Thursday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 08:37:33 AM EST
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I'll be flying solo on Daily Kos Radio from 11 to noon Eastern today. Topic of discussion - can "true" progressives vote for President Obama? Hint - Absolutely yes.

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Open Thread.

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Thursday Morning Open Thread | 66 comments (66 topical)

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For Cub Fans (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 08:41:07 AM EST

and actually all baseball fans, there is a feel good story taking place next week in Miami.

Adam Greenberg was once a rising star in the Chicago Cubs organization, but his career ended on the first pitch of his first at bat in the major leagues when he was struck in the head by a 92 mph fastball while facing the Marlins.

Seven years later he'll step into the batters box at the major league level one more time. After signing a one day contract with the Marlins, Greenberg is expected to face the Mets and possibly National League Cy Young favorite RA Dickey next Tuesday night.

Had a dose of Kazakh medicine, (5.00 / 4) (#3)
by observed on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 09:51:47 AM EST

including anesthesia (local) this morning.
I thought I might need a minor procedure, which was why I was musing on the topic a couple of days ago.
Things went pretty well, though
I wish dentists and doctors didn't test "does it hurt" [YES!] by poking with needles or cutting with knives, but I'll take what I can get. Problem fixed, and I'll have bandages off in a few days.

Nice to hear BTD again (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by lilburro on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:05:40 AM EST

best quote from Gingrich IMO:

I don't quite know what his rhythm is

God.

Heh, my husband is on leave today (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:33:47 AM EST

He's listening to Armando talk about moral compasses and fighting Al Qaeda. I think he's practically ready to register Democrat.

BTD is in good form this morning (none / 0) (#9)
by MKS on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:37:20 AM EST

really giving to Connor Frierdorf (sp?)

I like it. And largely agree.

Parent

I thought Obama needed to help (none / 0) (#10)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:47:04 AM EST

Libya, my husband did not. He is really loving this broadcast. Obama is his commander though and having everything broken down like this and what is legal and what is moral and what is personal calculus being expressed by a lawyer Lewis Black really excites him and makes him believe he is so smart.

Parent

I thought we should have (none / 0) (#14)
by MKS on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:05:19 AM EST

helped Libya.

BTD sees it as a violation of the War Powers Act. I don't see it that way. We were not in an active combat role for more than 60 days. Or, it was pretty close. We did not get dragged into a Vietnam without Congressional approval, which is what the War Powers Act was designed to prevent.

Parent

Did BTD say it was a violation of War Powers? (none / 0) (#15)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:09:13 AM EST

I missed that part. I'm familiar with his argument that it wasn't good policy to be involved as we are because we do not understand all of the Libyan social issues that must be overcome. I thought his argument was about the faulty longterm calculus of our involvement.

Parent

I don't think he said (none / 0) (#17)
by MKS on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:19:53 AM EST

it was a violation of the War Powers Act today.

He said it here awhile ago.

I thought his argument today was premised on the idea that the Libyan involvement did violate the War Powers Act. He said today for example that FDR violated the nuetrality act with his Lend-Lease program.

Parent

FDR and WWII (none / 0) (#20)
by the capstan on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:52:27 AM EST

March 16, 1935 - Hitler violates the Treaty of Versailles by introducing military conscription.

September 5, 1939 - United States proclaims its neutrality; German troops cross the Vistula River in Poland.

July 1, 1940 - German U-boats attack merchant ships in the Atlantic.

March 11, 1941 - President Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act..

Seems to me neutrality had been essentially rendered null and void by Germany already.

Parent

: I have no idea (none / 0) (#21)
by MKS on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:54:39 AM EST

just paraphrasing BTD's argument.....

Parent

Not sure (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:56:13 AM EST

if anyone talked about this yesterday, but the Joe Scarborough "Sweet Jesus" moment after Romney takes issue with a Ryan, Ryan chant from the crowd is priceless. I also assume shrinks all over the world are evaluating the insecurities of Romney.

: Romney should (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by KeysDan on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:03:45 PM EST

have adopted intellectual heavyweight, Paul Ryan's compassionate and botched response to a woman on welfare and say go fish...."teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life, don't simply feed fish." And, it shows Ryan to be Republican presidential material (per W.: fool me once, fool me-you can't get fooled again.)

Parent
: God that was good (none / 0) (#13)
by observed on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:01:46 AM EST

I could watch that every day until the election.

Parent
: I watched that many times yesterday (none / 0) (#16)
by Towanda on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:13:14 AM EST

and will do so again now for a laugh again; thanks!

Parent

Some (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by lentinel on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:37:27 AM EST

people are confident that they know what is "in Obama's heart".

Others are left to evaluate him based on his actions.

I think it is the latter group that is somewhat reluctant to pull the lever on his behalf.

As you've already spoken out (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:13:22 PM EST

against Elizabeth Warren, could you give me two or threes senators in Washington that you'd have no problem voting for if you lived in their state? Also, what do you think about the Senators from your own state?

Parent

I can give you one (5.00 / 2) (#28)
by sj on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:37:46 PM EST

Senator Bernie Sanders. I heart him.

Parent

I like Sanders (none / 0) (#64)
by CoralGables on Fri Sep 28, 2012 at 09:18:48 AM EST

Not sure of your reasons, but always find it interesting when Sanders is mentioned as a strong liberal. He's 22nd of the current 100 Senators right now in the liberal rankings over his lifetime of votes.

Parent

wev (none / 0) (#65)
by sj on Fri Sep 28, 2012 at 05:43:12 PM EST

You just make your own assumptions about why I "heart" him.

Myself, I always find it interesting when "progessives" have almost no insight into liberals.

Parent

Work on your reading comprehension (none / 0) (#66)
by CoralGables on Fri Sep 28, 2012 at 09:19:21 PM EST

I specifically said "Not sure of your reasons"

Parent

: I was speaking generally, (none / 0) (#67)
by sj on Sat Sep 29, 2012 at 11:35:18 AM EST

taking all of your comments into consideration.

Parent

Elizabeth Warren is too conservative? (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by MKS on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 02:40:22 PM EST

Oy. Oy Vey. Oy Gevalt.

Parent

: Oy (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by sj on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 04:13:01 PM EST

indeed. You're oy-ing your own made up nonsense and pretending that someone else said it.

Parent

I (5.00 / 1) (#41)
by lentinel on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 03:37:54 PM EST

did not speak out against Elizabeth Warren.

I simply said that her joining in the "tough" talk about Iran made me somewhat less enthusiastic about her.

Parent

I'll rephrase (5.00 / 1) (#45)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 04:31:33 PM EST

knowing you are now less enthusiastic about Elizabeth Warren, could you give me two or threes senators of the 100 currently in Washington, DC that you'd have no problem voting for if you lived in their state? Also, what do you think about the Senators from your own state?

Parent

: At (none / 0) (#53)
by lentinel on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 05:26:37 PM EST

the moment, I will admit that nobody comes to my mind as a standout - someone I would want to vote for.
Maybe Bernie Sanders.
My home State, New York, has Schumer as its senior Senator.
I don't like him.
I have absolutely no opinion about Gillibrand.
Basically, I just see a bunch of sheep.
The republicans are a lost cause.
And the democrats are behind Obama, who I consider to be a lost cause. So, no. I have no heros at this time.

Parent

"True progressives" (5.00 / 3) (#27)
by shoephone on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:29:32 PM EST

I don't even know what the term means. I am a liberal, an unrepentant liberal, an unreconstructed liberal. Can liberals vote for Obama? Of course. Do I feel that I need to? Nope. I live in a reliably blue state and there is no danger of Obama losing my state's electoral votes. I will vote my conscience, by voting for Jill Stein. And I will feel very good about that vote. People in other states can -- and will -- make their own choices.

I'm curious (none / 0) (#32)
by DFLer on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 01:04:55 PM EST

what about down ticket races?

Parent

: I always vote (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by shoephone on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 01:34:46 PM EST

for the candidate I believe represents my values and interests. And in the case of Washington State, that is never going to be a Republican. It will almost always will be a Democrat, but, on occasion, I have voted Green or Socialist party. This year I will vote for Democrats Jay Inslee (for governor) and Bob Ferguson (for attorney general) without reservation. Congressman McDermott doesn't need my vote -- he will win with over 70%, as always. (He is 75 yo, and I'm pretty sure this will be his last race.) I will not vote for Senator Cantwell, and did not vote for her last time around. Instead, I will write in a name. She will also win handily.
The best Democratic candidate this year is Bob Ferguson. He'll be an exellent attorney general.

Parent

"True to my principles" (none / 0) (#48)
by Towanda on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 04:49:38 PM EST

is how I vote, too. Did you take that quiz going around the 'Net last week? Turns out I'm also closest to Jill Stein among the candidates.

But I'm not in as solidly a blue state, so I may have to balance my principles with a bit of pragmatism. If my once-swing state continues to stabilize in coming weeks, I will see what to do.

(Admittedly, if my vote doesn't matter, it would be fun to vote for a President named Rocky.:-)

Parent

I came up 91% Stein 90% Obama (5.00 / 0) (#58)
by Rupe on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 06:24:05 PM EST

on that quiz. I do live in Iowa so I'll end up voting for Obama but honestly the way the polls are looking Romney is toast regardless of our 6 electoral votes. Interestingly I took another quiz that had more candidates than the one that was posted on here last week and I ended with only 61% agreement with Obama and maybe 65% with Stein. Fewer questions though.

Parent

I also came up closest to Jill Stein in that test (none / 0) (#51)
by shoephone on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 05:09:48 PM EST

If I lived in a purple state I might feel differently. But the closest I came to living in a purple state was MA in 1990, when Bill Weld ran (and won) for governor. I was only there for a short time and did not register. If I had, I would have voted for Weld -- certainly the only time in my life I ever would have voted for a Republican. But Democrat John Silber came off as a very scary man during that election. Apparently, a lot of other Dems thought so too.

Parent

: Strange coincidence re: Silber (none / 0) (#56)
by shoephone on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 06:15:28 PM EST

John Silber died this morning. I had no knowledge of that when I posted my previous comment.

Parent

Male fetal DNA lodges in mothers' brains (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by Dadler on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 02:29:08 PM EST

Fascinating stuff. (link)

That just blows my theory of it being (5.00 / 5) (#49)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 04:57:28 PM EST

Okay to sleep with a stupid guy for one night because you couldn't resist his looks right out of the water. In the end you could end up with dumb DNA taking your brain over. Feminazihood is wrecked over this discovery!!!!!!!!! It is too risky to go Fabio, even for one night.

For Christ's sake nobody sleep with Republicans, not ever!!!

Parent

What about the guy who gave birth... (5.00 / 1) (#52)
by Dadler on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 05:24:00 PM EST

...to a little girl a few years back? I wonder if he could have female DNA lodged in his brain that has similar effects on him down the line.

Parent

I can't laugh at all my husband's jokes (5.00 / 2) (#54)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 05:41:21 PM EST

He can be very funny but sometimes he's just dumb. He says his mom laughed at ALL of his jokes...well duh...you had taken her brain over.

Puts a whole new spin on Oedipus and many mother/son relationships. Is my daughter in there too?

In the study of war and conquest, getting the conquered women pregnant was historically important in getting the women to be invested in the conquerers. Doesn't this really make you ponder? It does me.

And Cleopatra instinctively knew to get pregnant by Caesars and Roman Generals so you could attempt to out think them?

Parent

What about my DNA? (5.00 / 3) (#62)
by lilburro on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 09:20:10 PM EST

What am I, chopped liver? Didn't need a study to tell me my brother and I had taken over our mom's brain though. Unalterable brain damage, or unconditional love, whatever you want to call it.

Parent

: I would think that our daughters (none / 0) (#63)
by Militarytracy on Fri Sep 28, 2012 at 07:39:25 AM EST

have DNA in there too. It's just easier to find your sons because of the XY.

Parent

If you are referring to Thomas Beadle, he is a (none / 0) (#55)
by caseyOR on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 05:53:57 PM EST

female-to-male transgender person.So, even before the pregnancy, he had female DNA in his brain.

Parent

: Thanks for the reminder (none / 0) (#57)
by Dadler on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 06:17:23 PM EST

Parent

Jim Webb: (5.00 / 2) (#42)
by oculus on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 03:59:32 PM EST

Link

: excellent remarks, (5.00 / 1) (#44)
by observed on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 04:14:52 PM EST

and sad, too.

Parent

The fishermen (5.00 / 2) (#46)
by Zorba on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 04:33:23 PM EST

are on their way home from the Bay. Son Zorba phoned, and said they are bringing four striped bass and one speckled trout.
My mouth is watering already. (Not that we'll eat all the fish tonight- there will be plenty to freeze for later.)
I'm smiling. I love fresh fish. :-)

Wonderful! Yum! (5.00 / 1) (#47)
by ruffian on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 04:44:34 PM EST

As always, I wish I was eating with your family!

Parent

: Just a simple preparation (5.00 / 1) (#50)
by Zorba on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 05:08:11 PM EST

of some of the fillets tonight. Usual, we dust them with a bit of flour, salt, pepper, brown them in butter, both sides, remove to a platter. With the butter in the pan, if it's not yet browned butter by then (although it usually is), then cook it just a bit more until it's browned, but not too brown. Squeeze in some lemon or lime juice (we prefer lime) and pour over the fish. It makes a nice presentation if you slice some additional lime (or lemon, if that's what you're using) very, very thinly and lay the slices on top of the fillets.
I'm making some saffron rice. Our Fall lettuce is coming up nicely, and we still have a few tomatoes left, so I'll make a simple salad.
That's it- just very easy, but very good with the fresh fillets.

Parent

David Byrne & St. Vincent (none / 0) (#2)
by Dadler on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 09:38:15 AM EST

Playing "Who" live on Jimmy Fallon's show. Love this song and all the brass behind them. And any lady who goes by the name St. Vincent. (link)

Don't run out to buy that extra freezer... (none / 0) (#4)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:02:45 AM EST

just yet--there is no looming bacon crisis in the US.

Hogwash!

Pig crap!

Our man of the heartland... (none / 0) (#7)
by kdog on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:09:59 AM EST

with the straight dope, gracias MileHi. Glad I didn't go with a large wager on pork bellies over at Duke & Duke;)

Parent

great news... (none / 0) (#18)
by fishcamp on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 11:30:33 AM EST

think I'll head up to Dillons for a BLT and a Bass ale. It's a good place to sway some R's after a little fish talk. Also it's super easy to bring up facts fast on the new ip5.

Parent

Mix the Bass Ale with the Guiness Stout? (none / 0) (#24)
by kdog on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:15:31 PM EST

I'm fishing with my boat and I'm fishing for trout
mix the Bass Ale with the Guiness Stout
fishing for a line inside my brain
and looking out at the world through my window pane
every day has many colors cuz the glass is stained
everything has changed but remains the same
so once again the mirror raised and I see myself as clear as day

Beastie Boys, Year And A Day

Miss you MCA!

Parent

Speaking of bands... (none / 0) (#26)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:26:37 PM EST

Ryan Bingham tonight.

Just found out he comes on at 10:05pm, not 8pm like I thought I saw when I bought the tix. Haven't told the Mrs. SUO yet, she's an early riser and usually in bed before 10pm. She won't be happy...

Parent

Yeah... (none / 0) (#29)
by kdog on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:49:53 PM EST

I should/could have warned you, Bingham is old school that way. None of the on at 8, on the way home by 10:30 sh*t with him...he's still young;)

My advice, play dumb and hope the opener(s) is/are good;) Enjoy!

Did I tell you Roger Waters was added to the 'Love for Levon' bill? Pretty cool. Just waitin' on Bruce now...he's on a break of his tour, if he's in Jersey he's gotta show, he's just gotta.

Parent

kdog (none / 0) (#31)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:59:48 PM EST

were the Mets just victimized by the greatest outfield play of the year?

Parent

The Mets? (none / 0) (#33)
by kdog on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 01:06:18 PM EST

Except for the occasional RA Dickey Cy Young update, I stopped paying attention in July...sorry CG. Too painful.

Parent

Here ya go (none / 0) (#34)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 01:21:01 PM EST

the expression on the Pirates pitcher's face was he knew he gave up a dinger, until the Mets got robbed

Parent

: Nice Snag! (none / 0) (#36)
by kdog on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 01:41:32 PM EST

Dude climbed the ladder on that one.
Not as nice as Endy's though;)

Parent

We'll try to get there at about 9:45 or so. (none / 0) (#37)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 02:05:10 PM EST

Mrs. SUO said she's OK with the 10pm show, we'll see...

Parent

I spent a litlle time (none / 0) (#25)
by CoralGables on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:24:31 PM EST

not far from the Dillons location years back coaching "against" the girls from Coral Shores.

Parent

Caption gem (none / 0) (#5)
by DFLer on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:05:27 AM EST

caught on PBS report on riots in Athens: the audio was apparently talking about the Molotov cocktails or in BBC-ese "petrol bombs"

The caption had it as "pet troll"

Couldn't hold the connection (none / 0) (#11)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 10:49:37 AM EST

Because Clear Channel sent a black helicopter :)

Wingnuts (none / 0) (#30)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 12:54:53 PM EST

will believe anything i have decided. One keeps emailing me with garbage from Glenn Beck. The last one was about Obama celebrating Ramadan so it said ROTFLMAO George W. Bush did the exact same thing.

There might be something nicer (none / 0) (#59)
by CST on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 07:43:40 PM EST

than NE in the fall, but this will do.

A few of my own reasons for staying out of the city.

And for the "nosy" MT, no, these aren't the only ones :)

: It is tough to beat New England in the fall. (none / 0) (#60)
by caseyOR on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 08:10:40 PM EST

Twice I have had the pleasure of spending a chunk of the autumn in western Massachusetts. Beautiful. So beautiful.
The midwest, with an abundance of deciduous trees, has some spectacular color, also. I am certainly not dissing the land of my childhood. I loved fall in Illinois. Still, there is something about New England and autumn.

Parent
: Beautiful. (none / 0) (#61)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 27, 2012 at 09:06:54 PM EST

I'm a city girl at heart. I love the bright lights and people always on the move. However, there's nothing quite a peaceful as the woods either. You'll have to post most pictures when the full color happens.

Parent

Thursday Morning Open Thread | 66 comments (66 topical)

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