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Thursday Night Open Thread

It's still snowing here and will be until morning.

BTD was busy at work today so we've had no posts on the economy. Is there any news?

I'll be watching American Idol and Grey's Anatomy, here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

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    Interesting arrests (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:29:12 PM EST
    I'm trying to figure out why these people aren't getting a bailout like those who did the same thing on a much larger scale.


    Just read the article about SOS Clinton's visit (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by txpolitico67 on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 09:02:29 PM EST
    to Mexico...and it "played well."

    http://tinyurl.com/cflrw3

    I certainly feel assured knowing that Secretary Clinton is out there representing our country in the best, most intelligent possible light.

    It's high time that our country shows more of a partnership with our border countries, as opposed to the views sadly held in the past 8 years.

    Viva Clinton!

    Props to an RTD driver (5.00 / 4) (#18)
    by randy80302 on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:10:31 PM EST
    I have to salute a RTD (Denver bus system) driver. I had a job interview in Boulder and caught a bus at 9:30 AM. It was snowing in Denver, but it did not seem bad. The freeway to Boulder was closed, so I called the employer and said I would be late, he recommended that I turn around and go home. The bus was off its route and if I got off, I would be stuck on a cold and snowy corner. I told him I was comitted to getting to Boulder. He said he would still meet me.

    At 1:30 PM the bus arrived, four hours for a thirty minute ride. I had the interview and it went well. I hope the employer admires my dedication, rather than  thinks it was stupid that I was the only one of nine candidates to make the interview.  

    Half the battle is (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:22:02 PM EST
    The interviewer remembering you!

    Parent
    Unless he was telling you to turn around (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:23:08 PM EST
    so he could get home before becoming stranded, I'm sure he was happy to meet such determination.

    Best wishes on getting the job!! Keep us posted :)

    Parent

    I hope so too, randy. (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:32:50 PM EST
    Best of luck to you.

    Our transit workers and DOT employees certainly performed superbly today.  Kudos to everyone from the bus drivers to neighbors helping out neighbors.  

    Parent

    Folks in cold climates particularly (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:49:32 PM EST
    should take a look at the energy-saving provisions of the stimulus bill.  There's a whopping big 30 percent tax credit -- not a deduction, a flat-out credit -- for 2009 and 2010 up to a total of $1,500 for basic stuff like new windows and insulation, plus larger credits for solar.

    Dear to my heart is that most new woodstoves (and pellet stoves) bought this year or next will also qualify for the 30 percent tax credit.  The stoves have to meet a fuel-efficiency test to be eligible, and those haven't yet been completed, but it's likely most modern woodstoves will be certified.

    So if you've ever thought about putting in a woodstove for enjoyment or saving money on heating or just to be sure you have heat and a way to make coffee when the power goes out, now is the time to start thinking about it, since many manufacturers and dealers will be starting end-of-season sales, as well.

    I'm saving a real boatload of money by heating with wood, but just as important, I have no fear of a blizzard or ice storm pulling down the power lines in winter.


    Watching American Idol and (none / 0) (#1)
    by Anne on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 07:51:29 PM EST
    am not happy about one of the bottom three who has been sent to safety; won't give it away, but it's just bogus.

    Stevie Wonder doing a medley (that I'm not enjoying all that much) while the remaining bottom two continue to sweat.  Listen for Stevie's shout-out to Obama...

    With a group (none / 0) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:00:53 PM EST
    that doesn't always have a lot of differentiation, sociological factors will come into play with the voting process. Does someone separate themselves not due to their singing, but by a particular look, sex, or personality.

    I think that factor came into play this evening in letting someone avoid the bottom three. As the competition continues and the smaller the group gets, the less likely those factors come into play.

    Parent

    am sorry (none / 0) (#6)
    by skippybkroo on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:13:05 PM EST
    am sorry the cute blonde got the boot last week...i'm on the west coast, have not seen it, but i bet the gorgeous blonde w/the sailor's tattoo parlor on her arm is out this week, which would be a shame also.  both blondes are actually good and interesting singers...

    a big problem w/pop music today, which am.idol only reflects, is that singers have to be gorgeous as well as brilliantly talented.

    i always thought a funny sketch would be what if janis joplin made it passed the first audition on am.idol to hollywood week?

    "come on janis, we have to practice our routine! put down the johnny walker!"

    in other music news, rip dan seals, aka england dan.

    Parent

    In memory (none / 0) (#7)
    by CoralGables on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:19:58 PM EST
    Thanks for posting that video. I had not heard of (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Angel on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:48:39 PM EST
    Dan's passing.  I loved that man, such a sweet and beautiful voice.  Saw him in concert once a long, long time ago.  And "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" is my favorite of his songs.  

    Parent
    Roubini agreed with Krugman (none / 0) (#2)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 07:55:54 PM EST
    that the Geithner plan will not prevent the nationalization of some of the banks, though he declined to point any fingers at any specific banks.

    Are you getting any sense that (none / 0) (#3)
    by Anne on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 07:59:36 PM EST
    Geithner and the Gang are coming at nationalization sort of sideways, in the least threatening way?

    Or do you still see Geithner/Obama essentially acting as Wall Street Protectors?

    Parent

    Interesting Thought (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by aeguy on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:51:32 PM EST
    But I think when you look at the history of Geithner's actions and views, he's an anti-regulation Wall Street guy. I still think it's a Wall Street protection plan. We are owned by big money and no politician is going to go against it because they fund their election campaigns well.

    Parent
    Things were quiet today (none / 0) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:08:22 PM EST
    about the Geithner plan.  Tomorrow the news cycle will probably take off on what a poster put up earlier today about Citi and BofA buying secondary market mortgage backed securities.  If and when that acknowledgement takes place I think they (the administration) may come to deal with the reality of the banks sort of sideways.

    Parent
    I don't know much (none / 0) (#9)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:41:09 PM EST
    but I do believe that Adam --who posed last night as Kurt Russell playing Elvis-- Lambert is this year's ringer.

    Am I cynical in thinking that this show brings in ringers?

    From where? (none / 0) (#10)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:45:34 PM EST
    Why would they with all the incredible musical talent available in this country?

    I think they might manipulate the votes for elimination to make sure they get the most mileage from some who are promoting the show because of personal stories or antics. Those may be ringers, and if you mean he's just the promotional contestant who won't win, then I'd agree.

    Who was last year's ringer?


    Parent

    Carly Smithson (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 09:29:33 PM EST
    is a really good case in point of casting, rather than cattle-calling.

    Here's an article about some of the rest from Season 7:

    Link

    Parent

    Wow....what a shame (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 09:42:48 PM EST
    Take something that can be perfectly good in what it does for people, and mash it into a fraud.

    I have never been able to watch the show because of the way it humiliates the people who audition who truly don't realize they haven't the talent to be there. That's not entertainment in my world.

    Parent

    Kurt Russell! That's it - I was (none / 0) (#12)
    by Anne on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:53:10 PM EST
    thinking Dean Cain, but you're right, there is a Kurt Russell thing going on!

    He could be a ringer, but I'm not sure the ringers actually win - but they do seem to serve to make the others step up their game, which is good.

    I don't see how Megan and Scott can last more than the next couple of weeks, but I also was sure it was Scott who was going home tonight, so what do I know?

    Parent

    Vote for the Worst (none / 0) (#14)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 09:20:09 PM EST
    has picked up Megan, so she could go far.

    (http://www.votefortheworst.com)

    Yeah, search You Tube for Kurt Russell as Elvis.  He and Adam are practically twins.

    Parent

    We're watching "Goldfinger" (none / 0) (#15)
    by Plutonium Page on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 09:28:53 PM EST
    Or, rather, I'm half watching it, and my husband is pinned to the couch by a cat, so he's giving it more of his attention.

    Anyway, why on earth would a character (outside a p*Rn movie) be named "Pussy"?

    Heh (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:39:57 PM EST
    It caused quite a sensation at the time for its brazen outrageousness, and allowed male reporters particularly to actually say the word out loud, which gave them, no doubt, a tingle up their legs.

    It's a pretty good movie, but Dr. No was the best one, IMHO.  Actually, any movie with Sean Connery is pretty good.

    Parent

    To titilate... (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 27, 2009 at 08:52:01 AM EST
    the audience of course..I thought all the Bond girls had names loaded with sexual innuendo?

    Parent
    That they were... (none / 0) (#30)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Mar 27, 2009 at 09:16:50 AM EST
    ...Mary Goodnight, Plenty O'Toole, May Day, Xenia Onatopp and Holly Goodhead were some of the others.

    The target audience for Bond flicks is definately male.


    Parent

    Laurent's Broadway revival (none / 0) (#19)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:17:26 PM EST
    Of West Side Story is wonderful: singing, dancing.and orchestra. Lots of children in the audience. Couldn't help wondering what they thought.

    Yes (none / 0) (#27)
    by squeaky on Fri Mar 27, 2009 at 01:21:09 AM EST
    I have heard great things about it, and Leonard Bernstein was no slouch.

    Parent
    The score is a given (none / 0) (#31)
    by oculus on Fri Mar 27, 2009 at 10:39:19 AM EST
    & the singers, conductor, & orchestra did it proud

    Parent
    Red River help for a Floridian (none / 0) (#24)
    by CoralGables on Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 10:40:23 PM EST
    flooding in Florida is excess standing water rather than spring melt runoff so a little help for a river flooding deficient brain.

    If the weather at the head of the river is freezing, shouldn't the water that's feeding the upcoming cresting stage freeze where it is rather than continue feeding the river downstream? (assuming north is still downstream for a river that runs north)

    Hey Teresa... (none / 0) (#29)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Mar 27, 2009 at 09:13:09 AM EST
    ...how 'bout those Missouri Tigers?!  As hard as it is for me to root for them, I was last night--just to see Memphis go down in flames per your directives!  

    Was equally glad to see Duke take a fall as well.

    With any luck... (none / 0) (#32)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 27, 2009 at 01:30:28 PM EST
    we may be witnessing sex-offender registries jump the shark in New Jersey.

    If this poor girl is convicted, she will have to register as a sex offender.  And even the poor mother of the victim that inspired Megan's Law in NJ says this is bullsh*t.