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Tuesday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 09:39:07 AM EST
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I'm headed to court. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Tuesday Open Thread | 149 comments (149 topical)

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    24/7/364... (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 10:42:57 AM EST
    does anybody know which day the DHS takes off, so we know which day is safest for our dignity to travel?  

    The non-bedwetters would like to know!

    Best line of the day (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by jbindc on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 05:38:44 PM EST
    My sisters are currently sitting at National Airport (I refuse to call it "Reagan National") waiting for their plane home.  One is complaining that they got there super early and now they are sitting around waiting.  The other's response?

    (said with snark)

    How was I supposed to know that security would be deserted?  Never in my life have I been through screening this quickly!!  Don't these people know that we are at war!!

    When I asked if she'd been groped, she replied:

    Not at all.  They barely glanced at us.  Terrible security!

    I mentioned that TODAY might be the day they are taking off.

    Sorry everybody if you aren't traveling today - you missed their day off!

    Parent

    You mean they're... (none / 0) (#136)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:08:24 PM EST
    taking the "Reagan" seriously over at National?

    The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the
    government and I'm here to help.'

    Even a blind squirrel...

    Parent

    Besides... (none / 0) (#9)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 10:48:49 AM EST
    the air is old hat, the new threat is the salad bar/buffet...lets see how they respond to this one...salad bar/buffet prohibition?  FDA goons groping ya on the buffet line?  Undercover busers at the Golden Corral?

    Parent
    I can see it all now (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Zorba on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:24:30 AM EST
    "Step away from the fried chicken, sir."  "Drop the radish, ma'am.  I said drop it!"      ;-)

    Parent
    Isn't this what the feds do? (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by republicratitarian on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:29:03 AM EST
    Routinely raise the threat level, "we have a credible source".
    Let us know how safe they are keeping us while stealing our liberty in the name of national security.

    And I was gonna eat at the Golden Corral for lunch today, thanks alot. :)
     

    Parent

    "We have nothing to fear... (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:31:28 AM EST
    but the Golden Corral itself"...or something like that:)

    Parent
    Christmas Day, isn't it? (none / 0) (#10)
    by jbindc on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 10:51:32 AM EST
    That's the day the Undewear Bomber "allegedly" tried to blow up a Detroit-bound plane.

    Parent
    Couldn't be... (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 10:55:00 AM EST
    Christmas Day should be doubletime, or at least time and a half...TSA agents ain't takin' that day off.

    I'm thinking its gotta be some random summer Tuesday when they play collective hooky.

    Parent

    Someone did last year (none / 0) (#21)
    by jbindc on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:33:14 AM EST


    Parent
    Maybe in Amsterdam... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:47:55 AM EST
    but not in the TSA.

    Not that I expect the Dutch or anybody to know what is in everybody's underwear in the unfriendly skies at any given time...talk about unreal expectations.

    Parent

    I just found out I'm flying up to CT through NY (none / 0) (#20)
    by republicratitarian on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:33:01 AM EST
    in January. Let me know if they take that day off in January!

    I need that link for the xray proof underwear again. :)

    Don't touch my junk bro!

    Parent

    You're in some luck bro... (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:38:52 AM EST
    NY airports are as lax as any in the nation, or so I hear...you're junk should be safe on this end...though I guess it boils down to luck of the draw on any given day.

    Let me know if you have a long layover...best pizza in NY just a hop/skip/jumo from Laguardia.

    Parent

    When I get my itinerary I should know (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by republicratitarian on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:04:15 PM EST
    Now I need some warmer clothes. Me and cold weather don't mix. But my mother lives right outside Boston, so I should get to see her and on the company dime.


    Parent
    Hey. Didn't I just tell y'all I was (none / 0) (#123)
    by oculus on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 05:25:43 PM EST
    scatter-scanned/wanded AND patted down at JFK?  Didn't see anything like that happening at Lindbergh Field.

    Parent
    That's just because... (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by kdog on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:01:28 PM EST
    they got wind of your itinerary...you're suspect now kid:)

    Parent
    The thought crossed my mind. Guilt by (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by oculus on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:02:55 PM EST
    assoc.

    Parent
    Sounds like, oculus, you might want to join (none / 0) (#141)
    by caseyOR on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:37:30 PM EST
    the pirate crew. I mean, if you're already a marked woman and all. Sail the warmer of the seven seas in the company of kdog and jeffinalabama and, if she's willing a certain M.D. of kdog's acquaintance. Oh, yeah, I'll be your captain.

    Good company, good food, good drink. Just as soon as the lads secure a sea-worthy vessel.


    Parent

    Twould be fun until the firing commences. (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by oculus on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:57:59 PM EST
    Will you be needing a classical musicisian and/or a retired lawyer?  Maybe the latter!

    Parent
    Oh my, I don't anticipate actual (5.00 / 2) (#145)
    by caseyOR on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 07:09:01 PM EST
    gunplay or gunfire or gun anything, really.

    Music, on the other hand, is always welcome, be it classical, rock, folk, jazz, country, etc.

    I, myself, am hoping to master the harmonica.

    Parent

    My New Year's resolution: learn to play (none / 0) (#146)
    by oculus on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 07:36:15 PM EST
    the sitar.

    Parent
    Me either... (none / 0) (#149)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 22, 2010 at 09:23:15 AM EST
    we need guns?  I was hoping we could go retro...cutlasses, daggers, bows and arrows...for self-defense purposes only.

    We'll be outgunned, but armed with righteousness:)

    A lawyer, otoh...we'll definitely be needing one of those!

    Parent

    Although I am morally opposed to (none / 0) (#144)
    by oculus on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 07:03:22 PM EST
    the activities of the Somalian pirates.  Yes, I know "some" excuse their actions.

    Parent
    I love dogs (5.00 / 0) (#76)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 02:10:12 PM EST
    but you knew that.

    Injured dog's selflessness draws tears

    and she is so beautiful.  she looks like one of mine.

    and

    video of the lunar eclipse

    Drew a tear... (none / 0) (#87)
    by sj on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 02:36:00 PM EST
    ... to my eye, too.

    Parent
    it makes me a little sad (none / 0) (#89)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 02:38:45 PM EST
    that my Daisy (who could be a twin) was spayed. I think she would have been a awsum mom.


    Parent
    Not me so much (none / 0) (#94)
    by sj on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 03:07:45 PM EST
    I think my little Chow would have been an awesome Mom, too.  In fact, she went into heat the week after I took her off the street which necessitated immediate intervention.

    But there is no way I could keep her AND her litter.  And letting them go one by one would have felt a little like dying in increments :)

    I kinda get attached.

    Parent

    And spaying your dog, means (5.00 / 2) (#113)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 04:28:28 PM EST
    more shelter dogs will get a chance...

    Parent
    and there is that (none / 0) (#114)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 04:31:59 PM EST
    still.  I look in Daisys eyes and it makes me a little sad that she can never be a mom.

    Parent
    I get it. I do (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by sj on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 05:19:58 PM EST
    I totally believe in spaying our pets, but every now and then when I see how protective AND playful AND nurturing AND communicative she is, I imagine her with a litter of puppies.  Just for a tiny little moment.

    Parent
    there is that (none / 0) (#95)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 03:10:32 PM EST


    Parent
    Did I miss discussion here of VP Biden's (5.00 / 2) (#132)
    by oculus on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:00:10 PM EST
    statement aQ Pakistan/Afghanistan no longer has the capability of pulling off devastation similar to 9/11?  If that's correct, what is the justification for NATO/U.S. military operating at the current time in either country?  NYT

    Go back (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:04:27 PM EST
    to the first post on Sunday morning to see what was mentioned.

    Parent
    Pretty much a non-event re TalkLeft. (none / 0) (#140)
    by oculus on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 06:23:43 PM EST
    Surprising.

    Parent
    Antonyms for "lame" (none / 0) (#1)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 09:49:25 AM EST
    per webster

    the admirable duck session?

    the commendable duck session?

    the creditable duck session?

    the laudable duck session?

    the meritorious duck session?

    the praiseworthy duck session?

    I'm a little partial to (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Anne on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:03:08 PM EST
    the F**k-A-Duck session, myself.

    Us being the "ducks" in question, of course.

    Parent

    How about (none / 0) (#3)
    by lilburro on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 09:58:18 AM EST
    "it's all well but for the domestic hell" duck session?

    DADT and START will be great victories but the tax cut deal is very, very ominous.

    Esp due to Obama not changing the narrative and Social Security trial balloons.


    Parent

    not so worried about SS (none / 0) (#5)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 10:00:37 AM EST
    I dont think O wants to go down in history as the dem president who gutted SS

    Parent
    Not even waiting until Feb. to (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by MO Blue on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 03:25:26 PM EST
    get the Cat Food Commission's recommendations back on the table.

    Senators Mark Warner and Saxby Chambliss have re-animated the Catfood Commission, and plan to introduce a bill based on its recommendations in the next Congress.

       Two senators pledged on Monday to offer bipartisan legislation next year that reflected proposals to slash the federal budget deficit submitted this month by a presidential commission.

        "Taking the commission's report ... we'll be introducing that as legislation, a legislative vehicle, next year, recognizing in the process that a lot of that would be subject to change," Democratic Senator Mark Warner said.


    ...
    Hilariously, Warner and Chambliss, who want to bring forward a plan that cuts the budget deficit by $4 trillion over the next ten years, just both voted for a tax cut bill that, if the Bush tax rates are continued into perpetuity... add $4 trillion to the budget over the next ten years. This is why I thought that the tax cut deal had to be looked at as a whole. You could have basically eliminated the need for this Warner-Chambliss clown show simply by doing nothing. Link

    BTW, the gutting of SS will be sold as "saving SS and the U.S. economy." Obama will definitely use the bully pulpit to sell this idea and take down any dissenters. Also, the corporate owned media has been seriously selling the cuts for at least a year.

     

    Parent

    I do (none / 0) (#12)
    by sj on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:04:07 AM EST
    God help me, I hope I'm wrong.  But I do think exactly that.

    Parent
    I think that is right (none / 0) (#28)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:51:31 AM EST
    It appears that Obama will go to the center on taxes.....Some big announcement on taxes during the State of the Union....

    It won't be good.  But I think he will want to be post-partisan and propose a new tax code that will not cut Social Security benefits.  The plan will be horrid, of course, for the reasons articulated here and elsewhere....

    But I am hoping the damage will be limited to tax rates.....

    Parent

    dont really (none / 0) (#4)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 09:58:37 AM EST
    roll off the tounge

    Parent
    Maybe some alliteration, rhyme (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:55:40 AM EST
    the Lucky Ducky session.

    The Same ol' Lame Duck session.

    The Dead Duck session.

    The Laughably Lame Duck session.

    Parent

    See Cap'n, I told you DADT would be (none / 0) (#23)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:36:28 AM EST
    repealed.

    It is a big deal.  History.  It will be remembered for years to come.  Decades.  Just like Truman integrating the armed forces.

    It will very much discourage the religious right....They will slowly dissolve as an organized political force.

    Parent

    I agree (5.00 / 0) (#38)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:34:01 PM EST
    that it is a watershed for gay rights.  it will defang arguments against gay equality across the board.  but it galls me a little that congress will get the credit.  IMO the main reason it passed is because it was becoming clear that the courts would do it if they did not.  not that much courage involved. but whatever.  I will take it.  and in the end a congressional repeal will go down better with the haters.  that is to say they will still  hate it but it will be harder for them to condemn it.

    I am gratified that it appears that I will live long enough to see this and national gay marriage.
    there were many times I did not think I would live to see either of those things.

    Parent

    I understand (none / 0) (#40)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:38:33 PM EST
    what you're saying about not seeing any of this. After 2004 and the massive gay bashing gay blaming campaign of George W. Bush, I figured it would be literally decades before any of this happened. I'm sure it will still be decades in GA but even GA is going to have to figure out a way to deal with gay marriage because it is legal in some states.

    Parent
    gay marriage (none / 0) (#44)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:46:09 PM EST
    I totally believe it will be legal nationally when the Boise/Olsen lawsuit gets to the SC.


    Parent
    The repeal of DADT could (none / 0) (#61)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:26:04 PM EST
    be very perusausive for Justice Kennedy.  

    The repeal of DADT makes gay marriage look more mainstream.

    Parent

    absolutely (none / 0) (#62)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:27:37 PM EST


    Parent
    Rich Lowry (none / 0) (#2)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 09:58:09 AM EST
    Republican opposition to New START is collapsing. One Senate source just told me the vote for ratification could go as high as 75.

    The list grows (none / 0) (#6)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 10:21:50 AM EST
    "I am convinced that Americans are safer and more secure with the New START treaty than without it."

    --Lamar Alexander

    Parent

    letting cash strapped families (none / 0) (#7)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 10:31:45 AM EST
    eat dirt for christmas is one thing.  they would totally have done that.  

    letting a treaty die that every unelected republican said needed to pass is another.

    this was always going to happen.

    Parent

    Current GOP on board (none / 0) (#14)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:10:08 AM EST
    for START...I think:

    Isakson
    Brown
    Gregg
    Lugar
    Voinovich
    Snowe
    Collins
    Alexander
    Bennett
    Corker

    That's more than necessary.

    Parent

    Will Manchin have another engagement (none / 0) (#30)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:56:57 AM EST
    this time too?

    Parent
    I believe (none / 0) (#31)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:02:22 PM EST
    Only Wyden won't be there but that means only 66 votes will be needed to ratify.

    Parent
    I thought it meant (none / 0) (#45)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:47:37 PM EST
    67 was needed if he wasnt there?

    Parent
    2/3rds (none / 0) (#54)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:18:19 PM EST
    of 99 is 66. I believe it's votes of those present, but welcome correction if my treaty knowledge is lacking.

    Parent
    you are probably right (none / 0) (#55)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:20:00 PM EST
    I just thought I heard this morning that if he didnt make it 67 would be required.  

    Parent
    Add (none / 0) (#57)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:22:00 PM EST
    Murkowski which probably makes it at least 68 votes and another Lame Duck session victory.

    Parent
    I think once passage is (none / 0) (#59)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:25:44 PM EST
    obvious there will be many get on the train.  Lowry said 75.  wouldnt surprise me if it was higher than that

    Parent
    It's terrible to gloat (none / 0) (#67)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:50:32 PM EST
    but one of the great things here is McCain thought his vote would be needed and wanted to add an amendment to get on board with his vote. Without the need for his vote, I suspect he'll look for the closest camera after ratification and suggest that implementation of this treaty is terrible. He's consistently against the grain when he can't toot his own horn.

    Parent
    67-28 (none / 0) (#106)
    by CoralGables on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 03:58:14 PM EST
    For Cloture on START.

    Ratification vote will be tomorrow.

    Parent

    The Census hits (none / 0) (#13)
    by andgarden on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:06:26 AM EST
    Anyone can now see that the House is too small.

    NY loses two seats--again. Michigan only one. Texas gains four, Florida two, CA zero.

    They are moving south (none / 0) (#17)
    by jbindc on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:29:44 AM EST
    To very red states.

    Gerrymandering is gonna be interesting!

    Parent

    Texas will be interesting (none / 0) (#26)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 11:47:24 AM EST
    The GOP gains in Texas this year were impressively wide but not all that deep.

    In the biggest GOP wave in a long time, Rick Perry won re-election by 13 points--Jerry Brown's margin of victory in California.

    Half the kids enrolled in public school in Texas are Latino.  Half.

    Texas is on the verge of turning.  It may take another decade.  But it looks like it will happen.

    California used to be Republican state.  Reagan.  Bush, Sr. won it.  And we used to have GOP Governors.  The state legislature was held by the GOP in the early 90s.

    Now, a local t.v. newscast last night said LA county is 49% Latino and 9% African American.  After figuring in Asians, Caucasians are not going to break 40%.  Whites are a minority in LA.

    Demographics explain much.....Texas will turn.

    Parent

    You assume, of course (none / 0) (#35)
    by jbindc on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:15:03 PM EST
    that most Hispanics in Texas will vote for the Democrats. You could be right, in the future, but as early as last February, more than half considered themselved conservative.

    Now, Perry lost Hispanics to White, but I think it's a mistake to assume that most (or all) Hispanics will automatically pull the lever for the "D".

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:20:32 PM EST
    they might consider themselves "conservative" in the old sense of the word but I'm willing to bet that they aren't in agreement with the current GOP and it's policies.

    I know people who call themselves "conservative" but don't even know what it means.

    Parent

    Maybe (none / 0) (#37)
    by jbindc on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:28:58 PM EST
    But the same could be said about "liberal".

    Many of the Hispanics are devout Catholics.  They may not like the immigration stance of the Republicans, but many of them agree on things like abortion and gay marriage.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#39)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:35:15 PM EST
    the majority of African Americans are against gay marriage and abortion too. Apparently Hispanics don't really vote on social issues either or the GOP would always be winning in Hispanic districts.

    Hispanics have been used by the GOP as a boogie man just like they have used gays and African Americans in the past. It seems the only people that the GOP attracts with their anti abortion and anti gay marriage stances are white evangelicals and mostly elderly evangelicals at that.

    Parent

    Prop 8 in California (none / 0) (#43)
    by jbindc on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:41:23 PM EST
    And I haven't seen anything that had many AA's consider themselves "conservative".

    I don't think they are necessarily comparable.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#117)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 04:38:52 PM EST
    that's pretty much what I'm saying when I say people don't even know what conservative means.

    I'm willing to bet that a lot of Hispanics call themselves conservatives even though they don't agree with the GOP on much just as many AA's may call themselves liberal but in reality are conservative in their social beliefs.

    Parent

    So very true (none / 0) (#47)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:53:55 PM EST
    You can chart it out here in California.  Imperial County is a good gauge.  Heavily Latino right on the border.

    It voted in favor of conservative abortion initiatives and Prop 8 but always heavily for the Democratic candidate....

    Parent

    A recent poll showed (none / 0) (#50)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 12:57:43 PM EST
    that Latinos are "green".  By 2-1 they support environmental causes/regulation.

    There was some musing whether that was because of an inherent support of environmental issues, or just acceptance of the Democratic position.

    Latinos in California vote very heavily for the Democratic candicate.  A generic Democratic candidate starts out with a 15% lead here--just by having a "D" by their name.

    Texas are not so different.

    Parent

    Catholic (none / 0) (#52)
    by MKS on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:08:52 PM EST
    Yes, generally true....But many are also Evangelical....

    But Catholic doctrine is also about caring for the poor, and the GOP does not do that.....

    African Americans used to vote for Republicans.  Ike got a lot of African Americans to vote for him.  Then came Goldwater's opposition to the Civil Rights Act.

    Every year, the GOP says with more outreach, etc., they will erode the Democrats' margin with African Americans.  It hasn't happened yet.  The Dems still get 90%.

    Latinos are a natural Democratic constituency.  For all sorts of reasons beyond just the GOP's ham-handed bigotry.  (This is one of the reasons Republicans often oppose immigration reform--they don't want to create more voters for the Democrats.)  

    Bush, Jr., remember, was for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship and compassionate conservatism.....All that has been abandoned.

    The Latino vote bailed out Harry Reid and Bennet.  Right now, and for the forseeable future, Latinos (no, not everyone, but a two-to-one majority) are a reliable Democratic vote.
     

    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#88)
    by Zorba on Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 02:38:30 PM EST