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Wednesday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 12:44:11 PM EST
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Down goes Altmire! Maybe andgarden and I will be the only TLers who care.

Also, too, Chelsea shocked Barca yesterday in the Champions League. Madrid must beat Bayern today to redeem the reputation of La Liga (not really). Go Los Merengues!

Down goes Madrid on PKs.

Go Chelsea!!

Open Thread.

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    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 112 comments (112 topical)

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    Draft Armando for Solicitor General! (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Addison on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:55:09 PM EST
    I don't think the current fellow is getting the job done.

    Is there a more partisan tool ... (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:28:05 PM EST
    ... who's currently masquerading as a magistrate in the entire United States than Antonin Scalia? What a total hack!

    The question about a state's right to (none / 0) (#20)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:45:28 PM EST
    defend its borders caught my attention.  Instead of ICE @ CA/AZ border, maybe we'll see state troops in the future.  

    Parent
    Defend 'em from what, exactly? (none / 0) (#39)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:03:57 PM EST
    I'm sick and tired of public policies that are enacted in ignorance, and of people who continue to make excuses for them.

    Chasing illegal immigrants is akin to herding cats. It doesn't solve the problem because it doesn't work. For those who think otherwise, I have a housecat ranch for sale, cheap.

    Parent

    Roberts is Up There... (none / 0) (#25)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:54:10 PM EST
    ...he's just got the good sense to stay out of the spotlight.

    Parent
    True, but (5.00 / 0) (#32)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 03:54:31 PM EST
    don't downgrade Clarence Thomas, he is as quiet as a church mouse and as dangerous as a sewer rat.

    Parent
    On the + side, Connecticut Repeals Death Penalty (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Erehwon on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 07:47:08 PM EST
    Governor Malloy quietly signed a new law Wednesday that ends the state's death penalty for future crimes, making Connecticut the 17th state to abolish capital punishment.

    Weddinghausted (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 08:50:36 PM EST
    No wonder many people do everyone a favor and elope.

    Did MIL behave herself? Did she have (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 10:58:53 PM EST
    a minder?

    Parent
    I'm being appropriate :) I swear (none / 0) (#85)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:21:37 PM EST
    Even with childish in-laws.  They aren't doing anything for the wedding other than the rehearsal dinner.  I think most of that drama drama'd itself out finally too.

    But then the groom's father goes to Montgomery and buys himself a tux without talking to anyone about what the guys were wearing.  And the groom's mom bought her gown without consulting with the bride (probably not that big of a deal).  My husband wigged out though, because our son-in-law is supposed to be the best dressed man at the wedding, not his dad.  Every other guy there is supposed to be at a least a step down in duds worn.  When my husband starts to wig though, it's wiggin time :)

    I'm not used to parents being all ABOUT THEMSELVES  during things like this.  I've got appletinis and Sangria to make though so screw these people :)  I will have to watch my tongue though after champagne, while sitting on my husband.

    Parent

    I've never heard a "rule" about (none / 0) (#88)
    by oculus on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:29:53 PM EST
    the groom being the best-dressed guy.  Have heard MOG is supposed to consult and defer to MOB re wedding attire and no-one, including MOB, is supposed to outshine the bride (which happened at my neighbor's daughter's first wedding).

    Can't wait for Josh's take on this whole deal.  

    Parent

    Yeah, none of us are supposed (none / 0) (#89)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:37:40 PM EST
    to outshine the bride.  That would be pretty hard to do though at this wedding.  The in-laws don't have a car big enough to deliver them in the dress that outshines Josh's sisters :)

    My cousin who I always fought with and was in some kind of competition with when growing up wore a long white lace dress to my wedding :)  My husband had a baby cow quietly.  I looked out and saw her there though and busted out laughing.....how predictable!

    Parent

    How many weddings will you sponsor (none / 0) (#90)
    by oculus on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:42:32 PM EST
    for your daughter?  Just wondering.  

    Parent
    The first one was a runaway wedding (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:46:43 PM EST
    They ran off to Florida because you have to be 19 to get married in Alabama without your parent's consent.

    I cannot express how unhappy I was with all that :)  I only paid in tears and suffering with the first wedding :)  Oops, the divorce too...I paid for the divorce :)

    She gets one wedding and one divorce out of me :)

    Parent

    The groom did the same thing too (none / 0) (#94)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:57:06 PM EST
    I have no idea what the heck was going on around here at that time, but all our kids were running off getting married to each other and not telling any of us.  It was like some kind of freaky fad around here.

    I wondered to myself if it was some kind teen rebellion toward my generation and how most of us became marriage cautious.  Most of my friends were getting married around 22, I was pretty sure we were still mostly crazy, and everyone then ended up divorced too for the most part.  I didn't marry then.  I was known for being engaged and then changing my mind and becoming disengaged.

    Parent

    I have a very close friend who is also (none / 0) (#96)
    by oculus on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 01:06:04 PM EST
    known for the no. of times she was engaged.  she never kept the ring.  Did you?

    Parent
    Nope, never did (none / 0) (#98)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 01:25:03 PM EST
    It would be wrong

    Parent
    Republican whining about Obama ... (none / 0) (#1)
    by magster on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:17:09 PM EST
    ... slow jamming the news with Jimmy Fallon validates my impression that Obama landed a punch with that appearance.

    And his Boulder talk (none / 0) (#3)
    by christinep on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:25:41 PM EST
    Had the approximately 11,000 student cheering from the rafters about Stafford interest issues & more.

    Parent
    Couldn't help thinking (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by NYShooter on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:36:59 PM EST
    that was O's "saxophone" moment.

    Never could get past those whiners saying Bill's sax was "unseemly."

    Cool for Bill, cool for Barack.

    Parent

    Then he came across well with the gal who (none / 0) (#5)
    by magster on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:31:16 PM EST
    spilled yogurt on him. He is a good campaigner.

    Parent
    1,000 student cheering (none / 0) (#26)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:56:03 PM EST

    No doubt about it, folks cheer at the prospect of free money.

    Parent
    except that it's not free money. of course. (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:26:42 PM EST


    Parent
    3.something is about as free as you (1.00 / 1) (#51)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:29:41 PM EST
    will ever get once Daddy and Momma says no more.

    Parent
    Right. So it's a bit of a reduced interest rate (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:54:40 PM EST
    that encourages affordable education in this country. I can totally see why anyone would object to that...

    Or need to scream 'free money'

    Parent

    Every thing is more affordable (none / 0) (#70)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 11:20:30 PM EST

    if you can get others to pick up part of the tab for you.

    Parent
    No, actually (5.00 / 3) (#71)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 11:30:16 PM EST
    in the case of these student loans, it's MORE expensive because of the interest charged.

    I don't know where people like you get these ideas.

    Parent

    The cost does not change (1.00 / 1) (#72)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 07:29:47 AM EST

    if that cost is merely shifted to others.  Repeat after me, "Cost shifting is not cost reduction."  

    Do you really think that Uncle Sam can reduce the cost of funds and the cost of operation of its student loans to cover the reduced price?

    .

    Parent

    I don't need to repeat after you. (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 11:55:45 AM EST
    I know just where you're coming from. Sadly, you don't want a small portion of your hard-earned tax dollars to support more educational opportunity in this country.

    Parent
    this is too much (5.00 / 0) (#84)
    by CST on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:09:30 PM EST
    If my student loan amount is $10,000 and I pay a 7% interest rate, and that is enough money to cover the cost of operations - how is a 3.5% interest rate on a student loan of $25,000 not enough to cover the cost of operations?

    The total loan amount that students are taking out (per person) is higher than ever, which means that the total interest collected remains high with a low rate.

    No one is losing money lending to students.  Free.  HA!  Now please tell me all about how back in your day you were able to afford your student loans with high interest rates.  I swear, it won't make me break my computer.

    Parent

    Lets see (1.00 / 0) (#91)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:46:00 PM EST

    Sam is paying about 2% to borrow to loan to you a 3.5%  That leaves next to nothing to cover administration and bad loans.

    Parent
    Dr Molly, affordable education has become (none / 0) (#78)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 11:07:34 AM EST
    less affordable as the students costs have went up ever year fueled by the schools understanding that the government will keep sending them prepaid customers.

    The problem is that even at 3.5% students can't pay back the high 5 and low six figure loans if they have a degree that there is no demand for.

    See Occupy Wall Street for the results.

    Parent

    No, jimakaPPJ, I disagree. (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 11:57:58 AM EST
    I'm immersed in academia, and don't agree that that is the cause of rising tuition rates.

    I could not have gone to undergrad nor grad school without student loans, which I have diligently paid back btw, and this made an enormous difference in my life.

    To object to this small help for people who can't afford higher education is just so misguided to me when there are so many other problems to focus on.

    Parent

    First of all I'm not objecting to student loans (1.00 / 0) (#104)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 05:48:17 PM EST
    I'm just pointing out that the interest rates are great BUT buying something that appears overpriced and with no guarantee of usefulness is not a very smart thing to do.

    It leads to things like OWS.

    Engineering, medical... any "hard science" makes sense.... Liberal Arts, no. Especially if you are borrowing money to pay for it.

    Parent

    Getting a university education (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by shoephone on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 06:10:11 PM EST
    in liberal arts ('cuz it's got the word librul in it!) "leads to things like OWS."

    You heard it here folks. Just a sample of the logically-challenged, fact-devoid, angry white man in Amurika. Now get the whole DVD for just $19.95 and learn all about the insidious intellectuals who are really ruining this country!

    Parent

    Get over the "white man the problem" (1.00 / 0) (#109)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 06:43:09 PM EST
    shoephone. That is just so passe that not even a "liburl" should be trying to use it to detract and reframe.

    ;-)

    Labor is a commodity. The right degree enhances the commodity. What is in now is degrees in the hard sciences. The wrong degree adds nothing except a crushing debt burden to pay for something that wasn't worth the cost.

    And if we don't tell our children that we are not doing our duty.

    Parent

    I searched wikicommons yesterday. (none / 0) (#108)
    by oculus on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 06:13:19 PM EST
    Looking for the graphic in a DK post:  social security card hanging on a fish hook.  Amazing results, at least there.  Obama seems to be Satan personified.  Scary stuff.  

    Parent
    You may have benefited ... (5.00 / 0) (#112)
    by Yman on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 07:04:55 PM EST
    ... greatly from some of that "liberal arts" education.

    Dr Molly, affordable education has become less affordable as the students costs have went up ever year ...


    Parent
    Inviting the young (none / 0) (#95)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:58:53 PM EST
    Inviting the young to take on debt that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy to get a degree that in many cases is a glut on the market is not help it is wickedly immoral.

    An endless stream of students going deeper and deeper into debt may not be good for students but it is absolutely Wonderful for the professoriate and college administrators.  We would not want to upset that apple cart, after all the professoriate and college administrators are reliable Obama voters as a class.

    Just as cheap loans fueled the housing bubble, the price of college has been rising even faster than health care.

    Parent

    funny how seemingly the largest % (5.00 / 3) (#97)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 01:14:05 PM EST
    of people with this barely-concealed resentment toward young people pursuing higher education, are from parts of the country with the lowest average I.Q levels..

    More disguised culture wars; as in, who needs a 'secularist-humanist' education that may threaten, and, or, even question the foundations of 'traditional values'..  

    Parent

    pursuing higher education (1.00 / 2) (#99)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 01:28:18 PM EST

    Pursuing higher education is one thing becoming a debt slave to keep the professoriate in brie and Chablis is quite another.  

    You may notice Obama proposes nothing to reduce the cost of higher education, only proposals to make funding more available.  The cash register in the admission office rings merrily.

    .

    Parent

    Sorry to tell you... (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 03:10:53 PM EST
    but the 'professoriate' (I am one, how incredibly insulting) is hardly drowning in Chablis and brie - it's your corporate friends running the places that are.  The faculty are grossly underpaid.

    Your talking points make you utterly transparent.

    Parent

    You say that you are "grossly underpaid" (1.00 / 2) (#103)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 05:43:07 PM EST
    Whenever I found myself in that position I got another job.

    And while I would agree that at the VP level and up the corporate pay scales are out of line compared to the lower tiers you have offered nothing but opinion.

    Parent

    The faculty are grossly underpaid (none / 0) (#115)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Apr 27, 2012 at 06:05:13 PM EST

    Then what is your explanation for the constantly increasing cost of higher education?

    Parent
    Every single word of that comment (5.00 / 0) (#106)
    by shoephone on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 06:00:49 PM EST
    is b.s.

    Parent
    I see that the truth hurts. (1.00 / 0) (#110)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 06:44:23 PM EST
    Why do you think all those OWS people were stomping around???


    Parent
    The prime rate is 3.25. The Fed funds rate is .25 (5.00 / 3) (#73)
    by Farmboy on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 08:41:48 AM EST
    And they are loans, being repaid. It's not free money.

    As for the "Daddy and Momma" comment, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Student loans made it possible for me to get an education.


    Parent

    I didn't say they aren't being repaid (1.00 / 0) (#79)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 11:18:49 AM EST
    I just saying that at 3.5% they are as close to free money as you will get... sorry if you get all lathered up over my analogy..

    BUT, do some Googling and you will see that default rates are high.

    Parent

    the other problem is.. (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:24:50 PM EST
    is that you wind up with too many people getting educated and embracing 'secularist' values (after being indoctrinated by bleeding heart, tenured-radical professors..)

    And we can't have that.

    Parent

    Default rates are high because the cost of (5.00 / 0) (#100)
    by Farmboy on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 02:19:48 PM EST
    going to college just keeps getting higher and higher, far outstripping income increases.

    Median household income has increased 30% since 1990, but tuition/room & board at public four year schools has increased 300% in the same time frame.

    Here are the numbers for graduates from public universities:

    year - income - debt
    1980 - $20k - $10k
    1990 - $30k - $20k
    2000 - $35k - $35k
    2010 - $40k - $60k

    Free money, whatever.

    Parent

    And if you can't use the degree (none / 0) (#111)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 06:45:36 PM EST
    to get a job then the degree is worthless and the "free money" becomes very expensive.

    Parent
    Maybe (none / 0) (#93)
    by jbindc on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:52:43 PM EST
    The default rate is so high because many people with degrees are un or underemployed?

    (I know I'm in the "underemployed" group and would love to get a better job so I can afford my loan payments.)

    Parent

    The big banks... (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 08:55:01 AM EST
    have the free money market cornered.

    Shake me when students are standing in the interest free loan line at the Fed.

    Parent

    Bankers don't get dittoheads (none / 0) (#82)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:00:34 PM EST
    all lathered up by committing acts of civil disobedience and expressing their dissatisfaction with the status quo in public (while sometimes wearing dreadlocks, no less..)

    There's the big difference.

    Parent

    They are well past the point... (none / 0) (#83)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:04:55 PM EST
    of cheering for free money over on Grifter Ave., it has become an entrenched entitlement taken for granted.  

    Parent
    Loved it (none / 0) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 08:55:22 PM EST
    I would hate it with any other President at any other time, not very serious.  But with how NOT SERIOUS these idiot jerk jack be nimble Republicans are during giant crisis, have at it Jimmy and President Obama.  I demand an encore too.

    Parent
    A "me too" comment from me (none / 0) (#2)
    by christinep on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:19:58 PM EST
    As one from Pennsylvania's Coal Country (Northumberland  County) the news that two more "blue dogs" are rejected by with-it Dems is heartwarming good news.

    Same here (none / 0) (#47)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:06:52 PM EST
    I was thrilled.  I'm not from Penn, but Altmire has always given me the creeps.  Delighted he's gone (and the other guy, too).


    Parent
    How succeeding in church business (none / 0) (#4)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:30:47 PM EST
    can be trying:  Poor Daniel Jenky, Bishop of Peoria, gave his homily at his Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois and ran into a bit of a buzz saw.  To a group of his parishioners he preached that "Hitler and Stalin, at their better moments, would just barely tolerate some churches remaining open, but would not tolerate any competition with the state in education, social service and health care."   Obama, with his radical, pro abortion and extreme secularist agenda--now seems intent on following a similar pathway."

    The next thing you know, Jenky was under fire from a number of Notre Dame faculty (Jenky in on the University Board of Fellows), who wrote the University president that Jenky showed "ignorance of history, insensitivity to victims of genocide, and absence of judgment."  The faculty had the audacity to request an apology.  And, Americans for Separation of Church and State has complained to the IRS, accusing the diocese of violating campaign laws by encouraging his flock to vote against Obama.

    While it may be over-the-top and unseemly  of the good bishop to draw comparisons of the President to Hitler and Stalin, I think it needs to be understood that Jenky is just carrying out his marching orders for a coordinated political attack by the hierarchy and, importantly, a "change the pedophilia/cover-up subject " campaign.  And, for Daniel Jenky, this might be an audition and presentation of bona fides for Cardinal George's job, as Archbishop of Chicago.  George is now 75, the mandatory retirement age.

    And yet the Catholic hierarchy ... (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:17:30 PM EST
    ... will wonder aloud why the Holy Mother Church is losing members at a fast clip.

    Speaking as a Catholic, I wholeheartedly agree that churches should lose their privileged status as tax-exempt institutions, especially when they politic like that.

    I filed a complaint with the state Department of Taxation and the AG's office in late 2010 against a neighborhood church that's affiliated with Benny Hinn ministries, for blatantly posting banners and yard signs supporting the GOP candidate for governor, and I included numrous photos to back up my complaint. They were subsequently slapped with a very heavy fine, and a written warning that it they continued to engage in politics in blatant violation of state and federal law, they'd lose their tax exemption on the state level, retroactive to the date of my complaint.

    Parent

    Once again, I must say, why does (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by caseyOR on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:49:25 PM EST
    anybody listen to anything said by anyone who has any official position with the Catholic Church?

    Every member of the Catholic clergy, from the lowliest parish priest right up through the ranks of monsignors and bishops and the boys in red to the man who currently sits in the Chair of St. Peter, should be so busy doing penance for the sins against children and humanity that are known as the pedophilia scandal that they have neither the time nor the energy to spout off about anything.

    Parent

    Bravo! (none / 0) (#48)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:08:24 PM EST


    Parent
    I don't suppose you want to apply (none / 0) (#52)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:31:21 PM EST
    the same standards to Democrats and the Black churches..........

    Parent
    Absolutely! (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Yman on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:46:02 PM EST
    Why not?

    Parent
    Not much to choose from (none / 0) (#7)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:51:15 PM EST
    between Critz and Altmire.

    Critz was clearly pretty important in Murtha's machine, though. Amazing turnout from Johnstown.

    Nice to see Tim Holden defeated. (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by caseyOR on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:12:27 PM EST
    Matt Cartwright seems like a huge improvement. Of course, only time will tell, but we know Holden is bad news. So, yea!

    Parent
    some red meat (none / 0) (#9)
    by CST on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 01:58:40 PM EST
    for BTD.  Link

    "In the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, Clinton's favorable rating stands at 65 percent, the highest mark that the former first lady and current Secretary of State has ever reached in the long history of that poll. Just 27 percent of respondents viewed Clinton unfavorably in the Post-ABC poll"

    "By comparison, in August 2008 -- just a few months removed from her protracted primary fight against President Obama -- 52 percent of registered voters viewed her favorably, while 44 percent saw her in an unfavorable light."

    That's cool. (none / 0) (#10)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:06:16 PM EST
    We have a Democratic Senate primary out here in August between Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and former Congressman Ed Case.

    Philosophically, I line up much more with Hirono than with Case, but I'm still really mad at her for giving up her seat to run, thus opening it up for the return of former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who is one of the worst Democrats EVAH!, at least in my opinion. Hannemann is a phuquing scoundrel and snake, and one Democrat for whom I'd NEVER, EVER cast a vote, regardless of who was lined up on the other side. I'd sooner leave the ballot blank. He's nothing but a political thug, as dirty a campaigner and as oily a public official as they come, D or R. But please, ask me sometime how I really feel about him.

    Conservative Porn Search Mentions (none / 0) (#11)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:06:23 PM EST
    LINK

    Just a couple snipets, but of all the items, it's conservatives leading the search for porn on Google.  Come on conservatives, incest and bestiality ?  What happened to those grandiose values...


    • In nationwide searches for "porn," Florida ranks third, behind Texas and Mississippi.

    • Florida ranks eighth in the nation for Google searches for "gay sex," behind, get this: Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, Nevada, and Texas.

    • Florida has three of the country's top eight cities for searches of "bestiality": Orlando at number two (Look out, Mickey), Miami at four, and Tampa at eight.

    • Tampa ranks fifth in nationwide searches for "incest." Arlington, Texas, has first place by a considerable margin, followed by Herndon, Virginia; St. Louis, Missouri; and Richardson, Texas.
    Well, Utah residents are reportedly the ... (none / 0) (#14)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:22:17 PM EST
    ... biggest consumers of online adult entertainment per capita. But I shouldn't laugh too much, because Hawaii residents are also in the top ten.

    Parent
    Well Donald... (none / 0) (#18)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:39:45 PM EST
    ...the difference is Hawaiians, unlike my fellow Texans, aren't hell bent forsaking it through government intervention.

    Parent
    They're foresaking it for others, ... (none / 0) (#37)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 04:46:23 PM EST
    "The essense of immorality is the tendency to make an exception of myself."
    -- Jane Addams (1860-1935), humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

    ... while exempting themselves. That says more about them than about anyone else.

    Parent

    when the misty, Hallmark card (none / 0) (#41)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:30:43 PM EST
    helpless-Mormon-maiden softcore of Twilight and Taylor Swift videos just don't do it for you anymore..

    Parent
    Speaking of filth... (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:32:25 PM EST
    high-fives all around the water cooler at the Simi Valley PD.

    Parent
    Did CBS include that photo????? (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:46:52 PM EST


    Parent
    If its got saline.... (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:52:40 PM EST
    it leads.

    Parent
    Stooopid... (none / 0) (#23)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:51:19 PM EST
    ...all they are doing is driving dollars out of the area.  

    If I was porn mogul I would move my condom only gay operations to Simi Valley and send every second of unedited footage to the cops in HD.  Including all unreleased male sodomy footage just to get the thumbs up from the Men in Blue.  

    I might even make a couple of really filthy cop flicks just to F with them.  You could really push buttons knowing they have to review all footage... especially dubbing over names with real cop names.  The 'unedited' versions of course.

    Parent

    Pron mogul... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:56:41 PM EST
    can't say p*rn here, jams TL up with internet filters.

    F*ck yeah some fun could be had with this nonsense, as usual I like how you think;)

    Parent

    Your retributive idea (none / 0) (#36)
    by KeysDan on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 04:45:20 PM EST
    sounds like it was inspired by Santorum.   Or, maybe, something out of Marcus Bachman's straight camp.   However, I do think the cops can handle what is put before them--no need to punish them with pron that is outside their primary interest.  

    Parent
    What ? (none / 0) (#87)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 12:29:23 PM EST
    If anything the law was inspired by Santorum, but I don't think he would approve of making cops watch gay p0rn.  And as far as Backman's camps, what does that have to do with anything, his camp watches gay p0rn, wants cops to watch it ?

    I was just pointing out that the cops are demanding copies of all footage for them to personally verify every d1ck has a condom.  Which in-itself is one of the dumbest ideas ever, paying people, cops no less, to watch porn and verify condoms are used.  If I flipped on porn here, I would get fired, but apparently in Simi Valley it's part of the job.  

    They get paid to watrch p0rn, so why make it all fun and games ?  They may even realize what a complete waste of time it is making cops watch p0rn and maybe when someone decides to say enough, the cops might inclined to agree because they are sick of watching all kinds of deeds they don't want to watch.

    Seems like this could easily end up in a massive sexual harassment lawsuit as well.

    Parent

    'They get paid to watch pOrn, so why (none / 0) (#102)
    by KeysDan on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 05:18:11 PM EST
    make it all fun and games?   Sexual harassment?  Sick of watching ..?   When you are in a hole, it is best to stop digging, but the problem seems to be that you do not know you are digging a hole.  Or, you like the hole you dug.   But, the law is absurd, and in that we are in agreement.

    Parent
    Agreed... (none / 0) (#113)
    by ScottW714 on Fri Apr 27, 2012 at 09:33:57 AM EST
    ...It's dumb.

    Basically I was saying it would be fun to mess with the cops since they are, for the most part, the macho type who I wouldn't think would like watching p0rn that they disliked.

    The other angle, can a municipality demand their cops watch p0rn ?  In the office here, you can't even have pictures of people in swimsuits, yet the police will make cops, men and women presumably, watch p0rn.  Just seems like a situation waiting for a lawsuit.

    Parent

    Scott, we agree on the (none / 0) (#114)
    by KeysDan on Fri Apr 27, 2012 at 10:23:11 AM EST
    law, but disagree on how it might best be relegated to the dustbin of bad ideas.  I do not see the 'fun" in attempting to taunt cops with  their homophobia, anymore than playing into racism by using black pOrn stars. Or, both, gay black men.    Or, Muslim, or...... As for police work, it is likely different from customary office work- law enforcement requires much they may dislike to see and do.   And, of course, it is always questionable to stereotype--even police, with diverse members of the force including macho gays.  

    Parent
    Unfortunately the pron industry uses mostly (none / 0) (#29)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 03:36:48 PM EST
    the same equipment, expendables, crew members, food services, etc., as the more "mainstream" movies do, so shutting down the pron industry in LA County and the adjacent Simi Valley in Ventura County will only put more local people out of work in an industry that's already been hit pretty hard over the past 4-5 years or so.

    Parent
    Bueracratic Wizards... (none / 0) (#31)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 03:51:33 PM EST
    strike again!

    otoh, I guess this means all of LA County's and Simi Valley's real problems have been solved, if this is what local government is up to, so the movie industry and all the related industries have that going for 'em ;)

    Parent

    The internet invented by (none / 0) (#19)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:42:25 PM EST
    the great Satan hiss-ownself..?

    Up till now, as far as I know, no megachurch pastor has launched a campaign based on that premise -- probably because he can't tear himself away from the porn site long enough to do it..

    Parent

    Scott, where do you get your claim?? (none / 0) (#56)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 07:02:57 PM EST
    I read the link and saw nothing referencing either politics or social position.

    You know, it is comments like yours that will get picked up on Google and be cited as a source a few months down the line.

    Parent

    Here ya go (5.00 / 0) (#60)
    by Yman on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 07:30:48 PM EST
    Pron in the USA: Conservatives Are Biggest Consumers

    Parent
    Scott, don't wanna be pushy but if (none / 0) (#77)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 11:01:53 AM EST
    you wanna depend on Yman's answer, you need to understand that it proves nothing. From the link:

    States where a majority of residents agreed with the statement "I have old-fashioned values about family and marriage," bought 3.6 more subscriptions per thousand people than states where a majority disagreed.

    Many liberals say they have those values.

    Or do you claim that liberals do not believe??

    Either way, without  self identification, all the news article does is try and smear conservatives... It does what I noted you are doing... And you prove me point.

    Parent

    Great game so far (none / 0) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 02:37:22 PM EST
    2-1 Real Madrid.

    Bayern has been the better team, but Cristiano is the best finisher in the world. 2 goals.

    Vamos Madrid!

    3-3 aggregate (none / 0) (#30)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 03:37:44 PM EST
    30 minutes extra to determine the finalist.

    Parent
    Here is the court reporter (none / 0) (#28)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 03:28:09 PM EST
    transcript of today's oral arg. in AZ immigration law case at SCOTUS:  

    link

    Doesn't appear premption argument (none / 0) (#35)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 04:41:25 PM EST
    will win the day.  

    Parent
    Apparently, the only argument ... (none / 0) (#40)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:08:14 PM EST
    ... that wins is this one. Who cares about logic or facts?

    Parent
    I have to agree with Addison (none / 0) (#42)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:32:05 PM EST
    Not that I should be the SG, but that he argued the preemption position poorly.My gawd, I can not believe he did not mention the Medtronics case.

    I can't write too much write now on preemption as I am embroiled in a big dispute about the issue right now with a State government, but there are RECENT opinions by this Court that support the proposition that Executive agency determinations on policy priorities and resource use are preemptive.

    I do not know all the details of this case frankly, did not read the briefs, but the oral argument is pretty remarkable in the amnesia of those recent cases.

    Parent

    I am fairly confident from your writing here (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:43:16 PM EST
    and @ DK re preemption you could make a stronger argument than did The General. He is either conflicted on the issue or just is not very good on his feet.

    Parent
    I really can't write about it (none / 0) (#45)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:55:15 PM EST


    Parent
    OK (But, I forgot to add that amazing (none / 0) (#69)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 11:16:04 PM EST
    question you asked H. Clinton on the blooger conference call.  

    Parent
    Haha... (none / 0) (#33)
    by Addison on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 04:22:21 PM EST
    That last PK kicker for Real Madrid thought he was kicking a field goal, I guess?

    Should have been Higuain (none / 0) (#34)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 04:25:40 PM EST
    Makes it easy for me though Chelsea is my team

    Parent
    TSA personnel accused of taking (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:01:44 PM EST
    bribes in exchange for letting suitcases full of drugs pass security:  link

    And I'm a "target."  Infuriating.  But, no, I do not plan to stop travel by air.  

    Hey now... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 05:34:34 PM EST
    some of us like those drugs...I'm relieved to hear the TSA is accomplishing something besides the grope-a-dope, stealing valuables, and security theater.

    Power corrupts, power plus prohibition is a regular Corruptapalooza.

    Parent

    Can I still be mad at the TSA agent (none / 0) (#46)
    by shoephone on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:05:07 PM EST
    who confiscated my new -- pricey! -- hair care products, because they were in 4 oz. instead of 3 oz. containers? Criminy.

    Priorities!!

    Parent

    Next time trying... (none / 0) (#75)
    by kdog on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 08:56:40 AM EST
    leaving an Andrew Jackson in your toiletry bag, that might work;)

    Parent
    It's the new (none / 0) (#54)
    by CoralGables on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 06:46:49 PM EST
    trickle down economics

    Parent
    Leaving aside the fact that there is (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 07:10:40 PM EST
    a witness that says Martin was on top....

    One shot to the chest with no exit wound, Martin falls backwards and off, rolls over face down...

    I see no reason for there to be blood on Zimmerman.

    Nope, didn't say that at all (none / 0) (#76)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 10:51:33 AM EST
    I'm saying that since we have a witness who places Martin on top of Zimmerman....I postulate:

    Zimmerman was struggling and trying to push Martin off. When he shot Martin it was at close range and through Martin's hoodie and probably a shirt underneath. A very small entry wound would be made. The clothing would act as a "bandage."

    When shot Martin jerked/moved up. Zimmerman was successful in pushing him off. Martin fell to one side and rolled over as he was dying

    From the time of the shot until Martin being off and away from Zimmerman was probably less than 2 seconds.

    The clothing prevented the blood splatter and Martin was off before any additional blood leaked out.

    Parent

    Why do you believe the situation was that: (none / 0) (#58)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 07:13:59 PM EST
    Martin was on top when shot at close range in the chest with Zimmerman on bottom
    when the gun went off?

    There doesn't appea to be any evidence of murder.. (none / 0) (#59)
    by redwolf on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 07:27:03 PM EST
    Zimmerman was most likely charged to placate the black community and to prevent riots.  This entire case really reminds me of the lynch mobs from the 1920s with the focus of the mob a Hispanic man and the mob being mostly black.

    Really? (5.00 / 0) (#61)
    by Yman on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 07:34:35 PM EST
    Zimmerman was most likely charged to placate the black community and to prevent riots.  This entire case really reminds me of the lynch mobs from the 1920s with the focus of the mob a Hispanic man and the mob being mostly black.

    Given that we haven't seen the state's evidence, and there's absolutely no evidence that Zimmerman was charged to "placate the black community" - how do you know this?

    Parent

    great article on Zimmerman (none / 0) (#63)
    by SuzieTampa on Wed Apr 25, 2012 at 08:10:32 PM EST
    This explains why Z bought a gun (threatening pit bull) and how much crime the neighborhood had, with the suspects being young black men. How one of them had gotten away before police arrived, which may be why Z decided to pursue this time. Z's great-grandfather was Afro-Peruvian, and his daughter (Z's grandmother) lived with Z's parents for many years. It's such a shame that reporters didn't do this story earlier. It's just so much easier to cover news conferences and rallies.

    Do you claim that two wrongs (none / 0) (#105)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 26, 2012 at 05:54:25 PM EST
    make a right??

    Wednesday Morning Open Thread | 112 comments (112 topical)

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