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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Mid-Day Open Thread

Mid-Day Open Thread

by John Cole|  February 17, 201412:04 pm| 67 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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67Comments

  1. 1.

    srv

    February 17, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    It’s monday. Time for you to apologize for any hurt fee-fees.

    George Zimmerman on Monday accused President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder of making a “scapegoat” of him but that he does not know why they would do so.

    In an interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Zimmerman said he believes that in his trial for the killing of Florida teen Trayvon Martin he faced a “miscarriage of justice,” and he described himself as a “scapegoat.”

  2. 2.

    Baud

    February 17, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Continue to be amazed that today hasn’t been renamed Reagan’s Day. #liberalwin

  3. 3.

    dmsilev

    February 17, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    Slow day at work. Still have a bunch of stuff to get done this afternoon though.

  4. 4.

    shortstop

    February 17, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Ready to off myself over this weather. Happy to be heading to the backcountry of Big Bend National Park all next week. Trails, stars, birds and other wildlife, river, peace…and relative warmth. Maybe real warmth, if we’re lucky.

  5. 5.

    Violet

    February 17, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Johnny Weir is the best thing to happen to figure skating announcing in forever. Love him. Always have loved how fabulous he is and he’s bringing it this Olympics.

  6. 6.

    jacy

    February 17, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    It goes. Too fast or too slow, depending on how you look at it.

  7. 7.

    Mustang Bobby

    February 17, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Watching “The Young Lions” on TCM with Marlo Brando in a blond dye job and hokey German accent playing a good German soldier vs. Montgomery Clift and Dean Martin as good Americans.

    Spoiler alert: America wins.

  8. 8.

    JoyceH

    February 17, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    I’m wondering if I’ll make it out of the driveway today. Been home since Wed afternoon, getting cabin fever.

  9. 9.

    gbear

    February 17, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    It has been snowing overnight and isn’t going to stop until sometime this afternoon. I am so fucking sick of snow and cold. The piles on either side of the driveway are taller than I am and high enough that the rabbits are climbing them to eat the bark off the branches of my crabapple trees. Not a flake of the snow we’ve gotten this winter has melted – we missed out on our January thaw.

    I’ve got an appointment with my cardiac doctor this afternoon, and I’m going to have to spend an hour shoveling 6 inches of snow before I go.

  10. 10.

    Ben Franklin

    February 17, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    Anyone have experience with pure sine wave inverters in the 2000 continuous watt range? 6 volt batteries? Totally non-techie and electricity is a muddle for me. I’m taking my Skystream off-grid as I don’t trust or get specific data from SCEdison on what I feed their coffers. They also pay at the lowest level for what they get. Bastards.

  11. 11.

    raven

    February 17, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    I was shocked to read that LBJ was 64 when he died.

  12. 12.

    Amir Khalid

    February 17, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Es geht.

    @srv:
    The fucker. Zimmerman killed an unarmed kid for no good reason. The only miscarriage of justice happened when he was acquitted. Why does CNN think he’s got anything worthwhile to say?

  13. 13.

    Cassidy

    February 17, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    @Violet: I thought he was being a little too catty.

  14. 14.

    Helmut Monotreme

    February 17, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    @Amir Khalid: They just want to get more footage of him on file so that when he more or less inevitably returns to deadly violence as a problem-solver, they will have clips of him to run with the news.

  15. 15.

    The Dangerman

    February 17, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    @raven:

    I was shocked to read that LBJ was 64 when he died.

    Karmic justice for the shenanigans of Billie Sol Estes and Mac Wallace.

  16. 16.

    Pogonip

    February 17, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Warning: the next person who uses the stupid term “fee-fees,” I am going to tell Steve you are plotting to shave his butt. Enough is enough.

    Stupid Security Theatre, Private Sector Division: Verizon sent me a message that my bill is ready. How much is the bill? I may never know because they suddenly don’t recognize any of the devices on which I tried to look at same, no matter how many times I answer the silly security question.

  17. 17.

    icedfire

    February 17, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Good: I put a new set of tires on my Prius yesterday (Bridgestone Ecopia EP422s) and the improvement in traction is astonishing. They had no trouble at all this morning during another snowy Minnesota commute.

    Bad: I’m leaving work early today in order to attend a meeting at a hospital in Saint Paul, where we will be discussing hospice options and defining care for my partner’s more-or-less terminal mother. 53 years old and a nonfunctional liver…simply tragic from all angles.

    Ironic: I will not be eligible for bereavement leave when she passes because now that same-sex marriage is legal in Minnesota there is no longer an HR provision at my company for equivalency for same-sex relationships, and we are not married. As frustrating as that is, I can’t legitimately complain…it would be hypocritical of me when the high-minded ideal is for equal treatment no matter one’s orientation.

    Well, sometimes life just equally sucks…hard.

  18. 18.

    Violet

    February 17, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    @Cassidy: It’s what he does. I’ve always loved him so I guess I give him a pass. I can understand he’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

  19. 19.

    the Conster

    February 17, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Whatever the equivalent of an earworm is for the brain, I’ve got that for True Detective. I feel like Ep 1 probably has all the clues, and although I’ve watched it 3 times, I’m going to watch it again to catch every word. It’s making me as crazy as Rust.

  20. 20.

    Elizabelle

    February 17, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    @shortstop:

    Looked up Big Bend National Park. Looks superb. Enjoy.

    Appreciate our national parks.

  21. 21.

    Shakezula

    February 17, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    Despite the best efforts of D.C.’s Metro system, I made it to work.

    Apparently we’re due for some more frozen precip tonight and tomorrow, which is fine, provided it snows; ice has given me a concussion this year.

    On Friday it is supposed to hit 63 and rain, which will make everything melt at once, which will mean my new kayak will come in handy if I want to get to the store. But really, I hope it snows instead.

  22. 22.

    MomSense

    February 17, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    @Violet:

    I agree! Some friends are visiting and we all have been talking about how great he is.

  23. 23.

    Elizabelle

    February 17, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    @icedfire:

    Thinking of you and your partner. 53 is too young.

  24. 24.

    Pogonip

    February 17, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    @icedfire: Very sorry to hear about the mother-in-law and your predicament. If it were up to me, everybody would get an automatic 2 weeks or so of bereavement leave and the company would not pry into how you used it. If you wanted to take it because your turtle died, fine. If you were so fortunate as to not to need the bereavement leave that year, it would roll over and convert to long-term disability, which most people will need sloner or later.

  25. 25.

    shelly

    February 17, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    Anybody heard from Betty Cracker since last night?

  26. 26.

    donnah

    February 17, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    I just broke in my new health care with my first visit to a new doctor. My husband and I have gone without health insurance for a long time, and this feels great.

    It’s a high monthly payment, so I hope we can keep it going, but with a small deductible and a fresh start, we feel good. I am hoping for a good relationship with our new doc and am excited to have coverage.

  27. 27.

    Violet

    February 17, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    @shelly: Did Betty check in last night?

  28. 28.

    Cassidy

    February 17, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    @Violet: I only noticed it today. I’ve lived his commentary and they made an excellent choice in commentators in picking people who were recently competing. I agree, his flamboyance has been pretty cool. Today, though, he sounded like someone who’s grumpy he’s not competing anymore. I’ve always liked him too, though.

  29. 29.

    Cassidy

    February 17, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    @Cassidy: loved his commentary

  30. 30.

    Amir Khalid

    February 17, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    @Elizabelle:
    Too true. I turn 53 in July.

  31. 31.

    Elizabelle

    February 17, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    This was fun. The Guardian’s President’s Day Quiz.

    15 questions, and they’re not the usual.

  32. 32.

    Violet

    February 17, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    @Cassidy: I’m watching today and I haven’t picked that up. I am impressed by how the announcers are quiet during the skating for the most part. They make occasional comments, but it’s very different from the Scott Hamilton crew in the evening where they announce every upcoming jump or whatever before it’s happened. I like just watching the skating and figuring out stuff on my own then watching the replay with their commentary.

  33. 33.

    icedfire

    February 17, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    Thinking of you and your partner. 53 is too young.

    Thanks, Elizabelle. She had reached out for help in her fight with alcoholism, but her condition was such that they would only accept her on an inpatient basis…and her insurance would only cover outpatient. She simply could not afford the help she needed, though her condition may have been too severe at that point anyway. It’s hard not to be bitter about how far we have to go to build an accessible, civilized health care industry in this country.

    @Pogonip:

    Very sorry to hear about the mother-in-law and your predicament. If it were up to me, everybody would get an automatic 2 weeks or so of bereavement leave and the company would not pry into how you used it. If you wanted to take it because your turtle died, fine. If you were so fortunate as to not to need the bereavement leave that year, it would roll over and convert to long-term disability, which most people will need sloner or later.

    Thanks to you as well, Pogonip. Mandating bereavement leave is obviously part of that slippery slope that leads to heathen commie ideas like maternal (or paternal…*shudder*) leave, livable wages, and gay orgies in the streets. I need my smelling salts…I’m all verklempt!

  34. 34.

    Elizabelle

    February 17, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    I have a July birthday too. And that is all I’m saying on that front.

    Now:

    The Guardian’s Daily Quiz, which is addictive.

    And, Balloon Juicers, the first question today is a gimme.

  35. 35.

    Cain

    February 17, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    I’m bitter, motherfucker!

  36. 36.

    Elizabelle

    February 17, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    @icedfire:

    Sad to hear about the mom reaching out for help, at whatever stage, and it was not available/affordable to her.

    Tokyo expat put up a fascinating Reuters story on cancer healthcare in France. Here’s link to expat’s comment on Richard’s officiating and spite blogpost:

    https://balloon-juice.com/2014/02/17/officiating-and-spite/#comment-4873516

    Here’s link to the Reuters story. Worth a read. I hope we see healthcare along this scope in our lifetimes.

  37. 37.

    shortstop

    February 17, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    @Violet: Sandra Bezic is just a curse on humanity. Really.

  38. 38.

    PaulW

    February 17, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    I adopted a cat recently, turns out she was preggers when I got her, she gave birth to a litter of six kittehs all of whom are now open-eyes and getting able to wobble-walk their way towards escape…

  39. 39.

    chopper

    February 17, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    how am i supposed to have a good day knowing that glenn greenwald is gay?

  40. 40.

    PaulW

    February 17, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    so, now that I’ve got six kitten mouths to feed along with a mama cat… I need 50,000 people buying my ebooks so I can pay the food bills!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHhhhhh

  41. 41.

    Amir Khalid

    February 17, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    @PaulW:
    Maybe you could make munnies with the bebeh-kitteh pictures. People love those …

  42. 42.

    PaulW

    February 17, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    @chopper:

    how am i supposed to have a good day knowing that glenn greenwald is gay?

    You can have a good day by knowing beer exists and can be healthy in moderation.

    Also, two more months until the Captain America sequel movie.

    Also also, there’s a possibility the cake is not a lie.

  43. 43.

    kindness

    February 17, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    I must not love the Presidents enough. I have yet to leave the house or spend any money today.

  44. 44.

    PurpleGirl

    February 17, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    PaulW: Babeh kittehs. Joy, rapture. Some pictures, please. Where do you live? Maybe a BJer or two would like to adopt a kitteh or two (or more) from you.

  45. 45.

    Shakezula

    February 17, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    @PaulW: And yet when I follow your link I see NO PICTURES. Why is this?

    Congrats on Winning NaNo, tho’.

  46. 46.

    Glocksman

    February 17, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    @kindness:

    All I’ve got are a few Washingtons and a Lincoln.
    I need some Grants and Jacksons to properly honor the Presidents on this fine holiday.

    Though I wouldn’t mind honoring former SecTreas and Chief Justice Salmon P Chase. :)

  47. 47.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    February 17, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Good news from the kitty cardiologist – Charlotte has a slight thickening of one of her ventricles, but her heart is functioning around it just fine. We’re supposed to get it re-checked every year but she doesn’t need medication or any lifestyle changes.

    It’s a little depressing being here, because one family just got bad news about their dog and we can hear them crying in the exam room. Ugh. I’ve been there.

  48. 48.

    Paul in KY

    February 17, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    @raven: His biography said that once he got on that plane in 1969, he immediately resumed smoking & increased drinking, etc. No power, no reason to live.

  49. 49.

    Paul in KY

    February 17, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    @Elizabelle: Thanks. Got 9 of 15. Pretty hard.

  50. 50.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    February 17, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    @PaulW:

    KITTEHS!!

    Also, call the rescue group you got her from – if you’re willing to foster the kittens, they will almost certainly help you find homes for them. Prepare to have one of them win your heart so you will be forced to keep him/her.

  51. 51.

    Paul in KY

    February 17, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    @Elizabelle: Got 5 of 10. Just guessed on 4 or 5. Did get 1st one though.

  52. 52.

    Paul in KY

    February 17, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    @Amir Khalid: I know! Put the adorable kittens in little boxes.

    Volia! YouTube glory is yours.

  53. 53.

    burnspbesq

    February 17, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    @chopper:

    how am i supposed to have a good day knowing that glenn greenwald is gay?

    There are plenty (perhaps as many as 99) reasons to not like Greenie, but that ain’t one of them.

  54. 54.

    Elizabelle

    February 17, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    @Paul in KY:

    I think you and I got the same score on presidents.

    Was surprised to find out who “his rotundness” really was. And it left me wondering how much US Grant was alleged to drink, daily.

    If we ever labeled a politician “his obtuseness”, one would never know to whom it referred. Too many suspects.

  55. 55.

    burnspbesq

    February 17, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    There are plenty of reasons to not like Amazon, but customer service is not among them.

    I logged on around 11:00 p.m. Saturday to notify them that I would be returning something. The replacement arrived about 15 minutes ago. I will be using the box in which they shipped the replacement to send back the first, defective unit.

  56. 56.

    chopper

    February 17, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    @burnspbesq:

    it’s a joke.

  57. 57.

    shortstop

    February 17, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    @chopper: He’s missing the humor/snark gene, but he doubled up on the painfully slow literalism one, so it all evens out.

  58. 58.

    WaterGirl

    February 17, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    @shortstop: You guys seem to have missed burnspbesq’s humorous 99 problems reference in his comment.

  59. 59.

    shortstop

    February 17, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    @WaterGirl: Nah. Highly doubt the sheltered old goat has ever heard of the song, and he has a very well-established history of missing obvious snark in these threads. You might say he’s as tone deaf about humor as you are about race issues.

  60. 60.

    PaulW

    February 17, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone):

    KITTEHS!!
    Also, call the rescue group you got her from – if you’re willing to foster the kittens, they will almost certainly help you find homes for them. Prepare to have one of them win your heart so you will be forced to keep him/her.

    I rescued her all on my own. She was this little thing meowing outside my apartment, I asked around, no one was missing her, so I took her in.

  61. 61.

    PaulW

    February 17, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    I am, for some reason, unable to post the blog address of the site where all the kitteh pictures are being shown off.

    try visiting
    wittylibrarian
    blogspot
    com

  62. 62.

    WaterGirl

    February 17, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    @shortstop: Nice. One thread and you’re willing to write me off? I have thought far better of you all these years than that.

  63. 63.

    WaterGirl

    February 17, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    @PaulW: I’ve never seen kitty babies that young! How old are they?

  64. 64.

    Shortstop

    February 17, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    @WaterGirl: Where did you get the idea it was just one?

  65. 65.

    Violet

    February 17, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    @PaulW: Those kittens are adorable. Especially that little gray one in the most recent picture. Awwww…..

  66. 66.

    Howard Beale IV

    February 17, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    And true to form, Gus at LGF does not disappoint over Greenwald and crew winning the Polk:

    Greenwald et al to Receive Polk Award – From the Home of the Homeland Security Management Institute
    “Many of our students hold management or executive-level positions in agencies such as the…National Security Agency.”

    Can’t smear ’em directly, so you do it by giving a dog a bad name and hanging it.

  67. 67.

    Howard Beale IV

    February 17, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    @PaulW: This is a critical time in the kitteh’s development where hoomin interactions make all the difference in the world. Don’t know how many kittehs are in the litter, but if its an even number it’s best if they are paired off when they go to their forever homes.

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