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Here Comes the Sun
Good morning firedogs, and happy Tuesday!
Aaron Swartz, the 26 year old activist and software designer, committed suicide last Friday. Many feel that Aaron was driven to suicide by vindictive prosecution at the hands of the State of Massachusetts. I happen to agree. Here are 10 awful crimes that get you less prison time than Aaron was facing. Now the Westboro Baptist Church is threatening to picket Aaron’s funeral.
Robert Burns via HuffPo -Military suicides reached record high in 2012.
Pentagon figures obtained Monday by The Associated Press show that the 349 suicides among active-duty troops last year were up from 301 the year before and exceeded the Pentagon’s own internal projection of 325.
Am I the only one that finds it messed up that the Pentagon has internal suicide projections?
This is an opportune time to remind everyone that if you feel like taking your own life, or know someone who may be feeling this way, please reach out and talk to someone. Life’s problems are temporary, but suicide is permanent. You or someone you know who is feeling this way should contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
I strongly, strongly encourage anyone who suspects that a friend or family member may be contemplating suicide to contact these folks. And if you yourself, Dear Reader, are considering ending your life, hear me; I love you, and you’re worth sticking around for. I promise.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
From the Guardian and Tehran Bureau, the story of a gay man who escaped Iran to Norway.
Mahmoud Ahmedinejad says there are no homosexuals in his country. This is the story of an invisible community
George P. Bush (P for ‘puke’?) taps family’s connections to raise $1.3 million in just two months. He’s running for office. I’m sure you’re all as shocked as I am. This is my shocked face.
Today there will be a live press conference from the Mars Curiosity Rover team at 10:00am Pacific time. You can view the presser here.
A flash mob covered ‘Here Comes The Sun’ in a Madrid unemployment office. I’m sure the folks there needed a happy moment.
A little ditty to start the day.
That’s all I’ve got for today folks. See you in the comments!
…oh, and if anyone is lurking COME OUT AND PLAY! We won’t bite!
220 Comments
Good morning, KrisA!
Good morning msmolly. Hope you’re well.
Good morning to all the other firedogs, too.
We also should keep in mind that “idle” suicide comments should be taken seriously, even if the person who makes them laughs them off. I’ve heard this is especially true when the person who says it is a young one (teen, college age, etc.)
I’ve been reading a lot about the Aaron Swartz tragedy. Maybe the only good that will come from this is the end of that prosecutor’s career for hounding him. But the irony of what the DoJ ignores while hounding a young man who really didn’t do anything wrong is overwhelming.
Poor guy was staring down the barrel at 50 years or more. For publishing academic papers. Insane.
You’re right, Molly. He didn’t do anything wrong.
MIT said they didn’t want to bring charges (and yesterday MIT’s president issued a mealymouth statement) and JSTOR got all of its materials back. But they were determined to prosecute him.
Frankly, I blame Obama. This is the environment he’s created.
Thanks, Kris, and may I just pass on my good news, that Adult Protective Services has stepped in to resolve my elderly Mom’s bad care service issues, have been working toward this, and things are much brighter today.
This is one case where I genuinely blame Obama as well. His DoJ did this, much the same way they’ve pursued Bradley Manning.
Late last night (after I’d scheduled this post and left it) I saw a petition circulating, calling for the resignation or removal of the prosecuting attorney in Massachusetts. Couldn’t help but think they were aiming that at the wrong person.
That’s excellent news Ruth! Another issue that gets far too little attention. I’m glad for you and your family.
Good Morning, KrisA, and thank you So Much for this piece. Especially for the Mob Flash. Just Wonderful. Got me crying early today. But, smiling too.
Times are tough and there’s a lot of anger. Anger is a good motivator for action, but we aren’t meant to be angry all of the time. Not good for our blood pressure or our immune systems.
I just lit two candles on my desk, less I continue to curse the darkness.
Good morning Kris.
Thanks for the post. You handled a tough issue eloquently.
That is good news, Ruth. You are a loving and strong daughter for playing the role you chose.
Sorry but blaming Obama seems to be a great theme for seeking all sorts of credentials but I think actual positive action takes precedence. Anyone not insulted yet?
I’m not insulted, and, well, I happen to agree.
Good morning demi. I’ve said it here before, but my favorite anger quote is this -
I can’t afford to be angry.
We all do the best we can. Hard work, but no choice is involved.
I saw that on Attaturk’s thread. Good news indeed!
(my wife wrote it)
Don’t tell anyone.
(just kidding)
Morning JC!
Not sure I follow, Ruth. What do you mean?
I remember you saying that and it’s a good quote to repeat from time to time. Like me bringing up the candles and cursing the darkness.
Another one I like is Action is the antidote for despair.
I picked a fight last week with the local school district. They seem to think that fundraising nights at Chick Fil A are appropriate and acceptable. I made a stink about it on their facebook page, sent a few emails to the school board members, and they’re going to take up the issue at their next board meeting. Specifically, they’ll take up the issue of defining the social and moral values that automatically disqualify a company from working with the District.
:)
The 1% fear computer crime because they know how dependent they are on computers and underpaid geeks. They do not fear those other crimes you listed, as they live safely within their walled suburbs.
I’d be willing to bet that if you turned NON MILITARY mental health professionals onto the problem of military suicides, they’d find something. When Capt. Shrink discovers the relationship between repeated deployments and suicides or between combat stress and suicides, do you think he’s going to inform the General that the cause is the Generals actions or the actions of his political superiors? Or is he going to prescribe valium?
I’m glad the pentagon is doing those projections. I hope they’re taking notice that their projections are consistently low.
That Norway link is the reason I’m late commenting, I couldn’t stop reading it. It’s a look into a world that as a western hetero I never see.
Yet another Bush. I remember a comment from Israel a couple Bushes ago: “remember, the last time we listened to a bush we wandered in the desert for 40 years”.
Boxturtle (Heck of it is that Bush might be an improvement over Gov. Goodhair)
Good Morning, Jimmy.
Saw that Saturday morning went well and I’m glad for that. Loved seeing you be more involved in comments last week. Really glad to hear your voice as it is much appreciated by me and I’m sure many others.
(As Kris invited up above, more de-lurking, please.)
normal is just a setting on the dryer.
Good morning all and thanks for the postnhost Kris.
I see folks blaming Obama for gun sales going up and for Aaron Swatz’ suicide, and I think that’s a really poor choice for any kind of reaction to tragedy.
Good for you, Kris. Excellent advocating. Shutting down Hate is a big job and you are a good fighter.
Hey, Scooter.
I saw that recently. Remind me who said that, please?
For theft of intellectual property. It’s a crime, should be a felony but really it should be a fine at the end of the day. Society gains nothing from locking him up.
The damage he did was all financial, if indeed there was any provable damage. Based on Wall St prosecutions, he should have been given a deferred prosecution agreement without having to admit guilt. And pay a fine of about .1% of his adjusted gross income.
Boxturtle (Fair is fair)
I don’t disagree about the gun sales. But the persecution of Swartz is of a piece with Bradley Manning, Kirikou, Drake, and others his DoJ has hounded, while letting the banksters, torturers, etc. go scott free. It’s the environment he has created, and the buck stops with him.
Me, I blame Obama. This is who he is and since this is Tuesday let’s not gloss over his kill list selection day, with all the due process he can muster.
For What it’s Worth, by Buffalo Springfield nailed this action back in the 70′s, meet the new boss same as the old boss.
Pretty incredible, innit? I stumbled on that link through twitter and read straight through.
I see your point about military doctors and military suicides. Maybe rallying for independent review of military mental health services would be a good cause to take up.
Good morning :)
I haven’t met a normal person yet. I’m sure they’re out there. I just haven’t happened upon one.
I’m a bit of an idealist when it comes to this type of crime. Freeing information and knowledge that is locked away from the world should never be a crime, methinks.
Committing suicide because he was under pressure is Obama’s doing?
That seems outstandingly silly.
I forgot! It’s Drone Murder Tuesday! Maybe we shouldn’t be critical of him today…
I blame the NRA for the massive increase in gun sales. Obama is simply their chosen poster child and if they couldn’t use him then Harry or Nancy would be on the poster.
But why worry about the increased sales? There are already so many guns on the streets that this will make no real difference in gun violence. And the people buying are largely law abiding citizens anyway, just gullible enough to listen to the NRA and the GOP.
If they actually ban something, I’ll go get one of whatever just because I don’t like the government telling me I can’t have something.
Boxturtle (I collect books than have been banned or almost banned. Got a Hustler #1 still in the wrapper!)
Ruth, not so much that. Suicide of course is never the proper response.
I think what Molly means, and what I know I mean, is that the Obama DoJ has fostered and encouraged an environment in which young men like Aaron and Bradley Manning face life in prison, or even death, for perceived slights to the government.
This environment created quite a bit of desperation and despair for Aaron. He apparently saw no other way out.
I was in line at the store the other day when three young boys, maybe 8 or 9 years old were playing around and as they left the store, when yelled Bullshit! I followed them out and asked which one said that. Two pointed their fingers and I had a short and gentle chat with them about public behavior. They were very respectful and listened to me. I told them they seemed like nice boys and that they should consider how their behavior affects others and I believe they “heard” me.
That story was a long version of If you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. We have to work together.
‘Banned in Boston’ used to be advertising gold.
Also on the right, it’s now trendy to see the bad effects of doing good, why it damages the entrepreneurship, and don’t accept that either.
Thanks,
I’ve been lurking but life has been real busy today.(My SO started her new semester today as is not happy with the schedule her husband created.)
They’re not much fun. Boring, really.
Boxturtle (sanity is HIGHLY overrated)
So, next time she’ll create her own schedule? Poor you. :)
Tell that to the chef whose recipe is stolen. Or to the researcher who hopes be able to live off the products of his research. Or the author who’s just had the full text of his new novel posted online.
It should be a crime. But this reaction was WAY out of proportion.
Boxturtle (IMO, the prosecutor committed a worse crime than the hacker)
That’s pretty much the argument he made. These institutions have scarfed up research papers and other knowledge, at least partly created on the taxpayer’s dime through grant-funded research, digitized it and put it behind a paywall, and made everyone pay to get at it.
And he used a perfectly legal loophole well documented by the company to download the materials. And then he gave it all back and never distributed it, and MIT and JSTOR refused to press charges. But that didn’t stop Carmen Ortiz from making him a felon.
Being faced with difficulties has happened to all of us, and sometimes it’s injustice as well. We can work for a better world for all, so other choices do not appeal to me. Tragedies happen, and blaming them on the president is a really strange choice to my mind. But then, I am working through some difficulties that do need to have a positive ending, and blaming any failures on the president is just bizarre in this real world action.
I am so proud of her. She dropped out at 16, became a single mom at 21, did her GED at 36 and is on schedule to graduate at age 40. She’s a second term junior this year.
While I understand your point, you aren’t currently facing prosecution by a state AG who was motivated by the Obama Justice Department.
Completely different situation.
It’s interesting looking at what was banned when, says a lot about the country at the time.
Early on, most of the bans were religious in origin. After WWII, they became more political (Red scare) until the 1960 when they started worrying about Kitchen Chemists. After that, the target was pr0n, then racism (Little Black Sambo USED to be considered a classic, then anything not politically correct.
We seem to be moving back toward religious reasons, I’m gonna need to add a few high school textbooks to my collection. I’ve already got a sex education text, and an intelligent design text (it’s banned!).
Boxturtle (Can’t afford a first edition Darwin, but I’d love one)
For all I know, Obama didn’t even know about Aaron Swartz. But this is the environment Obama and his DoJ have created.
This just happened to be a brilliant and fragile young man facing as much as 30 years in prison, his life ruined, rather than someone like Kirikou who chose a plea bargain with a short prison term rather than being sent up for a longer time because he has kids he’d like to be able to raise.
I am not normally an Obama basher, although he makes me quite angry with his drones and his assaults on civil liberties and his secrecy, but this outcome lies on his doorstep, IMO. We can just agree to disagree.
You should be proud. That’s a great story. I know someone who dropped out at 16 to become a mom. She continued her education and earned a doctorate. I love positive stories.
Excellent discussion. (I vote with “the buck stops here”) :)
I see your point, and your arguments make perfect sense within the framing of a Capitalist society.
I think my argument stems from the basis of our society, Capitalism, being fundamentally morally wrong. It constrains the free and open exchange of knowledge and information because Capitalism forces folks to rely on their knowledge and information to secure them an existence.
Capitalism, by its very nature, isolates us from each other at the most personal levels.
Thanks, you are so kind.
Hot damn! Look how intelligent our Over Easy crowd is!
This is some seriously highbrow conversation folks. With like, informed opinions and stuff.
Kind of makes me feel funny.
Are you channeling SD today?
(That last comment sounded so much like what I learned from that gentle soul)
Unless we don’t let it. I think there are other influences that isolate us from each other. Sprawling suburbs comes to mind. Families living far apart. The greed of I’ve got mine, etc.
I suppose in a way I am. Those are my interpretations of concepts I learned from Professor Wolff’s lectures. SD led me to those through his Marx in the Morning discussions.
That is a wonderful way to get yourself together, good for her.
Aha!
Those are all symptoms of Capitalism! I moved away from the family in California to earn a better living. I live in a sprawling suburb to avoid the irritation of urban centers, which are irritating because they are thriving hubs of Capitalism. Greed stems from personal insecurity and is possible in a Capitalist society where a person can earn more than their share.
Money is the root of all evil!
(do I sound like a raving lunatic yet? No? Go back and read this comment, but picture me as a mad scientist!)
I’m assuming you mean funny strange, not funny haha.
You’re not surprised though, right? Some Fine Minds here.
Bashing Obama is not different because of different situations. I actually have a sibling who’s blaming the overreaching government for interfering with my Mom’s neglect, that’s his answer rather than trying to solve the problems.
Funny strange for sure. You firedogs aren’t haha. At least not when we’re all being serious.
I love the discussion here. Some of the finest minds on the interwebs, IMHO.
The right to an education should be in the Bill of Rights. :)
Ms Montana in the week end’s Miss America pageant –
she is autistic — saw it on twitter
Good Morning Kris and Firedogs
here demi, a tune for your candles (geeawwd I love this version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=667mRFLM5S8
Oh, I hope you didn’t read my comment as a Blame. Wasn’t meant as one. You have to do what’s best for yours and being close to CBL and Oldnslow sounds like a real benefit.
I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at the different influences to our society that have created the possibilities of situations like Sandy Hook.
I don’t think anyone was bashing Obama. Simply pointing out that the Obama Administration was partly responsible for the pressure that Aaron was under.
From this article.
That’s not bashing Obama. It was indeed the Obama DoJ that was pressuring this kid, despite the objections of the offended party.
my turn at the Potus Pinata…
why in bloody fuck did the Obama DOJ continue the prosecution, conviction, and imprisonment of Tim DeChristopher ?!?!?! (presently out and in a half way house)
Krugman did an interesting discussion with Moyers Sunday, and I was impressed with his view of capitalism, and democracy, that they are imperfect but a better answer to our needs hasn’t been invented.
Socialism is subject to the same weaknesses, that those at the top use the common trough for their own self enrichment. Laws still need to be adjusted constantly, because greedy individuals will work against a common interest, sometimes even to their own harm.
Ruth, sorry for the trouble. I had not seen that you were concerned about her care. Hope you get a good resolution and all is well with her. (And stay warm; heard you are having bad weather. We are just cold.)
I didn’t read it that way at all demi!
Do what I do, post about squid. That seems to keep informed discussion on other points to a minimum. :-)
Boxturtle (Highbrow? Me?!? I belch in lectures and blame my neighbor)
Hey, cbl, much thanks for the recipe updates — I sent them along to my daughter. I suspect she will be wanting to bake one of those cakes soon. She had a bit of flu bug, but may be back teaching and chauffeuring girls to dance today.
I think I agree. The real solution, as far as my mind can reach, seems to be PURE Democracy coupled with Capitalism, with a socialist-style health system and a social floor; a standard of living which we don’t allow people to fall below.
You had a smiley, but you’re right. I think Education should be a basic right at the federal level.
Boxturtle (rather than an also-ran in the state budget sweepstakes)
C’mon up, we’re at a tropical 16º now (it was 13º when I got up).
Look at the time stamps. Did you know I was typing your name at that moment?
Beautiful George. Got me springing tears again. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was PMSing.
The candles were a gift from my daughter. Little square glass containers with fragrances like Rosemary Mint, Ocean Retreat and Spa Lavender. Elizabeth Arden. Ooh la la.
Yes, I’ll take all the help I can get. :)
Good morning to you :)
That’s true, and not something the original drafters of the constitution seem to have suspected would ever be threatened. It’s so obviously in everyone’s interest to have an educated country, it appears that the emergence of an element evil enough to want to suppress it was not part of their vision of the future at all.
I just saw an Army Ranger commercial –
No. I’m not an idiot, and you’re wearing body armor.
Do you accept that is all true about the DOJ & Obama instead of the prosecutor? I wonder about the validity of the claim, but obviously don’t know. The duty of a prosecutor is to seek justice not victory/conviction, so the distinctions are very important.
When Obama’s appointments to the DoJ have been approved and are in operation, then it might well be his DoJ. That is far from happening, and in fact in Civil Rights Division it is the former WH that is represented. And down through the ranks. The criminals know how to commit crimes. However, I do not blame prosecution for doing its job, even when I don’t see it as being in our public interest. However, that makes it the defense’s job to do theirs, not argue that prosecution is diligent.
Thanks, I am encouraged that our APS is doing a slow but determined job of helping get this situation resolved in her interest. Of course you know, the elderly are easy to manipulate.
Oh, I figured that. You’re a really smart guy and in my experience, you don’t take things personally or defensively. Mainly I was clarifying for others. :)
I respectfully decline…how I hate the cold. We at 30; not really a heat wave;)
The prosecution hounded this young man to his death, they have blood on their hands, and for what? For no reason at all. Heartbreaking and shameful and…oh God, don’t even get me started on prosecutors…
Love the flash mob, and the post, thank you so much.
When thinking about something like this, I have to look at the available evidence. We have, as cbl mentioned above, the case of Tim DeChristopher as a reference point. We also have the case of Julian Assange, and we can take a close look at Bradley Manning. On a wider scope, targeted drone strikes, the killing of American citizens abroad by drone strike, the signing of the NDAA, refusing to close Gitmo…
All of these things seem to point to a man who believes that he is above the law in defending the status quo and the well-being of the oligarchy.
Now, Ruth made a valid point @82 that many of the attorneys at DoJ are not Obama appointees. However, the man in charge of that operation, therefore the boss of all of these attorneys, is an Obama appointee. Eric Holder sets the tone for that organization, and we’ve seen what type of tone he sets on other matters.
Still cold And windy here. I’ve got my little pot of boiling water on the stove to help hydrate the air. Trying to stay calm here. :)
Good morning CS!
(go Niners)
Mad Scientist.
Carmen Ortiz is an Obama appointee.
In our southern continent, a lot of that is happening. Socialism can be chosen, as support systems in the best interests of the voters. Public education is part of that, as well as infrastructure. Our right wing thinks that the term ‘socialism’ is the equivalent of theft from them, a sad misunderstanding that authoritarian powers that be try to perpetuate to keep public funds in their own trough.
How is the novel coming? Still researching, or have you started writing yet?
Morning!
Niners!
(*secret handshake + evil laugh*)
Currently 25F with a high predicted in the low 30′s. Pretty normal for this time of year.
Boxturtle (when it comes to staying calm, I recommend a slice of cheesecake)
That’s me! Or at least how I think my brain would look if its function and process were physically manifested.
template for ballet slipper – the easiest of all the fondant/gumpaste shoes:
slipper template
. . .but then again, your daughter lives in a home filled with ‘old’ ballet slippers and here’s a very easy way to make them from sugar using old/used slippers :D
http://sugarteachers.blogspot.com/2012/05/ballet-slipper-tutorial-by-shirley.html
ballet slippers are a gateway drug — bwaaahaaahaaaa !
Hey! I know you! You always order two pieces of cheesecake!
/obscure movie reference
I’m writing. I’m creating the characters and they are telling the story. Thanks for asking. And, I finished my office and it’s Fabulous, in my opinion.
Gotta go out, will be gone most of the day, hope everyone at Over Easy and FDL has a great day!
This is true.
That’s great news! I’m glad you’re making progress. I tried starting a novel once. I stalled before I could even introduce characters. Maybe I was doing it wrong.
Ain’t got none. I do have some gingerbread ice cream though. But, I think I’ll just make a cup of herbal tea.
You and me don’t have enough money to win that fight. Aaron didn’t have enough either.
Isn’t this the theme of Les Miserables the state power to hound a man for his life over less than a loaf of bread ???
If you’re referring to Big Daddy, it’s THREE pieces.
Boxturtle (Otherwise, you’re REALLY obscure with this one)
mornin’ doll,
deep in to Sean’s cake – there are chocolate buildings on the schedule today
someone suggested an It Gets Better style campaign wrt depression/suicide – (ironic of course that it doesn’t get better, you learn to live with it) but you know how much I would LOVE to have a national discussion on the subject, so it certainly couldn’t hurt
I’d say Big Daddy, but I’d be cheating. Used teh google.
Oh Jeebus. It was Big Daddy. Does he say ‘three’?
My bad.
Having worked in defense, I have to tell you that the attorney accepts a job, and does it to the best of his/her ability. Sometimes truth is not the best defense. We are sometimes required to make a moral judgment and sometimes doing what we are committed to do, defend or prosecute, wins. Sometimes we have to let that suffer. Hard choices.
That is why the state provides an attorney.
And she does have responsibility for professional behavior; not easy choices, I know. But talk about where the buck stops….
REminds me of a situation way back when I would not lie on the telephone for a boss. He couldn’t really understand, but he got it
and didn’t insist.
The Niners launched a NorCal-wide campaign last year against bullying, using the ‘It Gets Better’ theme.
A good idea you’ve got there. A lot of suicides, I think, stem from an inability to see beyond the current crisis.
‘It Gets Better’ is certainly a good message to send someone in that case.
I think each writer works differently, to be honest. I once read that Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls Get The Blues) didn’t make an outline and wrote each novel from the beginning to end by hand. But, he’s a genius.
thought of you when I saw this on the twitter. . .
and you dont even have to swim to Australia
would look nice in a desk top aquarium, nest-ce pas ? :D
ok, mebbe not
But above…the prosecutor duty is justice more than prosecution. Of course, that’s a judgement call. But sets a limit at win at all costs.
I think it would be much more convenient to just believe in God and then those who have to Find Blame could just blame the deity.
I’m kind of kidding, but not really, if you get my drift.
Just picking up the thread after shower and dressing.
One of my former direct reports fancies himself a Libertarian/Federalist (those aren’t the same thing, obviousl) who went and got a gun permit just in defiance of the sentiments following the Newtown massacre. Wanted to prove a point, apparently.
That’s one of the few squid with confirmed kills of humans. The fishermen in the gulf of California call them “red devils”.
Boxturtle (Seems fair, we eat them, they eat us)
ha !
almost quoted from Cowgirls just yesterday in the thread
in the discussion on time/space/neutrinos
. . . if Time eats the doughnut, does Love eat the hole ?
and always hear him in my head when we gaze upon our local Whooping Crane population :D
It seems this morning’s Over is not so easy. Tough distinctions.
Imagine if cows could fight back. Or sugar.
Americans would be so much thinner.
Wonderful, Jim!
Geeze….hope he feels better….;)
I do too when you or oldnslow mention seeing them.
Ah, Tom. What a mind!
Have you read Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates?
Morning demi, Kris and pups,
You guys make this so easy, just read the fine logic and absorb it. No need for me to comment other than appreciated. Did volunteer as a crisis-line phone operator over a five year period, suicide intervention and domestic abuse, teen angst, runaways. Just having someone to pay attention or listen was key.
p.s. if you are on the twitter
@pzmyers does a Weekly Cephalopod fest
I understand him. I don’t want a Bushmaster or a high capacity clip unless someone tells me I can’t have them.
Boxturtle (Wonder if the Bushmaster would make a good tomato stake)
Bless your heart and I think that’s what most of us want and need. I think when I give Bob his daily hug it helps as much as the soup.
Sworn to do something however, is not a matter of choice in all cases.
no, am a little behind – think I’ve missed his last two – have never been disappointed though, even when the work isn’t anywhere near as good as Roadside or Cowgirls
he is always near the top of my living–people-I’d-like-to-talk-to list
The creative process is so important for quality of life.
I am so proud that you are diving into that lake and you have inspired me to be more creative myself. Thanks.
(My 12 year old is out of school with a cold today and we are listening to SGT. Peppers Album by the creative geniuses, the Beatles)
That’s the part I really do not believe; there is always a choice. Not to say easy or simple.
What fun! Maybe she can help you with your flooring pj. Or, with a cold, maybe that’s not such a good idea. But, glad you’re spending quality time with her.
I am really arguing that it is the environment Obama has created that is at least partly to blame, not the actions of any specific member of the DoJ. I’m not a fan of the Daily Beast, but this is a pretty interesting picture of the prosecution of Swartz.
My larger point is that Obama’s DoJ refuses to prosecute the banksters or any of the Bush administration war criminals, but goes full bore after whistleblowers and any other individuals that threaten the administration.
Poor Aaron Swartz is just the latest in a long list of examples. He was trying to make a point, not steal anything, but they wanted to make him another of their poster children.
I have to keep biting my electronic tongue to keep from commenting on his Facebook posts. I am sure getting a gun permit (don’t know if he actually bought the gun) gives him a strange sort of pleasure.
I think I understand; one certainly doesn’t have to stay
or buy into the atmosphere….And, no, Im not saying those
are easy choices. But what is when things are complicated?
The quality of the discussion as well as the friendship and encouragement truly make this “the University of Over Easy”
Richard, I know would be proud. Thanks to all of you I learn so much and have so much fun. ;)
Where’s BoxTurtle? That should be his avatar!! Or the photo on his Monday Over Easy posts!!
Here is Kris Hayes on Aaron Swartz. Kris Hayes speaks for me.
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/13/the-brilliant-mind-righteous-heart-of-aaron-swartz-will-be-missed/
And good morning.
Somebody please answer me this question for our times. Why is every drip coffee maker equipped with a glass carafe that automatically dribbles coffee on the kitchen counter?
Sorry, forgot it’s not science Monday.
Already used that photo! http://my.firedoglake.com/boxturtle/2012/12/17/over-easy-monday-science-special-end-of-the-world-edition/
Boxturtle (gonna stick with my smug turtle)
there is a petty, thin-skinned element to all this – wish my limited brain to page skills could flesh it out better
note to all: HBO has been running the ‘Limelight’ documentary (see if it’s on yr HBO on demand channel)
only an hour long, but film makers do a great job of showing the sheer power (and often times murderous over reach) of a USAA prosecution, then there’s the no small matter of abject incompetence – worth a watch
Sometimes I think we should change the title of these posts to “The University of Over Easy.” But then I look at some threads where there are 150 comments of pure chit chat with no redeeming value (educationally speaking, of course) and I think, maybe not…
LOL.
Have been off here discussing elsewhere the verdict in the Holy Land Foundation case, sorry can’t do both at once.
Thanks for good company.
headed out – those chocolate skyscrapers wont paint themselves !
Kris – a roseate spoonbill in your pic ? :D
have a great day y’all
I discovered long ago that the coffeemaker with the best carafe is a Mr. Coffee. I don’t know if that still is true, but back when they were one of the few coffeemakers around, it was clear that they did a better job of designing the pouring lip.
I want to know what it is in tap water than makes a scum on my tea. I deliberately buy water from one of those dispensers in the grocery and use it only for tea (tap water is fine to drink and cook with). But every so often their machine must be on the fritz, because the bottled water also makes scum.
I’d guess it is something (a mineral?) in the water that precipitates into the tea. There’s no bad taste, but it is disgusting looking. I just finished off a jug of that, and now this water is fine. Anyone know?
Not to mention an immigration policy forcibly separating parents from their born in the USA citizen children.
Record number of deportations for any administration.
Good efforts here this morning, Ruth. Much appreciated. Take good care.
I’m out too, for now. (Yes, that’s a warning I might come back later.)
Ha!
You say
Is it possible that the reason for the stats being higher is because more immigrants have crossed the border. I here things are getting worse and worse in Mexico.
Just saying that sometimes we have to look beyond the stats at the bigger picture. Is that reasonable?
Amen. There’s a very long list of examples.
I think in the Swartz case this U.S. Attorney and her staff were not only being overly zealous, but she’s looking at running for office and wanted scalps on her belt.
Too bad she got this one, literally.
Me, too. Have great day good friends.
So sad..really a lesson in how we treat other people as well as, in her case, the extent of personal responsibility. I would love to know what she is thinking….All very sad.
It’s calcium, most likely. If you’re buying bottled water, you shouldn’t see it as softening removes it. Harmless.
Assuming they aren’t bottling right out of the tap and just putting on a cool label.
I key point that most miss with coffeemakers (because it’s invisible) is the internal plumbing. Copper tubes make for hotter water than plastic and hotter water makes better coffee. Bunn coffeemakers may be ugly, but they have copper.
Boxturtle (Doesn’t drink coffee, so FWIW)
Argh! “A key point”
Boxturtle (Wants EDIT back)
Don’t know about Mexico, have heard fewer border crossings into the US since our economy tanked, though.
Mostly irked by separation of parents from their children, that’s all.
Unconscionable.
Notice I said this administration. Do we get photos of you office setup? Sounds cool.
To err is human.
To argh is pirate.
I just want people to actually think through a problem and not just knee jerk to a convenient conclusion.
You probably will get a personal photo through email at some point. I really am proud of it.
I just was reading Charlie Pierce and he pointed me to this website.
(Martin Luther is one of my heroes)
http://ergofabulous.org/luther/?
I started buying water from one of those dispensers (I think Culligan, maybe) that dispenses water that has been filtered by reverse osmosis and (I think) subjected to ultraviolet light (three things, can’t recall the third). It’s 28 cents a gallon, so not particularly costly, and I use it only for tea.
Maybe it’s calcium, and I think whatever goes on the fritz with the system causes it to appear. The longer the tea stands in the pot, the worse scum, even if I remove the tea bags immediately.
Just about jerked my knee earlier this morning when M (while snoring) put a light claw tip through my sock. No blood, time for a clip and vac, though.
Thanks Kris,
Other fish to fry. Later.
Me, too. I want a picture as well. :)
Thanks, I haven’t gotten over there yet this morning. I skip his Morning Dooley and Evening Jemmy posts.
Did I mention that I bought his book Hard to Forget: An Alzheimer’s Story?
Fascinating reading, highly recommended if you have any interest in Alzheimer’s at all. And typical Charlie Pierce superb writing.
Picky’s up on the desk now. Will remember to blow the damn candles out before I go in the other room.
I have a water softener, and that doesn’t seem to remove it from my tap water.
Your wish is my command. Be happy to.
You are the one who introduced me too him. Thanks, he is superb.
(My daily dose is Over Easy, nakedcapitalism, glennzilla, marcy, the Charlie. Great way to get edumacated quickly.
Oh, and here’s the Joni Mitchell reference:
Heheh. Time for a vac, eh?
I read FDL (but not all of it or I’d get nothing else done), Krugman, Glennzilla, Beat the Press (Dean Baker), Charlie, Taibbi, Naked Capitalism, and I’ve recently started reading New Economic Perspectives. Also some of ProPublica and Robert Reich.
But I really have to be strict with myself or I would sit at the laptop ALL day.
Aha, here is the kind of water I get from the grocery!! This page describes the process.
Primo Water
Did you see Krugman on Moyers’ show?
April 2012
Hmm…that’s bad. get thee down to the local hardware store and get a water hardness test kit. Check the inflow prior to the softener if you can and then check any tap. The hardness ought to be low, almost unmeasurable, from the tap. At least it should be WAY lower than the inflow.
If not, your softener may not be working properly. Are you seeing lime buildup anywhere?
Boxturtle (Thinking about it, it could also be cheap tea)
Cheap tea is the reason America is the United States of America.
Right?
Ah, so. Look at Step 7. They’re adding minerals back in.
Boxturtle (A logical explanation)
Okay. I guess the folks in the surrounding neighborhoods I live in are lying then.
Wrong. God, Guns, and Guts.
Boxturtle (Am I spending too much time reading FAUX news?)
Yes I watched it online. Excellent! Some people don’t agree with some of what he says, and I am not competent in economics enough to know the fine points, but mostly I agree with him.
Yes but only the water in an occasional jug causes the scum. Mostly it is just fine (which is why I bother to buy it).
But, the original Tea Party! Tea Taxes! The Tax Rebellion.
Screw it. You’re probably right.
From the little I know about it, Ruth, I think he, Aaron, did see the prosecution, leading as it threatened to do to a felony conviction, as a betrayal of his own life’s work to clean up the mess that government supervision and censorship of the internet had become. It might have been the hubris of youth, but he did, I think, consider himself called to that task, and as such would have been attempting to ‘fix’ the broken parts of the liberal agenda – you can hear that in his voice. He was attempting to make Obama be Obama, by his own example of daring to push the envelope, what he described as leaning into the pain.
Obama’s justice department has built upon, not cancelled out, the Bush justice department. And they came down hard. If you listen to the interview his friend and lawyer gave to Amy Goodman yesterday, you see that actually, the important victory in freeing up academic records to be universally accessed had just been won – only Aaron did not know that. This goes to Kris’s point that something was just around the corner for Aaron, if only he had been able to endure the pain. And that was definitely caused by Obama’s manner of applying pain to all whistleblowers, as they themselves can testify.
Pew includes a description of the methodology and sources used, so one can evaluate their credibility. What your neighbors are seeing may not reflect the national statistics for any number of reasons.
I enjoyed the interview too. I gotta say, though, after watching Professor Wolff’s lecture series, Krugman looks like a moderate. It frightens me that he is perceived as too liberal to be in the cabinet.
Well, the softener is old, came with the house and I’ve been here 9 years. I probably should look into replacing it. But it does the job with softening water for showers, and I’m not seeing lime buildup — at least I don’t think so.
I really want a Kinetico softener, but I hate to spend the money. My hairdresser has one (works out of her home) and anytime I’ve had a glass of water at her home the taste is noticeably better.
Oi.
Talked to IRS, Credit Union, Insurance Agency, paid credit card bills (paid one off and cut it up!), and cell phone and cable bills.
That was a productive hour.
Here’s a cool story that Teddy just shared on FB.
San Francisco Airport could be renamed for Harvey Milk.
Speaking of facebook…
I sent Jane a friend request about 2 years ago. It’s still pending.
from teh google: Tea Scum
http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/trek/4wd/Over58.htm
If you’re not seeing lime buildup, you’re fine. But check the shower head wherever you take a hot shower. It’ll show up there first.
Actually, it’ll show up on the dishwasher output first, but that’s typically difficult to inspect.
Nice unit, uses a resin bed rather than a semipermeable membrane.
Boxturtle (My local water system delivers gravel in solution)
I’m for that. What took so long?
I still think the new water waste processing plant should have been named after W.
If you read his blog, he had a post a week or so ago about how he really isn’t suited for an administrator position, and thinks he’s more valuable as an “outsider.”
Fascinating. Mine differs from the description only in that removing the tea bags doesn’t avoid the scum.
I use a Mr. Coffee with tea bags in the carafe to make tea (the coffee maker has never been used for coffee). Sometimes I just leave the tea bags in the water until I’ve finished the pot, since it’s green tea and fairly mild. But I tried removing them immediately when the drip stopped, and scum still formed, and it got worse the longer the pot was on the heat.
Holy crap, batman.
How am I sposed(sic) to get anything done when I gotta keep up to 200 comments?
KrisA. You are doing a great job, kid.(can I call you that since I’m 58?)
I could write two, maybe three books about what the DOJ ignores. This entire government is no more than a front for some unseen unknown entity.
LOL. Can I call you “kid” since I’m almost 70?
OK, I have dawdled over this laptop more than enough for this morning. Gotta go get productive! UGH.
Of course you can call me kid. I’m a kid!
We could start with not paying any attention to David Gregory waving a banned magazine around on national tv, and move quickly to no charges against the FBI agent and Secret Service agent busted in a prostitution scandal last week…
Last cuppa ysd, unremarkable but there is not much loose hair to brush out right now. She requested outside and was looking at me through the window in less than five minutes (sunny, wind chill 3° F,) even though her full winter coat is prime and hardly shedding a bit.
She methodically quickly shakes each paw as she walks out the door as if she is trying for maximum foot fur loft each time out into the cold. Ears and toes I know are most vulnerable. I don’t ever leave her out in this cold for more than a couple minutes.
That’s what he said in the Moyers interview too. I think O’s economic team is hopeless. Did you see the Naked Capitalism piece on Aaron Swartz yesterday and the handwritten note from Goldman Sachs to the administration? I threw up a little in my mouth.
Abner acts like the 35 degree mornings are -35 degree mornings. He’s out and back in pretty much before the door closes behind him. In his defense, it *has* been unusually cold here for the last few days.
I just got off the phone with a hotel in Anchorage. They’re expecting a high today of 45F. We’re expecting 44F here in the Austin area.
What the eff?
Continental shift.
Oh darn. Nobody saw that coming.
Perhaps Sarah is giving a speech nearby?
Boxturtle (or maybe Al Gore is fat)
That’s actually pretty reasonable. I expected either a book thrown or no charges filed, depending on who had more influence.
Boxturtle (If he’s wise, he try to bargain to misdemeanor and plead Nolo)
Sarah giving a speech nearby! That’s a good one BT.
I actually LOL’ed.
Who woulda thunk, though, that Paul’s kiddo would ever treat a woman poorly?
And get a honking big bonus and maybe even a cabinet position.
Even a Gentleman may misbehave under the influence of Alcohol.
Boxturtle (Strongly suspects neither the kid or the dad meets my definition of “gentleman”)
Yeah, I’m still here.
What of it?
Yeah, but are you wearing pants today?
Yes. I was wearing pants yesterday, too. I just misplaced them for a bit.
You’re getting a reputation, Kris!
Kris, we miss another Drink Lib….meeting. Maybe when the weather gets warm….Cheers.
Please no personal attacks on this site. –MyFDL Editor
No, I don’t think I have an exaggerated self-image.
They didn’t seem to be brats. They seemed like young people who were not aware of what they say might upset others and make others have a poor impression of them.
I’m important to some people and I’m fine with that. If I can help people, that’s good. If I don’t, well I can live with that too.
Wow, that was uncalled for and downright mean. Feel good about yourself for attacking demi, do you?
What is your “snit” with Demi? And why do you think the kids are brats? Sorry something set you off.
Ditto.
I think it’s good for kids to hear versions from adults other than parents. You know how it is, parents can’t hold spit in their mouth according to the kids, unless and until the kids turn 35, experience an unfortunate event, or has kids themselves.
OT:
Does anyone in the legal profession know of anyone who may know, or anyone hiring young recent law grads (w/some experience in family and nonprofit research) in Maryland, DC, Virginia or Maryland, not banking or large corporate law, but say, public defender, humanitarian area, general law, environment… Or in the alternate any suggestions for adding more education in tech subjects, medical, patent law, water, environmental…just any type of good-outlook combined training that could expand horizons for legal practice. Willing to commute. Bilingual, exceptional writer, Georgetown grad. You can even email me private or just offer opinion, thanks! Outlook grim at the moment.
Okay, back to topics.