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Wednesday Morning Open Thread

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One really great aspect of Al Franken becoming the junior Senator from Minnesota is it unhinges the crazies at the WSJ Editorial Board beyond their usual lunacy:

Mr. Franken now goes to the Senate having effectively stolen an election. If the GOP hopes to avoid repeats, it should learn from Minnesota that modern elections don't end when voters cast their ballots. They only end after the lawyers count them.

Allrighty then.

This is an Open Thread.

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    Roger Ebert.. (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:34:43 AM EST
    dropping some knowledge in an editorial about the disservice we are doing to our kids by being so damn afraid all the time, and the burgeoning "free range kids" movement to counter it and take it back to the old school.

    Two Thumbs up Rog!  

    I hope that takes off (none / 0) (#31)
    by ruffian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:12:02 PM EST
    It is sad to see my nieces and nephews growing up with so much less freedom to explore than their parents and I enjoyed. I can't help but think it will effect their view of their horizons as adults.

    Parent
    Me too... (none / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:25:32 PM EST
    I harp on my sister something fierce about letting her girls experience a little of what we experienced as kids.  I'll never forget the feeling when my dad first sent me to the deli a couple blocks away to get the Sunday paper all by my lonesome...musta been 2nd grade or so...gave me a 20, told me to count the change and be careful crossing the street and off I went.  Felt so good to be trusted like that, to be given a little responsibility.

    As for a remember when...after I proved myself, mom and dad used to send me up for everything...even cigarettes and beer.  Could you imagine if a deli clerk sold an 8 year old cigs today?  Thats probably 5-10 mandatory minimum:)

    Parent

    memories (none / 0) (#94)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:11:14 PM EST
    2 packs camel no filter, 2 packs pall mall no filter, 7 years old, one busy street to cross.  Name of the store, "the puerto rican store".  Chino and Pedro were the owners.  They always gave me a pack of matches too......

    Parent
    That WSJ bit is funny/maddening. And (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:40:04 AM EST
    kknow sooo many people who quote the WSJ like I quote NPR and the NYT.  

    I went to see the new (none / 0) (#8)
    by Maryb2004 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:54:49 AM EST
    'scaled down' version of Ghosts of Versailles last week. (WSJ reminded me of its review).  It worked fairly well on the small stage.  So ...coming soon to a small opera company near you.  Or at least Vancouver.

    Parent
    I haven't seen any version of "Ghosts" (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:02:45 PM EST
    but did hear some of the Met radio broadcast.  Sounds interesting.

    Parent
    Up until now (none / 0) (#14)
    by Maryb2004 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:06:26 PM EST
    you were out of luck if you wanted to see it because no one was performing it.  I think it had only been performed at the Met (the original and one revival) and once at Lyric.  Too big and too expensive.  The Met was supposed to do it again next year and they cancelled for budgetary reasons because of the economy.

    So now that it has been adapted for the smaller stage you might get the opportunity.  

    Parent

    I wish we had some Democrats (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Spamlet on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:44:23 AM EST
    who were willing to fight like wolverines the way the Republicans do.

    If we had Americans willing to fight... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:53:21 AM EST
    we might have fighting Dems...or another party fighting for truth, justice, and the American way.

    It starts with us...

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#109)
    by Spamlet on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 06:01:59 PM EST
    It starts with us...

    And it will come down to us, too, if we should ever withdraw our consent as individuals to our collective decline. If it's not too late.

    Parent

    That's interesting (5.00 / 4) (#4)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:45:13 AM EST
    If MN was "stolen" then FL 2000 was a violent armed robbery.

    And a subsequent beating that (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:06:19 PM EST
    lasted eight years and we are still just barely recovering from today.

    Parent
    We're #1!!! (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:52:34 AM EST
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long said that nearly a third of Americans are obese. The Trust report uses somewhat more conservative CDC surveys for a closer state-by-state look. Among the findings:

    --Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity, 32.5 percent, for the fifth year in a row.

    --Three additional states now have adult obesity rates above 30 percent, including Alabama, 31.2 percent; West Virginia, 31.1 percent; and Tennessee, 30.2 percent.

    --Colorado had the lowest rate of obese adults, at 18.9 percent, followed by Massachusetts, 21.2 percent; and Connecticut, 21.3 percent.

    --Mississippi also had the highest rate of overweight and obese children, at 44.4 percent. It's followed by Arkansas, 37.5 percent; and Georgia, 37.3 percent.

    --Following Alabama, Michigan ranks No. 2 with the most obese 55- to 64-year-olds, 36 percent. Colorado has the lowest rate, 21.8 percent.

    Link

    I'm glad to have done my part.  That being said, having 1/3 of the population being obese isn't anything to celebrate.  Anyone notice a pattern in the results?

    That's why I had to move (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by ruffian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:06:19 PM EST
    I was a slightly above average weight Coloradan...now I am a positively svelte Floridian!

    And yes, they are making the clothes smaller. I've been the same size give or take 5 pounds for a long time. Blouses in size 'L' that I bought 15 years ago are a lot looser on me than the 'XL's I buy now. And it is not just the new tighter styles to blame.

    Parent

    And I... (none / 0) (#37)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:34:00 PM EST
    ...had to move out of Iowa because I was bringing the average way down.  In Colorado I'm closer to "average" and don't stick out as being so much of an oddity.  Well, at least weight wise.

    Although I did buy a pair of 30 waisted pants that I had to have let-out (WTF?!) just recently, I guess I'm not seeing the decrease in the size range in men's clothes.  I'm been a 29" waist since Jr. High and I don't find that I can fit into 30's without having them taken in.

    Parent

    I am surprised its only (none / 0) (#39)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:38:51 PM EST
    a third.  probably my location(s)

    Parent
    I guess... (none / 0) (#9)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:54:54 AM EST
    we can forget about ever finding a pair of pants that fit hassle-free ever again, hey fellow string-bean?...:)

    Sh*t, if this keeps up the big chains will only carry elastic waistbands.

    Parent

    Throw in a 36" inseam... (none / 0) (#15)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:09:03 PM EST
    ...and I gave up on that a loooong time ago.  About the time Levi's stopped making jeans that long for us slim and trim folks.  

    And I hate, hate having to wear flood water pants.

    Parent

    As long as military issue (none / 0) (#16)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:10:32 PM EST
    keeps the small sizes in cargo pants, I'm good to go!

    Parent
    Um... (none / 0) (#17)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:10:33 PM EST
    A lot of them already do.

    Interesting tid bit though - as the economy shrinks so will the clothes.  Clothing makers will try and keep their costs down by trimming sizes; and they'll be more aggressive about charging for the extra fabric needed for larger sizes.

    Parent

    lol!~ (none / 0) (#22)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:19:19 PM EST
    I've basically been the same size since college. My clothing/pant size has shrunk a few since then though! You mean they might actually start making more realistic sizes again?!

    Parent
    Yep. (none / 0) (#24)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:26:42 PM EST
    They already are.

    I am like you.  For a while, I was having to buy a lot of clothes in size 4 and I am really a 6/8.

    I had to do some wardrobe updating recently and stuff is definitely smaller - I haven't changed.  I always think about how devastating it is to people who are really freaked out about their weight and body image when they have to go up a size just because the clothing maker is skimping on the size to save on fabric.

    Parent

    I was a 4/6 all those years ago (none / 0) (#33)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:20:57 PM EST
    Imagine when 'I' started shrinking down to a 1/2!! There's really something wrong when there's a size 0. These days I pretty much wear men's cargo pants and cotton tees etc. maybe the next time I have to buy more professional clothes I'll be back to a 4/6!

    I should check what size the vintage dress form I have is. It was given to me about 15yrs ago for use as a display. Funny thing is, it's fits my specs :) I was getting ready to pull it out for some sewing so I wouldn't have to try tops on to fit in hot weather.

    Parent

    causes of infant mortality, and that would seem to be roughly supported by this data: Infant mortality by state.

    Colorado's rate of infant mortality is pretty low and Mississippi's pretty high.

    Parent

    Interesting... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:04:00 PM EST
    In the call for health care reform, our dismal infant mortality rate is always mentioned.  Makes you wonder if it is subpar healthcare, obesity, or a combo of the two.

    Parent
    Top Five Causes of Infant Mortality (none / 0) (#56)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:34:58 PM EST
    Top Five Causes of Infant Mortality

    Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities  137.6

    Disorders related to short gestation and  low birth weight 109.5

    Sudden infant death syndrome 55.5

    Newborn affected by maternal complications of pregnancy  37.3

    Respiratory distress of newborn 25.3

    "Obesity among women of childbearing age is at a crisis level," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes. "We are concerned because it means more women are overweight or obese when they become pregnant, and this can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.''

    Obesity among women ages 20 to 29 increased from 7 percent in 1960-62 to 17 percent in 1988-94, according to the March of Dimes.  The prevalence of overweight almost doubled during this time period:  from 11 percent to 19 percent.

    "Pregnant obese women are at an increased risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery and postpartum infection.  At the same time, the fetus is at increased risk for neural tube defects, birth trauma, and late fetal death,'' said Laura Riley, M.D., Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology Infectious Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Pathology at Harvard Medical School.  Dr. Riley also is the chair of the Committee on Obstetric Practice for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

    Obesity does not directly lead to preterm birth; however, it is associated with diabetes and hypertension which are risk factors by themselves.[1]


    Parent
    It would be interesting to know if (none / 0) (#61)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:40:09 PM EST
    other countries have higher rates of abortions - and therefor lower rates of infant mortality - than the US when faced with "Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities."

    Parent
    Anyway, obesity, preterm births, (none / 0) (#69)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:01:08 PM EST
    and infant mortality seem to go hand in hand. Obesity itself, especially among women, seems to be full of racial and socioeconomic issues.

    Now that I think of it, I wonder what the rates of obesity, racial and socioeconomic mix is of those countries that we fail so miserably against w/regard to infant mortality...

    Parent

    Infant mortality rates: (none / 0) (#86)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:04:06 PM EST
    I think I'm talking to myself, but...here are the infant mortality rates:
    A - Japan 1.8/1000
    B - Czech Rep 2/1000
    B - Finland 2/1000
    B - Iceland 2/1000
    B - Norway 2/1000
    C - Austria 3/1000
    C - France 3/1000
    C - Germany 3/1000
    C - Israel 3/1000
    C - Italy 3/1000
    C - Luxembourg 3/1000
    C - Portugal 3/1000
    C - Slovenia 3/1000
    C - Spain 3/1000
    D - Australia 4/1000
    D - Belgium 4/1000
    D - Canada 4/1000
    D - Denmark 4/1000
    D - Estonia 4/1000
    D - Greece 4/1000
    D - Ireland 4/1000
    D - Lithuania 4/1000
    D - Netherlands 4/1000
    D - New Zealand 4/1000
    D - Switzerland 4/1000
    D - United Kingdom 4/1000
    E - Hungary 5/1000
    E - Malta 5/1000
    E - Poland 5/1000
    E - Slovakia 5/1000
    E - USA - 5/1000
    F - Latvia 6/1000

    Some observations.

    1. The US is by far the most obese nation. Over 30% compared to 23% UK, 21.9 Greece, 21.7% Australia.

    2. In the US, black African women are much more likely to be obese than any other race.

    3. US black Africans have double the rates of infant mortality than the rest.

    4. The US demographics are 14% black African. I looked up the other two countries from the list above that I thought might have any significant black African populations; the UK has around 2% and Canada has less than 1% black African populations.

    5. Huge number of factors suggested in why US black Africans are more obese than other demographics.

    6. Correcting for US black African infant mortality rates puts the US at about 3.5 infant deaths/1000 and would lift us up into the "C" range.

    Still not #1, of course.

    It would seem clear to me that to decrease the US rate of infant mortality we should target obesity (among other things), and the biggest (no offense) demographic or obesity in the US is black African women.

    For those who may want to scream "SUO you're a racist!" please save your breath.

    Parent

    The stats are misleading (none / 0) (#88)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:18:39 PM EST
    because other countries don't count all births as infants unless they survive for a certain time, breath on their own etc...

    In the US if you are born in a hospital and aren't DOA even if you are highly likely to die once on your own you're counted as a death.

    If you kept our stats the same way other countries do we'd be rith there with other countries.

    Nevermind the fact that Canada sends a lot of infants across the border for critical neo natal care.

    IBD

    Parent

    It simply defies common sense (none / 0) (#89)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:20:51 PM EST
    to think a critical care baby is better off born in some of the countries above us then right here in the US.

    Ask yourself if you had a critical pregnancy would you fly to Latvia to have it born?

    Of course you wouldn't.

    Parent

    Not Latvia (none / 0) (#92)
    by sj on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:59:45 PM EST
    Because their record is worse than ours.  But maybe an "A" or "B" country.

    Parent
    True, but I think there are much fewer (none / 0) (#93)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:07:51 PM EST
    crictical pregnancies in, for example, #1 Japan. In fact, Asian/Japanese have much fewer infant mortalities here in the US as well.
    To examine differences in perinatal health among nine Asian ethnic subgroups, a descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using linked birth/infant death certificates for 1982 to 1987. When compared with Whites, Asians had a lower proportion of young mothers, unmarried mothers, and women who received first trimester prenatal care; a higher proportion of foreign-born mothers; and a different birthweight distribution. A great deal of heterogeneity was found in risk factors and infant mortality rates among the various Asian ethnic subgroups. Paradoxically, although Asian ethnic subgroups had a higher perinatal risk profile, they had more favorable birth outcomes than did Whites.


    Parent
    You greater point is dead on (none / 0) (#97)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:33:44 PM EST
    and the use of this stat to justify universal healthcare is misguided.  While I think it's a terrible idea it is an arguable point and advocates should avoid using a bad stat like infant mortality rates.

    The good ole USofA has a huge diverse population compared to more homogeneous countries like Japan.

    We have the best and worst of all cultures, races and freedoms so we eat the most, drink the most, and get sick the most.

    Trying to compare other small coutnries health care systems to ours is a waste of time because they don't have to deal with our problems or our different cultures and races.

    I think that was your larger point no?

    Parent

    Basically, yes. (none / 0) (#110)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 06:08:03 PM EST
    Sorry I ment Slovakia (none / 0) (#96)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:30:08 PM EST
    you get my point.

    Plus would you send your baby to Canada when they don't have enough beds for their own?

    Parent

    But, we digress, right? (none / 0) (#98)
    by sj on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:35:16 PM EST
    The point is really that our health care isn't really all it's cracked up to be.  And chanting "We're number one" doesn't make it so.

    Parent
    We have the best healthcare in (none / 0) (#113)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 08:22:03 PM EST
    the world.  The most research, the best doctors, the best drugs, the best devices and the best hospitals.

    Not enough people ahve access to this system.

    Thats' the issue.   Not that our healthcare is bad.  That not enough people get it when they need it.

    When progressives talk like other countries have better medicine I find them hard to take seriously.

    It's that our system is poorly run, our society is unhealthy etc...  

    Government isn't going to produce better doctors.  It's going to maybe get us access to them.  

    Parent

    You're right (none / 0) (#114)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 08:44:19 PM EST
    that we ahve the best healthcare in the world but it's only for the elite in the country. Middle class people like me dont get that healthcare. Many people in this country recieve worse care than third world countries. I myself have been diagnosed by an MD who almost killed me and I had good insurance and everything at the time. Unfortunately there's no accountability in the system for bad doctors.

    Parent
    Right, (none / 0) (#118)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:47:58 PM EST
    because A) that doesn't ever happen in other countries and 2) whatever "fix" you personally espouse will ensure it never happens again here.

    Parent
    There is accountability. (1) State (none / 0) (#119)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:51:12 PM EST
    licensing boards, and (2) medical malpractice lawsuits.

    Parent
    That's (none / 0) (#121)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 05:11:05 AM EST
    not really accountability. Those Md's are still allowed to practice arent they? And the boards seem to do nothing but protect them.

    Parent
    Depends on the circumstances, but (none / 0) (#124)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 09:55:52 AM EST
    the Medical Bd. here does revoke and suspend physicians' licenses.

    Parent
    I can't believe anyone continues to live in (none / 0) (#107)
    by of1000Kings on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:58:48 PM EST
    Canada considering how atrocious their whole socialist country is...

    does anyone even get to see a doctor there?  do they even have doctors there that are willing to work for less than 400K/year? with that socialist health care?

    /snark off...

    Parent

    My sister moved to canada (none / 0) (#112)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 08:18:36 PM EST
    when she got married.

    She couldn't wait to leave because it was too cold.

    Parent

    The most common (none / 0) (#115)
    by Fabian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 09:07:17 PM EST
    and often troublesome complications of pregnancy like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are closely related to obesity and maternal health.

    Black women are more prone to hypertension and preeclampsia.  Hispanic women are more prone to gestational and type II diabetes.  

    Parent

    Yup. (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:44:03 PM EST
    Hard to believe, but "we're" significantly, big-time, different from any of the other countries we're so negatively compared to.

    The saddest effect of that is that it encourages otherwise well-intentioned folk (and, I assume, some not-so well-intentioned) to put resources into programs that do not recognize the reality of the situation and therefor do nothing to alleviate it.


    Parent

    Oh goodie (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:53:41 AM EST
    Franken gets to be the straight man to all of these slapstick comedy goons.

    Via Americablog (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by lilburro on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:58:25 AM EST
    Gates wants "to soften gay expulsion rules."  Yahoo.

    The about face the Obama Administration has done on this is remarkable.  Not that anything has been done, but before the DOMA brief they were doing basically nothing and publicly not prioritizing the DADT issue.

    "Softening the rules" sounds like a big cop out though - when Obama could end the discharges by executive order.

    Gates is looking into a "more humane" (none / 0) (#60)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:39:32 PM EST
    way to enforce DADT. No, he is not calling upon the humane society for service, but the Pentagon's general counsel for advice.  The new standard, apparently, will be the intention of the ratting.   I wonder what ever  happened to those studies that are ongoing at the Pentagon that have been mentioned in the past?  

    Parent
    Obama (none / 0) (#64)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:43:15 PM EST
    said at that reception thing that its generational.  they are either going to have to wait until they die or overrule them.  which he seem unwilling to do.
    I think pressure is going to keep growing.  as Dan Savage said 'with 70% of the country in favor of changing the rules how few reactionary bigots do we have to pander to'.
    do we have to wait until the last one dies?

    Parent
    Well, we did not have to wait (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:05:11 PM EST
    until Strom Thurmond died until we abolished slavery, so there is precedent as well as hope.

    Parent
    Excuse me, WSJ (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by Carolyn in Baltimore on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:16:13 PM EST
    We learned that lesson (the counting is the key) in 2000 when the man with less votes got to count more.
    In Minnesota it appears that while close, Franken actually did get the  most votes.

    No (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:19:50 PM EST
    this is what happens when Dems stand up say they're proud to be a Dem and fight like heck!! I wish we had more like Franken and less like the ones we have current leadership included. The WSJ is so used to Dems rolling over to the GOP that they have a stroke when one doesnt.

    Transgender Victory (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by squeaky on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:09:46 PM EST
    Diane Schroer, a retired Army Special Forces commander from Alexandria, Va., had been offered a job at the Library of Congress when he was a man, David Schroer. The job was rescinded the day after Schroer told a library official he was going to have an operation to become a woman.

    [snip]

    The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on Schroer's behalf in 2005, and two months ago a federal judge awarded her $491,190 in back pay and damages because of sex discrimination.

    [snip]

    "The administration's decision not to challenge this important civil rights ruling is a welcome sign that it intends to live up to its commitment to help end transgender discrimination in the workplace," said Sharon McGowan, a staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project.

    link via raw story


    Milestone (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by Jjc2008 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:25:36 PM EST
    Maureen Dowd wrote something with which I agree.
    It was her advice to Jenny Sanford.

    My view, as a woman, is that what Sandford has said and done is a zillion times worse than anything Bill Clinton did.
    For me, and this is for me only, my feeling has always been sometimes "sex is just about sex".  I have always believe that if my partner were straying cause he wanted a bj or a menage a'trois or something that simply did not interest me, I could get past it.  But having someone I had shared my life with, supported, loved and shared beliefs etc, say he found his soulmate....would be a far deeper hurt than saying he found someone who liked kinky sex.....or someone who made it physically are to resist the urge.  To me, what Sandford did was true betrayal.  
    What Clinton and a few others did were stupid......but not nearly the betrayal imo.

    I may be in the minority on this .....but honestly that is how I feel.

    I'm still trying to figure out (none / 0) (#38)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:38:21 PM EST
    how he can announce to the world he found his soul mate and then say he wants to get back with his wife and kids! And oh, yeah, btw I also messed around with other women?!

    I can't imagine how his wife and kids are dealing with all his public confessions. Has he no compassion for them? Aside from the absolute betrayal, I'd be insanely mad over what he's doing to the children.

    Parent

    It's just spin. (none / 0) (#44)
    by Fabian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:05:11 PM EST
    The love letters were probably honest, but his save-my-career campaign is pure spin.  Notice that the media is being portrayed as the Bad Guys in this!  The reason is simple: If Sanford is the Good Guy, then obviously there must be a villain in this story somewhere.  It's a helluva stretch IMO, but the media is always a convenient scapegoat because they are always on the scene.

    I just wonder if SC will let Sanford get away with this malarkey.  I really hope not.  If he isn't forced to resign and isn't impeached, then expect to see a lot more of this.

    Parent

    Sounds like the South Carolina (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:18:37 PM EST
    Republicans are betwixt and between--keep Mark Sanford or get Andre Bauer.  It is so hard to know just what jeebus would do.  Mark is a sleaze of the highest order, but Andre, the 40-year old confirmed bachelor, is busy denying those pesky gay rumors--oh my goodness.   But, then, Andre may actually show leadership qualities so sorely lacking in Mark--after all, Andre shares those same attributes and experience of George-- both having been varsity cheerleaders for their ole college teams.

    Parent
    See (none / 0) (#57)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:36:40 PM EST
    I guess (as a far away observer, and not a participant), that I'm a little more sympathetic towards someone falling in love with someone else, and a lot less sympathetic for what Clinton did (which was so base, and so tawdry - why would he potentially throw away a long marriage for that??).  

    But, saying that, when Sanford said that his mistress was his soul mate, but he would try to fall back in love with his wife, well, if I were Jenny Sanford, I would tell him not to do me any favors and to keep walking.  She may love him and feel devastated, but she doesn't need him.

    Parent

    I'm with you JB... (5.00 / 0) (#62)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:41:53 PM EST
    I'd be more hurt if someone was unfaithful for something cheap, as opposed to them genuinely falling in love with somebody else. Both would suck, but one is more hurtful and cruel.

    I lost some sympathy for Sanford when he came with this "I'll try to fall back in love with my wife" stuff...follow your heart dude, don't stay married for only marriages sake, or your "faith", or family values politics.  Follow your heart and come what may.

    Parent

    Not me..... (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by Jjc2008 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:57:14 PM EST
    first of all, for me a bj would not necessarily break up my marriage.   As I said, I can differentiate between love and sex.  

    But to me, to be told that after having his four kids, playing a supporting role in his career (most likely giving up her own for him), that I was not his soulmate; that he had to "try" to fall in love with me, is more hurt and betrayal than anyone should bare.  Getting sex is not about betraying you except for physically which I get (because one can get turned on by lots of things that have nothing to do with love and loyalty).
    But to betray one's soul; to betray the very gift of love..........bad, really, really bad.

    Parent

    If you ask me... (none / 0) (#70)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:04:31 PM EST
    ignoring your feelings and staying with somebody you no longer love just because you met and married them first is a betrayal of everyone involved, including yourself.  I wouldn't wanna be with someone who felt another was their soulmate just because they think they owe me since they met me first, or married and had kids with me.  That is a bigger betrayal than being brutally honest. No matter how much the truth hurts, it beats living a lie.

    I never understood the "it was just cheap sex, didn't mean nothing" defense.  If it didn't mean nothing, then why the hell did you do it?  If your gonna betray a trust, at least do it for love.

    Parent

    You missed my point (none / 0) (#82)
    by Jjc2008 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:59:51 PM EST
    Obviously this marriage to begin with was not about love.......not to me. It sounds like it was a marriage of convenience for him.......

    My point was this:  The Clintons, imo, stayed together because, IN MY OPINION, there was real love and the "straying' was about nothing more than physical needs/wants. I am not saying they were nothing....but FOR ME, I can deal with that kind of betrayal much easier because what Sanford has said, imo, that there was never love to begin with.  THAT to me hurts like hell.

    Physical needs, sex, alcohol, drugs, chocolate, can and are sometimes addictive.  And they can destroy a marriage.  I get that.  But to me those things do not invalidate the love.  Whether or not a marriage survives those things, I think depends on how deep the love is.  

    But to hear the man you committed to because you believed he loved you, say his mistress is his soulmate, is a killer.  Now I do not know Jenny Sanford, nor do I know Hillary Clinton.  I am just saying for me, if I had gone into the marriage believing his love was as deep as mine, Sandford's betrayal would be unforgivable and the most hurtful, while Clinton's I could get past.  
    For me, and I am only speaking for me, sex is not the same as love. If my husband strayed for sex, I could deal. If he told me, after all those years, SHE, not I, was his soulmate......wow, that's a painful killer if she truly loves him.  FOR ME, nothing could hurt worse than those words.

    Parent

    I don't know that you would feel that (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:57:44 PM EST
    way if the person you loved, had been married to for 20 years, with whom you had had four children, and whom you believed loved you back in the same way, announced that he loved someone else so much more deeply than what he felt for you, such that the other woman was the soul mate - I'm pretty sure you would be wounded in a way that would cut a lot deeper and hurt a lot longer than if the cheating had been the equivalent of scratching an itch.

    If you were in Jenny Sanford's shoes, I don't think you would feel better about your husband "falling in love" with someone else, but maybe you really would.  I speak as someone who has been married almost 30 years, and who would certainly be upset if I knew or found out my husband had hooked-up, one-night-stand style, with someone else, but I would be rocked to my core if he came home and announced he had met his real true love.  I can guarantee you that his finding true love would not make me feel better.

    Parent

    Or (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by lilburro on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:44:51 PM EST
    (yes I read the emails!) - how about the line from his emails "For fifteen years I didn't need love" (paraphrasing)

    This affair is opening a window on the crazy world that some of the Republican pols live in.  I see Sanford as really no different from Palin and am grateful he's not going to have a fighting chance at the Presidency.  His religious associates are unreal.  Spiritual advisor:  "For most Christians, at some point in your marriage, if you're married long enough, you do it because that's what we're called to do -- out of obedience instead of out of passion. And I think that's where Mark and Jenny are right now."  (except that Mark didn't "obey"...but that's a different story...)

    And although Sanford's confessions are massively entertaining, he is obviously relishing the attention and I wish he would stop for the sake of his family.  What gall to trot out all your hitherto unknown confessions and then feel sorry for yourself.  The biggest pop star in history changes the subject over the entire weekend by his death, and after the smoke clears you come out again.  C'mon guy!!

    Parent

    I can't believe what he's doing to his family! (none / 0) (#81)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:54:34 PM EST
    I'm really trying to figure out just WhoTF he thinks he is! I think G*d would forgive the wife if she booted him and saved herself and the children from anymore of his "confessions". Oy.

    Parent
    He and Mr. Edwards both have (none / 0) (#120)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 12:02:03 AM EST
    book contracts.

    Parent
    I hear ya Anne... (none / 0) (#76)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:44:53 PM EST
    either one is a punch in the stomach...but may I ask how sleeping next to a person night after night who you knew would rather be sleeping next to someone else would make you feel? A person who was only sticking around out of a sense of obligation?

    That sounds like torture to me.

    Parent

    That's the point, kdog - (none / 0) (#84)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:02:16 PM EST
    I could probably find it within me to forgive and move on from an "it was just sex" betrayal - there'd need to be a lot of counseling there - but not from "I've found my soul mate."  There would be no sleeping next to a husband who'd announced he'd established a deep emotional connection with another woman.  

    My personal feeling is that Sanford probably lost all hope of reconciling with his wife by publicly humiliating her with the soul-mate talk.  The man's a mess no matter how you look at it - personally and politically - and the less I see or hear of him, the better.

    Parent

    And therein lies the (none / 0) (#85)
    by Jjc2008 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:03:15 PM EST
    betrayal......the worst kind of betrayal.  NOT LOVING YOU........and saying basically he never did.  

    On the other hand, if you just "didn't feel like doing it for a while" and he was doing his own thing sexually either alone or with someone he does not know or care about, but still loved you....there's no contest for me on which is the worst kind of betrayal.

    Parent

    I'm starting to see it your way... (none / 0) (#101)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:42:30 PM EST
    gang...I was kinda working off an assumption that he once loved his wife, or believed he did, and only really discovered he did not when he found his true soul mate. Cupid pulls stunts all the time, the bastard:)

    Though I'm still thinking having someone you love, who has fallen out of love with you, stay with you so as not to hurt you or for superficial reasons is the ultimate betrayal.  I don't see falling out of love as a betrayal, as there is no deceit, only a change of heart or self-discovery.  Painful beyond belief to be sure, but not a betrayal.  If they never loved you, thats a different story.

    Parent

    When the Gov found his soul mate (none / 0) (#108)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 06:00:33 PM EST
    several years ago, he had the option of ending his marriage before he started the long standing affair. He chose not to do so. If he had chosen to be aboard and honorable in his relationship(s), he could have been sleeping next to the one he claims to love.

    To humiliate his family as he is currently is doing is beyond the pale.

    If Sanford is being tortured, it is a self-inflicted injury and no more than he deserves IMO.

    Parent

    I hear that... (none / 0) (#111)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 06:20:28 PM EST
    not seperating from his wife from the get-go was an inexcusable betrayal.

    And seeking out the cameras is indeed beyond the pale...I think its clear this guy is off his rocker right now, if he hasn't always been.

    Parent

    I just can't believe how little (none / 0) (#122)
    by of1000Kings on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 05:20:33 AM EST
    an oath before God means to so many christians these days...

    I don't even understand why marriages are performed in Churches anymore unless people actually pay to have their ceremonies in churches (in which case I can easily see why Churches still go along with this simony)

    Parent

    remember when (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:51:03 PM EST
    7 million new jobs in ten years (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by Jlvngstn on Mon Oct 13, 2008 at 05:05:43 PM EST

    with 10 million people unemployed.  It will take a year to get any of the programs rolling.  In the meantime, hundreds of thousands more will lose their jobs.  Hell, W created 4.6 million jobs in 8 years.  'Course he lost more than 2 million.
    We are at the precipice of a very long and deep recession unless they start treating job creation like a national emergency.  The impending snowball effect of the job losses of this year alone over the next 9-12 months will be severe.

    Great speech but not impressed.

    Karl Malden (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:42:04 PM EST
    has died.  He was 97.

    One of the greatest... (none / 0) (#72)
    by desertswine on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:14:31 PM EST
    character actors ever.

    Parent
    RIP (none / 0) (#73)
    by jondee on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:22:40 PM EST
    A very underrated actor, though not, to those who knew him, an underrated man.

    Streetcar, On the Waterfront, One-Eyed Jacks (You're a regular one-eyed jack around this town Dad...but I seen your other side), Patton..

    Brando, who never had many good things to say about anybody in Hollywood, always made a point of speaking highly of Malden; both as a human being and as an artist.

    Needless to say, he'll be missed.

    Parent

    Don't forget.... (none / 0) (#77)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:47:02 PM EST
    The Cincinnati Kid!

    Parent
    The GOP should learn (none / 0) (#10)
    by vicndabx on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 11:54:55 AM EST
    it should learn from Minnesota that modern elections don't end when voters cast their ballots

    actually they do, snark not withstanding.  The real lesson here is two can play that game, best not to play the game at all.

    Well, it is a stupid statement because (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:15:58 PM EST
    Minnesota law requires an automatic recount if the results are close - so yeah big surprise that elections don't always end in that state on the day that voters cast their ballots.  

    The GOP should know the voting laws in the states in which they run campaigns - then they won't be so surprised next time when there is an automatic recount.  Shaking head.

    Parent

    The Grover Norquist pledge (none / 0) (#18)
    by 1980Ford on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:12:48 PM EST
     and the California implosion. Coming soon to a theater near you.

    Good old Proposition 13! (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:17:19 PM EST
    Been pummeling California for more than 30 years and still keeps on kicking.

    Parent
    Nothing that a constitutional (none / 0) (#45)
    by Fabian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:07:01 PM EST
    convention couldn't solve.  

    That's a long term solution.  I have no idea what the short term solution is.

    Parent

    Who on the CA political landscape (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:24:38 PM EST
    could run a decent Constitutional Convention?

    I did secretly fear that healthcare reform would end up being the mess it currently is and likely will turn out to be.

    Seems like I'm going OT right?

    But here's the thing, it is the same problem in both situations.  We lack strong, principled political leadership in this country at a lot of levels.  I can't think of anyone in CA who I would trust to take on an issue as important as their constitution.

    I think that the only remedy for Prop 13 is another ballot initiative that would put an end to it, but again there's no strong, principled leadership to spearhead and more importantly FUND that either.  So they limp along and maybe even crash and burn - and still nothing will likely change.

    This past decade in American politics has given me a whole new appreciation and respect for the Founding Fathers.  People like that are really damn difficult to come by.

    Parent

    good point (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:27:27 PM EST
    when I think of a california constitutional convention I have visions of the freakshow that was the recall election of Davis.
    on the other hand it would make great pay per view.


    Parent
    stop the damn (none / 0) (#48)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:23:51 PM EST
    proposition nonsense.  would that require a constitutional convention?  
    that is why CA is imploding.  the dumbest idea evah.
    I never understood why they cant see that.


    Parent
    California's constitution (none / 0) (#95)
    by Fabian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:24:41 PM EST
    is set up to make things like Prop 13 very likely.

    Notice how no other state has done anything similar?  Plus the rule that makes raising taxes much more difficult - practically ensuring that a minority of legislators can block budgets or hold them hostage.  

    It's totally screwed up.  It got that way bit by bit, one idiotic proposition at a time.  It's insane really.  All you need to do to pass a proposition is to get a bare majority to vote for on one day.  That one vote can shackle the state legislature for years, even decades.  

    Parent

    Colorado's constitution can be modified by ... (5.00 / 1) (#102)
    by sj on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:45:41 PM EST
    ... popular vote and, as a result, we ended up with the TABOR Amendment:  The so-called Tax Payer's Bill of Rights.

    Parent
    Ew! (none / 0) (#105)
    by Fabian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:49:31 PM EST
    If one of those pops up on the Ohio ballot, I'll contribute to whatever organizations are opposing it.

    Parent
    Oregon's constitution (5.00 / 2) (#116)
    by caseyOR on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 09:35:49 PM EST
    can be modified with a simple vote. We are plagued with the initiative system. It has caused us no end of trouble. Thanks to initiatives, Oregon now spends more on prisons than it does on higher education.

    It was a citizen initiative that amended the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

    There is a guy here in Oregon whose only job is thinking up right-wing initiatives and getting them on the ballot. That is how he makes his money. His initiatives are always defeated at the ballot box, but massive resources, both money and time, get used up defeating these measures.

    Parent

    Oh BOY! (none / 0) (#74)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:28:08 PM EST
    Let's see, I'm living in a state where the senate needs to go back to kindergarten and relearn some basics and moving to a state that's imploding!!

    I knew I should have moved to BC in 2004.

    Parent

    Sen. Inouye (none / 0) (#25)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:32:20 PM EST
    Doing something he shouldn't have been doing - uh oh.

    Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's staff contacted federal regulators last fall to ask about the bailout application of an ailing Hawaii bank that he had helped to establish and where he has invested the bulk of his personal wealth.

    The bank, Central Pacific Financial, was an unlikely candidate for a program designed by the Treasury Department to bolster healthy banks. The firm's losses were depleting its capital reserves. Its primary regulator, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., already had decided that it didn't meet the criteria for receiving a favorable recommendation and had forwarded the application to a council that reviewed marginal cases, according to agency documents.

    Two weeks after the inquiry from Inouye's office, Central Pacific announced that the Treasury would inject $135 million.

    Many lawmakers have worked to help home-state banks get federal money since the Treasury announced in October that it would invest up to $250 billion in healthy financial firms. But the Inouye inquiry stands apart because of the senator's ties to Central Pacific. While at least 33 senators own shares in banks that got federal aid, a review of financial disclosures and records obtained from regulatory agencies shows no other instance of the office of a senator intervening on behalf of a bank in which he owned shares.



    we still won't (none / 0) (#91)
    by Jen M on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:50:20 PM EST
    be taking his name off our building anytime soon.

    Parent
    Close (none / 0) (#123)
    by Jen M on Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 07:25:38 AM EST
    but we're not the hospital :)

    Parent
    D.A.D.T where is Obama exactly (none / 0) (#26)
    by Saul on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:46:44 PM EST
    Cannot understand why Obama is waffing on reversing D.A.D.T. policy.   He calls a special meeting in WH for the gay community.  He tells the gay community that he's working on getting them what he promised during his campaign and to just be patient.  He tells them Congress needs to sort this out.  

    Why.  For God's sake he is the commander in chief.  Just give the order to reverse this policy immediately.  

    If you don't want to give a military order then execute an executive presidential order and it's over end of story.  He gave one to close Gitmo why not here?

    Does he fear using up his political capital on D.A D.T and not having any left for getting the max support from some republicans for his health care agenda?  

    What happen to the Fierce Urgency Of Now?

    It's been discussed here (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:57:45 PM EST
    Don't think he can just do that - DADT is a federal law, passed by Congress. Obama cannot wave his magic wand (assuming he would want to) and make it go away or just ignore it.

    But my guess is the photo op with the gay community leaders was just that - a pat on the head and a photo op, and he will soon forget anything about DADT and will assume that the magic of being in the presence of his awesomeness will be enough for the gay community.  

    Parent

    NYPD misconduct allegations.... (none / 0) (#29)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:07:06 PM EST
    The NYPD's first hasidic officer accused of manhandling a woman over the heinous crime of bringing her pug on the subway without a cage.  LINK

    The woman is alleging that in her estimation there was some culturally based sexism at play.  

    Newsflash (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:51:40 PM EST
    Animals are not (and should not) have the right to go everywhere people go. Maybe she shouldn't have been "roughed up" (assuming what she says is true, of course). Why don't pet owners like these seem to think the rules are for everybody else but them?

    Parent
    I hear ya... (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:56:58 PM EST
    as much as it pains me ever to side with the authorities, she deserved a ticket.  

    Not the manhandling or comments about women acting like women or they get the business like the fellas get it.  I don't doubt the manhandling for a secong, but I'm biased because I've seen too many people, including myself, get thrown on car hoods or against walls for absolutely no reason.

    Parent

    Lame excuse IMO (none / 0) (#99)
    by Fabian on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:36:13 PM EST
    If your pet is sick, I think everybody would prefer that you have it in a cage and vomiting or having bathroom emergencies in the cage.

    (Granted, pugs are bred to be dysfunctional.  Nothing like having a congenital respiratory problem as a "desirable trait" in a breed.)

    Heck, I would think putting a pet in a carrier would be the best thing I could do for it if I was going on a subway.  A sturdy plastic shell is much better protection against accidental injury than a leash and harness.

    I'm sorry if she was mishandled.  Sounds like her pet was treated pretty well though!

    Parent

    So that's what was going on (none / 0) (#42)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:57:46 PM EST
    I walked by the station as the cops were gathered above and of course noticed the dog. I headed off in another direction as I'm not big on cop gatherings if I don't know why.

    Bottom line, dog should have been in carrier and I'd love to know what "illness" prevented that. She doesn't appear to have one with her. . . . and she shouldn't have turned into a mouthy b!tch. I have to wonder if what the officer said was "if you're not going to act like a woman, I'm not going to treat you like one"?

    I have little sympathy for dog owners (especially small dog owners) who break laws. They just make it harder for all dog owners. I irresponsible dog owners become too big of a problem, the rest of us get more restrictions.

    Parent

    No stray no.... (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:26:29 PM EST
    B*tchy as she may have been...thats no excuse for a manhandling.  

    When little Johnny eats the crayons, and the teacher takes the crayons away from everybody in response, it is understandable to wanna blame little Johnny, but in reality your beef is with the teacher for being unreasonable in punishing the entire class for little Johnny's behavior.  Something to think about if we should see more restrictions for dog owners.  

    Parent

    Did he really manhandle her? (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by nycstray on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:48:21 PM EST
    or just treat her like any other disorderly person. And she thought she was above it all?

    The more people with little dogs feel they can just ride the subway with them uncontained, the more likely you are to see more subway restrictions. Perhaps a ban on all pets (meaning we would have to rely on taxis etc to get cats and small dogs to vets). She's lucky she can take her dog on the subway (mine is too big) and she should have a bit more respect for the rules. The restrictions are there for safety. Why would I blame the MTA? Especially when this lady looks like she set a shining example with her behavior and is now  going to make a big deal out of it. (news at five!) Many of my local shops have had to put up no dogs allowed signs because of dog owners trampling all over them and showing no respect. Those pocket dogs in deli's cause the deli owners fines. It's the same with folks abusing leash laws. Why would I get mad about a law that is designed to protect people and other dogs, not the people who's off leash dogs are causing problems by running through the park disrupting LL games, runners and other park goers, and sometimes attacking other dogs (like mine)? And we have 2 dog runs AND off leash hours! Sorry, you get a large enough mememe attitude going and you have problems. The laws aren't the problem. And this is a pretty dog friendly city.

    It's funny, when there was some movement to try and get larger dogs allowed on the subway, I cringed. Perhaps it was all those off leash larger dogs I run into . . . and their totally untrained/clueless/"it doesn't apply to me" owners.

    Sorry, I'm just not very patient with irresponsible dog owners. The dogs usually lose in one way or another. Sometimes with their lives. (off leash dog bolting across street to play with my dog . . . , small dog nips child on subway . . . , etc)

    Parent

    I'm glad she is... (none / 0) (#83)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:59:52 PM EST
    making a big deal about it...makes up for all the people who just shrug this kinda mistreatment off as just another day in a police state.

    I guess its a he said/she said on the manhandling, in which case the official version will be no abuse of authority I'm sure.

    Parent

    Obama is good for one thing (none / 0) (#32)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:20:53 PM EST
    Big ratings at Fox News!

    Hard to beleive 10 of the top 10 cable news programs are on fox with Olberman coming in 11th.

    It's even more dismal for CNN which is now behind MSNBC for second place ( a distant second mind you ).

    Ratings

    new alien lifeform (none / 0) (#36)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 01:30:07 PM EST
    I think I just got this put into our game

    RIP Pina Bausch (none / 0) (#47)
    by squeaky on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:20:39 PM EST
    SHe died on tuesday. The greatest dance co of the last 30 years, imo. Sad to see her go, traumatic for me. Here is a great youtube of rite of spring.

    Tears In My Eyes (none / 0) (#51)
    by squeaky on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:27:19 PM EST
    Ms. Bausch established a method of creating dances that was widely copied. She would begin rehearsals by asking specific questions of the dancers: about memories, about their daily lives. She would ask them to act out the recollections, and create minidramas from their responses. The dance would grow out of that work, as well as a sense of place derived from foreign residencies.

    "I don't know where the beginning or the end is," she said in an interview with The New York Times last year. "You have to digest. I don't know what will come out."

    The ideas and feelings were often harsh, like frustration and alienation, cruelty and pain, but the works were frequently suffused with humor. Ms. Bausch was quoted as saying she was "not interested in how people move but in what moves them."

    [snip]

    "I look for something else," she said. "The possibility of making them feel what each gesture means internally. Everything must come from the heart, must be lived."

    NYT


    Parent

    60 votes (none / 0) (#53)
    by KD on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:27:37 PM EST
    What about the fact that neither Ted Kennedy nor Robert Byrd are actually available to vote, because they're both sick.

    How many paid sick days.... (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:37:37 PM EST
    do you get in Congress?  I think most of use would be outta time by now and looking for new jobs...or dragging our arses to work sick.

    Not to sound cold...I wish 'em both better health, but if you can't do the job anymore its time to retire.

    Parent

    It means (none / 0) (#59)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:37:40 PM EST
    that the Dems only really have 58 during the weeks Byrd and Kennedy aren't there.  Don't forget, that 60 also includes Lieberman.

    Parent
    It also includes (none / 0) (#90)
    by Slado on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:24:36 PM EST
    several other dems from moderate to right wing states.

    Dems won't get 60 votes on progessive bills but will have to compromise which won't make anyone happy.

    Parent

    Which season of the Wire is the best? (none / 0) (#54)
    by samtaylor2 on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:29:57 PM EST
    I was re-watching season 4 and was thinking this might be the best seasson, but then again season 5 is amazing and seasson 1 are amazing.

    season 2 and a Season 4 (none / 0) (#55)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:31:51 PM EST
    for my taste.

    I really liked the union storyline and the schools/politics storylines.

    Parent

    top 5 vendors of the fed gov't (none / 0) (#79)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:50:45 PM EST
    Top 5 Contractors FY 2009 YTD

    1 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION $20,362,164,557
    2 THE BOEING COMPANY $14,730,265,990
    3 NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION $8,672,131,373
    4 GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION $7,794,041,496
    5 RAYTHEON COMPANY $5,951,997,077

    http://usaspending.gov/

    top five vendors for the fed are all defense contractors.  

    1. 36 million
    2. 14 million
    3. 10 million
    4. 60 Million
    5. 16 million

    136 million paid in 2007 to the CEO's of defense contractors courtesy of your tax dollars.  

    What? (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by squeaky on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:39:38 PM EST
    How come no one asked "where are we going to get the money from."

     

    Parent

    Interesting... (none / 0) (#106)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:57:57 PM EST
    check out the recipients of assistance...

    TOP 5 Assistance Recipients FY 2009 YTD

    1 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES $18,908,037,649
    2 NEW YORK STATE DEPT OF HEALTH $18,335,672,042
    3 TEXAS HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION $13,514,862,175
    4 PENNSYLVANIA DEPT OF PUBLIC WELFARE $11,168,181,944
    5 LOUISIANA DEPT OF HEALTH & HOSPITALS $5,031,984,907

    NYS DOH is cleaning up...they doing experiments for the Pentagon or something?

    I hope it's not all for smoking ads:)

    Parent

    Pimping myself out.... (none / 0) (#87)
    by of1000Kings on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 04:10:03 PM EST
    for anyone interested in art/design/t-shirts (like myself) you can check out a design I did for an Incubus collaboration with DesignByHumans @ www.designbyhumans.com/vote/detail/58014...

    I would go into a whole thing about the influences and inspiration and such, but I think there is enough there on the site that I'll only bore those interested...

    if this is spam, then that's cool too...no biggie really, I don't expect to win much of anything these days.

    Nice work ... (none / 0) (#104)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 05:48:53 PM EST
    always been in awe of people who can draw...you've got skills.

    Parent