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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread

Open Thread

by John Cole|  May 17, 20115:46 pm| 66 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Everyone needs one of these:

She’s holding down the fort while I clean the carpets.

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Previous Post: « If you hear it on Meet The Press, assume it isn’t true
Next Post: Deficit attention disorder »

Reader Interactions

66Comments

  1. 1.

    Linda Featheringill

    May 17, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    So – what are your plans for after the Rapture?

  2. 2.

    cyntax

    May 17, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Can she call for help if there’s some kind of Cole-carpet-cleaning accident, or is the degree of difficulty here noticeably lower than compared to mopping?

  3. 3.

    WereBear

    May 17, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Lillikins! She’s such a doll.

    At our house, we have a new cat tree!

    Tristan, 8 months, helps with assembly.

    It is very popular, and I’m also thrilled because the partner had to break down and ADMIT I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG. I have put a gold star on the calendar.

    I spent the last few days making a Way of Cats Litter Basics video, which gives my three steps to litter box success.

  4. 4.

    TenguPhule

    May 17, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    She’s holding down the fort while I clean the carpets.

    I’m sorry, I thought that was the fort.

  5. 5.

    El Tiburon

    May 17, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    She’s holding down the fort while I clean the carpets.

    Or, as the cats call it in my home: “Time to throw-up hairballs and barely digested food Pallooza”

    My home is 90% wood floors, but the cats manage to make their mess right in the middle of the carpet directly in the line of traffic from the front door.

    My guess is if I replaced that carpet with wood, they would venture up and do it all on top of my comforter on the bed.

    So in that respect, I guess I am winning.

  6. 6.

    Brachiator

    May 17, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    She’s holding down the fort while I clean the carpets

    Such a cool little doggy.

  7. 7.

    moe99

    May 17, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    I understand the Gov. of WI wants to deny same sex couples hospital visitation rights. What. A. Dick.

  8. 8.

    JR (Not the other JR)

    May 17, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    She seems smaller here than I thought she was.

  9. 9.

    R-Jud

    May 17, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    @El Tiburon:

    My guess is if I replaced that carpet with wood, they would venture up and do it all on top of my comforter on the bed.

    From personal experience, they will do it on your freshly laundered white towels.

  10. 10.

    Violet

    May 17, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Lily! So cute! What a good doggie. It always warms my heart to see pictures of her. You both lucked out, big time.

  11. 11.

    Maude

    May 17, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    She is beautiful.

  12. 12.

    SIA

    May 17, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    What a good girl.

  13. 13.

    slag

    May 17, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    @moe99: That’s because freedom’s just another word for not getting to visit your loved ones in the hospital.

    Apparently, freedom has a wide variety of definitions in the wingnut mind.

  14. 14.

    trollhattan

    May 17, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    @JR (Not the other JR):

    Nah, Giant Couch intended for use in a McMansion.

    She seems smaller here than I thought she was.

  15. 15.

    Martin

    May 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    Nice writeup on Edward Tufte at the Washington Monthly.

    For anyone interested in a more informed public, go read. He’s done a lot for helping people understand statistical information.

  16. 16.

    Linda Featheringill

    May 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    @moe99:

    I understand the Gov. of WI wants to deny same sex couples hospital visitation rights. What. A. Dick.

    I saw that. Right-wing social engineering.

    Dunno about Wisconsin but in Ohio the hospitals started several years ago encouraging people to list “significant others” to placed on the visitor list. These could include friends, etc.

  17. 17.

    WereBear

    May 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    @moe99: And just what Bible verse is he using to be cruel now?

  18. 18.

    Cat Lady

    May 17, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    @Linda Featheringill:

    If you’re on Facebook, you can sign up for a looting party.. It appears the fast cars will be going first.

    ETA: favorite comment so far – “Have fun in Heaven – thanks for all the stuff”.

  19. 19.

    Brachiator

    May 17, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    Duh article of the day (or why do you think they call it Facebook?). From the LA Times

    Women who post lots of photos of themselves on Facebook value appearance, need attention, study finds

    I guess the Times needed to rest on its laurels for a bit after their Governor Arnold love child scoop.

  20. 20.

    slag

    May 17, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    @Linda Featheringill: I was skeptical about that whole Rapture prediction, but now I’m not so sure. Today, one of my Google News Alerts, usually an epic trove of rightwing mania, featured several serious–and even liberal!–news sources. I’m pretty sure that’s one of the seven signs. Truly, I don’t know what to make of it.

    This post by the one and only ellaesther was even in the blog section of today’s alert.

    Ellaesther-? Are you around? If so, tell us how you got Google to recognize your existence. Show Balloon Juice and others how it’s done.

  21. 21.

    trollhattan

    May 17, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    @Linda Featheringill:

    Now c’mon people, how is Wisconsin supposed to create jobs if the hospitals are overrun with teh gheys? Leave Walker alooooooone!

  22. 22.

    Culture of Truth

    May 17, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    Where’s Tunch?

  23. 23.

    jnfr

    May 17, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    @Linda Featheringill:

    I personally signed up for the Post-Rapture Looting event on Facebook.

  24. 24.

    WaterGirl

    May 17, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    I have a friend who has had her own Cole/Rosie situation going on for months. The dog is not a good fit, disrupting the household, attacking the old dog, adding stress to an already stressful life (husband passed away 6 months ago).

    I have been telling her about John and Rosie, and all the months John has been wanting to find Rosie a home, telling her that it’s okay to take the dog back to the rescue if it’s not a good fit. On monday she gave the dog back to the rescue and she feels kind of sad, but feels a huge sense of relief.

    So John, even though things have been tough with Rosie, hearing about your experience helped my friend. A lot. Thanks for that.

  25. 25.

    jl

    May 17, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    Yeah, Lily is cute and all, but that dang dog has my dream job!

    Except if that dream job were in Cole’s house, him wandering around the place constantly would wear on me something fierce. I would have to find another house.

    BTW, is that not Tunch’s old perch? Where is Tunch? Or do they do alternate watches?

  26. 26.

    WereBear

    May 17, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    @WaterGirl: Sad to hear about your friend, but it’s no one’s fault if the dog is not a good fit.

    I always think of it as turned on its head; now the dog has a chance to find a home that truly fits them.

    And your friend, when she wishes, has room for another.

  27. 27.

    Juicetard (FKA Liberty60)

    May 17, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    Just happened across a news item- John Huntsman refuses to say he doesn’t believe in global warming

    Can we start a pool on when he will discover that although he could have won all 50 states in a landslide, biznezz is his passion
    he needs to spend time with his family
    he wants to hike tha Appalachian Trail

    fuck it…

    there are carpets that need to be cleaned at his house.

  28. 28.

    slag

    May 17, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    @Martin: Thanks for that! Going to read it now.

  29. 29.

    lamh34

    May 17, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    ‘Put a woman in charge’
    New DNC chief gives Obama hope

    How about my new DNC chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz,” Obama said, to applause, at the second of two Democratic National Committee events Monday night. “She is tireless, tireless. And she’s got the most adorable kids, and I don’t know how she keeps up with everything.”

    Obama then added this anecdote: “But as Michelle said, if you want something done, put a woman in charge. So, all right, everybody got – women, you got a little too excited on that.”

  30. 30.

    FlipYrWhig

    May 17, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Saw on Facebook that tonight’s Daily Show guest is Annie Jacobsen. That’s the same name as that woman who saw some Muslim guys with a McDonald’s bag on a plane a few years ago and became convinced it was a “dry run” for terrorism. Is it that woman? Does anyone know?

  31. 31.

    Martin

    May 17, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    Oh, and for math geeks: the iPad has justified itself.

  32. 32.

    jeffreyw

    May 17, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    Everyone needs one of these:

  33. 33.

    Alex S.

    May 17, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    @lamh34:

    Sadly, Tim Kaine was pretty much a failure. But Wasserman Schultz has got talent. It’s a good pick, in my opinion. Kaine just needed a job until his next campaign.

  34. 34.

    WaterGirl

    May 17, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    @slag: Thanks for posting this link! I sent my email and tried to make the requested phone call, and I would encourage everyone to read the post and do the same.

    Edit:

    @jeffreyw: That’s twice today, and it’s not fair. I’m just a hop, skip and a jump away in Champaign. I’m sure if you pack it up nicely you can have it here in time for a late dinner.

  35. 35.

    WereBear

    May 17, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    @jeffreyw: Yes, I do.

    But I’ll have to settle for perfecting my low carb brownie. I’m about 90% there, judging from tonight’s results!

  36. 36.

    Ash Can

    May 17, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Such a good doggie!

    @moe99: Ugh. How can Walker sink any lower? Kudos to E.D. Kain for reporting on this, and for Doug Mataconis, credit where credit is due.

  37. 37.

    stuckinred

    May 17, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    @WaterGirl: Down here we’re having sauteed sweet taters, kale and collards, grilled chicken breast and spring mix salad!

  38. 38.

    WereBear

    May 17, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    @slag: Most awesome for Ellaesther! I’m in.

  39. 39.

    Sharl

    May 17, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    @FlipYrWhig: According to her Wikipedia entry, yep, the same Annie Jacobsen.

    She came up in the “Speaking of Whores” comment thread, in the context of her interview with Terri(?) Gross on Fresh Air.

  40. 40.

    Loneoak

    May 17, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    @FlipYrWhig:

    I’d guess it is the same person. She was on Fresh Air today talking about her new book about Area 51 (sounds pretty interesting, actually). But that Terror in the Skies story is outrageous and I hope she is mocked for it.

  41. 41.

    becca

    May 17, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    I have five dogs.

    What are carpets? I’ve forgotten.

  42. 42.

    jeffreyw

    May 17, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    @WaterGirl: I made a couple extra burgers, Mrs J broke them apart for doggie treats.

  43. 43.

    fasteddie9318

    May 17, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    BREAKING NEWS! Admitted sexual molester cheats on wife with employee! SHOCKING!

    Days like this it would be more constructive for society to replace MSNBC and CNN with fucking test patterns.

  44. 44.

    WaterGirl

    May 17, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    @FlipYrWhig: Not that person.

    She’s the person who has a book coming out about Area 51. I read about it last week, and someone on the new thread just posted a link to an NPR story.

  45. 45.

    stuckinred

    May 17, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    @fasteddie9318: And the footage of her defending his slimy ass. . . priceless.

  46. 46.

    WaterGirl

    May 17, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    @jeffreyw: That’s just mean.

  47. 47.

    Rita R.

    May 17, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Not only is doggie Lily adorable, I also love that front window. Bay? Bow? And I’m jealous of the sun outside it too. We’re having a four-day deluge in NYC.

  48. 48.

    soapdish

    May 17, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    She’s holding down the fort while I clean the carpets.

    Wait, you’re supposed to clean those things?

  49. 49.

    Josie

    May 17, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    @WaterGirl: You asked about my tomatoes in the other thread. I put out tomato plants at the end of February. I live in South Texas, so we grow tomatoes and peppers and such very early. The downside is that it gets so hot in the summer that nothing but okra and eggplant will grow and that only if you water every day.

  50. 50.

    Frankensteinbeck (The ex-Uloborus)

    May 17, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    That is one very small dog. Does Tunch just suck the mass out of all living things around him? We (by which I mean John) have two very small dogs, one of whom looks like she should be a retriever, and a cat the size of a whole turkey. I’m calling shenanigans.

  51. 51.

    Josie

    May 17, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    @jeffreyw: You just like to torment us. I finally posted a comment for you in the other thread. Here it is again.
    Jeffrey, if you’re still there, here is my picture. I hate not being able to do something, so I got out my trusty little camera and figured it out. Thanks for the inspiration.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/49146863@N03/

  52. 52.

    WaterGirl

    May 17, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    @Josie: Seems like everything’s a trade-off, doesn’t it? Have another tomato tonight for me. :-)

  53. 53.

    geg6

    May 17, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Awwwww. The lovely Lily. Good doggie.

    But where are Rosie and Tunch? Did Tunch finally decide he’s had enough and eat her?

  54. 54.

    koalaholik

    May 17, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    @El Tiburon: My cats will barf 2 inches into the carpet from the tile. There is a 6 foot wide stretch of tile from the front door to the kitchen and they barf on the carpet evey time. I switching to hard wood floors so that I can laugh my ass off when they slide into walls during their psycho running through the house times. A girl’s gotta get her revenge where she can.

  55. 55.

    piratedan

    May 17, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    well in honor of John’s phrasing….

    http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/dog-fort

    Those carpets aren’t going to clean themselves you know…..

  56. 56.

    jeffreyw

    May 17, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    @Josie: Yay! I could eat that! Well done.

  57. 57.

    Comrade Luke

    May 17, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Cat update, since I was talking about it last week.

    Everything checked out at the doctor, and over the last week I’ve had to give her a steroid every day as a precaution. She’s progressed from eating only dry food (which, if continued, would eventually lead to her getting diabetes) to finally eating wet food again.

    I don’t know how long it will last, but so far it looks like we’re on the path to recovery.

    Thanks for all the advice everyone. I really appreciate it.

  58. 58.

    FlipYrWhig

    May 17, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    @Comrade Luke: I must have missed it. What were the symptoms? I’m taking my guy to the vet tomorrow.

  59. 59.

    WereBear

    May 17, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    @Comrade Luke: That’s great news! Did you get a diagnosis?

  60. 60.

    gogol's wife

    May 17, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    @Comrade Luke:

    I’m glad to hear that. I was thinking about you.

  61. 61.

    phoebes-in-santa fe

    May 17, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    Did John give Rosie to rescue? Last I read, he was keeping her.

  62. 62.

    SoINeedAName

    May 17, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    Do you really think everyone needs some hideous 70-ish brown sofa? Or were you referring to the ugly Disco-era gray recliner?
    Either way, I think you’re wrong!

  63. 63.

    Platonicspoof

    May 17, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    She’s holding down the fort while I clean the carpets.

    Also too some canine fantasizing about her special someone planting trees/message boards on her side of the street.

    Multipurpose if a flowering, evergreen tree blocked the view from the window (and from millions and millions of very concerned screens) of the stop sign.

  64. 64.

    asiangrrlMN

    May 17, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    Lily is simply lovely. She gives me a happy. I won’t even bother to ask where is Tunch. Oh hell, yes I will. WHERE IS TUNCH?

    @WereBear: Tristan is sooooo handsome! What a stunning boy.

    @Comrade Luke: Good to hear. Fingers crossed for continued good news.

  65. 65.

    mtraven

    May 17, 2011 at 11:38 pm

    I used to be able to at least follow wingnut thought processes, but it’s evolved to a point where the rules are beyond me. Like this piece that proves that Jon Stewart is a Klansman because Common is the same as D. W. Griffith, or something like that. Woodrow Wilson is involved.

  66. 66.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    May 18, 2011 at 12:59 am

    @Martin: Remember the graffiti in England in the 60s: Clapton is God? Any engineer trying to explain complex stuff in a public meeting needs to grab a spray can and write “Tufte is God” on the nearest wall.

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