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Monday Morning Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 12:21:25 PM EST
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Fun fact - when Peyton Manning played for the University of Tennessee, the Florida Gators beat his team 4 straight times.

Go Gators!

Open Thread.

< March Madness Day 4 | Staff Sgt. Robert Bales: $1 Million in Debt, No Memory of Killings >

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    Spider flee Australian flooding (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Dadler on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 12:31:01 PM EST
    Very cool pix of the arachnid safety response to the recent floods.

    Dazing my way through a mostly mild head cold, sinus kind of thing.  Mild or not, still, it just sucks.  Hope y'all are feeling better than me.

    And visit THE ABNORMAL WIDTH OF NORMAL HEIGHTS, where some new short fiction by yours truly awaits you. Comments always appreciated.  (LINK)

    Peace, peeps.

    Dadler, that spider situation is very cool (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by fishcamp on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:04:06 PM EST
    and even though I don't like spiders at all I think it might be a good subject for your style of writing.  Still awaiting your comedy story.  Maybe a spider comedy that could solve my childhood nightmares of being covered by hundreds of baby red spiders while being chased by a man wearing ten cowboy hats.

    Parent
    Try these two (none / 0) (#21)
    by Dadler on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:21:02 PM EST
    Homeless Alien Kept a Diary

    Government Salami

    If these don't make you chuckle a bit, well, I'll worry about that if it happens... ;-)

    Parent

    Bizarre, ... (none / 0) (#10)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:24:41 PM EST
    ... but very cool.

    Parent
    When you realize... (none / 0) (#11)
    by Dadler on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:29:36 PM EST
    ...exactly how many spiders and insects are out there under the radar.  Enough to engulf us if they chose to.

    Parent
    Stink bugs are going to be (5.00 / 0) (#19)
    by Anne on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:16:46 PM EST
    unbelievable this summer - they never really left after last summer, because the winter was so mild.  I don't know where they keep coming from, but they are attracted to heat and light, so in the evening when the lights are on, they are like moths - only they emit a stink when you try to mess with them.  And they don't flutter - their hard little bodies snap and pop as they slam into lamps and light bulbs.  I have plastic cups with soapy water in them, that are placed in strategic locations all over the house - find a stink bug, drown a stink bug.

    And lest you feel sad about this tactic, know that these bugs serve no purpose, other than to suck the life out of fruit and vegetable crops.  They aren't the kind of bug you put up with because they eat or kill some other, nastier insect.

    Some info:

    The brown marmorated stink bugs are regarded as agricultural pests for they render widespread harm to fruits and vegetable crops. Their major hosts include maple, birch, serviceberry, catalpa, butterfly bush, pecan, redbud, hackberry, pepper, dogwood, citrus, cucumber, tomato, sunflower, apple, pear, plum, and grape. Brown stink bugs use their proboscis to suck the host plants and resultantly they not only create necrotic areas on the surface of fruits but also even cause seed loss and transfer of plant pathogens.

    Another distinct characteristic of brown bugs is that they go into the state of hibernation in winter seasons and invade homes or structures where temperature does not fall critically. Their hideouts include under siding, windows and door frames. However, in spring they remain active in feeding on plants and vegetables.

    There are pictures of them at the link; if you're not familiar, I sincerely hope you don't become familiar, you know, like in an up-close-and-personal kind of way...

    Last summer, my daughter called me to say that the back of the house - which faces the southwest and gets all the afternoon sun - looked like something out of a horror movie, with siding and screens covered with the little bastards.

    Better the house than the vegetable garden, I guess...but, still, why haven't these critters evolved out of existence?

    Parent

    Something out of a horror movie? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:36:01 PM EST
    They sound like something out of wall street...

    stink... render widespread harm... invade homes... little bastards

    Or maybe they were politicians in a previous incarnation?

    why haven't these critters evolved out of existence?


    Parent
    We used to get them in SoCal... (none / 0) (#24)
    by Dadler on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:53:15 PM EST
    ...when I was a kid, I remember them sticking their butts up in the air to spew their gas.  Really unpleasant odor, but I can't imagine it multiplied like that.  Don't see them as much here anymore, but I'm in NoCal now, so what do I know?

    Parent
    They didn't evolve here (none / 0) (#43)
    by Zorba on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 04:38:42 PM EST
    They came from Asia.  People speculate that they came over here on container ships.  They don't have any natural predators here, so the stupid bugs are doing just fine.  What we need are some of the local bug eaters to evolve to eat the stink bugs.  I agree, they're disgusting.  Not to mention what they're doing to the fruit and vegetable crops.  They ruined a whole lot of our apples and quince last year.  

    Parent
    Was in your neck-of-the-woods ... (none / 0) (#54)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 07:36:19 PM EST
    ... last summer (Sugarloaf Mountain) and there were just clouds of them - took a lot of fun out of the hike.  We have a few here at the shore (NJ), but nothing like that.

    Parent
    The Climate Change Hoax (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 12:54:59 PM EST
    conspiracy metworks have been staying up late at night working in the dark and leaving their taps running all night long, and have so far managed to raise sea levels of the Pacific Ocean enough now to flood out the entire island nation of Kiribati in the South Pacific, forcing the country's leaders to continue their quest to by land from Fiji to move their entire population to before their entire country sinks beneath the waves.

    I'm telling you, these people will stop at nothing to perpetrate their hoax on an unsuspecting world.

    The extreme hyperbolic fearmongering rhetoric and obviously photoshopped pictures are worse than anything even a Santorum could come up with...

    "This is the last resort, there's no way out of this one" Kiribati President Anote Tong said.

    "Our people will have to move as the tides have reached our homes and villages."

    erm... "networks", and "buy" (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 12:59:19 PM EST


    Parent
    Book now (none / 0) (#7)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:03:06 PM EST

    before it is too late

    Parent
    Let me know when you're leaving (5.00 / 0) (#25)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:56:52 PM EST
    I'll hook you up with some awesome deals on nice waterfront properties that will blow you away...

    Parent
    Oh, yes; do remind me how many UF quarterbacks... (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by rhbrandon on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:41:16 PM EST
    have won a Super Bowl?

    Ans.: Nada

    How many have even played in one?

    Ans.: One, Rex Grossman.

    Who beat him?

    Ans.: Peyton Manning.

    Thank you for watching Context TV...

    LOL@Rex Grossman (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by rdandrea on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:09:16 PM EST
    After the Redskins re-signed Grossman this weekend, I heard an all-night sports radio guy say, "Now they have RG3 and RG3-and-out."

    Parent
    Now that's funny... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Anne on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:18:12 PM EST
    thanks for the chuckle!

    Parent
    That is not quite true (none / 0) (#16)
    by nyjets on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:54:40 PM EST
    Peyton Manning did not beat Rex Grossman. The Colts defense which played over their heads during their playoff run actually beat Rex Grossman.
    Heck Peyton Manning was not even the main reason why the Colts won the Superbowl. The Colts defense coupled with a great rushing attack won that game for the Colts.
    Peyton Manning actually was nothing special in that game. Manning was named MVP ONLY because the Sports writers wanted him to be MVP. A Colts RB or an  Offensive lineman should of been MVP.

    Parent
    Listen, I can certainly understand the denialism.. (5.00 / 0) (#27)
    by rhbrandon on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:59:27 PM EST
    (grin)

    Parent
    Face it - women are just worth more, that's all... (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:16:13 PM EST

    The National Women's Law Center released a report Monday morning that found health insurance companies have charged women $1 billion more than men for the same premium coverage, leading to the organization launching a campaign for women to fight against discriminatory practices.

    The report, Turning to Fairness: Insurance discrimination against women today and the Affordable Care Act, documented the various ways the health insurance industry treated women unequally in obtaining affordable health care.

    -- RawStory...
    Our friend who was (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:22:22 PM EST
    Upset about his finances is gone.  He leaves behind one son in his first year of college.  It's a damn shame and another one of those things that didn't need to happen.

    Oh no, how horrible (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by ruffian on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:32:41 PM EST
    So sorry. If they have set up a fund for his son, please let us know.

    Parent
    He was new to the area (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:51:08 PM EST
    Came in from CA.  Been here for about six months.  Much better paying job but he felt like he could never get out of the hole.  He didn't want anything to be forgiven, he just wanted it to be possible to earn his way clear.  He had tickets to the Boss here in Atlanta on Saturday,trying to make some sense of it.  My husband was going to go with him if Josh was comfortable enough and I wasn't burnt out.  I guess he couldn't make it that long.

    We had not had the chance to meet his son yet.  This is not how we wanted to meet him.

    Parent

    I can say anything that sounds (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by ruffian on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 05:05:14 PM EST
    remotely enough. That poor soul. I can't help but feel that if he been able to hold out long enough to spend an evening with your husband and The Boss it would have made a difference, at least in the short term and maybe he would have found a reason to hang in there. My deepest sympathy to all.

    Parent
    Oh, that's awful...had been hoping there (5.00 / 3) (#36)
    by Anne on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:42:50 PM EST
    was some less dreadful explanation for why he hadn't been seen or heard from.

    I know that part of the problem is breaking through to where people feel able to ask for help without being penalized for it.  But, we've also seen far too many instances of people asking for help and being told to suck it up and get back on the line - and that, in my opinion, is the kind of failure that shouldn't be allowed to happen.

    Glenn has a post up about how we Americans are always looking for reasons to explain our failures, but when it comes to the Taliban or al Qaeda or "terrorists," the only reason we ascribe to their actions is that they hate us.  

    There is, quite obviously, a desperate need to believe that when an American engages in acts of violence of this type (meaning: as a deviation from formal American policy), there must be some underlying mental or emotional cause that makes it sensible, something other than an act of pure hatred or Evil. When a Muslim engages in acts of violence against Americans, there is an equally desperate need to believe the opposite: that this is yet another manifestation of inscrutable hatred and Evil, and any discussion of any other causes must be prohibited and ignored.

    Because of course, there is no such thing as financial or emotional or marital or any other kind of stress going on in the lives of the bad brown people - I guess that's reserved as a uniquely American kind of thing.

    You know, when I heard Panetta say that "these things happen," when speaking of the killing of the 16 people in Afghanistan, it made me feel like the military too often views our men and women in uniform as cannon fodder, expendable in some percentage amount, and not worth spending precious dollars on mental health treatment for.  Not to mention that "these things happen" doesn't say much about the value of the lives "these things" happen to...

    In theory, I understand why someone would want to join the military, but in practice, given that you are as likely to be abandoned at your time of greatest need as you are to be supported, I don't know why anyone would take that chance.

    So many broken people; has the price really been worth it?

    Anyway, I didn't mean to ramble, and I hope you don't think I was equating your friend with the Afghanistan killings; I guess I was just thinking "broken" and that's what took me there.

    I'm so sorry for your friend and his family.

    Parent

    I don't want my spouse to deploy into combat (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 05:06:29 PM EST
    Again if they are going to misdiagnose you on purpose when you get home either.  The Presidents lack of voice on the issue is beginning to put him in the Dubya section of war time President's too.  The career manager offered my husband S Korea among the available deployment slots and he took it.  I have lost heart fighting for Obama and my husband promised after 20, I wouldn't have to do anything I didn't want to.  Well I don't want anymore supporting special ops missions under this President.  Not when he silences a whole military base and won't allow them to speak to the press.  On that count he can kiss my you know what.

    Parent
    Because of money (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by Dadler on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 04:24:31 PM EST
    An inanimate object we've allowed to become Frankenstein.

    So tragic.  My thoughts are with his family, and with you Tracy.  Got enough on your plate, and you're a very caring person, so I know it can't be easy.  Even when it seems like it is, the sh*t gets buried in our subconscious.  Such is human existence.

    Peace, my friend.  And a massive serving to your son as he recovers.

    Parent

    My husband and I are okay (none / 0) (#47)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 05:12:02 PM EST
    I think it helps having this thing with Josh.  There isn't anything we can do.  If we were home we would be in the thick of it.  I'm going through a phase of being a little pissed at because what is his son supposed to do with this?  Even if he has it all worked out that his son benefits monetarily, it never makes up for the loss.

    Parent
    Tracy, nothing (5.00 / 4) (#50)
    by Zorba on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 06:02:37 PM EST
    can make up to his loved ones for the loss.  I'm so sorry that you have this on your plate, too.  And I know that dealing with Josh's surgeries has distracted you from this, but I really, really wish that you didn't have to deal with any of this at all.  You're a strong woman, Tracy, and I admire your strength.  Stay strong, my sister.  Namaste.

    Parent
    Thank you Zorba (5.00 / 2) (#52)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 06:54:54 PM EST
      And it sure does distract from the celebrations.  Inspite of losing "J", things are going better than initially expected with Josh.  There was that unexpected flexibility in Josh's back and he's responding quickly to the traction.  The doctor is very happy.  You would think that would mean he would get out of jail earlier but nope.  It means he will wear it home for several months and grow up with a much more normal shaped spine.  Yesterday when he was checking Josh he had a hold of his feet and he said," These feet, I'm fixing these feet next".  I don't know whether to smile or just pass out.  Josh loves him though,he is a super cool doctor.

    Funny it took Josh breaking his arm and being treated by one of his residents to find him.

    Parent

    Tracy, I am glad that (5.00 / 3) (#53)
    by Zorba on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 07:09:05 PM EST
    things are proceeding well with Josh.  I just cannot imagine having a child with so many problems that require so many interventions.  (And I'm a retired special education teacher, so I am not totally unfamiliar with what can go "wrong" with the human body; although thanks be to the Universal Forces, whatever you may call them, I did not have to deal with them with my own kids.)  It looks like you are very much on top up of things and everything is going well.  Don't forget to take care of yourself, too.  You can't take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself.

    Parent
    Update on almost 14-yr. old male (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by oculus on Tue Mar 20, 2012 at 12:01:43 AM EST
    tutoree's essay for English class re a woman's right to choose:  tutorree picked topic himself, ran it by male English teacher, who had no objection.  

    The war on the elderly (1.50 / 2) (#2)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 12:37:05 PM EST
    .

    ...in 2009 the typical household headed by someone in the older age group [65+] had 47 times as much net wealth as the typical household headed by someone in the younger age group [<35] -$170,494 versus $3,662 (all figures expressed in 2010 dollars). Back in 1984, this had been a less lopsided ten-to-one ratio. In absolute terms, the oldest households in 1984 had median net wealth $108,936 higher than that of the youngest households. In 2009, the gap had widened to $166,832

    To keep the gravy flowing, all you young workers should pay more to keep the wealthier set in the life style they have become accustomed to.  So what if oldsters claim over half the federal budget in a few years.

    From your source: (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Anne on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:00:53 PM EST
    The importance of home equity in pushing up the net worth of older American households can be demonstrated by analyzing trends for net worth other than home equity. If it had not been for home equity, the median net worth of older American households in 2009 would have been 33% lower than that of older households in 1984, instead of 42% higher. For young households, there is no such difference: Median net worth in 2009 would be 66% lower than their counterparts in 1984 if home equity is excluded, compared with 68% lower if equity is included.

    My emphasis.

    Parent

    Right (none / 0) (#8)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:09:52 PM EST
    .

    As you point out the 65+ have more net worth than younger workers that is in part due to home equity.  The bottom line remains, wealthier is wealthier.

    .

    Parent

    Well if you are using 2009 (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by ruffian on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:16:07 PM EST
    numbers, and agreeing that home equity is a huge part of the wealth, that gap is much lower now as home equity has plummeted in the last 3 years, particularly in the states with large elderly populations, like Florida and Arizona.

    And unless you are positing that there be means testing for social security benefits, it does not matter anyway. The elderly know paid into the system their whole lives for the benefit of those that came before them. That is how the system works.

    Parent

    Right on (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 05:40:51 PM EST
    In 2009 we we're above water, in 2012 we are even... may have only lost our down payment.  But the market is not done correcting when average wages are decreasing.

    Parent
    "Wealthier is wealthier" (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 04:37:18 PM EST
    Funny how you limit the discussion to "wealth", conveniently ignoring the point raised by Anne.  You also focused solely on "wealth" (mostly created by the rise in home prices), rather than income.  Gee, ...

    ... I wonder why anyone would do that?

    "Data on Older Americans' Wealth Can Be Misleading".

    Parent

    Income is not wealth (none / 0) (#44)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 05:03:47 PM EST

    Income is not wealth.  Wealth is not income.

    Parent
    Thanks for the platitude (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 05:34:33 PM EST
    ... and for making my point.

    Parent
    Your point? (none / 0) (#13)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:35:33 PM EST
    Are you saying that someone is proposing a massive increase in SS to compensate for this "loss" in paper wealth, or even that some group of elderly is demanding the same?

    Parent
    He's saying... (5.00 / 6) (#22)
    by kdog on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:34:26 PM EST
    lets play another variation of America's favorite game...Kick the Dog!  You may have already own the Migrant Worker Edition, the Civil Servant with a Pension Edition, and the Food Stamps Edition...but no collection is complete without the Elderly Edition!

    Parent
    Thanks kdog (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by sj on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:14:40 PM EST
    for cutting straight to the chase.  It's shocking really how many people are willing to throw their grandparents to the wolves.  At the same time I haven't seen too many seniors fooled by the "SS changes won't affect current beneficiaries!!!"

    Typically, they are not as ready to throw their grandchildren under the bus compared to how willing some grandchildren are to do the same to their grandparents.

    Parent

    If we wanna help the youth... (none / 0) (#32)
    by kdog on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:27:54 PM EST
    accumulate some wealth, or at least have a pot to p*ss in, we can cut their income taxes, and leave SS alone.  But I guess that might f*ck with a weapons contractor's handout, or bump Romney's rate above 15%...and we can't have that now can we? ;)

    Parent
    Not to mention (none / 0) (#26)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 02:58:49 PM EST
    the Grandma and Grandpa Abulbul Amir Editions...

    Parent
    Perhaps Gram & Gramps ... (none / 0) (#56)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 08:05:31 PM EST
    ... threw Abdul under the bus years ago, and Abdul is trying to get back at them.

    Parent
    I suspect he's probably (none / 0) (#61)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 09:05:23 PM EST
    a republican or a democrat...

    Parent
    I completely misread his comment (none / 0) (#41)
    by Yman on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 04:31:09 PM EST
    I thought he was saying older Americans experienced a loss in wealth, and was trying to suggest that this somehow justified a reduction in entitlements.

    Parent
    And brought to you by ... (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 08:36:59 PM EST
    ... the GOP's ongoing War on Reality, coming soon to an election campaign near you.

    Parent
    Well played, BTD! (none / 0) (#3)
    by ruffian on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 12:44:24 PM EST


    Ha. (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:34:19 PM EST


    Parent
    This has been another round of (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by ruffian on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 01:48:51 PM EST
    6 Degrees of Florida Gators

    Parent
    Some more fun Gator facts: (none / 0) (#58)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 08:34:16 PM EST
    When I was a college freshman back in the fall of 1979, the Florida Gators went 0-10-1. They really, really sucked.

    But then the Gators got a new head coach, Charlie Pell, and they got better. In 1980, the Gators had a then-record NCAA single-season turnaround, finishing 8-3 -- a 7.5-game differential. (See NOTE.)

    And eventually, the Gators got so good that they earned the right to forfeit the 1984 SEC championship, thanks to the 107 documented major recruiting violations which occurred during Coach Pell's regime.

    The Florida Gators got NCAA probation, and Charlie Pell got the axe.

    NOTE: Hawaii broke Florida's 1980 NCAA single-season turnaround record during the 1999 season, going 9-4 after finishing 0-12 in 1998 - an 8.5-game differential. And unlike the Gators, the Warriors didn't eventually end up on NCAA probation.

    Parent

    Peyton Manning (none / 0) (#29)
    by Ben Hussey on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:14:54 PM EST
    He may have lost to the Gators, but he's gone farther than their QB did . Oh , and by the way, you guys are stuck with him now for a long time .HaHaHa..........State Bulldog fan . We beat him on his first entrance into an SEC game .

    Oh jeeze... (none / 0) (#33)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:30:18 PM EST
    How is his son holding up? Will he make it through that first year of college?

    "The offer is still on the table" (none / 0) (#35)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:33:26 PM EST
    The Washington Post revealed this weekend that the White House has a current offer "still on the table" to make billions of dollars of cuts in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Democratic Leaders in Congress, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, grudgingly agreed to the deal, according to the Post.

    digby dissects

    So selling out Medicare and Social Security, lowering taxes on the wealthy and cutting the hell out of everything else was just fine, but dynamic scoring was the hang up? Well, I guess we at least know what the limits are now. One thing is clear from this article: the administration simply had no respect or concern for the Democratic base's reaction to what they were doing.
    Why should they... (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by kdog on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:51:48 PM EST
    respect or have concern for the base?  Where is the incentive to respect and be concerned when the vast majority of "the base" readily admits they'll vote for Democrats no matter what?

    It would be like having respect and being concerned for your doormat.

    Parent

    That doormat (5.00 / 0) (#39)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 03:54:12 PM EST
    is getting smaller and smaller all the time from being walked on and having shoes wiped on it every day.

    Parent
    HuffPo today... (none / 0) (#51)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 06:18:04 PM EST
    Barack Obama Prepares for War Footing

    A newly-propounded Executive Order, titled "National Defense Resources Preparedness," renews and updates the president's power to take control of all civil energy supplies, including oil and natural gas, control and restrict all civil transportation, which is almost 97 percent dependent upon oil; and even provides the option to re-enable a draft in order to achieve both the military and non-military demands of the country, according to a simple reading of the text. The Executive Order was published on the White House website.

    The timing of the Order -- with little fanfare -- could not be explained. Opinions among the very first bloggers on the purpose of the unexpected Executive Order run the gamut from the confused to the absurd. None focus on the obvious sudden need for such a pronouncement: oil and its potential for imminent interruption.
    [snip]
    At press time, administration sources could not be reached to elaborate on the timing...
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Comments are closed for this entry
    Trayvon Martin and FL's Stand Your Ground law (none / 0) (#55)
    by jawbone on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 07:52:12 PM EST
    If the neighborhood watch guy who shot Trayvon Martin told the police dispatcher that he was going to go after (chase) the black teenager, whom he described as looking like a really bad guy and that "those a**holes, they always get away," how can he say he was merely "standing his ground" and defending himself?

    Or is the name of the law a misnomer in that it's OK to give chase to someone and then shoot them if they try to resist being...well, beaten, or whatever?

    Oh, and as a neighborhood watchman, the shooter was not supposed to carry a gun....

    This is pretty stunning. The NewsHour coverage said Florida was pretty proud of its "Stand Your Ground" law. Even if Drug Dealer One takes a shot at Drug Dealer Two, then Drug Dealer Two shoots back in self-defense, the shot missing and instead killing a 3 year-old toddler. But Drug Deal One didn't kill the child, and Drug Dealer Two gets off because he was only shooting in self-defense.

    Wow.

    Not my favorite state, that Florida, especially under wackjob Repubs.

    Government Explained (none / 0) (#57)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 08:30:43 PM EST
    An inquisitive alien visits the planet to check on our progress as a species, and gets into a conversation with the first person he meets. The alien discovers that we live under the rule of a thing called "government", and wants to understand more about what "government" is, what it does, and why it exists.

    Hey! An Alien!

    Yes. I have traveled across space to check on the progress of your species.

    Cool! Shall I take you to our leader?

    (hesitantly, in a puzzled tone) Your wha-a-a-t?

    Our leader. The guy in charge.

    The guy in charge of what?

    Well, in charge of everything.

    (incredulous WTF? tone) You have one guy in charge of everything???

    Full 9 minute interview at youtube

    Ahem. Btw... (none / 0) (#60)
    by Edger on Mon Mar 19, 2012 at 08:52:58 PM EST
    Government let this one past the censors. For a reason... ;-)

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    Monday Morning Open Thread | 62 comments (62 topical)

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