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Happy Mothers Day Open Thread

To all our readers who are Moms, we wish you a very Happy Mother's Day. And for those of you who are not, if your mom is still around, be thankful and don't forget to call.

I'm going to be late for my own Mother's Day get-together if I don't hurry up and go offline. I'd hate to miss spending some time with this little one:

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Well that's worth smiling about. (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by desertswine on Sun May 12, 2019 at 02:21:39 PM EST
    Happy Day!

    Happy Mother's Day to all TLers (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun May 12, 2019 at 06:10:35 PM EST
    Whether you are the mother of children, step-children, an aunt or a parent to furbabies I hope you have had a wonderful day.


    It's often been said to the point of cliché that behind every great man was a great woman. She was likely his mother. And for Abraham Lincoln, she was his beloved stepmother Sarah Bush.

    Lincoln's own mother had died of typhoid when he was nine years old, and he had a very difficult relationship with his domineering father. Sarah Bush came into his life when he was on the cusp of adolescence and she soon became his maternal touchstone, the one constant in his life who loved him unconditionally and believed in him unequivocally.

    It's difficult to see how Lincoln would have ever reached the level of achievement and greatness that he did in both the legal profession and politics, were it not for Sarah's nurturing guidance and critical support in his formative teenaged years. By his own later admission, she was the single most influential person in his life, and by most all contemporaneous accounts the bonds of affection between them remained very strong until his assassination in 1865.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Happy (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 07:42:29 PM EST
    Many years ago, (none / 0) (#5)
    by Zorba on Sun May 12, 2019 at 08:53:17 PM EST
    One of my cousins had a Phi Zappa Krappa poster.
    Don't know if he still has it.

    Parent
    Had that poster too (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:20:10 PM EST
    This (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:27:17 PM EST
    He said he (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by jondee on Sun May 12, 2019 at 10:42:37 PM EST
    never got a penny from that.

    That is an awefully cute grandkid! (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue May 14, 2019 at 11:20:55 AM EST


    Thanks, I think so too! (none / 0) (#16)
    by Jeralyn on Tue May 14, 2019 at 06:46:54 PM EST
    I think (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed May 15, 2019 at 09:15:43 AM EST
    That hair style could work for me

    Parent
    Where's Mueller? (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by KeysDan on Wed May 15, 2019 at 04:23:40 PM EST
    It is unclear as to what is going on in getting Mueller to commit to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee.  Chairman Nadler originally stated that Mueller would appear before his committee today, but that date was jettisoned.

     "Negotiations" were apparently underway between the DOJ and Mueller.  The chairman stated that Mueller will come at some point, and if necessary, he will subpoena him.

     Of course, Trump and Barr object to his testifying, what with TV cameras and all and the possibility that truth may come out. And, too, those scary nightmares Trump has had of Cohn's public testimony. The one public hearing in all of the investigation of Russia's "sweeping and systematic" interference in the 2016 election, as found by Mueller.

    However, what is the deal with Mueller. Why has he not left DOJ? And, does he want to testify at all? And, in public?  It would seem that after the lies of Barr about his and his team's Report based two-years of hard work, he would want to get out pronto.  The record would indicate that he does not care much for "inaccurate reporting", what with his only utterance in two-years being a January 2019 "not accurate" reporting by Buzzfeed,  that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress. It would be good to finally hear his voice.

    There is much to ask Mueller. Over 600 former federal prosecutors say that there is enough evidence to prosecute Trump for obstruction, if not protected by DOJ policy not to indict a sitting president.

    This stunning analysis evident to anyone with a high school diploma or GED who can read a tweet or be able to watch T.V., may have eclipsed the equally disputable legal analysis reported in Volume I of the Mueller Report---no conspiracy (aka collusion, as Trump and Putin call it).

      Really, not enough evidence? There is an extensive paper trail all set up for the picking: Family members Don Jr, Jared and Campaign Chair Manafort, met at Trump Tower with agents of the Russian government with offerings to help Trump and hurt his opponent. The offering of "dirt" was a thing of value (Mueller says he could not determine the value, so apparently, it is zero).  Don jr. said he would love it. A lot to go over here.

    Hope to be corrected by the testimony, but I am skeptical about Mueller.  Chairman Nadler should, as is often the practice in investigations, start with those on Mueller's team. Get what he can and move up the ladder to Mueller. And, get all the other witness and felons to testify.

     Oh, and by the way, Nancy, have a floor vote on Barr's Obstruction of Congress, to show your determination. No need to bundle them. Do it over and over if necessary.  

    Something funny going on. (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by ragebot on Wed May 15, 2019 at 05:51:22 PM EST
    Not sure what it is but I see no reason not to have Mueller testify.

    Parent
    The Republicans (none / 0) (#28)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed May 15, 2019 at 07:01:23 PM EST
    sure do. They have done everything possible to obstruct Mueller and everybody else from testifying.Barr just needs to be arrested and put in the holding cell. Or he needs to be indicted by the DC courts. This is tiresome.  

    Parent
    More and more (none / 0) (#30)
    by KeysDan on Wed May 15, 2019 at 07:59:48 PM EST
    arrogant.  This morning, at a Capitol event on law enforcement, Barr taunted Mrs Pelosi saying "Madame Speaker did you bring your handcuffs?"  

    Speaker Pelosi replied that the Sargent-at-Arms was on hand if necessary.

    Parent

    Time for Democrats to (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Chuck0 on Wed May 15, 2019 at 08:16:21 PM EST
    Sh1t or get off the pot. Enough of this dragging of feet. Enough political calculating. Enough faux attempts at bipartisanship. Time for a scorched earth policy towards the GOP or anyone named tRump or anyone remotely related. Arrest Barr, arrest Mnuchin, arrest Donny Jr (if need be). And levy fines. Very large fines.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#32)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed May 15, 2019 at 09:26:52 PM EST
    the nonsense being put out by Trump and the entire GOP needs to end and end soon. Put Barr in handcuffs and haul him off.

    Parent
    Patience, my friend. (none / 0) (#34)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed May 15, 2019 at 10:05:11 PM EST
    Please remember that it took Congress and a special prosecutor nearly 14 months of active investigation and litigation, from the initial convening of the Senate Select Committee on May 17, 1973 and appointment of a special prosecutor two days later to the unanimous SCOTUS order of July 24, 1974 that the Oval Office tapes be turned over to prosecutors, to finally corner President Nixon in the Watergate scandal -- and that was with Democrats controlling both chambers.

    Calls for a "scorched earth policy" are, in my considered estimation, premature and likely counterproductive. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her committee chairs are working from the Special Counsel's redacted report to establish a public record of findings of fact. Again, please remember that they do not have access to the full report as of yet. And in the process, judging by the multiple acts of defiance by Trump and Co. of congressional subpoenas, House Democrats are giving the Trump White House just enough rope to hang themselves.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Oops. (none / 0) (#35)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed May 15, 2019 at 10:10:13 PM EST
    Here's what I meant to say in that truncated first paragraph:

    "Please remember that it took Congress and a special prosecutor nearly 14 months of active investigation and litigation, from the initial convening of the Senate Select Committee on May 17, 1973 and appointment of a special prosecutor two days later to the unanimous SCOTUS decision of July 24, 1974 ordering the White House to surrender the Oval Office tapes, before President Nixon was finally brought to heel -- and this was with Democrats controlling both the House and the Senate at the time."

    Don't know why or how that paragraph got whacked the way it did. My bad.

    ;-)

    Parent

    I understand what you are saying. (none / 0) (#39)
    by Chuck0 on Thu May 16, 2019 at 10:55:10 AM EST
    But unfortunately, to a lot of the masses, the Democrats just look weak and mealy mouthed. Lots of talk but not much action.

    Parent
    Keep saying to yourself (none / 0) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 10:59:44 AM EST
    Impeachment is EXACTLY what they want.  I've been hearing the s from my MAGA acquaintances
    TRUMP AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET is what we want.

    Parent
    I am not even talking about impeachment. (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Chuck0 on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:24:46 AM EST
    Go after the AG, cabinet secretaries. Anyone stonewalling or ignoring subpoenas. Lock 'em up!


    Parent
    Ok (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:26:13 AM EST
    No doubt MAGAs (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by KeysDan on Thu May 16, 2019 at 01:29:28 PM EST
    are repeating the line that they want impeachment because it will assure Trump's re-election. But, that is to be expected. However, no one knows with any certainty that that will be the case.

    What can be said with greater certainty is that no office holder wants impeachment, including Trump--despite what he may be claiming.  Indeed, we know that what he says is often the opposite of what he really meas. Polling suggests that impeachment is running at about 47 percent for, 43 percent against. And, this with a so far, lame response--or, at least, one that has been captured by Trump.

    It is a conundrum as to the best strategy. To impeach or not to impeach.  And, the more germane question is whether to open official impeachment hearings rather than continue with oversight (which will, of course, be heralded by FOX as impeachment.)  And, it is highly probable, based on the present circumstances, that the Senate will not convict.

     But, that should not be the determinative factor(for that matter, no need for the House to do any policy, since such will go nowhere in the Senate as well).

     The House is a separate body with its own responsibilities. To expect effective responses, except for the threatening of subpoenas if Trump keeps it up, or to be troubled, or to think about big fines, is not impatience, it is imprudence.

     And, to appear weak is just what Trump really wants. Barr has already seized on the apparent impotence and has "joked" about it with Speaker Pelosi. Not a good look.

    Trump will also really want to be able to say in his campaign that the Democrats recognize the Russia investigation was a hoax and they acknowledge that he did nothing wrong because they did not impeach him.

    Nothing so uncertain, too, as election results. What if Trump is re-elected, or what if the House falls back to the Republicans?  As you know I come down on the side of impeachment investigations and open hearings--to strengthen demands for information necessary and to educate the public.

    Trump has, at this point, succeeded with his base and others, that he has been totally exonerated.  So emboldened that he is investigating the investigators and the "oranges" (and the talking heads are being hoodwinked with the appointment of a US attorney from Connecticut of great integrity, forgetting that Barr appointed him and, worse, that he accepted).

    It will be a tough task to catch-up with the actual findings of the Mueller Report, which is document-based. For all to read, and all will not. And, investigation of Trump is not a rush job; the Congress relied on Mueller for two-years. This was the best option for Democrats in the House since they were not in the majority.

    So, the House needs to combine the Mueller work product with their own.  In my view, the Mueller Report, alone, is enough for impeachment, despite the equivocal conclusions--set forth almost as if Mueller was intimidated by Trump.  The Report, however, cannot be ignored, if we are committed to the Constitution, democracy and the rule of law. The main task at this point, is to bring its every redacted sentence to the attention of the American people. It seems that a bad history interpretation is being made in comparing the impeachment of Clinton. The circumstances could not be more different. And, consideration needs to be given not only to what Trump's base thinks, but with increasingly restive "real" Americans believe.

    The oversight investigations are being stymied by the obstruction and defiance of Trump et al.

    Parent

    I think you are wrong (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 06:14:59 PM EST
    About Trump not wanting impeachment.
    True, you did not actually say that.   You said "any office holder".  Which is generally probably true.  I think Trump would love it.  Wear it as a badge of honor.  And most importantly effectively use it to whine about being victimized.  Not just him but everyone who voted for him.  And he would sell it.

    I do not disagree that impeachment may at some point be unavoidable.   But there is no doubt in my mind that right now it's exactly what Trump wants.  It may not be what the more sane republicans want.  They a smart enough to know what it could mean.  Not just in terms of what could be uncovered but of the votes they might be forced to take.

    Not Trump.  This is what he lives for.  It's his way of life.   As long as he thinks he can win a vote in the senate, and believe me he totally does and probably would, he could care less.  

    Parent

    Captain, I may (none / 0) (#83)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 17, 2019 at 12:07:32 PM EST
    be wrong. There is always a first time (I wish). All seriousness aside, you are probably right.

    I did include Trump in "any office holder," so as to point out what I believe to be a norm whether that office is president of an HOA, president of Wells Fargo, or president of the USA.

      Of course, the flaw in my thinking is that Trump cares about norms or is  normal. Indeed, Trump appears to exhibit traits often observed and associated with narcissistic sociopaths. So, impeachment is likely to be considered all to the good. Just the cherry atop his victimhood sundae.

    Trump has already found the victimhood of Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, Deep Staters, the Media, Mueller, and more. He even wants his two-years back.  Of course, his base will join him in his pathology, but I am not sure it would be successful enough among real Americans.  In any event, there is not always a right time or right place to do the right thing. As you say, impeachment at some point may be unavoidable.  

    Parent

    You seemed to miss the point. (none / 0) (#55)
    by ragebot on Thu May 16, 2019 at 02:32:56 PM EST
    Why isn't Mueller testifying.

    Nadler or Schiff, just to name two, could force the matter if they wanted.  Why is there any negotiation, just tell him to show up.

    Nadler said a while back it would happen yesterday, the 15th, and then back peddled.  Schiff seems to be talking pie in the sky by and by with no hard dates.  Both have the power to subpoena a witness.  Maybe the courts would get involved but my take is there is justification for him to testify.

    So what is the holdup?

    Parent

    I guess we will (none / 0) (#59)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 16, 2019 at 03:02:07 PM EST
    find out at some point.

    Parent
    Good (none / 0) (#60)
    by FlJoe on Thu May 16, 2019 at 03:17:58 PM EST
    question. You don't suppose there is a bit Kabuki going on?

    My understanding is that negotiations are common before testifying to Congress.

    Even cooperating entities do it

    House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings said Friday he will issue what he has previously called a "friendly subpoena" to the accounting firm that prepared several years' worth of President Donald Trump's financial statements.

    The accounting firm, Mazars USA, had requested such a subpoena from the committee before providing records, and Cummings wrote to committee members he would serve it on Monday.

    IMO, Mueller's testimony still has plenty of shelf life left and  public anticipation is still growing so Democrats are probably in no rush.

    Parent

    Also (none / 0) (#62)
    by FlJoe on Thu May 16, 2019 at 05:33:54 PM EST
    the longer they wait, the more avenues of inquiry present themselves Michael Flynn assisted in Mueller's obstruction and WikiLeaks investigations
    and lordy there are tapes
    The defendant
    informed the government of multiple instances, both before and after his guilty plea, where either
    he or his attorneys received communications from persons connected to the Administration or
    Congress that could have affected both his willingness to cooperate and the completeness of that
    cooperation. The defendant even provided a voicemail recording of one such communication.



    Parent
    Amy Suskind just tweeted (none / 0) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 06:03:46 PM EST
    That in new released court documents Flynn was contacted by members of the Trump administration and members of Congress about obstructing the Mueller investigation.

    No names...yet

    Parent

    It would (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 16, 2019 at 06:18:00 PM EST
    seem there is a tape and now it seems that it was Trump's personal lawyer that called Flynn and tried to get him to obstruct. But you know how also the first news is not always the right news. So we'll see if that one holds.

    Parent
    Flynn was considered brilliant and heroic (none / 0) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 06:36:29 PM EST
    For most of his adult life.

    I do wonder if not being in the bubble and having to deal with how much people hate him won't cause Flynn to bring them all down in order to change his role in all this.

    When you look at his career history one thing stands out. He's fickle as hell and he adopts the moral structure of who he chooses as a mentor. That is where he really lost his way, when he advanced away from being someone's protege.

    I don't know who friends him right now. But the right Mike Flynn friend could do the nation a great service.

    Parent

    Yes, he has (none / 0) (#68)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 16, 2019 at 06:42:04 PM EST
    been an enigma. It seems for some reason from the beginning he loathed Obama. And then Obama fired him which put it in overdrive.

    I thought about texting you when the Alabama law was signed and asking you how glad you are to be out of there but then I already knew the answer to that. I hope your daughter doesn't have to stay there much longer.  

    Parent

    We could see how Alabama (none / 0) (#69)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 07:05:22 PM EST
    Was devolving but nothing we could do about it.

    I saw that Mark Hertling corrected a journslist on Twitter who attempted to paint Flynn's past service record in the most glowing terms and I thought about how that just has to kill Flynn.

    Hertling after retiring has gone on to earn a doctorate and has decided to drop being called General formally ever again because he believes it is counter productive to living the rest of his life. Does all sorts of leadership group dynamic studies.

    Hertling has done everything right, even in retirement. That is who Flynn wanted to be. I saw that tweet from Hertling and thought OMG that's gotta hurt. Because Flynn knows it is true.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#70)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 16, 2019 at 07:17:33 PM EST
    I see Georgia devolving too. It's sad. The movie business is leaving the state. Did our idiot governor think that they couldn't? That NY or somewhere else won't give them tax breaks? Doesn't he know that tax breaks are easy for any state to do? Actresses won't come here because they could end up being charged with 2nd degree murder if they have a miscarriage.

    Conservatives seem to think the law will be overturned by the courts. I'm not so sure about that. At this point the GOP has run to the end of the abortion grift. They have to put up or shut up but they also have put themselves in a lose/lose proposition. I also think the next president should encourage the house to write a bill that ends all this bouncing of women's rights to the mercy of the courts. Same with voting rights and a lot of other issues.

    There are some people like that that constantly need mentoring. Apparently Flynn was incapable of making good choices and decisions on his own and then those poor choices ended up leading him to Trump and the Russians. I don't understand hating Hillary so much that you're willing to sell your country out to an enemy. That is beyond my understanding.

    Parent

    It is beyond my understanding too (none / 0) (#71)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 07:42:15 PM EST
    Imo (5.00 / 3) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 08:30:59 PM EST
    It's a mistake to think it was all about Hillary.  Hillary was/is a proxy.  It's us they hate.  The libs.   They hate us and everything we believe makes this country great.  They don't love Trump because of any policy.  They love him because he owns the libs.

    Like today rejecting the world wide effort to deal with extremism on line.   They don't even know what it means.  I really believe this.  They just know we want it so they want him stand in the school house door.

    What's happening is much more fundamental than Hillary.   The next candidate will be the next Hillary.  We need to understand that.   We need to understand it's us they hate.

    Parent

    Hating us why? (none / 0) (#77)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 17, 2019 at 01:48:00 AM EST
    I moved to the Southy South with an open mind. I really did not believe it could be that bad. Why would other human beings granted similar freedoms and kindnesses become as twisted and broken as Alabwma is?

    Parent
    This is true (none / 0) (#78)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri May 17, 2019 at 07:22:39 AM EST
    too and who knows how to blow up their nonsense? I'm not seeing it yet. Biden thinks once Trump goes away the problem goes away and Bernie thinks that these people are that way because they are economically suffering. Hillary and Obama just ramped up their hate because African American and a woman but it really started ramping up when Bush I lost. We took something away from them that they felt they were entitled too. Prior to that it was already there but they were able to put a patina on it and felt empowered by winning. Now they know they can lose and it makes them more dangerous and more angry.

    Parent
    At the core, is (none / 0) (#80)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 17, 2019 at 10:30:19 AM EST
    the unleashing of radicalized Christianity.  God has brought them the holy man Trump, permitting the transmogrification of their religion-based disdain for the autonomy of women to radicalized political and extremist legal control of women

    Parent
    Reading a piece by a historian (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 17, 2019 at 11:27:58 AM EST
    Stating that what generated the Southern Evangelical as they now present originated as a religious recommitment to racism.

    Parent
    Yeah, I was just reading that lol (none / 0) (#81)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 17, 2019 at 11:25:24 AM EST
    I read yesterday (none / 0) (#63)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 05:37:23 PM EST
    Someplace that The negotiations are likely about having not just Mueller but the entire team of however many "angry democrats" testify.

    That would be some must see tv.

    Parent

    Mueller is still a DOJ employee but the (none / 0) (#72)
    by ragebot on Thu May 16, 2019 at 08:29:00 PM EST
    "angry democrats" no longer work for DOJ.  Why would any negotiations be needed for them to testify?

    Parent
    Not all (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 08:41:00 PM EST
    I believe

    Parent
    House Democrats are giving everyone ... (none / 0) (#108)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat May 18, 2019 at 11:50:52 PM EST
    ... every opportunity to cooperate voluntarily with their investigations. Part of it is admittedly for public show, but there's really no harm in trying to be reasonable. Subpoena power is exercised only after those opportunities have been exhausted, and it's clear that the invitations to cooperate have been rebuffed.

    Parent
    ... the Special Counsel never said that there was no conspiracy. Rather, the report says that his investigation could not establish that there was one. Robert Mueller explained on page 2, Volume I why the two concepts are not one and the same:

    "The report describes actions and events that the Special Counsel's Office found to be supported by the evidence collected in our investigation. In some instances, the report points out the absence of evidence or conflicts in the evidence about a particular fact or event. In other instances, when substantial, credible evidence enabled the Office to reach a conclusion with confidence, the report states that the investigation established that certain actions or events occurred. A statement that the investigation did not establish particular facts does not mean there was no evidence of those facts." (Emphasis is mine.)

    Aloha.

    Parent

    She (5.00 / 4) (#36)
    by FlJoe on Thu May 16, 2019 at 08:39:49 AM EST
    just keeps growing on me.

    "No one has been tougher on Wells Fargo than myself," Treasury official Joseph Otting says.

    "You mean at the OCC? That's a low bar," Sen. Elizabeth Warren responds.

    "I would disagree with that. I find that insulting, that you would make that comment."

    "Good!" Warren says.

    Her brutal spurning of Fox was awesome especially after her successful foray into the real belly of the beast Trump backers applaud Warren in heart of MAGA country "She done good" indeed.

    It's kind of funny (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by CST on Thu May 16, 2019 at 10:01:39 AM EST
    It may be hard to believe but I started this primary season thinking that I would not be supporting Warren at all.  I had my concerns about her political skills,  and to be frank, I still worry about her "electability" even if it is a bit of a red herring. But she's won my support by running the exact kind of campaign I've been dying for and didn't even realize how much I was dying for it. She gives zero f*cks about the chattering class and is not playing their game.  She probably still won't win (in part because of that), but she's definitely earned my support in the primary.

    Parent
    I agree with all of that (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 10:30:23 AM EST
    God how awsum would it be for Trump to be defeated by Warren?

    In other news this abortion stuff has me boggled

    Here the whole country is waiting and expecting the democrats to overreach and as usual the reliable as the sunrise republicans are the ones who overreach.

    I hate what is happening.  At the same time I think it just might save us.  The right  seriously has no idea what they have unleashed.   It doesn't even matter if the crazy AL law or any other actually reaches the SC.  the ship has sailed.  The horses have left the barn.  The toothpaste is on the floor.

    The republicans have cheerfully signed their death warrant in 2020..   they have no idea what's coming for them.  They can run but they can't hide.

    When one door closes another opens.  

    Parent

    boy howdy, I wish I were (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by leap on Thu May 16, 2019 at 10:57:49 AM EST
    as optimistic as you always are, Capt'n. Hopey-changey left the room years ago.

    Parent
    Me (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by FlJoe on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:02:26 AM EST
    too

    Parent
    I don't think honey changey (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:02:29 AM EST
    Has a thing to do with it.  This will mobilize the women's vote like nothing they could have done.

    Parent
    Joe (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:05:33 AM EST
    You are a polling guy

    What does the polling say.

    And, yes, there WILL BE an election.

    Parent

    The (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by FlJoe on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:23:28 AM EST
    polling shows that tRump's standing among women has been in the toilet for years. I don't think this latest mad rush by the power drunk forced birthers will move the needle that much if at all.

    Yes there will be an election, but I am afraid it will be a hot mess on many levels and I have no doubt that the Repugs and their allies(Russia if you're listening) will do everything they can to cheat.

    Parent

    F'ing Pat Robertson (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:36:13 AM EST
    Just to expand on that (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:40:28 AM EST
    The ads are going to feature the crazy.  It doesn't matter that it will never make it to the SC because they think it's nuts.

    THIS IS THE F'ING REPUBLICAN PARTY.

    It's a gift people.  Even Pat f'ing ROBERTSON gets that

    Parent

    Have (none / 0) (#50)
    by FlJoe on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:47:47 AM EST
    not we seen dozens of "gifts" before and none of them fundamentally changed the equation?

    Parent
    I'm not optimistic (none / 0) (#51)
    by CST on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:48:21 AM EST
    But I also don't have any faith in moderates who are too old to have kids anyway and like their tax cuts. IMO, if we win it's because people who were not politically engaged start to become more engaged.   There's some evidence from 2018 that it's starting to happen, but we shall see if it holds.  IMO part 2, if it happens,Trump will be the reason why, not abortion rights in Georgia, etc..., or any other issue of the day, with the possible exception of healthcare if they keep going after pre-existing conditions.

    Parent
    It's all (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 11:51:49 AM EST
    Of a piece

    This helps.  It does.

    Beyond that I'm done.  I just ask how many of the alleged " gifts" were called out by

    PAT F'ING ROBERTSON

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#53)
    by FlJoe on Thu May 16, 2019 at 01:04:41 PM EST
    every bit helps in a war of attrition, unfortunately  the enemy is going all out scorched earth. No matter which strategy prevails the devastation is mounting at an alarming rate.

    Robertson and his ilk are fine with the decades long trench warfare, after all it's how they achieved fame and fortune. No wonder they are a bit nervous about rolling out the nukes, it might blow up their whole con.


    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#58)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 16, 2019 at 03:00:26 PM EST
    with you. I mean literally women are going to be mandated to be birthing slaves for pedophiles. Children are mandated to be birthing slaves for pedophiles. Republicans are full on defending pedophiles and rapists in the guise of "it's not the fault of the fetus". Yeah, but what about the woman? Apparently she matters zero in all this. Here in GA a miscarriage, a natural occurrence, that happens to a whole lot of women is now going to trigger a police investigation and possible 2nd degree murder charges. Any doctor that does not report a miscarriage is going to be criminally charged. It is freaking nuts and Dems have been given a ton of issues if they will use them. Nothing is going to change the votes of the brain dead hound dog beaten down evangelical women but I don't care about them. They seem to be fine with birthing children for pedophiles.  

    Parent
    Disaster (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 03:25:59 PM EST
    Yes (none / 0) (#120)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun May 19, 2019 at 05:35:15 PM EST
    we have seen this tape roll before:
    Banning abortion is unpopular to begin with. Many Americans who dislike abortion don't want it to be prohibited. Normally, they vote on other issues. But when Roe looks shaky, they get scared and vote against politicians who threaten to criminalize the procedure. If you're looking for a single event that could ignite a backlash against Republican candidates, an overturn of Roe is high on the list.


    Parent
    The House passed (236/173) (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 17, 2019 at 01:10:08 PM EST
    the Equality Act, an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other core civil rights statutes.  No Democrats voted against; eight Republicans voted for and 173 against.  Seven Democrats did not vote or abstained: Clyburn, Dingell, Moulton, Peterson, Rose (NY, called away due to a death in family), Tim Ryan, and Swalwell. Moulton, Ryan and Swalwell are Democratic presidential candidates.

    The Equality Act places LGBT persons in a protected class and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, credit, education, and public accommodations.

    Some Americans do not realize that LGBT Americans are not protected against discrimination in basic matters of life such as housing and employment. However, only twenty-one states and DC passed laws that prohibit discrimination in housing and employment. Only 20 states and DC prohibit discrimination in public accommodations. Fourteen states cover credit discrimination.

    The next step in the legislative process to for consideration by the US Senate.  It is unlikely that the Republicans in the senate will approve the House Bill.  Indeed, McConnell will probably not permit the House Bill to be considered. Trump is opposed to the Bill.

    Now, to completely change the subject, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi was a public official and as such, the public has every right to know the true circumstances surrounding his untimely death last Feb. 22.

    Further, the public's right to that information should be absolute, and should NOT be subject to a determination by other public officials that such information is possibly unsavory in nature, or may be embarrassing to the deceased's character and / or at odds with his or her public reputation.

    Unfortunately, San Francisco city officials misled the public when they said that Mr. Adachi died suddenly of a heart attack while "out in North Beach at dinner with a friend when he began to have trouble breathing," and that "there were no signs of foul play."

    In fact, the city medical examiner's report confirms that Mr. Adachi died from an overdose of cocaine and alcohol. Further, he was not out to dinner with a friend when suddenly stricken but rather, was at a friend's apartment which he had apparently arranged to use for a rendezvous with a woman who was not his wife. It was that woman who called 911 to summon emergency medical help when he became ill.

    City officials further compounded matters when they initially made a concerted effort to downplay and muddy the circumstances of Mr. Adachi's tragic demise. While I understand that their motive for doing so was generally altruistic and borne out of respect for the deceased's family, they were still wrong to do so.

    Not surprisingly, the police incident report was soon leaked to Bay Area media, which reported the location and initial circumstances of the incident. Amid the period of public mourning, city officials chastised the police for allowing the details of a confidential report to end up in the local headlines.

    SFPD launched an internal investigation into the report's leaking, which culminated this past Friday morning in a police raid on the home and office of freelance journalist Bryan Carmody, who had received the report and other information from a confidential source and then sold it to three local Bay area TV stations.

    The admittedly murky and unsettling circumstances of Jeff Adachi's death should not detract from the fact that he was a good and decent man, and that he was a very well-respected attorney and public defender. And in that respect, I can't help but think that Mr. Adachi himself would've likely been appalled by last Friday morning's police raid on Mr. Carmody's home and office in an effort to compel him to reveal his source's identity.

    Unless the release of information would compromise an ongoing police investigation or pose a threat to either national security or someone's life, as I noted above the public's right to know should be considered absolute. But freedom of the press, as enshrined in our Constitution, is sacrosanct, even if we do find the behavior of individual reporters sometimes unethical or problematic.

    Aloha.

    The sun is shining (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:47:44 AM EST
    That may not sound like news but it totally is.  I almost forgot what it looked like.  Not complaining really I love rainy days.  But we really need to dry out for a day or two at least.  I have never seen spring so perfectly green and beautiful that I can remember

    The last couple of springs have been weird for one reason or another.  This one has been close to perfect.  Not even any rough weather.  Just rain.  And more rain.

    This is how I feel about getting caught (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by vml68 on Mon May 13, 2019 at 03:31:23 PM EST
    It is gorgeous (none / 0) (#12)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 13, 2019 at 03:33:55 PM EST
    here today. We need like a week or more of no rain to dry out. I don't know if the entire 15 years I have lived in my current house have been this wet with the ground seriously never drying out. It has been raining here since December.

    Parent
    If you love rain, then you'd like Hilo. (none / 0) (#14)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue May 14, 2019 at 02:56:44 PM EST
    Generally in east Hawaii, the higher in elevation you go, the more rainfall you get. Down by Hilo Airport, which is practically at sea level, they average about 140 inches annually. We live several miles upslope from Hilo Bay at an elevation of 1,050 feet, and our average rainfall is 190 inches. Another five miles upslope from us, the average is nearly 300 inches. I love it here.

    Parent
    I do like rain (none / 0) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue May 14, 2019 at 06:16:43 PM EST
    I like SoCal except that it never rained.  I was there during the years of drought.  If the weather predicted rain I would call in sick.  Then it usually didn't rain.

    Parent
    ... it rained all winter in Southern California after a five-year drought. This year was another wet winter there, as was 2016-17. In fact, it's rained and snowed so much in California this winter that the entire state is no longer officially in drought, which is great news.

    Parent
    So what do y'all (none / 0) (#17)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue May 14, 2019 at 06:59:58 PM EST
    think about the Florida database being hacked by the Russians in 2016? Desantis said it made no difference in the vote but I'm like yeah, right. The Russians just hacked and did nothing like little lambs.

    I think that's just the tip of the iceberg. (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by desertswine on Wed May 15, 2019 at 12:06:50 AM EST
    We don't have icebergs down here... (none / 0) (#20)
    by fishcamp on Wed May 15, 2019 at 07:44:37 AM EST
    Give it a few decades... (none / 0) (#21)
    by kdog on Wed May 15, 2019 at 08:42:40 AM EST
    the remnants of icebergs will have submerged your front porch Fish.

    Parent
    It very likely had (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 17, 2019 at 09:03:56 AM EST
    an impact on the US Senate race.  The incumbent, Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, claimed during the campaign that the Russians were interfering in the election machinery.

    Nelson was ridiculed by Republicans, including his opponent,, then Governor Rick Scott (of the largest ever Medicare scam), playing into the Republican theme that Nelson was too old and a little daffy.  Nelson lost by about 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast.

    Parent

    Florida has the strongest Sunshine Laws in the US (none / 0) (#56)
    by ragebot on Thu May 16, 2019 at 02:43:23 PM EST
    Even if Desantis agreed to not disclose what the feds told him the Sunshine Laws force him to disclose any government documents that were shared.

    It may be he was only briefed orally and nothing changed hands, but I feel confident the counties hacked will get out.  Having lived in Florida as long as I have and observed lots of crooked politics my first guess would be Broward and Miami-Dade counties are the two.  

    Brenda Snipes is one of the worst pols in the state with a long record of complaints.  

    As for Miami-Dade county the list of political scandals never ends.

    Parent

    Yeah. Florida. (none / 0) (#23)
    by Chuck0 on Wed May 15, 2019 at 02:57:03 PM EST
    'Lock the doors': Comedian's 'Middle Eastern' joke at Florida comedy club prompts 911 call.

    Headline in USA Today.

    Still Nothing Yet (none / 0) (#26)
    by RickyJim on Wed May 15, 2019 at 06:42:12 PM EST
    on Amy Klobuchar's May 2 letter to Mueller, asking if he had seen Trump's tax returns.  If he hadn't, wouldn't he let it be known right away?

    Once again (none / 0) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed May 15, 2019 at 06:59:28 PM EST
    Barr may be interfering with all this.

    Parent
    Not convinced (none / 0) (#29)
    by KeysDan on Wed May 15, 2019 at 07:38:16 PM EST
    We can lay it all on Barr. Not that he isn't trying.

    Parent
    See my post above (none / 0) (#57)
    by ragebot on Thu May 16, 2019 at 02:45:44 PM EST
    I know of no reason Mueller can't start talking about a whole host of stuff I would like to know about.

    My guess is Mueller is not talking because he does not want to; not because Barr/whoever it stopping him.

    Parent

    On MTP (none / 0) (#61)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 16, 2019 at 05:31:43 PM EST
    tonight Tom Winter reported that members of congress and members of the Trump administration contacted Flynn instructing him to interfere in the Mueller investigation. There is even a tape of one person. This is coming from filings that were unredacted today.

    I think Nancy is going to come around (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 16, 2019 at 09:15:17 PM EST
    I think the universal stonewall is going to give her the excuse she needs.  After they try everything else, so I might be a while, they will make impeachment hearings official because it's the only way they will be able to get what they need.

    I think.

    I. M. Pei 1917-2019 (none / 0) (#76)
    by desertswine on Thu May 16, 2019 at 10:18:43 PM EST
    "If there's one thing I know I didn't do wrong, it's the Louvre."

    I. M. Pei, who began his long career designing buildings for a New York real estate developer and ended it as one of the most revered architects in the world, died early Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 102.

    A few early copies of ADLERPOEMS available (none / 0) (#84)
    by Dadler on Fri May 17, 2019 at 12:21:08 PM EST
    Will be released officially, finally, on Godhead Amazon, on June 30, exactly six months late. But you can get a copy now (a dozen left in stock as of now) from Small Press Distribution's website.Thanks to all who even consider it. XO.

    https://www.spdbooks.org/Products/9781945766176/adlerpoems.aspx

    Oops, sorry Jeralyn (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by Dadler on Fri May 17, 2019 at 12:22:05 PM EST
    Use this link instead. Oy.

    "adlerpoems." (link)

    Parent

    Congratulations, (none / 0) (#87)
    by Zorba on Fri May 17, 2019 at 04:54:01 PM EST
    D.!

    Parent
    Thank you, Z (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by Dadler on Thu May 23, 2019 at 06:26:14 PM EST
    Sorry I missed this earlier. June 30th is really the day, but we're sneaking some out to get, hopefully, a few journal reviews, but who knows, it's poetry. Peace & Love your way, hope you're feeling well.

    Parent
    And email me your mailing address (none / 0) (#165)
    by Dadler on Fri May 24, 2019 at 11:12:18 AM EST
    I'll send you a signed copy, you can give away the one you order. XO

    Parent
    Yo, I did (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by Zorba on Sat May 25, 2019 at 01:57:07 PM EST
    ❤️

    Parent
    RIP (none / 0) (#88)
    by ragebot on Fri May 17, 2019 at 05:26:28 PM EST
    Time to start speculating about next (none / 0) (#89)
    by ragebot on Fri May 17, 2019 at 05:58:20 PM EST
    GOT.

    As Cosomopolitian pointed out

    Wow, Everyone Missed Varys Fully Trying to Poison Daenerys

    Will the kitchen help still have access to Varys's ring, and if so what will happen.

    As for everyone complaining about the writing on Game of Thrones they have clearly never watched Dexter drive into a hurricane while leaving his baby with a serial killer in order to become a lumberjack

    No point (none / 0) (#90)
    by ragebot on Fri May 17, 2019 at 06:08:38 PM EST
    I did not miss it (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 17, 2019 at 08:34:19 PM EST
    Very interesting he removed the rings.  Why remove your jewelry to be burned alive.

    We know there is a history of poisoned jewelry.  

    Couldn't have been much more obvious.

    She's not eating
    We will try again at supper
    Get back to the kitchen before you are missed.

    And don't get me started on the ending of Dexter.  I've been complaining about it since it aired.

    This is nothing like that.  IMO.  Nothing.

    I have no problem at all with the ending of GOT so far.  Not one.  I think it a lot of silly pi$$ing and moaning by a bunch of entitled whiners who never understood the show the were supposedly so obsessed with.  It's funny really.

    Parent

    All I could think of (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by jondee on Sat May 18, 2019 at 11:32:58 AM EST
    was Al Pacino taking off his rings after he "got called for" at the end of Donnie Brasco.

    Parent
    That was meant to be (none / 0) (#99)
    by jondee on Sat May 18, 2019 at 12:00:14 PM EST
    a response to Captain's GOT comment.

    Parent
    And I doubt the (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 17, 2019 at 08:36:56 PM EST
    Little kitchen kid will succeed.

    Maybe.  But that was pretty classic GIT setup for a head fake.

    I expect a more dramatic resolution.

    Parent

    I've been binging (none / 0) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 17, 2019 at 08:44:00 PM EST
    The Man In The High Castle.   It's an interesting change from GOT.  similar in that it's really hard to decide who you are rooting for.  They made sure "the Resistance" was not the default choice.  Kind of a bunch of puds.

    Just read this new season in the fall will be the final.  

    So good.

    Parent

    At first (none / 0) (#94)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat May 18, 2019 at 07:27:41 AM EST
    I was all in on the resistance until I realized the so many people in the resistance had been so badly damaged by the Nazis that they seemed to have lost their way. It really to me seems you have to decide individually who is good and bad. Like the Nazi wife that disappeared because she did not want another child to be euthanized.

    Overall to me it seems the Nazis are way more evil than the Japanese though the Japanese are evil also.

    Parent

    Possibly the point is (none / 0) (#95)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 18, 2019 at 08:42:22 AM EST
    No one is good or evil.  No person.  No side.  It's just not that simple.

    Starting with the central idea that this is an alternate reality and in our actual reality WE are the ones who used the most horrific weapon ever invented and then continued to develop it to be thousands of time more powerful and created thousands and thousands of them.

    Maybe.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#96)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat May 18, 2019 at 09:03:34 AM EST
    the Nazis having the bomb and dropping it on DC is something to ponder. It would seem that destroying DC is the heart of someone taking over the country as it is central to the Handmaid's Tale too.

    One thing I found enlightening is the fact that 1962 Nazi America is not much different from the real 1962 America.

    Juliana is a feminist before people knew what feminism is.

    Parent

    Feminism was not invented in 1968 (5.00 / 3) (#97)
    by Peter G on Sat May 18, 2019 at 11:18:17 AM EST
    Nor unheard of in 1962. Simone deBeauvoir wrote "The Second Sex" in 1949. Alice Paul brought full-throated feminism to the suffrage movement in the 1910s and authored the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923. Lucy Stone was active in the 1850s and after. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote her "Vindication of the Rights of Woman" in 1792. Just to name a few.

    Parent
    Fingers crossed (none / 0) (#107)
    by Peter G on Sat May 18, 2019 at 07:40:31 PM EST
    That Towanda will expand on my comment.

    Parent
    I have been a fan of (none / 0) (#111)
    by ragebot on Sun May 19, 2019 at 01:11:08 PM EST
    The Man In The High Castle since the beginning.  I have always had Prime since I often need stuff quickly and in a marina where my boat is.

    I see a huge difference between the two shows.  While GOT is fantasy it is easy to see how the Axis could have won WWII.

    Hitler's meddling in general and specifically his insistence on attacking Russia were disasters.  If Germany was only fighting on the Western Front along with the minimal help Russia would provide history might well have been much different. There was significant support in the US for Germany as well which would have helped with a peace between the two countries.

    Parent

    Struck me as odd (none / 0) (#112)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 02:07:12 PM EST
    Russia is not mentioned (that I remember) in the first three seasons.

    It's great tho.  Looking forward to the final season.

    Parent

    Also (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 03:46:40 PM EST
    While GOT is fantasy

    There is the whole traveling between parallel universes thing.

    Parent

    ragebot: "If Germany was only fighting on the Western Front along with the minimal help Russia would provide history might well have been much different. There was significant support in the US for Germany as well which would have helped with a peace between the two countries."

    But there was never any significant support or overt sympathy in this country for Nazi Germany, even among German immigrants. Rather, there was a very substantial isolationist movement - particularly among Republicans - that adamantly opposed U.S. intervention or involvement in the war in Europe.

    As voiced by leading isolationist Charles Lindbergh, the isolationist argument was rooted in the rather fearful premise that the Nazi German war machine was simply too powerful to be beaten on the battlefield.

    Further, there was an awful lot of longstanding and residual anti-Semitism in this country, which was exploited by the right-wing Catholic priest Fr. Charles Coughlin, whose radio show audience was estimated at 15-20 million listeners. And finally, there was the industrialist and financial sectors in the U.S. economy, for whom Germany represented a lucrative market for American products.

    However, increasing American public sympathy for Britain's plight, from the fall of France in June 1940 through the London Blitz in the late fall and winter of 1940-41, coupled with the smothering British naval blockade of Germany which rendered U.S. commerce with that country problematic at best, was likely the decisive factor in determining our future role in the war.

    When President Roosevelt extended the Pan American Security Zone eastward to Iceland in April 1941, allowing the U.S. Army to occupy that island militarily and the U.S. Navy to take over convoy escort duties in the western Atlantic, war with Nazi Germany was probably inevitable at that point. Because by the late summer of 1941, German U-boats and American warships were already shooting at each other on sight.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    The Tragedy of Daenerys Targaryen (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 18, 2019 at 03:00:59 PM EST
    "I have come ... But I do not choose now to do what I came to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!"

    Frodo Baggins broke bad. After a journey spanning thousands of miles, hundreds of pages, and a trilogy of books, the hero of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings did the one thing he'd aimed to prevent anyone from doing ever again: He claimed the One Ring, the ultimate weapon of the evil Sauron, as his own

    -------

    So a terrible crime was committed but not by showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff against the character or the viewers. Rather, with the Dragon Queen's sacking of the city, Game of Thrones gave us something more powerful than a plot twist: a tragedy. And for all that Dany's actions represent a shocking break from the hopes and expectations she generated with many of her words and deeds, this tragedy has been hiding in plain sight for years.

    Now, you can hardly swing a dead Flea Bottom stray without hitting an article arguing the contrary. Claims that this "heel turn" came out of nowhere, that it represents a gross betrayal of the story, the character, her "arc," and even her gender, are so thick on the ground that I won't recount them here. Even on this very website, they're just a few short clicks away.

    Refutations of these claims are nearly as easy to find, too. This pushback usually involves a litany of examples of her ego, her excesses, and her enthusiastic and often gratuitously horrific murders of those who've wronged her: her midwife Mirri Maz Duur (burned alive), her handmaiden Doreah (walled up alive), the slavers of Meereen (crucified), Randyll and Dickon Tarly (burned alive again), and so on.

    Vulture

    Parent

    I had some qualms about her (none / 0) (#102)
    by jondee on Sat May 18, 2019 at 03:38:40 PM EST
    right from the beginning. Those dragons were a kind of too-good-to-be-true trump card. She was like the mythic equivalent of the only country to ever have and use nuclear weapons. And all that "bend the knee" jazz already betrayed a kind of nascent intoxication with power. The fact that her character had no sense of humor or irony beyond her brand of grim resolution was another tell.

    Parent
    What annoys me (none / 0) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 18, 2019 at 03:49:10 PM EST
    Is this is Martins story.  He worked with the writers.  They are certainly not betraying the story he wanted to tell.  A story that has had us transfixed for all these years and now we have all this ridiculous pearl clutching and teeth gnashing before we we even know how he intended to end it.

    Jezus

    Let it at least end bed wetters

    I think she might still have some redemption.


    Parent

    A lot of this (none / 0) (#104)
    by jondee on Sat May 18, 2019 at 05:27:59 PM EST
    is like the bitterness and resentment people experience when they sense a break-up is coming.

    You made me fall in love with you and now you're going to end it like this?!

    I will say, I have no problem with the arc of the story but do feel like too much was rushed and condensed in the last couple of episodes and that it required two or three more.

    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 18, 2019 at 06:54:34 PM EST
    The last two could easily have been full seasons.

    That said for all its brevity the scope and scale of this last season really has been something tv has not seen.

    I accept there may have been good reasons for what they did.


    Parent

    I don't know exactly when the show went off (none / 0) (#106)
    by McBain on Sat May 18, 2019 at 07:17:48 PM EST
    the books but I do feel the writing hasn't been as good the last couple seasons.  I don't mind how they picked up the pace in the previous two episodes but I would have preferred for the action to make a little more sense.

    Parent
    The outrage of the unconstitutional (none / 0) (#100)
    by KeysDan on Sat May 18, 2019 at 12:12:33 PM EST
    anti-abortion bills now dotting the country, understandably, focuses on the cruelty and extremism of eliminating exceptions for incest and rape.

    However, the entirely of such legislation needs equal condemnation and resistance.

    The goal, of course, is to overturn Roe v Wade. The  hopes of the radicalized Christians are likely to be the provision of a "compromise" that drops the incest and rape inclusions.  

    After (none / 0) (#109)
    by FlJoe on Sun May 19, 2019 at 08:49:15 AM EST
    a brief glimpse of hope from Amash yesterday. Romney's profile in cowardice today brought me back to earth.

    if you take a look at Justin Amash's (none / 0) (#110)
    by leap on Sun May 19, 2019 at 12:10:16 PM EST
    voting record, you might not be so hopeful or gah gah over him. He is a Republican, you know.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 02:10:52 PM EST
    He is a TP republican through and through.

    But his position complicates things for The Magic Hairdo.

    Even having one, especially a credentialed right winger, is a problem.

    Also heard and read a couple of times today some seem to think he might challenge Trump in the primary.

    That would be interesting.  He ain't Bill Weld.

    Parent

    Yes, Amash (none / 0) (#118)
    by KeysDan on Sun May 19, 2019 at 04:57:27 PM EST
    is your basic, government- is- the- problem Republican with some oddities and quirks. Anti-abortion, anti-ACA, little or no regulation, and, for example, in the quirk/oddity department: opposed Federal Aid for the Flint, MI water crisis, arguing that the US Constitution does not permit such, it is solely up to the state; and that the real threat to traditional marriage and religious liberty is not gay couples, but the government.

    However, as the Captain notes (below) his very Republicanism makes him a greater potential threat to Trump than one who is just a "troubled" Republican, like the awful Romney or Collins.  

    And, too, it was US Senator Barry Goldwater, House Minority Leader John Rhodes (R. AZ) and US Senate Minority Leader, Hugh Scott (R, PA) that met with Nixon and gave him the bad news on August 7, 1974; the next day, Nixon announced his resignation, effective August 7, 1974.

     Of the three gentlemen callers, only Scott would be among moderate Republicans of the day.  Goldwater the former presidential standard bearer was Mr. Conservative of the day, and Rhodes Junior Mr. Conservative.

    Amash is not a party leader, but in Trumplandia, this is unique.  We will not be so lucky as to have Trump resign, but Amash does contribute to, what I believe to be, the inevitable.

    Parent

    I have never in my life (none / 0) (#119)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun May 19, 2019 at 05:29:05 PM EST
    seen a more cowardly bunch than these Republicans. Lordy you could see how the Nazis took over Germans easily when you are watching them.

    Parent
    This seems important (none / 0) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 02:16:06 PM EST
    Not so worried about what happens (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 02:23:11 PM EST
    To the Dragon Queen.

    I am worried about what happens to The Dragon

    Gonna say he never hurt anyone (none / 0) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 04:56:16 PM EST
    But that would not be entirely accurate

    Parent
    F'ck the haters (none / 0) (#122)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 09:20:58 PM EST
    That was great.

    Ima watch it again now.

    Parent

    I was just reading (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 09:29:29 PM EST
    About the new series they promoed before the show

    His Dark Materials

    It looks really good.  Based on the same source material as The Golden Compass with better actors better effects and an R rating.

    Parent

    Also (none / 0) (#126)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 09:50:28 PM EST
    Season 3 of Westworld with Pinkman from Breaking Bad looks pretty awsum.

    Parent
    I really enjoyed Pullman's (none / 0) (#128)
    by desertswine on Sun May 19, 2019 at 10:07:42 PM EST
    Dark Materials trilogy; The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass.  It's not just for kids.  He wrote a fourth book based on the same story (I think he intends to write six in all), La Belle Sauvage but I didn't care for it.  It wasn't the same and lacked the magic.  The trailer looks really good, but I don't have HBO so I'll have to pass on it.

    Parent
    HBO GO (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 10:10:18 PM EST
    The streaming version is really pretty cheap

    Parent
    Thanks - I'll look into that. (none / 0) (#130)
    by desertswine on Sun May 19, 2019 at 10:15:56 PM EST
    No spoilers! (none / 0) (#124)
    by Chuck0 on Sun May 19, 2019 at 09:29:31 PM EST
    I am in The Big Easy with no HBO at my hotel.

    Parent
    My lips are sealed (none / 0) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 09:32:00 PM EST
    I love (none / 0) (#127)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 09:58:18 PM EST
    That they customized the animated title sequence for every episode of the final season.

    Parent
    SPOILER ALERT: (none / 0) (#131)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun May 19, 2019 at 10:31:56 PM EST
    :Game of Thrones" ends with Tyrion writing the Coca-Cola jingle.

    Parent
    And a remake of (none / 0) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 09:46:44 AM EST
    What everybody missed about the last (none / 0) (#133)
    by ragebot on Mon May 20, 2019 at 08:36:35 AM EST
    Guess they were wasting their time (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 09:37:38 AM EST
    Enjoying the show

    I hope all these "LOOK WHAT I FOUND" folks will bring their piercing observation to every thing in the future.

    Since they have clearly not done their twitter job in the past with cars visible in LOTRs and airplanes and electric wires in various movies and tv shows.

    This is vital work that needs doing.


    Parent

    Without spoilers (none / 0) (#137)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 10:24:40 AM EST
    I gotta say of the whole episode of endings, which I loved, the Drogo ending was the absolute best.

    I could not imagine a better ending for the last dragon.

    Parent

    Again without spoilers (none / 0) (#156)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 05:48:49 PM EST
    I have now watched what you could call the "throne room sequence" 5 or 6 times

    It starts and ends with Drogon.  Rising up out of the snow bank to sniff Aegon and make sure he was ok to pass and ending with him flying away.  It's is f'ing perfect.  Everything about it.  The pacing the cinematography the dialog the acting, absolutely perfect

    It will live on my DVR.


    Parent

    Pretty cool (none / 0) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 19, 2019 at 06:47:43 PM EST
    Simon Forman and Richard Napier were the 17th-century equivalents, prescribing ointments and other "cures" to the folk of Elizabethan England.

    A decade-long project at the University of Cambridge is seeing some of their patient records digitalized - and the result is a fantastical insight into the medical world of the pre-industrial era. A time prior to Alexander Fleming and the discovery of penicillin in 1928, or Edward Jenner and the invention of the first successful vaccine (for smallpox) in 1798.

    Before the use of antibiotics and vaccines became widespread, astrology, magic, and religion were the cornerstones of medicine. As the records show, Forman and Napier advised patients to wear dead pigeons as slippers and consulted angels for advice.

    Selected Cases


    You don't wanna know (none / 0) (#140)
    by ragebot on Mon May 20, 2019 at 12:20:42 PM EST
    where 'blowing smoke' came from' especially if three words are added to it.

    Parent
    My feet are too big for pigeons.. (none / 0) (#160)
    by desertswine on Tue May 21, 2019 at 01:59:58 PM EST
    I have to use dead chickens.

    Parent
    Leading cause of toe salmonella (none / 0) (#163)
    by Jack E Lope on Wed May 22, 2019 at 10:25:16 AM EST
    ...so now, you know.

    Parent
    I did not watch Pete's town hall last night (none / 0) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 10:09:16 AM EST
    I was busy.

    but's it's definitely making news

    It was interesting when he scorched the FOX "opinion hosts" and no one disagreed.

    And when he compared Trump to grotesque things you can't look away from.

    Have you seen how Pete polls with (none / 0) (#139)
    by ragebot on Mon May 20, 2019 at 12:18:14 PM EST
    Probably (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 20, 2019 at 12:26:15 PM EST
    why Trump was attacking him because he's jealous of those numbers.

    Parent
    Even (none / 0) (#144)
    by ragebot on Mon May 20, 2019 at 12:42:54 PM EST
    First of all (none / 0) (#148)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:09:47 PM EST
    that is an old poll of almost a year ago and secondly scoring zero with African Americans is something Trump would think is wonderful.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 12:39:57 PM EST
    I don't think this is Pete's year.  Fortunately he is practically a child.  Ordinarily he might make a good VP but that won't happen unless the candidate is a woman.

    Parent
    Yes, first thing (none / 0) (#141)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 20, 2019 at 12:23:43 PM EST
    when I cranked up the desktop this morning that was on my news feed.

    Parent
    Interesting poll (none / 0) (#138)
    by ragebot on Mon May 20, 2019 at 12:15:38 PM EST
    with lots of questions about Iowa caucus candidates asked to try and dig down deep.

    It will be interesting to see if the tie between Biden and Bernie holds; not to mention the other candidates that seem to be in the mix.

    Ok (none / 0) (#145)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 03:35:57 PM EST
    This is pathetic.  He is not inappropriately touching his f'ing wife.

    This is how you make you and your argument look ridiculous.

    THIS VIDEO OF JOE BIDEN HUGGING HIS WIFE AT A PHILADELPHIA RALLY IS DIVIDING OPINION



    TRUMP ORANGE FLAVORED VODKA (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:00:07 PM EST
    this is made locally and so far only sold in my state

    I just saw it in my liquor store and cracked up.  Then bought some.  It's pretty good.


    "We like to say here that we are politically incorrect and equal-opportunity offenders," Jones says.

    "A name is what you make of it."



    Watch out if it's (none / 0) (#149)
    by jondee on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:24:02 PM EST
    made in Russia.

    Parent
    Ok it's "made" locally (none / 0) (#150)
    by jondee on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:25:22 PM EST
    missed that

    Parent
    The label (none / 0) (#151)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:35:51 PM EST
    Is hilarious.  I emailed them to get a big one.  No word yet.

    Parent
    Nooze (none / 0) (#152)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:37:40 PM EST
    Love it (none / 0) (#153)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:42:46 PM EST

    Flavors coming soon include: MMM-Peach and Stormy's Liqueur: Passionfruit Flavored, according to Jones.



    The Trumpioid Crisis (none / 0) (#157)
    by jondee on Mon May 20, 2019 at 06:56:48 PM EST
    might be a good mixed-drink name

    Parent
    I suggested weeks ago (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 07:39:54 PM EST
    Ben and Jerrys should get on MM-peach.

    Vodka is even better.

    Parent

    Congressman (none / 0) (#154)
    by KeysDan on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:49:59 PM EST
    Justin Amash (R. MI) is an atypical Republican, not only in stating that Trump engaged in impeachable conduct, but also, that he read the Mueller Report.

     Moreover, he responded to the brickbats from his party members who took the lead from that heavyweight Trump, who, among other things, called Amash a lightweight, with the following reasoned and legally-based thinking:

    1.  They say there is no underlying crime.  In fact, there were many crimes revealed by the investigation, some of which were charged and some of which were not, but nonetheless, described in Mueller's Report.

    2.  They say obstruction of justice requires an underlying crime.

     In fact, obstruction of justice does not require an underlying crime, and there is a logical reason for that. Prosecutors might not charge a crime precisely "because" obstruction of justice denied them timely access to evidence that could lead to a prosecution.  If an underlying crime were required then prosecutors could charge obstruction of justice only if it were unsuccessful in completely obstructing the investigation and this would make no sense.

    3.  They imply the president should be permitted to use any means to end what he claims to be a frivolous investigation, no mater how unreasonable his claim.

    In fact, the president could not have known whether every single person Mueller investigated did or did not commit any crimes.

    4.  They imply "high crimes and misdemeanors" requires charges of a statutory crime or misdemeanor

    In fact, "high crimes and misdemeanors" is not defined in the Constitution and does not require corresponding statutory charges. Rather, a violation of public trust and discussed by founding scholars.

    Probably too complicated for most Fox viewers to follow and we can look forward to Trump providing a cutesy nickname.  Maybe, Alfred E. Neuman--oops that one is taken.

    Check my comments (none / 0) (#155)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 20, 2019 at 04:52:32 PM EST
    IN other thread.

    I think you will be pleased.

    Parent

    If you are not disturbed by this (none / 0) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue May 21, 2019 at 10:56:42 AM EST
    Sounds like something right out (none / 0) (#161)
    by Peter G on Tue May 21, 2019 at 04:47:31 PM EST
    of the FBI's old COINTELPRO playbook.

    Parent
    I've had my suspicions (none / 0) (#162)
    by jondee on Tue May 21, 2019 at 07:27:09 PM EST
    that that's what some of the will- publicized excesses of groups like Antifa stems from, at least in part.

    The inspiring example of dirty trickster infiltrators and provacateurs.

    Once you've got God on your side, you're excused from sticking to civilised rules of above-board democratic give-and-take.

    At this point, after centuries of intriguing, the Russians have probably raised it to an art form level that makes Project Veritas types look like a bunch of hamhanded amateurs. Not that PV types wouldn't be happy to coordinate and cooperate in the service of the Greater Good.

    Parent