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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Monday Evening Open Thread: Grammar & Words

Monday Evening Open Thread: Grammar & Words

by Anne Laurie|  June 24, 20137:02 pm| 149 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Our Awesome Meritocracy

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What’s on the agenda for the evening?

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Reader Interactions

149Comments

  1. 1.

    Soonergrunt

    June 24, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    Movie with the wife and kid. They can’t seem to figure out what to go see, so we don’t know as yet.

  2. 2.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    @Soonergrunt: Heard tell Man of Steel is decent, but I missed my chance to see the midnight showing at the IMAX. Damn this getting old thing.

    Eating cheesecake for lunch. Don’t hate.

  3. 3.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    Those NewsMax headlines are always so fucking full of LOLWUT win – “Trump Iowa Visit Raises 2016 Speculation” – because what the GOP needs is a bigger better birther clown show in 2016. Alas, I’m afraid Jeebus doesn’t love us that much.

  4. 4.

    Suffern ACE is a Basset Hound

    June 24, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    Thought this was an interesting poll from pew on the differences between perceived global threats. The list is kind of US biased in that it lists the common bugaboos our leaders have. I’m a little surprised that the US itself rates so lowly as a threat in most places. But I wonder as well about the differences between places. The Koreans and the Greeks seem to be concerned about everything. The Jordanians are not really concerned. Maybe that’s because their number 1 concern-that the Syrian Civil War might spill over into their territory-isn’t on the list. Nor for that matter was anything to do with Israel. Or maybe they’re just ok with the world.

  5. 5.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    June 24, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    I do!

  6. 6.

    Comrade Mary

    June 24, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    @Yatsuno: R- r – real cheesecake? (I’m doing Vegan Before 6, and now I know what I’m craving right now …)

  7. 7.

    scav

    June 24, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    Solid little storm currently overhead in Chicago. For once not disappating too much before it hits the lake I think.

  8. 8.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    @Comrade Mary: real, creamy, full-fat dairy cheesecake.

    I checked the timezones, should be after 6 in Tronno non?

  9. 9.

    Cacti

    June 24, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Working on my plan to become a left wing internet hero.

    Still deciding what felony I should commit, and where I should flee to avoid prosecution.

  10. 10.

    Comrade Mary

    June 24, 2013 at 7:17 pm

    @Yatsuno: I’m heading out for some weeknight carousing, so no time for cheesecake. I have a springform pan, so maybe I’ll whip one up this weekend.

  11. 11.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 24, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    Tweety Matthews just called Dianne Feinstein– pro-war, pro-surveillance, pro-Bush tax cut, pro-filibuster, unemployment-makes-the -poors-lazy Dianne Feinstein– he just called her a “liberal Democrat”. I had to rewind the Tivo just to be sure I heard that right.

  12. 12.

    BGinCHI

    June 24, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    @scav: Stuck at work now as I rode my bike in. Should have been watching the radar. That hit pretty hard when it got here!

  13. 13.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    @Comrade Mary: Nigella has a lime-chocolate cheesecake that I’ve been dying to whip up, but I’ve been ocupying myself quite a bit over the weekends these days. Poor me I know.

    BTW thanks for the condolences re: NYD, but I’m wondering now if it’s less of a split and more of a pause. He doesn’t seem all that interested in completely letting me go, but he is going on vacation for awhile before law school. I figure I’ll ride it out for now.

  14. 14.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    June 24, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    pro-war, pro-surveillance, pro-Bush tax cut, pro-filibuster, unemployment-makes-the -poors-lazy Dianne Feinstein– he just called her a “liberal

    They used to use “liberal” like a dirty word. I guess it is now.

  15. 15.

    piratedan

    June 24, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: according to the modernist definitions in place, I guess she is…..Tweety tho, remains a hack who believes in the magic of the bully pulpit and that both sides do indeed do it. He focuses on all the wrong shite and has his lips still firmly affixed to the deceased carcasses of Daniel Moynihan and Tip O’Neil as if the Democratic Irish Political machine still was in effect.

  16. 16.

    j

    June 24, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    Go Hawks! (In the normal time, if you can).

    No more overtime games, please.

  17. 17.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 24, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    @piratedan: A few weeks ago he was talking about Obama needing to do something BIG! something to define his presidency for history, to make people realize he’s the PRESIDENT! like Reagan did when he fired the air traffic controllers. Saving the auto industry doesn’t compare, I guess. Mr Blue Collar Lunch Bucket Working Class Roosevelt-Kennedy Democrat, with a waterfront house on The Cape.

    I still give him props for calling out the Romney campaign on its race-baiting, he was about the only white guy doing it, especially on the TeeVee.

  18. 18.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    There is a narrative. There has always been a narrative, and all facts and opinions exist to serve the narrative. Whomever here said the epitaph of this country will be that it was killed by the media’s narrative arc should step up and claim their internets.

  19. 19.

    Mandalay

    June 24, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    PEACE THROUGH PORK!

    In the fall of 2010, patriots from Idaho County, Idaho sat around a campfire enjoying an adult beverage. The discussion turned to concern and disgust that a mosque was being built at ground zero. Everyone in attendance agreed that freedom of religion is paramount for all peoples of Earth but this showed poor taste and had a sense of “rubbing our noses” into 9/11 tragedy. The discussion turned toward possible solutions to stop such a great insult.

    History of dealings with radical Islam from the days of Jefferson and the Barbary Pirates to actions of Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing in the early 1900’s in the Philippines gave clarity to a modern day market solution-Jihawg Ammo. Our preference is peace first but if a fight is to be had we are determined and resolved to win. Thus came the beginning of the truest form of defensive ammunition ever created in history.

    A natural deterrent that prevents violence just by owning it but will strike fear into the hearts of those bent upon hate, violence and murder. Jihawg Ammo is certified “Haraam” or unclean. According to the belief system of the radical Islamist becoming “unclean” during Jihad will prevent their attaining entrance into heaven. Jihawg Ammo is a natural deterrent to radical and suicidal acts of violence.

    Our Porcine Coating (Pattern Pending) is infused with the highest quality pork product made right here in America. Jihawg Ammo is produced in the great state of Idaho.

    We at Jihawg Ammo hope you will stock up on Jihawg as a natural deterrent to the ever growing threat of radical Islam and Sharia Law. We, however, stress that the nullifying principle of our product is only effective if you are attacked by an Islamist in Jihad. Otherwise, our ammo functions just like any other ammunition so we obviously insist upon defensive use of our ammo only-not offensive.

  20. 20.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Jeez. Someone FINALLY gets a major health care overhaul through that will kick us to single payer within a decade, and it doesn’t give Tweety sufficient wood. Why the fuck does that not shock me? I wonder when he’s gonna openly advocate for war with Syria so he can fap properly.

  21. 21.

    Suzanne

    June 24, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    Took my exam today. Dear FSM, I hope I passed that shit.

  22. 22.

    ruemara

    June 24, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    I decide to make melon vodka pops and drank the left over melon vodka juice. Who new less than 3 ozs of vodka was so potent. ruemara +???? and a total lightweight. That being said, very good flavor, ginger and stevia sweetened. I’ve been job hunting since I sat down at 7 am today in my home office. Can’t wait to go in to work tomorrow and …relax by working.

  23. 23.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 24, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    @Mandalay: Rule 34.

  24. 24.

    Comrade Mary

    June 24, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    @Yatsuno: Hmm. There’s a possibility that a pause could be something that would work for you both. I don’t know how it will end up for you, but I have my fingers crossed!

  25. 25.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    @Mandalay:

    Our Porcine Coating (Pattern Pending)

    lolwut

  26. 26.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    @ruemara:

    Hey girlfriend! I’m job hunting too, and drinking rum and tonics because that’s all I have on hand, but am thinking of switching to something and ginger ale, because ginger! Also, you know vodka doesn’t freeze, right?

  27. 27.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 24, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    also, too, set your DVRs for Sundays when the Usual Suspects will gin up their outrage over the partisan targeting of Demcorat-friendly political groups. Yes, they will. I’m sure of it!

    IRS Chief: inappropriate screening included search terms ‘Progressive,’ ‘Occupy,’ ‘Israel’.

    and, non-snarking, all the sound and fury has indeed signified nothing, as Josh Marshall says.

    But if they were targeting obviously political groups across the political spectrum, the story seems rather different than what we’ve been led to believe.

  28. 28.

    Cacti

    June 24, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    @Yatsuno:

    Someone FINALLY gets a major health care overhaul through that will kick us to single payer within a decade, and it doesn’t give Tweety sufficient wood. Why the fuck does that not shock me?

    Almost makes you think that old saw about “work twice as hard to get half the credit” thingy might apply to the current POTUS.

  29. 29.

    piratedan

    June 24, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    @Mandalay: next up, Athiest targeted ammunition with bullets covered in the combined elements of ashes from burned Korans, Bible squeezings and Talmud shavings

  30. 30.

    Mandalay

    June 24, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    @the Conster:

    There is a narrative. There has always been a narrative

    Not really. Journalists barely used that word twenty years ago. Now they constantly misuse it. Everything gets labeled as a damn narrative, even when it isn’t.

  31. 31.

    piratedan

    June 24, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    @Suzanne: good luck to you Suzanne…fingers and eyes crossed….

  32. 32.

    Roger Moore

    June 24, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    @Cacti:

    Still deciding what felony I should commit, and where I should flee to avoid prosecution.

    Might I suggest a few troublesome Supreme Court Justices who somebody might rid us of?

  33. 33.

    Mandalay

    June 24, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Rule 34

    Ha! My second language lesson from you in two days. Thx.

  34. 34.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    June 24, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    @Yatsuno: Eating ice cream for dinner; I’ll be the kettle, thanks.

  35. 35.

    Violet

    June 24, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    @Yatsuno: I had ice cream for an afternoon snack. Real full fat ice cream. Just a tiny bit left in two separate pints, so finished it off. Added in a few chocolate chips just for good measure. Now I feel gross.

    I had my calf worked over today during therapy, so I think I was feeling sorry for myself. Plus it’s about a zillion degrees here, so I’m using a little ice cream therapy to cope.

  36. 36.

    Roger Moore

    June 24, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    @Mandalay:
    Wow. I think it’s real, but my Poe’s Law sensor is having a hard time with that one.

  37. 37.

    Mandalay

    June 24, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    @piratedan:

    Athiest targeted ammunition with bullets covered in the combined elements of ashes from burned Korans, Bible squeezings and Talmud shavings

    I presume their bilge is perfectly legal, and IANAL, but I feel like there should be some kind of law against it….fomenting religious hatred, or something along those lines?

  38. 38.

    Mandalay

    June 24, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    @Roger Moore: Sadly I also think it is real.

  39. 39.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    @Mandalay: This is old bullshit.

  40. 40.

    Roger Moore

    June 24, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    @Mandalay:

    I feel like there should be some kind of law against it…

    There certainly ought to be a law against selling ammo over the internet.

  41. 41.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    @Mandalay:

    ….fomenting religious hatred, or something along those lines?

    Do not go down that road. The fundies are already wailing that they’re oppressed.

  42. 42.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    There is only 3 reasons why I’m gonna check out Pacific Rim, 1)IDRIS ELBA is in it, 2)did I mention IDRIS ELBA is in it and he using his REAL ACCENT???!!! 3) it’s directed by the Hellboy crew (Guillermo Del Torro) and Hellboy himself (Ron Perlman) is in it!

    http://youtu.be/5guMumPFBag

  43. 43.

    ruemara

    June 24, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    @the Conster: slushy pops! I don’t want them super frozen.

  44. 44.

    piratedan

    June 24, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    @Mandalay: well I don’t disagree with you here, but the American Taliban has always played by their own rules, Gods Laws above those of men and all of that. Yet, I’d be hard pressed to know exactly what law they have broken, especially since we know that all guns must be free to roam the land unhindered and I would assume that would apply to Christian God Fearing ammo too.

    I get the feeling that these guys would love to be in the sequel called WACO II, The Nigrah is coming for our gunz!

  45. 45.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    @lamh35: He used his real accent in Luther.

  46. 46.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    @lamh35:

    I’d have more respect for Idris Elba if he’d named his daughter Able Elba.

  47. 47.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    @Mandalay:

    The media default narrative is that every Democrat is a tax and spend liberal, every Republican is a deficit hawk keepin’ us safe, and there is no such thing as a worthwhile government program because government programs by definition make everyone not a defense contractor lazy and entitled. Those are the basic assumptions every political story reported on by our SCLM begins with.

  48. 48.

    piratedan

    June 24, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    @raven: been meaning to catch that, although he was electric in The Wire, but then again, there were so many good things about that series that I I can’t list them all here.

  49. 49.

    SatanicPanic

    June 24, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: The time between when Republicans start screeching about a scandal and when we get confimation that it was just a bunch of crap really is tragic.

  50. 50.

    Comrade Jake

    June 24, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: you know, I had a hunch they were basically doing that. Talk about a non-scandal scandal.

  51. 51.

    Comrade Jake

    June 24, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    One of you goofballs recommended The Fall on Netflix, and damn if that isn’t a pretty good show. It took me all of three days to wrap that up. How long before season 2 appears on the BBC and then Netflix?

  52. 52.

    Comrade Jake

    June 24, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    @piratedan: you come at the king, you best not miss.

  53. 53.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    @Comrade Mary: There are two rules: he has to come visit me after the hips get fixed, and I get an invite to his law school graduation. He does want me to meet his mom, I guess she’s a force of nature. Or he wants to vet me. I am keeping him very very far from mine for the time being. He rides horses. She’ll fall in love with him on the spot.

  54. 54.

    Cassidy

    June 24, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    @the Conster: Honey Whiskey and Ginger Ale. You’ll never look back. I like the Jack Daniels Honey because it still tastes like whiskey and isn’t too sweet.

  55. 55.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    @raven: oh yeah. Luther is on my Netflix queue FOREVER!

  56. 56.

    The Friendly Libertarian

    June 24, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    Snowden a Public Relations Nightmare for USA.

    He’s showing one of the many crimes of the Federal Government to the entire world and there’s nothing Obama or his thug Holder can do about it.

    We need more Snowdens, not fewer. I hope for a million Snowdens and Assanges too.

    The new generation in the USA and the rest of the Western World–the ones the Federal Government will need to staff its mega-security state–thankfully are fascinated by principled libertarianism and anarcho-captialism–especially those in the tech sector. It will be the Federal Government’s undoing.

  57. 57.

    Baud

    June 24, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    But if they were targeting obviously political groups across the political spectrum, the story seems rather different than what we’ve been led chosen to believe.

    Fixed for accuracy.

  58. 58.

    Baud

    June 24, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    @The Friendly Libertarian:

    If everyone is a Snowden, is anyone a Snowden?

  59. 59.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    @The Friendly Libertarian:

    The new generation in the USA and the rest of the Western World–the ones the Federal Government will need to staff its mega-security state–thankfully are fascinated by principled libertarianism and anarcho-captialism–especially those in the tech sector. It will be the Federal Government’s undoing.

    Did it hurt when you pulled that out of your ass?

  60. 60.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 24, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    @Baud: What if our galaxy is jut an atom in the fingernail of a giant Edward Snowden?

  61. 61.

    Redshirt

    June 24, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    @Yatsuno: I just saw Man of Steel.

    No spoilers! I liked it, but I’m a nerd. If you’re not a nerd, or don’t like other superhero movies, you probably won’t like it.

    Awesome special effects.

  62. 62.

    The Friendly Libertarian

    June 24, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate:

    Those who study information technology are almost always anarcho-capitalists or libertarians of one stripe or another–technology attracts the kind of person that wants information to be free and government power decentralized and neutered if not totally destroyed.

  63. 63.

    scav

    June 24, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    @raven: Oddly enough, rumors of bullets and pork (and cow) fat were in India too, prior to the rebellion of 1857 (from other direction). Semi-random link here.

  64. 64.

    Baud

    June 24, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    It’s Snowdens all the way down.

  65. 65.

    Roger Moore

    June 24, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate:

    Did it hurt when you pulled that out of your ass?

    I think his ass is already sufficiently distended that he could remove a capital ship without pain.

  66. 66.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    @The Friendly Libertarian:

    I just retired from a nice second career in information technology. I was a senior manager. Much of my time was spent in mentoring young employees, most of whom I am still in touch with. You are full of shit.

  67. 67.

    cmorenc

    June 24, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    Today’s southern words and grammar lesson focuses on an essential word to know when think it’s likely the person you’re talking to disappointed your expectations: “dindija”., as in “Did you do what ah asked? Dindija?”

  68. 68.

    The Friendly Libertarian

    June 24, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    This story has also really separated the honest, anti-authoritarian leftists (DKos, Juan Cole, FDL) from authoritarian leftist bootlickers like this site among others.

  69. 69.

    Suzanne

    June 24, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    @Yatsuno: Hugs.

    Boys are a pain. Yet we love them so.

  70. 70.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    @Redshirt: i saw it last week. I liked it too, but wasn’t blown away. I was trying to figure out why, and I realized, I was genuinely distracted by Henry Cavill’s looks. They dude is seriously hot, and between the skin tight suit, and all the profile shots the Superman movies tend to do, it was a bit distracting.

    Also too, I wasn’t really impressed by the Lois & Clark relationship. It seemed kinda quick.

  71. 71.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    @Cassidy:

    Never heard of it, but rye and ginger is my first choice – this will be my second choice. Ginger ale is another way of letting us know that god loves us and wants us to be happy.

  72. 72.

    Thlayli

    June 24, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Some guy named “John Cole” is having a major sad on Twitter because the commenters here aren’t as enthralled with Glennzilla as he is.

  73. 73.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 24, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    First there is a Snowden. Then there is no Snowden. Then there is.

  74. 74.

    MikeJ

    June 24, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    @Thlayli: Anything that makes John Cole sad must be good.

  75. 75.

    j

    June 24, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    @Cacti:

    Don’t know, but if you want want to be a rightwing hero you could out an entire CIA operation, resulting in an undercover operative being killed, and then build a house across the street from the CIA HQ, with a tunnel connecting them.

    Just like Cheney.

    http://wonkette.com/363302/cheneys-new-house-is-cia-adjacent

  76. 76.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 24, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    @the Conster: Oh lord. I sense a five hundred comment “FUCK YOU ALL” thread. I think I’ll watch hockey

  77. 77.

    Hal

    June 24, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    I bought a 5.99 bottle of rum with agave infused tequila with hints of lemon and lime. Local liquor store over stock. Enormous bottle. Not bad. Watching regular show and adventure time on cartoon network.

    Not a bad day off.

  78. 78.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Elevator in the brain hotel,
    Is broken down,
    But just as well…

  79. 79.

    JPL

    June 24, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    @ruemara: Do you have a recipe? I’m having the neighbors over in a few weeks and it sounds interesting.

  80. 80.

    Steeplejack

    June 24, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    Just heard that a friend’s son has been signed as a pitcher by the St. Paul Saints (North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball) and will probably make his début in tonight’s home game against the Lincoln Saltdogs.

    The Saints’ starter already got shellacked for three runs in the first inning, so look for Hugh Adams (late of Florida Atlantic University and career save leader in the Sun Belt Conference) in relief at some point. Go, Hugh!

    It’s “Hipster Night” and “Buck Beer Monday”—very auspicious signs. And one of the Saints’ owners is actor Bill Murray, listed as “team psychologist” on the Web site.

    Tried to find some video somewhere, anywhere—“If it’s almost a sport, it’s on the Ocho”—but had to settle for streaming audio.

    I must note that the Central Division of the AAIPB is currently led by the Wichita Wingnuts. Priceless.

  81. 81.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    @lamh35:

    This was the same take-away from a middle aged woman friend of mine – dude’s distractingly good looking, but the rest of the movie is hung on his poses.

  82. 82.

    David Koch

    June 24, 2013 at 8:29 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: If Feinstein isn’t liberal, then how did she capture 79% of the vote in liberal San Francisco?

  83. 83.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Ok, I love Johnny Depp, but this Lone Ranger movie, aside from just looking awful, just rubs me the wrong way. Oooh, Johnny Depp playing and Indian…Um forget that stereotype that was Tonto anyway, and I get that the dude to directed and produced the Pirates of the Carribean movies are attached to it and they like working with Johnny Depp, BUT THEY REALLY COULDN’T FIND AN ACTUAL NATIVE AMERICAN ACTOR to play the role…REALLY??? I get that they wanted a “big name” for the movie, but it’s the Lone Ranger. Who cares if there’s a big name attached? Is there THAT man Lone Ranger diehards left? Who is the market for this mess?

    The Lone Ranger

  84. 84.

    JPL

    June 24, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    @Thlayli: Is Zandar going to have a time out. Actually that was kinda comical.

  85. 85.

    Cassidy

    June 24, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    @the Conster: Give it a try. It’s Jack Daniels, so if you’re a fan of boutique or small batch bourbon you might be disappointed, but it’s a good mix.

  86. 86.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    @lamh35:

    In this movie, he is Johnny Derp to me.

  87. 87.

    David Koch

    June 24, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    Just saw Ed Markey on tee vee calling for Snowden’s imprisonment.

    What fascist. He’s worst than Bush, not even Bush has called for Snowden’s imprisonment.

    Stay home. Don’t Vote. Teach Ed Markey a lesson!

  88. 88.

    Anoniminous

    June 24, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    @The Friendly Libertarian:

    The average Techno-Libertarian is an ignorant buffoon:

    Secret History of Silicon Valley.

    The first 30 minutes sets-up the next 30 minutes.

  89. 89.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    @lamh35:

    The real scandal is that Hollywood is completely out of ideas, and when they come up with a bad one, the default is Johnny Depp as a parody of an Indian instead of a parody of a pirate. What’s next? Johnny Depp as everyone in a remake of the Village People movie?

  90. 90.

    David Koch

    June 24, 2013 at 8:45 pm

    @Thlayli: If Leni Riefenstahl had a twitter account and if she was a fan of greenwald, Cole’s twitter feed is what it would look like.

    greenwald could rape a nun on tee vee and join the Waffen-SS and Cole would defend him.

  91. 91.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    @the Conster: true. Who’s idea was it to make a Lone Ranger movie anyway? Unlike some of the other “remakes” and “tv to film” movies, were there really a large number of people clamoring for a Lone Ranger move???

    And yet, they STILL can’t get a Wonder Woman film made. It boggles my mind

    And like I said, I truly to love Johnny Depp, but this is a bit too much. It makes me think that maybe Depp is dead broke and just needs money, or he’s just through with it all and is just picking things he can just “dial in”???

    IDK.

  92. 92.

    Roger Moore

    June 24, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    @Anoniminous:

    The average Techno-Libertarian is an ignorant buffoon:

    FTFY.

  93. 93.

    Cassidy

    June 24, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    @lamh35:

    And yet, they STILL can’t get a Wonder Woman film made.

    This is not a bad thing. Every idea they’ve come up with lately has been garbage.

  94. 94.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    @Cassidy: That’s true

  95. 95.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    @The Friendly Libertarian: I call bullshit. Technology lives and dies by patent protection. Who is that guarding that patent? Oh yeah, that ebil state. That means courts and police protection and other governmental structures in order to ensure that information stays the property of the inventors. So yeah, without the state your whole raison d’etre goes poof. And oh yeah no state also means no development dollars since the main source for research and capital dollars is the government.

  96. 96.

    Redshirt

    June 24, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    @lamh35: They keep trying to make Wonder Woman, and it always falls through. Our Lord Joss was attached to the last effort, and even he couldn’t make it happen.

    It’s probably got something to do with the inherent sexism of comic book fans, for starters. Also, how do you make her “dark and gritty”?

  97. 97.

    Roger Moore

    June 24, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    @Yatsuno:
    You’re talking about theoretical libertarians. He’s obviously talking about real world libertarians, i.e. those who believe that the only valuable parts of government are the ones they use.

  98. 98.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    BTW, I’m really not obsessed with movies, I just get that way during the summer, plus I follow ALOT of movie mags on twitter.

    So anyway, this is happening???
    Liam Neeson Eyes Another ‘Taken’ Movie for Fox

    Ok, seriously, HOW.MANY.THINGS.CAN.HAPPEN.TO.THIS.FAMILY!!! Shit, no insurance in their right minds should ever offer these people a policy.

    So in Taken, they took the daughter. In Taken 2, they took the wife. So in Taken 3….???? I don’t recall that there were anymore children or spouses to “take”…

  99. 99.

    Southern Beale

    June 24, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    This story made me want to scream. Try to do something nice ….

    Quirky garden artist Henry Docter has been surreptitiously planting flowers in public places on four continents since 1979. His unauthorized beautification efforts have frequently aroused surprise and delight — but never a problem until this month, when he ran afoul of Washington’s Metro transit system.

    Metro threatened Docter with “arrest, fines and imprisonment” if he dared to weed, water or otherwise tend to more than 1,000 morning glories and other flowers whose seeds he planted in 176 barren flower boxes alongside the top stretch of the north escalators at the Dupont Circle station.

    Metro said it’s only concerned about safety. The boxes are set in steep, cobblestoned inclines, so Metro fears that Docter could hurt himself or others if he fell.

    That doesn’t impress the man who calls himself the Phantom Planter. He said Metro is exaggerating the risk. He’s had little difficulty walking up and down two narrow service ramps to get to the boxes since he started planting there in October.

    In addition, Docter has told Metro that he’s willing to use a harness as Metro workers do. He’d sign a liability waiver saying he wouldn’t sue Metro if he’s hurt.

    “I’ve never gotten in trouble for planting flowers,” Docter, 52, said last week. “Never has anyone overreacted with such an absence of common sense.”

    Docter spoke in the first interview in which he openly discussed 34 years of clandestine horticulture. The District resident estimated that he’s planted more than 40,000 flowers in spots ranging from the Israeli Embassy and Navy Memorial in the District to faraway locales, including Argentina, Spain and Cambodia.

    Arrested for planting flowers? What a world …

  100. 100.

    Melissa

    June 24, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    Ann Laurie,
    Thanks for this Stephen Fry post. I’ve just sent the url to my writing students.
    Maybe some of them will look over BJ and stay around.

  101. 101.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    @the Conster:

    McHale’s Navy of the Caribbean

    Starring Johnny Depp as Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale
    With Johnny Depp as Ensign Parker
    Featuring Johnny Depp as Captain Binghamton
    And Johnny Depp as the PT-73

  102. 102.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    @Suzanne: Bless his ever lovin’ big sweet Uncle Sam’s Misguided Child heart. :)

  103. 103.

    Howard Beale IV

    June 24, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    @The Friendly Libertarian: You hope.

    Now ask yourself this-which is more powerful; hard currency or data?

  104. 104.

    Mandalay

    June 24, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    @the Conster: Sorry – I should have prefixed my post with “OT”. I wasn’t disagreeing with you, but ranting about how the media overuse and abuse the word “narrative”.

  105. 105.

    Cassidy

    June 24, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    @Redshirt: I don’t think it’s sexism. I think it’s because they won’t play it straight. They keep trying to update WW and make her more modern and it doesn’t work.

  106. 106.

    Suffern ACE

    June 24, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    @lamh35: maybe they take his second cousin, played by Johnny Depp.

  107. 107.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate: they already did McHale’s navy didn’t they, wasn’t Kelsey Grammer the lead in that one?

  108. 108.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 24, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    @Suzanne:

    Dear FSM, I hope you did too! Good luck retroactively.

  109. 109.

    Mandalay

    June 24, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    @David Koch:

    If Feinstein isn’t liberal, then how did she capture 79% of the vote in liberal San Francisco?

    For the same reason that you don’t have to be able to run faster than the bear which is chasing you and your buddy. All things are relative grasshopper.

  110. 110.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate: So I asked you a question downstream?

  111. 111.

    Suffern ACE

    June 24, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    While Johnny Depp will get slammed when Lone Ranger bombs, who the hell is Armie Hammer? Why don’t fourth generation scions stick to reality shows (well, maybe Juilia Louis Dreyfus aside. French fortunes don’t count anyway).

  112. 112.

    j

    June 24, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    @The Friendly Libertarian:

    This story has also really separated the honest, anti-authoritarian leftists (DKos, Juan Cole, FDL) from authoritarian leftist bootlickers like this site among others.

    Seriously? Crazy Jane’s coven of Obama hating malcontents (and Dan Choi / Bradley Manning fan boy site) is the same as DailyKos or Juan Friggin Cole, PhD??

    You obviously have never read any of those sites, and have a list of wingnut approved “talking points” with which to troll.

    You are a “Right Wing Troll-Boy.

    https://soundcloud.com/mike-in-raleigh/right-wing-troll-boy

  113. 113.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    @lamh35:

    I think that they did make a movie in the Nineties. IIRC Ernest Borgnine played the eponymous lead.

  114. 114.

    Svensker

    June 24, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    @David Koch:

    I’d be guessing the nun rape thing would be very unlikely.

  115. 115.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 24, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate:

    Middle name: WASIEREISAW

  116. 116.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    @raven:

    Oops. I’m running back and forth between re-packing my car camping kit and playing here. Yes, I heard of Arnheiter. I had COs who were great, COs who were assholes and COs I never quite figured out. I can’t imagine how terrifying it would be to have a CO who’s batshit insane.

  117. 117.

    Davis X. Machina

    June 24, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    @the Conster: Twas me…

  118. 118.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    @Higgs Boson’s Mate: Just worried I was on your shit list!

  119. 119.

    Svensker

    June 24, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Also, am I alone here in loathing Johnny Depp? Can’t stand him. To me, he looks stupid and self-absorbed and all his movies stink worse than rotten owl shit.

    It’s not a generational thing (I’m an Old), don’t think, since my 84-year-old MIL thinks he’s cuter’n’a speckled pup.

    I was stuck on a trans-con flight with one of the Pirates movies and I turned it off and stared into space for 2 hours. Utter boredom was better than that crap.

  120. 120.

    Higgs Boson's Mate

    June 24, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    @raven:

    No way. Not ever.

  121. 121.

    Steeplejack

    June 24, 2013 at 9:17 pm

    @lamh35:

    Tom Arnold (shudder). Kelsey Grammer was in Down Periscope, which was surprisingly funny.

  122. 122.

    David Koch

    June 24, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    @Svensker: Sister Boom-Boom was quite the head turner.

  123. 123.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    @Svensker: They’re kids movies.

  124. 124.

    Svensker

    June 24, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    @David Koch:

    Well, I don’t swing that way, so that wouldn’t help.

  125. 125.

    the Conster

    June 24, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    @Davis X. Machina:

    Well, of course it was. You’re wicked smaht.

  126. 126.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    @Svensker: He was really good in Before Night Falls, Finding Neverland and Blow.

  127. 127.

    ruemara

    June 24, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    @lamh35: The dog.

    also, recipe? Who does that? But I will say that if you are interested, take a melon. grate about 2 tsps (2tablespoons if you’re like me) of fresh ginger into it bowl of about 2 cups chunks. puree with about 2 oz of likker. Probably a midori or rum might freeze more, but if you put it into very nice decorative cups, it’s a hell of a slushy. or make a nice granita-esque freeze.

    I was taking a shower when I realized that I’m probably dead and this is some sort of hell. I just can’t remember the why of being consigned here. It would explain everything.

  128. 128.

    Svensker

    June 24, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    @raven:

    I know an awful lot of “kids” over 40 who think they’re great.

  129. 129.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    June 24, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    @Svensker: As raven already noted, the Pirates movies are kids movies. Chocolat, Dead Man, Secret Window, Before Night Falls, and Benny and Joon, as examples, are all more mature fare, with some minor acting skills on display.

    Full disclosure: I think he’s hotter than the hinges of hell.

  130. 130.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    @Svensker: @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Oh, I love me some Johnny Depp, ever since his 21 Jump Street days (although, I did like Richard Grieco a little beter…lol). He still has a place in my heart…when he’s all cleaned up that is. Lately since the Pirates movies and his time in France, he’s gotten a bit skeevy.

  131. 131.

    lamh35

    June 24, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    My movie recommendation of the night for people who love romantic dramas. It’s a movie called Return To Me with Minnie Driver and David Duchovney. It also starred the late Carroll O’Connor. I think it was his last movie role before he died. Anyway, it’s a lovely little movie and it is def worth seeing. Give it a go. You won’t regret it, IMHO!

    http://youtu.be/oFD8ZE0Muf0

  132. 132.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): And Gilbert Grape.

  133. 133.

    ranchandsyrup

    June 24, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Packing to fly to south Carolina tomorrow. Gonna sweat through my suit in the humidity. Then gorge on BBQ.

  134. 134.

    raven

    June 24, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    @ranchandsyrup: It hasn’t been bad lately.

  135. 135.

    ranchandsyrup

    June 24, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    @raven: I’m a bit of a sweater. Pete Schweaty, even. Glad to hear it’s not oppressive though.

  136. 136.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    June 24, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    @raven: Yup. I’d forgotten about Finding Neverland also too.

    I’m assuming you’re recovered from the procedure last week. How is the lovely Mrs. raven feeling?

  137. 137.

    Elizabelle

    June 24, 2013 at 10:06 pm

    @Suzanne:

    Fingers crossed for you on exams. Best.

  138. 138.

    Ripley

    June 24, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    …the kind of person that wants information to be free and government power decentralized and neutered if not totally destroyed.

    Ya know – morons!

  139. 139.

    Yatsuno

    June 24, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    @Svensker: You are not alone. I have never understood the appeal plus I don’t think he could act his way out of a wet paper sack.

  140. 140.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 24, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    I think the first and second Pirates of the Caribbean movies are surprisingly smart about empire-building and cooperation and how there are ethics more important than cold hard cash. Depp himself… I think he’s more charismatic than, you know, good at acting. More “movie star” than thespian.

  141. 141.

    A Humble Lurker

    June 24, 2013 at 10:43 pm

    @lamh35:
    I’ve heard Depp actually has some Cherokee blood, but yes, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell that just looking at him.

  142. 142.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 24, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    @FlipYrWhig: in case it wasn’t clear, I meant that they question empire-building, not that they celebrate it.

  143. 143.

    Davis X. Machina

    June 24, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    @the Conster: Forty years man and boy spent with the likes of Seneca, and one begins to think exclusively in sententiae

  144. 144.

    Liberty60

    June 25, 2013 at 12:04 am

    @The Friendly Libertarian: Come the revolution, all the skateboards will be free.

  145. 145.

    Amir Khalid

    June 25, 2013 at 12:51 am

    @lamh35:
    Alas for Duchovny, any leading lady he’s aired with must compete with Gillian Anderson in the area of demonstrating chemistry with him. For me, he’s never really sparked with anyone else.

  146. 146.

    Zapruder F. Mashtots, D.D.S. (Mumphrey, et al.)

    June 25, 2013 at 1:16 am

    Don’t know whether anybody will see this this far into the thread, but I saw this clip of a dog burying a puppy. The Huffington Post people said it the dog was mourning, though some of the posters scoffed at the thought of a dog mourning. I’ve been around dogs all my life, and I can believe dogs mourn. As an interesting sidenote, I thought it was striking that the dog didn’t bury the puppy by digging with its feet, as dogs normally do, but rather nosed the sand over the puppy. That could mean anything, or nothing at all, but it struck me as a kind of way to show respect. I might be reading too much into it, but I’ve never seen a dog bury anything that way.

  147. 147.

    YellowJournalism

    June 25, 2013 at 1:26 am

    @lamh35: That movie is like comfort food. It’s the perfect movie for getting yourself out of the blues because you start off with a pretty tragic opening and slowly sink into the good feelings.

  148. 148.

    fuckwit

    June 25, 2013 at 2:30 am

    @A Humble Lurker: There are some parts of the country (i.e. Oklahoma, hence Elizabeth Warren) in which most people have some degree of Cherokee or other Native blood.

  149. 149.

    Anne Laurie

    June 25, 2013 at 5:32 am

    @David Koch: Republican troll: Do you get paid for this, or is it just a perverse hobby?

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