Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

In my day, never was longer.

There are times when telling just part of the truth is effectively a lie.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

The Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become the ultimate, unaccountable arbiter of everything.

… gradually, and then suddenly.

I really should read my own blog.

I did not have this on my fuck 2025 bingo card.

Polls are now a reliable indicator of what corporate Republicans want us to think.

It is not hopeless, and we are not helpless.

A tremendous foreign policy asset… to all of our adversaries.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

Fear or fury? The choice is ours.

“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.”

Stamping your little feets and demanding that they see how important you are? Not working anymore.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Tick tock motherfuckers!

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Weird. Rome has an American Pope and America has a Russian President.

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

You are here: Home / Politics / Domestic Politics / Saturday Morning Open Thread

Saturday Morning Open Thread

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As some of y’all know from a comment I made in a late night thread last weekend, the mister and I found out that his dad and my mom have sudden, life-threatening health issues. Thanks to everyone who has inquired after our family and offered support and encouragement. I really do appreciate it.

This all came out of the blue as both sets of parents were in good health. Hell, my grandmothers are both still alive and in fine shape for a pair of old ladies.

But we’re all walking on a layer of thin ice all the time, aren’t we? Sometimes, if we’re lucky, circumstances allow us to forget that for awhile, but we should never mistake that for anything other than a temporary reprieve.

Anyhoo, we’re in a waiting game now and will be for the foreseeable future. This is our new reality. And that’s all I have to say about that. Now, here’s a hedgehog and a flower to look at:

hedgie_flower

Reader Interactions

71Comments

  2. 2.

    gene108

    Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

    Hedgehog looks super cute.

    Did your daughter get her wish and get a hedgehog as a pet?

  3. 3.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Betty, many of us have been there and played that dreadful waiting game. It’s a cliché, but the experience really can be an emotional roller-coaster. Thinking of you and your husband (and daughter, too, who must feel the illness of two grandparents at once very heavily).

  5. 5.

    Elizabelle

    Betty: thanks again for recommending Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild.” Loved it.

    Thinking of you as you and your family await the next turn fate/health issues have in store for you.

    Meantime, the hedgehog is a fine Saturday accompaniment.

  6. 6.

    greennotGreen

    I hope they both have good insurance. Knowing the bills will be paid without placing an undue burden on personal finances allows a patient and loved ones to focus on what’s really important: getting well. (I know this from personal experience.)

  8. 8.

    SiubhanDuinne

    This seems odd. Three prominent bankers in less than a week.

    Bloomberg is reporting this morning that former Federal Reserve economist Mike Dueker was found dead in an apparent suicide near Tacoma, Washington.

    Dueker, 50, a chief economist at Russell Investments, had been missing since Jan. 29 and was reportedly having troubles at work.

    Normally HousingWire wouldn’t cover deaths in the industry, but what’s strange is that Dueker is the third prominent banker found dead since Sunday.

    On Sunday, William Broeksmit, 58, former senior manager for Deutsche Bank, was found hanging in his home, also an apparent suicide.

    On Tuesday, Gabriel Magee, 39, vice president at JPMorgan Chase & Co’s (JPM) London headquarters, apparently jumped to his death from a building in the Canary Wharf area.

  11. 11.

    NotMax

    Open Thread?

    It’s Oscar month on TCM, so the pickings are lush, but must mention one particular standout coming up in a few days.

    Tues., Feb. 4, 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) – Z

    High up on my personal list of best political thrillers, and one I cannot not watch whenever it is on. Based on true events, it nevertheless transcends nationality in depicting the insidious callousness and casual brutality of power.

  12. 12.

    Linda Featheringill

    I know that you’re stressed out and run ragged but it would be good if you could schedule some one-on-one time with your daughter during this time. It might be good for both of you.

  13. 13.

    Debbie(aussie)

    Betty, to your family, my best wishes. May you have all the love you need and all the support you want.
    Take Care. Deb

  14. 14.

    Mustang Bobby

    Betty, I’m holding you and your family close in my thoughts. Best wishes from the South Florida contingent.

    Re: MSNBC caving to the bullies over a silly tweet: I went to high school with Phil Griffin, who is now the president of MSNBC. The kid I knew would not have groveled to a twerp like Reince Priebus. But that was forty years ago.

  17. 17.

    the Conster

    @NotMax:

    One of my all time favorites – I saw it at the theater when it came out, and at my very young age it woke me up politically from the moment that the magistrate used the word assassination instead of referring to the murder. I was never going to be a fascist sympathizer as long as I lived.

  19. 19.

    Ash Can

    Betty, thanks for taking the time to keep us updated. At a time when a web site full of anonymous cranks and oddballs should be the least of your worries, it’s nice of you to do this. Really.

    And tiggywinkle!

  20. 20.

    c u n d gulag

    I wish you nothing but the best, Betty!!!
    The last two years in our family haven’t exactly been a picnic, either, so I understand what you’re going through.

  21. 21.

    MattF

    @SiubhanDuinne: Not to get all technical, but random events tend to be ‘bunchier’ than one would expect intuitively. Now, if another half-dozen bankers jump– something might be going on.

  22. 22.

    Betsy

    Hi Betty, I’m sorry to hear that, and I hope that you and your mom and dad-in-law, and all your family, get everything you need.

  23. 23.

    Betsy

    Hi Betty, I’m sorry to hear that, and I hope that you and your mom and dad-in-law, and all your family, get everything you need.

  26. 26.

    Fuzzy

    I hope the SUPBOWL will help deflect your families woes for a few hours tomorrow or at least give you’all something different to focus on for a while.

  29. 29.

    wenchacha

    Betty: Hang in there, woman. Do whatever you need to do for yourself to stay sane. That goes double for your husband, and the two of you as a couple. I wish you all the best in the coming days and months.

  30. 30.

    Rosalita

    Betty, I’m so sorry to hear that. The beginning of 2014 has been a trial up here in CT too. Courage!

  35. 35.

    Infamous Heel-Filcher

    @NotMax: Curse comcast for not including TCM in the next-up-from-basic package.

    Speaking of waiting games (all my best wishes, Betty), I got my first job offer yesterday: a postdoctoral fellowship in Bogota, Colombia at the Universidad de los Andes.

    Let’s just say that both Ms Heel-Filcher and I are alternately ecstatic and terrified.

  38. 38.

    Amir Khalid

    @Infamous Heel-Filcher:
    Universidad de los Andes? Does that mean the campus is up in the mountains, with a spectacular view thereof? If so, congratulations, dress warm, and send pictures.

    I add my bit to the group hug for Betty C, and I second Linda Featheringill’s wise words.

  40. 40.

    Drunken hausfrau

    I adore hedgehogs!!! Thanks for that bit of squee in the morning.

    Sorry about the health news… Lost both our dads quickly in serious health episodes, so we know the dread you are feeling. Remember to take time to share laughter with both of them, in spite of the health issues.

    OT: right wing is gearing up a boycott of Girl Scout Cookies, again, because those girls are uppity… Buy cookies, even if you don’t want to eat them. My troop years ago used to offer the option to buy cookies for the local food pantry. I can tell you that the food pantry was thrilled to have a treat to offer! And when we delivered the cases of cookies, the hungry people waiting for food were always so happy to see the girls and thank them for the cookies, it was heartbreaking. Buy more GS cookies…donate them, use them in recipes, give them to the homeless, feed them to the squirrels… Whatever, just buy them!

  42. 42.

    Mnemosyne

    Yes, G and I both know the waiting game quite well, unfortunately. Ours combined took about five years, so you may have more time than you think. However much you have, try to enjoy the person for as long as possible and not think too much about the future (beyond making sure all of the needed paperwork like advance directives, power of attorneys, etc. is in place).

  44. 44.

    CaseyL

    Betty – good and hopeful thoughts for you and your family.

    Hedgehogs are adorable, and I love seeing pix of them being cuddled and dressed up and being generally cute-funny.

    Still very early here, for a Saturday morning; I’m tuned into MSNBC to see what the latest Christie revelations are.

  45. 45.

    Ash Can

    @JPL: While the Atlanta mayor didn’t exactly distinguish himself either, it’s good to see the DGA get on Deal’s case.

  46. 46.

    Dee Loralei

    Betty, best thoughts and warmest wishes for your family. I’ve been through my own trials this past month, BJ is good people during distressing times.

  49. 49.

    Cermet

    Hope they both get better; I understand what you are going through. Glade you are there for them and best wishes.

  52. 52.

    JPL

    @Ash Can: True but Reed’s hands are tied outside the city of Atlanta. The head of GEMA, Charlie English, was criticized last year for lack of preparedness, from Homeland Security and he’s the one that dropped the ball. Deal defended him last year, but I think he’ll make some changes now.

  54. 54.

    Citizen_X

    Hang in there, Betty. Yes, it’s a thin cord that connects us to life. Way more fragile than we like to imagine.

    @Infamous Heel-Filcher: @Amir Khalid: Looks like it has a nice setting: downtown, backed right up against the mountains (3000 m ridges!). Probably has a great view of the city, too.

  60. 60.

    Violet

    Thanks for the update, Betty. Wishing all the best for the entire Cracker clan. Don’t forget to take care of yourself first so you are at your best when you want to take care of everyone else.

  63. 63.

    Dead Ernest (Thought Wrangler)

    Dear Betty,

    So sorry to learn of your difficulties.
    Wishing you and yours all the best.

  66. 66.

    kathy a.

    ((( Betty ))) Very hard to deal with the serious health issues of one family member, let alone two. Sending much love.

  69. 69.

    Aleta

    Betty C, That’s such a good description of what it was like for me, too, w/ my mom. Waiting and improvising . Sudden view of the thin ice. Hope you can take good care of yourself as well as the others.

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