Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

The republican caucus is already covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

When do the post office & the dmv weigh in on the wuhan virus?

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

The words do not have to be perfect.

“Squeaker” McCarthy

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

Consistently wrong since 2002

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

Infrastructure week. at last.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

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Just got word that frequent commenter and registered Obot Genine is in the hospital, having suffered from a series of mini-strokes. Apparently she has a (and I am going to screw this up) dissection of the carotid artery and is on blood-thinners and will have to see a neurologist in the morning. She’ll probably end up having surgery. Right now she is resting comfortably in the hospital, and as she is currently unemployed, I would be remiss if I did not point out that the only reason she has health insurance right now is, as she has mentioned in the comments before, that the Democrats and our failure of a President (according to my political betters) managed to extend COBRA and she was able to keep her coverage. Keep her in your thoughts.

Picked up Season one of the Pretender for 15 bucks, so I’m off to give that a shot. Talk amongst yourselves.

Reader Interactions

222Comments

  1. 1.

    Yutsano

    May the FSM keep her warm in hir noodly appendages. Hopefully this story can be used to show that A) we need HCR so Pass. The. Damn. Bill. and B) that the Republicans need to stop dicking around with people while they are down. Not a ton of hope for the second event occurring however.

    Rest well Genine.

  4. 4.

    Mike Kay

    Fucking Democrats and failure of a president, when are they gonna stop worrying about practicle needs of people like Genine and start catering to the ideological purity of washed up hollywood producers who bleach their hair as they blog?

  9. 9.

    Violet

    Sorry to hear that. Sending good wishes to Genine for a successful surgery, if necessary, and speedy recovery.

    I’ll be calling my Reps on Monday morning to push yet again for them to pass the health care bill. This time for Genine and all others like her.

  11. 11.

    demimondian

    Oh, my. A dissection of the carotid…that’s quite scary. I’ll keep you in my thoughts, Genine.

    And I forgive our failure of a president for extending COBRA to you. Even if the program was originally passed through reconciliation.

  12. 12.

    goblue72

    Count me as a member of the anti-firebagger bridge (the Fightin’ Firefighters?) – as soon as this whole HCR theater started last summer with the astroturf funded Ride of the Tea Baggers, it was pretty clear HCR was going to help a lot of people and likely screw the healthcare industrial complex in the shorts as a side benefit (although not a 100% covered side benefit).

    Better than Ezra and others were throwing around back of the envelope numbers that of the around 30 million or so uninsured who were going to be now covered under HCR, something like 95% of those folks were getting covered merely by a stroke of the pen that raised Medicaid eligibility – which pretty much sold HCR for me. The rest of the nonsense around the public option, national exchanges, etc. was just nibbling around the edges for the remaining 5% and was more about keeping costs down in the future – as such, the left’s collective brown acid freakout over the public option was clearly so much bullshit by people who would rather be railing about George Bush than dealing with the fact that their team had to actually, you know, run the country and shit.

    How Obama doesn’t just go on national TV and just scream “all you mothafuk*&ers just need to chill the eff out” is beyond me.

  13. 13.

    John Cole

    You know what- there really is no need for personal attacks on Jane. I disagree with a lot of what she is doing lately, but I still think she wants the best for the country and wants to advance the right causes. My problem is with her methods, and I still actually like Jane as a person. I’ve had nothing but positive conversations with her the last few years.

    Additionally, as she is a multiple time cancer survivor, I find making fun of her hair absolutely disgusting.

    So knock it off with the personal attacks. Does it make me more or less right about an issue because I am pudgy and my hair is turning gray?

  15. 15.

    SIA

    Obot Genine, we’re all thinking good thoughts for you and look forward to you being able to rejoin your BJ friends.

  16. 16.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @John Cole:

    Does it make me more or less right about an issue because I am pudgy and my hair is turning gray?

    Less right? But I’m just guessing.

  17. 17.

    Max

    Best wishes and hopefully all was caught early enough to facilitate a full and speedy recovery.

  18. 18.

    demo woman

    Obot Genine my thoughts are with you. We all hope that you are back to commenting soon.

  19. 19.

    Mike Kay

    clowns to the left of me…
    Jokers to the right…

    Here I am, stuck in the middle with you…

  21. 21.

    lamh31

    Just saw alice in wonderland! It was weird, but good. Johnny Depp was a beast! Him and Tim Burton should only do movies together.

    It was REALLY WEIRD, but Johnny Depp and Burton are great at weird!

  22. 22.

    cat48

    Get well soon, Genine. We need every Obot. Pls follow the Drs. orders just like Mr. Cole had to do for several wks.

  23. 23.

    demo woman

    @John Cole: Personal attacks are never warranted and I agree with you. A lot of people love the country and want to do what is best. Gee, Grover Norquist, I assume, loves the country and thinks what he is doing is best. Firedoglake and other sites have spread a message that is I believe is harmful and for that alone, I think it is okay to criticize them.

  24. 24.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    Wishing you the best of luck comrade Obot, I hope you get the best of care.

    Don’t worry about the internet, we will mock it for you until you return. ;)

  25. 25.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @demo woman: Personal attacks are seldom warranted. Sometimes, they are. For example, I think the Cheneys have reached the point where I do not believe we can believe that they have the best interests of anyone but themselves at heart. I say have at them. Outside of their ilk, I would say you are right.

  26. 26.

    cat48

    The cheney’s have the worst case of Obama Derangement Syndrome I have ever seen. It all seems very personal, rather than country, to me when they attack the way they do.

  27. 27.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    I think she said the other day she was like 36. Too young for this sort of trouble. And sending many unicorn waves Obot Genine’s way.

  28. 28.

    madmommy

    Best of luck to you Genine! This is yet another of the millions of horrible stories of how our current health care system is failing us. Unfortunately, there are way too many people who hear these stories and can only ridicule and mock the victim, or worse, suggest that they’re all just made up to gin up sympathy for reform. Something tells me that if the Average Joe who thinks his insurance is awesome actually had to deal with a catastrophic illness, he’d come to the stunning realization that he’s totally screwed. And about to file for bankruptcy.

  29. 29.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @John Cole: I hope you are not banning ordinary snark with Jane, or anybody else. Personal attacks, absolutely. But not criticism. I hope.

  30. 30.

    demo woman

    @Omnes Omnibus: Earlier a commenter at the NYTimes mentioned that the Cheney’s like to wave the flag but could care less what the flag actually represents.

  31. 31.

    Max

    I have found a new favorite beer. I know most, if not all of you already are aware of it, but I’m not a “beer” person per se. I only enjoy it on the odd occasion.

    However, I like Blue Moon. Yum Yum.

    Being in the Bay Area, I squeeze a little meyer lemon and it’s off to the races.

    Max +2

  32. 32.

    John O

    Get well, Genine.

    36????

    IIRC, dissections have a strong hereditary component, and caught this young should be totally fixable.

  33. 33.

    Delia

    Haven’t been around for several days. All good things to Genine, including a speedy and complete recovery.

  34. 34.

    Yutsano

    @Max: Sigh. I must go pound chicken and cook rice now. Fortunately I sold myself on getting the five pounds of jasmine rice so that part at least will be quite tasty. Chicken with basil-tarragon sauce, jasmine rice with mushrooms, and asparagus, possibly roasted if I get the druthers. Yum.

  35. 35.

    lamh31

    President Barack Obama to on Appear “America’s Most Wanted“ tonight. I didn’t even think AOW was still on.

  36. 36.

    Max

    @Yutsano: Wow! Quite a menu. I’m always scared to cook chicken, as I’m always afraid it isn’t done enough, so I cook the shit out of it and then it tastes like cardboard.

    I made broccoli rabe with italian sausage with orchetta pasta. One pot cooking is my specialty.

  38. 38.

    Mike Kay

    @John Cole:

    oh please. spare me.

    She called Anna Esho a murderer.

    She called Boo Man a bottom feeding slug

    She used sexist attacks on the Caroline Kennedy.

    She used sexist attacks on Kate O’Beirne (“sand paper snatch”).

    She had this post once attacking Courtney Love for being fat and she advised her to return to drug abuse to lose the flab.

    She thought it was hilarious to put loserman in minstrel-man black face.

    She spins Birther/Truther/Arkansas Project conspiracy theories about Emmanuel.

    With Joe McCarthy like precision, she labels people who disagree with her insurance industry shills paid to post on GOS, which isn’t true, because I personally know the individuals and what they do for a living.

    She wants to kill hcr – she doesn’t care about the people who will die for lack of coverage.

    She wants to primary Bernie Sanders and Al Franken. And just yesterday she called on Lynn Woolsey to resign.

    So yes, I lower myself to her level. Bad on me. But spare me the lecture about using Marquess of Queensberry rules when commenting on jane.

  39. 39.

    mr. whipple

    @Max: I do the same thing with chicken, Max.

    Tonight I made shrimp creole. Love 1 pot cooking.

  40. 40.

    demimondian

    Early dissection has two broad classes of causes. The most common one in young women, actually, is chiropractic spinal manipulation. After that, the most common causes are genetic.

  46. 46.

    eemom

    but I still think she wants the best for the country and wants to advance the right causes.

    nope. Sorry dude, ya lose me there. Evidence to the contrary is overwhelming.

    I certainly hope you’ve not fallen prey to the weakness of many of your gender when it comes to seeing through that pretty blonde mask. And I’m not talking about her hair.

  49. 49.

    Lettuce

    Much of my love to her.

    I’ve had two strokes, it’s a long time to come back, but she can do it. It took me years to get the energy to use the keyboard again.

  51. 51.

    SIA

    @Max:

    made broccoli rabe with italian sausage with orchetta pasta. One pot cooking is my specialty.

    Yum. Details Please?!

  53. 53.

    Max

    @Linda Featheringill: What a looker! Tulip ears indeed.

    My own canine master is sulking after spending the day at the vet getting a bath, a check-up, a heartworm test, blood drawn for a dental cleaning and his annual shots. He is very much not a fan of me this evening.

  54. 54.

    John O

    @Mike Kay:

    Had quite a crush on Jane when I first came to the ‘sphere.

    I think you’re both right. I don’t think anyone is in a position to question Jane’s motives or emotional state; these things are pretty unique to each of us along with the other infinity of stuff we have to deal with.

    OTOH, Jane can certainly take it, and when those who dish it out at her level can I’ll live with it.

    Lately, my first thoughts about her are worry-oriented, because she’s taken on the persona of someone who doesn’t feel they have much to lose.

    I still respect her.

  55. 55.

    Mike Kay

    @debit:

    of course he can. I don’t dispute that. But I don’t want to hear I’m a terrible person, even though I am, for attacking Hamsher, after all the low blows she’s landed.

  57. 57.

    Fax Paladin

    Ben Feller, Associated Press concern troll:

    President Barack Obama’s furious, final push to get a health care bill passed threatens to shove aside the message he promised would top his list this year: creating jobs.
    Even as the White House juggles several enormous issues at once, the public takes its cues about the president’s chief concern from how he spends his time, energy and capital. As Obama himself put it on Wednesday, from now until Congress takes a final vote on a health care overhaul, “I will do everything in my power to make the case for reform.”
    That kind of now-or-never campaign means the nation can expect a debate consumed by health care, again, for weeks.

  59. 59.

    lamh31

    Okay, I’m still just enough of a “Simpsons” geek and Obot to find this kinda cool:
    <Michelle Obama on The Simpsons (well sorta)!

    “In a brand new episode of the hit cartoon series, First Lady Michelle Obama will be seen traveling to fictional Springfield to meet the local school children. The upcoming episode entitled “Stealing First Base” will air on Sunday, March 21st (8:00-8:30 pm ET/PT) on FOX

    Award-winning actress Angela Bassett will provide the voice of Mrs. Obama…

    During the new episode Lisa Simpson’s classmates ostracize her for being an straight “A” student, and the First Lady comes to her defense. After being cast out by her friends, Lisa is thrilled when she gets a chance to meet the President’s wife. Ultimately, Mrs. Obama helps Lisa discover the joys of being an overachiever.”

  61. 61.

    Anne Laurie

    @demo woman:

    Gee, Grover Norquist, I assume, loves the country and thinks what he is doing is best.

    Well, Norquist loves some country,just not necessarily the one you & I do. And I’m not talking about the “Turkey owns his arse” rumors — Norquist has a definition of “America” that is in no way congruent with my conception of our mutual homeland.

    On the other hand, I agree it is possible to point out that a certain group of people, or certain individuals, are behaving foolishly / badly without resorting to personal attacks. Mock the action, not the actor.

    (Which I guess is the humanist /activist version of ‘Hate the sin, not the sinner?)

  63. 63.

    eemom

    Jane can certainly take it, and when those who dish it out at her level can I’ll live with it.

    oh, but she CAN’T take it, not at all.

    You must never have been in a comment thread where someone dared to disagree with her.

  64. 64.

    debit

    @Mike Kay: To be fair, he didn’t call you a terrible person. He said he found the comments about her hair to be disgusting. And also to be fair, I think a few of the incidents you bring up were the work of a former front pager at FDL. But Jane is still the publisher, so the buck should stop with her.

    I used to read FDL every day. It changed, and I stopped going there long before health care reform hysteria took over. I don’t agree with what Jane is doing, I don’t agree with her methods, but I also am with John; personal attacks, whether she indulges in them or not, are not cool.

  65. 65.

    DarrenG

    Advice for anyone scared of cooking chicken:

    – Buy a good instant-read digital thermometer. They’re cheap, will provide you instant peace of mind, and over time will teach you what color and texture to look for in cooked meat.

    – Buy good chicken. Free range, air-chilled chicken is much less prone to salmonella contamination and tastes better.

    – Learn to love the dark meat. Chicken thighs work in virtually any recipe that calls for breasts, and are much, much harder to overcook. They’re also more flavorful, and if you learn to render and reuse or discard the subcutaneous fat correctly, are just as healthful.

  66. 66.

    Mike Kay

    @John O:

    There’s no excuse. The minstrel-man slur was done four years ago. If she put a bone through Obama’s nose and called him a witch doctor would you try to excuse that as well?

  67. 67.

    kay

    @Elise:

    That just occurred to me last week, that they’re going to have to HIRE, but I didn’t have a number, so thanks.

  68. 68.

    Max

    @SIA: It’s so easy…

    1 lb of italian sausage (I use sweet, but you can use hot if you like)

    1 lb orchetta pasta

    2-1/2 cup chicken broth

    Red pepper flakes

    2 to 3 heads of broccoli rabe (depending on size)

    couple cloves of garlic (depending on your preference)

    4 tblsp butter

    1-1/2 cup of grated, fresh parmesean cheese

    Cook pasta to al dente and set aside. Blanche broccoli rabe (after removing stems) and set aside. In large saucepan, brown sausage (remove from casings). You can season up the sausage with some dried basil, onion powder, etc. if you like. Once the sausage is brown, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for a few minutes to open up the pepper and garlic flavors. Do not drain the grease, I know it would be healthier, but not more flavorful. Then, add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Chop up the broccoli rabe and add to the pot. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Then, add the butter and parm and pasta, and let it simmer until the sauce is to your liking in thickness. Garnish with more parm, if you’d like.

    Manga.

  70. 70.

    John O

    @Mike Kay:

    No.

    But she’s done more to move the ball in the right direction than I likely ever will, and is one of those rare individuals who it seems plain and simple didn’t leave much on the proverbial table.

    I respect just about everyone who manages that, on some level, and always will.

  71. 71.

    eemom

    @Mike Kay:

    you know what, dude? This is bullshit. This blog tolerates personal attacks of all kinds, every day, all the time.

    I’ve personally been called a “stupid cow” by a certain fuckhead who shall remain nameless, and John seemed to think it was funny at the time.

    So, Jane Hamsher of all people is now suddenly a SACRED cow?? If that’s the case, I’m outta here.

  73. 73.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Linda Featheringill: Oh *thank you* for sharing a picture of your beautiful Tulip (I asked for a photo on a thread this morning, and I expect others did too). She is a lovely girl.

  74. 74.

    Tsulagi

    Get well, Genine.

    So far this year has been really shitty. Wish there was a reset button for the bastard to start over.

    I’m sure you have a good, competent neurologist. If you wanted a second opinion before any possible surgery, you might consider finding one the way my SO did last month. I was in a nasty traffic accident. At the hospital, SO went to a nurses station in an ICU area asking them if their husband or family member had a head injury, who would they want examining and treating them. Her reasoning was nurses see the results. She may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but my SO ain’t dumb.

  75. 75.

    demimondian

    Here are some other suggestions:

    (1) when you cook chicken, wash the vegetables you serve with it. In fact…always wash the vegetables you’re going to serve, even if you’re cooking them. The majority of food poisoning cases in the US arise from contaminated vegetables, not contaminated meat.

    (2) The only kinds of meat which carries a significant contamination risk is ground meat; those need to be cooked to death. (I like my meat very lightly cooked, and even I cook hamburgers hard.) If you want to serve undercooked ground meat, there are mechanisms for greatly reducing the risk, but they require that you prepare the stuff yourself.

    Me, I love steak au poivre…and I just don’t eat it.

    (3) DerrenG is right about chicken thighs. In fact, I prefer poultry thighs to poultry breasts in almost all cases. They have a richer flavor and a much more luscious texture, and, properly handled, are no fattier than the breasts are.

  77. 77.

    Mike Kay

    @eemom:

    no, no. This is a good blog. John is good people. And the rank and file posters are the best. Tunch!

    ps John if you condoned someone calling eemom a “cow”, then bad on you.

  78. 78.

    John Cole

    So yes, I lower myself to her level. Bad on me. But spare me the lecture about using Marquess of Queensberry rules when commenting on jane.

    Could we dial back the drama to about a 9.8 on the Richter Scale? No one is talking about banning anyone, and no one is talking about not pointing out when people do stupid or vicious things. Criticize her all you want for stupid things she has done or said.

    All I am saying is I think it is pretty bad form attacking someone who has had multiple chemo bouts about their hair. I don’t think that is unreasonable. And really, so fucking what if she dyes her hair? How is that any different from the same sort of nonsense we get when right-wingers state Michael Moore is fat?

  80. 80.

    demimondian

    @eemom: Since I specialize in personal attacks, I’m certainly not going to attack them. I think, however, that the rule I’ve sort of inferred over the time I’ve been here is that personal attack on other commenters are perfectly OK — after all, we’re here to defend ourselves. Personal attacks against outsiders? Yeah, maybe not so much.

    And personal attacks against personal weaknesses are generally grounds for banning. If you are overweight and sensitive about it, and some fuckhead attacks you about your weight, then complaining will work wonders.

  82. 82.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    I think Jane’s current goal is to kill HCR. That’s not about tactics, that is existential regarding a vital piece of legislation, that if killed, like she wants it to be, will become existential to tens of thousands of sick Americans whose lives hang in the balance. Big stakes, and Jane doesn’t back down, and neither do I on something like this. But anything to do with her personal appearance, and especially as it relates to her cancer, is not in bounds. It is stupid and counter productive in defeating her wishes, which need to be defeated with prejudice. It is not a matter of liking her, or her methods, this is a life/death struggle we are in right now, and there is no room for such personal sentiment, nor personal attacks, even if she does them, and she has, repeatedly. It is bidness, the bidness of government by the people and can we make it work to save lives. Jane has good healthcare I presume.

  84. 84.

    SIA

    @Max: Well, I can see it is very simple, once I learned the meaning of:
    1. Orchetta pasta
    2. Broccoli Rabe
    3. Al Dente
    4. Manga (actually haven’t quite figured that one out yet – a Japanese comic book?) :)

    Just kidding, actually the recipe does sound simple and delicious. I’m pretty illiterate about cooking, other than what I call “Grunt” or “Grunge” Cooking (pork chops, sweet potatoes, chili, chicken – cook 45 minutes on 425 reduce heat to 350 for another 15) but I have been wanting to branch out, so this is very helpful. Going to try it this week.

  85. 85.

    John O

    *giggle*

    Jane’s been a c*nt on HCR.

    Still can’t help but think it is more personal to her than it is to me, and it’s VERY personal to me. I’ve just been lucky so far.

    There but for the grace of FSM go I.

  86. 86.

    debit

    @John O: Weird. I’m totally okay with men using the word [email protected], but a man using c*nt bothers me. Women can say it. I can say it (and do) but men doing it are an issue for me.

    I realize this is my own personal problem and don’t expect anyone to change their behavior over it.

  87. 87.

    Mike Kay

    @John Cole:

    at this point we’re talking past each other. people attack limbaugh for being fat. Al Franken wrote a #1 best seller “Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot”. So, I, like Al Franken tried my hand at low humor. And yes, posters did say I was LOL funny. Ironically, Hamsher hates Franken for voting for HCR.

  88. 88.

    eemom

    Jane has good healthcare I presume.

    This. Simply this. And her actions are taken with complete indifference to the many others who lose their hair — or their LIVES — who do not.

  89. 89.

    demo woman

    Since we are talking about personal attacks

    The CEO of Tennessee’s hospitality association is apologizing for sending an e-mail to a group of public figures that compares first lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee.

    The entire article is here

  90. 90.

    Comrade Kevin

    The late, great Molly Ivins on Camille Paglia and “politically correct feminism”:

    Nowadays, when a woman behaves in a hysterical and disagreeable
    fashion, we say, “Poor dear, it’s probably PMS.” Whereas, if a man
    behaves in a hysterical and disagreeable fashion, we say, “What an
    asshole.” Let me leap to correct this unfairness by saying of Paglia,
    Sheesh, what an asshole.

  91. 91.

    Max

    @SIA: Good luck. Seriously, it’s hard to screw up with 1 pot cooking.

    @debit: I usually refer to those types of women as a “consuela”. However, as a woman myself, I too reserve the right to use the full on see you next tuesday word.

  92. 92.

    John O

    @debit:

    No problem, sorry to offend. It must be used sparely, certainly, and I only use to be funnily offensive (thus the giggle) or when I’m off the reservation angry.

    Oddly, a vivid childhood memory is Mom telling me she had more trouble with the word fart than she did some traditionally harsher words.

    I take it on faith that I don’t “know” anyone out here in full. Sure, you get a flavor, but it’s ultimately just a faint taste, and I really never mean (or understand how anybody can take) anything too personally in the ‘sphere, unless it hits too close to the bone.

    Heck, the only place I’ve ever been banned was Pandagon (long since reinstated) and I deserved it. They called me a misogynist in a pack and I was Angry; baiting, and vicious, because they had it wrong. Learned an important lesson that night.

  93. 93.

    mr. whipple

    Whereas, if a man
    behaves in a hysterical and disagreeable fashion, we say, “What an Americablog.’’

    Fixed.

  94. 94.

    debit

    @John O: Don’t worry about it. Like I said, it’s my own personal little quirk that I recognize as unfair.

    My own mom thinks she’s being daring if she uses “damn”, but then my mom, for reasons still known only to her, thought using the Plumrose Ham commercial (the one set to the tune of the Stripper where two fingers lasciviously peeled back a slice of bread to reveal the succulent ham inside the sandwich) would somehow explain the mysteries of sex to me when I was 12. God, I love her.

  96. 96.

    unabogie

    Obot Genine,

    I mostly lurk here, but I really hope you’re feeling better. While you’re away, I promise to take up the slack and post more Obotian sonnets, as is our wont.

    Get well soon.

  97. 97.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @Max: It’s not fair. You gals get to call us dicks and we don’t have any sacred words for self demeaning.

    Sometimes, the white man angst is just too much for me to bear.

  98. 98.

    Svensker

    Best wishes, prayers, good thoughts, and crossed fingers for Genine. We want you back!

  99. 99.

    geg6

    My best thoughts out to Genine. Damn, what a bitch life is sometimes. As for Jane Hamsher, no need for personal attacks. Her words and actions have buried her and are all that is needed to make her look too stupid, ego-driven, and viciously indifferent to others to be taken seriously. Which is what has happened. Unlike Stuck, I have no fear of Jane Hamsher derailing anything other than her own credibility and to inflate her into some sort of power player with skeery mad powers over political outcomes is hysterical melodrama. Hell, as we all know, I’m a reluctant fan of this particular bill, but Jane couldn’t even convince me that killing the bill is a good idea.

  101. 101.

    DonBelacquaDelPurgatorio

    Positive waves go out to Genine. I am glad to hear about the Cobra coverage.

    I watched a person fall down on her face and shoulder a couple weeks ago and instantly rack up thousands of dollars worth of medical bills. It was such a commonplace accident, but one that could easily ruin a family in this country. Which is pretty shocking.

    A trip, a fall, a bad xray during a checkup, a bad blood test result, and boom. You are ruined.

    That’s the America that is defended every day by Republicans.

  103. 103.

    JGabriel

    Plutonium Page @ GOS:

    According to an interview with a local independent publication, Grisham says he heard “the voice of God” speak to him from Mayan ruins, telling him to “do something about America’s decline”

    Thereby explaining why conservatives shouldn’t do acid.

    .

  104. 104.

    Comrade Mary

    Ah, man, Genine, big hugs to you. Thank God you have insurance, and good luck with the surgery.

  105. 105.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @debit: I would list some of them, but I think we are still in the family hours here at Hot Air Central.

  106. 106.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Good luck to Genine. Hope to see you back here soon.

    @Mike Kay:

    She wants to primary Bernie Sanders and Al Franken.

    Good Lord. I was blissfully unaware of how far she had gone.

  107. 107.

    unabogie

    @eemom:

    I think I have sort of posted that my boss and good friend had a stroke, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the short story is that in November we lost our group coverage after my wife had surgery. BCBS claimed that since we had 50% of our company out of state (2 people in Oregon, 2 in Cali) they could legally drop us, so they did. We scrambled for new coverage, and by the grace of the FSM, we found some. Three weeks later, he had a stroke and is fighting for his life. His ICU bills came to $800,000. He is facing long term health care costs and honestly, we don’t know if he’ll ever be a functioning person again.

    Right now, United Health care has someone working nights to find the loophole that will drop us again so they can stop paying for his care. Right now, no law prevents this, and when they drop him, his family will go bankrupt. This is a fact.

    So when Jane Hamsher says kill the bill, I want to see her DIAF.

    Fuck her, on behalf of my friend. Fuck her sideways.

  108. 108.

    Max

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck: Far be it for me to point out, but as a girl, calling me shrill, emotional or hysterical sends me over the fucking falls. I’d rather be called a consuela than any of those. So there’s that.

    Cheer up, buttercup. You white guys will always have the market cornered on douchebag.

  109. 109.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @Max:

    You white guys will always have the market cornered on douchebag.

    This has brightened my evening. Am all better now:+)

  110. 110.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    @eemom:

    I live to slaughter sacred cows and Jane Hamster has made herself a target for ridicule and derision for her boneheaded actions. Her ‘activist’ behavior and tactics are more than enough to take aim at and people should damned well do so. Jane can stuff a rusty, barnacle-encrusted anchor up her ass and take a long walk off a short pier. She brings her ‘my way or the highway’ to the table as negotiating points and she is willing to embrace the lowest form of human scum in her quest to ‘win’ (read: lose) the day on HCR. I can’t stand Lieberman but the blackface episode was unforgivable, as was her response to it. Jane cares about Jane, she lives to feed her need and that’s the end of it.

    She can stuff her activist bullshit up her ass, I’ll take the highway.

  113. 113.

    RedKitten

    Oh my goodness, I hope Genine makes a full recovery. And yes, thank goodness that she was able to keep her insurance.

    John, please keep us posted as to the news of her recovery — I just looked on her Facebook and there are no updates, so I assume she contacted you via email.

    Genine, honey, if you’re reading this, be well!

  115. 115.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal): I can’t stand Lieberman but the blackface episode was unforgivable

    Arguably the best single example of the blogosphere disease of thinking that the whole world sees everything the way “we” do. A wise poster at Eschaton used to patiently remind the “Kerry/Pelosi/Dems/Hillary/Reid/Obama is DEAD TO ME! crowd that ‘we are the fringe’. I think she gave up. Not unique to the ‘sphere, of course. Wasn’t it in the late ’60s that Pauline Kael uttered her famous “But everyone I know voted for Lindsey!”

  118. 118.

    SIA

    @demo woman: Jesus Christ what the fuck is wrong with these people? I feel positively murderous when I hear things like that. Such a beautiful, warm, fine, smart, elegant woman. AAARRRGGGGGGHHH.

  119. 119.

    fraught

    trying to keep up here. Is it still ok to call someone a cocksucker, male or female? And if so, are there occasions when one just..doesn’t?

    I like it when men call other men cunt. Stings.

  120. 120.

    Cat Lady

    We are all one tiny blood vessel, a misstep on a stair, an inattentive driver, a cancerous cell, a trip over a pet, a childhood infection, or a failing organ away from disaster, every day. Good luck Genine. We’re rooting for you. We need you back.

    /O-bot.

  124. 124.

    SIA

    @DonBelacquaDelPurgatorio:

    A trip, a fall, a bad xray during a checkup, a bad blood test result, and boom. You are ruined.
    That’s the America that is defended every day by Republicans.

    This is the crux of the matter. Right here.

  127. 127.

    mr. whipple

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    ” A wise poster at Eschaton used to patiently remind the “Kerry/Pelosi/Dems/Hillary/Reid/Obama is DEAD TO ME! crowd that ‘we are the fringe’”

    That is so true. I think of myself as very moderate, but in reality am pretty far left. On the other hand, in certain circles I’ve been called a Republican.

    I’ve got a friend who I think is very conservative, and he thinks of himself as a moderate, also, a ‘Reagan Democrat’ is how he once described himself.

    So, I sent him off to one of these political identity tests and he scored to the right of Baptist. Freaked him right out.

  128. 128.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @eemom: She’s made herself the symbol of a certain kind of petulant, burn-the-village-to-save-it-make-myself-feel-brave-and-noble ‘progressive’. I guess the admiration of dozens of fellow travellers makes up for any mean things people say about her.

  129. 129.

    Yutsano

    Okay I’m now officially beat. Laundry in the washer and kitchen is mostly clean (save tonight’s dinner dishes but I’ll address those later) and back to the grind tomorrow. Woot.

    BTW Duke whupped North Carolina. Watch for gloating.

  130. 130.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @mr. whipple: I tend to think of myself as moderate to conservative, being phlegmatic of temperament, and I suspect that in every other industrialized country in the world, I’d be center-right. In this one, because I believe in the basic theory of evolution, think health care should not be a commodity, and believe what scientists and my lying eyes tell me about the environment, I’m a dirty fucking hippie. It’s weird.

  131. 131.

    SIA

    @John O: Perfect timing – I was just getting ready to ask for a puppeh pic! Pretty smart of Dweezil to take the toy under the chair where Stella had trouble reaching him. But oh man, it squeezed my heart to see her laying on the floor and playing with him. Makes me think of our Maggie doing that with both the “kids” that came after her. My my.

  134. 134.

    John O

    @SIA:

    There’s nothing quite like it, SIA. I am having a wonderful time with the two of them. I get a very serious kind of satisfaction working with and playing with dogs.

  138. 138.

    Mike Kay

    @mr. whipple: @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Huey Long (populist) and Norman Thomas (socialist) used to call FDR a corporatist and centrist. Long even called the New Deal “a corporate giveaway.”

  140. 140.

    Mike Kay

    @mr. whipple:

    Huey Long and Norman Thomas used to call FDR a corporatist and centrist.

    Long even called the New Deal “a corporate giveaway.”

  145. 145.

    asiangrrlMN

    Oh no! Obot Genine, I am sending you a white light to surround you during your surgery. Many positive thoughts, vibes, and jokes to help you through it. Come back soon, you hear?

    @John O: Ooooooh, PUPPEH! So cute. So adorable. Happy sigh.

    Which reminds me, TUNCH!

    @Yutsano: So soon? Damn. Am I wearing you out?

    I used to think I was pretty far left on the spectrum, but I now realize that I am more right than I previously thought. Still further left than many people, but just not as far left as I thought. It actually bothers me a bit.

  146. 146.

    asiangrrlMN

    @jeffreyw: Snort. Cute and funny at the same time.

    I’m pathetic. I didn’t even know that comment #4 had anything to do with the Jame Hamsher’s (sic) of the left. I had no idea of whom Mike Kay was talking. What kind of political junkie am I??

    @kommrade reproductive vigor: Was right there with you in thinking it.

  149. 149.

    kay

    @eemom:

    That’s helpful.
    I don’t think lots and lots of people will read it (which is too bad, because it’s plain language, personal and easy to understand) but maybe members of Congress will read it.
    I went to the local Democratic meeting here week before last, 3 counties, and I don’t know if Democrats in Congress know this, but no one here among the rank and file is even seriously considering failure. They don’t follow every twist and turn. They think it’s on a slow and incredibly annoying route to passage. I didn’t share my doubts.
    They’re assuming it’s going to pass, and they are ‘the base”, here, anyway. They are going to be mad as hell if it doesn’t, after all this.

  151. 151.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Yutsano: That’s a great link. But, who are these Icelandic people who think they can, you know, actually have a say in their government??

    Heh. I really did wear you out, then! And, yes, the beasties must be obeyed. Or so says the Tunchy on my chest.

    Did you ever get to talk to the Dawg last night?

    @John O: Good night! Give Dweezil skritches, plz.

  154. 154.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: The whole M word convo was last night. I was on here talking to you not long after he went to go hustle play cards with some poor lance corporals. He’s indirectly responsible for me getting stuck in mod hell. I’d hate to think I’m the one who inspired John’s rant earlier.

    The Orange One is commanding his attention and I’m complying. Plus he feels good sprawled on my lap like this.

  155. 155.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @jeffreyw: A beautiful Red Sqwakker. Love the squirrels and my Flickr favorites are full of them. They are not evil. Just highly industrious. And cute as fiddles.

  156. 156.

    Yutsano

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck: A squirrel was directly responsible for the first classes of the school year getting cancelled at my university. It even spawned the creativity of the school newspaper’s cartoonist to create a whole series until he graduated called The Angry Squirrel. The real lesson here is if you’re a squirrel and you’re randy, don’t go near power transformers please.

  157. 157.

    Dee Loralei

    @John O: Is Dweezil a Golden? He looks a lot like my Maggie Though the hair on her back is a wee bit darker than his, their whites are the same. My Cassidy is a red-headed Golden, and they are both9 months old. Yes, I was an idiot and got two puppies at the same time. House training was a bitch, but man they keep me amused and busy.

  158. 158.

    burnspbesq

    Thoughts and prayers with Genine.

    Takes the buzz out of an epic beatdown on Senior Night.

    Duke 82, North Carolina 50.

  159. 159.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Yutsano: Um, yeah. Not gonna go there (sprawled on your lap) I know, but you said you were gonna talk to him after he got done playing pokehim.

    Did someone say angry squirrel? I present to you, Foamy.

  160. 160.

    madmommy

    @mr. whipple:

    Wow. And they did it, too! But how are they gonna go from polishing a turd to blowing it up? Because that is the be-all, end-all of the show. Something’s gonna go ka-boom!

  162. 162.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @Yutsano:

    A squirrel was directly responsible for the first classes of the school year getting cancelled at my university.

    that’s Medal of Freedom material.

  164. 164.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: Oh, no I knew I most likely wouldn’t get to talk to him. As it was I was up and down that night anyway.

    Ahh Foamy. I was going to join his revolution then he got lazy about it.

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck: Te rodents didn’t survive to enjoy their accolades however. It’s a great story still told on campus to this day.

  166. 166.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    Since I got Charlie, I have recently become aware of spending less time entertaining Purl the Parakeet. I think he is feeling neglected and am considering getting him a playmate. Though the quandry is two parakeets are like having the Marine Marching Band in your living room. Can’t hear yourself think loud. Luckily, I don’t hear to good anyways and am leaning toward getting another Parakeet. Charlie is fascinated by the bird, and another ought to keep him entertained as well. Decisions decisions.

  167. 167.

    Something Fabulous

    Oh, Genine! All the best!! Hope you are reading this thread and seeing all the support going out to you. Joining my thoughts with others here!!

  169. 169.

    Yutsano

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck: Honestly? See if Charlie will bond with the parakeet without actually hurting him. Parakeets like all parrots are social birds and cannot stand being alone. But they will bond outside of their species easily. In fact, Purl may have indeed noticed that you’re slipping away from him and is reacting accordingly.

    EDIT: Squirrel sex, food pr0n, skull fucking kittens, this blog has it all!

  170. 170.

    madmommy

    @mr. whipple:

    Yeah, they did. A guy used a Japanese technique using only dirt (or poo), water and bare hands. He came and showed Adam how to do it.

    And they did blow something up. And burned up an SUV with thermite. Also. Is it any wonder this show is a personal fave of the little boys in my house?

  173. 173.

    Yutsano

    @General Egali Tarian Stuck: Heh. I just thought of that Yellow Pages commercial at the vet’s office where the boxer eats the parakeet. It’s kind of a sickly funny joke, but the best part is how they got the boxer to chew like she had just chomped something down. I may just haz issues.

  174. 174.

    burnspbesq

    My spouse and kid have occupied the family room and are watching (gasp!) “Saturday Night Fever.”

    Have pity on me, dear friends.

  175. 175.

    Yutsano

    @burnspbesq: You’re gonna be fine until the young one shouts out, “Hey dad! Did you ever dance like that?” Then there might be issues.

  178. 178.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: I’d like to say you’re missing some profound cultural experience, but not without laughing my ass off.

    @bago: Bah. Too many possibilities here dammit.

  180. 180.

    demimondian

    @Yutsano: I have no trouble saying that she’s missed a nonpareil experience, one which makes an indelible impression on those who have shared it. An expression of American culture which captures a moment of time in permanent celluloid.

    And I can do all that with a straight face.

  181. 181.

    ajr22

    Who at KFC thought it would be a good idea to put a fried piece of chicken into a french fry cup? Almost as brilliant as the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, cheese, and corn bowl.

  182. 182.

    eemom

    @burnspbesq:

    that is actually a good movie, imo, once you get past the cringe-inducing 70sishness of it. A decent representation of what it was like to grow up in that kind of family and that kind of neighborhood in those days, and the acting is pretty good. The little subplot tragedies are well-portrayed also — the poor kid who got his girlfriend pregnant, and the poor chick in unrequited love.

    And go ahead and laugh, but I LIKE the BeeGees. And Travolta’s dancing was impressive.

    Seems to me a gentleman of my former acquaintance known as Fat Charlie would agree with me. Ahem.

  184. 184.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: Your steely resolve is admirable I must say. However if you’re toasted and someone brings up watching it I wouldn’t say no just on principle.

  186. 186.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: I just got the vapors all of a sudden. Where’s FH # 1? If he’s just lurking and laughing at us I’m gonna hop the next Qantas flight out of LAX.

    @ajr22: Dude this sounds like my Taco Bell experience last night. My guess is we’re in a test market for these things but there on the menu was shrimp tacos. I decided to subject my stomach to the possible torture. It turned out not to be too heinous.

  187. 187.

    ajr22

    @asiangrrlMN: Ya it’s like a fried chicken patty, but they just stick it in a cup. So you hold the cup when you bite the patty. How you eat the last few bites I couldn’t tell you. All i know is the commercial was really dumb and made me laugh. Was it KFC that came up with the sandwich that used fried chicken as bread?

  188. 188.

    asiangrrlMN

    @ajr22: Snort. That’s hilarious! You push the bottom of the cup and force the chicken into your mouth, I guess.

    @Yutsano: Hm. Good question. It’s his weekend, and it’s not like he has church or anything like that. TS, where are you??

  191. 191.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: Ain’t that the truth. I’ve never met someone who fit his surname so accurately. Of course mine means ocean and I’m a water sign so I guess I don’t have a huge amount of room to talk.

  193. 193.

    ruemara

    Blessings and health to Genine. May she recover swiftly, may friends be by her side and may she never have to go back for more than a check up.
    Mr. Cole. I want to like Jane Hamsher because I thought we had the same goals. Alas, I fear we do not. Mostly because my goal has nothing to do with boosting Jane’s ego, which is what she’s mostly about now. And I wish I could get my donations back from her.

    @lamh31: I will so be watching that. /obot out

  195. 195.

    Gordon, The Big Express Engine

    Listening to Christopher O’Reilly’s covers of Radiohead. If anyone like Radiohead AND piano, I highly recommend.

  196. 196.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: Saddest part really? Angela Basset must be spitting that she most likely has her only chance to play Michelle Obama. It’s kind of a shame really cause I think she could pull this off with dignity and grace.

  198. 198.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: There aren’t a lot of women who could pull off the statuesque grace Michelle has. (Heh. Statuesque. I love that word.) But Angela definitely could portray that unlike any other actress I can think of off the top of my head.

  200. 200.

    Gordon, The Big Express Engine

    @JGabriel: I saw them at SXSW back in I want to say ’99.

    Only remember they were from Richmond, as am I (sort of).

  202. 202.

    Anne Laurie

    Because I forgot to say this sooner:

    Get well soon, Genine!

    (You will be in my prayers.)

  203. 203.

    Yutsano

    @Anne Laurie: I don’t think it’s too late to wish her well. In fact, I think it would be a great thing if this thread could be printed out and shown to her. I think it would do wonders for her spirit right now to know she’s being thought of. Plus it always is fascinating (at least to me) the conversations that get inspired even by a single commenter here.

  205. 205.

    Yutsano

    @burnspbesq: This makes me very very happy that the Dawg gets to show this place his backside here very very soon. He’s not at a university there but knowing how these decisions have very nasty ripple effects it could still have an impact on him. And yeah calling it stupid is an insult to stupid. The people of Virginia are getting exactly what they voted for.

  206. 206.

    Billy K

    Genine,

    Yet another person you don’t know who is really, really pulling for your recovery.

    Billy K

  207. 207.

    JGabriel

    TPM, Hayworth Fundraising Ad Depicts ‘Conservative Actor’ McCain In Avatar-Like Warpaint:

    McCain campaign manager Shiree Verdone told the paper: “Ex-Congressman J.D. Hayworth should immediately apologize and and take down his latest online ad, which is an outrageous offense to John McCain’s lifetime of honorable service …”

    Only in the GOP would they think the Na’vi are the bad guys. These are the people who expect to take over the House and Senate this year.

    .

  208. 208.

    DougL (frmrly: Conservatively Liberal)

    Only in the GOP would they think the Na’vi are the bad guys.

    According to winger/teabaggers, everyone who is not a winger/teabagger is a bad guy. Thus the ad makes ‘sense’ (if you can call it that) to a winger/teabagger.

    SSDD, carry on. ;)

  210. 210.

    Svensker

    @burnspbesq:

    My spouse and kid have occupied the family room and are watching (gasp!) “Saturday Night Fever.”

    It’s actually a pretty good movie. If we could only time travel and change the music and the dancing and the outfits.

    Em, what eemom said better at 181. Also, too.

  211. 211.

    bob h

    Best wishes to her. But even if she has good insurance, this sounds like a couple thousand $ out of pocket.

  215. 215.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    @geg6: I’ve said before, peeps who get themselves on the teevee with regularity, have them some power. Take Jane off of teevee and she is just another internet wanker and no threat worth considering for affecting anything.

    I never underestimate the power of the boob toob/

  216. 216.

    A Mom Anon

    Get Well Soon Genine. I hope you have people to take good care of you at home when you’re recovering. God this makes me so sad.

    Monday will be three weeks since my husband was laid off. Our insurance died on the last day of Feb and the company still hasn’t sent us any COBRA info or paperwork. The husband just had to get his heart and diabetes meds refilled and the Plavix alone was almost 200 dollars. I guess we’ll eventually be reimbursed for that,but it hurts right now. Anyone who wants to kill HCR can diaf,fuck them and their good insurance coverage.

    Then,I got a bill from the optometrist for an additional 230 bucks for glasses I paid for in freaking November. I asked them if that was the final total and they said yes. Now it turns out they made a mistake and want me to pay for it. Um,yeah,good luck with that,we have no income right now except for 300 bucks a week in unemployment benefits.

  219. 219.

    very reverend crimson fire of compassion

    Genine, our prayers and thoughts are with you. May you be restored to walk in beauty.

  222. 222.

    Genine

    Hi Everyone!

    Thank you so much for the positive thoughts and energy. I really appreciate it. Yutsano is right, it really does lift my spirits. For, that, I thank you. It means a lot that so many people are pulling for me, online and offline. (All of my friends, online and off, have been great.)

    This whole thing has been freaky. (I’m not even 35 yet) and I don’t know what I would have done without my insurance. I am so glad the COBRA assistance was extended. I didn’t think I had anything that serious. I was dizzy and felt like I was in a dream-state. The most alarming thing was the numbness and lack of coordination with my left arm. Initially, I thought I just had low blood sugar. I am glad I had the resources to catch this before it got out of hand. (The doctor said that if I waited, I would have been paralyzed on my left side.)

    But I can easily see how someone who did not have insurance would put off going to the ER because it didn’t seem like a crisis. A friend’s sister is dying of brain cancer. She had headaches for a while but did not have insurance. She did not go to the hospital until she collapsed at work. They found the cancer then, but in stage four. Not much can be done at this point. Things like this is why health care reform is so important.

    I wish you the best of luck in your situation, A Mom Anon. I feel you, trust me.

    Sorry, I am late to the party, but I just got my laptop a little while ago.

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