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Thursday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 02:19:13 PM EST
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Time for a new open thread. Your choice, all topics welcome.

Other things I'm reading: Abuse Allegations at Chinese Shoe Factory where Ivanka's shoes are made. Ivanka has been ordered to testify at a deposition in the case alleging she copied another company's shoe design (photo of the shoes here.)

Here's the Supreme Court opinion on the travel ban and the latest on the new travel rules to take effect at 6 pm today.

< The Ugly American Hits a New Low | Hospital Shooter Was Disgruntled Doctor Who Worked There >

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    Thursday Open Thread | 78 comments (78 topical)

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    Greta is gone (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 05:43:48 PM EST
    she wasnt there today so i searched

    MSNBC AND GRETA VAN SUSTEREN AGREE TO PART WAYS

    i will not miss Greta.

    maybe they will finally give Joy Reid a primetime show.

    It's almost like (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Repack Rider on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 06:38:08 PM EST
    ...they never watched her show before they hired her.

    I wish I was incompetent enough to get rewarded for it.

    Parent

    Can't you just fake it? (none / 0) (#6)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 08:07:23 PM EST
    ;-D

    Parent
    A good question, actually (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Repack Rider on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 10:40:02 AM EST
    I have always thought that radio preachers had the greatest job, because they get paid no matter what.  Nothing you say has to be true, because no one can "prove" or "disprove" it.

    I will confess, I listen to them all the time, although in my own mind I am debating the presentation rather than agreeing with it.

    The pattern is easy.  You tell people they are guilty of "sin," you don't need to even describe what that is.  A certain percentage of the population is racked by guilt over something or nothing, and they will give you money for telling them that.

    I could do that job, but then I would never be able to live with myself.  Ironic, because in order to make money from sinners, you have to put aside any conscience you may have.

    From a personal standpoint, "eternal life" sounds like Hell, no matter how much harp playing and worshiping you do.  What give life meaning is that it is finite.

    Parent

    Joy Reid has been filling in for the ... (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 07:39:15 AM EST
    ... various MSNBC show hosts on such a frequent basis of late that it seems as though she already does have a high-profile slot, albeit as that network's designated pinch hitter. And that's in addition to her weekend "AM Joy" shows on Saturday and Sunday. (I much prefer "AM Joy" to the regular Sunday gasbag shows.) MSNBC does manage to keep her pretty busy, so she's definitely not lacking for quality air time. I don't know how she does it, because it often appears as though she doesn't even take a day off.

    Parent
    Yeah (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 07:50:42 AM EST
    I'm usually tuned to MSNBC by default and an adhd distraction.  So I know her current schedule.

    I think she is brilliant.  Funny.  Wicked smart.  I enjoy her weekend show when I catch it but personally I would love to see the network promote a black woman who is a lot more fun than Ari.

    IMO.

    Parent

    Ari Melber (none / 0) (#2)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 05:53:32 PM EST
    will be her replacement as of next month.

    Parent
    It's the Fox News (none / 0) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 06:14:06 AM EST
    curse.
    Anybody who spent any time at Fox News becomes pretty much worthless to any other news organization other than wingnut welfare.  

    Parent
    I think its that they get used to dumbing things (none / 0) (#72)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 01:23:01 PM EST
    down, even if they were smart people to begin with, for the average Fox News viewer, they really can't do a show for anyone else.

    I just tried to think of a nicer way to say that, but I couldn't.

    Parent

    Al Franken Giant of the Senate (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by RickyJim on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 09:56:00 PM EST
    I just finished listening to the audiobook, read by the author.  Quite good.  One advantage of  listening to the audio version is that you get Al's mimicking of the voices of other senators.  He does pretty well at that but he admits he can't mimic Lamar Alexander.

    For me, the most interesting part was how he got elected to the Senate from Minnesota in 2008, beating the incumbent Norm Coleman by a few hundred votes.  There were two striking parallels with the election in 2016 of Donald Trump.  Both candidates were making the transition from entertainer to big time politician without trying a lesser office first.  Also Franken, like Trump, was accused of sexual improprieties.  In Franken's case it wasn't actual acts but raunchy SNL skits and Playboy articles.

    Besides that, there is little similarity.  Franken has become a policy wonk and has a big mastery of issues facing his state.  One thing you won't find in the book is much discussion of foreign affairs.

    He tells us over and over of his Jewish background and makes jokes about it.  But he says next to nothing about his views of the state of Israel.  He only mentions that country once.  He admires that fact that the members of the Knesset represent the whole country, not a specific district.  I had to look up how that works.  The electorate votes for a party instead of candidates and the parties then choose the 120 Knesset members in proportion to the votes they received.

    I learned quite a bit from the book about contemporary American politics and how the Senate works so I recommend it to all TLers.

    Thread cleaned (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 01:33:05 AM EST
    of insults and sniping by Linea, who is now banned  for her insults to this site. The last ones were over the top. You may disagree in comments but you may not personally insult or attack other commenters or this site.

    That's too bad, but (none / 0) (#23)
    by Peter G on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 10:48:42 AM EST
    I understand your decision, J, and of course accept it.

    Parent
    {{ hugs }} (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by linea on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 08:12:02 PM EST
    i'm unbanned and dumure.

    Parent
    In today's news from NASA: (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 07:18:19 PM EST
    Somewhere over the rainbow and across the universe, John Glenn weeps for his country.

    (Optional musical accompaniment.)

    i thought this would be (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 08:26:58 PM EST
    Chicken Sandwich in Space

    but that pales compared to Donalds best friend Alex

    weeps, indeed.

    Parent

    Disneyland makes Pirates ride more PC (2.00 / 1) (#30)
    by McBain on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 12:59:56 PM EST
    Link
    Disneyland's "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride is losing a scene where a bound and tearful woman is on the auction block for pirates to buy as a wife.

    A banner that now says "Auction, take a wench for a bride" will be changed to "Auction, Surrender yer loot," and the woman on the auction block will herself become a pirate.

    I'm glad I got to visit the Anaheim park a few months ago before they made this unnecessary change to my favorite ride. Pirates aren't supposed to be good guys. It's bad enough they already added the Johnny Depp, Jack Sparrow character.

    Next, they'll probably water down the Peter Pan ride.    

    Not that you mention it... (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 01:51:15 PM EST
    Captain Hook is an offensive portrayal of the physically challenged;)

    Parent
    I always thought Captain Hook (none / 0) (#35)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 03:05:24 PM EST
    was a little swishy; in an evil William F Buckley-Tom Wolfe kinda way..

    Parent
    Buckle my swash... (none / 0) (#36)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 04:21:50 PM EST
    That Errol Flynn was a good pirate.

    Parent
    in the Peter Pan (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 05:07:35 PM EST
    i worked on (an under rated version IMO) Hook is not swishy.  he is Jason Isaacs

    Parent
    I have long been a giant Peter Pan fan (none / 0) (#55)
    by Peter G on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 12:14:12 PM EST
    and try to keep up with the adaptations. For perhaps obvious reasons. And of Peter and the Wolf.

    Parent
    the new one (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 04:29:42 PM EST
    PAN is quite good.  at least visually.  i think ours was better.

    Parent
    A few years ago... (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by desertswine on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 11:28:59 PM EST
    we saw the silent version of Peter Pan in a theater with a live orchestra playing the musical score.  It was really marvelous.  There's nothing like live music.

    Clap if you believe in fairies.

    Parent

    one of the few things i missed (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 08:51:26 AM EST
    when i left St Louis was the annual halloween horror  at the Fabulous Fox Theather (is really is) that featured the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ that would rise from the floor with the Fabulous Stan Kann playing it.  

    just an experience that can not be duplicated.

    through a friend i once got a look at the Quirky Kanns vacuum cleaner collection.  he was almost as famous for that as the organ.

    LINK

    Parent

    What a wonderful (none / 0) (#76)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 03:14:27 PM EST
    story. I'm glad that enough people got together to keep the theater and the organ from being destroyed.

    Parent
    There's a giant Peter Pan? (none / 0) (#70)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 07:45:48 AM EST
    J/k. :)

    Parent
    Well yes, yes there is (none / 0) (#77)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 09:45:49 PM EST
    In Kensington Gardens.

    Parent
    A friend mine used to buy (none / 0) (#40)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 06:06:32 PM EST
    art for Flynn back in day.

    He could have almost any woman he wanted, but he went for high school girls.

    We all have our weaknesses.

    Parent

    Flynn wrote a marvelous (none / 0) (#49)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 11:37:54 PM EST
    memoir (with a ghostwriter).  It was published after his death and called "My Wicked, Wicked Ways."  It was said that he wanted to call it "In Like Me" but the publisher objected.

    Parent
    Yeah, he was Keith Richards (none / 0) (#56)
    by jondee on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 12:18:49 PM EST
    before there was Keith Richards.

    I remember he said he should've married Maid Marian, ie. Olivia De Havilland. Somehow I think she might've had trouble keeping him down on the farm though..

    His son Sean ended becoming a photojournalist of note who disappeared in the DMZ during the Vietnam war.

    Parent

    Being too good looking (none / 0) (#57)
    by jondee on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 12:49:06 PM EST
    could probably be as much a curse as a blessing..

    The Japanese used to say a beautiful woman has an unhappy life.

    I remember George Best saying he would've scored more goals than Pele if he had been homlier.

    Parent

    And speaking of Olivia de Havilland, ... (none / 0) (#61)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 04:25:55 PM EST
    ... she's celebrating her 101st birthday today by filing a lawsuit against the TV network FX for its unauthorized use of her identity in the recently concluded miniseries "Feud: Bette and Joan." Seems that she's taken serious umbrage to her portrayal by Catherine Zeta-Jones as a vicious gossip.

    Parent
    interesting bit at DailyBeast (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 05:25:13 PM EST
    Did Errol Flynn's Nazi Pal Convert Him?
    The swashbuckling actor called Nazi Hermann Erben `the greatest influence on my life,' but did that mean that Flynn, too, was a Nazi? The rumors refuse to die.



    Parent

    Flynn certainly gave the Hollywood (none / 0) (#66)
    by jondee on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 05:40:55 PM EST
    "fixer" damage-control guys a lot to keep busy with back then..

    He must've brought in a ton at the box office to be worth that much trouble.

    Parent

    I believe so, too. (none / 0) (#60)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 04:14:55 PM EST
    And what exactly was going on between Captain Hook and Mr. Smee -- a Daddy fetish? Seriously, though, I've long thought that Hook served as muse for Tim Roth's Oscar-nominated turn in the 1995 film "Rob Roy" as the very fey Archibald Cunningham, whose campy mannerisms were wielded with exaggerated effect to mask a truly villainous streak. While he may have been swishy, he was certainly no sissy.

    And perhaps Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie based Hook in part on the very flamboyant Prince Eugene of Savoy, an effeminate gay man whose tactical and strategic skills on the battlefield arguably made him the finest general of his era. He first saved Austria from Ottoman conquest at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, and then led that nation to the top rank of European powers, thwarting France's own expansionist tendencies with overwhelming victories at the battles of Blenheim in 1704 and Turin in 1705, which ultimately compelled Louis XIV to sue for peace.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    As Nathan Lane said (none / 0) (#63)
    by jondee on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 04:50:02 PM EST
    in The Birdcage, "What about that Alexander The Great? Talk about gays in the military!"

    Claude Raine's Prince John character in The Adventures of Robin Hood reminds me of the bitchy old queens (not that there's anything wrong with that) that ran most of the antique shops in New Orleans.

    Parent

    People have long associated effeminate ... (none / 0) (#68)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 08:13:46 PM EST
    ... mannerisms and behavior as a symptom of innate weakness. I would argue the opposite, that having the courage to live as one's personal nature dictates, even in the face of public disparagement or worse, is actually characteristic of someone with considerable inner strength, resolve and fortitude.

    There was no lack of insulting commentary about Prince Eugene's personal behavior and preferences in the court of Austrian Emperor Leopold I. But thanks to his military prowess and his status as the emperor's loyal senior confidante, Eugene could count upon Leopold's friendship. He would make no secret of his lifestyle and tastes, and would sometime go so far as to rub his critics' face in it. And of course, his victories in battle made him a national hero, and the Austrian soldiery revered him.

    After all, it's hard to argue with success.

    Parent

    You Peter Pan fans (none / 0) (#74)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 01:39:01 PM EST
    might like this classic This American Life segment on fiascos, that tells the story of a small town theater production of Peter Pan gone horribly wrong. I've listened to it many times and laugh until I cry every time. The first time I heard it I had to pull the car over. Jack Hitt is a fantastic story teller.

    Parent
    I disagree (none / 0) (#45)
    by MKS on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 09:09:30 PM EST
    I was so excited as a kid to go on that ride when it first opened (yeah, it was awhile ago.)  I remember it being magical.

    Then I went again in my 20s out of nostalgia for when I was a kid, and still liked it.

    Then, last year when we took our niece to Disneyland, I insisted we go on the ride--a respite from all the princess attractions......who knew there were so many different princesses....

    I was horrified.  It glorified being drunk.  Everyone was hammered.  The only part I still liked was the pirates in jail trying to coax a dog to give them the keys.  And here was our 10 year niece being shown how cook it is to be drunk.

    Perhaps most will disagree.  But I know that movies from the 1960s--when the ride was first commissioned, also frequently used being drunk as slapstick comedy.

    Times change.  The Pirates ride is outdated.

    Parent

    "how cool to be drunk" (none / 0) (#46)
    by MKS on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 09:10:34 PM EST


    Parent
    There's a quite a bit of Disneyland that (none / 0) (#54)
    by McBain on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 12:11:39 PM EST
    can be viewed as outdated or politically incorrect besides the Pirates ride...

    • In Peter Pan's Flight, a young Wendy has  her hands tied behind her back as she's about to walk the plank and die a horrible death.  

    • In Splash Mountain, my second favorite ride, there's a part where a terrified rabbit is tied to stake, about to be cooked alive.  

    • It's A Small World has plenty of cultural stereotypes.

    • Even Mr. Toad has a bizarre part where you go through hel.

    I'm OK with all of these things.  I think it's OK for kids to get scared or see something intense, maybe even inappropriate by today's standards every once in a while.  

     

    Parent

    I have similar experience. It was always my (none / 0) (#75)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 01:45:22 PM EST
    favorite, found it funny and also neat, with the cool nighttime lagoon atmosphere. I mean pirates, right?  They're bad dudes as one might say.

    More recently I have seen stuff like all the drunkenness and the wench for sale through different eyes. I don't feel particularly strongly about it, but maybe it is time for an update in the plot.

    Parent

    They have a lot to work with (none / 0) (#78)
    by MKS on Mon Jul 03, 2017 at 06:46:55 PM EST
    All kinds of stuff--Johnny Depp showed us that.

    Parent
    My favorite ride too (none / 0) (#48)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 10:02:20 PM EST
    It's the only one that wasn't too scary for me and I could go on lots of times. So clever.

    Parent
    My guilty pleasure at Disneyland was always ... (none / 0) (#50)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 01:49:59 AM EST
    ... "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride." And when I was four or five years old, I remember the "Snow White's Adventures" scaring the bejesus out of me.

    My favorite part of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride was the beginning of the ride, passing by all the skeletons with the voiceover warning us that "dead men tell no tales."

    I haven't been to Disneyland's Magic Kingdom in over 10 years. Maybe when the grandkids get old enough, we'll take them. We did the California Adventure Park six years ago, and I enjoyed that. But apparently they've revamped it so much since then that I'd likely not recognize it.

    Aloha.


    Parent

    The first year Disneyland opened (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 08:26:58 AM EST
    a group of ski racers drove down from Mammoth Mountain in the high Sierras to check it out.  We were riding around the Matterhorn in those little boats and decided to climb the mountain.  Wrong move.  They kicked us out.  Didn't get to see any of the other events and they refused to refund our money.  Can't blame them I guess.

    Parent
    Dam hooligans. (5.00 / 2) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 11:02:11 AM EST
    How's the fishing been lately?


    Parent
    The fishing is excellent now. (none / 0) (#58)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 01:04:28 PM EST
    We're having one of the best mahi-mahi seasons ever.  Six of us went offshore recently, and after catching bait in the dark with throw nets, we headed out.  The Gulf Stream is very close in now, about 10 miles offshore.  It brings in lots of flotsam and jetsam along with long weed lines.  The mahi-mahi and other fish huddle under this and eat the layer above them.  

    We found a good place in the ocean where lots of mahi were cruising.  The six of us had our limits of ten each and headed back to the dock by 9:30. It takes a long time to filet mahi.  I freeze mine wrapped in industrial Saran Wrap stuff and they last a long time.  I give filets away to neighbors and the gym guys even though they are Republicans.  

    Parent

    Geez I hope you're not (none / 0) (#59)
    by jondee on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 01:16:02 PM EST
    creating a culture of dependency by giving away those fillets to the Republicans..

    Parent
    Also (none / 0) (#53)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 12:07:05 PM EST
    ...don't light a joint while riding the tram that goes through the Matterhorn.

    I'm told.

    Parent

    You have so many great stories (none / 0) (#73)
    by ruffian on Sun Jul 02, 2017 at 01:32:26 PM EST
    but that one takes it. So funny.

    Parent
    in case you are not worried (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 07:08:43 PM EST
    watch this NRA ad and you can be

    heres the transcript

    They use their media to assassinate real news. They use their schools to teach children that their president is another Hitler. They use their movie stars and singers and award shows to repeat their narrative over and over again. And then they use their ex-president to endorse the resistance. All to make them march, make them protest, make them scream racism and sexism and xenophobia and homophobia and smash windows, burn cars, shut down interstates and airports, bully and terrorize the law abiding -- until the only option left is for the police to do their jobs and stop the madness. And when that happens, they'll use it as an excuse for their outrage.

    The only way we stop this, the only way we save our country and our freedom is to fight this violence of lies with the clenched fist of truth. I'm the National Rifle Association of America and I'm freedom's safest place.
    Gun sales (none / 0) (#15)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 06:44:25 AM EST
    are cratering. They have to jack up the fear factor to 1000 apparently to get people to buy guns. Of course fleecing the rubes has shown to be a profitable thing for the NRA.

    Parent
    What in the world is wrong with these people? (none / 0) (#19)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 08:04:57 AM EST
    "When I was coming up, it was a dangerous world, and you knew exactly who they were. It was us versus them, and it was clear who them was. Today, we are not so sure who the they are, but we know they're there."
    - Gov. George W. Bush (R-TX), Iowa Western Community College (January 21, 2000)

    That NRA ad is a virtual siren call for white supremacists and other emotionally unstable malcontents to take up arms -- but against who or what, exactly? This is Protocols of the Elders of Zion-worthy material, and truly looney tunes stuff.

    Provocative, dangerous and scary, indeed.

    Parent

    Against us Donald (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 08:38:12 AM EST
    I thought that was pretty clear

    Parent
    White people (none / 0) (#22)
    by CST on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 10:48:13 AM EST
    Are probably fine.

    Parent
    HEY (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 10:58:38 AM EST
    where have you been?

    Parent
    Hiding (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by CST on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 11:02:28 AM EST
    From the world.

    Parent
    CST, I understand the impulse (none / 0) (#27)
    by caseyOR on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 11:33:27 AM EST
    to hide. Still, it is nice to see dropping by again.

    Are you still in school, or have you finished?

    Parent

    not so sure ALL whites are safe (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 04:53:45 PM EST
    this story about the new wrestling "villain" The Progressive Liberal is funny but its also a little creepy.  

    you gotta see the shirt covered with pictures of Hillary.

    Parent

    That was a rhetorical question, Cap'n. (none / 0) (#29)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 12:18:55 PM EST
    Yes, it's obvious -- painfully so. It should also be obvious that since the majority of us are unarmed, there can be no armed conflict without themselves being the aggressors.

    Parent
    The clenched fist of truth.. (none / 0) (#31)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 01:34:03 PM EST
    because the bundle of rods with an axe symbol was already taken.

    About the only thing good about the NRA is that they're always putting out the word to members not to do anything too crazy. Mainly because it would be bad pr for the NRA.

    Parent

    more like (none / 0) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 01:57:03 PM EST
    the clenched sphincter of the nervous

    Parent
    Yeah it's the NRA's (none / 0) (#34)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 02:21:28 PM EST
    yin/yang symbol: the clenched fist of truth going up the clenched sphincter.

    Parent
    District Attorney of Philadelphia (none / 0) (#5)
    by Peter G on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 07:49:46 PM EST
    pleads guilty to a federal bribery charge and resigns, after sitting through the first week and a half of his trial.  The judge revoked his bail on the spot and sent him to the federal lock-up. At sentencing he faces up to five years in prison and I am fairly sure that he will receive that maximum term.

    I thought Philadelphia elected a (none / 0) (#7)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 08:43:36 PM EST
    new district attorney not that long ago. Did I imagine that?

    Parent
    You are thinking of the Democratic primary (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Peter G on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 09:17:49 PM EST
    which nominated a progressive reform candidate with no prosecutorial experience (civil rights and criminal defense lawyer Larry Krasner) to run in November against the Republican nominee, a 20-year veteran of that office. With an enormous registration edge, you would expect the Dem to win easily (and take office in Jan. 2018), but in these strange times, and with such a stark difference in policy positions and backgrounds, I cannot say that result is assured.

    Parent
    Thank you, Peter. (none / 0) (#11)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 09:23:49 PM EST


    Parent
    I would never survive (none / 0) (#9)
    by MKS on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 08:59:30 PM EST
    on the East Coast.  We grouse about dumb judges and biased judges, but no outright corruption and bribes.

    Parent
    Ummmm. Remember the City (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 09:02:51 PM EST
    of Bell?

    Parent
    Egad, that was ugly (none / 0) (#47)
    by MKS on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 09:11:37 PM EST


    Parent
    Before LAPD finally started to ... (none / 0) (#64)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 01, 2017 at 05:07:51 PM EST
    ... clean up its act in the 1990s, it long enjoyed the dubious reputation of being one of the most notoriously corrupt police forces in the entire country.

    And there's a very good reason why the cinematic genre of film noir was first developed in Hollywood, and why its stories are primarily set in the Los Angeles area. The region's history of greed, avarice and public / private corruption is legendary, and provides an apparently endless supply of good source material for screenplays.

    And that penchant for corruption wasn't just localized; it had national implications as well. The central figure behind the "Teapot Dome" scandal of the 1920s was the great L.A. oil baron Edward L. Doheny. He was indicted for offering a $100,000 bribe to President Warren Harding's Interior Secretary, Albert Fall. And while Doheny was ultimately exonerated of that charge in federal court, Fall was found guilty of the money.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    11 year old invents device to prevent (none / 0) (#8)
    by McBain on Thu Jun 29, 2017 at 08:59:18 PM EST
    hot care deaths.

    A year ago, the McKinney, Texas, boy saw a local news report about a 6-month-old in his neighborhood who died after being left in a hot car. Within hours after learning the upsetting news, Bishop created a prototype of a device he believes could have saved the child's life.

    "It made him sad, and at that point, the wheels started turning in his mind," Bishop's father, Bishop Curry IV, told CBS News. "He came up with a way to prevent it from happening."

    I wonder why something like this isn't already on the market?  Not just for kids but for pets too.

    am i the only one (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 07:05:51 AM EST
    who thinks this sounds like a terrible idea?

    dont want to take anything away from he clever kid who came up with it but it just seems very misguided.  its a clever contraption but contraptions break.  wires come loose.  things burn out.  it seems almost inevitable that if this thing was widely used this happen with disastrous results.   but beyond that it just seems like a much better idea to simple NOT leave you child locked in a hot car.  ever. period.

    i dont have children but i would not even leave my dogs locked in a hot car depending on this thing to save them.

    i used to wake to to a radio station in LA that, on really hot days, would remind people that if you leave your dog in your car be sure to return about every half hour to baste it.

    Parent

    I thought about that too (none / 0) (#26)
    by McBain on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 11:14:03 AM EST
    ...a potentially false sense of confidence... but you could make the same argument about other safety devices like smoke detectors.

    a much better idea to simple NOT leave you child locked in a hot car.  ever. period.

    In some instances, it's been alleged that a parent forgot their kid was in the car.  Perhaps another invention would be some kind of alert that sounds off when the doors are closed and a child is still in the car for more than a few seconds.  

    Parent

    seriously (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 05:32:45 PM EST
    if you forget your kid is in the car and leave it in a hot parking lot, again simply basing this on how i care for my dogs, IMO you should not have children.


    Parent
    A lot of people should not (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 06:14:39 PM EST
    have children. Or animals, for that matter.

    Parent
    Somebody beat me too it (none / 0) (#28)
    by McBain on Fri Jun 30, 2017 at 11:39:06 AM EST
    Link
    Sense-A-Life detects when the driver exits the vehicle and sends an audible message and phone app alert to the driver stating, "Please remove the child from the seat." If the driver doesn't respond to the app or remove the child within a few minutes, Sense-A-life can send an alert to a second parent or caregiver. "We want to have a lot of back-up plans," said Shamma.


    Parent
    Thursday Open Thread | 78 comments (78 topical)

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