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Thursday Night Open Thread:

I potted my very first plants today. This one is sweet basil. I also got mint, cilantro and italian flat parsley. [More...]

I'll never have a green thumb, and it made a mess of my terrace, but I'm really happy with it.

I think Home Depot may become my new best friend.

What are you planting this year?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Congratulations (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 15, 2014 at 08:55:12 PM EST
    I always wanted a spice garden.  And I can't tell you what I am growing :)
    It weird, at a certain point in life Home Depot becomes the coolest place in the world. There was a time in my life that window shopping at Home Depot would have sounded as fun as tax audit.  No more I find it hard to drive by.  I think it's one of those milestones in life like when you start spending more on prescription drippings than recreational ones.

    Wow (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 15, 2014 at 09:02:58 PM EST
    Drippings?
    No prescription DRUGS

    No idea how that even happened

    Wait
    Isn't it showing in CO?

    Parent

    Um SNOWING in CO (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 15, 2014 at 09:03:55 PM EST
    I give up

    Parent
    the snow was Sunday and Monday (none / 0) (#12)
    by Jeralyn on Thu May 15, 2014 at 10:11:04 PM EST
    it may still be snowing in the mountains, I haven't checked, but here it was 65 today.

    I don't remember it ever snowing in Denver after May 15, usually May 8 or 10 is the final one. Of course, that could change.

    Parent

    Is Denver experiencing (none / 0) (#15)
    by ZtoA on Thu May 15, 2014 at 10:23:22 PM EST
    any draught? Or en especially different season? California is in serious draught, and actually here in the NW we are in draught too even tho we had an apparently typical rainy winter - just more mist than rain and warmer so there was not as much snow in the mountains.

    Congrats on your deck. I hope to ignore mine until my sister snubs her nose at visiting me. Apparently the kids have left cigarette butts in a flower pot over the winter when visiting and I have to go out and clip the wisteria and sift thru the flower pots. I keep putting it off. But every year, when I do that "deck" planting weekend I feel absolutely great afterwards.

    Parent

    My cousins East of the front range are in drought (none / 0) (#26)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:54:21 AM EST
    And this giant El Niño will likely make it worse.

    Parent
    Over 4 inches of rain here in Michigan (none / 0) (#68)
    by Mr Natural on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:01:21 AM EST
    during the past week.

    I've planted a bunch of cold weather crops, peas, lettuce, brassica(s), potatoes, onions, etc.

    We tagged 80 degrees a few times, but last night dipped back into the 30s.  I'd love to give the tomato plants a head start, but the soil is still too cold; they'll just sit there shivering if I dig them in.

    Parent

    there is a frost warning here tonight (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 15, 2014 at 10:34:46 PM EST
    Just as everyone gets their garden out - and it supposed to be in he high 80s on Saturday.

    Parent
    It is cool out this morning (none / 0) (#28)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:58:58 AM EST
    Cooler mornings here than 10 yrs ago, not that I'm complaining.  It isn't raining here during the summer like it used to though.  3 fields either planted in peanuts or cotton every year close to my house are fallow this year.  

    The peanut farmers who don't have access to irrigation are struggling now because the peanuts need a steady fall of rain.  Dry periods will mess your crop up I guess.

    Parent

    Quite a snow squall (none / 0) (#31)
    by christinep on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:41:43 AM EST
    Thursday mid-afternoon as we drove over Vail Pass on the way to Glenwood.  Walking with my dog early this a.m. in Glenwood has been ...refreshing, sunny, and on its way to warm.  The pool should be delightful.

    Parent
    That Glenwood Springs hot pool (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by fishcamp on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:57:09 AM EST
    is the best.  Back in my ski racing daze after crashing in some down hill race in Vail, Arapahoe, or Steamboat soaking in that pool was a lifesaver.  During snowstorms you would be hot in the pool with snow piling up on your head.  Seems kinda dumb now but it was big fun then.

    Parent
    No, drippings is perfect (none / 0) (#11)
    by ZtoA on Thu May 15, 2014 at 09:47:44 PM EST
    When I lived in California the house was surrounded by bamboo. It was horribly invasive the roots ran under the house and into the foundation and sewer systems. Mint in a pot is the perfect place for it. And...yum, mint on the deck!

    Parent
    Do the prescription "drippings" make (5.00 / 4) (#4)
    by vml68 on Thu May 15, 2014 at 08:58:39 PM EST
    good gravy? If so, then it is worth the extra money :-)

    Ha... (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by desertswine on Thu May 15, 2014 at 10:22:56 PM EST
    Are you not entertained? ;) (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:47:21 AM EST
    Were I an Idahoan, I think I'd vote Harley Brown.  Some repugnant stances, to be sure, but he's right on a few things, and he sounds like a total pisser!  

    I mean when good governance is out of the question, why not vote strictly on entertainment?  You can look at your taxes like the cable bill for access to Comedy Central, and not feel like such a sucker.

    Parent

    That you would even joke (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:05:19 AM EST
    About voting for a guy who says he has it in writing that god told home would be president and this is just a warmup is frightening.   At least I hope to god you are joking.

    Parent
    Our democracy is the joke... (none / 0) (#51)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:38:45 AM EST
    I'm just playing along brother...I don't trust people who wear suits, not too fond of old curmudgeons...it's Harley by default on the GOP side.

    All 4 want to be Governor, which means all 4 are PP's (psychopathic personalities), at least Harley has a sense of humor.  Did you see the joke page on his campaign website?

    Diapers are like bosses
    Always on your a$$ and usually full of shit

    How can you tell if an Irishman is queer?
    He prefers Women to Whiskey

    If it has T*ts or Tires you will have Trouble with it

    Idaho is f*cked either way, is it not?

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:05:31 AM EST
    He's a laugh a minute

    Burn up all of the gas - That's the American way - God Bless America

    Register Communists, not firearms. That means domestic enemies of the United States Constitution such as Bloomberg, Schumer and Pelosi

    Gun control means hitting your target. (Editors Note: I recommend "Gun control is accomplished by a firm grip with both hands")

    Trident - when you care enough to send the very best

    Work harder!
    Millions on welfare depend on you

    How can you tell when an Arab reaches the age of maturity?
    He takes the diaper off his ass and plops it right on his head.

    Riding a Jap bike is like f_cking a f@ggot
    I guess it feels OK until somebody sees you doing it & you sure as hell don't tell your buddies about it the next day

    God, how I wish we had picked our own cotton

    Those are just highlites


    Parent

    Just like a mainstream "serious" pol... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:13:31 AM EST
    with the curtain pulled back...ya gotta at least admire the refreshing honesty.

    Parent
    No (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:14:13 AM EST
    No you dont

    Parent
    So you'd rather... (none / 0) (#63)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:20:29 AM EST
    he be like the two candidates in suits, and save the jokes for private fundraisers and wear the mask/stick to the pr dept. reviewed script at the debates?  I disagree.

    Parent
    I agree I wish he would win the primary (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:37:40 AM EST
    A dem would win even in Idaho.  And if they didn't he would be the new face of the honest GOP

    Parent
    Although (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:52:39 AM EST
    I would really personally prefer Uncle Jesse

    Parent
    Agreed. (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:07:57 AM EST
    I remember back in Bologna in '22, I admired  Il Duce for his honesty--always told it as it was.  Never wore a suit either.  So, I see a lot of promise in these Idaho guys, too.   No dark suit but only a white sheet away from a Grand Dragon, and will likely reduce government--can hold a parade down Main Street alone, claim to have had a million neuron march--and be at least half-right.

    Parent
    At least you know what fascists are about... (none / 0) (#86)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:00:28 PM EST
    no suprises...unlike say the workers party in the USA, who'll say anything to get elected and then make it up to the banksters and Wall St. with wet sloppy blowj*bs for their entire term.  What admirable qualities do those candidates have besides good empty rhetoric?

    Parent
    Not all politicians (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:45:38 PM EST
    are fascists, but most seem to be Marxist (see Marx, Groucho, who said that the secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.  If you can fake that you've got it made.)

    Marxism aside,  the Idaho guy for whom "ya gotta at least admire the refreshing honesty," is a recommendation  upon which I will pass.  It is not his honesty that is the problem as much as it is his take on truth.  And, being entertaining is not necessarily a virtue for as I said in Berlin in '33, the cartoonish character with the little mustache may be honest in what he says, but he is dangerous.

    Parent

    Ya know what... (5.00 / 2) (#95)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:01:42 PM EST
    the really sad part is Dan?  If by some miracle he did win the GOP nom and the general, I don't think Idaho would notice the difference, policy-wise.

    Aside being unpolished and crass, he could pass for Rick Perry or Mary Fallin or any number of GOP governors.

    Parent

    The problem is that there's nothing (5.00 / 4) (#73)
    by Anne on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:10:38 AM EST
    remotely "refreshing" or funny about this man's "honesty." Nor is it admirable, nor does it represent the kinds of attitudes and beliefs we want to encourage.

    More to the point, elections are not supposed to be a version of Last Comic Standing; it is bad enough that the not-as-bad-as-the-other-guy metric has reduced the quality of the candidates we end up electing, but to say with your vote that you approve of the garbage this character is espousing is not going to help change that.

    No question there are many reasons to be dissatisfied with what you call "serious" pols, but as amusing as you think this clown is, I'm pretty sure that he regards his beliefs as being as serious as a heart attack and would work like a dog to fashion actual policy out of them.

    To a certain extent, I'm okay with a live-and-let-live attitude, but you seem to be under the impression that clowns like this feel the same way.  They don't.  These are attitudes and beliefs he wants to force others to live with - that's why he's running.

    Parent

    Honesty from a politician... (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:52:46 AM EST
    is refreshing in any form Anne...it's about all that can be admired of the tea-party movement, their politicians say what they mean so the voter has no buyer's remorse excuses...and when elected, they try to deliver on the crazy that got them elected.  I wish we had a tea-party left that delivered like that!  

    Of course the guy is a lunatic...but so are the other 3 guys on that stage, some just hide it better than others behind handlers, suits and ties, and scripted non-answers to questions.

    I just found Harley to be the most palatable lunatic on that stage, whio would you all prefer?  The two "serious" GOP'ers or the curmudgeonly brownshirt?

    Parent

    Sure... (5.00 / 3) (#122)
    by ScottW714 on Fri May 16, 2014 at 04:20:14 PM EST
    ...if being sexist, racist, and a bunch of other 'politically incorrect' things is refreshing.

    What makes you so sure he's being honest, for all we know that is him keeping a wrap on how he really feels.  The insignia on his cap looks damn close to the same insignia the Nazi's in black leather used to wear on their caps, and for all you know he wants to ethnically and politically cleanse America, one oven at a time.

    Ditto for the other candidates, you just assume they are all equally evil/despicable and that the one being the most unsavory is the best because someone being openly misogynistic and racist some how equals being honest.  

    WTF?  

    My experience in Texas has been anything but, people who say unsavory stuff in public are generally hiding some very dark and disturbing views.  That 'honesty' is generally because they are so far off the humanity scale, they actually believe that that kind of language is nothing more than political incorrectness, which of course is code for talk the average person finds highly offensive because it denigrates and entire class of people for no other reason than their amusement.  

    It's bullying to highest degree because it permeates through all aspects of society.

    Parent

    Welcome back. (none / 0) (#123)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 16, 2014 at 04:29:36 PM EST
    Dan- (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 08:14:35 AM EST
    The mention of slavery reminds me of TURN.  Since you and I seem to be the local audience for the show I wanted to ask you if you are also learning things about the state of slavery both here and in England in this period.  I don't think I knew that it played a role in the revolutionary war.  I don't think I knew that England had gotten rid of slavery before the colonies gained independence.  Maybe I should have but history has never really been my strong point.
    Anyway, I love the show and I love how it makes you have mixed feelings about the colonists.  Sure the Brits were the "bad" guys but the colonists were not entirely the "good" guys.  Good lessons in never seeing anything in black and white.

    Parent
    My historical knowledge of (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by KeysDan on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:21:06 AM EST
    the American Revolutionary War is primitive, sort of the middle-school plus variety.  The Revolutionary War is well-studied, but certainly not in the league of say, the Civil War, where Army and other recordings and communications were more advanced and  voluminous.

    My understanding is that the  British Empire abolished slavery in 1833, but, continued to engage in slave trading.  The Caribbean was a major source.  The free and the enslaved served in American colony militias especially in the north, but in the south, too.  And, to meet the needs of the Continental army, free and enslaved fought on the patriot side--for various reasons, adventure, freedom, bounty.  At this point, and on this point, my knowledge  pretty much runs out.  

    TURN, for this and other reasons, is informative, and entertaining--sometimes a little hard to follow, but worth the effort.   Look forward to Sunday's episode, it is getting better each time.

    Parent

    Yes, welcome back! (none / 0) (#126)
    by kdog on Fri May 16, 2014 at 04:49:36 PM EST
    Actually, I thought he was the best clown simply because I found him the most amusing...and forthcoming.  Ya can't deny he's a character...namely Archie 'Biker' Bunker.  

    Fair enough, I could absolutely be way off and he's a sly as a fox Nazi.  And GOP Suit #2 could be a Manchurian Candidate Marxist.  Ya never really know...you go with your gut.  

    Most of his jokes suck, but I liked the irish queer one.  And his anti-prohibition position kinda tipped the scales for me in our Idaho GOP Primary poll.  I'll admit I haven't followed the race closely.  

       

    Parent

    Actually he was tool (none / 0) (#127)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 04:58:04 PM EST
    Literally
    The incumbent Butch Otter (what a great name) insisted the clowns be included so he would not have to talk about anything serious with his one real challenger -

    Dan Popkey, one of the debate's moderators, wrote in the Idaho Statesman that the governor insisted, as a condition of his participation, that colorful (and unserious) candidates Harley Brown and Walt Bayes be invited. And in a Slate podcast, moderator Melissa Davlin said that Brown and Bayes wouldn't have participated without the governor's insistence.

    Parent

    If you think about it... (none / 0) (#156)
    by unitron on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:35:59 AM EST
    ...the line about cotton makes a certain sense, even if he didn't mean it that way.

    On the whole, I think not introducing slavery into the new world would have been a good thing.

    Of course horrible things would likely still have been done to Africans over there in Africa, but perhaps we'd at least have been able to blame Europe for it.

    Parent

    Somehow (none / 0) (#161)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 08:04:21 AM EST
    I doubt his concern was for the fate of the slaves.

    Parent
    I think I may have said what I planted this year (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by nycstray on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:08:01 AM EST
    somewhere here :) Alas, early planting equals some early losses. Snails GRRR! Early heatwave is now causing some of my young celery to bolt, lost some other youngin's to other unusually warm days and I wasn't prepared. But what the heck! I still have plenty of seeds, seedlings and time to fill in. The other stuff is doing great so far! And in a couple weeks we are putting in the raised beds at the community garden, so I'll have another bed or two to fill, lol!~

    I did plant some new varieties of tomatoes, winter squash, cukes and zukes this year. The new zuke I've planted sounds like it will be good for making 'noodles', which I'm excited about and hope to freeze a bunch.

    Oh you got some friendly snails too? (none / 0) (#48)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:29:41 AM EST
    Yup....grrrrrrrrrr


    Parent
    In my aquarium I get a special (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:33:56 AM EST
    Fish to eat them.  Maybe you could get a Frenchman.

    Parent
    Snails are sneaky (none / 0) (#50)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:37:16 AM EST
    And they gnar on the Morning Glory too.  I wonder if it gives them visions?

    My daughter has a dog that can't wait to lick toads, he'll lick a good toad to death if you don't catch him.

    Parent

    My dogs play (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:49:25 AM EST
    "Keep-a-away" with turtles.  I would rather not think about what they do with toads.

    Parent
    My cats bring home Iguanas (5.00 / 1) (#160)
    by fishcamp on Sat May 17, 2014 at 06:44:08 AM EST
    that are not quite dead and release them in the house.  It turns into a jungle circus act.  We also have the tiny endangered Key Largo wood rats that would probably put my cats on the no fly list.

    Parent
    Yes, I get gifts too. (none / 0) (#184)
    by KeysDan on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:27:10 AM EST
    Eve, my kitty, brings in a silver palm rat from time to time.  Just a cat being a cat, but a little disgusting.

    Parent
    Today I sneezed in the supermarket (5.00 / 2) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:44:49 PM EST
    And this cute little old lady who looked like she might have just walked out off a quilting bee said -

    HODOR!

    and then gave me a big denture grin.

    Hahahaha (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by ruffian on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:59:43 PM EST
    That would make my day.

    I am so looking forward to the trial by combat - it better be this week! I have watched last week's trial about 5 times. It is as close as I have ever come to memorizing a TV speech..."Watching your vicious bastard die gave me more relief than 1000 lying whores."  Oh me too Tyrion, me too!

    Parent

    It totally did (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:02:15 PM EST
    Yes, Everything you said.

    Parent
    STAY! (5.00 / 2) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:03:46 PM EST
    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Arkansas' highest court has suspended a judge's ruling striking down the state's same-sex marriage ban, halting the distribution of licenses that have been issued to hundreds of gay couples.

    The state Supreme Court on Friday granted a request to suspend Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's decision voiding a 2004 constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Piazza last week struck down the ban, but expanded that ruling on Thursday to include all state laws preventing gay couples from marrying.


    Just the fact that a state like Arkansas - (5.00 / 4) (#151)
    by ruffian on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:48:23 PM EST
    not hugely populated, nor particularly progressive - has hundreds of gay couples that want to get married should tell all we need to know about the justness of this cause. These are everyday people that just want an everyday life like their sisters and brothers have.

    (And me and Sly Stone love everyday people Some Friday night video for ya)

    Parent

    We here appreciate the support (none / 0) (#152)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:57:30 PM EST
    It's on the courts now and I have never heard a rational legal argument for the ban.  We'll see.

    Back to GOT -
    The blurb says that "Tyrion finds and unexpected ally".  I wonder if, since the three judge tribunal is now moot, it might be Oberyn?

    That would be quite a champion.

    Parent

    You think a Prince of Dorn (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 08:56:59 AM EST
    Is going to fight for Tyrion?

    Parent
    Torment (none / 0) (#165)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 08:49:57 AM EST
    Just when we can all have reason to start liking Jamie for more reasons than lust.

    When Tyrion was at The Vale and demanded trial by combat he mentioned that if Jamie had been available that would be his choice.

    Bronn has secretly been training Jamie.  Will Tyrion choose Jamie thinking his family will use pressures to keep Jamie safe?  Will he choose Bronn and then Bronn say no and Jamie then have to fight, and probably lose?  Dose Tyrion believe as little brother that his big brother has magical physical gifts?

    Jamie never told Tyrion about his own agreed sacrifice either, that he was leaving King's Landing, leaving his true love, and agreeing to have a " normal" Lannister heir life.


    Parent

    I think Cersei will choose her new fiance (5.00 / 1) (#188)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:53:18 AM EST
    Loras Tyrell, since she does not want to marry him anyway. Fitting too, since the Tyrell's really killed her son anyway. Whoever Tyrion chooses can get rid of him for her. That would be the kind of irony I expect from this show.

    It seems from all the foreshadowing that Jaime is going to meet a tragic end somehow, but I son't think it will be in this trial by combat.

    Parent

    I just read that (5.00 / 1) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:57:12 AM EST
    Cerci had already said, at some point in the show apparently that the Mountain is her standard champion.  So we should expect him.  I guess he did show up in the trailer for this week.

    Parent
    I was wondering about that too (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:00:00 AM EST
    but I thought maybe showing him in the trailer was a fake-out. Maybe Tryrion will choose Loras then. There has been all this talk about how Loras is the 2nd best knight in the land after Jaime, but we have only seen him in one fight.

    Parent
    Which suggests (5.00 / 1) (#195)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:05:34 AM EST
    Whatever the resolution is we won't see it tomorrow.  This weeks title.  Mockingbird is a reference to Littlefingers Sidul.

    We may see some Lysa Sansa action.

    Parent

    In fact we won't even see it next week because (none / 0) (#196)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:10:54 AM EST
    I guess there is a one week break.  

    Memorial Day?

    Parent

    Well that would be almost (none / 0) (#197)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:13:33 AM EST
    as entertaining. Anything that is not at The Wall suits me fine.

    I think HBO movie of 'The Normal Heart' premieres on HBO next Sunday night. That will be good too, but not exactly escapism.

    Parent

    No it won't (none / 0) (#199)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:14:57 AM EST
    I will need to stick up on vodka to watch it I think.
    But I will be there

    Parent
    We'll the next episode after this week (none / 0) (#192)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:01:44 AM EST
    Is titled The Mountain and the Viper.

    Guess who the viper is.

    Parent

    Hmmmmm..the Viper...Bronn? (none / 0) (#193)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:03:56 AM EST
    ah, Oberyn! (none / 0) (#194)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:05:11 AM EST
    Just one more n I'm done (5.00 / 1) (#198)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 11:13:49 AM EST
    Didn't the Mountain do bad things to Oberyns family?  Maybe that is why he takes the job.

    Parent
    YES, I forgot about that. (5.00 / 1) (#200)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:00:09 PM EST
    When Oberyn came to town, remember he told Tywin he wanted to 'talk' to The Mountain. I think it was The Mountain that killed his sister, or had something to do with it.

    Parent
    So there it is (5.00 / 2) (#202)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:04:15 PM EST
    Cerci names the Mountain and Oberyn jumps in for his own reasons.  Now we just have to figure out who wins.

    :)

    Parent

    Or maybe he told Tyrion,,, (none / 0) (#201)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:03:07 PM EST
    there was one pint in Tyrion's speech during the trial he did seem to be looking at Oberyn in particular, and I was wondering why. Back to the tapes....

    Parent
    I think it was in the early conversation with (none / 0) (#203)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:05:17 PM EST
    Tyrion

    Parent
    Oops Jaime (none / 0) (#167)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 08:58:44 AM EST
    They have left the book behind in this part of the story.

    Parent
    In the book Jaime (none / 0) (#169)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:01:19 AM EST
    Doesn't arrive home until after Joffrey is killed, so I don't know where they are going.

    Parent
    This is my point (none / 0) (#168)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:01:09 AM EST
    I don't think it can be Jamie.  In fact I could see Jamie representing the state except for his injuries he is the head of the kings guard, more likely the guy who testified about Tyrion slapping Joffery (I forget his name) but I think Tyrions champion may end up being Prince Oberyn.  Remember the conversation they had when the prince had just arrived?  Like I said the blurb on DISH says "Tyrion gains an unlikely ally"
    Oberyn hates the Lannisters.  A fight to the death between Jamie and Oberyn could be interesting.


    Parent
    Could be (none / 0) (#170)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:03:05 AM EST
    They have the book on this one though.

    Parent
    Left the book...sheesh (none / 0) (#171)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:04:08 AM EST
    Typing way too fast

    Parent
    This could end up being the end of Jamie instead (5.00 / 1) (#172)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:07:15 AM EST
    Of the end of Tyrion.  Putting the old man in an uncomfortable position.

    Parent
    And Arya can do what Jaime's (5.00 / 1) (#180)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:38:49 AM EST
    Character is supposed to do in the story, she'd gladly do it.  And it wouldn't require much extra writing.  They are free to kill Jaime tomorrow if they want :)

    Parent
    Been trying to think (none / 0) (#174)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:09:23 AM EST
    Who else the unlikely ally could.  Unless it is Jofferys ex-wife or someone else who knows how didn't do it.

    Parent
    Tyrion knows crap about his (none / 0) (#175)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:09:33 AM EST
    Sister though, like sleeping with Lancel when Jaime was captured.  If Jamie were to know this would he represent the state?

    Parent
    Maybe his final act of (none / 0) (#176)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:12:26 AM EST
    Pennance will be to sacrifice himself for his brother.

    Parent
    How awful (none / 0) (#177)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:13:43 AM EST
    I do have a bad feeling though.

    Parent
    Been scouring the net (none / 0) (#178)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:15:29 AM EST
    No clues

    Parent
    I think we are in for a ride tomorrow (none / 0) (#179)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:35:17 AM EST
    It is tomorrow isn't it.  I haven't checked to see if they were going to break on us.

    Parent
    Tomorrow (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:47:34 AM EST
    Been thinking about it.
    It screws the old man
    Cerci would go insane
    Jamie would be redeemed
    Tyrion would finally get the ancestral home he deserves.
    Oberyn would love 1 2 and probably 3


    Parent
    And if I'm completely wrong (none / 0) (#182)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:49:49 AM EST
    So much the better

    Parent
    I would love to speculate but are (none / 0) (#185)
    by ruffian on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:48:09 AM EST
    you guys entering spoilers from the book? I don't want to know!

    Parent
    We were not (none / 0) (#187)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:51:22 AM EST
    We were only speculating.

    Parent
    I would put that mint in a separate pot. (none / 0) (#1)
    by vml68 on Thu May 15, 2014 at 08:52:11 PM EST
    It will crowd out the cilantro and parsley.
    Try some Thai Basil and some Rosemary. Both are very hard to kill!

    One the things (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 15, 2014 at 08:56:56 PM EST
    I loved bout Southern California was that Rosemary was a common shrub.  I think almost every house I lived on there had rosemary bushes.  Several had peppercorn trees.

    Parent
    Btw, was walking past Madison Square (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by vml68 on Thu May 15, 2014 at 09:10:53 PM EST
    Garden on Tue evening and it looked like there was a drag queen convention going on. For some reason you came to mind :-)
    Some of the "ladies" made me envious. I wished I looked that good. And, some made me blush and avert my eyes!
    Apparently, they were there for the Lady Gaga concert.

    Parent
    I LOVE you thought of me (5.00 / 6) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 15, 2014 at 09:15:03 PM EST
    Thanks for telling me
    :)

    Parent
    Kinky Boots. (none / 0) (#20)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:26:12 AM EST
    I can't resist... (none / 0) (#67)
    by Mr Natural on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:56:37 AM EST
    The Avengers, Honor Blackman and Patrick McNee, singing Kinky Boots.

    Parent
    It could only be better (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:07:45 AM EST
    With Diana Rigg.  IMO the quintessential Ms Peel.  In the late 60s I wanted to BE Ms Peel.

    Parent
    I was thinking of the terrific movie. (none / 0) (#69)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:04:03 AM EST
    Love the video.

    Parent
    If you'd go by my old house in Pasadena, ... (none / 0) (#110)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:43:31 PM EST
    ... the first thing you'd notice is the lavender my mother has planted along both sides of the property line out front. She loves that plant.

    Late spring was / is always my favorite time of year in southern California. The wildflowers are in full bloom, and so are all the jacaranda trees, which combine to envelop the entire region in a visual riot of color during May and June.

    Unless, of course, you're currently in northern San Diego County. My cousin and family in Carlsbad were put on notice to prepare to evacuate yesterday due to an approaching wildfire, although that warning has since been rescinded as the danger abated.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Very scary out there (none / 0) (#124)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 04:31:04 PM EST
    I also have cousins in the fire zone.  They have not had to run yet.

    Parent
    Goodbye Dr. Christina Yang (none / 0) (#9)
    by ruffian on Thu May 15, 2014 at 09:25:50 PM EST
    One of my favorite TV characters. I confess I got a little verklempt.

    On the serious side, how we got Geithnered. BTD and several of us here were saying this as early as 2009, but nice to see the WaPo catching up.

    This popped up on FB today (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 15, 2014 at 09:45:12 PM EST
    A longer than normal winter (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu May 15, 2014 at 10:14:18 PM EST
    and a later than usual spring has delayed me but..

    10 cabbage plants
    12 tomato plants
    5 green bell peppers
    4 sweet banana peppers
    5 hills of yellow squash
    5 hills of cucumbers
    3 hills of butternut squash
    2 rows of bush beans
    1 row of peas
    1 row of okra, which I must replant due to the effects of Global Cooling....
    1 row of beets for pickling
    6 late tomatoes TBP in 2 weeks
    2 rows fall beans TBP in August

    If I lived near you I would be happy to start up the Yard Machine tiller and break/till your soil.
    Raking and smoothing is yours to do.


    Always willing to churn things up... (none / 0) (#155)
    by unitron on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:29:45 AM EST
    ...and leave the results for someone else to cope with?

    I kid, I kid.

    Parent

    Squeaky and Zorba (none / 0) (#17)
    by ZtoA on Thu May 15, 2014 at 11:18:55 PM EST
    where do you get your recipes from?? I'd love to do a squeaky and Zorba inspired dinner here (altho your influence would not be known - I may claim it from distant and exotic sources). Also with my soon to be perfected Mondrian cake. Seriously how do you do meal planning and then recipe integration into a meal??? Any one else too??

    My Greek recipes (5.00 / 3) (#74)
    by Zorba on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:13:51 AM EST
    Mostly came from my parents, grandmother, and other relatives.  Plus other Greek cooks- we swap recipes and give each other ideas, since there are some recipes that vary by the region of Greece your people came from, and sometimes they even vary by families.


    Parent
    Difficult Question to Answer (5.00 / 2) (#83)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:53:13 AM EST
    I invent many dishes and then work on them over and over to perfect them..  and then for certain dishes that are more classical, or need references for temp, times etc I usually scour the internet and cookbooks.. then make them over and over again to get it the way I like it..  Often I combine recipes taking the best parts of several to hone it down to a result I like. For instance, my Pork Belly recipe is a combination of Dan Barber's (Blue Hill Farm) recipe for the cure and Derek Dammann's  cooking method. I vary the spices in Barber's cure, and tweak Dammann's recipe, I use homemade stock instead of water, and other details..  I take the skin off after cooking and press the pork belly with a brick overnight in the fridge to condense it..  

    I like Paula Wolfert for SW French cooking, and inadvertently got into molecular gastronomy through her. I have been working on cassoulet for several years and during some research at egullet, for making duck confit, I ran into a discussion with her and Nathan Myhrvold. They politely debated whether or not sous-vide was appropriate for duck confit.

    It turned out that I had been doing my own version of molecular gastronomy which I had thought of as art installations that get installed in the stomach..  So I got interested in the science aspect and non traditional cooking equipment.

    I once saw a performance by Carolee Schneemann about how to bake an apple pie..  hammers, saws, and other non traditional equipment were used..  thinking out of the box.. I loved that idea and related it to using lab equipment to cook..

    Egullet is a good site, Chowhound, The Serious Eats food lab, chocolate alchemy (making chocolate), medieval cooking, 13th century Andalusian cooking, Khymos (Molecular Gastronomy), Under Pressure (NYT, on sous-vide history), Yummy Lamb and potatoes, steak ala Ducasse, Ask Recipe Labs (all purpose recipe Q & A site), Keller's Lobster (Butter Poached), Culinary Institute blog, Toulouse Style Cassoulet (Paula Wolfert), Cooking with Dog (fun Japanese recipes youtube), Julia Child's Roast Goose, Smoke Points of different oils, Oils and Fats, cutting carrots, vegan recipes, Seattle Food Geek, Deep Fried Sous-Vide Porchetta (yummmmmm), Smitten Kitchen (food blog), Yummy Vegan Mayo, I use a Pacojet for my ice creams, lots of recipes here, David Leibowitz caramelized white chocolate ice cream (cut down the sugar and use Ivorie Valhrona) very very good, General Ice Cream blog Ice Cream Science, David Chang's chicharrón, Great resource for Sous Vide: Doug Baldwin's Practical Guide the pork ribs recipe is to die for....  lots more but I am out of time.. hahaha

    Parent

    Well, THAT'S going to keep me busy (none / 0) (#88)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:26:19 PM EST
    thanks for all the links! I do love to cook but now only do it for dinner parties and family. Day to day I usually just graze deli food. My kitchen is small but very workable. I have seating at a bar around the stove top and everyone seems to like to hang out there. I once had an 'egg-off' with friends. We each made eggs our favorite way and taste tested them. There were some pretty good ones and it was fun too.

    Parent
    If you want any Greek recipes, (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by Zorba on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:44:38 PM EST
    Email me (my email is available on my profile) and I will be happy to send you some.  I don't want to clog up the thread with a bunch of lengthy recipes.    

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#89)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:36:51 PM EST
    Lots of stuff... My kitchen is ridiculously small, and oven is a few steps above easybake...  hahaha..

    What egg dish did you make?

    Sous-vide is the perfect way to make soft boiled eggs.. the whites and yolks solidify at different temps which make it hard to get the perfect soft boiled egg traditionally..

    also this is a fun egg recipe.. omelets inside eggshell.

    Parent

    I simply made an omlette (none / 0) (#96)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:10:07 PM EST
    but mine are good. I never overcook eggs. I used very fresh eggs, would have used duck eggs but they were not in stock at that moment. I used lightly sautéed veggie,  a light sprinkling of a couple of cheeses, and a few avocado slices on top.  

    Loved those two links you gave on eggs. I'm going to have to try the perfect poached egg. It even goes into how to peel the egg - very helpful.

    Parent

    Do you do jidori chicken? Segue: brick. (none / 0) (#154)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:56:11 PM EST
    Not Yet (none / 0) (#158)
    by squeaky on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:49:08 AM EST
    But brick chicken sounds like a good idea,...  crispy skin..

    I have eaten jidori chicken, but only now realize it must have been cooked under a brick..

    Parent

    I'm sure everyone has a slightly (none / 0) (#90)
    by Anne on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:44:33 PM EST
    different approach to both cooking and menu planning.  It depends on who you're cooking for, if it's an "occasion" or "just" dinner, what's in season, how much advance time you need, how many people will be at the table, what their tastes are - are they adventurous eaters, or the kind that get upset because you didn't serve mashed potatoes with something that "everyone" knows has to be accompanied by mashed potatoes?

    I like to try new things, and generally, if using a recipe, will follow it closely the first time I make it, and will tweak it going forward.  

    The general outlines of menu planning - for me - are food that tastes good, and a meal that reflects a balance of color, texture, flavor.  A meal shouldn't be one rich dish after another, or your guests will be sick or in a coma at the end.  You can go for a particular flavor profile, but the flavors and seasonings of that profile should be be such that they don't all blast your palate to the point where you can't taste anything.  The individual dishes may be supremely delicious, on their own, but they still have to be viewed as a part, not the whole.

    Use the best ingredients you can afford, get them in as fresh a condition as you can, and cook them to the best of your ability.

    Don't be afraid.  I'm always trying new things, and I tell people which dishes are new and ask for their feedback.  I let them know it's okay to tell me, "please don't ever make this again!"

    Know who you're cooking for, and remember that creating a meal isn't about showcasing your own talents as much as it is about pleasing your guests; I don't need my guests to be dazzled by me, I just want them to enjoy the meal, the conversation and the camaraderie.  

    Cook with joy, not anxiety - you'll have more fun and your guests will, too!

    Parent

    Hmmmm (none / 0) (#93)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:52:49 PM EST
    A meal shouldn't be one rich dish after another, or your guests will be sick or in a coma at the end.

    Well, that may be conventional wisdom, but I have served one rich dish after another, to no ill effect. In fact, really superb dining experience for all involved.

    Small portions, is key of course. Good wine mandatory, and a simple arugula salad, for those who need it.

    Parent

    I think it's also just a matter of (none / 0) (#98)
    by Anne on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:24:56 PM EST
    knowing your guests, and your own personal preferences.

    My family kid me all the time that, if I don't like a particular food, it won't be on the table.  It turns out one of my daughters loves Brussels sprouts, but she didn't make this discovery until she ate them at someone else's house - neither my husband nor I are fans, so I just never cooked them.  I did just recently give them a try - shaving them raw into salad, and braising them with garlic and lemon and finishing with fresh Parm or Gruyere.  Prefer the raw, but the cooked version wasn't terrible.

    For years, I never cooked beets, because I thought they tasted like dirt.  But my husband really likes them, so a year or so ago, I decided to get some fresh ones, and see if I still felt the same way.  Turns out, I do like beets.  Like 'em hot, like 'em cold in salads.

    When you've been married for almost 34 years, and had a couple of kids, and the never-ending question for however many nights that is has been, "what am I making for dinner tonight?," you either keep trying new things - or give something you tried before and didn't like another chance.  Otherwise, it becomes, "oh...meatloaf...it must be Wednesday."

    Parent

    I love (5.00 / 1) (#102)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:52:24 PM EST
    trying new things but my youngest not so much. He would absolutely happy with it's Wednesday so it must be meatloaf. I grew up in a house where we rotated the same ten things for supper so I easily get tired of eating the same thing. I try to rotate things around three months throwing in new things on the weekends.

    Have you tried roasting brussel sprouts? I do it and my family absolutely loves it--even the picky one will eat brussel sprouts roasted.

    Parent

    My daughter was so picky (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:06:33 PM EST
    She insisted that I pack her the same lunch for about 7 years. Penut butter and jelly on potato bread - not too thick! and not too thin! she's observe me to see that it was right. Some carrot sticks, possibly a couple of slices of tofu and a bit of fruit. And a juice box, but not the wrong kinds of juice boxes. Luckily she has always been very funny so our morning rituals were always fun.

    At breakfast she oversaw that I made her eggs just right - always insisting that I cook them a little bit more. Then I'd give her a chewable vitamin which she popped into her mouth. When we remodeled the kitchen I found years work of slightly chewed vitamins stuffed up under the toe kick where she sat. Such a trickster.

    Parent

    Your daughter and Josh could be twins (none / 0) (#142)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:26:59 PM EST
    Every day of school this year he ate a PBJ sandwich, his mom makes it on whole wheat though and he has never had anything different.  I am allowed to add carrot sticks, or a great pear or nectarine or purple grapes, a tart apple is acceptable if I send it in slices.  He likes a spicy chip like jalapeño kettle chips, and grape Gatorade, you really don't get to make Gatorade changes either.  If there is an emergency Orange Gatorade maybe.

    Parent
    I love roasted Brussel sprouts (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:37:11 PM EST
    It's one of my standards

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#101)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:47:51 PM EST
    I am thinking only of diner parties... not family meals.. so I have much more latitude.

    I did overdo it once when I had made seven different ice creams and sorbets, on top of a serious thanksgiving meal..  and really wanted everyone to taste each one...  

    honestly there was not room for anything no less one spoon of sorbet...  

    Had the meaning of life wafer thin mint scene been something that could physically happen, it would have at that t'day meal... hahaha

    Parent

    I don't cook day to day anymore (none / 0) (#97)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:17:55 PM EST
    So when I cook for friends and family I like to do a bit of work for it. A couple of years ago my daughter was visiting with several of her college friends and they invited more kids their age. I went all out and based the meal on grapefruit. It was probably not the best meal ever but I had invented all the recipes, had good wine and set the table as best I could. It was a smash. They all really appreciated that I had taken the time and made the effort to dazzle them. The conversation got really lively and everyone lingered at the table.

    I did my first attempt at the Mondiran cake for easter dinner at my sister's. That was fun and all generations seemed to be amused, and it tasted good too.

    I always over buy for a dinner. Guess it's the mom in me - don't want anyone to not have their fill. It always leaves me with leftovers which is nice tho.

    Parent

    Making banana nut bread (none / 0) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 04:16:19 PM EST
    This afternoon.  Which I have sort of adapted from the original to my own preferences.  No butter very little sugar and cashews and almonds and chopped dried apricots.
    One of my favorite snacks.  My gastronomic needs are pretty simple.
    It starting to smell really really good.

    Parent
    I also have a bit of a mild competition going (none / 0) (#100)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:42:14 PM EST
    with my sister. We each like to proclaim the other as the best cook in the family. Of course we are the only cooks in the family. We have different lives and styles. She always has lots of, now teens and 20 somethings around, friends of theirs, friends of friends, and often families of her kid's friends. She can whip up a very good meal on the spur of the moment (when people drop in) from whatever she has in the kitchen at the moment. She lays it all out on a kitchen island and everyone sits wherever they can. In nice weather it's at the picnic table. Sounds like you could do that. It is a much appreciated skill.

    Parent
    A well-stocked pantry helps! (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by Anne on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:14:52 PM EST
    Probably the hardest thing for me to get used to in the empty nest that houses just my husband and me now is reminding myself that I only need to stock for 2 people...

    On the plus side, if I feel like making BLT's for dinner, I do, and if I feel like having one thing and my husband wants something else, it's not a major production to do that.

    Parent

    Why did Jill Abramsom (none / 0) (#18)
    by ZtoA on Thu May 15, 2014 at 11:22:19 PM EST
    get fired?

    why DIDN'T Dean Baquet get fired . . . (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by The Addams Family on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:50:09 AM EST
    for insubordination & inappropriate emotional display when he slammed his hand against a wall after a disagreement with his boss, Jill Abramson, & then missed an important meeting because he played hooky for the rest of the day?

    not saying that Baquet should or should not have been fired - but can you imagine Jill Abramson slamming her hand against a wall after a disagreement with her male boss, missing an important meeting because she played hooky for the rest of the day, not getting fired, & then actually being selected as her ousted boss's replacement?

    i can't

    to answer your question: i believe that Jill Abramson got fired, in the demeaning way in which she did get fired, because the NY Times is an old boys' club & because "Pinch" Sulzberger is a sexist db who could not score any kind of job at all at the Times if not for his membership in the Lucky Sperm Club

    YMMV

    Parent

    Slate also has a story (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:18:50 AM EST
    The mark Abramson made on her female employees wasn't just a matter of optics. Abramson was committed to increasing women's representation at the paper, and she got results.

    snip

    Meanwhile, over at the opinion page--which falls outside the executive editor's purview, and is helmed by Andrew Rosenthal--the ratio of male to female columnists is stuck at a dismal 10-to-2.

    link


    Parent

    Abrahamson is a ongtime friend of (none / 0) (#77)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:22:00 AM EST
    Maureen Dowd?  One demerit.

    Parent
    LOL! (none / 0) (#79)
    by Zorba on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:41:30 AM EST
    That comment almost made me snort Diet Coke out my nose.
    ;-)

    Parent
    Old Boys Club (none / 0) (#29)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:02:42 AM EST
    Why did Jill Abramson get hired over Dean Baquet in the first place?

    Can't have it both ways...   IMO...  unless you think this was all planned three years ago, to humiliate a woman.

    Parent

    reportedly because she had (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by The Addams Family on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:24:37 PM EST
    more digital experience at the time, her lady parts notwithstanding

    Parent
    It'd be nice (none / 0) (#114)
    by jondee on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:15:36 PM EST
    if lady parts in themselves were some sort of ironclad guarantee that one wouldn't become a NYT weapons-of-mass-destruction hawker and Iraq invasion booster..

    Parent
    that would be nice (none / 0) (#117)
    by The Addams Family on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:36:04 PM EST
    & presumably your lady-part aspirations extend as well to the gentleman parts of Bill Keller, who was executive editor of the Times during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, when Jill Abramson was Washington bureau chief

    Parent
    Their "parts" crowded out their souls (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by jondee on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:39:48 PM EST
    so to speak.

    Parent
    you assume they had souls (5.00 / 2) (#120)
    by The Addams Family on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:43:57 PM EST
    & really their "parts" should have nothing to do with it

    Parent
    The new broom sweeps clean-- (none / 0) (#56)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:50:39 AM EST
    Dean Baquet has made a "common sense" change on the op-ed page:  Now, Paul Krugman's column is on the left and David Brooks is on the right.     Maybe, some of the columnists will be switched off the page, behind door number one: Thomas Friedman (so that he an spend more time on 'Years of Living Dangerously").

    Parent
    why DIDN'T Dean Baquet get fired (none / 0) (#94)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:54:45 PM EST
    He apparently has great social skills, very good at his job, and is well liked by all.

    Parent
    apparently so (5.00 / 4) (#115)
    by The Addams Family on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:19:55 PM EST
    & apparently when he slammed his hand into the wall he was being forceful & assertive, not hysterical & overemotional - anyway the b!tch made him do it

    that said, i remember one female boss i had - she was the worst of the worst in terms of hysterical & overemotional female-boss stereotypes & got her boss job not because anybody was into promoting female bosses but because her appointment was simply a way for one department head to thwart the ambitions of another department head, & if any one of my very decent male colleagues had slammed his fist into a wall after a disagreement with her, i would have stood up & cheered

    eventually, long after i left, she was summarily fired in a very public & humiliating way, kind of like what happened with Jill Abramson, who was at least demonstrably good at some important parts of her job

    my earlier (rhetorical) question expresses my belief that Dean Baquet was issued a pen1s pass for unseemly & insubordinate behavior that would likely have derailed any woman's career at the NY Times

    & i think the person who comes out looking the worst in all of this is "Pinch" Sulzberger with his own cr@ppy management style, thanks to which Dean Baquet's historic appointment as the first African American executive editor at the Times is linked to a shoddy episode of Old Boys' Club behavior that virtually any woman who has spent a few years in the world of grown-up work will have no trouble seeing for exactly what it was, & that's apart from the question of whether Jill Abramson did or did not need to be fired

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#116)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:26:58 PM EST
    Not a good entrée for Baquet... although getting hired in the wake the horrible way Abramson was fired is somewhat mitigated by the fact that he was very close to getting the job instead of Abramson.

    Parent
    he was the logical pick & most deserving (none / 0) (#118)
    by The Addams Family on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:39:09 PM EST
    the way the change was made was very stupid, as demonstrated by the PR fiasco & by much uproar in a number of comment sections over at the Times

    Parent
    Since (none / 0) (#21)
    by Mikado Cat on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:29:19 AM EST
    the claim is that it was about money, we can be pretty certain that wasn't it. She must have offended the dear leader in some way.

    Parent
    "Dear Leader"? (none / 0) (#24)
    by Yman on Fri May 16, 2014 at 06:18:36 AM EST
    How did Kim Jong-un get her fired?

    Parent
    Kim Jong-un doesn't do "fired," ... (none / 0) (#113)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 16, 2014 at 03:01:31 PM EST
    ... unless we're talking about the pistol that's pressed to the back of the head of the latest unfortunate person who's somehow managed to displease him.

    Parent
    Cat (none / 0) (#130)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 16, 2014 at 05:44:06 PM EST
    You should have known that Yman and Donald would act like they don't know who you write about.

    lol

    Parent

    ... to both of us that Cat didn't know what SHE was talking about. There was absolutely no obligation on our part to pretend that she did, hence the snarky responses.

    Parent
    Then if it really wasn't about the money... (5.00 / 1) (#157)
    by unitron on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:41:58 AM EST
    ...what was Sulzberger's reason?

    Parent
    Donald (none / 0) (#149)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:34:26 PM EST
    I give you that you are in your mind, the Emperor of Snarkiness.

    LOL

    Parent

    Nope (none / 0) (#204)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat May 17, 2014 at 12:09:13 PM EST
    The moat, land mines and circling drones do an adequate job.

    Parent
    Excellent question. (none / 0) (#22)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 12:29:38 AM EST
    NYer (none / 0) (#27)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:58:22 AM EST
    Has a story.

    apart from all the other reported reasons, and speculations, I heard that the main reason that she was fired was because she challenged the business side of the paper. The business people at the NYT apparently have a lot of power.

    Parent

    Pay discrepancy. Fighting (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:31:31 AM EST
    "native journalism."  "pushy."  "brusque."  

    Parent
    Yeah, I just listened to someone (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:42:24 AM EST
    Make an assessment of her innovations though and they said that businesswise she was the best thing that had happened to the place in a long while.  She increased women reading as well as readers about cultural interests and arts and entertainment.  She was creating new customers.

    So she was accomplishing what she was hired for.  All that pushy and brusque sounds questionable in that light.

    Parent

    Pay discrepancy (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:38:22 AM EST
    From the New Yorker:

    Let's look at some numbers I've been given: As executive editor, Abramson's starting salary in 2011 was $475,000, compared to Keller's salary that year, $559,000. Her salary was raised to $503,000, and--only after she protested--was raised again to $525,000. She learned that her salary as managing editor, $398,000, was less than that of the male managing editor for news operations, John Geddes. She also learned that her salary as Washington bureau chief, from 2000 to 2003, was a hundred thousand dollars less than that of her successor in that position, Phil Taubman.* (Murphy would say only that Abramson's compensation was "broadly comparable" to that of Taubman and Geddes.)

    Murphy cautioned that one shouldn't look at salary but, rather, at total compensation, which includes, she said, any bonuses, stock grants, and other long-term incentives. This distinction appears to be the basis of Sulzberger's comment that Abramson was not earning "significantly less." But it is hard to know how to parse this without more numbers from the Times. For instance, did Abramson's compensation pass Keller's because the Times' stock price rose? Because her bonuses came in up years and his in down years? Because she received a lump-sum long-term payment and he didn't?

    The whole article is interesting. LINK

    Parent

    Hmmm (none / 0) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:47:06 AM EST
    I can't remember the last time I heard this

    "pushy."  "brusque."  

    said of a man

    Parent

    That's just part of being "a man" (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:54:12 AM EST
    At she wasn't shrill :)

    Parent
    oops (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:55:18 AM EST
    At LEAST she wasn't shrill

    Parent
    They are going to love Hillary (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 10:34:34 AM EST
    She is very contralto

    Parent
    I Have (none / 0) (#59)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:56:29 AM EST
    Not to say that there are not sexist dog whistles, but pushy and brusque may make for a good man in certain circles, but in others, not good characteristics. It's dog whistle for men, is a class indicator.

    Parent
    NYT article today about staff mtgs. Is (none / 0) (#70)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:07:31 AM EST
    interesting. Not too surprising:  persons presently employed by the NYT are not complaining to the two reporters who wrote the article.

    Parent
    true, but men (none / 0) (#76)
    by ZtoA on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:20:30 AM EST
    are not usually described as pushy. They're forceful or aggressive.

    Parent
    That's right. (none / 0) (#111)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:51:47 PM EST
    And while older men are often considered "laid back" when they dress casually, I've heard older women get called out as "frumpy" and "dowdy" if they do the same.

    Parent
    To a point that is true (none / 0) (#112)
    by ruffian on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:57:41 PM EST
    But in extreme cases they get called names after their male anatomy. Maybe people call women 'brusque' because calling them a 'real pr***' does not make sense.

    Parent
    I never got the (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 04:36:25 PM EST
    Private parts as insult thing.  I think it shows a deep and unhealthy fear of our sexuality.

    Seems to me if you want to anatomically berate someone you could call them an armpit or perhaps an anal polyp.

    Parent

    I am stealing (5.00 / 4) (#128)
    by Zorba on Fri May 16, 2014 at 05:10:37 PM EST
    "armpit."
    "He/she is such an armpit."
    Love it!

    Parent
    Leadership :) (none / 0) (#141)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:09:51 PM EST
    In Mike Pesca's podcast 'The Gist' (none / 0) (#131)
    by ruffian on Fri May 16, 2014 at 05:45:17 PM EST
    on Slate today he quotes many examples of unliked male executives being called "brusque".

    I understand the instinct to assume a double standard in language but this one just does not ring true to me. Sometimes an adjective is just an adjective.

    Parent

    You are right of course (none / 0) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 05:54:07 PM EST
    And honestly from what I have read of her she fits the - fill in the genitalia epithet blank -pretty well.

    Parent
    Do you Know What Native Journalism Is? (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:41:38 PM EST
    Or did it just sound juicy and sexist?

    Also, it appears that the word pushy, was from an unnamed colleague... not sure it reflected managements vocabulary. Brusque and Mercurial seem to be the most used adjectives. Are they sexist dog whistles?

    As I said, I have heard, from unnamed sources in the biz, that the main reason for her getting fired was because she went up against the business manager, Mark Thompson, the company's C.E.O.

    Abramson's problems with Sulzberger began even before she was appointed. One Times person told me that, in the spring of 2010, Sulzberger openly embarrassed her in a meeting with top Times staff. Abramson was so livid about it she told Janet Robinson, the then Times CEO, that she was going to leave the paper. "Jill went to Janet and told Janet she had enough of Arthur and had an offer to go," the source explained. "Janet patched things up."

    After Thompson had been hired for the job but before he'd started, Abramson sent Matthew Purdy, a hard-charging investigative reporter, to London to examine Thompson's role in the Jimmy Savile scandal at the BBC. Abramson's relationship with the two executives never recovered. "Mark Thompson was f'ing pissed," a source explained. "He was really angry with the Purdy stuff." So was Sulzberger. "He was livid, in a very passive-aggressive way. These were a set of headaches Jill had created for Arthur."

    Although both have denied it in public, Thompson and Abramson's relationship spiraled down over the past year, as Thompson pressed ahead with plans to move the Times into native advertising. "She was morally opposed to that," an executive said. "She told me it would not happen on her watch." "She conflicted directly with Thompson on numerous occasions," an Abramson colleague said.

    NYMag

    More here and here is the controversial Politico story relating Abramson and Baquet's melee:

    Jill Abramson loses the newsroom


    Parent

    And An Slap Down of Politico Article Here (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:08:50 PM EST
    Jill Abramson and the wholly sexist narrative of the woman in power
    The New York Times executive editor is apparently stubborn and snappy. Why must we focus on women's character traits?

    The lame nature of the [Politico] reporting suggests it might be better just to ignore the piece entirely, but it deserves attention, as it fuels an exasperating and wholly sexist narrative about women in power.....

    Nice people do not necessarily make good editors, whatever their gender. In fact, the opposite might be true. But fewer women will want to even try if the expectations of them in power are so completely different from men in the same jobs and the public judgment so arbitrary and misogynistic.



    Parent
    Yeah, I was going to say that I don't (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Anne on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:22:24 PM EST
    think Politico has a particularly good track record on how they report on women, so I would be skeptical of how they framed the Abramson debacle.

    If I hadn't just eaten lunch, I'd read the Politico article, but I don't need the aggravation I suspect it will cause me to feel.  And that will give me heartburn.

    Parent

    Missing Quotes: (none / 0) (#103)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 01:52:31 PM EST
    Abramson's problems with Sulzberger began even before she was appointed. One Times person told me that, in the spring of 2010, Sulzberger openly embarrassed her in a meeting with top Times staff. Abramson was so livid about it she told Janet Robinson, the then Times CEO, that she was going to leave the paper. "Jill went to Janet and told Janet she had enough of Arthur and had an offer to go," the source explained. "Janet patched things up."

    NY Mag

    Parent

    Yes, I do know what "native (none / 0) (#108)
    by oculus on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:29:39 PM EST
    journalism". Like Abrahmson, i'm against it. A disgrace for my newspaper.

    Parent
    OK (none / 0) (#109)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 02:40:01 PM EST
    It seemed odd in your collection of words:

    "native journalism."  "pushy."  "brusque."

    and I agree that it sucks and should not be allowed on any editors watch..

    Parent

    What is "native advertising?" (none / 0) (#136)
    by caseyOR on Fri May 16, 2014 at 06:34:55 PM EST
    And "native" journalism?

    Parent
    COvert Advertising (none / 0) (#150)
    by squeaky on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:36:00 PM EST
    Adding words to articles that sponsors pay for in order to get their products in peoples heads.

    link

    Parent

    Or, whole articles. (none / 0) (#159)
    by oculus on Sat May 17, 2014 at 01:09:25 AM EST
    Yes (none / 0) (#186)
    by squeaky on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:48:59 AM EST
    I had not heard the term until the news on Abramson's firing. But it seems more related to the entire inserts that look like regular journalism, than adding key words in regular articles like they do with product placement in movies. That is undoubtedly coming soon to your local paper.

    I thought the NYT had been doing Ad as article inserts for a long time, so it does not square with Abramson's comment, "It is not going to happen on my watch"

    Parent

    Snails ate my baby okra (none / 0) (#25)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:52:08 AM EST
    So I'm starting over, put the snail bait out, we have a long growing season here thankfully.  New seedlings are coming up right now.  Tomato plants love love love the cloning buckets, I bought the nutrients to add to the water to move from cloning to hydroponic growing and taking the plants to producing in the buckets.

    My lavender made it through the winter as did my oregano. Rosemary died and so did 4 Brugmansia, it's not supposed to happen that way here.

    Planted more iris and put in garlic chive.  Blueberry bushes produced their first blueberries, and because my husband was gone and didn't kill them I have some wild blackberries producing on a hillside of the yard.  Left to their own devices year after year though they would take over and become mostly a horrible tangle of thorns and a great snake hiding place too.

    Going to have (5.00 / 3) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 08:46:23 AM EST
    buttloads of grapes

    lots o peaches

    and apples

    and pears

    The plums are not as happy for some reason this year.  There are quite a few but not like the other trees.  This has, for whatever reason, seemed a good year for everything so far.

    Parent

    I wish (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:07:42 AM EST
    I lived near you. I would be coming over to your house to "help" you pick them. LOL

    Parent
    Be careful (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:39:08 AM EST
    What you wish for


    Parent
    Seriously (none / 0) (#80)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:46:14 AM EST
    though what do you do with all of them? Donate them? Let people come and pick what they want?

    Parent
    I trade them for (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:52:37 AM EST
    Squash tomatoes corn okra zucchini peas beans strawberries etc eyc

    Parent
    Plus (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:58:50 AM EST
    I usually get things like jam jelly and preserves back as well.

    Parent
    We had an ornamental pear (none / 0) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:14:45 AM EST
    Next to the house when we bought it.  I think I killed it with Christmas lights, which shouldn't be possible :)

    We replaced it with a peach, the first year peaches too.  I was shocked, it was a tiny little tree.  Keeping it properly pruned is a big deal.  It would go nuts.

    Its branches were loaded with tiny peaches, too loaded, but a windy couple of days knocked a bunch off.  I don't know how much I'll end up with, but it still looks really good this year.

    Parent

    Last year (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:18:02 AM EST
    The peach tree had so many peaches it literally split and I lost half of it.  There's was two when I moved in here and the first summer the other tree was so loaded it split right down the middle and died.  These are big trees.  20, 25 feet tall

    Parent
    Wow!!!!! (none / 0) (#42)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:21:42 AM EST
    Mine is still a little girl by comparison.  Last year we had too many to eat fresh, so I have a plan this year, bourbon peach jam.

    Parent
    Tree tragedy (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:23:10 AM EST
    Heartbreaking (none / 0) (#44)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:25:21 AM EST
    Oops (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:26:35 AM EST
    The last photo showed the split (none / 0) (#46)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:27:56 AM EST
    It was (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:28:20 AM EST
    There had to be 100 lbs of peaches on that limb.

    Parent
    What kind of grapes and apples do you (none / 0) (#39)
    by Militarytracy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:16:20 AM EST
    have?  I'm think about putting in two Anna Apple.

    Parent
    Not sure of the specific variety (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:18:41 AM EST
    But there are red and white

    Parent
    Sorry about the okra! (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Zorba on Fri May 16, 2014 at 11:58:07 AM EST
    And also sorry about your rosemary and Brugmansia (aren't those angel's trumpets?).
    One year, we lost almost a whole row of okra because a rabbit (we think) went down the row and bit off almost every single plant.  Didn't even eat it- spit it out!  I guess it didn't like okra, but it must have been a slow learner and it took most of a row to decide that okra was not what it wanted to eat.   :-(
    We have an electric fence around the garden to keep deer out, but of course rabbits can go right under it.
    Our oregano and mint is coming back gangbusters.
    It's going to be in the 40's the next couple of nights.  If it gets much colder than that, though, we may lose a bunch of plants.
    Last week, it was in the high 80's during the day for a couple of days.  It was chilly today, and will be colder tonight, as I said.
    Crazy weather.

    Parent
    We planted chocolate mint, and a few (none / 0) (#173)
    by Mr Natural on Sat May 17, 2014 at 09:09:09 AM EST
    of its square stemmed relatives in our garden when we moved out here.  I didn't realize how well adapted, meaning invasive, mints are in this area, so now, when I mow around the periphery of the garden, I smell mint, lots of mint.

    Parent
    Photo phunnies (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 09:10:17 AM EST
    I like this idea (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 05:13:34 PM EST
    So Republicans want a #Benghazi freak show? Give them a freak show.

    The idea started out as a bit of a gag on twitter and on the blogs: Rather than legitimize the new House GOP select committee on #Benghazi by sending a full slate of Dems to participate, Dems should instead send a single lawmaker who is well schooled in mixing it up with Republican crazy. In other words: Why not just turn Dem Rep. Alan Grayson loose?
    It now appears that the Draft Grayson movement is gaining a bit of traction, with two major liberal groups giving some thought to pushing it.
    A petition on the Credo Mobilize site calling on House Democrats to send only Grayson has now garnered 17,000 signatures. Credo officials say they think it's possible the signatures could soon pass the 50,000 mark.
    Meanwhile, a source at MoveOn tells me the group "has taken notice and is looking into the idea as a way of exposing the committee as the kangaroo court that it is."

    I'm going to have to disagree. (none / 0) (#135)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 16, 2014 at 06:32:17 PM EST
    This isn't a game, or some form of vicarious entertainment for the unwashed masses. And I'm afraid that Alan Grayson has become something of a comic punchline, given the current mess that's his personal life. I hope he gets things straightened out, because we do need his voice.

    But more importantly, a congressional special committee's official findings become part of the public record. Democrats need to be there and participate robustly, in order to ensure that the truth about Benghazi is part of that record, and does not become a casualty of it.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I had (none / 0) (#137)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri May 16, 2014 at 06:36:50 PM EST
    heard that the crackpot Gowdy was not even going to let Dems ask questions at the hearings. It seems he was already turning it into a kangaroo court.

    Parent
    How do you suppose (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 06:42:18 PM EST
    Grayson would deal with that?  I don't know either.  But I think I want to.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#140)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:05:23 PM EST
    I don't know but I'm sure Gowdy would be the first one to howl if Nancy Pelosi set up a committee and didn't let them even supoena anybody or even ask questions.

    Everything these tea party types do turns into a freak show. So yeah, in that sense Grayson makes sense.

    Parent

    IMO (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 06:41:02 PM EST
    There are valid arguments on both sides.  But the fact is it's going to be a freak show in any case.  I'm leaning toward letting the freak flag fly.  And no dem is better suited for mud wrestling and total denial of legitimacy than Lord Grayson.  


    Parent
    Perhaps a better way to deal with ... (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 16, 2014 at 07:58:10 PM EST
    ... the Republicans' Benghazi!!!mania would be to just laugh at it.

    Parent
    Christopher Nolan (none / 0) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 16, 2014 at 05:56:34 PM EST
    Inception, Dark Knoght,  has a new one.  And it looks good.

    Interstellar

    Have You Seen Godzilla in 3D? (none / 0) (#189)
    by squeaky on Sat May 17, 2014 at 10:55:50 AM EST
    A friend saw it yesterday and said it was visually stunning, not much content, but nice to watch.

    Parent
    MT (none / 0) (#163)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 08:27:49 AM EST
    See my comment 152 about Tyron's champion want to know what you think.  No one responded.

    ^
    ^
    ^

    Upthread

    It's a reply to the gay marriage stay comment (none / 0) (#164)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 17, 2014 at 08:29:27 AM EST
    Law and Order: GoT (none / 0) (#205)
    by ruffian on Sun May 18, 2014 at 12:33:31 PM EST
    That (none / 0) (#206)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 18, 2014 at 12:36:45 PM EST
    Was awsum