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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Saturday Mid-day Open Thread

Saturday Mid-day Open Thread

by Alain Chamot (1971-2020)|  June 9, 201812:30 pm| 61 Comments

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61Comments

  1. 1.

    Humdog

    June 9, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    I have seen lots of stories lamenting the malministration’s advocating in court to erase the requirements for community rating and preexisting conditions. I have NOT seen anyone taking the sociopathic red states that brought the case to the courts. Red states are trying to kill their constituents and the rest of us. Most of them are non expansion states, so they won’t even “save” money by not contrite the expanded Medicare rolls. What the ever luvin fuck?
    Republicans are trying to kill you. Red state voters are choosing reps who want to do us all harm. It is not a bad guy in the White House or Justice dept thing. There is an entire party out to kill us and make us miserable on the way.

  2. 2.

    Tilda Swintons Bald Cap

    June 9, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    Hey Adam, if you see this, are you going to write something about the big Submarine spy theft ?

  3. 3.

    JPL

    June 9, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    @Humdog: The pro-fetus party showing their true colors.

  4. 4.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 9, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    So, Justin the Great gives Donald a picture of his grandfather’s “hotel”.

    Very interesting.

  5. 5.

    Dennis Brown

    June 9, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    @Humdog: How can those States have “Standing”? If I tried such a thing, no sane judge would allow me to either join or make such a case!

  6. 6.

    ixnay

    June 9, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    Still hoping for a ruemara thingie. I may need the support.

  7. 7.

    Humdog

    June 9, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    @JPL: with Texas’ maternal mortality rate, they surely cannot claim to be pro life. 20 states sue to allow insurance discrimination. What do those psychopaths get out of it? The satisfaction of knowing they made sickpeople more miserable and contribute to further health related bankruptcy.
    Imma gonna go find a list of those frisked states

  8. 8.

    Humdog

    June 9, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    Texas and Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Utah and West Virginia. That is seven so far

  9. 9.

    Humdog

    June 9, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Texas, and by the governors of Maine and Mississippi.
    I can only find 19 states.
    Is your state on this list? Have you written your state reps? Have you cancelled all plans to spend money in these states?
    I’m going to go cool off now. Fjmskidnslokdnfkdldjjsnn

  10. 10.

    Barbara

    June 9, 2018 at 1:02 pm

    Just apropos of the thread last night about suicide, this is a link to an article I found to be very moving about suicide and its aftermath.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/suicide-is-desperate-it-is-hostile-it-is-tragic-but-mostly-it-is-a-bloody-mess/2018/06/08/ecf66aee-6b54-11e8-bea7-c8eb28bc52b1_story.html?utm_term=.d83e6b4333bd

  11. 11.

    No Drought No More

    June 9, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    Is this a great country, or what?

    NY Times today on the history of Grand Central Terminal (aka “Station” in every movie ever made): “Beyond a few minor changes, the current ceiling largely matches the original, including a critical error. Soon after the current terminal opened in 1913, an observant commuter noticed the zodiac was backward — not exactly offering the simulated astronomical experience the owners had desired…..The flip-flop was the result of a bad translation: painters had placed the rendering on the ground, resulting in a reversed final image (east was west, and west was east). Railroad officials brushed away criticisms, saying the mural was painted from God’s perspective”.

  12. 12.

    Schlemazel

    June 9, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    @Barbara:
    I have been avoiding here all day yesterday because I was afraid this would be a major discussion. I am not prepared to deal with it. I will bookmark the story and hope I can later.

  13. 13.

    Schlemazel

    June 9, 2018 at 1:10 pm

    @No Drought No More:
    I love that explanation!

  14. 14.

    Tilda Swintons Bald Cap

    June 9, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    Check out this tweet from one of Angel Merkel’s aides.

    Linky

  15. 15.

    Frankensteinbeck

    June 9, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    @Humdog:

    What do those psychopaths get out of it? The satisfaction of knowing they made sickpeople more miserable and contribute to further health related bankruptcy.

    Yes. Conservatism is a philosophy of cruelty. It ties intimately into racism and all kinds of bigotries as well. Sociology studies show it clearly. They would rather hurt others than help themselves.

  16. 16.

    eclare

    June 9, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    @Humdog: I live in TN, should I call my state Attorney General? I really don’t know what to do, but I am willing to do whatever. Note, I live in a very blue city, so my state reps are on the good side.

  17. 17.

    debbie

    June 9, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    @Barbara:

    Thank you for the link. The article’s very moving.

  18. 18.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 9, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    @Tilda Swintons Bald Cap:

    Josh Marshall @ joshtpm
    This really is the picture of the Trump Era. Trump small, clearly overawed. Yet arms clasped over his chest like a child simply being stubborn.

    Brian Beutler @ brianbeutler
    Frustrating to imagine the collective knowledge these leaders have about Trump’s conduct and history that American voters lack, but that they can’t share.

    For a long time, that’s how I thought this would pan out, some foreign gov’t/s would just say, ‘enough’, and leak out the information that would take trump down. Maybe that will still happen

  19. 19.

    debbie

    June 9, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    @Tilda Swintons Bald Cap:

    I don’t think he can stand for very long.

  20. 20.

    HinTN

    June 9, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    @eclare: Until Karl Dean wins this fall I will have zero hope that this once mildly progressive state has recovered the mind it has clearly discarded.

  21. 21.

    eclare

    June 9, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    @Barbara: Very powerful.

  22. 22.

    Tilda Swintons Bald Cap

    June 9, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I wonder why it hasn’t happened yet either.

  23. 23.

    Michael Bersin

    June 9, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    Apparently former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens (r), who resigned on June 1st, left the state holding the bag for $150,000.00 in private attorney billings for his defense before the Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight looking in to impeachment proceedings. State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D), the only Democratic Party statewide office holder, is asking questions about that. There’s silence from the republican statewides.

    State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D): about those legal bills for Eric Greitens (r) submitted to the state…

  24. 24.

    HinTN

    June 9, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    @Tilda Swintons Bald Cap: One wonders what the Moustache of Annihilation is attempting to assert that Trump really meant to say. Or is he simply slackjawed at Merkle’s takedown…

  25. 25.

    eclare

    June 9, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    @HinTN: Refresh my memory, are you in DesJarlais district? Gawd, what a piece of garbage. Not sure about Dean’s chance, but Bredesen has one. I see a lot of ads from Republicans here in Memphis, but none from Democrats, which seems weird.

  26. 26.

    WereBear

    June 9, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    It has been a tough week, news-wise. I have had to take breaks.

    Fortunately, I am busy with creative projects.

  27. 27.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    June 9, 2018 at 1:48 pm

    That photo of Merkel and the rest of the grown ups telling Twitler to eat his fucking peas or go without dessert is priceless. And the “I don’t wanna and you can’t make me, nya nya nya” look on Twitler’s face and his body language says it all. That pic should be spread far and wide so that everyone can see what a petulant little man-baby their “dear leader” is.

  28. 28.

    Humdog

    June 9, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    @eclare: in Tenn. it was the AG that signed on to the anti ACA suit, so, yes, send your AG a note and tell your good reps you are unhappy. They must honestly think no one is paying attention!

  29. 29.

    HinTN

    June 9, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    @eclare: Yes, indeed. Dr DesJarlais represents my interests in The Imperial City. I have hopes that in this year of the political woman Marcia and Diane will overplay the Trump blare and come across as “too shrill” (where have I heard that?). Meanwhile, we have a very viable female candidate on the D side to put up against the vile doctor. Fingers crossed…

  30. 30.

    Dorothy Winsor

    June 9, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    @Litlebritdifrnt: Maybe nobody gave him the extra scoop of ice cream that nobody else got. You can’t expect a man to get over that!

  31. 31.

    HinTN

    June 9, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    @eclare: You don’t need any Dem ads just yet in your part of the state. Organizing and GOTV are what’s required there.

  32. 32.

    MattF

    June 9, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    @Litlebritdifrnt: A real three-year-old would do something inventively disgusting at this point.

    ETA: I suppose we should remember that Trump will be a three-year-old for the rest of his life.

  33. 33.

    Mike in NC

    June 9, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    Trump was probably pissed about there not being a tricked-out golf cart awaiting him in Quebec to haul his fat ass from place to place. Quebec is also known for exquisite cuisine, not inedible shit like burnt steaks smothered in ketchup. Must have been hellish for him to endure.

  34. 34.

    HinTN

    June 9, 2018 at 2:01 pm

    @Mike in NC:

    Quebec is also known for exquisite cuisine, …. Must have been hellish for him to endure.

    One can hope.

  35. 35.

    eclare

    June 9, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    @Humdog: Will do on Monday!

  36. 36.

    lollipopguild

    June 9, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    @HinTN: Maybe he can watch porn while he is in Canada.

  37. 37.

    eclare

    June 9, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    @HinTN: So who is running on the Dem side? All I see are ads for Beth Harwell and Diane Black.

  38. 38.

    JPL

    June 9, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    So now the president is threatening to cut off all trade with the other members of the G-7. I called my son and said good luck finding parts for your car.

  39. 39.

    Humdog

    June 9, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    @eclare: good luck! I do not mean to make it seem it is all on you. I am in a blue state and all I can do is fund Dem GOTV in blue islands in red seas just like yours. That, and try to convince my red state family to change. I have utterly failed on the latter and so feel so ashamed and guilty.

  40. 40.

    debbie

    June 9, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    @JPL:

    I hope they call his bluff.

  41. 41.

    Raven

    June 9, 2018 at 2:11 pm

    @Humdog: FIDO!

  42. 42.

    eclare

    June 9, 2018 at 2:14 pm

    @Humdog: Oh gosh, no worries, I don’t take it as such. I try my best, and this year, that means getting Bredesen elected. Purity Ponies will complain, I can’t take that. He has a D after his name, that is all I ask. And gosh, don’t feel ashamed, Trump is a virus, it spreads. There is no explanation, like ebola.

  43. 43.

    JPL

    June 9, 2018 at 2:16 pm

    @debbie: So do I. The stock market seems to think that he is all bluster, so we’ll see how it plays out.

  44. 44.

    debbie

    June 9, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    @JPL:

    The market also thought he would be great for business. ?

  45. 45.

    Barbara

    June 9, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    @Schlemazel: I know what you mean, that’s why I just included a link and no excerpts. It was written 22 years ago and the thing is, I knew the author through a shared daycare and of course had no idea about her background. That’s why I started reading it.

  46. 46.

    debbie

    June 9, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    @Barbara:

    She often appears on NPR’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me, and she usually wins. I had no idea she’d gone through something like that.

  47. 47.

    JPL

    June 9, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    @Barbara: Thank you for the link. I saw it yesterday and refused to read it, but am now glad that I did. Decades ago someone I met through the sons school, described the act as noble. It’s the only time that I heard that said.

  48. 48.

    HinTN

    June 9, 2018 at 3:10 pm

    @eclare: Sorry, I’ve been at lunch. Mariah Phillips is running a ground game campaign for the nomination to serve as the Representative from Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District. She has opposition in the primary, so it’s interesting, but she’s talking exclusively about a positive agenda that will undo the shit The Vile Doctor has supported. She’s a teacher from forever and has well considered answers to questions that stray beyond formulaic campaign rhetoric. She’s also succinct, which is a plus.

  49. 49.

    SgrAstar

    June 9, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    @ixnay: Earth to Alain, Earth to Alain…how do we take the next steps toward organizing the ruemara corps?

  50. 50.

    Barbara

    June 9, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    @SgrAstar: Maybe Alain should contact ruemara directly and make sure she’s on board?

  51. 51.

    HinTN

    June 9, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    @Barbara: That’s a very thoughtful piece and filled with truth. My distant cousin and, later, my sister’s husband both committed suicide. Neither event was so close to me as Ms Roberts’ was to her but many of the aftereffects and echoes she describes were there for me.

  52. 52.

    jimmiraybob

    June 9, 2018 at 3:54 pm

    @Humdog:

    Texas and Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Utah and West Virginia. That is seven so far

    Succeeding?

  53. 53.

    Ruckus

    June 9, 2018 at 4:09 pm

    @Litlebritdifrnt:
    You expect all the other petulant little man-babies to call out their leader?
    They got one of their own in power, they aren’t going to do anything except be who they are, fellow, petulant, little, man-babies.

  54. 54.

    Ruckus

    June 9, 2018 at 4:17 pm

    @Humdog:

    I have utterly failed on the latter and so feel so ashamed and guilty.

    Are they physically adults, old enough to vote? Are they mentally handicapped such that they can not care for themselves?
    If the answer to the first is yes, and the second no, then it is on them. You tried, that is all you can do. You are not guilty of anything and there is no shame in not being able to convince them. They have minds, those minds work (irrationally BTW) but they do work. It’s on them.

  55. 55.

    Ruckus

    June 9, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    @MattF:
    He might regress even further. How he’ll manage that no one knows nor wants to see but if any one can I’d bet he’ll manage. Hell he’s regressed from seven to three in only a couple of years.

  56. 56.

    Citizen Alan

    June 9, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    @HinTN:

    I can honestly say that at the lowest most depressed points in my life, the only thing that really kept me from killing myself was the knowledge of how it would affect my parents. On some level, I’m mildly concerned that once my 82 year old mother passes away, I won’t really have anyone in my life I care about to the extent that sparing their feelings alone would be enough to stop me from killing myself.

  57. 57.

    Jay

    June 9, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    So, some Juicers asked WTF Ontario?

    Now that the numbers are in, 58% of eligble voters turned out, the highest since 1999,

    Ford and the Con’s got 40% of the vote, 58% went to the Liberals, Dippers and Greens, 2% went to the nuts and protest votes.

    The “impact” came from a rural/suburban/urban split.

  58. 58.

    schrodingers_cat

    June 9, 2018 at 4:31 pm

    @Mike in NC: Great Vietnamese food and lovely French bistros. Great scenery too. The old city is picturesque.

  59. 59.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 9, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    @Mike in NC: From Bourdain’s New Yorker piece that launched his second career

    People who order their meat well-done perform a valuable service for those of us in the business who are cost-conscious: they pay for the privilege of eating our garbage. In many kitchens, there’s a time-honored practice called “save for well-done.” When one of the cooks finds a particularly unlovely piece of steak—tough, riddled with nerve and connective tissue, off the hip end of the loin, and maybe a little stinky from age—he’ll dangle it in the air and say, “Hey, Chef, whaddya want me to do with this?” Now, the chef has three options. He can tell the cook to throw the offending item into the trash, but that means a total loss, and in the restaurant business every item of cut, fabricated, or prepared food should earn at least three times the amount it originally cost if the chef is to make his correct food-cost percentage. Or he can decide to serve that steak to “the family”—that is, the floor staff—though that, economically, is the same as throwing it out. But no. What he’s going to do is repeat the mantra of cost-conscious chefs everywhere: “Save for well-done.” The way he figures it, the philistine who orders his food well-done is not likely to notice the difference between food and flotsam.

    I love the idea that trump’s cooks are not sending him their best

  60. 60.

    PaulWartenberg

    June 9, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    @JPL:

    All to “own the libs,” make the libtards have nervous breakdowns.

    We’re about to enter a global trade war against us, being waged by six of the biggest economies out there.

    This is “fighting a two-front war” level of stupid here. About to create an economic meltdown that will make the Great Depression look like a mild bank panic from 1842.

    All to own the libs.

    And while Fox Not-News and the more insane members of the GOP will go out of their way to blame Obama as always, everybody else with working brain cells know damn well this will all be on trump and a Republican Party too cowardly to smack their rabid boy down.

    All to own the libs.

    The Bannons and Gohmerts of the nation are going to be toasting our nation’s demise the second trump actually does all this. They’re getting the destruction of the United States like they wanted.

    Putin is already thrilled he’s made this huge crack in Western Europe. This is his victory tonight, goddamn him.

    And there is no pit of hell deep enough for that traitor Mitch McConnell. He had a chance to stop all this from happening, but he wanted to obstruct Obama at all costs. Well, sir, here’s the bill. Go fuck yourself while we burn.

  61. 61.

    J R in WV

    June 9, 2018 at 9:28 pm

    We don’t go out as much as we used to, too much likelihood of being in a room with Trump-Traitors. Despicable vile beasts, eating right next to us. Yuck!

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