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Wednesday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 01:33:10 PM EST
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The Judge has rejected Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's request for a trial delay based on the Paris attacks.

"My detailed review of juror questionnaires in preparation for voir dire has so far confirmed, rather then undermined, my judgment that a fair and impartial jury can and will be chosen to determine the issues in this case,"

I'm in court all day, this is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Speaking as a practicing Catholic, ... (5.00 / 5) (#2)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 03:23:01 PM EST
    ... "Christians" like New Hope Ministries Pastor Raymond Chavez truly pain and embarrass me -- as they should anyone who has a heart and a soul:

    ABC News | January 14, 2015
    Relatives Livid After Colorado Church Rejects Lesbian's Funeral -- "Relatives of a Colorado woman say they were forced to move her funeral - 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the service - over objections to a video showing highlights from the openly lesbian woman's life. Vanessa Collier died Dec. 30 at the age of 33. She was survived by her wife, Christina Higley, as well as the couple's two children, ages 12 and 7. Hundreds of Collier's closest family and friends packed into New Hope Ministries in Lakewood, Colorado Saturday to celebrate her life. But minutes before the start of the funeral service, relatives say they were shocked to hear that the funeral service would not be able to continue."

    My sincere apologies to the family and friends of the deceased, for the truly shameful display of homophobic bigotry they had to endure at Pastor Numbnutz's hands just prior to her funeral services, and my condolences for their loss.

    Rest in peace, Vanessa.

    If it's any consolation - and it might not be - (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Anne on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 03:34:27 PM EST
    I believe there is a special place in hell for people like this.  Not that it will undo or make up for the kind of heartache this woman's family and friends had to endure.

    Parent
    Oculus, in case (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Zorba on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 03:26:39 PM EST
    your post disappears because of the lengthy link you posted, here is a
    link to the article you reference.

    had to delete it but here's what (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 06:17:43 PM EST
    Oculus wrote about the link to the article: I forgot to save her subject line, so the descriptive words in brackets below are my best guess as to what that said.

    [Interesting article about how ] Islam has changed over the ages. The author points out Jesus, Moses, and Mohammed should all be venerated according to the Quran but they are prophets, not gods. The Quran emphasizes worshipping god, not his  rophets.


    Parent
    That seems to be (none / 0) (#15)
    by Zorba on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 07:08:41 PM EST
    very close to what she wrote, J.
    In any case, people can read the link.

    Parent
    The person who wrote that (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 09:28:43 PM EST
    was just on with Lawerence.  Very smart man.  Making a very good case .  He also wrote this book, Islam Without Extremes which I think I now have to read.

    Parent
    Excellent link (none / 0) (#51)
    by Slado on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:54:09 AM EST
    The radical  ideology must be countered within Islam by more people like him.  Until they undertake thr challenge themselves nothing will change.

    Parent
    Same with Christianity, Judaism, capitalism (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Dadler on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:10:50 PM EST
    All fundamentalisms are death to human goodness except the fundamentalism of the Golden Rule, which existed LONG before anyone decided to attribute it to any bullsh*t invisible being.

    Don't be an azzhole and we will all do just fine.

    Parent

    That was a great op ed (none / 0) (#68)
    by sj on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:50:02 PM EST
    But what the heck is the NYT website doing that causes my computer to seize up for about a minute while the web page loads?

    It is not even the most junked up website out there, so what gives?

    Parent

    Interesting development at NYPD (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 03:44:30 PM EST
    Members of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association nearly came to blows on Tuesday during a meeting of delegates in Queens. There was pushing, shoving and lots of screaming at Patrick Lynch, president of the 23,000-member union.

    The in-house battle erupted over the issue of what patrol officers really need -- an apology from Mayor de Blasio or better equipment and more officers to back them up on the streets.

    "This is what my members want!" a cop yelled near the end of the raucous meeting. "They want more cars, better vests, more manpower!" Link

    Don't think the current work stoppage by NYPD is condusive to proving the need for more manpower. If anything, it seems that a much smaller force is needed. Eliminate cops spending time verbally and physically abusing civilians and the force could be reduced even further.

    Post hoc ergo propter hoc (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by jbindc on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 03:53:26 PM EST


    Parent
    Of course they want more toys (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by sj on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 04:29:15 PM EST
    "This is what my members want!" a cop yelled near the end of the raucous meeting. "They want more cars, better vests, more manpower!"
    So naturally, it is my hope (which will likely be crushed) that those toys remain out of reach.

    And a delay in the apology works for me, too, if it means making arrests only when necessary.

    Parent

    Well, I think the police need ... (none / 0) (#20)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 08:35:01 PM EST
    ... more flash grenades.

    :-(

    Parent

    From your link (none / 0) (#22)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 08:52:24 PM EST
    f there was ever a flashbang injury that might have warranted criminal charges against an officer, it would be the case of Bou Bou Phonesavanh, a 19-month-old baby who last May was nearly killed by a flashbang during a drug raid in Georgia. The case garnered national attention.

    Bou Bou was sleeping in a portable playpen at the foot of his parents' bed when the Habersham County Special Response Team broke down the door to the room and threw a flashbang. The grenade landed on a pillow next to Bou Bou's face. The blast blew a hole in his chest, severed his nose, and tore apart his lips and mouth. The SWAT team was looking for the boy's cousin, Wanis Thonetheva, who a day earlier had allegedly sold a bag of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on the property. But Thonetheva wasn't there, and no drugs or weapons were found. Hours later, Thonetheva surrendered peacefully when officers knocked on the door at a nearby house where he was staying.

    At the hospital, Bou Bou was placed in a medically induced coma for almost a month. He has had eight reconstructive surgeries, including skin grafts, and racked up $1.6 million of medical bills that his family cannot afford to pay. In the next few months, he will need surgery to remove black flashbang powder that embedded in his face, arms and chest before it gets infected. And because his skin grafts won't grow as he grows, Bou Bou will need reconstructive surgery every two years for the next 20 years. His mother, Alecia Phonesavanh, said that she and her husband plan to donate their own skin for the future grafts. Bou Bou often wakes up in the middle of the night screaming and shaking and holding his mouth. "It almost seems like he's remembering what happened," said Alecia Phonesavanh, who has been unable to hold down a job since the accident because of the demands of caring for her son.

    Grand jury chose not to indict. No big deal - good people (cops) just got in a hurry - no big deal.

    Parent

    I've had... (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by sj on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:03:33 PM EST
    ... the "Reply to" window open for about half an hour needing to say something about this.

    But I really have no words.

    Parent

    Indeed MO... (none / 0) (#54)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 11:29:54 AM EST
    we need to lay off cops, not hire more...as the slowdown has shown us in spades.

    Nice to hear that we may finally be rid of the sc*mbag Lynch though...as down as I may be on the police, they deserve better union representation than that clown.  Anybody would.

    Parent

    Interesting morning at the Supremes Wednesday (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Peter G on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 09:55:29 PM EST
    especially for those who think they can predict the Justices' votes in advance.  In one case, Scalia wrote the six-vote majority opinion, over a strongly-worded dissent by Thomas (joined by Kennedy and Alito).  No "Scalito"; no "Thomas just follows Scalia." And no "Kennedy makes the majority." In the second case, opinion by Sotomayor (joined by Scalia, Alito and 3 others), the dissent is from Roberts, along with Ginsburg and Thomas. Two Scalia/Thomas disagreements in one day; Notorious RBG joins the "conservative" dissenters on one case. Etc.

    I was going to write up a case they (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 10:46:53 PM EST
    decided this week about the definition of "accompany." But I wanted to put it with a video of Bob Seger singing "You'll Accomany Me" and they didn't have any good ones on You Tube or Daily Motion. The good ones were all removed for copyright violations or had ads. I wasted so much time looking for the video I ran out of time to write the post.

    Parent
    In the City of Roswell (GA) (none / 0) (#78)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:46:54 PM EST
    case, the Chief Justice's dissent is persuasive to me.  But, as he writes, it is not a sky is falling situation and it clarifies several issues for the future.  Just bad luck for Roswell.

    Parent
    Girls (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Slado on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 05:36:07 AM EST
    So I watched the premiere yesterday. And yes Slado loves the show "Girls".

    I'm worried the show has run out of plot lines.

    Hannah has been an interesting character but I'm getting tired of the same old stuff.  Her move to Iowa appears to be just a new place to start the same story of her not being able to figure out who she is.

    The other girls have just flatly run out of things to do and I did not find any of their plot lines in the premier interesting.

    Because I'm a fan and I don't want it to become a bad show I remain hopeful that they will figure out a new way to present these characters that is interesting.

    Keep that down Slado... (none / 0) (#55)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 11:32:54 AM EST
    you have a reputation to uphold!

    j/k...I got my embarrassing guilty pleasures too.  ;)

    Parent

    Oscar Nominees (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 08:21:52 AM EST
    Best Picture
    "Birdman"
    "Boyhood"
    "Selma"
    "The Theory of Everything"
    "The Imitation Game"
    "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
    "American Sniper"
    "Whiplash"

    Actress in a Leading Role
    Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"
    Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"
    Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
    Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"
    Marion Cotillard, "Two Days One Night"

    Actor in a Leading Role
    Michael Keaton, "Birdman"
    Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"
    Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
    Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"
    Bradley Cooper, "American Sniper"

    I was pretty shocked that The Imitation Game (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:40:10 PM EST
    got completely shut out at the Golden Globes. Hope it doesn't happen here too.

    Parent
    Well, if it does fall short, ... (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:57:22 PM EST
    ... it will certainly enjoy some pretty illustrious company in that regard. Such critically acclaimed classics as "Citizen Kane," "The Third Man," "A Face in the Crowd," "Once Upon a Time in the West," "Chinatown," "Manhattan" and "Do the Right Thing" are amongst the also-rans over the years, all of which for one reason or another failed to impress Academy voters at the time they were eligible for Oscar consideration.

    I agree with your assessment that "The Imitation Game" is simply an outstanding film. Of this year's best actor nominees, I liked Benedict Cumberbatch's take as Alan Turing the best of all -- although to be fair, this category looks to be particularly top-heavy this time around with five very worthy finalists.

    And there were also several magnificent performances which failed to even make the final cut this year, such as David Oyewolo's mesmerizing turn as the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in "Selma." It was a daunting task to portray on film such a well-known, beloved and complex historical figure as Dr. King, and yet Oyewolo -- who didn't even try to either sound or look like him -- effectively inhabited the true essence of the man's character, without ever once succumbing to the temptation of caricature.

    (Some people are calling Oyewolo's omission a snub, but I think it's actually a case of there having been an unusually strong field of best actor candidates this past year. Somebody was going to be left out.)

    And had I been able to vote in the best actress category, I certainly would have gone with a makeup-free Jennifer Aniston in "Cake" -- who played against type to astonishing effect -- over Rosamund Pike's overwrought take as the over-the-top psycho from the overrated "Gone Girl." Aniston proved that she's indeed a very good actress when offered decent material, and I hope that she garners more serious consideration by directors and producers in the future.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Some nice surprises (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 08:42:30 AM EST
    ar least for me.  Very pleased to see Birdman getting so much attention.  IMO it was definitely one of the best movies of the year.   Also glad about the nom for Effects for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.  The CG apes were jaw dropping.  They did a great job of not only making them believably real but unique enough that there was no problem telling them apart.  I hope it wins.  Of the norms it's the best IMO although I have not seen Interstellar I'm sure it's great but we've seen it before.  Also happy about Song of the Sea getting a nom for animated film.  I have not seen it, not released yet, but it's not the usual Disneyish krap.

    Parent
    LEGO Movie (none / 0) (#50)
    by Slado on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:46:47 AM EST
    As someone who repeatedly takes three kids to animated  movies this is a true travesty that the Lego movie was not nominated.

    I've seen all the movies on that list and Lego movie was by far superior.

    I wonder if it was because it was so blatantly commercial. Even I'm ready to admit that it was a giant commercial for LEGO.

    Parent

    Speaking of blatant commercialism, you've ... (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:33:11 PM EST
    ... reminded me of an extended scene with a bottle of Budweiser from an otherwise very forgettable movie starring Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

    The two brothers were sitting outside at a sidewalk café talking to one another with the beer bottle on the table between them, yet no matter from what angle the camera was filming at the moment, the Budweiser label was always facing both the camera and the audience. This rather clumsy effort at product placement was simultaneously disconcerting, obvious and hilarious.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I still have not seen it (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 10:31:58 AM EST
    but everyone says that.  It's interesting to me that the standard line seems to be "why was Song of the Sea nominated and NOT the Lego Movie".  As opposed any of the other same ole same ole nominations..  I can't wait to see Song of the Sea.  IMO it exactly the kind of outside the box shot in the arm the industry needs.   I hear nothing but praise for it.

    Parent
    OK. Saw Boyhood... (none / 0) (#53)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 11:25:31 AM EST
    ...because of the hype.  The idea, genus, the actual movie, not bad, but littered with bad acting and odd cinematography.

    I thought Hawke had twice the performance as Arquette, but looking into it I see she got best supporting actress, and I can see that.  

    Patricia was fantastic in one of my favorite movies, Stigmata, and I have always liked all the Arquettes.

    Back to boyhood, I wonder if they gave the actors instructions as how to look after a year, you know, long hair, short hair, and how that played into the movie, or if they just said 'see you next year'.  Also how exactly do you get kids to sign what was essentially a 10 year contract, maybe one of the Hollywood types could chime in.  What if someone had decided no more half way through the project ?

    *Semi-Spoiler in the next paragraph.
    There was enough bad acting and odd cinematography that I got the feeling it was purposeful.  The good news is that didn't take away from the movie as it was inconsequential roles and scenes, and I can see where some really liked it, and maybe I just so used to some sort of plot, with the a movie leading from point A to B, that is was hard for me to absorb a movie just about a kid's life.

    But as mentioned, the idea is genius, it's rather interested to see actual human beings age, which doesn't correspond to the usual artificial aging done so often in Hollywood.  Hollywood does a better job in the sense they always look just like the original whereas in real life, not so much.  Which was very cool and I suspect, an idea that will be used many more times.

    Parent

    Who did the bad acting? (none / 0) (#57)
    by McBain on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 11:49:03 AM EST
    My overall opinion of the film is about the same as yours.  

    I thought Arquette's performance was uneven.

    Parent

    Can't Really Say Without... (none / 0) (#82)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:33:16 PM EST
    ...spoiler, oh hell spoiler alert !!

    The first boyfriend was ridiculous, and the "In case someone stops by" guy, was right behind him, followed by the band roommate.  But it didn't matter other than being noticeable, and didn't take away form the film.

    A couple things I didn't mention, why the new friend's house when leaving, mom totally disappeared that year.  I assumed she wasn't available for filming, but logically it didn't make sense to move into a unknown friends/coworkers house rather than the supportive mom's.  It made a difference in that they moved to another city.  The other thing that I am not sure if it was a logic problem or just showing growth, but the absentee father turns out to be pretty fricken awesome, sans selling the GOAT.  Speaking of, why didn't the awesome car age, just kidding, but it didn't and looked like his everyday car.

    How could I forget this, they moved to Houston and spent a lot of time showing the area.  It's was funny, while driving me managed to go about 5 miles in 5 mins, from downtown to UH.  I watched, the splicing job was impressive, didn't matter at all, because it was joyous to see Houston and the Rocket at the Minute Maid field, they even showed the statues outside the Fine Arts Museum and the live butterfly's at Museum of Natural Science.  Nothing to do with the movie and only enjoyable to people who know this area.

    Anyways, the vibe for Houston and Austin I thought was right on, and I completely forgot about how they worked in the stuff like phones, and a bunch of stuff that I notice, but can't remember, but would only be possible by filming in the actual time frame.

    Parent

    The vibe seems to be (none / 0) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 05:22:48 PM EST
    Boyhood will win for best picture.   I haven't seen it yet.  Looking forward to it.  It is on PPV now.   Maybe tonight.

    Parent
    We'll see. (none / 0) (#134)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 10:17:54 PM EST
    While I really like "Boyhood," there are a number of unusually strong contenders this year. It could be anyone's ball game, and we've certainly been surprised before by the choices made by Academy voters.

    Parent
    Richard Linklater and the actors ... (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:09:55 PM EST
    ... essentially winged in for several weeks each summer for 12 consecutive years, particularly in the early years. The script for the following summer's scenes were written once the previous summer's shooting concluded and he had a chance to watch the rushes.

    Linklater was essentially taking a huge leap of faith with this ever-evolving storyline and self-financed production, because he had really had no idea when he started what the final product would look like, or if they would even be able to finish it at all were one of the main actors compelled by circumstances to withdraw from the project.

    Basically, this was guerrilla filmmaking.

    Parent

    I seem to recall reading that the legal limit (none / 0) (#108)
    by Angel on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 05:52:10 PM EST
    for those types of contracts is 7 years.  In the cases of the minors I'm sure their parents had to sign for them.  I've also read that the actors were very excited with the idea of filming over a period of twelve years, and that as each year passed their excitement with the project grew.  They became somewhat of a family, so it was like having a reunion every year.  

    Parent
    I am slightly bemused (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 06:06:50 PM EST
    By the hand wringing over all the white nominees.  It's like the world just discovered the Academy is a bunch of old white guys.  
    If I remember there was a fair number of non white winners last year.  I thnk part of the problem is that Selma was snubbed.  For other reasons.

    Parent
    Some people I know in the biz said that ... (none / 0) (#133)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 10:13:33 PM EST
    ... the campaign for "Selma" started relatively late in the game, and they really did not do a very good job at getting the requisite number of Academy-eligible voters to see the film before the ballot deadline. If that's the case then it's a shame, because we saw the film last weekend, and David Oyewolo's performance was remarkable. I would definitely urge everyone to see "Selma."

    Parent
    Care to weigh in on... (none / 0) (#151)
    by unitron on Sat Jan 17, 2015 at 05:43:08 PM EST
    ...whether LBJ got a fair shake out of "Selma" or not?

    Parent
    Two words: (none / 0) (#154)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 18, 2015 at 05:20:22 PM EST
    Artistic license.

    Parent
    Re: "Selma," I thought you'd be ... (none / 0) (#160)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 01:41:27 AM EST
    ... amused by the following tweet from IdieWire's Sam Adams regarding recent public discussion about that film's historical accuracy, and whether it contributed to its perceived snub by Academy voters:

    "The Academy: Historical accuracy is important, unless your movie is about a white man killing Arabs."

    Too true. We saw "American Sniper" last night, and while it was definitely a good movie, it was certainly no "Selma." Further, I think that David Oyewolo's performance in "Selma" clearly merited more serious consideration for a best actor nomination, than did the machismo-on-steroids turn by Bradley Cooper in "Sniper."

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I was disturbed by the last (none / 0) (#161)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 01:54:49 AM EST
    scene in "American Sniper."  Spoiler Alert.

    Apparent real footage of the good folks of Texas lionizing Chris Kyle, the actual sniper, lining the streets were his hearse passed by as if he had been President.   Fine, but I do not think they were honoring him for being a good buddy helping other vets....Or being a good husband....Or rescuing his own humanity. They loved him because he had more confirmed kills than anyone else.

    There were other soldiers who served well who did not get the  hero treatment Chris Kyle did.  If they had left out that real footage from the end, it would have been much less disturbing.

    Parent

    IMHO, you're speculating about ... (none / 0) (#162)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 03:25:13 AM EST
    MKS: "Fine, but I do not think they were honoring him for being a good buddy helping other vets....Or being a good husband....Or rescuing his own humanity. They loved him because he had more confirmed kills than anyone else."

    ... other people's reasons for having paid homage to the late Chris Kyle, and further equating those reasons with some sort of vicarious bloodlust on their part.

    In doing so, you are insinuating that their presence along the route of his funeral procession was somehow less than honorable, by ascribing to them personal motives, thoughts and feelings which you cannot possibly know or fathom.

    I really wish you wouldn't do that. You are of course entitled to your opinions about both the Iraq War and "American Sniper." But speaking as someone whose own father is buried in Arlington, I found what you said here to be likely as disturbing as your own personal perception of the film's conclusion.

    I have my own feelings about the war, which I've shared here on many previous occasions. Suffice to say that I have my clear differences with those who still insist even today that our invasion of Iraq was both justified and worthwhile, in the face of the mountains of considerable evidence to the contrary on either count.

    But while we may have our differences, I also believe that they also love our country as much as I do. And so, I will neither judge them with moral absolutism, nor will I impugn their patriotism as some sort of misguided perversion on their part.

    Now if they, for whatever their rationale, decide to not reciprocate that courtesy which I've afforded them, then that's on them and not on me. I can't do anything about how others think and feel about me or anything / anyone else. But how I choose to react / respond to them is solely my call, and mine only.

    Therefore, and speaking solely for myself, I choose to take the high road here and think good thoughts about such people, particularly on the occasion of someone else's funeral. I believe that they lined those highways, roads and bridges because in their own inimitable ways, they truly cared.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I think - and please know that this is (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by Anne on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 08:58:26 AM EST
    just my opinion, and how I took MKS's comment - this is less about MKS ascribing thoughts and feelings to those who lined the streets for Kyle's hearse, as it is about his own feelings, and the disconnect and discomfort he feels after seeing a movie about a sniper, who killed people in a direct and personal and not random way.  I'm sure the people lining the streets weren't honoring Kyle's ability to kill, so if there's blame for that impression being created, blame the film maker, not the person who saw the movie.

    Honestly, Donald, not everyone who makes a comment about war and death and killing is doing it to push your buttons, insult you or your father and his service.

    Parent

    I never said that, Anne. (none / 0) (#166)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 12:33:31 PM EST
    That's fine if MKS felt uncomfortable about the film, because it's not meant to be a comfortable film. But that's really not the point here.

    (And BTW, "American Sniper" is not a pro-Iraq War film at all; director Clint Eastwood effectively conveys the growing disillusionment of those military personnel who were repeatedly deployed "in country" by our government for an increasingly dubious purpose.)

    Rather, my primary objection was with the way that MKS then went further, by projecting his / her own cynicism about the Iraq War onto the motives of those persons who chose to honor Chris Kyle by being present at his passing funeral procession or at the funeral service itself, as though these people were moved en masse only by some mindless groupthink.

    It would be like me saying that the only reason why you, your siblings and your cousins would show up at your grandmother's funeral was because you wanted to remain on your grandfather's good side, so that he'd remember you in his will.

    The fact that I may be cynical about the human condition in general, doesn't thus grant me license to freely ascribe that same sense of cynicism to you or anyone else regarding your own respective actions, feelings or emotions -- particularly when I quite obviously don't know you personally.

    To be sure, I can always perceive as cynical your primary motive for having attended Grandma's funeral. But it doesn't then naturally follow that my perception is either valid or correct, nor would it be it fair or just to vocalize my thoughts and malign you publicly like that. In such instances, my own personal feelings would be best kept to myself.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    You can address me directly, Donald (none / 0) (#171)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 07:05:18 PM EST
    I am part of this discussion.

    Tracy gets it.  So, hopefully you won't try to  her based on shame her based on your family's military experience.

    Parent

    But (5.00 / 1) (#165)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 09:51:49 AM EST
    That is the key thing that everyone knew about Chris Kyle, and I think MKS is correct about this particular incident too.

    Nobody lines the streets either to honor the sniper suffering from PTSD so badly they took their own life.  Nobody rattles the doors at the VA when it takes 90 days for a sniper to get assessed.  Most Americans could give a shit less about that sniper.

    It is sort of weird and creepy.  

    Parent

    Okay, so you find it wierd and creepy. (none / 0) (#167)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 12:51:24 PM EST
    But that's simply your perception. And it doesn't mean that your perception is necessarily fair or valid.

    Do you also find it "weird and creepy" that relatives of Pearl Harbor casualties and survivors would attend the funerals of other survivors over the decades since the event, even if they didn't know them personally? Because they did, and still do.

    All I'm saying is that people are generally motivated to do things for their own particular reasons, and not for yours or mine. And we can avoid giving others cause to take offense at us by declining -- in public, at least -- to assume otherwise.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Fair or valid to whom, Donald? (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by Anne on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 03:55:39 PM EST
    I may not perceive someone else's actions the way they want me to, but that doesn't make my perceptions wrong - it just makes them different.

    And, really Donald, who are you to jump in and start labeling what others think, feel or perceive as being valid or not valid?  I don't think we need an interpreter - people seem to be quite capable of explaining - for those who seem to require explanations - why they feel the way they do, or perceive things in some particular way.  Why does it matter whether MKS was right about why all those people lined the streets for Chris Kyle?

    For whatever reason, MKS's comment pushed your buttons; maybe you could look inside your own head to figure out why, get over it, and just let it go.

    Parent

    So why only show up for Chris Kyle's (5.00 / 1) (#173)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 20, 2015 at 08:52:13 AM EST
    Funeral? Why not show up for every other sniper, hell...soldier.  Why not have crowds of millions protesting at every VA until they are repaired....because you know...they still aren't.

    The glorifying of certain soldiers while simultaneously ignoring the plight of thousands of others reminds me of watching America partake of professional sports.  If a player has "It" factor, they get all sorts of attention, and if they don't nobody cares about their plight.

    It's like the military has simply become another team for the lizard brain to root for, or against.  It's not a sport though.  And only generals get professional sport wages.

    Parent

    Placing a more charitable (none / 0) (#170)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 05:08:59 PM EST
    gloss to your post.

    I am truly sorry you lost your Dad.  I almost lost mine, and can remember when he was packing up his gear and side arm to go to Vietnam.  My Dad came back.   I cannot imagine not having my Dad, and if I had lost him, I know it would be a loss that would never go away.

    I know this somewhat concretely because my Dad was 16 when his Dad was killed in an accident in 1946.  My grandfather survived WW II only to die in an accident caused by a mechanical malfunction of the plane he ended up flying-he took over the controls after the plane took fire.  My dad was at the door when the Western Union telegram came.  This tragedy has never gone away.  I was talking to my cousin who remembers when it happened and it is still new to him.  My Dad was saying just a few weeks ago how different his life would have been if his dad had not been killed.

    So, I think I can understand.  

    Parent

    Honoring Pearl Harbor suvivors (none / 0) (#172)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 09:43:04 PM EST
    is not analogous.  

    In American Sniper, at the end, as Kyle's record was summarized, it was stated he broke the record for confirmed sniper kills.   That was emphasized as his greatest achievement.  Then, the film shows the people lining the streets to honor him. The film puts the two concepts together.

    The Pearl Harbor survivors, do they celebrate how many kills they had?

    You can address me, directly, Donald.    

    Parent

    Donald, I just watched Noah again (none / 0) (#163)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 08:12:54 AM EST
    i believe I remember you saying you were less than impressed.  I liked it the first time but I think the jarring way the story it not at all the one you are expecting is distracting.  thinking about it and watching it again after seeing the whole was like a different experience.  

    I was thinking that of all the most popular Bible Stories Noah was, for me, sort of the test.  In discussing faith with someone I might say you can believe God made man and woman from mud.  In a sense I believe it.   But you can actually believe the Noah story literally, can you?  Anyway, The film maker explained it to me.  Reminded me of the purpose of myth.  To make you feel and inspire to be better.  

    I decided I love it.  Just as a movie.  As far as a Bible Story, shrug, but as mythology I loved it.  No offense. It is mythology by Joseph Campbell standards.
    I especially love, trying to avoid spoilers, the choice Noah is given.  The idea that maybe this is not was was intended and only happened because a crazy old coot went off the reservation looking for red berries.   Or that it's was Gods plan.  Back to faith.

    Try it again.

    Parent

    I obejct to your post (none / 0) (#169)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 19, 2015 at 04:57:11 PM EST
    Yes, I understand that your father died in Vietnam.  But this does not give you the right to try and self-righteously shame me.  

    You want to compare my family members' service with yours--I can do that.  Both of my grandfathers were Army Officers that served during WW II.  My father was also a career Army officer who served in Korea and Vietnam, and as I have learned in bits and pieces over the years, saved the man next to him in the Jeep that was hit during an ambush.  He saved the guy's life while under fire.

    And my father's father who has just been cleared for ultimate promotion to General Officer, died in the service of his country....albeit in a noncombat role.  It was a horrible accident that triggered a Pentagon investigation--I have a copy of the report.  Harry Truman personally signed a statement saying he was a true patriot.  I confirmed it was Harry Truman's signature by researching the Presidential use of the autopen and confirming with the Library of Congress that the autopen was not used until Ike.

    But does that mean I have a greater ability to comment or the right to try and shame?  Since you seem to believe that to be the case, let's measure it.  Whose family sacrificed more?  The winner can self-righteously shut the other up.

    I come from a military family.  I come from Texas. As do my parents, as did their parents, and so on.  My grandfather used to say he was a "Texican," meaning he was no transplant.  His brother in law went to West Point. And so on.  So, Texas lore and ethos, and military service and service during war, are not uncommon or exotic to us.  And so, I am not cowed by overt appeals to military patriotism.  And, I am not cowed by others' use of their family members' service to somehow cloak themselves with authority or expertise.

    Donald, this the second time you have done this--attack me based on your father's military service.  I did not like it then, and I do not like it now.

    Chris Kyle had his funeral in Texas Stadium.   Only Roger Staubach would merit something like that--Texans know what I mean. The public acclamation for Chris Kyle was way out of whack when compared to all the others who served and were decorated and died in combat.

    I know my fellow Texans....and there is a dark side.  How many Indian Reservations are in Texas?   How many descendants of the Comanche exist? Where are the Comanche Reservations?  Is there even one? How many people does Texas execute?

    No, I will not be intimidated by your attempt to upbraid me.  I give my freedom from being enthrall or overawed by honorable military service to my Dad.  Going back to when I was a kid.  My Dad took me out to shoot a .22 rifle for the first time when I was about 11.  A standard rite of passage for a  boy from a military family from the South.  I did not like it. The thing kicked, and my shoulder hurt.  It was loud. Pops got it, and never pushed it again. We went hiking instead of shooting or hunting.

    Pops can call b.s. on the excessive deference to those who serve in the military.  The misplaced hero worship.  Especially when that worship blinds....

    Yes, I am entitled to my opinion.  And I stand by what I wrote.  It was an honest visceral reaction.   So, stick it, Donald.

    Next time, try leaving your Dad out of the discussion.  

    Parent

    Silly Pope... (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:19:44 PM EST
    that's exactly part of what freedom is, the right to ridicule and/or insult superstition.  

    Argue it's not nice, argue it's not productive...reasonable people can disagree on those angles.  But saying I don't have the right to call god or jesus or mohammed or buddha or vishnu an assh*le just makes you sound like a moron with zero understanding of the concept of freedom of speech.

    Before going off on a tear, kdog (none / 0) (#100)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:25:05 PM EST
    it might be wise to look into the translation.  Given Pope Francis' more inclusive statements and approach since assuming the papacy, before jumping on the basis of one phrase into our own peculiar brand of put-down it might be fair.  For example: People (even Popes) speak to large crowds in shorthand ... and, people speak from their own cultural perspective.  As we have been reminded throughout the world, the freedom of speech value--which we hold dear and almost sacred in a secular sense--can have very real reactions in situations other than life or death.

    Because I definitely give Pope Francis the benefit of the doubt in terms of his own off-the-cuff expressions, it is quite possible (if not probable) that he was illustrating to his audience that--apart from one's right to speak freely--certain disparaging comments about loved ones (in reality) often do elicit a response not quite up to the "turning the other cheek."  Nowhere did I see or hear that the Pope condoned/supported lethal response to any verbal provocation.

    From what I have read on this, he seemed to be saying what we all know.  He wasn't being politically correct by any means.  I'm guessing that neither you nor Dadler--judging by your fairly passionate responses in many situations--would nod knowingly should someone openly & to your face insult your mother, sister, etc. (spouse, son in Dadler's case) and think of the First Amendment ramifications before responding quickly.  I know that, for myself, if someone would have ridiculed my sister, my first response would likely have been to spit in that person's face.  I'm no saint; and, pardon me, but I suspect the Pope was speaking pragmatically about very real situations in a cautionary down-to-earth way concerning violent responses in the Philippines.

    We know that Pope Francis has advocated continuously against the death penalty; we know that he tirelessly opposes warlike and war responses to conflict; and, I think we can say also that this Pope is reaching out as best as any human being in any authoritative position can.  So ... I'm not asking either you nor Dadler to be "believers" (or anything near that) ... but, in the circumstances, it sure looks like your response betrays such loathing for religion that any real/perceived verbal misstep by a religious leader is grasped immediately as bait to bash ... and bash with fervor.  IMO, let me express my feeling that such "gotcha" response is wrong.

    Parent

    It sounded to me like... (5.00 / 2) (#109)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 05:59:42 PM EST
    The Pope was trying to put religion on a pedestal to be above mockery....I could not disagree more. It is essential that all institutions, religious and secular, be mocked relentlessly.

    Our houses of worship, our government halls, our courts, you name it. There very progress and improvement depends on it.

    Parent

    Personally, I believe that Pope Francis ... (none / 0) (#103)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:50:19 PM EST
    ... is speaking to all persons of faith, and advising us to: (a) Take pause and chill out; (b) Consider carefully what we're about to say prior to opening our mouths, rather than just shooting from the hip; and (c) cease pandering to our own worst fears and instincts with regard to others in this world, especially when their own personal beliefs may not coincide with our own.

    Parent
    Yes, Donald (none / 0) (#112)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 06:57:05 PM EST
    The advice or caution from the Pope is much broader than "Don't touch religion."  I agree with you that the words were meant to be calming--first to the audience he was addressing and beyond--and that he was making a common sense, everyday statement about how people viscerally may be expected to react in the context of matters held dear (like religious beliefs and perceived verbal attacks on family.)

    In many respects, he seemed to be acknowledging the tense situation and trying to advise exactly what you surmise -- Take a deep breath, count to ten, chill.  All those things we advise our best friends, family, and close associates on potentially highly provocative matters.

    Parent

    Personally (none / 0) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 07:01:57 PM EST
    I'm cutting slack on this because he honored the Hebdo victims.  

    Parent
    You know who's chill? (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 07:46:12 PM EST
    Cartoonists are chill...expressing themselves artistically.

    People shooting up the place need to chill...People shooting up magazine offices. Mosques. Temples. Churches. Shopping malls. Schools. Those few need to chill.

    Most everybody else is chillin'...

    Parent

    I read a another quote from him (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by Dadler on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:12:45 PM EST
    Insult my mother and expect a punch. Well, first, my mom would never want me to punch someone for saying something, so I wouldn't. But the point is, Poop, your mom is actually a real person you can see and hug, this god cat is some imaginary thing people created out of thin air for their own insecure purposes, or need to control others, or whatever. It ain't flesh and blood, you can't even hurt it with sticks and stones, much less phucking words. Oy.

    Even a punch... (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:21:08 PM EST
    I could live with...99.9% of the time you throw down, go home, and laugh about it next week. We're human, sh&t happens and anger gets the best of the best of us.

    It's when you reach for the glock over an insult to your mother or your prophet that can't be tolerated.  A donnybrook, though wrong, is not murder.

    Well, unless you're a cowardly armed police officer, in which case a punch to the nose is grounds for deadly force and reaching for the deadly weapon.

    Parent

    The Pope's statement, from (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:38:18 PM EST
    the leader of a medieval-like monarchy, may be expected. But, it is stunning in the context of the Pope's seeming commitment to world peace.  A "punch in the nose is normal, you cannot provoke,  you cannot insult the faith of others and cannot make fun of religion,"  is a justification and rationalization for violence.  A shove, a punch., a lot of punches..a murder.   Of course, murder for insult would not be condoned, but it may well seem like acceptance for zealots.  If the Pope would punch noses, some Pope's followers would sense license to remove noses (along with the attached heads.)

    Parent
    I hear ya... (none / 0) (#88)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:04:29 PM EST
    violence is violence, it only differs in degrees.

    I guess I'm saying with people being people and people being strange, if we can limit violent reactions over nonsense to mere fisticuffs we'll be ahead in the game...like our immature childhood days of fighting in the schoolyard.

    I suppose humanity's problem is too many of us never grow up and learn non-violent resolution is where it's at...and we graduate from fists to machine guns or "smart" bombs.  


    Parent

    I hear you about non-violence.. but then.. (none / 0) (#139)
    by lentinel on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 05:56:23 AM EST
    there is this deep thought from Malcolm X:

    He (The White man) made the mistake of teaching me that Patrick Henry was a patriot ... -- wasn't nothing non-violent about old Pat ....

    We learn about violence, in my opinion, by observing the behavior of our government.

    Non-violence, reasoning things out, diplomacy, examining the grievances and points of view of antagonists is not its strong point.

    And - I have found that there is little in the intensely violent verbiage of the ISIS folks that I haven't read in the Old Testament, (cast a glance at Deuteronomy) or even in the words of FDR.

    Parent

    I agree with the Pope's opinion that ... (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:14:02 PM EST
    ... speech and / or journalism which purposely insults or mocks another's religious faith is generally unworthy. But the answer is not to ban it or limit it, or worse still to take up arms in an effort to avenge the supposed affront to one's diety / dignity. Rather, it's probably best to neither acknowledge nor respond to such obvious attempts at provocation, and move on.

    Parent
    That it! (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:05:39 PM EST
    the murderous radicals shoul just move on!  Why has no one thought of this?

    Parent
    Perhaps because there are ... (none / 0) (#102)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:39:41 PM EST
    CaptHowdy: "That it! [T]he murderous radicals shoul[d] just move on! Why has no one thought of this?"

    ... simply too many people in this world who thrive emotionally upon the taking of personal offense, as though their own relentless torrent of angry responses to various perceived affronts might somehow offer both purpose and meaning to their own otherwise shallow and / or aimless existence.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Random thought... (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:36:13 PM EST
    Perverted Islam is as effective at fighting blasphemy as Perverted Western Democracy is at fighting terrorism.

    A 30k circulation of Charlie Hebdo turns into millions in a week, thanks to the war on blasphemy.  Remind anyone of the war on terror?  

    Which One... (none / 0) (#89)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:05:25 PM EST
    ...the actual one, or the one where any mentally unstable person who has visions of hurting people is labeled a terrorist so they can stick him in dark corner for most of their life.

    We got real terrorists who pose real problems, then a bunch of idiots the FBI coerces into something that they normally could never, in a life time, get the scratch or connections to do.  And promotions are handled out all around and claim they are fighting the good fight.

    Parent

    Actual ones... (none / 0) (#94)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:28:01 PM EST
    good call, should be specified.

    I was thinking of the Afghanistan occupation and drone killings...ya may kill an actual terrorist here and there, but you make so many more in the violent process it's a losing proposition.  Non-violence may be unsexy and slow, but it's a winning strategy in the long run.  Violence is a loser.

    Parent

    better analogy (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:36:28 PM EST
    is to walk into your local biker bar and yell "Harleys suck", free speech for sure, but you won't need the Pope to point out the problems with it.

    Now wise... (none / 0) (#77)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:45:52 PM EST
    to be sure....like Westboro Baptist too, showing up at a funeral to act the clown.  

    As long as we're all clear that the action is (perhaps) stupid and unwise if you value safety but allowed and must be tolerated in a free society, and the reaction is criminal...I'm cool.  And if you absolutely must react use fists, not guns or bombs or knives...and be ready to break out in handcuffs, which may or may not be worth it to you.

    Me, I prefer the Billy Hoyle response to a grave insult.

    • "You're mother's an astronaut!"

    • "Please...my mother is too drunk to be an astronaut."


    Parent
    Err...s/b "Not wise" (5.00 / 2) (#79)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:57:41 PM EST
    I get where you're coming from Joe...blood is hot all over and it's a good time to chill with cartoons.  I understand the point but just can't agree...it's never a good time to sacrifice something so precious as free expression at the altar of mafia threats of violence.  After the holy warriors (and supposed secular warriors) lay down their arms is it possibly time to chill with the pens.  Until then, it's time to double-down on the mighty pen imho.

    Sh*t one school of thought is once the world is awash in blasphemous images it will cease to be a big deal...and it shouldn't be a big deal, what one knucklehead says about what you hold dear should have no bearing on you and what you hold dear.  

    I mean I got prophets I cherish too...Henry David Throreau, Bob Marley, Keith Richards to name a few...draw them in a blasphemous manner, like say wearing a Brooks Brothers suit trading mortgage backed securities and robbing old ladies, and see if I care.

    Parent

    The fight (none / 0) (#80)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:29:03 PM EST
    for freedom and human rights is probably an endless battle but is this the hill to fight and die on? Pulling back to regroup is often the wisest move a commander could make. Way too many people are yelling "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" from the safety of the shore.

    Parent
    We don't get to choose our martyrs... (5.00 / 2) (#83)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:36:25 PM EST
    nor our Bunker Hill.  The question is surrender or soldier on.  The surviving staff at Charlie Hebdo are soldiering on, and I can't salute them enough....they are not on a safe shore, obviously.  

    And let's be clear, in this war on blasphemy only one side is fighting and killing and resorting to violence.  Other wars the west is guilty as sin, but not this one.

    Parent

    Yes we do get to choose (none / 0) (#104)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:56:41 PM EST
    Choosing the  ground you fight on is a huge part of the art of war and I sure don't want my martyrs chosen for me. James Foley, Stephen Sotloff and Daniel Perle are the real heroes. They and many  more real journalists gave their lives searching for the truth on the front lines. Charlie gave their lives in the search of satire in downtown Paris.

    So go ahead and bomb them with insults and drone them with satire, that will show them. Give the haters a reason to hate is always an option, but
    almost always a bad one.

    Yes we should always choose our battles carefully. In this "war" truth should be our chosen field of battle not satire. Sorry, victimhood does automatically confer martyrhood. There is this mad rush to lionize Charlie while the real heroes worldwide are seldom mentioned and mostly soon forgotten. That sucks.

    Parent

    Really ? (none / 0) (#106)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 05:33:16 PM EST
     
    Other wars the west is guilty as sin, but not this one.

    The west's long and sordid history of mucking around in the Muslim middle east was all fun and games. Colonization and exploitation, no harm no foul. Wars real and proxy , party time, even the Soviets came! Sorry about your mom, drones ain't perfect you know. Don't be hater, go read some cartoons.Sinless my butt.


    Parent
    Perhaps I was not clear... (none / 0) (#107)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 05:50:23 PM EST
    The wars and occupations, CIA coups, bases on their lands, creation of Israel...these are but a few of our many sins against the Muslim world. I'm saying we've sinned plenty...but our cartoons are not among them.

    Parent
    When did the sins stop ? (none / 0) (#113)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 06:59:27 PM EST
    It's whole part of the same conflict. Hatred has had a place to breed for generations. To you these cartoons are harmless jokes, to me they are an unwise use of freedom. To the radical clerics they are a sin, to the jihadist recuriter they are a godsend. They are red meat to choose a god to kill for crowd. Sounds insane, it is insane but its reality.

    Parent
    So are drones... (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 07:37:40 PM EST
    I think we give up the bases, support of tyrants, the drones, and Guantanamo before we give up satire and or offensive speech. The former we shouldn't be doing anyway, the latter we don't wanna live without.

    But we're full of sh#t there too, France is arresting people for speech. Every country does, some more egregious than others.

    Too insane to accept my friend, but I appreciate your point of view and the food for thought.

    Parent

    Unstayed judgment (Casper v Snyder). (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:01:03 PM EST
    A federal district judge ruled that the 300 Michigan same sex couples married in March 2014 have a fundamental right to marriage under Michigan law.  

    For one day, City Clerks issued marriage licenses and the couples were married in accord with all requirements (license, authorized officiant, and two witnesses) before an appeals court stayed the ruling.The sixth circuit court of appeals upheld the Michigan (and other states in the circuit) ban on same sex marriages, subsequently, in November 2014.

    The state of Michigan argued that reversal on appeal nullifies the district court decision completely, as if the legal process upon which the marriages were based never existed.  Essentially, Michigan wanted a "never mind,"  so as to take back the marriages. The judge's ruled that a District judgment becomes effective and enforceable as soon as it is entered.  There is no suspended effect pending appeal unless a stay is entered--which was not the case.

    Joni Ernst to deliver GOP response to SOTU. (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Anne on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:17:27 PM EST
    Words fail me, so go read Charlie Pierce.

    This is beyond fab. Truly, it is. My guess is that we will hear very little about Agenda 21, the secret UN plan to steal all our golfs, and very little about nullification, and very little about those moochers on Medicaid, or very much of substance on any issue currently bedeviling the nation, because my new friend Joni doesn't do issues any more. Not since she realized that: a) she doesn't know a lot about most of them, and b) what she does know about them is generally both wrong and exceedingly unpopular, not to mention batty, but that she could get elected to the U.S. Senate regardless. But, make no mistake. She's not going to fall into the orchestra pit, the way Jindal and Rubio did. She is going to be prepped to the nines, and she is going to come across on TV because she comes across on TV. By the end of the speech, Bill Kristol is going to be taking Sarah Palin's photo out of that heart-shaped frame by his bed, and even the gang on MSNBC, led by L'il Russ, who's already half-gone on the woman, will be telling us what a "superstar" she is, and how charismatic, and, maybe by next Thursday, it will be noted by someone what a pile of weightless banality the whole speech was.

    Lordy.

    Oy! (5.00 / 2) (#96)
    by Zorba on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:50:16 PM EST
    What is it with the Republicans and their choices of idiots to deliver the GOP responses?
    OTOH, Mr. Zorba said, years ago, when Sarah Palin was chosen by McCain as the VP nominee, and I asked him why Palin was so popular among many of the Republicans, he responded that "It's because so many of the male Republicans have wet dreams about f***ing her and so many of the female Republicans want to be her."
    Okay, that's crude, but that type of dynamic may be at play here with Ernst, as well.

    Parent
    Insurance companies=slimy b@stards (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:16:25 PM EST
    adventures in government run healthcare-part 2

    So i am told my my provider, BCBS, that my premium is going to increase for 2015.  A lot.  Like 50%.  Which honestly would still have been very affordable health care but I thought I would do what they say you should and go through the process again.
    I just did.  And guess what. I got exactly the same plan, as far as I can tell-prescriptions may be a tiny bit more expensive, for almost exactly the same price as last year.

    So I called BCBS back and explained this expecting an argument.  No argument.  No problem.  In fact I am a month late in paying, there is a 90 day grace period, and he said if I had no medical expenses there was no need to make the back payment.

    The guy on the phone was helpful and sort of funny.  His bosses are neither.

    In spite of the companies doing everything they can do to screw you around the edges the ACA is a freakin wonderful thing.

    The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ... (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:26:33 PM EST
    ... refuses to know the way to San Jose:

    SFGate.com | January 15, 2015
    Court says MLB can't be forced to let A's move to San Jose - "A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected efforts by the Oakland A's and the city of San Jose to force Major League Baseball to let the team move to the South Bay, saying only Congress or the Supreme Court can overturn the sport's nearly century-old exemption from antitrust laws. The ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco leaves the A's and San Jose with the remaining option of asking the high court to repeal the antitrust exemption, which it established in 1922 and reaffirmed in 1953 and 1972. The exemption requires a team that wants to move outside its territory to seek the major leagues' approval, which hasn't been forthcoming since the A's first floated the San Jose possibility."

    Given that the A's just signed a ten-year lease with the city of Oakland and Alameda County for continued use of the Coliseum amid ongoing negotiations over a proposed new ballpark on the Oakland waterfront near Jack London Square, and further that MLB owners are not inclined to buck the San Francisco Giants' repeated assertions that the South Bay remains an integral part of that franchise's territory, the City of San Jose would be best advised to give up the ghost here.

    Aloha.

    "Dreams turn into dust and blow away..." (none / 0) (#111)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 06:52:15 PM EST
    Bacharach/David/Warwick.

    Parent
    Salmon Rushdie on free speech (5.00 / 2) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:23:02 PM EST
    WHAT HE SAID

    SALMAN RUSHDIE: Charlie Hebdo attacked everything: Muslims, the Pope, Israel, Rabbis, black people and white people, gay people and straight people. It has attacked every kind of human being, because what? It was making fun. It's strategy was to make fun of people. And it was seen as that: it was very loved, these cartoonists were beloved in France.

    And now, the moment somebody says, "yes I believe in free speech, BUT," I stop listening.

    You know: "I believe in free speech, but people should behave themselves." "I believe in free speech, but we shouldn't upset anybody." "I believe in free speech but let us not go too far."

    The point about it is the moment you limit free speech, it is not free speech. The point is that is was free. You can dislike Charlie Hebdo, not all their drawings are funny, but the fact that you dislike them has nothing to do with their right to speak. The fact that you don't like them in no way excuses their murder.
    Spoke at the University of Vermont (none / 0) (#126)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:25:42 PM EST
    Where my nieces are.  Wish I could have heard his speech.  I'm a big fan

    Parent
    That's really (none / 0) (#128)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:30:14 PM EST
    all there is to say.

    Parent
    Today on post I guess a female (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:41:12 PM EST
    Sergeant Major gave an incredible speech on MLK.  My spouse said that some "Southern" took over though during the speech with a few Oh Yeahs and Amens getting thrown around.  Started getting in the way of the speech and annoying, but then the speech picked up steam...then the Amens picked up steam.  Speech ended with a whole auditorium of military standing and cheering non-violence wildly.

    He came home and said, "but the military is the practice of controlled violence."  I shrugged, but you are all Americans first.  Weirdness, life is weird.

    Parent

    Btw (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 03:37:44 PM EST
    spell correct turned him into a fish

    Parent
    At least it didn't turn him into... (none / 0) (#152)
    by unitron on Sat Jan 17, 2015 at 05:58:48 PM EST
    ...Salmon Patty.

    Parent
    Perhaps inspired by those (none / 0) (#8)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 05:03:29 PM EST
    Japanese horror films about killer vegetables (e.g., "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes), the W.H. Burns MiddleSchool,  in Valley, Alabama, has embarked upon a new safety initiative.  Each student has been asked to bring an 8 oz canned food item, such as corn, peas or beans, so as to fling at an armed classroom intruder.  This is no garden variety security procedure. It is a part of the shooter school's training program aimed to stun the perpetrator so that the students can flee in the melee.  Of course, there is the danger of a student being inadvertently shot by a police officer while reaching for his corn.

    Okay, this is probably (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Zorba on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 06:28:57 PM EST
    one of the stupidest suggestions that I've read in awhile.
    OTOH, I guess it's better than issuing each kid in the school a hand gun or assault rifle.
    {{Sigh}}

    Parent
    Eh, better they throw their (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by nycstray on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 07:02:19 PM EST
    sodium rich, BPA lined canned goods and eat fresh or frozen veggies ;)

    Parent
    LOL! (none / 0) (#17)
    by Zorba on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 07:10:58 PM EST
    Yes, that's true, stray.

    Parent
    As Jesus Christ said to his disciples, ... (none / 0) (#19)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 08:28:33 PM EST
    ... "I leave you peas. My peas be with you."

    Or did I mistranslate it from the original Greek?

    ;-D

    Parent

    LOL! (none / 0) (#21)
    by Zorba on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 08:39:26 PM EST
    Yep.
    It's εἰρήνη (eereeni).  Which does mean "peace."
    And which, BTW, is what the name "Irene" means
    "Peas" is μπιζέλια (pizelia).
    ;-)

    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 05:30:07 PM EST
    i was sure there was some sensible idea there and you were exaggerating.

    Nope.

    My apologies for doubting you.  I am reminded of a great quote from a great movie.  Frank Darabont/S. King -The Mist.

    I GOT LOTSA PEAS!!

    Parent

    The Edward D. Woods of School Principals (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:37:22 AM EST


    Parent
    More comments from the School Principal (none / 0) (#135)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 02:59:49 AM EST
    "A student will not walk around with a can in his hand or bag," sniffed Ms Holley, explaining that the cans would be kept in a locked cabinet in classrooms.

    "If a shooter actually entered a classroom, the cabinet would be unlocked and the cans used "to distract the gun person and keep them from using his or her gun so that the children and the teacher can escape," she said.

    Ms Holley said the idea to use cans came from research done on the internet.

    "The canned good item will give the students a sense of empowerment."



    Parent

    So, someone, presumably the classroom (none / 0) (#136)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 03:03:14 AM EST
    teacher unlocks the cabinet after the gun-wielding intruder is on campus, the kids start heaving the cans at the armed intruder as they escape the classroom. Perfect.  

    Parent
    Blu -Ray vs. streaming HD (none / 0) (#10)
    by McBain on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 05:46:57 PM EST
    Anyone have an opinion on which is better right now? What will happen in the next five years? I'm trying to decide if I want to continue to buy/rent blu ray dvds or if I should buy/rent steaming HD content?

    Things to Consider (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by RickyJim on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 07:55:05 PM EST
    Blurays usually have lossless surround sound.  Are the streaming services supplying that?  Many discs have extra features besides the main one, for example in some you can rewatch the movie with the director and stars making comments.  Also some are filled with extra documentaries.  I remember when I rented Valkyrie, there were many extra hours about the rise and fall of the Nazis and what happened to the children of the plotters after the war.  AFAIK, you only can get the main feature with streaming.  And when it comes to historical and specialty discs, much more is available than what is offered via streaming.

    Parent
    Good point, there are some movies where I'll (none / 0) (#25)
    by McBain on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 09:52:01 PM EST
    want the extra features. Right now, I'm thinking more about the video quality and what, if anything, will change in the next 5 years.  

    I never watch my regular DVDs anymore.  They don't look good on my 720p projector.  They just take up space.  Will that happen with my blu rays in a few years?  I'm thinking about buying the HD streaming version of movies on Amazon.  

    Parent

    Another nice thing about DVD's is that you can (none / 0) (#37)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:00:39 AM EST
    resell the ones you don't want to keep by listing them on Ebay..

    May sound cheap but 30 or so discs can bring $200-300 in "found money."

    Another thing you may want to consider is that for streaming over the network video you're gonna need enough bandwidth from your ISP. I just upgraded to 6 MBS and its working fairly well but if you are a purest it may not for you.

    Parent

    IMO (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 07:09:42 PM EST
    1080 can look better than BluRay.   But not everything is in 1080 and probably won't be for a long time.  

    Parent
    So, top quality streaming HD looks better than (none / 0) (#26)
    by McBain on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 09:53:36 PM EST
    blu ray?  Is that Ultra HD or regular HD?  I hate buying something and then having it become obsolete in a few years.  

    Parent
    That was my opinion (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 10:40:18 PM EST
    based on what I see.  IMO it can be better.   But as the comment below says it probably depends.  I googled.  I guess it is not in general..  That link is a pretty good explanation of how and why it's better.  At least for the foreseeable future..

    Parent
    But I was not comparing it to streaming (none / 0) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 10:45:16 PM EST
    Dish network compared to BluRay - not bad

    Parent
    It's not even close (none / 0) (#28)
    by toggle on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 10:27:01 PM EST
    Bluray has a much higher bitrate than you're going to be able to do over the internet in real time, for a long time. Bitrate meaning the amount of data any given second of the video must be crammed into. Bigger is better. It's also way more expensive over the internet (or satellite, or cable, which is why their pictures are so inferior).

    A 1x bluray is capable of, IIRC, 36 megabits per second, every second, through the entire video.

    Youtube's maximum allowed bitrate for 1080p video is... six megabits per second. That's the absolute peak it allows.

    You may not be able to see the difference on a static or near-static image, but try watching a complicated scene, say, a grainy older movie, a scene with lot of trees and leaves swaying in the wind and a flock of birds flying by. Low birate, high resolution video turns to crap while the higher bitrate remains sharp.

    Parent

    Thanks for that information (none / 0) (#30)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 10:43:30 PM EST
    I don't know anything about either, but your explanation is very  understandable and makes a lot of sense.

    Parent
    It's difficult to summarize (none / 0) (#67)
    by toggle on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:29:53 PM EST
    And I'm not sure I really put enough effort into it. Still, I'm glad you found the post useful.

    One thing I'd say a little more about is that bitrate on modern video is variable -- meaning that it can be higher or lower depending on how complicated the scene is. Streaming video can be "buffered" (downloading ahead of time) to smooth over the high points and get better quality video. Modern video encoding is very effective and blurays rarely if ever need their full bitrate. But at present it still makes a big difference in video quality.

    Especially on TV. See, a cable line can only carry so much data, likewise with a satellite. But every channel has be broadcast simultaneously across it. A long time ago the cable/dish companies decided to go with more channels over higher bitrate video. I don't know exactly what the details are, but "HD" TV over them is absolutely awful. Yes, it's at the HD resolution, but the bitrate is so low that the video is full of compression artifacts. Once you know how to see them it will drive you nuts.

    They basically decided to make every channel look terrible so they could offer 500 pay per view options at once.

    I am glad I don't watch much tv anymore because it would drive me crazy. Almost 1/3 of it is commercials anyway. My life is worth enough to me that I'd buy the TV shows on disc just to save the 18 minutes on every hour.


    Parent

    Do you think it makes a difference if (none / 0) (#31)
    by McBain on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 10:44:46 PM EST
    my projector is 720p?  Right now, streaming Netflix looks about as good as blu ray.. but if I upgrade to a 1080p projector?

    I wish you could trade in old movies and media players when you buy new ones.

    Parent

    You hit on the problem (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 10:54:17 PM EST
    with buying movies in any format.  There's always a new one.  I stopped buying discs a while ago.  I have a few blurays.  And hundreds of DVDs.  And hundreds of VHS.  
    Can we talk about audio?

    Parent
    I lost my Earth Wind and Fire 8 track (none / 0) (#35)
    by McBain on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 11:10:30 PM EST
    a long time ago.  I only have CDs, LPs and cassettes. I don't do the Itunes crap. I love my CDs. Over 50 Philip Glass discs. About the same for Tangerine Dream and Vangelis.

    If I was really cool, I'd have a reel to reel player like Marsellus Wallace, but I don't.

    Parent

    Sure (none / 0) (#58)
    by toggle on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:07:25 PM EST
    I have not used the newer ones so take my advice for what it's worth on this point. But by using a projector in the first place you're sacrificing a lot of video quality. Mostly what you're using is the vibrancy of color and the contrast between black and white on the screen. As far as resolution goes it may or may not be a big deal. It depends on how sharp your projection is and how big the screen you're shooting it onto. This is different from the resolution -- the analogy I would use megapixels in a camera. A cheap camera with a cheap lens and a cheap light sensor will take poor quality pictures no matter how many pixels there are in the images it produces.

    As far as the absolute difference on an ideal display -- 720p is a huge step up from DVD, which was, IIRC, 480p (PAL DVDs were, I think, 520p). At any rate it was a big difference.

    1080p is not as big of a step up from 720p. There's also a big problem with the video source quality -- many older films come from prints that just aren't very high resolution to begin with. As to what you can do with an ideal source, it depends on your display and how close you sit to it and how good your eyesight is. If you have a super-huge tv and you sit super close to it, you can easily see (with normal eyesight) the difference between 1080p and 720p and the new 4k (~2000 "p"--the p just means progressive, which all modern TVs are. The alternative was "i" --interlaced video from CRTs). A lot has been written about this, based on the limits of human eyesight, which I am not really able to summarize from memory. Look at the first chart in this link:

    HTML LINK

    Parent

    Not sure what looks better. (none / 0) (#90)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:10:43 PM EST
    But I haven't used my DVD players in 3 years or so. I have 4 Vizio smart TVs in my house (same brand, same remotes). I stream stuff from Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and Crackle (loves me some Comedians Getting Coffee). Have a Chromecast for which I stream HBO GO and Comedy Central from my Iphone. Never nothing to watch. Cut the cable two years ago. Put up a digital antenna for local news and network stuff.

    Parent
    Depends... (none / 0) (#98)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:13:33 PM EST
    ...when you say HD, do you mean 720 or 1080 and by streaming do you mean movies, or everything you watch.

    I like the DVD controls for skipping around.  I hate streaming controls, it's nearly impossible to go back and re-watch something, with a DVD player, no problem.  Plus getting HD with 5.1 though Hulu is like $8 for a movie, $5 through DirecTV, but DTV selection the is not good.

    I like Redbox rentals, cheap and they are pretty much everywhere I go.  Plus I end up getting things I would never pay $5 for, which is good and bad.

    But generally Netflix, Roku, and Amazon are almost all 720, not 1080.  Few are 5.1  The only channel I can find in which most content is true HD is the Smithsonian.

    But in 5 years I am sure that will change as internet bandwidth increases.  It's not your speed, it's theirs, so for Nexflix to put out everything in true HD, they would nearly double the bandwidth, which won't be for sometime.  But 720 is damn good for regular TV.

    I would say this, instead of making a big decision, your next TV purchase, just make sure it's Internet ready, and if that isn't working for you, get a Blueray player, they are pretty cheap, if you don't like the picture, take it back.  Blue ray is great for very few films, like the latest Star Trek, but most movies it's hardly noticeable beyond the previews.  I bought a portable one with HDMI, so I can move it around if I want to watch Blueray in the bedroom.  I haven't but who knows.

    Everything is headed to streaming so you can't go wrong with a TV that connects to the internet.  I have a JVC TV that uses Roku, not bad, and a Visio that uses app like programs, which I like better, but the TV not streaming, they are equal for streaming, just different menues, and most importantly, both firmware and apps can be updated online.  The Visio is made in the US, which is pretty cool considering the set is the one I like better.  It's luxurious rather than utilitarian, for example the remote has a slide out keyboard, which surprisingly enough, I use a lot to search for stuff.  The menus, which the same, the viusals are laid out better, but the Roku has downloadable themes and screensavers, which is cool in that when it's done, it will go to a screensaver with the time and weather, so it doesn't disturb my sleep if I am in bed.  The vision, goes to TV, which is annoying.

    One other thing I would look for, Bluetooth capabilities for stereo, then no wires and you can put your receiver anywhere, not just under the TV.  In one room DirecTVbox sits in a closet because it has RF capability, rather than IR, which needs line of site.  RF can go through walls.  I added a outlet right behind the TV, so no wires, just TV up high for viewing in bed.  I think U-Verse has wireless box.

    But I can't really add a sound system because the wring would have to go through my closet or from the TV, whereas Bluetooth would allow much more possibilities, if you are adding a sound system.  You could even use BT headphones for the kids or whatever if you wanted.

    At some point you would need a router that is built for streaming.  I used my old one for a bit, but it's taxing, two people on the net, phones, laptops, sitting idle, but still connected, and watching Netflix was too much.  It kept skipping, no problem with the router that gives streaming hierarchy above the gadgets.

    Parent

    Thanks Scott (none / 0) (#123)
    by McBain on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:06:15 PM EST
    I assume the content I'm viewing on Netflix and Amazon is 720.  I also like Redbox rentals but some of the movies are like aren't available there.

    I have blu ray player.  I'm not sure if I want to continue to buy blu ray DVDs.  It's cheaper to buy them on Amazon and they won't take up any space. Sounds like I can't really go wrong either way.

    Parent

    Beck vs Huckabee (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 05:53:35 PM EST
    this is interesting

    I think it could possibly hurt Huck in any primary contest but it might just help him if by some chance he got to the general.

    On the flip... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:12:42 PM EST
    The Huckster ragging on Beyoncé might help in the primary, but will cost millions of votes in a general...young voters and women love them some Beyoncé, she's a f*ckin' icon to the under 30 set.

    Parent
    Kdog (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 07:25:56 PM EST
    just watched a new show I recorded last night that I think you would like.  Man Seeking Woman.

    You've encountered Man Seeking Woman's premise maybe a hundred times before. Twentysomething screwup Josh (Jay Baruchel) has been dumped by his long-term girlfriend. He then awkwardly re-enters single life, both inspired and confused by advice from his wacky troupe of friends, and proceeds to experience all the confusing mishaps of modern dating. Creator Simon Rich (a wunderkind humorist who's published six books and worked on Saturday Night Live for four years) has taken the traditional folk tale of the sensitive white dude and given it an absurd spin: In Wednesday's pilot episode, Josh goes on a blind date without asking what the woman looks like and is confronted by a garbage-eating troll who gnaws at his ankles. Later, he realizes his girlfriend is happily dating someone new: the still-kicking Adolf Hitler (Bill Hader), now age 126.

    it's on FXX

    Parent

    Haven't been watching... (none / 0) (#142)
    by kdog on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 09:08:41 AM EST
    much boob tube lately, but that one sounds like a hoot.  

    You had me at Bill Hader as a 126 year old Hitler.  That guy kills me.  

    Parent

    "Greenberg? (none / 0) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 09:38:31 AM EST
    your name is Greenberg?

    Uh ohhhhh"

    Parent

    Governating is hard work. (none / 0) (#23)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 09:07:46 PM EST
    Per the inimitable Charles Pierce:

    "Up here in the Commonwealth (God save it!), we have two mega-trials commencing almost one atop the other. The first is in federal court, where Dzokhar Tsarnaev will face prosecution for his part in the Boston Marathon bombings. The other is in Bristol County Superior Court, where former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez will be tried for the murder of Odin Lloyd, who is not to be confused with the other two dudes that Hernandez is reported to have clipped during his brief time in Boston. It is this last one that seems to have gotten tangled in the feet of Charlie Baker, our newly inaugurated Republican governor.

    "Right at the end of his term, outgoing Governor Deval Patrick made some 150 last-minute appointments, including appointing Thomas Quinn as acting DA for Bristol County. In comes the new guy, who wants to prove his Republican dump-the-hacks bona fides to the state's radio talk-show hosts and their thousands of shut-ins. So, Baker rescinds all those appointments, including, unfortunately, Quinn's, which leaves the Hernandez case without a lead prosecutor. Like, oops, dude."

    Oops, indeed.

    Flomax (tamsulosin) Rx users (none / 0) (#36)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 14, 2015 at 11:49:15 PM EST
    Went to have a refill Tuesday. Was advised that the manufacturer is having delivery problems. Pharmacy said it would advise when available.

    I scrambled around and found a source.

    But if you use the drug you may want to do some checking and/or work with you Urologist for a substitute.

    Keppler telescope finds 8 more earlth like planets (none / 0) (#38)
    by McBain on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:09:50 AM EST
    http://tinyurl.com/owaw63r

    One of them is 20% bigger than earth.  If there's life on that planet, I wonder how the extra gravity would effect it's evolution?

    Gotta wonder what their blogs are like. (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:20:11 AM EST


    Parent
    Farhang Jahanpour: Civilization's Advance (none / 0) (#41)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 04:57:58 AM EST
    has depended on "Blasphemy" of Thinkers & Mystics.

    Amnesty Int'l Docs Doro Baga Destruction (none / 0) (#43)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 06:22:50 AM EST
    by recent Boko Haram attacks.

    Some may believe the estimates of 2000 dead may be high, but the Amnesty International aerial photographs prove that in a one week period, 3700 buildings had been damaged or destroyed.

    Coral gables, please explain (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 07:02:52 AM EST
    comment re NCAA rules. Why did OSU get unlimited practice time?

    Simple yet unfair (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 08:24:36 AM EST
    Ohio State had not started classes prior to the Championship game while the University of Oregon had already begun the semester. By NCAA rule, the amount of weekly practice time is limited when classes are in session.

    Parent
    People used to lodge similar complaints ... (none / 0) (#93)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 03:18:34 PM EST
    ... about the Washington Huskies having all kinds of practice time early in the season, because our Fall Quarter commenced the last week of September, while everyone else had already been in class for three or four weeks.

    Parent
    Cold War heating up (none / 0) (#48)
    by Uncle Chip on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:30:17 AM EST
    Europe plunged into energy crisis as Russia cuts off gas supply via Ukraine

    Right about now in eastern Europe a whole lot of people are hoping for some global warming.

    The Many Faces of Putin (none / 0) (#49)
    by Uncle Chip on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:43:59 AM EST
    Eye-Opening PBS Frontline Video on the inscrutible Putin for any still living in the land of delusion.

    Parent
    Never too soon... (none / 0) (#56)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 11:38:02 AM EST
    to start dreaming of Mountain Jam 2015 to ease winter & work doldrums.

    Bus leaves LI bright and early Thursday June 4...all aboard!

    One day I must get there (none / 0) (#65)
    by Dadler on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:24:44 PM EST
    Along with Bonaroo. Effing geezer that I am.

    Still supposed to drag my pops' pushing 90 ass into NYC in the spring sometime, so he can make a last pilgrimage. Hopefully he hangs tough and we can hook up at Katz's again -- pops is a lower east side kid born and bred.

    Peace out, my good man.

    Parent

    Jeez, I am one angry dude today (none / 0) (#66)
    by Dadler on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 12:27:50 PM EST
    Or maybe all month.

    Sorry.

    All good... (none / 0) (#71)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 01:04:57 PM EST
    civilized people, such as yourself, can be angry without turning violent.  If everybody could manage that trick this orb would be golden baby.

    Parent
    Dadler, this is not the place (none / 0) (#118)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 08:08:22 PM EST
    for your anger because you continue to use name-calling and character attacks in your comments. I just deleted another one.

    You are quite articulate. Either think of a way to express your thoughts without insults and name-calling, or please come back when you aren't angry.

     

    Parent

    Baloney. And, likewise, you insult my faith (none / 0) (#119)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 08:09:14 PM EST
    in religion and in people. (I think we should all take a deep breath; and, then, maybe we really can respect each other.)

    Parent
    Is it wrong (none / 0) (#120)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 08:35:29 PM EST
    that I get a kick out of a wrongly placed comment, knowing there are oohs and aahs from some that don't realize it's misplaced?

    Parent
    Yes. (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 08:45:48 PM EST


    Parent
    Yoiks--the misplaced comment (none / 0) (#122)
    by christinep on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:03:36 PM EST
    My comment here was written & originally placed in response to a comment by Dadler.  

    Obviously, the comment now is--at the very least--misplaced.  Thanks, CG, for alerting me.  (Actually, I need to lighten up as well.)

    Kindly delete my "baloney" response, Jeralyn.  Thanks.

    Parent

    A prank only white people... (none / 0) (#81)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:29:30 PM EST
    could pull off without paying a price up to and including their life...but a good one none the less.  Well played kids!

    Commander Andrew Smith of the LAPD was less than impressed. "It is dangerous for the participants involved and a huge waste of a police officer's time," he said. "The public has a right to have their police officers working and not wasting their time responding to juvenile pranks."

    Umm, hate to break it to you Smitty, but the war on drugs is what is wasting your officer's precious time and resources.  If it was cocaine instead of Coke, it's an even bigger waste of time and resources, never mind the loss of liberty.

    That is What Happens... (none / 0) (#85)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 02:56:35 PM EST
    ...when you assume the people you are suppose to protect are criminals.  

    They did another one, the back kids version in NYC.  Rumor has it that release will be delayed as it's evidence for upcoming police brutality trial, which insiders say is a lock for the cops.

    Parent

    Any tips for getting rid of Comcast? (none / 0) (#124)
    by McBain on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:16:55 PM EST
    I have the Comcast Triple Pay (cable, internet, home phone) with an HD DVR and HBO.  I pay $155/month which isn't bad but I'm playing for a lot of content I don't need.

    I mostly watch HBO, AMC and FX TV shows, cable news, Netflix and Redbox movies, and local sports. I can watch most of those things without Comcast (I have a Roku player) but I can't figure out how to watch the sports I like.  There are MLB and NBA streaming options but they usually block out local teams.  I can't figure out how that's legal.

    Anyone else in my situation? I tried Direct TV and it didn't really work well.

    I have DISH (none / 0) (#127)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:29:13 PM EST
    i had DirecTV.  Not much difference.  I was at a similar place recently.  I realized I was paying for more than I needed.  I dropped all the premium channels except encore and EPIX.
    Not sure if EPIX is available everywhere.  I don't think it was on Direct but it's great.  They get some very new movies.  I have seen some movies on EPIX while they were still on PPV.

    I will pick HBO back up when the good stuff starts (GoT) but right now I'm happy for a little over 100.00.

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    Also (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:34:26 PM EST
    i curious about "it didn't work well".

    In what way not well.  

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    I live in the bottom level (none / 0) (#131)
    by McBain on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:44:19 PM EST
    of a big condo complex.  There were issues about were I needed to put the dish and bringing the cable/wire inside to my TV.  The only place I could put it was on my deck and it was ugly and took up too much space.  The sports packages weren't great but this was at least 10 years ago.

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    Ah (none / 0) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 15, 2015 at 09:48:35 PM EST
    yes. Placement is key.  The sports packages have certainly changed.  They now have sports out the wazoo.  The picture is IMO way better that I remember cable being.  I posted that link to gizmo do comparing DISH 1080 favorably to BluRay.  

    If that price was for all three thats a good price.

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    Silk Road Trial Day 3 (none / 0) (#137)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 05:25:24 AM EST
    Motherboard: Alleged Silk Road Mastermind Claims Head Of Mt. Gox Was The Real Dread Pirate Roberts

    At the same time, a parallel investigation had opened in Baltimore. DerYeghiayan told those agents not to contact Karpeles, for fear of spooking him too early. The Baltimore investigators didn't listen, and instead seized a site run by Karpeles that had assets of more than $3 million, according to today's testimony.

    When the Baltimore investigators asked Karpeles about Silk Road, he said he would tell them the name of the person behind the site.

    New York Times: The testimony by the agent, Jared Der-Yeghiayan of the Department of Homeland Security, that Mr. Karpeles and an associate had become targets of the investigation was elicited under cross-examination by Mr. Dratel.

    Ars Technica: How the feds became "dripsofacid," buying and selling on Silk Road.

    Motherboard: Undercover Agent Was Making $1000 a Week in Bitcoin as a Silk Road Admin

    Today, Friday, (none / 0) (#138)
    by lentinel on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 05:44:42 AM EST
    John Kerry, described in the much heralded film, "The Interview", as "that oak-tree lookin' fk", arrived in Paris a week too late to "show solidarity".

    I'm sure this token gesture by the Obama administration was very meaningful to everyone.

    Spare me the crocodile tears. (none / 0) (#141)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 08:35:34 AM EST
    That whole staged solidarity  photo-op stank of hypocrisy in the first place. Our government persecutes journalists, our government kills innocents. Token shows of "solidarity" are less then worthless regardless of the timing. Placate the masses without actually addressing problems.

    We should demand actions from our leaders not hollow words no matter how meaningful they are to some people.We should demand the truth not platitudes.

    Throw us a bone Obama, what's in the 28 withheld pages of the 9/11 report ? Which of our "allies" support terrorism?  

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    Speaking of (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by lentinel on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 09:34:30 AM EST
    throwing a bone...

    France, thanks to its lackluster and sinking president Mr. Hollande, joined in with Obama's merry Iraq redux campaign. In so doing, he put France in the crosshairs.

    Still, France's joining in this latest crusade by the Christian West gives a sprinkle of legitimacy to Obama's illusory "coalition".

    So the least the Obama administration could have done would have been to join other world leaders during the emotion demonstrations across France in the wake of the tragic events in Paris.

    This snub - treating France like an unwelcome bastard child - shows how hollow this holy campaign really is.

    And it has not gone unnoticed by the French.

    Whether they will react appropriately will depend, I think, on Hollande - and whether he continues to feel that an azz-kissing alliance with Mr. Obama will prop up his teetering political fortunes.

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    Style over substance (none / 0) (#145)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 10:04:41 AM EST
    Will destroy our civilization much quicker than all the religious zealots put together. Worrying about snubs and hollow words distracts from the real issues.
    So the least the Obama administration could have done would have been to join other world leaders
    Worrying about snubs and hollow words distracts from the real issues. We should demand the most they can do and not worry about the petty stuff.


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    To me, (none / 0) (#146)
    by lentinel on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 11:40:40 AM EST
    the way that this alleged war on ISIS is unfolding, and the formation of an alleged coalition, IS an issue.

    The snub I refer to is only to illustrate that the US is not interested in making the ceremonial bow in the direction of its most important "ally" in its hour of crisis.

    It may mean nothing to you, but for the French who are pouring their money and blood into a US led enterprise - it was revealing.

    The lack of style by the US reveals the lack of substance in this b.s. alliance.

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    So if we lose the war on terror (none / 0) (#148)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 05:13:35 PM EST
    Future historians will point to Obama's failure in
    making the ceremonial bow in the direction of its most important "ally" in its hour of crisis.
    as the turning point.   Will the French  have one of their cheese eating surrender moments?  Will
    The lack of style by the US reveals the lack of substance in this b.s. alliance.
    replace "Allah Akbar" as the jihasdist battle cry?


    Parent
    And consider this: (5.00 / 1) (#150)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 09:44:13 PM EST
    According to a report by the CIA Inspector General, the White House was informed of the CIA's plan to hack US Senate computers to discover what was going to be in the Senate Torture Report. CIA Director John Brennan met with White House chief of staff Denis McDonough then ordered CIA employees to "use whatever means necessary" to find out what Senate investigators knew.

    Given the White House's role in the illegal hacking of Senate computers it becomes obvious why the Justice Department headed by President Obama-appointed Attorney General Eric Holder is not likely to bring charges against the CIA - charges against the CIA could lead back to the White House.

    Link

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    A feel good story (none / 0) (#140)
    by Slado on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 06:43:43 AM EST
    Nice to see people doing good every once and a while.

    Adopting a child

    This story went viral on Facebok

    Minnesota Hennipen Co. (none / 0) (#149)
    by Palli on Fri Jan 16, 2015 at 09:29:36 PM EST
    Charges against 10 Protestors in St Paul MN demonstrating in the Mall of America. Undercover police mingling with the demonstrators on Dec. 20th randomly identified some people to charge. One is Prof. Nekima Levy Pounds of the University of St. Thomas School of Law and recently honored as one of Minnesota's Lawyers of the Year. With the others, she has been charged with 8 misdemeanors such a "Aid and Abetting Unlawfull Assembly". See the complaint here:
    252638331 Levy Pounds Complaint

    What will Mitt say now??? (none / 0) (#153)
    by christinep on Sun Jan 18, 2015 at 03:34:20 PM EST
    Actually, what sayest all those Repub would-be presidential candidates who have been professing new-found concern over inequity and disparity in wealth distribution in our country ... what will that bunch say about info today that President Obama will be making the case during the State of the Union for specific, substantial middle & lower economic class tax relief?  The President will propose extending tax credits, among other things, for the middle class ... oh, it would be paid for by raising capital gains tax for those above $500K annually and by closing the infamous "trust fund" inheritance tax loophole. Fees on major banks will be increased as well to lessen certain risky financial practices.

    Yep, I wonder what Mitt and the other 1%ers will say (considering their new professed populism concerns.)  

     Of course #1:This is a teaser; because we know that Repub responses will be negative.  The few initial comments to date--from Repubs--indicate their new-found concern for the rich about what was their new-found concern for the middle yesterday.  Of course #2:  Now that the economy is charging ahead in almost every area, the President--once again--can be expected to make the argument that middle-class tax relief would be a key ingredient in keeping it going (and, btw, what specific steps would Repubs offer.)  Of course #3:  President Obama will have set the table for the populist theme in the 2016 race; and, in so doing, the Democratic presidential candidate could get a tailor-made advantage ... after all, the Repubs would then be asked at every juncture what they would do to help the middle class (and where they would get the $$$$ for it.)  

    Regardless of however this turns out, ... (none / 0) (#155)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 18, 2015 at 05:28:29 PM EST
    ... the 2014-15 NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers has likely become an instant classic. It's not been the most well-played contest overall by any account, but there have been few fourth quarters that have been as exciting.

    Final: Seattle 28, Green Bay 22. (none / 0) (#156)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 18, 2015 at 05:43:56 PM EST
    The Seahawks' improbable 3-TD comeback in the fourth quarter from a 16-pt. deficit marks the greatest comeback in NFL championship game history. The Packer defense played with a lights-out intensity all day, but couldn't stop the Seahawks' offense on the last three drives when it counted.

    That said, Green Bay really has nothing to be ashamed of with their effort today. Rather, it's simply that Seattle showed us why they are the defending Super Bowl champions.

    Congratulations, Seattle Seahawks.

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    Now I officially don't give a (none / 0) (#158)
    by Anne on Sun Jan 18, 2015 at 06:49:17 PM EST
    rat's patootie who wins the Super Bowl.  I was already sick of Seattle fans acting as if there wasn't even any reason to play this game...don't even get me started on the Patriots (assuming they go on to win tonight).

    Ugh.

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    Ridiculous to the Sublime (none / 0) (#157)
    by christinep on Sun Jan 18, 2015 at 05:53:28 PM EST
    The game had that kind of quality.  From Sun to Rain, from First to Second Half.  And, butterfingers all over the place.  

    In the latter several minutes of the 4thQ, I got the feeling of it being a kind of a football fate thing.  When things start breaking a certain way, in my Polish-self way, that's it ... and, as I got up to take Celeste for a refreshing pre-dinner walk as the coin toss for overtime came up Seattle's way, that sealed it :)  My husband, with mouth open, looked at me like I was nuts ... maybe, but I was also right.  (Now I see that the Boston area has its own monsoon ....)

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    With five minutes to go, it looked as though ... (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 18, 2015 at 07:09:15 PM EST
    ... that game was Green Bay's to lose. And yet afterward, I can't really say that the Packers collapsed and gave it away. Rather, the Seahawks just finally pulled themselves together and seized it from them. After being thoroughly outplayed at times for most of the contest, Seattle still hung tough and found a way to win -- and that's the hallmark of a champion.

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    Wednesday Open Thread | 169 comments (169 topical)

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