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NFL Sunday Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 08:58:03 AM EST
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NFL picks: Detroit Lions -3 over Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles -3 over Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers -1 over Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers -10 over Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons -7 over Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs -7 over Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers -4 over Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams +6 over Carolina Panthers, New York Giants -3 over Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears Pick over Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers -9 over Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots -4 over New York Jets, Denver Broncos -7 over Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins (-7) over Buffalo Bills.

Open Thread.

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    AN AXE LENGTH AWAY, vol. 162 (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Dadler on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 09:45:51 AM EST
    Her husband is a cheating fool. She, however, is just finding her groove. (link)

    And the rest of last week's toons, in case you missed any:

    Volume 161
    Volume 160
    Volume 159
    Volume 158
    Volume 157
    Volume 156

    Go Niners!

    Even though I have a few reasons for not (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by ruffian on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 10:51:03 AM EST
    Wanting Hillary to run in 2016.....Wow. Danged if she doesn't still win me over.

    Since Hillary was speaking to women (5.00 / 4) (#12)
    by MO Blue on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:39:16 PM EST
    (i.e. Women for McAuliffe), about issues that pertain to women it is hard not to be wowed by the speech. It is IMO one of her strongest suits and I've never heard her speak on those issues from a centrist or conservative POV.

    There are definitely other areas where I disagree strongly with her, but not on women's issues.

    Also, it would be hard to argue that McAuliffe would not be better than his opponent on women's issues who has sponsored a bill that would give legal rights to embryos from the moment of fertilization and would prohibit any form of contraception (likely including IUDs) that could block a fertilized egg from implanting into the uterus and called emergency contraceptives "abortive pills" on the campaign trail in 2012.

    On other issues, I have no doubt that McAuliffe and I would strongly disagree. A moot point since I don't live in VA.

    Parent

    Terry McAuliff is as centrist and bipartisan (1.00 / 2) (#5)
    by Politalkix on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 11:45:28 AM EST
    as they come and HRC is wowing you with her endorsement of him! :-).  

    Parent
    McAuliffe was also the principal (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by christinep on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 06:06:36 PM EST
    fundraiser for the Clinton campaign in 1992, I recall. During President Clinton's terms, Terry McAuliffe was designated as DNC Chair. The Clintons and McAuliffe go back a long way.

    It is no secret to anyone who knows me, nor to anyone who might chance upon what I write, that I have been and remain a strong Hillary Clinton supporter.  If all goes well, I expect to work hard on her behalf to see the first woman President of the US.  If all continues apace, I also expect that she and President Obama will be quite close during the general campaign ... there will be no distancing on most issues (other than what may be pragmatically requisite to cement the needed independent identity.) Obama and Clinton are outstanding civil servants.  

    Parent

    I do tend to ignore that part.... (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by ruffian on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 11:11:03 AM EST
    She would be impressive endorsing the devil himself

    Parent
    What do (4.00 / 4) (#7)
    by sj on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:11:50 PM EST
    McAuliffe's political leanings have to do with Hillary's obvious oratorial skills? Should they not be acknowledged or appreciated simply because McAuliffe (with an "e") is "centrist and bipartisan"?

    Acknowledge excellence where you see it, I say. Life isn't all or nothing game.

    Parent

    Apparently PK (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by sj on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:43:31 PM EST
    doesn't like it when others acknowledge excellence! LOL

    Parent
    Or being called out on the (5.00 / 3) (#14)
    by nycstray on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:47:22 PM EST
    obvious ;)

    Parent
    Politalkix (5.00 / 3) (#26)
    by Zorba on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 06:27:42 PM EST
    is being Politalkix.  No surprise there.

    Parent
    I took it as a knee jerk (4.20 / 5) (#8)
    by nycstray on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:13:40 PM EST
    dismissive response . . .

    Parent
    I expect you're right. (4.00 / 4) (#11)
    by sj on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:32:48 PM EST


    Parent
    Only reason not to want her to run (none / 0) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 11:29:08 AM EST
    is because there is a Dem you'd prefer to win that you know she will beat out for the nomination.

    Parent
    One other reason... (none / 0) (#29)
    by unitron on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 08:34:39 PM EST
    ...being all Clinton'ed out.

    Parent
    I'm not sick of the Clintons... (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by ruffian on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 11:20:03 AM EST
    but I am sick of the irrational breed of anti-Clintons. I'm not talking about the reality-based criticisms.

    They did turn into the irrational breed of anti-Obamas. Part of me just wants to move on to some entirely new kind of irrationality.

    Or maybe the current GOP irrationality-fueled implosion followed by an HRC presidency would help end the irrationality once and for all?

    Parent

    See (none / 0) (#9)
    by lentinel on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:15:04 PM EST
    what you mean.

    She's good.

    Parent

    If a Dem from the ... (none / 0) (#10)
    by magster on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 02:18:54 PM EST
    Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown clique runs, I'd probably support that person, but otherwise I'd love to see Hillary win.

    Joe Biden's laugh-fest VP debate was a wonderful memory, but it's time for him to call it a career.

    Parent

    Magster (2.00 / 3) (#15)
    by Politalkix on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 03:07:46 PM EST
    Same here! Sherrod Brown or Elizabeth Warren will be the candidate of the heart for me but I would also like HRC to win if she decides to run.

    It is however amusing to watch the contortions of some people as they rush to sing the praise of HRC while decrying BHO's centrist politics. It has been my observation here that the more loudly a commenter in TL protests that it is an issue of policies and not personality for them, the more likely it is that politics is an issue of personality and not policy for them. I have come to view their protests over time as cases of "The lady doth protest too much". Every utterance of these "protesters" also vindicates my belief in this regard!

    This thread stared with a post by the commenter ruffian. Let me clarify and say that I view her comments seriously and she stands out from other commenters (the protesting too much kind)who have now entered this thread.

    Parent

    OGMAB. (5.00 / 4) (#16)
    by nycstray on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 03:49:00 PM EST
    There are no contortions, if you bother to read and comprehend the comments.

    You on the other hand are very consistent in your commenting role . . .

    Parent

    Oy (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by sj on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 04:13:08 PM EST
    I had more. But "oy" will do.

    Parent
    Let me just say so there's no confusion: (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Anne on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 08:01:02 PM EST
    I don't regard Obama as a centrist, at least as I define the center.  For me, his policies are well to the right of center, and since I'm definitely aligned with positions clearly on the left, they're not working too well for me.

    And I don't regard Clinton as someone whose policy positions are left-of-center, either, so you won't find me knocking Obama and praising Clinton.  I have a lot of admiration for her intelligence and her work ethic, for her deft rhetoric - but I'm not likely to vote for her because she's just not liberal enough for me.

    What I find "amusing" are the contortions of people who wanted the Bush administration's heads on spikes, but have been singing the praises of Obama.

    And I'm even more amused by the self-vindication you've concocted.  Careful you don't break your arm patting yourself on the back...[snort]


    Parent

    Time to throw your strawman to the fire (2.00 / 5) (#30)
    by Politalkix on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 08:41:27 PM EST
    You must have me confused with some strawman you created for yourself.

    I did not want the Bush administration's "head on spikes", my politics is more sophisticated than your simple minded rhetoric will allow.

    As an example, let me point out that I was very supportive of the Bush administrations policies in Africa and lauded it for it. However, I was very critical of the administration for taking us to an unnecessary war in Iraq and having an attitude of "you are for us or against us" towards every country in the world. I was supportive of the war in Afghanistan while opposed to the war in Iraq, just as Howard Dean and BHO were.

    The Iraq war was the most defining issue during GWB's presidency; it is therefore no surprise that he would encounter heavy criticism and HRC would get burnt in her 2008 campaign for supporting it. Criticism of GWB for the Iraq war does not mean that I wanted his administration's head on a spike on every issue.

    People like you have put yourself in a box by daring each other to prove your self defined "liberal" credentials in a way tea partiers dare each other to prove their "conservative" credentials. I abhorred such schoolyard tactics from the beginning and always stayed clear of them. And of course, some here are twisting themselves into pretzels while proclaiming themselves as "liberals" (which I never do), while rushing to show support for everything HRC does (there is no daylight between the policies that HRC supports and what the President pursues) while decrying the policies of the President.

    Parent

    But I'm not one of those people rushing to (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Anne on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 09:29:14 PM EST
    show support for all things Clinton, am I?  No, I've been quite clear about that.

    And your point,

    there is no daylight between the policies that HRC supports and what the President pursues
    is one of the main reasons why I won't support her.

    So, quibble with those who want it both ways - but that's not me, sorry.

    Parent

    And who exactly (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by sj on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 09:29:16 PM EST
    are the "some here" that
    are twisting themselves into pretzels while proclaiming themselves as "liberals" (which I never do), while rushing to show support for everything HRC does
    Because what I see are nuanced and considered views that can appreciate, for example, the work HRC does on women's issues while not being in tune with her foreign policy. If that is pretzel twisting, I'll take that pretzel all day long.

    If you want to go back to ruffian's original comment, she managed to express that nuanced view point in one sentence. While you are taking paragraphs to twist everything into straw man arguments that you then defeat. Or think you do.

    I don't "dare" anyone to prove their "self-defined liberal credentials", whatever that is. Not everyone is liberal, so take that straw man and put it ... with the other one.

    I don't give two hoots who you personally support, or why. If you want to highlight someone's sterling qualities for others to take into consideration, then do so. It may make a difference for somebody. Even me.

    But this dogged determination you have in flogging everyone who doesn't think in the same twisted way that you do undermines any coherent thought that might accidentally cross your mind.

    Parent

    Interesting logic (5.00 / 3) (#31)
    by Yman on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 09:19:38 PM EST
    It is however amusing to watch the contortions of some people as they rush to sing the praise of HRC while decrying BHO's centrist politics. It has been my observation here that the more loudly a commenter in TL protests that it is an issue of policies and not personality for them, the more likely it is that politics is an issue of personality and not policy for them. I have come to view their protests over time as cases of "The lady doth protest too much". Every utterance of these "protesters" also vindicates my belief in this regard!

    You dream up a crazy theory, and when someone denies said crazy theory - especially if they deny it strongly - this confirms your crazy theory, ...

    ... in your mind.

    Heh.

    Parent

    Well... (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by lentinel on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 05:38:05 AM EST
    Few if anyone would dispute that HRC is a good politician.
    Where some (me, for example) may disagree with her has to do with her actual politics.

    When she gets into her Obama/Bush "centrist" justification routine, she sounds like just another politician with the same manipulative cadences and I go out the door.

    But the clip linked to by Ruffian above shows her at her best. And at her best, she is most beguiling.

    Parent

    Interesting Kos article yesterday about how... (none / 0) (#37)
    by magster on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 12:54:33 AM EST
    we all won in the latest round (I'd find the link but I don't care enough to find it for you) where it mentioned that Obama admitted he f'ed up the last budget battles. No 11 dimensional chess... just a bad political move and a bad job done, and that he learned his lesson.

    It justified whatever anger we had to Obama while helping us appreciate what was accomplished this last month with hope for the rest of his term. Fingers crossed, and hopefully HRC or whoever the next Dem candidate can learn the hard lessons of BHO for 2016 and beyond.

    Parent

    Guess I will wait and see what he (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by MO Blue on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 01:16:07 AM EST
    and his new budget committee does in this next couple of rounds of budget negotiations.

    Cuts to SS and Medicare would indicate to me that he has learned nothing and would IMO be one of the worst political moves possible for the Democratic Party. Obama isn't up for reelection but other Democratic candidates might like to keep their current positions or win new ones.

    Parent

    Hillary rattles conservatives (none / 0) (#20)
    by MO Blue on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 05:04:33 PM EST
    so much that they cannot remember what political office their guy Cuccinelli is running for.

    Excerpt from email from the Conservative Campaign Committee:

    Today Hillary Clinton is in Virginia campaigning for Democrat Senate candidate Terry McAuliffe and opposing our Conservative Republican candidate, Ken Cuccinelli.

    In fact today's campaign appearance by Hillary Clinton is part of 12 separate events Bill and Hillary Clinton have engaged in to defeat Cuccinelli and propel the Democrat's McAuliffe to the Senate. link



    Parent
    Ah, that explains it (none / 0) (#21)
    by nycstray on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 05:17:59 PM EST
    Was reading an article last night about her appearance and saw ref to him running for the senate from people in comments and was confused :P

    Parent
    Durbin is a tool (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by MO Blue on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 04:48:23 PM EST
    and a lying one at that.

    Durbin said that Republicans had to put tax revenue on the table to get entitlement cuts. Fox host Chris Wallace noted that Durbin has previously supported entitlement cuts, and asked why Republicans should have to give up tax increases to get something that many Democrats support. President Barack Obama has repeatedly endorsed Social Security cuts as part of budget deals, and Durbin acknowledged that he did support Social Security reforms.

    "Social Security is gonna run out of money in 20 years," Durbin said. "The Baby Boom generation is gonna blow away our future. We don't wanna see that happen."
    link
    Hey, MO Blue, what can you tell me (none / 0) (#22)
    by caseyOR on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 05:22:30 PM EST
    about Barnes Jewish Hospital? My sister has to have a bone marrow transplant and her doctors have suggested she go to Barnes Jewish.

    She is still in her first cycle of chemo, so we have a little time to decide between BJH and Northwestern in Chicago. Right now I am in info gathering mode.

    Looks like I will be in the midwest for quite awhile.

    Parent

    Don't know anything about Northwestern (5.00 / 4) (#24)
    by MO Blue on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 05:52:07 PM EST
    in Chicago but Siteman Cancer Center which is a part of Barnes Jewish is well respected here in MO. People travel quite far to get treatment at Siteman.

    As you might know, I am a cancer surviver and I went to Siteman for all of my treatment. I think  the treatment is first rate.

    If I'm not mistaken Northwestern University, like Washington University, is a teaching facility. Wash U facilty provides treatment at Barnes Jewish and Siteman Center. As a result their facilities are well financed. They have  the latest equipment and are knowledgeable about the latest treatments since they also do a great deal of research.

    For what it is worth my oldest grandson was accepted by both Wash U and Northwestern for their doctorate program in Physical Therapy. IIRC Wash U. was ranked #3 and Northwestern was ranked #7. He initially liked the idea of going to school in Chicago but after touring both campuses and examining both programs extensively he decided to attend Wash U. because he liked their program better.

    Let me know if there is any other way I can help you. If you have a particular doctor's name, I might have a resource that would give me an honest assessment of him or a recommendation for one of the best at Siteman.  

     

    Parent

    Used "The Google" (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by MO Blue on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 07:05:54 PM EST
    Seems that Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University made the honor roll for recognizing institutions that were at or near the top of at least six categories. It is also ranked #1 in the state of Missouri.

    But when comparing Northwestern to Barnes/Jewish (Siteman) in treatment of cancer, Northwestern ranked higher. Score at Siteman for ability to prevent six types of accidents and medical errors was surprising and disappointing.

    Of course, it is possible that Northwestern is better when considering all cancers and Siteman is better at bone marrow transplants. I would discuss this and any other research you do (pros and cons) with your sister's doctor (s) and get their feedback especially why they would recommend Barnes/Jewish over Northwestern. Also, if possible I would visit each facility prior to making a choice and interview doctors etc.

    Parent

    Thanks for the info, MO Blue. There is so (none / 0) (#69)
    by caseyOR on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 04:44:28 PM EST
    much to think about. So many questions.

    Parent
    Make sure you make a list (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by MO Blue on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 04:52:56 PM EST
    Bring a small recorder to doctor visits. You would be surprised how 2 or more people can disagree on what was said only to find out that none of you got it right.

    Ask question - as many as you feel you need and clarify what was said as often as needed.

    Good luck. let me know if I can help you in any way.

    Parent

    Good wishes to your sister (none / 0) (#23)
    by sj on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 05:39:12 PM EST
    Is it hard to find a match? I put myself on the registry many years ago, and haven't gotten even a flyer in years.

    So much for keeping my DNA to myself, though.

    Parent

    The best chances for a match ... (none / 0) (#32)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 09:26:41 PM EST
    ... in a marrow transplant often rest with siblings. I would assume that caseyOR's been tested for genetic marker compatibility with her sister, unless she's had a past health issue that precludes her from consideration. I've had Hodgkin's lymphoma and although it's been nearly two decades, I'm not even allowed to donate blood.

    Parent
    Yes, I know (none / 0) (#38)
    by sj on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 01:07:49 AM EST
    The best chances for a match ... (none / 0) (#32)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 08:26:41 PM MDT

    ... in a marrow transplant often rest with siblingsBut

    there are some questions regarding private matters that even I wouldn't ask.

    And knowing that, I have wondered how often the registry has proven to be useful.

    Parent

    Interesting question. (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:34:46 AM EST
    You peaked my curiosity, particularly since I have a close cousin who's been dealing with acute myeloid leukemia (currently in remission), so I started doing some cursory research to see what such a success rate might look like.

    The Cancer Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering says that its one-year survival rate of 75% for adult recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants, in which marrow registries are used to find matches in lieu of sibling donors, has exceeded its stated expectations of 62%.

    The success rate for locating a compatible match within one's own family is less than one in three, which I didn't know, so the marrow registries are undoubtedly vitally important. Further, bone marrow transplants seem to be one area where race and ethnicity apparently do matter, because the chance of locating a successful match in the registries are somewhat lower for multiracial patients than for others.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    My prayers are with your sister and you, Casey. (none / 0) (#41)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:52:12 AM EST
    Keep thinking good thoughts, because her disease can be managed and overcome, and the power of positive attitude is one of Mother Nature's best mechanisms to help heal one's body.

    Aside from Barnes Jewish and Northwestern, two other facilities in Chicago which receive outstanding marks for marrow transplants are Rush University Medical Center and University of Chicago Hospital.

    Take care. Aloha.

    Parent

    Thanks, Donald. n/t (none / 0) (#70)
    by caseyOR on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 04:45:02 PM EST


    Parent
    Good luck to you, Casey (none / 0) (#66)
    by ExcitableBoy on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:22:53 PM EST
    When my niece was diagnosed with leukemia right after her 1st birthday, her mother ultimately proved to be the best match.

    Though they lived in Boston, the transplant was done in Seattle. I don't know which hospital, but they received excellent care.

    Parent

    Thank you, EB. I would love to take my (none / 0) (#71)
    by caseyOR on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 04:45:57 PM EST
    sister back to the Northwest for this, but her HMO is regional. So, we must stay in the midwest.

    Parent
    Casey, Keep your laptop (5.00 / 3) (#73)
    by fishcamp on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 09:00:32 PM EST
    or tablet handy to get on line to Google the mysterious Greek and Latin words you will be running into.  For me the nurses in the hospitals are the best ones to get info from and they appreciate good questions.  They know when a relative researches the info they have given.  Good luck.  xoxo

    Parent
    From CNN this morning: (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Angel on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 08:34:22 AM EST
    GOP, Boehner take shutdown hit in new CNN poll

    Just over half the public says that it's bad for the country that the GOP controls the House of Representatives, according to a new national poll conducted after the end of the partial government shutdown.

    And the CNN/ORC International survey also indicates that more than six in 10 Americans say that Speaker of the House John Boehner should be replaced.
    Yeah...4 out of 10 want him (none / 0) (#54)
    by ruffian on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 11:55:01 AM EST
    replaced with Nancy Pelosi, 2 out of 10 want him replaced with Ted Cruz.

    Poor Orangeman.

    Parent

    Dick Durbin: really living up to his name... (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Anne on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 09:18:55 AM EST
    and not for the first time is he delivering this message:

    Durbin said that Republicans had to put tax revenue on the table to get entitlement cuts. Fox host Chris Wallace noted that Durbin has previously supported entitlement cuts, and asked why Republicans should have to give up tax increases to get something that many Democrats support. President Barack Obama has repeatedly endorsed Social Security cuts as part of budget deals, and Durbin acknowledged that he did support Social Security reforms.

        "Social Security is gonna run out of money in 20 years," Durbin said. "The Baby Boom generation is gonna blow away our future. We don't wanna see that happen."

    When the solution exists to "strengthen" Social Security, and possibly even permit increases to benefits - by raising the cap on income subject to the tax - there simply is no good reason why Democrats like Durbin and Obama and others keep pushing for cuts.  Well, except for which pockets the money will end up in...

    Oh, and if Durbin is going to push for cuts, the least he could do is get the facts straight: Social Security will not "run out of money" in 20 years.  

    But I guess when you're a "Dick," you have to be constantly looking for people to fk over.

    Cuts to SS and cuts (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by MO Blue on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 09:43:06 AM EST
    to corporation taxes go hand in hand. Look at what Pete Peterson and the "Fix the Debt CEOs" are proposing to see the similarities to what Obama and Dems like Durbin are advocating .

    Allies urge Obama to make the most of post-shutdown moment

    Those recommendations are a sure fire way to repeat the past giveaways.

    We have record poverty, unemployment, and stagnant wages today. It's time for the Democratic Party to prioritize and not open the negotiations by buying the Republican's framing of the argument and offering cuts to historic promises. Especially without even offering a progressive alternative. Otherwise what was the point of winning the budget showdown - to reopen a conservative government?
    read post


    Parent
    I don't think Obama wants the progressive (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by Anne on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 10:34:59 AM EST
    alternative, and therein lies the problem.

    Just as he didn't want the progressive alternative of a single-payer health system, or even just opening up Medicare to those 55-and-up, as a way to transition to such a system.

    The only people who seem to be able to get media coverage are these odious, craven, Fix The Debt-types, so we get a constant drip-drip-drip of propaganda that is wearing people down to the point where they just begin to see Durbin-style "reform"  as an inevitability they are powerless to stop.

    Ultimately, though, Fix The Debt wouldn't exist or be getting much traction without the support of the president and so many - too many - Democrats - support that began, really, even before Obama was sworn in the first time.  A progressive president wouldn't be convening commissions headed by people whose lifelong dream has apparently been to cut the safety net programs out of existence and/or privatize them to the enrichment of Wall Street and the banks.

    Makes me want to throw things, it really does.

    Might be time for a letter to the editor...

    Parent

    This is the second so called (5.00 / 3) (#50)
    by MO Blue on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 11:14:56 AM EST
    Democratic pundit floating this idea on what to trade for cuts to SS and Medicare. Erza Klein to the best of my knowledge was the first and now Brian Beutler.

    As I noted before the shutdown ended, there are ways to skin this cat that don't involve Republicans coming to Jesus on taxes. They could agree to move other Obama initiatives, trade them for entitlement cuts they want, then use the savings to pay down sequestration. Immigration reform would be a clever choice because a bipartisan bill has already passed the Senate, and it would reduce the deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars over the coming decades.

    Funny enough, one Republican immigration supporter backed into this idea last week in a comment to Talking Points Memo.

    "I know the president has said, well, gee, now this is the time to talk about immigration reform," said Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill. "He ain't gonna get a willing partner in the House until he actually gets serious about ... his plan to deal with the debt." link

    All these clever, young, affluent men don't seem to understand the real world consequences of their recommendations either on the lives of those who can least afford these cuts or on the political ramifications of the Democratic President and the Democratic Congress passing these cuts.

    You want to throw any chance of regaining the House or maintaining the majority in the Senate, be sure to support the Dems making these cuts.

    Parent

    effing hell (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by ruffian on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 11:26:16 AM EST
    What an idiotic thing for Durbin to say. Do they put something in their coffee mugs there at Fox?

    Parent
    AN AXE LENGTH AWAY, vol. 163 (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Dadler on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 10:46:12 AM EST
    She's named after a country, and she's got the financial tread marks on her soul to show for it. (link)

    Volume 162
    Volume 161

    Rainy days and Mondays, my friends. Ugh.

    The Pack (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 11:51:41 AM EST
    Thanks to a glorious day of football, the Bears and the Lions lost, and the Pack win puts them in first place, by a half game, in the NFC North.

    It's the whole cream floating thang.

    Bum Phillips died on Friday at 90, but wade still coached the Texans defense to a good loss.  He did it because that is the only way his dad would have wanted it.

    I wasn't here for Bum's heyday, but the city and state loved that guy.

    And I gotta admit, that whole Manning Indy thing really got me chocked up, namely when they showed his departure speech.  Sucks that a team in Houston division is apparently better than what I assumed was the best team in the NFL.  The Texans playoff hopes get further away with each passing week.

    And lastly, who is the Gino Smith clown to think he can beat the great tom Brady in OT ?  Pretty sure Sanchez might want to start filling out applications cause he just lost his j.o.b.

    How sweet it is! (5.00 / 3) (#58)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 12:53:24 PM EST
    Geno outplays Tom "Marino" Brady, who was held to under 50%, no TD's, and a Pick-6.  It gets no better than that Jack!  

    Too bad I slept through the game...try as I might to stay awake, after getting to bed at 5:30am after my nephew's 21st after-after party and waking up at 7 to play my 2 games, I was f8ckin' seriously shot.  Still feel a little drunk today actually...haven't gone on a bender like that in awhile.  Highlight of the evening had to be watching my mom rolling Cee-lo with a wine bottle in her hand and blunts being passed all around her at 3am...what a trip!  Sh*t got outta hand.

    Words can't express how much I love my family;)

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    kdog, welcome back (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by fishcamp on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 01:45:29 PM EST
    to the world but I think we need to rename you BAD DOG...

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    Normally you might be right... (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:11:54 PM EST
    but on this occasion the kids were the bad influence...the best kinda bad influence;)

    When the old-farts were invited to the after-after party, I don't think the kids thought we'd actually show. But show we did, with twelve packs, weed, and wine in hand.  Hope none of the whipper-snappers were taping on their devices lol.

    And I must say I was impressed by how responsible they all were...nobody had to have their keys taken away, they all gave 'em up willingly and the cab drivers made a killing. Sh*t they were making sure none of us sh*tfaced fogeys were driving;)

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    Very sweet. What is "Cee-lo"? (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:18:14 PM EST


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    It's a dice game... (none / 0) (#67)
    by kdog on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:33:19 PM EST
    for gambling, explained here.  We play without a banker.

    Poor moms had dice as cold as mine, but my brother was one of the big winners.  Then the bum passes out on the front stoop...we all joked about rolling him for our money back.

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    Obama Administration Howler! (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 12:12:21 PM EST
    The Obama Administration is claiming that the Supreme Court cannot hear the Electronic Privacy Information Center case regarding the NSA call-tracking program for the most ridiculous reason.

    What is it?

    Well, the Solicitor General Verrilli argues, the Supreme Court "lacks jurisdiction".

    Uh-huh, they said it.

    I cannot decide whether to laugh or cry.

    Cry, definitely (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by sj on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 01:24:51 PM EST
    There is nothing to laugh about even if sparked by disbelief.
    A privacy group lacks legal standing to challenge a U.S. National Security Agency data collection program, and the U.S. Supreme Court doesn't have jurisdiction to grant the group's request for it to review the program's legality, lawyers for President Barack Obama's administration have argued.
    Let's see if SCOTUS buys that argument and limits the scope of its own jurisdiction.

    In the meantime, I had missed this:

    The National Security Agency is harvesting hundreds of millions of contact lists from personal e-mail and instant messaging accounts around the world
    Now address books aren't safe.

    This level of surveillance makes everyone blackmail-able.

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    Quote of the day (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Dadler on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 12:14:39 PM EST
    HENRY: I could look at a woman's legs for hours.

    WANDA: I got nothing but time.

       from the movie BARFLY
    Knowing my AFC Chargers... (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 09:32:28 AM EST
    ...they will be the first team to lost to JAX.

    Wrong again, my friend. (none / 0) (#35)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 09:30:35 PM EST
    The Chargers won, 24-6. And in the manufactured drama that's been "Peyton's Place" this week in Indianapolis, the Colts lead the Broncos at the half, 26-14.

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    Congressional battles (none / 0) (#6)
    by Politalkix on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 12:38:08 PM EST
    link and the imminent media blitz...

    Any lessons learned (none / 0) (#17)
    by christinep on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 04:09:09 PM EST
    in the House?  After all the reporting leading up to and following the latest debt ceiling "resolution" et al, what are the odds or chances for anything going forward in the next year?  I'm especially thinking about Comprehensive Immigration Reform, as championed by the WH and passed by the Senate ... any incentive for Boehner to let it go to a vote?
    Recognizing the purported number of safe districts for Repubs in the House, does that really negate pressure legislation from going forward?

    Things do change ... e.g., Evangelicals--and some of their top leaders such as Richard Land--have been moving for some time toward the concept of stewardship, a focus which has also moved a number of them to support or be open to supporting environmentally beneficial actions.  Similarly, there has been movement toward embracing the "stranger" or "alien" ala the Good Samaritan principle.  While that open outreach toward the immigrant has been more pronounced in the Catholic Church in recent years, I have heard that living the language of brother and sister has been taking hold in the Evangelical community as well.  Any input???

    RIP, Don James (1932-2013). (none / 0) (#36)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Oct 20, 2013 at 11:15:47 PM EST
    The legendary former football coach at the University of Washington lost his short bout with pancreatic cancer today.

    Fresh from a relative successful four-year stint at Kent State, Don James arrived on the UW campus in 1975 to take the reins of a downtrodden program that went 2-9 and 1-10 the two seasons prior, respectively. His first Huskies team that year surprised everyone with an astonishing upset of then-No. 1 and defending national champion USC, which propelled the Dawgs to an eventual third-place finish in the suddenly competitive Pac-8, one game behind co-champions UCLA and California.

    Two seasons later, James led the unranked 7-4 Huskies on an equally shocking mid-season turnaround, winning six straight Pac-8 games to close the 1977 campaign with the school's first outright conference championship in sixteen years That unexpected joy was followed by a equally rousing upset of 21-point favorite and No. 2 Michigan in the 1978 Rose Bowl. Thousands of fans greeted the team at Sea-Tac Airport upon its triumphant return from Pasadena that year.

    Coach James' UW teams would eventually win six Pac-10 titles, and play in six Rose Bowls and nine other bowl games during his 18-year tenure. They made five very serious runs at the national title, first in 1982 and then in 1984 and the 1990-1992 seasons, inclusive.

    But few would argue that Don James' penultimate triumph was his 1991 Husky team, which went 12-0 that season, never trailing at any time in a single game, and demolishing their opponents by an average score of 41 to 9. While the Associated Press poll gave its national championship that year to a similarly unbeaten Miami, the UPI Coaches poll awarded their version to Washington.

    In fact, Washington under Don James won more games than any other Pac-10 school during the entire 1980s. And as winners of 22 straight contests and back-to-back Rose Bowls over the course of three seasons, the 1990-92 Huskies are rightly considered to have been the most singularly dominant team in the history of Pac-8/10/12 football. Sorry, USC.

    No doubt, there are a lot of people who are  mourning tonight for Don James in football-crazy Seattle and throughout the Husky nation. Even in his emeritus years, the coach remained a popular and even beloved figure on the UW campus and across the city, and his presence will be very much missed.

    Aloha to a man who'll always be remembered with affection as "The Dawgfather." Through the vicarious experience of college football, Coach James helped to inspire a once-beleaguered greater Seattle community in the mid-1970s to believe that with hard work, due diligence and perseverance, they could compete successfully with anybody, any time and anywhere.

    :-(

    Well put (none / 0) (#55)
    by Slado on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 12:06:42 PM EST
    RIP

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    Political prankster Mark Dice... (none / 0) (#47)
    by Edger on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 10:36:05 AM EST
    ...asks San Diego beach-goers if they'll sign a petition supporting "the Police State" which includes "Orwellian" and "Nazi-Style" tactics to "keep Americans safe" in this "Brave New World." The results are, shall we say, unsurprising and predictable.

    Meanwhile, on a more positive note, the US remains bullish on freedom and opportunity, while poor people in the US are only temporarily embarrassed billionaires with opportunity knocking all around them. In other countries the heavy hand of an oppressive system of justice is evident.

    Best. Halloween. Costume. (none / 0) (#59)
    by jbindc on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 12:58:55 PM EST
    Ever.

    Link Didn't Work (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 01:21:02 PM EST
    Try this ONE.

    And yes, a baby dressed as the prince of darkness who is related to the prince of darkness is pretty damn cool.

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    Fixed (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Edger on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:21:16 PM EST
    your link

    Good one.

    This one of a jarhead is good too.

    And this will drive you around the bend. ;-)

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    Dang, I had some replacement seat covers (5.00 / 3) (#68)
    by ruffian on Mon Oct 21, 2013 at 02:34:46 PM EST
    but I gave them away...someone else may be using them for a costume this year!

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    NFL Sunday Open Thread | 73 comments (73 topical)

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