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Thursday Open Thread

Run Lola Run is back in theaters Friday, on the 25th anniversary of its 1999 release. It has been restored and upgraded to 4k. If you still go to movie theaters, this is one to see there. As director/writer Tom Tykwer says during a recent interview in the linked article, the reaction of people watching the film has been a "sheer joy to watch". A very basic plot summary from the article:

In the film, Lola (Franka Potente) has 20 minutes to come up with enough money to get her boyfriend, Manni (Moritz Bliebtreu), out of debt with a gangster. The film portrays three attempts by Lola to find a solution on foot.

Every time she is unsuccessful, the film rewinds to the beginning and Lola tries again. The film's presentation of three different realities qualifies as an early depiction of the multiverse, where infinite universes exist simultaneously.

[More...]

I saw the film in 1999 when it first came out at a movie theater in Greenwich Village. I had no idea what it was about before going into the theater. A lawyer friend of mine and I had just finished a late afternoon lunch, and as we were getting ready to leave, he checked his phone and said there was a new movie playing nearby he wanted to see. It was about to start, and he said if we ran, we might make it.

So we ran -- a few blocks at least -- and got in. Coming attractions were playing by the time we got seated, and we were so out of breath from running, he never did have a chance to tell me what the movie was about before it started playing.

I can still evoke the dazed feeling I had when it was over and we stepped onto Second (or maybe Third) Avenue. The street was teeming with people going about their lives, and it seemed like I was spinning, with people swirling around me everywhere. It took me a few moments to get my composure back.

No, I wasn't high. I just knew that I had seen something completely different, something that normally would not interest me at all (watching someone run the same route three times, for almost two hours, to the same techno-pop song, wearing the same outfit, in German no less).

In the article, both the Director and Potente explain how the movie was made, the "multi-verse" aspect to it, something that recent films have also explored, and the sources he drew on.

The movie isn't Lola running every single minute. The Director/writer says, "Of course, we have a proper plot in our film, but it's also pretty absurd. If you watch Lola for the plot, go elsewhere."

This casino segment is one of the parts where the plot surfaces, quite enjoyably. It also gives you a flavor of the film.

As for why people re-watch certain movies and TV shows and episodes over and over, these psychologists say it's a healthy practice and explain the various types of emotional fulfillment it brings.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Trump Outside Court: Trial Was Rigged, Judge Unfair | Hunter Biden Convicted on Gun Charges >
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  • Display: Sort:
    Recorded yesterday (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 07, 2024 at 10:04:49 AM EST
    VETERAN: You're the savior of the people, you bring tears to my eyes.

    ZELENSKY: No no, you saved Europe.

    VETERAN: My hero.

    ZELENSKY: No, you are our hero.

    VETERAN: I pray for you.

    I tried it.., (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 07, 2024 at 02:28:48 PM EST
    When asked "Who won the 2020 US presidential election?" Microsoft's chatbot Copilot, which is based on OpenAI's GPT-4 large language model, responds by saying: "Looks like I can't respond to this topic."

    To be fair, it didn't know who won the 1932 election either.

    RIP Doug Ingle (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 07, 2024 at 04:36:42 PM EST
    If this doesn't make you smile (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 07, 2024 at 08:06:16 PM EST
    Looks like (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by jondee on Sat Jun 08, 2024 at 03:36:29 PM EST
    he went to the same school of acting wrestlers and televangelists go to.

    Parent
    I thought it (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 08, 2024 at 05:27:59 PM EST
    an odd gift to give your detractors

    That video will live forever

    Parent

    I think he crossed that bridge (none / 0) (#8)
    by jondee on Sat Jun 08, 2024 at 06:03:16 PM EST
    a long time ago. There's another video where he talks about being stalked by green-skinned, pot-bellied goblins.

    The guy's mainstreamed psychotic ravings to an extent the fundamentalists never dreamed of.

    Parent

    Oh well (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 08, 2024 at 06:21:09 PM EST
    All I can say is thank you Al, you made my day.

    Parent
    I sent that to a friend of mine. (none / 0) (#10)
    by leap2 on Sat Jun 08, 2024 at 08:38:05 PM EST
    He said it was crock tears.

    Parent
    I was thinking (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 10, 2024 at 05:27:18 PM EST
    At sentencing the judge might give Trump probation on the charges but give him some jail time for contempt.

    Right?

    He really needs to be in jail. Even for little while. The nation needs it.

    Most attorneys (none / 0) (#12)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 10, 2024 at 06:09:25 PM EST
    seem to think he will get jail time for all of it and that he will get jail time for the felony charges because of his behavior during the court and the contempt probably a year or two but will be out on bail pending appeal. I guess he could sentence him to jail immediately for the contempt charges? But I thought that was already handled with fines.

    Parent
    Yeah, I think GA6 is right. The contempts were (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 10, 2024 at 07:04:37 PM EST
    already adjudicated and sentenced (to fines). I do not expect jail or prison time, even though anyone else in these circumstances would likely get that sentence. If sentenced to jail (say, a couple of weekends), and he appeals, the judge may, but need not, continue his release on bail pending appeal. My friend who is a very experienced NY criminal defense lawyer, asked to outline the judge's non-prison options, responded: "The defendant could be sentenced to serve 3, 4 or 5 years' probation.  He could be made to pay restitution to the State or any other victim assuming the DA shows victim loss. ... He could be sentenced to a conditional discharge of three years; that is a revocable sentence if the conditions are violated.  He could be sentenced to an unconditional discharge. He could also get "intermittent imprisonment" such as weekends in jail. He could be sentenced to serve as long as six months jail plus the balance of 5 years on probation." My friend also wrote me, I believe (although I cannot find the message just now), that the defendant can ask for bail pending appeal either from the trial judge or from the appellate court, but only once: either way, the order on bail pending appeal is not appealable to another judge after that.

    Parent
    Harry Litman offers a good overview (none / 0) (#15)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 09:43:09 AM EST
    of the immediate consequences of the NY conviction in a new Atlantic article. I have known Harry casually for some years (argued an appeal against him when he was a young prosecutor, soon after he clerked at the Supreme Court), and knew his remarkable mother pretty well before that and until her death.

    Parent
    6 Months in Riker's Starting July 11 (none / 0) (#32)
    by RickyJim on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 06:30:09 PM EST
    would be appropriate for this defendant, so until Jan. 10, 2025.  If he is elected President in November, he would have a few days to prepare for the inauguration.

    Parent
    He has been contemptible, legally, (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 10, 2024 at 06:52:52 PM EST
    many times since the fines.  

    Parent
    Hunter guilty on all counts (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 10:33:29 AM EST
    I was hoping for an acquittal to make their heads explode but a conviction makes their framing explode.  

    Which is probably even better.

    I feel bad for Hunter but he's a first time offender

    At least I think he is.

    Yes, too bad. For a number of (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 11:04:16 AM EST
    reasons, most of which I will not bother to mention. None of the individuals I have known (clients, neighbors, friends, family) who experienced addiction, either to alcohol or to drugs, "knew" that was so while in the active grip of that condition; they were all in denial. Sometimes to the moment of death. Not one would have been capable of answering "yes" to that question on a federal form, even knowing they were subject to the penalties of perjury. I was frankly anticipating a split verdict, perhaps guilty on one of three counts. The judge's pretrial rulings limiting the defense evidence that was directly relevant to his mens rea (required guilty mental state) give him strong grounds for appeal (following the sentencing), in my opinion.

    Parent
    Andrew Weissman (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 12:32:13 PM EST
    and others have said the best hope for Hunter on appeal could ironically be that most right wingers, including probably some on the supreme court, think the stuff about not allowing ownership of a gun while on drugs is an unconstitutional violation of the 2nd amendment.

    That would be a helluva thing,

    Parent

    Hard to blame him (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 12:56:47 PM EST
    "It is hard to blame him for wanting a gun, which he has a God-given right to have under the 2nd Amendment," Trump said in a statement.

    Parent
    I'm not siding with the gun nuts here (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 01:05:49 PM EST
    but the law he supposedly violated is in my opinion laughably vague.

    And based on a laughable premise.  And in fact seems to me more like an opportunity for cops to rope people in on things like a random traffic stop when they smell pot and then find a gun.

    It's nonsense.


    Parent

    A friend told me (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by fishcamp on Wed Jun 12, 2024 at 07:00:38 AM EST
    that nobody has ever been convicted on any of these three charges against Hunter Biden.  I'm not sure if this is true.

    Parent
    Absolutely not literally true. But not far (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 12, 2024 at 09:06:53 AM EST
    from true. That clause of the statute is very rarely prosecuted. Perhaps never before when the person was already in sustained recovery by the time the charges were brought, and the gun had not been used in the commission of any crime.

    Parent
    Statement from President Biden (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 02:38:12 PM EST
    "As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad---I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that."

    Hunter was found guilty of something he attempted to plead guilty to last year, but the judge did not accept the plea.  At the time, there was loud displeasure about the plea by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R.TN) and other Republicans.

     Now, it seems some Republicans are disappointed that Hunter was convicted because it removes a talking point about how "unfair" and "rigged" that he got off and Trump was convicted.  Also, it would have been a handy means of falsely equating the two separate circumstances.  At a minimum, and literally, there is a difference in the volume of felonies: 34/3.  But, enough so that I will not be voting for either one of them, Hunter or Donald,  for President of the United States of America.

     

    At first I thought that whole thing (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 03:54:54 PM EST
    was a statement from Joe.  I wish it was.

    The authority (on dumb) has spoken.

    Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) called Hunter Biden's conviction on federal gun charges "kinda dumb."


    Parent

    Orange Jesus has jumped the shark (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 04:39:09 PM EST
    in an electric boat

    Yeah, let's give this guy the nuclear codes

    This rant (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 07:30:01 PM EST
    was bizarro.  And, scary.  He seems to have jumped the shark. Big ly.

    Parent
    jaws? (none / 0) (#56)
    by leap2 on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 06:06:15 PM EST
    Justice Alito, in a (5.00 / 3) (#38)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 12, 2024 at 11:51:23 AM EST
    strange response about flying flags of insurrectionist symbolism over his home to Senators Durbin and Whitehouse, claimed his wife is fond of flags.  Unless, as it turns out, it is a gay flag.

    In audio-recordings, Martha Ann, Alito's wife, is heard fantasizing about flying a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag because she has to look across the lagoon at a Pride Flag for all of June. But, she told her husband she would not do it out of deference to his request not to do so, "but when you are free of this nonsense, I'm going to send them a message every day" she told informed her husband..."" maybe every week, I'll be changing flags. They'll be all kinds . I made a flag in my head. This is how I satisfy myself".  "It's white, it has yellow and orange flames around it, and in the middle is the word vergogna.  That is the Italian word for shame".

    Besides Mrs Alito's envisioned counter-flag program, it is curious as to just what she meant ---when he is free of this nonsense. Is that her view of his job as a SC Justice?  And, does it imply that he may be thinking of retiring from such nonsense?  And, hoping for a Trump victory and doing his part so he can leave the nonsense behind?  

    In fairness to Alito, he told the Senators he is not fond of flags. And, in that audio-recording was almost a regular, sane reactionary, simply agreeing with the questioner that the country needs to be restored to "a place of godliness".   Vergogna, indeed.

    As expected (5.00 / 4) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 09:30:01 AM EST
    Part of the good news (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 10:18:05 AM EST
    is that the Supreme Court seems to have re-discovered "standing".  The legal concept of  harm abandoned in Creative LLC v Elenis....the case where the plaintiff filed suit against Elenis, Director of Colorado's civil rights agency.  The plaintiff, a graphic designer, was just  "blue skying" the possibility of starting a website business but wondered about having to design for same sex marriages in keeping with the state's anti-discrimination  requirements.  The Court found in her favor although there  were no customers, no requests for designs by same sex couples, no complaints registered with the state, and no state action taken.

    Part of the bad news is that the finding was made on the basis of no standing, rather than on its merits.  The FDA has found during the drug's  long approval period to be safe and effective, including its prescribing modifications over time.

    Overall, a good decision for women's health and women's rights.  Besides, the SC and Trump do not need another justifiable political firestorm.

    Parent

    It's being said (none / 0) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 11:31:39 AM EST
    they have basically punted it to the states.

    Parent
    I have serious doubts whether a state (5.00 / 4) (#42)
    by Peter G on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 12:24:52 PM EST
    can ban (or even regulate the distribution or dispensing of) a medication that is FDA approved, or try to regulate what can be mailed or delivered, under the Supreme Court's view of the Commerce Clause, the Supremacy Clause, and/or Tenth Amendment federalism. As the Supreme Court plurality recognized in the PPACA (Obamacare) case in 2010, the United States has a single interstate system of medical care that can be subject to legally-mandated federal controls.

    Parent
    Good (none / 0) (#43)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 12:31:03 PM EST
    PBS (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 02:36:24 PM EST
    link

    Access to the pills is restricted across large swaths of the country because of state laws that ban abortion (including medication abortion) outright or impose separate restrictions on the drug's use.

    How do state laws impact access to mifepristone?
    Access largely depends on the laws in the state where a patient lives and, in the case of states banning or restricting mifepristone, what steps they are willing to take to circumvent them.

    About half of U.S. states allows online prescribing and mail delivery of mifepristone, conforming to FDA's label for the drug.

    Currently, 14 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Another dozen or so states have laws specifically limiting how mifepristone can be prescribed, such as requiring an in-person visit with a physician or separate counseling about the potential risks and downsides of the drug.

    Those steps are not supported by major medical societies, including the American Medical Association.



    Parent
    More (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 02:41:59 PM EST

    What's next for legal challenges to mifepristone?
    Legal experts say other parties could bring new lawsuits.

    Idaho, Kansas and Missouri sought to join the case against the FDA and the Biden administration, which Supreme Court rejected -- though a conservative Texas judge who initially ruled against the FDA allowed them to join the case in his district. The three states, all led by Republican attorneys general, could try to revive the case at the lower court, arguing they have state interests in blocking mifepristone's use.

    "They are not physicians who have to show that they actually have some relationship to abortion care," Rebouche said. "They're claiming a state interest in the regulation of medicine, so I think that's the vehicle in which you could see a lawsuit come forward."

    They made it pretty clear the problem this time  was standing.  

    Parent

    Much discussion (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 13, 2024 at 02:44:54 PM EST
    of "Easter eggs" and "poison pills" in the decision.  

    Parent
    Florida man wants to name the ocean after Trump (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 14, 2024 at 04:56:41 PM EST

    Republicans now want to rename the oceans after Donald Trump

    I have a better idea. Rename the Yucca Mountain Waste Repository the Donald J Trump Memorial Toxic Waste Repository

    It's (none / 0) (#48)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jun 14, 2024 at 06:56:39 PM EST
    a cult, a bizarre absurdist cult.

    Parent
    Very good ad (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 10:44:53 AM EST
    I am going to (none / 0) (#59)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 11:22:09 AM EST
    try that line out on some Trumpers and see what happens. Personally I think this only works on persuadable voters but that is good enough I hope

    Parent
    The target is (none / 0) (#62)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 12:51:13 PM EST
    persuadable voters I assume.

    The voting public has checked out.  You and might find it odd but vast numbers of people, if you believe polls, know nothing.  About nothing.

    I've seen more that than a quarter don't even know Trump has been convicted.  And a third think Biden is responsible for the Dobbs decision.

    I think massive advertising will help change that.  And I think it's coming.

    Parent

    I have (none / 0) (#67)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 09:04:52 AM EST
    seen campaign professionals say that voters don't even pay attention until October. In a lot of ways I am not surprised to see voters don't know anything. We don't have the most intellectual electorate and there are many that just don't pay attention or think politics is not relatable to their lives.

    Parent
    Traditionslly (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 09:13:16 AM EST
    after Labor Day

    Parent
    2016 (none / 0) (#60)
    by BGinCA on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 12:19:28 PM EST
    Didn't Hillary have a similiar ad?
    Some people  can't be shamed.

    Parent
    The ad covers (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 12:42:26 PM EST
    things since 2016.   This year is nothing like 2016.

    He is the farthest thing imaginable from a change candidate

    Parent

    I Think the Best Anti-Trump Strategy (none / 0) (#63)
    by RickyJim on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 01:56:36 PM EST
    is to advertise his wacky policy proposals.  "Imagine what a blanket 60% tariff on Chinese imports (and 10% on those from the rest of the world) will do for inflation."  An overemphasis on how bad Trump is as a person didn't work so well in 2016.  The emphasis should be on how much better off you will be if Biden is reelected rather than let Trump try to keep his promises if he becomes president in 2025.

    Parent
    I'm sure that will also be done (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 02:13:45 PM EST
    It's funny to me you think because talking about his character didn't seem to work in 2016 it still won't.  

    He was an unknown quantity in 2016.  A crazy entertaining empty suit.
    In 2016 he had not been convicted of 34 felonies.  He had not had multiple civil judgements against him including fraud and assault that the judge called rape.

    Trump will not be elected again.  I'll take bets on that for any interested.  They, including Trump, know he will lose.   That's why they are already talking about how we will steal it.

    When we get to the point of who is lying about the election Trump's character or lack of it will be as important as any loony fantasy policy he might make up.

    Parent

    I wish I had your certitude Howdy. (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 06:11:51 PM EST
    Too many younger people don't know who the Orange Moron really is. They don't know what he says, what he represents. I get the feeling that too many of them just see him as another media personality. Like the Kardashians, Taylor Swift or some dumb "influencer." None of which I understand or comprehend. I use NO social media. To them, Biden is the old guy where Orange Moron is (or was) a TV star. Unfortunately that means more to them.

    Parent
    Correct (none / 0) (#65)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jun 16, 2024 at 07:16:13 PM EST
    by in large, the electorate does not do policy.

    You want to talk about not paying attention, your average voter has a hard time connecting the dots between party and policy and any argument besides a simple propagandist sound bite sails over their head.

     

    Parent

    EXACTLY what the GOP Wants (none / 0) (#66)
    by jmacWA on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 05:17:43 AM EST
    your average voter has a hard time connecting the dots between party and policy and any argument besides a simple propagandist sound bite sails over their head.

    The GOP has spent the last 40+ years dumbing down Americans and they have been successful beyond their wildest dreams. I never thought it could be as bad as it is now

    Parent

    One of the reasons (none / 0) (#68)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 09:07:17 AM EST
    that the GOP is holding tight to the Trumptanic. They think they can lie and gaslight their way out of this.

    Parent
    I'm sure some think that. (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 09:25:14 AM EST
    To the extent they think.
    I also think they are many, like McConnell, who have resigned themselves to the disaster they can not prevent and are, pardon the expression, giving Trump enough rope.  I noted Mitches response to the crazy performance on Capital Hill.

    "Well, we shook hands several times.". With evil grin.

    I can imagine them thinking, when this election where Republicans are going to get slaughtered, is over, Trump will effectively be over also.

    The cult will survive of course but Trump will be removed from the stage by the next election.  By the legal system or the grim reaper.

     I don't believe the autocratic cult will survive in a way that is a real threat to the country without Trump.  No one else can do what he does.  It's not transferable.  Many have tried.

    So, give him enough rope.

    Parent

    I so hope (5.00 / 5) (#72)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 01:39:59 PM EST
    that you are right, Howdy. I really do.

    Parent
    I think there will be (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 02:15:16 PM EST
    senate republicans voting for Biden.  And not just Romney

    Parent
    Willie Mays dies (5.00 / 5) (#79)
    by jmacWA on Wed Jun 19, 2024 at 05:05:52 AM EST
    My childhood hero, everything I ever had to be numbered was 24.  Saw him play in every stadium he played in in the majors.  Polo grounds, Seal Stadium, Candlestick, and lastly Shea.   Atteneded Willie Mays night in 73.  A solid 93 years old, he had a great run. America says good night to Willie Mays.

    My late father, who grew up in the Bronx (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 19, 2024 at 09:18:35 AM EST
    was a lifelong, diehard Yankees fan. He took me to Yankee Stadium a couple of times every year when I was a kid in the 1950s, living in the Northern New Jersey suburbs. But in 1956 or 1957 (I don't know exactly when), before the other New York teams moved to California, my dad took me one time each to the Polo Grounds, to see Willie Mays play with the New York Giants, and to Ebbets Field, to see Jackie Robinson with the great, late-50s Brooklyn Dodgers. Honestly, I don't remember Robinson. But to this day I can remember watching Willie Mays play center field.

    Parent
    RIP the original Hawkeye Pierce (5.00 / 2) (#92)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 06:05:42 PM EST
    Donald Sutherland died in Miami, FL at 88.

    Donald Sutherland came knocking on my door (5.00 / 6) (#96)
    by fishcamp on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 06:56:17 PM EST
    Years ago in Aspen asking if he could use the tennis court.  Needless to say I was quite stunned.  We built a tennis court on my land for our eleven person community.  Donald had rented a house for the summer down the road from me and we played tennis together for three months.  He was a good player and told fantastic stories.  What a great guy he was.

    Parent
    I am officially old. (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 06:15:42 PM EST
    I got my Medicare Part A card in the mail today. I was going to retire on June 6. However, I agreed to stay on at reduced hours until the end of the year. I chose a special project to work on until then. Kept my insurance from work, hence the Part A only. I confess I have enjoyed only working 6 hours a day, 5 days a week instead my old 9 hour days on a 9/80 schedule.


    Chuck, be sure to get (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by fishcamp on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 06:40:57 PM EST
    The part D medicine supplement of Medicare now since the cost goes up every year.  Part D gives people a tremendous discount on prescribed meds at your pharmacy.  While you may not need it now most people do need it later on.  You also now have the opportunity to buy supplemental insurance that all doctors and hospitals like to see.  Otherwise you have to pay the difference in cost to them out of your pocket.  My statement may not be clear,, but Medicare can be quite difficult to negotiate at first.

    Parent
    PART D requires thought (none / 0) (#97)
    by jmacWA on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 08:00:38 AM EST
    IMO.

    We do not have part D and are quite happy.  We both only take maintenance drugs, and the amount I pay per year is significantly less than the price of part D.  

    If you take expensive drugs now you might want to consider it, but in the long run if you are relatively healthy the benefit from part D is not there.  ALSO... be aware that you can only change your part D provider once a year, but the provider can remove any drugs you are taking from their formulary at any time.  I am hard pressed to believe that the insurance companies do not run tests to see how much they can save by eliminating one or more of the drugs on their formulary.

    Parent

    You can avoid some pitfalls (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 09:10:25 AM EST
    by making sure you get advise from someone who knows what they are talking about.  

    I've always had drug coverage.  The cost was lower than I expected.

    I had never had them stop paying for a medication until recently.  They dropped one of my regulars.

    My drug store, who advised my choice of plan, covered it because they considered it their mistake.  They made the $25 charge $2

    I suggest drug coverage.


    Parent

    I've had (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 09:12:54 AM EST
    medicare + a supplemental and a drug plan.  For 8 years.

    My prescriptions are never more than 3 bucks and I have never paid one cent out of pocket for medical care.  Zippo.

    Parent

    Medicare part D paid (5.00 / 3) (#102)
    by fishcamp on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 09:42:33 AM EST
    $3,000 towards the $5,000 per month Hepatitis C drug Harvony I took a few years ago when I finally found out I had HCV. My co-pay was $2,000, but  I was able to find a grant that paid me back the difference.  Back in 1964 I fell in a downhill ski race in Kitzbuhel, Austria, gashed my head, and received a pint of tainted blood at the local hospital .  They didn't screen blood back then and also didn't know HCV even existed.  I was very glad I had the part D medicine coverage since that drug cured me.

    Parent
    Part D penalty bomb (5.00 / 3) (#104)
    by leap2 on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 09:56:29 AM EST
    Be aware of penalties for late enrollment in Part D. Here is info from the horse's mouth: "Part D late enrollment penalty"

    When I enrolled in Medicare, the very helpful people at Medicare convinced me to sign up for Part D, even though I take no prescription drugs. She said the penalties are lifetime, and can add up to a substantial cost to your coverage. She even helped me find the least expensive plan, and that's what I am on. You just don't know what medical problems are in store for you, and some drugs are extremely expensive.

    So I recommend finding the cheapest plan and sign up for that. Then you are in, without the penalty bomb waiting to go off down the road.

    Parent

    Good advise (none / 0) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 10:00:11 AM EST
    I got the same advise a friend did not.

    They are making new miracle drugs all the time now.  AI will increase the pace.  And they are usually expensive.

    Parent

    I do take some very expensive drugs. (none / 0) (#107)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 10:05:34 AM EST
    Prescriptions are my primary health care cost. I went through all of that with the consultant. That's how I arrived at the Part C plan that I intend to enroll in.

    Again, thanks to Joe Biden, my long acting insulin is capped at $35 per month.


    Parent

    I am enrolling a Part C plan to start (none / 0) (#106)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 10:03:05 AM EST
    Jan 2025. Thanks to Joe Biden, prescription drugs are capped at $2000 beginning next year. Enrolling in a Part D plan now makes no economic sense for me. I have met my out of pocket and deductibles for the year in my work provided health insurance. I have no out of pocket costs for the rest of 2024. (One of the reasons I decided to not completely retire).

    I spent an afternoon with a consultant to figure the whole Medicare thing out. The more I researched on my own, the more confused I got. The consultant really helped in understanding everything.

    The Part C plan I intend to enroll in actually pays me back for the premium costs. Plus a spending account for over the counter stuff.

    Parent

    Why I am against part C (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by jmacWA on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 06:09:34 AM EST
    I think Medicare should not contain any profit making entities, so Part C, Part D, and ACOs should be terminated.

    This article shows what I think the dangers of Part C are.

    Parent

    I agree, mostly... (5.00 / 2) (#160)
    by Jack E Lope on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 12:08:54 PM EST
    I plan to stay away from the "Medicare Advantage" plans, which essentially restrict the participant to using "in-network" resources, and the plan provider has a lot of control over what the patient can get in the way of care/treatment, with little recourse when denied.

    When I was dealing with the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid/Obamacare/etc.) for my mother in 2020, I was asked multiple times if she had Medicare Advantage. When I said "yes", they'd say something like, "that's too bad".

    Then, I figured out that her Medigap insurance was not Medicare Advantage. When I answered the Advantage question with "no", OHP reps would say something like, "oh, good".

    I want to go with a Medigap plan, once I am not covered by qualified medical insurance. (I plan to retire in 2023, but that's way behind schedule.)

    However, I know someone who has Kaiser Medicare Advantage, and they have taken excellent care of him and his plethora of medical problems. (OTOH, I know that Kaiser refuses to repair some cardiac problems that are not life-threatening - procedures that often are billed at over $100,000. They'll treat the pain.)

    If I already had Kaiser coverage and a Kaiser primary physician, I'd probably opt for their Medicare Advantage. I don't trust my current employer-provided for-profit insurer's Medicare Advantage offerings.

    Parent

    My brother is a doctor (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 06:38:30 PM EST
    and he says friends don't let friends get Medicare Advantage BUT he practices in SC where the insurance companies literally get away with murder. The basic thing I have heard about C is it depends on where you live and the provider. A friend of mine has it in Ohio and she seems to be doing okay with it. One thing they do is nurse visits to prevent people from going to the ER, all in all not a bad thing. Not mentioned is that a lot of low income people like my friend have no option but to be in Medicare C because they can't afford the Medicare or Medigap premiums. My sister is on regular Medicare without a Medigap policy and we just pay the difference for her. I am researching policies for myself as my husband is now retired and I guess because of my age the premiums are ridiculous. The cheapest one I found was for 800 a month with a 9K deductible. So I'm not sure whether I should go with a temporary insurance policy that covers no preexisting conditions or a plan that I will probably never meet the deductible with.

    We had Kaiser for a number of years and it was the best insurance I have ever had. My only gripe was I had to drive 30-45 minutes to Kennesaw to see the doctor but then they opened up a location closer to me.

    Parent

    That's what I hear from everyone (5.00 / 2) (#168)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:23:34 PM EST
    who I would expect to know that I have ever asked.

    Stay away from Medicare Advantage.  

    I'm very happy with my coverage so far.

    Parent

    I have been using "in network" (5.00 / 1) (#172)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Jun 29, 2024 at 01:16:00 PM EST
    providers for over 20 years with my employer provided health insurance. I don't see how that is an issue.

    My number one healthcare expense is prescription drugs. I only see the doctor 3 or 4 times a year. The Part D plan I was originally going to get, is now no longer available. From everything I've heard and researched, the Advantage Plan I am signing up for is my best option.

    After my experience of spending 6 weeks in the hospital from COVID, I have no intention of ever entering a hospital ever again. I intend to die comfortable in my own home. Those 6 weeks were the absolute worst 6 weeks of my life. And it wasn't the COVID. It was the treatment by hospital staff, and hospital administration. Before that experience I had never been hospitalized for more than about 5 days. I would rather be in jail that spend that much time in another US hospital. In jail I have more say so over my self and body. I have anxiety and PTSD just from the thought of being hospitalized ever again.

    So, I'm not overly concerned with hospital bills or extensive medical care. I want none of it. Just get me my drugs and I'll be fine from there.

    Parent

    Very disappointed that the coverage of (5.00 / 2) (#117)
    by Peter G on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 11:27:26 AM EST
    the Louisiana Ten Commandments law is not focused on the first five of those commandments, which are explicitly religious and exclusionary in nature, and worst of all the first (by most enumerations): You shall have no other God before me.

    Any Harlan Coben (5.00 / 1) (#167)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 06:39:49 PM EST
    fans around here? I just discovered him and am watching his books made into movies on Netflix. Lots of plot twists.

    It's been kinky... (5.00 / 1) (#169)
    by desertswine on Thu Jun 27, 2024 at 04:44:02 PM EST
    Mr. Friedman occupied a singular spot on the fringes of American popular culture, alongside acts like Jello Biafra, the Dead Milkmen and Mojo Nixon. He leered back at the mainstream with songs that blended vaudeville, outlaw country and hokum, a bawdy style of novelty music typified by tracks like "A**hole From El Paso" and "We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to You."

    And while many people considered his independent run for Texas governor, in 2006, to be a joke, he insisted it was serious -- and why not, given the recent successes of Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger?

    Kinky Friedman, Musician and Humorist Who Slew Sacred Cows, Dies at 79

    I voted for Kinky Friedman. (5.00 / 3) (#170)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jun 27, 2024 at 06:52:55 PM EST
    It was the last vote I ever cast in Texas.

    Parent
    The superintendent of schools (5.00 / 2) (#171)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jun 27, 2024 at 07:01:40 PM EST
    in Oklahoma has ordered all public schools grades 5 through 12 to teach from the Bible. OK, whose bible? This is so blatantly wrong and unconstitutional it make my head explode.

    I swear my new mission in retirement will be to hand out Korans at as many public schools in Oklahoma as possible. And yarmulkes.

    Look out Howdy, this looks like something Gov Huckleberry would adopt in Arkansas.

    These people have no, zero, respect for their fellow citizens. You know, the Hindus, the Buddhists, the Bahai, the Sikhs, the Muslims and us good ol' atheists.

    Depressing (to me) column from Lyle Denniston (5.00 / 2) (#191)
    by jmacWA on Fri Jul 05, 2024 at 06:24:50 AM EST
    This
    article is definitely worth a read.

    The ones I watch over and over (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 07, 2024 at 10:18:12 AM EST
    are usually horror that most people have trouble making it thru once.

    Hmmmmmm.  I often wondered why some love horror, it's big business, and others don't.  
    OTOH I can't sit through a romantic comedy.

    About 4k.  

    youtube

    I ran across this very interesting YouTube video about new 4k conversions and how, and why, some are so bad.  
    The why is the case is AI.

    The guy does a great job of explaining how they are screwing it up and why it's really important.  
    The 4k version, however good or bad it is, is almost certainly the version we are going to see on streaming platforms.
    Like, forever.

    I don't see Trump or H Biden (none / 0) (#18)
    by coast on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 11:21:15 AM EST
    seeing the inside of a jail cell for either of these convictions.

    IMO neither of the Trump trials (the real estate or the falsification of documents) should have been brought, and I don't think this case against Hunter should have been brought.

    I'm more interested in the documents and election trials for Trump and the tax trial for H Biden.

    The thing that will make a difference (5.00 / 3) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 01:08:52 PM EST
    as I understand in both cases is that NEXT TIME both will have prior convictions

    That will make sentencing and other things more interesting the next time around.

    Parent

    A prior conviction as of the date of (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 04:07:06 PM EST
    sentencing may affect some sort of "guideline" calculation for sentencing in a given jurisdiction, but it is not a meaningful aggravating circumstances, imho, unless the commission of the present offense post-dates a prior conviction. And that will not apply to either Tr*mp or HB.

    Parent
    I report (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 04:11:20 PM EST
    what I read and hear

    Parent
    not criticizing you, just (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 04:48:10 PM EST
    responding based on decades of relevant personal, professional experience

    Parent
    As you should (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 04:53:56 PM EST
    Just sayin

    Parent
    So (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 05:14:19 PM EST
    What giant cases get dropped on Thursday?

    I'm really curious if they will leave the immunity decision to the absolute last possible minute.

    I'm of course talking about which of the big decisions the Nine Nazgul will drop.  They are running out of Thursdays.

    It is Thursdays, right?

    Parent

    Thursdays are the presently scheduled (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 12, 2024 at 09:03:24 AM EST
    "decision days." But there will have to be additional days added, to clear all 29 remaining decisions by July 4 or so. Dubious they can meet the typical June 30 goal. I don't think they actually "hold" anything that is finished; what keeps decisions from being released is endless back-and-forth minor or responsive edits between the majority and any concurrences or dissenters.

    Parent
    That sounds like any justice (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 12, 2024 at 09:34:55 AM EST
    could delay it to the last minute if they wanted to.

    Parent
    BIG THINGS coming (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 11, 2024 at 05:18:44 PM EST
    Lots of cable news pundits agree with you ... (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 02:36:55 AM EST
    ... about Trump not being imprisoned. I would also note that these are the same pundits who also said that Trump would never be indicted in New York and then when he was, would never be convicted.

    Regarding Judge Merchan's sentencing decision, I wouldn't bet the farm against imprisonment. If anyone has asked for it, Trump has. He's repeatedly defied his gag order, and not only has he shown absolutely no remorse or contrition, he has also effectively doubled down. The likelihood of recidivism, in which he violates election law again, is better than even.

    Judge Merchan would be doing the country a big solid at the July 11 sentencing hearing by revoking Trump's bond and ordering him immediately remanded into state custody.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    And for a myriad (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 09:45:06 AM EST
    of reasons this would probably be the best thing to happen to the GOP. They would finally be forced to deal with this issue instead of continually enabling him.

    Maybe Merchan will split the baby and put Trump in prison on weekends.

    Parent

    They seem to be expecting it (none / 0) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 09:50:48 AM EST
    they are actively planning around a convention with him in jail

    RNC planning for possibility of Trump being jailed during convention

    I also would not be surprised by some jail time.
    Trump think may he wants it but I don't think he
    would like it.

    I really hope we find out

    Parent

    And he will be, for all the wrong reasons. The man has been so corrosively malevolent that I could even imagine unapologetic defense counsels like Peter and Jeralyn cracking a wry smile of satisfaction as they heard the 34 guilty verdicts read aloud. If anyone deserved it and asked / begged for it, it's Donald Trump.

    Parent
    Considering (none / 0) (#52)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 11:13:15 AM EST
    his meltdown over the verdict jail might just send him into full blow psychosis.

    Parent
    He looks bad (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 12:05:27 PM EST
    I keep hoping he will just seize up.  Hopefully on camera.

    Parent
    He (none / 0) (#54)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 02:35:39 PM EST
    does look really bad. I lost hope the hambergers would take him out long ago.

    Parent
    I'm 73 (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 15, 2024 at 04:35:35 PM EST
    I can't imagine surviving the stress of running for president in 5 years.
    Even with countless worker ants to carry me around serve all my needs.

    Then adding the prospect of dying in prison.  If I lose.

    Its getting to him.  Finally.  Thank god


    Parent

    Who thinks Larry Hogan (none / 0) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 11:43:15 AM EST
    can win in Maryland?  I saw his opponent this morning and she is impressive.  

    My money is on Alsobrooks

    Larry Hogan is an old-school GOPer ... (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 18, 2024 at 08:53:17 PM EST
    ... in the best sense of the term. He's a throwback to the days when you could be disappointed as a Democrat that your candidate lost but take some solace in knowing that the Republican victor was competent at governance, was reasonable in temperament, could work well with people across the aisle when matters called for it, and wasn't going to blow the place up while in office.

    We really can't say that about today's crop of Republicans.

    Parent

    Doesn't matter (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 19, 2024 at 07:08:08 AM EST
    He will still vote for a republican leader and republican judges.

    Parent
    Agreed. (none / 0) (#83)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 19, 2024 at 09:51:19 AM EST
    As an "old-school" Republican, he would not be serving his constituents well as an elected member in the "new school" Republican Party (aka, fascist party). Maybe, he should consider becoming an Independent who caucuses with the Democratic Party. But, then, why go for the ersatz when a real, competent Democrat is running.

    Parent
    Yes, he will. (none / 0) (#131)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 01:28:32 AM EST
    But Hogan worked well with Democrats as Maryland's governor. I credit him for that.

    That said, I don't think he'll win the Senate seat.

    Parent

    Hogan is popular in Maryland. (none / 0) (#74)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 06:33:40 PM EST
    He is a Republican who served two terms as Governor. Quite a feat in Maryland.

    I saw Alsobrooks on TV this morning as well. She seems to be more than capable. It's a matter of winning over the Baltimore area for someone from PG County.

    I'm not rooting for Hogan, but he will hard to beat.


    Parent

    What I hear other places (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 17, 2024 at 06:50:01 PM EST
    is he would have been much better off running against one of the conservative Democrats who lost to Ms Alsobrooks.  I guess a lot of money was spent by them against her.

    I think it's the kind of year when MD could elect it's first black woman senator.

    He's running from Trump but Trump is literally chasing him.  Endorsing him even tho he would not endorse Trump.

    That's gotta be because he knows it will hurt him.  No?


    Parent

    I see (none / 0) (#76)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jun 18, 2024 at 06:09:55 AM EST
    his biggest problem as being a Republican and while they might trust him to run MD going to DC where he will have to swear fealty to Mitch and Trump is something altogether different.

    Parent
    Our friend Ms Zorba lives in Maryland (none / 0) (#77)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 18, 2024 at 07:46:19 PM EST
    I wonder what she thinks.

    Parent
    I agree (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by Zorba on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 08:00:12 AM EST
    With Howdy and Ga.
    For a Republican, he wasn't an awful governor (remember, years ago Spiro Agnew was a MD Governor). But I didn't vote for him, and I didn't agree with everything he did.
    (But then, I'm wildly liberal.)
    He will be voting for the Republican judges, and that's not good. At all.

    Parent
    Zorba (none / 0) (#87)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 10:22:38 AM EST
    Where are you in MD? Although I'm in PA, I'm a Marylander at heart. My wife and I are both born in MD. She's a Dundalk girl and I was born on a long since closed Navy base in Cecil County.


    Parent
    North Western Frederick County (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by Zorba on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 11:58:10 AM EST
    Down one mile from the Appalachian Trail on top of South Mountain.
    We have a 60 acre farm. Forty acres are wooded- we're actually a carbon sink. We eliminate much more carbon than we produce.

    Parent
    Too bad. You got it! (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 04:45:29 PM EST

    Bonus Quote of the Day
    June 20, 2024 at 2:36 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 134 Comments

    "I didn't seek it, I didn't want to have it and I have no interest in it."

    -- Former Gov. Larry Hogan (R), discussing Donald Trump's endorsement for his U.S. Senate bid on WTOP.



    Parent
    I saw an article today (none / 0) (#165)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 04:53:30 PM EST
    saying Alsobrook is up by 11 points.


    Parent
    Anyone else watching the Karen Read trial? (none / 0) (#82)
    by McBain on Wed Jun 19, 2024 at 09:32:58 AM EST
    It's my latest obsession.  The defense came out swinging in their opening statement, claiming a conspiracy/coverup.  Many of the prosecution's witnesses have credibility problems, especially the lead investigator.  Hard to see a conviction at this point but the state or "Commonwealth" of Massachusetts hasn't finished their case yet.  

    I have (none / 0) (#84)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 19, 2024 at 09:53:10 AM EST
    been kinda following it but not as closely as obviously you have. Dave Aronberg's synopsis is what I have watched about the trial. However what I garnered from that is that the prosecution's facts were never that strong regardless of the witness issues.

    Parent
    I'm a little surprised there hasn't been (none / 0) (#173)
    by McBain on Sun Jun 30, 2024 at 09:27:25 AM EST
    a verdict yet.  I hope they don't compromise.  

    Parent
    Hung Jury Mistrial (none / 0) (#186)
    by McBain on Thu Jul 04, 2024 at 09:11:11 AM EST
    Sounds like the CW wants another shot at her.  Should be interesting.

    Parent
    Hung Jury Mistrial (none / 0) (#187)
    by McBain on Thu Jul 04, 2024 at 09:11:18 AM EST
    Sounds like the CW wants another shot at her.  Should be interesting.

    Parent
    It must be thursday (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 09:40:39 AM EST
    the court is tossing out crumbs to the starving.

    Nothing very exciting today. Maybe the supremes are going to try the Trump tactic of a fire hose of crap. Just release all the important, probably horrible, decisions all at the same time.

    so the coverage any one of them gets diluted by the others.

    I (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 02:28:41 PM EST
    heard they were doing Thursdays and Fridays, so they are likely to drop the real bombs then so they can spend the weekend in peace.

    The debate is next Thursday so they may wait until then to give Trump some wins.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#90)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jun 20, 2024 at 03:33:59 PM EST
    that is what they did last year with Dobbs and it seems the supreme court wants to help Trump therefore the immunity decision will be on the last day.

    Parent
    The immunity (none / 0) (#100)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 09:22:41 AM EST
    ruling will be just awful.  The Court has already given their pal a win by taking the case and then taking its good old time in issuing its ruling.  However, I fear the next win on its demerits.  

    The Dobbs ruling was issued June 24,2022.

    Parent

    Delay in release of the immunity opinion (5.00 / 2) (#116)
    by Peter G on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 11:21:20 AM EST
    is not attributable to "the Supreme Court" as a whole,  but rather, under their procedures, is in the control of any single Justice who requests more time to work on their individual dissent or concurrence, or who is attempting to negotiate a wording change in the majority opinion on the promise of potentially then joining it without filing a separate opinion. I anticipate (I hope not naively) that the opinion itself will be very good (in every way), probably written by Barrett (I base this on her role at oral argument), and possibly joined by as many as seven or eight. I dream she might pull off a unanimous decision holding that there is no immunity applicable to any of the charges that Tr*mp is actually facing, and leave it at that.

    Parent
    I hope so (none / 0) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 11:41:51 AM EST
    Altho I still think politically speaking the best outcome now is back to the trial judge.

    If they announce the results you say the day after the debate it's still going to stink of corruption.

    Parent

    Coney Barrett (none / 0) (#188)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 04, 2024 at 11:38:35 AM EST
    is a reliable reactionary.  A Trump nominee whose confirmation proceeded as presidential voting was also proceeding. A Washington Post puff piece today attempted to lionize her for"independence", having gone off the wacko reservation on a rare occasion or so.   Perhaps by comparison with the other corrupt Trump justices, , Coney Barrett getting off the bus on the evidentiary provision of Trump v The United States of America, makes her a reasonable reactionary,

    Parent
    I feel they are likely to delay (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 09:34:41 AM EST
    immunity until a week from today.  That's the day after the debate.

    A decision on immunity would definitely put the debate in a new frame.

    Surprisingly they just confirmed a gun control law 8-1

    Only Clarence left out.

    Parent

    Clarence Thomas, in his dissent, (5.00 / 2) (#110)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 11:35:49 AM EST
    was adhering to, and protecting, the Court's wrongly decided ruling of two years ago in NY Rifle v Bruen---a decision he wrote for the majority.  Bruen holds that a firearms regulation that falls within the Second Amendment's plain text is unconstitutional unless consistent with the Nation's historical traditions of firearms regulation.  A ruling that proved , within a short period of time, to be glaringly obtuse---resulting in confusion and challenges for lower courts.

    So, the Court has attempted to dig itself out of the hole it dug with a clarification of sorts. After all, it now acknowledged, firearms regulations are not "trapped in amber". That originalist regulations are Constitutional only if there is a tradition and history  involved that tracks to 1791 did do much for analysis in the case of a dangerous domestic abuser, under a Court's restraining order, owing a gun.

    Maybe, it would be OK  to apply just contours  of history and tradition.  Taking Thomas' stubborn and rigid adherence to his originalist "baby", Bruen, would not be a good political look, even for this reactionary Court.

    Parent

    Lyle Denniston offers a compelling analysis (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by Peter G on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 06:53:23 PM EST
    of the Rahimi Second Amendment decision, arguing that the Court has in fact retreated significantly from the Bruen test of just two years ago (upon seeing where it would lead). He even suggests that the Court may be backing away from the "history and tradition" approach to Constitutional interpretation generally, perhaps in partial reaction to popular disapproval of the (supposely) history-bound Dobbs decision as well.

    Parent
    If these bozos give (none / 0) (#108)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 10:12:28 AM EST
    the President immunity, I quit. I no longer want to be a US citizen.

    Immunity will essentially be crowing a king. The very thing the framers DID NOT want for this country.

    Granting immunity will be worst act of jurisprudence since Dred Scott

    Parent

    IMO (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 10:34:33 AM EST
    There's no way the will give him immunity outright.

    It seems clear the goal was to delay.  They have done that.  Even if it's a clear no to immunity there won't be time for a trial before November

    I think - at this point - with no chance for an actual trial the best outcome would be they send it back to Judge Chutkan.

    If they do that it will delay the real trial but it will also mean Judge Chutkan can start evidentiary hearing immediately.  She has said she will cancel her summer vacation.

    That will also get all the stuff Trump wants to avoid about J6 into the news every day.

    Parent

    It would (none / 0) (#111)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 11:57:02 AM EST
    be nice if the Court just decided the case before them---essentially, is the former President immune from spearheading a multifaceted attempt to overthrow the government. But, as Gorsuch proclaimed, the Court needs to rule "for the ages".  Alito voiced concerns for a range of possibilities that have not occurred over the Nation's 250-year history--but you can never be too careful.  

    The Court sure would have taken a long time to decide to send the caee back to the district judge.  Hopefully, the Court is "just" doing its favor to Trump with delay.

    Parent

    I am almost (none / 0) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 03:18:30 PM EST
    to the episode when Ralphie gets his. I have been looking forward to that.

    Parent
    Oops (none / 0) (#134)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 03:20:05 PM EST
    That is a response to GAs comment #132

    Sopranos sub thread

    Parent

    SCOTUS (none / 0) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 09:48:46 AM EST
    decisions will resume Wednesday.

    So (none / 0) (#112)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 06:35:11 PM EST
    that probably means the immunity decision will drop on the day BEFORE, the day OF or the day after the debate.

    Probably after


    Parent

    After (none / 0) (#114)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 07:13:01 PM EST
    waiting so long it would malpractice to announce before the debate.

    We will know the fix is in if they grant immunity before the debate handing him a big win going in.

    Conversely, you can be sure the conservatives will not hand him a loss beforehand.

    I guess some wishy-washy punt on the issue may be released earlier.

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    Probably (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 08:02:11 AM EST
    But just imagine the announce no immunity the day of or the day before.

    That would be sweet.

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    I had not thought of that! (none / 0) (#137)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 07:37:54 PM EST
    Exactly (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jun 24, 2024 at 06:53:37 AM EST
    what I am talking about.

    However, if my understanding of the mechanics is correct one justice can delay it. If so, it seems like any bombshell ruling will not come out until at least Friday.

    Like I said before, IMO it would be malpractice for them to issue any ruling before then.

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    After the debate (none / 0) (#140)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 24, 2024 at 04:46:40 PM EST
    Definitely

    Supreme Court Signals July End to Term
    June 24, 2024 at 5:23 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 32 Comments

    "The US Supreme Court signaled it will take the unusual step of extending its term into July as it finishes work on about a dozen cases, including Donald Trump's bid for immunity from prosecution for attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss," Bloomberg reports.

    "The court, which had already scheduled Wednesday as an opinion day this week, updated its website to show it will issue rulings on Thursday and Friday as well. Because Chief Justice John Roberts traditionally announces the last day of the term from the bench, the announcement indicates the Friday opinions won't be the last ones."



    Parent
    My (none / 0) (#141)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jun 24, 2024 at 05:26:40 PM EST
    guess is they will wait until July 3rd then punt the ball back with just seconds on the clock before the long Federal holiday.

    Another 4-5 days before the wheels of justice even start turning again. Delay, delay, delay with a cherry on top.

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    Apologies (none / 0) (#142)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jun 24, 2024 at 05:31:56 PM EST
    for the mixed metaphor salad.

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    At this point (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 24, 2024 at 06:52:39 PM EST
    I think they should wait until after the debate.  

    I think Biden is going to do well and it would be a cleaner win if the announcement doesn't interefer

    And a good kicker after.

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    A more likely (5.00 / 1) (#144)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jun 25, 2024 at 08:41:32 AM EST
    debate detractor is Trump announcing his vice presidential running mate.  And, of course, the media will take the bait and the debate discussion will focus on Trump's pick, as feeble as that will be.

    Hopefully, the Biden campaign is preparing for that possibility with lines such as ....I hope this one will support you. Or, ...did you promise not to have this one hanged?

    But, this would be a good tactic for Trump. Biden announced that he would chose a women as his running mate during a Democratic primary debate and he "won" that debate because that was what was talked about afterward. Not the same impact by announcing one of the cyphers being bruited about, but still.

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    The (5.00 / 1) (#146)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:08:34 AM EST
    perfect zinger would be "at least he is not a convicted felon...."

    Matter of fact Biden would be wise to squeeze in the word felon in most of his answers.

    Throw in some sharks, electric boats and Stormy weather.

    Or how about "He cheats on his wife, he cheats in business and he cheats at golf. That last one is likely to drive him over the edge.

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    I (5.00 / 1) (#147)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:14:36 AM EST
    hope that Biden has some comedians on his briefing team, Biden has always been decent delivering one liners and Trump's record and psyche are a target rich environment.  

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    I want him to say (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:16:41 AM EST
    "that's a lie Donald.   You are a liar"

    Forget the 'thats not true' stuff

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    of (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:32:18 AM EST
    course there is that, but he can shrug direct attacks off with his usual 'I'm rubber and you're glue... " defense.

    Hit him directly in his ego with a shot from left field and he may just crumble and spend the rest of the debate defending his golf game or whatever.

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    I (5.00 / 1) (#150)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:48:32 AM EST
    also hope he has some shrinks on his briefing team.

    20 easy tricks to trigger a madman.

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    I expect some pretty confrontational (none / 0) (#151)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:55:40 AM EST
    moments.  Biden has been working for weeks preparing.  Trump is preparing by whining and saying Biden will be "hopped up".

    I'm pretty sure Biden understands he needs to go after Trump.  I think he will.

    Still, people never call Trump a liar to his face.
    That's just not true, that untrue blah blah.
    I want, and expect, that to happen.

    I think Biden said he was lying last time.  He needs to stop trying to be polite

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    This probably fits the category, (none / 0) (#162)
    by Jack E Lope on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 12:12:06 PM EST
    ..."every accusation is a confession"
    Trump is preparing by whining and saying Biden will be "hopped up".


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    MAGA is terrified (none / 0) (#152)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 07:57:24 AM EST
    Wouldn't you be?

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    What ever happens (none / 0) (#153)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 08:02:30 AM EST
    Lots of people will see it

    Most Americans Interested in This Week's Debate
    June 26, 2024 at 6:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 65 Comments

    A new AP-NORC poll finds about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they are "extremely" or "very" likely to watch the debate live or in clips, or read about or listen to commentary about the performance of the candidates in the news or social media.



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    FYI (none / 0) (#154)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 08:07:04 AM EST
    it's not just on CNN,  they are allowing it to run just about everywhere.

    MAX, MSNBC, FOX, all over.

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    Americans (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 09:04:55 AM EST
    rather be entertained than competently governed, that's Trump's one weird trick.

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    I (none / 0) (#155)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 08:17:27 AM EST
    still think there is a good chance he backs out.

    If he shows, I can't see him "winning" but there is a non-zero chance of a moderate to epic meltdown.

    Scared indeed.

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    Rules (none / 0) (#157)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 09:20:10 AM EST

    CNN's Debate Rules Irk Other TV Networks
    June 26, 2024 at 7:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 153 Comments

    "CNN, which is hosting the first presidential debate on Thursday, has put in place rules that other news outlets say are unusual and restrictive," Bloomberg reports.

    "The division of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is providing a live feed of the debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump to other networks, and those outlets must run it in full screen, with the CNN logo visible, according to terms the network distributed. Other channels aren't allowed to cut away from the debate, or air analysis during commercial breaks."



    Parent
    those (5.00 / 1) (#158)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 09:35:51 AM EST
    rules seem fair.

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    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 10:37:33 AM EST
    the best course of action is to have Trump have a crazed meltdown live on television. It's not like he's going to talk issues anyway.

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    The (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 12:10:58 PM EST
    best course of action is to try and goad him into it.

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    Don't worry Donsld (none / 0) (#163)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 12:32:30 PM EST
    There are no sharks in the building

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    And (none / 0) (#164)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 26, 2024 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    only one convicted felon

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    The Sopranos (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 21, 2024 at 07:07:42 PM EST
    I'm not shut how but I never saw the Sopranos.

    I just started season 3.

    Its so good.  And 25 years old.

    I watched (none / 0) (#119)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 04:40:19 PM EST
    it years ago but after the whole series was over. I enjoyed it except for the violence.

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    It's great tv (none / 0) (#120)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 05:19:06 PM EST
    it's at some very interesting periods of transition.  9/11 happen between season 3 and 4 and changed the show to be much darker.  (So I read.  I'm still in season 3)

    It's starts with giant cathode ray tvs and flip phones.

    I've been reading about the show and how some people, even the show runners, were surprised the thing was so big and the characters were so loved.  They were pretty much all really horrible people.

    There were jokes about deciding who to root for in Game of Thrones.  Theres no one here to root for.
    Still, I root for all of them.

    I love the show.  It was years ahead of it's time.  Tv drama wise.

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    When they killed off (none / 0) (#127)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 08:02:27 PM EST
    One of my favorite characters the show went dark for me. I won't spoil it and say who but that might be when they are talking about UT getting darker

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    Oh (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 08:15:27 PM EST
    I know all about who dies when.  I'm big on spoilers.

    In fact I have been doing this Google search over and over

    "When does ___ die in The Sopranos"

    Everyone I've searched for comes up with an episode number.

    Tons has been written about the finale.

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    Okay. (none / 0) (#132)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 02:54:06 PM EST
    My favorite character was Adriana who was killed off in season 5. After googling I found out the actress has gone nuts opening an only fans account because she says she can't get work becuase she didn't get the COVID shot. I guess she hasn't realized that there is a dearth of jobs for 52 year old female actresses. Trump and the shot have given all these people new excuses for not working when forever it was an age thing. I guess it is away of not dealing with the age thing for them.

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    I missed your comment with my last response (none / 0) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 06:06:56 PM EST
    About Adriana, I just saw the part where she organizes an intervention for Chris because he's high on heroin and sits on her dog and kills it.  Not even realizing it until she gets home.

    Like the whole series thing it's just awful and tragic but you can't stop laughing.  It's brilliant

    Yes, Adriana is nice.  So obviously doomed.

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    Adriana (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 06:22:53 PM EST
    screams Jersey girl, so over the top, and yeah, one of the few that seemed to have some morals. She tried but got killed for her efforts. Chris comes off as a total psychopath and the guy that is Tony's sister's husband was interesting to me too. The sister is a total whack job though who hates the mafia but depends on the mafia to survive.

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    I love the way they are constantly showing (none / 0) (#138)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 23, 2024 at 07:56:57 PM EST
    things on screens.  Old classic movies.  Tv clips of recognizable news people.  I just saw one of Maria Bartiromo being a normal business news reporter.

    There have been a couple of mentions of Trump.  Being in NY.

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    That would be Richie Aprile and Janice. ... (none / 0) (#184)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 04, 2024 at 01:40:42 AM EST
    Ga6thDem: "Chris comes off as a total psychopath and the guy that is Tony's sister's husband was interesting to me too. The sister is a total whack job though who hates the mafia but depends on the mafia to survive."

    Janice sure needed Tony after Richie smacked her hard enough to draw blood for suggesting so what if Richie Jr. was or wasn't gay. She decided that was it, she's had enough, and comes back into the kitchen and shoots Richie dead while he's eating dinner.

    That was one death which surprised me, not so much for the fact it happened but rather, for how it went down. I always thought it inevitable that Richie would eventually get whacked. I just never figured that Janice would be the one to do it. And Tony, dutiful brother that he is, cleaned up her mess.

    ;-D

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    It might be the best TV of all time (none / 0) (#174)
    by McBain on Sun Jun 30, 2024 at 09:38:46 AM EST
    or second only to The Wire.  With those two and Deadwood, HBO was on a big roll years ago.   Not sure what they have now as I cancelled my membership for the first time in quite a while.

    I reallocated my TV funds elsewhere including The Criterion Channel.  Recently watched William Friedkin's underrated Sorcerer and Paul Schrader's Cat People. Can't say Cat People was great but if you want to see Natashia Kinski, Malcolm McDowell and Annette O'Toole naked, this is your film.  

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    I ended my MAX subscription (none / 0) (#175)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jun 30, 2024 at 05:04:53 PM EST
    for much the same reason. I re-watched all the good stuff from a few years ago and the new stuff is just kind of ho hum. Bill Maher has gotten boring and you can catch that on CNN on Saturday night.

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    Being boring is the least (5.00 / 1) (#192)
    by jondee on Fri Jul 05, 2024 at 01:23:39 PM EST
    of Maher's problems.

    He makes me wanna slap the "woke" and "team Hamas" out of his mouth. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

    He's proof that not liking Trump doesn't save you from being a insufferable a-hole.

    Parent

    I rotate streamers (none / 0) (#176)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 30, 2024 at 05:32:27 PM EST
    I usually have two in addition to SLING.

    Right now I have MAX for season 2 of Dragons.

    But I've been watching some of the classic stuff.  Like Sopranos.  Which I never saw.  But I also did Carnivale.  So good.  I'm thinking about Rome.

    Parent

    I do exactly the same thing. (5.00 / 1) (#177)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jun 30, 2024 at 08:06:23 PM EST
    Just don't know if I'll take up MAX again. However, I would like to see Dragons. Rome is good. But it ended too soon.

    I recently had Netflix for about 3 months. Kind of saw everything to see. GA6th, the Harlan Coben stuff is good. Most of them are set outside the U.S.

    I'm on Hulu/Disney+ right now. But Paramount+ is probably next. I want to see the new season of Mayor of Kingstown.

    I have Amazon Prime all the time. Mostly because it bills once a year and I used to order a lot of stuff from Amazon. Not so much anymore. So I may re-think my Amazon Prime membership.

    Since I semi-retired (actually quarter-retired) my salary is reduced by 25%. And will go down even more next year when I fully retire and go to Social Sec. Need to better managed expenses.

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    Season 2 is looking good (none / 0) (#178)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 30, 2024 at 09:13:59 PM EST
    I'm watching the new one and boom full on XXX rated stuff.

    Pushing that envelope

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    I wondered (none / 0) (#179)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 01, 2024 at 08:14:43 AM EST
    why all the actors were British and the events took place in the UK never having read any of his books. So far I have watched 2 Netflix series and am on the 3rd.

    Parent
    I watched at least one of the (none / 0) (#181)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jul 01, 2024 at 10:02:32 AM EST
    Harlan Coben movies takes place in Poland. I think another may be set in Turkey. They are not all in the UK. I think only one of the movies on Netflix is set in the US.

    Parent
    My son got an inner city (none / 0) (#182)
    by jondee on Mon Jul 01, 2024 at 12:53:06 PM EST
    kid who'd been in trouble with the law, interested in reading by telling him the stories he'd read in Harlan Coben books.

    Parent
    Harlan Coben (none / 0) (#183)
    by BGinCA on Mon Jul 01, 2024 at 01:21:53 PM EST
    Highly recommend `Tell No One', both the novel and the 2006 French adaptation. I believe the latter is available on Amazon Prime.

    Parent
    I forgot about Rome (none / 0) (#180)
    by McBain on Mon Jul 01, 2024 at 09:48:06 AM EST
    another excellent HBO series.  I'll reup Max to watch Dragons at some point.  Not to sound obsessed with sex and nudity but there's a big difference from Rome, the early days of Game of Thrones and other shows to what we see now.  "Intimacy Coordinators" limiting what can be shown these days.

    I have Starz for 3 months at $2/month. Exploring some of that.  Wouldn't mind stopping Netflix for a while but my parents share my subscription.  Tried watching the recent Spiderverse animated movie on Netflix last night.  Ended up switching to Close Encounters of the Third Time, one of my favorites.  Almost 50 years later, the special effects still hold up for the most part.  Plus, I believe some of that UFO stuff might have actually happened.

    Parent

    We have Disney+ because ... (none / 0) (#185)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 04, 2024 at 01:55:48 AM EST
    I wanted ESPN-Plus. It comes with Hulu, and one good show I discovered was "Shogun," based upon James Clavell'1975 novel. I first read it in high school and really enjoyed it. I never saw the original miniseries with Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune.

    Parent
    Doubling down on jumping the shark (none / 0) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 05:47:31 PM EST
    today

    Said Trump: "You know, I have an, I had an uncle who was a great professor at MIT for many years, long, I think the longest tenure ever. Very smart, had three different degrees and you know, so I have an aptitude for things. You know, there is such a thing as an aptitude. I said, `Well, what would happen if this boat is so heavy and started to sink and you're on the top of the boat? Do you get electrocuted or not? In other words, the boat is going down and you're on the top, will the electric currents flow through the water and wipe you out? And let's say there's a shark about 10 yards over there. Would I have to immediately abandon or could I ride the electric down?' And he said, `Sir, nobody's ever asked us that question.'"



    It seems like (none / 0) (#122)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 06:02:38 PM EST
    hes either actually lost what mind he ever had or he knows he will never win and he just wants to do as much damage as possible

    Parent
    Biden (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 07:27:04 PM EST
    should look him in the eye and say "Donald the sharks are circling"

    Parent
    I know a guy that knew (none / 0) (#126)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 07:37:41 PM EST
    Albert Einstein. I must be a freakin' genius.

    Parent
    Wanna get scared? (none / 0) (#125)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 07:37:14 PM EST
    Digby posted this interview from MSNBC with the President of the Heritage Society.  Its been a long time since I saw a more scary and dangerous individual, but maybe I have't been paying close attention.  I would post it from MSNBC but I can't seem to find it there, so I'm linking to Digby.  You have to scroll down a bit. They Are Fanatics.

    I have the impression that guys like this would think nothing of shooting you in the back of your head while wearing his $3000 suit.

    I have read enough about project 2025 (none / 0) (#128)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 08:04:00 PM EST
    To know what creepy things they have planned. So no need for me to watch

    Parent
    I saw that interview (none / 0) (#130)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 22, 2024 at 08:18:21 PM EST
    It was shocking that it was not shocking.  

    If you know what I mean.

    I watched him say this insane stuff.  Then, we will be right back after this short message.

    It might have been the craziest thing I've seen on MSNBC.  

    Parent

    Is There A Mechanism in Place (none / 0) (#189)
    by RickyJim on Thu Jul 04, 2024 at 11:38:46 AM EST
    To notify Jeralyn that a new open thread is needed?

    Already done. I texted her (none / 0) (#190)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 04, 2024 at 12:12:07 PM EST
    yesterday, and she acknowledged.

    Parent