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Monday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 03:15:25 PM EST
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Ex-Congressman Mel Reynolds has been deported from Zimbabwe after pleading guilty to an immigration offense. The p*rn charges were dismissed.

I'm pretty much glued to the Chapo Guzman story, so here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Mexico Charges Chapo Guzman | Mexico Denies DEA Participation in Chapo Guzman Take-Down >

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    Monday Open Thread | 191 comments (191 topical)
    RIP, Harold Ramis (1944-2014). (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 04:25:04 PM EST
    One of the hardest working guys in show business, Ramis was a veteran journeyman who experienced prolific success at almost all levels of American comedy -- as a TV and radio script writer (the original head writer of both "SCTV" and "The National Lampoon Radio Hour"), screenwriter ("National Lampoon's Animal House," "Meatballs"), actor ("Ghostbusters," "Stripes") and director ("Caddyshack," "Groundhog Day," "Analyze This").

    If you were laughing at the movies in the 1970s and '80s, you were probably doing so at least in part to the work product of this somewhat unsung but extraordinarily talented individual, who died early this morning of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis at his home in Chicago, surrounded by his family.

    So tonight, I'll fondly raise a margarita glass in toast to the memory of Harold Ramis -- because anyone whose fertile imagination could envision the best onscreen guitar wreck EVAH! was truly someone special.

    Aloha.

    Amen (none / 0) (#11)
    by Slado on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 09:18:37 PM EST
    Great and funny guy.

    Life well lived.

    Aloha

    Parent

    I Mentioned This in the Other HR Thread... (none / 0) (#60)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:03:48 PM EST
    ...he was a part of 5 of the American Film Institutes top 100 funniest films of all time.  LINK

    Parent
    Once pregnant, a woman is no longer (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 04:32:21 PM EST
    a human being or a person in her own right but becomes a child's "host" according to Virginia State Sen. Steve Martin (R).

    "I don't expect to be in the room or will I do anything to prevent you from obtaining a contraceptive," Martin wrote. "However, once a child does exist in your womb, I'm not going to assume a right to kill it just because the child's host (some refer to them as mothers) doesn't want it."

    I guess in hindsight he thought that some women might just object to his opinion of their place in the world since he latter changed the wording.
    The man who revealed this little insight into his true beliefs has changed the word "host" on his Facebook page to say "bearer of the child" instead. digby

    Sensitivity training needed at the state level as well?

    There is a reason (none / 0) (#7)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 07:30:13 PM EST
    why Terry Mac won the VA governor's race and people like this are a perfect example of how crackpot the GOP has become.

    Parent
    I'm trying to figure out (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by nycstray on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 07:40:55 PM EST
    when people this f@cked up became okay for public consumption . . . and positions of responsibility.

    Parent
    Other than stupid phrasing (none / 0) (#13)
    by Mikado Cat on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 10:01:21 PM EST
    How does this vary from the life begins at conception position around for ages?

    Parent
    What a surprise (5.00 / 5) (#19)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 10:58:58 PM EST
    A male winger who doesn't understand why it might be objectionable to define a woman as nothing more than a child's host.

     

    Parent

    Seems to me (none / 0) (#94)
    by Mikado Cat on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:07:49 PM EST
    the rhetoric was intended to be objectionable, but its still rhetoric, not policy.

    Its medieval to suggest life begins only with the first breath, or that a life once begun has no value of any kind. Some kind of balance needs to exist.

    Its also disingenuous to act like the morality of the 1950's still exists that forced women into back alley abortions.

    What was I being told yesterday about the 2nd amendment, no rights are absolute. Everything needs some balance.

    Parent

    Hey (none / 0) (#103)
    by MO Blue on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:45:17 PM EST
    I think it is a great idea for Republican politicians to keep up their objectionable rhetoric. It has worked so very well in Missouri, Virginia and Indiana.

    It is completely disingenuous to act like many in the Republican Party have not stated that their goal to make abortions illegal in all cases and care not at all if woman die as a result or if back alley abortions become the only option. It is also disingenuous not to recognize that through Republican efforts 87% of U.S. Counties have no access to an abortion clinic.  Three states currently have only one clinic in their state and 7 states are actively working to shut down all clinics in their state.

     

    Parent

    Life does begin at conception. (none / 0) (#15)
    by Slado on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 10:12:37 PM EST
    What this jackass is mistaken about is valuing the life of the embryo, fetus or child over the mother.

    While the life inside a potential mother has value and should be recognized so does the mothers.

    Too many in the right to life movement focus solely on the child as too many in the pro choice movement disregard the reality that a little human being is inside of the mother.

    Both life's have value and their lives should both be considered when making decisions about abortion and/or the health of the mother.

    Parent

    Too many in the right-to-life movement (5.00 / 3) (#35)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:27:13 AM EST
    only care about "the child" until it is born...if that were not the case, they'd be out there rallying against cuts to food and nutrition programs, the Children's Health Insurance Program, heating assistance, etc., and fighting for expanded access to birth control and sex education programs.

    It is not up to you or me to decide what any woman should or should not do in any health matter, and that includes whether or when to get pregnant, and whether to have or not to have a baby.  Those who are opposed to abortion should not have one - this would be easy for all the men in the anti-choice arena, since they are not able to get pregnant.

    And yes, I know there are many opposed to abortion who actually do support women who decide to continue their pregnancies, whether through adoption, outreach and financial support, and those people are to be applauded for their efforts.

    And I know there are many women having children who really don't have the financial means to support them; I don't pretend to know why that ever seems like a good idea, whether it's a decision or a choice or what, but education and cost-free birth control might go a long way to help.  

    It might also be nice if our government and our employers placed some value on the work women do both in and out of the home, by bringing their maternity leave and paid time off policies into the 21st century, and made affordable child care a priority.  One can't say one cares about the children, while at the same time supporting policies and attitudes and actions that diminish the quality of the actual lives of children and their parents.

    Every woman's reality is different, which is why it should be her decision.  

    Parent

    How is a fetus a life (none / 0) (#30)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:46:49 AM EST
    When it can't survive outside my body? Even my husband says that technically it can be argued that it is a parasite until the fetus reaches a certain stage of development.  If life is defined by a mass of cells compelled to quickly divide and maintain its separate mass, then cancer is life.

    I have had miscarriages that I knew about and I'm certain some that I didn't know about, 75% of conceptions are spontaneously rejected and ejected.  I am so sick of the glorification of things that could just as easily be in a petri dish.

    Parent

    Everyone in the so-called (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by jondee on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:00:58 AM EST
    Pro-Life movement in the U.S would probably go apply for a job at Planned Parenthood if they gave Food Stamps to every woman who got pregnant.

    Of course I exaggerate, only slightly.

    Parent

    Yup (none / 0) (#37)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:30:06 AM EST
    And according to how the pro-life define life this is life, even though leaving this sitting putrefying in your uterus will insure that life never comes via your uterus again.  According to them lithopedion or "stone baby" is a life too.  These things are considered rare they would argue.  Okay, so rare

    My SIL's first marriage, they thought they were having a baby but it was a mole, a ball of cells that forgot to form anything but a ball of cells...so wow...rare but happened close to me.

    A nurse mom whose son has the same gene defect that mine does posted last week to her other nurse friends on Facebook "Who has seen a case of stone baby?"  Most of her nurse friends it seems end up seeing it once in their career.

    These things happen to real women, and when you add up all the rare things that can derail a pregnancy, somehow most of us end up with at least one of them happening to us by the time we are finished with this procreation business.

    Pregnancy and all decisions around it are between a woman and her doctor, and if left to dogma and religion will only end up killing women, wives, and needed mothers who have real living children who will be scarred and strained and damaged at their loss.

    Children are still a miracle in this family, even though we are science based.  I don't need a God involved to understand the miracles of science and nature.  And I would like these insane wingers to produce the next item on the agenda of needs that they have now made a miracle, which is feeding, loving, housing, and educating the baby miracles once they have arrived.

    Parent

    It wasn't until I had my first child that (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:03:45 PM EST
    I could fully appreciate the miracle of bringing a life into the world, especially given the universe of things that can and does go wrong between conception and delivery.  And then there's the "after" part - if there isn't something miraculous about being able to somehow shepherd a human being from birth, through toddlerhood and puberty and on to independence and adulthood with only minor - but no less terrifying - blips, I must not know what "miracle" means.

    And I can think of nothing more intrusive and disrespectful of a woman's innate self than to have other people's beliefs imposed on her with no thought of what that means to that woman or the child she bears.

    One day, I am probably going to get punched in the face for finally losing it with one of these controlling zealots and asking, "who the hell do you think you are?"

    Parent

    Far better, then, that you ... (none / 0) (#89)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:46:26 PM EST
    ... do this instead, rather than merely verbalize your frustration with zealots.

    Parent
    Shanley has a new play in New York (none / 0) (#91)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:48:37 PM EST


    Parent
    Hope you don't think I'm a zealot (none / 0) (#139)
    by Slado on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 05:16:25 AM EST
    I'm merely saying that common sense and even science show us that life does begin at conception and that a future person should be granted some consideration when abortion is on the table.

    Both for the positive and negative consequences of bringing a baby to full term.

    Too many in the ProLife movement ignore the realities of what happens to children that are born and brought into families that don't want them and mistreat them.   What you're going to do with the baby should also be factored in when making this very tough and life changing decision.  As many have pointed out caring for life shouldn't stop at birth.  

    However you are choosing to end a human life or the potential of a human life and that should not be minimized by the choice of words labeling the future person as something other then that.

    Parent

    Dumb... (none / 0) (#64)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:35:14 PM EST
    Please source where life is defined at conception.

    No republican or right to lifer BS, a scientific or medical site that defines life beginning at conception.

    Fundamentals of defining life:

    1. Chemical uniqueness. Living systems demonstrate a unique and complex molecular organization.
    2. Complexity and hierarchical organization. Living systems demonstrate a unique and complex hierarchical organization.
    3. Reproduction. Living systems can reproduce themselves.
    4. Possession of a genetic program. A genetic program provides fidelity of inheritance.
    5. Metabolism. Living organisms maintain themselves by obtaining nutrients from their environments.
    6. Development. All organisms pass through a characteristic life cycle.
    7. Environmental reaction.

    How many of those exactly does a zygote fulfill, most but not all and all are needed for life.

    Redefining when life begins does not a life make.

    And for the religious types, I am positive that the Bible states that life begins when a soul is added to the collection of cells, which it also states happens at birth.

    But I guess the bible thumpers skipped that day of class, but they didn't miss the part about sleeping with another man, but they sure as hell missed the part about when god officially start a life.

    For that they want to use modern science, but not the modern scientists to interpret their fields definition.  It's a rather complex way to go about redefining life isn't it ?

    Parent

    Umm....your link concludes that life does (none / 0) (#66)
    by vml68 on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:57:01 PM EST
    begin at conception.

    Parent
    Scott, you may want to re-read your source (none / 0) (#69)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:58:20 PM EST
    Because here's what the rest of the document says, which completely destroys your argument:

    An analysis of the fertilized egg must be made to determine if the fertilized egg and the resulting zygote, embryo, and fetus can all be classified as living organisms. Do these entities meet the properties seen in all living organisms?

        1) Chemical Uniqueness. Fertilized eggs possess their own unique DNA from conception.
        2) Complexity and hierarchical organization. Hickman, Roberts, and Larson (1997) explain that the most basic unit in the biological hierarchy is the cell. The cell holds the properties of living organisms, and cells can be manipulated in the laboratory and can be reproduced,whereas nonliving elements cannot. Therefore, the fertilized egg would meet this criteria, although it would be a more basic unit of the biological hierarchy.
        3) Reproduction. Francis Beckwith (1994) observes that the zygote possesses two different methods of reproduction: cell reproduction and twinning. According to Beckwith (1994), twinning is "a form of asexual reproduction, which can occur after conception."
        4) Possession of a genetic program. Francis Beckwith (1994) confirms that from conception, the fertilized egg has "its own unique genetic   code." The 46 chromosomes present at conception provide all of thegenetic information that will ever be needed.
        5) Metabolism. Francis Beckwith (1994) confirms that from conception, the fertilized egg meets the requirement of metabolism.
        6) Development. Hickman, Roberts, and Larson (1997) state, "Development describes the characteristic changes that an organism undergoes from its origin (usually the fertilization of the egg by sperm)to its final adult form." Thus, although the fertilized egg will take on different forms throughout its life cycle, the development of life begins at conception.
        7) Environmental interaction. The entity in the womb interacts with its environment in many ways. Kicking and jumping are both examples.
    In addition, research has shown that the fetus can be soothed by music and can recognize the voice of its mother.  

    The fertilized egg, from the moment of conception, meets each of the properties that have been found to determine if an organism can be classified as living. Based on this definition, life begins at conception.



    Parent
    Doesn't the Bible... (none / 0) (#134)
    by unitron on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 10:20:09 PM EST
    ...have something in there somewhere about "quickening" (no relation to the Highlander series), which doesn't happen until quite some time after conception?

    Are you sure the notion is as old as you think it is?

    Parent

    Yes it does (none / 0) (#138)
    by Slado on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 05:06:18 AM EST
    And for some reason the Catholic Church chose to change their teachings from that moment to the moment of conception.

    And for good reason because what I'm saying is "life" begins.   Not a person who can walk and talk.   Probably not a being that even has a soul yet (see the quickening).

    But it is a life.  

    That being deserves consideration when you start discussing what to do about a pregnancy.   At that point I don't believe it deserves more consideration then the mother but it also doesn't deserve to be treated like a plant.

    One of the things that turns me off with the ProChoice movement is their constant refusal to fully recognize the reality that a human being at varying stages of development is inside the mother.   That belief system is what leads to tragedies like the Gosnell case.   Only a person who is so convinced that a fetus or in his cases a baby is not a person could commit such repeated tragedies.

    Obviously I don't equate anyone on here to him or his crimes but we should all be able to recognize that that little person is going to become one unless a choice is made to put a stop to it.

    I will defend the choice of the mother to make that choice with certain parameters ( another fight all together) but it saddens me that sometimes this life isn't fully equated into the decision.

     

    Parent

    While in VA Martin, a Republican, (none / 0) (#14)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 10:07:44 PM EST
    is conducting his very on outreach program to a child's host, in Texas another Republican candidate is conducting his very own type of outreach program to Hispanics.

    A Republican Senate candidate argued to The Dallas Morning News editorial board earlier this month that ranchers in Texas should be allowed to shoot "wetbacks" trying to cross the border illegally.
    ...
    The editorial board dubbed Mapp as one of the "little known" candidates that are "particularly intemperate." The board wrote:

    South Texas businessman Chris Mapp, 53, told this editorial board that ranchers should be allowed to shoot on sight anyone illegally crossing the border on to their land, referred to such people as "wetbacks," and called the president a "socialist son of a b!tch. TPM


    Parent
    Has anybody (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 07:36:29 PM EST
    heard from Jeff in Alabama? I emailed him a while back and never got a response. Kind of concerned since he has not posted here in quite a while.

    We were thinking the same thing... (5.00 / 4) (#25)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 07:38:57 AM EST
    this weekend.

    MileHi Hawkeye too has been MIA for too long.  

    E.T. phone home fellas!

    Parent

    Ruffian and I tackled the High Line park on (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 08:45:39 PM EST
    the west side of Manhattan today. Sunny but cold and windy. We intend to return to document the changes of seasons.

    Nice! (none / 0) (#26)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 07:40:37 AM EST
    The Highline is pretty cool...I like the documentation of the history of the city's old railroad artery, interesting stuff.

    Parent
    One of my favorite pictures (none / 0) (#27)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 07:51:01 AM EST
    Ever taken of me is on the Highline.

    It's of the BF and me smooching with a view of Little W. 12th Street (I think) in the background.  There's even a yellow cab turning in the background and makes it look so "New York-ey".

    Parent

    More on the "Blue-Slip" (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 08:05:59 AM EST
    Anne inquired the other day about how Obama could nominate someone like Michael Boggs to a federal judgeship (a lifetime appointment) over the objections and concerns of the Democratic members of the House.

    Here's more information (my bold):

    A case in point is Jill Pryor, whom President Obama nominated to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit more than two years ago.

    Pryor is a smart judge with 20 years of experience. The American Bar Association gave her a unanimous "well qualified" ranking. She has served on the board of the State Bar of Georgia and as president of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers. Despite this, her nomination hasn't even made it out of committee.

    Why? Her home state is represented by two blood-red Republicans: Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. They have used their blue slips as brakes, leaving Pryor's confirmation in limbo

    SNIP

    But because of current Chairman Patrick Leahy's puzzling adherence to arcane practice, his desire to show courtesy -- unreciprocated, of course -- to the minority party and President Obama's unwillingness to put a stop to it, the blue slip process is alive and well. Worse, it's being used as a weighted bargaining chip, giving two Republican senators more influence over the judicial nomination process than the president himself.

    Obama made Chambliss and Isaakson an offer they couldn't refuse: If they would stop blocking Pryor, Obama would allow them to pick three nominees to the U.S. district court -- positions that come with a lifetime appointment.

    Their first selection was unsurprising: They chose Michael Boggs, an anti-choice, anti-LGBT rights candidate with a spotty record on civil rights issues
    In what universe does it make sense (5.00 / 3) (#29)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:24:15 AM EST
    that one Jill Pryor is worth three undoubtedly and unabashedly conservative nominees to lifetime appointments on the federal bench?

    It's like the time my husband ran an ad to sell a computer for "$1,500 or best offer," and someone called to offer $1,600.  Well, that was the best offer...the only difference is, my husband didn't take the money and refuse to give the guy the computer.

    This is just insane, it really is.

    Parent

    1=3 (2.00 / 1) (#38)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:31:47 AM EST
    In Obamaworld, I guess.

    It's like having 57 states....

    Parent

    Cracking me up! (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:15:51 PM EST
    So....according to Glenn Greenwald today I must be a paid subversive.  Talk about astroturfing

    Well I'm not.

    Disclosure:  I get a monthly bonus every month I put that I am not a paid subversive in print online.  And New York was only the beginning of my endless posh vacations, screw the polar vortex, I am at least going to the Bahamas next month with my phat Obama check that for some reason is late today :)

    Interesting...does this mean that you (5.00 / 3) (#70)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 02:04:09 PM EST
    think you are seen as someone who is "attempting to control, infiltrate, manipulate, and warp online discourse?"  Or would you be more in the category of someone who "covertly infiltrate[s] online communities in order to sow dissension and disseminate false information?"

    I have no idea why you would see yourself in anything Glenn's writing about, or why you think maybe others would see you that way.

    Or why you try so hard to make us believe that governments have nothing better to do than work on their PowerPoint skills using ideas straight out of a Robert Ludlum/Tom Clancy book.

    Sheesh.

    Parent

    It seems highly likely MT was snarking. (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 02:49:18 PM EST
    Or Ratdog made her paranoid.  

    Parent
    Ha! (5.00 / 2) (#80)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:10:24 PM EST
    Bob Weir has come under fire for being a member of Bohemian Grove...sh*t maybe he's CIA and we all got zapped with subliminal messages.

     

    Parent

    I didn't realize the Bohemian Club still exists. (none / 0) (#87)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:35:03 PM EST
    Talk about deep cover. His music seemed quite uncontroversial to my ears.

    Parent
    I expect you're right (none / 0) (#75)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 02:56:05 PM EST
    It seems highly likely MT was snarking.
    But good snark has to expose a bit of truth or it just becames raving. I'm looking for the bit of truth that MT sees. Do you see the link?

    Parent
    I'm thinking the link is past comments about MT (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:03:20 PM EST
    and her comments. If MT is female, that is.

    Parent
    LOL (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:19:09 PM EST
    I'm thinking the link is past comments about MT (none / 0) (#77)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 02:03:20 PM MDT

    and her comments. If MT is female, that is.


    Oh, thank you for that. It literally made me laugh out loud.

    OTOH, that could generate a world of fodder, don't you think? Maybe, upon reflection, it wasn't very kind of you.

    And I fail to see how previous comments about "her" can justify her claims about GG, who, as far as I know, has never made past comments about MT.

    I know you just all had a lovely time together, and I would leap to defend a friend of mine as well. But you gotta give me something to work with here. I would love to let this thought stream drop. And so far you're just tickling it even more.

    Parent

    I am not inclined to virtual (none / 0) (#88)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:37:34 PM EST
    psychoanalysis so just dropping it is my choice.

    Parent
    I agree, and will follow suit (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:47:02 PM EST
    so just dropping it is my choice.
    But it would have been more effective had you done that 3 or 4 comments ago.

    Parent
    Ouch! (5.00 / 2) (#92)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:49:16 PM EST


    Parent
    My two cents (none / 0) (#76)
    by vicndabx on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:00:19 PM EST
    Just because someone made up the presentation doesn't mean it was implemented in any way.  It may have been though too.  This is where proof, evidence, is important.

    I need some evidence.

    Why not just leave it at that?

    Parent

    I don't see the relevance your comment quote... (2.00 / 1) (#79)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:09:44 PM EST
    ...to this:
    So....according to Glenn Greenwald today I must be a paid subversive. Talk about astroturfing

    Well I'm not.

    Disclosure:  I get a monthly bonus every month I put that I am not a paid subversive in print online.  And New York was only the beginning of my endless posh vacations, screw the polar vortex, I am at least going to the Bahamas next month with my phat Obama check that for some reason is late today :)

    Please clarify. I confess that MT's thought processes are completely garbled and alien to me, so if you can link those together in a way that makes sense without a hu-u-u-u-g-ge stretch I would be interested in that.

    I want to know why she feels she would fall under the umbrella that Glenn is describing.

    Why not just leave it at that?

    If it is just raving with no real point, however, I'd be more than glad to leave it at that. Your call, really.

    Parent
    There's always the possibility that (3.50 / 2) (#85)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:30:42 PM EST
    Tracy just wanted an(other) opportunity to make a thread all about her...masterful really; ties in quite well with vml's comment.

    If she was really intent on knocking Greenwald's article, making it all about her probably wasn't the way to go.

    Parent

    Second try (none / 0) (#84)
    by vicndabx on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:25:54 PM EST
    if people are paid subversives when they disagree with the "truth" online, it is time for more than a UK slide presentation of something that may have never been put into action.

    I also think Oc has some insight as well.  It's happened in this very thread.

    Personally, I like MT's writing, she uses play on words & themes to make points on multiple levels.

    Parent

    Okay thanks, I guess (none / 0) (#86)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:34:47 PM EST
    I think you forgot about the fact "hu-u-u-uge stretch" disqualifier, but now I see that it's the best you can do.

    Personally, I don't care for writing where the original comments must be misrepresented or twisted beyond recognition in order to use a play on words or themes. When it's honestly done, I agree with you. But cleverness can't compete with honesty, IMO.

    Parent

    Yup, I must be getting old, sj. (5.00 / 2) (#182)
    by NYShooter on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 02:28:18 PM EST
    I can't tell you how many times I try (usually, in vain) to keep up with the hip-hop, raz-ma-taz, zig zag comments some of our (probably younger)contributors utilize in their misguided belief that trying to be the wittiest, snarkiest, and coolest stand up comic clone on TL somehow adds something to intelligent debate.

    It doesn't.

    Talk slow[ly], construct intelligent sentences, and consider yourself successful if a satisfying dialogue is created. This isn't a contest; the last, and/or, loudest "zinger" doesn't win.

    Lord, I miss good conversation. It's the one big difference I've found between Europe, and, the U.S. A good Saturday night in Lintz consisted of six or eight friends getting together in an apartment. A bowl of fruit, a pot of tea, maybe a jigger of something more potent, and, you've got  the makings for a great evening.

    Oh, and laughter, lots and lots of spit-it-up, uncontrollable laughter.

    Parent

    I don't think it's just the (none / 0) (#193)
    by sj on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:20:17 PM EST
    younger contributors. There are some more ... mature... commenters who can mistake belligerence for cleverness also. People are people everywhere and, anyway, I think the freedom of anonymity brings out just as much "bad" as it does "good".

    But good conversation, with lots of laughter. Ah... That thought brought a longing to my heart. I haven't experienced that for the longest time.

    When I first bought my house I had this vision of having salon-like evenings where art and music and politics and books could all be discussed. It turns out it's harder than you think to get people interested, and I couldn't afford sufficient booze to make it a regular event using more "traditional" means.

    Parent

    We could discuss "Cleopatra," for maybe (none / 0) (#194)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:31:10 PM EST
    five minutes.

    Sounds like a great idea.

    Parent

    Well maybe 5 minutes (none / 0) (#196)
    by sj on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:39:58 PM EST
    for "Cleopatra" the book. But the larger topic of "Cleopatra" would/could inspire more discussion than that.

    I would hope :) I, personally, find her endlessly fascinating.

    Parent

    I find it quite difficult to believe (none / 0) (#197)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:43:44 PM EST
    you didn't devour the book. You are the target readership.

    Parent
    I know, right? (none / 0) (#198)
    by sj on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:46:31 PM EST
    And I go back to it for that very reason,
    You are the target readership.
    but for some reason, I just can't focus on it. I always read more than one book at a time and I tend to just forget about it.

    Parent
    Well according to Kos (none / 0) (#126)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:42:55 PM EST
    It isn't me who is paranoid tonight, but there is a general paranoia problem out there on the left now.  Who could have predicted?

    Parent
    digby on this issue (5.00 / 2) (#145)
    by MO Blue on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 07:32:34 AM EST
    I notice that people are complaining about Glenn Greenwald's latest piece about the spy agencies' ratfuck!ng operations because of its "tone" and I realize that it's time to remind people of this little episode in case anyone's gotten it into their heads that this is just some paranoid conspiracy theory:

    How Spy Agency Contractors Have Already Abused Their Power

    by Lee Fang on June 11, 2013
    ...
    This is not a far off possibility. Two years ago, a batch of stolen e-mails revealed a plot by a set of three defense contractors (Palantir Technologies, Berico Technologies and HBGary Federal) to target activists, reporters, labor unions and political organizations. The plans-- one concocted in concert with lawyers for the US Chamber of Commerce to sabotage left-leaning critics, like the Center for American Progress and the SEIU, and a separate proposal to "combat" WikiLeaks and its supporters, including Glenn Greenwald, on behalf of Bank of America-- fell apart after reports of their existence were published online. But the episode serves as a reminder that the expanding spy industry could use its government-backed cybertools to harm ordinary Americans and political dissident groups.
    ...
    The presentations, which were also leaked by Anonymous, contained ethically questionable tactics, like creating a "false document, perhaps highlighting periodical financial information," to give to a progressive group opposing the Chamber, and then subsequently exposing the document as a fake to undermine the credibility of the Chamber's opponents. In addition, the group proposed creating a "fake insider persona" to "generate communications" with Change to Win, a federation of labor unions that sponsored the watchdog site, US Chamber Watch.

    Even more troubling, however, were plans by the three contractors to use malware and other forms of malicious software to hack into computers owned by the Chamber's opponents and their families. Boasting that they could develop a "fusion cell" of the kind "developed and utilized by Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)," the contractors discussed how they could use "custom malware development" and "zero day" exploits to gain control of a target's computer network. These types of hacks can allow an attacker not only to snoop but to delete files, monitor keystrokes and manipulate websites, e-mail archives and any database connected to the target computer.

    link


    Parent
    Sigh....... (none / 0) (#125)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:30:22 PM EST
    Yes Anne, Kos hasn't had to put a diary up now about how the next person who calls someone who disagrees with them a paid subversive gets canned from DailyKos.  He says something about paranoia too and conspiracy theories. Nobody could have predicted that the leftwing blogosphere would go here today.

    You are better than that flackrag DailyKos though so I am cluttering up your blog, and snarking off about what seemed to be the obvious next step around the left net was completely uncalled for. I'm sorry I cluttered up your blog.  Please forgive me.

    Parent

    I have no idea what you're talking about. (5.00 / 1) (#128)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:48:21 PM EST
    I don't read Daily Kos, haven't for a long time, so whatever references you make to it mean nothing to me.  

    I don't have any problem with snark - I've been known to engage in it myself.  But what we so often get from you is a sort of I-know-something-you-don't-know-and-I'm-going-to-try-to-make-you-feel-like-you're-the-only-one-who-d oesn't-get-the-joke.  And there is so much of that at DK, and that's why I don't have time for it.  It's high school, and it should be beneath you.

    Are you snarking now?  I can't tell.  I'd like to trust you, but the truth is, I don't.

    Parent

    I don't know Tracy... (none / 0) (#53)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:37:41 PM EST
    just because you are not a paid agent of the global security state, does not mean there aren't cats out there getting paid for a little Cointelpro action against protest groups and whistleblowers.

    No doubt the spooks got agents working black-ops on the internet....they've been doing it forever, and now they don't even have to grow out their hair and go undercover hippie to infiltrate.  They can do it from the cubicle at Langley or Booz Hamilton.

    Parent

    COINTELPRO (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by shoephone on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 10:13:50 PM EST
    is alive and well, it has simply morphed into other forms. I'm telling ya, Kdog, you should read this book on the burglary at the Penn. FBI office in 1971. It's blowing my mind with all the undeniable parallels to government surveillance of citizens happening today. Why, it's enough to make a cat paranoid! ;-)


    Parent
    They probably are some place (none / 0) (#56)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:43:03 PM EST
    If Obama killed someone only through their cell phone though, it is time for Greenwald to pony the name or names :)

    And if people are paid subversives when they disagree with the "truth" online, it is time for more than a UK slide presentation of something that may have never been put into action.  People in the military come up with all sorts of slide presentations that when shown to others gains this critique, "Are you out of your phucking mind?"

    Just noticing stuff kdog, and there is IMO a little bit of strategic paranoia breeding coming from Glenn today if you ask me :)

    Parent

    And I thought I was cynical;) (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:51:02 PM EST
    Certainly the fact somebody came up with the lie cheat & steal slideshow tells us something...no?  

    As does the sordid history of the CIA post WWII.  Sometimes, "are you out of your mind?" becomes policy, too often in fact.  

    I, for one, assumed as much without the documentation obtained by Greenwald.  Lie cheat and steal is the business model.

    Parent

    There are a million lie, cheat, and steal (none / 0) (#61)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:08:06 PM EST
    Powerpoint presentations that exist kdog.  Anyone can make one.  I can make one in my free time today but that isn't the kind of work I seek :)

    Just because someone made up the presentation doesn't mean it was implemented in any way.  It may have been though too.  This is where proof, evidence, is important.

    I need some evidence.

    I mean George W Bush threatened to put me in jail in Crawford, that was a recorded threat that was never carried out, never implemented.  And I was sad that he didn't do it damn it.  Imagine if he had how even more swiftly the public would have turned against the Iraq War in a demanding way :) DAMN IT!

    I need more than paranoia though to run on.

    Parent

    Which begs the question... (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:33:14 PM EST
    why are we paying taxes to create lie cheat and steal fascist powerpoints?  While cutting food stamps and still arguing about a ten years past due minimum wage increase? (I know it's the Brits this time, but point stands for the CIA/NSA versions). That alone is a f*ckin' sin, nevermind the implementation of the fascist crackpot ideas that do get past the "I got a tyrannical idea!" stage.

    PS...Just dawned on, some of your AL neighbors might think you're on some kinda commie-pinko payroll...you could be a subversive double-agent! lol

    Parent

    Oh honey, you have no idea the (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:57:39 PM EST
    Paranoia I breed around here :)  What if?  What if all the women down here started acting like one crazy broad that transplanted here? She's going to give women down here ideas.

    It's a hell of a bind, if we allow Chipotle in more of her kind will show up!  But Chipotle is soooo good.  TORN TO RIBBONS they are!

    I was hurt when we first moved here and my husband taught me how to hook our trailer up to the SUV. I was hooking up and driving to Montgomery for furniture and Dothan for new windows, I finally had my own house.  The audacity of that broad though, doing all that stuff manless, while the man was at work, saving time and family sanity like that.  I was very self conscious after awhile, exactly how they wanted me to be and then I finally got mad and now I do whatever I want.  And they are so scared of me they can hardly look me in the eye.

    And because Josh's body is more fragile now, his bones have hardened...and they all must drive SUVs here, I had to find something bigger to drive because I must really win if someone slams into me.  We started hunting for a diesel truck and then my spouses commander sold us his slightly used.  I cannot tell you how big it is, it is shameful, but I will win almost all vehicle match ups unless it is a semi.

    And I drive by and smile and wave.  My husband says he's going to get some steel pink cojones to hang off the back hitch because I am so shameless here now :)  And what in the hell is that man doing letting his wife drive his truck all the time?

    Parent

    You know who has more credibility on (none / 0) (#57)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:46:52 PM EST
    This topic via USA, Armando.  And I shouldn't even type that because he was too busy for his acolytes :).  His check is wayyyyyy late.

    But Armando wrote factually about Sustein wanting to do that stuff long ago, and I notice today that a diary used the Sustein stuff to sort of give their Greenwald diary more credibility.  Kind of shoe stringing stuff together if you ask me.

    Parent

    I doubt Greenwald... (none / 0) (#55)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:41:38 PM EST
    ...would think you any subversive. Because you are one of the few folks -- and I'll assume, based on his past record, that he's sharp and honest enough to realize the difference -- who do not fit the generalization. The rest of the sheep...Little Bo Peep is a-leadin'.

    Parent
    He doesn't really specify though (none / 0) (#62)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:20:37 PM EST
    Who is a paid government subversive, he professes to have the goods on it going on though.  He doesn't give any evidence of who is and who isn't.  Which if you just take him at his word on all this, well anyone disagreeing with him or questioning him about anything he writes "exposing the government" can be construed to be one of these subversives.  He has astroturfed himself

    Parent
    Link, please. I must decide for (none / 0) (#71)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 02:21:15 PM EST
    myself.

    Parent
    Got it. Beware of the "Four Ds"!!!! (none / 0) (#72)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 02:43:48 PM EST


    Parent
    I already provide it (none / 0) (#73)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 02:44:16 PM EST
    but here you go again. Just for you.

    Parent
    You knew it was only a matter of time... (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:18:44 PM EST
    Lobbyist drafts bill to ban gays from NFL

    Washington lobbyist Jack Burkman on Monday said he is preparing legislation that would ban gay athletes from joining the National Football League.

    Burkman in a statement said he has garnered political support for the bill, though his statement didn't mention any specific lawmakers who are behind it.

    "We are losing our decency as a nation," Burkman said in a statement. "Imagine your son being forced to shower with a gay man. That's a horrifying prospect for every mom in the country. What in the world has this nation come to?"

    Burkman said he came up with the idea after college football star Michael Sam publicly revealed he is gay a few weeks ago. If drafted, Sam would be the first openly gay player in the NFL.

    [snip]

    "If the NFL has no morals and no values, then Congress must find values for it," Burkman said.

    But wait - there's a punchline, via wonkette:

    Remember Jack Burkman, the MySpace creep who propositions girls and offers them $$$ if they'll just come to the Mayflower Hotel and let him fk them? Well, he finally found somebody who would take the money: Hookers! Jack Burkman, the GOP strategist and conservative talking head who used to be seen on the cable news shows a lot more often before his MySpace sleazery was exposed, is also on the DC Madam's phone list!

    As a mom, I think it would be pretty horrifying to find out my daughter was being solicited for sex by the likes of creepy Jack Burkman, but I guess in his world, the only horror is "the gays."

    Thanks to Charlie Pierce for front-paging yet another example of conservative hypocrisy.

    Everyone (none / 0) (#95)
    by Mikado Cat on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:12:21 PM EST
    on the right hates it when people call themselves Republican and then act like Democrats, but politics attack kooks.

    Parent
    Acts like Democrats? (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:17:46 PM EST
    Apparently you forgot people like David Vitter, Phil Hinkle, Robert Allen of Florida, etc.

    But you're right - Republicans tend to cheat on their wives and / or prefer little kids.

    Parent

    attract (none / 0) (#96)
    by Mikado Cat on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:13:00 PM EST
    is what I meant, wow its hard for me not to be able to edit.

    Parent
    "Act like Democrats"?!? (none / 0) (#116)
    by Yman on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:11:05 PM EST
    What is that supposed to mean?

    Do you think at all before you type?

    Parent

    that's a rhetorical question, right? (none / 0) (#118)
    by Anne on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:16:30 PM EST
    ::rolling eyes::

    Cat's been on a roll these last couple days...

    Parent

    Absolutely rhetorical (none / 0) (#119)
    by Yman on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:18:16 PM EST
    ... and my guess is that 'roll" has been going on for a looooong time.

    Parent
    Michael Sam's classy tweet to (none / 0) (#184)
    by MO Blue on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 02:51:41 PM EST
    Burkman's bill.

    Michael Sam        ✔
    @MikeSamFootball Follow

    Jack Burkman is going to need a Delorian, not some bogus bill, if he wants to prevent gay athletes from being in the locker room. TPM



    Parent
    But, sj, have they threatened to arrest you??? (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by shoephone on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 10:23:27 PM EST
    Apparently, being threatened with arrest by politicos is the way to make waves on the internet. If you haven't experienced that, you just can't know what it means to be public enemy number one. Incidentally, Senator Cantwell's goons threatened to have me thrown in jail for being the one and only person to protest her and Obama at a big event a few years back, but then they went all soft and slithered inside the auditorium. Cowards! Maybe I should write a book (or, at the very least, I could write a post at the very-important-Orange-blog-of-all-time).

    BTW, thanks for providing the link to GG's piece. It helps to know what people are referring to.

    Anne & MT... (5.00 / 6) (#151)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 08:58:37 AM EST
    a humble plea for civility from your old pal...bury the hatchet and start anew.

    Same goes for everybody who is not getting along...clean slates all around, lets debate and learn, lets laugh, life is too short.

    Word up (none / 0) (#158)
    by vicndabx on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 10:31:51 AM EST
    a lot of folks need to just let it go already.

    Parent
    Just pointing out (2.00 / 1) (#173)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:00:19 PM EST
    How bad at math some people are.

    It's not a one time deal, either, but a continuing line, apparently.

    But, as sj points out, the irony of you wringing your hands about "2008" is too funny.

    Just pointing out (none / 0) (#189)
    by MKS on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 05:02:35 PM EST
    how you constantly raise this topic.

    Parent
    Pot. meet kettle (1.00 / 1) (#199)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:55:17 PM EST


    Parent
    Calling kdog (none / 0) (#1)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 03:28:37 PM EST
    You might get a kick out of this SA Donation.

    Big Bag Of Weed Donated To Salvation Army

    Oh man... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 03:41:30 PM EST
    that's a tough break for the good samaritan...unless that satchel was meant as a side donation for Salvation Army staff.

    And they go and call the cops?  Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth...bad form Salvation Army, bad form.  God forbid the cops find the guy.

    Parent

    Here's a happier tale: (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 05:00:47 PM EST
    enterprising seller

    Parent
    Smart girl... (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 07:34:20 AM EST
    as they say in business...location location location!  And "know thy customers".

    Parent
    As they say, ... (none / 0) (#3)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 03:51:59 PM EST
    ... no good deed goes unpunished.

    Parent
    Hurray! (none / 0) (#12)
    by Slado on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 09:21:20 PM EST
    Apparently I have a healthy diet.

    Foods that are actually good for you

    Salon links suddenly not working? (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by shoephone on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 10:14:46 PM EST
    I tried yours, and it led to the Salon front page. When I tried to post the link to the food article, it went to something completely different. Weird.

    I did read that food article last week though and I have to disagree about whole milk...there is no health justification for adults needing to drink milk. As for coconut oil, it is, as the article acknowledges, full of saturated fat. The author says that nutritional science is no longer set on whether saturated fats are unhealthy. I think I'll stick to cutting them out of my diet, when possible.

    The rest of the items have never really been controversial. Obviously, popcorn without butter and salt is not bad for you. They key with everything -- including the salt and the coffee -- is moderation.

    Just don't take away my lox and bagels, and I'll be happy!

    Parent

    My grandfather had coconut farms (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by vml68 on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:38:55 PM EST
    which are still in the family. So, we are used to using coconut and coconut oil in just about everything. No moderation here!

    Parent
    I use coconut oil on the outside (none / 0) (#17)
    by nycstray on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 10:32:32 PM EST
    of my body. My skin really likes it :)

    I wish the links were working as I was curious about the article, even though I know my food habits are good :)

    Parent

    Try this (none / 0) (#18)
    by MO Blue on Mon Feb 24, 2014 at 10:42:32 PM EST
    Salon

    I think it works. If not, google "salon foods that were supposed to be incredibly unhealthy"

    Parent

    Try it on your hair. (none / 0) (#34)
    by oculus on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:13:54 AM EST


    Parent
    Popcorn can be bad for some people. (none / 0) (#22)
    by fishcamp on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 07:06:28 AM EST
    It's one of those white foods like soda crackers and white bread that start turning into sugar right in your mouth as you chew.  Popcorn does have that roughage quality we all like to say when eating it but it's not very good for you, except in moderation as you mention.  People don't like to be told popcorn is not good for them.

    Parent
    Popcorn Bad? (none / 0) (#36)
    by squeaky on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:27:49 AM EST
    Really..  air popped?  Sure, if you put crap on it or cook it in overheated oils, yes... but I have never seen any research that supports your claim that pop-corn is bad and should be eaten once in a while.. ???

    Do you have a link to support that?

    Last year, researchers at the University of Scranton revealed that homemade popcorn has more antioxidants--known as polyphenols--than fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancers.


    Parent
    Hey Squeaky (5.00 / 1) (#200)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:56:26 PM EST
    Are you and kdog and oculus going to do dinner?  I think the three of you should gather one more time before oculus leaves this time.  She always returns, but that brief visit just wasn't enough IMO.  The three of you are such music lovers too.

    Parent
    The only bad part is the instant sugar (none / 0) (#40)
    by fishcamp on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:34:33 AM EST
    that results from popping, rolling, crushing or otherwise removing the husk on white grains.  

    Parent
    Links? (none / 0) (#41)
    by squeaky on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:48:47 AM EST
    I do not understand what you mean. It sounds like your "only" includes all popcorn and suggests that popcorn is bad for you.

    I would love to see some support of this by science.

    Parent

    grains are complex carbohydrates (none / 0) (#115)
    by fishcamp on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:09:15 PM EST
    until their husks have been removed.  Then the grain becomes a simple carbohydrate.  I'm quite sure you know this squeaky.

    Parent
    Is the hull removed during popping? (none / 0) (#120)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:18:37 PM EST


    Parent
    yes it is. (none / 0) (#122)
    by fishcamp on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:34:01 PM EST


    Parent
    Where does it go? (none / 0) (#127)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:46:11 PM EST


    Parent
    Re: Where does it go? (none / 0) (#135)
    by unitron on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 10:21:57 PM EST
    You know that stuff left in the bottom of the bag?

    Parent
    Really? I see it on the inside of the popcorn (none / 0) (#161)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 11:47:43 AM EST
    when I eat it.

    Parent
    The Hull (none / 0) (#137)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:50:27 AM EST
    The hull goes inside the popped kernel.

    And if your information is so clear that everyone, including me, should know that popcorn is bad for you why is all the science saying that pop corn has more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables?

    Seems to me you are short on links indicating the perils of eating air popped popcorn.

    Parent

    All carbohydrates turn into sugar, (none / 0) (#142)
    by fishcamp on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:59:09 AM EST
    and popcorn is a carb.  Your saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which starts to break carbs down into simple sugars.  And popcorn has a high glycemic index, which is not good for diabetics.  Complex carbohydrates are much better in this regard, and their glycemic indices tend to be much lower.  Popcorn does have roughage, which is helpful, but OTOH. if you have diverticulosis, you should not be eating it.  Many foods have antioxidants and while I do see fruits and whole grains on the government pyramid of foods to eat,  I do not see popcorn there.  

    Parent
    Links? (none / 0) (#154)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 10:21:26 AM EST
    Please provide links showing that air-popped popcorn (un-processed) is high glycemic.  And, from reading diabetic sites comments, there are certainly some diabetics that get a spike when they eat 4 cups of popcorn, but in general most diabetics who like popcorn do fine with it as long as it is unprocessed  (air-popped, e.g.)
    In its unprocessed form, popcorn is considered a significant source of whole-grain fiber. In addition, one serving of popcorn has a very low glycemic load compared to traditional snack foods, so as long as it is consumed in moderation, popcorn makes a healthy addition to the diabetic diet....

    ....According to the American Diabetes Association, one diabetic portion size of popcorn equals 3 cups of popped popcorn, or approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates. Because individuals with diabetes can consume between 15 and 30 grams of carbohydrate for snacks, no more than two servings or 6 cups of popcorn should be consumed at one time. Most individual, 1 ounce bags of microwave popcorn bags contain approximately 21 grams of carbohydrate, making these portions perfect for individuals with diabetes....

    For a completely non-processed snack, diabetics can pop their own fresh popcorn and season it with garlic and onion powder.

    SFGate

    In the past, doctors had recommended that people with diverticular disease (diverticulosis or diverticulitis) avoid hard-to-digest foods such as nuts, corn, popcorn, and seeds, for fear that these foods would get stuck in the diverticula and lead to inflammation. However, recent research has noted that there is no real scientific evidence to back up this recommendation.

    In fact, nuts and seeds are components of many high-fiber foods, which are recommended for people with diverticular disease.

    WebMd

    Parent

    You have my permission to eat popcorn. (5.00 / 1) (#157)
    by fishcamp on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 10:30:12 AM EST


    Parent
    Thanks (none / 0) (#162)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 11:49:31 AM EST
    And yes, popcorn can be bad for some people, I would bet on that. I think that it is a truism that most things can be bad for some people. So it is perhaps good that you are warning the few who may have a problem with popcorn to think twice about Slado's original link.

    And the hull is not removed during popping. It is incorporated into the popped kernel of corn (the light brown part)

    Parent

    To this point (none / 0) (#155)
    by vicndabx on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 10:24:31 AM EST
    And popcorn has a high glycemic index, which is not good for diabetics.

    look for foods where the carb to fiber ratio is low, e.g. 10 and under.

    Real easy way to tell, look at the label, divide the grams of fiber into the # of carbs.

    Parent

    55 GI/6 GL (none / 0) (#160)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 11:36:06 AM EST
    Per 20grams (2.5 cups)

    Nutritional Info

    Parent

    It's the Krebs Cycle. (none / 0) (#195)
    by oculus on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:34:07 PM EST


    Parent
    Would a life (none / 0) (#97)
    by Mikado Cat on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:15:37 PM EST
    without kettle korn really be worth living?

    Parent
    At last... (none / 0) (#99)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:24:47 PM EST
    Would a life (none / 0) (#97)
    by Mikado Cat on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:15:37 PM MDT

    without kettle korn really be worth living?

    Something we can agree on.

    Parent
    Interesting trial (none / 0) (#20)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:47:42 AM EST
    Starting today in Eastern District of Michigan.  Two women are challenging not only the state constitutional ban on gay marriage, but the ban on same-sex adoption as well.

    This will be the first time since 2010 where experts from both sides will testify as to what effects, if any, gay parenting has on children.

    The bitcoin con continues downhill (none / 0) (#21)
    by CoralGables on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 07:01:02 AM EST
    MtGox, once the largest bitcoin exchange in the world, has disappeared from the internet with many millions of dollars of customer deposits.

    The company's site, MtGox.com, resolves to an empty page as of Tuesday morning, while its Twitter account was wiped blank on Monday.

    My favorite line describing this downfall...

    The cold storage has been wiped out due to a leak in the hot wallet.
    Damn, it even virtually happens? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 07:17:20 AM EST
    How discouraging :)

    A leak in my hot wallet damages my cold storage too.

    Parent

    With a wife in the banking industry... (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:11:49 AM EST
    ...trust me, you have NO idea how much virtual theft goes on in the regular banking industry. And they NEVER publicize it. Why would they? Who wants to let their customers know just how easy it is to steal money digitally?

    Parent
    Back in the day.... (none / 0) (#42)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:52:29 AM EST
    ...you had to get your guns on and rob a bank for real. Now you can tap a few keys from the comfort of the tanning bed at your gym and, before you even get tanned, have a few hundred grand or million in your account.

    Parent
    Still need to... (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:11:43 PM EST
    physically jack my roll by force suckas! ;)

    Sh*t I don't even trust the vault at the bank, never mind any of this virtual nonsense...and not just bitcoin.  The US dollar is basically virtual now.

    Doublesh*t, if ya really think about it...currency is by definition virtual.  Concrete currency is food and water.

    Parent

    You know I agree with you (none / 0) (#51)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:25:40 PM EST
    Unfortunately, we all are forced to play that rigged board game with no ceiling and no floor. And the least among us sink into the mire. By the millions.

    Phuck the roof, raise the floor!!

    Parent

    And a stunning amount of theft... (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:35:28 PM EST
    ...comes from in-house crooks. Much easier to pilfer if you've got the inside dope about how the system works.

    Parent
    AN AXE LENGTH AWAY, vol. 285 (none / 0) (#32)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:10:23 AM EST
    Ugandizona is the new state of insanity. (link)

    v. 284
    v. 283
    v. 282
    v. 281

    Happy Tuesday, my friends.

    Is some sanity returning to Arizona? (none / 0) (#39)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:33:36 AM EST
    Brewer likely to veto SB1062 - the bill that

    "...expands Arizona's Religious Freedom Restoration Act for individuals to include associations, businesses and churches in refusing to serve people whose life choices they find morally objectionable."

    More IMO to do with it being (none / 0) (#43)
    by MO Blue on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 11:59:45 AM EST
    bad for business.

    Chamber of Commerce vs church. Chamber wins.

    Parent

    Brewer's comments pretty much (none / 0) (#48)
    by MO Blue on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:18:53 PM EST
    describe where she is coming from on this issue.

    The Arizona governor told CNN that she is weighing the concerns of the state's business community and will rely more on the letter of the law than on her gut in making her final decision.

    "I have a history of deliberating and having an open dialogue on bills that are controversial, to listen to both sides of those issues, and I welcome the input, and information that they can provide to me," Brewer said. "And certainly I am pro-business, and that is what's turning our economy around, so I appreciate their input, as I appreciate the other side." TPM

    Would be very surprised if she didn't veto bill.


    Parent

    Yep... (none / 0) (#49)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:25:06 PM EST
    the only thing that trumps hate on the far right is money.

    Parent
    I have no problem with that (none / 0) (#50)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 12:25:07 PM EST
    Business isn't inherently evil, and if crazy legislation is bad for business (and bad for tourism), which in turn, is bad for workers, then good for her for considering a veto.

    I don't care how she gets there if it puts a stop to this nonsense bill.

    Parent

    They've already (none / 0) (#68)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:57:59 PM EST
    lost the superbowl once for state sponsored bigotry and now they do this and fear losing another.

    Parent
    Any links (none / 0) (#100)
    by Mikado Cat on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:24:48 PM EST
    to a non spin legal analysis of what the bills says and what it would mean in actual practice?

    What seemed insane to me is to force a baker or photographer to work their craft on subjects they don't want to do. Why turn a happy occasion into a fight?

    Forums on the right are saying wait til somebody tells a Muslim bakery to make a cake insulting the Koran.

    Parent

    Haven't we seen this (none / 0) (#102)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:34:44 PM EST
    with pharmacists "practicing their craft" by refusing to fill contraception and RU486 scripts?

    Sorry - while pharmacists may have an advanced degree, they are not doctors and should not get a say in what scripts they fill.

    I can't imagine doing business with a photographer or baker that wouldn't want me as a client, but if you live in a remote area, sometimes there aren't other choices.

    And if you are established as a "business", then you get certain perks from the government - can write expenses off your taxes, for example.  Why shouldn't the government require you to serve everyone then?

    Parent

    Photography is speech (none / 0) (#106)
    by ragebot on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:47:07 PM EST
    at least according to SC decisions.  I am not so sure about bakers decorating a cake, or even what a 'gay wedding cake' is; but I guess if you iced a cake with a slogan like 'Ban the Bums' (to use a line from a Bob Dylan song) it might qualify as speech.

    There are already many (what I consider silly) exceptions to providing services, e.g. Muslim cab drivers not carrying passengers with alcohol, pork, dogs, and other Islam prohibited stuff (not to mention drunk dogs eating bacon).

    Bottom line is the photographer will most likely prevail at the SC level since photography is definitely speech according to previous decisions.

    Parent

    It's not the same thing (none / 0) (#109)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:52:19 PM EST
    A photographer, just taking pictures, is exercising his or her First Amendment rights.  A photographer running a business and excluding gays only is like:

    "This is a business," Ms. Melling said. "At the end of the day, it sells services for photographing weddings. This is like putting up a sign that says `Heterosexual Couples Only.'

    What next?  I think fat people are abhorrent and set bad examples for society?  Should I be allowed to refuse to take pictures of a fat person's wedding because it goes against my moral code?

    Parent

    More (none / 0) (#111)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:54:40 PM EST
    Tobias B. Wolff, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania who represents Ms. Willock and Ms. Collinsworth, said Ms. Huguenin had given up the right to make that choice when she opened the doors of her business to the public.

    "This was a straightforward case of discrimination in the public marketplace," Mr. Wolff said. "No court has ever held that the First Amendment gives businesses a license to sell goods and services to the general public but then reject customers based on race or religion or sexual orientation, in violation of state law."

    The New Mexico Supreme Court agreed, saying Ms. Huguenin's "services can be regulated, even though those services include artistic and creative work." Laws banning discrimination, the court said, apply to "creative or expressive professions."

    Jordan W. Lorence, a lawyer at the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents Elane Photography, said Ms. Huguenin should be able to decline assignments at odds with her beliefs in a way that, say, motels and hardware stores may not. "There are some professions that are inherently expressive -- an ad agency, website designer or even a tattoo artist," he said.

    "A tattoo artist should not be forced to put a swastika on an Aryan Nation guy," Mr. Lorence said. "The government could not force someone to put a bumper sticker on their car that says, `I support same-sex marriage' or `I support interracial marriage.' "

    The court agreed, to a point. "If Elane Photography took photographs on its own time and sold them at a gallery," it said, then it could say what it liked, but a business open to the public must take all comers.



    Parent
    The courts analysis (none / 0) (#123)
    by ragebot on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:49:52 PM EST
    was along the lines of something like the famous Vietnam War pix of the Viet army officer killing a Viet Cong by shooting him in the head with a pistol making as strong a statement as an anti war speech; thus photography is protected speech.

    Freedom of speech is not limited to allowing free speech, it also means not compelling speech.  The bottom line being you can not compel a photographer to take a photograph.

    As I posted earlier there are many examples of folks offering goods and services being able to refuse requests.  Muslim cab drivers are not required to take fares for many reasons.  I don't drink alcohol, don't have a dog, but will admit I really like bacon.  If a cab driver can refuse my fare because I have a bacon cheeseburger why can't a photographer refuse a customer based on their religious beliefs.  

    Parent

    When has a Muslim ... (none / 0) (#124)
    by Yman on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:02:00 PM EST
    ... cab driver refused a fare because he has a bacon cheeseburger?

    Parent
    Time to wake up and smell the coffee (none / 0) (#130)
    by ragebot on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 10:00:38 PM EST
    link

    Parent
    That would be vodka ... (none / 0) (#140)
    by Yman on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 06:20:16 AM EST
    ... as opposed to coffee, or bacon-cheeseburgers.

    But if it upsets you, sounds like you should file a lawsuit.

    Parent

    you don't get it (none / 0) (#147)
    by ragebot on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 08:35:35 AM EST
    I have not been in a cab in a month of Sundays and doubt I will be in one anytime soon.  On the other hand I do try and keep up with current court rulings.

    If cab drivers can refuse service to passengers who are in violation of Islam rules according to courts then photographers can refuse service to customers in violation of Christian rules.

    You seem to be the one upset with the court rulings.  Kinda reminds me of what happened to lots of liberals after the Bush v Gore decision.  You may not like what the courts say, but that does not change the fact that the courts have said it and it is the current law.

    Parent

    You are using really old and outdated (5.00 / 1) (#163)
    by MO Blue on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 11:51:23 AM EST
    data to substantiate your POV. The situation has been addressed and the Metropolitan Airports Commission have ruled that Muslim do not have the right to deny service based on their religion.

    Cab drivers currently face substantial penalties for denying service based on any reason other than for safety reasons.

    2008 Article:

    An ordinance adopted by the Metropolitan Airports Commission last year revokes a cabbie's license for 30 days for refusing to pick up a passenger for any reason at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. A second refusal brings a two-year revocation.

    A lower court and an appeals court refused to stay enforcement of the ordinance.

    Parent

    The hater-cabbies... (none / 0) (#164)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 11:56:17 AM EST
    are maybe watching the developments in AZ closely...if it passes, they can move to AZ and be free to discriminate against drinkers and dog owners and pork eaters under state law...till it gets shot down as unconstitutional, that is.

    Parent
    Now kdog you know that is not (5.00 / 2) (#166)
    by MO Blue on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:11:07 PM EST
    how it works. Laws like that in AZ only apply when White Christians want to discriminate against the gays or brown people. The first time a Muslim tried to apply that very same law to their advantage, shrieks of Sharia Law would be heard throughout the entire country and the cabbie would probably be arrested for breaking an anti-Sharia law or something.

    Parent
    Very true... (none / 0) (#168)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:40:07 PM EST
    but every law has unintended consequences...afaik the way it is written, anybody can discriminate against anybody as long as they claim the dscrimination is on religous grounds.  

    Parent
    The Tea Party and Evangelicals (none / 0) (#174)
    by shoephone on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:23:25 PM EST
    are having "unintended consequences" on the whole Republican party. The old base of the party is pretty much a bunch of one-note Johnnies, with their anti-tax and pro-business stance, but at least they know what they stand for. And this law is bringing out the cooler heads (if you can call them that) in the GOP. Even three of the state senators who voted for the AZ law are now saying they were wrong. If those three had voted "no" to begin with, the law would not have passed.

    I just wish I was young and energetic enough to still be running a catering company. I'd be making a mint on all the same sex weddings in WA State!!

    Parent

    Good thing (none / 0) (#176)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:29:00 PM EST
    On many levels, the Tea Party is losing its grip.

    The trifecta of disappointing returns for conservatives isn't coincidental. In previous years, insurgent conservative candidates like Christine O'Donnell weren't taken seriously in the GOP primary, with the problematic parts of their record hidden away until a general election.

    But with incumbents now keenly aware of the danger they face in a primary, those same Tea Party-aligned hopefuls are finding themselves under more scrutiny than ever. And oftentimes they're not holding up well.

    "Inevitably, in a statewide race, any issues in any candidate's background would come to the forefront," said Brian Walsh, a former NRSC communications director. "And we're seeing incumbents who aren't taking anything for granted."



    Parent
    But somehow, I'd like to think that ... (none / 0) (#178)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:48:58 PM EST
    kdog: "... but every law has unintended consequences ..."

    ... people can rise above their petty prejudices, and respond to the better angels in their nature.

    ;-D

    Parent

    Wouldn't it be funny (none / 0) (#165)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:06:47 PM EST
    If Brewer signs the bill into law, and all of a sudden, outspoken evangelicals and bigots and such start getting turned away from businesses because those business owners claim "sincere religious beliefs" not to do business with intolerant people? (not saying ALL evangelicals are intolerant - but just the ones who make their feelings known)

    Parent
    Yes it would... (none / 0) (#167)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:37:19 PM EST
    some of the good business owners of AZ are already on the case JB...did ya see Rocco's in Tucson?  

    Parent
    Love it! (none / 0) (#169)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:43:00 PM EST


    Parent
    Quote of the year... (5.00 / 1) (#171)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:45:44 PM EST
    from the restaurant's facebook page...

    "Funny how just being decent is starting to seem radical these days."

    Yes Rocco's, following the true teachings of Jesus H. Christ does a radical make.  Be proud to be radically decent.

    Parent

    That would be awesome (none / 0) (#170)
    by vicndabx on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 12:44:04 PM EST


    Parent
    I didn't consider the cabbies 'haters' (none / 0) (#179)
    by nycstray on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:55:43 PM EST
    in fact I preferred them to be honest about my dog. For every one that was uncomfortable about my dog, there were plenty that were willing and open to her. And I surely do not want to be stuck in a cab with a larger dog and a driver that is afraid/uncomfortable with her.

    I do think if you have serious issues with drinkers, you shouldn't be driving a cab in NYC though  :D

    Parent

    A fear of dogs is one thing... (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:58:51 PM EST
    refusing service out of fear is understandable...refusing service for no other reason than your imaginary friend said so is something else.

    Parent
    It's kind of the same though (5.00 / 1) (#185)
    by nycstray on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 02:52:56 PM EST
    because they weren't socialized with dogs and have misconceptions about them, no matter how it came about. Some of the drivers would accept smaller to med dogs, but I learned quickly that size is in the eye of the beholder and always specified my dog was large . .  Then there are the ones who want a pic with your dog ;)

    Parent
    I see your point... (none / 0) (#186)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 03:02:31 PM EST
    I could live with a compromise that they only have to accept fares from those with disabilities that require a dog, such as a seeing eye dog.

    Since other businesses are allowed to refuse service to customers with pets...I guess cabs should be allowed too, that's reasonable.  

    Parent

    Not remotely (none / 0) (#188)
    by Yman on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 04:20:41 PM EST
    I'm not upset by these court rulings in the least.

    But now that MO Blue has shown you that such discrimination by Muslim cab drivers is NOT permitted, I'm sure you'll be reversing your tune.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#144)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 07:20:16 AM EST
    No one is compelling speech here - no one said a photographer HAS to take wedding photos at all.  The photographer CHOOSES to be in that business.  And once you open a business like that, you open yourself to a whole host of public accommodation regulations and laws.  You certainly couldn't have a photographer put up a sign saying "We don't do mixed race-marriages."  Why is this any different?

    And I guess I'd love to ask this photographer, if she's such a good Christian, then does she refuse to do second marriages or marriages between people who lived together before tying the knot, or people who had kids out of wedlock?

    Parent

    What part of court findings don't you get (none / 0) (#148)
    by ragebot on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 08:38:57 AM EST
    Courts have allowed businesses to refuse service for lots of reasons.  The example I provided is clearly on point here.  Not to mention the 1A stuff you seem to gloss over.

    You may not like what the courts have said about refusing service but it is still the law.

    Parent

    What don't you get (none / 0) (#152)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 09:04:51 AM EST
    That in the case of the New Mexico photographer, the state Supreme Court said exactly the opposite? THIS is clearly on point - as opposed to what you are talking about.

    The New Mexico Supreme Court agreed, saying Ms. Huguenin's "services can be regulated, even though those services include artistic and creative work." Laws banning discrimination, the court said, apply to "creative or expressive professions."


    Parent
    So far I haven't seen you cite an (none / 0) (#153)
    by MO Blue on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 09:07:41 AM EST
    actual law that allows Muslim cab drivers to deny service to someone with a bacon cheeseburger on religious grounds.

    Nor have I seen you provide a link to a court ruling that states that Muslim cab drivers have the constitutional right to deny service to someone with a bacon cheeseburger, alcohol etc. based on freedom of religion.

    The issue under discussion is an actual bill, which if Brewer signs it will become law, that allows discrimination and not what some people may or may not do in practice.

     

    Parent

    The muslim cabbie... (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 10:25:30 AM EST
    thing was an issue in MN awhile back, refusing to serve customers with dogs or booze...found this link.

    Bottom line...you have the right to believe and worship as you see fit on your own time, but if your beliefs won't allow you to do business without discriminating you need to find a new line of work or chill out with your beliefs.

    Parent

    Thanks kdog for the new info (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by MO Blue on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 11:35:32 AM EST
    and the link. It directed me to additional information on this subject. Muslim cab drivers actually lost this argument in court. I will provide the court info  directly to ragebot so that he has the opportunity to stop making this false argument in support of his position.

    Parent
    A business deducting business expenses (none / 0) (#108)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:51:22 PM EST
    is a "perk?"

    Whuh?

    Parent

    Well, (none / 0) (#110)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:54:19 PM EST
    I could take pictures of my friend's wedding and because I do not run a business, I don't get to deduct any of the expenses associated with it.

    Same amount of time and effort.

    Sounds like a perk to me.

    Parent

    First of all, aren't we talking about a pharmacy? (none / 0) (#113)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:59:16 PM EST
    You know, an actual business?

    But as to photographing a wedding, if you are paid to take the pics, you must report your profits (income less expenses).

    If you are doing someone a solid by taking pictures, whether you have a business or not, the expenses you incur are not business expenses and therefor not deductible.

    Parent

    Do you have any idea (none / 0) (#121)
    by nycstray on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:20:30 PM EST
    what that "perk" costs some of us? And then there's the "perk" of paying for all of your SS/Etc, health insurance, no paid vacation and other job benefits and if things go south, no unemployment insurance.

    Parent
    "Perk" was the wrong word (none / 0) (#143)
    by jbindc on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 07:06:07 AM EST
    But the fact is - if you a running a business there are certain advantages you get that a regular individual does not.  You may also get certain tax breaks, depending on how you set your business up, you can limit liability, etc.

    Parent
    Why don't you look it up yourself? (none / 0) (#104)
    by MO Blue on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:55:29 PM EST
    It is a matter of record and easily accessible to any one who doesn't expect someone else to do their work for them.

    Parent
    "Forums on the right" ... (none / 0) (#117)
    by Yman on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 06:15:18 PM EST
    ... say a lot of things, much of it absolutely ridiculous.

    Is someone telling a bakery to make a cake insulting the Bible?

    Parent

    Brotherswing (none / 0) (#65)
    by Dadler on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 01:53:52 PM EST
    I suck, this techno-gypsy-acid-jazz most certainly does not. Caravan Palace, "Brotherswing." (link)

    I do like (none / 0) (#101)
    by Mikado Cat on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 04:32:32 PM EST
    Caravan Palace, but they seem to have very few releases, just u tube stuff. Swing gets under your skin, hard not to like.

    Parent
    Supreme Court (none / 0) (#81)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:13:43 PM EST
    Hands down another Fourth Amendment decision today.

    Fernandez v. California

    The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that police may search a home without a warrant when two occupants disagree about allowing officers to enter, and the resident who refuses access is then arrested.

    The justices declined to extend an earlier ruling denying entry to police when the occupants disagree and both are present.

    Justice Samuel Alito wrote the court's 6-3 decision holding that an occupant may not object to a search when he is not at home.

    "We therefore hold that an occupant who is absent due to a lawful detention or arrest stands in the same shoes as an occupant who is absent for any other reason," Alito said.

    Although, that write-up makes it sound like the police didn't get consent to search, so jsut arrested the guy for not granting consent, which is not really what happened. Poor writing by HuffPo.

    A little different picture is painted with more details from the opinion.

    The events involved in this case occurred in Los Angeles in October 2009. After observing Abel Lopez cash a check,petitioner Walter Fernandez approached Lopez and asked about the neighborhood in which he lived. When Lopez responded that he was from Mexico, Fernandez laughed and told Lopez that he was in territory ruled by the"D.F.S.," i.e., the "Drifters" gang. App. 4-5. Petitioner then pulled out a knife and pointed it at Lopez' chest. Lopez raised his hand in self-defense, and petitioner cut him on the wrist.

    Lopez ran from the scene and called 911 for help, but petitioner whistled, and four men emerged from a nearby apartment building and attacked Lopez. After knocking him to the ground, they hit and kicked him and took his cell phone and his wallet, which contained $400 in cash.

    A police dispatch reported the incident and mentioned the possibility of gang involvement, and two Los Angeles police officers, Detective Clark and Officer Cirrito, drove to an alley frequented by members of the Drifters. A man who appeared scared walked by the officers and said: "`[T]he guy is in the apartment.'" Id., at 5. The officers then observed a man run through the alley and into the building to which the man was pointing. A minute or two later, the officers heard sounds of screaming and fighting coming from that building.

    After backup arrived, the officers knocked on the door of the apartment unit from which the screams had been heard. Roxanne Rojas answered the door. She was holding a baby and appeared to be crying. Her face was red, and she had a large bump on her nose. The officers also saw blood on her shirt and hand from what appeared to bea fresh injury. Rojas told the police that she had been in a fight. Officer Cirrito asked if anyone else was in the apartment, and Rojas said that her 4-year-old son was the only other person present.

    After Officer Cirrito asked Rojas to step out of the apartment so that he could conduct a protective sweep, petitioner appeared at the door wearing only boxer shorts. Apparently agitated, petitioner stepped forward and said,"`You don't have any right to come in here. I know myrights.'" Id., at 6. Suspecting that petitioner had assaulted Rojas, the officers removed him from the apartment and then placed him under arrest. Lopez identified petitioner as his initial attacker, and petitioner was taken to the police station for booking.

    Approximately one hour after petitioner's arrest, Detective Clark returned to the apartment and informed Rojas that petitioner had been arrested. Detective Clark requested and received both oral and written consent from Rojas to search the premises.2 In the apartment, the police found Drifters gang paraphernalia, a butterfly knife, clothing worn by the robbery suspect, and ammunition. Rojas' young son also showed the officers where petitioner had hidden a sawed-off shotgun.
    Sup Ct Rules on Searches & Assets (none / 0) (#82)
    by vicndabx on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:14:59 PM EST
    WASHINGTON -- In a pair of 6-to-3 decisions, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the police may sometimes search homes over the objections of one of their residents and that criminal defendants are not entitled to hearings to try to gain access to frozen assets to pay their lawyers.

    NYT Link

    interesting lineup for majority (none / 0) (#107)
    by ragebot on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:48:57 PM EST
     Kagan, Ginsburg, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Alito (against the criminal defendant's claim) vs. Breyer, Sotomayor, and Roberts (in favor of the criminal defendant's claim)

    Parent
    Debbie's in! (none / 0) (#93)
    by jbindc on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 03:54:34 PM EST
    Debbie Dingell to run for husband's seat

    Interesting Ad (none / 0) (#105)
    by sj on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:13:33 PM EST
    A message only for children -- and a warning for adults.

    via Avedon Carol.

    Cameron Diaz (none / 0) (#112)
    by ragebot on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 05:55:10 PM EST
    Encourages Women to Keep Their Pubic Hair in Her New Book

    Hope it is a really big book, or that not too many women follow her advice.

    Are they supposed to... (none / 0) (#129)
    by unitron on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 09:53:43 PM EST
    ...cut it before placing it in the book, or just collect it as it falls out naturally?

    Parent
    There is a dangling modifer (none / 0) (#131)
    by ragebot on Tue Feb 25, 2014 at 10:02:30 PM EST
    joke around here somewhere

    Parent
    You tell 'em Cam... (none / 0) (#150)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 08:45:32 AM EST
    I wholeheartedly support this message.  

    Parent
    This is all ... (none / 0) (#177)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:33:57 PM EST
    ... way too much information for me. While I'm certainly no prude, I don't think it's my place to either approve or disapprove because I consider such matters to be really none of my business -- and I'd kinda sorta like to keep it that way, y'know?

    Parent
    I don't think it's... (none / 0) (#180)
    by kdog on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:56:02 PM EST
    something the Hawaii State Legislator needs to address, to be sure...but everybody is entitled to an opinion and a preference Don.

    Parent
    Yes, they are. (none / 0) (#201)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 07:17:33 PM EST
    I certainly wasn't saying that people couldn't or shouldn't. Rather, I just wish that sometimes, people would be a little more circumspect about sharing those opinions and preferences with others, especially with regards to personal matters such as personal hygiene, body piercings, sexual likes and dislikes, etc. These are topics that appeal to a select audience, at best.

    Speaking for myself only, while I can appreciate the lowbrow and a ribald sense of humor as much as anyone, I don't necessarily think that everything needs to be discussed publicly. I really try to consider the people around me before broaching potentially sensitive topics like pubic hair protocols, because there are some who may not really appreciate hearing about it.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Russian President Vladimir Putin ... (none / 0) (#175)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 01:28:46 PM EST
    "I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul."
    -- President George W. Bush, to reporters after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin (June 16, 2001)

    ... has ordered the deployment of 150,000 Russian troops and a number of air force units to the Ukrainian border today, and has reportedly further deployed upwards of 80 Russian naval vessels off the Ukrainian port of Odessa in the Black Sea.

    "I had looked into Putin's eyes and I saw a stone cold killer."
    -- Former Sec. of Defense Robert Gates, to talk show host Hugh Hewitt (January 23, 2014)

    No doubt, it's a calculated show of force directed toward acting Ukrainian President Olexandr Turchynov and the Parliament in Kiev in the aftermath of this week's apparent ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich, who fled the capital and is reportedly holed up in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which is majority ethnic Russian, as are nearly one in six Ukrainians. Further, one in four speak Russian as their first language.

    What will Putin do? Will he attempt to reinstate Yanukovich in Kiev by force? Given the considerable resistance he would face from ethnic Ukrainians in any advance upon Kiev itself, that's probably unlikely.

    But Putin could perhaps seize the Crimean peninsula, where the Russian navy currently maintains a major base in the Black sea port city of Sebastopol, and which is also majority ethnic Russian. Or he could try to forcibly separate the industrialized eastern half of Ukraine from the rest of the country, under the guise of defending the region's ethnic Russians from the chaos in Kiev.

    And given that Putin has certainly used military force to deadly effect in the past as a means to impose his will upon his neighbors in southern half of the former Soviet Union, it would be foolish right now to discount such a possibility. No doubt, there are lots of people keeping an eye on him right now.

    We'll see soon enough whether he's bluffing.

    What will Putin do, you ask (none / 0) (#183)
    by christinep on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 02:34:44 PM EST
    He will look for an opportunity, an opening.  As you suggest, a "guise" to protect ethnic Russians, etc.  In the meantime, the best position for Ukraine is to solidify its new government this week via the rather disciplined approach it has been following to date.  Acting on the proposed new prime minister on the Thursday timeline would be an excellent statement.

    If Ukraine can resist the bait of provocation, it will make life more difficult for Vladimir ... because, of course, what Putin would look for is a provocation, a justification to enter.  

    As for Vladimir Putin and character: Once KGB, always KGB.  In that sense, it is useful to remember--as I'm sure Ukraine knows well--that this character does not bluff.  Historically, there have always been bulwarks geographically for Russia; and, foremost among them has been the Ukraine.  A potentially exacerbating factor has to involve further ramifications in Georgia and the various "Stans" if Ukraine can be seen to show up Putin as weak or less than strong.  IMO, we are witnessing an aspect of tensions between Russia and its western (and, contemporaneously, eastern) bulwarks that erupt over the centuries.  No one should doubt Russia's determination to demonstrate strength in that regard; but, Putin also has more geo-political constraints than in times past.  Even the maneuvering Putin cannot win by overreaching.

    Parent

    Arseniy Yatsenyuk (none / 0) (#187)
    by christinep on Wed Feb 26, 2014 at 03:39:24 PM EST
    Yatsenyuk is a prominent legislator, per AP, who has been put forward as the proposed new prime minister.

    Parent
    I'm going to clean this thread (none / 0) (#202)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Feb 28, 2014 at 11:46:01 PM EST
    of insults over the weekend, same for the Thursday Open thread. Please don't rate commenters as "1"'s based on point of you. I can't delete individual ratings, i can only delete a particular commenter's ratings in their entirety. Any with more than a few "1" ratings used on regular commenters here will find all their ratings deleted.

    Monday Open Thread | 191 comments (191 topical)