home

Wednesday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 11:56:19 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

< Indonesia Refused U.S. Request in Fight Against ISIS | Trump Hotels: Reports of Credit Card Breaches >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Wednesday Open Thread | 203 comments (203 topical)
    USA! USA! USA! (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 12:48:13 PM EST
    We're in the final after defeating the favored Krauts, 2-Nil.

    A somewhat questionable call gives us a penalty kick that Carli Lloyd buries to go up 1-Nil, not long after the Cup's leading scorer shanks a penalty of their own where Julie Johnston was lucky not to draw a tarjeta rojo, solomente amarillo. And sweet ball movement leads to a cross from Lloyd that Kelley O'Hara karate kicks out of the air and in to ice it late.

    Up next is the victor of England v. Japan...I'm hoping for a shot at the redcoats, nothing better than beating England at their own game.  

    Great job Team USA...uno mas!

    That's great. Now, tell me, ... (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:23:10 PM EST
    kdog: "We're in the final after defeating the favored Krauts, 2-Nil."

    ... do you also still call people of Polish descent "Polacks," or those of Italian heritage "Wops"? Are Americans of Japanese ancestry still "Japs" to you, and Chinese "Chinks," &etc.?

    If not, then speaking as someone of German-Irish descent, I would please ask that you henceforth avoid using the now-offensive World War II-era pejorative of "Krauts," when referencing Germans in your posts. This isn't 1944, and we're not storming Omaha Beach under heavy fire.

    Mahalo.

    Parent

    As a Native American Mutt with a sliver of (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:32:24 PM EST
    Kraut in him, I ask that you respect my NYC culture of lighthearted ethnic ballbusting, Mr. McKraut.

    Respectfully Yours,
    kdog the McArab

    Parent

    Some people look for offense (none / 0) (#13)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:51:01 PM EST
    like there is a reward for it.

    Nothing like a little good natured inter-ethnic ball busting in international sports. Takes the bite out of past indignities, I think.

    Hopefully we will play England in the finals. Though if so, we will probably be referred to by the pejorative "Yanks."

    Going forward, mayhaps we should petition Steinbrenner to drop that derogatory name?

    Parent

    I have to agree with Donald on this one (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:07:51 PM EST


    Parent
    I would think... (none / 0) (#25)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:30:22 PM EST
    you'd know all about this NYC cultural wrinkle, living in the NYC South section of the Second Chance State.

    Parent
    I do (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:33:30 PM EST
    but what's acceptable in conversation among close friends is different than what is acceptable when said publicly.

    Parent
    On a friendlier note (none / 0) (#28)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:34:45 PM EST
    Happy Bobby Bonilla Day kdog.

    Parent
    I've been on a friendly note... (none / 0) (#35)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:42:01 PM EST
    since jumpstreet my brother.

    Now the Wilpons, they're so offensive they should be banned from MLB;)

    Parent

    Then I would respectfully suggest that you ... (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:02:16 PM EST
    SUO: "Some people look for offense like there is a reward for it. Nothing like a little good natured inter-ethnic ball busting in international sports. Takes the bite out of past indignities, I think."

    ... of all people ought to remember this little discussion, the next time you seek to upbraid someone else for supposedly making what you claim to be a derogatory comment about women, obese people, &etc.

    Because I can assure you that I, and perhaps a few others here who've been subjected to your periodic and out-of-context tongue-lashings in that regard, will remember the double standard which you so proudly fly today.

    I made my comment to kdog not because I was "looking for offense" in his remark, but because as someone of German descent, I was actually and genuinely offended by it. And quite frankly, I was being rather polite about it, figuring that by living in the moment, he may not have realized how some would interpret his reference.

    That fact that both he and you have since effectively doubled down on your use of such derogatory slurs as "good natured" is genuinely pathetic (if not also troubling), particularly in light of the at-length discussions about prejudice we've been having here during these past two weeks.

    Given your perverse logic, SUO, why don't you go to the next L.A. Galaxy match over in Carson and shout out to midfielder Robbie Rogers from the stands that he's a "little f@ggot," and then see how others in the stadium and Galaxy players / personnel react to your "good-natured ball busting"? That sort of "levity" will likely run you the genuine risk of getting leveled parallel with the pavement.

    In the meantime, I would suggest that you and kdog hop back aboard Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine to return yourselves from the 1980s to the year 2015. Ethnic, racial and personal slurs of any sort have no place in modern sports -- particularly in international soccer, which has a rather sordid and bloody history on that count:

    BBC | May 31, 1985
    English teams banned after Heysel -- "The Football Association has banned English clubs from playing in Europe following the Heysel stadium tragedy two days ago in which 39 fans died. [...]  Last Wednesday evening, 39 people died and more than 400 were injured when a wall collapsed at the stadium in Brussels during violent riots just before the European cup final between Liverpool and Juventus (Turin)." (NOTE: Most of the victims that day were deliberately targeted because they were Italian.)

    Grow up.

    Parent

    Wow.... (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:15:56 PM EST
    actually and genuinely offended?  You wouldn't sh*t a sh*tter now, would ya Don?

    Parent
    I Have to Think... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:48:40 PM EST
    ...that Kraut is probably age specific in that I would never take offense.  I don't even know if anyone has ever used it to me in a derogatory way.

    I am 100% German, but just never experienced any sort prejudice because of it, so to me it not offensive in any way.  Now that is not to say I didn't experience it when I moved to Texas because my name sounds Jewish.  It doesn't, but that is a whole other conversation about idiots.

    My point here is that finding someone not offended doesn't make it OK.  Donald's experiences are different than mine and even when you are joking around these things do hurt people.  I am sure some in South Carolina can't believe some people find certain language or symbols offensive because to them it means something else.

    But it should not be the people making the remark deciding, it should be the people who are offended saying enough, I don't want to hear that non-sense.  And come on, there is no reason to use terminology that hurts people's feelings when perfectly good terminology exists that doesn't.  There is no defense for offending people once you certain words offend them.  

    No need to analyze and call it PC or whatever, just stop.  You wouldn't call someone Bob if they preferred Robert, for no other reason that they don't want to be called Bob, and I noticed down south, many go by names, like Jeb when their actual name is John(as in John Ellis Bush).  But only a jerk would call them a name they don't want to be called.

    The barometer should always be if it bothers people, not some idiotic list of the 'PC' dejour.  And Bob should also realize that no everyone knows he wants to go by Robert, so if an error is made, just point it out and move along.

    The world isn't going to stop spinning because you can't call a group of folks Krauts, Negros, or Redskins.

    Parent

    For the record... (none / 0) (#65)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:07:45 PM EST
    I did not call Donald a kraut, I called the German team Krauts. I called Donald Mr. McKraut, as I did not wish to offend his Irish heritage by omitting it from the ribbing party. Good naturedly, clearly imo, as I consider Don and all TL commenters friends of a sort and would think my rep is of a commenter who doesn't log in looking to denigrate anybody but pols and authority figures. Context and intent, context and intent.

    Now if I had logged into the German Team message board, then I'd be an arsehole.

    Well I still might be an arsehole, but you know them NYers. You gotta go to Mass. to find a bigger arsehole than a NYer.

    Parent

    My family has a tradition that our German (none / 0) (#36)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:47:39 PM EST
    ancestors were Palatine Germans, war refugees who settled in New York in the early 18th Century.  

    Anyway, krauts is out of date, and if there is anyone here who does less to fulfill the stereotype of the mindless kraut ready to fight whoever his Kaiser or Fuhrer deems an enemy of the state, it would be DFH.

    Sehr gut, Freund Don!

    Parent

    Speaking of cool Germans... (none / 0) (#69)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:27:24 PM EST
    My hometown, College Point, was founded by a progressive industrialist and philanthropist named Conrad Poppenhusen. Who amongst many good deeds opened the first free kindergarten in America. Dude bankrolled Charles Goodyear in the development of the vulcanization process.

    Parent
    And we have some famous ones (none / 0) (#92)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 09:39:05 PM EST
    who got here more recently:

    You too may be a big hero,
    Once you've learned to count backwards to zero.
    "In German oder English I know how to count down,
    Und I'm learning Chinese," says Wernher Von Braun.

     Tom Lehrer - Wernher Von Braun



    Parent
    You in fact did make "derogatory comment[s] (none / 0) (#31)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:14:10 PM EST
    about women, obese people, &etc."

    And there was NO good-natured humor or ball-busting in your comments; you were dead serious. Angry, even.

    Your comments were nothing at all like the comments in this thread and you deserved being called out for them.

    Hope that clears everything up!

    Parent

    Perhaps you are too easily offended. (none / 0) (#42)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:41:45 PM EST
    It was a good-natured use of the word "Krauts." And if you notice, he wasn't talking about Americans of German descent. He was referring to, hey get this, ACTUAL Germans! I knew what meant. And it wasn't, in any way offensive to any American of any extraction.

    Parent
    You can speak for yourself, and that's fine. (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 11:30:46 PM EST
    But please don't presume to speak for "any American of any extraction," because you don't.

    And further, please don't tell me that I'm "perhaps too easily offended," just because kdog was talking about "hey, get this, ACTUAL Germans" and not German-Americans. Does that distinction therefore makes the use of "Kraut" okay, as long as it's only applicable to foreigners? I can assure you, it does not -- at least, not in polite company.

    "Kraut" is an ethnic pejorative for Germans, and it's been a slur for a long time. Period. That kdog, you and others might not find the term offensive is entirely beside the point, because you're quite obviously not the targets of the slur. So as the user of the disparaging term, what you think about it is immaterial. Rather, what matters are the feelings of those persons who perceive themselves as the ones who are being maligned ethnically or racially.

    There are some people who clearly don't consider the term "Beaner" to be offensive, because that once-common slur is no longer in general use. Does that therefore render it presently acceptable for them to use it publicly in reference to Mexican-Americans?

    Of course not. I mean, I suppose you can say it if you're that determined to do so, come hell or high water, because nobody's going to stop you. But you then better be prepared to accept the consequences for what you say, because there are still plenty of people over the age of 40, like my Latino in-laws, who bristle at the word and will get in your face for using it.

    Look, if you're with friends and family, and all of you freely use such terms when speaking privately amongst yourselves, that's one thing. It's highly unlikely that others are ever going to know about it, and in that regard it's really nobody else's business how you choose to interact with each other personally. But using derogatory ethnic and racial terms in a public forum, such as a blog, is whole another matter entirely.

    The polite thing to do when somebody tells you that a term you've used is personally offensive to them, and they ask you to please not to use it any more, is to acknowledge their feelings and not say it again -- at the very least, not around them.

    But when you double down and do it again, because you somehow and inexplicably take offense at their offense -- or worse still, when you then explain why they shouldn't be offended, as though they're somehow in the wrong and not you -- well, I'm sorry, but where I come from, that's just you being an ill-mannered and inconsiderate a$$hole.

    Now, that's the last I'll say on this subject. If you have any further questions about manners, please go and ask your mother.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    My mom says she's OK (none / 0) (#126)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:37:48 AM EST
    with Kdog calling the women's German soccer team "krauts." Get over yourself.

    Parent
    Another fine example of silliness (none / 0) (#127)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:40:43 AM EST
    where the thoughts of one person obviously speak for all.

    Parent
    No offense CG, but I read that comment (none / 0) (#162)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:45:45 PM EST
    as being silly on purpose, to highlight the silliness of the entire conversation.

    Parent
    I'm a little disappointed... (none / 0) (#15)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:57:58 PM EST
    there was no objection to "redcoats"...I must be culturally slippin';)

    Parent
    I don't think the poms mind being called redcoats. (none / 0) (#16)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:04:31 PM EST
    :-)

    Parent
    As a red sox fan (none / 0) (#19)
    by CST on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:07:26 PM EST
    I take great offense to being called a Yank/Yankee etc...  And as a north-eastern American I get that a decent amount.

    Parent
    Big difference between being called a Yank/Yankee (none / 0) (#21)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:14:45 PM EST
    and being called a Yank/Yankee fan.

    Is there the same issue with, say, people being referred to as patriots who don't root for Brady and Belichik?

    I had previously thought that mostly only those south of the mason dixon or north of our northern border would take offense at being referred to as Yank, but now I'm starting to wonder! :-)

    Parent

    the only true patriots (none / 0) (#22)
    by CST on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:16:20 PM EST
    are patriots fans.  Clearly :)

    Parent
    Ha! Says so right in their name! (none / 0) (#26)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:31:16 PM EST


    Parent
    Huge difference... (none / 0) (#23)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:22:51 PM EST
    calling somebody who doesn't root for the Yankees a Yankee fan is a line I won't even cross...there are limits man!

    Parent
    I know, right? Fighting words. (none / 0) (#24)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:29:32 PM EST
    Too bad the Canucks are out.

    Parent
    Is being called a Yank supposed to be (none / 0) (#154)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:48:10 PM EST
    an insult to U.S. citizens? How do i not know this?

     Didn't George M. Cohan write a popular and patriotic song with the lyrics " I'm a Yankee doodle dandy"? And wasn't that line the title of a biopic about Cohan? And didn't James Cagney sing that song in the movie of the same name?

    So, why is Yankee a derogatory term when applied to citizens of the United States?

    Parent

    Ya, exactly. It is all about context. (none / 0) (#159)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:38:34 PM EST
    "Yank," "Canuck," "Kraut," etc., all can be used as a pejorative, but they also can be used non-pejoratively, as your examples show.

    kdog's use of "Kraut," in the context he used it, was good natured ball-busting and not pejorative, imo.

    Parent

    As someone who is mostly Kraut (none / 0) (#41)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:41:10 PM EST
    And whose Kraut grandfather called Krauts Krauts, I'm fine with it. I'm having flashbacks, but nothing too awful :)

    Parent
    As someone with similar ancestry (none / 0) (#45)
    by CST on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:50:54 PM EST
    who lived in Germany, and speaks German -

    At least he didn't go with Nazi!

    My German great-grandfather called himself that...

    Also Sauerkraut is a god-awful condiment and no one should ever be subjected to it, least of all called it.

    Parent

    I Always Have Sour Kraut in the Fridge... (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:06:01 PM EST
    ...and when I was a little tike, I helped grandma make it, then bury jars it in her backyard.  I practice that still alludes all common sense in the(at the time) 20th century.

    I will most definitely be eating much of it this weekend, because I made a huge batch of bratwurst.  And yes I boil them in beer which not only makes them taster better, it cooks out a majority of the fat, so they are healthy brats.  To be clear, not healthy, but healthy in terms of brats.

    Fun Factoid, in Houston there is 4 or 5 Ethiopian restaurants at any given time.  There is exactly one German restaurant, which I have gone to twice, and IMO two times too many.  I am not down with most German food and judging by the restaurant selection, no one else is.  

    But I love brats and kraut.

    Parent

    I Just Realized... (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:37:29 PM EST
    ...sour kraut is actually spelled sauerkraut.  

    Good thing I can work numbers, because my spelling/grammar skills are worthy of first position, ditch digger extraordinaire.

    Parent

    You mean, (none / 0) (#54)
    by Zorba on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:13:21 PM EST
    There's another way to fix brats other than boiling them in beer first?   ;-)
    Just kidding.  And, in fact, I have a German sister-in-law, and we have visited her in Bavaria.  There are a whole lot of wursts available other than just bratwurst, and we didn't have any wursts there that were boiled in beer, although all of them were very tasty, along with the schnitzels, and the various great ways to prepare pork.
    Mmmmm.  Not to mention, the wonderful German beers, and German white wines.

    Parent
    The Veal! (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:46:10 PM EST
    I love German food...especially wiener schnitzel.

    And in another shout out to my hometown, Flessel's had the best till she served her last plate in 1998.  So many memories in that fine establishment.

    Parent

    Oh yes, those pale veal sausages! (none / 0) (#91)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 09:17:50 PM EST
    I had a b-day cake from a German bakery though when I was 10.  It was beautiful, but the base for the frosting was lard. I was very sick that night :) WTF Krauts? Lard? :)

    Parent
    The filling in Oreo cookies (none / 0) (#141)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 11:24:00 AM EST
    was originally made with lard. No idea if it still is; I haven't gone near one in years.

    Parent
    Lard (none / 0) (#150)
    by Steve13209 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:13:35 PM EST
    My wife has gone back to cooking with butter and lard. Not sure if that is nutritionally good, but it sure TASTES better.

    Parent
    I cook with butter and duck fat now (none / 0) (#158)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:33:11 PM EST
    And olive and canola oil. Good ole fashioned lard just disagrees with me for some reason.

    Parent
    The absolute best (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 02:42:52 PM EST
    French fried potatoes (pommes frites) are best made in duck fat.  Absolutely no question about it.
    Twice fried.  First time at a lower temperature, 325, to cook them through but not brown them.  Drain them, then cook the second time at 375 until they are golden.
    You will think you have died and gone to heaven!

    Parent
    I agree with President Obama (5.00 / 1) (#165)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 02:56:23 PM EST
    100% on this issue.

    Obama: No, peas don't go in guac

    Parent

    Hee, hee! (none / 0) (#167)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 03:34:13 PM EST
    Well, I agree, too.
    If you want to mash peas in with avocado, fine, but then don't call it guacamole.
    OTOH, I heard an NPR report today which quoted a cook who has travelled to Mexico a number of times, and she said that, in different regions and different cities, they did include different ingredients.  No peas, though, that she ever saw.  ;-)

    Parent
    Oops (5.00 / 2) (#184)
    by sj on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:09:24 PM EST
    I meant to add that I would totally eat guac with fresh peas. One of favorite things mixed with another of my favorite things? I'm all in.

    Parent
    I made chocolate mousse and also (none / 0) (#175)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:39:15 PM EST
    Chocolate truffles using avocado as the base, no dairy.  You cannot tell, it's freaky as heck.

    Parent
    I've said before (none / 0) (#181)
    by sj on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:06:23 PM EST
    That while it was impossible to find good Mexican food in my style while I lived in Baltimore, I did find a place to get great guacamole. There are several different recipes on the menu, and the guac was superior.

    Naturally that restaurant is now permanently closed.

    But a sister (parent?) restaurant still has three of them on their menu:

    • Traditional - jalapeno, onion, tomato and cilantro
    • Azteca - pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, garlic, corn, tomato, cilantro
    • Veracruz - mango, papaya, pomegranate seeds, tomato, cilantro

    I'm glad they kept my favorite (Veracruz) although I am unlikely to ever get there again.

    Parent
    I settle for a little less (none / 0) (#174)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:37:09 PM EST
    Josh loves fries, too much, so trying to balance his diet I got the T-Fal actifry.  And I brush the shoestrings with duck fat and turn it on.  All fries you make in it come out a little wrinkled, they lack that original shape retention that you get from a deep fryer, but you still get that flavor.  There is never a fry remaining.  And unlike fast food fries, they are delicious even when cold.  People fight over the cold ones in the bottom of the fryer after the meal is over.

    That fryer makes incredible wings too.  You just toss them in, they roll around in their own fat while cooking.  They only need sauce and we can spend all our time making the sauce taste just right.

    Parent

    Where do you (none / 0) (#176)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:47:41 PM EST
    buy duck fat at? Granted I've never looked for it but then I've never seen it in the grocery stores here either.

    Parent
    We cook duck every once in awhile, (5.00 / 1) (#201)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:31:11 PM EST
    and I save (and freeze) the fat.
    Same with goose, although I only cook goose on major holidays, but goose fat is as good as duck fat.
    If I am out of duck fat, I can buy it at our Wegman's grocery store.
    Geez, I love Wegman's.  The best grocery store around.  But they're not everywhere.

    Parent
    Ga, just bake or broil (none / 0) (#200)
    by fishcamp on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:25:29 PM EST
    Some ducks and you will have lots of duck fat.  My gramps  and I shot a lot of ducks, and caught many salmon, in the Columbia river during WW2.  We always had duck fat.  

    Parent
    It's something hydrogenated now (none / 0) (#160)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:40:24 PM EST
    I didn't like Oreos when I was a kid.  The newer filling seems lard like too.  I don't care for it...bleh.

    I remember trying to mimic the Oreo commercial though when I was a kid, where you screw one half off and lick the filling.  You couldn't get that stuff to budge, and the lard coated your taste buds.  At least the chocolate biscuit portion of the cookie seemed to scrape some of the lard off your tongue and you could begin to taste something again by the end of the cookie :)

    Parent

    Check out this image page (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:25:33 PM EST
    Of the fabulous Shirley Stoler

    There are a couple in the top rows from the amazing film Seven Beauties where she, dressed in boxer shorts a wife beater and boots (and riding crop and cigar) makes Giancarlo Giannini eat brats and sauerkraut from a bowl on the floor.  
    So he has the energy to make love to her.

    Amazing.  I was honored to call Shirley a good friend in the years before her death in 1999.  I got to know her when I was living in NY.  I miss her.

    Parent

    Giancarlo. Giannini. What a name! (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 11:34:53 PM EST
    I love the names as much as I love those films.  Marcello Mastroianni.  Claudia Cardinale,  Monica Vitti, Michelangelo Antonioni, Lollobrigida, Vittorio De Sica, Wertmuller, Fellini, Leone, L'avventura, Monica Vitti, giallo, Argento, Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Visconte,  Bertolucci...  Texture, the names have so much texture.

    What else did I love about Italian films of that era?  Their glasses.  Mastroianni's frames in 8 1/2 were the coolest.  

    Parent

    Well There is Right Way... (none / 0) (#60)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:34:07 PM EST
    ...and a wrong way.  Seriously.

    We got beer, we don't have good food.  The spice palette is cheese, butter, salt, and pepper.

    Parent

    the sweet and sour sauce is (none / 0) (#71)
    by ding7777 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:51:44 PM EST
    what ruins many German food dishes

    and warm beer is yummy

    Parent

    heh heh (none / 0) (#66)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:08:11 PM EST
    great grandparents came directly from Germany. So my grandfather was full German, my dad have and me 1/4 German. I love German food. However there are many places that do German food really bad. We went to a German restaurant here in Atlanta that was just awesome. The Sauebrauten was so tender you didn't even need a knife to cut it.

    Parent
    Oddly enough (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:26:19 PM EST
    right here in my tiny little mountain town there is an amazingly good German restaurant.  Or I should say a restaurant where amazing German food is served.  
    It a very odd place.  Run by two very old people.  She cooks he waits.  There is usually only one or two things on the menu but they are wonderful.  I had never had authentic weiner schnitzel till I had it there. With spatzle.  OMG my mouth is literally watering.
    As I said, it's an odd place.  Very small clientele.  Of which I am one.  Most locals hate them because they can be very rude and they have no patients with hillbillies.  She wont let them talk on cell phones or wear baseball caps in the restaurant.
    Oh, and you better clean your plate or she will know the reason why.
     One night some old ladies were there reading the menu and one asked the other what weiner schnitzel was made from.
    Weiners, of course another replied.
     With absolutely deadpan straight face Tina says "No no. That's a common misconception.  I make it from weiner dogs".
    "we raise them just for that purpose.  That why I can't do it to often.  I will run out of dogs."
    And returned to the kitchen.  The ladies looked at each other and then at Terry who smiled and nodded, "it's true"
    The ladies left.

    Parent
    Ha (none / 0) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:53:30 PM EST
    just reading about them on trip advisor.  There is 45 excellent reviews and this.  I have seen this happen so many times.  Nearly every time I go there she chases some out.  I could very well have been the one other customer.  I have never been there with more than two other tables.   They also occasionally argue with each other.  My sister and I (the only relative I have who will go there with me) call it the dysfunctional family restaurant.

    "a rude welcome ... terribly disappointing"
    1 of 5 starsReviewed December 1, 2013
    My girlfriend and I stopped in Mammoth Springs on the day after Thanksgiving. Looking for a place for lunch, we decided on La Pastorella because it looked interesting, inviting, and -- with its advertisement of "international comfort food" -- welcoming. Boy, we could not have been more incorrect. From the moment we walked in the door, we received the rudest treatment that I can remember EVER getting at a restaurant (and, having traveled extensively, I have been to a lot of eateries). Instead of greeting us and welcoming us to her establishment, the woman I assume to be one of the owners took a look at an empty coffee cup I was looking to discard and barked that no outside food or drink were allowed. We should have turned around right then. But, though taken aback, we took our seats. Then an older gentleman (another owner?) who waited on us grudgingly returned my greeting before telling my girlfriend she couldn't get tap water only bottled water and telling me that it was impossible for them to make half-n-half (half sweet, half unsweetened) tea. Mind you, there was no apology offered for either ... like the woman, he rather snarled these retorts at us. And, at that point, with some parting observations that we had no intention of spending money in a place that treated customers so rudely, we departed. Leaving, I will add, only one other customer in the restaurant.

    LINK

    Parent

    Did (none / 0) (#85)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:43:46 PM EST
    you see the response the owner wrote to that:

    We have been in business for 9 Years; And no one has been treated with rudeness.
    The person passed two city trash cans, so his I wanted to throw it away. No restaurant will allow outside food and drink brought in unless it's in a baby bottle. There are no fountain drinks here, so trying to mix half and half tea in a glass full of ice is almost impossible. The card on the table clearly states bottled water. The young lady was told this. His empty cup (Which he left) was one third full. I'm sorry he felt mistreated, but as other reviews state; no such treatment has ever been afforded to any of our customers.
    Sincerely; La Pastorella Bistro


    Parent
    Ya (none / 0) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:58:30 PM EST
    i read it.  It's actually funnier than the review if you know them.  I read most of them. Many refer to their oddness.

    The first review on the list from "long time patron (or something like that) Christopher C, is actually my doctor.  He lives down the street from me.  I met him in that restaurant.  We struck up a conversation and he became my doctor.

    Parent

    ! No Soup for You !! (none / 0) (#90)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 09:17:06 PM EST


    Parent
    I love sauerkraut (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:57:42 PM EST


    Parent
    Nazi! (none / 0) (#49)
    by CST on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:03:41 PM EST
    (snark)

    Parent
    Btw (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:07:23 PM EST
    i am also a good bit German.  My grandmother had an BW photo of Neuschwanstein Castle and said her family was from the town it overlooked.   I forget the name.

    German, Irish and Native American mostly.

    Parent

    That town at the foot of the castle (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by christinep on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:51:44 PM EST
    We ate there too almost 30 years ago while visiting places in Bavaria.  And ... I can't remember the name either. One thing is certain for me:  Sorry, but not sauerkraut (even tho the mild kind seasoned with yummy poppy seeds may cause me to sneak a bite) ... ever since I was about 9 yrs old and was in the habit of scarfing down food in a now-you=see-it-now-you-don't style and a "sadistic" much older cousin in the extended family made me eat a bowl of sauerkraut before getting up from the table, well ... never, nevermore said I.  

    Who knows, tho? Times & attitudes change.  Since I graduated from youthful loathing of beets to like (actually, loving) beets today, all things are possible in the food department.

    Parent

    Lots of sour krauts after today's game! :-) (none / 0) (#77)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 07:35:58 PM EST
    A family we are very close to have Kraut as their surname. For a dose of irony, they are Jewish.

    Parent
    My paternal grandmother (very Jewish) (none / 0) (#125)
    by Reconstructionist on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:37:28 AM EST
      was a Krauthammer, which literally translates as "cabbage hammer." I've wondered whether at one time in Europe there was an occupation that involved pulping cabbages with hammers or, if not,  what else might have led to the origin of the surname.

      Interestingly, her family in this country pronounced the name Croth-ammer, which my Dad always assumed was an effort at sounding more "American."

      (And, no, as far as I know, no relation to Charles.)

       

    Parent

    We are making our own (none / 0) (#89)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 09:11:04 PM EST
    Because it is good for your digestion and intestinal flora and we all like it.  It is better homemade. I leave the salsa out on the counter for the same reason. When the salsa gets warm and a little frothy it is good for you :)  And of course we love kimchi, especially cucumber.

    I'm glad nobody ever called me a Nazi, it doesn't really fit either.  My ancestors left before Hitler.

    Parent

    kdog, you gotta understand that (none / 0) (#84)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:43:38 PM EST
    within the PC crowd their egos are so fragile that ballbusting is definitely out.

    Parent
    The "pc crowd" ie two people (5.00 / 3) (#151)
    by jondee on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:26:33 PM EST
    on this thread.

    What I've noticed is that those most obsessed with being thwarted by "the pc crowd" are also those who seem to place the lowest premium on literacy in general -- judging by the state of Red State schools.

    Parent

    Sometimes (none / 0) (#94)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 10:14:46 PM EST
    The PC crowd goes too go too far.  While we should all be careful what, where and when we use certain language there is no need to sanitize it.

    Take the word thug, a colorful word describing a common criminal. Colorful but colorblind until recently, now one must use that word with caution.

    If we were to scrub out our language of mildly  pejorative words and references that might somehow offend  someone, somewhere at some time , we would end up with a bland Orwellian groupspeak dead language.

    Yanks 2 Krauts 0 might be a cheesy headline but not even close to hateful given the context. Lighten up people.
     

    Parent

    No, I don't think we'd end up with ... (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:57:38 AM EST
    ... "bland Orwellian groupspeak." Rather, were we to collectively dispense with the general use of the vernacular -- which includes pejoratives, both mild or otherwise -- it's far more likely that we would then be compelled to expand our respective personal vocabularies.

    And if we could do that, perhaps even to the point where we become comfortable with using multiple polysyllabic words in the same sentence with regularity, then who knows what possibilities might be realized?

    Why, we might not only find ourselves actually having useful, constructive and substantive conversations about issues that truly matter, we could also make some real headway toward their ultimate resolution.

    I mean, how much harder is it, really, to employ the word "Germans" in lieu of "Krauts" in everyday banter? Because if you ask Germans to speak in all candidness about what they think of the term, you'd find that they are entirely aware of its meaning, and that they hardly respect and appreciate either its use or the user.

    Is that stupid word therefore so important to us, that we'd willingly continue to disparage and offend an entire people -- one who's both a friend and an ally of our country -- in order to continue flattering our own hyperinflated nationalist egos?

    Wouldn't it be better to just dispense with its use altogether, even in everyday conversation, so as to avoid creating totally unnecessary barriers and otherwise easily avoidable problems between us?

    True story: About a decade ago, I was working on a $15 million fundraising campaign for a rural California hospital in the Central Valley, and I had successfully solicited what I initially thought would be a major six-figure gift from a private Japanese-American family foundation in the Bay Area.

    I say "initially thought," because at a subsequent reception dinner for prospective donors, the very first thing the oh-so-white chairman of the hospital board asked the foundation's chairman -- who's "sansei," or third-generation Japanese-American -- was if he spoke any English. My heart dropped into my upper G.I. tract, because the foundation chairman had a Ph.D. in engineering from UCLA.

    "Ah, so, yes," responded the foundation chairman in a heavily clichéd Asian accent. "But Ingrish so vely, vely hard to learn, so desu. So solly." He then politely excused himself and abruptly walked away. I wanted to shrink myself to one inch tall and run behind the nearest curtains.

    The following week, the hospital's capital campaign received their check from the foundation -- for $5,000. And that's only because the foundation chair had promised me before that disastrous reception that they would make a donation.

    But that appallingly casual display of bigotry on the part of the hospital board chairman -- which was still very real, even if it was likely unintended due to that clown's personal ignorance -- ended up costing the hospital $1,195,000 in an unrealized donation. I resigned from the campaign shortly thereafter.

    I would urge you and everyone else to think about and consider the potential costs of our own casual displays of latent bigotry.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    thanks (none / 0) (#113)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:49:26 AM EST
    Thanks for sharing the story!

    Parent
    I think (none / 0) (#123)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:30:37 AM EST
    You are incorrect here
    were we to collectively dispense with the general use of the vernacular .........it's far more likely that we would then be compelled to expand our respective personal vocabularies.
    Our language is a living thing with words and phrases appearing and disappearing over time. For better or worse  most of the new verbiage comes from the vernacular. Phrases such "the bank ripped me off" were unheard of in the 50's, radical slang in the 60's, part of the vernacular in the 70's and now a common and widely accepted use of the language.

    Using and hearing only language approved by sixth grade grammar teachers may be the "correct" thing to do , but it sure ain't fun.


    Parent

    Thug is still color blind (none / 0) (#106)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:49:06 AM EST
    except in the minds of the PC crowd.

    A thug is a thug is a thug. His race has nothing to do with it.

    Parent

    Dog whistles (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:52:16 AM EST
    are always color blind.  That's why the are called dog whistles

    Parent
    Dog whistles (none / 0) (#110)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:16:42 AM EST
    claims are another way that the PC crowd try to control us.

    `When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, `it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.'

    `The question is,' said Alice, `whether you can make words mean so many different things.'

    `The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, `which is to be master - - that's all.'

    Through The Looking Glass

    Parent

    Hmm (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:58:10 AM EST
    I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.

    Pointing out dog whistles that the GOP uses is apparently "silencing them" That's the problem when you're stuck in the past and don't want anybody to tell the rest of the country what you're saying. If what you're saying is so great why do you even need dog whistles? Just say it. But you want to have it both ways. You want to be able to do dog whistles and get away with it. Hey, you've been getting away with it for so long that you think you should continue to be able to do so and then when you're caught you start having a tantrum and playing the PC card.

    Parent

    If you want to make a point (none / 0) (#118)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:27:40 AM EST
    then make a point supported with facts.

    All you do is claim.

    Now I find that "thug" is a "dog whistle."

    Really?? People who riot and destroy are not thugs??

    What you are doing is exactly what old Humpty said.

    In the meantime, if you walk like a duck, swim like a duck....don't be surprised if people call you a duck.

    Parent

    Naw (none / 0) (#120)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:43:49 AM EST
    the ones doing that are you. Hey, I saw George W. Bush go to SC and talk about how the confederate flag was a states rights issue. The ultimate dog whistle to the segregationists. The GOP has long been considered by many to have a problem in this area.

    Hey, your hero Ronald Reagan was a supporter of segregation and opposed voting rights. He also said Jefferson Davis was a hero. So there is a long history of the GOP in this area. And now you're getting called on it and you're screaming and playing the PC card. Continue on with your nonsense.

    Parent

    Thug is never used to describe (none / 0) (#121)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:59:22 AM EST
    white people when they riot, as anyone can see here and here and here.

    As you can seen, in the first link the word riot is in the link itself but not in the headline or body of the article.

    If this took place at, say Howard University, would any of the above be true?

    Parent

    your beef (5.00 / 2) (#134)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:17:21 AM EST
    appears to relate to a very recent usage of the word thug.

    My beef is that a perfectly good word has, in short order, been turned into some kind of vile dog whistle. There is plenty of blame to go around in my book. Certainly the blower of the whistle deserves scorn, but a clueless media and the hysterical PC crowd  aide and abet the process.

    For years I have called the likes of Jamie Dimon and Lloyd Blankfein thugs, right now I feel comfortable calling Dylyan Roof a thug. Historically I associated the word thug with organized crime enforcers (the picture in my head was white,younger brutish men), over the years I have heard the term used to reference everything from Nazis to sports teams. Absolutely never saw a racial angle to the word until the past year or so.

    I don't care if the racist thugs are using it as a dog whistle, I want my word back.

    Parent

    Some poet or author will take it (none / 0) (#163)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 02:11:28 PM EST
    Back to its all encompassing meaning and be declared a genius, because they tickled our lobes :)

    Parent
    Exactly Mordy... (none / 0) (#130)
    by kdog on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:01:58 AM EST
    context and intent, context and intent, context and intent.

    The word "thug" is offensive and/or prejudiced in some contexts, and used with ill intent sometimes to degrade based on race...in other instances it's use is totally appropriate and/or benign. And I think reasonable people can sometimes disagree whether it's being used as a slur or as an apt description.  And that's ok.

    Parent

    In the context of public disorder (none / 0) (#137)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:31:06 AM EST

    kdog, it is a dogwhistle meant to remind us of the difference between violence as practiced by white-looking folks, and those of a decidedly non-white appearance.  See my comment below this one, and do your own research to discover if it's just anecdotal, as some would urge us to believe.

    If we were to use the same logic, on, I dunno, the Joe Paterno riots that took place after he was let go by Penn State, we'd see all the articles about how thuggish the sport of college football is, as well as the moral degeneration of the protestors, who apparently prioritize college football over keeping children safe from those who prey on them.  There would be editorials asking what is wrong with the white community, and letters to the editor reminding us which racial group gets most of the welfare and public assistance in this country.

    Parent

    et al (none / 0) (#131)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:03:31 AM EST
    Mordiggian - A thug is a thug is a thug. Anecdotal links prove zip.

    Perhaps this is what you write about?

    Don't complain that when you adopt a descriptive term people associate it with you. Maybe if you tried disassociating with the rap/thug culture you wouldn't think every time someone uses the term thug they are speaking of blacks.

    They aren't. A thug is a thug. Has nothing to do with skin color.

    Ga - So talking about state rights is a "dog whistle?" Well, what do you call CO's making MJ legal?? Isn't that "state rights?"

    Dog whistle does as dog whistle is, eh?

    And Reagan carried....49 states?.... Lots of dog whistles...

    Your claim to see things in the shadows isn't helped by claims like this:

    If they put people under evaluations who said they wanted to kill African Americans in SC probably half the state or more would be under evaluation.

    Comment 119


    Parent

    "Anecdotal links prove zip" (5.00 / 3) (#133)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:10:34 AM EST
    Please try and remember your own words when you post in the future.

    Parent
    Reagan (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 11:53:59 AM EST
    was 36 years ago. The country has changed but the GOP has not. You could get away with that stuff back then but no longer. You're really proving my point. The GOP is stuck in the past.

    Do you really think that a GOP candidate who stood up and said Jefferson Davis was a hero to them would have any chance in a national election? or anyone who said civil rights were wrong? I think they'd have a great chance of winning the GOP primary just not the rest of the country.

    Parent

    No Ga half of the country has (none / 0) (#179)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:00:17 PM EST
    If they put people under evaluations who said they wanted to kill African Americans in SC probably half the state or more would be under evaluation.

    lol

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 1) (#182)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:06:57 PM EST
    that comment was regarding the state of SC. A very heavily GOP state no?

    Thanks for backing up what I said.

    Parent

    Nope, Jim. (none / 0) (#135)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:20:58 AM EST
    Find one, just one news article about a riot involving primarily white people where they are called thugs, and I'll donate 100$ to this site.

    Robert Greenwald explains it to everyone here.

    Pumpkin Festival threw rocks, glass, bottles, and even skateboards at police, set multiple fires, and forced police to respond with riot gear, rubber bullets, and tear gas, they were never declared "thugs." When white people riot because their baseball team won, no one throws around the word "thugs." But when black people respond to physical violence with protests against inanimate objects, that word is all you hear.

    This blatant hypocrisy is the creative spark behind White Riots, a new short film from Brave New Films. Starting with the absurd reporting from ABC News the day after the Baltimore uprising began, White Riots explores the biased language so often employed by media to describe black Americans exercising their first amendment rights. And contrasts it with the kiddie-gloves treatment of everything from violent students to biker gang shootouts.

    Just look at the language around Keene State "students," "youthful debauchery," "kids." Then compare to the language of Ferguson and Baltimore: "thugs," "criminals," "offenders." Or take the word, "gang." Black people wearing the blue of their sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, were reported to be in a gang. Groups of white men can wear matching jackets and murder nine people and injure 18 more in broad daylight, and the media will still describe them as a "social club." (This actually happened.)

    Here's another example from Huntington Beach.  Find me one article that describes the participants in that riot as thugs.

    Parent

    Ever notice that (5.00 / 2) (#155)
    by jondee on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:49:34 PM EST
    the same people who claim they never heard "states rights" used as a dog whistle are the same people who claim the Right isn't trying to make it harder for people to vote..

    Parent
    Yes, we need all these restrictive (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:45:19 PM EST
    Voter ID laws to combat the non-existent problem of,voter fraud, just like he same folks have all these restrictions on abortions because it's for their own good, bless their hearts.

    The American people,are beginning to see this kind of shtick for what it is, and they aren't liking what they see.

    Benghazhi!  Clinton e-mails!  Obamacare gonna kill all of us!

    Parent

    Mordiggian (none / 0) (#180)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:04:46 PM EST
    what you have posted is an article by a PC'er trying to make an excuse for thuggish behavior by claiming that some articles about what... "White Riots" doesn't call them thugs?

    ROFLMAO

    I mean really.

    A thug is a thug. Grow up and quit making excuse for thuggish behavior.

    Parent

    You've got it backwards (none / 0) (#187)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:17:56 PM EST
    If you are white in this country you can riot and not be called a thug in the media, or otherwise be excused for one's thuggish
    behavior.

    If the media would be even handed, they would label anyone who rioted a thug, but they don't.  If you're white and a college student, or just white, you don't get labelled a thug.

    As for ROTFLYAO, heaven knows you've gotten that reaction from the ridiculous things you say about anyone to the left of Vlad Tepes or Hillary Clinton around here.

    Have a good rest of the evening, Jim.

    Parent

    if there was anyone whose commentary (none / 0) (#111)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:36:26 AM EST
    comes from the other side of the looking glass.......

    Parent
    The word of the day (none / 0) (#140)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:49:24 AM EST
    is "Jabberwocky". I sincerely hope I am not offending any smoking caterpillars or mad hatters who happen to be tuned in.

    Parent
    Now ya done it! ;) (none / 0) (#142)
    by kdog on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 11:32:49 AM EST
    The day nobody is offended by speech is the day we should really start to worry...cuz then we got a much bigger problem than some hurt feelings.

    Parent
    What? (none / 0) (#147)
    by jondee on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:00:50 PM EST
    Nothing from Dr Phil Jones?

    Wasn't he in Through The Looking Glass?

    Parent

    No, that wasn't Jones (none / 0) (#183)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:09:05 PM EST
    You're thinking of Jonathan Jones, Professor of Atomic and Laser Physics, University of Oxford"

    Glad to help out.

    Parent

    Looks like Steyn (none / 0) (#189)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:28:59 PM EST
    Should've kept his mouth shut:

    In July, Judge Natalia Combs Greene rejected a motion to dismiss the suit. The defendants appealed, and last week D.C. Superior Court Judge Frederick Weisberg rejected the motion again, opening the door for the discovery phase of the lawsuit to begin.

    That's not all. On Christmas Eve, Steyn (who regularly guest hosts Rush Limbaugh's radio show) wrote a blog post in which he excoriated Greene, accusing her of incompetence, stupidity, and obtuseness. As a result of this outburst, the law firm that had been representing National Review and Steyn (Steptoe & Johnson) has dropped Steyn as a client and reportedly has plans to withdraw as counsel for the magazine as well. (Now representing himself in the lawsuit, non-lawyer Steyn continues on the attack here and here.)

    [Update: National Review publisher Jack Fowler says that it was Mark Steyn who initiated the break with the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson, not the other way around.]

    No matter who's representing them, however, the outlook for the folks running National Review is grim. Linker reports that, like many political magazines, National Review has a relatively small (but influential) circulation, and frequently loses money. Breaking even is a good year. Therefore, a large settlement with Mann, or a penalty handed down by a judge, could prove catastrophic.

    Also:

    In January 2014, the D.C. trial court in the Mann case ruled that "[o]pinions and rhetorical hyperbole are protected speech under the First Amendment," but "[a]ccusing a scientist of conducting his research fraudulently, manipulating his data to achieve a predetermined or political outcome, or purposefully distorting the scientific truth" are defamatory if proven to be false.[7]  The court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward towards a trial.  Three of the defendants have appealed this decision.[8]

    You certainly know how to pick 'em, Jim.  Any more losers you want to tell us about?


    Parent

    That's really rich, Jim, coming as it does ... (none / 0) (#100)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:03:37 AM EST
    ... from a guy with glass cojones.

    Parent
    His version of PC (none / 0) (#102)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:54:05 AM EST
    is not to say anything good about anyone to the left of Vlad Tepes.

    Parent
    Donald, there's a difference between (none / 0) (#108)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:52:30 AM EST
    ball busting and insulting. We all know the difference. Or at least most of us do.

    Parent
    What a match!!! (none / 0) (#6)
    by caseyOR on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:01:47 PM EST
    There are always questionable calls. Some for us, and some against us. All part of the game.

    Our defense continues to play outstanding futbol. Don't give the other team a chance to score, and they won't score. That German PK could have gone badly for us. I was stunned that Sasic missed that PK for Germany.

    That O'Hara goal was so sweet. And have I mentioned how much I like Carli Lloyd?

    I do not understand all the criticism of coach Jill Ellis that I keep reading. Looks like she has coached this team right into the World Cup final. What more do people want from her?

    The U.S. team has such a deep bench that I am optimistic about the future of this team, beyond this World Cup. I think the U.S. women in a very good place for both Sunday's final game and the future.

    And, yes, beating England at their own game would be delightful, but so would winning out over the Japanese to whom we lost the last World Cup.

    GO, USA Women!!!!!!

    Parent

    As someone... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:23:39 PM EST
    who was scratching his head over some of Coach Ellis' decisions early in the tournament, I'm not scratching my head anymore once she started bringing Wambach off the bench and letting Lloyd attack.

    On the defensive side, what's to question...total domination.

    Parent

    Japan beats England 2-1. Will face U.S. (none / 0) (#79)
    by caseyOR on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 07:58:02 PM EST
    in the World Cup final.

    What a astounding finish to the Japan-England semifinal. The game was in stoppage time with the score tied at 1 all. And then a player for England kicks an own goal! The whistle blows. And Japan wins.

    Sunday's final will be a rematch as Japan beat the U.S. in the 2011 World Cup final, winning the penalty shoot-out.

    I feel so badly for the England player who had the own goal.

    Parent

    And there you go. Would not ever refer to (none / 0) (#96)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 11:28:10 PM EST
    Japanese people as "Japs."

    Why is it somewhat edgy, but probably ok, to good-naturedly kid about Germans by saying "Krauts" but not the Japanese by saying "Japs?"

    (I worked for a large Japanese company (~20B revenues) for a number of years.)

    Why is it ok for Brits (or anyone, really) to good naturedly kid about Americans by saying "Yanks," but much, much dicier for anyone to refer to Puerto Ricans or Cubans as "Spics?"

    Why is there no great demand for renaming the Vancouver Canucks or the NY Yankees?

    No idea. However, what I do know is they're not the same.

    Parent

    SUO, I may be misunderstanding (none / 0) (#153)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:40:11 PM EST
    your comment, but since my comment is the "parent" of yours, it looks like you are accusing me of calling the Japanese team "Japs," which i did not do.

    As I said, this may be a misunderstanding on my part, but I did want to clear it up.

    Parent

    No worries Casey I did not mean to imply (none / 0) (#157)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:20:15 PM EST
    that I was accusing you of anything! I was simply broadening the "pejorative" convo to include the Japanese team which you pointed out is now in the finals. Sorry for the confusion!

    Parent
    Good night (none / 0) (#144)
    by jondee on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 11:51:22 AM EST
    what a horrible way to lose.

    You have to feel for that English player.

    Parent

    Alex Morgan had a couple of great chances (none / 0) (#146)
    by jondee on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 11:57:56 AM EST
    She also could've used some better back up in the penalty area when she was in those one on one situations..

    I think Germany lost a little of their swagger against France..

    Parent

    as an ethnic . . . (none / 0) (#95)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 10:22:58 PM EST
    My name is Russian, but it is often confused with German names or words.

    I meet Germans every few days in downtown Seattle and when I learn that they are German, I greet them with Guten Tag.

    I actually try to learn the appropriate words of greeting in many different languages . . .

    I don't think that Germans today would tend to feel bad about the use of the word kraut--It is impossible and does not fit them . . . though even on youtube they have a song about how great Germany is and it is in good fun . . .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqydj2zW-Wo

    Many people are arrogant about Germany
    And some think it's cool to be an a--hole
    There are some who like to complain about Kanaken [foreigners]
    And travel to Thailand every year to f---
    We love our cars more than our women
    Because we can trust German cars
    God kissed the earth just once
    Right on the spot where Germany is now
    We're the best everywhere - naturally also in bed
    And we're especially nice to dogs and cats

    All that is Germany...

    We're really good at busting someone in the chops
    We can also be relied on for starting fires
    We like order and cleanliness
    We're always ready for a war
    Friendly greetings to the world, understand
    We can be proud of Germany... SWINE!

    Parent

    When people say USA! USA! too much (none / 0) (#143)
    by jondee on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 11:49:14 AM EST
    it almost makes me want to root for the other team. Almost. Nationalism for it's own sake ain't my bag.  

    Germany was already outplayed and outclassed by the Frogettes, I mean the French, who, imo, deserved to be in that semifinal playing the U.S, but no matter how well you play, ya still gotta get that ball in the back of the net..

    But there's no doubt about it, the US awoke from their moribund stupor and beautifully rose to the occasion against the Hun, I mean the Fritzies..  

    Parent

    Normally I'd agree... (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by kdog on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:57:14 PM EST
    but I make an exception for international soccer.  I put my freak flag at half-mast, and let the stars and stripes fly.  Only a temporary patriotic refuge for this scoundrel.

    Parent
    Yeah, me too. It's the name of the team (none / 0) (#194)
    by ruffian on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:31:13 PM EST
    Not some random jingoistic thing.

    Parent
    Today's American Hero: Zea Bowling (age 7). (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:27:07 PM EST
    For several minutes last Friday at the Columbus, OH Comfest, Zea bravely held up her rainbow flag to the face of a homophobic Christianista preacher who was protesting the Supreme Court's decision legalizing gay marriage, and had singled her out for special attention.

    Ryan Bowling, Zea's father, captured the incredible confrontation on video, which he's posted to YouTube. Both the photo and the video have since gone viral.

    This first grader's quiet yet determined public defiance of such hatred and bigotry actually speaks volumes about the vile and contemptible nature of the anti-LGBT crowd, much more so than several thousand comments to that effect on TalkLeft and elsewhere could ever do.

    What would Jesus do? I think Zea just showed us. She was courageous, and we should be proud of her.

    Aloha.

    And in yet another victory for common sense, ... (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 06:15:14 PM EST
    ... California Gov. Jerry Brown affixed his signature yesterday to the strictest mandatory schoolchild vaccination law in the country, one which eliminates most all personal and religious-based exemptions.

    Brown's approval allows the measure to take effect immediately, which prompted an embarrassing public meltdown from anti-vaxxer Jim Carrey, who really should stick to slapstick comedy -- or at least, not channel his "Dumb and Dumber" character during discussions about matters of public health policy.

    Aloha.

    Anti-toxin (none / 0) (#116)
    by Steve13209 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:09:12 AM EST
    That was an unfortunate blow-up by Mr. Carrey. He did finally indicate that he was anti-thermerisol (sp) and not anti-vaccine.

    Parent
    Another chapter in an old old story (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:47:42 PM EST
    A federal judge has just ordered the government to return $167,000 it took from a man passing through Nevada on his way to visit his girlfriend in California.

    And since I regularly travel down I40 with a fair size wad of cash to play poker in Tunica's casinos this is always a worry.

    I can remember in the mid to late '90s (none / 0) (#87)
    by Babel 17 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:53:06 PM EST
    I can remember in the mid to late '90s the AAA declared that if local municipalities didn't stop that kind of nonsense then the AAA was going to print out travel itineraries that navigated around them. There was a howl from area businesses at the losses that would mean and the AAA announcement had a great effect.

    Parent
    Aren't you the one telling us (none / 0) (#112)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:38:20 AM EST
    we should always do what the man with a gun and badge tells us to do?  

    Parent
    Yes. When the DEA/HP/Deputy pulls you over (2.00 / 1) (#117)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:19:58 AM EST
    and seize your money it is very smart to do what they say and live to go to court.

    But you, I hope, know that...but you couldn't resist making a little snark.

    Me and My Shadow


    Parent

    Then I don't see what your problem is. (none / 0) (#119)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:41:29 AM EST
    Just follow instructions and hope that you'll live to have a day in court.

    You can't complain about police state overreach when you dismiss it for anyone else but you, Jim.

    Parent

    I have the same concerns. (none / 0) (#129)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:51:22 AM EST
    Because of numerous surgeries to one leg, my mobility in old age is diminished, so my number one hobby now is Blackjack. I always stop at casinos, or plan trips around visiting casinos. I always carry a few grand in cash on these trips. The more I read these stories about these robberies by highwaymen with badges I have grown nervous about ever being pulled over.

    Parent
    Feel the BERN! (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:30:17 AM EST
    Bernie gets 10000 in a stadium in Wisconsin

    I think this is amazing.  It's July.  2015.  10000 people.  Bernie is doing an amazing thing.  He is reminding people who they are.  What they believe.   He's a socialist and he is drawing by far the largest crowds of any candidate.  This is a very good thing.  Bernie will not be president.  He will not be the democratic nominee.  At least the tops spot.  :)
    He is breathing life back into good old fashioned liberalism.

    Feel the BERN!

    You know what Bernie needs ... (none / 0) (#149)
    by sj on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:09:18 PM EST
    ... to become the nominee? Votes. You know who can provide them? Voters.

    Can money buy more voters? The answer, sadly, appears to be "yes".

    Parent

    I don't want Bernie (none / 0) (#166)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 03:02:31 PM EST
    To be the nominee.  I don't  think he could beat Jeb.  Or whoever else.   Sorry.  I don't.
    The next president will have possibly three Supreme Court nominations.   It's not the year to run a socialist.

    Personally money has zip to do with it other than the fact that by Election Day the republican attack machine would have half the people now attending his rallys that he is a communist Manchurian candidate.


    Parent

    National Security is an issue (none / 0) (#168)
    by NYShooter on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 03:35:03 PM EST
    where Bernie may be vulnerable. Has he issued any sort of policy statement on how he plans to confront the mess we find ourselves in worldwide?
    Just look at the dangers lurking out there:

    In Putin we have an egotistical, virtual dictator bent on restoring much of the prior Soviet Union's prestige in the world. And, in that quest he still has a massive, and deadly, military force available, while enjoying a huge popularity among Russia's citizens.

    Iran will continue being a threat to Western interests & ideals, while, currently expanding its influence in the Middle East. And, the nuclear agreement that seemed so certain just a short while ago doesn't appear so certain these days.

    ISIS, and the entire Middle East, with nothing but shaky dictatorships hoping to remain in power is another intractable hornet's nest that keeps going from bad to worse.

    And, of course, China. Now that they've got their industrial machine up and running they're spending huge sums on doing the same with its military.

    This is just a tiny brief snapshot of the geopolitical scene any new President will be facing. I really wonder how the American public will view Bernie Sanders in this scenario?


    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#170)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 03:42:55 PM EST
    when you put it that way it does give me pause. Probably others too.

    Parent
    Those are good points (none / 0) (#178)
    by sj on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:51:19 PM EST
    But have little relevance to my personal choices. I will never be on the same page with any President as it relates to foreign policy. I've always known that.

    So I stick to domestic issues.

    I have no idea how many voters are like me.

    Parent

    Bernies (none / 0) (#169)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 03:37:02 PM EST
    problem really is not any of that IMO. It's not like they aren't going to accuse Hillary of murdering half of America. Bernie's problem is that he's from Vermont where he has personal relationships with a lot of the voters. If Bernie literally could retail politic the entire country then he might have a chance but it cannot be done.

    Parent
    He retailed (none / 0) (#171)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:26:09 PM EST
    ith 10000 people in Wisconsin yesterday.   Yeah they will throw every thing at Hillary.  She can deal with it.  Bernie Sanders has never run a negative ad in his life.   IMO he is ill equipped to deal with the vast right wing conspiracy.
    His problem certainly is not connecting with people.

    Shooter, good point.

    Parent

    I know (none / 0) (#173)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:37:01 PM EST
    but it was Madison WI an area that is already friendly to his views. It would be interesting to see him go to somewhere like Valdosta GA and see what happened.

    But I agree that he is ill equipped to handle what the GOP will throw at him due to how they run campaigns in Vermont.

    Parent

    Our new weather (5.00 / 2) (#188)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:20:10 PM EST
    That has pounded the northeast and scorched the west has been surprisingly good to my small part of the world.   Every year I have lived here the winters have become milder and the summers wetter.  It used to commonly get very dry here in the summer.  The first year I was here we were in a pretty serious drought.   We are now completely out of drought mode.  But we have missed the terrible flooding seen in some other places south and west of here.  We seem to always be on the edge.  Just getting enough rain to keep us green and growing
    There have been bumper crops of everything around here the last couple of years.  And this year is looking good.

    PEACHES

    AND PEARS

    AND GRAPES.  oh my.

    There has been localized flooding.   Mostly roadways and riverbanks with little real damage.   I have been happy a few times I live on top of a mountain.  But there are no flat flood plains here.   Fair amount of things like wind and hail but nothing terribly.  Knock wood.

    Howdy (none / 0) (#191)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:35:32 PM EST
    what on earth do you do with all that? I know it has to be more than you can eat and I don't know if you do canning or not.

    Parent
    I spread it around (none / 0) (#192)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:55:58 PM EST
    it brings me all the garden stuff I can eat as the summer progresses.   I was just today talking to several people who are going to come over, pick, can and give me jelly and jam and stuff.  As well as other garden stuff.  Everybody here grows way more than they can eat.

    Not a bad deal.  I also have two Apple trees and a plum tree that have been loaded but for some reason the squirrels have been in love with them this year.  And I don't care because I love watching them try to carry an apple or plum that nearly as big as they are to a safe place to eat it.

    Parent

    That's actually why I took those (none / 0) (#193)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:58:56 PM EST
    Facebook and email alerts.

    Parent
    Capt Howdy - abort mission! (5.00 / 1) (#202)
    by ruffian on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:04:48 PM EST
    I was thinking mainly of David Irving, though I think my friend told me Harris maybe just defended him in some forums. Or maybe she was thinking of another author called Robert Harris. I know I would not have come up with this stuff on my own!

    Anyway. I wish all the people int he Hannibal series did not talk...like this....all the...time.  It's like they are trying to put me to sleep in between violent acts and gore.

    Interesting article in WaPo (none / 0) (#1)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 12:21:07 PM EST
    on the mentally ill or distraught being killed by police in this country.

    www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2015/06/30/distraught-people-deadly-results

    The most disturbing thing I found was many of the comments left by so-called readers. I say "so-called" because it seems few actually read the article before going off on rants about WaPo being racist and anti-cop.

    Never read (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Zorba on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:58:02 PM EST
    The comments on such sites.  All they will do is give you heartburn.  I avoid those comments like the plague.

    Parent
    In My Opinion... (none / 0) (#53)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:08:13 PM EST
    ...the summer is always the worse because the kids are out of school without supervision.  I think many of the comment haters are simply kids being unsupervised kids.

    Parent
    Never thought of that. (none / 0) (#64)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:53:02 PM EST
    It wouldn't surprise me at all if that were the case. Most right-wing comments on LGBT-related matters, in particular, certainly read as though they were written by people who were channeling the cast of "Porky's."

    Parent
    And what else is new? (none / 0) (#17)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:05:34 PM EST
    The Washington Post's comment sections have long been magnets for wingbats and dittoheads. So are those at other major papers across the country.

    Further, if you track such things, you'll find that a great deal of the right-wing commentary at these sites tends to be posted by the same people, such as "tommythek50" at the Los Angeles Times, who'll sometimes plant upwards of 50-60 per day throughout that paper's online edition. He'll invariably find some way to bash Democrats and rage on the Times as a liberal tool -- even if it's in an otherwise benign article about a recent mountain lion sighting in Topanga Canyon.

    That sort of online behavior, especially in newspaper sites that have a paywall, has always fueled my sneaking suspicion that posters like "tommythek50" are likely paid trolls.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    What has bad press done for Trump? (none / 0) (#2)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 12:23:16 PM EST
    Moved him into 2nd place in today's CNN/Opinion Research national poll for the GOP nomination.

    What's the old saying? (none / 0) (#3)
    by Zorba on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 12:45:32 PM EST
    There's no such thing as bad publicity?
    Or maybe a more appropriate old saying is "There's a sucker born every minute."    ;-)

    Parent
    I totally (none / 0) (#5)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 12:54:08 PM EST
    am not surprised to hear that. Trump has a lot of things that the GOP likes. They seem to think that running a business is the ultimate qualification for president even though Bush said the same thing and was an abject failure of a president. And all the stuff he's saying about Hispanics? You hear the same thing from rank and file Republican voters everyday of the week. Trump is just saying what they want to hear.

    I would love to be a fly on Preibus' wall though or own the store carrying antacids where all the Republican elite shop.

    Parent

    Compare and contrast (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:53:55 PM EST
    Trump and the other Clown Car Members as they woo the Republican primary voters.

     Jeb ( takes a week to answer a Fox soft ball question on Iraq),  Rubio ( gets same quiz after Bush, but does not understand the question, yesteryear's man, aka, the world's oldest young man), Walker (who can deal with ISIS because he knocked off those terrorist teachers' retirements, the college-challenged governor has seen the enemy and it is the University), Jindal (who has exorcist as well as a poor governance experiences, Pledges to get rid of the SC to save money), Cruz (an institutional bomb-thrower, anti-gay, but some of his best donors are gay), Huckabee (hawks nostrums for the sick,  on the trail against Satan, and after gays), Santorum (loser II, old face, new sweater vest), Rand (sane/insane, depending), Christie (bridgegate,  liar extraordinaire,  governance challenged, a getting old, bully is me persona),  Carly Fiorina (how not to succeed in business after trying), Ben Carson (like Trump, no public offices held,  both cut-ups.)

    Seems to me that Trump fits in just fine  All naturals behind the wheel of the clown car.  Each trying to distinguish themselves.  But, only a difference with a few distinctions.

       

    Parent

    Nevermind... (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:08:08 PM EST
    ...that he has filed bankruptcy how many times.  I want to say 4.  That alone should disqualify him from pretending that he can run anything well.

    Parent
    Yes, (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:14:41 PM EST
    but are you talking to rational people? I mean these are the same people that nominated someone who thinks there are still WMDs in Iraq.

    You should read some polling on what the beliefs of the GOP are. It's like looking at cult findings.

    Parent

    True, Trump may not (none / 0) (#37)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:16:39 PM EST
    be able to run anything well, except his mouth.  However, his colleagues in the clown car have the experience of not running their states well.  Some of the governor clowns have discovered that if you ignore revenue, budgets do not balance so good.   Take, Jindal--or Christie, for instance. Sorry, no one should take them.   Sam Brownback, so far has been overlooked in the Republican sweepstakes--he not in Kansas any more, he is in trouble.  

    Parent
    That's the thing that (none / 0) (#50)
    by Zorba on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:04:38 PM EST
    continues to flummox me when I talk to some of my right-wing acquaintances, who keep going on about how rich Donald is, and what a great businessman he is.
    Excuse me?  Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for his businesses four times???  Leaving his investors and creditors on the hook.  
    OTOH, The Donald kept finding more investors to give him money after each bankruptcy.  The more fool them.
    That doesn't make him a great businessman.  That makes him an extremely successful scam artist.

    Parent
    Yes, Mme Zorba, (none / 0) (#75)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 07:17:31 PM EST
    and what happened to those Republicans who want a fresh, young face?   Mrs Clinton is so old, being born one year later than the 69-year old Donald.  Of course, Trump's hairpiece (I hope that it is not natural, fearing that something of his own is growing in that area) seems to be youngish this time around.

    Parent
    At this moment (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 07:28:00 PM EST
    watching a pretty hilarious conversation with a republican strategist questioned on this subject by Chris Hayes. His only suggestion so far is day drinking.
    The term "spittle flecked populism" was used.

    Parent
    Well, I did tell one of my (none / 0) (#78)
    by Zorba on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 07:48:42 PM EST
    winger friends that I would never vote for anyone who was wearing a road-kill badger on his head.  She was horrified.  At me, not The Donald.   ;-)

    Parent
    I (none / 0) (#80)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:01:39 PM EST
    think the GOP base has been scammed for so long they have developed a sort of "Copenhagen Syndrome" towards the bullies and scammers that infest their party.

    Parent
    he's being dropped by businesses (none / 0) (#7)
    by CST on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:21:22 PM EST
    And they love him even more for it.

    I almost hope they do elect him.  He's the perfect face for the cause.

    Parent

    A couple of things I'm reading today (none / 0) (#8)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:21:53 PM EST
    Very different, but pretty interesting.

    How a conservative billionaire is moving Heaven and Earth to become the biggest alternative energy giant in the country

    A pretty long read (but from a left leaning publication), but well worth it.

    And this.

    Why do people believe myths about the Confederacy?  Because our textbooks and monuments are wrong

    Interesting article (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by sj on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:03:03 PM EST
    This bit, though, just annoys the cr@p out of me:
    "Quite frankly, I'm not smart enough and neither is anyone else to say whether it is global warming or climate change or whatever," [Bill Miller] explains.
    Let's apply that to other things:

    How about brain surgery? Quantum physics? Anything else he isn't smart enough to understand? Because lord knows, if he can't understand it neither can anyone else.

    Having said that, at least this ignorant man is doing a good thing even -- if it's all about the dollars.


    Parent

    The truth shouldn't annoy you. (2.00 / 3) (#186)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:14:30 PM EST
    Consensus isn't science and the MMGW claims do not meet the requirements to be a Scientific Theory.

    And wasting time and money on false claims is terribly wasteful of resources that could be used to develop the next generation of energy sources.

    And he hasn't accomplished anything except spend money for 7 years with no end in sight.


    Parent

    that's fantastic news (none / 0) (#12)
    by CST on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 01:35:44 PM EST
    along with other evidence that the business community is getting behind environmental reforms.

    Bill Gates is also going to be giving $2 billion to alternative energy development in the next five years.

    The environment needs all the friends it can get.

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#18)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 02:06:28 PM EST
    growing in SC I was taught myths and frankly most of it was not because of the textbooks so much as the teachers wanted to continue the myths. I guess back then they were not as strict about what teachers taught.

    Parent
    Ga6thDem, you asked why LGBT (none / 0) (#82)
    by caseyOR on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:17:53 PM EST
    people seem so excited by and supportive of Hillary Clinton in her run for the White House. I think this video from Hillary's campaign explains some of why she has such support in the LGBT community.


    Parent
    Thanks (none / 0) (#83)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:37:09 PM EST
    that's a pretty awesome video and is sure to make some heads explode for sure.

    Hmm, anyone think that Hillary is going to have a problem with the youth vote should watch that video. I would think it appeals to young people also.

    Parent

    jbinc - That is a very (none / 0) (#136)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:28:45 AM EST
    interesting article re wind power. I have saved it to read again and forward to some friends; both pro and con "green energy." My thanks.

    A few points.

    No analysis is given showing the cost differential between green energy and the various types of carbon/nuke/water. Given that the comparison would be unkind to green electricity I wonder if it is the bias of the author.

    The author does point out the wind/green energy is not market driven; but government driven.

    Schwarzenegger's mandate that utilities get 33 percent of their power from green sources by 2020 had investors piling into the market, realizing that if they could develop large renewable-energy projects, the utilities would have no choice but to buy their green power at a hefty premium.

    He also doesn't mention Enron/PGE which became a criminal enterprise because CA regulated the retail price of electricity but not the wholesale.

    Of course government is both the enabler and the cop:

    In 2006, Bill Miller was about to sell his boss' cattle ranch, a 500-square-mile high-desert expanse............When we first started on this thing I told everyone that this was going to be the toughest environmental analysis that we would ever do." His estimate as to how long it would take: four years. That was seven and a half years ago. The environmental review process is still under way.

    And timing is every thing...

    On sunny days, Picker said, the state is already overproducing electricity. Miller's project, he said, "doesn't fit the modern world." Picker told me that he's warned Miller's team that they are heading down the wrong track, "but they hear what they want to hear."

    Link

    Which is to say that the problem for green energy is storage. What to do when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow.

    The answer is simple. You must over build a source and distribution network that always matches the total requirement. Picker doesn't mention this 800 pound gorilla but it is there.

    Parent

    Aspiring Astronomers... (none / 0) (#34)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 03:37:34 PM EST
    ...on August 21, 2017 the US will be in the path for a total eclipse from Oregon to South Carolina and with technology, there is a Google map with the exact times and shadow path(umbra) across the US.  
    HERE
    I will be in that path as this is definitely something I want to experience in this life.

    In our solar system, the Earth is the only planet that experiences this phenomenon.  And as we do not know about moons in other system, astronomers can only estimate how rare this phenomenon is.  But it's rare, you need a moon that appears as the same size in the sky as the star, but it has to orbit in a way in which the moon crosses between the host planet and the star. And lastly, the system has to be a one star system.

    With around 175 moons and 8 planets in our solar system, this only happens to the one.  That is not to say, moons don't cross between the planet and the sun, but most are specs and in no way block out the entire sun.

    The ratios are so tight, that in all of the Universe, we may be the only life forms privy to a solar eclipse.  That is my opinion only.

    We had a total solar eclipse in Hawaii ... (none / 0) (#62)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:41:57 PM EST
    ... back on July 11, 1991. Our valley and the surrounding mountain ridges were shrouded in clouds that morning, so we drove down to Kahala Park near Diamond Head, five miles away, where the skies were relatively clear. Lots of others who lived in east Honolulu's valleys had the same idea, because the large community park was filled with hundreds of people. The eclipse itself, which lasted for a number of minutes, was an amazing and unforgettable experience.

    You're in for a real treat.

    Parent

    Try again, posting this in the proper thread (none / 0) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:33:29 PM EST
    Did Obama gut Rubio's Cuban Floridian support?

    Why dontcha ask (none / 0) (#40)
    by scribe on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:38:46 PM EST
    Bob Menendez how that disagreeing with Obama about Cuban issues thing worked out?

    Parent
    Wouldn't matter one way or the other (none / 0) (#55)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:16:09 PM EST
    Hillary will win Florida.

    Parent
    I like this teaser (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:38:13 PM EST
    For the new season of FARGO

    Love it! (none / 0) (#44)
    by ruffian on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:48:52 PM EST
    I'm glad for more Coen style winter footage

    Parent
    Did you see (none / 0) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 04:59:58 PM EST
    my bad book of the month club comments to you in the Friday open?

    Parent
    I went back and replied there... (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by ruffian on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:22:10 AM EST
    Here is the link to my friend's old Hannotations site.  She does not update it anymore, but plenty of material there to keep you busy diving into the books!

    Parent
    At first glance (none / 0) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:32:30 AM EST
    looks like she stopped before Hannibal Rising.  To bad.  Lots of symbolism in there.

    Thanks for the link.

    Parent

    Thomas Harris (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:42:06 AM EST
    on first look.  I don't see it.  It appears that he may have once compared Christian Mythology to holocaust denial.  
    Different kettle of fish.  IMO.
    There is a famous climate denier named Thomas Harris that will pollute any search of "Thomas Harris denier".  Not the same guy.

    More research is needed.   Watch this space.

    Parent

    naaaa....let's drop that subject...better things (5.00 / 1) (#195)
    by ruffian on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:36:23 PM EST
    to talk about.

    So I got another friend hooked on GoT....she is cursing me for her lack of sleep.

    Parent

    That made me curious (none / 0) (#199)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:10:17 PM EST
    not just because I am a huge fan and I would be troubled if it was true but I was really shocked at how downright personal some of the bad reviews were.
    I didn't get it.  And don't.  But I thought that might be a reason.

    Their clearly was some sort of incident like I mentioned above.  I've seen it on a couple of religious sites.  That also, I think, might explain some of the hostility.  

    There isn't much out there on Thomas Harris.  This is from his wiki -

    Personal lifeEdit

    Little is known about Harris's personal life as he avoids publicity and has not given an interview since 1976.[5] At Baylor University he met and married a fellow student named Harriet. They had one daughter, Anne, before they divorced in the 1960s.[6] Fellow novelist Stephen King has remarked that if writing is sometimes tedious for other authors, to Harris it is like "writhing on the floor in agonies of frustration", because, for Harris, "the very act of writing is a kind of torment". Harris remained close to his mother, Polly, and reportedly called her every night, no matter where he was, and often discussed particular scenes from his work with her.[7] She died on December 31, 2011.[8] He currently lives in South Florida and has a summer home in Sag Harbor, New York,[9] with his long-term partner Pace Barnes, a woman who, according to USA Today, "used to work in publishing and is as outgoing as he is quiet."[10] Harris's friend and literary agent Morton Janklow said of him: "He's one of the good guys. He is big, bearded and wonderfully jovial. If you met him, you would think he was a choirmaster. He loves cooking--he's done the Le Cordon Bleu exams--and it's great fun to sit with him in the kitchen while he prepares a meal and see that he's as happy as a clam. He has these old-fashioned manners, a courtliness you associate with the South."[11]

    Actually that IS his wiki.

    Parent

    God help me (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:45:41 AM EST
    did I just give it another source?

    I do not remember Thomas Harris being quoted along with Mr.   Popper.

    Forgive me.

    Parent

    I wonder how this will meaure up ... (none / 0) (#74)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 07:06:49 PM EST
    ... against the first season of "Fargo," which was simply outstanding television. But then, I think I said pretty much the same thing last year about that first season, in comparison to the original 1996 movie. So what do I know?

    Seriously, though, I was a big fan of AMC's "The Killing" as it ran though its first storyline, which revolved around the tragic murder of a 17-year-old Seattle high school girl and the reverberating effect that crime had upon most everyone who was even remotely connected to it.

    As a limited series, it worked to near-perfection from premiere to finale, with the victim's family finally gaining much-needed closure, while the Seattle police detective who finally cracked that case (played with aplomb by Merielle Enos) apparently walks away from her job for good, thoroughly disillusioned and emotionally wrung out by her searing experience.

    Had AMC been content to just leave it there, it had something of which everyone could be very proud. Instead, that network decided to resurrect "The Killing" with an entirely new storyline, which just didn't have that same unnerving verve of the original. Because while it retained the first storyline's dark sense of foreboding, that sense often became almost unbearably suffocating during the second go-round.

    The show ultimately became so bogged down with its characters' depression and angst -- compounded, no doubt, by the interminable rainfall that always seemed to plague them whenever they dared to venture outside -- that it left me wondering why the Seattle Police Dept.'s entire detective's division wasn't committed to a psych ward and placed on collective suicide watch.

    I'll watch "Fargo" regardless, because I trust that the Coen brothers won't let that show's plot and setting devolve into a similarly hopeless caricature.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Trump (none / 0) (#58)
    by lentinel on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:27:51 PM EST
    is being treated in the press as THE nut in the presidential sweepstakes.

    I personally do not think that when it comes down to it, that anything he said is out of line with what most of the candidates are thinking when it comes to immigrants - or building a wall on the border.

    So he said out loud what most of them are soft-shoeing around.

    There are a few things, however, that Trump mentioned in his tirade of an announcement that were of interest to me.

    The first one is the treatment of veterans.
    They have been shamefully treated for decades. And they still are. The wait for treatment is an affront to decency, imo, and gives the lie to the supposed "thanks" and "honor" that the pols robotically bestow upon them a few times a year.

    Trump mentioned them twice during his announcement.
    I do not recall any of the other candidates addressing this issue.

    The other thing that I think is worth considering is Trump's interest and strong advocacy of renewing our infrastructure.

    Infrastructure is, in my opinion, one of the most direct ways in which we experience the extent to which our government is interested in our well-being.

    Public transportation.
    Safe roads and bridges.
    Airports.
    Rebuilding and servicing our inner cities.

    I would like infrastructure to be brought front and center and addressed by all of the candidates.

    His style was different as well - and even a bit refreshing.
    He spoke in a stream of consciousness way - a real contrast to the scripted and careful speak of the rest. And I did enjoy that he didn't do that god-awful thing of interjecting little pat phrases into every five sentences with the manipulating cadences meant to elicit applause.

    Bottom line:

    Trump does not appear to me to be worse than the others on the Republican side - but seems to be the designated clown. And as far as foreign policy is concerned, he doesn't seem to be more dangerous than - say - McCain - who is not treated nearly as derisively.

    I personally will look forward to seeing him in a debate with Jeb and the others. They will have to try to differentiate themselves from his positions - and I think they will have a devil of a time doing so.

    I think you are right (none / 0) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:32:20 PM EST
    its going to be a lot more fun with Donald

    Parent
    Btw (none / 0) (#63)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 05:46:27 PM EST
    he also said this-

    "Whether it is we are going to cut Social Security, because that's what they are saying," he continued. "Every Republican wants to do a big number on Social Security, they want to do it on Medicare, they want to do it on Medicaid. And we can't do that. And it's not fair to the people that have been paying in for years and now all of the sudden they want to be cut."

    No applause there. Know your audience, man.

    The more businesses dump him the higher his numbers go.  

    Parent

    NYT: All we are saying is give peas a chance. (none / 0) (#81)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 08:08:11 PM EST
    The New York Times today suggested adding peas to guacamole, prompting a global panic of epic proportions. But thanks to President Obama's timely intervention, the world is once again a safer and better place.

    Why would anyone in their right mind suggest peas in guacamole? They'll just roll off the chip.

    ;-D

    My hero Trump . . . may have difficulties (none / 0) (#93)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Wed Jul 01, 2015 at 10:03:31 PM EST
    I see here that my hero and hoped-for presidential contender, the esteemed fearless leader Trump, has recently uttered some helpful words on crime!

    "Well, somebody's doing the raping . . ."

    I see . . .

    It may be more difficult to win California now . . .

    LOL! You think? (none / 0) (#101)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 01:05:51 AM EST
    :-D

    Parent
    Washington a problem also (none / 0) (#115)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:58:55 AM EST
    Winning Washington state may also be a problem, but that one is only 12 electoral votes. . .  Apparently to get to a "red state" I might need to go to Idaho or Alaska, but I don't think they have parks like Greenlake where I can walk in a thong . . . Not that we have as many immigrants as there are in that unusual land of Hollywood, riches and MacFarland . . . but though the county of King is a bit rich, compared to some other counties, the people have certain sympathies . . .

    Parent
    Mr Robot (none / 0) (#109)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:14:35 AM EST
    want to second what lentinel said the other day about this new USA series.  Yes!
    Give it a look.  I think you will like it.

    Wed USA.  Second episode last night.  I guess you could catch up OnDemand.

    And the beat goes on (none / 0) (#122)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:26:55 AM EST
    Scott Walker has officially announced that he will officially announce on July 13.

    Oops I'm in error (none / 0) (#124)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:32:56 AM EST
    With Walker's aides speaking on condition of anonymity, it has thus only been unofficially announced that he will officially announce on July 13.

    Parent
    NOW it's official, Ted Cruz! (none / 0) (#128)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 09:45:10 AM EST
    Take that, Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana!

    The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a ruling shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday finding that the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges overrides the 2004 state constitutional amendment in Louisiana limiting marriage to couples of one man and one woman.

    The federal appeals court directed the district courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to issue final orders ending enforcement of the states' respective bans on same-sex couples' marriages.
    kdog (none / 0) (#132)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 10:07:35 AM EST
    Even as a onetime huge Mets fan before the coming of the Marlins...

    I'm totally infatuated with this video of the Mets 3rd sacker getting suckered by the Cubbie's  Anthony Rizzo

    I was watching that game last (none / 0) (#152)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 12:37:36 PM EST
    night.  Rizzo's slide into third was a work of art. It was also something I have never seen before, but fully expect to see again.

    And, the Cubbies won. Sure, it took them extra innings, but they still won.

    All in all, a good night for Cubs' baseball.

    Parent

    We were watching it too (none / 0) (#172)
    by jbindc on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:28:24 PM EST
    (BF is a huge Mets fan).

    Best part?  Keith Hernande:

    "This is an El Stinko Game."

    "I'm not going to comment on it. I've made enough comments tonight."

    "God almighty, this has just been awful baseball."

    "I can't find my whiteout"

    Parent

    Very cool (none / 0) (#196)
    by ruffian on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:44:51 PM EST
    And I needed a reminder to check the standings. Hard to believe it is July already.  Cubbies solidly in middle of the pack, within striking distance....maybe the second half of the season will be interesting!

    Parent
    All I want from the Cubs (none / 0) (#197)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 07:51:18 PM EST
    this season is for them to win more games than they lose. I am cautiously optimistic.

    That said, I expect more and better things next year and the year after that.

    Parent

    Oh and by the way (none / 0) (#177)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 04:47:58 PM EST
    JIm Webb is running for president

    Haha (none / 0) (#185)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 05:10:27 PM EST
    the GOP seems to think that he can beat Hillary and he's the new "frontrunner". LOL.

    Parent
    Voila (none / 0) (#190)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 06:15:39 PM EST
    Foreign policy checks into the game. He will snipe at Hillary from the left for her vote on Bush's folly and blast away at Bernie from the right for being "weak" on FP. The cynic in me would suspect that he plays attack dog for Clinton angling for VP or SoD.

    It does look like has been serious minded about our broken criminal justice system for some time and I hope he slams it hard on the table right from the get go. However other than that, his domestic policy is the same boiler-plate Blue Dog pablum we have heard for decades.

    Parent

    Plus he always just seems weird to me (5.00 / 1) (#198)
    by ruffian on Thu Jul 02, 2015 at 08:03:27 PM EST
    I don't think he is at all relatable to people. I know that is in the realm of 'who do you want to have a beer with', but there it is.

    Parent
    Happy 4th! (none / 0) (#203)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 03, 2015 at 08:31:46 AM EST
    I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS,ONE NATION UNDER  GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH   LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!  

    And may we have many many more!

    Wednesday Open Thread | 203 comments (203 topical)