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Thursday Open Thread

I'm busy with motions and stuff.

Questions of the day: Will the Judge in the Roger Stone case get the unredacted Mueller report? What happens to DT, Jr. if he ignores his subpoena? What happens to Barr? Can Trump, Sr claim executive privilege as to matters that occurred during his campaign and before he was sworn in? Should Congress writ Michael Cohen in from prison?

Highlands Ranch students last night walked out of the vigil for their deceased classmate when a group aligned with the Brady Org., Sen. Michael Benett and others hogged the stage to talk about gun control, which the students believe politicized the event and prevented them from talking about their deceased classmate. It also did a disservice to the real issue as they perceive it in this case which is mental health. The juvenile charged is transitioning from a she to a he and prefers to be called Alec or "he." Many students have said he didn't receive he support he needed. The 18 year old suspect, by the way, has excellent lawyers (Haddon Morgan -- who represented Kobe Bryant and so many others).

Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Rep. Jamie Raskin (D.MD) (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by KeysDan on Thu May 09, 2019 at 03:41:56 PM EST
    presents a partial, but engrossing, list of Trump's crimes of politics.

    The Congressman does not delve into reporting of Trump's income tax information, but those revelations should not be overlooked.

     Indeed, an initial article of impeachment of President Richard Nixon involved his shady tax returns, including the $576,000 deduction for his gift to the National Archives for his pre-presidential papers---back-dated on the deed to purport that the donation could  be tax deductible before the expiration of the relevant law enabling such a deduction. This large deduction permitted Nixon to, essentially, pay no taxes over several years. This article of impeachment was ultimately rejected, being eclipsed by the luridness of the Watergate scandal.

    Rest in peace, Jim Fowler (!930-2019), ... (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu May 09, 2019 at 04:55:02 PM EST
    ... noted zoologist and wildlife specialist who made the natural world accessible to three generations of American schoolchildren and their parents as the longtime co-host (w/the late Marlin Perkins) of the acclaimed syndicated TV series "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom."

    Many older viewers might also remember Fowler as a regular guest on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." He first fell into that recurring gig when "Wild Kingdom" was broadcast on NBC and he was at the Burbank studio shooting some promos, and he initially agreed to be a last-second substitute for a guest who was unable to make it that particular evening. He took along some of his animal friends, which proved a big hit with the audience -- especially Carson's reaction to and interaction with them -- and his easy rapport with Carson was such that they eventually became friends offscreen, and the host would bring him back to the show regularly.

    I grew up watching "Wild Kingdom," which inspired me in part to major in biology and wildlife science in college. (My undergraduate degree is in that subject; my master's is in U.S. history.) Like his contemporaries Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall, Fowler contributed to our greater understanding of the natural world around us.

    He will be missed.

    Jungle Jim was a wonderful person. (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by fishcamp on Thu May 09, 2019 at 05:24:07 PM EST
    I worked with him many times over the years on all kinds of animal shows.  He was one of the guys that hung around the film crew instead of the bosses, and he always helped us carry stuff.

    One time we were working on an elephant show in Nairobi, I think it was, and we had all kinds of elaborate hidden setups for extreme close up shots.  Jungle announced that the elephants would not come into our area, and of course he was right.  The director was humiliated since he had been there for days ahead of us, and had it all set up.  Jim saved the day immediately by calling in several different kinds of gazelles with just strange mouth calls.  They just marched right in.  I immediately spun my camera around and got some solid shots from my tripod.  Over the next few days Jungle called in all kinds of critters and saved the show.  He will be missed.

    Parent

    Awesome (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu May 09, 2019 at 06:37:39 PM EST
    Kimmel's Environmental PSA. (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by vml68 on Thu May 09, 2019 at 05:00:23 PM EST
    Rudy goes to Ukraine to dig dirt (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 09, 2019 at 09:25:27 PM EST
    On Biden's son.  And tells the Times that's why he's going on what is basically a state visit


    NYTimes


    RAWSTORY (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 09, 2019 at 09:27:07 PM EST
    Open Air Collusion (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 10, 2019 at 11:21:46 AM EST
    Trump colludes with a foreign government to get "dirt" on an opponent's family member.  Sounds familiar.

    Parent
    It's remarkable (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 10, 2019 at 11:32:42 AM EST
    It appears the lesson they have taken from Mueller is if you do it on tv it not illegal.

    I am now fully in agreement with you Dan.

    Impeachment.  Now. No choice.

    Parent

    Nothing (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 10, 2019 at 12:15:48 PM EST
    for any of us to celebrate.  Something that has to be done.  My sense was that an impeachment inquiry needed to be formally started after Barr's deviousness with,and lying about, the Mueller Report---it is always better to butter the toast while hot; the toast is not yet cold but at least an impeachment inquiry has to start, if for no other reason than to give more weight to subpoenas. And, public education requires the power of the t.v. cameras at open hearings.

    Also, I am not convinced that Trump will even comply with Court decisions in favor of the Congress. Nixon did and it was his downfall...Trump does not read, but he surely, somehow, learned that lesson. Probably a tutorial by Roy Cohn.

    Parent

    Better Wait to Do It (none / 0) (#14)
    by RickyJim on Fri May 10, 2019 at 05:14:39 PM EST
    the day after Mueller testifies.  If Trump goes to court to block that, do it the day after the White House files with the court.

    Parent
    Waiting time is over (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 10, 2019 at 07:10:23 PM EST
    President Donald Trump told POLITICO on Friday that it would be "appropriate" for him to speak to Attorney General Bill Barr about launching an investigation into his potential 2020 rival, Joe Biden, or his son, Hunter.



    Parent
    200 years ago today, ... (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri May 10, 2019 at 04:02:13 AM EST
    ... Kalani Paiʻea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiʻikui Kamehameha o ʻIolani i Kaiwikapu kauʻi Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea, better known as King Kamehameha I, died quietly at age 82 or 83 at Kamakahonou, his royal compound in Kailua on the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii.

    It is practically impossible to overstate the historical impact and legacy of the warrior-king Kamehameha and his two most influential wives, Ka'ahumanu and Keōpūolani, in Hawaii and the Pacific. He was the only Pacific Islander to successfully unite his islands under a single native ruler.

    Kamehameha's rule was entirely autocratic, and he could be very ruthless when he felt his authority was threatened. When a couple of rogue American sea captains committed depredations on Maui and Hawaii island in 1790, Kamehameha seized one of the ships and had its entire crew slaughtered save for two young white men he took a liking to because of their bravery, Isaac Davis and John Young, whom he subsequently adopted as hanai sons.

    (Both Davis and Young became loyal and trusted advisors to the King, and were his interpreters in all his dealings with westerners. They served Kamehameha well, and both were married off to two of the King's daughters. Davis was killed in 1810 on Kauai while defending Kamehameha during an attempt on his life; Young was eventually appointed by Kamehameha as governor of Oahu.)

    After Kamehameha's death, and assisted by John Young, Ka'ahumanu and Keōpūolani effectively seized political control from the other chiefs and thus ensured that the Kingdom of Hawaii would remain united and independent under the Kamehameha-Kalakaua dynasty, until the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani's government in an American coup d'état in 1893 and subsequent U.S. annexation of the islands five years later in 1898.

    Aloha.

    SSBN 642 (none / 0) (#20)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri May 10, 2019 at 09:00:04 PM EST
    The USS Kamehameha. Imua!

    Parent
    Presidential (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by KeysDan on Sat May 11, 2019 at 11:35:10 AM EST
    as usual.   Trump' called Mayor Pete Alfred E Neuman.  Pete responded will the burn, to the effect, had to google it, didn't. get the reference. Must be a generational thing---but pretty funny, I guess.

    Next time, I suggest Pete just say---what, me worry?  But, then, that may be generational, too. And, after all, Alfred E. Neumann is better than Trump's name for Senator Sanders---Crazy Bernie.

    I'm liking Trumps news nickname (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 11, 2019 at 06:09:50 PM EST
    Brokeahantas

    Parent
    If ever a guy (none / 0) (#31)
    by jondee on Sat May 11, 2019 at 07:23:45 PM EST
    was begging for some mean-spirited nicknames be directed his way, it's Trump.

    I'm still kinda partial to Chief Bone Spurs myself.

    Parent

    Brokeahantas (none / 0) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 11, 2019 at 07:54:11 PM EST
    Kinda gets him where he lives.  He's proud of the bone spurs thing.

    Parent
    ... "Bebito Mussolini," which pretty much sums Trump up in a nutshell.

    Parent
    Happy Mother's Day (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by KeysDan on Sun May 12, 2019 at 11:50:34 AM EST
    to all TL mothers and grandmothers.

    Also, a Mother's Day grammar lesson; and a favorite old movie, "Mildred Pierce." on TCM 3:30 pm EST.

    I hope that some attorney in Alabama... (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by Jack E Lope on Thu May 16, 2019 at 03:22:03 PM EST
    ...is planning to use the court cases that uphold their new abortion law (which I expect to be upheld at every level within the state - and quickly, since there appears to be a race to be the first state to get an anti-abortion law to SCOTUS) as precedent to challenge the death penalty in Alabama.  

    I also expect that the current SCOTUS will leave abortion laws to the states, rather than do something as extreme as define "when life begins".  The right-wing justices already appear to disagree about the details when it comes to delaying-premeditated-killing.  

    But, if I'm wishing, I guess I should wish that all women in Alabama could afford to leave and never return to Alabama.   (That "afford" would have to be more than monetary - there's an emotional-stress aspect that can overrule money when leaving family/friends/familiar places/home.)   I'm not saying they should all choose to leave, but that the burdens of that choice should be surmountable.

    Searching for info, I found that Alabama is killing somebody today.


    IT's back (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 09, 2019 at 06:20:29 PM EST
    CHAPTER 2

    What a great summer for movies.  Godzilla,BrightBurn, It........

    WATCHMEN (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 09, 2019 at 06:44:52 PM EST
    HBOs next big thing

    Alan Moore's legendary graphic novel Watchmen is a rare work of art that has for years shown what can be done with the form of a comic book in both storytelling and art. It's an extremely political work that critiqued the idea of what a superhero means in the context of American society set in the backdrop of the Cold War, all illustrated perfectly by Dave Gibbons. The work has seen its fair share of new media with a Zach Snyder-directed 2009 film, a prequel comic Before Watchmen and quasi-sequel Doomsday Clock (none with the involvement of Alan Moore).

    Now, its newest adaptation comes in the form of an original TV series on HBO created by Damon Lindelof (co-creator of Lost, Leftovers and writer of Prometheus) that claims to be "a modern-day reimagining of Alan Moore's groundbreaking graphic novel about masked vigilantes," and what he has previously called a "remix" of the story.



    Parent
    Sad to see this (none / 0) (#15)
    by ragebot on Fri May 10, 2019 at 07:04:54 PM EST
    Seems like most folks are not making new friends, and once you reach 21/23 you don't make any new friends at all.

    I have to say living on a boat and moving from place to place; along with others on boats moving from place to place I encounter lots of new people on a regular basis.  Since I bought my boat in 2012 I have made more new friends (and am able to keep in contact with them via the internet) than maybe any time in my life.

    Part of it may be that when you are in a group of boats close together you realize 'we are all in this together and need to help each other'.  When I am back in my condo living on dirt I never have the same feeling.

    The only (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat May 11, 2019 at 04:40:02 AM EST
    people I know that haven't made new friends live in small towns where they still have the friends they grew up with and are not interested in making new friends. I have encountered this type of behavior. However where I live if you are not constantly making new friends you are not going to have any friends since my area is very transient. Since the NY Post is probably heavily into magats I am not surprised that they are running with that story.

    Parent
    White America is a shrinking demographic. (none / 0) (#46)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun May 12, 2019 at 04:39:53 PM EST
    And if one is interested only in consorting with other white people, then one's opportunities to make new friends outside of one's own Wonder Bread social circle are likely limited to problematic. That's why we live in Hawaii. I'm married to a Mexican-American, and most of our friends aren't white.

    Parent
    Maybe the average reader (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 10, 2019 at 07:09:36 PM EST
    Of the NYPost has not.  They are a shrinking demo.

    I think that's a croc

    Parent

    In less political news (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 10, 2019 at 07:18:02 PM EST
    I love the idea there may be more dragons we have not met.  Rising from Drogons long vacation.

    Parent
    The new Prince of Dorne pledges his allegiance (none / 0) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 10, 2019 at 07:31:35 PM EST
    This throwaway line in Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 4 might have felt like the last we'd ever hear of the southern Westeros kingdom, but a look back at some previously reported casting news may reveal that HBO has much bigger plans for the "new prince" than we guessed.

    The biggest clue, however, are a few photos shared by Osmond online (and reposted on Imgur) that appear to show Osmond hanging out off camera with none other than Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister!). So not only is Osmond probably in Game of Thrones Season 8, but he's not just going to be hanging out down in Dorne. He was presumably on set with Dinklage, which means he probably shows up in King's Landing, likely with a whole army of Dornish soldiers to take down Cersei Lannister.



    Parent
    This is funny (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 11, 2019 at 10:06:19 AM EST
    It seems (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 11, 2019 at 10:04:32 AM EST
    a Handmaids Tale has come.   Abortion is murder.  Even if you leave the state.

    I can only hope the outrage will bring even a few of those white female Trump supporters out of their coma.

    Seriously (none / 0) (#25)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat May 11, 2019 at 11:55:02 AM EST
    it is the Handmaid's Tale. Miscarriage now triggers a police investigation and a woman can be charged with 2nd degree murder.

    Parent
    Reimplantation (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 11, 2019 at 03:39:44 PM EST
    Of ectopic pregnancies

    Parent
    Is that even possible? (none / 0) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat May 11, 2019 at 03:59:09 PM EST
    No (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by CST on Sat May 11, 2019 at 04:18:40 PM EST
    It's not, and if they fail it could be deadly. "Pro-life" unless you're an adult woman...

    Parent
    Surviving an ectopic pregnancy (5.00 / 3) (#32)
    by Peter G on Sat May 11, 2019 at 07:47:55 PM EST
    between our first and second daughters turned my wife from a committed pro-choicer to a fanatic pro-choicer.

    Parent
    My husband and his first (none / 0) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 11, 2019 at 08:11:51 PM EST
    Wife had an ectopic pregnancy.

    It was very traumatic for both of them. The military clinic discounted her pain. They ignored her, and she almost lost her life. They were just kids. Their marriage did not survive the tragedy that poor healthcare made even worse for both of them.

    Parent

    What a difference. We had (none / 0) (#35)
    by Peter G on Sat May 11, 2019 at 09:33:12 PM EST
    superb medical care, at a University Hospital in Los Angeles, where we were living that year. The docs not only saved her life, but also her fertility. I had no idea what an ectopic was at the time, and therefore no idea how dangerous the situation was.

    Parent
    ... who suffered an ectopic pregnancy at age 21, and the damage was such that she and her husband were told by doctors at the time that it was very unlikely that she'd ever be able to have children.

    She recently went to the OB/GYN with complaints of severe abdominal pain and concerns about her increasingly sporadic periods, because her family has a history of ovarian cancer. You can only imagine how relieved she was that she didn't have cancer, and how surprised she was to learn that she's actually five months pregnant. It's a boy, and they're ecstatic at the news.

    But because the doctor warned her of potential complications, at his request we've since cut back significantly on her duties and obligations, and further made arrangements for her to work remotely from home for right now, so she can rest comfortably whenever she feels the need to do so. We told her if she wants to go on medical leave to just let us know, and that her job is safe.

    Small miracles happen every day somewhere.

    Parent

    It infuriates (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun May 12, 2019 at 04:49:58 AM EST
    me when doctors do not listen to women. I have had the same problem of not listening not ectopic pregnancy. I think this is why women OB/GYNs are in such demand though I also think the medical schools have gotten the message on a lot of this too and are attempting to teach doctors better listening skills.  

    Parent
    It really seems like (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 07:13:39 AM EST
    They are "testing the Fences".

    To see what they can get away with considering all Brokehantas' new judges.

    Why else would they do such an extreme thing.  Or things really.

    Parent

    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:54:53 AM EST
    with Joe on this. This is like their wish list put in one piece of legislation. They are drunk on power and desperation. They know the jig is up so they are using what power they have right now to do everything.

    Parent
    They (none / 0) (#38)
    by FlJoe on Sun May 12, 2019 at 07:38:53 AM EST
    are drunk with power, they could care less about fences, laws, norms..........

    Parent
    I disagree (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:42:04 AM EST
    It almost impossible the court will allow a law to stand that says even if you leave the state and go to a state where it's legal you can be sent to jail.

    And the ectopic thing is just nuts.  I know very little about the condition but enough to know they can't possibly think it will be upheld.

    But I think they are testing to see how far they can go.

    Politically I think it's very unwise.  Among other things.

    Parent

    They know (none / 0) (#41)
    by Zorba on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:58:35 AM EST
    D*mned well that this is going to the Supreme Court.
    That's what they're hoping for, because they believe that the current Supreme Court will overturn Roe vs Wade, in full, or at least in part.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 10:06:47 AM EST
    That my point

    It's like an opening position that so outrageous when they let go of death penalties and reimplanted ectopic pregnancies they think they will look reasonable.

    Parent

    My gynecologist (none / 0) (#48)
    by Zorba on Sun May 12, 2019 at 07:34:00 PM EST
    Is a woman, and so is my family practitioner.

    So is my ophthalmologist.  And my periodontist.  And my rheumatologist.  And my physical therapist, who I have to see from time to time.

    I have some very good male doctors as well, but, especially for the GYN and the family doctor, I am happy to have a woman.

    Parent

    Police investigation (5.00 / 3) (#29)
    by KeysDan on Sat May 11, 2019 at 05:08:46 PM EST
    into a woman's reproductive system is not an invasion of privacy.  However, the obtaining of the tax returns of the president of the USA is.

    Parent
    Harvards removes Weinstein lawyer from (none / 0) (#43)
    by McBain on Sun May 12, 2019 at 10:23:41 AM EST
    faculty dean position...
    Harvard said on Saturday that a law professor who is representing Harvey Weinstein would not continue as faculty dean of an undergraduate house after his term ends on June 30, bowing to months of pressure from students...

    ...As the protests continued, with graffiti aimed at Mr. Sullivan appearing on a university building, Harvard administrators said they would conduct what they called a climate review of Winthrop House. In recent weeks, tensions have escalated, with a student sit-in and a lawsuit sparked by a clash between one of the protest leaders and two Winthrop House staff members who were seen as supporting Mr. Sullivan....

    ...The decision not to renew the appointments of Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Robinson as faculty deans does not affect their positions at the law school, where Mr. Sullivan is the Jesse Climenko Clinical Professor of Law and the director of the Criminal Justice Institute.

    Sounds like a terrible decision.  In other Weinstein news, former Casey Anthony lawyer Jose Baez has joined the Weinstein's legal team.

    And yet (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Repack Rider on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:34:20 AM EST
    ...John Yoo still has a position of authority.

    Parent
    Arya has to use at least (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 07:37:41 PM EST
    One more face.  Probably of a character who can die offscreen so it's a surprise.

    I'm thinking Qyburn.

    Not Qyburn (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 08:58:00 PM EST
    That was amazing (none / 0) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:21:24 PM EST
    Cleganebowl did not disappoint

    Parent
    If you stick your head out the window (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:38:18 PM EST
    You can hear the bowls of the fans of other endings.  Maybe not even that if you don't live alone.

    I think twitter is broken.  

    Parent

    Um (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:45:49 PM EST
    Howls

    Not bowls.

    That Varys.  He's always right.  Or WAS always right.

    Parent

    Bowels might work too (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by jondee on Sun May 12, 2019 at 09:56:24 PM EST
    Now we know which side the coin landed on.

    Parent
    The world as it is (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:04:00 AM EST
    It strikes me that a Venn diagram of people who can not accept that Thrones will not end well for Daenerys and the people who can not accept the democratic primary will have a happy ending for Creepy Uncle Joe would have a large overlap.

    There is a new South Carolina poll this morning that has Biden at 46%.  In a field of 22.  With Bernie nipping at his ankles with 14% Harris at 10% and everyone else in singles

    At some point we can't keep saying these polls don't mean anything.  

    The writers had been signaling The Dragon Queen was going off the rails for years.  

    Polls keep telling us the same thing over and over.

    Sometimes the ending is bittersweet.  You can't always get what you want.  But you get what you need.

    The world as it is.

    Parent

    They made a great point (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:07:45 AM EST
    On Morning Joe today.

    A bunch of those democratic presidential candidate that are are 2,3 and 4 percent should jump into the senate races before its to late.  They are having a hard time getting good senate candidates because everybody and their dog is running for president.

    Parent

    It's (none / 0) (#57)
    by FlJoe on Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:28:57 AM EST
    like have an entire football team (offense and defense) of talented athletes and every single one of them wants to play QB.

    Parent
    Which is admirable I guess (none / 0) (#58)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:42:57 AM EST
    But if we want to talk about defeating "Trumpism" it starts in the senate.

    Beto should definitely get slapped into reality.  There are at least a couple of others.

    Parent

    Different take (none / 0) (#64)
    by ragebot on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:40:43 AM EST
    A while back I mentioned Eric Swalwell had no chance to get the nomination a poster said it was obvious he was not running for prez but was looking for a cabinet position.

    I have seen several posts here about how what seems like at least half of those running would fit in a cabinet.  Not to mention jockeying for the VP slot.  Before he jumped to the top of the field Biden rather clumsily announced Abrams would be his VP; now Harris seems to be his front runner; even if both of them don't seem to endorse the idea.

    When Trump first announced he was treated as a joke and wound up running the table.  I would not be shocked if the same thing happens on the other side this year.

    The energy on the dem's side is clearly far to the left of Biden and he has a ton of baggage not to mention what seems like an infinite ability to stick his foot in his mouth.

    Parent

    Swallwell is basically already (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:47:14 AM EST
    A full time MSNBC staffer.


    Parent
    As someone who will be alive long enough to (none / 0) (#63)
    by CST on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:39:12 AM EST
    Experience the broader and growing impacts of climate change,  I'm not so sure we'll get what we need, regardless of who wins the primary.

    Parent
    What you "need" (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:49:12 AM EST
     May or may not be what you think you need

    Parent
    What you need (none / 0) (#86)
    by CST on Mon May 13, 2019 at 01:20:09 PM EST
    And what I will need are also profoundly different on this issue. And we won't know for certain until long after the next presidency has passed.  I'm not optimistic.

    Parent
    And by that metric (none / 0) (#87)
    by CST on Mon May 13, 2019 at 01:22:56 PM EST
    Do we really "need" to get rid of Trump?

    Imo, the greater threat to mankind is climate change. But Trump is s lot easier of s problem to solve,  I'll give you that.

    Parent

    See my post below (none / 0) (#70)
    by ragebot on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:53:11 AM EST
    I am still not convinced Biden will get the nomination.  I have no doubt you and most of the folks here will vote for Biden if he gets the nomination; but calling him Creepy Uncle Joe is not what I would call a ringing endorsement.

    I do have some dem friends in real life and none of them have Biden as their first choice; something that is also obvious here.  Before he declared Jeralyn had a thread about how he was your father's Oldsmobile; again not a ringing endorsement.

    Biden's current lead may not be as great as you suggest.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:54:21 AM EST
    Bets taken here

    Parent
    Feel free to use the (none / 0) (#73)
    by ragebot on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:58:48 AM EST
    link to place bets with real money

    Parent
    Are you (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:05:04 PM EST
    Afraid?

    Parent
    Capt (none / 0) (#99)
    by ragebot on Mon May 13, 2019 at 10:21:45 PM EST
    Don't you know the first rule of gambling; so well stated by Nick the Greek.

     "Never bet on anything that can talk."

    Nick was one of the last of the great high rollers.  He won and lost fortunes multiple times.  My favorite story about him was when he and his friend Albert Einstein went to a poker game in New York and introduced Einstein as 'little Al from Jersey who controls most of the action around Princeton'.  Nick was also a friend of Richard Feynman.

    While the book Gambling Secrets of Nick the Greek is dated in terms of the games now played in Vegas it does illustrate why Nick and Einstein and Feynman.  The book details how Nick would often calculate the odds to ten decimal places; something Einstein complimented him for.

    Of course no one could gamble like W.

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    Woops (none / 0) (#100)
    by ragebot on Mon May 13, 2019 at 10:22:18 PM EST
    No one could gamble like W. C. Fields.

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    Well (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 10:35:25 PM EST
    In the words of Varys, I hope I wrong.  I really do.

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    Creepy Uncle Joe. (none / 0) (#82)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:33:51 PM EST
    I really really hope I do not have to vote for him. He also gives Trump cover for misogyny and Russia. We aren't going to hear about either of those issues if it is Trump vs. Biden. We better hope there are enough people that reject white supremacy or white nationalism if it comes to those two because that is basically what 2020 is going to be about.

    Parent
    One of the better meditations (none / 0) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 09:39:58 AM EST
    Shorter version (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 10:04:48 AM EST
    The story is about power and how it corrupts.

    About how no one who want to rule the world should be allowed to just on general principal because no matter how admirable their plans and intentions are wanting to rule the world is not a normal healthy frame of mind.

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    That's a great message (none / 0) (#67)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:48:36 AM EST
    but the unwinding of the story and the arcs of the individual characters required at least three or four more episodes, imo.

    The absence of the Martin deft-touch this season couldn't have been more obvious.

    The last two in particular seemed ridiculously rushed and condensed. The heads-up that there were budgetary problems going on was that explanation for the deeply unsatisfying Jon-Ghost parting. Would have required too much CGI? After all that other CGI overkill? Really?

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    Breath (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:50:25 AM EST
    Snow and Ghost will be reunited

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    Ghost's greeting (none / 0) (#77)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:12:16 PM EST
    should be a bite in that ungrateful as*.

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    Ghost (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:14:27 PM EST
    Is a realist

    He will be happy to see "Snow" return to the north.  The real north, which as Tormund said, is IN him.

    Parent

    I like that scenario (none / 0) (#88)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 01:49:20 PM EST
    and hadn't thought of it.

    Thanks for wrecking it for me. Just can't help yourself, can you? ;)

    Parent

    To be clear (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 05:28:19 PM EST
    I'm just assuming what seems obvious to me.  True I have read so called spoilers but they have not been very accurate at all so far.

    But what happens now just seems obvious to me.  Like the Variety piece says.

    Parent

    Great piece (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 06:11:10 PM EST
    With criticism I accept

    Striking cinematography sells the aftermath of Daenerys' decision, and the imagery goes a long way to establishing the weight that now falls on Jon, Arya, and Tyrion as they confront the tyrant Daenerys has become. And I think we're meant to be impressed by the weight the writers have put on their shoulders by turning a fan-favorite character into a villain, but I leave "The Bells" believing it's a decision that mostly reveals the cracks in the foundation built over the course of the previous seasons. It's not that the final season is failing to live up to my specific expectations of what was supposed to happen, which I avoided having for that reason. It's that the final season is failing to live up to what I believe a final season should do: enriching the show that came before it. And while the notion that power corrupts has always been at the heart of this story, the way it manifests here feels like a simplification of the show and its ideas, as opposed to a culmination of its larger journey.

    It does seem a bit rushed.  But it's been 8 years.  After all.

    AVClub

    I also love that it mentions all the people who have now named their baby after a bloody tyrant. Pffft

    Parent

    Now, now, have some sympathy (none / 0) (#93)
    by Zorba on Mon May 13, 2019 at 06:56:54 PM EST
    for the little girls who will be asking their parents, "Mommy, Daddy, why did you name me after a bad woman?"

    Parent
    Sorry (none / 0) (#94)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 07:21:38 PM EST
    Calling her Kali would not be so great either since that is the Hindu goddess of death and destruction.

    Sigh, aaaaanyway

    I guess we no longer have to guess about that third "holy shi+ moment" Martin promised

    I would say the moral is don't name you kid after tv characters.

    Parent

    But it's just funny (none / 0) (#95)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 07:25:23 PM EST
    I could've been worse (none / 0) (#97)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:51:15 PM EST
    we could've named you Pee Nesenvy

    Parent
    It's like some of these (none / 0) (#96)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 08:46:54 PM EST
    bad, garish tattoos some people get that seemed like a good idea at the time.


    Parent
    I just watched it again (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 09:56:25 PM EST
    You know that meet up between Euron and Jaime, while I agree was not really a satisfying  ending for Euron, is not so outlandish because they are running into each other at the only place to get into the Red Keep except the front door.

    It does make sense they would both be trying to use it.

    Jus sayin.

    Boy that moment.  That moment when everything turned.  When the whole freaking world stopped and there was the alternating closeups of the two Queens and there was a moment when there could have been a more or less happy ending before the whole thing went to shi+.....

    Boy, that moment.

    Parent

    You are going to love this (none / 0) (#103)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 15, 2019 at 11:23:38 AM EST
    That was (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed May 15, 2019 at 01:34:22 PM EST
    Great

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    Who names a child (none / 0) (#102)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 15, 2019 at 11:19:31 AM EST
    After a story character where we don't even know the ending lol? What bigger indication that too many of us have the emotional intelligence of a 14 yr old do we need?

    Parent
    Seeing (none / 0) (#61)
    by ragebot on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:26:53 AM EST
    Arya riding the horse at the end reminded me of Revelation 6:8

    "And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."

    In a way I expected more from Qyburn's death, it was quick and by the Mountain's hand in a flash, or at least it seemed so.  Also wondering about Cersei and Jamie.  For as long as I can remember when the screen would go black it would result in credits being run.  But last week when the Iron Fleet attacked and Tyrion jumped in the water and was hit with the falling mast it went black, only to switch to the beach.  Happened again this week with black after Cersei and Jamie seem to be under falling rubble.  Are they dead or will Jamie survive like when Bronn saved him.

    So what is the real casualty list.  Euron, Qyburn, Cersei, and Jamie are the big ones but maybe some survive.  The Hound and the Mountain for sure.

    Also wondering about what is happening after the new Prince of Dorn declared for Danny according to the Onion Knight but never appeared on screen.

    Parent

    There are 80 mins left (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:44:28 AM EST
    80 mins.

     Cersei and Jamie are dead, the Mountain and the Hound are dead.

    Parent

    How about Euron (none / 0) (#75)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:05:12 PM EST
    washing up on shore just at the right time and place to accost Jamie?

    Sorry but, more than a little lame.

    Parent

    I'm sorry (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:09:55 PM EST
    You need to cal the Game of Thrones

    WAMBULANCE

    Parent

    I may (none / 0) (#78)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:13:03 PM EST
    Seriously (none / 0) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:15:42 PM EST
    There are 80 F'ing minutes left.

    Breath.

    Parent

    I was hoping for a very last (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:26:17 PM EST
    scene with Cersei, Jamie, Dany, and the Hound all in a group therapy session run by Varys.

    Now who'd like to go first?

    Parent

    It's become a regular show (none / 0) (#83)
    by McBain on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:36:07 PM EST
    more expensive, more hype than everything else but nothing special overall anymore.

    That Euron/Jamie scene was awful.  All it really did was make the Clegane duel look better than it was.

    I did like some of the dragon/iron fleet scenes visually but they didn't make much sense compared to previous episodes. When it's convenient for the story, a dragon becomes extremely difficult to shoot down.  That's typical Hollywood writing, not what the first several seasons gave us.


    Parent

    Such a wonderful placeholder (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:49:13 PM EST
    For the lowest common denominator

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    Was the fleet there (none / 0) (#85)
    by jondee on Mon May 13, 2019 at 12:53:54 PM EST
    the night before? A nighttime attack with the dragon on the ships and scorpions seems like it would've been a no-brainer, but what do I know?

    That hard-headed Daenyrus, once she gets an idea in her head..

    Parent

    But then we couldn't have (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon May 13, 2019 at 05:25:50 PM EST
    Seeeeeeeeen anything >

    Parent
    In other news (none / 0) (#72)
    by ragebot on Mon May 13, 2019 at 11:58:02 AM EST
    Not sure if this is fat shaming or what but one of the stranger preps for a court proceeding.

    Judge approves unusual court transportation plan for defendant who weighs more than 900 pounds

    Gotta love the popup (none / 0) (#89)
    by fishcamp on Mon May 13, 2019 at 04:57:38 PM EST
    that comes with that.  Like I'm going to subscribe to the Richmond Times Dispatch?

    Parent