Sunday Morning Bobblehead Thread
"Alice in Wonderland" Great Performances, 1983
During my little one's bedtime reading, it occurred to me that very clear parallels could be drawn from Alice in Wonderland to our Sunday morning get-togethers. In this scene, little Alice is alone, lost and looking for help in the form of information that will help her leave the frightening Wonderland woods (that threaten to be even more frightening as the darkness looms). She runs into Tweedledee and Tweedledum and pleads with them to help her. And what do they do? They ignore her plight. They chide her with a strangely smug form of false balance ("Contrary-wise,...") and then distract her with a song-and-dance that is all about deceptiveness and the mortal danger of trusting people who say they'll take care of you. When she asks again for assistance, they launch into a battle between themselves over some perceived slight that may or may not be true, leaving Alice to realize that they'll be absolutely no help to her finding her way home.
Clearly, Lewis Carroll lived far too long ago to have anticipated the media circus of today, but I see Tweedledee and Tweedledum as very apt symbols of our bobbleheads. The public is Alice, looking for information to help us make sense of our surroundings and getting nothing from the media but distractions, fear-mongering and bizarre logic and focus on the inane. We need only watch this week's schedule to know that they'll be no help to us again.
TweedleDavid Gregory will speak with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Contrary-wise, he'll also speak with GOP also-ran John McCain (the mock turtle, crying mock tears?) on Meet the Press. Meanwhile TweedleGeorge Stephanopoulos will talk to Geithner as well on This Week, but will save the economic debate for Paul Krugman and that "expert" George Will during the roundtable segment. Contrary-wise, TweedleJohn King will focus on the Middle East, with Gen. Petraeus and Amb. Holbrooke on State of the Union. It makes you wonder if we'll ever see the right side of that looking glass again...
ABC's "This Week" - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
CBS' "Face the Nation" - President Barack Obama.
NBC's "Meet the Press" - Geithner; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
NBC's "The Chris Matthews Show" - Panel: David Ignatius, Kelly O'Donnell, Norah O'Donnell, Andrew Sullivan. Topics: Can Obama get what he wants on health care, energy and education? Does the president's new Afghanistan strategy get us in deeper? Meter Questions: Will Obama get the big money he needs for his health care and education plans? YES: 9 NO: 3; Does President Obama bear some responsibility for the sinking stock market? YES: 7 No: 5
CNN's "State of the Union" - Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command; Richard Holbrooke, U.S. envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan; Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C.
CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS" - Fareed talks to President Lula about his recent meeting with Obama, his surprisingly bullish expectations for Brazil's economy, the AIG bonus scandal, and improving U.S. relations with Cuba and Venezuela.
"Fox News Sunday" - Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Edwin Feulner, president of the Heritage Foundation.
So what's catching your eye this morning?
had Gen. David Petraeus and Richard Holbrooke for almost 25 minutes explaining the situation in having an agreement for the first time how to run the wars and having everyone in government of the 3 countries on the same page. It was very good and I doubt that it will be the same today being on CNN.
You can see the interview on the PBS website for the Newshour.
"Let's talk dirty to the animals"
we've all been fooled into thinking that at one time, the media was actually some kind of integral balance to government?
the Stephen Harper US BBQ Tour 2009 continues. Best way to increase your chances of re-election are by appearing in the media in another nation, and not in your own. Didn't even know he was still alive. Maybe he moved in with Mark Steyn, and didn't tell the Canadian electorate. I cannot believe political parties in Canada can't come up with a viable alternative to Mr. US MediaWhore.
The no confidence vote got quashed when Mr. Harper hid underneath the skirt of the Governor General, but now that has passed can't the Liberal Party and the NDP go for another no confidence vote?
You seem to forget that far too many Canadians have slipped into a never ending slumber. Content with the mediocre. Aspiring to not much at all.
I never dreamed that I'd be utterly ashamed of my country but here I am wishing earnestly that I could move to South America but I'm ancient and poor and buoyed only by a small pension and no great fear of medical expenses.
My best hope is that enough NDP wankers will see that their agenda is no different that Harper's and just hold their noses and vote for Ignatieff.
Faint hope however as they seem to be content with "also ran" and would love to see Canada fail.
Don't get me started on the "Green Party". All good intentioned and stupid as hell.
Rant to be continued at later date as I don't expect anything from my fellow Canadians anymore.
Canadians are in a slumber, although I do agree with you. It's got to the point where everyone is cynical. Been there-done that is getting tiring. Maybe it's because of population aging that they can't be completely BS'd anymore. The Used Car Salesman Politicians have been figured out. So hold nose, close eyes, and tag who you wanna vote for. Matters not which party comes into power anyway. They all continue the corporate agenda. It's farcical to listen to the federal Liberals howl at a conservative agenda, when, in the last 20 years the most fiscally conservative have been the Liberals. They didn't just tax and spend though. They taxed, and taxed, and taxed, and taxed, and kept it. Like Americans, Canada seems to be doing fairly well DESPITE our political leaders, not because of them.
Perhaps it's not really much more than an urgent desire on my part to see the end of bushlicker Harper. The most sickening excuse for a human, much less Canadian, that has ever been installed in a once august position. Of course they're all FLAWED. They're politicians.
Iggy however is without a doubt the least of evils and an electable one. Also a friend of the U.S. but not, I'm reasonably sure, about to just rubberstamp anything that's politically expedient. The last best hope that Canada has to be little less than a zombie nation.
My hopes aren't high. I'm that discouraged.
The only thing catching my eye this morning are the big thunder storms that are moving this way.
I have hot coffee and cheese filled bear claws for everyone. Dig in!
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
How bad are the storms? Leaving San Diego in a couple of hrs and flying into Ft Myers tonight. Hope my flight doesn't get delayed too much...
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
tonight chief, if the front doesn't stall out
Our local tv weather idiot basically said the storms would have weakened before they got here or they would be strong. Kinda leaves everyone wondering WTF?
I would imagine they will be beyond Ft Myers way before sunset.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Hope y'all get some good rain without the wind and lightning.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Since VIRTUAL coffee and cheese filled bear claws are low in calories and have no caffeine, make mine a triple.
A nice letter from my bank! It seems my oldest daughter (who is in nursing college) was short on her student line of credit payment by 1.43 in her account. So they sent me a nice dirty letter (cuz I'm the co-sign) stating that they had to service charge her almost $50 for being short and that this "payment" is overdue.
Perhaps I'm missing something, but with all that has gone on with the banking industry since last fall, would you not think they'd be going out of their way to polish their image at least a tiny little bit? Nopers.
Oh and Good Morning PoP! Raining here too and for once it's a warm rain!
I would give the bank a call and talk to them about this. I bet they will change it if you talk nice to them. Catching flies with honey and all that sort of jazz.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Wife phoned and tried real hard to be nice. Didn't work. The non-English speaking person on the other end was rather diligent.
"You pay."
Idiots.
We've had all our savings, loans, etc, with this particular bank now for almost 30 years and still when you phone, you get someone overseas? Oh and as another sign of the times. After all these years as a customer, I actually went into my bank a few weeks ago and was actually asked "do you have an account with us sir"? What a world.
I'm probably naive but isn't a credit union a solution of sorts?
They treat me like a prince. They've even apologized on more than one occasion for being a tad quick to ding me.
unfortunately, last I heard, politicians were eyeing them up for some economic bailout gymnastics as well. This ordeal is far from over. Maybe I'll just file for bankruptcy and move to some remote place where people really give a crap. Is there such a place?
I'm having a hard time deciding who The Cheshire Cat would be (Cat w/o a grin or Grin w/o a cat?), but I keep coming back to George Will and his smugness with no merit to back it up.
BTW: On a side note, today is the 36th anniversary of the last troops to leave Vietnam. I wonder if anyone will bring that up?
(PS: I see by the counter, we passed the 300 millionth visitor since yesterday. Congrats.)
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
The Alice in Wonderland analogy is a great one. Alice was smart enough to walk away, but we're still listening to the cretins after years of smug inanity and non-information. The only time I watch the news is when I click on the "Play" button for videos on progressive websites. By the way, thank you, Crooks and Liars, for the wonderful service you provide!
...here, as well, and what I love the most are the Keith Olberman and John Stewart (leavened a bit with Colbert!) We aren't hooked up to the teevee; why do you think they call it "programming"?
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
Smart move Mary.
TV's really are evil. I am exposed to cable about twice a year and can confirm, there is nothing worth watching.
There are a couple of good programs, but like Mary said, they are "programs" that force you to watch commercials that are loaded with corporate propaganda and fear appeals.
I was watching Washington Journal this morning and an older lady called using all of Glenn Beck's logic. She never mentioned him by name, but anyone could recognize his talking points.
I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said, "I'll keep my freedom, guns and money. You can keep the "change"
Then only moments later I saw a car with No OB painted on the side of his car.
Got some real jerks in this world and apparently two of them live in my town.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
said that gun sales in the US have gone through the roof. That's either good or bad, depending on intent.
After three weeks of the DJIA going up, Chris Matthews asks if Obama is responsible for it going down? I wish someone would tell him something he doesn't know. Anything. At all. There is so much to pick from.
Every time I hear Matthews say, "Tell me something I don't know", I always have to reply, "You're an ass hole".
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Or Hillary didn't kill Vince Foster.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
But the coroner said he looked really sad.
The "Trot of the Troglodyte"...
What, Cantor or Boner were unavailable??
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Those two are probably busy with their abacus while writing the repub budget plan.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
...were high government officials' limousines full of cash being driven into the bellies of USAF cargo planes; I have it from eyewitnesses whose hearts were broken by the crying children being left behind.
Former Premier Ky went to Hawai'i and started a restaurant, now a very successful chain of them there.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
Just an observation:
In his interview with Gates on FnS, Chris Wallace asks if there "is anything we can do to stop the pending North Korean missile launch?" Gates says "We are not prepared to do anything [to stop it]." Wallace pursues the point further.
I'm not sure what exactly Wallace thinks we could do militarily to stop NK from firing its missile? Destroy it before it launches?
I'm immediately reminded of Bill Kristol on FnS in 2004, just weeks after the invasion of Iraq, ready to go after North Korea next.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
Pretty amazing, a rational Conservative.
Founder of Canada's Conservative Party and now PM, Steven Harper rejects Wallace's suggestion that Government should stay out of the business world. Harper says that, though he opposes tax increases, he points to how America's excessive deregulation has created the mess we're in now. "Where has it left us?"
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
He's a scared Conservative. Barely clinging to power because there is no opponent that Canadians can vote for. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Don't let his phoney media circus fool you.
On the FnS Round Table, fill in talking head Bill Sammon wonders if Obama is using the financial crisis as a "power grab" and expresses concern over a President "claiming unprecedented powers that the next President will them claim as well."
We certainly wouldn't want a President that claims unprecedented powers, now would we, Bill? Where's he been the last eight years?
(ADDENDUM: Fox "Power Player of the Week" was the President of the Heritage Foundation, who expressed the same concern over "Obama's concentration of power". He showed off his "pocket Constitution". I suggest he read it sometime.)
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
David Gregory notes to Geithner that his mother "is watching this morning and, like so many Americans, is worried about her job."
Really??? How much money does Gregory make? Do you really think his mother "is worried about losing her job"???
Why is she working anyway?
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
I think Bryant Gumball does the same thing with his mom. Didn't they discover her poor and destitute while Bryant was at his peak?
Does President Obama bear some responsibility for the sinking stock market? YES: 7 No: 5
The stock market did a pretty solid rebound this week. How about asking if Obama gets credit for that too? Nope, I guess that's not gonna happen
If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you're gonna get selfish, ignorant leaders.
George Carlin
If you're in the military, and you want to take a shower.
So much for the surge.
A long time coming.
An online spy. Who knew? Nothing new here.
Arab summit?
Oh, and one more thing. White Phosphorous
I was listening to CBS tv this morning. And a story caught my attention about global climate change.
This story focused on the Humboldt squid.
The reason I bring this up is because of over fishing and the resulting effects on the fisheries.
Now The giant Humboldt squid has moved in and is eating all the younger fish. They stated that this might be a reason for the depletion of the salmon stock in the pacific. This is just one facet of this problem. More on it here.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
You mean we have to eat more calamari in up here Humboldt?
A freind of mine did commercial fishing out of Fort Bragg and hauled one in. Pretty impressive.
Squid link doesn't work mudshark.
Try this one.
And this one too
What is your conceptual, continuity?
I watched this story about giant squid in the top of the Gulf of California. Those are vicious creatures. They attack humans.
One thing you don't want to happen is for one of those things to bite you. Gnarly buggers.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Thanks for the links!
Of course when we find something that is vicious and attacks humans, like a snapping squid beak, our top scientists try to find out how to attach it to, a human.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23830744/
Imagine having one of those for a leg replacement? You would have a little explaining to do in the bedroom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-1C6QlvHl8
Go to 3:25 mark
Thanks. I needed that.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Why didn't Gregory ask McCain about his plan he had to get Bin Laden? Ask him if he really does have a plan or was that all just campaign bs.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
March 29, 2009
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/4277/snow2...
Reminds me why I moved South. :)
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
You're cruel and sadistic.
Another foot of snow last night. Gah!
Ha Ha Ha, some singer/songwriter made a simple YouTube song singing about Paul Krugman, and since he was one the show, they played a bit of it (singer sings about wanting Krugman to be in Obama's government) and it was pretty cool. Singer gets recognition on national TV. Very cool. Stephie says "144,000 hits on YouTube" and Krugman looks on, acting slightly amused. Priceless. That was the most informative segment of the entire show. Geithner is unconvincing in his arguments, doesnt seem like much of a leader. Maybe thats why he's in the job he's in. Had to tune out once Cokie and George started talking.
Radix Omnium Malorum Avaritia
OK, so in the fall, McCain admitted the economy wasn't his strong suit. And then he proved that over the course of the campaign. So who does Gregory have on after Geithner to talk about the economy? Of course, John McCain. Damn that librul media.
Haven't seen the McCain part yet, but Geithner gave a horrible interview. I don't believe he represents the interests of the people, but of private interests. I don't think he's being honest with his responses. The asset purchase program sounds like a crock of shit. "The investors stand to lose everything." Bullshit they are leveraging the co-purchase of a 70K assett with the maximum downside being 5K. Upside? Sky's the limit.
All doublespeak. Just like Paulson.
Fargo and the flood. I've seen floods before. But not one with so much snow and ice. I mean this one must really suck to be there.
I wonder if it's Gawds way of punishing them for being GOPers.
Anyway, here's the link.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
Wow !
Police Investigating Double Shooting<br />
Man Killed In Southwest Baltimore Shooting
Man Dead in Afternoon Shooting
>
2 Shootings Leave 5 Injured, 1 Dead
And believe it or not, there are more story's I could link too.
Who needs more gun control?
Not us. We'll just shoot our way out of it.
What is your conceptual, continuity?
to see any of those programs EXCEPT Fareed Zacharia, for which God help me if I'm not out of bed by 1 PM. It was excellent as usual; I loved Lula's explanation of why he identified himself to a reporter as a lathe operator rather than label himself with some ideology. More leaders like that, please. Maybe we could tell them that's how you get to an 80% approval rating.
Anyway, I think the clipworthy bit was the discussion of the non-representative nature of the UN Security Council. It's time to consider permanent representation for South America and Africa.
I did unfortunately tune in to ABC in time to catch the end of The "Round"table. George Will still sucks ass.
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