Netroots – Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fountain. (Open Thread!)
After the second full day of Netroots Nation, I realize what a culture shock I’m experiencing. And when I say culture shock, I mean that in a good way. It feels nice… Out of the frying pan and in to the fountain. Let’s face it. It can get a little much being a small blue person in a big red sea. I am finding that here, in Pittsburgh, among the progressive blogging masses, I feel quite alarmingly and blissfully at home. Conversations happen freely and out loud about health care reform, and climate change, and how to get progressives elected. And nobody looks around to see if they’re being glared at. When people talk about Sarah Palin, it isn’t to tell you how she’s been unfairly persecuted by the media, or “good for her” for sticking up for the death panel remark. Nobody points a bony finger and accuses anyone of being a liberal. If they did, the response would most likely be, “Yeah….and?”
Casual conversations with local Pittsburghers invariably lead to questions about Alaska and politics. Here’s a good one.
So, two progressive Alaskans walk into a bar…. (the story actually does start that way)… and a couple local Steelers fans (which narrows it down to 100% of the population of Pittsburgh) ask if they’re with the convention. The conversation turns and the inevitable question is asked, “Where are you from?” Upon learning that the two are from Alaska, the comment is politely offered, “So, I’m guessing you two really like Sarah Palin.”
I think my laughter can best be described as “uproarious.”
Another local who seemed quite interested in our Alaskan origins was the Weenie Man. Resplendent in his golden crown, he was selling weenies out of a cart. We talked about Alaska for a minute, and he asked about moose. 
Being in the weenie business, he wanted to know all there was to know about the local Alaskan meats. He and Shannyn discussed the fine points of moose dogs, and Brian the moose who I always keep in my bag just in case, was a good sport and decided to pose for a picture.
Pittsburgh itself is a lovely city. There seem to be an alarming number of people walking around in Steeler’s garb. We started to count but couldn’t keep up. It seemed like we saw them every time we turned around. It felt like the only diversity of Pittsburgh fashion was which number was on the jersey.
Lots of people are telling Shannyn that they’ve seen her on Countdown, and several people even said with wide sparkling eyes, “Are you the one that Sarah Palin was going to sue?” I’ve also found a lot of Mudflatters, and am looking forward to the big Pittsburgh Mudstock event to take place on Sunday. It’s not too late to RSVP if you want to join the crowd at Roland’s. It’s right down the street from the Weenie Man! I’ve been to the restaurant and it looks like the perfect spot! So if you want to meet up and hang out for an afternoon of political chat and getting-to-know-you fun, do join us at:
1PM at Rolands Seafood Grill on Penn Avenue in the Strip District.
http://www.rolandsseafoodgrill.com/wst_page2.html
http://www.rolandsseafoodgrill.com/wst_page4.html
You can still show up even if you haven’t RSVPed but may miss out on the group food, and need to buy your own.
I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone there!
I was born and raised in Michigan, but lived in Iowa for 18 years, returning to MI 4 years ago also to be near my Mom before she died. Loved IA; it was a great place to raise our daughter. My impression of Grassley at the time was that he was a “benign” Republican. Now I see he is not so benign. Will write to him today, as well as Baucus. I’ve already written to both our Dem. Senators and my Rep. all of whom support the Public Option. Just don’t want them to give up on it.
G Katz & trisha…Big Hello 😉
Also a fellow Iowan here. Was born in Charles City but grew up in So. Florida. Although never lived there my Mom has endless relatives there and we would always go back and visit during summers as well. Grandparents kept their house in the little town of Weldon ( about an hour and a half from Des Moines ) for years and we would go back for summer vacations. Grandfather was the Postmaster of that little town, went off to War, Grandmother took over until he came back and they were Co-Postmasters for years there. Good memories of Summer vacations there. Picking fresh blackberries and raspberries growing along the roadside or going out to the little orchard to climb up the apples trees looking for that ‘ perfect ‘ apple for a snack. The ‘ perfect ones ‘ were always hiding up there in the top of the tree… of course. Or collecting a bucket-full for my Grandmother for a fresh-baked apple pie that was in the oven an hour later.
{ Sprinkled with cinnamon and served with a slice of yellow cheddar cheese as well- not sure if that is an Iowa thing..?..But it was GOOD }
The owner of the local Grocer Market on Main Street, the ONLY paved street in the whole town, also owned and rented the ponies for all the various rodeo pony rides. Being a longtime friend of my Grandparents his open invitation was ” If you can catch them… you can ride them anytime “. Being in the huge open pasture , an ear of corn from the corn bin was always necessary to ‘ bribe ‘ them to come close enough. Had to get the bridle or halter on fast… before the corn is eaten.
You could ride them up and down the country roads. One lazy long Free pony ride. My steed of choice was usually the dark brown multi-colored Pinto pony. A somewhat pudgy pony with a very friendly nature. Getting my little legs wrapped around her belly to hold on was a challenge.
Nothing quite as refreshing on those hot summer days like going out to the well, grabbing the metal cup that was always hanging there by the handle , and pumping yourself an ice-cold cup of water. So cold when it came up out of the ground the pump spout would be sweating from perspiration. Water never tasted so good.
Having no running water in this old farmhouse… the trips out back to the ‘ two-holer ‘… not quite as pleasant though. As well, the old abandoned barn had not been in use for years. But it made a great place to explore for kids who never grew up on a farm with an imagination and some make believe. Better than sitting in front of a TV for hours. Which BTW…. was NOT an option since there was NO TV in the house.
Iowa memories. We had it good back then. { waving Hi }
@teutonic13 #274
Max was the most observant dog I have ever been owned by. If I moved the fruit bowl in the kitchen while he was in the yard, he noticed it the second he came back in.
For those who are discouraged and need a laugh with the news, please see Lynnrockets blog re $P’s poll numbers.
ENOUGHwiththetrainwreck – thank you for the important heads up! Will share.
heads up anchorage — american petroleum institute is astrotufing on the energy bill and have your town scheduled for “tea bag” style crap.
see huff po article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-grandia/leaked-memo—oil-lobbys_b_259149.html
G Katz: Awesome—go for it. We need to get active and make our voices heard.
BTW, I lived in Iowa from the mid 80’s until 4 years ago. So, howdy, former Iowan.
On other note, I was wondering why some end of life groups were not speaking out at the outragous claims made by Palin and some others. I started looking up some of these organizations, and they HAVE spoken up. But, the media is NOT reporting these.
Here is a great link to their statement and press release
Please, Please read this and pass on as the media isn’t doing their job in making their voices heard.
http://compassionandchoices.org/blog/?p=468
This is one of many groups. I will be looking for more statements.
282 trisha
I was born and raised in Iowa. I haven’t lived there since 1980, but I think Grassley was a US Representative then. I wrote to him already.
Actually, I am writing to every representative or senator who speaks in favor of healthcare reform. I just wrote to Eddie Bernice Johnson from Texas. She was on State of the Union with John King along with my sleazy Representative Tom Price. I applauded her when she said that the republicans were “subservient to the insurance companies.” That is definitely the case with Price, who was a doctor, and it is easily verified by looking at the source of his backing on http://www.opensecrets.org.
I was infuriated that Price did not respond unequivocably to King’s question that was about “death panels,” but I don’t think he used that terminology. Price basically backed it up saying that his mother had recently had surgery which would probably be denied under the new plan. (That’s the gist. I’d only had my first cup of copy, so I don’t remember the exact quote!)
I’ve also written to commentator after commentator, including Keith and Rachel, asking them to expose the money trail. So far, I haven’t seen any results from that.
Anyway, I encourge everyone to contact anybody and everybody who is working for us to give them your support. I think that giving them positive feedback is going to do more for us than trying to change the minds of those who are so entrenched in their fears that they will not come around, that is, until they are in need of services that are denied them by their insurance company.
CBS Sunday morning Show- Section on Healthcare
Independent Group spokesperson on – asked about $arah’s ‘ death panels ‘.
You would have a better chance of being killed by a Star Wars deathstar than being killed by a ‘ death panel ‘… It just doesn’t EXIST!
105 Lee323
Thanks for that link, several pages ago! It’s for signing on to the letter asking Senator Snake in the Grassley to recuse himself from the healthcare discussion. I signed it!! You betcha!
Anyone else want to sign it, here’s the link again:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-lioz/sen-grassley-disqualifies_b_258433.html
The link is right after the letter which is at the end of the article.
I’m sure glad Rachel is sitting right beside Armey…. she won’t let him sit there and lie. Armey raises his voice to shout out anybody else….Geee… never seen them do THAT before.
Rachel’s facial expressions as she’s listening to Dick Army, is priceless.
Tom Daschle (sp?) in response to a comment that our health care quality is stellar says, “we have islands of excellence in a sea of mediocrity”. Thought that was nicely said.
Dick Armey is being contemptible on Meet the Press.
Meet the Press comes on at 6:00 PST… yikes….I’m up just to see what Rachel says. Already we see Dick Armey trying to lie about what His group is doing… Ughhh
Good morning, all !
Getting ready to watch Rachel on Meet the Press. Really looking forward to that.
Glad to hear everyone had such fun at last night’s Mudflats gathering. Hope they take the computer with them again for today’s. We’re heading in to another day of sweltering 90 degree temps and stifling humidity so I’m going to be sitting at my desk, 5 inches away from my box fan, cold water spray bottle nearby and will look forward to some Mudflats chat during the hot afternoon.
MTP is on – Starting the show talking about the anger at the town hall meetings.
G Katz Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
@honesty#57
If it’s any consolation, the major paper in Iowa came out with an editorial against Grassley yesterday:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090814/OPINION03/908140333/1001/NEWS/Stop-distortion–There-s-no–death-panel-
I think he’s such a hippocrite. If I understand it, the legislation he previously endorsed pays for you to make end-of-life decisions if the doctor thinks you’re within 6 months of dying. What a lovely thing to face on top of having just gotten that death sentence–NOT! But in his recent town hall meeting he said you should be thinking about those things 20 year before you die. What a great idea for those who got the word that they’ve reached that 20-year mark!
It’s enough to drive you crazy that people can’t see through this. Personally, I think it was all orchestrated with the players before Palin’s ghostwriter wrote the “death panel” treatise. And, apparently, Palin, Gingrich, and Grassley represent the GOP now.
____________________________
I lived in Iowa for years so I am glad they posted this piece. Write Sen. Grassley, and also also post positive comments on this piece for speaking up for what MOST Amercian’s want.
Drop him a note and tell him that American’s want to have a “real” discussion about healthcare and not have our leaders spew rhetoric.
http://grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm
I asked Grassley ( in a nice way) ask how it feels to have an unemployed-quitting’ gov take credit for changin’ the bill? Palin’s fans are claiming victory and are saying that she is more powerful than the President, and are essentially saying that Palin says jump and Grassley says “how high”? (Shhh….she really isn’t powerful, but don’t tell her fans as they get all bent out of shape).
Let’s see…..a half-term quittin gov saying she is more powerful than Grassley who has been in public office since 1958 has been in the US Senate since 1980. Ouch…that’s gotta sting.
That’s gotta sting, but that’s what happens when you side with the devil.
Maureen Dowd writes about the partial term former Alaska governor today in her Sunday column:
http://tinyurl.com/n63obw
@ 279 honestyinGov Says:
As per that # 269 post. I am trying to make notes but I am missing stuff.
—
Thanks Honesty for ‘taking one for the team’! You’re a stronger person than I am, but admit I was curious. Kind of figured what many of them looked like at that Net-Wanna-Be Tea Bagging plop.
Oh my, sounds like our dear Mudpups were doing their Saturday nite gig in the same hotel as all them wingnuts. Hope everyone is safe and revving up for tomorrow’s meet w/AKM & Shannyn.
As per that # 269 post. I am trying to make notes but I am missing stuff.
Someone find a tape somewhere to get some of these… distortions.
People should see this.
One speaker was Grover Norquist–President of ‘ Americans for Tax Reform’
( this guy is a real ‘ tool ‘… he said so much Crap… I can’t keep up)
He likes to make jokes about ‘ libruls ‘ and how they are destroying your lives. I think he said he was an NRA Pres. or something.Tree huggers..etc. jokes. At one point saying he doesn’t want to have to tell his children the story about ‘ Johnny has two Hunters ‘ Lame attempt to slip in a ‘ gay joke ‘{ two Mommies-two Daddies }… his audience likes it and laughs. { nice that their bloggers think THIS is funny }
Many other ‘ little jokes’ with ‘ code words ‘. One story describing a liberal analogy… so they are ‘competing parasites ‘… more giggles.
He talks a LOT about Tea Parties…and his friends that attend them. Say Tea Party and you get applause here.
More than one of these guys have said ” People are picking on Glenn Beck”
They say Fox News is being attacked…. yada.. yada..
Can’t remember the reference, but I think this was in reference to the next Elections… ” We are Winning! ” W o W…. 17-20%..?
Oh… and ( they say )they are gaining ground on Netroots… will be bigger because they have momentum. ( right )
The whole room is very weird. Chairs lined up in rows and in a room looking like an oversized Denny’s Conference Room. ( very Friendly … Not)
IE : Guest speaker comes into room to a small stage at the front of the room. A music tape comes on.. plays music loudly for about 5 seconds then shuts off abruptly as soon as the person reaches the mic because the door entrance is only twenty steps away. Hard to believe this is professionally done.
Most of THEIR ( important ) Politicians/speakers that wanted to leave them with a message of course could not be there… it was NOT that important.
A taped videotape was made by Mike Pence, Michelle Bachman…. and others.
Now I am in my mid 50’s but a large ‘ MAJORITY ‘ of these bloggers ( look like Mccain ) in this Room have MANY years on me. As one of their speakers had said earlier…” You are our Future of the Party…”
{ you insert your own joke there }
[ You have to catch the replay on C_SPAN if you can find it]
@ 10 Aussie Blue Sky Says: at 12:12 AM
Today I watched a 1938 movie set in Alaska titled ‘Call of the Yukon’. Caligrl would love it (the wolves win). There’s a raven named Winky and a last line guaranteed to make you laugh.
The video can be downloaded free at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XKRYZ1WO
– — –
Thanks, that was FUN WATCH! Hokey a little, like in the old days but the animal antics were GREAT! Thanks for sharing, passed on to AK loving friends as well.
oops….I forgot the link to their convention. Joe the Plumber and Michelle Malkin are among the speakers. Yikes!
Here is the link to their convention and agenda:
http://rightonline.com/
I just googled Americans for Prosperity and went to their website. Apparently they had 600 attendees. I am poking around the site and reading but here is the link for anyone who wants to venture there. There a a couple of write-ups of their meetings. Funny how they are all about “prosperity” and not progress. Just sayin…..
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/national-site
@269 honestyinGov: I love your description of the crowd at the Americans for Prosperity. LOL! A bunch of old white people that look like Carl Rove and Cheney. What a vision that is. Quite a contrast it must be to the Netroots bunch. Ahhhh! Do you know who they had for keynote speakers? I can’t watch Cspan now as hub is watching the Seahawk game. 🙁
@ # 267
GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 6:33 PM
teutonic13, Max was wonderful with anybody I formally introduced him to. He loved to play with my granddaughter, never jumped up on her or pushed her. Small children he would lay down and wait for them to come to him. He always seemed conscious of his size. I was his first priority, but when he knew someone, he always kept an eye out for them, too. I still miss him so much.
*********
Hey GA Peach-
I am not surprised you took the time to write back because honestly- you are the first and only other Kuvasz owner I have ever spoken to (other than the breeder I bought from).
How so VERY tragic for you to lose a member of the family- for that is what they become. They weedle and nose and bother and somehow skulk, sulk, shake their broom sweep tail, look at you with those tremendously loving eyes, and when they run home to you from a distance- the combination of energy, flair, breathless acrobatic grace- they lope and maintain eye contact the entire time that they close distance to you- the most gorgeous of dog surrendered love shows as they smile during that entire run… That is what a family Kuvasz makes.
For those who are watching C-SPANS (American Perspectives) as well showing the Presidents Town Hall address they are replaying the Conservative version of Netroots called Americans for Prosperity.com.
If you can watch this please do. They have a guy speaking, John Fund of Opinion Journal.com.
He keeps telling people in the crowd ” You are the next leaders of America”.
(He also kept doing a LOT of Reagan references and quotes)
When they pan the crowd…. the ‘ Leaders ‘ on average are… how can I say this..nicely..?
They have a LOT of grey hair ( male & female) and lots of them look like Karl Rove or Dick Cheney. Lots of ‘ old white people ‘…. that is the base they have in the room. I’ll add more with some more notes. VERY creepy though.
Sorry for your loss, GA Peach…I lost dear Lucy Beagle after almost 17 years….there is a hole that nothing will ever fill. “Would that I had loved and lost than never loved at all”…..doesn’t that quote go like that? 🙂
teutonic13, Max was wonderful with anybody I formally introduced him to. He loved to play with my granddaughter, never jumped up on her or pushed her. Small children he would lay down and wait for them to come to him. He always seemed conscious of his size. I was his first priority, but when he knew someone, he always kept an eye out for them, too. I still miss him so much.
Awww, JAF, hope your feeling better.
sleep well all!
eewww warren…
I’m off to bed early tonight…not feeling well today
Wow, some great callers tonight. Disa made some good points.
Thanks JAF 🙂
There is a reason we call her the Great White Beast- she loves our mice so much she has knocked a few cages over in the past year- so we lost a couple down the stairs.
OK, this is the dude that calls in every week. Rolls eyes, Warren.
keep hearing the IBEW commercial here on Shannyn’s show…DH is unemployed IBEW…laid off since February…
These CEO’s are making millions and billions, yeah, that p**es me off. Did you see the other night, forget which company, is getting millions in a bonus and is trying to get it, saying that that was before the bail out so, it doesn’t apply to him, therefore, he should get his stinkin’ millions in bonus. That’s suuchhhh crap!@!!! Now, that makes me angry.
yes, seattlefan…
Steve is doing great (not Mike yet)
((teutonic))) luv ya and the kuvasz you share your life with!
Mike is making great points and the discussion is excellent.
yay for this caller saying insurance companies are the death panels!
Yayyy, Mike, you make sooooo much sense.
SHOUT out to the Pittsburgh Pups!!! Wish I was there! Oh man, do I ever.
All you pups I met that are there, please raise a glass of cheer for me. And the rest of ya’s, too, also! And someone please give AKM and Shannyn a hug from me tomorrow afternoon.
Have a blast, as is tradition now at the Mudstocks. You are creating memories… for everyone.
Yo JAF-
Cool. I never know who is who or whatever gender- it means nothing to me- the heart shows through and that to me is what matters. If I truly cared I would be going to the “dating Game” or some other meaningless hookup site.
Suchanut: Thanks for the information on Steve. I am liking Steve, even though I miss our Shannyn. Steve is doing a great job.
I’m a farmer and can’t afford $1,600 a month health insurance…
can’t beleive there are people who think $1,600 a month is a bargain!
That was a good caller.
lol, suchanut, nothing I pictured. Thanks for the photo.
caller is correct…COBRA is outrageous in costs
teutonic, I’m a dudette! 🙂
Here is a photo of Steve – you can see who is speaking!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2843282787_7e58784a48.jpg?v=0
James from “Silla, says Shannyn does provoke thought, yayyaya, so true.
@239 Justa: I agree. He also strikes me as a bigot with all the “code” terms he used in his rant.
Thanks for the info Suchanut. I’ll look into it!!!!
W o W… was that last Guy Eddie Burkes brother… or Eddie himself…
definitely some beck Hannity show listener. Touch of reality DUDE!
OK JAFster- (The Just A Farmer Dude)
I called in and said hello. I hope the flatters in PB aren’t cringing too bad right now. 🙁
my guess is “John from Alaska” has health insurance, a house, a job that pays m ore than minimum wage….and is completely bereft of a brain….
Steve handled that angry dude very well!!!! If he had a regular show, I’d listen to him. He plays cool music, also, too, also.
Steve Heimel is really terrific – here is a blurb about him:
“Steve Heimel has spent more than 23 years at APRN. He was educated in art academies and remains a practicing artist. He has been a tireless advocate for innovation in public broadcasting since moving to it from commercial broadcasting in 1974, where he worked at the top stations in two of the nation’s top ten radio markets – KILT in Houston and WDVR in Philadelphia. He has been a consultant for the NPR Training Channel, Pocahontas Broadcasting and CPB’s Mid-Level Producers’ Workshops. He was one of the founders of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters and Audio Independents. He led the first journalist’s exchange mission to the Soviet Far East in 1989. He has walked 1,300 miles of the Appalachian Trail and is writing a memoir, entitled “It’s Only Radio.” He also hosts “The Truck Stop,” a Sunday afternoon traditional American music program on public radio station KNBA in Anchorage.” From the Spoke http://www.spoke.com/info/pF2wS8b/SteveHeimel
OMG! caller is stoopid!!!!
sez his taxes were taken by the point of a gun!
thanks for playing John!
Wow….John has a lot of hate going on!
wow, such hatred from John.
steve talking about the noise machine on talk radio
i agree….steve is bringing up hard issues. Method goes for easy stuff
Ziggy Glad to hear that MiMi is home
About the tweets all were good but I really liked the do you know the difference between a hockey mom and a “death panel” a dipstick
IMO, this guy is better than Mike Method.
ok, steve is bck tot he topic I commented on….the stoopid kids who assaulted a Native man in Anchorage recently
I missed it too – camping 🙂
I missed the show last weekend, couldn’t get on, I pouted and pouted.
steve said…”time’s up!”
steve cut off Shannyn, LOL!!!!
ah! the not clean coal & mountian top mining would be the WV blogger who won first round
Lots of Autistic kids around the coal plants here.
AKM is talking about Lani at PB Mudstock!
expection, hahhaha, meant inspection. The Captain is taking over the keyboard.
any mudpup!
a mudpup! call now and speak for us liveblogging! I called already
AKM!!!!!!!!!!!
AKM on!!!! Hi Akm.
Lol @here: I’m pretty sure I heard the same thing. 🙂
lol sameold!
I couldn’t make it to Station Square, no babysitter and my vehicle expection is expired. LOL, maybe I should “Pull a Palin” and take my kids. Haalhahahhaahah.
what is with the 100mph disclaimer crap on commercials….makes me want to run away in the opposite direction.
Can’t even spell my name in all this heat and humidity
here….wondering if there was a man in a dress….
This is driving me crazy — it’s PGH not PB and has been before zipcodes
lovely commercial right now. =)
bwahahaahaa, here!
another mudpup, call in! say justafarmer hearts shannyn & AKM (I didn’t get to say that…)
I watched Bill Clinton on the C-Span web and thought he was great!!!! It’s nice to listen to intelligent people.
shannyn talking about the Netroots person who heckled Bill Clinton
LOL, is Shannyn in the Ladies Room? Did you hear the flush?
don’t know seattlefan…just shannyn calling in for now
hear: could be the weekly Roger (in UK, that would have an entirely different meaning…)
Hey…I’m late to the party. Is AKM going to be on Shannyn’s call?
shannyn talking a lot about Howard Dean.
New caller, Roger, congratulating Shannyn about the GIlly Award
Is this the Roger that always calls in every week?
Steve is/was a West Virginia boy?????
He’s a neighbor!
teutonic, go ahead and call! pick a topic and go for it~
lol! Shannyn brings up Rosa last week: “I’m a first time listener caller and you’re a liberal”
Steve saying PB is communists and wobblies because of unions…he’s correct.
no French manicured toenails…eeeeewwww…
# 163
justafarmer Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 5:02 PM
I’m about ready to call Steve, even though it’s a long distance call for me
****
JAF Go for it- I wanted to- but really don’t even know what to say. Better at writing, and having fun in person than trying to come up with something prolific and astounding to wow the listening audience.
I called up twice and the second time felt a little undernourished in terms of what I had to offer- I just called to call and say hi- and then felt like I didn’t have a strong enough opinion on anything regarding current politics (that hadn’t already been said) to offer a new point of view. Not to mention- not being a local, totally softens the message.
I think for me- the main reason I called was to feel that in someway I belonged to a a group of people I have grown to respect. The rest was a typical nerd encounter. An abrupt social interaction in the high school cafeteria leading to becoming totally speechless- a kind of stuff/scenario- situational freeze up.
I hate hearing stress in my own voice- so I write instead 🙂
shannyn says she was wearing appropriate clothes but her shoees were less than attractive
LOL, was she wearing appropriate wear when she went to accept award, hehehhee, no monkey shoes and red toenails w/faux studs.
steve asking shannyn what she was wearing when she accepted the award…ROTFL!
the daily kos nerd prom
Congratulations on the award Shannyn
now talking about the Gilly Award that she won and the reaction she got
now she’s talking about the nerd prom and PB Mudstock!
shannyn talking about siegleman & others….loving PB and people dressing in Steelers colors. And $P giving a shoutout to the Eagles and what that REALLY meant to PB/Steelers folks
LOL, ppl dress in black and yellow all the time in the burgh, didn’t realize it was a religion.
LOL< her hairs getting curly (humidity) and her bones are getting warm.
shannyn loves the humidity…her hair is getting curly & her bones are getting warm
Hey Shannyn, nice to hear from you.
OK, thanks, oohhhh shannyn on right now
“liberal trash”…lol!
SHANNYN!!!!!!!
here_in_PA: saw a pic of the FB page at the ADN story today. The YouTube videos have been pulled
zyggy, she is supposed to call in sometime.
Or, hate crime is the better word for it.
nice Justa, figured it was you. Nice job. I didn’t think many would be listening since Shannyn isn’t on.
I didn’t see their facebook pages, JAF, how’d you get ’em? I agree, it’s the parenting and peers they choose to hang out with. This harrassment is just soooo totally uncalled for!!!
Hi to everyone down at the burg sounds like you all are having fun
rishi knew me when I said I was one of the mudpuppies
yes, zyggy, was me!
fortunately, I was familiar with the incident in Anchorage
He seemed surprised that you were calling from Kentucky
Is hot, humid and hazy here too.
justa, was that you just on?
ok, did it!
Yayyy, JAF, called in
true, here in PA, but he’s bringing up some great stuff
steve talking about the 2 “kids” who attacked a Native man in Anch a few weeks ago and is trying to tie it into people’s puritanical views on abortion and religion (and apparently misogyny, my word, not Steve’s).
Just quite not the same w/o Shannyn
Hello from Pittsburgh!
We are moving out onto the terrace for dinner – – it has a great view of the Pittsburgh skyline, and is a lot quieter than the inside of the restaurant. We are the group with the moose on the table! We are at the far end of the terrace in an area with chairs and coffee tables.
If any yinz would like to join us, we’d love to see you!
BUT – added after trying to get online for 10 minutes from the terrace before returning inside to send this – we don’t have a good wireless connection out there, so we may not be back on the blog for a while.
Lila
I’m about ready to call Steve, even though it’s a long distance call for me
#
150
honestyinGov Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 4:46 PM
teutonic 13… as to your avatar
I see a ‘ flying boy ‘ on my screen… not sure why mine differs from what others see.
****************
Might be because I was working on a new avitar through wordpress- and tried several renditions. However every computer in our house has a different version (samurai-Boy- or Mutt).
Should straighten out eventually.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
easy answer for Steve…black man in the White House…low-info americans run screaming in the streets, rending clothing and tearing hair.
bawdy house of ill repute…funny either way!
Sorry. Here is a better link:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/11/765271/-Death-Panels:-20-Tweetsa-Video
LOL, funny story of house of ill requte (sp?)
Rishi! if you’re checking in, Steve is doing fine with the personal Pittsburgh census story. Hope someone calls in so he feels “wanted”.
I am sure that everyone needs a laugh right now. I know I did. Here is a good one. http://www.dailykos.com/
Scroll down the page to this piece: Death Panels: 20 Tweets & a Video (these are real)
I’m hard pressed to find a favorite because they are all hilarious, but I’l give it a go.
My fav: In the feverish dream where “death panels” terminate the unproductive in society, Sarah Palin’s baby isn’t even the first Palin in line.
teutonoc wishing you and spouse well.Isn’t it to bad that some insurance won’t pay for test.My daughter had test done to find out why she could not get pregnant,she has one child with her first husband, but her new husband and her wanted to try for one.Her insurance paid for the testing I believe or at least most of it but not for the rest and it was too expensive on their own ,since they had one her husband ,who treats her son like his own anyway said he did not feel they had to have another.So at least they were in agreement about it.Cassie is so right in you can get 10,000 to adopt a child so why not the same to conceive one.
IMO part of the problem is some of thew democrats also get money for their campaigns from these same insurance companies.I know I have signed petitions to be sent to them and given money in support of those same petitions.It isn’t only The GOP that we have to worry about.IMO there are a lot of moderates out there who will finally get tired of all the attacks just like they did during the election cycle..People get tired of attack dogs and rebel.
lol! Steve having probs getting up to speed!
JAF (justafarmer) I am tuned in. LOL, humourous opening.
otrplm-
Wow thanks for looking- she is so temperamental and big that I worry.
Steve sitting in for Shannyn tonight…waiting for Shannyn to call in from PB
teutonic 13… as to your avatar
I see a ‘ flying boy ‘ on my screen… not sure why mine differs from what others see.
Hey Cass-
Too funny about “ten Dollars”- ! Sounds like we all have alot of love for misplaced dogs and animals.
Last night I went into the garage and saw a baby mouse doing the “Michael Phelps” crawl in the doggie water dish (big ole 10 gallon swimming pool type watering hole for the mutts). She was a pro! Snout out and all. A small wake behind her. Total motor running on high thing.
I called my wife to take a look- and though about getting a camera- but she looked like she was going to drown so I scooped her out (a little bigger than a thimble) and put her in a mouse house (we have 5 meeses, 2 hermit crabs, 1 dollar fish, and 3 dogs). Named he “Lucky” started to move her to a more mose-escape-proof cage and she jumped her way into some hideaway crack behind the dishwasher.
So “Lucky”- we barely knew ya 🙂
I figure she will be better off somewhere in mouse land than the garage.
teutonic13………………….. don’t know how to link, but if you type Kuvasz into ask ‘they have an article that says that kind of dog is good with kids.
Signing off, I have to get up at 6:30 tomorrow for a dental appointment. I know, I know. Sunday morning? We’ll when # 3 kid is your dentist, you go when called. LOL
Hope Mudpuppies have a GRAND time and I know we’re all with them in spirit.
@ 140 GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 4:25 PM
OMG, teutonic13, you have a Kuvasz?
*********
Yes we have a Kuvasz- her name is “Mutti” (mother in German”. She is as you well know- the ultimate “protector” of the house so any critter other than whom or what she deems appropriate- is fair game for total destruction.
Sometime I would like to ask about Kuvasz and young children- we are close to adapting.
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 4:26 PM
@ Cassie #138
http://www.alaskareport.com/blog/
___________________________________________________________________________________
Much as I’d like to believe otherwise, I think this is “old news’. Think I saw it a few weeks back.
We’ll keep on hoping, though, won’t we?
teutonic…
i still see a sumarai…
@ Cassie #138
http://www.alaskareport.com/blog/
It’s just not on the front page anymore. I don’t even quite know how I hit the blog link, so maybe it has been on that page all along once moved from the front page. I am gleeful, though, as bad as that sounds – with the word “still”. I’m probably dreaming but I need a break from thinking about all this negativity flying around from Palin and her ilk, so I’m enjoying some smiles at her expense.
teutonic13 Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
@cass-
Yeah she is pretty lovable-
———————————————————————–
When I was young, we had one known as “Ten dollars”. She was hit by a car outside our house, we took her to a vet, he charged us $10 and released her to us! $10 was a lot in 1960! But she was worth it!
teutonic13 I still have the samurai
OMG, teutonic13, you have a Kuvasz? I miss my Max. He was a Prince!
I’m drinking a Yuengling from Pottsville, PA in honor of you pups in Pittsburgh.
Wish I were there.
@cass-
Yeah she is pretty lovable- we got her off craigslist, she could barely walk was small as can be. Our great white beast (Kouvasz) punked her- and she has a problem with her left paw (can’t straighten it). So she adjusted and does a goose step to get her paw up high enough so when she flops it down the pad hits the ground right- and straightens it out. She somehow runs circles around our husky (14 years old) and just marches like a German soldier when she marches by.
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 4:09 PM
The Alaska Report has this back:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Is this the old story or a new one? link, if you can.
The Alaska Report has this back:
“Rumor Central: Big story still heading towards the S.S. Palin
A deal-breaker is heading toward the Palins. Can it be stopped? I don’t think so. Will it topple the house of cards, all signs say yes. Stay tuned…”
I’m not normally much involved in speculation – esp. about Palin, but I’m not in a very good mood today with all of this Death Panel crap still flying around and idiots defending it so I’m a lesser person today for enjoying this warning!
^^^ Oops- gout = got
132
teutonic13 Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 4:04 PM
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Hey Zerd! Love you!
Yeah – I gout your back- all of “you-uns”! in PB- but basically just as a spell checker- emergency google master- or what not. OK ok- servant if you need it for the internet stuff.
I’m honestly having fun- thinking about all of you out there in Hoagie land.
BuffaloGal 90 degress wouldn’t be so bad if in the winter you did not get all the snow and cold instead
@ Cass JPP-
The Zerd? We call her the “zerd” (back end of lizzard- which was shortened to zerd) basic terms of endearment and lazy short-naming-the-dog stuff.
Cool. She is my new mascot and avatar- a little less aggressive than my “samurai” thing (me at a Halloween costume photo shoot” back in the day).
Ripley went to you site..You write very well and your telling abourt your horse bought tears (hugs Ripley) Hope the New York trip helped .
128
Eyes Wide Open in Pgh, Pa Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 4:02 PM
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Never fear, we’re watching out for all of “you-uns”!
I mean “rendition” (hard to type in the dark)
We mudpuppies are celebrating tonight in Station Square, right under the noses of the fascist right wing conservatives who are conventioning in Pittsburgh the same weekend as Netroots. If we are discovered and are
“disappeared”, suspect redition.
No, It’s pronounced “you-uns”…as in you ones. Don’t blame PA, it comes up to them from KY! LOL!
Do people still say “Yins” out there for the PB version of “y’all”?
teutonic13 Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Hey I have a question to anyone here-
————————————————————————————
It’s Lizzy!
OK – it’s time to break out my Vodka, Bailey’s and Kahlua for the Mudslide! Have fun at the P’burgh Mudslide Convention!
yoo hoo AKM and Shannyn. Helllo pups – We are all at the pre-mudstock RIGHT NOW and having a blast, passing this computer around the room for all of us to send our greetings tonight.
Hey I have a question to anyone here-
is my avatar a silhouette of a flying boy into the river, or a rat dog (my rescue dog named Lizzy)?
It shows up on my blog as the flying boy- changed it a few hours ago- but shows up on Shannyn’s site as the rat dog?
Hi! AKM and Shannyn. Helllo pups – We are all at the pre-mudstock RIGHT NOW and having a blast, passing this computer around the room for all of us to send our greetings tonight.
Yep- the smell of fresh fish and hoagies at the market near squirrel hill.
Hi! AKM and Shannyn. We wiil drink to you both until we reach the “designated driver” point. Also, to injuneau, ripley, samper, and others!
futurexpat? Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Hello from Pittsburgh
————————————————————————–
Old stomping grounds. Enjoy! Wish I were there.
And Station Square is at the base of the old “incline”. The motorized incline goes to the top of a HUGE mountain opposite the city of Pittsburgh( carved by the Monongahela River).
At the top of the incline is Mount Washington–named for our first President who–unfortunately–surrendered Fort Necessity ( not far from here) when he could not find a fighting way out!
AKM and Shannyn–hope you TRULY enjoy your visit to “majorly historic areas”.
UK-
Yeah I read that- he was pretty direct and not hedging one bit. Pretty much called her the biggest ditz (actually he implied stupidest person) in the republican party.
Hello from Pittsburgh
We are having a great time. We will have a drink for all of you!
We have a great group here. Looking forward to the big day tomorrow with AKM!
4 the Vicarious and/or Bored 🙂
a link to the venue Station Square at Bar Louie…
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/23/270124/restaurant/Station-Square/Bar-Louie-Station-Square-Pittsburgh
Sky–Whoever they are, Strawberries don’t shine as far as AKM and Shannyn.
The Northern Lights make their way to the East Coast!
hi Lila and everyone there!
Hi, Lila–
Tell AKM and Shannyn that we are so very proud of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul Begala tells it like it is, and I like it!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/15/begala-rips-palin-shes-ab_n_260337.html
Paul Begala and Newt Gingrich have decidedly different views on whether former Governor Sarah Palin can make a political comback. Gingrich outlined his strategy for Palin to reemerge on the national scene to Politico, but Begala remains deeply skeptical any such strategy would be effective.
In an interview with CNN, the Democratic strategist slammed Palin as “flaky and an intellectual lightweight,” and “about half a whack job.”
HI LILA! – Hope you all have a great time!
HELLO FROM PITTSBURGH PRE-AKM MUDSTOCK!!!!
9 of us are here already in Station Square at Bar Louie – if you are in Pittsburgh come down and stay hello!
We are in the curtained-off room to the right of the main door. Look for the yellow boots!
I’ll keep Mudflats up while we are here – please say hello on-line!
Lila
About my post # 102… the President in Colorado.
Dial up and buffering are no good for live streaming… Nada!
I turned to C-SPAN quickly to see if they might be covering it. YES.. they were.
Tuned in time just to see him leave the stage.
C-SPAN came on and said it will be replayed in about 3 hours…. maybe sometime after 8- 8:30
And They also said it would be shown at 10:30 EST- on C-SPAN
fawnskin mudpuppy…yes!!! a party to celebrate our anniversary with coronas con limon y sangria. and plenty of good food. yum.
@ teutonic13 #105
———————-
Yeppers. Synergy is an equal opportunity concept: works in both negative and positive directions depending on the variables involved.
@ 54 Lee323 Says:
Tsk. Tsk. Progressives at Netroots acting like right-wingnut “townhallers.” Disappointing.
The Left’s intellectual criticisms and heckling of the president are synergistic with the Right’s (Palin) lies and distortions. Wonder why the president’s health care initiatives are struggling……
*************
Yeah that synergy thing adding barbiturates with alcohol doesn’t make 4 plus 4, it becomes multiplicative- so instead of 8 as a sum you have 16 as the product.
In my opinion that is why 4 minutes of “hissing” (according to the HuffPo article I read) from our own constituents and supporters, undermines “the higher road” that I am proud to be associated with. It diminishes at an exponential level.
But we are all human- they were questions to answers that need to be heard, but the heat of the moment can get you (case in point- my own breakdown and poor communication a week ago here in this forum), so what the heck- their hissing wasn’t on any level compared to the the real whack jobs we all saw last week at the rallies.
@ G Katz, honestyinGov, and any other interested pups:
Great post in HuffPo condemning Sen. Grassley’s affirmation of Palin’s tactics of fear AFTER participating actively in negotiations for health care reform. This link provides a letter that you can sign that asks Grassley to disqualify himself as a negotiator in light of his scurrilous comments that people should be afraid that the government “will pull the plug on grandma” (with respect to end of life consultations).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-lioz/sen-grassley-disqualifies_b_258433.html
t#101 Teutonic13 Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 2:35 PM—————————————–
——————————————————————-
Oops!
I was a soccer fan, raised three Division #1 soccer players and a division #2 soccer player (..skulking back under some rock, somewhere…)
In all honesty, I grew up with the FB thing, never understood it, but that’s what it was.
I was schooled in the arts and was a majorette…prior to Title 9, I guess, whatever.
Drinking, and serving drinks? Driving to West Virginia for “near” beer?
Well, that’s another art!
Good luck to you, and your better half (just joking!)
We’re in all this together no matter where we are, where we came from and where we’re going.
President Obama in Colorado now.
Huffpo on the FRONT page has ‘ Live Streaming ‘ of the President on Colorado.
I don’t think my dial-up will work… but people with high-speed or DSL could tune in.
@ 89 Cassie Jeep Pike Palin
Cass JPP-
I was there post High School- 1976- and somehow this corner bar let me bartend even though the drinking age was 21 (weird LCB thing- can serve the over aged at under aged.) Worked at a place called the Wooden Keg- a real hot bed for Pitt U FB players. Met Jack Lambert- and Tony Dorsett played while I was there. The Frat house I lived in was Delta Sigma Chi (a real Animal House) and was a surreal barely post pubescent candy store.
#94, best party giver EVER.
fawnskin mudpuppy Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
____________________________________________________________________________________
I’m FOR SURE in on that! A birthday for Mudpuppies…AKM was around before then, but WE came on the 29th of August, and I’m there for that!
What can I bring?
By the way, I’m listening to our POTUS, and I really appreciate that he can speak in complete sentences, articulate an idea, put forth a plan, and diffuse opponents with TRUTH!
Palin’s ass is bobbing up and down in Lake Lucille trying to find her wedding ring.
whoops…forgot guest list
i big bunch = a big bunch
@ #90 bubbles
Beautifully stated, bubbles. So true. We have accomplished a lot together.
Summer keeps many people busy. They’ll be back.
speaking of fellowships and such…
we are going to have a mudflats happy birthday/anniversary party on the 29th, right?
that’s when i big bunch of us first found our akm and our sanity at the same time.
do we need a planning committee?
nibbles
libations
decorations
party favors?
bubbles Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 2:07 PM
lee323… i miss austintx too
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Remember this, though, we come and we go…but we always come back to the MUDFLATS!
Each of us have lives that require different things of us, but as (and when) we can, we know this is a place of comfort, inclusion, peace and clarity.
I thank God for it, and I know all of you do as well.
@ # 80 G Katz
Good link. Great editorial which debunked Palin’s wild claims of “death panels” and gave the real story on that part of the health legislation. I hope more newspapers around the country will be doing the same.
If Palin thinks she’s going to have it easy in Iowa, she probably better start paying more attention to what the Iowan editorials are saying about her rhetoric. LOL.
Teutonic–PS
———————————————————————
Isn’t it strange that we offer a tax credit of 10K for anyone who adopts, even from a foreign country, but little or nothing for those attempting to make their own baby?
I made four, and never got a break!
lee323… i miss austintx too. doesn’t seem right him not being here. also missing others who made mudflats such a welcoming, friendly place and a very efficient one too. together we got so much done in such a short time. we sent help to rural alaska in the deep of winter. we sent help to eagle after their devastating ice break-up. we wrote e-mails and sent money to help senator begich get elected. we helped elect barack obama president. we cared for and about each other through births and deaths and the challenges that ordinary living brings. it would be a shame if our fellowship were to break apart now…b
82
teutonic13 Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 1:31 PM
_________________________________________________________________________________
I never actually lived in the ‘burgh. I was born and raised in Uniontown, about 5 miles from where Any Warhol ACTUALLY grew up (in spite of the fact that his museum is in Pittsburgh).
I did many workshops for CMU while attending Gettysburg Collegeand performing (summers) at the CLO. 1968-1971.
I lived in Shadyside and McKeesport when performing.
Would have loved to raise a glass with you!
welcome home, mimi!
teutonoc 13 – You and your wife have a great attitude, I know it isn’t easy 🙂
zyggy – Yay for mimi, that is gonna be one spoiled little bird.
BuffaloGal –
We have a BIG Ukrainian population here in Roch and, when I was thinking about moving here 12 years ago, I knew I would feel right at home when I saw the onion domes of St Josephat’s church right next to the Ukrainian Credit Union!
My Ukrainian grandmother taught my Irish mother how to make pyrohy, and my sisters and I had specific steps that we were in charge of. Unfortunately, I never learned the steps that came before my filling-and- pinching job so I’m stuck buying the premade kind. I did, however, learn how to make darn good holuptsi (stuffed cabbage), so I don’t feel so guilty about my store-bought pyrohy!
I was also quite excited to see that Wegman’s carries fresh kielbasi on a fairly regular basis. Yummmm…it’s dinner time and I’m makin’ myself hungry!
My widdle bird Mimi is home, and doesn’t want to be on her cage, so right now, she’s on my lap. For the next month she’ll be taking 5 different meds. 4 of them are oral, so I know I have a fight ahead of me convincing her to swallow. =)
@76 mommom “The right is better at being united for or against a cause than the left is because thats who they are. They are closeminded,intolerant people,”
I agree with your general analysis but…..sometimes being united for a cause has nothing to do with being closeminded and intolerant. Like the Nov. 4th, ’08 election. Yes we did.
I’m heartened that you think our attempts at reform will ultimately be successful but history and, increasingly many experts, are not so sanguine.
@ UK Lady-
Thanks 🙂 We are trying to adapt – and still haven’t ruled out invitro- but it is about $15000 for one shot- with no guarantees (you don’t put a price on life- but I don’t have that money saved up yet).
Something good will come- probably after we adapt- we will get pregnant and that would be just terrific. A whole swarm of little “lil” teutlets to lay waste to the blogging community 🙂
@ # 79 Cassie Jeep Pike Palin
Hey Cass JPP-
When were you last in the ‘Burgh”? I lived right across from CMU and worked at a bar on the corner of Oakland and Forbes for about 7 months or so- back in the day.
mommon @ 76 – that was a brilliant description of the disparity between the left and right.
(((((((((((teutonic 13& Mrs. teutonic)))))))))))))))))) that is so heartbreaking, I wish you all the luck in the world.
@honesty#57
If it’s any consolation, the major paper in Iowa came out with an editorial against Grassley yesterday:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090814/OPINION03/908140333/1001/NEWS/Stop-distortion–There-s-no–death-panel-
I think he’s such a hippocrite. If I understand it, the legislation he previously endorsed pays for you to make end-of-life decisions if the doctor thinks you’re within 6 months of dying. What a lovely thing to face on top of having just gotten that death sentence–NOT! But in his recent town hall meeting he said you should be thinking about those things 20 year before you die. What a great idea for those who got the word that they’ve reached that 20-year mark!
It’s enough to drive you crazy that people can’t see through this. Personally, I think it was all orchestrated with the players before Palin’s ghostwriter wrote the “death panel” treatise. And, apparently, Palin, Gingrich, and Grassley represent the GOP now.
Ahhh, AKM…the Steeler thing? Even more than fries on a salad, the Steeler support extends to roughly half of PA ( the western half ) and is as obligatory as breathing.
Farther east in PA, it morphs to Eaglemania. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles actually bisect COMPLETELY the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I hope you bask, deservedly, among your own and gain revitalization from knowing that you girls are most clearly not alone!
Pittsburgh is a beautiful city. But I can remember, as a little girl, going there and you could taste the sulfur in your mouth…generated from the steel mills and slag heaps… and the skies were orange/yellow from it.
Later, as a young adult performing at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, I was amazed at the efforts to “clear the air”. Later than that, the closing of Jones and Laughlin Steel, while leaving so very many unemployed, resulted in a truly lovely and livable city. The cost of the cleanup was, of course, measured in terms of families left without their livelihoods.
Lesson learned: putting all one’s eggs in one basket ( coal fired steel ) requires some real regrouping when the industry folds to cheaper imports. Think Billy Joel’s “Allentown”…same story, same state.
My wife and I have been trying to have a baby for the last 5 years. 3 miscarriages, and now we have decided to try a fertility specialist and maybe do invitro- or try some way to have a child.
We had a conversation with a specialist for 1 hour, I had one blood test done and then just this week we got the bills for that. The fist was for $8000 which really opened my eyes, and when my wife was finally able to contact the dotor’s office- we found out the bills were for lab tests for a baby we had delivered in January (so it was a mistake).
Now what wasn’t a mistake was the bill I got for a simple blood test to see if there was some sort of issue with me (my wife had already been confirmed with having a chromosomal translocation- thus miscarriages and a 30% chance of birth defect are explained) the issue being negative, but that one blood test is costing me $400.
That is what is wrong with our health care system.
One more thing—– I miss AKM !!!!!!!!!!!
Evryone is doing a great job of posting ,the website is still going strong without a hitch,but its like moms away and dad is cooking dinner.Just not the same!!
The right is better at being united for or against a cause than the left is because thats who they are.They are closeminded,intolerant people,who will not allow anyone who has a different view to remain a member of their clicque.
On the left,we are inclusive and believe that everyone can belong,we have more in common than not,but we don’t threaten to beat up,kill or ostracise a member of our group for not marching lock-step.
We tend to spend time talking and discussing viewpoints,while the right spends time orating and telling their members what to think.They make a statement as though it were a fact,fully expecting the members of their “clicque” to agree with them,and they do.
We todss out a viewpoint fully expecting feedback and discussion from our members.Then thats what we get. In the process,we learn more about each other,and our needs,and come to better solutions.
The right,by their very nature,cannot possibly understand this process. They are a group nurtured by authoritarian parents who said “its my way or the highway” and strived not to spare the rod,preachers,ministers,and other evangelical leaders who told them what God said for them to do and what to think,political leaders who were smart enough to grasp that the flock wanted to be told what to do and what to think.
Would we be better off if we “caught”some of the rights follow the leader,s**t flows down hill indoctrination? I don’t think so.
It may take us months of wrangling,discussions,versions and revisions,but we(yes “we”) the whole liberal,left,Democratic two thirds of our country,will do this thing.And it will be done so much better than the party of “no”,the party who quotes a constitution they neither read nor understand,the party who thinks chain emails are intellectual reading material,could ever accomplish.
After we do this thing,the GOP will crumble under their own heavy,foul ponderous weight.
Ripley #51 – thanks for pointing out your story and pics about NYCMudstock. I pretended I met you all there and it cheered me up.
Pierogies – my neighbor is of Polish heritage and shares them with us several times a year. He uses variety of foods, potatoes, onion, cheese, bacon, sauerkraut, sausage and experiments with leftovers. Leftover potroast ones were quite tasty too.
Another neighbor is from Italy and gives us authentic homemade Italian food. I wish he would make lasagne again soon…hee-hee (o:
lee 323 @ 70
I have been asking where austintx has got to, I checked and he hasn’t been active since 10th August according to the forum. Does anyone know if he is on holiday or something? Also where is JHop and Caligrrl?
#57 honestyinGov Says:
August 15th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I need some advice from anyone who may something about newspapers.
Why start and stop at the NYT. Send a copy of your letter to ALL the newspapers (MSM) that are reporting. They all have a responsibilty to the American citizens to report and debate a story with facts and a thorough investigation. Their reporting has gotten lazy and and non-factual and it shows.
Honesty~~ I’m also emailing the senators (every one of them) to tell them that should not be catering to the 21%-ers (Palin/Bush fans) / lowest common denominator. We voted for change. The fear factor that the right always uses will never stop. They aren’t going to be happy no matter what the Dems change or do.
If this was a legit criticism, then fine. But it wasn’t.
Find somewhere else to compromise.
____
voted for AKM for national blogger because it is my humble opinion that she saved this nation from sure disaster. No small feat.
Hugs to all!
Sorry if this has already been posted- here is the video of the Netroots conference for today.
@ Ripley in CT #51
—————————
Great report and photos on the NYC Mudstock! Looks like you all had a grand time.
Austin the Shrimp reminded me…..Where’s Austintx? I haven’t seen him post in a while. I miss his comments and links.
Chris Kelly from the Bill Maher Show weighs in on ‘The Crazy Lady’s’ Win.
On Huffpo. Good snark… in Bill Maher style.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/sarah-palin-wins_b_259395.html
Nice photos, AKM. Very glad that you are enjoying yourself.
@honestyinGov:
Just go to the NYTimes “Contact Us” link and you’ll find links to all the information you need, including the news department, op/ed editor, etc. To email any reporter, just click on their name for the email link.
Send your information to everyone at the New York Times you think might be interested.
Vote for AKM and The Mudflats as most influential in the Political category for informing the nation about Sarah Palin and contributing to the defeat of the McCain/Palin ticket.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/help-us-pick-the-huffpost_b_259194.html
Keep voting and get everyone you know to do the same. If we could get AKM to Netroots, we can get her recognized as one of the 10 in the political category at HuffPost.
And the plane didn’t crash!
Hey – will anyone be using Twitter from today’s “early Mudflats gathering ” ? Or even better, dragging a laptop over there to connect us to the fun ?
Waving madly to all of you Mudpups. hi prisoner no 6 and bubbles. I had the adventure of a lifetime… I just want to thank AKM for making this possible. You are never too old to go out and do mad things!!
Saving up for next year. 🙂
honestyinGov @ 57 – Here’s a contact page for Dowd:
http://www.nytimes.com/gst/emailus.html
I’ve also been writing to the news sites the past two weeks. Sometimes I use the general address like CBS, cbsmailbag at aol dot com . Other times I find reporters that seem to “get ” the Palin farce and send suggestions and/or links to blog postings that I think might help to get a more clear picture of things across to them. Their coverage of this “death panels” thing has been appalling. Every time I see a headline suggesting ” Palin Won” I nearly implode. KO’s coverage ( and Rachel’s ) helps to bring me down from the brink. We need more “bold” and intelligent news people and a network willing to take the chance to put them out there. I fantasize about a new network evolving that isn’t ruled by the meglo corps who are lorded over by who the hayl knows.
Also fantasizing that somebody with money will put up a “whistle blower” fund. $100,000 for anybody that can come forward with proof of any of the Palin “gates”.
( This is the form my fantasy life has taken! I do so loathe me some Sarah )
Ripley – Thanks for the pics and post! What fun I missed! You did a great job of putting it together and bringing us back to that really sweet get-together .
@58 CRFlats “Blogs are a great tool, but frankly, we need to push on ALL fronts.”
—————————–
I agree. That has been my point lately. The GOP are great at closing ranks and attacking as an unified force. The Democrats? Not so much.
The Left’s constant intellectual criticism of Obama’s every move should be shelved TEMPORARILY in the interests of getting health care reform passed. Splintering his support only puts power back in the GOP’s hands, regardless of their crazy, hypocritical logic. We all know that their main goal anyway is to bring the Obama presidency down. It hardly matters what issues are being debated. They will demonize him…..
@honesty#57
Good rant. Very frustrating to have the debate hijacked by an ignorant liar such as Palin….and the shadowy Machiavellis behind her.
Unfortunately, the people who believe her rants are most likely not going to listen to anyone but her and sympathetic media. The NYT may be helpful, however, for more reasonable people who haven’t been paying attention and are concerned about why the debate has shifted from policy discussions to fear and death.
The pattern that has emerged regarding Palin is that she usually has her few days of high media drama but the pushback inevitably kicks in and brings her down. I’m just tired of her drama and lies. Wish that something conclusive on the Alaskan front would sink her to the ignominious place she belongs. It will probably happen but she can do considerable damage until then.
honestyinGov
Try this, scroll down for op-editors etc., I would think a name plus @nytimes.com might work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_New_York_Times_employees
And the hypocricy continues:
http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/08/13/oh-those-death-panels/
The GOP was for end of life counseling, and Grassley voted for it, before they were against it. Sigh…the system is about power, not about us. We need to reclaim the system as our own. Blogs are a great tool, but frankly, we need to push on ALL fronts. Time to go to Washington in mass. The GOP are crazy and the Dems are caving.
I need some advice from anyone who may something about newspapers.
I am going to supply a link to the NYT that has a lot of names and would like opinion on who to email.. or call ( Phone numbers were also posted)
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/infoservdirectory.html
I don’t have a contact email for Maureen Dowd but she has done some pretty scathing pieces about ‘ The Crazy Lady ‘. ( Might be an option)
The reason I want to email is that yesterday I got so &%#@(*&@ MAD that this whole Healthcare issue/debate got sidetracked and ginned up over two words…” death panels “.GOP nuts ran with it rather than do something constructive. It made good TV for the MSM. Debate about TOTAL B.S!!
Are these TV people as CRAZY as her. They will give credibility to just pure unadulterated bull $**^ and pretend it doesn’t ‘stink’.
President Obama would be a laughing stock if he told us Santa Claus was going to deliver us healthcare next year. They would say he is NUTZ. Her ‘death panels ‘ are as imaginary as Santa Claus…. Stop trying to talk about nonsense and make it credible. Only Keith O. called her out last week.
I just think that a paper like the NYT needs to step up to the plate and speak up and speak FOR All Americans and that includes their employees as well. They have a responsibility to be leaders here as well and not sit on the sidelines. They ( have a BIG voice ) have all the facts and are silent. Write and tell America (with the hard facts ) that there is no such thing as a ‘ death panel ‘ and put it to bed once and for all. NO NEED FOR DISCUSSION! As to The Crazy Lady and her ‘death panels’ stand up proudly and say loudly… ” The Emperor has no clothes”. It’s been a Hoax.
The research is already done. Just write it. AKM’s as well as the Firedoglake posting about HER own Medicaid Scandal shows she knows nothing on the subject and her record is proof. Why take her advice. The fact that she was all for Alaska’s own April 16th Health Appreciation Day last year should debunk all the lies and show the hypocrisy. She is FOR… what she says she is against.
Grassley was exposed for the same thing in the Huffpo story.
Remove any credibility that was there and make her go away. Take it away.
Just credit the sources mentioned above and write the story.
The NYT against $arah’s ‘ Facebook page ‘… who can scream louder..??
Enough of my rant. I’m feeling better.
WHO should I email at the NYT…? I need a name.
And would they listen more if about a dozen or more of us emailed the same source/email contact asking them to step up.
At least I will know that I tried something. I can’t let ‘ The Crazy Lady ‘ have the last word.
Who to contact…..?
ripley beautifully done. for a moment i was there again sipping on that sangria[ i liked the blueberries and peaches] yum. also check your mail..love bubs
@49 Whisky Otter Says:
Oh yum…you should have tried the Weenie Man’s pierogies!
——————————
I’ve been wondering how the street vendor pierogies are served. (i’ve been craving them all day since I saw Weenie Guy’s sign, this morning) Do they fry them and keep them in a warming tray ? Just steamed ? And what “flavors” are most popular ? Buffalo has a huge Polish / Ukrainian population so I grew up with my Ukrainian / Russian aunt making fabulous sauerkraut and mushroom pierogies (my favorite) but also potato w/ onion and bacon and, of course, cheese. I would love being able to buy them from a vendor!
Also, question for our Canadian Mudpups – Is anyone a fan of the show, “Cold Squad” ? If so, do you know if it’s available on dvd in Canada? I can’t seem to find it online ( i think i found only one season) and I’m absolutely loving this series. (also have become a huge fan of the Canadian show, “Regenerist”. )
By the by – This Buffalonian is NOT happy with 90 degrees and a bajillion percent humidity ! Three more days of it – ack !
Tsk. Tsk. Progressives at Netroots acting like right-wingnut “townhallers.” Disappointing.
The Left’s intellectual criticisms and heckling of the president are synergistic with the Right’s (Palin) lies and distortions. Wonder why the president’s health care initiatives are struggling……
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/15/valarie-jarrett-heckled-a_n_260329.html
“out of the frying pan and into the fountain.” beautiful akm. thank you prisoner number 6 for your kind words. what started as a plan to meet irishgirl for a sandwich in central park and maybe a few hours at the metropolitan museum of art, morphed into a lovely day with friends and family on the hudson river. i wish i could be there with you in pittsburgh but i will raise a bottle of corona with lime in your honor…love to all the pups everywhere….b
trisha – you’re welcome.
Hey all NYC Mudpups, click on my name for a link to my blog. I posted the write up there, for starters, until AKM gets back and posts it properly for the masses. ( You may have not know this as I reported it in the forum. )
And Prisoner#6, (@46) don’t forget about UK Lady’s brother, too!
yes, “say no”…
we need to locate the palin person.
i find it scary to not have her on my radar and out of toothbrush range.
Oh yum…you should have tried the Weenie Man’s pierogies! I’m a Pittsburgh native and pierogies are quite possibly my favorite food! Glad to you a rewarding time at the convention. You deserve it!
#47 curiouser: Thanks
trisha – you can also google: palin apoc disclosure 2008
The doc comes up first. Or PM me in the forum. I have the doc and can email it to you. It is quite snarky and possible contains false info.
AKM – We really appreciated “Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fountain” headline. futurexpat? and I are part of both venues. We can guarantee a level of warmth, kindness, intellect, and genuine friendliness in Pittsburgh similar to that which we received in NYC! Mudflatters are a homogeneous group with unmatched diversity.
Note: For those who might not recall, NYC Mudstock was held at the Frying Pa floating restauant on the Hudson river (Thanks, bubbles) and cast a wider net than our six state attendance for the Pittsburgh Mudstock. (Hi! Irishgirl).
#42 Say NO to Palin in Politics Says:
Trisha, look for the Scarah disclosure form over at Regina’s Palingates blog, I know I’ve seen it there, Diva may also have it
______________________
Thanks. I’ll poke around there.
I think this whole thing has Rove written all over it. Palin’s words were so divisive and disgusting that it forced people to react—and get attention.
Rove….the master manipulator.
wayney, unless I’m off my rocker Doogan is the one who outed AKM, after sending mean reponses w/everyone’s email adresses. Those stories are in the archives too. So credit where credits due but I’m not so sure I’d be looking at him like a hero and definitely he’s not a supporter of pj clad bloggers.
If I have the wrong guy I will come back here and slap myself silly.
BTW, I think we should start making it a point that Scarah has gone missin. Is she like in re-hab? or treatment of some sort? is she being held captive by Dick the Cheney? He was taking a vacation to AK. Who the heck is writing and posting for her on Facebook? Has she had plastic surgury and undercover in order to heal and hide the fact? goodness, (not!) isn’t it about time for another ‘crazy lady’ spew? she’s such a dumb distraction.
kay, now I’m really, truly walking away from the puter, I have to make myself, lol. carry on mudpups, I hope everyone makes it a great day. Send me mental help on the mechanical repairs, much appreciated. Also too, thank goodness for google searches and you tube, lol.
Trisha, look for the Scarah disclosure form over at Regina’s Palingates blog, I know I’ve seen it there, Diva may also have it.
I’m WAY behind on threads, I’ve been dealing with cars that won’t start thands to big friggin Pack Rats eating wires, hopefully I’ll wrap it up today.
AKM, be a sponge and enjoy the refreshing blue water. We’ll be here to help ya ‘git er done’ when you come back. We’re going to the next level Mudpups! Wha Hoo hang on for the ride.
Shannyn, congratulations!!! YOU da girl! We’re so proud of you. Enjoy the honor. We’re here for you too girlfriend.
Later all, off to town for wire and auto parts.
Huffington Post is looking for the top 100 people using the new media to change the world. Please nominate our gal!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/help-us-pick-the-huffpost_b_259194.html
We are all set to have a GREAT time tonight and tomorrow in Pittsburgh! We are looking forward to seeing all of you here!
The Weenie King is cool! One of our favorite things to do here is to go down to The Strip on Saturday mornings. It’s full of great ethnic grocers representing countries all over the world.
Congrats to Shannyn.
See you all soon!
Interesting point in HuffPo on XGINO and Death Panels
..snip..
All of this because of what was written by a woman who doesn’t hold office or any spot of power and doesn’t care about dividing America, because in the world from where she hails Sarah Palin already sees America divided. It’s also in her interest to keep it that way.
For that matter, the only hope Republicans have is division and defeating anything Obama that now is symbolized, at least for them, by “death panels,” which has less to do with health care and actual “death panels” than it does the intrusion of government in our lives, that old standard of the right rising from the ashes.
All this started by a woman who can’t be president. Of course, she doesn’t know she can’t be president. But for now it doesn’t really matter. She’s the star of her own “death panel” realty show. And it’s a huge hit.
… snip
read more @
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/the-divider_b_260319.html
It’s so funny that Brian posed with the hot dog guy… I have a terrific idea about a hotdog cart of my own… you know, when I retire. The names of the dogs all reflect some aspect of this experience here. I’ll share it with you sometime, AKM.
And “into the Frying Pan” indeed!! 😉
Thanks for the wash post link !
The Doogan reaction was interesting.. MAINLY because it was one of the earliest Palin Postings on this site.. go to archive Aug 2008
Ol’ Mudflats laid it all out.. I wish I had started reading this blog back then.. all the ones from Aug and into Sept.. so incredibly accurate
No wonder Palin went rogue on Pajama Panted bloggers.. You guys were just “bloggers” back then.. Now you are a source for real news before it hits mainstream.. I used to be a CNN website addict.. now I go here first..and sadly to Pee land (they like to rave how high their hits are.. lawdy if they only know people like me go there many times a week just to get the first tidbit of Palin news.. When I hear something positive about the ole girl over there.. I zip to Mudflats and I.Minority to get the real scoop
Wow, everyone read this one yet? Political internment camps, in Alaska! Just like those FEMA trailers, you betcha.
I found it via Brad DeLong’s Egregious Moderation, but it’s a WaPo piece by Rick Perlstein –
http://delong.typepad.com/egregious_moderation/
In America, Crazy is a Pre-Existing Condition
“The instigation is always the familiar litany: expansion of the commonweal to empower new communities, accommodation to internationalism, the heightened influence of cosmopolitans and the persecution complex of conservatives who can’t stand losing an argument. My personal favorite? The federal government expanded mental health services in the Kennedy era, and one bill provided for a new facility in Alaska. One of the most widely listened-to right-wing radio programs in the country, hosted by a former FBI agent, had millions of Americans believing it was being built to intern political dissidents, just like in the Soviet Union.”
Good grief! I’m not feeling too great today (maybe the flu) but you’d think that wouldn’t interfere with my typing/spelling abilities! I meant Shannyn, not Shynnon! – going back to bed now…
Hey AKM-welcome to the elitist, radical left east coast (by way of Pittsburgh)!
Glad to hear you and Shynnon are enjoying yourselves-btw- congrats to Shynnon!
Wanted to give a shout out to all the mudpuppies i met at the NYMudstock and wish you all a great time at the PittsburghMudstock! Have a drink for me please.
Also, AKM, you mentioned MSNBC this week, will you be on KO or RM? For those of us who don’t have a chance to meet you in person, that would be the next best thing!
Actually, Wayney, I thought Greg Erickson’s Washington Post Q&A was more insightful at the time –
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/08/29/DI2008082902052.html
Greg’s an actual economist and journalist who does his homework and research, whereas Doogan is…hmmmm…a gassy balloon image forms in my mind…
Wayney #27 –
Wow! Too bad McCain’s crack vetting team (insert sarcasm here) didn’t talk to Doogan before they made their choice. He obviously was able to see past the winkin’ and blinkin’ and funny little accent to the disaster that was underneath.
I do have to disagree with his Quayle comment, though. Quayle, while not a Rhodes scholar by any means, did have a more respectable academic and political career that Buttercup. More Importantly, Quayle was not VP under a 72 year old with a four-time history of cancer, and that makes the prospect of a Palin Vice Presidency that much more terrifying.
twain12 Says:
Me write pretty some day
That was great. Does anyone remember a form that was filled out by Sarah that was posted (or linked) here (I think)? I think it may have been some type of financial discloser. It showed Palin’s childish handwriting, bad spelling and lots of snark???? Sound familiar to anyone?
I would like to find that again and start posting it everywhere to show the amazing transformation of Palin’s English language skills.
Anyone have an ideas as to what I’m talking about and where it might be found?
Darn, guess I must post the entire link:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/07/20/travel/escapes/20incline.html
Hi AKM,
Welcome to life in a blue state!
You and Shannyn simply must take time to ride an incline up Mount Washington. There is one across the street from Station Square.
See link for image: travel.nytimes.com/…/escapes/20incline.html
Sampler #20, yes I am interested. I’m in Madison, WI and would love to go to a Midwestern Mudstock event! Michigan wouldn’t be my first choice for a location though …there’s this big a** lake in the way and an even bigger a** city (Chicago) 😀 Central Illinois is pretty easy to get to and would entice mudflatters from west of the Mississippi to join in.
I went to the Archives, August 2008 to get a gist of what this blog was like when S.P. first rounded the corner
I didn’t start reading until sometime late Sept.
This reaction by Mike Doogan was quite prophetic.
Below is a link to the full story.. the comments are also a little prophetic
Here’s a great reaction to the Palin nomination from Alaska State Representative Mike Doogan:
…But debating foreign policy with Joe Biden? What’s she going to do? Hit him with her briefing book? If Palin has two thoughts about foreign policy, she’s managed to keep them to herself. Ditto health care. National energy policy. Fiscal policy. You could make a long, long list, but I’ll stop there. She’s going to need a lot of handlers feeding her a lot of talking points, and she’s going to have to hope that the discussion only goes about yay-deep.
She’s also going to have to hope that the national media is as pliable as Alaska’s has been. Palin doesn’t like people criticizing her, and she’s as competitive as any linebacker you ever met. If the campaign gets a little rough and tumble, that could be a bad combination.
So she could be great as a candidate. Or so so. Or blow up on the pad. But if the McCain-Palin ticket should win? Yikers. There’s no way on God’s green earth that she’s prepared to be president of the United States. The only consolation for me is remembering that J. Danforth Quayle once held the job she’s trying to get, and the world didn’t end.
But Sarah Palin?
Really?
Read it all HERE
An interesting reaction at that link.. I sure this guy is one happy camper these days..
Posted by: BobbyG | September 01, 2008 at 11:34 AM
The mainstream media seems to be giving her a pass.
I hope that America sees through this ploy.
Me write pretty some day ;):
http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2009/08/14/me-write-pretty-some-day/
So good to hear AKM & Shannyn are enjoying Netroots! Hurray for Pittsburgh! Don’t forget to pick up your souvenir Steeler jersey! It’s required for all Pitt visitors. I still have my Franco Harris (signed) jersey and three seats from 3Rivers Stadium sitting in my family room. Don’t forget to indulge in some of the yummy middle-eastern cuisine around the university too! BUT don’t drink the Rolling Rock or Steel City beers. . .unless you want to be really really sick
Huffington Post is looking for the top 100 people using the new media to change the world. Please nominate our our gal!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/help-us-pick-the-huffpost_b_259194.html
I just read a detailed post at FireDogLake about Shannyn’s award at Netroots. Check it out!!
http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/7218
Well, we are all ready for the pre-AKMudstock event tonight at Bar Louie at Station Square on the South side tonight starting at 7PM. Anyone from NN09 that doesn’t want to go to their ticketed party at the Altar Bar on Penn Ave, can come over to ours on the South Side. And Pittsburgh AKMudstock 2009 is all set for tomorrow at Rolands at 1904 Penn Ave. at 1PM! And from the photos to think Brian the Moose has been on the loose in the Strip District since Wednesday! Meeting the Weenie King yet!
Yes. The City runs on the Pittsburgh Steelers from training camp onward now for the next six months! I did not warn the Mudpuppies coming in from eight states and D.C. but there is a rumor that sometimes we randomly stop people on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when they cross the Ohio line and make them watch this below video over and over for several hours until we release them to pass through after being indoctrinated!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUb3JRyT-H0
This family’s photo worked on BOTH Franco Harris’s infamous “Immaculate Reception” in the 70’s and it worked in the Super Bowl last year TOO when it came down to Santonio Holmes’s spectacular Super Bowl winning catch! You just don’t mess with the Cosmic Powers of the Universe!
Yes. As Lila wrote, here we do not ask you who is currently the President of the United States to ascertain if you have your mental faculties. Here we ask you what was Franco Harris’s jersey number. If you say thirty-two you are good to go!
Blessings to everyone in Pittsburgh for AKMudstock! Blessings to ALL Mudpuppies everywhere worldwide!
AKM, it all sounds very relaxing and informative. It is good to know that you and Shannyn (congrats) and Brian are enjoying yourselves. I can’t wait to see the pics of the mudstock in Pittsburgh. Irish Brian is getting over his jetlag and will post a few pics of his adventures soon…..he didn’t end up as a hot dog, but he did have loads of fun. 🙂
So glad that all is a pleasure. Cant wait to hear the summation of your collective thoughts on what you all learned. And how it could help us be better at what happens here. You all are the best and dont forget that.
Morning Everyone!
Detroit and Football. Even though we have a brand spankin’ new beautiful, state of the art arena, we can’t seem to win. I think we were the losing-est team in all of NFL history last year.
That doesn’t stop Detroiters, though. If there is one thing you can count on as sure as a turkey on T’giving, it’s that the said arena will be sold out, packed to the gills, on T’giving morning for the Detroit game. We also have a parade that is nationally televised, so at least T’giving is a good day around here.
Hockey? Well… our Red Wings have a cult like following. Last year, the PITT PENGUINS beat us (but they were mean bullies and weren’t called on it). This year, we come back with a vengeance.
I ended up having to decline in Pitt. Too many “issues” in going out there. Instead will spend this beautiful day on the boat on Lake St. Clair. I will certainly miss seeing everyone, though, and hope to attend a Mudstock soon.
We should have one in MI… it would be accessible to WI, OH, IN, PA and IL.
Anyone interested?
this morning at NN09 (netroots) we will be hearing from valerie jarrett. i am very curious to hear thoughts straight from the white house….from her perspective especially.
yesterday i spent a lovely afternoon chit chatting with the terrific twosome.
i was a bit worried i would not find akm and sm but what to my surprise they were sitting right behind me at gov dean’s talk — seriously. that made it fairly easy (smile).
will be meeting up with lani from ca this morning. then tonight – more mudflatters. it will be a great day!
Morning all !
The first thing I noticed was that Weenie Guy also sells pierogis! I sooo want a street pierogi vendor here in Buffalo! ( Betcha didn’t know we were the Pierogi Capital of the US in 2006)
AKM and Shannyn will never be the same after Netroots. I just love that they’re enjoying it so much. Can’t believe Mudstock is tomorrow, already. Seems like it was about 3 weeks ago that it was first being planned. This summer has flown by!
Buffalo is also a crazed football city. I’m one of the few people that follows none of it. I’m somewhat of an outcast from Sept thru Jan. Besides our pierogi claim to fame Buffalo was also ranked the #1 tailgating NFL team city by Sports Illustrated. (absolutely rabid tailgaters in Buffalo. it’s like a cult ) We also have hockey madness with the Sabres. Between football and hockey here’s no escaping the jerseys and team hats. And last year began the novelty of this little number:
http://www.besteverbuffalo.com/
PBS has a really cool documentary about Pittsburgh. Seems like a really interesting city with a very distinct personality. I’m looking forward to more pics when AKM gets back!
I wonder if Brian ever thought he could be so close to becoming a moose dog. Keep it coming AKM!
I hope you are right. McCain deserves a karma is a b!tch slap. Kyl is an idiot also, too.
Just to let everybody know…..The desert is turning purple, President Obama set us back some by taking our Governor to Washington (but we forgive him) and the Cardinals came within seconds of winning the Superbowl!!! Go Cards!! Oh….and McCain is gonna get whooped on in the next election! He and Kyl are called the “twin embarrassments in Arizona now!!
I lived in Boston for 4 years – went to medical school there and lived near Fenway Park. The Red Sox fervor in Boston doesn’t come close to the how Pittsburgh is about the Steelers. Although there are rabid fans in both cities, there are many people in and around Boston who couldn’t care less about the Red Sox. Here in Pittsburgh, I can count the number of people I know who don’t care about the Steelers on my fingers.
Case in point — I’m a doctor. I learned the mental status exam (assessing a person’s awareness of their surroundings, memory, etc) in Boston and never felt a need to know anything about sports in order to do this accurately. I learned within a few weeks of arriving in Pittsburgh that someone might not know the date, where they are or much of anything about their own past life, but they wil be able to give you details of the latest game and historical details about every Steeler’s game for decades. I had to start paying attention to the Steeler’s in order to assess my patients accurately.
AKM – so glad you get that “living in a blue sea” feeling for a short time. At least when you go back to Alaska you’ll know the world isn’t all desert (now there’s a peculiar metaphor for Alaska. Oh well, it’s early, and you are hopefully still asleep.)
@lila: Boston’s just as bad as Pitt, I expect – only in Boston it’s the Red Sox, rather than the Patriots, that take up all the oxygen. See Fever Pitch with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore sometime, set in Boston in 2004. They actually had to rewrite some of the ending because the Red Sox won the series. That wasn’t in the script. (I am one of those fairly fanatical Bosox fans, though I live in Vermont. That’s why we call it the Nation).
Love all the updates, AKM. Sounds like you are having a great time and learning tons and making great contacts as well.
The pic with Brian and the weenie guy is fantastic.
Hope y’all have a great meet up on Saturday.
I can’t get this video in my country (maybe a good thing) but it’s clearly Levi on Skype and they say he is saying he would accept the right offer to pose “in the nake” (since the n*de word is banned here).
Levi Johnston says he’d pose nood for the right amount of money; I empty my bank account
http://blog.unzipped.net/2009/08/levi-johnston-says-hed-pose-nude-for-the-right-amount-of-money-i-empty-my-bank-account.html
Today I watched a 1938 movie set in Alaska titled ‘Call of the Yukon’. Caligrl would love it (the wolves win). There’s a raven named Winky and a last line guaranteed to make you laugh.
The video can be downloaded free at http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XKRYZ1WO
A “sauce concierge”, AKM? Is that better than a saucy concierge?
Thank you so much for including us in your daily diary. It is very encouraging and spirit lifting hearing about all the stimulating topics and panels.
At the risk of getting lynched here in Pittsburgh, I have to say that my favorite time here is the few months of the year betwen the Super Bowl and the beginning of Steeler’s training camp in the summer. That is the only time of year that you can have a conversation with a random conversation here that is not about the Steelers. Yes, training camp has begun and we are back in the seeminly never-ending Steeler’s season now…. I have lived in many other cities with pro-ball teams, including Seattle, and never seen anything like the fanaticism and single-mindedness of Pittsburgh Steeler-mania.
I hope to see some of you at the AKMudstock on Sunday at Rolands.
And if you get to town early or live here, we are having a Mini-Mudstock at Bar Louis at 7 PM Sunday in the VIP room! See HamletMills postings for the details – in the forum or on recent threads.
Lila
AKM ~ thank you so much for making us feel like we are there with you. I can almost smell the asphalt.
You deserve to be #1, honestyinGov… i acquiesce with great pleasure.
Sounds like you’re having a blast. Isn’t is nice to be in a blue place? (That’s why I can’t live anywhere in this state other than where I do!)
I’m so glad you are basking in the fountain of progressive thinking and feeling a bit free from the “red shirt” mentality. Love the weenie guy with Brian. I’m pretty sure Brian survived. 😉
The Steeler’s fan thing is pretty much typical of any city that has a pro team. I am formerly from Denver and the Bronco fans are everywhere and fanatic. I’m now in Seattle and the same thing here but I must say the Denver fans are WAY more fanatic than the Seattle fans.
Back to OT….love your posts and get some rest! You must be sooooo tired. I hope you and Shannyn are having a blast! Thanks for keeping us updated.
Tina in Tennessee… is #1… and of course AKM and Brian.
No WAY!!! ….#1,,, REALLY???
I hope Brian isn’t allergic to mustard!