Thursday Night Non-Debate Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Feb 25, 2016 at 07:03:23 PM EST
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We have a thread up for the Republican debate. Our last open thread is full, so here's a new one, for non-debate topics (politics is ok, just not the debate.)

So how much clout do Martin Scorcese and Mick Jagger have? Not only is Vinyl on HBO in the U.S., but check this out, from Mick Jagger's website:

The second episode of Vinyl airs tonight on HBO in the USA and Canada.Go here for listings in Latin America

The show airs in the UK and Ireland on Sky Atlantic on Mondays at 9pm.

Vinyl is also available on HBO Asia, HBO Nordic, HBO Czech Republic and Sky Italia.

Viewers in North America can stream the first episode for free here.

Explore the Vinyl website here.

Is there any other show that airs simultaneously in so many countries? I wonder which country has the highest ratings.

I didn't care for the first episode, it was too depressing and I'm into happy these days. Maybe I'll it give another chance. Has anyone watched both episodes? What do you think?

Again, this is an open thread, all topics welcome except tonight's debate, which you can comment on here.

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Thursday Night Non-Debate Open Thread | 68 comments (68 topical)

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Episode 2... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by kdog on Thu Feb 25, 2016 at 07:29:27 PM EST

was better than 1...I'd give it a shot, though I must warn you it has its depressing moments. Uplifting ones too. And really funny ones.

: I liked both episodes equally (none / 0) (#3)
by Militarytracy on Thu Feb 25, 2016 at 10:09:17 PM EST

But yeah, this isn't going to be about happiness. It's gritty, drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Sent most players to rehab at least once :) Andy Warhol is in it, he liked to emotionally destroy people, so happiness isn't a given.
It interests me though, what was going on behind the 8 tracks I inherited and all those cassettes and CDs I spent so many precious dollars on.

New Florida Poll out tonight (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by CoralGables on Thu Feb 25, 2016 at 10:18:54 PM EST

Clinton +25

Trump +20 (not good news for Rubio)

Worse news for Rubio (none / 0) (#5)
by CoralGables on Thu Feb 25, 2016 at 10:23:46 PM EST

in a field of just two, Trump vs Rubio in Florida, it's Trump +15.

There does appear to be a place that Rubio can win within the next 2 weeks...Puerto Rico.


: Baa waa (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 06:52:50 AM EST

waa. I think losing Florida though is going to do him in.

They know Mr. Roboto ... (none / 0) (#9)
by Robot Porter on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 09:01:13 AM EST

best.

But Pumpkinhead is a big-ish employer in the state and spends a lot of time there.

I'm sure he has higher name ID with Floridians than Mr. Roboto.


Craig Ferguson's Join or Die (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Militarytracy on Thu Feb 25, 2016 at 10:29:50 PM EST

Is on Thursdays too. A Scottish comedian who appreciates the United States so much he became a citizen hopes to teach the rest of us our history.

: And a guid Scottish lad he is... (none / 0) (#8)
by fishcamp on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 08:45:25 AM EST

The Republicans (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by jbindc on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:38:33 PM EST

Thus far have been loathe to go after Donald too much because they always figured that he'd drop out and they wanted those voters, so they didn't want to tick them off.

Hillary will not have that problem.

And if Donald thinks he can go dirty and childish on her and she will wilt away like his Republican competitors, well he's sorely mistaken. That, and while it isn't pretty, the Clintons know how to play dirty too, so Donald may not understand the tsunami that may be about to hit him, as he really hasn't experienced it from his fellow GOP'ers.

Well Except When Trump... (none / 0) (#55)
by ScottW714 on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 04:53:31 PM EST

... called out Bill, she basically didn't mention his name for at least a week. But I do think they are getting it now, Trump has no rules, so you had better prepared for more Bill philandering attacks.

To me that is an easy one, "You want talk about my family 20 years ago or about you demeaning women last week ?"


An old (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by jbindc on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 05:02:08 PM EST

Sexual assault claim against Trump resurfaced yesterday. Between that and the whole marital rape thing, I don't think Donald wants to go there.


: Bet Any Money... (5.00 / 1) (#68)
by ScottW714 on Mon Feb 29, 2016 at 12:27:34 PM EST

... he goes there, more than a time or two.

That's the way Trump tried to (none / 0) (#61)
by KeysDan on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 06:17:10 PM EST

handle Trump's 1983 judgment filed against his organization for Polish workers--that was years ago, doesn't count. Rubio gave a non-robo retort on that: is there a statute of limitations on lies?


I will definitely do ep 2 of Vinyl (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Feb 25, 2016 at 07:23:28 PM EST

But probably not tonight.

Haven't started it yet, but I will soon (none / 0) (#64)
by ruffian on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 08:11:43 PM EST

Almost caught up with The Americans. Wow. Matthew Rhys is amazing. I'm glad Jon Hamm already won all his awards so I can have a new awards show favorite.


: The Americans (none / 0) (#67)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Feb 27, 2016 at 09:35:35 AM EST

Has been shamefully ignored by awards in the past. A pet peeve of mine for years.

This is not good for Bernie (none / 0) (#10)
by CST on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 09:49:46 AM EST

If he can't win here, where can he win?

"The WBUR survey, conducted by The MassINC Polling Group, showed former secretary of state Hillary Clinton edging out Senator Bernie Sanders (in Massachusetts), 49 percent to 45 percent -- a lead just within the poll's margin of error of 4.9 percentage points."

It's also worth mentioning that in the two previous polls - the most recent was a tie, and the one before that he was up by 7. I believe they are different pollsters, but still, that's got to be giving them pause.

I'm just hoping... (none / 0) (#13)
by kdog on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:03:51 AM EST

he can squeak out a couple Super Tuesday upsets to carry him to the convention...that's as close as we're gonna get to a win, and in the big scheme it truly is a tremendous win for the debate about corporate influence and income disparity and the future of the Democratic Party.

After hearing Trump rail on health insurance companies during the debate last night, Sanders may also end up serving as good practice for Hillary for when Trump attacks her from the left on that issue and campaign fundraising.

Call me crazy but I think one of Trump's October Surprises might be a single-payer proposal.


you're crazy! (none / 0) (#20)
by CST on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:52:29 AM EST

but you could still be right about Trump.

He's definitely positioning himself to the center of the rest of the clowns on the economy.

Honestly, if MA were after Super Tuesday and I were more certain that Hillary would actually win this thing - I'd probably vote for Bernie.


If I thought Bernie... (none / 0) (#24)
by kdog on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:11:24 AM EST

still had a chance by the time the NY Primary rolled around, I would have changed my voter registration to Democrat so I would be allowed to vote for him.

Regardless, I still say best Democratic primary season ever. Clinton has staked out some more liberal positions, all we have to do is hold her to account after inauguration day. F*ck the Third Way, take it back to the old school FDR way Hillary, and make me eat so much crow I grow wings.


: from your lips (none / 0) (#25)
by CST on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:19:44 AM EST

to Hillary's ears!

Unicorn leads CHiP's a merry chase (none / 0) (#11)
by Mr Natural on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:01:31 AM EST

A pony dressed as a unicorn lead California Highway Patrol on a four-hour chase through the streets of Madera County, Calif., Wednesday night.

lead? (none / 0) (#12)
by Mr Natural on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:03:49 AM EST

Quote and [sic] it.

A pony dressed as a unicorn led California Highway Patrol on a four-hour chase through the streets of Madera County, Calif., Wednesday night.

: Hey, man ... (none / 0) (#63)
by Peter G on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 08:04:32 PM EST

Get the lead out! And then get the lede right.

Marco's attack line of the day (none / 0) (#14)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:13:39 AM EST

Is that Donald is con artist.

As Donalds supporters scratch their heads and say, dude, you are just figuring that out?

They're all con artists on the GOP bus (none / 0) (#15)
by Mr Natural on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:21:19 AM EST

Watching the coverage this mornng (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:31:22 AM EST

On the StairMaster I like that several observers picked the same "most important part" I did.

The part where Donald has a guy on each side of him arguing that people absolutely should be allowed to die in the street. That our very core beliefs demand that they be allowed to die in the streets.


: Yes, Trump (none / 0) (#19)
by KeysDan on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:52:12 AM EST

is out-of-step on this one. Help for the dying in the street (or sidewalk)is socialized medicine. Among my favorites was youthful Rubio's tribute to Scalia and the Constitution--both dead.

Leave (none / 0) (#22)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:05:45 AM EST

it to the Rubiobot to recycle yet another line that has been used before.

I seem to recall that many republicans were screaming that one oh, back at the end of last summer.


Caught but a few (none / 0) (#17)
by KeysDan on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:46:13 AM EST

minutes of the hour-long interview of Senator Sanders by Tweety. Bernie seemed to be straining not to reach over and shake Tweety by the lapels of his suit. And, say, can't you just listen for once. Tweety was talking inside the Beltway, and Bernie was everywhere else.

Sundance (none / 0) (#18)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:49:20 AM EST

Is running Breaking Bad.

That show is going to be like the original Star Trek. Syndicated for centuries.

Every time I surf past I ge hung for an hour.

Political Ads... (none / 0) (#21)
by ScottW714 on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:02:34 AM EST

... just yesterday I was saying how I haven't seen many ads. Well they we on in full force this morning, I bet I caught 12 of them, mostly Rubio, but one for Cruz in which the Governor is backing him and his conservative platform.

Not official, but the local new station did a pol, Trump had 44%, Cruz at 12% and the rest under 10%. Keep in mind that is a local Houston morning station online pol and Houston is mostly democrat.

: My phone (none / 0) (#23)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:07:03 AM EST

has been starting to ring off the hook now. Might be ads running but I don't watch a whole lot of TV.

With Super Tuesday fast approaching (none / 0) (#26)
by CoralGables on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:44:45 AM EST

And lots of polling ready to hit the wire between now and then, the big question in the Republican Party is, "Will Rubio win a single state on March 1?

Current Super Tuesday state polling:

AL Trump +21 (Rubio tied for 2nd)
AR Cruz +4 (Rubio tied for 2nd)
AK Trump +4 (Rubio 3rd) No polling in a month
CO It's a caucus with no 2016 polling
GA Trump +15 (Rubio 2nd)
MA Trump +27 (Rubio 2nd)
MN Trump +6 (Rubio 2nd) No Feb polling yet
OK Trump +7 (Rubio 3rd)
TN No 2016 polling
TX Cruz +7 (Rubio 3rd)
VT Trump +15 (Rubio 2nd)
VA Trump +15 (Rubio 2nd)
WY A caucus state with no 2016 polling.

Rubio has been downplaying Super Tuesday this morning. He is apparently trying to cross the bar of low expectations.

Holy SH!T (none / 0) (#27)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:50:15 AM EST

Christie endorses Donakd.

I give you (5.00 / 3) (#28)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:51:05 AM EST

Secretary of Bridges


You know what (none / 0) (#29)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:56:55 AM EST

The flood gates are about to break on endorsements. They have started to trickle in from congress but there might be more by the end of the day.

The train is leaving the station. All aboard.


Um, (none / 0) (#30)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 11:58:42 AM EST

I think I have a new VP favorite.


Nah (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by jbindc on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:22:21 PM EST

Two loudmouths - one from NY and the other from NJ?

Not if he actually wants to win.


The VP (none / 0) (#35)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:24:45 PM EST

Is generally thought of as "the attack dog"

Any questions?


Not in this case (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by jbindc on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:30:52 PM EST

The candidate is the attack dog.

Nope. Won't be Christie.

He'll get someone that wont overshadow him with brashness. Donald likes to be the belle of the ball and doesnt want to share the spotlight.


If not (none / 0) (#40)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:39:58 PM EST

They could still do that reality show


: Sure will (none / 0) (#44)
by jbindc on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:03:27 PM EST

A loudmouth who came in 10th in Iowa and 7th in NH, and who has a 35% approval rating back home endorsing another loudmouth who wants to wipe his bad debate performance and taxes off the news.
They can get together and have Donald open and then close another Atlantic City casino in a reboot of Jersey Shore.

What about (none / 0) (#57)
by christinep on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 05:38:22 PM EST

A governor from a Midwest state with significant electoral votes (Kasich) or what about a governor from a western state who is a woman and Hispanic (S. Martinez)? They don't have to like each other ... this time around, it doesn't seem as though there are any close or personal attachments, in any event.


If you're (none / 0) (#37)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:30:16 PM EST

concerned about winning you would never say 3/4 the things Donald has said. Christie is actually the perfect VP for him IMO.


He can probably run for VP (none / 0) (#32)
by CoralGables on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:08:15 PM EST

and still keep his job as Governor (I think). His term doesn't expire until November 2017 and the VP slot with Trump is just a part-time gig until November 8 this year.


: I think I said this but (none / 0) (#33)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:09:29 PM EST

Holy sh!t

Trump/Christie 2016? (none / 0) (#60)
by KeysDan on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 06:07:22 PM EST

Boy, that would be a really big bully pulpit. But, my guess is that Trump, the great negotiator, has offered Attorney General.


: I agree with you, the way (none / 0) (#66)
by NYShooter on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 09:29:39 PM EST

Trump has characterized his murderous policies, like killing (besides the actual terrorist) everyone in his family: children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. The sociopath, Herr Christie, would be perfect as his Attorney General.
As for his Vice President, I look at it this way. All the experts I follow feel that for a Republican to win the General, they must win Florida. Don't ask me for the specifics as to why that is, but, let's assume that Florida really is the key, must-win, "swing" State for the "R's."
Then, IMO, that leaves Rubio, or, Carson as the leading V.P. candidates. Rubio, for all the obvious reasons. Carson, because in all the head-to-head matchups between Carson and the other candidates, Carson comes out way, way ahead. They just love the dizzy doc down in Sunny, "Zimm-Bob-Way."
In any event, it doesn't matter at all to Trump. I don't see any way he cedes any power /authority at all to anyone (besides himself.) The A.G. position is, simply, the perfect vehicle from which to vent his sadistic & vengeful (and, demented) personality.

Reince Priebus (none / 0) (#39)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:33:20 PM EST

is getting ready to buy out the Maalox factory. Maybe we should all buy stock. The floodgates he has been trying to hold back are about to open. Just wait until after Super Tuesday.

Christie is probably endorsing Donald now because he knows he's going to win in NJ.


Dems in South Carolina (none / 0) (#31)
by CoralGables on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:01:00 PM EST

South Carolina votes tomorrow and Bernie Sanders will be having two events in Minnesota. Probably good reason for that. Minnesota is a caucus state giving Sanders a chance on March 1. In South Carolina with Bill and Chelsea barnstorming the state today Bernie has no chance.

RCP SC avg Clinton +26.6
538 projection Clinton +38.5

A Clemson poll released this morning has Clinton +50. That sounds impossible.

I don't get the reasoning (none / 0) (#54)
by Towanda on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 04:52:59 PM EST

that a caucus state is good for Sanders, since he has lost both caucuses to date?

But for other reasons, I do agree that Minnesota may be favorable for him. And on its border, Iowa was close -- and next door in Wisconsin, a poll yesterday had him tied with Clinton.

But both Iowa and Wisconsin historically have been bad for Clinton . . . and for women in politics, generally. I'll have to look into more about Minnesota to see if that has been so there, too.


You mean, the home of Jesse Ventura? (none / 0) (#58)
by christinep on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 05:46:16 PM EST

OTOH, Sen. Al Franken has been advertising and speaking for HRC quite a bit.

But, other than a stereotypical image of Scandinavians and hearty people, I know very little about that large state. Mondale, Humphrey, the late Sen. Wellstone, Klobuchar(?) and the once-strong Farmer-Labor union. Quite a range.


: Minnesota is very much a "purple" state. (none / 0) (#62)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 07:02:27 PM EST

While the Twin Cities are obviously quite Democratic, the state's rural locales very much lean Republican, and south of MSP along the Iowa state line they can run on bat-guano fumes, hence the election and re-election of former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.
On that note, I think it's actually quite telling about the pretty high regard Minnesotans have for Sen. Al Franken's performance in office, that he was easily re-elected during a GOP "wave year" which saw the state legislature revert to Republican control. His endorsement and support of Hillary Clinton's candidacy certainly doesn't hurt her.
Aloha.

: And Michelle Bachman. . . . (none / 0) (#65)
by Towanda on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 08:14:47 PM EST

As Donald says, it's as split as a Wisconsin that gave us both Fighting Bob La Follette and Joe McCarthy in the Senate -- and, indeed, McCarthy succeeded La Follette's successor, his son Bob (and, it was said, McCarthy drove him to suicide).
In terms of women in politics, Minnesota is looking a lot like Wisconsin, if half a dozen years ahead in finally sending a woman to the U.S. Senate -- but never a woman governor, only women as lieutenant governors, and high in women in the "pipeline," the state legislature . . . although that also can mean not breaking the glass ceiling but being stuck to the legislative floor.

FYI (none / 0) (#36)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:29:52 PM EST

Donald Trump breaks the Internet.

Again.

Marco who, did ...what...yesterday?

Just listened to Christie (none / 0) (#41)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:41:33 PM EST

Introduce Donald in TX.

Good bye Ted. We knew you well enough.


Good lord (none / 0) (#42)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:43:50 PM EST

Our primary looks like an orderly place compared to the mess that is the GOP primary.


I think it's beginning (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 12:46:20 PM EST

To seem an alarmingly ordered mess.


I'm listening to the Trumo rally (none / 0) (#45)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:03:58 PM EST

While making lunch.

There is an energy. Always there but amped to 10,000 volts by the Christie endorsement. It's fu@king creepy. It's not just the audience interrupting with "seig heil" um, I mean "Trump, Trump, Trump..."
It's a creepy energy from the guy himself. You can feel it. I can feel it all the way from the kitchen.

We are tipping.


My neighbor (none / 0) (#46)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:20:14 PM EST

just brought up the presidential election. Around here I avoid that discussion like the plague. She's so crestfallen because Trump makes her want to throw up she said every time he's on TV. I'm assuming she's a Republican since she said something to the extent that Obama is awful. She said she didn't know who to "trust". Good lord. Why are we arguing the trust issue with politicians? I could say the trust thing about any politician and everybody should know that since George W. Bush campaigned on trust that's it is pretty much a fool's errand.

Anyhow I seem to be finding more and more Republicans who are vocal in their hatred of Trump.


A pastor introducing Donald (none / 0) (#47)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:23:20 PM EST

Addressed that issue moments ago in TX.

(Paraphrase)

"You think this guy is bad take a look at freakin Hillary. This is it folks"


: Amazing....at least it has clarified (none / 0) (#48)
by ruffian on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:37:59 PM EST

once and for all that the Christian family values BS has always been exactly that. Not that it matters, everyone knew it anyway.

I do know one thing I've said before and will say (none / 0) (#50)
by ruffian on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:41:27 PM EST

again...I sure wish we were coming off of an 8 yr Clinton-Obama administration, with Obama as the candidate this year. I'd be less worried.


I dunno (5.00 / 1) (#51)
by CST on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 01:59:20 PM EST

In some ways I think Obama does better against a McCain or Romney, and Clinton does better against a Trump. Personality-wise.


There is an argument to be made (none / 0) (#52)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 02:09:25 PM EST

(and I have made it) that Bernie might be a better candidate against Donald (and only Donald) than Hillary. Do not take this as support if Bernie. Only that in the thru the looking glass place we seem to be the most unlikely choice might be the best one.

But I watch a lot of SciFy. So.....


: There is a Texas Poll... (none / 0) (#53)
by ScottW714 on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 04:37:19 PM EST

...out that has all the R's against the D's. They are all within the eror of margin adn generally if not the same only a 1% difference.

Found it.
In a state that surely hates Clinton to the core, the advantage Sanders has is negligible at best.
But it is Texas, so no matter the match-up R's win.
For Trump specifically 47-44% for both Sanders and Clinton. Which is actually the closest race, the rest are around 10% more to the R's. I would think if there was a Sanders advantage, it would show more in a red state, but it's not, at least in Texas.

Yes, because all the invented fluff (none / 0) (#59)
by christinep on Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 06:04:36 PM EST

is cleared away when there are no phony-baloney issues about whether one or the other is the sweetest person with a pretend white collar. IMO, the race will be about power vs. power and how best to use it ... in that way, we might really get to a debate (a harsh one, no doubt) about what we expect the government to do vs what is best left to the private sector.

I look forward to a race where the who-is-the-purest canard would not be used ... plain-speaking who can do the job and why. (Look, while I personally believe that the HRC portrayal these past 25 years as untrustworthy or slightly sneaky is BS, clearly the orchestrated & conclusionary trope has been repeated so often that is penetrates some in the public. Her precision and occasionally qualified responses to me suggest that she does not go for the big lie ... to the contrary, the unwillingness to overpromise is a good sign from her.)

This match will not be for wimps ... nor should it be, when the stakes are so high. We know that the experienced HRC can give as good as she gets ... with this match, we'll see whether can take it as well ... my bet is on her. With Trump in a contest, you want a fighter as the opponent. There isn't a stronger fighter than Hillary.
