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Tuesday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:21:08 PM EST
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Open Thread.

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    Tuesday Afternoon Open Thread | 131 comments (131 topical)

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    of interest (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:45:26 PM EST
    to a certain age group:

    PINK FLOYD ALBUM ART PROJECTED INTO THE SKY

    Probably a pretty wide range... (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:52:36 PM EST
    ...of ages.  My nephews are just as into all things Pink as I am.  

    Unfortunately for them, they'll never get to see the original line-up perform.

    Parent

    Not Really Age, But Taste.. (none / 0) (#12)
    by squeaky on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:55:43 PM EST


    Parent
    I will assume (none / 0) (#25)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:24:40 PM EST
    that was not a diss of the greatest rock and roll band evah

    Parent
    Ummm... (none / 0) (#29)
    by squeaky on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:56:47 PM EST
    last rock concert I attended, and only one.. was Yes, just before they came out with Roundabout 1972? ..  I went classical after that and missed everything rock.

    Truth be told, I did not groove on Pink Floyd, but did appreciate the weird sounds while tripping..  But without hallucinogenics I was not a fan.

    I did really like King Crimson though.. GEntle giant also..

    Parent

    well (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:58:53 PM EST
    that was probably a pretty good concert to end with.
    yes was great live in those days.


    Parent
    you know (none / 0) (#92)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 08:46:05 AM EST
    I was going to recommend some vintage Pink.  I think you might like it.

    try Umma Gumma.


    Parent

    Piper at the Gates of Dawn... (none / 0) (#100)
    by kdog on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:43:51 AM EST
    the debut album...heavy with a capital H.

    Meddle has gotta be my favorite though...Fearless, best use of crash cymbals in rock ever, imo...guaranteed chills.

    Parent

    Meddle (none / 0) (#101)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:48:38 AM EST
    might be my favorite as well.  although I have to admit I think The Wall is pretty awsum.

    but I think for the classically inclined Umma Gumma might be the one.

    Parent

    I'd be real hard presssed to pick... (none / 0) (#105)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:57:55 AM EST
    ...a favorite.  They all have their special place in my heart, soul and mind.  

    My best Pink related memory is from my first time in London.  A bunch of us took the Tube down to see the Battlesea power plant (from the cover of Animals) and have a few in the local pubs.  Got a little lost and ran into a fine bloke who was kind enough to get us on the right track after providing some lovely hash.  

    He had a real serious thing about James Dean and thought one of my friends looked just like him.  

    Good times, good times.  

    Parent

    Yeah man... (none / 0) (#109)
    by kdog on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:26:17 AM EST
    my best Floyd memory is linking up Pink Floyd "Works" to the visuals of Koyaanisqatsi with 3 good buds and a 10 strip of Lucy...a much better mash-up than Dark Side & The Wizard of Oz imo...I'm talking serious synchronicity...a night I'll never forget.

    Parent
    I could listen to The Great Gig in the Sky (none / 0) (#124)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:08:55 PM EST
    over and over and over.

    In fact, I'm doing that right now...

    Parent

    I liked that Van Morrison (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by jondee on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:16:59 PM EST
    version of Comfortably Numb they used in the film The Departed..

    Very nice rendition.

    Parent

    I saw (none / 0) (#27)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:48:52 PM EST
    Which One's Pink? the other night.

    Not as good as the original, of course, but huge fun anyway...

    Parent

    the one great (none / 0) (#28)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:51:45 PM EST
    band I always wanted to see and never managed to be in the right place at the right time.


    Parent
    the band is just fantastic.. (none / 0) (#37)
    by jondee on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:52:42 PM EST
    (that isnt really what I think)..Oh, by the way, which one's Pink..?

    That's Roy Harper, in a walk on, singing on that one.

    Parent

    Best wishes (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by jbindc on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:47:58 PM EST
    To Beau Biden, who apparently suffered a minor stroke.  He's only 41- yikes!

    Game 5 (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by CST on Tue May 11, 2010 at 07:12:59 PM EST
    Go Celts!  Boo Cavs!

    That shot clock... (none / 0) (#49)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:09:50 PM EST
    ...warning beep is freakin' me out, man.  I keep trying to figure out what the heck it is!

    Parent
    BBC & ICRC confirm secret prison at Bagram (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by gondobie on Tue May 11, 2010 at 10:43:48 PM EST
    The BBC and ICRC have confirmed the existence of a secret, separate prison at Bagram Air Force Base:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8674179.stm

    Complete with cold cells with lights on 24/7, etc.

    Glad the 2008 election put an end to torture!

    Is it a secret if everybody already knew about it? (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by andgarden on Tue May 11, 2010 at 10:50:32 PM EST
    I always figured that Bagram was the Bad Place.

    Parent
    It was a known unknown for awhile now (none / 0) (#82)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 06:41:18 AM EST


    Parent
    "A Few Bad Apples" (none / 0) (#63)
    by squeaky on Tue May 11, 2010 at 10:45:58 PM EST
    lol

    Parent
    Let's talk health care! (none / 0) (#1)
    by jbindc on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:24:42 PM EST


    It helps not to hit post (none / 0) (#2)
    by jbindc on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:28:19 PM EST
    Anyway, from today's WaPo:

    Some families could pay a price if they seize the chance offered by the new health-care law to keep children up to age 26 on their insurance policies, regulations drafted by the Obama administration show.

    Until 2014, when health plans will be prohibited from charging higher premiums based on preexisting conditions, insurers in the individual market can take into account the young adult's medical condition when setting the family's premium.

    In addition, under certain circumstances, families could be required to pay extra to carry young adults on their policies.

    The regulations published Monday also explain that there is an exception to the expanded coverage.

    The provision "applies only to health insurance plans that offer dependent coverage in the first place: while most insurers and employer-sponsored plans offer dependent coverage, there is no requirement to do so," the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement Monday.



    Parent
    Of course, they will. That's law (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Cream City on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:35:06 PM EST
    in my state already, covering kids until age 26, and has been so for some time now.  So the premium was a lot higher for a kid with a chronic medical condition all along, before or after the age of 21.

    Nothing in the health insurance corporation premium assistance bill required those corporations to fire their actuaries.  Indeed, they're probably going to hire more to figure out how to keep charging more.

    Parent

    more (none / 0) (#7)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:41:45 PM EST
    If the costs are spread across all families with employer-sponsored coverage, family premiums will rise about 1 percent in 2012, the government estimated.


    Parent
    And more good news (none / 0) (#18)
    by jbindc on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:18:26 PM EST
    From Politico:

    Some families could pay a price if they seize the chance offered by the new health-care law to keep children up to age 26 on their insurance policies, regulations drafted by the Obama administration show.

    Until 2014, when health plans will be prohibited from charging higher premiums based on preexisting conditions, insurers in the individual market can take into account the young adult's medical condition when setting the family's premium.

    In addition, under certain circumstances, families could be required to pay extra to carry young adults on their policies.

    The regulations published Monday also explain that there is an exception to the expanded coverage.

    The provision "applies only to health insurance plans that offer dependent coverage in the first place: while most insurers and employer-sponsored plans offer dependent coverage, there is no requirement to do so," the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement Monday.



    Parent
    Gag! (none / 0) (#22)
    by jbindc on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:20:46 PM EST
    Here's the right quote ( it didn't copy!)

    Congressional Budget Office estimates released Tuesday predict the health care overhaul will likely cost about $115 billion more in discretionary spending over ten years than the original cost projections.

    The additional spending -- if approved over the years by Congress -- would bring the total estimated cost of the overhaul to about $1 trillion.

    The Congressional Budget Office expects the federal agencies to spend $10 billion to $20 billion over 10 years on administrative costs to implement the overhaul. The CBO expects Congress to spend an additional $105 billion over 10 years to fund discretionary programs in the overhaul.



    Parent
    wait (none / 0) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:22:18 PM EST
    that looks a lot like the same good news

    Parent
    Who knew about "auto-tune"? (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:36:38 PM EST
    link

    I did. (none / 0) (#5)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:39:47 PM EST
    Why do you think some "pop" stars have been busted for lip-synching their live performances?

    Style over substance rules in the recording industry today.

    Parent

    Apparently they can be tuned up even (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:40:44 PM EST
    in live performances.

    Parent
    Truly a crime against... (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:13:27 PM EST
    ...humanity and out and out fraud in my book.  

    Parent
    That is really disappointing (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 07:48:05 AM EST
    Looks like if I'm looking for real talent I should look on youtube.

    Parent
    Try your local juke joint... (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by kdog on Wed May 12, 2010 at 07:56:25 AM EST
    any self-respecting vocalist wouldn't touch that auto-tune crap with a 10' pole...you won't find it at your local juke joint, but odds are you'll find alotta talent.

    Parent
    My niece tells us she named her (none / 0) (#115)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 11:16:22 AM EST
    new Honda Civic "Buttercup."  Causing me to search You Tube for the worst possible rendition of the Gilbert & Sullivan song from H.M.S. Pinafore.  I found it.  A woman singing in her bedroom.  She requested "no critical comments, please."  Don't think she had auto-tune.  

    Parent
    Whitney Houston needs one of those, (none / 0) (#52)
    by observed on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:15:19 PM EST
    from what I've read about her recent performances.

    Parent
    I dunno, I'm not sure I'm against it. (none / 0) (#117)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 12, 2010 at 11:46:18 AM EST
    It's a lot like one of those new tennis rackets or golf clubs w/oversized heads that makes the "sweet spot" huge and makes off-center hits just as good as on-center hits.

    Parent
    ok (none / 0) (#11)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:53:56 PM EST
    this is creepy:

    Wise pick
    Kagan a sure shot for Supremes

    By GLENN HARLAN REYNOLDS

    Uh, yeah, thought so. (none / 0) (#32)
    by MKS on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:06:27 PM EST
    At this rate, I would do better to read up on the latest of the growing oil slick in the Gulf, if I wanted good news....

    Parent
    David Cameron (none / 0) (#13)
    by jbindc on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:57:05 PM EST
    New British PM.  

    The Tories are in power.

    Yup (none / 0) (#14)
    by andgarden on Tue May 11, 2010 at 04:58:33 PM EST
    Let's see how he does. . .

    Parent
    Gotta love Parliamentary politics ... (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by Robot Porter on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:33:34 PM EST
    come in third, and you get to be Deputy Prime Minister!

    Parent
    He and his bobbsy twin, Clegg (none / 0) (#33)
    by christinep on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:10:03 PM EST
    It took a bit to distinguish one from the other in looks. Actually, what a fascinating dilemma--two from two different political belief systems now in coalition. Two sorta "pretty boys" near in age--and, more likely fated competitors rather than allies--each now looking over the shoulder to see what the other is doing. Sound cynical from me? Probably. The real surpise would be if the rift is forestalled beyond the year.

    Parent
    Hard to believe (none / 0) (#54)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:44:22 PM EST
    this marriage is going to last.  They'll probably end up having to call new elections fairly soon.

    Parent
    We shall see (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by andgarden on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:54:07 PM EST
    My bet is that if that happens, it will be because of the Tories. They'll want to do things that the Libs won't agree to, and they'll figure that they can snatch a majority with a fresh election.

    Parent
    That's what my Brit (none / 0) (#67)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:26:32 PM EST
    friends think. (Tories, alas!) THey think Clegg has utterly discredited himself with his king-making behavior, that the temporary bloom is totally off the rose for him and the Lib Dems, and that Cameron will likely box him into a corner when the time is ripe, the coalition will collapse, new elections will be called and Clegg and the Lib Dems will, as my friends put it, "sink beneath the waves."

    However, my Brit friends are not particularly stellar political prognosticators.

    Parent

    Here's the thing: (none / 0) (#72)
    by andgarden on Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:41:09 PM EST
    It strikes me that the things the Tories would like to do without the support of the liberals would be pretty unpopular. Hard to run a snap election on that.

    Parent
    Well, we'll see (none / 0) (#75)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:09:23 AM EST
    From what I can see, the Brit voters tend to vacillate pretty wildly about this stuff.  And no question after years of increasingly incompetent Labour governance, they're thinking much more fondly about Conservative ideas.  A fair number, including my friends, unfortunately, still revere Thatcher the way a lot of people do Reagan here.

    My friends, surprisingly, were almost going to vote for the Lib Dems.  But everybody's sick to death of Labour at this point and disillusioned with Clegg, so I suspect they'll go back to Cameron's phony baloney "compassionate conservative."

    We'll see.  Post-Thatcher, Brit conservative party folks aren't all that ragingly right-wing, nowhere close to U.S. right-wingers.

    Parent

    Empathetic pain (none / 0) (#15)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:04:55 PM EST
    ok really weird question.  sparked by a really strange trigger.  

    last night I was watching Monsters vs Aliens - great btw - and one line grabbed my attention.
    the giant woman is crying and the crazy general says something like "dont cry, it makes my knees hurt".

    all my life this has happened to me.  when I see someone in pain or in great distress I get a flash of actual pain in - wait for it - my knees.
    I always thought this was my imagination until that line from the silly movie so I googled.  and guess what, I found this:

    Question
    QUESTION: I have what I can only describe as "empathetic pains" from time to time, and I have asked friends if they have this but they act like it's a weird question.
    If there's a scientific explanation or any explanation at all I'd be curious to hear it.
    To describe the empathetic pain: I can be watching tv, a movie, or someone in real life, and if I see them get injured or see something that looks painful, I instantly get this "flash" of actual physical pain that I feel in my lower body.  It's weird and uncomfortable and just a flash or a wave that will usually start near the groin area and radiate down to just below my knees (like when you go quickly over a hill in a car or on a rollercoaster--only a bad version of that sensation).

    so.
    any one else?
     

    heh (none / 0) (#16)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:11:09 PM EST
    crickets

    Parent
    Count me in! (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:25:33 PM EST
    As far back as I can remember, I've gotten weird pangs up and down my calves -- in response to seeing, reading or hearing about anybody, or any being, in any kind of physical or emotional distress -- it's even worse if the situation has an additional element of pathos or helplessness. I once, briefly, took SSRI medication -- and it unexpectedly knocked out that response until I stopped the meds.

    I've never known another soul who has experienced my 'empathic pain' symptoms. So, howdy!

    Capt, I also spend a lot of time dwelling on the triggering events long after the fact - and the memories give me pangs all over again. Does that happen with you?


    Parent

    Just Like (none / 0) (#70)
    by squeaky on Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:29:04 PM EST
    fainting goats

    Well sort of like fainting goats.

    Parent

    it can with memories (none / 0) (#90)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 08:38:25 AM EST
    it happened much more when I was younger.
    I remember that particularly more then.

    thank you for chiming in.  I was starting to feel a little "exposed".

    Parent

    No, but (none / 0) (#17)
    by jbindc on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:14:48 PM EST
    I'm a crier.  Watched Sunday's episode of Army Wives and I must have cried a dozen times.  I cry when I watch people like the tornado victims on TV, or soldiers leaving or returning home.  I cry when I hear patriotic music or when I see a mother on the news in pain because her child is missing

    I get the whole extreme empathy thing, though.  Hope your knees don't hurt too badly!

    Parent

    also (none / 0) (#19)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:18:40 PM EST
    I should have said it mostly happens with animals.
    I cant watch those "please help the homless animals" ads.
    cant watch um.

    it happens much less often with humans.  but it happens.  but I usually have to be local.  for example something on a screen usually doesnt do it to me when humans are involved.

    only animals.


    Parent

    I am the opposite. Seem to missing (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by oculus on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:22:23 PM EST
    the care-about-animals gene.  

    Parent
    Well Yeah (none / 0) (#60)
    by squeaky on Tue May 11, 2010 at 10:36:45 PM EST
    But, IMO you have to balance that with a healthy contempt for PETA, and, you have to be able to compartmentalize the emotional stuff, otherwise your head will explode.  

    Parent
    oh (none / 0) (#93)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 08:48:04 AM EST
    I have the healthiest contempt for PETA

    Parent
    No. But could you tell me how the (none / 0) (#20)
    by oculus on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:19:35 PM EST
    movie ends?  I watched the first part on an airplane.  Very amusing.

    Parent
    I dont think (none / 0) (#21)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:20:13 PM EST
    I remember how it ends

    Parent
    Yes! This happens to me all the time (none / 0) (#38)
    by Spamlet on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:54:52 PM EST
    It can manifest sometimes as energy running up and down my lower arms, but most of the time it's a sensation in what Hinduism would identify as the first (root) chakra, at the base of the spine. I would describe it less as pain per se than as a kind of unpleasant not-quite-tickling.Interesting topic, Capt.

    Parent
    That is the physical, involuntary (none / 0) (#39)
    by oculus on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:58:51 PM EST
    reaction I have to a superb singer, espec. soprano.

    Parent
    I have the same reaction to music (none / 0) (#102)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:50:47 AM EST
    and other forms of art.  but honestly this is different.  its pain.  plain and simple.  sometimes enough to make me wince.


    Parent
    It's a good thing (none / 0) (#111)
    by jondee on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:55:48 AM EST
    even though it dosnt feel good..

    We're not a bunch of billiard balls, who just occasionally collide.

    Parent

    Baby mice in their nest (none / 0) (#112)
    by jondee on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:59:42 AM EST
    Squeak in response

    To the young sparrows

        Basho

    Parent

    hmm.. speaking of chakras, (none / 0) (#41)
    by observed on Tue May 11, 2010 at 07:08:33 PM EST
    how about that faker Prahlad Jani?
    70 years without food and water? Really?

    Parent
    My wife likes to tell (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by jondee on Tue May 11, 2010 at 10:25:15 PM EST
    me that she has an "erotic response" (in a quite literal sense), to certain old growth trees..Cheating on me with Treebeard! :)

    Parent
    I can (none / 0) (#68)
    by gyrfalcon on Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:27:34 PM EST
    actually understand that very well.  :-)

    Parent
    Pole Dancing Instint (none / 0) (#71)
    by squeaky on Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:30:09 PM EST


    Parent
    He has been eating cookies (none / 0) (#44)
    by MKS on Tue May 11, 2010 at 07:18:36 PM EST
    that miraculously came out of the oven in the shape of various religious figures including Franklin Graham.

    Parent
    absolutely (none / 0) (#42)
    by CST on Tue May 11, 2010 at 07:12:12 PM EST
    actually this happens to me watching sports.  Whenever someone gets hit hard or injured my knees hurt.  I always thought it was because I was terrified of knee injuries.  I managed to somehow play soccer for 15 years and ski for 19 without ever getting a knee injury.  Meanwhile on the last women's soccer team I played on - 75% of the team had had knee surgery.  So I count my lucky stars and deal with the sympathy pains.

    Parent
    I get sore knees... (none / 0) (#45)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue May 11, 2010 at 07:46:58 PM EST
    ...just reading you talking about sore knees!  So thanks for that.  :)  I get empathy pains way too easy.  Or probably more accurately--I'm quite psychosomatic.

    After skiing for a long period of time, you pretty know you're just a run away from snapping an ACL or MCL or both. That's why I gave up bumps, then icy conditions and finally downhill pretty much altogether.  

    Parent

    Try cross-country skiing MileHi (none / 0) (#47)
    by christinep on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:00:11 PM EST
    Lots of good places a short jaunt from Denver. Fast or slow as you want--all kinds of terrain--no waiting in lift lines--wear old clothes, ski cheap. (And, when the sun is out and the birds fly low and settle on nearby trees, you can stop and have a picnic and breathe it all in.)

    Parent
    Oh, I've been doing that... (none / 0) (#48)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:06:58 PM EST
    ...since I was a wee lad in Iowa.  Not a lot of mountains there and a boy does need an excuse to get out of house in the dead of Winter.  

    Did more snow-shoeing than anything this last season.  All the benefits of CC you mention without all of the falling down.    

    Parent

    That being said... (none / 0) (#51)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:15:13 PM EST
    ...I am hoping against hope for a snow day tomorrow so I can break out the long, skinny boards and do a couple laps around the park.

    Parent
    I really miss cross country skiing (none / 0) (#84)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 06:51:21 AM EST
    I miss the sun on the snow and the quiet and the beauty.

    Parent
    yea... (none / 0) (#53)
    by CST on Tue May 11, 2010 at 08:25:23 PM EST
    I am kind of terrified of skiing but I can't quit it, it's way too much fun.  Although I finally got some newish-fangled curvy skis and they are much much nicer on the knees than the old school straight, long, fast, uncontrollable ones.

    Cross country is nice, I know a lot of my mom's friends who made the switch because of knees.  And mine are starting to join their ranks.

    Celtics up by 6 at the half.  LeBron James - 8 pts, 0 FG.

    Parent

    Yeah... (none / 0) (#89)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed May 12, 2010 at 08:21:51 AM EST
    ...I do miss the thrill of flying down the hill, riding on the edge of control.  What I don't miss is spending the big $ for a lift ticket, the crowds and the idiots on skiis who have no business being on any run besides the bunny slope.

    Not much of a game last night, eh?  You'd almost think the NBA front office wanted a Game 7 or something.

    Parent

    oh yea (none / 0) (#98)
    by CST on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:41:01 AM EST
    and I can't quit now because I feel in my body that I won't be able to do this forever.  I have been lucky in that I've had people to visit so I can go on Mondays and get discounted tickets.  Plus there aren't nearly as many people if you are skiing through the woods most of the day.  I finally got back into form this year after taking some time off, but I don't know how long it will last.  It's one of those things where the first time every year you definitely gotta brush off the cobwebs and get over the mental fear.  I used to never have that fear, but one bad fall and it's with you forever.

    LeBron forgot to show up and that second half was just sad.  Not that I'm crying about it.  I'm not even sure it will go to 7 at this point.  Game 6 is at home for the Celts, and after a loss like that the Cavs have got to be feeling a bit demoralized.

    Parent

    tore my ACL on a bump at WInter Park (none / 0) (#80)
    by ruffian on Wed May 12, 2010 at 05:32:37 AM EST
    Should not have been on that run anyway- it was an accident! That was definitely not a sympathy pain.

    I don't get sympathy physical pains, but my eyes are very leaky.

    Parent

    I had my first swollen knee (none / 0) (#85)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 06:59:51 AM EST
    on Monday.  This new pureair system in the house actually has conquered my asthma.  My body has a place to fully recover from whatever it is exposed to during the day.  So I went to a UKC dogshow over the weekend, and that is an owner handler event, no professional handlers allowed.  You have to run with German Shepherds and I did four shows, showing Auburn and Othello so I was out there about 15 times.  You can also help other exhibitors, and I did show for another GSD owner.  Also a Presa Canario owner had too many dogs winning classes so he needed someone to take in dogs for the judging of breed too...I didn't have to run much but that dog is like a hunk of meat on a string and needs some physical finesse.  Then on Monday night my knee seemed to blow up.  It hasn't been on a run like that though for over five years.

    Parent
    I get that pain in my stomach, (none / 0) (#46)
    by Anne on Tue May 11, 2010 at 07:55:16 PM EST
    usually in response to someone else's pain; it kind of feels like I've been punched.

    And like jb says below, I cry...I can cry at Hallmark commercials, for heaven's sake...and I get choked up when I see/hear others doing the same.

    And let's not talk about what I want to do when others vomit...

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    I think that both my husband and Josh (none / 0) (#83)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 06:46:56 AM EST
    get those kinds of responses too.  If they have watched a movie previously and want to watch it again, they will avert their eyes when a scene is due up on the screen that they have an extreme response to.  It is amazing how they remember the sequence of events in every movie too, I suppose because they have such extreme responses.

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    thanks for the responses (none / 0) (#91)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 08:40:06 AM EST
    I feel a bit less psychotic.

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    Oh oh. (none / 0) (#96)
    by Cream City on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:31:27 AM EST
    That can be a symptom of psychosis! :-)

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    very funny (none / 0) (#26)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue May 11, 2010 at 05:40:47 PM EST
    8 websites you need to stop building

    Those are great (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by ruffian on Wed May 12, 2010 at 05:28:41 AM EST
    One more social aggregator the world does not need. That is what half the iPhone and iPad apps are these days too. Who has a need for all that society? If I wanted that I'd leave my living room now and then. I'm on line because I'm anti-social!

    Get off my digital lawn!

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    I so agree with the me, me, me sites (none / 0) (#31)
    by Cream City on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:03:06 PM EST
    and ditto re the inanity of so many "status updates" on Facebook.

    I finally just had to say something when a colleague updated us, one day, to report that she had found the missing cap for the toothpaste.

    And I am so, so, so not interested in how my friends are scoring in (on?) Farmville.

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    Did you know you may "hide" (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by oculus on Tue May 11, 2010 at 06:28:01 PM EST
    your friends games?  (But not on Blackberry, to my knowledge.)

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    No, I didn't (none / 0) (#137)
    by sj on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:42:44 PM EST
    And I still don't.  Just went to Facebook to see how to turn it off, and didn't find it.  How do you do that?

    Parent
    If only Democrats had the cajones (none / 0) (#40)
    by shoephone on Tue May 11, 2010 at 07:02:12 PM EST
    to say that to Republicans on a regular basis -- we might actually be getting somewhere.

    Political ad for Kagan for Supreme Court (none / 0) (#56)
    by caseyOR on Tue May 11, 2010 at 09:03:30 PM EST
    WTF!! I'm watching Katie Couric on CBS News, and I just saw something I have never seen before-- a political ad touting a Supreme Court nominee.

    That's right, a political spot, complete with Obama doing the voice-over, highlights of her career and education. It even shows a pic of her family with the info that she is the daughter of a public school teacher.

     It seems that we can put aside our collective national illusion that these appointments are not political. This is an ad that would make any politician with $$$ to pay production costs and to buy the air time would be happy.

    Tidbits about Kagan (none / 0) (#57)
    by BackFromOhio on Tue May 11, 2010 at 09:23:16 PM EST
    over at abovethelaw. E.g., she smokes (or smoked when a 2003 JD had Kagan as a prof) and is rumored to be an ace (no pun intended, but...) at poker.

    Also, Jeffrey Toobin has posting about Kagan at New Yorker web site.

    Parent

    Smart (none / 0) (#58)
    by andgarden on Tue May 11, 2010 at 09:58:55 PM EST


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    Funny story about (none / 0) (#61)
    by andgarden on Tue May 11, 2010 at 10:39:57 PM EST
    New York on the Court:

    "For most New Yorkers, they will look at the liberal minority and say, `That's us, that's our America,' " Professor Bonventre said, "and so when the court renders liberal decisions and you have all of those four, the three women and the Jewish guy, it will make complete sense to New Yorkers, whereas for the South and the Bible Belt, people are going to say, `They don't understand the rest of America.' "

    Well, not quite. But heh.

    the four houses (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by CST on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:42:55 AM EST
    in that photo are priceless.

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    Definitely - thanks for the tip (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by Cream City on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:52:39 AM EST
    to look, really look and not just read, at the link.

    Bookmarking for class discussion of social class in America! :-)

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    Hoping the Pads hold on to beat (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Tue May 11, 2010 at 11:45:24 PM EST
    the Giants.  3-2 Pads, top of 7th.

    New subject:  Carter's grandson elected to state legislature.  Nixon's grandson is running for House of Representatives.  Dynasty indeed.

    They did it. (none / 0) (#74)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:52:26 AM EST


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    Dang! (none / 0) (#76)
    by nycstray on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:58:40 AM EST
    Sorry, my inner Giants fan has been reborn :) I must say though, happy for you the Pads are doing well.

    I need to plan my first ferry ride to the ballpark here. I downloaded the summer ferry sched and there's a special one for the games all summer. I think I'm going to like this mode of transport to the games and back. And it's a short walk (4 blocks or so) from my front door :) A perk I didn't know about when I moved here, lol!~

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    See those Metsies last night? (none / 0) (#88)
    by kdog on Wed May 12, 2010 at 08:15:55 AM EST
    Down 6-1 and come back to win 8-6...maybe Wright and Bay are coming alive, and that Barajas...wow, dude is en fuego.

    Ike Davis...not 1, not 2, but 3 catches falling in the dugout..double wow.

    Good stuff...made up for the softball team's Bad News Bears performance in our opener.

    Parent

    Fun. I really like the ball park. (none / 0) (#113)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 11:08:30 AM EST
    And, of course, Bruce Bochy and Tim Flanagan.

    Parent
    First Dem incumbent tossed (none / 0) (#81)
    by jbindc on Wed May 12, 2010 at 06:31:14 AM EST
    From MSNBC:

    Democrat Alan Mollohan became the first member of the U.S. House to be ousted this spring primary season after his opponent mounted a campaign that questioned the 14-term congressman's ethics and support for federal health care reform.

    Mollohan conceded after unofficial returns showed that with 82 percent of precincts reporting, state Sen. Mike Oliverio was ahead 56 percent to 44 percent. It ends his 28 years in the House.

    Mollohan was dogged by ethical questions, and the more conservative Oliverio ran an aggressive campaign portraying him as corrupt and out of touch. Conservative media rallied around Oliverio, along with anti-abortion groups angry over Mollohan's support of health care reform.
    I've been fishing around (none / 0) (#94)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:03:42 AM EST
    about Eric Prince's January speech that was recorded and some of the claims he made.  He made a claim that Blackwater built a forward operating base in the Afghan theater called Lonestar that is at the foot of Tora Bora, and he implies that they run it.  I've been told that there are numerous FOBs in Afghanistan, the list is long.  Did Blackwater build Lonestar under the Bush administration?  Maybe.  Do they run it?  Nobody thinks that is even a possibility under Obama.  Everyone says that Blackwater could have a couple of contractors there but they ain't running sh*t anymore.  It would seem that Eric Prince talks a lot of B.S. and that is probably why he will not permit any of his "talks" to be recorded.  In his speech he says some pretty degrading things about Iran and what has gone on in Iraq, but he leaves out something very vital.  If you are affiliated with Blackwater or have been at anytime in the past, you are not allowed in the Iraq theater....not one toe.  Blackwater has been completely kicked out of Iraq.  When I complained about how Prince can completely talk sh*t and all that the military does is go on the record saying that his statements are troubling I am told that because of the things he talks about, all I'm ever going to hear is that they can neither confirm or deny.  I complained that this seems to lend his "speeches" a plausible credibility and all anybody does to my complaining is shrug.

    question MT (none / 0) (#97)
    by CST on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:34:38 AM EST
    I have been trying to read up on everything I can find regarding the state of things in Afghanistan to figure out anything I might need to know, or would be usefull to know going in.  Any suggestions or advice on what's credible/usefull?  I have mostly been going through the NYTimes and CNN archives.  I think the situation in Kabul is relatively stable these days but everything I've read recently is talking about Kandahar and I don't think I'm heading that way.  Just trying to get a feel for the situation.

    Parent
    I have asked my husband the same thing (none / 0) (#104)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 09:54:03 AM EST
    He is newly returned, he must know something.  According to him, the little time they have actually had to work on this fully supported by a U.S. administration has led them to more early success than they ever imagined they would have.  He said that almost every day there was punctuated by discussions about how much was lost under Bush.  At this point, the people will go with who wins.  The Taliban kills everyone who disagrees with them.  My spouse says that they remind him of the mafia in a way too, you may rat them out and U.S. forces gain a foothold but your name goes on a list and they will come back and kill you and your whole family months and months and months later if they are ever able to gain a foothold in the region again.  That is why they have such a strangle hold, they have been strong enough in the past to have very long memories.  All effective housing is surrounded by large walls, every effective home is a compound in an attempt to keep your family safe or at least safer.  Unfortunately such "compounds" work well for the Taliban too to hide in.  It sucks.  We are years from "winning" because if we leave the people who aren't Taliban on their own right now, they are all dead men, women, and children.  One of our soldier neighbors just put up block wall completely surrounding his whole house, my husband says he spent too much time in Afghanistan.

    Parent
    If it helps in any way (none / 0) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:04:46 AM EST
    Pakistan is IN with us and fighting alongside us with the Taliban that hightailed it to Waziristan.  Some media seem to question it, but people who have been on the ground in Afghanistan and actually on the Taliban trail claim it is a fact that they are at our sides now in Southern Waziristan.

    Parent
    I must admit (none / 0) (#107)
    by CST on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:08:07 AM EST
    recent threats from the Taliban re. foreigners in Afghanistan gave me pause.  But I guess that's to be expected, they will always be a target.

    I do get the feeling though from what I've been reading that the population of Afghanistan can be won over - it totally depends on whether or not they think you will win.  Very different from Iraq where we invaded what was a fairly modern, functioning society and destroyed it - Afghanistan didn't have that to the same degree so you get the feeling there is less resentment about Americans being there.

    That being said, I think they are clearly afraid of the pullout date.  I'm pretty sure Karzai came here to say "you were just kidding about that right?"

    Parent

    Karzai is pretty Coo Coo (none / 0) (#108)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:17:36 AM EST
    One day he threatens to deal with the Taliban, the next day he is I guess sober and not so sure :)  Who could trust such a leader though given what the Taliban dishes out?  I would feel like my life were on a daily chopping block.  If anything could help Afghanistan, it would be development of resources leading to some sort of quality of life for all.  Will it happen?  I don't know.  The most memorable phone call from my husband was the one where he started out his conversation by saying, "Thank God my children weren't born here!"

    Parent
    More... (none / 0) (#110)
    by kdog on Wed May 12, 2010 at 10:51:22 AM EST
    playing fast and loose with people's freedom and lives at the NYPD Crime Lab...lazy lab techs marking samples positive cuz it's less paperwork or something...unreal.

    I say let everybody outta their cage, just to be safe.

    A most interesting sociological (none / 0) (#114)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 11:13:15 AM EST
    experiment.  I say let's start with NY.

    Parent
    I bet (none / 0) (#116)
    by jbindc on Wed May 12, 2010 at 11:38:34 AM EST
    Even the most crunchy- Birkenstock wearing hippies might have an objection to felons living in their neighborhoods.

    Parent
    That depends... (none / 0) (#118)
    by kdog on Wed May 12, 2010 at 11:49:24 AM EST
    non-violent drug dealing felons?  Hell yeah they're welcome in my 'hood, the more buying options the better:)  Let every one of 'em out.

    Parent
    I bet (none / 0) (#119)
    by jbindc on Wed May 12, 2010 at 11:58:55 AM EST
    You are in an extremely small minority.  :)

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    I don't know about that... (none / 0) (#121)
    by kdog on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:02:15 PM EST
    you'd be surpised how many of your neighbors could use more connects:)

    Parent
    Some would like some (none / 0) (#123)
    by jondee on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:05:24 PM EST
    more options besides running for the shelter of mothers little helper..

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    Not A Problem FOr Me (none / 0) (#120)
    by squeaky on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:01:01 PM EST
    I am OK with the ones who were convicted for violent offenses as well.

    Unlike you, I am not a bedwetter.

    Parent

    That isn't even an "implied insult." (none / 0) (#126)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:44:32 PM EST


    Parent
    OK (none / 0) (#130)
    by squeaky on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:14:46 PM EST
    How's this:

    Unlike you, my life is not dominated by fear. And when I say fear i mean the type of daily trembling, and constantly looking over your shoulder, demanding stricter laws, even at the expense of peoples civil rights, that you appear to be experiencing. That type of constant fear,  would lead many to assume that you would suffer an attack of incontinence, at the mere though of a convicted felon being free and within 100 yards of your bedroom.

    Parent

    Your mind-reading abilities are (none / 0) (#131)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:17:38 PM EST
    abysmal.

    Parent
    WTF? (none / 0) (#134)
    by squeaky on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:30:42 PM EST
    Perhaps you are experiencing a browser problem, or is all this in defense of jbindc, who my original comment was in response to.

    Parent
    Check "parent "of your comment. (none / 0) (#135)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:41:18 PM EST


    Parent
    I Did (none / 0) (#136)
    by squeaky on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:46:46 PM EST
    Parent

    Parent
    And to further benefit (none / 0) (#122)
    by jondee on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:03:42 PM EST
    society, put all the prosecutors and brutality-enablers in. At least for a few months, so they can see how the other half lives.

    Parent
    Jurors too? Legislators? (none / 0) (#127)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:45:09 PM EST
    Judges?

    Parent
    Certain ones.. (none / 0) (#128)
    by jondee on Wed May 12, 2010 at 12:56:09 PM EST
    after a series of psychological tests, sure. The same way everyone has to serve time in the military in Israel.

    There should be a Stanley Milgram meter to detect  certain traits associated with the willingness to  inflict pain on others in order to please authority: those people would be the first ones to go "inside" for an extended empathy lesson.

    Parent

    If you care to discuss it, I would be (none / 0) (#129)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    interested to read why your view of prosecutors in general is so negative.

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    I'll admit (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by jondee on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:20:09 PM EST
    I may be suffering from an Adams vs Texas hangover, which I just finished reading recently..

    Are you familiar with that case?

    Also, I personally have a particularly difficult time empathizing with the choice to make a career of enabling a borderline medieval, barbaric, class-biased "system of justice", that hasnt, in my view, improved society and personal conduct in this country one iota.

    Parent

    Can't disagree that class bias (none / 0) (#133)
    by oculus on Wed May 12, 2010 at 01:26:47 PM EST
    is sometimes present, to my regret.  I did my best to alleviate it.  As to the rest, if you are talking Texas system of justice, I can't comment.  No personal experience.  I deplore Texas death penalty.

    Parent
    Tuesday Afternoon Open Thread | 131 comments (131 topical)

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