Many should remember the fiction of Jules Verne. Much of what he wrote about is fact today, to cite but two – submarines and space flight. His methods seem today a bit primitive but cell phones in the 50’s weighed about as much as a toaster does today.
Now lets space forward to 1966 when Star Trek debuted. The Communicator represented the ultimate in an information device within the capacity of human imagination at that time.
Now we have both the iPhone and the Droid that each put that device to shame. Either can allow any individual to communicate with most anyone else in the World and to access the entire wealth of human knowledge.
This is our Open Thread. Please feel free to present your thoughts on any topic that comes to mind.
.
Eleven years later in 1977, Star Wars entered the human psyche. Here we have an entire galaxy where engineering has risen to the level where going to another star system is not much different then a trip to the local convenience store. That technology is a bit far into the future, but today we have a machine that can outplay human beings in a game that requires an understanding of facts (that’s easy) and linguistic nuances.
That sounds remarkably like C-3PO
But we already have Watson:
But C-3PO has legs…
Thanks for the post, Walt . . . Interesting that I am up at this hour on my new device . . .
Did I really just say that?
Yeah Lass, you said it. 🙂
How do you like it so far? I’ve resisted the SmartPhone thing for a while, but I realize it’s not “if” but “when” at this point.
I like it . . . I like it a lot 😉
I’ll tell you all about in a bit, zxbe. Right now I am running late for work due to lack of sleep :
Beam me up, Scotty, there’s no intelligent life here! (The Zoo excepted, of course)
An additional feature is the handy keypad cover; which can be used as a sieve to remove the larger particles from your watering hole, after the batteries go dead and you have been stranded on an unknown planet for the rest of your natural existence.
Yesterday I wrote:
Next, think about what this [UN vote to authorize military intervention] might do to the morale of the Libyan forces. It’s one thing to shoot at lightly armed civilians. It’s quite another to have the US and NATO bring their firepower to the field. There very well could be a dramatic turn-around in a matter of hours.
Time, as they say, will tell.
This morning I read (at TP):
Update: Libya’s deputy Foreign Minister has declared that the government is ready to accept a cease-fire after the UN authorized a no-fly zone last night to protect civilians from Libyan pro-government forces. “We are ready for this decision [a ceasefire] but we require an interlocutor to discuss how to implement it,” Khalid Kaim said.
Morning all. It looks like my road trip to Colorado has just been moved up. My daughter and some friends were returning from LA on their Spring Break road trip and had an accident in Glenwood Springs, CO. Initial reports are the car was totaled and the only real injury was my daughter. She mave have a dislocated hip and is enroute to a hospital via ambulance. She was conscious and talking.
Needless to say, I’m gearing up and hope to be on the road no later than noon.
Safe jouneys, Hooda.
Wow, Hooda. When it rains it pours. Be safe, and I hope all goes well for your daughter.
Thanks.
They say trouble comes in threes. This be three.
So when the hell am I going to be able to beam myself to work? My employer won’t let me telecommute, so I vanpool three days a week and drive in the two days I teach at night.
I’d love to be able to beam myself from work to home, work to school, and school to home!!!
Have a safe and sane journey, Hooda! My thoughts are with your daughter, hope all turns out OK. (Except of course for the car…)
Safe travels hoodathunk, and healing light for your daughter.
Where can I get my R2-D2?
The weather is on your side, Hooda, no snow predicted in the mountains over the next several days. The roads should be clear all the way from Denver to Glenwood Sp. Have a safe trip, hope all is well with your daughter and that her injuries are quick to heal.
Hoodathunk, I hope the news improves the closer you get to your daughter. Drive carefully!
Thanks for the weather update, frugal. I’m still in the process of getting things organized here, hoping to be on the road by noon or so.
I’ve talked to my daughter. They are presently prepping her in the ER to get her hip back in place. She’s doped to the gills and scared but doing ok.
Hugs to you and your daughter, Hooda. Drive safely.
Hooda,
Best wishes to you and your daughter. a dislocated hip sounds nasty, but of course there are worse injuries, so that’s something. .
Joining Zooey in the Hugs Hooda. Safe Travel to you and Peace and Health to your daughter.
It’s going to be in the ’70’s today. I’m off to work.
hooda,
I hope that this is it for the course. Take care and dwell on nothing until you and yours are safe at home.
see more Very Demotivational
BNF, such perspicacity! 😀
very good, Gary. 🙂
Hooda, that short conversation, with your daughter, hopefully takes the unknown swirl from your brain – giving more energy to a smoother drive to her side.
Positive energies to you.
Gingrich – made me vomit…. I just want to cock-punch him.
Palin in India. Different country, same contempt for the press:
“It appears that our coverage from yesterday has been a source of great consternation in the Palin camp – which was not the intended result of our reportage. Since last evening there has been a virtual blackout of all information about her movements.
IRTV would want Ms. Palin to enjoy India to its fullest and would like her to know that we wish her well. And since we have established that someone from their team is actually viewing this blog, as no other media outlet is covering Ms.Palin (they are, it appears, not interested), we are confident that this message will get passed on to her.”
http://indiareloaded.tv/article/sarah-palin-india
The Cost of Digital Storage:
YEAR — Price of a Gigabyte
1981 — $300,000
1987 — $50,000
1990 — $10,000
1994 — $1000
1997 — $100
2000 — $10
2004 — $1
2010 — $0.10
I trust the Indians not to suffer fools easily. Bible Spice will not have an easy time of it…
The Quitter isn’t going to be comfortable around all those “foreigners.”
And who goes all the way to India, and then shops at Louis Vuitton? A cracka grifter like Palin, that’s who.
Looks like the Palin-sniffers have found that blog. Such silly people.
Palin in India, Palin on India: Why in hell would anyone anywhere give one single shit, period? Am I interested in the journey of a fly somewhere on, say, the Malay Peninsula? Yes. Orders of magnitude more interested than I am in anything Palin might have to say or do. And as far as the fate of the world is concerned, that fly AND its offspring are, without question, considerably more important than Palin believes herself and her offspring to be.
Period.
Well said, frugal.
And the fly family will contribute more to the well-being of society and the planet…
Keith’s ‘Snappy Answer to Stupid Headlines’ today:
Keith: I’m beginning to think the GOP is so paranoid about “Sharia Law” because its too Liberal.
Is Palin going guru hunting?
Palin: “But where are the cowboys?”
And an update. My daughter has had her hip popped back where it belongs and it went well. Waiting for confirmation (as in when she wakes up) but it looks like she will be ready to travel by noon tomorrow. Her four friends are ok and with her and as soon as the doctor gives them a release time they are going to see about booking flights back.
According to what I’m hearing flying will be easier on her than driving so there is no reason for me to drive out there. And the friends all assure me they can handle the logistics on that end so it looks like I just stew and fret until I hear when they will be arriving in Minneapolis or Milwaukee or Madison, which we should know later this afternoon.
How did that line go? Looks like I picked a bad time to give up sniffing glue…
BREAKING NEWS: Wisconsin judge blocks new law curbing public worker bargaining rights
Hooda, I’m glad your daughter will have a shorter ride home. I’m not sure she’d be comfortable in any mode of transportation, but at least she’ll have a shorter time to endure it.
Palin in India, Palin on India: Why in hell would anyone anywhere give one single shit, period?
Palin has monetized micro-blog bomb-throwing. Her Twitter and Facebook feeds are catnip. It’s a Real Housewives level of guilty pleasure voyeurism. She’s tapped into our love of shamelessness. The more we reward her with attention, the more she keeps giving … and giving.
But she’s not playing the conventional game, has a passionate base, and is someone to be reckoned with. The last candidate who didn’t play the conventional game? He’s now president.
And to answer your initial question: Because I can post here too.
OutstandingInMyField permalink
March 18, 2011 7:48 am
…
It’s going to be in the ’70′s today. I’m off to work.
do you have a time machine? I’d love to be in the 70’s today. We had some dynamite Thai stick back then!
Zooey, outstanding! Where did you see that…Linky:?
RUC, there’s no story yet.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
Damn, Hooda. “She’s conscious and talking.” If I was conscious at that point I’d have been screaming at the top of my lungs — a dislocated hip? Not enough morphine in Colorado …
Best wishes on your journey and her recovery.
Just found it on MSNBC…Yay!@!!
The bill is blocked because they violated the open meeting requirements.
Does this mean she’s garnered ‘ferin policy’ so will be trotted out as an expert next time one is needed on a Sunday?
That blog is great – the Pundit Commenter has a great perspective on the pro-Palin comments that attempt to demean/diminish any criticism. They are as ignorant as she – no surprise.
As soon as Brunch With Bernie is over, we should get a report from John Nichols in Wisconsin on Thom Hartmann.
Thanks for the reminder about Brunch with Bernie, House. I really hate missing it.
Oh, great news – on WI – both for Hooda (daughter) and state (bargaining).
Take that Walker – you sneaky maggot in an apple!
Phenomenal news about the Wisconsin law. Walker had apparently been trying to get the Secretary of State to publish the law sooner rather than later. The SoS refused as he has a certain time limit, and he knew there were legal challenges.
Also happy to hear the positive news about Hooda’s daughter.
Watch for upcoming u-tube video of Palin being re-born baptized in the Sacred Ganges river.
Only to discover that it is sacred to the Hindus… Then trying to ‘splain her way out of yet another embarassing gaffe gagg.
Can I produce a new reality show?
When Republican get caught lying and cheating?
Got lots of potential stars…
“It seems to me the public policy behind effective enforcement of the open meeting law is so strong that it does outweigh the interest, at least at this time, which may exist in favor of sustaining the validity of the (law),” wrote Judge Maryann Sumi, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
RUC, it does not sound as if the Quitter has any interest in the deep, beautiful culture of India.
Hell – she went to a mall – a mall as one of the first ‘trips’ out of the hotel.
I only envy that she is in India, and I’m not, and could go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal under a full Moon!
Good news from Milwaukee, and though its only a temporary stay, much use can be made of the time it allows for the law to be challenged.
I’m sure Palin thinks the Taj Mahal, is actually the Taj Mall.
Ohhh the irony…
I posted a comment at the top of the WI thread on TP, asking people not to allow the trolls to control the post….and it disappeared.
But not to worry, the trolls are still going strong.
The trolls are in full-on troll mode on this one. It stings.
I think it was the bold that made my comment disappear, so I re-posted it without the bold.
Well, we did ask that they filter things like large font so I guess they included bold as well. I can live with that.
Thanks, Hooda.
Bachmann accuses Weiner of trading in ‘fiction’ on budget. His retort: ‘I don’t think you want to go there’
I guess it’s my fault people can’t use bold face on TP. I specifically asked Faiz to disable the large font feature, since the Alphabet Troll was the only one who used it regularly (and never for good purposes.) I did not mention the bold face, but I guess he saw that as a tool that was also abused by the troll.
Sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused. Should I write to Faiz during the day today and ask that someone keep an eye out for “Mr. 3” (which was the latest number I saw him using)? I’d hate to have my weekend spoiled by that particular idiot. (I have to get back to work now.)
No matter where Bachmann goes,
she’s never there…
FOX FAIL:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/fox-news-identifies-a-nightclub-as-a-nuclear-power
I saw Zooey’s comment in bold, in bold. Perhaps she gets a special pass while Pee gets blocked. I’m good with that.
Which thread, gummitch? ‘cuz there ain’t no bold on the WI one.
I tried posting in bold and the post was moderated. I removed the bold and it posted immediately. I don’t know why I even bother with TP.
I saw it on the Wi thread, but now it is unbolded.
gummitch, after it disappeared I re-posted it in non-bold.
Christ on a cracker…
I tried to watch that video of Weiner, but Hannity wouldn’t shut up, so I quit after about a minute.
That’s funny, badmoodman, about the Fox Graphics. So, according to their “zero tolerance” policy, I wonder how many on-screen graphics people they’ve gone through this year alone?
House,
I didn’t watch the Weiner video (yet), but according to the transcipt, near the end he calls Michele, “Bachmann.” Not “Michele,” or “Shelley,” or “Ms. Bachmann,” but just “Bachmann.” I love it.
I’ve decided TP isn’t worth the trouble anymore. I put up one brief post early yesterday morning; it was held for monitoring and never showed up. It was an innocuous post but contained the words ‘fucking’ and ‘Republican’ (don’t know which is more offensive). Still, that was probably the first time anyone EVER used either of those words on TP, right?
But they can’t get rid of their trolls, or don’t want to, whichever.
Like I say, screw it. Not worth the hassle anymore.
Obama is speaking re Libya. Check MSNBC, banner at the top.
No troops on the ground…
Ebb, do you have a basement in your building?
How bizarre. I’ve never heard of tornadoes down there.
For the first time in my life – we’ve
A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 AM PDT FOR SAN
MATEO COUNTY…
I have relatives who live on the Peninsula and at the coast there.
No basement here. – I’m laughing – the house the Catholic church booted me out of – full basement!
The tornado watch is for about 35 miles from where I am. Some of my sisters and a brother live up the Peninsula and over the coast.
I have one brother in Santa Cruz.
Two sibling in the East Bay.
We actually ring the Bay…
You have it surrounded!
If things look bad, get into a closet or bathroom toward the middle of the house/apartment.
Oh, I see they took down the warning after 11.30a.
This is what my sister had e-mailed:
TORNADO WARNING
CAC081-181830-
/O.NEW.KMTR.TO.W.0001.110318T1802Z-110318T1830Z/
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO CA
1102 AM PDT FRI MAR 18 2011
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HAS
ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR…
SAN MATEO COUNTY IN WESTERN CALIFORNIA…
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…SAN MATEO…SAN CARLOS…REDWOOD
CITY…MILLBRAE…FOSTER CITY…BURLINGAME…BELMONT…
* UNTIL 1130 AM PDT
Our weather is really odd. Today, it was 70 degrees and breezy.
Frugal – I just made your chili recipe. Wow… it is a bit hot and spicy 😯 and I even turned it down a few notches. I hope I get recognition at the chili contest tomorrow. I’m going to have some French bread available for dipping.
BTW, I’m sure that since Obama is not sending in ground troops, the wingnuts will be declaring him a total wimp.
Of course, if he had sent in ground troops, the wingnuts would declare him a total wimp.
Zooey,
some brownosed Cheney staffer writing for FOX published an Opinion yesterday titled
Obama Bows to the United nations While Qaddafi Rolls to Victory in Libya.
“two weeks since President Obama declared that Qaddafi had lost legitimacy and must go, the Obama administration still has no defined objectives or plan of action.”
Oh dear.
5th, why am I not surprised…?
Obama is just too busy filling out the (what the hell is it called) the basketball bracket thingee.
He doesn’t have time to talk with Japanese leaders or be bothered to think the whole Libya situation through.
Oh, and no one knew him growing up (according to Trump) so he isn’t a U.S. citizen.
From listening to Obama it appears we have two reasons to start a third war. The first is that the US cannot stand idly by while atrocities take place. Really? But we ignored Burma and the Congo and are actively supporting governments in Yemen and Bahrain that are doing almost exactly what Qaddafi is doing. A little consistency, please?
Secondly, Obama says the violence in Libya is destabilizing the region, and threatening world peace. Really? More than Qaddafi’s meddling throughout Africa for years? More than the brutal repression in Iran? And even if it is destabilizing, Libya is not a “vital national interest,” the administration’s own words. So why should the US go to war over this?
None of this makes any sense, except as an emotional response to an emergency. I’d expect this behavior from McCain but it’s shocking from the cool, emotionally detached Obama.
Cats, glad it turned out. And yes, usually the combination of Poblanos and Anchos yields enough zing for me. Maybe thirty years ago I’d have added some Jalapenos or even some cayenne, but no mas! These days I prefer the flavor to the heat, and it’s always seemed to me that that’s a complexly flavored dish, friendly to the palate without being too corrosive.
Have fun tomorrow!
Ebb, I wish I’d been here earlier while you were tornadin’!
Any reports of damage near you?
I looked at the weather.com map and put it in motion. I can stop it at 11:30 pacific and see the ‘hook’ that had them worried!
Cats I’m glad you’re getting some of the pretty weather like Outstanding and I are getting.
badmoodman
Consistency is for civilians, not for politicians and political entities. This action is being taken because it’s ‘doable’ and though Libya is apparently of no strategic interest to the US, the desires of the Arab League, which called for the no-fly zone, have some bearing.
As far as “destabilizing the region” etc, that certainly sounds like a crock–it’s actually the protesting that’s destabalizing the region.
Obama’s trying to add a strategic justification instead of just relying on the high-minded argument of supporting a popular uprising against a dictator.
Were it not for the Iraq and Afghanistan debacles ( and their contribution to our economic condition) the American public would be a hell of a lot more enthusiastic about intervention, but that’s by the by.
Sheesh!
I just a did quick scan of the threads at TP and the stupid trolls, all two of him, are firmly in control. Here’s my idea and, please, give me some feedback.
I think I’ll start a call for a boycott scheduled for next Monday. I’ll spend my blogging time this weekend trying to get others on board and, most importantly, trying to get people to stop replying to the trolls. If, by Sunday evening, it still looks like everybody is replying to every bit of filth the stupid trolls post I’ll chuck the whole deal. I guess that I feel we can’t really complain about the “moderation” if we continue to encourage the bad behavior. Please keep in mind that this is just my suggestion for a starting point and would love some help in trying, one last time, to get TP to clean up the comments.
I will thank everyone in advance for any helpful ideas even if the prevailing sentiment is “it’s not worth the effort”.
hooda, hugs and best wishes for you and your daughter.
I’m not really certain that US “intervention” serves any entity other than the MIC. Not sure I can think of any direct intervention during my lifetime — a partial list of which includes Korea, Vietnam, Granada, Panama, Iraq/Kuwait, Bosnia, Iraq again, Afghanistan, and probably a number of other more surreptitious incidents. I suppose an argument could be made for Bosnia, maybe Panama, but still, the presumption that ‘we’ have the duty and responsibility of a global police department is absurd. Especially since we scarcely ever intervene where it’s either too dangerous (we never attacked Communist China or the USSR, despite the ‘atrocities’ there) or contrary to our perceived interests (democracy in the Middle East? How about the damn Saudis, miserable persecuting bastards).
Besides, if we’re so goddamned grandiloquent as to invade or make war on others who piss us off, why should we complain when others attack us?
War is STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!! Necessary, perhaps, on rare occasion, but even then STUPID in the broadest sense of the word.
We, the new dinosaurs known as H. sapiens, need help from evolution. And we need it NOW, not later.
To all fellow cat lovers out there and … ZOOEY … after 9 days of veterinary care my poor kitty had to be put to sleep because his kidneys failed to recover at all. And today I paid the bill, $450. Well at least that snapped me out of my depression.
Aw Shayne, I’m sorry about your kitty. (((hugs)))
House, no tornadin’ (I like that word). Only the warning/watch.
We’ve been having some very strange weather happenings this year – the tornado is the oddest in my nearly six decades!
Having read about yours and other critters Tornado happenings I felt prepared if my city should be involved in the watch/warning. I’d grab ‘Mel’ (and his ‘safety’ blanket) and head for the tub!
March Madness has taken on a whole new meaning.
Oh dear, Shayne.
Shayne – warm hugs. That’s a difficult decision to make – the love of and for a cat.
(nine days and only $450.00 – Chicago must be a cat lovin’ town)
frugal,
The Motorcycle Industry Council? I KNEW IT! Those bastards!
(Seriously, what is MIC?)
Aww, Shayne. Hugs to you and yours.
5th, MIC=Military Industrial Complex
Military Industrial Complex.
Did anyone ever imagine that a flight from Denver to Minneapolis might have connections/layovers in Orlando and Cleveland?
On what airline Hooda?
Shayne, so sorry about your kitty. I had to twice take a long-time companion dog in for that final time, and I know the pain. Now we’ve been adopted by a cat who has come to ‘own’ both of us. I can’t imagine what it would be like, even though I KNOW what it’s like.
Cherish the memories, enjoy them for years to come. The gift of the animal, to you, grows and grows, always.
Shayne, very sorry to hear about the cat. 😦
Ebb, I drive about 20 miles to an old timey country style vet in Crestwood not only because he is cheaper than most but because he doesn’t run one of those mega clinics with 10 vets and tv screens telling you about all the medicine you have to buy to care for your pet. It could have been much, much worse.
MIC, yes, duh!
Hooda — is Sarah Palin perchance doing the routing? Only she would assume that the shortest path from Denver to MSP would include stops in Orlando and Cleveland. Surprised Bombay wasn’t included too.
5th, I’m glad you asked, because I was drawing a blank too. 😉
It is hard to lose any of them frugal. It’s hard when you have to take them in for the last time but then I’ve lost animals at home and then you second guess should you have taken them in and maybe they were suffering but when you take them in you think maybe if you’d waited they would have gotten better. All the joy they give us makes those final decisions easier.
Has anyone ever heard of an airline destination/stop called Droitwitch?
Orlando & Cleveland?
How long are the lay overs in each city?
Hooda, hmmm – that is sounding rather screwy.
is Droitwitch in the U.S.?
I think Droitwitch is near Hogwarts.
frugal
essential ( and fascinating) reading; War is a Racket by Major General Smedley Butler, USMC, written after World War I.
http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm
Hooda –
or
Urban Dictionary
droitwich
n.) The uncomfortable phenomenon when two people meet while walking and attempt to pass only to have both persons go in the same direction, thus each continuing to block the path of the other. The occurence is usually brief but unsettling enough to cause grievance and annoyance in one or both parties (or however many are involved).
Also is known as “the get-past-you shuffle”, “the pavement tango” and “the thing where you go like ‘this'”.
The word comes from the book “The Meaning of Liff” by Douglas Admas and John Lloyd.
I thought “War is a Science” (courtesy of Pippin)
“Droitwich Spa is a town in northern Worcestershire, England, on the River Salwarpe. The town is situated on massive deposits of salt,…”
or
from Urban Dictionary:
droitwich
n.) The uncomfortable phenomenon when two people meet while walking and attempt to pass only to have both persons go in the same direction, thus each continuing to block the path of the other. The occurence is usually brief but unsettling enough to cause grievance and annoyance in one or both parties (or however many are involved).
Also is known as “the get-past-you shuffle”, “the pavement tango” and “the thing where you go like ‘this'”.
My sympathies, Shayne. My own Tigger is about 15 and, even though she’s in good health, I know that she could go any time. I’ve even considered getting a kitten so I have a companion on hand but Tigger really enjoys being the Queen of her own habitat.
this from wikipedia:
Droitwich Spa is a town in northern Worcestershire, England, on the River Salwarpe. The town is situated on massive deposits of salt,
I think “Droitwitch” probably translates to “Detroit’s airport witch is in Wayne County.”
Sarah Palin again, probably.
WP does not seem to like Urban Dictionary.
Here’s a third and final try at posting this:
droitwich
n.) The uncomfortable phenomenon when two people meet while walking and attempt to pass only to have both persons go in the same direction, thus each continuing to block the path of the other. The occurence is usually brief but unsettling enough to cause grievance and annoyance in one or both parties (or however many are involved).
Also is known as “the get-past-you shuffle”, “the pavement tango” and “the thing where you go like ‘this'”.
Cease Fire NOT in Effect in Misrata, Libya
Several residents said there was no sign of a ceasefire on the ground, and that government tanks were closing in on the centre of the city, about 200 km (130 miles) east of Tripoli.
Tariq, a doctor based in Britain who has been regularly calling residents inside the city, said: “They are still shelling as we speak. The foreign minister obviously lives in a different time zone. It’s indiscriminate.”
Rebels said the attack on Misrata started at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT), hours after the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution endorsing a no-fly zone and military attacks on Gaddafi’s forces to protect civilians.
“It’s the heaviest bombardment I have seen so far. We believe they (Gaddafi’s forces) want to enter the city at any cost before the international community starts implementing the U.N. resolution,” said Saadoun, a rebel fighter.
“On behalf of all the people of Misrata, the women, the children and the elderly, we call on the international community to do something before it’s too late. They must act now,” he said. “They already failed us before and were late in taking a decision, they should not repeat the same mistake.”
Shayne,
On behalf of Jane and myself, you have our deepest, deepest sympathies. I am so sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. I’ve gone through it too many times to want to think about, and some of those who passed in the night, I often wish I could have had those last few moments. It’s never easy, but if it was, the time we had with them wouldn’t be worth as much to us. Many, many hugs to you, my friend.
We left Arizona nearly three years ago. Didn’t really want to; it was, once, a great place to live, to hang ones hat. But, there was, ever-building, the cauldron just beneath the surface.
In other words, I understand completely the tale embedded here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/18/957686/-Spring-Training-and-A-Teaparty
Frugal, that is just a stunning story. I can’t imagine being in the middle of something like that.
“In the case of Libya, they just threw out their playbook. The fact that Obama pivoted on a dime shows that the White House is flying without a strategy and that we have a reactive presidency right now and not a strategic one,” – Steve Clemons, NAF.
In the same piece, we find out the following:
“Congress was not broadly consulted on the decision to intervene in Libya, except in a Thursday afternoon classified briefing where administration officials explained the diplomatic and military plan. Rice was already deep in negotiations in New York.”
You don’t get a more classic example of an imperial presidency than that. The Congress might as well not exist. And a country goes to war on a dime – even against the wishes and judgment of the secretary of defense.
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/18/how_obama_turned_on_a_dime_toward_war
Hmmmm, am I Ping or am I Pong?
Rebels said the attack on Misrata started at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT), hours after the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution endorsing a no-fly zone
This is a ceasefire:
pete,
Count me in on the TP Monday boycott. I said as much there, too. 🙂
Thanks, Wayne. We’ll just have to see what happens over the weekend. I’ll keep bringing it up.
Pete,
I’m in. Haven’t even taken a peek at TP today, don’t intend to unless or until they get rid of their infestation. It’s up to them.
Zooey: “I think Droitwitch is near Hogwarts.”
Somewhere between Denver and Minneapolis? Must be in Iowa. Where’s Steve King from? Hogwarts would work, but so would Droitwitch, probably.
Well, after a nerve wracking day a few things have finally been decided/learned.
1) My daughter is ok. In some pain but reasonably sound.
2) Air connections suck
3) I’m heading for Colorado. My son is flying co-pilot.
You’re going to drive her home, Hooda?
Best option we have come up with, Zooey. Its that or 6-7 hours of dealing with airplanes, another 2 with airports and 6 hours of driving, 3 on each end.
Sounds like driving will be best after all.
From the context I gather the after game event was in Mesa, Zooey. That’s where Russell Pearce is from (SB 1070), along with at least a half-million other Mormons, damn near all of whom I’ve ever met resemble either “friend’s wife” or Russell Pearce in attitude. The LDS guiding angel — Moroni — is the most DESCRIPTIVELY-NAMED angel I’ve ever run across!
We do miss Arizona, the non-human part. The desert, valleys, mountains, plateaus, mesas, canyons, forests — but we do NOT miss the people. Fascinating it is that so many are so fucking stupid, so filled with irrational hatreds. Stick a semblance of sanity in there and they either drive it nuts or drive it out.
Frugal, maybe it’s the concentration of stupid and ignorant older people in AZ.
I know they aren’t all that way, but maybe when they get together they feed off the hate.
Jeez, Hooda, something is messed up in those airline schedules. Last June, Debbie flew from Colorado Springs to Knoxville TN, with only one stop: Minneapolis. Hard to figure what’s up.
The weekend and short notice, frugal.
Hooda – safe travels. Do you have a seat that reclines? Bring plenty of pillows – in case your daughter needs ‘propping’ up for a more comfortable ride.
Heres’ the best bracket for March Migration Madness.
Since I won’t be here for music night
Music night is already up, Hooda.
That”s funny Pete, I got a puppy because my old dog is 14. But my cat was only 7 so I was unprepared. I rarely have only had one pet at a time for just that reason. Anyhow for the time being it is nice being litter box free. I’m hoping that some stray will show up and adopt us.
Zooey, yes, one thing AZ has in excess is stupid old farts. And they come from all over the country, bring their prejudices with them and gather there. Not all old farts are like that, of course, but a whole lot of them are duly contaminated. I remember back in the early seventies, for example, when Sun City (unincorporated then and now so as to take advantage of County services rather than pay for their own as an incorporated city) suddenly realized that it was paying property taxes to the Peoria School District, and the outrage was vicious. “We’ve raised our children, we shouldn’t have to pay to raise yours” went the lament.
My folks lived there at the time and voted against the County proposal to free Sun City from having to pay for schools, but they were in the distinct minority. Greed won, as it always does. Oh, and too, Peoria School District back in those days had a substantial Hispanic population in their schools. “Messicans,” as they were known in S.C.
I’m still angry at the stupid shit bigots, always will be.
Frugal, I used to work in a county treasurer’s office years ago, and having old idiots coming in to bitch about paying the school taxes was quite common. The Treasurer was a little spitfire lady, and all taxpayers with such “concerns” were to be directed to her. After sitting with her for half an hour, they usually left shame-faced.
It’s all good for everyone to pay for the common good, until THEY don’t need it anymore. And they are probably wondering why their dumb-assed teabagger kids don’t want to pay for their social security.
frugal, reading that post at DK – I’m stunned, truly. I’d not have been polite – would have pointed to the photo of her grandchild and asked – “Is that how you feel about him”?
Silence, in such situations, is not polite it’s condoning the inexcusable.
My tongue would not be silenced – 25 years of friendship or not. The hypocrisy would cause me to pull my jaw up from the ground and leash my thoughts on those ‘adults’.
unleash my thoughts…
Hoodathunk, I was hoping you were coming out of this situation without a long car trip for no fun.
Shayne I’m sorry to hear about your Kitty. I had a little guy named Nigel that was dehydrated and had to have IVs like that and the outcome was the same for me.
Ebb, Alabama didn’t make your bracket either.
I was pretty sure they would get in the NCAA tournament. They beat Georgia two times in six days, had as good an overall record, a better conference record, and the committee let Georgia in, and kept Alabama out.
Maybe I can pull for the Robins since I have more of them in my backyard than anything else.
There were a lot of people that I knew casually in Arizona who quickly learned to not bother with their bigotry when I was within earshot. My tolerance for that shit is near zero, and thankfully most people were quick learns. Except for my fucking cousin, it took him close to two years before he decided it was better for him to shut up than it was to make me mad.
OTOH, there were also numbers of really good people in Arizona, people who cared, including some AJA’s who spent the war years in internment camps. I wouldn’t have blamed them if they hated me because I was white, but they were too generous to allow themselves to sink to such a level. Likewise many Hispanics, both recent immigrants and multi-generational Americans. Great folks who had overcome the burdens so many in the Anglo community could never even consider giving up. Told me a lot, actually.
Frugal, with any luck, their hate will eat them alive and we’ll be well rid of them.
House ~ the Northern Flicker (10) was ranked on that bracket. Of course they can’t dribble or dunk ;>
But they can sure knock some holes in the defense.
Hey, it pays to fuck a politician!
They fuck us enough already…
Candidate Obama: The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/03/18/libya/index.html
Phil Rockstroh, a fellow with an attitude about as nasty as mine: http://www.consortiumnews.com/2011/031711a.html