OPEN THREAD: bronchial journalism

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We're suffering a stubborn bout of bronchitis, and haven't much creative treachery in us at the moment. Please excuse as we recover: should be up to speed in a few days

Comments

[BeeBee]

Wishing you a speedy recovery BW. These most current of events re Obama and Wright must be just jonesin' on your desires to swing away on nominees aplenty and opine with wild abandon.

Heal well and don't be fooled by what appears to be an early recovery as this illness making the rounds has a nasty follow through if you don't pay it some mind.

[joanie]

My first seven years of teaching I had bronchitis twice a year every year! Finally, my doctor decided my body was in permanent bronchitis mode! She put me on prednisone (sp?) and shut down my immune system for a week. I haven't suffered bronchitis since.

I hated it! Get well, Michael. You deserve to feel good. We all deserve to feel good.

[joanie]

BTW, love the cartoon!

[BeeBee]

"My first seven years of teaching I had bronchitis twice a year every year!" joanie

Whoa! Had the same thing happen to me through High School and beginning of College. Doc said to me," June, September.. then June, September... then June, September? What they heck are you doing to yourself in June and September?" I said, "Well, I'm going or coming from school." The Doc said, "You need to stop doing that!" :)

I kept doing it but with my eyes wider open and much more aware of what tweaks my stresses into illness. I still get bronchitis now and then but never with the pattern I had then.

[Andrew]

I think that cartoon is from xkcd.com, that's a great site.

Check this one out if you're in the IT field: http://xkcd.com/327/

[Duffman]

Well, back at it...did you all miss me; joanie I know you did - did you defend Mrs Clinton's honor while I was away?
Bla'M - get well my man, we need that excellent prose of yours.
Yes, great cartoon - Don Ward posted link and topic on this over at SP the other day and got over 160 responses...XKCD web comic -very funny stuff.
I see there've been developments on the Sen Obama front while I was away...ooooooh I'm thinkin Gov Richardson might be re-thinking his endorsement - as possibly 'PREmature'...as if Hillary gets in...there will be 'no room at the Inn' for judas ...ha.
Mrs Clinton and team WILL FIND a way to pull this out...you watch. Lo siento mucho to: joanie/sparks/merci/recoil/fremont and all you other converted 'former Edwards' supporters. Interestingsly - haven't heard from him or any of his many family members lately...probably too early to start begging for funds for next time...eh? Haha
ONward....to the White House.

[Duffman]

Isn't this one of joanie’s favorites?
Hmmmm...so you think HE's qualified to be Senator from Minn?
What a joke!

[joanie hussein for obama]

"Qualified?" Why not?

[Duffman]

Well, lets assume he was not trying to 'evade' the taxes but just 'avoiding' them; would that portend someone who is 'on top of things', or would that not be a desired trait in your book?

[joanie hussein for obama]

The two of you are so full of wishful thinking...

That would portend nothing. Franken is taking responsibility and paying. I wonder what you think accountants are supposed to do?

A desired trait is when someone can make a wrong right.

BTW, is truth-telling a desired trait? Seems like Ms. Clinton has a little trouble in that area, doesn't she?

And, Duffman, you're just itching to socialize those business expenses in health care aren't you? Must just give you writer's cramp every time you have to pay those employee health care expenses.

After all, that's what Sparky and I are here to do. Make sure your expenses go down while profits go up, up and up.

Hmmm, that's compassionate conservativism for you.

And Bart, what isn't going away is McCriminal McCain's "I-love-war-and -lobbyists-in-that-order" record. We libs will move beyond the Clinton-Obama marathon and whomever wins will have as their prize a glass-jawed opponent to knock out of the ring.

Isn't it exhilarating?

[joanie hussein for obama]

Site noted, Andrew. Thanks.

[Duffman]

'A desired trait is when someone can make a wrong right.'

Haha...you probably meant '..make a Wright wrong'.

[Duffman]

'Oregonian columnist Steve Duin, who's right about half the time, nailed it yesterday when he noted that nowadays, Oregon's Democratic Party can be broken down into two subparties: the establishment and the rebels.'

Which are you, ms joanie?

[joanie hussein for obama]

Wright - you boys sure are infatuated with the plain-speaking, truth-telling leadership of Pastor Wright. Perhaps you ought to put him up as your standard bearer in 2012. Get some integrity back into the grand old party.

I don't live in Oregon.

[Duffman]

No thank you...it'll be good 'ol Sen Obama in '12 yet again trying for top spot...and hoping the Wright story has vanished.
You may not live in Oregon but me thinks you are of Oregon mentality; and I'll leave you to study up on that to realize it's implicit meaning. Oh BTW ms joanie you got it wrong about me and health care and the reason(s) I want it...not for me at all -in ANY way. And furthermore your hero Sen Obama basically parroted Mrs Clinton's plan so I'm not losing anything there. But, DO continue to fantacize 'bout me and draw conclusions accordingly; we're used to that by now. LOL!

[Coiler]

More spilled milk stories from Pvt Similac®.

[PenNy Q. EnTwHiStLe]

Dreaming (sigh) of Bla'M's condition going all Jim Henson!

[RedmondDem]

Duffman, hope you enjoyed your trip to the pot fields. Obviously you have been smoking something. Or at least you have not picked up a newspaper while you were gone. You appear to be dimmer than ever. What makes you think Gov. Richardson will change his endorsement? Facts, I mean, not just your idiotic opinion. LOL away pal.

BART, put down the Rev. Wright binkie you love to suck on and move on. Even the gossip lovers like Joe Scarborough said yesterday that the situation is closed.

[Duffman]

Aaaaah yes, I know how to 'stir it up' THEY come out of the woodwork! lol [Indeed, we'll see who cries over 'spilled milk']

RedDem: don't think I said anything about Richardson changing his allegiance there genius...just thought he might be having 2nd thoughts 'bout his rush to judgement...

[Duffman]

'Even the gossip lovers like Joe Scarborough said yesterday that the situation is closed.'

Let's see how 'closed' it is in the minds of the super delegates!

[nevets]

Duff, what do you think of Hillarys plan to suspend the gas tax for the summer?

[Duffman]

steven: I'm Okay with that; some kind of 'relief' is needed if we expect folks to do any traveling (& spending) during this period. How 'bout you?

[nevets]

I like the idea, but her plan to tax the oil companies to re-coup the revenue would probably just keep the prices the same as they (the oil companies) would just raise the price of gas to make their profit margin. I don't think she put to much thought into it.

"Now that Obama has disowned his Pastor, is the Black Community next"

[Duffman]

Let's just hope our IRS is getting it's fair share of the oil company's decadent profits!

[sparky]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A gas tax holiday proposed by U.S. presidential hopefuls John McCain and Hillary Clinton is viewed as a bad idea by many economists and has drawn unexpected support for Clinton rival Barack Obama, who also is opposed.

"Score one for Obama," wrote Greg Mankiw, a former chairman of President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers. "In light of the side effects associated with driving ... gasoline taxes should be higher than they are, not lower."

The Reuters article cites Bush's former chariman of the Council of Economics advisors, economics professors, think tank wonks and Paul Krugman, all agreeing that the proposal sucks eggs. When you have Krugman and former Bush officials agreeing on something, it must truly be bad.

Economists said that since refineries cannot increase their supply of gasoline in the space of a few summer months, lower prices will just boost demand and the benefits will flow to oil companies, not consumers.

"You are just going to push up the price of gas by almost the size of the tax cut," said Eric Toder, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center in Washington.

Obama threw out a great quote about the proposal yesterday; "This isn't an idea designed to get you through the summer, it's an idea designed to get them through an election."

Confirmation of Obama's take was provided this morning by the Washington Post:

Clinton aides think that even if the measure is a limited way to reduce gas prices, it allows the candidate to bash oil companies and cast her opponent against an idea that has political appeal.

Aside from the political ploy aspect, there is the long-term cost of convincing the public that such an elementary quick fix will solve our energy problems, as the Reuters article points out:

Many economists implicitly agreed with Obama and said the McCain-Clinton gas tax plan sent the wrong signal on energy efficiency and was at odds with their pledges to combat climate change by encouraging lower U.S. carbon emissions.

[Duffman]

Apr. 30 - Swedish car giant Volvo sets a target to eliminate death and injury in its vehicles by 2020.

The firm says it is claiming a first in setting a target date in the race to cut the world-wide crash toll of 1.2 million deaths and 50 million injuries each year.

Paul Chapman reports.

WOW...a novel and brave approach; wonder what the cost will be?

[Duffman]

'..think tank wonks and Paul Krugman, all agreeing that the proposal sucks eggs.'

Now, there's a 'heavy' econimic term! lol

[Rochelle Wilson]

Sparky did you read this on daily koz this morning?

Things I have learned during this campaign season:

In a race that includes a former First Lady of the United States and a multimillionaire Republican senator rumored to share up to eight residences with his wife, the black guy from Chicago is unforgivably elitist.

Racism in America is caused primarily by black Chicago preachers.

The guy who keeps getting confused over the relationship between Iraq, Iran, and al Qaeda is the foreign policy expert.

The guy who goes to campaign stops on his wife's private jet aircraft is the most down-to-earth.

The guy who changed his stance on tax cuts, Roe v. Wade, immigration, gun control, the confederate flag, torture, public financing, and his own anti-earmark rhetoric is the "straight talker".

People in the heartland don't like it when you call them bitter, but they do like it when you explain to them that they're too dumb to understand issues more important than whether or not they like to be called bitter.

Arugula is the measure of a man.

Bowling is the measure of a man.

Orange juice is the measure of a man.

Flag pins are the measure of a man.

Success in Iraq consists of any reduction in violence, except when violence increases that's good too.

A recession is only a recession if you call it one.

Bill Kristol, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Karl Rove, Maureen Dowd, David Brooks, David Broder, Charles Krauthammer and Bob Novak are all intensely interested in giving advice to the Democratic candidates because they just want to be helpful.

There are people in this world dumb enough to believe every one of these things.

[Duffman]

Very well said! ergo it shows 'is the measure of a reader/believer really daily koz' ?

Hillary just said she will reign-in OPEC.
Kevin Durant = rookie of the year (doesn't he play for the Okie Dokies?)

[Osama]

Dave Ross is such a snob the way he tries and behave so cultural on the air...talking about Broadway and theatre like it's his specialty...throw up!!!

[Catlin Capital]

Rochelle...

Elitism does not equal wealth

Your argument is pathetic

McCain spent 5-1/2 years in a prison for this country...what has Obama done for this country???

This is very simple...Obama is popular because he is black...not Clinton and not Republican (i.e. not Bush)...

The guy is a socialist that promises everything and speaks well. His presidency will be a grave disaster for this country.

[sparky]

uh..it wasn't her argument. She posted an article. Your reading comprehension is what is pathetic.

He's popular because he is black? Wow you guys are really really scared. Amazing.

Thanks for playing!

[ExPatBrit]

So why exactly is elitism always considered a bad thing?

Aren't Delta and the Seals considered an "elite" force?

Aren't our Olympians our athletic "elite"

If you are under the surgeons knife don't you want the best?

Are we saying we don't need someone like that for POTUS?

Will any old shit kicker do?

Haven't we learned anything?

Just askin!

[Duffman]

EXACTLY! Spot On ExPat; in a nutshell - that's why we need HILLARY!

[Marlin's Friend Dory]

BREAKING

Dori raises the topic of abortion for open discussion.

This suggests Dori's ratings are in the sewer.

[ExPatBrit]

Duffman!

Frankly any of the potential future "elitist" residents of the white house are better than the current one.

My missus and I split our vote at the caucus but going in we agreed we would support the final winner.

We'd both prefer that neither will win on a "technicality" but 4 more years of a GOP president is a "NO NO" for me.

[Duffman]

...with you on that ExPat, hopefully the super delegates (and other powers) will persuade Sen Obama to drop out shortly after next week. :)

[Catlin Capital]

SPARKY

Again I simply ask a question and don't get an answer...

What has Obama done for this country?

Furthermore...

What are his credentials?

Does he have any military experience?

Does he have any common man experiences?

If he was white would he get any attention or would he be another John Edwards?

He's against the the gas tax holiday...who the hell would be AGAINST lower gas prices?

Simply answer the questions.

[Marlin's Friend Dory]

BREAKING

Gee Ron is out sick on R&D...

Wow last week Don was out sick for 3 days....

What is with these losers?

Remmeber KIRO is your election HQ! Outside of the Dave Ross show I haven't heard a word about the election this entire week?!?

[sparky]

CC, you are lazy just like my students...they also want me to do all the looking for them. You're a big boy. If you look carefully, the answer to all of your questions are posted on different threads on this blog.

Looking forward to your continued whining.

[PugetSound]

Duffman
You should be proud. Hillary went on O'Reilly's show and did a nice job.

[Duffman]

PUTS: I actually missed that, have to catch the re-run. She's a gutsy gal and has nothing to lose...why not.

[KS]

Duffer- The video is on foxnews.com. I just watched two segments and she didn't do a bad job (outside of the fact that her voice is akin to running your fingernails down the chalkboard). She did have a tough time defending some key issues (Illegal immigration and failed energy policy) that Bad Bill O brought up. She at least stated that she has backed off some on Universal Health Care, but still believe that it will bankrupt us big time. I'd like to see a study by GAO on the costs of her Healthcare plan.

Looks like Obama had better get his tail on O'Reilly's show here if he has any hope of maintaining his decreasing lead. For all her polarization, she appears to have the edge over Obama in foreign policy. To her credit, she would not sit down and negotiate with Iran or the Taliban but it seems like Sen. Obama would do that, but again I won't be surprised if he changes his answer. She is more of a hawk than Bill, but she is also more of a leftist.

If its one thing ALL candidates are guilty of - it is being flip-floppers. I have seen it from all of them. IF the media would be honest, every single candidate who has ever run for President is a flip-flopper. That argument does not phase me.

[PugetSound]

Speaking of Whining, you should read the posts on Dem Undreground, Kos, and Huff Post.
I think they can't believe that both Obama and Hillary have disobeyed orders not to appear on the dreaded 'Faux Noise.' The most hilarious was Dan 'yes, I am wearing a toupe' Abrahms beseeching Obama not to go on 'Faux Noise.'
I'm just saying that it looks like the candidates realize that they don't want to go the way Ned Lamont.

[PugetSound]

Spot on KS. Sometimes 'flip flopping' is just getting better information and making a more informed decision. I would hate to have a candidate that never changed his/her mind.

[nevets]

Maybe Obama can cross the table once and get his Ethanol Bill passed. Maybe tweak it up and make it more aggressive, like doubling the production in 4 years instead of 8. Wait, poor countries are starting to starve now? A dead zone is being created in the Gulf of Mexico? Food prices are skyrocketing? Well, It was a good idea when he first introduced it.

Why not use proven ways to get that oil out of the ground and make this country self sufficient. Lets open up those areas the Libs have been using as some bargaining chip for votes. it is proven that Caribou can live with a pipeline in their backyard and that fish can survive a Oil Platform in their backyard. What is the Libs hold-up? $10 dollars a gallon? And I thought it was the Republicans who were all about the oil.

"Now that Obama has disowned his Pastor, will his grandmother be next"

[Duffman]

PUTS: Finally got to see Hillary on O'Reilly last nite and I was very pleased. She came across bold, brazen and was as in-your-face to Bill as he was to her. I was proud of her. You know I think she (at her age) is holding up better than Sen Obama is at his young age. [Pink = defintely not her color, tho] May be it's that her make-up artist is better, I don't know but she looks good in every interview. She is working her butt off (and needs to..ha); I'm rooting for her even stronger now. I'm fascinated by her tanacity.
I hope the super delegates will realize this: that if one can believe that Sen Obama sat in his church all these many years and not had any idea of Pastor Wright's slant on things - then something is definitely wrong. They (the super delegates) will do what they were 'designed to do' - pick the likely 'strongest candidate' to run against the Republican. I'm as confident as ever that will be Mrs Clinton.

[Duffman]

I see this morning that former President Jimmy Carter is trying to influence a decision on Sen Obama by early June. That (quasi/endorsement) in itself w/be enough to dissuade me. May be he's buckin for a cabinet position...Habitat For Humanity getting a bit old?

[Gay Gary]

Vote for the National Radio Hall of Fame!

https://eballot3.votenet.com/nrhof/register/

[DT]

Immigrant? If I break into your house, am I a resident of your house, or an illegal intruder?