(Photo credit to Reuters/Jonathon Ernst)
Still waiting here in Prettyman Courthouse. Things have improved in the media room–we now have AC, so things have cooled down somewhat. To those asking why we don't open any windows–it's a windowless room. Wouldn't really make sense for them to keep out cameras if folks could waltz up and film through the windows, I think.
The other vast improvement is the music. We've had both America the Beautiful and Neil Young's Living with War. Kind of puts you in the mood, you know what I mean? And the IT guy has put pix of his child up on the monitor–a very cute baby.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to use this time to do some schmoozing for, you know, politics. Problem is, if I want to meet anyone, I have to convince them to come to Prettyman to join the Verdict Watch. I'm glad I missed two days of this. I'm not one for waiting.
The post-lunch Defense sighting update: At first there were only two of the Associates from the Defense. But then Wells came in for his burger (he apparently paid). Then finally Libby, who had pretzils and iced tea.
Things are hot again in the media room–only so much AC can do. And the music is gone, as well as the baby pictures. Fun while it lasted, but it didn't last.
All I gotta say, at this point, is that they ought to open a chichi restaurant in the Prettyman Courthouse, because I am making some schmoozing progress. But it sure would help if there were a nice restaurant to lure people here with. They're not on Verdict Watch, I'm sure they figure, why should they eat a less than ideal meal?
Other than that, I'm trying to figure out how a room full of men and women–spanning the ages of 22 and 72–can be experiencing hot flashes at the same time over the course of one long afternoon… I'm missing my ice and snow now.
5:04 Beer thirty, folks. The jury is done for the day.
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Fitz!
Marcy!
Madness! Madness!
Fitz!
Robby the Robot!
Look at Fitz, preening and posing for the cameras!
me too Fitz!
For some unknown reason, these song lyrics have come into my head. I don’t know if I dreamed it or read it previously at FDL. Anyway, something like this…
My Scooter lies to the Grand Jury
My Scooter lies for the VP
My Scooter lies to the whole country
Oh bring back my Scooter to me, to me
Bring back…
Fitz = Best Starbucks Ad Ever
Looks like Fitz is having a Marilyn moment.
Bless you Marcy; bless you Jane; bless you Christy.
That picture of Fitzgerald does not inspire “patience.”
Enough about your hot flashes: YOU TOOK THE LABEL OFF OUR SEAT??!!
I would never make it on jury duty. I would be screaming at everyone by now to make up their frickin mind.
Spew Alert!
EPU’d from previous thread…
~~ Muzzy says
~~ February 27th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
~~ Samuel L. Jackson as Dr. Rice.
Starbucks’ latest product placement ads: “The Special Counsel’s office, brought to you by Starbucks. Crime doesn’t sleep, and neither do we.”
-S
The sign behind Fitz says “Caution: Vehicle Exiting”. Fitz is a vehicle for truth & justice. Waiting so long for this jury I fear I may become a vehicle for depression. :~
Pachacutec @
12
Remember, I didn’t know whether I woul dbe able to come back. And I didn’t want to leave a mess for the cleaning staff.
Sorry Pach.
Neil Young LWW? Very cool.
You guys can tell that’s a Starbucks cup? I’m getting old and the lamps are dimming.
Somebody buy Fitz some REAL coffee, not that burnt-tasting stuff from Charbucks.
OT, but to help the time pass — anyone know who was Barrett Prettyman and what’d he do to get a courthouse named after him? I remember that place from the Watergate trials… :?:
I’m missing my ice and snow now.
But, but it snowed here Sunday, Marcy — 4 inches worth. I thought I was going to get stuck in Florida another day because my flight couldn’t land at Reagan National, but there wasn’t a problem after all. Darn it!
Thanks, Empywheel, for you perserverance!!!
I KNOW the wait will be worth it!!!!!
And by the way, when is Dead-eye Dick returning to America, or is he a man without a country, waiting out the verdict?
ew: Care to comment on who from the msm is in there with you?
Interested Observer @ 20
Absolutely. Is the Firehook Cafe near the Prettyman? Fitz should be getting only the best. He deserves it!
Just so you know? My mate is probably going to have to sue FDL for alienation of affection. I walk in the front door, and blow him a quick little kiss on my way to my office. I hunker down there as though it were a bunker, lest I get too far away from FDL’s Libby news and The Verdict. My shoulders are all roundy from maintaining the nose-to-the-monitor position. I am eating crap and dropping crap crumbs into my keyboard. The dust is accumulating at an alarming rate throughout the house. Oh, let there be a verdict, and let it lead to an eventual indictment for Loose Lips Cheney.
emptywheel @ 17
Heh. Blogger ethics. We cleaned up after ourselves. Ach!
bonkers @ 25
Yeah, there’s another pic of Fitz eating a pastry from a Firehook bag.
Not that I’ve catalogued my Fitz pictures, or anything.
stingray @ 24
Nope, not allowed. But all the named players are sticking it out with Jane and I.
stingray @ 24
Have you seen Pierre Thomas of ABC News in the courthouse? Because he seems to be covering the trial from Pluto.
Sen. Warner’s bio has this:
http://www.senate.gov/~warner/…..enator.htm
Even though he doesn’t look the part as much as some of the other casting suggestions, I like Hugh Laurie as Fitz, for having the acting chops to carry off the role, especially the final rebuttal scene.
bonkers @ 25
Yes. It’s just a few blocks from here. We filmed one of the PTV spots there. It had Jeralyn, Jane, and I, IIRC, with egregious supervising off camera.
barbara @ 26
Barbara, don’t tell my husband, or it’ll end up being a class action lawsuit. He also doesn’t care for the shrine to Patrick Fitzgerald in our front yard…
-S
Kidding about the shrine. Really.
Aren’t they deliberating a few minutes long today? If they go a little past previous quitting times, dare I anticipate a finishing-up spurt?
-
as I said on the previous thread, if this is a single holdout that hangs the jury, that hold out is going to become a celebrity thoughout corporate media
Sparkles the Iguana @ 30
You gotta give me a description. I’m not much of a TV gal, particularly now that football season is over.
While we’re being patient, we may as well guess about this blind item from Gawker:
I’m thinking Kiefer Sutherland and James Spader?
From History of E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse
In March 1997, the U.S. Courthouse was renamed the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse. E. Barrett Prettyman served as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 1945-1971 and as Chief Judge from 1958-1960. The triangular 24-foot high monument in front of the Courthouse with excerpts and scenes from the nation’s founding documents was Judge Prettyman’s idea.
http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/court-history.html
bonkers @
25
I like the taste of Starbucks coffee. It doesn’t taste burnt at all to me. In fact, other coffees just taste weak to me, like there isn’t any punch behind them. The coffee here at work comes from one of those packet machines and although it isn’t Starbucks, it’s the same quality. It’s delicious.
I always wonder if the people who say they don’t like Starbucks coffee are really doing a cost benefit anaysis and concluding that no coffee is worth $4 bucks a grande. On a daily basis, I would have to agree that it would be excessive. But if you have it only once every couple of weeks, it’s yummy.
emptywheel @ 36
African American, probably early 40’s, glasses.
You know who, oddly, Fitz looks like in that picture?
Norm McDonald, formerly of Saturday Night Live.
My casting suggestion for Fitz, though, is Bruce Greenwood. Underrated actor who played JFK in “Thirteen Days.”
And Cate Blanchett as Valerie Wilson.
Michael Richards as Scooter. Work with me here.
Billy Dee Williams as Ted Wells.
Martin Scorcese as Novakula.
Over the years I have waited for lots of things: babies to be born, airplanes to get fixed, weather to clear, artillery to stop, hangovers to ease, paint to dry, and just stuff. Now I am waitig for a verdict like all of you. The banter and posts on this site makes it all the easier and enjoyable. This site and all of your simply rock.
Sparkles the Iguana @ 30
yeah anyway, I couldn’t believe he tells Gwen Ifill that Wells cried at the end of closing arguments. As if it wasn’t a stunt.
To improve the likelihood of schmoozing, maybe you can bring something decent to eat that can be shared? Of course it can’t be too chichi – hard to split avocado foam or whatever. Not a power move per se, but it could be an icebreaker.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=127693
Pierre Thomas.
Sparkles the Iguana @ 41
Haven’t seen him. Maybe he’s hanging in the media overflow room upstairs.
ew @ 33 Yes. It’s just a few blocks from here. We filmed one of the PTV spots there. It had Jeralyn, Jane, and I, IIRC, with egregious supervising off camera.
I helped with the hair. Didn’t they all look stunning?
Sparkles the Iguana @ 30
Do you think he’s off his gourd too? I saw his report on Washington Week with Gwen Ifil on Friday, and I couldn’t figure out if he was shilling talking points, covering a different trial, or just making stuff up. I couldn’t even tell if it was accurate or not.
Well said, twobits @ 43.
Sparkles the Iguana @ 28
Cool. I was working in DC two months ago and ate there 3 times in one day! It was quite tasty. First, Jane and EW do a video wrap there, and now Fitz goes there. One degree of Firehook.
Sparkles: Thanks for the Safavian info on the last thread. I see he also had 5 similar counts against him, and was convicted on 4. I’m feeling better and better about our current jury deliberations.
Elliott @ 44
I know, my jaw dropped when I heard him tell that completely straight, and Gwen and all the others sat there and swallowed it whole like a big soft marshmallow.
egregious @ 48
So many talents. They looked fabulous.
ew@47
Media overflow. Hmmm. As in Anna Nicole and Britney, maybe?
I was listening to XM radio on the way home and heard an interesting song.
Rep. John Hall – Plutonium is Forever
Great anti-nuke protest song!
barbara @ 26
U think it’s addictive HERE? Then don’t go near the Gabbly chat — goes 20 times faster and is the Good Stuff, druggie-speaking.
well, guys, with 10 minutes to go, looks like this is another wasted day. Can’t imagine what is holding things up but it’s gettin’ old.
So have we got a wingnut holdout? Or 10 wingnuts and a non-wingnut holdout?
Alan Arken is cheney I believe
oxide @ 49
I know. I think he was actually cribbing from the previous day’s NYT article, which was equally bogus.
none @ 58
Two bridge tables and one three handed go-fishin’
none @ 58
it would be a serious blow to my self esteem if it is a conviction holding out against aquittal
Year after year, Starbucks comes in middle of the pack to bottom on Consumer Reports taste tests. I too prefer strong coffee. There’s a big difference between strong and burnt. To each their own I guess!
Mickey @ 61
LOL
EPU’d from previous thread.
Add Morgan Freeman as Wells
ABC’s Grandpa Gibson has declared [to Imus] that the Libby trial’s too complicated…
Grandpa Gibson’s now #1 in the ratings. At least it’s not on the body of Anna Nicole.
But c’mon, Grandpa, even Cronkite finally acknowledged that Vietnam was wrong….
Precisely because it is complicated that it deserves your attention. Right, Schuster? Props to David.
texasmom @ 9
Funny. Indeed, his coat is blowing up a little….
I’ll be seeing a Senator tonight [no, not THAT way]. He/she is one of the good people.
Any questions? Other than what I’m wearing?
Black cashmere, sapphires.
perris @ 59
or, the the actor that played darth vader when they finally showed his face actually fits cheney pretty nicely too
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi…..erdies.jpg
Interested Observer @ 20
For some really good coffee that will also remind you of Fitz, try
http://www.cafebritt.com/estor…..mp;Sub=226
Tim Robbins = Fitz? Maybe, but I’m still sayin’ Cusack.
Tea Leoni = V. Wilson
Jeff Bridges = J. Wilson
scrabble?
g
u
i
libby
t
yes
T minus 2 minutes and counting. Maybe they like the food…
(i’m thinking more “mr. average america” tom hanks for mr. fitz goes to washington)
egregious @ 68
Ask the Senator how the heck to prevent Iran/get us out of Iraq.
It’s 4 minutes to 5… any rumblings going on?
Pierre’s take on wells’ powerful jibber jabber. I dont think Gwen bought it.
perris @ 69 et al:
Don Rickles
Pat_AlexVA @ 75
Not a one.
Sparkles (I think it was) posted info on the last thread that the SAFAVIAN verdict took 5 DAYS for GUILTY to be returned, and he was DEAD SURE ON THE TAKE. 5 counts against him, and Zeidenberg prosecuted. Be of good cheer, Joy cometh in the morning.
egregious @ 68
Good choice, and stay away from tin foil bolero jackets.
smapdi @ 76
then she should have said something out loud.
My husband just dropped by the computer room and asked, “Any news on the Fibby trial yet?”
Sparkles the Iguana @
5
Seriously. If there’s going to be a whole lot of red carpet swanning around now, we want JANE AND MARCY PICTURES!
*click**click*
*Flash!*
Here comes Marcy looking cool and elegant in Oscar De La Renta with a pair of low-heeled Prada pumps.
*Pop!*
*Flash!*
“Marcy, can you look this way, please?”
“Marcy, over here!”
*Pop!*
And stepping out of the sleek taxi at the curb, it’s Jane Hamsher wearing a silk wrap by Marc Jacobs.
*poppoppopoppopopop!!!*
“Jane! Over here!”
“Jane!”
“Look this way, Jane!”
“Jane, is it true you’ll be recording with Luciano Pavarotti and Sting while you’re here?”
*pop!!*
*Flash!*
“Jane, is it true that Barbara Comstock tried to steal your purse?”
“Jane!”
*pop*
S.O.S. in MA @ 79
I only posted the Zeidenberg part.
And I had gone a whole 45 seconds without looking at my watch.
Someone made the comment in an earlier thread that as soon as they decide that Scooter was intentionally lieing, on any of the statements, then the rest should fall nicely in line. All of a sudden it all fits together logically.
It can’t be too much longer now… can it??? (/getting frantic)
how do i go to gabbly chat, i switched computers and it is not in any sidebar on fdl home page, thanks
portia.vz @ 57
Sparkles noted this in the last thread at #141. The David Safavian trial:
The jury of 10 women and two men came to its decision on its fifth day of deliberations after hearing eight days of testimony.
A federal jury found former White House aide David H. Safavian guilty yesterday of lying and obstructing justice, making him the highest-ranking government official to be convicted in the spreading scandal involving disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Saf also had 5 simliar counts against him, and was convicted on 4 of those. The Monkey-Scoots trial was much longer also. Try to relax, and remember most of the lawyers here have predicted from Day One of Deliberations that it would be mid- to end of this week.
16oz crappy coffee at 7/11: $1.30
16oz starbucks coffee: $1.90
Is good flavor worth $0.60 more? You bet!
Elliott @ 81
What?? That would be uncivil. Remember, Gwen is a Broder protege.
WAG of the day:
This is a methodical, Type A jury which wants to give proper weight to each charge. So far, they have spent each day on a different perjury charge. Tomorrow they take on obstruction. Verdict late tomorrow or, more likely, Thursday.
BTW, so far it is “guilty” on 1,2 and 4 and “not guilty” on 3.
Does anyone have Martin Short as Scooter or Clive Owen as Fitz yet?
I remember five or ten years ago there was a barge of stinking garbage motoring around in the Atlantic, and perhaps other oceans, looking for a place to land. No country would allow it to land, so it just kept moving and looking.
Cheney now reminds me of that barge of garbage.
NYC’s Mayor Bloomberg sent his troops to CT to help Holy Joe get out the Rethug vote, and what does holy Joe do? Stab Bloomberg in the back the first chance he gets. WNYC (NYC npr) is reporting that Bloomie is pissed.
Best coffee – good old Eight O’Clock – though you have to brew at home.
I have heard that the further away from Seattle the Starbucks is, the less the coffee will taste like it’s supposed to.
My guesses based on civil experience and pure gut feel is Wednesday just before lunch at the earliest, 4:30 Friday at the latest. That and $4 buys you a Starbucks Grande.
“I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.” Groucho Marx
susie @ 87
Here ya go Susie:
http://www.gabbly.com/firedoglake.com
A hung jury could be a blessing in disguise. What if the trial were rescheduled after Bush leaves office. That would wipe the smile off the face of Mr & Mrs. Libby. We so need a Democratic president to put Fitz on the trail of them all.
Iran is pretty much #1 on my list. I know for a fact this senator is fully up to speed on the issue. Just wish the other 99 were. Maybe that’s the question, how to persuade them in time.
bonkers @ 88
Just for the record, that was Everhopeful who posted the Safavian info.
randiego @ 89
that, plus Starbucks gives its employees health insurance when they work 20 hours a week.
Jury is done for the day. See you tomorrow folks.
mc @
18
This one do you think?
egregious @
101
sounds like you’re meeting with the Freshman Senator from Virginia…
Thanks EW! We HEART you THIS much!
emptywheel @ 104
It’s Beer-Thirty! Thanks, EW!!
emptywheel @ 104
bye for now!
thanks ew.
I know everyone has been waiting for the verdict but since it ain’t here yet have some entertainment that only Stephen Colbert can provide via C&L:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/…..colberts-wØrd-on-blairs-withdrawal/
I think I have a tiny crush on Gwen that clouds my judgment.
Sparkles: Whoops regarding Safavian info. Thanks for the clarification.
ew, I’m buying you a round of drinks. Anyone care to pitch in up at the “Donate” button???
Spent some time in Brazil, and most English books available there are John Grisham, that’s when I read them, lots of them. Now I wonder, is it possible that a juror is bought, or did I read too much Grisham.
Elliott @81: My sentiments exactly. And why I can rarely watch Washington Week. It’s all about insider Gwen and her insider guests propping each other up. Gwen may not have bought Pierre’s take, but it would never do to share that with the hoi polloi. She might miss out on a cocktail weenie or two.
smapdi @ 112
She always wears such nice clothes.
TRex @ 83
Folks. Me? Prada? Let me ask Jane, but I don’t think it’s me.
cathy @ 96
The caramel macchiatos taste completely different depending on what store, what barista, and what time of day you get them. I’ve had ones that tasted like spew, and others that were like ambrosia. Also, I never go to Starbucks within half an hour of closing because the drinks are lukewarm. They must turn off the machines early.
Pachacutec @
27
NO SHAME in putting the label back on, is it?
Are you sure that’s coffee in that cup? Starbuck’s has tea too, and it’s actually good (Tazo).
Not Prada. Stuart Weitzman.
Gorgeous and amazingly comfortable.
Hmmm. Senate Hearing on Supplemental Spending for Iraq/Afghanistan, asking Gen Pace and Gates questions. Judd Gregg is trying to make them say that Congress is interfering with the battlefield.
smapdi @ 112
I feel the same way about Pat Buchanan. Except Pat pipes up when he disagrees with somebody.
cathy @ 96
25 miles for me – and that’s almost too far :)
mui @ 122
He needs to go…next election…can’t decide if he is a worm or snake.
Now going on to bash Islam and “fanatics”
Lincoln, “If this is coffee, bring me tea. If it is tea, then bring me coffee!”
twobits @
43
maybe tmi, but this list doesn’t include constipation waiting to um, undo itself.
angie, who is this facist Judd Gregg? Darnit. *rhetorical question* I have to sign off.
Celtic Music @ 115
It’s a horrific show. All of them asking each other questions that they already know the answers to, it’s so phony.
Fresh thread for everyone.
emptywheel #117
As U like, but don’t forget — knicker-check! :) :)
OBTW thanks loads for everything you did (and didn’t have to type) today…
Prairie Sunshine @
71
I think Bridges as Wilson is the first really good suggestion I’ve seen for that role.
Watts or Leoni as Plame? Eh, maybe. I think the Plame role requires a certain style and reserve befitting a secret CIA agent, sort of an American Grace Kelly meets James Bond … Janice Bond.
Also, John Cusack for Fitz would be certainly good.
Why is it that Novak seems so hard to cast? Is it that any living actor just doesn’t fit the role?
Nicholson as Armitage? Yeah, I can see that.
Sometimes it’s hard to cast the bland characters like Cheney, Rove & Libby because more Hollywood actors are distinctive.
Maybe Philip Seymour Hersch (sp) could play Cheney.
So many people to make fun of, so little time. heh.
I prefer staid.
I do like to watch elanor clift yell at tony blankley though.
hoi Celtic Music @
115
epu’d re: the band name:
Bile Means is good, but
Hoi Polloi or Cocktail Weenie aren’t bad
Non Sequitar a distant fourth
Novak: Charles Gray (Narrator from Rocky Horror).
:-)
mc @
18
Yay! I feel as though I were there in spirit!
Enough already. The Coffee Myths and Misconceptions Digest:
1. If you’re going to start talking about caramel pink sugar hector machiatos whatevers, you aint talking about coffee. If you want to call it coffee flavored beverage or something I guess that might be okay.
2. The “burnt” taste many people describe is due as much to drinking arabica for the first time, when used to bland robusto.
3. The flavor depends very much on the variety and where it was grown. Even more, the particular _portion_ of the property makes a tasteable difference. In wine they speak of terroir. I dunno what coffee phreaks call it but there must be a similar term.
4. The perceived “strength” depends on the variety, the roast and the proportions as well as brewing method (stea, water, water temp, steep time..)
5. I generally prefer locvally owned shops (since moving to PDX, I am delighted at the number of them here!) but you can’t get good crema unless the machine is in near constant use. Which mostly happens at the ‘Bucks. Really – the flavor and texture differ from the SAME MACHINE can vary.
Whatever your personal preferences, you really should seek out and buy only fair trade coffee.
Sparkles the Iguana @ 118
The only local (Seattle) Starbucks I still really like is the original one at Pike Place Market. Not that I don’t generally like the coffee, but they’re too ubiquitous and chain-y now. Tully’s! SBC! Corner barrista!
Thanks, EW! More beer is on its way to Calif.
Diane @ 95
Yes, and Eight grinds nicely, not that sbuck’s powder that spills everywhere, even after the lightest touch in the grinder
stingray @ 124
The taste of the water itself is absolutely critical! This is one of the reasons why some Starbucks locations are better than others. Even if you brew at home, you must have good water to have good coffee.
I think Jeff Bridges is a great choice for Amb. Wilson.
MarkH @ 132
barbara @
26
the muscles in my back have gotten so sore from sitting so long in front of my computer these past few weeks cking trial related info, (i’m semi retired), i had to start going to phys therapy for heat packs & electric stim. totally worth it though – i cant imagine NOT being in front of my computer during this trial. esp here w/ all you fine folks at fdl.
(thank you to everyone from fdl who are covering this in dc – more appreciated then i could ever convey)
perris @
59
Unfortunately Telly Savalas is past his expiration date, or I’d recommend him for Cheney. But then, baldness can be created. What can’t be created so easily is that sneering lip curl. Oh, wait, can the guy who played Darth Vader in the movie where he takes off his hat do lip curls? Or maybe the guy who did Jabba the Hut?
Bob in HI
froggermarch @ 42
I totally see it!
egregious @
68
Yes: Why are the Democrats so gutless about impeachment???
And why isn’t Conyer’s Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights doing its job???? I mean, like, its only got about a thousand pages of evidence it should be looking at, in front of the CSPAN cameras, meanwhile issuing subpoenas right and left to imperial lawyer Alberto Gonzales, and all the other folks discussed in Conyers’ book last year????
Sez Bob in HI,
waxing indignantly
Hmmm, this is actually turning into something …
JCusack or TRobbins — PFitzgerald
was that Naomi Watts, chameleon and fine actress? — VPlame
JBridges — JWilson
PSHoffman (like this call!)— Cheney
Jack (this one too!) — Armitage
I had James Woods as Novak, but someone else’s suggestion of Scorscese would be interesting. William Shatner as the seemingly hammy Karl Rove.
And, at six feet, six inches no doubt in Ferragamos, definitely Samuel Jackson as Condi Rice! Would I ever pay to see that. (Or failing Sam, then Angela Bassett, definitely.)
Wolverine @
93
OH NO! (FINN*) Cheney’s plane veered away from National Airport when it was learned that a subpoena was awaiting his arrival. The plane, nearly out of fuel, was last seen flying over the Bermuda Triangle. . .
*(FINN = Feverishly Imagined News Network)
But I would rather that the story ends with [redacted for the commenter’s own good by CHS], and not with Cheney somewhere in another Undisclosed Location, from which he might yet return!
Bob in HI
Eddie Murphy = Condi Rice (an insane casting choice for a preening insane obsessive). Imagine Murphy out doing the shoe-buying and exercise scenes…and some rioyous figure-skating and piano recital scenes!
I wonder if trial lawyers reading this think the jury must be close to deadlocked/hung at this point.
WOuld FItzgerald retry? Would Libby plea bargain?
JoyB @ 144
Now and then I watch ‘24.’ this morning going into work saw a guy who looked just like the renegade white house employee who detonated the device that did ‘whatever happened last night’ to ‘president palmer #2.’ MOMENTARY DISLOCATION/DISORIENTATION!
sorry for being so ridiculously OT.
@73 – yes – tom hanks would be my pick for Fitz, too. I think he even looks like him a bit.
I don’t understand what is taking so long! There has to be a hold out. The case is pretty straightforward. Either you conclude that 9 people all misremembered the same thing or you conclude that Libby lied.
If Libby had only heard it once from Cheney & then it was never brought up again, then sure, he “might” have forgotten it. But, the 2 of them were totally focused on getting Wilson during that whole time – it’s just not plausible that he forgot. He remebers the smallest details about his talk with Ari but can’t remember that he outed a NOC? Get real!
I’m late coming back to his thread, and this is a total derail that I started, but I have to reply to this. FWIW, my daughter is a professional barista (and not at a push-button place like Starbucks). She works for a local place that sent a barista to the Finals of the National Baristas Championship three years in a row. I often roast my own coffee (it’s not hard) and have learned a lot about that process.
Notta Flatlander @
137
I’m confused. Are you spreading misconceptions or attempting to refute them? The coffee bean is at the base of all coffee drinks. You sound as if you thing there is One True Coffee and the others are somehow fake. Coffee brewing practices vary all over the world and the same beans will produce a variety of different “drinks” based upon how they are made (compare drip to french press to turkish (ect). Which one do you consider “real” coffee? The stuff made in the Bunn at work? The drinks that most people think of when they go to Starbucks are based upon Espresso which is a very strong/concentrated coffee produced with a specific grind/temperature/time/pressure. But at the root is the bean. Most Americans haven’t developed a taste for straight espresso, so take it in a diluted or flavored form. They have nothing to apologize for. It’s not like the difference between real cheese and “processed cheese food product”.
Notta Flatlander @
137
Horsehockey. NOBODY in the specialty coffee business uses Robusta. Starbucks tastes burnt compared to coffee that is not over-roasted. There was a time in the U.S. when everyone roasted their own coffee on their stovetops. Most people drank light roast or medium roast coffee long ago. Green beans keep longer and the coffee tastes better the fresher it is to newly-roasted (aromatics begin to leave the bean in as little as a few days. The Starbucks you buy has been in the warehouse chain for months. If you buy pre-ground you are losing even more flavor faster.
Notta Flatlander @
137
This is true, but it has nothing to do with what we are talking about. Any bean can be over-roasted, just like any flavor cookie can be burnt. It doesn’t matter what flavor cookie (or bean) it is: if it is over-roasted it is going to taste burnt. (Or as the roasters say, you taste the character of the “roast” more than the character of the bean. That’s because eventually (roast it dark enough) and it all tastes like charcoal. If you want to taste the character of the bean you don’t dark roast it. (There are light and medium roasts, as well). Starbucks just about singlehandedly made the U.S. think that “burnt” coffee = “connisseur’s coffee” by virtue of its higher price. But they did so because (like any franchise) they strive for consistency with a variable taste product (the beans, as you correctly mentioned). How do you make it taste consistent? Over-roast it, so no matter where the bean comes from, it tastes the same (close to charcoal).
But absolutely, beans taste different and the wine comparison is a very good one. The same variety on the same land can taste different from year to year, just like a grape.
Notta Flatlander @
137
Yes, and don’t forget the fineness of the grind. People who don’t know what they are doing can ruin a shot of espresso by letting it drip too long into the glass (imparting bitterness from the end of the shot). With espresso machines the amount of pressure and time it takes to pull the shot make a diffence (and vary from manufacturer/model to manufacturer/model.
I highly recommend attending a “cupping” if your local specialty coffee shop ever offers one. You will see firsthand how a Sumatran bean tastes different than a Kenyan, or one from another part of the world. They can have different degrees of acid (coffee with no acid is like soda with no carbonation), body (mouthfeel), ect.
137
I’m with you all the way on local places. Big franchise does not necessarily equal quality ingredients or knowledgable baristas.
See the bitterness comment above. The point of a commercial machine is to stay consistent, but it may be dependent upon the skill of the shot-pulling barista. Starbucks tries to overcome this by using totally automatic machines. A chimp could make espresso their way. You push a button. But it won’t top one made by a barista who knows what they are doing.
Notta Flatlander @
137
Please. You have fallen victim to a marketing program. This is one of the biggest myths out there. Not that you won’t find a lot of people touting your line.
For those serious about coffee, discover CoffeeGeek.com (especially the forums).
prostratedragon @
146
i say Yes!
plus at cinnamonape’s suggestion, Eddie Murphy vs. Samuel Jackson deathmatch to play Condilezza.
has anyone figured out who “dismissed juror #12″ is?…think I have but;
a. wasnt sure its “old news” AND
b. if its not “old news” is it appropriate to speculate on names here?
[Mod Note; it is yesterday’s news.]