open thread

Got a giggle from the billboard in Colorado.  I do however disagree because the title of worst President Ever went to GW years ago.

Now on a serious note.  This is awesome.  Palestinians actually trying peaceful protesting rather than killing innocent people.  Of course, we know it is the women who led this effort.  Maybe, just maybe, the good hearts of the Palestinian people will finally win out over testosterone.

New York Times

What's on your mind or on your plate today?

Me.  I'm staying focused at work trying to avoid the groundswell of hopiness affecting NH today.  Glad I don't have kids in Nashua North High School.

Happy Sunday Democratic, Independent, and Republican readers!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend, so far.  As always, there's plenty to chatter about in the world of politics.  But Sundays, if we so choose, can be a day of tuning out and relaxation.

Today is no exception in that regard as documentary filmmaker extraordinaire, Ken Burns, and his new series on our national parks begins today on your local PBS station.  The series is six episodes and will run every night this week through Friday.   As they say, "check your local listings."  I know I already have my DVR set for the week.

The latest Burns series is titled, "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea" and was written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan.  The twelve-hour series took ten years to make and it cost a whopping $15 million dollars.  Wow! 

It's the weekend, feel like dancing? 

They did!  http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8164491 

Wedding party boogies down the aisle.  (Can't post video here because YouTube took it down.)  Now this is how a joyous occasion should be celebrated.

More fun - kitty sez "oh no, you din't!"

I don't really want to hear why it's ok for us to justify torture with the same words used by the Nazis and some of the same methods.  And to know that the criminal Bush lied about Abu Grave.  That those soldiers were following approved torture methods given them by their superiors who then let the privates take the fall.

I'm just plain sick of hearing them be let off for war crimes.  If we worry about morale then just prosecute the top management who made the rules.

In the meantime, it looks like another great day for picking up sticks in the yard and listenning to the bot tell me how sweet Obama's handshake is.

What's up?

Friday - That day of the week when us working folk look forward to the night and no need to go to bed early.  For 2 whole days even!  The first night of the Weekend.

I know the "retired" people who frequent this blog might be asking, "Weeks end?" or "one of my buddies at our McDonald's Friday 10 o'clock breakfast mentioned something about the weekend too."

Well that's why it's not called ReAwake, ReReadyToGo or ReChipper.  You are Re Tired and we understand your need for rest which effects your understanding of our need for the weekend.

Friday is a good day.  Any fun plans this Weekend?

I'm raking again.

Something you're just itching to comment about? Here's your chance.

With a tip of the hat to NC Girl for this one. John Zeigler, the guy who interviewed Governor Palin about the media, on "The View":

It's Inauguration Day.  Welcome friends, guests and lurkers.

Anything on your mind today?  Don't be shy!  Heh.

Photo:  Doug Mills/The New York Times

Here's a link to Hillary's confirmation hearing (she brought Chelsea with her), if you don't mind hearing Kerry and Lugar drone on and on and on...

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream3  If that doesn't work for some reason, go to cnn.com and there's a link at the top of the page.

Anything else on your mind?  Have at it, here.

At 11:00 a.m. ET today, PEBO announced his new "security team." The one who should rightfully be announcing her team was named secretary of state.

Madam Secretary Clinton

So, what are your thoughts today? This is an open thread.

Today we honor our veterans, but we also remember our women and men who are serving and fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

 "Women are engaged in combat, flying fighters and attack helicopters, manning machine guns on patrols and earning awards for valor. They have forever dispelled the macho myth that only men can cope with the violence, tedium and stress of warfare." ~John Cloe Anchorage Daily News

UPDATE:  THE CHAT IS NOW OPEN!

For some reason, I just feel like listening to the sweet and comforting voice of Judy "Blue Eyes" Collins today.  Here she is below with Pete Seeger performing his song, "Turn Turn Turn."  So no matter what happens today, remember, we're gonna be here for one another.  "...I swear it's not too late."

Now, go on, speak up - you KNOW you've got a lot to get off your chest today, of all days.  What are you feeling this election day, 2008? 

And please, if you witnessed any fraud or voting hanky panky, please report it here and elsewhere!  Already reports of voter fraud for BO in Philadelphia this morning where, before anyone even voted, votes were recorded on the machines for TheOne.

Trick or treat, y'all! What's on your mind this spooooky day?

This is an open thread, so yakkity yak.  Be forewarned, we have been known to "talk back."

"Sunday Morning Coming Down", as performed by the man-in-black, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, who penned the song.  At the time Kristofferson wrote "Sunday Morning..." in the 60's, he was a late 20-something, hard living, recently-divorced janitor, who was struggling with the letdown emptiness of Sunday mornings after the "highs" of the night before.

Well, we have beautiful blue skies and a sunny, crisp, gorgeous fall day surrounding Casa Cal.  I'm re-watching last night's TIVO'd SNL, with my morning cup of Earl Grey in hand, and still giggling a bit about Sarah Palin's appearance.  At least they weren't mean to her.

Only two and a half weeks left until we know who our new prez will be.  Oh wait...the election's already been decided, right?  ;)  

Happy Birthday to Paul Simon, who is 67 years old today!  OMG, can you believe it?  (I bet he can't either.)

"Facts can be turned into art if one is artful enough."~Paul Simon

So, what's on your mind today?  Yakkity yak - this is the place to do it.

So, will John McCain throttle Obama tonight with Ayers?  Will bambi go all Keating Five on Mac?  Whaddya think's gonna happen?

Step right up to the open mic, tell us what's on your mind this "Tuesday Afternoon."  As for me, I'm quite ready for this election to be over.  Hurry Tuesday, November 4.

And don't forget, live debate chat here tonight!  Be there or be square.

Ah yes, we've all earned a lazy Sunday.  So, how will you relax this beautiful autumnal day?

I think I'll start with the sounds of Mr. Andrea Bocelli singing "Autumn Leaves", en francais.

Well, another bank buckled today - Wachovia.  So what's going on in your world this Monday?

Enjoy Chris Botti and consider this your Thursday afternoon open thread.  What's on your mind this afternoon?

Don't be shy!  What's on your mind this Monday?  Mr. Slowhand, well he has an opinion:

I'm going fishing.  Fly fishing in northern NH for Land Locked Salmon. 

(an actual photo taken by me in Maine a few years ago.)

The fish usually win but then, I go for the air, the scenery and the total immersion in what happens where line meets water.  We call fishing, not catching.

No iPod for me thank you.  I want to hear and be a part of nature.

It is one of those clasic early fall days with crisp air, blue skies and a magnet that pulls most of outside.

I need to eat then head out.

So what are you doing this last full day of summer?

ps.  All fish I do catch swim away free.  A cruel game yes but if this is my worst sin I'm happy.

So I hear that do to the hurricane, Barry won't be doing SNL tonight.

Damn.  I really really wanted to see him do the sketch with Tina Fey playing Sarah Paylin.

I'm sure they'll clean up the show in order to show respect for a few hundred thousand people who are now homeless.  At least I think they are.  Haven't watched the news since leaving for dinner.  Went to Caraba's which really sucks when you're on the Atkin's diet.  I had chicken, brocoli and green beans.  WooHoo.

So the question this evening is.  Will Obama have all of Galveston back in their homes by Wednesday?