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Non-Palin Open Thread 2

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    The RNC Stage (5.00 / 3) (#14)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:25:59 PM EST
    Wow, it's really simple and non-descript.

    Sure doesn't look like a TV gameshow set.

    Got some $6 million Doric columns (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:34:13 PM EST
    and a stage we can haul outa the garbage and haul to the Twin Cities, if they gotta yen fer glitz.

    $6 million.  For the stage alone.  That figure just sticks in my head, since it matches just one of the cuts in one of the services in my city.

    Parent

    $6 Million? You're Kidding. (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:46:04 PM EST
    The audacity. Pfft. I could find numerous more worthwhile uses for that money. For one, there are returning veterans with TBIs and PTSD who are not being properly diagnosed because their rural communities they hail from are under-equipped or not equipped at all to do that job. And so, they suffer, as they and their loved ones try to remedy the situation because many cannot afford to seek the often-more expensive care at the nearest city hospital. (Sorry, I just had to vent after I read an article about men and women in that position.)
    ---
    I know this is not non-Palin, but I'm watching Cafferty get his old-man diapers trying to slam Palin. Urgh, that man has issues and needs helps.
    ---
    OK, back to topic.

    Parent
    I know. (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:01:48 PM EST
    My city has the first and oldest vets' hospital.  It could use a lot, and not just for the TBI's and PTSD's.  My ex is a Viet vet, and we did volunteering there, and it was a wreck of a building then.  And I've dealt with TBI with another family member -- it caused seizure disorder and worse.  And I've been reading up a lot on all the TBIs that are coming our way at my urban campus, with the GI Bill.  We're one of the better campuses for students with disabilities, but we're already struggling.  We are not ready for the number that will be coming soon.

    And I wonder how much the SkyCam cost that was flying over the event last night?  It just was shown on CNN.  It could not provide any video, though, because it had red, white and blue streamers tied to it.  And the streamers kept blowing across the lens.  The stoooooopid.

    Parent

    SkyCam (none / 0) (#63)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:08:41 PM EST
    And I wonder how much the SkyCam cost that was flying over the event last night?

    I was reading about that -- I think it was in the NYT or the WashPo, and on some other Web sites -- but it was CNN's idea, not the campaign's.

    However, the other network's protested its use, so CNN cut a deal with them to share the cost, rumored to have cost more than $10K.

    ---

    I'm really interested in reading and learning about TBIs. Do you have any links or titles that you could recommend? Thanks CC!

    Parent

    At another site, I posted that Cafferty (5.00 / 1) (#167)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:27:11 PM EST
    would be in full venom mode over Palin....he did not fail to deliver.

    Parent
    Cream City (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Brookhaven on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:58:28 PM EST
    A belated thank you for posting that info about the taxpayers footing the bill for the Dem and Gop Partry parties at the conventions.  I will now make it my business to forego checking the box on my tax return for that purpose.  

    Good to know I own a piece of the carpeting or something. Heh. Someone said they are going to sell the carpeting to someone for a big discount.  Shouldn't we get an appropriate share of the revenue in the form of a tax refund for that exchange?  

    Not holding my breath.

    Anyway, thanks for that info.  

    Parent

    lol....I own a part of the DEVO hatlike (5.00 / 1) (#169)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:29:29 PM EST
    stage :)  According to one, madamb, that would make us DEVOcrats...

    Parent
    You betcha. (none / 0) (#48)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:03:00 PM EST
    And were you the commenter who said not to worry, Obama killed off that option, anyway, with his decision to be the first to forego that fund?  I wonder what will happen to it.

    Parent
    No, that wasn't me (none / 0) (#84)
    by Brookhaven on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:24:55 PM EST
    Could you elaborate a bit on what Obama did?  Did he sign onto legislation to do away with that option?  

    Parent
    I think the reference was to (none / 0) (#102)
    by BernieO on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:34:24 PM EST
    the fact that he refused public financing which could kill the whole program.

    Parent
    Oh, Jeez (none / 0) (#105)
    by Brookhaven on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:37:29 PM EST
    Right.  How could I have forgotten about that?  Duh.  

    Thanks, Bernie.  

    Parent

    Conventions are just as much a part of the general (none / 0) (#182)
    by jawbone on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 09:13:12 PM EST
    election campaign as buying ads on TV and other media outlets. C'mon! What's the big scandal? BTW, guess where I first saw this tidbit? FOX News. It's part of the attack on all public financing, gang.

    Guess what--trying to get rid of public financing is what the Repubs have been doing since the law was passed after Watergate. Obama may have assisted the Repubs in their goal of destroying it by not accepting public financing and its limits.

    However, he now has to court the bigwigs and wealthiest in order to get all the monies he said he would get. Time--and expense. Plus ticking off those of us who thought public financing was a start and could be improved.

    He may allay my doubts if elected. Then, again, it will be hard to get better public financing legislation past Repub opposition.

    Parent

    6 million for the entire venue... (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:07:05 PM EST
    It was six million to hold the event at Invesco Field.

    Even with the double overtime they had to pay to put "windows" between the columns, and the extra they had to pay to rent all those flags at the last minute, the stage still wouldn't cost six million unless those columns came from greece... and they came from Home Depot, from the looks of them.

    Parent

    The audacity. (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:09:16 PM EST
    Of hope?

    Parent
    It's not being recycled? (none / 0) (#183)
    by jawbone on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 09:15:11 PM EST
    Need some Doric columns (none / 0) (#185)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:09:17 PM EST
    for a McMansion? :-)

    Parent
    No, but need a bit of plywood for a little Tudor- (none / 0) (#193)
    by jawbone on Sat Aug 30, 2008 at 01:39:45 PM EST
    ish cottage!

    What do they do with things like this? Call in Habitat for Humanity to take whatever can be reused?

    Use for the next Britney Spears' comeback? </snark>

    Parent

    Did anyone else notice how teensy tiny (none / 0) (#95)
    by Grace on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:28:50 PM EST
    the podium was at the event McCain & Palin were at today?  It barely had room for a sign.  It looked about 1/2 of the size of the ones the Dems have been using.  Anyway, it was small!  

    Parent
    One more reaons to vote for them then (none / 0) (#130)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:50:50 PM EST
    Anybody in Louisianna? (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by bjorn on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:27:04 PM EST
    hoping the best for you guys come Monday and Tuesday

    Per MSNBC, maybe (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:40:52 PM EST
    George W. Bush, instead of speaking at the RNC, will appear by video feed from New Orleans.  

    Parent
    Wow. (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by chel2551 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:39:43 PM EST
    The only mention I have heard of Gustav in my current city was from some fellow Dems that could hardly contain their glee over the possibility that the GOP convention might be postponed as a result.

    Just wow.

    These people don't speak for me, and I wish they didn't represent democrats.

    Parent

    Guess the $3.41/gal gas won't be at that rate much (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by jawbone on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 09:07:03 PM EST
    longer. However, it does seem that presidential election years find Big Oil keeping gas somewhat lower than diesel and heating oil.

    So, maybe gas prices will "manage" to stay a bit lower until after Nov. 4.

    Heating oil is scary high. And affects a smaller area of the country and regions which tend to vote Democratic....

    Just a guess.

    Parent

    $200 avg increase per month (5.00 / 1) (#186)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:16:01 PM EST
    this winter up here in the Great Lakes.  That's the increase we're told -- for the average home.  Ours is a big old historic preservation project, big enough to handle my big family when all come home.  So we already went for a new energy-efficient furnace last year, plus restoring the airlock in the front hall (brilliant design a century ago but abandoned in the energy-inefficient design eras since).  We move up to the second-floor tv room in winters, anyway, following the heat as it rises.  And we wear lots of sweaters, slippers, socks, etc.

    What else is left?  Well, now we're looking into replacing some old windows with more efficient ones.  And we're already going around grouting every crack that we can find, putting liners behind outlets, etc.  I know, I know that those of you in warmer climes can't figure out the half of this.  But yes, heating bills in winter are horrible here.

    But at least we can afford some heat, and we have a home.  This will be a winter to help the homeless.  And those with bad housing who will use space heaters.  They kill people every year here -- but more in years like this, when heating bills will almost double for a lot of people.  And a lot of them have lost jobs here or are already trying to figure out how to afford gas to get to work.


    Parent

    $200/month--consider 5 months the cold ones, (none / 0) (#194)
    by jawbone on Sat Aug 30, 2008 at 01:50:55 PM EST
    some winters more. $1000 to $1200 more for heating. Ouch.

    And yes there will be more deaths from ovens being used for heat, etc.

    All my windows have been replaced and there's no way to do an airlock, but, they help a lot. Maybe some kind of temp enclosure for my small front porch--but I think that would be very expensive and might not be a real payback.

    My hot water comes through the furnace boiler, so I don't have that on my electric bill--but I can run out of hot water....

    I'm trying to find out if my furnace (rather new and billed as more efficient, for an oil burner) can handle new zones, so I can not heat the guest room and den at all. I have hot water baseboard heat, and have learned that anti-freeze can be put into the water in the pipes--not sure if that can withstand really cold weather and temps in those rooms. Must learn more before deciding what to do.

    Electric here in northern NJ has gone up somewhat, but I understand more hikes are coming. Neighbor still has some wood pellet left for his stove, but says they have gone up as well.

    Parent

    I Second That (none / 0) (#39)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:55:03 PM EST
    All you Louisianians out there (and anyone else who may be in the path of Gustav), please take care.

    Please evacuate if you must, as soon as you can. We cannot, and must not, repeat history at all cost.

    Parent

    38 Million viewers (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:03:04 PM EST
    watched Obama's speech last night, per CNN.

    More than this year's American Idol finale and the Olympics Opening Ceremonies.

    That's a creditable viewership, but I would have expected more than that, considering the hype of the stadium-setting and the media/national adulation.

    Oh well.

    I watched to see (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by chel2551 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:15:34 PM EST
    if he'd follow in the Clintons' footsteps.

    No.  He's not effectively sold himself or his history or his qualifications.

    He was uninspiring, and I turned off the teevee.  He just doesn't have it.

    Parent

    Also considering the fact (none / 0) (#76)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:17:37 PM EST
    that it was aired on all three networks simultaneously, as well as on CNN, MSNBC and Faux.  I think univision, too.

    Parent
    It was being televised on TWELVE (none / 0) (#90)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:27:27 PM EST
    channels here in the DC market, at least on my cable provider (Comcast)

    • NBC
    • ABC
    • FOX
    • CNN
    • MSNBC
    • Fox News
    • Telemundo
    • Univision
    • BET
    • PBS
    • C-SPAN
    • TV-One

    I guess many District, NoVA people go to bed earlier than most people. Heh.

    Parent
    Obama/Clinton (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:21:29 PM EST
    I am watching Fox (leave me alone) and they are showing clips of Obama and Clinton at an event.  I remember them at the debate with just the two of them side by side at the table, the clip on the airplane, I see these clips etc, the rumors were Obama didn't like Clinton, but I see them together and I think, what could have been.

    Sad, isn't it? (5.00 / 2) (#88)
    by Grace on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:26:05 PM EST
    That could have been the winning ticket.  Instead, the Dems got into petty personal politics and lost sight of the big picture.  

    I don't know who McCain would have picked if Hillary had run with Obama.  That would have been such an historic ticket.  

    Parent

    Warning about Appendicitis (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by blogtopus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:25:13 PM EST
    It can happen to anyone, there is no warning, and it can come in many forms.

    Tuesday night my wife started getting nausea and throwing up, unable to stop. She was having bad bad stomach cramps, and I thought it was food poisoning or that flu going around. She even asked me 'do you think it's appendicitis?' and I said something like, does the pain go through to your back? and she said no, so I declared her appendicitis-free, like an idiot.

    I will NEVER, NEVER doubt my wife's judgement about her own body again. I used to think she was kind of a hypochondriac, but no more. Yes, I realize I was being a bullying prig, and it took me almost losing my wife to convince me. The guilt is amazing, but necessary.

    So I called 911 when she couldn't walk, and after a few hours of pain in the ER, they finally gave her some anti-nausea and morphine, and did some tests and yeppers she had an inflamed appendix. Acute appendicitis. They took it out at 230 in the morning, and she left that evening about 800pm.

    She's tottling around with a bloated belly (from the gas they injected into her from the laproscopic procedure), and her muscles sprung like crazy from all the heaving. But she's in a lot better shape than before, and I am so happy to have her still around.

    Moral of Story: Unless you are a doctor, you ARE NOT A DOCTOR. :-) Listen to your loved ones.

    Yikes! (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by eleanora on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:33:44 PM EST
    That must have been so scary for the both of you. I'm glad she's going to be okay, and I hope you take care of yourself too. Prayers and good vibes going out for you both.

    Parent
    Sometimes it's the other way around... (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by Anne on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:43:14 PM EST
    Years ago, when I was 7 months pregnant with daughter #2, husband started having belly pain.  He passed it off as no big deal, but the next day, it was worse, and still...he kept saying it was probably just a virus or something.

    When he started writhing on the sofa, I put the 3 yr old in the car seat and him in the back seat, and took him to the ER.  Called my parents to come get our 3 yr old from me once we got there.  By the time they did all the tests and nothing was pointing in one particular direction or another, they called in a surgeon, who said it was time to go in.

    So, in they went - by this time it was near midnight.  He came through fine, but it was his appendix, and it had started to perforate.  As a result, he spent 5 days in the hospital on antibiotics by IV, and they ended up having to let his incision heal from the inside out.  He couldn't drive for a month.

    When your loved one says "oh, it's probably nothing," go with your instincts - go to the ER.

    Parent

    Glad he survived (5.00 / 2) (#127)
    by blogtopus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:48:42 PM EST
    That's such a crazy shot from the blue kind of illness isn't it? It makes me wonder what would have happened if this had been in the pioneer days.

    Well, I wouldn't wonder. She'd be dead, probably.

    Parent

    Funny, I think about that stuff too. (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:04:43 PM EST
    We were just in VA near Chancellorsville, where Stonewall Jackson lost his arm, and soon after, his life. They couldn't treat a deep wound like a bullet hole in your arm, they had to cut the whole arm off. In those days, it seems people could even die from the plain-jane cuts and scrapes that today we wash out, put a band aid on, and ignore today.

    I read about a woman in Jamestown (iirc) who's bones they exhumed and studied recently.

    Apparently she died of a tooth infection. They said her teeth were all worn down in a curious way and they figured she was constantly chewing a tobacco mixture, ostensibly to make her teeth "white," and ultimately at least one tooth got worn down to the nerve which then got infected, went into the bones of her face, and she died a really horrible, painful, death. yuk.

    Parent

    My spouse did and saved me (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:51:41 PM EST
    from a stroke.  At 49 years old.  He rarely overrules me.  It's okay that he did that time. :-)

    Everybody, please get your blood pressure checked, too.  I had low blood pressure -- until then.

    Btw, a niece went through much the same as these stories about appendicitis.  None of the usual red-flag symptoms.  She nearly died at 16.  It's a reminder that the symptoms are red flags in most cases, but not all cases.

    Parent

    A good/bad story. (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:01:46 PM EST
    My vet started having abdominal pain.  It showed up every day, better in the morning, worse at the end of the work day.  She KNEW it was probably her appendix, but she was busy and so ignored it for over a week before she couldn't ignore it any longer.

    A vet.  A medical professional who probably knew all about appendicitis and how it does not spontaneously "get better" and will eventually abcess, perforate and can lead to peritonitis and possibly sepsis.

    Denial doesn't cure anything.

    Parent

    Nausea and abdominal pain (5.00 / 1) (#144)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:01:16 PM EST
    at the same time is a serious sign of danger, something that's not very well known by the public.  There are a whole bunch of really ugly rapidly fatal things that are signalled by that combination-- stuff like bowel obstruction, mesenteric ischemia (blood clot in the arteries leading to the intestine, like a heart attack for the bowel), as well as appendicitis.

    Glad you guys got smart soon enough to save the day!

    Parent

    The internet is your friend. (none / 0) (#103)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:36:01 PM EST
    Medically speaking, that is.  I've got two speech delayed kids and the youngest barely uses words at all.  If they are acting out of sorts, I look for the usual suspects - cold, flu, GI bug.  If they don't fit those, I consider the things you need to go to the hospital for: encephalitis, meningitis, appendicitis, pneumonia, UTI.

    Then I hit up the medical websites for symptoms to see if I can find a match.  It hasn't happened yet, but it really puts my mind at ease when I can do something simple like palpate the abdomen to look for tender spots.

    (I am not a medical professional.)

    Parent

    I did that when she was waiting in the ER (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by blogtopus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:41:43 PM EST
    and sure enough, you don't need to have a pain on your right side to have appendicitis... your whole abdomen can be inflamed and when it gets REALLY bad is the only time that you begin to localize the pain.

    I had mine out on a different procedure in the same area, and am glad I don't have to worry about THAT happening.

    Parent

    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:00:14 PM EST
    with the internet as a resource.  My daughter was in the ER.  I took a break and went home and got on the internet.  When she called to check in, I was able to tell her she had emphasema (sp)it was so obvious yet stunning for a person her age.  My aunt was able to figure out my cousin had MS from the internet, again at a very young age.

    In case I haven't made my case clear... an important issue has always been 'health care as a human right'... when my daughter didn't seek treatment because of the cost, and didn't feel comfortable asking her own parent for assistance, I was disgusted.

    Parent

    I was on the internet before (5.00 / 2) (#187)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:22:58 PM EST
    one of my children's specialists, years ago, for a serious health condition requiring heavy-duty daily meds.  We kept dealing with problems -- toxicity, immunity, breakthroughs, etc.  So in early days of the internet, I went searching around for medical articles and found some possible explanations.

    I told her specialist about what I had found.  He had to ask me what the internet was.  So I offered to come back and get him on his office staff's computer, if they could get a hookup.  They did, I did, and he was absolutely floored by all that could be found even then.

    I have a physician in the family and know how hard it can be to keep up with all the medical journals.  Now they can do so much with word-searchable information, saving them so much time to get straight to what they need.

    Of course, there are some less credible sites.  But a tip from the physician in the family, which has worked for me, is to try the Mayo Clinic site first.  Btw, I had to take my child there, and it saved a serious surgery, and it was an incredible and caring experience.  It's how health care is supposed to be.

    Parent

    From the Bureau of New Left Agitprop... (5.00 / 4) (#126)
    by Oje on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:47:57 PM EST
    To riff on something I noticed last night, a lesson in how to turn the mistake Obama made in his slight of Hillary Clinton as the Greatest Political Mistake Evah by John McCain:

    Could the condescension and the pandering inherent in the Palin pick tip them [moderate Republican women] ever so slightly toward Barack Obama?

    At MyDD.

    The problem here, among the new left authoritarians, is their failure to consider Governor Palin as an individual, a Republican politician. To this point, the faux progressives can only see Palin as a unit of a collective identity - entirely defined in terms of gender. This failure (and cynicism) is with our bloggers, as much as the wish it to be John McCain's. We need smarter bloggers. Now.

    So far, (5.00 / 2) (#147)
    by lentinel on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:03:34 PM EST
    the comments I have seen lauding Obama's speech have to do with his style, the tone, when it soared, when it was reserved.

    I was disappointed again by the lack of substance, sometimes not even a mention of the issues I care most about.

    On abortion, all he said was one sentence - and that was to the effect that women should avoid unwanted pregnancies.

    On Iraq, all he said was that the position he once articulated is now the position held by Bush and Nouri al-Malaki. To me, that is not a plus. I want our troops to begin withdrawing on day one of a new administration - not dragged out over a minimum of a year and a half - and even then it's iffy.

    He didn't even mention the erosion of civil liberties under the Bush administration - the Patriot Act - FISA. How could he, I suppose. He voted for them. But he could have said that he would try to reverse the most egregious parts of these assaults on our civil liberties. He could have called them what they are. UnAmerican.

    Personally, when I hear a democrat talking about "Russian aggression", I get nervous. I don't think the situation is as black and white as Bush and Condi have painted it. But he does, apparently.

    Then, at the end, for some reason that escapes me - I don't know what he was thinking or not thinking, he brings up the march on Washington and does not mention Dr. King. My eyes practically bulged out of their sockets.

    So - I don't have a clue about where he is on anything.
    I also think Biden has a screw loose. He sounds rational for awhile - and then says something that makes no sense - not even grammatical sense. Like the ridiculous quote that the republicans have been airing in which he says, "I'd be honored to run with or against John McCain". WTF?

    And so, my friends, this is our ticket.
    A sorry spectacle in my opinion.

    And Let's Not Forget (none / 0) (#171)
    by CDN Ctzn on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:36:48 PM EST
    that all politicians have people who write their speeches for them. They're called SPEECHWRITERS. Most of our politicians (and I would include Barack Obama) wouldn't know an original thought if it jumped out and bit them on the hind-side.

    I find it frustrating to hear people wetting themselves over what an incredible speaker Obama is, and what an incredible and visionary speech he delivered. Please!!! It's someone else's ideas and words he's reciting.

    What really steams me is when his speeches are compared to the landmark MLK Jr. speeches. I doubt the good Reverend had a speechwriter or a sermon writer.

    Maybe we should be voting for the person writing the speeches in the first place!

    Parent

    Eeek... I know this is a non-Palin thread.... (5.00 / 2) (#150)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:04:44 PM EST
    ,,,but the other one is over 200 posts. All I want to say is that in his introduction on Countdown Keith Olbermann has hit upon every possible offensive thing he can say about Palin and he's only warming up. What an ass. I know he thinks he's "helping" but he even bashed her for wanting at one time to be an ESPN anchor!!!!

    That's when I flipped the station! (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by nycstray on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:08:11 PM EST
    I was watching Tweety for the PUMA/Hillary voter discussion and found myself assaulted by KO spew. YIKES! Taking a baseball shower now. AHHHHHHHHH!

    Parent
    Melissa McEwen had to being a new misogyny/ (5.00 / 1) (#179)
    by jawbone on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 08:50:34 PM EST
    sexism watch. I'm linking to #3 bcz for some reason I've been getting hung up over at her site when I try to follow links. Frustrating.

    I was trying to see what time she posted #1, cldn't find timestamp, cldn't open comments, but she said it took less than an hour for Palin to be called a "bimbo" on The Stephanie Miller Show. Alas.

    Anyway, here it goes again--and who will be worse, lefties or righties?

    Parent

    Something that bugs me... (5.00 / 2) (#157)
    by esmense on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:10:00 PM EST
    Referring to particular issues as "women's issues." I think this kind of presumption, that women vote narrowly and rather uniformly on a particular set of issues, and that those issues are of lesser or less universal import than others belongs back in the 70s with politics that caters to the "angry, white male" and bell bottoms.

    About a year out from the 1992 election my local paper, the Seattle Times, printed a list of the issues they thought would be important in the upcoming election. They named foreign policy, the economy, etc. and, toward the bottom of the list "women's issues*" -- the asterisk referred to a list in tiny 4 point type at the bottom of the page; "abortion, health care, social security, child care, education."

    I remember thinking at the time, "gee, only life, death, and most of what is genuinely important in-between."

    What I have to say (5.00 / 3) (#168)
    by lilburro on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:28:34 PM EST
    about reading some really, really dumb sh*t about Palin today:

    For people who don't know what it's like to wear a skirt - STFU about wearing a skirt.  Just S.T.F.U.

    If you've never worn one, you will hardly begin to know the multiple meanings of one.  So STFU.

    Legal Question (1.00 / 0) (#28)
    by melro on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:45:07 PM EST
    I know about Sarah Palin because I write an environmental blog. Just this morning before I knew she was picked as VP, I published one stating that we should keep a better eye on Alaska after Ted Stevens, and now cold hearted Sarah Palin. Palin appears to be in the pocket of someone. I said, "Talk about a proactive government/lobbyist relationship." She's an advocate of sport's hunters and Safari Club International that's for sure.  

    There was a very recent ballot issue defeated in Alaska that would end the aerial killing of wolves for good where 75,000 citizens voted to pass it. It was defeated with the efforts of SCI, while Sarah Palin chucked in $400,000 in state money to influence the outcome of that vote.

    Is this ethical that a state can supply money, which is ultimately taxpayer's money, to help influence the defeat of a ballot issue?

    Personally, I wouldn't want my tax dollars going to advertisements to defeat issues here in Michigan that I want to uphold.

    Sarah Palin ran her governor's campaign on ethics. I busted out laughing when I heard that one. Just a short time ago, Alaskan Wildlife Agency employess illegally staked out a known breeding den area of wolves. After shooting all the adults, they shot 14 pups point blank in the head. Wait until the big environmental organizations get a hold of her record. This is one cold, lobbyist friendly climber. Sounds like a young Cheney, doesn't it?

    LINKS please (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Rhouse on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:57:22 PM EST
    I don't suppose there's even (5.00 / 0) (#61)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:08:30 PM EST
    the remotest possibility that she actually holds those views, like a large percentage of Alaskans.  Must be because she's corrupt and in the pocket of... of... of... the giant anti-wolf corporations or something?

    I live in liberal, environment-loving Vermont, and a not insignificant percentage of rural Vermonters are virulent enemies of the packs of coyotes all around here and organize periodic shooting parties to kill as many as possible.

    But I suppose they're just in the pocket of lobbyists and big corporate interests, too.
     

    Parent

    As I said, (5.00 / 2) (#75)
    by chel2551 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:17:37 PM EST
    this is too reminiscent of the primary.

    It's not going to work this time.  I hate what the dem party has become.

    Parent

    she's explained it (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:33:52 PM EST
    thus:

    -- The governor says she is pro-environment and has defended the aerial shooting as necessary to build up moose and caribou herds in parts of Alaska to help improve local food supplies. --

    Maybe those not living in the cities might understand it better than us city folk.

    Parent

    I don't live in a city (5.00 / 1) (#173)
    by melro on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:55:11 PM EST
    You mean the same tired excuse states like Idaho and Wyoming are using to obliterate wolves? The elk and deer populations by those states records are way over what is considered healthy populations, but the wolf slaughter continues anyway. Explain that? Those governors tell us the same as Sarah.  

    Parent
    I guess Idaho and Wyoming (none / 0) (#190)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:53:32 PM EST
    are identical in all respects to Alaska, huh?

    It's generally helpful to actually have some minimal knowledge base about a situation before coming to a conclusion about it, doncha think?  I have zero knowledge of the specifics of the Alaska issue.  How about you?

    Parent

    Packs of Coyotes (5.00 / 1) (#172)
    by melro on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:46:10 PM EST
    Coyotes are prey for wolves. Destroying wolf populations will allow the increase of coyote populations.

    This a about par for America. We have a tendency to lump things together. Not the same at all.

    Parent

    I have literally no idea (none / 0) (#189)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:50:59 PM EST
    what your point is.

    I DO NOT approve of slaughtering wolves or coyotes, or any other predators, for that matter.  My point, which I thought was pretty obvious, is that many if not most rural people and Westerners sincerely hold a different view.  Because they and I disagree does not mean they are corrupt and in the pocket of lobbyists for something-or-other, as the post rather wildly charged.

    And in Alaska, it may actually be the case, y'know, that the wolves are having a significant impact on essential food sources for the poorer and more isolated parts of the population.  I doubt it, but I know I don't know anywhere enough about it to have an informed opinion.


    Parent

    To me... (none / 0) (#96)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:29:11 PM EST
    ...Palin's presence on the GOP ticket means that ANWR will be opened -- regardless of who wins in November.

    Basically, Palin can turn NIMBY on its head -- making the point that ANWR is their back yard, and Alaskans are comfortable with it.  

    Heck, she should even use the controversy about offshore windmills in Nantucket, because it would mean the view of a bunch of wealthy latte liberals would be not be pristine.  (The issue of those windmills has always bugged me -- environmentalism isn't about preserving the aesthetic value of the environment.)

    Parent

    Sounds like you watched her (none / 0) (#113)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:42:22 PM EST
    Wow... (5.00 / 0) (#156)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:09:34 PM EST
    never saw that before.

    I'm not sure whether to be proud or mortified by my ability to predict right-wing talking points! ;)

    Parent

    also... (none / 0) (#54)
    by kredwyn on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:05:16 PM EST
    this is a non-Palin thread...

    Just saying.

    Parent

    California courts prohibit (none / 0) (#128)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:49:17 PM EST
    the government from using government resources to support one side of a ballot measure.  It presents serious equal protection problems for the government to weigh in on one side of an election matter.

    Parent
    Thanks for that info (none / 0) (#174)
    by melro on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:57:26 PM EST
    So why should Alaska be any different I wonder?

    Parent
    What is the significance of (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:01:17 PM EST
    the PUMA spokesperson on Hardball wearing a wide white headband?

    surrender? (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Redshoes on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:02:59 PM EST
    Maybe It is a secret signal (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by IndiDemGirl on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:36:01 PM EST
    white = pale = Palin.

    Parent
    Here's what I thought: (none / 0) (#23)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:39:02 PM EST
    Hillary Clinton, the Arkansas years.

    Parent
    Headbands are back (5.00 / 0) (#44)
    by BernieO on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:00:48 PM EST
    or so my daughter and her friends (twenty somethings) tell me. And I have seen them in the stores.
    Groovy.
    Actually is still annoys me that so much was made of Hillary wearing headbands in the 80's. They looked fine.

    Parent
    I have a few (none / 0) (#178)
    by Mshepnj on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 08:41:42 PM EST
    of those groovy headbands. Batik. I bought them in the groovy shop in the artsy shopping center while on vacation. They're comfortable, and work well to hold the hair out of my eyes when I practice yoga.

    So, they're a sekrit PUMA symbol now? Who knew?

    Parent

    LOL (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Brookhaven on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:03:25 PM EST
    You guys crack me up.  Thanks for the laughs.  

    It's true though.  The simplest answer is usually the best and oftentimes the funniest. :-)


    Parent

    Orange is significant, though. (5.00 / 3) (#53)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:04:12 PM EST
    Thanks, Senator Clinton.  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuit knows.:-)

    Parent
    That was a great bon mot from (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:07:57 PM EST
    Hillary Clinton.  Take that, all you sexist fashion critics.

    Parent
    Shhhhhh..... (5.00 / 0) (#62)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:08:37 PM EST
    the Hillary haters still haven't figured that one out yet....

    Parent
    Bwwwaaaahhhh. (5.00 / 0) (#70)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:13:58 PM EST
    Those Who Shall Not Be Named.:-)

    Parent
    I'd love a t-shirt! (nm) (none / 0) (#134)
    by 1040su on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:52:12 PM EST
    nm

    Parent
    Female dog (none / 0) (#3)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:09:05 PM EST
    I have a female dog and she is ruining my lawn.  I read that they need a diet lower in protein but I'm not sure what is the best route.

    Others talk about raw diets etc, but my dog doesn't like bones which are important for plaque.

    She does like rawhides, but I'm not sure how healthy those are.

    Prudence (yeah, I know... sigh) but she's a great dog.  Here's my dog and cat.

    So how do I feed my beast so that she doesn't ruin the lawn and keep her teeth in good shape?

    St. Augustine grass (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by MKS on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:03:08 PM EST
    We gave up with a really pretty grass that just couldn't hold up....and replanted the backyard with a tough grass....it grows over the dead spots real fast.

    Parent
    good to know... (none / 0) (#59)
    by kredwyn on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:07:31 PM EST
    The neighbor's dog is wonderful...but I have spots in my yard where he's been and been and been.

    Parent
    First, what breed of dog is she? (none / 0) (#4)
    by miriam on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:11:02 PM EST
    Whoops..I didn't look at picture (none / 0) (#9)
    by miriam on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:20:23 PM EST
    I'm assuming she's a mastiff?  The reason I asked what breed is that some breeds will naturally dig (gender makes no difference); terriers are bred specifically to go after gophers and groundhogs in their holes.  I bred West Highland White Terriers for a time, and NOTHING I did would stop them digging--they're hard-wired for it.  Just as  most herding breeds will chase bicycles and cars.

    What I finally ended up doing was giving up a portion of my yard to the diggers and letting them go at it.  It's not fair to a dog, whose breed has been refined for centuries to perform a certain type of work, to suddenly expect them to overcome this breeding.  I say, let 'er dig.

    Parent

    Shelter dog (none / 0) (#15)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:26:33 PM EST
    I am politically incorrect and call her a mutt.  I was told by a breeder that she is mostly blue australian heeler and some pitbull.  She heards the cat and small kids.  She has a heavy chest, but a weak mouth and the wrong front legs to have much pitbull.  I have no idea what any of that means.

    She's not a digger.  It's a urine problem.  She's burning the lawn.   I don't fertilize and I water ofter.  This is recent (this summer) and she has had no change in her diet.

    Parent

    who we rescued last Dec, to use our packed-dirt side yard as her bathroom and not our lawn. However, the myriad burned yellow spots have yet to recover. Other than training her not to go on the lawn, I don't know of any other way to stop it.

    Parent
    She has a multidude of areas (none / 0) (#29)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:45:32 PM EST
    to go and only one small lawn.  We have provided many areas for her... dirt, bark, planted areas.  She insists she's going on the lawn.  Next summer, I will probably just stick some typo of barrier around the lawn.

    I had heard that diet could change the chemical balance to reduce the burn.  Oh, well.  It was worth asking.

    Parent

    What we did was, for like a month, (none / 0) (#36)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:53:11 PM EST
    restricted her access to the back yard and took her to the "potty" area a couple times/day, at those times during the day you might expect the dog to "go," and she did her business there. Also jumped up and yelled if we say her "go" on the grass.

    After a while, she just fell into the habit of "going" in the potty area. She's still not 100% perfect, but ti's as good as it will get I suppose.

    Worth a try maybe.

    Parent

    Stubborn cuss (none / 0) (#107)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:38:25 PM EST
    Just like her adopter.  We are in a battle of the wills.  I have had her for 3 years, the lawn burn is new.  She was kenneled and then walked on a leash to the appropriate zones for 6 months.  

    I am not kidding, I am really anal.  The dog has just turned out to be worse than me.  The dog was trained to go in a barked (after many tries for what the d@mn dog preferred on her feet) area that surrounds the garage.

    This is actually quite ridiculous.  The dog would sleep in the dahlias.  I did a stone surround with an extra layer of tape on top to keep her out of the main garden beds.  I then planted dahlias in a dirt area for her use.  duh! she keeps sneaking in to the dahlias.  Did you see the photo? She has a friggin' quilt on the 'peoples' bench and sneaks to the d@mn dahlias.

    The dog is like a few of the commenters here.. 'over the top' She is going to go in the lawn when she can.  I heard diet can help balance the chemicals, which I am willing to try or I will just build a temporary barrier.

    The dog is my first and great, I would just like to have a bit of lawn to sit on during the summer.  Am I being unrealistic?  I have a 16 yr old son, I think I just answered my own question.  For some reason, the word 'moron' keeps coming up for me.  ha!

    Parent

    Yup. You're F'd. (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:51:35 PM EST
    My 1 1/2 y/o 125lb Dane who used to love to jump in the back of our rigs because she knew there'd be a walk or a run or a visit to the dog park in her very near future, has all of a sudden decided not to jump in our trucks.

    So, if we want to take her somewhere, we have to lift her in ourselves.

    The hack with it, my health is more important than hers, if she won't get in she can just stay home.

    Parent

    Something is wrong with your dog (none / 0) (#195)
    by SueBonnetSue on Sun Aug 31, 2008 at 12:55:07 AM EST
    If she suddenly decided not to jump in the truck.  Dogs do what brings them pleasure.  She knows the truck means good things so she would want to jump in.  If she's stopped, it's because she can no longer do it or it hurts her or some other reason.  If they stop doing what is pleasurable, there is something wrong.   Sorry.  I hope you can find a way to again let her have some joy in her life.  I am sure she misses it.  

    Parent
    My dog sleeps where it is cool. (none / 0) (#138)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:54:44 PM EST
    He smooshes about four areas of flower beds, but I don't mind.  He's comfy, he doesn't tear up the rest of the bed - so we share amicably.

    Parent
    talk to your vet... (none / 0) (#72)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:14:53 PM EST
    ...if, in fact, there is something unusual about her urine suddenly, it could indicate problems with her kidney function.

    ,,,and a vet will tell you what, if anything, you can do about the problem if she gets a clean bill of health.

    Parent

    Besides shots (none / 0) (#120)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:45:04 PM EST
    she goes to the vet 2 additional times for a check-up.  I will take her again and mention the lawn burn.  Thanks.

    Parent
    Add, I don't think it's diet. (none / 0) (#22)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:37:46 PM EST
    I think it's concentrated salts in one small area that kills the grass. The bigger the dog, the more salty urine...

    Parent
    Indoors or outdoors? (none / 0) (#83)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:23:43 PM EST
    I get a little burning during dry spells, but during wet times I just get lush green spots.

    My dog is an outdoor/indoor.  My theory is that indoor dogs don't drink and urinate as often as outdoor dogs so their urine is more concentrated.

    (Bad news.  Just back from the vet.  The x-rays show a bone cyst.  The odds are good it may be bone cancer.  I may have a three legged doggie or...well, let's just say he's been a great dog and had a good life.)

    Parent

    Sorry, I hope all goes well (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:46:32 PM EST
    Mine is semi paralyzed in the back (5.00 / 1) (#152)
    by Burned on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:06:23 PM EST
    and she's old, but her mind is strong and happy, which prevents me from putting her down.
    Handicapped pets (.com ) sells a harness that lets me hold up her rear end and keeps her on her walks. they make them for three legged dogs too until they learn to walk alone.
    40-50 dollars.
    Its been a great investment.

    The only solution I know for the yellow spots in grass is to follow the dog around all day and hose down the spots right away. Maybe try a different kind of grass that can take the extra nitrogen or whatever it is.

    Parent

    Yes, notrogen is the problem. (5.00 / 1) (#160)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:13:23 PM EST
    The cause of lawn burn

    Lawn burn is caused by the nitrogen in dog urine. Because dog urine is very high in nitrogen, when the dog urinates, it is similar to pouring liquid fertilizer on the lawn. A little fertilizer is good for the grass, but an excess causes nitrogen burn. The prevention of lawn burn deals with trying to reduce the amount of nitrogen coming into contact with the grass.

    Contributing factors

    There are several contributing factors that increase the likelihood of developing lawn burn.

    Female dogs are more likely to cause lawn burn than males because they void their entire bladder in one location instead of lifting their leg and marking, like males.

    Large dogs deposit more urine so they increase the quantity of nitrogen in one location, making lawn burn more likely.

    Those dogs, usually young active dogs, fed a high protein diet are more likely to produce a urine that causes lawn burn.

    Heavily fertilized yards are already receiving near maximum levels of nitrogen. The small amount of nitrogen in dog urine may be all that is needed to put these lawns over the edge and cause lawn burn.

    Lawns that are stressed are more susceptible to damage. Lawns that are suffering from drought, disease, or are newly sodded or seeded are more susceptible to lawn burn.

    Solving the problem

    Successfully treating and preventing lawn burn often requires a multi-step approach.

    Saturate the urinated spots with water. After the pet urinates, pour several cupfuls of water on the spot to dilute the urine.

    Feed a high quality dog food that does not exceed the pet's protein requirement. High quality foods have more digestible protein sources that are more completely utilized by the pet and create less nitrogenous waste in the urine.

    Encouraging your dog to drink more, will help dilute the urine and decrease the risk of lawn burn. Small amounts of non-salted broth in the drinking water may help increase your dog's water intake.

    Train your dog to urinate in a location that is less visible. This approach is very effective for some owners that do not want to add supplements to their dogs' diet.

    Replant your yard with more urine-resistant grasses. The most resistant grasses tend to be perennial ryegrasses and fescues. The most sensitive tend to be Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda.

    Feed your dog a supplement like Drs. Foster and Smith Lawn Guard, or apply a product to the lawn such as Dogonit Lawn Treatment. These products bind and neutralize the nitrogen in your pet's urine.

    Reduce the stress on your lawn by not over- or under-fertilizing and by providing frequent watering.

    If neighbors' dogs are causing the problem, you may advise your neighbors of the leash laws. Using a fence or motion-activated sprinkler may be helpful in keeping these dogs off of your lawn.

    Hey now, what about that idea of a motion activated sprinkler for your lawn?

    Parent
    cute dog and that's cat's not bad either (none / 0) (#5)
    by Redshoes on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:13:26 PM EST
    My neighbor just spent a ton of money (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:14:05 PM EST
    replacing his lawn w/the new artificial grass.  Why?  Because the dog destroyed the lawn, which was my neighbor's pride and joy.  So far, so good.

    Parent
    How exactly is she ruining your lawn? (none / 0) (#7)
    by scribe on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:15:59 PM EST
    If it's urine spots, I'm told that giving her some orange juice on a regular basis will alter her pH enough to stop killing the grass.  I suspect that mixing it in with food is most likely to get it down;  my dog (a total roundheel for anything even resembling food) will sniff at citrus but not eat it - and that seems to be the only thing she won't eat.

    If it's digging - more and longer walks to tire the girl out.

    Parent

    Great idea (none / 0) (#10)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:21:50 PM EST
    I'll look up how much is good and just put it in her water.  Thanks.

    Parent
    Don't be surprised if she turns up her nose at (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by scribe on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:49:44 PM EST
    water with OJ in it.  My dog had some intestinal problems a while back and consequently became dehydrated.  Talking with the vet, we concluded that we'd try some Pedialyte (R) in her water to get her salts and such back to where they should have been and rehydrate her.

    Despite being totally dehydrated and crapped out, she took one sniff of the mix (2 water, 1 pedialyte) in her bowl, turned around and went looking to see if the seat was up so she could drink from the toilet (it wasn't).  She would not touch her bowl until I'd dumped the pedialyte and washed the bowl.

    So, it might work to mix the orange juice in with her food rather than her water, if only because it won't be immediately obvious to her sense of smell.

    Parent

    Before you go messing with her PH :) (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by nycstray on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:53:15 PM EST
    Get those PH strips and see what her actual PH is. You can cause other problems, not to the lawn, but to your Prudence. You want to keep her PH neutral. What are you feeding? And how much water does she drink a day? How many potty breaks?

    Also, what about potty walks instead of having her  make the choice. You could then put it on cue. My dog's cue is "it's a quickie!" which developed when I suddenly had to dash out for a few hours but walk her first, lol!~

    Parent

    Your cat... (none / 0) (#8)
    by desertswine on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:17:07 PM EST
    looks like mine, but mine doesn't have a tail. That makes it look like a tiny bear.

    Parent
    my cat is tailless, too (none / 0) (#71)
    by kempis on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:14:37 PM EST
    :)

    He looks like a raccoon when he pats the covers before lying down.

    About the urine spots on the lawn--I've seen some pills at Petco that are supposed to change the Ph of the pup's urine to stop killing the grass.

    Parent

    You Have Really (none / 0) (#13)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:23:19 PM EST
    cute pets!! Gosh, I hate DC apartments. They are so anti-pets. Well most of them.

    Now, when you say "ruin your lawn," I'm not sure what you mean? As she's going to the toilet too often?

    Parent

    your cat (none / 0) (#47)
    by kredwyn on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:02:03 PM EST
    looks like mine...great big fuzzy critter...

    Parent
    you know, (none / 0) (#93)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:28:16 PM EST
    perhaps I have no idea what I'm talking about, but ...

    have you considered eradicating the scent from those spots with a product like Nature's Miracle or something else which you discover might be friendly to your lawn?

    Your dog is returning to her scent.  So, eradicating the source of her attraction -- and perhaps moving urine soaked soil or grass to a different, more acceptable area and introducing her to that and then PRAISING her to the Heavens in a high excited voice when she correctly responds -- may be something worth considering.

    As there are obviously patches of grass being affected, finding where her scent is shouldn't be a problem.

    Just a thought.  Good luck!

    Parent

    this site must have racked up (none / 0) (#11)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:22:03 PM EST
    some serious hits today.

    It was fast and (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:53:31 PM EST
    FURIOUS.  I couldn't get in.  Looks like McCain accomplished his goal.

    This is media not Palin...

    3:00 PST
    CNN lead: 18 million cracks
    MSNBC lead: 18 million cracks
    FOX lead: 18 million cracks

    I think I will go re-read the speech.  I liked that part.

    I'll check out 4:00 and 5:00 and Realclearpolitics.

    Parent

    Crazy fast! (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by Grace on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:10:18 PM EST
    I couldn't get in either.  

    Honestly, I'm tickled pink that someone would put a woman on their ticket, even if it's the wrong party.  I just wish the Dems had been smart enough to do this too.  Hillary deserved to be on the ticket.  

    Parent

    that silly woman! (5.00 / 3) (#97)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:29:51 PM EST
    Wasn't she supposed to have no leverage, be utterly powerless and inconsequential and drift quietly into the sunset?

    Snark!

    Parent

    OK, I missed 4:00 (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:12:11 PM EST
    guess who led at 5:00 pst.... Palin. CNN: extraordinary, new baby, blue color, Clinton voters, swing voters.... MSNBmorons,abortion not the issue..change and Palin is a brave political person, McCain gets it, not borint Fox (leave me alone)  achieved wow today, stole Obama's thunder.. Those are the leads, I have not caught the in-depth analysis (hear me laughing hysterically?)

    I enjoy analyzing the media spin and, in fact, check out the headliners on RCP morning and afternoon.

    Polls!  I need more polls!!

    Parent

    "The Story", (none / 0) (#56)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:06:52 PM EST
    as I'm referring to it in this non-Palin thread, also lead off the French news with Obama's speech (which seems like ancient history now) coming in at the 15 minute mark, being the fourth story they covered.

    The Palin stuff was pretty substantial with the later Obama stuff more informational and very brief.

    Parent

    And it may all have started w/a (none / 0) (#65)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:09:34 PM EST
    Republic student blogging from Colorado.  

    Parent
    Wow. I guess so. (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by chel2551 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:05:57 PM EST
    Why are dems so adept at shooting themselves in the foot?

    :(

    Parent

    Years of practice.... (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:25:10 PM EST
    We keep telling them (none / 0) (#86)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:25:36 PM EST
    "NO!  Don't do it!" and yet....

    Parent
    BTD while you were rah-rahing college (none / 0) (#17)
    by Rhouse on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:32:02 PM EST
    football, don't forget that High School Football starts this weekend too.  While I'm not trying to take anything away from the pre-pro football training system,  the high school game is still a big draw in middle America.  I'd pit pretty much any college rivalry up against a good hometown HS dust up.

    McKinley- Massillon (none / 0) (#27)
    by Katherine Graham Cracker on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:44:04 PM EST
    One of the greatest and long running hs football rivalries in the country Over 100 years and still going strong.  More people turn out for these games then for some colleges.

    Parent
    Can someone please (none / 0) (#21)
    by IndiDemGirl on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:37:39 PM EST
    tell me what is this "review hidden comments" choice that now appears when I log in.  What are hidden comments? I didn't notice it before.  Is it something new?

    Not activated, per Jeralyn. (5.00 / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:41:42 PM EST
    it's part of scoop (5.00 / 0) (#26)
    by Edgar08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:44:00 PM EST
    But i think on this site it's non-functional because it's not about peer review it's about the moderators in their ivory towers depriving us unwashed masses of our right to free speech.

    It's not as bad as the "The Trial" but I'm convinced I'll wake up one day on TL to find myself transformed into a cockroach or a dung beetle or worse.

    anyway.  there's no hidden comments on TL.  Moderators delete the dumb offensive comments.


    Parent

    It's the internet (none / 0) (#37)
    by scribe on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:53:14 PM EST
    so speech only costs a few electrons.

    But, please also remember that - for the most part - the First Amendment only applies to the Government, not private entities like a blog.

    Bloghosts can be as petty - or not - as they want.  TL is actually pretty tolerant.

    Parent

    I was being (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by Edgar08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:00:17 PM EST
    Humorous.  Or at least that was the goal.

    Parent
    Hey, I resemble that remark (none / 0) (#45)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:01:08 PM EST
    I actually make copies of the items I delete. It was nothing like the items I found in the hidden section.  It seemed there was the ability to hide off-topic threads but I'm not sure.  Deleted is gone.  The hidden items were available thru that option.  I used to read them.  :)

    Parent
    Huh? Can you delete comments on TL? (none / 0) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:03:30 PM EST
    Never mind, apparently you can. (none / 0) (#57)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:07:04 PM EST
    I think the whole "member/moderator" thing happened on a thread I wasn't paying attention to or something. Who are the other member/mods?

    Parent
    Waldenpond can. Us--nope. (none / 0) (#69)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:12:59 PM EST
    Volunteers requested (none / 0) (#74)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:16:34 PM EST
    happy, happy, joy, joy.... volunteer?  contact Jeralyn.

    Parent
    I admire you courage but I (none / 0) (#78)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:18:52 PM EST
    lack the necessary thickness of skin.  

    Parent
    wimp (5.00 / 0) (#81)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:22:47 PM EST
    Mea culpa. (none / 0) (#89)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:26:11 PM EST
    Not on TL, not in a million years.... (none / 0) (#80)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:22:17 PM EST
    pansy (none / 0) (#82)
    by waldenpond on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:23:08 PM EST
    You funny. (none / 0) (#94)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:28:28 PM EST
    And not very PC, which I appreciate. (none / 0) (#99)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:32:40 PM EST
    Well, (5.00 / 0) (#30)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:46:03 PM EST
    used to be you could give a comment a "0" and the comment would disappear, and only could be viewed by "review hidden comments." "0" got abused so J disabled it. I guess "review" effectively got disabled as well.

    Parent
    but it was only "trusted users" (none / 0) (#35)
    by scribe on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:51:13 PM EST
    who could deal out the "0", IIRC.

    Parent
    Yep, anyone who was trusted to "rate" (none / 0) (#40)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:56:43 PM EST
    was trusted to troll-rate a comment "0." And if you were trusted to rate, you were trusted to review the comments hidden by being troll-rated...

    Parent
    Thanks (none / 0) (#33)
    by IndiDemGirl on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 05:49:53 PM EST
    appreciate your help.

    Parent
    Does anyone here watch (none / 0) (#66)
    by MKS on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:10:07 PM EST
    The Greatest American Dog reality T.V. show?  

    It is a little wierd (the people) but the dogs are very talented....

    On what station? (none / 0) (#77)
    by Grace on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:18:46 PM EST
    I've never heard of it but it sounds interesting...

    One of my favorite reality shows starts again at the end of September:  "Amazing Race."  

    Parent

    CBS on Wednesdays (none / 0) (#104)
    by MKS on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:36:33 PM EST
    Each week a dog and owner are expelled.   Like Survior only for Fido on a big estate somewhere near Malibu, I think.

    Mainly cornball so far....last night, though, they had each dog put into a harness that was attached to ropes etc, and then the dog was asked to jump off a 15-20 foot platform towards their owner.  If they did jump, they would be suspended by the ropes and pulleys and glide down towards their owners....Half of the dogs actually jumped....

    Also had the dogs stay while an Elephant charged them from a distance.....It is amazing how much dogs trust their owners...

    Here is a link for the show...

    Parent

    My dog would be first off. (5.00 / 0) (#131)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:50:52 PM EST
    He's not about to do something dangerous or fatal just because I ask him to.

    Thank goodness.

    Parent

    Our Chihuahua would charge (none / 0) (#161)
    by MKS on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:14:53 PM EST
    the elephant and bite it.  She's charged after everyone and everything else....She bit the air conditioning guy....but he was a former Israeli commando and laughed and talked about his bullet wounds.

    Parent
    My dog would circle the elephant (none / 0) (#163)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:18:38 PM EST
    cautiously while he investigated it.

    He'd probably be trying to figure out if he could play with it, chase it or possibly eat it.

    Parent

    Shakesville (none / 0) (#91)
    by eleanora on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:27:37 PM EST
    has a good post up where Melissa talks about how mad and resentful she is that McCain's VP story stepped all over Senator Obama's historic nomination.

    The Right Time (5.00 / 2) (#108)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:38:36 PM EST
    When exactly would have been the right time?

    The RNC begin in two days. And the McCain campaign kept its promise not to announce, or authorize a leak, of his pick.

    Obama himself announced his choice, albeit messily with all that hype, on pretty much the same day. It's not McCain's fault that the whole text-message gimmick failed and delayed the roll out.

    Parent

    To Be Clear (5.00 / 2) (#110)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:39:51 PM EST
    The RNC begins in two days. And the McCain campaign kept its promise not to announce, or authorize a leak, of his pick during the DNC or on Obama's big day.


    Parent
    I feel bad (none / 0) (#119)
    by eleanora on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:44:53 PM EST
    for Senator Obama is all. He gave a really good speech, his nomination is historic, and today would have been a good day for America to think and talk about that. Smart politics for Senator McCain to interrupt his good press, but tomorrow would have done just as well, IMO.

    Parent
    Well, Friday is often said to be (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:55:14 PM EST
    the News Dump day. An announcement on Saturday would have been worse. As mentioned above, this an election campaign. It's about controlling the message and guiding the polls -- a concept that Obama and his campaign is well-versed and experienced in.

    I'm sure they would have done the same thing had the roles been reversed.

    Yes, the day was momentous, the achievement amazing, but Obama had his day (and convention week) all to himself -- as McCain, his campaign and the GOP promised.

    I'm sure Obama's planning a zinger for the Friday after the Republican convention wraps up. It's politics.

    Parent

    Seems more like Karma to me (5.00 / 3) (#164)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:20:45 PM EST
    There are tens of millions of people who watched the constant upstaging HRC's opponent did when she would experience a giant win.

    Think his IOWA speech (the one that was going to declare himself the premature winner), think the night John Edwards endorsed, and on and on and on.

    Remember what HRC said, "you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". Seems the flying sink this round is being thrown by Obama's camp & supporters. Shame on all of them.


    Parent

    are you serious? (5.00 / 4) (#111)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:40:42 PM EST
    that Poster needs to grow the f*ck up.  This isn't a tea party, for God's sake!  It's POLITICS!

    "Give" Obama a day to "celebrate"?  Why?  I mean, really, why?

    McCain, like Obama, is in it to win it.  Allow Obama to get a bounce, and he has that much more ground to make up.  Undercut that bounce and steal the spotlight, McCain then goes into his Convention on a point of strength.  And that's exactly what he did today.  Stole the spotlight, the thunder and all the oxygen out of the room.  It's now become "speech, what speech?"

    But that's politics.

    Obama has been historic for two months when it was clear he was the DNC's choice.  If that's not enough for him and his supporters, then they've got problems.

    And it's not like Obama EVER stepped on Hillary's great news, right?

    Sheesh.

    Parent

    Oh man, don't even get me started. (5.00 / 4) (#124)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:47:35 PM EST
    And it's not like Obama EVER stepped on Hillary's great news, right?

    He rained on Hillary's parade not once, not twice, but THREE times -- at least in my memory. Edwards-Day-After-KY-Win was the stinger for me! But, it's bygones. I'm too young to begin treatments for hypertension.

    Parent

    now, I'm no "ol' salt" (5.00 / 4) (#136)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:53:23 PM EST
    -- I'm only 39, for God's sake --, but even I know that politics is one of the cruelest, rough and tumble sports out there.  This is NOT for the faint-hearted or thin-skinned.

    And I fear Obama is both.  That brief snippet of footage today when he was responding to the Palin pick showed it all:  he appeared quite visibly crushed that all the oxygen from his Big Day had been swallowed whole by McCain.

    I mean, it was his Special Day, you know?  And McCain disrespected it.  So very mean of him, that McCain.

    It just floors me whenever I read people begging others to "be nice to" Obama or complaining how horrible it was for McCain to "do this" on what should have been Obama's Day.

    Just grow up, for God's sake.  This ain't no tea party.  It's National POLITICS at the highest level!

    Sheesh.

    Parent

    Yes, he stepped all over me (5.00 / 3) (#140)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:58:32 PM EST
    and my celebrations as a Clinton supporter, again and again.  But it was politics.

    So sorry that Senator Obama couldn't take a day off to celebrate.  Maybe at the private beach again.

    And by the way, this announcement timing was announced more than a week ago.  McCain let the media know then when it would be.  That's how it's done.  Not with text-message hype and days of delays that kept the media scrambling to the point that they talked on air about being p*ssed about it.

    Poor babies, too.  But that's how to work with the media in politics, too.

    Parent

    Okay, good point (5.00 / 2) (#146)
    by eleanora on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:02:24 PM EST
    sorry to have brought it up. I hated when the Obama campaign did it to Hillary too, especially the Edwards endorsement.  

    Parent
    Don't forget Indiana (5.00 / 1) (#180)
    by BarnBabe on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 08:56:43 PM EST
    And that mayor upstate who held up the results. THAT was spiteful.

    Parent
    Politics ain't bean bag. (5.00 / 2) (#118)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:44:44 PM EST
    And the Republicans play rough.

    You can be p!ssed if you want to be, but it won't change a thing.  The GOP wanted to deprive Obama of his momentum coming out of the convention.  They succeeded.  The ball is in Obama's court.

    We've been saying this all along.  The GOP plays to win.  They don't care about anyone's tender ego.  They aren't going to win on AA votes, so what do they care?

    Next!

    Parent

    Even though I'm furious (none / 0) (#125)
    by eleanora on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:47:55 PM EST
    at the way the nomination went down, I'm still a little sorry for him and his family. I'm a bleeding heart liberal, what can I say? :(  

    Parent
    Take the long view. (5.00 / 2) (#155)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:08:34 PM EST
    If he wins who will really remember Palin's rollout?

    Parent
    while I'm not surprised at.... (5.00 / 2) (#129)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:50:15 PM EST
    ...I'm not surprised at the sentiments, what I am surprised about is the source.

    I mean, Melissa is a prominent feminist, and celebrating Obama's victory is also "celebrating" the misogyny and sexism that played a big part in that victory.

    And given the number of times that Obama went out of his way to step on significant achievements of Hillary during the primaries, I think Scadenfreude is the proper response to what McCain did.

    Obama's historic achievement happened Wednesday anyway, when he "won" the nomination.  Yesterday was his time to savor his victory (and the media showed proper deference to that "achievement" after the faux roll call vote -- not even bothering to mention the "Poliburo" stench of the whole thing).  Obama got his 24 hours, and then some.

    Parent

    Feminists can be angry (none / 0) (#141)
    by eleanora on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:59:49 PM EST
    at the sexism and misogyny used against Senator Clinton and still be happy that Senator Obama being the first AA presidential nominee in US history. That's part of what has made this primary season so difficult, two traditionally one-step-down groups being pitted against each other.

    Parent
    FL Dems:

      Dear Friends,  

    John McCain rolled the dice with his VP pick today - in an attempt to woo women voters.

    But we cannot gamble with women's lives.

    Don't let your friends, family and co-workers be fooled: Alaskan Sarah Palin is a dangerous right-winger who lacks the judgment to lead.

    In 2000, Palin endorsed Pat Buchanan for President. Yes, that Pat Buchanan.

    In 2006, Palin ran for Alaska Governor on a message of change - and then turned out to be just another corrupt Alaska politician who's now under investigation in her own state.

    She's no Hillary Clinton. She's Dan Quayle in a dress.

    Women voters who care about equal rights, choice, family and other issues, will not see a partner in Palin.

    Help us fight for these issues by electing Democrats up and down the ticket. Click here to donate today:

    https:/secure.fladems.com/page/contribute

    She is lockstep with Bush and McCain on issues important to women. Every one of them. That's scary.

    The corrupt trio of Ted Stevens, Don Young, and Lisa Murkowski all raised campaign money for Palin.

    John McCain claimed that Barack Obama lacked experience. Then he picked a VP who has just 20 months at the helm of a state with a population smaller than the city of Jacksonville, and zero foreign policy experience. Palin would be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

    Barack Obama is ready to lead. Last night he showed us what the next American President will look like. He and Joe Biden will deliver change we need.

    The stakes are too high to risk another four years of the same. If you have $25, $50 or $100 to spare, please contribute today to the Florida Democratic Party's campaign to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. We're on the verge of major change in Florida, but we need your help.

    Contribute today.

    Sincerely,

    Congresswoman Karen L. Thurman
    Chair, Florida Democratic Party

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Paid for and authorized by the Florida Democratic Party, www.fladems.com.
     

    Incredible! (5.00 / 2) (#106)
    by Grace on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:38:07 PM EST
    The Democrat Party finally realizes it has female voters!  Amazing!  I thought they were going to win without us!  

    Sheesh!  

    I expect to see some serious pandering now, then I might consider voting for them this year.  

    Parent

    voters one panders to (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:44:14 PM EST
    in order to get their votes are easily forgotten in the light of day.

    And the Dems pandering won't ever erase the horrible memories I have of how they so barbarically treated Hillary.  Who's to say they won't get our votes and then conveniently forget us afterward, knowing we FOR SURE -- having voted for them -- have nowhere else to go?

    Parent

    Yes, the Dems.... (none / 0) (#117)
    by Dadler on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:44:43 PM EST
    ...are inept.  Now what?

    You do understand they would've foisted Palin up there whether Hillary were the nominee or not, right?  

    Did black people vote en masse for Alan Keyes?  Will women vote in mass for Palin?

    Did every woman support Hillary among Democrats?

    Get over yourself.  Just like Obamabots need to get over themselves.  Our sh*t all stinks to high heaven.

    Now what?

    What???

    Parent

    Clueless. (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by chel2551 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:00:06 PM EST
    You do understand they would've foisted Palin up there whether Hillary were the nominee or not, right?  

    Parent
    Actually, since Rwandan prisons... (none / 0) (#122)
    by Dadler on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:46:02 PM EST
    ...have been generating a large portion of their human sh*t into methane and then powering their facilities with it, I have a good idea what we can do with our sh*t.  But that would be real change, and no one is actually for that.

    Parent
    Wasserman was on MSNBC (none / 0) (#116)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:44:34 PM EST
    dissing Palin also.

    Parent
    Wow.... (5.00 / 2) (#137)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:54:15 PM EST
    McCain actually bought air-time to congratulate Obama on his "historic achievement", showing a great deal of class, IMHO.

    You'd think that the Democrats would show a little bit of class (Hillary showed them how to do it) and show some respect for Palin's achievement.

    This isn't MY Democratic Party anymore.  

    Parent

    Barbara Boxer sprung into (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by oculus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:05:00 PM EST
    action, as did NARAL.  Worried much?

    Parent
    What did she/Naral do? Thanks. LInks? (none / 0) (#184)
    by jawbone on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 09:21:26 PM EST
    This link includes Sen. (none / 0) (#191)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 30, 2008 at 03:32:49 AM EST
    Boxer's statement:

    NYT

    Parent

    This link includes NARAL, (none / 0) (#192)
    by oculus on Sat Aug 30, 2008 at 03:47:13 AM EST
    Emily's List, and Planned Parenthood statements on Gov. Palin:

    Wash. Post

    Parent

    Excuse me (none / 0) (#121)
    by blogtopus on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 06:45:49 PM EST
    But when did McCain become such a big fan of Monty Python? I mean, the guy only did a few so-so comedies on his own and now he's a possible VP? Isn't there a clause against foreign-born people becoming president? And just because he dresses up in women's clothing doesn't mean that the PUMAs will flock to him, right?

    Oh.

    Never mind.

    Non-Palin thread - LOL (none / 0) (#153)
    by Josey on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:07:08 PM EST
    I saw Tropic Thunder today - so funny. If I hadn't known Tom Cruise was in it, I probably wouldn't have recognized him. And Downy - OMG! - pretending to be a black man.
    LOL

    Hillary Tribute/Introduction Video (none / 0) (#158)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:10:04 PM EST
    If you enjoyed that amazing tribute video -- narrated by Chelsea Clinton -- you can watch it over and over again here (like I've done.)

    For me, it's a myriad of emotions watching the video. Pride. Joy. Inspiration. Enthusiasm. Sadness. Confusion. and lots more.

    If you enjoyed the video as much as I have, you might want to send a few words of gratitude to it's makers: Hollywood-based producers and long-time Clinton family friends, Harry Thomason and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. They also produced the awesome 1992 Democratic Convention film, "The Man From Hope."

    I, for one, am trying to figure out the instrumental music bed at the end of the video.

    And if you're curious, this is other music you heard in the video and pre- and post-speech.

    • The Kinks -- "You Really Got Me"
    • Lenny Kravitz -- "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
    • Tom Petty -- "American Girl"
    • Big Head Todd and the Monsters -- "Blue Sky"


    Another impressive media bomb.... (none / 0) (#165)
    by Oje on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:21:30 PM EST
    McCain's pick of Palin currently has Campbell Brown, desperately seeking "the truth" from a Republican operative, repeatedly saying that both Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are not experienced enough. The Republican listens to Brown tear down the experience argument of Obama, then politely disagrees that Palin is not experienced.

    What an incredible mind-bender (personally, I would prefer to through in an f-bomb there), to name a Republican VP candidate that provokes so many assertions that Democratic Presidential candidate Obama is unqualified to be President - without a rebuttal. Wow, the Obama campaign stepped right into it this morning with their opening salvos against Palin..... "w00t! Palin is even less experienced than our guy! Neither are qualified to be president!"

    And add to that... (5.00 / 3) (#170)
    by Oje on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 07:30:41 PM EST
    We can no longer mention John McCain without a discussion of his impending death (Begala thought to mention it twice, twice that McCain has had cancer)... I am thinking that the Republican's will soon unleash a new attack on Democrats for their morbidity and extended focus on the death of a presidential candidate.... hmmm, where have i seen that before.....

    Also, correction above, through = throw... (Preview!)

    Parent

    I'm sure a Special Comment will be forthcoming (5.00 / 1) (#175)
    by ruffian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 08:36:46 PM EST
    Someone's insurance just went up (none / 0) (#176)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 08:37:21 PM EST
    We started the school season this week.  We've already had our first bus accident when a driver blew through a stop sign and broadsided a school bus.  Yup.  Not only did the driver apparently fail to see the red octagon, but they managed to avoid seeing the DOT yellow school bus as well.  After they hit the bus, I expect they noticed it.  There is suspicion that an electronic communication device was involved.

    No one was hurt.  But puh-lease everybody, when you are driving - DRIVE for goodness sake.  The two buses my kids ride had an accident apiece last year.  One was weather related and the other wasn't, neither were the bus driver's fault.

    Going to have to check the police blotter for the accident we saw on the way home.  3 police cars, the wail of EMV sirens after we passed and someone sitting on the guard rail with their face in their hands being comforted by someone else.  ???  No major damage to either vehicle.  Injury?  Death?  Pedestrian?  

    It was less than a quarter mile away.  

    BTD, you'll love Bill Moyers' Journal tonight--w/ (none / 0) (#177)
    by jawbone on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 08:38:01 PM EST
    Katrina vanden Heuvel representing the left which says just let Obama get into office and then we'll pressure him to do the progressive things (she quotes The Nation's letter), and Adolphe Reed who says pressure now or he'll tell us when he's in office that, gee, I'd love to push for progressive legislation, but I'm constrained to govern with the approach that got me elected. You wouldn't want me to be a one term prez, now would you? He tells a pointed story about a conservative white mayor courting the black votes when he ran for governor (or LA, iirc..?). "Gonna have to call you monkeys now, just to get elected. But you know I'll do right by you once I am elected...."

    Katrina vanden Heuvel and scholar Adolph Reed, Jr. They've both weighed in recently on how well Obama is serving the left -- with very different conclusions:

    "The Obama nomination sets the stage for a sea-change election, one that could not only elect a Democratic President and increased reform majorities in both houses of Congress but also mark a clear turn from the conservative ideas that have dominated our politics for three decades." -- "Progressives in the Obama Moment," Robert L. Borosage & Katrina vanden Heuvel

    "Obama's style of being all things to all people threatens to melt under the inescapable spotlight of a national campaign against a Republican. It's like what brings on the downfall of really successful con artists: They get themselves onto a stage that's so big that they can't hide their contradictions anymore, and everyone finds out about the different stories they've told different people. And Obama's belonging to Wright's church in the first place was quite likely part of establishing a South Side bourgeois nationalist street cred because his political base was with Hyde Park/University of Chicago liberals and the foundation world." --"Obama No", Adolph Reed, Jr. THE PROGRESSIVE, May, 2008.

    As always, there's the rebroadcast or you can go to pbs.org and check under the Moyers' progam link for watching on your PC.

    Love this Reed guy!

    Reed is always an interesting "read" (none / 0) (#188)
    by Cream City on Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 11:37:20 PM EST
    and very provocative.  That type of prof.  I would love to watch him teach, from what I see of his work.  Not that I agree with him, on many things -- but I just would love to see him saying what I've read.  Because it's lively even on the page.

    Parent