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BTD News and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 06:59:26 PM EST
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For those of you missing Big Tent Democrat's political coverage (and that includes me) I have some good news. He will resume blogging at TalkLeft very soon, most likely over or right after the weekend, and says he will be posting regularly.

I've been gone all day, so I haven't seen any news yet and now I'm making chicken soup, even though it's been almost 70 degrees all day. 'Tis a privilege to live in Colorado.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    BTD News and Open Thread | 99 comments (99 topical)

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    The news of BTD's return is music (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 07:52:24 PM EST
    to the ears of the political junkies here on the blog (and that includes me).

    This is great news, though (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:32:09 AM EST
    I'm not so sure it has anything to do with music!

    Parent
    You, not i (none / 0) (#19)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 08:37:10 AM EST
    are the music critic. What is music to some is just noise to others. 😃

    Parent
    Ha! Being mostly uninterested in political news (none / 0) (#30)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 12:50:44 PM EST
    that's not crime related, or in some other way interesting, I portend a lot more noise on TL in the near future.

    Parent
    I'm sure there will be enough (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:04:30 PM EST
    other posts to allow you to skip over those that do not interest you.

    Parent
    Then scroll on by (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:41:56 PM EST
    Insults to him won't be allowed. If you aren't interested in what he has to say, don't read him. And there's no need to tell the rest of us.

    BTD has his own rules for his thread and he does not hesitate to ban people from his threads. I will delete comments that insult him in other threads, just like I delete all personal insults I run across on the site.

    This site is not a personal playground. Those who don't like the rules are free to read and comment elsewhere.

    Parent

    I Wasn't Insulting Him... (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 04:01:09 PM EST
    ...just stating what I witnessed, and I did say I missed him, and I do, he brings a lot to this site.  If you want to pretend his posts don't start fires, go ahead, but I think what I posted is pretty much common knowledge for the regulars.

    My post did not contained a personal insult stating it did is a personal insult and a misrepresentation of what I actually posted.

    Parent

    Nevermind (none / 0) (#68)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 04:06:05 PM EST
    My apologies, the post is at the bottom.  I thought you had deleted my post.  Again, my apologies.

    Parent
    Understood. I did not intend to be insulting. (none / 0) (#65)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:46:13 PM EST
    My apologies.

    Parent
    Rice shooting (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by Slado on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 10:51:33 PM EST
    Unbelievable

    Now help for shot kid and then they tackle and detain his sister.

    I Can't Watch That... (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 11:27:06 AM EST
    ...just reading about it breaks my heart.

    Someone had been get prison time over this one, and lots of it.  Neither should ever wear a badge.

    Four mins is a fricken long time to watch a kid die and do nothing.  Even if you don't know anything medical, what kind of human being just sits buy and doesn't even comfort a dying kid, who they surely figured out, did nothing wrong.  

    Too busy arresting the sister to be human beings, I guess.

    Parent

    Well, you probably should watch it. (none / 0) (#32)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 12:55:14 PM EST
    From what I saw there were at least three cops on the scene; two mostly dealt with the sister (who, btw, looks to be taller/bigger than the cop who knocked her down) while the third cop stood near the brother. That cop was free to have administered first aid or comfort or any kind of human decency at any time.

    Parent
    New rules??? (5.00 / 3) (#40)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:12:47 PM EST
    If a young girl is taller than a man, it is a now acceptable for a grown man to knock her to the ground?

    Two grown men against one grieving girl and somehow it was necessary to throw her to the ground and then hand cuff her.

    As Slado said, It is unbelievable.

    Parent

    How is that relevant in any way (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by sj on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:18:07 PM EST
    (who, btw, looks to be taller/bigger than the cop who knocked her down)
    I know that as an individual you are not lacking in compassion so I have no idea what your point is. Do you think a shocked and grieving 14 year old girl requires the attention of 2 armed adults? If so, the attention that should have been proffered was comfort.

    Parent
    When the situation starts off as badly (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:25:30 PM EST
    as that one did, I'm surprised they didn't shoot her, too, and then claim she was demonically "charging" at them; what do you bet the cops' response is that for all they knew, this was a gang thing, they had no idea if she was armed, and didn't know she was Rice's sister?

    The cop who was just standing over Tamir was probably too busy coming up with an appropriate justification for what had happened to even consider rendering aid.

    And cops wonder why people don't trust them.

    Parent

    Well, her height was relevant to me (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:54:41 PM EST
    as I had no idea she was so tall.

    It was pretty surprising to me to see, and I thought it would probably be pretty surprising to the poster I was replying to as well as he stated he had not watched the video.

    However, as I now gather from several of the responses from others here, they were already aware of the height of her family.

    I was not aware, and also not aware that others were aware.

    Parent

    really? (none / 0) (#34)
    by Palli on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 01:10:06 PM EST
    The Rice Family has tall children-it's in the genes.
    Those cops would have pushed Mother Theresa to the ground. They were on death watch. Dead bodies tell no tales.
    Mediocre police intelligence doesn't even cover this murder.

    Parent
    Tamir Rice (none / 0) (#18)
    by Palli on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:48:21 AM EST
    and here is the video from Tariji Rice, Tamir 14 year old sister: http://tinyurl.com/lbu5fvl

    Parent
    The USOC has declined to support L.A.'s bid ... (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 01:52:20 AM EST
    ... to host the Summer Olympics for an unprecedented third time, deciding instead to back Boston as the sole U.S. hopeful for the 2024 Games.

    I think Boston would be an excellent choice for the IOC.

    I Vote they Be Held... (5.00 / 4) (#28)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 11:48:53 AM EST
    ...in Athens every time.  That is Summer Olympics.

    I would help Greece and they would stop using money that many cities don't have to finance a spectacle that lasts less than a month.

    According to Wiki, most cities lose money including London.  Taxpayer financed, private profits, sans the TV and merchandising rights.

    They could build an entire complex in which security and the infrastructure would be build specifically for reoccurring Olympics.

    The idea of trying to wedge it onto Boston, to me seems crazy.  Will they take down an entire neighborhood like London did and displace people who can't afford to be displace, like London did.  Then use their tax money to ensure lucky business owners see piles of cash, while the displaced can't afford to watch the games in their former neighborhood.

    Parent

    right now (none / 0) (#31)
    by CST on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 12:51:53 PM EST
    They're talking about putting the Olympic Village where there is currently a convention center.  This convention center is the old one that barely gets used anymore since there is a newer fancier one across town.  It's very close to UMass Boston - which doesn't currently have any student housing.  So presumably they would use it or it would go back to the city and students would live there anyway.  Getting rid of the old convention center and replacing it with housing seems like something should do anyway.

    The location for the proposed Olympic Stadium is currently a food warehouse and a city tow lot.

    The other spots are less defined, but contrary to what you'd think the city is experiencing a major building boom right now.  So they're finding the space somewhere - mostly up, but also - the big dig opened up a lot of space on the waterfront to the rest of the city.

    I hope this is an excuse to move forward on smart projects.  So far I'm mildly optimistic because they are talking about the right things.  People keep bringing up the big-dig as a reason this will be a "fiasco".  But I lived through 20 years of big-dig headaches, and I can say pretty confidently now, how the city is today - it was worth it.  So I'm hopeful that we'll be saying the same thing about the Olympics in 20 years.

    If we can beat Rome and Istanbul of course :)

    Parent

    The people who complain about the Big Dig ... (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:23:00 PM EST
    ... are likely from the same tribe of professional malcontents who complain about practically everything under the sun across the country. Out west, its members are presently whining about the California High Speed Rail (CSHR) project, which Gov. Jerry Brown has muscled forward in spite of the relentless criticism, most of which has been coming from an increasingly marginalized state GOP.

    Dogs bark and the caravan passes. Gov. Brown was in Fresno just this past Tuesday with First Lady Anne Gust Brown -- who unlike so many other political spouses has freely admitted her role as her husband's closest adviser -- and other other state and local officials for CHSR's groundbreaking ceremony.

    I'll bet that fifteen years from now, when the country's first high speed rail network is fully operational throughout the state from San Diego and L.A. to San Francisco and Sacramento, California residents will likely be thanking Brown for his foresight and perseverance in moving this project from its conceptual stage to actual construction.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    C'mon, Donald. I was in Boston, (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:42:03 PM EST
    visiting not residing, during the Big Dig. Traffic was a nightmare. I can imagine that people who had a bad commute or found themselves trapped for a seemingly endless  time in traffic had plenty to complain about. As I said, traffic was a nightmare.

    Complaining did not mean people were malcontents nor did it mean they were anti-progress. For many it was the result of a hellish commute that, given the 20 year lifetime of the Big Dig, seemed like it would never end.

    Parent

    Yes, exactly (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Zorba on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:36:16 PM EST
    We visited Boston a whole heck of a lot during part of the Big Dig, because Daughter Zorba was in graduate school there at the time.  Plus we have close friends in Boston, whom we also visited.
    It was a frigging mess.
    Not to mention the Big Dig Ceiling Collapse, which killed a car passenger and caused the closure of that section for almost a year.
    It was a mess, and it was unnecessarily a mess.  There were numerous problems with the epoxy used, and the way the bolts were put in, which should have been foreseen.


    Parent
    Okay. So they complained. (none / 0) (#62)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:42:59 PM EST
    But I'm talking about the people who are still complaining about it years after the fact, because they are the type who complain about anything that smacks of progress, urban renewal, etc., because it either might inconvenience them or has already.

    I lived through five years of major highway reconstruction when the state was compelled to widen the only thoroughfare from east Honolulu to the rest of the city, due to the six-fold growth in our area's population during the preceding two decades. Workers had to literally dig through three separate ridgelines of the Koolau Mountains. The amount of dust in the air at times made it look like something out of Dante's Inferno.

    But you know, we endured and we survived, and traffic's a whole lot better today than it would've otherwise been, had state and city planners been content to let that road remain a country thoroughfare in the midst of a highly urbanized setting.

    Honolulu has long been legendary for its traffic and sometimes hellish commutes. Further, I grew up in L.A. and went to college in Seattle, two locales where bad traffic could almost be mistaken as a form of performance art as envisioned by urban planners on acid.

    Since I've chosen freely to live when I have, I've long since learned to temper my complaints about the accompanying urban traffic problems, because it just is what it is.

    And quite frankly, the Big Dig was one of the largest, most complex and unique major civil engineering projects ever conceptualized in a densely populated urban area at the time it was first envisioned. Not only was the construction itself a massive undertaking, the entire downtown traffic pattern had to be reworked and rerouted in order to accommodate it. There was no way to avoid it.

    While some of the problems encountered as the project tunneled its way under Boston Harbor were admittedly due to poor workmanship and substandard construction materials, many of them were both unimagined and unforeseen during the planning and design phase, and simply had to be addressed as it went along.

    Because it was the first project of its kind, engineers and planners learned a lot from its problems and mistakes, which will benefit other urban coastal locales in the future as they plan for their own growth.

    But Bostonians endured and survived, and their city is a better place for it. And had the Big Dig never occurred, I've no doubt that the same malcontents I'm talking about would be complaining loudly about the even slower commute times that Boston would be enduring, would further demand that city officials should do something about it -- and then b*tch about the proposed solution.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Donald, there were a whole (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by Zorba on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:56:35 PM EST
    he!! of a lot of problems with the Big Dig that you may not be aware of.

    The Big Dig was the most expensive highway project in the U.S. and was plagued by escalating costs, scheduling overruns, leaks, design flaws, charges of poor execution and use of substandard materials, criminal arrests,[2][3] and one death.[4] The project was originally scheduled to be completed in 1998[5] at an estimated cost of $2.8 billion (in 1982 dollars, US$6.0 billion adjusted for inflation as of 2006).[6] However, the project was completed only in December 2007, at a cost of over $14.6 billion ($8.08 billion in 1982 dollars, meaning a cost overrun of about 190%)[6] as of 2006.[7] The Boston Globe estimated that the project will ultimately cost $22 billion, including interest, and that it will not be paid off until 2038.[8] As a result of the death, leaks, and other design flaws, the consortium that oversaw the project agreed to pay $407 million in restitution, and several smaller companies agreed to pay a combined sum of approximately $51 million.[9]

    Plus,

    Massachusetts State Police searched the offices of Aggregate Industries, the largest concrete supplier for the underground portions of the project, in June 2005. They seized evidence that Aggregate delivered concrete that did not meet contract specifications. In March 2006 Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly announced plans to sue project contractors and others because of poor work on the project. Over 200 complaints were filed by the state of Massachusetts as a result of leaks, cost overruns, quality concerns, and safety violations. In total, the state has sought approximately $100 million from the contractors ($1 for every $141 spent).[42]

    In May 2006, six employees of the company were arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. In July 2007, Aggregate Industries settled the case with an agreement to pay $50 million. $42 million of the settlement went to civil cases and $8 million was paid in criminal fines. The company will provide $75 million in insurance for maintenance as well as pay $500,000 toward routine checks on areas suspected to contain substandard concrete. [43]

    Link.

    Public works projects should not include such major design flaws, not to mention arrests.
    The whole think was a fustercluck from the very beginning.

    It wasn't just about Bostonians whining about the traffic problems, and, yes, it was a massive, unprecedented undertaking.  But when you add corruption into the mix, that's a whole 'nother story.

    Namaste.

    Parent

    $1 for every $141 spent. So, less than 1% (5.00 / 3) (#75)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 06:00:33 PM EST
    In other words, as usual, Crime pays.

    Parent
    Depends What Their... (none / 0) (#97)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Jan 12, 2015 at 08:48:29 AM EST
    ....costs were.  Your comment makes sense if they were taking home $141, but they were not.  For all we know, they used substandard materials to break even and keep their companies out of the red.

    I doubt it, but they certainly paid a heavier fine that <1%.

    Parent

    The current version of the big Boondoggle (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:56:50 PM EST
    is stalled in Seattle.  The borer hit an obstacle, which could not be got around, and, at that point, the engineers realized that the borer had no reverse gear.  They're currently digging in from above.  The backstory is a howler.

    Parent
    Big dig was terrible (none / 0) (#72)
    by CST on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:55:54 PM EST
    Really god-awful for 20 freaking years.  And it was still worth it.

    Parent
    Too bad. The 1984 Olympic Arts (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:30:13 AM EST
    Festival in LA was spectacular.

    Parent
    The 1984 L.A. Olympic Games were wonderful. (none / 0) (#13)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:35:19 AM EST
    But Boston is an inspired choice and will be a great host, if selected.

    Parent
    Yeah, well, what are they gonna bulldoze (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:12:57 AM EST
    to make room for the games?

    Parent
    According to Boston 2024 Pres. Dan O'Connell, ... (none / 0) (#21)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 08:56:41 AM EST
    ... they are looking specifically at sites in Franklin Park and Jamaica Plain, with an alternative site "identified on the North Shore." I'm not really familiar at all with the greater Boston area, and as an resident you'd likely know what that might entail far better than me.

    Parent
    you're talking about a city (none / 0) (#23)
    by CST on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 09:00:55 AM EST
    that doesn't bulldoze much.  Their talking about putting the Olympic village at UMass Boston - converting them to dorms after, which UMass is lacking entirely, and they are also in the process of rebuilding their entire campus anyway.  The "temporary" stadium will be at Widett Circle, off 93 just south of downtown by the city of Boston tow lot.  To be downsized and the future home of the revolution most likely.  They're talking about beach volleyball on the common, and trying to get the universities to pony up for the aquatics center which will then likely be located somewhere in Allston if I had to guess.

    They're also talking about finally putting in the north/south station train connection as well (they left space for it in the big-dig tunnel but never built the actual train) and expanding south station to a single major hub.

    Then they'll use existing facilities for most other things. A lot of which are pretty close and within the city limits. And since it's the summer time, they're also trying to get universities to pony up dorm rooms as extra hotel space.

    At least that's the existing "plan".

    I think having the Olympics here would be awesome, although there are certainly conflicting opinions around the water cooler.

    Parent

    How is the weather in the summer? (none / 0) (#41)
    by nycstray on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:14:02 PM EST
    I was thinking the Bay Area was the best US option because of weather and the transportation is already there. Plus all the options for various sport hubs. But I don't know much about Boston :)

    I'd be thankful for an Olympics in a decent time zone, lol!~

    Parent

    The weather in the summer is hot and humid. (none / 0) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:57:18 PM EST


    Parent
    I suppose everythig is relative (none / 0) (#57)
    by Reconstructionist on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:21:35 PM EST
      but I wouldn't consider Boston hot in the summer

      The average high temp in August drops from 81 at the beginning of the month to 77 at the end of the month and on average only 1 day in 10 exceeds 90. That's a little bit warmer than LA in August, but the same as NYC, a little bit cooler than Chicago and about 7 degrees cooler than DC.

     

    Parent

    My family went to Boston to visit my grandmother (none / 0) (#59)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:39:48 PM EST
    most summers growing up. Walking the Freedoms Trail in Boston in the summer was like being suffocated under a 100 lb pillow to us. At 10pm it was still suffocating.

    There's dry heat that's, well, dry, and dissipates quickly as the shadows get long, and then there's humid heat that's unbearable 24 hours/day.

    imo, of course.

    Parent

    We lived in Boston for several years (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Zorba on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 07:38:40 PM EST
    But we were both born and raised in St. Louis.
    We thought the people in Boston whining about the "heat" and "humidity" were nuts.
    Spend a few Julys and Augusts in St. Louis, my friend, and then get back to me about humidity and heat.
    A fan worked in Boston.  Just having a fan did nothing for you in St. Louis.   ;-)

    Parent
    Ha! Given a choice between the two, (none / 0) (#81)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 08:47:02 PM EST
    I would also choose Boston.

    Parent
    Remember the air-circulating (none / 0) (#89)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 03:29:09 PM EST
    fans at Muni aopera?

    Parent
    Yep. (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by Zorba on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 04:29:29 PM EST
    I do.   ;-)
    Loved the Muni.

    Parent
    yea (none / 0) (#71)
    by CST on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:54:11 PM EST
    Weather in august is hot and humid.  Better than D.C. though.  Humidity definitely makes it worse, although the ocean breezes which I'm currently hating help a bit.

    Its not great - but its better than a lot of places, including Rome and Istanbul.

    Parent

    Going to see this tomorrow (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 06:33:03 PM EST
    state of the art-crystal bridges

    Parent
    I just learned that Bentonville (none / 0) (#78)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 06:41:29 PM EST
    the home of the museum is going to also be home to an international film festival .  
    Ironically in the land of the googleplex the town doesn't have a theater.  
    Developing....


    Parent
    Very interested in hearing what you have to say (none / 0) (#79)
    by ruffian on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 07:27:56 PM EST
    about it - it definitely has me curious. Someday I will drag my sister from Memphis there.

    Parent
    I've been to the museum before (none / 0) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 12, 2015 at 03:31:28 PM EST
    its  wonderful thing.  I was going to see that show.   Which I did.  It was quite a thing.  I assume it is a traveling show.  If it comes to your town it's more than worth the time.    I'm still not at home.  I came the end of last week then it hit icy and I sort of got stuck here.  It's better now I may come home tomorrow.  

    But the museum is a wonderful thing.   For all of history great collections of art have been built on the backs of the serfs.   No different here.   The art is no less amazing..

    Parent

    "Ceci n'est pas un pistolet" (none / 0) (#84)
    by Mr Natural on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 06:56:08 AM EST
    LOL.  That's been done before, but not in copperplate.  "Ceci n'est pas une pipe"

    I didn't find the crystal bridges, btw.  From the unusually high quality of the exhibition I'm guessing one of Walton family funds the museum.

    I'd like to see the Arthur Liou video of his pilgrimage to Tibet's Mount Kailash, on a trail littered with prayer flags.  That sounds like an immersion.

    Have you seen The Valley, Obscured by Clouds filmed in the sixties, pink floyd soundtrack?  A bunch of western civilized people pack all the gear they can manage into landrovers and take off for an uncharted region of New Guinea (or something) which is labeled on the map as "Valley, Obscured by Clouds."  On the journey the trappings of civilation get peeled off by accident, misfortune, etc., until the climatic scene of the travellers walking or crawling up to the mountain peak at the valley edge, with nothing but what they're wearing.

    Parent

    Yes, of course it is Walmart profits (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by Palli on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 10:53:13 PM EST
    Alice Walton, daughter of Sam Walton and heir to the Walmart Fortune; her personal wealth is $40.5 Billion.

    I am an artist and retired art museum education curator. The posterity of America's art & culture would fare far better if Walmart employees were paid a living wage, health insurance and childcare now, than a Museum with an  endowment 4X the size of the Whitney. With the wealth of these heirs, no gift to the public should be in lieu of responsible and moral business practices.

    Like many other museums, the permanent collection is free admission but special exhibitions have entry fees.  

    Parent

    It does make it hard to want (none / 0) (#93)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jan 11, 2015 at 08:05:14 AM EST
    To be supportive of a museum art collection that was built with and maintained with profits that make art appreciation, celebration, and more than cursory participation impossible for so many.  Keeps lives and lifestyles so stressed, art can't even make the household to do list.

    Parent
    Except for the part... (none / 0) (#83)
    by unitron on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 05:37:14 AM EST
    ...where Jim McKay wouldn't just shut up and let us hear all those grand piano playing Gershwin instead of whatever it was about which he was blathering on and on.

    Parent
    For years I had to work with (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 08:39:27 AM EST
    Jim McKay at ABC Sports.  He was a self centered nut case.

    Parent
    You could see Jennings staring daggers... (none / 0) (#96)
    by unitron on Mon Jan 12, 2015 at 06:44:16 AM EST
    ..at him and every once in a while he said something about the music hoping McKay would take the hint, but ol' Jimbo was oblivious.

    Parent
    Looks like there might be more to ... (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:31:29 AM EST
    ... New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's trips to Dallas to watch the Cowboys this season than meets the eye -- only it has nothing to do with football, according to David Sirota of IBT.

    And Sirota's not done, further reporting that Christie obtained and used privileged information from the NY-NJ Port Authority as a political weapon against his critics, and in so doing may have violated New Jersey law.

    Anyone who thinks Christie is presidential material has No. 2 for brains.

    Pretty sure that being in the cross-hairs (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:16:45 PM EST
    of any kind of criminal investigation makes Christie more attractive to some Republicans - shows he likes to wheel and deal and game the system, and do these people ever think it's a bad thing when someone makes money off the deals?

    I mean, really - having someone of ethics and morals in the WH might mean there'd be an effort to put an end to this kind of mutually beneficial cronyism..and that won't stand.

    They might prefer to have it in a more personable, more photogenic package, but I don't think for one minute much of the GOP minds that Christie has, shall we say, questionable ethics.

    Parent

    That is What I Was Thuinking... (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:50:04 PM EST
    ...Christie's antics and bravado, so long as it's used against the evil liberals is a quality they like in a leader.  But when a democrat does it, it's meltdown time.

    Christie would not be the governor of NJ if he played by the rules and you say some, but generally it takes nearly all republicans or democrats to get their candidate in office.  It might not make him more attractive, but it's not keep them from pulling the R lever.

    Parent

    Nope. This is all due to Sirota's own grunt work. (none / 0) (#38)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:01:14 PM EST
    christinep: "The handwriting--as they say--has been there for sometime, Donald.  Who knows ... maybe J. Bush' friends leaking some info?"

    The information's long been out there. He's simply putting two and two together and coming up with four. This is a refreshing departure from most of the chatterboxes on the cable TV "news" shows, who seem far more interested in promoting their own opining about Gov. Christie's chances in the 2016 Presidential Sweepstakes, than in doing any actual investigative reporting about him that involves legwork.

    But that said, ABC News is now saying that Christie was questioned by federal prosecutors and FBI agents last month at the governor's mansion about the George Washington Bridge closures and other related Port Authority matters.

    So, despite what both Christie and the cable TV Babbleonians have been implying recently, this story isn't quite yet ready to fade away quietly into the night. According to ABC News, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman had earlier invited Christie to talk but prosecutors but was ignored, and he was apparently ready to subpoena the governor to appear before the grand jury when Christie and his attorney finally agreed to meet with investigators.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    New Russian "safety" law: (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 01:17:05 PM EST
    Effective Jan 4. Those with "gender identity disorders" and the"disorder of sexual preference," no longer qualify for driver's licenses.   The new law is aimed at decreasing the high number of road accidents.  Also included are: pathological gamblers and compulsive stealers.

    Reports did not indicate how this law will be enforced, although it may be necessary for the Russian DMV to be staffed with gender-detectors and gay-dar.  Memo to Vlad:  car crashes, if not cars on the road, could approach zero, if "vodka disorders," were included.
     

    "gamblers and compulsive stealers. " (none / 0) (#98)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Jan 12, 2015 at 11:48:57 AM EST
    Fortunately, Vlad, his ministers and close associates, all have chauffeurs.

    Parent
    Mitt Romney (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 07:03:04 PM EST
    Slapped With A Racketeering Lawsuit
    (Just put that at the bottom of the last open but it seems worth repeating)

    eToys Liquidation Or Con Game? One Man's Fight To Make Sure Mitt Romney Pays For His Crime.
    Stephen "Laser" Haas operates Collateral Logistics Inc. (CLI) a company which was appointed to oversee the liquidation of assets in the bankruptcy of eToys in 2001. He has now filed suit against Mitt Romney along with his company Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs, and several other firms, over actions taken in the eToys bankruptcy which manipulated the sale price, costing the companies shareholders millions. A US Judge confirmed the details of the case back in 2005, but under the Bush administration enforcement of these laws was lackluster at best. Bain Capital has already found itself in hot water over similar price-fixing scandals, but this case comes with paperwork implicating the one time GOP presidential nominee of price manipulation.
    This is from last year (none / 0) (#20)
    by jbindc on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 08:39:22 AM EST
    Your article is dated 2014.  Is there any new information about this?

    Parent
    Yes, there are updates (none / 0) (#29)
    by jbindc on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 12:38:22 PM EST
    The case was dismissed with prejudice in May of 2014.

    Parent
    My goodness look at that (none / 0) (#77)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 06:34:01 PM EST
    sorry.
    Never mind.

    Parent
    Golden Globes (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 08:11:33 PM EST
    i had sort of forgotten this was coming up.  strange list of nominees IMO .
    Some stuff I had forgotten about.  Some were just weird.  I can't believe The Affair was nominated and The Knick was not.
    I think the only ones I really care about are Jessica Lang and Kathy Bates for AHS.  I hope Clive Owen at least gets something for the Knick.

    BTD must be happy (none / 0) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 08:23:37 PM EST
    with the hiring of Jim McElwain.

    I'll be interested (none / 0) (#6)
    by Slado on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 10:44:44 PM EST
    In his take.

    My Gator freinds are happy that they might actually get to see an actual offense on the field for the first time since coach Boom was hired because the only thing Gator Nation hates more then losing is a terrible offense.   It's the main reason Muschsmp had no support even when they went to the Sugar  Bowl.   He was just another close to the vest play defense kind of coach and after Spurrier and Urban that is never going to cut it at UF.

    I worry about recruiting but it's hard to recruit poorly at one of the big three in FL so he should be fine.

    Parent

    TYT video misreporting critical issue (none / 0) (#5)
    by CityLife on Thu Jan 08, 2015 at 10:03:16 PM EST
    I do hope a we can start a public dialog about this because it is wrong fro a media outlet which claims to be liberal and progressive to spread lies against victims of brutality and oppression. See this video called Young Turks, Please Correct Your Israel Reporting and before you opine, please consider the facts laid out in the video.

    Meanwhile (none / 0) (#8)
    by Slado on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 12:50:18 AM EST
    Saudi blogger to be flogged for insulting Islam...

    LINK

    Our state department is properly horrified and calling for the flogging to be stopped but other then that it's business as usual for us and one of our key "allies" in the Middle East.

    "Very Properly horrified," then it's on (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:12:08 AM EST
    to the next bullet point on the day's agenda...

    Parent
    What should we do? (none / 0) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 09:07:37 AM EST
    Invade? :)

    Parent
    The House of Saud... (none / 0) (#82)
    by unitron on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 05:33:49 AM EST
    ...seems to have figured out the fine line on the middle ground to walk to prevent either the West or their own fundamentalists from transitioning from a "swarm of gnats" level annoyance to an "all of the Exodus plagues of Egypt" level of serious threat.

    Parent
    I think those invested in radicalizing (none / 0) (#85)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 08:14:46 AM EST
    Islamic factions are beginning to realize that lines have been crossed that can't be uncrossed now.  We are seeing them do some of their first pulling back. It isn't just the House of Saud radicalizing Sunni branches, but also Iran radicalizing Shia branches.  As Rushdie discussed on Maher, the leaders on both sides of the Sunni Shia struggle have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in order to radicalize and generate a holy war in which their brand will succeed in taking over the heart of Islam.

    Parent
    Flogging... (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by kdog on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 08:56:46 AM EST
    or worse killing, over supposed insults to Islam is the a far greater insult to Islam than anything a blasphemer could ever come up with.

    I think Charlie Hebdo showed a far greater understanding of the prophet than his supposed staunchest followers when they attributed a thought to him..."C'est dur d'être aimé par des cons".

    Parent

    Speaking of Stupid... (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:26:45 PM EST
    ...my jaw dropped, then I started laughing earlier when I read they had the brothers trapped and they wanted to be remembered as martyrs.

    Holy F*** S***, I mean seriously, they really believe walking into a business and shooting unarmed people over cartoons is going to get them martyrdom.  And even though they are dead, I feel very confident is stating they didn't find any virgins awaiting their arrival either...  

    Idiots.

    Parent

    kdog, rumors are that Dan Quinn, (none / 0) (#33)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 12:58:31 PM EST
    presently head defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, will be your Jets' new Head Coach.

    I grew up with his older brother.

    Parent

    If that's true, then ... (none / 0) (#35)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 01:37:11 PM EST
    ... that's a great catch for the Jets. Quinn's the architect of what's arguably been the best defense in the NFL over the past three seasons. During these past two months, the Seahawks have allowed opponents a measly 6.5 points per game, and haven't given up a touchdown in ten straight quarters.

    Parent
    A Jersey boy, eh? (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:22:36 PM EST
    In that case, he's probably got one prerequisite for the job...thick skin.

    We just let go of one of the best defensive minds in all the game...kinda doesn't make any sense to go defense again, nor does it make sense to hire a coach before hiring a GM.  Woody Johnson is a train wreck owner, that's all I know...lol.

    Parent

    Yesser, Morristown, NJ. (none / 0) (#51)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 02:56:16 PM EST
    Hope he gets the gig.

    Parent
    It's the Jets man... (none / 0) (#55)
    by kdog on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:12:08 PM EST
    are you a friend of the Quinn family or not? There are other openings where he wouldn't have to work for a doofus. ;)

    Parent
    Ha! His family is really excited for him, (none / 0) (#66)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:49:24 PM EST
    as are most of us who know him.

    Parent
    Finsbury Park Imam Abu Hamza to be (none / 0) (#14)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:10:18 AM EST
    sentenced today in a New York Courthouse.  (I've no idea why New York is handling British legal issues.)

    In a related issue, this:

    The Finsbury Park connection: How one of Charlie Hebdo attack suspects was mentored by terrorist linked to notorious London mosque

    The handwriting--as they say-- (none / 0) (#27)
    by christinep on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 11:40:56 AM EST
    has been there for sometime, Donald.  Who knows ... maybe J. Bush' friends leaking some info ?

    Parent
    Not sure what you mean (none / 0) (#37)
    by sj on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 01:57:21 PM EST
    This isn't a UK legal issue.
    It took successive governments nearly a decade to remove the Egyptian-born Hamza from the UK following a lengthy and costly legal battle.
    Am I looking at it wrong?

    Parent
    "General Containment" order (none / 0) (#17)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:28:26 AM EST
    for Dammartin-en-Goele.

    Charlie Hebdo Gunmen's Last stand proceeding apace.

    And in related news, ... (none / 0) (#25)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 09:18:09 AM EST
    ... I doubt that I'm the only one here who wishes that Sen. Lindsey Graham would think about all this tomorrow at Tara and in the meantime, just give it a rest and STFU.

    Parent
    Frankly Lindsey, we don't give a damn. (none / 0) (#36)
    by jondee on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 01:41:31 PM EST


    Parent
    Where a Diaper if You Want to See the Pope... (none / 0) (#53)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:03:20 PM EST
    ...in the Philippines says the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
    A chronic shortage of portable toilets has prompted Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, to resort to extreme measures during Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines next week: Recommending adult diapers for traffic police and many of the millions of people expected to attend an open-air mass in the heavily Catholic country.

    Traffic cops will be the first to test the personal sanitation solution this Friday, donning adult diapers for a trial run during a 24-hour religious procession that preceeds the pope's visit. The idea was "well received" by police, Tolentino told the Associated Press. He suggested that priests, nuns, seminarians, and the elderly--though presumably not Pope Francis himself--should also consider diapers for the papal mass that will be held Jan. 18.

    Cops are required to wear them, just a recommendation for visitors.

    LINK & LINK

    Yeah... (none / 0) (#56)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:17:22 PM EST
    ...and beyond that trying to decipher what BTD posts actually mean, while fearing his whip with a translation not up to par.  And this is not sarcastic, I do miss his posts and the brew-ha-ha that follows.

    He's a day late as far as the sports season.  I always like seeing his betting patterns on the bowl games.  I guess we have the NFL for a month...

    Jeralyn will continue to post (none / 0) (#60)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:41:05 PM EST
    Crime related posts and there are always Open Threads that allow YOU to post subjects that interest you.

    Thanks. I've been here awhile, I know how it (5.00 / 3) (#63)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:43:18 PM EST
    works. My noise is not your noise, claro.

    Parent
    A five (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by sj on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:08:19 PM EST
    for the nice usage of "claro".

    Parent
    PACKERS (none / 0) (#64)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 03:44:41 PM EST
    Fellow Talk Left bloggers I hope you all will be cheering for the greatest team to ever take the field this weekend, noon on Sunday.

    The history with the Pack going to Dallas for years and losing in Cowboy stadium in the playoffs deserves some retribution.  The shame of losing to the Cowboys at Lambeau would to much to bear.  

    Just kidding, the Pack is going to win, they are a better team, but like every team to ever exist, they have their moments, let's just hope Sunday isn't one of them.  
    FYI, Romo is from WI.

    Anne, I hated that that the Ravens pushed out the Texans, but this weekend, go Ravens.

    South Carolinians, I will cheering so hard for the Panthers it will hurt, but I don't see it happening, sorry.  But they, like the Giants of past, keep squeaking out the wins.

    And the Colts are the same division as the Texans so normally I would cheer for any team playing them, but since there is slight chance the winner will play the Pack, go Colts.

    Petraeus to face felony charges? (none / 0) (#70)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jan 09, 2015 at 05:21:40 PM EST
    I just received a news update from the NYTimes that reported that the FBI and the Justice Dept. Is recommending that David Petraeus face felony charges for releasing classified information to his then mistress.

    The recommendation has gone to Eric Holder. He will decide whether or not to bring charges.

    I cannot figure out lining on my new iPad. If I could I would post a link.

    Here is the (none / 0) (#88)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 10, 2015 at 02:01:37 PM EST
    link to the NYT article on Petraeus.  I wonder if someone brought this story to the attention of the NYT to put pressure on the Attorney General to act.  Eric Holder was to make his decision on seeking an indictment by the end of 2014.  FBI Director James Comey was asked by reporters in December why it was taking so long.  To which Comey replied, " I can't say, I mean , I guess I could say, but I won't say."  

    This matter, save for the mistress part, brings to mind the case of former CIA Director John Deutsch.  Deutsch improperly handled classified information (taking classified material home and using an unclassified computer, despite being informed against such practice).   Deutsch was about to plead guilty when he was pre-emptively pardoned by President Clinton in the last days of his presidency.  

    Also, there was the case of former National Security officer, Sandy Berger who plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized removal of documents. Berger was fined $50,000 and given community service.

    Parent

    Will Petraeus be added to the list (none / 0) (#92)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jan 11, 2015 at 07:20:38 AM EST
    of too big to jail? The whistle blowers OTOH are serving time.

    Parent
    My guess is that (none / 0) (#94)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jan 11, 2015 at 02:22:27 PM EST
    is what Comey could, but won't say.

    Parent
    Friends in high places and the world is yours (5.00 / 2) (#95)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jan 11, 2015 at 04:57:06 PM EST
    DiFi thinks poor David Petraeus has 'suffered enough' already because he lost his job as head of the CIA.

    Someone please let me know if this woman has ever shown this much deference for ordinary citizens, or for journalists, or for Edward Snowden or anyone else who was not in her good graces that has leaked classified information? John McCain wasn't the only one out there on the Sunday shows saying to leave poor David Petraeus alone. link



    Parent
    ManPADS issue is germane (none / 0) (#103)
    by Whammy on Fri Jan 23, 2015 at 09:17:57 AM EST
    The General did some dealings that are real strange and they are going after him for this item instead.

    Parent
    BTD News and Open Thread | 99 comments (99 topical)

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