Monday Open Thread

28 Dec 2009 Author: rikyrah

Today is the third day of Kwanzaa.
Great diary on Kwanzaa at The 44 Diaries

Today’s Principle is Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems, and to solve them together.

President Barack Obama, laughs with a Marine as he and first lady Michelle Obama, greet marines during Christmas dinner at Anderson Hall on Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii Friday, Dec. 25, 2009. The Obamas are in Hawaii for the holidays.
————AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Good Morning.

As you go begin a new week, don’t forget JJP.

Drop those links. Engage in debate. Give us trivia and gossip too.

And always, have a peaceful day.

Tags: Open Thread

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RobM
The wonders of coffee filters
Better than paper towels and a lot less expensive…
COFFEE FILTERS
Coffee filters …. Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing even the large ones.
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.
2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome… Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.
4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes..
11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..
13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease..
14… Keep in the bathroom. They make great “razor nick fixers.”
15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.
16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.
17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.
18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.
19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.
20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies.. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.
21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.
22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.
23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.
24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book….
25. Use as a disposable “snack bowl” for popcorn, chips, etc.
OH YEAH THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS TOO.
RobM
Trying to understand the Shia Sunni schism and how it plays out in Iran and elsewhere.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/mid…
RobM
“The upheaval in financial markets did not just eliminate generous lending for home buyers; it also ended an era of easy credit for students and their families facing the soaring cost of a college degree.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar…
soulsistah02
I'd prefer expanding Medicare to all American citizens. But that's a pipedream. Actually, I must be on the pipe if I believe it can happen. *sigh*
Plantsmantx
Where did that come from? I didn't see AM2K comment on black people vis-a-vis “these progressives”, or “those progressives”, for that matter. Did you say that because you didn't have anything else to say?
By the way, the people who are pretending to “feel sorry for the darkies”, as you put it, are mostly “those progressives”- namely the BooMans and Giordanos of the blogosphere. I noticed that even Ron Brownstein picked up the “white, college-educated liberal bloggers” meme…as if he gives a damn.
isonprize
RobM,
Who knew you were financially savvy AND domestic? LOLOL Thanks, these are great tips!!!
isonprize
“the side-eye express”
Consider it copped. LOLOL
mon_dieu_ishmael
My wife will probably think I am nuts as neither of us drinks coffee, but i just gotta try some of those suggestions.
http://thisblksistaspage.wordpress.com/ blksista
You're not on the pipe if you want Medicare expanded.
Hell, when they were talking about expanding it to 55 y.o.s, I felt like I could breathe. Until they got rid of it in the final draft.
mon_dieu_ishmael
RE: Health rather than Healthcare:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/12/28/frum.unhe…
While I do not agree with much that is said in the article the following is true:
“If you eat too much, exercise too little, drink too much, smoke, take drugs, fail to wear a seat belt or ignore gun safety, there is only so much a doctor or hospital can do for you.
And Americans do all those things, more than other people.
One-third of Americans are overweight. That one single fact accounts for almost 10 percent of all health care spending. At any given moment, one out of six motorists is unbelted. American children are nine times more likely to be injured in a gun accident than children in other developed countries.
If all Americans quit smoking, if everybody wore a seat belt, if gun owners consistently secured their weapons, if we all drank in moderation and abjured illegal drugs and if the one-third of the country that is overweight would drop the extra pounds, those individual actions would do more to improve health and extend lives than any contemplated by Congress or the president.”
soulsistah02
Here’s a transcript of a recent exchange I had with a female co-worker. Please note that CW is an abbreviation for co-worker. Also, the person is a member of the “dominant” culture…
CW: Blah, blah, blah. How was your Christmas? (reaches for my stapler and begins stapling away)
ME: Um, you’re welcomed.
CW: Huh? (looks puzzled)
ME: You’re welcomed – for using my stapler. (saying matter-of-factly)
CW: (giggles) Well, this stapler belongs to the company.
ME: Well, it is on my desk. In fact, it was temporarily issued to me so that makes it my property…that you used…without my permission.
CW: (looks confused) Oh! You told me that you were very sarcastic.
ME: (looks into CW’s eyes without grinning) But, I’m not being funny.
(Silence envelopes my cubicle)
Town
LOL. But didn't you realize you have no rights which need to be respected? LOL
I had a former coworker who would do this:
CW asks White Co-worker #1 if she can look on her desk for the File.
CW asks White Co-worker #2 if she can look on her desk for the File.
CW just starts rummaging through my desk for the file. When I give her the BITCH U SEE ME look, all of a sudden I'M the rude angry black woman.
Sometimes you HAVE to be the angry black bitch in order to get a smidgen of common respect given to others. SMH.
AM2k9
Guns,
You know, it's funny but when I criticized Bush for the same type of imperialistic overreach, I was told to move to Canada or France. So, you saying that there are “other countries” is a sign that I'm being faithful to my values and ideals. But, just for the sake of it, my America is one in which you can question/criticize our leaders when they are wrong. That's not being idealistic; that's actually being truth to the democratic ideals found at this nation's birth. Also, I'd reject the Haitian example, mostly because when the Haitians rebelled against the French, they did so because the French had their foot on their necks. That sure hasnt been the case with Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Dominican Republic, Belize, Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Somali, Pakistan and now Yemen. None of them represented a threat to your or mine sovereignty.
rikyrah
AFTERNOON OPEN THREAD IS UP
rikyrah
both of you are on point.
rikyrah
this is pretty much on point.
Guns3000
No, I'm not saying you don't have the right criticize. All I'm saying these arguments are endless because depending on your perspective dictates which wars or “rebellions” are justifiable. There are people in this country that believe The South had every right to secede for the Union and the actions of the Union were illegal. I was using the Haitian example because there are people France that would say Haiti had no right to kill French soldiers. I'm not saying the countries that you named threatened my or your sovereignty. What I'm saying those countries' hands are not clean in the whole scheme of things as well.
mon_dieu_ishmael
Its a big NO NO to rummage through someone elses desk looking for files (unless the rummager is your boss). Fussing over a stapler – LOL – that's just silly.
Plantsmantx
“Historically there are very few countries where their sovereignty hasn't come at the expense of another group in some way, shape or form.”
So…are you taking an amoral view on subject of international conflict? In other words, there is no right or wrong, and it's just the way the world works?
Clear&PresentDanger
What do you suggest is illegal about the bombings in Yemen?
Clear&PresentDanger
AM: Why Yemen all of the sudden?
There is nothing 'all of a sudden' about the situation in Yemen. We have had advisors there since 2002.
Yemen has been a hotbed for terrorism for a decade. The only thing 'new' is the sh'ia-backed 'rebels' who have been causing trouble the last few years, and Saudi Arabia's reaction to the 'rebel's moves into SA.
You just have not been paying attention.
AM2k9
Yemen is a sovereign country. They did not attack us. As such, to drop bombs on them is a clear violation of international law. More importantly, however, is the fact that we wouldnt want another country discriminately dropping bombs in the city of Detroit or New Orleans.
AM2k9
“We have had advisors there since 2002.”—I love the doublespeak. “Advisors”…Why not call them spies or mercenaries? And should I also point out to you that Egypt and Saudi Arabia have also been “hotbeds” for terrorism since time immemorial.
twg
I guess you really gave her a taste of something! To what end, was is Christmas, or the “dominant culture”? Have a merry day, anyway.
Clear&PresentDanger
No doublespeak, AM, they are there for COIN training of the Yemeni military. The tempo has stepped up since Yemen decided to get serious about the islamists who are threatening their country.
The COIN training had its genesis in the aftermath of the USS Cole bombing, which, as you might recall, happened in Yemen.
twg
Yeah, yeah, minimize the opposition. Astroturfers are endemic now, but Democrats have the real lock on renting a crowd. Let's read the healthcare bill together when they finally release it in mid-February. You'll be able to feign a little distaste at it's lack of communal teeth. The real politics are just beginning and crowds won't need to be rented come spring.
Clear&PresentDanger
“And should I also point out to you that Egypt and Saudi Arabia have also been “hotbeds” for terrorism since time immemorial.”
But have not exported it directly to the US, except in Egypt's case (in the form of CAIR).
Saudi Arabia walks a fine line with their devil's bargain with the wahabbis, to be sure. Ultimately it will come down to parts of Saudi Arabia needing to be wiped off the face of the earth, starting with Mecca and Medina.
morphus
The Koch brothers rent-a-crowd poll higher than the Republican party, that's not likely to change any time soon.
AM2k9
You know, it's funny, 'cause every time I come in contact with folks from Afghanistan and Iraq (just to pick the two countries we're occupying right now), i get a different reaction from “they want to kill us.” My wild guess is that that prior to the invasion, 95% of Afghanis could give two flying flies about America; about you, me, and “our way of life.” The same thing for the Iraqis. Now, if you move to more “militant” “hotbeds” (Egypt and Saudi Arabia), you'd probably find that their grievances against the U.S is tied to particular issues. For instance, in Saudi Arabia there is the 60K + American troops (or infidels as they call us over there). There is also our loyal support for the monarchy (which is highly unpopular among the populace). In Egypt, there is our support for the repressive Mubarak's government which makes a lot of Egyptians hate us (remember the wet kiss Obama threw his way during the Cairo speech?). Also, there's the mother of all grievances against the U.S in the middle East: support for the apartheid state Israel. Those are specific issues they have against us…and they are very far from the “they hate us for who we are” mantra spouted by the Right.
Guns3000
LOL….don't be bombastic Town.
Guns3000
No, what I'm saying is “right or wrong” is matter of perspective.
dthomas_85
“I was using the Haitian because there are people in France that would say Haiti had no right to kill French soldiers”
LMBAO,hahahha. Yea, and Nat Turner was an inherently murderous black man with no principles comparable to slave killers, slave owners and white rapist if you want to go there and embrace ALL perspectives. While we're at it, why don't we lend credibility to the rationale behind the thinking of people like Hitler and Stalin while we're discussing these things. Are you serious?!
You are basically trying to universalize and dumb down history without embracing the nuances, complexities and context in which events take place. Trying to draw a parallel between the violent aggressive actions of Western nations (or people) and the violent actions of non-western nations (or people) that defend themselves from colonization or enslavement is not fair to history and is also (sorry to say!) an intellectually shabby perspective. You're trying blur the lines between the actions of the oppressor and the oppressed with that very weak Haiti/French example – and trying to evoke the french perspective in that fiasco…well,talk about being mentally colonized.
Context is very important, and anyone who contextualizes history knows that there has been a consistent historical pattern of Western nations invading the countries of,and murdering the people of developing/non-western nations on a grand scale. There are no examples of non-western nations developing an institutional slave trade like the Atlantic Slave Trade or examples of non-western nations colonizing Europe in the same manner that Europe has colonized massive parts of Africa (read about the Scramble for Africa) or North and South America along with Australia. How interesting is it that those that are considered the most eminent threat to to the so called West now, reside in the one continent the West has been unable to control and conquer like the others: Asia.
I don't say any of this to suggest that Non/Western countries are examples of perpetual peace.The slave owning Arabs,the Zulu tribe, the Ottoman Empire and the Moors definitely have their horror stories. However when one looks at history comprehensively, one will definitely see a disparity between the violent actions and colonizing activities of western and non-western nations.
Peace.
Guns3000
“There are no examples of non-western nations developing an institutional slave trade like”
You have been mislead. I don't want to “compare” slavery but the Arab slave trade was A LOT longer and more severe than the European one to excuse either but you seem like you did.
“is also (sorry to say!) an intellectually shabby perspective.”
My perspective is so intellectually shabby you dedicated half the page to my post.
ch555x
I do tip #7 to stretch the veggie oil. I look forward to doing the others as well!
dthomas_85
“I don't want to “compare” slavery but the Arab slave trade was A LOT longer and more severe than the European “
Although the Arab slave trade was longer, the amount of people enslaved during the Arab slave trade was essentially the same as the amount enslaved during the Atlantic slave trade. The Arab Slave trade was about 1000 years while the Atlantic Slave trade was about 1/3 of that time (about 300-400 years), yet Europeans transported (arguably in the most brutal fashion) and enslaved the same amount of black Africans it took the Arabs 1000 years to enslave – hence decimating the population of Africa (and destroying its culture) at a much faster pace.
The amount of black slaves murdered during the transportation across the Atlantic was much higher than those who were transported from Africa to Asia. I'm not trying to justify either or, I just think it's important to be specific in discussing the History of African Americans we do know.
Peace.
mon_dieu_ishmael
I agree that the Arab and Western slave trades transported about the same number of slaves. But I disagree in that both trades were brutal. The Arabs were not interested in male slaves and usually either killed all the men when they raided a village or else castrated them during the transport.
Clear&PresentDanger
” For instance, in Saudi Arabia there is the 60K + American troops (or infidels as they call us over there). “
What 60K+ American troops are you talking about, AM?
'Mother of all grievances'? The arabs couldn't care less about 'palestine'; they have treated the 'palestinians' like dogs for decades. And Israel is no 'apartheid' country.
Guns3000
AMK29 doesn't understand that the US had Yemeni consent to bomb those targets. And also the Yemen government wants those people killed just as much as the US does.
Clear&PresentDanger
AMK29 doesn't understand…
I agree.
Guns3000
AMK29 doesn't understand that the US had Yemeni consent to bomb those targets. And also the Yemen government wants those people killed just as much as the US does.
Clear&PresentDanger
AMK29 doesn't understand…
I agree.
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Cheryl Contee aka "Jill Tubman", Baratunde Thurston aka "Jack Turner", rikyrah, Leutisha Stills aka "The Christian Progressive Liberal", B-Serious, Casey Gane-McCalla, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley aka "Marcus Toussaint," Fredric Mitchell, Keith Owens, Anson Asaka, Barbara Moore, Deborah Small, Lisa Coffman, Michael Patton

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