Via Tbogg, Roy Edroso is having a tough time of it digswise. Why not drop a button in the plate, or at least stop by his comments to say something nice?
Talk about this or whatever else you feel like talking about in the comments.
by DougJ| 74 Comments
This post is in: Open Threads
Via Tbogg, Roy Edroso is having a tough time of it digswise. Why not drop a button in the plate, or at least stop by his comments to say something nice?
Talk about this or whatever else you feel like talking about in the comments.
Comments are closed.
Foxhunter
Ok, file this under the ‘whatever else’ category.
This kind of elevated my irony meter:
“Rep. Bachmann lands post on intelligence committee”
Har, har.
General Stuck
meh
can someone explain why this is a bad idea?
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2011/1101.leonard-2.html
General Stuck
And the weirdness expands. If I am dreaming, would somebody please wake me up? This isn’t fun anymore.
Comrade Javamanphil
Yes, go help Roy if for no other reason than he was once in a band called the Reverb Motherf_ckers. I was DJ-ing college radio at the time and it was always a pleasure and a burden (“That was a song from the Reverb mouthmumbles”) to play a track from their album.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
@General Stuck: What if M. Night Shamalan was correct?
General Stuck
@Belafon (formerly anonevent):
All I can say is I’m glad for living pretty close to the world’s only commercial space port for a possible escape. We prepare for these things here in the Land of Enchantment/Roswell.
NobodySpecial
As I mentioned below, Bill Daley will become Obama’s Chief of Staff. Fuck.
General Stuck
@NobodySpecial:
As I am mentioning now, who gives a fuck? I certainly don’t/
And stop sucking that thumb! again.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
@NobodySpecial:
So, show me on the doll where Daley touched you. (It had to be said by someone.)
bjkeefe
Thanks for posting this notice, Doug.
To anyone who has not ever followed the link from the Balloon Juice sidebar to Roy Edroso’s place, I recommend doing so, independent of your inclination to drop a button, and having a look through the archives. You’re in for a treat.
Tonal Crow
@meh: Fossil fuel industries have accumulated huge capital cushions, in large part due to decades of extensive subsidies. Thus, eliminating all energy subsidies (including those for renewables) wouldn’t level the playing field, at least for a good while. It would, instead, tend to increase the tilt toward capital-rich fossil fuel industries, and impede the transition to renewables.
The upshot: we need a carbon tax.
BTW, though the article mentions it, it doesn’t explicitly account for the largest energy subsidy of all: defense spending. It puts the cost of energy subsidies at “around $20 billion a year”. But that’s only the direct costs, and doesn’t include a substantial portion of the defense budget — not to mention off-defense-budget war spending, as on Iraq and Afghanistan — that’s directly or indirectly used to prop up oil-producing governments, secure oil shipments, and the like.
Violet
Since this is an open thread, has anyone ever tried acupuncture for back pain, specifically the nerve pain from compressed disks? An elderly relative of mine is struggling with this issue and the medications have such bad side effects she doesn’t want to take them. Would acupuncture possibly help or is it a complete waste of money?
Tonal Crow
@Violet: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19433697 . Summary: poking the skin without penetrating it is just as effective as either personalized or standardized acupuncture, but all three are better than “usual care” as defined by the study.
eemom
@Violet:
If she has not already done so I would urge her to visit a doctor specializing in spine issues before trying acupuncture.
If she is anywhere near the DC area I can recommend the group I use. I had successful surgery for nerve damage from compressed disks back in ’09. They also take care of the Washington Redskins.
arguingwithsignposts
FWIW, NPR was drawing the Chamber of Commerce connection today in the announcement of Daley as CoC – it was Mara Liarson, so take it fwiw.
trollhattan
@Tonal Crow:
Agreed. This here article summed it up nicely for me, and I learned a lot about our current energy portfolio I was unaware of.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2011/1101.leonard-2.html
Our Big Carbon and Corn Masters will not allow such foolishness, however.
eemom
I am glad this post links to TBogg, because that gives me a splendid opportunity to tell everyone to be sure and check out his even splendider post about Dick “If I only had a heart” Cheney while they are over there.
AND to break my new year’s resolution to refrain from gleefully pondering Cheney’s imminent demise whenever I need cheering up.
(well ok, I didn’t actually resolve that)
WarMunchkin
There was this old MMO I used to play casually, and it had some of the best techno/trance BGMs I’ve ever heard in gaming, by soundTeMP and S.F.A.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttGXN-OWcsc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJoF6JPNnSY&feature=related
ahhh nostalgia..
General Stuck
Add Crustaceans to the death list.
WereBear
@Violet: She can possibly uncompress them with the proper exercises.
The Egoscue Method
I don’t know anyone, including me, who has followed the program and not improved their pain issue.
Violet
@Tonal Crow:
Thanks for the article. I’ve seen mixed info on acupuncture, but there are some studies that show it to be effective.
@eemom:
She’s not near the DC area, but thanks. She’s seen a variety of doctors, including an orthopedist specializing in backs and a pain doctor. They have told her she’s not a candidate for back surgery. The pain doctor has given her medication that makes her so woozy during the day she doesn’t want to take it. She’s doing physical therapy and also using a TENS unit, but while these may be helping longer term, they are not addressing the pain, which is acute.
She’s kind of at the “what else is there to try” stage, so I thought of acupuncture, which helped me with another issue. I just don’t know if it would be worth trying. I’m not sure she can even get on an acupuncture table.
Roger Moore
@meh:
It’s not a bad idea, but there’s no realistic chance of it happening. It’s based on the idea that reducing the deficit is more important to Republicans than giving their corporate donors big stacks of cash. Nice theory, but no relationship to reality.
Rosalita
@eemom:
I loved that post
Priceless
Benjamin Cisco
@Foxhunter:
Yeah, maybe they’ll give her some?
meh
@Tonal Crow:
OK I sort of follow that – however wouldn’t a continuation of the subsidies exacerbate the gulf between the capital rich fossil fuels and the cash-strapped green techs? Furthermore, wouldn’t those subsidies have to expand in order to artificially depress the true market value of those commodities? Isn’t this a case of hurt a little now or hurt a lot later?
Additionally, there has to be some rope-a-dope way to get the GOP to do the heavy lifting on this. Have Obama propose a 15% subsidy increase across the board. The GOP will be falling all over themselves to say NO to the point where some idiot will be like, “Well if Obama wants more subsidies, that must be prevented at all cost. In fact we need to remove all subsidies and let the free market reign!” I mean the same reverse psychology that works on my two year old has gotta work on this fucking idiots. Amirite?
Violet
@WereBear:
According to the MRI her spine is now in a “S” shape. Essentially she’s got scoliosis, but it’s as a result of disk disintegration and compression. This makes exercises difficult. She would be unable to do things such as lie on her stomach or get up and down from the floor. She’s walking only with a walker now because of the pain. Would this book have exercises that might work given those conditions?
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
@Benjamin Cisco: this is why the CIA treats congress like mushrooms: keep them in the dark and feed them bullshit.
I mean, would any professional trust koo-koo with classified material.
liberty60
Anyone else notice how oddly silent the Wingnuttia blogs are today on the CBO estimates of repealing HCR?
Normally I would expect any argument over HCR to occupy the Wurlitzer nonstop.
NRO had a small piece demurring, a random right bloghad a short piece without comments…but other than that, nada.
Its almost like they are patiently waiting for a meme to emerge from Fox to begin their howling and drumbeats.
meh
@Benjamin Cisco:
Better question is how long until she unintentionally blurts out classified intelligence (see: Sources/Methods) and finds herself in cross-hairs of a US Attorney waving prison time in front of her face. Think Obama will pardon her? Not bloody likely.
Foxhunter
@General Stuck:
For your analysis, General.
General Stuck
@Violet:
At one point in time, due to acute severe arthritis from an autoimmune problem, what helped relieved my pain and immobility was something called a Tens Unit. A small device that applied to problem area and pulsed little electric shocks.
It was a godsend at the time, and I still use it for flareups. But have no idea if it would work for you friend.
Mark S.
Huh, I guess I haven’t been keeping up, cause I thought Edroso moved to Texas. I guess that didn’t work out.
NobodySpecial
@General Stuck: We know you don’t give a fuck, you’re a troll, self admitted. Full stop.
I’m touched that you’re worried about me, though. Well, not really, but I think you need SOME validation in your life.
General Stuck
@Foxhunter:
Thanks so much, I’ve been looking for an aggregator for this phenom. It doesn’t include the die offs in Brazil however, nor New Zealand, I don’t think.
WereBear
@Violet: Ow, sounds like there are osteoporosis and degeneration issues? If she’s on a walker, she might not have the flexibility to build upon.
But still, I’d think it would be worth it to see the Arlington VA clinic of the man in question.
That’s not far at all!
He’s been known to customize a program; he helps people with CP to walk normally, for instance.
General Stuck
@NobodySpecial:
Sometimes, when the spirit moves me.
And don’t chew those fingernails!
meh
@liberty60:
redstate has a front page up about how the numbers are bullshit because the evil dems had their fingers on the scales with the original number post hoc ergo propter hoc the numbers today don’t mean shit.
shortstop
My love for Roy Edroso knows no bounds. That is all.
Well, one more thing: You don’t have to be a firebagger or anywhere in range of the category to think Bill Daley is a primo asswipe. You just have to know him. But it is what it is.
Now that’s really all.
Foxhunter
@General Stuck:
Brazil included.
New Zealand, also too.
NobodySpecial
@shortstop: Don’t say that, shortstop, the troll’s trying to forge a narrative here.
Violet
@General Stuck:
She’s got a Tens unit, but it’s painful to place the sticky patches where they need to be because they need to go on her back. She has to have help to do that, so she can’t use it as much as she probably should.
@WereBear:
Unfortunately she’s not near Arlington, VA. I checked the website and there are none near where she lives. I’m not sure she’d feel comfortable trying to read a book and start it on her own, although I’ll mention it to her. Perhaps her physical therapist could look into it or might know of it.
It’s really frustrating for her as, although she’s older, she’s a very active senior. Prior to this current situation she was extremely active and independent. She’s very frustrated by not finding a way to relieve her pain and get better.
General Stuck
@Foxhunter:
Geesh, thanks. Someday I will learn simple internet stuff. Like expanding a map.
General Stuck
@Violet:
Yea, I was wondering about that. Or, if could even be applied to the back.
Tonal Crow
@meh:
Measured by quantity, yes. Measured as a proportion, no. Eliminating all subsidies (without creating some price for emitting carbon) would eliminate most of the working capital needed to build new renewables. In contrast, the fossil fuel industry can still finance expansion by using some of its accumulated capital.
I’m not sure I understand. Fossil fuels will continue to cost less than they would have had there never been subsidies, for many years after subsidies end, because, again, of the capital that those subsidies bought.
That depends what you mean by “hurt”. If we don’t put a price on carbon emissions yesterday, we’re all going to hurt a great deal in the coming decades.
I’d love that, but I don’t see one right off the bat.
J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford
@Violet:
Has your relative considered having a backiotomy?
WereBear
@Violet: I’m sorry to hear that – Arlington is near DC in my mind, but I understand if it’s too far for her.
I think he’s the best physio working today… that’s why I’m pushing it a bit.
meh
@Tonal Crow:
No what I meant was that as the availability of the fossil fuels decreases due to global usage, won’t the subsidies need to increase in order to continue to artificially depress the price? That’s what I meant but hurt a bit now or hurt a lot later. If we are going to get to a point where we will (someday) be paying true market value for the energy we consume, aren’t we better off doing that now while the supply is larger than 30 years down the road when petroleum prices are cresting $400/barrel?
shortstop
@NobodySpecial: Pipe down with that crap. I’m not on your team.
Violet
@WereBear:
She’s not in Washington, DC or anywhere near it or even Virginia. A plane flight is out of the question, as is a long car trip. According to the website, there are no clinics near her, so I think visiting one is out of the question given her travel limitations. Sorry if I was unclear about where she lives.
But thanks for the book recommendation! I might check it out of the library and see what it’s about. I’ve got a hip issue and maybe I’m a good candidate for it. Perhaps she could do some of the exercises. If she can do things while seated, that might be okay. And she can walk, although only with a walker right now.
NobodySpecial
@shortstop: Wasn’t aware I was on a ‘team’, but thanks for playing.
Tonal Crow
@meh:
Existing and accumulated subsidies depress the price below what it would have been had there never been subsidies. But sure, if you want to keep the price from rising as much as relative scarcity rises, then you need increasing subsidies.
But avoiding future uncontrolled energy price spikes is — in part — why we need to promote the hell out of renewables. And the true market value for energy includes not just the subsidy-free costs of producing it, but also the costs of emitting the products of using it.
meh
@Tonal Crow:
I get that, I think we are sort of on the same albeit from different directions. I see cap and trade, or a carbon tax, as one of the more desirable options as an energy policy but don’t believe that it has a chance of passing. I guess my underlying question was, in lieu of C&T, would a policy of zero subsidies be more beneficial than continuing the present energy policies until such a time as C&T can be implemented? Or would negative effects you describe happening to emerging techs be insurmountable and thus kill off the renewables before it really got off the ground? Could it weather the lean cash times for a few years as traditional energy prices rise or would it be dead?
eemom
@Violet:
very sorry to hear that. I know from personal experience how debilitating back pain can be.
[Though I am fortunate enough to not mind the drugs. : )]
I don’t know anything about acupuncture personally, but another doctor I respect once recommended it…..and a therapy that’s been used for thousands of years must be doing something right.
eemom
@shortstop:
I love this blog.
SiubhanDuinne
This is interesting based on the thread yesterday about NancySMASH!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/ms-magazine-pelosi-cover-time-newsweek_n_805315.html
Apologies for the HuffPo link. If you don’t want to click on it, and I certainly couldn’t blame you, the gist is that Ms. Magazine’s cover story is on Nancy Pelosi, making the point that even in 2006 when she was voted the first female Speaker of the House EVAH IN HISTORY, neither Time nor Newsweek saw fit to put her on their covers. Both T and N, of course, had Mr. Dayglo Orange on after the 2010 midterms. Goes without saying.
Sexism in our MSM Village? Naaah, simple coincidental oversight is all.
nevsky42
Sigh. Our district, VA-5, used to have one of the best reps in Congress, Tom Perriello.
Now we have this guy. I need a drink.
slag
@NobodySpecial: I know. Welcome back, Dick Morris. I especially love this line:
Might as well have added a “Mission Accomplished” at the end of that.
Tonal Crow
@meh: I can’t immediately quantify what would happen. Page 5-8 of this discuss the history of U.S. wind installations (and the “production tax credit” subsidy) from 1981 to 2006, and show that when the PTC has expired (which it did 3 times in that period), installations plummeted. There’s probably a similar pattern with solar installations and their related subsidies.
On the other hand, many states have implemented renewable portfolio standards (“RPSs”), which require a given percentage of electricity to be generated from renewables by a given year. These will tend to reduce the boom-bust cycle created by subsidy expirations. Also, California and some other states, as well as the EPA, are moving toward greenhouse gas limits — but slowly.
Are projected efforts enough to get us where we need to be with renewables? I don’t think so. We’re probably already committed to a 2 degrees C rise from preindustrial times, and may well be heading for 4 degrees by 2100 (or earlier).
Will eliminating all energy subsidies improve the picture? I don’t see why.
NobodySpecial
@slag: Nah, he did that after helping to pass NAFTA.
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
@General Stuck: I told ya they were paranoid.
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
btw, for people who object or dislike Daley, how do you feel that Dean and Reich both gave enthusiastic endorsements?.
John Cole
I’m in. Edroso makes me laugh out loud, and I am eternally grateful he never heard of me while I was a wingnut.
Jay in Oregon
@eemom:
If there were any justice, he would find himself unable to afford the costly, life-saving surgery and he and his family would have to declare bankruptcy and lose everything they own. Just like the little people he despises so much.
Aside from that, the best I can hope for is a nasty reaction to the anaesthesia, or possibly the immunosuppressant drugs used to keep the heart from rejecting him.
Mike Kay (Chief of Staff)
@SiubhanDuinne: not really about sexism, it’s about the party politics. They didn’t put her on the cover because she was a Dem.
General Stuck
deleted
eemom
@Mike Kay (Chief of Staff):
I effing love the fact that Dean did it, just as I love anything that makes Jane Hamsher’s head explode.
AAA Bonds
Third Way‘s got some i-i-i-internshi-i-i-i-ips! :D
FlipYrWhig
Oh no! Daley’s going to be Chief of Staff! He’ll probably use that important position to do… something… that… um… Well, the important thing is, professional hippie punching under the bus-roots! [seethe, seethe, looks to see who’s looking, goes back to seething]
shortstop
@John Cole: That’s some well-placed gratitude, brother.
Brachiator
@Belafon (formerly anonevent):
Hah! Good one. As it turns out, apparently, Daley’s appointment is upsetting the “professional left” (which also had to be said by someone).
I can just see the blog posts accumulating. “Bah! Bipartisanship equals betrayal.”
It’s gonna be a long 2011.
Gozer
I think we’re being excreted by the planet.
Fuck it. Here’s to a little Laphroaig.
Comrade Baron Elmo
Thanks for providing a link for the Edroso fund, Doug. I was hoping you guys would do so, and you came through right on schedule.
Roy is easily one of the best bloggers out there, with a gift for elegant snark worthy of Oscar Wilde at his most caustic. Someone needs to offer him a fat-ass book contract.
Batocchio
I donated last night. Thanks for spreading the word.