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Open thread
- By Phillip Brownlee
- Posted Feb. 26, 2007 at 1:05 a.m.
- Filed under Open thread
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81 Comments
Remember, primary election day is tomorrow on Tuesday. I voted on Saturday at the historic downtown Courthouse, 1st floor … I suspect you can vote there today (Monday) also.
I voted on thursday at my normal polling place that happens to be a advanced polling place.
FYI, here is the link to the Sedgwick county election website to find your polling place.
http://sedgwickcounty.org/elections/
This was on the opinion line:
“Feeling kind of poorly? Maybe you should have your lead level checked. Then call your local lawyer and give the city of Wichita water department what it deserves.”
Are you kidding me??? Are people really this ignorant?
“Some experts say these educational mirages, which obscure low student achievement with inflated grades and tough-sounding class titles, disproportionately harm poor and minority students.
A visit to two ninth-grade English classes in Prince George’s County this week showed that instruction can vary immensely even in classrooms — just 15 miles apart — that share the same champagne-colored textbook, the same course title and the same syllabus.
In Room 101 at Bowie High, a racially diverse school in one of the county’s more affluent areas, the assignment was: Compare and contrast the themes of disillusionment, poverty and frustration in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and the poems of Langston Hughes.
In Room 31 at Suitland High, which has more poor and black students, the assignment was: What are your immediate goals? How would you feel if no one close to you supported you in reaching your goals?
The teacher at Suitland, R’Chelle L. Mullins, walked around the classroom and repeated the assignment several times to the students, some of whose heads were slumped on their desks. “What are your immediate goals?” she asked one boy again.
“To pass the ninth grade,” he finally answered.
After class, Mullins said she had “stuck very close to the curriculum” and “was doing exactly what the county wants me to do.” But when told of the more complicated questions asked in the Bowie High class, Mullins acknowledged that she sometimes modifies assignments based on the background of her students.”
http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss.htmlthe bush doctrine:
The United States possesses unprecedented— and unequaled—strength and influence in the world. Sustained by faith in the principles of liberty, and the value of a free society, this position comes with unparalleled responsibilities, obligations, and opportunity. The great strength of this nation must be used to promote a balance of power that favors freedom.For most of the twentieth century, the world was divided by a great struggle over ideas: destructive totalitarian visions versus freedom and equality.That great struggle is over. The militant visions of class, nation, and race which promised utopia and delivered misery have been defeated and discredited. America is now threatened less by conquering states than we are by failing ones. We are menaced less by fleets and armies than by catastrophic technologies in the hands of the embittered few.We must defeat these threats to our Nation, allies, and friends.This is also a time of opportunity for America. We will work to translate this moment of influence into decades of peace, prosperity, and liberty. The U.S. national security strategy will be based on a distinctly American internationalism that reflects the union of our values and our national interests. The aim of this strategy is to help make the world not just safer but better. Our goals on the path to progress are clear: political and economic freedom, peaceful relations with other states, and respect for human dignity
“destructive totalitarian visions”
Isn’t that what we have now? (with Bush&Co?)
Tony, it’s like they always say, “Can’t beat them, join them!”
Seems like TXU, the utility company in Texas that is building all those new coal fired generating plants is having a tough time.
First, the Texas courts ruled against them and gave opponents of coal fired plants more time to oppose TXU in public hearings.
Next, TXU is being BOUGHT OUT by a group of investors. Part of the buyout deal is that TXU CUTS BACK on the number of coal fired plants they are building.
Too bad governor leadership isnt as proactive as the folks in Texas who oppose coal burning.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/ap_on_bi_ge/txu_sale
…and a NYT editorial on the US attorney firings by bushco.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×290822
And where is governor leadership on THIS issue?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/ap_on_sc/governors_global_warming;_ylt=AqpQ7RncOjIc_I4ItLFu5HUGw_IE
I think there is good reason for optimism that America is waking up to the threat of global climate change kfg.
Indeed, the Oscar winning song for 2007 is Melissa Etheridge’s “I Need to Wake Up.” It is a stirring and motivating song and incidentally part of the Oscar winning documentary for 2007, “An Inovenient Truth”.
KFG, but those who don’t think Bush & Co. should be fired don’t either care nor seem to know the damage he does every single day he and his administration are in that office.
Well, just back from the courthouse, stopped by cnn.com to see what important development had occurred in the Anna Nicole Smith case, and found out that one of the jurors in the Libby case had been dismissed; apparently, she violated the court’s order to not expose herself to any media reports, etc. on the trial. Interestingly, the dismissed juror is the one who did not wear the same shirt as the others on Valentine’s Day. Wonder if the defense is happy about this?
Also interesting is the judge’s determination to proceed with an 11 person jury, not wanting to “waste” the 2 1/2 days deliberation by bringing in one of the alternate jurors. Good issue for an appeal, methinks.
VT,
I’m sure you’re right about the appeal. And I’m sure the defense are ecstatic with joy.
What’s the old apohorism about the length of jury deliberations? Do longer deliberations favor the prosecution or the defense?
What the hell, they didn’t bring in the alternate? That stinks to high heaven.
Hey, has anyone noticed golfnut is missing? Is fleets missing too?
Oh my gosh, Mom, you’re right.
My guess that they both stopped CHOOSING to be hetrosexual at the same time.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
And the rest, they say, is history . . .
And where’s Ms GSheridan?
P_Mom, IIRC, golfnut posted last week about a ski trip to Colorado, leaving last Thursday, to return??, thus explaining his absence lately, IMHO.
Interesting that fleetwood disappeared at the same time as nutz.
Maybe little miss fossil fuels went along on the ski trip? heheheh
Thanks VT. But, most hotels do have internet access.
Here is hoping for the continued absence of the mentioned folk.
I don’t know where GS is, she’s been posting on the other site as of yesterday. And I know you didn’t run her off.
re: GS. I wonder if she decided to lay low after her specific allegations against TRACY.
Ya’ll better get on the ball writing your house members, that sex ed/porn/K-12 ban is supported by most of the committee members.
Guess who gets to take first shot at prosecuting for it? Phill Kline!
This is one statement made by one of the supporters. I think this may be Roscoe:
“The last place that should be immune from prosecution for distributing obscenity to children is the schools we charge to teach them the truth,” Burford said. “Obscenity is all about lies. Its lies include that sex is acceptable with anyone, at any time, in any place. Obscenity teaches that women will eventually enjoy rape if the rapist persists.”
FRUITCAKE!
“And I know you didn’t run her off.”
And, you would know this how? I don’t know that your position is not true, but nor do I know it is true.
Interested in what your source of information is.
Because I’ve been arguing with her for a LONG time, and I’ve never known her to leave even when so many are against her. She’s kindof like me in that- she’ll stand her ground.
Question….when are we all going to stage a protest against these smoking bans on sidewalks?
If I can legally protest there, I should be able to smoke there too.
Sorry, P-Mom, gotta part company with you on that one.
Free speech is necessary for a free society–that’s why it’s enshrined in Article One of the Bill of Rights.
You don’t have a right to free-base a drug more addictive than heroin (nicotine) in public.
p-mom – have to agree with capn. The problem with free-basing is that others are exposed to the drug. I would support other delivery methods for nicotine but not smoking it.
“I would support other delivery methods for nicotine but not smoking it.”
Let’s see…, if you can’t smoke it, and it’s not safe to chew it…How about Pall Mall brand suppository’s?
That’s a real challenge to advertising!
Smoking is not illegal in public, just in enclosed buildings. And now these hospitals and corporations are saying you cannot smoke anywhere on the premises including sidewalks, which is BS.
It’s not hurting you in the least.Freebasing is ILLEGAL. Smoking is NOT.
Nicotine socks?
Why is it BS? Are they nto allowed to make rules for their businesses.
I could care less if you smoke, just not where I can smell it or breathe it. Always makes me cough when I have to go by it. And for gods sakes could we put the butts in an ashtray instead of throwing them on the ground or out the car window. Why does your right to smoke supercede my right to not smell it or breathe it in public. And can I get the 3 to 4 smoke breaks a day that smokers get at work. How do I get that right?
Sorry Rant Off
Is anyone else impressed by the “You don’t always die from Tobacco” – public service announcement. There is a guy with a laryngectomy singing with one of those voice enhanceing devices about how you don’t always die from tobacco. The beauty of that commericial is that it immediately goes with a smoker’s resistence and then slaps them in the face with it.
I read recently that young people’s exposure to some industry-supported ad campaigns actually made young viewers more accepting of smoking.
Wakefield, M., Terry-McElrath, Y., Emery, S., et al. (2006). Effects of televised tobacco company-funded smoking prevention advertising on youth smoking-related beliefs, intentions, and behaviors. _American Journal of Public Health_, _96_, 2154-2160.
Is industry-supported prevention an Oxymoron? Can a business do something that they have strong financial incentives not to do?
As a criticism of the above research, far too few public health prevention evaluations focus on the outcome most important – peoples’ behavior.
gster – I am all in favor of allowing them to chew – as long as they don’t spit!
Ben- Sound’s good. I smoked a million years ago, but I never chewed- that is really nasty!
I do like the long-cut wintergreen
On a different subject, I have a proposal. I would like those currently referred to as the ‘religious right’ to be henceforth known as ‘Protestant Extremists.’I think this will more correctly identify their goals and purpose, and prevent any confusion with the use of the word ‘right.’Brownback’s people will have a harder job when they try to spin press releases about how they are courting the ‘Protestant Extremists,’ but that is OK.
What do y’all think?
Just for S & G, smoking is a mother f’er to quit. Even the most disciplined individuals have a hard time with it. Anyone that smoked for any length of time knows that it is an absolutely bitch to give up.
The really bad part about quitting smoking is that you never really get over the habit. Years after you quit you still can be tempted. It comes at funny times, but you can suddenly get a desire to have a cigarette at the most unusual times.
The real tough part is if you get involved with someone that DOES smoke.
I quit smoking in my thirties. I was off nicotine for ten years when I began dating a nurse (RN) that smoked. After two years of dating, I was back to smoking. After we broke up, I continued to smoke for another few years before I quit again.
It was alot easier for me to dump the nurse than it was for me to dump the habit.
Smoking is a vile habit. It is far from easy to quit. I offer my best wishes to anyone that is trying to give up that nasty habit.
BTW – If you are going to quit, cold turkey is the only way to go. Statistics show that “aids” to quiting make virtually no difference.
WSC- I didn’t have any problem quitting. I spent 6 months noticing and reinforcing all the negatives:burnt clothesalways having to take a lighter , ash tray and cigarettes along
waking up with a mouth that tasted like the bottom of a bird cage!
having a damm plant rule my life
ETC
Along came New Years and I trashed it all and never looked back!That was over 20 years ago, maybe 25.. I really forgot.
I would be in favor of obtaining more percision in referring to these various groups. It is possible that a voter is against abortion and against gay marriage for religious reasons, but are not at the same time invested in having all government legislation religiously based.
There is a dimension that ranges from what I call religous conservativism to evangelical activism to dominionism. The former may not be that interested in having religion influence government, while the latter insists upon it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominionism
If you home school your kids, send them to Patrick Henery College, won’t allow people to date your children unless marriage is in the offing – you are more likely to be a dominionist. Former Rep. Jim Ryun meets these criteria.
On quitting smoking, when I decided smoking could kill me, doing anything else but quitting made no sense. I was a little uncomfortable the first day sans tobacco. But, it really was so easy, I wondered why I waited so long.
HA HA HA! Josh Marshall had a link on his site to this cartoon of Cheney:
http://extras.sltrib.com/bagley/
Stick a fork in him: he’s done.
HA HA HA!
Yeah, my a-father said that quiting was easy for him. He smoked about three packs a day, but he quit cold turkey one day with no issues. He never got irritable or anxious. He had no withdrawl symptoms. It was like he had never smoked at all.
Meanwhile, the rest of us had to hospitalized for post traumatic symtom. To this day, we have scars to show that Dad quit smoking.
But it was easy for him!
(Deep sarcasm and a wink.)
Hawkeye, the sidewalk is not the business’s property. It is public property.
I am keenly aware that smoking has horrid consequences, remember I worked in healthcare for many years, and family members have suffered (albeit years and I do mean YEARS later). It’s still not as bad as some try to make it out to be.
And quitting SUCKS. Downright sucks. I did use nicotine replacement, but that only allowed me to last a few weeks, the minute I went off the replacements I began smoking again.
Research is showing some have a harder time quitting than do others, that there is something genetic about it that makes one more strongly addicted. I’m rather positive that I have this gene considering I come from both sides of my family that have long history of addictions.
Gster, tell car manufacturers to start putting ashtrays back into the damn cars!
Oh and Hawkeye, I worked in many jobs that were extremely busy and fast paced. I can’t do those jobs anymore (and not because I smoke either). My experience with those who bitched about the smokers taking a few 5 minute extra smoke breaks were the ones sitting on their asses and meandering down the halls chatting when there was work to be done. The smokers were working harder and faster so they COULD have that extra five.
So neer.
PM- OK, don’t hurt me!!!
BREAKING NEWS–SUPREME COURT OVER-RULES FILM ACADEMY, GIVES GORE’S OSCAR TO BUSH
lmao CapnAmerica
Actually, I “borrowed” this idea from a DU entry.
Here’s the link.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×291300
Is the sidewalk public in that case (smoking)? In a lot of these corporate and hospital settings the walkways are actually on their private property rather than truly public.
Exactly, Ben; P_Mom, not all sidewalks are “public”; only those lying within any easement so qualify. Thus, the corporation/hospital/other entity owning/operating on the site have every legal right to restrict any activities it desires (including lawful ones) on the site.
Haha gster, I’ll chase you around with my cigarette!
But they’re trying to say you can’t smoke on the sidewalks in the easements.
More clouds gathering over coal fired generating plants.
Scientist: Stop Building Coal PlantsBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPublished: February 26, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the world’s top scientists on global warming called for the United States to stop building coal-fired power plants and eventually bulldoze older generators that don’t capture and bury greenhouse gases.
But 159 coal-fired power plants are scheduled to be built in the next decade or so, generating enough power for about 96 million homes, according to a study last month by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Burning coal is one of the major sources of carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas causing global warming.
In prepared remarks to be delivered at the National Press Club Monday afternoon, NASA scientist James Hansen, who has been one of the earliest top researchers to warn the world about global warming, will call for a moratorium on building new coal-fired power plants.
Hansen’s call dovetails with an edict by the private equity group buying TXU, a massive Texas-based utility. The equity group, led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Texas Pacific Group, agreed to stop plans to build eight new coal-fired power plants, not to propose new coal-fired plants outside Texas and to support mandatory national caps on emissions linked to global warming.
Hansen’s presentation to the press club says all coal-fired power plants that do not capture and bury carbon dioxide ”must eventually be bulldozed (before mid-century).’”
“…159 coal-fired power plants are scheduled to be built in the next decade or so, generating enough power for about 96 million homes,”
Am I the only one who read that part and thought:
WHY?? Are we anticipating a need to power 96 million new homes? And if the average home has say 3 people where do these 288 million new users of coal produced electricity come from??
Hypocrisy Al?
http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367
Al Gore uses 20 times more electricity in his home than an average family.
Do as I say, not as I do.
I checked out your link, Outlander. The TN Policy group is another far right wing group. Read their policy statements.
Provide a link to a mainstream group that can verify the supposed facts.
Oh, I think we will be hearing more about it WS. That will be impossible for the mainstream media to ignore. Note that a representative of the TCPR is going to be on Bloomberg radio with the story.
Saint Al’s halo is going to get a little tarnished.
“Gore isn’t quite as green as he’s led the world to believe” USA Today, 12/7/2006
But that article was penned by someone from the Hoover Institution, so I suppose it won’t count.
Link “n”
It doesn’t count if we can’t read it for ourselves.
WsClark: Why don’t you use “the Google” or something else and look it up yourself? I’m looking at a printed version.
When you’re blogging “n” you provide links – that is just blog etiquitte.
You don’t demand that another blogger use Google when you were the one that tried to make the point in the first place.
If you quote a source, you need to provide the link – otherwise we will have to call you Fleetwood.
Outlander
I’ve no idea of Al Gore’s faith.
You LOUDLY trumpet yours.
Why are you opposed to good stewardship of the Earth?Why do you attack a man who IS a good advocate for the environment?
Well, pardon me all to heck, WSClark.
I see you’ve taken over the job of “most annoying blog policeman” from JR.
JR: I’ve no idea of Al’s faith either. His “halo” is representative of the almost deity like reverence he is spoken of in environmentalist circles.
But it appears that Al is a hypocrite. Why would you defend him?
This is exactly the kind of stuff that demonstrates whether a man is a true leader or not. Not much of an example.
“I see you’ve taken over the job of “most annoying blog policeman” from JR.”
Well, thank you “n.” Thank you very much. It has been a long struggle, but it has finally paid off.
I would like to thank my manager, my family, my late dog, Rocky, my cat, Morgan and all of my many, many fans.
Thank you so much.
Any comment, J R?
The way you Wingnuts are already going after Al Gore, you’d think he’d declared his Presidential candidacy or something.
How does anyone know exactly how much energy Al Gore’s house uses?
Only that n the mosquito appears to have found someone else to annoy.
Outlander
Well given who YOU consider a good leader? I don’t think you are much a judge of leadership….or really anything else.
Beyond the hypocrisy charge (which is bogus) what is your beef with cleaning the air or conserving energy?
And if you don’t have one? Then layoff the guy who is doing more to promote environmental stewardhsip than anyone else in the world.
Well, I wouldn’t be all that urprised if Al’s carbon footprint is pretty big.
He’s rich. His mansion in Nashville is ten times bigger than an average house.
That’s what rich people do–they engage in conspicuous consumption.
Bush, Clinton, Cheney, Kerry: the parties are different but the wealth is the same. “Having more money” is just another way of saying I’m taking a lot more than I need and to hell with you . . .
Look at the entire United States: 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of its energy use.
So, the Swiftboating has begun? Fine by me. Right back at you, Repukes.
John McCain: he was for Roe v. Wade before he was against it.
Rudy Giuliani: allowed his mistress to visit the mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, until banned from doing so by a judge.
Al Gore is a Boy Scout compared to the liars and miscreants the GOP is grooming to run for the Presidency.
heh heh The right is SEETHING today. An Inconvenient Truth best picture. “I Need to Wake Up” Oscar winning song. Yup blue Monday for the cons.
JR: Think of your reaction when supposed paragons of morality like religious leaders get busted for doing just what they had been preaching against. I don’t seem to recall a lot of compassion.
What’s the difference?
The hypocrisy charge on Gore is bogus and you know it. What he lives in a big house? Well that’s what people with big families and the money to do so do. He travels? I’ll balance his travel against….oh say george bush anyday. I had heard that SOME Christians are realizing they are to be good stewards of the Earth. I am sorry to find you not among them outlander. Have you even seen the documentary?
Outlander Perhaps you have not read my posts carefully. When Haggard and Foley were outed as homosexual, I said that it was wrong for them to have to live a lie. YOU just said they were sick. I think mine is the more compassionate view there.
Outlander, and anyone else attacking Al Gore.
Are YOU carbon-neutral? If not, I suggest you stop attacking him.
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/8/17/133652/848“Gore does in fact take advantage of the green power options his utility offers, and was in the process of adding photovoltaic solar cells to his house when the article came out. He pays for his own personal carbon offsets, in addition to the institutional offsets purchased by Paramount (movie distributor) and Rodale (book publisher), which make both the book and the movie completely carbon neutral.”
Programming alert: ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR IRAQ VETERANS! Tonight at 10 PM Channel 12 is doing a story about a returning Iraq veteran finding his mortgage doubled. I don’t know any more detail than that but intend to watch. I urge others to join me.
Ben,
The lesson from that soldier’s story, never get an adjustable rate mortgage unless the person has funds to ride that financial rollercoaster.
Rates go up, whenever banks want to.
The publicity gives that family some choice on refinancing, but that’s not good for them long term if the mortgage stays adjustable rates.
I didn’t wait impatiently for that story, TV just happened to be on 12.
Is it me, don’t we need new faces on local news.
mrage – having had adjustable mortgages over the years I think that what we saw here was quite different. The rate hike was not in line with what was happening in the markets but rather seemed punitive due to his financial problems. Personally I think he was treated rather shabbily.
Ben,
Because he was a soldier, that give him the chance at news publicity for the problem, but the common person attacked by banks like that, where besides a lawyer can one go? Lawyers only add more costs on that kind of problem.
It’s adjustable rates and those are arbitrary to banks in some percentages. Banks want fees for any repayment “problem”. Late pay, rates go up.
Same with insurance and the bad news on his credit report affects that family in larger ways from now on.
Banks can suck attacking consumers and they get away with it.The soldier wasn’t attacked because of he’s military, maybe channel 12 oversold the “horror” of that story. His wife recovering from cancer added to the drama of it.
Hello All,I was reading around some of the posts here and I found interesting things that you guys talk about, I just made a blog about quitting smoking resources and ideas that you might want to check out.If someone is interested in this topic just go to; http://endthehabitnow.blogspot.com and let me know what you think.Thanks in advance.