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Friday News and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Colorado News
Posted on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 05:38:47 PM EST
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The news is that despite getting both vaccines a year apart as recommended, I have somehow gotten pneumonia. I was expecting a cold after spending 5 hours in a tiny jail visiting room after Xmas with my client who blew through wads of tissues the entire time, but pneumonia?

I haven't seen any news since Monday because all my time has been spent writing motions to continue in all my cases. The antibiotics are so strong it's hard to concentrate and type for long periods.

Happily it's "atypical" pneumonia which means the antibiotics should do their job in about ten days, and I don't have to stay in bed, just take it easy (no jails or trips to court.) I'm also considered contagious for 10 days.

So that's my news. In TV news: [More...]

I wish it were next week so Grace and Frankie's next season was here. Also looking good: Babylon Berlin. What I'm not too interested in: David Letterman's new show that starts today with President Barack Obama. It's Letterman I don't care to watch. He really looks awful with that beard.

I do intend to post over the weekend and try and work on the new version of TalkLeft. Check it out and let me know if you have suggestions. I'll put a post up there asking for your thoughts, so you can test out the comments.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    So sorry Jeralyn. (5.00 / 4) (#1)
    by fishcamp on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 05:54:18 PM EST
    Get some rest, get over it, and get back.  We'll take care of everything around here...🌴

    As a kid (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by CST on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 11:24:07 AM EST
    My favorite band in the world was the Cranberries.   They were the first concert I ever went to, I spent hours listening to them on my Walkman and later discman - every car trip I ever took growing up.

    RIP Dolores.  You had the most beautiful voice.

    That sucks. (none / 0) (#77)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 11:42:04 AM EST
    Way, way too young. She did have a wonderful voice.

    Parent
    Cranberries.. (none / 0) (#80)
    by desertswine on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 03:10:32 PM EST
    Zombie

    Parent
    Released in 1993, "Zombie" is ... (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 04:07:31 PM EST
    ... arguably one of the best protest rock songs ever written. A powerful and timely howl against "The Troubles," that tragic period of ethno-nationalist conflict and asymmetrical warfare which had engulfed Northern Ireland for nearly 25 years at that point, Dolores O'Riordan's plaintive lyrics speaks to the folly of invoking present-day violence to avenge long-held grievances of the past:

    "Another mother's breaking heart is taking over.
    When the violence causes silence, we must be mistaken.
    It's the same old theme since nineteen sixteen,
    In your head, in your head, they're still fighting
    With their tanks, and their bombs,
    And their bombs, and their guns.
    In your head, in your head, they are dying."

    "Zombie" was The Cranberries' biggest hit.

    Parent

    That's a great song (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by jondee on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 06:16:37 PM EST


    Parent
    The moving backstory behind the song: (none / 0) (#109)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 01:50:44 AM EST
    The Irish Post | January 16, 2018
    Behind Zombie: The IRA bombing that drove Dolores O'Riordan to write The Cranberries' biggest hit - "Written during the band's UK tour in 1993 and released the following year, Zombie is in memory of two children killed in an IRA bombing in Warrington, Cheshire. Two bombs detonated within a minute of each other in litter bins on Bridge Street on March 20, killing three year old Johnathan Ball and injuring 12 year old Tim Parry who died five days later. The IRA claimed responsibility for the attack, but insisted they had given two warnings prior to detonation and police had failed to act in time. [...] Moved by the violence, the Limerick singer penned the five minute song in a seething condemnation of the IRA and a visceral response to the death of two young children. O'Riordan was particularly offended that terrorists claimed to have carried out these acts in the name of Ireland. 'The IRA are not me. I'm not the IRA,' she said. 'The Cranberries are not the IRA. My family are not. When it says in the song, 'It's not me, it's not my family,' that's what I'm saying. It's not Ireland, it's some idiots living in the past. I don't care whether it's Protestant or Catholic, I care about the fact that innocent people are being harmed,' she told Vox. 'That's what provoked me to write the song.'"

    Colin Parry, OBE, only belatedly learned yesterday that Ms. O'Riordan had written her fiery anthem to honor the memory of his late son Tim and little Johnathan Ball, when his wife told him after she had learned of the death of The Cranberries lead singer and songwriter. "Many people have become immune to the pain and suffering that so many people experienced during that armed campaign," Mr. Parry told BBC Ulster. "To read the words written by an Irish band in such a compelling way was very, very powerful."

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Fire and Fury: Book Review (5.00 / 2) (#84)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 07:00:33 PM EST
    I finished it today.  If you want a chapter by chapter summary, Matt Taibbi does a decent job in Rolling Stone.  I will limit myself to some bullets of what remained with me after finishing it.

    ° Book is a series of vignettes about how various personalities behave.  There is next to nothing about policy decisions.

    ° Despite what its critics say, most of the important comments are attributed - Steve Bannon, Katie Walsh, Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway, Sam Nunberg, Dina Powell.  I haven't heard much outrage from any of them that they were misquoted so I think that the book is 90% or so accurate.

    ° 94 year old Henry Kissinger is an important foreign policy advisor to Jared Kushner.

    ° The main body of the book ends last September when Bannon was fired.

    ° The only place where I remember policy alternatives were discussed was about Afghanistan.  Some of Trump's advisors wanted a surge, others hiring contractors to take care of the mess.  Wolff didn't explain what was finally decided but he did tell a funny anecdote.  Trump said it would be better to ask the soldiers on the ground what to do about the 16 year old war.  He justified that by recalling that one his favorite restaurants, The Four Seasons, closed down for a year in order to figure out how to improve business.  After hiring expensive consultants, they hit on the idea of increasing the size of the kitchen, as any waiter would have told them.  

    ° There was a battle between Jarvanka (for) and Bannon (against) the Comey firing.  It is suggested that the couple may have more to fear from the Mueller investigation than DJT.

    ° Wolff predicts that Nikki Haley, who has presidential ambitions, will replace Tillerson as Secretary of State.  Her replacement at the UN will be Dina Powell. The only thing that can derail Haley is the fact that she is much smarter than Trump, and he knows it.

    It was the (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 05:24:03 PM EST
    "21 Club". But, a good summary.  Thanks

    Parent
    Excellent summary. (none / 0) (#86)
    by oculus on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 09:55:28 AM EST


    Parent
    The government will shut down (5.00 / 1) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 04:16:58 PM EST
    The republicans will fold like a lawn chair.

    They will not screw the dreamers.

    have you seen this video of the father of two being deported?

    Towanda (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 18, 2018 at 04:19:21 PM EST
    I understand your governor is freaking out about a 20 point swing in a red district. He should be leery about getting reelected.

    Perp Walker has the Kochs (none / 0) (#121)
    by Towanda on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 12:35:43 AM EST
    and many other multimillionaires buying his re-election.

    Democrats have a state party still in disarray, with an array of dozens of candidates -- and not a one could win, since none can get name recognition with this craziness.

    There is reason to think that Dems could win more legislative seats, but not enough to make a difference, due to the obscene gerrymandering in the state -- and the Supreme Court has not acted on that case, so even if it rukes for us (doubtful), there's not enough time to redraw maps..

    And keep in mind that the distrcit won by a Dem the other day is being called rural, but only part is rural now, and it stayed with Trump. The rest that went Dem is really suburban Twin Cities now, if on the east side of the Third Coast aka the nighty Mississippi -- and that anomaly will not occur in other areas.

    Parent

    I went to a funeral today (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 04:37:27 PM EST
    It was a actually sort of fun.

    I know how weird that sounds.  But it was not like any funeral I have ever attended and not at all what I expected.

    It was a cousin from my favorite branch of the family tree.  It was in a funeral home.  There was no preacher.  The guy who gave a brief obit who I thought was a preacher was the funeral director.  Then one of his brothers appeared and gave a at times very funny talk.  Mostly telling funny stories about his life.  

    After a while he invited others from the crowd to do the same.  There was a lot of laughter a d no doubt this person was loved.

    It was a actually great.  It was my first experience with a funeral ending sooner than I would have liked.

    That's awful (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 06:26:10 PM EST
    But it reminds me to get the second  shot.

    Take care of yourself.  It can get more serious on ya.

    I got the second shot last year. (none / 0) (#3)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 06:31:09 PM EST
    Hoping it does the trick.

    So sorry to hear you are ailing, Jeralyn. Fish amp is right. Get rest and get well.

    I'm sorry (none / 0) (#4)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 06:38:11 PM EST
    to hear you are not feeling well. I hope it doesn't take the entire 10 days to get back to feeling normal.

    flu (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 06:48:36 PM EST
    Flu stomps the nation, overwhelming ERs and leaving 20 children dead
    By Susan Scutti, CNN

    Updated 5:01 PM ET, Fri January 12, 2018

    Flu Shot (none / 0) (#9)
    by MKS on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:36:53 PM EST
    I just got one for the first time in a long time.....Good thing, apparently.

    Parent
    i always get one (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:43:21 PM EST
    i have been reading flu stories today and was a litte surprised to learn that they only expect them to be aboUt 30% effective.

    Parent
    I read that the dominant strain of (none / 0) (#15)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:40:27 PM EST
    flu this year, the H3N2 virus, is an especially virulent strain. So, more people getting the flu and getting sicker from the flu.

    Parent
    So true. The wife and I both got our flu shots (none / 0) (#17)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:53:31 PM EST
    and she's been sick with flu for nine days now, sickest I can remember her being for longer than I can remember in the 44 years I've known her. Coughing, little appetite, sleeping 13 hours a day. And nothing to be done about it, according to the doctor, other than to wait for it to pass. She came in to work for two hours Friday afternoon, for the first time in a week, and had to go home to bed after that. I, on the other hand, have had only a little cough and no other symptoms.

    Parent
    I hope she feels better soon (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:46:42 PM EST
    Everyone my husband works with had to get a flu shot but it still got some of them too. Some pretty tough people in bed for days this year.

    Parent
    i had somrthing in the fall (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:00:56 PM EST
    the symptoms were more like yours.  i never got really really sick.  i just felt like low grade krap and coughed a lot.  a lot.

    the weird thing was it lasted for 4 or 5 weeks.  i eventually saw the dr and they said that was the deal.  a virus that lasted a month or so.

    i hope that was it.  maybe it will protect me now.

    Parent

    I had that in fall, too (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Towanda on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 10:59:02 AM EST
    and the coughing also went on for many weeks.  With interrupted sleep from coughing that went on for weeks, too. It was awful, and exhausting.

    Parent
    Yes, it's a rough failing vaccine year (none / 0) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:43:19 PM EST
    Watching Josh like a hawk. He came home with a fever this afternoon :( Gave him some Ibuprofen but I'm concerned that he's got it.

    Parent
    I may have come "this" close to (none / 0) (#6)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 06:57:58 PM EST
    a bout of pneumonia, as well, but I'm not sure what I had was that much better. Last Tuesday, after dealing with this bad cold for almost a week, and coughing like crazy, I went to the acute care clinic, thinking I'd walk out after not too long with a prescription and be on my way.

    Ha!  So much for that theory.  I arrived around 3:30 and didn't get home til after 8:00.

    I got a chest x-ray, bloodwork, and because the doc heard wheezing, had 3 breathing treatments and a huge dose of prednisone.  Ended up with three prescriptions: 12 days of prednisone, a cough syrup with codeine for nighttime, a cough suppressant for daytime, and an OTC expectorant to loosen everything up and help make my cough more productive.

    Stayed home Wednesday and Thursday, and by that evening, I felt like maybe I had turned the corner, went to work on Friday and had a normal weekend -was still coughing, but felt fine.  Worked all this week with no problem - coughing from time to time, but not in a terrible way.  My voice still has not come back all the way, but it's better.

    Doctor says I can expect to deal with this for a good 4-6 weeks before it fully resolves - and in the meantime, hope I get nothing else!  Co-workers who got this in early December are still coughing.

    So, feel better, take it easy, stay away from germy people as much as you can.  

    Anne, I've been following your (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:39:08 PM EST
    comments about your cold, and hope you get rid of it soon. I think the ailment is different depending on whether you have a dry cough or we cough. Mine is a wet cough, and I wasn't given any cough medicine (I also didn't ask for it, but I'm pretty sure my doctor would have said no, we're not trying to suppress the cough we want you to cough it up and the antibiotics will take care of the rest.) I hope she's right!

    Parent
    Apparently what was happening with me (none / 0) (#13)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:17:01 PM EST
    is that the upper respiratory infection, that was producing large quantities of snot and post-nasal drip (I could hear the crackling in my upper chest), was causing the coughing, but all the coughing was irritating my bronchial tubes and causing them to narrow - thus the wheezing.  I wasn't aware of that - I wasn't short of breath or anything, I just couldn't stop coughing.  

    The night before I went to the doctor, I gave up trying to sleep in the bed and moved to the chair, to a more upright position, but it didn't help much.

    The codeine was a godsend, allowing me some sleep - I still coughed quite a bit, but I was able to conk out for short periods.  I didn't take the daytime suppressant but once - just made sure to take the expectorant as directed, which helped get things moving in the right direction.

    It's exhausting - and at work, I was so conscious of how people must be getting so tired of hearing me cough all the time.  I was sick of hearing myself cough!

    I think this week, I'm going to get the flu shot.  The firm used to bring someone in to give them, but decided this year that since our insurance covers it, they were just going to let us do it on our own.  Probably fewer of us got the shot as a result, but I think given the epidemic nature of it now, and having just come through the other side on this horrible upper respiratory thing, I don't want to take the chance I'd get the flu.

    Parent

    live sience (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:20:12 PM EST
    When someone is unable to breathe normally, that's a sign the flu may be progressing to pneumonia," and the person should definitely seek care, he said. Having difficulty breathing means that the infection has moved downward. Usually, the influenza virus infects the upper part of the respiratory tract, for example, the bronchi (the tubes that lead into the lungs), he said. If the infection moves down into the lungs and causes pneumonia, a patient can get worse very quickly


    Parent
    on staying away from germs (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:34:16 PM EST
    i called my doctor today about a perscription and there was one person in the office who said there were basically closed because everyone was sick.

    it really hitting here.  im trying to not leave my house.  when i go to the store i try to hold my breath and then slather on the purell.

    Parent

    I hear you there. (none / 0) (#27)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 02:40:40 AM EST
    Anne: "So, feel better, take it easy, stay away from germy people as much as you can."

    I caught a bad cold this week that kept me in bed all day Wednesday and Thursday. I'm much better today, still congested but at least I felt like getting up and working from my home office.

    I don't usually catch colds, and when I do, I tend to shake them off pretty quickly after one or two days. But oh my, for those one or two days, it's like I've been tagged by a knockout punch. I'm just this side of dysfunctional, and all I want to do is sleep it off. And so, that's exactly what I do. I hate missing work, but why expose my bug to everybody else?

    Hope that you and Jeralyn feel better soon.

    Parent

    Kamala Harris (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 07:44:45 PM EST
    is on Rachel

    Get better fast Jeralyn... (none / 0) (#14)
    by desertswine on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:20:14 PM EST
    chicken soup, hot tea, old movies, and no stress.  Respiratory infections seem to be all over the place this winter.  I've been fighting off a cold for weeks.

    Chicken soup, yes, that's traditional, but (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:58:46 PM EST
    honestly, we have come to swear by hot & sour soup from the Chinese take-out.

    Parent
    Re: paying off the adult film star (none / 0) (#16)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 08:44:54 PM EST
    Can't imagine who would even want to admit they'd had a sexual encounter with Trump; they'd have to pay me to come forwrd, not to keep quiet.

    Not sure how (none / 0) (#25)
    by Repack Rider on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 10:06:24 PM EST
    ...the WSJ got such an exact figure, but that suggests they had a source with knowledge.  It's hard to move that kind of money without leaving tracks.

    If the WSJ knows it, Mueller knows it.

    Apparently it is a documented fact that the lawyer paid the woman a lot of money for something. She has produced a letter that says she never did that thing they say. Because everyone writes a notorized document about something they didn't do.

    Tricky thing to my IANAL eyes is that she can probably shoot her mouth off all she wants. Worst case, they ask for the money back and she triples it with the book.

    If they say she has violated an agreement by going public, she can say, "So sue me."  Mr. Trump never follows through, especially now when discovery would be a huge problem for him.

    Parent

    Klan Killer dies in prison... (none / 0) (#21)
    by desertswine on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:31:12 PM EST
    at long last.

     Edgar Ray Killen, a 1960s Ku Klux Klan leader who was convicted decades later in the "Mississippi Burning" slayings of three civil rights workers, has died in prison at the age of 92, the state's corrections department announced.

    Take care Jeralyn (none / 0) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 09:49:56 PM EST
    I hope you feel well soon.

    The last Jedi (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 12, 2018 at 11:23:30 PM EST
    Meets the real dark side

    Slashfilm

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi has managed to stir up every corner of the Star Wars fandom, with opinions starkly divided on whether it's the best Star Wars movie ever, or the worst.

    But now it seems that a portion of the fandom lashing out against Rian Johnson`s film has been heavily manipulated. An alt-right group is claiming responsibility for manipulating the Star Wars: The Last Jedi Rotten Tomatoes audience score.

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi has the distinction of boasting the largest critic-to-fan difference on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics giving the film a 92% certified fresh rating, while audiences gave it a measly 54% as of Thursday. There were some rumors going around claiming that this low score was manipulated, but there was no confirmation on whether this was true. But now ,the moderator of an alt-right Facebook group called Down With Disney's Treatment of Franchises and its Fanboys, has admitted to The Huffington Post that it used bots to flood the website with negative reviews for The Last Jedi.
    I kinda sorta feel sorry for people ... (none / 0) (#28)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 02:56:17 AM EST
    ... whose personal political orientation is such that they can't turn it off, and it precludes them from even enjoying a movie by twisting their intercranial synapses 24/7, like one's wringing out of a wet dishrag. I mean, for Heaven's sake, wingbats, it's just Star Wars!

    If I feel better tomorrow, we're going to see "The Post."

    Parent

    YES! This is why I put Facebook down (none / 0) (#29)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 08:17:54 AM EST
    And haven't picked it up again. The platform can be used too easily to skew. I have better things to do than sheeple.

    Parent
    Sympathies, Jeralyn (none / 0) (#30)
    by Towanda on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 10:56:06 AM EST
    and please do not be fooled when you start to feel better. Real recovery from pneumonia takes a while.

    And I am not happy to hear that the pneumonia shots may not work.  I had them since having three bouts in three years, and I thought that I would not have to endure pneumonia again.

    Feel better J. (none / 0) (#32)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 11:30:04 AM EST
    A couple months ago my wet cough turned into the sorest throat I've ever had. Like razor blades every time I swallowed.

    This was concurrent with the worst episode of leg, butt, and foot pain (due to my jacked-up back) that I've ever had.

    Could not sleep a wink. Lasted all night and all the next day.

    After work and 18+ hours of torture I went to the emergency care and the PA there prescribed a Z-pack just in case, and shot me up with a miracle drug. Seriously.

    Dexamethasone. 10 cc.

    W/in a couple hours I could swallow and talk almost normally, and the pain due to my back had completely vanished.

    My new favorite drug.

    Either a NORAD drill went live (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 01:01:13 PM EST
    Or NORAD has been hacked

    Either answer is frightening

    Perhaps that was what caused our false alarm ... (none / 0) (#35)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 01:07:06 PM EST
    ... out here this morning from the Hawaii Emergency Management Alert system. My phone rang in the wee hours, warning us of an incoming ballistic missile.

    Parent
    Yes, that is of what I speak (none / 0) (#37)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 01:54:52 PM EST
    Either answer is disturbing

    White House now claims it was a state controlled drill that went live. But reporting now claims this was no drill, someone "pushed the wrong button"? Sweet Jesus.

    Parent

    Gov. Ige accepted blame on behalf of HEMA. (none / 0) (#39)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 03:09:16 PM EST
    He said it was caused by human error during a shift change at the agency's facilities in Diamond Head crater. (Why our State civil defense was running a drill simultaneous to a shift change, I haven't a clue.) The alert was sent out at 8:07 a.m. HST, and the false alarm notice followed 20 minutes later. I still have them on my phone. Because USPACOM also received the initial alert, its own officials quickly notified HEMA that no incoming missile had been detected and to please stand down.

    I figured it was a glitch, because had it been real, our civil defense warning sirens would've sounded simultaneously, too. And those are so loud that there's no mistaking its piercing tone. One of those sirens is about two blocks away from our house. They're tested at 11:45 a.m. on the first business day of every month, and you really can't miss hearing it regardless of your locale, unless you're completely deaf.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    What's your plan if a real alert (none / 0) (#40)
    by oculus on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 04:56:50 PM EST
    That a middle arrives in 20 min.?

    Parent
    I seriously doubt that they'll be targeting Hilo. (none / 0) (#52)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 09:26:36 PM EST
    Honolulu, however, is a key military center. If a missile launch did occur, people would have no choice but to shelter in place as best they can. HEMA's worst case scenario if Honolulu is struck by a nuclear missile estimates that Oahu would immediately suffer about 18,000 dead and 200,000 wounded. This does NOT take into account casualties resulting from exposure to radiation.

    Regardless of the disaster, be it nuclear attack, hurricane or earthquake, it is recommended that each island household stash 14 days' worth of food and supplies, because given Hawaii's geographic remoteness, it will likely take up to two weeks for assistance to arrive in quantities sufficient enough to aid a state of 1.4 million residents, along with the 100,000-170,000 tourists who are in our islands on any given day.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Scary sh!t (none / 0) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 05:28:52 PM EST
    But maybe fortunate in that, just listening to a bit of the news conference, some carriers did not seem to send out the alert some sirens went off others did not and other glitches.  Which might get attention sonically works better.

    Gotta say those guys had a lot more patients with some of the dumbest questions I have ever heard than I would have had but that's probably why I am not in public relations.

    Parent

    Gerrrr (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 05:30:17 PM EST
    Which might get attention SO IT ALL works better.

    Parent
    Some Russian hacker got a raise, today, (none / 0) (#51)
    by leap on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 08:37:33 PM EST
    after getting a rise out of Hawaiians. But surely, Hawaii was prepared.

    Parent
    We all had a good dose of reality this morning ... (none / 0) (#34)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 01:03:41 PM EST
    ... when the local Emergency Management Alert system sent out a false alarm over our cell phones and computers throughout the islands, warning us of an incoming ballistic missile and that we had 20 minutes to prepare and take cover.

    I figured it was a false alarm, because otherwise our warning sirens would've gone off, and those are so loud you can't miss them no matter where you are. They test the sirens monthly, so I know they work. HEMA officials notified everyone that it was a false alarm within 5 minutes of the notification.

    Aloha.

    Feel better, J! (none / 0) (#36)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 01:28:42 PM EST
    I hope they gave you some deep breathing exercises to do. Just blowing up a balloon works well - although it really sucks at first, it does help your lungs.

    I got a lovely letter from work last week. I was told that if I didn't show up to work by the 5th, I would lose my job. Well, I showed up, run down and in no shape to be there and d@mned if I didn't catch the crud that very day. Soooo p!ssed off. Can't wait to see the looks when I tell them I'm retiring.

    Geez, I'm glad that I don't work.. (none / 0) (#38)
    by desertswine on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 02:31:24 PM EST
    where you do.

    Parent
    11 Weeks... (5.00 / 4) (#44)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 06:35:51 PM EST
    and I'll be glad I don't work there too!

    Parent
    Congratulations (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 07:09:36 PM EST
    Retirement is bliss.  

    Parent
    Yeah... (none / 0) (#47)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 07:43:18 PM EST
    I got pretty used to not working during my medical leave - it is very addictive!

    Parent
    It totally is (none / 0) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 07:47:41 PM EST


    Parent
    And I loved my work (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 07:48:17 PM EST


    Parent
    Good for you... (none / 0) (#60)
    by desertswine on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 02:32:06 PM EST
    Join the club...  I retired last year.

    Parent
    It's like summer vacation... (none / 0) (#78)
    by desertswine on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 11:43:35 AM EST
    every day.

    Parent
    I WISH (none / 0) (#85)
    by jmacWA on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 05:36:30 AM EST
    Not here in PA at least.  This time of year is for hibernating here.  I do miss the SW (Tucson) winters.

    Parent
    Figuring to retire at the end of 2018, (none / 0) (#63)
    by Anne on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 03:28:21 PM EST
    God and circumstances willing...I've just had enough.  I have young grandkids whose lives I could be more involved in, things I want to do around the house (not least just getting rid of a lot of the "stuff" that has accumulated over the years).  My mom's beginning some mental decline- she'll be 88 this year - so I suspect more of my time will be needed on that end, and I don't want to have to choose between work and family anymore.

    Not ruling out doing some part-time work - I think I will have opportunities to do that, but it will be my choice and I won't be yoked to a schedule.

    But a lot can happen in a year, so just trying to keep my head down and push forward.

    Parent

    The best thing I ever did was ... (none / 0) (#68)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 10:31:18 PM EST
    ... choose to work for myself, when my partner and I both decided that we'd both be far better off doing what we do on our own.

    We set our own hours, choose our own clients, and if either of us need to take extended time off, like I just did to assist our daughter with her new baby, we can do it without first obtaining prior concurrence from somebody else.

    I'm sure that with your skill level and knowledge, if you decided to pursue freelance work or go the independent contractor route, you'll do just fine. And like you noted, you're the one who'll be calling your own shots.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    THE JUNGLE BOOK (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 06:04:50 PM EST
    Seen this?  For whatever reason I had not.  Call it Disney aversion.
    But its very cold here.  Again.  And I ran across it on NETFLIX.  The effects work is stunning.  So much so you tend to forget none of it is real.  I know the VFX supervisor in that making of video.  Rob Legato.
     Well sort of.  Not like we are friends but I have worked with him several times.  Smart guy and great at what he does.

     But wow.  it really is amazing.
    Good way to spend a cold afternoon.

    The original children's book, by Kipling (none / 0) (#46)
    by Peter G on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 07:38:22 PM EST
    was a favorite of mine in childhood.

    Parent
    If you watch it (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 07:53:17 PM EST
    Stay for the closing credits.  They are the best I've ever seen.

    Parent
    My wife and I almost always stay (none / 0) (#62)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 02:42:36 PM EST
    for all the closing credits, on any movie we see. We like to appreciate all the varied skills and work that go into making a movie. Also often discover I've heard some interesting music that I didn't even notice as it went by (as I was not supposed to notice, usually). I think this has something to do with having a daughter who's a lighting designer, another important aspect of theater and film that contributes mightily, yet is generally meant (when done well) not to call attention to itself.  

    Parent
    I always stay to find out (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by oculus on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 08:55:33 PM EST
    the locations and music info, including who performed.

    Parent
    SNL does MORNING JOE (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 09:35:28 AM EST
    And OMG

    they got the cold open and it was COLD.

    And awsum.

    See it.  You need it.

    Link (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by Yman on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 10:01:29 AM EST
    It was pretty good.  Kate McKinnon does a great Mika.

    Parent
    Unless I like the talent (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 10:42:50 AM EST
    I usually only watch the open and the news.  This week I watched Sam Rockwell.  But the news was also classic.

    Parent
    Oops (none / 0) (#58)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 10:48:30 AM EST
    LINK

    Parent
    Please define "cold open." (none / 0) (#66)
    by oculus on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 08:56:25 PM EST


    Parent
    Per Wikipedia: (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Anne on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 09:43:25 PM EST
    It is the technique of jumping directly into a story at the beginning or opening of the show before the title sequence or opening credits are shown.


    Parent
    So Perdue (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 09:38:01 AM EST
    Is now denying he said it.  This is just getting better and better.

    Perdue denied it and Rich Lowery said he didn't say shithold he said shithouse.  

    Seriously, that your defense?

    Andrew Young on MTP (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 09:58:16 AM EST
    Quoting Dr King -

    Nothing is more dangerous in the world than sincere ignorance and enthuastic stupidity.

    Remember, this is not who we are.  The arc of history bends toward justice.

    Have a stiff drink.  Or whatever it takes.  I heard 20 times on my Sunday Bobbelhead review that there is no question dems take the house.  It's just by how much.  And that Trumps honesty made it almost certain the dreamers will be protected.

    Parent

    I take nothing for granted, (5.00 / 3) (#59)
    by caseyOR on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 12:57:45 PM EST
    not even Dems winning control of the House in November. We need to be careful not to get cocky.

    One of my concerns is that we have done nothing to secure voting machines. I am unconvinced that Russian sabotage in the 2016 election did not include changing votes in certain areas.

    Parent

    I agree with that. (none / 0) (#61)
    by desertswine on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 02:34:13 PM EST


    Parent
    i feel like you (none / 0) (#64)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jan 14, 2018 at 06:43:11 PM EST
    do. Republicans and Democrats alike said it was the first time the data had ever failed since it was first started being used 30 years ago.

    Parent
    I remain unconvinced (none / 0) (#79)
    by jondee on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 03:10:10 PM EST
    the people I hear people saying that the Dems are sure to take this and that are, I think, underestimating the perversity and masochism of people in this country.

    From what I've been reading, the uber-religious types, who always get out and vote, are more convinced than ever that Trump is a baby Christian/Mormon/staunch defender of the Greater Israel.

    Parent

    the real point of this got lost (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 08:15:27 AM EST
    we now have senators of the same party calling each other liars on tv.

    this is new.  

    Parent

    Even that fits into the mythology (none / 0) (#81)
    by jondee on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 03:28:36 PM EST
    Trump came not to bring peace, but a sword. To separate the wheat from the chaff. To set brother against brother..

    When Fox's ratings plummet, I'll start believing there's hope looming on the horizen.

    Parent

    we are getting our first real snow (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 08:13:41 AM EST
    a little came yesterday and it just started again with 1 or 2 inches expected.  thats the perfect amount of snow.

    i have everything i need.  food and recreational favors.  i even got my generatot from amazon last week.  but i wont need it this time unless its very different than predicted.

    looks like a day of white russians and NEXFLIX.

    White Russians. (none / 0) (#71)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 08:40:30 AM EST
    Yum, tastes like ice cream. Generatot? Is that the name for a small generator?

    Parent
    Speaking of ice cream, (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by Zorba on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 03:24:26 PM EST
    you can make a very nice White Russian or Black Russian milkshake if you have ice cream and a blender.  (And vodka, and  Khalua if you want a Black Russian.)
    Adult milkshakes.

    Parent
    Speaking of ice cream, (none / 0) (#98)
    by oculus on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 03:35:45 PM EST
    the examining physician deems DJT very healthy. Healthy enough for two terms.  Wish my MD would make such assurances.

    Parent
    Done that (none / 0) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 04:06:45 PM EST
    Also what I call a white Russian is basically Khalua and milk.  With a little 1/2 &1/2.

    Parent
    Black Russian (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Zorba on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 08:17:15 PM EST
    Adult milkshake:  vodka, kahlua, mocha ice cream.  Or use chocolate ice cream and add some cooled off coffee.
    White Russian adult milkshake:  vanilla ice cream, vodka, kahlua.  If you want it really white colored, use a white chocolate liqueur instead of kahlua.
    Gotta have vodka in it or it's not "Russian."

    Parent
    I liked it better (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 09:19:56 PM EST
    Sans vodka.  Although I do love my vodka.

    Parent
    I like that (none / 0) (#72)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 08:45:36 AM EST
    That is now it's name.  It is a small generator.  Just enough to run the fish tank and the cable box.

    My heat does not require electricity

    Parent

    We have (none / 0) (#73)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 09:00:06 AM EST
    gas heat but I'm pretty sure ours requires electricity. My mother does not understand why I'm such a fan of natural gas but I have to say it has saved my bacon during quite a few storms most especially 2 days without power with a 5 week old baby.

    Parent
    my furnace (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 09:08:50 AM EST
    requires power.  but i have another heater that does not that works so well and is so much cheaper to run i use it most of the time unless its sub zero.

    and i also have wood.

    Parent

    My favorite (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 15, 2018 at 10:46:31 AM EST
    Winter drink

    Parent
    You should be watching (none / 0) (#87)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 10:12:17 AM EST
    The testimony of the "homeland security Secretary"

    Really

    Chicken and Dumplings (none / 0) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 10:17:12 AM EST
    Can't go outside time for comfort food.

    I am tired of polar vortex weather (none / 0) (#89)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 11:56:17 AM EST


    Parent
    That was quick. (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by oculus on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 01:46:16 PM EST


    Parent
    I'm on my second polar vortex (none / 0) (#91)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 02:18:55 PM EST
    That isn't common weather for this area. All the broken water mains are a testament to that. The polar vortex is what locks Nothern Wyoming and Montana in below zero weather for about 2 weeks in January.

    The polar vortex that was part of the bomb cyclone last week did something to vegetable grow houses in the Southeast. We have run out of cilantro and other fresh herbs in the grocery stores here now. The produce manager said it became too cold and killed off the produce in some greenhouses. Jalapenos too are suddenly difficult to find.

    I live in zone 7 though now, not Vermont or Montana zone 5.

    Parent

    No cilantro? First world problems (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by CoralGables on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 02:49:28 PM EST


    Parent
    Get some seeds (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Zorba on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 03:21:08 PM EST
    and little pots and grow some herbs inside your house.

    Parent
    We pulled the ice off the koi ponds (none / 0) (#97)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 03:35:43 PM EST
    When it got a little warmer. Hopefully it won't freeze solud again. The landlord said he did kill them one winter when he left the pond frozen over during a cold spell. They are all still alive thankfully.

    I ordered some floating aquaponic planters for spring to put herbs in. By the time they can be harvested indoors now winter will be over.

    Gurneys will make first shipments here February 27, so not much longer.

    I can do without all the broken water mains though.

    Parent

    Not to worry MT (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 05:58:41 PM EST
    It will be in the 50s by Saturday.

    Parent
    I uses this (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by jmacWA on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 05:57:12 AM EST
    small heater.  It claims to be triggered when water temp is under 40, I have no way to verify... but there is generally a 18 inch diameter around the heater that never freezes even when there is an inch on the rest of the pond.

    Parent
    Thank you! (none / 0) (#114)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 02:03:44 PM EST
    I will check this out.

    We have 2 ponds. The homeowner built the first one and the plumbing and filter are underground. So the water stays slightly warmer in that pond and did not freeze all the way. A decent hole remained open at the waterfall.

    But his koi had little koi, and a few babies survived. The larger koi became very aggressive to babies. So he built a second larger pond for the bigger koi. I think the terrain of the backyard discouraged underground plumbing on the second pond, it is all above ground. So when it is bitter we have to turn the pump off. The donut heater in that pond right now isnt large enough or powerful enough.

    Parent

    I don't know (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 06:30:13 PM EST
    if you would have gotten this polar vortex in Alabama considering you were a good bit south of us but we sure are getting it this year. Today when they announced snow I was like not again. I'm starting to feel like I have moved a couple of states further north this winter.

    Parent
    School closed tomorrow where we lived (none / 0) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 07:23:52 PM EST
    My daughter said they've barely had a day since arriving home out of the coats we got them when they were here for Christmas.

    Parent
    Not surprised. (none / 0) (#111)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 04:38:16 AM EST
    When I watched the weather last night on the local news they said Macon was supposed to get more snow than we were. There was this big belt of snow going through central GA on through central and southern Alabama.

    Parent
    No Thai basil either (none / 0) (#93)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 03:19:23 PM EST


    Parent
    I'd say (none / 0) (#95)
    by CST on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 03:22:29 PM EST
    This is the number one reason that people give when they move to the south.

    Just imagine what Zone 5 and 6 must be like :)

    Parent

    I used to live in a zone 4/5 (none / 0) (#99)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 03:38:09 PM EST
    I lived there for 20 yrs. Spent the whole month of January below zero, batteries exploding in cars

    Parent
    The last few winters here (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 04:09:08 PM EST
    Have been very mild.  Last year I don't think it got below freezing all winter.  Flowers were blooming the first week of Feb.

    Not this year.

    Parent

    Daughter just phoned (none / 0) (#105)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 16, 2018 at 07:20:30 PM EST
    To say school closed tomorrow in Southeastern Alabama. They are calling it a snow day.

    Parent
    "Onipa'a kakou." (We are all steadfast.) (none / 0) (#110)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 02:20:20 AM EST
    January 17, 2018 marks the 125th anniversary of the armed overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani and her government by U.S. Minister John L. Stevens and a militant cabal of American sugar planters, who sought to have her Hawaiian kingdom annexed by the United States.

    Jeff Flake (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 10:03:34 AM EST
    Is SOOOO planning to primary Trump.

    Suggestion seen (none / 0) (#115)
    by Zorba on Wed Jan 17, 2018 at 02:30:20 PM EST
    On another website:  Olympia Snowe runs as Pres with Jeff Flake as VP, so they could run as the Snowe-Flake ticket.
    ;-)

    Parent
    Finally (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by jmacWA on Thu Jan 18, 2018 at 05:49:46 AM EST
    A definition of snowflake I understand.

    Parent
    Amazon Short List (none / 0) (#118)
    by CST on Thu Jan 18, 2018 at 08:40:48 AM EST
    In the H2Q hullaballoo, Amazon has narrowed it down to 20 cities.  It's basically everyone you expected them to pick.

    A lot of TL homebases on the list:
    Atlanta
    Austin
    Boston
    Chicago
    Columbus
    Dallas
    Denver
    Indianapolis
    Los Angeles
    Miami
    Montgomery County, MD
    Nashville
    Newark
    New York City
    Northern Virginia (pretty non-specific, IMO)
    Philadelphia
    Pittsburgh
    Raleigh
    Toronto
    Washington D.C.

    If I had to guess I'd say it's not going to be LA, and just based on the other cities on the list, even Denver seems like a stretch.  It's pretty heavy on the midwest/east coast.

    Good! (none / 0) (#119)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Jan 18, 2018 at 02:06:29 PM EST
    Denver has enough growth - and the problems associated with it - without Amazon coming here.

    Bad enough we're talking about bidding on the 2026 Winter Olympics.

    Parent

    That's 50 years after Denver reneged ... (none / 0) (#132)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 03:44:28 PM EST
    ... on its host city responsibilities for the 1976 Winter Games, after Colorado voters rejected public funding via a 1972 referendum. The IOC then offered the Games to Vancouver, which arguably caused the British Columbia's coalition government to splinter and fall. The 1976 Winter Games were eventually and successfully relocated to Innsbruck, Austria.

    Hosting the Olympics were never a politically popular choice until Los Angeles made the Summer Games a spectacular success in 1984. Even today, while it might be prestigious, being selected as a host city is a fiscally risky proposition.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    We're rooting for Chicago (none / 0) (#122)
    by Towanda on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 12:46:58 AM EST
    because the priority area that the city offered (of several) is near my son and daughter-in-law's new condo and could cause their investment to be worth ven more, in what already is one of the hottest areas of Chicago.  But not too near for an Amazon campus to impact their great neighborhood.

    And my son is in a related industry, so the competition could let him leverage more pay or perks or another promotion, too.

    And Chicago is of a size to cope with the influx of new employes from elsewhere and families, so that Amazon eould not make th city unaffordable, as it did to Seattle. I have a lot fo relatives who,lived there, and most had to move out of the city and have lomg commutes now that can be hellish when bad weather brings accidents that close down the bridges.


    Parent

    The other edge of this double-edged (5.00 / 2) (#127)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 12:18:34 PM EST
    sword is the extent and amount of sweeteners Amazon will extract from the "lucky" city.

    Apparently, the way this all works now is that cities looking to attract an Amazon-type business have to pay for that privilege in the form of tax and other incentives.  Because God forbid a company like Amazon would assume the costs of doing business - they don't want to put any kind of dent in their own bottom line.

    Meanwhile, cash-strapped cities, who clearly could use the jobs, have to more or less go begging to the state legislatures and hope the rest of the state doesn't object too much.

    I guess I'd feel a lot better about Amazon if they treated their employees well, but they don't.

    Parent

    If only (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by Zorba on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 12:48:55 PM EST
    all the cities and states would find their spines and refuse to assume the costs (and the bribes) that they all give away to attract businesses (and sports teams).
    I hope Amazon does not come to DC or Montgomery County.  A lot of the prospective Amazon workers will not be able to afford to buy a house in DC or Montgomery County.  So they will move out further.  The area Metro is collapsing and is a total mess: delays, closures, derailments, etc., which the newbies will quickly figure out, so they will commute in their cars.  Which will further clog the already heavily clogged highways.

    Parent
    I just hope (none / 0) (#124)
    by CST on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 10:45:12 AM EST
    If they do come this way, I manage to scrounge up a downpayment before they announce.

    It's definitely got its pros and cons.  I'll say Boston is small enough that it would absolutely have an impact on housing - that said, the workforce wouldn't necessarily be "disruptive" in the sense that our current housing crunch is also due to the increase in high-wage jobs in other sectors, IOW, I don't imagine the wages of Amazon jobs to be particularly disruptive, just the sheer number of people they'd bring.

    On the one hand - Boston as it is today absolutely could not accommodate them.  On the other hand - maybe this will be the kick in the pants needed for the state to finally invest more in the public transportation system.  Right now it is ancient, the different service lines are disconnected, it's over capacity, and the reliability is terrible.  The good news is that the solutions are relatively obvious, and we have an existing public transportation network to fix.  The bad news is that there is no political will to get it done.  Amazon might be that game changer.  It would be much nicer if we didn't need a game changer, and could just get it done, especially since the odds of them actually coming here aren't THAT high.

    Parent

    They probably won't come... (none / 0) (#125)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 11:36:13 AM EST
    anywhere that doesn't already have a decent public transportation system. I doubt they're willing to come to a city and wait 10 or twenty years for someplace to upgrade/build.

    Parent
    I guess that leaves Toronto then... (none / 0) (#130)
    by CST on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 01:28:03 PM EST
    Or maybe NY.

    For an American city, Boston's public transit isn't that bad, it's probably even considered decent by those standards.  It's just that that standard is really low.

    Parent

    Unfortunately, we do... (none / 0) (#131)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 02:30:54 PM EST
    have a pretty decent transportation system - part of which is very new light rail with heavy rail from downtown to the airport.

    But,  getting to the mountains on I-70 is a sh!tshow.  Infrastructure upgrades/improvements are desperately needed (no increase in the gas tax in forever).

    Then there is housing, which is already on par with San Francisco and Seattle as far as cost.  

    And, the big thing that nobody ever talks about here - where are we going to get the water for all these people? We live in a semi arid climate. people!!!

    Parent

    Chicago has Metra (none / 0) (#139)
    by Towanda on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 05:13:35 PM EST
    which works, compared to what I read of NYC's system.

    And formgetting in and out of Chicago, Amtrak actually is excellent. We are regulars on the Amtrak line that is the second-busiest in the country. We csn catch trains a dozen times a day. And the train cars have WiFi -- and leg room! Every time, I am reminded of how awful is air travel.

    Parent

    I could definitely see Chicago (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by CST on Sat Jan 20, 2018 at 12:13:35 PM EST
    Although it's really anyone's guess.

    I love Amtrak too.   For me it's the only way to travel the east coast corridor unless you absolutely need to bring a car.  So much nicer than flying though.

    Parent

    Agree (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Jan 20, 2018 at 01:31:16 PM EST
    Just planned a vacation trip in May from Lancaster, PA to Portland, ME with a two night stopover in Boston on Amtrak.

    Parent
    We never drive to (5.00 / 1) (#147)
    by Zorba on Sat Jan 20, 2018 at 06:31:41 PM EST
    NYC when we go to visit Daughter Zorba.  We always take Amtrak.  Comfortable seating, we don't have to worry about NYC traffic or parking, and it's easy to get around up there without a car.

    Parent
    TGIF... (none / 0) (#123)
    by fishcamp on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 10:10:45 AM EST
    It was 50 degrees down here last night.  I know that's warm for you folks up north, but it's cold for us.  Shorts and flip flops won't work  today and my Levis feel like lead pants when I put them on.  People don't have the stylish cold weather clothing down here like we had in Aspen.  I should take some photos of the outlandish outfits when I go to town.

      Hope you're feeling better Jeralyn.  One of my European learned methods for helping with colds is hot tea with a shot of Cointreau.  

    Warming here (none / 0) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 04:30:59 PM EST
    Supposed to be near 70 on Sunday.  

    The bad news from the first snow in my new house is the snow in the driveway, because of sun angle and shade, was the last visible snow anywhere to melt.  Need to get salt before the next one.

    I have a very inclined driveway.

    Parent

    Am I the only one (none / 0) (#126)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 12:15:13 PM EST
    Who finds it amazing that the republican majority seem happy to gleefully embrace something called "the Hastert Rule"?
    Which a.) Is not actually a rule and
    B.) Is named after a disgraced child molester?

    Seriously, wtf?

    Total failure to plan ahead. (none / 0) (#128)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 12:29:45 PM EST
    Completely self-inflicted.

    Struggling to think of a Republican they could name anything after that wouldn't make me say "WTF?"

    Parent

    I'm back in L.A. (none / 0) (#133)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 03:55:16 PM EST
    I arrived here on Wednesday morning. My younger sister had a series of seizures on Monday afternoon which doctors had initially thought might be due to epilepsy, but have now determined was actually caused by a heart attack.

    Fortunately for her, she suffered those seizures while she was coincidentally at Glendale Adventist Medical Center visiting her daughter who had just given birth, so the medical response to her distress was immediate.

    She's been in ICU and is scheduled to undergo an angioplasty this afternoon, which doctors said will likely and greatly improve her present situation, but they'll keep her in the hospital through the weekend for observation, in any event.

    That sure was an unexpected scare.

    So sorry to hear this (5.00 / 2) (#141)
    by Zorba on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 08:46:23 PM EST
    Wishes and prayers for a full recovery!

    Parent
    Thank you, Mme. Zorba. (none / 0) (#143)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 11:41:49 PM EST


    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#134)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 04:27:45 PM EST
    If you have to have a heart attack she picked a good place.

    Parent
    She was very lucky in that respect. (none / 0) (#142)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 11:41:13 PM EST
    She's looking much better now after the angioplasty. Her color's come back and she is alert and talkative. But she now has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) because her heart was functioning at only 30% capacity. This isn't supposed to happen at age 49.

    In good news, my niece and her new baby daughter are home. Tomorrow, my brother and I are going to do some work in my mother's yard. My sister will be released from the hospital on Monday, and my mother will stay with her for a few days at her house in Eagle Rock. I'll be returning to Hilo on Tuesday evening.

    Parent

    Shutdown drama (none / 0) (#137)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 04:41:43 PM EST
    Is a yawn.  Everyone knows how this ends.

    Trump will be playing golf tomorrow and partying in FL even if he has to personally write a new executive order protecting the dreamers.

    Or not.  

    Whatever.  It's actually sort of fun to watch the republicans so discombobulated.  

    We have the women's march today (none / 0) (#144)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 20, 2018 at 07:26:05 AM EST
    So far hearing rumors that services like trash pickup are suspended. If this is true, it's not going to be a good look downtown.

    Parent
    But seriously (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 04:49:10 PM EST
    We are all number than gums in a dentists office but it still made me laugh out loud to read Trump had the p0rn star sp@nk him with a rolled up Forbes magazine with his picture on the cover

    Yes (5.00 / 2) (#140)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 19, 2018 at 08:27:58 PM EST
    that one made me laugh too all on top of the evangelicals worshipping him this week. Now I'm laughing at evangelicals too.

    Parent
    Pffffft (sorry) (none / 0) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 26, 2018 at 09:46:09 AM EST
    Nikki Haley Slams `Disgusting' Rumors of Trump Affair

    They're going to regret (none / 0) (#149)
    by jondee on Fri Jan 26, 2018 at 04:18:57 PM EST
    falling in line behind that sack of excrement for the rest of their lives.

    No one should ever let them forget it. Including the 'reasonable' one Nikki Haley.

    Parent

    If you lie down with dogs (5.00 / 1) (#150)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 27, 2018 at 09:58:29 AM EST
    You get up with fleas

    Parent
    Ps (none / 0) (#151)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jan 27, 2018 at 09:59:29 AM EST
    I see light at the end of the flu tunnel.

    Today I felt like smoking.


    Parent

    The old pipe and slippers (none / 0) (#152)
    by jondee on Sat Jan 27, 2018 at 12:43:53 PM EST
    with Fidos at your feet?

    Glad you're feeling better.

    Parent

    Legal filing (none / 0) (#153)
    by linea on Sat Jan 27, 2018 at 03:41:55 PM EST
    DVASH-BANKS v STATE DEPT

    The State Department is applying a different rule for gay couples regarding citizenship of children in marriage.

    1. This action challenges a United States Department of State ("State Department") policy that hurts families and undermines the familial relationships of same-sex parents. The agency's policy unconstitutionally disregards the dignity and sanctity of same-sex marriages by refusing to recognize the birthright citizenship of the children of married same-sex couples. Plaintiffs are members of a family who have suffered and continue to suffer harm because of the State Department's policy. The family includes Andrew Mason Dvash-Banks ("Andrew")--a United States citizen, who was born and raised in this country; Andrew's husband, Elad Dvash-Banks ("Elad"), an Israeli citizen; and their twin sons, Ethan Jacob Dvash-Banks ("Ethan") and Aiden James Dvash-Banks ("Aiden") (collectively, the "twins").

    2. Both Ethan and Aiden were conceived and born during Andrew's marriage to Elad. Andrew and Elad conceived the twins using their own sperm and eggs from the same anonymous donor. They used Elad's sperm to conceive Ethan and Andrew's sperm to conceive Aiden. A surrogate carried the twins to term together in her womb and gave birth to them moments apart on September 16, 2016, in Canada. Andrew and Elad are the only parents Ethan and Aiden have, and the only people Canadian law1 recognizes as Ethan and Aiden's parents. Accordingly, Andrew and Elad have been the twins' legal parents from the day they came into this world together.

    3. At birth, both Ethan and Aiden qualified for United States citizenship pursuant to Section301(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA") (codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1401(g)). That clause entitles a person born abroad to citizenship at birth if one of that person's married parents is a United States citizen and the other is a foreign national, as long as the citizen parent satisfies certain statutorily prescribed periods of residency in the U.S. Andrew is a U.S. citizen who has lived in the United States for over twenty-four years, and so clearly satisfies the residency requirements of Section 301(g). Because Andrew and Elad were married to each other when Ethan and Aiden were born, Ethan and Aiden have been U.S. citizens since birth under Section 301(g).
    I suppose (none / 0) (#154)
    by linea on Sat Jan 27, 2018 at 09:12:49 PM EST
    I suppose this is the retro open-thread as the current open-thread is full.

    The primary problem in this instance was ...
    by Donald from Hawaii
    ... clear prosecutorial misconduct.

    I love ❤️ you Donald!

    I love you because you have a logical mind and rational thought and have values that go beyond political partisanship. I admit I've rolled my eyes with you at times but I have always respected your comments and insights and feel we are close!

    I agree with you 100-percent about this case!

    An aside: The cold and rain of January makes this the least social month in Seattle and I have taken advantage of this by going on a very strict diet (for which I am famous) and I am very happy with my skinny self. Though my new job seems to be going badly (I'm sorry to burden you with this).

    Friday News and Open Thread | 153 comments (153 topical)

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