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Friday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri May 22, 2009 at 01:28:16 PM EST
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    Friday Afternoon Open Thread | 33 comments (33 topical)

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    Xerox names african-american woman (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by caseyOR on Fri May 22, 2009 at 08:27:46 PM EST
    as its next CEO. On July 1, Ursula Burns will become the first black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. She will take over from Anne Mulcahy in what is the first female CEO to female CEO transition at a Fortune 500 company.

    One of Burns' previous jobs at Xerox, years ago, was as the executive assistant to the then CEO (not Mulcahy).

    Sometimes there is a little change I can believe in.

    I was very happy to see this tonight (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by nycstray on Fri May 22, 2009 at 09:27:14 PM EST
    news report I saw also mentioned she's raised from a single mother in the projects. The two women have worked together over the past several years, so it should be a smooth transition.

    Let' hear it for "the girls"!!! Some more glass just broke.

    [ Parent ]

    Interesting! (none / 0) (#28)
    by Steve M on Fri May 22, 2009 at 09:44:35 PM EST
    Nice achievement, and another role model for all the little girls out there.  Change you can Xerox. ;)

    [ Parent ]
    As opposed to (none / 0) (#1)
    by kdog on Fri May 22, 2009 at 02:17:14 PM EST
    the same old tired garbage the new drug czar is carting...Reason is making sense...let freedom ring and get the books in slightly better order at the same time.

    End broken record:)

    Anything for a party (none / 0) (#2)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri May 22, 2009 at 02:30:03 PM EST
    this just makes me chuckle.

    Talk about a blast from the past... (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Fri May 22, 2009 at 02:34:38 PM EST
    I can't believe they are still together...Love is truly deaf, dumb, and blind.

    [ Parent ]
    It's also difficult to see (none / 0) (#4)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri May 22, 2009 at 02:43:02 PM EST
    how labeling her a pedophile was accurate. She obviously still loves him in his adult form and hasn't been caught out prowling for new 12 year olds.


    [ Parent ]
    Makes you question things... (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Fri May 22, 2009 at 02:50:11 PM EST
    you would rather not think about...no doubt.

    A month ago I might have wrote 'em off as both being nuts...then I had a "love at first sight" type moment that defies all logic and explanation...maybe they were meant to be together and mother nature, combined with our laws, made it very difficult, sh*t made it criminal.  

    Maybe love truly does conquer all.  

    [ Parent ]

    Exactly, but our narrow-minded s*x (none / 0) (#6)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri May 22, 2009 at 03:10:41 PM EST
    laws took 7.5 years of their lives and labeled both of them as outside the lines at such a level of shame it defies belief. They can't even expect an apology.

    [ Parent ]
    I continue to think (none / 0) (#7)
    by Steve M on Fri May 22, 2009 at 03:27:16 PM EST
    that society wouldn't find these cases quite as suitable for late-night comic material if they involved a middle-aged guy and a 12-year old girl.  But sure, when the genders are reversed, laugh it up!

    I don't begrudge these folks their happy ending, but I don't exactly feel guilty that she was punished because I'm fairly confident that most sexual relationships with a 12-year old don't end up with a happy ending.  If I could point to an example of an adult woman who ended up marrying her rapist, would anyone take that as an indication that our society needs to lighten up about rape?

    [ Parent ]

    Who's laughing, Steve? (none / 0) (#8)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri May 22, 2009 at 03:33:51 PM EST
    The article made me chuckle because this time the law was wrong and MK & V are celebrating despite what the system put them through. MK was very convincing during her trial and sentencing that where she is now is where she was heading and that she wasn't a threat to anyone. Even Vili's mother defended their relationship during the initial trial. The law always responds to the specific individuals and circumstances in a case from what I see.  

    [ Parent ]
    I am referring (none / 0) (#14)
    by Steve M on Fri May 22, 2009 at 05:13:06 PM EST
    to the fact that it was considered comic fodder back at the time it happened.  I didn't think people would have been laughing if the genders were reversed.  

    Personally, I don't have a problem with the fact that our legal system doesn't treat a relationship between an adult and a 12-year old as a fact-specific thing that might be okay or might not be okay, depending on the particular circumstances.  I respect your right to disagree, but I'm curious, surely there is some age at which you would draw a bright line?

    [ Parent ]

    Interesting question (none / 0) (#18)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri May 22, 2009 at 05:49:06 PM EST
    I honestly don't know...although there are the truly obvious ages, of course. My mother had only just turned 15 when she married my dad and they had a 63 marriage that was mature and successful on all levels during every one of those years. That maturity at 14/15 years old today would be rare, but not impossible, I would think.

    I always thought the MK/Vili relationship was outside the norm, but I took it seriously and believed they did have a really unique one that was mischaracterised as criminal.


    [ Parent ]

    Hillary's old friend Terry McAuliffe is going down (none / 0) (#9)
    by ProudTroll on Fri May 22, 2009 at 03:48:32 PM EST
    in Virginia.

    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/5/21/13304/2537

    Bob McDonnell (R) 44 (40)
    Terry McAuliffe (D) 34 (33)


    Very conclusive (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Steve M on Fri May 22, 2009 at 05:17:47 PM EST
    About as compelling as this poll from June 2005 showing Republican Jerry Kilgore with a 10-point lead over Democrat, and eventual winner, Tim Kaine.

    But I understand that Republicans have very little good news to point to right now, so I understand why you're looking to take it where you can.  Hey, the Republican is leading in a poll six months prior to election day where the primaries haven't even been resolved yet!  Woo hoo!  And Dick Cheney's approval ratings have shot way up into the 30s.

    [ Parent ]

    Trolls, don't feed, etc. (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by andgarden on Fri May 22, 2009 at 05:22:40 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    You never let us have any fun! (none / 0) (#22)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 22, 2009 at 07:53:59 PM EST
    Can't we just slap him around for a little while? Please? We promise we'll stop and come inside when it's time for dinner ...

    [ Parent ]
    Can we impeach Cheney NOW? Please? (none / 0) (#10)
    by jawbone on Fri May 22, 2009 at 04:02:59 PM EST
    Garrett has posted at Daily Kos a long and detailed chronology of much of what's known about US torture under BushCo. I've had to read it in short segments.

    If you know anyone who has become inured to the horror of what we in the United States did through our government, ask them to read this.

    He opens with a quote from VP Dick Cheney's speech from yesterday:

    At Abu Ghraib, a few sadistic prison guards abused inmates in violation of American law, military regulation, and simple decency. For the harm they did to Iraqi prisoners and to America's cause, they deserved and received Army justice.

    And it takes a deeply unfair cast of mind to equate the disgraces of Abu Ghraib with the lawful, skillful, and entirely honorable work of CIA personnel trained to deal with a few malevolent men.

    Officials can be impeached after leaving office, which ensure they never can hold high office again. Cheney should be impeached, along with several others from BushCo.

    Via Sarah at CorrenteWire.

    Received an email from Marriage Equality (none / 0) (#11)
    by allimom99 on Fri May 22, 2009 at 04:17:46 PM EST
    saying the CA Supreme Court will announce the decision on Prop 8 on Tuesday. Events are planned everywhere, so come out (no pun intended) and support equality!

    A thought on this (none / 0) (#12)
    by andgarden on Fri May 22, 2009 at 04:39:50 PM EST
    California is exhibiting some of the very problems that caused the framers to revisit the Articles of Confederation and draft a new Constitution.

    [ Parent ]
    I hear that. (none / 0) (#21)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 22, 2009 at 07:49:56 PM EST
    California's constitution was last comprehensively reviewed and amended through convention 98 years ago, when the state's population was only 2.38 million and its economy was based primarily upon agriculture and resource extration. Clearly, a state constitutional convention is long overdue.

    [ Parent ]
    Other constitutions have been more robust (none / 0) (#23)
    by andgarden on Fri May 22, 2009 at 07:54:36 PM EST
    I think California proves that it's possible to have too much democracy. The initiative is an evil thing IMO, especially when implemented as it is in CA.

    [ Parent ]
    I don't think it's "evil" - however ... (none / 0) (#25)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 22, 2009 at 08:32:52 PM EST
    ... I do think that current standards used in California to qualify initiatives, referenda and recalls (IR&R) for the ballot need to be tightened up considerably.

    Speaking as a Pasadena native and former state resident, I believe that it's far too easy to place IR&R measures on the ballot, particularly when an advocate like GOP Congressman Darryl Issa has deep pockets and can pay people for signature-gathering and blanket the airwaves with misleading advertising.

    Thus, the percentage of signatures from registered voters needed to qualify measures for the ballot should be increased substantially, if only to ensure that only those issues truly important to the broader general public are put to the vote.

    Further, I am also of the opinion that topics currently open to initiative and referendum are far too broad, particularly regarding civil rights matters and budgetary considerations.

    Such mainstay topics should be the exclusive purview of the legislature, governor and the courts, and not be subjected to the ever-fickle whims of transient public opinion.

    [ Parent ]

    One of the reasons to have constitutional (none / 0) (#26)
    by andgarden on Fri May 22, 2009 at 08:56:30 PM EST
    government, and not pure democracy, is to protect minorities from the whims of the mob. On tuesday we'll have a pretty good idea how robust California's structure is.

    I don't have high hopes.

    [ Parent ]

    Another day, another poll putting the pro-lifers (none / 0) (#13)
    by ProudTroll on Fri May 22, 2009 at 04:56:11 PM EST
    in the lead....

    http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/AUL_Survey_of_American_Adults_Topline_Results_Release.pd f

    On the issue of abortion, do you consider yourself (ROTATED) pro-life or pro-choice?
    47% PRO-LIFE
    45% PRO-CHOICE
    6% NEITHER/BOTH/IT DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED)
    1% DO NOT KNOW (VOLUNTEERED)
    1% REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

    Which of the following statements most closely describes your own position on the issue of
    abortion? (READ AND ROTATED TOP TO BOTTOM, BOTTOM TO TOP)
    55% TOTAL PRO-LIFE (NET)
    10% ABORTIONS SHOULD BE PROHIBITED IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
    16% ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL ONLY TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE
    MOTHER
    29% ABORTIONS SHOULD BE LEGAL ONLY IN CASES OF RAPE, INCEST OR
    TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER
    41% TOTAL PRO-CHOICE (NET)
    26% ABORTIONS SHOULD BE LEGAL FOR ANY REASON, BUT NOT AFTER
    THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF PREGNANCY
    8% ABORTIONS SHOULD BE LEGAL FOR ANY REASON, BUT NOT AFTER
    THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF PREGNANCY
    7% ABORTIONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED AT ANY TIME DURING A
    WOMAN'S PREGNANCY AND FOR ANY REASON
    4% DO NOT KNOW/ REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

    Speaking on behalf of most everyone here: (none / 0) (#20)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 22, 2009 at 07:37:36 PM EST
    Get lost.

    [ Parent ]
    at least learn (none / 0) (#31)
    by Amiss on Sat May 23, 2009 at 12:30:45 AM EST
    how to properly create a link.

    [ Parent ]
    Netherlands closing prisons (none / 0) (#17)
    by Ben Masel on Fri May 22, 2009 at 05:47:12 PM EST
    for lack of criminals
    During the 1990s the Netherlands faced a shortage of prison cells, but a decline in crime has since led to overcapacity in the prison system. The country now has capacity for 14,000 prisoners but only 12,000 detainees.
    You said it, and not us! (none / 0) (#19)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 22, 2009 at 07:34:13 PM EST
    My nominee for "Quote of the Week":

    "Part of me is inherently medieval."
    -Thrice-married former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, on his conversion to Roman Catholicism, U.S. News & World Report (May 20, 2009)
    I need a good sunscreen. Help! (none / 0) (#29)
    by caseyOR on Fri May 22, 2009 at 10:30:45 PM EST
    Okay, I have fish-belly white Irish skin. As a young'un I had awful sunburns. My teenage years occurred during that unfortunate time when we were smearing our bodies with a mixture of iodine and baby oil, in search of the perfect tan. My skin needs all the help it can get these days.

    I am older and wiser now, and have embarked on my annual search for the best sunscreen. I am outside a lot in the summer, what with the garden and all, so I need something stronger than my winter stuff. Any suggestions? I've been reading about sunscreens for a few hours and I need help.

    Sunscreen: Ti-Silc (none / 0) (#30)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Fri May 22, 2009 at 11:25:03 PM EST
    Available via dermatologists or on-line suppliers. Shop around at Amazon. The stuff is so effective and so non-irritating that plastic surgeons recommend it to post-op patients - i.e. to people who've had major facial resurfacing procedures, etc.

    I'd recommend the 60SPF with green tea extract (anti-inflammatory). It's not cheap, but it lasts forever. If you find it a tad costly, you could just reserve it for use on the face, neck, and upper chest. It's a real pleasure to use!

    [ Parent ]

    there is a pill now (none / 0) (#32)
    by Amiss on Sat May 23, 2009 at 12:48:33 AM EST
    called the sunpill link

    Also I saw a bracelet on "The Doctors" while I was in the hospital recently that turns different colors and tells you when you have been in the sun too long or need to re-apply sunscreen if I recall correctly.

    [ Parent ]

    What????? (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 23, 2009 at 09:20:34 AM EST
    We watched the new Underworld last night and my son can't remember the story line.  I can't remember the whole meaning of the necklace.  We can't have this!  Time to go to the video store.  Tonight is the Underworld marathon!

    Friday Afternoon Open Thread | 33 comments (33 topical)

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