and ignorance with which they are invoked.

    It's language they understand.

    Parent

    OMG (none / 0) (#61)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 06:12:37 PM EST
    Ya, that one flew right over my head, here I am thinking... whatever, not important.  

    Makes sense now and they certainly don't seem out of place.  My bad.

    Parent

    Two Brief Paeans to Andrew Breitbart (none / 0) (#67)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Mar 01, 2012 at 08:23:26 PM EST
    published in today's Guardian.  

    Pro: Andrew Breitbart: marrying new media with political principle

    Con: Andrew Breitbart: a man who lived for the fight

    He was effective.

    To those considering (none / 0) (#74)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Mar 02, 2012 at 01:01:29 AM EST
    responding to this with insults and negative comments about Mr. Breitbart, don't bother. They will be deleted.

    As someone above noted, it is my site and a rule here is we don't speak ill of the dead, especially on the occasion of their death.

    There are a million places on the internet you can go to express negative thoughts. Please don't do it here.

    Parent

    Thursday Morning Open Thread | 47 comments (47 topical)

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