Good morning.

U.S. military prepares for domestic demonstrations.

Good morning SouthernDragon and eCAHN.
Thank you for the post SouthernDragon.

Thanks, SD. Take advantage of services to the hungry? Nothing new under the sun. Fortunes have been made for some time off selling unneeded gadgets to the sick, and imprisoning those who’d better the economy other ways for the profit of private prisons. And food stamps serve farmers at least as well.

Good Morning, Corporate Peoples!

My youngest son brought out his old Pokemon Monopoly game from the back of his closet last night. I have an entire stack of cash. I’d like to buy all the diners a stack of waffles and scramblers today!

Oh, and just so you know the tax committee is working hard for us corporate peoples. You will soon be able to deduct all your research hours.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-01/u-s-senate-tax-writers-agree-to-deal-on-reviving-lapsed-breaks.html

That is sweeter than cherry juice in the sun, ain’t it?

Mornin’, pups

Monti is delusional.

Rest In Peace, Gore Vidal.

Thanks, I’ll have the local honey with, and the resulting tax break.

Segment on democracynow will do segment on demise of USPS.

Turns out my friend, the labor lawyer’s firm works for the USPS union.

eCAHN, here’s your daily helping of Where is Prince Bandar?

Heh. Another group of anti-Assad rebels will form govt in exile. democracynow.

That should work out well.

Coupled with the recent employment data that SD linked, German attitude, and the determination to push a solution that doesn’t work, I’d say the light he sees is an oncoming train.

Boxturtle (Either that or they found a mutant somewhere that can crap out cash)

Uh-Oh! I would like his take on the real problems.

It’s good to see that Deutsche Bank has located the sacrificial rogue traders who manipulated LIBOR on it’s behalf. They will receive a life-time annuity when they get out of jail.

May I just mention that the term ‘Islamists’ can be used to mean scary furriners but actually does not mean that. Like ‘Islamic Brotherhood’, it refers to a variety of organizations, some of them with some violent intentions or actions associated with them. Which is kind of like my family, some of whom are nuts.

And there are ISLAMISTS against Assad now. Oh noes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did they come from? I guess they just showed up, as we all know Syria is a secular country full of America loving Christians who will welcome us as liberators!

Boxturtle (Count the contradictions in my post and ask how many the average voter could spot)

I like me some Pepe.

Saudis, of course, could solve the problem by having Bandar show up at a presser.

Here’s another good post by Pepe.

Good Morning Everydog
Thanks for keeping us apprised of the news, Dragon. Are you still having fun, or is this getting to be a drag?

LOL! Yeah, and I bet they will serve their time at Club Fed.

Good morning, everyone, and thanks for the linkys, Dragonman.

WordPress apparently forgot me overnight, so I had to login again to reply.

♫♫ It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…♫♫ (Channeling Mr. Rogers)

I’ve had one discussion with him on the substance of the various problems. But can’t get into that while I listen to democracynow on another window.

Good to know that senior managers at Deutsch was completely cleared my their own investigation. I was worried the corruption might be endemic.

Boxturtle (Some of the 1% lost money on this, so someone will have to pay)

Does anyone recall Anderson Little and its tenured officers? yes, they’re all now operating under another name or six.

You know a lot better than me, but I really think that it will be “low level” traders who will do the time and certainly not the likes of the Jamie Dimon’s, Tim Geithner’s and their companions in crime.

No problem. We can do it at a later time. I’d really also like to hear from a Corporate Tax Attorney. It’s way past time to have the discussion of Corporate Persons and how the Tax Code affects all of us Corporate People, my friend.

First segment on democracynow is U.S. hospital in Kabul conditions.

Isn’t this wash, rinse, repeat. Wasn’t there another USG hospital scandal a couple of years ago?

It is going to be a beautiful day. Sun’s not up here yet, but that full moon is gorgeous.
And, I have a flyswatter on my desk in case anyone shows up at the Diner and tries to give you a hard time. :)

TX had fascinating Repub runoff for open Senate seat. TeaParty Cruz won over est’ment rich candidate Dewhurst. Palin was here over the weekend to stump for Cruz….Wish this meant good outlook for Dem, but unlikely.
Cruz was clearly the underdog, but pulled away. Interesting.

Who is going to give msmolly a hard time with an opening comment that is so positive? We need more positives throughout our days.
(ducks so I do not get the flyswatter.)

Welcome to August, where last year averaged 107F at my homeplace. Feeling all the better here.

Really stupid on Assads part. Turkey didn’t really want to go into Syria, but they’ll hit the kurds if they do anything that looks like self government. Russia has to know this and I wonder how close the Russian base is to the Kurdish area.

Boxturtle (Hopefully, the Russians are telling Assad “BAD IDEA!!! BAD !!! BAD!!!”)

Scary stuff.
Cornyn on teabaggage win in Senate seat race, TX;
‘called Cruz’s ascent “well-earned,” adding, “Part of what it says is people are mad atWashington, D.C. They’re mad at what they perceive to be the establishment. And they want some change.”‘
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-senate-texas-20120801,0,4846333.story

I still think we need to focus on state elections, and re-elections. I don’t have any idea how to make a dent in the Prez-tender elections, but people must demand some accountability and representation.

UC Davis confirms officer at center of pepper spraying controversy no longer on the force

I’m just giving everyone a fair warning.
I think you’re prolly safe, so don’t worry.
PS Who is this Mike Barnacle and why is he on my tv?
I know, I know. Why is my tv even on? With the sound off, even.

And Palin stumped for him? She’s really sticking her fingers in the GOP establishments eye. They’ll remember this if she ever tries for national office or a cabinet position.

Boxturtle (Beware! For the foot that you step on today may be attached to the butt you must kiss tomorrow)

The history of Kurdish partial autonomy is long-standing. Goes back to 1991, iirc. As for Assad’s more recent move, I believe it is part of his internal reforms, to give the diverse Syrian population segments less central control.

I believe that the Iraqi Kurds have more autonomy than the Syrian ones.

Oh, I’ve already showered with my rosemary-mint soap, so the insects should be properly dissuaded.

Yep, Came to Houston over last weekend before the vote; big picture of her in some TX garb and boots, of course. Speaks for itself…

He’s right. Alas, instead of picking somebody who will change things for the better, they’ve selected someone who will quickly be co-opted by the corporatists.

Boxturtle (Millions were spent on the election. Millions will be spent on grooming this teahadist)

If I recall correctly, Mike Barnacle had a writing gig for one of the major papers until he was caught plagiarizing articles.
He must be going through rehabilitation and now is back in the mainstream.
I think this happened about 10 years ago.

Cornholyo will be the senior Senator from Texas. Makes me proud to be a Texan.

(that actually made me throw up a little)

Good morning all. Thanks for the post and host SoDrag.

‘Will be’ is misreading how teabaggage candidates are picked.

This is not tax related, but Glennzilla had an excellent post on free speech, corporations, etc. that is worth reading, including the updates and embedded links. Clarified some things about Citizens United for me.

Free Speech and Donations

Oh, the first day of a new month. Elliot says Rabbit Rabbit.
It is fairly nice here this summer. It gets to around 100 during the afternoon but cools down nicely in the evening. I even went back to the park last night for a second walk. Sonny went along so the goggie got to go too. He’s a big guy and I can’t walk him with other dogs around. He needed the exercise because he misses my husband so much, he gets depressed.

Good morning SD and Pups,

To cheer you up after a breakfast of depressing news, here’s a piece of a poem by Denise Levertov entitled ‘Writing in the Dark.’ I read a lot of her work. She was a Londoner who migrated to Seattle. Writes beautiful poems that capture the essence of the Northwest.

Keep writing in the dark:
a record of the night, or
words that pulled you from depths of unknowing,
words that flew through your mind, strange birds
crying their urgency with human voices,

or opened
as flowers of a tree that blooms
only once in a lifetime:

words that may have the power
to make the sun rise again.

I should open up my entertainment center and see if my TV is even in there. I haven’t had it on for months.

Also will run against the establishment that he is part and parcel of. Willing suspension of disbelief required to be part of the right wing.

Yum…I wondered why the Diner smelled so fresh this morning.

Thanks.

Nice…thanks.

The Yolo County District Attorney’s office is still reviewing the matter to determine whether criminal charges should be filed

Anybody still think that justice will be done? They have the entire incident on video, it’s been almost a year, and they’re “still reviewing”?

Boxturtle (It would seem to me that aggravated assualt would be pretty easy to prove)

So we won’t know if Pike was punished at all? I do understand confidentiality, but this seems to hold nobody publicly accountable. Of course, losing his job (after months suspended with full pay) is a sort of punishment, and the police chief resigned. I wonder if Pike will be able to get a job. Maybe the Anaheim or NYPD will hire him.

In a fundamental way, Syria resembles Israel, in that they are both controlled by religious minorities (Jews in the case of Israel, Alawites and Christians in Syria) who feel they face physical destruction if the majority Sunni Muslims take over. (One difference is that the Jews in Israel, though a minority in the region, are a majority in pre-1967 Israel, whereas in Syria the Alawites and Christians are a minority within the country itself.)

Thanks. Will read it this afternoon. Gotta go to work. We are finally getting a good deal of business, mostly refi’s and investors, but business. See y’all later.

I was telling a landscaper about rosemary-mint soap, as he and I were looking at my back yard and he was being “eated” and I wasn’t. Had to assure him that he wouldn’t smell girly. LOL. Mint is a natural insect repellent, apparently.

(Handing oldnslow a barf bag.)
My desk is getting crowded. Popcorn, check. Flyswatter, check. Rolled up socks. Check. Barf bags, check.

Well, poop, that’s why I included the waterbed vid.

That’s nice, Knut. Lovely writing.

Job opportunities for violent offenders against the left? hmmmm.

Sounds like Mitt had a carnival trip to Israel….”Diplomat-in-chief” when you’re the Pres….; not a good fit.
The TX election also a defeat for the Good Hair gov. who supported Dewhurst. That is good news as it looks like Gov does plan to run again.

$110K seems to be quite a chunk of change for a college cop.

I loved that, maybe even more because I sleep on a waterbed. I laughed out loud at the last two women.

Even have used it on the ponies to keep down fly botheration. Evergreen also is a repellent.

Don’t sell your readers short, SD.
We like stuff that sort a rhymes.

And, that was much appreciated. Thanks. :)
I like the addition of the cartoon too.

I had a student whose Christian family moved from Syria to Paris, where the father was a successful investment banker. I had dinner with them one night and they explained to me the incredibly complex religious situation. At the time I didn’t know, for example, that there is in Damascus a Christian ghetto situated inside the Jewish ghetto. The sect claims to go all the way back to the original apostles (I don’t know which one). I guess everyone here knows about the Chaldeans, who are or were scattered all over the Middle East. One of the reasons the family supported Hussein was that he protected the Christians from the Moslems. I believe this is also true of Assad in Syria.

Yeah, but do keep in mind that this is California. Everything is higher, cost of living AND salaries. And he may have been on the force a long time.

A sort-of relative (my ex-husband’s stepdaughter’s hubby) is moving from Oakland to Virginia. They were happy to be able to afford to rent a house instead of their tiny Oakland apartment — they have a baby, too — but I’m sure he’ll have a Virginia salary.

Thank you

Anything that UC does to Pike in terms of punishment can be introduced as evidence in the civil suit. if they keep it confidential, they may be able to keep it out.

Or it could be that they’re actually following the law, but I discount that. They’ve had many chances to follow the law in the past and have ignored them.

It wouldn’t shock me to find Pike got a golden parachute in return for not discussing any orders he may have received regarding how to deal with Occupy.

Boxturtle (UC might well settle BIG to keep Pike from testifying)

I noticed that the mole repellent (both the liquid and the granules) contain both rosemary and mint. Nothing really works to get rid of moles but trapping, but people say the repellents will keep them away afterward.

Ahem, buzz…

Don’t sell your readers short.
Tell a joke and make them snort.
We all love our host, the dragon.
On this post, there’ll be no red flaggin’.

The cartoon made me sad, though. Reality may be funny, but not in a good way, often.

Maybe he will write a book for big bucks…that’s the general practice, I think.

Calif is WAY more expensive than the rest of the country. Pike was a Lt. I’m not going to say that salary is out of line for the position and the location, just don’t know enough.

Boxturtle (i wonder if they paid him a severance package)

Any injuries may also be popping back up later in the injured, a factor taken into account when prepping for court.

Hmmm. I just received an email about a class action suit against Netflix for what appear to be privacy violations. Haven’t gone to the included link to see the details and of course Netflix claims they’ve done nothing wrong.

Morning SD & Pupses:

Preznit Willard.

For groundhogs here, there’s a substantial hawk population. I think a good rain would wash out scents, but for that, you need … rain.

Try huskys. Mine eliminated the mole problem over the first summer.

Boxturtle (Dig ‘em up and eat ‘em)

Youze guys are tooo much! Guess that’s one reason the Diner is my first stop in the morning. News, flyswatters, barf bags…what more could a gal want?

Good ole demi
sorta like a hemi
when she sets ta growlin’
the chicks start a howlin’

Probably selling your rental history, IP address and wanted queue to advertisers.

Does no good with me, all adservers I’m aware of are blocked at my home.

Boxturtle (Doesn’t mean I don’t want a piece of the action)

The Critter Control people trapped four in my side yard. When I lived in Cincinnati my neighbor used to trap them for me. Her dog often dug them up in her garden.

Ah ha! Thanks, buzz.

Try the demitasse, today’s is mocha expresso.

I haven’t dealt with Critter Control since I got Husky’s. Everything gets eaten (or mostly eaten) and I just bag the remains for the garbagemen.

Boxturtle (I sure wish the dogs were smart enough to leave skunks alone. *sigh*)

Hey, SD. Fencing is on right now. They have these coolio face masks with some sort of clear window. Just thought you might be interested.

Ha. I don’t know if you were around back in the day, when TRex gave me that name, he said I could open a coffee house called demi’s tasse, or something like that.

I recently read a biography of Asad, the father by Patrick Seale. (He’s a Brit and they spell it with one S.) I can’t do the short version bc there were so many people & Asad’s route to power was so complex, not to mention dealing with foreign policy, i.e., Israel.

IIRC, Asad came from a modest background. He played the internal politics well to eventually come out on top. It had nothing to do with the Alawite’s base, but rather Asad’s personal ability to get enough people to support him.

You are right about the religious and ethnic complexity of Syria, although the book doesn’t cover that in any detail, just as it’s relevant to Asad’s rise to power.

Asad did brutally put down a Muslim Brotherhood rebellion in late 70s, early 80s. It had to do with their challenge to the integrity of the nation, not religious antipathy. For those Americans who would judge Asad harshly on that episode, I’d remind them of what Lincoln and Sherman did when the integrity of the U.S. was challenged.

I’m watching archery :)

Good morning demi and all the other firepups and SD. Thanks for the post and host Dragonman.

He was making more than most of the professors. Priorities.

From the email:

A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit that claims Netflix unlawfully kept and disclosed information, including records on the movies and TV shows its customers viewed. Netflix denies that it has done anything wrong.

Ah, lucky hit, there.

I don’t have a dog, but I think in this densely settled neighborhood the neighbors wouldn’t much like a dog running loose digging up the yard. It would have worked on my half acre in a more rural setting in Cincinnati though.

He’s only delusional if he actually believes what he says. Since he’s not stupid, the more likely alternative is that he’s simply a liar.

Any bets on whether Finland or Greece will be the first to leave the EZ?

This complexity is not so surprising for those of us who have watched TX politics go from the Hoggs to Anne Richards to Perry.

Hey there, honey. How’s tricks?

Maybe. I think it’s your wicked smarts showing.

Off to swim in the great capitalist cesspool.

US KIA Afghanistan: 2,069

Afghan, Iraki, Yemeni and Pakistani casualties: estimates vary to over 2.M

US MBS 2012: 26,412 and counting

No war but class war

That Wasn’t Me

Be good to yourselves, and all other living things

Namaste

Greece will go first. But I’ve been unsuccessfully predicting that for at least a year.

Boxturtle (Any deal they make to keep Greece will probably cause Finland to leave)

The EZ is gonna be interesting to watch as it unravels. Unfortunately it is going to affect our economy too.

Fun, see if you can guess wind speeds from their adjusting aim.

Here’s a presstv analysis.

I have been particularly puzzled by Erdogan’s about face since he wouldn’t allow U.S. to invade Iraq from Incirlik in 2003. So it’s funny that alla sudden that he becomes O’s BFF.

Good picture.
That strap hanging around his neck could be Harry Reid’s blast at him yesterday about not paying taxes for 10 years.
He may really, really not want to release those returns for what is in them but if Reid’s comment gets legs the press MAY start doing their job.
(Hey, I have to be an optimist here)

shucks, wish that were my problem.

It’s a glorious day in the neighborhood. I forgot to submit my timecards online for work last night. I think they’re going to flay a few of my fingers as punishment. They take that shit really seriously.

Other than that, just wonderful. How are you?

NBC takes all the fun out of that by putting a wind speed meter and direction thingy on the screen :(

Why Greece didn’t exit the euro a long time ago is a mystery to me. Ditto Spain. I’m not up on Finland.

My guess:

He was against iraq because we’d be beating up on Sunni’s and he was smart enough to see a Shiite government would come out on top.

He’s now our BFF because we’re beating up on Shiities.

Boxturtle (Also, he needs our help dealing with the Kurds)

Waiting for that, too, as I have some nice drachmas…

The dog ate your computer!

My read is that Assad is secular.

On edit: Wrong person, brain fart. Listen to what I linked, which has a detailed discussion of Erdogan’s possible motives.

Last time we went camping, we were just settling down for the night and the mister realized he had forgotton to email his time card. He actually drove home to do that. Came back to the site the next morning.
Can you tell we live paycheck to paycheck? Yup.
We are fine. Back to school clothes shopping today. I hate shopping. Odd, but true.

Did you follow that Drink Liberally link that was provided in one of the Book Salons? Ive been getting notices for meetups…all progressive stuff.

Unfortunately I’d have to use my computer to tell them that.

I did not. I don’t drink, so those kind of get-togethers aren’t really my style.

He tries to run his government that way, but he’s an alawite Shia. How devout he is probably depends on who he’s currently meeting with.

Boxturtle (which would give him something in common with Mitt)

My company actually ties time card and expense report compliance to your performance ratings, thus tying it to whether or not you get a raise and bonus in the coming year. Pretty messed up.

I don’t mind shopping. What I mind is meandering around a store perusing the merchandise. When I go to any store I go in knowing exactly what I need, where it is, and I go get it and get the fuck out.

I am on a Drinking Liberally email list. They meet a couple of times a month only about 3 miles from my house. I keep meaning to go and haven’t yet. I think I will make a point to do so the next time I get a notice. Sounds pretty progressive.

They’re seriously airing fencing on MSNBC and not the US Men’s soccer match. WTF?

It would be helpful if you could provide links from time to time.

I think you could just have a soft drink. The meetings here are held at a local diner-style restaurant. The location is more for availability of a meeting space rather than alcohol. I don’t get the impression they do a lot of drinking, but I could be wrong.

When I go to any store I go in knowing exactly what I need, where it is, and I go get it and get the fuck out

I do the same thing. It drives my wife crazy, she can’t figure out how I go through a store so fast while she’s still browsing.

Boxturtle (Her “browsing” takes no time at all according to her)

That’s my favorite way to shop also. Maybe I’ll take a book and read. I’m only going along so that I can Pay for the stuff. :)

Then I’ll check it out. I had the impression that there was mucho drinking. A few of the people I follow on twitter attend those meets and they always seemed booze-centric.

It was plagiarism/fabrication at the Boston Globe years ago. He got pretty much banished, and isn’t often heard from, or about, here around Boston anymore.

I think there was an occasional radio gig for awhile. He certainly isn’t “back,” though.

I think that’s mostly a reference to the purpose…as in Liberal. Not sure.

Heh. I grocery shop for a week for my family of 4 in under 30 minutes if I’m by myself. Including checkout time. I take that shit seriously.

Years ago I read a study that proved that most men experience higher blood pressure while in retail stores. It’s actually unhealthy for us. Women shouldn’t make us browse.

Like I said, I haven’t attended, but the person who leads it sends out very well-written meeting notices that have a lot of observations about current political stuff. I would sorta guess from the location that it isn’t a big drunken party, prolly a buncha middle aged folks sitting around with a beer and some food and talking.

EDIT to add: it is a sub group of an organization called “Living Liberally” so the reference is to liberal politics, not liberal drinking.

But it also may vary a lot by group or “chapter” how much drinking goes on. Wouldn’t hurt to attend once and just see. I do drink — very moderately — but I wouldn’t want to go if the purpose is drinking. Ours here start at 7 p.m. and go until 9:00.

Ummm…maybe not back as a writer, but he’s got a pretty sweet gig at MSNBC on Morning Joe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad

His religion is listed on the right had side, under the photo.

Boxturtle (It could be just a religion of convienence)

As I understand, it’s a reference to Happy Hour, with discount, and naming it ‘drinking’ is just for laughs.

I only shop for groceries and books at the thrift store. I rarely shop for clothes for myself.
What is the opposite of a clothes horse? That’s me. My new current fav outfit for walking includes my son’s gym shorts from middle school.

Alright folks, time to fire up my emails and shamefully admit to my boss that I forgot my time cards :(

See you on the threads firedogs. Have a great day everyone.

Good luck, Kris. Have a good day!

Did someone say Canada goes after unindicted war criminals when they are fishing?

So that’s why he needs to shop for new ones.

Assad’s religion is not in doubt. The issue is whether it plays a role in his political behavior.

Many Americans, including those in power, claim to be Xtain. Whether that is impt in their behavior is another matter. That’s the part of your statement that I would like a link for.

A couple of days ago WSJ has a piece about Spain’s borrowing costs. There’s not only perceived credit risk driving up the rates, but there’s foreign exchange risk as well.

The expectation is if Spain (or any troubled EZ member) leaves the EZ, it’s new nat’l currency will collapse in value. So the rate goes way up right now, in anticipation that worry will happen. So, news flash, Draghi utters platitudes.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444130304577559040428348610.html

Well…he’s going to visit his sister in DC for two weeks, and I thought it might be nice for both of them if he had a few new and nice things.
Instead of his sister coming here for his graduation, she’s flying him there. She’s got miles saved up and my sisters and my mom gave him $$ to take. Would you say that most of the museums and such are free?

Just finished my outdoor work for the day and am having my coffee. Morning pups. Thanks for the links SD.

My jaw is not dropping to very many stories about corruption anymore.

Today’s news, WI Dept of Administration has requested bids to outsource maintenance work at the state capitol, despite public sector unions found to do this work better for lower costs.

Palermo’s pizza has hired 30 Burmese refugees to replace striking laborers in Milwaukee.

On edit: Heading to thrift store later today, demi.

Ah so. Who knows? As i said, it may just be a religion of convienence and how devout he is depends on the company he’s in at the time.

The only links I can give for that go to my opinions. But much like Mitt, he’ll be as religious/secular as he needs to be to get what he wants. IMO.

Boxturtle (I did some looking. Amazing how quiet he keeps details about his faith)

Lovely, and most are free. The Metro costs some, but a great way to get around. Days at the Smithsonian – my favorite is the Am’n Native museum – cost nothing, and sculpture gardens are amazing. Also butterfly garden. You might want to get tickets to the gallery in the Senate and House from your reps’ offices in advance, also free but have to pick them up as I recall.

Regarding your jaw, I made a mental connection to our disappointments being tied to our expectations. If you know what I mean. We can hope that our better angels will win out, once in a while.

Remember when reducing costs was the raison d’etre for the present office occupants? Neither do they.

Finland is in comparatively fine condition. But they’re very antisocial with the rest of Europe. A year ago Finland demanded that all of its share of bailout money for Greece be collateralized. It caused quite an uproar. This tack has returned recently.

For Finland exiting the Euro would be relatively easy since they’re not in hock. They’re obviously paranoid though, and may be in a hurry to get out before committing money. The relative ease of a Fexit could come as a surprise, and spark others.

Oh, good idea. I’ll call our reps office today. Katie’s only taking a few days off, so, he’ll be on his own alot. He can do the metro on his own. And, she’ll give him tips about what to do and see.
Funny, when he painted his room earlier this week, he took down all of the photos and reproductions of the constitution and bill of rights that he had bought on his last trip and had plastered on one of the walls. We’ll see what he comes home with this time.

You support my prejudices on Finland perfectly, with my having no evidence (except one friend who is of Finnish birth but has lived in U.S. forever). It’s the Finn’s antisocialism (in the psychological, not economic sense) that I find so appealing. :-)

I wish I got MSNBC, but my Dish subscription doesn’t have it. I’d like to hear Barnacle, he was always interesting.

My jaw is dropping less also, because (believe it or not) I am keeping my mouth shut more than I used to do. Ha!

My fingers have been flying the last few minutes though, with messages to our Democratic state legislators (for laborers).

A lot of MSNBC shows are available online if you don’t mind seeing them a few hours after broadcast. Dunno about Barnicle, but Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow, and Melissa Harris-Perry are all available online. I don’t have cable any more (long story) but I still keep up with my faves that way, especially Chris.

EDIT: You’d have to watch Morning Joe to see Barnicle this morning. NOT worth it!

Good for you, Nonquixote!! Keep typing!

Good, keep it coming. My jaw has been in permanent drop for awhile.

I’ve been over there a few times, but not since the late ’90s. Finland is quite insular, provincial.

The locals seemed uncommonly odd to me. No body language during a conversation. Friendly enough, but terse.

I’ve wanted to go back there to see Helsinki’s new art museum and concert hall. There’s a wonderful ethnographic museum, too. I’ll go in the dead of winter for sure, when Helsinki is in its element.

Cannot watch the Joe fly, but probably Barnicle can be googled, to get a view. Separate from the Punch N’ Judy show.

He has his own website and lots of stuff on it, I see. Prolly worth checking out.

Now I’m off to my Docent shift. Have a good day, everyone!

Hmmm. Where’s OmAli this morning?

Tried phoning and was getting no live response. I sometimes imagine the notes being relegated to the internet “cloud.”

Good morning, msmolly.

And good morning Ruth.

I just realized that congress is recessed right now, so, that might affect his plans a tad. Kate says there’s a cool spy museum that he’ll like. And, they are looking at places to visit outside of the city…like some caverns south of there.
Now, I wish I was going too. :(

Hi. I get regular email since writing Sen. Hutchison, not so Cornyn. Hall not at all, but he knows me personally and knows I’m hopelessly on the left.

True. Still, I like to visit the ‘halls of congress’, myself. And now to tour the capitol at all, you have to go as a group, but it’s still something everyone should do sometime. Luray Caverns, pro’ly. I also like Annapolis, MD, which is nearby.

spud says to visit Robt E Lee’s front yard first.

I’m making a list. Thanks, as I’m related to Robt. E, it would be especially fun. Sounds like a good photo op.
When Katie was at UCSB, she spent a quarter in DC program was called UCDC, working in rep’s office, leading Capitol tours, etc., so she knows a few things. She just loves that city, and that’s why they moved there.

another source; http://www.culturecapital.com/?gclid=CPr5-MDZxrECFQUGnQod5T4A3w

Thanks so much, Ruth.
Lots to chew on at that site. Will share with my traveler.
I’m off to the park. Sorry if I bored people to tears, but that’s what the scroll bar is for. :o

Luckily, most of the commenters here LIKE learning things.

*Raises hand* Me, me!

Thank you for the information. I could not remember the paper but remember the plagiarism issue.
Much appreciated.

May I just say about Mike Barnicle, who was still employed at the Boston Herald (I think) when I lived in Boston, that he was the sort of columnist who posed as a working-class champion; what he had in common with some of them was a ton of old-school prejudices.
Yes, he got caught plagiaring, big-time and over quite a period of time-making up people to write about and quote, etc. It was so egregious even the Herald had to fire him.

But, hey, that’s ancient history. Nobody cares now. After all, Jason whatsisname from the NYT got to go to law school. Ancient history, right?/s
(he was a jerk then and he’s an older crankier jerk now)

Hah. I got onto Cornyn’s email list by sending something to his office; I just delete without reading. Saves my blood pressure.