Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

You cannot shame the shameless.

Everybody saw this coming.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

Come on, man.

This isn’t Democrats spending madly. This is government catching up.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

The current Supreme Court is a dangerous, rogue court.

Cancel the cowardly Times and Post and set up an equivalent monthly donation to ProPublica.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

People are complicated. Love is not.

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

SCOTUS: It’s not “bribery” unless it comes from the Bribery region of France. Otherwise, it’s merely “sparkling malfeasance”.

“Until such time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

’Where will you hide, Roberts, the laws all being flat?’

Not all heroes wear capes.

Fundamental belief of white supremacy: white people are presumed innocent, minorities are presumed guilty.

If you can’t control your emotions, someone else will.

Today in our ongoing national embarrassment…

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

The “burn-it-down” people are good with that until they become part of the kindling.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Monday Morning Open Thread

Monday Morning Open Thread

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march lion beats lamb arlo n janis

(Arlo & Janis via GoComics.com)

Interesting nugget from the end of a New Yorker post by science writer Maria Konnikova:

… [W]riting on social media may have therapeutic value, regardless of its predictive value for experimenters. For decades, Pennebaker’s studies have shown that when people keep a journal they tend to fare better emotionally, recover more quickly from negative experiences, and achieve more academically and professionally. Other recent work suggests that social media provides the same benefits, despite the fact that, unlike a journal, it’s inherently public. A 2013 study found that bloggers received the same therapeutic boosts as people who keep regular diaries; what’s more, the highest benefits came from writing entries that were open to comment, which were actually more beneficial than private journal entries. Researchers want to use social media to learn about you. But by writing in a public space you may also be learning about —and helping—yourself.

So maybe don’t think of it as oversharing, think of it as therapy…

Apart from such navel-gazing, what’s on the agenda as we start another week?

Reader Interactions

65Comments

  2. 2.

    greennotGreen

    Not one but two doctor appointments four hours apart to provide maximum disruption of my day. But tonight there’s the first part of a Ken Burns-produced documentary on cancer on PBS that, as a current cancer patient, I’m anxious to see.

  3. 3.

    Schlemazel

    Trust me, even as much as I have said I am UNDER-sharing.
    That said this place has been a great help during a couple of my lowest points and I appreciate that very much.

    My boss is going to be gone the next two weeks, which given his inability t manage people is not that much different than usual but I am sure I will learn about something he planned or did but didn’t tell anyone about several times while he is gone.I am equally sure some of these things will require decisions that I will be forced to make and that he will be unhappy with because they do not fit with some grand plan he has but neglected to mention to anyone. GOOD.

  4. 4.

    Schlemazel

    @greennotGreen:
    I believe I am now about 4 years cancer free, I wish you good luck.

    The people here were incredibly kind and supportive while I went through treatment so don’t be afraid to lean on us.

  6. 6.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    I took a walk this evening that kicked my ass. It was about 12 miles long round trip and 1000′ elevation climb, mostly in the last 2 miles. Probably 10 to 15 million dollar houses up at the top.

  7. 7.

    Schlemazel

    @raven:
    That was an amazing story. Given the damage I took from the treatment that will last the rest of my life I wish they had been 10 years ahead of where they are.

    How awful must it be for the guy whose wife died from getting the wrong dose? She was already bitter that the treatment didn’t make her end better. It is hard to think about the outcomes of experimental treatments someties, they are above all else an experiment.

  9. 9.

    JPL

    @greennotGreen: Raven mentioned the sixty minutes program on polio research and cancer treatment and you should see if you can find it.
    I hope your doctor’s appts. are positive.

  10. 10.

    greennotGreen

    @Schlemazel: You’re right, they are, and I have.

    There’s a reason I start and end my day at Balloon Juice, and it’s not just for the puppy pictures.

  11. 11.

    Mustang Bobby

    Back to work after a week off for spring break. It’s not actually vacation; it’s furlough time for which we don’t get paid, but they spread it out over the year so the paycheck still comes in.

    @greennotGreen: Best wishes, greennotGreen, and thinking about what you and Schlemazel plus a lot of friends and family have been through, my little gripes about life seem pretty trivial. I hold you both in the Light.

  12. 12.

    Bystander

    Keep up the therapy, Green!

    My apropos of nothing comment concerns the Indiana law. The idea that evangelical nitwits need “protection” is never discussed on these idiotic programs. No one explains why Pence needs existing law “clarified”. And no one ever mentions that you can’t amend the Constitution by passing laws in West Bumf*ck.

  16. 16.

    greennotGreen

    @Punchy: You so funny!

    Years ago a friend offered me a job at her new lab in California. She could double what I was making, but it would have cost me three times as much to live. Later that year, she and her law-partner husband bought their first house – 75 square feet bigger than mine and five times as expensive.

    I have never quite understood why so many people want to live where it’s so expensive. Looks like the balance between desirability and cost would level out somewhat lower.

  19. 19.

    Tissue Thin Pseudonym

    Ha! My work week is over. I don’t need to be anywhere until 11pm Thursday night.

  20. 20.

    greennotGreen

    @Baud: No, I mean it’s an interaction. A lot of people want to live in California or Portland or New York which drives up the cost of real estate. I would have thought that at a point of lower population density than those places currently have the high costs would have driven people away, ergo, fewer people, lower real estate prices.

  22. 22.

    satby

    @greennotGreen: Yes, very good luck today on all your appointments and continuing treatment!

    As Mustang Bobby said, all the other B.S. life throws at us seems trivial compared to fighting cancer.

  25. 25.

    OzarkHillbilly

    I’ve always said that all you all are nuts, flippin bonkers, Krazy with a capital “K”, and if this stuff was therapeutic, why doesn’t it help the Breitbart crew or any of the other RWNJ?

  28. 28.

    Baud

    @greennotGreen:

    Some of it is also investment, especially in places like New York. A lot of wealthy foreigners have bought investment property there, which drives up prices.

  32. 32.

    Iowa Old Lady

    @raven: I saw that last night. The treatment was fascinating, but so were the various people involved. Just a great segment. Who would have believed 60 Minutes could do that?

  34. 34.

    greennotGreen

    @raven: Thanks for that link.

    I am lucky in that I actually work for an excellent cancer center that has already investigated what clinical trials would be appropriate for me should traditional chemo no longer work. My plan (if you can call it that) is to use those traditional therapies until science catches up to me and eradicates my cancer. I mean, why not? I can spend my time living or I can spend my time dying, and I prefer the former.

    Speaking of which, so long, all. I have to start my day.

  35. 35.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @raven: HA! Pardon my ignorance but who’s on the piano? I feel like I know him, like -I am going to feel really stupid when you tell me- know him.

  36. 36.

    debbie

    @raven:

    I missed the end of the report and so missed the woman who didn’t get the correct dose. I hope they’ll figure out the correct treatment soon because the x-rays I saw were absolutely amazing.

  38. 38.

    Cervantes

    @greennotGreen:

    I would have thought that at a point of lower population density than those places currently have the high costs would have driven people away, ergo, fewer people, lower real estate prices.

    Dynamics of “the” housing market — there’s a fortune there if you can figure it out.

    Anyway your comment reminds me of the old saw about the crowds at Coney Island.

    I wish you the very best with your treatment regimen.

  41. 41.

    raven

    And for more info about “A Great Day in Harlem”. . . When I saw the film Horace Silver was there to talk about it and play. He had the great line when talking about getting all those jazz folks together for the shot, “some of those cats didn’t know there was two eleven o’clocks in a day”!

  44. 44.

    Elizabelle

    Missed the 60 Minutes report because they started with the unctuous Charlie Rose interview with Bashar al-Assad and I fled and forgot to turn back. Not interested in host or guest.

    I wish 60 Minutes would do more domestic stuff. Seems they’ve been hijacked by defense contractor porn and stuff that appeals to Fox News World, for a few years now.

    Not a bit sorry Lara Logan blew up in their face. It’s what they, and what she, does. And she’s still with the network …

  46. 46.

    Hal

    The main water line to my house has now been frozen for 5 weeks. We are now getting water from a garden house attached to my neighbors outdoor spigot, but damn it need to warm up.

    On the bright side I have an interview in a different department of the hospital I work in, and might be able to ditch my shitty current job I am way over qualified for, but was the only full time position available at the time. I will make one brag; I know how to write a great resume and I’m great at interviewing. The only thing is I’ve written resumes for people who end up getting better jobs than me and take credit when their new boss compliments their resume and cover letter, but oh well. Maybe I should start charging a fee.

  50. 50.

    lurker dean

    all the best, greennotGreen.

    there was also a program on hbo about using viruses to kill cancer. it’s really exciting stuff. iirc, for one type of treatment, 90% of 36 patients had complete remission. the program mentioned that one company is fda fast tracked and is hoping to have approval in 2 years. hopefully this isn’t false hope and will really lead to a successful treatment. it certainly looks promising.

    http://www.vice.com/read/watch-vice-on-hbos-special-report-on-killing-cancer-217

  51. 51.

    jurassicpork

    For those of you who’ve been out of the loop, there was a death in our family a few days ago and the air fare and a car malfunction really put a crimp in our finances. Details are here, if you wish to help or at least pass the word. Thank you so much in advance.

  52. 52.

    Elizabelle

    @OzarkHillbilly: Excellent article; thanks.

    Wouldn’t it be interesting if reliable renewable energy, with predictable costs, helped draw some businesses to Texas? Uses less water for power generation, too.

    Texas government not so enthusiastic, but if renewable turns out to be economically competitive, they will come around, begrudgingly. No shortage of wind, or hot air.

  54. 54.

    Germy Shoemangler

    I saw some of the 60Minutes cancer segment. I’m always wary, because for as long as I can remember news outlets have been shouting “New miracle treatment just around the corner!” But it was interesting and made me hopeful.

    My wife asked “why polio?” so I consulted The Google and learned that researchers are experimenting with a variety of viruses, including herpes, to trigger the immune system.

  55. 55.

    beth

    @Germy Shoemangler: Vice on HBO had a special on the different treatments they’re trying. In their show they had cancer centers using HIV and measles to attack the cancer cells. My husband is currently in a clinical trial using an immunotherapy drug and having pretty good results. Whether it will last or not is anyone’s guess but it has certainly extended his life and he has a much better quality of life than chemo would have given him.

  56. 56.

    Germy Shoemangler

    @beth: Interesting. I’m hoping these therapies work and become the norm.
    Best wishes for your husband.

  57. 57.

    Cervantes

    @raven:

    That was … wonderful.

    It brought back memories, and laughter, and joy.

    It can be difficult to remember things, but forgetting can be much worse — and so when a photograph appears, or you hear a voice, and suddenly you recall a moment, or a bowl of soup, or a path not taken — to think of it again is a treasure.

    Thank you.

  60. 60.

    Elizabelle

    @beth: Yeah, the “measles might cure cancer!” theme is a staple of anti-vaxx lit. I think some have taken it to “measles exposure can prevent cancer” which is not proven ….

    But I hope they do find a cure for cancer, however it occurs and however many different types of cure we need.

  62. 62.

    Mnemosyne (tablet)

    @Elizabelle:

    What’s particularly silly about that is that AFAIK, they don’t just straight-up inject you with live measles or polio virus and hope it works. There’s some genetic engineering of the virus that happens first.

  63. 63.

    WaterGirl

    @Mnemosyne (tablet):

    There’s some genetic engineering of the virus that happens first.

    I know that’s true because I saw it on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy once. :-)

    @raven:

    They do that here with the Roger Ebert film festival. It’s really great to have the added dimension of having the actor or director on state talking about the movie and taking questions

  65. 65.

    Tree With Water

    I grew into the bad habit by first regularly posting at Steve Gilliards blog. We even e-mailed each other on occasion. For me, it and a few other blogs were a political lifeline of sorts. It was comforting knowing there were others politically hip and living behind the corporate news curtain- the good news being there were far more of them than I had imagined. I believe there’s no doubt the democratic party is better off for it. In this country, blogs in the hands of smart people are a real force in fighting the good fight..

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