Open Threads

Is it really possible that Rielle Hunter thought that a photo of her in a dress shirt and panties sitting next to Barney and Kermit on her kid’s bed wouldn’t make GQ?

Hunter reportedly “cried for two hours” after she saw the pictures she deemed “repulsive” that accompanied the 10,000 word interview she did with GQ magazine, according to Barbara Walters.

I realize this isn’t a question of great importance, so consider this an open thread.

CrazyPost + Comments (136)

I feel like I have been holding my breath for two months. It’s still a nail-biter.

Democratic leaders scrambled Sunday to pull together enough support in the House for a make-or-break decision on health-care reform later this week, expressing optimism that a package will soon be signed into law by President Obama despite a lack of firm votes for passage.

The rosy predictions of success, combined with the difficult realities of mustering votes, underscore the gamble that the White House and congressional Democrats are poised to make in an attempt to push Obama’s health-care plans across the finish line. The urgency of the effort illustrates growing agreement among Democratic leaders that passing the legislation is key to limiting damage to the party during this year’s perilous midterm elections.

[…] But Rep. James E. Clyburn (S.C.), the Democrats’ chief head-counter in the House, cautioned that the party has not yet found the 216 votes needed to win approval of the health-care bill passed by the Senate in December.

“We don’t have them as of this morning, but we’ve been working this thing all weekend,” Clyburn said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I’m also very confident that we’ll get this done.”

Please do not sit around and hope that your Rep does the right thing. Pick up a phone and call. Even friendly Representatives will appreciate a break from the nonstop abuse from teabaggers and firebaggers.

Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Guide for first-timers here.

***Update***

Nate Silver would bet on the bill. Barely. Get on the phone and pester someone.

BTW #2, the House is still livid at the Senate for dumping this in their lap. It will not hurt to assure your Reps that you’re also giving your Senators hell.

Don’t Let UpPost + Comments (96)

Kinda drizzly and overcast and just blah here.

CBS Sunday MorningPost + Comments (41)

Had some driving to do (started moving some stuff to the new house), so I listened to Beethoven’s 6th (Pastoral) on the way up, and while I found it pleasant, it was a bit meandering for my tastes. I’ve listened my way through all nine this past week, including multiple different versions, and I really prefer the Karajan performances. On the way home I listened to a 1983 performance of the 9th (Ode to Joy), and I have to say, the Scherzo from Eroica and the 9th really are my two favorites out of all that I have listened to. I’m not sure how you can’t enjoy this:

I’m new to describing this, so bear with me, but at around the nine to ten minute mark, when the cellos and the flutes go back and forth, leading to the cellists and the bass, then building to the violinists, and then the entire symphony comes crashing through, and the hair on your arms is standing up and you find yourself smiling and your eyes are moist and you can feel your chest just about to burst- that is the closest this agnostic/atheist/indifferent has ever come to thinking there is in fact a divine creator.

It is simply other worldly. Freude, schöner Götterfunken, indeed.

Open ThreadPost + Comments (156)

I think today is an excellent day to continue ignoring Bart Stupak.

I can’t tell you how much that cracks me up that he was whining to NRO that he was being ignored. When you’ve become so accustomed to grandstanding and the Pavlovian reward given to you by the media, being ignored really is a fate worse than death.

And no one deserves that more than Bart.

Open ThreadPost + Comments (80)

Field Marshal Stupak sounds worried that his men won’t hold the line. Call and find out!

Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) (202) 225-7742
Jerry Costello (D-IL) (202) 225-5661
James Oberstar (D-MN) (202) 225-6211
Steve Driehaus (D-OH) (202) 225-2216
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) (202) 225-4146
Paul Kanjorski (D-PA) (202) 225-6511
Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-PA) (202) 225-5406
Joe Donnelly (D-IN) (202) 225-3915
Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) (202) 225-4636
Dan Lipinski (D-IL) (202) 225-5701
Charlie Wilson (D-OH) (202) 225-5705

Other Blue Dogs are also ripe targets for phone pressure, particularly Jason Altmire (D-PA). (202) 225-2565

Real health care reform is achingly close.

***Update***

MikeJ.

Adam Smith (WA-9) office says he’s hasn’t made up his mind, but they did sound happy to hear from someone who wants to PTDB.
(253) 593-6600
(202) 225-8901

Chamber of Commerce is running anti-HCR ads against him.

Also, please call your own Reps before calling those outside your district. Staffers will pay much more attention to a caller with at least a local zip code.

Bart’s Secret Army Retreating In Disarray?Post + Comments (65)