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Saturday Open Thread: Non-Politics

If you'd rather watch happy stuff than the politics race, check out James Corden (host of the Late Late Show) and One Direction doing carpool karaoke. I've watched it six or seven times and still laugh. Also fun to watch: James and One Direction playing a game of Tattoo Roulette and Corden's "Take a Break" segments where he fills in for others at work. Two really funny ones are where he tries to be a real estate agent and sell a house to rapper Tyga and get the listing for a house owned by LA Clippers player J.J. Reddick. In the second one, I think the funniest part is when he takes a shower. [More...]

A few others: Justin Bieber takes over the monologue. Bieber and James doing carpool karaoke. They had such a good time, they did it again. (I've already written about some other great carpool karaokes -- Adele, Elton John, Rod Stewart.)

Also laugh out loud funny: His "Kick it Out, Bring it Back" series, his political monologues and his musical director Regge Watts. (Check out this Walking Desk sketch from earlier this week.) James sings, acts (he's won a Tony), dances (watch this segment of him and Elizabeth Banks trying out for a Jane Fonda dance party while Lilly Tomlin looks on, sad because Jane won't invite her) and does comedy. He even gets his parents into the act, sending them from England to the Superbowl with his dad playing sports correspondent for the show. And remakes Cindy Crawford's famous Superbowl Pepsi commercial (starring him and Cindy.)

Those of you who like musicals will love his "Inappropriate Musicals" with Martin Short and Will Arnett that aired a few days ago.

Every night he comes out absolutely gleeful, as if he's just won the lottery. He's the happiest guy on television, thanking everyone every night just for watching.

Oh, just go watch them all on the show's You Tube Channel. There's a reason it has 4 million subscribers. (The Adele karaoke alone has had 85 million views.) Here are the most popular ones and here they are from newest to oldest.

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead tonight.

This is an open thread for all topics except politics. (Today's politics open thread is here.) It doesn't have to be happy, but I love happy (and funny and musical.)

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    Not overly happy (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 12, 2016 at 04:53:22 PM EST
    but definitely musical


    After another grueling day of politics, Aoife O'Donovan's crystalline voice is my antidote.



    I'm prepping for The Americans (none / 0) (#4)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 12, 2016 at 05:55:10 PM EST
    with a podcast done for every episode of last season done by the producers and some directors and writers. You can find it on iTunes - TheAmericans: Slate TV Club Insider. They will be doing it this season too.

    Just listened to them talk about the episode 'Baggage' about how they put together the most cringeworthy scene ever where the Jennings' put the body on the luggage. Really fascinating.

    Parent

    That definitely was cringeworthy. (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 12, 2016 at 06:16:55 PM EST
    Hard to out your finger on exactly why.  I do not easily cringe as you know.  I remember cringing.

    Really looking forward to the new season.

    I have a terrible fear it  (the series) will not end well..  Hard to see how it does.

    And they have done a great job of making you care about those two.

    Parent

    So much care went into it. They were so (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 12, 2016 at 06:33:18 PM EST
    clear on wanting it to be really hard to watch, right to the point of making you want to turn it off. They used a contortionist to help storyboard each movement they wanted. And in the end they attribute a lot of the final result to the sound effects. I can attest to that since they played a little of it in the podcast, which I was listening to in the car and was squirming on my way home from the dog park.

    I really admire all the craft that goes into making everything perfect. I've probably said I listen to all the commentary tracks on DVDs of movies and TV shows and the best show runners like Vince Gilligan and Matthew Weiner spend what seems like an inordinate amount of effort on the smallest things that make take only a few seconds of screen. It matters though to bring you right into the story and not have your attention distracted by things that are just not right, even if you barely notice.

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 12, 2016 at 06:47:36 PM EST
    The sound I remember

    Parent
    Finally getting a chance to look at these (none / 0) (#2)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 12, 2016 at 04:54:45 PM EST
    Car Pool Karaokes. You're right, they are really joyful. I guess because I love singing in the car too and it is fun to see the stars loosen up outside the confines of a normal interview. Great idea!

    Loving Elton John, an old favorite.

    Stevie Wonder too ...I never see him anymore (none / 0) (#3)
    by ruffian on Sat Mar 12, 2016 at 05:21:39 PM EST
    and not sure I've ever seen him do anything but perform in the usual way. He is really funny.

    Parent
    BWC Champ.: Hawaii 64, Long Beach State 60. (none / 0) (#8)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Mar 13, 2016 at 02:41:44 AM EST
    Congratulations to the Rainbow Warriors (27-5), who tied the record for most wins in school history and punched the program's first ticket to the NCAA men's tournament in 14 seasons. They join their sisters the Rainbow Wahine, who beat UC-Santa Barbara 78-59 today, as Hawaii becomes the first school to win both the Big West Conference men's and women's championships in a single season since UNLV pulled it off in 1990.

    And all hail the Roadrunners of Cal State Bakersfield, who stunned four-time defending WAC champion New Mexico State at the buzzer tonight, 57-54, to win their first-ever conference championship and NCAA tournament bid in school history.

    Big 12 champ and No. 1-ranked Kansas will probably be the men's No. 1 overall seed after handily dispatching West Virginia tonight, 81-71. As a No. 2 seed last year, the Jayhawks were quickly sent packing in the second round by cross-state rival Wichita State, 78-65. This year's team looks to be much more mature and hungry. But given Kansas's up-and-down history in NCAA tourney play and record of unexpected early departures as a high seed, the Jayhawks have no business looking past anybody during next weekend's first two rounds.

    Selections and tournament seedings for the men's tournament go out tomorrow night, while the women's tourney brackets will be filled out on Monday night.

    Let the Big Dance begin.

    Daylight Saving Time (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 13, 2016 at 10:17:16 AM EST
    totally snuck up on me.  Again.

    Long strange article (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 13, 2016 at 12:50:25 PM EST
    about Richard Simmons


    Richard Simmons has vanished from public view, and many who know him best say they haven't had any contact in more than two years. All repeat the same message, some anonymously and some on the record: Simmons stopped returning calls and emails more than two years ago, behavior that is highly out of character, and his housekeeper is blocking access to him at home. Indeed, for a generous and intensely social public figure, one who taught classes at his Beverly Hills gym until a few years ago; has sold more than 20 million exercise videos, including the mega-popular "Sweatin' to the Oldies" series; appeared many times on David Letterman's shows, "General Hospital," his own talk show and infomercials; and was a seemingly ubiquitous presence for decades, the silence is striking


    When the wealth get weird, (none / 0) (#11)
    by Mr Natural on Sun Mar 13, 2016 at 01:07:59 PM EST
    the parasites turn pro.

    Parent
    I really hope (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 13, 2016 at 01:14:39 PM EST
    That's hyperbole.  I have a great affection for weird Richard.

    The first flaming queen to win the nations heart.

    Parent

    One possibility: (none / 0) (#13)
    by Mr Natural on Sun Mar 13, 2016 at 02:12:10 PM EST
    Simmons may have burned through his money.  Oliveira was clearly tapping him for money.  It's better to appear eccentric than broke.  You'd hope that Simmons had some friends who didn't have their hands out.

    It would have helped if the author had done some basic legwork.  He could have verified that Simmons' property taxes were getting paid, whether Simmons still owned the gym, looked for judgements against Simmons, or other signs of financial distress.

    Parent

    He's alive and talking (none / 0) (#16)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 11:10:30 AM EST
    on a morning show.

    "I just sort of wanted to be a little bit of a loner for a while," Simmons said, citing issues with his knees as a contributing factor to his decision "I just really don't want to do anything. I don't want to be traveling anymore. It certainly has taken its toll on me."


    Parent
    I can definitely (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 04:51:34 PM EST
    Relate to that.  Hope no one write a story about me disappearing and becoming a recluse.   I don't do morning shows.

    Parent
    Fantastic Lies - Duke Lacrosse (none / 0) (#14)
    by Green26 on Sun Mar 13, 2016 at 10:05:56 PM EST
    Wow, what a great and powerful ESPN film, 30 for 30.

    Hope Jeralyn and alot of the older TL crowd saw this. Following TL during that time, I realized quickly that the rape allegations were bogus and the prosecutor and prosecutors were liars.

    The film was very interesting, for me, because, altho I knew and recalled many details of the case and underlying facts, I didn't know much about what was going at Duke and with the "players" at the time. And, of course, didn't know anything about the players, their parents, and the lawyers.

    Yeah, it was intense (none / 0) (#15)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 01:56:26 AM EST
    There were a lot of red flags about the rape accusation but, as is often the case, common sense was no match for emotion and activism.  

    Unfortunately, we keep seeing similar cases of injustice.  Unethical prosecutors aided by a media more concerned with ratings than the truth.  Perhaps one important difference that separated the Duke Lacrosse fiasco from other high profile cases was the pre trial judge wasn't in the prosecution corner.

    Parent

    Yale basketball captain expulsion (none / 0) (#17)
    by Green26 on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 11:39:36 AM EST
    for sexual assault has some interesting facts. NY Times Article of today.

    4th time together, left and came back the same night to stay with him, complained 1 year later, investigator believed her under preponderance standard.

    "charge against Montague was filed by a Title IX official after the student reported the incident to a Title IX coordinator a year after the incident. "

    "an independent investigator found that Montague and a female student had consensual sex in an earlier encounter. "The sole dispute is as to the sexual intercourse in the fourth episode," the statement said. "She stated that she did not consent to it. He said that she did."

    "an independent investigator found that on the night in question, the female student "reached out to him" after they had parted, returned to his room, and spent the night."

    "We believe that it defies logic and common sense that a woman would seek to reconnect and get back into bed with a man who she says forced her to have unwanted sex just hours earlier," the statement said."

    Parent

    Same old nonsense (none / 0) (#18)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 11:56:28 AM EST
    Guilty until proven innocent.  By then it's too late, the college and athletic experience has been ruined.  Same situation where anyone on campus who dares support the accused is considered to be rape apologist.  Same double standard, the accused is named but not the accuser.

    There were a few things left out of the ESPN special last night, probably because of time restraints...
    When just about everyone else was against the men's lacrosse team, the women's lacrosse team showed support by wearing "innocent" sweatbands.  Very brave. I don't remember the famous basketball team showing any support.

    They also went kind of easy on the SANE nurse who had a lot to do with the early part of the case.  

    Parent

    Not for Nothing... (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 12:18:37 PM EST
    ... because I am sure you don't care, but the Yale case was a school expulsion and as you may, or may not know, is a private school and can boot anyone at any time if they believe someone broke their code of conduct.  They are not obligate to prove to you that something happened that warrants any discipline they dole out.  

    No details are out so you blather is rather silly, you can't possibly know anything about this except for what the students father has said, which is basically my son was screwed.  And even if true, Yale can do that, they are not the government.  And tying a case you know nothing about into Duke is just another one of your shameless attempts, or possibly belief, to prove that women are mostly liars.

    Parent

    Not having details didn't stop someone (none / 0) (#26)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 03:10:13 PM EST
    from putting up posters on the Yale campus that read  "YALE MEN'S BASKETBALL | STOP SUPPORTING A RAPIST"  That was very similar to what happened in the Duke Lacrosse case.

    And tying a case you know nothing about into Duke is just another one of your shameless attempts, or possibly belief, to prove that women are mostly liars.

    Provide some proof that I've claimed or suggested women are mostly liars.  If you can't then you are the shameless liar.  

    Just because someone has an opinion you don't like doesn't mean it's cool to make false allegations.  

    Parent

    Dumb... (none / 0) (#27)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 04:43:28 PM EST
    ...a sign does not make whatever silly point you are trying to make.  

    Proof, 3/4ths of your posts are sexual misconduct of some sort, of them, like this one, you blatantly suggest the man is getting set-up with some seriously dumb comment like, "Maybe Duke Redux ?" or "Same Old Non-Sense" when you don't know a GD thing about the case.  

    The inference is obvious.

    Ditto with your cops and dead black dude posts.

    You have some odd issues with women and black men, not sure what it is, but it's so obvious that I believe you are not confused about anything.

    I agree about false allegations, but just because it was done at Duke doesn't mean every sexual allegation should be compared when you don't know anything about it.  Plus of course this is nothing like Duke in that the school did the punishing, not the media, not the cops, and not the prosecutor.

    Your opinion is based on one thing, what the father said, and not about the actual event, but that the school screwed his son.

    Parent

    Now it's 3/4s of my posts? (none / 0) (#34)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:10:51 PM EST
    How much more BS do you have in you?  It's not that difficult to look at my past 25-50 posts, or more. Go ahead,  you'll see a variety of topics....
    Steve Avery
    Baseball
    Jessica Chambers
    O.J. Simpson
    That female teacher who had to resign over nude photos...  

    The problem, of course, is you only remember the ones you don't like.  But not even in those do I claim most women are liars.  That's in your head.  So is racism.  How many times do I have point out my support for...
    O.J. Simpson
    Kobe Bryant
    The black cops in the Freddie Grey Case
    Amanda Knox
    Casey Anthony

    We don't agree on the Yale case.  Big deal.  Stop with the false accusations.  It's childish.  

    Parent

    Nor did that same lack of details ... (none / 0) (#30)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 05:58:04 PM EST
    McBain: "Not having details didn't stop someone from putting up posters on the Yale campus that read 'YALE MEN'S BASKETBALL | STOP SUPPORTING A RAPIST[.]'"

    ... dissuade the men's basketball team from wearing t-shirts during pre-game warm-ups that explicitly expressed the players' support for their now-expelled captain, which is what prompted those posters to be put up across the Yale campus in the first place. (The players and coaches have since apologized.) If you're going to continue to bring that up as your rationale for your posts on this subject, then you really ought to also put it in proper context.

    And again, as I said to you several times the other day (apparently without any noticeable effect), Jack Montague has not been arrested and arraigned in a criminal case. Your repeated attempts to somehow link his case to the now-infamous Duke Lacrosse scandal are a nonsensical exercise in self-induced hysteria. Those young men at Duke were wrongfully charged by the legal authorities with felony rape, whereas Montague was expelled for violating the university's student code of conduct.

    Further, that violation may have absolutely nothing to do with Montague's sex life. Perhaps he wasn't nearly as forthcoming and truthful about what actually happened as he probably should have been, when called before the University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct (UWC), which was investigating the allegation. Per the UWC rules (Section 3, Paragraph 3):

    "Parties and witnesses are expected to cooperate in the investigation of matters brought to the UWC. Parties and witnesses must provide truthful information in all phases of a UWC proceeding. Failure to provide truthful information or any attempt to impede the UWC process may result in a recommendation for a more severe penalty or a referral for discipline." (Emphasis is mine.)

    Now, if that's indeed the case, did the UWC properly inform Montague of his right to legal counsel during such a proceeding and further make sure that he fully understood all potential outcomes and consequences, before the UWC actually moved forward with its investigation?

    One would hope it did so, but we shouldn't just assume that as a given. Nor should we assume that Montague -- who, after all, is only 21 years old -- truly grasped the seriousness of the allegation being leveled against him. It should be noted that per Section 7 of its own rules, the UWC has a responsibility to the respondent, and well as to the complainant. Given the public statement of Montague's attorney taking issue with the committee's due process, my immediate question is whether or not the UWC properly discharged that responsibility as it pertained to the respondent.

    Absent any disclosure from university officials themselves regarding their reason for expelling Montague, which they are unlikely to ever divulge publicly outside of formal litigation, we simply don't know the actual details of the incident(s) which first prompted the formal complaint filed against Montague. It's therefore ridiculous to presume that we now do, based solely upon the respective insistence of both his father and his attorney, who obviously have their own agenda here.

    That said, I've no opinion about Jack Montague, good or ill. If he truly feels aggrieved about what happened to him at Yale, then by all means  he should exercise his right to seek redress in a court of law by suing the university. I certainly don't want to see anyone's personal reputation and character recklessly impugned, simply because the UWC felt pressured to make an example of the next available Title IX case that came before its panel. At this point, court is the proper place to adjudicate and resolve this matter.

    But at the same time, given Yale University's own venerable history and reputation, it doesn't necessarily strike me as the sort of institution that would so blithely ignore due process, so the burden here is actually on Jack Montague to prove that's exactly what happened here when he was expelled. And in that regard, while I think I've made clear that I'm not inclined to accept the public statements of his father and his attorney at face value, I'll nevertheless strive to keep an open mind.

    As for you, if you want to continue to discuss this issue, then please do so rationally and without the incendiary references to the Duke Lacrosse case. If you persist in doing otherwise, then you shouldn't be at all surprised to see your arguments consequently dismissed for the emotional tripe and folderol that they are.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Are you saying wearing T shirts that support (none / 0) (#36)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:25:30 PM EST
    their teammate somehow justify the "Rapist" posters? I don't believe they do at all.  His teammates actions do remind me of the female Duke Lacrosse team, who wore wrist bands in support of the men's team when they needed it most.  They were very brave.

    We do agree on this....

    That said, I've no opinion about Jack Montague, good or ill. If he truly feels aggrieved about what happened to him at Yale, then by all means  he should exercise his right to seek redress in a court of law by suing the university. I certainly don't want to see anyone's personal reputation and character recklessly impugned, simply because the UWC felt pressured to make an example of the next available Title IX case that came before its panel.

    Well said but the problem is a lawsuit won't bring his college experience back. Won't bring his basketball experience back.  Might not bring his reputation back.  I still don't understand why it's OK to release his name but not the accuser?  

    Parent

    McBain: "I still don't understand why it's OK to release his name but not the accuser?"

    Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported crimes in the country, because it still carries with it a very strong stigma, so much so that only an estimated 30-35% of female victims ever file a complaint with the authorities. (Among male victims, that percentage is even less.) It's been further estimated that only 2% of those who perpetrate sexual assaults upon others are ever convicted and sentenced.

    And needless to say, people like you don't help, with your propensity to rush to judgment and blame the alleged victim, even when you can't possibly know what happened in this particular case, one way or the other.

    So, if you're not going to stop, I am, because I feel like I'm on an endless loop whenever I engage you, and I'm tired of always having to repeat myself.

    P.S.: Yes, I am equating the team's t-shirts with the campus posters, because both are public statements on the case that were made in general ignorance of any facts. The only difference is that by wearing those t-shirts in so public a fashion, just prior to a regionally televised game, the team directly provoked the public response from those who subsequently put up the posters campus-wide. That's why the players and coaches were compelled to publicly apologize.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Go ahead, run away (none / 0) (#52)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 09:19:06 PM EST
    When you make false allegations, I'm going to point them out.  You know the drill.
    And needless to say, people like you don't help, with your propensity to rush to judgment and blame the alleged victim

    Where have I blamed the alleged victim?  Nowhere.  That's in your twisted imagination.  People like me actually wait until the facts are out before asserting criminal blame.  

    I believe the media should either name both the accused and accusers in sexual assault cases or neither.  
     

    Parent

    It's not a matter of running away. (none / 0) (#55)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 11:59:47 AM EST
    Rather, I'd simply prefer to not waste any more of my time debating someone like you who lives in a fact-free parallel universe, where personal opinion and emotional hysteria trump reality and law.

    Good day.

    Parent

    Scott, you are incorrect on 2 things (none / 0) (#54)
    by Green26 on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 11:52:40 AM EST
    The information in the linked article was coming from the kid's lawyer, not his dad, and quoted or referred to findings in the Yale report.

    Private schools are also subject to federal laws and can't just dismiss students for little or know reason. For example, Title IX applies to private schools (who take federal money) just like it applies to state schools.

    Parent

    Unless or until we see the report itself, ... (none / 0) (#56)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 12:21:13 PM EST
    ... the attorney's statement is merely a second-hand account, which may or may not accurately reflect the entirety of the report's actual contents. Federal privacy laws preclude Yale from releasing it, but if Jack Montague has it in his possession, I would think that he could certainly do so.

    Until then, as I said above, while I'm willing to keep an open mind about what actually happened here, I'm not going to accept at face value anything Montague's father or attorney says. The burden of proof is upon Montague himself. If he really and truly feels that he was wronged by Yale, then he needs to man up and file suit, and not have Daddy and the family lawyer whine about his plight to the media. They're likely not going to bluff Yale with spin, and win by conducting a public relations campaign.

    Dogs bark, and the caravan passes.

    Parent

    Donald, it's already been announced (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Green26 on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 01:31:45 PM EST
    by the attorney that a suit will be filed against Yale. Of course, the attorney has the Yale report. From my experience with college sexual assault proceedings, and I've been around several including in recent years, I would have more confidence in the accused's attorney than in the university panel/prosecutor. When the accuseds get aggressive and bring claims, there's often been bad and unfair procedures and conclusions by the university panel or prosecutor/dean, if not a borderline kangaroo court. Of course, it's usually only the extreme unfair ones that result in claims against the universities.

    4th episode, first 3 consensual, undressed herself and climbed in bed, they went their separate ways after the episode, accuser contacted the accused later that night and came back to sleep with him, complaint came a year later, the Title IX officer at Yale not the accuser brought the complaint--if you believe what the lawyer put out. The lawyer looks like a big time Boston lawyer. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is a fairly prestigious honor.

    Parent

    So says Jack Montague's attorney. (none / 0) (#22)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 12:28:33 PM EST
    Green26: "Yale basketball captain expulsion for sexual assault has some interesting facts."

    A public statement issued by an attorney for the accused which takes issue with the decision of a Yale University disciplinary panel is exactly that, and only that. While it offers the accused's perspective on the matter, it cannot and should not be conflated with actual evidence or a finding of fact.

    As for Yale University, a spokesperson defended the process pursued by the university's Committee on Sexual Misconduct, said that only 10% of cases brought before that panel ever result in expulsion, and that a majority conclude with no adverse findings or reprimands. He declined further comment on the matter, citing federal privacy laws.

    Mr. Montague, of course, is perfectly within his rights to file suit against Yale if he feels aggrieved by the university's decision, and believes himself to be the victim of a flawed process and finding. And since Yale is apparently standing by its decision to expel him, any further attempts on his part to gain satisfaction will likely have to be attained in civil court.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    3 months from (none / 0) (#29)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 04:59:39 PM EST
    Graduation, Captain of the basketball team going to the NCAA (great exposure),
    I am thinking that they will be looking for millions, multi millions.

    I have read that there were several Title IX complaints against Yale going back to 2011, and 2013. I just hope this wasn't a overreaction to prove their bonafides,
    That there was more than  he said she said evidence considered in expelling this student 3 months from graduation.

    Parent

    That's been my concern here, as well. (none / 0) (#35)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:16:52 PM EST
    But that said, none of us are really in any position to offer an informed opinion ourselves, based solely upon the public statements of Jack Montague's father and his attorney, who quite obviously have their own agenda.

    So, if what Pops and the lawyer are alleging is actually true, that Montague fils has been wrongly scapegoated as an example of Yale's determination to comply with Title IX, then that young man needs to file suit to clear his name and record. And if it's not true, then Yale's decision will stand, and that expulsion will remain as part of Jack Montague's permanent academic record. Either way, we'll likely know in due course.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    March Madness brackets are out. (none / 0) (#19)
    by caseyOR on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 11:58:57 AM EST
    And I have to say GO, DUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

    Oregon is a #1 seed. I cannot remember the last time that happened.

    I just have to say it again. GO, DUCKS!!!!!!!!!

    Feeling confident? Should I (none / 0) (#20)
    by ruffian on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 12:09:22 PM EST
    pick them in my bracket?

    I'm clueless this year, except a guy at the dog park told me Villanova is hot.

    Parent

    I am the world's worst bracket (none / 0) (#24)
    by caseyOR on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 01:11:34 PM EST
    picker. So, I have no advice. This entire bracket picking by the NCAA seems quite convoluted this year. I have no idea how it will play out.

    Parent
    ESPN's Joe Lunardi says ... (none / 0) (#23)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 01:04:47 PM EST
    ... the NCAA men's tournament selection committee blew it big time:

    "First of all, why is Kansas leading the South Region in Louisville (slightly farther than the Midwest Region in Chicago)? Especially when Virginia is a good bit closer and should be in the South. It looks like a consolation prize for Michigan State, which would make sense and would also not be necessary if the Spartans were a No. 1 seed above either Virginia or Oregon.

    "The committee is clearly protecting North Carolina from a potential regional final against Villanova (in Philadelphia) by moving the Wildcats to the South and Xavier to the East. Haven't we been told for years that the committee doesn't project matchups? So Michigan State gets desired placement as a No. 2 seed, but the top Big East seeds don't. I don't get it, unless Rich Kotite got the committee's mileage chart wet. (Aside: If Michigan State was a No. 1 seed, the committee wouldn't be stuck flying the Southern/Holy Cross First Four winner to Spokane, Washington, as St. Louis would have been an available and a far more sensible alternative.)

    "Further down the bracket, two of the questionable at-large choices -- Vanderbilt (RPI of 61) and Syracuse (RPI of 71) -- won only six of 23 road games combined, including 1-9 against Top 50 teams. That's not counting the eggs they laid in their respective conference tournaments or their aggregate 6-16 record against the field. Even without player (Vandy) or coach (Syracuse) absences, it'd be asking a lot to turn those records into something respectable. (Another aside: Even with all the known weaknesses of the RPI, do you know how hard it is to have the number Syracuse had given their decent nonconference schedule and an ACC slate? The only way to do it is to lose too many games to the wrong teams. That's why William & Mary, Stony Brook, Hofstra, Chattanooga, Valparaiso, Little Rock, UNC Wilmington, Yale, Princeton, Akron and, yes, Monmouth all had better RPIs than the Orange. I can only hope this was a case of poor judgment and not power-conference politics -- although neither is a very acceptable answer."

    I think that the selection committee's conscious failure to extend an at-large invitation to Monmouth (27-7) in particular is a black eye on the process. The Hawks played 23 games this season on the road and won 18 of them, including victories over Notre Dame, USC, UCLA and Georgetown. They have an RPI rating of 53, won the MAAC regular-season title and lost by three point to runner-up Iona in the conference tournament's championship game.

    In other words, Monmouth did everything that the honchos on the NCAA selection committee have been telling mid-major programs for years now, that they needed to elevate their respective strengths of schedule in order to be seriously considered for at-large bids.

    So, those committee members can now shut up about all that, because yesterday's questionable exclusion of the Hawks, in favor of a mediocre Syracuse team that finished at 19-13 and lost five of its final six games, proved that the NCAA was being completely disingenuous when they said that.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    And North Carolina ought to be out (none / 0) (#25)
    by Towanda on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 01:22:06 PM EST
    entirely, for its flagrant (and proven) academic violations, throughout its athletic program.

    The NCAA's claims to care about academics are b.s.

    Parent

    Exactly. (none / 0) (#45)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 08:01:09 PM EST
    That's what a lot of people complained about when the NCAA recently brought the hammer down on Hawaii this past December, after the university itself discovered in Nov. 2014 that a forged academic transcript was willfully submitted to the school on behalf of one of its men's basketball players. Even though it was only nine days before tip-off of the 2014-15 basketball season, UH President David Lassner immediately placed that player on probation, fired head coach Gib Arnold, and then self-reported the violation to the NCAA.

    Nevertheless, the NCAA hit Hawaii with a severe three-year probation, which includes a post-season ban and loss of scholarships effective next year. The message boards at ESPN immediately lit up with lots of sarcasm after the NCAA announce its decision, ranging from "That'll teach you to self-report a violation!" to "The NCAA is so mad at North Carolina for enrolling its players in phony classes that they put Hawaii on probation."

    It's long been apparent to anyone who follows college sports that the NCAA subscribes to a blatant double standard, one for its marquee schools and another for everybody else, and that sanctions tend to be leveled disproportionately upon lower-tier institutions. It took them nearly six years to finally impose sanctions on USC, despite the painfully obvious transgressions going on in its athletic programs, and even then, they had to be dragged kicking and screaming.

    And when Miami recently got caught doing the same thing as USC, the NCAA effectively self-sabotaged their investigation and vacated their findings. Meanwhile, nothing happens with North Carolina despite the obvious violation with athletes enrolled in phony classes. Thus, the Good Ships Hurricane and Tar Heel sail on umimpeded, while Hawaii and SMU get hauled into dry-dock for a mandatory timeout.

    And not entirely coincidentally, the aforementioned Gib Arnold was coaching at USC when the Trojan basketball program got placed on probation for recruiting and admitting star player O.J. Mayo with -- surprise! -- forged academic transcripts.

    Despite the many expressions of concerns at the time about Arnold, whom USC had just terminated, then-Hawaii athletic director Jim Donovan hired him anyway, which in painfully obvious retrospect was a huge and costly mistake.

    Arnold has since been all but banned from coaching at NCAA-member schools for three years, and is now working in the NBA for the Boston Celtics organization, and Donovan is presently the AD at Cal State Fullerton. Meanwhile, Hawaii players who were in middle school when those two clowns started misfiring in tandem will be compelled to bear the penalty.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Moral support (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:07:24 PM EST
    Are there any Walking Dead fans here?

    I may have mentioned this is the best season ever and something absolutely devastating is about to happen and I will require moral support.

    I got burned out (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:09:31 PM EST
    Sorry :(

    Parent
    Yes, this season has sucked me back in (none / 0) (#37)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:30:18 PM EST
    I didn't watch last night's episode yet.  

    Also enjoying better call Saul.  Have you seen Odenkirk in "With Bob and David"?  Excellent sketch comedy.  

    Parent

    Are at all aware (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:56:01 PM EST
    Of what's coming with Negan (mentioned several times in the last couple of episodes) and Lucille?

    Have any familiarity with the books?

    Parent

    No, I don't know what's comming (none / 0) (#39)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 07:14:43 PM EST
    Never read the books.  I've heard they're excellent?

    I was like Tracy... I got burned out after several seasons, but this one seems different.  When it's all said and done, it will go down as one of greatest TV shows ever.  

    Also, looking forward to Game of Thrones.  

    Parent

    It really is the best season ever (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 07:32:07 PM EST
    And maybe the best show ever.  

    It should be obvious if you have been watching that there is a new character coming.  His name is Negan and he is a very bad dude.  As in he makes the Governor look like a pretty nice guy.  Lucille is a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire.

    Use your imagination....

    The books have an event happening, which will happen in the last episode of the season which is 3(?) episodes away.  There has been youuge amounts of speculation about how it will go.  The have telegraphed it will follow the books.   Which in itself is unusual considering how secretive they are and how much they like surprises.  A couple of times before they have written in events from the books but with different characters.  Remember the "bad meat" guy who poisoned the Terminus cannibals?  In the books that was a different character.  You might remember him, Dale.
    Anyway, because if the telegraphing and other things I could share I believe (and I seem to be in the minority on this) the event will feature a different, and even more devastating character.  
    What me to share who I think it will be?


    Parent

    Give me your prediction without too many (none / 0) (#43)
    by McBain on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 07:46:18 PM EST
    spoilers.  I'll watch last night's episode tonight or tomorrow then read what you think will happen.

    I tend to do things backwards.  I'll watch the show/movie first, then read the books.  

    Parent

    Hmmmm (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 07:57:14 PM EST
    Difficult.  The books first encounter with Negan involves Glenn.

    So
    Who can you think of that's close to Glenn who also happens to be pregnant at the moment.  

    It would be one of the most devastating fan moments in the history of television.

    Last nights episode was incredible.  Carol and Maggie both pushed to the limit of sanity.   Which lends itself to my theory.  
    And there are other things I can share if you want.

    Hopefully this is not to much of a spoiler.  This has been all the buzz for most of the season.   You can't google the series without seeing something about it.

    Parent

    Just finished (none / 0) (#41)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 07:40:31 PM EST
    Season 5, GOT.
    Having read all the books, the series seriously strayed from the books in Season 4 and 5.
    Although, I must say, Season 4 and 5 were gangbusters.
    Looking forward to Season 6, and the book whenever Martin decides to finish it.

    Parent
    I think WestWorld (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 07:43:53 PM EST
    Might be the next GoTs

    Parent
    A series? (none / 0) (#48)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 08:56:01 PM EST
    I was working as a usher in a movie theater when the movie came out, damn, that was good, Yul Brynner, the original terminator!

    Jessica Jones was a thumbs up,
    Have Season 3 of Homeland to start,
    And have True Detective Season 1 warming up.

    Also have Bosch in the bullpen, loved all the Michael Connelly books.

    Parent

    HBO (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 09:01:09 PM EST
    have you ever questioned the nature of reality?

    Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ben Barnes, Jimmi Simpson, Clifton Collins, Jr., Simon Quarterman and Angela Sarafyan.

    Premier TBD this year

    Parent

    Variety (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 09:15:05 PM EST

    Production has been temporarily shut down on HBO's highly anticipated drama "Westworld," sources tell Variety.

    The ambitious project, which doesn't have an official premiere date, was shuttered for two months so executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy can catch up on the final four scripts. Sources say the California-based production, which was originally scheduled to wrap in November, is now set to resume in March.

    "As we head into the final phase of production on `Westworld,' we've made the decision to take a brief hiatus in order to get ahead of the writing," said HBO in a statement.

    Sources tell Variety the shutdown is temporary and that HBO is confident that the series will make its targeted premiere date. HBO has yet to specify a date beyond saying it will air in 2016

    LINK

    Parent

    Ex Machina (none / 0) (#51)
    by TrevorBolder on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 09:15:22 PM EST
    goes there, and are they making a Blade Runner 2?
    Rumor has it.
    Do Androids dream of electric sheep?

    Parent
    OMFG (none / 0) (#32)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 06:08:54 PM EST
    Dailykos is Killin me. We are all PUMAs now

    Damn right! And you know what PUMAs do? (none / 0) (#46)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 08:07:01 PM EST
    It made off with a Koala named Killarney (none / 0) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 02:47:53 AM EST
    Almost rhymes with Bernie :)

    Hey if someone double Pumas, ya know, Puma'd for Hillary and then when they got Hillary Puma'd for Bernie....do you call them a foolish pride? :)

    Parent

    I wonder... (none / 0) (#58)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 02:04:25 PM EST
    if how you feel at that other site is how I feel around here lately.

    Only 8 more months...then we get a whole 24 month reprieve from this torture before we have to do it all again.  

    Parent

    "We"?! (none / 0) (#59)
    by jondee on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 02:32:57 PM EST
    The royal we. The editorial we..

    Parent
    What in God's (none / 0) (#60)
    by kdog on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 02:53:52 PM EST
    holy name are we blathering about?

    No new sh*t ever comes to light, not in this wrestlemania climate.

    Parent

    From what I see (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 03:02:47 PM EST
    There is a helluva lot more of the "other site" than there s of the one.

    Please allow us ONE safe place.

    Parent

    You can't begrudge me a few jokes (none / 0) (#63)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 03:56:10 PM EST
    I try to keep my zealotry down to a dull roar...pun intended ;)

    Parent
    That's what P-22 said ... (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 08:32:51 PM EST
    ... before he waltzed off with a mouthful of Killarney.

    ;-D

    Parent

    That P-22, what cha gonna do with it? (none / 0) (#70)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 06:50:46 AM EST
    It can't live sweetly with old fuzzy cute things, and you can't shoot it.

    Parent
    And Then There Were None (none / 0) (#64)
    by ruffian on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 06:17:07 PM EST
    Good BBC version of the Agatha Christie book now on Lifetime as a miniseries. Charles Dance, Miranda Richardson....and Aidan Turner in a towel. Need I say more?

    Lord have mercy (none / 0) (#65)
    by ruffian on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 06:23:49 PM EST
    Donald, Donald, Donald (none / 0) (#68)
    by Green26 on Tue Mar 15, 2016 at 10:46:02 PM EST
    Don't misrepresent what I said. I have said the matter has "interesting facts", and have not said the captain is the victim. I have referred to him as the accused. Whether cherry-picked or not, those facts are interesting, and they, or most of them, appear to come from the report that Yale did. 4th episode, she returned to his room to sleep with him that night, she talked to the Title IX person a year later.

    As an attorney and one who has been involved with and around college sexual assault matters, I am far more qualified to comment on this subject than you are. This is the internet and a blog site. No one has to wait for all facts to come out before commenting. Were you not around for the Duke lacrosse discussions?

    In my view, it is very unseemly that you misrepresent what I've said. You have consistently done that with me. It's hard to have any respect for your comments.

    That Yale has been around for 300 years, is not meaningful. The Yale people making the decisions in this matter have not been around for 300 years, and likely have scant training and experience in sexual assault matters. Title IX has not been around for 300 years.

    That the accused is a high profile athlete actually increases the likelihood that Yale would go after him. It is happening more and more. The pressure on schools is greater when the accused is a high profile athlete. This isn't Florida St; this is PC Yale. Yale is also coming off a high profile Title IX complaint filed by about 16 complainants.

    Perhaps you wouldn't take the word of a respected and experienced criminal defense counsel, but I would.

    Donald's comment was deleted (none / 0) (#69)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 03:22:07 AM EST
    as a professional character attack on you. It wasn't name calling but it impugned your integrity in a professional capacity and that's not appropriate. You can all find ways to disagree with each other without resorting to personal attacks, especially one that attacks someone's professional reputation based solely on the commenter's personal suspicions

    Parent
    Point taken, Jeralyn. I won't do that again. (none / 0) (#73)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 06:40:32 PM EST
    But by the same token, since no criminal charges were ever filed against Yale basketball team captain Jack Montague and none are anticipated, you should perhaps not further allow these two individuals to:
    • Repeatedly and cavalierly equate this internal college disciplinary matter with the now-notorious Duke Lacrosse criminal case; and then
    • Recklessly impugn the professional integrity of Yale University's provost and members of its University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct (UWC) simply because they don't like the outcome.
    Neither of these individuals is actually privy to the UWC's inquiry and findings, nor do they offer any actual evidence to support their contentions, other than their apparent mutual willingness to "slut-shame" the complainant.

    These are very serious accusations that are presently being leveled at Yale University by the respondent's father and lawyer. And while I have no problem with either of them defending their son and client, respectively, I do take serious issue with the Hallelujah Chorus that's sprung up here to echo their public statements by baselessly trashing the complainant as some sort of vengeful woman who was bedded and scorned.

    Because any details regarding UWC's investigation, deliberations and findings pertain to an internal matter and are thus subject to the provisions of federal privacy laws, I have no idea as to the exact reason(s) why Jack Montague was expelled from school, any more than these two individuals who've been posting inflammatory comments about it in your threads.

    And that's been precisely my point all along. If Montague decides to pursue this matter in civil court, that's entirely his call, and the ultimate resolution of his case will be for a judge and jury to decide.

    It's perfectly fine for us to express our individual opinions and concerns, but neither opinion nor concern is an acceptable basis for thus rendering a definitive judgment as to what actually happened here, first between the respondent and the complainant, and then between the respondent and the UWC -- particularly in the present absence of facts and evidence.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Donald, if you are counting me in 2 individuals (none / 0) (#75)
    by Green26 on Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 07:09:23 PM EST
    comment of yours, again, please stop making stuff up. I have not equated the Yale situation to Duke lacrosse, and I have not said anything about the accuser. I have done nothing other than say that several facts, taken out of the NY Times article on the lawyer's statement, at least 2 of which were attributed directly to findings in the Yale report, are "interesting". I mentioned Duke lacrosse, to call attention to how everyone on TL commented and speculated before the facts were out. TL was absolutely terrific during that time. I have otherwise commented only generally about what I know and have read about other sexual assault proceedings of universities.

    I am sorry, but you need to concentrate on reading more carefully and stop attributing stuff to posters that isn't true.

    Either state that I was not one of the 2 individuals you were referring to, or apologize.

    Parent

    donald you are doing it again (none / 0) (#76)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 10:44:26 PM EST
    stop the accusations about other commenters here. This space is for your comments, not your attacks. (Your comment was fine until you blasted "two unnamed commenters."

    And do not presume to tell me what I should allow on this site or not. It's not your place.

    Parent

    This recent satellite photo shows a very green California coast and central valley, with a really thick snowpack -- presently estimated at almost 140% of normal -- stretching the entire length of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

    Folsom Lake, to the immediate east of Sacramento, has experienced a 44-foot rise in its water level, Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake have completely refilled, and Lake Tahoe -- one of the deepest lakes in the United States -- has had its water level rise nearly 5 inches, thanks to over 100 billion gallons of additional water since December.

    While the drought's far from over, this winter has certainly provided California with some very significant and much needed relief from its effects. One-third of the state's water comes from its Sierra snowpack, and with a few more big storms on the way, this year's snowpack may break standing records.

    Aloha.

    So, my water bill will go down, correct? (none / 0) (#72)
    by oculus on Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 05:51:35 PM EST
    I have no idea. (none / 0) (#74)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 06:59:10 PM EST
    That's between you and the county.

    ;-D

    Parent

    Rhetorical question. (none / 0) (#77)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 17, 2016 at 12:38:42 AM EST