I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

With so much going on, I wish we were still chattering.   The oil spill, McChrystal's interview and Afghanistan,  the upholding of gun rights in Chicago, the G20 deciding on austerity over further stimulus to Krugman's dismay, Russian deep-cover spies!----there is still a lot to talk about.

This is an open thread

April 15th.  The date we all love as it represents our financial contributions to our society  ;-)

I've contacted Ender about the latest spam.  I've suggested he go ahead and implement the "verification" feature that would mean an extra step for regular posters, but would foil bot spam.   

I'll be out of town for the next several days, and most likely entirely unplugged, so please ignore the spam.

Just 'cause

First some housekeeping:  I've contacted Ender about the spam comments.  There's thousands from our friends in China, so my apologies, but I'll wait and let him clear that user out.   Also, are there really people who believe you get paid for posting comments with links?   I thought that latest "hey, get paid real money for doing next to nothing!" scam got debunked.   

Second, how 'bout those Saints?   New Orleans needed that, and the team earned it.  

Whither the Democrats now?

This is an open thread

Cheers!

Houston Mayor Bill White enters the Texas governor's race.    He's my mayor.

Who's cooking?  I'm not this year; we're going out, to a local hotel's affaire.  That way I don't feel too guilty about making someone work on Thanksgiving.

This is an open thread.

A new open thread, all wrapped up in shiny paper, just for you.

A general question:  What is your opinion on the need for more active moderation here?   By that, I mean someone jumping into threads and providing admonishment for posters who stray into the personal attack territory, somewhat along the lines of what happens at the Forum.   

Happy Halloween, everyone.

I'm wondering about Afghanistan: why are we there ?  Have the Democrats bought into the brown bogeyman scare tactics, or does the idea of spreading democracy and stability through violence now appeal, all of a sudden?   Is Obama too much of a politician to say "you know, I've changed my mind on Afghanistan . . . . "

Ender asked for suggestions that might facilitate participation here.  In that spirit, some of my links are  from blogs; maybe perusing them will spark some ideas that can be applied to SC.    This is an open thread.

Pournelle has some philosophical musings about the affect of increasing bureaucracy upon a democratic society, quoting this well known writer

Is it just me, or are people taking things way too seriously when the President cannot make a speech to schoolchildren without it causing an uproar?  

This is an open thread.  What's on your mind?

You know it's bad when Bob (aka cheneyslovechild) tosses in the towel . I guess it's hard to be passionate about something when reality slaps you in the face.

Matt Taibbi has a great article about Goldman Sachs. 

The Iranian mullahs are calling for executions .   Such a lovely country.   Methinks the Iranians have a choice to make.  

Not satisfied with the economic situation or the healthcare debate, the President makes some remarks about immigration .   Can we print money fast enough for all his plans?  I guess we're going to try.

The Iranian situation continues to dominate the news.    

". . . Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father's name."

General Sam Houston, before the battle of San Jacinto

Happy Father's Day to all, and don't forget to call your dad today.

(Yes.  Blatant theft of SL's stinerman's creativity.  But then, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.)

The Iranian situation continues.  This dKos diary is very interesting even if anecdotal, and Iran's attempts to pull the US into this mess have begun.   I'd love to be hopeful.  But I remember watching Tiananmen Square and being hopeful then, too.

And some new gloom to worry about.   Wheat rust.  Who knew.

What's on your mind?

Analog TV is no more; I wonder if we'll live to regret that one.  I know I will, during hurricanes.  The new digital TVs don't receive well on short antennas nor do they last long on battery backups.

The Iranian "election" is going on.  This should be interesting.

It's a pandemic!  Oh boy.  Now, be honest.  Have you asked your primary care doctor for an Rx for Tamiflu, just in case?

I posted a diary about the GOP if anyone is interested in a little navel- or crystal ball-gazing.

Mike Murphy in this Time article talks about the future of the GOP:

Despairing Republican friends have been asking me what I think we should do to rebuild the GOP and begin our certain and inevitable comeback. My answer disappoints them: "Build an ark."