Ladies and gentlemen, this handsome young feller is Esten Maxwell, the son of Tommy and Mel Maxwell. Most of us know Tommy better by the name Tommy Yum of the Maxwell/Mosher Band, who, as you may recall, joined us for the Big Bad Bus Tour back before the election.
In October, Esten, who is three years old, was diagnosed with leukemia. Since then, the little guy has endured multiple hospital visits, a nasty case of chicken pox, chemotherapy treatments and other painful, difficult things that no kid that young should have to go through.
This weekend in Chapel Hill, there's going to be a big benefit concert to raise money for the massive medical expenses that Esten's illness has incurred. Tonight, I'd like to kick that process off a little early.
You guys have been great about supporting progressive candidates and causes. Blue America was a massive success. Tommy was a big part of that with the song "Had Enough?" and its multiple versions, which made for some of the best campaign commercials in American history.
In short, Tommy came through for us in a thousand different ways, and now it's time for us to come through for Tommy, Mel, Evelyn (Esten's sister, who is 6), and Esten. We're asking you to donate through the FDL paypal button and please make all donations out to end in .03, since Esten is three years old and we want to keep track of which donations are going to the Maxwells.
Also, tonight, I want to extend a cordial invitation for all of you non-commenting readers to de-lurk. Just pop in down in the comments and say hi. We know you're out there and we always like to meet the people who read us, but don't always leave a comment. So, make up a screen name and say "hi"! We can't wait to meet you!
You never know. Here at FDL, today's commenter can be tomorrow's guest-poster and the next day's Big Front Page Star like, well, me. So olly olly oxen freeeeeee!! Come on out!
Tommy and I and everyone else at FDL thank you.
God bless.
(Me[r] and a Yum, Nov. 2006)
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Esten!
Trex!
TRex!
0! Yeah baby!
oh happy zed…
Trex!
Oahhhhhh!
Hang in there Esten. Where can we donate?
Completely OT, but now that the “Report” is out, do you think that from March until now Sandra Day O’Connor was kicking herself for her vote in Bush v. Gore?
Just askin’…
shooogarp @ 6
In the right margin, underneath the thermometer.
Thanks!!
Everybody please remember the Maxwells in your prayers. It’s hard when a family member is sick, but especially hard when that person is a child.
$50.03 in the FDL till for Esten. Hope he makes a complete recovery.
Stay as funny as you are! Many nights you are the last thing I read online. I’m smiling as I finish.
shooogarp @
6
Donate to FDL using FDL’s PayPal button and end your donation with .03 cents. That way they know it’s for Esten.
On my way to donate what I can now.
Done.
Thanks to the Yums for everything.
=========
Had Enough?
=========
You guys are the best readers on the web.
Bar none.
But no lurkers de-lurking yet?
Do I need to threaten to strip off all my clothes and post a photo if we don’t start seeing some new faces in here?
Hi TRex, Esten, & Tommy
I donated what I could & I hope Esten will get better soon!! :hug:
ralps
leftranch @
10
Hi!
Thanks for coming by!
Best wishes for Esten…
Oh, and…
Hi, everyone!
Hi, TRex! : )
atdnext @ 16
Hiiiiiiiii, Andrew. You’re looking handsome this evening…
Damn TRex, my heart leaped into my throat when I first saw the headline. Once I read it I was cool though. Unfortunately I can’t send money, but Tommy and Esten are always in my prayers.
TRex @ 13
Oh you sexy thing, TRex! ; )
TRex @ 13
That only works for Pammy from Strong Island
Excuse my ignorance, but can we use the Visa/MC button too?
TRex @ 17
Well, I am wearing my multicolor Polo sweater…
After all, I am at my DFA meeting! : )
egads, your little one is truly beautiful, tommy yum.
blessings to Esten and thank you TRex, FDL, Mr. Yum, Mel, Evelyn and their extended family.
SusanD @ 21
Of course!
I wish I had some cash to offer, but underemployment makes that impossible at the moment. I lost a friend to leukemia back when I was in sixth grade. I hate that disease. I hope Esten kicks its butt and never looks back.
TRex @ 13
That does it, Im outta here for the night, the thought of a naked 60′ therapod is way too much to deal with just before bed. Hmmm, maybe it wasn’t the meteor that caused the extinction after all….
Sent what I could. My prayers and good thoughts are going To Esten and his family.
Thanks to Tommy Yum for the most excellant Had Enough.
It was smoking.
TRex @ 28
Wasn’t there a Far Side Cartoon to that effect?
TRex @ 28
That’s just a theory, like evolution or the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
petedownunder @ 29
Wasn’t there a Far Side Cartoon to that effect?
Yes. I’m totally cribbing from Far Side on that.
TRex @ 31
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, why are there copyright laws?
I donated!
A few $ on the way..another example of why the right sort of Dems need to be elected. A family shouldn’t have to worry about a sick child and going broke. (A socialist MD.)
petedownunder @ 29
There was! It’s here: Dinos smoking
Ich bin ein apple fritter.
Thirty-two years ago today my beloved baby sister, then seven years old, was diagnosed with leukemia. She went through chemo twice, two and a half years each time.
She is alive, well and in one of the happiest marriages I’ve ever seen.
There is hope. My very best thoughts are beamed your way, young Esten.
Mungen_Cakes @ 36
Mmmmmmm.
Mungen_Cakes @ 35
I thought the translation was jelly doughnut, but then I don’t speak German
Ich bin ein jelly donut.
noblejoanie @ 37
Bravo for your sister! I’m impressed; the odds were a lot lower back then. It’s great to hear that she won the fight.
TRex @ 39
Thought so
BTW, Trex – smoking is liable to make current dinosaurs extinct too, just a thought.
I think my comment got et. Any how a few $ on the way. Another example of why the right kind of Dems need to be elected. A family doesn’t need to worry about a sick child and going broke. This kind of shit makes me sick. Esten will do well. (A socialist MD)
petedownunder @ 38
When I went to the Netherlands the first time (in 1996), there were big glossy posters in many of the train stations announcing “Ich bin ein Berliner.” (Not “Ik ben en Berliner,” which would be the Dutch equivalent.) There was nothing on those posters to say what was being advertised, if anything; I thought it was hysterical.
EvilDrPuma @ 43
We old folks remember JFK’s speech in Berlin after the wall went up, about 1960 or so. I have no idea what was being meant in 1996.
TRex @
13
A photo of your clothes? Ooh, cool!
I promise that you would infinitely prefer that to the alternative.
Delurking to say hi, I’ll send what I can.
petedownunder @ 44
I could imagine somebody just posting the phrase to poke fun at Americans–that would fit with the Dutch style of humor. The posters were all over, though, so I assume they were ads for something. I just never learned what.
momby @
49
Hi, momby!!
Welcome!
And thank you!
Trex -
I saw a T-shirt in SF a few years ago:
I gave up drinking
I gave up smoking
I gave up sex
It was the worst twenty minutes of my life
momby @ 47
hi momby! welcome to the Lake, and thanks for joining us…
TRex, I’m unable to send anything but my prayers and good thoughts.
To help out the newbies, this is how easy it is:
“Hi.”
Try it yourself – see, that’s not so hard.
They help, too. More than you know.
A sawbuck plus .03 for Esten, hope it helps. Jeez, you guys, I’m in Canada and this doesn’t have to happen! When I broke my foot (fell off a platform shoe, you can tell how long ago that was) and phoned my mom she asked, “Do you need money?” I was genuinely puzzled. “What for?”
Esten. Tommy Yum, whom we all owe a big debt for savin’ America. And Universal Health Care.
OT..TRex are you still smoking? I started when I was 13 and smoked Camels and Marlboros for the next 40 years. I quit six years ago and still have smoking dreams. I swear, if my C-T scan turns positive I’ll be at the 7-11 buying a carton of Marlboro Reds. Give that shit up..really.
TRex @ 48
I was hoping to see one of your GAP sweaters…
TRex—great post. My best to Tommy and Family. It ain’t much but I can’t not support the man who gave us Had Enough.
TSF—don’t even think about it. :)
**OT**
Egad – watching the White House Decorating for Christmas show on HGTV and there is so much red they should change the name to the Red House.
Red, red, red, everywhere. Make me think of communist Russia.
Ya know what, we’re all gonna die. All of us. I don’t care how healthy your lifestyle, eventually you get the hook. There’s no back door out of the world.
I’m almost 63. I’ve been smoking for 42 years. I’m never quitting. Here is my philosophy, don’t remember the source.
In fact, I think I’m gonna have the “Yeehaaww” part engraved on my urn or tombstone.
Suzanne @ 60
Or blood running in the streets.
I feel dreadful I can’t give more then just a tad, but I am sending many hugs and the best vibes possible.
The excess is sickening, TRex, just sickening.
Suzanne @ 63
Yeah, I saw one of those shows either last year or the year before. You’re right–it’s nauseating. But it is a good metaphor for this administration–disgusting excess at the people’s expense.
Best wishes to Esten, Tommy and Mel.
Headed home.
Will check back in from there.
Looking good TRex and Tommy..but the little one
is just the cutest and those eyes!! Esten
will be in our prayers and thoughts until he
is completely well…nothing worse than being ill..I just returned from Boston where hubby
was admitted today for some strange problem…won’t know what is wrong for a few days..cultures have to grow…so I understand what Tommy has been going through…been there done that for the past six years!! :) Just tell
little Esten that Santa will be coming in a few weeks and for him to stay healthy!!
Donation has been sent….Bless all of you!
Maureen
SusanD @ 61
You and I have the same philosophy. I don’t know about you but old age doesn’t have a great many upsides, and I love smoking. I hope you don’t mind if I use your line about life, it seems to fit me too.
delurk mode
I have delurked a couple of times before this just to say how much I love TRex. Sorry, I can’t help myself. I am in the oasis of Austin in the great red state of Texas, formerly from Midland, yes, THAT Midland, and before that Chicago.
Thanks for this post about Esten. When I think about how hectic last October was, I can’t imagine how the news of Esten’s illness must have shattered all of you. And yet, you carried on with the final push in Connecticut. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. With all this good energy and love going his way, I hope Esten will make a full recovery. And maybe someday we won’t have to do fundraisers for health care expenses. For now, $$sent.
lurk mode
TRex @ 67
So am I…
My DFA meeting is over.
: )
neurophius @ 66
Same here…
God bless them. : )
kirk, pete, shoogarp, Jo Fish, and TRex — seen all these names before. Ditto TST, Nate, atdnest, TM — sorry you’re not doing so well, and hope yu get lots of holiday shoppers buying martini stuff — angie (you guys hear her new nickname, angie oakley? I like!)
Leftranch — Hello and welcome! you the Yosemite winegrowin’ guy or the NZ one? Pretty place you have there, and very smug-looking cats. Mine were envious that yours have their own treehouse. Suzanne, check, RGB, check, Steve, check
ralps — hi! Where you from?
noblejoanie — hi and thanks.
triciawrites — I’m sure I’ve seen you, but not often? Or not here? Hi!
SusanD — not sure, I think you are a regular, but if not welcome and if so, hi! Er, yeehaw!
momby, hi. Interesting handle. Is there an origin story?
mungen cakes — greetings from the place where donuts are part of our national identity:
Kewalo, be my guest.
And actually, since I’m healthy, I’m digging getting old. I can be just as rowdy as I wanta be. I refuse to fit the stereotype of “old lady”.
HotFlash, I think I may be an “irregular”
;)
One of my kids was in NYC last year and fainted. Ambulance and ER and tests were >$2000.
She’s chronically depressed and anxious. We would be impoverished if we had to pay for her care.
I will put together my computer and Visa tomorrow. It seems a barbaric way to save a life.
I met the guys at the Ned Lamont rally the weekend before election day. They were admiring the “Kiss” float, and I got to thank them for coming (and for “Had Enough?”) in person. Yay.
Count me in. And all blessings to Esten.
(I think I’ve only commented maybe 5 or 6 times before. That qualifies me as a delurker, wouldn’t you say?)
Yes, Alison, the USA, the only country where you have to pay to live. And I don’t mean reside.
TRex,
A “delurker” here. Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to help out. FDL is a great community. I read Reddhead every morning as a sanity break and check in regularly during the day.
A request though — is there a way to contribute via check through the post? Have been burned with computer fraud using PayPal and credit cards over the Internet. I do want to do my part to help TommyYum, Esten and the family.
OT to you TRex. Loved your recent post about your heritage and Eden, NC. Am stuck here in the “Big Apple” but my twin is the principal of the high school in Eden. It’s a wonderful place where I spend many happy days. It’s no wonder you’re such a fine fella given your provenance.
Blessings to all who post and lurk here. You represent the true spirit of this land we love.
Alison @ 75
I don’t know that there’s a barbaric way to save a life, but it’s for damned sure that pay-to-play medicine is some kind of evil. A situation like this tells me everything I need to know about the so-called “culture of life.”
I read a while back that the majority of homeless or destitute women in the US became so because they lost their homes to pay for their husmand’s final illness. A couple, both retired teachers, joined my choir here in Toronto, having moved from Detroit. I was ragging them, “Why did you retire here when you could have retired to Florida and never seen snow again?” “Well,” she said, looking a bit embarrassed, “my husband needed a triple by-pass.”
snail mail address from the right hand sidebar
Snail Mail
The Fire Dog Lake Company
1001 Bridgeway
Suite 122
Sausalito, CA 94965
EvilDrPuma @
65
The reason the Bushes have the Xmas White House teevee show is, of course, their great sacrifice of not letting Americans tour OUR house during the holidays. Terrorism, dontcha know. Poor Bushes: only pre-screened audiences, three parties each day, but no tours.
But Jim Webb got in once; maybe he’ll get another invite for the Holidaze!
TeddySanFran @ 83
Yeah, that sucks! Oh, and I’m not so sure that Webb will get another invite to the “Red House” anytime soon…
After all, he refused to bow down and kiss the ring. : (
Moesie @
68
Thank you!! And best wishes and prayers for your husband.
TeddySanFran @ 83
Relax Teddy. If you play your cards right, America will be touring your house soon, whether you know it or not.
Monga @
70
We love you, too, Monga! Keep coming back! And leave more comments! My ego’s appetite for approval is insatiable, so any time you feel like throwing compliments, you know where to send them.
atdnext @ 83
You mean this ring?
EvilDrPuma @ 88
Yep, that looks like it!
As a friend’s bumper sticker says:
Jane (nyc) @
79
OMG!!!!
Both my parents graduated from that high school!
Holy smokes, what a small world!
HotFlash @ 73
Hi, HotFlash! : )
I gave. Not a lot, but what I could.
Double scoopa monga for me too! Thanks for joining in the conversation, monga. It was hard for me to post a comment the first time, and now they can’t shut me up here. So, stay a while and don’t be shy no more.
PS If you feel like throwing not-compliments TRex’s way, that’ll let Jane do another exciting thread On Language, so speak your piece anytime.
Oh. God. Please. No.
I really would go extinct.
TeddySanFran @ 93
Hi, monga! Please keep coming back…
Hi again, Teddy! So you were afraid to comment here at first? I know I was until just last week…
And then all of you welcomed me in so nicely, and now I’m hooked. I just can’t shut my piehole here! : )
I was looking at the picture of Estenand the one of Tommy — Esten has his own nose, but betcha that chin looks just like dad’s in a few years. Wonder if he’s musical, too.
WaPo White House Reporter Michael Fletcher chatz at 11am eastern; questions accepted anytime.
National Security Reporter Dana Priest chatz at 12:30pm eastern. Ask now and get in early!
I wonder if Dana Priest thinks the B/H-ISG has been overtaken by events, especially with regard to our allies’ dilemma on extraordinary rendition. Don’t some of the US prison and rendition crime partners have unclean hands as they participate in the Big MidEast Negotiations?
TRex @ 94
I guess I’m still too new here…
What happened?
And did it have anything to do with pie? ; )
I love it when people delurk.
The donations are rolling in, I don’t have a total but it looks good for Estan.
(Nobody panic if the thermometer on the side of the page came down, the book is done and we have some annoncements to make that will come out soon but suffice to say that all is great.)
HotFlash @ 96
So far, Evelyn is the musical one. I can’t wait to meet those kids. If they’re even half as awesome as their dad makes them sound, they’re the most awesome kids in the world.
Gawd Teddy, I’d rather go hunting with Dick Cheney.
Jane Hamsher @ 101
Oh no, was it that bad?
I’m not an “irregular” poster; I’m more like the pre-menopausal visitor who shows up once a month for a while, goes a four-month stretch without a sign, then reappears.
It’s confusing, and it ain’t no fun when it coincides with a hot flash.
However, I look in for my Late Night post regularly, and I listened to “Had Enough?” over and over so that I could sing it to myself on the drive to work, so it’s satisfying to pay my appreciation forward to Esten.
(Evelyn, sometimes big things happen to a brother so that mom and dad seem to be paying less attention to a big sister. But please remember you always always have their love. No one else can be their Evelyn.)
Jane Hamsher @ 101
Shit, skip the trip to Texas, just shoot me in the face straight away!
That thread was an excellent idea. Let’s never EVER EVER EVER do it again.
EVAAAAAR!!!!!111!1!!!!
‘Lo.
I’ve only been lurkin for a few weeks. TRex, your snark has a tendency to make me gigglesnort, as i term my laughter. No keyboards harmed–yet. But i think my monitor has been in danger once or twice! Highlight of my night after a crazy day at the pharmacy to work.
I need to dig up my card, but i think i can get a few bucks to Esten. I lost a grandfather to cancer, but my gramma’s fought it off twice so far. I’m always game to help someone else through that fight.
I remember Thermometer-Panic! That was a hoot. People would donate, the thermometer wouldn’t move, Jane would explain… round it went. Good times.
Sorry, TRex, I didn’t mean to encourage anyone to be de-complimentary. I do think the meta thread was wonderful, and I’m proud it was prompted partly by your writing.
I, of course, have only good things to say as well.
We should be ashamed of ourselves for tolerating any politician who refuses to support universal single payer health care. These stories are too god damn common. We’re better than this. Truman was campaigning on this issue for Christ’s sake!
aliasofwestgate @ 105
Muchas gracias, alias. Welcome!
Can I fix you something to drink?
Hi SW, welcome, and right you are — it’s shocking how long health care’s been denied to people in a society that can afford it.
[Oh, and never mind about the you-know-what thread, forget I mentioned it, please, everyone.]
It is just insane to me that here we are chipping in to get health care for Esten — and are happy to do so, I might add — but the US spends more per capita on health care than Canada does and look at this. My dad in MI was insured up the wazoo from nearly 50 years employment with good benefits, but still had $1,000’s to pay re deductibles and not covered stuff over my mom’s final illness and death. My cousin and her husband (also MI) had a child born with a hole in her heart — he made pretty good money as a bricklayer but they still lived in a trailer for years, and college for the kids — well, two of them went to the Navy for the education. Not a bad thing, maybe, but should be a choice, I think. The money, *your* money, is being spent, but you are not getting the benefit. This sucks.
Much peace and love to the whole Yum Esten family. Thanks TRex and FDL for extending a helping hand.
Hot Flash – good to see someone liked angie oakley…)
From earlier topics – I checked the senate.gov site and the two Senators who voted against Gates today. Bunning (R-KY) and Santorum. (R-PA). I would be interested to hear why.
Dixie @ 101
707
Welcome new-ish and new posters – especially Dixie!
Jane Hamsher @ 99
I was wondering, somebody was looking for the snail-mail address and I looked and no thermometer. I was alarmed! But not feverish.
SW @ 107
Yep! Here in California, OneCareNow is a great group that advocates for universal coverage.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 111
Because Gates wants to talk with the Islezbofascists who run Syria and Iran.
Does anyone know why Bayh, Biden, and Dole didn’t vote at all?
No thanks on the drink, TRex. Maybe saturday night though! I work thursday morning.
I agree with many on the Universal Health Care front. I’m on the front lines of the rediculous drug costs as a pharmacy tech. The retail pricing boggles the mind. My grandparents didn’t go broke in their fight? Only because they’re canadians, and they had some issues about appointments but otherwise got care and treatment without going bankrupt.
I’m from michigan but i have an international family, so i’ve seen how well UHC care work. Canadian mom, american dad. And a slew of cousins on both sides of the border!
Dixie @ 103
Hi, Dixie!
I can tell you that I know that Tommy is making an extra special effort to make sure Evelyn knows that she is loved, cared for, and needed during all of this.
Thanks so much for being a firedog.
TeddySanFran @ 115
Bayh and Biden are running for Preznit and don’t want to be on the record about anything. As for Liddy, Bob’s in town and took his little blue pill…
Jane, I posted the snail mail address up at comment #82. Is that address still good?
[Mod note; that address is still good]
aliasofwestgate @ 116
Ooh, homeperson! Whereabouts in MI? (can’t help it, we’re just butt-sniffing animals I guess).
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be donating on payday, as a bunch of minor emergencies on my end made things tight this time around. Please keep us updated.
I’m mostly a lurker, though I think I’ve commented once, due to being mind-blastingly busy with my health issues and a mentally ill thirteen year-old. However, I love reading this blog and wish that I could have discovered it sooner. At least I found it before the election.
Patrick 4/4 @ 118
…and she needs to keep an eye on him so he doesn’t do any running around with Congressional pages. (He is a male Republican, after all.)
HotFlash @ 108
We Amercians are a generous people, and we are blessed with the resources to provide cutting-edge health care and medical innovation for all.
A few greedy men diverted that wealth to drug companies and insurance companies.
When we reclaim it, that wealth will allow us to cover everyone in America.
Si se puedes.
Tommy,
You have a beautiful son and he looks a lot like his daddy – especially around the eyes.
It’s horrible that little ones have to endure this kind of suffering, particularly this time of year.
Hang in there. We’ll all be praying for a positive outcome.
TRex @ 104
Even if all intentions were from the heart, that amount of constuctive criticisim could only feel like a flogging. You handled it well oh master pundit.
Lost an uncle to leukemia at 38 yrs old, huge loss for his eleven kids, my cousins, and my Pop. Kids are tough, I tell you, at least these guys.
Sending a bit to Esten …
I’m in for a palindromic amount.
Take care, little fella.
DreamingCrow @ 121
Hi, DreamingCrow! I’m sorry to hear about your health issues. : (
Dammit, why can’t we all just have single-payer universal health coverage?!
EvilDrPuma @ 122
“Oww! Jeez Bob, can you put down the pen once in a while?”
“That’s not a pen…”
DreamingCrow @ 121
Welcome, welcome!!
I have a close friend who is struggling with a bipolar 14 year old son and I know that it is very, very hard and brutally exhausting. Glad that FDL brings some joy to you!!
Hooray!!
Keep coming back!
Hotflash. I’m in Grand Rapids. I gew up in Port Huron though, if that tells ya anything. I’m weirdly liberal for growing up and then moving to rather conservative territory. I think it’s the canadian corruption. That? And the sushi bars locally can’t be beat…
Eureka Springs, AR @ 125
And the posts headed by pictures of guns and knives were pure coincidence.
Based on The World Distribution of Household Wealth it is incredible that so many US citizens are impoverished by medical debts.
Net worth per capita USA $143,727.00
Net worth per capita Cuba $12,086.00
Cubans have really good health care
Harvard Public Health Review
All the other wealthiest nations have universal health care.
The US government spends more per capita on health benefits than the Canadian government does.
I moved to Canada 15 years ago. Because I am a legal resident (though not a citizen) I get health care.
This is a no-brainer, civilized countries take care of their citizens.
greetings to some new(ish) names!
I stopped reading it after a while. It was like being at my own funeral and watching people say, “God, you know I always hated that bastard?”, “Oh, I KNOW! What an evil son of a bitch!”, “Did he have NO HEART WHATSOEVER?! How else could he be that way?”
I finally just went and scooped up Juan Carlos and absconded to the bed and pulled the covers up over our heads.
hpschd @ 133
So what does that make us?
Tommy Yum,
Warmest thoughts for Esten and you and yours.
-GSD
What a face Esten has!
Please step up if you haven’t yet.
I know authors have had fans tell them the strangest things when those readers have had a chance to talk or write to them, so it shouldn’t surprise me that the same thing happens–and at a much quicker rate–on a blog with comments.
Such as…kirk murphy, I’ve been alert to your name in the comments because your first name is my husband’s; your second is my son’s! How neat that you were first say hi tonight, huh?
And of course, TRex, I never expected that the family would be neglecting Evelyn, but the little girl in me (who had a big thing happen to her little brother) needed to banish some of my unhappy memories with a reminder of the assurances I received from my parents.
The common experiences individually can come together here, and the additional step of being able to do a little (or big) something along the way makes the firedog stronger. (And everything tastes better with snark!)
And the posts headed by pictures of guns and knives were pure coincidence.
shhh you’ll frighten the guests.
I put it on everything.
punaise @ 127
Oh, makes me think of my friend Sam Andreyev, a fine and quirky composer. One of his pieces is a palindrome. “Fool a sissy as he passes, Sam amasses sap; “Ha!” says Sis, aloof. Set to a crab canon :D
TRex @ 141
I thought the old jingle was:
“everything tastes better with Bubonic on it”
aliasofwestgate @ 131
Oh god. 19th and Wall. And you?
dixie, we celts have to stick together….
thanks for your kind comment.
i hope all went well with your little brother – and that the big people saw you, also :(
Eureka Springs, AR @ 140
Whoa! What happened?
I’m not frightened, just perplexed by the intensity about this…
What happened?
That sentence made my head hurt.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 140
Hee! It could be like the Old West. Check your weapons with the sheriff whenever you visit the blog. Jane?
atdnext @
128
::sigh:: The ridiculous reasons are legion, but man, a person can wish. Between four autoimmune conditions on my part and multiple mental hospitalizations on my son’s, this reasonably well-off, middle class, and well-insured family is biting the dust financially.
atdnext @ 146
You’ll understand when you’re older.
Sis better say “Eh”…
Just off Schaeffer and 32nd. Kiddy corner to the worst intersection in town. (Beltline and 28th)That is my daily nightmare. Small world! haha!
atdnext @ 146
Enjoy.
kemo @ 151
I noticed there was something non-symetrical there
TRex @
130
I have a close friend who is struggling with a bipolar 14 year old son and I know that it is very, very hard and brutally exhausting. Glad that FDL brings some joy to you!!
Hooray!!
Keep coming back!
That would be the case in this point, as well. I had a lovely, empathetic, highly intelligent, and responsible son. Now, I occasionally get to visit with him if the meds are temporarily working.
Want a rant about health care in this country, as mentioned upthread? I can certainly give you one, as my son ended up in juvenile detention on two charges of Assault 4, Domestic Violence, due to the hospitals being no longer willing to seek financial assistance to be able to accept him. (Our insurance hospitalization benefits are long gone.)
Thanks for the welcome.
OT: It seems to me that some guys never learn. On my planet, fast food is just another form of torture.
Now that the jingle is running through my head, Punaise, why am I reminded that Texas is the Bubonic State?
punaise @ 154
Oops! Well of course, her being Canadian and all…
Patrick 4/4 @ 153
Abandon hope, all ye who click here.
A post discussing language turned into a wild and at times wonderful thread. Hearding cats, barefoot on a field of clover in the sun after a double espresso-wifi. I think it was over 600 comments long. Pups gone wild.
Thanks for digging up the link, P 4/4
We love you, too, Monga! Keep coming back! And leave more comments! My ego’s appetite for approval is insatiable, so any time you feel like throwing compliments, you know where to send them.
Thanks, TRex. Just keep on being true to your warm yet prickly theropod heart. There aren’t many who can write like you do. I didn’t read all of the 600 comments on the Language post the other day, but take heart, you are bound to offend someone, sometime, when you write as passionately as you do. That’s what makes it so interesting. Not to mention funny.
DreamingCrow @ 149
Crap! Why must such terrible things happen to good people? Why must such good, hardworking people be burdened with such exorbitant health care costs?
My dad was injured on the job a few years back…
He had to suffer through five back surgeries…
No wonder why he was driven to depression…
Well, to make a long story short…
He was awarded Workers’ Comp, and became eligible for Medicare…
And now that Bush screwed him over with Medicare Part D…
And Ahhnuld screwed him over with Workers’ Comp “reform” (read deform)…
He’s had to pay so much more out of his pocket, despite the fact that after years of court fights for Workers’ Comp, and mountains of federal paperwork for Medicare, that he was guaranteed full health coverage for life.
OK, I delurk for this. Wish I could give more than $10.03, but I have some recent economic challenges (which I shall overcome.) And I’d like to shout out to TRex for the many smiles, chuckles, and pointed barbs he’s given over the last year for me.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 160
Now if we could only figure out how the damn cats got hold of the wi-fi.
atdnext @
162
Life sucks, but we keep on doing it anyways, eh? There are times when I’m tempted to quit my Remicade infusions, which are the only things that keep me functional, and then claim the disability that I’d be eligible for at that point. Instead, I keep on trucking and trying. I even walk marathons, damn it.
I know a huge number of people, with and without insurance, who have been completely screwed by the health care system in this country. As an ex-pat friend of mine, now a permanent resident in the U.K. says, the timing and hassle may suck, but at least she knows that she’ll get the care she needs.
Will this continue past tonight? Payday is Friday.
Hey, guys. I was on the phone for a bit. Welcome, de-lurkers!!
We’re so glad you’re here.
UptownNYChick @ 166
Absolutely.
HotFlash @ 158
Now it all makes sense!
atdnext @ 160
A: Because the uber trinity of K Street – Big Inurance, Big Busyness, and Pig Pharma – paid lobbyists to obtain legislation (thanks Congress) and regulations (thanks Executive branch) that will allow them to keep the most money.
When the uber-trinity wins small, we Americans – and our families – lose big.
[a moderately long answer to trenchant question…]
Eureka Springs, AR @ 160
I followed the linky…
And my goodness, I was on this site by then…
I guess I missed that whole post…
Oh, that’s right! I was on Daily Kos, trying to survive the flames being thrown over whether or not to love America!
Oh, you gotta love the flames on DKos! ; )
OT – practice listening to French here:
http://www.france24.com/live/index_FR.html
accents removed to appease the Word Press gods. my unpolished translation:
also available in English. The General will be delighted.
aliasofwestgate @
152
Oh, sorry, I mean your PH address, 48060. That’s where I’m from.
Correction @ 133
Net worth per capita USA $143,727.00
Net worth per capita Cuba
$12,086.00Corrected for exchange rate: $4,587.00
Cubans have really good health care
Harvard Public Health Review
“The Cuban government assumes full fiscal and administrative responsibility for the health care needs of all its citizens, providing free preventive, curative, and rehabilitation services. This National Health System, as it’s called, is an international success story…”
DreamingCrow @ 165: You’re another one of my new heroes tonight! Rock on! : )
Kirk Murphy @ 170: Of course, I know about the Unholy Trinity of US Healthcare… Who gave millions of dollars to Bush in 2004? Who helped Ahhnuld out this year? No wonder why the GOPers in DC kept passing horrid legislation, and no wonder why Ahhnuld vetoed SB 840 in CA.
Whoops ^_^; It’s technically 48059 area where i used to live. Little road called Ojibway, just off Metcalf. 5 minutes from town though, which was nice. Now my commute is so much longer, but i like my job.
Which high school didja go to? I was 1995 graduate at PHN.
Esten! What a sweetie. My mini-TRex (grandson obsessed with dinos) is almost three. What a dear, precious age. All children should have health care! Sigh. Tossing in what I can…can we keep donating over the next several weeks by adding .03 to amount? In one of those cash-flow crunches :(
kirk murphy @
112
bweeHeeHee! I’m one of those types too! Mostly because i dislike writing, but once in a while i get my toes wet. Especially when spiderpaws comes by.
I do stop every night for Late Nite, gotta have my daily requirement of snark filled by the greatest snarkmaster in the known universe, the one ‘n’ only TRex! When are you going to bless us with a TRex book?
Don’t hold me to it, I just eyeballed the PayPal ledger but it looks like there’s a little over $1000 for Esten already.
You all are amazing.
punaise @ 172
That should be interesting. Stream the French and English versions simultaneously on adjoining computers.
My foray into FDL comments was a qualified success; I am satisfied.
But I will be pondering that question about Texas being the Bubonic State, and wondering if it had been just too simplistic a setup for punaise to tell me he didn’t know why it was plaguing me.
Alas, my reach exceeds my grasp.
(P.S. Arg)
TRex-Thanks for bringing us Tommy & Esten & Mel & Evelyn tonight. If sick kids won’t drive us to fix the mees we’re in, than nothing will.
Semi-OT – Krugman’s piece in new Rolling Stone, “The Great Wealth Transfer” worth a read. Healthcare in the 21st Century? ChimpCo is trying to make it a fiction.
atdnext @
175
Thank you. I don’t know about being a hero, I just know that I’m constitutionally unable to give up. ^_^
Jane Hamsher @ 178
Jane, the FDL posse IS amazing. I am boggled by what has been done this last year. I love you all.
atdnext @
102
No it wasn’t bad at all, but it did go on for quite some time and we felt like we had to be there for the whole thing, so it did demand a bit of attention.
Jane Hamsher @ 178
WHOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!
aliasofwestgate @ 176
You’d be just north of my Dad on South Shoreview in Lakeport. My sister went to PHN in class of 80, I graduated in 1967 from PHC (C for Catholic back then, Mr HotFlash subbed at PHN a couple of times in 90 and 91, your paths might have crossed. You know, PH is a really awful little town, I am so glad to be out of it. The Lake is beautiful, though.
Dixie @ 180
Sometimes ya gotta set up your own jokes. It’s a rule.
FDL does Paris! Jane wear your new mukluks.
Dixie @ 180
sorry, I missed your comment first time around…
Kids, I’m going to check out for a bit, but I’ll be back before bed.
Thanks so much for everything you all do for FDL.
Dixie @ 180
Dixie, my hat is off to you, haven fallen on the floor when I LOL’d. Punaise, you have some competition ahead.
Oh, and Dixie, I get the sense that you might well belong here. Keep coming back!
Donation sent to PayPal
The health care system in this country is a scandal. Families should not have to suffer financial hardship because a member becomes ill. The physical suffering is bad enough.
I wish Harry Truman were still around to give Congress some hell about that. I guess we will have to do it ourselves.
Blue Dogs, take notice. [Who’s Next?]
I have not had leukemia in my family, but my mother is a cancer surviver, doing fine now.
Get well soon, Esten. And Tommy, thank you so much for Had Enough? and the impact it had on Congressional races.
HotFlash @ 191
it’s oh-pun season!
Jane Hamsher @ 184
Sounds kinda like a Central Committee meeting for the Orange County Democratic Party…
The theatrics may be fun for a while (one time, some Scientology guys warned us about the schools “medicating our children”), but eventually it’s 10 PM and WE ALL WANT TO GO HOME! ; )
One of my heroes, Mike Stark, has a new DKos diary about one of his heroes.
Recommendations never hurt.
Sometimes politics becomes like sports to me. In the run up to the election, it had the feel of preparing for a big game. We all worked hard for our team.
But this is seriously hit me about how personal and important it is. I hope some of the politicians that used “had enough,” hear about this. Not because I think they are required to donate, but they should be reminded that they were sent to D.C. as our surrogates and we were so passionate to help them because there are such desperate needs out here. Every politician who used that song should know that it was a dad with a sick child that took time from his life to help them.
I know I am naive, but sometimes it really overwhelms me how uncaring this country as an institution can be.
goodnight all
Oh, and TRex?
You may be a therapod, but you are a humanitarian therapod.
Hotflash,
The lake is in my blood. It’s the one thing i miss here in GR. I grew up within hearing distance of that thing. Now i’m a good 30 minute drive from Lake Michigan’s shore. I miss it on the summer nights when the wind was just right.
Yes, small town. But nice place to grow up in. I’m happy for the grounding i got from it. I went to school at Lakeport! That was my elementary. *gigglesnorts* My dad is actually from the Cros-Lex area. So my family is still local as can be, pretty much. I visit every few months and i’m planning a trip this christmas of course.
RBG @ 196
Done! Mike Stark himself is an inspiration to all of us progressive bloggers! : )
RBG @
196
I saw the track lighting needed some adjustment over there
EvilDrPuma @ 88
Does that ring say, “I am a wanker” in Arabic?
punaise @
201
Ya know, I’ve been missing that dang audio guy. I tried to get a little work done earlier and who do ya think shows up on the thread?
RBG @ 203
Steve Audio always seemed to show up at the tail end of Late Nite, giving it renewed vigor
I’m about to fold like a cheap suit
What we need to do is find a way to make our voices louder than those handing Congress the money. We did it once with a vote.
I’ll be right there with all of you. My dad had a heart attack last year and triple bypass surgery. His insurance covered most of it. But family problems and those bills leave them scraping. Between that and my dad’s retirement being wiped out by the bust in 2001 or 2002. If i could take some of the support off their backs, it would be wonderful. But i don’t earn that kinda cash. Universal Health Care is likely the best thing to be done. I’d gladly flip off that whole conglomerate. I see the faces of those with rediculous drug bills in my job every day. I wince at the cost of a couple of my own asthma meds. Ye gods, some change would be entirely too healthy in the long run for everyone.
The kinda money made off the prices is insane! If my job didn’t have halfway decent med benefits and drug coverage (they have to, we keep them running) i’d be in trouble with my own health issues. I still have back bills from when i had NO insurance whatsoever about 3 years ago.
Wow, I get a virtual oh-pun sesame from punaise?
/Removes the “qualified” before “success.”/
See, I already knew I liked you guys; I was just worried (as many lurkers are) that you wouldn’t like me–that I might come off as geeky, overanxious-to-fit-in. (Like, didja catch that I had a palindrome in the same post as that pun joke? Didja? Didja? “grasp/P.S. Arg” Didja see it? Huh?)
I can be geeky. But I have learned to apologize when it becomes insufferable.
Delurking after 2 years to say Hi to Jane and Trex and all at FDL and to send $$$ and love to Tommy and Esten..Stay strong!
Hello, late lurker here. I live is San Francisco and work strange hours, so by the time I get to a thread it’s almost always dead.
I’ve been reading for about a year now, and frequently send stories and links to my friends but have simply not posted.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Esten and his family. One of my friends growing up lost her little sister to aplastic anemia (not sure of proper spelling) after a series of difficult and painful bone marrow transplant surgeries failed. It was heart breaking for me, and I was only a friend. I hope that Esten and his family have a happy ending to their story.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share with them.
Dixie @ 207
Wait a minute – have the lurkers been talking behind our backs?
Some bucks for Esten on the way!
TRex that’s a terrible picture.
I can’t see your tail!
Alan
aliasofwestgate @
116
Our health care system here in Canada is under attack from Stephen ‘Steve’ Harper. He has a minority gov’t but there is still a lot he has been able to do by regulations since much of our government is run through ministries by regulations without a lot of legislative input.
We had a bad round of that in Ontario under Conservative provincial premier Mike Harris in the late 1990’s. Hospitals were supposedly made ‘more efficient’ but somehow that didn’t actually happen. Processes were set up ‘to shorten waiting times’ but were so cumbersome that waiting times increased. For instance, we now have a triage procedure to prioritize patients coming into emerge. Sounds great, and a ‘Fast Track’ area for minor stuff. Sounds great, but when I got my infected catbite and they put me on intravenous antiobotics, I had to go back to emerg every day for a week, same 4 to 6 hour wait, because I could only get an intravenous IV in emerg. Not in the walk-in clinic, not in my dr’s office. A nurse admitted to me that many of the new procedures made delivery of services worse.
A Briton I was waiting with (I had some great conversations there) told me that the same thing had happened to the British National Health Plan under Thatcher — they introduced changes that ostensibly were improvements but which actually made things worse. “Oh yes, they broke the system, and on purpose. Did the same to the trains. Privatized ‘em, and started saving money by reducing maintenance. The first accidents started happening in about three years and it’s been getting worse ever since.”
It is a plan called Deep Integration, been going on for a while. This is one reason I am fighting neocons there, so I don’t have to fight them here>
PeppermintPatti & cacophonousferris-
Welcome (from another Bay Area FDL’er)!
Patrick @ 210—yes
Well, we haven’t been talking to your fonts.
kirk murphy @ 170
And let us not forget the other factor — Big Inertia, aka “we’ve always done it this way.” Much like Iraq, any new plan is required to solve all problems or it is rejected, even if the status quo is doing an even worse job.
(I’m in for Esten, btw.)
HotFlash
Any indication that Canadians are catching on to Harper, and will toss him?
PeppermintPatti @ 214
And when you do – what do you do about lurkers?
DreamingCrow, I hear you.
I’m dealing with a teen who is trying to adapt to antidepressant meds.
And my passion is to get us univeral health care in this country.
Hotflash. i’ve definitely heard about Harper’s moves on that front. And on the Gay Marriage one he’s trying to scoot out. I think the canadians themselves won’t stand for too much meddling for too long.
Gramma and Grandpa complained about those waiting times too. That’s the one thing that makes it so bad. Such horrible organization. We have decent organization here, but the costs are astronomical. Middle ground would be nice. Or at least someone dictating policy that has actually worked in the trenches of those hospitals and seen the damage those orders have done. THAT to me is the one thing i dont’ see often enough. Suits making policy for those that do all the work, and we get the sometimes tragic consequences.
Great to see you fighting! I’m looking around to find ways to fight back myself. Now that i see the face of it all the time, i really want to do something.
Wishing the best for this little guy as he goes through his treatment.
Patrick 4/4 @
210
There are rumors that the lurkers have been reading Jordan’s posts.
Alan @ 211
Oh, that reminds me, TRex. I watched King Kong on cable tonight and saw some critters that looked like they could be relatives of yours. Kong gave them a pretty hard time. My advice to you is that if you see an 8,000 pound gorilla coming toward you, cross over to the other side of the street.
aliasofwestgate @
199
Do they still have a Peach Queen? I saw my first laser, I think maybe *the* first laser, in Cros-Lex High, would have been maybe 1965 or 66. A researcher from UofM, Juris Upatnieks, came and demonstrated it, a real ruby laser. It hummed and whined and made a red beam of light which passed through a red balloon and broke a green one. We thought they would be a weapon. Who knew we’d be using them to play music, watch movies and check out groceries?
RBG @
222
And they’re organizing…
Patrick @ 218
I just emitted an aliasofwestgate gigglesnort, and it wasn’t a bad experience.
We of Lurkers Online Often Nowadays (LOON) have determined that our lurkers tell two friends, and they tell two friends…
It’s much deeper that you ever suspected. We’ve not yet determined our course of action.
Margot @
219
You have my complete sympathies. My son started out depressed, became suicidal, and then ended up bipolar. It’s hell on the kids AND on the family.
Oddly enough, I’ve been talking about and intermittently working for universal healthcare since before I was old enough to vote. Wow, that’s something like 15 years now.
I’ve got two “Refresh Comments” buttons, and I’m afraid one of them may transport me to the Evil Parallel Universe (no offense, EPU!) If I suddenly grow a goatee and start voting Republican, you’ll know it’s not the real me.
Dixie @ 226
Lurkers unite! You have nothing to lose but your anonymity! (TM)
(See what I did there with the little tradmark thingy? Stick around and I may reveal some secrets)
Sorry if you all see a lot of me, now that I actually started speaking up. I’m about ready to go insane right now, after spending hours trying to get my veryvery manic son to sleep. Sleep is looking awful far away for me, even though I have to get him up in a little over six hours.
Dixie @
226
Shouldn’t that be Lurkers Online Often Nowadays in Every Space?
- Liss of the LOONIES
I got distracted earlier and forgot to do something.
{{{Kewalo}}}
LOON™
I’m not sure about the Peach Queen, Hotflash. I may have been a hop, skip and a jump from Cros-Lex but i didn’t hang out there much. Maybe i’ll ask Dad about it. *grins*
We now even use lasers to help out with the ’script filling at work. Who knew? XD
Eureka Springs, AR @ 232
Now how much would you pay? (TM)
newtonusr @ 217
Any indication that Canadians are catching on to Harper, and will toss him?
Yes, he’s toast. The Liberals have elected a new leader, a poli-sci professor named Stephane Dion, and we’ll have an election spring/early summer and we’ll can Harper’s ass good. That was a bit scary, too — we nearly had a David Frum-like guy, Michael Ignatieff. I consider that a really close call! Some background on the convention at this blog, The Next Agenda You may recognize some of the posters on the blog there from here and DKos. BTW, Howard Dean came to Montreal to address the convention! Hmm, Siun was here about that time too, wonder if…?
The problem here is that Canadians tend to be very complacent. Most don’t know that our health care system is *being* privatized, many (most?) still think that our soldiers are peacekeeping in Afghanistan. We are used to the government really being mostly on our side. In fact, most of the Canucks really raging against this stuff here are US expats like me. We *know* what can happen if we don’t watch and fight!
DreamingCrow, we’re battling mightily over adding “in every space” or “in ethereal sites.” I think we may have elections before the question is settled, and new committee members might start issuing subpoenas or something.
But we did approve unanimously that moonpies are to be served after every meeting.
Patrick 4/4 @ 234
Reminds me of a rug salesman in Istanbul who wouldn’t let us leave! He managed to move us out of our hotel and into the family home for several days. Several hundred pots of tea later we bought the rug so we could leave!
DreamingCrow @
230
There are worse places to be when you can’t sleep.
Dixie @ 236
RC optional?
DreamingCrow @
230
Keep coming back! Take care of yourself first, dear one! I have friends & family with bipolar, I have the utmost admiration for your love, courage, and endurance in motherhood.
Oh, yay.
I love new friends!
That was the same day that looseheadprop told us about her puppy who had invented an interesting game. She (the puppy) would grab a stick out of the fireplace and run through the house with it, lhp and family would pursue. The stick, you understand, was on fire at the time. Fabulous dog game.
I will get myself to bed about now and leave you all with the picture of lhp’s firedog, carrying a flaming faggot through the house…
Night TRex, all! (ducks)
Optional?!!?
We lurkers worry about charges of elitism. What if we held a meeting and nobody brought the RC?
I’ve gone from gigglesnort to shudder. (But I’ll hang around for the secrets.)
Patrick 4/4 @ 239
You know if you pour a bag of salted peanuts down into a bottle of RC cola it’s real good.
Dixie @ 226
Who else is thrilled that Dixie delurked? We’re all in for it now… Brava!
Ooooh! Me! Me!
And DreamingCrow too!
And everybody!
Hooray!
I’ll get the silly string.
Dixie @ 243
I only said optional because not everybody knows you have to have the RC. Don’t want people who still have teeth to feel bad about it.
newtonusr @
213
hello all baypups!
Dixie @ 236
Mmm…moonpies.
Patrick 4/4 @ 238
Abso-frackin’-lutely. It’s just that previously, I read, rather than commenting.
NewDealFarmGrrrlll @ 240
Thank you.
I’m trying to learn how to take care of myself. It gets hard when you’re used to pushing past the pain to just function. You have to learn when it’s okay to say, “No, I can’t handle that.”
I don’t want to be mentally ill, but I’d sure like the type of energy that can keep you awake through 4 mg of Klonopin and sleeping meds. :p
Um, are you a Battlestar Galactica fan, perchance?
RBG @ 231
Oh yes, me too! That name is so soothing. Like water over stone.
Nite all.;)
Time for me to head to bed. Gotta earn some money for the bills and a few christmas presents for the family.
‘Night guys, great to meetcha all!
TRex @ 247
What, are we going to start testing for tripwires now? Come clean, who thought bombs would be fun late night entertainment?
- Silly (String) and SleepLiss in Seattle
Nice to meet you, alias!
I’m off to bed, too.
Good night, everybody!
Sleep well.
nice evening get-together here tonite TRex, i sure like meeting all the new-ish folks who dropped into the ‘lake.
‘pups, meds kicking in, gotta get to the bedtime, sleep well, y’all….
Nite all.
As my wife says: “Talk about me while I’m gone.”
TRex @ 251
Oh, yes. However, frack was a common part of my speech before the show, as well. I spent much of my childhood coming up with euphemisms about which my mother didn’t fuss.
So, who’s cuter to you, The Chief or Felix Gehta?
Okay, no, really, I’m going to bed.
DreamingCrow
FDL, home of the occasional pie fight, a lot like the boisterous family dinner table. With liquor. I’m having Early Times over, then Vonnegut, then bed. Cocktails, anyone? It’s only midnight…
Hi from another “almost” lurker; I de-lurked for the first (and only other) time back in late September. Anyway, I made a donation for Esten a couple of hours ago. Best wishes to him, Tommy, Mel, and Evelyn.
DreamingCrow @
254
Seattle ‘eh? Quite a few pups from these parts…north end myself.
Andy @ 261
The picture of Esten just did me in. I only have nieces & nephews, and if they were sick, I’d freak. Great reason to expose yourself to the rabble!
A very good friend’s grandson, Conner, is about six months further along than Tommy’s son Esten. Conner’s being treated in Seattle, where some of the best care for this is available.
Conner’s gramps is in my band, and we pray for Conner at every rehearsal. He’s finally starting to eat food and accept it. He’s going to make it, and so will Esten.
TRex @ 259
Felix Gaeta, hands down. The Chief would be more my usual style, though. ^_^
I really should consider heading there myself.
RBG @ 262
I’ve noticed this myself recently. Might have something to do with the progressive politics that still tend to be prevalent here, even if they’re the Passive-Aggressive Polite versions.
How far north are you?
Wow, ET & RBG on the same thread. That doesn’t happen very often any more.
Did you see I invited Cujo to join us in March? He mentioned a little theater near your old stomping grounds.
DreamingCrow, north end of the lake. Not far from Third Place.
newtonusr @ 246
Hey! That Quote this Comment thingie is easy.
Oh, my. Thank you, newtonusr. And thanks to TRex and Patrick and alias and DreamingCrow and HotFlash and punaise and…Is that the music they play to wrap up the speech?
It’s a tad past midnight in my LA (lower Alabama), and I’ve got 140 13-year-olds in 8th grade English when daylight gets here. (Do I know I have it easier than DreamingCrow? Echo answers Yes. Yet the admirable spirit there is huge.)
Good night.
Just got home from a great jazz concert at UAA. Earlier today, driving back from my first trip (of two!) to Achorage today, I heard Terry Gross interviewing Noa Sattath, the organizer of the Jerusalem gay pride parades, which have gotten violent lately. Noa, a Jewish native Jerusalemite, has had the Jewish version of a fatwa issued against her for what she’s doing. Her parents are worried.
Her interview was so interesting, I transcribed the following from it, for latenight fdl:
Terry Gross: I’ve noticed just reading the newspapers that opposition to your gay pride parades is the only thing that’s effectively united Orthodox Jews with Orthodox Muslims as well as Christians. United them in opposition to your marches, and I wonder how that makes you feel, knowing the impossibility of finding unity, and this is what they’ve found unity on?
Noa Sattath: Well, I’m very much in favor of them finding unity, so I’m hopeful that once they’ve found this ridiculous issue to unite over, they might find other issues, but seriously speaking, I’m very disappointed that these respectable religious leaders can only unite over hate, when there are so many other important issues in our area.
you can listen to the whole interview here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/s…..Id=6586540
RBG @ 268
Ye little gods, I love that place. Not as much as Powell’s, but well, there can only be one Powell’s (at least one company, since they have multiple Portland area locations).
I’m in the far north end of the city, almost in Shoreline, and a short drive from The Moneysucking Place.
Dixie @ 269
For teaching, you’ve got my highest regards.
Sleep well and have a good day tomorrow!
RBG @
267
No, but I’d love to meet Cujo! I’m still hoping to get down there then, at least for the opening of “My Name is Rachel Corrie.” I’m hoping to tie it in with watching my daughter row in her boat. I doubt I’ll be producing a concert, unless Bevis and I cook some Fremont-style guerrilla concert up at the Foundry.
Good to say Hi, RBG…
DreamingCrow @
271
Sounds like coffee at Third Place might be in our future. Perhaps after the holidays?
Dixie @ 269
Props! Night.
ET, I’m pretty sure there’s a pair of tix with your name on them. Just give me a little notice.
DreamingCrow @ 271
Reason #1,476 of “why I left Seattle”….
RBG @ 274
Sounds like a plan. With all that’s going on in my life, everything is on hold until after the holidays!
Well, it’s well after midnight here on the Left Coast and I need my shuteye. G’night, all.
I suppose that I’ll have to keep commenting, now that I exhibited diarrhea of the fingers tonight.
RBG @ 276
Bless you, my son. I’ll bring the smoked salmon. again.
Ed*ard Teller @
279
Who you calling son…you old coot? Looking forward to the salmon, but now I’m off to bed.
Good night, all.
HI & good luck ^-^ (Japaneese symbol for
friendship).
I’m up early to take Esten into the clinic for another round of chemo. Reading the comments with tears streaming down my face.
I wish I had words to express my humility and gratitude. To think I started coming here because of the awesome Libby posts…what this place has turned into. It’s genuine community.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. I’ll show the picture to Esten when we get home. He likes seeing himself on the computer!
Good morning, everyone. Only one NYT columnist to drag out from from behind the firewall today:
http://select.nytimes.com/2006…..amp;emc=th
Bob Herbert, “Waiting for Answers.”
I yearn for the day when Paypal fundraisers aren’t needed to assure needed healthcare is made available or when healthcare costs aren’t the cause of personal bankruptcy.
Visit my blog Universal Health at http://www.universalhealth.wordpress.com. Shameless, I know, but I’m fomenting a rebellion, and I’m recruiting troops. Remember the ladies – in this case, registered nurses – the 3 million strong army of US healthcare.
Thanks for the invitation to delurk, and the very best of healthy wishes for Esten and family!
Mornin’ All!
Mostly lurker, spotty commenter….early morning reader…(no late night for me)…had to donate when I saw that photo up there. That face, a boy that age should never have a look like that in his eyes.
Dear President Bush,
I am writing this letter to you to as a frustrated voter. To cut to the chase, the source of my most recent frustration has been your reaction, and the reaction of other conservative leaders, to the Iraq Study Group Report. Please do not ignore the ISG Report, it is important for the future security of the country. Think of the children.
Admitting that a change in course is needed would, in fact, show great leadership and integrity, not only as a President but as a man. The ability to admit your Iraq strategy isn’t working could not only help to salvage your legacy, but save countless lives of American soldiers. Time is of the essence. Every day no decision to change is made is a day that more American sons and daughters won’t be coming home… ever.
Please take these thoughts under advisement.
I fucking hate you, you douchebag,
twolf1
PS – You look like a chimpanzee in a suit.
I don’t do it much but prayers will be made and money will be sent.
Hey TRex, and all,
Mornin’.
I sent a check directly to the fundraiser and will email you with the amount.
(((((tommy, mel, evy, esten)))))
Pearl Harbor survivors meet for last time
twolf1 @ 288
what a touching letter, twolf. I bet GWB will take it home to show his momma.
Picking nits – ya might wanna put that last part first; you know that Georgie has a bit of a short attention span – gets a little bored with heavy readin’ and all.
new thread
http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..nuary-yet/
A loving community takes care of its own…and others when resources permit. My humble donation just went in. Must we spend the rest of our lives trying to teach these cretins a little humanity? I saw a comment saying that we should never have to see that look on a child’s face. I couldn’t agree more. Just think of the research we could have funded with what we spend on war and war toys. I’m like Utah Phillips. Every day I get up, look in the mirror and say, “I’m Richard and I’m a pacifist,” just like an alcoholic at an AA meeting. It’s all part of living with PTSD. Anybody who thinks the anger just goes away ain’t been there. It does help drive the revolutionary in me, however.
Never give up.
Lurker here. My son Nick was diagnosed with leukemia when he was three years old, too. We were devastated. He endured the chemo, the spinals, a bout with chickenpox, and countless other trials. It was an experience I would not wish on my worst enemy.
Nick is now 19 years old. He attends the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and is getting A’s and B’s. He has suffered no long term effects from his three years of chemotherapy and is perfectly normal and happy and healthy.
There have been even more inroads into cures for leukemia since he got sick sixteen years ago. We stayed in the hospital for ten days when he was diagnosed; now it’s all done outpatient.
Best wishes for a success story of your own.
Esten is such a cute kid. I hope he gets well.
And thank you Tommy Yum for putting out such great energy for the Lamont campaign.
Best wishes to Esten, his family and all his friends.
Prayers also to you for great and speedy health.
Done – with great joy and hope for Esten and his family.
And thank you for the spirit you gave us in CT this past election cycle.
Had we had enough? We thought so…but the Repugs disagreed with us.
Tommy, thanks for everything you have done. Love to you and your family. Healing to Esten!
Good Morning FDLers,
I am a lurker. This is my very first stop every day and sometimes more than once. I do not comment bec it seems everyone else is reading my thoughts. This is the most informative site I have found. My 20.03 just went to Esen. I almost always contribute when asked. Thanks for making my life better.
I realize the thread is probably dead at this point, but speaking of children’s charities, check this one out:
http://www.childsplaycharity.org/
It’s a charity that gives video games to kids who are sick in the hospital, so that they aren’t bored or scared or just wondering when they’re getting out. The charity gives 100% of proceeds directly to the kids with no administrative overhead (they accomplish this through a series of wish lists for each hospital on Amazon). It was founded in response to Jack Thompson, a rapid anti-gaming lawyer who’s decided that video games are the source of the world’s ills.
Anyway, I thought it might be relevant to the original post.
Welcome, Smilingl8dy. Please pop out from behind the Lurk more often!
Donnah–
Powerful story.
Welcome to the lake, hope to hear from you often!
——egregious
Hey, de-lurking. From south Mississippi, down near the Gulf. This blog is awesome.
Hi! I’m a 54 year old grandmother from Ohio. I read FDL every day.
God bless Estan and his entire family. I’m going to make my contribution now. Please pass on an entire country’s love to him.
unlurking, great cause, great people here.
Hey Trex from another red state GA boy. Thinking of Esten, donated what I could.
first time commentor, long time lurker..
all the best to Esten
Quill in Canada
Some money that was to go to my ungrateful niece and nephew’s holiday gifts (they can’t help it, their parents dont encourage thank yous and such) is now going to litte Esten … better use of the money.
I live in Chapel Hill. Where is the event??? No money, due to many reasons, but can alert others in the area to attend the show and donate, as well as offering my prayers for the little guy. I have been without kidneys for 28 years, so know how difficult illness is to the entire family…and their friends.
Delurking to say Hello and good health to all.
Wow!
Hi, guys!
Thank you all so much for coming and for donating. And for delurking. It’s so nice to meet you.
harriett @
310
Here’s your info:
A benefit, concert and silent auction to honor Esten Maxwell will take place Saturday, December 9th at The Score Board in downtown Pittsboro from 4pm-midnight.
Can I comment yet? I’m apologising for not taking some TRex snark well, and for being a worry troll. I didn’t know what I was doing. Can I come back yet?
itwasntme @ 314
Of course you can. All is forgiven.
I love seeing so many lurker messages! I’m an over-60 Boulder, CO resident and read FDL each and every day!
Haven’t read the entire thread but wanted to participate in the ‘wellness fund’ for Esten.
I can simply disolve in the depths of Esten’s beautiful blue eyes. May they sparkle with renewed health and vitality in the very near future!
{{{Blessings and Well Wishes to Esten and all the Yum Family!}}}
zatoichi–
Welcome to the lake! Let’s hear from you often.
csg–
Welcome to a new Ohio commenter! I’m from Middletown, you anywhere near there?
kenbob–
Good to hear from you! Hope you will share your southern voice often.
Mary Nauman @ 306
Are you a new commenter? Thanks for helping Esten.
quill–
Welcome, eh? We have a lot of far north people if you count Alaska and Russia along with Canada.
Hope to hear from you often.
fnlibrl @ 311
[scooping up a big helping of that good health]
Thank you! And welcome to firedoglake.
Weffie @ 316
Weffie,
Is this your first delurk? Glad to have you with us here at the Lake. Jump in often.
Another delurker.
I have a 19 year old son who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 2 1/2 so I can seriously sympathize. We went through 4 years of treatments.
My advice is stay calm, read what literature is available, be the best advocate your child will ever have and don’t think too much about what the long term impacts are of what you are doing. This disease is hard on the kids and very hard on the parents. You have to take it one day at a time.
So far our son shows no signs of any serious long term illnesses as a result of the drugs but he gets tested annually through a Childrens Hospital oncology clinic (even as an adult).
My best wishes.
Hi! Now I’m off to donate to PayPal, so the cute little guy in the picture and his family will know we care about them.
TRex @
85
Thanks TRex…no news yet, but they think one of his meds may be causing his problems…hope
so, as it is an easy cure!!