Merry Christmas and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 12:00:40 PM EST
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Merry Christmas, Everyone.

It really doesn't feel like Christmas to me, but for those of you who have found something to celebrate today (including your religion), enjoy! - and please tell us about any great meals or adventures you had. For those of you staying home (like me) and watching a lot of TV, I hope you'll share any great series or movies you've seen.

It's been interesting following the varied approaches states are taking to who gets the vaccine second. Everyone is doing first responders and nursing homes first, but after that, there seems to be a split. Some states are going with the elderly being second because that will save the most lives (since their lives are most at risk). Other states are going with workers who deal with the public in non-medical fields next, saying they are most likely to catch the virus. Where do you weigh in?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Trump's Pardonmania | Trump Signs COVID-19 Relief Bill, House to Vote on $2k payments >

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Merry Christmas and Open Thread | 94 comments (94 topical)

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Merry Christmas (5.00 / 4) (#3)
by Zorba on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 02:18:34 PM EST

Happy New Year, and Merry Happy Christmakwanzakah to all.
Quiet day here, it's only Mr. Zorba, me, and our son who lives here.

But we are having sous vide boneless prime rib, sautéed mushrooms, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, Greek oven roasted potatoes (our garden potatoes from our root cellar), Greek salad, and butternut squash pie (from our garden butternut squash). And lots of good Cabernet Sauvignon to go with dinner.

Stay safe, all!

I had a neighbor over (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 02:39:13 PM EST

We had bar food. Spicy wings, stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs, bacon wrapped chicken bites, Scotch eggs, fried pickles with spicy mayo and and assortment of olives and cheese.

And lots of drinks.


A lady (none / 0) (#16)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 05:08:04 PM EST

I go to church with grew up in England and she makes Scotch eggs to bring to gatherings. They are to die for. I could eat a whole tray of them. I hope yours were as good.


: I've gotten pretty good at it (none / 0) (#19)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 05:24:22 PM EST

We came up with the plan for bar food about a week ago. I made Scotch eggs and fried pickles, he made deviled eggs and stuffed mushrooms and the rest was stockpiled in advance from various takeout.
It was great actually. Don't remember when I've enjoyed Christmas dinner more. I love bar food.

You always (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 05:07:18 PM EST

have the best food Zorba. What is in Greek potatoes? I guess I should start googling. The internet has every recipe these days. Butternut squash pie sounds interesting but I'm not sure I would like a pie that tastes like squash.

We had our big dinner last night with rib roast my husband did on the pellet grill, mashed potato gratin, green beans, roasted zucchini and yellow squash, peaches and rolls.

Merry Christmas everyone!


I forgot to (none / 0) (#17)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 05:09:23 PM EST

mention the deserts: fudge meringue pie and buttermilk pie. My sister raved about the buttermilk pie. It is the first time I have ever cooked on.


I don't have (none / 0) (#23)
by Zorba on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 09:18:00 PM EST

An exact recipe for the potatoes, but peel and cut your potatoes in wedges, coat them with olive oil, lemon juice, melted butter, a little bit of chicken or beef broth, finely minced garlic (or use garlic powder, I won't tell), salt, pepper, oregano.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for an hour and a half, give or take. Stir every so often. The edges should be a bit crisped.
Sorry it's not more precise, but I've never measured the ingredients for this one.


: PS (none / 0) (#24)
by Zorba on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 09:21:35 PM EST

The butternut squash pie tastes like a pumpkin pie, but better.
Pumpkins are squash. Pumpkins, gourds, winter squash, summer squash, cucumbers, are all related, and they can all interbreed.

: No feta? So yummy. (none / 0) (#29)
by oculus on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 12:20:27 PM EST

Merry Christmas, everyone. (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 03:11:57 PM EST

This has been a Zoom holiday, talking to everyone remotely. It's just not the same, but we're making the best of it. I'm pretty much resigned to not being able to first meet my youngest grandson in person until after his first birthday in March. We were supposed to go over the Oahu last June to see him but then we had another shutdown. This has been the first year I haven't gotten on a plane to go anywhere. We'll make up for it later in 2021 when this pandemic winds down.

Take care and stay safe. Aloha.

Peace, Health and Happy Holidays (5.00 / 3) (#20)
by desertswine on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 05:35:16 PM EST

to all my good TL friends.

Merry Christmas to all my TL friends! (5.00 / 3) (#25)
by vml68 on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 09:56:08 PM EST

It was a quiet day for us, just hubby, me and the doggie children.
Kept the menu simple. Baghali Polo (Basmati Rice with dill, broad beans, (I used edamame) and saffron) and braised lamb shanks.
Missing my parents, sibling and nieces. It's been a year since I've seen them.

Looking forward to 2021!

: Looking forward to 2021 (none / 0) (#26)
by jmacWA on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 04:46:10 AM EST

🎼 They say that 21 is gonna be a good year

Masterful homage (5.00 / 5) (#30)
by KeysDan on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 12:32:48 PM EST

to the Addams Family by cartoonist, Harry Bliss, takes the cover of The New Yorker's December 28 issue. Requires a minute of study to fully appreciate.

: Great cover (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by MO Blue on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 12:56:32 PM EST

As you indicated, there is a lot going on in the cartoon.

Deep State (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 29, 2020 at 10:25:14 AM EST

EPIX series.

Two seasons. Very good. Like Homeland minus the annoying mental outpatient central character.

: Great (none / 0) (#85)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 31, 2020 at 12:49:49 PM EST

"When can we expect the go-ahead from the president?"
"The man tweets like a teen aged girl. You really think we're gonna leave this up to him?"

Let's hear it from the judge (5.00 / 1) (#65)
by MO Blue on Tue Dec 29, 2020 at 06:34:46 PM EST

Federal Judge Slams Trump Pardons

U.S. District Judge Robert Pratt told the Associated Press that, "It's not surprising that a criminal like Trump pardons other criminals."
He added: "Apparently to get a pardon, one has to be either a Republican, a convicted child murderer or a turkey."

My disgusting Senator (5.00 / 1) (#67)
by MO Blue on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 01:00:26 PM EST

GOP senator Josh Hawley officially announces he'll object to Biden's Electoral College certification

Needless to say, my email to him objecting to him trying to overturn our Constitutional Republic and shaming our state will have no effect; yet, stating my objection is important.

Josh Hawley is (none / 0) (#68)
by KeysDan on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 01:26:06 PM EST

angling for successor to Trump. The Stanford, Yale law graduate thinks his aw-shucks persona will place him in good stead with the MAGAt remnants.

But my thinking is that Hawley 2024 = Little Marco 2016. Although he has all the right fascist tendencies, Republicans will be looking for someone like Ivanka or a professional wrestler.


I would love to see (none / 0) (#69)
by MO Blue on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 01:42:06 PM EST

the little frat boy lose to a professional wrestler in 2024. Ivanka or Jr. not so much.

A portion of my email:

You, by abdicating your duty to the United States and the Constitution, will go down in history as a person who was willing to throw away our form of government on the alter of your blind ambition. You heap shame on yourself
and our state.


: Beautifully said, MO Blue (none / 0) (#77)
by Zorba on Wed Dec 30, 2020 at 04:40:28 PM EST

I haven't lived in Missouri for 50 years (I still have relatives there, and I'm still a Cardinals fan, dammit!) but it seems to be getting worse every year.
Sigh.

Execution delayed (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 02:03:46 PM EST

Judge delays execution of only woman on US death row

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge said the Justice Department unlawfully rescheduled the execution of the only woman on federal death row, potentially setting up the Trump administration to schedule the execution after president-elect Joe Biden takes office.
U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss also vacated an order from the director of the Bureau of Prisons that had set Lisa Montgomery's execution date for Jan. 12. Montgomery had previously been scheduled to be put to death at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, this month, but Moss delayed the execution after her attorneys contracted coronavirus visiting their client and asked him to extend the amount of time to file a clemency petition.
Moss prohibited the Bureau of Prisons from carrying out Lisa Montgomery's execution before the end of the year and officials rescheduled her execution date for Jan. 12. But Moss ruled on Wednesday that the agency was also prohibited from rescheduling the date while a stay was in place.
"The Court, accordingly, concludes that the Director's order setting a new execution date while the Court's stay was in effect was `not in accordance with law,'" Moss wrote.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Domestic terrorism on Christmas Day (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 02:16:26 PM EST

As MOblue noted earlier the possible ramifications of this are gigantic.

They are saying now there was a "recording" in or at the RV that somehow told them of impending explosion. How did that work? If it turns out this was done in support of Trumps crazy stolen election ravings the results could be earth shaking.

You have to agree with the FOX news guy who said the police surely know more than they are saying. It's understandable they might not want the details released on the public on Christmas Day. But the facts will come out. It could get Trump finally removed and silenced. He has so far been strangely silent. If it was suspected it was brown people I doubt very much he would be silent.

Something to watch with Trump, if he suddenly decides to sign the covid relief deal.

Great Christmas morning (none / 0) (#5)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 03:11:38 PM EST

Don Aaron confirmed the warning came from the RV.
Williams said she awoke at about 4:30 a.m. Christmas morning after hearing what sounded like multiple rounds of loud, rapid-fire gunshots. Later, after more gunshots, Williams said she called 911.
Then, she said, she heard a repeated warning from the RV.
"Evacuate now. There is a bomb. A bomb is in this vehicle and will explode," she remembers the recorded warning saying.
Then, she said, the voice started a 15-minute countdown.

Still, thanks for the heads up. I guess.


: The Tennessean (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 03:21:04 PM EST

seems to have the best information

It's (none / 0) (#8)
by FlJoe on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 03:57:44 PM EST

hard to see the ideology behind this one. It seems pretty well calibrated to avoid casualties and well thought out in general(ruling out the true mouth breathers of any stripe).

This seems to be a "statement" act, but who knows what that is. We hate Christmas? We hate ATT? We
hate Hooters?

Nothing seems to to fit the tactics or targets of the usual bunch.

For some reason I smell more of Unabomber type, a highly intelligent loner with his own manifesto.


At that link above (none / 0) (#9)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 04:02:28 PM EST

There is a story about how communications were knocked out. Planes are grounded at the airport and no 911 service for a wide area.

This is what we CAN do?


Also (none / 0) (#10)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 04:10:12 PM EST

As you say if it was a message act what is the message. What is the ask? What is the threat? With such a well laid plan surely someone will take the credit.

Possibly one of the things the police know that we do not. Yet.


They found (none / 0) (#11)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 04:18:18 PM EST

Human remains. Probably the bomber. Or we would already know.


Possibly multiple (none / 0) (#12)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 04:19:13 PM EST

Humans


There is all the chatter (none / 0) (#13)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 04:44:56 PM EST

about, they were dumb because vehicles are so easy to trace, there must be security video everywhere, blah blah.

I would say if there is human remains clearly there is a person or persons who are not going to care how easy it is to trace the vehicle.

Which again brings up all they know that we do not.


: This (none / 0) (#18)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 05:11:53 PM EST

makes me think it was one of those crazy cult things where they blow themselves up.
Jim Cooper, the rep for the district, said he thought it was terrorism.

Person of interest (none / 0) (#31)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 12:49:47 PM EST

Tweet
See new Tweets
Conversation
Jeff Pegues
@jeffpeguescbs
...
@CBSNews
#EXCLUSIVE
CBS News has learned that #police have a person of interest or persons of interest in connection with the #explosion that rocked #Nashville on #ChristmasDay.
11:08 AM · Dec 26, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

The reply's (none / 0) (#32)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 12:54:28 PM EST

to that are great. They cover all theories.


: Another thought experiment (none / 0) (#34)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 01:15:21 PM EST

Begin by saying there is absolutely no evidence of this I know of.
Imagine you are in charge of the investigation into the Nashville bombing and you learn it was done to support Trumps call to arms.
What do you do? Do you tell people? What would happen if you did? One thing that seems likely is more attacks supporting the first one. Not to mention the rage against such an act.
Like I said, could be anyone of a million reasons. Or no reason at all. Just thinking out loud.
PS
Do you EVER tell people? Or do you come up with another story and try to shut it down before it starts? Is that even possible?

A "person of interest" is even less (none / 0) (#35)
by Peter G on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 02:22:37 PM EST

than a "suspect," which is even less than an "accused," about whom no one should jump to any conclusions no matter how desperately you may feel the urge to.


Likely (none / 0) (#36)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 02:25:41 PM EST

The person of interest is the one they found parts of laying around.


CBS Is using a name (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 02:33:18 PM EST

It does not say if he is alive or dead

Multiple sources confirm that Anthony Quinn Warner, a Nashville area resident, had a similar make and model RV as the one in photos released to the public.
Warner was described as a 63-year-old White man. Federal agents are at the address listed to Warner.

I would give you a link but that's really all it says.


: It is telling that every time something like this (5.00 / 2) (#44)
by MO Blue on Sun Dec 27, 2020 at 10:43:25 AM EST

happens, I pray that it is not accredited to a black or brown person or someone from the Middle East. Heaven help us on what Trump would do (including bombs) if it wasn't a white man.

Not a lot of information (none / 0) (#38)
by MKS on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 05:50:10 PM EST

out there about his. Combination of Christmas,
and pretty tight lips?

They have got to know who owns the RV and who drove it to downtown....


Very tight (none / 0) (#39)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 06:07:41 PM EST

I have been looking and have not seen a word about what his political leanings were.

Isn't that weird? Every time there is a shooter this stuff in my on the web in minutes.

That's as of about an hour ago. Everyone knows who this guy is. There are reporters in his neighborhood. I looked at his house on GOOGLE EARTH. The RV is in the driveway.

They are now calling it a suicide bombing. It's reported there is no manhunt and no one in custody, so...

I suspect they might be better at keeping stuff off the internet than they let on.


For the curious (none / 0) (#40)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 06:12:10 PM EST

It's
116 Bakerstown Rd
Antioch,TN


Google seems (none / 0) (#41)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 06:15:29 PM EST

To have blocked that exact address. But if you enter any number in the 100s and the street you will see it


There's is this (none / 0) (#42)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 06:21:33 PM EST

From a tabloid

also revealed on Saturday that the alleged person of interest - named in a report as Anthony Quinn Warner - reportedly signed the home raided by the FBI over to a woman for free last month.

Forbes (none / 0) (#43)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at 06:51:12 PM EST

Warner transferred the home last month with no money recorded to have changed hands to 29-year-old Michelle L. Swing, of Los Angeles; the year before, he had transferred another property to Swing at 3724 Bakertown Road.
Swing told the Daily Mail Saturday that she didn't know Warner had made the transfer.
The property transfer records list Warner as unmarried; he does not appear to be a registered voter, and online records do not show Warner as having voted in any election.

5G? (none / 0) (#45)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 27, 2020 at 12:14:26 PM EST

But a source close to the federal investigation said that among several different tips and angles, agents are investigating whether or not Warner had paranoia that 5G technology was being used to spy on Americans.
A spokeswoman for the FBI said they could not comment because of the pending investigation.

: 5G Health Hazards? (none / 0) (#46)
by RickyJim on Sun Dec 27, 2020 at 01:25:16 PM EST

Yeah, those who are concerned about cellphone use are even more concerned about 5G.
I find Sabine Hossenfelder a sensible blogger on scientific subjects and she doesn't immediately dismiss the 5G concerns.

: 5G (none / 0) (#47)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 27, 2020 at 02:27:38 PM EST

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - If the man carried through on his threat, there was no place for Michael to go. Thirty feet up in a bucket truck leaves little protection.
For 14 years, Michael, whose last name we are not using for his safety, has worked on cell phone towers. The last four years have focused on installing 5G towers. The most dangerous part of his job now has nothing to do with the equipment or working high off the ground. The danger is from people who believe the conspiracy theory that 5G towers spread the coronavirus.
As the man walked past safety barriers, coming within feet of the crew, Michael and another worker pulled out their cellphones and started recording. The man, who appeared to be slightly pudgy and middle-aged with a dark gray ponytail, yelled threats before getting back in his truck.
"He actually went as far as to say that he has a scope on a gun that can hit me from two blocks away on my bucket," recalled Michael.
From his perch in the bucket, Michael watched as the truck circled through the neighborhood a half dozen times before leaving

The year from hell (none / 0) (#14)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 25, 2020 at 05:03:58 PM EST

the best commercial of the year from hell

Also

If there are Downton Abbey fans who do not know about the EPIX series Belgravia you should find it.

It's very good. I'm not the biggest fan of Downton Abbey. Belgravia, from the same guy, is like a dark version of Fownton Abbey. With back biting scheming servants. Which seems way more believable to me.

Off topic (none / 0) (#48)
by MO Blue on Mon Dec 28, 2020 at 07:05:20 AM EST

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have taken the morning off and I have to say, I really like the show much better. I often watch CNN during that time slot because I don't like Joe and Mika's bloviating.


I have always liked the format (none / 0) (#49)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Dec 28, 2020 at 08:16:05 AM EST

But it would definitely be better without them.


: The format is fine. (none / 0) (#50)
by MO Blue on Mon Dec 28, 2020 at 10:17:12 AM EST

They often have interesting topics and commentators; yet, they often interrupt the dialogue when it would be much, much better without the interruption.