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Thursday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:14:26 AM EST
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    Thursday Morning Open Thread | 137 comments (137 topical)

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    You will all be relieved to learn (5.00 / 4) (#1)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:17:45 AM EST
    my Blackberry, which was not functioning re internet, has been restored.  Consequentially my sojourn in SE Iowa will not adversely affect my connection to Talk Left.  Carry on.  Perhaps I will find out what Iowans really think of Chuck Grassley.

    Don't forget (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by CoralGables on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:29:55 PM EST
    to stop by Dyersville and play some catch with Shoeless Joe.

    Parent
    What I really think... (none / 0) (#3)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:21:20 AM EST
    ...of Chuck or Steve King for that matter, isn't fit to post on TL.  

    I do look forward to your posts from America's heartland though.  Be sure to ask what the good folks think of Michigan's chances in Iowa City in a few weeks...

    Parent

    I think you and I already know the answer! (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:26:13 AM EST


    Parent
    West Point is from Iowa (none / 0) (#8)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:38:40 AM EST


    Parent
    "Good, stable stock," as (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:40:15 AM EST
    my Dad used to say.  

    Parent
    They're arguing again (none / 0) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:46:15 AM EST
    My daughter says he is a walking misogynist Freudian slip.  He says she is cranky and pregnant...and I think he just did it again :)  His parents are coming to visit this weekend though so they will be taking a break from each other.  He invited her to meet them but she said that she could almost hear him sweating because he doesn't know how to explain his fascination that he has for this woman to his parents :)

    Parent
    "hear him sweating" Good one. She (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:02:35 AM EST
    is most definitely your daughter!

    Parent
    I'll say!! (none / 0) (#87)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:00:50 PM EST


    Parent
    West Point needs lessons (5.00 / 3) (#53)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:23:37 AM EST
    on being a caring partner.   Pregnant woman is always right, especially if there is a potential weapon at hand.  If West Point had a fully loaded pack on day and night, he might be a touch "cranky" too.  

    He may be clueless, but educable.  Just think of it as doing the country a vital service in creating a less misogynistic military leadership.

    Parent

    cheer up (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:35:05 AM EST
    he could be one of these guys

    Parent
    I'd have to add (none / 0) (#67)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:53:06 AM EST
    Prince/ss Charming:
    Offspring of Helicopter Parents.  Have the highest opinion of themselves, since Mum and Dad do.  All problems are handled by their devoted parents.  

    Parent
    Where do you find these blogs? (none / 0) (#79)
    by vml68 on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:39:04 PM EST
    The old guy is pretty funny.

    Parent
    yeah (none / 0) (#88)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:03:01 PM EST
    who cant relate to a crabbyoldfart

    Parent
    also love the tag line (none / 0) (#90)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:03:52 PM EST

    It's Important to be Regular...

    Now posting once a week whether I have something to say or not.


    Parent

    Fabian, this thing just gets worse (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:34:44 PM EST
    He didn't know how to handle upset noisy toddlers at first and my daughter told him he was retarded when it came to dealing with the real life stress and situations that children bring with them.  Then he went home for a few days, phoned and told her she was right.  Now Zoey wants to go to sleep with him on the couch when she's sleepy.  This has all been nothing short of addictive to watch :)  I gave him a bottle of wine to celebrate that he got Blackhawks, which was the airframe that he wanted. He is a Christian but will corrupt for red wine.  But now he says he is saving it to jointly celebrate when the baby gets here.  And my spouse agrees with you that any man getting out of flight school with his ego is educatable and indeed needs education.  He was explaining to my daughter some of the things he said to me when we were dating that he needed "educated" about.  What a nightmare he was.

    Parent
    lWouldn't you love to be at the first (none / 0) (#75)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:31:14 PM EST
    mtg. of West Point's folks when he introduces your pregnant daughter to them?

    Parent
    Ha! I'm letting him watch the Army/Navy (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:37:51 PM EST
    game here because they don't have cable where he is staying.  He owes me :)

    Parent
    Salt of the earth... (none / 0) (#115)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:25:10 PM EST
    ...hard working, friendly and as smart and good looking as a Summer's Day is long too!

    Parent
    I like Iowa (none / 0) (#15)
    by Steve M on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:46:59 AM EST
    Went to a lovely wedding in SE Iowa (Pella) once upon a time.  Shame on the people who think of it as mere flyover country!

    Parent
    It is pretty (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by ruffian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:00:58 AM EST
    Last time I drove through on my old Denver-Chicago route I stopped off in 'Bridges of Madison County' territory for a few hours and saw some of the bridges. Really nice afternoon.

    Parent
    Nice place to visit in fall or spring. And then (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:18:59 AM EST
    get the hell out of Dodge.

    Parent
    not unlike (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:21:57 AM EST
    Chambana

    Parent
    If only I had grown up in a college town (none / 0) (#71)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:04:40 PM EST
    all might be different.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#48)
    by Steve M on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:22:07 AM EST
    I was in Iowa around the time of the primary in January 2008.  Brrrr!

    Parent
    Ah, but in autumn along (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Cream City on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:45:36 PM EST
    the Mississippi, gorgeous -- eagles flying, too, if you're lucky on the Great River Road, which I highly recommend, folks(google for that and get the maps, great info about the history going back thousands of years, etc.)

    I know you're not heading to northeast Iowa, oculus, but if you haven't done the Indian Mounds National Monument Park, one of the ancient wonders of the world, do it next time.  I finally got there summer before last and just loved it and the whole trip.  Plus the flooding forced us off the freeways and onto wonderful old highways through wonderful small towns (MacGregor, Iowa, is a great one -- love the B&B in a cave that was the town jail, then across the river to lovely historic French towns like Prairie du Chien).  And it's been too long since I was in historic Dubuque, as we ran out of time to get there --  and were having too much fun in gorgeous Galena.

    It's too soon for the autumn color for you, as you know, but the weather is fantastic lately -- no rain for weeks, so no flooding this time.

    Parent

    Ah, you bring me back (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by ruffian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:04:17 PM EST
    Dubuque and Galena were childhood field trip sites. So pretty in those places.

    I know it's all relative, and I was coming from cornfield-soybean country at the time!

    Parent

    autum along the river (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:44:56 PM EST
    especially the upper river (above St Louis) is amazing.  I used to work on riverboats and the fall was my favorite time to work.  cool and beautiful.


    Parent
    Autumn can be truly spectacular here (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:19:17 PM EST
    Especially when it is combined with Indian summer weather.

    Parent
    We used to say (5.00 / 4) (#117)
    by Steve M on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:34:07 PM EST
    Fall is beautiful in the Midwest... for both days.

    Parent
    Not necessarily so (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:03:51 PM EST
    We have had wonderful fall like weather from September through late November where I live. Also, the beautiful colors in good years last for a month or so.

    Parent
    I have a bad attitude but do know (none / 0) (#84)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:57:30 PM EST
    Iowa along the Mississippi is quite beautiful.  I will be driving from St. Louis, although I understand much of the former state route is now four lane divided.  What--no Hannibal stop?  And the chocolate factory.

    Parent
    Yup - I grew up in Northern Illinois (none / 0) (#85)
    by ruffian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59:25 PM EST
    Same applies there!!!

    Parent
    The Bridges of Madison County (none / 0) (#122)
    by CoralGables on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:54:28 PM EST
    cost me a relationship before it ever had the chance to get started. I made the mistake of reading the book for cocktail party fodder and then forming an opinion that was...how shall we say...diametrically opposed to the love story perception of my first date.

    Parent
    What's going on? (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:18:32 AM EST
    I think HCR is giving me a big headache. Will they ever get it right? It's not looking good.

    Baucus care = GOP in 2010 (none / 0) (#7)
    by mikeel on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:34:21 AM EST
    I think the White House is committed to moving the Baucus bill along, in order to keep the reform process moving.

    But if the final bill is close to Baucus' markup, no one will like it.  Democrats will stay hope and Republicans will attack it.  The mandate is going to really hurt Democrats.

    Parent

    That (none / 0) (#59)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:32:13 AM EST
    I dont understand. Why are they so desperate to pass something that's bad policy?

    Parent
    Michelle Obama, per Huff Post, is (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:41:12 AM EST
    entering the health care fray.  Didn't read further to see what she will advocate or where or how.

    Parent
    Michelle Obama (4.14 / 7) (#27)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:55:52 AM EST
    She won't get into the weeds on health care, pushing specific details or plans as Clinton did. Instead, she'll make the soft, soccer-mom sell, highlighting the need to eat healthy, exercise and get preventive care. On Friday, Michelle Obama will appear at an event where women and families will talk about the health care system, and she will deliver remarks that will "amplify the president's message on the need for health insurance reform," according to the White House.

    And she'll most likely have a receptive audience.

    Link

    In other words, she'll play right wing Republican first lady, the role she's played since her husband was elected....stay out of the weeds, talk about issues wifey's care about.  I'm sure she'll bake some cookies while she's at it...but they'll be healthy cookies...

    Parent

    Heathly cookies - LOL (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:00:58 AM EST
    Since it has been proven that dark chocolate is good for you, healthy cookies IMO are chock full of that healthy ingredient.

    Parent
    Cookies are (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:22:12 AM EST
    inherently healthy, if you're speaking only of mental health! ;-).

    Parent
    Only if eaten standing in the kitchen. (none / 0) (#72)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:05:23 PM EST


    Parent
    Snort (5.00 / 2) (#125)
    by daring grace on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:12:13 PM EST
    "...right wing Republican first lady..."?

    "...talk about issues wifey's care about...?

    (Emphasis added, and don't you mean wifeys' or is the plural ies?)

    I think you're reaching trying to make that point. But whatever...

    The FLOTUS says:


    "I intend to advocate for the issues I care about: access to primary care, [disease] prevention, wellness, nutrition and combating childhood obesity," she said in an interview for Women's Health. "These issues get directly to the heart of the health care debate. ... Health insurance reform must make health care more than just sick care."

    Sounds like NO RW or Repub I've heard talking on the HRC issue.

    Parent

    Isn't the public option whip count due (none / 0) (#17)
    by magster on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:48:03 AM EST
    from the CPC today?  No news is bad news if we hear crickets on this the rest of the day, as it would mean the CPC can't get over 40 firm commitments to kill a PO-less bill coming out of conference.

    Parent
    Okay, so I opened the booklet (5.00 / 9) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:28:43 AM EST
    the Army gave me on how to have a long distance relationship with my spouse in Afghanistan.  My husband can't have a cell phone but they want us to have lunch by phone together sometimes.  Even though my lunch time is like midnight or something there :)  They also advocate "camping" together where the nonexistent cell phone would absolutely be a MUST HAVE.  But camping and hiking in Afghanistan has gotten a few kidnapped :)  And the sound of mortars in the distance behind dad's voice are certain to reassure the children :) Who writes this SH*T?  I knew it was going to be bad but I didn't anticipate this bad!  It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

    The U.S. military is overlooking (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:42:15 AM EST
    a wonderful resource--you.  Think how interesting that booklet could be.

    Parent
    I can't believe trees died for this :) (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:47:51 AM EST


    Parent
    You could do a world of good (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by scribe on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:52:52 AM EST
    by deconstructing the idiocies in the booklet, preferably in blog posts.

    Just take 'em one at a time....

    And, most likely, the booklet was written by a contractor - maybe someone from KBR?

    Parent

    This is (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:05:53 AM EST
    who wrote this.  I don't know if they were given these booklets for free (that is the only excuse that they could have for actually handing these out to couples experiencing deployment) or if they were just looking for a place to dump some allocated money that needed to be spent before October :)  It's useless though for deployment separation.  A young spouse actually taking this handout seriously would come to understand at mid deployment that the military pays a lot of lip service to "family values". Is that the belief that the military hopes to foster?

    Parent
    Well duh. That is the belief the USN (5.00 / 3) (#40)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:10:12 AM EST
    fostered in the mid-60s  And I believed it until a hurricance warning for Norfolk.  Suddenly all the adult males were out to sea and we women folk were left to fend for ourselves.  

    Parent
    They'll foster anything (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by scribe on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:04:30 PM EST
    they think will work to make for the least work "around the house" for the military.

    Parent
    Think of the booklet... (5.00 / 8) (#20)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:49:55 AM EST
    as unintentional comedy...good for a chuckle in what surely is a most trying time for your family.

    I'll be hopin' your man is home safe and sound as soon as humanly possible...as are we all I'm sure.

    Parent

    Barney Frank on his Wilson vote (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:46:49 AM EST
    here:

    Seven Republicans joined 233 Democrats in approving the resolution; 12 Democrats joined Wilson and 166 other Republicans in opposing it. Five other Democrats voted "present.''

    Among them was Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, who said: "I think it's bad precedent to put us in charge of deciding whether people act like jerks. I don't have time to monitor everyone's civility.''
    I guess I should just get my own d@mn blog. . . (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:49:42 AM EST


    Parent
    a whitney houston/electoral polling (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by lilburro on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:52:32 AM EST
    blog?

    I would read it!

    Parent

    Thanks (none / 0) (#25)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:54:12 AM EST
    Never gonna happen!

    Parent
    Boooo (none / 0) (#39)
    by lilburro on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:09:47 AM EST
    doesn't the potential wipeout of Dems in 2010 make you want your own blog, just a little bit?

    Parent
    The cost benifit tradeoff isn't so good (none / 0) (#45)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:19:18 AM EST


    Parent
    yeah (none / 0) (#55)
    by lilburro on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:27:26 AM EST
    it takes a ton of effort and time investment.  Sadly I am lazy.  Blogging for a little while made me appreciate the work actual bloggers put in though.

    Parent
    Don't leave. I can't really negotiate (none / 0) (#76)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:33:25 PM EST
    more than one blog via Blackberry.  A very time-consuming task, fit only for the truly devout.

    Parent
    A witty guy (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Steve M on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:58:49 AM EST
    but what's the deal with him refusing to co-sponsor the DOMA repeal?!

    Parent
    No idea (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:00:06 AM EST
    It's one thing to disagree with the strategy, but now that others are moving forward, his absence as a co-sponsor is conspicuous and generally damaging to the movement.

    Parent
    Some say (none / 0) (#52)
    by Steve M on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:23:21 AM EST
    that he wants to be the big anti-DOMA hero himself instead of sharing the spotlight with people like Jerry Nadler.  That's kind of a mean thing to say so I'm not really prepared to accept it without further evidence, but his stated reason (DOMA repeal is unrealistic right now) makes no sense.  Lots of people co-sponsor lots of bills that will never get anywhere.

    Parent
    When it's all over (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by MyLeftMind on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:21:06 PM EST
    Congress people who tried to block equality will have to live with their legacy. I doubt they'll get targeted for replacement (like those who support equal rights surely will), but still, they have to live with being on the wrong side of history.

    The Bay Area Reporter says activists are disappointed that the bill won't extend federal benefits to those in states that offer marriage mimics (domestic partnerships and civil unions), but I wholeheartedly concur.  Enough with the separate but unequal approach, just go to a state that lets you get married.


    Parent

    Barney plays hardball (none / 0) (#94)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:06:27 PM EST
    but he's not so petty as that.  He's also someone who has always, always put issues ahead of self-promotion, so I don't buy that one at all.

    Parent
    Antiabortion activists against cures (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:49:22 AM EST
    for breast cancer.

    The second tidbit is perhaps more schaden than freude. At very least, it's shameless. As Eleanor Bader reports at RHRealityCheck, anti-choice forces have boycotted Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure (SKG), the largest breast cancer charity in the world  and the leader in the fight against the disease. (The boycott is not brand-new, as the post implies, but it does seem to be heating up.) Antiabortion activists have called SKG a "menace to women," Bader reports, which, obviously, is like calling basil a menace to linguine. Their beef: Advocates for women with breast cancer don't warn women about "the abortion/breast cancer connection." Which, of course, is because there is no such thing. link
    My mom is a two time survivor (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:51:45 AM EST
    Every year, SGK holds a RFTC in Philadelphia on Mother's Day weekend. And for most of the last 15 years that I've participated, there's been a nut with a sign about the "link."

    You can be sure he (shocking, right?) takes lots of verbal abuse.

    Parent

    Race for the Cure (5.00 / 4) (#46)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:20:16 AM EST
    IIRC St. Louis is reported to have one of the largest events in the country. It is truly awesome to see people as far as the eye can see participating in this event. Wave after wave of people who care enough to come out for such a worthwhile cause.

    Would like to see that wave walk in mass towards the nut with the sign.

    Some tidbits on this years race:

    A woman and a person in a racing wheelchair came in as early finishers in the actual race.

    A very large tortoise participated in the fun walk. Due to back and knee problems, I can't walk very fast but I was happy to see that I could slightly out pace the tortoise.

    Parent

    I was once passed in a 10K by a 70-year (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:35:57 PM EST
    old judge I knew.  Kind of discouraging.  Go Manny.  This was when I was a fit jogger.

    Parent
    "I wanna wish the Turks good luck" (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by magster on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:52:19 AM EST
    Terps, Terps.

    When I heard that I had to look up from my project to see why Obama was wishing the people of Turkey good luck, and saw he's speaking at the Univ. of Maryland.

    Good. PO still in Obama health care speech (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by magster on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:10:46 AM EST
    PO is still alive as long as Obama keeps pushing it, even if we all wish he'd be stronger about it.

    Parent
    Fired up! (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:23:00 AM EST
    Ready to go!

    Parent
    I missed the part where the crowd booed (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by magster on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:01:52 PM EST
    when Obama mentioned Max Baucus (just replayed on MSNBC).

    LOL

    Parent

    Pfffttt (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by MyLeftMind on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:04:20 PM EST
    Big O acted like a cheerleader, telling them, "We need the young people that transformed this nation" to support this plan, blah blah blah.  They're all cheering, but they haven't read the proposals, most don't pay for their own healthcare, most are receiving public support for college, they're not footing the bill for any of this (yet) and they don't have a clue what the impact of this so-called "reform" will be. But they're behind their leader, by gawd.

    If Democrats pass a plan that bolsters the insurance industry's coffers, doesn't reduce healthcare costs (unless you're very poor and now get it free), and drains the economy, we're in for a huge backlash that will prevent real reform for another 20-30 years.

    Obama has the political capital to demand real reform, not this BS insurance industry booster plan with its complicated government oversight to make sure everyone "does their part" and buys insurance. Look at the support our Prez has, especially in a crowd like that one! College students would camp on the office steps of Congress members if Obama asked them to. What a shame he's getting them fired up to support this lame bill instead of reform that would actually help most Americans.


    Parent

    Obama is a good storyteller (none / 0) (#57)
    by magster on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:30:10 AM EST
    that speech ended well, judging by the reaction.

    Parent
    Tort reform (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:36:50 AM EST
    An interesting gambit.

    What is offered in exchange? Best be the public option.

    We'll see.

    Parent

    I thought that was (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:38:02 AM EST
    a pretty brilliant carrot.  or peanut or whatever attracts elephants.


    Parent
    Bill O'Reilly is on board with the PO (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by magster on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:48:11 AM EST
    I just posted this video on my facebook page so some of my family members heads would explode.

    Parent
    Republicans don't need to offer anything (none / 0) (#132)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 04:04:30 PM EST
    Obama removed it as a bargaining tool by giving it away free.

    The administration will tackle malpractice reform -- which many conservatives have been calling for in the health care debate -- away from the legislative process, with President Obama asking Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today to give grants to governments and organizations that develop alternatives to the current system.

    "The President thinks we should do this right now," Sebelius told reporters this morning, adding that reform can get done faster if it's not part of the larger health care reform debate in Congress.

    Sebelius has 30 days to announce grants to states, local governments and health care organizations for developing, practicing and evaluating alternatives to the current medical liability system, according to a memo the President sent today
    TPM

    Hopefully he doesn't plan to use Medicare funds to finance these grants.

    Parent

    Big news by me... (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:56:01 AM EST
    the Hofstra rape case that wasn't.

    From one of the falsely accused...

    "I don't even have any hard feelings," he said. "I am happy to be alive. To be a caged animal when you are not guilty is the worst."
    When I first read that she had recanted (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by vml68 on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:54:20 PM EST
    her story, I thought maybe she was being pressured/threatened to do so. Later I read that she recanted because somebody had recorded the incident on their cell phone!
    Jeebus, her parents must be real proud.
    If she wants to have sex with five guys that's her business but to then accuse them of rape is criminal. I shudder to think what would have happened to those guys if there was no video evidence.

    Parent
    I'm glad they are out of jail (none / 0) (#38)
    by ruffian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:07:42 AM EST
    if falsely accused, but god what a horrible story either way.

    Parent
    I read that as "you are out of jail." (none / 0) (#78)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:37:29 PM EST
    Understandable error though.  Isn't kdog constantly telling us the horror of "people in chains"?  

    Parent
    I thank god every day kdog is out of jail! (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by ruffian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:06:17 PM EST


    Parent
    I've gotten a lot better... (none / 0) (#99)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:25:53 PM EST
    at being sneaky as I've gotten older...don't you fret about lil old me ruffian.

    Not that being sneaky and shady is a virtue, it certainly is not...just a necessity in America.  I dream of the day I can live a more honest open life.

    Parent

    Why? No airport security. (none / 0) (#102)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:30:09 PM EST


    Parent
    Don't follow... (none / 0) (#108)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:00:22 PM EST
    I'm out of jail because of our piss-poor, yet totally aggravating, airport security?

    Could be some truth to that...some things I never leave town without:)  

    Parent

    They hurt oculus... (none / 0) (#83)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:53:43 PM EST
    and not just the flesh...right down to the soul.

    Thank the sun god I never had 'em slapped on under the circumstances of these poor boys.

    Parent

    Sorry. It is just that some of your (none / 0) (#89)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:03:26 PM EST
    phrases are stuck in my mind forever.  

    Here's my latest thought re upcoming b-day:  send her a plane ticket or a promise of one or a promise of a vacation trip togehter.  Not sure how you get her to pay half though!

    Parent

    Sh*t... (none / 0) (#96)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:16:11 PM EST
    she's the learned higher educated professional, much like yourself, I'm a jack of all trades poor slob...she should pay 3/4!..:)

    We actually talked about meeting up for a vaca next year instead of me seeing her at home in Guadalajara...but I kinda got my heart set on seeing where she's from.  

    Parent

    Ha. I forgot she appears to be (none / 0) (#101)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:26:41 PM EST
    in the highly-compensated category.

    Parent
    Take us out, Mr Sulu (5.00 / 6) (#29)
    by Ellie on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:56:30 AM EST
    Marriage always makes me cry eventually:
    The long-running [Newlywed Game] said Wednesday it will feature its first gay couple this season on a celebrity edition. George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek," will appear with his partner, Brad Altman.

    They just celebrated their first anniversary after being married in Los Angeles last September, but they're nothing like the giggly young couples the game is known for. Takei and Altman have been together for 22 years.

    "What we want is to display the normality and the joy of having a happy union," Takei said.
    Interesting situation here in (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by Anne on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:11:09 AM EST
    Baltimore, regarding a Johns Hopkins student who killed - well, I'll call him an intruder - with a sword.

    New details emerge on events that led to samurai sword killing

    Initially, it was reported that the student had been burglarized earlier in the day, and later that evening heard suspicious sounds from outside.  He grabbed the sword and went out to investigate and it was reported that he found someone in his garage, who lunged at him, with the student then swinging the sword, nearly amputating one of the man's hands, and then running him through with the sword; he bled to death before help could arrive.

    Now, the story is changing - as these things usually do.

    Police initially said that Pontolillo's room had been burglarized earlier Monday night, with someone stealing an Xbox 360 and a video game, and that Pontolillo later heard a noise, grabbed the sword and went to investigate.

    But city police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that Johns Hopkins University police and an off-duty officer working in a secondary capacity were called to the 300 block of E. University Parkway to investigate a report from one of Pontolillo's neighbors about a suspicious person spotted in a back yard.

    The officers knocked on Pontolillo's door, where Pontolillo informed them of the earlier burglary, which occurred between 8 and 9 p.m., according to a police report of the incident. The housemates and the officers canvassed the area around the house and didn't find anything unusual, Guglielmi said.

    After the officers left, the housemates decided to check the area again, with Pontolillo grabbing the sword, Guglielmi said. As Pontolillo checked an outside yard area after 1 a.m., he noticed Rice crouched in a corner, Guglielmi said. He told the man not to move, and yelled for his roommates to call police, according to Guglielmi.

    Pontolillo was not inside the garage but backed up against the exterior of a garage door when Rice is alleged to have aggressively moved toward him with his arms raised. Guglielmi said Pontolillo made one downward strike towards Rice, hitting him in the neck and the hand. Rice's hand was nearly severed, and he bled to death at the scene.


    So, the big question is whether to charge the student.  The intruder was a 49-yr old man with an extensive record, who had just been released from jail over the weekend.

    Thought the criminal lawyers here might want to weigh in with their take.

    Very Biblical punishment (none / 0) (#58)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:32:08 AM EST
    even if the stroke was in self defense.  

    I hope they don't charge the guy.  All the evidence points to self defense.  

    Parent

    Given that the area had been canvassed (5.00 / 4) (#82)
    by Anne on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:46:48 PM EST
    just a short time earlier - by both the university and off-duty cops and the residents of the apartment, with no results, I think I would have been inclined to stay in my doors-and-windows-locked apartment, and not go poking around in the middle of the night trying to do the cops' job, armed with a sword, for crying out loud.  What a stupid decision - suppose the guy he cornered had had a gun?

    Sure, he managed to protect his property, but now he has to live with having killed someone who, if not for being confronted, may just have gone on his merry way.

    Parent

    I'm still sniggering (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 04:23:15 PM EST
    a little at all the gun rights folks who insist you need a gun for home defense.

    Well.....apparently you don't need a gun.  I eagerly await the Right falling all over themselves to woo the sword rights crowd.

    Parent

    I agree... (none / 0) (#65)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:50:59 AM EST
    one would hope he'd show mercy on the thief...but it appears he was within his rights.

    Parent
    He only struck him once. (none / 0) (#69)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:04:17 PM EST
    Sounds like he knew what he was doing with the weapon as well.  Look up "kendo" on YouTube for examples.

    Saw a sword demonstration at DragonCon once.  The guy made swords and taught weapon use - the real thing.  It gave me an appreciation for what a real weapon can do in the hands of someone who knows how to use it.  And of course this scene from Seven Samurai.

    Parent

    Guns don't kill people. Samurai swords do. (5.00 / 5) (#80)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:39:46 PM EST


    Parent
    I'm still wondering (none / 0) (#109)
    by scribe on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:06:45 PM EST
    why it is that the guy bled to death, given that the swordsman was a medical student.

    I mean, medical students are kinda like doctors, and surely get some instruction in first aid so they know to stop the frickin' bleeding right off.

    Unless (a) he was a pretty crappy medical student and didn't know how, (b) he didn't really do anything to stop the bleeding, or (c) he hacked him so badly with the sword that there was no way to stop the bleeding.

    I guess we'll have to wait until the coroner's report comes out.

    Parent

    It depends (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 04:27:01 PM EST
    on whether the guy flailed around, bleeding from a major artery the whole time or collapsed conveniently on the floor.  Any time there is a major arterial bleed, the victim can bleed out in a matter of minutes.

    Medical student is one thing, combat experienced medic is another.

    Parent

    WTF? (5.00 / 4) (#51)
    by lilburro on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:23:19 AM EST
    Bill O'Reilly wants a public option?

    I think there must be something in my coffee...

    O'Reilly (none / 0) (#54)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:26:35 AM EST
    occasionally gets it right....cue broken clock right twice a day analogy.

    Parent
    Kindergarten son (5.00 / 4) (#63)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:44:22 AM EST
    is hamming it up.  I've warned his teacher that he will fake being upset at times.  Yesterday he came home and was making advanced boo-boo faces in the mirror.  He found some new flourishes to add to his existing boo-boo face act.  This morning he clung to my shoulder and did the boo-boo face, complete with quiet crying and sobbing (a new touch!).  He's smart enough not to make the toddler mistake of immediately checking to see how the adults react - a dead give away, but when he walks away perfectly calm, it's obvious his distress was an affectation.

    Since I'm a born skeptic and know him, it's hard to fool me.  His teachers are no fools, but he'll try it as long as they respond.  It's also possible that he'll try to teach his tricks to his classmates which is something he's done before.

    World famous actor in the making? (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:12:35 PM EST


    Parent
    What you don't know (5.00 / 2) (#136)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 04:36:56 PM EST
    is that kindergarten son barely speaks at all and is considered on the autistic spectrum.

    Yet he monitors other people's reactions for the express purpose of attempting to manipulate them.  He also appears to understand what people say, even when their conversation isn't directed at him.   He's a conundrum wrapped in an enigma.

    Parent

    Every great kid (5.00 / 2) (#120)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:50:11 PM EST
    deserves a knowing and sometimes psychic mother :)

    Parent
    A passing (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by scribe on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 12:14:11 PM EST
    One of the Band of Brothers.

    Thanks for that. (none / 0) (#112)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:18:04 PM EST
    While his passing is sad, I much enjoyed the article and the "back story".  BOB is one of my favorites and I have a certain attachment to it as it was one of my Dad's favorites as well.  

    Parent
    While I was sleeping a former Wellpoint (5.00 / 2) (#86)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:00:44 PM EST
    VP was drafting Baucus health care bill?  

    The vaunted bipartisan "Baucus plan" was literally written by a Baucus aide who just left her position as Vice President of Wellpoint to write the health care reform plan for the Senate -- a revelation which barely caused a ripple.  

    Greenwald

    Other health insurance employees (5.00 / 2) (#103)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:33:19 PM EST
    Baucus's previous chief health adviser, Michelle Easton, now lobbies for WellPoint.

    LittleSis.org also reports that another Senate staffer working on Baucus's healthcare bill, Cathy Koch, is a former lobbyist for health insurance and pharmaceutical interests, including an insurance industry front group. Koch worked as the director of global government affairs at the drug company Amgen until early 2007. Before that, she worked at Ernst & Young, where she lobbied on behalf of a number of large insurance and pharmaceutical companies, including Aetna, Blue Cross, Eli Lilly and Pfizer. link

    Insurance Industry Profit Protection and Enhancement Act (aka HCR) written by and for the insurance industry.

    Parent

    Quite disgusting this information is not (5.00 / 3) (#105)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:38:38 PM EST
    reported, discussed, talking headed, editorized etc.  Explains everything.  No wonder Hillary Clinton is in Thailand talking about Iran.

    Parent
    Yup. One of the commenters over at (5.00 / 4) (#111)
    by scribe on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:15:11 PM EST
    Emptywheel's place got into the .pdf of the plan and found not only that it had been drafted by the former healthcare lobbyist (a VP at Wellpoint) recently hired by Baucus, but also that it had been drafted in June.  That news and the identity of the author broke at noon Pacific time on September 8 - nine days ago.

    And it was circulating around K street for weeks.  Literally.

    So, all that time Baucus spent on "negotiating" and "working to build consensus" with the Gang of Six was ... kabuki theater.  He had a plan in his pocket and was milking the illusion of working it to delay health care.

    To what he hoped would be the ultimate benefit of his true constituents - the insurance industry.

    Parent

    interesting (5.00 / 1) (#131)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:53:58 PM EST
    Why I Threw The Shoe

    I am free. But my country is still a prisoner of war. There has been a lot of talk about the action and about the person who took it, and about the hero and the heroic act, and the symbol and the symbolic act. But, simply, I answer: what compelled me to act is the injustice that befell my people, and how the occupation wanted to humiliate my homeland by putting it under its boot.

    MA temporary Senate appt law (none / 0) (#6)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:32:32 AM EST
    is moving forward.

    Darren Hutchison (none / 0) (#12)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:43:22 AM EST
    has a great Whitney/Oprah post.

    I'm still wowed and in awe of last night's AGT (none / 0) (#26)
    by Angel on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 10:55:03 AM EST
    winner.  Had never watched the show until last night, now I can't get enough info about the winner, Kevin Skinner.  Humble background, a voice that will blow you away.  I'm so thrilled for him!  Have watched the video of his first audition performance, If Tomorrow Never Comes, about twenty times already.  I'm so happy for him!  

    I'm so glad that was the night they brought (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:47:12 PM EST
    Susan Boyle to the stage. She would have been the perfect person to help Barbara Padillo cope with the outcome. I expect Barbara will experience a fantastic career from this exposure.

    I wasn't anywhere near as enamored with Kevin Skinner as you were, and thought his final performance was assessed perfectly by Piers and Sharon. It will be interesting to see if he can make it in the world of entertainment. I wish him well.


    Parent

    I like your comments about Susan Boyle helping (none / 0) (#133)
    by Angel on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 04:06:28 PM EST
    Barbara Padillo.  I didn't see the final performances, or any others for that matter.  All I saw last night was the last half when they were reducing it to the final two.  I googled Kevin this morning and found the video of his first performance and I was blown away.  True, it's only one performance but anyone who can sing like that is a talent.  I'm waiting for his CD to come out, as is my husband after he saw the video.  He reminds me of a mix between Keith Whitley and Marty Brown, both phenomenal talents.  Unfortunately Keith was an alcoholic who passed away from alcohol poisoning as a young man.  Kevin is 35 years old so maybe he's grounded enough and has enough maturity and life experience to not get corrupted by the industry.  I just hope that he finds good people who will work for his best interests. And I think Barbara Padillo has a good future as well.  

    Parent
    Enough people agreed with you (none / 0) (#138)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 05:36:29 PM EST
    and gave him the win.

    Personally, I would have been much more excited to see Recycled Percussion win. Talent is not limited to voice, and AGT has gone to singers every time.

    Susan Boyle lost to a dance troupe in Great Britain.

    Barbara was definitely the greater talent vocally.

    Parent

    Another interesting article (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:02:49 AM EST
    here.

    Some citizens are suing to force Congress to increase the size of the House. I wonder what the legal theory here is? A 5th Amendment equal protection claim?

    Hurricanes vs Georgia Tech (none / 0) (#36)
    by indy in sc on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:03:43 AM EST
    That's what I'll be watching tonight.  I'm hoping the 'Canes build on their win against FSU.  

    president (none / 0) (#43)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:13:58 AM EST
    Jedi

    That picture is better than (none / 0) (#56)
    by MO Blue on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:29:45 AM EST
    candidate Obama on the tractor.

    I also share the confusion with the poster.

    I'm not exactly sure what the Olympics has to do with lightsabers


    Parent
    more (5.00 / 1) (#137)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 05:08:13 PM EST
    Jedi

    Parent
    Me Talk Presidential One Day (none / 0) (#66)
    by Dadler on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 11:51:07 AM EST
    A White House speechwriter unloads about the last days Dubya.

    Timing is everything. (none / 0) (#95)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:16:07 PM EST
    On Tuesday, Jane Norton(R) announced her campaign for US Senator.  Even though she was Lt. Gov. under the Owens administration, she doesn't have a lot of name recognition in Colorado.  In fact, a good number of people confuse her for ex-Bush Interior Secretary Gail Norton.  

    Today, it was revealed that Gail Norton is being investigated for Federal corruption charges.  

    Somehow, I don't think that's going to help Jane very much.

    Oh, that's sweet. (none / 0) (#100)
    by MyLeftMind on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:26:36 PM EST


    Parent
    oh boy (none / 0) (#106)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 01:43:11 PM EST
    it gettin deep out there.

    URGENT GET THIS OUT NOW ! RFID BRACELET ONCE YOU HAVE HAD THE US666 & EU666 VACCINATION

    It's so uncomfortable... (none / 0) (#123)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:57:27 PM EST
    when the white supremacist loons are as paranoid as me...but I didn't need no more reasons not to get the shot.

    And Queens NY is crawling with black helicopters right now, cops drawing blood at the side of the road in Idaho and Texas...maybe this is phase 1A of the big New World Order offensive my boy Alex Jones has been prediciting:)

    Parent

    all I can say (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:31:11 PM EST
    is if its so thank god the republicans are not in charge.

    the camps will be much more comfortable with the democrats handling things.

    Parent

    No mandated prayers... (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:39:39 PM EST
    that would be a plus, need a more progressive drug policy, like daily soma rations...then we're talking:)

    Parent
    OH! (none / 0) (#128)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:36:49 PM EST
    and if by chance there is just not enough crazy in your world I urge you to visit aids-scandal.com.

    I have been on this site for hours now learning how aids is really caused by silicon dust and also how to make gold (thats right MAKE gold)and all about how JOSEPHINE BAKER was some kind of magician who knew all of this.

    it is absolutely my favorite new web site.

    who knew who STUNNY PHAROUK was?

    Parent

    oh.my.god. (none / 0) (#110)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:12:19 PM EST
    "I reject the idea that the "birther" campaign is motivated by racism. There may be racism among it, but there are legitimate questions about the documentation of Obama's birth certificate." -- Palin fan Camille Paglia [Politico]

    People were praising her a couple of weeks ago (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by andgarden on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:23:54 PM EST
    I was not.

    Parent
    It isn't as if she has a firm grasp of all (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 02:45:54 PM EST
    social dynamics.  She is interesting though, but that does not make her more credible or accurate.

    Parent
    love this comment (5.00 / 5) (#126)
    by Capt Howdy on Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 03:15:21 PM EST
    I wish Camille Paglia would stop commenting on politics and get back to what she does best: deliriously unhinged, purple prose literary criticism in which she attempts to prove that Emily Dickinson was really a "self-ruling hermaphrodite" and latter day Marquis de Sade or that Michelangelo is a pornographer & the Pope is a collector of porn.


    Parent
    Thursday Morning Open Thread | 137 comments (137 topical)

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