I woke up one day last weekend with the beginnings of a cold sore, and the whole week felt like a struggle – slow in the pool, messing up appointment times because I didn’t read the email closely enough, that sort of thing. No disaster, just the sort of thing that happens when your immune system appears to be working overtime to hold something at bay. I thought it had finally arrived on Friday, and spent half of Saturday lolling in bed, but here it is Sunday, and I’m sorta feeling myself again.
The cold sore has left the building, too.
What goes on in our bodies during weeks like these? What does “feeling run-down” really mean, at the cellular level? It is to puzzle.
So that’s why no update on Friday, sorry. Just wasn’t feeling it, or anything like it.
One of the things I saw while I was being lazy Saturday was this remarkable clip from CNN, in which a local GOP county official tries to revive the death-panels thing, and the crowd lights him up like a Christmas tree. It almost felt like 2009 again when the WashPost looked into his social-media accounts and found the stuff we’ve been seeing from these folks for years. But this time, it feels like an antique. That crowd just wasn’t having it.
Not that we should count them out entirely, of course. But just today I read a column in the local paper about how mean “the left” is being to Ivanka Trump, whom they should be supporting, because she’s such an ally, you know. There was some random bloviage about liberal attacks, etc.:
Boycotts are the favorite weapon of the resistance movement. Anyone who suggests affinity for Donald Trump or cooperates with his administration or fails to speak out against him on command (see Tom Brady) faces being ostracized or having their livelihoods threatened and their names smeared.
The left’s demand for conformity in loathing Trump is creating a blacklist to rival that of Joe McCarthy’s Red Scare.
Which I found amusing, as I had just read this piece, about what happens with the Breitbart constituency identifies you as an enemy:
New America, the think tank where I am a fellow, got a similar influx of nasty calls and messages. “You’re a fucking cunt! Piece of shit whore!” read a typical missive.
I’ve spent time on Ivanka Trump’s website, and see a “line” of basic sheath dresses, sweater dresses and other ho-hum designs. I’m no fashion plate myself, and in fact I generally appreciate a decent sheath dress, but I can find the same thing on 6pm.com and other discount sites for about a third the price. Be advised.
A bit more bloggage:
Dr. Mona, as one hero of the Flint water crisis is known around here, points to her own status as a first-generation Iraqi immigrant to ask the obvious question about the travel and immigration ban. I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but around here it’s almost impossible to get through a hospital visit without being seen by a doctor of Middle Eastern lineage. I hate to think what we’d do without them, particularly in non-garden spot cities like Flint.
Everybody’s talking about “Saturday Night Live” again, and posting the best bits on social media afterward. You can have the Sean Spicer cold open and the People’s Court satire from this week, but I’m going for Kate McKinnon as Alex Forrest/Kellyanne Conway in this genius piece.
We went to a party Saturday night, a fundraiser, and I bought some tickets for the raffle. And whaddaya know, I won a weekend at a lodge in northern Michigan. I’m taking it as evidence my luck has changed. Onward to Monday.
basset said on February 12, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Pretty good week here, once we got past the butt-scope on Monday. Been planning a trip to London later this year… about to write to the people who now live in the house my mother grew up in and see if we can come visit. Printed out some old pics and scans of newspaper clips (“Leyton Girl Weds US Marine,” “Bridal Cake Flown to USA”) and my parents’ 1950 marriage license with the address on it, we’ll see if the current owners respond.
Soon as I hit send on this I’ll be laying out various guitars and mandolins for a picking session later this afternoon, then a cookout tonight. Not bad.
Nance, where’s the lodge?
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nancy said on February 12, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Betsie River, up near T.C.
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Judybusy said on February 12, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Watching Hidden Figures also brings home the point about how much talent is tragically wasted by institutional sexism and racism. If we really want to full on do the “free market” thing, wouldn’t we want to nurture all the talent we possibly can regardless of origin? (Yeah, yeah, I know, no money in that scheme, misogyny, racism, etc.)
Every time I hear or read, “Everybody but the Native Americans came from somewhere else,” I just frown a little. They are also from somewhere else, just a really long time ago. However, I obviously believe that the genocide committed, is abhorrent. But it’s awful because of the treachery and inhumanity, not only because they were here first.
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Suzanne said on February 12, 2017 at 1:42 pm
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/letters/Letters-to-the-editor-17555225
Read the letter from Suzanne Anglin. Is this satire??
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Jolene said on February 12, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Here in Northern Virginia, a trip to the hospital or, really, any interaction with health care providers is like a visit to the United Nations. Many, many people from everywhere including, yes, lots of Muslim doctors.
Those I’ve dealt with have been both conscientious and kind, though they make me feel a bit guilty about benefiting from their expertise when I know that people in the countries they left need their help. Of course, they are free to do as they like, and I can’t say I’d choose differently if I were in their position.
I did talk about the issue after meeting two Pakistani doctors in a week. He said that he returns to his country to consult every year, working with his father who is a doctor there, but finds the relative political chaos intolerable. And, really, who can blame him?
What Trump is doing with regard to immigrants and refugees is not only hateful and cruel, it is stupid.
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Jolene said on February 12, 2017 at 1:47 pm
I think she’s serious, Suzanne. And I don’t think she’s alone in her views.
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beb said on February 12, 2017 at 1:52 pm
I was trying to sleep while my wife was watching SNL in the next room. It didn’t go well for me.
Congrats on the weekend vacation. Send picture when you go.
JudyBusy: What no one cares to mention is that American Exceptionalism is based on genocide on a scale that puts the Armenian genocide to shame.
It’s nice to see that Republican citizens aren’t putting up with Obamacare repeal. If only they had voted against the nutjobs who want to take it away from them.
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Deborah said on February 12, 2017 at 4:18 pm
Little Bird’s surgeon at UNM hospital in Albuquerque is from India. We really like him, a very nice guy. Her primary care physician in Santa Fe is Native American/Hispanic she is part of a large family that’s very political in NM. The medical community in NM is very diverse.
Suzanne, I agree with Jolene, I don’t think that letter was satire. Unfortunately there seem to be a bunch of misguided people out there who live in an alternate universe. I don’t seem to encounter them personally, but sometimes I wish I could have an honest conversation with one of them. I’m mostly baffled by them.
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alex said on February 12, 2017 at 4:30 pm
Al Jarreau RIP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhq7fSrXn0c
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Deborah said on February 12, 2017 at 5:05 pm
I’ve spent the last half hour trying to find my favorite Al Jarrueau song, the one where his voice sounds like a musical instruments, but I can’t find it. Maybe my memory is flawed, the guy had a beautiful voice.
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Heather said on February 12, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Did anyone catch the clip of Stephen Miller, the senior advisor to Trimpf, with George Stephanopoulos today? This dead-eyed sociopath insisted that millions of people voted illegally, even as Stephanopoulos asked him for evidence and pointed out repeatedly he didn’t have any, and also said that there was no such thing as “judicial supremacy.” I can’t decide if this is going to be an authoritarian nightmare or the Keystone Kops.
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Julie Robinson said on February 12, 2017 at 9:20 pm
We spent most of the weekend with family members who live here in Orlando, and I don’t want northerners to feel badly, but it’s been glorious weather. Outdoor fire, two meals eaten at sidewalk cafés, sunshine and lollipops. I haven’t engaged with the news at all, except laughing ourselves silly at the McCarthy/Spicer skit. I don’t ever want to go home.
I think the letter is satire.
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alex said on February 12, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Miller makes Bannon, Conway and Spicer look sympathetic. That’s one cold-blooded monster there.
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Jolene said on February 12, 2017 at 11:40 pm
Here’s a profile of Miller from this past summer. Forgive me if I’ve posted this before. He is, indeed, one scary dude.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/stephen-miller-donald-trump-2016-policy-adviser-jeff-sessions-213992
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Sherri said on February 13, 2017 at 12:11 am
I posted this in the previous thread,before I realized there was a new one. It’s a letter written by the 16 year old Miller. Or,ally I don’t pay much attention to the adolescent writings of people, but when their mindset hasn’t changed since then and they’re in a position of power, I make an exception.
http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/letters/Letters-2002/MARCH_2002/03_27_2002_Political_Correctness_Out_of_Control.htm
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alex said on February 13, 2017 at 6:44 am
Obviously Stephen Miller never needed a condom and probably still hasn’t had an occasion to use one.
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Icarus said on February 13, 2017 at 10:36 am
I suspect this one won’t make it out of committee but then again I was wrong about the election results too
https://www.rawstory.com/2017/02/tennessee-gop-bill-says-children-born-through-artificial-are-not-legitimate/
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Peter said on February 13, 2017 at 12:21 pm
OK, my kvetch of the week – CBS News is reporting that Mike Pence is LIVID because it appeared that Flynn lied to him about talking with the Russians; Pence is incensed that a Trump Administration official misled him and that Pence told the public something that wasn’t true.
Mikey, how this is different than what you’ve done every day so far?
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jcburns said on February 13, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Pre-morning-coffee, I was sure today’s post headline: A cold, conquered? Fingers crossed. was a title card from the 1960s Batman series. Holy immune systems, caped crusader!
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Deborah said on February 13, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Peter, you’re lucky you only have one kvetch a week, I have at least one a day, no make that one an hour. I need to get off of my internet addiction.
Nancy, good for you, winning something. I never do. Little Bird won $50 worth of groceries from Albertson’s playing monopoly a few years ago. That monopoly drives me crazy, I can’t be bothered with all of the little pieces of paper that end up floating all over the kitchen. Little Bird loves it, so we try to keep it organized. We don’t shop at Albertson’s much, so that helps but certain things can not be gotten at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods so it is necessary from time to time. I only play the lottery if it’s in the four or five hundred millions and then I only buy one ticket.
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Sherri said on February 13, 2017 at 2:47 pm
trump is apparently going to spend his weekends as president at Mar-a-lago, which raises at least 2 questions:
-how much money is going from US taypayers pockets to trump’s pockets for the room and board of the president’s entourage at the resort owned by trump?
-are they ever going to bother to pack and use the portable SCIF or is trump going to continue to use the dining room of his resort as a situation room, complete with other guests and dining room staff, many of which of foreign born BTW?
http://postonpolitics.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/02/13/trump-might-return-to-palm-beach-for-third-straight-weekend/
Should I just address any questions I have about the safety of the parts of the country closest to North Korea to our new leader, Mr. Putin?
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LAMary said on February 13, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Palm Beach fun.
http://theslot.jezebel.com/mar-a-lago-members-got-a-front-row-seat-to-trumps-nucle-1792299754
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Sherri said on February 13, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Ban Muslims, break national security protocols, monetize the White House, nominate the most corrupt and incompetent cabinet ever, and cosy up to Putin, and Congressional Republicans are find with ignoring it all. Failing to open the White House for visitor tours yet, that’s a big concern for them.
http://dcist.com/2017/02/tours_white_house_delay.php
Maybe the protestors ought to start asking for White House tours, and when they’re told they can’t have them, ask if they can keep healthcare instead?
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beb said on February 13, 2017 at 4:22 pm
The interesting news (rumor) this Monday afternoon is that there may be as many as four Republican senators willing to vote against Putz, the proposed Labor Secretary. The Ceo of Hardee’s/Carl Jr. is a vile piece of work. It’s amazing that the Republician Senate, a zombie group if ever, might actually rise up against him. Of course there’ll be a lot of water under the bridge twixt now and the vote. Nowif only we could get some R’s to oppose the Munchkin was well
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brian stouder said on February 13, 2017 at 4:29 pm
So, will they get the joke if we refer to President Trump as some variant of President Merkin Muffley?
Between his clueless “presiding” and his (almost breath-takingly) scary/extreme cabinet, are we headed for a quest for the preservation of precious bodily fluids?
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Sherri said on February 13, 2017 at 4:50 pm
The rumored four are Collins, Murkowski, Tim Scott of SC, and Johnny Isakson of GA. So if you have any friends in those states, particularly SC and GA, tell them to call. The leadership will be working hard on Scott and Isakson to get them back in line.
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Julie Robinson said on February 13, 2017 at 5:34 pm
We won a year’s membership at the Y. Pool and locker room not as nice as previous place (Spiece) but you can’t beat free. It was a raffle at church where you got chances based on how much you contributed for water wells in Africa, so win-win.
I’m in a hammock looking out at the lake and life is good.
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alex said on February 13, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Oprah pounds the Pudster:
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/susan-collins-andrew-puzder-oprah-tape-allegations-234964
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Sherri said on February 13, 2017 at 8:31 pm
I read this letter from IBM CEO Gina Romnetty and I’m reminded of a story I was told from a former employee of Big Blue. I once worked on a project with IBM in Austin, and did a lot of traveling there in the 80s. IBM was pretty buttoned up, not like Silicon Valley. One of they guys I talked to, who left not too long after, was definitely more in the Silicon Valley mode than the IBM mode. He had an earring, which was not something the IBMers liked. But his earring was the IBM logo, which sent them into visible cognitive dissonance, he said. You could see the struggle on their faces. Earring bad! IBM good!
Anyway, it’s not surprising that IBM would practice Vichy capitalism.
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Kim said on February 13, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Mental health professionals write a letter to the NYT warning about Trump’s mental state. (The diagnosis isn’t good.)
An op-ed in the same paper calls Trump “The ‘Caddyshack’ President.”
And the world laughs.
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Sherri said on February 13, 2017 at 9:42 pm
trump handling national security issues in the open with aides using flashlights from smartphones to light things up. Future NSA director in contact with Russians discussing sanctions current President imposing. Congressional Republicans? Crickets.
Now does everyone understand that impeachment is not going to happen?
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Judybusy said on February 13, 2017 at 9:57 pm
A friend shared this NYT piece on the NSC . How the hell am I supposed to sleep tonight? Taken from my FB sharing post: “If anyone has any info on why we shouldn’t be very concerned about the NSA, please share. Bannon sees conflict with China and Iran as inevitable. Obama liked to have policy reports single-spaced, three to six pages long. Trump likes one page papers, filled with graphs and maps. ‘The president really likes maps,’ said one staffer. Did you know that last week Mattis was discussing about how to board an Iranian ship to see if they had contraband weapons?” Sherri: crickets indeed.
Julie, that’s a great gift! Enjoy your hamocking.
Oh, 4dBirds, if you’re reading, I realized I didn’t respond to your brief comment last week. I’m sorry things have been ghastly for you. While I love the community here, the downside is that I can’t invite you over for dinner and friendship. I hope things are getting better.
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alex said on February 13, 2017 at 10:08 pm
I second that emotion, 4DBirds.
Here’s something that didn’t come as much of a surprise to me. Shows like CSI and NCIS are overwhelmingly favored by Republicans. I can see how a steady diet of that shit would stoke paranoia and make people do things that defy better judgment:
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/14/red-state-tv-networks-are-reportedly-seeking-pilots-appealing-to-trump-voters/
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Deborah said on February 13, 2017 at 10:12 pm
Watching the news tonight about Flynn and then the North Korean missile fiasco acted out publicly at the winter White House (costing $3 million to taxpayers every weekend) is mind boggling. Who are these people? That’s not to even mention the diplomatic breeches with China since the inauguration. Yowzaa!
I started the book “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith today to try to distract myself from this clusterfuck.
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Sherri said on February 13, 2017 at 10:37 pm
Here’s good news; a woman I met with and agreed to support declared her candidacy for the special election for our state senate seat today. My husband and I donated to her campaign over the weekend in anticipation of the public announcement. She’s Indian-American, in charge of the mental health court for the King County prosecutor’s office, active in mental health and domestic abuse advocacy, and has spent the last couple of months meeting with people preparing for the campaign. I’m excited about her chances.
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susan said on February 13, 2017 at 11:15 pm
Flynn resigned.
One down. Thousands to go.
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alex said on February 13, 2017 at 11:24 pm
In like Flynn. 🙂
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susan said on February 13, 2017 at 11:29 pm
alex @36 –
jeebus, look at the list of possible replacements (from) :
The list of possible replacements includes retired Gen. David Petraeus, who’s scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Tuesday, according to two people familiar with the plans. Other possibilities: Stephen Hadley, who served as national security adviser under President George W. Bush; Tom Bossert, who also served as a national security aide under Bush and now oversees cybersecurity under Trump; Adm. James Stavridis, dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts; and Department of Homeland Security head John Kelly.
Draining the swamp to expose the quicksand.
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Jolene said on February 13, 2017 at 11:45 pm
These possible replacements are at least sane, which would be a big improvement over Flynn.
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Sherri said on February 14, 2017 at 2:30 am
Flynn was insane and evil. The man stood up and led “Lock her up” chants at the RNC.
Shadow President Bannon needs to go next. He needs to get on more magazine covers, and TV news should talk about him more, so trump gets jealous.
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Sherri said on February 14, 2017 at 2:37 am
Republicans really don’t want you to have any government money for healt care, period. You can’t pay for it, well, it’s your own fault, my freedom requires that you die.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/ct-hiltzik-obamacare-moda-health-ruling-20170213-story.html
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Hattie said on February 14, 2017 at 3:33 am
I was just thinking how boring the clothes are that the Trump women wear, compared to the beautiful things Michelle and her daughters wear.
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Deborah said on February 14, 2017 at 5:49 am
I must say, I feel safer with Flynn out. I’m nervous about his replacement but at least the dangerous guy is gone.
Hattie, the Obama women seem natural and authentic compared to these Stepford wives. Melania and Ivanka look like they’ve spent hours being made up. They also must spend hours on the treadmill. I get that Melania has nothing else to do, but isn’t Ivanka a business woman?
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Heather said on February 14, 2017 at 8:59 am
Hattie, they are boring, aren’t they? That’s my beef (well, one of many) with women of this, shall we say, milieu. Everything is very tasteful and safe. Yawn. And yes Deborah, the upkeep required for that sleek look requires hours and hours. Not just working out, but the makeup and the blow-outs and the facials and the manicures. Talk about boring. And you have to have a lot of free time. I don’t even have time to get regular pedicures.
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Danny said on February 14, 2017 at 9:21 am
I dunno about hours and hours. I’d chalk up their looks to genetics, discipline and fashion sense to the level of haute couture. And Ivanka has youth on her side too. And a lot of the exercise is unnecessary with proper diet and rest.
I would put Huma Abedin in the same league and that woman had to be busy and she had great fashion sense. She is very elegant as are the Trump women.
It’s a cultivated look to be sure, but some folks just have a leg up on the rest of us.
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