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You are here: Home / TV & Movies / Movies / Sunday Afternoon Open Thread

Sunday Afternoon Open Thread

by Anne Laurie|  February 20, 20113:15 pm| 39 Comments

This post is in: Movies, Open Threads

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What’s everyone got on their agendas (aside from our NIXONLAND discussion group, coming up soon)?

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Next Post: NIXONLAND, Week 4: “School Was in Session” & “Batting Average” »

Reader Interactions

39Comments

  1. 1.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    February 20, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    I’m bracing myself for possibly losing my Gi Bill benefits during the possible upcoming government shutdown. I suppose I am luckier than a lot of veterans-I also work part time and have some emergency savings saved up. The sad fact is, that there are a lot of veterans who are economically marginalized, and the post 9/11 Gi Bill housing allowance helps to make up for that *a lot.*

    I shudder to think of the veterans who solely rely on that…its gonna potentially be really nasty for lots of people.

    And I’m thinking of the weirdness of being a transsexual in the SF Bay Area who is most assuredly not straight, and engages in several frowned upon subcultures, who has more military experience than most GOP legislators or 20/30 conservative pundits who normally are such warwhores.

  2. 2.

    4jkb4ia

    February 20, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Purdue 76, Ohio State 63! Let’s see that #1 seed now!

  3. 3.

    Linnaeus

    February 20, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    More writing and errand-running. I’ve been following the Nixonland discussion group, but won’t be able to make it this week.

  4. 4.

    Moses2317

    February 20, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Still collecting a comprehensive list of Wisconsin public employee solidarity rallies occurring throughout the country. Please attend a rally and let me know if you know of any rallies to add to our list.

    http://www.winningprogressive.org/attend-a-solidarity-rally-to-support-public-employees-and-their-unions

  5. 5.

    Suck It Up!

    February 20, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Procrastinating.

  6. 6.

    Maude

    February 20, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    @Amanda in the South Bay:
    I think things would shut down March 4th. If your money arrives before that, You’ll get it.
    I despise Repubs.
    This scares Social Security people a lot.

  7. 7.

    morzer

    February 20, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    @Suck It Up!:

    I’ve been thinking about procrastinating, but just can’t seem to get around to it.

  8. 8.

    Dennis SGMM

    February 20, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    @Maude:

    This scares Social Security people a lot.

    This ought to put the Republicans in solid with the one group in America that reliably turns out to vote.

  9. 9.

    morzer

    February 20, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    @Dennis SGMM:

    Ah, but wait for Glenn Beck to explain how Obama is shutting government down to introduce One World Government, aided by the UN, Al-Qaeda, and Google.

  10. 10.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    February 20, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    @Maude:

    I’ll get my March 1 payment for February…here’s hoping a shutdown doesn’t last more than a couple of months.

    I guess I can say goodbye to surgery this spring-looks like I’m gonna need emergency survival funds.

  11. 11.

    jwb

    February 20, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    @Dennis SGMM: If the Republicans get blamed for the shutdown. CW is that the Goopers lost the shutdown last time by being blamed for it, and they and their media helpers are going to great lengths to pin the blame on the Dems this time.

  12. 12.

    bk

    February 20, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Pulling for Fred Couples to win the Northern Trust Open.

  13. 13.

    RalfW

    February 20, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    Watching the insane snowglobe action outside my livingroom window here in Minnesota.

  14. 14.

    Davis X. Machina

    February 20, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    @jwb: They’ll be helped immensely by the fact that over 80% of SS checks are direct-deposit, and only a very small number of actual bodies are needed in the SSA to steer the ones and zeroes around. I’m guessing that last fraction who still get mailed physical checks are likely to belong to groups which historically don’t vote much — the extremely old, folks too poor to have a relationship with the banking and CU industry etc — and a small number of the chapeau d’Alcoa crowd.

    In-person and phone service for inquiries, complaints, new numbers, etc. will suffer, but the one thing that undid Newt’s Great ’95 Hissyfit will be much less of a factor this time.

  15. 15.

    kideni

    February 20, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I’m half-heartedly trying to catch up on work while also trying to get the word out that the Wisconsin budget bill also would allow massive Medicaid cuts, something that’s been overlooked in the furor over the despicable union busting. A coalition has been formed to try to bring attention to this (see the story here ). It would allow the state Department of Health Services Secretary (not an elected position and currently held by a guy who’s hostile to Medicare and Medicaid in general) to change state policy without going through the legislature.

  16. 16.

    Cat Lady

    February 20, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Only 65 more wedding favor boxes to decorate out of the 150 I started with. That’s what mothers of the bride are for. Oh, and writing checks. I’ve gotten pretty good at that too.

  17. 17.

    piratedan

    February 20, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    reccomend that everyone go get in a pro-union mood by watching Matewan again.

  18. 18.

    RossInDetroit

    February 20, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Indoors watching it snow. This sux but it’s preferable to the sleet storm that was predicted.

    Just had a very stimulating discussion with an artist/chopper mechanic friend. I think we’re going to collaborate on a wild looking tube stereo preamp and call it a V-8. He’ll do the metalwork and I’ll do the electronics. Long live Detroit.

  19. 19.

    asiangrrlMN

    February 20, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    @RossInDetroit: Harrumph. I am wishing I had snow. We got a few flurries out of the purported foot. I’m hoping more will come later. I know south MN has been hit hard.

  20. 20.

    RossInDetroit

    February 20, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    @asiangrrlMN:

    I knew I was asking for it when I took the shovel off the front porch but hope springs eternal.

  21. 21.

    Binzinerator

    February 20, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    I’m in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol building now, protesting. About a thousand of us made it here despite the freezing rain and severe storm watch.

  22. 22.

    asiangrrlMN

    February 20, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    @RossInDetroit: Send it to me, please.

    @Binzinerator: Good on you. Pics if you can, and stay safe.

  23. 23.

    gbear

    February 20, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    @asiangrrlMN: What part of the Twin Cities are you in!? I’ve got about four inches of snow on the ground at my house in St Paul and I can’t see buildings two blocks away for all the snow coming down. I’m seeing the same insane snowglobe action as RalfW. The birds are mobbing my backyard feeders today. They’ll probably finish off a 15″ tube of safflower before nightfall.

  24. 24.

    Punchy

    February 20, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    This ought to have hilarious results

  25. 25.

    spacecowboym1

    February 20, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    Dear Most Awesome Balloon Juice Readers & Bloggers:

    As I know there are lots of pet lovers here, I thought I might seek out some wisdom. Does anyone have suggestions for finding a home for an older cat? The local humane society in Columbus, Ohio was fairly pessimistic on her chances for adoption. The cat belongs to a relative, and they’ve been asking around to find a home, but with little luck. Are there any good blogs/websites or the like? Thanks for any suggestions.

  26. 26.

    asiangrrlMN

    February 20, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    @gbear: Just north of St. Paul. We have about an inch. Lots of blowing around, though.

    ETA: Just as I sent this, the snow started falling harder.

    @spacecowboym1: If you email Anne Laurie (her addy is in the upper right-hand corner) with the deets, she will put out a front-page bleg.

  27. 27.

    Allan

    February 20, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Here’s a list of SEIU sponsored solidarity rallies around the US over the next few days. My husband is an SEIU member as a CA state worker, and we’ve endured furloughs and wage freezes, and even with the good guys in charge of our state, there will likely be more ahead.

    So I’ll be there in Sacramento, and look forward to seeing lots of BJers finding a location that works for them as well.

  28. 28.

    gbear

    February 20, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    @asiangrrlMN: It’s been snowing pretty heavily since about 11:00 here. I’m a couple blocks from the old Schmidt Brewery on West 7th. The brewery is the building I can’t see now.

  29. 29.

    RossInDetroit

    February 20, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    It’s snowing so hard here now that the dog is up in the window barking at it. This wasn’t supposed to happen today. Good thing school’s out for mid-winter break tomorrow or it would be another snow day.

  30. 30.

    asiangrrlMN

    February 20, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    @Allan: Ebil gubmint worker is your hubby.

    ETA: Not that I am one to talk. One of my fake-hubbies is ebil gubmint worker, too.

    @gbear: It’s coming down really hard now. Hey, if the weather holds, are you going to the support march on Tuesday? I will go if I can, and I will wear my Tunchie sweatshirt.

  31. 31.

    alwhite

    February 20, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    Making a nice navy bean soup, tons of veggies, mushrooms and a bit of smoked pork. Then we are going to boil up a chocolate stout. Not gonna get to drink for a few weeks which is sad as the weather today is perfect for something dark & rich. Oh well, delayed gratification is a sign of maturity, right?

  32. 32.

    alwhite

    February 20, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    @gbear:
    I’m on the West side of Mpls & we have not gotten an inch – YET. There was even a break for about an hour where the sun was almost out. But about 30 minutes ago all hell broke loose & it is trying to make up for lost time now!

  33. 33.

    asiangrrlMN

    February 20, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    @alwhite: YUM! Sounds good. We’re gonna get a couple inches fer sure.

  34. 34.

    Arundel

    February 20, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    A very good article by Abe Sauer at The Awl today, looking closely at other parts of Scott Walker’s budget bill in Wisconsin. Which contains some nasty surprises that haven’t really gotten attention- destroying Medicaid in the state by fiat and appointing a Heritage Foundation hit-man as head of Department of Health Services. It’s a disturbing article, the power-grab here is worse than we thought.

    “So in short: Walker’s administrative rules change would allow the Department of Health Services, via the overwhelmingly GOP-controlled budget committee, to change state laws unilaterally, skipping the legislative process altogether. In terms Vicki McKenna can understand, this means Walker’s bill will allow the governor to subvert the legislative process and make his own laws without going through the tiresome and long American tradition of lawmaking. But wait, there’s more!

    Not only should there be no doubt Walker would do this, his statements foreshadow who he would blame it on. On Feb 11th, before Madison got in the labor movement time machine, the governor said, “The alternative [to state employee health and pension changes] is to look at 1,500 layoffs of state employees or close to 200,000 children who would be bumped off Medicaid-related programs.” At the time, PolitiFact Wisconsin asked, “But can he remove children from Medicaid, the state-federal program that pays medical bills for low-income individuals and families?”

    Not without the administrative rules change he can’t—the changes he’s going to get when this bill passes. The advantage of this approach to gutting Medicaid is that it avoids the nuisance legislative process that is currently gumming up a similar war on the poor in Texas.

    ..

    But wait! Just who has Walker appointed to head up the newly powerful Department of Health Services? A villain as innocuously named as the term “administrative rule” itself, Dennis Smith. As Capital Times reporter Shawn Doherty points out in a woefully overlooked piece, Smith is a fellow at The Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank hostile to Medicaid. How hostile? In 2009, Smith himself authored a paper titled “Medicaid Meltdown: Dropping Medicaid Could Save States $1 Trillion,” which concludes “failure to leave Medicaid might be viewed as irresponsible on the part of elected state officials.”

    Yes, irresponsible.
    ..
    What Walker really means when he says that Wisconsin is “open for business” is that Wisconsin is “closed for poor people.” “

  35. 35.

    gbear

    February 20, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    @alwhite: @asiangrrlMN: I’m convinced that there’s a ‘river effect’ when weather crosses the Mississippi in St. Paul. I’ve been driving in snowstorms along Shepard Road or Hwy 61 but once I got away from the river, there was no snow at all.

    I’ve bot a break in the snow action here. I can see the brewery and it’s barely snowing at all. Yay. I suppose I should go shovel before the next wave.

  36. 36.

    gbear

    February 20, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    @asiangrrlMN: I want to go but I have a doctors appointment at the same time as the rally. I can’t cancel. I’m an AFSCME member so I feel like crap about it.

  37. 37.

    asiangrrlMN

    February 20, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    @gbear: Aw, sucky. You’ll be there in spirit! And, I think you may have a point about the river effect. At any rate, we’re getting it now. Good luck with the shoveling.

  38. 38.

    alwhite

    February 20, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    @gbear:

    I grew up on the East Side (Go Governors!) but I never noticed that before, maybe I wasn’t paying close attention.

  39. 39.

    RossInDetroit

    February 20, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    We had some thunder and lightning with our snow. I’ve seen this happen about 3 times, and 2 of them were in 2011. Strange.

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