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Monday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 05:43:41 PM EST
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Miley Cyrus, liberal threat to the Republic? Who knew? In the threads, Amanda Marcotte informs me at least that Dolly Parton is actually a fantastic liberal. I admit that I did not know that. Go Dolly!

Jeralyn should be taking over soon and I am urging and hoping for some words from her on "The McVeigh Tapes" which will be on MSNBC this evening. I'll DVR it cuz NBA playoffs are always my first viewing choice this time of the year.

Open Thread.

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    Monday Afternoon Open Thread | 62 comments (62 topical)

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    I met Dolly Parton about four years ago, she was (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by Angel on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:12:18 PM EST
    such a warm and generous person.  I had made an ask for a signature from her on an item that was going to put up for auction.  Lo and behold if her manager didn't call me one day and set everything up.  When the evening arrived I was ushered back to their private quarters where I was given a stage pass, met the crew, and was treated like royalty.  She finally came through the door and introduced herself, shook my hand, asked me about the item and where and how to sign it, then she told me to enjoy myself, to eat dinner with the crew and to use my stage pass in any way I felt comfortable doing.  At that moment it felt like we were the only two people in the room, that's the kind of attention she showed me.  I've followed her career for many years and have always been a fan of hers because she just seemed so genuine.  I found out that she was that and more.  And she was absolutely gorgeous!  She had on a black sequined v-neck dress that came to just above her knees, the platinum hair and red fingernails and stiletto heels!  Her skin was luminous and she was less than 5 feet tall in those heels!  And she has a tiny, tiny waist.  

    Not surprised at all that she has liberal leanings.  She has stated many, many times that she thinks everyone is equal and should have the same rights.  

    There are other Democrats among the country music crowd, for instance Tim McGraw, who has said he has considered running for public office.

    I still have the stage pass from Dolly in my office, too!

    Wow (none / 0) (#32)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 11:42:46 PM EST
    wonderful story!  I'm so, so glad to hear this.  I've always liked her enormously and thought she was genuinely a warm person, but you never really know with these folks.

    How lovely to hear this.  Thanks so much for writing about it.

    (I'm not in the least surprised to hear her classified as a liberal.  She's managed to make her opinions known pretty well when you hear her interviewed at any length.  And besides, she could not possibly have done what she did with such total passion in "9 to 5" unless she was, I think.)

    Parent

    I'm telling you, she was fabulous! I've met a lot (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by Angel on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 09:37:58 AM EST
    of entertainers and politicians in my line of work and she was absolutely, without a doubt, the most kind and genuine person ever.  Her staff was first class, just warm and so everydayish.  I mean, her road manager called my personal cell phone!!!  I've still got his number in my address book....what a great memory this is for me, and to be able to share it is nice.  

    Parent
    This is hard to believe. (none / 0) (#1)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:34:49 PM EST
    The European Union has declared travelling a human right, and is launching a scheme to subsidize vacations with taxpayers' dollars for those too poor to afford their own trips.

    Antonio Tajani, the European Union commissioner for enterprise and industry, proposed a strategy that could cost European taxpayers hundreds of millions of euros a year, The Times of London reports.

    "Travelling for tourism today is a right. The way we spend our holidays is a formidable indicator of our quality of life," Mr. Tajani told a group of ministers at The European Tourism Stakeholders Conference in Madrid on April 15. Mr. Tajani was appointed to his post by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

    Link
    If the EU folds, mark down such comments as the trigger on the implosion.


    Holidays Are an Institution (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:43:24 PM EST
    One of the things that the europeans have learned from being an older culture than ours, is that quality of life is important, and that means regular holidays. Here in the US $$ is important and if someone is lucky enough to make enough, they get to spend it at the end of their life.

    Parent
    Oh please... Who do you think will pay for these? (none / 0) (#4)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:51:58 PM EST
    The plan -- just who gets to enjoy the travel package has yet to be determined -- would see taxpayers footing some of the vacation bill for seniors, youths between the ages of 18 and 25, disabled people, and families facing "difficult social, financial or personal" circumstances. The disabled and elderly can also be accompanied by one other person. The EU and its taxpayers are slated to fund 30% of the cost of these tours, which could range from youth exploring abandoned factories and power plants in Manchester to retirees taking discount trips to Madrid, all in the name of cultural appreciation.

    "The commission is literally considering paying people to go on holiday," Mats Persson, of pro-reform think-tank Open Europe, told Britain's News of the World. "In this economic climate, it's astonishing that the EU wants to bribe people with cheap holidays."



    Parent
    N0ne of Your BeesWAX (none / 0) (#6)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:54:32 PM EST
    Dig your own grave and let the European's decide how they want to live.

    Parent
    I don't think this was voted on by the (none / 0) (#8)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:58:05 PM EST
    "Europeans."

    I believe it was ginned up by a socialist government appointee who wants to garner favor from one group at the expense of another group.

    Sound familiar?


    Parent

    You Haven't A Clue as Usual (none / 0) (#9)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:00:49 PM EST
    Best you stick to the plantation..

    Parent
    A clue? (none / 0) (#10)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:11:28 PM EST
    Well, I do find it hard to understand why taking money from some hardworking person and giving it to someone else so they can go on vacation is the right thing to do.

    It doesn't come in nuttier than than that.

    I repeat. This is merely some new entitlement ginned up by a socialist bureaucrat to curry favor from one group at the expense of the other.

    Now. Let us see if you can justify that without making some nasty snark.


    Parent

    Justify? (none / 0) (#13)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:24:39 PM EST
    What do you think that you are king of the world? Anyone who would have a wingnut, xenophobic website called tall cotton, which for most would seem a reference to slave times ("I'm sleeping in tall cotton) has no business judging how europeans live.

    WTF is it to you, unless you are afraid that the next thing those "socialists" are going to do is embrace sharia law and attack your plantation.

    Parent

    I see that you haven't the (none / 0) (#16)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:55:22 PM EST
    ability to argue the point so you run off muttering things about which you know nothing about.

    And as someone who has planted, chopped, plowed, picked and carried to market cotton from tall. medium and short cotton plants I can assure you that soy beans are a lot more fun.

    As for attacks, it seems to me that your neck of the woods seems to attract more attacks by radical Muslims than my Palatial Retirement Compound. I cannot imagine why. Perhaps they recognize the denial of their existence by such as you makes their task much easier.

    In the meantime I will take your failure to respond with any kind of argument a recognition by you that defending free vacations as a human right is neither right nor human.

    Parent

    Hahahahaha (none / 0) (#17)
    by squeaky on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:58:31 PM EST
    Arguing a point with you.... that is hilarious.. it is like arguing with a cotton gin...

    And as usual you do not have a clue... Berlusconi a socialist...lol

    And of course you must have picked this tidbit up in the wingnut echochamber... London Times... lol...

    Parent

    Before we can have an argument (none / 0) (#24)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 09:57:23 PM EST
    it is necessary for you to refute the points I have made.

    You have not done so.

    BTW - "Antonio Tajani," is a very strange spelling of "Berlusconi."

    Perhaps you need to actually read the post and then see if you can develop a deeper understanding of the EU.

    Parent

    That you have no opinion about what the EU does (none / 0) (#22)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 09:48:00 PM EST
    merely reflects a provincial attitude.

    I would say that what happens in Europe is, in may ways, more important to the US than what happens in Hawaii.

    Spoiling for a fight? I just posted something on an open thread and so far no one has been able to defend the actions of the EU bureaucrat.

    Instead I am called a racist and told to mind my own business by people who are always minding others.

    Perhaps it is my pointing out just how ridiculous it is for the government to take money from A and give it to B so that B can take a vacation that bothers you and Squeak.

    Parent

    You sure like to attack (none / 0) (#45)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 08:41:17 AM EST
    and opine but you can't take it, eh?

    I attack no one. And I didn't attack anyone in the post. You know it and I know it. But please keep snarking me when all I have said is that it is not reasonable for the government to force Person A to pay for Person B's vacation.

    And yes, I have picked cotton.

    Try it sometime. Honest labor might be of some help for your world vision, as narrow as it apparently is.

    Parent

    What Squeaky says, plus (none / 0) (#21)
    by ruffian on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 09:17:09 PM EST
    I bet it comes close to paying for itself since that subsidized vacation money will get spent and put right back into the economies where people vacation. don't worry ppj, the 'haves' will get their money back in hotel fares other vacation expenditures.

    Parent
    Ah yes (none / 0) (#23)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 09:51:22 PM EST
    I take money out of my right pocket and put it in my left pocket.

    And my gain is????

    What's next? Shall the government tell the citizen not only when, where and how long, but what they will do while they are there?

    You know, for supposed civil libertarians some in this group has some unusual views.

    Parent

    Your loss is nothing (none / 0) (#26)
    by ruffian on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 10:41:53 PM EST
    That is a mighty leap you make there to the loss of civil liberties. I don't see the government mandating how and where we spend holidays now.

    Parent
    The person with the right hand pocket (none / 0) (#29)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 11:03:17 PM EST
    would disagree with your loss statement.

    As for what the government tells, it should be judged by what the new law would do:

    The EU and its taxpayers are slated to fund 30% of the cost of these tours, which could range from youth exploring abandoned factories and power plants in Manchester to retirees taking discount trips to Madrid, all in the name of cultural appreciation.


    Parent
    Oh, the horror!!! (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 11:26:12 PM EST
    I'm thinking people like you maybe ought to go find a place to form your own country where you can play "Lord of the Flies" to your heart's content.

    Europe, and most other countries, have things they value more than the almighty dollar.


    Parent

    Please explain what (none / 0) (#41)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 08:22:19 AM EST
    being against Person A paying for Person B's vacation so offends you?

    Did you ever think that Person A, having worked and made the money involved in paying for Person B's vacation just might have their own plans and uses for that money?

    You know, like saving it to buy a home.... new car.... their children's education... retirement..

    And it isn't like I have opined against single payer health insurance..... or some other tax payer funded safety net.

    Parent

    Person A, Person B No Problem (none / 0) (#50)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 10:42:25 AM EST
    It is Person C that seems to be the problem here, but keep working on those plans for world domination...

    Parent
    Still can't answer, eh? (none / 0) (#59)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 02:56:23 PM EST
    Figures.

    Now, what was it you said about smearing someone? Something about you not needing proof, wasn't it?

    Why yes. Yes it was.

    Parent

    Answer You? (none / 0) (#60)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 03:04:19 PM EST
    I am not your servant. Try ringing your troll bell somewhere else.

    Parent
    So you just want to attack me (none / 0) (#63)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 04:58:14 PM EST
    because you disagree with some of my views.

    To each his own but I think that rather defines you.

    Perhaps you need a vacation.

    ;-)

    Parent

    Does that mean ya don't need... (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:26:13 PM EST
    a passport anymore?  I agree, traveling is a birthright.

    I don't know about the right to force another to pay the freight...though it's not a new concept...lord knows how many holidays the American taxpayer subsidized last year...just not for the needy, but for the greedy.

    Parent

    Actually No (none / 0) (#20)
    by D Jessup on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 08:44:00 PM EST
    There are no longer any frontier controls at the borders between 22 EU countries.  EU citizens just carry their id cards.  

    Parent
    Passport, ID card... (none / 0) (#40)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 08:16:56 AM EST
    same "papers please" sh*t...I'm talking about the right to travel without any kind of permission slip...a real right.  It's no right at all if your free movement can be halted by men with guns if you don't have the right paper.

    Parent
    Yes, indeed (none / 0) (#25)
    by jimakaPPJ on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 10:01:01 PM EST
    but not under the color of law. Every now and then we manage to fire some and put some in jail.

    Of course since everyone thinks this is a good idea, perhaps we can get them to send us to Vegas for the World Series of Poker..... We can go as the TalkLeft team. Wanna split what each wins??

    ;-)

    Parent

    Sounds marvelous... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 08:24:01 AM EST
    though a slice of your action is probably worth more than a slice of mine:)

    And I think we've both got a lil too much pride to accept such charity.

    Parent

    Uh, it wouldn't be charity. (none / 0) (#44)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 08:34:39 AM EST
    Just an early introduction of EU policies.

    Besides, we could go thirds with Jeralyn.

    We take 1st and 2nd.. should pay about $12 million... $4 million each doesn't sound bad!

    Parent

    That's... (none / 0) (#46)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 08:41:46 AM EST
    some revolution-size funding right there...we could do positive damage!

    Parent
    Are holidays different from pilgrimages? (none / 0) (#34)
    by EL seattle on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 01:00:25 AM EST
    As a subsidized concept anyway...  Lots of folks: Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, etc., go on pilgrimages to holy sites as part of their religious devotion.  Will this be financed by tax money in Europe?  Could it be financed by tax money in the US?

    Parent
    Cultural Differences (none / 0) (#35)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 01:12:55 AM EST
    Are holidays different from pilgrimages?

    The question is not honest. It may be that your knowledge is abstract. America is like an Island..

    Parent

    And the answer is (none / 0) (#43)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 08:26:12 AM EST
    Yes. Of course. It would probably be culturally expanding to send some French Catholic to spend a few weeks attending prayers in a mosque in Iran..

    or someone from New York City attending an old fashioned revival in the rural south....

    ;-)

    Parent

    My ESP experience. (none / 0) (#3)
    by observed on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:50:10 PM EST
    A couple of days ago I was sitting in a hall when  a woman I know (professor in  a different dept.) passed me on her way to the bathroom.
    I was thinking to myself that her dress was pretty, but I didn't say anything.
    When she came out, she looked at me strangely  (no eerie music though) and said "Did you say my dress looks pretty?"

    Pretty freaky, isn't it?
    Now that I have conclusive proof that the paranormal exists, I"m not sure where to start.  Maybe I'll begin with Madame Blavatsky, and then move on to Deepak.
    Oh yeah, I'll have to do a past life regression too, in order to find out what previous connection I had with this woman.

    All we ask is that you use your (5.00 / 0) (#5)
    by ruffian on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:52:27 PM EST
    superpowers for good.

    Parent
    Of couse I plan to make good with this-- (none / 0) (#7)
    by observed on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 06:57:51 PM EST
    all the way to the bank.

    Parent
    Hey wow, my free horoscope (none / 0) (#12)
    by observed on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 07:18:36 PM EST
    turned out fantastic too.. and the astrologer said she feels a strong personal connection to me, just from me registering for the free horoscope. My career is going to have a huge success in the next 72 days. Woohoo!

    Parent
    You laugh, but (none / 0) (#31)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 11:29:13 PM EST
    this stuff happens.  I've known two fairly powerful psychics in my life-- not "professional" psychics, just regular people.  It's actually pretty difficult to deal with, either if you're the one that has it or just someone close to one.

    Parent
    I had a GF once who claimed to be a psychic (none / 0) (#37)
    by Raskolnikov on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 04:41:55 AM EST
    Relationship didn't last long after she told me that, freaked me out a bit especially when it started to seem true.  I think it probably came down to a very perfected ability to study patterns in people's behavior, but either way, a very unnerving experience.

    Parent
    People who claim to be psychic are (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by observed on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 06:43:23 AM EST
    usually nutso, in my experience.


    Parent
    That's not a comment that I don't believe (none / 0) (#39)
    by observed on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 07:09:52 AM EST
    in psychics, per se. Well, I don't, but as a separate observation, those who really believe they are psychic are disturbed, IMO.

    Parent
    She was certainly that (none / 0) (#49)
    by Raskolnikov on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 10:19:38 AM EST


    Parent
    Long may they run.... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 08:10:57 PM EST
    especially Tommy, after all he's been through to still be on top.

    Meanwhile, his persecutor Buchanan is running for Congress...right up that scoundrel's alley, to be sure, I hope she gets crushed.

    Damages season finale (none / 0) (#27)
    by ruffian on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 10:48:00 PM EST
    very good! amazing how they manage to tie it all up. Campbell Scott and Martin Short are fantastic.

    Slightly disappointed at one ham-handed theme....but all in all I'm sorry to see the season end and will miss Patty/Glenn. Also I thought Rose Byrne was a lot better this season.

    Kudos and farewell to Tate Donovan (none / 0) (#28)
    by ruffian on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 10:50:54 PM EST
    he goes out with a bang. (Not a spoiler since we learn in the first episode he is dead).

    His acting is a bit eyes- bulging and nostril-flaring for me, but he did fine.  

    Parent

    Reading (none / 0) (#51)
    by lilburro on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 10:48:31 AM EST
    the NYT ArtsBlog about this show was a very confusing experience.  But I will likely click on anything that says "Freudian!"  

    Parent
    You bet (none / 0) (#33)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Apr 19, 2010 at 11:43:47 PM EST
    They are mensches, for sure.

    Love that show (none / 0) (#47)
    by DancingOpossum on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 09:03:33 AM EST
    I love Damages, despite the horrifingly bad "acting" (to use the term in its loosest sense) of Rose Byrne. I just ignore her and watch everyone else, who is fantastic -- Close and Short especially.

    Also a huge fan of Dolly Parton for many years. Her music is astonishing and she's also involved in wild eagle rescue.

    There are other Democrats among the country music crowd, for instance Tim McGraw

    McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, were very involved in getting aid to Katrina victims and, IIRC, spoke out against the war. Also don't forget Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who sang for Al Gore's stage during Earth Aid. Toby Keith is another outspoken country-music Democrat (yes, he's the "Taliban song" guy, but has since said he's changed his mind about the war).

    Sarkozy delivers letter from Polanski (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 11:29:06 AM EST
    to Pres. Obama:  plus a lot of speculation

    Speculation (none / 0) (#53)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 12:38:35 PM EST
    More like lynch mob opinion than speculation.. thanks for the fetid link, next time I will think twice.. but then again I could not get passed the first couple of paragraphs

    Parent
    "Fetid link." Must remember (none / 0) (#54)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 01:10:15 PM EST
    this phrase.  

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#55)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 01:19:37 PM EST
    Although the effluvium is in the eye of the beholder, and your eye are, from my point of view, swimming in it, evidentially unbeknownst to you.

    Parent
    Where is your insulting reply to my (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 01:32:19 PM EST
    "Die Zauberfloete" comment?  Come on.  You're slipping.

    Parent
    Huh? (none / 0) (#57)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 02:20:05 PM EST
    What does the zauberflote have to do with anything.

    Regarding the Polanski swipe, you post an opinion piece as news, which happens to match your own opinion, alleging charges that have never been proven in a courtroom, and you do not think that is insulting?

    Guess you were less than fair as a prosecutor.

    Parent

    And Despite The Translation (none / 0) (#58)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 02:35:37 PM EST
    Did not seem worth responding to but since you asked for an insult....

    The glockenspiel is hardly a bell in the sense of my pun...what are you a moron?

    Parent

    Wondering how you get away w/this (none / 0) (#61)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 04:50:42 PM EST
    crap,.

    Parent
    Wondering Why You Asked Me To Insult YOu (none / 0) (#62)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 04:55:59 PM EST
    IOW, giving you what you asked for...

    Where is your insulting reply to my (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 01:32:19 PM EST
    "Die Zauberfloete" comment?  Come on.  You're slipping.

    Oh and your insults are somehow innocent, because you they are passive aggressive?

    And I have had many comments deleted..  in case you were wondering.

    Parent

    Actually, I asked why you hadn't responded (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 07:36:10 PM EST
    in an insulting way.  

    Parent
    Where, Not Why (none / 0) (#65)
    by squeaky on Tue Apr 20, 2010 at 10:38:19 PM EST
    Where is your insulting reply...


    Parent
    Monday Afternoon Open Thread | 62 comments (62 topical)

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