Wednesday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Aug 24, 2011 at 08:52:19 PM EST
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I'm making a huge pot of soup with all the vegetables I bought Saturday at the Farmers Market, and watching Big Brother. Today's 98 degree heat broke a 75 year record.

The New Jersey Supreme Court has ordered changes to rules regarding eyewitness evidence . More on the changes here. The changes are expected to be watched closely by other states.

Currently, a defendant has the burden of proving there was undue suggestion during the identification process. That won't change. But the court has ordered that when a defendant can show some evidence of suggestiveness by police, a pretrial hearing must be held to explore it.

The court also requires a system be developed to better explain to juries the potential flaws with eyewitness identifications.

Steve Jobs has stepped down at Apple. He said:

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know," Jobs said in a letter to "the Apple community" that was released by the company. "Unfortunately, that day has come."

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Wednesday Night Open Thread | 57 comments (57 topical)

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Pat Summitt, Tennessee women's hoops (5.00 / 6) (#3)
by caseyOR on Wed Aug 24, 2011 at 09:34:17 PM EST

coach, has been diagnosed with early onset dementia alzheimers. She is just 59 years old and a scant five months younger than I am.

While I am not a big fan of basketball, baseball and soccer and football are my games, I am a big fan of Pat Summitt. She is the winningest coach in college basketball, men and women. Her teams at Tennessee have won 8 national titles, second only to John Wooden's UCLA Bruins.

What I admire, even more than those records, is Summitt's commitment to ensuring that her players graduate. It is a rare occurrence when a Lady Vol hoopster does not finish her academic studies.

And, unlike way too many coaches in women's basketball, Summitt has not waged a campaign against teh gays in women's' sport. She has not made ridiculous pronouncement claiming that her program does not include any lesbians; she has not conducted any witch hunts; she has not insisted that her players dress in overly glammed up and feminine ways off the court.

Summitt, with the blessing of the University of Tennessee, will continue coaching for as long as she can. Props to UT for not showing her the door.

: Indeed (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by jimakaPPJ on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 08:48:52 AM EST

She has made UT look good while proving that you can win without breaking the rules.
If you look up "class" in the dictionary you will find her picture.

: She is really an institution there (none / 0) (#51)
by ruffian on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 12:05:25 PM EST

Really sorry to hear that. I'm glad to see them treating her well.

soup (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by jharp on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 12:14:27 AM EST

I'm all for the huge pots of soup. That is how I always do it.

And the soup always seems to get better with age.

France trying to destroy the world? ;o) (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by MO Blue on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 08:17:13 AM EST

France: wealthiest ask government for special tax on the super-rich

"When the public finances deficit and the prospects of a worsening state debt threaten the future of France and Europe and when the government is asking everybody for solidarity, it seems necessary for us to contribute."
-Quote from an open letter calling for a "special contribution" by France's super-wealthy

The French government is to impose an extra tax of 3% on annual income above 500,000 euros (£440,000; $721,000).
It is part of a package of measures to try to cut the country's deficit by 12bn euros over two years.
The tax increase came after some of France's wealthiest people had called on the government to tackle its deficit by raising taxes on the rich. BBC
h/t Americablog

Vive la France! (5.00 / 2) (#9)
by smott on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 08:51:36 AM EST

Tres bien!


Not original with me (none / 0) (#10)
by jimakaPPJ on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 08:52:25 AM EST

But the rich in France, like the rich in the US, do not have to wait for a new law.

They can just write a check and send it to the government.

I'm sure their accountants can handle that for them.


I guess the French decided (5.00 / 3) (#11)
by MO Blue on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 08:59:34 AM EST

that "shared sacrifice" should be more than a sound bite and that all the mega rich would be given the opportunity to be treated equally for tax purposes.


Talk is cheap (none / 0) (#12)
by jimakaPPJ on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:10:08 AM EST

None of these people have to wait.

Instead of opening their mouth and whining why don't the write checks?

Why??

Because they want attention. At no cost to themselves.


The French has provided the (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by MO Blue on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:24:22 AM EST

mega rich the opportunity to back up their talk with real action.


The Koch brothers are on record (none / 0) (#13)
by MO Blue on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:17:24 AM EST

as being unwilling to contribute more money. They feel that their money is better spent funding "non-profit investments."

Koch's "non-profit investments" include the group founded by his brother David, "Americans for Prosperity" (formerly known as Citizens for a Sound Economy). As ThinkProgress first reported, AFP was one the first and most well-resourced drivers of the anti-Obama so-called "Tea Party" movement. Koch-funded Tea Party events have featured speakers comparing health reform to the Holocaust, and in some cases have sponsored rallies with leaders of the "birther" conspiracy theory.
Among the Koch brothers' other non-profit investments include far-right conservative think tanks dedicated to cheerleading the war in Iraq, spreading anti-science propaganda, and smears claiming that the poor do not really suffer. Koch has given money to educational initiatives, but in exchange for control over academic freedom that simply furthered Koch's political beliefs. These "investments" at best advance Koch's political ideology and at worst misinform American voters. Either way, they are hardly a replacement for "government spend[ing]" on things like food assistance and basic medical service. link

: Yes, if the tax status (none / 0) (#33)
by KeysDan on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 11:00:06 AM EST

for foundations under their control were changed, I wonder how charitable they would remain.

Because (none / 0) (#31)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:53:39 AM EST

it's just cheaper to buy representation in congress. More bang for the buck in that case.


You should be glad (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by sj on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 01:21:13 PM EST

... that it's not original to you because it shows unorginal and flawed thinking while pretending to be clever.


Yeah, ... make taxes voluntary (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by Yman on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 02:39:41 PM EST

Brilliant.


No it does not (none / 0) (#42)
by jimakaPPJ on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:01:12 PM EST

It just says...

"No need to wait. You can do your fair share right now."

Of course the rich never do that.


No one would ... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by Yman on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:11:39 PM EST

... voluntarily pay more than their obligated to pay, and it's a silly argument to make. Even if a tiny number did so, the amount of their contributions would be minimal. With all of the wealthy contributing a few percent more, however, the impact would be substantial.

This group, like Soros, is arguing that the wealthy (including themselves) should be required to pay more. At the very least, Soros is pointing out the inequity in requiring a secretary to pay a higher percentage of her income than someone like him.


Silly??? (none / 0) (#48)
by jimakaPPJ on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 09:24:26 AM EST

Really?

Asking people who want others to do something to do the thing themselves?

You obviously know nothing about the subject.

Try repeating this:

Lead follow or get out of the way.


Seriously silly (none / 0) (#50)
by Yman on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 09:36:10 AM EST

The wealthy citizens who want the rich to pay slightly more in taxes are including themselves in the group to be taxed at a higher rate. They are more than willing to do it themselves - they just realize that a system relying on voluntary, additional payments from anyone - including the wealthy - is beyond laughable.

But I do appreciate the irony of your quoting Thomas Paine in the context on taxation - the man who introduced the concept of a government-guaranteed minimum income to balance the enforcement of a capitalist system.

It's classic Jim.


Can't you grasp that I understand (none / 0) (#54)
by jimakaPPJ on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 01:57:19 PM EST

they are including themselves in writing/talking about something THEY WILL NEVER HAVE TO DO.

My point is simple. So simple I am sure even you understand.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT. THEY CAN DEMONSTRATE THEIR BELIEF AND COMMITMENT BY WRITING A CHECK RIGHT NOW.

So please, quit snarking.


: So you're saying they're advocacy ... (none / 0) (#55)
by Yman on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 02:24:20 PM EST

... for higher taxes for the wealthy is fake, because it won't happen?
1 - It will happen, as long as Obama is willing to let the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire in 2012, and
2 - You also advocate many things that will never happen. Can we assume that you're just posturing, too, or does that mind/motive-reading trick only work in one direction?

They took a lesson (none / 0) (#23)
by CoralGables on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:17:51 AM EST

from Warren Buffett who has asked the US to tax the mwga-rich on all their earnings at a higher rate including capital gains.

But while he waits, Buffett and Berkshire-Hathaway announced they will invest $5 billion in Bank of America.


Buffet is using Obama to make a bundle (none / 0) (#41)
by jimakaPPJ on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 08:59:33 PM EST

Call me back when Buffet has actually increased his tax payments.


He has acknowledged (5.00 / 2) (#46)
by CoralGables on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:46:29 PM EST

that he pays at a lower rate than anyone that works for him. He also thinks he should be in a much higher bracket. You can whine but he has readily stated that he and other mega-rich should pay much more. You'll get your call as soon as Congress does their part.

As for getting rich under Obama... Buffett was already a millionaire when Obama was born.


: Whine?? (none / 0) (#49)
by jimakaPPJ on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 09:28:06 AM EST

While confession may be good for his soul, I prefer James' comment..
"Faith without works is dead."
Or a more modern version:
"Ya gotta walk the walk if you talk the talk."
And Buffett is getting richer by the day.

I'm licked today (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by Militarytracy on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:24:09 AM EST

Josh broke his arm last night, just a buckle fracture it looks like. We will head to an ortho today. He was playing with Zoey and fell though. He is not very coordinated so he didn't put his arm out to break his fall, it was tucked up against his side and he fell directly on his shoulder and then Zoey tripped and fell on him. Poor guy.

Awww... (5.00 / 4) (#16)
by jbindc on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:28:20 AM EST

poor little guy - he's had a rough summer.

Best wishes to all of you.


Oh no (5.00 / 4) (#18)
by MO Blue on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:29:03 AM EST

Poor little guy. He and his parents have been through more than their share lately. No wonder you are licked today.

Here is for a speedy recovery and no more problems for the foreseeable future. Hope mom and dad can take some time to unwind also.

Oh, dear! (5.00 / 2) (#21)
by Zorba on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:54:37 AM EST

So sorry for Josh- I wish him a speedy recovery. And sorry for you, too! Way too much to deal with.


Should be an easier heal though than (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by Militarytracy on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:34:53 AM EST

many other possible breaks and fractures. He isn't really in any pain today in the stabilizer. He just doesn't think he can game in that thing and he's sitting here with his wheels spinning trying to figure out how he's going to do that. Bet he figures it out :)


I bet (none / 0) (#38)
by Zorba on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 01:21:43 PM EST

he figures it out, too! ;-)


He talked his doctor (5.00 / 0) (#57)
by Militarytracy on Sat Aug 27, 2011 at 11:33:59 AM EST

into allowing him to loosen his hand in the stabilizer, he can as long as he doesn't get crazy.


So....... (none / 0) (#58)
by Zorba on Sat Aug 27, 2011 at 12:37:17 PM EST

I'm guessing ix-nay on Guitar Hero or other motion-controlled games........ ;-)


: Yes, just stationary play (none / 0) (#59)
by Militarytracy on Sat Aug 27, 2011 at 05:27:42 PM EST

It reminds me of when ... (5.00 / 2) (#28)
by Robot Porter on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:47:07 AM EST

I was little and my mom would say "when you fall remember to put your arms out" over and over again.

Guess I wasn't too coordinated either.

Hope the kid weathers it well. But I bet he's secretly having a ball. Or maybe not so secretly. Kids love all this attention and excitement.


Kind of crazy (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by Militarytracy on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 11:58:20 AM EST

He has a childhood so out of the ordinary with so much hovering, it did comfort me just a little bit last night in the ER that at least he gets to have one average little boys war wound and war story.


Did he get a cast? (none / 0) (#53)
by Robot Porter on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 01:30:19 PM EST

The whole cast and signatures bit is a classic boy's "war story" element.


: He didn't (none / 0) (#56)
by Militarytracy on Sat Aug 27, 2011 at 11:19:50 AM EST

It was pretty funny when we got to the ortho office, four little boys in the waiting room with arms in slings. Three casts, but the doctor said that Joshua's fracture was just about in the best place he could have done it and because he was not having any pain when his arm is immobilized he can continue on with the stabilizer that straps his arm to his side. He was sort of proud that he got to be the one who didn't have to have a cast :) I suppose they can sign his stabilizer though.

More NPR silliness (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by observed on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:14:34 AM EST

I'm listening to some British blowhard say the mosst trite and unintelligent things about identity.

: Try this, much more insightful (none / 0) (#24)
by Dadler on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:25:59 AM EST

The Philosopher's World Cup. (LINK)

Strong words (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by MO Blue on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 01:02:30 PM EST

Will they be followed up with any action?

Richard Trumka, president of union giant AFL-CIO, delivered a scathing review of President Barack Obama at a press breakfast Thursday morning. He accused him of abandoning Democratic ideals and aligning himself with the conservative tea party.
"This is a moment that working people and quite frankly history will judge President Obama on his presidency; will he commit all his energy and focus on bold solutions on the job crisis or will he continue to work with the Tea Party to offer cuts to middle class programs like Social Security all the while pretending the deficit is where our economic problems really lie," Trumka said, Talking Points Memo's Brian Beutler reported. TL sidebar

officially (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by CST on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 01:52:05 PM EST

the weirdest thing to come out of Libya news.

"The ransacking of Moammar Gadhafi's compound is turning up some bizarre loot.

...

the latest discovery is a photo album filled with page after page of pictures of Condoleezza Rice."

I actually kind of feel bad for her. Didn't know that was a possible emotion for me.

I like the summer soup in (none / 0) (#1)
by observed on Wed Aug 24, 2011 at 09:00:53 PM EST

Julia Child's MTAOFC called soupe au pistou.
It's very simple--just boil potatoes, white beans, onions, carrots, adding green beans a little pasta later, and finish off by adding a tomato pistou.
yum.

I wish Steve the best (none / 0) (#2)
by andgarden on Wed Aug 24, 2011 at 09:32:56 PM EST

I hope the end isn't imminent for him, but it's hard to imagine it isn't.

An interesting footnote to this is that Tim Cook, the new Apple CEO, is arguably the most powerful openly gay man in the world now.

: I didn't know he is gay (5.00 / 1) (#52)
by ruffian on Fri Aug 26, 2011 at 12:07:41 PM EST

Which is a great testament to the non-issueness of it. Progress.

Thanks for news about high (none / 0) (#5)
by oculus on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 02:22:09 AM EST

temp. in Denver. Feeling cooler here @ 90 in comparison.

Very sad about Steve (none / 0) (#8)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 08:51:09 AM EST

The second most valuable company in the country started in a garage. He had many product disasters (not mere failures) but learned from them and went on to deliver insanely great stuff.

Looks like Perry is in the process (none / 0) (#17)
by brodie on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:28:55 AM EST

of putting Romney and the rest in the rear view mirror, as I predicted (along with TX reporter James Moore*) several weeks ago. But it's still early and he'll need to keep expectations in check before Iowa and watch out not to peak too soon.

Even if he stumbles it's hard to imagine a moderate Mormon taking the nom given the rabidly radical nature of the current GOP. And I think Bachmann was only a brief summer fling who's probably not even a serious VP choice.

It appears that the scenario for a 1864/1964 type of election is unfolding about as expected. And once again Obama will be blessed with an eminently beatable opponent.

(Moore being the Texan author who has an eerily close resemblance to another famous Texan, John Connally)

I don't agree (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by jbindc on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:37:14 AM EST

I think Perry fizzles out as a flash in the pan. Romney still has the money and organization.


I have no idea (5.00 / 2) (#25)
by Militarytracy on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:30:28 AM EST

For now I just hope the popcorn holds out :)


: I get the Act II (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by CoralGables on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:54:16 AM EST

microwave popcorn by the case and hope beyond hope that we get Pataki, Christie, and Palin tossed in like added butter.

Perry will have money and organization (none / 0) (#20)
by brodie on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 09:48:02 AM EST

as well plus a couple of advantages: he's easily perceived as more authentically conservative in a cycle that favors the hard right in the GOP and he also has the preferred religious profile, something that shouldn't be underestimated in this Repub party.

Too early though to bet the family estate on perry going all the way. I do though think it's now his nom to lose.


: On that (none / 0) (#27)
by jbindc on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:38:50 AM EST

we agree

: On the religion (none / 0) (#30)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:52:49 AM EST

yes but there's a lot of things about Perry that haven't been put out there and I'm willing to bet Romney is going to start leaking oppo research into the press pretty soon. Like how many of these voters know of Perry's investment in porn?

I don't know. (none / 0) (#29)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 10:50:37 AM EST

It all remains to be seen.


I won't (none / 0) (#35)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 11:59:41 AM EST

interrupt BTD's happy birthday thread with this bit of bad news:
Market crash 'could hit within weeks', warn bankers

H'Birthday BTD (none / 0) (#47)
by athyrio on Thu Aug 25, 2011 at 11:48:11 PM EST

the mere fact that you know that expression from Jack Benny dates you, I think LOL...Have a great day..