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Thursday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 06:30:36 PM EST
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Sorry everyone, but I'm swamped at work and will be working tonight.

This article in WIRED about hackers comandeering jeeps and other vehicles through their electronic system is very scary. Has anyone tried to download the software fix? I did last night, and it was so complicated, I can't imagine most drivers taking the time to figure it out. I haven't yet tried to install it.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    • Thursday Open Thread | 206 comments (206 topical)
    Jeb! thinks it's time to ... (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 10:05:31 PM EST
    ... "phase out" Medicare, as well as require Americans to work longer.

    What a shame that FDR didn't arrest Prescott Bush for trading with the enemy during the Second World War, strip that family of its assets and force them to actually have to do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.

    :-(

    The Bush's are elitist.. (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by desertswine on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 10:51:50 PM EST
    oligarchs who like to pretend that they earned their wealth.

    Parent
    Yes, Jeb! wants Americans (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:40:46 PM EST
    to work longer--longer hours and longer in the work place until eligible for social security.  Jeb! wants to gradually increase the eligibility (full benefits) from 65 to 68 to 70.

    As in other matters,  Jeb! has been in a Rip Van Winkle sleep on this, and when he awakens he will find that the age is not 65; Reagan beat him to that gradual age increase and it is now 66 and 67 for those born 1960 or later.

    And, of course, Jeb! not only wants to get rid of Medicare, as you note, replacing it with Ryan's ill-defined coupon program, but repeal ACA for those not age-eligible for the former Medicare.

     But, I suppose we should be grateful for small things, Jeb! only wants to move social security age-eligibility up to 70 (gradually, of course), rather than modeling his infamous brother who attempted to use his re-election "political capital"  to get rid of social security.  

    Parent

    I just watched (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by MKS on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 10:58:31 PM EST
    the entire Senate hearing on the Iran nuke deal held today.

    Wow, John Kerry was impressive. Smart and knowledgeable.  He should have been President.

    The Republicans were total boobs--uninformed political hacks (Corker excepted.)

    Johnson of Wisconsin tried to embarrass Secretary Moniz over Electro Magnetic Pulses and some report that was issued in 2008.  Moniz said he had not heard of that particular report, and Johnson tried to say the Moniz was stupid.  Moniz said he was aware of the issue and had made recommendations about it.  Had nothing to do with the Iran nuke deal.

    All the Democrats except Menendez appear onboard with the deal.  Menendez was snotty and sarcastic.....nasty guy.

    An EMP produced by Iran's nuke (none / 0) (#87)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 09:41:58 AM EST
    would be a very serious problem.

    An EMP, which is a high-intensity burst of electromagnetic energy caused by the rapid acceleration of charged particles, can be produced by intense solar storms or by a nuclear weapon detonated high in the atmosphere. When such a solar storm occurred in 1859, operators of the telegraph--the first widespread electrical device--were "shocked unconscious, and machines caught on fire." Imagine the repercussions of such an event today, when virtually everything we own relies directly or indirectly on the power grid.

    Link

    Parent

    Oh, for Heaven's sake, Jim. (none / 0) (#125)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 04:28:32 PM EST
    Energy Sec. Ernest Moniz is a nuclear physicist who holds a Ph.D from Stanford, headed MIT's Physics Dept. and was further, was the Director of that institution's Bates Linear Accelerator Center.

    Therefore, given both his credentials and his extensive professional experience, I very seriously doubt that either Sen. Johnson or you know more about these matters than him.

    Sec. Moniz says that the issue of electro-magnetic pulses has nothing to do with Iran's nuclear program. Please stop embarrassing yourself here by implying otherwise.

    :-(

    Parent

    Since he has all those credentials (none / 0) (#152)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:12:39 AM EST
    then his comment that EMP has nothing to do with Iran developing nukes is almost criminal in its stupidity.

    Parent
    What's your point, Jim? (none / 0) (#179)
    by Mr Natural on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 04:31:48 PM EST
    So far, all you're doing is throwing around scary words.

    Show us a nuclear weapon that does not produce an EMP.

    Parent

    Wow (none / 0) (#181)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 04:39:25 PM EST
    Nuclear weapons do more then go boom, who woudda thunk?

    Parent
    Oh, go hide under your bed, Jim. (none / 0) (#200)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:44:13 PM EST
    I promise to let you know when the coast is clear -- unless, of course, that coast has been nuked by the Ayatollah.

    You know, maybe that's why the Muslims were so eager to build that mosque in Murfreesboro -- you know, to store fissionable material. Yes, it all makes perfect sense now.

    I guess the window pane finally kicked in.

    Parent

    Holy Crap! (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by NYShooter on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 11:26:40 PM EST
    Criminal Inquiry Sought in Hillary Clinton's Use of Email

    NYT,JULY 23, 2015
    LINK

    WASHINGTON -- Two inspectors general have asked the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into whether Hillary Rodham Clinton mishandled sensitive government information on a private email account she used as secretary of state, senior government officials said Thursday.

    They've changed that (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:08:42 AM EST
    but of course haven't said they did. It reads dif now. {sigh}

    Parent
    Son of a @#%#@!! (none / 0) (#31)
    by NYShooter on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 09:59:41 AM EST
    Now I'm mad that I didn't copy the entire original story. Would really be interested to see how far they went in distorting what's really happening. There was no ambiguity in that headline I copied, so, how far did they go in skewering Hillary?

    Parent
    This is how the opening paragraph (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 07:53:39 AM EST
    reads now:

    Two inspectors general have asked the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into whether sensitive government information was mishandled in connection with the personal email account Hillary Rodham Clinton used as secretary of state, senior government officials said Thursday.

    As the article continues, it appears to me that the emphasis is on how the State Department handled the disclosure of the e-mails; State was, after all, the conduit for the public release -  Clinton did not, on her own, release her e-mails to the public.  If some e-mails were later classified, I don't see how that comes back on Clinton.

    The bone that's being picked seems to be over State's failure to classify more of the material before it was made public.  But if it wasn't classified at the time Clinton was sending, receiving or turning them over to State, I don't see how that's her failure - but I expect others will blame her no matter what.

    My gut feeling is that DOJ will decline to open a criminal investigation on this matter - which will no doubt result in simultaneous cranial explosions in the GOP.  

    As if that's something we haven't seen before.


    Parent

    So you are saying that the head of DOS was (2.00 / 1) (#84)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 08:58:44 AM EST
    to dumb to know the content was supposed to be classified.  

    Okie dokie.

    Parent

    No (none / 0) (#88)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 09:46:40 AM EST
    what you don't understand is the IG thinks a lunch memo should be classified but the State department does not. I guess you don't realize that really too much BS is considered "classified".

    But not that I really care what you think. Continue to let the GOP beat you up with their conspiracy theories.

    Parent

    Given (none / 0) (#89)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 09:50:34 AM EST
    the fact that the experts are still debating over what should be classified several years later, it's impossible to expect one person to do it in real time.

    Parent
    There are rules and guidelines that every (none / 0) (#91)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:02:14 AM EST
    person cleared for classified information knows.

    Hillary was SecState. And she didn't know??

    Gesh.

    Try "I didn't know the speed limit" the next time you get a ticket and see what happens.

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:54:07 AM EST
    guidelines such as "do not email documents labeled as classified". None of the documents were labeled as such.

    Actually there is a thread for this subject so we should shut up about here.

    Hey how about those Turks, about time they got in the game.

    Parent

    Yup, I agree, except, (none / 0) (#113)
    by NYShooter on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 02:27:05 PM EST
    unfortunately, they're also attacking the Kurds.

    BTW, as long as all those Middle Eastern Knuckle-Heads continue squabbling over thousand year old sectarian/religious crappolla, "Peace in Our Time," will remain an illusive illusion.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#126)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 06:02:12 PM EST
    I also saw that. WTF is wrong with these people?

    Parent
    Sheesh (none / 0) (#92)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:17:52 AM EST
    She obeyed the rules. The IG is now trying to go back and change the rules at the behest of your darling Bojo Trey Gowdy. After Issa faked that information why do you continue to fall for this nonsense?

    Hey, hey, hey, the GOP dropped another 7 points in the last six months. There's a reason for all this and you can find it in the GOP's continually falling numbers. You know you can fool some of the people all the time but you can fool Republicans all the time apparently. It's become a great franchise for a select few.

    Parent

    GA, if she knew the rules she broke them (1.50 / 2) (#93)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:43:30 AM EST
    If she didn't she was ignorant of them

    Or she didn't think they applied to her

    I pick the latter.

    And Hillary is behind in 3 states.....lol

    Parent

    Nope (none / 0) (#94)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:50:36 AM EST
    only in the crazed bubble of the GOP. Like I said keep it up. Perhaps the GOP will drop another 7 points in the next six months.

    Parent
    Your comment is not fact based. (none / 0) (#106)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 01:31:36 PM EST
    Hillary is collapsing.

    She's trailing in CO,IA and VA.

    Stay tuned.

    Parent

    Polls are too far out from the (none / 0) (#112)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 02:07:08 PM EST
    election to be any guide.  The same pollls at this time 8 years ago showed her ahead of everybody in the Democratic Party back then.

    It's so funny to see you try to share your delusions with others.

    Parent

    Thank you for making the obvious point (none / 0) (#115)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 03:18:40 PM EST
    Now, having noted that polls taken today are too far from the election to be taken seriously.

    Will you and all the Hillary water carriers quit quoting the ones that favors her????

    Parent

    I'm not a water carrier (none / 0) (#116)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 03:24:34 PM EST
    for anyone.

    Oh, is that how it works, you quote the few unfavorable ones, and everyone else should just shut up if the other polls are in her favor?

    You are funny with your double-standard and indignation, Jim.  I don't think you're in any position to dictate what anyone does on this blog, are you??????????


    Parent

    No, I just wanted to pop GA's bubble (none / 0) (#154)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:18:03 AM EST
    Nope (none / 0) (#94)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 09:50:36 AM CST
    only in the crazed bubble of the GOP. Like I said keep it up. Perhaps the GOP will drop another 7 points in the next six months.

    She's so obviously wrong that the comment should have been in red bold italics.

    And you and she are two of the most partisan commentators I have ever seen. And that's saying something.

    Parent

    That's hilarious (none / 0) (#157)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:33:52 AM EST
    seeing as beginning with Carter's stay in the WH, you've never found a Democrat worth praising since then.

    As for being partisan, have you noticed the title of this blog?  Not exactly non-partisan, if you get my drift.

    Parent

    Jim (none / 0) (#161)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:27:42 AM EST
    I guess the new bad numbers from the Pew Poll haven't been reported on Fox yet. Just because one of your sources hasn't told you about doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The National Review no less is freaking out about the numbers but you accuse me of not knowing.

    Silly guy you've been played.

    Parent

    Didn't you see his earlier comment? (none / 0) (#162)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:39:32 AM EST
    We're not allowed to mention favorable polls for Hillary this far out from the election.

    Parent
    You have (none / 0) (#118)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 03:29:28 PM EST
    to look at all the polls Jim not just pick one.

    And the new Pew poll that just came out is deadly to the GOP. 2/3 of the country cannot stand them. Sorry but neoconfederatism isn't selling well these days.

    Parent

    Heh - "3 states" (none / 0) (#121)
    by Yman on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 04:08:52 PM EST
    Too bad for you there's 50 states.

    Stay tuned.

    Parent

    She's trailing in 3 (none / 0) (#123)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 04:22:02 PM EST
    purplish, weakly Blue states, and we are suppose to worry that this will lose the election for her.

    Parent
    More, silly analogies (none / 0) (#120)
    by Yman on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 04:05:05 PM EST
    Speed limits are posted and there are default limits depending on the type of road/neighborhood when they are not.

    SOSs are not experts in FOIA/classification law.

    ... and you certainly aren't.

    Parent

    Lordy that is such a load of crap (none / 0) (#143)
    by sj on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 08:55:12 PM EST
    wrapped in a tiny kernel of truth. The "rules and guidelines" that every person cleared for "classified information knows" can only be related to what that person deals with. You can (and will) be read in on a topic or project and know nothing about the issues including classified status of the desk right next door.

    No one person can possibly know the security status of everything. Which is why documents are submitted to other bureaus and agencies for guidance. And different agencies can disagree. Which is what is happening now.


    Parent

    I would like to know more (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:01:07 AM EST
    about the inspectors

    Parent
    This is (none / 0) (#18)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:18:19 AM EST
    the same thing they've been saying for quite a while but goes nowhere.

    Parent
    Hactktacular (none / 0) (#27)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:15:42 AM EST
    hit job, it now reads
    whether sensitive government information was mishandled in connection with the personal email account Hillary Rodham
    .

    When you read past all the innuendo(yay Clinton Rules). it turns out that the story revolves around the way the current SD is handling the release of the emails  rather then misuse by Hillary.

    Of course they throw their weaselly  

    It is not clear if any of the information in the emails was marked as classified by the State Department when Mrs. Clinton sent or received them.


    Parent
    Dead L.A. Gun Hoarder IDed as Space-Alien (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:43:57 AM EST
    Hybrid, working for the Government, and
    "sent to Earth to protect us," according to Laura VadBunker, the mother of 39-year-old Dawn VadBunker, who used to work for [the dead space-alien's fiancée, Catherine] Nebron.

    "I can't believe this," Laura VadBunker told KTLA. "It's worse than a Twilight Zone movie. He was part alien and part human and was out to save the world."
    Ok, THAT story (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 07:48:24 AM EST
    made my day.  Thanks for that.

    Parent
    Maybe he was from here (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:09:49 AM EST
    Say Hello To Earth 2.0! Historic Kepler Discovery Suggests We Are Not Alone

    Remember the name Kepler 452b. Because in our search to discover if we are alone in this vast and fascinating universe, a sole life-harboring world among countless dead and uninhabitable planets, we may finally have a true candidate for Earth 2.0.

    For the first time, scientists have found what appears to be a rocky world orbiting a Sun-like star at almost exactly the same distance that Earth orbits our own Sun. While other potentially habitable planets have been found before, this is the first that could plausibly be another Earth. This might be the real deal, people.

    Kepler 452b, found by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, is located 1,400 light-years from us. It orbits a star that is 4% more massive and 10% brighter than our Sun. The planet itself is 1.6 times the size of Earth - making it a super-Earth - but the scientists are fairly sure that it is a rocky world, owing to its size and the type of star it orbits.

    Its orbit, 384.84 Earth days and 5% more distant than our planet is from the Sun, places it right in its star's habitable zone, where it is not too hot or cold for liquid water to form: the same region Earth is in around the Sun. This is not the first Earth-sized planet found in a habitable zone; last year, the world was abuzz with the discovery of Kepler 186f, more similar in size to Earth. But that planet orbited a red dwarf star, smaller and cooler than the Sun. Kepler 452b, excitingly, orbits almost an exact clone of the Sun.



    Parent
    Sounds good. Let me know... (none / 0) (#102)
    by desertswine on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 12:32:07 PM EST
    when they start selling tickets.

    Parent
    Imagine this world, (none / 0) (#103)
    by Mr Natural on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 12:39:58 PM EST
    all the national military budgets instead spent on science.

    Parent
    Once upon a time (none / 0) (#28)
    by MKS on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:21:33 AM EST
    I aspired to be a headline writer for the National Enquirer....so talented those folks are.

    Parent
    Poem for Mrs. Dadler (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by Dadler on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:22:08 PM EST
    i)
    within this nest the seeds of eggs
    were incubated on beds
    of dry grass turned green,
    reversing a loophole.

    ii)
    youth with legs fresh as crickets
    rubbing out mathematical code.

    iii)
    the animal poem is a public service,
    an inherited staircase, a spiral syndrome;
    it curls between biology and delights
    rising up steeply as weeds,
    strong as the thirst
    of a consistently dry tooth.

    Jeb Bush & Medicare (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by christinep on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:54:52 PM EST
    So ... anyone hearing any feedback about Jeb Bush' comments this week in a New Hampshire interview wherein he advised "phasing out Medicare" in order to save it or somesuch.

     In his clarification when asked about it yesterday by a concerned person, he seemed to say that we need to have a "conversation" about it and that his earlier comment was not quite accurately reported...then, he appeared to repeat the "phase out" need as his preferred approach.  (Note: He stated that the "phase out" wouldn't effect those now enrolled in Medicare.  I think that is a "don't worry your little head about it" because it will apply to those coming after you, blah, blah.)  ???

    Of course (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:04:48 PM EST
    it won't affect "those now enrolled" This is the EXACT same thing his brother said about social security and it was all downhill for his brother after that statement.

    Jeb is amazing in his stupidity. These are GOP voters that he is going after do you really think that they're going to believe that Jeb is going to let them stay on Medicare?

    Parent

    Medicare is dying and is in huge trouble with (2.00 / 1) (#99)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 11:08:51 AM EST
    many of the elders. It only pays 20% of doctor bills...so a heart attack can cost $100,000 or so. To cover this people purchase Supplemental Insurance that pays what Medicare doesn't. Problem is that the SI premiums for a 70 year old get up to around $300/month... $3600/annual...add on the Medicare premium of around $1300 and the Part D premium of around $1000. and you get around $6000 per person or $12000/annual per couple... That just destroys a couple's retirement.

    Some declare bankruptcy and go on Medicaid... or are just broke so they do on Medicaid... That works except the state takes their home when they both are dead which means they can leave nothing to their children...

    Trump's a PITA but he's smart. He may find that there is a large number of GOP and DEMO voters who would support a single payer system.

    Parent

    You (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 11:13:40 AM EST
    aren't much up on private insurance these days are you?

    Yes, but do you realize that the same insurance on the private market that Jeb is advocating would cost a couple around 24K a year? If 12K bankrupts them what would 24K to do them?

    Parent

    And your point is what?? (none / 0) (#105)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 01:26:18 PM EST
    And yes, but what??

    If you were so quick to want to fuss you'd understand that I do agree with Bush and have repeatedly called for a single payer system.

    Parent

    Bush hasn't proposed (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 01:50:03 PM EST
    a single-payer system, nor any other substitute for it besides getting rid of it, so you and he aren't in 100% agreement on this issue.


    Parent
    Jim, those figures make no sense (5.00 / 5) (#132)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:15:39 PM EST
    at all.  Medicare pays 80% of my doctors fees and my $53 per month suplimental pays the rest.  All those other charges you've thrown out are total fiction.

    Parent
    I should tell you to stick it (1.50 / 2) (#163)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:40:53 AM EST
    for calling me a liar. But that would be counter productive.

    My numbers are real. I suspect you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, probably without Part D and is a HMO-PPO instead of a POS and has an annual deductible for hospitable of around $4000.

    But if there is a cheaper plan out there that provide hospital, doctor and drug coverage with no deductible, I want in.

    Please provide me the name of the company that has your coverage.

    Parent

    Jim, I don't understand your numbers (5.00 / 2) (#169)
    by caseyOR on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 01:50:05 PM EST
    either. I have regular Medicare, not an Advantage plan. Medicare pays 80% of my medical costs. In some instances it pays 100% of costs. My annual deductible is $147.00. My monthly premiums are $104.

    Now, Part D, pushed through by your pal George W. Bush, is a separate plan for me as I have traditional Medicare. My monthly premium this year year is around $48 per month. My costs are set by the private for-profit health insurance company that runs my plan. So, my medications are much more expensive than they need to be. Of course, if the Part D legislation had not specifically forbidden Medicare from negotiating drug prices my costs would be much less. This rule was disgracefully upheld by Obama and the Dems during the ACA fight,

    I do not know who your plan is with, Jim, but it is not traditional Medicare. It sounds like you need a new plan.

    Parent

    It's because (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 02:08:45 PM EST
    he lives in Tennessee and they are the ones that regulate his supplemental plan. Quite a racket the GOP has there. They get to fleece people like Jim and then Jim turns around and votes for them.


    Parent
    Casey, thanks for the info (2.00 / 2) (#177)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 03:44:23 PM EST
    but Medicare doesn't pay 80% of your medical costs. It pays 80% of your doctor bills(Part B.) For hospital bills, Part A, you will pay up to $1260 per stay per 60 day period. That is, if go in, come out, 60 days later you start over. It could be as much as $5040/year.

    But the real devil is that 20% of your doctor's bills which can be in the $200,000 range for heart attacks, strokes, etc. Very few retirees have the resources to come up with $40,000 without drastically impacting savings and/or investments. So people need Supplemental Insurance which doesn't cover what Medicare doesn't cover, which is what many people think. It covers the 20% of what Medicare does cover but only pays 80% of.

    I didn't realize that W was my pal. I mean the last time I invited him for a cuppa Joe he didn't show. And while Part D ain't perfect I'll invoke you folks's claim re Obamacare. "It's better than nothing." But I agree that Medicare should be able to negotiate with the drug companies. Of course I also remember that Swimmer Kennedy voted against the coverage. I guess he had to destroy the coverage so he could save it. He didn't make it then or in Congress.

    And a standalone plan that has decent coverage without high deductibles runs around $80/month.

    I see that GA had to jump in with some partisan trash talk, which is typical of her. BTW, GA, each state has an Insurance Commissioner and each state regulates. And one of solutions to lowering prices that the evileeeeee Repubs brought forth was dumping the state regs and allowing open competition nation wide. You Demos blocked that.

    Medigap polices run around $75/month for POS with a $4000/annual deductible for Part A, B and D. Of course they take the Medicare Premium so the cost is around $180 plus they are heavily subsidized.

    And, like I asked fishcamp, send me the name of your company cause the figures I gave are real and I'd like some of those low prices.

    Parent

    There's a good reason why Dems (5.00 / 2) (#208)
    by Anne on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 09:09:41 AM EST
    opposed selling insurance across state lines, and that was because insurance companies would only have to comply with the regulations and mandates in the states in which they were based - not in the states in which their customers live.  It would mean insurance companies would set up in states that have fewer mandates and less regulation of premiums, resulting in less coverage and more limited access to services.  Not exactly a win for the people.

    I think this once again points up the glaring lack of fact and truth in much of what you comment here.  Oh, sometimes it's borderline  "truthy," but a closer look and a few minutes of research takes care of that.

    Bottom line is that your presence here is a complete waste of bandwidth.

    Parent

    Once again jim, (5.00 / 2) (#205)
    by fishcamp on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 07:51:39 AM EST
    you are totally wrong.  I don't have an HMO type Medicare plan, and I do have part D.  Your figures are so off kilter that I don't even want to argue with you about it.  It appears as though you are the liar for making up so many stupid costs that simply do not exist.  BTW speaking of heart problems I recently had a 3 D heart scan that cost $16,500 and Medicare paid all of that and the rest of a three day stay at the hospital for a series of stress tests.  I'm fine, but it appears you are not.

    Parent
    I should say it's amusing (none / 0) (#207)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 08:47:01 AM EST
    to see Mr. "Quit making things up" hoisted by his own petard here.

    Parent
    Trump isn't getting Dem votes (none / 0) (#122)
    by Yman on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 04:19:55 PM EST
    Frankly, they're not going to support a racist idiot.  Those are the people who support single payer (80%).

    Only 25% of Republicans support single payer.

    Parent

    This wrong (none / 0) (#165)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:45:43 AM EST
    The single-payer option - also known as Medicare for all - would create a new, government-run insurance program to replace private coverage. The system, once backed by President Obama, became one of the biggest casualties of the divisive healthcare debates of 2009.

    Obama didn't even take it forward. It wasn't a casualty of a battle. Obama killed it himself.

    Parent

    Whoooooossshhhh .... (5.00 / 1) (#195)
    by Yman on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:32:13 PM EST
    Uhmmm, ... whether you think that part of the article is wrong is irrelevant to the point.

    While Donald's idiotic, racist antics may make him popular with Republicans, only a small percentage of Republicans want single payer.  And while Democrats overwhelmingly support single payer, they're not going to vote for a racist idiot.

    Lose-lose for Donald.

    Parent

    Unlike you I am all bound up with what a candidate (none / 0) (#199)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:05:35 PM EST
    wants.

    Could Donald win if nominated?? Don't know but it would be a clear choice.

    And supposedly the split is 40 Demo, 40 Repub and 20 Indie... so it appears that the winner will be decided by the Indies.

    It would be a fun election.Let us find out some things about ourselves.

    Parent

    Those old-timers (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:12:18 PM EST
    and soon to be old-timers, may be getting older, but I doubt that they are unable to figure out that cutting off Medicare for those who come after them will not affect what is left of  the program--and them.  The last one out, please turn off the lights--thanks, your dear friend, Jeb!

    Parent
    No, maybe Trump isn't all bad (none / 0) (#43)
    by Reconstructionist on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:07:07 PM EST
     for the GOP?

      Personally, I'd like to see us phase out Medicaid and private plans and expand Medicare to universal coverage. Giving it a new name would be OK with me it allows some to say the fulfilled a pledge to "get rid of Medicare"

    Parent

    Good luck (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:14:50 PM EST
    with that.

    Parent
    50yrs ago tonight... (5.00 / 3) (#104)
    by desertswine on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 12:58:17 PM EST
    At the Newport Fork Festival, Dylan goes electric. And today, after 40yrs of faithful service, I had to take my venerable stereo receiver in for repairs.  I hope they can fix it.

    I remember (5.00 / 2) (#127)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 06:26:23 PM EST
    ...hearing "Subterranean Homesick Blues" for the first time on my mom's car radio while I waited for her to run an errand.

    I remember exactly where the car was parked.  It made that much of an impression on me.

    Parent

    The kids at the stereo shop (none / 0) (#108)
    by scribe on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 01:54:10 PM EST
    will stand around your stereo looking on in awe at this antique artifact that actually makes music.  One of the more technically adept will be able to explain to them the concept of a "needle" riding in a "groove" on something called an "LP" sitting on a spinning "turntable" and how that gets turned into music.  And their jaws will drop in amazement that such a thing ever worked.

    And then there's the whole idea of an analog tuner, working by changing the resistance running through the rheostat, and pulling music out of the air off radio waves.  They don't do analog.

    You'd better hope you don't have any tubes in your set.  And don't expect them to understand the skywave and how it enables you to listen to radio stations half a continent away, but only after sunset and only on the AM dial.

    Seriously in the town where I live there's a store specializing in LPs, vintage stereo sets and 80s-90s video games and machines.  They must be making money b/c they advertise on TV.

    Parent

    Analog tuners generally tune... (none / 0) (#129)
    by unitron on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:10:34 PM EST
    ...by changing the capacitance or inductance of a circuit, which changes the frequency at which the local oscillator runs.

    The old car radios of the '50s and '60s generally used variable inductors, whereas the one in your house back then probably used a variable capacitor.

    There are solid state devices, called varactors, which change capacitance depending on the voltage across them, and one can use them in oscillator tuning circuits in place of the standard variable capacitor.

    The change in the voltage across them is accomplished by using a variable resistor as a voltage divider.

    Variable resistors are usually called either rheostats or potentiometers, depending on the number of terminals, the current handling capability, and the use.

    Rheostats are generally 2-terminal devices used to change the amount of current flow in a circuit, and are more likely to be used in higher current power situations like light dimmers and motor speed controls.

    Potentiometers are generally 3-terminal devices, and more likely to be used in lower current signal control situations like volume and tone controls and the aforementioned voltage divider circuit used in voltage controlled oscillators.

    Parent

    I used to regularly pick up KNX-AM ... (none / 0) (#201)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 12:00:25 AM EST
    scribe: "And don't expect them to understand the skywave and how it enables you to listen to radio stations half a continent away, but only after sunset and only on the AM dial."

    ... from Los Angeles at night, as well as XTRA-AM in Tijuana, BC, and that's 2,500 miles away from here. And occasionally, I could also get a station in Auckland, NZ. Of course, that's over open ocean, and there's no mountains, etc., to interfere with the AM signal. And when I was ten, my uncle and aunt gave me a short-wave radio set for Christmas, which would captivate me for hours.

    Today, you can get all and more that on the internet. While that's cool in itself, it's just not the same as trying to tune in to some faraway frequency on the dial.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Donald, years ago, in the days (none / 0) (#206)
    by fishcamp on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 08:04:42 AM EST
    of CB radios we used to drive up to the top of Independence Pass, in Colorado, and listen to ham radio guys talking from Australia and other far away places.  It was called ionosphereic skip, by us back then.

    Parent
    What brand and model... (none / 0) (#130)
    by unitron on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:11:10 PM EST
    ...is that receiver?

    Parent
    It's a Yamaha CR 1000 (none / 0) (#142)
    by desertswine on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 08:12:31 PM EST
    It's big and beautiful and has delivered for 40 years.  I bought it new in '74 or '75 or thereabouts. I can barely lift it with my bum arm.

    Parent
    Re hacking the systems in Jeeps and such (5.00 / 2) (#110)
    by scribe on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 01:55:52 PM EST
    Yet another story that makes me glad I'm driving a mid-90s Volvo.

    Jim, my Medicare insurance (5.00 / 2) (#210)
    by fishcamp on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 01:10:49 PM EST
    Is with United Health Care.  You must not be covered by Medicare because you would never make the many ridiculous statements that you did.  You and I are the same age and I've had Medicare for many years and know most of their moves.  You must have some Naval Aviation insurance.  BTW I don't appreciate being called a liar.  Why would I lie about Medicare?  They have saved my butt and other body parts many times...I think Medicare is a terrific insurance program.

    Yawn (5.00 / 1) (#213)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Tue Jul 28, 2015 at 07:54:03 AM EST


    fishcamp & Anne (2.00 / 1) (#209)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 09:35:55 AM EST
    It saddens me that instead of providing a helping hand and giving me the name of your Supplemental Ins company...something I could take to our Insurance Commissioner and demand some answers...as to why our prices are so high as compared to FL...you only double down with your nasty personal insult...and for no reason at all...I had even noted that I wouldn't respond to you calling me a liar in your initial comment.

    Let me repeat. My numbers are accurate. I don't doubt yours. I would appreciate the name of your company so I can raise some questions with my state's commission.

    Anne - Obviously it would take some new laws that made the insurance companies comply with federal laws that protected the consumer. But the Demos apparently didn't want that.

    Something is funny (2.00 / 1) (#211)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 03:53:33 PM EST
    my supplement was also with United Health care. It will be interesting to see what the state of TN has to say about why it is so much more here.

    I only had 10 years in Naval Aviation so I get no benefits.

    BTW - We're talking across each other. I took your comment as calling me a liar, see my original reply and for some reason you think I was calling you one. Nope, see my comment #163.

    But my numbers are correct. Medicare premium is $104. Hospital co pay is $1260 per stay within 60 days. A good Part D plan is around $80 and my United Health Care premium was over $250 when I opted out went Cigna Medigap  which has a $72 premium with a $4400 out of pocket.

    And I am not opposed to Medicare. In fact I have stated that we need a single payer system modeled on Medicare without the 80/20. But it is in trouble unless Congress ups the funding and the 20% is a huge problem unless you have a SI. And the numbers double, which I did note at the end but you may have missed.

    Either way, thanks. I'm gonna chat with some bureaucrats.

    SSDD (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 09:12:59 PM EST
    2 People Reportedly Killed, Including Gunman, in Shooting at Louisiana Theater; Multiple Injured

    LINK

    ok, re constitutional law here, speculation . . . (none / 0) (#8)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 11:25:22 PM EST
    washington state has a law saying that private conversations cannot be recorded unless you have the consent of both parties.  this law is seen as an impediment to police wearing body cams and also Metro bus drivers wearing body cams, despite a lot of documented good effects from the possession and use of such body cams.

    Should the law be struck down as unconstitutionally vague and overbroad and not meeting strict scrutiny?

    thanks!

    California is the same (none / 0) (#11)
    by MKS on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:18:55 AM EST
    But it typically means you cannot record a telephone conversation without the other person's consent.  Private meetings cannot be recorded.

    But cops and bus drivers are out in public....so, I am not so sure it would apply here.  And a cop on duty arresting or detaining someone is a public event.  

    Parent

    People should be aware (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Reconstructionist on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 10:01:55 AM EST
      that if they have a case which ends up in federal court, federal courts will not suppress evidence obtained in violation of state law -- in at least some instances even if the recordings were obtained by state officers or informants under the control of state officers and the case then referred to the Feds for prosecution.

       Federal courts will only enforce federal law. What this means in practice is if you live in a state that offers more protection than the 4th amendment and  federal statutes (e.g., 18 U.S. Code Chapter 119 - WIRE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS INTERCEPTION AND INTERCEPTION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS) recordings that were obtained by methods that violate your state law (examples include 2 party consent; requirements that court orders be obtained to record a person clandestinely in his home and others), a federal court will rule it admissible if it does not violate standards.

    Parent

    the last sentence should read (none / 0) (#34)
    by Reconstructionist on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 10:07:03 AM EST
    FEDERAL standards.

    Parent
    I see (none / 0) (#12)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:29:48 AM EST
    I see that California law is similar and may create some similar problems . . . and re bus drivers and leo, we can say hypothetically that their conversations should not be regarded as private, but the fact of the matter is the Seattle police and King county sheriffs believe they should either not use body cams or not record audio in many circumstances, for the sake of potential liability.  It is one thing to say that the law shouldn't apply to such things as conversations with police officers in the performance of their duties . . . but until courts or the leg has made that very clear, king county and Seattle are not doing what might be construed as a violation of the law.

    Parent
    in order to be found constitutional . . . (none / 0) (#13)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:41:51 AM EST
    A law that implicates free speech needs to meet a number of specific requirements . . . and the facts of the situations that have repeatedly come up seem to be indicating that the rcw on recording conversations doesn't meet the constitutional requirements . . . re vagueness, overbreadeth and the requirement to be narrowly tailored to achieve and only cover the compelling and overriding governmental interest.

    If King County Metro says that its bus drivers can't wear body cams for fear of breaking the law . . . and king county sheriffs won't wear them for fear of breaking the law . . . and Sea police won't record audio for fear of breaking the law  . . . the law itself is substantially vague and suppressing  otherwise helpful "free speech" which ought to be protected.

    Isn't that obvious?

    Parent

    What's obvious (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:09:46 AM EST
    is that the cops will cling to any excuse not to wear those body cams.

    Parent
    ok ill law twice down; how does Wa look? (none / 0) (#35)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 11:30:37 AM EST
    Illinois private-recording laws have been struck down once or twice as unconstitutional in the cases of
    People v Clark, 2014, IL, 115776, March 20, 2014

    and
    People v Melongo, 2014, IL, 114852

    *

    If anyone is a lawyer or has legal training or enjoys arguing and thinking . . .

    How does the Washington state law or laws stack up constitutionally, especially given the court rulings in Illinois, and also given the facts that local LEO agencies won't wear body cams for fear of breaking the recording laws .  . .?

    Parent

    So . . . supposing (none / 0) (#38)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:32:32 PM EST
    supposing that I write a complaint and plan to have it filed in federal court, alleging that the Wa state law is vague, overbroad and does not meet strict scrutiny and is not narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling interest, sweeping within its ambit many conversations that are and ought to be protected by the First Amendment . . .

    and in my complaint, I prove that I have standing . . . or at least make a prima facie case that I have standing . . .

    Are there any lawyers here who wish to read it first and offer corrections, or shall I proceed completely pro se, if I think the case is strong, as I currently do?

    No pay .. . . just a small chance to contribute to constitutional law . . .

    It seems to me as if it would be a worthwhile project  . . .

    Parent

    I can't speak to your situation, but I (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:35:19 PM EST
    can tell you that soliciting legal advice here is a big no-no.  As is providing it.

    Parent
    did not know! (none / 0) (#58)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 03:50:56 PM EST
    Well, I did not know the details of recommended behavior here, with respect to legal advice . . .

    I do think that people can and often do make arguments for and against the constitutionality of certain laws here, and we can certainly learn of that . . .

    Parent

    at least . . . assuming (2.00 / 1) (#59)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 03:55:21 PM EST
    Assuming that Jeralyn permits,

    persons who discuss various things may also at times, offer a view and/or an argument about the constitutionality of certain laws.

    And, as I recall, you and I have had just such a discussion about the constitutionality of suppressing the autopsy results in some city in some far east state . . .

    what was that . . .  some sort of Baltimore, Maryland . . .

    the autopsy now seems to be out, but before it was, you and I had some mild discussion about whether or not a judge could properly suppress it prior to trial . . . or suppress other things . . .

    The constitution of the US is considered the supreme law of the land . . . and the constitution of each state is considered supreme for that state, so far as it is consistent with the US constitution and laws . . .

    In the past few months of posting, we have had at least one other discussion of constitutionality, that of suppressing the "hot or not" contest at Mount Si high school . . .

    Parent

    She meant (none / 0) (#114)
    by NYShooter on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 02:38:38 PM EST
    soliciting (or, giving) specific, personal, advice is forbidden.

    Discussing legal subjects, generally, is fine. And, you can ask our attorneys here questions on non-personal legal matters, also.

    Sometimes you'll get an  answer, sometimes, not.

    And, that's the way it goes.

    Parent

    Hawaii law is somewhat different, in that ... (none / 0) (#74)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 10:37:41 PM EST
    ... only one of the parties need be aware that the conversation is being recorded. The target of the law is outside eavesdroppers, and not the parties to the conversation themselves.

    Parent
    Like New York (none / 0) (#80)
    by MKS on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 02:09:47 AM EST


    Parent
    Private prison lobbyists raising cash for HRC (none / 0) (#10)
    by Politalkix on Thu Jul 23, 2015 at 11:58:18 PM EST
    link

    Do not know much about the credibility of the publication that disclosed it; however if true it would be disturbing.

    Please let me try (4.50 / 2) (#53)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 03:00:26 PM EST
    to give a hand.  The on-line publication, "Intercept" is sponsored by Pierre Omidyer (founder of ebay) whose editors are Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poltras, and Jeremy Scahill.  The author of the referenced article, entitled "Private Prison Lobbyists Raising Cash," is authored by Lee Fang, a former writer for 'Nation."   Mr. Fang is a liberal journalist, but indicates that he hangs out with some tea party types, although he also claims that he rarely agrees with them.  

    Fang's article indicates that the named lobbyists are raising cash for "Hillary."  This is true.  And, that they are well-known, registered Washington lobbyists who have clients that may include private prisons. It is true that the lobbyists lobby.

     Steve Elmendorf, one of the listed lobbyists, has many clients and, probably, would like more.  Elmendorf was an adviser to Dick Gephardt and deputy campaign manager for John Kerry's presidential bid.

    Another, Bruce Thompson, is also a big time Washington lobbyist.  Fang is a little sloppy in his reporting and in his assertions, although the title seems accurate, albeit, incomplete.

    Parent

    Well, maybe you should figure (4.00 / 4) (#16)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:12:44 AM EST
    it out before you share it?

    Please come back and update us when you do :) Didn't bother to read the article, but did it mention those same lobbyists also raise money for others, including Planned Parenthood?


    Parent

    Those lobbyists (none / 0) (#124)
    by Yman on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 04:23:18 PM EST
    Represent many groups, including Planned Parenthood.

    But nice try at guilt by association.

    Parent

    reckless activists (none / 0) (#14)
    by CityLife on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:18:02 AM EST
    deray mckesson is tweeting a cartoon which claims Sandra Bland "knew her rights." That misinformation cans potentially be putting people at risk! she DIDN'T "know her rights." Cops CAN legally order you to get out of your car. She didn't know that:
    "In  Arizona v. Johnson,  the Court summarized the expanded rule from Terry as it applies to traffic stops:

    Three decisions cumulatively portray Terry's application in a traffic-stop setting: Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 (1977) (per curiam); Maryland v. Wilson, 519 U.S. 408 (1997); and Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249 (2007).

    In Mimms, the Court held that "once a motor vehicle has been lawfully detained for a traffic violation, the police officers may order the driver to get out of the vehicle without violating the Fourth Amendment's proscription of unreasonable searches and seizures." 434 U.S., at 111, n. 6.

    Wilson held that the Mimms rule applied to passengers as well as to drivers. Specifically, the Court instructed that "an officer making a traffic stop may order passengers to get out of the car pending completion of the stop." 519 U.S. at 415.

    It is true, the Court acknowledged, that in a lawful traffic stop, "[t]here is probable cause to believe that the driver has committed a minor vehicular offense," but "there is no such reason to stop or detain the passengers." Id. On the other hand, the Court emphasized, the risk of a violent encounter in a traffic-stop setting "stems not from the ordinary reaction of a motorist stopped for a speeding violation, but from the fact that evidence of a more serious crime might be uncovered during the stop." Id., at 414. "[T]he motivation of a passenger to employ violence to prevent apprehension of such a crime," the Court stated, "is every bit as great as that of the driver." Ibid. Moreover, the Court noted, "as a practical matter, the passengers are already stopped by virtue of the stop of the vehicle," id., at 413-414, so "the additional intrusion on the passenger is minimal," id., at 415.

    Completing the picture, Brendlin held that a passenger is seized, just as the driver is, "from the moment [a car stopped by the police comes] to a halt on the side of the road." 551 U.S., at 263. A passenger therefore has standing to challenge a stop's constitutionality. Id., at 256-259.

    After Wilson, but before Brendlin, the Court had stated, in dictum, that officers who conduct "routine traffic stop[s]" may "perform a `patdown' of a driver and any passengers upon reasonable suspicion that they may be armed and dangerous." Knowles v. Iowa, 525 U.S. 113, 117-118 (1998). That forecast, we now confirm, accurately captures the combined thrust of the Court's decisions in Mimms, Wilson, and Brendlin.

    The answer is clear that an officer can order all occupants of a vehicle out of the car pending the completion of the stop if the initial stop was lawful. The reasoning behind these rules is almost always the same: officer safety." LINK Can a police officer order everyone out of the vehicle during a traffic stop?

    Snowbird Bandit (none / 0) (#20)
    by Uncle Chip on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:55:03 AM EST
    Retired LAPD detective and grandfather, 70, dubbed 'Snowbird Bandit' arrested in California in connection with a string of bank robberies

    He's a retired detective robbing banks without disguise and yet no one in LE recognized him enough to turn him in.

    Expect the Alzheimers defense as his attorney claims that he kept forgetting to put on his ski mask.

    So, what's your excuse? (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:33:16 PM EST


    Parent
    I woke up early (none / 0) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 07:27:34 AM EST
    just to catch the Donald on the border coverage from Joe/Mica.

    Omg it was so worth it.   The look on Joes face while the presidential like jet and motorcade and swarms of press was described - like he was in the process of passing a brick, the clueless regal sniffing of Queen Mica tut tuting the poor dumb masses.

    I am so loving this.

    Just another angry white guy with a gun (none / 0) (#25)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:08:20 AM EST


    Stewart (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:40:07 AM EST
    WATCH

    the boston globe (none / 0) (#30)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:52:09 AM EST
    the boston globe has what appears to be an excellent article and analysis of the videotape of the confrontation between the leo and bland.

    The article does not cover whether or not the video has been doctored or edited.  The article/analysis does cover how and why the narrative given to the story by the leo and the preceding 15 minutes of video do not match. . . and claims that during the original confrontation including the arrest, leo tells bland that she is being arrested for resisting arrest . . . and how in the ensuing conversation, leo is reframing the encounter so as to make all fault and blame upon Bland.

    Here is the (none / 0) (#32)
    by Uncle Chip on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 10:01:48 AM EST
    full dash cam video of the Sandra Bland arrest for comparison --

    No reframing of the encounter is necessary --

    Parent

    Uncle Chip, on the contrary (none / 0) (#37)
    by Palli on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:31:42 PM EST
    View the full 59 min again or read the transcript of the stop http://tinyurl.com/oul9lm2 "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

    Note NO copy of the dash cam video will show Police Officer Encinia violently throwing Citizen Sandra Bland unto the cement pavement. Conveniently, Encinia walked her out of the visual frame of the dash board camera and he knows it-despite his bravado statement.

    Parent

    warning not ticket (none / 0) (#42)
    by Uncle Chip on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 01:06:59 PM EST
    Encinia: If you would've just listened.

    Bland: I was trying to sign the fucking ticket -- whatever.

    Do you think she ever realized, either at this point in her hissy fit or 3 days later in jail, that the officer was only going to give her a warning -- not a ticket?

    Parent

    I'm wondering (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by sj on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:02:00 PM EST
    if perhaps you are in need of a bridge? I have a delightful one available. I'm not sure, though, if it's suitable.

    Parent
    bridge (2.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Uncle Chip on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:21:48 PM EST
    I'll bet you do have a bridge but it only goes halfway across yet you take it everyday.

    Parent
    So... (none / 0) (#60)
    by sj on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 04:12:28 PM EST
    ...  you'll find your own bridge then?

    Parent
    Uncle Chip, it was never really his intention (none / 0) (#47)
    by Palli on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:00:27 PM EST
    and Sandra Bland sensed it. It is shocking to fully realize you are not being treated honestly as a HUMAN BEING.

    Watch the previous traffic stop he conducted. Compare them.

    Parent

    Baloney (2.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Uncle Chip on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:19:43 PM EST
    He had the Warning already written up and in his hands with his clipboard when he went back to her car -- look at the video.

    And during her hissy fit he was offering to show that he had written up a Warning but she wouldn't listen and wouldn't look at it.

    I watched the previous stop and he gave her a Warning too.

    I also saw Bland run a stop sign in the video which the officer somehow overlooked maybe so that he could get her off with just a warning.

    When was the last time you had the gall to smoke a cigarette during a traffic stop instead of putting your hands up on the steering wheel where the officer could see them the whole time?

    BTW this was a rookie cop who had only been on the force for a year.


    Parent

    Ok (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 05:07:34 PM EST
    lets say she was having a "hissy fit", so gives the cop the right to have his own "hissy fit"? Let me clue you in cops should never have "hissy fits", rookie or not.

    btw, if you are a smoker and get pulled over its the first thing you do.

    Parent

    What "hissy fit"? (5.00 / 2) (#77)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 11:13:27 PM EST
    The early interaction between Encinia and Bland was perfectly benign, until he asked if anything was wrong and she told him rather matter of factly. But even then, at no time did she use disrespectful language or raise her voice at him.

    Where the encounter went off the rails was when Encinia asked Bland curtly, "Are you done?" and then asked her to put out her cigarette. All she did in response to that request was ask why she should comply, since she was seated in her own car.

    And frankly, there is no law in Texas or any other state that requires one to comply with such a request. In painful retrospect, I think that Bland showed poor judgment in drawing a line in the sand with Encinia over a cigarette, even though she was perfectly within her legal rights to ignore that request. While I'm quite certain that she didn't intend to provoke an over-the-top hostile response from him, it's quite evident that she did.

    Further, it's completely irrelevant whether Trooper Encinia had been a state trooper for only a year, or whether he was only one week from retirement. Once he's allowed out there on patrol by himself without a partner or department chaperone, it's the default assumption of his superiors that he's a professional.

    Were I your superior, and you offered that to me as your excuse for your obviously deplorable conduct, then you just handed me sufficient grounds by which I'd immediately restrict you to administrative duty, pending an administrative hearing whereupon I'd seek your dismissal from the force, because you obviously don't have what it takes to be a good police officer.

    It was Encinia's duty as an officer of the law to maintain both his composure, professionalism and sound judgment at all times, particularly during traffic stops when people are naturally irritated or nervous. The consummate professional seeks to puts his or her subject at ease, and thus lessen the tension and with it the potential for a bad encounter. And in that regard, he quite obviously failed in rather spectacular fashion.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    That video should be required viewing by every (2.00 / 5) (#61)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 04:24:32 PM EST
    teenager in the country.

    And yes, Palli, he was just going to give her a warning. But she made it plain that she felt that she didn't have to follow the traffic laws the rest of us do.

    Her actions and death are proof positive of the damage caused by the whole meme created by the false claims in Ferguson and NYC that you can become a rock star by disobeying lawful orders. The problem is that these children don't understand that it isn't a game and that bad things happen when you decide to act like an a$$ and that is exactly what she did.

    Parent

    Wow - THAT'S a disgusting ... (5.00 / 3) (#66)
    by Yman on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:18:12 PM EST
    Her actions and death are proof positive of the damage caused by the whole meme created by the false claims in Ferguson and NYC that you can become a rock star by disobeying lawful orders.

    ... not to mention completely moronic comment.  Unless, of course, by "rock star" you meant ... dead.

    Parent

    It's the same guy who claims (none / 0) (#72)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 07:38:50 PM EST
    that California is bleeding businesses, all evidence to the contrary.......

    Parent
    Don't be shy (2.00 / 1) (#75)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 10:40:47 PM EST
    Step up and prove her claim/

    Of course you can't because she is making things up just as Scott did yesterday.

    Parent

    Funny how everybody except (none / 0) (#83)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 08:26:35 AM EST
    you ends up making things up around here.

    How many businesses was it that were fleeing California last year?

    Parent

    What's not funny is how (none / 0) (#86)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 09:33:42 AM EST
    some people here make spurious and inaccurate claims and then run off when challenged.

    I have not demanded proof that you have a degree in Biology, or Scott was in the Navy or Donald played baseball for UW. Outside of producing documents they can't be proven and really are meaningless in  the discussions.

    But GA claimed:

    Are you really that ignorant? You're the one that's been advocating for the murders of those people by police saying they "deserved it".

    That is a specific charge that should be easily proven if true by link to what I have written.

    That you can't is obvious.

    Parent

    Quit trying to make it personsl (none / 0) (#109)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 01:55:32 PM EST
    Your claim that businesses were leaving California was spurious and inaccurate, which I proved using BOL statistics.

    As for GA's claim, it is the logical conclusion of your view that we should treat the cop with deference so that we don't get shot for not following his instructions as fast as humanly possible.

    Live with it, and quit trying to whitewash your comments, you're no Tom Sawyer.

    Parent

    Governor Moonbeam (none / 0) (#155)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:25:14 AM EST
    agrees with me.

    ;-)

    Parent

    No, Gov. Brown doesn't agree with you, Jim. (5.00 / 2) (#202)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 12:24:15 AM EST
    "It's the diversity of the California business environment, from movies to the Internet to agriculture -- the incredible array of businesses that make up the state. Certainly getting our finances in line as a state is also helpful: the new investments in our schools; solid universities; investments in water and energy. All this gives security and keeps California very much in the forefront of investment, change, cultural adaptation and leadership."
    - California Gov. Edmund Brown, Jr. (January 15, 2015)

    At $2.2 trillion in 2014, California possesses the 8th largest economy in the entire world, and the state is on the verge of overtaking Brazil for 7th place.

    But then again, Jim, your ignorance on the subject is hardly surprising, given that your source here is none other than the Washington Times, the Sun Young Moonbeam of right-wing journalism. They obviously don't know any more about California than you do about nuclear physics.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    DFH, it was the Washington Examiner (none / 0) (#203)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 06:17:34 AM EST
    which, according to the Wiki, is owned by the detestable conservative Philip Anschultz.

    Parent
    An editorial from the Wahington Examiner (none / 0) (#159)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:56:12 AM EST
    and a study by the noted RW George Mason University.

    Yeah, that's really convincing.

    Meanwhile, unemployment is down, and unlike KS and LA, we had a budget surplus this year, not a deficit.

    California is the home of innovative and competitive firms in the world, placing us consistently among the top ten economies. The vast majority of these businesses employ 500 or fewer workers.
    Small businesses embody the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven the economy of our Goldent State. Over half of our private-sector workforce is employed by small business.
    This month, we reaffirm our commitment to helping California's small businesses thrive and prosper. The Governnor's Office of Business and Economic Development, along with key agencies of state government, works to facilitate economic growth through collaboration with small businesses. Supporting small-scale priivate-sector job creators is among our most promising strategies to enhance California's human capital, expand job opportunities and increase our competitice advantage in the global marketplace."

    Last month, Brown appointed Jesse Torres, small business advocate in the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). GO-Biz's Office of Small Business Advocate supports the state's small business community with technical and financial assistance and provides information on state business requirements.

    Looks like he's doing something about it.

    Friends don't let friends watch Fox News.

    Parent

    Really??? From the article (none / 0) (#166)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 12:02:28 PM EST
    Gov. Jerry Brown pleads with companies to stay in California, and scolds those that are leaving. He, too, recognizes the storm clouds over his state's business climate. "We've got a few problems," he conceded to an interviewer not long ago. "We have lots of little burdens and regulations and taxes." But neither he nor the state legislature have plans to do anything about it. Until they do, only the brave, if not foolish, set up a business in California.

    And if things are so great, why this from your link:

    This month, we reaffirm our commitment to helping California's small businesses thrive and prosper.....Last month, Brown appointed Jesse Torres,....

    While CKE isn't abandoning the Golden State entirely just yet - its base of operation remains in California - others are. Texas Governor Rick Perry has had some success luring businesses to his state with lower taxes and more lax regulation.

    In April of this year, Toyota delivered the state of California a pink slip, announcing it would move its U.S. headquarters to Dallas, Texas. Occidental Petroleum Corporation made a similar switcheroo, departing Los Angeles for the energy-friendly base of Houston.

    Yahoo News

    Parent

    Corporate (5.00 / 1) (#167)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 12:22:31 PM EST
    whoredom at its finest. State and local governments giving away the farm to lure new business, leaving someone else has to bear the burden. Gee, I wonder who that may be? Ten, fifteen years down the road when the overburdened, underfunded infrastructure begins to crumble they will move on to greener pastures. Much like you advocate total obedience to LEO, you advocate subserviance  to the corporate overlords.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

    Parent
    yeah, tax credits (none / 0) (#168)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 12:43:48 PM EST
    for businesses to relocate are a Pandora's Box that never seems to work out that way.  Here in California they replaced the enterprise zones with a new program.

    Elk Grove has never had an enterprise zone, one of 40 economically struggling areas around California that offer special tax credits for businesses. It also never has had a redevelopment project, a local program meant to fight blight by subsidizing new development.

    But the city and hundreds of other local governments and businesses across California will be eligible for various hiring credits, sales-tax exemptions, and tax credits meant to attract or retain employers that constitute a new initiative championed by the Brown administration that began taking shape last month.

    "It gives us access to some things that we never had before in terms of the state putting some resources on the table in order to work with companies," said Randy Starbuck, the economic development director for Elk Grove. "We're cautiously optimistic but the jury is still out."

    For most of his first term, Gov. Jerry Brown led efforts in the Capitol to scrap enterprise zones and redevelopment areas, two programs that many local officials viewed as important job-creating tools. Now the administration is pushing an economic development program of its own.

    But businesses are leaving California in droves.  

    Parent

    et al (none / 0) (#172)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 02:45:02 PM EST
    FlJoe - Yes, businesses will take advantage of every advantage offered. But maybe the question is also, "How and why did the taxes and regulations get so bad in the first place??"

    Mordiggian - Glad to see that you admit that I was correct.

    Parent

    What ever (none / 0) (#173)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 03:18:59 PM EST
    happened to corporate responsibility? Such as paying their fair share to the community and country, like insuring their fertilizer plants do not explode or their effluent does not poison the water supply.

    When the corporate bottom line starts to dictate the taxation and regulations that are willing to accept we are setting ourselves up for a race to the bottom, we are setting ourselves up for a corportacy.

    Parent

    If you want a friend in business get a dog (2.00 / 1) (#174)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 03:26:29 PM EST
    And what is corporate responsibility?? And what is their fair share??

    Without knowing that we have nothing to discuss.

    Parent

    You weren't correct in that (none / 0) (#176)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 03:34:41 PM EST
    CA was losing businesses left and right.

    You weren't correct that Gov Moonbeam, as you so charmingly called him, just had this "fact" brought to his attention, when he's been working on the problem for years.

    0 for 2.  That's your score here, Jim.

    Parent

    From my posts (none / 0) (#178)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 03:47:51 PM EST
    I was right left, right and down the middle.

    But I didn't expect you to be gentlemanly and admit you are just hucking for the Demos.

    lol

    Parent

    The evidence of one editorial based (none / 0) (#182)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 04:44:45 PM EST
    on one study and sone efforts started a year ago prove that you were right.

    As for being gentlemanly, I'll just sit back and demonstrate some Southern Chivalry by letting this be my last word of the night, and see if you can be gentlemanly today as well.

    See you later, alligator.

    Parent

    Rock star (none / 0) (#63)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 05:21:45 PM EST
    Are you really that ignorant? You're the one that's been advocating for the murders of those people by police saying they "deserved it".

    You remind me of the politburo in the old days of Russia. As long as something happened to somebody and the politburo did it, it was justified or a-okay. Disgusting.

    Parent

    Ga, you are making stuff up, again (2.00 / 1) (#71)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 07:15:04 PM EST
    I challenge you to provide a link showing proof of what you claim.

    Parent
    Sort of like (none / 0) (#65)
    by Reconstructionist on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:10:49 PM EST
     you and Hillary, as well.

    Parent
    Rec (none / 0) (#67)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:20:19 PM EST
    You shouldn't carry your disdain for Hillary to every thread, it's unseemly.

    Parent
    that was actually (none / 0) (#68)
    by Reconstructionist on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:24:21 PM EST
    my disdain for Ga6th.

    Parent
    I deal (none / 0) (#69)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 06:52:35 PM EST
    with the facts not conjecture like you. I'm sorry that upsets you.

    Parent
    Maybe (none / 0) (#64)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 05:51:54 PM EST
    we should change the pledge of allegiance  " I pledge subservience to any and all LEOs in United States of America, and to the police state for which it stands, one Nation under the Commissioner , invisible, with liberty and justice for the rich."


    Parent
    Or maybe just not act like an idiot (2.00 / 1) (#76)
    by McBain on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 10:41:36 PM EST
    when questioned by a police officer.

    This incident wasn't about race.  It wasn't about the haves vs. the have nots. It was about a woman with anger issues making some really bad choices.  

    Parent

    Uncle Chip, a lot to unpack with your mindset (none / 0) (#57)
    by Palli on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 03:48:13 PM EST
     1. Read this Atlantic article for Waller County background:
    http://tinyurl.com/ptbpxjk
     2. Are you saying rookie cops have leave to use excessive force because they don't have enough experience?  Maybe that is why Cuyahoga Prosecuting Atty. McGinty has still not charged rookie Tim Loehmann for killing 12 year old Tamir Rice. In fact, fewer than 10 years experience is a good marker for use of deadly force or other violence.
     3. Smoking, oddly enough, relieves anxiety for some people and is perfectly acceptable while waiting in her car. However since you are making this person to imbue my "gall", I don't smoke: but I would have needed something to do, because I know Waller Co. I have however read a book while waiting. That would have ignited the same response from Encinia, I suspect.
     4. You only saw a clipboard not what was on it. Nor has any "warning" been discussed or shown to the press or public by Waller authorities to my knowledge.
      5. I will not remark about stop signs here because, frankly, it appears to be a non-issue also.
      6. If you did not detect the Encinia's contrast in tone between the two traffic stops, well, then I can't help you.
      7. The term hissy fit is too demeaning to counter; you must be in a different social milieu than I.

    "A Mind is A Terrible Thing to Waste."


    Parent

    the Warning (2.00 / 2) (#70)
    by Uncle Chip on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 07:07:29 PM EST
    From the video --

    Did the officer offer to show her the Warning that he had written out and that was on his clipboard when they were at the back of her car? -- Yes or No  

    Did Bland refuse to look at it? -- Yes or No

    Did you hear in the video the officer telling his supervisor that he had written out the Warning for her but she just wouldn't calm down enough to look at it? -- Yes or No

    Take a lesson, Palli.

    Parent

    Heh - Uncle Chip has ... (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Yman on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:28:52 AM EST
    ... delusions of being a prosecutor with a witness on the stand.

    That's some entertainment I would pay to see ...

    Parent

    I doubt it (none / 0) (#55)
    by McBain on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 03:44:30 PM EST
    She probably felt the officer was out to get her and treated her unfairly.  Some people don't handle situations like that very well.... Bland appeared to be one of them.

    I don't blame Bland for being upset over being pulled over for not signaling and then told to put out her cigarette.  I do blame Bland for her attitude and actions.  

    Parent

    And what about Trooper Encinia's attitude? (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 11:23:35 PM EST
    After all, it's his own conduct that the Texas Dept. of Public Safety has already admitted violated departmental protocols regarding procedure and courtesy, and which is presently being scrutinized by his superiors.

    It's his responsibility as an officer of the law to conduct himself professionally in his general interactions with the public, and not that of the person who's being stopped for a traffic violation.

    Sorry, but Encinia clearly doesn't deserve a mulligan here, nor is he likely to get one. I'd be surprised if he's not soon terminated by DPS or compelled to resign his position.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Let him keep his job (2.00 / 1) (#79)
    by McBain on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 12:28:08 AM EST
    His superiors shouldn't allow public pressure to force their decisions.  It would send the wrong message and only encourage more bad behavior from people who don't think they deserve a ticket.

    If he truly violated police procedures he shouldn't get a mulligan.  Let it be a mark on his record, or at most, a demotion.  

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#98)
    by Reconstructionist on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:58:06 AM EST
      I don't know the specifics of Texas law or practice but generally, police are governed by regulations concerning conduct, discipline and rather detailed procedural requirements. It's often not so easy to fire a cop.

      Here, we have police civil service commissions comprised of departmental brass representatives, rank and file and lay members appointed by the executive of whatever level-- state, county or municipal-- the employee works for. Even if the commission upholds a termination that ruling can then be appealed to the courts. Not only is the process expensive and time-consuming in and of itself, if the employer loses he will usually have back-pay and costs liability to the prevailing employee.

       Then, and this is important, even if the employee loses, that does not mean he automatically loses his certification or has it suspended. It's very common for cops to go down the hierarchy not cease being cops because they have engaged n misconduct. (You frequently see State to county or local movement or, larger/ more affluent jurisdiction (meaning better paying) to smaller lesser paying. It's not even rare to see the same cop move multiple levels down when he keeps reinforcing he is a bad cop.

      There could be an argument made that the most dangerous bad cop is one at the lowest rung with the least professional standards and supervision.

    Parent

    It can't be that hard ... (none / 0) (#148)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 12:58:29 AM EST
    ... to fire a state trooper. It's done more often than you realize. Hawaii is arguably the most unionized state in the country, and yet the Honolulu Police Dept. doesn't hesitate to fire misbehaving officers.

    Parent
    this guy (none / 0) (#149)
    by zaitztheunconvicted on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 04:05:48 AM EST
    this guy acted like an idiot  . . .

    and he cause an otherwise peaceful and simple encounter to turn into an unnecessary arrest . . .

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#39)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 12:52:52 PM EST
    The Donald is at it again this time taking aim at the RNC saying they have not been supportive of his run in the GOP primary.

    Now this makes sense (none / 0) (#52)
    by Reconstructionist on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 02:50:52 PM EST
     if you think about it.

      Dennis Rodman endorses  Trump

    Maybe, Dennis Rodman (none / 0) (#54)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 03:05:41 PM EST
    is trying to edge out Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio for the vice presidential slot.  Of those two, I would go with Rodman.

    Parent
    Well (5.00 / 4) (#56)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 03:45:18 PM EST
    it sure would improve our relations with N Korea.

    Parent
    Readings (none / 0) (#73)
    by Palli on Fri Jul 24, 2015 at 08:11:47 PM EST
    Sandra Bland and the `lawful order problem'
    http://tinyurl.com/q6pjq6l WaPo July 23
    What is a "lawful" cop order? You don't know but "...we didn't fight a revolution to make [comliance] only choice".
    I, certainly, don't want to live in a dystopian world where full compliance is the only choice besides death. Some other folk here might be in hogs heaven.

    Another reading, The law of the Sandra Bland traffic stop
    http://tinyurl.com/nrlordq WaPo July 23
    "So in short: Bland did not have to put out her cigarette. She likely had to exit the car, although it's possible to [believe] that she didn't have to because the officer was ordering her out of the car for reasons of retaliation -- a possibility that might have been raised later in court, but wouldn't persuade the officer."

    AccuWeather says (none / 0) (#82)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 08:17:40 AM EST
    today at three the heat index will be 124.

    Yikes.

    Btw
    That's in no similar to the Arizona version of 124.

    Latest from Baltimore (none / 0) (#85)
    by Uncle Chip on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 09:12:17 AM EST
    Now that Mosby's  request for a gag order has been denied: about that independent investigation:

    Attorneys for six Baltimore police officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray said in a court filing Thursday that prosecutors either failed to turn over evidence or lied about conducting a thorough investigation into Gray's death.

    The evidence already provided by prosecutors is "completely devoid of any information obtained during the course of the State's investigation," the defense attorneys said, leading them to conclude that "either the State is withholding the information from its investigation, or there was no investigation."
    Another Day, Another GOP Primary Poll (none / 0) (#90)
    by CoralGables on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 09:51:48 AM EST
    This one by Economist/YouGov.

    Trump - 28%
    Bush - 14%
    Walker - 13%
    Carson - 7%
    Paul - 5%
    Rubio - 4%
    Cruz - 4%
    Huckabee - 3%
    Christie - 3%
    Fiorina - 3%
    Perry - 2%
    Graham - 2%
    Kasich - 2%
    Santorum - 1%
    Jindal - 1%
    Pataki - <1%

    Also an explanation as to why Trump hasn't been hurt by the McCain flap. McCain is viewed favorably by 57% of the GOP respondents. Trump is also viewed favorably by 57%. But in a cross tab you find veterans, and those currently in the military, have a more favorable view of Trump than McCain 53-41.

    It's easy (none / 0) (#95)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:51:47 AM EST
    But in a cross tab you find veterans, and those currently in the military, have a more favorable view of Trump than McCain 53-41.

    Many veterans had a very favorable view of George McGovern who flew B-24's in WWII. But they didn't approve of his politics. Some veterans voted for Clinton despite the fact that he was a draft dodger because they liked his politics. Carter was a veteran but was not liked by the majority of ex-military people.

    McCain is seen favorably on the military side but he is considered a RINO by many.

    The driving issue is undocumented persons.

    Parent

    new CNN poll (none / 0) (#151)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:05:00 AM EST
    Trump 18
    Bush 15
    Walker 10


    Parent
    NBC/Marist New Hampshire Poll (none / 0) (#153)
    by CoralGables on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:16:13 AM EST
    which Bush is expecting to be his springboard.

    Trump 21
    Bush 14
    Walker 12
    Kasich 7
    Christie 6
    Carson 6
    Rubio 5
    Cruz 5
    Paul 4
    Huckabee 3
    Fiorina 2
    Pataki 2
    All the rest less than 1%

    Parent

    I didn't write this well (none / 0) (#97)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:55:24 AM EST
    McCain is seen favorably on the military side but he is considered a RINO by many.

    I meant...McCain is seen favorably because of his military service and actions but he is considered a RINO by many.

    Sandra Bland's neighboring jail inmate (none / 0) (#101)
    by McBain on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 12:18:31 PM EST
    is "positive" she committed suicide.
    http://tinyurl.com/qbmxfov

    Anyone still think it was murder?

    yes, but (none / 0) (#145)
    by Palli on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:51:05 PM EST


    Parent
    YES "but" was an automated response (none / 0) (#147)
    by Palli on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:55:42 PM EST


    Parent
    John Russell Houser, (none / 0) (#111)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 02:00:50 PM EST
    the Lafayette, LA killer--a domestic terrorist.  A mental case. These are not mutually exclusive.  Sheriff Heath Taylor of Russell County, where Houser lived, says he should not have been allowed to own a gun.  No comment on gun control from Jindal, but he asked for prayers.  

    Houser had hostility toward abortion clinics, believed  all the trouble started when they (sic) took Bibles out of school and stopped prayer. Had a loathing of gays, a supporter of Westboro Baptist Church, Timothy McVeigh, and Adolph Hitler.   Outside  a pub he once owned he displayed a banner with a swastika. And on his house (before being foreclosed) he flew the Confederate battle flag.    

    Anyone see Rick Santorum (none / 0) (#128)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 06:41:08 PM EST
    ...on Rachel Maddow?  He had the... guts?  Stupidity?  Arrogance?  Whatever, to discuss politics with a woman who could spot him 60 IQ points and still beat him at checkers.

    Santorum is personable, and has good diction for a white guy, but WOW, what a maroon!  He clearly did not understand Marbury V. Madison or the Constitution.

    But I digress.  Anyone else see it?

    If they're starting to go on Maddow... (none / 0) (#131)
    by unitron on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:13:28 PM EST
    ...they must be getting desperate to steal back some of the spotlight from Trump.

    Parent
    Desparate (none / 0) (#134)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:28:23 PM EST
    to grab a point or two to make the top ten. I hear Christie is making a large ad buy on Fox just trying to hang on to number nine. Santorum  needs a hail Mary to make the cut as do several others.

    Parent
    If a hail Mary is what he needs, (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by NYShooter on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 10:51:11 PM EST
    appearing on The Rick & Bubba Show may be the answer to his prayers. You know, Santorum will go anywhere that will have him. For example, he goes from the highbrow, "Rachel Maddow Show," to the lowbrow, "Rick and Bubba Show." And, in case you don't know what a Rick & Bubba show is, I guess you'd call it what the South considers highbrow,  Talk TV. In other words, Rick & Bubba is to news/talk programs as Hee-Haw was to the Boston Symphony.

    But, to be fair, "Hee-Haw," if you liked country music, and country type entertainment, was pretty good. "Rick & Bubba," sad to say, would/could be entertaining if it was trying to be a spoof, or a caricature, of what they think The North believes they're like. Unfortunately, Rick & Bubba, IS what the South is like. They sit around a table talking about what the logical conclusion will be to the law making same-sex marriage legal. You know, marrying your pet hog will be legal, and they're not trying to be funny, they believe it. They refuse to call Caitlyn Jenner by her adopted name, reminiscent of the many who insisted on calling Muhammed Ali, Cassius Clay, long after the rest of the world had, virtually, forgotten his birth name.

    Jeez, you know, I could've saved a lot of words by, simply saying, it's the kind of show Jim would rush home, blasting through STOP signs without slowing down, lest he miss the start of "Rick and Bubba." Got it?


    Parent

    For some reason (none / 0) (#175)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 03:31:07 PM EST
    i feel the need to point out I live in the south and I never heard of Rick & Bubba.

    Parent
    I saw it (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:39:16 PM EST
    i agree it shows how desperate they are for TV time.   Which he more or less admitted in the interview.  

    Parent
    Oh, my (none / 0) (#133)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:21:17 PM EST
    Trump is now taking down Scott Walker talking about how Walker said they were going to have a 1 billion surplus but has a 2.2 billion deficit and how Walker has destroyed the schools, the roads everything in the state.

    If I were one of these candidates running for the GOP nomination I would keep my mouth shut when it comes to criticizing Trump. He's moved into 2nd place in Iowa and may even take over Walker for first place.

    Where is Jeb now in IA? He must be in about 8th place.

    He can say things that, if they came (none / 0) (#135)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:32:11 PM EST
    from Hillary Clinton, would have her labeled as a harridan from the NY Post to the LA Times.

    He's out of control from the Republican Establishment, the Religious Right, and the Tea Party elements. And he got called a dumb dumb by a campaign for a college dropout running for President. Say what you like about the Donald, I've never seen any evidence that his father's money bought him any of his degrees.  What Walker did is called "walking into a buzz saw".

    I've noticed Carly Fiorina is stil running against Hillary, probably her best strategic choice at this point in time.

    Pass the popcorn, this is going to be a very interesting campaign.

    Parent

    yeah, (none / 0) (#141)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:59:00 PM EST
    I was thinking the same thing. I mean Trump is a graduate of Wharton. Walker is a college dropout. Walker deserved everything he got and Walker is a dumb dumb. Trump is a demagogue but he's not an idiot.

    Parent
    Crap (none / 0) (#144)
    by nycstray on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 08:59:04 PM EST
    Do I have to give Trump credit for calling out these jerks?

    Parent
    And (none / 0) (#137)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:38:26 PM EST
    Cruz flat out called McConnell a liar, they truly are eating their own.

    McFadden's "The Strip" (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 04:51:49 PM EST
    on trying to trump Trump.

    Parent
    Cruz is on the bubble (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:41:33 PM EST
    he is trying to raise his national profile and poll ratings.  Calling Mitch a liar got him lots of attention.    And the base hates Mitch.

    Parent
    Yep (none / 0) (#140)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 25, 2015 at 07:57:01 PM EST
    his calling Mitch a liar probably raised his profile with the tea partiers.

    One was going on about this on facebook and I wanted to say why did you vote to make him majority leader if he's so bad. The stupid burns with these people. And I think they know they've been stupid too.

    Parent

    I think (none / 0) (#150)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 07:24:19 AM EST
    you explained Trumps support in a nutshell here
    The stupid burns with these people. And I think they know they've been stupid too.
    after decades of slavish devotion to the GOP they are finally awakening to the fact that they have been conned.

    They love it when Trump bashes the swindlers, when he calls them stupid it allows blame their own fecklessness on others. Of course in their ignorance they trade one set of con men for an ever bigger con man.

    Jim and Mordigan, take a (none / 0) (#160)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:16:23 AM EST
    time out. I really don't have time to follow your insults to each other and delete them. Either ignore each other or stop commenting.

    Whatever you decide to do (none / 0) (#164)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 11:41:52 AM EST
    please don't delete his comment about GA and I being partisan, as I can't speak for her, but I consider that a badge of honor for myself.

    Parent
    Remember this (none / 0) (#171)
    by Uncle Chip on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 02:15:02 PM EST
    grotesque murder from a few weeks back. Well they caught him --

    Man arrested on suspicion of murder in death of production assistant gunned down in LA as it is revealed they had financial dispute when he wrote her a check that bounced and she threatened legal action

    VOX on Hannibal (none / 0) (#180)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 04:35:04 PM EST
    Hannibal season 3, episode 8: These 9 moments capture the show at its most beautiful

    He gets one bit wrong.  Hannibal is no longer under Chiltons care, they just had dessert.  But it's still a good review.

    ruffian-
    It appears several episodes will indeed be about the Red Dragon story.  I somehow missed that.    Which seems an odd thing since it's the one story made into two different movies.  I have mixed feelings about bits of it.  Wills (POOF) new wife and kid for example.  But as VOX says, it's still got it.

    In an NYTimes article on (none / 0) (#184)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:32:58 PM EST
    Sunday, July 26, the authors Michael S. Schmidt and Maggie Haberman---Matt Appuzzo, the previous co-author on the email subject appears to have been given another beat-- have provided their readers with such a confusing account, that most readers will be embarrassed for them.

    "Spat Breaks Out Over Plans for Clinton's Testimony Before Benghazi Committee,"  rambles through Benghazi, the "Republican-led Committee" invitation to testify, the acceptance by Clinton and two versions of the "classified" or sometimes referred to as "secret" information.

      Inspectors General are sometimes referred to as investigators, unless there are not really the same.   But, whomever or whatever, these investigative people said that the information was not marked as classified (or secret) but should have been stored only on government computer networks.

     But, then again, the issue boiled down to , they report, the absence of a process for resolving disputes between State and other departments of the government about differences over how to classify documents.  Because FOIA.  And, the article states with regard to testifying, "and, by day's end, it was not clear what exactly they were arguing over."  

    If Maggie Haberman was sent to mop up some of the first reporting, they might as well bring back Apuzzo.  Or try to replace Schmidt.  Or all of them.

    Haberman (none / 0) (#185)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:41:47 PM EST
    is one of the worst.   Also one of Tweetys favorites.

    Parent
    Maybe, Maggie (none / 0) (#188)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:50:52 PM EST
    is suffering from an overdose of  Tweety spittle spray.  

    Parent
    That would (none / 0) (#191)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:59:12 PM EST
    probably do it.

    Parent
    I've seen her, not on Tweety (none / 0) (#192)
    by Mordiggian 88 on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 06:04:04 PM EST
    and was duly under-impressed.  

    Parent
    As the glass eye man said, (5.00 / 1) (#193)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 06:21:45 PM EST
    I'll keep my eye out for her.

    Parent
    This (none / 0) (#186)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:45:42 PM EST
    proves why this story is going to die sooner or later and it's because if the reporters are that confused it's going to make most Americans eyes glaze over.

    Gowdy apparently keeps running away from Hillary. For someone who screeches he's all about "finding the truth" he doesn't seem that interested in interviewing the main subject of his inquiry.

    Parent

    Oh dear! (none / 0) (#187)
    by Politalkix on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:48:52 PM EST
    link

    This grasping around (5.00 / 1) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:58:22 PM EST
    Hillarys "unfavoribility" ratings is actually sort of hilarious.  

    OMG she is so unpopular nationally she beats every republican easily.
    Time to panic.

    I guess this is the story for those who have enough self respect to stay away from Benghazi and email gate.


    Parent

    Not about HRC for me! (none / 0) (#194)
    by Politalkix on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 06:45:05 PM EST
    Just having fun tweaking those blowhard HRC fanboys and fangirls who predicted a double digit win in 2016 because in their imaginations she could reach those white voters that the President could not.

     

    Parent

    Do post some links (none / 0) (#197)
    by Yman on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:47:15 PM EST
    to those imaginary claims.  After all, ...

    .... you wouldn't want anyone to get the idea that you're lying now, would you?

    Parent

    It's the end (none / 0) (#189)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 05:53:19 PM EST
    I tell you. The end. Baa waa waa. They go up and they go down. Same thing happened back in 2008 and she ended up raising those numbers.

    Parent
    Keep clutching those (faux) pearls (none / 0) (#196)
    by Yman on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 08:45:18 PM EST
    You should probably stock up on Dependz, too.  It's gonna be a long election fro the Clinton-haters.

    Parent
    Turkey shows its true colors -- (none / 0) (#198)
    by Uncle Chip on Sun Jul 26, 2015 at 09:22:20 PM EST
    Turkish Jets Strike Kurds in Iraq, Complicating Anti-ISIS Fight

    A report written (none / 0) (#204)
    by lentinel on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 07:26:22 AM EST
    by a "Senior Editor" appears in the Huffington Post. It is about an article in the current issue of New York Magazine in which 35 of Bill Cosby's "alleged" victims have been interviewed,

    She writes that the article details, "the abuse the women describe suffering at the hands of the embattled comedian..."

    Yeah.

    Cosby.
    The "embattled comedian".

    Just a follow up (none / 0) (#212)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Jul 27, 2015 at 04:11:10 PM EST
    Called the state folks and spoke with a nice lady who said the difference probably had to do with the number of claims.. too much red eye gravy equals too many fat people.. But I did get the contact in Claims and Analysis who can explain all...tomorrow.. and yes, the Beamer's paid for, the check's in the mail and I'm from headquarters and I'm here to help you.

    Thursday Open Thread | 206 comments (206 topical)