Open Thread – A Miracle!
It’s a miracle! No, not the beautiful glimpse of the rugged icy Alaskan landscape peeking through the misty clouds…
I’m going to be away for the weekend! That makes twice in one summer I’ll be off enjoying the beautiful Alaskan outdoors. Not nearly enough, but better than nothing! The weather is supposed to be nice, and I’m grabbing the last few rays of sun and the last holiday weekend of summer and squeezing them for all they’re worth.
And, I should give a shout-out to one of our wonderful advertisers because I will be using the awesome sleeping bag doubler sent to me by the fine folks at Functional Designs. Functional, indeed! The doubler turns the claustrophobic “mummy bag” into a comfortable sleeping bag for two, and takes next to no room to pack. It gets a huge thumbs up from me and Spouse. This would make a great unexpected gift for anyone you know who is a camper or backpacker. I hate to say this but…gulp…Christmas is just around the corner. Pick one up now, cross it off your list and it’s one less thing to worry about. AND everything is 50% off. Check it out! =========>
Just like last time I was away, I’ve got “robo-posts” that are pre-written and scheduled to pop up all by themselves. So you will continue to have open threads at the usual time, with some other stuff sprinkled in between.
Please remember to follow the comment guidelines, and be patient if your comment doesn’t post. I’ll look forward to catching up on all your comments when I return. See you Monday!
Just a quick thought I ran into a friend I had not seen or talked to in a few years and as Alaska was bough up she mentioned her brother and her daughter and family lived in Kenai .She had said she had also been up to that area to visit a few times.As someone had mentioned that the area was very conservative I did not say much about politics just mentioned Shannyn from Homer.She had never hear of Talkeetna so I just told her it was west of Anchorage.What I am getting to is her brother flew down to Wisconsin for health care because of heart problems.Did not ask her the reason why but I have noticed from when my sister was alive that Alaska has nothing but medicaid to help the poor and if you are just under insured you are out of luck.What a shame for a state that hands out money to every man woman and child,and that is exactly what I mentioned to Lisa in the e-mail; I sent her thanking her for the maybe and telling her I hoped it would be changed to a yes because the state of Alaska needed it even more than a lot of other states.
Well I feel a little better I just sent e-mails off to Lieberman and McCain and let them know that they should both feel ashamed that they do not want the rest of us to have the same options they have etc. I am from neither state but told them I felt better knowing they new how people all around them felt not just the people close to them and to stand up to the Just say no GOP and not follow the likes of Rush L. and crybaby Beck,.We are all in this together and IMO e-mailing or writing or telephoning the opposition at least lets them know that there are a lot of us out here that disagree with their just say no ideology.
@InJuneau: Woody, indeed.
@ 88 LisanTx
I read one of her books after she was on Oprah and will look forward to reading this. Regardless of how airy-fairy her words might be, nobody could argue that crimes haven’t been committed agains the soul of America.
Thanks for the link.
In case no one goes back to look at the Odds and Ends thread, here is the latest on the GIANT cabbages: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/state_fair/story/923340.html
And the answer to what happens to the GIANT cabbages is:
Hubacek said “The Beast” will ultimately become compost, tilled under to feed another year’s cabbage plants. He grows smaller cabbage elsewhere in his garden for eating, he said.
The big ones “get woody; then they’re not as good to eat,” he said.
In all the yadayada about ‘The Speech’, please don’t forget the important impending health care reform bill.
Biscuitdad recently sent an elegant concise message to the White House. Feel free to copy and paste and send to the White House, and/or your congressional representatives:
Mr. President – I supported you and voted for you but I’m disappointed that you are waffling on a public option for health care reform. Bobby Kennedy would have said If not nowm when?”. We have the House, Senate and Presidency. We don’t need to beg the Republicans on this issue. Let’s go down fighting for what’s right. Most who support the public option are not vocal like the right wing. Please help us,
Alot of mudpuppies will be interested in Caroline Myss’ article “Crimes Against the Soul of America.” Myss has written many books about the human soul. Two brief quotes from her article:
“There is such a thing as a crime against the soul of a nation. A person or a political party can deliberately incite actions that diminish the strength, the integrity, and the overall well-being of a nation’s inner core. ”
—–snip—–
“And I deeply believe the soul of our nation can’t take much more of their strategy of deliberate division against the people of their own nation. That is a true crime — and perhaps their greatest crime — against the soul of this great nation. ”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/caroline-myss/crimes-against-the-soul-o_b_278188.html
Wow, there were two people back in April /early May that predicted Scarah would bail.
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/re-election_2010_why_palin_bails_out
“April 27, 2009: With a 2010 re-election campaign about to come knocking on the door of Governor Sarah Palin, the lyrics to the classic rock song “Should I stay or should I go” by the Clash are probably rattling around in that head of hers.
But there is only one verse that is even remotely relevant as it applies to Palin’s political future; “If I go there will be trouble, and if I stay it will be double.”
Submitted by HeadingSouth on Sat, 2009-05-02 08:41.
She’ll flame out before her third year is up and quit as governor.
Submitted by chuck_a_luck on Sun, 2009-04-26 21:30.
“My prediction is: She has already been told she cannot win a primary battle by her advisors but it is her one chance to cash in on the fame brought by her VP run, which she cannot due while governor because of Alaska’s strict conflict of interest laws. She does not run for re-election or chooses to resign, playing it as “not being fair to the good people of Alaska since she has become a distraction due to the EVIL Main Stream Media and bloggers”. She takes a book deal, starts talking on the paid speaker circuit runs a half hearted primary campaign and signs on as a talking head for Fox News.”
Shannyn is on in about 25 minutes…….
I ‘think’ this will open up a direct link to hear her.
http://radiotime.com/WebTuner.aspx?StationId=31918&
83 GreatGranny2B Says:
September 5th, 2009 at 3:06 PM
THIS IS A MUST READ!
http://www.alternet.org/story/142333/the_wing-nut_code%3A_what_glenn_beck_and_sarah_palin_are_really_saying_to_their_followers
This is the headline: The Wing-Nut Code: What Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin Are Really Saying to Their Followers – You thought they were just unhinged. But here’s what they’re really saying to the armed and dangerous.
=======
OK, this country seems to have completely gone nuts. McCain should just fall on his sword for this. The sooner, the better.
——–
I came here to say I came within 2 ft of a guy I used to work with in the grocery store about an hour ago. He once followed me about 40 miles on the freeway and now has a second home about 1.5 miles from me. He was a sexual harasser where I used to work before I moved to NYC. He was with his wife today, and she used to help him from time to time in the office. (My hair looks different since then, but wow, did that just freak me out a little.)
Here is an excerpt from Max Blumenthal’s book, Inside Sarah’s Church.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-09-05/inside-sarahs-church/?cid=hp:mainpromo2
THIS IS A MUST READ!
http://www.alternet.org/story/142333/the_wing-nut_code%3A_what_glenn_beck_and_sarah_palin_are_really_saying_to_their_followers
This is the headline: The Wing-Nut Code: What Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin Are Really Saying to Their Followers – You thought they were just unhinged. But here’s what they’re really saying to the armed and dangerous.
Here’s one of the paragraphs – we really need to think carefully about what these folks are up to!
“The Tea Party coalition is mobilizing for what it promises will be a big march on Washington on Sept. 12. As the date approaches, expect to hear more disguised shout-outs to patriots and tea-partiers, as right-wing politicians seek to placate the hordes said to be on their way to the nation’s capitol.”
I hope someone is saving Palin’s response to the teabaggers. This will make for a perfect political ad in 2012.
“She loves what all of you are doing in supporting this tea party movement and really wants to stand with you”…………
Palin supports the fringe element.
Cat fight….cat fight. Can’t wait to see Palin and Bachmann duke it out for the White House. Good times.
While AK may have dumped its wicked witch, get a load of what’s up in the lower 48…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/04/rep-bachmann-dems-want-to_n_277572.html
Rep. Bachmann: Dems Want To Sabotage Me Because I Might Become President
On Mike Gallagher’s radio program yesterday, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) offered a novel theory as to why Democrats want her out of office: They don’t want her to become the first woman president.
Egads!
This story from the Daily Dish about GITMO.
The ‘Hot ‘ topic of the day for these GOP Idjits is this scary speech to the school kids and also the Healthcare issue and all their nonsense talking points based on….. Nothing. Just stuff they made up.
They will move on though and apply the same sense of ‘ non-facts ‘ and illogical arguments every issue that comes up. And with only 5 months before the GITMO closing is to take place… more Faux Facts will come out.
Just read and sort of tuck this story away. It goes to show how some of these GOP Politicians get together with these ‘ faux talking points ‘ and put the message out there. If it is repeated and heard enough… it becomes the truth to many. IE : death panels.
It’s a good story about GITMO. The original story it references to is….
” No terrorists in My Backyard ” { More scare tactics }
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/09/fisking-newmajority.html#more
So apparently quittypants said no again to the Repubs AND Fake News, tsk, tsk, tsk……..I ‘think’ this came from Fake News web site? it’s about being ‘invited’ to attend the grand finale’ tea parties, east coast I believe. Not sure who responded for her, Mag the mouth, most likely.
“And Governor Palin has responded with gratitude and appreciation. She loves what all of you are doing in supporting this tea party movement and really wants to stand with you. Right now her schedule does not permit her to make it to any of our rallies before September 12th. We’ve left open the invitation and encouraged her to try to find a way to make it to at least one rally, and we have offered to be as accomodating as possible to make it possible for her to be at least one rally. Trust us, the crowds we have encountered would love to hear from Gov. Palin at one of our rallies.”
sdragon – MMMMM, thanks for the Bud!
whoops, weekend
AKM and all the mud pupps have a safe and good Labor Day weekend
I know we all want at least here a public option and I do also but I also remember the article about Kennedy saying he passed up an opportunity to get at least some healthcare passed during Nixon’s reign and he was sorry now that he had turned it down because it could have been built upon.I don’t have the link for the article but it was out when they had all the articles when Senator Kennedy passed away.From what I have read Nixon was very afraid of senator Kennedy and that may be why he offered what he did.Not what we all want but again something to add to and build on .Just a passing thought
Yesterday I wasted a good part of a really nicw day reading a bunch of comments filled with ignorance & hate Geee-Zusssss.
Today, I’m making salsa & listening to some excellant music.
It’s about 3:30 in Ia. & I already have a little beer buzz going. It feels good.
It is one of those perfect days outside & we have good friends stopping by later.
I wish I could bring every one of you here for great food, drink & some peace, but I can’t.
It’s a holiday wekkend, take a little time to find a little peace. Relax,(remember how to do that?) Reboot & Recoup.
Sometimes when you walk away for awhile & come back at it, you see things a little clearer.
Have a great wekkend everybody. This Bud’s for you.
I feel a little better now. Here’s an excerpt from the Politico (think conservative) report about Pres. Obama’s Wed. address to Congress:
5) Obama will try to reassure the left about his commitment to a public option, or government insurance plan. Aides said they are rethinking what he will say about this. He wants to thread the needle of voicing support for a public option, without promising to kill health reform to get it. But liberal congressional leaders were unyielding in their support for it on a conference call he held from Camp David yesterday, and he’s going to meet with them at the White House early next week.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26794.html
@ #55
Carol.Seattle Says:
September 5th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
“Teutonic 13, If you’re not a professional writer, you should be….”
I have to say that this post was one of necessity and no agenda attached. But I so thank you.
I really needed you guys. Thank you so much- laz is good- the vet said she had a stroke. I had nowhere to turn at 5:30 a.m. or so in the morning.
In the real sense- I just had a dog with symptoms I had only a guess as to what the pathology was- not being comfortable with vet med- but at the same time watching you dog fall over on her own- suggests a serious problem.
So I did what I do- which is write-accompanied by a rat dog (also rescue- and clearly loved) by her side as I typed away. It started as a narrative- and became a plea.
So thanks for responding to what became – (I don’t know what it became) I guess one has to ask the question of what does it become when you need help and ask for it?
Well I asked- and you all responded. So thankyou again from my heart.
I don’t know AKM, but having served as Crisis Center Volunteer (trainer and trainer for trainers-) this was the first place I looked to.
A very comfortable group of decent minds and hearts.
Yesterday, BuffaloGal in the PalinTruthWatch tweets had a link to
“Health care for America Now”. On the Huffpo there is a good story posted by someone who works for that organization.
Jason Rosenbaum ::Activist living in Washington, DC; works for Health Care for America Now
He explains in detail about the ‘trigger’ that some are talking about and the fact that we have already met that trigger criteria. More of a way that the Insurance companies are trying to water down or put something in there that ‘ appears ‘ to be reform, but is not. We are way past that point.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-rosenbaum/a-trigger-for-the-public_b_277910.html
pvazwindy – my initial reaction is to be heartsick. Got to rally some hope until a final bill is written. We can still keep the pressure on Congress. There are still rallies for later this month.
tetutonic hope above all. We had a dog,older one ,who suddenly tried to walk and just stumbled like she was twisted the rope or thread around her legs and wet on the floor by the time we got her to the vet they could not tell what had happened as it was gone and she was fine.She is or I should say was a search and rescue dog,now blind.
Just checked the Democracy for America site. In case this hasn’t been posted, they’re showing, under the Likely Opposition heading :
Lisa Murkowski as a “Maybe” for the public insurance option and all the other R’s as “No”.
Akns….don’t let up on the calls, emails, letters!
http://standwithdrdean.com/whipcount-results
AKM, another stunning pic! Enjoy your weekend…and more pictures of your beautiful Alaska!
Teutonic – I posted on the forum thread for you before you had Laz’ diagnosis. Whatever the prognosis, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
President Barack Obama plans to reach out to Republicans and reassure — rather than confront — his liberal supporters when he addresses an extraordinary joint session of Congress at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.
But he will warn lawmakers against seeking a perfect plan and then winding up doing nothing, as happened to the last Democratic president back in 1994.
********************************************************************************I think our pres. Obama, is filled with himself, If this is the theme of his Weds. night address. How can he miss what everyone else sees. The repubs are dead set in his failure. He could very well be a one term pres.
enjoy 🙂
I was browsing some of the little links that Gryphen has on his page. The “skippy the bush kangarro” site had a word that caught my eye… Diebold
“look who is out of the voting machine business”
“diebold has sold the election systems business that helped bring down its chief executive and brought in seven years of controversy, bad publicity and lawsuits.
a former competitor, election systems & software, a leading company in the election systems industry, will pay only $5 million for the business developed from diebold’s $31 million purchase in january 2002.”
++++++++++++
This made me look for other stories because I never saw anything about this in the News. More details are available in the CBS News story.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/04/business/main5288587.shtml
Dr. Chill posted a great Netroots recap diary on Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/5/777474/-DrChill-on-Netroots-2009
teutonic – Hugs to you and your wife and to Laz. The dog my family had when I was growing up also had a stroke while my parents were on vacation and I was scared to death. She made it through, thanks to the chicken soup I managed to convince her to eat. She was 16 years old and I was broken hearted when she finally passed a few months later. People who don’t have pets truly don’t understand what an important part of the family they become. I’m sure Laz is well aware of how much you love him and appreciates the great care you’re giving him.
I’ve also been having a horrible week with a family emergency and the discovery of some information that has turned my life and that of my sister upside down. Thank goodness we have each other, although we live at opposite ends of the country. I am always heartened to read of the caring and compassion of the people here at the flats. It helps to feel not so alone.
Teutonic, I understand how it feels to be so far from family:-( We, too, moved for work and I recently had surgery. It was lonely to not have my family around me.
The internet allows us to sometimes say what we can’t say in person; i.e., “help!”. I’m so glad you wrote this am and that you got the support you needed here. I had a very kind “online friend” send me a care package that made my week, after I posted something about missing my family and Trader Joes:-) People can be so kind. It’s important for us all to take heart in that reminder, esp when we’re bogged down by the negativity of the teabagging crowd.
My thoughts are with you and yours.
To those of you who posted the GREAT video links to democracy now and the Palinizing Politics of the GOP, thank you. That was incredible and should be necessary viewing for history students. I plan to write something based on those videos, as they helped me articulate a connection I’ve been thinking about for a long time regarding the mentally disturbed pathology of the right.
Have a great Labor Day weekend, all. Enjoy celebrating our unions and workers!
Teutonic – I think all of us posters feel for you and as Carol.Seatle says, it hurts for a long time. Take solace in the fact that you have had some good years with Lazarus. Peace and prayers to you.
Glad to see that not everyone is anti-Levi for his expose. Good story at AlterNet: http://www.alternet.org/story/142434/levi_johnston_lashes_out_at_sarah_palin_–_can_you_blame_him
Can’t wait for Stewart to come back. Colbert is OK but I’m not always sure where he really stands on some issues – guess I’m not that quick at deciphering satire.
Here is a story that I saw yesterday. It relates to the economy and the Stimulus bill that was passed and also to the stories that AKM posted about the alternative energy pieces… either wind or solar.
( more detailed info in the story as well)
————————————————–
“California solar company to get federal backing”
“A California company that makes solar panels will receive a $535 million federal loan guarantee, allowing it to complete the first phase of a new manufacturing plant in Fremont.
The expansion is expected to create up to 3,000 construction jobs and 1,000 long-term jobs.
The loan guarantee for Solyndra Inc. is the first issued by the U.S. Department of Energy since the 1980s and will be part of the $787 billion stimulus package.
The solar panels built at the plant will provide enough energy to power about 24,000 homes a year. Officials said hundreds of jobs will be created as the solar panels are installed on rooftops around the country.
The first phase of the Solyndra facility could lead to the production of as many new solar panels as the U.S. produced in all of 2005. Those panels can generate as much electricity as three coal-fired power plants, the Department of Energy official said.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/03/financial/f192514D52.DTL&type=printable
Teutonic 13, I’m glad to see that you do have some more time. I had to let Max, he was an outsized, purebred German Shepherd rescue dog, go 3 years ago. I was not ready and he was not either. It still hurts.
I don’t know which one of his monologue clips Dave told the jokes last night ( there is a part #1 and Part #2 ) but Dave had about 5 jokes in a row about the
‘Snow Queen’.
She may have to be referred to as the ” Abominable Snow Queen ” because no one seems to be able to spot her as she lurks out there. She appears invisible.
If I remember the story I think he was in the mountains of Tibet….so I guess we’ll just have to call her the ” Alaskan Saquatch ” version.
Sasquatch running off into the woods to escape the preying eyes of the Media in a size 5 Red Monkey Pump….THAT would be a disturbing video.
Letterman threw some good punches at her last night though. There was her cooking, McCain, her trip to Hong Kong… etc. Audience loved them.
http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/
For mudpuppies who want more info on HR 3200 the following site from the House Energy and Commerce Committee has lots of good stuff.
http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1687&catid=156&Itemid=55
I think that this bill will be the foundation for the work of Congress going forward and there is lots of meat to digest if we want to be able to speak to our neighbors intelligently about HC reform. I’m finding that calm, casual conversations are taking place now in a lot of places. The vast majority of American want to understand this reform so it is up to us to make sure that the truth is out there. We can fight the lie machine just as we did last year for the election.
The one good thing about the media showing the winger’s is that the vast majority will reject crazy. Just like they did last year.
Is Jon Stewart back next week? I think SNL debut’s next Sat. That should be a wopper of a show. So much material so little time.
Teutonic 13, If you’re not a professional writer, you should be. Your words evoked a very powerful portrait of Lazarus and your relationship with her. It hurts so much when their time has come and that their time with us has been so short in comparison. May you have solace in that you have given her so much love and care and made her life a good one. God bless.
First of all thanks.
You have no idea how much I mean that. We are a small family- My wife and I live in Lubbock Texas, and we moved here for my job. Or at least the job I could get. Family support is all in Michigan.
It surprised me as I was writing this morning at 5:30 a.m that I posted this. Almost (well truly) a call for help. I was crying when I posted.
Not typically the persona I try to present with-
Thanks to all of you that took the time- and you AKM (I know I have been difficult at times). There is a home for all of you in the lower 48.
F
Laz just got back from the vet and yes she had a stroke. It seems not uncommon for 15 year old dogs.
Townhalls in a rural purple county in CA.
I got to attend 2 townhalls this week and want to report back to all you wonderful mudpuppies.
I was really encourage to see so many turn out for both. Rethug Kevin McCarthy and Dem Lois Capps held the meetings. I was most encouraged to see the small number of h8ters at both. I was most disappointed at how our local media portrayed the anti crowd as much bigger than it really was.
At both events law enforce presence was heavy so everyone behaved. Lots’ of cheers and boo’s, some standing ovations for pro reform points. But all well within peaceful standards of behavior.
About 1/3 seemed very committed to strong reform, but the vast majority seemed to not yet be fully committed because they want to understand the details (how is it paid for and how it will impact my care). In general principle the vast majority do want reform. That was very encouraging and I felt good as I left both events. The “Beckers” must be very frustrated by these meetings as they were clearly outnumbered.
So why is the media not reporting this. Why is the media suggesting that the Public Option might be out of the picture?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lux/the-news-big-media-wont-r_b_277434.html
BuffaloGal Says:
September 5th, 2009 at 7:06 AM
Secessionist Rally at TX capitol
http://www.alternet.org/politics/142340/%22we_hate_the_united_states%22%3A_secessionists_rally_at_tx_capitol_/
Small but I can see it taking off like a rocket if health care reform goes through. More talk of bloody battles and watering the tree of liberty.
Let them go ahead and do their secessionist thingy because the USA could probably save a lot of money.No more Social
Security,Medicare,federal money for Medicaid,no more federal earmarks.The federal government shouldn’t supply such things
to illegal aliens.
Wouldn’t be long before Texas looked like a ghost town because all the people that rely on those things would be gone.
I think the USA could survive without Texas,but could Texas survive without the USA.
Teutonic – very best thoughts for you and Laz. Our pets become our best unquestioning friends. All of our animals have been rescues and, no, the pain is there with each one. Your writing is beautiful.
This is for you & Laz teutonic. This is a poem I memorized in 4th grade.
Chums
He sits & begs, he gives a paw, he is as you can see the finest dog you ever saw & he belongs to me.
He follows everywhere I go, even when I swim. I laugh because he thinks you know that I belong to him.
So no matter where we go, we’ll never make a fuss, because in our hearts we’ll always know that we belong to us.
Author unknown
Glad AKM is enjoying the great Alaskan outdoors. Hope to catch Shannyn’s radio show at 5 today, and go to the state fair on Monday to hear a couple of musicians I know (LuLu Small, JoAnn & Monte). NEXT week, I have a reservation at Alyeska Resort to chill and be “resort-y” – okay it’s not camping, but I’ve had a busy few months and rewarding myself with a spa weekend. Just wanted to pass along a message I received in my email this morning from FireDog Lake, for more info on the healthcare front.—–
>
>
Can you help us raise $50,000 by next week to help save the public health insurance option? At a minimum, any bill that passes Congress has to have a strong public health insurance option in order to compete against the greedy insurance industry. And that public option needs to be available on day one – no triggers.
So far 65 members of Congress have stood up and said they’ll only vote for a bill that has a strong public option without triggers. But they’re going to be under intense pressure next week to cave for a weak bill that simply bails out the insurance industry.
With your help, we can hold members of the House who pledged to only vote for a strong public health insurance option and target the so-called “progressives” who won’t take that pledge. It won’t be easy, and we need the resources to make it happen.
Your donation will fund our team of bloggers, online organizers, and strategists working night and day to hold the line on the public option. We can do this, but we need your help.
Can you “pull the trigger” for real health care reform? Help us raise $50,000 by next week to get ready for the fight to save the public option.
Click here to donate: https://secure.firedoglake.com/page/contribute/pullthetrigger
I’ll have to confess that I have no idea who this ‘ Karel ‘ guy is or what his show is about. I found him by accident when using Google. His show from 9-3-09 is titled ” Sarah Palin and Republicans” and is described this way…. “MediaMatters.org fellow Eric Boehlert joins Karel to discuss Sarah Palin and the Republican party’s lack of leadership.”
I went there to listen and my puter says it is a mp3 file and it will take ‘2 Days’ to download…No thanks.Maybe someone on DSL or high-Speed can tell us whether there is anything interesting on the show. Eric Boehlert is usually pretty good.
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/TheKarelShow
Warm hugs and much love to you, Teutonic, and your loyal Laz.
@samper: souvlaki and spanakopita and tiropetes and saganaki and….yum.
Watch out for the ouzo and retsina; retsina often tastes like pine tar but can be delicious.
It is glorious here in Colorado- enjoy the weekend, mudpups.
(((((Teutonic))))) Pets are so precious and I am a dog lover too. Have 2 of my own and have been in the same place that you are now. A wise veterinarian told me to always remember that those wonderful little treasures “are silent sufferers.” That helped me when choices had to be made. Maybe it was the “suffer” part of his message to me, but it gave me food for thought and helped in my ultimate decisions. My thoughts are with you and Laz.
@Penny #13: Thanks so much for the link. I’m going to buy his book and it explains so much about the wing-nuts. I just hope the President Obama and his staff read this book.
How the theocrats are taking over the rethuglican party!
I had a dear aunt who passed in 2001 and lived in San Antonio. For 25 years she was at the rethug office every day stuffing envelopes and such.
By 199? she was no longer welcome at the office. The local office had been taken over by fundies and the traditional GOP was pushed out. I had many conversations with her about this as is greatly depressed her during her final years.
The fundies did it one precinct at a time, one school board at a time.
This site has some excellent info about how TX was taken over by the minority of fundies. http://www.theocracywatch.org/taking_over.htm
The lesson we all need to learn from the TX take over is that we need to be involved on the local level! We need to support and be active with our local dems. We even need to encourage rational rethugs we encounter to be involved locally. We also need to be involved with our local school boards! It is local school boards dominated by fundies that are refusing to watch the POTUS.
Over on Palingates, an anon commenter posted these enlightening videos. Please take a few minutes, you’ll be glad you did!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzxElQv11l4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9y4hhxiliQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqo8TdfDosE
Whew! A lot of links today. As bad as it has gotten at the town hall meetings, someone mentioned that it is wonderful that at least we live in a country where you can stand up and give your view, even rant if you want. We don’t like what some of these idiots are spewing, but we all agree: it is our right, freedom of speech. Somehow, I get a creepy feeling that if those far right nuts were in charge, anyone who spoke up would mysteriously ‘disappear’.
teutonic 13 – lots of light and love to you and Laz. Last June I lost my cat of 18 years, but first she had a stroke. And I totally understand how writing helps with the pain. From the time I was young, writing my feelings has been the only consistent medicine I have had during times of pain and despair. Write as much as you need and then write some more. Writing is why I am still alive. I know that as surely as I’m typing this. And your writing touches others and brings more compassion to the world.
redwoodmuse
Apparently scarah and some family members were hanging out in San Diego area. Her ghostwriter lives there. SD is also 90 minutes with no traffic from all the fine Beverly Hills face doc’s. Just sayin’
Two short one’s from Dav Letterman:
She accepted the Hong Kong invitation because she heard China is a red state.
Who says she doesn’t cook? She cooked McCain’s goose last year.
Samper: Find any baklava yet? MMMMmmmmMM!
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Just glanced at the post, but I’m gathering you have a sick doggie. I’m so sorry!
I’ve got a miracle for you! I’m not in jail for killing a rude tourist. Seriously… I have no idea where SOME ethnic groups learned manners! Luckily I’m afraid of Greek jails.
Tons more walking today, but we head to the island tomorrow to relax for 3 days. Brian and I hit the Parliament Bldg and purportedly had the “best” souvlaki in the world. More on that when I get home.
Weather is HOT, but there is a good breeze to take the pain away from that. That said, I hit the showers the second I hit the room after being out all day.
Stavros is having a wonderful time and just kind of sits in awe about all the Adonis’ I’m bringing home for you gals! 🙂
InJuneau: Found every kind of olive in the world, except the kind you asked for, at the flea market thingy at Monastiraki. Do you have a 2nd favorite?
It’s about time to fix a refreshing beverage and venture to the roof again for my last look at the Acropolis!
More as the situation warrants.
PS: Brian has bad manners, too… he was laughing at the fashion statements around here. You guys wouldn’t BELIEVE what people wear out in public!
((((((Teutonic12)))))))) Hope you can get to a vet for your wonderful Laz. My thoughts and hugs are with you both this weekend.
Catching up with you here too, teutonic.
There is a thread on the forum now where people can leave messages of support, and you can keep us updated. Best thoughts going out to you.
https://themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,8065.new.html#new
You have all been so kind. Thank you so much. It means a lot in a meaningless world- to at least have a moment to be human and share whatever and realize that just once perhaps you are not alone.
Again thank you- and isn’t it sad and glad at the same time that when you need it most- this forum can offer hope to the sometimes hopeless situations we find ourselves in.
Ok- I think I can breathe.
(((((Teutonic13)))) A beautiful tribute to your wonderful Lazarus. My heart aches for you and Lazarus but I am also hopeful that time is on your side.
teutonic, My thoughts are with you. Animals are such a great gift to us humans. They love you no matter what, don’t talk back (although my dachshund certainly does) and are just the best heaters around. We found a black lab a couple of years ago wandering around & we tried to find his owners unsuccessfully. When I found out that people almost never adopt big black dogs there is no way I could take him to the pound.
He has turned out to be the biggest, sweetest baby & I am so thankful that whoever let him go didn’t take him to the pound. I really hope that everything turns out okay & you get to spend a little more time with Laz.
Penny (13)
thank you for the links – I’ll have to check them out when I get home from work. But it looks like the one good reason to check “that site” frequently – for the posts that sneak in under the wire, before they’re discovered and tossed.
just because:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzxElQv11l4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9y4hhxiliQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqo8TdfDosE
Teutonic13 —
Please consult your veterinarian! It’s not a good idea to use human medications without consulting a professional. Strokes are uncommon in dogs, though not impossible, and there are other things that can look like what humans show with strokes. I can’t say more, without seeing the animal, but there are some possible good diagnoses. Best of luck to you – good wishes to Laz.
Aeroentropy, DVM
Secessionist Rally at TX capitol
http://www.alternet.org/politics/142340/%22we_hate_the_united_states%22%3A_secessionists_rally_at_tx_capitol_/
Small but I can see it taking off like a rocket if health care reform goes through. More talk of bloody battles and watering the tree of liberty.
Teutonic
Beautifully written, from the heart, your words remind me of my own best friends over the years.
You and Laz are in my thoughts.
I agree with Bea about following up ASAP with a visit to the vet. I didn’t mean to suggest I had the answer by any means. I just wanted to try to ease Teutonic’s fears a bit about it not necessarily being the end of the road that there is hope for recovery.
teutonic, I, too, am so sorry for you and Laz. I am surprised at how many here have gone through a stroke with a dog. I lost my best friend to a stroke, but I know some do survive, and do well. I can’t tell you how much I feel for you, anyone who has loved a pet knows. Take care.
Thanks for the info on the sleeping bag extender. I forwarded that to my backpacking, weekend camping, ocean kayaking son. I’d have gotten it for him myself, but don’t know what kind of sleeping bag he has and if the extender would be compatible. Also, too, since he lives several thousand miles away from me, I’m not familiar with his outdoor gear – he may already have one of these.
I was reading discussions of the Vanity Fair piece and came across this quote from Levy:
“After Tripp was born, Sarah would pay more attention to our son than she would to her own baby, Trig. I couldn’t believe it when she would come over to us and sometimes say, playing around, no, I don’t want the retarded baby, I want the other one, and pick up Tripp.”
This sickened but did not surprise me. I knew from the point that Sarah delayed going to the hospital as soon as her water broke, then flew multiple commercial flights from Texas to Alaska, and finally chose to go past the Anchorage Hospital with the facility to provide the best care for an at risk delivery of a disabled baby to have her child in the backwater Wasilla Hospital, that she did not have maternal concerns for this child.
I worked for years with parents of severely physically and mentally disabled kids. One thing I learned early on is that the earlier you start every possible type of therapeutic intervention, the higher functioning the child will be as an adult, relative to his or her particular disablities. This has been well known to families and caregivers to Downs syndrome babies for decades. You can’t make up for this neglect later in life.
It means hours of daily therapies and exercises from one or more family members or other caregivers who have received specialized training. It means frequent checkups to monitor progress and modify therapies accordingly. It definitely did NOT mean hauling an infant around on campaign busses and whistlestop tours and plane trips, parading them on stages at all hours of the night, exposing them (they are particularly susceptible to catching colds and other infections) to large crowds of people.
It appalls me that none of the official organizations promoting the well-being, care and treatment of people with Downs syndrome or other disabling conditions, has not called Sarah out on her combined exploitation and neglect of this child. If I’m wrong on this, and Sarah has, for example, hired a specially trained nanny, than she should make this public knowledge, as an opportunity to educate the general public about the special needs of children like hers.
Tuetonic…as a dog fellow dog lover I feel your pain…just always know that you gave Laz a great life with an owner who reciprocated all the love she gave. I adopted a chocolate lab who was brought to a shelter when she turned five simply because her owner no longer could breed her. She is the most loving, loyal, and good friend anyone could ask for.
(((teutonic13)))
I agree with the stroke diagnosis. We had a little guy who, like Shadow’s Heart’s dog, came back from a stroke. He learned to adjust to the tilted head and we got used to him looking like he was constantly asking a little dog question.
Do be sure to see your vet ASAP to rule out other things, of course.
((((teutonic)))) Our best friends, indeed.
tigerwine@14 Regarding man ranting at Baird’s townhall
I watched the clip and noticed it was posted on the Beck’s 9-12 site which explains why Baird’s response wasn’t given. If his response was in anyway like the responses he gave at the Centralia townhall few weeks later, it was rational and articulate and full of grace for the man who assumed that being a vet gave him some sort of right to be rude and accusatory.
The guy in the clip, I guess, kinda sort asked a question at the end, but turned and walked away without waiting for the 3 minute time-limited response. How rude.
The clip you shared showed how people were ready to clap at any statement that was on the TP sheets. That happened at mine, too. Someone would say, “I love my country” and the crowd would starting clapping and yelling (although not rudely.) The implication was that “the others” don’t love their country. WTF? If I didn’t clap, was I bad? If I clapped, was I giving a different message? No one in that room hated the US. That would be like clapping for “I love oxygen.” I was waiting for the question or at least the point. Several times people were clapping or making very vocal “ooh” sounds and I couldn’t hear what the speaker was even saying.
But, isn’t it wonderful that we live in a country that allows people to voice their views. I hope someday that the marine, in search of all enemies foreign and domestic, will soon see that the people he is following are doing a great deal to harm our country, and I sure hope he comes to that realization soon for the sake of that darling little baby his wife was holding.
Sorry it should be she – but really I’ve been there, hopefully you’ll be able to turn this around. Her head with probably stay tilted but don’t worry they learn to compensate for it just a blind dog would or a handicapped dog would. Good luck and keep the faith.
@Teutonic – your pup probably did have a stroke. I had a pup that had the the same thing. The best you can do for him is to treat him with TLC. Make sure he eats and drinks and give him aspirin. The aspirin helps the blood flow to the lobes that control their motion center but make sure its coated with Maalox so it doesn’t’ rip his stomach to bits. I gave my dog cooked chicken and rice, chopped meat and rice, sliced turkey from the Deli and a store brand formula of Pedolite (sp) that they give babies to raise their electrolytes. She made a full recovery for a least a year before she had another one but the arthritis in her legs did her in not the stoke. So don’t be too dishearten with a little extra TLC he might just make it. Mine had her stroke a 16 and she made it through.
teutonic, I’m sorry. I know how heavy your heart is. Thinking of you and Laz.
Have a wonderful trip! Lovely weather here too.
We get to close the pool this weekend, our yearly sad day. Swam more in 2 weeks during Aug. then the whole summer.
The closing- of the- pool weekend always reminds me of winter. But apple pies and fresh apples are around the corner!!!
teutonic – I’m so sorry **** there are no words. So many of us have been there and the pain and grief is great. We’ll be thinking of you and Laz. Strength to you.
penny @13 – Excellent links – Thank you for posting.
Everyone should watch this video interview with Max Blumenthal. They talk about how the GOP went from being the party of Eisenhower to the party of Palin.
Highly recommended. Great insights into the extreme right.
Here’s the first of the 3 videos again. See penny’s post @13 for the others:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzxElQv11l4
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Maybe all of those people who don’t want to send their kids to school to listen to a message from the President should pull their kids out of that evil “socialized” education. I say, take away their social security, medicaid, medicare, fire protection, don’t let them use the highways.
If socialism is so bad, why don’t they give up the benefits?
This whole thing sickens me. Why are the minority of “crazies” getting all of the airtime? Enough.
A friend just sent me the following link. I usually don’t respond to this sort of thing, but, because of all of you, I have learned to discern and evaluate such. He prefaced it by saying that the guy had grabbed a piece of paper and pen just before quickly writing down his questions, thus the beginning of my response. First the link, then my response.
http://www.the912project.com/2009/08/23/823-a-marine-gives-congressman-baird-a-few-lessons/
You said he quickly wrote down his questions – amend that to one question – at the end, when he asked the speaker if he intended to keep his pledge to his country. That’s it – no intelligent questions or a dialogue, just ranting.
Other than that, it was him introducing himself (to the crowd, mostly.) Said he was a Marine Corp vet, turned to the crowd, waved, and I swear, almost bowed. Said he swore to protect his country from both foreign and domestic threats, told the guy to stay away from his kids (used the word “indoctrinate” wrongly) and said the guy had no right to take his health insurance away (the guy was saying just the opposite).
Another point, if he’s a vet, he is entitled to government, socialist, Nazi fascist health care – it’s called the Veteran’s Administration, which provides health care to all vets. What’s his prob? I’ve looked at this thing 3 times now and it seems to me that the majority of the crowd is sitting down and not applauding. But the squeaky wheels get all the attention.
I guess I’m the wrong one to send this to: My retirement income comes solely from my government: Social Security and, (Gawd forbid) the pension I gladly accept from the Office of Personnel Management, because (gasp) my husband worked for over 30 years as an Air Traffic Controller (FAA).
I also gladly and appreciatively accept Medicair and the government sponsored supplemental insurance our government provides. I, myself, have worked both in the corporate world, as well as for a national enterprise and privately owned businesses, so we, as a pair, have experienced a variety of work experiences and what they provide.
An anon commenter, posted this at Palingates. These are very enlightening, so please take a few minutes to watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzxElQv11l4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9y4hhxiliQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqo8TdfDosE
teutonic13, From a fellow life long animal lover, my heart hurts for you. I’ve been there many many times, I understand the pain you’re feeling. No matter how old you get, it never gets any easier. So sorry.
A friend just emailed this link–but don’t take it seriously! We all need a giggle right now–wink, wink!
http://www.crystalair.com/content.php?id=0P200909002
I could use a miracle.
Dog paw it is once again, as I found myself running like there was no tomorrow…
Running to the end of the dock. Feet unlaced, and being paced by my newest companion, Lazarus. My new best friend, a lot of fur and hair on this husky-chow mix of a dog freshly rescued from the black hole.
This dive was perfect and had to be long and arched high enough to avoid Laz’s jump which at take off was simultaneous, but less like a dolphin- more like an arrow.
The lake is always the lake. It has that cool and muddy Michigan taste to it, and on a hot day, seduces you with a chocolate coat of delicious creamy syrup that wraps around your body like slipping your hand into a glove, until it slaps you. You spit it out, the lake, as your head reemerges, and shake off droplets invading your eyes. A little bit of mud gets through the back of your nose but you rise triumphant like a Roman warrior, back arched, a mist of water splattering the screen as you break through the water line with outstretched arms embracing life and wind.
There is a slow motion old time movie quality to what just happened, a grainy sepia brown rerun, of man and companion running side by side to the edge of a cliff that was shared only by those two. The long end of a dock that at noon, blisters the feet. A dreamy, slow, stop and go feeling that people get at the movie theater, right before the main attraction, when they watch a scene that they wish they could remember but never do. It’s usually the type of shaky replay you see when watching videos of someone you loved at 2 in the morning. It means they died, and it’s always jittery.
It’s funny when you do that run. Your dog knows. Your dog always knows before you do, that you two are gonna do that run. Almost as if they willed you to, but they always know and tend to get a head start on you. So now it’s catch up time and 30 yards to the end of the dock and pure bliss.
Side by side in a world that no one else watching can capture, where the timing is crucial and the effort at take off is the key to a flawless dive or getting a lot of dog paw and scratches on your back as she crosses your line and lands on it when you both hit the water. Well, dog paw it is once again.
That was then and this is now… She is an old dog- 15.
Her name is Laz, she is a rescue dog and lies by my side as I type.
Last night she did a side step. Unlike her. And then she did it again. So unlike her. And then our other pound puppy, Australian shepherd- pit bull mix- could barely walk out of a paper bag, well she knocked Laz over, and then I got worried.
A while ago I made an A-frame for that dog. Looked online for pictures of dog houses, and got some ideas. This was the mother of all dog houses and by the time I was done, it looked like Noah’s ark. Sturdy just like her, a condo in the woods, designed to survive Michigan winter snow.
This dog was tough, she survived everything. A big bolt of brown fur against white snow. Fearless. More than a few raccoons slipped away to the other side because of her. She was scary thick, and always had an air about her, a wall she built to protect her from whomever sent her to the pound, it was hard for her to get close and trust.
She trusted me. I had her on a leash a long time ago at the lake house, and she got tangled up in the bushes to the point she was choking on her collar. She was so panicked, and I managed to cut her collar off- and she never forgot it. But she doesn’t like anyone messing with her neck since then.
And last night she let me touch her neck- so I know something is so wrong with her.
I slept on the couch last night (because my 3rd dog- a Kuvasz – can be pretty mean to Laz) and hung out with her. So we basically rotate dogs in and out. You do what you have to make sure no one gets hurt. I think she might have had a stroke, because her head leans to the side. Maybe she is just in the mist- looking for the end of the dock….
I am sorry- but typing this is the only way I can deal with this. I am so sad… So damn sad.
Teutonic – I am out the door, but saw your post. So sorry. I’ve created a thread on the forum so people can leave you messages of support, and you can keep us updated there. Here it is:
https://themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,8065.new.html#new
Hope that helps.
Best, AKM
Yup. This weekend it’s six weeks since she disappeared. That’s how long it takes.
Oh, and have fun AKM!
I hear being tucked away for so long can bring quite a lift to one’s outlook….
Scar from horn removal?
BigSlick Says:
September 5th, 2009 at 1:25 AM
Did she have a scar near her temple?
———————————–
Or scorch marks?
Have fun AKM. The doubler sounds interesting, I will check it out. I use my mummy bag unzipped in the summer but when it gets cold that doesn’t work so well. Thank you for the recommendation. Also, I have to add this, your blog is great. I read it daily.
Good morning and Happy Weekend!
Have a great time AKM. I’ve been eyeing that sleeping bag doubler for awhile. I’m thinking it would make a good gift for my son who wants to start doing some serious hiking. Thanks for your recommendation.
For anyone with links to news or videos dealing with the insanity of the extreme right, please email them to me and I’ll broadcast them through the Palin Truth Watch twitter acct. You’ll find the email address at http://www.twitter.com/palintruthwatch
Off to catch up on posts!
Did she have a scar near her temple?
Sent an email to AKM but since she is out – just FYI – someone came home this evening. Or is going out again? Remember, you heard it here first. OK – play nice – I will regret putting this here if people get too insulting. Seriously, let’s change the subject.