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Tuesday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Sep 16, 2014 at 09:51:26 PM EST
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The iPhone 6 will be in stores on Friday. You can also preorder. It comes in two sizes. You can compare models here. If you are conflicted about which one to buy, read this. And if you currently have a grandfathered-in unlimited data plan, make sure it's still available if you buy a new phone. I'm going to take a pass for now since Apple gave me a new iPhone 5S for free 2 weeks ago when mine died. I also think it's too big.

Our last open thread is full. Here's another one, all topics welcome.

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    Tuesday Night Open Thread | 206 comments (206 topical)
    If Winter is Coming (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:16:48 AM EST
    Could it just get here already? The burning sensation formerly  known as Dog Days has lost its charm!

    NASA reporting (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by CoralGables on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:27:15 AM EST
    that globally, August 2014 was the hottest August on record. On the upside, next Tuesday is the 1st day of Fall.

    Parent
    Several heat records (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:33:24 AM EST
    Broken here in august but not the hottest on average because it kept jumping between cold and hot.  Several day in August and sept were also the coldest on record.

    ???

    Parent

    We did not have any of the strange coolness (none / 0) (#18)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:51:53 AM EST
    In August.  I was jealous of you.  I was at an afternoon football game weekend before last at the Crampton stadium in Montgomery and it was almost 100, add humidity and caboom.  It took parents the rest of the weekend to recover from melting.  I did not take an umbrella in because the band director emailed requesting no umbrellas.  I don't know why.  But a load of Southerners ignored him and I do know why now, because an umbrella in a white concrete stadium blocks more than rain.  It blocks direct sun too.

    When it was time to leave, I could not decide which was more painful.  Was it the reflecting of sun off the concrete, or the heat emanating from the asphalt while walking on the parking lot?

    Incredible heat

    But I see that we are projected to have more of those delicious visits from the arctic this winter.  It freaks everyone else down here out.  But I love it.  I thrive in it.

    I may not get any more limes though.  I thought for certain the lime tree was dead.  It is a dwarf.  But a new lime tree shot right out of the roots in the ground this spring.  The new branches will probably have to mature for a year before it sets limes again.  This coming winter sounds like it is going to kill them again.

    Parent

    I actually like it to (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:00:32 AM EST
    Especially now that I don't have to worry about going anywhere.  Heck, I don't even shovel the walk.  Last winter there was weeks at a time when I did no open the front door.

    My only worry is, being right on the division line, ice.   I love snow not ice.  We are often hammered by ice.   It destroys trees and power lines.  Plus I have three gigantic trees towering over my little house.

    Parent

    There has to be some kind of (none / 0) (#27)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:11:20 AM EST
    No ice storm solstice dance that if we do it naked scares the ice away.  I don't think I can melt it anymore...possibility of scaring it though :)

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:21:12 AM EST
    It would certainly keep the neighbors away

    Parent
    Only publicly (none / 0) (#35)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:24:44 AM EST
    They'd be secretly videoing me from the Suthrun piety of a deer stand or a duck blind.  These Southerners are freaks :)

    Parent
    Interesting (none / 0) (#74)
    by Slado on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:02:20 AM EST
    This chart shows that days above 90F are actually going down in the US.

    Notice that the year 1934 was way hotter then it is now.  

    Apparently the "experts" state that while the warmer temps aren't as hot the lower temps are a bit higher dragging up the average.  Keep in mind "hotter" means 0.1C.   Oh my goodness!

    Also how is arctic Ice at record levels if the world is the hottest ever?

    I thought the Ice was gong to melt away?

    All I know is this winter according to the farmers almanac is going to be a cold one.

    Somebody better tell NASA.

    Parent

    NASA knows (none / 0) (#103)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:45:22 PM EST
    but it is an inconvenient truth.

    Parent
    Go read your link again (none / 0) (#141)
    by CoralGables on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:25:45 PM EST
    and then fix your comment. I'll assume it's a typo rather than a lack of geographial knowledge.

    Parent
    Turns out (none / 0) (#166)
    by Slado on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:06:14 PM EST
    Claim that August was warmest isn't even true.

    Parent
    Typo (none / 0) (#167)
    by Slado on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:07:38 PM EST
    Antarctic

    Parent
    You're going to love Naomi Kleins new book (none / 0) (#188)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:53:58 PM EST
    "This Changes Everything: Capitalism Vs. The Climate."

    Best-selling progressive journalist Naomi Klein has an important new book out, "This Changes Everything: Capitalism Vs. The Climate." The author of "No Logo" and "The Shock Doctrine" now "tackles the most profound threat humanity has ever faced: the war our economic model is waging against life on earth," as the book jacket aptly puts it.
    In diagnosing the unprecedented existential threat humanity faces thanks to our myopia and unbridled greed, Klein has three essential points to make:
    1.)Because we have ignored the increasingly urgent warnings and pleas for action from climate scientists for a quarter century (!) now, the incremental or evolutionary paths to avert catastrophic global warming that we might have been able to take in the past are closed to us.
    2.)Humanity faces a stark choice as a result: The end of civilization as we know it or the end of capitalism as we know it.
    3.)Choosing "unregulated capitalism" over human civilization would be a "morally monstrous" choice -- and so the winning message for the climate movement is a moral one.


    Parent
    Be careful what you wish for (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:06:35 AM EST
    More Shivery And Shovelry! Read Our 2015 Winter Forecast

    Though I tend to agree.  Bring it.

    Parent

    Me? (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:25:33 AM EST
    In that map I'm right on the boundary between "bitter and snowy" and "brisk and wet"

    In another map I am right on the bullseye of the worst expected weather.

    Parent

    Found it (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:30:38 AM EST
    not good news for you either

    Parent
    20 years today for the Mrs. SUO and I. (5.00 / 14) (#79)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:21:31 AM EST
    I fixed her toilet this AM, we will be together forever.

    May your lid (5.00 / 4) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:23:35 AM EST
    Be always down.

    Parent
    Mrs. SUO must be a saint... (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:01:23 PM EST
    here's to her putting up with you for 20, and many many more my good man!

    Parent
    Ha! She is indeed a saint. (none / 0) (#99)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:29:18 PM EST
    Thanks to all for your well wishes!

    Parent
    Is she sarcastic? (none / 0) (#108)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:57:49 PM EST


    Parent
    Well, that mostly depends on me! (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:15:45 PM EST


    Parent
    Congrats! (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by Dadler on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:18:15 PM EST
    Is that married 20 years or a couple for 20? We're coming up on 18 and 22. Crazy fast that time goes by.

    Parent
    20 & 26 for us. (none / 0) (#117)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:21:07 PM EST
    Over half our lives.

    Parent
    We're coming up on half our lives fast (none / 0) (#128)
    by Dadler on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:44:08 PM EST
    Again, just crazy. Peace to you and Lady Sarc.

    Parent
    You young pup! (none / 0) (#135)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:11:42 PM EST
    Mr. Zorba and I have been married for two-thirds of our lives!
    Congratulations, Sarc, and may you have many more happy years together.

    Parent
    Congrats (5.00 / 4) (#124)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:39:08 PM EST
    Hope you have many more happy years ahead of you.

    Also, any man who can fix the toilet can't be all bad. ;o)

    Parent

    Congratulations to you both! (5.00 / 1) (#131)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:49:40 PM EST
    Amazing how the time flies, isn't it?  May the next 20 years be as rewarding and satisfying as the last 20!

    My husband and I have been married for 34 years, and in so many ways, it really does feel like it was only yesterday.  

    Good job on the toilet-fixing; as much as we wives take pride in our independence, sometimes we really do like being rescued!

    Parent

    congratulations sir... (none / 0) (#82)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:25:53 AM EST


    Parent
    Mazel tov, my friend. (none / 0) (#83)
    by caseyOR on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:36:57 AM EST


    Parent
    I See (none / 0) (#86)
    by squeaky on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:03:44 PM EST
    The secret to a long marriage is to not let the mysteries of the toilet leak...

    Here's to another 20! ++

    Parent

    Ten "5" ratings - gotta be a record. (none / 0) (#147)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:49:25 PM EST


    Parent
    Definitely a record for me! (none / 0) (#192)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:59:08 PM EST
    Thanks again to all.

    Parent
    ST. LOUIS * Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:46:22 PM EST
    ST. LOUIS * Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson testified for almost four hours Tuesday in front of a St. Louis County grand jury investigating the Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown, a source with knowledge of the investigation said Wednesday.

    Wilson was not obligated to testify, and has also spoken with St. Louis County investigators twice and federal investigators once, the source said. The source said that Wilson had been "cooperative."
    Risky move... (none / 0) (#107)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:54:42 PM EST
    to play your defense hand before trial...but that is assuming the prosecutor has any real interest in prosecuting.  If it's a show indictment, it's probably a wise move.


    Parent
    Wise move? (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:13:38 PM EST
    I'm thinking through the scenarios...

    1) He thinks, absent his testimony, that there IS a good chance that the GJ will indict him, so he testifies and thereby hopes to reduce those chances.

    He'd have to think his testimony would be a game changer, since the prosecution can then use that testimony against him in court if he is indicted.

    Also this new GJ testimony would have to be significantly different than what he already told the County 2x and Feds 1x, since those testimonies are already in evidence at the GJ.

    Not sure "different" stories would be a particularly wise move at this point...

    2) He thinks, absent his testimony, that there is NOT a good chance that the GJ will indict him, so he...what?

    If you don't think you'll be indicted, I don't see the logic behind testifying. Zero upside, but plenty of potential downside.

    Parent

    I see your point... (none / 0) (#122)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:30:43 PM EST
    unless Wilson thinks his in the flesh testimony vs. cold transcripts, coupled with an unenthusiastic presentation of evidence by the prosecutor, will tip the scales in his favor and nip this in the bud right now.

    Like Jeralyn always tells us...so many accused think if they only can explain themselves all will be ok, when the wise move is to stfu.

    Parent

    Weren't you on a GJ some years ago? (none / 0) (#134)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:01:01 PM EST
    Or am I mixing you up with someone else?

    Parent
    Yes sir... (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:16:31 PM EST
    my claim to fame in the legal system, other than time as a defendant that is.

    No accused appeared before my grand jury...iirc one accused was contemplating it which led to a delay, but decided against.

    One lousy no-true-bill the entire month of service was the best I could manage Sarc, and the prosecutor was flabbergasted at that one failure to indict, and kind of scolded us over it.  

    The old cliche is true in my experience, you can indict a ham sandwich.  I tried like hell to grand jury nullify some other charges I thought were bullsh*t/not worth the justice systems time, but my fellow jurors were dead-set on playing by the rules as written.  I'm proud of that one no-true-bill though, I was like Atticus Finch up in there!  And had a lot of fun grilling police officers who testified before us.

    Parent

    From all appearances, Wilson is being (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:43:03 PM EST
    allowed to present his version of what happened first. Witness who stated Brown had his hands up has not even received a subpoena yet.

    Tiffany Mitchell, a witness to the shooting who has spoken publicly about what she saw, has not yet been subpoenaed, her lawyer, Peter Cohen said Wednesday. Asked the same question last week about another public witness, Piaget Crenshaw, lawyer Karen Lewis declined to comment. St. Louis Post Dispatch

     

    Parent
    That sounds... (none / 0) (#149)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:52:15 PM EST
    a wee bit fishy, doesn't it?

    Parent
    I personally think that the fix is in (5.00 / 1) (#153)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:24:26 PM EST
    McCullough IMO is biased and his office has and will continue to structure the GJ so that it will result in a "no true bill." IOW no indictment of Wilson.

    McCullough has a history of doing this. It appears that this GJ is being handled much like that of the shooting of Murray and Beasley.

    Fourteen years ago, the two officers who shot Murray and Beasley were also invited to testify before the grand jury. Both men told jurors that Murray's car was coming at them and that they feared being run over. McCulloch said that "every witness who was out there testified that it made some forward motion." But a later federal investigation showed that the car had never come at the two officers: Murray never took his car out of reverse.

    An exhaustive St. Louis Post-Dispatch investigation found that only three of the 13 detectives who testified had said the car moved forward: the two who unloaded their guns and a third whose testimony was, as McCulloch admitted, "obviously...completely wrong." McCulloch never introduced independent evidence to help clarify for the grand jury whether Murray's car moved forward. newsweek

    Ask yourself why didn't McCulloch ever introduced independent evidence to help clarify for the grand jury whether Murray's car moved forward or inform them that
       

    Murray never took his car out of reverse.

    Also ask yourself if this action is the action of an unbiased prosecutor or one who wants to insure a "no true bill":

    On the last day of testimony, an investigator in McCulloch's office read out a list of every interaction Murray and Beasley had had with law enforcement, even arrests that never resulted in charges.


    Parent
    Do we also think the DOJ's investigation (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:26:32 PM EST
    is, well, biased?

    Parent
    Not sure I know what (5.00 / 1) (#155)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:29:59 PM EST
    WE think. In fact, I am fairly sure there is not a WE around to form an opinion.

    Parent
    Fair enough. If the DOJ does not indict (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:32:48 PM EST
    will you think that decision is biased?

    Parent
    From everything I have read about the (none / 0) (#165)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:00:39 PM EST
    Murray and Beasley case, I believe that justice was not served. This is what was reported:

    But a later federal investigation showed that the car had never come at the two officers: Murray never took his car out of reverse.

    Yet, everything I have read indicates that the police officers were never indicted.

    So to give you the best answer I can:

    Bias is not the only reason why a state or government entity might choose not to indict regardless of the evidence.

    If a federal investigation shows that Wilson's account of the shooting is erroneous and the DOJ chooses not to indict, I will feel that there was a gross miscarriage of justice in this case as well.

    Parent

    Grand Jury (none / 0) (#157)
    by Uncle Chip on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:37:27 PM EST
    Tiffany Mitchell, a witness to the shooting who has spoken publicly about what she saw, has not yet been subpoenaed, her lawyer, Peter Cohen said Wednesday.

    I have a hard time believing that Wilson's lawyer would let him testify to the GJ before Tiffany Mitchell in this case, or that he would allow him to testify this early in the process especially in light of the new 3 month extension.

    And this unnamed "source" supposedly close to the investigation has yet to get anything right.

    Parent

    Words of a former prosecutor on the subject (none / 0) (#129)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:47:47 PM EST
    But Christmas isn't appeased. "If I was representing this officer, I'd send him right in to the grand jury, because I know they're going to take care of him," Christmas said. "When that prosecutor finishes with that police officer in that grand jury, they're going to love him. Newsweek


    Parent
    Why should I care what opinion (none / 0) (#138)
    by leftwig on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:16:59 PM EST
    Jerryl Christmas has?  He's already shown his bias on the case.  Is he saying because as a prosecutor, he had bias when presenting cases to a GJ that he assumes McCulloch will do the same?

    "Bob McCulloch is a very experienced prosecutor, and he knows how to manipulate the system so that when it's done, it will appear the grand jury did the `no true bill' and that it was their decision," Christmas said.
    Christmas knows this because he used to do it himself when he was a prosecutor. "They knew my cues, whether or not I liked a case or didn't like a case. I trained them on how to evaluate these cases," he said. "If I didn't like a case and felt like there should have been `no true bill,' I knew how to present the witnesses and give the cues to the grand jury, and they would vote to no true bill it."

    Parent

    People can draw their own conclusions (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:54:31 PM EST
    from McCulloch's record on prosecution of police.

    Such as it is, which isn't much.

    Parent

    The county spokesman, Magee, talks about (none / 0) (#112)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:13:07 PM EST
    the foreperson's duty to sign a no true bill. And whether this document will be made public if the grand jury does not vote to indict

    The statute also requires the foreperson to sign a true bill.
    link

    Parent

    How the heck did this happen? (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:59:44 PM EST
    My comment #132 was supposed to be a reply to MO Blue's #129.

    This was not meant to be a personal jab. The placement is unfortunate and unintentional.

    Parent

    From the article, if there is no indictment, (none / 0) (#114)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:14:53 PM EST
    McCulloch has promised to seek the public release of all evidence if there is no indictment.
    Sounds like it would be made public?

    Parent
    Maybe - perhaps (none / 0) (#148)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:51:31 PM EST
    and evidently ALL was not the correct word to use since they haven't yet worked out exactly what they will actually release.

    Before releasing any of it, however, McCulloch would have to get a court order from Whittington, and she could say no, Magee acknowledged.

    Magee said Wednesday that a few of the logistics haven't been worked out. For example, he said he's not sure if the names of the witnesses would be released. He said the audio tape would not be edited, "but we don't know about identifying the witnesses by name."



    Parent
    From your article (none / 0) (#132)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:55:12 PM EST
    All prosecutors are cozy with their police departments--it's part of their job. Because they rely on police to bring them evidence, a prosecutor who has a bad relationship with them has a hard time making his or her cases stick.


    Parent
    Who is the Source??? (none / 0) (#143)
    by Uncle Chip on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:33:11 PM EST
    a source with knowledge of the investigation said Wednesday.

    IIRC this same "source" misled the public a month ago -- so color me "skeptical".

    I doubt that his lawyer would allow him to testify before the GJ especially this early in the process.

    And then there is this:

    A spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert P. McCulloch's office, Ed Magee, said Wednesday that he would not comment on which witnesses have testified.

    Tiffany Mitchell, a witness to the shooting who has spoken publicly about what she saw, has not yet been subpoenaed, her lawyer, Peter Cohen said Wednesday.

    So he testifies before Tiffany Mitchell???? before all of the other witnesses are in with their testimonies???

    Sorry -- I'm not buying it.

    Parent

    google is your friend (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by ragebot on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:52:46 PM EST
    thousands of hits confirm Wilson testified before grand jury.

    Parent
    Wilson (none / 0) (#169)
    by Uncle Chip on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:22:54 PM EST
    thousands of hits confirm Wilson testified before grand jury.

    Make it a million but it still does not mean that he testified.

    Parent

    Uncle Chip[ (none / 0) (#185)
    by ragebot on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:31:11 PM EST
    you really need to get out more.

    Parent
    I guess it all starts at home... (5.00 / 2) (#206)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:51:31 PM EST
    Link

    The mother of Adrian Peterson came to his defense Wednesday in her first public comments since the running back's indictment for child abuse, saying he has six kids and "wants to be a good father to them all."

    "I don't care what anybody says," Jackson, 50, said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle from her home in the Houston suburb of Spring, where Peterson also has a house. "Most of us disciplined our kids a little more than we meant sometimes. But we were only trying to prepare them for the real world."

    [snip]

    "When you whip those you love, it's not about abuse, but love," Jackson said. "You want to make them understand that they did wrong."

    "It's not about abuse, but love?"  Are you fking kidding me?

    I wonder how he treats the other 5 children he has?

    Children die... (none / 0) (#1)
    by desertswine on Tue Sep 16, 2014 at 10:01:36 PM EST
    from vaccine? I can't even contemplate this, if true.

    What? (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 16, 2014 at 10:18:45 PM EST
    The programme was suspended amid rumours of sabotage of a high profile international effort to ensure the brutal civil war does not result in an outbreak of measles.

    If that's true i sure hope the  find who did it.


    Parent

    Speaking of vaccines, my mom's high school (none / 0) (#4)
    by Green26 on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:55:55 AM EST
    friend from Mlles City was Maurice Hilleman. Developed 36 children's vaccines. "Of the 14 vaccines routinely recommended in current vaccine schedules, he developed eight: those for measles, mumps, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, meningitis, pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae bacteria."

    Wiki.

    Parent

    That is (none / 0) (#98)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:23:24 PM EST
    so horrible.

    Parent
    I ordered new phone on line since (none / 0) (#2)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 16, 2014 at 10:18:15 PM EST
    I lost the phone I had. Problem:  expected delivery is mid-October.

    Perchance, has the phone you ordered ... (none / 0) (#5)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:45:42 AM EST
    ... been out of stock since the Reagan administration?

    ;-D

    Parent

    I had one of those and was it ever heavy. (none / 0) (#48)
    by Angel on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:08:12 AM EST


    Parent
    It was known as "The Brick" (none / 0) (#54)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:24:12 AM EST
    but was a real status symbol.

    He who dies with the most toys wins.

    Parent

    Did you get the big 'phablet'? (none / 0) (#7)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 06:58:46 AM EST
    A friend had the same experience with that. My smaller size one should come Friday....however I have yet to receive a shipping notice, so color me sceptical.

    After I get it I can sent you my 5 if you need one in the interim. Or maybe you are enjoying being unplugged!

    Parent

    Is that why? Yes-supersized. (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:06:46 AM EST


    Parent
    Yes, the big ones seem to be very popular (none / 0) (#49)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:12:35 AM EST
    Personally I did not want one that big. I like to carry it in my pocket.

    I read that they expect sales of the iPad Mini to really drop off as people get the big phones instead...but Apple does not care since the profit margin is higher on the phablets.

    Parent

    Why politics is the way it is (none / 0) (#6)
    by Politalkix on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 06:45:33 AM EST
    link

    People do not vote based on what politicians do for them but their cultural affinity. What incentives do politicians have to do anything for these voters? None, Nada, Zero! Just give them the culture war that voters want and people will vote for you. And Republicans know that!

    "The Affordable Care Act allowed Robin Evans, an eBay warehouse packer earning $9 an hour, to sign up for Medicaid this year. She is being treated for high blood pressure and Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder, after years of going uninsured and rarely seeing doctors.
    "I'm tickled to death with it," Ms. Evans, 49, said of her new coverage as she walked around the Kentucky State Fair recently with her daughter, who also qualified for Medicaid under the law. "It's helped me out a bunch."

    But Ms. Evans scowled at the mention of President Obama -- "Nobody don't care for nobody no more, and I think he's got a lot to do with that," she explained -- and said she would vote this fall for Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and minority leader, who is fond of saying the health care law should be "pulled out root and branch."

    It's official... (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by unitron on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:09:28 AM EST
    ...she's not smart enough to be worth more than $9 per hour.

    Parent
    My guess: Nobody's extirpating anything. (none / 0) (#150)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:54:30 PM EST
    By the time the party of No get's the votes it would need to do so, O'care will be too entrenched.

    Parent
    Actually what she has (none / 0) (#56)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:27:33 AM EST
    is welfare.

    Not that I am against her having it, I'm glad she is getting help.

    But we really should he calling it what it is and pushing for a real single payer system based on the Medicare model paid for by a national sales tax.

    Parent

    Finally got to watch the Streisand clip (none / 0) (#10)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:11:16 AM EST
    from the other thread. Very good. Liked her little bit of shyness when she came out to the applause. What a long, amazing career she has had.

    Fallon has some decent pipes. (none / 0) (#75)
    by caseyOR on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:03:10 AM EST
    Can you imagine getting to sing with Streisand? She is so amazing.

    I have read rumors of a possible movie of Gypsywith Streisand playing Mama Rose. How great would that be?

    Parent

    Pretty darn great! (none / 0) (#84)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:49:33 AM EST
    Hope it happens. Dhe'd be a good director for it too.

    Parent
    Linear to exponential (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:43:54 AM EST
    Ebola cases could reach 277,000 by the end of the year

    Busch League (none / 0) (#19)
    by Uncle Chip on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:58:03 AM EST
    Anheuser-Busch publicly chastised the National Football League on Tuesday for its handling of domestic violence cases, making the NFL's official beer sponsor the first major advertiser to put pressure on America's most popular sports league.

    Busch to NFL

    Pot meet Kettle --

    How many fights at stadiums, bars, restuarants, in cars, on freeways, at home and in hotel elevators take place after a night of  drinking an Anheuser InBev product???

    LOL -- it's too many to count.

    Wouldn't it be classic if it turned out that the Rices had both been drinking Bud Light before the famous elevator incident???

    Took the words out my mouth... (5.00 / 0) (#26)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:08:30 AM EST
    when I saw the A-B statement on the news this morning, my first thought was "Isn't Budweiser like the official fuel for domestic abusers?"

    Parent
    I think that is a stereotype (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:16:05 AM EST
    I suspect there are as many Chardonnay and Absolute fueled attacks.  Heard of this guy?

    Republican Senior Federal Judge, Domestic Abuse Experts Call for Accountability for Wife-Beating U.S. District Court Judge Mark Fuller

    It's interesting t me there has been so much coverage of black football players and virtually none of a white republican district court judge

    Last week, we wrote about the disturbing similarities (and differences) in the wife-beating cases of the NFL's Ray Rice, who knocked out his then-fiancée/now-wife in an Atlantic City hotel elevator in mid-February, and that of Alabama's U.S. District Court Judge Mark Fuller, who beat his wife bloody in an Atlantic City hotel room in early August.

    Despite the allegations in the now-sealed 2012 divorce documents from his first wife, suggesting that he also beat her up (as well as their kids), Fuller, like Rice, is being treated as a first time offender by the court system, and being allowed to enter a pre-trial diversion program to avoid prosecution entirely. Both will avoid prosecution and have their arrest records completely expunged, as if the beatings never happened, upon completion of domestic abuse counseling. Rice has agreed to attend sessions for a year; Fuller has agreed to once-weekly domestic abuse counseling for just 24 weeks.



    Parent
    Oh (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:17:41 AM EST
    And Fuller is still on the job

    Parent
    Correction (none / 0) (#186)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:34:22 PM EST
    Just heard he has been relieved of his responsibilities .   But still getting full salary. 200,000.00 yr.
    Can't be removed except by impeachment.   But calls for his resignation is apparently growing.  But that's more like a recommendation.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#37)
    by squeaky on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:29:21 AM EST
    It's interesting t me there has been so much coverage of black football players and virtually none of a white republican district court judge

    Apart from classism, racism, sexism and other social problems, the only reason that the Media is not covering Fuler is that he is not a famous football player.

    Hard to sell beer, soap and chardonnay on stories about a middle aged white wife beater when you have an audience of 136 million people who regularly watch NFL football and will eat up every bit of news about a Star player who has fallen from grace.


    Parent

    Even the NYT' Gail Collins (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:52:13 PM EST
    is into this meme, though she is not a football fan. She opines that city's such as L.A. that miss having a pro football team should be grateful for their lower crime rate.

    Parent
    It is... (none / 0) (#40)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:43:50 AM EST
    You know me, I don't blame the drug ever, I blame the user. Not being able to handle your drug of choice is no excuse at all for anything...especially violence.

    I just find the outrage circus humorous...if we held politicians and judges and police to the standard we want to hold NFL players to we might be getting somewhere...I think we got this whole thing backwards man.  How do we pull our sponsorship of our government without going to jail?

    Parent

    I like the way you think (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:54:28 AM EST
    But seriously the whole NFL thing is taking on a racial aspect that should be really troubling to anyone who knows that domestic abuse is an incredibly widespread an common problem.  Certainly not confined to any ethnicity.
    But you would never know that from most of the coverage.   I honestly think it's one reason Fuller in never mentioned even tho his case is outrageous.  He is still on the bench.  He didn't ever get a suspension.

    Parent
    Indeed... (none / 0) (#45)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:59:43 AM EST
    imagine if domestic abuser Wall St. brokers were banned indefinitely from grifting, domestic abuser cops banned indefinitely from policing, etc. etc.  The white unemployment rate would go through the roof!


    Parent
    from the stats i've been reading... (none / 0) (#126)
    by Dadler on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:40:30 PM EST
    ...and taking them at face value, for whatever combination of reasons, black women seem to experience domestic violence at a much higher rate than not just white women, but women of other races as well. And they are less likely to report it, or to seek help through available social services. Not to say I agree or am happy with how this is all being framed and dealt with, but I think in the context of the NFL, its players and the uniquely violent nature of the sport, the racial aspect is unavoidable.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#127)
    by squeaky on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:43:32 PM EST
    I would not trust the stats..

    Parent
    Your comment made me curious (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:56:07 PM EST
    So I started poking around.  The statistics do say that though most of what I found were pretty old.  Not sure how relevant except that I found this quote
    SERIOUS INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AGAINST FEMALES DECLINED 72 PERCENT FROM 1994 TO 2011
    Percentage involving physical attacks, weapons and injury showed little change

    I found this

    It's an interesting read.  I can't cut and paste on the iPad but it puts many racial assumptions in a new light.


    Parent

    OK (none / 0) (#46)
    by squeaky on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:01:25 AM EST
    if we held politicians and judges and police to the standard we want to hold NFL players to we might be getting somewhere...

    If the public was as interested in run of the mill politicians, police and judges as they were in NFL players we might be getting somewhere.

    Or If the public was as interested in non-celebrities as they were fixated on celebrities behavior we might be getting somewhere.

    Parent

    Don't get me started Squeak... (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:05:19 AM EST
    As a people, we sure are funny about who we give the 'role model' mantle.

    Personally, my role models don't have to run the 40 in under 4.5 seconds...that's a might dumb metric for a role model.  I look for charity and goodwill and righteous living in a role model...none of which has anything to do with football.  I look to football to be entertained by great athletes, not great people.  And I certainly don't loom to sports for role models...that would be idiotic.  

    Parent

    Role Models? (none / 0) (#55)
    by squeaky on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:25:46 AM EST
    Not talking about role models but the system of how and why some stories are widely dispersed by the media and some hardly hear of in the media.

    That has to do with public's addiction (human nature?) to celebrities. The media makes money by selling stories that many will want to read.

    There is little question that thousands, millions will turn their head to listen to a story about a NFL player who is in a scandal, while few will pay attention to a lackluster Judge who beats his wife.

    Parent

    Does this explain why the NYT arts section (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:55:19 PM EST
    now reads like TV Guide or soap opera digest?

    Parent
    It's all related... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:35:47 AM EST
    part of our celebrity obsessed tabloid culture is turning celebrities into role models, then clutching our pearls when they fall from grace.

    We love dirty laundry.

    Parent

    Agree (none / 0) (#110)
    by ragebot on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:08:50 PM EST
    squeaky wrote:

    "There is little question that thousands, millions will turn their head to listen to a story about a NFL player who is in a scandal, while few will pay attention to a lackluster Judge who beats his wife."

    Is there any doubt that if a SC judge beat their wife it would be headlines.  Same thing for VP or prez beating their wife.

    Unfortunately no one cares about wife beaters unless they are near the top of the food chain.

    Parent

    Some might think (5.00 / 2) (#163)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:57:37 PM EST
    A federal district court judge was pretty high on the food chain.

    Parent
    Life-time job. Excelkent slary and (none / 0) (#170)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:31:00 PM EST
    Health care followed by good pension with health care. Plus everyone treats you very well except the Court of Appeals.

    Parent
    And even then... (none / 0) (#120)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:24:21 PM EST
    I wonder if they really care about domestic violence, or are just relishing in the tail end of the "prop 'em up to tear 'em down" circle of modern celebrity.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:30:48 AM EST
    It's interesting t me there has been so much coverage of black football players and virtually none of a white republican district court judge

    The judge can't run a 4 sec 40....

    But I support your point.

    Parent

    kdog (none / 0) (#52)
    by Uncle Chip on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:21:50 AM EST
    "Isn't Budweiser like the official fuel for domestic abusers?"

    LOLOLOL --

    You get a high 5 for that one.

    Parent

    Gracias Senor... (none / 0) (#58)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:30:53 AM EST
    great minds think alike;)

    I no more look to the makers of Budweiser for moral guidance than I do a professional sports league...I look to Budweiser for a cheap buzz, and to football for entertainment.  For all I know the guy I will buy a slice of pizza from for lunch may have done terrible things...I wonder if I should ask for his criminal record and pizza shop surveillance tapes and judge him by the worst thing he ever did prior to buying a slice?  Nah, I just want a slice of f*ckin' pizza! ;)

    Has Halliburton or BP or Walmart condemned Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson and the NFL yet? LOL

    Parent

    Buddyweiser.... (5.00 / 3) (#158)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:42:26 PM EST
    Just got upstaged by Nike, who has pulled AP jerseys from their stores.

    Nike, home of the sneaker manufactured by exploited child labor, takes a bold stance against child abuse.  You can't make this sh#t up.  

    Parent

    Maybe (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:05:24 AM EST
    But Busch, full disclosure my former employer, has very progressive policies.  Their complaint was they can't support something so obviously antithetical to the policies they have worked so hard for so long to promote.

    and they are not alone

    Parent

    Let's cut through the .... here: (none / 0) (#78)
    by Uncle Chip on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:16:55 AM EST
    InBev is on a frugality campaign and has been for years now.

    It wants to renegotiate its contract with the NFL and is going to use this situation in order to try to do it.

    And the others are following suit.

    Parent

    There are two ways (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:22:14 AM EST
    To bring change in this country.  One is to hit them in the courts.  The other is to hit them in the pocketbook.   Whatever works.

    Parent
    Even Worse... (none / 0) (#88)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:19:06 PM EST
    ...no one has pulled their ads from the NFL, not Anheuser Busch or CoverGirl or any of the other advertisers who have made statements about their fumbling of the domestic violence issue.

    They are disappointed and care deeply, just not enough to mess with their bottom line. And yet, nearly all sponsors have pulled the plug on Rice and Peterson.

    I have not cancelled my NFL ticket.  Not sure if Rice had played in GB if I would have, I would like to think so, but I also love football.  I guess I care deeply and am disappointed, just not enough to mess with my Sunday entertainment.  Sad.

    This is pretty funny, someone revised the CoverGirl's 'Get Your Game Face On' NFL campaign.HERE

    The NFL has a much lower rate of domestic violence then the public in general.  I found that surprising, considering the 12 current players have domestic violence issues.

    Domestic violence and related incidents rank among the NFL's biggest off-the-field problems, with 87 arrests involving 80 players over the last 14 years. The only other crime category with a larger number of arrests involving NFL players is DUI. But while the arrests are troubling, the rate is lower than the national average for men of similar age, according to an analysis by FiveThirtyEight. LINK

    And lastly, kdog, you have to admit, the GB comeback on Sunday was a thing of beauty.  Plus the Texans are 2-0 in the division, with the three other teams have a one combined win.  

    Every game I watched was a serious come from behind win.  

    Parent

    The arrest rate probably doesn't tell (none / 0) (#90)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:46:42 PM EST
    the whole story; I have to think that there may be incidents that don't get reported, and incidents that don't end in arrest.

    Which is no doubt true in the general population, as well - with those with more resources being better able to avoid being caught in the legal system.

    I have a feeling there's going to be a book or two that blows the lid off the secrets and lies.

    Parent

    Just read an excerpt on Slate from (none / 0) (#93)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:55:46 PM EST
    a book by James Brown's daughter (the musician, not the football player), telling of his abuse of her mother. I would imagine that men that are particularly lauded in any field of endeavor are harder to report at all, let alone be believed and taken seriously. Also of course, the financial aspects of losing support.

    Parent
    I Was Thinking... (none / 0) (#100)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:30:03 PM EST
    ...it is lower for two reason, number one they just aren't around each other nearly as much as a regular family.  Some wives even stay where the player lives, rather that the city they play for.

    The other, is I would imagine money is at the heart of a lot of DV, especially people 18-30.  Granted NFL players aren't known for their financial savviness, but league minimum is over $250k.
    =============

    And this isn't directed at you Anne, but for people thinking the only reason anyone cares is because they are are famous, well duh.

    No one cares if I get married in Cabo, or if I have an affair, or if I get a divorce, or end up in jail for hitting the wife/gf.  People care a whole lot more what famous people do that regular people.  But I know this, if work got wind that I was arrested on felony DV, or any felony, pretty sure that would be the last day of employment.  Most us do not have the option of failing drug tests or being convicted of a felony and still have an employer want us.

    Parent

    All businesses have a public profile, (5.00 / 3) (#125)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:39:26 PM EST
    an image they want to portray, a brand they want to mean something positive.  They drug-test and background-check and credit-check their employees and potential employees to avoid hiring or keeping employees who don't represent that image.  We all get that.

    Which is kind of interesting, when you consider that a lot of companies that want to project 64 kinds of wonderfulness actually treat their employees like crap.  I heard a news story the other day that some hotel chain - I think it was Marriott - was now encouraging hotel guests to leave tips for the housekeeping staff.  First thing I thought of?  The hotel doesn't want to have to pay them more money.  They want to be able to argue that their salary plus tips is plenty, no need for a 50-cent/hour raise.  

    It's always about the money.  

    I hope they show Roger Goodell the door for the way he's so completely bungled the whole thing, but I'm guessing they won't.  

    The league needs its own intervention program, a place where players, wives and girlfriends can go for help.  The goal isn't for someone to lose his job, the goal is to help people make the changes and get the help they need to have good relationships and not be in fear for their safety.

    I cringe every time I think about Adrian Peterson stuffing leaves in his 4-yr old's mouth while he's whaling away on him with a switch - and bragging about the kid not crying.  Poor child probably just shuts down in order to get through the pain - the torture.  I don't care if Peterson doesn't think he's an abusive parent - I don't think he's the authority on that one.  I don't think Ray Rice thinks he's abusive, either - he wants to excuse it as a one-off: "that's not who I am."  Well, yes, it is who you are.  

    Maybe he should have said, "where I come from, that's how we discipline our women: my dad kept my mom in line that way, and she's a better person for it."  If anyone thinks that sounds ludicrous, I hope they see that Adrian Peterson justifying his treatment of a child that way isn't any less abhorrent.

    I'll still watch football, and I'll still be turned off by the inevitable shift in advertising that will look to take advantage by telling us how very much they care for people and how opposed they are to domestic violence.  And I'll still be disgusted with owners who don't have the collective balls to hand Roger Goodell a pink slip.  

    I'll still watch football, but it won't really be the same.  

    Parent

    Yeah.... (5.00 / 2) (#145)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:41:02 PM EST
    ...the Peterson defense has bugged me since day one, how exactly does he know he's better for it ?  Because he's in the NFL ?  Never mind that it actually caused him legal troubles, a huge financial downfall, and possible jail time.

    It's clear these guys don't get it and if I had to guess, feel like they are actually the victims.

    I can say this, I am glad I never had to experience any of it.  My dad believing I was a tough guy for not crying while administering punishment so severe the police had to get involved.  I am screwed up enough.

    Never read about the leaves in the mouth, how kind of him, to do things that we read about in books about serial killers.

    Parent

    OT, but BTW (none / 0) (#140)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:18:53 PM EST
    Congratulations on the Orioles winning their National League division.  
    As did the Nationals.  
    Although I would love to see the St. Louis Cardinals going all the way, wouldn't a Beltway World Series be great?
    As long as the Cards don't wind up in the World Series, go Orioles!

    Parent
    Thanks - but one small correction: (none / 0) (#142)
    by Anne on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:29:25 PM EST
    Orioles are in the American League...

    It was so much fun watching the celebration - and even better was the way they celebrated.  Yes, they had the traditional locker-room champagne fest, but they spend the bulk of their time back out on the field, celebrating with the fans.  Adam Jones trotted the entire perimeter of the field, high-fiving fans and even giving a few of them his traditional pie-in-the-face.  

    There are still 11 more games in the season, so I hope they can maintain their momentum through to the post season - and then we'll see how it goes.

    It's been an amazing season.  No one really gave us a shot from the start, and as each key player went down - Manny Machado, Matt Wieters, etc.,- someone else stepped up in a big way.  We've gotten as much production out of the bottom of the lineup, from players who aren't traditionally expected to have as much impact, as we have out of the top - and in some games, it's been the guys at the bottom who've won those games for us.

    If the O's make it to the World Series, this town will go nuts, but if it's a Beltway World Series, it's going to be ridiculous.

    Fingers crossed!

    Parent

    Oops! (none / 0) (#152)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:01:34 PM EST
    I meant to say the AL, but was thinking "Nationals" (the team) as I was typing.
    It will be crazy if it's a Beltway series!
    If it turns out to be a Cardinals vs Orioles World Series, I gotta root for the Cards.  But if the Cards are eliminated and the O's make it, I will root for them!


    Parent
    Not sure I agree (none / 0) (#118)
    by ragebot on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:21:43 PM EST
    Several years ago I was assaulted by a former pro football player.  It was a case of mistaken identity, his son, a HS football QB was involved in an incident and I was a witness.  He came to my work at a time when I was installing a couple of T1 lines and was expecting contractors.  As I reached out and shook his hand he sucker punched me and knocked me out cold.

    He pleaded out and got 30 nights in jail so he would not miss work, in a job with the state of Florida.  Also $US1,000 fine.  I knew some guys in the criminal justice system and as we were talking about it the point was made that by not sending him to jail and letting him keep working it saved money for tax payers like me, something that I reluctantly agreed with.

    Sad to say lots of DV goes unpunished or lightly punished because other crimes are viewed as being more serious by the powers that be.  Given the choice between using criminal justice resources on an armed bank robber or DV it is somewhat understandable.  

    Parent

    That Sucks... (none / 0) (#136)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:15:08 PM EST
    ...sorry to hear that.  Seems like a a lawsuit might have squared up the difference.  Now you got me wondering who.  Doesn't matter.

    Not sure what you were disagreeing with.  Doesn't it cost the same to house everyone, not that I agree, but that argument could be made for any criminal.  Housing them is expensive and it's not good for society to take a job and replace it with a criminal record.

    They should have dinged him for way more, and some sort of compensation/restitution for the victim.

    That goes both ways, women not wanting to call the cops knowing the income stream will be effected, which I would guess is the heart of a lot of DV disputes.

    Parent

    Law suits are useless (none / 0) (#168)
    by ragebot on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:07:42 PM EST
    unless someone has deep pockets.  The guy was a DE for less than two years and his kid played QB for Tennessee, last name Dudley.

    A big part of the problem with lots of crime is that most criminals are criminals because they don't have other good options to make a living.  So suing them often means winning in court but having no means to collect.

    Parent

    I learned via one of my cases aCharger (none / 0) (#171)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:33:14 PM EST
    who was released kept his $1,000,000 signing bonus.

    Parent
    For me, if I thought the NFL was (none / 0) (#95)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:04:14 PM EST
    protecting players from criminal prosecution I would stop watching games, but I have not seen evidence of that.

    That said, the general violence of the game and other issues have already turned me away from most games, but I am really sorry I missed that Bears - Niners game the other night!

    Parent

    This whole abuse scandal has me so disgusted ... (none / 0) (#189)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:14:14 PM EST
    ... that I couldn't bring myself to watch last Sunday. Nobody who's associated with the NFL, be it players, front office or league management, has acquitted themselves well. I'll watch again eventually, I suppose, but right now there enough college football going on that I can avoid the pros altogether.

    Of course, college football has had its own abuse issues of late, too. Florida State and the Tallahassee Police Dept. may yet feel the hammer come down for their abysmal handling of the sexual assault allegations level at Seminole QB Jameis Winston back in December 2012.

    Apparently, Tallahassee PD personnel chose to focus their efforts on investigating the accuser's activities and actions, rather than those of the accused. And 21 months later, FSU officials are only now getting around to conducting their own belated inquiry into the matter. The federal Dept. of Education is reportedly also investigating whether FSU violated provisions of Title IX in their tardy response to the initial report.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Even Worse? (none / 0) (#96)
    by squeaky on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:13:09 PM EST
    Even Worse
    ...no one has pulled their ads from the NFL, not Anheuser Busch or CoverGirl or any of the other advertisers who have made statements about their fumbling of the domestic violence issue.
    They are disappointed and care deeply, just not enough to mess with their bottom line. And yet, nearly all sponsors have pulled the plug on Rice and Peterson.

    Why is it worse? And why would they pull their ads? They gave the proper amour of lip service to show that they are on the popular side of the affair which is about sales.

    They are a business and do not care about anything but their bottom line. The only reason they have dropped Rice and Peterson is because they do not want bad news associated with their product, because it would cause some people to stop using their products.

    If they thought a scandal would help their profits they would not hesitate to continue using scandalized celebrities to sell whatever they are selling.

    Maybe your question is rhetorical, but odd to me that you would expect anything different from these corporations.

    Parent

    Jets v GB... (none / 0) (#101)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:34:28 PM EST
    wouldn't ya know it I was taking my ritual post rec-league games nap and missed the first half when the Jets looked like SB contenders, and saw the 2nd half meltdown.  Jordy lit up our makeshift CB's.  

    A "same old Jets" loss if there ever was one...that timeout business was a kick in the junk.  But I'm liking our playoff chances. A team on the rise.

    Your adopted home team Houston is looking strong too after last year's debacle.

    I would not stop being a Jet fan if Ray Rice or AP were Jets...I don't have to like them/respect them as human beings to appreciate their art...same as if they were musicians or actors or painters.

    Parent

    Wasn't Saying I Would Stop Being a Fan... (none / 0) (#111)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:12:16 PM EST
    ...of GB, that is craZy talk, only that I might not pay for the NFL ticket.  Which living in Houston gives me about 5-9 games, depending how they played the prior year/prime time games this year.

    That time out... pure bliss from this side, but cheap.  The Jets looked solid.  The Texans are looking good, Watt with a TD... he did what ?  

    I didn't get to watch the game as they played the same time as the Pack.  But the AFC South is weak, then again they were 2-0 last year and ended 2-14.

    I will say this, I can't get into football this year like usual.  Granted my GB football connection back home is no longer here to text back and forth with, and all I think about during the game is that Ben would have went nuts over this or that; but all of together has me pretty disinterested.  

    Parent

    Gotcha... (none / 0) (#119)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:22:30 PM EST
    and belated condolences about your friend...I saw your heartfelt post but the thread had filled.  No words my man.

    Parent
    Will Scotland ruin the Union Jack? (none / 0) (#21)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:02:12 AM EST


    No (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by CoralGables on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:05:56 AM EST


    Parent
    I'm on the edge (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:08:13 AM EST
    Of taking that bet

    Parent
    I almost said (none / 0) (#28)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:12:24 AM EST
    "HEY BETTING GIRL, are you making that bet:)!"

    Parent
    If the windows are still open (none / 0) (#201)
    by CoralGables on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:44:38 PM EST
    you can get 7-2 betting they'll vote yes. The odds of a no vote are currently at 1-4. The money has come in big on a no vote today.

    Parent
    I'm sticking with yes (none / 0) (#204)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:46:54 PM EST


    Parent
    Scotland has had it's own flag (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:51:03 AM EST
    since the 16th century.  During yesterdays contentious discussion had I used the words "separate colonies" instead of separated all could have been fine.  I've never understood the reasons for using bold font to make a point seem more valid but hey whatever floats your surfboard is ok with me.

    Parent
    Curiously the flag of Hawaii (none / 0) (#51)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:15:59 AM EST
    has the Union Jack in it's upper left hand corner.  The belief among the English flag group, that has a very strange name, is the Union Jack will not change.  Canada flies the Union Jack along side the Maple Leaf flag of their country.

    Parent
    The Hawaiian monarchy ... (none / 0) (#190)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:24:59 PM EST
    .. maintained very close personal ties with the United Kingdom and the British royal family throughout most of the 19th century. In fact, the long-since-deposed royal line -- the Kawananakoa family -- still actively maintains them, and its members are treated as royalty whenever they travel to Britain or other places where monarchies are the prevailing government.

    The Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner of the Hawaiian flag reflects those royal ties to Britain, because the state flag is actually the original flag of the independent Kingdom of Hawaii. The flag's eight red, white and blue stripes represent the eight main islands.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Quite true Donald but there's more... (none / 0) (#198)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:30:13 PM EST
    Hawaii a state of the United States but located in Oceana, incorporates the Union Jack in it's flag. According to one story the King of Hawaii asked the British mariner George Vancouver, during a stop in Lahaina, what the piece flying from the ship was.  Vancouver replied that it represented his kings authority.  The Hawaiian King adopted and flew the flag as a symbol of his own royal authority not recognizing it's national derivation.  Hawaii's flag represents the only current use of the Union Jack in any American flag.

    Parent
    Yes, but Scotland's flag is part of the (none / 0) (#60)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:33:38 AM EST
    Union Jack.  The Union Jack is a combo of England's cross, Ireland's cross, and Scotland's cross.  Without Scotland's cross the Union Jack becomes red and white, looks like a bastardization of the state of Alabama flag.

    On the other hand, who knew that the State of Alabama was so attached to Saint Patrick? How novel, kind of enchanting...carrying on Irish traditions in this huge immigrant nation. That's my story, heritage not hate, and as a Yankee I'm sticking to it.

    Parent

    Yes you are correct MT but... (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:48:36 AM EST
    the Union Jack was created by the English to fly on the bow of ships and it would be up to the English to change it since the Scots could care less what their conquering evil neighbors do with that flag other than shove it up their arse.

    Parent
    It is all that is left of their empire :) (none / 0) (#65)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:50:08 AM EST
    This flag, beloved by punk rockers and skateboarders all over the world :)

    I'm good with keeping it.

    Parent

    Also, not all Scots want to leave the union (none / 0) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:53:03 AM EST
    It seems a bit up in the air :)

    Parent
    Nope (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:55:48 AM EST
    To paraphrase groundskeeper wille 'some are happy to crawl like worms under the English boot'

    Parent
    Come on now (none / 0) (#70)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:56:39 AM EST
    The union is strong :)

    Parent
    No dog in fight (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:59:52 AM EST
    But my nature to root for revolution

    Parent
    The Brits historically (5.00 / 3) (#89)
    by KeysDan on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:35:28 PM EST
    and (currently) reluctant to allow "separation."   Cameron thought a vote would work well for him.  But, something happened on the way to the polls, requiring the big, albeit velvet, guns to be fired.  The Queen came close to crossing the royal line by urging Scots "to think very carefully" about this matter, as if her Scot subjects were dense would not do so. But, she will still be Queen at Balmoral, after all.

    And, on this side of the pond, Bill Clinton weighed in with an eleventh hour plea to reject the referendum, so as to "inspire the world for unity."   It would seem that Scottish separation would inspire the world to achieve independence through peaceful, nonviolent means.   Although, it is refreshing to see the media search for all the devils in the details, albeit, to the omission and detriment of the larger context of advantages.  Scotland, if separated, will make it just fine.  An area of vast resources besides oil, a manufacturing and agriculture base that includes an ongoing winner, Scotch  whisky.

    Parent

    Their oil is projected to peter out (none / 0) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:49:37 PM EST
    To 25% of their current output in our lifetimes.  Can you run a whole country on whiskey :)?

    Parent
    Probably :) (none / 0) (#144)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:39:42 PM EST
    Can you run a whole country on whiskey :)?


    Parent
    Yes, a whole country (5.00 / 2) (#179)
    by KeysDan on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:55:34 PM EST
    can be run on Scotch whisky-at least, a whole campaign to run the country.  Joseph P. Kennedy traveled to Scotland after prohibition ended in 1933 and bought distribution rights for Scotch whisky.  His company, Somerset Importers, became exclusive American agents for Dewar's Scotch (and Gordon's Gin.)   The Kennedy Scotch Distributor contributed to the magnitude of the Kennedy fortune and helped finance his son, John Fitzgerald's, political career.  

    Parent
    On red wine....probably (none / 0) (#177)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:49:11 PM EST
    Not whiskey though, someone would have to hold my hair.  I'm not even the tiniest bit Scot :)

    Parent
    Scots can parlay this into (none / 0) (#71)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:59:03 AM EST
    Better representation :)

    Parent
    If BTD was a Scot (none / 0) (#72)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:59:51 AM EST
    He'd write that up :)

    Parent
    I do have to say (none / 0) (#77)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:12:22 AM EST
    The limited reading I have done in the last couple of days the "reasons" to vote no seem sort of lame.  If not laughable -

    9. Sharing Scottish Oil resources benefits us all

    The vast income and revenue from oil in the Scottish part of the North Sea is too much to spend for a small country like Scotland. You find it fair to share these vast resources with the rest of the United Kingdom and benefit both from the wealth and revenue.

    Seriously.  Has this actually worked for hundreds of years?

    Parent

    Did you see Cameron's response to allowing (5.00 / 2) (#102)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:43:11 PM EST
    Scotland to keep its oil revenues?

    I know part of the magic of the parliamentary system is that you don't hide your angry voice, your sarcastic voice, or your dickish voice, but Scotland should vote "Go To Hell England" just because of what a snobbish dick Cameron thinks he is entitled to be about Scottish concerns :). Truly

    Parent

    Yes, not all Scots (none / 0) (#97)
    by KeysDan on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:14:54 PM EST
    want to leave.  There is, for example, Niall Ferguson, the Scotish counterfactual historian at Harvard and Oxford. Ferguson, claims the entire episode is just petty Scottish Nationalism.

     A major Ferguson work was "Pity of War, and explanation of World War I," where he believes that we should have stayed out and let the Kaiser win, along with a lot of "what ifs."  Ferguson was also a supporter of both McCain and Romney.  And, is known for his dismissal of the economics of John Maynard Keynes, when he said at a conference in 2013, that Keynes was indifferent to the future because he was gay and did not have children.

    Parent

    They both sound a wee bit daft to me. (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:48:24 PM EST


    Parent
    The impression I have (5.00 / 3) (#159)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:45:23 PM EST
    is that, while "Scottish Nationalism" plays a huge role, and seems to have been the main original impetus, a lot of the Yes votes are coming from Scots who do not like the Torie austerity program and their weakening and attempted weakening of National Health Care and other social welfare programs.
    We shall see.

    Parent
    When you put it that way (5.00 / 2) (#160)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 04:48:16 PM EST
    It sounds a bit different than "petty nationalism" doesn't it?

    Parent
    Also my impression Lady Z (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:00:08 PM EST
    a lot of the Yes votes are coming from Scots who do not like the Torie austerity program and their weakening and attempted weakening of National Health Care and other social welfare programs.
    A perfectly natural position, IMO.

    Parent
    A much smaller contingent (5.00 / 2) (#173)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:39:01 PM EST
    wants the nuclear submarines out of Scotland.
    A small percentage, but when it comes down to a close vote, a few votes might make a difference.
    And I wonder what the heck Great Britain is going to do with their nuclear fleet if the Scots vote Yes?  GB doesn't have anywhere else to keep them right now.
    And, on a totally very minor tangent, will GB change the name of Scotland Yard if Scotland votes for independence?   ;-)

    Parent
    I find myself totally absorbed ... (5.00 / 1) (#182)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 06:36:14 PM EST
    ... by this question.

    Here are some great videos:

    Scottish referendum explained for non-Brits and this, which is a longer bit.

    The conclusion that:

    ...it's not just about Scotland... it seems to me that we are at the start of a political reformation...
    was, well, kind of jarring. But it made me wonder if everything the psychics have been predicting for the last 20-40 years is coming to fruition.

    Or maybe I just need dinner.

    Parent

    Surprised (4.25 / 4) (#175)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:42:09 PM EST
    They are not listing the Scotland Yard thing in the "10 reasons to vote no".  
    Better than some listed.

    Parent
    LOL! (none / 0) (#176)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:45:21 PM EST
    You're right!

    Parent
    It's really not Great Britain (none / 0) (#191)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 08:30:35 PM EST
    that the vote is about, it's separating from England.  The submarines will stay in place but the English will have to pay rent to the Scots, finally.  Amazingly I had not considered the name Scotland Yard but I would guess that will also cost the English some money.  
    Good questions Zorba.  

    Parent
    And part of that rent (none / 0) (#193)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:11:12 PM EST
    could well include Scotland being allowed to continue using the British pound, if the Scots so wish.
    Or at least, if the Scots are smart, they will insist on this.  Blackmail?  Some might call it that.  "Give us the Pound Sterling, or get your subs the he!! out of here, immediately!"
    I'd certainly be tempted to make this part of the rental agreement.     ;-)


    Parent
    The Scots do not use the English pound, (none / 0) (#200)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:35:37 PM EST
    they use the Scottish pound that is based on Sterling.

    Parent
    Petty Nationalism :) (none / 0) (#104)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 01:46:01 PM EST
    Dontcha just dare him to say that into a microphone in a stadium filled with Scots?

    Parent
    Aye, lassie (5.00 / 3) (#172)
    by Zorba on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:34:07 PM EST
    The claymores and dirks would be drawn.    ;-)

    Parent
    It's not really the union the Scots (none / 0) (#203)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:46:51 PM EST
    do or do not want to leave...It's England...dreaded England.

    Parent
    I don't have (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 12:06:18 PM EST
    a dog in this hunt either, but I'm hoping they kick the Sassenach to the curb. It's not like the flag will change.

    But truthfully, maybe I think that because I don't really care what happens to it.

    Parent

    As I said to some fine gentlemen in Glasgow (5.00 / 2) (#139)
    by Farmboy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 03:17:42 PM EST
    this spring, we in the colonies spent years and thousands of lives to be free of the Brits.

    All you have to do to gain your freedom is cast a vote.

    Parent

    Just reading about that (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:07:21 AM EST
    Both opinion polls put the No campaign on 52 per cent, with support for Yes on 48 per cent, setting the scene for a highly-charged final 24 hours of campaigning.

    The final result could lie in the hands of voters who are yet to make up their minds.

    An ICM poll for the Scotsman put the undecided vote at 14 per cent, but suggested the Yes campaign was gaining ground.



    Parent
    A google news headline today (none / 0) (#31)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:18:03 AM EST
    asks if there will be riots after the vote.

    Parent
    Asks or hopes (none / 0) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:20:15 AM EST
    Is there any reason to expect this or is it like expecting "looting" in Ferguson?

    Just asking.  I hate the media.

    Parent

    Nothing I hate more than the (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:14:44 AM EST
    hopeful speculation about possible rioting. Specuhoping? I know I used to have a name for it.

    Parent
    Specuhoping!!! (none / 0) (#109)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:00:19 PM EST
    This is the word that is going to make it into the next Websters, like Jon Stewart's word TRUTHINESS.  I'm sending this comment to John Oliver and Steven Colbert :)

    Parent
    LOL, thanks! (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:29:50 PM EST
    But it was Colbert who had 'truthiness'...don't get that wrong in your email.

    Parent
    Oops! (none / 0) (#123)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 02:31:25 PM EST
    I suck because nobody is as great as Jon Stewart :).

    Parent
    It is interesting to me that (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:23:11 AM EST
    It is so evenly divided.  Seems like the whole world is divided up into equal camps these days.   They look like. US polls.

    Parent
    America's Favorite... (none / 0) (#36)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:28:05 AM EST
    Scottish Ex-Pat, Scotland's prodigal son, chimes in.

    Parent
    I love it, and you too. Miss you (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:36:10 AM EST
    Josh and I watched 'Last Week Tonight' on it.  Mr Oliver was equally as funny.  He finished with discussing what if Scotland lost the currency of the pound?  They would have to join the not so stable Euro, or return to their old currency of sheep and threats.

    Parent
    I'm hoping the Scots do it... (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:54:48 AM EST
    and the Scottish people are better represented and served.

    And if they do secede and are a success, we can get crackin' on busting up this union we got here.  I often think we would all be better served if we broke our country up into 5-6 countries.  It's impossible to get representation in a country this large and this corrupted by money...sh*t it's hard enough on the state level.  The M.T. clan can always come to the United States of the Northeast as refugees...I'll sponsor ya;)

    Parent

    Just please (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:56:56 AM EST
    Please please don't leave arkansas in the south.

    Parent
    We will know tomorrow kdog (none / 0) (#53)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:23:18 AM EST
    and for some reason they don't use the word secede but instead use the word separate.  Not sure what the difference is but I'm sure there is one.  I'm hoping they separate which they've been trying to do for centuries.

    Parent
    Unfortuneately, Missouri would IMO not (none / 0) (#59)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:30:56 AM EST
    be in the country of my choice. Can't afford to move so I would be worse off under your scenario and in no way better served.

    Parent
    Maybe a right-wing NYer... (none / 0) (#62)
    by kdog on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:42:21 AM EST
    would trade houses with ya MO.  Just as you would want to escape conservative rule, others would want to escape liberal rule.  

    The plan is not without it's logistical flaws and innocent victims...but I still think in the long run we'd be better served representation wise.  Or maybe I'm dreaming and true representation in government is one of our fairy tales, like equality under the law.  Lord knows I don't feel represented by my state government either, but it's closer than the feds.

    Parent

    Do you really think so? (none / 0) (#63)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:46:29 AM EST
    Missouri historically seemed to want to be part of both worlds.  I had one portion of my family just get the hell out of Missouri during the civil war.  Had no dog in the fight, just wanted away. And another branch that had the eldest son...ahem...desert the Confederate Army, and steal a horse in doing so, and swing at the end of a rope. Everyone seemed to get the heck out of Missouri for different reasons and meet up out West and procreate :). Such a confused state then though.  Isn't still confused?

    Parent
    Missouri is a pretty conservative state (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:54:15 AM EST
    with a strong conservative Republican state legislature in Jeff City.

    Even many who profess to be progressive have areas where they are downright conservative.

    Whole lot of people have had their brains rotted out by Fox news and who could easily fill in for Limbaugh. They have all the talking points down pat.  

    On my recent trip, there was a person of the male gender who proudly proclaimed that his views made Limbaugh seem like a liberal. He got high fives from several people of both genders. Another passenger related an incident where a male gave a statue of Rosa Parks the finger while calling her a wh0re.

    Up until a few years ago, I mainly associated with a group of local artists and didn't realize the mind set of the people in my own area. Since then, my eyes have been opened and the incident in Ferguson was a further eye opener. I was unpleasantly surprised by comments made by people who I had viewed as at least somewhat liberal.

    Parent

    Not so much (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:51:57 AM EST
    But for a pocket or two it's very red.  More so than Ar.

    Parent
    Sad (none / 0) (#68)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 10:53:36 AM EST


    Parent
    BAHAHAHAHA (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:37:48 AM EST
    "You'll notice that on no country rich in oil do men wear pants "

    Colbert explains it all

    Parent

    My prediction is Donald (5.00 / 4) (#76)
    by fishcamp on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 11:04:51 AM EST
    is now up and reading these comments from his far away island.  I'm hoping for another history lesson which I truly do appreciate.  The good news is he's usually 100% correct.  The bad news is I don't think he likes my comments verra much ye ken.  We Scots are used to suffering but we do tend to rebel fiercely.

    Parent
    HBO (none / 0) (#174)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:40:00 PM EST
    Is rerunning True Detective.  Sunday nights after Boardwalk Empire.  Episode 2 this weekend.

    Good stuff.  Probably before a new season?

    Last night I watched (none / 0) (#178)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 05:55:30 PM EST
    the pilot episode of "Scandal" and the On Demand sneak peek of the pilot episode of "Forever".

    I want to see more. Of both.

    And then I remember that I actually have the first season of Scandal on DVD. ...now ... if I could only find my remote for the DVD player...

    Parent

    Does it have a "remote finder" (none / 0) (#180)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 06:02:21 PM EST
    Button on the DVR or box? Mine does.
    Might want to check

    Parent
    I don't know, but I'll check! (none / 0) (#181)
    by sj on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 06:14:57 PM EST
    Thanks!

    Parent
    I tried mine (none / 0) (#183)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 06:40:10 PM EST
    You have to press and hold for about 5 seconds.  Also you will want to have things as quiet as possible.  There is one on the DVR and the little box in the bedroom.  Both worked.

    Good luck.  You wil also need working batteries.

    Parent

    Sometimes I just need a bit of a Rust fix (none / 0) (#197)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:26:04 PM EST
    So I have been tuning in to a little of those reruns.

    Man, Boardwalk Empire is a beautifully filmed show. I always forget that about it in the off season. Also that great opening credit music.

    Parent

    In BE, I am waiting for the part of the flashback (none / 0) (#199)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:32:35 PM EST
    timeline where we meet young Jillian, and see how Nucky sets her up with The Commodore. what could go wrong!

    Parent
    Theme music (none / 0) (#202)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:45:00 PM EST
    It is good but you know what I think I really like most about The Knick and Ray Donavon?  No theme music.  As much as I like the intros of shows like BE and GoT I reall hate sitting through it over and over and over.   Maybe only on the season premier.

    Anyway, I yield the soapbox.

    Parent

    Paging Kdog!! (none / 0) (#184)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 06:50:17 PM EST
    We were in NYC for a few days this week and we were walking down 5th Avenue or Broadway and a minivan pulls up beside us on the curb, stops and out jumps 4 NYPD officers sporting Uzis dressed in some sort of military type garb. I almost screamed when I saw them. They scared the heck out of me. Then they continued to stand around waving their rifles which we saw while we were in the close by coffee shop. When we left the coffee stop they were still there except two were standing at the curb and two were at the entrance to a building with a German Shepherd.

    And then every night when we were walking around Times Square there was this guy screaming he wanted money to get high on weed and then talking about getting high. There was another guy there in dreadlocks who was pasting a replica of the leaf on his upper abdomen. Now this made my husband and burst out laughing!

    The Batman of littering (none / 0) (#187)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 07:40:32 PM EST
    I absolutely love this

    I freaking hate littering.

    Love it. (none / 0) (#194)
    by Angel on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:19:36 PM EST


    Parent
    Updated the iPad to iOS 8 (none / 0) (#195)
    by ruffian on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:22:13 PM EST
    I love the predictive typing. It is better than autocorrect since you don't have to type the whole word, or even part of it. It has an algorithm that predicts your next word, taking into account context, and even who you are writing to, after it learns your style In communicating with different people.

    Yes, you can hide it if it annoys you!

    I can't update. Not even space. (none / 0) (#205)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:48:43 PM EST


    Parent
    Arizona Cardinals Jonathan Dwyer (none / 0) (#196)
    by Angel on Wed Sep 17, 2014 at 09:22:44 PM EST
    arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

    Tuesday Night Open Thread | 206 comments (206 topical)