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Saturday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat May 23, 2009 at 01:57:12 PM EST
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I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend. The TL kid and I are going apartment hunting (for him, his lease is up). He gets to go to the Nuggets game tonight, thanks to his dad who has a box every season at the Pepsi Center. The local news says they are selling standing room only tickets for tonight. Granted, I know nothing about basketball, but wouldn't you have a better view watching at home on TV or at a local bar?

What's on your agenda this weekend?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Saturday Open Thread | 23 comments (23 topical)

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    Jeralyn, THANK YOU for your defense of the rule of (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sat May 23, 2009 at 02:12:45 PM EST
    law in your prior posts today. (I posted the following comment at the end of one of those earlier threads. I'd rather post it here, so delete the former if you see fit.)

    *No doubt Obama's proposed "preventive detention" policy will have an abundant number of defenders in The Village of MSM pundits and Blogosphere 1.0. But TL is in a different class, as a progressive law blog, and it's surprising to see one of TL's front page writers (BTD) fervently defend any aspect of "preventive detention". I mean, sure, like Obama says: "people can disagree without being disagreeable" but, please, not about something this unreasonable.

    So, moving along. Maybe the current unprecedented lack of defense for the rule of law within progressive circles is what we get when we combine two parallel lines of magical thinking: "it's different when the United States does it" and "it's different when Obama does it".

    It would follow that, with Obama as POTUS, many reprehensible policies could now take on the appearance of being doubly "different": firstly, by the ongoing perception of Obama's transcendent exceptionalism and, secondly, by the longstanding perception of America's inherent exceptionalism.  

    Exceptionalism is the perception that a country, society, institution, movement, or time period [or person] is "exceptional" (i.e., unusual or extraordinary) in some way and thus does not conform to normal rules or general principles. Used in this sense, the term reflects a belief formed by lived experience, ideology, perceptual frames, or perspectives influenced by knowledge (or lack thereof) of historical or comparative circumstances. (Wikipedia)

    Greenwald writes a lot about the hazards of American exceptionalism, but I haven't seen him specifically address it in terms of the double whammy effect we get when we combine that with Obama's exceptionalism.

    Exactly! But! (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 23, 2009 at 03:06:13 PM EST
    But! It's not American Exceptionalism at all, I think it's PURE Obama Exceptionalism.  It's okay if you're Obama.  Because he's is just so trustworthy, right?

    The distinction between Obama Exceptionalism and American Exceptionalism is if Republicans were suggesting such a heinous thing as "preventive detention," aka suspension of habeas corpus, it wouldn't be a subject of "reasoned debate" among liberals or even centrists, it would be rejected outright...as it should be.  This is cultist talk.  These people are too colored by the Obama love to realize what they're saying...even if they think they view Obama rationally, they don't.  They want to destroy the principles of this country for the sake of cutting off Medusa's head so that she can grow another 10 in its place, because the adulated leader said it should be.

    I'm downright nauseated by what I'm reading.  Disgusting.   Discussing pure unadultered totalitarian evil as if it deserves discussion, ick.

    The only preventive detention policy that is okay is none.  Period.  History will see this as a dark period.  

    Good thing I need to go work in the yard today.

    Parent

    There it is TiS2... (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sat May 23, 2009 at 04:27:50 PM EST
    I think you're right that many progressives don't generally buy into American Exceptionalism because they correctly equate it with imperialism.

    But, methinks the current crop of progressives possessed vestiges of American Exceptionalism (even during the Bush era). For instance, plenty of our home-grown progressives felt the US had a right to launch a preemptive invasion of Iraq. I think there was a degree of American Exceptionalism among those people: a wistful belief that America had higher motives than empire and oil. (I doubt that they would have extended the same benefit of the doubt to Russia if it had undertaken a preemptive war.)

    So there it is: self-described progressives who hold vestigal notions of American Exceptionalism that are now combined with ABUNDANT notions of Obama Exceptionalism. Ergo, we have progressives  blogging all over the place about the latter day merits of preventive detention, military tribunals et al. It's Exceptionalism Squared and it's a recipe for disaster of epic proportions, imo.

    Parent

    Your last paragraph cogently captures (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by DeborahNC on Sat May 23, 2009 at 10:55:07 PM EST
    the current attitudes among some progressives about dententions, et al. I have been perplexed and highly concerned about their positions, since I think it puts into question our nation's moral clarity and where that will lead us.

    IMO, this type of conceptual framework is the antithesis of progressivism. I appreciate your commentary.

    Parent

    I had seats just off the floor (none / 0) (#2)
    by nycstray on Sat May 23, 2009 at 02:34:27 PM EST
    at MSG and I would say I had a darn good view. Got the tickets through the then coach's wife. I do not know what they were considered as far a name/section went. I'm not much of a bball fan, but the seats we were in were def better than home or a bar. I think you have a better chance at a bball game over say football or baseball for good action viewing. Of course, with football and baseball, if you know the right people you can get a darn good seat. {grin}

    My Sat reading comprehension is in (none / 0) (#3)
    by nycstray on Sat May 23, 2009 at 02:42:16 PM EST
    full swing. Now I get you were talking about SRO not seating in gen.

    That really depends on where they are going to put them. I'm guessing most are going for the "experience".  How's the screen setups there? Not something I would normally think of, but I do know at our new stadiums they went to town with big screens so you don't miss anything in the beer line etc :)

    Parent

    a good sports bar (none / 0) (#10)
    by Jen M on Sat May 23, 2009 at 03:55:15 PM EST
    is pretty fun experience too, fellow fans and beer delivery and maybe even good eats :)

    Parent
    the TL kid is lucky indeed (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dadler on Sat May 23, 2009 at 02:59:46 PM EST
    Talented mom and an old man with season seats to the Nugs.  And while I am a lifelong, hardcore Forum Blue & Gold fan, I have to say that we are lucky to be 1-1 with Denver, and I have my doubts as to whether we can even win a game on the road at altitude.  If the Nuggest win the series, I think it will be in five.  If the Lakers win it, six or seven.  But right now, seeing what the Nugs brought in LA, I'd have to say they are the favorite right now.  But it's the NBA, the officiating is as inconsistent as ANY sport on earth, and strange things happen.  We shall see.  If I had to guess, tho, I'd say the Nuggets will cover the spread tonight and then some.  I hope not, but they have the momentum and the home court.

    Maybe a better view on TV, (none / 0) (#5)
    by TChris on Sat May 23, 2009 at 03:00:44 PM EST
    but at home you have to buy your own beer.  In a box the box owner is usually picking up the tab.  And there's usually a TV or two in the box if you need to see an instant replay.

    didn't even notice that (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Dadler on Sat May 23, 2009 at 03:03:45 PM EST
    the luxury box is the emperor's seat of professional sports.  it's like bringing your living room/kitchen TO the game.  now i'm doubly jealous of this kid.  damn.  

    Parent
    it is an awesome box (none / 0) (#14)
    by Jeralyn on Sat May 23, 2009 at 06:35:19 PM EST
    His dad let me use it for the Rolling Stones when they played here on Thanksgiving two or three years ago and it was incredible. Unlike other boxes I had been in, there was no glass partition (or it was retracted) so you really were right there. The other nice thing is it comes with VIP parking lot passes and the VIP lot is right outside the door.

    Parent
    Also, it depends on the location. Most all seats (none / 0) (#23)
    by DeborahNC on Sat May 23, 2009 at 11:06:43 PM EST
    at Cameron Indoor Stadium are good, whereas, you have to be fairly close to the court at the Dean Smith Center to feel the excitement of the game.

    But, box seats are just plain great!

    Parent

    Interesting article (none / 0) (#8)
    by andgarden on Sat May 23, 2009 at 03:40:45 PM EST
    on racially segregated proms in south Georgia.

    Basketball is better live (none / 0) (#9)
    by Slado on Sat May 23, 2009 at 03:40:57 PM EST
    On TV you can't appreciate the athleticsism and size of these players like you can live.  TV slows down the pace of the game because you have not perspective.   Until you see how fast things happen up close you don't appreciate how amazing these atheletes are.

    slub our suite seats are the best becase you get a TV type view but your there and can still hear the coach calling the plays.

    Also a big time sporting event is always better when you're there.

    Can you imagine what it would ahve been like to be in Cleavland last night?

    Last night was EPIC (none / 0) (#13)
    by lobary on Sat May 23, 2009 at 05:36:13 PM EST
    That was a legacy-making shot LBJ hit to win game 2. If he doesn't make that shot-- and I honestly didn't think it had much of a chance of going in from that distance with only a second on the clock--Cleveland's fairy tale season is basically dead. I highly doubt they had it in them to do what my '94 Rockets did. Losing the first two on your home floor is practically a playoff death sentence.

    What a game! What a game! What a game!

    I am so glad I watched it live because I've been negligent in my NBA-watching duties since those hated Lakers triumphed over my hometown team in game 7 last Sunday. I would've been very upset with myself if I'd missed that sequence of big shot after big shot.

    Last night in Cleveland was "where amazing happened."

    Parent

    We are all witnesses (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Slado on Sat May 23, 2009 at 07:38:52 PM EST
    What a great marketing scheme.

    Like Jordan he is a once in a lifetime player.

    Parent

    BTD, Brian Schweitzer? (none / 0) (#11)
    by ProudTroll on Sat May 23, 2009 at 04:22:42 PM EST
    http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/no_20090514_7263.php

    "David Paterson? Just kidding. Brian Schweitzer." Big Tent Democrat, TalkLeft

    I suppose your pick as to who has the brightest political future among the current crop of Democrat governors isn't surprising given the talent pool.  I would have picked Strickland but he's getting up there in age.  Overall, I would have said that Senator Mark Warner is probably the scariest matchup for 2016 given that you guys will likely make a return to running centrists after what transpires in '12.

    Saw the Cards beat KC (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Sat May 23, 2009 at 07:51:39 PM EST
    And we were in a party box just beyond the first base line foul pole.

    Great news (none / 0) (#17)
    by andgarden on Sat May 23, 2009 at 08:31:21 PM EST
    out of the State Department:

    The State Department will offer equal benefits and protections to same-sex partners of American diplomats, according to an internal memorandum Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sent last week to an association of gay and lesbian Foreign Service officers.

    Mrs. Clinton said the policy change addressed an inequity in the treatment of domestic partners and would help the State Department recruit diplomats, since many international employers already offered such benefits.

    "Like all families, our Foreign Service families come in different configurations; all are part of the common fabric of our post communities abroad," Mrs. Clinton said in the memorandum, a copy of which was provided to The New York Times by a member of the gay and lesbian association.
    I can't believe this (none / 0) (#18)
    by nycstray on Sat May 23, 2009 at 08:57:22 PM EST
    Gay and lesbian diplomats have lobbied the State Department for these benefits for several years. Under current policy, they note, diplomats with domestic partners could be evacuated from a hazardous country by the American government while their partners were left behind.

    Glad to hear things are changing there.

    Parent

    I almost hope someone sues the gov (none / 0) (#19)
    by andgarden on Sat May 23, 2009 at 09:01:14 PM EST
    to stop this so that DOMA can be reviewed. It's not clear to me who would have standing, though.

    Parent
    Can you do class action against the gov? (none / 0) (#20)
    by nycstray on Sat May 23, 2009 at 09:26:03 PM EST
    or something like that?

    Something really needs to be done. The fact that there are people that think this sort of thing is ok is just beyond me.

    Parent

    BTD has said that for Obama (none / 0) (#21)
    by cal1942 on Sat May 23, 2009 at 09:49:17 PM EST
    it will either be FDR or Jimmy Carter.  I agree, but, it appears we may both be wrong.

    The FDR standard was always a colossal stretch.

    Given the circumstances Jimmy Carter would have been very easy to surpass.

    I have to say that after the past couple of weeks I've begun to think that Jimmy Carter is also too much to ask.  

    This Bill Moyers article sums up healthcare Obama style.

    Saturday Open Thread | 23 comments (23 topical)

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