Well, I’ve made it to Las Vegas for YearlyKos. Aside from having to get up at 4 am ET this morning (blergh), the trip has been pretty painless.
And our hotel room has a sweeeet view of the strip, which will be quite nice when the sun goes down. So life is good for me and Mr. ReddHedd, who has tagged along to play a little poker and meet the folks with whom I spend my days (and nights and…).
Met one other YearlyKos attendee on our Phoenix to Vegas hop — Susan recognized me by my hair, and stopped to say howdy on the way back to her seat. The flight was so short that we didn’t really get a chance to talk much, and only saw each other passing by in the cab line outside the airport before we were whisked away in our respective rides to the hotel. Hope we get to talk a bit more over the next few days. It’s so great to start putting faces to all the names!
I’ve put out some e-mails to Gina (who is running YearlyKos) and Siun (who is running media for the conference). Larry Johnson and Amb. Joe Wilson are already in town, and I hear that Matt Stoller will be in at some point this evening. (I’ll look for him at the bar later…) Jane and Pach get in tomorrow — that’s going to be such a weird convergence to have all three of us in the same space at the same time. Vegas may NEVER be the same!
The good news is that I’m already up a bit playing video poker. (Better enjoy that while it lasts…my luck never seems to hold, but it’s a fun ride when you can find one.) Cha-ching!
Tomorrow’s festivities for me include some media training; a 2:00 pm PT interview with the local Vegas NPR station — along with Pontificator and Brian Keeler; and the FDL Caucus, which will begin around 5:45 pm PT. I have a fun "get to know your blog pals" idea — hope it works.
Friday morning is the big Plame Panel. I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous given the gravitas and bona fides that will be sitting at the panelist table, but I have some notes sketched out and will be working more on my portion this evening. Huge thanks to Swopa and PollyUSA and AnonymousLiberal and Jeralyn — who sent along some extra thoughts about panel issues to discuss — very, very helpful. (And I’ll finally get to meet Swopa in person, which is awfully fun, I must say.)
I hear through the grapevine that C-Span may be broadcasting selected panels live — depending on Congressional schedules — I’ll update once I know something for certain on that. I also hear that Air America Radio is offering a YearlyKos package for $10 or so for folks who want to listen in at home. (Although I can’t seem to connect to the Air America website from here…so you’ll have to log in and check on that yourself and I’ll link it up when I can get to it.)
There’s a cocktail party/dinner Friday evening that I’ll be attending with some bloggers and some media types that ought to make for some intriguing posts the next day, if nothing else. I have to say, I’m looking forward to some investigative peeking into how the cocktail weenie circuit lives…and I promise not to get used to it.
Saturday morning is, of course, the FDL Breakfast. Wish everyone could be there — but I promise we’ll try to get some pictures and will at least post some details as soon as we can for everyone at home. Later on Saturday, I have a Blogger Ethics panel that ought to be very fun.
There’s lots and lots more at YearlyKos, but it’s more than I can remember off the top of my head…so take a peek at the schedule and make a list of all the great things you want to do and see. You know, stuff like Harry Reid and Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi and…well, it’s a lot of GREAT stuff.
See some of you soon in Vegas…and the rest of you as often as I can get back to the laptop and blog all the doings at the conference.
(Well, not ALL the doings. Some things, after all, DO get to stay in Vegas…)
PS — I hadn’t asked this before, but who all IS coming to YearlyKos?
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Fitz!
And RevDeb and any other MA Roots folk in Vagas – enjoy! (We’re busy building arks in NE…)
Fitz!!!
Fitz and FDL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReddHedd!!!
WoHooooooo! Fitz!
This got EPU’d on prev. thread:
Welcome Christy- sorry I didn’t see your message right away- slacking off working on the grant proposal. And, I’m not going to make it. Alas.
But please, everyone who is there please go out of your way to meet Matt O., and make sure he’s taken care of. He’s my “tribute” for yKos. Even though he is young in years, he is an incredibly fine writer and researcher. I’ve taught a lot of undergrads his age over the years, and not seen the like of him. He has a great future, and kudos for FDL for discovering him.===
p.s. Matt O. is staying at the Riviera.
“Viva Las Vegas” ? Sounds kinda Mexican, if you know what I mean … (Mexican is the new French on Capitol Hill)
Please don’t get all carried away by the cocktail weenie parties and sell us out like senate democrats. ;) Just kidding. Have a good time.
Have a good time…FDL’ers
enjoy vegas, everyone!
*ilson — unless you are Tom DeLay. Then you get to eat at a French restaurant on your last day with your cronies…erm…friends. Apparently, the whole freedom fry thing is done and over with once you aren’t trying to suck up to bigoted voters.
EPU’d all over the place:
OK, FDLnon-Vegas types – we can do this. We can pull through this week if we stay together. Hey, we’ll only be missing the politico-historical tide-turning of the century, the Woodstock of the blogoshpere.
Oh sure, someday I’ll tell my grandkids “Well, I could have attended that Plame panel you read about in your school books, but things were pretty crazy at work, and it was the end of the school year for your mom/dad, and…”. Then I’ll just get that vacant look and trail off, muttering to myself.
just kidding. sorta. have a great time at YKos, you lucky firedogs.
hackworth — they’d have to have much better hors d’oevres than cocktail weenies to even get me to budge. *g* But trust me when I say that money isn’t exactly my guiding polestar (if it were, I sure as hell wouldn’t be spending all my time blogging…)
well, you wouldn’t ever catch Tom Delay at a Taco Bell, I bet !
EPU’d
Busted, at 5:53, I appreciate your willingness to help, but my understanding is that spammers run automated routines that scan blogs for the format email addresses.
What I’ve seen people do to defeat this automation (so Christy’s inbox doesn’t get overwhelmed) is to rewrite the address like this
“ReddHeddataoldotcom”
per cbl earlier.
My understanding is that this makes it harder for the machines to identify the text as a working email address.
If this is accurate, perhaps someone could delete Christy’s properly formated address at 5:53.
RH- are you ignoring me? #6
What punaise said at 6:11.
Mon-sewer Delay will be having the bullsh*t pomme frites … s’il vous plait. no wait, the biftek freedom fries ( with a Sugarland accent) and some Raid to wash it down.
I bought a can of Vienna sausages I plan to place in a conspicuous location with the sign:
Redneck cocktail weenies.
John Casper, Sorry, I was away for a minute and missed it . Apparently my computer did that for me as a link. I just typed it in .I will remember the tip.
VG at 6 — oh, sorry. I’m trying to do ten things at once. My e-mail is overflowing from all my plane time and lack of time to delete crap today.
I’m so sorry you won’t get to be here. But I will take good care of Matt O. — he’s such a great kid, and we are lucky to have him guesting at FDL. :)
Also EPU’d
JC- I raised this point also when Jennifer Nix posted her email. However, Coz commented that his email addy has been online for business for quite a while, and that he had not had any problems with spambots. His business partner says same. So, may be an Urban Legend.
I guess I am going to miss this YKos Convention too … I was sooo planning to go to the Democratic Convention up in Chicago in 1968 but something came up at the last minute and I had to miss out on that too … oh well !
are all of you upthread ‘Left Behind’ ? an excellent crew ! – wow, this is gonna be much easier to get through than I had thought
am more envious than jealous, the Air America feed should help – I’m sorry all of you couldn’t make it for one reason or another, but am happy for the ever sterling company
angie 18: ya got me … laffin
hurtin
laffin
hurlin
HAPPY LAS VEGAS, FIREDOGS!!!
OK, I mean I love our lounge here and everything, but my heart hurts that all these people are hanging out in the same hotel! The FDL crowd, the monster blogger fest, Joe Wilson, Howard Dean, etc.etc.etc…..
punaise, pass the guacamole, please. Mondo tacos all around!
btw, gang, we are planning to do some update posts in and around panels to let you guys in on what’s happening here in Vegas. Jane and I will be popping in — along with Pach — and hopefully some of the FDL crew. :)
Oilfieldguy: Vy-eeny sausages! Wow, hadn’t thought of those in a long time. Gotcha some crackers too?
Unfortunately, tomorrow will be the only day I’ll really be available. I fly out friday, jump into a big truck on Saturday in OKC and deliver a generator house in Rock Springs Wyoming (1100 miles) monday morning. Then carry one back home. If it weren’t for me people, they would be drilling in the dark.
RH- no problem. But you responded to oilfieldguy before, and I thought “why not me”! ;) Don’t tell me it’s because he’s a guy!!! haha…
They do know how to fool those bigoted voters.
Wurlitzer speak clearly stated that the so called French Restaurant was really an American restaurant with an American owner/chef who was originally from France who served French food in his American restaurant. See? And you guys were thinking it was a French restaurant! As if…
Have a blast kids. Gnite.
if ya got crackers, sardines or a teeny can of deviled ham is great…
*ilson, anchovies are my fav. And, without the crackers.
lotus @# 28
Naw, heck, ya might as well be carryin’ a purse. Ya gotta eat’em off’n yer old timer pocketknife/aka eatin’ utensil.
Christy, thanks so much for dealing with our separation anxiety. Just a re-connect and a juicy detail every few hours will be fine. You know, like how cool Joe is, whether Harry has any new tricks up his sleeve, if Howard does any high pitched screaming with or without a mic, how cute is Swopa’s nose, anything like that……..
*ilson — o yeah — sardines in mustard sauce and some saltines. The camping snack of my childhood. Now those are some memories…
I’m on a plane tomorrow. I know that KathrynMA will be there, we’re rooming together, and I heard that scarecrow and his son will also be joining us.
Got the order of service for the “interfaith” service on Sun. Not what I expected.
Was on “the Hill” today with a bunch of Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom lobbying for comprehensive sex education funding–abstinence just isn’t enough. We went to Neal, Capuano and Markey’s offices. They all are co-sponsoring it, It’s a no-brainer for them.
Also went to Kerry’s office and got the weenie runaround! “there are people on both sides of the issue . . . many parents don’t want sex ed in schools . . . we don’t want to put energy into bills that aren’t going to go anywhere . . . ” what a pile of BS!
We had been told in our meetings in Boston that Kerry was going to show more spine. The aide we met with certainly seemed to represent the Kerry we all have known and been uninspired by. I can’t tell you how disappointing it was for me and for the college and div. school students we escorted.
All of that and a bad cold are where I’m at, but I am SO looking forward to this next weekend.
Oh, and we thanked Markey’s aide lots for his championing Net Neutrality.
Speak for yo’self, ofg, I want crackers wi’ mine. (hm, maybe that’s what the purse is for?)
meta at 36 — you betcha. You know we wouldn’t leave you guys out for anything!
burbank to vegas, tomorrow afternoon.
see ya at the caucus.
Guest on Scarborough, re: Coulter…
…”this 44 year old REPUBLICAN socciopath”… ; )
mmmmmm, sardines and boquerones…….it must be dinner time here.
OilfieldGuy, can you make it to SF someday? We’ve been drilling in the dark here for decades.
I’ll be real easy to spot. I’m a 6′8″ nordic god. But in Vegas I’m traveling incognito as a 5′6″ 195lb bald guy with a face like a fist.
As a kid I thought Elvis was singing “Peo-ple Love Satan” on that chorus.
Hi Coz- since we won’t get to see the Cirque de Soleil, maybe you can report on favorite kitty tricks.
I, too, am left behind. I considered going exclusively for the Plame panel, but reason got the better of me. I will, however, rejoice for weeks if C-Span broadcasts the historic event!
My request for those in Vegas – please – pretty please – post photos of one another so that we, too, can put faces with names. Many thanks. Have a great time!
meta @# 43
Oh, beehave!
Hey Sharkie, are you here or there?
I’m staying with a hooker transvestite named Chanelle.
test
Hey VG,
My favorite kitty “trick” is sleeping, which is what he’s doing now. lol
Was hoping to do some video at the conference but my camcorder got stolen on Mon%u2014either from the hotel room or the guys who took my carry-on on the puddlejumper from Boston to DC- it was too big for the small compartments.
DAMN.
I keep reminding myself that it is just “a thing.” But I wanted to tape some great memories to bring home.
So it turns out to have been a *good* thing that I decided (for my OWN health reasons) NOT to book reservations for Vegas, now that I have a sick pup to care for and nurse back to (*here’s hoping*) health.
What a great thing that we disappointed “left behind” folks [forgive the use of that phrase ;-)] get to stream online — I’ll look for that later tonight at the AAR site.
If anyone else got the AAR pass to enjoy the event online, could you tell me — do they accept regular credit cards? I hope so, since we got rid of our Paypal account and plan on not getting another one.
Have a great time, Redd, you’ll be just great, I’m sure. Those of us who can’t go are rooting for all our FDL friends and our terrific FDL hosts, and for the objectives of the whole event — giving a boost to the progressive movement, inspiring solidarity, raising the profile of TRUE patriotism, and saving our beloved country from disaster.
Virtual kisses and hugs to all the gang in Vegas!
And don’t let what happens in Vegas STAY in Vegas — spread our wave of progressive reform all across the land!
meta, I’m here. crying while eating.
Pach, if she’s funny, call her the Comedie Chanelle
Zennurse and her son are also coming. Can’t wait to meet them.
Damn, I’m jealous. I’ve been wanting to party with the FireDogs since I got here back in the summer of ‘05. Seems like forever ago, doesn’t it?
You guys go on and have a good time without me though…guess you’ve earned it.
Cheers!
Mrs. K8, yippee — you’re heard from! How’s Tandy coming along?
OK, here’s my plan – bought a lotto ticket for tonight’s drawing. when I find out that I’ve hit the bigtime jackpot, then I drop everything, and we’re off to oakland airport. mrs. punaise will be delighted to have a spur of the moment vacation in Vegas…the kids can fend for themselves. (oops: that kegger party, officer? they promised not to).
oh, and for the lotto numbers I’ve used those myterious “blog verification” comments.
just kidding. sorta.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that Fitz will start off Kos with a press conference on Fri, with many many indictments. Have a great time!
But Coz- when I read the Manx site it said they could do all kinds of things- like retrieve newspapers, jump up to turn on light switches, etc. Even ride in the car. Surely there’s something to report?
So, do we get name tags, and I don’t even know where we are supposed to do all this. Here at the Riviera, I know, but I have not yet enquired whereabouts we meet in the am
a note to the lucky ones in Vegas -
There are no such things as too much live blogging or too many pictures!!
Which includes Chanelle.
‘Magine having to share all that boodle with the NSA, punaise, since they came up with your numbers.
speaking of the Comedy Channel: as a recent retiree, it was getting difficult to stay awake for the 11pm Daily Show and Colbert Report. I just realized I can watch them the next morning at the more civilized hour of 8am…
Hope there are some transcripts, or summaries of sessions posted someplace. Please let us know when it is all set up. Gotta work up some slick tapes and videos and make a mint selling them someplace. Ain’t that how The Success Experts make a bundle? Christy will have to go back to using ReddHedd since that name has more snap. Like old Zig Ziegler, there.
Stay away from roulette.
Duh! Having just read the truthout piece on Cheney’s exemption from security oversight, I didn’t realize that Cheney also has immunity from the Freedom of Information Act. Uhhhhhh, he may as well be the Pope.
*ilson- did you really hack a university computer?
Especially Chanelle.
Nick Danger walks into his office.
ring, ring, ring (telephone)
Nick: Nick Danger, Third Eye.
Stranger: Hi, I’d like to order a pepperoni pizza with no anchovies.
Nick: No anchovies? You’ve got the wrong man, I spell my name Danger. (click)
Stranger: What?
Coke-eau Chanelle
punaise at #12 –
LOL!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was looking for a light-hearted way to post about how much it hurts not to be able to be there, but everything I tried to write just ended up sounding selfish and sour. You did it!!!
Now I’m just looking for someone, any one, to reassure me that someday I’ll be able to jump into the ongoing stream of progressive activism and community building of the future — so that missing out on this one-time event won’t be a permanent “left behind” downer whereby I’ll never be able to “catch up” with all the wonderful connections folks’ll be making this weekend in Nevada.
Anyone? Bueller?
I guess I’m the only one who couldn’t figure out who or what that number guy was. Now I know – I should have been playing it.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..2335/21157
This dKos diary tells the CSPAN schedule, although not what channel. Just reading it I’m excited. I’m not even going, but what a line-up!
*wilson, FYI
TDS is rebroadcast several times a day. Eastern 11 pm, 1 am, 10 am, 2 pm and 8 pm.
It was great when it was on at 7 pm but then they moved it opposite KO.
It’s been a VCR favorite in our house so we can play it at 7 when it used to be.
Angie- I guess you’re not an anchovy fan.
Mrs. K8 – glad to share the sentiments.
This is the stream, and your in it.
(”Madge? You’re soaking in it”)
hugs to the pup.
Punaise said-
Oh sure, someday I’ll tell my grandkids “Well, I could have attended that Plame panel you read about in your school books, but things were pretty crazy at work, and it was the end of the school year for your mom/dad, and%u2026″. Then I’ll just get that vacant look and trail off, muttering to myself.
*******************************
Nah, it will be like Woodstock. We’ll just lie and say we were there.
For a laugh, a potential editorial cartoon:
Cheney out back with a shotgun and a copy of the Constitution.
Caption: ‘Faithfully execute the laws’ does not mean taking them out and shooting them full of holes!
*ilson and pach- how about
Kos Kos Chanelle
“hack” has a variety of meanings: making a computer do something it’s not supposed to is the most general one. Yes, in 1968 I was authorized to use the University’s single scientific research computer for research into stochastic music – mainly Markovian chains and game theory. There was ONE hard disc system for all researchers with 20 megabits total: valuable ‘real-estate’. I used some of those bits to store that Tibetan prayer used on prayer wheels. Neat technological update of an ancient practice! Some stuffed shirts in the astronomy department thought I was wasting University resources but I still prevailed.
VG,
“But Coz- when I read the Manx site it said they could do all kinds of things- like retrieve newspapers, jump up to turn on light switches, etc. Even ride in the car. Surely there’s something to report?”
Mine can’t do any of that (yet) but a friend of mine has one that can. His name is Nub, here’s a pic. Check out those eyes!
http://s67.photobucket.com/alb…..h_Nub2.jpg
What a great story, *ilson! Our man *ilson, ALWAYS a subversive.
Please respect my lady. Don’t stare at her adam’s apple.
*ilson– you continue to confirm my impression that you are a Renaissance man.
OMG OMG – The revolution will be televised Plame panel will be on C-Span! I’m rejoicing in advance.
Thanks, Margot #75 for the link.
Oh no. VG I always order them on my pizzas and salads and with roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella and straight out of a can. I was just remembering one of my favorite skits from Firesign theater.
Love them! Salty, piquant and savory.
Margot says 6:43 pm – thank you so much for the schedule link
Punaise @12, I have to agree with Mrs K8, you said it perfectly. I’m trying not to be jealous of all the Vegas kids, but it’s hard.
While all of you are there, keep an eye out for Jim Schermbeck, one of the producers of “The Big Buy-Tom DeLay’s Stolen Congress.” The movie’s website has a blog and he mentioned he’d be Vegas. Great movie! Got the dvd a couple days ago.
For some reason, Barbara Comstock is thanked in the movie’s credits. Weird. I can guess at the reason she’s listed, but perhaps one of you Vegas bound FDLer’s could ask him for me, should you run into him.
So is there going to be a scrolling reader board over the panel displaying the FDL comments and kibitzing on the conversation as its in progress?
Coz- well, ahem, the first thing I thought of when I saw the pix was the oldie of Jeff Gannon naked chest wearing his dogtags. But I’m sure that wasn’t what you were thinking. BTW, no one get me wrong- I am a cat fan, not a JG fan, but that JG pic is hard not to remember.
yes, thanks Margot !
lotus –
Hey there! Tandy seems to be getting a bit more back to her old self each day (bursts of energy, but then tired again, then energetic again, etc. but moving in a positive direction).
We have on the one hand the fact that the mean survival time after diagnosis of anal sac adenocarcinoma is *9 months* — !!?!! Aargh. [Sound of my heart being ripped out.]
On the other hand, she had an ultrasound this week of the regional lymph nodes and lower body internal organs, and there is NO sign of metastasis. Yay!!!! An oncology consult will be upcoming, but first the stitches come out on Saturday at the regular vet.
She does look pretty funny with her “punk look” shave. First her butt and tail got shaved for the surgery the week before, then this week her tummy got shaved for the ultrasound! She looks…strange! And every 3 months we should repeat the ultrasound, so she’ll be getting more tummy shavings in future.
We bought a specialized food from the vet (Prescription Diet) for her designed for dogs who have cancer — high protein and fat in the form of fish oil, and low carbs (cancer loves to gobble up carbs).
And now we’re putting together a list of supplements to help her immune system. This entails lots of research. Thank God for these here internets which let me search medical & veterinarian research studies (at PubMed and the like). Takes a lot of intense reading, and hence a lot of time. But the kid is mucho worth it!!!
Thanks so much for asking!
dang it– my post disappeared into the Vegasphere– apologies if it reappears.
Au contraire, VG. I love the little fishies. On my pizza, with roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella, straight of the can. Just remembering one of my favorite skits from Firesign Theater…
Salty, piquant and savory.
12 punaise
My God, you speak for me!
I also wonder if you are my chimera. You have a Mrs Punaise. I have a Mr Bionic. Yet we both bought lottery tickets with a plan to dash off to Vegas when we win.
Make ya a deal. If I win, I’ll send you tickets. First class all the way. If you win, do the same for me.
I didn’t do any fiendish seekrit number planning. I just let the machine make one up. I figure the easier I make it for the Universe to do, the better chance I have of winning. *g*
Seeya in Vegas baby!
C-Span 1 or 2 or do we know?
Sharkbabe – that would have made it a nice theme song for AC. *g*
OT
lotus 5:55 /180 below thread
I have not read Glaspell’s works but that is an interesting concept. I do think that he can’t really reconcile the “professional standards” speech to the press vis a vis the admonitions he actually gave to the marines, which included references that responses must be “lawful.”
What is lawful? Violation of the Geneva Conventions, if pursuant to the order of a commanding officer?
They are sending 20 yos and telling them the Geneva Conventions don’t apply – but also don’t do anything “unlawful.” Professional standards are the new rubric and they come without real meaning attached – a bar to be raised or lowered at Presidential whim.
It’s painful to watch. But what can they do? All just sad and depressing. Apparently someone asked Hagee if, as Commandant he would be offering his resignation and I thought good lord no (he’s not btw) bc at least he remembers how to say those increasingly foreign words like – “lawful” and “Geneva Conventions” etc.
Seven years ago who would have thought that we would have a VP and P who openly advocate for using our military and intelligence employees to torture and require that our soldiers be trained to respond with obedience to war crimes orders bc our President has unilaterally determined he will suspend all the Geneva Conventions?
And that botoxed journalists would say it all with a smile, squeezed in between the next Brangelina report, and military commanders would be left clinging to “well, we do have SOME standards”. With, conveniently, no one asking what they are. I guess the same standards our DOJ is told to follow – the law, except not when someone in the adminsitration has a secret. Then it’s a militarized – if the CIC says so, the law doesn’t matter – response.
It’s like watching vivisection of a nation’s values.
FWIW: a followup on my ’stalking Laura Bush’ and the campus cops harrassing me story: the Chief of Police called me this morning and apologized. Nice guy. He said his minions should have created a ‘protest area’ and directed me to it … and this was at a different campus than the religious hard drive…
*ilson46201
Good on ya mate!
Bionic – you’re on! pooled risk, shared rewards. Actuarially brilliant. stay tuna’d!
Mary,
I really get the feeling that the battle is over. The nation is mired in a fight with facsism, decadence, and apathy and all three appear to have the upper hand at any given moment.
-GSD
Angie- once while I was on the road for work stuff I phoned in to order a pizza from a nearby place. When I went to pick it up I said “I ordered an anchovy pizza, but I’m sorry, I can’t remember my order number”. Response- that’s okay, we don’t get orders for anchovies on pizza very often.
omg– that is twice I have lost posts trying to respond to VG… I am copying it this time, so I don’t lose it permanently.
VG– au contraire, I love the little fishies. I order them on all pizza, with roasted red peppers, straight out of the can, on pasta… I was just remembering my favorite skit from Firesign Theater.
salty, piquant and savory. yum.
*ilson – his minions were not being very mignon(s)
Per everyone else, thanks Margot at 6:43, I had missed that.
Whew– I thought I was lost in the Vegasphere.
VG– I order them on my pizza and invariably the waiter turns up their nose.
silly waiters with no sense of adventure.
I will get in on Friday night and be at the breakfast on Saturday. I also will defintely be at the Education panel/seminar plus many, many more.
NOW, they all turn up. Well, there can be no disputing that I love the little critters. sheesh.
GSD – when even you don’t have a laugh at hand, I have to give it up for tonight. :(
Tomorrow’s another day.
Hey, *ilson, I was at the Chicago Democratic convention in ‘68 working for McCarthy…too young to vote, so I hadda do something. Including doing the primaries circuit–Wisconsin, Indianapolis, California, NYC, home for a few weeks’ collapse fatigue then On to Chicago. Watching these “kids” pick up the mantle is splendid…go firedogs, kossacks, progressives! Make Vegas really rock.
And this time, let’s get it done!
Will be with the Vegasans in spirit this week/end and eager as the rest of the watchdogs stayin’ home by the fire to share your experiences via postings and CSpan.
This is the stream, and your in it.
punaise –
You did it again. That was also a perfect thing to say.
I hope one day to meet the whole FDL clan, but you have a special place on my list of folks I’d like to hug.
hugs to the pup.
Tandy (a.k.a. “The Drive-By Smoocher”) sends you a wet puppy kiss back.
And yes, I’m old enough to remember the “Madge” commercial — I even saw it in Germany, same actress playing Madge, speaking German, not dubbed, and not too bad an accent!
ain’t yo vie in a sausage
(huh?)
Angie- are you not getting a “comment in moderation” response? If so, this is a problem to be addressed after the dust settles (post-yKos). There was an update to WP about a week ago, and there may still be some glitches. I pulled one of your comments out of moderation, but didn’t see the other.
nope VG– I even waited and refreshed and it was like nothing that every happened since we switched to wordpress. No error message, moderation or it looks like you already posted that, just poof.
Mary #97:
On KO tonight, COL Wilkerson opined that the army and marine corps have 18-24 months before they’re “irretrievably broken”, meaning that the next POTUS will have to re-institute the draft if we have any concerns of ground combat anywhere in the world for the next 10-20 years (his timeframe, not mine). Just another dimension of the disaster.
On top of all the usual ambiguity about counter-insurgency, our forces don’t have any real rules to govern their conduct.
I can’t believe we’re living this nightmare.
actually, I thought I had pulled two comments about anchovies outta moderation (thinking to myself: that woman is seriously serious about those fishies!)
Mrs. K8 – thanks! I meant you’re, not your, but you knew that. ack! spellcheck!
catch you all later.
please kindly post photos of everybody — we who can’t be there will enjoy it from afar
thank you
The anchovies were mistaken for spam.
Prairie Sunshine, I was “Neat and Clean for Gene” canvassing neighborhoods in my town, I think I was 15.
oh, one last thing: just what is the “dailykos” place, anyway? never heard of it. :~)
You’re right, the program looks great. But all the blogger-love in the world won’t do the job. I hope that the big question that gets on the front burner in Vegas is, “How do we get ‘our’ people to vote?” It’s ours to lose this time. But the turnout in this week’s elections was abysmal!
You can bet that James Dobson and Karl Rove will be thinking of nothing else for the next five months. This is where the net-roots community can make a real difference if we have a united strategy…
I wonder if NSA will be beefing up their discs for this weekend at their Las Vegas operation?
Angie: Weird- I’ve seen a few other recent comments that indicate that people are not seeing “comment in moderation” after the new WP update. And, there have been a few multiple posts bec. people report seeing an error message. Obviously there is some problem, but not one that will likely be solved until after yKos.
I’m so glad that this convocation is occurring. May the connections, strategies, plots and liasons be plentiful, meaningful and effective for the fight ahead.
Moi…staying here in MA. It’s a dirty job but someone has to soak up all the rain. Would give my eye teeth to be there but am awe-struck by this coming together of such great minds and hearts. Bon appetit!
Welcome to my humble home town, eminent FDL’ers.
“Las Vegas: Seven Deadly Sins, One Convenient Location.”
(actual I-15 billboard)
Well I need to get up at 4:30 AM EST for my flight, so I’m off to bed.
See y’all on the other side.
al-Scooter #115
bringing back the draft may well be the only thing that will save us — nobody in congress or in the executive has offspring serving in combat, but if we have universal conscription the chicken hawks in both parties [hillary, lieberman et al] will think twice before putting america second
out of sheer perversity, I almost bought some Spam this afternoon but came to my senses…
Any thoughts on how we spot the invasion of the trolls at YKos? Hard to believe there won’t be some kind of spying going on. Then again, we aren’t like the repugs who do background checks on everyone who wants to attend a royal speech or rally.
Pach- anchovies and spam have nothing in common, imo. But, I guess you’re on the wrong side of the “anchovy lover” issue.
never fear! YKos will be thoroughly watched and documented thoroughly … very thoroughly!
Speaking of Wordpress — what happened to the “refresh comments” button, which was way cool?
I was away from here for a few days, and now I see it’s not an option. Is that just a problem on my end?
Wait a minute….I installed a program to monitor/limit javascript (had been reading about a new evil js hacker method of keylogging — attacks both IE and Firefox). Maybe it’s just on my computer it’s missing?
Bush, Pew!
http://pewresearch.org/reports/?ReportID=26
-GSD
*ilson- and where do you stand on the “anchovy issue”?
On the contrary, I enjoy acciuge.
undercoverdick 125
Lots of yellow elephants ripe for the drafting!
A couple of years ago I saw the website of the fed. govt. that was trying to recruit people for local draft boards. We could do the country a lot of good by getting involved there. A whole different kind of Roots Project.
I eschew anchovies … they are like cigars and Scotch: I just have never been able to develop a taste for them…
RevDeb
Any thoughts on how we spot the invasion of the trolls at YKos
nictating membrances are always my first clue,
although the cheetos ‘ring’, or scent of paste are often handy
linked text
cbl
that is SO gross! What caused you to find that pic to begin with?
Anyone catch The Decider’s latest bit of eloquence today, where he lamented all “the opinionating” that goes on?
Delurking to say that all of you, Vegas bound or not, are keeping hope alive for the home country.
It isn’t bad here in NZ….big news today: big traffic jam up in Auckland due to a new mall opening. Big news last week: Tana Umaga (star rugby player) hit a teammate with a woman’s handbag at a bar after the game and the fellow rugby player sat down and cried (I don’t think you really want to ask more…). Last year’s big story: the prime minister’s motorcade was clocked going in excess of the speed limit. Is she responsible for her chauffer or not? So it is a charming country.
But, dammit, I believed my highschool civics teacher and still don’t want to give up the dream. So thanks for being a source of information, humor, and hope.
Back to lurking.
Mrs. K8 #133 – Yes, it’s probably the Firefox scriptblocking extension. I uninstalled it when I realized how much functionality I was missing everywhere I went online. The Refresh Comments button still shows and works for me, and I agree it is way cool! HTH.
OT: you dog-lovers (pace Rick and Katherine) might enjoy my posted website…
To all dkosian travelers… be safe try to keep your shoes on and pants up. In the airports not vegas. *g*
*ilson- thanks for the telling response. Now this is really odd, as I like most viands (and Scotch also) but I have never, ever been able to develop a taste for olives.
“How I learned to overcome loathing and enjoy the Reich”
NZ expat– weren’t you the kind soul who gave us the update after the tsunami warning not long ago?
Don’t lurk– we need you, too!
Any thoughts on how we spot the invasion of the trolls at YKos
If they’re just garden-variety GOP trolls, look for clenched fists, red face, scowl/sneer expression, twitching. And they possibly may break out in a RASH, being surrounded by so many “godless liberals” all at once.
Down with anchovies–Scotch is OK if you don’t have Jamesons- Cigars are GREAT!
Wrt reinstituting the draft, I’m not so sure that’s such a bad idea. It might cut down on the number of
Xerox Ben’schickenhawks.Mrs. K8
It would be great if we could generate allergic reactions in the trolls. The stuff of which fantasies are made.
Perhaps they will be the “twenty-somethings in their pajamas” that they try to brand us. Probably nerdy looking jammies too.
rw and *ilson– no Caesar salad or Pasta Puttanesca?
RevDeb,
quick look for image of nictating membrane – although I was looking for reptiles, but hey, chicken works as well
one other field mark: look for the ones sporting the Rainbow Six backpacks
NZ expat, always good to hear from the lurkers.
Evolving Peace –
Many thanks to you! You were right about the noscript program.
But I didn’t uninstall — what I like about it is the ability to give specific permissions to specific sites.
So I permitted FDL, and now I have my “refresh comments” button. Yay!!! Thanks again.
Ooooooh, everyone’s out of town and I’VE got the keys to the blog!!
Christy, you be safe there! Keep us posted!
Just heard Senator Sphinctorum raging about gay marriage on CNN…”if it’s not about one man and one woman, why not one man and two women, or two men and three women?…”
Uh, Senator Man/Dog Marriage, out here we call those “Mormons.”
NZ expat- living lefty lotto dreams. *g* or peak oil wishes.
Like Caesar Salad- and it’s OK if it has some fish paste in the dressing- but I don’t wanna eat one ‘f them little fuckers.
John Casper #150 – how did you get the strikethrough to work? Mine show up in preview and disappear when I post, leaving non-sequiturs and grammatical disasters behind.
Probably nerdy looking jammies too.
RevDeb –
You just know they’re jammies with the footies on them. Sorta like the bunny pajamas the kid got for Christmas from his aunt in “A Christmas Story.”
LOL! Just the image of that cracks me up.
This is the point where Senator Ricky normally devolves into discussing having sex with cocker spaniels. Has he restrained himself?
This talk about trolls has me wondering– also Bushco official spies Secret Service guys on board?
rw, the good senator is all about getting himself restrained
and why should they have a problem with one man, two women – they certainly believe in ‘one man, two votes’
I heard the trolls want to blend in at yKos so they are going to show up in their jammies. They should be easy to spot, covered from neck to toe in their WWJD red, white and blue flannels (with matching slippers).
Any thoughts on how we spot the invasion of the trolls at YKos
show some affection and they will run. have you hugged Anncol today?
Mrs. K8 @ 162– Bright red union suits with footsies and the quick release back door so they can get rid of their doughy pantloads as quick as they fill em up.
VG,
There could be SS, who knows. I submitted a FOIA for my FBI file and found I didn’t have one. I was sorely disappointed and told my hubby and folks in my church that obviously I have to work harder! Maybe YKos will provide that opportunity.
Senator Ricky at the animal shelter:
“Of all the gin joints in all the world-and YOU had to show up here!”
Valley Girl –
Anyone heard promoting violent revolution, or even sprinkling their conversation with “bomb” or “C-4″ should be avoided like the Cointelpro plague they probably are.
TRex- what is the cut-off time for me to contact you about Dim Sum on Sunday? I am sorta/ really stressed with work deadlines, so it may not even be possible from my end.
Angie at 148…I don’t think that was me on the tsunami warning….like most here, we slept through it quite nicely and only awoke to the phone ringing from the US to warn us (though we are in the center of the North Island and not in danger from tsunamis).
We didn’t even feel the recent 6.8 earthquake near Tonga that rattled much of NZ, as our town has quite a pumice underlay from a long ago volcano and apparently it absorbs most of the shocks from the earthquakes. One of the volcanoes across the lake was just upgraded to active yesterday, though.
I’m not quick-witted enough to post much. My thoughts are usually on a slow burble. For instance, I recently had a thought about Peak Oil. Oh, is the discussion on that well past?
I’ve been off topic most of my life, as my former students will attest.
Secret Service is so over-stretched with Bush ordering post 9/11 protection for practically everybody in the WH & Cabinet 24/7 … at best we will get FBI and maybe some military intel types… and all the bits and bytes will faithfully get recorded by the NSA contingent!
angie –
Too funny!!! LOL!
But, they don’t have the WORD “union” on them, do they? ‘Cause you just know they’d rip it off, or cover it up with a pic of Dear Leader.
All the NSA has to do is fork out $10 for the AAR feed. It’ll save a lot of time and expense for them. But then again, they are in the spare no expense crowd since the US treasury is so flush!
But, NZ expat, you can take your sweet time; that is what is so kewl about this site, quick on the draw or slow burbling, thoughts are what count. Thanks for your response.
Then, there is another expat who did post that day… but then again, the expat community is probably growing over there…
(And I’ll finally get to meet Swopa in person…)
Here, this will help you to recognize me.
Or, um, maybe not.
Heh, Mrs. K8– right-o! They say No Civil Unions on ‘em.
Message to FBI & NSA & HSA…
I will BE THERE at YearlyKos. Fuck YOU. Every second you waste surveilling us in one NOT spent chasing Bad Guys — the job you are ostensibly paid to do.
VG-
Just let me know. You really should come up to Athens sometime. It’s heavenly here in the summer.
They should be easy to spot, covered from neck to toe in their WWJD red, white and blue flannels (with matching slippers).
Just remember:
WWJD=”Who Would Jesus Do?”
Jon Stewart forensically disembowles the self-appointed MoralityFueher Bill Bennett on gay marriage:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..22479.html
Sic Jon on mAnn Coulter. (she’d never do it.)
dammit BobbyG — CHILL!!!
All they are looking for at YKos is a tall skinny bearded dude in a bathrobe with dialysis tubes…give them a fucking break, will ya?
punaise 12 — that’s it!
There are yellow dogs
And there are blue dogs
and they may be brillig and all, but lo my son
Beware the Fire Dogs!
*ilson46201 -
ROTFLMAF!!!
wilson, 138:”I eschew anchovies”
Ain’t s’posed to chew them, s’posed to sqallow them whole.
Man, I have a serious Shiraz-based typo problem tonight…
And yes, I really meant squallow.
Okay TRex. Will do. I will be a lot saner after this grant proposal gets done.
And, odd that you should mention Jesus, bec. before I saw that I was wondering if Jesus’ General would be at yKos, and if I saw him (hypothetically) I would recognize him.
Oh yeah, TRex, I temporarily have the keys too, and if you say anything that does not meet FDL standards, I am gonna TREX you bigtime.
rwcole, my cocker spaniels heard about your doggy post re Senator Sphinctorum and went eeeeeeeeuuuuuuwwww.
Mrs. K8 — hugs from my doggies to yours.
Will any reps from Pantload Media be there?
-GSD
I see I need to go repack and switch to the other jammies. Darn.
I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon! I’ve planned it to be easily in time for the FDL caucus; I’m crossing my fingers there are no flight delays or other difficulties.
I’ll be the tall blond with the ponytail (though probably not the only one.) If you watched the Roots Project video, you may recognize me; I appear for a minute or so in the background at the end.
NZ ex-pat, only if you feel comfortable doing it, (and as you probably already know) what a lot of us do is preface such a comment with “OfT” = off topic.
As I am sure you know, you help FDL everytime you log in, as the incredible growth curve on site meter confirms.
Okay, did some reconnoiter work on YKos. One hundred and twenty five press credentials. Zounds! Met the bookwriting guy. I didn’t let on I knew who he was. I treat everyone like a regular Joe. He congratulated me on my daughters wedding. (Yes, I’m still talking about my kids.) It’s gonna be way yonder kewl out here!
Redshift,
So, are you a dude or dudette?
Christy, if you are still here…
I am just signing on to FDL for the evening, have been busy getting ready to go to Yearly Kos tomorrow, arriving in time, I hope, for the FDL caucus. Haven’t read the comments tonight…has the time and place for the FDL breakfast been announced? Looking forward to meeting people.
VG, btw, a few days ago, Jane posted a Robert Capa pic from the Spannish Civil War. I commented and misspelled his name “Capo.” Someone (probably you) miraculously rescued me from archived shame by changing the “o” to an “a.” Many thanks.
John Casper: de nada! twas me…
new thread – old story …
I’ll be there Thursday evening, save me some shrimp at the caucus – no weenies, thanx. I hope I get there before Oilfieldguy leaves.
BobbyG – haven’t been to Vegas in 15 years. What is there way-fun for a 7 yr old boy to do – kid-friendly casinos? minigolf? lightsaber battles?
Looks like too many good panels, some scheduled at the same time. See y’all in VIVA LAS VEGAS!
orangejumpsuit – I really like that word. Does it mean crying while you swallow?
punaise and all the others staying at home:
I too will be missing out on the fun in Las Vegas, but my four year old kicked me out of it this afternoon, without even knowing why dad was bummed.
“Let’s play some music, daddy.”
“OK – what shall we put on?”
“Jimmy Buffett!” (this month’s favorite)
He put on the CD, then punched up a song. Two chords in, and I was LMAO: Gypsies in the Palace
For non-Parrotheads, the song is the story of two guys who offer to take care of Jimmy’s place while he’s on the road . . .
Have fun, Jane, Redd, and Pach . . . FDL’s in good hands – don’t worry about a thing!
Mrs. K8:
I’m ECSTATIC to learn about Tandy.
I’ve been waiting for at least a week, and was just lucky to see your posting. I was planning on trying to get some news by ambushing you once I saw you post on some subject.
Keep the faith. When this stuff knocks on your door (and it eventually knocks on all of our doors), you never get any good news. All you can do is take what they give you and then try to get more, stayin’ alive all the time.
And please, keep us updated. We do care.
BTW, Christy, Randi mentioned that the website got hacked and went down when she started talking about the voting problem. Her techs had found the interuder’s fingerprints. Brad from Bradblog called her after Mark Crispin Miller’s interview (I wish she would let people talk more sometimes! What’s the point of having them if you’re gonna hog all the air?) and told her he has the same problem, several times a day.
Blushing, you’re welcome, you guys.
oilfieldguy — I’m a dude.
The ones who show up in pajamas are the
in-bedded bloggers.
Christy:
But for a business meeting I would be at the bar with you guys in Vegas.
Have a great time but there is some serious work that needs to be done. Kos and Stoller have had some good takes on Busby. The Dem base did not turn out. Gotta change that if we have a shot in November.
Have a great time and let’s kick some serious ass.
All the Best
Prairie Sunshine & Difficult Lawyer –
Thank you, both, so much! Hugs & Puppy Kisses back at ya.
I’ve been off reading doggie health newsgroups, looking for more info. And now I have to make a belated dinner, then collapse.
All this emotional stuff is exhausting (not even counting the first few nights when I couldn’t sleep). Will be back here to find you and all my other pals ASAP, and to cheer on the FDL yKOS contingent. Yay FDL!!!
Night, all!
I’m assuming you know about NRO’s outing of Armando. If not, please take a look at this. And then, by all means, let the ‘author’, Stephen Spruiell, know how you feel. At sspruiell@nationalreview.com.
Thanks.
I’ll be there. I get in around 1pm local time.
Hey Redd!
In a former job I used to get down to Vegas for CES every January – Vegas is a trip, in every sense of the word!
RE: your Media Training this morning. I’ve been through this sort of thing several times, and it can be a bit grating. They teach you how to stay “on topic”, how to answer questions in a way that gets your primary message out, regardless of what you’re asked. It all feels a bit skeevy, or at least it did to me. Regardless, the skills they teach you will be invaluable. We all love you here at FDL for the in-depth and well-thought-out essays on various topics, especially the Plame Affair. However, MSM values the ability to express your point of view in short, pithy statements that invariably shortchange all the thought and research that you’ve put into forming your opinion. It sucks eggs. You finally get a platform for your brilliant analysis, uncompromising research, and scintillating logic, and they want you to sum it all up in 30 seconds. :(
It’s not fair. The fact that the other side is so shamelessly good at this sort of thing is galling.
Put that aside.
Boil it down to a message that you can articulate clearly in 10-20 seconds. It’s not easy to do, and staying ‘on topic’ is very hard when there’s so much that you could say, if only you had a bit of time to write out the argument you know to be true.
It all sucks so hard. But you get good at expressing your main point, and that leads to follow up questions where you can expand a bit, and that leads to listeners coming to FDL to read your essays, and that leads to change.
It all seems like such a game, and it is. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t play the game in a way that remains true to your own goals and ethics.
Please be careful out there. I have been worried that the guys in the white house look at you all being in the same place as an op to eliminate you all. Be aware of the nearest exit, watch your back etc. I know I’m paranoid but somebody has to do it.
#65 said: a note to the lucky ones in Vegas -
There are no such things as too much live blogging or too many pictures!!
Do try and sneak a photo of Digby!!