Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Wooo Hooo Lets get this started....

Stupid is as Stupid says!

Uh oh...Ping's already on a roll....

Have a safe and good trip Craig.

God Bless you.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246266

ping, you're not as stupid as you think. maybe perpetrating a little woohoo here and there sometimes, but then who doesn't?

"I am starting a long weekend" cc

this host hiatus, champ's and cajunjoe travel to parts unknown must be due to the siren call of oldsea's hammock... sea, you've cast a spell.
we wake up in the land of the lotus eaters, congress critters will be gone soon, takng our hopes of healthcare with them and before you know it it'll be election day again.

I know - My Mother told me NEVER use the Stupid Stupid word as using it is usually just Stupid!

Sorry Mom - I know better.....

Off to my world.... Check later

Carol....
That's an amazing story about how you helped the person who robbed you...
my respect for you has arisen immeasurably....
hope you and the Maggster have a great time fishing this weekend...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/filibustererinchief.html#comment-246254

Carol,

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. (I know Solar :))
No one can tell a story like you do. What a great person you are. Empathy is such an attractive trait.

Yes, Carol -- that WAS a great story. Hat is off to you.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-23/stop-bashing-my-healthcare/?cid=hp:mainpromo6

"In Defense of 'Socialized Medicine'"

"The fact is health care on both sides of the Atlantic is rationed: in Britain, it is rationed by queue (though with the billions of pounds thrown at the NHS in recent years the queues are diminishing) and in America by price (no health insurance, no right to health care). Americans might like to ponder that it is better to be in a queue for health care that not qualify for any at all—which is the plight of those 47 million Americans who have no health insurance."

Oh Carol
You must be off to work..Thanks for sharing..Great story..You shine..

mornin'

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/filibustererinchief.html#comment-246257

Jamie, exactly. And both parties on both sides broke both rules from what I can tell. We live in a smallish town with a smallish police force, next to two other smallish towns with smallish police forces, and because of what I do for a living and what Mrs. P does, I can say without any shred of doubt cops lie to cover their screwups and people who deal with cops in charged situations lie about how they were treated. In the normal case, somewhere between the two stories that are told lies the truth about what happened. I suspect this is the normal case. Now What was it the President was holding a press conference about? Police relations with the AA community? Or was it health insurance refor? I forget now.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-23/the-secret-gop-sex-diary/

"The Secret GOP Sex Diary"

"Hot on the heels of the Sanford and Ensign scandals comes the adulterous tale of Chip Pickering. Max Blumenthal on why Republicans don’t want the former congressman’s diary released.

While former Rep. Chip Pickering of Mississippi allegedly carried on an extramarital affair with Elizabeth Creekmore Byrd, he recorded details of his exploits in a secret diary, including the dates and locations of his adulterous encounters.

Pickering, a Republican, described several assignations he had with Creekmore Byrd inside the C Street House, a Capitol Hill townhouse inhabited by an all-male group of right-wing Republican congressmen belonging to The Fellowship, an evangelical group.

And according to a divorce filing by Pickering’s estranged wife, Leisha, the former congressman’s diary reveals the identities of several men who enabled his adulterous trysts and helped him cover his tracks."

This caught my eye because it's from Craig's new boss, The Economist.

The Obama cult
"Perhaps Mr Obama inwardly cringes at the personality cult that surrounds him. But he has hardly discouraged it. As a campaigner, he promised to “change the world”, to “transform this country” and even (in front of a church full of evangelicals) to “create a Kingdom right here on earth”. As president, he keeps adding details to this ambitious wish-list. He vows to create millions of jobs, to cure cancer and to seek a world without nuclear weapons. On July 20th he promised something big (a complete overhaul of the health-care system), something improbable (to make America’s college-graduation rate the highest in the world by 2020) and something no politician could plausibly accomplish (to make maths and science “cool again”).

The Founding Fathers intended a more modest role for the president: to defend the country when attacked, to enforce the law, to uphold the constitution—and that was about it. But over time, the office has grown. In 1956 Clinton Rossiter, a political scientist, wrote that Americans wanted their president to make the country rich, to take the lead on domestic policy, to respond to floods, tornadoes and rail strikes, to act as the nation’s moral spokesman and to lead the free world. The occupant of the Oval Office had to be “a combination of scoutmaster, Delphic oracle, hero of the silver screen and father of the multitudes,” he said." http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14082968

chloe, interesting, but typical of RW publications (Britsh, no less) to constrain the role of the president based on the intent of the Founding Fathers (as if they have any idea what that intent was). If you look only at the first 3 prisidents, founding fathers all, it is clear that the intent of the founding fathers about the role of the president was by no means a consensus. They certainly are right that the office has grown since then, consistent with the emergence of the US as a global power rather than a new country trying to expand its control over real estate in a huge continent by getting control over it from two of the 3 prominent world powers of the western world, to say nothing of the indigenous population who inhabited it and doesn't square with our history.

Hmm Pogo. I thought it was pretty well balanced. It looked like it mostly just used his own words and said that those who believe them will be either right or wrong (one or the other).

"....RW publications (Britsh, no less)"

pogo, rw? that epithet generally serves as a typical tmr pejorative and is usually reserved for our more radical friends. are you putting the host's host in that category and based on what?

.... from that article: "It is up to Mr Obama to prove him wrong."

I sincerely hope he does.

This deal with Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. started out with Mr.Gates claiming that race was the big issue but very quickly the the situation changed to show how differently the politically connected folks like Mr.Gates are really treated in this country. The no apology for the arrest comment made by the Cambridge officer clearly shows another route would have been followed had the officer not been forced to drop it.

chloe, I didn't read the article, only what you quoted.

No, pat, the Economist is a conservative British economic publication that "practices advocacy journalism in taking an editorial stance based on free trade and globalisation" - It's half owned by the Financial Times and was based on fiscal conservatism. In my world that equates to RW, at least from an economic perserspective. To its credit, the Economist is much more socially liberal than you'll find in RW conservative circles in the US. And not every description is meant to be a slur.

It seems that the Economist article was discussing the
issues raised in a book written by Gene Healy "The Cult of the Presidency".

Mr. Healy is from the Cato Institute & is generally refered to as a libertarian with regard to his views.

“An explanation of cause is not a justification by reason.”

--C.S. Lewis

"show how differently the politically connected folks like Mr.Gates are really treated in this country."

EXCELLENT point Buford.

Good Morning

I'm going to imitate fearless leader unless news breaks out. Have a couple of blog articles to write, a good book, and a swimming pool that need my attention. Have a great weekend.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246289 Mr. Healy is from the Cato Institute & is generally refered to as a libertarian

("Libertarianism is a political philosophy that advocates the maximization of liberty for every individual. In its idealized sense, this position entails that no individual acts to diminish the liberty of any other individual, so that every individual possesses equal liberty.")

Coreen, No wonder I related to that article, and therefore to our new TM bosses boss. :).

ct:

"Being a doctor, lawyer, professor or indian chief doesn't give you the right to be rude."

What?! Then why the heck did I go to law school fer?? I want a refund.

"What?! Then why the heck did I go to law school fer??"

LOL Warren,
Would it help if I called you Sir?

Back because I just found a great article from the new bosses. This one is for all the builders amongst us about timber framed buildings. Almost poetic.

http://ow.ly/15IImu

yes please.

(Hah! no, no . . . I never served in the military so no one needs to call me sir.)

well.... after the last few days....
it seems to me that too many labels are freely thrown around....
being an independent thinker works for me....

Jamie.... think I'll join ya.... this is the weekend before my fair.... which I love doing.... but by the end.... I'm pooped.... I need some chill time before....

everyone have fun and try to be kind to one another....

... I didn't know Bill Maher ever appeared on Huffington Post

Health Care Problem Isn't Socialism, It's Capitalism
"Because medicine is now for-profit we have things like "recision," where insurance companies hire people to figure out ways to deny you coverage when you get sick, even though you've been paying into your plan for years.

When did the profit motive become the only reason to do anything? When did that become the new patriotism? Ask not what you could do for your country, ask what's in it for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

If conservatives get to call universal health care "socialized medicine," I get to call private health care "soulless vampires making money off human pain." The problem with President Obama's health care plan isn't socialism, it's capitalism." http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/07/24/health_care_problem_isnt_socialism_its_capitalism_97610.html

Renee, Have fun at your fair!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246296

Jamie, Yes! Beautifully written. You're right, almost poetic.

RE: labels....I am getting a little bored with so much of the conversation (on air) about Prof. Gates being about his status as a member of the upper crust, as in, how dare they do this to a Harvard professor?

Chloe,

Not sure what I would consider myself---individual, independent minded---but libertarian may also fit
in some instances as well.

Truth be told, more than likely most of us could not be easily "pigeon-holed" into a single category.

"most of us could not be easily "pigeon-holed" into a single category."

Coreen, agree. ('course, I usually agree with you)
I'm not a libertarian. I'm nothing. :)
(I just liked the part about 'equality')

jamie, hope i caught you in time. thanks so much for the econ. link last thread. one article of the many good ones that caught my eye was "qom all ye faithful" and a sentence therein:
"Qom even has its own well-known red-light district, where pious mullahs can get licences to be married just for a few hours or a day to a pretty woman in a custom that is close to abetting prostitution."

http://ow.ly/i08N

note: one has to scroll down their main page list to find the article. seems they don't let you link straight to it.

Hey Chloe,

Getting ready to go to my office, but heads up---if your sidekick shows up---today's lunch not 5**---it's pizza & a salad--and you still get to ride shotgun anytime you want.

And hope everyone has a good weekend---as summer
suddenly starts to slip away (though we really have not
had a true hot summer here yet) have started to see leaves turning yellow & falling.

looks like officer crowley will have to amend his lesson plan before he teaches the next class.

"Crowley joined the Cambridge Police Department and was eventually tapped to teach a class on racial profiling at a police training academy.

Thomas Fleming, director of the police academy at the Lowell Police Department, which has a partnership with the Cambridge Police Department, said Crowley has taught the course for five years and has trained 300 recruits, none of whom have complained about him.

"He's a very professional police officer and he's a great instructor," Fleming said in a phone interview from his home."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072301073.html?hpid=topnews

gee, officer krupke...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq28qCklEHc

"if your sidekick shows up---"

Yes Coreen, Where is Solar?
Solar, Did you hear that: late lunch today. And I'm ridin' shotgun.

Coreen, Have a great weekend.
It is hard to believe summer is slipping away. I thought the same thing when Craig said he'd be back on Monday, and pointed out that is July 27th.

ps Solar, I'm 'honored' to hear someone call you my sidekick. I can't thing of anyone I'd rather have as that, than you.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246312

... nice find Pat.

Chloe,

Forgot to add---it's my treat.

Well then Coreen, I'm sure Solar will join us. :)

thanks chloe.
that "officer krupke" song was written in 1961 and still seems relevant.

sorry, meant to say the movie came out in '61.... song was written before that.

Not to change the subject, but, well, to change the subject ...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/23/mullen.detainee.abuse/index.html?eref=rss_politics

Adm. Mullin was infuriated by the detainee abuse pics that Pres. Obama has suppressed. Now really, could they actually be worse than what we and everyone else who hasn't seen them imagines?

Keep talkin', John.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124839458922777659.html#mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy

Who ya gonna believe - me or your lyin' eyes?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0709/Did_GOP_stall_for_Boehner_Beach_party.html

Boner - best thing that's happened to congressional democrats in years.

Solar, later *L* (and yes, i know we were both beat to the punch by a premature announcement - rats!!)

Home work assignment for everyone -

Over a Barrel: The Truth About Oil
ABC News' Charles Gibson Crosses the Country for the Inside Story on the U.S. Oil Addiction

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8113439&page=1

" Vaitheeswaran, in his assessment of the true costs of oil dependence, said, "We're paying for the geopolitical complications of oil, but we pay it through the Pentagon budget and we pay it through the lives of our soldiers lost overseas.

"These are costs we bear. ... We use more gasoline than we should, because there is an artificial price. ... We don't pay an honest price for the energy we use in America."

----------------

From the link above.

Is 'Cash for Clunkers' for Chumps?
Chrysler to Double Cash Incentive for 'Cash for Clunkers' Program

There was so much interest in the program though that when automobile dealers across the country began the certification process this morning, the federal computer system they logged into crashed due to the overwhelming demand, ABC Denver affiliate KMGH reported today.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8154897&page=1

Thought for the day :
" We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. "

Never steal anything small.........jimmy cagney movie

Charlie Gibson would do well to document Big Oil's post WWII intervention in, and control of Auto Industry policy.

Our 60 year long journey, from being an independent nation of trolley hopping urbanites to becoming a slavishly dependent nation of gashog driving suburbanites, may have been spurred by Washington, DC, but it was planned in the corner offices of Big Oil.

1783 Simon Bolivar freed 6 Latin American republics from Spanish rule
1870 Fred Law Olmsted Jr architect/landscaper
1898 Amelia Earhart into the wild blue yonder
1900 Zelda Fitzgerald 1st wife of F Scott
1951 Lynda Carter Phoenix Az, Miss USA/actress (Wonder Woman, Billie Jo)

1651 Anthony Johnson, a free black, receives grant of 250 acres in Va
1683 1st settlers from Germany to US, leave aboard the Concord
1799 William Clark (of Lewis & Clark) is willed the slave York
1824 Harrisburg Pennsylvanian newspaper publishes results of 1st public opinion poll. Clear lead for Andrew Jackson
1847 Brigham Young & his Mormon followers arrive at Salt Lake City, UT
1870 1st trans-US rail service begins
1877 1st time federal troops are used to combat strikers
1900 Race riot in New Orleans, 2 white policemen killed
1919 Race Riot in Washington DC (6 killed, 100 wounded)
1925 Scopes guilty of teaching evolution in a Tn HS, fined $100 & costs
1937 Alabama drops charges against 5 blacks accused of rape in Scottsboro
1948 Soviets blockades Berlin from the west
1965 Bob Dylan release "Like a Rolling Stone"
1967 Race riot in Cambridge Maryland
1969 Apollo 11 returns to Earth
1974 Supreme Court unanimously rules Nixon must turn over Watergate tapes

Bob Dylan " Judas " Like a Rolling Stone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqUFHEyu5hM

Obama moves to grant political asylum to women who suffer domestic abuse

The department of homeland security has told an immigration court that it regards the woman, identified only as 42-year-old LR, as potentially having grounds to apply for political asylum because she feared she would be murdered by her common-law husband who repeatedly raped her at gunpoint and tried to burn her alive when he discovered she was pregnant.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/24/obama-women-abuse-political-asylum-us

"I have never tried to scan form my printer... a Hewlett P deskjet printer ..to my computer...and can't find the instructions .. " http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/filibustererinchief.html#comment-246308

Solar, All printers are different. Does yours have a scan button? If not, find the program in your programs tabs (probably under HP), and open up the scanner part of it, if you can.

Hey Ree, Yes it does, yes it does.

Where's Bethy, btw.

Rez heads up -

Appeals court demands accounting for Indian trusts

WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Interior Department must account for century-old land royalties owed to American Indians, reversing a lower court's ruling that the task is impossible.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_us_indian_money.html?source=mypi

Thx Cbob. We've had ups and downs and this looks like another up. DW and I figure we'll be long gone before they finally determine anything close to what they figure we lost.

From the article: "The long-running suit, first filed 13 years ago, claims the Indians were swindled out of royalties overseen by the Interior Department since 1887 for things like oil, gas, grazing and timber."

"Temperatures have just been incredible.

"I've been here 14 years and it's the hottest I've ever known it. It's unbearable, everything you touch is burning."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8167053.stm

111 F in southern Spain

In the eyes of some counties ......we are the bad cops....just because we have the power to do so.

In the name of everything reasonable, and in the face of acts of evil by terrible people, we tortured wantonly and profligately, and some of these torture techniques........known to the previous administration and most of the media as "enhanced interrogation techniques".......were actually demonstrated to many of out top officials, including the national security adviser, the attorney general, and the secretary of state, within the White House.

We imprisoned secretly at "black sites" offshore and beyond the reach of the American legal system, holding prisoners without hope of trial or, often, release; we disappeared peopl...... we murdered prisoners; we committed strange acts of extreme abuse and humiliation...

we kidnapped terror suspects off the global streets and turned some of them over to some of the worst people who ran the worst dungeons and torture chambers on the planet. Unknown, but not insignificant numbers of those kidnapped, abused, tortured, imprisoned, and/or murdered were actually innocent of any crimes against us. We invaded without pretext, based on a series of lies and the manipulation of Congress and the public. We occupied two countries with no clear intent to depart and built major networks of military bases in both. Our soldiers gunned down unknown numbers of civilians at checkpoints and, in each country, arrested thousands of people, some again innocent of any acts against us, imprisoning them often without trial or sometimes hope of release.

Our Air Force repeatedly wiped out wedding parties and funerals in its global war on terror. It killed civilians in significant numbers. In the process of prosecuting two major invasions, wars, and occupations, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans have died. In Iraq, we touched off a sectarian struggle of epic proportions that involved the "cleansing" of whole communities and major parts of cities, while unleashing a humanitarian crisis of remarkable size, involving the uprooting of more than four million people who fled into exile or became internal refugees. In these same years, our Special Forces operatives and our drone aircraft carried out — and still carry out — assassinations globally, acting as judge, jury, and executioner, sometimes of innocent civilians.

We spied on, and electronically eavesdropped on, our own citizenry and much of the rest of the world, on a massive scale whose dimensions we may never know..... We twisted the English language, creating the ability to torture........Yeah........Cheney/Bush were bad cops......we all know that!!!!

And don’t think that that’s anything like a full list. What are we doing over at Hunduras...we are backing the new regime (which I like...I think?) what do we have over 750 bases all over the world...or are they our police stations????? Why do we keep arming bad gangsters with our weapons......and train them in the art of war......only to have them use that training against us???...They are the bad cops that we train....to keep law and order for us.....I don't know!!

Warm Caribbean, Gulf seas threaten corals
'We are quite concerned,' coordinator of federal Reef Watch says

The general average for the hottest summer months in the Caribbean is about 84 degrees Fahrenheit, Eakin said.

He noted that sea temperatures in some parts of this region already are at the higher threshold, around 86 degrees, and that some bleaching has already begun. Those temperatures are expected to hold through October.

Scientists fear the bleaching could exceed what was seen in 2005 in the Caribbean, the worst coral bleaching event in the region's recorded history.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32105317/ns/us_news-environment/

Chloe,

Thanks for coming to get me.....thought that I was on this thread trying to do too many things at one time. I did start off on this thread.....there is something wrong here.....snipe hunting is scary as heaven HA!

Im going to let Coreen (hey gotta be a song in that name somewhere?) have a pass on that early lunch call today.....since she called us sidekicks...that we are...and it's my pleasure.

Now about this lunch stuff....when she or anyone else busy for Solar,,or myself....there is not back seat....there is a 5 ** joint to eat at......and there is not keeping me form bring up the list of bylaws of the club....just one for now......The co-presidents ( Pogo-Solar) are to be listened to at all times.......do you know what that mean?...do you...wait till she gets back...and I will tell it to both of you so's I don't have to reapeats it.

World swimming governing body Fina has decided to ban controversial non-textile swimsuits, but not until 2010.

The introduction of polyurethane suits in 2008 coincided with a marked improvement in swim times meaning world records have fallen dramatically.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/swimming/8161867.stm

---------------------------
I have wondered since these suits were first introduced, if the same technology could be applied the the finish of say cars, or tractor trailers, to make them slip through the air stream smoother.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246355

ay dios mio

(...hittin' the road)

"ay dios mio"

You can say that again.!

Patsi,

Thanks for that article in the Latimes...booked to read later on.

This police, prof, thing some how to me doesn't feel the same...as when I see a cop pulling over minorities and tazering them..or handcuff them, and beat the hell out of them Doesn't have the same feel as when, and I have see a lot of them....for no reason ..just because they can...harass innocent people ...just walking down the street. I have been in bars ...where I have known the cops personally.

One-once said to his partner....I think that I have had enough to drink...I want some fun now....think that I will go and harass some chinks...we were near China Town.

I also have some friends and family, that tell me wild stories, (cops)about the innocent looking person that has guns on them....I have seen the gangs, that actively look for cops to bait..and to harass themselves...they think that it is fun to play with cops.....who they never mess around with...are the gang squads..."they don't play" they say..

Based on my own personal experiences with cops..mostly bad ones..and cpl times my fault...This time..I can honestly say that for the most part..he was.trying to do his job....The hair on the back of me neck..did not stand out for me on this one...usually I get all kinds of pissed off just looking at a tape that show a cop abusing someone....reading, or hearing about it.

As I said last night...this to me is going to be filed under....even when you are right you are wrong......I do think that they were both right and wrong...I can truly see both sides on this one....definitely the last I have to say on this one.

polythene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Erd2qrVJkU

I watched Henry Gates PBS series on tracing African American's roots.
Several famous people appear in the series. They all had DNA testing done, and the end Gates himself tells of how he had more European genes than ones from Africa. He was shocked , and disappointed.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246360

There is no such thing as race.......it's all a scam.....we are all one human race...different cultures ....yes...

You can say that again Solar!

A.P. Cracks Down on Unpaid Use of Articles on Web

Taking a new hard line that news articles should not turn up on search engines and Web sites without permission, The Associated Press said Thursday that it would add software to each article that shows what limits apply to the rights to use it, and that notifies The A.P. about how the article is used.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/business/media/24content.html?_r=1

Warren,

Not you too! Anyway. Dr W. Spencer..I think that was his name...a dna specilaist did a big series about there are no diff races..just the one. He took samples ...thousands...from all parts of the world...working from NY...and finishing with the Oldest known (dna) inhabitants of the world....the African Bushmen.... by tracing the out of Africa...also..he? discovered that the Aborigine . was the first people to be on this continent...since then...I think that they share this prestige with the Clovis people that came from the east coast.....but all in all we are the only Martians here.!!....I love this stuff.

I used to think that it was just a Military waste that we went to the moon....it was all done to get an advantage over our enemies..imo...long rang weapons and all....but this is just what is going to save us...we will be going to inhabit Mars.....or somewhere-where Chloe came from. hahah can you say that again?

Posted by: tonyb39 | July 24, 2009 8:27 AM

Tony - nice point but the fact is in basic care the uninsured in the US may get care quicker then in the UK. Have you been to an Emergency Room in the last decade? No one is turned away.

The question is the economic model - and the one proposed by this President and this Dem congress is one that will Deminish care for all. It is short on thought - Come on Barack at tleast get your own facts before you talk.....

Lets not equal things by bringning someone down... Lets manage resources and raise everyone up.

Ping,

What did the pres, mean when he said that 97% of all people will be covered...some wont'...the ones that can't afford it will be given a voucher..or something like that...is this spinning ...that we are not going to cover everyone?? Thought I would help you out a little HA!

Ok going to shut up now.

Deminish Party - The New Liberal branch of the Democratic party with objectives in social engineering and redistribution - ignorance of common sense and historic American Values which delivered the opportunity for such a group to rise.

Solar - Be careful you may get an arrow...
you know you can lead the horsey to water but cannot make it drink.

Everyone in this country and it visitors have access to immediate and Free Emergency Care - after that we have work to do.

I feel strongly that a great nation in this time should provide healthcare for all of its citizens.

I feel strongly that this can be accomplished without spending another dime more then today.

Obama shows up at the Gibbs briefing to address the Gates controversy --

"I actually just had a conversation with Sergeant James Crowley," Obama said, "and I have to tell you that, as I said yesterday, my impression of him is that he was an outstanding police officer...and that was confirmed in the phone conversation.
"Because this has been ratcheting up, and I helped to contribute to the ratcheting up...in my choice of words, I unfortunately gave the impression that I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department or Sergeant Crowley specifically," he continued. "I continue to believe, based on what I have heard, that there was an overreaction in pulling Prof. Gates out of his home and to the station. I also continue to believe, based on what I heard, that Prof. Gates probably overreacted as well."

"Because of our history...African Americans are sensitive to these issues."

Enough said...perhaps.

No one is turned away from hospital emergency departments because EMTALA, The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, requires a medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment for all patients presenting to an emergency department in the United States. - even if they just show up with the sniffles. Much of the care that results is uncompensated, so it is paid for by insured and self pay patients out of the revenues of the hospitals providing the Medical Screening Exam, negatively affecting the care provided to everyone who doesn't receive the free care - and from revenue that if it were from compensated care sources would be spent to care for every patient. ACEP knows about EMTALA because it is what Emergency personnel live and die on so to speak.

http://www.acep.org/pressroom.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&id=25936&fid=3496&Mo=No

"the one proposed by this President and this Dem congress is one that will Deminish care for all" - what part of the plan in the House or Senate is this based on Ping? And this "basic care the uninsured in the US may get care quicker then in the UK." You got any wait time data that is based on?

Oh, and privately owned hospitals that do not participate in Medicare routinely turn people without insurance away - they are nor required by COBRA to perform EMTALA screenings, and they do not. Ask Bill Frist about that one if you run innto him.

Ping,

Just trying to help you.....but that emergency room stuff has got to go...everyone by law cannot be refused...and if some have their way...Immigrants will be refused...but we will end up paying for them anyway.

sad sad story re dogs

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=6924067

Ping, "I feel strongly that a great nation in this time should provide healthcare for all of its citizens.

I feel strongly that this can be accomplished without spending another dime more then today."

Absolutely. Bernie Sanders has quoted some source - I forget what - that notes that there is $400,000,000,000 wasted each year in US healthcare becaues 1300 private insurers oadminister literally thousands of different health insurance plans. Now lessee, if Sanders is right that would be $4 trillion over 10 years - hmmm. How could we possibly pay for single payor coverage?

hummingbirds from egg to flight, a series of still shots.....

http://community-2.webtv.net/hotmail.com/verle33/HummingBirdNest/

if you click on the link at the end under "New in 2005" there is another series with 2 successful birdies....

The Emergency room as a primary care must go.

Regarding the wait lines- I will get that from my colleagues in the UK - but just this week they stated about 6 to 9 weeks to get an MRI.

So lets admit the mistake and that no racist issue was involved and that he will now focus on the core issue of the problems - and stop this self distructive actions that will Deminish our gains.

Say it again - Here we attack Global Warming based on correlative data and try to drive changes that will raise the cost of everything - and then the next crisis is among us and we have facts that could be addressed and more interest in redistribution then really fixing the problem

GO Figure?

TGIF, TGIF,

Did Chloe go on a road trip? What is this "ay dios mio" ?

I wanted to tell you that I am proud to have you as a soul mate sista.

Well, I think I will GO figure. Everyone have a good weekend.

Okay, watch this video. About a minute and a half in, Dave Chappelle talks about his place getting robbed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrNWFmT8SLo

After I say this, I will go back up and read the posts. I just want to say this finally.

I am bemused at the furor re who was right and who was wrong in this mess re Gates' arrest.

Each man is in a position of power and authority and each was also vulnerable.

Gates was dealing with a man with a gun.

The cop was dealing with a man of color in a town which seems to have at least a rocky history in dealing with race.

Each man should have known better, but each man went macho. Each man should admit he acted stupidly and apologize.

I am not minimizing the history and existence of police brutality and racism, but c'mon. Somebody could have been hurt - maybe killed. Each man is sophistocated and educated enough to realize the potential for real trouble, and both should have been sensible and exhibited the intelligence we have to hope they have.

Yeah, Obama should have been ready for that question, too.

Have a great one, Craig.

tt

Got to speak with Alan today. He said "Skip is my good friend and he called me right after it happened." He also knows the policeman and likes him.

He said"The police should have taken his identity (verbally) and be over with it"

I asked him if he thought the woman would have called if he were white- "No question about it, she wouldn't have called if he were white"

There was not sufficient probable cause for the policeman to follow Prof. Gates in to his home. Also unlike Texas, unless they have probable cause one does not have to identify himself.
He also said he was exhausted after 48 hours of travel and that he is a respectful, quiet, unassuming man.

Between the two men it was more of a "man thing, you know, testicles" vs. race.

He was concerned about the influence this could have with black youths. "I'm worried about the young black kids now. They'll mouth off and get shot instead"

He thinks that Gates & Crowley should appear together arm in arm.

He finished with "I urge people to test their rights in the courtroom, not in the field."

Emergency room as primary care will go when we have Single Payor. Single Payor will make it possible for people to get the care they need before it becomes an emergency.

The Commercial Sex Abuse Industry alone 'employs' at least 2 million prostituted victims. These people are self IDed as indigent, and therefore have no insurance. Therefore, they visit emergency rooms for their primary care, and at a frequency of approximately 1.1 visits per month. This amounts to a public subsidy of Commercial Sex Abuse of at least $13,000 per prostituted person per year. I have seen estimates of the number of prostituted people in the US that range from 3 to 5 million. By calculating at least $13,000 per year times the low figure of 3,000,000 victims of prostitution, we find that the Commercial Sex Abuse Industry gets at least $39 B!LL!ON (or $360 dollars per US household) in health care subsidies annually, and possibly much, much more.

Single Payor, by making more reasonable non-emergency health care available, would cut that subsidy by approximately $27 B!LL!ON, or $243 per US household.

While the Commercial Sex Abuse Industry may be the largest, it is not the only cash under the counter industry in the country. The savings we can acheive through ditching our present system of Anti-Social Medicine may be the equivalent of a 7 or 8% of our total national health care bill. That doesn't even count the savings we might enjoy from ending the many inefficiencies, waste, fraud, and abuse that for-profit insurance companies add onto our bills.

Old Sea -

Here's yer " Atta Girl ".

Great video Corey!

Thanks CBob- I think of you every day as I watch my beautiful corn and feel like a heel because I haven't posted. Took photos for a post on the 4th and some this week. Unfortunately my children won't divulge the secret of downloading my camera- mycord is lost and they have something that works with mine. I'll get on them on Sunday. Last Sunday was my first day off in a while so I tending the garden and got it all ready for a shoot. Tried to take a shot from my hammock tonnight, but battery went. Will get it all together this Sunday for sure I promise.

PS- told him about the blog and the debate?, so in analyzing our chat I guess the "I urge... was a message to all you TMers. Cool huh?

Ping:

"more interest in redistribution then really fixing the problem"

Redistribution is fixing the problem. Reagan's trickle-down economics - led to a trickle-up recession.

The poor and middle class - all burdened with mortgages and doctor bills that they have no hope of repaying.

It is bad economics if the wealth gets concentrated in the few. It cuts down liquidity because there is less people to spend the money.

It is also bad politics - and an increasing disparity between the haves and the have nots - coupled with a decrease in the standard of living - are the signs of an empire in decline.

Solar,
Maybe this is what makes you think that the Israelis are planning to steal Lebanon's Litani River :

UN INITIATES FENCE AGAINST ISRAELI COWS

UNIFIL troops from Spain, India offer to build fence to guard pond in southern Lebanon, which they say attracts cows from Israel

Ynet Published: 07.24.09, 23:36 / Israel News

"Although the United Nations failed to prevent 15 Lebanese citizens from crossing the border into Israel last week, a UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon is trying to stop Israeli cows from drinking the water of a pond on Lebanese territory near the northern border."

"A Lebanese website reported Friday that Spanish and Indian peacekeepers had offered to build a metal fence which would encircle the pool, preventing the Israeli cows from drinking its water and allowing Lebanese shepherds to come to the area with their herds."

"The proposal was made in a meeting between senior UN officials in southern Lebanon and the leaders of one of the villages in the area."

"About a year ago, Spanish troops fired at a bull who had crossed the border from Israel to Lebanon and was making his way to the pond. The bull was shot to death after attacking a UNIFIL force and goring vehicles."

"Emergency room as primary care will go when we have Single Payor. Single Payor will make it possible for people to get the care they need before it becomes an emergency."

Xrepub - you would still need to account for about 10-15% for the stupid people factor.

XR,

Hello. No that is not what Im talking about....but if that was the other way around...the whole Israeli army would have bomb the Pal..for the cows. I will get that info for you soon..tomorrow I think. It will have a complete picture for you...I know how you like thoroughness.

Warren,

You make a good point. Having observed folks who believe that the republicans intend to do anything about abortion, I know that stupid is extremely popular.

Yet, people figured out how to use phones, and they canalso learn how to use an ER. After a few times getting rerouted away from ERs, almost everyone will figure it out. But, you are quite right about the stupid factor. The savings may not come in the very first year, but they will come within an election cycle.

Chloe - you missed me! Thanks.

I've been lurking cuz I just couldn't handle getting involved in all the posts and arguments. It's been kinda rough here, lately.

Another reason I've been lurking is that I just didn't feel good, and it took me a while to realize it was physical. It always seems to take me a while to realize I am sick. It was asthma and allergies and my wrist has been hurting a lot, so I got caught up with asthma meds , which I tend to forget, and even wrapped my wrist. I'm just about back to norm.

Blond Wino, if you're there, I'm wondering how your wrist is doing. My doc told me I didn't need to use the brace unless I did housework that was a little hard. Well, that to me is carte blanche since I forget if it doesn't hurt, which is why I don't take pain meds.
Anyway, it's a lot better, but if your doc suggests rehab for your injury, if I were you, I'd take it. Your injury was worse than mine, maybe much worse, Hope you're cast free soon.

OSH -- some very good thoughts in what your friend had to say about the Gates incident. Thanks for sharing them.

OSH, that time I went on the 'ride-along" with my friend who is a police officer, we made 2 trips to the same neighborhood. Some young black kid (who was probably 8-9 years-old) threatened a couple of neighborhood kids (who were also black). The babysitter of the kids called the police and we responded to the call. After talking to the babysitter, my friend's partner went to talk to the little boy. My friend's partner was black. The little kid immediately copped an attitude. He raised his voice several times at my friend's partner. He finally calmed down and they told him to behave and then we left. 10 minutes later, we got called back there. The babysitter said that as soon as we left the kid went over to her and told her he was gonna kick her ass because she called the cops on him. So, my friend's partner finally asked the kid where his parents were. They weren't home. His older brother was supposed to be watching him, but he was playing basketball at the end of the street. So, they had to go talk to his brother and tell him that we didn't wanna have to come back there again. I was kinda suprised at all of this, but my friend said that was normal. Most kids have an attitude when it come to the police. We also had another call that night where a house alarm had gone off. We arrived to see a middle-aged white woman taking things out of a house. They asked her if it was her house and she said, "No. It's my daughter's house." My friend's partner told her that the alarm had gone off and they were responding to it. Since her daughter wasn't home, he told the woman to put the stuff back in the house and go home. She was kinda distressed while she was talking to my friend's partner. She had a steak knife in her hand the whole time. He repeatedly told her to put the knife down or he was gonna handcuff her. She finally did, but it took her about 5 minutes to do so.

Hey Patsi, check your email please.

Corey- your friend sounds like a true peace officer.

Ya, Solar, especially if they're Muslim terrorist cows sneaking in, bent upon blowing up an Israeli dairy. Jewish cows are known to congregate at dairies, sometimes in large numbers.

I'd like a picture of those brave Spanish bullfighters gunning down the Israeli bull that dared to 'gore' their vehicle. I never thought of horseless carriages as having gore. To me cars have always seemed such bland, souless, bloodless things. Apparently, I was misinformed, cars can be gored after all. Iknow, 'cuz I read it in Ynet.

Beagle Farm:

http://lonesomegrovebeagles.blogspot.com/

The thing I learned that night is how differently people treat police officers. Especially when it comes to being courteous while driving. When we wanted to switch lanes we put on our turn signal and people let us into the other lane. People let us turn out of parking lots etc...If people treated everyone else like that, there would be a lot less road rage out there!

Corey- good point, had not thought about it from that perspective before. Not so sure if drivers motives are courtesy though or just fear etc. Sometimes a rear light is out and you just don't know it. I prefer to let them go myself.

Best quote I've seenm in a long time:

"Long ago in the days before journalists became celebrities, their enterprise was reviled and poorly paid, and it was understood by working newspapermen that the presence of more than two people at their funeral could be taken as a sign that they had disgraced the profession."

-- Lewis Lapham, author of Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Xrepub - the Republicans will gain seats in 2010 and the Democrats will take some back when Obama gets re-elected in 2012.

Which is the reason healthcare needs to be passed in October.

too bad we can't just have jedi's as police...

Good quote Pats.

Maybe my counsin will be a good journalist since he is kooked up in some library at a hospital.

Yhttp://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246423

Yes Bethy, of course you were missed. I always look forward to reading your thoughts at either the end of the day or early the next morning. Sorry you haven't been feeling well, and glad you're back.
(It hasn't been rough, just spirited, imo civil.)

Bethy, I got the new James Lee Burke novel: Rain Gods. I can't wait to start it. This is my third novel of his, and I'm really enjoying them. Thanks for the refer.

Clinton to be on 'Meet the Press' for entire hour
http://hillary.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/07/24/clinton_to_be_on_meet_the_press_for_entire_hour

Hi Carol, Hope you're enjoying your weekend. Saw your question: ay dios mio: Often comically used for emphasis after a lame joke, similar to a groan. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ay+dios+mio

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246392 Corey, That Dave Chappelle clip is side splitting funny.

Sturge, those are some doggone cute pups.

Maggie said not that cute.

"..we will be going to inhabit Mars.....or somewhere-where Chloe came from. hahah can you say that again?"

... don't worry, I'll be sending you there real soon Solar. :J)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246376 Wonderful pictures Sturge. They didn't miss a thing.

Now I think I'll dive into that new book.

Chloe, I was hoping it didn't mean you were going to be gone all weekend unless you wanted to be.

No Carol. I sometimes say hit the road, but thats just for the day. It's hard for me to get away with all the stuff that goes on at the home front. Hope your week ended better than it started. Are you and Maggie at the river?

We stay here now Chloe. We just go home to mow, clean the pool and wash clothes.

Nice Carol. That's what I'd do too.
I was thinking, with your job, it's as hard for you to get away, as it is for me.

I don't mind being stuck here. It's paradise. I can't wait to get home every day.

That's what I figured. I'm the same.
I'm so beat, see you tomorrow.

nite

My friend gave me a lot of advice many years ago. Mainly about what to do if I ever got pulled over by the police. He told me to get all my papers out and ready and to have both of my hands visible on the steering wheel. The one time I got pulled over at night, I tried to do excatly what he told me to do. But, before I could do much of anything, the police officer was outside my drivers window. The officer was really nice. He just asked me why I was going so fast and then he let me off with a warning to keep it at 55mph. So, I was lucky that night.

Carol and Chloe, Your dialogue has been fun to read.
Carol, You really do sound content there on your river. I always think water adds a certain extra contentment

Chloe, I'm delighted you have a new Burke book. I just found out about it yesterday and reserved it at the library - think I'm # 4. If not, I may get impatient and buy it. He has written so many of them that they encompass 3 wives of Robicheaux. At one time he had a bait shop and fishing guide service on a river. The ambience was spectacular. Wish I had one of the great new books but I'm just reading pedestrian-but-fun medieval mystery.

Off to dinner at my sister's. Our beloved Vera has
been here this week housesitting for my big sister while they're in Colorado. We've been pretty darn
active.

Vera lives in Portland with her daughter and son-in-law, helping Tanya with her 2 boys. The older is 4 and has asperger's syndrome. (I keep forgetting to ask Harborwoman about that.) The younger boy is 2 and is recovering from some setbacks suffered from lead poisoning in their house. It is a pretty strenuous life.
Vera told Tanya if she didn't get away, she'd be dead in two days.

Happy evening everybody!

Carol and Chloe, Your dialogue has been fun to read.
Carol, You really do sound content there on your river. I always think water adds a certain extra contentment

Chloe, I'm delighted you have a new Burke book. I just found out about it yesterday and reserved it at the library - think I'm # 4. If not, I may get impatient and buy it. He has written so many of them that they encompass 3 wives of Robicheaux. At one time he had a bait shop and fishing guide service on a river. The ambience was spectacular. Wish I had one of the great new books but I'm just reading pedestrian-but-fun medieval mystery.

Off to dinner at my sister's. Our beloved Vera has
been here this week housesitting for my big sister while they're in Colorado. We've been pretty darn
active.

Vera lives in Portland with her daughter and son-in-law, helping Tanya with her 2 boys. The older is 4 and has asperger's syndrome. (I keep forgetting to ask Harborwoman about that.) The younger boy is 2 and is recovering from some setbacks suffered from lead poisoning in their house. It is a pretty strenuous life.
Vera told Tanya if she didn't get away, she'd be dead in two days.

Happy evening everybody!

Sorry re double post. It might even end up being triple!

"I always think water adds a certain extra contentment"

I agree bethy. I am a water sign though (and on the cusp of another) - so it kinda makes sense.

bethy

I know someone with a fourteen old son with aspergers and he is doing just fine. I heard early intervention is the key.

(Word on the street is that Bill Gates has aspergers)

Also, my nephew was diagnosed with autism when he was very young - but now is in regular classes.

(I used to tell people that even my gregarious ass didn't feel much like talking around his mother - so I could imagine how a two-year old felt.)

You really need Harborwoman in on this conversation. I went to the races recently with her and her son Sam. He is sweet, smart, funny and very, very obviously disfunctional with what we consider "normal". She lives with this every day of her life. Her hard work has made it possible for Sam to work, drive, and want to be "normal". That conflict is almost heartbreaking.

Just checking in after watching my Colbert and Daily Show. It is nice that I can do that on the Net since no satelitte out here.

Have nice dinner Bethy.

What is your sign Warren? I'm Scorpio and that's why I need to be by the water. Earlier this evening I emptied my worms out to count and make sure I had enough for Mag and I to get out for some early fishing on the wharf.

There are 16 long fat juice worms left so when I cut them into bite size pieces, I should have plenty. Last weekend I had a bite before the bobber even hit the water.

I catch more throw backs than keepers so I'm changing my worm so often and fast that it qualifies for aerobic exercise. Keeps my heart rate up.

I haven't touched "the subject" tonight but I was hearing the media call it a teaching opportunity. I was thinking yes it is. Two little lessons, my mama taught me when I was young, came to mind.

One was, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar and the other is that when you cry wolf, there had better be a wolf or the next time, when there really is a wolf, no one will come. I think both of those lessons apply to this situation.

Corey described that honey/vinegar approach earlier. I have used it also and got my ass out of a crack.

I watched the final episode of Torchwood on BBC America. More reality there with moral dilemas than you will find on the evening news any day of the week.

Wonderful and disturbing televison

When I am stopped by a cop and thankfully I haven't been in a while, I always say Yes Sir and No Sir and what can I do for you Sir. I also grab for my stethescope and make sure it is in plain sight.

That stethescope trick worked one night because the officer saw it and asked me what kind of work did I do. I said I work in the emergency room. I did at that time. It helps for them to know that you may just be having to save their life one night. I got by with a warning.

What is Torchwood about Jamie?

Pisces

Good sign!

Watchin Rush on Greta. Obama has really pushed that guy over the edge.

Rush on the top GOP candidate for 2012:

I don't wanna say who is the smartest and the best - I want to answer who can win?

you guessed it.

I heard a little Rush while running home for lunch today Warren. Rush couldn't have gotten any better bait.

i like it!

Carol

Torchwood is an offshoot of Doctor Who. It is on BBC America. It says more and does more in one episode that more American shows do in a whole season.

This season Torchwood did their whole series in five episodes in five consecutive nights. They will be back in 2010, but right now the fans are in an uproar.

Aliens come to earth and demand 10% of all children on earth or destruction of everyone happens. What do you do?

Buy the DVD

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246463

Pisces that's me. Unfortunately Leo rising and a whole lot of placements in Gemini square to everything or as my astologist said, "Why are you not Schizophrenic?" A personality for all occasions.

Tomorrow's menu at The Maria Telkes :

10 lb. brisket
Boiled corn on the cob
Purple eye peas with peppers, garlic, and onions.
Super thin corn bread
Baked apples with brown sugar & cinnamon

All in "the oven" Bob?

Yeah Jamie - I am on the cusp of Aquarius - so I often claim a right to be confused!

I went to a psychic the other night. (My friend offered to pay on the way out to a bar.)

After rattling off a number of accurate things - she predicted that I would marry a Spanish woman.

And iced spearmint lime aid.

Carol -
Yep, the brisket is coming from Triple J Bar-B-Que across the street from us. The corn and peas I picked tonight . The apples are Golden and Jonagold.

This thing makes killer baked apples.

I'll try for a clip tomorrow night .

My egg plants are coming in. I never cooked an eggplant any ideas kids ?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246473

Warren,

I refer to her as "my astrologist" even if I haven't encountered her since 1984, but she was phenominal. One of the best psycholigists and observationalists and body reading humans I have ever met. Taught me a whole lot about human beings who give away just about everything about themselves if you are in the same room

Only way I've cooked eggplant is frying. Try http://allrecipes.com/. I use that site for advice.

I'm also about to start the starter for sourdough bread.

Cbob

To die for: Deep fried Egg plant french fries

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1750,144169-242205,00.html

oodles of variations. Beer batter, coat and fry

Other uses. Egg plant is the "meat" in vegetarian lasagna

Starting a starter, Mike's Way

This is a thumbnail sketch of how I start a sourdough starter.

http://www.sourdoughhome.com/startermyway.html

I'm going to use rain water from my cistern to start the culture.

Thanks ladies. I see

I afraid Maria can't fry stuff, but vegetarian lasagna is doable.

I'm putting peppers in the corn bread.

Looks like it's " Mustang Sally " time somewhere.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/waxman-blue-dogs-brush-aside-healthcare-discord-2009-07-24.html

Looks like a lot of drama on the hill. I am sure they can't wait until their vacation.

There they can read War & Peace - the American stuggle of healthcare.

It is war when the Dems are in power trying to reform it - and it is peace when the GOP is in power and not doing a damn thing about it.

I'm watching this Cambridge story play out and i'm not sure it's over for the two parties.

Gates, et al insist this is a teaching moment on racial profiling, while Crowley, et al say no racial profiling was involved in the matter and just wants bygones to be bygones. So, I'm guessing it ain't over.

Rez, You're probably right, and it's less than I had hoped for.

Agreed Bethy, especially in the wake of health care reform. The media likes red meat too and that's the big problem in my mind. But they wouldn't push it if "we"didn't want it.

Rez, I think we're all just a little bit worn out with all the heavy news we hear and want a little escape news, and this is it for the moment, and it's about another serious matter, not so good for escape.
One crisis after another and one accusation after another, and NOTHING achieved. We're just treading water and can't find a role model who can act like an adult with good will in her/his heart.

I haven't given up hope - I just put it on the shelf cuz it's too heavy to hold for so long.

I worked up a logo tonight , please tell me it looks like the name on the back of a sail boat folks.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/4087/picture851.png

" Blow - up your TV , eat a lot of peaches "

Prine

Cbob- It sure does , well done you.

ha......after a crabfest most festive, i get here and the little people cowboy movie is on TCM........"Terror in Tiny Town" it's a good omen........mustang sally was uncharacteristically instructive tonight.......

them little critters could act up a storm...............

bob.......it needs more cowbell............

right after evlis's "Teddy Bear" we did the old brown-eye girl by van de man and 3 girls from parts unknown got up and danced and I shoved a mike at 'em so they gathered around it like they was born to it and sang the "sha-la-la" part........

that was like hitting 550 degrees on the old maria telkes.......

bob......but seriously, folks.......i see a lot of sailboats as must Old Sea........I can easily see it plastered across the stoin with a figurehead on the bow which would bring tears to yas eyes.....

http://aminus3.s3.amazonaws.com/image/g0013/u00012240/i00460649/264f3032b70acbe8d7b5997e0fea66ac_large.jpg

"We're just treading water and can't find a role model who can act like an adult with good will in her/his heart."

At least not in Washington.

It may be hokey - but that was a big part of Obama's campaign. "We are the ones we've been waiting for."

(And I still would like to see them activate that grass roots movement for public service and not just for elections...)

We the people will decide whether there is healthcare reform. I can think of no other profession that employs so many pollsters attempting to check the daily post.

Anyways, I digress. Everyone knows I am a fan of Obama. But I was also a big fan of our 2008 election. It was a great spectacle of democracy.

A woman enters as the front runner for 2008 and another woman leaves as the front runner for 2012. And not so much a new face - as many met him in 2004 - but a meteoric rise. And after eight years of Bush/Cheney thumbing their nose at the world (as they blew up parts of it) - the good ol U.S. of A. goes and elects a black illegal alien as President!!

What "we" did on Nov. 4, 2008 - including those that didn't vote for Obama - but respected the transition of power - did more to promote the idea of democracy around the world more than any other singular event I can think of.

We are still the Great American Experiment. A paradigm in many respects.

wow.....now I'm seeing a carnival barker with the fat girl and the tattoed lady........STERNO, the human volcano.....the siamese twins........10Cents.......one tenth of a dollar............

I played a carnival or two........"Night Train"

los audios son goddawful.......but look at old james .........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhIRd9XMjjQ&feature=related

stripper to sturgeone: "number 3 is night train.....widda 30 second drum solo.......Got it?"

Sturg -
Nice nose art, but Maria looked like this -

http://cbsolaroven.blogspot.com/2009/05/maria-telkes-1900-1995.html

sturgeone to stripper: "Yes, ma'am."

stripper to sturgeone: "You ain't never seen tits like these before, have ya?"

sturgeone to stripper: "No, ma'am....."

reminiscent of that lady who did the roentgens.....whassername.......I keep wanting to say maria callas......

madame curie

actually what i said that night was "No ma'am........I mean my mama's got a couple of those but I don't see 'em much......."

the most beautiful melody ever penned outside der beethovan rendered by one of sthe most beautiful female vocalists ever to female vocalize:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIjITrAiZCA

http://health.yahoo.com/mentalhealth-medications/lithium/healthwise--d00061a1.html

So Anderson Cooper is having a very in-depth special on Mary Jane. And after all the positive info - it came time for the cautionary tale. A young girl who got "addicted to the stuff." This young girl would not show her face on TV and was smoking 8 joints a day!! That is a heavy pace for a Rastafarian who plays music for a living.

Anyways, I guess the "good news" is that she is off the pot - and now taking lithium for depression. Really?! Lithium?

I think Washington will let the states act on this issue. Obama won't want to step in one way or the other in his first term.

that girl's chest notes could melt a heart............

in depth special on mary jane.......reminds me of the time i caught the world's foremost authority on pink flamingos on public television when the acid was kicking in............

talk about a perfect storm...

for those of you who look forward to raising children, a small word of advice: wake them up for every storm...........

it's raining outside like a two c****** cow peein' on a flat rock.....

o thou great star.....what would be thy joy if you had not those for whom you shine?

(thos. common translation of the prologue)

"that's all there is to life......a little laugh, a little tear......"

from the carnival movie which just reached the end.......

double wow......the movie "Freaks" is on........yowza

"But I was also a big fan of our 2008 election. It was a great spectacle of democracy. A woman enters as the front runner for 2008 and another woman leaves as the front runner for 2012."

It was a spectacle all right. Both women -- and their daughters -- were attacked with gender-based slurs, and anyone pointing it out was the subject of considerable scorn. This was the ugly season. This was the season of "I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one."

holy macanoley

I love that song Patsi.

And I replaced another word with "spectacle" as it did seem to capture the mood...

the carnival:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky271W94VHA

And of course the Obamas were labeled un-American and accused of not loving this Country. Obama was maligned for palling around with terrorists and called an arrogant and a thug.

McCain was called an old womanizer who owned too many houses to count. And his service was admired at the same time it was dragged through the gutter.

Politics is an ugly business...

enrico caruso:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL7wdUPXpiM&feature=fvw

politics is an ugly business........life, on the other hand, is fraught with beauty and tender mercies..............

Ringtones Send "Recitar!...vesti La Giubba" Ringtone to your Cell Ringtones

ITALIANO
Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio,
non so più quel che dico,
e quel che faccio!
Eppur è d'uopo, sforzati! Bah! sei tu forse un uom? Tu se' Pagliaccio!
Vesti la giubba,
e la faccia in farina.
La gente paga, e rider vuole qua.
E se Arlecchin t'invola Colombina,
ridi, Pagliaccio, e ognun applaudirà!
Tramuta in lazzi lo spasmo ed il pianto;
in una smorfia il singhiozzo il dolor, Ah!
Ridi, Pagliaccio,
sul tuo amore infranto!
Ridi del duol, che t'avvelena il cor!

INGLÊS

To recite! While taken with delirium,
I no longer know what it is that I say,
or what it is that I am doing!
And yet it is necessary, force yourself!
Bah! Can't you be a man?
You are "Pagliaccio"

Put on the costume,
and the face in white powder.
The people pay, and laugh when they please.
and if Harlequin invites away Colombina
laugh, Pagliaccio, and everyone will applaud!
Change into laughs the spasms of pain;
into a grimace the tears of pain, Ah!
Laugh, Pagliaccio,
for your love is broken!
Laugh of the pain, that poisons your heart!

one of the greatest lines i've ever encountered in a lifetime of appreciating great lines........

Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio,
non so più quel che dico,
e quel che faccio!

it's mr rhett I'm worried about......he done los' he mind......

--Hattie McDaniels

well folks......like it or not I had a mammy......that's a no shitter..........and i must say she looked a lot like hattie mcdaniels.....and she looked like rosa.......rosa was my wife's mammy down in panhandle florida........having that relationship was the main gift i received which enabled me to see that the fifties in south carolina were really fulla crap..........

and that's the way it was........

Warren -- the attacks on Obama were not made with overt race based language. Should the same level of racism have existed people's heads would be spinning. The outrage would be massive. And if a song had been used in a woman's campaign that was as pointedly anti-black as was "99 Problems" anti-female -- well, God help us.

And the move to shut women up and sneer at their concerns was immediate. Even here.

Solar -- when you are around...are you the one who has used a Magic Jack? How do those things work?

" haven't given up hope - I just put it on the shelf cuz it's too heavy to hold for so long.
Posted by: bethyboo | July 25, 2009 2:21"

wonderfully put, bethy.

"that's all there is to life......a little laugh, a little tear......"

and a clown in baggy pants.

sturge, somewhere there was a line about baggy pants in an old song or old movie. seem to recall bob hope or gene kelly... ???

C-bob, you are so multitalented yet so humble. I'm so in awe of you.

I agree pat. Bethy was pretty profound there.

cbob, here's an eggplant recipe (with pictures yet) that's really versatile. eat warm or cold, use as entree over rice or as side dish or stuffed in something doughy (like crepes, tortilla, pie crust etc)

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/recipe/227/Ratatouille

and, bob, it's ugly as hell but tastes like heaven (that is if you've used right off the vine stuff).

Thanks Pd & Ct

Thought for the day :
" Don't need a new religion, haven't used the old one up yet. "

1965 Folk-rock begins, Dylan uses electricity at Newport Folk Festival

" No booing ! "

Jupiter’s new scar has been photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope. The huge mark was left when a comet or asteroid plowed into the planet.

The image above is the sharpest yet of the Pacific Ocean–sized impact site, which was first observed by world’s luckiest amateur astronomer, Anthony Wesley. The new shot was taken by Hubble’s newest toy, the Wide Field Camera 3, which was installed during the most-recent servicing mission to the telescope in May.

The collision is believed to be the largest since Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 busted into 21 pieces and slammed into the solar system’s largest planet 15 years ago.

If whatever hit Jupiter — and astronomers might never know what it was — had instead struck Earth, it would have caused catastrophic damage to human civilization.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/hubble-snaps-sharpest-image-yet-of-jupiter-impact/

Obama , Gates, and Crowley meet for a beer ?

No, radical fringe. We're not going to prove anything to you anymore because we can show you our collective drivers licenses and birth certificates and our 17-year judicial records and any other documents or accomplishments and you'd just come up with another freak reason to deny, deny, deny.

Though you'll insist the black copters and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion real.

So, go on: collect in your basements and bomb shelters and fear chambers. Go gather your own birth certificates in plastic baggies and wave them around at your legislators. Listen to AM Radio so that the Masters of Yesterday's Technology can tell you what to think. The rest of us are above ground living in the daylight. You're welcome to join us.

Assuming you can prove you deserve to.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-ridley/gates-says-what-a-lot-of_b_244571.html

Forecast for today -

Hot, high 98, clear skies , winds SSW 10 to 15

"I am a water sign though"
.... me too Carol and Warren (I'm pisces like you Warren).

I wasn't sure what the other water signs are, so I looked it up. Some interesting and funny stuff on the first site I ended up on. I had to laugh, because the last sentence of this first paragraph called me a psychic vampire (and I'm afraid they may be right:)

"Water signs are attuned to waves of emotion, and often seem to have a built-in sonar for reading a mood. This gives them a special sensitivity in relationships, knowing when to show warmth and when to hold back. At their best, they are a healing force that brings people together -- at their worst, they are psychic vampires, able to manipulate and drain the life force of those closest to them.

...Cancer leads and initiates, Scorpio goes deep with a fixed focus and Pisces is changeable, hard to pin down.

Hard to pin down? Boy, do they have me pegged.
http://astrology.about.com/od/foundations/p/WaterElement.htm

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246458
Carol, You have to talk about this one some more. I'm going to note pad it and ask you some questions about what you meant later when you're here.

.... going to catch up now.

99 Problems - is not anti-female Patsi.

Yesterday in history, Machu Pichu was discovered
Here is the video from the History Channel and the blog article I wrote about it last year.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?bcpid=1184539009&bclid=1213979358&bctid=1209892912

http://jdurward.blogspot.com/2008/07/surprise.html

Warren,

We may have a different definition of "anti-female"

99 problems but the bitch aint one
If you're havin' girl problems i feel bad for you son
I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one

CBob

I heard a science news type refer to Jupiter as Earth's goalie. If it wasn't there to catch these things passing through, we would be pretty well non existant

"I haven't touched "the subject" tonight but I was hearing the media call it a teaching opportunity. I was thinking yes it is."

Ok Carol, Since you didn't want to bring it up, then I feel I have to at least finish with it in my mind.

The whole thing that got to me was that so many talked about it as though it were automatically racial. There's a time for discussing the important subject of race relations, injustice and all the rest. But, imo, this wasnt the right impetus. By doing so, we were laying it all into that one conscientious (as far as I know so far) police officers lap, because he was out doing his job, answering a call from a concerned neighbor. I was thinking like Coreen, that conversation should have been about Barack Obama and why he felt it necessary to say what he said at the very moment he said it. It all needs to be discussed, but theres a time and place. That wasn't it (imo).

(and Ofc. Crowley deserved better too -- at least he deserved the benefit of the doubt, until we found out differently, as did Professor Gates.)

Obama: Crowley 'Outstanding Officer,' 'Good Man'
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20168882/detail.html

Dr. Boyce: Obama's Big Mistake in Supporting Harvard Professor Gates
"Let's take it from the top: I fight like hell for black people. I fight against the egregious violations in the criminal justice system, and I believe in Henry Louis Gates, the Harvard University professor recently arrested for disorderly conduct. So, hearing the following words from me is not like hearing them from Juan Williams on Fox News." http://www.bvblackspin.com/2009/07/23/dr-boyce-obamas-big-mistake-in-supporting-harvard-professor-g//

This is a teaching moment - Fully agree with the Presidents words !!!

But Hey Barack - You need to be the STUDENT !!

And to all the fake Journalist that are being suckered by the white house spin machine - Any of you that reported on this story and did not accuratley reflect the police report or much less even read it - should be Fired !!

Yes maybe no arrest and walk away -
But this was not Race - So stop it

Or shall I say - It became race by Prof Gates and Pres Obama -
They set the country back -

Thank you Bill Cosby

C-Bob -- You've probably got enough eggplant recipes now, but my favorite is just a simple Eggplant Parmesan:

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000220eggplant_parmesan.php

"But Hey Barack - You need to be the STUDENT"

Ha!!
You can say that again!

"They set the country back - "

Ping, I don't think it's all that detrimental. As long as Barack does learn from it. If we go overboard, to far the other way here, then we lose agreement from a lot of people.

OK - yes the chorus refers to girls as "bitches" - which is common in hip-hop - but the whole song is really not about women - it is pretty much about the rapper bragging and explaining his problems (e.g., getting pulled over by a cop cause he drives a nice car. etc.)

And the chorus means I got all these problems - but not having girl isn't one of them.

I know this is a tough sell - and the fact that Jay-Z uses the "b word" might be enough to send most over the edge. But after listening to a lot of hip-hop - this is not a particularly misogynistic song.

Ping - it was never about race for you because I suspect you are not a potential victim of racial profiling.

Try to walk a mile in someone else's shoes Ping.

" But after listening to a lot of hip-hop - this is not a particularly misogynistic song."

Then having heard blacks called the N-word, hearing one called a "monkey" should be peachy.

This is a no-win, Warren. I think in your heart you know that. When you excuse this kind of BS as popular culture, you validate hate speech...and that includes whatever they want to spew at Michelle Obama, her daughters, Sonia Sodomayor and a long list of women I assume you would defend.

Just got in from fishing. The heat and aerobic worm changing wore me out. Hillary was having a hard time keeping the sweat out of my eyes. (my Hillard for Pres. t-shirt that is)

Chloe, that was where that crying wolf story I mentioned came in. The good prof. should realize that when he cries racial discrimination when it really didn't appear to be, he dilutes the serious plight of those who really are discriminated against because of race. He also gives those who are prejudice another reason to justify their prejudice.

Obama didn't really apologize. It was a wimpy gesture and I think most people saw through it. Looking over the blogs, it doesn't look good for him. Not a great time to lose your clout.

But I agree that a beer/wine at the WH is a good idea. If the two can walk out holding hands, that will stop the press in their tracks. It may be the only thing that will.

Patsi

I know this is a losing battle Patsi. And there are plenty of rap songs that I would agree with you in delporing. But this ain't one of em.

And I am not validating hate speech Patsi. I know the difference - and if 99 problems were to be considered hate speech because it refers to women as "bitches" - than you would really be shaving back the 1st Amend. And no I do not think the 1st Amend. is unlimited and I am no fan of hate speech.

Warren, When you say to Ping that he can't empathize, you're saying he doesn't get it and therefore his opinion is meaningless. Is that what you meant to say?

OK..... stop the presses!

I said I wouldn't be here this weekend just like Jamie unless there was some important news.....
well.... I just got home from grocery shopping and I've got some important news.....

Obama is secretly hiding his gay lover in the WH basement....

I read it in the headlines of The Globe.... it MUST be true....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246530
"And the move to shut women up and sneer at their concerns was immediate. Even here."

Patsi
Love you!! You break it down to the facts..The Dem primary and election of 2008 was a life changer for me.I can say I'm better off because now I educate myself and don't just follow the Dem.party line..My illusions were shattered and remain so...

Oh Patsi regarding the Magic Jack,i have one.Solar told me about it last Sept or Oct. and I just love it!! I sent one to Baz in Australia for x-mas and we have been talking at no cost ever since..You just plug it in to a USB port and plug any phone into it..The setup is simple and they give you a local phone number..I have even lowered my cell plan to 450 minutes and just use the MJ when I'm home...You can order online or go to Radio Shack or I think even Home Depot and get one..Online they have a 30 trial before they even charge your credit card..I think Chloe has one too...

I would just love to hear the tapes the police say they have of the good prof being oh so cooperative.

Some important black woman, I don't remember her name, was on CNN last night saying that AA are taught by their peers to be very uncooperative with the police. Most of us are taught to just kiss their asses if we want a break. There is where the honey/vinegar lesson comes in.

No - I think Ping is choosing to see it from one side.

Just like there are people supporting Gates and taking this to an extreme that are also choosing to see if from one point of view...

"..he dilutes the serious plight of those who really are discriminated against because of race. He also gives those who are prejudice another reason to justify their prejudice."

Exactly Carol. There's a time and place for everything.

"Not a good time to lose your clout". He either gets it right, or he will. It depends on how he handles things in the future.
(they both need to remember that wolf story)

Ok Warren, I see what you were getting at.
I just related, because the other night, I was told that I just don't understand the problems too. And I do, it just wasn't what I was focusing on at the time. I took it as being demeaning and as a way of discounting my opinion. I take everything into consideration, when I think about things, and believe me, I have been there.

".I think Chloe has one too..."

LOL Tony. I had to laugh when I read this. I don't need a Magic Jack out here. I don't even lock my car or house doors at night. Oh god, now you all are going to think I really do live in Fantasy Land. Not much crime in my little world. (I feel so silly, saying that.... but I knew what I was doing, when I moved here):)

Tony, I forgot to say hi!

"teachable moment" is more about the process than the substance.

Hi Tony, glad to see you aren't hiding a basement somewhere....

"Obama didn't really apologize. It was a wimpy gesture and I think most people saw through it. Looking over the blogs, it doesn't look good for him. Not a great time to lose your clout."

Carol
Agreed.I think it looked wimpy because it was the President trying to be on everyone's side.If the President didn't know the facts he should have kept mum.Its just another example of him learning on the job.He's human and I think he won't hopefully make a similar mistake again.I was watching CNN and Don Lemon interview the black cops that were there on the scene and they strongly defended Crowley...I also think back to that very news conference and what is the Presidents healthcare plan? I for the life of me don't know what it is,is it a single payer plan?I know he wants a healthcare bill...I wish the President would be strong and lead...

I thought you were at the fair today RR.

""teachable moment" is more about the process than the substance."

.... yeah, I agree. It's always about the process, I guess.

"I know the difference "

I don't think you do, Warren....not at all. And it's not that the word "bitch" is the worst I've ever heard. I have called myself a bitch many times, proudly. And I may say someone else is one as well. But when that term is used as a general reference aimed at all women, then it takes on a whole new level of importance. I also know a lot of Southerners who use the N-word and swear it's okay because they hear blacks use it.

It's as if Americans are too narrow to work on more than one "ism" at a time.

"Obama is secretly hiding his gay lover in the WH basement...."

LOL, Renee! I like that in a president!!!!!

I'm glad you saw the black policeman interviewed Tony! I wondered what he would say about the thing.

It's as if Americans are too narrow to work on more than one "ism" at a time."

Patsi, It's always goes back to the same thing: If you don't know you've got a problem, you can't fix it.

... that's why it's so important that you keep pointing out the problem to all of us, so we don't forget we have one.

"But when that term is used as a general reference aimed at all women,"

-I do not think a rap song, a country song, a movie or a book that does this can automatically be thrown in the category of hate speech.

-I think there is a big difference between the "b word" and the "n word."

-And attempting to link 99 Problems to the Obama campaign - and portray it as symbolic of many of the legitimate criticisms of media coverage that was unfair to women - is a stretch.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246570

Hi Chloe
You Joker!! Hope your having a nice hot weekend,i am...All this house work..Little Emma doing well?I think it must be nice living where you do,peaceful..Its kinda of like that where I live.Coral Trace subdivision is a gated community with 88 homes 5 miles from town.Nothing but a gas station between me and I-95..

Hi Carol
Hope you and Maggie are well! HA,no basements here in Florida or I might be hiding down there for some of that free air conditioning!! I remember growing up and living in Michigan before we had A/C on those few hot summer days we would head to the basement where it would be 10 degrees cooler..Nice..

Many years ago when Van Halen made that video for the song "Hot For Teacher", they had several young boys in the video as well several attractive 20-something women. They had people from child protective services there to make sure that the young boys weren't being exploited. They didn't have anybody there to make sure the women weren't being exploited.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246579

Patsi
That interview was an eye opener because I originally thought it was racism too and D.Lemon seemed surprised also...I was especially surprised to here the Black women cop say that "I voted for and supported Obama for President but I won't again"..Maybe she's changed her mind since the President has called all parties?? I will try and find a follow up interview from D.Lemon if there is one..Come to think of it I think Jamie follows him on Twitter?

Jamie
Has D.Lemon tweeted anything regarding the interviews..

Fair's Saturday music at http://fairweatherlewis.blogstream.com leads off with

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAo2NM6cYns

Drop by and say hi if you feel so inclined. Now back to our regularly scheduled lurking.

warren - you are correct - I have had very few occasions to feel descriminated. And I do not question that it remains - and it will never go away - but that does not disqualify the facts and points that I made. That is one of the problems - people have to look forward at how behavior should be and then place themselves in that position when they act.

but for these educated men to act as they did - Gates and Obama - is just simply wrong.

For Obama he is a narcisit that cannot admit his error.
Why does he continue to go without the facts.

As smart as this group is in the white house at spinning they could have done a much better job

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246578

"I like that in a president!!!!!"

Ha,yes gay lovers are splendid!!

Corey - that is because those women could look out for themselves.

those of you who have heard my explanation of my fair before can skip this ....

Hi Carol....
The fair I do is called The League of NH Craftsmen's Fair.... it's for professional craftspersons. To get into the League one must get juried and be doing their own designs. Rick and I will be putting up my booth this Thursday. It must be built with 3 walls, have a floor, and show my work professionally.... no card tables allowed. I go back up on Friday and bring my inventory. The fair starts August 1st and goes through August 9th. So I am involved on site for 11 straight days.

It is the oldest continuous craft fair in the country. It's consider one of the most prestigious. It is held at the base of a ski area called Mt. Sunapee. New Englanders will make up more than half of the attendance, but will be attended by people from all over this country who vacation on Lake Sunapee specifically during the first week of August in order to go to the fair.

This is not a little weekend fair or a church bazaar. It is the major leagues. It costs $1200 just for the booth fee. I worked long and hard to get into the League and I am proud of it's exacting and professional standards.

if you're interested.... here's it's website....
http://www.nhcrafts.org/craftsmens_fair/fair_home.html

Ping - you are probably right that the White House could have done a better job at "spinning" this issue.

I am not so naive as to think that spin is not involved in every message coming from Washington.

But I think you are mistaken to assume this is "all" about spin from Obama. I think he gave a genuine reaction to a sensitive issue he cares deeply about. An issue - as he says - that's in his portfolio.

I think we should first - all acknowledge these are sensitive issues. And two - we should keep that in mind in judging the actions of all 3 of the men involved.

(Rather than seeking to throw either one of them under the bus. But then again - Americans like to speak in terms of "us vs. them" - and it is sometimes easier to talk about thinks in black and white terms rather than struggling through the nuance and seeming contradiction...)

Darn Renee, I wish I could go to it.

Last night on CNN it was also said that many prominent black leaders were aggravated with Obama for his even attempting to apologize for his original rush to judgement.

"I think there is a big difference between the "b word" and the "n word.""

Referring to women collectivily as "bitches" is calling the entire sex dog-like, something less than human. Most certainly less than men.

"but for these educated men to act as they did - Gates and Obama - is just simply wrong"

Ok, just what did they do wrong

Officer Friendly was either stupid or was racist.
Remember for cops it is all about power, it's their job , it's their life..
In Cambridge , Harvard Proffessors are people of power, you don't go into the house of a Harvard professor and treat him like shit, no matter what his race.
That officer Friendly did so means one of two things,
1 he did not view a Black Harvard Professor as a person of power, which would be racist. Or
2 He is just plain stupid and deliberately antagonises people of power.
The world assures me he is not stupid so that only leaves racist.
The fact that he teaches racial profiling classes just demonstrates the poor quality of instruction.

Jack

Bill Maher posed a good question for Republicans.

He said he can think of 2 examples of true "socialized medicine" - single-payer. Great Britain and the VA. And if socialized healthcare is the nightmare they make it out to be - why is it how we deal with our veterans?

(Now - their best answer is that both those examples are on a much smaller scale.)

Another thing I found interesting is that when they interviewed the two black officers, the male officer was a little quiet even though he was very supportive. It looked as if he was a little conflicted. The female officer was outraged and didn't make any bones about it. Crowley went over and hunged the female officer.

What would you make of that? Were those officers gettting any flack? Was the guy more intimidated by it? Just made me do some pondering. I wonder if video of that interview is available anywhere? I would like to know how you guys would read it.

Carol

As Obama's first comment was reasoned and mild he owes no apology.

Even Officer Friendly's follow police officers know he was stupid, even as they publicly deny it

Jack

Good piece on Obama and health care

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/25/obama-presses-for-health-_n_244818.html

He's right -- the GOP would rather do him damage than reform health care. Those bastards would rather see a child die waiting for an operation than let a Democratic president succeed. And the Blue Dogs -- well, we shouldn't have trusted those guys.

If all of you have seen is a cop that beat the hell out of your big brother. or father, or mother, if you see that the court system is always in favor of the cop that beat all of the above. you just might hate all cops...if all of the laws are stacked up against you...you just might hate the law system....ask some old Irish person how it felt to not be wanted in the system...ask an Italian....have they forgotten? I bet that they haven't .

Have the mayor's of city's build projects that pile one family on top of the other...and have your children fall to their deaths because the guard rails aren't narrow enough (city codes) for them not to go thru them...have the education system not include you for many,,,many years...and then questioned why --as a group you are so far behind. We talk about not lumping (generalizing) people together and painting with a broad brush.

Most people have no Idea what it is to be a minority... and the dangers that come from being one ( a woman does..cos they are always preyed upon.. some macho shit..beat up raped them,,,and minority women .twice as much danger for them...probably more...make that ten times as much as a white women)and the ones that were seem to forget about it...The Greedy politicians did this ...with the help of the Media...and the gullible people that repeat what ever bs they are fed.

Enable ling some one is just...or almost as bad as binge a racist....a misogynistic shit ..a priest pedophile is a pediphile...but where is the every day outrage that should take Organized relgiion apart..limb from limb? ten hail Mary's a few our fathers given as penance from. another priest..another pediphile--maybe and all is forgiven......All of this is due to one group not being in the in group...you are not one of mine...so we will not have an need for your group.....religion teaches us that....and is why we have this nightmare....Oh I know Religious Fanatics Like OD will say...one bad apple does not spoil the whole barrel.....too fn late the whole church is corrupted....even at the local levels..they take in money for their own personal greed....

Back to the original bs.......Now we have to have the small % of the bad cops....in order to fight fire, with fire...they have to be damn near as criminal, as the criminals...they have what it takes to get things done....an empty heart, no soul, no remorse. We are always going to be in a vicious circle...as long as we have the in groups and the out groups.

Why do you think that the S. C. reversal of the Ricci case was all about....the reverse discrimination was a message to stand tall and not to give an inch...fight it all the way...we must not let that group in . That is the one thing that Obama will be remembered for the most in history...the Soto. nomination that started to get some fair representation for us all imo...and this is the reason that I backed Hillary C. Obama did it...thanks pal...now see what you can do to save some of our houses....and stop fucking around with the bullshit.. stay out of what is going to cause you a lot of headaches like this ...Cop..Prof. thing...

I think dogs are often better than humans.

And I also hold women in higher regard than men - but I have been known to refer to all or one of them as "bitches" every now and again.

CT, I know from my friend that a lot of times how people react to sitautions makes a difference in how police react. My friend did ride alongs with the Michigan State Police when he was in college. They mainly patroled I-94. They'd pull people over for speeding. They pulled one guy over and he told them, "Make this quick! I'm in a hurry!" You can just imagine how long it took them to write out that guy's speeding ticket!

(Rather than seeking to throw either one of them under the bus. But then again - Americans like to speak in terms of "us vs. them" - and it is sometimes easier to talk about thinks in black and white terms rather than struggling through the nuance and seeming contradiction...)

Yes Warren so true..We want things simple so we don't have to think..I think back to pre Dem primary days and it was in some ways nicer..I believed we were the good guys(Dems) and they were the bad Guys(Rep) no more....Are there any good guys in Politics?? I understand your being an ardent fan of the President..I'm a fan of President Clinton like that and Hillary even more so...

Jack, that is why I would love to hear the audio tapes. One report mentioned that Crowley went and talked with some other officers before making the arrest. They must have known this would be an big incident. Was Crowley pressured by others to make the arrest?

And some are using the fact that the charges were dropped to suggest that it wasn't a good arrest. That is not true because charges are dropped frequently when important people are involved and it is not a serious crime, even when the charges are justified.

And Jack, have you ever been stopped by the cops for anything? If you have, are you the yes sir, no sir type or the kiss my sweet ass type?

Patsi,

I have the Magic Jack, that I use at my house...I paid 45 dollars..which included my first year of phone charges...you can call anytime without limits, anywhere in the U.S. International calls for a few cents more.....this will let you talk to Maria,,and your family, friends all that you want to...for only 19 dollars per year.

The 2nd phone that I have is called boost...it costs me 50 dollars flat...no hidden tax bs..no limits on time,,,and is also international,,,I just had a two hr conversation with Ohio..for some potential work up there...and did not drop the call even once,,no interruptions,,,and not contracts,,I just send in my $ a few days before the time comes...Boost.come...or net go on line and read about it.....they are a division of Singular,,and Motorola,,which is why I went with them,,,,but the magic jack is the way to go for you at home...and you can take it with you....it is very easy to install ..if you can link from one blog to the other ...you can do this much,,,much easier..you don't need any pc geek to do it...and I.or Tony the Baloney will be here for you.

Susan Eisenhower is a smart lady.

" Remember for cops it is all about power, it's their job , it's their life.."

Bingo!
Without power, they die.

"Officer Friendly was either stupid or was racist"

You forgot one. How about the possibility of a lapse in judgment?

"have you ever been stopped by the cops for anything? If you have, are you the yes sir, no sir type or the kiss my sweet ass type?"

That should depend on what you were stopped for. :)

Wow - that was a good Bill Maher. In taking on the GOP's defense of "for profit" insurance companies - he said you know another thing that was good when it was ran as a public service and then got screwed up when it all became about the bottom line - news coverage.

"Carol
As Obama's first comment was reasoned and mild he owes no apology."

Carol, Have you ever know Obama to apologize for anything?

One of my Uncles got pulled over speeding many years ago. The officer told him, "I'm gonna give you a break, Sir. I'm only gonna write you a ticket for 10 mph over." My Uncle said, "Don't do me no G-d damn favors!" That got him the ticket for 20 mph over! LOL!

corey

LOL

Another contempt of cop ticket

You are crucified in DC if you apologize.

Thought of today's discussion when I read these observations from a Hartford Courant writer--Colin MCEnroe.

"The Gates incident pukes up one of the sharpest & most bilious differences between white & non-white
America. It's a difference based on both perception & experience, & it's an area in which we depart from each other almost reflexively.

"Tired"

http://blogs.courant.com/colin_mcenroe_to_wit/2009/07/tired.html

Years back when I a lot younger and teaching at the university here I was in a little fender bender. I was going 15 in a 55mph area. I was driving down a little country hwy and it was misting. There was a car in the ditch up ahead and a truck, I thought, going slowly past it. When I got up close, I realized the car in the middle of the road was stopped talking to the person in the car in the ditch. That vehicle didn't have any break lights on to indicate it was stopped.

I slammed on my breaks and started sliding. I hit the truck because there was no shoulder to slide off on, just a 5 ft deep ditch on both sides. I got a ticket for driving too fast for existing road conditions. I thought that 15 in a 55mph area was not too fast and that the guy blocking the hwy with no break lights or flashers was more responsible for the accident. Right or wrong I decided to contest the ticket.

I went to the DA's office to talk to someone and this assistant DA came out. He was terribly rude, didn't even give me a fair hearing so I decided I would fight it in court.

I went to court, sat thru all the guys in orange being arrainged. I was first in traffic court. They asked how I pleaded and I said not guilty. They asked if I wanted an attorney, I said no. The same assistant DA said go stand in that line.

It was the line of guys in the orange suits. When I got in line, they moved the line out and we all went to the Sheriff's department. I was shocked. I was brought in booked, finger printed and had mug shots. They even tried to put my fingerprints on someone elses mug shot.

When they were asking for my alliases, address and where I worked, there were trustees standing behind the guy asking the guestions laughing at me. By that time I was crying. I mumbled in my hand that I worked at the university. I was treated as a common thug. When it was over they took my license, gave me a piece of paper to drive with and let me go.

I had a lawyer but paying him would cost more than the ticket would have. It was the principle that I was fighting. My vehicle was the only vehicle with any damage. I was a white, assistant prof of nursing in a small community. The assistant DA was black. I decided that after that little experience that some prinicples are just not worth fighting for.

That didn't turn out to be the end of the fiasco involving that experience. It even got better when it was time for court. I never screamed, hollered or ranted about any of it. I did describe the entire fiasco to another DA and he did end up dropping the charges because of it.

Shit can happen to all of us.

I've said all I'm gonna say on this subject, From my point of view in numerous discussions people either get it or they don't. And from what I can tell it has no relationship to how good a person is, mostly I imagine it has to do with life experience.

I do suspect that the good professor has been getting a few calls from fiends and family. Many of them are probably like I got from a friend after a similar experience( except they didn't drop the charges)
Curt is a long time east sider grew up in the neighborhood.
He said
"Welcome to the neighborhood, You are now an offficial eastsider."

Jack

You can't just yes sir, no sir a cop....where the hell is you dignity...What I do in not disrespect them. I have had them aske me ..do you know why I stopped you...No officer , but I would like to know...Im usually a pretty care full driver...you were going a little bit over the limit,,or just whent tru a red light....Officer ,,as I told you ..Im pretty careful...I am not aware of that.. but thanks....if all you do is yes sir,,not sir him...he won't give you the respect that he should give you. And by the way...All of my police friend and family members tell me that is correct.....It is all about power....have you notice some of the attitude of power coming from a some one that works for the fire dept..a fireman thinks (some of them) that they are cops.....

Now when I see a tape from cnn or something else ...that shows 5-7 cops beating the hell out of some one....I will not expect Obama to say something about it....I still say that it was a dumb move on his part....or do you think that he will risk getting involved when it comes to someone that has a rap sheet...like what's his name of ..."can we all just get along fame" I bet that he won't....something smell funny to me...and just maybe it back fired on Obama...

And the real loser when police do as they did to me or to the professor and arrest someone just to shut them up, is the police department. They need people like me and the professor if they are to do more than be an occupying army. Their lives often depend on people like me and for a long time my basic feeling for the police department was
""if a stray dog and a Kansas city police officer were run over on the road, I would go look after the dog."

As I said they need people like me and it took many hours of community policing man hours just to get me to even feel comfortable working with the police. It is still a tight rope for me and I have to watch my words in community meetings. And one other thing, it just not me who bites their tongue.

Jack

I have heard some cops (they told me) Why do you think that Mayor daley built the high rise projects...oh why....so he can keep an eye on all of the monkey;s Now I hope that this will be my last post ..cos it is starting to piss my off....

Corey, thanks for the story about you riding along with your freind...now take a ride with a cpl of black,,,hispanic hating ones...big diff. to me...and am so glad that people like your friend is out there..to give some balance....

I was walking home once from a late football game we had ..it was a night game played under dark...Im light skin,,,but do tan like an indian in the sun......two cops stopped me and asked what I had under my arms...showed him my helmet and foot ball uniform.
No more questions...just get over by the car...and shut up Jose,,,at the jail ...the desk sgt asked them what they had ...he said Jose here thinks that he can just walk down the sts any time that he likes to...My father then later was not to please to come and get me out of jail.....and I was not to proud of him just saying,,,yes sir,,nor sir...a fckin yes officer will do it!

"The Gates incident pukes up one of the sharpest & most bilious differences between white & non-white
America. It's a difference based on both perception & experience, & it's an area in which we depart from each other almost reflexively."

I would agree that the issue divides people up into two camps immediately - but I don't think you can just say that the break down is black and white. Much more complex than that.

night game,,,there is no sun....but in the day is when I get a lot of sun..

Police stories?

When I was a senior in high school I was on a double date and at a light in a less than great neighborhood we got out for a chinese fire drill (probably racist) and the boys took off - then they came back and we wouldn't get in the car so they were following us down the street and being silly --the police pulled up and wanted to know what was going on. The boys took off off (last dates) and the police continued to ask us what was going on. My friend..."Officer it's not what you think" police "We think you are prostitutes and we are arresting you." They didn't think we were but they want to scare the hell out of us and they did. They took us to the police station so we could call our parents and then stood there while we explained to our parents what had happened.

Yikes I was almost grounded for life.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246584

Lemon usually tweets what he will be covering and invites questions and commentaries. He rarely comments back in specifics. He did say that he hoped the 911 and police tapes would be released.

You can always see what anyone tweets by going to their home page. This is Lemon's

http://twitter.com/donlemoncnn

Warren,

It is much more complex than that...thats why we need to educate the very young about true history...not revisionist history....tell me who was Col. Custard... What is the true story about the Alamo?

Who was Roman Pulaski, Why is he a rvered hero here in the U S...while back at home ...he was considerd one of the most vile...Education is what has been behind al of this hate...and what will end it

Ever read a book called Whit Dog...or see the movie....A grand father takes his little girl, buys her a white German Shepard puppy,,,and hires a blk wino to beat the puppy in front of the little girl...this goes on for a few year...not tell me what that little girl thinks of all blk men,,,not her fault...but she will raise her kids the same.....and when the dog is a 150 lb killing machine,,,they let him out to roam free in a blk neighborhood.....that folks is real life...for some. and much...much more hateful than the what 9/11 did to us imo....it is from within.

These are some of the reasons that Prof. Haglen ran as a third party..along with Jim Lynch...a big movie produce,,,,they wanted to change us from withing...by education.....I would normally say ...sorry for the rants.....but Max mistook one of my sorry's for a sign of weakness and threw it back at me.

"I would agree that the issue divides people up into two camps immediately - but I don't think you can just say that the break down is black and white. Much more complex than that."

Warren, you are so right. At least IMHO.

KGC

The morning after I got married, we were in West Covina (part of Los Angeles for the non Californians) driving back home from the motel in the wee small hours because we had to leave for our new home in Burlingame.

The police pulled us over (both the new husband and I had lead feet) and shined the flashlight in the new husband's face wanting to know why he was out at that hour with "THIS YOUNG WOMAN!!!!"

He did apologize for the speeding ticket he had already started after finding out we were starting the honeymoon. It really was a more innocent world where policemen actually took time to worry about teenage morals.

in a unscripted '' non-teleprompter moment obama has shown his true color once again ' and its not black
or white ''' its elitist and they come in all colors'' he said
what he and all his ivy league friends that he has surrounded himself with really believes' that the cop is stupid ' the construction worker' truck driver'coal miner
utility worker and the all rest of us are stupid mindless
dolts who wouldn't be able to clothe or feed ourselves
without the all knowing all powerful government leading us by hand

Jamie

It is amazing when I think back on it. Today we probably would have been arrested.

mqw...100% agree with you ...Obama is just an elitist ,,,and it showed...thats why I said....would he have done the same for someone like the lets get along guy....clear path on the rivers I hope.

KGC.. thanks for that story...and glad that it ended up well.

Just think about the great possibility if a group of blk. teen had done that in an all white neighborhood...lots of things would have gone the other way I think.

Michelle Bachman contributes the idiot factor to the health care debate. If more people had health care, she might have to wait longer in the doctor's office

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/24/bachmann-other-gop-mother_n_244348.html

I'm in the camp where I have a problem with someone yelling discrimination when that wasn't the case and I sincerely think it wasn't the case this time. I agree there are very many, many examples of discrimination. I see it all the time.

I see poor young black people being stopped, harrassed and arrested for walking thru their own neighborhoods at night. Unfortunately the cops usually find a joint(they call a blunt) behind one of their ears or in a pocket but it is soooooo dumb to haul them into jail for that. They shouldn't have even been stopped for the search but the excuse is that it is a high crime neighborhood. That's a law that should be changed.

So many things to do...but will get back to getting my last long post series...that covers a lot of what is being talked about. From some Biological Anthropologists...and what , how the Politicians with the help from the media..sold us the illusion of race. I have been putting it off cos I promised that I would stop posting..but will look for a loop hole and not stop completley.

Jamie:

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246633

Hah! At least she is honest. I don't want to government to help get all these poor people healthcare when the status quo is just fine for me.

hello mr solarman
been trying to keep up with your postings
currently southbound @ Memphis dealing
with low water conditions now ' river industry is busy as ever '''no high unemployment here

Bush even crazier than we thought

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090725/US.Terror.Domestic.Raid/

"Shit can happen to all of us."

Amen.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread.html#comment-246619

Peace Jack. :)
I'm done with this subject. It was just something I needed to care about.

Solar,

Just start a blog and link to it here. You can write anything you want for as great a length as you want. Just go to http://www.blogger.com and follow directions. It's really, really easy.

Then ask Craig to list you on the left and everyone can read anything you've written whenever they like and you can refer back to older articles whenever it is appropriate for the conversation.

Jamie

I won't do that.

Why not? You can see above where I did it. Referred back to a piece about Machu Pichu. Anyone wants to read they can. If they don't, it hasn't consumed excessive space here. We all link to articles all the time. How is doing a blog different?

this is a friend of mine and his daughter.......i love this song......by charlie chaplin...........

how they got hooked up with the bermese people of burma, I'm not sure about, but the song is ver' naize.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nbKskF2h4k

Catch the Wind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjIqVL7G-CI

"I think dogs are often better than humans.

And I also hold women in higher regard than men - but I have been known to refer to all or one of them as "bitches" every now and again"

I love you to death Warren...but that is absurd. How about this?

"I hold blacks in high regard but I have been known to refer to all or one of them as N-s now and then."

JEEZUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KGC.. thanks for that story...and glad that it ended up well.

Just think about the great possibility if a group of blk. teen had done that in an all white neighborhood...lots of things would have gone the other way I think.

Solar

I've never thought about that but you are right. When I look back I see that teens from certain communities were given breaks in terms of police charges (not talking about my incident but other things.)

Sorry - but I think there is a difference between those two words.

KGC...thanks for taking it that way,,and not offended, that is one of the things that I love about this blog, lots of grown up people here....it would have been,,,and has been hard to say things like that to others, even some long time friends...sorta have to measure you words.

Jamie,

If you make it a point of me telling you why not I will. I did them before. Craig has been forewarned by you several times...and he still hasn't said not too...not even in his new rules that we all try to follow. Now if you decide to make a big deal about this...maybe he will listen to you this time..I don't know. What I do know is that he will have to be the one telling me not too. I thought that you were ok with them as long as they weren't boring..at least that's
what s cpl of other poster said...I hate name dropping.

Tell me what would not be appropriate for the conversation: It WILL include.

Politics, the Laws of the land, The S. C. , the Newspapers that report. all having to do with this blog. Maybe I will keep it to the length that have been done here, maybe late at night when it gets slow...or not at all....will think about it like I like to do about everything else...There was only three people that complained about them before... You , Bob, and Lard ass..some even said that they learned something from the Jesus post...But things change and maybe I should also ...that is about the way of posting all of the information that I have about it...so with respect to the others.... I think that I will limit them to hard facts ...and if asked ...I will elaborate.......see there is some common ground that can be reached....but thanks any way,

I have not made is a secret that I am not an admirer of Barack Obama.

Yes, I prefer having a Democrat in the White House nominating judges and doing all the other things the chief executive does.

A good friend of mine told me yesterday that when Obama gets relaxed, he makes snarky, thougthless comments such has his original comments about the police officer.

I have always believed that Obama is not ready for prime time. I would be very -pleased to be wrong about this.

Solar,

The only person you answer to here is Craig.
If were you, I'd post whatever I wanted to post, whenever I wanted to post it. I'm one of the people that enjoy reading 'all' your posts, so I say: Bring 'em on.

If there's a problem with Craig, I'm sure he won't be shy about telling you.

NEW THREAD
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/open-thread-weekend-1.html

Solar,

I wasn't faulting you except to go along with the "How to Comment" guidance set out by Craig and offering a way you could do it without limiting your ideas, length or the access of others to those commentaries:

"Be succinct. Blog commenting is not a place for lengthy lectures. Keep it short and to the point. You will find that your comments will be much better read. Generally, comments beyond 150 words should be reviewed before posting, in case a bit of editing might improve the readability of what you have to say. "