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Wednesday Morning Open Thread

The best take on the Pennsylvania Dem Senate primary comes from Atrios:

There are a lot of reasons Arlen managed to work his fake moderate game for so long, but I'm glad that era is over. I hope (and am mildly optimistic) that Joe Sestak will be a better senator than one might expect, but in any case getting rid of Arlen was a worthy goal in and of itself.

Good analysis.

Open Thread.

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    Yup. (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by scribe on Wed May 19, 2010 at 08:51:25 AM EST
    Glad to see Arlen gone.  On to Lincoln, Ben Nelson, Landrieu and Lieberman.

    We have Specter to thank for Justice Thomas (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by magster on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:44:13 AM EST
    and his tearing down of Anita Hill.  

    Now on to Blanche Lincoln.  I want her gone.

    the locals (none / 0) (#20)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:52:15 AM EST
    tell me Halter is a much better candidate than many expected.  

    I think she is a gonner.

    Parent

    Joan McCarter has a write up on the (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:54:27 AM EST
    Orange frontpage about not killing the immediate implementation of banning the too big to fail banks from trading in derivatives.  Blanche signed off on the ban and it is just about the only decent thing she has done in years so maybe they shouldn't kill it.  I am loving this primarying of Democrats.

    "I am loving . . . (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:03:18 AM EST
    . . . this primarying of Democrats."

    +1

    Parent

    Coming to the conclusion.... (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:18:03 AM EST
    Rand Paul is a "don't tread on me, tread on them" piker libertarian...beats a run of the mill GOP'er, but his support for big government immigration law & enforcement, and big government drug war, makes him just another member of the full o' sh*t brigade...he's no friend to liberty.

    But I like the "no more bailouts" and "shine a light on the fed" stuff.

    Of course, it's always ... (none / 0) (#97)
    by Robot Porter on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:35:40 PM EST
    easy politics to say "no more bailouts".  Starting now ... no, wait ... starting now.  Wait ...

    Parent
    True... (none / 0) (#187)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:34:42 PM EST
    and we see how fast the rest of the libertarian principles went out the window when there was a primary to win....once in the Senate he'd probably bail with the best of 'em.

    Parent
    TPM has a post about Rand Paul's unlikeability (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by esmense on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:36:42 AM EST
    43% of those who voted for Greyson say they won't vote for Paul in the general.

    But, it made me think -- isn't sneering abrasiveness, insensitivity to social cues (Rand gave his acceptance speech at a country club with an audience restricted to members only) and an inflexible my way or the highway attitude pretty much a hallmark of the far, far right? Tea Party candidates and spokespeople in general are a pretty abrasive, disdainful lot. Ideology aside, this abrasiveness obviously works for those equally abrasive and clueless people who are mostly looking for someone to represent their hatreds, angers and disdain for large numbers of other Americans -- but perhaps not so much for people, "conservative" or not, who are actually hoping for political representation?

    We know that the abrasive, disdainful and generally socially inept have no problem finding success in the media -- as Limbaugh, among others, has long demonstrated -- but can you really fashion a broadly successful political movement out of such characteristics?

    He sounded like a grade A jerk last night (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by MKS on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:08:42 PM EST
    I'm so bummed by Rand... (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:13:33 PM EST
    I heard a Paul won an election and got all excited...on second look he's a GOP cookie-cutter candidate with an extra dash of tea-party pander...lame.

    Parent
    It (none / 0) (#2)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:06:01 AM EST
    seems that a lot of people would agree with Atrios.

    I'm just amazed Atrios ... (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by Robot Porter on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:39:06 PM EST
    made a post that was longer than a sentence.

    Is he slipping?

    Parent

    I think Sestak (none / 0) (#3)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:11:07 AM EST
    has bigger plans.  think about what he did.  everyone was against him.  the entire dem establishment.  true, they didnt campaign in the home stretch but I think that was only because they saw he was going to win.
    they offered him a huge bribe to drop out.  and he gave them the middle finger.  
    and won.  handily.

    I think he is one to watch.


    I don't (none / 0) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:14:20 AM EST
    I think he is Creigh Deeds II.

    Parent
    I didnt say he (none / 0) (#5)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:15:29 AM EST
    was a big time progressive.  only that he is ambitious.  we will see.

    Parent
    it also (none / 0) (#6)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:17:03 AM EST
    interesting that he won all but three districts.
    or whatever it turned out to be.  pretty impressive against the odds.

    Parent
    That's (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:20:32 AM EST
    where I see his strenghts in the fall---the fact that he did very well in the outlying areas and did not have to depend on Philly to win.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#9)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:21:09 AM EST
    He better win Philly big if he wants to have any chance at all in November.

    We'll see, but I personally think he gets blown out.

    Parent

    I think its going to be pretty hard (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:24:38 AM EST
    for Toomey to frame a fight against a guy that every layer of the democrat establishment was arrayed against.

    the other thing that bodes well for Sestak I think is that he showed that he knows how to use advertising and he is not afraid to go for the jugular.

    Parent

    Since Pennsylvania is a closed primary - (none / 0) (#16)
    by Anne on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:43:51 AM EST
    one can only vote along party lines - Sestak's win last night cannot be automatically extrapolated into a general election win; there are just too many variables once the election opens to all voters, including independents.

    The last polling that I saw on Monday showed something like 14% or more of Democratic voters were undecided about who they would vote for.  Did these people vote, did they sit it out, and does a vote for either Sestak or Specter in the primary automatically translate to an automatic vote for Sestak in the general?

    I don't think we can know the answers to that this morning; there's just too many questions.

    And, the problem with being the anti-establishment candidate is that he probably cannot win without some establishment support, and getting it is going to involve taking on a more establishment position.  He may gain votes from the Specter crowd, but if he goes too far in that direction, he may lose the votes of those who thought he represented something new.

    He's in a bit of a corner now and it will be interesting to see if he can maneuver out of it successfully.


    Parent

    this (none / 0) (#18)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:48:17 AM EST
    the problem with being the anti-establishment candidate is that he probably cannot win without some establishment support

    would seem to be contradicted by what happened yesterday.  he won with no establishment support.

    and he is now going to have plenty of establishment support.  including Specter.  he has already said it.
    I agree it is going to be one of the most interesting races in the country.  my money is on Sestak.

    Parent

    Yesterday was a closed primary, (none / 0) (#32)
    by Anne on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:44:33 AM EST
    but the general election will be wide open; if he wants to keep the votes he got in the primary, and pick up the Specter votes and eat into independent and GOP support for Toomey, he's going to have to broaden his appeal.

    That's already starting with getting Specter's support, and there will be more to follow, because that's what good Democrats do - they support their own.

    And he's not going to come out and say, "look, you people treated me like I had leprosy, and threatened me with political consequences, so don't come crawling to me now, thinking I'm gonna be your good little guy."

    No question it will be interesting -  I just hope it isn't disappointing, in the sense of what he will do in order to win.

    Parent

    You don't have a clue. (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Chuck0 on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:36:14 AM EST
    Or know PA. Toomey is NOT well liked here. He is worse than Santorum and most know that. It may be close, but by no means a blow out.

    Parent
    I think you're probably right (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by brodie on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:53:30 AM EST
    about Toomey and PAians.  He's another generic, well-scrubbed righty-right Repub running in a bluish-purple state that went last time for Obama.  Let's see how his extremist positions sit with the mostly centrist Keystone Staters.

    Meanwhile Dems have a smart guy who just defeated someone many experts thought would find a way to win, just as he had in several prior tough elections.  Credit Sestak and his team for running a solid campaign and finally defeating a very tough pol who played rough as usual.  This should serve as good experience for the very rough general election to come.  

    Sestak just knocked out Snarlin' Arlen.  I don't quite see the milquetoast Creigh Deeds comparison.

    Parent

    Uh huh (none / 0) (#37)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:18:09 AM EST
    Uh huh (none / 0) (#36)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:17:38 AM EST
    Probably all but 4 (none / 0) (#24)
    by andgarden on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:13:53 AM EST
    PA-1. PA-2, PA-13, and PA-14 (all Philly and Pittsburgh districts).

    Can I say how much I hate having coined "Deeds II"?

    Parent

    I think Capt Howdy (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Peter G on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:12:19 PM EST
    meant to say that Sestak won all but 3 counties, not all but 3 districts.

    Parent
    yep (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:33:50 PM EST
    thank you.  that is exactly what I meant.


    Parent
    Since you started it, how about a brief (none / 0) (#92)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:31:39 PM EST
    history of Deeds I.  (Yes, I read Wiki.)

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#7)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:19:51 AM EST
    I agree with you on this one. He ran a sharp campaign. Maybe I'm crazy but I think he's a much stronger candidate to take on Toomey in the fall than Specter was.

    Parent
    I absolutely agree (none / 0) (#10)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:21:24 AM EST
    Specter would have been a walk in the park for Toomey.  I would bet right now Sestak wins.


    Parent
    Since PA is kinda like ... (none / 0) (#73)
    by Robot Porter on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:51:44 PM EST
    a microcosm of the country, a lot will depend on the national trends.  I think Sestak's fate will rest on how effective the Republican message is with the public.

    Parent
    I need help! (Not election related) (none / 0) (#12)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:26:25 AM EST
    I could use some suggestions here.  I have an ear worm.  Since yesterday, and I can't get it out of my head.  Unfortunately, it's "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves."  I wasn't terribly fond of it when Cher first sang it years ago, and I'm loathing it now.  Anyone have any suggestions for getting rid of ear worms????

    Watch "This is Spinal Tap" (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by rdandrea on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:40:08 PM EST
    Always works for me.

    Parent
    replace it with (none / 0) (#13)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:28:05 AM EST
    this
    guaranteed to work.

    Parent
    can't open (none / 0) (#14)
    by CST on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:32:24 AM EST
    "this" cuz I can't look at youtube at work.

    Another one that works

    "I know a song that get's on everybody's nerves,
    I know a song that get's on everybody's nerves,
    I know a song that get's on everybody's nerves,
    and it goes a bit like this, boom boom:

    I know a song that get's on everybody's nerves..."

    etc...

    Parent

    it was the three stooges (none / 0) (#15)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:34:39 AM EST
    alphabet song

    Parent
    Well, Cap (none / 0) (#34)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:55:26 AM EST
    It did get rid of the Cher song, so thanks......I think.  Now I've got "B-A-B" etc popping up, but it is easier to short circuit.  ;-)

    Parent
    Or one could try ... (none / 0) (#106)
    by Robot Porter on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:41:52 PM EST
    Sexual Fantasy (none / 0) (#25)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:17:52 AM EST
    Usually works..

    Parent
    here ya go (none / 0) (#27)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:33:48 AM EST
    Billy don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life.
    Billy don't be a hero, come back and make me your wife.....

    did that get rid of it?


    Parent

    I have heard (none / 0) (#28)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:34:50 AM EST
    The way to get rid of it is to listen to the whole song.  Supposedly an ear worm is your brain working to finish the song, $uck it up and listen to it!

    Parent
    Aaaarrggghhhh! (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:58:04 AM EST
    Not going to go there, but thanks, anyway, jbindc.  I'm busy aborting the Three Stooges Alphabet Song now, whenever it intrudes on my brain.

    Parent
    My new earworm (none / 0) (#38)
    by Cream City on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:33:49 AM EST
    from the HBO show I am enjoying:  "Down in the Treme."  And I like my earworm, as it's peppy.

    I like Cher, too, but "Gypsies" is too peppy, bordering on screechy.  

    I long ago gave up on not having earworms; they're just part of me.  What I have to fight is letting on to others that I've always got some tune going on in my head -- I have to fight humming out loud.:-)

    Parent

    LOL! (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:48:00 AM EST
    Me, too!  I hum and/or sing and/or whistle the song going around in my head all the time!  Not in public, though, just at home or in the car.  Usually, the songs don't bother me, and I can replace them easily with something I like better, but the Gypsies song was particularly insidious, and even interfered with my sleep last night.

    Parent
    Actually I kinda like that Chér (none / 0) (#44)
    by brodie on Wed May 19, 2010 at 12:01:03 PM EST
    song.  Gee-yup-sees, trampsun thieves, you hear it in the town all around as they call us ...  

    One of her better early solo efforts.  Catchy travelin' tune.

    But if you insist on getting rid of it, one way is via the old law of similars taken from the world of alternative medicine.  I recommend one of these every two hours until symptoms cease and desist.

    Parent

    Not to take anything (none / 0) (#46)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 12:21:16 PM EST
    away from Cher, but if I have to watch an older music video every two hours, I'd rather watch this one.

    Parent
    Thanks (none / 0) (#113)
    by sj on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:45:21 PM EST
    I love Cher. That's a nice high quality video of a spectacularly beautiful woman.

    Parent
    I have just what you need: (none / 0) (#39)
    by observed on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:36:33 AM EST
    It's a small world . . . . (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:49:41 AM EST
    That's just hateful! (none / 0) (#45)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 12:20:58 PM EST
    Glad I have headphones on now, else I'd now have an ear worm and visions of dancing dolls!

    Parent
    'Getting rid of Arlen' (none / 0) (#19)
    by Makarov on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:51:40 AM EST
    in favor of someone who supports more, bigger war in Afghanistan and opposes even state level single payer health care is not a worthy goal, in my opinion.

    I was optimistic about Sestak when he first announced he would pursue Specter's seat. I kept an open mind about him even as he avoided staking out progressive/liberal/traditional Democratic positions on health care reform, financial reform, social security/entitlement reform, foreign wars, and economic recovery.

    I attended a speaking / Q&A event Joe Sestak held this past winter that totally erased any optimism I still had. He is not a liberal, progressive, or anything like a traditional Democrat. I suspect he will closely follow whatever line congressional leaders and the White House set for him.

    Sestak will not be getting my vote in November. I might have bit my tongue and voted for Arlen Specter vs. Toomey. Sestak won't earn my vote unless he does something substantial and surprising between now and then - and it will have to be more than a promise to do something after he's elected Senator.

    excuse me (none / 0) (#21)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 09:53:43 AM EST
    I suspect he will closely follow whatever line congressional leaders and the White House set for him.

    have you been paying attention at all?

    Parent

    except (none / 0) (#30)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:40:07 AM EST
    Specter was/is actually a moderate.

    OK (none / 0) (#31)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 10:44:10 AM EST
    I for one, will tone down my glee that he is gone, to a moderate glee...

    Parent
    actually (none / 0) (#105)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:41:39 PM EST
    I think its definitely "was"

    Parent
    In words only (none / 0) (#109)
    by sj on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:44:47 PM EST
    When it came time to vote he's actually an opportunist.

    Parent
    Polanski t-shirt. Limited edition. (none / 0) (#43)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 11:50:35 AM EST
    AP

    Wow. Is that the level of creativity one can (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:31:15 PM EST
    expect from the creative class? Plain white letters (is that Helvetica), that just say "Polanski" -- on a black T-shirt no less. Why didn't I think of that.

    Parent
    "Kafkaesque." (none / 0) (#100)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:38:34 PM EST
    Let's make a Woody Allen t-shirt to go with it. (none / 0) (#47)
    by Angel on Wed May 19, 2010 at 12:28:45 PM EST
    Woody Says Free Roman Now :) (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 12:32:21 PM EST
    Yeah (none / 0) (#49)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 12:50:16 PM EST
    And on the back:

    Think of The Children!

    I Did and got PTSD

    Parent

    This part is news to me: (none / 0) (#50)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:03:19 PM EST
    Prosecutors have met with a British actress who claims she was sexually abused by Roman Polanski when she was 16.


    Parent
    "If Charlotte's allegations are accepted as true; then Mr. Polanski was able to victimize another child while he was a fugitive from justice."


    Parent
    This may be the woman who had a (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:06:15 PM EST
    press conference organized by Gloria Allred.  I'm wondering why she waited so long to come forward.  

    Parent
    If true, I would think it is because (none / 0) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:08:08 PM EST
    your life is never really your own again once you have been this exposed at this level of society.

    Parent
    She Needs The Publicity Now (none / 0) (#54)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:08:31 PM EST
    A career move, no doubt.

    Parent
    I don't know (5.00 / 4) (#56)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:13:25 PM EST
    I kept something that happened to me very secret for years, but came forward with it much much later when it was obvious that the guy was reoffending.  It turned out to be a very good thing for myself as well (very healing), but I had to make sure that I was prepared to and could defend myself in the small town that I lived in.  Perhaps she finally feels that she can deal with those who will call her a liar and come up with a list of reasons why she is simply vindictive or attention seeking.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#58)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:29:46 PM EST
    Well considering you neither wanted publicity nor got any, your motives are clear. It can be transformational to utter things locked away.. not to mention outing abusers.

    The actress in question, seems to have less honorable intentions, imo.  

    Parent

    Oh very wrong (5.00 / 5) (#64)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:39:31 PM EST
    I got publicity, just not national or global publicity.  I read the story of her teen years and actually she fits pretty closely to what I went through except she had press interested in her.  I went through a time of telling myself he was "in love" with me even though he was in a committed relationship.  Then I went through a time of following him about asking what I had done to him to make him angry with me.  All this even though there was nothing loving in the attack other than he drove me home afterwards.  I was told that my response is a common response for a teen girl.  It is overwhelming acknowledging that someone had attacked you and taken from you what they did, instead of crashing and burning into that horror we try to transform it into something else that we can hopefully rescue and save.  We try to make it okay in our fragile teenage minds by dressing it in love or attraction.......anything other than what it really was.  The gross thing is, I remember the guy really getting off on what he had done to me and what my actions afterwards were.  I was only slightly beyond a child though, but always an outspoken girl.  Years later, when tallying up his victims and discovering who some of them were, that was the girl he chose time and again....the one who felt strong and outspoken.

    Parent
    It took me 20 years to admit to myself (5.00 / 5) (#178)
    by esmense on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:30:36 PM EST
    that I'd been raped as a teenager (I never told my family, and, 20 years later, only 2 very close friends). It was my first sexual experience. I buried it so deep -- but when I finally acknowledged it, I realized what a profound affect it had on my life (I married way too young, at barely 18, for one thing).

    Parent
    You don't need to justify anything, MT (4.00 / 4) (#72)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:47:50 PM EST
    I'm so sorry for whatever happened to you.

    Parent
    Thanks (5.00 / 4) (#75)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:53:26 PM EST
    For what it is worth I think it made me a better person, at least a more understanding person about such issues.  It certainly contributed to my feminism :)  And feminism empowered me to come forward and maybe, just maybe, make it less likely for someone else to be abused.

    Parent
    Quite Different, IMO (none / 0) (#70)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:46:20 PM EST
     
    except she had press interested in her.
    I would put it differently, she not only had press interested in her, she has a full time press agent working it for her career.

    BTW-did all the press help your career? This actress' name has been on the front page of Google news for over a week.

    It seems a rather shameless PR effort to me.

    Parent

    That doesn't mean it didn't happen. (5.00 / 6) (#86)
    by Anne on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:18:14 PM EST
    I'm pretty sure that anyone who decided to make an accusation like that against someone "famous," someone who has already used the media to accumulate a significant amount of support from a very powerful Hollywood community, would be foolish not to get the protection of a lawyer and someone to manage the resulting publicity.

    I am not personally a big Gloria Allred fan; she may be an excellent attorney, but her own notoriety comes with baggage that has a tendency to make people question the veracity of her clients - pretty much the last thing someone like Lewis really needs.  

    But, it still doesn't mean that what Charlotte Lewis says happened didn't, or that she - like all the others who have had similar experiences - doesn't have a right to come forward.

    Parent

    It? (2.00 / 1) (#90)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:30:46 PM EST
    What pray tell was it? Sodomy? Rape? Bludgeoning? Torture? Being forced to eat feces?

    Yeah, Polanski could have done it, but at this point there is little more than innuendo floating around and an out of work actor getting lots of PR. Smells bad to me.

    Parent

    From NY Daily News (none / 0) (#133)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:57:41 PM EST
    Charlotte Lewis, who came forward about her history with Polanski at a press conference Friday, told London's Daily Mail this weekend she initially refused the director's advances when she met him in 1983 to audition for "Pirates."
    'He just said very coldly, "If you're not a big enough girl to have sex with me, you're not big enough to do the screen test. I must sleep with every actress that I work with, that's how I get to know them, how I mould them," ' Lewis said.
    Though the 16-year-old left Polanski's Paris apartment claiming she had a boyfriend, she later returned and eventually won the role in "Pirates."


    Parent
    That's how I mould them? (5.00 / 2) (#177)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:30:13 PM EST
    Disgusting.

    Parent
    Prosecutorial Evidence (none / 0) (#200)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:45:14 PM EST
    Is that how prosecutors determine facts?  As long as it makes the defendant look bad, use anything, because a win is another career notch in the belt?

    Parent
    If the case were tried to a jury, (5.00 / 1) (#204)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:48:02 PM EST
    this evidence would be admissable, at least in CA state court as an admission against interest.  Up to jury to determine whether the evidence is credible.  

    Parent
    No Wonder US is Prison Nation (none / 0) (#211)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:52:27 PM EST
    are you making an argument (none / 0) (#136)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:59:47 PM EST
    for or against her?

    Parent
    Hmmmm (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:11:13 PM EST
    "Sleep with me or you don't get the job.". Sounds sleazy to me.  And if her statement us true, that means there are more actresses out there in the same boat  who could conceivably come forward.

    Parent
    I like Tony Curtis' line (5.00 / 1) (#163)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:18:10 PM EST
    after one of Kubrick's patented 200 takes for 3 minute sequence in Spartacus: "Who do you have to f*ck to get OUT of this movie?"

    Not to make light of the casting couch syndrome..

    Parent

    and what (none / 0) (#199)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:44:28 PM EST
    admit they slept with him  for a job.

    go for it.

    Parent

    Doesn't look like any sort of argument (5.00 / 4) (#156)
    by sj on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:12:14 PM EST
    pro OR con.  Just a snippet to show what is under discussion.  

    Ms. Lewis doesn't need anyone either "for" or "against" her.  She's doing what's she's doing for her own reasons.  She doesn't need to justify it to anyone.

    Parent

    thats good (none / 0) (#160)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:16:58 PM EST
    because with this:

    that's how I get to know them, how I mould them," ' Lewis said.
    Though the 16-year-old left Polanski's Paris apartment claiming she had a boyfriend, she later returned and eventually won the role in "Pirates."

    the last leg to stand on goes.


    Parent

    Sexual Abuse Is A Crime (none / 0) (#152)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:10:26 PM EST
    Now, out of work actress Charlett Lewis, accused Polanski of sexual abuse in the "worst possible way".

    This headline has been repeated 1000s of times by now.

    What she said in 1989:

     

    In fairness to the Mail on Sunday, they did at least do a little research in the cuttings library before going to press, and actually included a comment Lewis had made on the record about Polanski in 1986: "I found him very attractive. I'd love to have had a romantic relationship with him - and a physical one. You can't help falling in love with him. But he didn't want me that way."

    Guardian

    Parent

    Stockholm syndrome after sexual abuse (5.00 / 3) (#159)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:16:55 PM EST
    Been there, done that, it is nothing new to happen after a teenage girl has been sexually abused.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#170)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:23:28 PM EST
    Stockholm syndrome manifested as a career move... a new one but I am sure it is in the DSM.

    Parent
    Oy (5.00 / 2) (#167)
    by sj on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:20:30 PM EST
    If I had to square everything I said/understood/felt in 1989 with what I know now I would just crawl into a hole and stay there.  

    Thank God I'm not in the public eye so there isn't a printed record of some of my more stupid actions/statements.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#197)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:42:24 PM EST
    And for many saying stupid things never stops...

    Parent
    Of course (5.00 / 1) (#176)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:28:31 PM EST
    Robert Harris, the author of that opinion piece has no vested interest.... Oh, wait......

    From Wiki:

    Harris wrote a screenplay of his novel Pompeii for director Roman Polanski. The film, to be produced by Summit Entertainment, was announced at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 as potentially the most expensive European film ever made, set to be shot in Spain. Media reports suggested Polanski wanted Orlando Bloom and Scarlett Johansson to play the two leads. The film was cancelled as a result of the looming actor's strike that fall.

    Polanski and Harris then turned to Harris's current bestseller, The Ghost. They co-wrote a script and Polanski announced filming for early 2008, with Nicolas Cage, Pierce Brosnan, Tilda Swinton, and Kim Cattrall starring. The film was then postponed by a year, with Ewan McGregor and Olivia Williams replacing Cage and Swinton.

    The film, retitled The Ghost Writer, was shot in early 2009 in Berlin and on the island of Sylt in the North Sea, which stood in for London and Martha's Vineyard due to Polanski's inability to legally travel to those places. In spite of his recent incarceration, he has continued working on post-production, and the film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2010, with Polanski winning the Silver Bear for Best Director award.



    Parent
    So because she's already in the public eye (5.00 / 3) (#108)
    by sj on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:44:34 PM EST
    she should just keep her mouth shut?  Is that what you're saying?  Just suck it up?

    Parent
    Huh? (none / 0) (#114)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:45:44 PM EST
    You're being derisive (none / 0) (#131)
    by sj on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:57:09 PM EST
    because this is some kind of career enhancing publicity seeking move.  If she had a different type of life or career that wasn't in the public eye you wouldn't be able to make the types of remarks that you are making now.  

    So tell me, in your opinion, what is a valid course of action?  It seems she has two options.

    1. Speak up and deal with comments like yours that cast all sorts of aspersions on her motives and character, or

    2.  not speak and suck it up.  

    In your opinion, what is a valid course of action?

    Parent
    Sue Polanski (none / 0) (#196)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:41:33 PM EST
    Take it to the courts. Not the court of public opinion.

    Parent
    I've heard that from a shrink... (none / 0) (#129)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:56:31 PM EST
    The type of girl, or woman, some sexual abusers go for:
    the one who felt strong and outspoken.


    Parent
    Usually there is some sort of pattern (5.00 / 1) (#144)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:05:59 PM EST
    And Polanski obviously has a "pattern" of young girls, and up to now was pretty dismissive about his penchant to anyone pointing it out to him and the fact that perhaps it is a concern.

    Parent
    Pattern? (none / 0) (#193)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:40:19 PM EST
    Really, and you are basing this pattern on what? One admission in 1978 and the current claim of Ms. Lewis?

    Parent
    Natasha Kinski was only 15 (5.00 / 3) (#205)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:48:06 PM EST
    when Polanski had sex with her.

    Parent
    Squeaky, who is "she"? (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:38:31 PM EST
    Do you know her story? You must know it intimately. How else could you say:
    She Needs The Publicity Now [nice headline caps]. A career move, no doubt.


    Parent
    Story? (none / 0) (#107)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:43:32 PM EST
    No need to know anything about her. The daily headlines say it all. Innuendo, and particularly this type, is a disgusting way of calling attention to yourself.

    Parent
    As opposed to what you do here all day ;-) (5.00 / 3) (#118)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:47:11 PM EST
    Amazing (none / 0) (#128)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:56:16 PM EST
    How right wing many of crowd who arrived at TL to support Hillary crowd is. Trying someone in the press, and calling for his head, because someone made vague claims, is fine and dandy.

    You people would sell your rights away, so that you can personally feel safer, in a second, evidentially.

    Parent

    See, that's what I mean! (5.00 / 3) (#140)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:04:03 PM EST
    That kind of reactionary hysterical projection is what we get from you all day, every day.

    Shut us up by calling us right-wingers -- how's that working for you Squeaky?

    Not well at all, is it?

    Parent

    I thought "hysteria" (none / 0) (#146)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:07:17 PM EST
    was a sexist term?

    You could've saved me a lot of trouble during the primaries, when the avenging angels and Carrie Nations were out in full force.

    Parent

    Yeah it is. I was just testing you. (5.00 / 4) (#212)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed May 19, 2010 at 04:01:14 PM EST
    And maybe fighting fire with fire, so to speak. Nothing else seems to work.

    More to the point, why should we (the "Hillary crowd", aka "Hilltards" to Squeaky) always be the restrained, politically correct, non-name-callers?

    Oh, right...it works better for you when we poor suckers bring a  knife to a gun fight. That $hit is getting tired.

    Parent

    There it is! (5.00 / 5) (#141)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:04:14 PM EST
    4 pm EDT and we finally get an unrelated Hillary comment!


    Parent
    It's called Free Speech (none / 0) (#171)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:25:06 PM EST
    and there's no fatwa here against it, so Im afraid you're gonna have to deal with Our Lady's holy name being soiled by contact with earthly things at times.

    Parent
    The point is (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by jbindc on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:32:57 PM EST
    Squeaks brings it in at random and unrelated times - at the point where she knows she has no argument, so she throws in a gratuitous Hillary! to (unsuccessfully) make a rational point.

    Parent
    It's her right (none / 0) (#191)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:37:57 PM EST
    guaranteed by the Constitution. And I brought it too. And still believe it's relevant to the overall context of the discussion.

    Parent
    Hardly Unrelated (none / 0) (#207)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:48:48 PM EST
    A flood of tough on crime folks, like you came to TL as refugees because other sites became hostile to Hillary fanatics.

    It used to be that the tough on crime crowd here at TL was limited to Right Wingers.

    Things change.

    Parent

    I think we are calling for more (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by Militarytracy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:10:25 PM EST
    details and perhaps some evidence, but of course this is one of those crimes where the only evidence that usually remains at this late date are dates and times of he said she said and a certain brokeness and despair to the victim.  That can usually be repaired in some fashion.  And usually calling out your abuser is the start of that.

    Parent
    Took an unusually long time to (5.00 / 5) (#184)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:33:19 PM EST
    turn this into a Hillary Clinton discussion.

    Parent
    Trying someone in the press? (5.00 / 1) (#198)
    by nycstray on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:42:40 PM EST
    exactly what are you doing in regards to her?

    I'm sure everyone will feel safer if Roman gets locked down . .   ;)

    Parent

    by everyone (none / 0) (#202)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:46:31 PM EST
    I expect you mean the US law and order faction.

    because "everyone" does not share you view.  not by a long shot.


    Parent

    I have not expressed my view (none / 0) (#209)
    by nycstray on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:50:55 PM EST
    I was referring to Squeak's "everyone"

    Parent
    I feel so much safer... (none / 0) (#203)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:46:50 PM EST
    since the Somali kid got 20+ years...if we cage Roman we'll all surely be Cheney Secret Bunker safe...right?

    I wish the creator would get to the punchline already....this joke is killing me its so long.

    Parent

    Squeaking for me only, I attack you because I envy (5.00 / 3) (#214)
    by Ellie on Wed May 19, 2010 at 04:35:40 PM EST
    ... your freedoms and can't stand that you're more beautiful than me.

    Parent
    did you happen to catch (none / 0) (#134)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:57:52 PM EST
    yesterdays discussion of free speech?

    Parent
    It seemed to be mostly (none / 0) (#142)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:04:28 PM EST
    about the problem of the lack of free speech in Islamic counties.

    And what expressions of free speech - which will occur regardless - are good ideas and which ones aren't.

    Parent

    Which expressions.. (none / 0) (#147)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:08:10 PM EST
    Sweden (none / 0) (#189)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:36:11 PM EST
    is not a muslim country

    Parent
    Im enjoying this (none / 0) (#208)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:48:53 PM EST
    allowed-to-disagree thing, myself..

    Parent
    Funny that.. (none / 0) (#155)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:12:04 PM EST
    It's another expression that If-the-master-thinks-it-it-MUST-be-true phenomenon.

    Parent
    Through her 20 year career, (none / 0) (#57)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:14:12 PM EST
    Through her 20 year career, Lewis was on an episode of Seinfeld and multiple TV shows. When asked if she was shopping a book deal, Allred responded by saying "next question."


    Parent
    Why would it be wrong if Charlotte Lewis (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:46:08 PM EST
    were, indeed, "shopping a book deal"?

    Polanski 'shops' his movies, right? And he's exploited, or spun, his own notoriety into quite the success story hasn't he?

    Why should he be the only one to make a buck off it?

    Parent

    No argument. (none / 0) (#124)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:52:23 PM EST
    I was just providing some relevent info. I took no position on it.

    Parent
    lol (none / 0) (#59)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:30:02 PM EST
    I want the knife...... (none / 0) (#96)
    by vicndabx on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:34:51 PM EST
    please......

    Parent
    Yes, Charlotte Lewis. (none / 0) (#55)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:12:30 PM EST
    LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles County prosecutors have met with a British actress who claims she was sexually abused by director Roman Polanski in his Paris apartment when she was 16 - years before she appeared in one of his movies.

    Charlotte Lewis, 42, said Friday that the filmmaker abused her "in the worst possible way" sometime in the 1980s.



    Parent
    Innuendo (none / 0) (#60)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:31:13 PM EST
    Powerful stuff, and pretty cowardly, imo.

    Parent
    To what do you attribute your views (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:09:38 PM EST
    on Roman Polanski and his accusers?

    Parent
    Accusers? (none / 0) (#89)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:27:54 PM EST
    Seems to me that there is one. And, maybe the fact that I never was interested in becoming a prosecutor like you, makes me more sensitive to defendants rights than prosecutors claims.

    Parent
    Well, Mr. Polanski pleaded guilty re (5.00 / 5) (#95)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:34:37 PM EST
    one accuser.  Now another person is accusing him.  As to the latter, he hasn't, to my knowledge, commented on her accusations, pleaded guilty, or been tried.  She isn't automatically credible, but not automatically not credible either.  

    Parent
    Speaking of Accusers (none / 0) (#190)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:37:27 PM EST
    The first accuser is accusing the LA courts of corruption, and wants Polainski to be free.

    Parent
    The age of consent is 15 in France ... (none / 0) (#126)
    by Robot Porter on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:54:23 PM EST
    and 16 in the UK.  So unless she could prove force was involved, hard to do 20 years after the fact, it isn't much of a story.

    Parent
    but (none / 0) (#130)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:56:43 PM EST
    what a book

    Parent
    No Story (none / 0) (#132)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:57:38 PM EST
    Just daily headlines...

    Parent
    He sd., she sd. w/o physical evidence. (none / 0) (#153)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:10:45 PM EST
    But not unusual for a jury to convict.  But what is the statute of limitations in France.  Lupin?

    Parent
    10 Years (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:17:29 PM EST
    Hey, squeak: (none / 0) (#168)
    by scribe on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:21:47 PM EST
    how is that you come to know all the details of furrin' (French) laws on this topic?

    Parent
    Wiki? (none / 0) (#186)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:34:19 PM EST
    Hmmm... (none / 0) (#188)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:36:05 PM EST
    I am sometimes wrong (forget), but in general I remember what I read, and have read quite a bit about the Polanski affair. Somewhere it came up about statute of limitations in France would not allow this crime to proceed because it is 10 years after the fact...  of course they were wrong, because there is no statute of limitations in this particular situation.

    Parent
    As I recall, that S/L was regarding (none / 0) (#201)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:46:09 PM EST
    the equivalent of CA Penal Code section 261.5.

    Parent
    Actually had fun... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:31:50 PM EST
    at JP Morgan Chase Bank today...succumbed to the "6 dolla cash my paycheck vig even though my employer has an account with you arseholes" because my pockets were holding nothing but lint and I wanted some Wonton Soup, and the check-cashing guy is all the way over by my house...so anyway as I'm trying to smear my fingerprint so as to make it unlegible, I overhear a firey lady reading her teller the riot act over the same 6 dolla vig...she ain't having it, and unlike yours truly she has the patience to fight.  As she waits for the manager I tell her she is absolutely right but we just can't win, and saluted her for raising some hell and making 'em at least get grief for the 6 bones.

    Knowing she is out there with me was well worth the 6 bucks today...this one goes out to you, firey tired of gettin' screwed Lady.  You made my day.

     

    This fee is outrageous (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:52:42 PM EST
    And tantamount to usury.  They shouldn't charge you anything to cash a check that is drawn on their bank.  If they're going to charge anything, maybe a buck.  How much is it going to cost them, anyway, to suck that money from their own customer's account to give to you?  A few seconds of the teller's time, and a few strokes of the keyboard.  If tellers get around $10-12/hour, then a minute of a teller's time costs about 17-20 cents.  I bet it took him/her no more than two minutes, tops, to complete the transaction, and maybe a penny, if that, for the electricity to power the computer use.  So 41 cents.  Even charging a buck, they make money.  Good for the lady who caused a fuss- I hope she took up more than $6.00 of their collective time.

    Parent
    She's my hero of the day Z... (5.00 / 0) (#78)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:07:26 PM EST
    the American spirit isn't totally dead and buried...that lady had it in spades.

    It's extortion basically...open a checking account or else we'll make you pay to get your pay...the mafia way...can't say it doesn't suit them...but I think they had it better in the old days giving away toasters to draw in new accounts...but when the market is rigged for ya I guess there is no need to try and win customers with kindness and good service anymore...just strongarm.

    Parent

    Organize a "bank action" (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by denise k on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:56:00 PM EST
    If we all were to raise a stink every time it gets charged, it is going to cost the bank a lot more than $6 for each check cashed.  Then maybe they will get the idea.  

    Maybe a reverse boycott where everyone who can afford to spend time engaging a teller, goes into the bank and tries to cash a check, makes a stink that takes a ton of time, then leaves without getting your money out if they don't waive the fee.  If nothing else, it will feel good.

    As for me, I closed my BofA account and went to my credit union where they know my name and they stand on their heads (metaphorically speaking) to keep me happy.    

    Parent

    I like your idea... (none / 0) (#143)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:05:08 PM EST
    my only reservation is...those poor tellers!  I'm not to keen on giving other working sclubs a hard time...they hate doing it as much as we hate the bank doing it.

    But we can get around that...ask for the branch manager first thing, then raise a big stink...thats the ticket

    And when they ask for prints like you're a perp, slice your hand open and say "here, take a blood sample while you're at it!"

    Parent

    Wells Fargo charged me (none / 0) (#138)
    by Raskolnikov on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:00:46 PM EST
    $2 to check the balance at their own ATM.  Ironically, it didn't cost me anything to get a printout from a personal banker of my previous months transactions.  You get your balance free if you withdraw or deposit money though, very strange all round.

    Parent
    Chase Makes $5million A Day (none / 0) (#62)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:33:20 PM EST
    Today... (none / 0) (#71)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:47:22 PM EST
    at least they earned 6 of them ducats...this lady was raising serious hell...it was awesome.

    Parent
    Hey... (none / 0) (#63)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:34:50 PM EST
    ...are you going to Mountain Jam--or whatever they're calling Levon's 70th birthday celebration?  

    Parent
    Wish I was... (none / 0) (#69)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:46:07 PM EST
    sick lineup, but I'm off to Orlando on the 10th, and thats where current discretionary funds have been allocated.

    With no 4th of July Ramble on the farm this year, we're shooting for the New Years Ramble as the next Levon experience.

    You're not heading over are ya?...then I just might have to find a way!

    Parent

    Naw... (none / 0) (#76)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:54:38 PM EST
    ...that'd be a little outside my allowable roaming area.  

    If you were going, I was hoping to get a review of the McLovin's.  Three extremely talented high school kids from CT that I stumbled across on YouTube.  

    Parent

    Cool name... (none / 0) (#77)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:03:40 PM EST
    I'll keep my eyes open...if they're from CT they must play around the way.

    Parent
    It appears... (none / 0) (#81)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:10:56 PM EST
    ...that since they're still in HS, they don't venture too far from home.  The guitarist has more talent in his little finger than all of the current "teen stars" put together.  And, you'd appreciate that the drummer does the vocals--just like Levon!

    Somebody I wanted to see was going to be at the Bowery Ballroom (?)-- Jay Farrar perhaps.

    Parent

    Love the Bowery Ballroom... (none / 0) (#88)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:24:29 PM EST
    awesome venue.  Can't say Farrar rings a bell...you're giving me lots of homework teach!

    Do have 2 on the agenda coming up...Peter Wolf over in Crooklyn on 5/28...that'll be a first.  And the Crowes on 6/2...then Further over in Coney after the Orlando trip...I love Summertime!

    Parent

    Since the borg... (none / 0) (#103)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:39:54 PM EST
    ...has seen fit to block YouTube, here is the applicable Wiki page:

    Jay Farrar

    If I were ever to have to explain "American" music to someone--I would just play an Uncle Tupelo or Son Volt disc for them.  

    I'm debating going to see the Dead Weather and Silversun Pickups in the coming couple of weeks.  Both of them are playing on a Saturday, so I can actually stay up late(r).

    Parent

    I say do it... (none / 0) (#111)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:45:09 PM EST
    one or both...you know you'll be glad you did.

    And if Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses roll through Colorado, you better jump on that bro...its upsetting they rarely come to the NY, Cowboys that they are...best newer act I've seen in a loooong time.

    Parent

    Do you plan to see/the 14th Dalai Lama (none / 0) (#145)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:07:07 PM EST
    at Madison Square Garden?  Starts May 20 I think.

    Parent
    Nah... (none / 0) (#174)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:27:16 PM EST
    Not my scene...seems like a nice enough guy, I wish him luck banging heads with China, but anybody with "His Holiness" as a prefix to their name kinda freaks me out.

    My path to enlightenment goes a different route...

    Parent

    kdog (5.00 / 2) (#206)
    by Cream City on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:48:26 PM EST
    your scene is not so different from his.:-)

    Really, meeting the Dalai Lama is a marvelous experience.  If we all could have his worldview -- and his sense of humor -- it would be a better world.  (Heck, if I could have your worldview, I'd have lower blood pressure.:-)

    Re his sense of humor, here's an example from last week, a gift from a children's group at the event.  He would not take it off all night.

    Parent

    Yeah... (none / 0) (#150)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:10:16 PM EST
    ...but it is hard to make advance committments (especially at $50 a pop) when I have no idea how I'm going to be feeling on any given day.  

    It's a looooong way to NYC from Hobbs, NM--I'll definately keep an eye out to see if they swing through this old cow town though.  

    Parent

    I hear ya... (none / 0) (#162)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:17:38 PM EST
    make 'em gametime decisions...always a ticket to be had at the door....I'm tempted to do the same with MountainJam now that you've planted the seed in my brain.

    Parent
    Senate amendment to limit ATM (none / 0) (#82)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:11:50 PM EST
    charges to 50 cents--failed.

    Meanwhile, Harry, the garage door guy, sd. B of A, where his business checking account has been for over 20 years, retroactively assessed him $300 for having a checking account w/B of A.  Harry is mad as hell.

    Parent

    BofA (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:50:16 PM EST
    is a corporation of thieves.  if its BofA against Harry, Im with Harry.


    Parent
    I'm starting to like Harry... (none / 0) (#102)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:39:43 PM EST
    ya think he's wisin' up yet?  The masters are screwing him left and right it seems.

    And you tricked me with that NYT Dining link...I thought it would contain the locations of eat-easys serving Rasta Pasta or something, but its just an article about stoner chefs inspired by the sacrament...pretty cool though, Thanks:)

    Parent

    Harry is also a mouther of conspiracy (none / 0) (#112)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:45:14 PM EST
    theories.  But he responds quickly to garage door repair calls and does a good job.

    Parent
    Harry may be (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:47:50 PM EST
    a believer in conspiracy theories, but are you truly paranoid if they really are out to get you?  ;-)

    Parent
    Good to know... (none / 0) (#121)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:48:11 PM EST
    Harry lets you have it in the real world, and my arse in the cyber world...this will speed along your re-education:)

    Parent
    Probably will also required intense (none / 0) (#122)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:49:33 PM EST
    bombardment whilst housed in a cage.

    Parent
    It's not that important... (none / 0) (#165)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:19:04 PM EST
    to ever wish a cage on you my dear...it's a soul-crusher if an eye-opener.

    Parent
    It figures that it failed (none / 0) (#115)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:45:50 PM EST
    Too many politicians won't resist the pressures from the banks.  As for poor Harry- they sure get you coming and going, don't they?

    Parent
    The sad part though Z... (none / 0) (#135)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:59:14 PM EST
    is we don't even need the politicians to fight the ATM fee battle for us.

    The answer there is as simple as stop using the stupid f*ckin' ATM.  Some of their leechery is hard to avoid, but this one is easy.

    Parent

    I do use ATM's (none / 0) (#157)
    by Zorba on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:16:17 PM EST
    but only the ones at my bank branches (of which there are several scattered around, thankfully), because it's convenient and they don't charge me a fee.  I won't use a foreign ATM, or use my ATM card as a debit card, because then fees are involved.  If my bank ever starts to charge for customers using their own ATM's, I'll stop using them altogether.  

    Parent
    What? They charged you a fee even though (none / 0) (#195)
    by esmense on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:41:07 PM EST
    the check was drawn on an account at their bank? What state is this?

    My personal checking acount was at Washington Mutual which is now Chase. I have been thinking about switching to another bank because I just hate their attitude and policies. This has got to be the last straw. I don't know whether they are doing this in my state or not, but I don't care. If they are doing it anywhere, they don't deserve my business.

    Parent

    check out (none / 0) (#66)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:41:31 PM EST
    this hail storm

    stick with it.  it gets better.

    That's amazing! (none / 0) (#87)
    by Robot Porter on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:24:21 PM EST
    In fact, it's a hail of a video.

    :::ducks:::

    Parent

    Splish, splash. (none / 0) (#164)
    by scribe on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:19:03 PM EST
    Too bad for mom's orange tree (in the pot).

    Parent
    love this (none / 0) (#67)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:43:21 PM EST
    from Republico

    For any politician with the usual instincts for self-protection, the lessons of Tuesday's primaries could not be more clear: This could happen to you.

    Arlen Specter lost in Pennsylvania even though the party-switching Democrat was recruited and backed by a sitting president. Rand Paul won in Kentucky even though the Republican was regarded as an eccentric renegade by that state's political establishment.

    The 2010 electorate has swallowed an emetic -- disgorging in a series of retching convulsions officeholders in both parties who seem to embody conventional Washington politics.



    its on (none / 0) (#68)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 01:44:45 PM EST
    lets rock and roll


    Facebook blocked in Pakistan over Prophet Mohammed cartoon row

    A Pakistani court has blocked Facebook amid a growing row over a competition on the social networking website to design cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.



    I like this part (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:13:18 PM EST
    The Koran does not explicitly forbid images of Mohammed, but a number of hadith, or interpretations of the Islamic holy book, forbid figural representations.

    so
    its not really official but someone just decided they would kill people for it.


    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#98)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:37:24 PM EST
    People still get killed in the US just because of how they look.

    No shortage of crazies who will use the most convenient reason to justify their bloodlust.


    Parent

    come on (none / 0) (#104)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:40:40 PM EST
    you cant compare some random hate crime or drive by to this.

    Parent
    You Kidding, Right? (none / 0) (#110)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:44:56 PM EST
    This is textbook. We have a long history of it in the USA.

    Parent
    a long history (none / 0) (#119)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:47:40 PM EST
    of what

    Parent
    Of (none / 0) (#137)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:00:33 PM EST
    Killing black people in the name of Christianity (KKK et al). Killing brown people in the name of protecting our children. Killing people because they do not speak english.

    The book of Mormon stated that Blacks were the spawn of the Devil.

    Parent

    ok (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:08:30 PM EST
    Killing black people in the name of Christianity (KKK et al).

    I dont think this is all that common in recent history.

    Killing brown people in the name of protecting our children. Killing people because they do not speak english.

    not really sure what you are referring to here but whatever it was it is not what you would call "american mainstream"

    The book of Mormon stated that Blacks were the spawn of the Devil.

    even tho I am pretty sure it didnt say kill them, even if it did the Mormons are a cult, IMO, and are taken seriously by practically no one except other mormons.

    what we are talking about here is going on right now as we speak.  it is as mainstream as it gets in those countries.  
    that cartoonist has had to go into hiding.  and may still be killed.  the freakin government of Pakistan shut down FaceBook - ok big loss, so what, I wish the US government would do it actually - but not the point.

    look.  I dont give a rats a$$ what batsh!t crazy drivel they want to believe.  but they will not, that is WILL NOT, shut down free speech in THIS country because of their f*cked up dark age beliefs.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#158)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:16:22 PM EST
    And is it is hardly mainstream for Muslims to kill those who dare depict Mohammed. It is certainly not unreasonable for mainstream Muslims to bear animosity toward those would set out to try and offend them, though.

    Think smearing a jewish temple with pigs blood, or nazi grafitti.

    Mainstream jews would be angry by the provocation, fringe looneys would take up arms, think Meyer Khani et al.

    Parent

    excuse me (none / 0) (#166)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:19:08 PM EST
    And is it is hardly mainstream for Muslims to kill those who dare depict Mohammed.

    this is just wrong.  I would suggest you read some of the stories about this cartoonist and some of his recent public appearances.


    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#181)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:32:18 PM EST
    And you may want to read stories about neo nazi marches and how the jews et al. who are watching want to kill them.

    This provocation is not isolated, think Iraq invasion, Palestinian atrocities, secret prisons, and general anti Muslim sentiment.

    The cartoon Image of Alfred E. Neuman was derived from anti-semitic poster boy depicting the depraved money hungry jew... just a cartoon, but these images used stereotypes in order to stir up hatred.

    Parent

    "wanting" to kill them (none / 0) (#192)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:39:26 PM EST
    is not the same as killing them.
    or even threatening to kill them.

    Alfred E Neuman? I think we (or at least you) have gone off the rails.

    Parent

    excuse me #2 (none / 0) (#169)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:22:30 PM EST
    Think smearing a jewish temple with pigs blood, or nazi grafitti.

    ridiculous comparison.  simply ridiculous.
    IT WAS A CARTOON FER GODS SAKE.

    now, that may be comparable to what you say in freakin Pakistan but I dont live in Pakistan.
    and neither does Lars.

    in western countries we draw cartoons.  its what we do.  if you cant deal with that. DONT LIVE HERE.

    Parent

    Intentional Provocation (none / 0) (#172)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:26:03 PM EST
    Masterminded by neocon Daniel Pipes. Sorry, just a cartoon does not wash here.

    Parent
    well (none / 0) (#173)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:27:03 PM EST
    it can wash or not wash but we will continue to draw cartoons of any freakin thing we want.

    try to stop us.


    Parent

    Go for it (none / 0) (#179)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:30:48 PM EST
    Me, I've been obsessing ever since last night about what a shame it would be if the catering company slipped up and accidentally delivered anthrax dip to the next Monsanto board meeting (only in a symbolic sense, I mean)

    Parent
    And we're still effing (none / 0) (#185)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:33:53 PM EST
    idiots, 50 mil + of whom elected Bush to two terms.

    So much for "Free Speech" in itself being a guaranteer of anything like enlightenment.

    Parent

    so you are willing (none / 0) (#194)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:40:45 PM EST
    to give up freedom of speech because we elected an idiot?

    do you not see how that is the most important time to HAVE freedom of speech?

    Parent

    Obviously not give up (none / 0) (#210)
    by jondee on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:51:31 PM EST
    just pointing out it's limitations.

    Particularly in a time of "free market" media consolidation.

    Parent

    But we've evolved... (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:10:11 PM EST
    at least a little bit...try to lynch a brown person for looking at a white person funny today in America, odds are you will get charged with murder by authorities.

    Muslim authorities are the law in alotta places, and it is just ducky with them if you snuff a cartoonist who drew a depiction of Big Mo.

    Parent

    From wiki: (none / 0) (#180)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:32:09 PM EST
    The Book of Mormon did not countenance any form of curse-based discrimination.

    It stated that the Lord "denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile". (2 Nephi 26:33).

    In fact, prejudice against people of dark skin was condemned more than once, here being one example:

    O my brethren, I fear that unless ye shall repent of your sins that their skins will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be brought with them before the throne of God. Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins; neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness..." (Jacob 3:8-9).



    Parent
    Win-Win... (none / 0) (#94)
    by kdog on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:34:09 PM EST
    stick it to Facebook and the crazies...it will be interesting to see if Facebook pulls a Viacom.

    Parent
    It's all D.C.'s fault. Poisonous environment. (none / 0) (#117)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:47:01 PM EST
    Souder.  link

    monstrous? (none / 0) (#125)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed May 19, 2010 at 02:53:09 PM EST
    London Olympic Mascots Are Revealed

    Wenlock and Mandeville, their cyclopean eyes representing England's Big Brother police state, were unveiled today. You might as well just sacrifice your firstborn now and get it over with.


    You should read the comments (none / 0) (#175)
    by scribe on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:27:28 PM EST
    the Kang and Kodos one and the "organizers didn't conduct background checks" are too good to be by amateurs.

    Parent
    Hear ye, hear ye. Read all about it. (none / 0) (#139)
    by oculus on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:03:36 PM EST
    Just cancelled my seven days a week home delivery subscription to NYT.  May re-up, as I enjoy reading the Arts section.  But the print is too small and the papers are stacking up unread.  Maybe I too will start reading Booman, Atrios, et al.

    I used to like getting the print edition (none / 0) (#182)
    by scribe on Wed May 19, 2010 at 03:32:33 PM EST
    particularly the Arts, Food, and occasionally Book Review sections.

    Sports - the Daily News is usually the best going.

    But I pretty much gave up on newsprint a year or two ago, in my continuing economy drive.  I couldn't justify paying a buck or a buck and a half (or whatever a weekday copy is now) when I had read most of the stories a day (or two or three or seven) earlier here, at Orange Satan's, FDL, or on the German radio/newspaper sites.

    Parent

    For The Record (none / 0) (#213)
    by squeaky on Wed May 19, 2010 at 04:10:26 PM EST
    Kinski is rumoured to have had a romantic relationship with director Roman Polanski while 15 years old[11][12], though she has denied this [7].

    Wiki