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Sunday Afternoon Open Thread

This is still all I want for Christmas. Thanks to all who have donated, I will be sending thank you emails this week. But I'm not close yet.

If you'd like to help make me a happier blogger, or just want to show some appreciation for TalkLeft, here's how:

For those who don't like paypal, here's my snailmail address. [More...]

For anyone who can easily afford it, you can also order the new iMac for me, even anonymously. It would make me eternally grateful, feel very appreciated and ensure I have a super happy holiday.

Please don't feel obligated to donate. I realize these are tough economic times for all. But for those who can afford it, a donation would be most appreciated.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Voting statistics on one southern state: (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by the capstan on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 05:28:02 PM EST
    Sorry if subject line got pushed ahead of comment!

    Question after election was how Obama/Romney vote statistics compared in Southern states.  A local newspaper commenter came up with these for South Carolina:

    Forty-four percent of SC residents who voted in 2012 election voted for Obama, even without a 'strong' in-state campaign.  Obama did better in SC than he did in 19 other states that went for Romney.  (Romney carried 24 states, only four of which had a higher percentage of voters going for Obama.)

    I suspect it is wrong to write off the South as being totally tied to the GOP--past prejudices or no.  (When I read that in a future election SC could conceivably turn blue, I thought 'No way!"  But there is a strong hispanic tide--plus efforts to 'limit voter fraud' have not done too well.)

    Maybe the 'plebes' outnumber the aristocrats and the wealthy, even in the south.

    I believe (none / 0) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 05:35:55 PM EST
    the closest states not won by Obama were:
    1. North Carolina
    2. Georgia
    3. Arizona
    4. South Carolina


    Parent
    If you can stand some blunt advice, J, (5.00 / 5) (#7)
    by Anne on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 06:16:21 PM EST
    if you had just put up a generic post to raise funds for the blog, I think you'd have had a much better response; then, what you decided to spend the money on would be between you and your checking account.

    I know you have made it clear that those who doesn't want to, or can't afford to, contribute to your specific desire, are not under any obligation to do so, but I don't think that's really helped much, at least in my opinion.

    actually, this request (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 08:29:56 PM EST
    has resulted in more than twice as many readers donating than my general requests for donations. The amounts have been smaller, which I attribute to difficult economic times, other holiday expenses and the like. And many of the donations are first-time contributors. (It seems to be the readers who comment most who rarely if ever donate.)


    Parent
    This site is the first I check when I get on (none / 0) (#22)
    by Rupe on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 10:07:25 PM EST
    the internet, and the one I constantly check throughout the day, and you make this happen for me and everyone on here.  If you want an iMac, I think that's fabulous.  I think this specific fundraising post was good because it was a human request, reminding some of us extremely active readers (but rare posters) that there is a face behind this whole operation.

    Parent
    thank you Rupe! (none / 0) (#23)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 11:32:22 PM EST
    You made my night with those words!

    Parent
    Jeralyn, I will donate but after I am (none / 0) (#26)
    by oculus on Mon Dec 03, 2012 at 04:01:52 AM EST
    back on my laptop and not in India. Think winter solstice.

    Parent
    Fiscal turnip truck-strange article in NYT (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Politalkix on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 09:30:12 PM EST
    linkVery strange lines from Republican advisors

    "He is overreading his mandate," said John Feehery, a former adviser to top House Republicans. "By doing the campaign thing, he is making the same mistake Bush made in 2005." Eventually, he said, Democratic and Republican leaders "are going to cut the deal, and Obama is going to be on the outside looking in."

    So, who are the Democratic leaders that the Republican leaders will make the deal with so that The President "will be on the outside, looking in?" Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi will have more to lose politically than the President, if they make any deals with Republicans.

    and then

    "He only cares about one detail: raising rates on the top two brackets," said Tony Fratto, a former White House and Treasury Department official under Mr. Bush. "Everything else is secondary. That's why if that is going to happen, it will be last if Republicans can hold out. I think it's pretty clear Obama will sacrifice just about anything to get that. It's the only win for him."

    Do they realize that tax rates go up automatically if "Republicans can hold out"?


    Jeralyn, I'm just going to send (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by shoephone on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 09:55:13 PM EST
    my usual Christmas contribution and you can use it for whatever you like! New computer, server issues, research stuff, or taking the TL boy out for dinner. I only wish it could be a bigger contribution, but having to move last year set me back more than I expected. I can't imagine not donating something though, because I still think this site is among the bright stars on the web.

    I really want to contribute (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by Amiss on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 11:43:59 PM EST

    To whatever will make your life easier. And aI will, just not in
    time for Christmas. S.S. does not send out checks early because of Holidays, etc. My check doesn't come until the day AFTER Christmas. Sad fact of life I would like someone to pass a bill about.

    Best of Holiday Times to Jeraalyn,Armando and all who partake of the delectables of this wonderful Talk Left Family.

    If you are living on Social (5.00 / 3) (#27)
    by oculus on Mon Dec 03, 2012 at 04:06:16 AM EST
    Security, we should be sending you donations.  

    Parent
    I live on Social Security, too (5.00 / 3) (#29)
    by SuzieTampa on Mon Dec 03, 2012 at 11:42:31 AM EST
    SSDI, that is, plus some retirement savings. I just donated $25, which isn't much, but it's a token to represent my appreciation of the coverage of the GZ case.

    Parent
    S.S schedule is staggered based on (none / 0) (#30)
    by ding7777 on Tue Dec 04, 2012 at 02:34:20 PM EST
    the day of the month you were born:

    1 - 10th of the month = the 2nd Wednesday of each month

        11 - 20th of the month = the 3rd Wednesday of each month

        21 - 31th of the month = the 4th Wednesday of each month

    of course there are exceptions to these dates like pre-1997 and S.S plus SSI = 3rd day of the month


    Parent

    Two hours early (none / 0) (#1)
    by CoralGables on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 05:25:44 PM EST
    Here is the leak...
    Orange Bowl: Northern Illinois vs Florida Sate
    Sugar Bowl: Florida vs Louisville
    Fiesta Bowl: Oregon vs Kansas State
    Rose Bowl: Stanford vs Wisconsin
    BCS game Alabama vs Notre Dame

    Never saw a bowl line-up like that! (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by the capstan on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 05:32:21 PM EST
    "Back in the day" some of those schools never made headlines, much less bowl bids.  (Yes, I am an SEC fan by birth.)

    Parent
    I would say two (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by CoralGables on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 05:48:59 PM EST
    exciting games there.

    Notre Dame - Alabama
    Oregon - Kansas State

    Other than fans of the teams playing, the other three have no pizazz unless there is a major upset.

    Florida, FSU, and Stanford should be very strong favorites.

    Parent

    A&M-Oklahoma (none / 0) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 08:02:38 PM EST
    best game.

    Cotton Bowl lucked out.

    Parent

    Agreed (none / 0) (#14)
    by CoralGables on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 08:06:40 PM EST
    That's three good ones and the Outback with Michigan and South Carolina could be a distant 4th.

    Parent
    Sagarin ratings lines (none / 0) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 08:10:48 PM EST
    FSU (-9! only 9!) over Northern Illinois.

    Alabama (-6) over Notre Dame.

    Florida (-19) over Louisville.

    Oregon (-2) over Kansas State.

    Texas A&M (-3) over Oklahoma.

    Georgia (-11) over Nebraska.

    Stanford (-6) over Wisconsin.

    South Carolina (-5) over Michigan.

    LSU (-4 1/2) over Clemson.

    Oregon State (-3) over Texas.

    I like the favorites in every one of these by a lot.

    Parent

    Actually (none / 0) (#16)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 08:11:47 PM EST
    I'll take Louisville plus the points.

    Parent
    ND-Bama (none / 0) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 08:14:54 PM EST
    opened at Bama -10 1/2.

    Got bet down to 8 1/2 quickly.

    Opened too high.

    I think it stays around 8.

    I like Bama at 8 or less.

    Parent

    How high will FSU climb? (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by CoralGables on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 08:16:31 PM EST
    Is my memory correct? (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Mon Dec 03, 2012 at 03:56:21 AM EST
    Didn't U of M beat FL once in the Outback Bowl?

    Parent
    The NIU Huskies will be headed to Miami ... (none / 0) (#12)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 06:28:48 PM EST
    ... with an interim head coach. Dave Doeren announced yesterday that he's taking over at NC State, effective immediately.

    Parent
    Go Ravens! (none / 0) (#6)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 05:56:08 PM EST
    Let's make it two for two against the Steelers two seasons in a row.

    Not having a good feeling about this; (none / 0) (#9)
    by Anne on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 06:20:54 PM EST
    Ravens are once again making a mediocre QB look good.

    If it wasn't the Steelers, I'd be less hacked off about a potential loss; when I see them play like this, I also don't see how they go deep into the playoffs.

    And we still have Denver, the Giants and the Redskins and Cincinnati on the schedule - no easy wins there, in fact, I see 4 potential losses.

    Parent

    Unfortunately (none / 0) (#11)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 06:27:17 PM EST
    I think you may be right. And Flacco looks like he's playing an away game instead of at home.

    Parent
    ESPN and SI are both reporting that ... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 06:17:30 PM EST
    ... Northern Illinois will be ranked No. 15 in the final regular season BCS poll, and will be offered an invitation to play Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

    If that's truly the case, then congratulations are in order for the MAC champion Huskies, and a lot of boos and hisses for NIU Coach Dave Doernen, who announced on Saturday morning -- barely 12 hours after the Huskies' epic title-clinching win over Kent State -- that he's accepted the head coaching job at North Carolina State, and is leaving NIU this week. NIU officials are expected to name an interim head coach for the Orange Bowl later today or early tomorrow.

    ESPN further projects that Florida will be playing Louisville in the Sugar Bowl, and the Fiesta Bowl will match up Oregon and Kansas State. Big 12 co-champ Oklahoma and SEC runner-up Georgia look to be the odd BCS men out here, and the Sooners will reportedly accept an invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day against LSU. )Does that mean that Georgia stays in Atlanta to play Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl?)

    Regardless, we'll know officially in a few hours, but once again, the leaks show that it's virtually impossible for an organization to keep a secret nowadays.

    Sorry, CG! (none / 0) (#10)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Dec 02, 2012 at 06:23:25 PM EST
    I didn't read your post at the top, and inadevertantly assumed the role of Little Sir Echo.

    Parent
    Susan Rice's invested in Canada pipilines (none / 0) (#28)
    by Menanna on Mon Dec 03, 2012 at 09:08:07 AM EST
    http://tinyurl.com/bssdzsv

    Susan Rice and her husband are invested in Canada pipelines projects.
    Well, I think her possibilities for Secretary of State are now next to zero, too bad.
    As a Canadian I must say that the oil sand developments are bad for the environment and her "heavy investments" in such projects does not speak to highly of her (at least for me)
    BTW, I just sent my small donation in Canadian $. Not a fan of Apple products, but a fan of you and TL.  Thanks Jeralyn for being who you are and for what you do with TL