top official Spicer on Republican National Committee: "We are the gold standard of political parties"
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) April 18, 2016
Fixed, unyielding and prone to causing depression? https://t.co/KSTJVQq5S5
— Tom Shoop (@tshoop) April 18, 2016
Thank god Ron Paul never succeeded in getting us back on the gold standard https://t.co/4mdI41Ntoj
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) April 18, 2016
Convention-planning update from CNN:
Sen. John McCain told reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday he might not go to the Republican National Convention this year because it’s so close to his primary in August. “I have to campaign for reelection,” he said.
This year’s convention might also be something of a spectacle if Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are slogging it out for delegates on the convention floor.This is the latest in a trend of lawmakers who are up for reelection and are considering skipping, including Mark Kirk of Illinois, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Richard Burr of North Carolina. Some who don’t like Trump won’t go if he’s the nominee, like Rep. Charlie Dent, a moderate from Pennsylvania…
It would be notable if McCain were to skip, if for no other reason than he’s had a speaking spot at every convention for more than 30 years…
***********
Apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, what’s on the agenda for the evening?
chopper
any news on NY?
Mike J
How about a round of applause for the team that made sure the site isn’t falling over with multiple tbogg+ sized threads. I’m not saying the process was easy, or comfortable, or pretty, but the site is running.
Sadly Alain did not deliver single payer, so fuck him. Time to shut it down.
jl
How about defunct?
redshirt
Sounds like good news for John McCain.
redshirt
@Mike J: Yeah, indeed. I wonder if we’ve been breaking volume records these last few days, and the site has been flawless.
Bravo!
PaulWartenberg2016
@redshirt: for once, without irony!
Trollhattan
@PaulWartenberg2016:
They took away irony? There are three reasons I come here: irony and snark!
Brachiator
Thankfully, today is a slow day. Just chillin and will be taking a peek at the NY primary results later.
My inner geek was smiling looking at Princes William and Harry visiting the Star Wars set. Harry and William got a hug from Chewbacca.
? Martin
@chopper:
What’s happening in NY?
/JohnCole
redshirt
@? Martin: Some sportsball thing, probably.
David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch
the classiest, the swankiest, most luxurious party evah.
AkaDad
“Gold standard”
So, it’s archaic and bad for the economy?
David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch
@chopper: apparently people are really picky about their hot dog condiments.
A Ghost To Most
Watching the last of the 14 inches of snow we got Sunday morning melt,and looking forward to near 80 on the weekend.
Raven
@redshirt: someone will bitch!
Hal
Turns out Colonel Mustard was terrible at his job.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEV8fbTAujd/?hl=en
jl
Only problem with McCain’s announcement is that it is a ‘might’ not a ‘will’. I hope he doesn’t show. I hope that there are no credible mainstream GOPers there to sugar coat the horrid nominee, either Trump or Cruz.
If Trump wins, I guess Sarah Palin will make a big speech, or maybe Christie, and no-one likes him much anymore. And who would make a big speech for Cruz? Graham? That might be a fun show to watch, except Graham might dissolve into a complete nervous breakdown half way through.
rikyrah
I do wonder who will actually show up at the GOP convention. McCain won’t be the only one skipping out.
Riggsveda
As a PA voter, let me tell you that in no way, shape, or form is Charlie Dent a “moderate”.
Miss Bianca
@Trollhattan: what happened to a fanatical devotion to the Pope?
@A Ghost To Most: Ha! We’ve still got 20+ to deal with down here. Still, the sun is now shining and temperatures are rising.
FlyingToaster (Tablet)
Just chortling at the GOP and waiting for my sib to either show up or call.
Really, really, really glad not to be in Bwahstin right now.
Gimlet
@rikyrah: I do wonder who will actually show up at the GOP convention.
Lieberman?
Cacti
@chopper:
I don’t think the polls close until 9:00 EDT.
debbie
Haley Barbour is now on NPR explaining the GOP’s rules for voting at the convention. I don’t know what it is about his accent, but he’d make the Pledge of Allegiance sound like a lie.
eemom
@chopper:
According to the 8,000 recent posts from one particular certifiably batshit mouth-foaming berniac on my FB feed, rampant voter suppression by the Clintons and their lackeys here, there, and everywhere. Gonna be a contested primary, dontchaknow.
Davebo
@chopper:
CNN can now call Bernie Sanders the winner of the New York primary. The Senator won by a single vote apparently cast by a mixed up blogger! ;0)
chopper
@Cacti:
true, but any more exit poll info?
cmorenc
@jl:
Graham could bluff his way through it by emulating the late Sen Claghorn of SC.
scav
@AkaDad: Dense, expensive and prone to sinking. Also, surprzingly ductile and likely to be stolen.
Roger Moore
Something FDR did away with back in the 1930s and we never should have gone back to.
Major Major Major Major
@Miss Bianca: Bernie took it.
Trollhattan
@redshirt:
Sportspuck.
The Lodger
@debbie: I am so stealing that.
david10
@A Ghost To Most: 80 here today in Reno-we had a foot of snow 10 days ago. Messing about a bit in the garden, it looks mahvelous. It’s at that happy stage where everyting is vigourous and full but nothings trying for world conquest. Climate change is going to be a disaster at some point, but going from a cool zone 5a to a cool zone 7a is pretty nice right now.
Anoniminous
@AkaDad:
Should be stored in an underground vault, never to see the light of day?
Major Major Major Major
A FB friend is going on about how Obama vetoing the “let’s sue Saudi Arabia” bill is proof of some sort of 9/11 complicity. I didn’t know he was a troofer.
Oh, guess who he likes in the primary? ?
Miss Bianca
@Gimlet: You may just have won the Internets.
Kay
GOP delegate says Kasich can’t compete in open convention because of immigration. That makes sense to me. I just wasn’t buying “we don’t like him”. They can’t buck the base on immigration. Cannot.
geg6
@Riggsveda:
Ha! I was diving in to say just that!
Since my presidential primary vote is set, I’m weighing my options for state AG and the state rep primaries. I’m torn on the Senate challenger to Toomey, too. I really love John Fetterman and would kill to see him on the Senate floor glowering at someone like Yertle or Lindsay Graham. No way am I voting for McGinty even though I yearn for a woman senator. She’s Rendell tool. Sestak almost beat Toomey last time and he is truly one of the most gracious politicians I’ve ever dealt with. What to do, what to do????
Miss Bianca
@Major Major Major Major: KA-BOOM!
Mnemosyne
I’m looking at meal planning apps and websites and trying to decide if I should buy the $20 Mac version of Paprika (I already have the iPhone and iPad versions) or sign up for the free trial of Plan To Eat. Anyone have a strong opinion?
I want to be able to enter my own recipes, create meal plans with them (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and then generate a shopping list. Sadly, this is something that the current Weight Watchers website SUCKS ASS at doing, so I need a new solution.
singfoom
@Major Major Major Major: That bill is a rorschach test. There’s 28 pages from the 9/11 report that are still classified. I’d argue that the American people deserve to see what is in those pages.
I don’t think linking 9/11 and Saudi Arabia makes you a troofer, but maybe then I am one. I thought it was common knowledge that while all other flights were grounded a private plane carrying members of the Saudi Royal family and their entourage was allowed to fly home.
OSBL was a scion of a wealthy Saudi Arabian family. It stands to reason that there were individuals within Saudi Arabia that had a hand in 9/11. That doesn’t mean that the Saudi government at large was involved, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
I think that line of thinking isn’t trutherish. Truthers talk about it being a false flag and asking about the melting point of steel…
Brachiator
They’re trying to gentrify Boyle Heights in Los Angeles. People are fighting back. Love this little tidbit:
Roger Moore
@Trollhattan:
Definitely not math. Must be a Sandersnista.
debbie
Nice to come home and see that there were a couple threads where at least the opening post was in support of Sanders. Good to have balance and all.
In regard to this post:
I really hope the Clinton campaign and all supporters will focus on this and act very proactively at the many real attacks that are to come. This morning, Glenn Beck et Minions ranted on about Hillary’s “litany of lies,” stating that the latest was her claim that her persistent cough was due to allergies. Seriously.
Everything, no matter how stupid or laughable, needs to be responded to as quickly as possible. Even if it’s just a very loud and dismissive laugh.
Redshift
Not sure about tonight; I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see the Capitals possibly sweep the Flyers. Last night’s game was bizarre, with Philly fans showing all the class they are known for, and then some.
BBA
Polling place in lower Manhattan was pretty active. Lots of WFP campaigners for the Assembly special election outside, but not one for the “Democrat” in sight (nor any primary campaigners). Either the Silver machine was embarrassed to show its face, or the fix is in.
singfoom
@Mnemosyne: I don’t know nothing about recipe apps or meal planning, but plan to eat looks interesting.
https://www.plantoeat.com/ – but that has a monthly fee
Paprika app sure gets a lot of good reviews. It might be worth it.
Roger Moore
@Mnemosyne:
You should get the Satoshi Kon version of Paprika.
geg6
@debbie:
Do you actually think the woman they have vilified as a drug dealer and murderer for twenty years or more isn’t completely prepared for this?
david10
@singfoom: The general level of corruption and decadence in the Saudi royal family make us forget what ruthless, religious fundamentalists they are. But,once again, they’re our son of a bitches. sigh
Roger Moore
@Brachiator:
This is also the explanation for the presence of pastrami in LA Mexican food, e.g. the kosher burrito.
Major Major Major Major
@singfoom: oh, no, he’s gone full troofer, not just what you said. I’m on the same page as you.
chopper
@efgoldman:
is the pizza still good? (note: this is a test)
Brachiator
@Roger Moore:
Sweet Moses Gonzalez! The kosher burrito is a gift from the gods!!
singfoom
@david10:
I don’t doubt that you believe that, but I doubt the veracity of the statement. They’re sons of bitches, sure. They sure aren’t ours. They’re not allies, they’re not friends, they’re the enemy of some of our enemies. All these violent groups linked to Wahhabism? That Wahhabism money trail only leads one place, Saudi Arabia.
I’m sure there are things we as the general public don’t know that make that relationship worth it for the United States of America, but I was hoping that bill would pass. If it were me, I’d cut off all preferred ties with SA and pass that bill and they can sell whatever treasury bills they want.
They need us more than we need them. Oil is the only reason we give any fucks about SA.
debbie
@geg6:
For the big stuff, sure, but because of all of the ridiculous things like the coughing and needing to use a walker that will be coming out, I’m not sure. Hope you’re right though.
@efgoldman:
But it could have an effect for the voters who haven’t made up their minds. You can’t ignore them. Kerry learned that after not responding. Obama’s campaign reacted to everything. I’m sure Clinton’s campaign plans to, but the scope of absurdity will be beyond belief.
Major Major Major Major
@singfoom: the sovereign immunity problem with the bill is quite very much so real, though.
Mnemosyne
@Roger Moore:
I just can’t get into anime. I know that makes me a bad person.
jl
@efgoldman: I wonder what secret messages Beck deciphered in HRC’s ‘cough’.
PatrickG
@chopper:
Hang on, let me grab a fork and I’ll get back to you.
singfoom
@Major Major Major Major: Steel beams and why did tower #7 fall, it was a controlled demolition, that level?
I find the whole thing so fascinating that I’ve read a bunch of 9/11 truther stuff. There’s a veneer of believability to all of it, but then it descends into the crazy guano caves and never resurfaces. Like the whole “There’s a hole in the pentagon, it’s circular, where did the wings of the plane go?”
Probably snapped off on impact and exploded/were torn to shreds. How is that proof of anything other than physics? Lol
singfoom
@Major Major Major Major: Oh it is, but I thought that’s why it was a good bill because it was VERY VERY narrow and doesn’t apply to all sovereigns…..I guess I need to read up more.
debbie
@jl:
I hope you’re not implying that I believe anything he would say; I’m just reporting what was said.
PurpleGirl
I finally went to vote at about 5:00 PM. It took me about 12 minutes to vote. My name was in the book for my Election District, I told the poll worker my name and she found it. I signed the book and took my ballot and went to a caral to mark it and then took it to the scanner. East-peasy, no problems. It appeared that that they had some special ballots for problem situations but I could not read the titles on the ballots without my reading glasses.
What I did notice is that there were 3 Asian-Indians in the group of poll workers.
Davebo
@singfoom:
If you had a G-550 or even a Lear you’d have been allowed to fly after 9/11 too. And the plane carrying them wasn’t the only one flying in the days after 9/11.
chopper
@efgoldman:
you poor, poor son of a bitch.
singfoom
@Davebo: Well, I’ll be. Thanks for the comment, led me to look it up and lo and behold, snopes says false.
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/flights.asp
Looks like they were inspected and cleared and only flew after all the airports reopened. You learn something new every day.
Mnemosyne
@singfoom:
Part of it is what I always say about conspiracy theorists — they find it more comforting to believe in active malevolence than in random chance.
From everything I’ve read — including articles by engineers — it was basically dumb luck that the airliners hit in just the right spot to cause a collapse rather than knocking a chunk of the building down. Even the al-Qaeda planners didn’t expect that. But conspiracy theorists can’t accept that sometimes luck and random chance come into play, so they have to come up with Logical Reasons why everything happens.
PurpleGirl
What am I doing tonight?
Avoiding politics as best I can. Think I’ll watch The Huntsman and Snow White on TV; on-line I’ll spend some time watching the kittens at Shelly’s Tiny Kittens cam. She’s doing a research project of sorts with TNR of mama cats. She currently has 3 feral mama cats who have just had babies and they will be spayed and returned to the colony. The kittens will be socialized for adoption. There is one more mama cat to give birth — a beautiful mama who’s going blind (due to a virus) who Shelly is working to socialize so she can be adopted and live a better life indoors if she does go totally blind. (Shelly’s doctor came with a way to try to slow the progression and keep it from affecting her right eye.)
ThresherK
@eemom: I have the same compatriots. The Gothamist is the source of some of these things, but I don’t know how repurposed they are.
Someone save us from the bleatings of a Dr. S—- R—-: “If independent voters are allowed to vote in the Tuesday NY primary, Bernie Sanders will win by a wide margin”.
Uncle Cosmo
@jl: He played a recording of it backwards & it said, I’ll bury Cruz…
redshirt
@efgoldman: Can you tell us what Times Square was like in the Olden Tymes? Before Disney and Gulliani ruined it?
redshirt
Anyone watch Agents of SHIELD? Its the one TV show I watch, though I’m not crazy about it. I get this feeling it should be better then it is. But I’m excited for tonight’s ep.
Also dreading ABC News breaking in and/or running huge news scrolls during the show. I like news, I like politics, I don’t like when it interfere with entertainment when there’s a hundred other ways to get the info if I wanted to.
LAO
Rangers goal!!!
What, no hockey thread. ?
LAO
@LAO: NO goal. ?
david10
@redshirt: If you liked funk, and you liked raunchy sex, and every variety of whacked out people you can imagine, also dirt, poverty, social pathologies to the max, lots of bad drugs, and perhaps the ugliest whores in the world, Times Square area used to be fun. It was full of the kinds of places where you wiped your feet when you left.
redshirt
@david10: That’s what I’m saying. Naked Cowboy can’t compare.
Roger Moore
@david10:
Hmm. That sounds kind of like Hollywood Blvd used to be. It used to be that you were almost guaranteed to see someone get arrested every time you went there- mostly for drugs, AFAIK- but since Disney and the city of Los Angeles decided to clean the place up it’s turned into the kind of place it’s acceptable to bring children.
Mnemosyne
@Roger Moore:
People still get stabbed there from time to time, but I felt reasonably safe taking my nieces and nephew there during the day. I just warned them not to take pictures of anyone without their permission and to keep an eye on their purses and wallets.
Shana
@Mnemosyne: I believe it was Lilly Tomlin who said “New York is always knowing where your purse is.”
Anne Laurie
@Mnemosyne:
Nah, just a film MFA who’s spent too much time watching Mouse products.
There’s a range of anime, so much so that it can be difficult to find the gold among the dross. Dragonball is not Ghost in the Shell or Twin Spica, just as Song of the South is not Fantasia. Doesn’t mean you’re somehow required to “get into anime”, but hopefully you’re aware that it can’t be dismissed as somehow lesser than “real” film.
redshirt
@efgoldman: I’ve seen it. I was hoping for cowboy boots on the ground circa 1976 stories.
Mnemosyne
@Anne Laurie:
I don’t think it’s lesser, but it’s just a storytelling form that I haven’t gotten into. Despite my job, I have a somewhat limited tolerance for animation because I’m not very visual (which is why my MFA is in writing) and get restless if I can’t figure out the story.
PurpleGirl
@david10: A lot of the clean-up of Times Square can be traced to big companies buying up land parcels to build buildings with large footprints. At one time there were a lot of small single parcels. Then a number of construction companies and companies began to consolidate the small parcels. And Guiliani had nothing to do with it. The City planning commission was working toward the consolidations for quite a while. I took a tour of the area given by the American Institute of Architects and the various sites for new large buildings were pointed out.
Bruce Webb
I was in Times Square in 1977 as a 20 year old sailor on a weekend pass from a Navy school in Groton, Ct. Drinking age was 20 then in NY. The miracle of Times Square then was that being literally on the Square was safe enough but walking 60 feet down 42nd Street put you right in a different world. And ducking into that first alley going I guess to 43rd was effectively to engage in your own death wish. That is right around the corner from Broadway Theatres were some pretty depraved places indeed and right around the corner from that you were among literal dregs. Not just of society but of refuse barrels. The whole thing was a combination of unimaginable visual and sound and smell inputs that required total situational awareness. Because you could and would lose your wallet in a second and in that alley could lose your life. Even as tens of thousands of people were admiring the lights of Broadway.
To visit Times Square then was to have the reality of “Man, I am NOT in Kansas anymore” slapped in your face. It was distilled ‘Bright Lights, Big City’. Luckily for me being a totally drunk horny 20 year old sailor immersed in a sea of strip joints and less savory establishments didn’t prevent me from walking away the next day. After staying in a hotel that my NY friends later told me was notorious for thief/muggers climbing up the fire escapes. No wonder I could afford the rates.
Glad I saw it. Never really tempted to go back.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@singfoom: Shit, I’d never known I was a troofer. Like you, I believed it to be common knowledge that a plane carrying members of the Saudi Royal Family, known as close friends of the Bush Royal Family got airspace clearance.
I hate it when i find out bad things about myself.
Mnemosyne
@Anne Laurie:
One more thought: although I sometimes enjoy written SF, I’m not a big fan of SF movies (the last time I saw 2001, I actually managed to stay awake through the whole stargate sequence! A first for me!) So the anime films that intrigue me are things like Perfect Blue or What Marnie Saw. The non-SF ones.
redshirt
@Bruce Webb: This is what I’m talking about! I picture all sorts of blinking lights and horns and steam and trash.