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Monday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 10:54:48 AM EST
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Busy day.

Open thread.

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    Monday Morning Open Thread | 61 comments (61 topical)

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    wonderful and amazing (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 11:14:16 AM EST
    like the mans says, have a hankey ready

    Beagle Freedom Project

    Shannon Keith and Gary Smith started the Beagle Freedom Project to find new homes for beagles that have been used for research. They named their first rescue dogs Freedom and Bigsby, and videotaped the beagles' first brush with the great outdoors. Be warned that the video, while not graphic, may be disturbing and you'll want to have a hanky handy.
    My first cat was from a research project (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by vml68 on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 11:57:55 AM EST
    that was testing various diet/drug effects on kidneys. Just before the cats were about to be euthanized, a friend of mine offered to find homes for them. She kept one, I took one and four other people took the rest. Within a few months all the cats died of various health/kidney related conditions except for mine. He lived for ten years.

    Parent
    Just got home and watched (none / 0) (#75)
    by sj on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 06:14:18 PM EST
    Beautiful and heartbreaking.  I want them all, you know?

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    yep (none / 0) (#76)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Feb 01, 2011 at 08:07:40 AM EST


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    Dogs sliding in snow (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Babel 17 on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 12:03:40 PM EST
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRSsxfu0F3o

    New dog update: (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 12:15:26 PM EST
    Jack has now met all the dogs, and it went as well as could be expected. He must never have gotten a 'human food' treat before, because his reaction to a square of Pumpernickel was hilarious: he began snifing and smelling and looking for more.

    He also wanted to believe that my sandwich was his... so i gave him some more bread. Same reaction.

    Cookie the terror dog has been as gentle and accepting as though Jack were the prodigal son. No problems on that side of the ledger.

    Cookie (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by CST on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 12:20:41 PM EST
    is the name of my family cat.  I wanted "Oreo", my sister wanted "Yin Yang" (blech) and "Cookie" was the compromise.  But really we just call her "cat, kitty" etc...

    She is a terror cat as well.  I swear she's possessed by the devil.  Other cats are afraid of her, as well as humans, dogs, mice and birds.

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    Haha (none / 0) (#7)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 12:50:07 PM EST
    We just got a cat and I nicknamed it Devil Cat because of the things she does!

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    My aged mother has Cookies (none / 0) (#10)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 01:47:50 PM EST
    brother, and he was originally calle dOreo-- so we had Oreo and Cookie.

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    Forget about New kids on the Block.... (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by vml68 on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 12:34:12 PM EST
    after reading Jeff's posts about his dogs,learning catalan in the middle of the night, the yummy food he cooks and the cool gifts for his new lady....if I was single, I would be knocking on his door...:-)!

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    You wouldn't be alone on that porch... (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by kdog on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 01:17:56 PM EST
    Jeff is a regular Cassanova...you'd have to fight the other ladies on his stoop off with a stick vml:)

    If Jeff and I ever get together, I'm bringing a pad and pen and taking notes, learn from the master!  I've seen pictures of one of his old flames...stunning.

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    Awwww, shucks... (none / 0) (#11)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 01:48:34 PM EST
    (Blushing like the old cartoons)

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    I think I've decided on... (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by kdog on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 01:52:21 PM EST
    a nickname for ya...Iceberg Jeff, cooler than a polar bear's toenails.

    Whaddya think Iceberg?

    Parent

    Funny what an old, fat, balding gimpy (none / 0) (#14)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 01:53:43 PM EST
    guy can get into.

    It must be a Yoda thing...

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    Don't sell yourself short (none / 0) (#17)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:09:47 PM EST
    Yoda rocked

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    I gotta say (none / 0) (#19)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:12:00 PM EST
    that scene a fight to the death between a muppet and an 89 year old was worth sitting through the rest of that movie.

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    Jeff must be very wise as well (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:16:55 PM EST
    When 900 years you reach, look as good, you will not.

    And since we know Jeff is a teacher:

    "But when the day comes that even old Yoda does not learn something from his students-then truly, he shall be a teacher no more."



    Parent
    GF Got 3 Maltese Dogs... (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 01:37:32 PM EST
    ... from some sort of dog mill, the conditions were... not fit for anyone to read about, and that's why she got all 3.

    Those dogs acted like martians, they didn't know the basics, like what a water dish was for.  Miraculously, they made recoveries, and now act like small dogs act, bark at everything, demanding this and that.

    I don't really like them, but it's amazing what a little love can do for these animals.

    I have muhco respect for anyone that rescues dogs and even more for the people who run programs that help animals(bow to you folks).

    It's something that, (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 01:52:38 PM EST
    after the first rescue, becomes second nature. Jack's the first rescue I've had in three years, though, because I lost two rescues to old age within a couple of months, and lost a marriage at about the same time.

    So I'll probably be dog-rich again soon, with pointers, pits, beagles, shepherds, and the classic mutts.

    I'd do something for cats, but my cat dander allergies keep getting worse! Maybe miniature donkeys... I was offered one for free if "I would only get it the hell out of someone's barn!"

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    Hope Angel Eyes likes dogs--lot of 'em. (none / 0) (#15)
    by oculus on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:02:44 PM EST


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    SHe hooked me up with this one. (none / 0) (#18)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:11:19 PM EST
    Her sister is a big rescuer, and one of her two dogs is a rescue.

    Parent
    I check out the Greyhound adoptions each week (none / 0) (#21)
    by republicratitarian on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:26:03 PM EST
    Came across this one. If I ever work closer to home I'm on board.

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    A greyhound's coat is like (none / 0) (#27)
    by jeffinalabama on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:33:24 PM EST
    velvet... incredibly soft. I've only known  a couple of greyounds and their people, but one was a woman who would put on in-line skates and let the dog pull her. Usually for an hour a day, and the dog wasn't tired out. Just content.

    Parent
    pfft (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:27:05 PM EST
    Israel shocked by Obama's "betrayal" of Mubarak

    (Reuters) - If Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is toppled, Israel will lose one of its very few friends in a hostile neighborhood and President Barack Obama will bear a large share of the blame, Israeli pundits said on Monday.

    you know
    maybe its time to take a closer look at your "friends".  and possibly yourself.

    just sayin.

    Hey, hey it's my birthday! Number 59. (5.00 / 4) (#68)
    by caseyOR on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 04:17:28 PM EST
    It's Ernie Banks' birthday, too. Go, Cubs! And Nolan Ryan's birthday, too, but he's a Republican and with the Rangers. So, we don't talk about Nolan much.

    Exactly one year from today I will turn 60. OMG! I'm starting to feel a bit creeky now.

    Happy Birthday my Captain... (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by kdog on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 04:49:50 PM EST
    No worries, 60 is the perfect age to captain your first pirate ship...so we've got a year to get our sh*t together:)

    And what a coinky-dink...your birthday present is ready, finished "Shantaram" on my lunch hour today, so she is all yours...just email me a ship to addy, unless you wanna hold out for a possible personal delivery late spring/early summer...you're the Captain!

    Parent

    Happy Birthday! (none / 0) (#69)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 04:23:40 PM EST
    But think of next year as "The First Anniversary of your 59th birthday" :)

    Parent
    odd (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 04:48:32 PM EST
    Wild Bald Eagle Sets Up Camp Next To Captive Bald Eagle

    A wild bald eagle, which appears to be male, has returned day after day to perch above the cage of Olivia, a 6-year-old female bald eagle. For birders and photographers, it's a rare and exciting sight.

    video

    love? sympathy?

    Reminds me of this (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 04:50:22 PM EST
    George and Martha and the homewrecker who tried to break them up.

    Parent
    not looking good (none / 0) (#16)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:05:48 PM EST
    it was not even supposed to start snowing until tomorrow.  its snowing like mad outside.

    more good news (none / 0) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:29:00 PM EST
    New estimates put Pakistan's nuclear arsenal at more than 100

    Federal judge in Florida (none / 0) (#24)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:30:56 PM EST
    Rules HCR unconstitutional.

    In the decision, Vinson writes:

    "... I must reluctantly conclude that Congress exceeded the bounds of its authority in passing the Act with the individual mandate. That is not to say, of course, that Congress is without power to address the problems and inequities in our health care system. The health care market is more than one sixth of the national economy, and without doubt Congress has the power to reform and regulate this market. That has not been disputed in this case. The principal dispute has been about how Congress chose to exercise that power here.

    Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared void."

    Decison here.

    Link (none / 0) (#25)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:31:20 PM EST
    here.

    Parent
    havent looked (none / 0) (#33)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:48:42 PM EST
    republican appointee?


    Parent
    Reagan appointee (none / 0) (#36)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:53:22 PM EST


    Parent
    WHAT (none / 0) (#39)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:54:57 PM EST
    a surprise

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    More importantly (none / 0) (#40)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:55:42 PM EST
    Bets are on for how the Supremes will rule.

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    everything that I have read (none / 0) (#41)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:58:24 PM EST
    says its a no brainer.  its constitutional

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    We know the difference (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:14:19 PM EST
    about car insurance - an individual is only required to purchase insurance if they own a car.

    I guess you could argue that Selctive Service doesn't cost an individual any money, but potential "freedom".

    Parent

    2 federal judges (none / 0) (#43)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:08:59 PM EST
    Agree with you and 2 disagree with you.

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    by party (none / 0) (#45)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:10:23 PM EST
    probably. right?

    Parent
    I think so (none / 0) (#49)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:12:52 PM EST
    It's a shame that's what the discussion will be about - who appointed the judges.

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    The government (none / 0) (#35)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:52:34 PM EST
    agued for it, but apparently no:

    In a sin of omission, Democrats left such a clause out of the health care law, and now the plaintiffs in at least one of the cases against it want the court to take an axe to the whole thing if the judge decides that the individual mandate provision is unconstitutional.



    Parent
    from what I remember (none / 0) (#65)
    by CST on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:32:48 PM EST
    of previous conversations on this issue, it was included in the house version of the bill, and taken out in the senate version.

    So, I suspect your suspicians are correct.

    Parent

    I don't have a link but I seem to remember (none / 0) (#37)
    by republicratitarian on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:53:42 PM EST
    reading that they didn't include a severability clause. I could be mistaken though.

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    Must have (none / 0) (#44)
    by cal1942 on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:09:03 PM EST
    been a district judge.  Correct?

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    Yes (none / 0) (#46)
    by jbindc on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:11:03 PM EST
    Senior judge in the Northern District of Florida.

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    According to page 68 of the opinion: no. (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:13:23 PM EST


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    how incredible reasonable of him (none / 0) (#26)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:31:42 PM EST
    Egypt's Mubarak opens door to talks with rival political parties

    if he is serious (none / 0) (#31)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:47:38 PM EST
    why is everyone laughing

    Parent
    once you (none / 0) (#29)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:44:12 PM EST
    go Al Jazzera you will never go back.

    Al Jacuzzi... (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by kdog on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:29:30 PM EST
    hosted by Charlie Sheen and I'm there Don:)

    Comedian Jim Norton cracks me up, here he is on Charlie Sheen....

    "What a shock that a guy who makes $2 million a week behaves exactly like I would with $2 million a week. As far as I'm concerned, if you make $2 million a week and you don't have a hooker in your hotel room, you're creepy and I don't trust you."


    Parent
    I "shouldn't" laugh (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by sj on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:31:33 PM EST
    but I did.

    Parent
    Look at John Paulson... (none / 0) (#66)
    by kdog on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:41:57 PM EST
    making 13.7 million a day in 2010...and not a hooker or a bag of blow to be found...now that dude is creepy:)

    Parent
    how about (none / 0) (#55)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:16:10 PM EST
    Dancing With the News

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    snow estimates (none / 0) (#38)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 02:54:28 PM EST
    now 18 to 24 inches.

    this is when those snow dogs come in handy.

    mush!!!

    Where are you? (none / 0) (#48)
    by cal1942 on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:12:20 PM EST
    Please don't say Michigan.

    Parent
    central (none / 0) (#50)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:13:10 PM EST
    Illinois.  

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    im good (none / 0) (#56)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:19:12 PM EST
    we are about to get a couple of free snow days.

    I am totally used to it at this point.  the first winter was hard after being in LA for 13 years. but no more.  I am Nanook of the prairie.  just hoping I dont lose power.  but stopping on my way home to fill the back of my truck with those 5 dollar bundles of supermarket wood just in case.  fortunately I have a fireplace.


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    seriously (none / 0) (#60)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 03:26:48 PM EST
    with two big goofy white dogs and big muddy back yard if I have the option of 32 or 42, I take 32.

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    Our forecast is (none / 0) (#74)
    by cal1942 on Mon Jan 31, 2011 at 05:18:47 PM EST
    8 to 12 inches.

    The heavy stuff (as you may get) is forecast south of I-96.

    We're on the fringe of that area so I'm expecting to split the difference.

    A foot will get the kids a snow day.

    Parent

    Monday Morning Open Thread | 61 comments (61 topical)

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