Is everyone cold enough yet? This is a brutal winter. Keep the conversation warm.
156 Thoughts to “Open Thread…………………………………Thursday, December 16”
Comments are closed.
Open Thread…………………………………Thursday, December 16
Is everyone cold enough yet? This is a brutal winter. Keep the conversation warm.
Comments are closed.
So are you counting Moonhowler in your attack against people who are anonymous on here. I fully support her desire to remain anonymous. There’s a lot of nutcases out there on the internet capable of who knows what, and anyone who desires to remain anonymous shouldn’t be criticized for that. Maybe Cato’s right – you are just jealous you didn’t pick a trendy anonymous name. And, it doesn’t make you anyone noble just because you sling nasty remarks and namecalling and use your real name!
I’m betting it’s just those they disagree with. I’m sure otherwise they are just fine with blog pseudonyms for people who support their point of view!
Which is why I asked him if he lumps Moonhowler in with those he is singling out for criticism on the user of pseudonyms. Again, this is not a slight against MH, I fully support her desire for anonymity in running a blog – as that makes you a target of any random internet nut with dangerous intentions. I’m guessing he’s OK with MH, which will support out theory he only dislikes pseudonyms for people he always disagrees with.
@Gainesville Resident
GR, I’ve asked him that too. He dodges the question.
It was just 3 months ago on Hannity’s radio show that Sarah Palin blasted the real media (Faux excepted) for using statements from unnamed sources in their reporting on her. After emasculating journalists with the audacity to criticize her, she said those who snipe while remaining anonymous are, in her words, “impotent, limp, and gutless” and she faulted journalists for, in her words, treating “anonymous sources as fact.” I agree with her to the extent that it is impossible to assess the credibility of an unknown speaker. As for MH, I find it hard to believe that anyone who participates on here regularly doesn’t know exactly who she is. Her co-founder, Elena, has her name and her face on the blog. When either of them writes something I’m sure you assess it through the lens of what you know about them and add or subtract weight from their arguments based on your personal perceptions of them. I have no idea if someone with an androgynous “handle” and a cartoon avatar is a 4th grader, a current or former military or government official with relevant experience that informs his or her views, a PhD economist or a domestic or foreign policy expert, a nursing home resident with episodic dementia, or someone somewhere in between. So, you men/women have the right to use aliases and avatars, and if you feel your virtual personas give you a collective virtual backbone then a collective virtual hoorah to all of you. I’m happy to have my name and my views associated in public and don’t need a “handle.”
The Republicans trounced the Democrats in the recent elections and then trounced them again in the 2010 Lie of the Year competition. The Republican claim that the health care overhaul bill was a government takeover of health care won the PolitiFact’s trophy as the biggest lie of 2010. The runner-up spot went to Republican Michele Bachmann for her lie about the Obama trip to India costing the taxpayers $200M a day. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/ 2010/dec/16/lie-year-government-takeover-health-care/ I suppose the endless repetition of these and other lies on Murdoch-Alwaleed enrichment network explains why their viewers are the most misinformed (misled is probably more accurate) on major issues. Salon’s Dan Gilmoor said the Fox slogan “fair and balanced” equals two lies in three words … I concur.
for all you moonhowlers: Total lunar eclipse visible Monday night!
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-eclipse-20101218,0,7930927.story
Morris, you do a good bit of hiding behind our monikers, too. If you knew our names, ran into us at the grocery store or mall, I imagine you would never use the same language to our faces that you do here. Our pseudos obviously give YOU some cover, too.
same story but with neat picture of moon
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/17/final-lunar-eclipse-of-2010-set-for-early-morning-of-december-21/?hpt=T2
beam me up scotty soon to be reality!
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/17/beam-teleportation-years-biggest-breakthrough/?test=faces
Solstice-eclipse overlap first in 456 years!
http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Solstice+eclipse+first+years/3983582/story.html
Emma – The folks that know me would probably disagree with you. I haven’t said anything on here I wouldn’t say to someone in public. What may get lost in translation between real life and print is that I don’t take myself or most things too serious, and what was meant as poking fun at something comes across to some as just a poke. We should have a non-attribution MH gathering sometime. The Empress who runs the WP Style Invitational hosts an annual gathering where contributors can meet and get acquainted. We could do the same … masks optional.
E, thanks for posting that. I was getting ready to gear up for the lunar/solstice and you have made my job easier.
That was a much better attempt Debs, but still full of fail. Let me explain:
1.) You’re still sticking with the same content, which is your version of shouting “racist.” Granted, you put together a much more erudite sounding and articulate construct, but the left jab is still the left jab. We need to see evidence of a much larger repertoire if you’re to succeed in discrediting opposing views and shutting down debate on a larger scale.
2.) You *must* stop relying on others, like the B team at Salon, to provide your zingers. You need to learn to bring your own snark at 100mph, Glenn Greenwald style. This needs major work.
3.) This is really key – you managed to deliver a backhanded compliment to Sarah Palin while failing to impugn her intelligence, insult her appearance, crack wise about the promiscuity of her eldest daughter, or question the parentage of her youngest son. This is a HUGE NO-NO in the big leagues of the professional left. Consider yourself lucky that we’re on a small stage here, because that kind of error can end a career before it gets going.
Lastly, it seems an apology is in order. I had previously characterized Debs as a “junior varsity member of the professional left.” I’d like to apologize to any and all readers who are current or past members of junior varsity organizations, as I now realize that lumping Debs in with you guys actually diminished your junior varsity achievements.
@Morris Davis No argument there, just pointing out that it works both ways. Anyway, to hell with Fox and MSNBC and which pundits are more “reliable.” I’m getting my “news” here for the holiday season, so I can at least laugh instead of cry:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/barack-obama-either-doing-his-best-in-one-of-the-m,18635/
Now…let’s talk about monikers. elena and I do not mind monikers at all. People may even have more than one if they would like. Different people have different reasons for chosing them.
For women, in particular, putting your name on the internet can be dangerous. Of course, most of us do it on facebook so we are out there. In my case, I had a job that made me ill at ease posting under my real name. In fact, I usually used my pre-marriage name for any political activity. Changing to my real name now would be a detractor to the idea of the moonhowlings blog. Howevaaaaaa…
To my knowledge, there isn’t a regular here who doesn’t know exactly who I am. If they don’t, they are free to email me and ask. I would tell most people. Most people I either know personally or I exchange email with, some on a regular basis.
As for Moe, Elena and I both know Moe. He knows who we are and I don’t personalize that he might think I am a wimp about my name. He probably doesn’t think about me when he says what he says. Or…he might just be jerking everyone’s chain.
To each his own. And, as long as Elena and I are ok with monikers, and permit more than one even, why care what anyone else thinks…here.
Cato – As your condition has lasted more than 4 hours you should seek immediate medical attention … would hate for your loss of vision and hearing to become permanent.
@Cato, thanks. That was amusing. 🙂
I view any snipes here against Fox as pure fear. So, I personally enjoy the posts that are anti-Fox. I feed off that fear because it shows me that we’re probably moving in the right (correct) direction.
So, I say play on with the fear postings!!! Bonus points for using biased left wing research from a school in the Peoples Republik of Maryland to somehow call Fox viewers ‘stupid’.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate!
That is an unusual occurrence.
I’m with McCoy – they’ll have to do a lot of testing of one of those things before I would step into them. Although it is neat they
I use my real name. Keeps me honest. I posted on an earlier thread with an objection to someone using a fake name, but only because the guest poster was lecturing others about standing up and speaking out. Seemed a bit hypocritical.
I do dislike that the News & Messenger prints “online reactions” to news stories or opinion pieces with no name attached. You have to sign letters to the editor. Maybe if people had to sign their real names, it would be more civil.
Back to cleaning. My mother-in-law is coming. I don’t want her to think I only clean when guests or family come. Now that’s hypocrisy!
As to Morris’ comment about names/avatars – I don’t feel it gives me any more “backbone” than if I used my real name on here. I do like my anonymity though. And if someone ignores me because they can’t tell whether I’m some babbling idiot in a mental asylum, that’s fine too! And, I’m afraid to say – maybe the name Morris Davis means something to some people, but it means nothing to me. So therefore I have no idea who he is or what relevant experience/accomplishments he has – and it doesn’t matter to me – I can judge well enough from his posts!
Well, I use my name here as I am very tired of abbreviations, acronymns, and anything that caused American Standard English to be killed in action. Military careers can do that do ya! 🙂
That said, I stopped worrying about being posted on the net when I ended up on a government board and because of the Privacy Act, my name is all over agenda an minutes.
Of course, if somebody was tracking me, good luck. There are 16 relatives by my name spread across the net…LOL!
Debs – that’s not an iPhone I’m just happy to see you. A+
See, that wasn’t so hard….er.. difficult, was it?
@Cindy B
I don’t comment on insidenova because of the nastiness. However, I comment frequently on their FB page, because there you know who’s talking. Comments don’t seem to be near as nasty there. I use my name from time to time. I just like using Lafayette. I’ve signed many posts w/my name at the bottom. I know when I spoke at Citizens Time it was easy for people to figure out who Lafayette was. I had one joker on bvbl trash me, and said “out of politeness I won’t call Lafayette out by her real name. Why bother being polite then? I came along and told him I have no problem with stating I’m Chris Pannell. When I think about that post to this very day, it makes my blood boil.
Your friend,
Chris 🙂
@Cato, actually no one here has done this:
Moe certainly hasn’t done this. The most that has been discussed here was her unsuitability for the presidency. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought you particated in that discussion and that you and I agreed. However, I could be wrong.
Cindy, I dislike the comments on letters to the editor in particular. those have to be signed and all sorts of people can anonymously attack the people who write in their opinions. I dislike it just as much for those I disagree with as those I agree with.
If a person has to use a verified real name, then so should those who answer those opinion letters.
I am cool with the monikers here. I do wish I knew how to get in touch with everyone. Many people use fake emails or outdated ones. I don’t care if they are on multiple accounts. I do like to have one good email on the regulars. In fact, if I don’t, please email me a working on @ [email protected].
Oh, if I am not cool with the monikers I tell the person. One person I fought for…he knows who he is. I don’t allow people to come on and duplicate names. I wouldn’t approve someone under the name of Steve because Steve Thomas was already a user. It just confuses people. Now of Steve Jones wants to come here…well…that’s ok–if Jones is used in the name.
I also do not want people to use anonymous. That also gets confusing. Pick a moniker. Sometimes that happens by accident when using a blackberry though.
——————————————————————————————————–
Moe is entitled to make comments against Faux News, which is what brought out the attacks on him, without being cannon fodder. I don’t think he said anything personally negative to any one individual to start with.
Attacking Faux News on this blog is fair game. It has been fair game since the blog’s inception. I say this without apology. I will continue to single it out as the unreliable source of misinformation that it is. I will also compliment them when I feel they do something right. Again, without apology.
I don’t consider ‘tea bagger’ to be vulgar. However, Cargo did make me laugh. Elena laughed too. I concede to him on that one.
Elena and I love Jon Stewart and dislike Faux News. I try to be fair to people but I never claimed to be balanced. Elena and I will continue to watch Corey Stewart like a hawk because of past deeds. He will be singled out–without apology. Elena and I are both left of center…on most, but not on all things–again, without apology. Just IS. That’s who we are.
Elena and I often disagree on animal rights. We both think animal rights are important, we just show it in very different ways. I, naturally, think I am right and she thinks she is right.
No one every promised anyone here the right to write what they want without censorship. Alanna was far more liberal on that issue than I am.
Feisty exchanges are one thing. Bullying is another. It won’t be allowed. Make sure you are feisty and spirited and not a bully.
And finally, if people are blogging, you can’t do it with thin skin. And let’s face it, some days some of us have thinner skin than other days. My last real thin skin day happened when I expect the person dishing it out has a lot of other things on his/her mind. I didn’t know it at the time. So had that person not been pre-occupied, things might have come out differently. It helps to keep those things in mind. (and I say that as much to myself as to others)
And doubly finally, it is probably a good idea not to insult Elena or me. I can’t speak to her but I sometimes turn into a real bitch.
Oh and have I said how the partisanship on this blog has made me more forgiving towards the Democrats who I used to hold in equal ill-regard with the Republicans? I also have gotten much more charitable about President Obama and Bush.
@Moon-howler
Satire, not accusation.
Ok, just catching up here. As long as there is no blood shed…
The Dream Act failed the Senate by 5 votes. America continues to throw away American educated kids for fear that one kid whose parents lack paper work might get something.
I hate squandering good kids. They are a resource we can’t afford to throw away.
I use my moniker because I can’t use my real name without fear of some members of the hysterical anti immigrant crowd that we saw in 2007/2008 coming after me! If there was no fear of that, I would use my real name. I had no fear of that many years ago and I talked openly on forums about being married to an illegal immigrant and I never feared retribution. That was BG (before Greg) and before the Resolution. After getting a load of the comments at the infamous Citizen’s Time, I will never again out myself and open my family up to the kind of venom I saw on display that night. I have met MoonHowler, but did not know her prior to posting on Anti BVBL. I appreciate, know and trust that she would never “out” me to someone that would take advantage of the knowledge.
Gainesville Resident…I am looking at building a house on a lot in one of the neighborhoods that borders yours…are there problems with lots all around that whole area of Gainesville? What kinds of questions do I need to ask to make sure I don’t get into the situation you are in?!
They Senate did, however, repeal DADT by a vote of 65-31. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/12/senate-votes-repeal-gays-in-military-/1 Here is the language of the bill if anyone is interested. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr2965eah/pdf/BILLS-111hr2965eah.pdf Note that it is not effective immediately and will take some time (months) before it is implemented.
Some very good shots there, Cato. You are at the top of your game. Excellent visuals too. I could almost see that spittle flying.
I’m actually one of those blog “regulars” who, not being from PWC, does NOT know exactly who the Moon is, although she does give some clues in her posts and I have exchanged some e-mails with her. I figure her identity is her identity and no business of mine. Not easy for someone whose career was spent identifying people and then tracking them down, usually so guys like Morris could deal with them AFTER they were sequestered in cages under 24/7 guard. But Morris seems to feel that he has the copyright on the true meaning of “courage.” Like the use or non-use of an alias on a blog. Irritating. And, as you said quite rightly, an old and tired line. My old terrorist tracker police squad would have had one response: “Vous me faites rire!” (For non-French speakers: “You must be kidding!”)
And, of course, if we used our actual names, everyone would instantly be able to tell if we’re ” a 4th grader, a current or former military or government official with relevant experience that informs his or her views, a PhD economist or a domestic or foreign policy expert, a nursing home resident with episodic dementia, or someone somewhere in between” because our names are so recognizable.
Since I DON’T know any of you, actually and my only personal perception of you all is only what I see here, I can only assess the content of what you write.
The funny thing is that Palin railed against anonymous sources. All of OUR sources tend to be linked and clear. Its just our identities that are hidden to the world. Well, mostly…. Moon knows who I am or, at least my name….
@Cargo
And I think that ‘know’ has changed since we were kids. I don’t know about you but I have friends I will probably never meet face to face but who I consider a friend.
Moe knows how the pot gets stirred. Being an avid pot stirrer myself, I appreciate that in a person. In the dictionary under “flippant” it says see: Cato.
Blogs with no pot stirrers are boring.
I dig that it bugs you so much! Gives me a smile. So, I guess “courage” is your middle name, isn’t it? “Some have the courage of their convictions”. You’re soooo courageous, Mo! We’re all really impressed with your courage! Of course, there are lots of people in the looney bin who have the courage of their convictions (it’s how they get there)
sen. Gillibrand says she now has the votes to go back in and get the 9/11 First Responders Bill passed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/nyregion/19health.html?_r=1&hp
Twinad – I don’t think this is a problem in general with the lots around the whole area of Gainesville near my neighborhood. It seems to be localized to my section of the neighborhood. In walks around the neighborhood I haven’t seen unbuilt lots in other sections being flooded.
I guess if you can find people who have observed the lot you are looking at in rainy weather and it hasn’t been flooded that would be good. Of course, with all the rain we’ve had, if it isn’t flooded now you are probably safe. There’s an unbuilt lot at the bottom of my street on the other side that is currently an ice skating rink due to being partially flooded. So, this is a good time to look for flooding on the lots. When I looked it was unfortunately after a long dry spell back in 2008 so everything was high and dry. Good luck in your search, I do really like Gainesville and I’m sure you’ll like it too if you move here!
That is what I think is funny – even if I used my real name and listed my real career how would they know I’m being truthful? It’s not like I’m a famous person or something. They’d have to do some kind of background check on me to verify my credentials. Doesn’t matter, my career as a senior software engineer developing satellite broadcast systems for the military doesn’t really add up to anything that would make whatever I say here more or less important than anyone else!
Some idle early Sunday morning reading:
“We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before
in the history of any land. The poorhouse is vanishing from among us. We have
not yet reached the goal but, given a chance to go forward with the policies of the
last eight years, we shall soon with the help of God be in sight of the day when
poverty will be banished from this nation.”
-Herbert Hoover-
upon accepting the Republican nomination for president in 1928
Getting the 9/11 first responders bills passed was never a real issue. The problems with this bill go back to when it was in the House, and the majority insisted on using it as a political football. Not saying the minority doesn’t do the same thing, just saying that there was never any question that this bill could and ultimately would pass.
Everyone remember Wiener’s famous meltdown over this bill in the house?
I rather agree with his meltdown. Every once in a while things bring people to this kind of rage.
http://thedailyletdown.com/2010/07/30/hello-world/
and
http://thedailyletdown.com/2010/07/30/hello-world/
The first responders bill has not yet passed. People are sick and dying. THAT is the real issue. I fail to see how it was used as a football. Certainly Rep. Weiner wasn’t using it as a football.
It might pass before Christmas.
Well, I won’t argue with you there, I liked his meltdown, too. It showed him for the simple crybaby he is, the most appropriately named person in Congress (unless, of course, NASCAR’s Dick Trickle decides to run for election). The meat of the bill never was and never will be a problem, it’s how the majority has tried to use EVERYTHING as a political football.
You would probably know more about the cry baby thing than I would considering the following jerks are your main men: Rep.’ I grew up doing nasty jobs’ Boner and Sen. ‘I will miss my friend’ McConnell. At least if Weiner is going on a rant he did it over someone other than himself, unlike Boner and McSnivels.
I sure would be taking the high road over names if my speaker were named Boehner and both leaders had blubbered publically over something so silly. And people made fun of poor old Senator Byrd who was a million years old when his friend of 40 years died?
I would have graciously not even mentioned the blubbering until those two self-servers started acting like arrogant pompous asses immediately, speaking of Mr. Trickle. At least they keep you guessing…are they going to cry or act like SOBs—
Oh, I hear the census data will be some really great news for you ultra-libs! Apparently, people are fleeing liberal strongholds like cockroaches fleeing light (the light of truth, that is). Tee-Hee-Hee!
Ahhh, liberal venom on display! I love it!