Okay, so this is my new favorite song, "Wildcat" by Ratatat. I don't know anything about the band or why the only way I could find the song on YouTube was mashed up with a Nine Inch Nails video, but the good news is that the audio on this clip is great and the song, well...listen for yourself. I loooooove it. It has no words whatsover (unless you speak bobcat), but somehow it says everything that needs to be said.
There is a certain way to walk to this song. Some of you will know what I mean.
So, I am utterly empty-headed tonight. Jane called me earlier and asked what I was doing.
"Online shopping," I said.
"STOP AT ONCE!" she cried, "They have support groups for that! You don't know what you're getting into! It's worse than online gambling, TRex! We really don't want to have to do another intervention on you. Have you already bought anything?"
"Yes," I meekly admitted.
"How much have you spent?"
"Thirty-five dollars with shipping."
"Oh, really? Is that all?" and then her curiosity got the best of her, "What did you get?"
Yes, it's Friday night, the first Friday in October, and one of the first genuinely cool evenings we've had this fall. I've got the windows open wide and I can hear crisp drifting leaves skating across the sidewalks and down the street. The clock in city hall is chiming ten and I have nothing more pressing on my mind than how silly it is that you can't get a wish-list at Gap.com like you can at Amazon. Someone really should look into that.
Well, and this.
From Merriam-Webster On Line:
responsibility
One entry found for responsibility.
Main Entry: re·spon·si·bil·i·ty
Pronunciation: ri-"spän(t)-s&-'bi-l&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
1 : the quality or state of being responsible : as a : moral, legal, or mental accountability b : RELIABILITY, TRUSTWORTHINESS
2 : something for which one is responsible : BURDEN <has neglected his responsibilities>
Now, the crucial phrase here to me is "moral, legal, or mental accountability". Your mileage may vary, but what that says to me is that, say, when I get the sweater and t-shirt that I ordered tonight, I am then obligated to pay the credit card bill when it comes. I was responsible for these purchases. I made them of my own volition, ergo, they are my responsibility. If I decide that I don't want to pay that bill, but want to keep the stuff, there's going to be a problem. The credit card company is expecting me to honor my obligation to them. I can't call them up and say that I ordered those things when I was drunk so it doesn't count. Nor can I call them and tell them that my parish priest stole my favorite sweater when I was five so I clearly can't be expected to pay for this one.
Visa is expecting me to take responsibility for my purchases. In this case that means pay up or face the consequences. It does not mean dodge and evade and try to come up with reasons why it's someone else's problem.
So, I don't know about you guys, but I'm finding myself a little unsatisfied that this week Denny Hastert has "taken responsibility" for the egregious mismanagement of Representative Mark Foley's serial sexual advances toward underage boys and then waddled away from the microphones and cameras as if that's the end of the matter. It isn't.
But clearly, the phrase, "I accept full respnsibility" has a different meaning in the Republican lexicon. Take this particular nugget of vintage hooey, for example:
"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government and to the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said during a joint news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.
Or how about this from back in the era of the McClellatron 3000:
QUESTION: Regardless of whether or not there was pressure from the White House for that line, I'm wondering where does the buck stop in this White House? Does it stop at the CIA, or does it stop in the Oval Office?
Scott McClellan: Again, this issue has been discussed. You're talking about some of the comments that -- some that are --
QUESTION: I'm not talking about anybody else's comments. I'm asking the question, is responsibility for what was in the President's own State of the Union ultimately with the President, or with somebody else?
Scott McClellan: This has been discussed.
QUESTION: So you won't say that the President is responsible for his own State of the Union speech?
Scott McClellan: It's been addressed.
QUESTION: Well, that's an excellent question. That is an excellent question. (Laughter.) Isn't the President responsible for the words that come out of his own mouth?
Scott McClellan: We've already acknowledged, Terry, that it should not have been included in there. I think that the American people appreciate that recognition.
QUESTION: You acknowledge that, but you blame somebody else for it. Is the President responsible for the things that he said in the State of the Union?
Scott McClellan: Well, the intelligence -- you're talking about intelligence that -- sometimes you later learn more information about intelligence that you didn't have previously. But when we're clearing a speech like that, it goes through the various agencies to look at that information and --
QUESTION: And so when there's intelligence in a speech, the President is not responsible for that?
Scott McClellan: We appreciate Director Tenet saying that he should have said, take it out.
QUESTION: But it's the President's fault.
Scott McClellan: In fact, if you look back at it, I mean, we did take out a different reference, a reference based on different sources in a previous speech because it was said -- the CIA Director said, take it out.
Or Don Rumsfeld on the looting of thousands of years' worth of historical treasures in the early days of the War in Iraq?
"Freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things," Rumsfeld said. "They're also free to live their lives and do wonderful things. And that's what's going to happen here."
Looting, he added, was not uncommon for countries that experience significant social upheaval. "Stuff happens," Rumsfeld said.
So, when a Republican tells you, "I am responsible", that means, "I can't find anyone else to pin this on, so I'm going to make a symbolic show of concern, but then I'm going to walk away from this and never think about it again."
I think we, the American people, are entitled to a little bit more than that, don't you?
ROWR!!
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Fitz!
Richard Clarke on Real Time. Also Robin Williams. This should be good.
I sent John Roberts (on cnn tonight), Monks picture of Hot tub Tom. He was laughing about hot tubs for some reason. Thought cnn might get a chuckle out of that.
So what DID you buy from the shopping channel for $35 TRex? Don’t keep us in suspension!
A sweater and t-shirt for just $35 including shipping? TR, nice work. Responsible work.
Hey Trex! just waving from chilly Chicago …
Trex, I *do* so love your writing.
Just say… Never Again
;>)
I think this country needs some institutionalized form of national communal shaming. No, watching TV coverage does not count.
This sweater in brown.
This t-shirt in black.
I had to really hold myself back from this sweater and this one, too.
Sigh.
Eef I wair a reech man. Bubbie, bubbie, etc…
SusanD @ 9
Aw.
It loves you, too.
Accountability was sooo in fashion when I was growing up in my family and is sooo needed now.
You do write beautifully, TRex!
What does the “ROWR” ciphering mean?
angie @ 14
I think it means >.
Bush: “No one could have
anticipated these things”
Incurious George
Aww TRex, you poor man. Be glad that being starved, you don’t have to spend addittional money on the XL size wear.
EvilDrPuma @ 15
Sorry. Should be “I think it means (insert bellowing T-Rex roar from Jurassic Park).”
The second sweater reminds me of George Bush at Yale.
It’s a sound effect.
Like RAHRR!! Or GRRRRRRR!!!
Gosh, I think I may have to just cough up the fifty bucks for that cardigan. It would be so cute on me.
*peers at checkbook*
Hmph.
It WILL go on sale.
Shorter TRex:
Scott McClellan: This has been discussed.
Donald Rumsfeld: Stuff Happens
Dennis Hastert: Move over Mr. VP. Mr. Bin Laden. Isn’t there a bigger, less damp room in this cave? Where’s the refrig?
Speaking of accountability, if you missed it in the last thread you must go visit CTBob’s website and check out his video clip of Lying Lieberman. He plants the “partisan frenzy” quote squarely in Joe-Lie’s ten ring. It’s a beautiful thing.
Speaking of Little Scottie McClellan–
here in the Great State, we were treated this evening to watching his Mommy tank in the lone gubernatiorial debate. All this about secure borders, and she couldn’t even come up with the name of the President of Mexico when asked.
Meanwhile, Chris Bell did us all proud tonight — presented well, and nailed the challenge to name the year of the Battle of The Alamo. (1836, for ya’ll who didn’t know).
Primordial Ooze @ 16
…unless he was paying attention, or gave a damn, or something like that.
brainfaht @ 19
I would loooooove to have been at Yale with him. I would have been the bane of his existence. A galling omnipresent gadfly.
“Hey, George, say ‘nuclear’! Go on, say it, you dumb Connecticut hick! NU-CLE-AR!!”
You would have loved his parties, but I understand his family is kinda nuts,
TRex @ 12
eh, trex, does she know about the cool phone…and wasn’t there talk about this neat pen one night awhile back…
ReneND @
5
ReneND, linky? Pretty please?
TRex @ 25
There was a time when the phrase “Connecticut hick” would have been regarded as an oxymoron. I miss that time.
It does lend itself to some catchy phrases, doesn’t it, EvilDrPuma:
Republicans: the party that can’t anticipate anything
Republicans: we don’t give a damn
Republicans: don’t bother us with facts
Republicans: lining our own pockets and saving our own asses
This sweater suits you more TRex…besides it would be softer on yer scaley skin hehe.
EvilDrPuma @
11
How about not watching ANY tv for a week?
Excellent post. If an on-line GAP shopper or a 60 foot therapod can grasp and explain this concept so clearly and eloquently, why can’t anyone in the Republican Party?
I’m fluent in domestic housecat, and bobcat is a closely related language, so I can pick out a few words. In this particular dialect “horny”, “hungry”, and “angry” all sound very much alike …
Primordial Ooze @ 30
Republicans: you aren’t rich enough to make us give a shit
Well I have to ask, which NIN song where you looking for when you happened across this intersting little ditty?
Kurt @
31
LALALALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!
NOT!! LOOKING!!
T the Fuck Rex upon whose wise snarky bosom I ever lay my weary head
Back in a bit to savor the post and all you knuckleheads
[randi] Friday ya bastads! [/r]
TRex @ 20
Can we help? Did you and Ned apply for the NPR blogger spot yet? I’ve seen nobuddy here sayin’ mfffffffffffmphmph ever. ROWR!
ATTAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!
grs @ 36
I was actually looking for this song. I heard it on All Things Considered and had to have it.
Gosh, I think I may have to just cough up the fifty bucks for that cardigan. It would be so cute on me.
And here I thought you were about to say cough up a hairball..after all those throaty sound effects.
LindyH @ 41
GHHHHHAAACCKK!!
I’m sorry, Lindy, what were you saying?
Hey folks, I just watched a great movie.
Tod Browning’s ‘Freaks’ - 1931
It’s a brilliant portrayal of sideshows in traveling circuses with a killer theme of loyalty and revenge. Bought the DVD for $9; it was worth that and more.
Anyone seen it?
TRex @ 40
Wow. Tip o’ the hat to ATC for a reference to the obscure then. For some reason, the political climate in the past week or so has me craving some Social Distortion - Bad Luck. Then again, I guess it isn’t bad luck if you bring it on yourself.
Balrog @ 43
GABBA GABBA ONE OF US!
ONE OF US! ONE OF US!
Wow. Tip o’ the hat to ATC for a reference to the obscure then.
Bob Boilen directs ATC 4 days a week and ALWAYS plays awesome music.
TRex @ 45
Zoiks! That was SCARY!
Zoiks! That was SCARY!
It’s my favorite part.
TRex @ 45
It amazes me how the scene where the ’sideshow performers’ are stalking the antagonists is far more frightening than 98% of the horror movies I’ve seen in years.
It also really strikes home in understanding the GOP portrayal of the Gay population today. Are you all really like that?
TRex- our very own cute, cardigan- wearing, cuddler and humanist extraordinaire- ROWR!
May I build a fire, sir? Let us chat and make the world a bit better.
FDL rules!
Are you guys listening to the song?
grs @44, Social Distortion has long been one of my faves, but last night I had to dig up Galaxie 500’s cover of Ceremony
I watched the Forty Year Old Virgin last night. Zillion funny bits. Unexpectedly sweet tender thing overall. Supporting people all outstanding. 4 stars out of 5 overall.
TRex @ 51
See mine @34 … I’m still trying to pick out those lyrics …
TRex,
maybe time for a late night contest. I think Condi was the first to come up with the GOP’s favorite continuing meme “Who could have anticipated ….[fill in the blanks, doggies]….”
WCHA may become this month’s ROFL…
I’ll give a freebie example:
“Who could have anticipated bloggers would fly the truth into the empty buildings housing the mainstream media?”
Ed*ard Teller @
55
heh.
AirportCat @ 54
Hey, AC. How’s it going?
That has to be near the top of the list of best questions ever asked in a press conference.
Trex, was too busy at work earlier today when you enthused about this vid on Donita thread, now home & stuck on dialup - will try anyway.
(Other current spin I’m in - Girls Girls Girls by Marshall Crenshaw)
Sharkbabe @ 53
You know, we may be on to something here.
I typically like movies that other Left-ier people like. Can we have a weekly post that we can comment on movies we’ve seen pro or con?
I’ll start (again, after ‘Freaks’).
‘Once Upon A Time In The West’ is perhaps the finest Western I’ve ever seen. Charles Bronson takes over (brilliantly) as Clint Eastwood’s ‘Man With No Name’. Henry Fonda plays a bad guy (!!!). Sergio Leone has never been better. 5 Stars.
Sharkbabe @ 59
I thought that was by Motley Crud.
Hey, everyone! What’s going on?
LandOfTheFree @ 58
Absolutely. It’s right up there with the “helicopter question” (Doonesbury in the Reagan years).
OC!!
*smooch*
What’s shakin?
I don’t know if this has been posted here, but I just heard about it, and others may not have seen it:
Jack Abramoff’s former employee, Susan Ralston, has resigned from her White House job working for Karl Rove.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITI.....index.html
Not much here, OC. Sitting here listening to music and trying to wind down from a killer week. You?
Yes, Trex, listened to the song. I’ll give it a 10, it has a good beat and you can dance to it.
Seriously, really liking it.
neurophius @ 65
She’s taking a leave of absence to spend more time with her subpoenas.
LindyH @ 57
Hey LindyH, pretty good but too much work to do at work and not enough people to do it anymore. Been too tired to do more than skim the posts at FDL the past couple of weeks. How you?
Hey, TRex, and howsa ’bout a hat? Recopied a comment from last thread, bec. it was meant for you, from me.
RBG- from the WaPo article you cited:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con tent/article/2006/10/05/AR2006100501811. html
~~Cheney said he often starts his day by listening to radio host Don Imus, whose trash-talking style has given him legions of fans and made his show a frequent stop of politicians. Cheney’s wife, Lynne, people close to her say, is an avid consumer of Matt Drudge’s online Drudge Report, which often either breaks or promotes stories with a salacious angle and in recent days has bannered every new disclosure in the Foley case.~~
TRex would love that one!
TRex @ 68
Do pages have sub-penises?
SusanD @ 67
It makes me think about this beautiful, slinky black drag queen I know. She can make that Bobcat sound with her eyes. If that makes any sense.
TRex @ 64
recovering from kindergartners who today learned to “type” their names… oh my!
either inspires a lot of weeping or they get it done and they clap for themselves… hilarious yet exhausting somehow…
;-) (love the sweater)
Oh yeah. I always envied anyone with that ability. What a potent weapon/tool.
SusanD @ 73
Yeah, but can she do Marty Feldman eyes?
LandOfTheFree @ 58
Amen!
we are having the most gorgeous weather these days… cool and clear and beautiful…
think I’ll make like the presnit tomorrow - empty my mind of every thought and go for a bike ride…
;-) (love the sweater)
It’s a good one, isn’t it? $17!!
I am a clothes horse, but also a skin-flint scotsman. The (gorgeous Banana Republic) pants I’m wearing were $15. My knitted linen sweater (thank god for the italians!) was $9.99. It’s a talent.
I have told friends that I have an X-Files style implant in my neck that tingles whenever I walk within fifty yards of something that would look fantastic on me and costs less than $25.
I am coming late to the party, but there was a guy on KO tonight that really made some good comments. I believe his last name was Klass as I was late to KO too.
Anyway, regarding the Repub. not knowing or doing anything regarding Foley.
“There were more red flags than a Chinese New Year celebration”
“This mess broke just hours before Congress adjourned, can you imagine if they had adjourned and this had not been discovered…” I am paraphrasing this last comment.
KO complimented him by saying that he had not heard that comment before.
Sorry if this has already been mentioned.
Paging TRex- Paging TRex- do you mind gently used clothing? If that is not a problem, send me your wish list and measurements.
Apple Canyon 2 @ 79
Klaas. His daughter was murdered by a Foley- type.
AirportCat @ 69
Same same…and my program director just left, but he’s still program director…long distance.
Just Lindy. I added the H when I tried to register…Lindy was taken…as was LindyLou.
TRex @ 77
you are a snappy dresser… me? closet full of Grr Animals… as long as everything matches, I’m all set…
Note to elected officials:
You are either responsible or irresponsible.
Ya just can’t claim responsibility and then promise a full investigation to find out who
told on your sorry assto blame.Balrog, @81
You just jogged my memory, was that Polly Klaas?
The organization was Klasskids, but I did not make the connection. Thank you.
Me likey the strike thru feature ;)
Oilfieldguy @ 85
Oilfieldguy, thank you. It needed saying.
Waving at Trex, VG and the gang.
OldCoastie @ 83
That’s the beauty of Gap. Most of it does match.
I know that men’s clothes are a lot less complicated than women’s clothes. Cover the bottom, cover the top, are you legal? Okay, let’s go. Women have a whole gauntlet of daily decisions and choices to run.
I could never be a drag queen. It just seems like so much freakin’ work!
I have a sheet or two of printable magnets. Do you mind if I borrow that, OFG?
LindyH @ 83
Did you notice that the Secretary of the Army graced NOLA with his presence this week? I think it had something to do with the Corps of Engineers and the levees. I’ve heard they want to raise the Lake Pontchartrain levees to 26 feet by 2010. How high is Monkey Hill? If they build the levees that high, they’ll have to build up Monkey Hill a few more feet to keep it the highest point in New Orleans, won’t they?
I’ve just started updating my wardrobe. Been livin’ in Levi’s and t-shirts for years.
Valley Girl @ 79
What, VG, are you going to knock people down if you see them wearing the right items and steal them? You live close enough that we could just go shop together, darlin.
We should go to AmVets.
Although as good as I am with sales, I can generally find new clothes cheaper than vintage or consignment. I’m telling you, I’m good. I paint my face and travel by night. Ninja shopper. Before you know what’s happened, you’re in a shopping bag and I’m getting rung up. HOOOOOOO-chaaaaaaa!!
AirportCat @ 92
No, I missed it. I’ve been head down in a bunch of web updates and reports for work…and I didn’t know Monkey Hill was that high.
Hmmm. Slow night tonight. Catch you all in the Talking-Head section in the AM. Parting shot: 2 guys went camping. They got on each others nerves after the first day. They agreed to split up the next day. At noon they reunited. Guy 1 asked how it went. 'Oh, it was great! Saw tons of wildlife, beautiful scenery, and it was awesome. How about you?' Guy 2 responded 'Well I had a different experience. I came across some railroad tracks so I followed them. About a mile on I came across a gorgeous, naked, blond. She was tied to the tracks. So I untied her and we proceeded to have the best sex I've ever had.' Guy 1 said 'You suck. Say, did you get a blowjob?' Guy 2 responded ' No, I couldn't find her head.'
but TRex… isn’t hard to find clothes with enough XXXXs for your theropodian size?
Apple Canyon 2 @ 86
The same.
Apple Canyon 2 @ 86
Yes, Mark Klass is the father of Polly Klass. He has worked to promote a lot of legislation to protect children from predators. He apparently worked with Foley on strengthening laws to protect kids, particularly on the internet.
On a much happier subject, am I the only one afraid to look at TRex’s purchases? I’m afraid I’ll go on a Gap shopping spree. And, I don’t have that special skill to see something online and know it will work great on my body.
LindyH @ 91
Not at all. I am sort of fond of it myself, and am waiting for some hardnosed reporter to ask some politician, ducking responsibility, to ask, “Then would it be fair to say you are irresponsible? May I quote you on that?”
Loud guffaws heard from the peanut gallery.
Have fun with it.
Speaking of such, I had a Driller, who was a real dick, make a boo-boo by telling me he had been in an accident and had a metal plate in his forehead. I offered to bring in some refrigerator magnets to decorate him up with, and yet he failed to see the humor in it.
He eventually fired my ass.
PendejoAlberto Gonzales also visited New Orleans this week, for a few hours. (Anyone know what for?) He came in on a Gulfstream G-V, wonder how much of our taxes that used up. Maybe he can’t go commercial because he’s on a TSA no-fly list.Oilfieldguy @ 99
He must be Republican.
Hey TRex — When the budget permits or curiosity piques, check out the silk-cashmere number in light brown heather at Sierra Trading Post.
Or the blue, the blue’s good too (might have to spring for it to match the hubby’s eyes).
Can’t resist silk or cashmere; I can’t wear wool, makes me itch too much even in small amounts.
You made a nice choice with the crewneck, would be great under a sportjacket. The other two were too sporty, less versatile. But that’s just me.
I’ve read several times here where Jane is glad someone points out the tacky attire someone else was wearing, because if she say’s it, then she is accused of being a Hollywood elitist.
I tested that. When I met her, I wore my very bestest shirt, a limited edition Nat Nast, you can’t even buy them in my home state. Nary a word from Jane.
Of course, she may have been dazzled by my sparkling personality, or looking for the nearest exit.
Ratatat is playing at the Guggenheim tonight. My daughter is there right now and not responding to texts.
I’m way too young to have to say that…
rdc2000 @ 105
I’m fixing to be a grandpa, seems like just yesterday I was teaching her to ride a bike.
Since TRex started this off with “Wildcat”, I guess it’s about time for The Lion Sleeps Tonight … and about time for me to sleep