I'MMA LET YOU FINISH
Frist and straight my question.....
I will be in Philadelphia in two weeks time for a night (I heard so many good things about it here) and am looking for a good Bed and Breakfast or Hotel. Any suggestions. What are the best areas to look for me and me wife? (early 30's and students). Thanks.
Any response from Milbank yet?
Uh Oh, Tierny and I agree. His column's subject is actually one of the reasons I watch so little TV. What does this mean? I am secretly trying to be a Kool Kid? Uh oh.
I'm tired of Atrios telling me to "have fun" or "rock on!" Atrios is a fascist!
G'mornin', 'bats.
.
DWD
Yeah I guess Al Bundy was a better role model than Homer.
Gimlet, the thing I agree with is this: men on television are nearly always portrayed as being self-serving fools.
I think the reasons he cited are about correct: but I tire of generalizations. Particularly generalizations that are extremely one-sided.
I was going to explain why I find this so repulsive, but why bother? If you think all men are self-serving sex-deprived incompetent fools: then . . . .
Geeze, go to take a leak and Atrios springs a new thread on ya!
From the last thread:
"DT42, Barndog -- thank you for your service to our country. I hope we can do a better job for our service members SOON."
Thanks Virginia! I hope so too. I understand Morale is terrible (from returning soldiers I've talked to) and I can't really say I blame them.
DWD -- I see a lot of "Dad/husband is so dumb and helpless" stuff, too and I get really tired of it. What's the point of that?
Yes, thanks Virgina. I thought you bailed on us down there. Apparently, I was correct.
I was going to explain why I find this so repulsive, but why bother? If you think all men are self-serving sex-deprived incompetent fools: then . . . .
You're not? 
It is something we learn in secret girl school. LOL.
Actually, one of the reasons I wouldn't let my kids watch sit coms (when I could still control the remote) was I thought the portrayal Dads was nothing short of disrespectful.
Virginia, I think it is that men are safe to make jokes about now. If you make fun of women: you are misogynist. If you make fun of racial proclivities (and you are not of the same race!) you are a racist. And on and on.
But I know that my wife LOVES EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND and I find it offensive and bland. But the legion of fools as husbands runs the gamut, you know?
Atrios -
Slip over to Democratic Vet's site.
Jofish has a nice little blerb about Nancy Grace being cited by a Georgia Appellate court 3 times for unethical conduct when she was a prosecutor.
Apparently, CNN doesn't include that in her bio.
Gee.
If you think "all" men are self-serving sex-deprived incompetent fools: then . . . .
DWD - 7:15 am
Look for nuance. Sitcoms are comedy.
Jonathan Kent, the father in Smallville is more in line with traditional values.
TV is a giant ink blot. There is more out there to support a number of perspectives. If the instances that irritate you are enough to reject the whole thing, that's OK. Just be aware that "all men" are not portrayed that way.
"the legion of fools as husbands"
Do they get health benefits? Cause you know if it means a steady paycheck and health benefits, I'm sooo there!
I thought you bailed on us down there. Apparently, I was correct.
Ba®ndog
I'm still learning how to keep up! Sorry, and thank you.
'mornin', 'bats...
I've been the house-dad for the last ten years; mom's a working scientist. Our daughter starts tech shool in July on full scholarship, thank you very much.
It's not hard to teach daughters, or sons for that matter, to think. You just treat them like people and not little pet animals. Teaching working wives the intricacies of grocery shopping.... now that's another matter.
This "thing" is kind of strange. On Thursday I was convinced that the tide of misperception and lies was finally starting to catch up to those in power. Then yesterday I was convinced that no matter what we do, the administration will get away with it because of their domination of the media.
I am not sure at this moment. I know that Iraq smells like month old fish on the beach, but so far the smell is being pretty much ignored.
The DSM is a lot more important than people know, but without further revelations: it will wilt on the vine as well. I am hopeful the Times of the London will enhance their story some more this weekend. (Waiting for the WaPo or Times is a waste of time.)
Then there is the disconnect between what is happening locally and what is being perceived nationally. At some point these perceptions will have to be reconciled, but by then it may be too late.
I admit Virgina, I was being a bit snarky... but hey - after going on 2 pots of coffee - I'd run a marathon if I could run!
Man, those were the days...
Oh, and the new talking point. The morning after pill and birth control pills produce "chemical abortions." Wisconsin is trying to ban the morning after pill on college campuses.
"Then yesterday I was convinced that no matter what we do, the administration will get away with it because of their domination of the media."
DWD
You know I was saying on the last thread that, aww hell, I'll just paste it:
What I am absolutely shocked by is that CNN did a pretty damn good piece on Downing St. tonight (considering the source).
I guess Holden sort of lost the 40% by the 4th thingy because they said Bu$h was already at 38% and it's playing in Peoria.
I think Gimlet is right about the inkblot, and also that I mostly notice things that tick me off. Small example: There's a Dannon ViActive commercial where the dad is reading about some research in the newspaper, and the smug daughter and mom already know all about it. When I've seen it I've thought, man, if those roles were reversed I'd be pissed.
Does anyone remember a sitcom from the 70s called "All That Glitters"? It was a Norman Lear thing (IIRC); basically a piss-take of a soap opera, with all the gender roles reversed. It was fantastic. A real eye-opener.
QL, I guess that is the revenge of the white male: keep the women folk barefoot, pregnent and in the kitchen.
I guess it is all a matter of perception. I know that in my job I have seen too many sad cases of abuse and neglect to be one of those who believes that children should come into the world unloved and unwanted.
The old cliche about the radical right is that their interest in children begins before conception and ends at birth. I think I prefer the opposite. But what do I know?
"Wisconsin is trying to ban the morning after pill on college campuses."
QL in NY
I'm with whoever in here said "When they refusing to Prescribe Viagra, then they can stop prescribing Birth Control".
+start
.oO(There go the ol' mental faculties!)
Tierney writes:
Four out of five viewers of network sitcoms are women, and they apparently like to see Mom smarter than Dad.
I'd wager that four out of five sitcom writers are guys, and they enjoy making fun of themselves. Self-deprecation can be a sign of confidence and maturity.
Then yesterday I was convinced that no matter what we do, the administration will get away with it because of their domination of the media.
DWD
I feel this way at times, especially since I personally know so many wingers that spout the GOP propaganda line.
But there are facts that are difficult to reconcile with "...fooling all the people all the time".
For some reason enough people didn't believe the BS that Dubya either lost the election in 2004 or won narrowly. Military recruitment quotas are not being met. The "popularity" of Congress, the media and various other groups. And other factoids that are inconsistent with overwhelming support of what is portrayed as the "stereotypical American scene".
QL -- I seem to remember from back in my working-in-a-clinic days that we would tell women to take two birth control pills on two consecutive mornings in place of the MAP (I can't remember if it wasn't widely available then, or if it was considered dangerous, or what). I know the pills are lower dose now, so I don't know if that would work.
My friend in Canada wants us all to learn to do menstrual extractions, because she's pretty sure these freaks are going to win this battle, and sometimes it looks like they're almost there.
Scary times to be in the reproductive years!
"There's a Dannon ViActive commercial where the dad is reading about some research in the newspaper, and the smug daughter and mom already know all about it. When I've seen it I've thought, man, if those roles were reversed I'd be pissed."
Virginia
There are many commercials that I find irritating. But one that stands out to me along those lines is one for Cable TV, where the Dad can't figure out how to unblock a channel and has to ask his Daughter and Wife. The wife of course says he can't watch that channel.
And then there's the ODIOUS one for DirectTV where the couple is talking about how they researched DirectTV and the Husband is an obvious Sexist Buffoon, who the wife gets the better of by dumping her popcorn on his head.
Ugh...
It's not hard to teach daughters, or sons for that matter, to think. You just treat them like people and not little pet animals. Teaching working wives the intricacies of grocery shopping.... now that's another matter.
Morning to all.
I spend time with my just-now-6 year old daughter helping her learn and think for herself. Right now she's very interested in science: volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, dinosaurs and such. Just last week we had to buy her a "real" bookcase to hold all the books she's been collecting on those subjects. We have memberships to nearly all the Chicago museums, and recently visited the Field and the Adler Planetarium for Members Nights, where she was able to see the Dinosaurs from China at the Field and saw the moon through a 20 inch telescope at the Adler.
I don't try to push it, just let her enjoy at her own speed. In the last year she's learned to view or read one subject and make a connection to something else that's being referenced. Also watching science fiction with dad has broadened her mind: she was the only kid in pre-school who knew what a wormhole was (and even tried to explain it to her teacher), and she's now wanting to learn about ancient Egypt because she's watched "Stargate" one too many times.
It's really a joy to watch her grow in this way.
Of course, tonight she'll be begging me to watch "Hammerhead: Shark Frenzy."
Take the bad with the good.
Hope you guys put on your tin foil hats and watched the mock impeachment trial of Bush on C-Span.
Its my understanding that John Conyers is going to stage a mock presidential election next week. You guys might even win that one!!!!
And you idiots wonder why people who are sane refuse to vote for you.
I can't wait to watch you get steamrolled in '06.
Condi '08!
yay! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ameri...cas/
2979076.stm
Gimlet, Agreed. Editor and Publisher had an article yesterday about the disconnect between the way the news is being presented nationally and locally. The thing is, when these children are coming home to small town America maimed, dead, or psychologically hurt: people know about it. My wife told me yesterday, though I have seen no confirmation of this, that nearly 300 young people have been killed shortly after coming home from Iraq in car accidents or in doing something dangerous because they believe that once they escaped from the hell hole of Iraq: they were simply invulnerable. I have also read that military divorces are up something like 80%. These things happen, but are not reported nationally, but that does not mean people are unaware of them.
Good morning, all.
I think that, once again, Tierney's full of shit. This is the all-too-typical Repub wishing for a time that didn't actually exist. For every Ward Cleaver, there was a Ralph Kramden, or Danny Thomas, or whatever. And, especially since "situation comedy" began, you need someone who's enough of a doofus to get into "situations".
I mean, remember Don Fedderson? He was the guy who, as Harlan Ellison pointed out, was so creative that he gave us My Three Sons (about a well-off widower, his three kids, and his manservant), Family Affair (about a well-off widower, his three kids, and his manservant), and To Rome With Love (about a well-off widower, his three kids, and his manservant). (This is the same guy who gave Liberace his first TV show; make of that what you will.)
Bob Newhart said that he deliberately chose not to play a father on either of his hit sitcoms because he was tired of the whole "Dad's a dummy but we love him anyway" style of sitcoms. That may be one reason why "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart" are still enjoyable to watch.
Another similar sitcom cliche is the "fat slob guy married to the smoking hot wife" conceit...
Let's fry them! Freedom!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ameri...cas/
2979076.stm
sorry, but merkin is way funnier.
Time to re-read Greg Palast’s article “Adventure Capitalism - The Hidden 2001 Plan to Carve-up Iraq”! More timely than ever.
And the stench of troll secretions wafts over the morning dew.
"yay! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ameri...cas/ 2979076.stm"
sooper trooper
Wheeeee! So Halliburton is now building the Death Camps!
Big Daddy Mars -- she sounds smart! She's lucky to have parents who acknowledge that her curiosity is important, and who will nurture it.
My friend in Canada wants us all to learn to do menstrual extractions, because she's pretty sure these freaks are going to win this battle, and sometimes it looks like they're almost there.
The funny thing is, when I bring this up with younger women, they all get really scared, but don't consider it a gender issue. I'm glad we have made some progress and that men are acknowledged to have some responsibility for pregnancy, but there seems to be a disconnect as to who will bear the brunt of carrying the baby to term.
Scary times indeed.
Wheeeee! So Halliburton is now building the Death Camps!
And knowning Halliburtion they'll subcontract out to one of their German groups.
Another similar sitcom cliche is the "fat slob guy married to the smoking hot wife" conceit...
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 06.18.05 - 7:50 am
Hey. I'm a fat guy slob, and my lady friend's smokin' hot. It's not a cliche; I'm just one lucky s.o.b. 
Wheeeee! So Halliburton is now building the Death Camps!
apparently the "spread of freedom and trying to take control of oil in iraq" isn't profitable enough.
...an' you don't have to be fat to be a slob, either.
So Halliburton is now building the Death Camps!
DeepThought_42 - 7:52 am
So what will it be? Fake showers with gas? Hacking off their heads and videotaping it?
Or my favorite torture, errrr... "hazing" to death?
aren't! aren't! subject / verb agreement!
help!
'Sup, DeepThought_42!
"And knowning Halliburtion they'll subcontract out to one of their German groups."
Big Daddy Mars
Well at least it will be built right then. :-|
Filk, Dunno if I agree with you, but then again, arguing over something so unimportand and dumb is . . . well, just dumb. So go with the flow.
I am not much like anyone on TV but that is okay as I am not much like anyone not on TV.
bdm, you are approaching what pisses me off about education. the way things are presented in school is awful. you learn about one thing at a time and everything other than that is disconnected from it. you study algebra or french or shakespeare or what have you it is presented as just that one thing, totally disconnected from everything that isn't algebra or french or shakespeare or what have you. what is interesting about anything is how it relates to everything else. but they don't teach things that way.
It's really a joy to watch her grow in this way.
You bet. These are the best years. Then they become teens and know everything. Somewhere in their twenties they realize they don't know everything and begin to think the old folks aren't so loony after all.
Olaf, et al; Don't forget; your kids WILL survive school.
DWD -- wisest thing anyone will say all day.
It occurs to me that one of my favorite TV characters of all time is a dad on that show. Of course, that's Sheriff Lucas Buck on American Gothic....
And the stench of troll secretions wafts over the morning dew.
filkertom
Is it just me, or is the aroma a little more pungent in the last few days? I think the rancor level has been ratcheted up; it's not so much about the issues lately but more about us, personally.
They make me so happy!
QL -- I don't know what to say about the complacency in re: the gender issue. However, if I'm any kiind of example, I know that in the last 10 years or so I've been much more focused on the partisan politics and much less focused on gender issues, specifically, so maybe the "elder" leadership is culpable.
Olaf Glad and Big, not in my class: sorry. I always teach relationships: always.
Big Daddy Mars -- she sounds smart! She's lucky to have parents who acknowledge that her curiosity is important, and who will nurture it.
I was like that. My mother got me reading at 4 and I just took it from there. So we do the same with her. My wife tends to teach her the basics, and then I sort of step in and handle everything else--like explaining bad movies.
But she is something else. When we were at the Adler Planetarium the other night we were watching a preview of an upcoming show. When it started my daughter goes, "That's just like the wormhole in 'Stargate'," and the guy who was running the show on his computer (and was one of the designers) looked up and smiled.
...an' you don't have to be fat to be a slob, either.
Hey, can girls horn in on this action. I mean, the slob action.
Is it just me, or is the aroma a little more pungent in the last few days? I think the rancor level has been ratcheted up; it's not so much about the issues lately but more about us, personally.
The trolls are spinning madly. It's suddenly the Last Days of Disco for them, and they're trying to rationalize why their world doesn't suck--and nothing is working.
Always a bitch to be the last to realize the emperor doesn't have any clothes.
"Hey. I'm a fat guy slob, and my lady friend's smokin' hot. It's not a cliche; I'm just one lucky s.o.b. "
filkertom
Well, luckily for us guys women are not as concerned with looks as we are. If you've got wit, brains and earning ability, it's possible to get a looker. Maybe even sometimes you can get a pass on the earning ability thing.
I was going to make some gratuitously sexual comment now, but it has slipped my mind.
.oO(Damnit!)
BDM -- I was like that, too. I had a really tough time with education for a lot of years (war between teacher-mother and self, long boring story), but because my intellectual curiosity had been cultivated and I knew how to find out about things, I managed to be really well educated, much before I managed to finish college and go on (and on and on) to graduate school.
It really changed my life, having parents like that. Good on ya!
Olaf -- ah-yup. Everything is related, and those relationships are so cool. Learning about fractals and chaos math -- to pick examples, er, not at random -- open up such wonders, and new questions, about the natural world.
Virginia -- After awhile, fencing with the trolls gets old. They keep spouting the same crap, no matter the facts. And they hate so much, and call us haters because we can't stand what the thugs in power are doing. I'm trying to save the trolls too, and most of the people here are doing the same, and they damn sure wouldn't return the courtesy.
Sigh.
good for you, dwd. i bet your students are interested in what you are teaching too. and i'm not just stroking you. you may be interesting or not. i have no idea. the point is that you don't have to be. the world is interesting and if you are presenting it to them that way they will see it whether you are interesting or not.
Hey, can girls horn in on this action. I mean, the slob action.
QL in NY
I'm way ahead of ya, I'm afraid.
DeepThought -- that's me. She makes way more money than I ever will. But we connect on a gazillion or so wavelengths, and she loves my songs (and has sung on my CDs), and we make each other laugh.
so maybe the "elder" leadership is culpable.
Nah, and I'm in the elder group of which you speak. I think feminism has been so denigrated by the right, that even smart career women, are afraid to admit that they may be feminists. Somehow, feminism became associated with man-hating. It's not for nothing that limpdick repeats "feminazi" umpteen times a show.
While lurking yesterday, I got the distinct impression that TS is back. And earlier the troll kept talking about how he was leaving now, so I suspect my impression was correct. Fasten your seatbelts kiddies, it is going to be wild ride.
Hey, can girls horn in on this action. I mean, the slob action.
QL in NY
I'm way ahead of ya, I'm afraid.
Well, see, here's the thing. I read the sitcom vibe differently. Men are allowed to be unattractive, to do stupid things. Women, by and large are not. (Though Marge Simpson had a foible or two the first season, they were soon beaten out of her and she rarely if ever does anything bad now.) Also,women in sitcoms, especially, though not exclusively the cartoons, are suspiciously wasp-waisted and always lovely. The message? He's allowed to "let himself go," honey. You're not. Thank christ for Roseanne.
In other news....
"Hey, can girls horn in on this action. I mean, the slob action.
QL in NY
I'm way ahead of ya, I'm afraid."
Virginia
Well, I'm a slob and I have to say, my wife (smoking hottie that she is) put's me to shame in that department. 
Filkertom, that's all that matters bro!
but they don't teach things that way.
Olaf glad and big
I know that when I'm teaching, and a relationship pops into my head -- a relationship in a story the kids are reading to a social studies issue, or geography, or something they're working on in math, whatever -- I always point it out. (Or, better, ask them a question that makes them figure it out.)
well you do it right, then, virginia. good for you.
Allow me only to say that the very best television character who was also a father was 'Robert McCall'....
Morning, chickens. A pleasant 75 here now, looking forward to 106.
My wife told me yesterday, though I have seen no confirmation of this, that nearly 300 young people have been killed shortly after coming home from Iraq in car accidents or in doing something dangerous because they believe that once they escaped from the hell hole of Iraq: they were simply invulnerable.
DWD
This touches on a phenomenon that has intrigued me for a while.
There are accounts of Washington taking reckless risks in combat that shocked those around him.
Hitler too took uncessary risks in WWI and then later interpreted his escape from assassination attempts as more of the same.
I think they thought there were "protected" or meant for greatness. They kept testing the waters with reckless acts as reaffirmation that they were still protected or on the right course with "God".
Alternative if Washington or Hitler had been snuffed out during one of their reckless acts things would have turned out so differently.
Maybe as part of his religious delusion, Dubya thinks he has led a charmed life and that reckless things or ill conceived policy will always work out OK in the end.
It is time for another DWD lecture on the nature of our personalities? Prolly not, but suffice it to say that writers deal more with human's foible than others and most of us understand that men and women are infinitely more complex than we are ever able to represent. I tell my kids that we are all tied up with opposites and all the variations in between.
Madonna/whore, responsible citizen/wild eyed radical, loving husband/ sex crazed nutcase and so on. When we use cliches to represent the world, we miss the point: we are all of these things and more. Much more.
i wonder what would happen if when a troll came by, we just said, "hey, ya know, you're absolutely right!" and then they wouldn't have anything else to add, and then they'd go away.
it works with difficult people in real life sometimes...
In other news....
NYMary
Funneee! Took me a minute to figure out what it was about, I'm so clueless in the pop culture area . . .
I DID hear that she's getting into Scientology, so there might need to be some deprogrammers in the picture soon.
QL (hi, darlin'! Any new work?) -- the only problem I ever had with feminists is the very occasional one who I think goes too far.
I once dated a wonderful woman who was very damn feminist -- no problem here, except... well, for instance, she hated The Music Man, because Marian, a strong and self-reliant character, simply had to go all gooshy and fall for Harold Hill, now, didn't she?
I was young and in love and malleable, and, well, y'know how sometimes you change your way of thinking because of something you believe in or someone you love? That was me. I made myself not like The Music Man -- a show I auditioned for in high school -- because she didn't like it.
Years later, after we broke up, I caught it on TV accidentally, and immediately realized what a dolt I'd been on the issue, because it's as close to a perfect movie as America has produced, fer cryin' out loud. And Marian doesn't even lose herself for Harold -- she defends him and everything he's done eloquently and accurately.
Last I checked, and I hope I'm right, "feminism" simply means "believing women have the same intellectual, social, and professional potential as men, and should be treated similarly to men in those regards". It's at least a starting point. Goodness knows most of the women in my life are smarter than me.
morning GWPDA.
it is 50 degrees today, and prolly won't get much above 60. last week it was 90 with 100% humidity.
free new england!
cuz the weather is so variable!
"I always point it out. (Or, better, ask them a question that makes them figure it out.)"
Virginia
That's how we try and teach our daughter too. Someone in here probably has some advice on this:
Our Daughter is a smart kid, she's 9 she learned to read pretty quickly, but now when she comes to us and says she's bored, and we tell her to read a book, she says "But that's boring!".
Honestly as someone who grew up with 3 TV stations max, no video games, no internet, etc. I can't understand how she can get so bored in the first place. But I also can't understand why she doesn't seem to be getting the "reading is fun" bug.
Anyone have any input?
The message? He's allowed to "let himself go," honey. You're not.
I always attributed this to appealing to the ideal of both genders. The guys are always paired with women that are one or two notches above what they'd manage in real life, and the women have to find ways to love the slob of a man they've committed themselves to. It's good time gender reinforcement for everyone!
Hey. I'm a fat guy slob, and my lady friend's smokin' hot. It's not a cliche; I'm just one lucky s.o.b.
filkertom
Hey! Don't you be talkin' 'bout my Filkertom that way! All the babes love Filkersweeto.
i wonder what would happen if when a troll came by, we just said, "hey, ya know, you're absolutely right!" and then they wouldn't have anything else to add, and then they'd go away.
it works with difficult people in real life sometimes...
her eyes | Email | Homepage | 06.18.05 - 8:18 am
Maybe. Depends on the kind of troll, though. If it's just a drive-by, it might work, but I think not with the ones who keep coming back.
If you can stomach more about Iraq, make sure you know about Greg Palast's Iraq Timeline.
I think the Downing Street Memos are providing an IN to bring up these topics. At least I'm finding a more receptive audience among a few folks where I work -- and I'm talking about people who strongly supported invasion at first.
Ahhh, yer a darlin', bigvic. *mwah*
Anyone have any input?
ask her why she thinks reading isn't fun. is it the books she's reading? maybe she could write her own book.
sometimes 9 years old is an "everything is boring" age, and they come out of it, on their own, eventually.
but I think not with the ones who keep coming back.
i might try it sometime just to see what happens.
my own social experiment.
I can't understand how she can get so bored in the first place.
People seem to mistake stimulation for fun. I'm as guilty as the next person. So when she says it's boring she's really complaining that it's not as stimulating to as many senses as the next possible activity. But, not surprisingly, we can have all our senses stimulated and still be bored!
I don't know if a 9 year old can understand the problem with this instinct, but...
But I also can't understand why she doesn't seem to be getting the "reading is fun" bug.
My kids loved to be read to at night for the longest time. I'd find a great book, read it to them at night, and they just had to know what was going to happen next and wouldn't be able to resist reading it after school or when bored. Worth a try.
Thanks Her Eyes, I think it's mostly what you say about the "Everything is Boring" age.
Of course, she's also reading books that are on a 12 year old level, so maybe it's just too much like work for her right now too.
Deep Thought,
You want I should send her something that will convince her reading is fun again. I have three little books (only one printed) I can send. I use them with my students 9- 10 year olds and they love em.
DT42 -- Is she's saying she's bored because she's looking for some interaction, maybe? Meaning not that reading is boring, but that it's solitary? I wonder if working a puzzle or playing a game with her for a half-hour or so (if you have the luxury of the time) and then sayiing, "OK, I'm gonna read for a while; what are you reading right now? Let's sit down and read together" would work.
Gimlet -- I think the experience of the men who've returned from battle is a totally different thing from President AWOL's approach to life.
Maybe the service people are jonesing for the adrenaline rush, even though it's terrifying; maybe there's some PTSD/guilt for having survived when their buddies are still in danger. GWB, on the other hand, just doesn't give a shit about the consequences, as long as he gets what he wants in the short term. Spoiled little rich brat for whom someone has always cleaned up the messes. At least, that's how I see him. (I don't buy his religiosity for a second.)
DeepThought -- for my own part, it started off with reading about what I was interested in. I ripped through (well, not ripped, but you know what I mean) science books, comic books, encyclopedia, adventure novels, short stories, all with equal fervor. I was extremely lucky, in retrospect, to get D'Aulaire's big honkin' book about Greek mythology about the same time as I got my first Bible, so I never got the "one true god" thing stuck in my head.
What kinda things does she like? Not like video games -- what are her actual interests? Cheat, and give her a gift certificate for Borders, and tell her she can get anything she wants, as long as it's about something she cares about.
sometimes 9 years old is an "everything is boring" age, and they come out of it, on their own, eventually.
Mostly, and forgive me, but especially for little girls and especially in a time when education is seldom directed to the gifted, being bored at 9 means she's not challenged by anything - everything's too easy, she knows it, but she hasn't any idea of how to find something for herself - being only 9 and all and not able to drive yet. She's done everything available. You're going to have to find out where she's stymied and figure out how to get her past it - preferably before she's 12.
Honestly as someone who grew up with 3 TV stations max, no video games, no internet, etc. I can't understand how she can get so bored in the first place. But I also can't understand why she doesn't seem to be getting the "reading is fun" bug.
Two things I did. Bedtime was 8:00, but I allowed them to stay up an extra half hour to read. No TV in the bedroom. If they were at a particularly interesting part of the book, or nearly finished, they could stay up to whenever. They felt like they were putting something over on Mom and Mom was perfectly willing to be the patsy.
Second, was we never bought expensive sneakers or jeans. Even if it made them feel like they weren't in with the in crowd. OTOH, I would drop $100 at Barnes & Nobles in a NY minute, so they were well aware of my priorites.
Heya Filk:
Nothing really new to put up. I'm kind of stuck on putting together a king sized quilt for Mr. QL. And you know what happens when there is something you need to do, but don't particularly want to do. Between that and trying to get the apt cleaned to the point that it won't be condemned by the Dept of Health, I haven't done anything creative in a while.
This weekend will be different.
DT_42--i've read DWD's book for young adults, and i highly recommend it.
Last I checked, and I hope I'm right, "feminism" simply means "believing women have the same intellectual, social, and professional potential as men, and should be treated similarly to men in those regards". It's at least a starting point.
Sounds so simple doesn't it? But for some reason a sizable portion of this nation is just convinced that woman shouldn't have control of their reproductive organs.
Totally OT, but I think it's time for a change of pace. I just watched Hayao Miyazaki's 'Only Yesterday' tonight and I'm stunned. The man is a goddamned genius when it comes to animation. Every little tiny detail of a living, breathing world is captured in his films. They are truly living, breathing art.
At least I'm finding a more receptive audience among a few folks where I work -- and I'm talking about people who strongly supported invasion at first.
tubino
Sadly, you are correct. My guess is that it was just too horrible to imagine that the U.S. would misused it's military for a hairbrained scheme the way Bu$h and the neocons did, and therefore it didn't penetrate the thick skulls of Boosh lovers that he was that wicked. They're gonna have to face reality now.
"I'd find a great book, read it to them at night, and they just had to know what was going to happen next and wouldn't be able to resist reading it after school or when bored. Worth a try."
bigvic
I had actually thought of doing that. Reading to her from one of her older age group books and when it gets to a part that's really exciting, tell her to read it the rest of the way herself.
Hey! Don't you be talkin' 'bout my Filkertom that way! All the babes love Filkersweeto.
bigvic
Got that right sister.
i'm off...have a wonderful saturday lovely bats!
for some reason a sizable portion of this nation is just convinced that woman shouldn't have control of their reproductive organs.
QL in NY | Email | Homepage | 06.18.05 - 8:34 am
Word. And I'm just as convinced guys have no say in a woman's reproductive choices.
Good luck on the creative/cleaning weekend. That's about exactly where I am, and I really have to finish up this one song.
DT 42. You have mail. I have sent THE BUTTON BOX. It is a nice little story about a young girl finding a talisman in her Great Grandmother's button box. Of the three, this one is more about the changes that children experience at or around this age.
Hope she enjoys it.
DWD, sure, I'm sure she'd like your book. I wasn't aware of it. Sounds interesting.
I think she's most likely just going through a phase, but since I've never had a 9 yo before, I'm not sure what to expect from her sometimes. And sometimes I'm sure I expect to much from her.
Thanks for the fine commentin from everyone.
'Bye, her eyes!
Great. Just great. Just how fucked up is the Pentegon and Bu$hCo? It appears that U.S. trained forces in Uzbekistan were involved in the murderous crackdown on civilian protesters. What TF is with GOP preznits and their love for repressive regimes?
QL -- you ladies are amazing, and I appreciate it. Hugs all around.
Good morning.....beautiful here in Philly. We're getting the spring weather we missed in May.
Thanks DWD, I'll give it a shot.
And I'm just as convinced guys have no say in a woman's reproductive choices.
filk, you ARE in the minority. I think those of us who think that can all fit on my couch.
DeepThought -- here's one she might like.
Sean,
it's pretty damned nice in NYC, too.
The mediawhores were in a more than their usual deceptive form.
Howie "The Putz" Kurtz was calling Nancy Pelosi a liar for things she never said and inaccurately comparing the media clout of the Dems today as being equal to the clout of the Goopers in the 1990s.
Meanwhile Dana Milbank of the WashPo was deriding Rep. Conyers attempt to get to the truth of the Downing St. minutes, which only tells how badly the American people were lied to about the need for the Iraq war by Bushboy.
And of course the traitor Novak was attesting to the "accuracy" of a new book on Hillary that is filled with so many lies, the publisher is pulling it out of circulation!
And Chris Matthews was smearing Howard Dean on the Imus show, while Imus had the ignorance to call Tweety Bird a Dem!!!!
Except for Krugman and few others, intelligent and honest discourse in America's media may be extinct!
Mornin', Sean!
watertiger -- sigh. I know. If it's any consolation, I do know enough guys who think that way that you must have a really big couch.
I am off in a moment too. First GREAT market of the year: asparagus and spinach, tomatoes and strawberries, mushrooms and onions: should be a wonderful time.
Have a great day and try to keep the faith. If anyone else has a young person who likes to read, let me know and I can certainly send an electronic copy of something. Book are only alive when they are read. They do little good sitting on my computer.
(Even if you want to print them, they are not too large either. About 60 pages single spaced.)
This, too, shall pass.
Good morning filk...
I didn't mind the heat wave we got last week, much better than it being too cold, but this is perfect weather.
You're going to have to find out where she's stymied and figure out how to get her past it - preferably before she's 12.
Word, sister! Often it is the brightest child in school who goofs off the most because they absorb the information quickly and are left with time on their hands while the others catch up.
Rudy -- they've been lying with impunity for so long, being called on it is a new and confusing experience for them, like a child's hand being slapped as they try to raid the cookie jar. Matthews and Novak are always disgusting (I think the only time I've ever had sympathy for Matthews was the Zell Miller "duel" incident), but Milbanks took it to new lows with that bird cage liner of a "news article".
There is rational discourse out there, but we have to help lead it.
Excellent day to you, DWD! Get tomatoes and strawberries for me.
"Word. And I'm just as convinced guys have no say in a woman's reproductive choices."
filkertom
I totally agree! Personally I'm against abortion. But I'm not the one who has to go through Pregnancy either. I'm not against Birth Control at all (sex is more fun when you don't have to worry about Pregnancy after all). I'm definitely against the government interfering in a Woman's right to choose, and deciding what's acceptable for our bodies.
I say our bodies because really, it won't stop there. Pretty soon, they'd be outlawing Tattoos and Piercings too. Who knows where it would end?
Remember this group isn't the old fuddy duddies that wouldn't allow abortion in the first place. They are the dominionists, and they don't just want to control women, they want us all to live how they say.
Recent polls show that most Americans believe a woman should have control of her reproductive process, but the Goopers, acting on behalf of their Religious Right constituency, are sinister enough to cloud the issue by insidiously chipping away at that right a bit a time.
First they want to ban "partial birth abortions," which are a handful each year and often are needed to avoid a deadly birth of the mother, then they chip away at funding, then they force "parental consent" requirements, et. al.
The Goopers maybe evil scumbags but that does not preclude them from being clever manipulators of public sentiment as the last few elections have shown.....
I am off in a moment too. First GREAT market of the year: asparagus and spinach, tomatoes and strawberries, mushrooms and onions: should be a wonderful time.
See? I knew if I grew stuff, people would turn up..... I'll leave the side gate open DWD, just take what you need. You might want to concentrate tho on the squash.
filk:
I agree. Nothing is more important than challenging this current disgusting media until there truly is some "fair and balanced" reporting going on at all media outlets.
I email all the major networks and the grossest offenders each week (Milbank gets the "wanker award" this week) with my outrage at their arrogance, ignorance and despicable disregard for the truth.
Rudy, it's because they're evil scumbags that they have no compunction about using people's fears to override their good sense.
DeepThought's right -- it's all control, all the time for these shmucks. And "be fruitful and multiply" and "in suffering wilt thou bring forth children" and all the rest of that crap. Several bloggers have, as of late, referred to it as the "pro-birth" movement, and I find that describes 'em pretty well. They care nothing for the lives and welfare of the mothers, children, or families -- only of having the babies.
LOL Filkertom, that Zogg book is great, but I'm afraid it might freak her out a bit.
I had actually thought of doing that. Reading to her from one of her older age group books and when it gets to a part that's really exciting, tell her to read it the rest of the way herself.
DeepThought_42
Has she read The Hobbit? Lots of cliffhangers, much imagination.
GWPDA -- hey, my mom's out in suburban Phoenix. Got any grape tomatoes?
Virginia's got the right idea. The Hobbit is wonderful. So is that D'Aulaire Greek myth book I mentioned earlier.
You might also try some books on audio, to lead her into it. Heck, I've got MP3s of Nicol Williamson reading The Hobbit that'll rock your socks off.
Maybe the Eyewitness books, Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, the Little House books, Judy Blume....
... heck, maybe you should catch her when she's sick, and read her The Princess Bride.
part of the first chapter, enjoy if you want to. . .
One
Deep in the corner of the basement, among the deserted spider webs, was the dusty old cardboard box. Carol Crandall had seen it many times and each time she had found that it held a strong fascination for her. It was as if something inside of the box was calling to her. She knew it was, “Great Grandma's Box” and had been in the family for many many years.
Several times she had opened the box to look at its contents — once with permission — and each time had discovered something new and exciting. For some reason the simple box seemed to have magical qualities. In spite of its ordinary appearance, Carol knew there was something special about it. But how she knew this was something that she did not understand.
As she stepped gingerly around the electrical cord for the freezer, she looked at again. As she stood in the stillness of the basement, the tiny noises that usually were so commonplace that she failed to notice them, were magnified — her mother's footsteps creaking on the floor above as she prepared their supper, the water running somewhere, the furnace about to cycle, and more.
At the end of September, the warm sounds from the furnace had become a reminder of the coming cold months. Just the thought of the coming cold air caused Carol to pull her sweater a little closer as she moved closer to the box.
As she stared at the box, lit only by the light bulb she was able to reach without a chair, she decided it was time to ask her mother if she could look at its contents again. She quietly walked up the stairs. She knew her mother didn't like it when she stomped. She always said, “Carol, don't stomp.” Carol always answered, “Yes, Mother,” but still stomped when she felt like it. Stairs seemed to be made for stomping.
The kitchen was warm and pleasant smelling. Though the days had been getting shorter, it was no where near dark and the bright sunlight streamed into the room through the thin lace curtains. Her mother stood near the sink cutting potatoes for dinner and humming a little tune. From the happy melody it was clear her mother was in a good mood. Carol walked quietly behind her and said, “Mom, do you care if I look in Great Grandma's box again?”
“Why?”
“I don't know. I think it is that I never knew her and it has such neat things.”
“Just be careful. That's all I have left of my Grandmother so I don't want anything, you know, ruined.”
“Aw Mom, I won't wreck anything — promise.”
Carol walked quietly down the stairs, still aware her mother was listening. The shadows from the bare bulbs threw light into most of the room, but not all. There were shadows in every corner and the dust had settled wherever she looked. If she caught the light just right, she could see the footprints in the dust she had made a few minutes ago. As she neared the box, the sounds that had seemed so loud only moments ago began to diminish. Now, the only sound she could hear was the ticking of the furnace after the blower had stopped.
She was nervous as she bent to open the top. While there was a need to examine its contents — she felt there might be a certain amount of danger. There was nothing she could identify to make her think this, just a feeling that the box held secrets — deep secrets.
The flaps came up easily and standing on her tiptoes, she reached in as far as she could. She had seen the items on the surface of the box the first couple of times, and she wanted to find something different. While the old-fashioned clothes and pictures were interesting, Carol felt as if there were something even more interesting deeper in the box.
As she thrust her arms into the box, her fingers closed on another smaller box. She probed the outline and could tell it was about the size of a small tissue box and made of metal. Moving her hands as far as she could into the box, she closed her small fingers around the edge and lifted. At first it was difficult to bring through the other contents, but, as she tried harder it came free. She brought it into the light and examined it closely.
It appeared to be made of silver metal and there was a design stamped on the sides and top. As she looked more closely, she saw that the design contained various figures — particularly on the hinged, tightly-closed top She picked it up and shook it gently. It rattled.
She cradled it between her legs as she sat, and began to pry off the top. Her fingers turned white at the nail as she tried to separate the lid from the box. It just wouldn't move. She tried again — the same result.
She sat back for a moment and tried to think of a way to get into the box without ruining it. She glanced into another corner of the basement where her father kept his tools, and dismissed the idea immediately. She had promised her mother that she would not ruin anything and Carol could see no way to use tools with also scarring the box. With a look of determination she stood and took the box in hand. With all of her strength she pulled at the top.
When she knew she could not give any more effort, the top moved a little. She heard a high pitched squeak of the metal as it moved. She smiled. With a last pull she removed it.
She was amazed as she looked at the contents of the mysterious box. It appeared to be a box of buttons — there were buttons of every description. Big ones from a man's great coat. Small buttons like those on a child's dress. She reached her hand into the buttons and felt them slide through her fingers, they were cool and smooth to her touch.
The buttons were not all made of plastic, as they are now, but appeared to be made from semi-precious stones, silver, and leather. The feeling of putting her hand into the box and letting the buttons drift between her fingers was pleasant. Suddenly she felt a little prick — like at the doctor's office — and she pulled her hand back.
A tiny drop of blood formed on her index finger and Carol watched as it dripped the length of her nail and fell into the button box. She placed her finger in her mouth and licked the little cut. While she stared at the box, something seemed to be happening.
A small hissing noise was coming from the bottom of the box. She leaned her ear closer to see if she could hear it more distinctly — she could. It was definitely there. Just a hiss as if a small drop of water had fallen on a hot pan.
PBS had a documentary on about the growth of human population and how the current 6 billion could double by 2050.
This would be a total human disaster. Starvation and disease would abound, leading to monstrous wars as the "have nots" would seek the resources of the "have" nations.
National borders would be even more disregarded than currently and as the poor flooded in, the wages for labor would decline below a living standard.
Instead of stanching this burgeoning and disastrous growth of human population our current Bushboy regime is making it harder for women worldwide to get birth control and family planning information, to say nothing of blocking abortion for women who don't wish to carry a pregnancy to term.
Sweet baby Jeepers! Jeb Bu$h has a letter to the editor published in the Times today about the release of Mrs. Shiavo's autopsy report. He states the following:
While many medical professionals said she was in a persistant vegetative state, still other highly respected neurologists said there was a chance she was not
LIAR! Hack!
While many medical professionals said she was in a persistant vegetative state,
did he really misspell "persistent"?
DWD -- Oooooh, now I want to read it! Great start.
Rudy, bigvic -- psychos. They're fuckin' psychos. And hypocrites, again -- the biological state of "life" overrides all other concerns, but they won't use or defend actual science that contradicts their very small worldviews.
I don't think Jeb is more stupid that Chimpy, but he's possibly more pathetic, because he leads himself down these primrose paths.
Sweet baby Jeepers! Jeb Bu$h has a letter to the editor published in the Times
I just saw that. WTF!: "The NYT grotesque and chilling disrespect for the sanctity of life has never been more apparent..."
Fine, continue to beat a dead...uhhh...issue. Dig your grave a little deeper Jebby.
DWD -- not bad, not bad!
While some are busy thinking Kerry threw the election because he wouldn't sign a 180 form, or Gore shouldn't have said he invented the internet, and Hillary is bad because..., the rethugs march on:
ICRC hits back at US Senate report, saying it's part of smear campaign
GENEVA, June 17 (AFP) - The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross hit back at a report by US Republican senators, saying it aimed to discredit the humanitarian organization by spreading false accusations.
...
Details also recently surfaced of a purported angry exchange between ICRC staff and the US military, in which an aid worker allegedly compared the American soldiers to the Nazis.
Kellenberger dismissed this.
"Contrary to what is stated in the document, the ICRC has never compared US soldiers to the Nazis and the ICRC has never leaked to the public or the media any of the confidential reports submitted to the US authorities," he told reporters.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/
2005...icrcuscriticism
Here is the PDF from "report by US Republican senators":
Group Compares U.S. Soldiers to Nazis
Are American Interests Being Disserved by the
International Committee of the Red Cross?
http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/
Jun...n1305ICRCDF.pdf
Shorter version: WSJ claims a red cross work said US troops were acting like nazis.
Oh, for the love of Pete, why must Jebby heap shame and dishonor upon the realtively sane residents of Florida?
Fuckwit.
"Has she read The Hobbit? Lots of cliffhangers, much imagination."
Virginia
No she has not, I have told her about it, but I think maybe she's having a hard time with word comprehension. I think the Hobbit is a bit much for her right now. I didn't even get to that until High School, but then that was during the Tolkien revolution in the 80's too.
Sean,
Re Jeb: How disgusting can you get? Talk about beating a dead horse. I'd like to punch that rat bastard in the nose.
Jayzus. I just read Jeb's letter. Yet another motherfucker who's all "pro-life" and also "pro-death-penalty". Fuck him.
Hey guys, one the best blog whores (aside from Attaturk), Joe Vecchio, is needing a little turkee to tide him over. While here, you can also download Mike Malloy. White Rose Society has been doing this for years on a shoe string. Very worthwhile for those of us who can't stay up to listen live.
Well, although I have enjoyed the past few days of blogging and reading and bloviating (mine), I must take up arms against the dust bunnies and cat hair and endless sand blown into the house.
Hope everyone enjoys the day.
Alright folks, thanks for the responses. I'm off to bed! Night Moonbats!
While many medical professionals said she was in a persistant vegetative state, still other highly respected neurologists said there was a chance she was not
And he is the SMART one? What a world, what a world.
'Night, DeepThought! Later, Virginia!
PBS had a documentary on about the growth of human population and how the current 6 billion could double by 2050.
This would be a total human disaster. Starvation and disease would abound, leading to monstrous wars as the "have nots" would seek the resources of the "have" nations.
lesson: enjoy it while you can and hope you don't live that long--i am morally certain i wont make it to 2050, thank goddess...
oh, and by the way, better getcher cable upgrade, cuz PBS is doomed...
just sayin'
.
hadenough -- I saw that this morning, and just about bit through a spoon. These yutzes want total grab-the-ankles-and-smile compliance. I can hear Rev. Otis Oracle from early Bloom County strips: "I'm so excited -- y'know what I'm gonna do? Go right home and dominate my wife!"
Gaaaah.
DeepThought:
two words:
Madeleine L'Engel
she's GREAT
word, bro
GWPDA -- hey, my mom's out in suburban Phoenix. Got any grape tomatoes?
filkertom - Sorry, not just now. The feral tomatoes are gathering their strength at the moment, and while there are a lot of green tomatoes on the vine we haven't cycled over into ripe just yet. Try the squash tho.
And as for book suggestions - it's time for the kid to get hooked up with a good Librarian {{{ooooooh, librarians!!!}}} rather than making too many guesses.... When I was nine I was reading the unexpurgated Count of Monte Cristo, all of Jules Verne, Kipling and starting in on Conan Doyle. This is weird and not necessarily a recommendation for anyone else. A Librarian will be able to recommend best.
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