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Suinday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 12:17:54 PM EST
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President Obama begins his second term.

The Ravens battle the Patriots for the AFC Championship.

500,000 people signed up yesterday for Mega. They have added a human rights counsel to their team. Already there are traffic issues with the site being difficult to access and slow upload times. That's because of the unprecedented demand. [More...]

If you can't get through, try https before the mega.co.nz. The upload times were very slow yesterday. It took me 10 minutes to upload a 6 MB perfectly legal video (TalkLeft's promotional video made during the Bush years.) At the launch party last night, there was a re-enactment of the raid, including helicopters and "agents" coming down from the roof. Also this week, a Canadian judge refused to grant the U.S. access to Megaupload's servers there.

Keep in mind that Mega may be secure, but it does not protect your anonymity. It does collect information about you, including your IP address, and its terms state:

If we think it is necessary or we have to by law in any jurisdiction then we are entitled to give your information to the authorities.

We reserve the right to assist any law enforcement agency with investigations, including and limited to by way of disclosure of information to them or their agents. We also reserve the right to comply with any legal processes, including but not limited to subpoenas, search warrents (sic) and court orders.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Kim Dotcom Launches The New Mega | President Obama's Second Inaugural >

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    Suinday Open Thread | 98 comments (98 topical)

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    Ahem, there is another game (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by nycstray on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 01:23:26 PM EST
    ya know?  :)

    Go '9ers!!!!!!

    This is AFC country. (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 02:30:41 PM EST
    We don't care much for your West Coast elitist football.  

    Tired of the Kaepernick hype and Tony Gonzalez deserves a shot at a ring before he retires.  

    The Niners are also the only team of the four left without a Hawkeye on their roster, so there's that too.  

    Deities save us from a Harbaugh Bowl.

    Go Falcons, go (it pains me to say this) Patriots.

    Parent

    Well this is NFC territory (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by DFLer on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:34:38 PM EST
    Tired of the Brady hype and Ray Lewis deserves a shot at a ring before he retires.

    ;0)

    Parent

    Boo! Boo! (none / 0) (#13)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:12:40 PM EST
    No Falcons, and no Patriots!
    Although, it is not looking good for the 9'ers right now.

    Parent
    You were saying . . . ? (none / 0) (#30)
    by nycstray on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:03:00 PM EST
    :D

    Parent
    Hee, hee! (none / 0) (#32)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:07:17 PM EST
    They won!!!      :-)

    Parent
    Go 49ers (none / 0) (#66)
    by cpresley on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 10:38:18 PM EST
    We will take even a bad win.

    Parent
    what'll it be? (none / 0) (#14)
    by DFLer on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:19:16 PM EST
    "San Francisco Values" or "Gone With the Wind"

    I'm pulling for lattes over moss.

    Parent

    Hey, no kidding! (none / 0) (#15)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:23:04 PM EST
    ;-)

    Parent
    I though Moss played (none / 0) (#17)
    by brodie on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:27:15 PM EST
    for the Niners?

    How about Lattes over The Lost Cause?

    Parent

    love me some Randy Moss (none / 0) (#18)
    by DFLer on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:29:28 PM EST
    but he isn't Spanish, nor does he hang from trees!  ;o0)

    Parent
    Nice call. (none / 0) (#53)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:01:52 PM EST
    The Falcons were just lucky to even be there, after last week's near choke against the Seahawks.

    As for the Patriots, looks like Tom Brady was channeling his inner Brett Favre in the 4th quarter with those two picks.

    Harbaugh Bowl. Be there. Aloha.

    Parent

    Grr. Down by 17. (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by brodie on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 02:58:38 PM EST
    Looks like the Niners were suffering from Ridiculously Early Start in the East by West Coast Internal Time Clocks Syndrome, as this one began in Atlanta around the personal body time the '49er players were used to finishing up breakfast.

    That's my excuse anyway.  Not a bad one actually.

    Well, that shuttle van driver from Dixie recently warned me on a recent trip that the Falcons were good, but I just shrugged it off as local yocal boosterism.  And today they play at home.

    If the Niners don't make it, at least I'll be free to make other plans for the Super Bowl.  Yuck, another Sowthren team going to the championship game.  West Coasters are already fed up about the recent CF situation, not to mention all the far right extremist Sowthren politics.  

    Parent

    Not to worry. (none / 0) (#25)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 04:18:31 PM EST
    They're coming back. Now if they could just take advantage of the turnovers they're getting.

    Parent
    Great game. (none / 0) (#37)
    by brodie on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:29:09 PM EST
    Even greater comeback by the Niners.  

    And the Falcons really were good.

    I'm rooting for the Ravens but beating the Pats in Foxboro in January, that's gonna be tough.  Flacco will have to be very good today.  

    And I guess you've gotta like a guy with the name of Joe Flacco (assuming no major felony charges on his record).

    Parent

    There's only one game that matters today. (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:40:02 PM EST
    Ravens. Ravens. Ravens. Ray Lewis needs a new ring before retiring.

    Parent
    Well, although I am (none / 0) (#5)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 02:02:22 PM EST
    somewhat of a Ravens fan as far as football is concerned, son Zorba is a die-hard 49'ers fan (he was born in San Francisco, and takes that seriously).
    I guess if the Superbowl winds up being Ravens vs. 49'ers, it could be interesting. (And in actuality, I'm not such a die-hard Ravens fan that I would cry if they lost.  Football is not my big game.)
    But for sort of sports-psychology reasons, I would be very interested in seeing a "brother vs. brother" match-up in the coach department.

    Parent
    As a parent (none / 0) (#67)
    by cpresley on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 10:40:18 PM EST
    Which one of your kids do you root for?

    Parent
    It may be the Game of the Century. (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by EL seattle on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:23:52 PM EST
    The 19th Century anyway - Edgar Allen Poe's Ravens vs. the Miner '49ers.

    What we learned on Downton Abbey (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by caseyOR on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 12:10:25 AM EST
    tonight. Well, Lady Edith is becoming a feminist and getting published in the Times. London, not New York.  Will the denizens of Downton find themselves dragged into the ;big social battles of the 20th century?

    Tom Branson, Lady Sybil's husband, is on the run after revolutionary actions in Ireland and none too happy about being ordered to stay out of Ireland. Can a fighter for Irish independence find happiness in the bosom of the English landed gentry?

    And that other Tom, Thomas the valet, well it looks like Thomas is a closeted gay man and kind of a b!tchy queen.

    Oh, and Mrs. Hughes bought one of those new-fangled electric toasters, much to the consternation of the oh so conservative and class conscious butler Mr. Carson.

    Downton gets more interesting every week.

    Excellent synopsis (none / 0) (#75)
    by shoephone on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 12:34:58 AM EST
    And now Matthew is in cahoots with the Dowager Countess over the Downton finances...danger, trouble ahead...

    One thing: If you've been watching since Season One, then Thomas' sexuality is no secret to the viewers. After all, he'd had a dalliance with the Duke of Crowborough (whom he tried to blackmail) and moved in for a kiss with Mr. Pamuk, just hours before the Turk died in Lady Mary's bed!


    Parent

    Father/Son Time (none / 0) (#1)
    by CoralGables on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 12:48:50 PM EST
    Take your son to the gun range. Is there a better way to promote bonding and gun safety

    than accidentally shooting your son in the back?

    In that vein... (none / 0) (#3)
    by desertswine on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 01:38:47 PM EST
    This morning's news...

    A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of two adults and three children, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office said.

    Last night, police found five people dead at a South Valley home in the 2800 block of Long Lane SW.

    A man, a woman, two girls and a boy were found in the home with several gunshot wounds.

    Police believe the teenager used an AR-15 semi automatic rifle in the shooting. Multiple weapons were retrieved from the house.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    Stay with KOB.com for more on this developing story.

    Just another horror story.

    Parent

    Or this one, from today's paper (none / 0) (#8)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 02:36:33 PM EST
    (Philadelphia Sunday Inquirer): pair of burglar/robbers break into a secluded country home located more than an hour into the countryside outside Philadelphia, where 48-year-old businessman lived with his two teenage sons and his "girlfriend" (term used in story). Resident owned guns (a "collection," it says). The story so far:  man shot dead; "girlfriend" and one son tied up (the other had already left for school), but managed to free themselves and call police after nearly 4 hours; robbers escape with valuables including the dead victim's guns.

    Parent
    You ever live in a rual area? (none / 0) (#27)
    by redwolf on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 04:33:32 PM EST
    I've lived in places where it takes 40min-1h to get a sheriff out.  You really want to be unarmed and at the mercy of a criminal for an hour?  Good way to end up with your entire family dead.  Having a gun is not a magic pill that makes things better.  It's simply a tool that can be used effectively to protect oneself and others.  Cops carry them for the same reason regular people carry them: Protection.

    People's lives and property are saved everyday by armed people:
    http://gunssavelives.net/category/self-defense/

    But hey, lets ban those guns.  It's not like we want people to be able to defend themselves against criminals.  Remember to tell this women she was better off without a gun:
    http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/man-busted-beating-woman-tossing-subway-tracks-article-1.12427 34

    Parent

    Did Peter say (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 04:58:14 PM EST
    In his post that we should "ban those guns"?  No, as far as I can tell, he did not.
    And yes, before you answer me, you should know that I currently live in a very, very rural area, with a very, very long response time before the police (or, for that matter, the fire department or the ambulance) get out here.
    And we have two shot guns, a rifle, and a legally registered handgun.
    This does not mean that I have any problem whatsoever with the resonable gun control measures that have been suggested by reasonable people.
    But people also ought to be aware of the fact that guns can be misused, and that the guns that you own should be secured.  It does not seem to me that the guns in Peter's example were at all secured.

    Parent
    We also live in a very rural area and have guns. (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by cpresley on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 10:53:42 PM EST
    They are all legally registered and we have never had to use them to protect our home. I would like to know anybody in a rural area who has ever had to use a gun to protect their home from humans.

    Living in a rural area we have only had to use our guns for rattlesnakes, and scare off a bear. Our neighbors are harmless.

    Parent

    Thank you, Zorba (none / 0) (#36)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:28:19 PM EST
    I only meant to suggest, as I thought the story clearly illustrates, that private ownership of multiple guns in the home, presumably intended for self-defense, is no panacea, and can be problematic, not only as a common cause of fatal or otherwise devastating accidents but also as providing a source of supply to criminals (through theft).

    Parent
    Some people (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:42:39 PM EST
    apparently have a problem with reading comprehension, Peter.  I am a huge civil libertarian, but I do not think that the 2nd Amendment means what many of the NRA absolutists think it does.
    And I also think that, if you choose to have weapons in your house,  you need to be responsible about securing them.

    Parent
    Yeah, because we all know that ... (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:06:34 PM EST
    ... rural America is literally swarming with evildoers looking to do evil things.

    Unfortunately, statistics conclusively show us that such evildoers are far more likely to be residing within your own household, than to be on the outside looking to break in.

    Parent

    Thank you Donald. (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by cpresley on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 11:01:00 PM EST
    I don't get this evil doers in rural America. We live out in the middle of nowhere off of a mile long gravel road and we have never had to pull a gun on anybody. The worst we had was this week. Our neighbor called and told us they ran out of propane so they came over and used our shower. I guess we should have shot them.

    Parent
    The preppers have been telling (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 11:10:33 PM EST
    you all along you would need those guns to protect your water supply. ;o)

    Parent
    Or the soap. (none / 0) (#76)
    by cpresley on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 01:31:52 AM EST
    I didn't think to ask her if they brought their own soap or shampoo.I'll have to check my soap and shampoo when we go up tomorrow. I don't know how to check, other than ask them, did you use the towels? That could be a shooting affiance.

    We are out of the drought so water shouldn't be a problem, but the price soap and shampoo have gone up.

    Parent

    lol. Guns won't protect your water supply from (none / 0) (#84)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 10:52:26 AM EST
    the real threat - fracking.

    Space pics of North Dakota gas flares - enough to heat half a million homes and all of it wasted.

    Parent

    Rural Albuquerque (none / 0) (#80)
    by CoralGables on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 07:09:16 AM EST
    Always safer to have guns in rural areas such as this one where a 15 year old kills 5 family members: his parents, and three siblings ages 9, 5, and 2 early Saturday morning.

    Since it fell on Saturday that would make it another remembrance of this year's gun appreciation day.

    Parent

    As I noted earlier, when it comes ... (none / 0) (#82)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 10:44:10 AM EST
    ... to potential danger from firearms, we are the people our parents warned us about. Those who live in households where guns are present are far more likely statistically to:

    • Become victims of gun violence than those who reside in gun-free households, and

    • One day find themselves facing the business end of a firearm wielded by an enraged family member or unhinged personal acquaintance, than to ever be confronted at home by an armed intruder or on the street by a random stranger.

    Aloha.

    Parent
    As always (none / 0) (#87)
    by CoralGables on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 11:31:51 AM EST
    extra credit for slipping in a Jimmy Buffett mention.

    Parent
    Lies. (none / 0) (#4)
    by lentinel on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 01:46:09 PM EST
    CNN has been playing over and over and over again all of the denials by Lance Armstrong relative to his being accused of doping.

    I find myself having more contempt for the CNN people than Lance.
    That is because, I believe, that they lie all the time for a living. They will say anything that they are told to say, and they will represent it as truth.

    I am also curious, in watching Lance lie, what "tells" there are that would enable us to know he is lying, or at least that he is withholding the truth.

    It is important for us to be able to know this, I believe, since the commercial media and government officials, including Obama, lie to us all the time.

    Well I thought that special (none / 0) (#12)
    by brodie on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:12:11 PM EST
    they've been running all weekend is fairly indicting of Lance, and the opening minutes include the recent confession on Opera, plus the doc does have numerous on-camera and deposition video statements from his former friends and fellow riders accusing him of doping..  

    And that one former female friend, on camera a lot, was in the doctor's office years ago with another male friend as Lance told the doctor of all the illegal substances he was taking, which she later gave a deposition about in legal proceedings.  This is the woman who at the opening of the doc calls Lance "the Bernie Madoff of sports".

    Hard from what I saw of CNN re Lance to criticize them for carrying his water.  

    Their regular political reporting -- that's another matter.

    Parent

    What (none / 0) (#26)
    by lentinel on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 04:25:24 PM EST
    I found most distasteful was the arrogance and smug superiority I felt from those CNN "reporters".

    They are all lying hounds.

    I am not doubting that Lance lied.
    What I am asking is, knowing that, can we perceive it in the videos of his denials?

    I think it would be an important skill to develop.

    Parent

    "Opera"? Caught my (none / 0) (#41)
    by oculus on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:38:19 PM EST
    attention.  

    Parent
    I think someone should write an opera ... (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:08:34 PM EST
    ... based on the life of Oprah.

    Parent
    Stay tuned. Jerry Springer. Check. (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by oculus on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:13:04 PM EST
    Ann Nicole Smith. Check.

    Parent
    Really ? (none / 0) (#88)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 12:44:04 PM EST
    I am also curious, in watching Lance lie, what "tells" there are that would enable us to know he is lying, or at least that he is withholding the truth.

    It is important for us to be able to know this, I believe, since the commercial media and government officials, including Obama, lie to us all the time.

    Come on, the reason people lie in the first place is because it's impossible to know if they are lying by simply observing them.

    Parent

    Really ? (none / 0) (#89)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 12:44:12 PM EST
    I am also curious, in watching Lance lie, what "tells" there are that would enable us to know he is lying, or at least that he is withholding the truth.

    It is important for us to be able to know this, I believe, since the commercial media and government officials, including Obama, lie to us all the time.

    Come on, the reason people lie in the first place is because it's impossible to know if they are lying by simply observing them.

    Parent

    Is there no one... (none / 0) (#6)
    by unitron on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 02:23:13 PM EST
    ...on the air who can properly pronounce "inauguration" instead of saying "in-awe-ga-ration"?

    And don't even get me started on "deppity".

    You don't need to go all nuke-yoo-ler (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Dadler on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:57:04 PM EST
    Sheesh, cut them some shellack. They have enough on their faces.

    Parent
    Kinda lazy sounding but (none / 0) (#21)
    by brodie on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:55:56 PM EST
    still within the range of acceptable for moi.  Inaug-ga-ration I mean.

    Way back in the day, Walter Cronkite's bosses used to complain he couldn't pronounce February properly -- they wanted to hear Feb-roo-arary.  That always seemed precious and schoolmarmish and unnatural to me.

    Thank goodness that sort of language strict constructionist nonsense never caught on, at least in my neck of the woods.

    Now "deppity" -- that does rattle the ears.  Unless you're watching Andy of Mayberry or Deliverance or something like that.

    Parent

    Meant to say also (none / 0) (#24)
    by brodie on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 04:04:23 PM EST
    forget about some of the niceties of pronoucing certain words, I just want knucklehead CJ Roberts to get the words of the oath in the right order this time.

    Someone on the teevee today said that, because of the first screwup and the makeup oath the next day, and today being Sunday with the public oath taken tomorrow, Obama will be the first president to take four oaths since FDR.

    A future trivia question no doubt ...

    Parent

    I think you should go nucular on them. (none / 0) (#56)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:09:57 PM EST
    ;-D

    Parent
    Forever an idiot (none / 0) (#9)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 02:40:11 PM EST
    World Net Daily columnist and former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Sunday insisted that Americans were entitled to armor-piercing bullets because they are "a right in our country." link

    It has not been established that the 2nd. Amendment provides the right for an individual to have armor-piercing bullets. D.C. v Heller allowed for "laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."

    Interesting take (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by NYShooter on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 10:08:41 PM EST
     On real meaning of "militia" in 2nd. Amendment. From New America Media:

    The real reason the Second Amendment was ratified, and why it says "State" instead of "Country" (the Framers knew the difference -- see the 10th Amendment), was to preserve the slave-patrol militias in the southern states. That was necessary to get Virginia's vote. Founders Patrick Henry, George Mason, and James Madison were totally clear on that--and we all should be too


    Parent

    A lot of historical work has been done (none / 0) (#71)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 11:03:02 PM EST
    on the Second Amendment.  In the Heller appeal before the Supreme Court, a group of top historians filed a friend of the court brief, which you can read by downloading it from this link.  A conflicting view is summarized here, with further links.

    Parent
    Bogus - counsel for the amici curiae (none / 0) (#83)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 10:44:14 AM EST
    Basing their arguments on the rights granted one religious, one social, one economic class by English Lords.  Too much irony for this early morning.

    wiki on D.C. v Heller.  Seems the NRA was against it before they were for it.

    Whether you love the decision or hate it, I'm guessing that Gura and Levy are considered pretty good lawyers.

    Parent

    For those who didn't read Peter G's cite, (none / 0) (#91)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 10:18:01 PM EST
    "Bogus" is the counselor's name.

    Parent
    I think that... (none / 0) (#77)
    by unitron on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 02:52:11 AM EST
    ...in interpreting the militia clause, one needs to keep in mind the founders' aversion to maintaining a standing army (boy, has that ship done sailed), and to the expense thereof, so it could be they were thinking not so much about everybody being able to hunt and shoot burglars as they were of always having plenty of "Minutemen" available, and of course they were operating in a framework where re-loading for your second shot took about a minute as opposed to being able to empty a 30 round magazine in a minute and then slap in another one.

    If they could have forseen modern day "bullet hoses" and urban population concentrations (and by urban I don't particularly mean black or other minorities, I just mean non-rural), I think they would worded things much differently.

    Parent

    can you even buy (none / 0) (#11)
    by fishcamp on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:00:36 PM EST
    armor-piercing bullets?

    maybe online (none / 0) (#16)
    by DFLer on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:25:01 PM EST
    here?

    Parent
    They were showing highlights from the (none / 0) (#20)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 03:48:50 PM EST
    Ravens/Broncos game earlier today on Fox. I saw a guy dressed in orange with a sign that said "I saw Ray Lewis' last game." Does that guy have tickets to the Super Bowl already?

    Rev. Adam Hamilton, a local Methodist minister, (none / 0) (#23)
    by mogal on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 04:02:37 PM EST
    will be preaching at the President's Inaugural Prayer Service Tuesday morning, 10:30 EST.  Talk Left fans treat yourselves and catch the sermon.  
    Also Rev. Hamilton has an excellent article"Put God back in Schools?"on his blog that might  renew your respect for Christianity.

    Great article (none / 0) (#28)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 04:46:32 PM EST
    It sounds like his church focuses on "Christian" acts rather than just talking about how "Christian" they are.

    Much prefer that to those who shout about what good Christians they are all the while their acts rob the poor of necessities to line the pockets of the rich,

    Parent

    All good, I just wish... (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Dadler on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 08:59:51 PM EST
    ...there was a proud and open atheist, and ID'd as such, also "preaching" at the event.

    Set my godless people free!

    Ahem. ;-)

    Parent

    We did, just last week. (none / 0) (#58)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:16:10 PM EST
    Pay attention.
    ;-D

    Anyway, how's life in my favorite bay area? I was supposed to travel to Oakland and Walnut Creek this week for client work, but now that I'm working at the legislature this session, my partner is going in my stead. (Boo hoo!)

    Parent

    Well, it's happytown tonight (none / 0) (#73)
    by Dadler on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 11:25:57 PM EST
    Niners, Niners, Niners.  My wife must now buy a five dollar counterfeit Niners shirt from the huckster on the corner, so she can show her colors all week at the office in the financial district. Gotta be the counterfeit T, since I won't give a dime to an NFL owner above or beyond whatever dime they get from my generic viewing.

    Parent
    Amen! (none / 0) (#35)
    by mogal on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:22:34 PM EST


    Parent
    Okay, okay- good! (none / 0) (#31)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:05:59 PM EST
    Niners won, they're going to the Superbowl!
    Next up, Ravens-Patriots.  Good luck, Ravens!

    Can you say (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:10:16 PM EST
    Harbaugh v. Harbaugh.?

    Parent
    Harbowl? (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Angel on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:23:01 PM EST


    Parent
    Just imagine the tension in the home (none / 0) (#38)
    by caseyOR on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:32:50 PM EST
    of the Harbaugh parents today. One son down (victory) and one sone to go.

    I heard the senior Harbaughs are at home in Wisconsin watching the games in their living room. They are alone, just the two of them as they did not want anyone around today.

    Parent

    Yup! Ravens all the way! (none / 0) (#34)
    by nycstray on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:10:47 PM EST
    I wanna see Brady pout :)

    Parent
    You are about to get your wish. (none / 0) (#50)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 08:43:13 PM EST
    28 - 13 Ravens with two minutes to go. No way NE can score 16 points in the next two minutes. Looking at the NE bench, they know it's over. It's Harbaugh v. Harbaugh in New Orleans. Woo Hoo Ravens!


    Parent
    Game!!!!! :D (none / 0) (#51)
    by nycstray on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 08:46:25 PM EST


    Parent
    You got your wish. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:19:32 PM EST
    And for my money, nobody in the NFL pouts better than Tom Brady.

    Parent
    Tom Brady may have Uggs...but we have (none / 0) (#65)
    by Anne on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 10:27:34 PM EST
    SUGGS!

    Way to go Ravens!  Great game, even sweeter because it wasn't even close, we did it in their house and almost no one in the sports-punditry world gave us a chance.

    And the same pundits who declared that Matt Ryan's first playoff win in three attempts - last week - is enough to elevate him to "elite" status, are all but choking on having to give Joe Flacco, who now has 8 post-season wins, 6 of them on the road, and is now going to the Super Bowl, the respect he's earned.

    Oh, I get that he's been inconsistent in the regular season, but I am more convinced than ever that firing Cam Cameron and putting Jim Caldwell in charge of the offense, has been a difference-maker.

    Parent

    well (none / 0) (#68)
    by womanwarrior on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 10:43:04 PM EST
    Coach B refused to talk to the press after the game.  Good pout?

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    Heard some bad news today (none / 0) (#40)
    by brodie on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:36:06 PM EST
    on the local radio by a native Aussie host who says the Liberal Party down there (where Liberal = Conservative on economic issues) have gone Tea Partyesque in their attitudes towards climate change and science generally.  

    This despite a recent massive heat wave with temps in the 115-120F range in large parts of the country and many fires.

    Not quite sure why the recent deadly heat wave wouldn't have woken people up down there, or why the climate change denial party apparently isn't being laughed out of existence.  Weak opposition by the reality based community, or just the power of the fossil fuel industry.

    Federal elections are this year.

    It would seem that the (none / 0) (#44)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 07:24:45 PM EST
    Australians would be more sensible in climate change, having learned the hard way of the inter-relationship between ozone depletion, un-blocked ultraviolet radiation  and skin cancers.  Australia is among the highest in skin cancer rates in the world owing to the latitude, fair-skinned people, and high amount of ambient ultraviolet radiation.  However, the country has put science to service in attempting to stem ozone depletion by legislatively  banning substances that upset the chemical reactions taking place in the stratosphere.

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    It has been said (none / 0) (#48)
    by fishcamp on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 08:22:21 PM EST
    that Colorado has the highest rate of skin cancers in the USA due to the altitude.  I lived in Aspen for 49 years and have no skin problems but many of the fishermen down here do have bubbly faces.

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    make that 40 years. (none / 0) (#49)
    by fishcamp on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 08:23:07 PM EST


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    They are quite aware and quite sensible (none / 0) (#64)
    by Towanda on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 10:10:04 PM EST
    about having no ozone layer, believe me.  We have Aussies in the family, and they have the palest skin -- makes me wish that I had been smarter about it -- and always cover up, even in this country now.  And when we visit there, everyone we know covers up, uses sunscreen, etc.

    They also tell us that their wingers are nowhere near as numerous as reported.  They are well aware of the destruction by the wingers here and want no part of it.  One thing that will help there:  Everyone has to vote.  Period.

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    I hope your take on (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by brodie on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 10:17:28 AM EST
    the political situation Down Under is the more accurate one.  I wouldn't know -- just dipped a few minutes in googling the Liberal Aussie Party, and did see some indication the radio host wasn't exaggerating in the area of climate change denial by the Libs, or enough of them to matter.

    I think on ozone depletion, the crazies there might be engaging in quiet acceptance of that reality, while still fighting the issue of human-caused climate change.

    But as for the requirement to vote, we'll see.  Sometimes in this country we overestimate the virtues of the non-voting population who, probably, are just as ill-informed about issues or swayed by bad propaganda, maybe more so, than the voters.

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    Armando reappears--at DK. (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 05:40:57 PM EST


    You can find BTD's new comment (none / 0) (#61)
    by Peter G on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 09:23:14 PM EST
    on the debt ceiling here.

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    By the way, Jeralyn (none / 0) (#45)
    by Zorba on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 07:39:48 PM EST
    what day of the week is "Suinday"?    ;-)

    The Irish version? (5.00 / 3) (#47)
    by shoephone on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 08:11:13 PM EST


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    Court house is closed (none / 0) (#46)
    by Yman on Sun Jan 20, 2013 at 08:07:17 PM EST
    You can't file anything on Sunday.  :)

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    Only if you file in person (none / 0) (#78)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 04:06:18 AM EST
    Not many things are filed that way anymore....

    Everything seems to be filed electronically anytime you want.

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    T'was a joke - "Suin Day" (none / 0) (#79)
    by Yman on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 06:58:47 AM EST
    Although many local/county jurisdictions (including mine) still have hard/paper filings in person or by mail, and there's no one there on "Suindays" to process them.

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    MEGA: if any of y'all will be using this for legal (none / 0) (#85)
    by Mr Natural on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 10:57:31 AM EST
    purposes, raise your hands.

    (crickets...)

    I won't be using it all (none / 0) (#86)
    by sj on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 11:14:30 AM EST
    I may be in IT, but I have never felt comfortable putting my personal stuff on cloud services.  It's mine and I want to keep it mine.  If I want to share something, I'll do it intentionally.  

    Having said that, if I were comfortable using the cloud, my stuff would be legal.  Mostly.  I think.  :)

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    I registered... (none / 0) (#90)
    by unitron on Mon Jan 21, 2013 at 09:39:00 PM EST
    ...so that no one else could get in under my screen name, but I don't know that I'm ever likely to use it.

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    Out of curiousity.... (none / 0) (#92)
    by EL seattle on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 01:42:47 AM EST
    There's something that I'm not clear on, and since you've actually registered, you might know.

    As I understand it, the Mega system is based on a bit of Mega software which you install on your system that encrypts the file before it is sent to the Mega site. Does someone need that same software to open the encrypted file? That is, if you send your Mega link to a family member or co-worker, do they have to be registered with Mega to open the file? (Or maybe the encrypted file self-executable with the password.)

    I can see Dotcom's strategy in trying to avoid responsibility for any and all of the uploaded content (no one at Mega can see anything, legal or not). But if they're requiring a specific tool - their tool - in order to process and open the files, I'd think that this might open them up for even more responsibility if the site is viewed as a method to intentionally obscure and distribute illegal content.  

    YouTube scans material as it's being processed, and their system is designed to catch things like nudity or copyrighted content. (At least that's how I uderstand it.) If Mega wants to avoid legal hassles, just saying "I saw nothing!" might not be enough to shield them from trouble.

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    I see no screening of copyrighted material (none / 0) (#97)
    by DFLer on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 09:31:01 AM EST
    by YouTube as uploads are "processed" I think they leave it up to owners to scan the site and request removals. Big companies like Viacom do it.

    YouTube is just another web entity that profits from original content without ever paying for the creation of original content.

    Aaarrghh.

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    I'm pretty sure that they do, In some way. (none / 0) (#99)
    by EL seattle on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 09:19:55 PM EST
    From what I understand, YouTube sometimes notifies folks as soon at a file's been uploaded if the music matches material that's in the YouTube copyright music database. YouTube doesn't punish the user for this, but a sort of alert is given. I think that the 'scanning' happens as the file is loaded into YouTube's converter software. This would mean that there's definitely audio scanning happening before the file reaches the viewing public.

    Some sort of (basic) scanning would also be needed to determine if the video would "benefit from image stabilization", which YouTube often offers as soon as the video has finished uploading.

    As Google says here:
    The next time you upload your videos to YouTube, try stabilizing them by going to the YouTube editor or directly from the video manager by clicking on Edit->Enhancements. For even more convenience, YouTube will automatically detect if your video needs stabilization and offer to do it for you. Many videos on YouTube have already been enhanced using this technology.

    If they can "automatically detect" shaky video and some copyrighted music, I bet that YouTube might be automatically detecting other things as well, so that a video can be reviewed by the floor manager before it goes out to the public. This would be a smart thing for YouTube to do, now that they offer an "Unlisted" viewing option that can bypass the public review stage.

    Or maybe they have really good psychics.

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    I think their screening mechanism for (none / 0) (#100)
    by DFLer on Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 08:11:41 AM EST
    shaky video is better than their filter for copyrights.

    How many performances of songs can you access on the tubes? Thousands.

    Are the performers getting paid? Are the songwriters getting paid?

    NO

    YouTube is making money on original content without ever having to pay for the production of original content.

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    SITE VIOLATOR -angelina456 (none / 0) (#95)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 08:38:49 AM EST
    Very prolific throughout many old threads

    Unrelated (none / 0) (#96)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 09:05:45 AM EST
    What is like in DC for the inauguration, from a local's perspective ?

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    Insane (5.00 / 3) (#98)
    by jbindc on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 09:46:55 AM EST
    I live in Arlington, VA - 4 miles from the WH.

    I stayed home - watched a lot of coverage on CNN. The only way I would go to the inaugural events would be if I booked a hotel room in advance right in the middle of downtown. (We thought about trying to rent out our condo for a few days - we could have made $1000-$2000 for a the weekend).

    For the last couple of weeks or so, you could see changes around the area - porta-johns going up on street corners, bleachers lining Pennsylvania Avenue on 15th Street, more fencing going up around areas of the mall, greater security presence everywhere, including the Metro and along the street. All necessary evils when expecting 800K+ people.

    [Last weekend, I picked my boyfriend up for work, and then got a flat tire.  We pulled over on Constitution Avenue at 15th Street - the "corner" of the WH property, although the WH is about a half mile away across the Ellipse.  We pulled over in a curb "cut out" and he got out to change the tire while traffic was whizzing by. I told him we should be expecting a visit from Secret Service, because I was sure we were showing up on some camera, and lo and behold, 5 minutes later, a uniformed bicycle Secret Service cop pulls up to see what was going on.  He was friendly, and held a flashlight for the BF to see, but soon another uniformed Secret Service cop pulled up in a car.

    We were on our way out of town, so we had luggage in the back seat, and both cops were trying to be subtle about it, but they shined their flashlights in the car and asked "innocuous" questions like "You guys moving or something?"

    We got the tire fixed and were on our way in about 15 minutes, but it's an example of how tight things have been around here].

    Streets started to close earlier in the weekend, so it was more difficult to navigate around downtown.

    I'm glad it's over - things can back to normal around here now. DC does a really good job of handling these kinds of events - there wasn't too much of a mess from what little I saw at 6:30 this morning in the areas I was driving through, but all the mess will be cleaned up within the week.  

    It's an honor to live here, and to watch things like the parade and know that I occasionally eat lunch in Lafayette Park, right across from the reviewing stand, or that I used to work one block from there, but it's also a hassle at times like this. (Actually, inauguration is something you can plan for - the really annoying things happen for example, when you leave work on a cold, dark, rainy night, and get stuck in traffic for 30-45 minutes because of a motorcade, which backs up traffic across the city because of the ripple effect).

    The benefit comes at times like August, when Congress is in recess for about a month.  Everyone is out of town, so navigating through town (except where tourists are walking in large groups) is a breeze!

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    Suinday Open Thread | 98 comments (98 topical)

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