Stephanie Miller

LiveBlog for Thursday, July 30, 2009

blumenauerRep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) calls in at 6:30am Pacific to talk about health care reform and the GOP’s attack against his proposals.

palloneRep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) calls in at 7:30am Pacific to talk about health care reform.

palmieriJennifer Palmieri, Senior Vice President for Communications at the Center for American Progress, calls in at 8:05am Pacific to talk about health care reform, the economy, and today’s “Beer Summit” at the White House.

• Two of the three Senate GOPers negotiating a bipartisan deal on health care reform said late yesterday they consider an agreement out of reach before the Senate goes on its August recess. In the House, an agreement between 4 Blue Dog Dems and the House leadership allowed committee debate to resume, but put off a vote by the full House until after the August recess.

• In a new NBC News / Wall Street Journal poll, 42 percent now say the president’s health care plan is a bad idea, a 10 point increase since last month. The poll also finds that Obama’s overall job-approval rating has dropped to 53 percent.

• President Obama will have to set aside health care reform to revisit the racially charged issue that stole the spotlight from his health care push last week – the arrest of his Harvard professor friend. Obama will meet with Cambridge police Sgt. James Crowley and Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. at the White House today, each one chugging his favorite beer, in a public attempt to move past the emotional event.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at 2:38 am and is filed under liveblog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

471 Responses to “LiveBlog for Thursday, July 30, 2009”

  1. flombaye says:

    sad but true: reno has nearly a dozen leftover teabaggers (dumb people with old money) bored enuff and desperate enuff for their 15 seconds of fame to assemble in front of the courthouse all day protesting against obama’s magical negroid attempts at matching medical taxation with some sort of medical representation.

  2. Adam says:

    I am just disappointed that the Democrats, especially the blue dogs, caved into their own selfishness. I’m very disappointed in the party, and to those who put their jobs over the America people. Go to hell! is all I have to say to them.

  3. Adam says:

    Unfortunately too, There are these absent minded Republican jerks that put these jackasses in office too. I would say that we are more stupid as a nation as well for keeping a–holes in office too.

  4. flombaye says:

    i know a literate employable gent who claims to have actually anticipated the mental landscape of the ultra-crazies, and how they would conspire to triple the price of firearm ammunition ostensibly around obama’s magical (and negroid) ascension to office. this well written hit piece on conventional hypnopedia perhaps provides a clue about the underlying mechanisms. pay hard and fast attention especially to inconvenient truths 6 thru 11 …. http://physicalsubculture.com/2009/07/28/next/
    my main hypothesis is that the same type of underlying mechanism that drives behavioral manifestations of excessive cortisol response may also be playing out in place of cerebral responses (in some people), where any sort of extrasomatic stimulus generates anxiety BY DEFAULT, rather than generating stress after cognitive evaluation. – or, as maslowe said, somebody with only a hammer in their toolkit is going to treat everything like a nail.

  5. shāf says:

    Good morning, everyone. This will be a drive-by blogging for me since I have meetings off-and-on all morning.

    Before I skedaddle, I need to note that these polls about Obama’s overall popularity or his approval on different issues don’t appear to ask the follow-up question: is the perceived dissatisfaction because Obama has watered-down, traded-away, or otherwise abandoned his original plans (whether it’s health care reform, financial services oversight, job creation, etc.) in order to get something passed?

    The half-a-loaf (better than none) school of thought may be acceptable when you have the thinnest of Congressional majorities. But dammit, we’ve got strong majorities in both the House and Senate. Why the frak do we need to cave so easily to right-leaning Blue Dogs and minority Republicans who couldn’t find their leadership with both hands and a flashlight?!

    Have a great day everyone!

  6. flombaye says:

    5: health expert rush limbaugh believes that more and more people are catching on that obama is black. and angry. and that obama has never accomplished anything.

  7. trojanrabbit says:

    Gooood morning all. Good morning to Steph & the Mooks and a special good morning to Rebekah.

    Y’all should call me drive-by I guess. A bear of a report to do, then I put my programmer’s cap on.

    I was sorta happy that the press conference with the 9-1-1 caller didn’t happen until yesterday’s show was over. But I guess the festering wound gets opened again today.

  8. Carol Hussein in Central Mass says:

    good morning.
    I have hope that the new President is playing strategy with his children the congresscritters. I think he may be holding his best fire. I also expect some stunt from the other guys (like lies and misinformation aren’t bed enough).

  9. Skyhawk says:

    Morning all, I’ll be checking in from time to time. Bagels are on the table. Help yourself.

  10. Carol Hussein in Central Mass says:

    Arianna knows it. The anti-reform crowd is not willing to back away from the trough. It’s hard to be a millionaire patriot. There are very few.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/arianna-discusses-executi_b_247497.html

  11. flombaye says:

    9: bagels ! awesomeness ! reminds me of madonna’s only (and therefore best) contribution to classic literature.
    “last night, i slept with some bagels….”

  12. Carol Hussein in Central Mass says:

    and the funny version with Colbert:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/arianna-faces-off-against_b_246798.html

  13. Carol Hussein in Central Mass says:

    “The best way to deal with fanaticism is with poise and logic.”

  14. trojanrabbit says:

    Hope you’re feeling better today, Danielle.

    Are congrats in order now?

  15. flombaye says:

    13: thank you carol. – one need look no further for the conclusive evidence that brevity is the soul of wit, than the way that health expert and noted teen idol rush limbaugh has compressed the term “huffpo” into “the huffing and puffington post”. it works wonders, i tell you. AND get this, keeping on top of things with the dedication of an albert einstein, rush has updated the playing of obama and pelosi soundbites at chipmunk speed, by cleverly adding a touch of 1940s technology, forming (get ready; this is really clever….) soundbites played at chipmunk speed, ON A LOOP !!! – you have to listen to rush’s show. it’s really very clever stuff. dont even TRY to imagine how extra uber funny it would be with dennis miller in studio doing the weird chuckle-like sound effect. – - – and speaking of radial porcinality, i declare a big fat greek kudos upon arrianna for expanding the cybervernacular to include the staple term “OMGSMFB”. (”oh my god, so much fresh bacon”). turns out that green acres was the place to be after all.

  16. Carol Hussein in Central Mass says:

    What do you suppose Harry has done or experienced that keeps him so conciliatory?

  17. So Clinton threatened the British to withhold terrorism intel to prevent their high court from revealing evidence of how we tortured one of their citizens: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/07/30/mohamed/index.html

    Isn’t covering up a war crime itself a war crime? SoS Clinton and Pres Obama have ’splainin’ to do.

  18. great. Apparently now both kitties have determined that mommy is not allowed to work or look at the computer screen today..

  19. LeftCenter says:

    Good morning, live blogospherians!

    So I hear last night that some kind of compromise has been reached with the blue dogs. This morning I wake up to the news that the liberal wing of the party is balking. Didn’t hear any details of the compromise, but based on the bare bones facts alone, it’s obvious that Will Rogers is still right.

  20. #10, easier for camel to walk through the eye of a needle.

  21. LeftCenter says:

    #19 That’s one reason we have a dog.

  22. flombaye says:

    20: rick santorum has approved the preliminary trials for a short video, dressing up michael vick as a blue dog, by applying a sausage flavored coating of vick’s vapo-rub, in a very fiesty shower scene with one hot dog. film at 11.

  23. LeftCenter says:

    #21 I’ve always wondered why would a camel WANT to walk through the eye of a needle.

  24. Carol Hussein in Central Mass says:

    Every morning I think I’ll come back and join in for a while. Maybe today. The other work table beckons. I read every word, my precious blogging friends.
    *dancing on sunshine*
    Raise a glass of beer for America!
    Maybe the Cambridge cop and the Harvard professor will link arms and demand Single Payer.
    *SIGH*

  25. flombaye says:

    24: they’re sew sew curious

  26. LeftCenter says:

    #25 I can see it now, Crawford, Gates, and Obama, arm in arm, singing Kum-ba-ya.

  27. 22… as my boy kittie is now “talking” and running from one end of the house to the other like a wild banchee kittie… I think that you may have been on to something with the dog…

  28. LeftCenter says:

    #28 My doggie right now is curled up on the bed next to my wife who is sleeping in today. Of course she (the dog) is on my pillow, but what the heck?

  29. LeftCenter says:

    It’s Miller Time!

  30. Rocky Mountain High, Colorado says:

    Mornin’ blog.

  31. Skyhawk says:

    It’s Miller time! Too bad there’s none at the White House.

  32. flombaye says:

    27: i dont know how joan crawford (the least attractive actor in “trog”) got mixed up in this group, but it wouldnt work out for a sing-along of kumbaya. gates and crawford are arabs.

  33. flombaye says:

    29: isnt it a bit early for ripping off great lyrics from bobby goldsboro ?

  34. Will he be the official head of the MAD DOG Democrats…

  35. Skyhawk says:

    I prefer root beer myself.

  36. Give me a Belhaven Scottish Ale. Failing that Smithwick’s or Guinness.

  37. LeftCenter says:

    What is Obama (a White Sox fan) doing drinking Bud???? The Sox sell Miller!

  38. flombaye says:

    35: i’ll bet you could have a god dam good palindrome for a slogan.

  39. flombaye says:

    17/36: hey ! who sucked up all the “old harry’s root beer” ?

  40. Widmier Hefeweizen…

  41. trojanrabbit says:

    I only need to worry that the kitties will get too curious when I have electrical stuff on my workbench opened up. Lucky really wants to know what’s on that bench, have to make sure everything’s cat-safe when I’m done for the day.

  42. yes i amd G*D D*M PO’d…

  43. flombaye says:

    42: you can always change the name of the one who was called “whiskers”.

  44. flombaye says:

    43: deep breathing exercises will help. at the very least, you’ll be huffpo’d

  45. LeftCenter says:

    Had they started with single payer, if a compromise had to be made with blue dogs, the public option would have been the compromise point. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!!!

  46. flombaye says:

    looks like i picked the wrong week to stop free-basing nachos bel grande.

  47. Any one see the summary of the most recent Repug HC Proposal.

    I’ll give you three guesses what the corner stone is?

  48. LeftCenter says:

    It may be 102 in Seattle, but apparently we’re experiencing global cooling in Illinois, at least if you listen to the naysayers here because we’ve had a cool summer.

  49. #46 Legislation isn’t like buying something in an Anglo-American store, where the seller has a fixed price and you pay it. It’s like buying a rug in an Indian bazzar. The seller starts by asking for a thousand rupees and you offer ten. Liberals forget that, and start by asking only for their reserve, and are stuck negotiating downwards.

  50. flombaye says:

    49: while brian wilson yet lives, they’re all cool summers.

  51. LeftCenter says:

    AM-al-gam? A-MAL-gam.

  52. Tax Cuts…

    Corporate welfare for the Insurance Industry….

    Take money from the Tresuary and give it directly to United Health Care…

  53. flombaye says:

    the bare witch project ?

  54. trojanrabbit says:

    48
    Limits on malpractice awards?

    Could see that one coming a mile away. Of course, malpractice insurance rates would still go up.

  55. k to the g says:

    EVERYTHING smells in Seattle now :mrgreen:

  56. Rocky Mountain High, Colorado says:

    48, 53 I thought it would be, “why don’t you just die”

  57. flombaye says:

    it’s the surreal thing.

  58. Actually, sounds like a sparking lassi.

  59. flombaye says:

    try our refreshing schmen-drink

  60. Dutch says:

    Is the beer served at the beersummit really Bud Light?
    I bet Obama secretly prefered beers from one of those elitist microbrewers.

  61. LeftCenter says:

    Bleeeeccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  62. 55

    Yet malpractice insurance/awards amount to about 1% of the cost of health care…

  63. I don’t drink milk as it is… but that sounds even nastier than the regular stuff… ewww… I think that drink should qualify as a pregnancy test.. If you want or can even drink that, you must be pregos

  64. flombaye says:

    meshugah in the mornin’
    meshugah in the evenin’….

  65. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Morning, all. Wild Cherry Milk

  66. k to the g says:

    it’s SO hot in Seattle they’re icing down people and throwing them instead of fish in the market

  67. #64, 55, malpractice insurance rates have more to do with regional monopolies than payouts by insurance companies, which are actually comparatively small.

    Indeed, in many areas of insurance, most local areas are near-monopolies.

  68. flombaye says:

    65: guess what. it turns out they’r not that bad. but i cant possibly be pregnant from THAT position. something’s wrong here.

  69. scooter says:

    Sex with horses? I say nay.

  70. trojanrabbit says:

    64

    But that’s a REALLY BIG 1%.

    Gotta protect those insurance companies.

  71. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Horse rape. Nice to know that Mark Foley’s keeping busy.

  72. flombaye says:

    71: please dont stirrup trouble on stephie’s bridle trail.

  73. 57: “just die” is not the basis, just their desired result..since the plan will not get Health CARE to those who need it most…in fact, the propose that people be allowed to purchase Private Insurance with their MEDICAID benefits…

  74. Rocky Mountain High, Colorado says:

    69 hmmm, Geico should get into online malpractice insurance.

  75. k to the g says:

    it’s SO hot in Seattle we’re walking around making our own gravy

  76. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    I got an apple core for ya’, Trigger.

  77. flombaye says:

    77: are you also going to do the lucy episode about the assembly line chocolates, or just stomping the grapes into gravy ?

  78. Skyhawk says:

    Ride ‘em cowboy! Yee ha!

  79. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    That horse is a lying whore.

  80. how’s the humidity in Seattle? Is it muggy like down here in Florida? We’ve only been about 95-98 degrees lately, but because of the humidity the heat index feels like 108… that’s daily… that’s not a heat wave…

  81. Rocky Mountain High, Colorado says:

    76, or Progressive Insurance, since I notice they advertise here on the Stephanie Miller live blog.

  82. 81… Sugar was askin’ for it…

  83. Also, insofar as malpractice is a problem, it’s not the awards, it’s the doctors. Many of the doctors that get sued for malpractice are repeat offenders. If the medical licensing associations would just pull their licenses, they’d put an end to much of the malpractice.

  84. k to the g says:

    it’s SO hot in Seattle, ALL the bread is sourdough by now. ok I’m done.

  85. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    OOOOOOOO, Nellie!!!!

  86. flombaye says:

    the movies of the episode are finally up on the youtubes … not feature length movies, just some jockey shorts.

  87. Dutch says:

    84 Come on, both horse and rapist are unstable

  88. shāf says:

    Did the horse get a case of the Clippity-clap?

  89. LeftCenter says:

    Not bad, Jim, but the sheep a couple of years ago was better.

  90. Liv says:

    SO GROSS! Please dont do that again!

  91. LeftCenter says:

    Is Cindy in Seattle sleepless in Seattle?

  92. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    It’s SO hot in Seattle, that it’s too hot for sex with horses.

  93. flombaye says:

    89: that explains all the squeezy seductive “hay now” sweet talk.

  94. k to the g says:

    82. humidity isn’t bad here, just no wind right now

  95. 91… I agree… that sheep bit had me laughing for days… and if I remember correctly, I may have had to replace a key board after that show…

  96. flombaye says:

    91: as one of dionne warwick’s psychotic friends, i can only say that “last night, i couldnt get no sheep at all….”

  97. LeftCenter says:

    #97 I replayed it and shared it with friends for at least six months afterwards.

  98. 96… I do feel for you guys because not many have A/C, but on some level I wanna say “Welcome to our world”… but I know it’s serious because people there aren’t used to that kind of heat…

  99. flombaye says:

    97: just keep a big old closet of keyboards, like einstein did with black suits.

  100. pjkool says:

    The Republicans continue to claim that people will loose their insurance and costs will skyrocket if we pass healthcare reform. This argument has no credibility. The Republicans killed healthcare reform in 1994 using the same argument and millions have lost their coverage and the price has skyrocketed. Why has nobody in the Democratic party or the media reminded the Republicans of that?

  101. #100, I spent a summer in Houston in a house with no a/c. No fun, but if you grew up in the area, bearable.

    Though now with the drought, might be a bit tougher.

  102. LeftCenter says:

    #102 Because we don’t do that sort of thing. The media are in the hands of the Republicans, and the Democrats just bend over and pray the Republicans will be gentle.

  103. Over a 100 posts already!!!!!! Yikes. Too many to read right now. Someone give the Cliff Notes version. Oh yeah…..

    GOOD MORNING LIVE BLOG!!!!!!!

  104. scooter says:

    Asked how the ewe was in bed, the shepherd said “Not Baaad”.

  105. flombaye says:

    100: had some days working in a large company in sacto in the winter, where the thermostatic control was in minnesota. – we called to complain that the temperature was down to 55 degrees. – they had to research what a “55 degrees” is.

  106. Hey radio listeners? Looking for a new place to pass gas? Visit fartinattix.com!

  107. LeftCenter says:

    #105 Something to do with a horse.

  108. Those in Seattle are welcome to come to San Antonio.

    We have had 36 days at or over 100…and only 0.5″ of rain Since June 1.. only 4 days in July did in NOT Break 100 (an then the highs were 98 and 99)…

    Ain’t no global warming…

  109. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Steph’s just bitter, because Sugar is gettin’ more than her.

  110. k to the g says:

    100. thanks. I feel for you guys with humidity :-P

  111. spiffyhussein says:

    Hello all. We are all so sick and tired of Congress. Both parties. So much selfishness. No vision. And I mean philosophical vision.

  112. 103… I grew up without A/C here in freakin’ ridiculously hot Florida… I actually bought myself my own wall-unit a/c with the money I got from my 13th birthday… but it is much more bearable when you’re used to it

  113. flombaye says:

    103: did you remember to bring your tennis racket for the skeeters ? by the way, they’re not really the state bird. that’s looziana.

  114. spiffyhussein says:

    #94—yeah, crazy hot in Seattle! Even the trees can’t deal with that.

  115. When I lived in Portland I had no AC in my apartment. But it never got over 85 degress the whole time I was there.

  116. spiffyhussein says:

    I know the perfect argument to counter the RW saying the new health care is planning death for seniors. Please point out that insurance companies are planning their deaths even now… Everyday.

  117. 112… yeah, nothing like feeling like you may actually be able to swim through the air…

  118. flombaye says:

    119: but even some chickens have figured out that just crossing the road is easier. pasta la pizza.

  119. LeftCenter says:

    I wish he’d come out and say why they’re vested in the status quo. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ from the insurance companies.

  120. #110 I heard about your current heatwave. That is CRAZEE hot for WAAY too long. I still have nightmares of the DC Summer of 2002 when it was 95 or hotter for 30 Days in a row. THAT was bad enough.

  121. LeftCenter says:

    #122 But you have to admit that in DC when it’s that hot, at least it’s humid.

  122. spiffyhussein says:

    I don’t trust that term “co-op”. It sounds like just another way to kill health care for all by giving too much power to little local groups that can be sabatoged by politics and political people working at them.

    Sort of like how voting booths have been corrupted.

  123. Hiya, Bloggoes! :mrgreen:

    I’m feeling capricious & slightly evil today. I started my day with “badgers badgers” in my head, so now, having posted that, any of you that are susceptible are hearing it too…

    Sorry…

  124. #123 Boy Howdy. It’s SWAMP-O-LICIOUS!!!

  125. I think the polls showing Obama and the Health care reform issue losing ground are more the loud minority than what the country actually wants…. no evidence for that thought I guess…but sure hope I’m right…

  126. spiffyhussein says:

    I’ll tell you what I DON’T want: I don’t want my taxes paying subsidies for the poor so that the poor can be insured with a for-profit insurance company.

    No more tax transfers from our pockets to Big Business.

  127. We had “co-op’s” at one thime; they were called Mutual Insurance Companies…but most of them converted to Stock companies…

  128. spiffyhussein says:

    128—and this is why the Public Option scares the hell out of Big Business. Because Big Business knows how huge their overhead is and that they can never be as cheap as any public option plan.

  129. Why is it that listening to the msm leads people to be LESS informed, rather than more? I’m so sick of the dumbing down.

    Why, people, why???

  130. Everybody FAX your representitive and two or three others…

  131. LeftCenter says:

    It only becomes confusing when the obvious follow-up questions aren’t asked.

  132. If health care doesn’t pass I blame the media directly. I think it would seriously be time to boycott stations, networks, and any product that is advertised on those outlets…

  133. Tony says:

    Morning, all. Look at health care reform this way. It is not a full loaf, but it’s half of one. And that beats nothing at all.

    Anyway, it looks like the jobless numbers have shown a little improvement. That’s going to help boost the number of people who have health insurance just like that, because when people get jobs, they usually get health insurance.

    Let’s hope the stimulus kicks in towards the end of the year like it should, and we are well into a recovery in 2010. Then, we can go back to making health care reform better.

  134. LeftCenter says:

    I just read that Rev. Ike passed away at the age of 74. I used to love watching him on TV.

  135. spiffyhussein says:

    I have a health care plan that will make everyone happy. Have gov’t pay relocation costs for the 47 million who don’t have health insurance so they can move to Canada. I’ll bet many of them would be quite happy in Canada.

    It’s a win-win: The Republicans want the unisured to just die or go away and the Democrats want to keep their contributions from Big Business flowing in. The people want a gov’t that cares about them and uses tax dollars to care for the PEOPLE, not Big Business, and to find that country they have to move to Canada.

  136. LeftCenter says:

    #135 I consider what they’re going for a half assed plan. So is half an ass better than none?

  137. spiffyhussein says:

    132—The representative will only tally your letter if you are from their district. A way to work around that is to send them a donation with your letter. I suggest a dime or a penny donation with some fine words about how you think that’s what their salary should be for all the hutzpah and caring they are displaying for the American people.

  138. Tony says:

    Did you really think you were going to get single payer or that they’d tear down the entire health care system and build it from the ground up? Change comes incrementally.

  139. 135 — unless the half measures actually make things worse because they’re so shoddily done & then the conservobots will push things back the other way, won’t they?

  140. shāf says:

    Hey, the caller is stealing my bit (see Post #90)!

    Wow, it’s Scottzi, the Nazi!

  141. Skyhawk says:

    A horse story and Scottzi. Coinky-dink?

  142. PJ Squeezy Louise Hussein McFlavin says:

    #101: Einstein kept a closet of black suits? It must have looked like a black hole in there.

  143. spiffyhussein says:

    #135—NO! NO, NO, NO! That is the same argument that gave us Medicare Part 5 in which the gov’t is not allowed to negotiate lower drug prices. NO to corporate welfare!

  144. Could you imagine spending a day with this guy??? I think I might go to jail…

  145. spiffyhussein says:

    135–I am so serious Tony. If that’s the attitude of you and the other Republicans then take your ball and leave. Better to leave it the way it is than to increase corporate welfare in America.

  146. spiffyhussein says:

    141—that’s why we’re not all demanding Single Payer today. Our compromise is the Public Option. Like I said, no Public Option then, IMO, we don’t play.

  147. LeftCenter says:

    “How long a snake you got?”

  148. 140: if you FAX it, some one has to hanlde it…it will create paper work and they may not include it in their official Tally, with enough volume, it could bear some weight..

  149. k to the g says:

    from Cal, Nurses’ Assoc:

    URGENT ACTION ALERT for SINGLE-PAYER
    Our House of Representatives may vote as early as this week on its bill to reform the healthcare system. On July 17, 2009, the Education and Labor Committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-OH, to that bill that would allow states to pass and implement single-payer plans with the necessary federal ERISA rule waivers which might otherwise prevent states from doing so.

    This was a huge victory for single-payer but if we are to build on this victory, we must act now. The Kucinich amendment must be retained.

    Find your elected officials here and call today!
    Now we need to make sure the Kucinich Amendment is kept in the final version of the House bill, HR3200, and perhaps made even stronger. There is no time to waste. Pressure is needed directly on those members who have the ability to act in support of the amendment’s retention.

    The Congressional Progressive Caucus has been extremely supportive of single payer, and its members need to know we want the Kucinich amendment in the final House bill and we want each of them to act directly in support of that amendment by talking with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. George Miller, Rep. Charles Rangel. Rep. Henry Waxman, and by encouraging other members directly to do the same. Passive support is helpful but not enough; we need these CPC members to act decisively and now.

    Find your elected officials here and call today!
    Rep. Lynn Woolsey and Rep. Raul Grijalva are the co-chairs of the CPC and both are our friends in the single-payer movement – and will support retention of the Kucinich amendment. Please call as many members of the CPC as you have time to do and urge active support. Tomorrow may be too late, so act now!

    We’ll ask senators to support Sen. Bernie Sanders’ floor vote on S703 later on, but today is the day to lobby the House members.

    ——————————————————————————–

  150. LeftCenter says:

    The Republican plan wouldn’t allow the elderly to be put to death by the government. It would allow them to be put to death by their insurance company.

  151. “You do not want to make Mike Malloy mad!”

    too late!

  152. spiffyhussein says:

    138—we must not settle for anything that doesn’t include a Public Option. You know why? Because the PO is the only way to effectively reduce costs. If we don’t reduce costs over the next 2-3 years then the RW will use that to destroy Obama when he comes up for reelection. And they will use that weapon to kill Dems in Congress too.

    You must understand something about Republicans: When they smile at you and offer you a compromise, it is designed to kill you later on. Their motives are false.

  153. Tony says:

    I’m a republican because I’m a realist, Spiffy? Obama is a realist, too. But wait, there’s a (D) after his name.

    I don’t believe the administration should have caved as easily as they did for a few republican votes, but keep this in mind. We needed the blue dogs. And if you want a democratic majority, we still need them.

    You have to realize that many parts of the country are not as progressive as you would like. A democrat who could win in my district is not going to have a snowball’s chance in districts where the blue dogs are the reps. Hell, man, we had a republican here for a decade or so and she was more liberal than most of the blue dogs.

    It’d be one thing if Obama only had to ram it down the republicans throats. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and he had to give something up to get his own party on board!

  154. spiffyhussein says:

    151—but even better to mail a letter to their local office. Don’t mail it to the DC offices. The mail takes a long time to get through there due to the anthrax scare which was never solved.

  155. Will we double sparta today?

    I’m noticing that when there are political issues folks care about, we get more posts here. I think the live blog can serve as an index of just how important the issues of the day are…

  156. 158 — I think Dick Cheney is the source of the Anthrax. Mainstream libs were targetted, and it suited the Cheney administration to cow those people.

  157. LeftCenter says:

    #159 I’ll have a double Sparta with whipped cream and chopped pecans.

  158. everybody takin’ a coffee break at the top of the hour?

  159. spiffyhussein says:

    #157—then someone needs to teach the Blue Dogs math. If you don’t lower overhead costs by offering Medicare for All, which is about 20% cheaper than comparable private insurance, then the “fiscally conservative” Blue Ds have signed up to pay that extra 20% for every man, woman and child who doesn’t have insurance now.

    The private companies are SALIVATING, like dogs, over that possiblity. They are rubbing their hands together in glee at that prospect.

    If the Blue Dogs are all too math challenged to see that then someone needs to teach them. Pull out the charts and graphs. Maybe the Pres. should teach them? He was a good professor.

    And quite frankly, this reasoning has nothing to do with being “progressive”. It’s all about math. Only the Blue Dogs would pay 20% more for something. Your average American is too smart for that.

  160. Wow, at this rate you guys are pushing 500 posts in 3 hours!

    Good morning, looks like I have missed a lot, having a remarkable dream about working for a big tech outfit, first day at work. Interesting, but completely unreasonable. Of course.

    Hope you are all doing well.

  161. LeftCenter says:

    Do they still make Grain Belt beer?

  162. spiffyhussein says:

    #157—and if you’re such a realist please tell me if you have ever been to any homeless shelters in your city, if your city has them? That’s reality.

  163. If I had a high-profile beer with the president, I would probably order a Theakston Old Peculier. It would keep me in the news cycle for days.

  164. My approach is to read the Statements on Health Care posted on their web site and then make counter points to their postions

    Here is my fax to Parker Griffith, Blue Dog from Alabama…

    http://cmdsinc.com/Blogs/Griffith_Letter.pdf

    But I only have time to do one a day…

  165. Oh god, please do not start the Gates argument again!!!!

  166. trojanrabbit says:

    Making insurance compulsory without a public option, while not allowing coverage for pre-existing condtions will only make things worse than they are. A windfall for the insurance companies.

    Unless this was Congress’ intention all along and we all have been duped.

    The 4th plane should have been allowed to continue to its destination.

  167. spiffyhussein says:

    All right, I have to go. I have much to do. I’m flying to the Midwest with siblings tomorrow to attend a memorial service. May be able to log in at top of show Friday.

    Take care and do not hand your money over to private insurance companies when your gov’t. has the power to offer you something cheaper. Don’t settle for it. Tell them you will remember this betrayal when they come up for reelection and you will help kick them out of office.

  168. Also, Contact the White House…

    You can use the contact form at the Whitehouse.gov/contact, mail a letter or send a fax.

    I sent a fax: 202.456.2461

    http://cmdsinc.com/Blogs/Obama_Letter.pdf

  169. Skyhawk says:

    169 – It won’t be over until the media swarms around Gates and the cop to talk about what happened at the meeting.

  170. spiffyhussein says:

    170—lol! Oh dear….

  171. Mama, Mick’s face maybe hideous, but the dude is ripped for a skinny guy. I’d kill for his physique.

    Of course, he has the time and money for a personal trainer.

  172. PJ Squeezy Louise Hussein McFlavin says:

    “You can’t HANDLE the baster!”

  173. Speaking of a former sperm donor, I find this bit especially funny.

    /clients are not shown adult pictures of donors
    //which is why they show you the resembled celebs’ pics

  174. LeftCenter says:

    Jack Nicholson is 72

  175. LeftCenter says:

    I have spackle AND paste stuck to my colon walls.

    Which reminds me…Bartolo Colon was supposed to start for the White Sox the other day, but came up injured. A thread on a Sox message board announced this by saying, “Colon Scratched.”

    How do you scratch a colon? Very carefully.

  176. hullo
    starting late today

    I watched Larry King last nite I saw no Momma — or was it just me?

  177. trojanrabbit says:

    180
    Not just you, Mark.

    Looks like Mama got dumped by The Lar, again. :(

  178. I was just wondering… Does anybody use the chat here anymore?

  179. LeftCenter says:

    #180 I was out for the evening, so I don’t know.

  180. 167 an Old Peculiar is very nice, or how about an Old Speckled Hen?

  181. Old Peculier = malty (my taste)
    Old Speckled Hen = hoppy (el yucko)

  182. 181 Thanks

    Momma gets dumped more than anybody

    It’s really sad when Larry King stands you up

  183. scooter says:

    Hard to predict what celebrity lookalike offspring when we really don’t know what many celebrities would look like in their natural states. They say one can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but Hollywood has pulled it off more than once.

  184. If I were having a “beer” with the President, I’d ask for Double Bastard. If that weren’t available, I’d settle for Arrogant Bastard.

    This is the BEST stuff, nice metallic tail on it..

  185. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    The same people opposed to reform will complain the cost goes up again. They’re morons.

  186. f%#k these lying blew dogs and the Big Insurance/Big Pharma
    skum who own them… I’m angry and disgusted

  187. LeftCenter says:

    Okay, then maybe the question is asked wrong in the poll.

  188. There are only two blue dogs we need to worry about: Conrad and Baucus.

  189. LeftCenter says:

    “The President’s health plan says….Do you strongly support” etc.

  190. Skyhawk says:

    I have basic cable, and I watch C-Span and Newshour.

  191. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Health care reform is going to get pummeled during August.

  192. trojanrabbit says:

    182

    There used to be people in the chat room at night, but not any more.

    I’ve given up trying.

  193. 188 they had Arrogant Bastard on draft at my fave local bar recently.

    The Berkley Front really is a unique and valuable resource. That’s
    why I gotta be there so much. 42 draft beers, most in the region!

  194. LeftCenter says:

    Why the f@&% would your ask about the poll before listing the major point?

  195. 185… the refreshing taste of hops is the only reason I’ll drink a beer…can’t stand those wussy beers that don’t do any thing for my taste buds..

  196. LeftCenter says:

    pointS

  197. LeftCenter says:

    90 minutes, 2/3 to Sparta!

  198. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    I have basic cable, and I watch C-Span and Newshour.

    ———————————————————————-
    A little bit of CNN, The SPAN. No Fixed Noise Channel.

  199. Jim, no one watches Fox. Cable news viewership is tiny. People are getting their news from local news, television news, and word-of-mouth.

    Insofar as Fox influences the debate, it’s because elite media people still kowtow to it, and indirectly through word-of-mouth.

  200. Oooh, cool! I got called a wuss for liking the wrong beer!

    It’s a good, good day! :)

  201. #199, frankly, I’m rather fond of unhopped ales.

    Hops are a fairly recent addition to ale (to make beer), at least outside Germany; it was only at the end of the 18th century that hops became mandatory in Great Britain, for example, mainly because the aristocracy invested heavily in hops plantations.

  202. 185 ok, now we’re narrowing down on your tastes… what about
    a Wexford Irish Cream?

    Me, lately I’ve been drinking the Okochim Lager… God’ Own Juice!

  203. 204…did’t call you a wuss… just balnd beers… i like an IBU in the 40-50 range..

  204. bland not balnd…

  205. k to the g says:

    195 OR, we could use August to hammer Congress relentlessly and demand single payer. They WANT you to feel discouraged and disempowered. It’s up to us.

  206. 206 — I haven’t had Wexford, but I love Irish cream ales.

  207. 205… without hops, beer is noting more than liquid bread…

  208. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    If only this was the start for Steph. However, it’s the finish.

  209. I am the great Joe DiMaggio
    And I’m a cat with 13 toes.
    I demand attention all the time,
    And make my mommy lose her mind.

    I lay on books and magazines,
    and block views of computer screens.
    I jump in laps and climb on heads,
    And make some want to kill me dead.

    Annoying you’s my special gift,
    Won’t stop until your really pissed.
    I’ll attack your feet and steal your sock,
    you won’t think I’ll ever stop.

    And when you finally give in,
    I’ll pretend you mean nothing.
    I’ll walk away and take a nap,
    but don’t fret, I will be back!

  210. 210 — I used to get Caffery’s around here, and loved it so much. not available in the area anymore. Closest thing is Tetley’s afaik, and it’s OK but not the same.

  211. k to the g says:

    Maybe Virginia Fox’s doctor wants to help her die rather than have to see her. Just sayin’

  212. Rocky Mountain High, Colorado says:

    If they don’t get heath care now, the Dems’ base will bail on them just like they did when they failed to get heath care in 1993. It will be another 15 years before they come back again. We don’t have another 15 years.

  213. #211, rubbish. Without hops, beer is ale.

    Frankly, I like tasting the complex flavors other than the pure bitterness of hops.

  214. LeftCenter says:

    Mama, once again this means the polls are asking the question incorrectly. The plan’s points should be listed. THEN the question needs to be asked. Not the other way around. OR…if the question is asked and then the points give, the question should be re-asked.

  215. k to the g says:

    213. Are you safe? Do you need us to call 911?

  216. LeftCenter says:

    #221 Do the police have a crazy cat squad?

  217. shāf says:

    Hi, just popping in my beer pick…

    Not sure if it’s still being made, but I’d choose Löwenbräu for the jingle:

    Here’s to good friends,
    Tonight is kind of special.
    The beer we’ll pour
    must say something more, somehow.
    So tonight (tonight),
    Tonight,
    Let it be Löwenbräu (let it be Löwenbräu).
    It’s been so long.
    Hey, I’m glad to see ya.
    Raise your glass.
    Here’s to health and happiness.
    So tonight (tonight),
    Let it be all the best.

  218. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    I have to go check out of this motel, and move on to the next one.

  219. Don’t fret K- my evil little 13-toed kitty has decided I’m allowed to work again for a little while… perhaps because it is his nap time… but my sock has seen better days…

  220. 213 very nice

    have a shot for that

    something wrong with my connection, keeps getting slow or nothing…

  221. k to the g says:

    222. They have a cat whisperer they’ll send if the cat has taken over their owner.

  222. I really don’t know what’s gonna happen. I hope we get health care fixed. I just wonder if 60 years of corporate bull is too big a pile to dig out.

  223. 219…When I want complex tastes that excite the sweet portions of my palette, I will put peanut butter and jelly on a slice of toasted Barley…

  224. #223, there’s a great Scottish drinking song called Sae Will We Yet, which should totally be the theme for a Belhaven commercial: http://www.rhapsody.com/north-sea-gas/lochanside (track 16)

  225. k to the g says:

    228. I think this is the tipping point. Too many people know what’s going on and too many are sick and furious about it.

  226. Amy outside of DC says:

    #223 I’ve never drank it, but I remember the tune.
    Did you know that’s where Motley Crue got their umlaut? They were inspired by a Lowenbrau bottle.

  227. #229, and when I want the pure taste of undiluted bitterness, I enjoy a cocktail of bile and stomach acid while hunched over the toilet. But to each their own.

  228. Abbott Ale
    DragonMead
    Tyskie Polish
    Warsteiner
    Bittberger
    Guinness

    czeck it out: http://www.myspace.com/theberkleyfront

    Best Beer Selection in a Bar (best of, 2009)

  229. wHAT?? Did someone say “Bellhaven”?? That is one DAMN tasty brew.

  230. I think that’s a great idea!

  231. 237 — if you’re talking about the caller’s point, Danielle, I have to agree. People need to make the connection on a personal level.

  232. 213 you’re like any other battered spouse, that cat has
    taken over and you’re defending him… oh, I cat, er cut
    myself ah, shaving… yeah that’s it

  233. trojanrabbit says:

    The other problem is that the insurance leeches have become entrenched in the economy. If there is a public option, there will be a drop in the economy related to the “turmoil” in the insurance sector, until the cost savings to everyone else begin to ripple through.

  234. shāf says:

    Stephanie busting out her “Emily Latella”?

  235. k to the g says:

    233. Thanks for that memory!

  236. #236, ah, to find a man with good tastes!

  237. Sent out on ice floes, made to pay for euthanasia drugs… LOVE IT

    Squeezy: ‘Hey, nice skirt Stephanie! airin’ outcher stuff huh?’
    — with apologies to Michael and Michael, sort of

  238. We could send the prez up some great local micro brews from So Fla… my personal fav The Native Lager

    http://www.freshbeerinc.com/products.html

  239. Skyhawk says:

    Hulu is a plot to dumb down the people.

  240. 229…that is why there are so many beers on the store shelves..

    I am not dissing your preferences, but more posts are generated with disagreements…

    of couse, when I have a cocktail I prefer a Brooklyn (a Manhatten made with Rye); if the bar does not have rye whiskey i opt for a Rob Roy.. (Manhatten made with Scotch)…

  241. shāf says:

    ProducerChris, you are an exception, since you are in the media and are politically savvy. I think Jim is correct in reference to the majority of couch potatoes in the viewing public.

  242. k to the g says:

    We need a national 800 number for truth for people to call after they watch tv news.

  243. Mark, that sock came from the store all mangled like that… poor little helpless Joe would never do such a thing… and then I fell on it, that’s it….

  244. #247, just having fun with you. But yes, once you reach a certain bitterness level all beer tastes the same (or heat level for food). It seems silly at some point to chase one aspect of flavor until you achieve perfect conformity because it’s drowned out everything else.

  245. trojanrabbit says:

    Schaefer
    is the
    one beer to have
    when you’re having more than one.

    Schaefer
    pleasure
    doesn’t fade
    even when you’re thirst is done

    The most rewarding flavor
    in this man’s world
    for people who are having fun.

    Schaefer
    is the
    one beer to have
    when you’re having more than one.

    What’s wrong with me where I still know this by heart. The stadium sucked almost as much as the beer did.

  246. LeftCenter says:

    What is really disgusting is that there is no longer any journalism in the media. Republicans lie and no one questions the lies. I saw some clown on Andrea Mitchell’s show yesterday who quoted the “non-partisan” Lewin(?) Group, and Mitchell did not bring up the fact that they are run by an insurance company.

  247. trojanrabbit says:

    Fox isn’t the only “news channel” that needs to try journalism.

  248. Hey, with the marching of seniors off to the “ice floe”, we’ll be able to solve the food problem as well. As long as we all don’t start to riot because the Soylent Green runs short..

  249. shāf says:

    #252 I had forgotten that one (ironic, given my name, eh?)

  250. LeftCenter says:

    Journalism is NOT talking to one side and then talking to another. Journalism is challenging what they say, especially when they lie.

  251. Fox News needs to try suicide.

  252. 251…yes, too low an IBU and it tastes like horse p*ss smells.. which is just about all American mass produced beers.. and yes, too High and it’s like eating a habenero…all heat, no taste…

    I have had some at brewpubs that ran 60+ and they were tooooo bitter..

    There are two ales I like: Bass and Fat Tire

  253. 253 — not just any insurance company; United. Conglomerate of massive proportions, one of the biggest screwers of its policy holders. IF there’s anybody out there fighting for the status quo in health insurance, they’re leaning heavily on what the Lewin Group says.

  254. k to the g says:

    255. hmmm. wonder what beer goes with soylent green?

  255. cindy from Boston says:

    good morning all

    just checking in

  256. LeftCenter says:

    #260 I knew that, couldn’t think of the names.

  257. 261: Just about any Beer served on St. Patricks Day…

  258. LeftCenter says:

    #261 Soylent Gold

  259. #259, it’s a very poor ale or beer that ever smells like that. If you’re using bitterness to hide skunk, like people used to use spices to hide the smell of rotten meat, you’re covering for low quality, not exploring complex flavors.

    But that’s precisely why I don’t drink mass produced American beers. American craft beers can, however, be quite excellent.

  260. shāf says:

    There’s hope for talk radio…
    Clear Channel Reportedly Passes On Palin Radio Show

    Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/28/sarah-palin-radio-star-ex_n_246525.html

    Excerpt:

    Broadcasting & Cable’s Paige Albiniak casts doubt on Sarah Palin’s radio prospects, and says that her sources claim Clear Channel has already turned Palin down out of fears that she can’t sustain a regular three-hour radio show…

  261. Atholl brose
    traditional Scots Hogmanay toasting drink:
    to be mixed with a silver spoon:
    * 7 parts oatmeal brose
    * 7 parts Scots whiskey preferably a single malt
    * 5 parts cream
    * 1 part honey
    The brose is prepared by steeping a volume of oatmeal overnight in three times as much cold water, then straining the liquid through muslin.

  262. OK, what’s the *most rotten* “beer” you’ve had? Jax? Pearl? Some favorite yard beer you buy for the leeches who never show up with a libation of ANY kind..

    And what happened to the quarts that you twisted the sack around? (I still like to do that to get a rise..)

  263. PJ Squeezy Louise Hussein McFlavin says:

    #7: SOAPBOX ON: 9-1-1 calls on the news:

    I didn’t catch the press conference with Prof. Gates’ neighbor, but wasn’t it on this very liveblog that someone was telling us to “take a closer look at Lucia the 9-1-1 caller” and that she “probably thinks they all look the same” (or words to that effect)? For trying to prevent a breakin she got insults and slurs – even here. Someone owes her an apology. And I’m sure Prof. Gates will thank her for trying to protect his home!

    WHEN did the names and recorded voices of 9-1-1 callers become public property? People are going to think twice about calling in a crime if they think it’s going to result in harassment by total strangers – or criminals. Like the old couple in “Duel”, they’ll just say “we don’t want any trouble”.

    I think playing emergency calls on newscasts is lazy sensationalism rather than journalism. 9-1-1 calls I never needed to hear: River Phoenix’s brother begging for an ambulance to save his dying brother, the caller at the Jackson house (lucky him, he managed to stay anonymous); add your own here:

  264. #264, the Mucky Duck in Houston, which throws one of the best St. Pat’s parties in the country, sells its slogan on T-shirts:

    Irish beer is black, not green.

  265. LeftCenter says:

    #267 A justifiable fear considering she couldn’t sustain one term as governor.

    Not to mention, “I’ll get back to ya with that.”

  266. 261 Soylent Green… you need Soylent Cola

  267. 261 — I’m guessin’ th’ Silver Bullet.

    262 — Hiya, Cindy! :mrgreen:

  268. #270, I’m actually glad we have info from Lucia. It exonerates her. And it was the police report that cast her in a bad light, not the actual 9-1-1 tapes.

  269. trojanrabbit says:

    267
    I think this shows more what bad straits Clear Channel is in where they don’t even want to take the financial risk. Who knows, Sarah might have quit after the first week.

  270. Skyhawk says:

    267 – In the immortal words of Nelson. HA! HA!

  271. shāf says:

    #277 Whatever their reason, I’m thankful! (Although the comedy sound bites would have been infinite!)

  272. 247 Rob Roy? yer settin’ yerself up to be called an old person,
    waiting to be put on the ice floe

    we had a great discussion of the merits of Rye whiskey here the
    other day

    250 hee hee watch out he’s got all those extra claws…

  273. 266: I don’t drink the American mass produced beers either

    As I posted before, I prefer Widmier Hefeweizen from Oregon; but there are only two restaurants in San Antonio that have it on Tap…

  274. 278 was that Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar?

  275. trojanrabbit says:

    278
    Well, if it was TV it could have been in the immortal words of Nielsen, but we’ll have to settle for Arbitron.

    Damn it, that joke wouldn’t work.

  276. SOMEONE is likely to sponsor a Sarah radio or TV program. Even if (when) it poops, many people will tune in initially just to see how stupid it will be.

  277. shāf says:

    Gotta’ split for meeting. Have fun at Sparta!

  278. trojanrabbit says:

    279
    She should try Entercom. They need another RW nut for their “sports talk” shows. She can fire off the incoherent basketball references.

  279. Oh Momma! a Heifenweissen girl! might have known. They
    frequently leave off the underwears while petting after dark…

  280. Blue Moon is a so-so beer at best. A fairly lame attempt at a wheat beer. There are MUCH better ones out there of that ilk (IMHO).

  281. Food Fascist says:

    Dear Friend,

    If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind.

    Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill.

    It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:

    No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
    No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
    No cost-sharing for preventive care
    No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
    No gender discrimination
    No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
    Extended coverage for young adults
    Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid
    Learn more about these consumer protections at Whitehouse.gov.

    Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.

    It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family. You can help by putting these core principles of reform in the hands of your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network.

    Thank you,
    Barack Obama

  282. k to the g says:

    Old Peculiar would go with soylent green prob

  283. I say let’s skip all the beer and just do a round of shots! Or we could combine… Irish Car Bombs anyone????

  284. trojanrabbit says:

    287
    Like the death march surrounding the Half-hour News Hour

    Sparta?

  285. flombaye says:

    the white guy with the black dad (”the white guy” for short) will put stephanweizen on the map, and ott also invite jim ward to portray glenn beck (a porky fool but true).

  286. trojanrabbit says:

    wow sparta fast

  287. Amy outside of DC says:

    #287 Yes, many people, right and left, will tune in to hear Sarah. When her voice gets too grating the left will tune out, and when her “ideas” get too ridiculous, many on the right will tune out. All that’s left will be people who think Sarah Palin running for president in 2012 is a good thing.

  288. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    I’m back. I’ve landed in a wifi cafe for the time being.

  289. LeftCenter says:

    Time for…SPARTA!

  290. Obamarules says:

    Please, it is not going away.
    Have you heard about the Boston cop who sent an email where he called Prof. Gates a jungle monkey?
    A prefer a raspberyy Lambic.

  291. flombaye says:

    pushing seniors off on kenyan ice floes is technically euthanafrica.

  292. LeftCenter says:

    Yay trojanrabbit!

  293. DANG IT!!!!! Knew I’d be too late today. CRUD!!!

    Humbly passes the Leonidas Cup to the most worthwhile Trojanrabbit.

  294. 295 great idea!
    we had a discussion in the bar the other night, three girls and
    three guys. The debate was between should we have Red Headed Sluts
    or French Whores. The two sides kept chanting at loud volume:
    Sluts! Whores! Sluts! Whores! Sluts! Whores!

    mebbe you had to be there

  295. 295 — I’ve never done that one. Always think about it, but I usually end up thinking “why ruin a perfectly good Guinness?”

  296. Hey, speaking of TV, I recently received a Nielson survey in the mail and five crisp one dollar bills. I tossed the survey, and gave the $5 to sweet SO. Neilson called and asked if I had questions, and I told them I needed at least $100 to fill out their survey, including listing all the channels I got on my Direct TV satellite service. And I asked why they had no provision for all the porn programs I watched every day. Finally, they gave up..

  297. flombaye says:

    but is obama going to take away lavort’s mediqueer ?

  298. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Trojan’ scores Sparta.

  299. trojanrabbit says:

    305
    Ah, but he’s getting fired pretty damn quick. The union won’t even support him.

  300. Obamarules says:

    A Boston police officer who sent a mass e-mail referring to Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. as a “banana-eating jungle monkey” has apologized, saying he’s not a racist.

    http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/30/gates.police.apology/index.html

  301. LeftCenter says:

    Once again, the polls are not being correctly.

  302. The Leonidas Cup

    it comes filled with your choice of beverage

  303. 281..A Rob Roy up, is basically scotch on the rocks, without the rocks, with a hit of vermouth…

    but then I guess I am an “old person”…switched to Rye Manhattens, from Scotch on the rocks, 20 years ago when a cousin who owns a bar introduced me to it….

    Sorry I missed the Rye discussion…

  304. LeftCenter says:

    #317 Correctly taken

  305. NOW….. getting back to important matters. That being BEER. The best brew of ‘em all? Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale!!!! End. Of. Discussion.

  306. flombaye says:

    310: shame on you…. debating red headed sluts or french whores… scandalous. – it’s “freedom whores”.

  307. 310… sounds like something I could easily see me and my friends getting into… but we usually don’t do the “fro-fro” shots… typically it’s patron or jack… and there’s a no training wheels (salt, lime, chaser) rule!

  308. or would it be “fru-fru”..

  309. 316 — racists always say “I’m not a racist”

  310. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    but is obama going to take away lavort’s mediqueer ?

    ———————————————————————-
    And Steph’s gay=ray.

  311. The last time I had Guiness (Stout), I remembered that I needed to change the oil in my transmission. But, we managed. A pal of mine helped me drink a full pitcher..

  312. 312 awesome
    that’s hilarious
    and worth five bucks

  313. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    316 — racists always say “I’m not a racist”

    ———————————————————————-
    I am not a racist crook.

  314. Skyhawk says:

    Wow Sparta blew past me. Congrats T-Rabbit.

  315. #319 That was a good topic for us boozin’ Live Bloggers. I have to admit I’ve still not ever had any Rye. But I’m planning on it real soon.

  316. Oh, somebody was asking about worst beers –

    Arizona A-1

  317. trojanrabbit says:

    In Germany there are beer machines in the workplace with prices cheaper than Coke. Plus beer in the cafeteria. Too bad I didn’t get to sample the local brews when I was in Erlangen, but I had just changed BP meds and I was screwed up enough as it was.

  318. flombaye says:

    316: some of my most tolerable friends are fruitarians.

  319. flombaye says:

    at least dubya knew how to put the “chuck shoe” into chuck shoemer.

  320. Gotta go to a meeting…
    Enjoyed the repartee;
    I hope to be here tomorrow…

  321. cindy from Boston says:

    see you all … like I said I just stepped in!

    bye

  322. trojanrabbit says:

    307, 309, 314, 330..

    * humbly blushes *

  323. 322 323 324

    Freedom Whores it is… or is that Free The Whores?
    I like the no training wheels idea

    I usually drink either the Jamison or just plain old “bad whiskey”,
    which in this case is Five-Star

    French Whores and Red Headed Sluts are both too… fru-fru, sweet,
    something… Sabine won’t serve Jaeger-Bombs because “The Twenty-Two
    Year Olds have them then have sex in my bathrooms and tear the
    doors of my stalls…”

    the story is much better when you hear it in the original Berlin
    accent…

  324. Cheapest beer that’s vaguely drinkable: Olympia Light.

  325. Obamarules says:

    I think if someone can just reassure the Boehner that his self-tanning cream will still be a covered expense, I think he would calm down a bit.

  326. flombaye says:

    323/324: either would dole a mighty wallop. WWDD. what would dolemite do ?

  327. Wow, wish we all could have a drink(s) together. Would be a hell of a lot of fun, and we could try some of each others’ favorites. I can also imagine what we’d be discussing, the fantastic jokes, poetry, and Threats to the Goddam Republicans!

  328. #332 Worst beer?? I would have to go with BLATZ (real name… didn’t make it up). A couple of buddies and I bought a case for a beach weekend back when we were young and cheap and would drink just about anything. And even we couldn’t finish it. It was THAT bad.

  329. flombaye says:

    327: a full pitcher ? please tell me that wasnt 10-W30.

  330. Being a proponent of efficiency, I’d simply bring a fifth of Everclear. We could also use it for fire breathing (literally).

  331. 331 get on the Rye
    the Jim Beam Rye seems to the easiest to find, but it’s worth
    searching out some of the others…

  332. flombaye says:

    333: but do they have frothy milk beer typr thing mixture concoction stuff flavin ?

  333. 345 they started making Blatz beer again recently
    347 I recently had some excellent moonshine right
    from Kentucky, made by a 94 year old man who has
    been making it since he was a teen

    verry nice, but don’t drink anything else but water that night

  334. #348 Right on, Mark. I’m on it. Any suggestions on a good mixer?

  335. 339… I can’t do the sweet stuff either… I’m usually the only one of the girls who abides by the “no training wheels” thing, which is part of the reason my guy friends love me…

    340… I know it’s completely horrible, but I used to opt for Nati-ice… I think mainly because was $1.99 a six pack

  336. Not only could we have a farting contest, we could have a fart LIGHTING contest!

  337. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Mike Pence is one of the reasons we need universal health. When opens his mouth, people get sick.

  338. PJ Squeezy Louise Hussein McFlavin says:

    #276:

    “#270, I’m actually glad we have info from Lucia. It exonerates her. And it was the police report that cast her in a bad light, not the actual 9-1-1 tapes.”

    My point is, her name was put out there (presumably unredacted in the police report) resulting in instant vilification by a small – but worldwide – minority of cynics. Yes the recording exonerated her – days later! – but she didn’t need to get dragged into this whole mess in the first place.

    What, only one reaction? I’m a bit disappointed, SMS bloggers.

  339. I can drive to Windsor, Canada in about half an hour

    Molson Bradors!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Carling Black Label 5.0% alcohol… crisp and delicious

  340. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    When a cop tells me to do something, I ask why.

  341. flombaye says:

    339: yeah, the taste of those jelly donuts definitely makes it all better. – as for the training wheels, shades of lewis grizzard. “by eighth grade, kathy sue loudermilk already had the training wheels off her bra….”

  342. flombaye says:

    THOSE ARENT PILLARS !!!!

  343. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    A glass full of boxed wine helps the medicine go down.

  344. trojanrabbit says:

    351
    Try mixing some Theragen with it.

  345. 353… I’ve actually SEEN a couch catch fire because someone tried to do that to be funny… and it made it sooooooooooo much funnier, at least once the couch and his ars were no longer a-flame…

  346. flombaye says:

    343: okay, i have now idea what the correct spelling is, but that’s not it. is he related to horst fascher, the only guy to ever urinate on a beatle in public ?

  347. k to the g says:

    354. :lol: he’s a mean sonofabitch too

  348. We need to euthanize (sp?) our politicians.

  349. 351 I drink my whiskey neat, mebbe with just a little water
    to open the nose… but I don’t know what you like. Colas and
    Seven Up have too much sugar, leads to hangover… I’m a crazy
    old drunk so I’ll have a double shot of whiskey in a tall glass
    of milk… it’s not as bad as you think. Don’t smell it and you
    hardly know the whiskey is there… an old WWI fighter pilots
    drink, they were billeted at rural air strips and had no mixers
    except plenty of fresh milk from the French farmers…

  350. “Theragen is a chemical compound, initially developed as a nerve gas by the Klingons. In its pure form it is lethal, but when diluted with alcohol it can temporarily deaden certain nerve inputs to the brain, having a calming effect on an insane and/or abnormally enraged person.
    A theragen derivative was first used as an effective treatment on the crew of the USS Enterprise in 2267, following an extended interaction with the effects of interphase space. Leonard McCoy, the ship’s chief medical officer, discovered how to use the theragen derivative to ameliorate the baneful effects on the crew long enough for the Enterprise to complete her mission. The medicine is now listed in the Starfleet Medical Database. “

  351. flombaye says:

    344: it seems a nice idea on paper, but i find that whenever i do meet with livebloggers in person, the discussion tends to keep drifting back to that restraining order.

  352. 352 there’s a lot to be said for cheap beer, specially when yer broke

    what’s the best beer? Free Beer!!!

  353. trojanrabbit says:

    367

    ;)

    Anyway, it’s lunch time and time to visit the vomiteria.

    Have a great day and see all y’all on Fridee.

  354. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    President Obama just wants to kill the elderly blue dog Dems.

  355. The irony being, no matter how much Obama and the Dems sink in the polls, the Republicans are sinking with them.

    I somehow don’t see voters electing a party with a net favoribility rating of -40 over one with one of just -5.

  356. 372 — It’s time for the Greens to step up.

  357. 368 lolololololol

    restraining order

    Stephie is such a joker

  358. #367, Scotty never did tell us if it made a good mix with Scotch.

    #369, Indeed. Graduate school was a good time for cheap beer.

  359. k to the g says:

    Old Milwaukee – cheap and goes well with ice-floed old folk biscuits

  360. flombaye says:

    366: actually coca cola’s new “surreal thing” frothy milk drink mixture is not more surreal than assigning vincente fox as president of mexico. that’s the only real fox news.

  361. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Hal Sparks hasn’t been on a while. He must be chained down in Steph’s basement, next to the pizza delivery guy.

  362. some of my buddies are in Iraq now, I’m waiting for a mailing
    address so I can send them some liquor… how can you ask a
    person to fight a war and tell them they can’t drink…
    so I’m mailing them some ’sports drink’

  363. flombaye says:

    369: an environmental kudos upon ozzy osbourne for excellence in recycling

  364. Free Beer! And Nickel Love!

  365. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Katrina Vanden Heuvel is my biggest fantasy.

  366. Ballantine ale, with the puzzles in the bottle caps. When they start seeming hard, stop drinking.

  367. 366… I’m not a milk drinker ever, so I definately couldn’t handle that one… but I agree about any soda / sugar… I used to be a jack n coke or crown n coke girl, but I can’t handle the sugar.

  368. 378 ha hah HaH! Steph’s Collection ala the Monty Python
    “Woman Collecting Postmen” skit

  369. **urge to rip O’Reilly’s taint off and feed it to him**

  370. What about becoming a cannibal murderer? It seems like a
    good growth industry for the 21st Century. Plus you can
    sell the clothes to Good Will… and lot’s of good
    eating, Jeffy Dahmer…

  371. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    The irony being, no matter how much Obama and the Dems sink in the polls, the Republicans are sinking with them.

    I somehow don’t see voters electing a party with a net favoribility rating of -40 over one with one of just -5.

    ———————————————————————-
    The two major parties will have to sink a lot further before a majority wises up and votes for real change and alternatives.

  372. Amy outside of DC says:

    What number did Jon Stewart get? He’s supposed to be the new Kronkite.

  373. Now THAT’S good eatin!

  374. LeftCenter says:

    So, once again, the poll questions are being asked ass backwards. The specifics should be read and identified as the President’s plan. THEN the agree/disagree question needs to be asked!

  375. 379… nothing beats seeing it in real life! Especially when it’s one of your dumb-ass friends that you can mock mercilessly!!!

  376. Obamarules says:

    A not-for-profit organization is still allowed to make a profit. They are allowed to make up to 12% profit.

    It’s why the CEO of BCBS in NC gave hismelf a 250% raise over 2 years, so that their profit margin would come into line.

    http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/109348/

  377. 390 Johnny Stew now the Most Trusted Newsperson… Stephanie Miller
    the Most Lusted [after]…

  378. flombaye says:

    387: sing it with me:
    “taint no mountin’ hard enuff ….”

  379. Dennis Miller humor sucks the bag nowadays..

  380. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    I think Dennis Miller is the one writing Sarah Palin’s speeches.

  381. No wonder Stephanie denies Dennis is related. he’s such an unfunny
    toole. Little Jerk-Off [en Francais: 'Petite Morveau']

  382. Amy outside of DC says:

    #378 She better let him out next week. Hal’s supposed to do some shows outside DC. 4 out of 6 comedians I’ve purchased tickets for this year have cancelled, I don’t want Steph to make Hall make it 5 out of 7.

  383. Oh! Sparta and 1/3!
    wait, is that actually worth anything? How ’bout a drink!?

  384. k to the g says:

    393. zackly! print them out on a big prop card if you need to. don’t start out on the defensive.

  385. flombaye says:

    388: i’ve been marveling that none of you beer-obsessed people have started ranting about the merits of “duff”, which obviously would go very well with the berliners, but now you’re invoking a homersexual ?
    we still went the D’OH, lebowski. dont make a maliboo-boo. leave my resort community.

  386. Like spackle or paste in the colon walls..

  387. Skyhawk says:

    Obama would have to take out full page ads in major papers (the one left anyway) to bullet point the facts and falsehoods about reforms.

  388. 381 Ozzy Osborne admits he didn’t realize Spinal Tap was a parody

  389. flombaye says:

    390: what number did jon stewart get ? -recently acquired film footage indicates that it was “69″.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhiAOU29Org
    “in my own defense, i was young, and i needed the money”.

  390. 408 — that reminds me of hearing that when they test marketed that movie in the midwest, the most asked question was why they didn’t use a more famous band. :roll:

  391. k to the g says:

    Maybe Steph and the Mooks could do a Lying Sack of Crap Tour in August across the country in a VW bus with no AC

  392. 404 Duff-Man!
    Duffman: Hey Duff lovers! Does anyone in this bar loooove Duff?
    Carl: Hey, it’s Duffman!
    Lenny: Newsweek said you died of liver failure.
    Duffman: Duffman can never die, only the actors who play him. Ooh yeah!

  393. Amy outside of DC says:

    #411 NO air conditioning? More like Smelly Sack of Crap Tour.

  394. 410 oh Maddy that is funny!
    my buddy hated the movie, he thought the band was lame.
    we taunted him mercilessly

  395. 412… I can hear the “Ooh Yeah!”

  396. flombaye says:

    408: spinal tap recently admitted that they didnt know ozzy had quit mini-kiss. – PLUS, the onion once released a story about how either twisted sister or thin lizzy (nobody can remember which) has decided to go ahead and take it.

  397. k to the g says:

    413. and the dogs too!

  398. flombaye says:

    410: well, DUH. people would have wigged, and then how would they ever get to do the “unwigged” tour ?

  399. k to the g says:

    good point caller

  400. Amy outside of DC says:

    #416 Would have to be Twisted Sister. They did the song “we not gonna take it.”

  401. 413 Chris and Jim won’t hang with Steph when not
    contractually obligated therefore not Tour…

  402. flombaye says:

    i knew a guy who even thought “the beatles” were forrealz.

  403. Amy outside of DC says:

    #420 :smile: typo in my 420 post. “We’re not gonna take it”

  404. Skyhawk says:

    OMG the return of Kyle.

  405. LeftCenter says:

    Once again, the poll numbers for Obama’s plan are low BECAUSE the question about favoring it is asked BEFORE the details are listed.

  406. domnogin says:

    Did anyone hear THE GLENN BECK SHOW shriek about how women have to become like Sarah Connor (from TERMINATOR) to protect their children? Protect them from what, free healthcare, free education, and free transportation? That’s what Sean Hannity mocks, Thom Hartmann explains, and President Obama isn’t even trying!

  407. flombaye says:

    420: yes. exactly. like i said. either twisted sister or thin lizzy. there’s no way of really knowing which.

  408. 427 — do you think they’re asking the question wrong, or are they asking the wrong question?

  409. k to the g says:

    Boehner in a tanning bed with a smoke and a rye. Sounds like a clue.

  410. flombaye says:

    428: see post 4

  411. 417 air cooled VW + two ginormous panting dogs + case o’box wine
    + Stephcha == HEAVEN! sticky sweaty stinky heaven, but heaven

    the open road, the stultifying hot air, Steph’s incessant chatter…
    let’s go to the grand canyon!!

  412. I only hear BECK on the replays, my wife has orders, if she ever sees me watching ANYTHING on Fox News, she is to immediately take me to the porch of the Old Engineers Home, and push my wheelchair off into the moat.

  413. flombaye says:

    431: the catcher, with a fastball concussion, in the rye.

  414. Post #4 literate employable gent

    thott you were talking ’bout me until you said literate
    and gent

  415. LeftCenter says:

    #430 What is being said about the current polls is that they’re asked, and people say they’re against it. THEN they’re asked about the details, which they favor. Reason: Questions are ass backwards. Details should be given AND identified as the Obama plan. Then the favorability question should be asked.

  416. flombaye says:

    terns bit her ?

  417. flombaye says:

    436: you’re employable. time to recalibrate my take on physics.

  418. 431 435

    schmoke and a pancake?

    bong and a blintz?

  419. I think the first VW busses had a 35 HP engine? A friend had one in high school and we went to Ruidoso in it, and it got down to 10 mph in first gear over Apache summit.. And made so much noise it made our ears ring.

  420. k to the g says:

    Stephanie Louise Miller!

  421. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Kay Bailey Hutchinson, the senior bitch from Texas.

  422. formerly employed as a Computer Scientist
    Network Schpecialist
    HTML editor
    End Of Line Testing Engineer

    now toilet scrubber

  423. 442 — ah, memories. I’ve been on many trips like that with overloaded / underpowered vehicles.

  424. Liberal Hussein Smurf says:

    Bye, all.

  425. flombaye says:

    try this fun experiment in your dungeon at home: combine the oscar meyer wienermobile driver with tom delay and stenny hoyer. VOILA !
    oscar delay hoyer

  426. later all! Have a great one!

  427. Skyhawk says:

    Bye every one.

  428. LeftCenter says:

    Wow! Another quick three hours. Time to go! So long, and see you Fridee!

  429. I always wondered – where’s the SCIENCE of a computer?

  430. 442 I’m falling off the couch here

    great story

  431. #418, I loved the Mozart Unwigged tour.

  432. flombaye says:

    442: awesome soundtrack on that roadtrip !
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntRvZbZCZlk

  433. Well, MookenBloggonister Pals!

    That’s it, you’re all wonderful, wish we could get drunk together, but there’s that restraining order..

    Don’t you ever change a thing, and hasta manana, gentes!

  434. flombaye says:

    445: but after 5 years, you get a brush.

  435. 448 somewheres in there gotta be Santorum and a hot dog in yer shower

  436. k to the g says:

    Bye all! Happy Beer Day! :-D

  437. 454 Mozart Unwigger… see also Prof Peter Schickle, PDQ Bach

    or as the called him “Mighty Mo”

  438. I think that last caller was getting at “If you’re pro-life, why aren’t you pro-healthcare?”

  439. flombaye says:

    456: a sham ? wow ! somebody will relly clean up.

  440. flombaye says:

    462: because post-natal health is for wimps.

  441. 455 forest hippies
    where do you get this shit?

    look up Ballad of Bilbo Baggins + Leo Nemoy

  442. where ya going wimp? a Real Man can Hold His Urine

  443. #465, yeah, true Spartans throw their weak babies off a cliff.

  444. #469, yes, but some of the babies survived, by flying away, by turning to bronze, by regenerating, or through acrobatics.

    When they grew up, they formed the Chi-Anthropoi.

  445. it’s always bad to encourage the weak to breed
    specially the weak minded