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Thanking Veterans Day Open Thread

President Obama today at Arlington National Cemetary:

"My fellow Americans, our troops are coming home..."After a decade of war, the nation we now need to build is our own."

..."the 9/11 Generation will play a pivotal role in rebuilding America...On this Veterans Day, I ask every American: recruit our veterans."

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Comments have been testy lately (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 12:19:55 PM EST
    In the spirit of reconciliation I would like to kick off things that I am happy about today:

    1.  The video game Elder Scrolls: Skyrim is released today, which is sort of like the release of Godfather IV for fans of the Godfather movies.

    2. The Atlanta Falcons still have a playoff shot.

    3. NBA lockout may end soon


    Hey, why not? I'll add mine: (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Anne on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 12:36:16 PM EST
    1.  It's Friday

    2.  The sun is out, and there are still some pretty fall leaves on the trees

    3.  I'm STILL happy the Ravens beat the Steelers last week; the sweep is going to feel good for a while, I think.

    4.  I used my grocery store-sponsored "gas points" to get 60 cents off every gallon of gas I bought, so I paid less than $3 a gallon for the first time in, like, forever.  Not sure I ever thought I would be happy to be paying $2.97 for gas, but, hey - it is what it is, and I saved over $10 on the fill-up.


    Parent
    Here is to Friday (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by MO Blue on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:24:50 PM EST
    1. Nice sunny day. High temp 62 degrees. Pretty great for November.

    2. Family close by and we will be together for the up coming holidays.

    3. Good friends with interesting talents.

    4. I have lost all the weight that I wanted to lose so I will be on maintenance for the holidays. IOW I get to eat more food. Hurray.

     

    Parent
    Good idea! (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:13:26 PM EST
    1. Thank you so much Veterans. We love our freedom to squabble amongst ourselves and appreciate your sacrifice even if we seem to take it for granted.

    2. Temps were in the 40s last night for the first time in months, and my 10 yr old dog celebrated by agreeing to walk the entire mile loop around the neighborhood lake. He rebels in summer and just stops walking.

    3. It's Friday and Veterans Day and the office is nearly empty

    4. I just got done writing a draft of the most boring risk management plan ever. Yay for me!

    5. I have an embarrassment of riches in literary entertainment going on:
    Audible: Charles Frazier's (Cold Mountain) new one "Nightwoods" - a real page turner. If I were reading it I'd be done by now.
    eBook: Walter Isaacson's bio of Steve Jobs. Fascinating man, if not exactly lovable.
    Hardback: Neal Stephenson's "Reamde". Will be reading this for a while...not exactly in 'can't put it down' phase yet.

    Parent
    You No. 1 is priceless. (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:38:44 PM EST
    I am listening to William Hurt read Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rise."  Yes, I could certainly read the book faster than the fascinating Mr. Hurt is reading it.

    Almost finished w/libs. copy of hard back book:  Tina Fey's "Bossypants.'  It truly is LOL.

    Things to be thankful for:

    yard is looking so beautiful after recent and rare rain;

    my wonderful friends;

    TL;

    my recent discovery of how to short-circuit NYT 20/links/month.

    Parent

    So funny you are reading 'Sun' (none / 0) (#17)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:55:50 PM EST
    My last audible book was 'The Paris Wife', the novel about Hem and his first wife Hadley Richardson, which is also the setting for his work on 'The Sun also Rises'. It has always been my favorite Hemingway book, and I have been wnating to go back and at least skim through it. I think I still have my high school copy. I hope it is as good as I remember.

    'The Paris Wife' is pretty good, but I am not raving about it. It is supposedly fairly historically accurate, but I hope the bad dialogue is entirely of the author's making. I refuse to believe these fascinating people had such stilted conversations.

    Parent

    PS - yes, I loved Bossypants too (none / 0) (#18)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:56:47 PM EST
    I listened to "Paris Wife," which led (none / 0) (#19)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:58:35 PM EST
    me to "Son," which I have never read.  Having trouble figuring out who's who in "Son" compared to the actual "characters" in "Paris Wife."  Have no idea why my high school assigned reading did not include any Hemingway.  

    Parent
    "Moveable Feast" purportedly (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:59:15 PM EST
    covers the same era as "Paris Wife."

    Parent
    Yes, it is now on my list (none / 0) (#24)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:02:57 PM EST
    I've been meaning to see if there is a free/cheap e-copy.

    I'll go out on a limb and predict it is better written.

    Parent

    My advanced placement English teacher (none / 0) (#28)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:07:13 PM EST
    must have done his MA in Hemingway. We read the Nick Adams stories, Sun, The Old Man and the Sea...I think that might be it.

    I never got hooked enough to dig deeper after that. But Moveable Feast must be interesting.

    Parent

    I just reserved "Moveable feast: the restored (none / 0) (#30)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:08:51 PM EST
    edition."  Apparently Hemingway's last wife took everything out about Hadley.  

    Parent
    Wow - thanks for the heads upo on that! (none / 0) (#33)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:11:05 PM EST
    How petty can you get?

    Parent
    Yes, and Hem's second wife (Pauline) (none / 0) (#44)
    by shoephone on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:33:32 PM EST
    had been Hadley's best friend, until... The thing I remember most about that book is how it exposed Hemingway's meanness about Gertrude Stein's and Alice B. Toklas' relationship. He was very competitive with Stein and also with Fitzgerald and painted them in rather unflaterring light. Keep in mind that he wrote it just before he killed himself, and that Mary, his fourth wife, did, indeed edit it.

    I read everything by Hemingway when I was in college -- I loved those taut, adjective-less sentences. I even used to submit pieces to the annual Good Bad Hemingway contest of that time. Then I read an illuminating bio of him by Carlos Baker, and it put things into perspective for me.

    Parent

    I do love the Nick Adams stories (none / 0) (#45)
    by shoephone on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:35:00 PM EST
    Especially "Indian Camp."

    Parent
    Love the Nick Adams stories. (none / 0) (#57)
    by caseyOR on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:53:49 PM EST
    In all the love that goes to A Farewell to Arms and The Old MAn and the Sea and other novels, Hemingway's short stories are often forgotten.

    If you like short stories, some of the best were written by John O'Hara. I especially like the Jimmy Malloy stories.

    Parent

    Years ago, I read "Moveable Feast" (none / 0) (#68)
    by christinep on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 05:10:43 PM EST
    Almost by accident. A fortuitous accident. Even reading these comments, I can recall the lifestyle he described...the apartment...the friends.  The warm memory of those descriptions lasted much longer than I would ever have imagined.

    Parent
    From what 'Paris Wife' said, Lady Bret is (none / 0) (#32)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:10:26 PM EST
    that 'Duff' character. (might be spelling that wrong, since I listened and did not see).

    But I don't remember the male characters well enough to pick them out yet. That's one of the reasons I wanted to skim the book again.

    Parent

    I love Ruffians #1 (none / 0) (#43)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:32:57 PM EST
    And I love yours too.  I wonder if Audible books has that?  Maybe that is what I can do while the guys go do their guy Halo tournament thing.

    Parent
    Also recorded a new documentary (none / 0) (#46)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:37:48 PM EST
    on the History Channel last night about Vietnam.  But I'm saving that for day that needs some thoughtfulness, not today.  Anything about Vietnam depresses me to some degree since my Uncle committed suicide and was a Vietnam veteran.  This is certainly not the day for me to watch it.  But I swear that the bit I watched of it last night before deciding to record it, that it was Dexter star Michael C. Hall that was narrating.  Did not say who was the narrator though in the information provided.

    Parent
    Hemingway's contemporary audience (none / 0) (#50)
    by the capstan on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:08:18 PM EST
    loved "A Farewell to Arms," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "'To Have and Have Not," "Across the River and into the Trees," and "The Old Man and the Sea."  The second one of those was always my favorite, but the first one was beloved by the WWI generation.

    Parent
    i have the William Hurt recording (none / 0) (#82)
    by The Addams Family on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 08:51:00 PM EST
    of The Sun Also Rises

    but do you find Hurt's reading style as . . . odd & just plain distracting as i do?

    by contrast, you ought to listen to Tim Robbins read F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby - wonderful job

    & the one who tops them all is Keir Dullea reading Nathanel West's Miss Lonelyhearts - unfortunately though that one is only available on tape & is probably not even available at all now

    Parent

    It is distracting. I do listen closedly though (none / 0) (#84)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 09:53:46 PM EST
    til he finally says the next word and to hear how he emphasizes certain words.  He does have a remarkably wide no. of accents.  

    If you get a chance, listen to Jeremy Irons read "Lolita."  I listened to cassettes from the library.  

    Parent

    You're welcome! (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:24:24 PM EST
    I appreciate your thanks and accept them not only for myself, but my Dad and my uncles, my maternal grandfather and my great grandfathers.

    Parent
    Yes, jim (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by Zorba on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:30:49 PM EST
    Thank you for your service, and your relatives, as well.  And I remember my father today, too.  A veteran of World War II- submarine service, Pacific Theater, and of Korea.  I miss you, Dad!

    Parent
    And the saddest (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 05:01:15 PM EST
    Thank you, jim (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by Zorba on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 06:26:55 PM EST
    This song may be about a flyer, but it also is about all service-members who have served and died for our country.  It made me cry.  My father is buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.  The most moving burial I have ever been to.  He had taps played, and the gun salute.  And the young Navy personnel who reverently folded the flag and presented it to my mom.  (Mom, at her choice, was buried with him when she died.)  

    Parent
    At the age of four, I was given one of those flags (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 08:20:47 PM EST
    My father was a Navy pilot, killed while patrolling the China Sea off the coast of South Korea.  Since it was during the cold war there is no memorial for him or the hundreds or thousands of pilots and crews who died doing the same duty.

    Parent
    And that is a crying shame, (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Zorba on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 09:06:03 PM EST
    Mr Natural.  A crying shame.  Whatever we think of the rationality or efficacy of the Cold War, Korea, the Vietnam War, or, for that matter, Iraq and Afghanistan, my heart goes out to those who served, bled, died, for their country.  Whether the country was right or wrong.

    Parent
    I would say (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 10:50:13 PM EST
    your father was in VQ-1 and his EC-121 was shot down on April 15, 1969 over the Sea of Japan by a North Korean MIG.

    My sympathy.

    And you are correct. Those who died in the Cold War rarely were mourned publicly.

    FYI - I spent 10 years in Naval Aviation.

    Parent

    No, but I appreciate you erasing a few years (none / 0) (#95)
    by Mr Natural on Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 06:02:58 PM EST
    off my age.

    Parent
    Always glad to help (none / 0) (#96)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 11:52:49 PM EST
    remove the years.. If it wasn't the EC-121 I would say it was VP731 in 7/52.

    VP, VW and VQ aircraft were typically sent in harms way on ASW, intelligence and other patrol type missions. Almost always unarmed they were slow and easy targets. It was just understood that if some cowboy from the other side attacked you there would be no help available in time to save you.

    Parent

    Thank you, Jim (none / 0) (#88)
    by sj on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 10:59:17 PM EST
    That was lovely.  I'd never heard the song before.  It brought more than one tear to my eyes.

    Parent
    Movie suggestion for all tonight... (5.00 / 0) (#73)
    by jeffinalabama on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 05:58:56 PM EST
    "Gardens of Stone," directed by Frances Ford Coppola. Stars James Caan, James Earl Jones (Who actually IS a Ranger), Angelica Houston and DB Sweeney.

    Keep a box of tissues for the ending.

    Parent

    Angelica Houston is in a play (none / 0) (#78)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 07:56:50 PM EST
    at Mark Taper Forum in downtown L.A.  She plays a woman who is in bed, fading fast.  Her flim flammer nephew rushes to her side.  She has almost no lines.  LAT reviewer sd. it was almost disappointing when she spoke.    

    Parent
    Happy things... (none / 0) (#23)
    by kdog on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:02:17 PM EST
    saw the butcher at lunch time...ground lamb on sale 2.99/lb...home run!  Lambloaf tonight, under a roof, with good smoke and better people.  

    Who could ask for anything more...

    Parent

    And how could I forget... (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by kdog on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:07:03 PM EST
    a possible meet and greet with commenting legend CST on Sunday...stay tuned boppers for a happy recap Monday, if all goes well.

    Parent
    sweet! (none / 0) (#47)
    by CST on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:47:27 PM EST
    I got your email, we can probably make this work.

    Also - for the TL masses - my sister has never seen a broadway show and we are going to try and get last minute tickets.  Any reccomendations?

    I'm playing the role of tour guide in my not-native city.  The pressure is on!

    Parent

    Broadway Shows-- (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by KeysDan on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:20:00 PM EST
    the long-runs may be your best bet for last minute tickets. And, from my perspective, a first-timer should select a show that is Broadway--offering fun, glamour, style and production.  Meeting those  criteria in one way or another are "Chicago", "Jersey Boys", "Phantom of the Opera", and "Momma Mia".  "War Horse" has great horse puppets and a sad boy and his horse story, rapped around the Great War. Priscilla Queen of the Desert offers a lot of show, but it was a drag in all ways. "Follies" is fun, owing to Bernadette Peters and "How to Succeed " is a good old-timer and has Daniel Radcliffe to boot.  You would never get tickets to "Book of Mormon" and if you did they would be very, very expensive.   And, it was a great disappointment to me, in fact, it stinks.   But, I am the lone ranger on this.

    Parent
    Whatever you take her to see (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by shoephone on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:52:21 PM EST
    Make it a musical!

    Parent
    Don't forget (none / 0) (#69)
    by sj on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 05:24:31 PM EST
    The Lion King.

    Took my friend to two shows: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Lion King.  I saw LK about 10 years ago in London and for the first time, had a chance to compare direction/production.  Music in NYC was better, less muddy, but in London the human portraying the animal character was better obscured, I think maybe there wasn't as much stage floor lighting?  Lit from above?

    Whatever, it's expensive, but really wonderful.  Agree on Momma Mia.  It's fun, especially if you like the music.  

    And I wanna see Jersey Boys.... (whine)

    I also really wanna see this.  Momix - Not showing this weekend, though.  I might have to go to NY by myself to see it.  It's going to be tough 'cause I also want to go home for the holidays...

    Parent

    If what you see (none / 0) (#71)
    by CoralGables on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 05:52:23 PM EST
    is less important than grabbing a discounted ticket, hit up the TKTS booth in Times Square or at the South Street Seaport the day of the show (day before I think at South Street if you want a matinee show).

    It's like a grab bag at a candy store. Just know what you want when you get to the front of the line (last time I was there they only took cash)

    Parent

    My friends mostly did the (none / 0) (#77)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 07:54:23 PM EST
    discount tickets booth.  They got in to see "Jerusalem" from the mezzanine.  

    Carnegie Hall guy who called to ask me to donate toward a 3/1 matching grant was enthralled w/Bernadette Peters in "Follies."  It is his favorite musical though.  

    Parent

    Kdog, it's too late (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Zorba on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:57:32 PM EST
    to make this for tonight, but next time you make lamb loaf, depending upon what seasonings you put on it, it makes great leftovers served in pita bread with tzatziki sauce, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and feta cheese.  Sort of like a gyro.  Let me know if you want a recipe for tzatziki sauce, sweetie.

    Parent
    I'll take it! (none / 0) (#90)
    by kdog on Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 07:23:07 AM EST
    Love the tzatziki, my sister makes a home-mae, but if I give it a go I'd like to roll with your recipe...no offense sis:)

    What spices should I be using to give the lambloaf that Greek flavor? I just wing it copying my moms American meatloaf recipe subbing lamb/beef for her beef/pork/veal mix, and add olives. It's good but not gyro meat good.

    Parent

    The seasonings for "gyro" lambloaf (none / 0) (#93)
    by Zorba on Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 01:02:07 PM EST
    Use Greek oregano, garlic, onions, black pepper, some sea salt, and a bit of cumin.  (This is pretty much it, but you can, if you want, also add rosemary and/or thyme.  Or a bit of hot paprika.)  All to taste.  If you want an extra Greek zing- use kalamata olives in it.

    Tzatziki:
    2 large cucumbers
    3-4 cloves garlic (or more, to taste- I use a lot)
    2 cups Greek whole milk yogurt*
    2-3 fronds of fresh dill, finely chopped (or more taste)
    1 teaspoon fresh mint, finely chopped
    Kosher or sea salt
    Ground black pepper
    Ground white pepper
    Ground cayenne pepper
    3 T. olive oil or more to taste
    3 T. fresh lemon juice or more to taste
    1/3 c. sour cream
    1/3 c. mayonnaise

    Peel and seed the cucumber (leave a few strips of skin on, for color).  Chop into very small pieces (use a food processor).  Place into colander and allow to drain 15-30 minutes, then squeeze out any excess water.  Crush garlic into a pulp.  Mix together cucumber, garlic, yogurt, dill, mint, oil, lemon juice, sour cream, and mayo.  Add salt and a dash of black, white, and red peppers, to taste.  Adjust seasonings- you may want more olive oil, more mayo, etc.- to taste.
    *  If you can't buy Greek whole milk yogurt, make or buy a good-quality, no-fillers added, whole milk yogurt and drain in a cheesecloth lined colander until the yogurt is reduced by half.

    PS  This is a beginning- you can add more of anything, to taste.  This is better if made the day before (or at least a few hours before) you use it so the flavors can blend.  And it's not strictly "traditional" because of the sour cream and mayo, but it sure is good.  It's a good dip with crudites and pita chips, too.

    Καλή όρεξη!

    Parent

    Better than us or better than your (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:03:28 PM EST
    work colleagues?

    Parent
    Better than... (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by kdog on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:11:59 PM EST
    even my beloved Mary Jane is what I meant, silly rabbit.

    The brick and mortar friends vs. the TL friends?  Equally great, just a different scene:)

    Work colleagues...they don't know the real me, I don't know the real them...that's yet a 3rd identity.

    Parent

    Got it. Should have gotten it on first (none / 0) (#76)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 07:52:27 PM EST
    read.  

    Parent
    It' a holiday! (none / 0) (#35)
    by desertswine on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:12:10 PM EST
    I have a day off!  What could be better than that?

    Parent
    This is a good idea, ABG. (none / 0) (#56)
    by caseyOR on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:51:12 PM EST
    My list includes:

    1. Oregon vs. Stanford tomorrow. Game will be on regular TV (I don't have cable).  GO, DUCKS!

    2. My mom and my sister are coming out here for Christmas. Last time we were together for the holidays was back in '99. Also, we will spend that time at the beautiful Oregon coast.

    3. Da Bears beat the Eagles on Monday.

    4. The Cubs hired Theo Epstein.

    5. And as long as we're talking baseball, pitchers and catchers report in a mere 3 months.

    6. Organic Honeycrisp apples, my very favorite, are on sale at my grocery store. Their usual price is in the $2.99-$3.99 range. So, I only buy them on sale.

    Also, and coffee drinkers feel free to chime in, is there anything better than that first cup of rich, steaming coffee on a nippy morning?  I think not.

    Parent
    I hear that Cap... (none / 0) (#91)
    by kdog on Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 07:30:38 AM EST
    couldn't start the day without my joe, 2 cups or more...couples perfectly with cigarettes.  The first joys of everyday.

    Well, except for those very special rare days when I wake up next to the special lady...a kiss and an embrace are the first joys of first joys.

    Now to pour a third cup!

    Parent

    That first cigarette. (none / 0) (#94)
    by caseyOR on Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 05:23:07 PM EST
    Other smokers have told me that the very best cigarette of the day is the very first cigarette of the day.

    Parent
    It IS a good day! (5.00 / 0) (#3)
    by christinep on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 12:50:22 PM EST
    The fellowship spirit of 11/11/11.  All those 1s. Kinda fun to say & hear.

    With all those 1's (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by CoralGables on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:04:28 PM EST
    would it wrong to give the comment a 5?

    Parent
    Not a good day for everyone. I just learned last (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Angel on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:03:52 PM EST
    night that my friend's nephew who just turned 20 was killed in Afghanistan.  Thank you George Bush and Dick Cheney.  

    Oh, no - that's just awful. (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Anne on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:18:01 PM EST
    I am so sorry to hear about this; my condolences to you and to your friend.

    Parent
    Condolences... (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by kdog on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:28:04 PM EST
    One death is too many for that bullsh*t.

    Don't forget to thank Obama who has had almost 3 years to order our people home...foreign occupation is a sordid bipartisan affair.

    Parent

    Peace to his family (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:10:52 PM EST
    So sorry to hear this (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by MO Blue on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:27:17 PM EST
    Maybe one of these days we will end all of our never ending wars.

    My condolences to you and to his family.

    Parent

    My sympathies, Angel (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by Zorba on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:32:25 PM EST
    To your friend, you, and all who knew and loved your friend's nephew.  So young.  So very young.

    Parent
    I don't know what to say. So sorry for his family (none / 0) (#8)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:21:16 PM EST
    and friends. I don't know how people deal with such a loss, and so sad that so many families have had to in the last 10 years. There had to be a better way.

    Parent
    Thanks, everyone. (none / 0) (#49)
    by Angel on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:02:09 PM EST
    Oh, I am so, so sorry (none / 0) (#89)
    by sj on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 11:00:50 PM EST
    Peace to you, and to his family.

    Parent
    OMG, the weather in the Northwest today (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by shoephone on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:51:19 PM EST
    I'm actually a little afraid to go outside right now. Torrential rain. Much safer looking at it from inside the window. Can't wait for those 50 mph gale force winds this afternoon... hopefully, will still be looking at it from inside the window. I know, I know. If I hate rain so much, why do I live in the Northwest? In the middle of the g*%^#% forest!

    It's times like this when you hope (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Anne on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:53:10 PM EST
    all the trees around you have nice, strong, deeeeep roots...stay safe - and dry!

    Parent
    Wind storm two months ago (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by shoephone on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:08:59 PM EST
    The next morning the roads around here were littered with huge tree branches. At 6:00 a.m. I awoke to a loud crashing sound, which I thought must be a tree branch falling on my car. It actually shook my house. Turns out it was a natural gas explosion about three miles away.

    It's nice and warm and cozy inside the house today, but, sadly, I have run out of coffee...!!

    At least I'm not in the San Juans, or on Whidbey Island. Those folks are expected to get totally wind-socked.

    Parent

    Gees, I will have to follow that (none / 0) (#37)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:17:49 PM EST
    I heart Whidbey Island...have spent a lot of time there for work. Hope the bridge is OK in the wind!

    Parent
    Hugh Jackman. Great reviews. (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:04:24 PM EST
    Tickets cost $176 plus add ons.  Nope.  Opera yes.  Hugh Jackman no.

    What is the show? (none / 0) (#36)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:12:35 PM EST
    A concert?

    Parent
    $176 a head plus add-ons... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:32:11 PM EST
    My first thought was Jackman was doing bachelorette parties now.

    Parent
    I got a mezzanine, side row H ticket. (none / 0) (#85)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 09:55:04 PM EST
    For Friday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m.  Hope the amplification is good!

    Parent
    Apparently (none / 0) (#70)
    by sj on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 05:29:08 PM EST
    It's a one man show.  I love Hugh Jackman, but $176?  Yikes!

    Parent
    Great morning event (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by BTAL on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:54:50 PM EST
    Annually, a local group brings 30-35 Wounded Warrior participants and their spouses in from across the country for a week of honor and thanks.  One of the major events is the Veterans Day parade which our club provides rides for the heros.  

    Spent a wonderful morning riding in the passenger seat while LCpl Robert Hamilton III, USMC enjoyed his first time driving a Corvette.  He was wounded in Afghanistan at the young age of 21.  His (and all the other participating hero's) positive attitudes towards their new lot in life is truly inspiring.

    a noble day for us. (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by jeffinalabama on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 05:54:45 PM EST
    Just did my job. Time to call some of my comrades-in-arms. One fellow is thinking of re-enlisting to get back in the Cavalry, ground, not air... a 19 Delta, Cav Scout.

    Blessings on Jim, Gerald, NyShooter, MT's family, and any other dogfaces here i didn't mention.

    Rangers Lead The Way!

    A toast...

    Vet 1: Here's to us and those like us!

    Vet 2: Damned few left!

    Both: And most of them are dead!



    Saw two wrenching signs today. One (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 08:01:11 PM EST
    man put up a couple U.S. flags.  His sign sd. he is a veteran.  Right arm only extended to elbow.  Second man:  sign sd. his wife died of cancer, he has 2 kids, and needs help w/the rent.  Can't remember if his sign sd. he is a veteran.  This was near huge shopping center where the traffic made me think I had wandered into Black Friday.  

    Wilson Ramos has been found alive. (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 09:55:46 PM EST
    BBC

    I'll go out on a limb (none / 0) (#9)
    by CoralGables on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:24:41 PM EST
    Newt Gingrich will be one of the last two standing for the GOP nomination.

    And William Blake is still right: (none / 0) (#12)
    by jondee on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:39:56 PM EST
    War is energy enslaved.

    Parent
    You say William Blake (none / 0) (#39)
    by CoralGables on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:27:48 PM EST
    and I think Bull Durham.

    Parent
    Susan Sarandon (none / 0) (#55)
    by jondee on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:34:29 PM EST
    could get me to read William Blake..

    Parent
    as could Annie (none / 0) (#75)
    by CoralGables on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 06:43:02 PM EST
    I'm thinking senior citizens may (none / 0) (#13)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:44:12 PM EST
    sympathize w/Gov. Perry.  

    Parent
    Sort of (none / 0) (#64)
    by Zorba on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:40:48 PM EST
    And sort of not.  I do find myself suffering from "the word is at the tip of my tongue" problem more and more as I get older.  Technically, this is dysnomia, or anomia if very serious.  I don't know if Perry suffers from this or not- I'm not a neurologist.  However, I'm not running for President, and I have also learned to accommodate for the times when a word cannot be recalled- you describe it or talk around it.  When I worked with the developmentally disabled and neurologically impaired, several of my students had dysnomia.  They were able to do the same thing- describe what they they were thinking of, but could not retrieve the name of.  (And many of them were mildly mentally handicapped, and did a better job than Perry of working around this!)  Of course, this type of problem gets worse when you're under stress.  As  I said, I don't know if he has this particular disorder or not.  Maybe he's just kind of stupid.

    Parent
    I agree (none / 0) (#22)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:00:25 PM EST
    Unfortunately for Obama, all of these guys are going to end up making Romney look like the most noble, adult statesmen that ever strode the earth.

    Parent
    Or maybe I'm wrong (none / 0) (#40)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:27:49 PM EST
    Early poll caveats apply, but Obama is gaining ground on the 'generic Republican'.

    Parent
    Coral (none / 0) (#38)
    by AngryBlackGuy on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:17:55 PM EST
    Unbelievably, you may be right.

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    The Serial Philanderer is back!!! (none / 0) (#48)
    by Angel on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:00:34 PM EST
    Not so sure how long he'll last.  Scary that he's tied with Romney.

    Parent
    Obama: "recruit our veterans" (none / 0) (#14)
    by Edger on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:46:41 PM EST
    U.S. Planning Troop Buildup in Gulf After Exit From Iraq

    MacDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Obama administration plans to bolster the American military presence in the Persian Gulf after it withdraws the remaining troops from Iraq this year, according to officials and diplomats. That repositioning could include new combat forces in Kuwait able to respond to a collapse of security in Iraq or a military confrontation with Iran.

    The plans, under discussion for months, gained new urgency after President Obama's announcement this month that the last American soldiers would be brought home from Iraq by the end of December.



    Yup, I felt sure there had to be a loophole there (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by ruffian on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 01:59:09 PM EST
    The guy is good, Ruffian. (none / 0) (#29)
    by Edger on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:07:29 PM EST
    Maybe the best. Far and away better than any republican.

    No contest. No republican ever could put over on people the things Obama gets cheers for and have them believing they are supporting anything remotely resembling progressive or liberal policies.

    Nice of him to have a jobs plan for Iraq vets. And he's been doing his best to save as many jobs for vets in Afghanistan as he possibly can, too.

    An attack on Iran should get the economy rockin' again, too. Just like Clinton's and Bush's attacks on Iraq did.

    Parent

    Josh and his dad are leaving (none / 0) (#41)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 02:30:46 PM EST
    to go play in some Veterans Day Halo Tournament.  Josh will probably be the only kid but I bet he whips em good.

    This time they've gone too far... (none / 0) (#52)
    by kdog on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 03:14:38 PM EST
    The warrant squad is famous for using dirty tricks to con those with outstanding warrants into handcuffs, but this time they've gone to far in Derbyshire.

    I Love It (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 04:08:15 PM EST
    I'm sorry, but this is so obviously a file for the 'Too Good to be True' folder.  Free beer is never free beer, either they arrest you or your buddy needs his 1000 lb recliner moved up 5 flights of narrow stairs.


    Parent
    NPR "All Things Considered" had an (none / 0) (#80)
    by oculus on Fri Nov 11, 2011 at 08:02:34 PM EST
    excellent piece this afternoon re the Bonus Army, Anacostia encampment, Patton/MacArthur.  

    Elliot Spitzer interviewed by Al Jazeera: (none / 0) (#92)
    by oculus on Sat Nov 12, 2011 at 10:01:44 AM EST