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Wednesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:01:30 AM EST
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Jesse LaGreca, the Ministry of Truth, and I, will be on Daily Kos Radio today at 11 a.m. Listen here.

Today one issue we will discuss is Sheldon Adelson - his alleged corrupt foreign practices and his astounding threat to sue the DCCC for libel:

In a scathing letter to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Sheldon Adelson's lawyer accused the organization of "maliciously branding Mr. Adelson as a pimp" and demanded the DCCC either retract and apologize or be sued.

A credible threat? I wish. We'll talk about it on The Ministry of Truth.

Open Thread.

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    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 96 comments (96 topical)

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    Does Daily Kos Radio have in-house (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:07:44 AM EST
    legal counsel?  Is Adelson listening today?

    I only heard the end of the show (none / 0) (#37)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:45:48 PM EST
    There was enough in there for him to wild on :)  BTD would love it.  All publicity is publicity.

    Parent
    Armando threw in frequent (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:56:30 PM EST
    "allegedly"s.  

    Parent
    I LOVE IT (none / 0) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:01:58 PM EST


    Parent
    Besides, BTD gets to edit any problematic comment (none / 0) (#76)
    by Peter G on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 08:33:57 PM EST
    retroactively

    Parent
    LinSaNitY In Houston ? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:28:56 AM EST
    Jeremy Lin is not worth $25M, but we do have the Asian infrastructure, so I am told, to validate those kinds of numbers.  The only thing left from Yao Ming is his busted restaurant that I believe his parents run.

    Is Yao planning in the Olympics this year, last time I heard that was a negative.  Wouldn't mind seeing him play again, even for China.

    More Houston Sports:
    The Astros are sucking so badly, the city is now referring to any win as a 'One Game Winning Streak', they are 34-57.

    The Dynamo has a brand new privately funded bright orange stadium, and doing OK.  But hard as I try, I just can't get into soccer.

    The Texans has adopted Chevelle's new song, 'Hats Off to the Bull' as this years theme song.  Not sure if that is official, but sure as hell beats last years 'Bulls on Parade'.

    And lastly, Forbes has ranked the most valuable sports franchise in the world, here are the top 10.

    #1 Manchester United ($2.23 billion)
    #2 Real Madrid ($1.88 billion)
    #3 New York Yankees ($1.85 billion)
    #3 Dallas Cowboys ($1.85 billion)
    #5 Washington Redskins ($1.56 billion)
    #6 Los Angeles Dodgers ($1.4 billion)
    #6 New England Patriots ($1.4 billion)
    #8 Barcelona ($1.31 billion)
    #9 New York Giants ($1.3 billion)
    #10 Arsenal ($1.29 billion)

    Worthy mentions, Jets 12th, Texans 13th, the Pack 17th, and the Lakers at 35.

    Very sorry to see... (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:56:00 AM EST
    Super Lintendo go, I still think he's a talented gamer with room for improvement...I was in the "pay the man" camp.  

    Yeah, the Rockets definitely overpaid in the basketball sense, but as you said, easy to make it up on the merchandising side.  What I find  hilarious is some pundits lauding the Knicks for finally making a sound basketball decision, when I think the refusal to match is simple spite on the part of Jimmy "Big Baby" Dolan.  Lin had the nerve to hire a publicist without consulting Madison Square Gulag corporate!  How quickly they forget the dude practically single handedly settled the MSG/Time Warner dispute to the tune of 160 extra million for MSG.

    Lots of fans are vowing to jump ship to the Brooklyn Nets over it...I can't blame them.  He was only the most exciting to happen to the Knicks in over a decade...why keep a guy like that around?  

    Parent

    Good thing Melo demanded to be traded... (none / 0) (#18)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:00:26 PM EST
    ... to this historically well-managed team.

    Parent
    Then you'd clearly appreciate ... (none / 0) (#51)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:03:48 PM EST
    ... this article.

    Parent
    Remember when the lottery was at $450 million... (none / 0) (#14)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:45:42 AM EST
    I could have bought the Denver Nuggets for $375 million (Forbes valuation) and still had plenty left over.

    Imagine the PA announcer "and at starting point guard, 45 year old, barely six feet tall, MAGSTER, ...agster...ster). Ty Lawson would have been upset had I won the lottery, but he'd have gotten over it.

    Parent

    Can I Call Dibs on the Announcer Position... (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:11:21 PM EST
    ...I'll do it like Jackie Moon:
    This guy is single and disease free, no VD at all, but you can be the lucky girl to give it to him, barely six feet, 45, ...Magster...


    Parent
    Only if I get to fight a bear in a cage at halftim (none / 0) (#24)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:15:54 PM EST


    Parent
    Escaping With Your Life is the Reward (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:03:47 PM EST
    Jackie Moon on the Dewie the Bear escape:
    Everybody panic! Oh my God, there's a bear loose in the coliseum! There will be no refunds! Your refund will be escaping this deathtrap with your life! If you have a small child, use it as a shield! They love the tender meat! Cover your sodas! Dewie loves sugar!


    Parent
    Rob Corddry delivers... (none / 0) (#63)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 02:23:13 PM EST
    the line of the film.

    "Just watchin'...and stuff."

    Parent

    "single and disease free...." (none / 0) (#30)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:34:52 PM EST
    only one of those is true.

    Parent
    Maybe the Astros will do better ... (none / 0) (#39)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:48:15 PM EST
    ... next season, when they make the switch to the American League, and their pitchers will have a designated hitter and thus will no longer have to bat for themselves.

    So it all balances out now and makes perfect sense, because we'll have a decades-old franchise in the National League whose only pennant was earned in the American League (Milwaukee Brewers, 1982), and vice versa (Houston, 2005).

    Parent

    The Flaw... (none / 0) (#54)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:09:09 PM EST
    ...with that is the Atros' nemesis, Pujols will be in the same league again.  It will be neat to be in the same league as the Rangers, might even get that extra special thrive of seeing papa and baby Bush at the same games.

    It was/is nice to have the Astros in the same division as the Brewers, my origin state team.

    Parent

    officially employed again (5.00 / 7) (#9)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:07:04 AM EST
    doing my summer waitressing gig till grad school starts.  At grandma's house for the summer/weekends in the fall.

    I was a little worried about finding something this late in the summer but the first place I went offered me lunch in a few weeks, and the second place I went hired me for dinner and lunch on the spot.  Took me about an hour from the time I left the house to the time I got back to the house.  Including 2 short ferry rides.

    It's good to be a "responsible looking young adult" sometimes.

    May all your customers be well behaved... (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:14:13 AM EST
    and all your tips be monsters.

    A little right place right time luck always helps on the job hunt, and in life.  1 hour might be a "new economy" record though, well done!

    Parent

    thanks (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:24:25 AM EST
    it's been a while since I've had this kind of gig but I'm kind of looking forward to the change of pace.  And with grad school on the horizon I don't feel bad about not being in an office for a bit.

    You only live once, and this summer I'm trying to make the most of it.  But I was a little nervous because I couldn't really afford to be unemployed for long.  So it's very nice to not have to worry too much about paying the bills for a few.

    Parent

    "waitressing" (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:07:49 PM EST
    I always envisioned you as an early 30's male...

    Might be fun sometime to have everyone write a police witness-style description of how we picture regular commenters here.

    Parent

    ha! (none / 0) (#27)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:22:23 PM EST
    although I'm not sure what that says about me...

    Think late 20s female with obscenely frizzy hair.

    Parent

    Do you at least live in Indiana? (none / 0) (#29)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:28:16 PM EST
    Where there is/was a law where daylight savings time was not recognized?

    Parent
    nope! (none / 0) (#32)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:36:56 PM EST
    Bostonian for the most part.  I've never even been to Indiana.

    Parent
    Guess this is why my career as a mentalist/psychic (none / 0) (#34)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:39:37 PM EST
    didn't pan out.

    Parent
    Excellent news (none / 0) (#35)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:41:41 PM EST


    Parent
    I really think you should write up your (none / 0) (#57)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:36:06 PM EST
    summer experiences and post here as links.  See Dadler.  

    Parent
    It might be time for me to sign up for Netflix (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by sj on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:16:52 PM EST
    My neighborhood has been taken over this week by the filming of Netflix series "House of Cards" with Kevin Spacey.  I don't mind the noise and activity at all, but I'm looking longingly at all those street parking spaces the trailers and trucks have claimed :)

    All week they're there -- last time they filmed in the area it was only one day.  

    Apparently there is a big scene being filmed tonight.  As it happens, there is a neighborhood free movie (Moneyball) in the park tonight also so maybe I'll see something/someone?  I kind of doubt it, though.  They're using the Peabody so maybe can slip in and out.  Also it is so danged hot and muggy I don't know if I will be leaving my home with its A/C today.  

    I'll be sad if I miss the movie, though.  I love those outdoor movies at the park.  Last year they showed "Secretariat", "The King's Speech" and "The Blind Side".

    Next week is "The Artist".  I'm not interested in that one at all.  So the weather will probably be perfect.

    Give "The Artist" a chance. (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:19:26 PM EST
    I freely admit that I was initially quite skeptical about the idea of a 21st century silent film, and had to be literally dragged by Spouse and Younger Daughter to see it. I was very pleasantly surprised by how good it actually was, and how quickly I became absorbed in the story. While it's obviously a rather gimmicky concept, it nevertheless works very well, and I thought it deserved its Oscar for Best Picture.

    Besides, the price is right, so what have you got to lose, aside from a couple of hours in a neighborhood park on a pleasant summer evening?

    Parent

    I have a feeling that Mother Nature is (none / 0) (#31)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:36:28 PM EST
    going to mess a bit with everyone's plans - I'm hearing severe t-storms with damaging winds, possible hail and a lot of lightning.

    While my route in and out of the city hasn't been affected by Monday's water main break at Light and Lombard, I'm hoping I can get out of the city before the deluge that turns the ride home into gridlock.

    Parent

    Thanks for the heads up (none / 0) (#41)
    by sj on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:54:40 PM EST
    Maybe I should leave work early.

    Parent
    It's ok w/me. (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:59:53 PM EST


    Parent
    Hey, everyone! Did you know that ... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:56:49 PM EST
    ... Barack Obama's Hawaii birth certificate is a fake? It must be true, because Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio just told us so.

    (Sigh!) Do these guys with the dog whistles even realize how badly they're damaging the Republican brand in the eyes of millions of Americans, with these continuing unfounded attacks upon the president's race, citizenship and patriotism?

    Arpaio was the subject of (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:01:31 PM EST
    discussion on this morning's Dk radio.  

    BTW, "Arpaio" doesn't sound all that native to moi.

    Parent

    Correct me if I'm wrong.... (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by ruffian on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:44:30 PM EST
    But didn't I suggest this two years ago?

    Senate Democrats -- holding firm against extending tax cuts for the rich -- are proposing a novel way to circumvent the Republican pledge not to vote for any tax increase: Allow all the tax cuts to expire Jan. 1, then vote on a tax cut for the middle class shortly thereafter.

    Better late than never I suppose.

    Will only work (none / 0) (#72)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 04:10:47 PM EST
    If the Dems keep the Senate.

    Parent
    As long as the Dems d this before (none / 0) (#74)
    by caseyOR on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 06:29:49 PM EST
    the new Congress takes office in early January, it is very doable.

    All the Dems have to do is get it done in December.

    Parent

    I think her suggestion (none / 0) (#77)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:11:43 PM EST
    Was to let the extensions expire and then vote on new tax cuts for the middle class.  The extensions don't expire jntil December 31st and then the Congressional session ends.

    Also, the House will also still be controlled by the R's.

    But I applaud the creativity and forward thinking - unlike the Dems in Congress.  ;)

    Parent

    unless (none / 0) (#82)
    by CST on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 09:01:58 AM EST
    the Dems win back the house :)

    Could go either way at this point.  But I agree with the strategy.  Let them expire, and see what happens.  Worst case the republicans introduce the bill they want later and we get that result anyway.  Better later than sooner, and that way at least the Dems have stood firm on their principles, and don't continue to give away the house to the Republicans.  If the Republicans win back both houses of congress and do it all on their own there isn't a whole lot Dems in congress can do about it anyway.

    Then there is always Obama if he wins.  If Romney wins and we lose the senate and don't win back the house, it doesn't really matter what any Dems do.  Elections have consequences.  But there is no need to give them what they want before that happens, especially as it might not happen.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#84)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 09:27:19 AM EST
    But the Dems aren't going to win back the House - barring some huge miracle. They will be lucky to get to double digit wins, let alone the 25 seats they need to win control.

    Roll Call:

    Right now, the outlook for the House is anywhere from a small GOP gain to a modest Democratic gain in the single digits -- not close to what Democrats hoped for as the cycle began.

    A detailed, race-by-race evaluation of the House suggests that Republicans already have 201 safe seats, with 11 more rated by my newsletter as "Republican Favored," a barely competitive category. An additional 14 seats are rated as "Lean Republican."

    If Republicans lose every race my newsletter currently rates as "Toss-up/Tilt Republican," "Toss-up" or "Toss-up/Tilt Democrat," they would still win 226 seats in the House -- eight more than needed for a majority.

    Of course, Republicans won't lose all of those races. They may well win a majority of them.

    SNIP

    Given the current outlook, a Democratic gain of 10 to 12 House seats would have to be regarded as an extremely good outcome for the party, and a net GOP gain is not impossible. What does seem impossible, at least at this point, is a Democratic takeover of the House in November.

    Control of the Senate is still very much in doubt as well.

    So, they need to come up with something NOW -before the election.  "Standing firm" when you are in a lame duck session doesn't really do much for policy or for optics.

    :)

    Parent

    what do you suggest? (none / 0) (#85)
    by CST on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 10:00:11 AM EST
    They can't get tax cuts through the house now without including the high income folk anyway.  Might as well let the republicans do that on their own if they win.

    I see no need to jump the gun.  Let them expire, and let the republicans own it.

    Parent

    and if i were obama (none / 0) (#86)
    by CST on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 10:13:35 AM EST
    I would veto any bill that included those tax cuts.  Play chicken.   I think this is one the dems could actually win.  Also, I think the margin in the house now includes a lot of crazies - but not all.of them.  So any thinning would help.tremendously.

    Parent
    Let's be clear (none / 0) (#87)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 10:27:04 AM EST
    There are no "tax cuts" on the table.  There are the current rates, which were once tax cuts in a bill passed in 2001 under Bush.  These rates are set to expire at the end of the year.  So, the only options currently before us are: 1) Congress extends the current rates (in some form) for another year, kicking the can down the road, to revisit this topic (yet again) or, 2) the extension expires and tax rates (and ergo, taxes) go up come January.

    And if the Dems do nothing (or Obama vetos before election day), the message (and the reality) will be that Obama and Senate Dems raised taxes. Of course, the Republicans in the House will be responsible too, if they play chicken and don't vote on a bill. And no politician wants to be tagged with that 100 days out from an election, but I think Obama gets tagged with this more than John Boehner if that happens.

    Parent

    yes and i am suggesting (none / 0) (#88)
    by CST on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 10:43:36 AM EST
    We let taxes go up in January.  Taxes won't go up 100 days before the election as they don't expire until January.  It gives people a clear choice in philosophy, and revisit it once they expire.

    If the American people choose the philosophy of Romney, that is what we get.  If not, we can continue to hold the line.   I don't think people won't understand the issue though.   And Romney will have to defend giving himself and people like him another tax break - which doesn't look great in light of recent news.

    Parent

    But the ads write themselves (none / 0) (#89)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 10:49:37 AM EST
    "Obama vetos plan to keep tax rates low. Taxes to go up in January - under his watch."

    Parent
    they sure do (none / 0) (#90)
    by CST on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 10:53:03 AM EST
    "Romney thinks he needs another tax break more than the middle class"

    Look, we can argue this till the cows come home, I think it's better policy and better politics to not vote on an extension.  I also think Obama will win either way.  You obviously disagree, there's not much left to say here.

    What you propose is what we would get with president Romney either way, so might as well let him do it if it means he wins.

    Parent

    Hardly (none / 0) (#91)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 11:45:17 AM EST
    I'm saying that doing nothing does not help the Democrats - you apparently think it will, although I have no idea why since the Democrats have always been painted as the "Raise your taxes party", which has also always been a more effective argument than "Rich people are going to continue to get tax breaks just like you."

    "Romney thinks he needs another tax break more than the middle class"

    Sure - that would be bad, if that were actually the bill being debated.  But since what is being debated is extending the lower tax rates for everybody that already pays taxes, that ad might play well with some people, but when average Joe looks at his check and doesn't see an increase in taxes come out, he may care in theory about Romney's tax rate, but not in reality, as long as his taxes don't go up.

    Parent

    on election day (none / 0) (#92)
    by CST on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 12:43:27 PM EST
    Average Joe's taxes will be exactly the same.

    And if the dems propose a bill to keep it that way for the middle class - that the republican house (and Romney) rejects, I think even your average voter can figure out what that means as well.

    I don't see the point of dems in congress if all they do is pass republican legislation.   If that's what I wanted I would vote for republicans.

    Parent

    Sure (none / 0) (#95)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 01:04:35 PM EST
    But the Republicans are offering proposals to keep EVERYONE'S tax rates the same.  You think that's a bad thing (politically speaking?)

    Parent
    for Romney (none / 0) (#96)
    by CST on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 01:15:31 PM EST
    In this climate, if they are on record opposing the alternative, yes.  At best its a wash.   Especially if he continues to refuse releasing his returns.   If he does release them it may be even worse depending on what's in them.

    Parent
    All that action happens after the election (none / 0) (#93)
    by sj on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 12:45:22 PM EST
    I expect the threat will be used somehow, but that's a different thing.

    Parent
    Obama will never veto those tax cuts (none / 0) (#94)
    by sj on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 12:45:26 PM EST
    Better it never reaches his desk at all.

    Parent
    God doesn't love me enough (none / 0) (#1)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:22:07 AM EST
    to get us to discovery on Sheldon Adelson.

    Hey, andgarden - good to see you! (none / 0) (#2)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:32:08 AM EST
    How goes life, the law and all that stuff for you these days?  Are you toiling as a first-year somwhere, doing a clerkship with a high-level judge - inquiring minds want to know!

    As for Adelson...I thought truth was a defense to libel???

    Parent

    Good to see you too (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:38:55 AM EST
    The good news is that I will be a first-year in September. The bad news is that I have two other bar exams to take between now and then (a week from yesterday morning!)

    No need to worry (salivate?) about Adelson: he won't pursue this.

    Parent

    you guys need to use the phrase (none / 0) (#4)
    by DFLer on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 09:52:35 AM EST
     "good to e-see you"

    Parent
    Obama administration says (none / 0) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:41:05 AM EST
    No Pot! For PTSD treatment.  Well the stoopid antidepressants that were flaunted as a cure when we were heading to Iraq don't work!  Nothing in the "legal" pharmacy does for many.  Okay, so active duty soldiers can't use it, but give it to the vets! I don't give a $hit if a suffering vet finds calm and peace and reasons to not off themselves by smoking some weed.  If it saves lives can we get it after the frickin election?  Probably not, probably not ever through the VA.  Army Times claims pot has saved some PTSD suffering soldiers.

    The best treatment for PTSD (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by jondee on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:18:40 PM EST
    is no more wars. And the U.S getting over it's bizarre, unsustainabale, blood-soaked, worlds-biggest-swinging-d*ck pathology, and onto the task at hand of evolving into genuine human beings..

    Or, we can keep sending people off to be deeply traumatized and to deeply traumatize others -- so we can then make Black Hawk Down and Band of Brothers movies later on..

    Parent

    That's kind of glib, jondee (none / 0) (#28)
    by sj on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:23:38 PM EST
    Alas.  No more wars would "only" prevent new cases.  It isn't treatment for existing cases.

    Parent
    glib.. (none / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:38:09 PM EST
    How about a little ounce of prevention, for once?

    My grandfather never got over what he went through fighting in the Russian revolution and subsequent civil war, and for years subjected the rest of the family to his unhinged rages and melancholia until he finally put an end to them himself. So I think I can speak from some experience..

    Our attitude about war and the military has become like that of the famous cannibal mother: "But son, we cannibals have ALWAYS eaten people.."

     

    Parent

    Okay so maybe that time I was the one who was glib (none / 0) (#36)
    by sj on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:43:19 PM EST
    Because I actually agree with your premise.  I just didn't want to let the current sufferers fall by the wayside if -- by some unimaginable miracle -- your solution came to pass.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#38)
    by jondee on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:47:19 PM EST
    I certainly don't want them falling by the wayside either and favor bringing back tarring-and-feathering for anyone who prosecutes a returning vet for smoking or growing a personal supply.

    Parent
    Ounce of prevention? (none / 0) (#47)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:01:08 PM EST
    What is it that you want to prevent again?  Because wars will happen whether your troops stay home or not.

    Parent
    The other thing I'd like to prevent: (none / 0) (#60)
    by jondee on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:58:09 PM EST
    posters with emotionally manipulative screen names who think they know history and it's implications for the future better than Tacitus and Gibbon put together..

    If where we're going is only where we've already been, with the death-dealing technology being what it now is, we might as well all hang it up now..

     

    Parent

    Were you referring to anyone in (none / 0) (#61)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 02:01:55 PM EST
    particular?  [meta intrusion.]  

    I did see an article recently that it is being discussed whether a drone operator may be eligible to receive the Medal of Honor.  

    Parent

    I think I'm more likely to stick with our (none / 0) (#69)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:50:35 PM EST
    Modern day State Department, particularly this one.  Your positions are not superior, nor do they lead to peace unfortunately.  And I mean that sincerely, it is unfortunate that retiring from the field doesn't end bloodshed.  Everyone has to retire from the field and some never will.  It's called Standoff.

    Parent
    Well, we are going to the Horn of Africa next (none / 0) (#44)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:58:31 PM EST
    We are hunting Al Qaeda and the genocide in Sudan is probably on the verge of not being ignored.  All that is much different than trying to hold Baghdad in the midst of a civil war though and 18 month deployments.  There was no safety in Iraq ever and sadly other than Saddam we were the bad guys until various insurgencies came fully online.

    One thing I have learned being a military spouse, what we don't show up for Russia and China are more than happy to, and then we get Syria.  What we do show up for, usually "inspires" Russia and China to become humanitarians if we have the sort of leverage that encourages that.  Africa has been blood soaked for a very long time, and now that Al Qaeda has taken advantage of that and moved in, that reality has become a part of our reality and NATOs reality.

    And how do you evolve into genuine human beings by standing there watching other human being be butchered in genocides?  As always who our President is defines us and the soul of this country in SCARY fricken ways.

    Parent

    Segue: U.S. military. Here's (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:08:18 PM EST
    some good news from local paper: Uniformed military to march in Pride Parade, into history.

    Parent
    That was already done (none / 0) (#53)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:08:21 PM EST
    on "Army Wives".

    Someone making decisions watch Lifetime TV?

    Parent

    The Horn of Africa or AFRICOM (none / 0) (#55)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:16:29 PM EST
    Was in the hopper after my husband got back from Afghanistan which was what?  A year and a half ago?  When he was in Afghanistan they were already chasing Al Qaeda in Yemen at times when they had the intel.  I think it is about to go larger.  We are downsizing forces yes, but when we largely leave Afghanistan I think we will focus a lot more on attempting to stabilize Africa.  It was after my husband got back though that all the chatter within the military shifted AFRICOM.  Activists are getting upset though because you can now see with your own lying eyes that AFRICOM is coming online.

    Parent
    Unfortunately, the regional mayhem ... (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:38:03 PM EST
    ... resulting from a politically destabilized Yemen and the basket case called Somalia threatens the international shipping lanes in and out of the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and that's something the West is simply not going to tolerate. There's already an ongoing problem with piracy in those waters.

    It's a shame, really, because Yemen is actually an ancient and beautiful country with rather fascinating people. It's one of those places that's on my bucket list for future travel -- albeit not any time soon, obviously.

    Parent

    Friends who are very well-traveled (none / 0) (#62)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 02:03:22 PM EST
    went to Yemen maybe 20 yrs. ago.  I think they were running out of placed to go.  They regretted going.  

    Parent
    Thank you. (none / 0) (#71)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:55:16 PM EST
    I'll keep that in mind.

    Parent
    Obama is a moron on this issue (4.67 / 3) (#11)
    by Dadler on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:14:37 AM EST
    An inexcusable phucking idiot with not an ounce of credibility.  And he's profoundly lying, to boot.  Simply in the pocket of big Pharma and not MAN enough to speak the truth about it.  B.O. is yet another example of a worthless sack of sh*t who would change his tune in an instant if a family member needed MJ for any medical reason.  This is why I really can't stand the guy, when it gets down to it -- because he is ultimately as empty as empty gets, and has a puritanical streak that is as hypocritical as any.  If he really believed his own nonsense, he'd understand that his little beer summit, a few years back, was drug use no different than any other. Obama doesn't really believe in a free country when it comes down to it.  

    God what an empty horse's rectum. And these are our choices for Prez: between wretchedly bad and inexcusably stupid.  Fantastic.

    Parent

    muy fuerte compañero... (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by fishcamp on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:28:48 AM EST


    Parent
    Ya hear that Sununu... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:47:52 AM EST
    if ya wanna hammer a guy for not being a "real" american, here's some "real" ammo, courtesy of Dadler.  The war on drugs is inherently unamerican, as is the sub-war on the sick.

    Oh yeah, Sununu's sorry arse doesn't believe in "real" americanism either, so few do...never mind, carry on with the nonsense.

    Parent

    It's frustrating (none / 0) (#19)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:01:28 PM EST
    And I don't know how many days it takes to get a mental health eval, we have just recently gotten beyond cooking the evals...remember?

    I don't like smoking weed myself, but they probably should have handed out some to the wives during the Iraq War.  Particularly that first year when they had to open up the closed 3rd floor of Evans Army Hospital because many of them lost it and had to be hospitalized until their anti-depressants kicked in.  Anti-depressants DON'T WORK for PTSD though.  Even though the drug companies attempted to promote them as doing such.  I think they may be of benefit for mild PTSD, but uhhhh....whose a mild sufferer who did two tours in Iraq?  If weed prevents veterans from committing suicide, and if they remember to eat then, and if they are happy enough that they don't feel the need to transfer the violence on the inside to the outside....give it to them, do it now.  Cook evals?  Deny them treatments that have promise?

    Parent

    What a journalist should do with (none / 0) (#15)
    by observed on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:46:55 AM EST
    Romney, on the Bain issue.
    In the past, he wrote on FEC forms that he had zero involvement with Bain.
    What I would do is talk to Romney about what he is saying now, then offer his sworm statement from years ago and ask him to read it aloud.
    And any story on Romney and Bain (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Towanda on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:03:00 PM EST
    must include Carville's great line that McCain took one look at Romney's tax statements and opted for Palin.

    Hmmm, maybe journalists ought to ask former campaign staffers -- always willing to talk anonymously -- for McCain about what they saw.

    Parent

    well, if it wasn't Romney's (none / 0) (#23)
    by observed on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:11:35 PM EST
    tax returns that led McCain to choose Palin, that almost looks worse.

    Parent
    The DNC has an ad out now with that (none / 0) (#45)
    by ruffian on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:59:38 PM EST
    line in it, or a variation - much scarier voiceover voice than Carville. And the video of Palin walking out with McCain.

    I am glad to see the Dem ads tracking the news better than they usually do. Nice touch.

    Parent

    In "The Candidate," the book (none / 0) (#58)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 01:37:52 PM EST
    I am reading about U.S. Presidential campaigns, author Popkin makes much of 2008 Obama campaign's use of new media.  This is a throw-away phrase to me, but now I understand how creative this was and how they did it.  

    Parent
    My brother I just saw is a prof of new media (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by ruffian on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:34:20 PM EST
    so I have heard a lot about the theoretical aspects of it, at least. Does that mean he has a smart phone with a map or email for a 1000 mile road trip? Noooooooo.....

    Parent
    They should also show Romney quotes... (none / 0) (#17)
    by magster on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 11:56:29 AM EST
    ... demanding Ted Kennedy's tax returns in the 1994 Senate race in MA.

    Parent
    a little fun (none / 0) (#40)
    by CST on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 12:50:48 PM EST
    for all the NE Patriot haters on TL.  Link

    I almost didn't post this, but it was too funny and I thought you might enjoy it.

    Hey! Yeah, I'm talkin' to YOU, buddy! (none / 0) (#64)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 02:36:25 PM EST
    Do you have what it takes? Do you think you'd enjoy harrassing teenagers who are just having fun at the beach, intimidating people of color so that they'll travel well beyond our city limits as quickly as possible, and haranguing matronly septuagenarians who accidentally let their parking meters run out while they're in the beauty salon?

    Well, if you do, then you can be one of the few, the proud, the officers of the Newport Beach Police Department!

    No segue, but you're the man on this. (none / 0) (#65)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 02:43:14 PM EST
    Any critique of Sarah Vowell's "Strange Fishes"?

    Parent
    You mean "Unfamiliar Fishes." (none / 0) (#70)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:52:29 PM EST
    Sarah Vowell had an interesting and generally unsympathetic take (from an American perspective on the U.S. coup d'etat against Queen Liliuokalani's government and our subsequent annexation of Hawaii, one which you normally don't see in mainstream American history.

    But in my estimation, Vowell's work suffered from her failure to consult and study many Native Hawaiian primary resources while researching this book. She leaned much too heavily on secondary white-authored sources to build her narrative, especially as she shifted away from the missionaries and tried to focus on the islands' growing prominence in Pacific commerce.

    And it's not like Native Hawaiian sources are not there; the Hawaiian Kingdom had one of the highest literacy rates in the entire world in the late 19th century, most Native Hawaiians were fluent in both Hawaiian and English, and they wrote prolifically in both languages. Vowell could have greatly benefited from spending at least a few days at the University of Hawaii's Hamilton Library in Manoa Valley.

    Now, I fully realize that Vowell is not an academic or a trained historian, but a writer. Unfamiliar Fishes is a game effort that attempts to tell the sad story of western intervention in the Hawaiian Islands, but her breezy narrative renders it much more a work of pop culture, more suited to a travelogue than actual history. So in my opinion, I think she falls short and ultimately fails to do the subject matter any real justice.

    Were I to recommend a readily accessible book to you about the history of Hawaii, it would be Shoal of Time by Gavan Daws, who's a professor emeritus of American Studies at the University of Hawaii. But even that one suffers somewhat from a lack of Native Hawaiian perspective.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Oops. More oculus Malapropism. (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 04:44:33 PM EST
    Thanks.  I am listening on CD but the discs keep shuffling.  Trying to decide whether to read the library hard copy.  

    Parent
    Bonnie and Clyde Memorabilia... (none / 0) (#67)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 03:34:53 PM EST
    ...going up for auction; including the handguns they had on them when they were killed.
    ------------------

    Fox Bimbo thinks it's funny when someone in a wheel chair flips over on an escalator.  Hilarious if you are a soulless monster.
    ------------------

    And speaking of Batman, I am going to the Dark Night Marathon at the Studio Movie Grill tomorrow.  Starts at 6pm with the new one showing at midnight.  Never been in a theater for more than... probably 3hrs, going for nearly 8.  They have bad a$s office chairs on wheels with a full  menu and bar.

    Finally! (none / 0) (#75)
    by shoephone on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 07:20:43 PM EST
    Somebody ponitificates eloquently on what I've been thinking for ages:

    Steve Almond on the uselessness of so-called political comedians Stewart and Colbert.

    thanks shoe (none / 0) (#78)
    by DFLer on Wed Jul 18, 2012 at 10:51:12 PM EST
    That was a very interesting article. While I agree with many of the author's points about Stewart and Colbert's lameness, the rally, the bs call to non-partisanship, the gratuitous USO a$$-kissing, some of the odd guests, etc., etc. I do still find some skits funny. (tho I only watch occasionally online, usually directed from another site.)

    I also agree re the author's opinion of Bill Maher. I would include Dave Chapelle as a modern comic with a sharp edge.

    I also want to thank you for directing me, through the article, to two new things/words I learned:

    1. the concept of Horatian vs Juvenalia satire
    2. the word: apotheosis

    Ta

    Parent
    Stewart and Colbert (none / 0) (#79)
    by kmblue on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 03:29:25 AM EST
    They are not useless if they make me laugh.

    Parent
    Moe evidence (none / 0) (#80)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 07:17:56 AM EST
    That all this hand wringing about politics and getting upset at "the other side" is just dumb, when the players in this game don't actually feel that way.

    The Washington Political Class, as it's called by those in the media who are often a part of it, represents a vast and self-perpetuating network of friendships and expedient associations that transcend even the fiercest ideological differences. Membership in the class is the paramount commonality between the various tribes -- the journalists, the Democrats, the Republicans, the superlawyers, superlobbyists, superstaffers, fund-raisers, David Gergens, Donna Braziles and Karl Roves. They argue on television and often go into business with their on-air combatants. They can be paid tens of thousands of dollars to do their left-right Kabuki thing in front of big organizations. The Macker [Terry MacAuliffe] did this with Rove a while back -- a luncheon speech at the Exxon Mobil headquarters in Texas. He has a few joint events planned with [Haley] Barbour for the fall. He has also done partisan duets at a combined 50 grand a pop with "my great friend, Eddie Gillespie," a Barbour protégé and former R.N.C. chairman whom McAuliffe bonded with in the greenroom between their many on-air donnybrooks over the last decade. "I have a love-hate relationship with Terry," Gillespie joked in one of their public debates. "I love Terry. And I hate myself for it."

    One quaint maxim of the Political Class is that there is no such thing as Democrats and Republicans in Washington, only the Green Party. Green as in money, not GreenTech, or anything having to do with clean energy. In his speech at the GreenTech opening, McAuliffe said that during the '90s, "President Clinton created more millionaires and billionaires than any other president in the history of this country." At which point, Barbour, who had been chatting onstage with Clinton through much of McAuliffe's remarks, gave the former president a special nudge.
    Cranking up the DailyKos radio (none / 0) (#81)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 08:05:17 AM EST
    Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.  I wanted to watch the Scalia interview last night with Piers Morgan.  Turned it on, my husband came home, took his boots off and began to unwind and then said, "Oh hell no, I can't watch this right now".

    Puppy cam (none / 0) (#83)
    by ruffian on Thu Jul 19, 2012 at 09:20:06 AM EST
    Cure for the blues

    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 96 comments (96 topical)

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