home

Saturday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 09:52:00 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

The Florida Gators start their College World Series campaign today. Go Gators!

Open Thread.

< It was 40 Years Ago Today and Friday Night Open Thread | Inmates Defend Amanda Knox at Appeal Hearing >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Saturday Morning Open Thread | 47 comments (47 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    Digby nails it again (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by ruffian on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 11:56:28 AM EST
    The anti war candidate. I think one big reason I don't attempt long form political commentary (besides laziness) is that she always says exactly what I want to say, and much better.

    The anti-war candidate who wasn't (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 02:26:43 PM EST
    and the candidate who was against Bush's stupid war but not against starting his own stupid war. To quote digby:

    ... I think we can finally put to rest the argument about President Obama's principled unwillingness to use the power of the Executive branch to get his way on policy. This proves he's more than willing to use it when he wants to.

     

    Parent
    And in fact (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by cal1942 on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 02:19:30 AM EST
    extending the same to domestic policy.

    This stuff about Obama couldn't or that he'd prefer to have Congress sort out some matters is pure, unadulterated bullsh!t.

    We have a Republican in the White House.  A Republican to the right of Richard Nixon.

    On election day 2008 we had a choice between a Republican and a Republican.

    DINO.

    Parent

    Yes, indeed. Emphasis on FISA. (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:22:14 PM EST


    Parent
    For Musical theater fans (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by ruffian on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:14:03 PM EST
    A filmed performance of Sondheim's 'Company' from Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Patti LuPone, with Stephen Colbert and Martha Plimpton is in movie heaters around the country this weekend. i'm going tomorrow - very excited. I heard about it on Fresh Air in the car the other morning and raced back to the office to find where it was showing near here.  Was prepared to drive to Tampa if I had to, but it will not come to at!

    Love this show, NPH, Colbert, the whole package. can't wait to see NPH do 'Being Alive'.


    I read that as (none / 0) (#18)
    by CoralGables on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:36:16 PM EST
    "George" Plimpton and thought of Paper Lion and The Bogey Man. I obviously need a reprieve from sports. Perhaps right after the College World Series.

    Parent
    I have a new interest in Martha Plimpton (none / 0) (#24)
    by ruffian on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 02:42:02 PM EST
    since the TV show 'Raising Hope' became a guilty pleasure. She is so goofily funny in that show. Not sure which role she plays in Company - I think maybe the nervous bride.

    Parent
    That was so good! (none / 0) (#49)
    by ruffian on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 08:13:46 PM EST
    NPH rules, with Patti LuPone. The whole cast was excellent - need to look up some of the names I did not recognize. The woman who sang the '100 different people just got off of the train' song was fantastic.

     Thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Parent

    Dead New York airport Canada geese... (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 02:24:55 PM EST
    to feed the hungry in Pennsylvania.

    Next up: anybody have any good pigeon recipes?

    I'm fairly certain (none / 0) (#28)
    by CoralGables on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 06:35:39 PM EST
    large quantities of wine during preparation is important here

    Irish Pigeon

    Parent

    Good for them (none / 0) (#29)
    by Nemi on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 06:55:28 PM EST
    Campaigners fought to overturn the assumption Canada geese weren't suitable for eating, arguing they produce tasty, high-protein meat.
    Geese are deeelicious, so provided the gas didn't make them poisonous - and the slaughtering is inevitable - I say lucky Pensylvanians. ;)

    Actually, pigeons are quite tasty too - of corse non poisonous as well. ;)

    Parent

    I'm much more (none / 0) (#1)
    by jeffinalabama on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 09:59:10 AM EST
    interested in October, BTD...

    The first comment I ever posted (none / 0) (#2)
    by Edger on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 10:17:05 AM EST
    on any blog was on Talkleft in August 2005 in Jeralyn's post Magic Mushrooms May Cure Cluster Headaaches

    Now...

    Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine claim to have determined the proper dose levels needed to create positive changes in attitudes, mood, life satisfaction, and behavior that persist for more than a year with the psychoactive substance in so-called "magic mushrooms."

    The findings are the latest in a series of experiments done at Johns Hopkins to investigate psilocybin, a psychedelic substance contained in certain mushrooms. The findings were published online this week in the peer-reviewed journal Psychopharmacology.

    "In cultures before ours, the spiritual guide or healer had to discern how much of what type of mushroom to use for what purposes, because the strength of psychoactive mushrooms varies from species to species and even from specimen to specimen," said Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the study's lead scientist.

    "In our laboratory, weʼre working with the pure chemical psilocybin, which we can measure out precisely," he added. "We wanted to take a methodical look at how its effects change with dosage. We seem to have found levels of the substance and particular conditions for its use that give a high probability of a profound and beneficial experience, a low enough probability of psychological struggle, and very little risk of any actual harm."
    [snip]
    The researchers said 94 percent of the study's 18 participants rated their experiences with psilocybin as among the top five most or as the top most spiritually significant experience of his or her life at a 14-month follow-up.
    Go 'shrooms! (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by nycstray on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 10:40:36 AM EST


    Parent
    Stunning (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by cal1942 on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:03:32 PM EST
    A post about cluster headaches.

    Very few people have ever heard of cluster headaches (including too many doctors) and thankfully only a very tiny percentage of the population is afflicted.  The pain is beyond description and pain relievers make no difference.  I wouldn't want my worst enemy to suffer from cluster headaches.

    Late in the 2008 campaign I began to have cluster headaches after being free of them for 15 years.  My doctor sent me to a neurologist who, in 25 years of practice has only had one other cluster headache patient.

    I was very fortunate, the Verapimil he prescribed worked.  Over the last 6 months I've weaned myself off the drug and hope I'm in remission again. But Verapimil is only a prophylactic.  Amazing that researchers may have uncovered a drug that actually halts the pain or shortens the duration of an attack.

    If I stay free for another month I may get up the nerve to have a beer.  It's what I've missed most for the past few of years.

    I suspect the post had more to do with medical science using a psychedelic than anything else but at least made more people aware.

    Parent

    Just curious, but during that 15 years... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Dadler on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 01:33:17 PM EST
    ...did you suffer from anything else of a chronic/recurring sort?  And, again for my own curiosity, was there anything significant that happened in your life just prior to the time of the recurrence of the cluster headaches?  And please, if you think I'm being nosy or trying to minimize any pain, neither is my intention but feel free to tell me to mind my own beeswax.  

    Parent
    I appreciate your questions (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by cal1942 on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 01:40:26 AM EST
    because sharing this information may be helpful.

    I had decreasing frequency of attacks after about the mid 80s and then in about 94 or 95 they just stopped.  Occasionally I would get a brief flash of cluster type pain lasting only a few seconds during the first two or three years of remission then nothing at all until I began having attacks again in 2008.  In '96 I won a position in system software management that I wanted very badly.  For the first 6 months I worked 15 hour days, 6 days a week.  A labor of love but I also began having a painless phenomenon called ocular migraine; a semi-circular image made up of alternating little rods of red, yellow, blue and green.  An odd visual phenomenon but not "seen" with the eyes. Very hard to explain. All occurred on the right side (my cluster headaches are left side).  My neurologist hasn't really reacted to the ocular migraines.  There is no pain and they seem to occur after long periods of stress.  After work settled down to a more civilized pace the ocular migraines went away.  I had one about four or five years ago (I'm retired now) while my mother was in failing health and that incident may have been triggered by that stress.

    Cluster attacks began again in mid autumn 2008. I was having 5 or 6 per day (greater frequency than in the past) except on one or two days of the week.  My attacks usually started with a tightening or congestion in the left nostril followed in minutes by the beginning of the pain and at the peak, discharge from the left nostril, heavy tearing from the left eye and often pain in the teeth of the upper jaw on the left side.

    It took me until January of '09 to get an appointment with a neurologist.  The Verapimil halted attacks almost immediately as I recall.  I still have a tendency toward congestion in the left nostril and the left hemisphere always feels -  oppressed - best description I can give.

    I feel I've been very lucky, I know there are some people who've had little or no luck with any medication and have ongoing attacks without any periods of remission.  During the first ten years (mid 70s to mid 80s) I had remission periods, lasting up to three months, usually the dead of winter.  Summer attacks were less frequent.  Worst times were spring and fall.

    During the worst periods beer and wine were guaranteed triggers.

    Parent

    I tried verapamil at one time (none / 0) (#30)
    by Edger on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 06:56:32 PM EST
    but it had no effect at all for me. Imitrex worked, but it's dangerous. After 30 years of the headaches though, I finally 'cured' myself of them by changing what I eat - and haven't had them at all for 11 years now, without medication...

    Parent
    My old neurologist (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 07:08:52 PM EST
    who helped me with my migraines so much got clusters.  If I remember correctly he said that men are much more at risk for cluster migraines than women.

    He was a great doctor for migraines though, because he knew first hand how bad they hurt and how much they can destroy your days.

    Parent

    I think that's true (none / 0) (#32)
    by Edger on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 07:11:17 PM EST
    that they occur in men mostly....

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#40)
    by cal1942 on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 12:38:06 AM EST
    Mostly in men with typical onset in the mid to late 30s.  The latest I've read puts the ratio of men to women at 7-1 but, there is some suspicion the ratio may be more like 4-1 because it's believed that some clusters have been misdiagnosed as migraine.  The misdiagnosis is entirely believable.  Many doctors are clueless regarding cluster headaches.  It is VERY difficult to make people understand.

    When I first began having the attacks I went to a parade of doctors, all clueless.

    Parent

    Edger (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by cal1942 on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 02:03:30 AM EST
    I read your very interesting post.

    Several things stood out:

    other than a brief 1 minute "flash" of the type of pain associated with cluster headaches

    I had the same thing during the first few years of remission in the mid 90s.

    I have noticed a migraine "aura" about 4 times in six years but NO pain

    I've had what were called ocular migraines, painless, semi-circle of little rods alternating  red, blue, yellow, green.  Seen, but not with the eyes.

    I am very happy you've not had a cluster headache for 11 years and I hope you'll never again suffer as you did in the past.

    Absolutely no one but those who've been afflicted can even remotely understand the terrible suffering, the paralyzing, debilitating agony of this condition.

    Parent

    I'd have to agree with that, Cal (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Edger on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 08:50:51 AM EST
    The way I used to describe it to people was to ask them to imagine blowing an acetylene torch into their eyeball. For a hour or so.

    I hope you can find some way to end them. One of the other things I did was to make sure I never eat anything with aspartame or any artificial sweetener in it, too. That stuff really plays havoc with brain chemistry.

    Parent

    Casey Anthony (none / 0) (#3)
    by loveed on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 10:22:31 AM EST
    The best thing Baiz did, no leaks to the media. There are so many surprises from the defense. There experts are better and mostly testify for the prosecution. Even there bug expert was interesting (I never knew how important maggots are in determining time of death).

     So what do we have so far.
      1. no hearts on the duct tape.
      2. the body was not in the trunk of the car.
      3. Dr Spitz no duct over the face,body moved.
      4. clothes to small

     Why is the media rutting for the death of this young women?

    Simply Put (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by CoralGables on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 11:21:27 AM EST
    24 hour a day gabfest cable TV portends to be judge, jury, and executioner, and they have not the slightest bit of interest in the how and the why concerning the structure and workings of the United States Justice System. Their only concern is sensationalism and ratings, and for that someone has to be guilty and it has to be from day one or else there can be no hype and thus no ratings. And with no ratings there are no books, and no Oh My God That's Nancy Grace.

    As for who may get wrongly trashed in the process, they don't care because that's yesterday's news and there will be another case to convict before the start of the trial hitting the 24 hour gabfest the next day.

    Parent

    Am studiously trying to avoid (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 11:38:28 AM EST
    comments by those absorbed in this case.  

    Parent
    I try (none / 0) (#15)
    by CoralGables on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:20:49 PM EST
    to never be absorbed by any case until the jury rules, although I have been known to get a little bent when I believe foolish charges are filed (e.g. Barry Bonds) and then will try to follow it somewhat closely in some online newspaper or on TL.


    Parent
    These are the ones to watch (none / 0) (#19)
    by loveed on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:38:04 PM EST
    the state has all the resources to search for the truth. They seek to win. I keep telling friends it feel like the 60's. Trial determine in advance of the trial. It's ironic that in the 60's the media pushed for injustices. Now they all root for the Prosecution. The prosecution leaks there case to the media along with misinformation.

     Defense attorneys giving commentary are like the dems,wimpy.

     Dr. Spitz said today the autopsy photos' have been manipulated. The tape was applied after decomposition. Also the autopsy was shoddy (his words not mine).
     If the Casey's ,Frenchman Strauss, Scott Peterson's( I think he's innocent) cannot receive a fair trial, when everyone is suppose to be watching. What about the trial for the poor. All the innocent people released from jail due to DNA
    ,after giving up years of there lives. Was the state searching for the truth in those cases?
      This young women who may have murder her daughter is eligible for the death penalty.Why? The media is clamoring for her death so easily, before the trial has started. When you talk to americans the majority thinks she guilty, and don't have a problem with the death penalty being applied in this case.
     It is something truly wrong with our justice system. And americans who don't have a problem with this.
     The prosecution knew what Spitz was going say. This was a devastating day for the prosecution.
    With all there power and resources.

    Parent

    Rutting media? (none / 0) (#6)
    by Towanda on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 11:12:15 AM EST
    Women, plural, being prosecuted?

    I have got to catch up on this saga, clearly.


    Parent

    does the defense (none / 0) (#14)
    by observed on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:18:39 PM EST
    Ever need to give an alternative theory to show reasonable doubt? Surely a juror in this case might be  thinking, i dont see the case for guilt as 100  percent, but what else could be the explanation.


    Parent
    there could be many other reason why (none / 0) (#21)
    by loveed on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 01:54:27 PM EST
    this child died. But the defense job is to raise reasonable doubt about the prosecution theory. The defense may offer a alternative theory, it up to jury to decide what to believe,and if there reasonable doubt.

    Parent
    Maybe CNN/HLN/TruTV are looking ahead (none / 0) (#37)
    by 1980Ford on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 10:20:05 PM EST
    The media is why I follow this one so closely, and maybe Turner Broadcasting is looking ahead to the civil trial if they are sued for defamation after Casey Anthony is found innocent of the most serious charges, and it is starting to look like that may be possible despite 3 years of trial by media finding her a guilty psychopath. Could there be an attempt now to influence that jury? So far 1) like you say, the heart evidence crumbled; 2) There is another plausible explanation for the duct tape; 3) There is reasonable doubt about the body being in the car; 4) The DNA on the sticky side of the duct tape excludes Casey and Caylee. And the defense isn't done yet.  

    Parent
    Me to (none / 0) (#46)
    by loveed on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 11:33:46 AM EST
    The media treats these cases like a hour long sitcom. Guilt has already decided before the trial even starts. The media is all about propaganda. Selling there wares and making money.
     You are no longer presumed innocent. Instead defendant are left to fight to prove there innocents. Against the power of the state.With all of there resources.
     Americans accept the media version without comment. When the jury verdict is different,than the media's. The media attacks the jury (OJ jury 3 whites). You have jurors with alternative motives (Scott Peterson),they want to write books,appear on the TV.
     Do you remember the Nanny trial? Where the judge had the courage to overturn the juries verdict. It was so clear the child had fallen off the bed a couple weeks earlier. The prosecutor who should be searching for the truth, only wants to win.
     When you talk to americans they have a deep seated fear of the police,because of personal contact. And everyday the police are given more power(search your house,bank accounts,GPS tracking devices on car without court orders,ECT..)without your knowledge. There is no right to privacy anymore,self incrimination.
      Freedom of the press has been surrender for money.
     

    Parent
    Nancy Grace (none / 0) (#47)
    by loveed on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 11:49:01 AM EST
     Believe it or not has a pretty good show on the weekends. It's a recap of the week.She has no comment at all, it's strictly testimony from the week. It's fair to both sides. It's starts around 7:00pm saturday  and repeats several times (maybe on sunday it not listed on there menu).

    Parent
    Today, Ballet Nacional de Cuba (none / 0) (#5)
    by oculus on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 10:55:42 AM EST
    in Costa Mesa.

    Plus, in spite of giving the Twins a 5-0 lead early on, the Pads managed to make the final sore 6 Twins, Padres 5.  Not bad.  

    Ah, Costa Meas. Back in the 80's, my father... (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by Dadler on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 11:31:17 AM EST
    ...was an actor in the company at South Coast Rep, which is right next door to the concert hall, as I recall.  I remember taking a high school date to see him in "Gallileo," only to have him greet us backstage outside his dressing room still in his undies.  "Dad, pants, now!"  Actors, I tell ya.  The look on my date's face was classic.  

    Have a good time.


    Parent

    Funny story. Excellent theatre company. (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 11:39:14 AM EST


    Parent
    Neat story (none / 0) (#17)
    by cal1942 on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 12:30:16 PM EST
    Teen years are so full of embarrassing moments.

    Parent
    Game Starrting (none / 0) (#27)
    by D Jessup on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 06:12:02 PM EST
    Hookem Horns!

    Sad news: the great Clarence Clemons (none / 0) (#33)
    by caseyOR on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 08:36:37 PM EST
    has died. Clemons, 69, succumbed to complications from the stroke he suffered last week.

    This is such a loss. Clemons was the most amazing saxaphonist. I love his work, especially the music he made with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Those albums are classics that I love to this day.

    This is just so sad.

    Here's the Rolling Stone story on the big Man's passing.

    Oh no. He sure gave a lot of joy. RIP Big Man. (none / 0) (#34)
    by ruffian on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 09:46:33 PM EST
    Too soon.

    Parent
    From Springsteen.net (none / 0) (#36)
    by ruffian on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 10:13:20 PM EST
    It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight, Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.

    Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.

    We were talking about 1971 yesterday- that's when they got together. What a partnership. I loved what Bruce said about the Born To Run album cover quoted in thhe Rolling Stone article. So true- you just wanted to be a part of that story, and it came true at every concert. It will never be the same. we tend to say that lightly, but this time it is true,

    Parent

    D@mn! (none / 0) (#39)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 12:06:01 AM EST
    That is so sad. I was so hoping he would pull it off. :(

    His art/music will never be forgotten. Well, at least as long as I'm alive. One heck of a player.

    R.I.P. Mister Sax Man. You will continue to live on.

    Parent

    Go Dores (none / 0) (#35)
    by Slado on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 10:10:26 PM EST
    SEC

    Weston on Monday night

    vandy owes the Gators a beating

    Should be fun

    It would have been nice (none / 0) (#38)
    by CoralGables on Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 11:14:15 PM EST
    had they placed conference rivals in different sides of the bracket once they reached Omaha. That's a flaw with the NCAA in both Softball and Baseball. They don't re-seed after the Regional and Super Regional outcomes.

    Both Vandy and Florida showed the ability to come from behind on the big stage today but...

    That being said...Go Gators!

    Parent

    Happy Father's Day (none / 0) (#45)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 11:08:20 AM EST
    to all you fathers out there. We are going to party like our Dad around here works his tail off for us.  We are already halfway through a bottle of Spumante....so sorry for over exuberance :)

    My daughter got her dad the audio book The Confession and I got him an audio book of classics because Joshua likes to listen to them with him.  My husband hates to read so most of it will be new to him too :)

    The rest was dress clothes, because the old man around here is transitioning into different environments now and I didn't understand this until recently.  He had to go to a conference where he could wear civilian clothing half the time and he comes out of the bedroom with this old tie that had raspberries and champagne bottles on it.....he was going to pack it and wear it, and stand in front of large groups of people and expected to be taken seriously :).

    Bush White House Asked CIA to spy on Juan Cole (none / 0) (#48)
    by Mr Natural on Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 06:10:06 PM EST
    "New York Times Correspondent James Risen has been told by a retired former official of the Central Intelligence Agency that the Bush White House repeatedly asked the CIA to spy on [middle east policy expert Juan Cole] with a view to discovering "damaging" information with which to discredit [Cole's] reputation. Glenn Carle says he was called into the office of his superior, David Low, in 2005 and was asked of [Cole], " `What do you think we might know about him, or could find out that could discredit him?'"

    http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/retd-cia-official-alleges-bush-white-house-used-agency-to-get-cole.h tml

    Saturday Morning Open Thread | 47 comments (47 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment