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Tuesday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 07:48:32 PM EST
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What's as dreaded as going to the dentist? How about the moment before you open your tax return after getting it back from the accountant and finding out how much money you owe?

American Idol begins here in just a few moments. Dancing With the Stars (elimination night) and Biggest Loser (makeover night) should also be good.

What's on your agenda or mind this evening?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Tuesday Night Open Thread | 47 comments (47 topical)

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    The good news... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 07:58:37 PM EST
    ...is that we now have help in the fight against the pirates--Dolphins.

    The bad news is that the Chinese are clearly way ahead of us in the race for dolphin control technology.  They obviously took Flipper as a serious threat.

    U.S. Navy trains dolphins for military (none / 0) (#2)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:02:28 PM EST
    purposes.  

    Parent
    Facetious... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:07:25 PM EST
    ...playfully jocular; humorous: facetious remarks.
     Also see:  attempt at.

    I don't see our dolphins fighting off pirates!

    Parent

    Ah, but these dolphins detect armed missiles. (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:39:33 PM EST
    How do I know this?  The Samoan dog trainer's day job:  training dolphins for USN.  

    Parent
    If only... (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 10:25:08 PM EST
    ...we could teach them economics, they could run Treasury.  

    Parent
    They're intelligent animals... (none / 0) (#36)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 08:06:19 AM EST
    but not cunning enough for economics.

    Parent
    Why? (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by bocajeff on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:40:23 PM EST
    If you advocate higher taxes and more social programs (not that there is anything wrong with that) why would you complain about the amount you owe in taxes. It's the cost of civilization.

    who advocated higher taxes? (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:59:30 PM EST
    to pay for more social programs? Not me.

    I might advocate reducing funds spent on imprisoning non-violent offenders and on law enforcement operations in general to pay for social programs.

    And I didn't complain about the amount, I said I dread that moment before I open the envelope to see what it is. It's never a happy moment -- like going to the dentist. Afterwards, just like I'm glad my tooth is fixed, I'm fine with paying whatever I owe.

    Parent

    heck i advocate much higher taxes (none / 0) (#17)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:03:19 PM EST
    to pay for social programs especially those relative to nutrition, education, higher education and healthcare for all.  In the long run, those programs may not save us money but it at least gives opportunity and hope. And where i grew up, opportunity and hope were provided by dope and the risks sucked.

    Parent
    dreaded (none / 0) (#13)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:51:47 PM EST
    does not mean complain.  I never complain but I hate seeing the number.  I don't mind paying taxes, I just hate paying them to finance wars created by idiots.

    Parent
    I mind when (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by befuddledvoter on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:49:50 PM EST
    the bulk of my taxes are not to support social service programs or other things that I value.  I mind that.  

    I dread paying to support more people incarcerated in this country than any other.  I dread that.  

    I also mind that I never pay quarterly taxes, as I should, and then put myself in such a bind this time each year.  

    Parent

    why do i not pay quarterly? (none / 0) (#26)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 10:14:13 PM EST
    because every year i am hoping for an amnesty. lol

    Parent
    I'm sorry (none / 0) (#14)
    by bocajeff on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:54:46 PM EST
    I always thought of dreaded being a negative word. Now, if I thought a check was in the envelope then I would be elated.

    I hate paying for anything that is a waste whether it be for wars I don't agree with or for any social program that is a terrible waste (corporate or individual)...

    But I don't dread paying for things that are necessary - like auto insurance. I don't dread it nor am I elated. I'm just.

    Parent

    my auto insurance (none / 0) (#15)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:56:28 PM EST
    wasn't 140k.

    Parent
    If your (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by bocajeff on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:46:53 PM EST
    income taxes were $140k then you are a very successful person and will not get any sympathy from me. Envy, yes. Sympathy, no.

    Parent
    yes but dread and complaint (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:49:20 PM EST
    are two very different words.  I dread the bill but but don't complain despite hating that the war has cost us nearly a trillion.  Unlike rush et al, I value the return on social programs and believe that my taxes should fund them.  So yes, I do not let my good fortune cloud my thoughts on taxation.

    Parent
    I also dread the notice (none / 0) (#20)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:33:35 PM EST
    on the health insurance premium renewal every year...it's also necessary but unpleasant since it goes up so much every year. My car insurance, on the other hand, goes down every year unless I get a new car and is one of the best bargains around.

    Parent
    I dread my electric bill every month (none / 0) (#32)
    by nycstray on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 01:48:57 AM EST
    no matter what I do to reduce it, they raise it faster than I can blink. The cutting it by 50% I did 2 yrs ago is totally GONE. I just did something else that should have made another major improvement, BUT, it happened concurrent with the next price hike. I didn't save a dime from my last bill. It went up a bit. But these days, that's called a savings around here. Others got hit harder. How messed up is that?! And AC season is coming up. Just shoot me now . . . .

    Parent
    OK bocajeff we agree (none / 0) (#19)
    by cal1942 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:33:16 PM EST
    "taxes are what we pay for a civilized society"

    I like the Oliver Wendell Holmes stuff and have  disdain for liberals/progressives who complain about paying taxes. Let the other guy do it (that includes "sin" taxes) is more than a bit revolting.

    Parent

    C'mon, we get to complain (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Cream City on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:52:27 PM EST
    about the misuse of some of our tax money.

    I reserve the right to complain about the portion of my taxes that is going for the Iraq War and for ridiculous overexpenditures by military and other agencies and for executive bonuses via TARP, for example.  Are you for all that?  Hard to imagine.

    Complaining about misuse of tax monies is not complaining about taxes, period.  Every cent misspent could be going for social programs that are desperately needed, and for which I will pay without complaint -- as long as those funds also are not misused (as some are in my city and state, and my governor, legislators, mayor, alder, and more hear from me . . . and if they stop listening to us, then their salaries are a misuse of my tax monies, too).

    Parent

    You're right (none / 0) (#46)
    by cal1942 on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 07:37:31 PM EST
    I do detest spending on Iraq, unnecesary military spending, supporting over 700 military installations overseas, etc.


    Parent
    Alec baldwin and tax breaks for the film industry (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by AX10 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:53:56 PM EST
    http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/269416

    http://spectator.org/archives/2009/03/06/alec-baldwin-right-on-taxes

    The right has spun this as Baldwin finally being correct on economics.
    What it is though, is showing Baldwin and much of Hollywood to be hypocrits.
    Only a progressive tax works fairly.
    "Sin Taxes" and sales taxes are regressive.

    Parent

    worth repeating (5.00 / 6) (#29)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 12:28:30 AM EST
    from september:

    The fed injected (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 08:40:48 AM EST

    600 bn into the market yesterday and it still dropped 777.  The fed has pumped almost a trillion and a half into the market this year.  
    We had 2000 bank failings in the S&L crisis and we have had 12 so far.

    We keep hearing that the problem is toxic mortgages, yet 1+ trillion dollars in the market has done nothing?  We keep hearing that people took bad loans, yet we have nothing in the bill to help those people.  Someone gave those bad loans.  And many of those loans were good in the 2006 economy.

    Remember the 2006 economy?  Unemployment at 4.2%, laborers working, electricians working, carpenters working, loan documentation specialists working, title holders working etc etc.

    Barack Obama was very quick to point out that John McCain never used the word middle class in the debate.  Mr. Obama, in a market with accelerating unemployment, foreclosures and people struggling to put food on the table, your suggestions did not have ONE single mention of how to help the middle class.

    John McCain is done.  The old bill is done.  Give me and the American people some HOPE.  

    Why do we hate the bill?  Because it stabilizes.  Lots of coma victims are stabilized before they go into a coma, but they are still in a coma.  Meanwhile, the doctors, hospitals and health workers are all getting paid and either the insurance company is picking up a portion of the tab or the sick person is destined for bankruptcy.

    We are a nation of people in a coma and we are bailing out the insurance companies so to speak.  When we wake up from this coma our house will be gone, our savings gone and our families fractured.  Meanwhile, the drunk driving financeers will have done their community service and will move on with their lives, their jobs and their finances hurt but intact by and large.

    Do not pass this bill until it includes job creation, home owner protection, unemployment extension and a statement from our next President addressing how we the american people will be protected from losing our homes and suffering a far greater fate than the mortgage lenders.

    I hear a lot of talk about what happens if the bill is not passed, but not one mention of what happens over the next 6 months if it does.  The pols know exactly what is about to happen with UE and what is going to happen to the people who were lucky enough to keep their job until now.  those folks who were not at risk of losing their home today, will  suffer the most next year when they have no protection and are forced to foreclose and file bankruptcy under the new lopsided bankruptcy law passed by these very same politicians.


    I wish I could give you a 10. (none / 0) (#30)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 12:43:38 AM EST


    Parent
    Working on the dog problem.... (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Fabian on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 05:27:47 AM EST
    Or the owner problem ;)

    It just so happens that my kid's bus driver is a certified pet trainer, so I got her email address and we exchanged some ideas.  The dog&owner doesn't live around here so I'm doing this long distance.  I'll send some emails off and hope the owner is receptive.

    American Idol was a disappointment (none / 0) (#3)
    by Anne on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:03:27 PM EST
    for me tonight; I think what the judges are hearing is not what is coming through my TV - some of them gave raves to performances that I thought were just plain awful.  Off-key, shrieking, shouting - ugh.

    Maybe the contestants have all hit a wall, but I think tonight was not a good night.

    And they're running over again - I want Fringe!

    I missed Fringe!!!! (none / 0) (#31)
    by nycstray on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 01:43:35 AM EST
    I went out with friend/old co-workers tonight and totally forgot it was on. I knew I could catch everything else online if I wanted (haven't wanted so far!) but Fringe, well . . .

    Was it good?

    Parent

    It was a little more "out there" (none / 0) (#34)
    by Anne on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 06:58:07 AM EST
    than usual, lol, but still good.

    You can watch it online - comes in handy for occasions like yours!

    Parent

    Adam just brought down the house (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:26:43 PM EST
    with Born to be Wild. It was incredible.

    Allison was great as well.

    I don't like the new judging format, with only two judges commenting on each performance. (Fox's solution to last week's problem when the show ran over and Adam got cut off for some who watched on Tivo.) Simon's take gets the most attention, and I think those who don't get a Simon comment, good or bad, will suffer when the voting comes.

    Allison was one whose performance (none / 0) (#6)
    by Anne on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:32:30 PM EST
    was not great - in my opinion; she can belt one out, but it was off-key in too many places and out of her range in others - especially at the beginning.  It was loud, but loud doesn't necessarily translate to "good" for me.  

    Adam?  Eh.  It was too affected a rendition of Born to be Wild - for me - but I think if you're a fan, it wouldn't matter what he sang or how he sang it.  I had to agree with Simon - it was too Rocky Horror.

    Parent

    He was incredible (none / 0) (#35)
    by ericinatl on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 07:50:24 AM EST
    I'm surprised reading online that more people didn't love the performance.  Seems like the studio audience was going crazy.  

    I love that he's bringing back 80s big-hair, glam rock.

    Parent

    guess that means ... (none / 0) (#40)
    by wystler on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 10:06:46 AM EST
    ... that Simon's comment was dead-on.

    I enjoyed it. But I could see folk who prefer their pop music gentle, and their traditions upheld, to feel otherwise.

    Parent

    Matt is so underwhelming (none / 0) (#7)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:33:52 PM EST
    I don't even think he belongs in the competition. I haven't like any of his performances too date.

    is he the "not elliot yamin" guy? (none / 0) (#12)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:48:05 PM EST
    i love adam and think he is light years ahead of the rest so at this point I am only watching to see what he does.  My wife keeps hoping Lil Round  will blow her away again and is disappointed every week.  I miss the blonde short single mom, I really dug her too.

    I gave up on biggest loser, too much drama and not enough likable characters.  I felt that way about Apprentice too and for the past two seasons I have absolutely loved it.  Same drama, same bs but something about b list celebs fighting it out to win the prize is fun to me.  Why do i enjoy it with celebs and hate it with real people?  

    I have about 6 24's to watch, 3 lost and all of the jockey show to watch. I gave up on Heroes (does anyone watch and if so does it get better?)

    Damn, i watch too much telly....why does smoke make you ramble?

    My nine year old daughter ran up to my room easter sunday and said the easter bunny left her a note it read "thanks for the broccoli.  I get lots of veggies on my visits and it would be nice to have some ice cream.  My favorite is Ben & Jerrys chunky monkey."  she said that next year we absolutely have to get that bunny some scream.

    giddeeup.

    Parent

    celebrity apprentice (none / 0) (#18)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:29:25 PM EST
    is the best this season it's been in ages -- you are right about the "b" list celebs -- it's like waiting for a  train wreck and pretty funny.


    Parent
    Heroes (none / 0) (#45)
    by sj on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 12:57:01 PM EST
    It seems to be back on track with the return of Bryan Fuller as a writer.  I hadn't turned off my automatic record the last couple of seasons, but I found myself sometimes deleting after a few minutes of watching.  They especially went WAY wrong with the Suresh character.

    But I'm watching the whole hour lately.  Even though (and I may be alone in this) I'm really tired of Sylar.

    Parent

    I grew weary of sylar (none / 0) (#47)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 16, 2009 at 01:00:25 PM EST
    as well. My wife and I like to send the kids to a sitter for the weekend and watch a years worth over a weekend.  It is hard to decide based on your take here especially with sylar still annoying the heck outta me.  With warm weather coming i won't buy it until the fall so i have lots of time to vacillate.....Thanks :)

    Parent
    Lawsuit against... (none / 0) (#10)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:44:20 PM EST
    ...Cheney's security team allowed to continue.

    A federal judge in Denver has declined to toss out a lawsuit against four U.S. Secret Service agents who arrested a man in Beaver Creek in 2006 after he approached then-Vice President Dick Cheney to criticize the Iraq war.

    U.S. District Judge Christine Arguello issued her ruling from the bench this morning and said a jury is going to have to decide the case.

    "There are too many disputed issues of material fact to grant summary judgment in this case," Arguello said.

    Too bad Cheney himself doesn't have a jury deciding his fate. Nonetheless, I'm rooting for the right to free speech in this trail.

    What am I watching? The photos (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 08:45:56 PM EST
    I took this weekend in the desert at the mud caves.  But when I e-mailed them to the celebrants, each of the attachments is the same photo.  But if one saves each attachment, the attachments are different photos.  Gremlins?

    The competition US automakers are against (none / 0) (#28)
    by Politalkix on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 10:38:52 PM EST
    [link]and [link]and [link]

    Remembering the Bird... (none / 0) (#37)
    by desertswine on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 09:53:34 AM EST
    Mark Fidrych dies at 54. A farm accident.

    For one season, he was the best pitcher in baseball.

    And without a doubt... (none / 0) (#38)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 09:57:33 AM EST
    ...the most entertaining one as well.  He was something else to watch on the mound.

    Parent
    Wish I coulda seen him... (none / 0) (#39)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 10:01:00 AM EST
    where have all the uber-eccentric colorful ballplayers gone?  The game seems so much more corporate now, with a few exceptions like Manny.

    Give me the Bird and the Spaceman anyday....RIP Bird.

    Parent

    Yep... (none / 0) (#41)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 10:10:14 AM EST
    ...the game has been pretty much cleaned of free-spirits these days.  That's a shame.  

    Even someone like the Babe would be out of place in today's MLB.

    Parent

    Have you forgotten about Manny? (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 10:12:42 AM EST


    Parent
    No ma'am (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 10:21:02 AM EST
    Manny is a throwback to another time.  The game could use more like him.

    Parent
    The Babe would've been... (none / 0) (#44)
    by desertswine on Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 10:34:55 AM EST
    tossed out of Baseball on his can. IIRC he went up into the stands at least once to go after fans who were heckling him. Maybe twice.

    Parent
    Tuesday Night Open Thread | 47 comments (47 topical)

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