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Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread

Everybody at TalkLeft is working today and our morning open thread is full.

Here's another one.

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    Speaking of character and issues (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by zyx on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:44:49 PM EST
    and elections and pundits and voters, oh my, did you see Richard Cohen, who is supposed to be a Democrat, and an Obama fan, I think, right? Well, he says now that voters know that McCain has an integrity/character background piece from Vietnam that they can hang a hat on, and that issues don't matter so much, and when they look at Obama's declarations that he'll draw a line at and not move that line, well, they don't have any, because he keeps moving on all those things...thought it was interesting, the way Cohen chose to write this thing. Who is The Darling?

    I read the Richard Cohen (none / 0) (#170)
    by Grace on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 05:31:58 AM EST
    editorial and I agreed with him, even though he sent a lot of liberal bloggers into some sort of weird state.  

    McCain is a known value.  Obama is not.  

    I think that is pretty easy to understand.  

    If Obama wants to be an known value too, then perhaps we should ship him to the Al Quida so they can imprison him and torture him and we'll see how he does at that.  We can ask to get him back after 5 years.      

    When he comes out of it, we can compare him to John McCain.  Does that sound like a plan?  ;-)  

    Parent

    Wonder what Feingold thinks (5.00 / 4) (#7)
    by Lil on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:54:12 PM EST
    of Obama now.

    what has Hillary said about it (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:58:25 PM EST
    we all know what obama has said and all disagree, sound of silence....

    Parent
    You can't keep pointing to Hillary (5.00 / 8) (#21)
    by Joelarama on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:04:24 PM EST
    every time the Emperor has lost his clothes.

    It won't work any more.

    Parent

    Joel, just understand (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by SoCalLiberal on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 12:31:37 AM EST
    No matter what happens, the Obama maniacs will always blame Hillary no matter what happens.  

    Parent
    sure i can (1.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:08:31 PM EST
    and I will.  Lots of bellyaching about her being VP from me and her supporters and I expect her to represent my values as much as I do Obama.  It is a disgrace for both of them.  Funny how some of her supporters here are not bellyaching about her lack of representation on the issue.  Goes both ways.  And to reiterate, Obama is backpedaling and it is an embarassment.

    Parent
    NEWSFLASH...obama decreed himself king (5.00 / 8) (#43)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:15:32 PM EST
    and the supposed leader of the DNC, so let him show his leadership or continued lack of.  You can't make this another IACF moment.  obama can take responsibility for his own stuff....you know how he hates when Hillary one up's him, even though he is not prepared to play with the big dawgs.

    Parent
    i am sorry (1.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:16:08 PM EST
    What has Hillary said about it?

    Parent
    Hey! (5.00 / 2) (#60)
    by nycstray on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:25:39 PM EST
    Why don't you ask her and also let her know your feelings on the issue?  :)

    Parent
    sure, and why don't you do the same with (1.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:28:01 PM EST
    Obama....

    Parent
    See thread last night -- (5.00 / 3) (#62)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:25:53 PM EST
    several comments had quotes from and links to Clinton on FISA.

    Parent
    Newt got a reply from Clinton (5.00 / 3) (#71)
    by tree on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:35:43 PM EST
    on a FISA email she sent and she posted it here.

    Parent
    thanks (none / 0) (#173)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 08:38:49 AM EST
    capitulation but awfully nice of Newt to share it with the group.

    Parent
    Well (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:54:59 PM EST
    I would agree with you if she was the VP candidate. However, she's not going to be Obama's VP.

    Has she made a statement on FISA? If she flips around I'll be as hard on her as I am on Obama.

    Parent

    Okay (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:56:32 PM EST
    you have a legitimate gripe if you want her to be VP. It's the people who don't want her to be VP, the people who don't want her anywhere yet whine about how she isn't making a statement that bugs me.

    Parent
    i am on record (none / 0) (#174)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 08:40:54 AM EST
    several times saying she brings more to the table post election than any other potential candidate.  She can flex political muscle Barack does not have, she is smart as a whip and would be ideal for foreign relations.

    Parent
    What does McCain think ... (1.00 / 1) (#111)
    by Tortmaster on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:31:27 PM EST
    ... about FISA? What do you think McCain would do with all that fun, awesome power? Since he pictures himself as some kind of modern-day Viking, I imagine the worst.

    (oh, and not the good kind of Viking, either).  

    Parent

    What is the tit for tat (5.00 / 4) (#31)
    by Lil on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:10:33 PM EST
    I want to know why THE Democratic nominee would support this. Much as I hate to see it, Hillary is not that person.  And my point is I wondered if Feingold was more aggravated with Obama than he can admit.

    Parent
    Because you can see ... (1.50 / 2) (#114)
    by Tortmaster on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:33:49 PM EST
    ... into Feingold's mind? Let's see if you can guess what I'm thinking now.

    Wrong!

    Russ Feingold, like every other good Dem, knows that the pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow. You can't just snap your fingers.

    (I can say this because I can see into his mind).

    Parent

    Did you actually read my comment? (5.00 / 0) (#156)
    by Lil on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:35:08 PM EST
    I said I wondered...no mind-reading here.

    Parent
    and I want to know (1.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:14:51 PM EST
    why any demo, especially one that had the other 50% of the vote is silent.

    Parent
    Oy vey, the question was (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Lil on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:17:05 PM EST
    How does Feingold feel about Obama now? (Of course publicly he'll still support him)

    Parent
    Then the story would be their conflict again (4.00 / 1) (#138)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:04:47 PM EST
    of course, taking the focus off him, and it all might as well be back in the primaries.

    From her strong anti-FISA stand before, it might be a very tough bullet to bite to go with Obama on this -- but for Clinton and the Dems, it's all about winning in November, even if it means losing a bill now.  I'm not agreeing; I'm saying that, especially on the eve of the (ugh) Unity thingie, they have to be unified in this vote, or media will make them the story instead of him.

    Parent

    the point is (5.00 / 4) (#63)
    by Edgar08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:26:20 PM EST
    As far as I'm concerned, obama said he'd be different.

    I take a different approach.  I'm not gonna tell you Clinton would be doing anything different.  I don't believe she would be.

    The point is obama SOLD himself as different.

    My issue here is not to say on the issue of fisa one is better than the other.

    But on the issue of misrepresenting oneself to a group of voters one is better than the other.

    You would think obama would reward his most ardent supporters for their support and believing in him.

    Parent

    nice post e (none / 0) (#172)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 07:51:56 AM EST
    I may not agree with how he sold himself, but he sold out the american public with FISA and he lost my vote.  Hillary does not deserve any bailout from her campaign debt either as she is not representing the american people.  With the other 50% of the vote and someone who was supposedly ready "day one" her silence is a clear demonstration that she is no more ready than Obama.  Both have not served the american public well on this issue.  

    Parent
    I ask myself that same questions everyday. (5.00 / 8) (#34)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:13:14 PM EST
    I even wrote Hillary to tell her, I love her, I support her, America needs her, but I cannot and will not vote for obama.  Leaving the space where it gives you the choice for prez will be left blank before it is marked for obama.  After eight years of wrong, we are being set up for another failure.

    Parent
    Wolf Blitzer interviewed Feingold today. (5.00 / 3) (#36)
    by Aqua Blue on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:13:16 PM EST
    He said that he was disappointed.

    Parent
    That is probably a huge understatement. (5.00 / 4) (#49)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:18:30 PM EST
    Imagine if he said all he wanted to say.  It would be welcome by many if they stopped pussy footing around and told it like it is and stop worrying about their own political future and focusing on what is best for America.

    Parent
    Well, Boxer did the right thing (5.00 / 2) (#97)
    by otherlisa on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:12:21 PM EST
    Great news in FL (5.00 / 5) (#9)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:56:32 PM EST
    The state is buying out the sugar company that was standing in the way of more complete Everglades restoration.

    I've been reading up on this in the last year or so. The sugar companies were some of the driving forces behind damming Lake Okeechobee in the 19th century, and draining the Everglades so they could use the land, which subsequently polluted what was left of the Everglades.

    Gov. Crist just went up in my estimation. He had to do something to make up for the off-shore drilling flip-flop.


    The sugar companies (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by BarnBabe on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:08:36 PM EST
    get to lease back the land for 5 or 6 years. So nothing will be done for a while.

    Parent
    That's OK (none / 0) (#152)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:09:05 PM EST
    It will take the engineers at least a couple of years to plan for the reclamation. As long as it is moving in that direction it is way ahead of where we were a week ago.

    for anybody interested in this I enthusiastically recommend Michael Grunwald's The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise

    It may be the best book of any kind I have read in a year - very readable history of South Florida and the Everglades.

    Parent

    If McCain picks Crist for VP (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by otherlisa on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:23:12 PM EST
    Obama will have some serious problems, IMO.

    Parent
    Won't be Crist (none / 0) (#137)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:04:20 PM EST
    A recent in Florida has Crist's approval rating dropping hard along with the Florida economy

    (My first attempt at a link so apologies if I screwed it up)  

    ...also Crist has too many questions to ever survive a GOP vetting process. They would swiftboat their own nominee before he made it to the ticket.

    Parent

    and I obviously screwed it up (none / 0) (#139)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:04:54 PM EST
    Well, we need oil more than we need sugar. (none / 0) (#14)
    by MarkL on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:00:01 PM EST
    That's good news.

    Parent
    I happen to like oil (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by scribe on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:03:04 PM EST
    on my morning raisin bran.

    A nice light crude goes well with the crunchy flakes and two scoops of raisins.

    Parent

    I like it on my waffles (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:01:57 PM EST
    when people let me eat them.

    Parent
    Have you tried the Sweet Crude? (none / 0) (#149)
    by Ellie on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:52:34 PM EST
    There's even a Light Sweet Crude (a popular futures commodity) for a slimmer wallet.

    Parent
    There is a draw back (none / 0) (#19)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:04:05 PM EST
    The sugar cane is another source of ethanol, which we could use. But it is cheaper right now to get sugar cane from Brazil, and I think it is a worthwhile trade-off.

    Parent
    If everyone would just stop driving (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by MarkL on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:05:08 PM EST
    coffee and desserts, we wouldn't need so much sugar to get around.

    Parent
    But, U.S. has a tariff on importing (none / 0) (#80)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:53:41 PM EST
    sugar cane.

    Parent
    Also true (none / 0) (#150)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:01:12 PM EST
    But even with the tariff this sugar cane company was not making enough money on their land here in FL and was ready to make a deal.  It was good timing on Crist's part to recognize it.  I'll give him credit on this one.

    Parent
    Hey, is that a new widget on the right? (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by ruffian on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:00:17 PM EST
    With the latest TL posts? Or maybe I never noticed it before.  Very cool! I'll put it on my Mac when I get home!

    I can't believe (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by standingup on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:01:09 PM EST
    they are even wasting time or money on polling McCaskill as a possible VP?  She is my Senator and just isn't VP material.  

    McCaskill would add nothing to (4.66 / 3) (#113)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:33:24 PM EST
    to the experience level of the ticket but would add about 100 points to the capacity to capitulate to Republicans. She is just so so proud of her bipartisan credentials when she votes with Bush on Iraq and FISA. She also does a great adoring Republican wife bit whenever she looks at Obama so that should be worth something.

    Parent
    McCaskill (5.00 / 2) (#130)
    by JimWash08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:50:31 PM EST
    She is quite a wiley lil' lady. I'd never heard of her until she endorsed Obama, but then it was not what she did that bothered me, but what she based it on.

    Paraphrasing: "My 18-year-old daughter came back from college one day and she said, 'Mom, if you don't endorse Barack Obama, I will never speak to you again.'"

    *blank stare*

    And this little graf in today's NYT article about Sen. Clinton's return to the Senate is telling:


    Others described Mrs. Clinton's luncheon manner as characteristically "workmanlike." She smiled and dutifully dispensed handshakes, air kisses and "good to see yooos" to former supporters and nonsupporters alike. "I got a handshake," reported Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, a supporter of Mr. Obama, after the lunch. "No hug, no air kiss." Mrs. McCaskill also said that in brief remarks, Mrs. Clinton voiced her full commitment to Mr. Obama's campaign -- in recounting this, Mrs. McCaskill feigned relief by pretending to wipe sweat from her forehead.

    More about McCaskill from the AP: "Mo. Sen. McCaskill emerging as key Obama supporter"

    Parent
    MCaskill sounds quite immature. (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:53:48 PM EST
    Sounds like she and her teenage (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by Valhalla on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:57:21 PM EST
    daughter are the same person.  

    Because boy, that was classy.

    Parent

    Well, the last time that I took advice (5.00 / 1) (#162)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:39:18 PM EST
    from my daughter . . . I never wore the outfit, once I got back home. :-)

    Interestingly, increasingly, my daughter takes advice from me.  That is, she's in her 20s now.  She never seemed to listen to a thing I had to say a decade ago.  But it turns out that she did -- because she turned out fine . . . to the point that she wouldn't buy that outfit now, either.

    Parent

    Has anyone heard (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by mmc9431 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:04:13 PM EST
    I just read in a comment on FDL that Obama stated that he was disappointed in the SC over the death verdict ruling today?

    Please someone, tell me this is wrong!

    Interesting (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Steve M on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:09:28 PM EST
    it is (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:13:58 PM EST
    and there was a poll on cnn today and 75% of the people who log onto their site and voted in that poll agreed with him.  I cannot vote for McCain but I can vote for Nader.  Obama is 0-5 for me lately.....

    Parent
    Never, ever believe on-line polls (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by dianem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:22:50 PM EST
    They are totally voluntary and incredibly easy to game. Freepers regularly post requests by people to go and distort results of polls in which people are voting in ways they don't want. They can be fun, but don't assume that they are representative.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#54)
    by Steve M on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:20:10 PM EST
    What's the Libertarian Party's position on child rape?  Surely there's a market-based solution that doesn't involve so much icky government intervention to stop it!

    To be honest, I agree with pretty much everything Obama said at that link.  But hey, that's why it's a free country, we all get to have an opinion.  I like how he respectfully disagrees with the decision, without getting into the kind of GOP-style rhetoric that demeans the Supreme Court as an institution.

    Parent

    not a one issue deal for me (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:27:12 PM EST
    but Obama has steadily disappointed me over the last several weeks.  I am against any cap punishment under any circumstance, but that is not the issue. I can disagree on issues because there are a lot that i don't agree with, but Obama is not leading and I expect him to.  Nader has no chance in hell, but as of today he has my vote.

    Parent
    Welcome aboard brother.... (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:32:12 PM EST
    I knew you'd come around:)

    Now stay strong and we'll hit ten percent this year...maybe give the parties a lil chill up their spines.

    Parent

    Third (5.00 / 2) (#88)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:02:45 PM EST
    parties have the best chance this Nov. than I've seen in a long time. I wonder what percentage Barr will get in Nov?

    Parent
    And you are saying this because ... (1.00 / 1) (#127)
    by Tortmaster on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:45:02 PM EST
    ... Nader has a great chance to do better than Perot's 18.9% of the popular vote and 0 electoral votes in 1992?

    Or, do you think Barr or Nader will do better than Nader's 2.7% and 0 electoral votes in 2000 or Nader's 0.38% and 0 electoral votes in 2004?

    Nader peaked in 2000, and now he's just good for putting his foot in his mouth. Barr will do a great job, though, stealing republican votes from McSame in Georgia.  

    You are funny, though,Ga6thDem! Thanks for the laugh. Seriously.  

    Parent

    I'm saying (5.00 / 0) (#153)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:16:26 PM EST
    it because there seem to be alot of Republicans and Democrats looking elsewhere to park their votes. Barr is not necessarily going to take votes from McCain only. Some Dems will vote for him due to things like FISA. And I don't think that Nader will be much of a factor though with Obama's slim margins it could be enough for him to lose.

    Parent
    The Libertarians.... (none / 0) (#101)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:16:08 PM EST
    dropped the ball on that one, imo.  I guess they figured there would be more digruntled repubs than dems this year and went for the right-leaning Barr.  But with so many new pissed off dems, Gravel woulda got more votes I think.

    Parent
    didn't take long did it (none / 0) (#163)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:40:17 PM EST
    i am back to throw all the bums out.  same ol same ol.  Nader it is.

    Parent
    I'll take the mantle... (none / 0) (#68)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:30:07 PM EST
    the anti-state position can be life without parole since the government certainly cannot be trusted to kill people.  At least when they botch a lwop case there is a chance to make it right.

    Trust me, child rapists never serve easy time...if you catch my drift.  They're are in the sub-basement of the prison caste system.  Life w/o parole is a fate worse than death for a child rapist, if not a de-facto death sentence.
     

    Parent

    Don't be such a libertarian-lite (none / 0) (#72)
    by Steve M on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:36:58 PM EST
    surely there's some way we can get government out of the criminal justice system altogether!

    Parent
    But I'm Libertarian-left....:) (none / 0) (#91)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:05:00 PM EST
    Even I can't see how we can get around having a crminal and civil court system...as much as I have a general dislike of systems:)

    Parent
    kdog....you are correct. If you have the (none / 0) (#147)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:37:02 PM EST
    label "short eyes", you will wish you were dead.

    Parent
    He got to stop! (5.00 / 4) (#50)
    by mmc9431 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:19:22 PM EST
    Everytime I think I can adjust to supporting Obama, he does something totally against my principles. Religion scared me enough but advocating capital punishment may have sealed the deal for me.

    Parent
    My initial thought.. (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by waldenpond on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:19:26 PM EST
    'don't slam him, he's probably disappointed the decision was close'.... uhhh, well.... I was wrong.  I am disappointed (in Obama).

    Parent
    That's what he said (4.50 / 2) (#29)
    by sumac on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:08:57 PM EST
    during his press conference today.

    Parent
    Not a surprising "diagnosis," Dalton (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:05:25 PM EST
    from what I've seen here.  I would term it differently, though, as right brain-left brain studies tell me something else about students.  (But I would note that I give your counselor props for the concept of contacting profs, past grades time, etc., to get a better sense of what is going on with you.)

    You sound like the very mature students I have seen as undergraduates who are really ready, and far better suited, for graduate school -- quite a different form of education (at least in the liberal arts; maybe not so much so in professional schools).

    More apt for you may be studies of how the brain matures, as it certainly helped me to understand the problem in reverse when I went to graduate school at an advanced age but took one of those combined undergrad-grad courses, for its topic . . . and I did miserably.  The prof, bless her, told me a few things that, along with a condition of one of my children, got me reading into studies of the brain, and specifically about when we form synapses.

    Essentially, it comes down to rote learning being better suited for the younger brain and big-picture, trend, etc., thinking -- synthesis -- being more the capability of the mature brain.

    So the system isn't really rigged against you.  It's a system, after all, so it is set up to serve most students.  And it serves most of them well.

    So hang in there, and you'll do great in grad school.  But to get there -- now, I'm no expert in this, but having worked with this myself, with a child of my own, with other students, etc. -- here are a few things that helped me and them:

    Avoid courses that base a lot of the grade on rote tests and such stuff.  Learning what I learned about my child's learning really changed my teaching and also taught me to have her look for courses based far more on in-class participation, on term papers, etc.  Your counselor ought to be able to help find such teachers (another tip: take teachers, not courses -- if you find a teacher suited to you, take as many of his or her courses as you can).  Also, at my campus and many others, you can see syllabi ahead of time on line or in department files, open to the public, to find out about grading formulae, etc.

    Also, you might ask about quick, no-cost or cheap study skills courses to go back to the basics that you did in grade school before your brain grew ahead of the rest of you.:-)  But again, be glad you have this, ahem, "problem."  More often, we see rote learners who never quite mature to grasping big ideas.  You are a gift to good profs just waiting to get you into the right courses.

    You also need your counselor's help

    Oops, sorry this went so long (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:07:27 PM EST
    as it shows how much I miss students in summer, much as I am enjoying getting to the rest of the job.:-)

    (Also ignore last line; I don't know how it landed there.)

    Parent

    Dalton, (none / 0) (#128)
    by samanthasmom on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:45:24 PM EST
    If your school offers any of the courses you need online, you may want to try that venue, too.  The nature of an online course makes research, discussion, and synthesis more the norm since regurgitation can just be an exercise in "the google". You also seem to enjoy online discussions here.  It takes a little more self-discipline than a face to face class, but it can be fun. If the course is local, you also have the option to stop by your professor's office for a little face to face when you need it so it can be the best of both worlds. Some professors are stellar at teaching online, and others just put their lecture notes up so ask around to see who's really good at teaching online. I have designed some high school level online courses, and to do it right is challenging.

    Parent
    Ridge Busted (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by squeaky on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:08:22 PM EST
    Roll Call: Former Bush Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge busted by the Justice Department for failing to register for two years for lobbying for Albania, at $40k a month:

    For almost two years former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge failed to register a nearly half-million-dollar lobbying contract that he had with the government of Albania.

    Ridge filed a registration statement on behalf of the country earlier this month after being contacted by the Department of Justice.

    "It was brought to my attention after the contract expired and my lawyer said under the circumstances I probably should have filed," said Ridge, who is a national co-chairman of Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign and has been mentioned as a potential vice presidential running mate. "I didn't think it was [necessary] to register."

    Guess he forgot...  too busy counting all that dough.

    War & Piece


    Albania?.... (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:59:08 PM EST
    Lobbying for Albania?

    You can't make this stuff up can ya?

    Parent

    $40k a year for (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by camellia on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:59:19 PM EST
    lobbying for Albania?  

    Parent
    $40k (5.00 / 0) (#157)
    by Nadai on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:35:14 PM EST
    a month.  The Albanians got robbed.

    Parent
    Albania (none / 0) (#89)
    by Steve M on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:04:15 PM EST
    Albaaaaaania...

    You border on... the Adriaaaaatic...

    Parent

    Ahh, Coach. (none / 0) (#123)
    by mrjerbub on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:38:55 PM EST
    I loved that episode. And the one where he fell down the stairs to impress that lady. Priceless.

    Parent
    Thanks so much for the memory (none / 0) (#164)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:41:02 PM EST
    of that great episode . . . among many.  I can hear Coach singing it now.

    Parent
    George Carlin...on the Ruling Elite in Amerca (5.00 / 4) (#32)
    by Aqua Blue on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:11:34 PM EST
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJnaxsLBl94

    "It's a Big Club and You Ain't In It"

    Politicians are irrelevant.   You have owners.

    The game is rigged.   The table is tilted.


    "And nobody seems to care ...." (5.00 / 3) (#58)
    by bridget on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:25:19 PM EST
    that is the sad part -

    just watched that clip again ... saw it when it first was on HBO

    George Carlin was really special. He will be missed.
    Is there someone who can take his place? I don't think so. Can't think of anyone myself.

    Parent

    "You have to be asleep... (none / 0) (#84)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:57:37 PM EST
    to believe it."

    Amen...

    Parent

    Advice from a professor (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by waldenpond on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:13:16 PM EST
    that worked for me and passed on to my son.... don't worry about classifications, you can't do anything about the thought processes, but you can adapt.  

    Focus on strategies... when writing a paper, make it 30% or so longer and edit down for focus.  My son also benefits from 5x8 cards with factiods to regurgitate for subjects that don't interest him and the instructors expect nothing more than regurgitation.

    If you can afford it, audit a class before taking it.  

    I started a book club at The (5.00 / 4) (#40)
    by masslib on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:14:53 PM EST
    Confluence.

    Here's a link to our first read for any who are interested:

    http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/book-confluence-the-penelopiad/

    San Fran's got a great referendum (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by scribe on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:14:59 PM EST
    coming up.  And, IMHO, it deserves your support.

    A number of locals have decided try to place a referendum question on a coming ballot.  The purpose:  to rename the main sewage treatment plant for George W. Bush, effective January 20, 2009.

    While the linked NYT article says it's an honor he's not likely to embrace, I have to beg to differ.  Seeing as how he spent a lot of his earlier days hugging the porcelain appliances which form the outermost dendrites of the system whose main trunk may be named for him, he's already well on his way to taking it into his embrace.

    Embrace the leaf, embrace the tree.

    waste of effort (5.00 / 2) (#92)
    by sarahfdavis on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:07:38 PM EST
    I was approached to sign the petition by a couple of "I'm still hip" 30 somethings in frisco. I told them it was a waste of effort and energy and advanced nothing positive. I suggested they go clean up the sewage in Hunter's point rather than crack jokes about how stinky the president is.

    Parent
    Anyone else see Dodd speak (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:15:29 PM EST
    about an hour ago?  I had an interruption, grrr, but caught that he was ripping into the Repubs for the delay on dealing with FISA -- "how can one Senator stop this great body from debating our very Constitutional rights," etc.  I got the sense that Dodd is loaded for bear and can hardly wait to get to the FISA debate again -- so it could be some more classic C-Span stuff.

    That said, I do think that the Repub had some good points about a bit of rushed work that sounded potentially problematic in the home foreclosure bill.  However, it did seem to be somewhere between a necessary discussion and a delaying tactic. . . .

    What are the major concerns about Obama? (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Saul on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:15:34 PM EST
    I know that Obama is the nominee.  I know that many wished Hilary was the nominee.  All that  a side, seriously what are the major concerns democrats have if Obama wins the election.  What are they most worried about.  

    Worries (5.00 / 7) (#67)
    by mmc9431 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:29:29 PM EST
    1. In an effort for unity he will abandon core    party priciples
    2. He won't pursue investigations of wrong doing of current administration.
    3. He will allow further intrusion of the church in government
    4. School vouchers
    Those will do for a start

    Parent
    His first day of work. (5.00 / 8) (#76)
    by nycstray on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:43:52 PM EST
    We've got 2 wars, the economy is on the brink and prices are getting out of control (for starters).

    What in his background has prepared him even a bit for what's ahead? Nancy's thrilled because he's new and fresh. And she couldn't say enough about his judgment (WTF?!) I'm sorry, but that scares me. Especially with the spineless majority.

    Oh, and I'm not too keen on some of his advisers and his positions that I can figure out on some issues. If my gut is right . . .

    Parent

    I can tell you mine... (5.00 / 5) (#98)
    by Grace on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:13:57 PM EST
    I have two major concerns.  

    One is what his principles are.  What does he really truly believe in?  Exactly where does he draw the line?  I don't see him standing firm on anything so that concerns me A LOT.

    His experience is so limited, what huge mistakes will he make his first year?  And in his second year?  And in his third year?  Electing another newbie president is a surefire way to be really unhappy before the 4 years are up -- and that is my second concern.      

    Parent

    29th anniversary of the only gas riots (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Rhouse on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:17:58 PM EST
    ( to date ) in the US.  What's worth noting is that the cost of gas, even taking into account inflation, was less then, than it is now.  I wonder if instead of bothering about "Recreate 68" we should instead worry about "rewind to 79".  I was there in 79 and now live not far from 5-points and know the  Getty gas station owner.
    Here's two articles about it:
    http://tinyurl.com/6e5vxk
    http://tinyurl.com/5vjwbq

    Wow.... (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:44:57 PM EST
    didn't know that story...wild.

    At my job we use an independent trucker for local stuff, super nice guy, and I know he's been getting killed.  It's probably just a matter of time till word comes down the ladder that we'll be giving all our freight to the big dogs...he can't keep up.

    I sure as hell don't know how to make the price of gas go down...a gas strike doesn't sound like a bad idea though.  

    Parent

    There are already protests in Europe (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by tree on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:15:12 PM EST
     and Asia, some of which have gotten violent. See here and here.

    Meanwhile, today oil futures prices dropped due to  weakened demand for oil:

    Oil futures fell sharply Wednesday after the Energy Department said the nation's supplies of fuel and oil were larger than expected last week -- evidence that the soaring price for gasoline has sliced into Americans' demand for fuel.

    At the pump, gas prices inched lower but remain above $4 a gallon.

    In its weekly inventory report, the department's Energy Information Administration said crude oil supplies rose slightly last week. Analysts surveyed by research firm Platts had expected a 1.7 million barrel decline.

    Gasoline supplies fell less than expected. And inventories of distillates -- which include diesel fuel and heating oil -- rose much more than expected.

    Demand for gas, meanwhile, fell 2.1%.



    Parent
    UEFA semi-final result (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by scribe on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:19:37 PM EST
    Germany 3 Turkey 2, on a goal by one of the Germans in the 90th minute.

    And, per the UEFA home page - they lost the TV signal for a while in the middle of the 2d half b/c of a thunderstorm, which probably drove most of Europe nuts.

    I'm shocked.... (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by kdog on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:21:02 PM EST
    shocked I tell you...Ralph Nader just got some airtime on CNN.

    Granted, he had to say something deemed "racially controversial" to get there...but he was on!  Cable Television!  I sh*t you not.

    FISA on C Span now (5.00 / 0) (#61)
    by Aqua Blue on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:25:46 PM EST


    As you know obama ditched his groovy (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:30:17 PM EST
    seal...took too much heat for it....if you get a chance, take a peek at noquarter to see the new one.  :)

    How long ago was it (5.00 / 3) (#112)
    by Edgar08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:32:10 PM EST
    that saying obama's no different than Clinton was considered an insult to obama?  

    Is it a compliment now?

    three posts in separate threads.... (5.00 / 2) (#115)
    by Maria Garcia on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:34:08 PM EST
    ...doesn't constitute "chattering" according to the Talk Left rules.

    Today Obama announces he will (5.00 / 4) (#117)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:35:01 PM EST
    support the present FISA bill, including telecomm retroactive immunity.  Calling BTD.  

    Obama's going to skip the FISA vote... (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Dawn Davenport on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:38:16 PM EST
    ...according to this story:

    Obama's campaign issued a statement on June 20 declaring that the Democrat supported a compromise proposal to rewrite a warrantless surveillance law, but Obama is not expected to vote on the legislation (HR 6304) this week.


    What's his excuse for not voting this time? (5.00 / 3) (#124)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:39:16 PM EST
    If it's tomorrow (5.00 / 2) (#143)
    by nycstray on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:22:05 PM EST
    He'll be working on getting money from Hillary's people and on Friday he's working on getting her people.

    My prediction is their votes won't matter and this "unity" stunt is cover for both without making too big a deal he's caving and she isn't. Most voted to proceed with the vote, so methinks we are just watching more BS

    Parent

    Since this is an open (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by camellia on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:43:15 PM EST
    thread, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate this place!  Jeralyn, TChris, and BTD run a really tight ship, and I just want to say thank you to them for keeping things civil.  I used to post  at another forum and finally couldn't stand the atmosphere any more--any disagreement with the majority opinion brought vilification and abuse in the form of four letter words and third-grade scatalogical abuse.  I don't mind disagreement and discussion, but I really don't want to be called names and told that I am "flinging s**t" if I dare to disagree.  So  -- Thanks a whole lot for the civility here!

    She/He has a right (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by JimWash08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:59:41 PM EST
    to comment as she/he sees fit... especially since this is an open thread.

    Just as much right as you have to air your comments and consistently downrate pro-Clinton postings (I've noticed).

    Then the troll learns that ratings mean nada. (5.00 / 2) (#144)
    by wurman on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:28:26 PM EST
    It's funny to watch commenters cruising the threads handing out ratings.

    They're meaningless, unless you forget to turn on the "ignore ratings" button so then the good stuff marked as a "1" by the idiots don't end up at the bottom of your thread.

    Parent

    Let's try this again....She is immature and (5.00 / 2) (#146)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:33:44 PM EST
    flits around like a little schoolgirl.  Much of her constituency is less than thrilled with the job she is doing in the senate.

    Anyone else put off by Obama's (5.00 / 0) (#160)
    by kenosharick on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:16:55 PM EST
    unbelievably self-agrandizing (sp?) commercial? The one playing here in Georgia has him speaking to the camera and claiming credit for single-handedly passing laws to lower taxes and implement campaign finance reform. I this commercial is actually true then he really is our saviour.

    Campaign finance reform not a timely topic (5.00 / 0) (#165)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:44:44 PM EST
    for Obama just now, it would seem to me.  Nope, haven't seen that one in yer ol' Wisconsin, Rick.  All I see here is the one imputing that he or at least his mother was raised in the Midwest.  Sure.

    Parent
    slate has an excellent (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:43:37 PM EST
    review of hoyer bill on its website for those of us who are illiterate in legalese.

    http://www.slate.com/id/2194254/

    Will be an ad in the WaPo (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by zyx on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:46:53 PM EST
    with a large pic-ture

    http://tinyurl.com/5q8e6y

    Ow ow ow!!!

    Parent

    Great article ... (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:04:37 PM EST
    and here's the meat:

    Whatever Hoyer and Pelosi--and even Obama--say, this amounts to a retroactive blessing of the illegal program, and historically it means that the country will probably be deprived of any rigorous assessment of what precisely the administration did between 2001 and 2007. No judge will have an opportunity to call the president's willful violation of a federal statute a crime, and no landmark ruling by the courts can serve as a warning for future generations about government excesses in dangerous times.


    Parent
    I don't know what kind of classes you are (none / 0) (#12)
    by MarkL on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:59:25 PM EST
    taking, but here's my two cents.
    Suppose you tend to think in broader terms than most students. You still need critical thinking skills---perhaps even more than other people.
    You need to take your ideas and see if you can flesh them out, or poke holes in them, if need be.


    Just tuned in (none / 0) (#13)
    by Ellie on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 04:59:38 PM EST
    Reid (?) "Pending amendments be withdrawn"

    Clerk will call the roll

    Speaker: We are not in a Quorum call ... clerk will call the roll.

    Clerk: Mr Acaca ...

    (Roll call inaudible)

    Not sure what will happen from here.

    That Florida obscenity case (none / 0) (#17)
    by scribe on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:01:10 PM EST
    where the defense was going to use Google's search and other utilities to help show that community standards weren't violated by their product, has resolved on pleas by the defendants.
    All of them pleaded, but none to obscenity.  And there appears to have been no finding of obscenity.

    So, we get no resolution of that question....

    My gut tells me there was either an evidentiary ruling the defense didn't like or couldn't find a way to get around, or the defendants got the sense from the jury's stares/reactions/whatever, that they would not win.  

    Oops, vote is on the Home Foreclosure (none / 0) (#24)
    by Ellie on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:05:35 PM EST
    ... Prevention Bill.

    Not FISA mess. (They didn't have that up when I tuned in and I'm between engagements.)

    Whole to part (none / 0) (#33)
    by Valhalla on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:12:32 PM EST
    I'm not familiar with that terminology, but what kinds of studying/classes are you taking now?

    Seems like most schools would have at least some classes where thinking in terms of trends and broader issus would be an advantage, like the more liberal arts-y kind of classes.

    I bet many TL folks are whole-to-part (none / 0) (#74)
    by Valhalla on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:40:35 PM EST
    From my superficial googling of the term, it describes my learning style as well.  And I always did better in paper-writing type classes than memorization classes.

    The methods Cream City and waldenpond brought up are the only way to go -- picking up the skills to just brute force your way through any none-big picture classes you have to take.  Outlining, flashcards (I used to make my own), study partners, putting especially hard to learn facts on stickies and sticking them all over my apartment -- all those worked for me.  And retyping up notes from classes.

    One thing I was taught in my bar prep class, and it seems to be true, was that most people don't really learn a thing until they learn it for the second time, close in time to the first time.  They told us to go home after class and review every thing we'd just learned in the morning, instead of moving on to the next subject.  That really worked for me.

    I think being able to think big-picture is a real gift, not all that many people are able to do it well.  But it sucks to be stuck in a place where it's not valued.  You have my sympathies.

    Good luck!

    Parent

    PPP is not a real pollster. (none / 0) (#38)
    by masslib on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:14:11 PM EST
    They are a marketing firm trying to build a name.  Never go by PPP.

    I'm concept oriented, too (none / 0) (#52)
    by dianem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:19:27 PM EST
    And it caused a lot of problems before I became a graduate student, where concepts are more important (and students are more encouraged to think instead of simply learning facts). I learned to work around it, though, by learning study methods that forced me to focus on details. Flash cards (vital!), re-typing notes in outline form, studying small amounts of information at a time with an emphasis on rote memorization instead of general understanding.  When I take notes (I'm a part time student again, after many years out) I highlight facts that the teacher emphasizes with an arrow, and I take notes in outline form wherever possible. I have to break down the information into bite sized pieces that I can memorize.  Memorizing facts is hard for people who are concept drive, but most lower division schoolwork is more about drilling than concepts. It's just something you have to work on until you get a solid foundation so that you can build concepts onto the facts, focusing on trends instead of details, but backing up your big picture ideas with details.

    I don't know what your major is, but when you go in to take a test you should have memorized dozens of facts that you can draw on to make your case. Teachers love facts. Memorization gets easier in time. I never really hit my peak until grad school. Now, as a returning undergrad, it's pretty easy. You just turn off the tv and get into a kind of semi-trance and read... and read again... and recite the information to yourself... then read again... and recite everything again... and again... and ... you get the idea. Good luck.  :-)

    I am hard science and math (5.00 / 0) (#78)
    by dianem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:45:31 PM EST
    It's amazing how much you have to memorize in the natural sciences. I can tell you things about plants and animals and the planet and numbers that would knock your socks off. Okay... the proper term is "bore you to tears", but I like to think that someday I will be able to fascinate somebody with all of that knowledge.

    Memorizing trick I use and taught my husband when he took some classes. First, have your notes in outline form. Read from front to back, once. Re-Read the first section. Then close your eyes and repeat it to yourself. When you can get it right, read the next section. Then close your eyes and repeat it to yourself, until you get it right. Then repeat the first AND the second sections with your eyes closed (without re-reading the first). If you don't get it right, re-read and repeat until you do. You may need to break the information into smaller pieces to memorize it - you'll get a feel for what you can do, and it gets easier over time (memory is trainable - really). Then move onto the third section and do it again. It takes a while, but it works.

    Don't do this the night before a test. Information takes time to settle into your brain. I can't explain this, but it does. You should have the basic memorization done 2 days before your test, then you can review the information in your mind the day before. Never study the day of a test, but you can check facts if you're not sure. You shouldn't need to. The facts will be there. You'll see them when you close your eyes.

    Final tip. Always write your name first. I always do that, and as I do it I think "Well, at least I know I got something right. <g>

    Parent

    Don't know if this will help or not.... (none / 0) (#108)
    by Molly Pitcher on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:27:47 PM EST
    My son was one of the top  high school students in the US; he went to college without finishing high school  But there he had a writing problem: to wit, he writes slowly by hand (whiz on a keyboard, but that was before computers in classes).  I taught him to prepare by writing down reminders about the details he figured would be on the exam.   Then he was to organize his list in order of importance (to the teacher of course).  And then he had to learn them in that order.  When he started the exam, he had to get all the facts down quickly, as many as possible, even if some of them took up only one sentence.  Then when he finished with that, he was able to return to the topics he was most interested in and elaborate on them.  That way he regurgitated the facts, but satisfied himself (and wowed the teacher usually) that he had given the answer the slant he wanted.

    It worked well for him--and after a couple of years, the technique was second nature.  And by grad school, regurgitating facts was not longer wanted.

    Parent

    Important test-taking skills -- yes (none / 0) (#136)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:01:32 PM EST
    I ought to have added that to study skills, which are different.  One of my children's difficulty is really testing dysfunction more than studying problems.  I finally found a quick test-taking course and was astonished to discover that basics that were common sense to me never had occurred to her nor had they been taught in her schools -- the sort of thing that you describe here.

    I since have learned to incorporate some lessons on what seems so common-sensical in my classes, not just focusing on content but on how to take my tests -- basics of time management.  And it still is something to me to see how many students never were taught or grasped them on their own.  No wonder so many have so much trouble in school -- many who are very intelligent but just unschooled in how to get through school.:-)

    Parent

    "Obama sets sights on 14 states" (none / 0) (#57)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:23:30 PM EST
    for the campaign's focus, according to an interview with CBS today.

    TL'ers will have things to say about the list -- although more states are mentioned in the story.  Still, Obama's deputy campaign manager lists these 14 as the focus:

    Iowa, New Mexico, Ohio, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina, Montana, North Dakota, Indiana, Georgia, and Alaska.


    I wonder if these states are going to (5.00 / 0) (#73)
    by tree on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:38:17 PM EST
    be the real emphasis or is this just a head fake thrown at the McCain campaign?

    Parent
    I imagine (5.00 / 0) (#93)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:08:05 PM EST
    it's a head fake. He's only saying GA because he's running ads here. Gotta justify that.

    Parent
    McCain is opening an office in NJ (none / 0) (#85)
    by nycstray on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:58:45 PM EST
    Very interesting (5.00 / 0) (#94)
    by stxabuela on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:09:47 PM EST
    Seems Obama is planning to send 15 paid staffers to TX, ostensibly to help in some of the state rep and state senate races.  We will not regain control of the Senate, but we could pick up 3 seats.  A 5-seat flip gives Dems control of the TX House, and that is within the realm of possibility.

    At the local level, I'm glad to hear this because Juan Garcia flipped a seat to the Dems 2 years ago.  He openly supported Obama in the primary--they were in the same class at Harvard.  Garcia's district leans Republican and he's facing a tough race against a well-financed candidate in the fall.  Any help we can get here from the Obama campaign not only helps Garcia, but our candidate for the US Senate, Rick Noriega.  Rick can't win without a strong turnout in S Texas.  

    If Obama comes through with this, I will seriously have to reconsider my earlier decision to skip the race, and cast my vote for him.  Score 1--heck, maybe 5--for Obama.  

    Parent

    Delusional (5.00 / 0) (#96)
    by mmc9431 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:12:19 PM EST
    I just read a poll where the unpopular Rep governor of Indiana was leading the Dem by something like 10 points. Obama needs more than the Illinois border cities to win there.

    I still question polls this early but.......

    Parent

    What about OH and PN (2.00 / 0) (#81)
    by waldenpond on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:54:16 PM EST
    He's a little weaker in OH and PN than FL with Dem voters according to some polling....

    Clinton supporters still an issue

    [Again, it should be noted that Obama increased his lead over McCain in every Quinnipiac state poll....

    Still, it should give the Obama campaign a bit of a pause to see that, at least for the moment, one in four Democrats who voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries in both Ohio and Pennsylvania indicate they will crossover to vote for McCain in the fall.]

    There was an article on what his campaign is doing in FL.  It would be interesting to see if there are state strategies or a national.


    Parent

    Based on the DNC and Sen. Obama's actions (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by FLVoter on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:10:55 PM EST
    concerning FL this primary season, I do not see any way that he can win the state.  In order to win FL any Dem will need to carry South Florida by a good sized porportion to make up for the red north.  A 1 in 4 defection to Sen. McCain is enough to turn FL red.  Even in Blue Broward County, there are alot of independents that think well of Sen. McCain who could not vote in either primary.  Remember Sen. McCain has been around a long time and his maverick straight shooter image still survives.  Sen. Obama would best spend his money else where.  It would be a good idea for the DNC to come back to FL after this election and make amends if they ever want FL to be blue again.

    Parent
    Zogby South Florida Poll (none / 0) (#161)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:35:57 PM EST
    If someone can explain how to put a hyper link here, I'll give you the article in the Miami Herald on a Zogby Poll explaining why they think Obama will do just that with a large South Florida push. That pretty little blue word with the URL hidden is a trick this old guy hasn't learned yet.

    Parent
    Zogby poll (none / 0) (#166)
    by Valhalla on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 10:18:35 PM EST
    here's a link.

    The headline:

    Poll: Obama has big Florida lead

    is not really borne out by the text:

    Obama, D-Ill., was ahead of McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, 46 percent to 30 percent in three of Florida's biggest southern counties

    Neither the Zogby link nor the original Miami Herald poll say what percentage of the state lives in those 3 counties or how the numbers crunch to put him ahead by a 'big lead'.  In Mass. the main Boston counties, which are the most populous here, went for Obama yet Clinton won the state by 15 points.  So the specific numbers matter.

    However, the Miami Herald does acknowledge that


    About 24 percent of South Floridians favors another candidate [besides BO or JM] or haven't made up their minds -- a large group that could tip the race in the coming months.

    That 24% lines up fairly well with Rasmussen's national numbers in daily polling for the percent of people who say they are undecided or lean one way but could change their minds before the GE.

    However, one of the key stats in the race remains the potential for volatility in a race with two little known candidates--30% of voters are either uncommitted at this time or could change their mind before Election Day.


    Parent
    ty Valhalla (none / 0) (#167)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 11:12:22 PM EST
    It was less than the perfect poll to me also, however those are the three counties that tend to go DEM with Broward usually overwhelmingly. Still to poll just three counties can be very misleading. It does mention that Obama is polling better with Hispanics than DEM's in past presidential elections and perhaps that leads to their conclusions.

    Of the 67 counties, those three make up close to 30% of the population which still makes me wonder why Al Gore never even opened a campaign office In Miami.

    Oh for what might have been...

    Parent

    See the link re Ohio and other states (nt) (none / 0) (#140)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:07:59 PM EST
    He ought (none / 0) (#158)
    by Nadai on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:52:04 PM EST
    to forget North Carolina and concentrate on Pennsylvania instead.  He is not going to win here.

    Parent
    Gotta focus on those specifics... :-) (none / 0) (#75)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:41:52 PM EST


    Anyone hear about the (none / 0) (#116)
    by mg7505 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:34:28 PM EST
    Exxon case just decided by SCOTUS? Exxon will pay significantly less in punitive damages than they were originally required to for their 1989 horrific oil spill.

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday reduced what had once been a $5 billion punitive damages award against ExxonMobil to about $500 million. The ruling essentially concluded a legal saga that started when the Exxon Valdez, a supertanker, struck a reef and spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil into the Prince William Sound in Alaska in 1989.
    ...
    Justice John Paul Stevens, in a dissent, said he would have upheld the original jury award, which the federal appeals court in California had reduced to $2.5 billion.

    "In light of Exxon's decision to permit a lapsed alcoholic to command a supertanker carrying tens of millions of gallons of crude oil though the treacherous waters of Prince William Sound, thereby endangering all of the individuals who depended upon the sound for their livelihoods," Justice Stevens wrote, "the jury could easily have given expression to its moral condemnation of Exxon's conduct in the form of this award."


    Emphasis added.

    Money talks.... (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:38:16 PM EST
    Is there a learning center at your Univ (none / 0) (#126)
    by samsguy18 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 06:43:53 PM EST
    There should be a center for learning different and dyslexic students. Go and see them they can direct you. Your a global learner

    Sometimes the hippies and tree huggers go too far. (none / 0) (#148)
    by halstoon on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:50:46 PM EST
    I mean, seriously. Banning drive thrus? Is that really going to help so much? Will a college town like Madison let this go down? I sincerely hope not.

    Ah, Madtown. No, ain't gonna happen (none / 0) (#155)
    by Cream City on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:33:38 PM EST
    -- just read the comments.  There is this thing called winter in Wisconsin . . . even though Madison is not really in Wisconsin but in its own parallel universe.  Still, it gets parallel weather.

    The campus, covered with bike lanes, is not Madison anymore.  Yes, you do have to deal with spandexed bicyclists in drive-thrus sometimes, but they mostly spurn such foodstuffs.  

    Instead, you oughta see the massive burban sprawl there now, McMansions and all -- even blocking the lake views, always verboten before.  The zoners  caved in the craven rush for developer moola, which means need for burban pleasures like drive-thrus.  For the SUVs.  Yes, Madison has many SUVs now.  'Nuff said.  Glad Gaylord Nelson didn't have to see it.

    Parent

    The two things (none / 0) (#154)
    by Nadai on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 08:27:36 PM EST
    that helped me were, first, making a conscious effort to fit any necessary facts into an overall conceptual framework whenever possible, and second, teaching other people what I knew.

    I'd try to get a sense of the big picture before my classes started, usually a pretty vague sense that I'd flesh out as I went along.  The details "stuck" a lot better when I could see where they fit in as I was learning them.  Sometimes this was a lot of extra work, sometimes not so much.  I found that reading my texts through at least twice - once for the big picture, once specifically looking for supporting details - helped, too.

    Teaching others (informally, I never tutored) helped tremendously, because it made me go over things I "knew" several times, until I really did know them.  Repetition helped me a lot; the details got to be part of a narrative after a while, which made them a lot easier to remember.

    From NYT's Nagourney: (none / 0) (#169)
    by oculus on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 01:34:58 AM EST
    Beyond that, the two sides are negotiating precisely what kind of role she will have at the convention, including what night she will make a prime-time speech and whether her name will be placed symbolically into nomination. They are discussing whether Mr. Obama's campaign will provide a plane and staff for Mrs. Clinton as she travels on his behalf. [Italics added.]


    They (4.00 / 1) (#171)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 06:00:20 AM EST
    have to discuss whether he's going to provide a plane? It seems to me that if she's going to campaign for him then he should provide a plane.

    I guess all the prime time speeches other than Obama's will be done by the Clintons.

    Parent