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Friday Morning Open Thread

I'll be visiting clients at the jail most of the day, so here's an open thread for you.

All topics welcome.

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    I am reading Wallace Stegner's (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:33:42 AM EST
    "Discovery!  The Search for Arabian Oil."

    Stegner (teaching at Stanford at the time; but his published books weren't selling very well) was commissioned by ARAMCO to write a history of this subject.  ARAMCO didn't want parts of the final manuscript published.  It was published without the objected-to portions in paperback in 1971. Now the contents of the paperback have been published in hard cover with a new forward.

    Quite an interesting read.  Credit Stegner for that.  Such a fine writer.

    Yer a reading machine :) (none / 0) (#9)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:48:45 AM EST
    I still haven't scrounged up the last Oculus Book Club Selection that I'm determined to get.  Diapers and sippy cups have been getting in the way though :)

    Parent
    No babies here. Makes a difference! (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:49:52 AM EST
    Somehow (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Steve M on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:54:30 AM EST
    my 2-year old, a weapon of mass destruction if ever there was one, has refrained from demolishing Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA that I've been reading for the last month.  Fascinating book!

    When my son was in the process of being born, right there in my living room, the doula noticed the book and was like "Oh, that must be fascinating, have you read about any amazing stuff they did yet?"  I told her, "Nope, so far they've pretty much sucked at everything!"

    Parent

    Closing in on becoming a future (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:25:31 AM EST
    weapon of mass destruction.

    She is still pretty easy to distract and entertain when you have your hands a bit full at the same time, but I'm getting the vibe that's going to be pretty short lived.

    Parent

    What a beautiful child! (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:51:29 AM EST
    She looks like she is right on the verge of breaking loose in the get-into-everything kind of way.

    I remember those years well - and kind of miss them a little.  My older daughter's just married 2 years, and I think they are thinking about babies...I really can't wait!

    Parent

    At first I was a bit shocked being a g-ma (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:03:31 PM EST
    at 42.  I thought my daughter could at least backpack across Europe for me.  The shock passed quickly though.  I can't believe how much energy she inspires in me, more than my actual kids that I am fully responsible for (seems to be a heavy weight or something).  She's just fun.  And she'll be a teenager in her mommy's house :)

    Parent
    Awwwwww What a cutie! (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by NJDem on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:54:33 AM EST
    Those are some beautiful blue eyes!  Makes her easier to forgive I'm sure :)  

    Parent
    Her eyes seem to be a dominant (none / 0) (#61)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:11:37 PM EST
    trait in my fam.  Before my grandma Vera passed she gave me a photo of her husband's family two generations before my grandfather.  My infant great great grandfather was in a baby dress standing on a chair with those eyes.  My daughters are shaped slightly different probably due to some Ghengis Khan action around what later became the Czech region (she has a very slight Asian flap), for the most part most of my fam gets this sort of an eye look.

    Parent
    Complete? (none / 0) (#10)
    by Jack Okie on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:49:03 AM EST
    Is the latest edition the complete text, or still without the redacted portions?

    Parent
    The redacted portions aren't (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:50:31 AM EST
    included in this version either.  

    Parent
    Thanks (none / 0) (#23)
    by Jack Okie on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:04:19 AM EST
    I guess it's too much to hope we could get our hands on a copy of the original manuscript.

    Parent
    Unlikely, as Stegner was commissioned (none / 0) (#26)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:13:10 AM EST
    to write this history. The writer of the new "forword" points out other countries had nationalized the oil companies and the oil companies in Saudi were walking on thin ice politically.

    Parent
    Federalism (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Jack Okie on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:46:38 AM EST
    There is a growing discussion in certain quarters of the conservative / libertarian (not necessarily Republican) persuasion that it would be a good thing to restore the balance between the states and federal government as defined by the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.  In many scenarios, this involves repeal of the 17th Amendment.

    In trying to apply this to practical matters, it occurs to me that if the federal government were restricted to only those clearly enumerated powers, one's withholding statement would be inverted:  The amount now going to the feds would go to the state, and vice versa.  This could lead to

    1. No need for earmarks.
    2. Massachusetts would have had plenty of cash to fund the Big Dig without needing any federal money.
    3. New York would have plenty of money to handle the unique circumstances around New York City and environs.
    4. California would have plenty of money to deal with water issues, and provide their public employees with 13 paid holidays per year.

    And so forth.  Someone on the previous thread asked (paraphrase) why we even bother to campaign and vote if the candidates just blow off their promises.  (I am reminded of Ron Zigler, Nixon's press secretary, saying during Watergate 'That statement is no longer operative.'  LOL!)  The slave / segregation states gave the idea of "State Rights" a terrible odor, but it seems to me the virtue of moving appropriate power back to the states is that the closer we are to the politician, the better we can watch them.  And a state politician abrogating his promises only affects that state.

    To me, it's not a left / right, Democrat / Republican issue - it's how do we get accountability from the government.  I can see advantages for the thoroughly blue states as well as the red ones.  What do you folks think?  

    I don't like it (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:54:19 AM EST
    I live in Southern Alabama and it creeps me the heck out.  What about Hate Crimes.....what would happen to that legislation under Federalism?  I'm plenty close to Shelby these days too.  He has few friends, he's friend shopping hard right now.  So is the Republican AG, I have a recent photo of him snuggling up to my kid :)

    Parent
    It seems to me (4.00 / 4) (#13)
    by Steve M on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:50:44 AM EST
    that while Massachusetts, New York and California have wealthy tax bases to tap into, you'd create a situation where the less wealthy states would be ghettoized even further.  I want New Orleans to have levees even if the poor residents of the 9th Ward can't afford to fund them.

    We used to have some great arguments in my Con Law class between the liberal professor and the president of the Federalist Society (now a Bush-appointed federal judge), who would wax on at length about how the courts keep disregarding the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, "the twin pillars of federalism."  At one point, the professor was prodded into responding mockingly, "Awwww, poor little amendments, getting smaller and smaller!"  Those were good times.

    Parent

    You raise an interesting point (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Jack Okie on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:13:59 AM EST
    about the levees, although an argument could be made that Corps of Engineers work on the nation's navigable waterways is a legitimate federal interest.

    I'm going to see if I can track down a state-by-state view of incomes, and federal, state and local tax revenues by source over a statistically significant period.  Pre-Katrina New Orleans seemed to have significant tourist income, and the oil business used to be pretty big.  Not sure what to expect now.


    Parent

    Exactly (none / 0) (#20)
    by andgarden on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:57:45 AM EST
    Steve M is on a roll this morning.

    Parent
    And Steve - (none / 0) (#31)
    by Jack Okie on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:16:43 AM EST
    Was your professor's point that the courts were NOT ignoring the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, or that it was a good thing?

    Parent
    hipness (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:55:58 AM EST
    gag me with a spoon

    "he once taught (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by JamesTX on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 02:15:22 PM EST
    a German Shephard to bark in Spanish. He alternates freely between corn and flour. He doesn't always drink beer, but when he does..."

    Parent
    My God! (none / 0) (#94)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:11:47 PM EST
    I know you jest but with your grasp of COMPLETE and STARK STERILE hipness, surely you are my next President

    Parent
    Hoping Greenwald Twitters (none / 0) (#22)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:04:17 AM EST
    this.  Hipness is most assuredly the primary quality we require in our President at this time.

    Parent
    honestly (none / 0) (#24)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:06:00 AM EST
    with all thats happening to the world THIS is what the waste bandwidth on?

    Parent
    I just started (none / 0) (#25)
    by eric on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:08:49 AM EST
    following Greenwald.  Good stuff.

    Parent
    Sam Fulwood III huh :)? (none / 0) (#39)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:32:31 AM EST
    The journalist who is an expert on hip

    Parent
    Health care subject to budget reconciliation rules (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by magster on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:53:03 PM EST
    WOOT!

    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 02:19:50 PM EST
    afaiac
    the best news of the first 100 days.
    it means they are not screwin around.


    Parent
    Thanks Jeralyn! (none / 0) (#1)
    by JamesTX on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:00:11 AM EST
    For keeping up the pressure when everyone else is caving! This is a true progressive blog!

    Conviction obtained (none / 0) (#2)
    by eric on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:28:04 AM EST
    by a prosecutor without a law license.  Affirmed.

    Seems reasonable. (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:36:22 AM EST
    Except (none / 0) (#5)
    by eric on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:42:12 AM EST
    that, the appellate courts here won't even accept appellate briefs until they confirm your license is current.  I know this because one time I was suspended because of mix-up with my annual renewal.  I fixed it immediately, but they were willing to dismiss an appeal for a stupid administrative issue.  Prosecute for YEARS without a license?  No big deal.

    Parent
    The DDA apparently did pass state (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:46:00 AM EST
    bar exam.  But implication is she may have been disciplined for ethics violations.  Not sure.

    Parent
    I didn't realize (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by eric on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:54:32 AM EST
    that story didn't have all of the details about Gemma Graham, the prosecutor.  She prosecuted for 20 years without a license.  She was licensed at one time, but then apparently failed to take her required continuing education classes.  Here's the story.  LINK

    So, for 20 years this woman wasn't paying her dues, taking the required classes, and was lying to the court.  This is more than a technical defect.  People were being prosecuted by a fraud.

    Parent

    Surprised she hasn't been prosecuted. (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:59:11 AM EST
    And is the DA's office asleep at the switch?  

    Parent
    Very shoddy of the government (none / 0) (#8)
    by Steve M on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:47:12 AM EST
    but I guess the question is, was the defendant actually prejudiced?  Does he have some kind of constitutional right to be prosecuted only by a lawyer?  I would think not.  It's unlike cases where they discover something squirrelly about the judge after the fact.

    Parent
    It is beginning to look like (none / 0) (#14)
    by KeysDan on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:51:09 AM EST
    all meaningful torture investigations from special prosecutors to "truth commissions" are off the table.  Senator Reid apparently wants to await information before we investigate--as if that made any sense.  The best source of such information, according to Mr. Reid, is the report of the Senate committee spearheaded by Senator Diane Feinstein.  This report should be available as soon as the end of this year, although Senator Feinstein is unsure just how much of the information gathered will be made public.  Paul Krugman, once again, not only identifies the cancer grown on the democracy but also,  has prescribed the right course of treatment--real inquiry with open-ended outcomes.

    I do not know if prosecutions or truth (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:56:21 AM EST
    commissions will happen, but the truth will come out.  This is all too upsetting to too many people and it provides too many journalistic opportunities for the truth to not come out.

    Parent
    Got this from Leahy's office today (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:13:30 AM EST
    This Sunday, Senator Leahy will appear on CBS's Face the Nation to discuss last week's release of alarming documents that demonstrate the extent to which the Bush-Cheney Administration ran roughshod over our values and our laws.
     
    Revelations that the past administration authorized abusive interrogation techniques like waterboarding underscore the need for Senator Leahy's proposed truth commission. Over 100,000 Americans have already signed our petition at BushTruthCommission.com, and support for a truth commission is growing in Congress, too.

    Face the Nation airs this Sunday, April 26 at 10:30 am ET on your local CBS station. I hope that you will tune in to watch Senator Leahy discuss these recent news developments and what they mean for his proposal to establish a truth commission to investigate Bush-Cheney Administration abuses. 



    Parent
    Talk, talk, talk. (none / 0) (#29)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:15:04 AM EST
    Better than not talking? (none / 0) (#32)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:18:47 AM EST
    Seems like a dodge. What is stopping (none / 0) (#33)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:20:32 AM EST
    Leahy from proceeding?

    Parent
    Reid? (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:28:31 AM EST
    Be interesting to hear what he says on Sunday after all the flippin' that's going on . . . .

    We do need to keep talking though. This looking forward crap  . . . . grrr.

    Parent

    The CV on the right (none / 0) (#42)
    by Jack Okie on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:41:36 AM EST
    seems to be that senior Congressional Democrats were briefed about what was going on and didn't object, and therefore no thorough investigation is wanted by the Democrats.  A Politico blog post says Pelosi was briefed in 2002 about the kinds of interrogation planned by the CIA (link:  http://tinyurl.com/ce68oj ), one of the issues being was she constrained from speaking out, or should she have gone public.

    For the record, I'm down with anything that's also done to our troops during SERE training.  I also think that Obama should release all the memos, not just a selection.

    Parent

    SERE training and 183 episodes of (none / 0) (#62)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:23:13 PM EST
    real torture in a month are not the same thing.

    On the SERE side, you know it's going to stop.

    Parent

    Sports fans: how does (none / 0) (#30)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:16:03 AM EST
    an armchair sports fan prepare for the NFL draft?  Are fantasy teams impacted?  Are there brackets?  

    By watching back to back (none / 0) (#35)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:25:33 AM EST
    baseball! {grin}

    We (my leagues) don't hang on to our players, so it doesn't effect us. At some point in August, I'll be scrambling around about an hour before the draft trying to figure out who's where this year and how it looks to impact their play :P {says the 2-time champ going for a 3-peat}

    Parent

    Will the Pads beat Pittsburgh tonight? (none / 0) (#37)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:30:23 AM EST
    Or will the curse of Petco Park prevail as to the home team?  More later.

    Parent
    So the Pads have trouble at home? (none / 0) (#40)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:35:20 AM EST
    Does it extend to the starting pitchers getting beat up on runs? I've got Peavy on my team . . . .

    Parent
    Padres lineup seems to be (none / 0) (#41)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:38:47 AM EST
    convinced it can't get runs in this pitcher's park.  Unfortunately, the opposing teams failed to get the memo.  Peavy doesn't seem as reliable this year as in the past but any pitcher appreciates his team spotting him a few runs. Maybe David Eckstein will lead the Padres into the promised land.

    Parent
    Hmmm, someone just offered me (none / 0) (#45)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:46:18 AM EST
    Ryan Dempster for him. The real meat of the trade is Ortiz for the other manager though. I actually picked up Ortiz because I knew he would make offers all season trying to get him from me. I'm bad that way {grin} Maybe I'll cruise his pitching staff and see if I can do better  ;)

    Parent
    Just don't make the mistake the Padres (none / 0) (#48)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:49:47 AM EST
    GM did.  Acquired Randy Meyers so possible playoff opponents couldn't get him.  But--his star had completely fallen.  So Randy just paced about in the bullpen.  Very expensive mistake.

    Parent
    I think the way we score (none / 0) (#58)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:00:49 PM EST
    that's easier to avoid. If they aren't producing actively, they just get tanked. And when scoring H2H, it's even more crucial. I'm trying to let some of my guys settle in before I do anything, so I may just pass. I know I'll have more ops down the road to trade Ortiz and I've learned just how far I can push this manager. We were actually joking about it at dinner the other night. About 4 managers were there and one asked who had picked up Ortiz, lol!~ I also grabbed Manny for the same reason. Those Red Sox fans are NUTS I tell ya, but I've been playing with them long enough, I know my bargaining chips  ;) The boyz haven't quite figured out mine and they only know one of my friends (Nomar). I really messed them up the year I drafted based on "dimples" because I had a late pick slot. I did very well that year and my friend B got a good laugh out of it. We love messing with the boyz!

    Parent
    David Eckstein (none / 0) (#75)
    by CoralGables on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 02:01:17 PM EST
    Another fine product of the University of Florida.

    Parent
    First (none / 0) (#38)
    by jbindc on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:31:30 AM EST
    You need lots of snacks and drink (or your choice).  A comfortable place to sit and watch - maybe have a few friends over.  

    If you are a real die-hard, you go to the HQ of  your local/favorite team and watch the draft from there.

    Parent

    I don't play fantasy football, (none / 0) (#44)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:45:46 AM EST
    so can't help you there, but I think the draft might be the closest thing to 11-dimensional chess outside the Beltway...

    This year, the draft doesn't get underway until 4 pm, with Round 1; they will go through 2 rounds on Saturday and 2 more on Sunday.

    Generally, teams pick in reverse order from how they finished the season, with some teams picking "out of order" as a result of trades from prior seasons (I know you've heard "X Team has acquired Y Player from Z Team for $$$ and X Team's 2nd and 4th round draft picks" - that's one way the out-of-order thing happens).

    So, Pittsburgh, which won the Super Bowl, picks at the #32 spot and Detroit has the #1 - makes sense - the worst team gets first crack at the best draftees.

    However...teams can trade their spots up and down the board.  Sometimes they do it because of money - salaries for drafted players are determined to some extent by their draft order - there can be millions of dollars' difference between what you have to pay a rookie drafted at the #3 spot and what you'd pay for the rookie drafted at the #4 position.

    When they trade up or down, they have to give something - maybe the right for the other team to take their pick in the next round.

    So, all the teams have these "boards" where the strategize their picks based on who's available - I've seen them in the backgrounds of news stories and the look like gigantic flow charts.

    Other than watching to see what happens, about all the preparation you need is to have your drink of choice handy...

    Parent

    4PM?! (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:48:11 AM EST
    Yanks v Red Sox starts at 4:10  :)

    Parent
    My younger daughter and her boyfriend (none / 0) (#56)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:55:09 AM EST
    are going to Ravens Stadium tomorrow - the team puts on a Draft Day event with players, locker room tours, on-the-field stuff - and the package includes tickets to the Orioles game (v. Texas Rangers) that starts at 7:05.  

    So - best of both worlds!  Football all afternoon and a baseball game at night.

    Parent

    How fun! (none / 0) (#60)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:07:28 PM EST
    If the Jets did something like that, I'd be there with bells on. I think they are in the middle of stadium trading. Not sure if they are moving to the new one next season, or not . . . hmmm.

    This is what they do. Not my cuppa tea!

    Parent

    What I'm really trying to scope out is: (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:52:10 AM EST
    where is BTD!  

    Parent
    You will recall he got rather emotional (none / 0) (#54)
    by easilydistracted on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:53:39 AM EST
    yesterday after Barry's remarks about his beloved gators. Probably hasn't quite got over it just yet. Heh.

    Parent
    Is there anything more emotional than (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:58:13 AM EST
    a Gator fan :)?  Even the pregnant or the menopausal down here can't compare.  If you steal the Gator flag off their front porch they put in surveillance cameras......they really do, I'm not kidding.  And I don't care what they say.  I did not take that flag to see what would happen :)

    Parent
    Good point. (none / 0) (#63)
    by easilydistracted on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:28:03 PM EST
    How about a menopausal Gator fan who just had their flag swiped from their porch? That's downright scary, huh?

    Parent
    BTW, I probably better shut up now... (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by easilydistracted on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:31:04 PM EST
    I might be at risk for a lifetime ban for too much gator-trash-talking.

    Parent
    "too much"? (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:16:02 PM EST
    Is there really such a thing as too much Gator trash talking, Easy D?  

    Not in my book...

    Now, picking the J-Hawks to win the tourney next year--well, that's just crazy talk!

    Parent

    We shall see my friend.... (none / 0) (#71)
    by easilydistracted on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:26:21 PM EST
    we shall see!

    Parent
    Alright, since we're talking sports, I can't (none / 0) (#43)
    by easilydistracted on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:45:14 AM EST
    resist mentioning the preseason favorite NCAA basketball team that will be cutting down the nets in Indy next year: Kansas Jayhawks. Sherron Collins and Cole Alrich are returning. And, yesterday, Xavier Henry, a top-ten HS recruit from Oklahoma, announced that he is joining KU, after ripping up his letter of intent with Memphis. Can't wait.

    Sports shmortz (none / 0) (#47)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:49:00 AM EST
    I know...I know.... (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by easilydistracted on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:50:44 AM EST
    come on Tracy, gimme a break this one time, please.

    Parent
    Okay....... (none / 0) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:53:37 AM EST
    I spend my life making allowances for all these sports fanatics :)  Cripes....look at oculus even, she knows insider Padres information.

    Parent
    Gardens, smardens! (5.00 / 2) (#52)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 11:52:42 AM EST
    New, deadly swine flu hits Mexico, may spread (none / 0) (#65)
    by nycstray on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:34:42 PM EST
    MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A deadly strain of swine flu never seen before has broken out in Mexico, killing as many as 60 people and raising fears it is spreading across North America.

    The World Health Organization said it was concerned about what it called 800 "influenza-like" cases in Mexico, and also about a confirmed outbreak of a new strain of swine flu in the United States. It said about 60 people had died in Mexico.

    more

    According to NPR (none / 0) (#66)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 12:54:56 PM EST
    the Taliban now control a district of Pakistan only 70 miles from Islamabad.

    Apparently they have backing of the people there and in other districts.

    The "expert" NPR interviewed said the Taliban has the backing of the people because they can claim to provide the people with two things the govt can't:

    1. A direct path to God.
    2. Anti-Americanism.

    According the expert, the recent drone attacks especially have made the people very anti-American.

    This should be interesting...

    On the news today (none / 0) (#67)
    by Steve M on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:05:37 PM EST
    they are talking about the Taliban withdrawing, although I'm not positive that district is the place they're withdrawing from.  It does seem like a very dangerous situation taking place over there.

    One of the front-pagers at MyDD explains that the underlying problem is that Pakistan is not really a country with an army, but more like an army with a country.

    Parent

    Powder keg since it was created. (none / 0) (#68)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:07:52 PM EST
    Much more so... (none / 0) (#69)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:12:13 PM EST
    ...than Iran.

    Parent
    Odd that an "army with a country" (none / 0) (#74)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:56:20 PM EST
    can't (apparently) stop the Taliban "army" w/in its own borders.

    Makes you wonder why?

    I guess the T are/want to be better at winning the people's hearts and minds...

    Parent

    I have heard speculation (none / 0) (#76)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 02:05:47 PM EST
    that the army is holding back so the new guy (the new "general") can come in and save the day and take over again.

    Parent
    That's right (none / 0) (#79)
    by Steve M on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 02:49:58 PM EST
    the argument is that because Pakistan is unable to manage a functioning society/economy, the Taliban gets to step in and say "we can do a better job running things."  It's the same situation as in Afghanistan.

    Parent
    Oh yeah, (none / 0) (#81)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 03:32:44 PM EST
    did you see the Somali pirate the other day in court?

    Parent
    I did not (none / 0) (#86)
    by Steve M on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 04:36:58 PM EST
    Our judge decided to handle the matter telephonically instead.  It's just as well as we ended up on the short end of the ruling.

    Parent
    this is great "western white women" (none / 0) (#83)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 03:55:47 PM EST
    technically they are not all white.

    On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that "the Pakistani government is basically abdicating to the Taliban," but the spokesman, Haji Muslim Khan, said that Taliban anger was partly caused by the presence of female American soldiers in the region. Mr. Khan said that Pakistan's Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, "should think about Western white women who take up arms and come from 20,000 miles away to fight against us here."

    Parent

    yes (none / 0) (#84)
    by CST on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 04:11:40 PM EST
    my favorite part of that - 20,000 miles.  Maybe if you are flying drunk...

    Parent
    one more reason (none / 0) (#72)
    by CST on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 01:45:18 PM EST
    to always go for extra support :)

    "Local police Sgt Eren Stephens Bell told the Detroit News: "We need to get some bulletproof vests made from that. It is some strong wire.""

    LOL.... (none / 0) (#82)
    by vml68 on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 03:33:50 PM EST
    that must have been some heavy duty underwire!

    Parent
    I bought a soft drink... (none / 0) (#80)
    by desertswine on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 03:25:29 PM EST
    yesterday and got a quarter for change, on the back of it was Duke Ellington. Nice!

    Susan Boyle's makeover (none / 0) (#85)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 04:28:07 PM EST
    She looks quite nice, however, it's too bad that someone has to have a makeover, can't quite be yourself in this day and age:

    Link

    She does look nice, and still looks (none / 0) (#92)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 06:38:18 PM EST
    like herself, I think; a good makeover really just brings you to the best version of your current self - updated hair and wardrobe probably being the bulk of what gets made over - I think most people just get stuck doing and wearing the same old stuff out of habit - I know I tend to do that.

    If she's happy, I think it's fine; I mean, it's not like she had plastic surgery or anything - not that there's anything wrong with that, lol.

    She looks very confident in that picture - not at all awkward or uncomfortable with the new look.

    Based on her interaction with Simon, I think she'll be just fine no matter what she looks like.

    Parent

    It's true (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 06:49:34 PM EST
    It isn't a phony-looking makeover.  

    She does seem confident, too, always has to me, though.  

    Parent

    you cant make this stuff up (none / 0) (#87)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 04:40:35 PM EST
    Byron York quoting Ted Olsen - Ted freakin Olsen - on the danger of investigations getting out of hand.

    link


    ok, so it Olson (none / 0) (#88)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 04:41:49 PM EST
    I knew that

    Parent
    Be Prepared (none / 0) (#89)
    by SOS on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 05:28:27 PM EST
    CDC says too late to contain U.S. flu outbreak

    WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.

    CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj9SUJdpJS4

    Try to remain calm (none / 0) (#90)
    by SOS on Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 05:34:40 PM EST
    ;-)

    Parent
    the right course of treatment? (none / 0) (#95)
    by joze46 on Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 10:44:36 AM EST
    "Paul Krugman, once again, not only identifies the cancer grown on the democracy but also, has prescribed the right course of treatment--real inquiry with open-ended outcomes."

    KeysDan said it well by quoting Krugman, even though I don't always agree with Krugman in his economic philosophy. Let's try to give good faith energy to the notion of "Real Inquiry" to include total transparency with inquiry. The difficulty will be in the kind of collateral damage will happen in both side of the isle.

    Please it is tiring to hear the argument of unintended consequences with deeply horrible late recognized core secrets in the CIA, FBI, earmarks, and tangle legislation loaded up wide big enough for a truck to drive through with goods of service or contraband by long term politicals, or hate radio rant and cable television prosecution, especially with the alarming corruption and biases and political pressures in our Justice department that signal a very wrecked legal system that was oppressed by our really ugly  politically motivated media.

    There seems lately some in roads in our journalist people can single out deficiencies that deliver some un-professionalism. Examples to out right lying and fraudulent reporting are appearing. A good example is the MSNBC, Fox news challenges that are go on. The others are slight comments, one the really stuck me was from Meghan McCain, honestly and refreshing to call Karol Rove for what he is "A CREEP". Yet both her father and former Vice President Cheney along with News Journalist Sean Hannity, Limbaugh, or Savage think Karol Rove is a great American. Sheesh.

    Remember way back in grade school when that unoriginal slogan out in the play ground ranted "Oh Ya prove it". Well guess what? Seems maybe our kids are dumped on to untangle some the wrath we produce because one thinks it's in good faith. This torture stuff is now in our play ground, our sincere effort is to be careful and watch where it goes. Most of the adult's don't even realize this and it's a horrible culture to go in the wrong direction. That's why the debate must go on, and Krugman is correct, we need an open ended outcome.

    For me a possible open ended solution to pose the argument that after conviction where is it suggested Bush and Company would be able to receive a just sentence may very well include being stripped of citizen ship, and banished from America . For my reasoning it would interesting to see just who or how they would be embraced by the international community.

    Obviously our system absorbs these characters and revolve right around to appear before the American electorate in public forums via radio TV and entertainment giving opinions and leadership even before and after convictions and pardons. If anything this whole cultural effect is a contradiction and aids to the repetition that enhances the boom and bust theories.