Go Home

Open Thread

writers we love Mark Moford at CommonDreams.

(Side note: I just love this one weird little cognitive study sent to me by a friend recently; it claims that spending a mere 20 seconds on a cell phone will disrupt a child’s ability to learn for up to two hours. I mean, wow.

I do not exactly know what this means. I do not know if, after saying hi to grandma on the Nokia, the kid starts drooling and stuttering and suddenly wants to vote for Mitt Romney, or if she suddenly can’t walk, or learn advanced calculus, or solve world hunger.

What the study fails to mention, of course, is that watching five minutes of “American Idol” will set your kid’s brain back six years, or that bible camp will likely stunt genital development for 20 years, or that joining the Republican Party will turn the dial of your kid’s planetary awareness to that of a bedwetting homoerotically repressed 11-year-old boy, and lock it there for life. Maybe that’s an upcoming study).

In other news:

Be sure to re-visit the 10Questions website and vote for or submit the question you would like the candidates (of both or either party) to answer.

About Bluegal aka Fran
Bluegal aka Fran's picture
Executive Producer of The Professional Left Podcast. On staff at Crooks and Liars since 2007. Master's degree from Harvard. Happy wife of Driftglass. Mother of three geniuses. Obsessive knitter. Blogs at http://bgalrstate.blogspot.com. .
Share This Post

Link To This Post


59 Comments
Paul's picture

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

MHealy's picture

Paul @ 1:

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

Strawberry, vanilla is boring and chocolate is too strong. Then again there is always Mint Chocolate Chip, now that's good stuff.

Ruthless People's picture

Looks like if may be a coded message from Dick Cheney's undisclosed giving Al-Queda the OK to attack America again so he can invade Iran.

Ruthless People's picture

Looks like if may be a coded message from Dick Cheney’s undisclosed location giving Al-Queda the OK to attack America again so he can invade Iran.

mozcram's picture

Connecting Republican party joining with a "homoerotically repressed 11-year-old" suggests slightly that homosexuality could be the result of being stuck in such a state. Great if you are subtly promoting homosexuality as being stuck in an immature state, but that is at odds with the concept of the healthy adult gay person. This latter concept is important in the continued project of gaining equal rights and privileges for gay and lesbian people.

damn bible camp!!! i knew it all along . . .

gimmie mo's picture

Paul @ 1:

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

I like Cherry Garsia my own self!

mudshark's picture

it just stands to reason that if you put something electronic in your ear for any amount of time,that it can't be good for you.And I'm not even going to discuss watching brain dead TV..........Bible camp?Yikes.....slow indoctrination...As for the questions...I would ask......What is the price of gallon of milk?

JohnnyThief's picture

I don't know about that, but it should be legal to shoot anyone driving while on a cell phone,...

Ron's picture

mudshark @ 8:

it just stands to reason that if you put something electronic in your ear for any amount of time,that it can't be good for you.And I'm not even going to discuss watching brain dead TV..........Bible camp?Yikes.....slow indoctrination...As for the questions...I would ask......What is the price of gallon of milk?

And what was the price 7 years ago?

MHealy's picture

mudshark @ 8:

What is the price of gallon of milk?

You want that in blood, oil, or euros?

mudshark's picture

Ron @ 10:

mudshark @ 8:

it just stands to reason that if you put something electronic in your ear for any amount of time,that it can't be good for you.And I'm not even going to discuss watching brain dead TV..........Bible camp?Yikes.....slow indoctrination...As for the questions...I would ask......What is the price of gallon of milk?

And what was the price 7 years ago?

around 2.50 to 2.75 a gall........now.....almost 5.00.....

mudshark's picture

MHealy @ 11:

mudshark @ 8:

What is the price of gallon of milk?

You want that in blood, oil, or euros?

neither...is this the same MHealy from the NS...

Andy K's picture

Paul @ 1:

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

It used to be Hagen Dazs German Chocolate. Don't think they make it any more. They can burn in Hell 'til they bring it back. Fuckers.

Andy K's picture

Jesus! SNL's re-runnin' last week's show already!

Thing Fish's picture

mudshark @ 12:

Ron @ 10:

mudshark @ 8:

it just stands to reason that if you put something electronic in your ear for any amount of time,that it can't be good for you.And I'm not even going to discuss watching brain dead TV..........Bible camp?Yikes.....slow indoctrination...As for the questions...I would ask......What is the price of gallon of milk?

And what was the price 7 years ago?

around 2.50 to 2.75 a gall........now.....almost 5.00.....

Back in the 70's my mom would go over to N.J. to get milk. There was even a store right in Burlington right after the bridge for milk. This was after the gas crunch kicked in. First gas goes up, then other necessities like milk follow.

Retired Navy's picture

Paul @ 1:

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

French vanilla with a healthy topping of Hershey's chocolate syrup.

On a different subject, Raw Story has an interesting article:

This causes me to wonder whether there was more to Bush and friends outing Valerie Plame than the political differences they have with her husband, former Ambassador Wilson, given their hyping of the nuclear program in Iran over the last few months.

skippy's picture

ya had me up until the american idol crack, bluegal.

like any other kind of show, reality shows have a hit rate of about 5% really great, 5% really awful, and 90% simply bland. mrs. skippy and i hold ai in the upper 5% category, but probably because we're in show biz.

no other program in the history of television that i remember shows the painful process of what it takes to be a success in show biz so accurately. that is to say, ai really drives home the point that successful performers need to be 110% on, at a given moment's notice. sorry to say it, but if you're not giving your all, you don't get a do-over in performing.

another way to say this is, the show really highlights that it's definitely not as easy as it looks. so many people think being a good performer is just being good. it's not. it's hard work and technique, dedication and commitment.

and i think american idol does a good job of showing this.

more on my thoughts about ai from the vaults of skippy.

Retired Navy's picture

Hit the wrong button @ 18. Sorry.

Ron's picture

Retired Navy @ 17:

Paul @ 1:

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

French vanilla with a healthy topping of Hershey's chocolate syrup.

On a different subject, Raw Story has an interesting article:

This causes me to wonder whether there was more to Bush and friends outing Valerie Plame than the political differences they have with her husband, former Ambassador Wilson, given their hyping of the nuclear program in Iran over the last few months.

We have been connecting the dots. How come the DOJ can't? What does Gonzo know?

Plisko's picture

My favorite question for the debate:

How much does private health insurance cost for a family of 4 without assistance from a job?

If Hilliary can't answer that one after all the hooplah about her past work then she is a waste of time.

Tequila's picture

Unlike McCain, another POW thinks torture is wrong. An activist judge says farmers can resume using a spray on fruit which hurts people's breathing and digestion.

Karen's picture

mozcram @ 5:

Connecting Republican party joining with a "homoerotically repressed 11-year-old" suggests slightly that homosexuality could be the result of being stuck in such a state. Great if you are subtly promoting homosexuality as being stuck in an immature state, but that is at odds with the concept of the healthy adult gay person. This latter concept is important in the continued project of gaining equal rights and privileges for gay and lesbian people.

Huh?

You know, the quote actually said that becoming Republican would set your "kid's planetary awareness to that of a bedwetting homoerotically repressed 11-year-old boy, and lock it there for life." No connection between homosexuality and immaturity was drawn, any more than a connection between homosexuality and bedwetting or belief in astrology.

No, the connection is between immaturity, bedwetting, idiotic beliefs, repressed sexuality and membership in the Republican Party. And, to be perfectly accurate, to bestowing such attributes upon one's offspring upon joining the Republican Party.

Heh, sometimes jokes lose their humor when they require explanation, but hey . . . this member of the LGBT community is still laughing. :)

sharkcellar's picture
Ron's picture

sharkcellar @ 24:

Somebody stop this asshole!

http://consumerist.com/consumer/if-at-first-you-don.t-succeed/fcc-chairman-to-relax-media-ownership-rules-312433.php

I think one of our dem senators is on it.

Roket's picture

My God, if technologically advanced devices such as cell phones will disrupt learning for up to two hours, think of all the poor children who talked on such antiquated devices as two tin cans and a piece of string and how many hours of disrupted learning such a device would have caused. The mind boggles. Unless, of course, I have it backwards, then, nevermind.

Ron's picture

Roket @ 26:

My God, if technologically advanced devices such as cell phones will disrupt learning for up to two hours, think of all the poor children who talked on such antiquated devices as two tin cans and a piece of string and how many hours of disrupted learning such a device would have caused. The mind boggles. Unless, of course, I have it backwards, then, nevermind.

Yeah, you probably had the receiver can.

Paula's picture

Retired Navy @ 17:

Paul @ 1:

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

French vanilla with a healthy topping of Hershey's chocolate syrup.

On a different subject, Raw Story has an interesting article:

This causes me to wonder whether there was more to Bush and friends outing Valerie Plame than the political differences they have with her husband, former Ambassador Wilson, given their hyping of the nuclear program in Iran over the last few months.

Bingo!

justabill's picture

Louisiana now has a Republican governor.

Jindal Wins Louisiana Governor's Race
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKv6B6Q4mcaow3IjXvBbyExPTQvQD8SDDUF80

Edwin's picture

Paul @ 1:

frist on an open thread? how about what's your favorite flavor of ice cream????

Vanilla. Far from being boring, vanilla is made from the seed pod of the orchid, and pure vanilla extract is rich, heavenly and expesnive. Plus it goes well with all sorts of good things, like hot home-baked pies, and fresh berries.

(If Italian gelato counts, limone gelato, but it ain't ice cream.)

Karen's picture
Edwin's picture

mudshark @ 8:

it just stands to reason that if you put something electronic in your ear for any amount of time,that it can't be good for you.And I'm not even going to discuss watching brain dead TV..........Bible camp?Yikes.....slow indoctrination...As for the questions...I would ask......What is the price of gallon of milk?

You buy milk??? (Google time.)

LibertyLover's picture

Hey Xoites.... if you're out there... the AZ DA Andrews fired the special prosecuter in the New Times/Village Voice/Arpaio broohaha. He also dropped the charges against the New Times. A couple of links, if you are interested...

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2007-10-18/news/case-against-new-times-dr...

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2007/10/candys_capitulation_vid...

Tequila's picture

More on your tax dollars not
at work.

A.Citizen's picture

Well, as for me Enough is enough!

How about you?

Smarmy's picture

Re: the American Idol remark. I find it to be a jazzed up modernization of the Ted Mack's Amateur Hour. There's a glut of these 'reality' shows on tee vee.

ConcernedCanuck's picture

Good News for once!!!!!!!!!

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Political satirist Jon Stewart has renewed his contract with the Comedy Central cable TV channel in a deal that will keep his award-winning mock newscast "The Daily Show" on the network through 2010.

Financial terms of Stewart's renewal, announced on Thursday by the Viacom Inc.-owned network, were not disclosed.

In addition to hosting "The Daily Show," Stewart, 44, serves as executive producer and writer for the nightly program, which has skewered politicians and the media, particularly on the conservative end of the spectrum, since its 1996 launch.

Stewart joined "The Daily Show" as its host in 1999, replacing Craig Kilborn.

The Emmy-winning series also spawned the companion show "The Colbert Report," starring former "Daily Show" contributor Stephen Colbert in a parody of right-wing TV commentators.

Colbert this week announced he was making a bid for the U.S. presidency.

Stewart was picked last month by producers of the Academy Awards to return in February as emcee of the film industry's highest honors, further cementing his transformation from a political humorist with a cult TV following into a mainstream entertainer. He first hosted the Oscars in 2006.

His late-night cable show averages about 1.5 million viewers, a relatively small number by broadcast television standards, but the show has grown in stature as a pop culture fixture, particularly among young viewers.

In a 2004 poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 21 percent of respondents aged 18 to 29 cited "The Daily Show" and "Saturday Night Live" on NBC as regular sources for their political news.

ConcernedCanuck's picture

Karen @ 31:

Bull

LOL!!! That is priceless!!

Pongo's picture

If you love the writer, spell his last name correctly.

Mugsy's picture

Interview with John McCain on FnS: "...when Hillary Clinton is the nominee."

It's a foregone conclusion on the Right.

Mugsy's picture

McCain: "I'm the only candidate with the best chance of beating Senator Clinton."

mudshark's picture

Edwin @ 32:

mudshark @ 8:

it just stands to reason that if you put something electronic in your ear for any amount of time,that it can't be good for you.And I'm not even going to discuss watching brain dead TV..........Bible camp?Yikes.....slow indoctrination...As for the questions...I would ask......What is the price of gallon of milk?

You buy milk??? (Google time.)

yep...1% low fat.....as for ice cream.......Hagen Daz Chocolate is great.........that or Vanilla....

ConcernedCanuck's picture

Mugsy @ 40:

Interview with John McCain on FnS: "...when Hillary Clinton is the nominee."

It's a foregone conclusion on the Right.

I don't think it's a right or left issue. I think it's a "the rich members of both parties" have pretty much decided who will be the next president. It's sad. Our elections up here to your north are almost the same. Leaders are corrupt buttwipes that nobody wants, but in reality, there is little or no difference in any of them, except the ones everyone knows will never win.

Mugsy's picture

Romney: "We're not going to beat Hillary Clinton by acting like Hillary Clinton!"

MHealy's picture

mudshark @ 13:

MHealy @ 11:

mudshark @ 8:

What is the price of gallon of milk?

You want that in blood, oil, or euros?

neither...is this the same MHealy from the NS...

I don't know what the NS is, so I don't believe so.

Mugsy's picture

Kristol and Hume are ready to start World War III to prevent World War III.

Mugsy's picture

Note: An all-female panel on Meet the Press today to discuss Hillary Clinton.

Does anyone else feel like her candidacy is being forced upon us an "inevitable"?

mudshark's picture

MHealy @ 45:

mudshark @ 13:

MHealy @ 11:

mudshark @ 8:
You want that in blood, oil, or euros?

neither...is this the same MHealy from the NS...

I don't know what the NS is, so I don't believe so.

That's ok MHealy..........sorry for the confusion.........north shore.

Mugsy's picture

Kat O'Beirne on MtP re. Giuliani speaking to "Values Voters": "We don't agree on our vulaues, but we agree on our enemies."

Doris Goodwin: "We hate together." :)

Mugsy's picture

Timmeh's feigned "serious" interview with Colbert is too funny.

ConcernedCanuck's picture

Mugsy @ 47:

Note: An all-female panel on Meet the Press today to discuss Hillary Clinton.

Does anyone else feel like her candidacy is being forced upon us an "inevitable"?

Yep. Looks that way here too. Good luck with that. I wouldn't vote for her if she was the only candidate and it has nothing to do with her being female. She gives terrible speeches, flip flops on every issue, and looks and sounds like a professional bullshit artist. Sad, that is all pretty much every nation has to vote for.

PurplePatriot's picture

Does it make me a bad guy that I'm about to shitcan my favorites link to the Huffington post? I'm tired of the bullshit flash ads they use. Plus I think they're a little too interested in the brain-dead world of entertainment. And I don't like to have to login to anything to post a comment.

lactose intolerant's picture

it claims that spending a mere 20 seconds on a cell phone will disrupt a child’s ability to learn for up to two hours.

As a teacher, I deal with this issue daily. My school has banned the darn things, because they are such a distraction and disruption. They do seriously impair a student's ability to focus on where they are and what they are doing.

dennis's picture

Happy days are (almost) here again!

Linda Thomason and Markie Post in the Lincoln bedroom; Trampoline practice.

Over the course of Bill Clinton's administration, the Lincoln Bedroom was rented to 831 different people. That total does not include the Clintons' relatives or their guests (of which there were 35); nor does it include daughter Chelsea's guests (72).

wagonjak's picture

#52-PP-I'm right there with you...HuffPo's been runnning the scam Limpballs pulled on the Senators who sent him the letter at the top of the fold, along with the startling news that the Hogwarts Headmaster is gay...I've stopped going there to see any breaking news important to me, and instead go to TPM, FDL Sadly No! and others...

HuffPo is turning into an online version of a slick magazine, with more and more entertainment news on their home page, and often ignoring the breaking political news until it's "Old News".

tyree's picture

dennis @ 54:

Happy days are (almost) here again!

Linda Thomason and Markie Post in the Lincoln bedroom; Trampoline practice.

Over the course of Bill Clinton's administration, the Lincoln Bedroom was rented to 831 different people. That total does not include the Clintons' relatives or their guests (of which there were 35); nor does it include daughter Chelsea's guests (72).

hope they left a tip for the maid!!!!

dennis's picture

How soon they forget, ty.

AbbeyHoffmansGhost's picture

Mugsy @ 47:

Note: An all-female panel on Meet the Press today to discuss Hillary Clinton.

Does anyone else feel like her candidacy is being forced upon us an "inevitable"?

Nobody's holding a gun to your head while you vote. Dennis Kucinich '08.

ConcernedCanuck's picture

PurplePatriot @ 52:

Does it make me a bad guy that I'm about to shitcan my favorites link to the Huffington post? I'm tired of the bullshit flash ads they use. Plus I think they're a little too interested in the brain-dead world of entertainment. And I don't like to have to login to anything to post a comment.

I have to agree. I do not like the new "slick" HuffPo either. It is too blatantly partisan, and Arianna seems to listen to her supporters as much as any other political expert does. She doesn't.

Comments are closed on this entry