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You are here: Home / Open Threads / I Got Nothing

I Got Nothing

by John Cole|  June 23, 20108:51 pm| 135 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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I’ve surveyed the news landscape, and I have nothing worth saying. Not that I didn’t try- hell, I even went to Reason expecting to catch Matt Welch gloating that the governator was going to cut all state workers salaries to minimum wage, and was sorely let down.

Think I’ll go for a walk and then finish Green Zone, which I started watching last night.

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Reader Interactions

135Comments

  1. 1.

    jl

    June 23, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    Fine with me. Seems like a lot too much politics intrudes into this lefty sports/pets/gardening/cooking/drinking blog.

    edit: I forgot ‘drinking’, so added that.

  2. 2.

    stuckinred

    June 23, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    Lefty sports is right! No hip hop hoops up in here!

  3. 3.

    Violet

    June 23, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    Just to keep things interesting, there’s an a tropical wave that may develop into some kind of tropical system in a few days. Some of the models put it into the Gulf.

    It’s pretty early for a tropical system of any magnitude and this thing has been struggling to do much of anything for days. The shear keeps affecting its development. But the Gulf water temps are higher than usual for this time of year, which would be optimal for development should it get there.

    Just what we need. A tropical system in the midst of the oil disaster. Keeping everything crossed nothing comes of it.

  4. 4.

    lamh32

    June 23, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    does anyone watch “Hung” on HBO? I’ve gotten thru ep 6, and I gotta say that I like it. It kinda reminds me of “Weeds” (which I haven’t watched since midway through season 2) except of course not being about drug dealing suburban moms, and instead prostituting suburban dads?

    Anyway, it’s pretty good so far.

  5. 5.

    ellaesther

    June 23, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    I have been waiting all day for an open thread to share the following observation with the Balloon Juice nation.

    As a stinking little mini-blogger, I have done my fair share of blog pimping in these parts. During various moments of insanity involving Israel and/or the Middle East generally, I have often linked to posts that speak directly to questions that people have about the issues at hand. My links often get much love from this crowd, in particular those links that relate to Middle East mayhem. Particularly-in-particular during the flotilla nonsense.

    Yesterday I posted a link to pictures of my kids when they were babies — and never, but never, have I gotten so many hits from Balloon Juice from a single link. Ever. Not even during the flotilla nonsense.

    You people think you’re so tough. YOU’RE JUST A BUNCHA BABY LOVERS!

  6. 6.

    JCT

    June 23, 2010 at 9:02 pm

    Hmmmm, well, Steve Benen (always one of my favorites) had a nice piece on the Republicans and their Obama = Hitler/Nazi fetish today.

    This quote gave me a laugh (always a good thing after a tough day).

    Likewise, Matt Yglesias noted today, “In addition, I note that yesterday noted fascism scholar and moron Jonah Goldberg observed that there’s a slippery slope from infrastructure projects to Auschwitz.”

    Damn funny.

    And it is so hot here the pets are sort of in various stages of “melted” all over the living room…..

  7. 7.

    ellaesther

    June 23, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    Also, I, too had nothing to write about yesterday. You may read about my nothing to write here — but, sorry. No pictures of babies. Just a few loving sentences….

  8. 8.

    Roger Moore

    June 23, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    I so hope we can elect Brown and 2/3 Democratic majorities in both houses of the Assembly this November. It would be so great to have a vaguely functional government, instead of one where the Republicans can throw a tantrum and fuck up everything until they get their way.

  9. 9.

    Mike Kay

    June 23, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    I wish the President would use some Grecian Formula, his hair is turning gray too too quickly.

    But he’s so arrogant he doesn’t care what his base wants.

  10. 10.

    Mike Kay

    June 23, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    Isn’t kinda odd how the wingnut bloggers have been dissing MacArthur these past 48 hours? You would think the authoritarian mindset would gravitate to the reaganesque D-Mac.

  11. 11.

    jeffreyw

    June 23, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    Loves me some big butts.

  12. 12.

    beltane

    June 23, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    This morning’s USA soccer victory was awesome. Best of all was when the camera panned to a fan holding a big “Yes We Can” poster followed by a jubilant Bill Clinton sitting in the stands draped with an Algerian flag. If any teabaggers were watching, they must have died a little inside.

    We had an earthquake this afternoon. I’m wondering if this is the reason we’ve had so many wild animals wandering out of the woods these past few days. Yesterday it was a moose walking up my driveway.

  13. 13.

    scottinnj

    June 23, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    Australia has its first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard who ousted current PM Kevin Rudd in a Labour backbench coup. Unfortunately it may be shortlived as Labour is well behind in the polls for a fall election.

  14. 14.

    beltane

    June 23, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    @Mike Kay: Douglas MacArthur had a number of solid achievements as a general. Such competence is anathema to Republicans.

  15. 15.

    Violet

    June 23, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    @beltane:
    I loved that “Yes We Can” sign in the stands. I actually LOLed at that. It was great to see the Big Dawg there too.

  16. 16.

    Ash

    June 23, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Green Zone was freaking terrible. But Imperial Life in the Emerald City (on which it was VERY loosely based) was fantastic. So funny I cried.

  17. 17.

    ajr22

    June 23, 2010 at 9:19 pm

    I just watched Green Zone *spoiler* there are no WMD.

  18. 18.

    PanAmerican

    June 23, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    I’ll bet Bill Clinton hanging around the post game locker room is tomorrow’s poutrage talking point.

  19. 19.

    Little Boots

    June 23, 2010 at 9:23 pm

    John, you’ll never be a pundit if you let a little thing like having nothing to say stand in the way of saying it, loud and long.

  20. 20.

    demkat620

    June 23, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    @lamh32: I watched it and liked it but I kinda feel the writers and producers don’t know where they want to go with it.

    Great premise but where does it go from here?

  21. 21.

    bemused

    June 23, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    Most of you probably read about or watched Al Franken’s speak to the American Constitutiuon Society. Today the Mpls Star Tribune printed Michael Gerson’s angry rebuttal. Gerson is outraged that Franken unleashed his “bile” on the conservative Justices. I missed it when the Strib published the transcript of Minnesota Senator Al Franken speaking to ACS. Oh wait, I didn’t see it in the Strib because they didn’t bother to publish it.

  22. 22.

    Linda Featheringill

    June 23, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    An open thread!

    I want to share my pleasure that Adm. Thad Allen, during his regular update with the press, took a question about what would we do if we couldn’t kill the well in the Gulf no matter what we did. No, they don’t have an answer for that yet but they are actually working on it! It seems they are looking into some production-type technology that would grab the oil and transport it to some sort of pipe and then to a refining facility.

    I have whined to all my elected officials about the need to have a plan ready if/when we decided we couldn’t kill that well. I contacted the White House. I complained on this blog. I signed onto several different newspapers in order to post a call for SOMEBODY to work on a plan to go to if we needed it. I even joined a couple of discussion groups at the WSJ. [shudder]

    Anyway, I don’t think that it was only my effort that brought this question front and center but I was at least a part of the process. It would be soooooooo good to have something in place. Just in case.

    [I’m so smart, I’m so smart, Nya, nya, nya!]

  23. 23.

    demkat620

    June 23, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    @Ash: I have recommended that book here forever. It had me so mad I could scream.

  24. 24.

    South of I-10

    June 23, 2010 at 9:29 pm

    @Violet: I really hate Invest 93.

  25. 25.

    Tattoosydney

    June 23, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    @scottinnj:

    Australia has its first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard…

    Damn, beat me…

    Not sure if it will be short term. Despite sweeping him to victory, I suspect Australians never really warmed to Kevin, who has the personality of an autistic dentist.

    Labor is behind in the polls but still ahead in our preferential system, because most of the lost votes have moved to the greens (disgusted because Kevin wasn’t being lefty enough) and will start flowing back if Julia can get the balance right.

  26. 26.

    bemused

    June 23, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    @Little Boots:
    That’s right. It’s never been a problem for Rush or Beck.

  27. 27.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    June 23, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    Speaking of which, (nothing) reposting from downstairs cause you all moved on me.

    a) the coolest tweet in the history of twitter

    @whitehouse Welcome to @twitter President Medvedev! @KremlinRussia_E: Hello everyone! I’m on Twitter, and this is my first tweet.

    POTUS welcoming Medvedev to twitter.

    b) the best live blogging of the longest tennis match in history bar none, wonkette better be practicing.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/23/wimbledon-2010-tennis-live

  28. 28.

    Ash

    June 23, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    @demkat620: I kept expecting the stories about all the terribly stupid and under-prepared people to stop eventually, but nope, they just keeeeeeeept on coming.

  29. 29.

    SIA

    June 23, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    @lamh32: I love Hung. It’s funny and the actor (Thomas Jayne?) is purdy. I love the female pimp character too, though I always want to comb her hair and maybe spruce up her threads.

  30. 30.

    BombIranForChrist

    June 23, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    Oh yeah, boyeeeez, the governator is gettin’ tough! He’s gonna out-tough all ya’ll suckas.

    And it’s good to cut salaries! It removes money from the economy so that people don’t, you know, trip all over it. Thank goodness the magic ponies will make up the difference.

  31. 31.

    trollhattan

    June 23, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    Teh Governator’s clever plan doesn’t save the state a penny; perhaps that explains the lack of RW gloatridge. It’s a cashflow trick to play until they pass the budget but then, commie Chicago fashion, they have to pay it all back. Never mind the workers who lose their houses in the interim. Collateral damage.

    What’s golden is the nurses union, who have a Queen Meg following Whitman around on the campaign trail, complete with tiara. Yes, Meg’s fighting with nurses.

  32. 32.

    TaMara (BHF)

    June 23, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    So it seems JeffreyW and I had a BBQ ribs throw-down over on my blog today. He has pictures, I just have an awesome glaze. Yes, so awesome I’m probably going to put leftovers on chicken tomorrow night.

    Other than that I got nothing. I’m so tired of the fauxbama outrage I’ve checked out – except for seeing what craziness is going on here.

  33. 33.

    Linda Featheringill

    June 23, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    @South of I-10:

    Invest 93: I am kind of hoping that she just peters out and wafts away.

    Well, I can hope, can’t I?

  34. 34.

    Darkrose

    June 23, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    I’ve come to the conclusion that the governor of my state hates my city. Because the only lasting effect this will have is to finish off Sacramento for good.

  35. 35.

    lamh32

    June 23, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    @SIA:
    Yeah Thomas Jane is cute. I wonder if he’s still married to Patricia Arquette?

    As for Tanya the pimp, I like her too, but damn I kinda wish she had more of a backbone. It kinda bothers me but I get that it’s what the character is…timid, shy, etc, which makes it more interesting that she’s a “pimp”.

  36. 36.

    Mike Kay

    June 23, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    so news day. if only obama had retained McQuack we would have endless posts over obama betraying the base. A content base is so boring.

  37. 37.

    MikeJ

    June 23, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    @Mike Kay: Yet you still manage to bitch about endlessly.

  38. 38.

    HRA

    June 23, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    Had an experience today and I am not even in glorious sunny CA. I was sitting at my pc at work when my chair started to rock a bit and move. First thought was the d..n chair is finally breaking up. Soon there was question of “what happened?”, “what was that?” and finally “I think we had an earthquake.” It actually was a slight tremor. The news said it began in Quebec as 5.5.
    Yes, I know there is a fault in the area. It woke up in a minor way in 1998.
    I was worried about my puppy and couldn’t get home fast enough.

  39. 39.

    lamh32

    June 23, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    @SIA:

    Oh, and is it bad that it tickles me tthe kids who play the characters childrenare sooo not the most attractive looking kids in the world, even though Thomas Jane and Anne Heche are the supposed parents

  40. 40.

    robertdsc

    June 23, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    I watched Green Zone today. I liked it though seeing Dubya give the Mission Accomplished speech killed me. Stupid fucker.

  41. 41.

    arguingwithsignposts

    June 23, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    @Darkrose:

    I’ve come to the conclusion that the governor of my state hates my city state

    The governator has been one of the worst things to happen to Gulivornia since Prop 13. What an asshat. I don’t know how Maria Shriver stays married to him.

  42. 42.

    gwangung

    June 23, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    So it seems JeffreyW and I had a BBQ ribs throw-down over on my blog today. He has pictures, I just have an awesome glaze. Yes, so awesome I’m probably going to put leftovers on chicken tomorrow night.
    __
    Other than that I got nothing.

    Um, that seems damn plenty to me….

  43. 43.

    Mike Kay

    June 23, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    @MikeJ: I didn’t know you were reading ever single thread. I assume different people read different threads. Just like I imagine most people don’t watch both olberman and maddow, which is why they both cover the same daily stories.

  44. 44.

    SIA

    June 23, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    Since we’re so dog-oriented lately (hey JC where are our Lily-Tunch-Rosie photos for today?) here is a before and after of our darling Woofie. He was a little scruff-bucket that turned into a beautiful swan. Here’s Woofie in motion.

  45. 45.

    arguingwithsignposts

    June 23, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    @Mike Kay:

    I didn’t know you were reading ever single thread. I assume different people read different threads.

    I think this is the point at which we discuss the problem with assumptions. BJ is (thankfully) not GOS, and so regulars tend to read through most threads.

  46. 46.

    MikeJ

    June 23, 2010 at 9:56 pm

    Even if I didn’t read most threads, surely the same comment over and over isn’t actually relevant everywhere.

    We get it. There exist people you don’t like. Why don’t you go where they are and discuss it with them rather than staying here and telling us about it?

  47. 47.

    Corner Stone

    June 23, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    @ajr22:

    spoiler there are no WMD.

    The *HELL* you say!
    Have we invaded Syria yet? And if they aren’t there then it’s obvious Saddam secretly shipped them to his mortal enemy Iran!
    He’d rather Iran have them then have the US be proven right!
    Into Iran! Post haste!

  48. 48.

    burnspbesq

    June 23, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    I know there will be a football thread later, but I just wanted to note that by snatching first place in Group C, the US has given itself a manageable route to the semifinals. They play Ghana on Saturday. Ghana is good, but they certainly aren’t scary good. If they beat Ghana, they face either Uruguay or South Korea in the quarterfinals. Both of those teams can be beaten.

  49. 49.

    Liberty60

    June 23, 2010 at 10:00 pm

    Re: California gov’t services:

    My wife tried to go to the DMV a few times in the last couple weeks; the offices are closed 3 out of 4 Fridays this month; hours are being cut, staff is being cut….you get the idea.

    All this to avoid – God forbid- TAX INCREASES!

    I swear, I would happily pay extra taxes, right out of my beer money, if only the government could be run at full steam- it would take about 30 cents per Californian per day, to bring in a couple billion dollars a year.

    We long ago passed the point of anyone arguing for a more efficient government, or a limited government- we are entering full on Somalia territory, where fiscal anorexia is killing the most basic services.

    I think we need to stop cringing every time someone points like Donald Sutherland in The Body Snatchers and screams “TAX INCREASE! LIBERAL!”

    Fuck, I want to pay more in taxes, I would happily pay more in taces if only we could get a government that worked.

  50. 50.

    Mike Kay

    June 23, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    @MikeJ:

    “Even if I didn’t read most threads, surely the same comment over and over isn’t actually relevant everywhere.”

    and yet you can’t stop yourself from either reading the same comment over and over or reading a commentator that annoy you. but don’t blame yourself, blame me.

  51. 51.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    June 23, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    @MikeJ: As a regular that reads every thread, I second this emotion.

  52. 52.

    arguingwithsignposts

    June 23, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    @Mike Kay:

    and yet you can’t stop yourself from either reading the same comment over and over or reading a commentator that annoy you. but don’t blame yourself, blame me.

    Well, if you CLAP LOUDER it’s hard to ignore unless you use the pie filter. Unfortunately, Mike Kay, you have about a 50/50 signal to noise ratio, which means you don’t get the pie filter. But Goddamn, if you don’t ride that fucking pony till it’s falling over sometimes.

  53. 53.

    Nellcote

    June 23, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Would the goopers refuse to confirm Petraeus just to fu*ck with the Prez?

  54. 54.

    tom

    June 23, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    It hasn’t been a slow news day here in the Detroit area. First, a small earthquake. Then, the feds throw the book at Kwame Kilpatrick (couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy). Now, tornadoes – one has touched down between Saline and Milan. I defy anyone not from SE Michigan to pronounce “Saline” and “Milan” the way the locals do.

  55. 55.

    Corner Stone

    June 23, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts: hifty hifty?

  56. 56.

    Mark S.

    June 23, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    @burnspbesq:

    That was big. Otherwise, we’d have to beat Germany and Argentina (I don’t much fancy Mexico in that game), and there ain’t no way in hell we were gonna do that.

  57. 57.

    Ash

    June 23, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    @Nellcote: He has to be confirmed for something? huh.

  58. 58.

    arguingwithsignposts

    June 23, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    @Corner Stone:
    Well, to be honest, there are few BJ regulars who I wouldn’t enjoy having a beer with. Even Mike Kay. Now, BoB, I wouldn’t have a Bud Light Lime with his sorry ass.

    Also, I saw a brew today something like “He Brew” which was billed as the “chosen brew.” anyone tasted that?

    Also, too, I’m looking to head up to chicago for the pride parade this weekend (per burnspbesq’s suggestion), and I’ll be wearing my BJ t-shirt. Anyone want to check in, I’ll be more than happy to say heya!

  59. 59.

    Mark S.

    June 23, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    @Nellcote:

    Don’t think so. John McCain is on the Armed Forces Committee, and he loves Petraeus more than his wife.

  60. 60.

    AhabTRuler

    June 23, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    @Tattoosydney: Saw Goldfrapp on Monday. Very good show, but too much silver lamé.

    But girlfriend is definitely more than a studio diva. She can bring it live.

  61. 61.

    El Cid

    June 23, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    @bemused: What are you complaining about? All the good people just need to hear the reply, they don’t need to hear Al Franken praising bin Laden and praying for Al Gore to blow up the Supreme Court with methane bombs anyway.

  62. 62.

    Ash

    June 23, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    Oh, and in other news, an Algerian player slapped a female reporter after the USA game. She then hit him in the mouth.

    http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/algeria-star-slaps-female-reporter–fbintl_ro-algeria062310.html

  63. 63.

    madmommy

    June 23, 2010 at 10:18 pm

    @tom:

    I’m gonna guess say-line and my-lan. But maybe I’ve lived in the land of strange pronunciations for too long.

  64. 64.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    June 23, 2010 at 10:18 pm

    @Mike Kay:

    Don’t let anyone tell what you can write here dude. And if posts with a handful of words annoy some people, then they are likely the right handful of words and the right people annoyed by them

    And I have never, that I can recall, read a thread I hadn’t commented in. Useful info that some do.

  65. 65.

    El Cid

    June 23, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    @Mark S.: Petraeus makes sure never to wear too much makeup, so he won’t look like a trollope.

  66. 66.

    tom

    June 23, 2010 at 10:20 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts:
    I’ve had He’Brew from the (what else?) Shmaltz Brewing Company, and it’s pretty tasty.

  67. 67.

    tom

    June 23, 2010 at 10:22 pm

    @madmommy: Pretty close. Suh-LEEN and MY-luhn.

  68. 68.

    Tattoosydney

    June 23, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    @AhabTRuler:

    She is rather enamored of her sparkles. But I agree she is the genuine article.

  69. 69.

    demkat620

    June 23, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    Booyah! J-Roll is back bay-bay!

    Walk off homer, schweet! 7-6 my Phils win.

  70. 70.

    Corner Stone

    June 23, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    @tom:

    Pretty close. Suh-LEEN and MY-luhn.

    I’m confused. I’m not from MI but I’m wondering how else they could be pronounced?
    Se-leen like the Mustang version made years ago by Ford and Mylun like the space age tin foil.
    Or is that Mylahr?

  71. 71.

    AhabTRuler

    June 23, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    @Tattoosydney: Well, will Gregory is going for the Aragorn look these days, which is unfortunate, as he was wearing a poncho, that was also silver lame.

    The bass player has the easiest job in the world, tho.

  72. 72.

    Calouste

    June 23, 2010 at 10:30 pm

    @Litlebritdifrnt:

    Guardian sports live blogs are special. The soccer blogs are a bit factual due to the faster moving nature of the game, but sports like tennis and specially cricket leave a lot of time for creative descriptions and talking about other subjects. Sometimes the cricket blog even mentions the match it is suppossed to be reporting on.

  73. 73.

    Mike Kay

    June 23, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    Red Sox close in on first place, beating on the invincible Jimenez.

  74. 74.

    tom

    June 23, 2010 at 10:33 pm

    @Corner Stone: Most non-locals I’ve heard pronounce it SAY-leen, as in “saline solution”, and mee-LAHN, like the city in Italy. Locals put the stress on the opposite syllables.

  75. 75.

    eemom

    June 23, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    A golden oldie favorite of mine, dedicated to General McBudLiteLime.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ux3-a9RE1Q

  76. 76.

    madmommy

    June 23, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    @tom:

    Try Tchopitoulas, Tchefuncte, Calliope and Burgundy.

  77. 77.

    tom

    June 23, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    @madmommy: I’ll pass, thanks! How are they pronounced?

  78. 78.

    Corner Stone

    June 23, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    @madmommy: Chop-eh-toool-ehs baby!
    eta or maybe Chop-uh-tul-ahs, depending on how many bud light limes you’ve had.

  79. 79.

    Keith G

    June 23, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    Also, I saw a brew today something like “He Brew” which was billed as the “chosen brew.” anyone tasted that?

    Bitter aftertaste.

  80. 80.

    bemused

    June 23, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    @El Cid:
    I keep forgetting that only the good people get paid attention to.

  81. 81.

    madmommy

    June 23, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    @tom:

    chop-a-too-las, che-funk-ta, cal-ee-ope and bur-GUN-dee

  82. 82.

    Calouste

    June 23, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    @scottinnj:

    And a foreign-born, socialist, female, unmarried, child-free female Prime Minister as well. You can almost write a RWNM article about how Australia is now no longer a reliable US ally just from that.

    And she looks like she could be Neil Kinnock’s niece. (Both were born in the same area in Wales.)

  83. 83.

    Keith G

    June 23, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    Oh, and wearing a BJ T-shirt to a Pride Parade…..Cute.

  84. 84.

    arguingwithsignposts

    June 23, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    @Keith G:
    Yes, well the “hot air and ill-informed banter” tag line should push me over. As Gallagher used to say, “I considered the fact that I’m a lesbian and I just don’t know it because I’m trapped in a man’s body.” :)

  85. 85.

    Keith G

    June 23, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts: Well I was wondering if it demanded “Feed Me” or “Obey”. Implications either way.

  86. 86.

    SIA

    June 23, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    @lamh32: LOL. Yeah those kids are kind of grim.

  87. 87.

    arguingwithsignposts

    June 23, 2010 at 10:52 pm

    @Keith G:
    unfortunately, i do not have any tunch-related items, only the strange man yelling at the balloon. On the other hand, my sexuality might not be up for the “feed me” or “obey” implications. LOL

  88. 88.

    Brachiator

    June 23, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    @bemused:

    Gerson is outraged that Franken unleashed his “bile” on the conservative Justices.

    I watched a video of the entire speech and downloaded a transcript. Thought it was one of the best, most inspiring things I had seen in a long time, and loved Franken’s humor, grasp of the facts and historical perspective on originalism.

    Bile? Wow. I was thinking of writing a little thank you to the Senator’s office. Now it’s a must on my to-do list.

  89. 89.

    Something Fabulous

    June 23, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    @jeffreyw: Aww, I was hoping it was the pooches, retreating.

  90. 90.

    SIA

    June 23, 2010 at 11:03 pm

    @jeffreyw, ha! That’s a funny comment you left about Woofie.

  91. 91.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 23, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    @Tattoosydney

    Damn, beat me…

    Well, gee, Syd. Okay, if you insist. . . .

    :: flexes beating arm ::

  92. 92.

    Roger Moore

    June 23, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    @Mark S.:

    John McCain is on the Armed Forces Committee, and he loves Petraeus more than his wife.

    That’s not hard. Does he love Petraeus more than he loves his wife’s money? More than he likes hearing himself talk? That would be saying something.

  93. 93.

    jeffreyw

    June 23, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    @Something Fabulous:
    Here ya go!

  94. 94.

    jeffreyw

    June 23, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    @SIA: I shoulda worked in “a visit from first dog, Bo” but I’m lame.

  95. 95.

    Mike Kay

    June 23, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    @Mark S.: well, does McCain love him more than his mistress, Vicki Iseman?

  96. 96.

    Violet

    June 23, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    @South of I-10:
    I don’t hate Invest 93. It’s just damned frustrating. I’ll hate it if it turns into something and gets into the Gulf and does some damage. If it just brings rain to parched areas, it’s all good.

  97. 97.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 23, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    @Tom #54:

    I defy anyone not from SE Michigan to pronounce “Saline” and “Milan” the way the locals do.

    Throw in “Novi” and you’ve got a trifecta.
    (Extra credit to anyone who can explain “Novi” without googling. You’re on the honor system.)

  98. 98.

    demimondian

    June 23, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    @madmommy: Feh.

    Try Puyallup and Sequim.

    And, after you’ve done that, Petit Jean, El Dorado, and Monticello.

  99. 99.

    Brachiator

    June 23, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    @Liberty60:

    I swear, I would happily pay extra taxes, right out of my beer money, if only the government could be run at full steam- it would take about 30 cents per Californian per day, to bring in a couple billion dollars a year.

    I’m glad you are willing to pay more in taxes. I wish there were more like you. Unfortunately, with unemployment at record rates and people who still have jobs are increasingly having to take pay cuts, there is not much wiggle room left. And a couple of billion dollars won’t help when the state budget deficit is in the $20 billion range.

    Your problems with the DMV is just a taste of bad things to come. Consider what is happening in the city of Maywood:

    The city of Maywood will lay off all city employees and begin contracting police services with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department effective July 1, officials said.
    …
    In addition to contracting with the Sheriff’s Department, the Maywood City Council voted unanimously Monday night to lay off an estimated 100 employees and contract with neighboring Bell, which will handle other city services such as finance, records management, parks and recreation, street maintenance and others.

    Maywood is essentially disappearing as a functional city. What adds insult to injury is the fact that the state budget is already late, for the umpteenth year in a row, and since cities don’t know what funding or decreases they will get from state general revenues, they have to deal with their existing budget shortfalls by July 1.

    We long ago passed the point of anyone arguing for a more efficient government, or a limited government- we are entering full on Somalia territory, where fiscal anorexia is killing the most basic services.

    Unfortunately, the public employee unions have decided that keeping their contracts and pensions are more important than services or jobs. They are not the only ones at fault — not by a long shot — but they are going to have to be part of future solutions. Consider the situation in Oakland (from the San Francisco Chronicle):

    Of the $400 million in the general fund, 85 percent is spent on the Police and Fire departments once debt service is accounted for. Firefighters have a no-layoff clause in their contract, so the city is looking to the Police Department for reductions.
    …
    Council members say layoffs could be minimized if police paid 9 percent of their salaries toward their pensions, as other city workers do. That alone would save the city $7.9 million, officials say. If police don’t agree to concessions, under Dellums’ proposal 80 police officer positions would be eliminated by June 30. That would mean laying off 53 officers, not hiring 21 cadets now in training and leaving six positions vacant.
    …
    Maintaining police and fire budgets at existing levels threatens to eliminate virtually every other city service, De La Fuente said. He noted that next year’s projected deficit is $54 million, and shortfalls are expected to be even worse in the years after that.

    The sad thing is that the politicians in Sacramento from both parties continue to play political games while the state slowly implodes.

  100. 100.

    Mark S.

    June 23, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    For everyone who asked, McCain loves Petraeus more than Andy Samberg loves his brother in law.

  101. 101.

    asiangrrlMN

    June 23, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    @Brachiator: Agreed. I watched the whole damn thing and was damn proud to have voted for him. He deserves a cookie (and, more to his liking, a donation). I am SO glad he beat out Norm Coleman.

    @Calouste: Really? There’s hope for me re: world domination yet!

  102. 102.

    mai naem

    June 23, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    @lamh32: I watched it last season. Thought it was very funny although it kind of moves at a somewhat slower pace than I feel it should. I told a few people about it and almost always got a “eww,sleazy porn” kind of look. I gave up trying to explain that it’s not a sleazy series, just funny.

  103. 103.

    slag

    June 23, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    @MikeJ: I feel your pain. I think cleek needs to move on from pie and create a one-hit-wonder filter. I’ve done it mentally. Certain comments translate quite nicely into: “Never gonna give you up…” The only downside is having Rick Astley stuck in your head afterword.

  104. 104.

    slag

    June 23, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    @Brachiator:

    I was thinking of writing a little thank you to the Senator’s office. Now it’s a must on my to-do list.

    This strikes me as an excellent idea. I wish Franken were my senator so my Thank You note would mean something. But I may just attach it to his next campaign contribution instead.

    I think out of all the people we donated to last cycle, Franken has given the biggest ROI so far. Especially after he kicked Obama’s team in the pants over HCR. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was one of the key contributors to making it happen. Along with Pelosi, of course.

  105. 105.

    Phoenix Woman

    June 23, 2010 at 11:53 pm

    In other news, Thers catches K-Lo exercising her extreme lack of reading comprehension, where she disses public schools for statements made by private school officials.

  106. 106.

    Elizabelle

    June 23, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    NY Times running AP story that Oregon masseuse accuses former VP Al Gore of improper behavior during October 2006 appointment.

    Which she neglected to follow up on; no charges filed due to lack of evidence.

    And then she reappears in January 2009 to ask case be reopened, and this month requested a transcript of her statement to take to the news media.

    Statement apparently includes ““I did not immediately call the police as I feared being made into a public spectacle and my reputation being destroyed,” she said.”

    Story broke in National Enquirer.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/us/politics/24gore.html?hp

    So why is she now willing to become a public spectacle?

  107. 107.

    Nick

    June 23, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    @MikeJ: He’s not bitching, he’s mocking.

  108. 108.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 24, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Since this is an open thread, I’d like to mention that I went to a lkuncheon/speech today by former FLOTUS Rosalynn Carter. For those who may not know, she has devoted the past 40+ years to mental health issues, including getting insurance companies to cover mental/psych/emotional illnesses, working with journalists to get better coverage of things like clinical depression, destigmatizing mental illnesses, etc. she (her husband’s administration) got major initiatives funded, only to see the entire program gutted in the first year of the Reagan administration. Wasn’t even revisited as a public policy issue at the national level until 2002. She said she met recently with Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda Solis, and Michelle Obama. They’re all on board. This year’s focus: PTSD among National Guard and Reserves.

    In all candor, Mrs. Carter isn’t one of the world’s great speakers. You don’t go hear her for stirring oratory or moving rhetorical flourishes. But she is knowledgeable and passionate and innovative about this subject, and I give her full marks for her decades of advocacy.

    /Carterbot

  109. 109.

    slag

    June 24, 2010 at 12:03 am

    @SiubhanDuinne: I saw her discuss the subject on The Daily Show. You’re right about the public speaking thing. I suspect one of the reasons (among many) that our mental health system is in the state it’s in is that it doesn’t have compelling advocates.

  110. 110.

    Jenny

    June 24, 2010 at 12:03 am

    @Elizabelle: This sounds like a carbon copy of the Paula Jones fabrication.

  111. 111.

    Calouste

    June 24, 2010 at 12:05 am

    @Elizabelle:

    $$$$$ obviously.

  112. 112.

    Phoenix Woman

    June 24, 2010 at 12:06 am

    @Brachiator: Al Franken does not mess around. People underestimate him at their peril.

    When he originally announced his plans to run against Norm, I was rather skeptical — see, unlike Jesse the Body, who brought a bunch of non-voters to the polls, Al’s fan base already votes, and votes reliably DFL; he might pick off a few Greens, but that’s it. Plus, the Republicans were ready and waiting with “Al is abrasive” stories from former associates.

    Yet Al overcame all that.

    He worked his ass off for over two years, hitting every county fair, working every opportunity to learn about the far-flung corners of the Gopher State, and honed his political skills. His background as a comedian served him well when the inevitable GOP hecklers showed up to shadow him, and his handling of them won him fans among rural audiences who’d never heard of Stuart Smalley.

    When Election Night came, it was a nail-biter, but — once again — Al was prepared. Norm’s legal team was, aside from Joe Friedberg (who wasn’t part of the strategic team, but was just around to do as he was told), made up largely of local Republican Party hacks who made asses of themselves; Al’s team, on the other hand, was stacked with experts from a DC law firm that specialized in arguing appellate cases. It took a while, but Al eventually won.

    Al talks about being Wellstone, but I actually see him being very much like Teddy Kennedy: The guy who few thought would amount to much as a Senator, but who grew into the job to the point where he wound up defining it.

  113. 113.

    Nick

    June 24, 2010 at 12:07 am

    @Brachiator:

    The sad thing is that the politicians in Sacramento from both parties continue to play political games while the state slowly implodes.

    A Democratic State Senator from NY told me off the record yesterday

    “We could solve the budget crisis tomorrow, but the Democrats would cease to exist as a party if we did what we had to do”

  114. 114.

    Phoenix Woman

    June 24, 2010 at 12:09 am

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    I like what Athenae has to say:

    Jimmy Carter is 452 years old, but he still kicks more ass before breakfast than many of us do all day long. Given the antics of the presidents who followed him, particularly the most recent reign of Fratty McFartjoke, I have to say America might not have appreciated Jimmy adequately the first time around. Also, our national attention span is that of a squirrel hopped up on pixie stix and heroin, and I’m not entirely sure the majority of the electorate even remembers who he is, which can only help him.

  115. 115.

    slag

    June 24, 2010 at 12:13 am

    @Phoenix Woman:

    Al talks about being Wellstone, but I actually see him being very much like Teddy Kennedy: The guy who few thought would amount to much as a Senator, but who grew into the job to the point where he wound up defining it.

    This is a compelling notion. I hope Franken lives up to it. If he keeps at it, it’s hard to see how he won’t.

  116. 116.

    Phoenix Woman

    June 24, 2010 at 12:21 am

    @slag: He’s doing what Teddy did, which was to keep his head down and study hard the first few years of his time in the Senate. Al makes the occasional blaze of glory, but mostly he’s putting his brain and his work ethic to work.

    Though, when he does make a big noise, he draws maps of the United States on the foreheads of his vanquished victims.

  117. 117.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    June 24, 2010 at 12:23 am

    @Nick: He was mocking the first time he did it. Since then, he’s just repeating the same tired schtick over and over imagining himself to be clever and edgy.

  118. 118.

    slag

    June 24, 2010 at 12:25 am

    @Phoenix Woman:

    Al makes the occasional blaze of glory, but mostly he’s putting his brain and his work ethic to work.

    This is a really interesting contrast to his radio show in some respects. I always enjoyed Al’s humor and rants but was not a fan of his interviews. He talked over his guests too much for my taste. So much so that I stopped listening. He struck me as too arrogant. But it sounds like this whole Jr. Senator gig has put a touch more humility in him. May it always be so.

  119. 119.

    Anne Laurie

    June 24, 2010 at 12:28 am

    @tom:

    I defy anyone not from SE Michigan to pronounce “Saline” and “Milan” the way the locals do.

    I spent 16 years calling myself a Michigander, and I say Pierre (pronounced “PEER-ie”) beats both Su-LINE and MY-lin. Although an Oak Park native pointed out that Day-TWAH would probably set the benchmark, if we weren’t so used to hearing it pronounced like it’s spelled…

  120. 120.

    Steeplejack

    June 24, 2010 at 12:29 am

    @ellaesther:

    [. . .] but never have I gotten so many hits from Balloon Juice from a single link.

    Mainly because you came back and re-blog-whored it repeatedly when you initially didn’t get the response you wanted. Have you no shame, woman?

    (Cute kids, BTW.)

  121. 121.

    Brachiator

    June 24, 2010 at 12:34 am

    @Phoenix Woman:

    Al talks about being Wellstone, but I actually see him being very much like Teddy Kennedy: The guy who few thought would amount to much as a Senator, but who grew into the job to the point where he wound up defining it.

    A very apt comparison. A friend recommended Franken’s Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat …, and I remember being at first amazed that it wasn’t just a satire, but a well researched demolition of Limbaugh’s BS. I also remember how Franken went out of his way to give credit to his researchers.

    Given the tremendous egos of most showbiz types, Franken’s seriousness and sense of honor really stood out. I really look forward to watching his (I hope) long career in politics.

  122. 122.

    handy

    June 24, 2010 at 12:35 am

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    Maybe it’ll start to be funny. You know, like ironic funny. Like an old recurring sitcom gag. Or something.

  123. 123.

    burnspbesq

    June 24, 2010 at 12:39 am

    OMG, football fans, have you seen the new Everton kit?

    Pink.

    Yes, you read that correctly.

  124. 124.

    Corner Stone

    June 24, 2010 at 12:40 am

    @Phoenix Woman:

    he draws maps of the United States

    That was sick.

  125. 125.

    Church Lady

    June 24, 2010 at 12:41 am

    @Elizabelle: It seems Al was looking for a happy ending.

  126. 126.

    Mark S.

    June 24, 2010 at 12:46 am

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    I just wish he’d use his razor sharp wit on someone more relevant to today’s events. Someone like John Edwards.

  127. 127.

    Elie

    June 24, 2010 at 12:46 am

    Interesting insight on the McChrystal debacle and what may be causing this to happen and probably recur in many different ways… quick read and something to think about…

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/mcchrystals-disdain-sympt_b_622212.html

    While the “All Volunteer” Army has made it pretty easy for many, it has definitely had its costs, according to this article

  128. 128.

    handy

    June 24, 2010 at 12:48 am

    @Mark S.:

    Now that was funny.

  129. 129.

    MikeJ

    June 24, 2010 at 12:49 am

    @burnspbesq: As a Seattle fan I don’t get to complain about the color of any team’s jersey.

    But goddamn is that pink.

  130. 130.

    slag

    June 24, 2010 at 12:54 am

    Someone may have already mentioned this, but DougJ’s going to love it. Ron Fournier is heading to National Journal. I’m still trying to decide how excellent this news is for John McCain.

  131. 131.

    Corner Stone

    June 24, 2010 at 12:55 am

    @Mark S.:

    Someone like John Edwards.

    But don’t Edwards and Hamsher have about the same relative power to effect outcomes…as…each…oh. Ohhhhh….

  132. 132.

    slag

    June 24, 2010 at 12:58 am

    @MikeJ: Maybe it’s only temporary. Maybe they just won the 9th stage of the Giro D’Italia.

  133. 133.

    Mark S.

    June 24, 2010 at 1:26 am

    @MikeJ:

    As someone in the comments over there said, Palermo wears pink and it doesn’t look too bad. Everton’s looks like what you’d dress Barbie in if they came out with a Sporty Barbie collection.

    ETA: And I don’t believe they wore pink in 1891. Everything was in black and white back then.

  134. 134.

    asiangrrlMN

    June 24, 2010 at 2:00 am

    @MikeJ: There is no pink in sports! Argh. My least favorite color. Don’t get me started on the whole Mother’s Day pink bat shtick.

    @Phoenix Woman: I just want to echo your comment. I wasn’t pleased with Al’s campaign. I thought he was diving in the dirt with Norm, and I really didn’t want him to do that. Plus, I was not in agreement with all his positions (of course). But, I knew he was a policy wonk, that he was seriously smart, and that he actually wanted to get shit down as a politician. I voted for him, and I am supremely satisfied with him as our senator thus far.

  135. 135.

    Rosalita

    June 24, 2010 at 7:05 am

    @Phoenix Woman:

    I loved that post! Was ROFL even at work.

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