home

Wednesday Evening Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 08:49:45 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Not much news to report this evening. It's all Blagojevich, Caroline and stories we've been talking about for days. The Illinois Supreme Court won't remove the Governor; Caroline toured upstate NY.

Chrysler has shut down production of cars for a month; Bernie Madoff got better bond conditions today with a condition of home detention -- at night only; Attorney General Mukasey recused himself from Madoff's case because his son, a lawyer with Bracewell and Giuliani (yes that Giuliani) is representing a Madoff exec; and Madoff's wife Ruth may be under investigation.

Former Soprano's actor Lillo Brancato's jury is deliberating his fate on felony murder charges -- they asked to review evidence this afternoon; Georgia legislators push to eliminate the jury unanimity requirement in death penalty cases.

Obama has picked Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.

If there's something you'd like to talk about, here's a place.

< Krugman On Income Inequality And Economic Growth | Recusal Rejected >

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

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Wednesday Evening Open Thread | 76 comments (76 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

    FTR, the Rick Warren thing has me (5.00 / 7) (#2)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:02:04 PM EST
    beside myself, yet again.

    I'm watching Top Chef.

    Maybe we'll all get raptured yet.... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Edger on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:15:10 PM EST


    Parent
    Ditto and ditto. (5.00 / 4) (#5)
    by Joelarama on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:21:55 PM EST
    Have you seen the bleating over at AmericaBlog?  Suddenly Obama is the bad guy again.  Aravosis was out front on McClurkin, then he drank the Obama Kool-Aid, and now Obama is bad, bad again.  
    What a drama queen.
    Warren only confirms what we've known all along about Obama, no?  He's a politician.  And, to him and his circle, gay people are a second-class minority.  (Imagine an anti-Semite standing on that podium.  It won't happen.)
    Interesting to see Aravosis freak out, again.  I'm sure he will forget again and freak out (again) when this happens again.
    It's Obama's blind, gay supporters that disappointment me even more than Obama.

    Parent
    It's a day that I'm happy (5.00 / 6) (#6)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:23:58 PM EST
    to have never been a cultist.

    Parent
    not his gay man (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by txpolitico67 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:32:52 PM EST
    that's what drew me to TL in the first place:  one of the few sites that allowed GLBT folk to discuss their utter disgust & disdain for 'pimping' himself out to McClurkin in SC during the primaries.

    Any self-respecting GLBT person, who educates themselves on who Obama keeps company with, would take serious pause in their support.  If I did support him, it would be guarded at best.

    Americablog lost me when that goofball started saying that minorities and the less educated on ARM mortgages got what they deserved by losing their homes.

    Once a republican, ALWAYS a republican.

    Parent

    Then again... (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by kdog on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 08:38:33 AM EST
    you're never gonna change anybodys mind by calling them evil.

    I got no patience for bigots either...but we do have to live together, and you catch more flies with honey.

    As long as Obama and his minions stand up and advocate for equal rights for all, I got no problem with them talking to the Mclurkins and Warrens of the country...its their country too, for better or worse.

    The problem is...does Obama care about equal rights for all?  I understand why the gay community has doubts, and those doubts are justified.

    Parent

    When Obama hands out (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by dk on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 09:10:16 AM EST
    high profile symbolic goodies to leaders of movements that advocate stripping blacks and jews and all other sorts of people of their rights, that's when I think this kind of argument can be raised.  Right now, he is singling out particular groups of people, and using religion as a cover.

    Parent
    Went a'googling (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:24:26 PM EST
    "Rick Warren" & "gays"
    I found this comment, which I agree with:
    I guess Rick Warren is there to represent the bigots and homophobes of America.
    [link]

    Parent
    I do have a purpose-driven life (5.00 / 4) (#8)
    by lilburro on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:25:33 PM EST
    the purpose of which is to be a bug up the @ss of hateful conservatives like Warren...

    Parent
    Absolutely (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by txpolitico67 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:34:56 PM EST
    Texas liberal here...and I will always stand up for my rights and the rights of others.

    Even if I were straight I would be fighting for GLBT rights.  Insane to discriminate against someone for something that is SOOO none of anyone's business.

    Parent

    Pam (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by lilburro on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:41:58 PM EST
    is pissed, God bless...

    Parent
    Oh, yesssss. (none / 0) (#66)
    by Fabian on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 04:51:59 AM EST
    She is.

    Parent
    I am and I do. (5.00 / 6) (#18)
    by Iphie on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:43:10 PM EST
    Straight and fighting for LGBT rights, that is. Something about the idea of basic human and civil rights makes me think that perhaps that's the only thing to do.

    What gets me about Aravosis though (and I was wondering how they were taking the Rick Warren thing over there -- I will no longer visit myself) is that he doesn't seem to get how closely misogyny and homophobia are related: you can't condone and promote one and then express outrage when you realize that they came as a package deal.

    Parent

    Geez, 10 points for that (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:12:20 PM EST
    if I could.  Exactly, precisely right.

    Parent
    Bingo. nt (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by Joelarama on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:03:24 AM EST


    Parent
    I like that way you put that :) (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:39:13 PM EST
    I have no problem causing a little discomfort while pursuing my purpose(s)  ;)

    Parent
    Whenever (none / 0) (#22)
    by lilburro on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:48:26 PM EST
    my lid is flipped by the Right, I listen to this classic and feel better:

    Youtube: Morrissey - Interesting Drug

    "There are some bad, bad people on the Right..."

    Parent

    Thank you for that :) (none / 0) (#28)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:58:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Eleanor Roosevelt: (none / 0) (#53)
    by txpolitico67 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:56:56 PM EST
    "To comfort the afflicted you must afflict the comfortable."

    That woman was completely and unbelievably AMAZING (millions of light years ahead of her time....)

    Parent

    heh (none / 0) (#9)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:26:05 PM EST


    Parent
    I visited Daily Kos (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Steve M on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:51:48 PM EST
    the comments in the main Warren thread were almost all critical.  Very little excuse-making, if any.  I find that encouraging.

    Parent
    I care less and less about what they (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:55:21 PM EST
    do or say. However, I would be shocked if there weren't a few prominent defenders. There always are.

    Parent
    Um, look again. (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Joelarama on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:09:20 AM EST
    Icebergslim, ever ready when gays stand up and criticize Obama (cf. McClurkin).  

    S/he even updates her diary to note that his/her central argument (Obama did not choose Warren) has been debunked.

    Do facts get in the way of slapping down Obama critics?  Of course not.  Rec List, baby!  And so it goes at the Big Orange.  These people disgust me.

    Parent

    It's easier for me to avoid disgust (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by andgarden on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:25:11 AM EST
    when I expect the behavior, and then ignore it.

    Of course, you really can't ignore it. Screw them!

    Parent

    There's no benefit of the doubt on this one... (5.00 / 6) (#54)
    by magster on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:00:39 AM EST
    This is a middle finger to over half the people who voted for him.

    Parent
    I have no problem (none / 0) (#16)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:40:44 PM EST
    with Warren that I wouldn't have with anyone else giving an invocation where I don't think it should be done. I never listen to them anyway...but I guess that's the agnostic/secular humanist side of me.

    Parent
    What if it were David Duke? (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:46:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Not sure (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:56:57 PM EST
    I don't remember him as speaking from any religious pulpit so its unlikely he would be giving a religious invocation. I could be mistaken.

    It would likely get the same non-response out of me. When it comes to religion I'm on the side that it's best kept under wraps and away from politics and sports and any other public setting...so no one is acceptable.

    Parent

    Really? (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:00:26 PM EST
    I kinda doubt you'd have absolutely no reaction if Obama put David Duke on stage in some official capacity.

    Parent
    We aren't talking about (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:06:51 PM EST
    any official capacity. We are talking about an invocation which I am already against. I don't have degrees of unacceptability when it comes to that. Anyone is unacceptable.


    Parent
    The inauguration is official IMO. (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:09:26 PM EST
    And frankly, I think there are degrees of unacceptability. I'm as areligious as they come, but I understand the difference between a mainstream Protestant or whatever and Rick Warren.

    Parent
    I don't think we are that far apart (none / 0) (#34)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:17:54 PM EST
    You'd probably prefer "none of the above" too. You just have degrees of unacceptability while they are all unacceptable to me.


    Parent
    I could do without the Jesus Christ stuff (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:22:05 PM EST
    but Rick Warren has the value-added anti-gay bigotry, and I think that crosses the line.  

    Parent
    I still have yet to understand (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by lilburro on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:31:20 PM EST
    what this thing that Obama does from time to time is called.  Is it triangulation?  Is it just massive pandering?  Is it selling out?  Is it being a huge tool?  Is it bipartisanship?  

    I am really hard-pressed to find anything progressive for gays in Obama having Warren do the invocation.  Bipartisanship, I thought, was supposed to have a point - it helps us get where we want to go.  This absolutely does not.  What a d*ck move.

    Parent

    The first time was more obvious (5.00 / 3) (#40)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:34:31 PM EST
    Donnie McClurkin was all about appealing to the bigots in South Carolina.

    Now, who knows. Maybe he thinks he can draw lasting support from evangelicals. Idiot.

    Parent

    It's really frustrating. (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by lilburro on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:55:15 PM EST
    I thought this was going to be an election that showed how harmful "values voting" is.  We've got an economy in the crapper, two unsuccessful wars, and you want to vote solely on gay marriage?  Politics isn't about that anymore.  That's what I thought we were going to get.  I thought that sounded rather Obama-like.

    Instead we got a highly publicized campaign for evangelical support.  I'm sure we all remember all those fun pamphlets of Obama in front of stained-glass windows, at church.  

    Unless Rick Warren is wearing some sort of amulet that will hypnotize the Religious Right, I see no reason why Obama chose him.  Why not choose Sarah Palin.  Why give CPR to a dying breed?

    Maybe next Obama will come out and tell us all how it is important to say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays this time of year.

    Parent

    I vote for (5.00 / 3) (#41)
    by shoephone on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:49:15 PM EST
    "Massive Pandering". I'm already sick of it and he hasn't even taken office yet.

    The news on Warren and Salazar in the same day, fer crissakes.

    Parent

    Good News: (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by lilburro on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:13:03 PM EST
    AP: Obama picks for intelligence expected this week

    The Obama transition team's delay in selecting a new national intelligence director and a new CIA chief is a reflection of the complicated demands of the jobs and Obama's own policies and priorities, say several current and former intelligence officials.

    Obama hopes to send an unequivocal signal that controversial Bush administration policies approving harsh interrogations and waterboarding, renditions -- the secret transfer of prisoners to other governments with a history of torture -- and warrantless wiretapping are over, they said. All the officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because the Obama transition team has insisted on confidentiality in its internal deliberations.

    That sounds really really good to me.

    Wait and see attitude on that one (5.00 / 3) (#43)
    by shoephone on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:56:05 PM EST
    Obama could have taken a stand against warrantless wiretapping last summer, when it mattered -- by filibustering the unconstitutional FISA bill, as he had promised, instead of helping the d*mn thing sail through to passage.

    Parent
    Uhh... (5.00 / 4) (#14)
    by lilburro on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:37:55 PM EST
    from your link on Caroline Kennedy Jeralyn...

    "I have had a lifelong commitment to public service," she said. "I've written books on the constitution and the importance of individual participation. I think I really could help bring change to Washington."

    The 51-year-old Manhattan resident admitted that "it's my first time in Rochester, but I'll be back as many times as Chuck Schumer," a joke about the omnipresent senior New York senator.

    I don't know the full details of her remarks, but CK needs to bring more than this.  "Change to Washington" lost its zing when the economy collapsed.  And not having ever been to Rochester...seriously?  

    My advice - there's one family more on our minds than yours in these times, Ms. Kennedy.  "It's the economy, stupid."  

    Another bone I'm picking (5.00 / 7) (#19)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:44:22 PM EST
    she's out drumming up support of leaders and politicians, not the people.

    I'm very "invested" (aka protective!) of "my" farmers. I'd like to know where she weighs in on farm /ag issues. Along with a list of other state/national issues.

    But hey! Obama wrote a couple of books and likes the constitution also . . . {head meets desk again}

    Parent

    I've been picking that bone for days now. (5.00 / 5) (#25)
    by Iphie on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:53:48 PM EST
    It astonishes me that a woman who has spent her entire life avoiding the public now wants to be given a job representing us. This morning the radio announcer said that she was going upstate to meet with "politicians and power-brokers."

    When is she going to talk to the rest of us? When is she going to explain her positions on anything? The Democratic brand just doesn't cut it anymore -- we need substance, and lots and lots of details.

    Parent

    Yeah, I've been picking it for awhile (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:06:55 PM EST
    also, but today's news just ramped it up (after yesterday!)

    I don't give a ***** about the power brokers or her fund raising abilities, I care about issues. Period, end of story. And I KNOW we have many options that have earned their stripes working for NYers and the issues here along with nationally.

    Ya know, I wouldn't have a problem with her being appointed to the administration dealing with education (that's her "issue", right?) and then running for senator. Or just plain ol' getting involved more publicly and establishing some street cred and then running. But with our experienced options. . . . and many who are women . . .

    Parent

    Oy. She didn't get the best review (none / 0) (#33)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:13:24 PM EST
    on CBS 11PM news! And didn't handle the press all that great.

    There's hope.

    Parent

    NYCstray........ (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by vml68 on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:20:08 PM EST
    I thought I'd share this little nugget from Tweety..... Enjoy!!....:-)

    "I am as much in the glow of the Kennedys as anyone but I am amazed that she will be appointed rather quickly by Governor Paterson to fill that seat without really having made a public case for that appointment. In other words, with no speeches, no statements, no memorable lines, no quotable quotes. She may be the most successful politician in history because she hasn't said anything yet. Does that astound you? Maybe we are used to this with the Kennedys? I mean i find it wondrous ... maybe i find it sacramental that she is getting this job."

    Parent

    {wipes wine off monitor} (5.00 / 3) (#38)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:26:53 PM EST
    O.M.G.

    I don't know which sentence is more "profound" (lol!~) Thanks for watching that for me! {grin}

    One thing I don't think is true is a quick appointment by Paterson. The way he was quoted today sounded like an artful dodge   :) {yes, I'm STILL an optimist!}

    It's really scary how I can hear Tweety's voice when reading the quote you posted! Dawg that is too funny though!

    Parent

    Paterson has a month. (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by Iphie on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:04:15 PM EST
    A lot can happen in a month. If the idea of CK becomes unpopular (and I think that's the direction it's going, especially if she won't deign to speak to the public) Paterson will have as good an excuse as he needs to ignore the media pressure. I'm also inclined to believe that he will chose someone who already has a constituency within the state, especially if that can in any way help him with the budget. CK offers him no benefit on that score whatsoever.

    My personal favorite at the moment is Randi Weingarten -- given how well represented business interests are in congress, we could certainly use a strong pro-labor voice there. She's also much easier to justify -- her entire career has been about public service.

    Parent

    Kennedy $$$$ (5.00 / 3) (#47)
    by caseyOR on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:19:17 PM EST
    I saw folks talking about this on The News Hour (Ruth Marcus and a newspaper columnist from upstate NY). It seems the Kennedy family has promised the Democrats that the Kennedys will raise all the money needed in the 2010 and 2012 New York senate race provided Caroline gets the nod.

    This is thought to appeal to Democrats (Harry Reid, anyone?) because it would free up party money for other races. This seems to fit right in with Rahm Emmanuel's and Chuck Schumer's love affair with self-funded candidates, even if the candidates are DINOs.

    Parent

    Where's the Obama money train? (5.00 / 3) (#51)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:36:28 PM EST
    Shouldn't any Dem running for Hillary's seat get the backing of the Great Obama Grassroots Machine?

    And why won't the Kennedys support whichever NY Dem, who gets the nod, in their 2010 run? Are they not Democrats? Or are they just Kennedys?

    Parent

    Better cut that out (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:15:42 PM EST
    You're going to have a horrendous big bruise by the time his first term is over.


    Parent
    Rick Warren is a big mistake (5.00 / 3) (#35)
    by Lolis on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 10:20:05 PM EST
    Team Obama stepped in it here. The problem is Obama is too tolerant of people who dislike what he believes. It is almost sadomasochistic, but I guess that is a democratic tendency, right?

    The fact that Obama is friendly with Warren and gets spiritual advice from Warren scares me. Besides his views on gays, Warren has advocated for political assassinations, compares abortion to the holocaust, and betrayed Obama in favor of McCain at the Saddleback Forum.

    Even though Obama has a pro-gay marriage pastor at the end, Warren was a bad choice for the conservative pick. He is blatantly partisan and divisive. I already wrote Obama's LGBT transition adviser to complain.

    Rick Warren believes (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by dk on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 09:12:12 AM EST
    that civil marriage is between a man and a woman, ostensibly because of religion.  Barack Obama believes that civil marriage is between a mana and a woman, ostensibly because of religion.

    They may disagree on tactics, but they agree on the goal.

    Parent

    The choice of Warren is (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by lentinel on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 07:31:31 AM EST
    deeply sickening.

    Warren's function will be to give a pseudo-religious blessing and emotionally coercive power to Obama's foreign and domestic policy - both of which are taking on a decidedly reactionary tone.

    Sometimes Obama seems to be out of his mind. I fear for our future.

    There is a letter to the NYTimes that expresses my feelings on this subject. I think that Warren is dangerous and crazy in the way that Falwell was and Robertson still is. I have provided a link below:

    Warren

    Did ANYONE pay attention (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by Cream City on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 09:50:12 AM EST
    to Obama's choice for the invocation at the Democratic convention? -- yes, an invocation at a political party convention.

    That so-called man of God denounced the Democratic platform -- specifically, its plank on abortion.

    But not a peep from the peeps here?  Only now is the LGBT community concerned?  Do they begin to see the connections with women's rights?

    Sow, reap.  That convention invocation told me that it was laughable to worry about McCain's Supreme Court choices.  Wait 'til we see the ones coming. . . .

    Parent

    To be fair, I think that once (none / 0) (#72)
    by dk on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 09:57:16 AM EST
    Obama was given the nomination, there was a deep disconnect between the gay establishment and many in the rank and file.  The establishment decided to go with Obama, while many other gay people remained deeply skeptical.  I agree, though, that the howls by the gay establishment leaders over this seems too little too late for this gay man.

    Parent
    I saw something different (none / 0) (#74)
    by Cream City on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 05:42:58 PM EST
    in the LGBT community in my town (I work with it a lot) -- and in the gays that thought it was funny to hang an effigy of Palin.  But not Warren. . . .

    Parent
    It's all about perception (none / 0) (#75)
    by jondee on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 05:56:44 PM EST
    and the popular perception is that Warren is some kind of middle of the road, non-threatening, power of positive thinking preacher interested in healing, reconciliation and golden showers (of spiritual love).

    And he sells alot of books at Walmart.

    Parent

    You know Walmart (none / 0) (#76)
    by jondee on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 06:01:13 PM EST
    that company Sen Springboard helped make the no 1 employer in NY state?

    Parent
    Vilsack for agriculture is (none / 0) (#1)
    by ThatOneVoter on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:01:46 PM EST
    disappointing, isn't it?
    I read that he's pro-Monsanto. Is he in favor of corn biofuels as well?

    He's got... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:44:47 PM EST
    ...the Clinton seal of appoval.  So, there's that.

    He also had the backing of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's choice to be secretary of state. Clinton sent a congratulatory email to Vilsack, who campaigned aggressively for Clinton for president after abandoning his own short-lived bid.

    Vilsack received Clinton's e-mail en route to the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago where Obama is expected to appear with Vilsack at 10:45 a.m.

    "We'll be working together after all," Clinton wrote, expressing that she had kept her "fingers crossed" and "pressed your case."

    As to your biofuels question, there is this...

    It's difficult unless you have a workable, profitable alternative," said Vilsack, who promoted Iowa's nation-leading ethanol industry during his two terms as governor. "Farmers don't want to spend any more money than they have to.

    http://tinyurl.com/668nwk

    As a native Iowan, he doesn't have my full support because of things like this...

    As governor, Vilsack focused heavily on education policy. He was sometimes at odds with farm activists for not doing more to stop construction of large hog confinements. As a state senator, he once voted to permit them, a move that won him an important co-endorsement from the Iowa Farm Bureau in the 1998 election campaign. Later, he signed a Farm Bureau bill that effectively limited construction of new bike trails in Iowa.

    http://tinyurl.com/4buuh3

    Ag run-off is poisoning our soil and water.  You probably don't want to know how many tons of pig crap is put into the soil and eventually, our rivers and lakes and aquafers, every year.  

    And everyone knows that Iowans are crazy about their bike riding.


    Parent

    Funny you should mention pig crap (none / 0) (#23)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:51:46 PM EST
    I'm still trying to wrap my head around the new "farms not needing to report toxic waste" (livestock crap anyone?!) and the "cow tax" idea. How can you tax an environmental issue if you are no longer going to monitor it? And to have the "ideas" come out so close together . . . {puts pillow on desk for head}

    Parent
    Ray LaHood for Transportation (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by caseyOR on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:31:33 PM EST
    News is reporting that Obama has chosen Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL) for Transportation Secretary. LaHood represents the CD (IL18) in which I grew up and where my family still lives. He is a massive tool. I just talked to my mother about this. She wants to know why she bothered voting for Obama if he's going to appoint Republicans. (Mom fails to see the wonder and glory of bi/post partisanship.)

    LaHood's appointment makes me wonder about Obama's commitment to public transit. His big infrastructure stimulus will be loaded with transportation projects. The Bush administration has been, at best, hostile to public transportation projects. This office could, with the right leader,  be a standout on green initiatives. Ray LaHood is not that person.

    Parent

    LaHood is, however, a friend (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by caseyOR on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:32:13 PM EST
    of Rahm Emmanuel's. Maybe that is all it takes.

    Parent
    Thanks for the insite (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by nycstray on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:01:00 AM EST
    I saw this news also and was wondering about him.

    I'm a big believer in public transport. I've never had a DL and even lived in Los Angeles for awhile.  (Yes, that was me on the bus!;) ) Where I'm moving next, I will have to drive, but will work to keep it down. They are just getting some PT on the mountain, and I hope it expands. I would love to see a pro-active public transportation admin.  For many outings, PT works fine if there is an efficient system. If you live close to a good PT line to get to work, it really is much less stressful than driving. And if you are a parent of teens, beats the heck outta worrying about them on the road  ;) Even though our fares here in NYC are going to take a hike and services cut (thank you Wall Street!) it's still going to be cheaper and more efficient than driving n' parking. We need to foster taking PT as part of our daily life. Not as a replacement for driving, but as a supplement mode of transport, imo

    Parent

    Portland has been (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by caseyOR on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:20:03 AM EST
    completely stymied by the Bush people. We've got a good public transit system that serves the whole metro area. Buses, light rail, streetcars, we've got it all. Also, regional planning has encouraged development along the light rail lines. BushCo. insisted on only funding buses. They didn't see the value of rail and streetcars and all that "smart planning."

    A transportation secretary with a commitment to rail and mass transit, and a vision for implementation would be so amazing. What is Obama doing here?

    Oh, fun fact about LaHood-- Newt Gingrich chose Ray to chair the impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton.

    Parent

    Wouldn't it be great to have (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by nycstray on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:41:06 AM EST
    a pro-mass transit person! Living anywhere with good PT and using it, really makes you appreciate it. I see extreme arguments on both sides, but the middle is really workable. And not given the attention it needs. My dad taught me how to commute on mass transit. Kinda cute when I think about it now :) But it included riding the rails, buses and even the folks that drive by bus stops for extra passengers. And this was in the burbs and a good 25 yrs ago. If "green" is supposed to help the economy, environment, etc, mass transit needs a big boost, imo.

    Not liking your fun fact ;)

    Parent

    He supports turning corn into (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:32:28 PM EST
    ethanol (so long as the feds subsidize the effort).  

    Parent
    I'm for anyone (none / 0) (#10)
    by Fabian on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:30:56 PM EST
    who can

    Keep up production while cutting fossil fuel inputs.
    Coordinate closely with climate change scientists to predict & minimize crop losses.
    Work to encourage new/old technology like cover crops and intercropping.
    Work to promote disease and pest resistance over new chemicals to control diseases and pests.

    Some things like cover crops are great - if you have a small farm.  Make that a micro farm.  There must be a way to scale up these techniques.

    Parent

    From Grist: (none / 0) (#13)
    by nycstray on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 09:36:01 PM EST
    "Tom Vilsack was one of the first governors to see the promise of biotechnology. He has a very balanced view of agriculture and understands its potential."
    -- Ted Crosbie, vice president of global plant breeding and director of Monsanto's Iowa operations

    "Governor Vilsack would be an outstanding choice for Secretary of Agriculture. He would bring great leadership and experience to the position. Governor Vilsack understands what it takes to increase agricultural productivity to meet growing global demand for food and feed."
    -- Paul Schickler, president of Dupont's Pioneer Hi-Bred, one of Monsanto's few rivals in the genetically modified seed industry. (Both quoted from a Dec. 16 Des Moines Register piece.)

    more

    I'm not surprised by the choice, but this is one area where I was "hoping" for "change". I personally believe that all Presidents should have to feed their children from the center aisles . . . Maybe, just maybe, then they'll get a clue. I seem to remember reading that Obama's oldest daughter was hitting above optimum weight for her age and his wife started reading labels and going organic. Would love to see that thought process trickle into the mass food supply. A girl can dream . . .

    Parent

    David Mamet on (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 11:50:38 PM EST
    Speed-the-Plow actor dropping out:

    LAT

    If he really has a high mercury count (none / 0) (#57)
    by nycstray on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:07:51 AM EST
    I wish him the best. And we should all take note, especially since the FDA is now telling us to ignore the mercury in fish. If we feed it in higher quantities to our children, their IQ "might" be three points higher . . . .

    Have you seen the play?

    Parent

    No, but my friend saw it (none / 0) (#59)
    by oculus on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:16:49 AM EST
    and thought it was terrific, as opposed to "Grand Inquisitor," which she didn't like at all.  I did meet a guy at the bar at the Hard Rock Cafe who claimed he was in high school drama classes with Pixen though.  

    Parent
    I may have to check it out (none / 0) (#63)
    by nycstray on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:48:40 AM EST
    I saw one of his off Broadway plays with my mom, and it really had us talking afterward.  I can't remember if the other folks we heard talking about it was before or after we saw it (I lived around the corner from the theater and restaurants), but it was interesting that it caused so much talk :) Shoot, I wish I could remember the name of it. It was fantastic, as it was all about how you saw it, so the after conversation was great :)

    Parent
    Maybe "Oleana"? (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 12:50:22 AM EST


    Parent
    Just did a search (none / 0) (#65)
    by nycstray on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 01:05:09 AM EST
    and that would be a yes I believe :) But it wasn't Macy, it was (gonna get the name wrong here I think) Tommy Lee Jones? We were in the front row corner of the stage where he was practically in our lap. Mom was tickled. We saw it in the East Village, iirc, it was a walk from my apt. That visit was all about shows and we did several Broadway and off ones. I'm not big on the more commercial ones . . . . so Mom's the one who will "go there" with me, but also likes some of those other ones ;)

    Parent
    The Reverend Warren (none / 0) (#73)
    by KeysDan on Thu Dec 18, 2008 at 01:04:12 PM EST
    is an agent of no change and is out of step and out of tune.  It is my hope that the gay marching band invited to the inaugural will adopt his cadence as a musical protest. As for the President-elect, what should have been a spiritual bouquet for this historic and auspices occasion was cynically used for possible political gain.  As one of the few senators in our nation's history to become president, and the first since John Kennedy, he could have chosen the senate chaplain for the invocation.

    Wednesday Evening Open Thread | 76 comments (76 topical)

    Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment