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Tuesday Night Open Thread

I'm out tonight, and have missed most of the day's news.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    An arrest was made today ... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 07:24:08 PM EST
    ... in the bombing of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Grand Chute, Wisconsin (near Appleton). He is Francis Gerald Grady, 50, who has a history of run-ins with the law, including cocaine trafficking and bail jumping.

    And yet Republicans will once again wonder aloud why women increasingly favor Democrats over them by large margins, as they seek to deny any link between their increasingly volatile rhetoric on issues concerning women's health and reproductive rights, and the resultant acts of domestic terrorism by the dim bulbs on the right who take the GOP's extremist schtick literally.

    For those of you who (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Towanda on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 07:39:20 PM EST
    can't quite place Grand Chute (aka part of what some still call the Kakalins in Native language meaning a marvelous waterway):

    It's in the Fox Valley, near Appleton -- home of Joe McCarthy, where locals still gather annually at his gravesite to honor him.

    And the clinic and the doctor there have been targeted before, but in videos by the antis.

    Parent

    That is... (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 10:36:02 AM EST
    ...real close to home for me.

    Parent
    You Know... (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 10:48:53 AM EST
    ...Jim's protests would be funny if they were so sad.  Today he's suddenly a fan of due process and reason.

    Are we to assume this could have been done by a liberal, or a non-religious person.  That is the inference if he's not a god fearing republican.  They create these people by whipping up base emotions, then toss in a big scoop of Jesus, then when an unstable person does something stupid, they just want to look around like it's not their problem.

    If Jim wants to put his wallet where his mouth is, I will take any action he can put together that this clown is a republican.

    And of course for TL, I am not suggesting he did anything.

    Parent

    Scott, I have been commenting here (none / 0) (#76)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 06:27:06 PM EST
    for over 9 years. My position has not changed.

    You write:

    Are we to assume this could have been done by a liberal, or a non-religious person.

    No Scott. We are not to assume anything. That was, is and will be my point.

    Try and repeat after me. "There are other things to write about in which we don't have to assume."

    And if you are willing to bet, then yes. You are suggesting.

    My only question is why Donald, Jondee and now you want to start making attacks with no other information. Surely you have better things to do.


    Parent

    it's alright to assume a wound (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 06:38:49 PM EST
    to the back of someone's head though..

    Parent
    As if (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 06:55:20 PM EST
    knowledge of past attacks on, and inflammatory rhetoric about Planned Parenthood weren't a kind of "information".

    Parent
    Show me where I have (none / 0) (#82)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 08:40:47 AM EST
    commented about PP.

    You're making things up.

    Parent

    I'm talking about (none / 0) (#90)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 02:38:30 PM EST
    the lurid demagoguery about abortion from the Right in general. You don't think some of that could have a disasterous influence on unstable, attention-seeking people? Or is that what your friends O'Reilly et al are hoping for? a few more dead doctors to put the fear 'a Jesus into the others.

    It aint all about you, Jim.

    Parent

    heh (none / 0) (#92)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Apr 07, 2012 at 06:12:40 AM EST
    My only question is why Donald, Jondee and now you want to start making attacks with no other information. Surely you have better things to do.

    Parent
    Heh (none / 0) (#93)
    by jondee on Sat Apr 07, 2012 at 12:40:58 PM EST
    and a grunt or two, may pass for cogent commentary on talk radio, but around here you're gonna have to do a little better than that.

    Parent
    Why don't you try watching the video? (none / 0) (#83)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 08:41:13 AM EST
    I don't see how any of this (none / 0) (#5)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 08:42:35 PM EST
    The 50-year-old man Brillion man was jailed early Tuesday for violating his probation, though police haven't yet sought charges stemming from placement of the explosive and subsequent fire at the clinic. The man has a lengthy criminal history that includes cocaine possession and delivery, resisting or obstructing police, bail jumping and disorderly conduct
    .

    connects him to Repubs.

    Maybe there is more??????

    Parent

    You can return to your cave, Jim. (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 09:16:15 PM EST
    Nothing you're going to want to see here. I wouldn't expect you to make an obvious connection that increasing numbers of other people are making.

    From Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum to Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the yahoos on talk radio, suffice to say that the GOP's extremism concerning contraception, abortion and other so-called "women's heath issues" has consequences, and I'll leave it at that.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#9)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 09:26:25 PM EST
    they haven't put any Planned Parenthoods in crosshairs yet -- and, if they have, those weren't crosshairs, they were Christian crosses --and what do you have against Christianity?

    This is the part where he comes in to remind everyone that he's a social liberal who favors a woman's right to choose.

    Parent

    I don't have anything against ... (none / 0) (#13)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 11:17:01 PM EST
    ... Christianity. My problem is strictly with those who would otherwise claim to be its devoted adherents and followers.

    :-D

    Parent

    Gee, Donald, I guess I'm just an old (none / 0) (#10)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 10:38:57 PM EST
    fashioned kind of guy who likes to see just a bit of proof before I start condemning "groups."

    And you show no proof that the guy in your comment relates to your claim.

    Parent

    Bombing an abortion clinic is (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by observed on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 11:00:54 PM EST
    prima facie evidence of right wing beliefs, methinks.
    It would be risible not to assume a rightward tilt to this man's core political philosophy.

    Parent
    I highly doubt that you'd acknowledge ... (5.00 / 0) (#12)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 11:10:53 PM EST
    ... such proof, even if it were spelled out in 6-foot-tall letters, lit up in neon lights, and planted across your front lawn directly facing your living room window.

    Parent
    Since you have done nothing (none / 0) (#15)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 11:59:36 PM EST
    but make claims and insults, I don't see any difference between you and members of the Far Right.

    And I don't doubt that.

    Parent

    the big difference being: (5.00 / 0) (#30)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:24:59 AM EST
    the Far Right's "claims and insults" lead to bombings, snipings, ignorance of other cultures, and crack-brained conspiracy theories about secret Muslim/African devil-worshipping Presidents..

    Parent
    Actually I would say (1.00 / 1) (#85)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 08:49:15 AM EST
    they learned from the Left in the 60's...

    Can you spell, "Ayers?" "Black Liberation Army?"

    And if you like yelling and screaming about violence...

    Link

    Link

    Link

    I have many more.....


    Parent

    "Many more"?!? Wow ... scary (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Yman on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 08:58:21 AM EST
    Any examples of actual violence ... as opposed to links of people making (at most) threatening comments and comedians making jokes?  'Cause I could give you at least a couple dozen links from just the past couple of years of right-wing violence - shootings, bombings, murders, mamings, etc.

    Have to admit, I'm a little upset that you dropped your favorite example of left-wing "violence" ... those "ACLU thugs" attacking poor Kenneth Gladney.  Of course, ...

    >.. I guess you had to.

    The Kenneth Gladney Charade Collapses.

    Maybe you should try again.

    Parent

    I"m sure you do (5.00 / 0) (#89)
    by jondee on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 02:16:03 PM EST
    seeing as how your knickers have been in a permanent, circulation-and-brain-function-thwarting twist since 1968..

    Parent
    let's stop the personal insults (none / 0) (#18)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 12:21:01 AM EST
    please Donald.

    Parent
    Agreed, Jim (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 11:43:24 PM EST
    how the heck can someone bombing Planned Parenthood have any possible connection to those in the Republican coalition who attempt to whip up hysteria about abortion and Planned Parenthood?

    People are so quick to jump to conclusions.
     

    Parent

    Because there are just as many (none / 0) (#6)
    by jondee on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 09:10:02 PM EST
    militantly pro-life types on the left side of the aisle in this country as there are on the right?

    Parent
    fwiw, the most volitile rhetoric on TL (none / 0) (#47)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:27:40 PM EST
    comes mostly from you, imo...

    Anyway, although it sure does look like Grady did the deed, a prudent person might wait to trumpet it as fact, and, if it was him, wait to find out for sure what his motivation was...

    [Grand Chute, Wis., Police Chief Greg Peterson ] said it's still too soon to know whether the man, who was arrested on a probation violation on Monday night, is the same person who bombed the clinic.

    However, Peterson said "there's a strong link" between the man and the bombing, based on the information investigators have been able to establish so far.

    Peterson also told TPM it was too early to know the motive for the bombing.

    He said the clinic, like most Planned Parenthood locations throughout the nation, had been a regular target for anti-abortion protestors. However, the police chief said the man did not appear to have been a part of any protests police were aware of.

    "The facility here does draw attention," Peterson said. "There's a small group of people that we've had contact with in the past and his name is not part of that."

    [...]

    But because footage from a Planned Parenthood security camera was so grainy, Peterson said there is more work to do to confirm the man they have in custody is the bombing suspect.

    "It strikes me that it's a male and you can determine some things about body type and things like that," Peterson said. "Unfortunately, the video doesn't provide a face shot or anything we can look at with certainty and say that this is the person."

    Also, the guy did a year and a half for manufacturing or distributing cocaine. I would expect him to be a Dem sympathiser considering the two party's respective stances on drugs...

    Parent

    <snort> (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Towanda on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:31:06 PM EST
    at the last sentence.

    Pun intended.:-)

    Parent

    Ha! (none / 0) (#51)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:37:58 PM EST
    not quite as volitile as a bomb however (none / 0) (#49)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:31:14 PM EST
    I'll bet the bomber (none / 0) (#50)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:33:34 PM EST
    was not quite as volitile as a bomb either, until he was.

    Parent
    On a happier note.... (none / 0) (#58)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:17:13 PM EST
    Something sarc and jondee agree on, the sweetness that is Little Feat.

    Saw Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett do there two man acoustic show at Highline Ballroom last Saturday...really good stuff.  Feat classics, some Band covers, and even a rendition of "Don't Bogart That Joint" for the Feat-loving faithful, always a fan favorite.  

    The highlight for me though was a killer rendition of "Honest Man", off the classic Lowell George solo album "Thanks I'll Eat It Here."  I know you guys know what I'm on about...love that track!

    Honest Man

    Parent

    Great track! (none / 0) (#59)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:36:25 PM EST
    What do you mean? (none / 0) (#60)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:42:17 PM EST
    I f8ckin' hate Little Feat! Just kidding.

    I how do I count the ways that I adore that tigher-than-tight, funky, surreal gumbo Lowell and the boys created. And obviously the spirit still lives on..

    Good pick, oh blessed peacemaker.

    Parent

    Gonna try my damndest... (none / 0) (#63)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:54:49 PM EST
    to make 2013 the year I finally get down to Negril Jamaica for the Feat Fan Excursion.  Some pals and I have been talking about it for 2 years, but have yet to get our shite together.

    March 6-10 2013 to be exact, mark your calendars and start sockin' away your pennies Boppers.  Plus Hot Tuna!
     

    Parent

    it's a zen thing.. (none / 0) (#61)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:43:18 PM EST
    be the bomb..

    Parent
    Mercenary Territory (none / 0) (#62)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:48:47 PM EST
    with the Tower of Power horns on Waiting For Columbus is, imo, Lowell and the boys masterpiece -- with many close seconds. Can't find it online anywhere..

    Parent
    That said, new info: (none / 0) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:43:07 PM EST
    Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson said investigators in the case learned that Grady may have been involved in past protests at the office. The information was so far unconfirmed, Peterson said, but it is being looked at closely by the team of local and federal investigators handling the case.

    "There was some indication that surfaced at some point that he has been involved in some of the demonstrations," Peterson told TPM. But the chief described the information as coming from "someone who didn't have direct knowledge," so there was still more work to be done.

    [...]

    On Tuesday, Steven Karlen, the development director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, told TPM that none of the organization's staffers had heard of Grady.

    Karlen added he would be surprised if the suspect had been part of "any mainstream pro-life" organizations, given Grady's long criminal record.

    [...]

    The Grand Chute police chief said if Grady does have ties to the anti-abortion demonstrations, it would be a departure from what usually takes place.

    "For the most part those demonstrations are very peaceful," Peterson said. The protesters generally follow the rules and avoid blocking entrances or driveways.



    Parent
    Well, it should be no shock to anyone... (none / 0) (#91)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 04:47:42 PM EST
    When a reporter asked him why he had planted a bomb at the clinic, Grady corrected him, saying, "There was no bomb, it was gasoline." He said he did it because "they're killing babies there."


    Parent
    suspicious white powder at Iowa capitol (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by desmoinesdem on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 08:40:06 PM EST
    arrived in a threatening letter to Democratic State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad. Iowa House leaders didn't handle the situation that well (allowing people to roam around the building rather than isolating people initially exposed to the substance). About an hour after the letter was opened, the building was put on lockdown and visitors were asked not to leave. However, hazmat eventually determined that the substance was not hazardous. After a few hours, authorities said people could go home.

    Neither law enforcement officials nor Abdul-Samad are revealing details about the content of the threatening letter. Abdul-Samad was a speaker at a recent rally at the Iowa capitol supporting justice for Trayvon Martin and opposing a "stand your ground" law for Iowa.

    powder was also received at (none / 0) (#19)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 12:25:16 AM EST
    in a letter at the mailroom of FCI Englewood where Blagojevich is serving his sentence yesterday, causing a lockdown for several hours. They aren't saying if the mail was  intended for Blago or not.

    Parent
    Which district does be represent? (none / 0) (#65)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 03:07:54 PM EST
    Home sweet home for now (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 07:07:16 AM EST
    Took a few days to get settled in, Josh is sleeping in the living room right now with a whole selection of different pillows strewn around the couches.  It is hard for him to change positions, couches seem like the best semi elevated sleeping base for him when he needs to readjust his body.  Delilah is home with him now, the neices came and saw him and hugged him and kissed him.  My daughter is getting cold feet about her wedding.  It is kind of cute, I've never seen it happen up close like this.  Did it happen to me?  I can't remember because there were so many things that needed to be done.

    How do you know if it's real?  I have no idea.  She says the proposal wasn't very romantic, but our discussion about getting married sounded more like a business negotiation so haven't a clue about romantic marriage proposals. I don't even know if I would trust a "romantic" marriage proposal, I would likely think it was full of chit :)

    Congrats (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 07:38:28 AM EST
    to your daughter MT. I hope she will be very happy!

    Parent
    It's all going pretty smoothly (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 09:01:47 AM EST
    We got lucky, there is a family here who bought an old Muscadine vineyard and fixed it up to lease for small events, no lodging....just a nice space.  And it is sort of small town so it has remained very affordable.  They have a beautiful garden for the ceremony in front of the start of the vines, some food, some music, an open bar,  I think we have the makings for a memorable day.

    Parent
    Sounds perfect to me (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:00:43 AM EST
    Good luck with everything and I'm glad you are home.

    Parent
    We are watching the last Bill Maher (none / 0) (#32)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:29:24 AM EST
    right now on the DVR, Josh likes Van Jones.  Just asked me, "Who is that guy mom?"

    Parent
    That was a good episode (none / 0) (#35)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 12:28:01 PM EST
    Van Jones was good. Can't remember who else was on...but I did get a couple of lol moments out of the show, I remember that much...

    Parent
    Don't think it was last week's... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:16:57 PM EST
    I think it was the week before, when Bill riffed on Mitt Romney and the funny-as-hell Dos Equis ad campaign.  "Mitt Romney, the least interesting man in the world."  Hysterical!

    As is the Dos Equis "Most Interesting Man in the World" ad campaign itself.  "Stay thirsty my friends."

    Parent

    Take a moment to remember, please. (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by caseyOR on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:06:22 PM EST
    Today, the 44th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., marks the beginning of a long series of heart-breaking anniversaries. 1968 was a shocking, horrifying, infuriating year. And we, as a country and a people, failed to learn from the events of that year.

    The events of '68 marked a major turning point in my life, as they did in the lives of many. I realize we are living in a time of "looking forward, not backward," but our national aversion to any kind of self-examination has not served us well.

    Sadly, it seems that we are a country that just frikken' never learns from its mistakes.

    And Martin and Bobby wept.

    We've been too busy (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by brodie on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:57:04 PM EST
    telling everyone that we're The Greatest Country on Earth.  Reminding people about our infamous political assassinations isn't helpful to furthering the national sense of superpatriotism and exceptionalism.

    And especially unhelpful is the reminder that in at least three of those assassinations of the sixties, the official lone nut story was bogus, a cover story to keep the public satisfied and quiet.  

    Things haven't changed much 45 years later, and as usual it's left to a handful of poorly funded indy researchers, of widely varying abilities and intentions,  to try to figure out what happened, as with the latest book on the MLK case (DBeast review today) positing some questionable KKK bounty conspiracy plot that Ray came upon.

    Parent

    Greatest Country.. (none / 0) (#75)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 05:29:36 PM EST
    more like the Greatest Show on Earth. And there's a sucker born every minute (step right up folks and try out Dr Kilmer's Swamproot Remedy!)

    Power and virtue aren't necessarily synonomous. And, as Einstein said, flag-waving and "greatest country" rhetorc are nothing but an appeal to tibalism, and subversive of both creative cooperation and true indivuality.

    Parent

    People are more important (none / 0) (#41)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:12:50 PM EST
    than profits -- and all the material, escapist, frou-frou and distractions.

    How frickin complicated is that?

    People have only been saying it for a few thousand years..

    Parent

    thanks for that reminder (none / 0) (#55)
    by DFLer on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:50:25 PM EST
    and then 14th St in DC erupted, and the police blockades went up on P Street.

    Parent
    Hilarious. For any who doubt (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Towanda on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 10:20:48 PM EST
    that there can be sizeable messin' around for the fun of it all in years of an incumbent prezzie in open-primary states, here are the stats on the result of "Operation Hilarity," the call to wards on the east side of Madison, Wisconsin, known as "the bluest of the blue" area -- deep indigo, if you will, of the bluest city in the state.  

    And, of course, Madison is godless, so this is not explained by a massively Catholic voting bloc:

    Ward 40: Santorum 195, Romney 39

    Ward 41: Santorum 195, Romney 48

    Ward 42: Santorum 158, Romney 26

    Ward 44: Santorum 125, Romney 35

    Ward 45: Santorum 137, Romney 51

    Ward 46: Santorum 92, Romney 38

    And as for Waukesha County, where the infamous Kathy Nicklaus reigns over the voting tallies?  She seriously, seriously screwed up again last night, incapable of compliance with the state election oversight commission's directive to get the d*mn numbers up on time this time.

    And another uproar about good ol' Waukesha County comes from denial of the ballot to an 87-year-old who didn't have her ID with her -- despite court injunctions that suspended the Voter ID law.

    The Justice Department sent pollwatchers into Milwaukee County to watch Hispanic wards, as the injunctions were won based on the Republicans' redistricting in that area, also overruled by federal courts.  Now, how do we get the Justice Department -- or perhaps the UN and Jimmy Carter -- to come to Waukesha County in November to watch what Nicklaus tries next?

    Hilarious (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by jbindc on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 11:04:02 AM EST
    Supreme Court (none / 0) (#2)
    by NYShooter on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 07:31:29 PM EST
    justices-approve-strip-searches-for-any-offense.

    Link

    Yes- the gov can strip you naked (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by ruffian on Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 09:10:12 PM EST
    Or kill you from a drone, but there's a good chance they can't make you buy health insurance. What a country.

    Parent
    One outta three... (none / 0) (#23)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 10:08:48 AM EST
    ain't...umm, ain't too good?

    Parent
    I'll take (none / 0) (#25)
    by CoralGables on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 10:40:17 AM EST
    one for three if I was playing Major League Baseball. I'd be a multimillionaire and make it to Cooperstown.

    It's a beautiful Wednesday morning and a perfect day for baseball. Without question it's my favorite day of the year.

    Parent

    Opening Day... (none / 0) (#28)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:12:21 AM EST
    ...in Houston is Good Friday, awesome.  It's a night game, so with everyone having the day off the crowd should be in the cheering mood.

    Parent
    Why Life Begins On Opening Day (none / 0) (#29)
    by DFLer on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:14:48 AM EST
    Ricky Henderson (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by CoralGables on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 03:32:19 PM EST
    in total agreement with Boswell as to why Time Begins On Opening Day.

    when discussing Spring Training...

    "This sh!t don't count. This sh!t don't go on the bubble gum card." - Rickey Henderson

    Parent

    Yes...meant to say "Why Time Begins...... (none / 0) (#70)
    by DFLer on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 03:57:22 PM EST
    His other title that is a rule you can live by is "How Life Imitates the World Series"

    Got it mixed up. Think long, think wrong. ;o)

    Parent

    I do so love Rickey. (none / 0) (#71)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 03:57:24 PM EST
    Did you read Heath Bell's comments-- all highly favorable-- re  re Marlins' new ballpark? Der Int. Herald Tribune.  He says: it's Miami. I say:  carpetbagger!

    Parent
    Carpetbagger? (none / 0) (#74)
    by CoralGables on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 05:27:40 PM EST
    if he wasn't a pitcher maybe a batbagger.

    The feedback coming from players on the new park is pretty much they've died and gone to heaven. Heath was bartending out behind left field during a spring training game their on Sunday.

    Parent

    May have a lot of free time soon (none / 0) (#33)
    by CoralGables on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:38:31 AM EST
    and I've never read the similarly named Boswell book. I'll have to break it out on a beach day the day before or after the All Star Game.

    "You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen."...Joe DiMaggio

    Parent

    Yogi Berra: (none / 0) (#37)
    by DFLer on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 12:53:02 PM EST
    "The home opener is always exciting, no matter if it's home or on the road."

    That I gleaned from "Baseball Shorts" 1,000 of the Games Funniest One-lines. ed. Glenn Liebman, which would be another good beach book.

    Also recommend Bill James's Historical Baseball Abstract, which is really fun to skip around in. Decade by decade, how they played, where they played, who played (the emergence of each ethnic group into the game, decade by decade)...very cool. I have an older edition. I'm just assuming it's still in print, and has been updated.

    Parent

    Absolutely gorgeous day... (none / 0) (#31)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:25:21 AM EST
    here too, but I don't wanna talk about baseball.

    The f*ckin' Mutts, so desperate to make a couple extra bucks, schedule a spring training game today in Port St. Lucie against the hated Yanks, making the team fly up tonight for the opener tomorrow.  Stupid, stupid, stupid...  

    Parent

    Giants/A's game today (none / 0) (#34)
    by nycstray on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 11:57:41 AM EST
    last of the Bay series before OD.

    BTW, GO YANKEES!!!  ;)

    Parent

    Cheer up - it could be worse: (none / 0) (#36)
    by Anne on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 12:45:33 PM EST
    your team could be the Orioles, who no doubt are embarking Friday on their 15th losing season.

    Such a sad statistic for what was once a truly great organization that put some legendary players on the field and was always in the race for the top.

    Peter Angelos has not been a good steward of the franchise; he's taken a world championship-level organization and turned it (admittedly, with some help) into a minor league team that can't even win at the collegiate level.

    Parent

    Quit yerbellyachin'. All of you are amateurs, (none / 0) (#38)
    by caseyOR on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 12:56:40 PM EST
    maybe even pikers, when it comes to the sad sorry baseball team sweepstakes. Come and see me when the Mets or the Orioles have more than a century's worth of bad plays, bad seasons, bad decisions, and bad luck to show for their efforts.

    You know what I'm talking about. Only those of us who greet each and every spring with hopeful hearts and momentarily short memories, clinging to the idea that this year, despite all baseball history to the contrary, really could be the year, can truly know the agony that is true allegiance to a hopeless cause.

    GO, CUBS!!!!  (need I say more?)

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    Of course... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:18:34 PM EST
    compared to the Cubs, we're all world-beaters!

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    ESPN (none / 0) (#53)
    by CoralGables on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:45:24 PM EST
    did a lengthy piece the other night on the 2003 playoff series between the Cubs and Marlins. I thought they did a good job showing the extremes that venomous fans can go to in casting blame. At the same time, I didn't see a need to bring the story up again as I'm sure the emotional pain endured is still fresh in the mind of the victim who I'll leave nameless here.

    Thankfully, they finished with a somewhat feel good piece on one time Cubbie Billy Buckner and the years long torment and eventual cathartic outcome for him in Boston.

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    What few besides Cubs fans remember (none / 0) (#56)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:53:41 PM EST
    is that Leon Durham did a 'Buckner' in the Cubs playoffs against the Padres in...maybe '89? before Buckner did it to the Sox.

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    Correction (none / 0) (#57)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:56:22 PM EST
    Yes! I don't want to hear about anyone (none / 0) (#54)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:49:59 PM EST
    else's "heartbreak". Puhleease....talk to me after a you've been 'Bartmaned'.

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    The New Jersey... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:20:00 PM EST
    contingent of the McArab clan are all Oriole fans, I know your pain.  

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    The BF (none / 0) (#39)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 12:57:03 PM EST
    Also just complained to me about the same thing regarding the Mets.  Especially since they changed the dimensions at Citi Field and won't get a chance to work out before tomorrow's game.

    Me, I'm a Tigers fan, so the big question is:  what position will Brandon Inge play today?

    (Another question:  how many Lions will get busted with pot today?  It was 3 in one day already this week.)

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    Always had a soft spot... (none / 0) (#45)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:22:54 PM EST
    for them Detroit Lions;)

    Let them smoke Roger, let them smoke!  Far less harmful than the painkillers and anti-inflammatories you have no problem pumping into players to keep them on the field.  The league's hypocrisy is boundless.

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    Oh My Gawwwwwwd (none / 0) (#66)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 03:17:49 PM EST
    Come on fans, this is no time to dispute who has the worst team.  They are all tied today.

    The Astros are going to kick butt as it's their last year in the National League, then next year in the American League.  Go Stros !!!

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    Might be time... (none / 0) (#67)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 03:26:33 PM EST
    to get that noggin' of yours checked out Scott...you're making me nervous using the 'Stros and kick butt in the same sentence;)

    Still can't believe you guys are switching leagues next season...Bud Selig s*cks worse than the Mets, 'Stros, Orioles, & Cubbies put together.
    The obvious choice was to move the Brewers back to the AL from which they somewhat recently came.

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    Had Nothing to do With Anything... (none / 0) (#69)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 03:52:35 PM EST
    ...but evening out the divisions, and since the Astros were just sold, it was a perfect leverage to make the deal go through.

    Plus a lot of folks down here are excited about playing in the same division as the Rangers.  I am from WI, so I loved having the Brewers in the same league, real treat for me when they come to town.

    And here's the real kicker, if there is one guy who the Stros can't beat, it was Pujols, so we get one year from his reign of terror, then back to having Pujols in the same division.

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    Interesting, I did not know that (none / 0) (#72)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 04:03:33 PM EST
    I'll be glad to have them out of the Cubs division. for some reason they seem to beat the Cubs a lot.

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    Obama Energy Priorities (none / 0) (#46)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:26:18 PM EST

    The U.S. Treasury Department was given one day to complete its review of the government's $535 million loan guarantee to Solyndra LLC, the bankrupt solar-panel manufacturer, to accommodate an Energy Department press release, according to a Treasury audit.

    On the other hand three years is not enough time to revue a pipeline, which is both the safest and lowest cost transportation option.  

    The quickie loan guarantee put taxpayer money into crony capitalist pockets.  The pipe line OTOH would have created both wealth creating jobs and generated lots of tax revenue.

    .

    Bush selection (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by waldenpond on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 05:08:18 PM EST
    You are aware Solyndra was pushed by the Bush admin for two years?  It failed and the WH tried to conditionally approve it before leaving and then it was picked up by the Obama admin.  It is an equal opportunity leach... owned by both parties.  Quick search: One of the earliest and largest investors, Madrone Capital Partners, is funded by the family that started Wal-Mart, the Waltons. The Waltons have donated millions of dollars to Republican candidates over the years.  

    It's ridiculous when conservatives complain when Obama is governing just like Bush.  Don't worry, Bush three will be pushing the pipeline, you just need to wait while he pretends he considers the centrist position until he's reelected.

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    Moreover, ... (none / 0) (#78)
    by Yman on Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 06:46:18 PM EST
    ... those 20,000+ "wealth-creating jobs" touted by XL proponents are largely a myth - in fact, it would create a fraction of that in temporary construction jobs, and @ 50 permanent US jobs.

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    do the math (none / 0) (#81)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 08:10:55 AM EST
    Spending $7 billion on building the pipeline is going to buy a lot of labor.  If as the link notes $4 billion or so is in the US that still buys a lot of labor.

    The 50 jobs in the link is lowball that only includes pipeline jobs but excludes the additional refining and shipping jobs.  When the oil gets to the end of the pipeline work will need to be done on that oil.

    BTW, all jobs are temporary.

     

    Parent

    Temporary in the sense ... (5.00 / 2) (#84)
    by Yman on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 08:48:42 AM EST
    ... that they do not last forever, but 1-3 years is a temporary job in the common usage of the word.  If a person spends 40-50 years working at the same company in the same job, they'd probably be surprised to hear they were working in a "temporary" job.

    BTW - The math was done in the study.  Even without factoring in the job-killing affects of the pipeline, the vast majority of the money will be spent outside the US - everything from pipe/component manufacturing to engineering, design, technical services and support.  From Keystone's own application:

    Total direct and indirect construction employment that will amount to about 5310 person- months of employment and an estimated $58 million in wages and salaries.  This includes the Hardisty B terminal, pipeline and eight pump stations and their associated power lines... Construction is short term, workers' families are not expected to move into the area and area medical facilities are adequate to deal with any on-the-job injuries.

    ...

    Based on data provided by TransCanada to the State Department, only between 506 and
    1,387 workers would be hired locally
    .

    BTW - So how many refinery jobs will be created?  This would be a new twist, since most of the oil is supposed to go to the refinery half-owned by Aramco (Saudi) in Port Arthur, TX.  This is the same refinery that just doubled its capacity (and increased jobs) without Keystone XL.  Is there supposed to be a new refinery built, or is this oil just replacing oil brought to the refinery from other sources?  How many net shipping jobs will be created, given that this oil will require less oil to be shipped in from other sources?

    There's a reason conservatives always make vague claims when it comes to those "wealth-creating" Keystone XL jobs.

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    Yman, I'd give you (none / 0) (#88)
    by Zorba on Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 11:23:29 AM EST
    a "10" for that comment, if I could.  ;-)

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