Huckleberries Online

Wild Card/Thursday — 2/5/09

Posted by DFO

Feb. 5, 2009 5:52 p.m. • 91 comments

In the news this evening, Justice Ruth Ginsburg has surgery for pancreatic cancer here. Senate Demo Leader Harry Reid says he has the votes to pass the $800B porkulus bill here. A Senate panel postpones a vote on yet another Obama nominee with tax problems in the family here. Octupulet Mom says a huge family was always her dream here. And the Wild Card remains on the table …

91 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

wheels on February 05 at 11:04 a.m.
Supreme Court Jusstice Ruth Bader Ginzburg hospitalized with Pancreatic cancer.WOW.
Sisyphus on February 05 at 11:22 a.m.
Yeah, I was just listening to a radio spot on Ginsburg. Apparently she’s had it for five years and has gone through chemo and radiation not missing any court. Criminy the 04 election musta been hard for her.

This surgery strikes me as a last gasp effort. I lost my momma and a few friends to this disease and for her to survive five years is nothing short of miraculous. God bless her, she’s so tiny. Not much to waste to the wasting disease.
hmoffsuite on February 05 at 11:28 a.m.
Just a little more on the story ….

(RTTNews) - U. S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had surgery
Thursday for pancreatic cancer, the Supreme Court announced Thursday. The
cancer is apparently in the early stages, although Ginsburg is likely to remain
in the hospital for an additional week to 10 days to fully recover from the
surgery.

The procedure took place at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New
York City. The cancer was discovered during a routine check-up in late January
at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Justice Ginsburg
had no symptoms prior to the check-up.

However, it was confirmed that Ginsburg had cancer following a CAT scan that
revealed a small tumor in the center of the pancreas.

Ginsburg is currently the only female Justice on the Supreme Court. She is
known as one of the more liberal Supreme Court Justices. At 75, she is one of
the court’s older members and has served since her 1993 appointment by former
President Bill Clinton.
Lynne on February 05 at 11:29 a.m.
Was just at a funeral for a friend two weeks ago who died less than a month after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The same day, my FIL was diagnosed with it. *sigh*
Sisyphus on February 05 at 11:30 a.m.
“a Florida man has been arrested for fondling blow-up dolls in a store parking lot”—what if the blow-up doll consented? Couldn’t he find a more romantic place than the parking lot? Demerits for lack of creativity. Is it legal in a regular parking lot? Or is it just a crime to be a guy from Florida?

This reminds me of a very cute movie, Lars and the Real Girl. Recommended.
Sisyphus on February 05 at 11:32 a.m.
Hmmm that’s wildly different than what I just heard. I reckon the village will sort it out in the next couple days.
Sisyphus on February 05 at 11:35 a.m.
Interesting editorial in the NYT on Cheney. Quite the compare and contrast piece.
–––––––––––
Most presidents and vice presidents refrain from attacking their successors after they leave office, especially on highly sensitive matters — like, say, the safety of the nation. At the very least, they wait until they write their inevitable, usually tedious, memoir.

Not Dick Cheney. He didn’t wait even a month. In an interview published today by the website Politico, the (thankfully) former vice president let loose a stream of disinformation and attacks on Mr. Obama that were breathtaking even by the standards of a man who set new lows for meanness and dissembling.
––––––––––-

http://theboard.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/former-vp-cheney-sometimes-you-just-have-to-cringe/
Sisyphus on February 05 at 11:45 a.m.
Speaking of op-eds, the president has one.
–––––––––––—
And now is the time to create the jobs that remake America for the 21st century by rebuilding aging roads, bridges and levees; designing a smart electrical grid; and connecting every corner of the country to the information superhighway.

These are the actions Americans expect us to take without delay. They’re patient enough to know that our economic recovery will be measured in years, not months. But they have no patience for the same old partisan gridlock that stands in the way of action while our economy continues to slide.
–––––––––––—
I really like the disclaimer at the bottom: “The writer is president of the United States.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/04/AR2009020403174.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
idawa on February 05 at 11:48 a.m.
Actually, Sis, Justice Ginsberg has had colon cancer since 1999 and has undergone radiation and treatment for that without missing anytime on the bench. This bought of pancreatic cancer is new, only discovered in the past month or so. I am sad I didn’t go back to Moscow when she visited the school of Law in 2003.

As I said during the campaign, given that Justices Stevens and Ginsberg are so, well, old, it was essential that Obama won. I am so impressed the Ginsberg continued to serve through her cancer and didn’t hand over her seat to another conservative justice.
Sisyphus on February 05 at 12:02 p.m.
Thanks idawa. I musta missed that portion. Its all lower GI and most assuredly connected.

It looks like Obama’s op-ed was only the beginning of the use of the bully pulpit. Last time that was used was to bring us into an expensive and costly discretionary war.

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/obama-rips-stimulus-plan-critic

This is putting Minnick in a tight spot.
hmoffsuite on February 05 at 12:07 p.m.
Should anyone actually care what the stimulus bill contains, this link has a pretty good summary. One can see why Obama is working so hard to get it through with his Op Eds’ and other appeals. In my mind, spending this kind of money should be done with a great deal of analysis prior to approval.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjcyODIyZGM2MGU1ZDdkNDgxZDc3OTNjYjM4ZDY1ODI=
Bob on February 05 at 12:11 p.m.
Minnick needs to nut up and be a Demo. No more kowtowing to the great unwashed of Idaho. Otherwise, switch sides, Walt. Lead, follow or get out of the way.

Voting against saving America is not what you were elected for.
Bob on February 05 at 12:14 p.m.
Hmoff, you’re a retired rich dude who has taken great advantage of living in America and now you’re only wanting to be an economic isolationist, afraid of paying more taxes, not caring about millions losing their jobs every week. Be an American or move to Dubai. People are losing their jobs, none of them care about the rate of your expanding bottom line. None.
Kage_Mann on February 05 at 12:19 p.m.
Bob on February 05 at 12:11 p.m.
Minnick needs to nut up and be a Demo

He’s at least a moderate and liberals don’t win in Idaho anymore.Sorry,Washington St.
hmoffsuite on February 05 at 12:21 p.m.
Bob. >> “People are losing their jobs,”

That is precisely the point. We need a stimulus that will take this Country out of our economic woes. I have no problem with paying more taxes if it turns out that way. My bottom line is just fine, thank you, and I have no concern about expanding anything. I just think the Country (we tax payers) should spend money wisely on this stimulus package, one that was originally intended to ‘stimulate’ the economy. Not just more wasteful spending to selected entities.
Bob on February 05 at 12:25 p.m.
Don’t be sorry Kage, we’re a much more successful state than yours and it’s no accident we’re very Democratic.

By the way Kage, I absolutely adore it when you post a line or two that is clever and erudite then scramble around writing the most inane drivel ever for the next two dozen posts like a cat in a catbox trying to cover up his turds.

It’s seriously fun to watch you slip up and accidentally (or purposely) out yourself as actually being being capable of nose breathing and reading without moving your lips. It’s even funnier to watch you dumb yourself down and downer as a result.

Keep up the game, Kage Mann, it pleases me.
Bob on February 05 at 12:26 p.m.
Fair enough Hmoff. I want to believe you when you say you are willing to make sacrifices, including paying more taxes, to help save America.
hmoffsuite on February 05 at 12:33 p.m.
Believe it or not, Bob, I have always thought it is a privlidge to be ABLE to pay taxes. Generally, if one is paying taxes, there is a reason for it. Above, you said “you’re a retired rich dude who has taken great advantage of living in America”. I would like to see more folks around your age enjoy the same. The way things are headed, the liklihood of that happening is going to diminish for many.
Cindy_H on February 05 at 12:35 p.m.
Sis: Agreed Lars and the Real Girl is a very sweet movie. Not at all what I expected when my 19-year-old recommended it :-)
Bob on February 05 at 12:39 p.m.
Hmoff, I AM a retired rich dude who LOVES helping save America by doing his part including paying taxes. I live on an awesome houseboat on Fishtrap lake and run a wolverine trapline for a hobby and to take stuffed wolverines to elementary schools to show kids how the mighty Upper Columbia Wolverine has evolved over countless Ice Ages to be the top chain predator of the coniferous shrub-steppe lake highland!
brentandrews on February 05 at 12:41 p.m.
Lux Interior, Rest In Peace (and Fishnets) / Chronic Discontent: http://chronicdiscontent.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/lux-interior-rest-in-peace-and-fishnets/

The world needs more songs like “Bend Over I’ll Drive,” “Bikini Girls with Machine Guns,” “I Wanna Get In Your Pants,” “Some New Kinda Kick” and “Garbageman.”

Lux Interior leaves a legacy of the best kind of punk rock music, the kind that makes your bones run off dancing without you, if you try to hold them back.
hmoffsuite on February 05 at 12:41 p.m.
See, Bob? ‘Rich’ means many things to different people. I am also rich and it has nothing to do with money. :~)
Kage_Mann on February 05 at 12:45 p.m.
Bobby,your always playing games.That is your lifes work;to disrupt and disturb commenters.Maybe,even chase a few off in the meantime.Anyway,keep up your work and maybe,you’ll win the “best inflaming liberal” award.I’m sure daddy ‘Tubob’ would be very proud.

BTW-I’m sure you could write a novel with inane drivel in it.
Sisyphus on February 05 at 12:45 p.m.
Here’s a not so biased source of information on the stimulus package.

http://cboblog.cbo.gov/?p=199
Sisyphus on February 05 at 12:48 p.m.
Congrats Cindy on an open minded teenager. Does he do his chores?
Bob on February 05 at 12:48 p.m.
Stop it Kage, you’re killing me! OMG I love the punctuation and spacing errors! That’s when you are really throwing up the old dumbscreen! Perfect. I’m going to give you a hug when we meet at Blogfest, you make me so happy sometimes.
hmoffsuite on February 05 at 12:52 p.m.
Sis >> “Here’s a not so biased source of information on the stimulus package”

Not so biased? You’re simling, right? Your item fails to show the ‘line item’ expenditures, so where is the transparency? Goes to show, there is something out there to support every differing viewpoint.
Cindy_H on February 05 at 1:03 p.m.
Doubtful, Sis. He’s kinda, somewhat living on his own, so I’m not sure. Based on personal experience I’d say the odds on my firstborn doing any sort of chore are slim to none. But, hey, he’ll be 30 someday. I’ve heard men mature around that age.
Based on blog experience, I’m not so sure about that either.
Me on February 05 at 1:06 p.m.
Let’s all list our favorite parts of the stimulas package and what we think it will stimulate:

650 Million for more DTV coupons!!!! Yes - the inalienable right to television. That will stimulate the makers of the boxes maybe? I wonder how much they cost and where they are produced? I also wonder if there is a negative cost associated with the fact they have extended this now?

I think about people losing their jobs, but thanking God that they have a $20 off coupon for a dtv box for the old black and white.
Kage_Mann on February 05 at 1:06 p.m.
I heard today, that the proposed Stimulus bill has now gone over 920 bil. Barney Franks,has now admitted that over half of the Stimulus package will do nothing to help stimulate the economy.He stated that over half goes to social and entitlement programs.At least he was honest!

Looks like Obama,is going to have to cut alot of pork and trim the fat. ;-)
Sisyphus on February 05 at 1:13 p.m.
Interesting disection of the feeble scatter shot from the pro-Bush National Review from our own TVA at Fort Boise:
–––––––––––––––—
Out of $800 billion worth of stimulus, what’s the very worst of the horrid, horrid, waste? 40 cents from every man, woman and child for super computers to research climate change, about a quarter for the National Endowment for the Arts, a buck and change to to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, fitty cents to insure honeybee farmers, and a dime to remove fish barriers in rivers.

Seriously? We’re looking at almost $3,000 per capita in this spending bill, and that’s the best you can do, big John? Whining about $625 million for useful stuff, and sending it out in a chain letter, “forwarding my email to at least five of your friends and family members.” Yeah, they’d love that.

I’m tempted to send in $2.25 worth of outrage, but I guess I won’t.

Now, what were the Republicans bringing to the discussion again?
––––––––––––––––

But I reckon people will have to make up their own minds on who to trust, the advocate for failed policies or the guy who just got overwhelmingly elected. And for those having trouble there’s a fairly apparent link to the entire plan at the Congressional Budget Office blog cited above.
Sisyphus on February 05 at 1:16 p.m.
“I’ve heard men mature around that age.”—the hell you say. I’m less mature every year. ;-)
Me on February 05 at 1:16 p.m.
Oh and Kage - don’t get too excited in your glee about the package getting bigger - it is getting bigger partly because of REPUBLICAN add ons. As I have said and keep saying - it ain’t just one side or the other - and it gets me so angry.

My theory now is that it will just keep going up and they’ll vote it in just to make it stop!
toadman on February 05 at 1:23 p.m.
““I’ve heard men mature around that age.”—the hell you say. I’m less mature every year. ;-)” - Sisyphus

Interesting. You’ve always struck me as a woman…because women often strike me. Hard.
Kage_Mann on February 05 at 1:29 p.m.
Me’, I appreciate your unbiased opinion, but didn’t all the republicans in the US house of Reps vote against the proposed
Stimulus package?Even some democrats don’t like it.Thank God,for House republicans.Anyway, Obama needs to do the right thing and trim this proposed bill,because his legacy is at
stake.
Me on February 05 at 1:35 p.m.
Kage - that is my point - they voted against it - doesn’t mean that they don’t want their own pork in it. You know how it goes - if you put this in then I’ll vote for it. If you take that out, but put this in then I’ll vote for it.
JeanC on February 05 at 1:50 p.m.
Blech :P
Sisyphus on February 05 at 2:11 p.m.
Bob, Sarah is soooo not over you.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090205/ap_on_re_us/palin_media
JeanC on February 05 at 3:15 p.m.
I figured it out. Today I am an eggplant.
Liz on February 05 at 4:35 p.m.
hey, what’s with all the serious stuff??? I thought all 39 comments were about the guy with his blow up friends down in Florida. Saw that on CNN…they asked that the kiddies leave the room..
some things are just too, ah, I am not sure I can quite come up with the word yet….LOL
Bent on February 05 at 5:27 p.m.
Sorry Liz, I tapped out in the teen porn thread…
hhuseland on February 05 at 8:47 p.m.
Another angle on the Menoge de’ trois with the blow up dolls. First, I sincerely hope that no current Republicans are involved. Secondly, from a legal standpoint, could the blow up dolls be under age?
Arpie on February 05 at 8:50 p.m.
Hey Bob,

I still say Idaho is wilder than your state. If for nothing else, we have more wolverines. Here’s a link to one that was found out in the middle of farm country. http://wildidaho.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/lions-and-tigers-and-wolverines%e2%80%a6oh-my/

gotta love those creatures.
Liz on February 06 at 12:14 a.m.
did anyone get any identification on those blow up dolls??? Maybe they were illegal aliens and had no id…hmmmmm….
actually CNN said the guy had been busted for assorted other misdemeanors prior to this (none of those misdemeanors having anything to do with inflatable hanky-panky, btw) So no, no Republicans. The guy probably didn’t even vote in the last election…seems like he has been otherwise occupied. A very busy boy.
Arpie on February 06 at 6:54 a.m.
Two great Kathy Plonka Pics on the front page today. Does anyone know what Brian is up to? I’m bummed my Plonka intake has been cut in half. Sometimes I just need a Plonka fix man!
DFO on February 06 at 9:48 a.m.
Arpie; I just talked to Kathy Plonka. She sez that Brian’s keeping fairly busy with free-lance jobs. Also, he is going to be one of the judge’s next month at the prestigious international photo contest at the University of Missouri. BTW, you know times are tough when someone the caliber of Brian Plonka is on the sidelines.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.