FITZ!!1!

Roots! Christy! The birds is coming!

Christy,

Thanks for the compliments on our garden yesterday morning. I forgot to mention the burdock root, which we’re growing foer the first time. Next saturday.

Although, if the temp keeps dropping, I’m going to have to dig up bushels and bushels of stuff today.

Face The Nation (CBS): Sen. Joe Lieberman will discuss how they’re all his marbles, and that he’s prepared to go home with them if those kids continue to be mean.

I’m so glad to see John McCain on MTP; I haven’t seen him in almost 36 hours. I was getting the DTs waiting for another fix.

Get well peanut

Why aren’t the talking heads discussing this?

As a chocolatier to the rich and famous, Martucci Angiano has posed with many celebrities — but on Thursday she held in her hand a figure that dazzles her more than any Hollywood star.

Workers at Angiano’s gourmet chocolate company, Bodega Chocolates, discovered under a vat a 2-inch-tall column of chocolate drippings that they believe bears a striking resemblance to the Virgin Mary.

Since the discovery Monday, Angiano’s employees have spent much of their time hovering over the tiny figure, praying and placing rose petals and candles around it.

“I was raised to believe in the Virgin Mary, but this still gives me the chills,” Angiano said as she balanced the dark brown figure in her hand. “Everyone should see this.”

Echoing Sharkbabe!

I wonder why CBS put that D next to Liebermans name? Clearly must be a typo, because CT law states that Independents cannot use other party affiliations while campaigning. Besides, he clearly is not a Democrat.

Okay mighty FDLers, I’ve gone and done something kinda edgy, which I promised I’d do in these very forums (probably unpopular, but hey it’s the weekend); I wrote a post entitled ”Blackface Joe: Five Grievances”. The opening follows; blogwhoring not allowed:

Here are 5 problems I have with Blackface Joe:

(1) Visual Impact: Tell me honestly, if you empty your mind and look at the picture fresh, as most people will, who’s the first target of visual mockery? Black folks or Lieberman? I’d argue that the image’s raw, visual, stereotypical mockery of blacks handily outweighs any secondary intellectualizations that might be layered on top. Now I’m sure some white Americans view the stylized humiliation and emasculation of African Americans, and other people of color, as a yawn-worthy cultural norm, easily overlooked in the service of an important liberal political campaign. But I’m not down with that. I think progressives should energetically analyze and criticize linguistic, conceptual, and visual constructions which reinforce the cultural norms of white supremacy. This isn’t ”political correctness”; white supremacy isn’t a fabrication of the ”PC police” or any humorless leftist conspiracy. Political correctness never lynched anybody; human beings who emerged from a white supremacist culture did. Crying PC is a scant excuse for the intellectual and spiritual laziness that underlies privilege. Blackface is only funny if lynching is funny. I’ll welcome that day; but we’re not there yet.

Peace.

Kai @ 10

Way to do the right’s work for them, Kai.

Is there anyone who doesn’t believe that McCain will be shocked, SHOCKED to find out that GAMBLING has been occurring in Schlesinger’s past and will use that disavow his previous endorsement and give a non-endorsement endorsement to Ol’ Joe.

I have absolutely no info to back this up, but then again, I never know how my choices are gonna run at Belmont until they do. I’m just saying that this should not be something that “no one could have anticipated”.

And I would absolutely love to be wrong.

I was just watching CNN, and the anchor was expressing surprise that the Boulder DA has been upset with the media’s obsession with the JonBenet case. Uhm, duh?

I’m glad to see it doesn’t appear on the list here, with the one exception of CNN. The fact that it’s getting anywhere near the coverage it is is saddening.

David Gregory on MTP: “Today we have an EXCLUSIVE interview with AZ Senator John McCain.” BWAHAHA

op99 @ 10

Kai @ 10

Way to do the right’s work for them, Kai.

Thanks. Like anyone, I can speak “sarcasm” too, though probably not as well as you.

Kai,

are you a Bill Clinton, or Al Sharpton Democrat, or a Lee Atwater Republican?

Oilfieldguy @ 15

Kai,

are you a Bill Clinton, or Al Sharpton Democrat, or a Lee Atwater Republican?

Al Sharpton Democrat.

Delurking to bird spot….looks like a “Great Blue” to me. We occasionally have them in our back yards here at the apartments I live in. There’s a state park very near here and they hang around there quite a bit and there are actually reports of nesting! I live about 35 miles from the lake. There’s a heron nesting rookery at Indina Dunes National Lakeshore. I’m headed to the lake this afternoon. Tis’ beautiful! Where are you located, Sharon?

Kai, what does this mean?

“The last thing that rubbed me the wrong way about the whole Blackface Joe episode was the cavalier lack of contrition from its originators. I don’t for a moment believe that either Jane Hamsher or darkblack are racists; I’m just pissed that they don’t get what’s so wrong about what they did. Jane’s apology came straight out of the “asshole boyfriend non-apology” book of patronizing dismissals: “I apologize that you’re upset, though if you’re upset you’re probably my political enemy”. Wow, that brush-off makes Arianna’s Clooney-triggered soul-searching look positively spiritual.”

Kai, don’t get me wrong. We want to grow here.

So, is it okay to like Fat Albert?

Kai, your essay isn’t so much edgy as annoying. The use of the graphic was not well-received on this blog and was removed, followed by an apology. The right used it as cover, and lately we’ve gotten “macaca” and “blacks can’t swim.”

Your contribution to the dialogue is a day late and a dollar short, and approaches concern troll.

I do not want to reopen the graphic kerfuffle here again today except to say the reaction in here was an instantateous firestorm against that posting in HuffPo — it only stayed up so long because Jane was out of communication temporarily. I even tried to hack into the server to take it down rightaway.

I’m unfamiliar with Kai, gang, so tell Teller - did I feed a t…..?

op99 and ofg, I disagree with you, and Kai, and thank you.

The upside just doesn’t live up to the downside.

This was what set my hair on fire when I opened HufPo that day, and I think Kai’s discussion is valid to the last word. If that puts me in the FDL Miscreants corner with Kai, well, we may get more crowded over there than some of you suspect . . .

Okay — my child is sick this morning. I check in for a sec and find Family Feud getting started. I’m calling a halt to it right now. (1) Criticism can be useful, if it is well intentioned and meant to be constructive. (2) Kai, not as well-timed as it could have been, given that the whole issue has died out now and we’ve moved on to campaign issues instead of mistakes and distractions. (3) Bashing other readers in the comments on Jane’s bahalf, while noble and loyal, is non-productive and leads to an all-out flame war — FOR WHICH I DO NOT HAVE TIME TODAY. Aside from the fact that both Jane and I are big girls. So everyone, can it.

And I mean it. I’ve gotten 3 hours of sleep total in the last 24 hours. The Republicans are bad enough without a war starting amongst ourselves. Reasonable people can disagree. Let’s leave it at that, please, because I don’t have time to run around this morning knocking respective chips off everyone’s shoulders. Capice? (Have compassion for the exhausted and worried mom who is going back to what is really important — her feverish, sick little girlie.)

(Sorry, Christy, just gotta correct my typo and I’ll hush)

and Kai, I thank you.

FOR WHICH I DO NOT HAVE TIME TODAY. Aside from the fact that both Jane and I are big girls. So everyone, can it.

And I mean it. I’ve gotten 3 hours of sleep total in the last 24 hours.

Bossy-boots.

Kai is no concern troll or Republican … she is a Connecticut activist and strong Lamont supporter.

I’ve worked for years in Black politics — I’ve learned it’s important to listen to concerns about racism from serious people of color — it’s particularly bad to belittle these concerns !

Ed*ard Teller @ 18

Kai, what does this mean?

“The last thing that rubbed me the wrong way about the whole Blackface Joe episode was the cavalier lack of contrition from its originators. I don’t for a moment believe that either Jane Hamsher or darkblack are racists; I’m just pissed that they don’t get what’s so wrong about what they did. Jane’s apology came straight out of the “asshole boyfriend non-apology” book of patronizing dismissals: “I apologize that you’re upset, though if you’re upset you’re probably my political enemy”. Wow, that brush-off makes Arianna’s Clooney-triggered soul-searching look positively spiritual.”

Kai, don’t get me wrong. We want to grow here.

Ed*ard Teller: Thanks for asking. It just means that the overall structure of Jane’s “apology” follows a well-trodden political pattern of “non-apology apologies”. Rather than saying “sorry I did that”, you say “sorry you’re mad I did that”. As a previous poster pointed out, Allen didn’t say “sorry I called you ‘macaca’”, he said only, “sorry if my wholy innocent language offended anybody”. It actually demonstrates a total lack of contrition, masked behind the language of apology. That’s all I meant, nothing too fancy.

Of course, for all I know, Jane’s wording came from the Lamont campaign, so forgive me if I’ve assumed too much. In any case I hope to trigger some consideration.

Peace.

rorschach at 26 — If I could figure out how to do an emoticon that sticks its tongue out and goes “Tbbbbb,” you’d be getting one. *g*

“Capice?” Yo, MAMA!!! take care of the kid.

I hope the peanut gets better.

Thanks you *ilson at 27 — and I appreciate you being on duty this mornign as well. Sorry it’s going to be one of those in and out days for me — can’t be helped. Appreciate everyone’s patience, but I’m sure you understand.

rorschach at 26 — If I could figure out how to do an emoticon that sticks its tongue out and goes “Tbbbbb,” you’d be getting one. *g*

Hee!

All my good vibes to the health of your kid, darlin’.

Kai said:

“In any case I hope to trigger some consideration. Peace.”

OK. Thanks.

Christy, Hope you feel better (Here’s a mug of Kona) Hope the Peanut feels better. And here’s a quote from a Republican President from a little ways back that I wish the current one would pay attention to.

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president.
Theodore Roosevelt
26th president of US (1858 - 1919)

Kai, good analysis. And op99, respectfully disagree - that image is what did the right’s work for them. It was a significant and damaging gaffe.

Darkblack and Jane, both brilliant communicators, misstepped on that one, acknowledged it, and we’ve all moved on. But I don’t think it hurts to look deeper at the why. Did anybody see Spike Lee’s movie Bamboozled about racist imagery? What a mess, but in spite of it, one of the most interesting movies ever.

tommy yum @ 19

So, is it okay to like Fat Albert?

Kai, your essay isn’t so much edgy as annoying. The use of the graphic was not well-received on this blog and was removed, followed by an apology. The right used it as cover, and lately we’ve gotten “macaca” and “blacks can’t swim.”

Your contribution to the dialogue is a day late and a dollar short, and approaches concern troll.

Fair enough.

Edward Teller, no, Kai is not a troll.
Like you, however, I found that old comment about the photo seriously inadequate.
Kai, I’d strongly urge you to go back and read darkblack’s comments when it broke.

The DNC seems bent about the ‘08 primaries…
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2....._0819.html
…but its still OK for DEMs to back Joe (R-CT)…WTF?

Thanks for the info, everybody. Especially *ilson whom I trust implicitly. Perhaps that scab should be picked at another time in another place.

Yeah, let’s get back to birds…it’s Sunday you knuckleheads!

About to get light outside. 36 degrees - I may not lose to an early frost after all. But two trees went down, so I’m logging out……

It’s gotta be a great blue, what else has that wingspan? 6 feet, nothing else really compares…

I’m hopeful this morning because I just spotted a Bullock’s Oriole at my hummingbird feeder yesterday. Hoping he sticks around. Our numbers in sunny CA are dropping every year, so its exciting. The silly chickadees are watching him at the nectar feedar and saying, hey why don’t WE try that. Now I have chickadee teenagers all over the hummingbird feeder.

Copycats.

I agree with Christy and Hoosierville@18 on the bird identification. The only waterbird that comes close to the great blue heron is the little blue heron, and although it’s hard to make out the details like beak color, the size is usually the give-away. As a special bonus, here’s a link to where you can hear the primeval sounds of the great blue.

Okay, science lesson over. As Atrios would say, here’s to ”documenting the atrocities” on the talking heads this morning. Christy, while I don’t know you personally, I certainly hope your daughter gets well soon.

lotus @ 24

(Sorry, Christy, just gotta correct my typo and I’ll hush)

and Kai, I thank you.

Thanks, lotus. I know we’ve pretty much been on the same page on this issue from the get-go. I know the timing’s bad, but frankly I’d rather do this on a sleepy Sunday morning than on a bustling weekday. Namaste.

I know and care nothing about ornithology — yesterday I was out-and-about and spotted a small brown bird hopping around — I felt so disappointed it wasn’t a Golden Lyre bird or something remarkable I could enthuse about at FDL … oh well

South of DC on the GW Parkway a while back, a Great Blue sailed past my windshield about two feet away. It was quite stunning and unforgettable.

Definitely a Great B up top.

Oh, one more thing, because I’m tired and edgy this morning and I want to be sure it didn’t read this way — I’m not brushing off the concerns you raise, Kai, not at all. I just don’t have the time to monitor a protracted flame battle in the comments this morning, and for that I apologize. Because I do think that criticism is valuable and discussion on race issues needs to happen more openly and honestly — we don’t do it nearly enough in our culture. My roommate in college (who was a very opinionated, strong black woman from the NYC area) and I had some incredible discussions about a wide range of issues she and I had both dealt with growing up — and it made us both the stronger for it. A human face on this issue is always, ALWAYS helpful.

But I simply cannot do it this morning due to family issues, and for that I apologize — I just want to be sure that you or anyone else doesn’t feel like I’m blowing this off. Because I am most decidedly not — let’s just consider this deferred for the moment. And if someone has an idea for a good start on a discussion that would be pro-active and productive, e-mail me and we’ll talk about getting something going when I’ve got time to read e-mail in the next coupla days.

Just wanted to point out a guest blog at Howard-Empowered People that you might be interested in…

Friday night Hubby and I and Son*in*Burlington went to see the film Who Killed the Electric Car? and heard a panel (which included Scudder) speak to the issue.

Did you know that after developing electric cars and testing them on the roads in California and Arizona to rave reviews from those who drove them (all were leased, none were allowed to be sold), all the vehicles were taken back and (sitting down?) crushed, despite protests.

Why? It’s a combination of the usual culprits:
Big Business ~ (in this case Auto Industry, deeply connected to Big Oil)
Energy Commission ~ whose chair had already agreed to be part of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell project
Consumers ~ who believed the propaganda that electric cars are unreliable and impractical

Click here for more

John Casper @ 37

Edward Teller, no, Kai is not a troll.
Like you, however, I found that old comment about the photo seriously inadequate.
Kai, I’d strongly urge you to go back and read darkblack’s comments when it broke.

Thanks, John Casper, for confirming my dubious blog commentator cred. As you suggest, I will go back and read darkblack’s comments, and I’ll update my comments with any additional insights. I’m not trying to start a fight here, just speaking honestly.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 46

Oh, one more thing, because I’m tired and edgy this morning and I want to be sure it didn’t read this way — I’m not brushing off the concerns you raise, Kai, not at all. I just don’t have the time to monitor a protracted flame battle in the comments this morning, and for that I apologize. Because I do think that criticism is valuable and discussion on race issues needs to happen more openly and honestly — we don’t do it nearly enough in our culture. My roommate in college (who was a very opinionated, strong black woman from the NYC area) and I had some incredible discussions about a wide range of issues she and I had both dealt with growing up — and it made us both the stronger for it. A human face on this issue is always, ALWAYS helpful.

But I simply cannot do it this morning due to family issues, and for that I apologize — I just want to be sure that you or anyone else doesn’t feel like I’m blowing this off. Because I am most decidedly not — let’s just consider this deferred for the moment. And if someone has an idea for a good start on a discussion that would be pro-active and productive, e-mail me and we’ll talk about getting something going when I’ve got time to read e-mail in the next coupla days.

I feel ya. No worries about flame wars involving me are necessary. I wouldn’t have taken it as a dismissal anyway, but thanks for the word of explanation.

If you don’t like the Constitution…change it:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/...../308180009

1. Kai, I respect your opinion.

2. Jane filed a retraction and an apology, and that should have been the end of it.

3. It’s a great blue heron.

Oh, and it would probably help if I put the e-mail addy in for you guys, wouldn’t it? SIGH My brain is a little too mushy this morning due to lack of sleep.

ReddHedd@firedoglake.com

My FDL addy is working again (thanks, Jamie! thanks, John!), so you can use the “contact us” button and the top and be assured that I’ll actually get my e-mails now. :)

What Redd sedd 48.

Lot of good stuff over at Left Coaster yesterday.

Namaste to you too, Kai, and FEEL BETTER SOON to Our Fi (too much poodle-wrangling, maybe?).

Re little girl with fever: I found that children’s ibuprofin will keep a fever down better and longer than tylenol.

I dont want to keep the pot bubbling but Kai and others know by now how defensive well-meaning white folk get when accusations of racial insensitivity get raised. It doesnt bother hardcore cracker peckerwoods.

Are the spiders gone?

I’m done, but wanted to apologize to you, kai, for my tone.

Gang, I’m gonna work up a “post” about some local political stuff that’s been happening that I think y’all might find interesting.

Thanks very much Kai.
I should have stated my position more diplomatically than I did, thanks for understanding.
I am in favor of somekind of acknowledgement and repayment of The Debt to the descendents of the slaves for the wages their ancestors never received. Restitution for the legalized white supremacy after 1865, the lynchings, and the Jim Crow laws is a difficult question and a separate one. I am also not waiting for Ned to come out in support of these, it’s close to political suicide.
It might be most prudent, however, to wait until after November 7 for any further discussion at FDL, jmo.

Betcha them spideys done boogied, TRex, so come on in and set yo’self down. What kin I pour ya?

Whatever tommy’s cookin’ sure smells promisin’, dunnit . . .

I love Christy’s weekend am threads because they get back to elemental things and our relationships thereto. Let’s try to keep em the weird unique sacred space they are.

(Except for the Sunday Talking Head aspect - which to me is one big fucking ignorable joke anyway, as is all television brainwash machine)

Be afraid…very afraid:
http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gm.....r_374.html

or not:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2....._0819.html

No TV at my house. Ahhhhh. I’ve got coffee and iTunes on random.

Current song: “Scarlet’s Walk” by Tori Amos

No TV at my house.

That would explain your unending wit, brilliance, engagedness, and evolvedness.

Just had this quicky email from Our Hopie — hope she won’t mind my sharing it:

Hiya sweets! It’s been a little difficult getting the time and access to post but I’m going to do so tonight. I’m making notes and talking to people which has been a challenge in itself. I can’t really rock any boats because I put someone else at risk besides myself. It’s hard to know who i can trust. In any case I am gonna post something tonight. I thank you for your support and good wishes. I really do miss you guys. Much Love, [HSAT]

yesterday I was running with my Congresslady taking photos — I was told the first stop was with the Indians over at Military Park — I was so excited about the prospects of feathered head-dresses and other Native American paraphenalia. It turned out it was a festival for Indians from India! Folk were indeed wearing colorful garb but not American aboriginal. Good curry was sold!

As a Hoosier, I have long been bothered we have no recognized Native American tribes or reservations in this state — somehow I felt comforted that we have a real Indian community here!

Sharkbabe @ 66

No TV at my house.

That would explain your unending wit, brilliance, engagedness, and evolvedness.

I just can’t stand the goddamn noise the things make. Jesus. FLASH!! FLASH!! BUY!! BUY, BUY, BUUUUYYYYY!! FEAR!! SEX!! BUY MORE NOW!!

Fuck that.

is it just me, or did the refresh button go away? i’m on a loaned computer running an older OS so i’m not sure if it’s me or a change in the site.

Oilfieldguy @
9

I wonder why CBS put that D next to Liebermans name? Clearly must be a typo, because CT law states that Independents cannot use other party affiliations while campaigning. Besides, he clearly is not a Democrat.

I’m not getting off this hobbyhorse. He is also not an Independent. The Independent candidate is named John Mertens. The only affiliation reference that should be used wrt Lieberman is Connecticut for Lieberman.

Why does McCain get so much 1:1 time on MTP? He’s soooooooo wishy washy.

I was so excited about the prospects of feathered head-dresses and other Native American paraphenalia.

It’s a bit racist to think that all native Americans have “feathered head-dresses,” and rather exploitive to look forward to their “paraphenalia” [sic].

Just sayin’.

I just can’t stand the goddamn noise the things make. Jesus. FLASH!! FLASH!! BUY!! BUY, BUY, BUUUUYYYYY!! FEAR!! SEX!! BUY MORE NOW!!

Fuck that.

A thousand times yep

I just can’t stand the goddamn noise the things make. Jesus. FLASH!! FLASH!! BUY!! BUY, BUY, BUUUUYYYYY!! FEAR!! SEX!! BUY MORE NOW!!

Fuck that.

Campaign Promise: Elect me Empress, and whoever came up with the Mute button gets a quick Nobel PEACE Prize!

right there with you, trex. my roomies pay for cable, but i honestly don’t understand why any right thinking progressive would, given how much the bobbleheads and networks in general have done to destroy this country and enable bush. anti-tv rants are one of my favorite soapboxes to stand upon.

rorschach @
73

I was so excited about the prospects of feathered head-dresses and other Native American paraphenalia.

It’s a bit racist to think that all native Americans have “feathered head-dresses,” and rather exploitive to look forward to their “paraphenalia” [sic].

Just sayin’.

I have specific instructions from Christy to start breakin’ heads if it heats up in here again.

Just sayin’.

rorschach @ 71

I was so excited about the prospects of feathered head-dresses and other Native American paraphenalia.

It’s a bit racist to think that all native Americans have “feathered head-dresses,” and rather exploitive to look forward to their “paraphenalia” [sic].

Just sayin’.

I agree … I was being selfish in wanting ‘exotic’ photos

Disgrace The Nation (CBS): Sen. Joe Leaverman will break down once again, shedding more crocodile tears. Boo-hoo! Those meanies are out to get me!

John Casper @ 59

Thanks very much Kai.
I should have stated my position more diplomatically than I did, thanks for understanding.
I am in favor of somekind of acknowledgement and repayment of The Debt to the descendents of the slaves for the wages their ancestors never received. Restitution for the legalized white supremacy after 1865, the lynchings, and the Jim Crow laws is a difficult question and a separate one. I am also not waiting for Ned to come out in support of these, it’s close to political suicide.

Agreed.

It might be most prudent, however, to wait until after November 7 for any further discussion at FDL, jmo.

True, it might make political sense to keep a lid on this stuff for the time being. But on the other hand, there’s no convenient time for speaking your truth to those who find it uncomfortable, is there? Plus, if we leave this issue unexamined, we could experience another gaffe between now and November that could be potentially worse than the one I’m examining… frankly I’d been urging Jane et al to refrain from racial crowing in the days leading up to The Graphic, and my feeling now is that if enough of us had spoken up, it might never have happened…

Beth - the MSM’s been trying to make McCain the new chimp ™ for years. It’s not working but they don’t know what else to do.

God but for a tsunami to blow away this entire edifice of bullshit and well-fed liars and HORSESHIT.

Going to visit my goats today. Will report.

Do you guys think Ken Lay offed himself?

Chidy 70, have you refreshed the browser? If so, and you still don’t get RefCom, I’m outta idears.

TRex @ 58

Are the spiders gone?

Yes indeed Trex, I moved them to the other room where they wouldn’t get squoooshed by accident.

And yes, that pretty much has to be a Great Blue.

The only affiliation reference that should be used wrt Lieberman is Connecticut for Lieberman.

How about LIEBERMAN for LIEBERMAN or LIEberman (L-CT)?

BTW Matt Stoller has a thoughtful piece up at MyDD on ‘dismantling the Liebermachine’

I don’t think Ken Lay is even dead. Seriously I don’t.

Speaking of talking heads… http://mediamatters.org/items/200608180005
…more like a talking ass!

Kai @ 80

John Casper @ 59

Thanks very much Kai.
I should have stated my position more diplomatically than I did, thanks for understanding.
I am in favor of somekind of acknowledgement and repayment of The Debt to the descendents of the slaves for the wages their ancestors never received. Restitution for the legalized white supremacy after 1865, the lynchings, and the Jim Crow laws is a difficult question and a separate one. I am also not waiting for Ned to come out in support of these, it’s close to political suicide.

Agreed.

It might be most prudent, however, to wait until after November 7 for any further discussion at FDL, jmo.

True, it might make political sense to keep a lid on this stuff for the time being. But on the other hand, there’s no convenient time for speaking your truth to those who find it uncomfortable, is there? Plus, if we leave this issue unexamined, we could experience another gaffe between now and November that could be potentially worse than the one I’m examining… frankly I’d been urging Jane et al to refrain from racial crowing in the days leading up to The Graphic, and my feeling now is that if enough of us had spoken up, it might never have happened…

WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE THAT ISSUE UNEXAMINED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, THOUGH. KEEP IT UP AND YOUR COMMENTS WILL GO STRAIGHT IN THE CRAPPER.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANY MORE, EMAIL YOUR COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO JANE AND DARKBLACK.

DO NOT PRESS ME. I’M THE NOT NICE MODERATOR.

lotus@83- i think it’s just this browser. it’s really old and other funky stuff keeps happening. i hate using strange computers.

trex@82- no.

I have specific instructions from Christy to start breakin’ heads if it heats up in here again.

Just sayin’.

Scary, that.

I agree … I was being selfish in wanting ‘exotic’ photos

No worries. Having lived down in NM for a while, and being married to a Native American lit scholar, I just am a bit sensitive to such things…

rorschach@7 said: Workers at Angiano’s gourmet chocolate company, Bodega Chocolates, discovered under a vat a 2-inch-tall column of chocolate drippings that they believe bears a striking resemblance to the Virgin Mary.
SNIP

You are not going to believe this guys. I am still shaking! I just got back from the local flea market and I found an eggplant that resembles Ned Lamont! I hope the paparazzi can’t tell where I live…..Yikes!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....219937591/

This “back door draft” that the Bush characters are using is outrageous. It’s just another example of how cowardly and double dealing this administration is. These guys know full well if the children of their supporters were subject to a real draft, that would halt their twisted and perverted war adventures. If John McCain was as heroic as he wants us to believe, he would say something along the lines of ’since I love the Bush war so much, bring back the draft’ so we can get enough bodies to supply the Bush beasts in their relentless and seemingly unquenchable thirst for spilled blood in Iraq, and who knows where else that these guys have in mind.

Ken Lay is on the beach at St. Tropez playing Uno with Osama Bin Laden.

Ken Lay is on the beach at St. Tropez playing Uno with Osama Bin Laden.

Also Elvis. And William S Burroughs. They never die.

Okla. K. at 92:

70 percent of active military families voted to reelect GWB in 2004. I wonder if it would be the same if the election were held today? I wonder what the midterm numbers will look like in that demographic?

Osama winters in St. Moritz. Ken doesn’t ski, however.

Well, I’ve never been accused of imagination, but I’d bet every cent I lost on Enron that Ken Lay had a heart attack and then got cremated. And that Bernie Ebbers may come to envy same (if he hasn’t already) . . .

Lake MI is a major flyway for southern migration. For up close view of LOTS of cranes (mostly sandhill) go to Jasper-Pulaski, just South of Lake MI in Indiana. Best viewing is just before dark. Best time is Fall.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild.....cranes.htm

lina 96: i’m hearing that the military is filled with bush haters these days. it’s so hard to tell for sure, and i’m sure lots of military families will vote rethug this fall for social/religious reasons, but i have to believe that the clusterphuque that is iraq and all that goes with it has to have had some impact on military willingness to support the liar in chief.

dave and zzzzzzzzzzzzz in the house!

mwah!!

bakho, we love it when the sandhills get here to cental Florida to visit us. Suckers nilly as tall as I am!

FWIW, I suspect have absolutely no evidence or links that Rove and Joe have been offering Russert anything he wants for a chance to be on MTP. The fact that Tim hasn’t him on lately imo speaks well for pumpkinhead.

The other option is that Joe saw what Timmeh did to Joshua Bolton (Bush’s CoS) and decided he didn’t want to face the kinds of questions Timmeh is asking.

OT: Josh Marshall comes out of vacation or wherever he is to try to rescue his blog from the brink:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.c.....009476.php

central Florida

Preview is my frien’
Preview is my frien’
Preview is my frien’

Good morning. Sorry I missed the Sat. morning gardening/food threads but grandchild’s 13th birthday party to attend were keeping me busy.

But I admit, today, that I was forced to kill, by way of extreme insecticide, a nest of paper wasps. My research showed they were were good for gardens as they eat many unwanted pests. Unfortunately for them, and me, they decided to build their next on the door frame just inside the doors to my shed. After one grandchild and myself got stung, they had to go.

Research also found out that only 10-30 paper wasps are in a nest except for when all the babies are hatched and then 100 wasps fly out and all build new nests next year. Interesting huh?

Also, why are they called paper wasps? Because they chew wood shavings and dust and make ‘paper’ to build their nests. This morning I took the nest down and reclaimed my tool shed but with some sadness. So, I will have to make my amends to nature in the near future.

Politically, I am worried by Joe winning in CT, worried about voting machines, worried about Coleen Rawley here in MN because she is getting little attention nationwide, but on the upside, Klobachar is beating the heck out of Kennedy (the slimeball) and he is getting anxious. He has ads all over.

TRex @ 82

Do you guys think Ken Lay offed himself?

Yup. From the moment I heard the story, I swear to God that I turned to my colleague and said that he did the deed so the family gets the money.

Okay, I’ve got the kids, so brevity is my goal.

I live in Chatham county, NC. It’s a large (and largely agrarian) county, proximate to Chapel Hill and Research Triangle Park. For the past several years, it has been a sad microcosm of national politics. It started when Gary Phillips, a highly effective commissioner, was replaced by Bunkey Morgan in 2002. Morgan, a wealthy businessman who lives outside of the county, had tried to run as a Republican the previous cycle and lost. He retooled himself as a Dem and claimed residency in a shack outside of Siler City (please deposit all Andy Griffith jokes here). The Chatham County Board of Elections (hereafter CBOE) dismissed legitimate claims of residency and allowed his candidacy. Morgan won, having run a race characterized by divisiveness and ill will. He took enormous amounts of campaign contributions from out of state developers, but withheld disclosure by using his own personal donations as camouflage. There were push polls and glossy fliers, and a full-on culture war.

What followed was four years of uncontrolled growth. The Newlands corporation, from California, set up an office across from the courthouse, and their representative was even allowed a seat with the commissioners! 10,000 homes in new development were approved–more than the combined population of Si