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Sunday Night Open Thread

In case you missed it, here's SNL last night on Wikileaks' Julian Assange.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    what a week (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by The Addams Family on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 08:27:09 PM EST
    the Obama-GOP tax deal

    had to put down my 17-year-old cat

    & just rescued a 7-month-old street kitty i have been feeding

    forming my own Cat Food Commission i guess

    I'm so sorry about your kitty, (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by nycstray on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 08:47:01 PM EST
    that's a freakin' hard one to deal with. I have an 18.5 yo cruising towards her transition. She's rallying at the moment though, and in total control of her timetable, it seems. Oh so feline of her ;)

    Congrats on your new addition. Youngin's are always good for the soul. I'm fostering a couple right now (in addition to my 5), and they've been an added comfort after some rough times. Soon to be on their way though, as they are almost at weight to move on to the HS in search of a forever home. I'm going to miss them, so I may have to take in another crew that needs a place to land until old enough for the HS.

    Something tells me our CFCs are more compassionate than O's . . . they understand the concept instinctively, and give out purrrrrrrs ta boot!

    Parent

    O'Reagan is making sure (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by observed on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 08:55:45 PM EST
    that millionaires don't eat catfood.

    Parent
    Exhuming McCarthy (none / 0) (#5)
    by Dan the Man on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 09:52:39 PM EST
    Loyal to the Bank of America (none / 0) (#6)
    by Dan the Man on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 09:53:50 PM EST
    Sorry about the loss (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:17:11 AM EST
    of your old friend, and congrats to you and your new one.

    Parent
    thanks mt & sj & nycstray (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:15:02 PM EST
    i will be integrating the new girl w/a sweet 17-month-old Ragamuffin boy (rescued @ 3.5 months from a parking lot last year)

    plan is to keep them in separate areas for 5-7 days, then switch areas for a few days (&/or expose them to each other's scent for that period), & then have them in same area (w/new little girl in a wire mesh enclosure) for the formal introduction - taking it slow

    any & all tips appreciated

    i have a separate office across the hall, w/its own bath, & that is where the boy slept until last week since we did not want our old girl to feel displaced from her spot between 2 sleeping humans - we call the boy's place "the man cave"

    Parent

    So sorry (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:20:08 PM EST
    about your cat, TAF.  It's always hard to lose a beloved furry friend.  I think you're doing the right thing by with your plan for the introduction of the new kitty.  We've never had trouble introducing a new cat to a current cat by doing something similar.

    Parent
    thanks Zorba (none / 0) (#34)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:31:16 PM EST
    Sounds good (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:48:01 PM EST
    They usually manage to sort themselves out after a certain amount of hissing and growling and a few dust-ups.

    Giving them space is hugely important, especially for the resident cat, who rightly feels his territory is being invaded by a rude upstart twerp.

    I live in the country, so my cats are outdoors during the daytime, and that has helped enormously to diffuse tensions.  If you can't do that, just be sure each has its own territory, and you seem to be doing that.

    Major condolences on losing your beloved old girl.  I've lost several to various causes over the years, and the only solace for me has been to get new young life into the house as fast as possible so I'm less brooding on misery and death and loss and preoccupied instead with energy and health and vibrant life.

    Parent

    sounds good! (none / 0) (#89)
    by nycstray on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:41:08 PM EST
    slow intros are the best, imo :) My cats were totally freaked just hearing the tiny (3wk?) foster kittens when they arrived. I had a good laugh though, as totally obnoxious 4yo youngster Yankee (who wrecked H*ll on the other kitties as a new addition until recently) was beyond disturbed by them. Payback's a b*tch ;) My seniors started warming up to the fosters first, and the one who I think has the shortest time spends the most time with them. It's sweet.

    I used baby gates and the fosters spent time (and still do) in the airline crate I used to move The Dot out here. Plenty of room for them and they sleep through the night while crated instead of waking me up at 3AM. I also crated prior new additions and gave sep rooms with doors and gates. Peace has always been achieved.

    You should do fine with your setup. I call my foster space the baby/geriatric room :) Youth keeps the elder active and the elder teach the youngin's :) A couple of my cats have turned into indoor/outdoor here. I was quite surprised as to how well they get along with the 'hood cats. I was sure they were going to cause trouble (fights, especially over the food bowls my neighbors leave out) Nope. But they also adapted at their own pace. They even share my/their porch with the kitties from across the way! I guess a super good and large sunspot gets shared in feline land ;)

    you'll have to share pics after they settle in together :)

    Parent

    Pics? (none / 0) (#92)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 18, 2010 at 08:36:34 PM EST
    How about some pics yourself?  I love this story about the tiny ones and their older hosts.

    Parent
    Aw, I'm so sorry (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by sj on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 11:24:48 AM EST
    It's very hard to lose an old friend.

    May your new friendship be as companionable.

    Parent

    Very sad for you and your cat... (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by rhbrandon on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:34:39 PM EST
    That cat knew he/she was loved. So did you.
    Hope the baby kitty works out fine.
    Our cat food commission endorses Little Friskies, by the way. That, and any and all cat treats.

    Parent
    With respect (none / 0) (#93)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 18, 2010 at 08:40:50 PM EST
    Little Friskies are made of crap, as are most supermarket-available cat food.  The meat in them is predominantly "by-products" and it's all loaded with carbohydrate fillers that cats, as obligate carnivores, aren't built to metabolize.  Feeding them the good stuff available usually only in smaller pet supply places is expensive, but less expensive than vet bills and ultimately less hard on the heart of the human companion.

    Parent
    Alright, I'm sick of the current pant and (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:58:28 PM EST
    denim style.  And please, stop acting like lowrise pants some sort of "fashion" original.  You stole it from the 60's and it was called hiphuggers.  You stole bootcut too, when it was original it was called bellbottoms.  If the fashion industry hoped to do something original, it did....it introduced lowrise when everyone was wearing thongs and it created the whale tail and maybe tramp stamps too.

    I am sick of butt crack though. I am sick and tired of making sure that my own butt crack is tucked away and I'm sick and tired of seeing everyone else's when they haven't got around to pulling up the back of their pants and making sure that theirs was tucked away as well.  I'm done with lowrise.  I'm tired of butt crack! I'm not buying one more new pair of anything until you guys come up something original and deals with butt crack and my need to not see it all the damn time.

    the crack epidemic (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:37:57 PM EST
    is a serious problem

    Parent
    Crack is whack (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by republicratitarian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:19:13 PM EST
    i have been subjected (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:36:02 PM EST
    to DOUBLE butt crack - a couple in matched ill-fitting jeans standing up in tandem to settle into their movie seats in the row ahead of me

    ewww

    Parent

    LOL! (none / 0) (#42)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:02:23 PM EST
    Then welcome to the world of "mom pants," Tracy.  They're still around.   ;-)

    Parent
    I have long legs too (none / 0) (#44)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:06:39 PM EST
    I need a 33" inseam just to wear sneakers.  Victorias Secret came out with a jean that is no peek.  But they cost a lot and I live in jeans.

    Parent
    I have the opposite problem (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:23:47 PM EST
    I have a 26 inch inseam, so boot cut jeans just look like my pants are too long. Straight leg all the way!

    And hip huggers/ low rise look horrible unless you are truly built like a model!

    Parent

    MT, I have solved this problem for (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by caseyOR on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:26:22 PM EST
    myself by purchasing my jeans from Lands End and LL Bean. Both outfits offer a range of styles and fits. So, if you are not ready for "mom Jeans" with their high waist and 20 inch long zipper, but hate the lowrise, you can find a nice pair in between.

    They are not hip purveyors, but I am not a hip purchaser. Take a look at the websites. I bet you find something you like. And it won't cost you $100.00 per pair.

    Parent

    Same at Old Navy (none / 0) (#59)
    by nycstray on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:30:51 PM EST
    I'm slender with long legs, so the ON jeans work well for me and I get the ones below the waist but with plenty of crack coverage :) I can't stand anything on my waist.

    Parent
    Very much enjoyed most (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 09:31:43 PM EST
    of "Haunted" with Brenda Blethyn.  And some of "La Bete.". And all of the Mark Twain exh. @ The Morgan Library

    Did you get together with kdog? (none / 0) (#16)
    by ruffian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:15:16 AM EST
    what did you think of the finale (none / 0) (#17)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:26:39 AM EST
    last night?  at first I found it a bit unsatisfying but the more I thought about it the more I am ok with it.

    one thing.  I think Lumen will be back.


    Parent

    Posted on it downthread.... (none / 0) (#18)
    by ruffian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:32:03 AM EST
    I was a little let down by the Lumen resolution, but it set up that last lonely party scene for Dexter really well.

    Parent
    it also put (none / 0) (#22)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 10:14:49 AM EST
    Deb in an interesting position of endorsing what Dexter does without knowing  he does it.


    Parent
    I didn't want to say before (none / 0) (#25)
    by ruffian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 11:21:18 AM EST
    but in the two original Dexter novels I read, Deb does know about Dexter. I didn't read any more, if there even are any. I liked the series better than the books.

    Parent
    that scene with Deb in the cellar was (none / 0) (#19)
    by ruffian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:42:27 AM EST
    really good. I was on the edge of my seat.

    Parent
    I just think (none / 0) (#21)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 10:11:24 AM EST
    that Lumen is going to find normal life unbearable after being a superhero for a while.  and she will some how be back.  I cant believe they will toss away that chemistry.

    remember she already ran out on her wedding.

    did you happen to catch her interview?  I missed it and wondered if she said she would never be back or anything like that

    Parent

    Joshua was very upset that Dexter (none / 0) (#28)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 11:38:10 AM EST
    is alone.  He had tears in his eyes.  We have all lost sight of the fact that he Lumen were vigilante serial killers together :)  I thought it was a great finale.

    Parent
    I had tears too (none / 0) (#60)
    by ruffian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:31:16 PM EST
    That last scene was very sad . I was thinking about Rita more than Lumen though.

    Parent
    Can anybody figure out (none / 0) (#7)
    by andgarden on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 10:25:32 PM EST
    why AstraZeneca is spending so much money advertising Seroquel? As I understand it, taking Seroquel is serious business. It's not something you ask your doctor for alongside the Viagra.

    I worry that lots of people who really shouldn't be taking it will.

    AstraZeneca has a lot of patent (none / 0) (#8)
    by masslib on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 10:34:31 PM EST
    vulnerability right now. I believe Seroquel loses it's patent protection next year.  Just a guess, but maybe they want to get the most bang out of their buck now, before a generic becomes available.

    Parent
    That sounds plausible (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by andgarden on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 10:53:40 PM EST
    I have a feeling that this is serious enough for the FDA to step in. But they won't . . .

    Parent
    The ban on prescription drug (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:49:27 PM EST
    advertising to the general public should never have been lifted, IMO.

    Parent
    Seroquel is a very serious drug. (none / 0) (#10)
    by caseyOR on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 11:05:54 PM EST
    It's an anti-psychotic. And you are right, andgarden, it is not to be taken lightly. Like so many drugs, Seroquel has been linked to some serious side effects including Type 2 Diabetes. I wonder that it is still on the market.

    Lat year AZ put out a time-release Seroquel, I'm guessing so that they could extend their patent dependent money-machine.

    Parent

    Makes one wonder, doesn't it (none / 0) (#11)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 11:53:12 PM EST
    Marketing prescriptions on the part of the manufacturer may be just fine when the pill is for toenail fungus, but drugs that alter behavior fall into a much different category.

    Parent
    huh? the toenail fungus (none / 0) (#12)
    by observed on Sun Dec 12, 2010 at 11:56:16 PM EST
    drug is dangerous to your liver

    Parent
    Egads - pulled something out the air (3.00 / 1) (#61)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:36:11 PM EST
    and didn't research it first. Oh my.

    Zorba is far more right than observed, IMHO. At least the toenail fungus medicine requires medical supervision. Better start reading the label before you take your next Tylenol...and do a little internet research for just how dangerous that OTC pill actually is.


    Parent

    So is (none / 0) (#40)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:00:16 PM EST
    Acetaminophen, for that matter, but that's sold over the counter.  Too many people in this country are way too blasé about the drugs they take.

    Parent
    I had no idea how bad acetaminophen (none / 0) (#43)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:04:09 PM EST
    can be in the liver department until last year.  They give Joshua a lot of it with codiene when he has a surgery.  It is interlaced with Ibuprofen.  I'm so glad that Ibuprofen works as well for Joshua as it does me because he usually only takes the codiene for a couple of days and finishes out his healing with Ibuprofen.

    Parent
    Mr. Zorba (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:19:52 PM EST
    (who is a molecular biologist) thinks that acetaminophen is so dangerous, he won't have it in the house.  He says the effective dose and the overdose are way too close.  People tend to overdose because "If I still feel bad, I'll take some more."  Or, they may be taking a multi-ingredient cold remedy that has it, then pop a few Tylenol on top of that.  It's particularly dangerous if you drink while taking it (which I realize is not the case for Joshua, but is for many adults).
    Liver toxicity from acetaminophen poisoning is by far the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States, researchers reported.

    Link.

    Parent
    And what's infuriating (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:52:29 PM EST
    is that the Tylenol people have convinced the vast majority of the public with aggressive advertising over the years that aspirin is dangerous and acetaminophen is benign.

    Parent
    It's far from benign. (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:28:10 PM EST
    And you're right about the Tylenol manufacturers.  Aspirin is not exactly benign, either- you can overdose on it, too, and it's hard on your stomach.  But acetaminophen is way over-used in this country- people don't even realize the risks it entails.  Maybe if the illegal drug makers could make something to get you high from it, the government would restrict its purchase the way they do pseudoephedrine.  (Which is a subject for a whole 'nother thread.  It stills ticks me off that I cannot buy pseudoephedrine, which is the only over-the-counter decongestant that works for me, without showing an ID and having them take my name and address, because the meth labs use it.  I hate to be treated like a potential criminal when I'm buying something perfectly legal)

    Parent
    Thanks for the info! (none / 0) (#74)
    by observed on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:04:04 PM EST
    I never use Tylenol; aspirin sometimes, alleve rarely.

    Parent
    Registering for pseudoephedrine (none / 0) (#90)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 18, 2010 at 08:24:44 PM EST
    doesn't bother me so much.  What pisses me off is that the registration means you can't get it at all anyplace that doesn't have a pharmacist.  Where I live, that means a 20-mile drive for the privilege, not a wonderful prospect when you're sick as a dog with a bad head cold.

    I tried that other stuff that's supposed to be a decongestant, but for me, like you, it's just a total waste of money.  Doesn't have any effect at all.  I suspect it's basically a placebo for gullible people.  <grumble, grumble, grumble>

    Parent

    Okay, so what's the word on Ibuprofen? (none / 0) (#75)
    by DFLer on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:05:23 PM EST
    it works (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:07:30 PM EST
    I take 800 mg several times a month for back pain.

    it is the only thing, including prescription pain relievers, that works for me.

    Parent

    Ibuprofen and Naproxen if I've really (none / 0) (#88)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:22:56 PM EST
    messed myself up work so well for me.  Better than an opioid too.

    Parent
    The studies (none / 0) (#80)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:38:09 PM EST
    on ibuprofen (and naproxen for that matter) are all over the place, as far as risks to your cardiovascular system are concerned (which seems to be the recent worry).  It can also impact your stomach (as can aspirin).  Google it, and draw your own conclusions- there are too many differing studies and opinions on ibuprofen for me to even begin to offer links.  We need some really good long-term data on this.  I will say that it's much, much harder to overdose on ibuprofen than on acetaminophen.  If you are taking a reasonable dose, you're better off with ibuprofen than acetaminophen.  If you need to take a really large dose, use due diligence and consult your doctor.    

    Parent
    Problem is (none / 0) (#81)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:41:11 PM EST
    Me, for example.  I take blood pressure medication - I am not allowed to take aspirin or ibuprofren.  Tylenol is it.  

    Now, I don't take a lot of it, and even when I do, I usually take way less than the recommended dose (for example, if I take a Tylenol PM to sleep, I cut one in thirds.  One little piece works for me)

    Parent

    It sounds like (none / 0) (#82)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:49:31 PM EST
    you're being very careful with it, especially if you're taking less than the recommended dose.  Unless you up your dosage and drink a whole lot when you take it, I'm sure you'll be fine.  The problem is that most people don't know the risks of any of the medicines they routinely take.  We (for the most part) don't get the info from our doctors, and we certainly don't get the info from the media.  The best we can do is to keep informed, and make reasonable decisions for own situations.  Nothing is without risks.  We just need to be aware of them, and act accordingly.  

    Parent
    My sister (5.00 / 0) (#83)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:54:43 PM EST
    is a medical librarian at the FDA - I'd heard about the risks.

    But no - I'm just very sensitive to medicine.  Cold medicine gets me punch drunk and knocks me out - even usually the "non-drowsy" stuff.  Same reason I don't really drink - 1 beer gets me buzzed and my head spinning.
    Yes, I'm a lightweight.

    Parent

    I have (none / 0) (#85)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 05:02:40 PM EST
    a dear friend who is the same.  She's very, very sensitive to meds (and alcohol) and is extremely careful about what she takes.  She has to keep reminding her doctors (she has a variety of medical problems) about this, because they don't always read her (very voluminous) charts.

    Parent
    "Standard dose" (none / 0) (#91)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 18, 2010 at 08:28:31 PM EST
    That's what bugs me about the supposed "standard dose" for pretty much everything.  I'm the opposite.  I'm what's apparently called a "fast metabolizer," meaning I need usually twice the standard dose for everything, from antibiotics to painkillers, for it to do what it's supposed to do.

    Parent
    Not the same. You have to be under (none / 0) (#45)
    by observed on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:09:27 PM EST
    doctor's supervision and have liver tests when taking the toenail fungus medicine---unless there is a newer, safer drug out there.

    Parent
    According to my (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:21:24 PM EST
    husband, you should be under a doctor's supervision and have liver tests when taking acetaminophen, too.  He thinks it should be prescription-only, with a black-box warning.  See my reply to Militarytracy.

    Parent
    thoughts on the Dexter finale? (none / 0) (#14)
    by ruffian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:04:51 AM EST
    I won't give anything away until the regulars say they have seen it, except that Jennifer Carpenter better get her Emmy and/or Gloden Globe this year.

    So is the cop killing in the van still an open case for next season?

    I guess (none / 0) (#20)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 10:05:47 AM EST
    but it would have been easy enough to tell the docs were forged so Quinn was saved thanks to Dexter.

    I wonder what happens to the photos he has of the two of them

    Parent

    Right, the photos, (none / 0) (#24)
    by ruffian on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 11:19:54 AM EST
    plus they have to investigate the crime, right? and Quinn seems to know Dexter did it. I thoght that was a nice touch having them with kind of a mutually assured destruction pact.

    Parent
    For all the Global Warming Denialists: (none / 0) (#15)
    by Harry Saxon on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 09:07:00 AM EST
    From the Washington Post, via the Portland Press-Herald:

    CANCUN, Mexico - Even as negotiators worked doggedly Friday to finalize a modest climate accord at United Nations talks, new temperature readings released by the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies show that 2010 now ranks as the hottest year on record.

    An analysis of the combined land and ocean temperature readings from across the planet between Dec. 1, 2009, and Nov. 30, 2010, indicate that 2010 has surpassed what NASA scientists previously identified as the warmest climate year: 2005.



    Click Me


    the big announcment was made on saturday (none / 0) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 10:26:47 AM EST
    I am afraid to know what (none / 0) (#41)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:01:36 PM EST
    the hell you guys are doing now.  I'll show it to the older gamer though when he gets home tonight.

    Parent
    from gamestop (none / 0) (#50)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:31:39 PM EST
    At the 2010 Video Game Awards on Saturday, Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy director Guillermo Del Toro officially popped open the lid on inSane, his video game project with THQ and Red Faction developer Volition. Now, new details on the project have crept out.

    Today THQ announced that Insane would not be one game, but three. The first entry in the trilogy is due out in 2013, with the ensuing two following at to-be-determined dates in the future. A brief trailer (embedded below) was shown this weekend at the awards show, but concrete details remain scant surrounding the title. Del Toro did, however, offer a teasing statement as to what fans can expect from Insane.



    Parent
    funny, from another game site (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:35:44 PM EST
    Volition, makers of Red Faction and Saints Row, have teamed up with acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro for a new horror game. No info is known about Insane, other than that it's coming out in 2013. We'll assume you don't drive a truck around the city spraying people with urine. But with Volition, you never know!

    that would be a reference to the franchise I am currently working on Saints Row.  that is the one Zack Snyder is producing the film version of.

    pretty much all criticism of SR2 was about the look.  we are in the process of making SR3 look amazing.


    Parent

    health care reform unconstitutional (none / 0) (#27)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 11:30:09 AM EST
    Washington (CNN) - A federal judge in Virginia has ruled parts of the sweeping health care reform effort led by President Obama to be unconstitutional. This is the first federal court to strike down the law, contradicting other recent rulings the law was permissible. The key issue of contention was the "individual mandate" requirement that most Americans purchase health insurance by 2014.

    The case is Virginia v. Sebelius.



    Anyone surprised (none / 0) (#29)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 11:59:25 AM EST
    That there's at least one judge out there who would do this?

    The administration has had a bunch of successes beating back this argument, but it was just a matter of numbers.

    Should be interesting to watch what happens next.

    Parent

    yep (none / 0) (#30)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:09:19 PM EST
    It's not (none / 0) (#31)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:10:28 PM EST
    surprising at all, and it indeed will be interesting.  Ultimately it will go to the US Supreme Court, and who knows what they will do?

    Parent
    A good round-up of coverage (none / 0) (#35)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:39:25 PM EST
    Nice link (none / 0) (#36)
    by Zorba on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:43:23 PM EST
    Thanks.

    Parent
    That Virginia judge (none / 0) (#37)
    by christinep on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:51:54 PM EST
    is a Republican and Bush II appointee. So....Another reminder of the powers of the Presidency, perhaps, beyond the Supreme Court? In any event, some have already pointed out that Justice Kennedy of the Supremes will be the center of this all eventually.

    Parent
    We should (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:25:46 PM EST
    Ask him now and save everyone the time and money:

    "Tony - what do you think of the health care mandates?"

    Get is over with and save years of our lives trying to read tea leaves.

    Parent

    Breaking news from the Shark-Jumping Department... (none / 0) (#38)
    by rhbrandon on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 12:52:20 PM EST
    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/12/13/928575/-Hey-kids,-its-a-white-privilege-checklist!

    Apparently, one really is a racist to criticize the President.

    Film at 11.

    actually (none / 0) (#53)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 01:55:19 PM EST
    that is a wonderful checklist - i've seen it before & used it in racism awareness training & highly recommend it to everyone

    that checklist is not worthless just b/c it appears at the Big Cheeto

    nor should the president get a pass on his poor policy choices & abysmal negotiation skills just b/c he is black

    i think this covers the issues recently brought up by Colbert King & Ishmael Reed

    Parent

    Agreed (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by sj on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:23:01 PM EST
    It is a wonderful checklist.  If one is measuring one's degree of privilege.  Or if one is measuring whether or not one is experiencing racism (although if you're experiencing racism I'm pretty sure you'll know)

    But it has zero to do with whether or not one is exhibiting racism.

    Parent

    It may be a wonderful checklist, but, in the... (none / 0) (#54)
    by rhbrandon on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:16:28 PM EST
    wrong hands and used in the wrong way, it is its own hateful instrument of division. At the Big Cheese, it's being used to silence dissent.

    Parent
    so what's new (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:21:54 PM EST
    about silencing dissent @ DK?

    business as usual over there

    Parent

    and a lot of it is total bull (none / 0) (#56)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:23:36 PM EST
    like this

    I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.

    what century are we talking about here anyway.

    Parent

    Okay I happen to think that checklist ... (none / 0) (#68)
    by sj on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:25:46 PM EST
    ... is the wrong tool.  Having said that, the mentality expressed above is still widely found.  Although usually the word "community" is used instead of "race".

    Sentiment's the same, though.

    Parent

    I dont remember (none / 0) (#70)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:31:32 PM EST
    the last time I heard such a thing said publicly

    Parent
    I wish I didn't (none / 0) (#79)
    by sj on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:20:04 PM EST
    Irony? (none / 0) (#57)
    by vicndabx on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 02:25:44 PM EST
    "a wonderful checklist" and "abysmal negotiation skills"

    Parent
    irony? (none / 0) (#65)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:18:33 PM EST
    it is a wonderful checklist, imo, & Obama's negotiation skills are demonstrably abysmal

    so where do you find an occasion for irony?

    Parent

    Do not disparage another's perspective (none / 0) (#73)
    by vicndabx on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 03:48:28 PM EST
    w/o considering that it may be valid seems to be the point of the checklist.  And yet, "abysmal negotitiation skills" seems to do just that.  How do you know that whatever tactics Obama has used in the past have not worked for him?  And if they have, why should he not feel like they are useful to him now?  

    Parent
    i think "the point" of the checklist (none / 0) (#78)
    by The Addams Family on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:16:41 PM EST
    is something else - that white people move thru the world w/kinds & levels of privilege that are as invisible to them as the ocean is to fish

    the checklist primarily reflects a political analysis - respecting others' personal & experiential perspectives is important, of course, but the checklist is not Emily Post's guide to respecting others' perspectives - if it were, then the "perspective" of a white racist would deserve as much consideration as that of an African American descendant of slaves

    i don't give a cr@p what negotiation skills Obama "has used in the past" or whether "he feel[s] like they are useful to him now" - this is not about Obama's feelings or Obama's point of view or what is useful to Obama except as those factors are implicated in his godawful policies & their effects on everyone who is not rich &/or economically secure

    as for his incompetent leadership, by calling it "incompetent" i'm giving him the benefit of the doubt wrt whether he is actually even a liberal

    his policies, as he has NEGOTIATED them, first w/himself & then from a position of utter & inexcusable weakness, are certainly not progressive

    Parent

    1st ski trip of the year (none / 0) (#76)
    by CST on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:06:03 PM EST
    over the weekend and I am soooooore today.

    Surprisingly good snow for this early in the year.  Plus December tickets are relatively cheap, and a lot of ski mountains are practically begging people to come out b/c of the economy.  So if you live in the east and like to ski, now is the time to go.

    To anyone who ever finds themself on a chairlift without your skis/board on (don't ask...) there are two options available for unloading:

    a) hit the ground running as my friends did
    b) stop short, face plant, and roll out of the way as fast as possible to avoid being pummelled by the oncoming chairlift.

    Choose "a".  It hurts a lot less the next day.

    Also fun, apparently Santa Clause decided to go skiing this weekend as well.

    Looking forward to 2012 (none / 0) (#84)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 04:57:37 PM EST
    With the standard disclaimer that it's a long way off, lots of things can happen, yada, yada, yada...

    A new poll put out by Roll Call, Jim Webb's seat has been moved into the "Toss Up" category.

    To all those who said Virginia turned blue in 2008 - you had fairy dust in your eyes.

    well (none / 0) (#86)
    by CST on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 05:02:58 PM EST
    It did turn blue in 2008.

    It might turn red again in 2012.

    Then again "toss up" - means it might not.

    Personally, I'd put it in the "purple" category myself.  That way I'm right no matter who wins :)

    Parent

    Hedging your bets (none / 0) (#87)
    by jbindc on Mon Dec 13, 2010 at 05:11:35 PM EST
    a good thing.

    Parent