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Friday Mid-Day Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:01:43 AM EST
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TChris and I have been focused on crime this morning and Big Tent Democrat is attending to some other matters, so for those of you with politics or other things on your mind, here's an open thread.

< Sledgehammer Injustice | SWAT Assault Leads to Tragic Death >

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    Friday Mid-Day Open Thread | 197 comments (197 topical)
    Iran and chess (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:12:08 AM EST
    Iran is doing a fabulous job at keeping oil prices up with their saber rattling keeping the US at bay on a number of fronts.  It knows that we can ill afford a conflict militarily as we are overcommitted in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can ill afford a conflict that will drive oil to over $200 a barrel based on distressed supply in a conflict.  Keeping the price of oil up also creates a severe strain on the US economy which benefits them financially and keeps the US at bay.

    Ignore Iran, let the EU handle it, they are proving to be much better at negotiating than us....

    Yeah J.... (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:34:13 AM EST
    the conflist between us and Iran does seem to work out a whole lot better for the Iranian oil industry.

    They couldn't have planned a better economic stimulus package for their country if they tried...with an assist to the speculators.

    [ Parent ]

    saw this yesterday (5.00 / 0) (#20)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:39:57 AM EST
    The head of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries warned Thursday that oil prices would see an "unlimited" increase in the case of a military conflict involving Iran, because the group's members would be unable to make up the lost production.

    [ Parent ]
    "Too bad..... (none / 0) (#29)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:45:01 AM EST
    she's got you by the balls.  You can't get free at all." - Jagger/Richards, Short & Curlies

    [ Parent ]
    or as some rebublican once said (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:49:17 AM EST
    when you have them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow.


    [ Parent ]
    this is on Drudge (none / 0) (#200)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:32:02 PM EST
    Many of Iran's claims related to missile tests during "Great Prophet III" war games -- appear to be smoke and mirrors!
    The missiles tested DID NOT not have 2,000-kilometer range, the NEW YORK TIMES is planning to report on Saturday.
    Iran DID NOT launch a Shahab-3 missile, able to reach Israel.
    It was an older missile that was out of production, newsroom sources tell DRUDGE.
    And a video showing what appeared to be many missiles being fired -- is actually one missile, filmed from different angles!
    NYT's Bill Broad is planning to quote military insiders.
    **
    who knows if this is true of just backpeddaling because of the issues mentioned above.

    [ Parent ]
    Chess is illegal in Iran, though! (none / 0) (#66)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:09:44 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Really? (none / 0) (#71)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:19:43 PM EST
    In this prohibition-crazy world it wouldn't surpise me in the least.

    You can't be too careful with the demon chess....zero tolerance is the way to go:)

    [ Parent ]

    Can't have a game where..... (5.00 / 0) (#73)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:22:38 PM EST
    ...the Queen is the most powerful piece, I guess. ;-)

    [ Parent ]
    It's about gambling. The prohibition (none / 0) (#74)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:23:12 PM EST
    dates from Khomeini. It may not be in force now.

    [ Parent ]
    Now I know..... (none / 0) (#84)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:46:27 PM EST
    and knowing is half the battle.

    What did liberty ever do that was so terrible that she has so many enemies?

    [ Parent ]

    Or a game.... (none / 0) (#101)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:17:33 PM EST
    where any pawn can become a Queen.

    They spit on their women and spit on their pawns alike...sun god help the female pawns, talk about a double whammy.

    [ Parent ]

    yes but there are 2 (none / 0) (#83)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:44:59 PM EST
    sets of laws in most countries, one for those at the grass level and one for those who piss on the grass, no matter who is standing in their way.

    Iran is firing missiles to raise oil prices to directly inflict pain on the american economy.  The russians are smiling and depositing the checks.  This is the net of 8 years of pisspoor foreign policy.  Not that Iran loved us 8 years ago by any stretch of the imagination.....

    they will continue with their beligerrence (sp) as long as we are over extended, and inflict their pain of "reverse sanctions".  Despite how i feel about the price of oil personally, I gotta hand it to them for their ability to slap us around without actually hitting us.,

    [ Parent ]

    Not everything is all about (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by tree on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:34:42 PM EST
    us and what we paying at the pump.

     My sister lives in Israel. There has been constant talk there for the last several months (way before the Iranian missile launches) that Israel is planning a strike on Iran this summer. I think it vastly more likely that Iran is saber rattling for Israel's benefit, to remind them that they too are vulnerable to missiles, especially ones that are more accurately targeted than Hezbollah's missiles were. This is intended to discourage Israel from any attack,but then Israel doesn't respond rationally to threats so it might not work.

      The higher oil prices will just be another devastating side effect of an attack on Iran.

    [ Parent ]

    there has been constant talk (none / 0) (#160)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:44:37 PM EST
    for 7 years about Israel striking Iran.  In fact, there has been talk for decades.  Nothing new there.  What is new is the price of oil based on demand with india and china spiking.  What is also new is that we had a 5 dollar drop and then test fire of missiles which caused a 7 dollar spike.  Don't assume the iranians are stupid, reckless at times but far from stupid.

    [ Parent ]
    How (5.00 / 1) (#194)
    by Nadai on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:13:55 PM EST
    is saying that the Iranians are testing missiles as a warning to Israel, more than an attempt to ratchet up gas prices in the US, assuming that the Iranians are stupid?  It seems to me that Iranians are perfectly capable of doing both, and neither one is stupid.

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks for diaries by you and TChris (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:21:55 AM EST
    this morning, Jeralyn -- although I better go monitor my blood pressure, after reading them.  

    The non-lawyers among us especially benefit from reminders of abuses such as these, the sort of cases that you lawyers see.  Many of us may see the results of these injustices in other ways -- for me, I see some in my students from families that have suffered from societal problems.  

    (I never will forget my record day in office hours of 17 students with crises -- such as one not having taken a test because textbooks were the last thing that a young mother worried about when escaping an abusive husband and getting her children safely to a shelter for battered women and families.  But I first had to take a lot of time to establish "safety" in my office for the student to overcome embarrassment to explain the reasons.)

    So it is helpful to be reminded of backstories that may explain what appears inexplicable in my work as well.  Thanks for fighting the good fights.  And for "translating" these legal cases into readable form for the rest of us. :-)

    I actually have a back story of my own (none / 0) (#36)
    by kelsweet on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:07:57 PM EST
    and really need some council (i think) about an injustice from the DOJ and my own "run in" with them. They absolutely railroaded me into a program called pre-trial program. I have been accused, but never charged of "scheming to defraud the US gov't" they put me into the program before they even told me I was in it. And in order to keep it off my record and to avoid being arrested or charged I had to sign away my rights to a lawyer ( i asked repeatedly if I should contact a lawyer) and jump through their hoops for 18 months, which of course I am doing, as they left me no choice, in the end however I will still owe the social security $36,000.00 according to them. They would never let me see the "proof" they had, which is BS anyway and I am convinced they know it, otherwise they would have arrested me and formerly charged me?????? I only accepted this CRAP because I couldn't chance going to jail even for a minimal amount of time because I have to care for my disabled daughter which is where this all stems from in the first place. They put me in an impossible situation and I will never in this lifetime be able to recover from it. I just want to SCREAM from somewhere in Washington DC that this is what they are doing to people. I want to know how common is this? I already suffer from PTSD over the fact that my daughter's kidney and heart failure was caused by doctor's malpractice (we proved this in court but it was thrown out on a technicality) they claim i was over paid by ssi and they are now rubbing salt in an open wound!
    The injustice is STAGGERING imo. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. I feel trapped. Plus they don't give a sh!t about the fact that I am owed $25,000.00 in child support, and no one in the gov't CARES!  

    [ Parent ]
    Anybody else curious as to why (5.00 / 0) (#12)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:34:50 AM EST
    Obama is not revealing all his big donors as he said he would? See "Obama money trail questioned"
    (link not working)
    maybe (5.00 / 0) (#24)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:43:01 AM EST
    it because of this:

    Needless to say the fundraising was not going well. I mentioned that I had heard that Barack's campaign failed to reach their fundraising goals for the second quarter. She confirmed that this was true.

    [ Parent ]

    Got the link (none / 0) (#13)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:36:24 AM EST
    money trail

    [ Parent ]
    Obama campaign (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Josey on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:38:08 AM EST
    projected a $100M June - but they only raked in $30M!

    ABC News -
    http://tinyurl.com/5q2hp7

    "One hundred million dollars this June -- it's definitely within reach," Obama fundraiser Wade Randlett said last month to The Hill.

    At the time the Obama campaign had not yet made its announcement it would not -- despite a previous pledge to the contrary -- make efforts to enter into the public financing system. But clearly it had been gearing up to do so. A decision rooted in a belief the campaign can raised significantly more than the approximately $85 million the federal system would have given it.

    I'd absolutely love it (though I want Obama to (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by tigercourse on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:43:28 AM EST
    win in November) if he isn't able to outraise McCain after backing out of public finance. It would be delicious.

    [ Parent ]
    delicious (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:44:04 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    VERY IMPORTANT READ (5.00 / 0) (#109)
    by flashman on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:28:30 PM EST
    Sorry for the O/T, but you gotta see this.  This is the last straw for me.  I can not support this candidate or this party.  25 years of loyal Democratic support down the f#$%ing drain.

    [ Parent ]
    saw that (none / 0) (#140)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:15:44 PM EST
    grrrrrrrr

    [ Parent ]
    yep (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:43:37 AM EST
    sorry didnt see this before I posted that^

    [ Parent ]
    I've received six calls - (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by liminal on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:16:06 PM EST
    - from Obama telemarketers in the last two weeks, wanting money.  They wanted me to kick in the "average donation" for "your area" (West Virginia) of $150 (which made me guffaw, really).  I didn't donate.  Like tigercourse, I want him to win in November, but I can't see myself donating to him, certainly not in the sacrificial, to the bone manner I used to donate to HRC.  

    And when the DNC calls asking for money for a fifty state strategy, I can't help but laugh.  Maybe I'll give money to the "fifty-state" strategy when the Obama campaign acknowledges that West Virginia is one of the fifty states.  

    Of course, Obama could earn a quick $50 from me pretty easily, just by showing up in the mountain state.  I have an open bet with my dad that Obama won't set foot in WV before the general.  If he doesn't, Dad owes me $50.  If he shows, I owe Obama $50.

    [ Parent ]

    guess the Obama-telemarketers aren't worried (5.00 / 3) (#49)
    by kempis on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:45:36 PM EST
    about credibility.

    They wanted me to kick in the "average donation" for "your area" (West Virginia) of $150 (which made me guffaw, really).

    God almighty, I'd have dropped the phone. :D Who on earth would believe that whopper? If true, that only means some bazillionaire in West Virginia made a contribution and inflated the average.

    As for the 50-state strategy, yep that sort of falls apart in the border South: Kentucky and West Virginia, doesn't it?

    [ Parent ]

    You and me and many others (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:04:24 PM EST
    on many websites, saying we are waiting to see if we -- not just Clinton, but her supporters -- receive the same respect accorded every major candidate in past in pants, instead of pantsuits.

    This is a major obstacle to "unity," and this is ridiculous.  Makes me wonder just what Obama fears might happen, hmmm?

    [ Parent ]

    The latest today (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by standingup on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:17:15 PM EST
    on the VP rumors will make matters worse if it is true.  Ben Smith in Politico today - Wolfson: Clinton not being vetted 'as far as I know'

    [ Parent ]
    Well, what would happen (2.00 / 0) (#178)
    by MKS on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:23:34 PM EST
    is an attempt to derail the convention....It would not succeed, but it would make a mess of things and make Obama look bad--which is the whole idea....

    The reason for the roll call vote is to keep the idea alive that Hillary will still be the nominee.  You know that--that is the stated goal....to defeat Obama....

    [ Parent ]

    Not so. You guys need to get over it. (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:31:11 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Ah, no, (none / 0) (#183)
    by MKS on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:35:05 PM EST
    that is so--according to the guy appearing on FOX....

    [ Parent ]
    So, one guy on FOX (5.00 / 0) (#190)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:08:09 PM EST
    speaks for all Hillary voters?

    News to me.

    [ Parent ]

    Ah, according to Fox News. (none / 0) (#189)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:06:20 PM EST
    Hokay.  Don't listen to, y'know, us.

    [ Parent ]
    Suppose (none / 0) (#197)
    by Nadai on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:21:13 PM EST
    just for the sake of argument, that that's true.  So what?  Do you think that none of the non-front-running contenders in the past were attempting to derail their conventions and/or make the frontrunners look bad?  Yet, somehow, they were still permitted to put their names in contention without howls of protest about how very horrible and ununified they were for daring to do so.

    Why is it that only Hillary Clinton gets that sort of treatment?  What's so different about her that it actually seems reasonable to people to demand that she sit down, shut up, and smile prettily?  Whatever could it be?

    [ Parent ]

    I called the DNC yesterday (5.00 / 0) (#148)
    by mrjerbub on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:23:27 PM EST
    and was told she would be on the first roll call ballot. The rumor that she wasn't, was just that...but the there's always Donna B. and her cohorts to deal with.

    [ Parent ]
    Kinda feel like you can't trust what they (none / 0) (#170)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:06:53 PM EST
    say anymore...no one group has worked harder than the DNC to make sure Hillary didn't get the nomination.

    [ Parent ]
    Word. n/t (5.00 / 0) (#186)
    by mrjerbub on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:44:20 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I've not had a call, (5.00 / 0) (#195)
    by seeker on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:14:44 PM EST
    but I would tell them that I MIGHT donate when my efforts were no longer needed to help retire Hillary's debt.

    [ Parent ]
    I read on another site yesterday where (none / 0) (#63)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:05:48 PM EST
    the DNC had given Hillary until the end of July to retire her debt and then moved the date up to the 15th of July, or her name doesn't go on the ballot at the convention.  Anyone else hear this?

    [ Parent ]
    See Alegre's corner and Riverdaughter for this. (5.00 / 0) (#118)
    by laurie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:41:52 PM EST
    seems Hill has to cover her debt by July 11, to get her name on the Convention...

    [ Parent ]
    Is that even legal? Sounds more like (none / 0) (#122)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:47:48 PM EST
    blackmail.

    [ Parent ]
    That's today... (none / 0) (#145)
    by kredwyn on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:21:31 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Hmmmmm.... (5.00 / 0) (#144)
    by kredwyn on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:20:58 PM EST
    That looks like extortion to me.

    Went off and bought one of those shirts...

    [ Parent ]

    This is great news. Lack of money is the (5.00 / 2) (#79)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:29:43 PM EST
    only thing that might wake up Obama to the fact that he has alienated so many Democrats.

    [ Parent ]
    I don't think that's right (none / 0) (#37)
    by CST on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:09:16 PM EST
    The Obama campaign hasn't released their number's yet and called the Wall Street Journal article which mentioned 30 mil grossly off mark.

    I'd wait to see.  My guess is it's not 30 or 100 but somewhere in between.

    [ Parent ]

    Just when I thought he couldn't disgrace us more (5.00 / 4) (#22)
    by BernieO on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:40:32 AM EST
    Bush pulls this one when leaving the G8:

    His final words to the likes of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."

    That was the report from the British press, citing "senior sources" who said Bush made the private joke as he was about to leave Japan on Wednesday.

    It stunned his partners, according to the Telegraph, which said:

    He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock.

    (LA Times)

    Obama Won't Be Appearing at Netroots Nation (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Dan the Man on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 11:51:59 AM EST
    You know where to look for details.  Pretty funny reading the comments defending why he can't go now when he, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards went last year.

    All I can say (5.00 / 5) (#48)
    by standingup on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:43:12 PM EST
    is they are going to have to find their own bus.  I'm not moving over for NN!

    [ Parent ]
    As a Liberal tossed off early, I'm in First Class (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by Ellie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:02:24 PM EST
    ... hanging off the underside like DeNiro in Cape Fear.

    You?

    [ Parent ]

    I was one of the first (5.00 / 3) (#133)
    by standingup on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:07:02 PM EST
    tossed under after McClurkin....watched as it pulled forward and backed over us again a few times too.  

    [ Parent ]
    Me too (5.00 / 0) (#163)
    by mmc9431 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:49:20 PM EST
    Obama answer to that was totally unacceptable.

    But then I just read this quote from LA Times:

    "As Barack Obama moves to broaden his appeal beyond loyal Democrats, a chorus of anger and disappointment has arisen from the left. But those voices are a distinct minority because the party has a more pressing concern: winning in November."

    So it seems that all Democratic principles can be scrapped if it means a win. Great, it's good to know that it's only lefties that care about core values.

    When it's over what will they have won? A watered down Republican Party.

    [ Parent ]

    Obama to sponsor car in NASCAR (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by cmugirl on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:15:01 PM EST
    LINK

    I think he'll get laughed off the track.

    Imagine the looks on the faces (5.00 / 4) (#60)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:02:56 PM EST
    of the fans when the Obama car can't seem to just drive in one direction around the track.  Look for some 180's, some driving across the track, some braking, and speeches in the pit.

    Hee-hee

    [ Parent ]

    ROFLMAOOOOOO (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by kelsweet on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:53:32 PM EST
    funny mental picture! You're good    ;)

    [ Parent ]
    And look for a pit crew of super-delegates (5.00 / 4) (#92)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:59:57 PM EST
    to run out to carry it across the line first. :-)

    [ Parent ]
    Wondering if they make jumpsuits out (none / 0) (#99)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:14:35 PM EST
    of silk for Pelosi... :)

    [ Parent ]
    Pelosi needs an asbestos suit (5.00 / 0) (#127)
    by Grace on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:01:09 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Led by Donna, no doubt. (none / 0) (#100)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:15:54 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Sponsoring a Toyota - good move (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:25:22 PM EST
    Had to read to the end to find what I was looking for - he is sponsoring a Toyota!

    The hard core NASCAR fans I have met here in FL are incensed that non-American cars were allowed into NASCAR this year. One woman I work with cancelled her season pass to Daytona.

    This should be interesting.

    [ Parent ]

    That's weird. I thought all campaigns - (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by liminal on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:52:52 PM EST
    - were hypervigilent about using American-branded cars.  

    HRC made a surprise stop in my town (for Sunday church) during the primaries, and the single local staffer was scrambling the night before to find enough large cars (SUVs, minivans) to carry all the Secret Service personnel and campaign staff traveling with her.  My car was too small, and my parents' minivan - though assembled in the states according to my protesting father - was just too darn furn (foreign) to carry any of Clinton's secret service guys or staffers.  They only ride around in American-brand cars.

    [ Parent ]

    Probably figured it did not matter (5.00 / 0) (#138)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:14:36 PM EST
    and that all NASCAR cars are created equal.

    The people it matters to aren't going to vote for him anyway, so it probably won't cost him any votes.

    [ Parent ]

    toyotas made in the USA? (none / 0) (#179)
    by DFLer on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:25:52 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Obama to sponsor car in NASCAR (5.00 / 0) (#158)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:43:40 PM EST
    I hope it has rubber flip flops glued to it.
    or at least pictures of them.

    [ Parent ]
    Thing is - NASCAR is an effective monopoly (3.00 / 0) (#182)
    by scribe on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:34:44 PM EST
    and has a lot of money to lose if there's a Democratic president who takes antitrust enforcement seriously.

    When was the last time you heard of a stock car race not associated with NASCAR?

    One needs to remember that NASCAR is a family-owned business which decides which teams get to participate, how much to charge them for the right, whether a particular driver should be disciplined for his road manners, and all the rest.  It resembles nothing more than a traveling carnival exhibition, where all the workers are working for the carnival and the carnival owner is in charge of pretty much everything.  Or maybe pro wrestling.  I'm not sure how many of the tracks are publicly owned, but to the extent they are, NASCAR gets a nice benefit from tax dollars.

    This isn't to say that the races and racing aren't real.  They and it are.  Rather, it's to say that there is no organization truly independent of the family which owns NASCAR to do the accreditation/regulation and run the races.

    That family (Big Republicans, as I understand it) are businesspeople who know which side their bread is (and will be) buttered on.  When Bushie was riding high, Justice Thomas was a regular celebrity guest, as was Rush Limbaugh.  They see Obama and allowing his campaign to sponsor a car as just another way to enhance their profitability and preserve their business (and business model).

    [ Parent ]

    I wonder if in any way this comes (none / 0) (#41)
    by zfran on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:17:09 PM EST
    under the equal time reg.

    [ Parent ]
    Has he hired "Mudcat"? (none / 0) (#43)
    by tigercourse on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:18:26 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    NASCAR (none / 0) (#47)
    by liminal on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:24:20 PM EST
    There is a lady in my office, no joke, who believes that God called her to watch NASCAR, and specifically to pray for the health and success of Dale Earnheardt, Jr.  

    Apparently, she was never before a fan, but was somehow watching NASCAR for the first time on the day Dale Earnheardt, Sr. died in a crash and believes that God spoke to her that day and ever since then she has had a vocation from God to be a NASCAR fan and - specifically - the most faithful Dale, Jr. fan in the world.

    [ Parent ]

    And people think Flannery O'Connor made stuff up. (5.00 / 3) (#51)
    by kempis on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:49:45 PM EST
    :)

    [ Parent ]
    As legitimate as "god" calling you.... (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:58:43 PM EST
    to do anything else I guess.

    I've been called to the trinity of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll:)

    [ Parent ]

    Thats what you (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by jondee on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:28:48 PM EST
    get for listening to those subliminal messages on Music From Big Pink rather pickin' up the Good Book.

    [ Parent ]
    I have yet to regret my choice... (5.00 / 2) (#86)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:53:58 PM EST
    To quote Billy Joel, who will be rocking Yankee Stadium next week, and will be the last to do so.

    "I rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints."

    [ Parent ]

    It's only July 11, and I'm (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by liminal on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:19:38 PM EST
    - already looking forward to August 8, National "Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor's Porch Day."  I planted zucchini and crookneck squash in my vegetable garden for the first time this summer, just a couple plants each, and holy moly, they are already producing impressive yields.

    Ha. First time I planted zukes (none / 0) (#50)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:49:00 PM EST
    I did "just a couple of plants," too.  Yikes, I don't know why we don't give zucchini seeds to the poor counties to solve world hunger.  It also began my quest to become the woman with the most recipes for zucchini in the world; heck, I even have one for stuffed and fried zucchini flowers.  

    But my fave is zucchini ripiene -- sliced rounds stuffed with essential meatball mixture, then stewed in tomato sauce -- from the late, great Romagnoli's Kitchen show on PBS (I got the cookbook, and if you can find it, get it for many more Italian goodies).  I like it in part because it's good for what to do with huge zucchini.

    I rarely got a chance to use recipes for "small zucchini," though, because those that were small when I left for work in the morning were monsters by the time I came home.  So, yeh, I would bring bagsful to my workplace . . . to put next to the bagsful of zukes from coworkers. :-)

    [ Parent ]

    it's like the kudzu of the vegetable world. :) (none / 0) (#53)
    by kempis on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:50:54 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Ooooh. (none / 0) (#72)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:19:50 PM EST
    That sounds delish!  I have two of their cookbooks.

    I also like a Middle East inspired one with lamb, cinammon, cumin, onions, garlic, and  tomato paste.  Grill meat side down, turn over, top with parmesan and grill until the cheese melts.

    [ Parent ]

    p.s. You also may get a gardenful (none / 0) (#54)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:52:58 PM EST
    of slugs, and the Wisconsin Way works: put a low dish in the garden with some beer in it, and the slugs will act like frat boys and come running, fill their little slug guts, belch, but be trapped by those full bellies and can't get out again.  But they die drunkenly happy.:-)

    Btw, as for what to do with the rest of the beer, you know what to do . . . the Wisconsin Way.  Yes, marinate your bratwurst in it!  Or stuff it up the butt of a chicken or turkey to sit on the grill.  Or make beer-and-cheddar fondue.  Or . . . possibilities are endless here, where there even is a recipe for chocolate beer brownies.

    [ Parent ]

    Drink it! (none / 0) (#61)
    by liminal on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:03:31 PM EST
     - though, I keep good beer for drinking; I can't put that out for the slugs.  Actually, I don't have a problem with slugs in the vegetable garden - it's not level with any other part of the yard.  I live on a hill, on a subtle downward slop.  The vegetable garden is a small, rigged raised bed.  I do get slugs on my hostas, though, so I might employ the Wisconsin solution to save their tender leaves!

    [ Parent ]
    Yeh, well, the recipes here (none / 0) (#67)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:12:07 PM EST
    call for first popping the top of a can of brewski and drinking it while popping the top of another to use in the recipes. :-)

    But thanks, I hadn't thought of adapting this to see if I can spare my hosta from looking like lace full of holes from slugs by late summer.  I bet I can get my guys to help with this sort of gardening:  Take two cans of beer.  Pop the top of  one to sip while popping another to pour for the slugs. . . .

    [ Parent ]

    Beer bread. YUM (none / 0) (#201)
    by MyLeftMind on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:32:34 PM EST
    I save my eggshells in their boxes, microwave them when they're all empty, then crunch them around the young plants in the garden.  Snails don't like to pass over them, like broken glass on the top of a stone wall.  The following spring, I rototill them into the ground.

    I just hate to waste good beer.

    [ Parent ]

    The problem with the beer method (none / 0) (#126)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:00:17 PM EST
    is it attracts every slug for miles around to your garden.  Yeah, you kill a lot of them, but you actually increase the numbers.

    Diatomaceous earth works pretty well, but you have to reapply it periodically, especially after a big rain.

    Best and absolutely guaran-dam-teed to keep out slugs is copper tape.  Something weird about their body chemistry means they get electrocuted when they try to slime across it.  You just roll it out on the ground and stick dime store hairpins through it to hold it down, and you have a summer long slug-free zone.  Put a saucer of beer inside the tape to attract and kill any slugs that were in there to begin with.

    I had some lovely hostas in a shady spot that were chewed literally to shreds every year by the end of summer.  Beer saucers had no effect on the damage.  Then one year I tried putting the copper tape around the bed, and the hostas never again got a single bite.  They were beautiful all summer.

    [ Parent ]

    I saw an article a few year ago (none / 0) (#76)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:26:45 PM EST
    about hollowing out zucchinis and fashioning them into recreational vehicles.

    It was tongue in cheek...um, I think it was, anyway.  I've grown some large and powerful zucchinis! ;-).

    But yeah, zucchinis are successful little creatures.

    [ Parent ]

    I like the monster pumpkins. (none / 0) (#80)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:31:49 PM EST
    You COULD ride in one of those.

    [ Parent ]
    I have a bag (none / 0) (#77)
    by cloudy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:26:54 PM EST
    of zucchini from my CSA that is destined to become fritters tonight....and bread...and maybe cookies?  Gotta love zucchini.

    [ Parent ]
    Mmmm... (none / 0) (#87)
    by NWHiker on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:54:40 PM EST
    I think I may be the only person who has never suceeded in actually getting zukes to grow [hangs head in shame]. I'm not real good with veggies.

    We grill, but the fave recipe, the one I swear my kids would eat every day, is zucchini pancakes.

    Grate 3 medium zukes, medium fine, press as much water out of them as possible.

    Add 2 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup flour, grated parmesan (real stuff) to tastes, about 2 oz or so. Salt, pepper. Cook like pancakes.

    My kids love them rolled up with catsup... hot, warm or -ugh- cold.

    Sorry, just had to share. :-)

    [ Parent ]

    Don't feel too badly (none / 0) (#115)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:35:13 PM EST
    Here in Western Washington, zukes are difficult to grow.  You need full sun, a somewhat dry place, and good drainage, and the three in combination aren't always easy to find.

    Zukes very much like the Eastern Washington desert, though.  Water them, and they grow like dinosaur food.

    [ Parent ]

    Ah, and good to do with extra zucchini (none / 0) (#89)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:57:32 PM EST
    in summer is to slice and blanch and freeze it for use in winter in zucchini bread -- mmm, my fave recipe for that actually is zucchini-strawberry bread -- and maybe for those zucchini pancakes, too.

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks. (5.00 / 0) (#108)
    by liminal on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:27:49 PM EST
    I'm planning to shred and freeze some zucchini tonight (oh how we party in rural America!), and need to remind self to blanch the shred zucchini before freezing.  

    [ Parent ]
    That's how I'll be partying in Brooklyn! (none / 0) (#117)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:40:46 PM EST
    lol!~ have to make space for tomorrows produce haul  :)

    [ Parent ]
    I'm already overwhelmed from (none / 0) (#97)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:12:03 PM EST
    my CSA! I've got several pounds of summer squash and my next share PU is tomorrow. Oy! Has the same thing happen with cucumbers last year. I made a facial tonic out of the cukes last year that was great. This year, I'm canning and will also try and figure out other ways to use up the zuke and cukes. I have a couple recipes for zuke soup that look good and I can freeze (or I think can?). The soups utilize a fair amount of the squash, so that may be my solution this year. I also plan on distributing to my neighbors if it gets too outta control.

    [ Parent ]
    Soup is a great way (none / 0) (#131)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:05:17 PM EST
    to preserve veg that don't freeze or can well.  The soup freezes very well (although best to just freeze the base, not any thickeners or cream or anything) and it's fantastic to have the knockout taste of summer vegetables in the dead of winter.

    Similar with fruit, btw.  If you cook it up with sugar just enough to soften it and then freeze, it makes a sublime topping for ice cream.  Particularly good are strawberries and peaches.  Ahhhhhh!

    [ Parent ]

    Oh! thanks for the soup fereezing tip! (none / 0) (#167)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:58:00 PM EST
    I've pretty much only frozen chillies and hearty bean type soups.

    Made Blueberry sauce last night and just got another load today, which I'll just freeze as is. Will be making nectarine sorbet tomorrow :) I think I'm getting raspberries, blackberries and cherries in my farm share tomorrow. They'll prob just go in my mouth or with some yogurt and granola, which I should make tonight if I know what's good for me! Last year I froze berries, peaches and melons. Oh so easy and good in the winter. The melons from the farm were amazing.

    [ Parent ]

    absolutely (none / 0) (#168)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:00:11 PM EST
    my family is big into veggie gardens and my Mom used to do this and we would have fresh garden vegetable soup all winter.


    [ Parent ]
    Tip for singles: freeze soup (none / 0) (#192)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:09:07 PM EST
    or other liquids, like yummy safe (home-grown) tomato sauce, in an ice cube tray.  Then each cube or two is just right for thawing for soup for one.:-)

    [ Parent ]
    Celebrate! The first ERA in history, in 1921 (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:01:43 PM EST
    was signed into law on this day in Wisconsin.  It was news nationwide, NYT and more, but here's one local article about it then from online archives.
    including a quote from Alice Paul, who would author the national ERA two years later that has yet to pass.

    Thank you, Mabel Raef Putnam, Wisconsin leader of the National Woman's Party.  She won this law with a remarkable coalition of woman suffragists statewide from all parties -- Socialists, Populists, as well as Republicans (Progressives) -- and even groups such as my fave, the Polish Housewives Association in Milwaukee.

    Few other state ERAs followed, and Wisconsin legislators managed to make a mockery of part of it within a few years, using it to fire some women employees -- but not the state capitol's cleaning women, of course.  

    Still, it was a step forward in other ways, despite half-steps back.  Women served on juries at last, for example, and within months, Wisconsin had its first jury forewoman -- while women had to fight to serve on juries in some states until well into the 1960s.

    I just read (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:39:19 PM EST
    Jane Hamsher's post about the NARAL and Planned Parenthood endorsement.  PP stayed neutral in the primary, but I suppose they couldn't do that in the general.  Still, as Jane points out, many of their big supporters cannot be happy about Obama's recent statements concerning the mental health of the mother.  

    Lots of comments about Obama's decrease in donations.  Lots of angry people who have shut their wallets because of his move to the right on the right, but especially his FISA vote.

    The scales have fallen from eyes, that's for sure.

    Edit out (none / 0) (#82)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:40:10 PM EST
    on the right.

    [ Parent ]
    Pie....did you read the link I posted at (none / 0) (#94)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:04:55 PM EST
    Comment #59?

    [ Parent ]
    Just did. (none / 0) (#130)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:03:15 PM EST
    also read about the July 11th deadline for Hillary.

    Were candidates in previous years give this ultimatum?!

    [ Parent ]

    I've never heard of it (none / 0) (#132)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:06:29 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Okay, now I read Heidi Li's (none / 0) (#136)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:09:57 PM EST
    post, straight from the horse's mouth, so maybe this isn't the case.

    [ Parent ]
    Pie....do you have a link? (none / 0) (#171)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:08:00 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Yes. (none / 0) (#175)
    by pie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:13:51 PM EST
    Here.

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks....guess this is another "time will (none / 0) (#177)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:19:57 PM EST
    tell the story" moments.

    [ Parent ]
    So sent more money to the Clinton debt bucket (5.00 / 0) (#88)
    by Salt on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:55:35 PM EST
    I hear we are making progress, it's good to know it is we, not Obama's fans, who are clearing this up for her.  

    IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED.... (none / 0) (#124)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:50:04 PM EST
     There is going to be a special on CNN 10 pm EST entitled CLINTONS NEVER QUIT...should be quite interesting and enlightening.

    [ Parent ]
    Hagel Going to Iraq with Obama (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:57:44 PM EST
    Link

    I wish Dems did not feel the need for a Republican chaperone on national security trips. I did not like it when Bill Clinton chose William Cohen as Sec of Def either. It says to me that they either do not trust the judgement of Dem defense experts, or feel the need to bow to the mistaken public distrust of same.

    What do you guys think about (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 01:59:03 PM EST
    Obama's plan to hold a rally in Germany, and the refusal by the Germans to allow it?
    He really is Bush-lite, in his own way, isn't he?
    How clueless.

    His campaign's eye for the dramatic effect (5.00 / 0) (#102)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:20:41 PM EST
    is clouding its judgement in this case. I think it looks presumptuous, to say the least.

    [ Parent ]
    Perhaps he should schedule a rally (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by MarkL on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:24:23 PM EST
    in St. Peter's Basilica.

    [ Parent ]
    Exactly (5.00 / 0) (#112)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:31:04 PM EST
    He'd want to speak from the pulpit.

    [ Parent ]
    In red shoes (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 03:07:41 PM EST
    and put the Secret Service guys in Swiss Guard costumes.  Wearing their shades, talking to their wristwatches.  'Way cool.  I would watch that. :-)

    [ Parent ]
    I just read that... (none / 0) (#202)
    by lentinel on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 05:34:50 PM EST
    Obama will be cast as the lead in the new Batman movie, "A Klog Tsu Meineh Somin."

    [ Parent ]
    Looks like he is trying to out photo-op (none / 0) (#95)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:06:05 PM EST
    bush.  It is beyond my comprehension that people cannot see that obama is a carbon copy of gwb...it is downright frightening.

    [ Parent ]
    It seems the German gov't (none / 0) (#105)
    by brodie on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 02:25:44 PM EST
    -- accd'g to news reports today -- is softening its attitude about holding the speech at the Gate.  The local Berlin authorities have been favorable to it though from the beginning.  So it looks like it might be done after all.

    I'm softening my attitude about it as well.  I didn't like the idea of O doing one too many events straight out of the JFK playbook, but as it turns out Kennedy didn't actually speak in front of Brandenburg Gate (RR did), but instead a few miles away in front of City Hall.

    So now I'm basically on board.  I don't think he could match Kennedy's speech and its reception by that massive crowd, but he could come close.  If he pulls it off without a hitch, that's going to translate into some very positive coverage back here.

    And unlike 2004, and Kerry being too French, I don't think the Repub oppo will be able to counter that Obama is too German.

    [ Parent ]

    There is no comparison (5.00 / 0) (#173)
    by bridget on Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 04:09:06 PM EST
    Kennedy spoke out in support of the Berlin people who lived on a small island surrounded by "the enemy." Those few words in German made all the difference for them.

    Apart from talking the usual friendship stuff,
    Obama wants to talk tough and tell the Germans that they should get more involved in the Afghanistan (which they are for years now) and Iraq wars. Who knows what else! Merkel was forced to send troops (ships) in the Lebanon region against the wishes of the Germans.

    It would be nice to hear peace plans from Obama instead. Don't you all agree? Is that even still a subject these days. Peace?

    Whole different story this time and Obama hopes to be a Kennedy but he is not.


    [ Parent ]

    But wasn't Kennedy President (none / 0) (