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Monday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Mar 25, 2019 at 06:15:10 PM EST
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I apologize for the lack of open threads recently. It's because I start one and try to include something worthwhile and end up writing half a novel about a topic and then get diverted to something else and never finish it.

So here's an empty open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Monday Open Thread | 205 comments (205 topical)
    Under the radar... (5.00 / 4) (#8)
    by desertswine on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 10:59:57 AM EST
    American poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti turns 100 years old.

    My local NPR station (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:48:07 AM EST
    ...has been covering it non-stop for a week.

    Parent
    I just happened to be re-reading.. (none / 0) (#63)
    by desertswine on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 01:36:17 PM EST
    "A Coney Island of the Mind" and I started to think, whatever happened to this guy.  And when I looked him up, there he was celebrating his 100th.

    Parent
    Former US Poet Laureate W.S. Merwyn ... (none / 0) (#81)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 07:37:49 PM EST
    ... recently passed away at his home in Haiku, Maui. He was 91, and always a gentleman.

    Parent
    In the anals (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 08:17:33 PM EST
    of incredibly stupid now Betsy DeVos is taking her cruelty out on special needs children who participate in the Special Olympics and children with autism.

    "Annals" (5.00 / 5) (#56)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 08:47:29 PM EST
    In this case, an easy mistake.

    Parent
    Baa Waa Waa (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 06:47:02 AM EST
    You're right Repack!

    Parent
    Super Cool Picture... (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 12:43:26 PM EST
    ...of the International Space Station crossing in front of the moon.  It passed by the moon in 0.3 seconds.
    PIC

    One cool space shot deserves another. (none / 0) (#82)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 07:48:51 PM EST
    Here's a photo taken last week of Earth at the moment of spring equinox.

    Parent
    Elizabeth Warren (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by CST on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 03:19:41 PM EST
    Continues to run the best campaign of any Dem candidate right now by dropping policy bombs left and right as if it's something the American people actually care about.    Today it's busting up  big-Agra and  "right to Repair" farm equipment.

    I still don't think she's going to be president but she's slowly earning my primary vote,  political/personal issues  be d@mned.

    I'm hearing that from (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 03:24:15 PM EST
    Enough people it might start to matter.

    Parent
    Ironically (none / 0) (#72)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 04:24:53 PM EST
    so many candidates seem to learning the wrong lesson from 2016 but apparently she is not one of them. How many times have I heard we don't need to do policy because nobody pays attention to it? More times than I care to remember. Frankly I think because Trump had no stances on anything and had no policy plans on anything people are wanting to hear specifics. As we all saw with Trump Care, making it up as you go along is nothing short of a disaster. I for one certainly want to hear well thought out plans.

    Parent
    In case you thought (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 11:40:52 AM EST
    Trumpworld does not have larger ambitions

    Trump-linked US Christian `fundamentalists' pour millions of `dark money' into Europe, boosting the far right

    Christian right `fundamentalists' linked to the Trump administration and Steve Bannon are among a dozen American groups that have poured at least $50 million of `dark money' into Europe over the last decade, openDemocracy can reveal today.

    Between them, these groups have backed `armies' of ultra-conservative lawyers and political activists, as well as `family values' campaigns against LGBT rights, sex education and abortion - and a number appear to have increasing links with Europe's far right.

    They are spending money on a scale "not previously imagined", according to lawmakers and human rights advocates, who have called our findings "shocking". Reacting to openDemocracy's findings, a cross-party group of more than 40 MEPs has called on the EU's transparency tsar Frans Timmermans to look into the influence of "US Christian fundamentalists... with the greatest urgency" ahead of May's European Parliament elections.

    Among the biggest spenders is a group whose chief counsel is also Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow. Another organisation has collaborated with a controversial Rome-based `institute' backed by Steve Bannon. And a number of the groups are connected to the World Congress of Families: a network of ultra-conservative activists which has links to far-right politicians and movements in several European countries, including Italy, Hungary, Poland, Spain and Serbia.
    These are dangerous times. (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by desertswine on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 01:28:37 PM EST


    Meant for #105. (none / 0) (#109)
    by desertswine on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 01:29:39 PM EST


    Parent
    Beto, Biden, Bernie and Buttigieg (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by CST on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 12:38:42 PM EST
    They're all so gosh darn likeable.   It's such a shame everyone else is so abrasive.
    So help me god I'm not going to make it to 2020 without completely losing my $hit.

    Be curious (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 04:00:29 PM EST
    WHo thinks Bernie is "likeable"

    I have not encountered that guy.


    Parent

    That might be (none / 0) (#147)
    by CST on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 04:19:24 PM EST
    New England bias coming through.    They're everywhere here.

    Parent
    I think I understand (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 04:31:42 PM EST
    I can't tell you why male politicians are so often seen as likeable.  See Trump, Donald.  And women are not.   I could give you theories but we don't need essays.

    That said likeable is important.  That list would not have been mine.  If I made a list in "likeable" order it might look like this

    1. Klobuchar
    2. Pete
    3. Warren
    4. Beto
    5. Harris
    The rest are interchangeable

    I do not think Pete would be the best candidate against Trump.  At least right now.  I do think he could easily be the best VP.

    Beto has begun to grate a bit.   We will see were that goes.  If it was just about brains and policy I would say Warren.  No brained.  But I think Trumpworld would destroy her.  

    For me that sort of leaves Amy and Kamala

    I'm leaning to Amy.  But she has not gotten traction.  So.....

    Parent

    It (none / 0) (#151)
    by FlJoe on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 06:04:31 PM EST
    seems like he is losing his shine with the media. Same old Bernie, every song sounds like the first album, all shouty revolution stuff.

    He had his own lane on a two lane highway last cycle this time he has to compete with younger, smarter(YMMV) and more telegenic opponents.

    I think he will fade, maybe holding on to his hard core 20% through the early  primaries(I can't even I'm already gaming this out).

    Parent

    Americans (none / 0) (#167)
    by jondee on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 01:59:28 PM EST
    right and "left" grow up with an unexamined hubris about this country, despite it's wrongs, being the greatest nation in the history of the world.

    Even HRC-type "liberals" are expected to inject a little jingo into their critiques of the direction this country is going. It's expected. Sanders doesn't do that as much, so he makes some people very uncomfortable.

    That's one big reason Bernie isn't "likable". Good oldfashioned Freudian resistence.

    People tend to get very uncomfortable around and resent those who make them question their deeply-held, cherished assumptions.

    They'd rather hear exceptionalist bedtime stories than join the rest of the human race.

    Parent

    Balderdash (none / 0) (#169)
    by FlJoe on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 03:03:46 PM EST
    Freudian resistance? Come on you can do better than that.

    This whole "likability" thing is such a slippery metric in the first place and for it to make any sense at all it must be divorced from policy.

    I don't like Bernie because he comes off as a shouty dogmatic old man yelling at clouds type ( ironically a bit like myself)

    I don't like Warren because she comes of as a hard ass professor who's going to make bust you ass for your credits (although at the end of the semester you may fall in love).

    I don't like Beto because he has a bit of "I'm a rock star" arrogance.

    All judged on a personal level of course.
    Personally I "like" Harris and Mayor Pete the most.

    Fandom of "American exceptionalism" had exactly zero to do with those feelings and I suspect that is true with most Americans,

    In the end we are all influenced my the media to one degree or another and certainly way more than historical context.

     

    Parent

    I believe what you say (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by jondee on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 03:53:59 PM EST
    about yourself, but I don't believe it about those hypothetical "most Americans" whose pulse you have your finger on. Fine, clear-thinking people though they all may be.

    Most Americans can't name a single Supreme Court Justice. So what are those people filling their empty mental spaces with? "Likability" feelings, conspiracy theories, MAGA, Jussie Smollett..anything but unsettling, harsh reality.

    We all know Sanders is never going to be President. If for no other reason than because he isn't young, waspy, and good-looking enough. The best we can hope for is that gadflies like him can help snap some people out of their stupor.

    It is laughable though, with everything else going on in this country, that he's made into the kind of bete noire he has been at this site.

    Parent

    Exactly (none / 0) (#175)
    by FlJoe on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 10:27:15 AM EST
    Americans are shallow, you have a much better argument this time, although I don't know why you infer you have a better grip on the pulse better than anyone else.

    You describe Bernie as an unelectable gadfly. Why are you being so harsh on him?

    BTW: Bernie already hit his best case scenario, I think he did awaken an inspire a lot of energy on the left, I just can't get over that gadfly stuff.

    Parent

    We got Biden on groping (5.00 / 1) (#176)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 11:10:43 AM EST
    Now we get Bernie on tax returns.

    So much for the "frunt runners"

    Parent

    I love the woman's response (5.00 / 2) (#177)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 11:13:56 AM EST
    When being asked if the timing was "political"

    (Paraphrase)

    "Of course it's political.  He running for freakin president"

    Parent

    They both (5.00 / 1) (#178)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 12:23:45 PM EST
    were incredibly weak "front runners" in the first place. Anyway people who have been paying attention probably have neither as their candidate. Bernie and Biden are getting voters mostly who are not paying attention IMO.

    Parent
    A gadfly isn't necessarily (none / 0) (#179)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 01:01:23 PM EST
    always a negative thing. Socrates was the original gadfly, was he not?

    That was more the sense of the term I had in mind.

    Parent

    I'm liking Gavin Newsome (4.00 / 1) (#181)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 01:29:56 PM EST
    stacked up against the slob. If we're talking about horses-for-courses, as the Brits say.

    We can't afford to get all Cotton Mather-ish about the fact that he screwed around a little some years ago. Look who he'd be running against.

    He's smart, has a great voice and presence, and has for the most part presided well over a huge, difficult-to-govern state.

    Parent

    Newsom (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 02:14:45 PM EST


    Parent
    Jerry Brown (none / 0) (#200)
    by MKS on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 09:48:13 PM EST
    really messed with Newsom by staying as Governor so long.  Otherwise, Newsom could be serving his second term now--and ready to run as POTUS.

    It appears to me that Newsom and the other California rising star divvied up California with Newsom taking the Governorship and Kamala Harris taking the open Senate seat.   Kamala was one of the first ones to endorse Newsom for Governor.  If Trump gets re-elected, I have no doubt Newsom will run next cycle.......  We could have used him this cycle.

    Parent

    I'd bet the (none / 0) (#201)
    by MKS on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 09:52:10 PM EST
    gentlemen's agreement with Kamala Harris included Newsom's commitment to not run this cycle and to let Kamala have a free shot at the nomination.

    Parent
    Socrates (none / 0) (#180)
    by FlJoe on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 01:19:56 PM EST
    didn't do too well the the political arena either, if I recall correctly.

    Parent
    Yeah but he met his end (none / 0) (#182)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 02:02:33 PM EST
    with perfect equaimity. Or so they say.

    And when he said "we owe a cock.." he wasn't talking about sending pictures to Kimberly Guilfoyle.

    Parent

    I Kid You Not... (none / 0) (#138)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 01:14:55 PM EST
    ...I read an article too stooopid to post here that was labeled "B-Team or Killer B's?" and it was about the 3 you listed with one getting only a mention.

    But they're all white males, so people on both sides lump them together. That's progress, of a sort; it used to be that if you grouped together all the white male presidential hopefuls, the result would be called "the candidates."

    Is being a white male an advantage or a disadvantage in the 2020 Democratic race?

    Feel free to lose you S.

    Parent

    Its gotten a bit silly (none / 0) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 03:29:26 PM EST
    I'm liking the ones that ask the question "does a gay white male still count as a white male?"

    Not making that up.  And oddly I do not have a ready answer.

    I just got and email from my cousin who lives in wine country.  She was not familiar with Pete until I introduced her.

    Look what I found in our local small town newspaper this morning!  Mayor Pete really is gaining recognition when he starts showing up in California local small town newspapers.  Basically the article went on to discuss what we have already discussed.  How he is appealing to millennials and is gaining popularity.  Californians will vote for him no problem.  

    She sent a pic of the front page of their local paper which for some reason I can't seem to save and post.

    Parent

    I had breakfast (5.00 / 1) (#157)
    by leap on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 08:24:26 PM EST
    with two young women, in the Amtrak dining car, while heading west on my way across the northern tier earlier this month. They were in their 20s, and going to Whitefish, Montana to ski. Both were born and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They laughed out loud at the tee-shirt I was wearing (Obama-Lama-Ding Dong). Which led to us talking about political things, including the Democratic primary contenders. I mentioned Pete Buttigieg, and that I had listened to a couple of interviews of him on podcasts, and was pretty impressed. One of the young women asked if I had seen his Town Hall on CNN? I hadn't. And she started just raving about him, how smart and reasonable and progressive and take-no-$hi† attitude... This is just two young women, but jeez, they were from North Dakota and were politically tuned in and jazzed about a candidate. And could barely speak the name *rump.

    Parent
    I got a little angry at the Mayor (5.00 / 3) (#164)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 10:26:58 AM EST
    when he tweeted this:

    I was lucky to serve at a time when Americans would honor service members no matter how they felt about US policy.

    It wasn't that way for the Vietnam generation. Better late than never, we owe each of them a heartfelt Thank You and Welcome Home.

    I got out of the Army in 1968, came back home to the Bay Areas, where I was deeply embedded in the "hippie culture."  I had the ultimate hippie job, rock band roadie, at Ground Zero for the movement. Hippie icon Jerry Garcia was an Army veteran himself, and nobody criticized him for that.

    The reaction to my veteran status was basically, "Glad you got back home without a scratch."

    Ironic, of course, because instead of sending me to Vietnam, the Army sent me to Texas and Arizona. At the time, most of the US military was deployed to the hundreds of other US military facilities both here and in Europe, and I was sent to one of those.

    The "hippies spitting on soldiers" is a lie, a myth, it never happened. If it had, I was in a pretty good spot to observe it.

    This was a story spread by the Right to smear hippies as unpatriotic, and it seems ot have worked.

    Parent

    There is an entire book on the subject (5.00 / 4) (#172)
    by Peter G on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 07:14:40 PM EST
    which has not be refuted, showing the "spitting" story to be an urban legend and right-wing hoax.

    Parent
    There are other ways to (none / 0) (#173)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 09:12:03 PM EST
    "Not honor" their service besides spitting on them.  For instance the whole Agent Orange thing among others.  They didn't get a law passed addressing the effects until the 90s and as the link says only extended to sailors last year.

    That was the war no one wanted to talk about.  They didn't reall want to talk about the vets either.

    Parent

    I had many friends (none / 0) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 10:47:53 AM EST
    Who came back.  I can't specifically testify to the spitting but I can tell you awful stories I heard about their return.

    I have had this conversation here before.  Yes.  It was something seized on by the right.  But like Smollett, it doesn't mean it didn't  happen.

    Everyone I knew, and myself, welcomed the returning and tried to understand them.

    It was not universal.

    I was 19 yo in 1970.  I remember.  Pete is not wrong. At least about this.

    Parent

    That said (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 10:53:34 AM EST
    I think the backlash to that has led to a very unhealthy deifying of the military.

    Just MO

    Parent

    I think any abberant thing (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by jondee on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 02:40:12 PM EST
    you can imagine has happened at least once in this country. We gave the world Ed Gein, the Manson Family, and President Trump. Of course it could've happened here.

    I do know that I've known tons of Nam vets and I never once heard that spitting story. Fragging stories and atrocity stories yes, but no spitting stories

    Parent

    Fair (none / 0) (#171)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 30, 2019 at 04:00:25 PM EST
    As far as I can tell Pete didn't say anything about spitting.  That was my point.

    Parent
    The people I knew (none / 0) (#184)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 02:22:24 PM EST
    had very much a circle-the-wagons-around-them attitude toward the returning vets.

    It was obvious a lot of those guys were shook-up and hurting.

    The hippies may not have had their feet firmly on the ground at all times, but the ones I knew were basically life-affirming people.

    Parent

    This sub thread began because (5.00 / 1) (#185)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 03:51:56 PM EST
    Of a quote from Mayor Pete.  About honoring service.  IMO if you think the service of Vietnam vets was universally honored when they returned you are living an alternate reality.

    But whatever.  Lucky you.

    On the larger subject of Mayor Pete and his downsides, the biggest one fir me personally has been, what I like to call "his faith crap".

    I am sick to death of the mixing of religion and politics and he has been doing it.   I get how smart it is politically.  I don't have to like it.

    That said

    He was on with Bill Maher, my favorite militant atheist, this week and his answeres to Maher on this subject were good.   Great, actually.  I will see if I can find a link.

    Parent

    God doesn't belong .... (none / 0) (#186)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 03:58:46 PM EST
    ....to a political party

    Oh, and (heh) everyone deserves a lawyer but we don't have to like them.

    Parent

    I am confused - who is that we don't have (none / 0) (#187)
    by Peter G on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 04:49:34 PM EST
    to like? The folks who need and deserve a lawyer, or the lawyers themselves? And I would not say, by the way, that everyone "deserves" a lawyer. I would say that everyone has a right to be represented by a competent lawyer, whether they deserve it or not.

    Parent
    hi! (none / 0) (#189)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 05:00:08 PM EST
    Never expected a response from you!

    Did you watch the clip? Maher was asking him about the Harvard lawyer defending Harvey and Pete was defending the right of the students to voice their opinion.  Which was not approval.

    Parent

    Nope, I was just making a joke (5.00 / 1) (#199)
    by Peter G on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 08:55:20 PM EST
    about what struck me as an unintended ambiguity in what you wrote.

    Parent
    I don't see why (none / 0) (#188)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 04:57:18 PM EST
    Maher should be exempt from being called out once in awhile for the things he says, if that's what he's getting at when he talks about "fragile snowflakes" etc

    He's also got a helluva short memory if he thinks there was once some golden time that was much better for Free Speech than today.

    Sometimes I think he had a little too much free time in Hef's playroom and is upset because the whole world isn't run that way.

    Parent

    The fact he is my favorite (none / 0) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 05:01:34 PM EST
    Militant atheist doesn't mean he is my favorite person.

    Parent
    Hitchens was pretty good (none / 0) (#191)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 05:07:29 PM EST
    in that arena anyway. In some others, not so much.

    Voltaire: religion started when the first scoundrel met the first fool.

    Bertrand Russell was another one.

    Parent

    IMO it doesn't get much (none / 0) (#192)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 05:14:05 PM EST
    Better than Maher on religion.  All due respect to Hitch.

    That said, as much as I hate it I know plenty of religious progressives.  But we have ceded that territory to the hateful right.  The think they own religion and they use it like a weapon.

    How ironic would it be if the weapon is taken from them by a gay man?

    That almost too perfect.

    I think what he said in the beginning of that interview is dead on.  Elections are often about opposites.  Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump.

    It hard to come up with a more "opposite" of Trump than a gay Rhodes Scholar war veteran who speaks 7 languages.

    Parent

    I see your point (none / 0) (#193)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 05:31:42 PM EST
    I just hope he can keep his head held high and not let the bastards get his goat.
    Because they'll try and try and try.

    On the other hand, for a smart, assertive, well-spoken person, Trump should be the lowest hanging, fattest pinata ever slapped together by God after one-too-many shots.

    Parent

    He seems to have the head thing (none / 0) (#195)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 05:36:08 PM EST
    Down.

    And I really think if they went after him for his orientation, which of course they would, it could backfire in explosive ways.

    In a way it strikes me as like one of those glowing things on the head of a angler fish.  Come on, doesn't it look tasty?  take a bite.

    Parent

    I like the analogy (none / 0) (#198)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 07:12:22 PM EST


    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#194)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 05:31:43 PM EST
    Maybe a female gay Rhodes Scholar war veteran who speaks 7 languages.

    Parent
    Here's one (none / 0) (#142)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 03:32:24 PM EST
    FRom Slate.  The dumbest liberal web site on earth.

    Is Pete Buttigieg Just Another White Male Candidate, or Does His Gayness Count as Diversity



    Parent

    All I know (none / 0) (#143)
    by CST on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 03:45:54 PM EST
    Is he's a f*cking mayor so who the hell cares.

    But hey, anyone who wants to reach out to Trump voters and bash city dwellers on the coasts is gonna be a media darling.  Especially  when they are such nice guys. I don't even disagree that it's good politics but personally the people who are cool completely f*cking over my entire family because CNN is mean to them can go f*ck themselves straight to hell.

    Parent

    I don't really know (none / 0) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 03:49:24 PM EST
    To what you are referring or what it has to do with Pete but I'm sorry that is happening.

    Parent
    I'm with you (none / 0) (#152)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 07:07:05 PM EST
    on that sister except for Bernie. In 2019 nobody says Bernie is likable though somehow the same cranky irritable Bernie was "likeable" in 2016 proving to me it's all about a media narrative and does not have a whole lot based in reality.

    Google Lucy Flores and Biden and see the latest story on him. Maybe that will change the whole "likeable" thing with him.

    Beto has just become annoying for me.

    I have said my PTSD from 2016 is going to come back with all this garbage.

    Parent

    I don't get out too much... (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by desertswine on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 09:53:11 PM EST
    but I did get to the "Visions of the Hispanic World" exhibit at the local art museum.  Here was my favorite painting, the 3rd Duke of Alba.  Man, if looks could kill.

    TWILIGHT ZONE (5.00 / 1) (#203)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 01, 2019 at 02:43:29 PM EST
    The first episode of the new streaming CBS series which starts today is streaming free on YouTube

    It's called The Comedian.  But it's not that funny.

    Really good tho.  Between this and Star Trek I may have to breakdown and do it.  At least for a month.

    US (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Mar 25, 2019 at 06:24:08 PM EST
    Go see this movie.  Really.

    I saw it yesterday.  And I took the advise offered in several reviews to see it twice.  I went in the afternoon and just didn't leave.  It's absolutely true.  You need to see it twice.

    BirthMoviesDeath

    REVIEW: You Haven't Seen Jordan Peele's US Until You've Seen It Twice

    Good flick, by no means great (none / 0) (#3)
    by Dadler on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 09:21:05 AM EST
    Very minor league in several ways psychologically, but maybe that's because I come from the most multi-racial, multi-religious, multi everything, and crazy family sh*t you could possibly imagine. Like when I asked my fourth stepfather -- an Africa black man with a name so "terrorist" sounding it might as well be Osama bin Laden -- "How do you get on a plane without them wanting to strip-search you every time?" You know what he told me in reply? "I'm former FBI, I'm on the list." I kid you not. He then, however, went on to tell me he would never, as long as Trump was fake prez, fly internationally. Is convinced he'll be detained. So it goes in nutcase America. Good to talk to you, Cap. Peace out.

    Parent
    And to you (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:09:23 AM EST
    Can't really imagine what you mean by the psychological part.

    It struck me as devastatingly psychological.  He's being compared to Hitchcock, justly IMO

    Whatever tho.  Differnt strokes n all.

    It's 94% at RT.  So I don't feel like a lonely voice.

    Parent

    "Get Out" (none / 0) (#4)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 10:11:25 AM EST
    ...Lived up the the hype.

    I'm sure this will also.

    Parent

    "up to" the hype n/t (none / 0) (#5)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 10:12:06 AM EST


    Parent
    I cannot watch (none / 0) (#33)
    by Zorba on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 02:46:42 PM EST
    Horror flicks.  
    They make me freak out.  I just can't do it.
    I realize that US got great reviews and all, but it's not a film for me.

    Parent
    Sure sure (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 05:10:39 PM EST
    I get that.  You are not alone.  But the amazing thing is how much money it has made, as an R rated horror movie since opening.  

    The other thing is horror is almost always ignored at OSCAR time.

    Hollywood Reporter

    Here is an all-inclusive list of the only six horror films to receive a nomination for the night's most prestigious award, best picture.

    One of them was his first movie.  This will be another.  In fact IMO they should just give the Oscar to Lupita Nyong'o right now.

    Parent

    PS (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 05:27:35 PM EST
    As a major horror fan there are only 2 films on that list I would call horror.  Get Out and The Exorcist.

    I would never call The Godfather, Black Swan or even Jaws horror.  Sixth Sense, meh, borderline.

    Parent

    One of our daughters (none / 0) (#52)
    by Peter G on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 08:00:53 PM EST
    went to college with Lupita N'yongo. Huge fan.

    Parent
    This is totally her movie (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 08:58:38 PM EST
    The voice.  Omg the voice.

    cast reactions to the voice.

    I was not as surprised because of her performance as Maz Katana in SW.   I was surprised to learn that was her.

    But this voice is next level.

    Spazmotic Disphonia

    Parent

    This was a kerfuffel approaching (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 01:53:22 PM EST
    Jusse dimensions at least in the film world.  PEALE SAYS HE WONT CAST WHITE PEOPLE.

    Peele On Creative Freedom & Male Leads

    "The way I look at it, I get to cast black people in my movies. I feel fortunate to be in this position where I can say to Universal, `I want to make a $20 million horror movie with a black family' and they say yes. I don't see myself casting a white dude as the lead in my movie. Not that I don't like white dudes. But I've seen that movie. It really is one of the best, greatest pieces of this story, is feeling like we are in this time -- a renaissance has happened and proved the myths about representation in the industry are false."



    Parent
    SITE VIOLATOR (s) (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 08:26:47 AM EST
    The spammers seem to have figured out they can't be tagged if they show up in closed threads.

    There are 3 in the new comments list.

    charges dropped (none / 0) (#6)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 10:43:16 AM EST
    Smollett forfeits his $US10,000 bond and records expunged.  TMS says LEOs are POed.

    Lots to come with this new shiny thing.

    Sounds to me -- subject to actual facts being (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Peter G on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:35:26 AM EST
    disclosed -- like a deal for acceptance into a pretrial diversion program, perhaps with a mental health condition attached, all to be kept confidential. Otherwise, why forfeit the bond? That wouldn't happen if the police and DAs had simply made an embarrassing mistake leading to charges being withdrawn. All I can say is, Thank You, John Adams and James Madison, for the right to counsel for all accused. Everyone charged with or suspected of a crime needs someone on their side whose job is to be skeptical, not jump to conclusions, and seek the best possible outcome for the accused.

    Parent
    As I was saying (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:36:46 AM EST
    WT  actual F

    Police in Chicago are reportedly "furious" about prosecutors' decision on Tuesday to drop charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett, according to TMZ.

    Smollett had pleaded not guilty to the charges against him after he was accused of staging a phony hate crime attack to gain publicity.

    Local news outlet WGN reports that Chicago's police union is calling for a federal investigation into Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly M. Foxx.

    Sources also told CBS Chicago that superintendent Eddie Johnson is "furious" and "had no heads up this was going to happen."

    Chicago cops "feel something untoward is going on with Kim Foxx," TMZ reported.



    Parent
    Doubt facts will be released (none / 0) (#21)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:39:04 PM EST
    since the case was sealed.

    But I am wondering about additional investigations.  The LEOs are clearly not happy and asking for an outside investigation.  Calls for the SA and/or FBI to step by the LEOs.  Even Ramm is siding with the LEOs saying $US10,000 does not come close to covering the cost of the investigation.  He called it a whitewash.  I know Capt H said the pubs heads are exploding; but I did not realize Ramm was a pub.

    Seems there were lots of heavy weight dems who contacted the powers that be.  There are also federal problems with mail fraud.

    This is not over by a long shot.

    Parent

    Strange case get's even stranger (none / 0) (#24)
    by McBain on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:45:53 PM EST
    If mistakes were made, I'd rather have the end result be under prosecution than over prosecution.

    Parent
    That is going (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:51:29 AM EST
    ...to make a lot of Right Wing heads explode.

    They have been spiking the ball over this for weeks, but now it turns out that they spiked it on their own 20 yard line.

    Parent

    You need to get up to speed on what (none / 0) (#22)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:40:43 PM EST
    Ramm said about it being a whitewash of justice.  Seems like dems heads are exploding too.

    My take is when the dems form a circular firing squad the pubs just get out of the way and enjoy the show.

    Parent

    If there are Democrats (none / 0) (#25)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:47:45 PM EST
    ...who are upset about this, they must be hiding.  All the outrage outrage OUTRAGE I have seen online is from crazy right-wingers.

    I'm a Democrat, and MY RESPONSE is laughter at the right-wingers who paid any attention at all to a misdemeanor arrest 2000 miles from where I live.

    Parent

    you need to get up to speed (none / 0) (#29)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:56:19 PM EST
    Mayor Emanuel blasts prosecutors' decision to drop charges against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett: 'This is not on the level'

    Last I knew all these guys are dems and are calling this a whitewash.

    Parent

    One person concocts a stupid hoax (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by jondee on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 05:04:49 PM EST
    resulting in no one being harmed, while a coterie of known individuals perpetrate a hoax resulting in the vile, disgusting harassment and terrorization of the Newtown families, and somehow the story manages to miraculously fly under the radar.

    Do you think maybe it's because one of the pos's at the center of this sorry episode has been a close ally of our pos, sorry excuse for a President?

    I'm just spit-balling here.

    Parent

    If you think this story (none / 0) (#45)
    by jondee on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 05:31:33 PM EST
    is really worthy of all the attention it's garnered, your brain has been baking in that Florida sun for too long. Which seems to be such a syndrome these days, it should go down as a new entry in the Physician's Desk Manual.

    Parent
    Rahm Emmanuel is furious. And a Democrat. (none / 0) (#30)
    by caseyOR on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:58:37 PM EST
    He just delivered quite the angry man diatribe at a press conference with the police superintendent. Both men are quite angry about this.

    Rahm compared this to the college admissions cheating case.

    Parent

    LEO Presser at 2:00PM (none / 0) (#7)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 10:44:55 AM EST
    according to rumors.  Must see TV.

    Parent
    Ramm says (none / 0) (#23)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:41:10 PM EST
    it is a whitewash of justice.

    Parent
    Rahm (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:48:27 PM EST
    A right wing hero.

    This is awsum.

    Parent

    Who (none / 0) (#27)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:49:04 PM EST
    T F is "Ramm?" Does he or she have a first name?

    Parent
    Rahm is his first name. Rahm Emmanuel, (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by caseyOR on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:55:53 PM EST
    current major of Chicago and all around d*ck. Was Obama's first chief of staff.

    Parent
    Agree that Emmanuel (none / 0) (#38)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 04:35:39 PM EST
    Has no business calling himself a Democrat. He is an example of why I find Obama to be a conservative. He's a long way to my right.

    That said, Obama was nowhere near as bad as Bush, Reagan or Trump, whose collective IQs did not add up to Obama's, who were even further to the right, and who were ridiculously corrupt. There can be no possible argument about that.

    Those were some stupid, corrupt men.

    Parent

    Rahm (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 04:41:51 PM EST
    "stab them in their sleep" Emanuel

    Parent
    So far (none / 0) (#12)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:14:48 AM EST
    the presser by Smollett's lawyer is not really worth watching.  One thing the lawyer said is that is common to forfeit bond in cases like this.  I like to think I am comfortable financially but I would not drop $US10,000 without blinking an eye.  Something fishy about that.

    It will be interesting to see if the two "friends" are charged since as the lawyer said there is agreement they attacked Smollett, be it a staged attack or not.  Smollett's lawyers also declined to rule out a civil case against the government.

    One thing I saw a talking head say is one of the brothers/friends fought in a MMA match last night in Chicago and was throwing haymakers; something he obviously did not do in the attack.

    CNN is saying the most likely reason is the LEOs overplayed their hand.

    Bottom line is parts of the investigation will be sealed and never released.  Where I have I seen that before.

    Parent

    The Jussie thing (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:02:33 AM EST
    Is so strange.  Glad for him.  Once again the mysterious wheels of justice relentlessly turn.

    But seriously (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:11:39 AM EST
    WTF??

    Parent
    Lawyer noted (none / 0) (#13)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:15:50 AM EST
    parts of the investigation are sealed as part of the agreement.

    You will likely never find out WTF happened.

    Parent

    I understand how excited you must be (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:20:09 AM EST
    But did you notice I did not reply to you?

    Parent
    Why not (none / 0) (#15)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 11:29:03 AM EST


    Parent
    I will be curious to know (none / 0) (#32)
    by Zorba on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 02:42:12 PM EST
    If he gets his job back.

    Parent
    Or will anyone care (none / 0) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 04:47:11 PM EST
    The show has tanked

    Parent
    Best guess is no (none / 0) (#88)
    by ragebot on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 10:22:09 PM EST
    While Empire probably will return Smollett seems to be headed to the cutting floor.  The wait and see attitude will likely be changed according to how things play out as time goes by.  Problem is there is still an FBI/USPS investigation, the FOP wants the FBI to investigate, Chicago mayor is threatening to sue for cost of the investigation, and the Chicago police is asking for an FBI investigation, not to mention pressure on the SA to investigate as well.

    Parent
    An FBI investigation of what conceivable (none / 0) (#90)
    by Peter G on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 10:40:43 PM EST
    federal crime, pray tell?

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#92)
    by FlJoe on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 05:58:42 AM EST
    tRump thinks it's a federal crime, he just announced an FBI investigation, by twitter of course.

    Parent
    FBI/USPS (none / 0) (#95)
    by ragebot on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 09:03:39 AM EST
    already had an ongoing investigation about a letter Smollett was accused of sending to himself demeaning gays and containing a white power which turned out to be aspirin.

    The FBI was already working with the local LEOs investigating Smollett's original complaint; all the evidence was processed by the FBI.  Based on complaints from the local LEOs the FBI is now thought to be investigating corruption by Foxx in her recusal and how the case was dropped after local dem operatives contacted Foxx about the matter.

    Like I have posted several times before just as drivers gawk at a car wreck I can not turn my eyes away from the dems forming a circular firing squad.  The high profile dem mayor and local police officials fighting with the dem SA seems to be an ongoing circus show with no end in sight.

    Parent

    The attempt to make this a partisan political (none / 0) (#102)
    by Peter G on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 10:59:14 AM EST
    issue (cf. "dems") is almost as ridiculous as the suggestion that someone can commit mail fraud by sending himself a fake letter. I realize a prosecutor can sometimes stretch the scope of a criminal statute to an absurd degree, but I'm just not seeing it here ... and I'm (almost) as offended as Howdy by what Smollett seems to have done. I just don't think it's a federal crime, and I do not think a pretrial diversion deal was an inappropriate disposition of the local crimes he appears to have committed.

    Parent
    Not just a fake letter (none / 0) (#131)
    by ragebot on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 08:25:57 PM EST
    but a letter containing threats to gays and blacks and then reporting the letter to authorities.

    If the letter was sent by someone else it would certainly be a crime.  Technically it may not be a crime if you send it to yourself; but reporting it may make it a crime.

    Parent

    Just stop already. (none / 0) (#119)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 04:23:25 PM EST
    No doubt, Jussie Smollett is clearly an emotionally unbalanced individual. But in order for federal investigators to get involved, it has to be first demonstrated that a violation of federal statutes may have taken place.

    And sorry, but neither Smollett's being a raging drama queen nor his filing of a false police report to local authorities rise to that level of concern. That Trump seeks to recast the situation in partisan political terms isn't surprising. But his idiocy is his problem, not yours or ours.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    This Jussie Smollet thing has really got (none / 0) (#91)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 12:11:26 AM EST
    your blood up. Maybe you need a hobby. I think so.

     

    Parent

    Is "Impotent Rage" (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by Repack Rider on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 08:43:04 AM EST
    ...considered a hobby?

    Asking for a friend.

    Parent

    I am the picture of calm (none / 0) (#94)
    by ragebot on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 08:53:53 AM EST
    compared to the mayor of Chicago and the police superintendent there.  Both of them have yelled in long pressers about how this is a whitewash of justice and Smollett is guilty of lying to police multiple times.

    Fact of the matter is I am happy the dems are forming another circular firing squad.

    Parent

    I believe I have identified your mistake. (none / 0) (#101)
    by Repack Rider on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 10:16:36 AM EST
    Rahm Emmanuel is not a "Democrat" in any sense of the word I am familiar with. I am a Democrat, and he has more in common with Betsy DeVos than he does with me.

    But your frothing about the subject of a misdemeanor a long way from where you live is wildly entertaining.

    More please.

    Parent

    You should go to wiki (1.00 / 2) (#130)
    by ragebot on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 08:21:33 PM EST
    and update their Rahm page which claims he is a Democrat and has been one since he first started working in politics.

    What is wildly entertaining is delusional claims that Rahm is not a member of the Democratic party since he has been since he was eligible to vote.

    Parent

    Please No More, I am Begging (none / 0) (#111)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 01:45:53 PM EST
    I can't take another idiotic post that is nothing more than the rinse & repeat of Fox News talking points guised as original thought.

    Parent
    Of course you're happy (none / 0) (#116)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 03:11:57 PM EST
    especially with all those mind-altering chemicals that have been seeping into the groundwater in Florida.

    But seriously, in Chicago, with it's long tradition violent crime and poverty and rampant graft and corruption, thinking adults are supposed to take seriously this "stop the presses" outrage over this Jussie Smollet incident? You have to be kidding.

    Parent

    Today's Excitement (none / 0) (#20)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 12:32:32 PM EST
    I get to work usually around 7:45 and today was no different, passed a couple folks signing in at the front desk.  Got on the elevator and held it for the same two people.  I work on the 3rd floor, when we go to the 3rd floor, the elevator went clunk, clunk, then shimmied a bit, enough to make me somewhat nervous.

    Long story short, I was trapped on the elevator with someone from Australia and Indonesia, both here for a meeting.  We were on the 3rd floor so no freakin' out, but the whole thing was pretty surreal.  Sitting in a broken elevator, having mostly normal conversation with people who live on the other side of the planet while building maintenance and eventually the elevator company tried to free us.

    Whoa! (none / 0) (#31)
    by Zorba on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 02:40:57 PM EST
    How long did it take them to rescue you, Scott?

    I always get somewhat nervous on elevators.

    Parent

    About 50 mins... (none / 0) (#34)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 03:28:31 PM EST
    ... it took 45 for the elevator people to get there.  Building maintenance asked us to try an pry the door open, no go, but when the elevator people got there, it looked like they just flicked a lever to manually opened the door.

    Once it opened I realized we were about 2 feet short of the 3rd floor.

    Our building is 6 stories so I never think twice about the elevators, but our new corporate is 24 floors and I definitely get uncomfortable when I am over the 10th floor.  It's all glass and meeting rooms give me a bit of vertigo when I stand near the edge.


    Parent

    Barr says (none / 0) (#35)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 04:02:38 PM EST
    it will be weeks, not months before he releases stuff about the Mueller investigation.

    Since he doesn't get to redact (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 04:39:44 PM EST
    anything from Congress, who WILL see the entire document, what's the problem?  I'm sure Congress will send someone over to pick it up if that is necessary.

    Or Congress can ask Mueller to bring his own copy when he testifies. There is no reason to put off the inevitable.  

    There is no force in the universe strong enough to keep the lid on that document.

    Parent

    I am not sure what the document contains (none / 0) (#46)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 05:34:08 PM EST
    We still don't know just what Mueller's report to Barr looks like or how long it is.  Many posts here have speculated it could be thousands of pages long or as short as a list of legal actions Mueller undertook.  Mueller is also required to report any orders to stop investigating; but Barr has said nothing like that occurred.  There does seem to be some information about hundreds of interviews but I doubt they are detailed in what Mueller sent to Barr.

    You seemed to be confusing the report Mueller is required by law to submit to Barr with the entire total of the many documents the investigation produced.

    Parent

    The way the (none / 0) (#48)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 06:38:23 PM EST
    GOP is acting whatever is in that report must be really bad for the GOP and Trump. What are you hiding? Why are you hiding the report?

    Parent
    He's supposed to have everything (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 04:22:37 PM EST
    to congress by April 2nd. He should be able to do that because they are going to be the unscrubbed version.

    Parent
    No way that happens (1.00 / 1) (#37)
    by ragebot on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 04:30:07 PM EST
    By many accounts there are thousands of pages of stuff with lots of sensitive information that will have to be at least looked at.

    All the grand jury stuff is most likely redacted.  Lots of sources and methods stuff will have to be looked at and some redacted.  Any thing Trump's lawyers want to claim executive privilege will need to be ligated, probably to the SC.  Barr also has to review stuff about investigations of people who turned out to be innocent.

    There are laws (grand jury) and DOJ regs that all have to be followed.  It is a delusion to think all this will happen by 2 April.

    Parent

    Nope (5.00 / 3) (#47)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 06:36:59 PM EST
    this is to congress. They have the clearance to see everything.

    As far as the full report, it's now going to be laughed at and the GOP is going to be laughed at since they are going to let Trump edit the report. This is a new thing in the annals of history where the criminal gets to decide what the jury gets to see.

    Parent

    Trump attacks (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 07:11:14 PM EST
    Healthcare.  Again.

    to change the subject

    Sometime. Think he is a democratic mole.  In DEEP cover.

    Vox (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 07:19:55 PM EST
    Trump just guaranteed health care will be a huge issue in the 2020 election



    Parent

    I could (none / 0) (#51)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 07:35:47 PM EST
    not believe he was that stupid. Seriously. As stupid as he is and the stupid things he has done this just tops the list. After it caused the GOP to lose the house they are going down this road.

    Parent
    Finished the Leaving Neverland documentary (none / 0) (#53)
    by McBain on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 08:01:15 PM EST
    I know it was discussed earlier but I hadn't seen it then.

    Not sure what I was expecting but that wasn't it. Right now, I find it extremely difficult to say those two men were lying but I wish Jackson was around to give his side of the story. I'm still going to listen to his music.  I don't think it needs to banned by anyone.

    Not big on banning in general (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Mar 26, 2019 at 08:21:54 PM EST
    I think people will make their own decisions about his music.

    Parent
    Who's suggested that Jackson's music be banned? (none / 0) (#120)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 04:30:36 PM EST
    Certainly nobody here at Talk Left. Speaking for myself only, the only thing I've said about Jackson's music is that he's provided millions of fans with joy. But I've also said that personally, he gave me the creeps.

    Parent
    I Think It's Rather Odd... (none / 0) (#59)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 10:38:28 AM EST
    ...that there hasn't been a post about a mass shooting in which 49 people we killed by a single person with firearms.

    New Zealand hasn't had a mass shooting in 30 years and while I am sure many will disagree, to me the adult response to one person having the ability to kill nearly 50 is maybe rethink the weapon that allowed a 50 to 1 killing ratio.

    Australia seems to understand this.

    Gun laws in Australia were tightened following a 1996 mass shooting in which 35 people were killed by a lone gunman in Port Arthur, Tasmania.
    As if my magic...
    The laws have had a dramatic effect on the frequency of mass shootings, as well as homicides. In the years after the Port Arthur massacre, the risk of dying by gunshot in Australia fell by more than 50% -- and stayed there.


    I posted about it (none / 0) (#64)
    by CST on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 01:45:04 PM EST
    Everyone replied to tell me to ignore it because that makes it worse or something.

    I don't even necessarily disagree,  these things happen so often there's definitely emotional fatigue and sense of mounting helplessness against the gun lobby.

    Parent

    Well Except in This Case... (none / 0) (#69)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 03:44:35 PM EST
    ...the exact opposite is happening.  The government is telling gun owners to brace for a change.

    I find that refreshing, that not everyone on the planet is beholden the NRA and right wing nutery of guns making us safer.

    Parent

    Well there's also an unspoken (none / 0) (#70)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 03:45:07 PM EST
    chilling factor that contributes to not delving too deeply into those discussions around here, lets face it.

    Parent
    Facebook Bans White Naz...er Nationalism (none / 0) (#60)
    by vicndabx on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 12:28:44 PM EST
    After a civil rights backlash, Facebook will now treat white nationalism and separatism the same as white supremacy, and will direct users who try to post that content to a nonprofit that helps people leave hate groups.

    Vice.com Link

    IMO, we need to start pushing these malcontents back under their rocks. I know the free speech folks think this stuff is just talk and there's value in knowing who thinks what, but the reality is, there's not.

    I saw a meme (none / 0) (#62)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 01:25:45 PM EST
    recently. Guy with a sign that read:

    "Patriots do not wave Confederate or Nazi flags. We had two wars over it. You are 0 for 2."

    There are too many Americans buried in France and elsewhere to put up with Nazi cr@p here.

    I am a member of the ACLU, have been for many years, but my views on this stuff have become less tolerant as I age. If another Skokie case came up today, I would certainly lobby for the ACLU to NOT defend them. Would even consider resigning my membership

    Parent

    The ACLU takes highly principled positions (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Peter G on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 04:51:45 PM EST
    on dozens if not hundreds of civil liberties related issues. Every one is carefully considered, which is no guarantee that the resolution of the issue will be "right," even if there were objectively such a thing as "right" in this context. The National Board of the ACLU also can, and often has, reconsidered and modified a formal position (as happened with the "Citizens United" position). No one could possibly agree with all of them. Giving very occasional (rare) support to the pure speech activities of hateful people, where suppressing that speech will set a bad precedent that can be readily used by government actors against others, in my opinion, is a small price to pay for a robust system of speech protection. I do not trust government to draw the line about whose speech will be protected and who not. But even if you were to disagree with me on this, such activity is a tiny percentage of what the ACLU does. Presumably you agree with 98%+ of the rest of it. So you should be a member. Any policy you don't like, you can speak up and urge your affiliate leadership to take it to the National Board for reconsideration.

    Parent
    After I resigned from the ACLU (5.00 / 2) (#77)
    by leap on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 05:03:23 PM EST
    due to their horrible support of Citizens United, I did write to Anthony Romero, and told him why I was disgusted with their take. He wrote me back--a personal note--explaining as best he could, and urged me not to bail. As you stated, the ACLU eventually did reconsider their opinion. And, eventually, I did re-up, more than ever. Due to the horrible Trump.

    Parent
    The ACLU's standing upon principle ... (none / 0) (#84)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 08:49:50 PM EST
    ... does NOT ensure that the organization is necessarily seeing the forest for the trees. Personally, I think there's no such thing as a good Nazi. When it comes to dealing with them, I prefer the Blues Brothers' methodology -- metaphorically, of course.
    ;-D

    That said, I'm a proud member of the ACLU. The good they do far outweighs my taking occasional offense at their distasteful cases. I understand why they take them.

    ;-D

    Parent

    I doubt that you will find a single ACLU staff (none / 0) (#85)
    by Peter G on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 08:57:30 PM EST
    or board member (myself included) who thinks that there is such a thing as a "good Nazi," nor is that the standard anyone would apply when deciding whether to protect or defend their right to speak and demonstrate (but not to carry weapons while demonstrating, organize a paramilitary force, use or threaten violence, or deliberately intimidate their opponents), like anyone else.

    Parent
    I am actually shocked, Donald (none / 0) (#86)
    by Peter G on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 09:03:29 PM EST
    (which is hard to do to me) that you would post that link as humor on the day that the Charlottesville killer pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime murder for driving his car into a crowd of people because he decided that he hated them. Or any other day, after Charlottesville, for that matter.

    Parent
    I posted it before I saw that he changed his plea. (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 06:42:22 PM EST
    And I'm sorry, Peter, but if you want to be sensitive about it and take offense, that's entirely your decision and your offense is duly noted. But speaking for myself personally, I'm not going to allow the heinous act of a motherfckn right-wing crackpot loser like James Fields to now compel me to apologize to either you or anybody else for enjoying the 1980 film The Blues Brothers and its vicious lampooning of Illinois Nazis.

    The world is not a kind and gentle place, nor will it ever really be. And so much of the GOP right's bullying has been predicated upon their firm belief that we can't or won't fight back effectively -- a belief which we, regrettably in all too many instances, have subsequently proved to not necessarily be unfounded.

    I'm tired of our side repeatedly allowing the GOP right first set the agenda, and then dictate the terms and parameters of our responses which they deem acceptable. But honestly, I'm even more annoyed with people on my own side of the aisle thinking that come hell or high water, we have to somehow rise above it all, based on our grievously mistaken impression that voters will somehow notice that we're better than that. Puh-lease! Voters hardly ever notice when we're better than that. And the results of the 2016 election should have finally awakened us to that fact, once and for all.

    There's really no such thing as a moral victory in politics. If you want to set the public agenda, then you need to win elections. And either you play to win, or you don't. Now, playing to win doesn't mean that we necessarily have to break the rules or otherwise compromise our respective values systems. But for Heaven's sake, you don't play NOT to lose.

    And by playing not to lose, I mean those occasions when you pull your punches or change your own behavior upon being prompted by something that the other side has done or is doing, e.g., deciding that you can't enjoy watching The Blues Brothers anymore because some demented neo-Nazi weaponized his vehicle at Charlottesville. Not liking The Blues Brothers anymore isn't going to bring back Heather Heyer. Nor, for that matter, will our playing Alice to the GOP's Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts.

    Unfortunately, Democrats have long excelled at the art of playing not to lose, which all too often explains in retrospect what happened when we DO lose. Playing not to lose is the luxury of those who are operating from a political position of relative strength. And right now, we simply don't have that luxury. A new generation of Democrats, young people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Lauren Underwood and David Hogg, appear to understand that. Sad to say, it's generally the Democrats of our own generation who don't get it.

    Again, speaking for myself only, I'll never throw the first blow to start a fight. But I'll be damned if I'm going to promise to never throw the last one which ends it. When a bully punches you, you counterpunch -- hard. Because the real threat of return fire and serious pain is the only thing that bullies, political or otherwise, will ever understand.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I didn't say I didn't like the Blues Brothers (none / 0) (#128)
    by Peter G on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 08:15:24 PM EST
    movie. I love it, in fact. I have often used it as an analytical tool for discussing fanatical justification for antisocial behavior ("We're on a mission from God!"). And it's very funny. Just not that scene; not anymore. And what all this has to do, in your mind, with winning elections, Donald, I cannot fathom.

    Parent
    THIS! vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv (none / 0) (#133)
    by vicndabx on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 08:11:48 AM EST
    Voters hardly ever notice when we're better than that. And the results of the 2016 election should have finally awakened us to that fact, once and for all.
    There's really no such thing as a moral victory in politics. If you want to set the public agenda, then you need to win elections.


    Parent
    It just comes down to age. (none / 0) (#107)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 12:01:42 PM EST
    I'm proud of my ACLU membership. At the time of Skokie, I supported it. I used to tell people, "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

    I just got old. I yell at kids to get off my lawn (I don't even have a front yard). I wear Hawaiian shirts all summer.

    My tolerance for hate speech has waned. As I said previously, America fought a war to stop Nazis from taking over Europe (maybe the world, see Man in High Castle). Yes, the Constitution guarantees free speech, but I don't have to like them or tolerate them. I have t-shirt (that I still wear) that reads, 'Never stop punching Nazis.'

    Parent

    I draw the line at vile cretins (none / 0) (#115)
    by jondee on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 02:50:12 PM EST
    who spread outright lies designed to erase from the public consciousness the experience of already hurting, vulnerable people.

    If these people are even capable of comprehending the intent of the First Amendment, they obviously have no respect for it.

    F*ck them and the horse they rode in on. And f*ck their rights. I wish a large non-metaphorical meteorite would fall on them.

    Parent

    I have a black t-shirt which reads ... (none / 0) (#125)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 06:57:37 PM EST
    ... "The Road to Hell is paved with Republicans." I wore it a lot when I was working during the 2018 election in Orange County, CA. I'll tell you what -- I received a lot more compliments for it than complaints.

    ;-D

    Parent

    my Dad, a lifetime ACLU member, (none / 0) (#65)
    by leap on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 03:10:24 PM EST
    resigned from the ACLU over their Skokie Nazi-marching-stance. He was a WWII vet, also. He knew that $hi†, had seen that $hi†, and would not abide...

    Parent
    Also, too, (none / 0) (#66)
    by leap on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 03:12:10 PM EST
    I resigned from ACLU membership after their stance on "Citizens United."

    Parent
    If we start banning outright lies (none / 0) (#71)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 04:12:48 PM EST
    that harm people, than eventually or very shortly, it might turn into a perceived assault on people's "religious freedom" to do things like terrorizing children by brow-beating them with stories about burning in Hell for all eternity.

    Parent
    Can someone explain (none / 0) (#73)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 04:28:54 PM EST
    to me about why Mueller's jury is continuing to investigate Trump's crimes but supposedly Mueller is "finished" according to Barr? link

    Did Mueller submit an interim report that Barr is lying about and saying it was the final report?

    Did Barr tell Mueller to submit a report and then fire Mueller?

    Did Barr just outright fire Mueller? This seems the least likely since there was some sort of report submitted.

    Is Trump going to edit his own report? Now criminals get to decide what evidence prosecutors use against them?

    What the heck is going on?

    I can link to this that I just read (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 04:32:19 PM EST
    Mueller grand jury 'continuing robustly,' prosecutor says
    The revelation -- while laced with uncertainty -- indicates that the ongoing cases Mueller handed off could still feature significant developments, legal experts said.



    Parent

    Didn't see the link (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 04:39:31 PM EST
    Look like the same story more or less.  

    Shorter version.  It's not over.  But we knew that. That's just talking about Muellers office as far as I can tell.

    There is still the state city and southern district of NY.  And a few others as well.

    Parent

    Yeah, (none / 0) (#78)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 06:04:12 PM EST
    it would seem that one I linked to is talking about the grand juries set up by Mueller. So they are continuing and I would guess they are more or less dealing with the fallout of all the lying that was done by the Trump Campaign.

    Apparently parts of the report are starting to leak out and apparently from what I gather Trump did collude with Russians just not to the level of criminal conspiracy or provable criminal conspiracy but the report will be very damaging to Trump. So there is a reason why they are trying to hide it.

    Parent

    Napolitano on FOX (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 06:10:01 PM EST
    Says he knows it 700 pages and contains some bad stuff.   See my comment in the other thread grabbed from RAWSTORY

    Parent
    A new CNN poll out today finds that ... (none / 0) (#83)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 08:35:21 PM EST
    ... a decided majority of Americans do not agree with Attorney General Bill Barr's conclusion that President Trump had been exonerated by the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. An even bigger majority want Mueller's report to be publicly released, sooner rather than later. So, Trump's not getting the bump Barr thought he would.

    Further, as Robert Litt of Lawfare Blog observed:

    "The prevailing take on Attorney General William Barr's letter to Congress on the Mueller report is summed up in the New York Times: 'The investigation . . . found no evidence that President Trump or any of his aides coordinated with the Russian government's 2016 election interference.' But a careful reading of Barr's letter suggests that that may be wrong."

    Basically, Barr's letter quoted Mueller report as saying his investigation did not establish that there was collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russian government. However, Mueller did NOT say that the investigation established that there was NO collusion.

    Let's please remember that many of the Trump camp's contacts, such as the June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower, were with individuals who were not necessarily Russian government officials. Rather, much like the incarcerated Maria Butina, they may have been acting as intermediaries to give the Kremlin plausible deniability, should the unfolding scheme be uncovered and blow up in the faces.

    As then-Washington Bullets coach Dick Motta once vowed to reporters during the 1978 NBA playoffs, "The opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." And as CNN just reported, Brunilda wants to see the unredacted Special Counsel's report first, before she'll agree to go onstage.

    ;-D

    Parent

    2 weeks 3 days 1 hour 45 minutes (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 06:13:41 PM EST
    But who's counting

    Then there is this

    Five More Join "Game of Thrones" Prequel

    Marquis Rodriguez ("Marvel's Iron Fist"), John Simm ("Doctor Who"), Richard McCabe ("Peaky Blinders"), John Heffernan ("Ripper Street") and Dixie Egerickx ("The Little Stranger") have all been cast in HBO's "Game of Thrones" prequel pilot.

    S.J. Clarkson will helm the episode with the five joining already announced regulars Naomi Watts, Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp and Toby Regbo.

    Jane Goldman and George R.R. Martin created the spin-off set thousands of years before the events of `Thrones' and chronicling the world's descent from the Golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. Goldman is serving as showrunner and will executive produce alongside Martin.

    The news comes as HBO has announced "The Last Watch," a two-hour documentary about the making of the final season of "Game of Thrones," will premiere May 26th - one week after the series finale.
    Thank the gods... (none / 0) (#87)
    by desertswine on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 10:06:03 PM EST
    for baseball.  The season starts in earnest tomorrow.  Hope springs eternal as the Mets are still in first place, till tomorrow anyway.

    "Our Mets Move Forth With Great Vigar"

    I second that sentiment and add (none / 0) (#89)
    by caseyOR on Wed Mar 27, 2019 at 10:25:02 PM EST
    a hopeful  "GO, CUBS!"

    Parent
    No! (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by Zorba on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 04:02:59 PM EST
    GO CARDS!!!

    Parent
    Cubs won their season opener today. (none / 0) (#132)
    by caseyOR on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 08:58:09 PM EST
    Beat the Rangers 12-4.

    GO, CUBS!,

    Parent

    Curses! (none / 0) (#156)
    by Zorba on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 08:23:28 PM EST
    Cards lost theirs.   :-\

    Parent
    Sorry, Zorba. Go True Blue Brew Crew! (none / 0) (#174)
    by Towanda on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 10:07:24 AM EST
    And anyone who hasn't seen our Lorenzo Cain's remarkable catch that won the game ought to Google it.

    Also see the postgame presser, where Cain -- who is really into his really cute kids -- had one of his sons repeat to the media what his dad said when he made the catch: "Not today!"

    Parent

    Opening day weather (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 09:25:50 AM EST
    Looks epic.  

    Parent
    Put Me Down... (none / 0) (#98)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 09:46:55 AM EST
    ...for the Astros today at 3.

    The older I get the more I enjoy baseball and the less I like football.  I have been waiting on this day since October 18th.

    Houston has been spending mad cash to keep folks around and I think we are going to have a real contender this year.

    Parent

    I'll be surprised if you don't. (none / 0) (#126)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 07:03:53 PM EST
    Although I was somewhat saddened by the outcome, I still think the 2017 World Series between my Dodgers and your Astros was one of the very best I've ever seen. It was a joy to watch, particularly that Game 5 barnburner in Houston, and I'd love to see a rematch.

    Dodgers hit a record 8 HRs today in the season-opening 12-5 over the Diamondbacks.

    Parent

    I Still Have Game 7... (none / 0) (#134)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 09:41:48 AM EST
    ...on my DVR.  While that was the lamest of the games, I have watched it probably 10 times.  Plus Charlie fricken Morten was pitching, who left for the Rays and who we face tonight.  One of my favorite pitchers.

    I wish I had games 2 & 5.

    Springer hit a 3 run homer, making it 3 consecutive years he has hit a homer on opening day.  The two before were both first at bats.

    I would love to see the Astros and Brewers, only because I am from WI and we used to be in the same division, if not them, then the Dodgers.

    Parent

    Tonight - Houston Cougars (none / 0) (#145)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 03:54:27 PM EST
    I put down some peanuts on the Cougars taking the whole works.  35 to 1.  They have been kicking A this year.

    Parent
    Oops... (none / 0) (#163)
    by desertswine on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 11:13:18 PM EST


    Parent
    especial de Viernes (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 09:35:31 AM EST
    these people are so out of control

    I mean it's f'ing LA.  yer not in Kansas any more Homer.

    And Like... You Know... (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 09:55:10 AM EST
    ...it was a Mexican Restaurant.  'We are not in Mexico', true, but if he didn't want to deal with Mexicans or Spanish maybe he should choose some place else to eat ?

    Parent
    It (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by FlJoe on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 11:03:46 AM EST
    does seem like he would have a huge problem when ordering, what's the English word for burrito?

    Parent
    Well, yeah (none / 0) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 10:14:44 AM EST
    I live in ruralish AR love Mexican food and eat it often.  There are several nearby where most of the employees don't speak a word of English and the menus and specials are mostly in Spanish.

    In LA it's ........ whatever.

    Parent

    What's Odd... (none / 0) (#110)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 01:38:17 PM EST
    ...it's the same at all ethnic food places, but the buttholes never have a bird in an Italian or Chinese place, it's always Mexican.

    I would love one time, some rough looking Bandito type get up put one of these idiots back in their place.

    Parent

    If everyone at the Mexican food place (5.00 / 2) (#114)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 02:06:17 PM EST
    you're at speaks English. Leave immediately. You are probably at Taco Bell.

    For some odd reason, I want my Mexican food prepared by Mexicans. Same with Chinese. Or hell, even my Swedish meatballs should be made by Sven.

    Parent

    If nobody in a (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by Zorba on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 04:05:17 PM EST
    Greek restaurant speaks Greek, leave immediately.

    Parent
    The best Italian restaurant in Honolulu ... (none / 0) (#127)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 07:23:13 PM EST
    ... is Paisano's in Manoa. It's staffed entirely by Vietnamese-American immigrants, most of whom once worked for the original Italian-American couple who owned it when it was called Castagnola's. When the couple retired a decade ago, they sold the place to their employees and gave them the recipes.

    The restaurant's name was changed under the new ownership, but it otherwise never missed a beat. They they have a big black-and-white photo of "Cass" Castagnola and his wife Leona, which you'll see displayed prominently above the hostess stand when you walk in. And on a 4-top booth table over by the far wall, there's a small brass plate mounted on the edge which reads, "Always Reserved for Cass and Leona."

    ;-D

    Parent

    The best Italian food in my town (none / 0) (#129)
    by Peter G on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 08:18:50 PM EST
    used to be served in a restaurant where all the chefs were Mexican. Until the health department shut the place down. Jackbooted thugs! (Now it's a Korean barbecue place, with a fancy whiskey bar upstairs.)

    Parent
    I was thinking the same thing (none / 0) (#112)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 01:48:51 PM EST
    Maybe the Chinese solved this by so many "all you can eat" buffets.

    No need to pronounce it just scoop it up.

    There is an excellent one near me I try to do weekly as far as I can tell no one there speaks English and no one seems to notice.

    Parent

    I am having some work done around (none / 0) (#104)
    by vml68 on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 11:30:21 AM EST
    my place and have been getting bids. One guy who stopped by to give me a quote for the work asked me if I had issues with any nationalities. I wasn't quite sure what he was getting at so I asked him to explain.
    He told me that he has had people tell him that if he sends any of "them mexicans" to work on their property they would cancel their contract with him. I thought he was kidding. But, he said no, he has had workers sent back from job sites and then he followed it up with, "That's florida for you".

    Parent
    Out of control (none / 0) (#106)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 11:41:10 AM EST


    Parent
    This song if your song (none / 0) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 04:56:52 PM EST
    US judge refuses to dismiss `This Land is Your Land' lawsuit

    I was surprised to learn that the reason movies so often use some other song than Happy Birthday To You in birthday scenes is because you have to pay a royalty fee if you use it.

    Nice work if you can get it.

    Happy Birthday (none / 0) (#122)
    by BGinCA on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 06:32:36 PM EST
    Was declared public domain in 2016.

    Parent
    Right (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Mar 28, 2019 at 06:37:31 PM EST
    It's mentioned in that link

    Where have you been hiding?

    Parent

    Another Brexit vote has failed. (none / 0) (#135)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 09:43:24 AM EST
    I think the real plan in Parliament is to scrap Brexit. I think they want to say in the EU that will be the end result.
    HIGHWAYMEN (none / 0) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 10:27:41 AM EST
    Dropped today on Netflix.  Watching it now.  It is the law enforcement version of Bonnie and Clyde.

    Reviews are mixed.  Lots of "get off my lawn" references thrown in.  So far it's very good.  Beautifully done, great cast, my favorite part is Cathy Bates who I would watch do just about anything.  Even if my all time favorite hood ornament gets more screen time than her.

    I loved the 70s Bonnie and Clyde.  But even then the glamorized version stuck in my craw just a little.  This is not that.  They are treated with the anonymity they probably deserve.  They are the bad guys.

    Interesting to see the reaction of people confronted with a more realistic version of their heros.  From Jacko to B&C it's sure to ruffle some feathers.

    HIGHWAYMEN

    Wow the Penn version (none / 0) (#150)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 05:44:14 PM EST
    Was 1967.  That's impressive.  Did not remember it being that old.

    Also I actually know it's Kathy.  Who knows why I did that.

    Parent

    I still remember my parents (none / 0) (#153)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 07:34:15 PM EST
    coming home in a semi state of schock after seeing that movie.

    I've often wondered if Arthur Penn had some idea about bringing the overseas violence back home to suburban America, especially with the way he filmed last death scene.

    Parent

    The song Bonnie and Clyde (none / 0) (#154)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 07:36:15 PM EST
    from that time was kinda cool.

    Georgie Fame was it?

    Parent

    He was a very quirky director (none / 0) (#155)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 08:22:13 PM EST
    B&C, Little Big Man, Alices Resturant, The Missouri Breaks (my all time fav western and IMO one of the best movies ever made. Brando and Nicholson like you have never seen them)

    I love B&C.  It's one of my favorite movies.  But you get the feeling while you are watching it that it a gauzy magical telling and not much of how it really went down.

    This Netflix thing is really good.  Feels a lot more real so it's not as much fun.

    Parent

    After that comment (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 08:38:09 PM EST
    I was curious how well reviewed it was (Missouri Breaks) so I went to RT.  it's 75 or something.  But some of the "bad" reviews were the best.  Like this

    Although the general western flavor of the film seems all right, an air of pastiche is never far off, as if this were really a western made not by Arthur Penn but by Monty Python's Flying Circus.

    Yeah, pretty much.  Brando and Nicholson are totally over the top and out of control.  I read most of the dialogue was improvised especially Brando.

    I really recommend this to anyone who has not seen it.  Which is probably most people.

    Parent

    That movie is one of my (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 09:18:14 PM EST
    guilty pleasure movies.

    I was just talking to my daughter about it the other night.

    They let Brando get a little out of control, but the script and rest of the cast are actually pretty great, imo.

    Parent

    Fredric Forrest and Harry Dean Stanton (none / 0) (#160)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 09:51:23 PM EST
    and the excellent Kathleen Lloyd who had that strange Oedipal relationship with her slightly unhinged rancher father..

    Parent
    "Do you know ..... (5.00 / 1) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 10:22:18 PM EST
    ..... what woke you up?"

    Parent
    Something Lite (none / 0) (#139)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 01:34:55 PM EST
    "It was a hit!" he wrote.

    However, Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader and a born-and-raised New Yorker, wasn't buying it.

    He tweeted: "On behalf of the New York Delegation: St Louis, fuhgeddaboudit."

    Care to guess what Schumer was tweeting about, these strange things that for some reason, really bug me.

    The Zambian Authorities Have Banned... (none / 0) (#140)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 01:57:44 PM EST
    ...an energy drink after a Ugandan man complained it had caused him to have a prolonged erection.
    Power Natural High Energy Drink SX, which is made in Zambia, is not marketed as a sexual aid.

    But an investigation by Ugandan health authorities in December found that the beverage contained sildenafil citrate - the active ingredient in Viagra.

    LINK

    Sometimes 3rd world countries just crack me up.

    Maybe (none / 0) (#149)
    by KeysDan on Fri Mar 29, 2019 at 04:33:50 PM EST
    A bad day.  Needed a stiff drink.

    Parent
    Killing Eve (none / 0) (#196)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 06:40:43 PM EST
    Season 2

    Tonight on BBC

    Oops (none / 0) (#197)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Mar 31, 2019 at 06:49:49 PM EST
    My bad.

    This is confusing.  First it's on AMC.  Was BBC.  BBC (and AMC?) have the new season starting next Sunday.

    So, I guess maybe ACM is rerunning the first season starting tonight.

    If you missed it the first time you should catch it this time.  It's really really good.

    Parent

    Pete (none / 0) (#202)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 01, 2019 at 08:33:32 AM EST
    raises 7 million in 1st quarter

    Intereting Read (none / 0) (#204)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Apr 02, 2019 at 12:50:39 PM EST
    One day, I asked Stanley what my friends the "droogs" were going to look like. He said: "What have you got?" I said: "The only thing in my car is my cricket bag." So I put my whites on. He asked what the groin protector was, and when I told him, he said: "Wear it on the outside!" That became the look. In my mind, playing Alex, I always had the idea of Laurence Olivier doing Richard III - and the Nadsat slang the droogs spoke was very Shakespearean.
    Malcolm McDowell
    In the scene where I'm being worked over by the police, the probation officer, played by Aubrey Morris, was supposed to spit on me. Poor old Aubrey ran out of saliva and so Steven Berkoff, who was playing a cop, said: "Don't worry, I've got some." He brought up the most hideous lurgies. Stanley asked: "Can you get it on his nose?" Berkoff says: "Yeah!" We did so many takes, what with Stanley not accepting anything less than 100%. He wanted it to dribble down just right, to be totally humiliating. Obviously, I was a bit pissed off.
    Going to see (none / 0) (#205)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Apr 04, 2019 at 04:50:48 PM EST
    PET SEMATARY at 7
    .

    Very excited

    Publishers Weekly called Pet Sematary "the most frightening novel Stephen King has ever written," and King concurs. In a September 2000 introduction to a new edition of the book, he wrote, "When I'm asked, as I frequently am, what I consider to be the most frightening book I've ever written, the answer I give comes easily and with no hesitation: Pet Sematary." King continued, "Pet Sematary is the one I put away in a drawer thinking I had finally gone too far. Time suggests that I had not, at least in terms of what the public would accept, but certainly I had gone too far in terms of my own personal feelings. Put simply, I was horrified by what I'd written and the conclusions I'd drawn."

    Absolutely.  I have read most of King.  All the early ones.  This is different.  I will never forget reading the book for the first time sitting in the dark in my tiny Manhattan apt.

    No no no, I don't want to turn the page.  But I did.  I liked the earlier version but IMO it failed.  I have high hopes for this one.

    Monday Open Thread | 205 comments (205 topical)