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Monday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 12:37:45 PM EST
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Busy work day, here's an open thread, all topics welcome. Keep it civil.

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    Monday Open Thread | 211 comments (211 topical)
    A Couple Things... (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:35:01 PM EST
    Walmart Mexico is in trouble for hosting a cockfight to sell soda.  LINK  
    --------------------

    Airline passenger shaming on FB.  
    I probably shouldn't write this(jinx), but I have never had any real problems with anyone, including babies when flying.  And only once have I had a flight cancelled, which was due to a snow storm and they put me on Midwest Express flight, which used to be all first class seats.  IOW I have been extremely lucky with flying.
    --------------------

    I mentioned the other day that I though once of the reasons the NFL had lower incident of DV is because they get paid.  By the time they are broke, they are no longer in the NFL.  This doesn't prove anything, but:

    9.7% is the rate of physical violence by an intimate partner for women with a household income of less than $25k.  2.8% for the same except with a household income above $75k.  Other DV stats HERE.
    --------------------

    Ray Lewis all in one sitting:

    "This is one of those situations that ... [throat clear] it's family, if this incident, what we're dealing with ... if they could do this all over again, they would."

    "We're here for one reason and one reason only -- we're here for domestic violence. We're here because we saw a friend of mine brutally hit his wife in the face in the elevator. That ... there's some things you can cover up ... and then there's some things you can't cover up."

    "Right now is a sad day for me, because the reputation that I left in this organization -- this isn't it!"  LINK

    I think it would be in everyone's benefit to not ask OJ about how the league/Ravens deal with criminals on ESPN.  We all well aware of what Lewis can cover up.

    Airline passenger shaming on FB. (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:09:49 PM EST
    IMO thiS is an excellent idea.  No confrontation, no threats or violence just a possibility of being made famous for being an a$$hole.   The one thing everyone in the social media age fears most.

    Bravo.  Why did this take so long.
    And yes, you have been lucky.

    Parent

    In Theory... (none / 0) (#38)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:00:00 PM EST
    ...but the people in the pics don't look like they have much shame.  I have never seen someone barefoot prop their feet up or take their shirt off on a plane.

    The shame, in my mind, is the staff allowing this kind of non-sense.  If the seat has to be up for takeoff/landing can't they add that your shoes and shirt stay on the whole flight ?

    Parent

    Shoes On? (none / 0) (#39)
    by squeaky on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:04:08 PM EST
    Why would they need to require people to have their shoes on for the whole flight?

    I always take my shoes off during a flight.

    Do you have a thing against unshod feet?

    Parent

    Not all (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:07:50 PM EST
    just the ones that smell like a$$

    Parent
    I have Had people put their (none / 0) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:06:35 PM EST
    foot on the outside armrest just like that. He was wearing sandals and sox.  Really.  Also had them stick their feet through between the seats.  

    Possibly little shame but it's a tool.

    Parent

    The obnoxious guy behind me (none / 0) (#53)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:29:27 PM EST
    was adamantly refusing to let the flight attendant have his bag placed in the hold. No overhead bin space available, but there were lots of back packs up there. Flight attendant refused to re-organize the carry-ons and delay tske-off. She sd. He'd have to get off the plane much grousing but he finally decided to release his bag to the hold. Wonder what was in it?

    Parent
    This Happened to Me (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:15:37 PM EST
    I was on a small plane and they were taking everyone's bag because the overhead was tiny.  We had no idea until we were right outside the aircraft, where the strollers are usually set.

    Although I didn't refuse, I was hesitant in that small bag was packed with my delicate electronics and a couple heavy things I took from my main bag at ticketing to get under 50lbs.  It wasn't packed to throw around, which is exactly what happened as it ended up putting the bags will all the luggage and came out with them as well.

    Nothing was damaged and had I known I would have packed it better and snatched my laptop before handing it over.  If he had a laptop, like I did, not packed right, like me, I can understand the objection.  But I also had my camera with various lenses, my GPS unit with special hiking maps for the trip, and a couple of other things that were integral to my trip including itinerary with phone and confirmation numbers.

    Had that bag gotten misplaced or the goods in it damaged, it would have really screwed up my trip.  It's why I had that stuff on me and not in my luggage.

    But what are the options, let them stow it, or not travel.


    Parent

    oh, now I feel kind of sorrow for him. (none / 0) (#107)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:09:03 PM EST


    Parent
    That makes it sounds so sinister (none / 0) (#74)
    by sj on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:09:41 PM EST
    ... adamantly refusing to let the flight attendant have his bag placed in the hold... Wonder what was in it?

    The bag didn't need to have anything special. He just may not have wanted to wait for baggage claim at the end of the flight.

    Not waiting for BC is the ONLY reason I do carry on. Or it used to be. Now it's also because the fvcking airlines charge for checked baggage.

    Just saying.

    Parent

    The stuff (none / 0) (#92)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:56:03 PM EST
    they do in the airplane can be annoying enough but what some of these people do in the security line amazes me. Going to NYC from Atlanta i got behind this lady who must have had five pounds of gold jewelry on her body, shoes with metal and belts. So she doesn't pass the metal detector and she takes off ONE thing. Goes again, does not pass because now she has four pounds of metal instead of five. I think by the 5th time she was actually able to pass through. I wanted to go up to her and say have you never flown before? You take IT ALL OFF before you get in the line. So after standing there through the first and second failure the security guy let me go through. Okay. Then after that she clogged up the line getting the baggage that had gone through the screener.

    Parent
    I love the choice of a metal-studded (none / 0) (#126)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:30:12 PM EST
    belt, which the wearer forgets to remove but conciously chose to wear for whatever reason.

    Parent
    Ray Lewis should be an expert on (none / 0) (#24)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:22:04 PM EST
    cover ups.

    Parent
    What's wrong Lassie? (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:39:42 PM EST
    a child fell down a well?

    (Trying photo bucket since stupidIOS8 won't let me use the image hosting services I've been using)

    Howdy, after your comments about IOS8 (none / 0) (#20)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:13:09 PM EST
    my computer wanted to upgrade my iPhone 5 to it but I declined.  I'm sure Apple is working on patches since the entire debacle is on International news.  Is your French gremlin peeping in like MOBlue's?  We may all have to go to Paris where there is an Apple store.  I see it's 59 degrees over there which is the edge of my cold tolerance level these days.  81 and rainy here today.  We could all take my little boat to Cuba but they would keep it and release us to the Coast Guard in preparation for a $7,500 fine.  We can go if invited and I know the folks at Hemingway Marina.  It's not illegal to go but it's illegal to spend money with the enemy, however if invited...no problem.  Naturally you spend money but the invitation works wonders.  You do have to stop at the Bureau of Human Resources in Key West and state you fished in Cuban waters but spent no money.  They do not have an Apple store in Cuba.

    Parent
    No french today (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:21:07 PM EST
    and honestly the only residual effects I am still seeing is that I can't, for whatever reason, use thumbsnsp or any of the other image sharing sites I haves used before.  I even tried downloading a new browser.

    But I discovered it still worked through FB. So I tried photobucket planning to use the FB connector.  But it turns out I can upload to phothbucket from my iPad.  But not the others.

    Shrug

    Parent

    I have had to deal with this too (none / 0) (#121)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 07:53:08 PM EST
    So I uploaded images to facebook and then I can access them.  What a pain.  And my iPad and my Samsung Note never cared much for each other, but I think they hate each other right now.

    Parent
    Gremlin Update (none / 0) (#25)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:25:53 PM EST
    My gremlin got tired of French and has moved on to Spanish today. Can't wait to see what other languages meets his fancy.

    Parent
    OMG me too (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:33:20 PM EST
    qué demonios

    Parent
    Yo hablo Español también... (none / 0) (#32)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:36:06 PM EST
    I think there's a new Apple store in Barcelona where I've never been.  Have you?

    Parent
    No, I have never been to Barcelona (none / 0) (#50)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:23:04 PM EST
    It is 69 degrees in Barcelona right now. With forecasts of highs in the mid seventies and lows in the mid to high sixties, it might be more suited to your personal temperature requirements.

    As an aside, I actually understood what you said in your title and the Spanish statement in Howdy's comment. My Spanish is more proficient than my French. ;-) I remember about 10 sentences in Spanish rather than the 10 words that I know in French but it definitely needs work.

    Parent

    But in Barcelona, you'd have to deal (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:25:33 PM EST
    w/Catalan. My Spanish-speaking friend was flummoxed. And then the Basques joined in.

    Parent
    Can't see that it would be an issue for me (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:36:32 PM EST
    Doubt I would have any more problem with Catalan or Basque than I would with Spanish. IOW, I personally would be up the creek without a paddle regardless of which of the 3 languages they used. My only hope would be to stand around looking helpless until some kind soul who spoke English took pity on me and came to my rescue. Helpless is not my best look but in a pinch I might be able to carry it off. ;-)

    Parent
    Barcelona is a great city to visit. (none / 0) (#140)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 09:21:34 PM EST
    Although the incidence of robberies of tourists is rather high.

    Parent
    Well I hear most folks speak English (none / 0) (#75)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:12:18 PM EST
     in Barcelona and when they find out we are both Scotch and Irish the Catalonians and Basques will love us since they now have no chance of separating.  It's the Romansch language that confuses me.  Also Air France is on strike.  Some group is usually on strike in France.  Also I'm very weak in Arabic.

    Parent
    No Arabic (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:27:49 PM EST
    Know a few words in Farsi which are only helpful if you are eating in a restaurant that serves Iranian cuisine.  

    Parent
    Iranian food...don't they eat goats? (none / 0) (#87)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:44:38 PM EST
    I think we should stay with Spanish tapas and red wine.  Barcelona is right on the Med so they must have great seafood, probably strange fish and other sea creatures but I'm used to that.  Are you?

    Parent
    Love seafood (5.00 / 3) (#97)
    by MO Blue on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:10:47 PM EST
    and Spanish tapas are lots of fun. Also a great fan of beaches.

    Iranian cuisine: Like the Scots and the Irish, Iranians use lamb in some of their recipes, but to the best of my knowledge, they don't use goat. Think kabobs - chicken, beef and lamb and great rice dishes. They also prepare a dish that is very similar to Tzatziki and offer baklava for dessert (similar but not quite the same as Greek baklava). In fact, they have several dishes that are similar to traditional Greek recipes.

    Parent

    Pretty much everyone but (none / 0) (#110)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:23:31 PM EST
    Urban Americans don't eat goat, although it is popular here in central Cali as carne de cabra. I've tried it, it's not bad eating, but if I never ate it again, I think I could survive without it.

    Parent
    'Love Barcelona (or Bar-th-e-lona) (5.00 / 2) (#94)
    by christinep on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:00:50 PM EST
    An indescribable (for me) infusion of old and yet fresh ... easy to walk and move through and within ... wonderful harbor ... oh, and the architecture, all the "children" of Gaudi (btw, religious or no, the Sagrada Familia is more than an architectural masterpiece as it dominates the spirit as well)... the forwardness of Mont Juit (sp?) unlike anything in Madrid ... and the fish stews and sauce ....  Imagine a temperate climate and a welcoming, inventive atmosphere wherever you look.

    My apologies to the Catalans that I've never gotten much beyond the "bon di" hello ... but, even then, the city is unusually accommodating.

    Parent

    I've never been a big Air France fan. (none / 0) (#111)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:33:05 PM EST
    I flew AF once to visit my older sister in Nice, and I thought their service sucked. Further, changing planes at Paris' Charles De Gaulle Airport -- AF's main hub, natch -- was friggin' gawdawful, even worse than at Dallas-Ft. Worth and Atlanta, so I've never flown them again.

    My sister doesn't care for AF either. She prefers Delta Air Lines or British Airways whenever traveling to the U.S. Besides, Delta flies nonstop from Nice to New York-JFK, so she can avoid connections at De Gaulle.

    When we've gone overseas to Europe or Africa, we've flown Delta. Their international service is much better than their domestic service, so much so that it would surprise some people that it's the same airline. And Delta has a reciprocal / code sharing agreement with Hawaiian Airlines, where our miles are parked, so we get Hawaiian Miles for Delta flights flown.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Yes Donald you are absolutely right but (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 07:34:03 PM EST
    living near Miami limits accessibility to Europe for non-stoppers.  I have lots of Delta miles which are good on AF to Paris.  It's actually not that bad to fly to Delta's main hub in Atlanta to continue on to many places in the world.  I do absolutely refuse to fly north to fly south to Costa Rica with Delta.  So that leaves stinky American or even stinkier Taca or Lacsa.  Airports and people have finally started to get to me so I just stay home with my little boat and big fish. :)

    Parent
    Just getting around to the last (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:28:35 PM EST
    Roosevelts episode.  I don't remember ever hearing the last part of the Falla speech.  Which doesn't mean I never heard it necessarily -

    These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, or my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course, I don't resent attacks, and my family don't resent attacks, but Fala does resent them. You know, Fala is Scotch, and being a Scottie, as soon as he learned that the Republican fiction writers in Congress and out had concocted a story that I'd left him behind on an Aleutian island and had sent a destroyer back to find him--at a cost to the taxpayers of two or three, or eight or twenty million dollars--his Scotch soul was furious. He has not been the same dog since.


    Parent
    My friend informed she is (none / 0) (#127)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:34:20 PM EST
    watching a PBS series on the Rockefellers. I sd., are you sure?  Everyone else is watching the Roosevelts!

    Parent
    I just watched episode 3 (none / 0) (#130)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:44:02 PM EST
    I am enjoying it but I am sick of hearing about how Eleanor had mothering difficulties, and they even had the gall to suggest that FDRs manipulative domineering mother had superior mothering skills.  Gag!  There are a million ways to be a good mother.  If your household is filled to the brim with nannies and governesses do really need to have your nose up your childrens butts 24/7?  I just find all that tiresome as hell.  The woman gave birth to six children and she was an "unsure" mother?  Really?  Because that sounds pretty damn sure to me.

    Parent
    I barely remember (none / 0) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:50:47 PM EST
    that was, like, 9 hours ago.  I only have so much RAM.  I could use an upgrade.

    Parent
    It's a chick thing I think (none / 0) (#136)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:58:02 PM EST
    So many opinions about your mothering skills.  And every child is a different special human being too.  I have lived completely up Josh's arse :). It isn't all roses up there :) Does that make me a great mother?  I don't think so.  More like a desperate mother.  I have to challenge myself as he needs me less to be more like Eleanor, it's okay, the world won't explode.

    Parent
    My mother had to give in to my autistic (5.00 / 2) (#146)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 11:32:25 PM EST
    brother when he was really young because otherwise he'd bang his head on the wall or floor hard, and my grandmother thought she was being soft on him. She didn't understand how serious it was.  And, of course, back then, the conventional psychological wisdom was that autism was the fault of the mother.  That hurt her so bad, even though she never talked about it openly.

    Later on he became more manageable verbally, but if you have a kid who isn't 'average' there are a lot of challenges that aren't apparent to family and friends from the outside.

    OTOH, I was a conventional brat, Mom noticed that I always seemed to throw myself on a soft part of the couch whenever I was having a tantrum.

    Parent

    Blessings to your mom :) (5.00 / 1) (#157)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 07:22:46 AM EST
    I love the image of you aiming for the softest part of the couch.

    Parent
    You and Josh (none / 0) (#159)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 08:06:30 AM EST
    seem to have a really good relationship. :)

    Parent
    So far :) (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 09:45:01 AM EST
    I get used to doing things out of habit, but he has been raised to speak his mind.  If not I would be still wiping his nose.  It is hard to dial back some behaviors :). He helps me.  I just finally quit texting him everyday after school right before band practice to make sure he's okay.  I am finally grasping that if he isn't okay he will call.

    Parent
    I have (none / 0) (#172)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 10:02:24 AM EST
    a special needs child--my oldest. It really gets hard as they get older for sure. His issues though are mental. So maybe that makes it harder.

    Parent
    I think it is only different (5.00 / 1) (#173)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 10:27:52 AM EST
    Josh's short stature means he will have to adapt his home and vehicle for a little person.  But lacks muscular strength, so an extra adaptation.

    One day at a time :) One victory at a time :)

    Parent

    I swear (5.00 / 2) (#184)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:04:28 PM EST
    that's the truth. My husband says baby steps. I just think now that he's 21 my frustration is starting to bubble over. He's supposed to be an adult and legally he's an adult but his maturity level is that of a 16 or 17 year old and you can't make him understand that. Sometimes the 13 year old is more mature than the 21 year old. Makes me want to literally rip my hair out.

    Parent
    I remember... (5.00 / 1) (#187)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:37:46 PM EST
    ...how hurt my dad was the first time I told him to stop picking me up and kissing me in front of relatives.

    I feel bad now, but every young man needs to establish his own sense of individualism and male pride.

    I laughed when you wrote yesterday that 'cute' is out, and I was thinking, what word could you possibly use to convey what you were watching. And how, even in my 40's certain cute related words are still out.

    Parent

    That was true of my brother as well (5.00 / 2) (#183)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:03:16 PM EST
    He had no physical health problems, but there wasn't the awareness of what autism is like compared to today.

    Parent
    ATL's handling of customs ... (5.00 / 1) (#158)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 07:47:42 AM EST
    ... is the most inefficient I've ever seen and experienced. When you know that a huge number of overseas flights arrive between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., I'd like to think that you'd staff accordingly.

    Whenever I've never been processed at ATL, half the customs area is always cordoned off and closed, even though the resultant wait in the a.m. hours for arriving U.S. citizens and residents can be two hours or more. I've heard this complaint about ATL from others, too. It's like, "Welcome home, b*tches!" I've found customs at JFK, LAX, SFO and HNL to be generally much better.

    Over the years, I've flown Delta overseas to Munich, Nice, Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg, and I was always impressed by their international inflight service. Good thing, because 10-plus hours each way is a long time to be cooped up in an aircraft. But their domestic inflight service generally leaves a lot to be desired. I don't know why that is, given that it's the same airline.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    We hated going through (none / 0) (#186)
    by Zorba on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:33:25 PM EST
    Customs in ATL.  Worst Customs ever.  Took forever.
    Maybe it's improved in more recent years;  we haven't been through there in 4 years or so.  Thank goodness.

    Parent
    When I tried to check in for (none / 0) (#117)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 07:01:18 PM EST
    an Air France flight  (pre-internet/cell phones) the person at the ticket counter informed I had been changed to an earlier flight which had already departed!

    Parent
    Upgraded my 5 last week, and (none / 0) (#48)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:21:18 PM EST
    so far, haven't had any problems that I'm aware of.  Hope I didn't just jinx myself!

    Still getting used to the new features in text messaging - but like being able to leave an audio text.

    No plans to move up to the 6 just yet.


    Parent

    IOS8 sounds like a ME splinter group (5.00 / 3) (#98)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:11:46 PM EST


    Parent
    Well, there ya go. (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:49:39 PM EST
    In a comment the other day regarding the Danielle Watts vs LAPD imbroglio, I said something about how we all should get personal cameras for our own protection, similar to the cops.

    Now it looks like some Ferguson residents will do just that:

    FERGUSON, Mo. - Some residents in Ferguson, Missouri, are equipping themselves with cameras, and knowledge.

    With the help of a California-based group called We Copwatch citizens are training to better understand their civil rights and how to properly record police interactions with the public.

    We Copwatch was started in 2013 as a support group of the Berkeley Copwatch which began in 1990. Its stated purpose and goals are: "To reduce violence and harassment through accountability" and "To empower and unite the community by creating alternatives that don't require police involvement."

    We Copwatch co-founder, Jacob Crawford, says his group raised over $6,000 to buy video cameras for residents of the Canfield Green Apartments, the neighborhood where Michael Brown was shot to death by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on August 9.
    It'll be interesting to see how the (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:59:01 PM EST
    Ferguson PD responds the first time one of its officers is filmed up close and personal...

    Parent
    They Already Have Shown... (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:09:20 PM EST
    ...what they think of personal recording devises at the Brown shooting scene.  Not allowed and that is that, not sure why anyone thinks that a devise that records like a phone won't be snatched up like a phone.

    John Crawford III was shot 4 days before Brown and IMO much worse than Ferguson.  A black man shot and killed at Walmart while carrying a pellet gun in an area that allows open carry. In other words, it's OK for white folks to carry loaded guns in the streets, but not OK when black folks carry a pellet gun inside a store that sells them. LINK

    Parent

    This meme is demonstrably false and has (none / 0) (#59)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:37:49 PM EST
    been beat to death here on TL already. Not sure what website people are parroting when they post it here.

    Parent
    What meme ... (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by sj on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:27:51 PM EST
    ...would that be exactly?
    This meme is demonstrably false and has (none / 0) (#59)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:37:49 PM MDT

    been beat to death here on TL already.

    And how was it demonstrated to be false?

    Parent
    Ah jeez. I tried to search TL for the convo, (none / 0) (#100)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:27:50 PM EST
    it was from several weeks ago, but I can't find it.

    The meme:

    A black man shot and killed at Walmart while carrying a pellet gun in an area that allows open carry. In other words, it's OK for white folks to carry loaded guns in the streets, but not OK when black folks carry a pellet gun inside a store that sells them.
    This particular incident was horrendous, but the general meme that white folks can open carry but black folks cannot is false.

    In fact there are plenty of white folks whom the po po decide cannot open carry as well as plenty of black folks who do open carry w/o problem.

    There were examples of both in the previous discussion, I'm not going to spend any more time looking for it.

    There must be some website that some TL'rs frequent that is pushing this particular tale, as it has been parroted here twice already...

    Parent

    Did you see (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:13:47 PM EST
    Masters of Sex?

    Parent
    Watching that scene gave me the shivers (none / 0) (#62)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:43:17 PM EST
    Could not have been timed better - and they are in St Louis too.

    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:55:05 PM EST
    i mentioned the other day the timely storyline of seeking her as a credible white witness.

    Parent
    Video games = violence is BS (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:59:26 PM EST
    Researcher Says Linking Video Games to Gun Violence Is a `Classic Illusory Correlation'

    In Defense of Violent Video Games
    As sales of violent video games have gone up, real-world violence has decreased


    No clear link has been found between video games and violence

    No Link Between Violent Video Games And Aggression

    Worse, it's old people BS.  Which I find particularly annoying and offensive being an old people.

    Ice (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by squeaky on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:08:00 PM EST
    I am telling you, I have done my research and the school shooting incidents directly correlate with the increased use of automatic ice makers on refrigerators made in the last 15 years.

    Parent
    Ice ice (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:10:49 PM EST
    baby

    Parent
    OMG (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by squeaky on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:35:57 PM EST
    It is spreading to the mid east!!!  

    Parent
    FLEE!!! (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:39:35 PM EST
    FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!!

    Parent
    A good research project: incidence (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:31:54 PM EST
    of excessive violent video game exposure in persons going from non-Muslim majority nations to fight with ISIL.

    Parent
    A better research project: (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by sj on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:01:40 PM EST
    Average length of time for website commenters to be baited by a known troll and does a "heads up" or warning comment prevent blog clogging?

    Parent
    I think the data (none / 0) (#72)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:03:30 PM EST
    is in on that one.

    Parent
    Unfortunately (none / 0) (#77)
    by sj on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:15:45 PM EST
    you are probably right.

    Parent
    Was this a general hypothetical? (none / 0) (#108)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:10:32 PM EST
    Or should I look in the mortor?

    Parent
    In the mortor? (none / 0) (#112)
    by sj on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:43:07 PM EST


    Parent
    I still play first person shooters (none / 0) (#91)
    by Slado on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:48:45 PM EST
    and I haven't shot anyone in real life yet.

    There you go.

    Parent

    I was screaming at my TV (none / 0) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:57:06 PM EST
    last night when they left the 8 yo alone with the crazy old lady even the grown ups can't controll.

    But I mellowed.  I still hate the Masters face.  I just want to stick a big red clown nose in that hole in his face.

    Parent

    Forgive me Slad (none / 0) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:39:57 PM EST
    I couldn't help myself

    Parent
    Ray Donavon (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:52:08 PM EST
    anyone but me hooked on this?
    Last night was great.  Next week is the season finale.  There is a great book and movie called "A Simple Plan" about some guys who find a bag full of money and make a simple plan to keep it.  It ruins all their lives and take two of them.  Ray Dovavon is a 12 hour version of this.  Just when you thing things can't get more f$&ked up, they do.

    The Denver Post likes it too

    True confession: after the first season I gave up on "Ray Donovan," Showtime's dark drama about a fixer and his Boston Irish family transplanted to Los Angeles. I wasn't sure I could stomach more unrelentingly dark hours with this deeply disturbed family.

    It seemed needlessly graphic in its depiction of sexual violence against women, too enthralled by the handsome thug at the center of the story, too familiar in its exaltation of the criminal antihero.

    But the passion for the show by reasonable people drew me to take a second look.

    I'm now hooked, again, with two episodes left (tonight and the season 2 finale, "The Captain," on Sept. 28), and relieved to know season 3 has been ordered.

    In its second season, "Ray Donovan" is finding its focus in Oedipal struggles and the aftermath of the Boston priest pedophile scandal.

    The question remains, does "Ray Donovan" hang together as well as, say, "The Sopranos"? Jon Voight's performance as the pathetic patriarch is awe-inspiring, and the machismo on display by Liev Schreiber is transfixing. It's engrossing and the acting is terrific, but so far this vigorous cable drama has more ambition than depth.
    Completely hooked on Ray, along with (none / 0) (#47)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:17:42 PM EST
    Masters of Sex.

    RD is so dark, so dysfunctional, so tragic that I can hardly bear to watch, but can't look away.  Even with the previews, I can't figure out how this one's going to end.  But I don't think there's going to be a happily-ever-after for the Donovan clan.  

    Masters of Sex...good Lord, you could cut the tension with a knife, couldn't you?  I can't think of a single character I like or dislike completely - I guess that means they're more human than most of what you find on TV these days.  

    In any event, it does not appear that Libby has been loved in quite the same way as she has by the very buttoned-up Bill Masters.  And I have to say, I find it deliciously amusing that Dr. Langham is finding out how humiliating it can be to be treated like a sex object.  Karma is a b!tch.

    Two shows that help you understand how much of our past is in our present, and how hard it is to keep it out of our future.

    Also, looking forward to The Newsroom returning in November.

    Parent

    Everything you said (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:34:05 PM EST
    on MoS every relationship is great.  Love Langham and his boss and predict he discovers she is what he always wanted.  Also I love the nerdy cameraman guy.  He is my favorite character along with Betsy Brandt.  They have to get together.

    On Libby, that was great for so many reasons.  For one I can't ever remember a dramatic sex sequence where the woman started out in a girdle.  But of course she would have.

    Parent

    Barb and Lester getting together (none / 0) (#63)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:45:19 PM EST
    would be epic, as long as it wouldn't become "Les Nessman gets a girlfriend."  I'm feeling so sad for him - the CBS film crew is putting another dent in his already dinged-up self-esteem.

    Actually, I guess everyone was getting a bit of a rude awakening in last night's episode, weren't they?  Lots of feelings of failure that go go the heart of who these people think they are or see themselves as.

    [And that wasn't just a girdle, that was freakin' body armor; it would stop bullets, I'm sure!]

    Parent

    I figured out I love everyting about MoS (none / 0) (#78)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:17:50 PM EST
    except the dialog. I wish they could express these complex emotions in dialog that is closer to the way real people speak to one another. The scenes with Libby came close, and then she started talking in that weird 2nd person way. Maybe they are all so stilted as part of the dramatization of the repression? I don't know, it just irritates me, especially with Virginia and Bill, who still talk to each other like they hardly know one another.

    Ray Donovan has always been way too dark for me. Which is fine, I do not need another addiction.

    Parent

    IMO the most believable dialogue (none / 0) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:45:44 PM EST
    usually comes from the former prostitute receptionist.   Which I think may be a clue to the reason for the (sometimes to) stilted dialogue.  It's the fifties and early sixties.  No one said what they were really thinking or talked in the way we would now consider normal.

    It's interesting you mention Libby.  Hers is a very interesting arc.  She is now ahead of the curve after being behind it her whole life.  She is trying to sound real but even she admits she isn't sure if she is being sincere.

    My take.

    Parent

    Yes, I really find her the most interesting (none / 0) (#101)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:38:44 PM EST
    now, and also the roles have flipped now between her and Virginia, who has lost her free-sprititedness as she has grown closer to Bill. That dude is not good for women, except as a gynecologist.

    I just wish in her last little monologue she had used 'I' instead of 'you' when describing herself. I think she is always sincere, but maybe she had to distance herself there.

    Forgot to comment on Austin and his boss -her name has gone with the wind down my memory hole. Loved her talk about Clark Gable and GWTW.  I fell so hard for Rhett Butler when I first saw the movie, in a theater for a re-release when I was about 13. Spoiled me forever!!! I hope Austin is coming close for her.

    Coincidentally I am going to see it this coming weekend in a theater - it was re-mastered and re-released for the 75th anniversary. Can't wait!

    Parent

    'Tit for tat' (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by KeysDan on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:31:57 PM EST
    An Ohio preacher has,  over the past nine years,taken as his "ministry" vigils at the Foxhole strip club, nine miles from his New Beginnings Ministry Church.  The Reverend says he is acting on behalf of the victims: the lost souls who work the poles, the wives of the oglers who are breaking their wedding vows, and even the aborted babies that might result from the enticement of irresponsible sex.  The Reverend says he knows of what he speaks, having been given the boot from a previous congregation for his adultery.

    The owner of the Foxhole finally decided that he was not having it. He has retaliated.  "I decided to show them, you don't want it behind closed doors? We'll bring it right out in the open and see how you like it."  "It", being the topless dancers.   And, "it" was brought to the church--six or so dancers left their poles and have been showing up on Sunday mornings for the past month.  The preacher has been forced to affix curtains around the parking lot to shield prayerful adult eyes and to open the rear door  of New Beginnings for entrance to children.  

    It is an unholy standoff.  The County officials are at wits end.  Hopefully, this will all end amicably or at least, just end,  before the snow flies. Not only thinking of the children, but the dancers.  After all, this is really a warm weather protest.

    Was there any mention of increased (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:09:19 PM EST
    attendance?  Or increased tips. I guess it would donations.

    Parent
    How many (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:00:52 PM EST
    children and adults are starving in his county? What's the poverty rate? I'm sure he couldn't tell you because he's obsessed with boobs apparently. If any of these girls feel the need to be "saved" i'm sure they know where to go. These sanctimonious idiots have no common sense.

    Parent
    Okay. (none / 0) (#119)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 07:41:52 PM EST
    Looked it up. Poverty rate for the county is 10.4%. The population is approximately 36,000 so that makes roughly 3600 people who do not have enough food to eat but this guy is worried about a few women showing their boobs. And I'm sure this business owner is paying taxes and contributing that way.

    Parent
    He should look to the sinners in his own (none / 0) (#122)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 07:57:03 PM EST
    congregation if he has nothing better to do than worry about a strip joint.

    Parent
    The problem (none / 0) (#123)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:01:59 PM EST
    as I see it is he is helping exactly no one.

    Parent
    Yes, he could take that energy and time (none / 0) (#124)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:19:08 PM EST
    and help people in his community, which is what churches are suppose to be doing, not being a nuisance for a private business that doesn't conform to their Bronze Age morality.

    Parent
    It's an (none / 0) (#134)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:54:32 PM EST
    ego trip for this particular guy.

    Parent
    As cooler temps approach (none / 0) (#65)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:46:55 PM EST
    it would be good not to have any Ralphie Parker reenactments on the church parking lot poles

    Parent
    The places your mind goes... (none / 0) (#66)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:48:41 PM EST
    All I can say is "yowch!"

    Parent
    Damn, just remembered it wasn't Ralphie (none / 0) (#67)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:50:00 PM EST
    either way we don't want any dancers subjected to the triple dog dare.

    Parent
    Caught in phone hold he!! with SW Air for the (5.00 / 4) (#68)
    by Angel on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:50:53 PM EST
    past 25 minutes for what I was originally told would be a 3-5 minute wait. Arghhh!!! But at least I've been able to sit here and catch up enough to read another of jim's comments about how global warming is a gigantic hoax perpetuated on gullible little souls.  

    Shhhh...we're trying not to make (5.00 / 4) (#69)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:54:23 PM EST
    eye contact...

    Parent
    You Forgot the Money Quote (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:40:32 PM EST
    There is no message and everyone knows that global warming ended about 19 years ago.

    I think he meant everyone that watches Fox News is confused about Global Warming.  Seems like I remember Jim was on board with Global Warming, but that it wasn't man made, now it simply ended 2 decades ago and everyone knows that.

    And don't forget, the dangers of leaded gasoline was also a hoax.  I think it took about 30 years to dispel the myths the industry 'scientists' spread.  It's actually a very close comparison with the same fools backing the same charlatans, ditto fro smoking.  

    If this blog existed back then we would have a ton of Jim quotes about lead and cigarettes being bad for your health, being a hoax, and a thousand and one links from their scientists proving it.

    Parent

    The best part is (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:27:40 PM EST
    he posts this comment in one thread-

    [new] A plumber is a plumber and knows the (none / 0) (#55)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:29:11 PM EST
    skills of a plumber...and who would think of a plumber's views of a city's water and waste disposal system worthy of taking any more seriously than what it is..... The views of a plumber.

    And in another quotes a mathematician on climate science in another.

    Parent

    Why would you even call an airline any more? (none / 0) (#115)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:53:54 PM EST
    Trying to navigate all the options in an effort to actually talk to a live body is often an exercise in frustration. And if you do finally get to talk to someone, he or she is usually in India or the Philippines. Nowadays, when it comes to airline travel, I try to do as much as I can online.

    Southwest doesn't fly out here, and the only times I've flown them during the last decade were two round-trips between Oakland and Burbank. They'll get no complaints from me, but then, two R/Ts is hardly sufficient to base an opinion regarding their service. I did like the fact that they offered a lot of flights and options on the heavily-traveled L.A.-S.F. air corridor, so you could pick when you wanted to fly, rather than have limited departure times determine that choice for you.

    Aloha.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Okay Donald I need to call you out on this one (none / 0) (#129)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:39:51 PM EST
    Two round-trips on Southwest isn't enough to evaluate their service, but one flight on Air France is sufficient.

    Parent
    Ha. Well, SW gives you two checked bags (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 09:02:59 PM EST
    at no charge. And free peanuts.

    Parent
    I'd be happy on any airline (5.00 / 2) (#138)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 09:08:01 PM EST
    with one free checked bag and a can of arizona ice tea. I'll give up the tea if they can get me there on time.

    Parent
    How do you feel about not having an assigned seat? (none / 0) (#139)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 09:19:51 PM EST


    Parent
    If I'm flying alone it's no problem. (none / 0) (#142)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 10:07:31 PM EST
    If flying with others, that's the only bug with the Southwest cattle call.

    Parent
    Generally, I didn't care for the SW cattle call. (none / 0) (#164)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 08:44:05 AM EST
    But since the four flights I took were all less than an hour in duration, I could live with it. For longer Southwest flights, I'd probably be annoyed by the practice.

    Parent
    It is more orderly now. (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by oculus on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 09:02:05 AM EST
    Assigned # for boarding lines is on the boarding pass.

    Parent
    Yes. (none / 0) (#188)
    by Zorba on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:40:52 PM EST
    It is better now.  If you check in online and print your boarding pass 24 hours in advance of the flight, you can generally get a reasonably low number, and board sooner.
    And if you're willing to sit near the back of the plane (since most people seem to want to crowd in up front, I guess to exit faster, which we don't care about), you can then generally choose a more desirable seat, sit together if you are traveling with someone, and have room for your carry-on in the overhead bin near your seat.
    Still, as we are all standing in line waiting to board, in our assigned, numbered places, I am tempted to start mooing.  Reminds me of a cattle auction.   Moo!    ;-)

    Parent
    South West... (5.00 / 1) (#200)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:26:21 PM EST
    ...is THE best if you want a one way or multi way flights.  The cattle call can be avoided by checking in at the 23:59 minute mark.  Wait an hour and you are demoted to 'C' which should be 'S' for steerage.

    Here, SW flies into Hobby, which is infinitely smaller that Bush Intercontinental, same with when I fly to Chicago.  They go to Midway instead of O'hare.

    I used to live about 10mins from Hobby, which meant I could leave home and be on a plane within the hour.  Security is a breeze and parking costs used to be about half.

    Plus SW services the Caribbean, which for Houston is pretty damn cool.  they used to fly to Hawaii, but no more.

    Parent

    But that one R/T on Air France ... (none / 0) (#162)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 08:29:46 AM EST
    ... was 14 hours each way, LAX-CDG-NIC. You can really learn a lot about an airline's service on long trip segments like that. Speaking for myself only, I learned to avoid Air France thereafter.

    OTOH, the flight time on Southwest between OAK and BUR was only 50 minutes per segment. They were full flights each way. The crew served a round of drinks, came through the cabin to pick up the refuse, and then we arrived at our destination.

    I didn't really care for Southwest's seating policy, which is a cattle call, but they were on time and that's the best I can say about them. Efficient, but otherwise not particularly memorable. I really have no idea what it's like to fly Southwest on a 5-hr. transcontinental flight.

    I can't really judge an airline's overall quality of service on flights of an hour or less in duration. With the exception of inter-island travel, all flights in and out of Honolulu are generally 5 hours or more in length, so we come to know and recognize airline quality, especially it's inflight product.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Why call the airline? Because it was the only way (none / 0) (#141)
    by Angel on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 09:34:44 PM EST
    I could cancel the two tickets for a trip we are not going to be able to make. I couldn't do it through my online account because I have 'companion pass' status where I book two tickets but pay for only one, Mr. Angel flies free. And the Southwest agents are in the USA.  It's a great airline.

    Parent
    As cooler days approach (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:19:00 PM EST
    the PD reminds that animals are attracted to warmth so try to remember to check wheel wells and other hiding places

    Alaska TV Reporter mea culpa about pot (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Dadler on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:42:55 PM EST
    I actually own the pot club this report is about, and I hearby resign my reporter position to run that club full time. Priceless. (link)

    Take this job and shove it..... (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by Angel on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:01:09 PM EST
    I ain't working here no more.

    Parent
    I love this (none / 0) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:46:56 PM EST
    i stuck it at the end of the last open.

    Parent
    Boardwalk Empire, anyone? (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:59:17 PM EST
    Don't want to comment further as there are spoilers....

    Haven't seen it yet but proceed (none / 0) (#106)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:03:55 PM EST
    i will check out and do it now.  I forgot.

    Parent
    I found (none / 0) (#113)
    by lentinel on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:48:44 PM EST
    the opening episode to be rather slow moving.

    The second was better, but I find it difficult to figure out where they are headed.

    Parent

    I would (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by lentinel on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:53:10 PM EST
    also add that I think that Stephen Graham's portrayal of Al Capone is terrific.

    I was really surprised to hear his real speaking voice with an English (Lancashire) accent.

    His Al Capone voice is completely different.

    Very impressive.

    Parent

    I had no idea he was English. Will,have to find (none / 0) (#132)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:49:17 PM EST
    him in something else. My great grandparents were from Lancashire.

    I do t know how all these plots are going to play out. I have deliberately not looked up the history for the real people.but this is only an 8 episode season, I think so there is not much left.

    Parent

    My great-grandfather was from (none / 0) (#145)
    by caseyOR on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 10:55:45 PM EST
    Lancashire. I wonder if we are distant cousins, ruffian.

    Parent
    We are Eastwoods and Pomfrets from Burnley.... (none / 0) (#154)
    by ruffian on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 06:37:55 AM EST
    not our last names any longer, but maybe there is a connection there with you, if not to Sir Ian McKellan, also born in Burnley!

    Parent
    Hey (none / 0) (#171)
    by jbindc on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 09:46:49 AM EST
    Doing the BF's geneaology - his maternal line is from Lancashire too.  The Shorrocks and Stones families.  Hi "cuz!"

    Parent
    Check (none / 0) (#150)
    by lentinel on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 03:57:43 AM EST
    him out on Youtube.

    There are a few interviews.

    His accent is astonishing.

    Parent

    I had never noticed (none / 0) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:57:08 PM EST
    Marky Mark Wahlberg is an executive producer.

    Parent
    I'm thinkin (none / 0) (#120)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 07:47:45 PM EST
    they probably did not have a lot of access to or approval of the Kennedys in making this series.

    Parent
    Notice they ever use his first name. (none / 0) (#128)
    by ruffian on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:36:55 PM EST
    Just Mr. Kennedy. I didn't pick up on that, had to read it on previously.tv., which also reminded me what happened to Nucky's first wife...ta dum...Mabel! Still waiting for young Nucky to meet Gillian.

    Want to see what Margaret has in mind too...those two crazy kids might just work it out.

    Parent

    I had not caught Mr Kennedy (5.00 / 1) (#131)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 08:49:06 PM EST
    thats funny.  We just know who he is.  
    The home invasion was incredibly well done.  Squirm worthy.

    Parent
    Yes, it was (none / 0) (#155)
    by ruffian on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 06:43:01 AM EST
    I have no idea what is going to happen to Chalky. What a comedown he has had.

    That actor playing Mr Kennedy is really good. Having seen only still photos of Joseph for so many years, it is fun to see him come to life.  His dialogue is well written too - not too much on the nose. I like the compare/contrast with Nucky.

    Parent

    9-18 months custody for purchasing (5.00 / 2) (#149)
    by oculus on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 11:57:16 PM EST
    "morning after" pills on line and providing them to 16 yr.-old pregnant daughter.  NYT

    Excellent (5.00 / 1) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 08:52:28 AM EST
    Untitled-1-Recovered-Recovered
    While our friends in the world of right-wing politics and their allies on hillbilly television like Phil Robertson spend their time spouting off Jesus fan fiction, one woman has taken a different approach toward indoctrinating her children into a deluded, self-serving, hateful worldview: Harry F@#$ing Potter.

    "Grace Ann," who has thus far completed six chapters of her own version of Harry Potter, explained her motivation: her children want to read Harry Potter, but she doesn't want them "turning into witches."

    "Hello, friends! My name is Grace Ann. I'm new to this whole fanfiction thing; but recently, I've encountered a problem that I believe this is the solution to. My little ones have been asking to read the Harry Potter books; and of course I'm happy for them to be reading; but I don't want them turning into witches! So I thought..... why not make some slight changes so these books are family friendly? And then I thought, why not share this with all the other mommies who are facing the same problem? So-Ta da! Here it is! I am SO excited to share this with all of you!" Grace Ann wrote in the introduction to the riveting first chapter of Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles.
    More (5.00 / 2) (#167)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 09:03:01 AM EST
    EXCELLENT

    Televangelist Pat Robertson on Monday accused a viewer of having a "liberal mentality" because she suggested that tax-exempt status was essentially a government handout to churches
    --
    "That's the reverse, it belongs to you," he insisted. "And they shouldn't take what belongs to God."

    He probably particularly concerned about Gods blood diamonds

    A documentary that explores Pat Robertson's purported use of charity resources for a diamond-mining mission in Africa will receive its world premiere tonight at the Toronto International Film Festival.

    A release from the Canadian festival stated that "Mission Congo" is "eye opening" and claimed that it "deals with Robertson's exploitation of one of the worst humanitarian crises of modern times for what appeared to be his own personal gain."



    Parent
    The Roosevelts.. (none / 0) (#198)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:21:46 PM EST
    and enough with all the George Will commentary already! What's that all about? Burns worried that the PBS-attacking noise machine will accuse him of not making allowances for the conservative historical perspective?

    As soon as I hear George Will's voice, I start nodding like Charlie Parker in between sets at the Three Deuces. The man has always been about as intellectually inspiring as a cold rectal thermometer. And don't care how many ghost-written-by-committee books he's cranked out..

    Also, all this stretching out of TR on the psychological dissection table is done at the expense of a tremendous amount of important historical-social context. Apparently back then there wasn't much of a labor movement, Wobblies, Debs, Bolsheviks, invasion of Russia, Sinclair's The Jungle and art in general to trouble anyone's  head too much about. Just the Horatio Alger-esque Great Man willing himself to rise about his personal trials and circumstances and take history by the horns.. The TR part of the series seems on the whole more like 19th century American history than a work made in the 21st century.  

    Parent

    Personally (none / 0) (#203)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:30:39 PM EST
    i find Will no more or less annoying that John Meacham.

    Parent
    I admittedly may (none / 0) (#205)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:36:44 PM EST
    be carrying a little grudge for all Will's over-the-top eighties Reagan leg-humping.

    The man is no historian though.

    You know how many great historians there are in this country? Plenty. But Will isn't one of them.

    Parent

    Frontier Airlines (5.00 / 1) (#208)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 03:59:57 PM EST
    Is having a blow out sale, Houston to San Fran over xmas $77 RT.  Normally around $600, maybe 7 over xmas.

    Civil? As in civil war? (none / 0) (#1)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:13:43 PM EST
    Let the sniping begin.

    Dija see that Deena Kastor (none / 0) (#8)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:51:14 PM EST
    set a new US Masters 1/2 Marathon record in Philly this weekend?

    Parent
    Along with the Women's Masters 15K (none / 0) (#19)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:11:51 PM EST
    10 Mile and 20K if I'm not mistaken. Shalane Flanagan will be trying to take down Deena's American Marathon mark In Berlin this weekend.

    Parent
    Yeah man, she rocks. (none / 0) (#30)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:33:44 PM EST
    She grew up locally here in CA and comes back for Christmas and stuff. Pics of her are all over our local running shoe stores.

    Couple years ago during the holidays I was trail running at a local state park and a female runner passed me like I was standing still. It wasn't until she passed that I realized who she was. Skinny as a rail and mad fast turnover. Puts things in perspective when you see an elite run in person, as you can compare them side by side to the rest of us normals...

    Parent

    Another banner evening... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:17:27 PM EST
    with Phil Lesh & Friends last night...long may he run.  Setlist here for interested aficionados.  Paying the bill today boy...Sunday shows are rough when you're getting old, especially after two football games and no time for a nap! ;)

    One of my cohorts was able to bribe the guy about to put a parking boot on his car...60 bucks in lieu of 125 boot removal fee.  Lucky for him it was an outsourced private contractor and not a city employee...but boy was he still pissed.  I'm not aware of anyplace else in NYC with permit parking only in a residential area that goes straight to the boot no ticket other than Forest Hills.  Beautiful neighborhood, but very snooty.  The residents are none to thrilled they are holding concerts again at the old tennis stadium...they must have really loved the nitrous hawkers who commandeered 71st Ave!

     

    I had to settle for (none / 0) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:37:28 PM EST
    Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Steve Winwood this weekend.

    Parent
    You poor thing! ;) (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:00:34 PM EST
    I'm still kickin' myself for missing Petty, Winwood, and many more at the Lockn Fest. Kickin' myself hard.

    I've still never seen Petty...Winwood I've seen many times.  Bowery Ballroom small club vibe, arena show with Clapton, Mountain Jam.

    I'd imagine it was stupendous CG....they jam at all together?

    Double bill coming up this weekend...the jamband stylings of MOE Friday night, and the singer/songwriter stylings of Willie Nile on Saturday.  Keep the summer rockin' into autumn baby!

    Parent

    Winwood was the opening act (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:15:52 PM EST
    Was an outdoor concert in West Palm Beach. 50% chance of rain but nothing but stars in the sky all night (and plenty of margaritas on the menu)

    Parent
    No sh*t... (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:31:02 PM EST
    margaritas were our lubricant of choice as well, at this hole in the wall Mexican joint where I got to talking to a guy who saw The Dead over 70 times, including twice way back in the day with Pig Pen.

    Did Steve hit ya with the Low Spark?  We got Low Spark....

    If I gave you everything that I owned
    And asked for nothing in return
    Would you do the same for me as I would for you?
    Or take me for a ride
    And strip me of everything, including my pride
    But spirit is something that no one destroys
    And the sound that I'm hearing is only the sound
    The low spark of high-heeled boys  

    Parent

    Wore that album out when I was in college. (none / 0) (#33)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:38:32 PM EST


    Parent
    Great record... (none / 0) (#40)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:05:38 PM EST
    "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" is obviously a personal fave.

    As far as Traffic records go though, "John Barleycorn Must Die" is my sh*t.  

    Parent

    Yup, the grooves on that one (none / 0) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:26:41 PM EST
    hold a fair bit of diamond dust too.

    Thinking of bringing my turntable out of retirement, I'm pretty sure I still have it up in my attic somewhere...

    Parent

    Transports me back to my (none / 0) (#54)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:30:01 PM EST
    freshman year in college...that and Carole King's "Tapestry" and anything by CSN & Y.  Good times.

    Since you posted it, I've had The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys stuck in my head.

    There are worse things!

    Parent

    One of My Favorite Songs (none / 0) (#44)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:10:07 PM EST


    Parent
    Pity, that (none / 0) (#14)
    by sj on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:06:57 PM EST
    I had to settle for (none / 0) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 12:37:28 PM MDT

    Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Steve Winwood this weekend.



    Parent
    In Houston... (none / 0) (#6)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:48:18 PM EST
    ...they call the tow truck most of the time, same cost and the 'bribe' one of my friends once paid was the same, but that 'bribe' was paid right in front of a cop which consisted of letting my car down.

    I am convinced the police get a kickback on the tows.  They would never patrol and be so methodical if they weren't getting paid.  

    If you breakdown, like I did a couple xmass' ago, they will tow you for free if you are on a freeway.  The problem, as I discovered, is it takes about 2 hours, and they drop you off at a gas station, that insists you call this tow company or they will tow it to the pound.

    All in all, it took about 4 hours and around $150 to get a free tow when I broke down on a freeway ramp.

    The driver did give me a ride home for an extra $20.

    Parent

    No such thing... (none / 0) (#18)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:10:54 PM EST
    as a free tow man.

    Am I understanding you right and a Houston cop took a bribe to unhook a tow?  That's awesome...no NYC cop is risking his pension for 60 bucks, to even attempt it would leave you in handcuffs...but the underpaid outsourced no-pension private guys will.  Dude coulda made 600 bucks in bribes yesterday with the horrendous parking situation.

    My buddy's friend who came with him is from Russia...he was telling us you can bribe your way outta anything with Moscow cops, and that's how everybody liked it because it often saved you money in the long run.  Said it was better than NYC that way.


    Parent

    No... (none / 0) (#45)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:11:22 PM EST
    ...the 'bribe' was paid to the two truck driver in front of the cop.

    The free towing is a myth, it was anything but free.

    Parent

    Ballsy manuever... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:40:56 PM EST
    glad it worked out.

    Parent
    it would seem they have a right to be upset (none / 0) (#60)
    by nyjets on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:38:08 PM EST
    If I am reading this right, the residents not only have to deal with the loud music, but they have to deal with all of the parking spaces being taken by people who don't live in the area.


    Parent
    10 pm Curfew... (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:46:46 PM EST
    for the tunes is more than reasonable imo, plus free listening to top flight artists, plus all the customers for local restaurants and pubs.  

    The parking thing is outrageous...in my old blue collar neighborhood, and the rest of NYC, you have no right to the spot right in front of your house, public street public parking...but they got more money in Forest Hills so there you go...public streets become private.  The boots in lieu of simple parking tickets is insult to injury.

     

    Parent

    if i dont want to listen to the music (none / 0) (#104)
    by nyjets on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:47:17 PM EST
    If I don't want to listen to the music, the curfew is irrelevant. It is still annoying and an intrusion to the resident and they have every reason to be upset over it.
    And it is annoying when cars are parked in front of your house taking up  space.
    It would seem to me then residents have every reason to be upset over the concert.

    Parent
    Robert F Kennedy Jr (none / 0) (#9)
    by Uncle Chip on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 01:58:01 PM EST
    Robert F Kennedy Jr loses his cool and grabs mic from reporter pushing him about his own carbon footprint

    He was a leading figure in one of the biggest climate change marches to date.

    But it seems Robert F Kennedy Jr was not so forthcoming when it came to questions about his own carbon footprint.

    Confronted by a reporter asking if he would give up his phone and car, the environmental lawyer became visibly irate before grabbing the microphone and accusing her of 'destroying democracy' as a member of the press.

    Yes (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by squeaky on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:05:50 PM EST
    If RFK gave up his phone and car, stopped traveling, he would not only reduce his carbon footprint but would virtually eliminate his ability to lead, motivate, and inform the public about environmental issues.

    Should we ask DiCaprio and Al Gore the same stupid questions?

    Parent

    What a surprise (5.00 / 4) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:15:58 PM EST
    Michelle Joann Fields is an American conservative political journalist. Upon graduating from Pepperdine University in 2011, she gained attention after having a confrontation with actor Matt Damon over teacher tenure reform.[1] After the altercation, Fields was hired as a reporter at The Daily Caller.

    I'm sure she is very concerned about his footprint.

    Parent

    Concerned about his footprint (none / 0) (#204)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:32:26 PM EST
    that it isn't big enough. Further delaying Jesus's return.

    Listen to the skeptic/preachers long enough and you start realizing a lot of them are culture warriors worried about environmentalist "idolatry".

    Parent

    RFK Jr. does like to do things his way. (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by fishcamp on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:27:17 PM EST
    Years ago I filmed an eagle relocation show with him in Medford, Oregon.  He was a bit weird at first but this ABC crew had worked together with all types of humans and animals before, he saw that and respected it.  Also "Lady" the eagle was a fierce, large, and humbling bird.  He was the talent since he always had raptors while growing up which he did a lot of that week.

    Parent
    So if you campaign against or be against global (2.00 / 1) (#156)
    by Wile ECoyote on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 06:46:39 AM EST
    warming, you can be excused and be fawned over for not actually doing anything or setting an example?  


    Parent
    Nope, the idea as I outlined above (none / 0) (#160)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 08:10:14 AM EST
    Is the the perfect is the enemy of the good.

    This is your brain on climate change denial.

    Any questions?

    Parent

    Leonardo has 5 houses (1.00 / 1) (#152)
    by Wile ECoyote on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 06:35:21 AM EST
    and the worlds fifth largest yacht.  I am sure he motivated a lot of people on environmental issues.

     You saying Ed Begley is doing it wrong?  

    Parent

    More Than Motivate (5.00 / 2) (#168)
    by squeaky on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 09:06:11 AM EST
    He puts his money where his mouth is, and raises money on a regular basis for wildlife preservation and the environment.

    A committed environmentalist, DiCaprio has received praise from environmental groups for his activism.[2] He owns an electric Tesla Roadster,[107] a Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid,[108][109] and a Toyota Prius.[110] He has also installed solar panels on his house.[2] In an interview with Ukula about his film the 11th Hour, DiCaprio cited global warming as "the number-one environmental challenge".[111]

    In 1998, DiCaprio and his mother donated $35,000 for a "Leonardo DiCaprio Computer Center" at the Los Feliz branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, the site of his childhood home. It was rebuilt after the 1994 Northridge earthquake and opened in early 1999.[113] During the filming of Blood Diamond, DiCaprio worked with 24 orphaned children from the SOS Children's Village in Maputo, Mozambique, and was said to be extremely touched by his interactions with the children.[114] In 2010, he donated $1 million to relief efforts in Haiti after the earthquake.[115]

    In November 2010, DiCaprio donated $1 million to the Wildlife Conservation Society at Russia's tiger summit. DiCaprio's persistence in reaching the event after encountering two plane delays caused then Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to describe him as a "muzhik" or "real man".[118][119] In 2011, DiCaprio joined the Animal Legal Defense Fund's campaign to free Tony, a tiger who has spent the last decade at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana.[120] DiCaprio is an activist for gay rights; in April 2013, he donated $61,000 to GLAAD, an organization which promotes the image of LGBT people in the media.[121]

    Wiki

    Regarding Ed Begley, who said he is doing anything wrong. Do you think that there is one way to be committed to environmental issues?

    Parent

    I think people do what they can as (5.00 / 5) (#169)
    by Anne on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 09:32:26 AM EST
    best they can; I don't think we all have to be out living off the land in order to be deemed credible enough to speak on these issues.  We don't all have millions of dollars to donate, or celebrity profiles to take advantage of; we don't all come from political dynasty families.

    I think there's some validity in at least recognizing that these high-profile people speaking about climate change and reducing one's carbon footprint probably have larger-than-average carbon footprints themselves, but that has to be viewed against the value in being able to convince thousands/millions of people, including in state and local governments, to make changes in their own lives that will be beneficial in that regard.  

    You have to make people think about how they live, about the resources they use, about the limited nature of these resources, because that's where it starts.

    I sort of feel like the pushback is similar to that thing people do about who's really a patriot and who isn't, in that it's designed to establish a standard that can't be met, and therefore, can negate whatever efforts are being made toward some particular goal.

    Parent

    OTOH Jr could (1.33 / 3) (#26)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:26:39 PM EST
    choose a smaller car, a smaller home...and only one of them and no more private jets.

    Of course he won't. He's special!

    And speaking of the environment and leading by example.

    Link

    Parent

    He is a Pro (5.00 / 4) (#35)
    by squeaky on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:40:48 PM EST
    If you want to call that special, so be it.

    But then again, why would you care, as far as you are concerned he is your enemy, and Global Warming does not exist.

    Oh, I see chipping away at the ice block, character assassination in order to discredit the messenger and the message.

    Parent

    If RFK, Jr. (5.00 / 8) (#36)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 02:49:22 PM EST
    was wearIng sackcloth and ashes, some people would wonder why he wasn't dressing in cured animal skins to show how serious he is about global warming.

    Parent
    What you (5.00 / 3) (#116)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 06:54:24 PM EST
    have to realize is that Democrats are supposed to meet the highest standards in everything. Republicans have the lowest possible standards on everything it would seem. It makes it easier to be a Republican. Once you realize that you understand where people like Jim are coming from.

    Parent
    An "agenda?" (none / 0) (#99)
    by christinep on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:20:00 PM EST
    Yes, Mordiggian, you got it!  Some who would expect a perfect & saintly person in Robert Kennedy, Jr.--or in most anyone, for that matter--would not address the overall world issue because they cannot.  Better for those people, I suppose, to claim that R. Kennedy is imperfect.

    And, I would say to those such as Chips that we all know that all of us has a bit of hypocrisy within ... and, further, insofar as the balance is concerned for Robert Kennedy Jr., he confronts and offers so much in the environmental sphere that he more than deserves the benefit of any doubt.

    Parent

    There's also the cognitive dissonance (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 05:46:53 PM EST
    of chiding RFK Jr. about his carbon footprint by a climate denialist, because if they're right, his activities aren't hurting the planet.

    The correct response is, you can't inform people about the problem of global warming if you're living to leave the lightest carbon footprint possible as well.  Life is compromising between what should be and what is possible.  

    But hey, attackIng the messenger if you don't like the message seems to be par for the course as far as CDs were concerned.

    Parent

    There is no message and everyone knows (1.33 / 3) (#49)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 03:21:21 PM EST
    that global warming ended about 19 years ago.

    Now the Left has adopted the Repubs label of "climate change" so they can be right no matter what happens.

    ;-)

    In the meantime, let's see what a real scienctist has to say:

    2)  It is obvious that anthropogenic global warming is not science at all, because a scientific theory makes non-obvious predictions which are then compared with observations that the average person can check for himself.  As we both know from our own observations, AGW theory has spectacularly failed to do this.  The theory has predicted steadily increasing global temperatures, and this has been refuted by experience.  NOW the global warmers claim that the Earth will enter a cooling period. In other words, whether the ice caps melt, or expand --- whatever happens --- the AGW theorists claim it confirms their theory.  A perfect example of a pseudo-science like astrology.

    (3) In contrast, the alternative theory, that the increase and decrease of the Earth's average temperature in the near term follows the sunspot number, agrees (roughly) with observation.  And the observations were predicted before they occurred.  This is good science.

    Frank Tipler, the distinguished mathematical physicist at Tulane University,

    Parent

    A mathematician (5.00 / 2) (#83)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:33:31 PM EST
    isn't the same as a climatologist.

    No charge for the education.

    Parent

    He'd have a heart attack... (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by Dadler on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:40:32 PM EST
    ...then demand to be treated by a podiatrist.

    Parent
    One thing is sure (5.00 / 7) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 04:48:22 PM EST
    to get his head examined he would need a proctologist

    Parent
    What you have to be qualified in (2.00 / 2) (#144)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 10:54:50 PM EST
    to be a climatologist.

    What_subjects_are_needed_to_become_a_climatologist - maths, physical science, life science and geography

    So math??? Physics?? As in Tipler??

    Mann then attended Yale University, intending to obtain a PhD in physics, and received both an MS and an MPhil in physics in 1991

    Link

    The issue, of course, is that the MMGW theory does not, as Tipler points and as Karl Potter points out, meet the requirements to be a Scientific Theory.

    scientific theory - a theory that explains scientific observations; "scientific theories must be falsifiable"

    MMGW is not falsifiable

    Therefore it is a small "t" theory. If you want to accept it as a matter of faith then that is your right. But acceptance on faith is usually reserved for religion.

    Parent

    Physics is separated into many specialties (none / 0) (#147)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 11:45:36 PM EST
    so that being an expert on nuclear physics, for example, wouldn't entail much of the knowledge needed to understand how the earths' climate works.

    According to the Wiki, he's a cosmologist and a professor of mathematical physics, and of course, he hasn't had the graduate courses that climatologist have to take in the course of earning their Ph.D.  That is one of several reasons that his specialty doesn't mean he knows what he's talking about when it comes to subject of climatology.

    Your reasoning is simplistic, at best. You oversimplify when it suits your argument, and you wave your hands when that tactic doesn't work.

    And this wouldn't be the first time his 'expertise' has been called into question

    Tipler's Omega Point theories have received criticism by physicists and skeptics.[18][19][20] George Ellis, writing in the journal Nature, described Tipler's book on the Omega Point as "a masterpiece of pseudoscience ... the product of a fertile and creative imagination unhampered by the normal constraints of scientific and philosophical discipline",[3] and Michael Shermer devoted a chapter of Why People Believe Weird Things to enumerating what he thought to be flaws in Tipler's thesis.[21] Physicist Sean M. Carroll thought Tipler's early work was constructive but that now he has become a "crackpot".[22] In a review of Tipler's The Physics of Christianity, Lawrence Krauss described the book as the most "extreme example of uncritical and unsubstantiated arguments put into print by an intelligent professional scientist".[23]

    Yep, he's a completely credible scientist when it comes to climatology.

    Any questions?

    Parent

    As for falsifiablity (none / 0) (#148)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 11:51:54 PM EST
    there have been many changes observed which, taken together, are consistent with MMGW being a reality:

    National Geographic fact checked 6 persistent scientific conspiracy theories. Regarding the persistent belief in a global warming hoax they note that the Earth is continuing to warm and the rate of warming is increasing as documented in numerous scientific studies. The rise in global temperature and its rate of increase coincides with the rise of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activity. Moreover, global warming is causing Arctic sea ice to thaw at historic rates, many species of plants are blooming earlier than expected, and the migration routes of many birds, fish, mammals, and insects are changing.[22]

    So, National Geographic is in on the conspiracy?

    Who knew?

    Parent

    National Geographic (none / 0) (#177)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 10:55:42 AM EST
    gets letters all the time, generally from folks in flies-all-over country, accusing them of threatening "our freedoms" by covering environmental issues.

    Parent
    Oh, the irony (none / 0) (#151)
    by Yman on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 06:28:34 AM EST
    Therefore it is a small "t" theory. If you want to accept it as a matter of faith then that is your right. But acceptance on faith is usually reserved for religion.

    Religion?!?  Thousands of actual climatologists backed by thousands of peer-reviewed studies that you want to call a "religion", versus a guy you call a "real scientist" who claims the historical accuracy of the Bible is proven by physics.  A guy who literally believes that God will resurrect every person who lived, as well as every person who could have lived, and  that our brains will be preserved as computer simulations and given new spiritual bodies to live happily forever in the paradise described in the New Testament.

    Heh, heh, heh ...

    Parent

    I think the word faith (none / 0) (#161)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 08:20:39 AM EST
    Does not mean what he think it means...........

    Parent
    Karl POPPER? (none / 0) (#176)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 10:41:26 AM EST
    is that the thinker whose work you're so steeped in?

    I think he died decades before climate change became an issue.

    Parent

    I hate to be repetitive (none / 0) (#179)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 11:12:08 AM EST
    but would this be scientific evidence by Poppers' standards?

    But the idea that climatologists are invested in a theory that can't be falsified is, of course, absurd.

    First, a few more things about falsifiability in general. Bart wrote a concise post about the subject four years ago, explaining that a bird in the sky does not disprove gravity. What looks like a refutation at first,
    might on second thoughts be based on partial or total misunderstanding of the hypothesis. Natural climate forcings and variations do not exclude human impacts. Therefore, the existence of these natural factors in itself, cannot falsify anthropogenic climate change. A real skeptic is cautious about both scientific evidence and refutations. `Climate change skeptics' like to mention the single black swan, that disproves the hypothesis that all swans are white. Of course that is true, unless that single black swan appears to be found near some oil spill.

    Some of the falsifications that I mention later on might be somewhat cheap, or far-fetched. It is not very easy to find options to falsify the science of human impacts on climate. Not because climate scientists don't respect philosophical principles of science, but simply because there's such a huge amount of evidence. There are not a lot of findings that would disprove all the evidence at once. A scientific revolution of this magnitude only happens very rarely. Whoever thinks differently, doesn't understand how science works.(ed)



    Parent
    Citation (none / 0) (#180)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 11:12:52 AM EST
    omitted in the previous post.

    Parent
    Heh, heh, heh ... Tipler?!? (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by Yman on Mon Sep 22, 2014 at 10:33:50 PM EST
    That's the guy you want to claim is a "real scientist"  (aka not a climatologist)?  The same guy who pushes the Omega Point theory as proof of Christ and resurection from the dead?!?

    Heh, heh, heh ...

    Sometimes, I swear you're trying to be funny ...

    Parent

    Done all the time on (1.00 / 1) (#153)
    by Wile ECoyote on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 06:36:35 AM EST
    this site.

    Parent
    You are right (5.00 / 3) (#163)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 08:43:51 AM EST
    there is a danger of this

    Parent
    macrumors.com has an article about IOS8. (none / 0) (#174)
    by fishcamp on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 10:36:12 AM EST


    Parent
    8.0.1 (none / 0) (#175)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 10:40:42 AM EST
    )-P

    Parent
    Well how is it? Should I upgrade? (none / 0) (#178)
    by fishcamp on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 10:58:15 AM EST


    Parent
    Michelle Malkin (none / 0) (#181)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 11:13:51 AM EST
    now, there's a thinker whose work and scintillating insights will be referenced for generations to come..

       

    Parent

    Michelle Malkin, who went after (none / 0) (#185)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:23:57 PM EST
    A family because they used the SCHIP program and they may have had granite countertops in their kitchen?

    Yeah, she's a real class act.

    Parent

    Once you understand (none / 0) (#199)
    by jondee on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:25:56 PM EST
    the sociobiology of kiss-up and kick-down (think the dynamics of wolf and coyote packs), you've grasped the roots of what truly drives most conservatives.

    Parent
    One of the impromtu memorials to Mike Brown (none / 0) (#182)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 11:23:37 AM EST
    caught on fire this AM and burned completely to ash.

    Some claim arson, others point to the dozen or so candles that surrounded the memorial, which was composed mainly of (highly flammable, apparently) stuffed Teddy Bears.

    Regardless, the memorial is already being rebuilt and people are pissed.

    It doesn't look like (5.00 / 2) (#190)
    by Anne on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:47:59 PM EST
     it "caught on fire," it looks like it was incinerated.

    Color me skeptical that it just "happened."

    Parent

    While I Agree... (none / 0) (#195)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:12:39 PM EST
    ...going into that area at night with the intention of burning the memorial would take cojones the size of globes.  A serious beating would be the best outcome if caught.

    Parent
    Candles (none / 0) (#189)
    by sj on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:42:18 PM EST
    aren't going to cause that kind of localized blaze or damage. If the whole curb had caught on fire I could maybe believe "a candle did it" -- this is wildfire country. I know what damage a spark can do.

    But that localized fire? Nope. Not buying it.

    Parent

    Not sure I get what you are saying, (none / 0) (#191)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 01:26:51 PM EST
    the memorial seemed to be primarily made of flammable items, while the surrounding area was basically non-flammable; lawn, asphalt street, and concrete sidewalk.

    If someone did purposely set the memorial on fire they got some huge big brass ones...

    Parent

    Well, wasn't this the memorial that (none / 0) (#193)
    by Anne on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:02:47 PM EST
    had to be re-done because the cops trashed the first one that went up?  

    Parent
    My understanding is that there are two (none / 0) (#194)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:12:31 PM EST
    memorials; one in the middle of the street, and one on the curb adjacent.

    The memorial on the curb is the one that burned, I believe you are thinking of the one in the street.

    Parent

    That could be... (none / 0) (#197)
    by Anne on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:19:06 PM EST
    but I also wonder sometimes if the cops aren't feeling a little ballsy, what with all the scuttlebutt that Wilson is probably not going to be indicted.

    And who knows what cops-feeling-ballsy could result in?

    Parent

    They put tea candles and rose petals in the (none / 0) (#201)
    by leftwig on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:27:14 PM EST
    middle of the street.  IS it really a shock that they would get run over by cars?

    Parent
    John Malkovich being everyone (none / 0) (#192)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 01:54:41 PM EST
    photographer recreates iconic photographs using John Malkovich

    Amazing

    (name dropping) I had lunch with him (none / 0) (#196)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:18:32 PM EST
    a few years back.

    He is one of those famous types who literally melts into the wallpaper when he wants.

    Parent

    It is remarkable how he becomes (none / 0) (#202)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:27:45 PM EST
    those people.  From Hemingway to Monroe from Andy to Betty Davis.

    Amazing.

    Parent

    A chameleon indeed. (none / 0) (#206)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:37:48 PM EST
    I would quibble about his eyes, especially in the Lange, Guevera, and Three Horse photos. Actually, not a quibble, the eyes are everything. Agreed, though, that the range is amazing.

    Parent
    For something completely different (none / 0) (#207)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 02:41:23 PM EST
    Mr Bean Dropped into famous portraits

    SUO (none / 0) (#209)
    by sj on Wed Sep 24, 2014 at 03:14:03 PM EST
    Not sure I get what you are saying, (none / 0) (#191)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 23, 2014 at 12:26:51 PM MDT
    the memorial seemed to be primarily made of flammable items, while the surrounding area was basically non-flammable; lawn, asphalt street, and concrete sidewalk.
    First of all, I am not a forensic scientist; what I am saying is based on watching my Dad build controlled fires to clear overgrown areas.

    And based on that, there isn't a chance in he!! that a fire that burned hot enough to incinerate the memorial without setting fire to anything else would happen naturally.

    And seriously, dude. Would you buy a child a stuffed animal (ever!) if they could catch fire that easily and virulently?

    sj, watch this video. (none / 0) (#210)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 24, 2014 at 04:32:13 PM EST
    Stuffed animal burns like crazy.

    Not sure what you mean by "fire happen naturally," I would characterize a fire started by one of the many candles present to be "un-natural."

    No indictments (none / 0) (#211)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 24, 2014 at 07:44:47 PM EST
    In the John Crawford WalMart BeeBee gun shooting.  Just as we learn police shot another 14 yo black kid in the back 5 times in Louisiana.  It's on C&L  

    DOJ (none / 0) (#212)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 24, 2014 at 07:56:15 PM EST
    to investigate John Crawford

    They will probably be investigating this one too

    police shoot 14yo

    Monday Open Thread | 211 comments (211 topical)