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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Stuff from readers

Stuff from readers

by DougJ|  August 6, 20114:12 pm| 129 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Readership Capture

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A classic comment from JenJen:

Nobody could have predicted that the exact words “there is blame to go around” would appear in Mark Halperin’s Twitter feed this afternoon.

And a reader video from reader A, a member of the band Battledrum Faction.

Consider this an open thread.

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Reader Interactions

129Comments

  1. 1.

    Steeplejack

    August 6, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Ah, just in time for the night shift to check in–early again, after yet another anomalous day shift. The weather is positively balmy here in NoVa–a mere 89° and 60% humidity, but I was still drenched in sweat after walking home. Nice to wash off, get off my sore feet and take it easy. Ah, weekend at last!

    So what’s been happening? Lemme check the threads . . .

  2. 2.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    Steeplejack

    How about the biggest one-day loss in the Afghanistan clusterfuck? There is no way that some of those 31 who died were not on the Bin-Laden raid.

    eta

    Twitter says different, same unit but none of the Seals from that action.

  3. 3.

    BGinCHI

    August 6, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    @Steeplejack: Cole got drunk, played with his Twitter, sun came up in the east.

    The usual.

  4. 4.

    BGinCHI

    August 6, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): I was thinking that too. Wanna speculate on what the tinfoil hat conspiracy theorists are going to claim now?

  5. 5.

    Spaghetti Lee

    August 6, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Question: When Mark Halperin blames “everyone” for whatever problem we’re in, does “everyone” ever include Mark Halperin?

  6. 6.

    Linda Featheringill

    August 6, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    My weekend just started as well. Hooray!

    Now for some muddling around, accomplishing nothing. Very nice.

  7. 7.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    @BGinCHI: How’s this for genius?

    The military is looking into whether the helicopter was vulnerable to being shot down.

    Duh, Charlie figured out how to hit the rotor with an RPG 45 years ago.

  8. 8.

    burnspbesq

    August 6, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    When has lifting off from a hot LZ ever not been dangerous?

  9. 9.

    burnspbesq

    August 6, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    There is plenty of blame to go around. Halperin just has no clue how to allocate it.

  10. 10.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    @burnspbesq: Sounds like they were on there way in but, as you know, the early reports are NEVER correct.

    FYI

    “Of the nearly 750 Chinooks in the US and Republic of Vietnam fleets, about 200 were lost in combat or wartime operational accidents.”
    ETA, wrong again:

    “The Taliban claimed militants downed the helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade. Mohammad Hazrat Janan, head of the provincial council, said Tangi village elders reported that insurgents shot at the craft when it was returning from an operation.”

  11. 11.

    Politically Lost

    August 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    Leaving for a week of camping in the Sierras tomorrow. Gotta dig out the row boat, fishing gear, the tent, prepare the dogs, and plan for the extended BBQ forays I’ll be engaged in. I haven’t had a week like this in about three years. Don’t know how I’ll live without the intertrons for so long.

  12. 12.

    Politically Lost

    August 6, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    But first. Must finish motion to compel. So, I must sign off from the Balloon-Juice collective to get it done. MUST!

  13. 13.

    JenJen

    August 6, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Can anyone explain the meaning or significance of Halperin’s Twitter Halperin’s Twitter avatar? You can enlarge it by clicking on the graphic. Just, wtf?

    Halperin’s late to the Twitter party, in terms of his Village standing. I always found it curious that he was such a holdout. He didn’t really start tweeting until late June, which coincided with his indefinite MSNBC suspension.

    (Speaking of which, has he been on the network since? I only catch Morning Joe these days when I’m in one of those hairshirt moods)

  14. 14.

    Brian S

    August 6, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    Saw that Charles Graner was released from prison. Reminded me that not a single Bush administration member ever paid a price for Abu Ghraib.

  15. 15.

    BGinCHI

    August 6, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): Wow. Maybe they can also figure out what force of nature brought a solid object toward the earth in meters per second squared.

  16. 16.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    @JenJen: They both suck?

  17. 17.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    @BGinCHI: As Vic said “It’s the gravity of the situation. . .”

    We blew past the army motorcade
    And it’s abnormal load haulage
    The gravity of the situation
    Came on us like a bit of new knowledge

  18. 18.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    I spotted a familiar face at a pet fair this afternoon.

  19. 19.

    Professor

    August 6, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Suckers, who are you gonna blame when world trade is denominated/priced in RMB/yuan? This will teach you NEVER elect idiots to your houses of congress.

  20. 20.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Mrs J has been telling me about the sweetest kitteh ever! at the shelter. Today she brought him home for a “weekend visit”.

  21. 21.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    @jeffreyw: Ha, like he’ll go back. Sounds like Rosie.

  22. 22.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    August 6, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    The Very Serious Rudi Giuliani is hosting “Mob Week” on AMC. That obnoxious and somehow eternally preening mug a side, The DeNiro Vito is about to get a nice new rug with the help of Clemenza.

  23. 23.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Wait till 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11
    week

  24. 24.

    srv

    August 6, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Not to dissuade a blog that prefers pragmatic retreat in response to every movement nihilism, but long-time Movement stalker Stiftung offers suggestions on how to fight strategically:

    Do Democrats want to challenge the game? Today’s circumstances demand a thorough intellectual re-boot. Secession from pluralism requires a new ideological response. Even if Dems must play the money game without reform. The hardest part? Just beginning it all. Democrats have paralyzed themselves with tropes like seeing a snapshot poll and muttering “America is center right anyway”. Forgetting *that’s* the result only after decades of almost totally unopposed Movement AgitProp. How far do Democrats really want to move the cheese?
    __
    Ideological entities to bend the social curve are long term endeavors. Today’s Movement’s success 2001-2011 began in the late 1970s.
    __
    Still interested? OK. On one post card. What does it mean to be a Democrat? Why does it matter? If one can’t do that, then don’t try. Simplicity is hard. Just ask anyone trying to copy Apple. Complexity is easy. Demotic politics make this priority number one. We’re deadly serious. Dump the laundry list of programs or special interests. Ideologically, why do Democrats exist? One post card.

  25. 25.

    Linda Featheringill

    August 6, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    @jeffreyw:

    weekend visit:

    The white one, with orange points?

  26. 26.

    KCinDC

    August 6, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    @JenJen, Halperin’s icon is the cover of a real Archie comic book, but I haven’t a clue what he intends by it (maybe just thinks it’s funny?).

  27. 27.

    burnspbesq

    August 6, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    @Professor:

    Not going to happen during any of our lifetimes.

  28. 28.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): He’s a year old, seems kinda laid back. Mrs J was holding him a minute ago, I approached slowly all “nice kitty kitty” and skritched his chin, he leaned into it and purred.

  29. 29.

    scav

    August 6, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    The military is looking into whether the helicopter was vulnerable to being shot down.

    ? ! We’ve got a military that assumes invulnerability until proven otherwise and then they test? Sounds like corporate-thought has taken solid hold there.

  30. 30.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    August 6, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): Oh Christ. I shutter to think.

    I find twitter hard to follow, but here’s Halpering resonding to WH guy Dan Pfeiffer

    @pfeiffer44 I don’t dispute the heart of your argument re 4t deal/taxes. But clock turned back,i bet YOU could have made a deal more likely
    1 hour ago

    i.e., Obama should have been able to find a way for Boehner to sign off on a deal that was acceptable to the Tea Party and S&P. Forty years of Broderism in less than 140 characters

  31. 31.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    @jeffreyw: Awww.

  32. 32.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    Took this out of the window from the sofa this morning. I love where I live.

  33. 33.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    @scav: Yea, well the first hooks went into service in 1966 so there has been time.

  34. 34.

    JenJen

    August 6, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    @KCinDC: Ohhhhhh. I didn’t realize that was a real comic cover. That makes it kind of weirder.

    @jeffreyw: That photograph is jaw-dropping!

  35. 35.

    Violet

    August 6, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    @jeffreyw:
    Oh my goodness, that is gorgeous. I had beautiful sunflowers in late spring/early summer but they’re done now. About time for our hummingbirds to start migrating through. Need to get the feeders ready.

    @srv:

    OK. On one post card. What does it mean to be a Democrat? Why does it matter? If one can’t do that, then don’t try. Simplicity is hard. Just ask anyone trying to copy Apple. Complexity is easy. Demotic politics make this priority number one. We’re deadly serious. Dump the laundry list of programs or special interests. Ideologically, why do Democrats exist? One post card.

    What does it mean to be a Democrat? Right now, it means being the adults.

  36. 36.

    scav

    August 6, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): well, maybe there were just a lllooonngg string of exceptions that prove the rule. ignore the variability, look for the long-term trend. . . ummm

  37. 37.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    @JenJen: The Tunch look alike or the hummer?

  38. 38.

    Svensker

    August 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    @jeffreyw:

    Dang. That’s gorgeous.

  39. 39.

    metalgirl

    August 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    Just finished a double batch of this red pepper jam (had tomatoes & peppers that needed to be used) and it is TO DIE FOR! http://www.food52.com/recipes/11710_red_pepper_jam/1?post_id=1302678375_236244583081811

  40. 40.

    KCinDC

    August 6, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Ben Smith of Politico just retweeted this from Ron Fournier of National Journal:

    RT @ron_fournier: S&P not a pox-on-both-houses slap. Agency points blame squarely at GOP: http://njour.nl/njy8d1

    I don’t suppose there’s any chance this realization will spread to the rest of the media.

  41. 41.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    @Svensker:
    @Violet:
    Thanks! I was amazed at how well it came out myself.

  42. 42.

    Linda Featheringill

    August 6, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    @srv:

    One postcard:

    Government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

  43. 43.

    steve

    August 6, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    What does it mean to be a Democrat? Right now, it means being the adults.

    Not all dems are adults, but all republicans are ReRes.

  44. 44.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    @metalgirl: My bride spent most of the day making fig preserves from out tree. Now I’m on the sweet potato salad, butter beans and maters!

  45. 45.

    srv

    August 6, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    @Violet:

    What does it mean to be a Democrat? Right now, it means being the adults.

    The 2-year old always wins. They’re not growing up.

  46. 46.

    Citizen_X

    August 6, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    @KCinDC:

    Halperin’s icon is the cover of a real Archie comic book, but I haven’t a clue what he intends by it

    It means he finds it to be the ultimate bipartisanship pRon.

  47. 47.

    metalgirl

    August 6, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): A friend gave me some fresh figs on Friday. Please share your fig preserves recipe (if it’s easy ;)

  48. 48.

    PeakVT

    August 6, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    @KCinDC: Looks like he’s advertising that he’s a member of the church of the savvy. Savvy?

  49. 49.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    @metalgirl: She made them with lemon and ginger in two batches, she sort of wings it so I won’t be much help.

  50. 50.

    Josie

    August 6, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    @KCinDC: Coming from Fournier, that is quite a breakthrough. I hope it spreads.

  51. 51.

    SiubhanDuinne

    August 6, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    @Raven:

    How’s your wife’s ankle doing? Is she still hobbling around or are things pretty well mended?

  52. 52.

    Keith G

    August 6, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    @srv:Thanks for the link. A good read with many great points. On the whole, we Democrats have met the enemy and it is us as we have seemingly grown self satisfied with the clear correctness of our own ideas and therefore spend insufficient time selling them let alone fighting for them.

  53. 53.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Better thanks, we’ll do some short walks to see how it goes. The pups do not like it when only one of us take em. They do, however, like it when she drives to the bakery and we all drive back!

  54. 54.

    demkat620

    August 6, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Back from the mall. Making chicken piccatta. Funny, all my winger friends are quite busy today.

  55. 55.

    Yutsano

    August 6, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    @efgoldman: Better hurry. Chicken piccata doesn’t take long to make. :)

  56. 56.

    Davis X. Machina

    August 6, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    I don’t suppose there’s any chance this realization will spread to the rest of the media.

    This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

    Liberty/Valance 2012!
    Because Both Sides Do It™

  57. 57.

    Jenny

    August 6, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Via the Twitter, Rick Perry’s revival flops in front of empty stadium.

    http://www.daylife.com/photo/05oUcQ6ciOaLg?q=Reliant

  58. 58.

    PurpleGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): Oh please…. I dread the coming of September. I’ll have to keep the TV off to avoid wall-to-wall 9/11 stories. I also dread what my complex’s board of directors will come up with as a ceremony — One of the probbie fire fighters who died was a son of a fire fighter family and who lived here since the complex was built.

    Even though the family didn’t want it, they built a memorial to the kid and the flag is lite all night. It’s outside my bedroom window and the light is quite distracting.

  59. 59.

    JGabriel

    August 6, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    NY Times:

    China, the largest foreign holder of United States debt, said on Saturday that Washington needed to “cure its addiction to debts” and “live within its means,” just hours after the S.& P. downgrade.

    You know, when the Red Chinese and the Red State Republicans agree on a solution, that should probably tell you that it’s exactly in the United States’s worst interest.

    .

  60. 60.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): I walked into the Black Dog at lunchtime on Friday, and as I walked in the door I wondered if you had been there while you were in town. (where Tod & John’s used to be).

    I went to the counter to pick up the sandwich I had ordered – the barkeep asked me if I had ordered already and walked away to find my sandwich. She looked at 5 tickets, one by one, and then asked “Raven?” Spooky, but cool!

  61. 61.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    @PurpleGirl: Football

  62. 62.

    Martin

    August 6, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    Doing more household construction. Sweating like mad and it’s only 76, and not terribly humid. Other than a blister and the usual scrapes, this project has gone smoothly and injury free. I might even get a ride in tomorrow night if I can manage to wrap up a little early.

    @jeffreyw: Wow, that deserves more than just sharing with us. What a fabulous photo.

  63. 63.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    @PurpleGirl: Maybe we can find our way out of this deficit after all – Just charge the media and all politicians a dollar for every time they say 9/11. I think we’ll have that deficit taken care of in no time, surely by the end of the day on september 11.

  64. 64.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    @WaterGirl: Yep, went with our friend from Champaign Taste and the saw Perdro at the party the 4th. (He’s one of the owners of the Dog and the Esquire.

  65. 65.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    @WaterGirl: TJ’s used to have free fish sammies on Friday’s. What a brawl that was.

  66. 66.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    @jeffreyw: Wow. That is one amazing photo. Is there a way to nominate that photo to go into one of the “best of year” photo collections in Time magazine or something?

    Also, I demand a photo of your new family member! Surely neither of you actually believes this kitty is going back to the shelter on Monday? This must just be the “make sure all the kitties get along” visit.

  67. 67.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): So what do you think of the place? I had no idea that Black Dog was owned by the Esquire folks. Or maybe I did hear that before and just forgot.

    i thought of you today when I headed into the food coop at lincoln square. I was thinking about Earthworks and how much I used to love it, but I can’t remember what they actually SOLD there. (how sad is that????)

  68. 68.

    Dee Loralei

    August 6, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    I liked the song, and really cool video. How fitting the chorus was for the way so many of us feel right now.

    And wow Ron Fournier gets that this is all on the GOP.

    I got some Maraschino Cherry Liqueur for a chocolate covered cherry cake I’m making for my aunts birthday on Monday or Tuesday, as soon as she deigns to tell me when she wants to celebrate her Bday.

  69. 69.

    SensesFail

    August 6, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    @JGabriel:

    You know, when the Red Chinese and the Red State Republicans agree on a solution, that should probably tell you that it’s exactly in the United States’s worst interest.

    If we apply right-wing logic here, then it also tells us that Republicans are Communists.

  70. 70.

    Dee Loralei

    August 6, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    @jeffreyw: Great pic sir.

    @WaterGirl: LOL if Rudy 9ui11ani gets back in the race, we’ll have enough to fund free college for everyone too.

  71. 71.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    @WaterGirl: We all thought it was quite good. Not all the Snake Pit owners, just Pedro. The first day I was there a bunch of us met at Starbucks on Vine and moved over to that food coop to hang out. The whole place seemed like such a bummer. I lived on Oregon and Vine for years and shopped at Eisner’s every day. I guess it was gone last time I was there but it struck me more this time. Overall it was a great trip but there is a sadness for me. It’s been 26 years and so much has changed. . .

  72. 72.

    WereBear

    August 6, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    @Dee Loralei: Didn’t get a chance on the other thread, but didn’t you just lose a great kitty? My condolences.

  73. 73.

    PurpleGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    @WaterGirl: Excellent idea.

  74. 74.

    Mike in NC

    August 6, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    Had to go online to fill out an SF-86 again for yet another job-related security clearance. Doing it at work was impossible since the application kept crashing. I figured doing it at home on the weekend might be better since there would be fewer users, but that was still three hours of my life I’ll never get back.

    But supposedly getting that clearance will mean being laid off is much less likely to happen when the economy stalls thanks to the teabaggers.

  75. 75.

    jwb

    August 6, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    @scav: It was a fucking Chinook. Can’t move worth shit and has very little defensive capabilities. Of course, it’s vulnerable to being shot down.

  76. 76.

    srv

    August 6, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    And a reader video from reader A, a member of the band Battledrum Faction.

    When’s the fucking tour? I’m liking it.

  77. 77.

    Valdivia

    August 6, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    @KCinDC:

    Ron Fournier Rove’s friend and hand job on a daily basis to republicans during the 2008 election and til last year fame? That Fournier. There must be a rip in the space time continuum.

  78. 78.

    JenJen

    August 6, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    @Jenny: As many have already said elsewhere, I’m praying today, too. That Rick Perry never becomes President.

    That photo is kind of awesome.

  79. 79.

    Valdivia

    August 6, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    @Jenny:

    All the people went to see Barca play America. :)

  80. 80.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): Pedro doesn’t have wild and crazy dark hair, does he?

    I think the food coop has the same problem I have always had with the “new” strawberry fields. It’s all bright and shiny and grocery store looking.

    But, more importantly – ding! ding! ding! I worked at Eisner’s for 5 years – from 1975 until 1981. When did you live in the neighborhood?

  81. 81.

    Dennis SGMM

    August 6, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    @jwb: @jwb:

    They’re even more vulnerable in places like Afghanistan (Where the average elevation is 3000 ft) because they’re operating at high altitudes which means thin air and even less lift, speed, and maneuverability.

  82. 82.

    scav

    August 6, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    @jwb: you can’t really think I’m seriously positing that any physical object is invulnerable to being shot.

  83. 83.

    JPL

    August 6, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): If you are still around, I want to thank you for recommending the book Friday Night Lights. I’m only a third through but from what I read, it’s an accurate portrayal of hgh school football in Texas.

  84. 84.

    KCinDC

    August 6, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    Ah, The Hill is working on the interpretation of the S&P downgrade for the “serious” (Norquistian) media types: “S&P credit rating analysis values spending cuts more than tax revenue”.

  85. 85.

    Kane

    August 6, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    In using the Archie comics as his twitter avatar, Halperin is begging for the nickname of Jughead.

  86. 86.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    @Valdivia: That’s what I thought! He is no friend to democrats, and is not even a neutral party. I thought maybe hell froze over.

    Edit: I hate how the website loses its place, and I have taken to doing a “search” for the most recent phrase I can recall reading right before I lose my place. When it happened a minute ago, I started to search for “fucking tour” and had to laugh when there were so many matches for “fucking”.

  87. 87.

    Dee Loralei

    August 6, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    @WereBear: yes and thank you. My gorgeous Moses kitten. His kidneys shut down faster than I noticed anything was too wrong. We kept him on the IV for a solid week and they were too far gone to get his BUN down. The Vet said sometimes Siamese and Himalayans go like that really fast, that they have some genetic something or other that makes them susceptible and prone to it. But the vet made me feel better that I had done everything, especially since my sweet and handsome boy was semi-feral for a house cat. But damn I miss him. He had a receding chin, and an overbite and the most gorgeous blue eyes. When I redid the house a few years ago, I put his color scheme in the den. Gray carpet, 1 blue wall and a chocolate brown leather sofa and another wall is a light mahogany wood. He looked glorious in here. And this is where we hung together. Even though he wouldn’t sit on my lap or let me pick him up, we chatted and I scritched him when he asked. And he’d sit on the back of the sofa and purr his contentment. Or scratch my thigh demanding fealty. So yea, I’m gonna miss the boy.

  88. 88.

    Valdivia

    August 6, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    Exactly. I am really waiting for someone to tell me the rapture actually happened explaining why he wrote that and why there was no one at Perry’s revival.

  89. 89.

    BGinCHI

    August 6, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    American Exceptionalism, Notre Dame-style:

    http://www.suntimes.com/6891705-417/looser-academic-disciplinary-criteria-show-notre-dame-ready-to-play-ball.html

  90. 90.

    JenJen

    August 6, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    @Kane: +10!

    @Dee Loralei: I had missed that, Dee. I’m so sorry.

  91. 91.

    TreeBeard

    August 6, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    The best Republican idea yet: Guess who Huckleberry Hound wants as Treasury Secretary?

  92. 92.

    WereBear

    August 6, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    @Dee Loralei: You made him happy.

    In the end, that’s all the Universe asks.

  93. 93.

    Stooleo

    August 6, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    @srv:

    Ideologically, why do Democrats exist? One post card.

    In light of this debt limit fiasco, here is my slogan.

    “Democrats put the Country before their party”

    Obviously could use a little work, but I like to think that the sentiment is true.

  94. 94.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    @Dee Loralei: I left a comment for you on the original thread, but i don’t know if you would have seen it because I was late to the thread. I am so sorry about your loss.

    @Valdivia: I wonder if you saw my reply the other day, too, when I wrote to say I wasn’t able to find the photos you were talking about from your magic visit with the fellow from your past.

    p.s. maybe the S&P thing has gotten some people’s attention, and the pendulum will start to swing in the other direction.

  95. 95.

    gbear

    August 6, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    I rode my scooter to Target this morning and while I was leaving my parking spot, I caught my foot on a curb and it rolled my foot sideways under the scooter. I had some blood on my sock from where it broke the toenail and I’m really hoping my big toe isn’t broken. It’s not black-and-blue but it sure hurts to move it. I’m actually glad that I didn’t break my foot.

    Up until then, it was a beautiful morning for a ride. I was exploring the windy roads on the east end of Michele Bachmann’s district. That’s as close as I’m coming to politics today.

    Edit: My Postcard. Democrats: Too polite to plunder.

  96. 96.

    WereBear

    August 6, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    My Democratic postcard:

    People before profit.

  97. 97.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    @JenJen: I thought about Strider today when I saw the cute photo of your new guy. So of course I had to go look at Strider’s photo. Just too sweet on his camouflage blanket with his newsweek.

  98. 98.

    Sly

    August 6, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    The biggest pony-wishing hippies are Halperin and all the bipartisanship fetishists in the Beltway who think that golf outings and late night poker games will cure one political party of its madness:

    Based on finger-pointing statements and @pfeiffer44 tweet, bipartisan fixes to US challenges still rely on Obama-Boehner personal trust.So..
    …
    To repeat: @pfeiffer44 is right that GOP to blame for no 4t deal.but post S&P, we need a new path to comity. POTUS-SPKR trust — or bust.

    “It set the template for the future. In the future, Neil, no president — in the near future, maybe in the distant future — is going to be able to get the debt ceiling increased without a re-ignition of the same discussion of how do we cut spending and get America headed in the right direction. I expect the next president, whoever that is, is going to be asking us to raise the debt ceiling again in 2013, so we’ll be doing it all over.”

    That little gem was from the Senate Minority Leader. So good luck with the whole “path to comity” thing.

    Sometime in 2013, when the limit will be need to be raised again, some fucking brainless asshole will sagely note on a Sunday Morning Show that “as everyone knows, you need cut spending to raise the debt ceiling.” It’ll be the new “as everyone knows, you need 60 votes to pass anything.” Yet again, what was once a gross deviation from standard procedure will become the norm because we have a bunch of simpering starfuckers running the political press.

  99. 99.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    @gbear: I believe I broke 2 toes 10 days ago – the black & blue thing seems to tell the tale, so hopefully you are okay.

    @WereBear: That’s perfect. I would buy that bumper sticker.

  100. 100.

    Dee Loralei

    August 6, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Thank you JenJen, WearBear and Watergirl, your thoughts are greatly appreciated.@TreeBeard: OMG, Trump?? Fucking Donald Trump??? Mister I declared bankruptcy so many times, I can’t count that high, Donald Trump???

    And fuck all these Republicans saying Geithner needs to go, Sure the Senate would advise and consent for anyone else. Hell Geithner wants to go, Obama begged him to stay since they know no one else will get approved. And sure at a time like this the US really doesn’t need a head at Treasury. God I loathe those fuckers.

    And why the hell isn’t Bernanke doing anything? I thought the Fed was supposed to keep inflation low and employment high? I mean, don’t they have both as their core functions? And they can lend 16 trillion to foreign banks and businesses and they can’t lend 3 trillion to the populace for a infrastructure bank?

    Is it time for the revolution yet?

  101. 101.

    Villago Delenda Est

    August 6, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    @SensesFail:

    If we apply right-wing logic here, then it also tells us that Republicans are Communists.

    Given that Chinese Communists are “communists” only in the context of the Spock-with-a-beard universe, this makes perfect sense.

  102. 102.

    Mnemosyne

    August 6, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    I thought I was starting to get over this allergy/cold thing (that has now become a lovely sinus infection, but anyway …) so I decided to do a load of laundry. Just went downstairs to get the dry clothes and realized I’d forgotten to turn the dryer on.

    Yeah, I may not be quite as well as I hoped.

  103. 103.

    Thymezone

    August 6, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Like my twitter feed said today (TPM? I forget) …

    In a hostage situation, you have the hostages, and the hostage takers.

    They are equally to blame.

  104. 104.

    Mino

    August 6, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    By accident, I discovered how to get those semi-red peppers to ripen to bright red–leave in the crisper. My red peppers are weird: they sulked until the temps were 99+ and then started setting fruit. Does anyone have a variety they can recommend?

  105. 105.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    @WaterGirl: Hey, back from dinner but you are probably gone. I lived either at Oregon and Vine or Urbana Street from 72-84. Shopped their always.

  106. 106.

    Anya

    August 6, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    @jeffreyw: That’s a gorgeous picture, Jaffreyw. I love your pictures. That picture needs to be nominated for a best pic award.

  107. 107.

    jwb

    August 6, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    @scav: I wasn’t reacting to you, I was reacting to the quote you posted. Also my BIL flies Chinooks so it hits close to home.

  108. 108.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    @WaterGirl:
    @Anya:
    Thank you both for your kind words. Pshaw, tho on awards and stuff. It’s a good picture and I’m proud of it, but there are some fantastic photos every day out there. I do have a new kitteh pic but I’ll do it in another comment. FYWP

  109. 109.

    jeffreyw

    August 6, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    Samson is looking for a nice home, he is staying the weekend with us, giving us a trial run.

  110. 110.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): Now I’m back from swimming…

    Maybe that’s why you look so completely familiar to me! It might also explain why you don’t recognize me. On the other hand, I did get two job offers (years later) and got at least one rental house because the people recognized me and said stuff like “oh you’re that nice checker from Eisner’s who’s really fast”. So maybe folks do notice their check-out girls.

  111. 111.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    @jeffreyw: Oh my gosh, that is one beautiful cat, with a lot of personality.

  112. 112.

    Valdivia

    August 6, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    I don’t know if you’re still reading here but yes I saw it and replied. The two pictures of me doing romantic were just feet in sand and the two hands holding together. Still at same site probably now buried on page 3 or 4 under all my architecture shots (my hobby!)

    Thanks for going to check it out. I am still sort of pinning here for that man :)

  113. 113.

    Raven (formerly stuckinred)

    August 6, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    @WaterGirl: Pretty cool I’d say! Do you remember a hispanic lady that worked the deli? We always jived around.

  114. 114.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    @Valdivia: I missed your reply, and I haven’t been able to find the previous post. I did see the two feet in the sand, though, and thought that might be the right group, but then I didn’t see anything else that fit.

    Have you been in contact? Will you be getting together again? I don’t know if you will remember, but when you first talked about this fellow contacting you I wrote to say that I had a similar thing happen. So I feel kind of connected on this since I had something similar happen.

  115. 115.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    @Raven (formerly stuckinred): HIspanic woman in the deli, I am drawing a blank, but you have a much better memory than I do!

    What I remember from the deli is the day that 2 guys were working in the deli. I had been in the back room sorting cigarettes or something (you were supposed to do that stuff during the slow times). They did the “nancy, come to register 5” thing to call be back up front, and I stopped to say hi to the deli guys on the way up.

    Went to my register, and after waiting on a couple people I noticed someone staring at my chest. I looked down and saw that my brown smock had unzipped itself partway while I had been bending to work on the cigarettes in the back. Well, my sweater buttons had also come open, too, so there I was with my sweater open and my bra and boobs showing.

    So later I am talking to the deli guys about what happened and how embarrassing it was, and they said, yeah, that’s why they hadn’t told me when I had stopped to say hi on my way up front – they didn’t want to embarrass me by telling me.

    Their thinking defied logic. Oh well, it’s funny now.

  116. 116.

    Valdivia

    August 6, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    yes I actually just now remembered that I took out that hand on chest one because it was flickr and felt very public (I have it on instagram, where all my pictures come from) Here’s that one let me know if you can see it on this site

    http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/detail/145008610

    Yes, we’ve been in touch but who knows when we’ll be able to see each other again soon. His life is there (he has young kids so hard to get away) and I’m here and dealing with a family illness. But. The magic of that week will be with me for a really really long time.

  117. 117.

    WaterGirl

    August 6, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    @Valdivia:It shortens the link to take me just to the main site, so I think I would have to login in order to see anything.

    Magic is pretty much how I would describe our first visit, to. We had 8 days.

    I thought the foot photo was cool and very sweet. Even though they are the most public parts of our bodies (along with faces) I think hands and feet are very intimate.

    So sorry to hear about the family illness. That’s so hard.

  118. 118.

    Valdivia

    August 6, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    Just posted the other foto to flickr so you can see it. I will take it down later.

  119. 119.

    Valdivia

    August 6, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    Thanks again for keeping up with all of this and for your good wishes on the family thing.

    And yes, I think feet can be very intimate if you catch the right mood.

    The magic has not subsided and I think it will take a long time too. It’s too complicated because of his family situation so I pretty much went thinking it would be 5 days and nothing more. I have been surprised how much both he and I can’t seem to want to let go of it. Sigh.

    :)

  120. 120.

    WaterGirl

    August 7, 2011 at 10:15 am

    @Valdivia: Found it! I imagine that photo is a good reminder of how close you guys got. Love the feet, though, had to go looking for that one again. It made me smile.

    The week we had together was made more amazing by how I felt after he left, which made me realize how strongly we had bonded. It kind of felt like superglue to the soul, if that makes any sense.

    Have you ever seen the movie Same Time Next Year with Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn? They are in love but at least one of them is married, and they meet once a year for time together, then go back to their usual lives.

    Edit: Have you ever seen the movie Sliding Doors? It’s probably in my top ten list. It’s a great one to see when you are thinking about the different paths life can take.

  121. 121.

    Valdivia

    August 7, 2011 at 11:29 am

    @WaterGirl:

    I love how you put that. Superglue to the soul. Know how that feels. And have I said yet that when I read what you have to say about your experience it makes me sad that it didn’t work out.

    Yes I have been thinking a lot about the Alda movie. W

  122. 122.

    Valdivia

    August 7, 2011 at 11:29 am

    @WaterGirl:

    I love how you put that. Superglue to the soul. Know how that feels. And have I said yet that when I read what you have to say about your experience it makes me sad that it didn’t work out.

    Yes I have been thinking a lot about the Alda movie. W

  123. 123.

    Valdivia

    August 7, 2011 at 11:29 am

    @WaterGirl:

    I love how you put that. Superglue to the soul. Know how that feels. And have I said yet that when I read what you have to say about your experience it makes me sad that it didn’t work out.

    Yes I have been thinking a lot about the Alda movie. W

  124. 124.

    Valdivia

    August 7, 2011 at 11:33 am

    @Valdivia:

    That went off too soon. I have been wondering if that kind of situation–the same time next year one–is really ever possible. To live your life and then go have just one week like that. I think it would take a talent for compartamentalization that I don’t have.

    And I saw the Sliding doors one a long time ago but will go watch it again. That too has been much on my mind. Sigh!

    Ok, now I am going to take down the hand picture from flickr since I really just wanted you to see it. Thanks so much! And I will definitely keep you posted with what happens.

  125. 125.

    WaterGirl

    August 7, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    @Valdivia: Thanks for sharing the photo. I am not good at compartmentalization either, but if the choice is that kind of connection once a year vs. that kind of connection never again, I think I would choose the former.

    I think I will watch sliding doors again, too. I will keep an eye out for future posts with updates. Until next time…

  126. 126.

    Valdivia

    August 7, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    it is funny because I am so torn right now between trying to move on from this and actively seeking other people and just wanting to nurture this feeling and to feel it again. And like you , if he told me, let’s spend 5 days in july together next year. I very much would. Because nothing I have ever felt compares to the way I feel with him.

    Really. Thanks for listening and talking to me about this!

  127. 127.

    WaterGirl

    August 7, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    @Valdivia:

    Why not both?

    What if you were to suggest getting together for 5 days next July? If you knew you would see one another again, and know when, then maybe you could put those wonderful feelings in a corner like a treasure that you only bring out once in awhile.

    You could actively seek out other people and have some nice times and if another important relationship develops, then it is what it is.

    For what it’s worth, here’s what I think would make the arrangement work for me. I have no idea if it would work for you.

    We would plan to get together for 5 days next July, on a certain date in whatever place you guys decide. You are both free to see other people, but the rules are that you get together for this time next July no matter what, whether you guys have met someone else or not. Then, at least, you get to see one another and connect, even if it’s for the last time, and say your goodbyes.

    Knowing that you will get together again in July, even if it’s to connect one last time and say your goodbyes, could be the safety net that could allow you both to move on with your day to day lives, but also treasure this amazing thing you have between you. Circumstances change, and maybe at some point life won’t be so complicated and you could choose, if you wanted, to make this a more traditional relationship.

    I have no idea if that would work for you, but even if you read this and think “oh, I could never do that” or “that’s not how I would do it at all”, then maybe at least that will help you know what you do want.

    Edit: thanks for your kind words of thanks.

  128. 128.

    Valdivia

    August 7, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    Really worth a thought. I really appreciate it. I am going to ponder it a bit and see if we make it this way! It is definitely better than feeling torn every day!

  129. 129.

    JenJen

    August 8, 2011 at 1:11 am

    @WaterGirl: Late to this, but I’m so glad I saw your comment. Strider. It’s still impossible to think about him without getting misty. Thank you for remembering him. Stan reminds me so much of Strider sometimes that I have to catch myself.

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