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Tuesday Open Thread: Snow Day

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:04:32 AM EST
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It's not quite the blizzard of 2006 (more photos here), but there's really a lot of snow falling and it's cold -- 1 degree right now. Tonight may get down to 8 below (and that's actual temp, wind chill will be much lower.)

While I get up to speed on the news (I'm not driving anywhere today), here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

(Thanks to Skippy for making the graphic.)

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    Tuesday Open Thread: Snow Day | 107 comments (107 topical)

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    Laurence Tribe (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by CST on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:02:15 PM EST
    Seems to think the Supreme Court will uphold the healthcare bill.  While he makes decent points about the constitutionality of the health care law - statements like this make me want to laugh:

    "To imagine Justice Scalia would abandon that fundamental understanding of the Constitution's necessary and proper clause because he was appointed by a Republican president is to insult both his intellect and his integrity."

    "Only a crude prediction that justices will vote based on politics rather than principle would lead anybody to imagine that Chief Justice John Roberts or Justice Samuel Alito would agree with the judges in Florida and Virginia who have ruled against the health care law."

    Heh. Link

    Needless to say, I do not have his faith in the "integrity" of these judges.

    Tribe (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by cal1942 on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 12:32:19 AM EST
    sounds like so many academics who just can't imagine, etc., etc., etc.  Why it's all so obvious.

    Too damned polite to admit that these "conservatives" are hacks and that 'brilliance' has nothing to do with anything when there are ulterior motives.

    Parent

    Be My Valentine, (none / 0) (#30)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:37:17 PM EST
    from L. Tribe.  He even covered Justice Thomas and Ginni nicely: If ..Thomas can be counted on as a nearly sure no vote..the only reason is that he alone has publicly and repeatedly stressed his principled disagreement with the whole line of post-1937 cases that interpret Congress's commerce powers broadly."

    Parent
    My experience (none / 0) (#32)
    by andgarden on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:53:30 PM EST
    is that ideological vote predictions are often as reliable as "legal doctrine" ones, especially for hot button issues.

    Parent
    As I recall, Tribe is currently on the WH (none / 0) (#66)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 04:42:57 PM EST
    payroll.  Unlikely he would predict SCOTUS will shoot down ACA.  

    Parent
    Lawrence Tribe left the DOJ (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by KeysDan on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 07:48:56 PM EST
    in December 2010.  He was on leave from Harvard and returned.

    Parent
    What I just heard across the cubicle wall (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:07:02 PM EST
    Jimmy Carter waterboarded more people than any other president.

     Lord, get me out of here.

    He musta meant... (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:44:55 PM EST
    floorboarded...as in Habitat for Humanity:)

    Then again, I'm sure the CIA rolled along same as they did in 72-76, and 80-84...no president is around long enough to change the culture in that outfit.

    Parent

    Right on the money kdog (none / 0) (#95)
    by cal1942 on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 12:36:45 AM EST
    That outfit is an entity unto itself.

    Reform, reorganization mean nothing.  It's the spooks.

    Parent

    It's good to learn something new every day (none / 0) (#39)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:09:17 PM EST


    Parent
    Thanks for the chuckle :) (none / 0) (#40)
    by republicratitarian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:11:32 PM EST


    Parent
    Happy thought (none / 0) (#42)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:16:00 PM EST
    the prime purveyor of rightie BS around here is retiring at the end of the month. No more coffee klatches in his office across the wall. It will be sooooo nice.

    Parent
    Is he willing (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by cal1942 on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 12:34:15 AM EST
    to take one for the cause by refusing to collect his Social Security and Medicare?

    Parent
    Yeah, but (none / 0) (#44)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:18:28 PM EST
    How boring for you. :)

    Parent
    Should be interesting (none / 0) (#45)
    by sj on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:19:34 PM EST
    Now he gets to live his theories.  

    Parent
    Conveniently, he won't have to (none / 0) (#48)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:26:39 PM EST
    He is in the socialized ex-military system.

    Parent
    And I'm not saying they haven't earned their (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:46:45 PM EST
    benefits, but so have teachers and other public servants who are currently getting the shaft.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#96)
    by cal1942 on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 12:40:47 AM EST
    like somehow military money isn't tax dollars.  Always worth a laugh, especially when it comes from double dippers.


    Parent
    Just reading (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:32:50 PM EST
    that the unions are furious about the Charlotte NC pick for the convention. I had thought that Charlotte was not a good location but didn't even think about the unions being upset.

    North Carolina (none / 0) (#84)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 07:05:55 PM EST
    has the lowest percentage of union membership of all 50 states.  Link

    Parent
    That was the first thing I heard (none / 0) (#102)
    by sj on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 10:02:43 AM EST
    about the choice (I was so out of the DNC loop that I didn't even realize it was that time again).

    I'm straight up pro-union so that really ticked me off.  I can't help but feel that the fact that NC having the lowest union participation rate was a factor in favor of the location.  B@st@rds.

    I know how cynical that sounds, but just when I think I'm too cynical I look around and ... here we are.

    Parent

    SJ (none / 0) (#111)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 10, 2011 at 07:47:28 AM EST
    there is no such thing as being too cynical when it concerns Obama.

    Parent
    Cold snowy day in Denver, but.... (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by christinep on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:40:06 PM EST
    the news that the Colorado Republican Chairman Dick Wadhams would not run for reelection (following the Republican Colorado screw-up in the past election) together with his parting comment about the "nuts" in his party that were full of "conspiracy theories"...well, that counteracted the cold and warmed the cockles of my heart today.  Hee, hee. Old Wadhams--or Dick the Nasty--finds the right wing in our state too crazy even for him. I'm thinking that is a good harbinger of spring for us Dems.

    Saw that too and it did warm my (none / 0) (#83)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:50:30 PM EST
    heart from long distance. I'm hoping he will go run George Allen's senate campaign again. Could we get that lucky?

    Parent
    Saw the pic of Argonaut Liqours (none / 0) (#1)
    by sj on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:15:27 AM EST
    (which I sorely miss) and it reminds me:  I hear that since I've been gone, it's been revamped and they have a new building and everything.  [Just checked, Google maps shows a building under construction].

    Does any Denver resident have a link to an image of the current incarnation?  Any reviews to offer?

    I'll take a pic next time I go (none / 0) (#6)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:49:59 AM EST
    It's right next door to where it used to be, lots bigger with more parking, but pretty much the same. And now open Sundays since our blue sky laws changed. Even though I no longer live in the neighborhood, it's still the cheapest and best place to buy spirits in Colorado. And just as much of an institution.

    Parent
    Wow, thanks! (none / 0) (#62)
    by sj on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 04:11:57 PM EST
    I'd really like that :)

    Parent
    Colorado's Medical MJ Law... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:21:11 AM EST
    butts heads with zero-tolerance in the schools...pretty odd that taking morphine is ok, having seizures is ok, but an mj lozenge is not...but thats zero tolerance for ya, zero common sense.

    Could L. Ron Hubbard... (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:36:29 AM EST
    be to blame for the shady-fication of title and mortgage processing?

    One big time robo-signin' outfit was owned by a disciple of L. Ron's...and they adopted his "management principles" and applied them to the mortgage and title business.  

    Interesting (none / 0) (#4)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:46:18 AM EST
    Hubbard made quite a climb from writing pulp science fiction to the head of a "religion."

    BTW - Does anyone know how many of those involved in the described process were not in arrears to the point of violation of the mortgage terms?  

    Parent

    btw (none / 0) (#5)
    by sj on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:48:26 AM EST
    You're trying to change the subject again.  That's a completely different issue.  Create your own entry.  Don't try to de-rail someone else's.

    Parent
    Thanks sj... (none / 0) (#9)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 12:47:00 PM EST
    but I consider Jim a friend, he can de-rail away.

    I agree, it is irrelevant where the borrowers were at with their payments...fraud is fraud, even if your fraud turns out to be "technically" correct, by dumb luck or the law of averages.

    Parent

    Thanks kdog (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:16:59 PM EST
    I appreciate it. And no, I was not changing the subject, just curious as to how many who weren't in arrears had been caught in a legal meat grinder.

    I also gotta wonder what happened to Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)and how it played a role in this. I know when I bought a house in '87 I couldn't get but about 60% of the 20% down payment up so I was required to purchase PMI and pay a monthly premium which was in the mortgage monthly payment. Stayed there until the house appraised value covered the 80%. Did the PMI companies just accept the fake paper and pay off?

    I think it would be funny to watch an insurance company sue a bank.

    Parent

    Lawyers, Banksters, Insurers... (none / 0) (#15)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:26:31 PM EST
    talk about a trifecta:)

    Parent
    Here's an article about a man who (none / 0) (#17)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:39:09 PM EST
    never missed a mortgage payment, and no longer has a home...how is such a thing possible, you ask?

    You refinance your mortgage, and the new lender never pays off the "old" mortgage...

    Atta Poku's troubles began with a refinancing of his Powder Run townhouse in 2001, before the national economic crisis. A refinancing involves a new mortgage. The mortgage loan is used to pay off the original debt, but in this case, that never happened. The original mortgage was for $97,500.

    Though he never missed a mortgage payment and sometimes paid extra to reduce his debt, Atta Poku lost the house to foreclosure in February 2005. The house was sold the following month. After he realized how serious the problem was, Atta Poku retained Ellicott City attorney Gerald M. Richman, who represented him for free -- but he was evicted in August 2006 and was never able to reverse the foreclosure.

    [snip]

    Atta Poku's problem resulted from the bank's failure to make sure that the refinancing loan was used to pay off the original mortgage. It took Washington Mutual three years to discover the error, and by then no one could tell for sure exactly what happened to the money, partly because some bank documents were lost. Under the law, however, Atta Poku was responsible, so WaMu foreclosed on his house.

    Atta Poku has said he never took WaMu's initial claims seriously because he knew he had paid every month and had done nothing wrong.

    By the time Atta Poku moved to reverse the foreclosure, it was too late. Later, when he tried to appeal, he was told that because he could not afford a required cash bond, his appeal was dismissed.

    He survived with the help of friends and homeless prevention groups for several years, but is now on his own, living in Long Reach, he said, and barely making ends meet.

    This is being deemed a refinancing failure, not fraud; there's nothing about robo-signing here or failure to file the required documents.  What happened here is someone who did everything right, paying his mortgage on time, still lost his house because of a lender's failure to pay off on the original loan and extinguish that debt.

    How many people know for sure that their loans are paid off after they refinance?  Whether you want to call these "mistakes" or something else, someone who loses a home because a bank or mortgage lender is either incompetent or unwilling to acknowledge their errors before they put someone out of their house, something needs to be done to this industry that is wildly out of control.

    Parent

    It's almost like... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:54:17 PM EST
    the financial industry thinks they can steal people's sh*t like they are the DEA performing asset forfeiture or something...and your only recourse is to sue and wait years to get your stolen sh&t back.

    The banks and their cohorts took their state deputy badge and ran with it...we never shoulda asked them to play cop, now they think they are above the law and the rules like cops....and sh*t maybe they are.

    Parent

    On either an original mortgage (none / 0) (#68)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 05:09:30 PM EST
    or a refinance, in my experience, a lawyer does the closing and cuts the check to the seller or to the previous mortgage holder or divides the proceeds as required. Then there is Title Insurance which protects the mortgage holder.

    You also get a closing statement showing who got what and why.

    So I don't see how the new lender failed to pay. But I have always assumed anything is possible when money is changing hands.

    That's why I have always had my own attorney at the closing to make sure the closer does what is supposed to be done.

    Parent

    Jim, my attorney for (none / 0) (#69)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 05:20:45 PM EST
    family issues is the same one we've used for about 40 years. As we say, "He might be a B*stard, but he's our B*stard."

    He's cut us a lot of breaks over the years. Long term relationships with a family lawyer can be important.


    Parent

    Exactly (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 07:21:21 PM EST
    Money spent for sound legal advice and overview is well spent.

    Parent
    I've done 3 closings (none / 0) (#103)
    by sj on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 10:02:50 AM EST
    And never had an attorney.  The lender cut the check and sent a representative to the closing.  Trying to remember who presented the closing statement.  I think the lender.

    But my mortgages are 30 year fixed, standard FHA loans.

    Parent

    Other than my first VA loan back in the distant (none / 0) (#104)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 10:53:33 AM EST
    past all of the loans we have taken have been private mortgage companies.

    And your own attorney is not required, but a copy of the closing document, I think, is required to be provided to both parties.

    I have done it only because I am a suspicious by nature when it comes to money and want my own attorney.

    Parent

    Okay (none / 0) (#25)
    by sj on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:15:32 PM EST
    Besides I read your question wrong.  So did not read it that way...  Sorry.

    [withdraws quietly]

    Parent

    I remember those days, Jim... (none / 0) (#35)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:02:38 PM EST
    there was a real incentive to coming up with the 20 percent, or using a VA loan. sure,some aggravation with either, but pretty darned important.

    this mess now is so convoluted, it's frightening.

    Parent

    How many are there (none / 0) (#26)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:16:43 PM EST
    whose loan terms were dictated by a bubble inflated by practices like this?

    via Naked Capitalism:

    From the Financial Times:

        US securities regulators investigating the role of banks in the mortgage crisis are homing in on the question of whether investors were misled about the home loans used to back securities...

        Kenneth Lench, chief of the SEC's structured products unit, said at a conference in Washington on Friday that issues of interest to the commission include whether investors were properly informed about underwriting and foreclosure practices and the quality of mortgages used to back securities...

        Mr Lench highlighted areas that could be of concern: "Were representations relating to the transfer or documentation of mortgages into the loan pools accurate? Did activities such as `robo-signing' contradict those representations? Were disclosures to investors regarding the quality of the loans in the pools accurate?"...

        Mr Lench said his unit was working with "legacy" cases from the financial crisis as well as new ones stemming from the "rippling effect of the unfolding crisis".




    Parent
    It's raining!!! (none / 0) (#7)
    by CST on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 11:53:39 AM EST
    Finally.  It's been pretty warm this week, above freezing every day.  Getting some much needed melting.

    Unfortunately, it's supposed to get cold again soon.  Hopefully enough of it drains off before it freezes.

    The roof collapses keep on coming, and frozen, wet, snow is heavier than the light, fluffy stuff.

    "Peter Judge, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, said this morning that 154 structural failures have been reported statewide."  Link

    At least there will be room to plow if we get another storm.

    Wet snow (none / 0) (#8)
    by cal1942 on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 12:36:18 PM EST
    is the worst.  In last week's storm we lucked out on two points:

    We only got an official 12" although my driveway had 17" with a couple of 2-3' drifts.

    Cold.  A lot easier to move the lighter snow that falls in single digit to teens temperatures.

    Parent

    yea (none / 0) (#11)
    by CST on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 12:53:41 PM EST
    but at this point it's a toss-up.  Wet snow stinks, especially on top of buildings.  But we desperately need some of the snow to melt.  The sheer volume was becomming a serious problem.  There's nowhere left to put it all.

    Parent
    Hope (none / 0) (#92)
    by cal1942 on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 12:24:28 AM EST
    it melts away in sufficient quantity to save some roofs and allow room to clear off the new stuff.

    We had a few hours above 32 on Sunday but since the storm temperatures have been otherwise no higher than the mid twenties last week and now our highs are in the teens.

    We've certainly had much better luck than people in upstate New York and New England.

    Parent

    A downside to the thawing... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 12:51:09 PM EST
    occured to me this morning...ya can see the shoulder on the parkway again, and that means the shake-down artists are out in force writing tickets to catch up on their quotas...saw 4 poor souls getting shaken down on my commute this morning.  

    It was like sweet highway anarchy out there for a few weeks...nowhere to hide or pull people over to write them up/lock them up....safest I've felt on the roads in recent memory:)

    Parent

    yea, no such silver lining here (none / 0) (#12)
    by CST on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:01:14 PM EST
    If they can't get you one way, they get you another.

    "The city has issued 8,769 tickets for violating snow emergency parking bans, the Boston Transportation Department said today. Each ticket is for $45, meaning that people owe $394,605 in fines."

    Link

    Parent

    Effin' HC bill (none / 0) (#14)
    by waldenpond on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:22:03 PM EST
    Who's stupid idea was is to keep individuals on their parents insurance until they are 25. L)

    I could have shipped the kid to the dental college but nooooooo, he's got five more cavities (one bad enough to warrant a root cana) and we get stuck with the co-pay.  The dentist is leaning towards pulling the tooth as he doesn't take care of his teeth. ick.  I happen to agree.

    The university clinic... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:34:45 PM EST
    by me doesn't means test...thank goodness, I'd be probably be over the income limit.  

    Do you have to prove hardship at your local uni's clinic?  Why can't your son go there regardless?

    The old 2 grand for a root canal or I can pull it for 2 hundo...pull that sucka doc!

    I hope if a repeal and revisit of HCR happens some legislators talk about dental...it is time to roll the teeth back into the rest of the body and have health insurers cover dental care...at least the basics.  No more unfavored body part status for the choppers.

    Parent

    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:05:15 PM EST
    They need to talk about dental.  Most plans don't cover dental (or only cover it very, very minimally) unless you want to purchase "extra" dental insurance.  Dental health is important for overall health, too (Link), as well as "quality of life."  (Although, I will say, if they revisit HCR, they should just go to "Medicare For All," adding a dental care provision as well, or at least an affordable public option.  Of course, they won't.)  

    Parent
    Seriously, check a certain cheap (none / 0) (#38)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:07:14 PM EST
    airline from Atlanta to Armenia Colombia, something to do with spirits, and get the work done there in Manizales.

    Last year I had a crown replaced, five new fillings, some reconstruction, a deep cleaning, and a night mouthpiece, all for 700- 750. A trip down there and back, with a hotel, might be cheaper than having the work done here. Check Panama, Costa Rica, etc...

    I don't have dental this year, because I'll fly down for any work. My dental is so weak, it doesn't seem to help much anyway.

    Parent

    And if you go, (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:23:10 PM EST
    you can combine your dental work with a vacation in a nice place!  (Although, I guess I'd go for the vacation right before the dental work is done, rather than after!)  Seriously, I know of people who have gone to India for procedures not covered by their health insurance, and paid much less, including the airfare and the stay there, than they would have here, out of pocket.  And gotten first-class, concierge care there.  (And we're supposed to be the "Bestest" country in the world, for absolutely everything?  Americans need to get out more and wake up.)

    Parent
    Zorba, I incorporate my dental (none / 0) (#50)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:29:01 PM EST
    work into the vacation. this year, I'm thinking liposuction, facelift, and tummy tuck, too, lol!

    I love that look of surprise that face lift folks have!

    Parent

    Hahahaha! (none / 0) (#51)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:31:48 PM EST
    Yes, jeff, please avoid the "Joan Rivers" look, at all costs!

    Parent
    Hey! (none / 0) (#52)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:38:16 PM EST
    She looked pretty good in the GoDaddy ad in the Super Bowl!

    Parent
    Amazing what (none / 0) (#54)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:42:57 PM EST
    make-up and digital effects with the camera can do.  Just ask any over-the-hill Hollywood star!  And if you think that's what she really looks like on a day-to-day basis, jbindc, I have a bridge in Brooklyn that's for sale.    ;-)  

    Parent
    Nah (none / 0) (#58)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:48:27 PM EST
    But I'd sure like to look like that!  :)

    Parent
    I posted a younger antonio banderas (none / 0) (#59)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:51:35 PM EST
    photo as my facebook pic, because that's how I feel! Well, sometimes. I might need a Foster Brooks, also... but that's another story.

    Parent
    Ha. BTW, what is the latest re the (none / 0) (#91)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 09:58:43 PM EST
    lava lamp?

    Parent
    still sitting in its package... (none / 0) (#99)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 07:59:19 AM EST
    other things have come up, like a dog rescue.

    I now have a 7 month old standard poodle, named "Jack." Could have gone with something else, but The Band's song "The Weight" ws on my mind.

    Then there's a nasty bronchial infection going around Angel Eyes' work, and then once I just forgot...

    I did take her a giant Hershey's kiss and a school sweatshirt, though. And we spent an afternoon at Sam's Club trying to get new tires for her car.

    So the lava lamp is a 'promis waiting to be fulfilled.'

    I've been regaling her of Colombian dental work, also. She had a root canal 10 years ago that has 'failed,' poor thing. The urgency keeps her from flying to see my dentist, but her "marathon man" torturer has suggested another tooth needs a root canal, and that one might be able to wait till MAy. When  told her the list of work I had, and what's happening this year, she, being a money person, has decided I may know a thing or two about combining a great trip with saving money.

    Parent

    Hoping what you "just forgot" was (none / 0) (#105)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 11:05:52 AM EST
    the lava lamp, not the date!

    Parent
    Yes, mom (rolls eyes) (none / 0) (#106)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 11:26:54 AM EST
    I forgot the lamp. (Sigh)

    Heh, I feel like Rick Blaine..."She was wearing blue. the Germans were wearing grey..."

    Parent

    Maybe for Valentine's Day. (none / 0) (#107)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 12:26:29 PM EST


    Parent
    I was thinking that, (none / 0) (#108)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 01:51:06 PM EST
    but may have to drive in the opposite direction and miss the occasion.

    I hope not, because that would make bad luck rain down on me. I"m only half-joking here. or one-fourth. Not doing a Valentine's event? Bad message, even if not intended.

    Parent

    Especially if you've got pedal to the (none / 0) (#109)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 06:26:37 PM EST
    medal to get out of Dodge!

    Parent
    Oh, I don't know (none / 0) (#63)
    by Zorba on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 04:14:24 PM EST
    I think that the "plastic surgery" people tend to look way too much alike.  I prefer people who can age gracefully, wrinkles and all.  Wrinkles and gray hair are the stories of our lives- each wrinkle (and gray hair) with a meaning.  I know many older people who are beautiful to me, because their minds and personalities and souls, if you will, are beautiful.  Their lives are etched in the signs of their aging.  

    Parent
    Yeah... (none / 0) (#56)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:46:50 PM EST
    my bad genes for choppers, and bad diet, kinda make any large scale investment kinda foolish...just make it half-way presentable doc!

    I should hit the chair when I'm in Mexico...but time is too precious there.

    Parent

    My kid is a brat (none / 0) (#22)
    by waldenpond on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:07:58 PM EST
    He could go to the college clinic (same as yours, it charges low fixed rates) but only has part-time work and can't afford even that (yes, he's back in the house since he got a job) but when I asked him to chip in $100 bucks towards this, he said he wouldn't get any teeth repaired so I'll pay for the fillings but I'm not paying for the other.

    I'm good with tough love, but I imagine missing several teeth would not go over well in a job interview.

    Parent

    Hang in there Mom... (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:21:02 PM EST
    if job prospects don't scare some sense into him, maybe mention girls don't go wild for hillbilly grills.

     

    Parent

    My friend adopted a daughter from China (none / 0) (#18)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 01:46:41 PM EST
    in July - the child just turned four - and a routine dental exam revealed that she has cavities in almost every tooth in her mouth, some quite deep.  The recommendation is to take care of all of them at once, which requires a surgical suite, general anesthesia, etc., and almost none of it is covered.  The tab will be close to $10,000.

    And, no, just because these are "baby" teeth does not mean you can just yank them, and taking care of this in many visits could prove too traumatic - and wouldn't be any less expensive.

    You do what you have to do, but this has been quite a financial blow.  And finding out that the dental insurance is more or less worthless isn't helping.


    Parent

    May I suggest a good university dental school (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by trillian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 05:34:03 PM EST
    They do wonderful work at a fraction of the cost of a regular dentist

    Parent
    Second that (none / 0) (#75)
    by christinep on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:32:30 PM EST
    Lo, these many years later, I still have some good example of the Indiana University Dental School (and present day dentist says "Hey, that was good work!")  Seriously, I've also observed the work in other states. In many cases, very good dental work & very low costs (and, my experience was that it was not based on ability to pay or not.)  It can take extra time, but it is an investment.

    Parent
    Anne, without a doubt you should check (none / 0) (#41)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:13:42 PM EST
    in central or south America. you might be able to save 6-8 thousand. And no, a trip down doesn't cost that!

    Parent
    I actually mentioned this to her, (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:40:03 PM EST
    and suggested she think about/look into it, but she feels like she would have no idea where to start.

    On top of that, her daughter had major heart surgery as an infant, and while the cardiologists and pediatric surgeons here have told my friend and her husband that the repair done in China was excellent, and she's as normal as if she had never had a problem, I don't think they have enough of a comfort level to undertake this - even if it would save them a ton of money.

    I think she would consider it for herself, but not for the 4-year old, who is still dealing with the trauma of leaving her foster family in China and adjusting to her new life here.  They have an older daughter they also adopted from China about 5 years ago, when she was 18 months old, so that is helping with the transition, but there's been enough upheaval for all of them that I don't think they have the emotional reserve to do it.

    It's a shame that people have to travel out of the country with "the best health care system in the world" in order to be able to afford the care they need.  It's like the insurance companies are willing to pay for the preventative care, but if you can't manage to stay healthy, well, too bad...

    Whole thing really makes me angry.  But you probably already knew that.  :-)

    Parent

    I hope there's a quick and (none / 0) (#57)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:48:26 PM EST
    rapid adjustment for them, and I would be happy to offer my expertise on the matter to them. They might want a nice vacation through, for instance, the Panama Canal, in addition, so it wouldn't e so traumatic, still a lot of English speakers there.

    But they need their comfort level.

    I'd be happy to talk to them if they'd like, though, and I don't get a commission or even a discount. I just had a much better experience there than here, patient dentists, saturday appointments, also, the norm there, not the exception. Except for one cleaning and one filling, two dentists at all times, and a dental anesthesiologist there, also.

    Not trying to do a sales job, just to help. Anything to help  children, and families that adopt!

    Parent

    Thanks, Jeff... (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:58:34 PM EST
    the adjustment is going well, and the little one has picked up English at a remarkable speed.  She's bonded really well with my friend's husband and also with her new sister, but the other day she told my friend, "I don't like you."  She finally managed  - "you can tell mommy anything, even if it hurts my feelings" - to get her little one to tell her the reason: "you have blue eyes!"  I mean, what do you say to that?

    On the flip side, though, she showed me a video of her daughter singing "God Bless America" that was too cute for words...I think my favorite part was when she sang, "...from the mountains, to the Marys, to the lotions white with phone..."

    I don't think I will ever again hear or sing that song without thinking about this cute-as-a-bug Chinese child singing "from the mountains to the Marys."

    Parent

    and it sounds like she knows the (none / 0) (#61)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 04:05:02 PM EST
    secret to the missing white iphone 4!

    Parent
    Sounds like the (none / 0) (#87)
    by BackFromOhio on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 07:41:18 PM EST
    effects of night bottle syndrome -- which results when young child goes to sleep with bottle and teeth get bathed all night in sugar from milk or fruit juice -- or, heaven forbid, soda.  

    Parent
    Wow, I had forgotten about that. (none / 0) (#98)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 07:43:46 AM EST
    Didn't have that problem with little Alabama, but so many people have had it.

    Parent
    Toyota (none / 0) (#23)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:09:45 PM EST
    .

    Not killing folks for the sake of higher profits after all.

    .

    So (none / 0) (#27)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:20:20 PM EST
    Were all these problems driver-related?  Do folks who drive Toyotas not know how to drive (and properly brake) in greater numbers than the general population?

    Parent
    That is (none / 0) (#29)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:32:54 PM EST

    NHTSA Deputy Administrator Ron Medford said that in many cases when a driver complained that the brakes were ineffective, the most likely cause was "pedal misapplication," in which the driver stepped on the accelerator instead of the brakes.

    That is consistent with the fact that the elderly were much more likely than younger folks to have this happen.  Mechanical fuel systems are generally unaware of the driver's age.  This is the same story that Audi went through a few years back.

    BTW, I did a "pedal misapplication" once.  Fortunately there was nothing in front of me and the realization hit before the car hit.  For that second or so I was mistakenly certain the brake was being depressed.

    Parent

    So how come (none / 0) (#31)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:50:05 PM EST
    Elderly drivers of other brands don't seem to have problems like this in the same numbers?

    And from what I remember- a good chunk of the complaints (like a 1/3rd or something like that) came from immigrants.  Do we go with the stereotype about immigrants (at least a certain category) don't know how to drive?

    I'm definitely no fan of Toyota, but curious as to why it only seemed to be in their cars. (I have other theories and questions as to the quality of their cars, but that's for another day).

    Parent

    I have a Rav4 and the pedals seem to (none / 0) (#33)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:59:44 PM EST
    be pretty close together. I could press them both with one foot. I wonder if they are closer than on most cars. I haven't driven anything else for a while so I don't remember.

    Parent
    why it only seemed to be in their cars (none / 0) (#34)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:00:15 PM EST

    Editorial judgement.  Scare stories sell.  

    Do we go with the stereotype about immigrants (at least a certain category) don't know how to drive?

    Not at all.  But we can be quite certain that the car and its systems are unable to discriminate based on national origin.  

    Parent

    So it IS the car. (none / 0) (#36)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:04:12 PM EST
    Good to know.

    Parent
    the article stated (none / 0) (#43)
    by CST on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:16:56 PM EST
    that it wasn't an electrical problem.

    It said nothing about whether there was a mechanical problem, or whether there was a design flaw (such as pedals too close together).

    That being said, I wonder if there are different demographics for different cars.  My ex use to say that people who drove toyotas were usually terrible drivers.  But I'm not sure I'd consider him a reliable judge :)

    Parent

    I won't buy another Rav4 anyway (none / 0) (#47)
    by ruffian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:25:10 PM EST
    The ergonomics are messed up for me. Something about the seat-leg-foot arrangement makes my rear end numb after more than an hour of driving.

    Maybe it is build for smaller people. The headroom was fine, and that blinded me to the rest of it during the test drive!

    Parent

    Just responding to the statement (none / 0) (#49)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 03:27:25 PM EST
    That the car can't discriminate against ethinicities, so logically, then the problem has to be with the car.

    I'm not saying that's what ACTUALLY happened - just following the logic.

    And I agree with your ex, although I find Honda drivers are worse.  :)

    Parent

    The article actually suggests (none / 0) (#88)
    by BackFromOhio on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 07:43:18 PM EST
    that source of the problem may be anyone of several types of mechanical flaws.

    Parent
    Music to get you people movin' (none / 0) (#24)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 02:13:58 PM EST
    New French electro-swing band I just came across. Lyre Le Temps. This song is "Hold the Night." Get a move on and have a great day, peeps.

    Layoffs at my company tomorrow (none / 0) (#64)
    by republicratitarian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 04:14:59 PM EST
    Big meeting with department heads today. My boss is the head of the security department and she told me to wear comfortable shoes tomorrow. Sounds like there is going to be a lot of escorting people out the door.

    I hate to sound selfish, but I hope I'm not one.

    Good luck! (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 04:17:16 PM EST


    Parent
    Hope you make it. (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 04:43:02 PM EST
    Scary times.

    Parent
    Jim, kdog, MT, CaseyOR and pirate crew members, (none / 0) (#77)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:34:58 PM EST
    I created an email account to reach me. I've been in contact with some of y'all, and now it's posted to my info.

    easy to remember, jeffinalabama at gmail dot com.

    My older addresses got hacked. Sorry about all of the Canadian Viagra emails... not me, I get no percentage, lol.

    Duly noted... (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 09:20:08 AM EST
    if this new one gets hacked, at least let it by a spammer hawking percocet:)

    Parent
    Jeff, I just sent you (none / 0) (#86)
    by caseyOR on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 07:40:53 PM EST
    an  email to this new address.

    Parent
    Hey Captain... (none / 0) (#101)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 09:21:27 AM EST
    I've got Shantaram here waiting for ya...hit me with an email if you still want it.

    Parent
    That's (none / 0) (#90)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 08:04:28 PM EST
    why I'm so picky about giving out my email address to anybody. I did get hacked one time but fortunately it was an account that I rarely used but people were emailing me back and saying why did you send this? I had to tell them that my account got hacked and i didnt send it. What a pain.

    Parent
    At least is easy to make one dedicated (none / 0) (#97)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 07:42:37 AM EST
    to a place, like the one for here... if it's not a message from a TL'er, I can delete it.

    Parent
    Linsay Lohan to be charged ... (none / 0) (#79)
    by Yman on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:35:46 PM EST
    ... with felony grand theft for (allegedly) stealing jewelry.

    Argh, and of course I double-post! (none / 0) (#80)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Feb 08, 2011 at 06:36:14 PM EST
    this addy's dedicated to talkleft, not to worry.

    Ben Heppner just pulled out of (none / 0) (#110)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 09, 2011 at 06:31:54 PM EST
    his role of Siegfried in Metropolitan Opera's remaining performances of Wagner's Ring Cycle.  But, last night, NYT on line ran a photo of Heppner in a pirate's costume.  Here he is posed next to such a costume for LA Opera.  LAT

    Tuesday Open Thread: Snow Day | 107 comments (107 topical)

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