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Wednesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 10:32:55 AM EST
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Cadel Evans beat Alberto Contador up an uphill finish at the La Fleche Wallone cycling race. Remarkable.

This is an Open Thread.

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    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 93 comments (93 topical)

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    What I did during lunch (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:04:38 PM EST
    Prevented my sister from committing a crime.

    My sister is a librarian in a hospital.  She was asked to do research on the sterilization of a mentally challenged adult with a guardian.  So she asked me if the guardian could just give consent or did the hospital have to get a judge to sign off.  I told her that, off the top of my head, it was the guardian that had to get a probate judge to approve and it would probably be a very high threshold.  Then I told het the person requesting the info should talk to the hospital's counsel, and that by researching a legal issue  and giving the info to a non-lawyer would probably constitute practicing law without a license.  It took a few minutes to convince her, but I finally convinced her to have the requested talk to the hospital's attorney.

    Crisis averted, which is good because she would look horrible in a jumpsuit.

    Didn't realize (none / 0) (#11)
    by Raskolnikov on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:40:34 PM EST
    involuntary sterilization was legal under any circumstances.  Or is a mentally challenged person legally capable of making that decision?

    Parent
    It is (none / 0) (#13)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:00:26 PM EST
    In limited circumstances in some jurisdictions .Which is why I told her to have the requested talk to the person who would know best - the hospital attorney.

    Parent
    Practicing without a license? (none / 0) (#27)
    by coast on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:17:00 PM EST
    Is doing research and giving that reasearch to someone who is not a lawyer really practicing law without a license?  That seems like a rather low bar.

    Parent
    That's our jb... (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:24:29 PM EST
    she takes our laws, no matter how asinine they may be, very seriously.

    We love her anyway:)

    Parent

    It can be (none / 0) (#38)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:20:21 PM EST
    If my sister handed her a printout of the statute ( which she was going to do) after she was asked to research the legal steps to undertake the sterilization, and the requested relied on the information given to her, then yes, a case could be made.  In effect, she could be saying "This is what the lW is," and she isn't competent to do that.  Apparently the librarian listserv boards have been lit up with this topic, and while no librarians have yet been prosecuted, the advice eD to stay away.  And even if she could give the research to the nurse, with something as sticky as invuntary sterilization, I thought it prudent that someone who actually may have experience with that topic was consulted.

    Parent
    I certainly think the final answer of (none / 0) (#43)
    by coast on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:29:59 PM EST
    directing the individual to the hospital's general counsel is the correct answer in this situation.  Sort of suprised your sister would be ask to do that type of research.  Then again I don't think I would have though that a hospital would have a librarian either.  Teaching hospital I would suspect?

    Parent
    I also (none / 0) (#45)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:35:43 PM EST
    Didn't know that hospitals had libraries until she got a job in one.  She started as a tech and then decided to make a career out of it and got her Master's degree in Library Science.  She's now the manager.  She works at an Osteopathic hospital, where a library and Master degreed librarian is required under their charter.

    But yes, they do have residents and interns there.

    Parent

    I remember a case (none / 0) (#75)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:26:13 PM EST
    where the librarian of the Boston Pops got some tax advice from Doc Severinson, of all people, that turned out to be very wrong, and as the guy's case wound through the IRS, the gummint went after Severinson for it.  Don't know how it turned out, though.

    Parent
    Stuck throttle found... (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by desertswine on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:21:45 PM EST
    in car of imprisoned Toyota owner.

    New hope for Koua Fong Lee, 32, of St. Paul, Minnesota, who was convicted following a 2006 accident that killed three people when his car slammed into a vehicle at a stop sign.


    I think he deserves a new trial (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:33:42 PM EST


    Parent
    At the very least... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:09:20 PM EST
    a new trial...I was thinking he deserves a heartfelt apology and a seven figure check.

    Parent
    Not so sure that would be best for him (none / 0) (#72)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 09:12:21 PM EST
    If he is acquitted during the second trial, would the state be obligated to apologize or pay up for the first trial and years he was unjustly held in prison? He needs the apology and a great big fat check, not another lawyer who may, again, get him thrown in prison.


    Parent
    Not long ago I got in an accident becuase I was (none / 0) (#19)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:14:27 PM EST
    stomping on both the brake and the gas pedal at the same time. I'd been driving for over 30 years, Mr. Lee had been driving for only one year.

    The 96 Camry he was driving has a completely different throttle system than the ones in the much newer cars that are being recalled by Toyota.

    While there are complaints of "unintended excelleration" in 96 Camrys there are the same complaints in every make and model of car.

    The parents of the victims are also now blaming Toyota and not Lee. Suing Toyota, of course, would likely result in a huge payout. Suing Lee, not so much.

    I believe, back in the day, laws were passed that proscribed the minimum distance that the brake and gas pedal were to be from each other because of accidents caused by people stepping on both at the same time.

    Perhaps the brake/gas pedal location is something that needs to be looked at again...

    Parent

    Maybe you shouldn't be... (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:20:22 PM EST
    ...driving with clown shoes on.  :0

    Parent
    Ha! (none / 0) (#21)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:25:16 PM EST


    Parent
    There's a difference between (none / 0) (#77)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:31:03 PM EST
    stomping on and standing on.  This wasn't a 2-second event, apparently.  He would have had to have been pushing down on the acclerator without realizing it was a mistake for quite a bit of time, which seems unlikely.

    And I don't get why a guy gets convicted and thrown in prison for what even the prosecution said was a mistake.

    Parent

    Oh, and regarding mistakes and jail. (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 12:08:42 PM EST
    If you kill and/or seriously injure people by mistake, you still killed and/or seriously injured them...

    Parent
    We normally do not (none / 0) (#90)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 11:03:00 PM EST
    criminally charge people in this country for mistakes.  There's that little thing called "intent."

    Parent
    I think you are mistaken. (none / 0) (#92)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 11:16:48 AM EST


    Parent
    But, honestly, I don't really know. (none / 0) (#93)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 11:21:44 AM EST
    And, now that you make me think of it, and I'm too lazy to look it up, I think I remember that part of what he was charged with and convicted of indicated recklessness, and not just "oopsies."

    Parent
    Well, I'll tell ya. (none / 0) (#84)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 12:01:53 PM EST
    When I had my accident I was standing on both the brake and gas for quite a bit of time - because, and this is the key, I had no idea I was on both.

    As far as I know, I was only on the brake.

    And, despite pressing on the brake more and more, I was not slowing down one bit. And that line of friggin' cars I was heading toward kept getting closer and closer and closer every moment.

    And it seemed I only had two choices:

    1. keep mashing down on the brake in hopes that it would stop my car, even though - bizarrely and against all logic - the brakes did not seem to be working, or

    2. Take my foot off the brake and re-apply it - even though, by all logic, if my car was accelerating this fast with my foot stomping on the brake, if I were to take my foot off the brake my car would accelerate even more, and by this time I was only about 20-30 feet from the line of cars.

    Anyway, and it took every ounce of my willpower and conscious effort to override all logic, but I did take my foot off and reapply it - this time to the brake only and stopped the car.

    Luckily, through all this, I only hit a light pole and didn't plow through the line of cars.

    Parent

    Arizona Bans Abortion Coverage Under Health Reform (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by azhealer on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:35:39 PM EST
    While attention has been focused on immigration and certificates, the AZ Legislature banned abortion in the health insurance exchange when it comes online in 2014.

    SB1305

    President Obama -- who promised to protect choice -- has done more damage to women's right to choose than Palin and her ilk have ever done, or will be able to do.

    Stunning.

    I'm supporting repeal on this alone -- and will never vote for my rep who voted for this monstrosity.

    Could you please explain (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:31:42 PM EST
    how Arizona's law is Obama's fault?  Thank you.

    Parent
    obama promoted HCR bill (none / 0) (#82)
    by azhealer on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 07:28:18 AM EST
    that excoriates women's right to choose --- if a Republican had proposed this, it would have caused such an uproar abut back alley abortions and taking away rights...

    so sad that liberals/progressives do not care about much of anything other than power and paying homage to corporate cronies.

    up next-- financial reform sellout

    Parent

    I don't think (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 08:50:11 AM EST
    you know what's actually in the bill.

    Parent
    And the winner is!!! (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:01:55 PM EST
    Sen. John Ensign's re-election campaign took in just $50 in contributions during the first quarter of 2010, TPM reports. link
    Woo-hoo! (none / 0) (#79)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:32:06 PM EST


    Parent
    Your $$$ at work (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:05:16 PM EST
    "Both the national Democratic and Republican party committees spend about two-thirds of the money they take in on the care and comfort of committee staffs and on efforts to raise more funds, with lavish spending on limousines, expensive hotels, meals and tips," a Washington Post analysis shows. link
    Not mines:) (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:10:22 PM EST
    You need your head examined if you send either of those outfits a dime.

    Parent
    Does this mean (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:39:14 PM EST
    We will never have to hear comments about the RNC clothing Sarah Palin and her family, since the Dems seem to be as guilty?

    Parent
    And, that is exactly why (none / 0) (#73)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 09:17:31 PM EST
    I collect the envelopes that come to my dad asking for money. Then I put the articles about how the stimulus money is really being spent, giant bonuses being distributed to a handful while millions are unemployed, and any other really miserable accounting of activities that are not being addressed by the democrats into those wonderful no postage necessary envelopes and send them back :)


    Parent
    An eye-opener even (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by brodie on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:10:55 PM EST
    if not a complete surprise:  the late best-selling historian and serial plagiarist Stephen Ambrose, author or editor of roughly 15 books dealing with Eisenhower including a famous two-volume bio, who claimed he spent "hundreds of hours" interviewing Ike over the 5 yrs prior to his death in 1969, apparently only spent a grand total of 5 hours in three meetings with him.

    Is it possible that Ambrose met with Eisenhower outside office hours? John Eisenhower told Rives that such meetings never happened: "Oh, God, no. Never. Never. Never." John Eisenhower, who is now eighty-seven, liked Ambrose, and he recalled, too, Ambrose's fondness for embellishment and his tendency to sacrifice fact to narrative panache.

    Ambrose continued to draw on his supposed Eisenhower interviews in subsequent books, including the two-volume biography, although in the later footnotes the specific dates were replaced with vaguer notations, such as "Interview with DDE." As the citations grew more nebulous, the range of subjects that the interviews allegedly covered grew wider: the Rosenberg case, Dien Bien Phu, Douglas MacArthur, J.F.K., quitting smoking, the influence of Eisenhower's mother, Brown v. Board of Education, and so on.
    Are you going to make (none / 0) (#1)
    by me only on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:30:55 AM EST
    a prediction for L-B-L?

    Schlecklet was not close to form (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:36:52 AM EST
    it seems to me.

    I think Gilbert again at this point. HE took today off.

    Parent

    What's the deal... (none / 0) (#3)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:41:03 AM EST
    ...with all the "comments closed" posts on SportsLeft?

    Parent
    Dunno (none / 0) (#12)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:41:16 PM EST
    But I need to re-launch the site anyway.

    Parent
    Ben Rothlesberger (none / 0) (#5)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:07:37 PM EST
    4-6 game suspension.  Anyone have ant more info?

    Six game suspension that (none / 0) (#24)
    by Anne on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:05:28 PM EST
    can be reduced, but not below four games.

    Here's the NFL's statement.

    Excerpt:

    In a letter to Roethlisberger, Commissioner Goodell said that Roethlisberger must adhere to any counseling or treatment that is recommended by the professional evaluators to help him make better decisions and avoid situations that can cause legal or other problems. A professional behavioral evaluation is mandatory for anyone that has violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Roethlisberger may not attend any team off-season activity after today until he has completed the evaluation and the evaluating professionals confirm with the commissioner that Roethlisberger may resume football activities. If so cleared, Roethlisberger will be able to participate in training camp and preseason games this summer.

    The commissioner said he would review Roethlisberger's progress under the plan prior to the start of the regular season and consider whether to reduce the suspension to four games. Failure to cooperate and follow the plan could result in a longer suspension, the commissioner added.

    And:

    Other excerpts from Commissioner Goodell's letter:


    •  "I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you. My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law, or on a conclusion that differs from that of the local prosecutor. That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans."

    •  "Your conduct raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare."

    •  "I believe it is essential that you take full advantage of the resources available to you. My ultimate disposition in this matter will be influenced by the extent to which you do so, what you learn as a result, and a demonstrated commitment to making positive change in your life."

    •  "In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track."

    That must have been some 500+ page report; I'm thinking there's more here than just what the general public knows.

    Parent

    I'm thinking in Week 7... (none / 0) (#29)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:28:00 PM EST
    he's wearing a Raider uniform...the Steelers are stressing off the field character when making roster decisions, and the Raiders really need a QB, of any off the field character, as long as they can fling it.

    At least that what my buddy in the warehouse is hoping for...a big-time suffering Raider fan that he is.  

    Parent

    I doubt it. (none / 0) (#30)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:33:44 PM EST
    It'll be a 4 week suspension so that he can play following their bye-week.  They'll be lucky to win 1 (Tampa) game out of those 4 with Charlie Batch under Center.  

    Besides, winning SB's goes a long way in the forgiveness department.  

    What do you think about the Jets signing arch-enemy Jason Taylor?  They're starting to remind me of the Raiders East with all these signings of players on the down-side of their careers...

    Parent

    4 game suspension (none / 0) (#31)
    by coast on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:48:35 PM EST
    would put himback on the field against Cleveland at Cleveland.  The Dog Pound will be going crazy.

    As for the signing of aging players.  Hasn't that been New Englands MO for a number of years.  Seems to work for them.  Really helps to have a staff and front office that are, shall we say "professional".  Raiders organization is far from that at this point.

    Parent

    Batch is so beat up, I'm wondering (none / 0) (#37)
    by Anne on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:18:32 PM EST
    if Leftwich and Dixon will compete for starting position.

    Jets look great on paper - now they have the challenge of making all these new pieces fit together.  It's reminded me a little of the Dan Snyder - Fantasy Football approach to staffing a team, but Rex is a pretty smart guy, so it may all work out just fine.

    Ravens get to play them, in NY, in Week One; should be an emotional game!

    Parent

    It's odd.. (none / 0) (#39)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:23:37 PM EST
    to think of the hated Taylor in the Kelly Green & White...but if he gets 10 sacks this year all is forgiven.  If he struggles, hope he brings very thick skin cuz Fireman Ed is gonna let him have it.

    We are signing some well past their prime stars...but only in complimentary roles, they will not be expected to be the Taylor and Tomlinson of 2004.  The big question is can their egos handle reduced roles?  I'm loving the increase in talentthough...I think Rex will have all their eyes on the prize.

    Thanks a lot for giving Brandon away to the Fish, btw:)  Good thing Gang Green got Cromartie to pair with All-Universe Revis.

    Parent

    Thank the Boy Wonder. (none / 0) (#52)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:51:21 PM EST
    He seems intent on p!ssing off the entire fan base.  They'd better have one heck of a draft tomorrow and Friday--another season of missing the play-offs isn't going to sit well in the football crazy CowTown.  

    Not that Brandon didn't need to go--too much baggage.  The Fish need to find someone who can actually get him the ball--their stable of Wildmammal QB's don't seem to fit the bill.  

    The Jets play them right out of the gate, don't they?  

    Parent

    Week 3... (none / 0) (#55)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:57:53 PM EST
    we play Miami...and a trip out to the Rockies in Week 6.

    We've got Anne's Ravens Week 1, Monday Night.

    Y'all are gonna see a lot of Jets this year...Hard Knocks on HBO and 5 prime time games...league and television execs better pray the Same Old Jets are dead and buried:)

    Parent

    Forget the Jets, your Mets (none / 0) (#59)
    by caseyOR on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 04:19:06 PM EST
    are killin' my Cubbies. Maybe this isn't gonna be the year the Cubs Go. All. The.  Way.

    The season isn't even a month old and I feel the despair building.

    Parent

    It took the poor Cubbies... (none / 0) (#63)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 04:44:31 PM EST
    to come to town for the Mets to show some life...I was feeling the despair myself, and will continue to until we can beat somebody besides the Cubbies:)

    My condolences casey...

    Parent

    The Jets look really good (none / 0) (#67)
    by MKS on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 07:06:52 PM EST
    They can open it up a little with Sanchez in his second years.  New speedy receiver....

    I like them in the AFC....

    The NFC:  will he, or won't he?  Favre....

    New Orleans could re-peat....

    Parent

    Except Brees... (none / 0) (#68)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 07:09:21 PM EST
    ...is going to be the Madden Cover Boy this year.  That doesn't bode well for the Saints--unless they can get someone to work some serious positive voodoo magic on him.

    Parent
    And some defense too (none / 0) (#69)
    by MKS on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 07:16:10 PM EST
    would be good....

    The Saints might fall a bit but still be good enough to get to the Super Bowl.....But Sanchez has Namath written all over him.   The NFC doesn't look all that strong...

    Parent

    If I'm a Jets fan... (none / 0) (#70)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 07:35:57 PM EST
    ...I'm hoping he's more durable than Willie Joe!  But yeah, they should be a very good team this year with Sanchez having a year plus play-off experience under his belt.  

    In the NFC, I think the Niners might surprise some people.  I'll watching to see how the SeaChickens do under the new coach.  Speaking of which, the Redskins will be improved under Coach Shanny.    

    Parent

    Big Ben (none / 0) (#71)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 09:02:35 PM EST
    better really, really hope that no big LB or DE has no Laverneus Coles-style personal history, or he might not see the end of the season.

    Parent
    I heard (none / 0) (#41)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:28:46 PM EST
    From talk radio (so take that for what that's worth) that the drinking and possibly his actions towards women, go back to college.

    I cannot substantiate, but if true, may explain some of the punishment.

    Parent

    Can't blame the guy for drinking (none / 0) (#46)
    by coast on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:36:02 PM EST
    a bit much in college.  What the heck else do you do in Oxford, OH?  Treatment toward women is a whole different issue.

    Parent
    There's drinking (none / 0) (#48)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:41:37 PM EST
    And then there's speculation about alcoholism, which may have been covered up since then.

    Again - pure conjecture at this point .

    Parent

    Peculiar set of reported (none / 0) (#50)
    by brodie on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:47:57 PM EST
    facts.  And how many 572-pg police reports involving multiple serious charges end up with no prosecution whatsoever?  Is this because of the difficulty of prosecuting when the alleged victim reportedly says she doesn't want to press charges?  Or something to do with the nitty-gritty specifics of the alleged assault and the difficulty of proving them?

    Whatever, it sure seems like BR got awfully lucky with the local DA on this one.

    (And an obvious question comes to mind:  would a non-white star QB have received the same friendly prosecutorial treatment down in those parts?)

    Parent

    While not a QB... (none / 0) (#54)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:54:43 PM EST
    ...Ray Lewis seems to have gotten off with a slap on the wrist for his "altercation" down in GA.

    Parent
    Oh, brother, the Ray Lewis thing... (none / 0) (#58)
    by Anne on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 04:11:24 PM EST
    There was never any evidence that Ray Lewis murdered anyone; he did plead guilty to obstruction of justice, and paid a whopping $250K fine - and since then, has never had a moment's trouble anywhere, with anyone.

    But, I know it's still fashionable in some quarters to keep that hate thing going.


    Parent

    Oh brother is right. (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 07:03:17 PM EST
    It would seem to the casual reader that you have one set of standards for Big Ben...

    I'm thinking there's more here than just what the general public knows.

    and another for Saint RayRay...

    There was never any evidence that Ray Lewis murdered anyone

    But then I know that's quite fashionable amongst Raven's fans.

    Parent

    I could be wrong, but I think some of (none / 0) (#56)
    by Anne on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:59:44 PM EST
    that 572 pages was also investigation by other than the local police and DA.

    I think there have been other allegations that haven't gone anywhere because those making them have been reluctant to press charges.

    It's pretty sad, really, when you consider that a lot of Ben's "relationships" with women have been coercive and drunken hook-ups - I was thinking the other day that I could not recall ever seeing any news about actual girlfriends, and there certainly hasn't been an Elin Woods-type figure that he has "betrayed."

    So, I can't be the only one who thinks Ben is a domestic abuse time-bomb that seems to be getting closer to exploding, and that may be why Goodell is requiring the evaluation and requirement that Ben comply with the evaluation team's recommendations before there is any consideration of reducing the suspension.

    If he needs help, I hope he gets it.

    Parent

    What about (none / 0) (#57)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 04:07:30 PM EST
    That case in Las Vegas - wasn't it the same kind of deal?  And is it still open?

    Parent
    What's the recourse when a US state (or territory) (none / 0) (#6)
    by Farmboy on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:07:38 PM EST
    decides that you weren't born there? How do you prove the circumstances of your birth, if your birth certificate is deemed invalid?

    http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/puerto-rico-birth-certificate-crisis-invalidating-fix/story?id=104228 41&page=1

    Absolutely bizarre (none / 0) (#18)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:11:06 PM EST


    Parent
    The recourse is reissuing (none / 0) (#22)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 01:57:12 PM EST
    as explained in the story and at the link.

    It is a mess -- but it also is a real problem, we know in my area.  Much identity theft, many people driving with fake driver's licenses who don't know how to drive, including truckers, and that has led to many deaths.

    Parent

    Knowing our beuracracy... (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:05:07 PM EST
    it's a mess thats about to get a whole lot messier...what a clusterf*ck.

    Parent
    Amazing (none / 0) (#60)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 04:28:50 PM EST
    I imagine this custom started a long time ago and can only hope it comes to a screeching halt after the reissue.

    Puerto Ricans regularly distribute original, certified copies of their birth documents like they might be business cards or resumes, leaving them with church offices, athletic team coaches or summer camp counselors as part of membership applications.

    "I don't know why we do it," said Luis Balzac, regional director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. But "anybody who grew up in Puerto Rico saw it happen."



    Parent
    On the other hand, if only they did (none / 0) (#61)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 04:30:14 PM EST
    that in Hawaii we might have been spared a lot of stupidity over the last 2 years.

    Parent
    Yes, but I don't see how (none / 0) (#76)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:28:39 PM EST
    reissuing isn't going to lead to just as much if not more phony birth certificates since most people can't produce "proof" of their birth or even identity.  The state will have to essentially take their word for it.  So how does that reduce the number of false birth certificates?  Seems to me it only makes it worse.

    But maybe I'm missing something here.

    Parent

    Offshore drilling platform explodes (none / 0) (#8)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 12:30:29 PM EST
    NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- An explosion rocked an offshore oil drilling platform, sending a column of fire into the sky and touching off a frantic search at sea Wednesday for at least 11 reported missing.

    Most of the 126 workers on the rig Deepwater Horizon were believed to have escaped safely after the explosion about 10 p.m. Tuesday, Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike O'Berry said.

    The rig, more than 50 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip, was still burning at midday Wednesday. It was tilting about 70 degrees and threatening to topple into the water. There was no estimate of when the flames might be out. link
    From the state that brought you Earth Day (none / 0) (#23)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:02:02 PM EST
    please celebrate it tomorrow by taking care of the planet.  And thank the late, great Gaylord Nelson.

    Signed,

    Wisconsin

    p.s.  To be able to take care of the planet tomorrow, it wouldn't hurt to start taking care of it today. :-)

    To that end... (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:12:52 PM EST
    Sweatpants. A golf ball. Surgical gloves. Small towels. Bits of plastic. And more than 20 plastic bags.

    A gray whale's last meal in Puget Sound included plenty of trash, and it was fresh enough to indicate the animal took the "eat local" mantra enthusiastically to heart before coming ashore at Arroyo Beach, and later dying about a mile south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock.

    Link

    We need to stop treating our oceans and waterways as one big garbage dump.  

    Parent

    We need to (5.00 / 3) (#32)
    by Zorba on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:51:42 PM EST
    stop treating our garbage dumps as one big garbage dump, too.  Compost organic material and recycle everything that can be recycled, and there would be a lot less garbage.

    Parent
    Something else that might help... (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:07:30 PM EST
    all the extra unnecessary packaging on everything...I don't need a wrapper around a wrapper around a wrapper.  One will suffice, if any.

    I think the germophobes are to blame...:)

    Parent

    Good point, Dog (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Zorba on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:09:46 PM EST
    And some of that packaging is really difficult to get into.  I feel like I need a samurai sword for some of it.  Totally unnecessary.

    Parent
    Do you watch Curb? (none / 0) (#40)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:26:03 PM EST
    Larry David did a great bit on exactly that last season...Classic.

    Parent
    I sooo related to Larry (5.00 / 0) (#62)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 04:39:46 PM EST
    Similar to my Roomba experience...I have screamed at those plastic packages many times.

    I have made many buying decisions based on them, or rather the lack of them.

    Parent

    We don't (none / 0) (#44)
    by Zorba on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:33:35 PM EST
    get HBO, so I didn't see it.  

    Parent
    Excess packaging due to (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by caseyOR on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:45:33 PM EST
    the long, long distances that goods are now shipped. Today stuff is packaged to withstand just about anything that could possibly happen in transit. A lot of stuff even floats.

    Also, wrapping stuff in hard plastic takes up less room in transit than old-fashioned cardboard boxes. And requires less shelf space at the store.

    I don't like it. I shouldn't need a Swiss Army knife to open a package of dental floss.

    Parent

    Food too... (none / 0) (#53)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:51:49 PM EST
    When you buy the giant bag of peanut butter cups, each delicous cup does not need to be individual wrapped.

    Parent
    Actually, I think that started after (none / 0) (#74)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 09:24:19 PM EST
    the cyanide tamperings in Tylenol decades ago. They try to make it very difficult for anyone to reseal a package in its original safety fashion.

    I've brought things back to the store after opening and finding the inner seals weren't properly and tightly placed on the bottles.


    Parent

    No, it's designed to do two things (none / 0) (#80)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:50:57 PM EST
    first and foremost, to make the package look like there's more in it than there is.  Second, those heavy plastic "clamshells" are to discourage shoplifting and keep people from playing with and breaking the contents.

    Germany has it right.  Years ago, they made the manufacturers responsible for picking up and dealing with recycling, and now a tube of toothpaste is just a tube of toothpaste, no totally unnecessary cardboard box around it.  Etc.

    Vermont just started doing this with electronics.

    Parent

    Ah yes... (none / 0) (#86)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 01:20:37 PM EST
    shoplifting...duh:)

    Parent
    One of many, many reasons (none / 0) (#87)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 02:37:39 PM EST
    There are far more than 2 reasons why packaging is as extensive as it is. There is literally nothing that can't be stolen if the thief wants it. The shoplifting problem is resolved with the little plastic devices you find inside so many products....like the inside of a DVD/CD case, despite them being wrapped in shrinkwrap and some slipped into a cardboard sleeve.

    Tampering is the #1 reason for all the wrapping. Makes it harder to ship overseas with anything hidden inside, too.

    Parent

    I don't think the landfills... (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 02:51:10 PM EST
    can accomodate this tampering paranoia much longer.

    Parent
    Recycle - most of the packaging materials (none / 0) (#89)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 05:09:54 PM EST
    can be recycled....paper and proper grade plastics.

    So much is shipped in from overseas that many substances could be smuggled along if they didn't take these precautions.

    On the paranoia, I absolutely agree...but it has become such big business I doubt we'll see anything but increased regulations in the years ahead.


    Parent

    Inspector... (none / 0) (#91)
    by kdog on Fri Apr 23, 2010 at 07:56:39 AM EST
    remember who you're talking too...I'm pro drug smuggling:)

    Parent
    For comic relief (none / 0) (#25)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 02:07:27 PM EST
    A couple of comments from a thread on Senate candidate Sue Lowden (R-NV) health care plan of bartering chickens or painting their house in lieu of cash payments to doctors. link

    I don't know about her suggestion of paying a doctor with a chicken since most of us don't own chickens, and I don't know how many chickens a doctor can use. As far as offering to paint his house, well, that explains all the people on crutches lining up to paint the local doctor's house! Their house must have 56 coats of paint by now.

    What's with the constant discrimination against urban folks?! Don't they know you can't have chickens inside city limits? How much healthcare do they think we can buy with a pigeon?
    How pathétique would (none / 0) (#42)
    by brodie on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:29:56 PM EST
    it be if Harry Reid can't beat this latest stunning example of Republicant stupid.  He should quickly redo his re-election campaign around Lowden's lowbrow idea and saturate the airwaves with a Can You Believe This? ad campaign.  

    Parent
    I do think an urban dude (none / 0) (#51)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 03:48:39 PM EST
    asking if the doctor would accept pigeons instead of chickens might make a fun ad.

    Parent
    Such a great idea (none / 0) (#81)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 11:53:48 PM EST
    My grandparents, both country physicians during the Depression, were given so many animals in lieu of cash that they went broke because they couldn't pay their bills (including the feed and vet bills) and the bank foreclosed on them.

    Parent
    Artworld Lawsuit (none / 0) (#64)
    by squeaky on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 05:35:27 PM EST
    This is like sports for me...  

    Super rich art collector suing top art dealer because he can't get what he wants.  Waaaah!

    Or double crossing dealer cuts out top collector..

    My take is the former. Anyway a good peek at the shennanigans that make the unregulated art world exciting as it is.. million dollar deals done on a handshake.. promise of access and the blacklists..

    Here and the latest here

    you realize (none / 0) (#65)
    by cpinva on Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 06:37:15 PM EST
    that this sort of porn is illegal in va, don't you?

    "La Fleche Wallone" indeed! do not do this in front of children!

    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 93 comments (93 topical)

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