Today in Gardening Galore, we have a question from a reader:
Dear Gardeners,
I recently bought yet another orchid — a phalaenopsis, your basic hotel-lobby, posed-under-a-pinpoint-halogen plant. It sits next to the chaise where I do a lot of my writing, and I like to contemplate its loveliness from time to time. “Easy to grow,” the man said. “Just ignore it, and it’ll do better than if you mess with it,” the man said. So I took it home, and for a while it was fine, and then all the blossoms dried up and fell off, and now the stem is drying up, and even though I’ve continued to water it — not too much! — I’m wondering if the thing is doomed. If I cut the stem off, will another one grow from it, or am I out another $20?
You’ll notice I’m trying to make a transition here, although I’m wondering if I should. Y’all want to talk about Rahm Emanuel in the comments, who am I to say you can’t? But in this blessed period between the conclusion of the election and the Confiscation of the Weapons and Opening of the Re-education Camps, maybe someone can answer my question about the goddamn orchid. I’m starting to wonder if these things are worth the trouble. But I need a little color in the gray Michigan winter. Is this so wrong?
As you can see, this week has left me tapped, and my house needs dusting. In the meantime:
Home page for the PuppyCam. Among the details there — all the puppy genders and names, which are Japanese-y and disappointing. I much prefer to call them by their collar colors. It should not surprise anyone to learn that Mr. Green is, indeed, a mister. Or a master.
The Chicago Tribune posted a few rejected election-result front pages. My favorite is the one about the Adler Planetarium.
I’m going to start letting Detroitist pick my morning Metro Mayhem stories; he does it so well:
Some pyscho fired shots at teenagers driving through Harper Woods. A bowling ball stopped a bullet from hitting one of the kids. Just like in the movies! And, ha ha ha, the Free Press said the gunmen “split.” Ha ha ha, just like a 7-10 split! The victims were from Detroit so naturally the Free Press message board klavern assumed they were no good black kids buying drugs in Harper Woods. It’s nice to know some people still cling to the old way and aren’t caught up in this “post-race America” thing.
It was the “message-board klavern” that got me. Word.
Off to dust. Have a good weekend.
Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on November 7, 2008 at 10:32 am
I love the Zeiss projector headline; they should use that for their next week’s Science section front! That was one of Johnny Mac’s lamer debate devices.
It can’t be worth $20 bucks to do everything you’d need to do to bring that plant back. Start over — sounds like it was forced too fast before it got to you, and it just pooped out, like a tired puppy.
361 chars
pamven said on November 7, 2008 at 10:38 am
The orchid is fine. The old blooms are suppose to drop off after a time and the mother stem is suppose to turn yellow and die. They appreciate indirect but bright light and temps of now lower than 50. A nice bath in the sink once a week isnt too bad either. Check out a gardners supply place for orchid food and feed according to directions. New blooms will happen but not overnight. Orchids are not for the impatient.
418 chars
brian stouder said on November 7, 2008 at 10:42 am
Fergit your goddam orchids; I gots MOLES to deal with!!
The other morning, musta been Sundee – I was out on the sidewalk with the young’ins, and what do I see? The edge of the yard, running along the edge of the sidewalk and up along the driveway looks like somebody neatly poured soil!
Later, I discovered this same turned-earth oddity near the rounded blocks that surround the flag pole…and a soft line leading away from there and diagonally across the lawn to about the center, where it splits and continues diagonally in two directions…..and THEN is when it dawned on me….MOLES!!
An’ NOW I gotta figure out hos to combat the little buggers! Paging Bill Murray!! Paging Bill Murray!!
Oh – and about those goddam orchids; you say that it ‘sits next to the chaise where I do a lot of my writing’, and my question is – do you also read there? ‘Cause I clicked on the link for ‘The English Major’*, and was intrigued by this sentence: “The premise is well-worn, but Harrison has created a character of such appeal and self-deprecating wisdom that even the more fantastical episodes—a nubile young woman cavorting in the nude for his pleasure—acquire a charmingly philosophical air.”
I thought – cavorting nubile nude women? I’m there!
But if that book is too close to the GDO, the steam might be too much for it!
1348 chars
JGW said on November 7, 2008 at 11:20 am
Well I’m happy to report that Northeast Indiana is living up to it’s close minded hater reputation. The latest idiot, besides the kids on my son’s bus who are forming an assasination pact, is the owner of a tire store in Decatur.
Greg Townsend of Townsend Tire is flying the American flag upside down and plans to do so until Obama is out.
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/Business_owner_flies_American
To quote:
“She’s flying up there 35 feet in the air upside down and she’ll remain that way. It will remain that way as long as that man holds that title,” exclaims Townsend.
He’s a military man who knows the flag code well. He says an upside down flag usually represents distress. “The flag should not ever be displayed with the union down except as a signal of distress, an in instances of extreme danger to life or property,” he says.
“I care about my children and grandchildren,” Townsend told NewsChannel 15, “and we just elected a marxist socialist to the President of the United States!”
Pleased to add one employee quit in protest. I plan on calling up with a lot of questions about my car’s tire needs, a good 15 minutes of moronic questions, followed by the “I don’t buy from haters or morons’ line.
And here’s one from my old neighbors in Northwest NJ which is as GOP dominated and close minded as, well, here.
Cross burned on Obama supporters lawn:
http://www.njherald.com/story/news/07CROSS-web
Have a nice weekend everyone…
1469 chars
Jen said on November 7, 2008 at 11:24 am
JGW, I’m depressed now. Thanks a lot. People need to realize that Obama won, and they’ll get a chance to vote against him in four years. Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it, already!
Luckily, there’s a box of adorable puppies to watch to lift my spirits. They’re playing with a stuffed pumpkin. Awwwww…
318 chars
Peter said on November 7, 2008 at 11:27 am
A whole laundry list of comments:
1. Rahm Emanuel – he’s my congressman. IMHO he wasn’t much of a congressman, but he’ll be a fine chief of staff.
2. A recent NYT article had a headline that several Obama candidiates have Clinton connections. Well, duh. You’ve only been in power for eight out of the last 28, what do you expect – Carter connections? Johnson?
3. Speaking of Carter, I cringed at all of the articles that said that Obama’s accomplishments were unheard of – an obscure senator winning it all. Never happened before? Bill Clinton? Jimmy Carter? Were they household names before Iowa?
4. Which leads me to my rant. My son’s in eighth grade, and we’re doing the high school tour. I think it’s a good idea to pick up a student newspaper at a prospective school. I think it says a lot about the school and their students – is the paper a mouthpiece for the administration, can kids write in English, do they have independent thoughts? Here’s what I got:
School A – we no longer do student newspapers. They can get info off of our website.
School B – haven’t got the first issue out yet, but we will soon (The school year is only about 1/3 over).
School C – We’re stopping the presses in January and moving to an interactive web page.
I know I’m old fashioned, but this doesn’t look good to me. And before you comment on my low standards in picking high schools, all three have test scores way above state average.
1465 chars
A Riley said on November 7, 2008 at 11:37 am
The whole tax-structure argument during this campaign struck me as rampant BS. There are millions of dollars being fed to the fire in Iraq every day, and stopping that nonsense would help the federal bankbook immediately.
The other reason it’s BS is that federal taxes are the smallest part of the tax burden for a lot of people. In my neck of the woods, it’s the county property tax bill that bites the hardest (12K/yr), and the biggest chunk of that is the local high school district. The second biggest chunk is the local elementary school district. Don’t get me started.
577 chars
Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on November 7, 2008 at 11:46 am
Somebody send a Boy Scout over to that guy to give him a citizen’s citation on the flag code. Upside down is only for emergency use and immediate distress, and indicating the state of your bowels doesn’t count — misuse it, and folks will learn to ignore what might be a needed signal someday for someone needing to attract attention for some help. It’s like yelling “help” at the pool — if you aren’t drowning, stop it or hit the showers.
C’mon, a Cub Scout would know that . . .
JGW, ask ’em about tread wear, and 3/16 vs. 2/16, or about the penny test. Then you can get some work done on the computer while they rattle on before you get to your punch line.
Riley — Chart — tax policy isn’t going to be fixed by ending Iraq involvement. And your property taxes are going up because of federal obligations of your school district that neither they nor the state are funding, putting local officials in an increasingly awkward pinch. We all will pay more in taxes, including the rich moreso, there is no doubt of that, regardless of party in power, but where do the lines get drawn before the goose stops laying the shiny ovoids?
1242 chars
brian stouder said on November 7, 2008 at 11:52 am
A wise business person once said – with regard to needless and counter-productive arguments at the workplace:
“principles pay no interest”
Mr Townsend may well learn the truth of this
189 chars
Jen said on November 7, 2008 at 11:53 am
Sadly, Peter, the high school newspaper I wrote for (and was the editor-in-chief of) no longer exists. The old sponsor retired, and none of the other teachers would step up. It’s sad – students did enjoy reading the paper. The administration never really supported us – we had an incredibly old computer (the brand was ProGen) that liked to crash and delete all of our work when we were almost done laying it out, and we were stuck in a tiny, windowless office. Of course, it really was good training for my newspaper job now – when I got here, we were working on hopelessly outdated Macs and I have a small, windowless cubicle. We have since updated the computers, thank goodness!
681 chars
Danny said on November 7, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Carlsbad is my neck of the woods. This was not so nice. One of my friends had his yard vandalized and sign stolen twice.
I guess the lesson here is that there are idiots of all political persuasions.
278 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 12:40 pm
The behavior exhibited by the asshole from Decatur is exactly why a single magnanimous concession speech from McCain doesn’t erase his months of inflammatory rhetoric. McCain’s constant attacks on President Elect Obama’s character, judgement, and patriotism incited the mental pygmies that constitute his base into an absolute frothy mouthed panic.
Greg Townsend seems to think that his is a reasonable and even patriotic stance. To me it just seems like another excuse to irrationally hate our new black president elect. I’m willing to bet that Mr. Townsend cannot cite a single socialist or Marxist act of Obama’s that justifies his flag desecration. Obama hasn’t even been sworn in yet, has made not a single decision that can be labeled anything, let alone Marxist, and this moron goes into siege mode because he’s pissed his candidate lost fair and square. He’s a petulant little brat that is holding his breath.
I hope enough people are offended by his disrespectful attitude for the flag that his business suffers dramatically. I’ll bet he’s one of those folks who would support a constitutional amendment banning flag burning. Why is this acceptable?
1173 chars
beb said on November 7, 2008 at 12:48 pm
If Nancy is going to start growning orchids, does that mean she’s going to start solving impossible crimes, too, like the great orchid-loving Nero Wolf?
152 chars
Julie Robinson said on November 7, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Townsend Tire can be used for educational purposes. Our son has been in a lengthy debate with a friend over Obama’s supposed socialism. He has learned a lot about tax policies in the rebuttal process, where before he would have tuned out.
Peter, have you heard the argument yet that there’s no point in even training journalism students? It would seem to be the logical conclusion of the schools’ attitudes. BTW, you in the Fort?
436 chars
Catherine said on November 7, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Julie, a teachable moment! I wish I’d had more time this morning to go into it with my 8 YO. She said that when she’s president and someone says something mean about her, she’s going to give them a lengthy timeout at home. It turns out that freedom of expression doesn’t intuitively seem like an inalienable right to an 8 YO.
Re the flag guy, as always these things are more a reflection on the perpetrator than anything else. I say if he wants to express himself that way, it’s on him (cf, previous paragraph).
And re the orchid, don’t ask me, I am death to houseplants.
581 chars
Danny said on November 7, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I’m willing to bet that Mr. Townsend cannot cite a single socialist or Marxist act of Obama’s that justifies his flag desecration.
I’m willing to bet that the only “Marxist” that comes to Mr. Townsends’ small mind is Groucho or Harpo.
You’re right, it is unacceptable.
285 chars
velvet goldmine said on November 7, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Peter, maybe they thought a junior senator was more obscure than a “minor” state governor, which both Clinton and Carter were. That may be the distinction.
Governors seem to have had the edge in presidential elections the last few decades, though the argument can go either way. I always thought it was noteworthty that Bill Clinton combined what you’d expect in an experienced governor — administrative experience — with such encyclopedic knowledge of national and international matters.
496 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 1:51 pm
How about this statement in reference to the current state of the Republican Party:
“We’re [at] rock bottom… We are now free to start thinking again, acting again, and doing the right thing by what our constituents and our country need.”
This didn’t come from some namby-pamby, palin around with terrorists, socialist, Marxist, liberal pussy. No, it came from Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, REPUBLICAN from Michigan. If McCotter thinks that they are NOW free to “think” and “act” what were they doing BDFORE?
So, I guess my observations about Rs being the unthinking party of ignorance haven’t been so far off the mark after all.
653 chars
Adrianne said on November 7, 2008 at 1:56 pm
And now for something completely different…
Nance has always said that to be a good copy editor, you have to have a dirty mind. Sadly, this does not seem to be a requirement at my newspaper. Today’s gem comes courtesy of the “Pets of the Week” page, which always throws in a few farmyard animals from a local animal sanctuary among the pit bull terrier mixes and blind cats. “Briggs and Stratton are 3-year-old neutered brother Mouflon sheep. They are OK with other sheep, but strongly prefer male humans.”
I ask you.
525 chars
Danny said on November 7, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Gasbag, whatever gets you through the night… ‘salright, ‘salright…
Hey, everyone, how would you like to surf this wave? My co-worker had the awesome surfer response:
Dude, that’s one gnarly heavy close out.
Man, makes we want to rent Point Break this weekend: “Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true.” So true, Bodhi, so true.
543 chars
brian stouder said on November 7, 2008 at 1:58 pm
They are OK with other sheep, but strongly prefer male humans.”
I ask you.
Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!
117 chars
Hattie said on November 7, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I wouldn’t bother with orchids where you are. Just buy a plant, enjoy it while it’s in bloom, and then throw it away. It’s probably just a clone plant from a huge greenhouse in Canada anyway.
191 chars
Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on November 7, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Or outside of Paris, KY. What’s few hours of time worth to you? (Odds are the halogen spot hotel lobby one is replaced every four months, too.) There’s a satisfaction to bringing a brownish yellow houseplant back from dormancy to verdant heft, but few have that calling — if you know someone who likes to do that, give it to ’em the way you would a jigsaw puzzle Aunt Edna wrapped up for the family party.
Awwww, did he say “stimulus package”? More fun for our JFS Planning committee next week . . .
507 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Dan-mark,
“Gasbag?” I was wondering how long it would take you to chime in with one of your unprovoked bitchy remarks. Note, I’ve said not a word derisively about you, yet once again, you seem to have this pathologically pissy need to bare your claws in my direction. You seem to be unable to respond to opposing points of view with anything other than petulance and ad hominem attacks. Snottiness is no substitute for intellect or wit. Show a bit of maturity and maybe someday you’ll be able to have adult discourse at the grown-ups’ table.
547 chars
Dorothy said on November 7, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Guys, guys … the election is over. Can’t you all just move on to something else instead of slinging mud at each other?! Seriously. ALL of you, please have the maturity to stop the name calling and bratty remarks. It’s beginning to stink up the joint.
If you don’t, I’ll have Nancy make you sit next to each other on the sofa and hold hands.
350 chars
Danny said on November 7, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Unprovoked? Listen, I agreed with you earlier today, but enough is enough. Maybe no one else here is going to call you on it, but you are a serious hypocrite. On the one hand you call out conservatives for demonizing liberals and with the other hand you dole it out in such rich fashion, how we’re ignorant, we’re unthinking, we’re bigots, etc, etc. Basically how conservatives are the scorge of the earth and responsible for all evil.
I mean, if you seriously believe half of the crap you post and display the same attitude in real life as you do here, then I suspect I know the reason why you have so much time on your hands to post.
641 chars
Danny said on November 7, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Dorothy, I’m sorry. To you, I sincerely mean that. And I will leave off arguing with this guy.
But I will say that he has been keeping up this constant drumbeat he started before the election until now. Hey, even on election night, in the wake of the good news that Obama had won, he kept it up. Jolene (I think) and a few others hinted he should give it a rest. But he didn’t take the hint.
399 chars
Dorothy said on November 7, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Well maybe it’s best just to ignore snarky comments from now on, Danny. No one will think you’re less of a man if you just let them go. Be the bigger person and decide to rise above.
184 chars
caliban said on November 7, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Orchids? Murder. They call me, Mr. Tibbs. And Eric Zorn shuts down comments. Been drunk, never abusive.Never rude. Ocasionallly intelligent, Sometimes smart. Many times a dumbass
Sometimes I write well. More ofren, I don’t If peoplw are so dumbass hateful they shut down Eric Zorn coments, we’re a lonely nation. And I don’t know why. And if you DON’T’t get the musical referenc.
Youre an idit. Tou dumb zxx.
416 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Dan-mark,
If you disagree with my posts, then call me on the content and leave out the catty swipes. You typically don’t respond with reasoned arguments, merely “you suck” or “oh yeah?” or my personal favorite “because I say so!” The only time I’ll call you out personally as a bigot is when you make openly bigoted remarks. As for you taking my opinions as personal affronts, that’s your doing not mine.
I really do seem to get under your skin, and that is not my intent. At times, I will admit, it is a bonus, but it is never my intent. My opinions are my own and I have never thought “Now, what would piss off Dan-mark?”
If you feel passionately about how wrong I am, then give me your best intellectual argument, but bring your “A” game. Don’t expect anyone to take you or your opinions seriously if your stock response is to hurl insults when you feel cornered.
I like the verbal back and forth of real ideas. That’s why I’m here. I don’t like the mindless name calling that you feel compelled to engage in. Give the pissy retorts a rest.
1064 chars
brian stouder said on November 7, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Caliban, I confess I didn’t get your musical reference, but I was guessing that the ‘lonely nation’ reference was it.
On the other hand, it took me quite awhile to figure out that
How does Mr. Black continue to sleep while his siblings fight, literally, on top of him? was NOT an allegorical reference to the imprisoned Conrad Black….so I’m a pretty dull knife, when it comes to being hip-to-the-jive!
Despite that (or because of that?), I like generally your writing, Caliban – even though a lot of it sails right past me
541 chars
Danny said on November 7, 2008 at 4:20 pm
So, I guess my observations about Rs being the unthinking party of ignorance haven’t been so far off the mark after all.
Un-huhn. So is this an example of the “real ideas” you want to discuss? Is that what you want “reasoned argument” to refute in the great marketplace of ideas. How intellectually stimulating. How “A-gamish” of you. I’ll pass.
361 chars
Duchess said on November 7, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’ve kept orchids in continuous bloom for a couple of years and longer. A little stress — but not too much — is the secret. A stressed plant flowers; a happy one makes glorious leaves.
They’re no trouble at all, but you have to keep the do-gooders, mothers and cleaners away from them. They are really not a Democrat sort of plant.
339 chars
joodyb said on November 7, 2008 at 4:21 pm
the puppies are eating solid food!
34 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Dan-mark,
As I said before, the last two posts are responses to your unprovoked personal attack on me. Note, prior to those posts, I did not mention you at all. You once again assiduously avoided any content to my prior posts.
I believe my recent stances on gay marriage, abortion, and unfettered access to the ballot were all thoughtful and well reasoned. But, you don’t want to go there, do you?
404 chars
nancy said on November 7, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I’ve watched two feedings today — they bring mom in for some milk, then a little kibble, then everyone has a poop and pee, they fight a little, play with the stuffed fish and back to sleep.
I now feel confident I could raise show-quality Shiba Inus. I’m a fast learner.
Danny, Gas, Dorothy has a point — it’s almost the weekend, and it’s time to stop fighting.
Who made that ignorant-ass remark about Sarah Palin “making the world a better place,” or was that in the previous thread? Some people just like to chap mama’s ass.
[The bartender speaks, and resumes wiping the bar.]
593 chars
MichaelG said on November 7, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Looks to me like they’re thinking outside the box.
50 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Dan-mark,
I’ll play nice if you will. If you want to spar with me directly, ask Nancy to give you my e-mail address, if not, let’s give it a rest. I will absolutely swear to not call you names. I cannot, however, promise that my opinions won’t piss you off. I seem to be really good at that.
296 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 5:07 pm
As if the BS weren’t deep enough concerning the myths surrounding Sarah Palin, now there’s this:
“In response to the allegations that she was ill-prepared for interviews and debate, Randy Scheunemann, an aide assigned to Palin, called her ‘brilliant’ and said she has a ‘photographic memory.’ ”
Right. Many adjectives could be applied to Sarah Palin. “Brilliant” is certainly not one of them. As to her alleged “photographic memory,” when was that ever in evidence? Shouldn’t she have had at least some command of facts if this were so?
It’s also interesting that all of this recent criticism of Palin is coming from McCain’s own staff, not elitist liberal snobs like me.
684 chars
alex said on November 7, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Don’t let him get to you, Gasman. The only ideas I’ve ever seen him present here aren’t his own. Except for that cherished fantasy about being stalked by a homo.
161 chars
Kirk said on November 7, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Have a civil weekend, everyone.
31 chars
Gasman said on November 7, 2008 at 5:35 pm
alex,
Thanks. I appreciate that someone other than myself noticed the unwarranted nature of the attacks. Honestly, I don’t try to offend, but it’s pretty predictable that whatever the subject, he and I will be on opposite sides and that he will take my opinions as a personal affront. C’est la vie! Oh, darn, there I go showing my snooty liberal elitism again.
365 chars
joodyb said on November 7, 2008 at 7:26 pm
it seems like kind of an insult to say someone has a photographic memory. maybe that’s just me.
jeff tmmo, did you see “In the Valley of Elah”? interesting use of the flag. most affecting movie i’ve seen in some time. tommy lee is marvelous.
finally got to see the mama shortly before the solid-food alert. i swear they are twice the size they were monday.
361 chars
Suzi said on November 7, 2008 at 9:46 pm
So when Palin winks is she clicking the shutter on her photographic memory . . . huh?
86 chars
LA Mary said on November 7, 2008 at 11:22 pm
What Duchess said abou the orchids. I’ve kept cheapy Trader Joes orchids going for three or four years by not being particularly gentle or careful with them. At 12 bucks each, when they finally start declining in a serious way, I let them die with dignity. Of the seven in my kitchen windowsill right now, two are on their way to orchid heaven, two are about to bloom and three are just sitting there, flowerless but alive.
425 chars
Michael Roberts said on November 7, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Oh, she has a photographic memory, all right. It’s just that the gosh darned lens cap is always on.
100 chars
Hattie said on November 8, 2008 at 5:08 am
I live in Hawaii and have a shade house where I grow the orchids that do well here with little care. Whenever I see orchids in places where they struggle to survive, I feel intensely sorry for them. Orchids affect me that way.
226 chars
Terry WAlter said on November 8, 2008 at 7:53 am
We already have Re-education Camps;they’re called public schools. Since when did Earth day become some kind of national holiday to be observed? Fortunately, I got to my son before they did. Actually, he has had some good ones in high school and college. I do remember him telling about a high school teacher that he had. When called out on some liberal claptrap, all she could do was stand there with a bewildered look and repeat the mantra. So on The Great Uniters’ appointments. Seems that if Rahm Emanuel wants to reach across the aisle, you’d better be looking out for a shiv (Source: Wikipedia). And bringing Governor Jen on as an economic adviser. When we were up in Michigan a couple of Julys ago, they were running TV ads breathlessly extolling her wondrous efforts in this regard. Why, she induced a company to bring in 80 jobs. A state the size of Michigan and that’s the best she can do? But I’m sure, Nance, since you’re in the heart of the action, that you can regale us with countless tales of her acumen in this regard.
1038 chars
Suzi said on November 8, 2008 at 10:04 am
LOL! “Oh, she has a photographic memory, all right. It’s just that the gosh darned lens cap is always on.”
I wonder if she really did take all that luggage and jewelry back to Wasilla.
189 chars
Jami Simmons said on November 8, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Democrats are the party of hate and discontent. Anyone that doesn’t precisely parrot the party ideal is a mortal enemy and must be savagely and mercilessly attacked. One site I use to visit even began promoting seance sessions, where they prayed anyone labeled a Conservative would develop cancer and die a horrible agonizing death. How vile and morally bankrupt! My brother said I was describing cult-like behavior. It was certainly an eye opener for me. I will select my friends much more carefully from now on.
520 chars
Danny said on November 8, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Suzi, your comment about the winking killed.
Terry, though few of us believe that Rahm is himself a born again bipartisan, I think it is still good to give President Obama the benefit of the doubt.
If he leads in a bipartisan way, his staff will fall in line, I predict. Hey, even though I didn’t vote for him, I am still hopeful he will be a great president.
366 chars
Dorothy said on November 8, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Jami please do not judge ALL Democrats on the basis of one website you visit. There are crazies out there in all corners of the world, even the United States. If it was an eye opener for you, maybe you need to open your eyes a little wider and look for other websites. Or better yet, converse face to face with people in BOTH parties. I’m sure you’ll find a broad spectrum of ideas and thoughts among them.
410 chars
Jason Simms said on November 8, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Jami, I have similar experiences whenever Dems are involved. Their first defense is usually to brand you as either unaware or unable to comprehend the truth. Their truth. It quickly goes downhill from there. Civilized comments are seldom wasted on anyone outside their own clan. Dorothy wants to skew the topic and pretend your entire life experience is based on one wayward soul. Be careful now. As you know, it is wise to view liberal suggestions with a fair amount of skepticism. An invitation to open eyes wide is often a prelude to the plunge of a sharp stick. Use many protections while treading in hostile liberal territory. I never associate with Dems unless I’m wearing a full athletic cup.
711 chars
Gasman said on November 9, 2008 at 10:08 am
Jami & Jason,
Please, open my eyes. Elucidate me as to the ills of liberalism. I contend that it is conservatism that has consistently failed this country from its earliest days. The profound social changes that have occurred to redress historical injustices have all been liberal ideas, not conservative. What is the lasting achievement of conservatism?
If you’ve actually taken the time to read the posts here through various threads, I’ll think that it is apparent that it has been those on the right whose minds are more consistently closed.
I’m still waiting for a conservative to strongly defend
ANY issue based upon conviction and reason supported by fact and to be able to tolerate an opposing view without having a tantrum. I’ve heard countless recitations of mindless conservative boilerplate nonsense that has no basis in reality. Inevitably, when confronted with well reasoned opposition, said conservatives retreat to ad hominem attacks. I’m sure that there are conservatives who don’t fit this mold, I just haven’t encountered them. The conservatives that I have encountered online sound suspiciously like they’ve been educated by Fox News, right wing talk radio, or they closely resemble those who populated the McCain/Palin rallies late in the campaign. If you fit that mold, I’d expect you to lash out at liberals without bothering to engage them.
If you can have adult discussions without resorting to infantile name calling, then jump on in. I’m still waiting to have a discussion with a conservative that doesn’t end with petulance, swearing, or immaturity.
1603 chars
beb said on November 9, 2008 at 2:31 pm
From Kevin Drum’s new location at MotherJones.com — reports are that gun sales in North Carolina has exploded since Obama’s election. The impression given is that a lot of, ah, people, are getting prepared for a black in the White House. Among the comments was this gem of irony.
AR-15s are not going to stop the Obama administration when it comes to your house to give you universal health care and a $1000 check
Posted by: the coming revolution
462 chars
joodyb said on November 9, 2008 at 2:34 pm
nn – the on econsistent thing i’ve heard about orchids is they don’t like to be moved, but i think this is myth too… i have an ikea orchid i put outside for the summer, thought it was gone though it has one large very green leaf still. brought it in last week before we hit absolute freeze here, and yesterday i noticed a BUD on the younger stalk! the mother stalk remains but is about to go. quite exciting. it’s in the bay window now andunder casual observation.
466 chars
joodyb said on November 9, 2008 at 2:35 pm
beb – we were simul-posting, so i just saw the AR-15 item. hilarious!
69 chars
caliban said on November 9, 2008 at 7:56 pm
It never made a consideration. I knew when he made that speech he was basically Bobby. That’s what I thought. That is what I thought was a sure thing. Maybe I was a dumbass. I thought he was better. I thought he sounded like Bobby. I believed for a long time that if you understood Bobby, you meant everything to everybody. That is what he’s meant. Bobby means more to anybody, and everybody, than anybody in the history of national politics. Bobby was the best man. Nobody could say that’s not true. He was just the best we could imagine. His kids know the truth. These people screw you over beyond belief. Holy shit, you couldn’t make this shit up. People getting golden parachutes are breathing this shit.
709 chars
Buckster said on November 10, 2008 at 3:08 am
You totally nailed it Jason, and Jami too. Gasman just used your two small itty bitty individual messages to condemn large portions of the entire western hemisphere. Everything you guys said has been confirmed. It’s hilarious!!! I got me some long-handle asbestos undies for the coming storm.
298 chars
Gasman said on November 10, 2008 at 11:12 am
Buckster,
And yet, they do not respond in a well reasoned, logical manner; they do not respond at all. This is precisely the point that I was making about your style of “debate.” No discussion. Hurl accusations, then run.
225 chars