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Friday Afternoon Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 02:52:18 PM EST
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If you're looking for something different for dinner, Dr. Andrew Weil has posted a recipe today for Hemp Crusted Salmon.

Colorado's battle over medical marijuana regulation is heating up again. Here's state senator Chris Romer's proposed bill (updated 12/30) and medical marijuana attorney Rob Corrie's opposition to it. Lots more legal details here.

I'm off to court for the rest of the afternoon, here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Friday Afternoon Open Thread | 35 comments (35 topical)

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    Catherine Eugenia Biden, 92, RIP (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by scribe on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 04:15:16 PM EST
    Vice-President Biden's mother, Catherine Eugenia Biden, has died, aged 92.

    May she rest in peace.

    She had such an (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 10:58:23 PM EST
    open and friendly face, and her unabashed delight at having her son nominated and then becoming vice president was really nice to see. (Even though I ain't a fan of her son...)

    Parent
    Healthcare on the hill is almost over (none / 0) (#2)
    by CST on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 04:20:47 PM EST
    Now making the switch to jobs.

    $2.3 Billion for green technology is a good start.  More of this please.

    Did you miss this part? (none / 0) (#7)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 05:04:11 PM EST
    Kreutzer said the initiative's focus on a particular sector is flawed, and he suggested that if these manufacturing facilities can only get started with government subsidies, they will fail when the funds run out.

    "It's a government program to pick winners and losers, and we need a broader, overall view," he said. "Lower taxes, not higher subsidies -- lower energy costs, not more windmills."



    Parent
    false premise (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by CST on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 03:23:19 PM EST
    "if these manufacturing facilities can only get started with government subsidies, they will fail when the funds run out"

    Start-up costs are usually much higher than operating costs.

    And we will never agree on the windmill factor.  I thought you were all about national security.  How can you be against alternative energy in that case?  We need as many different sources as possible so we don't have to rely as much on war for our basic necessities.

    Parent

    If the business plan made sense (none / 0) (#29)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 04:55:41 PM EST
    why doesn't private capital jump in?

    Probably because everyone saw what happened with the "build it and they will come" fiasco of the Internet bubble.

    That means no one sees a sustainable market for a product that will product a product (electricity) that is two to four times current market prices.

    Parent

    private capital (none / 0) (#35)
    by CST on Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 04:37:35 PM EST
    did jump in.  They are putting in about twice as much money as the gov't.  Every bit helps though, especially 2.3 billion.

    So apparently they do see a sustainable market.

    Parent

    Hee-hee! (none / 0) (#15)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 11:00:32 PM EST
    I always love this part, when they (and you) pretend we haven't been subsidizing the oil and gas industry to a faretheewell.

    Lower petroleum-based energy costs, that's the ticket!

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    I am afraid that your point escapes me (none / 0) (#21)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 12:23:07 PM EST
    Are you saying that they should be paying higher lease costs for drilling? Well, that would translate into even higher price at the pump since corporations always price based on cost and (to an extent) demand.

    And we could argue forever about the evil combustion engine that has liberated the masses from living under the shelter of the King's castles....

    But I think we might agree that natural gas is kinda nice when it is 10 degrees outside.

    BTW - Needed an ambulance (gasoline powered) to take you or a loved one to the hospital lately?

    Parent

    My point is quite clear (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 05:23:03 PM EST
    Subsidizing a new industry with great promise and for which the country has great need is a time-honored function of government, here and around the world.

    We did that with oil and gas-- and CONTINUE to do it, long after it's been making umpty-gazillions of dollars of profit off of thee and me.

    And yet we're all pouty and disapproving and scornful about the government putting a tiny fraction of that amount into green energy? Please.  It's like demanding Amtrak stand on its own while pouring hundreds of billions of tax dollars into highways.

    Natural gas is certainly kinda nice, until it runs out, of course, or the price becomes unaffordable.

    Personally, I heat my home with wood.

    Parent

    Speaking of Andrew Weil... (none / 0) (#3)
    by shoephone on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 04:33:47 PM EST
    Here's an interesting NYT book review about Timothy Leary and friends, a group which included Andrew Weil (until he, apparently, in a fit of pique or jealousy, helped get Leary and Ram Dass thrown out off the Havard faculty). I think it would be a great summer read, so I'll wait for the paperback edition.

    I remember Paul Krassner (none / 0) (#6)
    by jondee on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 05:02:47 PM EST
    talking about how Ram Dass's brother always called him "Rammed A*s".

    Quite a crew, those guys. I'd STILL rather have them running things over the Bushes, Obamas and Clintons of the world.

    Parent

    I second that... (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 07:17:49 PM EST
    did not know "Come Together" was a campaign song for Leary against Reagan.  Wild.

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    More State Medical Marijuana: NJ, IL, WI,PA (none / 0) (#4)
    by Ben Masel on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 04:50:48 PM EST
    New jersey's lame duck session will see one last effort to pass a bill Monday. The Assembly seems poised pass a narrower bill than cleared the Senate a year ago, and adjourn, leaving the Senate to take it or leave it. Incoming R Governor Christie says he'd sign a bill,but not the Senate's. Outgoing Guv Corzine will sign whatever he's sent.

    IL: AP asked Governor Candidates about Med. MJ. Gov. Quinn supports, Primary challenger Hines opposes. Most of the Rs, but not insider Kirk, support.

    WI: D Senate majority Leader Russ Decker wants Health Committee to rework the bill, likely narrowing it. we're running up agaist an end of session deadline, still hopeful.

    PA: Committees took testimony in Dec, plan an additional hearing. Significant republican support, so there's a chance something's enactedc before the year is out.

    HILARIOUS (none / 0) (#5)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 04:50:59 PM EST
    there are some stunningly stupid people in the world.

    BEST FAILS OF 2009

    Hilarious?? (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by shoephone on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 10:14:10 PM EST
    Yeah, it's so funny watching people get seriously injured.

    One in every crowd, I guess.

    Parent

    I'm a fan of sick humor (none / 0) (#18)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 10:47:18 AM EST
    My daughter sent me a link to fail blog once.  If I'm ever having a bad day, somehow fail blog always makes things better.

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    Speaking of "sick humor" (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by jondee on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 11:57:33 AM EST
    and bitter-sweet medicine:

    The Dr Bill Hicks renaissance continues in full swing with Russell Crowe apparently slated to play the late, great comic/social commentator in an upcoming film.

    Scat munchers, beware!

    Parent

    Dawn Johnsen has been... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Tony on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 05:05:22 PM EST
    re-nominated by the administration to lead the Office of Legal Counsel.

    Very nice to see.

    hey (none / 0) (#9)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 05:18:42 PM EST
    tatoo your eyes

    "The Hurt Locker" (none / 0) (#10)
    by lentinel on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 06:04:20 PM EST
    I just watched a movie called "The Hurt Locker" - directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

    I found it to be gripping.
    And very original.
    I can't quite put into words what it made me feel.

    The ending is so so subtle and nightmarish at the same time.
    It made me gasp.

    Is anyone else hurting for Colt McCoy and family? (none / 0) (#12)
    by mogal on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 08:59:39 PM EST


    Nope (none / 0) (#22)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 12:28:16 PM EST
    Looks like he will recover from his injuries and have much success in the NFL. Perhaps the Broncos will figure out a way to draft him. (hope hope hope)

    Parent
    We got him! (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 09:46:00 AM EST
    Rest easy America, the terrorist of love has been apprehended....whew, thats a relief!

    Jiang hadn't mentioned anything to his roommates about what happened at the airport and they were surprised by the arrest. He said he felt Jiang didn't think what he had done was a serious matter.

    Not a serious matter!  What could ever give this criminal and his roomate conspirators such a strange idea...don't they know we are gripped in a global struggle of good vs. evil, and if goodbye kisses are allowed beyond a checkpoint at the airport sharia law and the downfall of the great experiment will surely follow?  Open a paper dudes!

    All sarcasm aside...it's a relief they couldn't find anything to charge him with beyond "defiant trespass".  Of course, this has NJ Sen. Frank "Yellow Knickers" Lautenberg in a huff again....

    "This was a terrible deed in its outcome -- it wasn't some prank that didn't do any harm -- it did a lot of harm because it sent out an alert that people can get away with something like this," Lautenberg said

    Terrible deed?  If you say so "Yellow Knickers", I guess we should prepare for new criminal law making crossing the non-velvet rope at the airport subject to 25-life or something.

    I wish to apologize to Mr. Jiang and his lucky lady on behalf of the United States of America...I really do.  This ain't us...at least I hope this ain't us...damn, I guess I wish this wasn't us.

    Well, in all honesty (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by nycstray on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 11:02:46 AM EST
    one really shouldn't cross into a secure area, especially after being told not to. Waiting for the guard to leave and then doing so is on the the guy. I would have been p*ssed as all H*ll if I had been caught up in that delay.

    That said, the TSA really needs to get their sh*t together. Camera not working? Calling a guard away from his post when he's the only one there and expecting the area to stay secure? Perhaps they should ditch the body scanners and use the money for more employees and some brain power . . . .

    Parent

    kdog (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 12:35:20 PM EST
    Come on man.... This dufus ignored the signs, ignored the guard and inconvenienced thousands of people, not to mention the costs to the airlines that probably run into the hundreds of thousands.

    He exhibited typical childish behavior.

    "I want what I want when I want it"

    "The rules don't apply to me."

    I wish they could figure out the numbers of people he gave problems to, multiply that by the two hour delay and sentence him to community service for the total number of hours.

    Picking up trash would be good for his soul.

    Parent

    I thought he scr*wed things up (none / 0) (#24)
    by nycstray on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 12:57:45 PM EST
    for much longer than 2hrs. They had to re-screen everyone. Of course 2hrs on top of the "arrive 2hrs early" is already a PIA.

    It's fools like him that make me worry about flying with my dog. She would have been stuck in her crate away from me during the whole ordeal. How's that for a real 'Me Me Me Moment'  ;)

    Parent

    No my friend... (none / 0) (#25)
    by kdog on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 01:32:25 PM EST
    it is Uncle Sam and the TSA that can't read the signs.  It is they exhibiting childish behavior.  It is they inconveniencing millions of people.

    I wish they would figure out that a goodbye kiss between free human beings setting off a four alarm fire exhibits muchas problemas para el sistema mi amigo.

    Parent

    They didn't know that (5.00 / 0) (#31)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 05:51:43 PM EST
    They didn't know it was a "good-bye kiss" until they found the video.  All they knew was that somebody had gotten past security and disappeared.

    Yeah, sure, odds are it was some harmless doofus, but it's completely unreasonable to expect them to shrug their shoulders and say, "Oh, well."  If they don't take it seriously when an unknown person evades security for an unknown reason, then there's zero point in having any security at all.

    Parent

    I don't expect security... (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 05:56:00 AM EST
    to go "oh well", I can see an internal investigation being in order. I never expected them, once they knew all we were dealing with was a good-bye kiss, to actually put out an apb on the guy.  It's really unbelievable.  Seems his crime is exposing our security as the joke it is and arse-hats like Lautenberg want to make him pay for making the system look bad.

    Serously, if airport security is so important, shouldn't we be thanking this guy for exposing flaws?

    Unfortunately I do think there is zero point to much of our airport security except to create an authoritarian illusion that makes people think all is well by treating everybody like prisoners in transport.  

    Parent

    Come on man (none / 0) (#28)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 04:51:17 PM EST
    The rules may be silly but that doesn't give this dufus the right to mess everyone else's day up.

    Parent
    Security messed up everyone else's day.. (none / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 05:57:16 AM EST
    I see we've got a fundamental disagreement again old pal.

    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#17)
    by jbindc on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 10:04:49 AM EST
    Seems Rutgers should be embarrassed that this guy is a doctoral student and doesn't understand what it means when both signs and a guard tell him to stay "behind the rope"!  Seems like what he wants to do is way more important than everybody else's time (and frankly, this really does seem staged).

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    Love is notorious (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by jondee on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 03:31:51 PM EST
    for not staying behind the rope.

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    Neither are staged demonstrations (none / 0) (#32)
    by jbindc on Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 08:34:41 PM EST


    Parent
    Friday Afternoon Open Thread | 35 comments (35 topical)

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