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Friday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:29:04 PM EST
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Anyone interested in talking health care anymore? Me, I am all about the Tour de France, which travels to the classic ride up Mont Ventoux tomorrow. Contador (as I predicted) is going to win the Tour easily. Contratemps with Armstrong have continued but he has let the cat out of the bag - he and Bruyneel will form their own team with Radio Shack as the sponsor. LA is fighting to hold 3rd. Should be an exciting race tomorrow. Definitely worth watching.

This is an Open Thread.

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    Baltimore is hosting AC Milan and (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:34:03 PM EST
    Chelsea FC (elite soccer clubs for those who don't know) tonight at M & T Bank Stadium before a sell-out crowd of 71,000+.

    My 14 yr old nephew is going and is beside himself with anticipation.  

    Me?  I'm just glad to be heading north out of the city and hoping not to run into to much pre-game chaos!

    Awesome Read..... (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:09:12 PM EST
    over at salon.  here is a clip:

    ".........you can't defuse a bomb in America until after it has gone off.

    But now the bomb has exploded. Forty million Americans are unemployed, millions have lost their homes, and most have taken a very substantial hit to their incomes, retirement savings and wealth. Why aren't Americans in the streets protesting this corrupt, enormously damaging criminal enterprise? I have traveled enough around America to realize that even though the current situation is enormously complex and not all Americans can describe exactly how the CDO market works, almost without exception every American can relate to you his frustration with how corrupt this government is and how unjust corporate lobbying and special influence in Washington has become. They get it. As a matter of fact, some of my high school-educated friends from my home state of Kentucky understand it a lot better than my Harvard-educated friends from Wall Street."

    http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/07/24/economic_crisis_part_three/

    I was just saying to my husband the (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:59:17 PM EST
    other night that while the banks and investment firms may now be raking in the dough and making huge profits, I have not gained back the ground I lost when the economy tanked - before one dollar of bonus is paid to some high-roller on Wall Street, I would like that value back.  As if, right?  

    Parent
    i keep ranting to my wife (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 04:03:48 PM EST
    that I want to take a 6 month leave from work to try and put together a rally for the unemployed to march in DC.  I would imagine that with 20 million ue there would be an interest and would hope that it could be coupled with reform as there are tons of left/right unhappy with the current economic system....

    Parent
    I said my piece (none / 0) (#2)
    by CST on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:36:31 PM EST
    on Gates a few days ago and am done.  I really wish health care was in the news today.  I am actually a little encouraged that a delay might get us a better bill, and scared that it will kill it entirely.   Something has gotta get done, and the house bill is a big something, although clearly not enough.

    I strongly agree with those who say "pass it now, improve it later".  Otherwise we'll be stuck talking about what "might have been" as opposed to what "could still be".

    I wish I could agree re: healthcare (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:55:11 PM EST
    but I can't.  Between pressure from the corporate interests and the cost, Congress will be likely to pass the most watered down legislation they can.  Once they do, they'll pat each other on the back and ignore the issues until at least 2012.  Probably longer.

    Since the economy is going to be In Recovery for years yet and because it seems likely that the new standard of living is going to be lower overall, people will continue to suffer the effects of "going without" even the most basic health care because they can't afford to.  Or worse yet, because of the fear of becoming Uninsurable.  There were quite a few eye opening diaries at dkos these past months.  One person was suicidal and on the edge of a nervous breakdown, was admitted for 24 hours through the ER and became Uninsurable.  Hospitalization saved their life and well, that was it.  

    What we have sucks.  Making it suck a little less so Congress can sweep the issue under the rug?  Count me out.

    Parent

    2012? (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:19:08 PM EST
    Last time it went down in flames it was 16 years before it came back. Small steps are always preferable to no steps unless you don't mind waiting again until about 2026.

    Parent
    If they pass legislation, they can ignore (5.00 / 3) (#54)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:04:18 PM EST
    it until 2012 because as it currently stands, the "reform" would not go into effect until January of 2013.

    Parent
    2013 (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by CST on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:05:42 PM EST
    Still sooner than never.

    Parent
    Not very comforting to people (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:24:32 PM EST
    who have no insurance, or whose premiums and other costs will continue to rise, in the interim.

    For some people, it may well be the equivalent of "never," to devastating result.

    Parent

    Look to MA (none / 0) (#67)
    by hookfan on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:46:18 PM EST
    health care for results for the future. If we don't like what we see, perhaps we shouldn't vote for it.

    By the way, if one can't afford the penalty that will be mandated for not having insurance (what is it 90 dollars/mo?)which will be added to one's taxes, will one go to jail for tax evasion? Maybe that's not so bad. . . state paid housing and food, interesting company, healthcare provided (well usually). Better than what alot of us are facing. Really, I live in small town rural atmosphere and people right now are making painful decisions between food and healthcare. What good will mandating health insurance do when one cannot afford the co-pays or added costs that still accrue from actual healthcare?

    Parent

    Phase In plan might be their (none / 0) (#58)
    by Inspector Gadget on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:23:06 PM EST
    best bet.

    Rather than a date where everyone rolls into the new plan, why can't they start phasing people into a new program in stages. By the time everyone is there, the kinks are somewhat worked out, and the transition is not overwhelmed.

    Parent

    It will never be swept (none / 0) (#23)
    by CST on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:01:01 PM EST
    under the rug until the American people stop asking for it.

    I agree with all your points about the economy and what we should have.

    I just think this is the only "politically possible" way to get something.  And I also think it is much easier to improve a program than create one.  Right now we gotta create it, then we can force them to fix it.

    I agree timing is terrible for an incremental approach.  I just think it will take even longer, possibly indefinite without this.

    Parent

    Medicare already exists. (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by dk on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:08:23 PM EST
    So, under your logic, it is more politically possible to extend medicare to cover all than to create whatever system it is that the current bills represent.  It is also what makes sense.

    Parent
    I think you are ignoring (none / 0) (#31)
    by CST on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:11:29 PM EST
    the framing of this issue.  However it is passed, it will be viewed as a "new" program.  Expanding medicare to all is essentially changing the definition of what medicare does.

    I don't disagree that I would like that to happen.  But I think you are mistaken as to how it will be perceived.

    Parent

    No, expanding medicare (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by dk on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:23:39 PM EST
    to all is only expanding the number of people who would benefit from it.

    The problem is that currently it is Obama and the Congressional Democratic Leadership who are creating a "perception" that expanding medicare would be "new" whereas their creation, which truly is new, and untested, is not new and untested.  How is that for logic?

    The answer is not passing a bad bill.  It is getting our leadership to pursue a logical argument.

    Parent

    The fact is (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by CST on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:28:57 PM EST
    We disagree on what is considered a "bad bill".

    I do not consider the house legislation to be a "bad bill"

    We also disagree on the framing of this and what caused the framing.

    I don't think we will agree by going back and forth.  So I will just say "I agree to disagree with you"

    Parent

    No problem. (none / 0) (#47)
    by dk on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:35:30 PM EST
    I had just wanted to clarify that according to your logic, expanding Medicare is the most politically possible solution.  

    Parent
    No, I don't think it changes the (5.00 / 3) (#68)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:54:07 PM EST
    definition of what Medicare does - because what it does is admininster health care through a single-payer structure; what changes is who it covers.

    If, ten years ago, we had started lowering the age at which people could enroll in Medicare, and continued to lower it, say, every two years, we might now be well on our way to significantly better physical and economic health.

    Parent

    As a regulator... (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:17:24 PM EST
    ...I can't wait until I get to start enforcing the proposed new regulatory laws.  

    Parent
    Did You Read Krugman Today? (none / 0) (#62)
    by daring grace on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:49:56 PM EST
    link

    He doesn't specifically address your concerns, but he outlines the reasoning behind cost containment/waste managing very well.

    I think it's the first time I've seen him voice approval for an Obama policy.

    Parent

    Gardening oddity. (none / 0) (#3)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:36:38 PM EST
    I planted some landscape petunias this year - Tidal Wave and Supertunia series.  Something has been eating just the pink petunia flowers.  Not the purple ones or the Misty Lilac ones, just the pink flowers, the very first day they bloom.

    It is probably the rabbits, but what makes a pink petunia so tasty?

    Cool summer this year, hot summer next year.
    El Nino will heat up our summer next year, but this year is one of the coolest on record.  The kids are not happy because our plans to buy a summer membership at the local pool didn't happen.  Without the heat, there's been no reason to go.  Poor tykes!

    Tunias nibbled or nipped off? (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:19:37 PM EST
    Rabbits don't nibble around the edges, they nip the whole thing off very neatly.  The only theory I can offer on why just the pink ones is that pink/red fruit means it's generally sweet, so perhaps the critter is instinctively programmed to prefer that color?  But really, no idea why.

    I've found a product called Liquid Fence works like a charm to keep the rabbits out of an area.

    I love those wave and supertunias!  I've always really liked petunias, but didn't have the patience to do all the deadheading and pinching back needed to keep them looking decent, so these new varieties are making me very happy.

    Surprisingly for a commercial hybrid, the variety of supertunia I had last year has come back this year from seed.

    Parent

    The plants are fine. (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 04:36:21 PM EST
    I was out weeding and I was wondering why they weren't blooming.  Then I noticed the 'trumpets' were all neatly trimmed off, leaving just the base.  Nothing else touched, not the leaves or the buds.

    I lost a few plants due to my own stupidity.  I soaked the transplants in a solution of fish emulsion fertilizer.  I thought nothing of it now that we are dogless.  Fish emulsion is a bit smelly and what it smells like depends on what kind of animal you are.  To carnivores (cat, dog, skunk, possum, raccoon, bear) it smells yummy.  I lost some plants due to animals scratching at their roots, shredding the plants.  Oops.  I used the last of it, so I won't be making that mistake again soon! :)

    Parent

    11 dimensional chess? (none / 0) (#4)
    by magster on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:43:39 PM EST
    The establishment cable media was sure feeding the masses with a lot of GOP lies and Blue Dog love.

    Watching Andrea Mitchell now, she's all Gates all the time and so she's not sabotaging health care with her snide remarks and GOP Senator interviews like she had been the whole week prior.

    I think the GOP needs constant disinformation to keep momentum on their side, and Gates-gate is taking away their platform.

    By the way, call Congressman Waxman (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by magster on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:45:04 PM EST
    and thank him for standing up to the Blue Dogs.

    Parent
    And the Black Caucus n/t (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:46:48 PM EST


    Parent
    Give the media a shiny object (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:49:23 PM EST
    to distract them, and then we can get on with business behind their backs? Maybe that is the right approach.

    Just heard that Henry Waxman is saying he may take the health care reform bill right to the floor of the House if he can't get an agreement with the Blue Dogs on his committee. Somehow I'm sure the Blue Dogs will find their way to a microphone, if they have to tackle the whole Cambridge PD to do it.

    Parent

    or maybe (none / 0) (#8)
    by CST on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:45:45 PM EST
    they aren't talking about it because talking about the press conference last night might actually help get health care passed.  We couldn't have that now could we?  So let's harp on and on about a random comment made at the end of the press conference so we don't have to talk about the sm@ck-down that the GOP got.

    Parent
    Saw Mark Sanchez... (none / 0) (#7)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:45:41 PM EST
    ...throw out the first pitch at the Angels game last night.  Oh my!  Good thing he plays football.

    Still, if I were a Jets fan, I'd be concerned by the fact that he wasn't anywhere near the plate.  

    One the other hand, Wise's catch at the wall to perserve Buehrle's perfect game yesterday was a thing of beauty.

    And how about Spurrier's leaving the Golden Godboy Tim Tebow off the pre-season All SEC team?!

    Jets fans... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:07:22 PM EST
    know nothing but perpetual concern and doubt my brother:)

    That catch to save the perfect game was something else...few things in baseball are as exciting as a potential perfect game, a catch like that in the 9th inning of a perfect game is the stuff of legend...amazing.  

    And I hate baseball right now:)

    Parent

    Worried about what? (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:10:39 PM EST
    It's not like the Jets have a chance to do anything.

    Parent
    Ouch... (none / 0) (#38)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:19:28 PM EST
    Don't I know it...still every August they suck me back in.

    You watch the open threads come Labor Day, I'll convince myself into believing again...just like April-May with the Mutts.

    Parent

    Does that apply... (none / 0) (#40)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:26:51 PM EST
    ...to the Knicks too--or are they such a lost cause that they can't suck you in?  

    Speaking of lost causes, this is such a waste in so many ways.

    Parent

    What a waste is right... (none / 0) (#60)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:38:23 PM EST
    Too bad Officer Crowley didn't find a sack at Prog. Gates' crib, maybe that would get Obama to address this brand of tyranny.

    Knicks too even, I'm that much of a sucker...the reality only crashes sooner:)

    Parent

    Good for you (none / 0) (#61)
    by CST on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:42:10 PM EST
    Never say never.  2006-2007 Celtics.

    Parent
    Steve (none / 0) (#43)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:29:06 PM EST
    admitted that he signed something presented him by their Sports Information office concerning All SEC without reading it and he's embarrassed by it. It's not uncommon for coaches not to handle this stuff and good for him admitting that he made himself look foolish.

    As for the Perfect Game, it's a rare treat that doesn't come along often and I was lucky enough just now to see the replay of the entire game on the Rays Network.

    Parent

    The unanswered question (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by Steve M on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:34:09 PM EST
    is how the unnamed person in the back office fills in someone other than Tebow in that slot.  It's like voting for someone other than God as Deity of the Year.

    Parent
    To be fair (none / 0) (#72)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 04:57:16 PM EST
    In Gainesville at one time they would have voted for St. Steve as Deity of the Year, and he would still probably finish in second or third place.

    Parent
    Guess I should have added (none / 0) (#73)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 05:00:42 PM EST
    God would finish a close fourth.

    Parent
    Senator Rockefeller Denied A Seat At The Table (none / 0) (#10)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:47:56 PM EST
    "Don't think we are so desperate. We are not going to fall into line," Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said, describing the message Democrats delivered to Baucus. "I'm not allowed into the meetings, the real meetings they have, what they call the coalition of the willing. It is a really, really bad way to try and develop support and ideas. So the whole philosophy is, if we can get these three Republicans, we can call it bipartisan, but I don't think any of you [in the media] are going to think it is particularly bipartisan." Corrente Original article by  Politico

    I guess Jay is beginning to feel like a single payer advocate.

    348,289 (none / 0) (#24)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:04:29 PM EST
    That's how many votes Max Baucus got in 2008 to win him the privilege of deciding our health care policy.

    As I have said before, whatever his faults, I'd sure rather have the guy that got 69,456,897 votes to be taking the lead.


    Parent

    Made me think that perhaps (none / 0) (#56)
    by Anne on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:08:17 PM EST
    Jay did not take seriously the complaints from constituents and other citizens that single-payer advocates could not get a seat at anyone's table.

    Glad he's getting first-hand knowledge and experience, but it comes kind of late in the game.

    Parent

    Fortunately for my brother, who is (none / 0) (#13)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:52:08 PM EST
    visiting, my cable package includes Versus.  He is all about tomorrow's race too.

    What this site needs (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Steve M on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:54:37 PM EST
    is definitely more race discussion.

    Parent
    The good race-ism (none / 0) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:55:56 PM EST


    Parent
    It would be cute (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Steve M on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:11:52 PM EST
    to offer a seminar on "Race and the Law," and then when everybody shows up, there's Professor BTD talking about the Tour de France.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#34)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:14:01 PM EST
    Lots of law on cycling nowadays unfortunately. Doping.

    Parent
    And once again (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Steve M on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:18:49 PM EST
    we come full circle to one of TL's favorite topics!

    I'm actually not sure I know Jeralyn's stance vis-a-vis the War on Performance-Enhancing Drugs.

    Parent

    Heh (none / 0) (#41)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:27:12 PM EST


    Parent
    Is it a war? (none / 0) (#44)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:32:00 PM EST
    or more of a... let's just try to cover it up better. Instead of buying at your local gym, the doctors are now involved in selling and masking.

    Parent
    Good race, bad race? n/t (none / 0) (#18)
    by Fabian on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:56:56 PM EST


    Parent
    Some bike races are good (none / 0) (#22)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:00:36 PM EST
    Ventoux should one of those. And some are bad.

    Parent
    hehe (none / 0) (#20)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:57:22 PM EST


    Parent
    Obama announces a new education (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:35:28 PM EST
    program:  "Race to the Top."  I didn't make this up.  See AP sidebar.

    Parent
    Ah (none / 0) (#14)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:53:22 PM EST
    So you get to watch with a fan. It should be a great race.

    Parent
    Contador the rebel? (none / 0) (#19)
    by Pianobuff on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:57:13 PM EST
    Not sure if it's old news here, but reports are that Alberto Contador 'broke Astana team orders'.

    Contador, along with Astana team-mate Andreas Kloden, had counter-attacked the Schlecks on the Col de Romme, the penultimate climb, leaving Armstrong to monitor Garmin's time trial specialist Bradley Wiggins.

    On the next climb to the summit of the Colombiere Contador then left Kloden in his wake to race alone with the Schleck brothers. Armstrong trailed in 2:18 behind while Kloden was at 2:27.

    But after the race it emerged that had been against Astana team manager Bruyneel's orders.

    The Belgian insists he told Contador to let the Schleck brothers go to allow Kloden and Armstrong a chance to finish in the general classification's top three.

    And Bruyneel says Contador's defiance could send sparks flying in the next team meeting. Seven-time Tour winner Armstrong admitted he had to "bite his tongue" on the issue.

    "The attack from Contador three kilometres from the top was against my advice," added the Belgian.

    "I told him not to go, he didn't need to attack, because the two Schlecks would go full gas to the finish.

    "I said to him, 'You don't have to attack to win the Tour de France today'.

    "So it was a pity Andreas couldn't hold on because we could have been first, second and third today in general classification, but now we are first, fourth and fifth."

    Cheers, all.

    Yeah whatever (none / 0) (#21)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 12:59:49 PM EST
    I would not believe a word Bruyneel says anymore.

    Besides, Astana was being run for Armstrong not to win the Tour with Contador.

    At this point, Contador has flipped off Bruyneel. Does not even think about him imo.  

    Parent

    Contador 's performance this TDF (none / 0) (#25)
    by Pianobuff on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:05:35 PM EST
    ...makes me wonder if he could have won on at least half of the teams.

    Parent
    He won without one at all (none / 0) (#26)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:06:44 PM EST
    really. Except for the TTT, what did Astana do for Contador exactly?

    Parent
    I've come to the realization that (none / 0) (#66)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:09:22 PM EST
    the Tour de France is "Survivor" on wheels. A game of alliances, deceit & subterfuge. Fascinating stuff.

    My wife and I will share bottle of Cote Ventoux tomorrow night as we watch the re-run on Versus.

    Parent

    Nothing .... (none / 0) (#30)
    by Pianobuff on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:10:52 PM EST
    ...that they weren't doing for Lance anyway... heh.

    Previous post was in reply to BTD's #26 (none / 0) (#32)
    by Pianobuff on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:11:39 PM EST


    Parent
    Conryn will vote against Sotomayor (none / 0) (#48)
    by jbindc on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:37:47 PM EST
    this, coming after Hatch announced the same thing earlier.

    Good (5.00 / 3) (#49)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:41:55 PM EST
    I want as many No votes from the GOP as possible.

    I'll save that up for next week.

    Parent

    Lindsey Graham (none / 0) (#52)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:51:08 PM EST
    "If we chase this attitude ... that you have to say `no' to every Democratic proposal, you can't help the president ever, you can't ever reach across the aisle, then I don't want to be part of the movement because it's a dead-end movement," Graham said.

    "I have no desire to be up here in an irrelevant status. I'm smart enough to know that this country doesn't have a problem with conservatives. It has a problem with blind ideology. And those who are ideological-driven to a fault are never going to be able to take this party back into relevancy."



    Parent
    Fine, after he showed her utter contempt (none / 0) (#74)
    by sallywally on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 10:51:12 PM EST
    and loudly spouted all the far right talking points, fixing them in the public's minds. He did plenty to undermine her and the Dems in his performance at those hearings and with the Sabbath gasbags.

    Parent
    NRA gave them their marching orders this morning (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by ruffian on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:44:38 PM EST


    Parent
    Obama talked to Crowley (none / 0) (#51)
    by Jlvngstn on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:44:39 PM EST
    both sides overreacted and O might have ratcheted up the situation.  

    Get back to healthcare, case closed.

    Normally I'd want to (none / 0) (#53)
    by brodie on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 01:57:33 PM EST
    discourage Dems from indulging their kumbaya tendencies, but in this case it was threatening to get out of hand and drown out the discussion on healthcare.

    Hopefully this will be a teaching moment for the Obama admin -- next time you want to focus the public's attention on one thing, don't hold a presser.

    Or at least don't call on that troublemaking reporter Lynn "Toot" Sweet ...

    Parent

    Case very much still open J... (none / 0) (#63)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:00:24 PM EST
    someone is falling victim to a stupid arrest as we type.

    Healthcare is important, especially to the victims of stupid arrests who catch Hep in the cages...but it don't get no more important than liberty.

    Parent

    Phillies players cheer White Sox Wise/Buerhle (none / 0) (#64)
    by fairleft on Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:02:43 PM EST
    Great link to a blog with mellow video of Phillies players just being sports fans, and, especially, enjoying DeWayne Wise's great catch (and that little perfect game thing too).

    Lance may grab second or drop to fourth, it's still interesting. See this: Tour de France - Contador: I will help Lance

    Friday Afternoon Open Thread | 72 comments (72 topical)

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