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Saturday Night Open Thread

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead an hour before you go to bed.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Clocks? (5.00 / 0) (#2)
    by nycstray on Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 09:45:02 PM EST
    All my 'timepieces' are contained in things like the computer etc that auto adjust. Haven't seen my watch in ages . . .  cell phone works fine as a timepiece  ;)

    My microwave and oven (none / 0) (#3)
    by andgarden on Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 10:08:02 PM EST
    will have to be reset, as will my (easy-to-set watch).

    Parent
    I usually just let my micro/convect one ride (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by nycstray on Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 10:21:28 PM EST
    through the winter. Not an easy reader and it's in use a lot when I'm in the kitchen. Knowing exact time became unimportant to me some years ago for the most part, lol!~

    I remember the days of changing everything in every  room. What a PIA. Kinda like taking down a Christmas tree . . . .

    Ohhh! last day of winter is Friday and da news just said it could hit 62!

    Parent

    I will go to bed on Atlantic Standard (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by observed on Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 10:11:34 PM EST
    Time and wake up on the same.

    Atrios Criticizes Brad Delong's Economic Views (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Dan the Man on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02:05:47 AM EST
    but doesn't admit it.  One of the thing I always find funny is when progressives criticize fellow progressives but don't really admit they're doing that.  Atrios is awesome at this technique and his recent post is a good example of this.  In the post, he talks about the difference between liberal and conservative economists and points to a blog entry by explaining the difference.  And in the blog entry, Brad Delong is desribed mostly as a ... conservative economist.  Now, I'm not one bit surprised at this since from what I've read of Brad Delong, he tends to rely on the magical free market fairies to justify his views.  But it's funny watching a leading progressive admitting as much.

    Maybe it's my own prejudice but (none / 0) (#52)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02:02:16 PM EST
    sometimes it seems as though there are five conservative economists for every one progressive.

    Or, is it just that the great Skinner box is more likely to reward with exposure - air time, conservative economists?

    I remember stories some years back about the billionaire Koch brothers basically lobbying their favorite (of course libertarian)
     pet economist Vernon Smith all the way to the Nobel Prize in economics.  

    Parent

    Our alarm clock hasn't been (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 08:14:31 AM EST
    functioning properly.  It doesn't go off everyday.  But I'm up without it so haven't worried about it these past few months.  I think I will need to go pick up a new one today though.  Jumping an hour ahead and I have a little guy who needs to be up for school early every morning.

    why do I feel (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Jen M on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 08:33:46 AM EST
    Like shooting that &#$@ sun

    I was trying for an adult mindset this a.m. (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 08:43:44 AM EST
    But my inner voice had the same desire, it looks like the raisin making sun from an old raisin bran ad.  The only REAL reason to like morning is due to God making coffee, and then my aim is a little straighter.

    Parent
    What are you guys... (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by kdog on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 08:51:22 AM EST
    both hungover or something?  Maybe this'll get ya going and give ya something to laugh about.

    Wish the sun was shining here...overcast and gray for the championship that carries far too much importance in my life:)

    Parent

    yeah, rain (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Jen M on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:06:11 AM EST
    rain here, rain and wind and cold.

    I am just soooo happy it isn't sn*w!!

    March madness?

    Parent

    Nah... (none / 0) (#68)
    by kdog on Mon Mar 15, 2010 at 05:18:39 PM EST
    March Madness could be considered somewhat important to many people...I'm talking rec league touch football important to 200 freaks.

    We took it down, back to back:)

    Parent

    I love you (none / 0) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:12:43 AM EST
    Good Day Sunshine, just a little revolver :)

    Parent
    Bell ringers (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by mmc9431 on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 08:52:40 AM EST
    I'm glad to see the clocks go back. My bassets have started getting me up at 4 AM. Now with the change of clocks, I might get to sleep all the way to 5 AM. Treats

    I made the fatal mistake of training them to ring a set of sleigh bells at the back door when they had to go out. Eight years later, they're still ringing the bells.

    oops! (none / 0) (#14)
    by mmc9431 on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:15:24 AM EST
    forward!

    Parent
    Our dogs and one of our cats (none / 0) (#28)
    by Anne on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:24:08 AM EST
    "ring the bell" when they want out; we think they trained us, as some years ago we put bells on the front door and the door to the deck as a Christmas season decoration, not as a pet training tool...now, when the bell is jingled, we get up and let them out - so who's really been trained???  :-)

    Hey, I know we're completely owned by the two dogs and the three cats; some days, it seems like we should all be wearing "doorman" apparel, as we let animals in and out, in and out...we've also been trained to give the dogs a treat when they come in, too!  

    It's all worth it, though...wouldn't change a thing.

    Parent

    And to spice up the mirror over (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:26:52 AM EST
    the fireplace I found a mostly lucite clock with some stainless steel accents and I mounted it in the center of the mirror.  What a feat.  I did it last week and put it up already an hour ahead so that I don't have to unzip it using those 3M wall stick on things for about six months.  I turned the lights down in the livingroom last night though and when I cleaned the mirror first I did a less than stellar job.  In low lighting the mirror is a horrible streaked disaster.  I know what I'll be doing today for a bit.

    You are an inspiration! Today's goal is (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:57:28 AM EST
    to hange piece of driftwood from which I will hang my prized Kyoto pot.  Cross your fingers.  Planning to use large bulldogs, wire, and screw-in circle thingees.

    Parent
    My fingers are crossed (none / 0) (#51)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:55:56 PM EST
    It sound so feng.

    Parent
    LeftHand: Shark Steam Bottle RightHand: The Betty (none / 0) (#60)
    by Ellie on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 04:57:30 PM EST
    I want -- nay, am demanding -- a Nobel Prize for this or someone's Clock is getting seriously Cleaned.

    Here's the Shark Steam Bottle.

    Here's how to get The Betty.

    Say good-effin'-bye to streaks, dirt, grub and grime and have more time to languish in trashy peignoirs and complain about the gubmint. My mirrors now actually TALK to me and say nice things.

    Parent

    And will BTD still be too busy today (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:46:04 AM EST
    to address Greenwald's writeup on Friday, and how BTD has said all along that Obama is not pro public option....he just talks smack?  Greenwald makes note that before we were going to go reconciliation, we the unwashed were told we have 50 votes for public option but not the magic 60.  Now that only 50 votes are needed though, suddenly we were told that our 50 had disappeared. The pressure is on though and people are hollering for a public option vote, the number of Senators who have declared openly that they will vote for a P.O. is quickly approaching 50.

    My head spins... (none / 0) (#23)
    by talesoftwokitties on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 10:54:26 AM EST
    Greenwald's Sunday post on (none / 0) (#35)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 12:09:20 PM EST
    defining "terrorism" includes this zinger:

    But the deceit inherent in that inconsistent application has been going on for several decades -- from the Israeli attempt in the 1970s to universalize their local disputes under the rubric of that term, . . .


    Parent
    I never comment on those (none / 0) (#48)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:49:03 PM EST
    diaries or write ups since we have a family member "in the zone" of the fight.  I think I'm too close to be objective.  On a really really bad day, losing someone who meant something to us, I'm about as objective as Osama Bin Laden.  That is how I know he and everyone working for him is a filthy suck loser from hell, I've been them on occassions when I just need to go to my room and cry for a few days. It is a killing field for anyone on it.  The only thing soldiers do is keep the killing field away from "their" general population if they can at this point.  If you have a toe on that field in play though, you are in the current killing field.  Of course sometimes civilians desire different rules that lead to little more than their own soldiers losing their lives in greater numbers.  Then I hear crazy arguments after that that soldiers deserve to die, volunteered to die a stupid death, blah blah on and on (thank God I have thicker skin than when all this started or I'd have become a Republican by now)...the soldiers I know though volunteer to protect the general population of their people and often their allies.  The pay was nothing to jump up and down about until Wall Street destroyed the economy.  The hours were horrible and still are.  The stress is crazy.

    Parent
    And, apparently, many vets are coming (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:53:44 PM EST
    home to unemployment.  Sad.

    Parent
    Maybe he is working on his brackets? (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 12:55:23 PM EST
    Trivial and unimportant (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by waldenpond on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 10:58:55 AM EST
    bit has anyone other than myself noticed the feed below the 'advertise liberally' has been stuck since early Thursday?

    Yes. Thought it was just me. Think (none / 0) (#31)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:45:48 AM EST
    Groundhog Day.

    Parent
    Howard Fineman decrees (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by jbindc on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:26:07 AM EST
    The press has fallen out of love of Obama.

    Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, was 50 minutes late for his briefing, apparently a record for tardiness, but few reporters in the White House press room bothered to feign outrage; they didn't seem all that eager to ask him questions anyway. When his boss flew to Missouri to give another of his "high octane" (The New York Times), "impassioned" (The Washington Post) health-care speeches, no cable channel covered the event. If you are president, the only thing worse than criticism is not being covered. And the truth is, we in the press are bored with Barack.

    The "mainstream media" are losing patience with, and even interest in, their erstwhile hero. President Barack Obama never had a chance with the Ailes-Murdoch crowd, of course, and it didn't take the president long to offend the fierce left wing of the blogosphere. But now, finally, the MSM, which views itself as ideologically neutral, has found ideologically neutral reasons to lose patience with him: that he may be ineffectual; that he doesn't know how to play the game; that he can't get anything done. Exhibit A: the health-care bill. The Times's Frank Rich, the astute dean of the commentariat, wrote recently that Obama has failed to "communicate a compelling narrative" in office and, as a result, "could be toast if he doesn't make good on a year's worth of false starts."

    And yet this collective falling out of love is great news for Obama. Calling it quits with the MSM is just what he needs. A breakup might even save his presidency.

    Oy.

    "Fierce left-wing (none / 0) (#32)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:47:34 AM EST
    of the blogosphere"!

    Parent
    Yes oculus (none / 0) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:52:56 PM EST
    Don't pretend like you aren't in bed with the ferocious man eating left-wing of the blogosphere. Oh wait, you are in bed with the right wing Obama hating blogosphere.  Oh hell, I can't keep it straight who you are in bed with these days.  I'm in bed with myself until the 24th.

    Parent
    Me too. Despite nasty rumors, I am (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02:21:59 PM EST
    not in bed with CJ Roberts.

    Parent
    Last week on Olbermann (none / 0) (#65)
    by BackFromOhio on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 06:04:46 PM EST
    Howard Fineman said that Obama had failed to communicate a believable explanation of how the Senate health care bill is deficit neutral.

    Parent
    AP on tracing of guns: (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:54:53 AM EST
    link

    This is outrageous, IMO:

    At the Pentagon, gunman John Patrick Bedell carried two 9 mm handguns, one of them a Ruger.

    Law enforcement officials say Bedell, a man with a history of severe psychiatric problems, had been sent a letter by California authorities Jan. 10 telling him he was prohibited from buying a gun because of his mental history.
    Nineteen days later, the officials say, Bedell bought the Ruger at a gun show in Las Vegas. Such a sale by a private individual does not require the kind of background check that would have stopped Bedell's purchase. [Emphasis added.]



    Resolved: must meet Digby. (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02:06:54 PM EST
    But how?  The woman blogs almost 24/7.

    I really need to get a photo up of (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 05:51:09 PM EST
    the puppy Digby.

    Parent
    Digby's older brother that I gave (none / 0) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 05:57:44 PM EST
    to a junior handler here beat a professional handler and her big name kennel dog about two months ago.  I thought that the handler had only seen the dog and commented on it and asked about is breeding.  I went to work with the junior handler though yesterday to help him more with stacking his dog and that was when I found out that nope....the twosome had beaten the "pro" twosome at an akc match.  Funniest part, the woman is a real sorority sister man.  I mean it, high school never ended for her.  I had a professional spat with one of her "girlfriends" over a year ago and she just hates my guts now.  She literally would not pee on my face if it was on fire.  And my dog and some little kid kicked her butt now too....pppppffffffft!

    Parent
    Where have you been? What have you been doing? (none / 0) (#16)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:37:34 AM EST
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief David Strickland told a congressional hearing on Thursday that the regulator is considering whether to make "black boxes" mandatory for all new vehicles. [ID:nN11246251]

    The devices can capture data on speed, braking effort and other details which can be vital in reconstructing accidents.

    Long term this is the device to allow the government to control how much you drive and where you go.

    Link

    The Dark Avenger retrurns (none / 0) (#20)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 10:22:51 AM EST
    My comment had nothing to do with school zones or Carly Fiorina.

    Parent
    The Dark Avenger (none / 0) (#25)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:04:38 AM EST
    could never let a comment of mine pass without commenting, always negatively and always either completely or somewhat off subject.

    We shall see if you follow that pattern..

    If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, etc., etc.

    ;-)

    Parent

    Curious (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02:58:04 PM EST
    You've been here for more than a week, but...

    The last reference to me as a "social liberal" was by Dark Avenger on 2/4.

    Anyway, time will tell!

    Parent

    This helps Auto Insurance Companies (none / 0) (#22)
    by IndiDemGirl on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 10:49:46 AM EST
    make money by denying claims.  My Hub is an attorney who mostly fights insurance companies for people when they unjustly deny claims.

      He has one right now where the woman has over 70,000 in medical bills but her insurance co. is saying the black box shows she was going 4 miles over the speed limit so she is at fault.  This even though the other driver was driving with no insurance, no valid driver's license turned left in front of her when she had the right-of-way and was ticketed by the police at the scene for various violations.

    Parent

    Interesting (none / 0) (#26)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:07:32 AM EST
    I always thought that insurance was to protect you even if you were at fault.

    Parent
    Silly Jim (none / 0) (#30)
    by jbindc on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 11:27:46 AM EST
    Insurance exists to collect your money and then refuse to pay on some technicality they make up ("See the policy change we sent out last month.  O, you didn't get the policy change?  Oh, sorry.  Still not covered.")

    Parent
    Or they claim an (none / 0) (#42)
    by IndiDemGirl on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:17:15 PM EST
    "unwritten rule."  Not kidding.  Husband has a case where policy holder had fire years ago and insurance co hasn't paid 1 cent.  They claim policy was breached by homeowner  - this was based on an unwritten rule they have.

    How can you have a written policy some 50 pages long and then claim an "unwritten" rule?

    Hope the jury sees the outrage in this; cuz it seems to be heading for a jury trial.

    Parent

    I must have been lucky (none / 0) (#58)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 03:05:22 PM EST
    I have never had a serious disagreement over coverage/payment for health, auto or property in over 51 years....

    But yeah, I have stuck with the "biggies" and I read the policy very closely and then ask questions in writing and demand answers in writing.

    But yeah, I know that people get hosed and sometimes in business you get people who think they must save the "company."

    But an "unwritten" rule? How could that possibly stand up in court?

    Parent

    You're right, Jim (none / 0) (#39)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:04:28 PM EST
    That is what they are supposed to do, and the ethical do so.

    I work for an insurance broker. We fight hard with the insurance companies when they deny claims against the terms of the policies (it actually doesn't happen often in our experience). But, I also am in WA state, where the insurance companies found to have denied a legitimate claim have to pay out at 3X the original amount of the claim.

    It pays to not buy insurance off the internet, or because of a cute ad. All insurance policies are not alike. Brokers write to a variety of companies, so you can keep the agent you know and still have competitive pricing and choices in policy terms. These companies are looking out for themselves and their shareholders. People need to start reading their policies and shopping for more than just price.


    Parent

    Say goodbye to tight regulation of insurers (none / 0) (#40)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:12:56 PM EST
    by states, I guess, if HCR passes.

    Parent
    Different (none / 0) (#43)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:21:47 PM EST
    insurances completely. Different rules.


    Parent
    Regarding this (none / 0) (#45)
    by IndiDemGirl on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:24:04 PM EST
    But, I also am in WA state, where the insurance companies found to have denied a legitimate claim have to pay out at 3X the original amount of the claim.

    We who live in a state where that is not the case are very jealous.  

    Parent

    Do you elect your insurance commissioner? (none / 0) (#46)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:33:09 PM EST
    For how much we all pay in insurance premiums (most of us never filing a claim in our lives), it should be criminal theft on the part of insurance companies who deny legitimate claims.

    They put the responsibility on the buyer to NOT just trust the insurance company, and read/understand every term of their policy. But, making sure you have a good agent/broker is a huge part of the deal IMO.

    Lately, the companies we've had to argue with are the ones that last year were the prime carriers. Too much of that, and we stop writing policies for them.


    Parent

    In some states, the Insurance Commissioner (none / 0) (#41)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:14:36 PM EST
    is an elected position. It is worth the time it takes to keep up on what the office is doing for the people who gave him/her the job.

    Anyone who doesn't have an agent willing to fight for them should use the IC's office first, and make sure the insurance company is on record for the denial.

    I've yet to see a situation where we haven't succeeded in getting a claim paid that the insurance company was trying to fight.

    Parent

    You live in a good state (none / 0) (#44)
    by IndiDemGirl on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:22:29 PM EST
    Here in Indiana things aren't quite that good.  My huband has about 40 cases where insurers aren't paying homeowners claims.  Sometimes happens when there is a disagreement on adjuster amount and the homeowner won't just accept what the company says and go away quietly.  Sometimes happens with fires where there is a question of arson intially which later disappears, but the policy isn't ever paid.  

    One just settled right before the trial with the other side FINALLY offering a decent amount 6 years after the fire happened.

    Parent

    "The government" + the corporations (none / 0) (#55)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02:26:52 PM EST
    ie, the insurers and automakers, would probably be a more accurate way of characterizing whats behind that kind of thinking.

    Just watch who he goes to work for when he retires from government.

    Parent

    Typical teabagger (none / 0) (#56)
    by jondee on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 02:39:09 PM EST
    thinking - courtesy of Professor Beck -- to place all the emphasis on "the government wants to control you" and deflect away attention from the fact of collusion between government and big business.

    Parent
    Justice Thomas's wife launches Tea Party group (none / 0) (#36)
    by Politalkix on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 12:28:23 PM EST
    It was one of those little bonuses (none / 0) (#37)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 12:48:42 PM EST
    living in AZ for me. Loved not having to go through the time change. They may not have had rationale, they often don't.

    The other bonus was they get their TV broadcasts in Central time, so an hour earlier on the clock. Primetime started at 7:00PM, and the news was over by 10:30PM.

    I'm trying to figure out why the country continues with DST. I didn't change my alarm clocks last fall, so I've been early or on time for six months.

    New biography of Mark Twain: (none / 0) (#47)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 01:46:00 PM EST
    Interesting article.  LAT

    Weren't you banned by Jeralyn? (none / 0) (#61)
    by shoephone on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 05:31:15 PM EST


    Hey shoephone OT (none / 0) (#62)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 05:49:49 PM EST
    The House that Faux Built is a really amazing book.  I should call more of an amazing hardcover catalog though.  Everything in it is supposed to be "green" and they have examples of reburbishing old showers with a type of plaster that is made water resistant somehow and also a batter to cover old countertops in that resembles granite yet artsy fartsy.  You have to order the secret recipes though or something like that.  There's supplemental DVDs and such things that must be purchased.  I probably will for the counter top concoction.

    Parent
    Cool! I'm gonna check it out (none / 0) (#66)
    by shoephone on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:33:42 PM EST
    even though I'm not in the biz anymore. I like to see how things have progressed in the trade.

    Parent
    yes, ymir was banned under (none / 0) (#67)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 09:53:21 PM EST
    other names. He's banned again.

    Parent