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Democracy for America personal blog for Huron John
Marketplace of Ideas (an open thread)
Linked to groups: Blog For America, blog for America Test and Poll Group
With the persistence of narrowly focused threads of limited interest on the main page, We need to continue the "Non-WC" tradition of the free exchange of ideas initiated by Thankful, and continued by Rich, Paine, and others.
There's so much important stuff going on now, BFA can't afford to be constrained by the retentive blogmeisters.
Go for it folks!
Thanks Seashell!
at the new message... :-)))))))
Important: All comments must adhere to the Comment Code
a lovely change :-)))))))
And the comment code tightens the noose on spontaneity and a free exchange of ideas.
And surprise! LOL! I see the opposite is true on the tightening noose. HQ put up an open thread and the news article threads are open, some have been front paged...
Like everyone else, I've thought about this a lot :-) If this were still a single threaded linear discussion site and there were no open thread available - well, of course, altogether an unacceptable idea to me and I think it safe to say for all of us here.
However, with multiple threads to choose from, including an open thread, why not respect the new authors' wishes to have those not designated as 'open' stay on topic? We always did it for guest bloggers, bookclub, etc.
To tell the truth, I've begun to enjoy the on topic threads not having the barrage of negative.negative.negative and opeds, even if there are only a few comments. All that can be on an open thread and scrolled at leisure. Nothing personal in that statement, just sayin' for me, multiple repetitive posts of any sort get to be like spam.
Nice write-up HQ.
btw, the above post is 999 characters, lol, couldn't do that again if I tried :-)
And... there's an edit post feature that gives 15 mins. to make changes! we can fix typos and not have to do separate correction posts or w/e. Nice feature.
1000 Characters doesn't look like much. If you seem to run into it a bunch in normal posting, let me know and I can see about bumping it up a bit.
(Posting from home to make sure all the new changes work.. Looks like the char counter is slowing things down a little. Also let me know if that seems to be a problem. I might have to bump the limit up and have it also include the html this editor generates. Removing all the html on every keystroke seems to be a bit much)
-tim
1000 seemed a bit short when I wrote the above post and even a comment, link, and few sentences from an article would exceed that. Bumping it up would be nice. 2000?
also, it's nice to be able to have an empty comment box. would like that back.
the edit feature Rocks!
If that was 999, I don't how my recent on topic comment (more perfect union) squeezed through.
more blogestapo tactics.
Comments are limited to 1000 characters.
Jim can't hear about this soon enuf
this was in the round-up and so I'll just expand it a bit.
The Military-Industrial Complex
It's Much Later Than You Think
By Chalmers Johnson
..............................
Wolin writes:
"The privatization of public services and functions manifests the steady evolution of corporate power into a political form, into an integral, even dominant partner with the state. It marks the transformation of American politics and its political culture, from a system in which democratic practices and values were, if not defining, at least major contributory elements, to one where the remaining democratic elements of the state and its populist programs are being systematically dismantled." (p. 284)
from DU...can't copy link on this PC. There must be a way but I can't find it.
I just got "access denied" and now the edit button is gone.
YEAH, I got the empty body comment too. Well, I saw this coming a long time ago. The problem is, it's true. It's coming back to bite him. Uphill battle is right and even so, if it's close, the repugs steal it again...that's according to Palast.
Dear MoveOn member,
MTV just started accepting political ads. And the first political ad that millions of young people will see is a negative attack on Barack Obama—saying he's "worse than a flip-flopper" and accusing him of no longer being against the war.1 It's outrageous.
The Republicans' strategy is clear: kill the hope that's brought millions of new young voters out of the woodwork.
We can't let that happen. And as it turns out, we've got a funny, positive, hopeful way to fight back.
The "funniest ad" award winner in our Obama in 30 Seconds contest is a perfect counterpoint to the cynicism-mongering ad on MTV. Plus, it was made by actor (and MoveOn member) Rider Strong.
We just found out that we can run this ad on MTV and Comedy Central (as their first political ad ever) for $150,000. If 6000 of us contribute $25, we can do it. Can you check out the ad below—and if you like it, will you chip in to get it on the air?
https://pol.moveon.org/donate/brainonhope.html?id=13345-2950908-KXmNqWx&t=4
Thanks for all you do.
I can now recommend. Miracles...
--------
Bob Novak has a brain tumor. I wonder if that explains how he could hit a pedestrian without knowing it.
------
McCain had a spot removed from his cheek and biopsied.
-----
Medical report has now ended. Have a great day all. I've been so busy - I can hardly think straight.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/heres-your-maverick_b_115028.html
John McCain sure is a maverick, I'll give him that.
In just a week, he's managed to alienate the Iraqi Prime Minister, the Iraqi people, the American people, and the veterans community. The question is, is this the kind of maverick that we really want to see?
at the new message... :-)))))))
Important: All comments must adhere to the Comment Code
a lovely change :-)))))))
where the hell did they come up with 1,000 characters--and who exactly is charging copyright violations?
If an article is 100,000 characters long, you can quote a lot more than 1,000 without coming close to the line.
I guess Charles and Danny want "short attention span theater" as well as strict adherence to esoteric topics.
Comment body can not be empty
- the pathway through unused DFA groups randomly is a bit of a puzzle Tim
By Phil Specht on Jul 28, 2008 7:01 PM EDTwassup
I just posted something very important from moveon and it didn't even go thru...and it wasn't even long.
Tim, who's your boss? Who's telling you to do this stuff? This is censorship, plain and simple.
You guys might want to watch this moveon ad. Frankly, I think it's pathetic as a counter to BO's U.S. senate votes. I knew this would happen and I'm dismayed. The thought of McC winning is prompting me to wonder where I'll live...How did the BO campaign think they could get away with this? Are they not very smart or did they do what it took to get the nomination? Didn't they foresee that it would backfire? Did they take unfair advantage of the youths' naivete? A half truth is a lie, no matter how it's sliced.
https://pol.moveon.org/donate/brainonhope.html?id=13345-2950908-KXmNqWx&t=4
No one was at HEP. I'll go lookie again.
- Tom DeLay says America was created to propagate Christianity.
By floridagal . on Jul 28, 2008 7:50 PM EDTThis is amazing he said this recently in a church. Just when you think he is gone.
Tom DeLay says America was created to propagate Christianity.
Who are actually happy with the latest BFA manifestation, replete with sound-bite length posts, and strict adherence to thread topics--good luck to you!
~~ not that unhappy. Having dealt with Tara, who was unmovable, I find this crew positively pliable, lol!
And I'm way past needing to take my wagon and go home if I don't get my own way. . . .
Wow! *This is an edit*!!!!!
(Tim, I love you, will you marry me?)
Why is Delay even getting any press at all? When did this country become collectively insane?
I'm with you, Huron. It's like wandering thru the thoughts of a mental patient. And I have first hand experience. LOL
What makes it horrible is that we were never consulted and now I'm wondering when/if our Town Square will be off limits. Take away people's voice and power and what's left is anger...or the stuffing of it with food, booze, smokes, drugs, etc.
Maybe it's time for a little D&G...realism check! People can always scroll.
Well, I must say -- if Thankful's post above is 999 then maybe 1000 is a bit tight, but other than that I LIKE the new rules -- the best one is about being able to edit -- I almost always have at least one typo no matter how hard I try. And they have done away with the offensive one about sending you to the WC -- except for non open thread posts. Usually I disagree with Thankful's kindness :~) b/c I'm a b*tch at heart :~) but I hereby thank Tim and I guess Danny and Charles if they helped for the new rules -- I think they actually LISTENED and are attempting to come back toward us a little bit -- I mean think about it -- last Friday, we didn't even have open threads!! I'm sure this is 999 -- Tim did it occur to you we could just do two consecutive posts :~) Oh and Seashell I even like the Moveon ad.
Tim counter doesn't work!!!!
- take a look at the watercooler and Monica's words which were sent there
By Phil Specht on Jul 28, 2008 10:43 PM EDTI have never yet posted to the shredder and don't intend to, you are all to much like enablers to think someone at HQ should be encouraged for sending Monica to the watercooler.
they came for the ...
The cats woke me up. Phil, I didn't know Monica got thrown in the watercooler -- what thread was she posting on? I read her post - it it good, of course. I think HQ is trying to draw a balance btw newbies who are DFAers but not around since Howard days, and US. I feel like they're making some effort to listen and to change. We've always had rules here (like no personal attacks, profanity) and I'm shortwinded anyhow so the 1000 rule doesn't bother me. And people can just leave two posts. Or reply to themselves. Or as Tim already said he'll bump it up. I think they want more main posters is the reason. Monica complained about the old admonition in the comment box and they took it out. In a classroom this effort would be at least acknowledged if not rewarded. If they try to do what we ask and we just find something new to complain about, well then we're just complaining imo. And I feel like a person's thread is maybe a person's thread. If you don't mind outside comments, just say OPEN THREAD. If you don't want them, don't say open thread. And I miss Monica (and Judy) quite a lot.
There's no character counter in this box btw??
Your words left me speechless. I've thought about this at length and had to do so some more. No one here is encouraging the wc.
I second what anni says and add... my perspective remains that intentions were and are good. If for no other reason, it makes no sense to deliberately drive away some of the most experienced, involved, connected, wise, and stalwart supporters of an organization. Instead, what I see is that in the effort to roll out a newly structured blog, there was a failure to communicate and less than effective change management. Our memories of past differences w/ HQ made it all the more difficult to swallow when what was meant to be an open thread space wasn't/isn't ready for prime-time.
I'm not keen on parts of the change, but like others. I don't take the structure change or even wc either personally or as an action against anyone. I'd see it as that if we didn't have the opportunity to post our own open threads. The structure is different. It's not staff doing all the postings anymore, it's a wider community of writers and it's up to the writer if they want on topic comments or open threads... therein lies my openess to that issue.
(from my post above) ...If this were still a single-threaded linear discussion site and there were no open thread available - well, of course, altogether an unacceptable idea...
...with multiple threads to choose from, including an open thread, why not respect the new authors' wishes to have those not designated as 'open' stay on topic? We always did it for guest bloggers, bookclub, etc.
your words on principles are right on as usual, it's on interpretation I disagree.
Comment Code - actually, we asked about rules and we asked for the comment box phrase to be changed. What we called Blog Rules have a new name, much more technical writing style, and include the legalese of today's blogospere.
Segregation - not seein' it. Everyone is welcome to post on any thread, some are open and some aren't - and everyone is welcome to post their own threads.
Regulations - How does one sanction that which is not defined? These blog rules aren't personal against us or anyone, they're generic for anyone who visits the site. I see them as a starting point, modification is always a possibility.
I hope that 1000 limit appliess to the local stuff about picnics that people post.
Jeez, we need to know about this stuff and the limitations are very offensive. So try and figure this out.
That limit should also apply to the long hard to read daily news reports. We can't possibly read all that l...some of us have a life,.
R.J. Eskow writes, on the Huffingtonpost.,
at Fox News.
But I do appreciate the effort put out to bring us the headlines....just a bit much IMO. One topic alone could begin a good long dialogue.
I hope my MAC isn't as slow as this PC....
Only person I know who should worry about the 1,000 characters would be Daniel Rooney, lol!
The new moveon ad is cutsie and somewhat amusing.
OTOH, we're in a campaign for the heart and soul of our planet. IMO cute doesn't cut it.
I HOPE Gore takes it at the convention.
So now we're reduced to soundbytes....a reflection of the CMWs.
Gene Cappa: *The Table is Set for John Conyers (6 comments) A full table is set for Chairman John Conyers consisting of 39 Articles of Impeachment and a Congressional Hearing. Concerned citizens can, if they would, urge the Chairman to extend an Impeachment Inquiry Invitation to the full House.
I just wish they would do something -- anything -- all they've done is hold hearings - I want someone, anyone, charged with contempt of Congress -- preferably Rove, but I'd take the blonde too (the lawyer who hired only Repugs). They need to prosecute SOMEONE who is ignoring the subpoenas b/c we are bored with the hearings. And Tim the counter seems to be working this time.
Interview: Lawyer Seeks to Sue U.S. Over Iran Threats
In an interview, Francis A. Boyle urged Iran to begin drafting lawsuits for presentation to the International Court of Justice in The Hague before Washington's two-week ultimatum expires. By Chris Gelken.
Anybody home? Who knew about this?
|
The Spreading Destruction of the Saada War in Yemen The boundaries of the war in Yemen are expanding beyond Saada province. Bombing is audible from the nation's capital for the first time. Recent battles are among the bloodiest in memory. |
Kidney Bean Salad
Rinse and drain a can of red kidney beans. Add the stuff you would add to potatoes for potato salad. I usually add:
Dill pickle relish, celery, hb eggs, red or green onion, fresh ground pepper, paprika. Moisten w/ a touch of deli mustard and a little mayo. Chill a few hours. An old Indiana recipe (I guess -- or maybe we were just out of potatoes.)
A world living in terror........thanks to putz
With Blasts, Terror Tops Government's Agenda
Rajeev Deshpande, Times Of India (Conservative) New Delhi, India, July 28, 2008.
Redesigned? Are they adding spas?
Lebanon's Palestinian Ghetto Redesigned
Don Duncan, Le Monde diplomatique (Liberal monthly), Paris, France, July 28, 2008.
Bearing in mind that Kirchner is prez of Argentina, not uruguay.
Two to One Disapproval of Mrs. Kirchner's Government
MercoPress News Agency, Montevideo, Uruguay, July 28, 2008.
These little tidbits are annoying. I miss Huron's excellent articles.
Israel: Road Map or Bulldozer Map?
By Nasser Lahham
Ma'an News Agency
Bethlehem, Israel
July 25, 2008
 |
|
Israeli security forces secure the site of a bulldozer attack on King David Street on July 22 in Jerusalem, Israel. The bulldozer driver was shot dead by an Israeli after he attacked two cars with the vehicle, injuring as many as seven people, police said. The incident appeared to be a copycat of the one on July 2, when a Palestinian in Jerusalem killed three people and wounded 30 others when he rammed a bulldozer into a bus and cars on a busy street before being shot dead. (Photo: Uriel Sinai / Getty Images) |
Palestinian journalists and writers seem to have found it difficult to address the current trend of bulldozer attacks in Israel. The piece of construction equipment appears to have joined our national conflict as a new weapon in the hands of Palestinians working inside Israel.
Fred's been saying this all along.
'Zionism: The Real Enemy of the Jews'—an Interview
Alan Hart's fascinating, at times shocking, tale of his experiences and conversations with top Middle East leaders provides historical context and offers an alternative to the conventional peace process. By Asma Hanif.
When Alan Hart started his journalism career in Africa at the age of 18, joining ITN television, his editor summed up what his job ought to be: "Keep democracy alive." Hart made it his life's mission.
The profession took him around the world as a foreign correspondent, with a stop in Vietnam where he learned that "you cannot defeat an idea with bullets and bombs."
The British reporter was probably the only correspondent to have enjoyed on the professional level access to, and on the human level friendship with, the top leaders of both the sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including Yasser Arafat and Golda Meir. It was not without reason that, in 1980, he was chosen by United Nations senior leaders to lead a secret peace initiative between Shimon Peres and Arafat, an initiative that, a decade later, became the Oslo process.
But behind the scenes, Hart discovered a bitter truth: that the two-state settlement was "long dead."
http://www.worldpress.org/Mideast/3206.cfm
the brain was thinking about EMILY' list, which stands for
Early
Money
Is
Like
Yeast
because it makes the dough rise. So, it came up with
LM = LH
Late Money is Like Heat
because it bakes the bread. Send late money to Obama.
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By seashell on Jul 28, 2008 4:31 PM EDTHuron, I just recommended ... and posted articles on the last town square.
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