Thursday Open Thread -World Cup Edition
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Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:55:12 AM EST

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World Cup starts today in Brazil with the host country facing Croatia.

Much polemic in USA ranks as Jurgen Klinsmann, the German great who runs the USA team, left the greatest player in USA soccer history, Landon Donovan, off the team.

Probably doesn't matter as USA is in a group of death, with Germany, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and the best African team who knocked USA out of the last 2 World Cups, Ghana. It'll take a near miracle for USA to advance.

Teams to watch - Belgium, Colombia. While the casual fan will not be aware, the soccer world knows the talent on these 2 squads. Otherwise the usual favs - Brazil, Messi's Argentina, defending champs Spain and the perennial favorite Germany.

Players to watch: Brazil's Neymar, Messi, Uruguay's Suarez (recovering from knee surgery) and of course Cristiano Ronaldo.

Should be tons of fun. Picks tomorrow. Today I like Croatia (+2 goals) to keep it close. Open Thread.
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Thursday Open Thread -World Cup Edition | 150 comments (150 topical)
I thought this was a pretty powerful.... (5.00 / 1)
"Word" on Stephen Colbert's show last night relevant to the general theme of this blog.

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 11:35:03 AM EST
Wow (none / 0)
Good one!.. and certainly right on the mark for TL..

by squeaky on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:05:55 PM EST
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Saw that (none / 0)
A thought the same thing

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:07:21 PM EST
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RIP, Ruby Dee 1922-2014 (5.00 / 2)
A great and classy lady, besides being a teriffic actress.

by jbindc on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:12:34 PM EST

If anyone wants to know (5.00 / 3)
how much of a nerd a nerd can be, Mr. Zorba and I finally watched the second Hobbit movie, "The Desolation of Smaug."
What was his take on it?
He said that there has not been enough gold mined in the entire world to account for the amount of gold in Smaug's lair.
In fact, he looked it up later and told me that the amount of mined gold would fit into a cube 20 meters on a side, and the images in the movie are WAY off.
Now I ask you, is he a nerd, or not???
Of course, I did mention that the movie was a fantasy, but that didn't placate him.      ;-)

by Zorba on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:27:45 PM EST
To be fair, (none / 0)
all the gold in Smaug's lair came from Middle Earth. Maybe there is just more gold there.

by sj on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:52:17 PM EST
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LOL! (5.00 / 1)
It wouldn't matter in the least to Mr. Literalist.
I mean, fantasy.  It's a fantasy!
:-D

by Zorba on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:09:22 PM EST
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We, unfortunately, are ignoring the big news.... (5.00 / 1)
here.

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:35:12 PM EST

Funny (5.00 / 1)
Just on FB and someone says

OMG HARRISON FORD CRUSHED ON THE SET OF STAR WARS RUSHED TO HOSPITAL

so i googled

Harrison Ford sustained an ankle injury and was treated at a hospital

FaceBook is funny

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:39:47 PM EST


Pleas do not miss Donald's (5.00 / 4)
Excellently verbose take down in the now closed thread.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:55:39 PM EST
That was a beaut, wasn't it? (5.00 / 2)


by Angel on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:19:21 PM EST
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Depends on your definition of "beaut," (5.00 / 1)
and for what it's worth, Donald's effort probably needed to speak more to what jb was actually writing about, which I think Donald whiffed on.  I don't know why it always has to come back to Donald's extensive history and his exhaustive and comprehensive recitation of it, but seems like he never misses an opportunity to lecture people on how they are failing as citizens and Democrats.

And I wonder if anyone was struck, as I was, by how hard people seemed to be working to prove that the it would be a cold day in hell before any common ground could be found among average people.  I can't find any indication that jb was talking about common political ground, and yet, that's where the likes of Howdy, Tracy and Ga kept insisting be the point of contention.

My comments about Maryland - and Zorba's - were dismissed out of hand, that in spite of the the fact that of the 26 jurisdictions, 23 of them are quite red.  No one seemed to want to appreciate that there are areas of the state eerily reminiscent of "Deliverance," where the KKK still exists - just to give a few examples.  No, no one has "threatened" or intimidated me by flashing their weapons, but so what?  Kdog gained no traction mentioning the winger areas of NY State.

I've lost count of the number of times people like christine have cautioned the incremental, let's-just-all-work-together approach to political process (when she isn't trying to round up a posse to go after the Republican varmints, that is), and it feels like only those of us who are hard-core liberals ever push back against it.  

This isn't a contest, though some people seem to want to make it one.  There are no prizes for who lives in the worst hotbed of Tea Party insanity.  Based on what Howdy and Ga have related, I'm never going to Arkansas or Georgia, where people apparently roam the streets and haunt the local Wal-Mart barking talking points like people afflicted with Tourette's.

It's getting way too Lord of the Flies here, and if it's like that now, I can't imagine how toxic it will be come election season.

So, no, I didn't find Donald to have delivered a beaut of a takedown, and for the life of me, I can't understand why it was so important to take something offered as a light and gentle reminder that we're not all savages and turn it into proof that the pack mentality lives.

But, to take a page out of Donald's book, what are people like Ga and Howdy doing to counter the insanity?  Doesn't seem like much to me, and going for the throat of a fellow Democrat on a blog doesn't seem like a particularly courageous or effective way to change anything.

by Anne on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:05:06 PM EST
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Heh (5.00 / 1)
It's getting way too Lord of the Flies here

Sorry
The image of me Tracy Donald Ga you sj and all the rest running around in loincloths fighting over the conch is just perfect.   Thanks for the chuckle

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:13:37 PM EST
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Now I'm assigning characters (none / 0)
Can I be Simon?  Who are you?

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:16:47 PM EST
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Donald is definitely (none / 0)
Ralph.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:45:29 PM EST
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BS (5.00 / 1)
Your attempts to be the school marm and characterize the state of TL has been ongoing since you arrived.

Nothing has changed here..  no lord of the flies...

business as usual at TL.

and I do have some long time perspective.

by squeaky on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:30:54 PM EST
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That remark is really unnecessary. (none / 0)
Anne is entitled to offer her perspective on my rant in the previous open thread -- and yes, it was definitely a rant, and a rather long-winded one at that, even for me. I don't take her critiques personally, and neither should you.

Aloha.

by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:41:26 PM EST
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My Opinion (none / 0)
It's getting way too Lord of the Flies here, and if it's like that now, I can't imagine how toxic it will be come election season.

I disagree with this characterization of TL as the current state of affairs. And this is a constant complaint from Anne, who does not hesitate to sling the mud herself.

by squeaky on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:50:27 PM EST
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You are just (none / 0)
Mad that I already picked Simon

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:54:57 PM EST
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Yes, it is your opinion. (none / 0)
Anne and I have our own differing opinions, too, and we don't hesitate to offer them.

But from my perspective, of late you often seem to go out of your way to single her out and target her for criticism and ridicule, even if what she's said is benign. Then, if she rises to the bait and responds, you two pound merrily away at each other with hammer and tongs.

It's gotten to the point where I half-expect one or the other of you to suddenly whip out a can of spinach and rip the lid off with your teeth, to the accompaniment of crazy cartoon music.

Aloha.

by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:08:55 PM EST
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Yes (none / 0)
And your opinion is duly noted.

I respond to comments, not commenters. Of course some commenters I do not bother responding to, and some only occasionally.  

Anne is lucky... hahahaha

by squeaky on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:17:58 PM EST
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Thanks for your graciousness, Donald. (none / 0)
A more apt comparison, though, might be to Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, in "Psycho," with the music being played that of the famous shower scene; if you squinch up your ears, it might have something of an element of, er, "squeakiness."

And, yeah, I'm not the one with the knife.

by Anne on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:22:14 PM EST
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Anne (none / 0)
everything goes political with the tea party types and that's pretty much the entire GOP in my area. They have run off or destroyed any moderates who you could agree to disagree with. You can be doing nothing but sitting in grocery line and start screaming. I really don't know how to explain it and make people see but maybe the post by ZtoA that talks about having a black friend who used to live in MS talk about the horrors they experienced would bring home a point on this whole discussion. Do you think a black person being nice to Klansman would work? Do you think maybe if the black person talked about their grandchildren with the Klansman they could find common ground? This is the same kind of situation Howdy, Tracy and I are dealing with. I realy wish it wasn't that way. But we are dealing with some cornered rats who know the jig is going to be up soon. And you know the old saying about a cornered rat.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:16:49 PM EST
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I'm not saying your not having the (5.00 / 1)
experiences you describe, but I think it bears repeating that jb was not talking about making political common cause; she was simply expressing that, as important as these issues are to all of us, it's mentally and emotionally draining to approach every interaction from such a contentious position.  And that we - most of us, anyway - move through life quite peaceably and pleasantly, not infusing politics into everything we do.

Trust me when I tell you that I have had experiences where someone I didn't know particularly well - or at all - started spouting off Fox News-type BS, and I've usually had a response meant to bring that person back to reality.

I may have mentioned that I work with am attorney - the more limited my contact with him the better - who is not just a raging conservative, but he manages to yell and whine at the same time.  There are a couple Democrats in nearby offices who push his buttons for sport, but I prefer not to engage that way.  For one, I don't want him holding my political opinions against me in the working relationship, and for two, he's already convinced he knows it all, so it's just a complete waste of time and energy to get worked up over it.  He's generally viewed as an obnoxious little tyrant, and I have no interest in meeting him halfway on his views about much of anything.  We can talk sports, but that's about it.

Maryland isn't Georgia or Arkansas or Texas or any of the other stupid states - yet - but that doesn't mean there aren't Republicans and wingers trying hard to turn it in that direction.

If I can accord you the credibility of your experiences, I don't see any reason why you can't return the favor - it's not going to threaten your state's status as a Den of Tea Party Insanity, I promise.

by Anne on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:38:29 PM EST
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You know (5.00 / 1)
down here I don't even bring up politics at the grocery store or anywhere. They do. They're the ones that always bring it up. I find that it's no use to talk to them about politics so why even bring it up. The point I was making is that they always talk about politics. They watch Fox News all the time so that's what they talk about.

The difference is probably sheer numbers. You have one in the office. Down here you would have five times that. Also you have to realize that we have a govenor that is enabling them which emboldens them which you probably do not have. We have a legislature that is emboldening them. We have a state senate which is emboldening them.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:48:06 PM EST
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Well (none / 0)
I'm sorry she and you took it as "going for the throat" JB was trying to shop this they're not so bad kind of thing. Well, that actually used to be true. I had crazy Newt as a rep and yeah, there were some real rabid Bill Clinton haters out there but you didn't have to worry that if you went to the grocery store some jackal was going to give you a lecture about how George W. Bush was Jesus. Something happened during the Bush Administration and they have just literally gotten more rabid since Obama. It's the way it is. They are trying to take away everything from anybody who they don't deem "worthy? and it's very scary. We have people dying. Hospitals going out of business because they are petty, vindictive and small minded. You can't engage a petty, small minded and vindictive person. My very best friend in the world was a Republican for years and we could agree to disagree. She's a reasonable person so she left the GOP. She has had it.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:24:19 PM EST
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Almost sounds like you are trying to find (5.00 / 1)
Common ground.  But that can't be.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:32:00 PM EST
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Nope (none / 0)
there is no middle ground. I don't understand why JB was always talking about how the tea party was dead which I knew wasn't true and then the fact that all of a sudden "they're not so bad" and we need to find common ground with them.

It's like you trying to hang out with a virulent homophobe.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:36:26 PM EST
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Ha (none / 0)
Btw I do daily.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:39:06 PM EST
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But they (none / 0)
aren't your bestie are they? I bet you limit your time around them too.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 08:49:19 PM EST
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The Republican establishment (none / 0)
has a tricky dilemma ... (1) For a large part of this year, their spinners were feeding the Washington/national press with tales of how the rogue TeaParty would be vanquished and that the big boys/girls were now back in charge.  That played well ... except that people like you, Ga6th, kept pointing out that the difference between the mainline and the TeaPots had gotten so obscured that they might as well be one and the same.  A number of people began noticing that the "establishment" Repubs appeared to have been adopting what had been TeaParty positions; articles appeared to that effect; and, Speaker Boehner allowed as how all Repubs were very, very close in positions.  The primaries, for awhile, fit with the narrative that the adults/Repub establishment was back in town.  

(2) Then, Georgia and the fact that Kingston was close caused a brief look at what might have been an aberration. Next, all of a sudden, a very conservative Republican--Joni Ernst (accompanied by name-calling hubby)--convincingly won the Iowa Repub Senate primary ... people said "hmmmm."  The big then: McDaniel slightly edged longtime incumbent and favorite Senator Cochran to bring about the upcoming runoff in which McDaniel's polled lead is growing.  Bringing us to this week and the biggest upset with Brat ousting Majority Leader Cantor in their congressional race.

Where are they now?  Near as I can tell, the narrative about the strong impact of the TeaPots on the Republican Party could no longer be overlooked nor minimized.  The Cantor case made that so; and, everything changed (for now.)  The change was abrupt ... and so, necessarily, was the message that followed.  Selling the old message of "the TeaParty has lost influence" would not be convincing to anyone anymore ... not even to the buddy "journalists" on the Hill bar stools. As for how a new message is cobbled together, I think that how the Kevin McCarthy about-to-be ascendancy is handled will be telling.  For example: Who will then become the Majority Whip?  Will there be other changes on the leadership team to assuage the Tea Party?  What kind of trades will there be ... particularly about immigration reform and the realities surrounding it?

by christinep on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:58:21 PM EST
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Exactly. (5.00 / 2)
I come from what once was a very Republican family, and grew up in what once was a reliably Republican state, California. But once the crazies were invited to join the circus, everything's turned into a zero-sum game with them. As a result, people would do well to pay attention to what has since happened to the GOP in the Golden State, because the Republican have almost completely been marginalized, mostly all of their own doing.

Some people here have suggested that discussing sports is a good way to break the ice and start a conversation. Well, when I go back to SoCal nowadays, I can't even discuss with Teabot relatives how the Dodgers are doing, because they can't let go of their politics. Instead, they almost immediately launch into a diatribe about how they never go to ballgames any more because Dodger Stadium / Anaheim Stadium / Petco Park is overrun with black and Mexican thugs who are itching to ambush you in the parking lot before / after the game and steal your wallet and your car.

I mean, there was one alcohol-fueled and very well-publicized incident in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on opening day a few years back, in which a couple of intoxicated Dodger fans who were Hispanic happened to severely beat a Giants fan, Brian Stowe -- who also had one too many himself, and who so happens to be white -- after the game was over and fans were leaving the stadium. Yes, it was bad, and yes, it is absolutely unconscionable that any person could ever do such a horrible thing to another human being over a friggin' baseball game.

Yet the Stowe incident has since morphed on AM squawk radio in SoCal into a white people's cause celebre, with scores of stories being traded about "thugs" -- and we all know what "thugs" means -- who are lying in wait in Chavez Ravine to assault unsuspecting white people, even though that altercation had everything to do with too much beer and the longstanding Dodgers-Giants rivalry, and was not about race and ethnicity. But of course, the teabaggers are lapping up every bit of the false narrative, because it serves to validate their own warped worldview.

I mean, how do you dialogue with people who don't give a rat's a$$ about facts and truth? I really don't know how you put up with their buLL$H!+ in Georgia, because I've been there and seen what you see and experience, and I hear you loud and clear. Most white people where you and MT and Capt Howdy live apparently can't even accept the fact that Barack Obama is an American citizen, or that his childhood home of Hawaii is even a state in the union.

These people are crazy delusional, and they're highly motivated and they show up at the polls. and the only thing one can do at this point is rally your own side and try to outperform them on Election Day.

Aloha.

by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:25:39 PM EST
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GA and Capt (1.00 / 1)
You really should consider moving. I mean we don't want your health threatened.

lol

by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:58:02 PM EST

LOL (none / 0)
I actually have thought about but the housing market here in GA for getting rid of your house is pretty bad.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:01:30 PM EST
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GA... (none / 0)
I hope you didn't take our discussion the wrong way...I value your perspective and opinions big time.

And if you're asking if I'd trade Cuomo for Deal, that's a big hell no.  But I'd trade him for my mailman in a heartbeat;)

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:25:22 PM EST
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Look (5.00 / 1)
I was not offended in the least. It just seemed that  nobody could understand what is going on down here. I don't know. Maybe these people have had a complete break with reality. Though really I think you hit the nail on the head when you said it's losing the culture war. Apparently your people in NY have accepted that reality and are moving on and people down here are fighting tooth and nail to deny that reality.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:29:56 PM EST
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It's a race between GA and TX to see (none / 0)
which one will turn blue first.

Not that Nunn and Carter are the next Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown, but if those 2 win this fall....

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:33:44 PM EST
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Well (5.00 / 1)
the fact that they even have a shot at winning is freaking a lot of the tea partiers out and it's one of the reasons why they have been doing these horrible laws but I don't think they understand that those horrible laws could very well backfire on them.

And yeah, I would trade Cuomo for Deal in a heartbeat. The idiots down here think he's a flaming liberal. Little do they know...

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:37:18 PM EST
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LOL... (5.00 / 1)
If only our "liberals" were as liberal as the tea-partiers think they are...what a wonderful country that might be! ;)

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:41:25 PM EST
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Cool... (none / 0)
of course no one can truly understand your experience...I guess all I was trying to say is that life experiences are inherently limited, and hence flawed and incomplete.  

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:51:07 PM EST
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I do truly love (none / 0)
Your instinct for peacemaking

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:24:37 PM EST
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Yeah (none / 0)
I guess nobody can understand your experience. Anyway this area used to not be that bad. When I first moved here you would have the occaisonal Republican spout off and the idiot Newt was my rep. You would get the occaisonal letter to the editor saying that Bill Clinton was the anti christ. They did have a liberal who wrote a column for the paper but no more. Since George W. Bush it has gotten really bad. Perhaps it's the collapse of the GOP that has done it. I don't know. I do know that one time I was in line to pay at the grocery store and the check out person and the bag boy were accoting everybody about their political views. I was thinking oh, no, quit by the time I get up there. Well, sure enough they didn't and started to lecture me on how Bush was Jesus and they were going to have to run Condi Rice (this is prior to 2008) because Dick Morris said she's the only one that beat her and on and on they went. I finally just went off of on them about the time they were done checking me out. I mean aren't people just supposed to bag your groceries and check you out and thank you for shopping there? This is why I advocate beating the pants off the tea party any and every chance that D's get.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:38:13 PM EST
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Same here (5.00 / 1)
Remember Bill and Hillary were elected governor 5 times.  That's how I remembered it.  I was quite unprepared for the now.  It's really a different world.

But I have friends.  And the upside is every tome I walk out my door I I feel good about myself.   Ya know?  Like Jesus that could have been me.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:47:52 PM EST
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Well Jim (none / 0)
I think you need to go straighten Iraq out since you're so concerned

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:02:53 PM EST
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Is there room on the troll farm (none / 0)


by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:12:25 PM EST
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I'm rooting for Uruguay (none / 0)
Knee surgery unfortunate...but whatcha gonna do?

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:20:33 AM EST
It surprises me how quickly interest in (none / 0)
the issue of the appropriateness of Mr. Colburn's post-Belmont statements has diminished.

[Snk.]

by oculus on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:35:26 AM EST
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It's the World Cup baby (none / 0)
Rooster Cogburn had his 30 minutes around here :)

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:49:05 AM EST
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Oh Yeah...and I'm going with Brazil (none / 0)
Even though I despise their cheating hearts :). Brazil by a goal.

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:50:27 AM EST
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I would have loved... (none / 0)
to see Donovan come off the bench as a late game offensive spark if we're down a goal...but Klinsmann is playing for 2018 and I can understand the logic behind that.  

Will Julian Green even see the pitch to gain experience for 2018 though???  I'm thinking perhaps there was a quid pro quo there..."play for the US in lieu of Germany and I'll get you on this years squad" kinda thing.  And Klinsmann was none too happy about Donovan's sabbatical...also probably a factor in his omission.  

 

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:11:29 AM EST

Logic? (none / 0)
Just getting even :)

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 11:23:10 AM EST
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Even if... (none / 0)
the sabbatical was the only reason, I can see Klinsmann's side there too...nobody on the US side, not even Donovan or Dempsey or Howard, rates special "superstar" treatment.  Either you make the full commitment to the national team or you don't...that's fair enough.

As good as he still is, he's not Messi or Ronaldo or Neymar...not even close.

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 11:43:29 AM EST
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I know he's not very good anymore (none / 0)
That's just fact.  He is better though than the 2nd pick for his position.  Hey, it's the coaches call and he made it.  And Donovan gave him the single finger wave by getting a job that makes it impossible for him to be a replacement in case of injury.

And they will play this out in all of our faces BECAUSE the United States had a snowball's chance, and now it has double dog snowball's chance :)

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 12:10:16 PM EST
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You still think Maradonna (none / 0)
was overrated, Tracy?

Not to start anything..

I will say though that it takes a stupendous feat of denial for people to forget that other goal he scored in that "hand of God" game. Only possibly the greatest goal in World Cup history.

by jondee on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 12:47:24 PM EST
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I don't think he was a poor player (none / 0)
He was a great player, and a great cheater.

So Pele gets to be Gabriel, and Maradonna settled for Lucifer.

Maradonna's hand of God goal is only his most well known act of cheating :)

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 12:56:58 PM EST
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I don't have cable.... (none / 0)
Are games going to be on antennae via Univision again like 4 years ago?

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:05:59 PM EST
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I am supposed to be able to get it (none / 0)
On my ESPNhd channel.  It's 206 on Direct TV for me.  The other games jump around to between 206 and 209.  I think we have a very basic ESPN package, I can't remember though.  There is also a channel 400 that seems to be reserved for the cup, there is nothing on it but advertisements right now.  I think it is Univision but it looks like that is on demand for me.  Don't know if it requires payment to use this year.

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:26:03 PM EST
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Can't seem to find... (none / 0)
straight dope on that, but it appears the lion share of Univision's coverage will be on their sports channel, Univision Deportes, which I think is only available on cable.

But the BBC and other foreign outlets are offering free web viewing...you need to be an ESPN subscriber to view their web broadcasts.

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:52:53 PM EST
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That is a bummer (none / 0)
Last World Cup was great because everyone could watch.  I hope the web viewing holds.

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:29:18 PM EST
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Last year ESPN has the rights... (none / 0)
Fox got 'em for 2018 and beyond...hopefully they broadcast on regular free Fox and not Fox Sports.  But I don't know if soccer will be popular enough by then for the suits to see money in it on broadcast tv.

Sh*t cable might be extinct by 2018, replaced by web viewing of everything.  Or at least a helluva lot cheaper!

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:45:52 PM EST
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I can't believe Fox wants futbol (none / 0)


by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:48:13 PM EST
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Regular Fox already (none / 0)
shows soccer games on some Saturdays when they don't have NASCAR.

They have also had a soccer channel for years on cable.

by jbindc on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:52:56 PM EST
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Stalking me (none / 0)
I must have really hot under your skin :)

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:00:53 PM EST
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Is that stalking? (none / 0)
I guess I read that without emotion. I have no dog in the more-Southern-than-thee hunt so I just read that as a factual statement.

by sj on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:15:01 PM EST
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That other goal he scored (none / 0)
more than made up for it.

He sliced and diced through England's best defenders like they were an American high school team. That just doesn't happen on the World Cup level.

by jondee on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 12:32:59 PM EST
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You just love that old cheater (none / 0)


by Militarytracy on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 12:37:46 PM EST
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I love true artistry (none / 0)
he even cheated artfully.

Did you ever see the clip of the great George Best sneaking up behind Gordon Banks and kicking the ball out his hands as he was drop kicking it? There's cheating and then there's cheating.

by jondee on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 01:00:19 PM EST
Parent

Georgie Best... (none / 0)
now that's my kinda footballer...downing pints and chasing skirts all night, driving defenders to drink on the pitch all day.

by kdog on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 03:26:43 PM EST
Parent
"I spent most of my money (none / 0)
on birds and booze -- the rest of it I just pissed away."

by jondee on Tue Jun 17, 2014 at 10:59:27 AM EST
Parent











A funny video with some mentionable (none / 0)
Soccer dives, but also captured footage of dive school.

Diving

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:15:03 PM EST

As I watch Dwayne Wade and Manu Ginobli... (5.00 / 2)
it's nice to know that the finer points of soccer have made their way into the NBA.

Whatever bad you could say about the bad boy Piston teams and the Bird/Parrish/McHale Celtics, you can't accuse them of flopping. I really really hope the NBA can stop the flopping before it gets too much further out of hand.

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:34:38 PM EST
Parent

The NBA is flopping too? (none / 0)
Do they cover their faces too like they've been blinded or the pain is so much they can't tolerate the sensation of light?

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:43:26 PM EST
Parent
Oh dear.... (5.00 / 1)
Off to youtube I go. Be back in 5 with links.

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 01:59:04 PM EST
Parent
OK. (none / 0)
Here.

and here.

There's some duplication and the gif files in the second load slowly, but they're worth it.

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:05:02 PM EST
Parent

Cute (none / 0)
NBA, where acting happens

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:26:53 PM EST
Parent

Fining multi-millionaire players (none / 0)
a couple of thousand won't do a thing.

Penalizing their team during the game, that would be a real deterrent.

by NYShooter on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 07:10:13 PM EST
Parent





Bird/Parrish/McHale did not get accused (none / 0)
...few could could even look like they were knocking them over...but I seem to recall Byron Scott and Michael Cooper getting accused of faking it a little in games against the Celtics.

by ruffian on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:33:25 PM EST
Parent

I do wish you hadn't mentioned that whiner McHale (none / 0)
I get agitated just remembering him. Not a flopper, but a first class whiner nonetheless. Maybe my least favorite NBA player ever.

by ruffian on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:36:16 PM EST
Parent
Whining < Flopping < Whining & Flopping (none / 0)


by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:42:08 PM EST
Parent




Neymar is limping (none / 0)
Who told BTD that Neymar is limping?

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:38:33 PM EST

Well (none / 0)
I have decided that Captain Howdy, Military Tracy and I must be the only ones that understand what it is like to live in a tea party infested area.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:48:55 PM EST
A ranch owner right on a major thru-way... (5.00 / 2)
here in Parker, CO has a Confederate Stars and Bars with a Dont Tread on Me flag flying proudly on a flagpole on his front stoop. Drive by it every day.

He also has some election yard signs on his property, which are instructive for me to know who NOT to vote for.

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:53:44 PM EST
Parent

magster (none / 0)
So he's an idiot. Should we shut him up??

by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:58:52 PM EST
Parent
Well (none / 0)
then we're loaded with idiots in the south if you think he's an idiot.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:00:45 PM EST
Parent

If I was in the government, no. (none / 0)
But as his neighbor, I can sure tell him to take his racist tea party thoughts elsewhere and hope he doesn't mow me down with his AR-15.

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:03:38 PM EST
Parent
Every other car here (none / 0)
Has confederate flag plates.  In AR we only have to have plates in the back.  So, you know  it's just expected.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:27:19 PM EST
Parent


Yay. JimakaPPJ is here. (none / 0)


by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:05:49 PM EST
Parent

If only we were the group (none / 0)
Threatening others that made us feel uncomfortable with guns while we stand our ground :).

Don't project your problem solving skills onto us Jim :)

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:36:50 PM EST
Parent

74 school shootings (5.00 / 1)
since Stoney Point.

Real Americans.

BTW, is there any reason pets can't have guns? How's a beagle gonna "stand his ground" against a Shepard?

by NYShooter on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 07:07:16 PM EST
Parent

A (none / 0)
Chihuahua with a hand gun is a terrifying thing.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 07:10:47 PM EST
Parent
A chihuahua with a hand gun (none / 0)
Is a safe chihuahua

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:28:28 PM EST
Parent






And since you feel (5.00 / 1)
you are the only ones with expertise as to what the South is like, then by your logic, you should not feel free to tell me what it's like in Virginia or tell Anne and Zorba what it's like in Maryland, or kdog what it's like in NY, etc.

You have no clue.

by jbindc on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:56:32 PM EST
Parent

I never said (5.00 / 1)
that. You guys are the ones that don't seem to understand and can't believe it. Apparently you don't have the same amount of tea partiers that we do.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 02:59:56 PM EST
Parent
Hmmm... (1.00 / 1)
Telling me I live in a Blue State.  Telling Anne and Zorba they live in a Blue State.  Telling us we don't encounter Tea Partiers.

Just to start.

I think you are so embedded in this obsession about the Tea Party that you cannot see the forest for the trees on my whole original point.  

That's sad.

by jbindc on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:03:51 PM EST
Parent

I've searched the thread (5.00 / 1)
But I can't seem to find where Ga6th said you don't encounter Tea Partiers ... or opining on what it's like to live in VA, MD or NY ... or even that you live in a Blue state (which would be true).

by Yman on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:42:08 PM EST
Parent
You need to check out the (none / 0)
Wednesday open thread, because that's where all of this started.

It really seemed - to me, anyway - to devolve into a contest that Ga was determined to win.  I mean, it even got to the point where Ga was asking which one of them had seen more Romney signs.

I truly did not get the sense that jb was advocating for some kind of political reconciliation or concession or trying to get anyone to accept the wacky ideas of TP Republicans.

But it doesn't matter what I think, because I live in Maryland, where the TP insanity isn't high enough to render my opinions valid.  I don't understand, I don't know what it's like, I don't have people in my face 24/7, so I should just sit down and leave the opinionating to the southerners, who are the only ones who truly, truly understand politics.

What really slays me is how many people went along for the ride on the Obama bipartisanship train, happily telling us this is what we had to do to get anywhere.  And that was just peachy coming from Donald and christine and vic and others, because they consider themselves "real" Democrats, and are clearly still highly suspicious of jb and tee up anything she says for batting practice.

Like I said, Lord of the Flies.

by Anne on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:52:46 PM EST
Parent

I checked it (5.00 / 2)
My problem is that GA6th's statements are being completely twisted, exaggerated and misstated.  She didn't make most of the statements that are being attributed to her.  If JBindc doesn't like her points, argue the points rather than just make $hit up.

BTW - I also agree with Ga6th, MT and CaptHowdy that the TPers are much worse in the South.  I never lived in the South for more than a few months, but I did a lot of civil rights litigation for several years in Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana.  It was a helluva an eye-opener, particularly compared to Montgomery County and NOVA, where I lived for several years.

by Yman on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 08:41:44 PM EST
Parent


Well (none / 0)
I for one was never one that rode that broken back unity pony and what I see down here is one of the main reasons why.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:55:30 PM EST
Parent
I'm never going to give ground on (none / 0)
anything that threatens our basic rights; but if someone brings a really good dip to a party, I'll happily ask for the recipe.

But chances are, I'm not going to be at any parties with people who think that way, so I guess I'll just have to stick with Pinterest, where you can feel the calories turning to pounds just reading the thousands of recipes.

I've made those bacon-wrapped onion rings three times now, and they are a hit every time. So, so good.

But I digress.  I will never in a million years understand people who feel they must impose their beliefs on everyone, never.  And it makes my blood boil when I read about it happening in more and more places.

I hope those people do believe in hell, because I can't imagine they will end up anywhere else for all the misery and pain and hardship they so happily inflict on others.

by Anne on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:08:12 PM EST
Parent

Anne, I never read their posts as denying your (none / 0)
"beliefs". Don't know how you read that into them.

People live in different environs and that often dictates what they experience. To say that patriarchy is not so bad to someone who lives in, say parts of India, is simply not going to work. Women there are harassed, groped, and raped regularly. They don't have the luxury to simply avoid their bosses. It is not about being actually invited to parties and bringing a good dip. We in the US may find common ground between women and men at parties, but not there.

To say that racism, for example, is something that an AA or latino can just be nice thru is also simply not possible. They often won't even be invited to majority parties.

You, and I, live rather blessed lives. But this does not mean everyone does. I think it would be a good idea to head the warnings about rabid TPers from people who live their lives with them.

by ZtoA on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:24:38 PM EST
Parent

OMG, how is it possible to (none / 0)
so completely miss the point of anything and everything I said?  I don't even know what your opening sentence has to do with anything I said.

And I don't know who said anything about people of color just being nice through the racism, but it wasn't me.  That's not something I would ever say or have ever said. Where are you getting that?

Does no one have basic reading comprehension skills any more?


by Anne on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:34:57 PM EST
Parent

Pardon me (5.00 / 2)
You said "I will never in a million years understand people who feel they must impose their beliefs on everyone, never." No one tried to impose their "beliefs" on you or anyone else in this subthread as far as I could tell.

I use these other first hand experiences to illustrate that the environ that one lives in does impact their experiences.  I still think it is a good idea to listen and admit that these are real experiences. For them the TP is not going to go away or let up with being nice.

I find it interesting how extremely divided this country is at this time. We do live in different worlds.

by ZtoA on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:57:58 PM EST
Parent

Oh, for the love of God... (2.40 / 5)
I wasn't talking about anyone at TL, ZtoA, imposing their beliefs on me in this subthread, I was referring to the people out there in the world who want to legislate away reproductive rights, and force schools to teach creationism as a valid theory, and decorate courthouses and public squares with all their religious symbols.  I was talking about people who don't see anything wrong with the massive and wholesale invasions of our privacy.

Those people, ZtoA.  I was talking about the Dems who set aside the strong beliefs they had when Bush was president, because a Democratic president felt compelled to find common ground with Republicans on issues where I don't think there is common ground to be found.  I was talking about Dems who went along with whatever Obama did, because, well, hope and change and maybe if we're nice enough to the Republicans we can reverse and repair the damage of 8 years of Bush. I was talking about people who screamed bloody murder about Bush and Cheney and Addington and Yoo and all the lies and an illegal war who magically, upon the inauguration of a Democratic president, became okay with and even justified  Obama carrying on those policies and that agenda.

Those people, ZtoA.  When I referred to things happening in more and more places, I was talking about the latest move by the State of Louisiana to further restrict a woman's right to choose.  Those places, those things - that's what I'm referring to when I talk about beliefs being imposed on people.

Do you get it now?  Do you get that I was agreeing with Ga, who said she wasn't one of the people who went along with all the post-partisan unity crap?  Were you here for any of that?

Are three comments enough to clarify, explain, expand, contextualize?  Or is this comment going to be followed by another from you completely - or deliberately - missing the point?

by Anne on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 06:42:10 AM EST
Parent

Thank you for clarifying (5.00 / 2)
I appreciate your effort to be clearer. Maybe, tho, it is not just my problem with 'reading comprehension' but your problems too with effective communication. Just a thought.

I'm glad you clarified that you are actually talking about politics and not just your grocery store or party experiences with your neighbors and how, if you lived in TP dominated environs, you would be completely incapable of handling it like GA, Howdy, MT and others do with grace and open eyes. Or not being able to stomach the opposition and still put forth best efforts like Donald and Christine do.

Or maybe you are talking about Democrats who don't live up to your standards. Which "these people" "out there" are you talking about? Or do you lump those Democrats in with the TPers?  

I thought this sub thread was about 'the Tea Parties are losing power and influence' vs. 'No they are not - not in this part of the (very divided) country'. I suppose the sub text could include (but not limited to) the Ts compromise too little and the Dems compromise too much. I agree with that, as you do too - at least the compromise too much part.

by ZtoA on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 11:04:20 AM EST
Parent


Re: surveillance and domestic spying (none / 0)
This is a bit OT for this subthread.

I see domestic spying as a real threat. The NSA and other agencies have great power in their technologies. But they do not completely own or control those technologies. These are global technologies.

I see this as the new face of a global arms race with all the big players working in cyberspace for dominance like any arms race since the beginning of warfare. (WAS there a beginning of warfare?) With non-national powers and players like AQ the enemies became unhooked to The State, and citizens of States are potential enemies of those States. Actual warfare is now conducted in cyberspace. I can't remember who posted this several years ago - some brilliant tech person - but he posted a link to a Wired article on the Stuxnet virus and how it was used to destroy a nuclear facility in Iran and positing who the players were in that (US, Israel, Germany).

Realistically I don't expect any national power, US, China, Russia, etc etc etc, to curtail their arms race in cyberspace on their own volition. It is a fast moving arms race with each trying to reach parity or better, dominance, in order to secure their existence. We are no longer having to have nuclear bomb threats where we take cover under our desks, but rather are told to turn off our devices and take the batteries out, or don't have them at all. And to be able to change our faces at will.

I heartily admire people like Kdog who can fly under that radar, but most of us cannot - or don't. As in the nuclear arms race it is vital for voices to expose and to oppose the creation and testing of those dangerous weapons. Checks are very good and useful. But I don't expect any president to voluntarily pull back from an arms race until a clear dominance has been reached. I don't think that has happened before - Donald do you know?  

by ZtoA on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 11:32:12 AM EST
Parent










Go pull wings off flies (3.00 / 2)
To deal with YOUR feelings

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:08:35 PM EST
Parent

Why don't you leave her alone? (1.00 / 1)
Your just pissed because her analysis of many things in her state and in the South is always more accurate than what you pull out of your whohaw.  Get a life.  Leave her alone ya big jerk.

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:06:42 PM EST
Parent
Aw, (1.00 / 1)
Her protector is here.

She is doing fine defending herself.

She doesn't need you to protect her.

What is this?  3rd grade?

Run along before someone throws water on you too, dearie.

by jbindc on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:08:56 PM EST
Parent

jbindc (5.00 / 1)
I have a friend who is black and was raised in Mississippi. He has many scary stories. Perhaps you could argue with him that it was/is not that bad, that there's good in everyone, all he needed to do was smile and be nice and he could experience that goodness.

Some friends and I visited New Orleans, Mississippi No Fla just after graduating high school. We were all white and didn't mind Mississippi cuz the drinking age was 18. One day we came upon an accident on the road and ran to the nearest farm house, begging her to call an ambulance. The woman refused to open the door for us and all she would say was "are they black?". We Chicagoans were truly deeply shocked. And we were being nice.

by ZtoA on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 07:36:10 PM EST
Parent


This a.m. jbindc (3.25 / 4)
I thought that you had some kind of conversion ... that the snippy put-downs against those with whom you disagree had been cast aside.  You talked about talking with those who disagree with you ... you talked about common ground and all that.  Hmmmmm.

Following the colloquy earlier today, I almost wanted to hug you ... at first.  Then, someone challenged you and spelled out more about the dilemma of living in a location surrounded by those spewing political hatred from the furthest right (aka TeaParty types.)  What followed was familiar.  Nope, the "common ground" that began the talk day quickly turned to snide, snippy, screw you remarks as rejoinder to those who challenged you.  At the first challenge, no empathy ... no attempt at even an "I see your point, but" or whatever.

Perhaps, the huge shake-up out of Virginia had an effect, caused a tremor.  I do know this: After mild push-back, your commentary appears to be status quo ante.

by christinep on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:47:27 PM EST
Parent


Nope (1.00 / 1)
Never have been able to stomach the likes of where you have gone.  Have always said something.

Not kidding though.  GO GET A LIFE!

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:10:32 PM EST
Parent

C'mon guys... (5.00 / 1)
It was an interesting discussion, don't ruin it by taking it personal.

None of us will ever truly understand each other's life experiences and observations and feelings...all we can do is try.  Preferably in a civil manner.

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:19:03 PM EST
Parent

Maybe you should direct (none / 0)
Your concern to your buddy Jim.  That's the first personal I saw.   As usual

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:20:43 PM EST
Parent


You do understand what this is really (none / 0)
about right ?  It's about putting a dumb smiley harmless looking face on the the Republican Party .

Ooooooh why can't we just get along.   If we only opened our hearts  ya know.   Let the love that shines from the faces of all those stupid racist crackers warm us.

That's all it takes.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:18:37 PM EST
Parent

Yep ... and, coincidentally (5.00 / 1)
the short-lived both-sides-are-not-so-bad routine happened right after the Republican Majority Leader (Cantor) was defeated with the resultant shock waves sent through all the Republican establishment in DC.  My goodness.

by christinep on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:51:12 PM EST
Parent

Don't even worry about Captain (none / 0)
It isn't worth the fight.  You know what it is like living in the South, I know, several others do, we don't have to have anyone's permission to know what it is like.

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:23:05 PM EST
Parent
You are right (5.00 / 1)
I'm done.  Bring on the hot soccer players

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:29:35 PM EST
Parent

The Fascists on the Supreme Court (5.00 / 2)
(and, please don't anyone lecture me on the use of that term. Look up the definition in Webster's, and, you will find it's the perfect, scholarly correct term)

while they may not be geographically Southern, do represent the, mostly, Southern Political philosophy. And, while I have been as critical of President Obama as anybody else here, I'd like to give you two reasons why I disagree so vehemently with some here who preach the "both are equally rotten, so, why bother voting" mantra.....basically, why voting does matter, now more than ever.

1. The "Corporations are people ruling,".......Basically sanctioning the shift of America from a Democracy to an Oligarchy.

and,

2. Gutting Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act........Basically telling States they may enact laws making the act of voting so onerous for specific, targeted groups of citizens that they, in effect, would be prohibited from carrying out one of the most sacred rights guaranteed in our Constitution....voting.  

by NYShooter on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 07:40:03 PM EST
Parent



You would think (none / 0)
after 6 years of Obama playing kumbaya with the GOP and how well that one has worked out no one would even suggest that.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:41:36 PM EST
Parent





I never said (none / 0)
you don't encounter them but apparently from what you have said when your trash guy sends you a bill it doesn't have a tirade about Obama enclosed does it? Or you can stand in Wal-Mart and a picture of Obama on the National Enquirer not set someone off. Right?

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:11:10 PM EST
Parent
GA, I was going to bail (5.00 / 2)
on this sub-thread, but I will see your Tea Party and raise you the Ku Klux Klan.
The head of the Maryland branch of the KKK lives within a short driving distance of my home.
We still see Confederate flags on plenty of pick-up trucks, and stores as well.  Not to mention those stupid lawn jockey statues, whose faces are not (bad as that would be) painted white.
We all have different experiences.
I respect and regret your experiences, and I would hope that you respect ours.  Everyone is different.
Namaste.

by Zorba on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:30:38 PM EST
Parent
You had me (5.00 / 1)
At hotbed of incest for the state.  Still giggling about that.  Imaging them watching GOT and thinking, what's the big deal?

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:58:07 PM EST
Parent

I do (none / 0)
It's just the whole let's hold hands with these people that I objected to. I'm sorry but there really is no way to have any common ground with these tea partiers down here. Unfortunately the ones down here use every opportunity to screech. See Jim on another thread blaming people like you for losing the Vietnam War. That is what Howdy, Tracy and I deal with on a daily basis. These are people who have gone over the edge. It's almost like trying to find common ground with a mental patient. It just cannot be done.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:49:33 PM EST
Parent





You know, they really don't. (none / 0)
Tracy lives in an area of military folks.

GA lives in a suburb of a city.

Capt lives in AR. ('nuff said.)

lol

by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:00:47 PM EST
Parent

What is nuff said (5.00 / 1)
Suppose to mean troll?

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:11:21 PM EST
Parent

Ever heard (none / 0)
of Jenny Beth Martin? She lives in the same county I do.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:02:37 PM EST
Parent
Don't fight with him (none / 0)
There is no reason to.  You don't owe him anything.

by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:25:15 PM EST
Parent


They're not part of the South? (none / 0)
Who knew?

by Yman on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:36:23 PM EST
Parent



I think there are others (none / 0)
They just don't talk as much as we do

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 04:13:54 PM EST
Parent

The unitron from... (none / 0)
...the "freedom fries" guy's district begs to differ.

by unitron on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 12:05:30 AM EST
Parent


Sorry I missed this (none / 0)
but playing poker and gardening got in the way..

y Yman on Fri Jun 06, 2014 at 09:02:33 PM CST

Now there.

(I had written) Donald has spent no time in the military yet he seems to think that his exposure to his father makes him expert.

Yaman opines: So by that standard, we should ignore your "expertise" as to how an actual soldier serving in combat should act ...

Actually, yes. If I ever tell you how a soldier serving in combat should act please ignore me.

However, I haven't done that. My point is that I actually have served and don't need to wave anyone else's name around to talk about what is expected of military members.

That would include not walking away from your base.

Some would call it desertion.


by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:12:06 PM EST

"some would call it desertion" (5.00 / 3)
some would say "hey Jim, go comment on Redstate instead."

by magster on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:18:13 PM EST
Parent


Panic averted in Sao Paulo... (none / 0)
An own goal by Brasil gave Croatia a 1-Nil lead...but Neymar equalised before the half.  Can Croatia hold on for BTD's cover or even a draw?

by kdog on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 03:54:07 PM EST

Brazil 3 Croatia 1 (none / 0)


by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:01:01 PM EST
Thanks to the... (none / 0)
Fred "Flintstone" Flop...embarrassing start to the Cup for the entire sport.

Fred shoulda got a yellow for flopping...no question.  Shame on Fred.

If this is any indication of how the Cup will be called, it's gonna get fugly with the flopping.  

by kdog on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 07:54:49 AM EST
Parent



Blood Simple (none / 0)
Is on encore suspense right now if anyone what's to catch the ending a a reference for the Fargo finale

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:31:02 PM EST
You are a Fargo scholar (none / 0)


by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:42:10 PM EST
Parent
More like (5.00 / 2)
A Coen groupie

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 05:59:23 PM EST
Parent



Been raining here all afternoon (none / 0)
Stopped this morning long enough to cut the grass now back to it.  Anyway, the dogs and I have been trolling the DVR and were watching recorded episodes of "Through the Wormhole" which I love.
Anyway
I just watched the most recent episode from last night called "How to Collapse a Superpower"
Fascinating.  Probably the best of the series I have seen.  And I like the series.  If you are not paranoid enough catch it ASAP.

Ps
Sadly for u I still have an internet connection for some reason.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 06:36:10 PM EST


Pew poll: In polarized United States, (none / 0)
we live as we vote.

seems topical

Partisan combat has produced rising animosity "bordering on a sense of alarm" toward the opposite party. More than a third of all Republicans and Republican-leaning independents and more than a quarter of all Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents see the other party as a threat to the nation's well-being. Among the most politically engaged and most ideologically polarized Americans, this apocalyptic view of the threat posed by the other party is substantially higher.



by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:23:57 PM EST
Republicans (none / 0)
live in an echo chamber way more than liberals is what i got from that.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:31:56 PM EST
Parent
Well (none / 0)
I am happy to admit I think the extreme right poses a threat to the well being of the country.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:35:20 PM EST
Parent



Jindal signs law effectively (none / 0)
Closing down access to abortion in LA except possibly in one place.  Which joins TX, MS, and AL who have recently passed similar laws.

The law also publishes the names and addresses of doctors who perform the procedure.

LINK

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:51:01 PM EST

And (5.00 / 1)
we're supposed to find common ground with these people? Honestly I don't think I could find common ground with someone who wants to take away my rights.

Man, these people LOVE oppressive government don't they? It's what you get when you fuse religion and politics.

by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:54:07 PM EST
Parent

Buck up (none / 0)
Look forward to that new dem gov and senator coming in JAN.

by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 09:57:45 PM EST
Parent
Well (none / 0)
I can always hope that there are enough people here in GA that are sick of what the GOP is doing down here that they're going to wipe out Deal but there's also the possiblility that there's enough people who are going to vote for him.

Frankly I see the senate as a better shot since it's open but I could be completely wrong on that account.

by Ga6thDem on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 07:39:00 AM EST
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Bergdahl coming home (none / 0)
Arriving some in the next hour or so.

Bowe Bergdahl returning to U.S. for more treatment after release

(CNN) -- Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is on a flight from Europe and is scheduled to arrive in San Antonio, Texas, within hours.
Bergdahl had been in a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, since he was released in Afghanistan after five years of Taliban captivity.
He is expected to be taken to a military hospital in the Texas city for continued rehabilitation.


by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 10:06:21 PM EST

From the Taliban to Texas (5.00 / 1)
poor guy.

by nycstray on Thu Jun 12, 2014 at 11:25:04 PM EST
Parent
Hey, San Antonio isn't all that bad! (5.00 / 1)


by Angel on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 08:06:22 AM EST
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OT: I have a reservation to tour Thorsen House (none / 0)
(Greene & Greene) on Fri., June 20 @ 2 pm. Berkeley   Any interest in joining me?  I am coming up for Ojai North. First concert is Fri. @ 8 pm.

by oculus on Fri Jun 13, 2014 at 01:51:22 AM EST
Parent



Thursday Open Thread -World Cup Edition | 150 comments (150 topical)

WWW Talk To Action



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