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Thursday Open Thread

I'm sorry for my absence the past few weeks -- it's temporary, to be sure.

We need a new open thread, so here it is, all topics are welcome.

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    When my daughter grabbed a couple of (5.00 / 4) (#1)
    by desertswine on Thu Nov 11, 2021 at 01:02:25 PM EST
    Kurt Vonnegut's books off my shelf and read them, years ago, she said, "I didn't know anyone could write like that."

    Kurt Vonnegut - Nov 11, 1922

    Nice, nice, very nice (none / 0) (#3)
    by jondee on Thu Nov 11, 2021 at 04:54:51 PM EST
    so many people in the same device.

    Parent
    I'm rooting for the labor shortage (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by CST on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 03:32:50 PM EST
    To continue.  This country needs a reality check - preferably in the form of drastic wage increases.

    Yes - it will cause some inflation. But inflation due to wage increases is not the end of the world as long as wage increases keep pace or more.

    I'm just glad that the power balance is shifting.

    Funny how conservatives support (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 06:51:00 PM EST
    capitalism and the free market. Until they don't when it starts to hit them in the wallet.

    Prices rise with demand (and lack of supply). Capitalism at it's best. But it's that darn socialist Biden's fault that gas and groceries cost more.

    Parent

    Take this job and shove it (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 04:00:45 PM EST
    4.4 Million Americans Quit Their Job Last Month

    November 12, 2021 at 10:10 am EST By Taegan Goddard 152 Comments

    "A record 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs in September, as job openings remained near record levels according to federal data, a sign of how imbalances in the labor market continue to complicate the economic recovery 20 months into the pandemic," the Washington Post reports.

    "Those numbers are up from August, when 4.3 million people who quit their jobs in August -- about 2.9 percent of the workforce."



    Parent
    I am reminded (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by MKS on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:37:31 PM EST
    of the ruckus on the House floor involving Rep. Andy Harris awhile ago who rushed at a Dem. Rep. because his honor was at stake.   The Dem. Rep. is a former NFL linebacker.....

    Most of these guys have smart mouths but are cowards at heart.

    Some of them, however, are nuts and would take action......and like 5'4''Rittenhouse would look for an equalizer in the form of a gun.  

    Yep - and 2 weeks later (none / 0) (#26)
    by Yman on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 06:16:48 AM EST
    ... he tried to sneak a gun onto the House floor.  

    Parent
    Tomorrow (5.00 / 3) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 07:12:39 AM EST
    *Criminal* lawyer (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Yman on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 01:23:04 PM EST
    If you're going to be a criminal lawyer, you'd better be a good one.  All I can think about is that scene from Breaking Bad where Jesse convinces Walter to hire Saul Goodman.

    Ex-defense attorney who boasted `I think like a criminal' turns out to be a real one.


    We had a woman as President today (5.00 / 4) (#103)
    by Towanda on Fri Nov 19, 2021 at 11:28:25 AM EST
    and somehow, the nation survived.

    I hope that HRC enjoyed the moment with a sip of Chardonnay.

    Happy T-day! (5.00 / 2) (#135)
    by desertswine on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 01:06:31 PM EST


    Hendrick's Gin and tonic time. (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by desertswine on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 03:24:36 PM EST
    with a slice of cuke.

    Parent
    Ghost 15"x25" (5.00 / 2) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 27, 2021 at 10:10:41 AM EST
    Ghost came to me in 2007, years before there was a Game of Thrones I was aware of, after being hit by a truck and left for dead in front of my house. He was with me until Nov 2019

    If spirit guides exist he was mine.

    beautiful (none / 0) (#142)
    by leap on Sat Nov 27, 2021 at 10:32:39 AM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    He really was (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 27, 2021 at 10:34:50 AM EST
    What he said (5.00 / 2) (#171)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 10:20:53 AM EST
    Quote of the Day

    December 2, 2021 at 11:23 am EST By Taegan Goddard 33 Comments

    "I would tell them that we have a problem. We've got a national branding problem that is probably deeper than a lot of people suspect. Our party thinks maybe some things we're saying aren't cutting through, but I think it's much deeper than that."

    -- Democratic pollster Brian Stryker, in an interview with the New York Times, on what he would tell Democrats running in 2022.

    Bill Clinton once said "we will win, because our ideas are better".   Expressing faith in the fact people are not stupid and would just "see" what is I need their interest.  That might have been true once.  Not now.  It was Obama's great blind spot.

    Branding shmanding (none / 0) (#172)
    by jondee on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 11:09:39 AM EST
    It's more a basic communication problem and a lack of will to ameliorate it in any meaningful way. Keeping important issues at the superficial level of 'branding' is a huge part of the problem to begin with. And the unspoken message to the hoi polloi continues to be, "leave the thinking to us."

    These are subpar, unserious people we keep electing into office - mainly because a huge number of people in this country have only the most superficial grasp of basic civics and who their elected representatives really are and what interests they really represent.

    The end result being a bunch of unengaged voters filling the gaping void of ignorance and desperation with base tribalism, superstition, gossip, and conspiracy theories.

    No way is the present status quo sustainable.

    Parent

    This is two different things entirely (none / 0) (#174)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 11:33:59 AM EST
    You are saying the true and obvious truth that people get more stupid every day.  Got it.

    He is saying we have to get some if those idiots to vote for us if we want to win.

    Branding.

    Parent

    What's the point (none / 0) (#175)
    by jondee on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 11:49:58 AM EST
    of any of it if, at the end of the day, we're left with a nation of idiots just waiting to be led like sheep to the slaughter?

    Parent
    Survival? (none / 0) (#176)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 12:11:36 PM EST
    That's all I got.

    Parent
    PS (none / 0) (#177)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 12:21:46 PM EST
    This is why fascists win.  They understand thus.

    Parent
    Politico is just the worst. (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 11, 2021 at 04:47:57 PM EST
    This is the normalization of what thecrepublicans are doing.  Well, of course, they will do nothing to govern and obstruct every attempt to govern unless they are in power.  Why wouldn't they?

    "The ferocity of the reaction against the 13 House members who voted with Democrats on the House-passed infrastructure bill appeared to signal a new stage in the party's evolution, marking the GOP as so reflexively anti-Biden that even spending on infrastructure -- an issue that Donald Trump once obsessed over as president -- is too radioactive to support."

    "It's a hardening of the party that's already shaping its approach to the midterms, ensuring not only that Republicans up and down the ballot will be running against the sitting president, but that they will not support anything that might help Biden improve his sunken public approval ratings in the interim."

    link

    Agreed (none / 0) (#6)
    by coast on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 05:33:47 AM EST
    I think the R House members missed an opportunity.  While the bill was not perfect, the majority of the bill for good for the masses.  Because of the few Rs who supported it, I think its harder for them to push forward the fact that the bill languished in the House for months due to D squabbling within their own party.  In the end for what?  It passed as it would have months earlier, on its own.

    However, its not Rs responsibility to pull the President's number out of the cellar, its his and his administration's job.  If they continue to look as feckless as they have over the last several months, then that's on them.

    Parent

    "look" as feckless (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Yman on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:08:16 AM EST
    As opposed to actually being as feckless as the Republicans?  It's going to be hard to break through that alternative reality bubble where most Republicans get their "news", but hopefully reality wins out over fantasy.

    Parent
    The Six Charges Against Rittenhouse (none / 0) (#4)
    by RickyJim on Thu Nov 11, 2021 at 07:59:27 PM EST
    Link

    He might be able to beat most but I will be surprised if he gets away with this one.

    COUNT 6

    Possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18
    Though Wisconsin is an "open-carry" state where it is legal for adults to carry firearms openly, state law prohibits minors from doing so. Mr. Rittenhouse was 17 at the time of the shooting.

    This crime is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a basic sentence of up to nine months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.




    The prosecutor (none / 0) (#5)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Nov 11, 2021 at 09:35:34 PM EST

    The prosecutor spent very little time on this count.

    Parent
    Could He Have Withdrew? (none / 0) (#7)
    by RickyJim on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:05:57 AM EST
    Wisconsin doesn't seem to be a "stand your ground" state.
    In such a case, the person engaging in the unlawful conduct is privileged to act in self-defense, but the person is not privileged to resort to the use of force intended or likely to cause death to the person's assailant unless the person reasonably believes he or she has exhausted every other reasonable means to escape from or otherwise avoid death or great bodily harm at the hands of his or her assailant.

    How well did the prosecution do in establishing that Rittenhouse could have escaped from the situations in which he fired?  This is especially relevant to charges 2 and 5.

    Parent
    Withdraw? (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:06:26 PM EST

    Rittenhouse was running away from the first would be assailant when cornered, and knocked to the ground by a battery before shots fired on the last three.

    Parent
    The evidence for self defense is about as (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by McBain on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 04:25:44 PM EST
    strong as possible for shootings where most of the alleged victims didn't have guns.  Now that Jeralyn doesn't cover these cases anymore, I've had to get my legal analysis fix elsewhere.  The consensus from who I've read/listened to has been Rittenhouse should be found not guilty of all charges but the lawyering has been shaky and the hastily put together jury is a big question mark.

    Parent
    Why was he there in the first place? (3.67 / 3) (#21)
    by MKS on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:26:03 PM EST
    Not his town.......looking for fight

    Parent
    The video of him running around (3.00 / 2) (#22)
    by MKS on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:27:45 PM EST
    made him look like someone who was an imminent lethal threat against the protestors...

    Parent
    Someone who needed (3.00 / 2) (#23)
    by MKS on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:29:54 PM EST
    to be disarmed before he shot someone.

    He is 5'4" tall apparently.  Lt. Calley was 5'3".

    Parent

    Brought his first aid kit and training (none / 0) (#29)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 10:38:00 AM EST

    Offered aid to several protesters.

    Parent
    And he used his (3.00 / 2) (#30)
    by MKS on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 02:44:52 PM EST
    rifle to monitor their heart rate.

    Murder safari is what someone termed the outing.  

    Parent

    His "medical training"?!? (none / 0) (#79)
    by Yman on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 07:22:58 AM EST
    You mean his "EMT" training that he lied about?

    If you need some kind of cover story, you should at least make up something that's not so easily disproven.

    "The prosecutor played video clips from an interview Rittenhouse gave the night of the shooting. When a journalist asks if he is an EMT, Rittenhouse says yes -- which turned out to be a lie.

    Rittenhouse on Wednesday acknowledged that he is not and was not an EMT."



    Parent
    JanaM, care to discuss? (none / 0) (#80)
    by MKS on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 09:14:32 AM EST
    Not well in my opinion (none / 0) (#19)
    by McBain on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 06:35:35 PM EST
    From what I've seen the prosecution was awful but the jury hasn't been sequestered and the Rittenhouse defense has been so so.

    I've also been following the Arbery shooting trial a little.  Great opening statements by the McMichaels lawyers.  Roddy Bryan's lawyer opted to postpone his opening statement until after the prosecution rests. There's been some interesting testimony from law enforcement and people who lived near the McMichaels about Arbery trespassing several times before the day he was shot.  

    Parent

    When one actively seeks out trouble, ... (4.00 / 2) (#38)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 06:58:37 AM EST
    ... as Kyle Rittenhouse clearly did in traveling from Antioch, IL across the Wisconsin state line to Kenosha, the odds are better than even that one will find it, as he ultimately did. It wasn't his community. That boy had absolutely no business being there that evening, never mind roaming around while armed illegally with an AR-15. Where was his mother?

    This whole case just disgusts me. And Judge Bruce Schroeder is exactly why judges should never be elected. His conduct on the bench has left a lot to be desired, and at times he's looked terribly unprofessional. And whether or not he intended it, he's given the appearance of having his thumb on the scales.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    His (none / 0) (#39)
    by FlJoe on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 07:27:41 AM EST
    Mom is all in
    In response to a question from Hannity about whether her son "would go into a situation like that again," Wendy Rittenhouse said, "With Kyle, I know him, and he probably would do it again, because that's the type of person he is. He's always wanted to help people, even as a little boy, that's all he wanted to do, is help people."
    Weird concept of help you have there Wendy.

    Parent
    Civil Service Judiciary? (none / 0) (#53)
    by RickyJim on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 07:40:16 PM EST
    Is that what you would like?  Does it exist anywhere in the US?  Where doesn't it exist in other first world countries?  It is just another in the long list of examples of American exceptionalism.

    Parent
    Hawaii has a Judicial Selection Commission.. (none / 0) (#87)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 06:20:53 AM EST
    It's worked out pretty well for us for over 40 years.

    Parent
    Seems Better Than What Most States Have (none / 0) (#92)
    by RickyJim on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 12:17:57 PM EST
    But anywhere you don't have an inquisitorial judiciary system, a judge is a high prestige, cushy, sit on your a** and do little, job with a good chance of being filled by an incompetent.

    Parent
    Ah yes. Trespassing. (none / 0) (#52)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 06:53:46 PM EST
    A fine death penalty crime.

    Parent
    It looks like the judge will instruct the jury (none / 0) (#33)
    by McBain on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 04:53:52 PM EST
    there could be reason to vote not guilty on that one...
    Instead of that standard jury instruction, however, the judge agreed to accept a jury instruction drafted by the defense that includes as an option the exception that relieves Kyle of criminal liability for that gun possession.

    I think it's something about short barrel vs. long barrel.  


    Parent
    The exception iirc (none / 0) (#41)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 10:30:58 AM EST
    ...allows possession if over 16.

    Parent
    Judge dismissed the gun charge this morning (none / 0) (#55)
    by McBain on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 10:00:13 AM EST
    Not sure why he did it now and not before.  He is allowing the jury to consider Rittenhouse provoked the people he shot.  There was dispute over the video the prosecution says shows Rittenhouse pointed his gun at someone he didn't shoot which provoked Joseph Rosenbaum to chase him but it sounds like the prosecution will be allowed to show it.

    Parent
    Rittenhouse additional charges (none / 0) (#9)
    by thomas rogan on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 11:24:22 AM EST
    "Prosecutors indicated in court Thursday that they plan to submit additional charges in the homicide trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 18-year-old who shot and killed two protesters last year at a chaotic demonstration in Wisconsin."

    How can they submit additional charges at the end of a trial when defense had no preparation to face them and could not crossexamine witnesses in reference to the additional charges?

    Anyone charged with a crime and on trial (5.00 / 6) (#18)
    by Peter G on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 05:57:23 PM EST
    for that crime is deemed also to be charged with and thus facing the possibility of conviction for any and all offenses that are "lesser included." These are not "new" charges. In other words, if charged with aggravated assault, the defendant could be convicted of simple assault. If charged with murder, he could be convicted of manslaughter or assault. Or with attempting to commit the crime he was principally charged with. Not in addition to, but instead of the principal charge.

    Parent
    Perjury maybe? (none / 0) (#11)
    by CST on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 03:28:17 PM EST
    That's one they couldn't have submitted sooner.

    Parent
    Can he be charged (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 04:37:45 PM EST
    with bad acting.

    Parent
    from npr (none / 0) (#15)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 04:14:18 PM EST
    Lesser charges could include reckless homicide rather than intentional homicide, or second degree rather than first degree. Different charges have different requirements, some of which may fit better with the prosecution's case, legal experts said.

    "I think the request for lesser included charges reflects an acknowledgment that their case might not be as strong with regard to the original charges and that at this point, they're willing to give up the prospect of life imprisonment for the defendant in exchange for obtaining convictions on something," Julius Kim, a Wisconsin-based defense attorney who is not involved in the case, told NPR.

    The original six charges against Rittenhouse were filed just two days after the shootings in August 2020. A seventh charge for violating curfew was filed later by prosecutors and dismissed this week by the judge.



    Parent
    When your number's up... (none / 0) (#10)
    by desertswine on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 02:04:25 PM EST
    your number's up.

    Glen de Vries, 49, the businessman who flew into space with Jeff Bezos' company Blue Origin last month, died in a small plane crash on Thursday.

    He was one of the people who went up with Shatner.

    I am sick of hearing about this (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 04:06:42 PM EST
    From the NYTimes

    "In Washington, where decorum and civility are still given lip service, violent or threatening language still remains uncommon, if not unheard-of, among lawmakers who spend a great deal of time in the same building. But among the most fervent conservatives, who play an outsize role in primary contests and provide the party with its activist energy, the belief that the country is at a crossroads that could require armed confrontation is no longer limited to the fringe."

    You know what, let's do it.  Stop talking and let's get it on.  Please.  Give the Justice Department an excuse to round your stupid assz up and lock YOU up.

    A "civil war" would be short.  Let's just get it over with Homer.

    Yes, and (5.00 / 4) (#17)
    by KeysDan on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 05:08:54 PM EST
    It is tiring to have these  seditionists and  thugs  referred to as "fervent conservatives".and for today's Republican Party spoken of as one of the great political parties when they are fascists.

    Parent
    Yeah, but (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by MKS on Fri Nov 12, 2021 at 09:33:53 PM EST
    not really.   Just listen to some of the Jan 6 insurrectionists whine about a little jail time or being surprised at being charged.

    Privilege.  They think they can get away with anything.  

    In a real fight, they would wilt.....They are mostly over 50 with big mouths.....


    Parent

    Totally my point (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 07:25:05 AM EST
    But the media loves this story..  they love making these pudgy armchair generals who could not walk up a hill much less take one sound like Quantrill's Raiders.

    Cause it's scary and it gets clicks and eyeballs.

    Let's get it on.  Put up or shut up.

    Parent

    Meal Team Six (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Zorba on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 09:54:15 AM EST
    Delta Forks Brigade.

    Parent
    you forgot (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by leap on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 11:34:00 PM EST
    Seattle journalist David Niewert, ... (none / 0) (#149)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Nov 30, 2021 at 02:01:57 PM EST
    ... Who's been investigating and chronicling the actions of right-wing extremists for some time now, contends that Republicans and their paramilitary supporters are escalating their preparations for a civil war against Democrats, liberals, progressives and other "enemies":

    "Liberals and progressives do a poor job of understanding their enemy. Liberals and progressives are up against forces that are very formidable, and not to be dismissed or laughed at.

    "There is this caricature where the average militia member is this potbellied oaf who runs around and spouts all sorts of nonsense. Obviously that caricature has a basis in reality. But in this case, the caricature is based upon the hapless foot soldiers. By comparison, the leaders of these right-wing militias and adjacent or allied groups are very skilled and sophisticated. Yes, most of them are scam artists -- but these are scam artists who actually believe their propaganda and other narratives.

    "These are the folks who are out there radicalizing a large segment of the population. It is my opinion that people who live in cities have a really hard time understanding just how deep and widespread the 'Patriot' and 'constitutionalist' militia beliefs have become out there in rural America. Such thinking is deep and widespread.

    "All of these years, we've been getting interviews with Trump voters in rural cafés. We're way overdue for some stories talking about the liberal Biden voters who are trying to survive in these red rural areas where the hostility is just incredibly intense. There we see these huge, modified pickup trucks flying giant flags that say, 'F*ck Biden.' That's what the reality is for people in rural America right now.

    "I was recently in Boise, Idaho, which isn't that rural. I saw multiple 'F*ck Biden' flags, and of course they were flying alongside the Trump flag. I also saw the black American flag, which basically signals that they're prepared for civil war and have no intention of showing mercy." (Emphasis is mine.)

    Worth a read, and some consideration.

    Parent

    If you have been reading (none / 0) (#150)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 30, 2021 at 02:42:34 PM EST
    my comments here over the last 10 years or so you know I've been saying a lot of this.  Over and over and over.

    I agree with much of what he says.  Liberals absolutely have no idea how powerful these forces are or how deep and wide the problem is.  I've been sayin this for years.

    And I agree that while most are fat stupid Barcalounger soldiers there is definitely a serious group driving the clown car.   Where we may disagree a bit is that IMO it's still a clown car.

    We need to worry about these people because of the damage they can do at the ballot box.  And the crazy people they might encourage to do dangerous things.  They are not Quantrills raiders.  They are not going to invade IKEA.

    He makes many good points about clueless liberals.  I just think we need to be afraid of the right things.  All out civil war is not one.

    IMO.

    Parent

    I agree. (5.00 / 2) (#152)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Nov 30, 2021 at 05:11:59 PM EST
    These people will murder but it will be on a one on one basis or smaller groups of people but not full on Civil War. I mean these are the same people that cry because Starbucks doesn't put Jesus on a red cup for Christmas. However the real danger is of them taking over the government and turning that power to turn the country into some sort of quasi-Nazi/white nationalist/Gilead theocracy/fascist state.

    It is why we must vote in every election and nobody should sit home.

    Parent

    I would add (none / 0) (#151)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 30, 2021 at 02:48:15 PM EST
    The overall effect is different if you see the flags and the other crap every day than if you "visit Boise".

    That said, a visit to Boise would probably go a long way toward b!tch slapping liberals out of their bubble.

    Parent

    Movies (none / 0) (#32)
    by McBain on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 04:38:08 PM EST
    Land:  Directed by and staring Robin Wright.  
    This is my kind of film.  One person trying to survive against nature.  Very simple and satisfying.

    Fitch:  Staring Tom Hanks. Not the best post apocalyptic survival movie but good enough to keep my interest.  

    Dune:  I think it was OK but my home theater doesn't always show dark movies well.  I was bored for the first 30 minutes or so, then it picked up, then it just stopped.  I didn't love the 1984 David Lynch Dune but at least it had a few colorful, well lit interior scenes. Both versions had great casts.  

     

    Land was good (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by MKS on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 08:28:14 PM EST
    Badiucao opens (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 13, 2021 at 05:00:57 PM EST
    Horns point West... (none / 0) (#37)
    by desertswine on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 01:04:30 AM EST
    Be at Rest.

    Sam Huff ...   played in six N.F.L. championship games in his eight seasons with the Giants.

    "I never let up on anybody," Huff said. "I don't think I ever quit on a play. If you had the football, I was going to hit you, and when I hit you, I tried to hit you hard enough to hurt you. That's the way the game should be played."


    I picture him waiting (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by jondee on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 10:13:22 PM EST
    in Valhalla for Jim Brown so they can resume combat.

    Parent
    Hawaii question (none / 0) (#40)
    by Coral on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 09:52:36 AM EST
    Totally off topic, but I'm planning a first trip to Hawaii this winter with my husband--we'll have several weeks. Any advice on must-see's, must-avoids?

    Thanks to all for wonderful company and insights over the years, and to Jeralyn most of all for hosting.

    Are you going to more than one island? (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Peter G on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 03:34:01 PM EST
    I think it would help folks give suggestions if you were more specific about where you're going exactly.

    Parent
    Going to 4 islands (none / 0) (#54)
    by Coral on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 08:54:45 AM EST
    Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. We have 4 weeks, and hope to see as much as possible. Open to advice on what to see, what to skip. Not quite sure how we'll get from place to place.

    Parent
    Maui--- (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by KeysDan on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 10:38:10 AM EST
    Drive the beautiful Road to Hana and be sure to stay at least one night in Hana.  The Maui-Hana Resort by Hyatt is special, on Black Beach.  Treat yourself --get a sea bungalow.

    Parent
    Pearl Harbor a must, IMO (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by MO Blue on Tue Nov 16, 2021 at 12:52:14 AM EST
    You will also be there when whale watching should be very good. The best whale watching trip I ever was on was in Hawaii. The rain forest at Hilo (Big Island) is worth a trip. Waimea Canyon in Kauai. Also, Kauai has beautiful waterfalls. If you are into snorkeling, you can't go wrong snorkeling in Hawaii. Maui and the Big Island are considered the best for snorkeling.

    Parent
    Hawaii (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by BGinCA on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 11:30:11 AM EST
    We just came back from Hawaiian vacation. Oahu and Big Island. If you have time go to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. the volcano is erupting now and it is a must see. We stayed at Volcano House in the park. If possible go see the volcano at sunrise. It is about a 1 mile walk from the parking lot to the overview. It is veryyy crowded in the evening and might require up to a 2 mile walk from the parking.
    In Hilo we ate at a wonderful Omekazze restaurant Izakayo Miyo. abt $100/person for 7 courses.
    On Oahu, Lanikai Beach near Kailua, a fantastic white sand beach.
    Hanauma Bayyy is magnificent snorkeling. You have to reserve 2 days ahead and reservations are usually gone by 7:30 am HST.


    Parent
    Which island or islands are you visiting? (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by MO Blue on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 11:47:09 PM EST
    My personal favorites are Maui and Kauai.

    Parent
    see response to this question (none / 0) (#76)
    by Peter G on Tue Nov 16, 2021 at 01:52:09 PM EST
    a couple of days ago at #54.

    Parent
    Thanks (5.00 / 2) (#77)
    by MO Blue on Tue Nov 16, 2021 at 08:00:09 PM EST
    I did see that comment after I posted mine.

    I'm green with envy. I would love to spend 4 weeks in Hawaii

    Parent

    Drive all around the west end of (none / 0) (#42)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 10:36:57 AM EST

    Maui going clockwise so you are always on the inside lane. The road on the north side is an unforgettable trip.

    Parent
    Many (none / 0) (#43)
    by jmacWA on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 02:55:13 PM EST
    Wonderful botanical gardens if you are into flora on all the islands.

    Parent
    Last weekend (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 03:04:12 PM EST
    when I was in St Louis for my birthday I spent an afternoon at the botanical garden there.  Its pretty great.

    Parent
    It was a great (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 03:10:59 PM EST
    Missouri's Botanical Gardens (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by MO Blue on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 11:57:17 PM EST
    Are the envy of botanical gardens throughout the US. They are well funded and make good use of their money in the design and maintenance of the gardens and in various research projects. They have wonderful programs throughout the year.

    St. Louis has great botanical gardens, one of the few remaining free zoos and our Muni still offers free seats.

    Too bad we've become a deep red state because in the past we have established some really great things.

    Parent

    Love the (none / 0) (#46)
    by Zorba on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 03:25:03 PM EST
    Missouri Botanical Garden!  We visit it very time we're in St. Louis.
    We always called it Shaw's Garden.  And years ago, Mr. Zorba lived in the area and he said he used to walk to school by going through Shaw's Garden.

    Parent
    Yes (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 03:45:04 PM EST
    In the 70s I lived for a time a block from Tower Grove park which is next to the botanical garden.  Spent lots of time on my bike in the area.  Know how t very well.

    Parent
    The Christmas light show (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 03:48:55 PM EST
    started yesterday

    When we were there they had all the lights in place but were not turning them on yet.

    I would love to see it.

    Parent

    Come back (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by MO Blue on Tue Nov 16, 2021 at 12:10:15 AM EST
    to see it. It is well worth it. In fact, stay another day and see the "Wild Lights" at the Zoo. If you are still a kid at heart, the zoo has a 4D Christmas movie which is a delight.

    Parent
    4 hour drive (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 16, 2021 at 06:35:27 AM EST
    My next 4 hour drive with a dog sitter is to the Crystal Bridges Museum.

    But I will go back.  It was great seeing all my old friends,

    Parent

    PS (none / 0) (#47)
    by Zorba on Sun Nov 14, 2021 at 03:26:39 PM EST
    It used to be free.

    Parent
    Residents still have free admission available (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by MO Blue on Tue Nov 16, 2021 at 12:03:34 AM EST
    St. Louis City and County residents get in free from 9 a.m to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

    Parent
    If you choose to visit Hawaii, ... (none / 0) (#147)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Nov 29, 2021 at 01:25:59 PM EST
    ... please comply with our state's COVID vaccine / testing protocols. If you can do that, then Aloha. If you can't, then it's best that you vacation elsewhere because otherwise, you're subject to quarantine when you arrive.

    Parent
    General Michael Flynn (ret), (none / 0) (#58)
    by KeysDan on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 02:10:29 PM EST
    former Trump National Security Advisor and Trump-pardoned felon, called for the establishment of "one religion" for the US.  

    Flynn stated to a Christian news media network: "If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion.  One nation under God and one religion under God."

    Flynn just left us hanging, however, not saying which religion should be so established.  

    If it weren't for the Establshment Clause (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by Peter G on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 05:54:37 PM EST
    I would say I almost agree, as long as Quakerism (the Religious Society of Friends) was that religion.

    Parent
    Or, (5.00 / 3) (#64)
    by Zorba on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 06:27:47 PM EST
    It could be Pastafarianism.  The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.


    Parent
    He might as well stand on a car and yell (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 05:27:14 PM EST
    LOOK AT ME
    LOOK AT ME
    LOOK AT ME

    This is pretty desperate.

    Parent

    It should be crystal clear (none / 0) (#78)
    by jondee on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 01:21:22 AM EST
    by now that being an unhinged a-hole is no impediment to advancing in the military hierarchy.

    That was obvious in the early sixties when Generals LeMay, Lemnitzer, and Edwin Walker wanted Kennedy to greenlight a nuclear first-strike on the SU.

    Parent

    Apple Box Double (none / 0) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 02:59:28 PM EST
    Apple Box Double (1965) by Pauline Oliveros. This video documents a performance of Pauline Oliveros and Seth Cluett in 2004:

    For my birthday I got this book

    The book comes with a DVD of a series of performances in 2004 of old and new music.  Old meaning the 60s.  
    There is some wonderful stuff but so far this is my favorite.

    Second (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 06:39:07 PM EST
    Wyomingites (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 05:20:20 PM EST
    The Wyoming Republican Party will no longer recognize Liz Cheney as a member of the GOP in its second formal rebuke for her criticism of former President Donald Trump.

    "Liz Cheney stopped recognizing what Wyomingites care about a long time ago. When she launched her war against President Trump, she completely broke with where we are as a state," Hageman said.

    I would have gone with Wyomees or Wyomi.

    The political (none / 0) (#62)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 05:29:50 PM EST
    press is all about how the GOP is going to take the house in 2022 all based on the fact that it is what has happened for Clinton & Obama. I understand that but they are ignoring the GOP civil war and what kind of a factor that is going to play next year.

    So I am guessing Cheney will be an independent? I am sure she has a primary opponent and it's kinda funny because I seem to recall she ran against the incumbent in the primary.

    Parent

    I think she will remain a Republican (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 06:37:24 PM EST
    I believe she wants to destroy the current Republican Party and pick up the pieces.   Leaving the party would not be the message she wants.

    IMO

    personally I would be reluctant to bet against her.

    Parent

    I understand (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Nov 15, 2021 at 06:56:27 PM EST
    that. It will be interesting to see if this is how the voters of WY really feel or if it just a bunch of Trump apologists heading the WY GOP that have a problem with her.

    Parent
    It will (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 16, 2021 at 07:22:16 AM EST
    But I don't think holding on to a house seat in WY is her long term political plan

    Parent
    I just found out (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 09:58:09 AM EST
    I'm getting a new hip for Christmas. Thank you and F you Santa.

    As in a hip replacement (none / 0) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 05:15:16 PM EST
    in case that was not clear.

    Parent
    Well, that's easier than (none / 0) (#85)
    by leap on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 08:04:41 PM EST
    replacing knees, in terms of recovery. PT is a cakewalk, so to speak, compared to knee replacement PT.

    Also, too, you won't be in pain anymore!

    Parent

    Thank you (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 06:16:30 AM EST
    I can't hear that too often.

    Parent
    I'm speaking from experience. (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by leap on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 09:52:24 AM EST
    One hip replaced. And both knees replaced at the same time. Those two surgeries, both major, were five years apart. Probably in 30 years joint replacements will seem crude and barbaric, but right now, it's the best we have. It's a relief not only to walk, but to walk with no pain. If you need pep talks, let me know!

    Parent
    Thank you (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 11:04:26 AM EST
    I might.

    Parent
    Not the (none / 0) (#91)
    by KeysDan on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 12:09:23 PM EST
    personal testimony of Leap, but my neighbor, a retired radiologist, age 68, had hip replacement at Emory University Hospital.  She had a brief and unremarkable recovery.  We went out for brunch about a week afterward.  

    As Leap also reports, knee replacement recovery takes a more difficult course, as experienced a few years ago by a different neighbor.

    Parent

    This is roughly (none / 0) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 12:45:06 PM EST
    what I hear from everyone.  I'm trying to believe it.

    Parent
    There are a variety of hip replacements (none / 0) (#95)
    by fishcamp on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 03:13:41 PM EST
    My replacement was extreme since it was down to bone on bone.  Hopefully you are not in this category, and only need the possible resurfacing of the joint, or one of the other new types of surgery.  In my case the doctor sawed the hip socket off my leg, and pounded a $19k titanium and porcelain piton down into my femur.  Then he lag bolted the prosthesis receiving part into my pelvis.  The recovery and rehab lasted five months, and was extremely painful.  Unfortunately I waited too long to have the operation..  You probably won't have this horrible procedure.  Good luck my friend.

    Parent
    Aren't you (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 04:11:01 PM EST
    A f'ing ray of sunshine.  That's for that.  Really.

    Parent
    Sorry Howdy, but hopefully (none / 0) (#97)
    by fishcamp on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 04:28:00 PM EST
    you will have hip surgery, and not a hip replacement.  Just wanted you to know the facts.  Mine was 20 years ago and they have much better procedures now.

    Parent
    My dr called it hip replacement (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 04:39:28 PM EST
    He also said, as has everyone else except you, that it is generally less horrible than people imagine.  And much less problematic than , say, knee replacement.
    He said his 85yo grandmother was walking to the bathroom the next day.

    Parent
    He said I would get this (none / 0) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 04:43:10 PM EST
    Posterior hip replacement is a minimally invasive hip surgery performed to replace the hip joint. It is also referred to as muscle sparing surgery because no muscles are cut to access the hip joint, enabling a quicker return to normal activity.
    The posterior approach is traditionally the most common approach used to perform total hip replacement.
    In posterior hip replacement, the surgeon makes the hip incision at the back of the hip close to the buttocks. The incision is placed so the abductor muscles, the major walking muscles, are not cut.

    link

    But we have nit really talked about all the details.  He went on vacation yesterday.  And left me a huge bottle of hydros.  The good ones.

    Parent

    Sounds much better than my procedure, (none / 0) (#100)
    by fishcamp on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 06:52:38 PM EST
    where they went in from the side and cut much of my muscle.  My doctor also decided not to use bone cement which makes recovery much faster, but eliminates the possibility of replacing the replacement later.  Three things the doctors never tell you: how much pain will there be, how long will the recovery be, and how much will it cost.

    Parent
    You need (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 07:09:54 PM EST
    Better doctors

    Parent
    Also (none / 0) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 18, 2021 at 07:17:40 PM EST
    I am kind of familiar with the procedure you describe.  The vet called it "a hammer and chisel surgery"

     my beloved white husky had to have a hip replaced as the result of being run over by a truck.

    I hope I can be half a strong and brave as he was.  That video is of me following the vet instructions by making him walk slowly so he could not hop and had to use the leg.

    He recovered fully.

    Parent

    Thoughts? (none / 0) (#82)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 04:01:36 PM EST

    "President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced two new selections to serve as circuit judges as the push to name -- and confirm -- a raft of judicial nominees stays a central focus of the White House and Senate Democrats," CNN reports.

    "Biden has selected Andre B. Mathis as his nominee to serve on the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals... Judge Alison J. Nathan will be nominated to serve on the 2nd US Court Circuit of Appeals."



    Both good (5.00 / 2) (#84)
    by KeysDan on Wed Nov 17, 2021 at 07:30:56 PM EST
    nominees, bringing diversity and relative youth to the Circuits.  Andre B. Matthias is a litigator and not presently a judge.  He has the enthusiastic. support of Representative Steve Cohen which augers well for Mr. Matthis.

     It is interesting that President Biden selected a nominee from a state (Tennessee) with two Republican senators given the blue slip senate procedure that may slow, if not block, the nomination going forward.  His nominations so far have generally been from states with, at least, one Democratic senator to get around this senate relic kept in place most recently by Senator Leahy (D. VT).

    Judge Alison Nathan appears to have the strong support of Senator Schumer.  She is currently presiding over the case of Ghislaine Maxwell--. Epstein's associate.  Her nomination will no doubt be disconcerting to Justice Alito which is enough for me to be enthusiastically on board with her nomination.

    Parent

    I'm sure it good (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 20, 2021 at 11:59:10 AM EST
    the White House is "weighing" things.

    That the story is that they are weighing things is a disaster of growing incompetence

    Seriously guy, no one cares that you are weighing things.  That's kind of, you know, your job.  They want to hear what you have done.

    Please.

    White House Weighs New Offensive on Inflation

    November 20, 2021 at 12:49 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 11 Comments

    Washington Post: "The burst of progress on Biden's economic agenda comes amid unresolved strains that the administration in recent months has struggled to confront, with high inflation emerging as a top concern for American voters amid the biggest price hikes in nearly three decades. Republicans have blamed the inflation problems on Biden's economic agenda, but there are signs that the White House could soon push back more forcefully, saying that large corporations are partly to blame for the dramatic increase in costs."

    "White House aides also are hopeful that coronavirus booster shots, the authorization of vaccines for younger children, and predictions of fast economic growth for 2022 could represent a major turnaround."

    These stories don't just appear
    Someone what's everyone to know they are weighing.

    The Hydros are making me crabby (none / 0) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 20, 2021 at 12:03:41 PM EST
    But I'm not sure how many more of these positive stories I can take.

    Parent
    I can't even take (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by Zorba on Sun Nov 21, 2021 at 11:37:20 AM EST
    Hydrocodone.  Or oxycodone.  They gave me Oxys after my knee replacement, and it doesn't just make me sleepy, it makes me throw up.  I hate nausea.  I'd rather have pain than nausea.

    Parent
    I have told many Drs (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 22, 2021 at 05:44:04 PM EST
    I have a much higher tolerance for drugs than I do for pain.  Hit me.

    I was going to stop taking them today.  I started tapering it off yesterday.  But I ended up taking a half this morning because today was my first session of PT.  Wasn't sure I could drive without it.

    I admit I mostly just wanted to get the PT  over with without much hope for it but the conversation I had with her was good.   She actually listened to what I said.
    I like her.  Which is good cause I have to do it to move to the next square.

    As far as the hydros.  They are awful.  They make me miserable and crabby.  It's hard to imagine why people get addicted to them.  Seriously.  There are better drugs.

    They also made my face break out.  That's never happened but I've never taken this much for this long.

    But I was very very grateful for them.

    Parent

    surgeries.

    All those 'dones make me nauseous. And they make me so I can't pee or poop. Maybe too much info, but I never feel "high."

    Who likes this stuff?

    Parent

    Don't know about (none / 0) (#112)
    by Zorba on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 02:47:06 PM EST
    the peeing, but it's well known that the codeines and codones cause constipation.  
    I'd be perfectly happy to take Ibuprofen for pain, because it used to work for me. But now I'm on an anticoagulant and can't take Ibuprofen or Naproxen.

    Parent
    It's definately the way certain (none / 0) (#113)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 04:37:28 PM EST
    people are 'wired'. I used to be crazy about opiates. It's just lucky I wasn't born in the late 19th-early 20th century when all that stuff was completely unregulated and available over the counter.

    It's the same thing with booze and cocaine - some people can take it or leave it and others just have to have another hit, immediately if not sooner.

    I used to just chew three or four mint rolaids before ingestion for the nausea, which usually worked like a charm.

    As far as getting the train moving out of the station 'down there', a cup a very strong ginger tea wth honey and two or three tablespoons of olive oil did the trick almost every time.

    The opioid crisis is more a problem of an epidemic of stress/anxiety and it's management than 'pain management'. And now, as a result of that crisis, people who actually do live with debilitating chronic pain have to jump through more hoops than ever before to get help.  


    Parent

    If you're very constipated (none / 0) (#114)
    by fishcamp on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 05:59:11 PM EST
    an eight ounce , over the counter, bottle of magnesium citrate works every time.  Glycerin suppositories work well too.  Unfortunately I learned alll this after I had an operation for diverticulitis.  That charming event came with a colostomy bag for two months.  You must keep it all moving.

    Parent
    prune juice and stool softeners; (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by leap on Wed Nov 24, 2021 at 09:40:25 AM EST
    great combo that works .

    Except now, I can't even look at a bottle prune juice.

    Parent

    Another thing (none / 0) (#115)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 06:12:32 PM EST
    they knew about 100 years ago was the efficacy of citrate of magnesia.

    I know that because my son has about 4 or 5 variations in his antique bottle collection.

    Parent

    It's never effected my pee (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 07:10:39 PM EST
    As far as number 2 if you don't take stool softeners with hydros you deserve what ever happens.  They are famous for that .

    They do not make time nauseous at all but there are others things to take for the nausea because it's common.

    You are so right about how the nuts have made it unnecessarily hard for people to get pain relievers.  It's a terrible stupid trend.  Very few Drs in this area will even prescribe them any more.  Fortunately mine is one.

    I'm really not sure what I would have done the last week without them.  Choosing the pain was not a choice.

    Parent

    They do not (none / 0) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 07:20:54 PM EST
    make ME nauseous at all

    Parent
    Ya. I destroyed my left knee (none / 0) (#118)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 07:26:01 PM EST
    about 8-9 years ago and had surgery on it.

    In the mid-afternoon after the surgery they did a nerve block on that leg which helped for about 5-6 hours. Which meant I was in complete agony by about 9pm.

    He had me taking like two oxies every couple hours or something. Didn't help at all.

    I texted him at 5am as I hadn't closed my eyes all night and he gave me an Rx for double the milligrams every two hours and told me to take 2x what the Rx said to take.

    I finally fell asleep at about 10am.

    Parent

    Lucky you re: no nausea (none / 0) (#119)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 07:28:05 PM EST
    Just to be clear (none / 0) (#120)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 07:29:52 PM EST
    Since about last Wed until yesterday I was out of operation.  I could not walk to the bathroom without crutches.  Which fortunately I had lying around.  I could not sit in a chair.  Or drive.

     It's much better now.  Almost as quickly as it started.  I was able to go grocery shopping today.  The Dr says that will happen until it's fixed.

    For days there was one position I could be in without literally screaming in pain.  That was flat on my back, in bed, with my leg elevated.  I spent about 5 days that way.   Chewing a hydro every four hours.   It was as bad as anything I've ever felt and I had a kidney stone the size of your thumb.

    Stoically choosing the pain was not a choice.  I've never been more thankful for anything than I was for that bottle of hydros.  Most of which I still but expect to need.

    Parent

    Gas prices (none / 0) (#107)
    by KeysDan on Sun Nov 21, 2021 at 07:32:13 PM EST
    will soon be falling.  Good news for the Holidays.  Apparently, gas prices were discussed by President Biden and President Xi of China in their virtual summit last week.  In the short-term, there will be a release of strategic reserves with longer term world market issues. being tackled.  

    I guess this is legal (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 22, 2021 at 05:34:53 PM EST
    probably should not be

    RNC Is Paying Trump's Personal Legal Bills

    November 22, 2021 at 6:05 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 62 Comments

    "The Republican National Committee is paying some personal legal bills for former president Donald Trump, spending party funds to pay a lawyer representing Trump in investigations into his financial practices in New York," the Washington Post reports.

    "There has been no indication that either investigation involves Trump's time as president, or any of his political campaigns."



    Absolutely not legal if done by (none / 0) (#111)
    by Peter G on Mon Nov 22, 2021 at 09:46:34 PM EST
    a campaign committee. Dunno about whether there are legal rules governing the spending by political parties.

    Parent
    But if a political party is a tax-exempt entity, (none / 0) (#121)
    by Peter G on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 09:24:56 PM EST
    which I suspect it is, then no way can it properly pay the personal expenses (such as legal bills) of one of its leaders. There is a major tax penalty for that (it's called "inurement"), and I think also a potential criminal charge.

    Parent
    Oh well (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 23, 2021 at 09:31:30 PM EST
    I'm sure Merrick will get right on that.

    Parent
    The bigger (5.00 / 2) (#126)
    by KeysDan on Wed Nov 24, 2021 at 11:20:32 AM EST
    "crime" is continuing to consider the Republican Party as a legitimate American political party when it has gone full fascist. --violence and crime are components.    Not only Merrick appears to look away, but the media and even some Democrats.

    Parent
    Just wow (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 24, 2021 at 07:36:39 AM EST
    SO funny.

    Boebert Challenges Cawthorn to Sprint

    November 24, 2021 at 6:52 am EST By Taegan Goddard 69 Comments

    Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) challenged Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), who is paralyzed and in a wheelchair, to a "sprint," with the winner getting Kyle Rittenhouse as an intern.



    Kevin Strickland exonerated after 43 years (none / 0) (#124)
    by McBain on Wed Nov 24, 2021 at 09:11:24 AM EST
    in prison.
    After spending 43 years behind bars for a crime he said he didn't commit, a Missouri man's conviction has been set aside, according to a news release from Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

    Apparently this was another mistaken eye witness identification.
    But she did not identify Strickland, who she knew, at the scene until a day later, according to KSHB, after it was suggested to her Strickland's hair matched Douglas' description of the shooter. Douglas claimed her initial failure to identify him was due to the use of cognac and marijuana, according to KSHB.

    It's ridiculous how long some of these exonerations take.  Makes you wonder how many innocent people are in prison right now.

    how many innocent people are in prison right now (none / 0) (#127)
    by BGinCA on Wed Nov 24, 2021 at 03:15:58 PM EST
    Or have been murdered by the state

    Parent
    I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by Southern white jurors who rejected the obvious race-baiting tactics employed by Travis McMichael's attorney, and convicted the defendant on all nine felony counts, including murder with malice which carries a life sentence. McMichael's father and co-defendant Gregory was convicted on 8 of the nine counts, and Daddy's good buddy William R. Bryan Jr. was found guilty on six of the nine charges.

    My faith in humanity has been restored - for today, anyway.

    But....it's not actually a ..... (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 24, 2021 at 07:05:42 PM EST
    Word of the year - NFT

    Collins defines [NFT] as "a unique digital certificate, registered in a blockchain, that is used to record ownership of an asset such as an artwork or a collectible." In other words, it's a chunk of digital data that records who a piece of digital work belongs to. "Unique" is important here -- it's a one-off, not "fungible" or replaceable by any other piece of data. And what's really captured the public's imagination around NFTs is the use of this technology to sell art. For example, the rights to a work by the surrealist digital artist Beeple sold at Christie's in March for $69m. Called EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS, it was a collage of all the images he'd created since he committed in 2007 to making one every day.

    link

    Football alternative OLD (none / 0) (#130)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 11:02:47 AM EST
    Years ago, around the time of Lady In The Water, I said I would never waste another two hours of my life on a Shamalan movie.  That was some time after Signs and The Village when I said I would never pay to see another Shamalan movie,

    But Old is worth seeing.  I just did a PPV and I don't feel robbed.  I read a review that made me interested.

    But

    I have some recommendations for future work.  
    M, buddy, just come up with the ideas.  Maybe you can direct let someone else  write the script.  Seriously.

    Old is an interesting meditation on aging.  Something that's been front of mind for a while.  I guess for him too.

    The ending is typically silly but it was still worth it.  If only for the running joke about one of the characters constantly trying to remember the name of the movie with both Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando.  Without googling do you know?  I did.  It's a movie I love.

    Anyway happy alternate to football.

    trailer

    Yeah.  I know I spelled his name wrong

    That link SHOULD work (none / 0) (#131)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 11:06:03 AM EST
    The (none / 0) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 11:53:35 AM EST
    I really don't know (none / 0) (#133)
    by jondee on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 12:43:44 PM EST
    why some of these film makers have so much trouble making good movies. There are a gazillion phenomenal books and stories out there great film treatments could be done of, with the right screenwriters. Part of the problem is this egocentric idea some people have that just because they're good film makers, that automatically makes them good writers.

    Then there's the too-many-cooks-spoil-the-broth syndrome in film making, that Robert Altman used to always talk about. Movies made, in effect, by committees with the mentality that any piece of garbage is acceptable as long as it makes money.

    Parent

    The answer to the riddle about a movie (none / 0) (#134)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 12:58:12 PM EST
    in the movie is definitely worth the time.  If you have not seen Missouri Breaks (trailer link above) you really should.  And I don't really do westerns.

    Parent
    Ha (none / 0) (#136)
    by jondee on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 01:16:38 PM EST
    Funny you mention that. It's one of my favorite movies. Brando as the shape-shifting angel of death. Apparently that let him do whatever the hell he wanted in that movie and it mostly worked, imo. I'm a big Arthur Penn fan in general. I've probably seen Little Big Man 10 times at least.

    Parent
    That's just how I felt watching the movie (none / 0) (#137)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 01:40:58 PM EST
    Watching Old.  I mean.  And it's also funny because I would bet 9 out of 10 people, even if they have seen the movie and remember it, would not remember the name.

    Parent
    That's just how I felt watching the movie (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 01:41:14 PM EST
    Watching Old.  I mean.  And it's also funny because I would bet 9 out of 10 people, even if they have seen the movie and remember it, would not remember the name.

    Parent
    Damn (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Nov 25, 2021 at 01:42:22 PM EST
    The mysterious infamous double post.

    I think I'm going to buy Missouri Breaks from Prime this afternoon.

    Parent

    Cy watch (none / 0) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Nov 28, 2021 at 02:43:55 PM EST
    Amazing (none / 0) (#145)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 29, 2021 at 06:46:34 AM EST
    Republicans Court Anti-Vaxxers with Jobless Aid

    November 29, 2021 at 7:27 am EST By Taegan Goddard 15 Comments

    "Republican officials around the country are testing a creative mechanism to build loyalty with unvaccinated Americans while undermining Biden administration mandates: unemployment benefits," Axios reports.

    "Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Tennessee have changed their unemployment insurance rules to allow workers who are fired or quit over vaccine mandates to receive benefits."



    This kind of cuts (none / 0) (#153)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Nov 30, 2021 at 05:13:37 PM EST
    against the whole "people sitting home" narrative the GOP wants to push. However maybe Republicans will learn nobody is getting rich off of UE. When my husband lost his job back in 2010 it was a choice of paying the mortgage or eating and having power. You sure couldn't do both on UE.

    Parent
    Winning by losing (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 29, 2021 at 07:37:04 AM EST
    works for me

    Omicron Is Feeding the Republican Conspiracy Beast

    November 29, 2021 at 8:53 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

    Jonathan Bernstein: "Normal political parties are dominated by the electoral incentive. Politicians want to win and then retain office; campaign professionals want to win to improve their reputations and, perhaps, to reap financial rewards; governing professionals want to win so that they can govern; activists and donors want to win so that they can influence policy, and in some cases because they, too, want jobs when their party is in office. With almost all individual incentives running that way, the party collectively comes to place a high priority on winning."

    "But party-aligned media do not necessarily share that incentive. Being out of office is good for business because negative partisanship means more viewers and more clicks when there's an opposite-party president to dislike. Normally, party-aligned media aren't important enough within a party for their commercial interests to overwhelm the party's political ones, so its members tend to follow the lead of politicians and campaign professionals, both because access to them is important and because party actors generally adopt the goal of winning elections."

    "However, as we've seen lately with the Republican Party, the more central party-aligned media become within the overall party, the less important winning becomes."



    Of all the stupid stuff (none / 0) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 30, 2021 at 07:31:57 AM EST
    this to me seems the most inexplicable stupid and vile.

    I just don't get it.

    Fox Host Compares Fauci to Nazi Doctor Josef Mengele

    November 30, 2021 at 8:21 am EST By Taegan Goddard 42 Comments

    Fox Nation anchor Lara Logan compared Dr. Anthony Fauci to infamous Nazi doctor Josef Mengele while complaining about Covid measures impacting rights and economy, The Independent reports.



    Any concerns and reservations that ... (5.00 / 1) (#155)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 06:22:34 AM EST
    ... CBS News executives might have once harbored about not renewing then-60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan's in 2018 were likely forever extinguished yesterday thanks to her disgraceful commentary on Fox News, where such vile discourse is pretty much par for the course nowadays.

    Only about 3 million Americans actually watch Fox News on a daily basis, although its social media feed is substantial. (Its Twitter following alone is about 20 million.) Further, the nation's estimated 65 million cable-connected households are forced to pay for Fox News in their subscriber packages, so News Corp. has reaped an estimated $1.8 billion in annual revenue from cable TV carriage fees, which essentially inoculates the Fox News network from any advertiser boycotts mounted in response to its hosts' incendiary remarks.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Apparently (none / 0) (#154)
    by desertswine on Tue Nov 30, 2021 at 09:34:27 PM EST
    Lara Logan fell off the deep end and into a steaming pile of sh!t.  What an idiot.

    Parent
    My take on the Supreme (none / 0) (#156)
    by KeysDan on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 01:57:20 PM EST
    Court oral arguments on MS v Jackson Women's Health is that it is very likely that Roe v Wade will be overturned.  The fever dream of the Federalist Society will be realized. Full steam ahead, forget any so called political fallout. It will not matter. After all if the attempted putsch did nothing (Republican voters can't wait to return the House to the fascists, apparently).

    It seemed Chief Justice Roberts was looking for allies to find the Mississippi law constitutional (allowing abortion bans at 15 weeks, but giving in on the right to abortion earlier in pregnancy). Get rid of Roe but be able to deny having done so.

     Something, perhaps,such as eliminating the threshold of viability of Roe, but keeping Casey's undue burden.  This would allow red states to effectively eliminate abortions without specifically over-ruling either Roe or Casey. In red states nothing would be an undue burden. Clever, right?

    But Roberts seemed left in Kavanaugh and the Handmaiden's dust.  Kavanaugh wants to be "neutral":  don't force the states to allow abortion and do not ban abortion.

    Justice Handmaiden apparently believes there is no longer a need for abortion--the pregnant woman can just give birth and give the baby up for adoption. Easy peasy, since all 50 states have "safe haven" laws that let women relinquish parental rights after birth.  So all those burdens of parenthood discussed in Roe and Casey are irrelevant, and hence, those SC decisions are obsolete. Overturning Roe seems to be the Handmaiden's life mission. She could then retire, but for all those other icky laws to be overturned, such as contraception and same sex marriage.

    My guess is that this will turn out as a 6/3 decision by Justice Amy Barrett (the reactionary men will give it to the one reactionary woman on the Court), although there may be some concurring opinions by Alito/Thomas that not only should abortion or not be left to the states, but also, that the 14th Amendment should be read as requiring all states to ban abortion (something to follow-up on another day).

    I have never understood this controversy. (5.00 / 2) (#178)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 03:24:43 PM EST
    Why?

    It is none of my business whether or not the woman next door or across the street or across town gives birth or not. If she chooses to end a pregnancy, it has zero, and I do mean absolutely zero impact on me (or any other living being).

    Leave people the heck alone. If you think abortion is wrong, don't have one. If you don't like gay marriage, don't have one. (And you hetrosexuals, darn it, stop creating gay people.) If you don't like brussel sprouts, don't eat them (I don't). People, this isn't difficult. Stay out of my business and I stay out of yours. Simple social contract.

    Parent

    Pretty much (none / 0) (#157)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 02:13:52 PM EST
    everybody seems to think they are going to overturn Roe. They really almost have to after promising evangelicals for decades. So the majority of women are going to have to vote to take out all these men. I honestly wonder how much this is going to play in the midterms.

    Parent
    I thin it will play big (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 02:22:15 PM EST
    I really do.  It will wake a lot and of people up.  

    Parent
    And I agree (none / 0) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 02:23:08 PM EST
    They probably will.  

    Parent
    I saw one (none / 0) (#161)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 03:29:38 PM EST
    prediction that them overturning Roe would massively change the senate map turning a lot of states blue. I guess we shall see.

    If they don't overturn Roe I have to wonder if evangelicals are just going to give up. Mostly because if you have a 7/3 court and you can't get rid of Roe you're never going to get rid of it.

    Parent

    Who knows what will happen tomorrow (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 04:08:17 PM EST
    seriously.  The republicans seem to be trying their best to give democrats every advantage.  I wish I thought they would take it.

    But with midterms less than a year away the next 12 months is going to be busy and interesting,

    Parent

    AXIOS (none / 0) (#167)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 07:48:36 AM EST
    The GOP (none / 0) (#169)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 09:21:17 AM EST
    really is in denial of what is going on. While they make take the house due to their own gerrymandering, there is no way it is going to be a 2010 style landslide due to the fact that the economy is good. This is all starting to smell like 1998 to me where the GOP is just announcing that they are going to win when the underlying facts don't support it. Also Nigel Farage said he has seen confidential polling that says that saying the 2020 election was stolen causes 20% of Republicans to sit home. Can you imagine a party with a shrinking voting base having 20% of them sit home? That sure is not a recipe for winning.

    I certainly can't speak for other states but here in GA people have never stopped being engaged. Usually people kind of drop out of politics after a presidential election but not this time. Of course, the GOP has done us huge favors here in GA with their voting law nonsense.  

    Parent

    Heilmann made a great point this morning (none / 0) (#170)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 10:12:13 AM EST
    on MSNBC that I had not considered.  He said the reason so much of the country is circling the drain is because for decades republicans have taken state politics seriously and many democrats do not.  It's true.   Liberals never seem as engaged as the right wing in state and local  elections.

    More than any single thing that is what has gotten us where we are.  With everything from abortion to state election control.

    What happens, he asked, when this bomb is dropped and the 70% of the country that wants abortion to be "safe, legal and rare" wake the F up and start participating.

    He said it would change the country more than any other single thing he could think of.  And I agree.

    When this becomes a state by state battle it will change everything about the way people think about this.  And a lot of other things.

    Parent

    Agreed. (none / 0) (#173)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 11:31:45 AM EST
    Freedom of reproductive choice is a huge issue with a large majority of women that at a visceral level, so many men simply refuse to acknowledge and understand.

    Well, just imagine their reaction if this country somehow passed a law declaring sperm a living organism and dictating where and when a man can legally have an erection, effectively limiting such instances solely for procreative purposes and rendering masturbation a felony.

    The GOP may find itself as the dog that finally caught the car after a long chase.

    People ought to be careful what they wish for.

    Parent

    The (none / 0) (#160)
    by KeysDan on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 02:45:31 PM EST
    wisdom is that you should not predict the outcome from the oral arguments.  But, that, I believe,  is old hat. Republicans-- do it in the open, let people become used to it, and when it happens, well, it was expected for months.  

    Parent
    Agree totally (none / 0) (#164)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 06:44:20 PM EST
    you cannot predict an outcome from oral arguments.

    Parent
    "Neutral," hah! As if the issue was (none / 0) (#163)
    by Peter G on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 05:54:55 PM EST
    around "forcing the states," as opposed to "recognizing and protecting women's rights to equality and autonomy." (And, by the way, yet more evidence that Kavanaugh committed perjury at his confirmation hearing. This time, that he considered Roe v. Wade to be "settled precedent.") And as if the principal unlawful burden that an abortion ban (or restriction) places on women were the prospect of parenthood, rather than the forced continuation of an unwanted pregnancy. The problem with abortion bans was never that there are too many restrictions on who can place a child for adoption.

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#165)
    by KeysDan on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 08:42:01 PM EST
    but these justices are soooo reasonable.  Views differ and they are just finding a balance.  It is like balancing those who love and read books and those that ban and burn them.  The answer is to take away the right to make books.

    And, too, pregnancy is only nine months long after which the baby can be dropped off at the fire house.  Also, some of the justices may believe a zygote is a baby in keeping with their religion.-- which is foremost.  The dignity, rights, and liberty for the autonomy of the body of citizens, if women, is not a consideration.  This is forced birth jurisprudence.

    As for perjury, lying will continue.  The Court will find the Texas fugitive uterus law unconstitutional (because of its vigilante enforcement) and the Mississippi law constitutional.  They will claim.they are splitting the difference. The institution is cleansed of the "stench" of being political hacks.  Take that Justice Sotomayor.

    Parent

    The burden of forced continuation (none / 0) (#166)
    by Peter G on Wed Dec 01, 2021 at 09:47:49 PM EST
    of an unwanted pregnancy and of compulsory undergoing of the pain and risks of childbirth, my middle daughter (who works for Planned Parenthood) reminds me.

    Parent
    I think (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by KeysDan on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 08:43:44 AM EST
    this would be the first time the Supreme Court took away rather than expanded rights.  I was, and remain, aghast that a Supreme Court justice would use adoption (without concern for the nine months of trials and tribulations of pregnancy) as the rational for overturning the right to abortion.  I thought. Iit was an inappropriate.joke, but it was Barrett who is inappropriate and a joke.  But, sadly, the joke is on the country.

    Parent
    My sister-in-law was in her 7th month ... (5.00 / 2) (#179)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 07:17:17 PM EST
    ... of pregnancy with her fourth child (a boy) in 2002 and she had driven with her kids up to San Jose, CA on a short visit to her brother and his family. But over the course of one evening, she sensed a marked decrease and then an abrupt stop in fetal activity in utero.

    Her brother's wife immediately took her the next morning to see her own OB-GYN, who detected a fetal heartbeat but otherwise perceived little or no movement. Concerned, the doctor sent her to the hospital and ordered further tests which confirmed what she had suspected, that the fetus was brain dead and therefore non-viable.

    Apparently, the blood circulation to the baby's head had apparently been choked off by the umbilical cord, which had somehow gotten wrapped around his neck. I had never heard of that happening before, but it's a phenomenon called nuchal cord and when it does occur, it's often caused by excessive fetal movement in the uterus.

    At that point, it was only a matter of a short time before the fetus would die completely in the uterus and my sister-in-law's life would be jeopardized as a result. So later that day, after her husband and mother arrived from L.A., she underwent an emergency late-term abortion procedure to terminate her pregnancy.

    She suffered from extreme bouts of depression for months afterward, blaming herself and what she called "her selfish trip up north" for her unborn son's death. The trip had nothing to do with it, of course, but she was inconsolable.

    Some of the more extreme anti-abortion measures offered up by the GOP make no exception for what my sister-in-law experienced. Banning abortion endangers women's lives.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    On the other hand (none / 0) (#180)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 08:42:56 PM EST
    some Dems have stated that they support unrestricted abortion up to the moment of birth.

    Banning restrictions on abortion endangers baby's lives.

    I am sorry to hear about what your SIL went through. My wife (and I) lost 4 pregnancies, although none nearly as late as 7 months. It was devastating, especially to my wife.

    Parent

    Which Dems? (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by oculus on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 09:48:25 PM EST
    What a sad experience for your family.

    Parent
    Jeralyn Merritt (none / 0) (#182)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Dec 02, 2021 at 11:16:44 PM EST
    And thank you.

    Parent
    Link? Or, as andgarden used to reply (none / 0) (#183)
    by oculus on Fri Dec 03, 2021 at 03:18:45 PM EST
    "Air quote."

    Parent
    comment J has made on TL over the years to find this particular quote, no.

    Just ask her if you don't believe me.

    Parent

    Ya, the search function on TL is useless. (none / 0) (#185)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Dec 03, 2021 at 04:25:03 PM EST
    She posted about this a long time ago. iirc, from that conversation, she believes strongly in our civil rights and does not support abridging them. Even to this extent. Which is purely logical.

    Parent
    Have to wonder if anyone else supports this (none / 0) (#186)
    by oculus on Fri Dec 03, 2021 at 07:57:01 PM EST
    position. Infanticide.

    Parent