Open Thread – Twelve Days of Christmas (Day 6)
19 12 2009I can’t believe we’re half way through our Palinized version of the Twelve Days of Christmas! Time does fly. With all the snow we’ve had in the last couple days, our virtual Mudflats Choir is up to their knees in the white stuff. Good thing they’re in their full Arctic Cat snowmachine gear and bunny boots. Yes, they do have quite the sense of humor, those carollers! Here we go… Everyone sing along!
December 19th, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Ions before Eons, except after C-ons ?
____________
And as spellt as in wait, and nebort and neigh.
Oh, wait, am I speakin and spellin in Paliesesque?
AAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
December 19th, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Really ? ReALLy have we come to the point where this is allowed as a news report ? ( though I have to admit I’m laughing at the insanity of it all )
Over on CNN:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/19/palin-continues-to-blast-climate-change-believers/
>>> In a late night posting on her Twitter feed, Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin continued to blast climate change believers Friday, calling the talks in Copenhagen, Denmark a representation of man’s “arrogance,” for believing people have an impact on nature.
“Arrogant&Naive2say man overpwers nature,” Palin tweeted. <<<
As I've said before and will say again and again – this is absolutely "Alice Through the Looking Glass". It's bizarre, confusing and unsettling on so many, many levels .
A major news source is referencing " late night twitter feeds " ?? and using the phrase, "Palin tweeted" ???? ( can you even imagine Edward Murrow saying that on the air ??)
I do like that the CNN bit had underlying snark and for that, I am grateful.
But…OY!
December 19th, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Interesting –and sobering– article: “Climate reality: Voluntary efforts not enough” http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091219/ap_on_sc/climate_future
SP should read it…and should shut her yap until she fully understands what it is we are ALL up against re: climate change.
On second thought, she should shut her yap, period, and just go away. She is an ignorant, dangerous, dangerous woman – a clear and present menace to humankind. beth.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:53 PM
This would be off topic if it wasn’t an Open Thread, but I just got this on Facebook from a “friend” in OK…
” ‘A’ invited you to join the Facebook group “I don’t care if it offends you, I’m saying MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!”.”
Nice warm fuzzy of a Christmas sentiment, doncha think? Gads.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:04 PM
This made up war on Chritmas is really going to the extreme fringe.
Check this story. http://www.ksby.com/news/controversial-christmas-display-has-neighbors-calling-law-enforcement/
There are some trolls at IM defending this guys “freedom” to have a dead Santa and Rudolph in front of a school bus stop. They have been “done in” by a gun toting Jesus!
December 19th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
It is better to be silent and be thought an idiot, than to Twitter and remove all doubt. Sarah, seriously, do us all a favor and STFU.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Bystander -
Yup – Yup !! Funny !!
December 19th, 2009 at 2:25 PM
If Palin falls in the forest and there is nobody around, does she make a sound?
Sarah Palin:
“Why that’s just an iconic load of cr*p – of course someone would be around since I always have fans at my beck and disposeable, and they always hear what I say and love it because they love me know madder how far I’ve fallin and besides that I can be a louder whiner than anyone under Gods great skie, and just shuttup about me alreddy!”
December 19th, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Sarah would look best with a sock puppet in her mouth and a dunce cap on her empty head.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Bystander Says:
December 19th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
It is better to be silent and be thought an idiot, than to Twitter and remove all doubt. Sarah, seriously, do us all a favor and STFU.
*****************************************************************************
true dat.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:56 PM
About BTQ’s Canadian speaking engagement, and the switching of the charitable event’s beneficiary from Public Health Care to the event coordinator’s brother’s (Mercanti) charity:
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/693678
An Excerpt:
“”"Mercanti said his charity will not have to foot any of the bill to bring Palin to Hamilton, though it may help pay for some equipment or brochures to promote the event.
Palin reportedly earns around a $200,000 a speech.
The charity started as a group of friends at a local YMCA, gathering money for underprivileged kids.
Since 2003 — the charity’s first full year — The Charity of Hope has received almost $578,000 in donations and receipted gifts, according to the Canada Revenue Agency. Of that almost $166,000 has gone to local charities and children, $248,000 was spent on fundraisers and more than $290,000 on other expenses.
Mercanti did not have an immediate explanation of what “other expenses” included, but added that none of its volunteers or board members are paid.”"”
Geez… i wonder if $290K+ rented villas in Aspen and Cyprus. Mr. Mercanti and BTQ will probably become fast friends.
(snowed in East Tennessee, last night ~ but mostly all of it melted away today)
December 19th, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Congratulations AKM.
You made the front page at Kos .
Palin blacking out McCain. WTG.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Hey Mudpups! I’ve missed you guys! I’m LIVE from Sydney right now =) It’s Sunday afternoon and I’ve just done a news round-up.
Healthcare reform & Copenhagen – need more reading but currently, I’m concerned.
Sarah Palin never fails to disappoint. Gets booted from the Canadian hospital fundraiser, wins Lie of the Year with “Death Panels” and apparently only brought ONE hat…no wait, VISOR, to her Hawaii trip. Don’t you hate it when you have millions but still can only afford ONE hat? And don’t you hate it when you have go all sharpie on said hat in order to be incognito? SIGH. Poor little rich girl.
On a serious note – the woman is a bona fide Attention Seeker, who apparently thinks the rest of America is so dumb as to not see RIGHT THRU her schtick.
Roll out the Blame Bus, people. Those darn paparazzi just won’t leave Palin alone! So what if she goes out of her way to be noticed?? Oh, you mean the T-shirt with blunt statement on it PLUS the sharpie adorned visor was MEANT to be incognito?? Oh right. Sure. What was I thinking??
SIGH – well, the good part is that she’s a total joke and the people who STILL think she is a viable 2012 candidate have a big wake up call coming.
Ok, I’m off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday! HUGS!
December 19th, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Opps, I meant, it’s Sunday MID MORNING! =) heh
December 19th, 2009 at 3:34 PM
AussieGal, what’s amazing is that she HAD another hat. It was reported that she was wearing a ball cap when she was seen trying to slip out of Alaska unoticed. After the flack started, she is seen wearing a pink ballcap that had some faint Alaska logo on it. DUH!
Why didn’t she just wear that one to begin with or buy a new hat.?
I know, I know (hand up in the air) because she
1. is a MORAN
2. she wanted to get noticed.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:40 PM
sarah just should quit playin’ with her meds and check in somewhere……..
http://community.webshots.com/photo/fullsize/2356636580103555690GkjiFU
December 19th, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Thanks #59 Tina in Tennessee!
I smell another scandal brewing compliments of our very own Sarah.
$166,000 out of $578,000 = ONLY 28.7% going to charity. WOW, not very impressive for the “Charity of Hope”. Sounds fishy to me.
Whatever/whoever $P gets involved with ends up with nothing but negative energy taking over.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:58 PM
If she REALLY wanted to go all ‘incognito’, she should have just bought a set of Groucho nose/glasses for the whole family. Then no one would have recognized them or even noticed them on the beach. Ya think???
(Where’s flyinureye when you need ‘em?)
December 19th, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I’ll miss Alaska Report, but will keep looking for Dennis Zaki wherever and however he reports.
Sorry if I’m reposting.
http://alaskareport.com/news109/x71363_ending.htm
December 19th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
@38 jizmum: Brilliant!
I didn’t write this but thought it was hilarious so I am sharing.
CHRISTMAS EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. . . Pumpkin. . . Chocolate Cream. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like pumpkin, have two chocolates and one apple. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:
Winter Solstice is coming soon!!!
December 19th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I’ve had a tough month. My favorite boss of all time (who got the boot from her job–which she was great at– by the hospital that took us over last year) and in the process lost her healthcare (in the midst of dealing with both leukemia and pulmonary fibrosis) thereby causing her to have to pay $1000/month for health insurance (through COBRA) without income from a job, died last week. At least she is no longer suffering. But it is very sad for her family and friends.
I have gone through outrage. Now I am sad and tired.
Got this e-mail today: Thoughts???
“Where are we now?
In the last week, the public health insurance option Majority Leader Reid put into his merged bill was stripped out, and a “compromise” allowing people over the age of 55 to buy into Medicare if they chose was added and then also stripped to appease Senators Joe Lieberman.1,2 The leadership and the White House accepted these changes in order to move forward, and they have introduced a bill in the Senate that reflects this.3,4
The compromise, which took away the best way to truly hold the insurance companies accountable, provoked an angry reaction from health reform supporters.5 Frankly, we’re angry, too. The new bill released today does include a number of new, tougher insurance reforms, including a patients’ bill of rights, restrictions on how much insurers can spend on administration and profit, and an attempt to hold down insurance premium increases.
Right now, the Senate bill looks like it will pass the Senate next week and move into conference with the House, which has a much better bill that it passed last month.6
What needs to be fixed?
The Senate bill, as it stands now, has major problems that need to be fixed. We need to make sure that the final bill that goes to President Obama’s desk provides good, affordable coverage and holds insurance companies accountable.
Here’s what must be fixed:
1. Make health care affordable
The Senate bill does not make health care affordable at work, and would encourage employers to hire part-time workers and offer bare-bones benefits. We need the final legislation to do what the House bill does – require all but the smallest employers to contribute a fair amount to good coverage for their workers.
And for those people who are self-employed or in between jobs, both bills need improvement on affordability. The Senate bill doesn’t do enough to make coverage affordable for low-and-moderate income families and the House falls short for middle-income families. The final bill should combine the best of both.
2. Hold insurance companies accountable
The final bill must include strong consumer protections and insurance regulations for all consumers, and give the federal government responsibility for running the new insurance marketplaces. Generally, the House bill is better, but we need Congress to pick the strongest provisions from both bills to be sure that everyone with insurance benefits from strong consumer protections.
The final bill should also give us the choice of a national public health insurance option that’s available on day one.
3. Fairly finance health care reform
The Senate bill taxes the health care benefits of millions of workers to pay for health reform. There’s a better way to pay for health reform that won’t raise premiums and out of pocket costs. By contrast, the House bill asks those who can most afford to pay their fair share to finance reform, as President Obama promised during his campaign.
The final bill should ask the richest to pay their fair share for reform, instead of taxing our health care benefits.
What’s next?
The reason that conservative Democrats like Ben Nelson and Independent Joe Lieberman have been able to hold the bill hostage to their demands is that Republicans have insisted on filibustering the bill every step of the way, requiring all 60 Senators who are part of the Democratic caucus to agree. That will continue this week, with the next 60-vote motion happening on Monday and perhaps two more 60-votes motions occurring during the week.
After the Senate passes their health care bill, it will head into “conference” with the House bill. There, leaders from each branch of Congress, as well as the White House, will work to resolve the differences between the two bills and come up with something that can pass and be sent to the President’s desk.
Conference is an opportunity to stand up for the three priorities listed above, and make sure the final bill guarantees us quality, affordable health care, with the choice of a public health insurance option. The legislation that comes out of the conference will be sent to both houses of Congress for a final vote, and will require a majority in the House and 60 votes one more time in the Senate.
What can be done?
In the coming days, we’ll be asking you to let your Senators, member of Congress and President Obama hear from you. We’ll be rolling out with a campaign to stand up for the fixes we must see to get the best bill possible to the President’s desk. We’ll be asking you to take part, raise your voice, and help us fight for what we believe in.
It’s been a tough week for health care reformers, there’s no question. But we need to get ready, because it’s not over yet.
As President Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, and difficulty.” This last week has been painful and difficult, and there’s a lot of effort ahead. We’ll all be taking this time over the holidays to recharge for the coming fight.
As long as you’re fighting with us, we’ve got a chance to win this thing and finish reform right.”
1. Dems Make Deal to Drop Public Option – CBS
2. Lieberman Tells Reid To His Face: I’ll Vote Against Current Health Care Bill – Huffington Post
3. White House to Harry Reid: Cut deal with Joe Lieberman – Politco
4. With Nelson on board, health-care bill could pass by Christmas – Washington Post
5. Liberal Revolt on Health Care Stings White House – New York Times
6. A merry Christmas; Senate eyes Dec. 24 vote on healthcare reform legislation – The Hill
December 19th, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Urban Dictionary December 19: Cashmas
The primary holiday celebrated in capitalist cultures. Generally observed around the winter solstice, Cashmas is a celebration of materialism in which its celebrants attempt to flatter or impress relatives, friends, and acquaintances with the extent of their purchasing power. (The “power to get”.) Cashmas co-opts signs, symbols, and sympathies from other religious holidays of the winter season to mask its foundation of conspicuous consumption. In the United States, where the holiday is most actively observed, Cashmas traditionally begins on “Black Friday”, that is, the day following Thanksgiving Thursday in November. Holiday observations traditionally end on January 2nd, but may arguably be said to extend through “Super Bowl Sunday” of professional American football. This event can occur as late as the month of February. Also “$mas”.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Wanda Sykes showed up on Conen with a Sarah Palin pop-up book. I’m sure Mrs. Palin must have watched him, since she was recently a bit player on his show.
http://jezebel.com/5430020/10-things-you-may-have-missed-on-tv-this-week?autoplay=true
In light of visorgate, this is very, very funny
enjoy
December 19th, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Then (today) I get this from Sen Murkowski (in response to an e-mail I sent her asking to vote for cloture in the Senate way back in November):
“Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you and having the opportunity to respond.
The U.S. Senate now has an opportunity to consider health care reform. On November 21, 2009, the Senate voted 60 to 39 to proceed to debate health care legislation. Unfortunately, the majority party has not chosen to have a bipartisan debate.
I voted against proceeding to debate H.R. 3590, the Service Members Ownership Tax Credit. H.R. 3590 was a three page “shell bill” that has now been substituted by Majority Leader Harry Reid’s 2,074-page, $2.5 trillion health care bill. The new bill was drafted without public input and in the privacy of Senator Reid’s office. The majority party knows how unpopular this bill is, even among its own members. That is why they held the procedural vote on the three page “shell bill” rather than their actual health care reform bill.
I cannot support this legislation. The bill does not reflect what Alaskans have told me they want to see in health care reform. Simply put, it is government-run health care that will raise taxes on individuals, families, and small businesses; increase health insurance premiums; and cut Medicare by one half trillion dollars. From the procedural shenanigans to the accounting gimmicks contained in this bill, we should start from scratch.
We need to adopt a step-by-step approach to health care reform that focuses on the solutions that nearly everyone can agree on. My top priorities are banning lifetime caps on insurance and coverage denial based on pre-existing conditions, enacting junk lawsuit reforms, and promoting competition by allowing insurers to sell across state lines.
Junk lawsuit reform is one of the most important reforms lacking from this bill. Medical malpractice insurance premiums are soaring for doctors around the country, causing doctors to increase their rates or even close their practices. Tort reform is a proven method for lowering insurance premiums, and thereby lowering health care costs.
The State of California, for example, enacted strong tort reform in 1975. From 1975 to 2004, malpractice insurance premiums in California dropped 40 percent. The effects on overall health care spending are also clear; California spends nearly $650 less on health care per capita than the national average, and health care costs are growing at a much slower rate in California than around the country. I am confident that we can drastically improve our health care system by enacting reforms similar to California’s.
I continue to be concerned with the majority party’s continued efforts to force massive bills through Congress before Members of Congress or the public have time to read and digest what is actually being proposed. I have taken action and cosponsored Senate Resolution 307, which would require all legislation to be posted online for at least 72 hours before being considered by the Senate. The current legislation being considered is now available online at http://www.thomas.gov. The House of Representatives bill is labeled H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America. The Senate version is labeled H.R. 3590, the Service Members Ownership Tax Credit.
I held several town hall meetings this summer, and I was frequently asked if I would be required to participate in the proposed federally-run government health plan. You may be interested to know that I supported an amendment to the HELP Committee health care bill that would require Members of Congress and their staff to enroll in any new federally-run government plan. The amendment passed the HELP Committee by a vote of 12 to 11. I will continue to support efforts to require lawmakers to join any new public plan they choose to create.
As the Senate debates health care reform, I will continue to fight for real reform that truly provides greater access to quality health care without crippling our economy in the process.”
This from the woman whose latest trick is going to be to try to block any legislation on carbon emissions by corporations and something about trying to bypass the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the EPA to regulate environmental issues. Isn’t that what we have an EPA for???? Isn’t regulation what GWB got rid of and left us in this mess????
I just love it when you want to discuss things in a mature and rational way and all you get from these bozos is “Noooooooo” and a lot of red herrings. I am getting tired of this legislator telling me what “Alaskans want” when I have told her over and over what I want and she refuses to even acknowledge it. I don’t think she is reading what I write to her. Oh, I forgot, it’s about the money…..not the people…
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
December 19th, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Depending on the shift of the calendar, the winter solstice occurs some time between December 21 and December 22 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and between June 20 and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Boy Murkowski can blather on, can’t she!
And if she doesn’t think emissions (or is it imissions) should be regulated, let’s make her stand on a busy corner in Bakersfield for several hours.
That Wanda Sykes pop up book had me laughing so hard I cried. Even hubby laughed, and that’s saying something!
December 19th, 2009 at 7:08 PM
My senators are both democrats who agree with the public option or at the very least the buy in or opt out plan.My representative is a republican and i received the same type of blathering from him as was received from Murkowski.A bunch of garbage and red herring thoughts.